negating a mere reason
Mrs. Allen, we don't arrest people just because we're interested in them.Zodiac · 2007 — Chapter 18 of 30 · 5'01" · B1
Police Question Leigh Allen's Mother, Explained: greener pastures
On the surface it is a polite interview: detectives ask a mother about her son, and she admits, "Leigh's always been troubled." Underneath, the case is stalling. A Christmas card seems to match the killer's odd spelling, yet the handwriting expert still won't confirm it, and no warrant follows.
What happens
Detectives visit the Allen home and interview the suspect's mother, who admits her son has always been troubled and shows them an old Christmas card. Its unusual spelling matches the killer's letters. Later, a handwriting test still isn't enough for a judge, and the police lose their bid for a warrant.
Listen for
for the time beingin step withgreener pasturesspice it up
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Now
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Phrase of the scene
greener pastures
a better or more promising place
Avery 接着说自己会「欣然另谋高就」，用 greener pastures 把跳槽说得体面又带刺。
She left the firm for greener pastures overseas.
Also in this scene
- for the time being
for now, temporarily
- in step with
in harmony or accordance with
- spice it up
to make something more interesting or exciting
Everything marked in this scene
49 notes across 86 lines
Well, Leigh's always been troubled.liaison
Well, Leigh's always been troubled.We don't see him much anymore since we found out.We don't see him much anymore since we found out.What are your feelings about Don Cheney?Well, Don's a very reliable guy.If he were to tell you something, I'd believe it to be true.were to for hypothetical
If he were to tell you something, I'd believe it to be true.We got a Christmas card from Leigh a couple years ago.He spelled it the exact same way. Christ-mass.Thank you. That'd be great.Is there anything else we can do to help?-That gets you around a warrant. -For the time being.for now, temporarily
-That gets you around a warrant. -For the time being.If we do find something, Mulanax will go to the DA in Vallejo, and we could search the place properly.Doesn't remember how he got onto him,but didn't think he looked like a killer so he didn't like him for Z.negative raising
but didn't think he looked like a killer so he didn't like him for Z.-But you do? -I wish I could've taken the guy in there.Take it slow, Dave. Try and find more stuff for Sherwood.flap
Take it slow, Dave. Try and find more stuff for Sherwood.A match'll get us farther on the warrants.-Avery's on two. -Tell him to screw.to make something more interesting or exciting
You want me to communicate that verbatim or can I spice it up a little?The letter to Melvin Belli was sent exactly one year after the Lake Herman Road murder.-She was killed a day before Halloween. -Yeah.You know, these are all fascinating pieces of news, Robert,it's a bit early in the day.flap
it's a bit early in the day.-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up. -No, no, no.would for inference
Both hands would have commonalities.We struck out with the judge.liaison
We struck out with the judge.He won't sign off on a warrant for Allen's house.unless-clause
Now, unless we bring him a handwriting match or some evidence that...How are we gonna get evidence if we can't toss the house?How are we gonna get evidence if we can't toss the house?We need Allen's right hand. We can't get it without a warrant.asking to be put in charge of the Zodiac investigation?to promote an exchange and free flow of ideas.-And that you run it. -Well, who better than me?One, stop boozing.And three, cut this nonsense out.separable phrasal verb
And three, cut this nonsense out.in harmony or accordance with
you feel my excellent work is no longer in step with this trashy provincial rag,you feel my excellent work is no longer in step with this trashy provincial rag,More than happily decamp for greener pastures.-What was that? -An editorial tête-à-tête.Police Question Leigh Allen's Mother, explained
What's really going on
The scene is about how close evidence can come without closing a case. A mother's remark—"Leigh's always been troubled"—does more damage than any accusation, and the Christmas card she keeps turns a spelling mistake into a possible link. But the system holds: the handwriting analyst matches the sample yet refuses to treat left-hand writing as proof, and the judge wants more before signing a warrant. The police are left asking how to get evidence without a search, while the reporter on the case treats the paper as beneath him and threatens to leave for greener pastures. The frustration is built into the rules.
Theme
JusticeEvidence closes in on a suspect, but warrants and analysts keep the case just out of reach.
DutyDetectives and a handwriting expert stick to procedure even when the answer feels obvious.
What you'll learn
- The family says Leigh has always been troubled, then asks if they will arrest him.
- A Christmas card spells Christ-mass with two S's, matching the letters.
- The brother will search the apartment next time Leigh leaves, getting around a warrant.
- The cop who saw him two days after Berryessa did not like him for Zodiac.
Listen for
- always been troubled — liaison
- Take it slow — flap
- a bit early — flap
- struck out — liaison
Well, Leigh's always been troubled.The mother's quiet admission that her son has long had problems, offered as explanation more than defense.
More than happily decamp for greener pastures.A proud threat to quit the paper for a better job, delivered with heavy sarcasm.
We need Allen's right hand. We can't get it without a warrant.The deadlock in one line: the key evidence is unreachable unless a judge approves a search.
This suspect is not your Zodiac.The expert's flat refusal to confirm the theory, cutting off the hope that the case was about to break.
Questions about this scene
Why do the detectives visit Leigh Allen's mother?
They are gathering background on the suspect, hoping a relative can confirm details that match the Zodiac letters.
What makes the Christmas card important?
It shows Allen spelling Christmas the same unusual way as the killer's letters, which could tie him to the case.
Why can't the police search Allen's house?
A judge says the evidence isn't enough to sign a warrant, and without a search they can't get the handwriting sample they need.
Why does the reporter threaten to leave?
He is told to stop drinking and cut out his stunts, and he answers by mocking the paper and saying he would happily move to a better job.
Zodiac · 30 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 19home turfPolice Build a Case Against Allen
Chapter 1creep someone outDarlene Ferrin's Last Drive
Chapter 2I wouldn't kid youThe Zodiac Confession Call
Chapter 3shed light onZodiac's Cipher Reaches the Chronicle
Chapter 4get any ideasZodiac Attacks the Couple at the Lake
Chapter 5a hell of a get-upZodiac's Lake Berryessa Attack
Chapter 6flag a cabThe Presidio Cab Murder
Chapter 7did inZodiac Claims the Taxi Murder
Chapter 8skip townPolice Bicker Over the Zodiac Case
Chapter 9at a moment's noticeZodiac Calls the TV Talk Show
Chapter 10crack the codeBelli Tries to Catch the Zodiac
Chapter 11What's your angle?Graysmith Cracks the Zodiac Cipher
Chapter 12the more the merrierKathleen Johns Escapes the Zodiac
Chapter 13come out of the woodworkGraysmith Finds the Zodiac's Source
Chapter 14in my gutGraysmith Talks Zodiac on a Date
Chapter 15beat the bushesRiverside Investigators Compare Notes
Chapter 16lost in the shuffleThe Informant Describes Leigh Allen
Chapter 17the whole pointPolice Question Arthur Leigh Allen
Watching · Chapter 18greener pasturesPolice Question Leigh Allen's Mother
Chapter 19home turfPolice Build a Case Against Allen
Chapter 20tore out of herePolice Search Allen's Trailer
Chapter 21holding the bagBill Transfers Out of the Chronicle
Chapter 22fade into a footnoteGraysmith Pitches a Zodiac Book
Chapter 23yesterday's newsGraysmith Talks His Way In
Chapter 24more than just a coincidenceGraysmith Follows the Birthday Clue
Chapter 25tread lightlyGraysmith Chases Rick Marshall
Chapter 26blow overThe Letter That Framed Toschi
Chapter 27put yourself out thereGraysmith Chases the Case at Home
Chapter 28get it in your headGraysmith Meets the Theater Owner
Chapter 29the date that didn't endLinda Recalls the Painting Party
Chapter 30cancel each other outRobert Confronts Dave About AllenChapter 18 of 30 · about 61 min to go