Father Dowling Mysteries (1989–1991): Season 1, Episode 8 - The Pretty Baby Mystery - full transcript

(theme music plays)

(phone rings)

Hello?

I want the kid, Laura.

Leave me alone.

I don't see the kid.

She's got a bag with handles
and she's carrying it by the bottom.

Cute. Let's go.

Get the car!

Come on, come on.

Don't lose them.
Don't lose them!



- Which way?
- No, they went that way.

Turn right here, please.

Pull over there, please.

Come on!

Can I help you, gentlemen?

Now, just a minute, what
do you think you're doing?

We're just looking
for somebody, Father.

Well, I don't know
who you're looking for,

but there's nobody here.

Now, look, this is
a place of worship.

And I'll thank you and
your friend here to leave.

And if you choose
to return, next time...

come unarmed.

Maybe the police can help
you find what you're looking for.



(chuckles): Excuse us, Father.

What's their hurry?

I don't know.

It's very peculiar.

They're hunting for someone.

I'd sure hate to be
the one they're after.

They sure look
like serious people.

(baby crying)

Frank.

(crying stops)

Frank, look at this!

But... Where did it come from?

I don't know.

Hello?

Anybody here?

(baby cries)

What do you think it wants?

I think it wants to get dry.

Oh.

(chuckles): Come on.

MARIE: You're
such a beauty. Aww.

What a pretty girl.

How could anybody
leave you, hmm?

Yeah, that's what I hope to
find out, just as soon as I...

- Ah! Good!
- Yes.

It's ringing, finally.

WOMAN: Chicago
Children's Agency.

Uh, yes, this is
Father Dowling at...

The agency is closed until
Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Please phone back
then. Thank you.

Well, I got some
stuff for her bottle.

Is the agency
coming to pick her up?

Not exactly.

Here, I promised Sister Agnes

I was gonna fix
her dinner tonight.

If I'm gonna get to the market,

and get the things
that that's gonna need,

and get back here in time, I
got to get on my horse and go.

(doorbell rings)

- I'll get it.
- (knock at door)

- Oh.
- (laughs)

Hello, oops.

Hi.

Hello, sweetheart.

DOWLING: Father Prestwick?

Hi, there.

Oh... Well...

What can I do for
you this evening?

I am here about the dinner
in honor of the bishop.

Oh, yes.

I noticed that St.
Michael's table

was sadly undersubscribed.

So, I thought
perhaps I could help.

How's that?

The thing is that as the
bishop's private secretary,

I'm expected to
make a comic toast.

Not too broad, nothing risque.

Good-natured, yet
nothing inappropriate.

You are famous

for those little jokes
in your sermons.

So, I was... I was wondering...

Would I write your toast?

In which case, I would
sell your table for you.

It would be my pleasure.

Wonderful.

Wonderful.

Well, I really should be going.

Please give me a ring when
you have a rough draft, and, uh,

we'll go over it together.

I'll give you a ring.

So, what we'll need
is something charming,

yet somehow memorable.

Endearing, yet not too cloying.

Something people will remember.

Good night.

(baby fussing)

I don't understand it, Frank.

What kind of mother would just

abandon her baby?

Someone who's pretty desperate.

And who has access
to a towel service.

Huh?

These, DiMarco Linen Service.

I'm thinking we
ought to check it out

first thing in the morning.

It's a good idea.

And I'm also thinking you
ought to go back to the convent.

Oh, that's okay, you go to bed.

I'm gonna, I'm gonna stay
here in case she needs anything.

Are you sure?

- 'Cause I'd be happy to...
- Oh, no.

Just hit the light
on your way out.

Okay.

Rest well.

You got any idea how many
towels like this I run through here?

15,000.

A day.

That's a lot of detergent.

With an operation like yours,

you must keep excellent records.

- Maybe if you check the mark against...
- (phone rings)

Hello.

Hey, Tony.

Ooh. Angela?

Forget about it! Not even
if you gave her a shave.

Nah, got to pass.

Ciao.

I can't help you out, Padre.

We're on the clock here.

Look, see my
bookkeeper on the way out.

Say I said to give you 50 bucks.

Okay, make that 100
for your favorite charity.

Just leave a receipt.

Thanks.

Um, can we confide in you?

Sure, why not?

There's this mysterious
young woman, very beautiful.

And we found her at the church.

The problem is,
she won't tell us

who she is or where
she came from.

She won't talk?

Cries a little.

Well, maybe she's got amnesia.

Well, the thing is, she
had one of these towels.

Now, if we can find
out where it came from,

then maybe we can
figure out who she is.

Frank, I had this feeling...

Don't ask me why...
That she's an heiress.

Oh, I-I-I wouldn't
rule that out.

Y-y-you know, I read
something like this once.

Where'd you guys
say you were from?

FRANK: St. Michael's.

We'll leave the number
with your bookkeeper,

when we pick up your check.

See you.

Any luck getting
ahold of a city agency?

Everything's closed till Monday.

May have to keep
her over the weekend.

Well, we just can't
give her to anybody.

You working on Father
Prestwick's toast?

Mm. I'm trying.

But it's not easy.

(phone rings)

St. Michael's.

What?

Well, yeah, yeah...

But... hello? Hello?

It was her, Frank.

It was the mother.

She wants us to
bring her the baby.

Are you sure it was
the mother that called?

She said she'd made
a terrible mistake,

and would we meet
her here in the park.

Are you gonna
give the baby to her?

If anything seems
wrong, anything at all...

WOMAN: Hi!

Thank God. How is she?

She's wonderful.

Look, uh, before you take her...

there's something
we have to talk about.

MAN: There she is!

Frank, does that
look like trouble?

Quick, get out of here!

- What?
- MAN: Come on!

Get her!

Don't let them get her.

Go!

Hey! There's my kid!

- (baby cries)
- Frank, what's going on here?

I don't know,
Steve. Keep driving.

(baby crying)

I don't know, Frank.

What do you mean,
you don't know?

Something is very wrong
here, something terrible.

What we have here is
a domestic disturbance.

Husband and wife
fight over custody.

It's regrettable, but so far,

it's not a crime,

at least not until
somebody files a complaint.

- Can't you do something?
- Sure.

We'll look for the parents.

And in the meantime, I
can put her in a city facility

for abandoned children.

Finally, I'm getting
my kitchen back.

A little order around
here. (chuckles)

This is a very good
first draft, very promising.

You don't like it, huh?

Oh, I didn't say that.

But this is just sort
of roughed in, isn't it?

I mean, the final speech
will be as we discussed.

Amusing but moving.

Charming but memorable.

- Exactly.
- Just leave it with me, huh?

I-I think it's coming
along beautifully.

Good day, all.

I'll see you soon.

Take your time.

By the way, are we running
a dating service now?

What?

Well, some man's all
about some woman.

Sounded like a
parlor snake to me.

A parlor snake?

Your pal,
15,000-towels-a-day DiMarco.

It's got to be him.

Did he leave a message?

Like an address?

Oh, now wait, I think he, uh...

What did I write that down on?

Oh, Marie, it's
really important.

Hm, of course.

Ah! Yeah, I bet you, here it is.

See, I'd just gotten
back from market

and unwrapped the roast.

Towels came from
the Fitness Factory?

Yeah, it's a high-tech
health club over on Wabash.

Place is so fancy, they
even have valet parking.

Would somebody please
tell me what this is all about?

Well, do you remember
the towels that were

at the bottom of the bag
that the baby came in?

Well, this guy who
called, he runs the service

that provides them
to the Fitness Factory.

And I think we ought to
get over there right away.

Oh, not we. Me.

You've got that toast to write.

Steve!

Besides, what could possibly
happen to me at a ritzy spa?

(chuckles)

(indistinct voices)

This is DeeDee's
regular room here.

Listen, I really appreciate
you filling in for her.

Oh, well, I guess
we both got lucky.

Well, it's got the
latest floating floor.

Uh, major quad sound system.

Perfect ventilation.

Good luck.

Thanks.

(upbeat music plays)

Okay, everybody, we're
gonna warm up a little bit first.

You ready?

Five, six, seven, eight.

Reach, reach like you're
reaching up to Heaven.

Little kicks.

Everybody say "Amen!"

ALL: Amen!

Keep going, everybody.

(sighs)

Perhaps a musical toast.

(playing notes)

Hmm...

I wonder if Father
Prestwick can sing.

(doorbell ringing)

Oh, Sergeant Clancy.

Well, come in.

I checked the directory
of welfare organizations.

The Catholic Church was on it.

Oh, really?

(sighs)

Now, Frank,

I went to three
other places first.

They were either full or closed.

Now I know Steve
is attached to it.

Until we get a hearing
scheduled, the judge said

that she could stay here.

(baby fussing)

Oh. Uh...

WOMAN: Thanks. Good class. Bye.

(mechanical humming in distance)

(mechanical
humming grows louder)

- Where's the kid, Laura?
- (Laura mutters)

Where's the kid? Where
did you take the kid?

(shouting)

- Listen to me...
- I don't have to tell you!

We're talking $2 million here.

What about fingerprints?

Don't they make a record
when a baby is born?

Footprints. But they're
not on the computer.

They'd have to
check every hospital.

And you have any idea how many

maternity wards there
are in Chicago alone?

(phone ringing)

St. Michael's.

STEPHANIE: Frank,
yeah, I found the woman.

Get over here right away, okay?

Bring some help.

(tires squealing)

He's in there.

I don't know whether he's
armed, but he looked really tough.

Okay.

(guns cocking)

Father Dowling, you and I
are going to have a little talk.

Steve definitely saw the woman.

She was there just
a few minutes ago.

I... I don't get it.

Neither do I.

I'm telling you, I saw
her. She was there.

She was in a chair,
and there were two guys

hanging over
her. It looked like...

- This is her.
- That's her!

- Stop her!
- Uh, Miss?

Yes?

Excuse me, but we have a case

we think you might
be able to help us with.

We have your baby.

I beg your pardon?

It's okay. You're safe now.

I'm sorry. I don't have a baby.

Who are you people?

Excuse me. I'm late.

I am telling you that that's
the woman from the park.

I just saw her tied
up. What is going on?

Whatever it is,

next time do me a favor...
Call the fire department.

(groans)

Well, at least I got
a great workout.

And a complimentary sweatshirt.

Steve, look.

(engine turns)

I also got the address
of his apartment.

(coughing)

I probably shouldn't be
showing you Chuck's apartment.

Well, we wouldn't be asking
if there weren't a lot at stake.

Yeah, well, seeing as he
hasn't been here in about a week,

and the rent was
due yesterday...

STEPHANIE: It's almost
like it isn't his anyway.

LANDLORD: Right. Hey,
not that he didn't ever use it.

You wouldn't believe
what went on up here.

Oh, I bet I would.

- Steve.
- Yeah?

Look at these.

Hey, that's her.

Do you think that's the baby?

It's got to be her.

Do you recognize this woman?

Yeah, sure. She's
one of the regulars.

Real polite.

No, uh... noise, if
you know what I mean.

- She ever have a baby with her?
- (chuckles)

Honey, the last thing
Chuck cared about was kids.

So what are you thinking, Frank?

I'm thinking that that apartment
is as phony as Chuck's name.

How's that?

Well, it's so
sparsely furnished.

It hardly looks as if
anyone ever lived there.

Well, she said he wasn't
around much. Maybe he moved.

Eh... But there's a toothbrush,
a new tube of toothpaste,

shaving gear in the bathroom.

No, I think he used that place
so he could have an address

for his job at the spa.

And a place to entertain.

A sideline? No.

I bet you a nickel
he uses it for a cover.

It's as phony as his job.

(baby fusses)

I don't know. I just don't know.

What's the problem?

Marie, listen to this.

Good evening, Your
Excellency, distinguished guests,

ladies and gentlemen.

I just don't know.

You don't know what?

Well, it just sounds
so predictable.

You see, the bishop will
be expecting something

a little special from me.

"Your Excellency,
distinguished guests,

"ladies and gentlemen,

"I have been asked
to propose a toast

for you this evening.
I'm delighted to be..."

(laughs) Alaska!

Said he would like to
take up the collection!"

(laughs)

"And I... I propose a toast.

And... the bishops in New
York said to keep busy."

(laughs)

Oh, that is surefire
material, yeah!

Do you really think so?
Do you really think so?

You don't?

Well, I-I'm just
not sure it's me.

- (baby fussing)
- Oh.

What's this?

It's a baby.

Well, what's it doing here?

She has no idea.

Go on. Pick her up.

She loves to be held.

By almost anybody.
(clears throat)

Oh, perhaps another time.

Oh, dear, I-I really have

to be getting back
to the archdiocese.

(laughs)

Yeah!

Oh, there you are, Father.

So what do you think about
the speech that Frank wrote?

- Terrific, huh?
- Uh-huh.

Yes, well, I left
it on your desk

with a few notes for changes,

but, uh-huh, I think
it's coming along.

And here I thought
it was finished.

Oh, I-I think with a little
touch-up here and there.

I thought perhaps one other
anecdote at the beginning, and

then just a little tightening
at the end, it'll be fine.

I'm just sorry I won't be
here to go over it with you,

but I've got to get back.

Mm-hmm.

(door opens and shuts)

I sure hope he
sold out our table.

Yeah, I had no idea the
price would be this high.

This baby is an
angel. (chuckles)

Oh, how is she?

She's fine.

I'll tell you one thing
about her, she's not from

- around here.
- What do you mean?

Well, when I washed her
clothes, I looked at the labels.

They're from a very expensive
baby shop over in Oak Park.

Look at that, Frank.
"Born Yesterday."

Yeah. You know, I'm
sure someone at that shop

could help us find the mother.

Well, let's take this
over there and find out.

All their things
are made to order.

I know because my nephew
Paul's wife got all their things there.

Practically bankrupted him.

Nice work, Marie.

Oh.

Are you sure this
is the right address?

Well, it's the address the
girl at the baby store gave us.

Oh, let's go.

You know, I don't know why
this woman gave up her kid,

but if she lives here

it's not because she
couldn't afford to keep her.

Yeah.

(doorbell rings)

Father... I'm so
glad you found me.

Is my baby all right?

Oh, she's fine. She
just needs her mother.

You're really gonna have
to tell us what's going on.

I'm so sorry about
what I did at the gym,

but he was there
and I was afraid.

I didn't know what to do.

- Can we go inside and talk?
- No.

I can't. Not now. Um, um...

Why don't we go inside?
You're gonna freeze.

No, no. You have to go.

He'll be back any minute.

I can't talk now.

I'm sorry, we're not leaving
until we get some answers.

I'll phone you and arrange
to pick up my little girl.

Now, wait a minute.

I-I'll tell you this much.

I'm gonna leave here,
start a new life someplace.

See, you've given me
the courage to do that.

That's all I can say.
Now, please, Father,

I'm in so much danger,

if anybody sees
me talking to you.

(door closes)

Laura, who was that?

Oh, nobody, Mr. Phillips.

A priest collecting
for some charity.

He doesn't know anything
about the kidnapping, does he?

Because if he does, he'll
have to notify the Bureau.

We haven't told anyone
except the police. Now you.

Mrs. Phillips, can I
get you some tea?

Okay, uh, I'll be in the
kitchen if you need anything.

(phone rings)

Hello?

CHUCK: Your
baby's safe and well.

If you want her
to stay that way,

deliver the $2 million
in negotiable securities

we discussed to the park
where we grabbed her.

3:00 today.

Uh, look, I haven't got it yet.

It takes time to raise that...

Don't jerk me around!

You've had plenty of time.

And have the housekeeper
deliver the money.

She knows we mean business.

(dial tone)

3:00 today.

They want Laura
to bring the money.

Why me?

I can't. I can't.

They figure they
have nothing to lose.

You've already seen them
when they grabbed the baby.

I don't know.

Laura...

I know you're frightened,
and I know how terrible it was

for you when they took Melissa,

but you gotta help us, please.

We'll have men
all around the park.

You'll wear a wire

so we can hear
everything that's happening.

It will be absolutely safe.

Please, Laura.

(phone rings)

It's gotta be her.

Father Dowling.

Father, I'm gonna
leave this house,

but I need your help.

I'll do whatever I
can to help you,

but you must tell me the truth.

Father, I'm so scared.

Will you bring my baby

and meet me like
before in the park?

3:00 this afternoon?

We'll be there.

Thank you, Father,
and bless you.

Did he buy it?

Of course.

I'm really scared.

Are you sure you'll be able
to see 'em when they pull up?

LAURA (over radio):
You're not gonna believe this.

He's disguised as a priest.

The woman driving
is dressed like a nun.

I think he's got a gun.

Yeah, yeah.

(static crackles)

The wire's gone dead.

She's getting in a station
wagon with the female suspect.

The male suspect is in
the front passenger seat

holding the baby.

Believed to be armed
and dangerous. Stand by.

Now then, young lady, suppose
you give us some answers.

It's terrible.

The man I married
ended up being a criminal.

He's a killer for hire.

By the time I learned who
he was and what he did,

I... I was already
pregnant and afraid.

Oh, God, that's
his van over there!

Quick, please!
He'll kill all of us!

(tires squeal)

Move in now!

(tires squeal)

- Hold it right here!
- Get out of the car slowly.

What is this?

Laura, wait!

(Melissa crying)

Out!

(officer speaking indistinctly)

(baby crying)

What's going on? Who are you?

FBI. You're under arrest.

Arrest?

For what?

Kidnapping.

(Melissa bawling)

DOWLING: Oh, no.

(sighs)

CLANCY: The Bureau guy
running the operation said

he'd never encountered
such a classic criminal face.

And he'd never
seen such wheelwork.

He refused to believe

that anybody who could
drive like that is a nun.

Thanks.

You sure you don't want
it for your scrapbook?

I just can't believe that that
woman was part of a kidnap gang.

I mean, she just
seemed so sincere.

And now she's very
rich, $2 million worth.

And the parents?

Thrilled. I saw them.

They couldn't love that kid more

if they were the real parents.

She's adopted?

About three months ago.

That woman came to work for them

right after that
as a housekeeper.

But she was so
great with the kid

that they promoted her to nurse.

Easy enough to just walk right
out of the house with the baby.

Mm-hmm, and report that
it was taken at gunpoint.

But why did she leave
it with us in the church?

I tell you what, when
we catch her, I'll ask her.

Oh, well, yeah.

(typing)

(chuckles)

What really has me steaming
is the way she tricked us.

The way she lied to us.

And we went right along with it.

(Stephanie giggling)

Steve, do you have to laugh
like that? It's very upsetting.

Frank, this speech that
you wrote is really very funny.

The only problem with it
is nobody's gonna believe

that Father Prestwick wrote it.

Yeah. That should
be our biggest worry.

The confounded nerve of her,
to look me straight in the eye

- and tell me that...
- Frank, you're a priest.

You're in the business
of helping people.

If somebody comes to
you and asks to be rescued,

you're gonna do it.

Yeah, and some of
them take advantage.

I know it, and I accept
it. But I don't like it!

And she was so convincing.

I know.

She fooled me, too.

And I've had a lot
more experience with

people like her than
you have, Frank.

It's just when she told me
how much she loved that baby,

the look in her eyes...

Excuse me, I'm going to my
niece's, so I'll say good night.

And if you're going to
attend that bishop's dinner,

you'd better get a move on, too.

- Oh, thanks, Marie.
- And don't be late.

When Father Prestwick
phoned the last time,

he sounded like he was
about ready to bust a gasket.

No disrespect
intended, of course.

Of course!

That's it!

It's gotta be.

Marie, I want you to take
this to Father Prestwick

down at the bishop's
dinner. Come on, Steve.

What? Wait!

It's the ballroom
at the Royce Hotel,

and there's emergency
money in the jelly jar for a cab.

Cab?

You let me know if you
hear from her, Phil, okay?

And don't tell
her that I called.

You just... let me know if
you hear from her. Got it?

Yeah, thanks.

You think she'd
go to her mother's?

She hates her mother.

She might have gone to L.A.

(knock at door)

DOWLING: Anybody home?

Sister, what are you doing?

STEPHANIE: I don't
think it's locked, Frank,

I think it's just stuck.

You forced the lock.

I didn't force it,
I just helped it.

Aha.

Here, take a look at
these pictures again.

Am I right, or am I right?

Oh, no, thanks.

No, Frank.

So, uh, we should
consider the question

of where she might have gone.

STEPHANIE: And what
might the answer be?

Well, I think that she
double-crossed her partners.

If she intended to split
that ransom with them,

she would have never
used us as a diversion.

She would have just
given them the money

and returned the
baby to its parents.

I think she's gone to Duluth.

Oh, Duluth.

(mouthing)

Don't you remember that day in
the park when we first met her?

She was asking all those
questions about Duluth...

The weather, the
population, the bus service.

STEPHANIE: That's right,
Frank, that's got to be it.

I think we should tell
Sergeant Clancy immediately.

(door closes)

Get the car.

How far is Minnesota?

DOWLING: Going away, Laura?

How did you know?

Well...

these pictures of
you and the baby

that we saw at
Chuck's apartment...

I remembered that they
were taken in the summer,

and you've only been employed
by this family for a short time,

so that meant that
you knew the baby

even before they did...

because you're the
child's real mother.

That's right.

She's mine.

STEPHANIE: You knew
you'd be back for her.

And you had to get back quickly

before they changed the
security code on the alarm.

Or before your boyfriend
Charles caught up with you.

I never wanted to put
her up for adoption.

It... it was Charles' idea.

He talked me into it,
but I don't care about him.

I just want my baby.

And enough money to set
yourself up comfortably?

I mean, that was the point
of the kidnapping, wasn't it?

This is the ransom
money, isn't it?

I don't expect
you to understand.

I had to do this.

Laura, I'm sure that you
heard of the biblical story

about Solomon and the two
women who claimed the same child,

and he very wisely offered
to cut that child in half

to settle the dispute,
but the true mother...

She chose to give up her
child rather than see it harmed.

You can't get away
with this, Laura.

No matter where
you go, they're going

to find you and
you'll be put in prison.

And what about your child then?

STEPHANIE: If you really care

about her, you'll
let us take her back

to where she'll be safe.

But she's my baby.

DOWLING: No, she's
not your baby anymore.

She belongs to the
family that adopted her.

Laura, they love her very much

and they want her back.

I think you'll see
that we're right.

(sighs)

She's so beautiful.

Yes, she is.

What do I do now?

Well, the right thing to
do is to turn yourself in.

You're asking a lot.

I'm not asking.

It's your decision.

It's between you and God.

If I were you, I'd stay
away from Duluth.

Duluth?

Oh, that's a private joke.

But good advice.

DOWLING: Wait a minute.

Thank you.

(engine starts)

DOWLING: Anybody home?

Finally you're home.

Father Prestwick wasn't sure
he could wait up much longer.

Would you pour, Father?

Yeah.

Oh, very good and
very, very expensive.

What's the occasion?

They gave it to me
'cause I was a hit.

They laughed six times
and applauded at the end.

The toast... you did it?

Well, you see, my first
husband Mr. Sweeney,

who was killed in the
war... God rest his soul...

He always took me to
vaudeville every Saturday night.

Oh, I know what
to do with material.

(chuckles)

So what happened
to Father Prestwick?

He was so nervous,
he couldn't talk,

and I was sitting
there holding it,

so I just got up
and let her rip.

(chuckles)

She was an incredible success.

I couldn't have done
it better myself...

If I'd been feeling
up to it, of course.

Well, that's very
generous of you, Father.

Oh, not at all.

I mean, the bishop is happy,
and if he's happy, well, who isn't?

So how did you explain not
making your own speech?

Oh, I simply told them
that using a layperson

made it all the
more appropriate,

and besides,
I'm still the writer.

Oh, so they liked the writing?

So much so

that the bishop requested
some humorous material

for the Rotary Club
luncheon next Tuesday.

No, don't worry, Father, we
have plenty of time to work on that.

Oh, I'm so relieved.

So, Father Prestwick,
how about a toast?

Yes, of course.

Here's to the, uh...

Here's to the, uh...

Yes, here's to the, uh...

Uh...

Here is to...

(Dowling clears throat)

Uh... ah...