I Thank a Fool

Dr. Christine Allison is convicted of manslaughter for mercy killing her terminally ill, married lover. She serves two years in prison before being released and struggles to find employment afterward. Her past actions have left her with a stained reputation in the medical community.

Stephen Dane, the prosecutor who put Christine in prison, unexpectedly offers her a job to care for his disturbed wife, Liane. Recognizing her medical background despite her license being revoked, Christine becomes suspicious of his motives but agrees to take the position out of desperation.

Christine starts her new job caring for Liane at the Dane household. She notices Liane's mental instability and the suspicious circumstances surrounding her behavior. Tensions increase as Christine questions Stephen's true intentions for hiring her.

Liane's father, Captain Ferris, unexpectedly visits the Danes' home while they are out. Christine learns that his supposed car accident and death may have unhinged Liane, but Ferris leaves without seeing his daughter, raising her suspicions about his motives.

Christine persuades Liane to return to her childhood home in Ireland to confront her past. There, they find Liane's father drunk and living with another woman. Liane suffers another breakdown, highlighting her fragile mental state.

While fleeing from her father, Liane falls and sustains an injury. Christine gives her two pills from a bottle to help her sleep, following instructions, but the situation becomes increasingly tense and uncertain about Liane's well-being.

The next morning, Liane is found dead, and the pill bottle is missing. An investigation begins, and Christine is questioned about the circumstances of her death, deepening her suspicions and the mystery surrounding the case.

During the inquest, the coroner reveals Christine's criminal past, and she accuses Stephen of hiring her to mislead the investigation. Christine's defense hinges on her suspicions about Stephen's involvement in Liane's death.

Christine notices Captain Ferris looking at his heirloom pocket watch, which Liane had stolen the night before her death. Ferris admits that Liane took the overdose herself, and reveals his own murky past involving blackmail, highlighting complex motives.

As authorities come to arrest Ferris for blackmail, he leans against a rotted fence and falls to his death. His demise concludes the tangled web of deception, secrets, and revenge that surrounded the case.

After Ferris's death, Stephen asks Christine for a lift. The two drive away together, implying a tentative connection and possibly a new beginning after the turbulent events.