Prime Suspect (1982) - full transcript

(Multicom Jingle)

- Hang on to your hats, news fans,

'cause here we are in
beautiful, scenic Santa Luisa.

Beautiful, sunny Santa Luisa.

Beautiful, smoggy Santa Luisa.

Damn foggy Santa Luisa.

Cute, but rather run-down Santa Luisa.

Here we are.
- Okay, Amy, get serious.

- Okay.

I'm gonna stand about here.

And start on the bell
tower, and then pull back,



and try to keep it in the
background as much as possible.

Okay, how do I look?

No, don't answer that.

Tell the truth, don't tell the truth.

It's too early in the morning.

- [Camera Operator] Three, two, one.

- The Santa Luisa Bell Tower,

a landmark in the community since 1927

has withstood five fires, several floods,

and assorted acts of vandalism.

(dramatic music)
(children laughing)

- [Sharon] We sold them all, Mommy.

- Oh, that's wonderful, darling.

How many more do you want?



- Three.
- Four.

- I think three a piece
is enough for right now.

You can always come back for more.

- I bet I can sell more than you can.

- Oh yeah?

- Be careful crossing the street!

- I will, Mom.

(phones ringing)

- Excuse me, Mr. Staplin.

Mr. Kendall would like to see
you in his office right away.

- Tell him I'm on my way.

- Yes.

Oh, by the way, how do you want me

to handle the Chicago reservations?

- One for me and one for Jan.

I'll pay for hers.

Hey Roy, what's up?

- I'm a little concerned
about your Chicago trip.

If we don't get the bid
on the lake shore plaza,

we're in trouble.

- They loved the renderings.

The specs are solid.

- Yeah, but will they buy it?

You're up against some real heavyweights.

(dramatic music)

Come on, let's go to lunch.

I wanna talk strategy.

- Oh, can it wait, Roy?

I've got an appointment.

- Okay, but the presentation's
only 11 days away.

- I know.

- I'll tell you what.

Why don't you and Jan come
over to the club on Saturday.

We'll play some doubles
and talk about it then.

- Okay, if you promise not to be

too tough on me with that backhand.

(Roy laughs)

- I'm sorry, young lady.

But if I let you in to sell cookies,

I'd have to let everybody
in to sell cookies

and then no one'd get their work done.

Okay?

- Okay.

- Anything for me, Ursula?

- Oh, no.

Oh, but Mr. Kendall,

your secretary just called

and your conference call
to Portland's ready.

- Oh, thanks, Ursula.

Is this some conspiracy
to keep me on a diet?

First nobody eats with me,

then they won't let me eat by myself.

- It's for your own good, Roy.

I've gotta go out for a while.

Will you cover for me?

- Sure thing, Mr. Staplin.

- Hey, hey, hey.

That's what we used to
call a lazy man's load.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you let me take
one of those off your hands?

- [Sharon] Whoa.

(both giggle)
- How much are they?

- A dollar a box.

- Okay, you got it.

I'll take one.
- Okay.

- I'll tell you what, I'll take two.

- Oh, great.

Wait'll I tell Leslie.

- Leslie?
- Yeah.

- Oh.
- Okay.

- Okay, I'll tell you what now.

You open the door for me, okay?

- Okay.

- Thank you.

What are you gonna do with the money?

- We're gonna take a trip to go camping.

- Oh, neat.

Up in the mountains?

- Yeah.

- Oh, do you do that a lot?

- Um, enough.

It's really fun.

- Great.

- Well.

- Thanks, kid.

You're a terrific salesman.

(women laughing)

- Hi.
- I'm getting punchy.

- Hi.

Where's Sharon?

- [Leslie] I don't know.

(dramatic music)

- Where is she?

Sharon!

Sharon!

(sirens wailing)

(police radio chattering)

She'd never run off like that by herself.

I've told you a thousand times.

- Which direction was she heading?

- Over there somewhere.

One minute she was here
and then she was gone.

I don't know.

Find her!

- We're doing everything we can, ma'am.

We need some more information.

(children chattering)

- Okay, we've got a late breaker.

Let's go.

We don't have all day.

Stand by.

(upbeat music)

Stand by.

Let's see your frame.

Get the copy over there.

Bump to camera one.

Bump to camera one.

Hold it.

Tilt up camera two.

Stand by to announce.

Come on, you've got four seconds, John.

All right, ready camera two.

Ready, camera two.
- We interrupt this program

for a special news bulletin.

Here in the Channel Six
newsroom is John Malloy.

- Good afternoon.

Another Santa Luisa girl has disappeared

and there's speculation that
she might be the fourth victim

of the so-called Golden Girl killer.

Channel Six reporter Amy
McCleary is at the scene.

Amy.

- John, sometime within the past two hours

10 year old Sharon Harris
vanished from this street

while selling cookies door-to-door.

Now whether she was abducted

or simply vanished on her
own remains a mystery.

But the police are taking no chances.

The presence here of
the special task force,

which was organized last year,

indicates that they think
this could be the work

of the so-called Golden Girl killer

even though he has not struck
in the past seven months.

(dramatic music)

- Janice,

Tracy, I'm home!

Hello?

Anybody home?

- Yeah.
- Oh, sorry.

- Yeah well, what if I call you back later

if I hear anything, all right?

Yeah.

Bye.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in.

- It's all right.

That was Linda.

Another girl's disappeared.

- Another girl?

Oh, God.

Do they know where?

- Well, I don't know.

Apparently she was out
with a bunch of girls

and she disappeared.

- [Frank] Where's Tracy?

- She wasn't in the front room?

- No.

- Tracy!

- [Frank] Honey.

- [Janice] Tracy!

- Sweetheart.
- Tracy!

Tracy!
- Tracy!

Tracy, Tracy!

- [Janice] Tracy!

- Daddy?

- Hi.

We were just wondering where you were.

- I was just playing.

- Of course you were.

- [John] Get this blown up right away.

We'll use it for the 6:00 o'clock news.

Do you have any decent
footage of the mother?

- What's decency got to do with it?

- We're not running a
popularity contest here, Amy.

I want this maniac caught.

We have to get the people outraged.

Or are we just gonna sit around

and let the network do it for us?

What do you say people?

- Hey, don't worry about it, John.

We're all in this together, okay?

- We better be.

Okay.

What have the police put together on this?

- All blonde, all under 11,
all dumped in the woods.

Everything else seems random.

- So how come we don't hear
from this guy for seven months

then (snaps finger) all of a sudden?

- Well, we've checked every jail

and mental institution in the state

to see if our boy's been in custody.

But so far, nothing corresponds.

- What about other states?

- Well, the feds are working on it

but it's a long shot.

No, this is definitely a local crazy.

Probably an impulse
killer who seems normal

and every once in a while just shorts out.

- [Tom] Oh, great.

- It could be anybody
from the ice cream man

to the archbishop.

- The girl goes to our school.

- Do you know her?

- I had her four years ago.

She was a sweet little girl.

God, listen to how I'm talking.

We don't even know that
anything's happened to her yet.

- Well, it certainly
doesn't look good, does it?

Can you imagine what the
parents must be going through?

Honey, I don't want Tracy
left alone for a minute.

Not until this is over.

- What happened to you?

- Oh, I had a flat tire.

- Klutz.

Good thing I married you for your mind.

- Is that what it was?

- Well.

- At this hour, there are still no clues

as to the whereabouts of
10 year old Sharon Harris

who disappeared this afternoon

while selling cookies door-to-door

on the city's west side.

When last seen, Sharon was wearing

a blue and gold uniform and
blue and white sneakers.

Police, using specially trained dogs,

have been combing the
area near Kensington Park

but so far have come up empty handed.

Sharon has blonde hair, brown eyes,

is about four foot five inches
tall and weighs 65 pounds.

Officially, while police
are still refusing

to classify Sharon's disappears
as a kidnapping, we have--

- Well, I've done my part.

How's the roast coming?

- [Janice] Shh.

- [Amy] Federal officials
are saying, however.

- It's about that Harris girl.
- That until there's evidence

that a kidnapping has actually occurred,

they are powerless to take an active role

in the investigation.

- Oh my god.
- Police are now investigating

any link between this disappearance--

- That's the girl I bought
cookies from this morning.

- Where?

- In the lobby at the office.

I've gotta get ahold of the police.

They're looking in the wrong place.

- At 555-9355.
- 555-9355.

- Meanwhile, we will
interrupt regular programming

to keep you posted on any further updates.

John.

- Six more state officials
were implicated today

in an influence peddling scheme.

- Carter, transfer line three
to me as soon as it comes in.

I'm expecting a call.
- I wish I could tell you

something that could really help.

- [Bob] Well, if more people
like you would drop by

we might be able to break this case.

- I just hate to take up your time.

- No, no, we really appreciate
you coming by, Mr. Staplin.

Your information might be very valuable.

You never know.

- I hope so.

It's easy to see you've got
your work cut out for you.

- (laughs) Every little bit helps.

But thanks again for dropping by.

- Sure, anytime.

(phones ringing)

- I just don't think this is possible.

I only saw the man for a minute

and I wasn't paying any attention.

It wasn't until I saw the
girl's picture on television

that it dawned on me what I--

- Mrs. Edwards, anything that
you could remember at all

will be helpful to us.

Now, you did see the girl

and she was talking to a man.

- Mm-hmm.

- Did you see the man clearly?

- Just for a second.

- Well, Dr. Fuller here

seems to think that quite
possibly under hypnosis

you might be able to recall something

that otherwise escapes you.

- It's just a means of getting information

from the unconscious part of
the brain to the conscious.

There's really no voodoo involved.

- Mrs. Edwards, would
you agree to hypnosis

to see if you can remember
what the man looks like?

Please, it's vitally important to us.

- Well, I'll do whatever I can.

No.

No, it wasn't like that.

It was rounder.

And the face isn't quite right.

It was longer and a little more angular.

That's more like it, yes.

Now the hair.

It was parted on the right

and it wasn't so long.

That's it.

That's him.

That's the man I saw.

- [Bob] Any luck?

- Give me 100 copies and circulate him

to the precinct and the task force

then wire one to Sacramento.

I want an ID on this guy pronto.

- This our boy?

- He's somebody's boy.

- What about the press?

- They can wait, I can't.

- He looks kinda familiar.

- Soak it down good.

(giggles)

How's it going, Ray?

- Gee Frank, how are you?

Hell of a deal about
that little girl, huh?

- Yeah, a hell of a deal.

- I'll tell you what.

I'd know how to take care of that guy

if I ever got my hands on him.

- [Frank] Yeah.

- Frank, I've been thinking.

Maybe it's time we started up
a neighborhood watch program.

You know, something like that.

- That's not a bad idea.

Why don't we get some of
the neighbors together

and talk about it?

- Let's do it, let's do
it, buddy, all right?

- All right.
- Good.

See you later.

- [Frank] Okay.

- Hi, honey.

You all right?

- Yeah, just tired.

- Well, you've had a long day.

We all have.

- It's funny, isn't it?

Sometimes it takes an
awful thing like this

to make you realize how lucky you are.

- Yeah.

- I'm gonna go lie down for a while.

I'm just wasted.

- Okay.

- We'll go to the store

and we'll get some groceries

and then we'll come home and see Mommy

and then we'll ask Mommy
if we can go to the park

and then we can play on the swings, okay?

(dramatic music)

- Whoever you are,
please, please contact us

and tell us what you want.

I promise you nobody's going to hurt you.

We just want our baby back.

Sharon,

if you can hear me,

remember that Mommy and Daddy
love you very, very much

and you're going to be back
with us very, very soon.

(mother crying)

- Okay, that's enough.

- No wonder everybody
says cops are stupid.

- Oh, is that what everybody says?

- Parker and Mendoza went through

every mug book in the joint.

He wasn't there.

You wanna know why?

Because he was sitting at
my desk not 12 hours ago.

If my mind wasn't a sieve

I'd have made the
connection right off he bat.

I feel like a class A moron.

- Did you give yourself a promotion?

(Bob laughs)

What's with Frank Staplin?

- Oh, he says he bought
cookies off the girl

just before she disappeared.

Wanted to let us know we were
looking in the wrong spot.

The Joe citizen routine and I fell for it.

- You run a make on this guy?

- Yeah.

He's so clean he squeaks.

- Nobody's that clean.

Well, if he's so sure we're
looking in the wrong place,

maybe we oughta have him back in here

so he can tell us the right
place to start looking.

- Frank Staplin is not only
one of my best employees,

he's also one of the finest people I know.

And what are you trying to insinuate?

- We're not trying to insinuate
anything, Mr. Kendall.

We're just trying to clear
up a few frayed ends.

You gotta start somewhere.

- Well if you're so concerned about Frank,

why don't you talk to him?

I'm sure he'd be
perfectly candid with you.

- Oh, we plan on doing that, sir.

- You usually have lunch
with Mr. Staplin, don't you?

- Sometimes.

- What about yesterday?

- Frank skipped lunch yesterday.

That's all I know.

- [Frank] Okay, the hotel lobby 162-380.

Now that's less than 22 difference.

Is that right?

Sure.

I just don't wanna give it away.

Okay, thanks very much.

- Mr. Staplin, these gentlemen

would like to have a few words with you.

- [Frank] Sure.

Hi, how are you doing?

- Fine, thank you.

- [Frank] Nice to see you.

- Now this is Sergeant Mendoza.

- Hi, Frank Staplin.
- How do you do?

- What can I do for you?

- Well, it's very difficult to talk

with, you know.

(laughs)

Listen, I really hate to
take you away from your work.

Would you mind coming downtown with us?

There's a couple things you
might be able to help us with.

- I don't know what more I can tell you,

but as I said,

I'm happy to help any way I can.

How's it going?

Are you making any progress?

- I think so.

(dramatic music)

(phones ringing)

- I don't know.

Well, of course it's ridiculous.

Look, I gotta go.

Bye.

- [Amy] Hi, Ursula.

I'm Amy McCleary from Channel Six News.

- Oh yeah, I watch you all the time.

- Oh you do?

Well, I'm flattered.

Listen, I wonder if I could ask
you a couple questions, huh?

- Oh.

- I think we can clear this up in no time.

You see, Mr. Staplin,

the basic problem is that
we have a composite drawing

of the kidnapping suspect

and you'll have to admit

the resemblance is uncanny.

(Frank laughs)

- What?

No, this isn't possible.

- So you see our dilemma.

- Do you have a suspect in custody or not?

I've got a deadline.

- Come on, give us a break.

Why don't you give us a break, huh?

- Just tell us who you got.

- The press officer will issue a statement

at the proper time.

Excuse me.
- Oh, come on.

- Hayden.

These are good, we'll use it at 6:00.

That's him?

- That's him.

- Not entirely what I expected.

He looks too straight.

- Sorry to disappoint you.

Look at that.

- Uh-huh.

Why trust the cops with a
little more than just this?

- Well, I know they haven't
formally charged him yet.

My guess is they're waiting
for the body to turn up.

- Uh-huh.

How did we get so lucky?

- I work long and hard
cultivating my sources.

That's how.

- Are you absolutely certain?

- I've checked and double checked.

- Hmm.

Remind me that when it's
time to renew your contract.

- Don't worry, I will.

- What's the competition got on this guy?

- Nothing.

And they're all sitting
around the police station

waiting for someone to throw them a bone.

- That's what you think.

The network is in town

and they're gonna have
a field day with this.

Okay, okay.

Dig up everything you can on the guy

and you better not blow it.

- Have you ever known me to blow a story?

In the meantime, just
keep your fingers crossed

that they don't book this guy

between now and 6:00 o'clock.

- [Tom] So where'd you go
when you left the office?

- I drove out to Elmira
to look at some property.

- Now, according to your receptionist,

Miss uh, um, Linderson,

you asked her to cover for you.

What's that supposed to mean?

- I only said that because
I was gonna be gone

for some time.

I've gotta go out for a while.

Will you cover for me?

- Sure thing, Mr. Staplin.

Hey, hey.

That's what we used to
call a lazy man's load.

Tell you what.

Why don't you let me take
one of those off your hands?

How much are they?

- A dollar a box.

- A dollar, okay I'll take one.

- Okay.

- Oh, you smooth talker.

Okay, I'll take two.

- Oh, great.

- You enjoy it?

- Yeah.

- Oh, do you got it?

- Thank you.

Thanks a lot, kiddo.

You're a terrific sales person.

- [Sharon] Thanks.

(dramatic music)

This is really very simple.

- [Tom] Okay.

- [Frank] For some time now my wife and I

have been talking about the fact

that we'd like to build
a cottage on the lake,

a summer home.

- [Tom] The American dream, huh?

- [Frank] Whatever you wanna call it.

Anyway, I heard there were

some lots for sale over by Elmira.

I wanted to look them over.

If something really knocked me out

I was gonna try to make a deal in time

to surprise my wife for our anniversary.

I wanted to check the
property out by myself

before talking to the real estate people

because, well, this kind of
thing is a big investment.

The last thing I needed was
some high pressure salesman

telling me what I like.

I wanted to be absolutely sure.

So I took a couple of pictures,

looked into some
foundation sights and left.

Figured I'd only be there
about half an hour at the most

then I'd go back to the office.

- [Tom] What changed your mind?

- [Frank] It was getting late.

I had a flat tire.

I just figured to hell with it.

- [Tom] Now, let me see
if I have this straight.

So, in order to surprise your wife,

you had to lie to your
boss and receptionist.

- Look, this is really preposterous.

Am I under arrest or what?

- [Tom] No, you haven't
been charged with anything

if that's what you mean, Mr. Staplin.

But if you'd like to
have a lawyer down here,

that's perfectly within your right.

- I don't need a lawyer.

I haven't done anything.

- [Tom] Then why all the
subterfuge Mr. Staplin?

Why two different stories about

where you were yesterday?
- Next time you go to

the track take me with you.

- [Tom] I mean, you've got to admit

it looks a little strange.

- [Frank] Look, how many times

do I have to tell you
it was my lunch hour?

I didn't think it was anybody's business

where I was going.

How the hell am I supposed to know

I'm gonna have a flat tire?

- Well there's no need to
get testy, Mr. Staplin.

We're just trying to fill in the details.

- Did anyone see you up there?

- No.

Yes, as a matter of
fact, there was a farmer

asked me if I needed a hand.

(dramatic music)

- Hey!

You want some help?

- No, thanks.

I think I can get it.

They put these lugs on too tight.

- Okay, suite yourself.

- This farmer have a name?

- Well, he didn't introduce
himself if that's what you mean.

He asked if I needed help, I said no.

- [Tom] Where'd you say this took place?

- Well, I don't know.

I've never been out there before.

Somewhere around the lake.

- But you'd recognize
it if you saw it again?

- I don't know, I suppose so.

- This farmer.

Do you think he'd remember you?

- I imagine he would.

- I mean, after all, it's not everyday

that someone has a flat tire on his farm.

Wherever that may be.

- Why don't you find him and ask him?

- Oh, don't worry, Mr. Staplin.

We will.

- Look, do you seriously think

that if I was gonna kidnap a child

I would do so right in
front of my own office?

- If I had all the answers, Mr. Staplin,

I'd be the highest paid
policeman in the world.

- Have you ever been
arrested, Mr. Staplin?

Had any trouble with the law?

- No.

- [Bob] You're quite sure of that?

- I think I'd remember
a thing like that, yes.

- Then why is it that when the FBI

ran a security check on you

they found a 1963 misdemeanor conviction

for public lewdness in the state of Iowa?

Do you care to tell us
about that, Mr. Staplin,

or has that slipped your mind too?

(tense music)

- I think it's time to reconsider

about getting yourself
a lawyer, Mr. Staplin.

(children chattering)

- Okay, let's go, guys.

(children laughing)

- [Child] Let's go home guys.

- [Jerry] Excuse me, could you point out

Janice Staplin for me?

- [Woman] That's her over there.

- Thank you.

Mrs. Staplin, mind if we talk to you?

What's your reaction to
your husband's arrest?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

Arrest for what?

- Sharon Harris.

- What?

- In other words, you didn't know?

- Know what?

- Mrs. Staplin, your husband
was taken in for questioning

about the Sharon Harris kidnapping.

- You're crazy.

I don't know what you're talking about.

- [Tracy] Did something happen to Daddy?

- Come on.

- [Jerry] Surely you must
have some comment about this.

- What about January 24th, Mr. Staplin?

Can you remember where you were?

It was a Saturday.

- [Frank] No, I don't remember.

That was nine months ago.

How am I supposed to remember that?

Do you remember what you were doing

every minute of every day last January?

- I remember what I was doing that day.

- Well, you have a
better memory than I do.

- I was looking for
another little blonde girl

who disappeared.

- Edna, this is Janice Staplin.

Let me talk to Frank.

What do you mean he's not there?

Where is he?

They did?

When?

I don't understand.

Where did they take him?

I see.

- You travel a lot don't you, Mr. Staplin?

One or two day business trips?

- Once in a while, yeah.

- You always travel by car, alone?

- This is just incredible.

I don't think I wanna
answer anymore questions

until I get a lawyer.

- Bingo.

(tense music)

(people chattering)

- In her professional work
here at the elementary school,

I wonder if you could tell us something...

Just a couple of questions,
Mrs. Staplin, please.

You know that Harris girl.

She was a student of yours.

Did your husband know her too?

- Would you please just leave us alone?

- Mrs. Staplin, do you
know the girl's parents?

Mrs. Staplin, could we just have a comment

on how you feel about.

(phones ringing)

- [Tom] You're just gonna have
to be patient, Mrs. Staplin.

It's not possible right now.

- [Janice] What are you telling me?

That I can't see my husband?

You have no right to do that

and I am not leaving here until I see him.

- Please, Mrs. Staplin, try to calm down.

I know how you feel.

- You don't know how I feel.

How can you say that?

I mean, first you accuse
my husband of murder

and now you won't let me see him.

- [Tom] He's talking to
his lawyer right now.

- I am his wife!

Look, you might as well arrest me too

because I am not leaving
here until I see him.

- [Tom] We haven't actually charged him

with anything, Mrs. Staplin.

We just wanna ask him
a few more questions.

- Questions, questions about what?

Look, Frank has never done
anything wrong in his life.

- Do you know what this is all about?

I'll tell you what this is all about.

Do you remember in college

how important it was to pledge
to the right fraternity?

I mean, you'd do anything
to get in the best house.

Well, I was a freshman, it was hell week.

A bunch of us had rushed

the only decent fraternity on campus

and it was part of the deal.

One night about five of us.

It was part of the initiation.

We had to get in Bill Wyman's car

and put the top down and cruise

in front of all the
sorority houses and moon.

It was all the rage in those days, right?

So, we did it.

No big deal.

Except some uptight battle ax

happened to be walking down the street

at exactly the moment
we dropped our pants.

She took down our license number,

turned us into the cops and we get busted.

Can you believe that?

I mean, it was so stupid
I forgot the whole thing.

We didn't even get,

we didn't even have to go to the station.

They just gave us some tickets

and a 50 buck fine and that was that.

And now it's on my
record as a sex offense.

A stupid adolescent prank 18 years ago

and I am being accused
of murdering children!

How do you like them apples, old buddy?

- [Dwight] It's unbelievable.

- Unbelievable?

It's insanity.

Dwight, you gotta get me out of here.

- [Dwight] I'm working on it, believe me.

I told them either to book
you or to release you.

- Good.

What did they say?

- [Dwight] Well they say they
can keep you for 48 hours.

- Great.

What about Jan?

How's she taking this?

- She's hanging in there, you know.

- Look, how about if I volunteer

to take a lie detector test?

Then they'll know I'm telling the truth.

- I don't know.

I mean, I'm your friend,
I'm not a criminal lawyer.

- And I'm not a criminal.

- All I'm trying to say is

I don't know how to best advise
you on something like that.

Let me talk to one of my partners.

Lie detector tests might
do more harm than good.

- How could that be?

I don't have anything to hide.

Dwight, I'll do whatever it takes

to get out of this rat hole.

- Yeah well, I'll see what they say.

(tense music)

- [Man] Is your name
Francis Edward Staplin?

- [Frank] Yes.

- [Man] Are you currently employed

at Roy Kendall and Associates?

- [Frank] Yes.

- [Man] Do you know a
girl named Sharon Harris?

- [Frank] (clears throat) No.

That is, I met her but--

- [Man] Just answer yes or no.

Do you know a girl named Sharon Harris?

- No.

- [Man] Are you married?

- Yes.

- [Man] Have you ever been arrested?

- No.

- [Man] Do you have a daughter?

- Yes.

- [Man] Did you buy some
cookies from Sharon Harris?

- [Frank] Yes.

- Did you abduct Sharon Harris?

- No.

- Have you ever had any sexual
fantasies about little girls?

- No.

- Did you kill Sharon Harris?

- No.

- Well?

- As far as I'm concerned,

your suspect is not telling the truth.

- [Tracy] Hi Mr. Taylor.

What's the matter with Mr. Taylor, Mommy?

Is he mad at us?

- Nevermind, honey.

I just want you to go in
and get ready for your bath.

- [Tracy] But I don't have
to go to school tomorrow.

- I told you, young lady,

I want you to go in there
and get ready for your bath.

- Our top story tonight,

there are dramatic new developments

in the Golden Girl murder case.

Amy McCleary who's been
covering this grizzly story

for nearly a year has the report.

Amy.

- That's right, John.

We have confirmed that the police

have a suspect in custody

in connection with
yesterday's disappearance

of 10 year old Sharon Harris

and they are also questioning him

about the three other Golden Girl victims.

Security has been extremely
tight at task force headquarters

and the police have refused
to give out any information.

At least until the suspect
is officially booked.

Through our own investigation, however,

we have learned that the man in custody

is Francis Edward Staplin.

A 38 year old sales representative

for Roy Kendall and Associates,

a local industrial design firm.

Staplin, according to sources
close to the investigation,

has a record for a previous sex offense,

was identified by a composite drawings

supplied by an eye witness

to the abduction of Sharon Harris.

John.

- After Staplin was taken into custody,

we sent Channel Six
reporter Jerry Stevens.

- [Jerry] What's your reaction
to your husband's arrest?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

Arrested for what?

- [Jerry] Sharon Harris.

- [Janice] What?

- [Jerry] In other words, you didn't know?

- Know what?

(dramatic music)

You're crazy.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Should we go take our bath now?

Okay.

We'll get ready for bed.

Look, why can't you just leave us alone?

- [Jerry] Mrs. Staplin, do
you know the girl's parents?

Mrs. Staplin, could we just have a comment

on how you feel about the situation?

Mrs. Staplin.

- Mrs. Staplin, obviously
shaken by the news

of her husband's arrest, refused comment.

When we come back we have a report

on a bank robbery in Ojai

and Sonny with the weather.

- What was newsworthy
about that footage, John?

- Oh come on, will ya?

It was all we could get.

(people chattering)
(dramatic music)

- Heads up, Jerry.

I think this one's gonna go national.

- [Janice] Hello mother.

(chair creaking)

- Guilty as hell if you ask me.

- [Elliot] I'll be sure to
include that in the indictment.

- Look, all I'm saying is
if it walks like a duck,

quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck,

chances are it's a duck.

- Yeah?

Well remind me someday to
tell you the old proverb

about the blind man trying to
identify an elephant by touch.

- I think we've got enough
to get past a grand jury.

- I can sleepwalk past the grand jury!

I wanna know if we have
enough to bind this guy over.

I mean, there's no point in charging him

unless we can go for the downs, right?

I hope you have the
Miranda waiver, all right.

- Signed and sealed.

- We do something right
every once in a while.

- Oh, come on guys.

I'm not trying to argue with you.

I am on your side.

You remember that?

Huh?

But I'm the guy that's trying this case

and so far you haven't even convinced me.

- Oh come on, Elliot.

What do you want from us?

A signed confession?

- Yeah, that'd be nice, I'd go for that.

- I don't believe this!

- Did it ever occur to you, Austin,

that you could be wrong?

- No!
- Then prove it to me!

Show me something more than a composite,

a polygraph, and a shaky alibi.

What the hell is this
supposed to prove, huh?

Get me something to make
this case lawyer proof.

- Tell us what you need, Elliot.

- How about a body?

How about a weapon?

How about a bloodstain?

How about a piece of clothing?

A fingerprint, a hair follicle.

Give me something tangible

that I can wave in front of a jury, okay?

(sighs)

(dramatic music)

(dogs barking)

(people chattering)

- A nice family.

They moved on this street, they're quiet,

they have a little girl.

Then they go back and forth
to work like everyone else.

(phone rings)

- Hello?

No, this is her mother.

I'm afraid Janice isn't
available right now.

Oh, yes, Mr. Kendall.

Oh, yes.

Oh, well I'll be sure and tell her that.

And thank you very much for calling.

That was Mr. Kendall.

He wanted to know if there was
anything he could do to help.

- It was nice of him to call.

(phone rings)

Let it go.

- Don't be ridiculous.

What if it's Frank?

Hello?

- Another crank.

- Janice, I think you
should come with Tracy

and stay with me at the farm

until this whole thing blows over.

- It isn't gonna blow over, Mother.

And I am not gonna ride and hide

every time that phone rings.

- Well if you want to be a
martyr, that's all well and good

but I think you should at least consider

what effect this whole sorted business

is gonna have on your daughter.

(doorbell rings)

Oh, what now?

- I'm a police officer, ma'am.

I have a warrant to search the premises.

(dramatic music)

- Just what do you think you're doing?

- Sorry, ma'am.

- Don't worry, honey.

We're gonna get all our things back.

You know what I think
would be a really good idea

if you went and visited
Grandma for a while.

- But I don't wanna go to Grandma's house.

I wanna stay her with you and Daddy.

- I know you do, sweetheart,

but you like Grandma's place.

It's a nice place to be.

Wouldn't you like to go there?

You can go and you can
see the horse and dogs

and when you come back,

all your things will be all back here.

Daddy will be here too.

Wouldn't you like to do that?

Huh?

Sure.

- Maybe our boy's telling
the truth after all.

- Yeah.

Or maybe that's where he
dumped the Harris kid.

- All right, sixth man on the right.

Gum out of your mouth please.

Stand up straight and tall, everyone.

Hands down to your side

and face the wall to your right.

Face the front.

Face the wall to your left.

Now face the front again.

- [Tom] Well Mrs. Edwards?

- It looks something like him but.

- Would you like to buy some?

Okay, thank you.

- But you can't be sure?

- No.

I couldn't swear to it.

- Well, thank you.

Thank you very much, Mrs. Edwards.

You've been a great help.

- I'm sorry.

I wish I could be sure.

- I know.

But I appreciate your honesty.

(sighs)

(keys jangling)

- Okay.

You're out of here.

Pick up your property at the desk.

- I know that you think you
got away with something, Frank.

But I just want you to know

that I know the story.

- Really?

- Really.

And no matter how long it takes,

one of these days I'm gonna find

that one little shred of evidence

that's gonna put you where you belong.

Have a nice weekend, Frank.

- Well, I might see him
almost everyday, really.

Just an average day if I'm
out working on the lawn

or something, he'd pass by.

He's sociable, you know.

Hi George, hi Frank, like that.

But the thing is, I
mean, we always thought

he was a pretty much a decent guy.

He was always real friendly

with all the kids on the street

and everybody liked him.

But the crazy thing is,

I mean, it seems crazy.

I mean, you live right
next door to somebody

for three, almost four years, right hun?

- Yeah.

- Almost four years, you
think you know him, right?

And then this.

I guess it just goes to
show you never can tell.

You just never can tell, you know?

- Everybody wants to be a star, you know?

You check the camera out this time, Jerry?

I don't think this is
earth-shattering news.

(dramatic music)

- Oh, Frank.

(Janice laughs)

- Oh.

It's okay.

- I didn't hear you come in.

- I came in the back way.

My fan club is out front.

- God, are they ever gonna leave us alone?

- It's a game with them.

They'll go away as soon
as they get tired of it.

- Are you all right?

- Mm-hmm.

I am now.

- Why didn't you call me?

I'd have come picked you up.

- No, you needed your sleep.

- Well, I can't sleep
when you're not here.

Is it over?

- Yes.

It's finally over.

- [Janice] Well, look can I...

Can I fix you anything?

You want something to eat?

(laughs)

- I just wanna go to sleep
in my own bed with you.

(Janice laughs)

(knocking on door)

- Whoever that is, he's out of luck.

- I'll get it.

I'm getting very good at this lately.

- I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Staplin.

I'm Amy--
- I know who you are.

Don't you have a lot of gall coming here?

Haven't you done enough already?

- Look, Mrs. Staplin,

I didn't have anything to do

with that business at the school.

I would just like to talk to your husband

if it's all right.

- It isn't all right.

(tense music)

- Believe me, Mrs. Staplin,

I had nothing to do with that film.

If I'd known about it, it
never would've been shown.

- Why don't you just
go and leave us alone?

- Janice, where's Tracy?

Where's Tracy?

- She's with my mother.

We thought it'd be a good idea

if she went to the farm for a while.

- [Frank] We did, did we?

Well I think it's a lousy idea.

- Look, you don't know how hard
this has been on her, Frank.

There were reporters everywhere.

Police tearing the house upside down.

- So do we let them tear
our lives upside down?

Janice, they made a stupid mistake.

It's over now.

- Is it?
- Yes!

I want her back here.

She's our child, not your mothers,

no matter what your mother
might like to think about that.

She belongs here with us.

- She is six years old, Frank,

and you know how vulnerable
a six year old is.

Now, I have been with her
through this whole ordeal

and she is totally confused
and frightened out of her wits.

Is that what you want?

- No, that's not what I want!

You're right, maybe it
would be good for her

to be there for a while.

I'm sorry.

But I'll tell you,

a few days with the dragon lady,

she's gonna think all those things

they're saying about me are true.

- Come on, Jerry.

(tense music)

- I wanna know why you sent
me this leave of absence.

By sending me this

you're saying that my husband is guilty

and he's not.

Now look, I am a good teacher

and if I take this up with
the board of education or you,

I'll be back.

(dramatic music)

- Good morning, Mr. Staplin.

- Good morning.

Good morning, Edna.

- Good morning.

Mr. Staplin, are you all right?

- I'm fine, thank you.

Edna, where's the model?

- Mr. Kendall took it to Mel's office.

- Counting on you.

Just give us another day.

- [Frank] Pardon me, Roy, can
I talk to you for a second?

- Hey, Frank.

How are you?

I'm glad that mix up got straightened out.

I was actually beginning to
worry there for a minute.

- Is that why Mel's taken over

the lake front project all of a sudden?

- Be realistic, Frank.

- I'm being realistic.

I worked on that project
for nine months, Roy.

I think at least you
owe me an explanation.

- All right, now look.

We both know how dangerous
the gossip mill can be.

Especially in this business,

we can't afford to lose the contract.

- Thanks for the vote of confidence, Roy.

- Now don't go getting
your feathers ruffled.

I'm on your side.

- Sounds like it.

- Look, I can't take the risk.

They watch the news in
Chicago too, you know.

Now, I'm sorry.

But that's the way it is.

Now I want you to take two weeks off

till this thing dies down.

- Go into hiding?

- Take a rest.

You need it after all you've been through.

- Maybe you're right.

- Incidentally, I spoke
to a college buddy of mine

back in Michigan over the weekend

and he runs an outfit
very much like this one.

I told him about your situation

and he's anxious to speak with you.

- What about?

- Going to work for him.

He's willing to offer you

the same salary, fringes, the whole works.

He'll even offer you
the relocation expenses.

Something to consider.

- [Frank] They don't watch
television back in Michigan?

- That's the one hitch.

You may have to change your name.

- Change my name?

Roy, change my name?

- Think about it, Frank.

Take two weeks and mull it over.

Talk to Jan.

Talk to my friend.

Here's his name and number.

Maybe in two weeks time they'll
have caught the real guy.

This whole thing will be academic.

- What if they haven't?

- Think about it, Frank.

- And certainly some kind
of public humiliation

associated with the
sexual act could produce

this kind of anti-social
behavior later on, oh yes.

- Now wait a minute, Dr. Berger,

surely you're not implying

that some sort of teenage prank,

like mooning for instance,

could actually indicate that
someone's a potential killer?

- Oh, well I'm not necessarily suggesting

that this is true of the suspect.

I never have interviewed him

and I know very little
about him, personally,

but the pattern of these crimes

suggest that there was a
tremendous amount of anger

probably stemming from some
early sexual disfunction

and events such as you
described could definitely--

(dramatic music)

- Well, thank you very much, Dr. Berger.

We appreciate you coming
down and your commentary.

And tomorrow we will conclude

with part three of our exclusive
profile, The Criminal Mind.

Thank you.

(tires screeching)
(dramatic music)

- Good.

You're both here, I only
have to say this once.

- [John] How did you get in here?

- You shut up.

Just shut up and listen.

I've had to listen to you for five days.

Now it's my turn.

You have systematically
set out to destroy my life.

My family, my career, my reputation,

everything is in the
toilet because of you.

I don't know why you wanna ruin me

but you've done a hell
of a good job of it, pal.

- We don't fabricate
the news, Mr. Staplin.

We just report it.

- Don't you people ever stop to consider

the damage you do?

Do you know what you've already done

to my wife and my little girl?

What did they ever do to you?

- What about all the other
little girls, Mr. Staplin?

What about all the other mothers?

Personally, I couldn't
care less about you.

But according to the cops,
you're a prime suspect

and that's news.

- I was questioned!

I was never charged with anything!

There's a difference, you know.

What about all the
hundreds of other people

that have been questioned?

You don't see their faces
plastered all over the television.

You've already tried and convicted me.

- [John] Well, if you're
innocent, I'm sorry.

We're just doing our job.

Believe me, it's nothing personal.

- Nothing personal?

Nothing personal?

It's my life!

- [John] What about the
lives of those children, huh?

What about them?
- Stop it, both of you!

Stop it!

- You slimy--
- Stop it!

- [John] All right.

All right, let him go, let him go.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Staplin.

But try and put yourself
in our position, huh?

What would you do if they told you

they were holding
someone for those crimes?

Just sit there?

- I'd get my facts straight, for openers.

- We did, friend.

We had our lawyers go over

every bit of news that we broadcast.

If you are innocent, your
gripe's with the cops, not us!

- [Amy] If what you say is
true, it's too late, isn't it?

What would you want us to do?

- Wow.

Okay everybody, come on,
take five, that's it.

Can you believe that jerk?

- I think he's got a point.

- [John] For instance?

- Well for instance, that
Doctor Berger interview.

I mean, that woman is no psychologist.

- All right.
- She's a pop star.

I mean, all she does is hype
the ratings and you know it.

- Well that is the name
of the game, isn't it?

- You know, if he's telling the truth,

we've really blown it this time.

- It is not our function
to judge this character

and you know that.

All we're supposed to do
is report what goes down.

He was arrested, wasn't he?

I mean, he was questioned, wasn't he?

He is the prime suspect, is he not?

And that is all we ever
wrote about that guy.

Just the facts.

The facts which were good enough

for the network to stand by them.

- Hey, has it ever occurred to you

that there's more important things in life

than a two minute pick up
on this stupid network?

- No, never occurred to me.

What do you want, Amy, huh?

Tell me, what do you want?

- I wanna give him equal time.

- [John] You're crazier than he is.

- No, I'm not.

I wanna do an interview with him.

We do it all the time.

- Nuh-uh, no.

No, not as long as I'm
running the station.

You checked your facts, right?

Right.

We stand by our story.

- I'm not talking about facts!

These are people's lives.

- End of discussion, Amy.

- Boy, Malloy.

You know, sometimes I'd like to tell you

to take this job and uh--

- Amy, Amy.

You start a crusade,
you're gonna get your wish.

Right.

- How come you never told me

about the incident in college?

- It wasn't important.

- What else haven't you told me, Frank?

- What do you think?

- I'm sorry.

- Maybe you oughta go to your mother's,

spend some time with Tracy.

- But I belong here with you.

- This is my problem.

- It's not supposed to effect me?

Look, we're in this together.

Why are you trying to push me away?

(glass shattering)

(dramatic music)

(trash cans crashing)

You're sure this is what you want?

- Look, we've been all through this.

I don't wanna have to
worry about your safety

on top of everything else.

- Oh, I see.

What about your safety?

- I can take care of myself.

- I thought we were
supposed to be partners.

- Roy's offered me a job
in Michigan if I want it.

Of course, I'd have to change my name.

- I changed mine when I married you.

- It's not quite the same thing, is it?

- I love you, Frank.

- Are you sure you don't want
me to drive you down there?

- No.

Mother will be here any minute.

Look, I'm sorry,

but there isn't much
food in the refrigerator.

I haven't had time to go to the market.

- Don't worry about it,
I'll find something.

(car horn honking)

Let me get that.

- No.

I can manage.

- Janice.

Kiss Tracy for me, will you?

- You know the number at
the farm if you need me.

Bye Frank.

(gentle music)

- [Amy] Mr. Staplin.

Mr. Staplin.
- Mm-hmm.

- What's this?

- We had a visit from one
of our neighbors last night.

Next time they'll probably
burn a cross on the lawn.

- Well look, you said you
wanted equal time, didn't you?

- Yeah, okay, come on in.

- Get some of that, Jerry.

This'll be good.

Listen, are your wife and daughter home?

We'd like to interview them too.

- No, actually they're out of town

for a few days.

We thought it'd be safer.

- Oh.

I'm sorry.

- Sure.

So, what changed your mind?

- I believed you.

Simple.
(phone rings)

- Excuse me, will you?

Hello?

Yeah, hi Dwight.

What?

Who?

Who was it?

That's fantastic.

No.

I'll talk to you later, Dwight.

Thank you.

Thanks a million, yeah.

They caught the guy.
- What?

- Can you believe that?

He confessed.

- Well, that's great.

That's wonderful.

- I can't believe it.

I'm off the hook.

Listen, you still wanna do that interview?

- Oh, you bet I do, you bet I do.

I'm here.

(reporters chattering)

- In simple terms, the man
who confessed to these crimes

is what I call a professional confessor.

He's confessed to hundreds of crimes.

Including, if I'm not mistaken,

the assassination of President Garfield.

Therefore, we had to let him go.

- Chief, how do you know

he's not telling the truth this time?

- Because up until two days ago,

he was residing at the
Vacaville penitentiary.

Probably for some other crime

he confessed to but didn't commit.

- [Reporter] Back to square one, Chief?

- No, not exactly.

We still have a prime suspect

and the investigation is ongoing

and we'll let you know when
there's another development.

Thank you gentlemen.

Now, I have to get back to work.

Thank you.

(reporters chattering)

- [Reporter] One more question.

- [Frank] So, there goes the ballgame.

- [Amy] I wish I didn't have
to be the one to tell you.

- Why don't I just confess
and get it over with?

- That makes a lot of sense.

- What would you do?

- Well, fight back, dammit.

- What do you think I've been doing?

- Well I think you've been
taking it on the chin.

You've been doing it alone, too.

Come on, let's get out of here.

I'll get the check.

My pleasure.

(gentle music)

- I think it's a question
of basic responsibility.

You can't even blame the police.

They have to investigate every lead

no matter how far fetched.

That's their job.

I wouldn't respect them if they didn't.

But it's a different story
with your television.

You spend a lot of time criticizing

the police for their excellence,

and yet what you do is far worse.

I was tried and convicted
on the good time news hour.

The police never even charged me.

- [Amy] Hmm.

- How'd you learn to do all this?

I thought all you did was--

- Mangle the news?

(laughs)

No, when you work for a
jerkwater station like this

you learn to do everything.

Let's just keep going with this.

I want this to be absolutely right.

- Presumed innocent, people tell you.

That's why in England, or so they tell me,

a suspect name can never
be released to the press

until he's formally indited.

Maybe they know something we don't.

- I think we should cut
it right there, huh?

That'll give it more punch.

- I had nothing to do
with this terrible crime.

The police realized
that and they let me go.

But have you?

In court, a man is presumed
innocent, people tell me.

That's why in England,
or so they tell me--

- Well, this is cozy.

- Hi John.

I'm doing this on my own time.

Wait'll you see this.

- Forget it, McCleary.

There's not gonna be any tape.

I already told you that.

- But why?

- [John] Now listen to me.

- No, you listen to me.

- [John] Yeah, right.

- [Amy] As far as I'm concerned,

we have done this guy a vast injustice.

The least we can do is
hear his side of the story!

We're his last resort!

- [John] Will you drop it, Amy?

I'm not gonna tell you again!

- [Amy] No, I won't drop it.

What's the matter, John?

You afraid you might be wrong this time?

- This station is not
gonna become a soap box

for a man who is very possibly a murderer.

Anyway, I told the DA we
wouldn't run an interview.

- The DA?

You know, that's outrageous.

Since when does the DA
have anything to say

about my news footage?

- Oh, come on.

This is not the death
of the first amendment.

It's a professional courtesy.

- Not to me.

Certainly not to Frank Staplin.

- Let me tell you something

about your buddy, Frank Staplin.

They are about to file charges on him

as soon as they dig up
some physical evidence.

And the DA happens to think

that a self-serving interview

will make it impossible for
Staplin to get a fair trial.

- How noble.

- For all I know, he may just be right.

Anyway, we're not gonna run it.

- Oh, so to hell with Frank Staplin, huh?

- Staplin is not my problem!

He's not your, let me tell you something.

Now, either you drop
this ridiculous crusade

or you start looking for another job.

(dramatic music)

- Thank you.

- [Producer] Ready on camera two, ready.

Push on camera two.

On camera one.

Cue talent.

- Sharon Harris' body was
discovered early this morning

but a telephone company employee

who was installing an underground cable.

While there is no official word

as to the actual cause of death,

investigators are indicating
that the girl was strangled,

much like the three other
Golden Girl victims.

Even as Sharon's body was being removed,

police and sheriff's deputies

cordoned off a square
mile area around the site

and began combing the woods for clues.

The police now believe
that all the murders

are the work of one person

but are refusing to offer more

until the coroner's report is released.

An autopsy is scheduled
for tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, though no
charges have been filed yet,

sources close to the
investigation are saying

that Frank Staplin, the prime
suspect in these slayings

is almost certain to be indited.

John.

- There was more trouble today
in the Santa Clara valley

as protestors voiced their outrage

at the spraying of pesticides

over the local areas.

Channel Six reporter, Mike
Sanders, has the story.

Mike.

- Came out from under
your rock, huh Frank?

- What's that?

What's that, Ray?

Did you say something to me?

You'll talk to the people on television.

You won't say it to my face?

- I don't talk to scum.

- I'll tell you what, Ray.

Why don't you come on over
here for just a second?

Come on.

Come on, just a second.

Come on.

- You're not worth going to jail for.

- Come on.

- You're not worth it.

- What's all this?

- You know, I've done a lot
of things in this business

that I'm not very proud of

but I never thought
I'd sink to this level.

You can take your precious job, Malloy.

Get someone else to read your copy.

I know how to write my own.

- Don't you think you're overreacting?

I thought you were a professional.

- I am!

That's exactly why I can't
work for you anymore.

Boy, I may not be able to
help Staplin thanks to you,

but I'll be damned if I'm
gonna be his executioner.

(swing squeaking)

(somber music)

- You're up bright and early this morning.

Looking for more grist
for your little mill?

Tell me, how soon am I gonna be indited

or do I have to wait to find out

on the 6:00 o'clock news?

- That's a cheap shot, Mr. Staplin.

- You should know, you're the expert.

Good day.

- Wait a second, wait a second.

I got something I wanna tell you.

- Oh that's it, barge right in.

That's about your style.

- Well if you'd let me finish a sentence.

- Goodbye, Mrs. McCleary.

- [Amy] What I'm trying to tell you

is I think I can help you.

- That's all I need.

More help from you I'll
end up in the gas chamber.

- What is it about you
that is so pig-headed, huh?

What makes you so pig-headed?

Is it your stupid pride?

- You tell me.

You got all the answers.

All I know is I trusted somebody

and she turned around and
stuck it to me on the air.

- Oh, poor Frank Staplin.

You're just being skewered
by the press, huh?

The whole world's ganging up on you

and you're just gonna
tough it out by yourself.

Is that it?
- Oh, hostility.

That's a good angle.

Why don't you save it for
your 11:00 o'clock show?

Look, do me one last favor
and get out of my life.

- Is that what you said
to your wife and daughter?

Frank, talk about being
your own worst enemy.

You really take the prize.

- Are you finished?

- No, I'm not finished.

Whether you know it or not,

the body was discovered
90 miles from the lake.

You couldn't have been
both places at once, right?

- How come you're so eager
to help all of a sudden?

You're looking for another exclusive?

- No, because I'm the one
that got you into this.

I mean, I broke the
story, I did the leg work.

I mean, you're right.

I even stuck it to you on television.

The least you could do
is let me try to get you

out of some of this.

- Well, if it hadn't been you,

it would've been somebody else.

- Well it wasn't somebody else.

It was me, don't you understand?

I was...

Look, all we have to
do is find that farmer

and prove that you weren't there.

Come on, Frank.

Don't blow it this time.

This is your last chance.

Come on, let's put an end
to this nightmare, huh?

- What are you, a sucker for lost causes?

(gentle music)

- Nothing, huh?

- It all looks the same.

I'd paid more attention

if I'd known I was gonna need an alibi.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

This looks kind of like...

This is it.

Amy, this is it.

- Thank God.

- And there he is.

There he is.

- Great.

(upbeat music)

- That's him.

That's him.

Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

Can we talk?

Can we talk to you for just a minute?

- What can I do for you?

- This is him.

This is the guy.

Can we talk to you for a minute?

- I'm listening.

- Do you remember me?

- Should I?

- Yeah, yeah, you should.

A few days ago, I was
driving along out here

on your road, alongside your fence

and I had a flat tire.

You were out here plowing
or whatever you do.

- Well, I've been plowing for some time.

- This was just a few days ago.

- You know which day?

- Thursday.

- A week ago last Thursday.

- Well, I might have could.

But I can't really recall.

- Please try.

It's extremely important to us.

Really, try to remember.

You've got to.

Look, he was driving along that road

and he got a flat.

- You came over

and asked if you could help

and I said I didn't need help

but that they put the lugs on too tight.

Do you remember that?

- Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Wait a minute, I think I do.

You were driving a red pickup.

I remember 'cause my brother's
got one just like it.

- No, sir, no, sir.

I was driving my car.

That car right over there.

- [Farmer] Are you sure?

- Am I sure?

- Well, let me talk to him.

I'm better at this.

Look, you do remember that someone

had a flat tire last week, right?

- Well, I might could, yeah.

- [Amy] But the car's
a little vague, right?

- [Farmer] Come again?

- Well, you did talk
to the man, didn't you?

- [Farmer] Well, I must have.

- Do you remember what he said to you?

- [Farmer] There you got me.

- [Amy] You had a conversation
with that guy, remember?

- Well I...

Wait a minute.

No.

- A flat tire.

- [Farmer] Oh, I can't think of anything.

Well--

(car horn honks)

- Okay, thanks for your time.

I might be back.
- Well I'm sorry

I couldn't help.

- Okay, thank you.

What'd you do that for?

I was just getting him to
jog his memory a little.

- Come on.

That guy can't remember
what he had for breakfast.

- [Amy] So you're just gonna fold, huh?

Is that it?

- No.

No way.

But that old guy's not gonna do it for me.

And neither are you, Amy.

- I did the best I could.

I'm sorry I let you down.

- You didn't let me down.

You've done more for me
than you'll ever know.

- Sure.

(Frank laughs)

Would you mind telling me what's so funny?

- Everything.

The whole damn thing.

Will you look at him?

- [Amy] He is a piece of work, isn't he?

- Can you imagine that guy on the stands

providing me with my one and only alibi?

- Now that you mention it, no.

- It's the saddest story I ever heard.

- It is kinda silly.

- Oh, come on, let's go.

(Amy sighs)

(gentle music)

- Well, Frank Staplin,
I guess this is it, huh?

- Look Amy, I--

- It was really good to
get to know you, Frank,

even if it wasn't exactly a pleasure.

- It cost you a lot helping me.

- Yeah.

I guess.

But don't worry about me.

I always land on my feet.

- Maybe someday I'll be
able to pay you back.

- Well, you know somebody that
works in the news business?

- I can get you a job in Michigan

but you'll have to change your name.

(Amy laughs)

- Oh great.

I wonder if they'll ever
catch the guy that did it.

- Yeah.

Yeah, I wonder.

- Hey Frank.

(bright music)

- Hi.

I can't make it without you, Jan.

I don't even wanna try.

- You don't have to.

I'm already packed.

(Frank laughs)

Actually, I never unpacked.

You wanna see Tracy?

- He certainly doesn't
have a driver's license.

Oh look at that silly man.

(Tracy gasps)

- Daddy, is that you?

- It sure is, sweetheart.

- When are you gonna take us home?

- How about right now?

- [Mother] Well I certainly
hope you know what you're doing.

- Oh, you bet we do, Mom.

- We didn't for a while

but we do now, don't we, sweetheart?

- Uh-huh. (laughs)

- Come on, let's get your things.

(gentle music)

Okay, gang.

The only thing to remember

is that nobody can do anything to us

if we don't let them.

And we're not gonna let
them anymore, are we?

- No.

- All right by me.

- Honey, people may say
all kinds of bad things

about me and your mommy, even about you.

But as long as we know
those things aren't true,

then they can't hurt us, right?

- Right.

- Now remember that
rhyme that I taught you?

Sticks and stones.

- Will break my bones but
names will never hurt me.

(Frank laughs)

- That's the ticket.

Here we are.

Bye bye, sweetie.

- Bye Daddy.

- Have a good day.

- [Tracy] Bye Mommy.

- Go ahead, honey.

I'll catch up.

What about me?

Do I get a kiss too?

- You bet.

(Frank sighs)

What about you?

What are you gonna do when they start up?

- I'll paddle 'em.

I'm still their teacher.

I'm real proud of you, Frank.

- Don't cook anything tonight.

We're going out to dinner.

- It's a deal.

(upbeat music)

- Morning, Ursula.

- Good morning, Mr. Staplin.

- Roy, Mel.

I've decided to pass
on the Michigan offer.

I like the job I have.

I also like the family I have

and the name I have

and I intend to keep them all.

- Well, I'll be damned.

- So, what did I miss?

- Plenty.

And you better get cracking.

There's a manager's meeting
at 10:00 o'clock sharp.

- Now you're talking.

- So are you, my friend.

- Roy, leave the door open.

I wouldn't want anybody to think

I was hiding anything.

- Welcome back, Mr. Staplin.

- Thank you, Edna.

It's good to be back.

- A man was arrested today in Santa Luisa

in connection with a string

of so-called Golden Girl slayings.

The suspect, identified
as Vernon Lewis Sims,

a construction worker from
Sioux Falls, South Dakota,

has confessed to the crimes

and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow

on four counts of murder.

This coming nearly one full year

since the tragic death of Sharon Harris,

the last of the Golden Girl victims.

This is Amy McCleary,
KLHZ News, San Francisco.

(upbeat music)