Warning Shot (1967) - full transcript

[Crickets chirruping]

[Female dispatcher
chattering on radio]

[Grunting]

What's cookin'?

It's all quiet here.
How about you?

Nothin'.
It's almost midnight,
let's close up shop.

Unit 4-k-2.

Request cancellation
of code 9,

seascape and kenmore.

No sign of the prowler.

(Female dispatcher)
Control 1 to 4-k-2.
Stand by.



4-k-2, watch commander
advises continuing code 9
until 1:00 A.M.

[Sighing]
4-k-2, k.L.B. 8-0-6.

Even the psycho killer
isn't psycho enough

to come out on
a night like this.

What does that make US?

I don't know.
But it's your turn now,
Charlie boy.

Oh, thank you very much.

[Dispatcher chattering]

[Footsteps pattering]

[Dog whimpering]

[Door opening]

[Door closing]

[Footsteps pattering]

(Valens)
All right,
hold it right there.



I'm a police officer.
Hold it!

Hold it!

[Gun firing]

(Valens)
Hold it.

(Valens)
Now, hold it!

Now put the bag down.

[Gun firing]

Hey, Tom.

What happened?

He pulled a gun.
I had to blow him over.

We're police officers.

Somebody turn on
the pool lights.

You, send for an ambulance.

(Valens)
They never look like
they're supposed to.

Bet he never knew
what hit him.

Hey, where's his gun?

Oh, hell,
it's probably in the pool.

Take a look in his bag.

I just hope you got him
before he carved up
another girl.

Hey, Tom.

Tom, look at this.

(Valens)
Dr. James b. Ruston.

166 Crescent road,
bel air, California.

That's our psycho killer?

[Phone ringing]

Valens, get in here.

[People chattering]

You look like something
the cat dragged in.

You ought to
see the other guy.

I have,
in living black and white.

What went wrong, Tom?

You read my d.B. Report.

Twice.

But damn it,
there has to be
more to it than that.

There isn't.

I gave it to you
exactly as it happened.

He, uh, pulled a gun.

(Klodin)
What gun?

What do you mean,
"what gun?"

Are you sure
you saw one?

What's goin' on, Roy?

How long have
you been back
on active duty?

7, 8 months,
you know that.

And the wound
still giving
you trouble?

Yes, captain,
the wound gives me trouble.

Tonight's scene was almost
a repeat of that liquor store
heist a year ago.

Wasn't it?

What?
Except then
you had a punk kid

trapped in an alley.

A punk so scared
he opened fire

while you were still trying
to talk him out of his gun.

Well, that's ancient history.

Is it?

Or is the memory
gonna spook you

every time you see some
suspect reach for his wallet?

All right, Roy,
just what in the hell
is goin' on around here?

[Phone ringing]

[Siren wailing]

Klodin.

Yeah.

Yeah. Are you positive?

Ok.

Right.

In the morning.

That was musso.

They can't find ruston's gun.

That is just impossible.
I'm going to go down there
and help him find--

no. As of tonight,
you're relieved of
all further field duty.

I'm what?
You'll work a desk job
until the inquest is over.

How come?

Let's just call it
doctor's orders.

Look, Roy, I saw the gun.

I saw the gun in
the man's hand.

Now how can they miss
anything that big?

No talking till the inquest.
And then be prepared
for rough sledding.

This one's
gonna get bloody.

Why should it?

Because Dr. James b. Ruston,

so far he checks out like
Mr. Clean and Santa claus
rolled into one.

Money, society,
the whole bit.

And if you're still thinking
of him as our psycho killer,

he had an airtight alibi
for every one of
those other killings.

You read me?

Yeah.

Good afternoon, everyone,
this is Jerry Dunphy,
with headlines of the hour.

Los Angeles.
3 days after the death
of Dr. James b. Ruston,

the question of "why?
Why did it happen?"

Is still being asked by
irate citizens across the city

as authorities continue
to piece together the facts
behind this tragic episode.

[Crowd chanting]
Valens, no.

Valens, no.
Police brutality must go.

When I was young,
a policeman was

always a friend,
someone to be trusted.

But now it's different.
Police are different.

And how do I explain
sergeant valens
to my children?

How do I say to them,
"trust him,

"let him help you
across the street

even though his
hands are bloody"?

It's a protest, baby.

To sing out that
the sadists and finks

are tryin' to
take over here, man.

About valens,
me and my people say,
"throw the bum out."

I'm just here to see
if the same punishment
they would have used on me

if I had killed
an innocent man

will be applied
to this valens case,

or will he get
the usual coat of whitewash?

The people speak.

Meanwhile, funeral services
for Dr. Ruston will be
held Friday

at the first community church,
Beverly Hills.

A native californian,
Dr. Ruston led an
active life as a sportsman

when he wasn't busy
with his patients

or relaxing with
his wife and son.

Here we see him
receiving an award

from the Mexican-American
foundation

for his work
among the villages
of lower California.

Concerned by conditions
he'd encountered there,

on a hunting trip
several years ago

Dr. Ruston,
who piloted his own plane

appointed himself
chief physician
for the area

and made frequent trips
to the village of San rosario,

where he could
always count on
receptions like this.

Finally, Dr. Ruston's widow,
as she arrived home
yesterday from Hawaii

where she was vacationing
when news of her husband's
untimely death reached her.

As for sergeant valens,
the 10-year veteran
is playing it tight

giving out only
his name, rank,
and serial number

and hoping
the explosion he's set off
will burn itself out

after today's
coroner's inquest.

Yes, sir.

This is the gun
that sergeant valens
always carries.

I, uh, recognize
the hand grips.

When you reached him,
sergeant, was his gun
still in his hand?

Yes, sir.

Can you remember
the first words
he said to you?

Uh, something like, uh,
"he tried to pull a gun

I had to blow him up."

[People muttering]

(Jerez)
What about this 2nd gun?
Was it in evidence?

No, sir. It was not.

Did you search for it?

Well, not right away.

Since the gun
wasn't on the ground,
I naturally assumed that

the gun had fallen
in the pool
with the suspect.

That seemed like
the natural place for it.

And then, of course,
we were kept busy

trying to identify
the suspect, and,
keep the people away.

Uh,

well, how soon afterward
did you actually begin
to hunt for the suspect gun?

About, uh, 3 or 4 minutes
after the ambulance arrived.

And then, Tom,
that's sergeant valens,

had to take his report
into headquarters

and I was assigned to collect
the physical evidence.

And?

There was no gun.

I take it you made
a thorough search?

Oh, yes, sir.

Some officers and I
went over the whole area
with a fine-tooth comb.

Including
the swimming pool?
I beg your pardon?

Including
the swimming pool?

Oh, yes, sir.

I had the, uh, the manager
drain the pool,
and the gun was not there.

All right, I have
no further questions,
thank you.

Mr. Sanderman, does the
district attorney's office
have any questions?

Thank you, Mr. Jerez. Yes.

Uh, actually, I'm a little
concerned about, uh,

whether anyone could possibly
have removed the, uh,

alleged gun from the premises
without the police knowing
about it?

Oh, well,
that's hardly likely, sir.
You see, the area was posted

and only official personnel
were allowed on the scene.

I see.

Therefore,
since you were unable
to find Dr. Ruston's gun,

isn't it logical
to conclude that

no such gun ever existed?

Well, I will say this, sir.

I've known sergeant valens
since he first joined
the force,

and if he says
the suspect was armed,

I'd be inclined
to agree with him.

[People muttering]

And over the years,
he's proven that he's
no trigger-happy cop

who pushes the panic button
when the pressure is on.

I can say this because
I've seen him under fire,
taking all kinds of hell.

And personally,
I don't know of any
officer in my command

I'd sooner trust my life to
than Tom valens.

Captain,
I'm sure we all agree

that sergeant valens'
prior record is
above reproach.

Maybe you can tell US
why he failed to fire

a customary warning shot

when he tried to
stop Dr. Ruston.

You know we don't
fire a warning shot.

Yes, I know. Tell them.

Our officers are instructed
never to shoot unless
it's absolutely unavoidable.

This is to prevent hitting
some innocent bystander.

Thank you, captain.

Now, Mr. Sanderman?

Captain, in view of what
you were just saying,

isn't it absolutely essential
for every police officer

to be, among other things,
a man of excellent judgment?

(Klodin)
Of course.

Did sergeant valens
exercise excellent or,

even good judgment
in this particular instance,
do you think?

He had no alternative.

Remember, he was staked out
in search of a killer,

a psychopath
who has already
butchered 3 victims

in Los Angeles this month.

It's created
an atmosphere of fear--

now just a minute.

Are you suggesting
that mass hysteria

can justify the taking
of a human life?

No.
Because if you are,
I'm afraid that you are--

[people muttering]
No, damn it. I'm not.

[Gavel pounding]

Sergeant valens
acted on the facts
as he saw them at the moment.

I can't blame him for that.

Much as I might wish
that things had

turned out differently.

[People muttering]

(Jerez)
Do you swear to
tell the truth

the whole truth and
nothing but the truth,
so help you god?

Of course.

An oath is very sacred to me.

Will you sit down,
please?

Thank you.

Now then, will you tell US
your name and where you live?

Alice willows.

No, please,
into the microphone,

miss willows,
and speak to them.

Alice willows,
seascape apartments.

Thank you. Now, miss willows,
first of all I want to say
how much we appreciate

your coming here today.

You were Dr. Ruston's patient,
miss willows.

He was a wonderful doctor.

The only one who ever
cared the least bit
what became of me.

I don't know what I'll do
now that he's gone.

Well, now,
last Thursday night,
Dr. Ruston visited you

at your apartment.
Isn't that right?

He came ev-- he came
every Thursday.

He treated me for my diabetes.
It was his regular visit.

Yes. Now, according
to the investigating officer,

Dr. Ruston came to
your apartment about 11:00

and he left
shortly after midnight.
And was that customary?

Yes.

Yes.

Then if--

he knew I'd be awake.
It's part of my condition.

Some nights
I don't sleep at all.

And then in the daytime,
there's all that racket.

People splashing in the pool
and shouting at
the top of their lungs.

I've complained to Mr. Garvin,
but he wouldn't listen either.

I think it's terrible.

Yes, I'm sure it is,
miss willows.

Uh, getting back to
last Thursday night.

Did you notice anything
different, I mean something,
unusual about Dr. Ruston?

No. He was
the same as usual.

Oh.

He did complain
about the fog.

Said he hoped it would lift
before he had to leave.

But it didn't.

So, he got up
and patted my face

then went out the door
looking for Caesar.

Who is Caesar,
miss willows?

My dog. He's been
with me for years.

A longhaired terrier.

You don't see
many of them anymore.
They've gone out of fashion.

But I'd rather have Caesar
than 10 French poodles
with fancy pedigrees.

Miss willows,
may I ask you, uh--

Dr. Ruston felt
the same way.

Always brought him something
soft to eat or a toy.

I don't know how
I'll ever make Caesar
understand what's happened--

you say Dr. Ruston went
outside to look for Caesar.
Now you're sure of that?

Oh, yes,

and when I heard
all that shouting,
I thought he'd found him.

Then that terrible shooting.

So loud.

I just knew something
awful had happened.

I started to shake.

Why, even when Caesar
scratched at the door,

I couldn't let him in
for the longest time.

Caesar was trembling, too.

He went right to his basket
and wouldn't come out
until daybreak.

Poor Dr. Ruston.

Do you think I've
done him some good?

[People muttering]

*[music playing]

[People chattering]

Where the hell did you go?
I've been lookin'
all over for you.

Now that you've
found me, hurrah.

Don't make me the heavy.
I did the best I could.

Hey, you're a good man, ed.
No matter what anyone says.

Another one,
mister?

Why not?

Yeah, I'll have
the same.

Say, joanie called me
this morning.

Joanie who?

Did you know she's working
at a photography studio
these days?

She said ever since
this thing broke,

she's been calling you
every night, but, uh,
you won't pick up the phone.

I repeat, joanie who?

Oh, come on, Tom,
she's still your wife.

For 10 more days,
then the final decree
comes in.

It's all over
but the alimony.

Well, she wanted to tell you
the same thing we've been
trying to push through

that thick skull of yours.

Tell them you thought
you saw the gun.

No.

Tom, for god's sake,
this case has kicked up

emotions people didn't
even know they had.

Goody, goody,
a cop goofed.

Big daddy is human
just like the rest of US.

So let's get out the tar
and feathers and the line
forms on the right.

Oh, come on, Tom.

Look, just give them
what they wanna hear.

So you made a mistake.

You're sorry,
you thought you saw the gun.

I didn't make a mistake.

Now, damn it, ed,
I saw the gun.
I saw the gun.

Here you go,
gents.

Drink hearty.

[Coughing]
What is that?

Buttermilk.

[Coughing]

For those who think clean.

Hey, it'll improve
your eyesight.

Now, sergeant valens, uh,

in view of the testimony
presented here today,

I want to know if you care
to amend your statement

regarding the death
of Dr. Ruston.

No, sir.

I reported the truth
as it happened.

Well, that's all right,

but I'm sure you're aware of
certain discrepancies between,

your version of the truth,
and the truth as other
people have reported it.

Yes, sir.

However,
I would like to say this:

No matter how much testimony
is given to the contrary,

whether it concerns
Dr. Ruston's motives

for being at
seascape or whatever,

it doesn't alter the fact
that he did run from me
in a suspicious manner

and when cornered,
he pulled a gun.

That's the truth,
the truth as I know it.

(Jerez)
Well, what about this gun,
can you describe it to US?

My impression was
of a 38 caliber pistol,

3 or 4 inch barrel.

I only saw it for a second.

You're quite sure
it was a gun?

It couldn't have been
some other object
maybe a fountain pen or--

no, it...

No, it was a pistol.

Mr. Sanderman.

Sergeant,

you say when you first
observed the suspect,

he was behaving
in a suspicious manner.
Could you, uh, elaborate?

It was the way he stood,
the way he moved.

(Sanderman)
Uh, anything else?

When you've been
a police officer

for as long as I have,
you, uh,

you begin to know
instinctively when a man
has something going on.

But he was doing nothing
of an overt criminal
nature at the time?

No.

Yet you say
a few moments later
you, uh, shot at this man

in order to
save your own life?
That--that is correct?

I shot in self-defense.

I don't believe
that I consciously, that--

that my intent was to kill.

I, uh, take it then

that in your own mind,
you're completely satisfied,
uh, with your actions?

I don't think anyone
is completely satisfied
about killing a man.

Other than that,
my answer would
have to be yes.

Sergeant, I understand, uh,

about a year ago,
you suffered
a bad stomach wound

in somewhat
similar circumstances.

Could this possibly
have been on your mind
last Thursday night?

It's not something
you forget.

No, I guess not.

Uh, after that incident,
you were quoted
as saying that

you would never again
let a man pull a gun on you.

Do you recall that statement?

Well, I...

I may have said it.

But if I did,
it was a stupid remark.

Sergeant, uh,

since returning to duty,
have you participated
in many cases

where the suspect was armed
and resisting arrest?

No, sir.
Last Thursday night
was the first time.

Sergeant, one final point.
Uh,

the gun you saw,

was it in Dr. Ruston's hand

or only in your mind?

The gun was in
Dr. Ruston's hand.

(Reporter #1)
I need a statement.
Excuse me, pardon me.

Come on, Mr. Sanderman,
what do you think
the verdict will be?

No comment.
Oh, give US a break.

Are you gonna go
after valens, too?

Look, if the coroner's jury
brings in a verdict
of criminal negligence

you can be assured
my office will prosecute.

(Reporter #2)
What will you ask for, though?

Let's wait and see.
Yeah, but have you
enough of a case

to make the charges stick?

Well, frankly, gentlemen,
at first I didn't think so.

Not until I listened
to the one witness
who seems determined

to Bury sergeant valens alive.

Who's that?

[People chattering]

Mr. Valens,
I've noticed you're not
represented by counsel.

Any particular
reason for that?

I haven't had time
to hire an attorney,
your honor.

In that case,
I'm prepared to Grant you
a 24-hour continuance

so that you may
obtain counsel,
if you so desire.

No continuance is necessary,
your honor.

Let the record show that
the defendant chooses to
stand in propria persona.

I'd like to advise you
of your rights,

and the rights of the
court in this matter.

You're being arraigned here
on a charge of manslaughter.

Now you've heard
the complaint against you

and you have the right
to plead either guilty
or not guilty to the charge.

You may also, if you wish,
request the court

for time in which
to answer the complaint.

Depending upon your decision,
the court will then rule
as it deems proper.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

Very well, Mr. Valens.
How do you respond?

Not guilty.

Then the court orders you
to return in 10 court days

for the preliminary hearing
on the charge.

Your honor, uh,
my office requests
appropriate bail be set

to guarantee
the defendant's appearance.

(Jerez)
Mr. Sanderman, do you
have reason to believe

that the defendant
does not intend to abide

by the jurisdiction
of this court?

I'm merely trying to protect
the public interest,
your honor.

Very commendable.

However, failing
evidence of such intent,

and in view of Mr. Valens'
position as a police officer,

I see no reason
for not releasing him
on his own recognizance

pending his
preliminary hearing.

Thank you, your honor.

(Jerez)
Can we continue with the
arraignment calendar, please?

Sanderman.

Can I talk
to you for a minute?

What's there to say,
sergeant?

You're in one corner,
I'm in the other.

Good luck and
come out swinging.

Hasn't anyone told you
we're on the same side?

Believe it or not,
some of my best friends
are police officers.

Why, I'd even let one
of them marry my daughter.

That's no answer.
Why are you pushing me?

Because you're
a special breed.

The first time
I saw your kind of cop,
I was a kid back in Chicago.

I watched one of you
smash in the skull
of a dumb hunky.

He'd wandered into
the wrong section of town

and he couldn't
understand 5 words
of English.

He just happened
to be my father.

And, that's why,
whenever the chance comes

to cut one of you bastards
down to size,

it just warms
the cockles of my heart.

I get the message.
Also, get yourself
a good lawyer.

You looked dumb
up there today, valens.

Dumb like a hunky.
And everybody knows
what happens to them.

4, please.

Indeed, yes.

I'd be most interested
in taking your case, sergeant.

I have followed
it very closely.

Good.
Then we can get started.

However, I'm not sure
that you will want

to hire me after you hear
what I've got to say.

I'm listening.

As your attorney,
I'm afraid I'd feel obliged
to plead you guilty.

In exchange for clemency.

In other words,
try for a deal
with sanderman.

But, Mr. Ames,
I'm not guilty.

Doesn't that
mean anything?

Damn little, my friend.

But that's why
I want to hire you.

With you on my side,
I can fight this and win.

I swear to you, I'm right.

You're in the right

only if a jury says
you're in the right.

Use your head.
Let me try for a deal.

You'll get no worse
than probation
out of it.

Afterwards,
you can pick up
the threads--

Mr. Ames,
I'm a police officer.

That's what I am.
That's what I do best.

If I plead guilty,
I'm through. And--

and what'd be left
wouldn't be worth
stooping down for.

I was a Navy career officer.

Came the war,

I found out a man can
begin over when he has to.

Face it, sergeant.

Your career as a cop
ended when you pulled
that trigger.

No, sir.

Whether they convict
you now or not,
the verdict's in.

In the public's eye,

you will always be a cop

who shot an innocent man.

There's only one thing to do.

Then you will plead guilty?

No. I have to prove
that Dr. James b. Ruston

is not the innocent man
that everyone thinks he is.

Thank you for your time, sir.

(Knowland)
Well, it was a perfect burial.

But then what can you expect
from a town where nobody
ever made a mistake

until sergeant Tom valens
came along.

Forget the 12.5% increase
in Los Angeles burglaries,

forget our 40%
increase in murders.

Or the ever-growing number
of teenage drug addicts
crowding our jails.

Never mind all that.

We perfect ones
must concentrate
on lynching valens,

the villain,

for his insidious
transgression.

Or isn't it about time
that we stopped acting
like a mob of vigilantes

and admitted maybe the rest
of US aren't quite as
perfect as we pretend?

Let's even admit,

and I want to suggest this
before he achieves sainthood,

that perhaps even
Dr. James ruston

made his share
of errors, too.

Of course, when a doctor
makes a mistake,
the worst he can expect

is a civil suit
for malpractice.

The community
doesn't throw rocks
or banish him to Siberia.

No, we realize that
accidents will happen.

Doctors are only human.

Well, aren't cops human, too?

And isn't it high time
we told valens

and every other police officer
patrolling this city

"it's ok, buddy.
Nobody expects you
to win them all."

This is Perry knowland saying
thank you and goodnight.

(Director)
Ok, that's a wrap.

Ok.

Watch those tight close-ups,
will you?

Uh, Mr. Knowland.

Yeah.

Mr. Knowland,
I'd like to talk to you.

Valens. Well now,
let's play detective.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
You've been watching
my show all week

and you came
hotfooting it down here
to lick my hand, right?

I would like to
say thank you.
Yeah, I bet you would.

Hold that, will you?

Listen, sarge,
I think maybe you and I
better understand each other

very clearly
right now.

All that garbage I been
spewin' about you all week,

I don't believe
a word of it.

See you around.

Well, then
why did you say it?

Well, now, it's easy to see
you're not a very avid
fan of mine, sarge.

Because if you were
you'd know my gimmick

is playing the
devil's advocate
of television land.

I'm the stone in
the public shoe,

the boil on
the community backside.

People tune me in
for the pleasure
of cursing me out.

Whatever they're for,
I'm against,
and vice versa.

And for that
little distinction,
I'm paid $300,000 a year.

Next question?

Pardon my stupidity.

Well, now, hold on there,
partner. Just a minute.

If you, by any chance
came here to dish the dirt
on dear departed doc ruston,

you, uh,

couldn't have come
to a better source.

You see,
we were members of
the same golf club.

Poor son of a gun
never could break 85.

He married into
an old-line family
of carmichaels.

Down there, sweetheart.

But I guess he and Doris
didn't hit it off too well.

Mostly, he went his way,
she went hers, you know.

Did they have any children?
Oh, yeah.

One boy, Philip.

Dreadful little snot,
spoiled rotten by his mother

ignored continually
by his father.

In there.

A typical happy family.

Did Dr. Ruston
play around?

I, uh,

I don't know.
I never heard any
rumors about that.

But that could mean
he was adept at covering up
his tracks, right?

Or,

maybe he really was a Saint

to abstain from
all earthly pleasure

in his devotion to
helping the poor of Baja.

That would really throw you,
wouldn't it, sarge?

Do me a favor, Mr. Knowland?
At your service, chief.

Be against me.

I'd feel cleaner.

[Scoffs]

[Laughs]

[Birds chirping]

Lose something, pal?

Just my sanity, pal.

Yes? What is it?

My name is valens.
I'd like to ask you
a few questions.

Oh.

If it's about a vacancy,
you'll have to see
Mr. Garvin.

It's about Dr. Ruston.

Oh.

(Willows)
Please sit down,
young man.

Oh, no, no,
not there, please.
That's Dr. Ruston's chair.

I always save it for him.

We'll have a cup
of tea together.

Orange Jasmine.
It's my favorite.

Did you know him?

Not exactly.

[Dog growling]

Caesar,

mind your manners.

This gentleman didn't come
here to steal your toys.

I don't think
he likes me.
We've met before.

Oh.

He's very old,

and he hasn't got
many teeth.

That's why he growls
at everybody.

Thank you.

I'm sure he's still
a good companion.

Oh.

Yes.

Since they took
Dr. Ruston away,

he's the only one I have
to talk to anymore.

Dear Dr. Ruston.

Yes, wasn't he just
the darlingest man?

Always trying to
make life easier.

He even helped me
find this apartment.

Well, it's very nice.

You're very lucky
to have had a doctor

willing to call on
you at all hours.

Oh, did Caesar find his Dolly?

That's a good boy.

Dr. Ruston gave it to him.

I think that's why
he loves it so.

Miss willows,
did you ever sign a paper

making Dr. Ruston
your beneficiary?

Of course not.

Did you lend
him money?

Oh.

That's a terrible
thing to say.

How do you account
for the special treatment
he showed you?

He liked me.

He did. He liked me.

And anyway,
my father put all
my money in trust.

The bank looks
after everything.

More orange Jasmine,
young man?

Don't be shy.
Help yourself.

No, thanks.

Oh.

Caesar and I
enjoyed your company.

Thank you.

Next time we'll
have pink gardenia.

It's my favorite.

[People chattering]

[Birds chirping]

[Speaking in French]

[Clearing throat]

Just think, I flunked
high school French
3 years running.

Hey, if you're
makin ' a survey,

my favorite book's
little women.

You're valens,
the cop they busted.

I saw your picture
in the paper.

What are you doin'
out here?

I'm trying to
get my job back.

Yeah? Cody.
Walt Cody.

Come on in,
rest your weary gumshoes.

Always glad to talk
to a fellow outcast.

I don't want to interrupt
the French lesson.

[Chuckling]

Yvonne? She's
a tinker toy.

You wind her up,
she doesn't bother
calling again for days.

Come on in.

In here, Sherlock.

[Door closes]

Pure vitamin d.

It does wonders for a man.
Would you believe
I'm 74 years old?

Sunshine's free.

What, and have all the
goodies around here thinkin'
I'm a spoiled, lazy bum?

You mean you're not.

[Laughing]
The deductive mind
at work, huh?

You see a virile young stud
loafin' around his pad

in the middle of the day
and right away you think,
"aha, little lord moneybags,

with a bankbook where his
backbone ought to be," right?

Yeah, something
like that.

Well, I'm sorry, valens,
but I'm just another
workin' stiff.

I fly those great
metal birds you city folks
call airplanes.

[Grunting]

You're a pilot.

Well, only to beautiful women,
small boys, and my mother.

To trans-coastal airways,
I'm a copilot.

Which in my little
caste system world
means a hell of a difference.

But that's my problem.

I'd rather hear about yours.

Take your time,
I don't have a
plane out till 4:00.

Just walking around
trying to pick up
the pieces.

Yeah, well,
I wish I could help you,

but the sorry fact is
I wasn't even here
the night it happened.

The airport got fogged in,
and they diverted US to
Burbank and bussed US home.

By the time I got here,
the bang-bang was all over.

That's the story of my life.
I'm never where the action is.

[Panting]

Well, thanks anyway.

Hey, what's your rush?

A friend of mine flew in some
high-test scotch yesterday.

No, thanks. Nowadays my
drink's buttermilk.

Buttermilk?

Have you seen a doctor?

Oh, I'm sorry
that's a bad joke.

You remember Dr. Ruston
around here much?

Not here or anywhere else.

Have you talked
to the rest of
the neighbors?

All except an s. Sherman.

He seems to be out
of town for a while.

You know anything about him?

[Chuckling]
Well, enough to know
that her ain't a him.

"S" stands for
shari. She's a
photographer's model.

And, daddy, she makes the rest
of the goodies around here
look like basket cases.

She live alone?

Well, that's a matter
of opinion.

Mine is that she's got
something frantic going
with somebody,

judging from
the sound effects
that filter through

in the wee small hours.

A boyfriend.
Must be.

Otherwise,
why would she make
herself off-limits

to her friendly
neighborhood neighbor?

Maybe she doesn't
like the athletic type.

[Laughing]
Hey, make that your
first question when

you get her under
the lights, will you?

And tell her I'm not bulgy,
just flexible.

[Doorbell ringing]

Oh, must be
another tinker toy.

Hi.

No, he does the winding.

Hi.

[Exclaiming]

(Joanie)
How does that look, frank?
That's fine.

Let's have
a little more neckline.

(Henderson)
Now that's better.
That's beautiful.

Ok, honey. Here we go.

What in the hell
do you think you are doing?

I'm just trying
to make them more
attractive, that's all.

May I inform you,
Mr. Henderson,

that well-dressed ladies
do not wear clothes?

Well-dressed ladies
allow the clothes
to wear them.

Would you mind
getting away from
my camera, please?

Would you mind
getting out
of my life, please?

I'm just photographing
what people like.

[Exclaiming]
Mrs. Valens,
would you mind taking care

of something else and
leave my mannequins alone?

Yes. Would you
mind not stepping
on the drapes?

[Phone ringing]
I'll get off
the damn drapes.

Let's go with the session,
we're wasting too much time.
Let's go.

(Woman)
Joanie, telephone.

Hello.

Joanie, this is Tom.

I'm sorry to bother you,
but I need a favor.

I'm sorry, sir,
but if you check again

I think you'll find
you've dialed
the wrong number.

Please, joanie.

[Sighing]
Yes, go on.

Your voice is beginning
to ring a bell.

I have to locate a model
by the name of shari sherman.

She lives at the
seascape apartments
in brentwood.

Her mail indicates
she hasn't been home
since the night ruston died.

I want you to
check her out for me,

the agency she worked for,

photographers she
might have worked for,

anybody who might know
where she is now.

Yes, sir, yes.
I understand.

I'll get the brochure off
to you as soon as possible.

Very good, sir.

Thank you for thinking of US.

I never stopped.

(Designer)
All right, Susan,
the look of disdain.

Good girl.

Take, sweetheart,
come on, sweetheart.

You're not giving me anything.
You're so stiff.

I can understand this.
You're nervous, I understand.
It's not your fault.

Now look,
this leg's extended
in this fashion,

the arm here rests
very peacefully
with this hand...

What's so funny?

I'm sorry, you--you
just looked so...

So what?

You are both disappointed
because we're not
showing bosoms today.

I have a suggestion
for both of you.
Take the day off.

And take this square box
that you call a camera,
go to a farm,

and photograph cows.

I suppose
you would prefer bulls.

[Women laughing]

Captain.

Can I drop you
somewhere?

Oh, Tom. Thanks,
I'm on my way to Felipe
for a fast sandwich.

I got to be back
in a few minutes,
special show-up.

Sure, hop in.

What are you
doing downtown?

Drivin' around.
Happened to be
in the neighborhood.

Come on.

Hungry?
Famished.

Uh, bad mood?
Lousy mood.

I guess it'd be foolish
for me to tell you

what I found out
from hal Brody,

the insurance investigator
handling ruston's claim.

It certainly would.

Well, he came up
with a very interesting
bit of information.

It seems ruston
was a gambler.

You know, cards,
horse races, crap tables,
you name it.

He was in debt
up to his teeth.

He even borrowed
on his life insurance.

Then about 2 years ago,
he paid off all his debts.

He'd been livin'
pretty good ever since.

Turn left at the next
traffic light.

Want to see a picture
of a pretty girl?

Name's shari sherman.
Lives at the
seascape apartments.

I think
she's ruston's mistress.

You gotta be kidding.

No. Thanks to joanie,
I spent an hour

with the photographer
that uses her the most.

He told me she's been livin'
with a married man secretly
for almost 2 years now.

Yeah, so?

So that's
what bothered me.

Dr. Ruston's night calls
on miss willows,
it didn't make sense.

It makes a hell
of a lot more sense

when you know that
shari sherman lives
in the next apartment.

Go on.
Yeah.

The photographer
also told me that shari

has an ex-husband,
the jealous type,

the type that won't
let her go.

That brings US to
last Thursday night.
The night of the stakeout.

What about it?

I think the
ex-husband found out
about the affair.

He threatened
to blow the lid off
the whole thing.

So when ruston
came by for his usual
Thursday night visit,

shari gave him
the bad news.

"Be careful,
my husband's on a rampage."

He gets out of there
in a hurry,

and spends some extra time
with miss willows looking out
the window at the fog.

But really looking
for Herman,
the homicidal husband.

Exactly.

He finally decides
the coast is clear,

he sneaks out the building,
and is hurrying towards
his car,

when suddenly a man
jumps out of the bushes,
yells at him to stop.

He panics and...

It all fits, Roy.

Yeah.

But that still leaves
the missing gun.

Well, if I can get
into shari's apartment

maybe I can find something
that ties shari with ruston.

That'll explain what
happened to the gun.

But how can you
get into shari's apartment
without a search warrant?

Oh, you rat.

You low,
conniving rat-fink rat.

Seems you people
like to bother US.

I haven't finished
my supper yet.

Hey, what's miss
sherman done, anyway?
Just routine. Let's go.

I think we got a dead one.

Smells like
it's been here awhile.

(Klodin)
Tom.

[Water running]

All I can give is
a curbstone diagnosis,

but I expect
the post will bear me out.

Death was caused by
surgical abortion.

It was a clumsy job,
resulting in
massive hemorrhaging.

Could it have been
self-inflicted? Here.

Thanks. Impossible.

This was a d and c, performed,
much as I hate to admit it,
by a trained doctor.

But if a doctor did the job,

wouldn't he have seen
something was wrong
and been able to save her?

Sure. If he had
stayed around to keep
an eye on the situation.

My guess is that
when she slipped
into shock,

there was no one
there to treat her.

Can you tell how
long she'd been dead?

Maybe more than a week,
maybe less.

You can pick any
number you like.

All right,
I pick Thursday, a week ago.
Why not?

Why not?

Roy, I make it this way.

Ruston was
shari's lover.

She got pregnant,

he talked her
into an abortion,
he performed it.

He came back
last Thursday night

to check on her
and found her dead.

Now can't you just see him
in miss willows' apartment

listening to her talk,
all the while trying

to figure out a way
to save his own skin.

(Klodin)
Tom, we haven't
turned up one fact

connecting ruston
with the girl.

He's scared.
He's guilty and he's scared.

He's so scared,
all he can think
of is to run.

So he runs.
He runs into me, a cop.

I hate sounding
like a broken record,
but what about the gun?

Now, first things first.

If I can prove
that ruston's guilty
of criminal abortion,

I got me
a whole new ball game.

Tom, look, go slow,
this is all theory.

There's no proof,
and the minute...

Hey, it's valens.
Who let them in?
Get them outta here.

(Reporter #1)
Are you the one who found her?
No comment.

(Reporter #2)
Were you her secret lover?
No comment.

Did her husband
know about you?

(Klodin)
What kind of a question
is that?

Come on, give US a statement.
He's not gonna
answer that question.

Did she pull
a gun on you, too?
No, she didn't.

Then who did?
Nobody pulled...

(Reporter)
You afraid to make
a statement?

I'm not afraid to
make a statement.

(Klodin)
No, Tom. Don't.
They want a statement.

I'll give them a statement.

I've called
this conference today

to answer certain allegations
in connection with the death
of miss shari sherman.

Sergeant Tom valens is asking
that his suspension

from the Los Angeles
police department
be lifted immediately

in the light of new evidence
he feels links miss sherman

with the late
Dr. James b. Ruston.

The implication being that
the doctor was her lover

and that he performed
an illegal operation
on the young woman

which resulted in
her tragic demise.

Gentlemen, I hold a statement

signed an hour ago,
by a Mr. Arthur elmore
of this city.

Mr. Elmore is a married man

but he's had the courage
to come forward voluntarily

to admit that he,
and he alone,

was miss sherman's
secret paramour

and the man responsible
for her operation.

He also gave US
the name and address
of the unlicensed quack

who performed this
dreadful butchery

and we are now holding
both these men in our custody.

Thank you, gentlemen.
That's all I wanted to say.

What will now
happen to valens?

It's one thing
to shoot down
an innocent man,

but to deliberately
smear his memory

with lies
and false accusations
is beyond contempt.

I personally assure you
that sergeant valens'
suspension will stand.

And his trial
in the death of Dr. Ruston
will proceed as scheduled.

(Klodin)
Damn it,
I don't care why you did it.

You did it.

I tried to warn you, but no,
you had to go shooting
your mouth off.

(Valens)
I made a mistake.
I'm sorry. I...

You're sorry.
Big deal.

Because of you,
I've been on the carpet
all morning trying to explain

why we were at the
sherman apartment
in the first place.

After this,
I'll be lucky if
I keep my division.

Roy--
no. I've had it.
I'm through.

Go do your whining
someplace else.

Me, I'm sorry
I ever laid eyes on you.

[Door opening]

Hello.

It's freezing in here.

I'll light a fire.

[Gas hissing]

[Gas igniting]

[Keys dropping]

Well, i--i don't have
anything in the house
to offer you.

Unless you drink buttermilk.

How are you, Tom?

I haven't forgotten
our divorce is final
in 3 days.

It's 3 days, 14 hours,
and 7 minutes.

So?

So, I'm being good
to the last drop.

I'm much warmer now.

Is this your idea of
some kind of loyalty?

Oh, I'm not that noble.

I never was.

I just had to see
you again, Tom.

Look, the job's gone.

The war belongs
to somebody else,

and maybe there's
a chance for US again.

Tom, you never really
needed me before,
but now I think you do.

Joanie.

[Sighing]
Am I making
a complete fool of myself?

No, I...

Is there
somebody else?

There's never been
anyone else.

Don't just stand there.

Need me.

[Joanie panting]

God.

It's good
to be home.

Let's go away
in a few days.

Just the 2 of US.

But first we must
find you the best
lawyer in town,

and make everyone
see how deeply

you regret this whole
thing ever happened.

The things people...
People are saying about me,
do you believe them?

Those awful stories
in the papers?

Of course not.
How could I?

I mean, do you
think I did wrong?

I don't know.
I don't care.

Look, just tell them
you're sorry.

Anybody can make
a mistake.

I didn't make
a mistake.

Joanie.
Hmm?

Honey, I'd like
to stay in your
arms forever,

but I can't.
I didn't make
a mistake.

Tom?

Do you know
what it took for me
to come here tonight?

I think so.

Well, then, please,
meet me halfway.

(Valens)
You don't mean halfway,
joanie, you mean your way.

Nothing's changed, has it?

No, unfortunately
nothing's changed.

You fool. You stupid fool.

[Door closing]

[Door closing]

[Metal clinking]

Oh, hi. The inventory's
on the desk.

You can take it
with you or sit down
and check it off right now.

You must be
Mr. Johnson.

My. You sound so much
older on the phone.

Well, everybody says that,
miss thayer?

Right.

That's a good beginning,
one registered nurse.

Oh.

Terribly sorry, sir,
but I am not part
of the furnishings.

Thought you were
a fixture around here.

No. I'm too young
to be a fixture.

Besides, these days,
3 years on the job

doesn't even qualify me
as a junior fixture.

So I guess Monday
I'll have to start
looking for another job.

Ugh.

Well, I wouldn't think
you'd have too much
trouble finding a job.

No. But you know a job
like this comes along
once in a lifetime.

And I guess I'm spoiled.

Dr. Ruston, uh,

nice guy to work for, huh?

Oh, was he?

Gee, the hours
were terrific.

And the work
was a snap, and...

Well, since that first year
when things were
a little tight,

he practically
tripled my salary.

Hmm.

Must have had
a very rich clientele.

Oh, no.

[Phone ringing]

Excuse me.

(Thayer)
Hello, Dr. Ruston's office.

Yes.

Yes, sir, all right,
i-- I'll be expecting you.

Why, that was Mr. Johnson.

He said he won't be coming in
today after all.

And what did you say
your name was?

I didn't.

But it's valens. Tom valens.

Oh, no.

You're not the man
who murdered him.

Miss--
stay away from me.

Miss thayer,
nobody was murdered.

How can you come
in here like this
to his office,

smiling and joking?

What kind of a
human being are you?

A desperate human being.
I need some answers.

Yeah, well,
just get out of here.

All I want--
go on, get out.

Miss thayer--

look, if you don't get out
of here in 5 seconds
I'm going to scream.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

[Screaming]

[Door opening]

[Door closing]

[Groaning]

(Man)
Come on, rusty, he's had it.
Let's split.

Oh, my god.

What happened?

Can you walk?

Lean on me.

Come on,
sit down right here.

Give me your jacket.

I better call a doctor.

No doctor.

But you might be
badly hurt.

A doctor would have
to call the police.

Don't you want
whoever did this
to you punished?

You know a kid named rusty?

That's Philip's nickname.
Dr. Ruston's son.

No doctor. No police.

What difference
does that make?

By the time the papers
got through with it,

i--I'd be accused
of beating up
Dr. Ruston's son

and the 3 boy scouts
who came to his rescue.

Now, you just patch
me up as best you can.
I got an appointment.

You can't be serious.
You can barely walk.

I'll walk or crawl,
I've got to get out of here.

I got 3 days left.

You find something
and clean me up

and send me on my way.
Now, go on.

Go on.

You scare me, you know?

Before, I thought
I had you all
figured out.

Guilty as sin.

And now?

You're so damn sincere,
I can't stand it.

And you smell good.

You don't.

Answer a question for me?

Sure.

How does a doctor

who 3 years ago

couldn't make ends meet,

and with the same
small list of patients,

is able to die a wealthy man?

No big mystery.

Dr. Ruston played
the stock market a lot.

Somebody gave him a tip
on some Canadian stock
that came in.

He told me about it
when he raised my salary.

Also, I've-- I've seen
the dividend checks

that came in for him
once a month

from his broker,
Calvin York.

I thought dividend checks
only came in
once or twice a year.

Well, not these.

They were as regular
as tick-tock.

And never for less than
2,000 or 3,000 dollars.

See how simple?

Here, this should fit.

Let me take you
to a doctor, please.
No.

Well, then at least
let me drive you home.

[Grunting]
You just get me to my car,
I can lick the world.

Sure.

But not until tomorrow.

The world is not going
to run away, Mr. Valens.

[Birds chirping]

[Children chattering]

You still with US,
Mr. Valens?

Yeah.

[Sighing]

How long did Dr. Ruston
stay on his trips to Baja?

He'd go down
every other Wednesday
and come back the next day.

Every other Thursday.

What are you implying now?

When I stopped him
on Thursday he was scared.

He had something
on his conscience.

Stop that,
do you hear me?
Why did he run from me?

Dr. Ruston was
an exceptional man.

He never took one peso
out of Baja.

And the people
worshipped him.

Because they knew that
the first and third Wednesday
of every month,

no matter what
their miseries,

they could count on seeing
their Dr. Bueno.

[Car horn honking]

Wrong again.

So wrong, I almost want
to cry for you.

Thanks.

[Telephones ringing]

[Typewriters clacking]

Mr. Brody,
Mr. York will see you now.

Mr. Hal Brody,
insurance investigator.

It's a pleasure,
Mr. York.

My, my, did you have a fall?

Well, it's really
not that bad.
Oh,

well, please make yourself
comfortable.

Thank you.

Now then, what can
Irma and I do for you?

Irma?
There she is.

Our instantaneous relay
market analyzer.

Irma for short.

You see, even wall street
has joined the jet set.

Let a stock drop
half a decimal

and our clients know about it
before it hits the ground.

Well, how can I help you?

I'm here about
Dr. James b. Ruston.
Oh, yes.

I understand
your firm handled
all his stock investments.

Yes.
And my company
is investigating

his insurance claims,

so naturally
we're interested
in his financial status.

Yes, I imagine
it would be.

We would like a breakdown
of all his dealings

over the last, uh,
couple of years.
Hmm.

His holdings,
his bank deposits, his, uh,

his investments,
the money he got back,
even his tax returns.

Well, that's quite
a tall order.

Now, suppose I'm not
prepared to honor it?

Well, Mr. York,
I don't want to get tough.

Could turn into
a very nasty court case.

[Chuckling]

[Clears throat]

Louise, uh,
call hal Brody's office

like the sweet,
sexy thing you are

and, uh, ask him

if our Yale alumni dinner
is this week or next.

I can't remember which.

Boola boola, sergeant.

I recognized you
as soon as you came in.

Why did you let me
keep on talking?

Well, I'm satisfied now.

Now please don't bother
to come back.

Maybe I'd like to buy
some stocks.

You can do for me
what you did for Dr. Ruston.

Rags to riches
in 2 short years.

You're shooting
in the dark, sergeant.

Don't you ever learn?

I guess not.

(Operator)
Ready with your call
to Las Vegas, Mr. York.

Well, well,
prince valens returns.

Hey, man,
what clunked you?

[Chuckling]
Fraternity initiation.
How are you?

I'm still tinkerin'.

What brings you back
to dead man's gulch?
Miss willows.

Ah, well,
let's save you
footsteps.

Sunbonnet sue and I
had a lover's quarrel,
and she's run home to mother.

Uh-huh.
No, no, kidding.

I saw her leave
early this morning.

Well, if you feel
like waitin' around,

you can, uh,
j-join me poolside.

It's my first day out
since the sun lamp broke.

Between flights
or did they fire you?

Oh, they wouldn't dare.

I'm the only one who knows
how to wind up
the big rubber band.

Matter of fact,
trans-coastal's given me
a few days off

for good behavior.

I haven't cracked up
a ship all month.

Miss willows.
Oh!

I'm sorry.
I've been
to the cemetery.

I visit him
every day.

How nice of you.
Can we talk?

(Willows)
They were so rude
this morning.

I found one of
his favorite toys
in the closet.

And of course I wanted it
buried with him,

along with the rest.

But they said
it was too late.

Did you ever hear
of anything so heartless
and inhuman?

Who are we
talking about?

Why, Caesar, of course.

He died Saturday.

Quite peacefully,
poor darling.

And after I bought him
a lovely plot

in the eternal
rest pet cemetery,

a guaranteed
rustproof casket,

they wouldn't even
let him sleep happy.

Do you think
he'll miss it?

I put in all the rest.

No, I'm sure
it'll be all right.

He died of a broken heart.

The vet said it was old age.

But he didn't watch Caesar
pining away

after what that bad man did
to Dr. Ruston.

Speaking of Dr. Ruston--

I like to think
they're together
in eternity now.

It can happen,
you know.

Uh, miss willows, you said
Dr. Ruston visited you
every Thursday night.

Could you have been wrong?
Could it have been
every other Thursday night?

Oh, no.

Dr. Ruston enjoyed coming
every Thursday.

When was the last time
he visited you?

I just told you,
last Thursday.

We had tea together.

Dr. Ruston was buried
last Thursday.
He's been dead a week.

Dear, oh, dear.

Where does time go?

[Screaming]

[Giggling]

(Cody)
I think we lost.

How's that for a chapeau?

Oh, here's the man.

[Panting]

A couple of days ago you said
you wanted to help me.

Did you mean it?

Uh, probably not. I'm fickle.

But tell me more.

I think there's a connection
between miss willows

and ruston's trips to Baja.

She doesn't know the answer,
so I'll have to go down there.

I'd like to leave tomorrow,
Wednesday.

That was
his regular visiting day.

Well, have a swinging trip.

Don't land on a cactus.

I can rent a plane,
I can't fly it.

That's why I need you
to fly me down there.

Well, in the immortal words
of Nathan hale,
what's in it for me?

[People chattering]

I can't pay you much.

Well, baby,
you're a ring-a-ding salesman.

Ah, I'll think it over.

I only have 2 days.

I'm thinkin'.

[Women giggling]

(Cody)
Hey, valens.

I'll get US a bird.

Shoot, I figure
with your luck,

you're bound to start
world war III
as soon as we land.

And I'd never forgive myself,
if I wasn't there to watch.

[Cody laughing]

I've an appointment
to see Mrs. Ruston.
My name is Tom valens.

Right this way, please.

[People chattering]

[Birds chirping]

Come wind, come rain,
the fuzz never rests.

I didn't come here
for a rematch.

Gonna tell my mom on me,
valens?

Sorry, but miss thayer
beat you to it.

Get lost.

I want to see her.

She's still in mourning.

(Doris)
Rusty, let Mr. Valens in.

[Door closing]

Mr. Valens.

(Doris)
Care for a drink?

No, thanks.

I'd like to talk
to you alone.

Run along, dear.

I'm not gonna
leave you alone with him.

I'll be perfectly safe,
so will Mr. Valens.

[Swooshing]

Sweet Philip.

He's taken his father's death
so hard.

I can't imagine why,
they scarcely knew each other.

Come closer, Mr. Valens.

I'm not wearing
my contact lenses today.

Sit here.

[Sighing]

Oh, do you hurt?

Just when I breathe.

I apologize
for what happened.

Philip thought
he was avenging
the family name.

Of course,
you have been giving it
a rather sticky time lately.

My husband
keeping a mistress.

[Laughing]

Even if he'd had the desire,
I promise you

he never had the ability.

Mrs. Ruston.

[Exclaiming]
Oh, dear.

I'm not your picture
of a bereaved widow, am I?

Y-You would have preferred
someone draped in black

and weeping softly
to organ music.

Mmm.

Frankly, I've got
nothing to cry about.

Strange, my admitting
that to you,

the man who killed him.

Jim was a blob,
a jellyfish.

Oh, aren't I terrible?

But am I any worse than you,
ogling his widow?

You see, Mr. Valens,
you're no more noble
than I am.

We're 2 of a kind.

I came here to talk
about your husband.

Oh, yes, yes, yes,
down to business.

How much will it cost me
to forget about
Philip's little escapade?

You think I'm here
to blackmail you?

Name your price,
Mr. Valens.

Or do I have to lead you
by the hand

like every other man
I've ever known?

It may come as
a hell of a surprise
to you, Mrs. Ruston,

but I can't be bought.

And I didn't come here
to ask your forgiveness.

Now I want the answer
to one lousy question,
that's all.

Go on.

2 years ago,
your husband was broke.

Now you're mourning him
in money and martinis.
Where'd he get it?

At least my olive's black.

[Laughing]

So is my future.
Now where did he get
the money?

Mmm.

You're talking
to the wrong person.

Jim and I had
an unspoken agreement.

I never asked him
how he made his money,

he never asked me
how I spent it.

The stock market?

Had a little
a.T. And t.

That was what
his father left him.

Does the name Calvin York
mean anything to you?

Sounds familiar.

Hmm, let me see.

Yes, I think I remember
seeing that name

on one of
the funeral wreaths.

Does that help you at all?

Not much.

They're going to send you
to prison, aren't they?

Well, they're going to try,
but I'll be around for awhile.

Good, I'm glad.

Who knows,
maybe we can arrange
another little visit.

After Philip goes to Yale.

We're 2 of a kind,
Mr. Valens, remember.
2 losers.

And according
to an old Chinese proverb,

when you rub
2 losers together,

sometimes you get surprises.

Sometimes even fire.

I'm a sore loser,
Mrs. Ruston.

A sore loser.

[Laughing]

I hope you don't think
I was serious.

I was only having
a little fun.

Yeah, sure.

[Door opening]

[Laughing]

Looking
for somebody?

Uh...

Dr. Ruston's nurse, uh.

She said
she'd be here till 5:00.

Sorry, I just came
on duty.

You're a patient?

Oh, no, I just
got to do her a favor

and pick up
a bundle of clothes
for some friends of hers.

Yeah, well, uh,
if she comes back again,

tell her to call me.
My name is valens.

[Gas hissing]

[Telephone ringing]

Hello.

It's baron Von Cody.

Just wanted to tell you
I commandeered

the original 1918 spad
that rickenbacker used.

It's a single-seater,
so you may have
to ride the wing.

I'll wear my long underwear.

Hey, it's a good idea.

I'll see you
at the Santa Monica airport
at 8:00 in the morning, ok?

Ok. Walt,

thanks.

Just spell my name right
on the insurance policy,
will you?

I'll see you at 8:00.

[Crowd yelling on t.V.]

[Crowd cheering]

[Crickets chirruping]

[Glass falling]

[Gas hissing]

[Telephone ringing]

[Coughing]

[Telephone continues ringing]

[Coughing]

[Coughing]

[Coughing]

[Hissing]

[Hissing stops]

Hello, ed.

Hold it.

[Coughing]
Are you kidding?
What's the gun for?

Don't take another step.
That's an order.

What are you
talkin' about?
Face the wall.

What do you mean,
"face the wall"?
I said, face the wall.

What's the matter
with you?

What's the matter
with you?

All right,
you can turn around.

[Sighing]

All right.
What--what's it
all about?

You're under arrest, Tom.

For what?

The big one, murder.

The murder of Liz thayer.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

How? When?

The custodian found her
in ruston's office.

The place had been
torn apart.

Her body was stuffed
in a closet.

She'd been choked,
and badly beaten.

She was last seen
in the office at 4:30.

You were seen
leaving that office
around 5:00.

I went there,
the door was locked,
I couldn't get in.

The custodian said
he saw you with
your hand on the knob

like you just
closed the door.

Tom, we found
your fingerprints all over
the treatment room.

You said
that ruston's office
was torn apart.

I was being polite.

It looked like
a tornado hit it.

All the drawers
were dumped on the floor,
furniture smashed.

Even the Mexican knick-knacks
hanging on the wall
were smashed.

Like some maniac was trying
to break everything

he could lay his hands on.

Somebody's looking
for something
and they can't find it.

Who is?
I don't know.
Somebody. Somebody.

Somebody's involved
in this besides ruston.

Sure. You are.

The boys downtown
figure you've been
pushing that ruston gun story

for so long, you flipped.
The gun.

And you tore
that place apart yourself.

The gun must be
the answer to everything.
What are you talkin' about?

Give me a few more
hours, ed, just
a few more hours.

Oh, swell. Come on,
let's go downtown.

No, you book me now,
I'm finished.

Pretend you didn't
see me. Just give me
a few more hours.

Tom, are you crazy?
There's an a.P.B.
Out on you.

You couldn't drive your car
more than one block
before they'd pick you up.

Now, come on,
let's go. Come on.

Now, listen, now,
wait a minute.
No, no, see here!

Don't make it worse
than it is already.

I can't help it.
Now, you turn around.
Just turn around.

Boy, you really have flipped,
haven't you?
Turn around.

Come on, put your hands
behind your back.

[Handcuffs clicking]

Over there.

Just a few more
hours, ed.
Go to hell.

[Ringing]

Yep?

(Valens)
Walt, this is Tom valens.

Did I wake you?

No, but our date's for 8:00.

If you're thinkin'
of flying to Baja tonight,
get yourself another boy.

The Baja trip is off.

What I been looking for
is right here.

It's been here all the time.

Well, that's great.

Need any help finding it?

I thought you'd never ask.

Buddy, bring your muscles,
we're gonna open a grave.

[Car horn honking]

[Police dispatcher
chattering over radio]

Oh, a police car yet.

Next thing you're
gonna tell me it's hot.

No, it belongs
to a friend of mine.

[Crickets chirruping]

[Owl hooting]

[Fluttering]

(Valens)
Here it is.

Are you sure
you want to go through
with this?

Here, hold this.

I'll dig first.

Thanks. I prefer
a running start in case
anything goes, "boo!"

[Panting]

Hey, valens?
Huh?

As one body snatcher
to another,

what made you decide
to go this route
instead of by way of Baja?

Dr. Ruston's money.

I couldn't figure out
how he got it.

The more I thought
about it, the more
I was sure

it had something to do
with his behavior
the night I stopped him.

I didn't make the
connection until tonight
when I found out

his office
had been torn apart.

Hey, I think
I hit something.

[Panting]

[Grunting]

You got it?
Yeah.

Boy, grave robbing.

If it wasn't for
the high pay and the
beautiful surroundings,

I'd have to consider
givin' it up.

Got it.

[Exclaiming]

What do we do with him now?

Nothing.

Nothin'?

Valens, if you're
looking to cop
an insanity plea,

you just qualified.

Now there's what
I'm lookin' for.

What, a kid's
toy gun?

That's the same mistake
Caesar made when he
found it in the bushes.

It had ruston's
scent on it.

And ruston was his pal,
ruston brought him toys.

So he took it home.

This is the gun
I've been looking for
since the night I shot him.

What, that piece of junk
got ruston killed?

Yeah, junk, Walt.

Pure,
unadulterated heroin.

[Exclaiming]

You cut it half a dozen
times, it should be worth
50,000, 60,000 dollars.

Ruston was runnin'
a dope ring.
Yeah, but not all by himself.

He was contacted
by Calvin York

when he fell behind
on his gambling debts.

They knew about
his mercy flights
to Baja.

So he became
the messenger boy.
Let's put it back.

50,000 bucks a trip.
Not bad for a house call.

[Grunting]

Well, it worked
because of--

because of
his unique position.

He'd made so many
trips to Baja,

I don't think
the customs people

even bothered
to stop him anymore.

See, he'd pick up
the heroin in Baja
on Wednesday.

There you go.

And deliver it
to his local contact
at seascape on Thursday.

Oh, come on, valens.
If you're trying to tell me

that little old miss willows
is pushing heroin...

She was the cover.

Ruston put her at seascape
so he'd have a reason
for going there.

When he finished
visiting with her,

he was free to reach
his contact man.

Well, if the contact
lives at seascape
like you say

how come ruston
had the narcotics on him
when he got killed?

The contact man
wasn't home that night.

So ruston left
with the heroin
still in his pocket?

When I stopped him,
his one thought

was to get rid
of the evidence.

If he hadn't panicked,
he'd gotten an apology.

Instead, he got a bullet.

Well, man,
you did it.

Following the gun
really wraps up
the case for you, huh?

[Cody shoveling]

There's still
the contact man, Walt.

Yeah. That's gonna be tough.

Maybe he does
live at seascape,

but so do a 100 other people.

The guy I want
wasn't home that night.

His plane was delayed
because of fog.

What, me?
Oh, you got to be kidding.

Who'd make a better
delivery boy, Walt?

An unmarried,
unattached pilot

making regular visits
to every major city
on the pacific coast?

Aw, come on, dad,
enough's enough already.

Yeah, enough's enough, Walt.

You tried to kill me.
You killed the nurse,
enough is enough.

I just want
the satisfaction
of taking you in.

You're not bringin'
anybody anywhere.

From where I stand,
old buddy,
you're up the creek.

In case you're
thinkin' of gettin' away,
somebody ought to tell you

that's no paddle in your hand,
it's just an old toy gun.

It's a real gun, Walt.

Oh? Then be my guest.
Take the first shot.

It's a real gun, Walt.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Now, will the real Tom valens
please drop dead?

[Gun fires]

[Screaming]

This is unit 4-k-2.

Request an ambulance
and assistance.

(Female dispatcher on radio)
4-k-2, 4-k-2,
what is your location?

Eternal rest pet cemetery,
120th and gardena.

4-k-2, Roger. All units
in the vicinity,
officer needs help.

Eternal rest pet cemetery,
120th and gardena.

Officer needs help.
Officer needs help.

All units in the vicinity,
officer needs help.

Eternal rest pet cemetery,
120th and gardena.