Plot

A popular but underhanded radio talk show host murders an ex-employee, who's been encouraging his boss's adopted daughter to publish her book against her possessive father's wishes. Lt. Columbo investigates.

L.A. radio moderator Fielding Chase kills Gerry Winters, a member of his staff who tried to help Chase's daughter Victoria (also a staff member) to leave her father and become a novelist in New York. Chase presents a fine alibi: Winters was shot dead while speaking to him on the phone, even the shooting was recorded on his answering machine. Everything seems perfect, but will Lt. Columbo really believe this story?—Otto Oberhauser <Oberhauser@cc.univie.ac.at>

Bombastic and opinionated radio host Fielding Chase faces a crisis when his ward, 25 year-old Victoria Chase, decides to spread her wings and leave home. Chase is a national celebrity thanks to his call-in show and while Victoria works as his producer, his affection for her runs deep. The root of Chase's problem, however, is another employee, Gerry Winters, who has been encouraging Victoria and has even found a literary agent to peddle her book. Chase kills Gerry in an elaborate scheme, but the unassuming Lt. Columbo begins to have doubts about his alibi. In the end, it's Chase's car-phone that proves to be his undoing.—garykmcd