I get why Columbo was suspicious of the doctor right from the start but how did he figure out the mistress/actress/patient was involved in the plot? At first I thought perhaps she'd left a fingerprint on the light switch but she was wearing gloves. Was this ever explained?
shareHe heard the phone call at the house when the doc said something like "Er- I can't see you today. I'll see you Friday at 3." Then Columbo shows up Friday at 3 at the doctor's office, and gets the woman's name. Something about the phone call and her nervous demeanor probably caught his attention.
shareHe's suspicious of the doctor and then he speaks to airline personnel and learns that "Mrs. Fleming" was hiding and covering up, acting nervous and strange. After he showed up at the office, he figured out that this Katherine must have been involved.
They also inform Columbo that he traveled to Mexico with nine pounds of extra baggage. I love the line "did you take those medical journals out fishing with you, sir?"
I didn't think of it on my first viewing, but on subsequent viewings I realized Columbo was hanging around the doctor's apartment to get a first hand look at his reaction when he comes through the door.
No, "Carol, I'm home. Are you still angry?" Just a very calm man quietly looking at the tape outline on the floor and the broken window. Most spouses would freak out at such a sight.
I think Columbo pegged him for the murder in that moment.
I think Columbo pegged him for the murder in that moment.
Yeah that did him in for sure. Any normal person would've reacted "What the hell!?" and yelled for Carol!