Police Woman (1974–1978): Season 3, Episode 7 - The Lifeline Agency - full transcript
(dramatic music) (engine revs)
- I'm pregnant.
At first I looked
for an abortion,
but Minter talked me out of it.
- A great-looking
couple from Vegas
who wanna adopt a baby.
(tense rhythmic music)
Well, she wants a kid,
and we don't wanna
screw up her figure.
(dramatic music)
- Go right at 'em.
Drop down as quick as you
can and go right at 'em, man.
(dramatic music)
- Hold it!
(sirens wail)
(exciting rhythmic music)
(plane rumbles)
(slow tense music)
(groans)
- What's the matter?
(slow tense music)
Mr. Higgins!
- What's happening?
- Do something.
- Mr. Higgins!
- What's the matter?
- Mr. Higgins!
(smacking) (tense music)
- [Woman]
Mr. Higgins! (smacking)
Mr. Higgins!
Oh, help us!
- Mr. Higgins!
(tense music) (plane rumbles)
Mr. Higgins!
(yelling) (crying)
(plane rumbles)
(yelling)
Mr. Higgins!
(yelling)
(booming)
- He won't mind.
- Are you ready
for a helicopter ride?
- Are you taking me to the
desert for a long weekend?
- No, it's more
like the mountains.
A small plane went down
about an hour ago near Lambria.
- Drugs.
- Baby peddling.
Maybe, probably.
- Huh?
You wanna lay that on me again?
- Well, there were three
women aboard and a pilot.
They're all dead.
The whole area is
strewn with baby clothes
and yet the women
aren't visibly pregnant
and they couldn't
find any babies.
I just talked to the
DA's office, Shriner.
- Oh, I've switched him
off TV a couple of times.
- Yeah, well, he
and the department
have been looking into this
baby thing for a long time.
He wants...
- Headlines.
(helicopter whirs)
Oh, man.
(helicopter whirs)
(coughing)
- You're Sergeant Crowley?
- That's right.
- I'm Bosewell, Sheriff's
Homicide Bureau.
- Bosewell, this is
Sergeant Anderson.
- How do you do?
- I wish my partner
looked as good.
The plane's a rental
out of San Carlos.
FFA is sending out
an investigative team.
- [Crowley] Anything
on the victims?
- Well, there's a
pilot, two young girls,
a third woman not much older.
No survivors, of course.
Here are the IDs.
That's the pilot Higgins,
the two girls.
- They're both from the city.
Student body ID cards.
- [Crowley] From
different schools.
- [Anderson] Across town.
- It's really kind of strange.
Money and maternity
clothes all over the place.
Could be connected to that ring
your department's working on.
- How much money did you find?
- Well, I picked up
at least $2,000 so far,
mostly $100 bills.
(gasps)
- Bill!
It's Valerie.
(crying)
- My God.
(footsteps tap)
- Sam.
Do you wanna talk about it, Sam?
- Yeah.
- There were two other girls
on the plane with Valerie.
Their names were
Tammy Dean and Marilyn Johansen.
Do you recognize them at all?
- No.
- You see, we think.
- What?
- Well, we think maybe
they may have been
involved in a baby-selling ring.
- What are you talking about?
What baby-selling ring?
- We're not sure
of anything yet.
But the last time
I talked to Valerie
was at your anniversary
party, remember?
And she told me how much
you both wanted a child,
and she also told
me about the problem.
- Yeah, operation.
- Yeah, she told me, Sam.
- She was coming back so good.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
She also,
she mentioned adoption.
- We were on some lists,
some waiting lists, we applied.
- Yeah, that can
take a long time.
- Wait a minute, Crowley.
Now, what are you
saying here, huh?
Look, there wasn't
anything we didn't talk about!
- Sam.
- Sam, will you take it easy?
We're just lookin'
for possibilities.
Nobody's suggesting anything.
- Do you know why
Valerie was on that plane?
- No.
She said she had the day off.
She was gonna go
visit some friends,
drive.
I want in on this with you.
- No way, Sam.
- No way?
Look, this is my wife
we're talkin' about!
- Hey, Bill.
- Hey, Joe.
- Oh, Sam.
Hey, I'm sorry.
- Yeah, what is it, Joe?
- The civil aeronautics
people are upstairs
in the chief's office, he
wants to see you up there.
- Okay, tell him I'll be
up as soon as possible.
- Well, he'd like to
see you up there now.
- Well, your hunch was right.
Both those girls
had just given birth.
Now, the Dorin woman was...
- Yeah, we know
about the hysterectomy.
Listen, Doc, both girls had
given birth how recently?
- Within 48 hours.
- Really?
- What about the pilot?
- His liver was pickled.
He was much more
than just a social drinker,
thought the alcohol
content isn't at all unusual
in his type, but the traces
of chloral hydrate are.
- The pilot was drugged?
- Mickey Finn.
- Enough to have
caused the crash?
- Oh, I'd say so, yes.
- Well, I'm sorry, I don't
expect him back for, hold on.
He just walked in.
Frank, the call from
Mexico on line two.
- [Frank] Thanks, sweetheart.
All right, Wyness,
what happened?
- [Wyness] Hold on, Frank?
- How did the girls
get on the plane?
- I don't know.
They were supposed to go
out on a commercial flight.
- Your handling of the
Higgins thing was stupid.
You rush into
everything headlong.
You're down there to
exercise total control.
You don't do that,
we're all in the toilet.
You've been there
before, Doctor,
and this time I'm
not pulling you out.
- I am in control, Frank.
That's why I had to take
care of Higgins the way I did.
He was getting
greedy and threatening,
and there was a cop's wife
down here looking to do business.
She might've been a plant.
I'm telling you, Frank,
I don't want anything even
smelling of cops near me
ever again.
- No, I'm telling you.
From now on you clear
everything with me, understand?
Until things ease up here,
I'm running both
ends of this operation.
(clicks)
(ice clinks)
- I need another.
- I could use one, too.
- Hey, Sam.
- Hi, Sam.
- Sam, what are you doing here?
- Uh.
I called the bank this morning.
Val, Valerie, the
day before yesterday
she withdrew some
money from our savings.
6,000.
- 6,000?
- Now, look, Bill,
if she was doing something
about getting a baby,
and the pilot was
drugged, right?
- Yeah, that's right.
- That means that
they killed my wife.
Now ya gotta let
me work on this case!
- Sam.
- No, look, now ya see,
this is gasoline fill-out sheet
from a Mexicali airport here.
Now, if they're running
a baby-selling operation,
it's coming out of
Mexico, you see, and I...
- Sam, listen, I just,
I don't want you
interfering in this case.
I spoke to Parks.
I'm sorry, Sam, but,
look, as of this morning,
you're relieved of all duties,
and they want you
to take two weeks off.
- You really should
take a rest, Sam.
- How?
How in the hell?
Hmm, tell me.
- Hey, wait a minute, Shriner,
wait, now wait a minute.
This distraught guy
that you're talkin' about,
the one that keeps
buttin' in as you put it,
this is a man whose
wife just got killed
in one of the dirties
businesses around!
Now, I told him to lay off.
I'm gonna tell you the same
thing, Shriner, you lay off.
You lay off my
team, you lay off me,
you lay off this whole
case, you understand that?
Until we get it
cleaned up, okay?
(phone clanks)
Stupid jerk.
Eric.
- He just wants to
get in the papers.
- Yeah, more like the comics.
- You know what
really boils my butt?
When this jerk went against
the superiors in the primaries,
I voted for him.
- Well, you're weird.
- What is that you're drinking?
- Pumpkin shake.
- I'm weird?
All right, Pepper, let's
get crackin' on this thing.
Check out the families
and friends of the dead girls,
see what you can come up.
- Okay.
- Joe, Pete, cover the pilot,
background, plane rentals,
talk to San Diego,
see if they've got
anything on illegal flights
across the border, okay?
Let's go.
- Got it, got it.
- Can I have a hit of that?
- Oh here, take it.
- Thanks, man.
- Got a meeting upstairs
and then I'm gonna
go to the city college
and talk to the people
that Valerie worked with.
- Okay.
Bill?
- Yeah?
- Sam needs you.
- Okay, I'll talk to him.
(solemn music)
- [Woman] Hello, Sam.
(somber music)
- [Sam] Cindy.
(somber music)
- I'm so sorry.
(somber music)
- Cindy, do you know
why she was on that plane?
(somber music)
Did she tell you
anything about it at all?
(somber music)
(crying)
- Oh, Sam.
Please don't hate me.
(crying) (somber music)
It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.
- Look,
now whatever happened,
I need your help.
Please.
Now was she buying a baby?
- Sam,
she never told you.
- What?
- How miserable she
was after the operation.
She wanted to give
you a child so badly.
- But, but to buy one.
- Oh God, she was only
going down there to look.
Then come back
and tell you about it.
- She took money
out of the bank.
- Sam, these people
don't even talk to you
without seeing money upfront.
- Who are these people?
How'd you find out about them?
- I introduced her to
this guy Howard Minter.
(soft chattering)
(planes rumble)
(whistling)
- [Pete] Finally
made it to the hangar.
- Yeah, wanna take one up?
- I don't know.
- [Joe] Can you fly?
- Sometimes I fly.
- Hi, fellas, greetings.
- Hey, man.
- What kind of plane
can I put you in today?
- Well, I'm afraid we're gonna
have to skip the plane trip.
We're from the
police department.
Where can I see the manager?
- That's me.
Ernie Hernandez.
I'm the manager, pilot,
mechanic, whatever you need.
- Take the manager.
(chuckles)
- What do ya want?
- Your plane, it
went down in Lambia.
Was it November-one-three
-seven-Romeo-Quebec?
What can you tell us about it?
- It was bad, but we're insured.
What else is there to tell?
- Your pilot, who
was it, Jeff Higgins?
Was he a regular
customer of yours?
- Yeah, he rented a lot.
Couldn't keep
him out of the sky.
You know, some
guys are golf nuts,
Higgins was a flyer.
- How well did you know him?
- I had a drink with him once.
I guess he loved
the sauce, you know,
maybe a little too much,
but he was a hell of a pilot.
He's ace in the war.
- Oh yeah?
- The big war.
- Well, did he ever
give you any indications
that he was into
something shady?
- Not at all.
Anything else?
- Well, what about flight plans?
Don't ya have to have those?
- They're not mandatory.
- [Joe] Why's that?
- Well, you only file
'em for protection.
If you get lost, they
come lookin' for ya,
otherwise this is
just like rentin' a car.
You only need to be
checked out in a plane
and a different license.
(dramatic music)
(knocking)
- Howard.
(knocking) Howard!
- I'll get it.
(tense music)
Okay, you wait here.
(tense music)
(door slams)
(tense music)
(clattering)
(tense music)
Uh,
look, why don't you go,
okay, and I'll wait here for him?
- Sam.
- No, go on.
Go on, will ya?
(tense music)
Go on.
(tense music)
(moves into gentle groovy music)
(crying)
- She needed the
money for school.
It was her last year.
She was so close
to getting her degree.
- What about Tammy's
parents, Janet.
- She didn't have any.
She didn't have anyone.
That's probably why
she got pregnant.
(crying)
And then she went to
Mexico to have her baby,
then to sell it,
and now she's dead.
(crying)
- Do you have any idea how
she made the connection?
- I don't know.
- Where did she
get medical care?
- I don't know, she mentioned
some clinic on Alamino Street.
- That's a pretty long stretch.
Can you give me...
- I don't know, I don't know
exactly where it was.
- Do you mind if I
have that picture?
I mean, we looked
through her effects,
she didn't even have
a driver's license.
- She couldn't afford a car.
(gentle rhythmic music)
- Okay.
May I help you?
- Yes, I'm with the
police department,
and I'm Sergeant Anderson.
I'd like to see the
medical records
of a girl who might've
been a patient here recently.
- Yes, certainly.
What's her name?
- Her last name is
Dean, Tammy Dean.
She was killed the day before
yesterday in a plane crash
with three other people.
- Oh, yes, I read about that.
I don't recognize the name.
Of course, there
were a few who used,
what is it, aliases.
- Would this help?
This is her picture.
- Sergeant, I'm head nurse
here and I know all of the girls,
and I've never
seen this one before.
- How 'bout this one,
Marilyn Johansen?
- Was she the other
girl in the crash?
- Yes.
- I know I'm no
help to you at all,
but she's never
been here either.
I'm sure you've tried
other clinics in the area.
- A couple so far.
- I don't know what to say,
except that if I get some
information from some of the girls
or friends of mine
at the other clinics,
I'll certainly let you know.
- Would you?
- I will.
May I have your card?
- Yes, of course.
That'll be a big help.
- It's no trouble, believe me.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Jeanie.
(tense music)
- Hello.
You Miss Lewis?
- Yes.
- I'm Bill Crowley from
the police department.
I'm a friend of Sam Dorin's.
I'd like to talk to
you about Valerie.
Do you mind?
- All right.
- Can I sit down?
- [Cindy] Yes.
- You see, we're
investigating Valerie's death.
I thought maybe...
- Look, I already told
Sam everything I know.
- When did you talk to Sam?
- Just awhile ago.
- Where, here, was he here?
- Yes.
- Where is he now?
(sighs)
- I took him to see the man
who arranged the
plane flight for Valerie.
- And what happened?
- He wasn't there.
- Where's Sam now?
- Waiting for him.
I told him I didn't think it was
a good idea.
- What's the address?
- [Cindy] 1400 Bundeen Circle.
- 50-52 requesting
black-and-white assistance,
1400 Bundeen Circle.
(tense rhythmic music)
(siren wails)
(tense music)
(lock clicks)
(tense music)
(groans)
(dramatic music)
(thuds)
(dramatic music)
(clattering)
(dramatic music)
(groans)
- You got two choices, Minter.
Okay, either you take
me to the head peddler,
or you can take
your last breath.
(groans)
Come on, I said it!
(groans)
Now you gonna take
me to your scum friends?
- [Howard] I don't know
what you're talkin' about.
Look, I'm gonna call the cops!
- I am the cops! (groans)
Now what is it gonna be?
(tense music)
(tires squeal)
(tense music)
You got a car?
- It's out back.
- Let's move it!
(tense music)
- Hey, guys.
I'm Sergeant Crowley.
Look, here's what's happening.
We may have a
little trouble in 328.
Do me a favor, take the rear
here, but if anybody comes out,
hold 'em, don't shoot anybody.
I don't want anybody hurt.
(tense music)
(clanging)
(tense music)
- Get it open.
(tense music)
(doorbell rings)
(tense music)
Go on!
(tense music)
Go on, up, you drive!
(knocking)
- Sam!
(thuds)
(grunts)
(gun bangs)
(engine revs)
(exciting rhythmic music)
Sam!
(exciting rhythmic music)
Get an ambulance!
(dramatic music)
(solemn instrumental music)
- How's Sam?
- He's fighting hard.
Oh, I'm sorry, this is
Sergeant Pepper Anderson.
Cindy Lewis.
- Yes, hi, we met
at Val's that time.
- This is so crazy.
Minter said he was helping
people, not hurting anyone.
- Cindy,
how did you get
involved in all this?
- I'm pregnant.
He's married.
At first I looked
for an abortion,
but Minter talked me out of it.
He said he could help
me and other people.
- How?
- He said he knew this agency
that could place the baby,
give me free medical
care, a trip to Mexico.
They'd pay all the expenses and.
- And?
- And they'd pay me $1200,
which like most
everybody else, I can use.
I mean, I know that's a
crass way of putting it, but.
- This agency, what's it called?
- Lifeline.
- Lifeline.
- [Crowley] What do
you know about 'em?
- I've heard they place
the babies in good homes,
couples with money, mainly
here in Southern California
and in Arizona,
Colorado, Nevada.
They'll even fly
babies anywhere.
- What are you doin' here?
Did anybody see you come in?
- No, listen, I need help.
I gotta get outta here.
Man, look, I just shot a cop.
- You what?
Are you crazy, man?
The heat's crawlin' all over
the place because of the crash.
- Look, you gotta
get me outta town.
- Yeah, yeah, I
sure do, come on.
- You must appreciate the
delicacy of the situation, Phil.
We offer a very
special kind of service
with extremely
fragile merchandise.
And in the current
market of conditions,
prices bottom out at $10,000,
and that's rock bottom.
When were you thinking?
Excuse me, Phil.
- [Woman] Hernandez
is on line one.
He says it's an emergency.
- What is it, Ernie?
- Yeah, boss, it's
Minter, he killed a cop.
- Where is he now?
- He's in the storeroom.
He wants to get outta town.
(speaks too low to hear)
Okay.
Fine.
- Come on, Phil,
let's breathe some life
into this situation, hmm?
(tense music)
- [Howard] Is it okay?
- Yeah, everything's fine.
- Oh, man.
I don't care where they put me.
(dramatic music)
- You okay?
- I can't tell how for
nearly four months
I've hated going back
to this empty apartment.
- Cindy,
why didn't Valerie
arrange to adopt your baby?
- Val and I talked about it,
but we were afraid
we were too close,
and she thought I might
want it back some day.
- Think that might've happened?
- I don't know.
- That's how this rotten
business gets started.
It starts with bewildered,
frightened, young girls like you,
pregnant girls, and can
end up with lifelong victims.
- I'm not a victim.
- Well, maybe you're not,
but what about the babies?
What about all the babies
who can't protect themselves?
They're bought and sold,
sometimes with less
care than livestock.
Let's face it, Cindy,
the bottom line is it's
no different from slavery.
(phone rings)
- Crowley, yeah?
Good, put him on.
Pep, come here, I
want you to hear this.
- (speaks foreign
language) Sergeant Crowley.
Lieutenant Garcia here.
I have some of the
information that you wished.
- Fine, Lieutenant, listen, I
put you on the speakerphone,
because I got
Sergeant Anderson here.
She's listening in.
She's workin' on
the case with us.
- Fine, fine.
First, you were right.
Higgins had several
drinks at the airport bar
before the flight.
There were a few people there
that could've placed the drug
in his drink.
Second, one man recalls that
Higgins was seated at the bar
with a young woman when he
was approached by two other
American girls who asked
him to take them along.
- You mean they
just hitched a ride?
- Apparently.
Their plane was delayed,
and since Higgins
knew them, he agreed.
- Anything else?
- There have been rumors
about the sale of
babies in this are.
We will continue to investigate.
- Okay, Lieutenant,
thanks very much.
We'll be looking forward
to hearing from you.
- (speaks foreign
language) Sergeant Crowley.
- Well, looks like we're
gonna have to build ourselves
a bridge between
here and Mexicali.
- Pepper,
now picture this.
A great-looking
couple from Vegas
who want to adopt a baby.
- Us.
- Us.
- Okay, so I'm a showgirl
from Vegas and you're?
- I'm your very rich husband.
- Hmm.
- Let's see, I own
motels, lots of 'em.
- Waterbeds?
- No, this is a class act.
- Okay, so how do
we duke ourselves in?
- I'll contact Las Vegas
PD, get a rundown
on one of the agency's
fly-by-night operations,
get the background and
just try to cold duke him.
- What about names?
- Names?
I'm Tom Rolston and
you're my wife Melissa.
- Melissa?
Nah, there was
one in high school,
she got away with
the football captain.
- How's Bernice grab you?
- Bernice?
- Well, when I was captain of
the high school football team,
Bernice used to grab me.
- Yeah, Bernice, okay, okay.
Bernice.
(phone rings)
- Mr. Armitage's office.
- Mr. Who?
- Armitage.
- Oh, I must've dialed
the wrong number.
I wanted the, what is it, Tom?
- [Crowley] It's the
Lifeline Agency, honey.
- The Lifeline Agency.
- Who's calling, please?
- Are you sure I have
the right number?
This is, I'm Mrs.
Rolston, Bernice Rolston
calling from Las Vegas.
And, are you sure I
didn't dial the wrong?
- You have the right
office, Miss Rolston.
- Oh, it's Mrs.
- Is there something
that we can do for you?
- Yes, we're interested
in getting a baby.
- I see.
- Tom and I hear that
you are a placement outfit
agency, right?
- Mrs. Rolston, may I ask, by
whom were you referred to us?
- The Helping Hand
people here in Vegas.
They say that you help
out in situations like this,
couples who are
anxious to have a baby.
- Yes.
We're unique in that we can
avoid the usual complications
and delays.
Of course, we would have to
meet with you and Mr. Rolston.
- No problem.
You can send somebody
here anytime you want to,
and we'll be glad
to talk to them.
- I'm afraid it has to be
the other way around.
We always interview
our clients here.
- Tommy.
- Yeah, honey?
- They want us to go see them.
- Oh, why's that, honey?
- It's their policy,
and they're not gonna
send a baby here.
- [Crowley] Well, you tell
'em I'll fly my plane down there
and pick him up myself, honey.
- Honey, please.
- Oh,
I guess so.
- Tommy says wonderful.
- Good.
If you can give me
your phone number
and address in Las Vegas,
Mr. Rolston's
occupation, things like that,
and when it would be
convenient for you to fly out
and discuss the details.
(plane rumbles)
(laid-back rhythmic music)
Mr. and Mrs. Rolston,
Frank Armitage, the
head of our agency.
- Mr. Armitage, I'm Tom Rolston.
- Pleasure to meet you,
Mr. Rolston.
- Pleasure's mine, sir.
And this here
is Mrs. Rolston.
- Hello.
- Real pleasure.
- Thank you.
- Well, can I make you a drink?
- I could go for a
little straight scotch.
- Please, make
yourself comfortable.
- Honey, one for me, too?
- You sure, sweetheart?
- Yeah.
- You know how you get.
Better make that two.
Better make hers on the rocks.
- Of course.
How was your flight?
- Bumpy.
- Well, perhaps these will help.
Let's see, that's one
straight, there you go,
and one on the rocks.
- You make a heck of a
bartender there, Mr. Armitage.
- Thank you.
- Here's to the little mother.
- Oh, you're so sweet to me.
- It's 'cause you're
so sweet to me.
- Well, how come you're not
sweet to me like that, partner?
- You got a few
things missin', buddy.
Really.
- [Anderson] So when do we
get to see them, where are they?
- The babies?
Oh, they're at a clinic
some distance from here,
and of course there
are certain things
that we'll have
to attend to first,
certain screening processes.
- There weren't supposed
to be any complications.
- Well, I'm sure you
can understand there are
certain problems.
- Okay, Mr. Armitage.
How much?
- Well, now that of course
depends upon your needs.
- Well, she wants a kid,
and we don't wanna
screw up her figure.
- A boy.
- Oh yeah, it's gotta be a boy.
And let me tell ya somethin',
it's gotta be from good stock,
no runts or rannies,
you know what I mean?
- We're very careful.
- Uh-huh.
How much?
- 30,000, half in advance.
(whistles)
- Please, honey.
- Well, it better be a winner.
- I'm sure you'll
be very pleased.
- Yeah, how soon
can you put it together?
- I'll begin immediately.
Meanwhile, I'll have ya
driven back to your hotel.
- [Crowley] Well, that
was short and sweet.
Thanks for the drink.
- My pleasure.
- Just do the best
you can, all right?
I gotta get back to Vegas.
- Of course.
- Come on, Bernie.
- Thank you, thank you
so much, Mr. Armitage.
- Bye.
- Thank you.
- Honey.
- Oh, sorry.
(chuckles)
- Wow.
- They smell good for it, Rita.
I want you to handle
this personally,
while I check them
out from top to bottom.
Go with them.
(exciting rhythmic music)
- Thank you.
- There you go.
- Here we go, sweetheart.
- Good morning.
- Hello.
- Good morning.
- [Frank] Morning.
- Great day for
a flight, isn't it?
- [Frank] Yeah, the
weather's cleared up very well.
- [Crowley] It's like back home.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Is that the plane
we're flying in?
- [Frank] That's the plane.
- [Anderson] Kind of
small, isn't it, honey?
- Oh, it's a
first-class airplane.
- Is that the regular
plane you use all the time?
- That's the one, yep.
Did you bring the
envelope, as they say?
- Yeah, it's hot off the press.
- Brand-new, fresh,
crisp $100 bills.
- Very impressive.
- Yeah, well, I
don't mess around.
- Neither do we.
Mrs. Vaughn will go with you
and make sure that your trip
is both pleasant and rewarding.
Have a pleasant flight.
- Thank you.
- Okay, thanks very much.
- Oh, Ernie, let's get
this very good project
off the ground.
- Shall we go?
- This is the regular
plane you use, huh?
- We're lucky to have
Ernie on this flight.
He's from Baja, California
and knows the area thoroughly.
- Yes, but can he fly?
(chuckles) (horn honks)
- Ah, they're coming after all.
- Who's that?
- Our chief nurse and two
of our expectant mothers.
They'll be traveling with us.
(tense music)
- Honey, I just have
to get off my feet.
Will you help me into the plane?
- Sure, watch your head.
What's the matter, baby?
- The driver is the head
nurse from one of the clinics.
She can blow this whole thing.
- Did you get your dark glasses?
- Yeah, give me your bag.
- Do that.
- Oh hi, Rita.
- [Rita] Hello.
- Mary, Helen, come on.
- Hello, girls.
- I want you to get onboard now.
You're gonna have a great trip.
Everything is gonna
be just fine, ya hear?
We gotta take good care of them,
Rita.
- Of course.
Oh, Mrs. Harris,
this is Mr. Rolston.
Girls!
- How do you do?
- Happy to know you,
Mr. Rolston.
- Nice to know you.
- Was that your wife I saw
just getting on the plane?
- Yes, ma'am, why?
- Because no matter
whichever baby she chooses,
I know she's gonna
be very pleased,
and if she's not,
I'll hear from her as
soon as you both get back.
- Aren't you going with us?
- Me?
Oh no, I'm scared to death
of anything smaller than a 747.
- That's too bad.
It's nice meeting you.
- You'll be on your
way just as soon as I get
this luggage onboard.
- Here, let me take
care of that for ya.
- Oh, well thank you very much.
- Believe me, it's
my pleasure, ma'am.
- You have a nice trip.
- At these prices, it better be.
She's a nice lady.
- Oh, I'm sorry I
didn't get to meet her.
- Me, too.
- Everybody comfortable?
- We're all ready.
- [Garcia] Air
detection, please.
- Well, I have to
give the Feds credit,
they got a good set
of mechanical ears.
- Give me the
radar room, please.
- Lieutenant Garcia.
- Huh?
- About how far
south is it effective?
- Oh, we could track them
to Panama if we have to.
- [Man On Phone] Hello?
- Hello, this is Lieutenant
Garcia in Mexicali.
- [Man On Phone] Yes,
Lieutenant, this is radar in San Diego
we expect the transfer
in about 20 minutes.
- What do you have on
our surveillance aircraft?
- [Man On Phone] If
they're heading south,
we'll give them to you
as soon as they get
south of the border.
- Right.
Well, we can expect the transfer
to San Diego center
in about 20 minutes.
(speaks foreign language)
And it won't be long
now, gentlemen.
Radar shows him southbound.
LAX center will
transfer them to us
just west of San Clemente,
and then we will know this
place where they sell babies.
- Hey, hey, well, this is nice.
- It's good to be
back on the ground.
- Yeah.
- Are you feeling better?
- Oh yeah.
- Are ya, honey, how's
that flat little tummy?
Not queasy?
- Well, we're lucky, you know,
we had such a smooth flight.
Sometimes coming over
the hills, it's really very bumpy.
- Oh yeah?
- Well, it was pretty bumpy
there for a minute,
but I'm all right.
- I'll show you your
accommodations.
- Thank you.
- Miss Vaughn.
- Yes.
- May I speak to you
for just a moment, please?
- Of course.
- Please, forgive me.
- Why don't you folks
wait for me inside?
- We'll do that.
- Yes, now.
- I think Alice would top
8.5 on the breathalator.
- She must know the pilot.
- [Anderson] Only way to fly.
Hello.
- Hello.
- Hi, how are you?
- Radar reports a plane has
landed at these coordinates,
in this vicinity.
That's about a 20-mile area.
- Well, that sure
narrows it down.
- My pilot and I
know it very well.
We will find it.
- He sure takes his time.
- He's a very busy man.
- Well, so is Tom.
- Honey, if the man is
busy, the man is busy,
so cool it, will ya?
- I'm sorry to have
kept you waiting.
I'm Dr. Wyness, chief
of the medical staff here.
- Doctor, this is Mr. Rolston.
- Well, Dr. Wyness,
I'm Tom Rolston.
- It's a pleasure.
I hope your accommodations
are comfortable.
- They're fine.
This here's Mrs. Rolston.
- Pleasure.
- Bernice, my name is Bernice.
- As I explained, they're
interested in getting
a very special baby.
- Well, the best way to
select one is with your heart.
- [Crowley] Well, what
do you say, Bernie?
(crying)
You get the pick of the litter.
- Well, honey, my heart just
doesn't see anything I like.
They all kinda look like prunes.
- What do ya
say, Doc, is this it?
- Well, it takes about two
weeks for 'em to fill out
and have that beautiful
look that we're all so used to.
- But two of our girls are
due tonight or tomorrow.
- Good, we'll see
how well they do.
- But you must
understand, Mrs. Rolston,
all newborns look
pretty much alike.
- Well, you must
understand, Miss Vaughn,
my wife just doesn't
want any of these,
so we'll wait around
for the right little fella,
okay?
- That's right.
What do we do around here?
I feel like a burrito, honey.
Are there some
sights we could see?
- What is there to see, Doc?
- Well, perhaps you'd
like to see our beach.
It's lovely.
- Could we, honey?
- Yeah, we could go
walk on the beach.
- Alice, would you?
- Yes, let me show you the way.
Please, follow me.
- Thanks, Doc.
- See you later.
(babies cry)
- Okay, hotshot,
now that we got
rid of the nursie,
you wanna tell me what all that
eyeballing was about
between you and
the doctor?
- Yeah, I'll tell ya.
The doctor and I
know each other.
He hasn't placed me
yet, but he's working on it.
Big surprise, he's
a wholesale butcher
who got his license
yanked about six years ago,
had an abortion
clinic in the Valley
and quite a few
of his patients died.
- You helped nail him?
- Small world, huh?
- Hope it's small enough
for Pete and Joe to find us.
- Mr. Rolston, Mrs. Rolston!
- [Crowley] Yeah?
- Doctor wanted me to tell ya.
- Oh, one of the girls
is having a baby?
- No, not yet.
We gotta let
nature take its time,
but he was worried
about you being bored.
You know, he didn't
want that to happen,
seein' how important ya are.
He thought maybe you
and the missus would like
to go out on the
boat and see the bay.
- Yeah, sure, that sounds good.
- All right, let's.
- Okay, follow me.
(motor rumbles)
- It's beautiful
out here, isn't it?
- Yeah, just like in movies.
Ah, the wind, the sky, the
spray ruining my hair again.
- The sharks.
- What?
- These waters
are full of sharks.
- Oh, you're kidding.
- I'm not kidding.
- He smiles like one.
- [Crowley] I'm just
glad Dr. Frankenstein
didn't recognize ya.
- Maybe I'm not that memorable.
- I'd be very embarrassed
to have you think that,
Sergeant Anderson.
You're most memorable.
(tense music)
Even after these
many years, six isn't it?
Six very long years,
but that's a unpleasant
reminiscence.
Unfortunately, you've intruded
into my exile, prosperous,
but sometimes lonely exiled.
Now, I'd appreciate
it if you'd turn around.
(tense music)
Now, turn around.
(tense music)
Walk.
(tense music)
Don't stop.
(helicopter whirs)
(dramatic music)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
- Go right at 'em.
Drop down as quick as you
can and go right at 'em, man.
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirs)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music) (grunting)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirs)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music) (grunts)
(helicopter whirs)
(dramatic music)
(grunts)
(dramatic music)
(yells)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
- Hold it.
Hold it.
(gasping)
- Throw me that line, Pep.
(helicopter whirs)
(speaks foreign language)
- Looks all right now.
(laid-back rhythmic music)
- [Crowley] Hey, Pep, hang on.
(motor rumbles)
(laid-back rhythmic music)
- It's really kinda pretty here.
Sam, I didn't tell ya,
they found Minter's body
washed up on a beach.
Listen, I know it's
no consolation to you,
but we got an airtight case
against the rest of these guys,
for sure.
- Bill,
you and Pepper,
at least it'll happen
that much less.
- Let's hope so.
- Thanks.
- It's a hell of a problem.
- How are you feeling?
- Okay.
- Have you made a decision yet?
- No.
He made it for me.
He kicked for the
first time today.
(gentle instrumental music)
(exciting rhythmic music)
- I'm pregnant.
At first I looked
for an abortion,
but Minter talked me out of it.
- A great-looking
couple from Vegas
who wanna adopt a baby.
(tense rhythmic music)
Well, she wants a kid,
and we don't wanna
screw up her figure.
(dramatic music)
- Go right at 'em.
Drop down as quick as you
can and go right at 'em, man.
(dramatic music)
- Hold it!
(sirens wail)
(exciting rhythmic music)
(plane rumbles)
(slow tense music)
(groans)
- What's the matter?
(slow tense music)
Mr. Higgins!
- What's happening?
- Do something.
- Mr. Higgins!
- What's the matter?
- Mr. Higgins!
(smacking) (tense music)
- [Woman]
Mr. Higgins! (smacking)
Mr. Higgins!
Oh, help us!
- Mr. Higgins!
(tense music) (plane rumbles)
Mr. Higgins!
(yelling) (crying)
(plane rumbles)
(yelling)
Mr. Higgins!
(yelling)
(booming)
- He won't mind.
- Are you ready
for a helicopter ride?
- Are you taking me to the
desert for a long weekend?
- No, it's more
like the mountains.
A small plane went down
about an hour ago near Lambria.
- Drugs.
- Baby peddling.
Maybe, probably.
- Huh?
You wanna lay that on me again?
- Well, there were three
women aboard and a pilot.
They're all dead.
The whole area is
strewn with baby clothes
and yet the women
aren't visibly pregnant
and they couldn't
find any babies.
I just talked to the
DA's office, Shriner.
- Oh, I've switched him
off TV a couple of times.
- Yeah, well, he
and the department
have been looking into this
baby thing for a long time.
He wants...
- Headlines.
(helicopter whirs)
Oh, man.
(helicopter whirs)
(coughing)
- You're Sergeant Crowley?
- That's right.
- I'm Bosewell, Sheriff's
Homicide Bureau.
- Bosewell, this is
Sergeant Anderson.
- How do you do?
- I wish my partner
looked as good.
The plane's a rental
out of San Carlos.
FFA is sending out
an investigative team.
- [Crowley] Anything
on the victims?
- Well, there's a
pilot, two young girls,
a third woman not much older.
No survivors, of course.
Here are the IDs.
That's the pilot Higgins,
the two girls.
- They're both from the city.
Student body ID cards.
- [Crowley] From
different schools.
- [Anderson] Across town.
- It's really kind of strange.
Money and maternity
clothes all over the place.
Could be connected to that ring
your department's working on.
- How much money did you find?
- Well, I picked up
at least $2,000 so far,
mostly $100 bills.
(gasps)
- Bill!
It's Valerie.
(crying)
- My God.
(footsteps tap)
- Sam.
Do you wanna talk about it, Sam?
- Yeah.
- There were two other girls
on the plane with Valerie.
Their names were
Tammy Dean and Marilyn Johansen.
Do you recognize them at all?
- No.
- You see, we think.
- What?
- Well, we think maybe
they may have been
involved in a baby-selling ring.
- What are you talking about?
What baby-selling ring?
- We're not sure
of anything yet.
But the last time
I talked to Valerie
was at your anniversary
party, remember?
And she told me how much
you both wanted a child,
and she also told
me about the problem.
- Yeah, operation.
- Yeah, she told me, Sam.
- She was coming back so good.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
She also,
she mentioned adoption.
- We were on some lists,
some waiting lists, we applied.
- Yeah, that can
take a long time.
- Wait a minute, Crowley.
Now, what are you
saying here, huh?
Look, there wasn't
anything we didn't talk about!
- Sam.
- Sam, will you take it easy?
We're just lookin'
for possibilities.
Nobody's suggesting anything.
- Do you know why
Valerie was on that plane?
- No.
She said she had the day off.
She was gonna go
visit some friends,
drive.
I want in on this with you.
- No way, Sam.
- No way?
Look, this is my wife
we're talkin' about!
- Hey, Bill.
- Hey, Joe.
- Oh, Sam.
Hey, I'm sorry.
- Yeah, what is it, Joe?
- The civil aeronautics
people are upstairs
in the chief's office, he
wants to see you up there.
- Okay, tell him I'll be
up as soon as possible.
- Well, he'd like to
see you up there now.
- Well, your hunch was right.
Both those girls
had just given birth.
Now, the Dorin woman was...
- Yeah, we know
about the hysterectomy.
Listen, Doc, both girls had
given birth how recently?
- Within 48 hours.
- Really?
- What about the pilot?
- His liver was pickled.
He was much more
than just a social drinker,
thought the alcohol
content isn't at all unusual
in his type, but the traces
of chloral hydrate are.
- The pilot was drugged?
- Mickey Finn.
- Enough to have
caused the crash?
- Oh, I'd say so, yes.
- Well, I'm sorry, I don't
expect him back for, hold on.
He just walked in.
Frank, the call from
Mexico on line two.
- [Frank] Thanks, sweetheart.
All right, Wyness,
what happened?
- [Wyness] Hold on, Frank?
- How did the girls
get on the plane?
- I don't know.
They were supposed to go
out on a commercial flight.
- Your handling of the
Higgins thing was stupid.
You rush into
everything headlong.
You're down there to
exercise total control.
You don't do that,
we're all in the toilet.
You've been there
before, Doctor,
and this time I'm
not pulling you out.
- I am in control, Frank.
That's why I had to take
care of Higgins the way I did.
He was getting
greedy and threatening,
and there was a cop's wife
down here looking to do business.
She might've been a plant.
I'm telling you, Frank,
I don't want anything even
smelling of cops near me
ever again.
- No, I'm telling you.
From now on you clear
everything with me, understand?
Until things ease up here,
I'm running both
ends of this operation.
(clicks)
(ice clinks)
- I need another.
- I could use one, too.
- Hey, Sam.
- Hi, Sam.
- Sam, what are you doing here?
- Uh.
I called the bank this morning.
Val, Valerie, the
day before yesterday
she withdrew some
money from our savings.
6,000.
- 6,000?
- Now, look, Bill,
if she was doing something
about getting a baby,
and the pilot was
drugged, right?
- Yeah, that's right.
- That means that
they killed my wife.
Now ya gotta let
me work on this case!
- Sam.
- No, look, now ya see,
this is gasoline fill-out sheet
from a Mexicali airport here.
Now, if they're running
a baby-selling operation,
it's coming out of
Mexico, you see, and I...
- Sam, listen, I just,
I don't want you
interfering in this case.
I spoke to Parks.
I'm sorry, Sam, but,
look, as of this morning,
you're relieved of all duties,
and they want you
to take two weeks off.
- You really should
take a rest, Sam.
- How?
How in the hell?
Hmm, tell me.
- Hey, wait a minute, Shriner,
wait, now wait a minute.
This distraught guy
that you're talkin' about,
the one that keeps
buttin' in as you put it,
this is a man whose
wife just got killed
in one of the dirties
businesses around!
Now, I told him to lay off.
I'm gonna tell you the same
thing, Shriner, you lay off.
You lay off my
team, you lay off me,
you lay off this whole
case, you understand that?
Until we get it
cleaned up, okay?
(phone clanks)
Stupid jerk.
Eric.
- He just wants to
get in the papers.
- Yeah, more like the comics.
- You know what
really boils my butt?
When this jerk went against
the superiors in the primaries,
I voted for him.
- Well, you're weird.
- What is that you're drinking?
- Pumpkin shake.
- I'm weird?
All right, Pepper, let's
get crackin' on this thing.
Check out the families
and friends of the dead girls,
see what you can come up.
- Okay.
- Joe, Pete, cover the pilot,
background, plane rentals,
talk to San Diego,
see if they've got
anything on illegal flights
across the border, okay?
Let's go.
- Got it, got it.
- Can I have a hit of that?
- Oh here, take it.
- Thanks, man.
- Got a meeting upstairs
and then I'm gonna
go to the city college
and talk to the people
that Valerie worked with.
- Okay.
Bill?
- Yeah?
- Sam needs you.
- Okay, I'll talk to him.
(solemn music)
- [Woman] Hello, Sam.
(somber music)
- [Sam] Cindy.
(somber music)
- I'm so sorry.
(somber music)
- Cindy, do you know
why she was on that plane?
(somber music)
Did she tell you
anything about it at all?
(somber music)
(crying)
- Oh, Sam.
Please don't hate me.
(crying) (somber music)
It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.
- Look,
now whatever happened,
I need your help.
Please.
Now was she buying a baby?
- Sam,
she never told you.
- What?
- How miserable she
was after the operation.
She wanted to give
you a child so badly.
- But, but to buy one.
- Oh God, she was only
going down there to look.
Then come back
and tell you about it.
- She took money
out of the bank.
- Sam, these people
don't even talk to you
without seeing money upfront.
- Who are these people?
How'd you find out about them?
- I introduced her to
this guy Howard Minter.
(soft chattering)
(planes rumble)
(whistling)
- [Pete] Finally
made it to the hangar.
- Yeah, wanna take one up?
- I don't know.
- [Joe] Can you fly?
- Sometimes I fly.
- Hi, fellas, greetings.
- Hey, man.
- What kind of plane
can I put you in today?
- Well, I'm afraid we're gonna
have to skip the plane trip.
We're from the
police department.
Where can I see the manager?
- That's me.
Ernie Hernandez.
I'm the manager, pilot,
mechanic, whatever you need.
- Take the manager.
(chuckles)
- What do ya want?
- Your plane, it
went down in Lambia.
Was it November-one-three
-seven-Romeo-Quebec?
What can you tell us about it?
- It was bad, but we're insured.
What else is there to tell?
- Your pilot, who
was it, Jeff Higgins?
Was he a regular
customer of yours?
- Yeah, he rented a lot.
Couldn't keep
him out of the sky.
You know, some
guys are golf nuts,
Higgins was a flyer.
- How well did you know him?
- I had a drink with him once.
I guess he loved
the sauce, you know,
maybe a little too much,
but he was a hell of a pilot.
He's ace in the war.
- Oh yeah?
- The big war.
- Well, did he ever
give you any indications
that he was into
something shady?
- Not at all.
Anything else?
- Well, what about flight plans?
Don't ya have to have those?
- They're not mandatory.
- [Joe] Why's that?
- Well, you only file
'em for protection.
If you get lost, they
come lookin' for ya,
otherwise this is
just like rentin' a car.
You only need to be
checked out in a plane
and a different license.
(dramatic music)
(knocking)
- Howard.
(knocking) Howard!
- I'll get it.
(tense music)
Okay, you wait here.
(tense music)
(door slams)
(tense music)
(clattering)
(tense music)
Uh,
look, why don't you go,
okay, and I'll wait here for him?
- Sam.
- No, go on.
Go on, will ya?
(tense music)
Go on.
(tense music)
(moves into gentle groovy music)
(crying)
- She needed the
money for school.
It was her last year.
She was so close
to getting her degree.
- What about Tammy's
parents, Janet.
- She didn't have any.
She didn't have anyone.
That's probably why
she got pregnant.
(crying)
And then she went to
Mexico to have her baby,
then to sell it,
and now she's dead.
(crying)
- Do you have any idea how
she made the connection?
- I don't know.
- Where did she
get medical care?
- I don't know, she mentioned
some clinic on Alamino Street.
- That's a pretty long stretch.
Can you give me...
- I don't know, I don't know
exactly where it was.
- Do you mind if I
have that picture?
I mean, we looked
through her effects,
she didn't even have
a driver's license.
- She couldn't afford a car.
(gentle rhythmic music)
- Okay.
May I help you?
- Yes, I'm with the
police department,
and I'm Sergeant Anderson.
I'd like to see the
medical records
of a girl who might've
been a patient here recently.
- Yes, certainly.
What's her name?
- Her last name is
Dean, Tammy Dean.
She was killed the day before
yesterday in a plane crash
with three other people.
- Oh, yes, I read about that.
I don't recognize the name.
Of course, there
were a few who used,
what is it, aliases.
- Would this help?
This is her picture.
- Sergeant, I'm head nurse
here and I know all of the girls,
and I've never
seen this one before.
- How 'bout this one,
Marilyn Johansen?
- Was she the other
girl in the crash?
- Yes.
- I know I'm no
help to you at all,
but she's never
been here either.
I'm sure you've tried
other clinics in the area.
- A couple so far.
- I don't know what to say,
except that if I get some
information from some of the girls
or friends of mine
at the other clinics,
I'll certainly let you know.
- Would you?
- I will.
May I have your card?
- Yes, of course.
That'll be a big help.
- It's no trouble, believe me.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Jeanie.
(tense music)
- Hello.
You Miss Lewis?
- Yes.
- I'm Bill Crowley from
the police department.
I'm a friend of Sam Dorin's.
I'd like to talk to
you about Valerie.
Do you mind?
- All right.
- Can I sit down?
- [Cindy] Yes.
- You see, we're
investigating Valerie's death.
I thought maybe...
- Look, I already told
Sam everything I know.
- When did you talk to Sam?
- Just awhile ago.
- Where, here, was he here?
- Yes.
- Where is he now?
(sighs)
- I took him to see the man
who arranged the
plane flight for Valerie.
- And what happened?
- He wasn't there.
- Where's Sam now?
- Waiting for him.
I told him I didn't think it was
a good idea.
- What's the address?
- [Cindy] 1400 Bundeen Circle.
- 50-52 requesting
black-and-white assistance,
1400 Bundeen Circle.
(tense rhythmic music)
(siren wails)
(tense music)
(lock clicks)
(tense music)
(groans)
(dramatic music)
(thuds)
(dramatic music)
(clattering)
(dramatic music)
(groans)
- You got two choices, Minter.
Okay, either you take
me to the head peddler,
or you can take
your last breath.
(groans)
Come on, I said it!
(groans)
Now you gonna take
me to your scum friends?
- [Howard] I don't know
what you're talkin' about.
Look, I'm gonna call the cops!
- I am the cops! (groans)
Now what is it gonna be?
(tense music)
(tires squeal)
(tense music)
You got a car?
- It's out back.
- Let's move it!
(tense music)
- Hey, guys.
I'm Sergeant Crowley.
Look, here's what's happening.
We may have a
little trouble in 328.
Do me a favor, take the rear
here, but if anybody comes out,
hold 'em, don't shoot anybody.
I don't want anybody hurt.
(tense music)
(clanging)
(tense music)
- Get it open.
(tense music)
(doorbell rings)
(tense music)
Go on!
(tense music)
Go on, up, you drive!
(knocking)
- Sam!
(thuds)
(grunts)
(gun bangs)
(engine revs)
(exciting rhythmic music)
Sam!
(exciting rhythmic music)
Get an ambulance!
(dramatic music)
(solemn instrumental music)
- How's Sam?
- He's fighting hard.
Oh, I'm sorry, this is
Sergeant Pepper Anderson.
Cindy Lewis.
- Yes, hi, we met
at Val's that time.
- This is so crazy.
Minter said he was helping
people, not hurting anyone.
- Cindy,
how did you get
involved in all this?
- I'm pregnant.
He's married.
At first I looked
for an abortion,
but Minter talked me out of it.
He said he could help
me and other people.
- How?
- He said he knew this agency
that could place the baby,
give me free medical
care, a trip to Mexico.
They'd pay all the expenses and.
- And?
- And they'd pay me $1200,
which like most
everybody else, I can use.
I mean, I know that's a
crass way of putting it, but.
- This agency, what's it called?
- Lifeline.
- Lifeline.
- [Crowley] What do
you know about 'em?
- I've heard they place
the babies in good homes,
couples with money, mainly
here in Southern California
and in Arizona,
Colorado, Nevada.
They'll even fly
babies anywhere.
- What are you doin' here?
Did anybody see you come in?
- No, listen, I need help.
I gotta get outta here.
Man, look, I just shot a cop.
- You what?
Are you crazy, man?
The heat's crawlin' all over
the place because of the crash.
- Look, you gotta
get me outta town.
- Yeah, yeah, I
sure do, come on.
- You must appreciate the
delicacy of the situation, Phil.
We offer a very
special kind of service
with extremely
fragile merchandise.
And in the current
market of conditions,
prices bottom out at $10,000,
and that's rock bottom.
When were you thinking?
Excuse me, Phil.
- [Woman] Hernandez
is on line one.
He says it's an emergency.
- What is it, Ernie?
- Yeah, boss, it's
Minter, he killed a cop.
- Where is he now?
- He's in the storeroom.
He wants to get outta town.
(speaks too low to hear)
Okay.
Fine.
- Come on, Phil,
let's breathe some life
into this situation, hmm?
(tense music)
- [Howard] Is it okay?
- Yeah, everything's fine.
- Oh, man.
I don't care where they put me.
(dramatic music)
- You okay?
- I can't tell how for
nearly four months
I've hated going back
to this empty apartment.
- Cindy,
why didn't Valerie
arrange to adopt your baby?
- Val and I talked about it,
but we were afraid
we were too close,
and she thought I might
want it back some day.
- Think that might've happened?
- I don't know.
- That's how this rotten
business gets started.
It starts with bewildered,
frightened, young girls like you,
pregnant girls, and can
end up with lifelong victims.
- I'm not a victim.
- Well, maybe you're not,
but what about the babies?
What about all the babies
who can't protect themselves?
They're bought and sold,
sometimes with less
care than livestock.
Let's face it, Cindy,
the bottom line is it's
no different from slavery.
(phone rings)
- Crowley, yeah?
Good, put him on.
Pep, come here, I
want you to hear this.
- (speaks foreign
language) Sergeant Crowley.
Lieutenant Garcia here.
I have some of the
information that you wished.
- Fine, Lieutenant, listen, I
put you on the speakerphone,
because I got
Sergeant Anderson here.
She's listening in.
She's workin' on
the case with us.
- Fine, fine.
First, you were right.
Higgins had several
drinks at the airport bar
before the flight.
There were a few people there
that could've placed the drug
in his drink.
Second, one man recalls that
Higgins was seated at the bar
with a young woman when he
was approached by two other
American girls who asked
him to take them along.
- You mean they
just hitched a ride?
- Apparently.
Their plane was delayed,
and since Higgins
knew them, he agreed.
- Anything else?
- There have been rumors
about the sale of
babies in this are.
We will continue to investigate.
- Okay, Lieutenant,
thanks very much.
We'll be looking forward
to hearing from you.
- (speaks foreign
language) Sergeant Crowley.
- Well, looks like we're
gonna have to build ourselves
a bridge between
here and Mexicali.
- Pepper,
now picture this.
A great-looking
couple from Vegas
who want to adopt a baby.
- Us.
- Us.
- Okay, so I'm a showgirl
from Vegas and you're?
- I'm your very rich husband.
- Hmm.
- Let's see, I own
motels, lots of 'em.
- Waterbeds?
- No, this is a class act.
- Okay, so how do
we duke ourselves in?
- I'll contact Las Vegas
PD, get a rundown
on one of the agency's
fly-by-night operations,
get the background and
just try to cold duke him.
- What about names?
- Names?
I'm Tom Rolston and
you're my wife Melissa.
- Melissa?
Nah, there was
one in high school,
she got away with
the football captain.
- How's Bernice grab you?
- Bernice?
- Well, when I was captain of
the high school football team,
Bernice used to grab me.
- Yeah, Bernice, okay, okay.
Bernice.
(phone rings)
- Mr. Armitage's office.
- Mr. Who?
- Armitage.
- Oh, I must've dialed
the wrong number.
I wanted the, what is it, Tom?
- [Crowley] It's the
Lifeline Agency, honey.
- The Lifeline Agency.
- Who's calling, please?
- Are you sure I have
the right number?
This is, I'm Mrs.
Rolston, Bernice Rolston
calling from Las Vegas.
And, are you sure I
didn't dial the wrong?
- You have the right
office, Miss Rolston.
- Oh, it's Mrs.
- Is there something
that we can do for you?
- Yes, we're interested
in getting a baby.
- I see.
- Tom and I hear that
you are a placement outfit
agency, right?
- Mrs. Rolston, may I ask, by
whom were you referred to us?
- The Helping Hand
people here in Vegas.
They say that you help
out in situations like this,
couples who are
anxious to have a baby.
- Yes.
We're unique in that we can
avoid the usual complications
and delays.
Of course, we would have to
meet with you and Mr. Rolston.
- No problem.
You can send somebody
here anytime you want to,
and we'll be glad
to talk to them.
- I'm afraid it has to be
the other way around.
We always interview
our clients here.
- Tommy.
- Yeah, honey?
- They want us to go see them.
- Oh, why's that, honey?
- It's their policy,
and they're not gonna
send a baby here.
- [Crowley] Well, you tell
'em I'll fly my plane down there
and pick him up myself, honey.
- Honey, please.
- Oh,
I guess so.
- Tommy says wonderful.
- Good.
If you can give me
your phone number
and address in Las Vegas,
Mr. Rolston's
occupation, things like that,
and when it would be
convenient for you to fly out
and discuss the details.
(plane rumbles)
(laid-back rhythmic music)
Mr. and Mrs. Rolston,
Frank Armitage, the
head of our agency.
- Mr. Armitage, I'm Tom Rolston.
- Pleasure to meet you,
Mr. Rolston.
- Pleasure's mine, sir.
And this here
is Mrs. Rolston.
- Hello.
- Real pleasure.
- Thank you.
- Well, can I make you a drink?
- I could go for a
little straight scotch.
- Please, make
yourself comfortable.
- Honey, one for me, too?
- You sure, sweetheart?
- Yeah.
- You know how you get.
Better make that two.
Better make hers on the rocks.
- Of course.
How was your flight?
- Bumpy.
- Well, perhaps these will help.
Let's see, that's one
straight, there you go,
and one on the rocks.
- You make a heck of a
bartender there, Mr. Armitage.
- Thank you.
- Here's to the little mother.
- Oh, you're so sweet to me.
- It's 'cause you're
so sweet to me.
- Well, how come you're not
sweet to me like that, partner?
- You got a few
things missin', buddy.
Really.
- [Anderson] So when do we
get to see them, where are they?
- The babies?
Oh, they're at a clinic
some distance from here,
and of course there
are certain things
that we'll have
to attend to first,
certain screening processes.
- There weren't supposed
to be any complications.
- Well, I'm sure you
can understand there are
certain problems.
- Okay, Mr. Armitage.
How much?
- Well, now that of course
depends upon your needs.
- Well, she wants a kid,
and we don't wanna
screw up her figure.
- A boy.
- Oh yeah, it's gotta be a boy.
And let me tell ya somethin',
it's gotta be from good stock,
no runts or rannies,
you know what I mean?
- We're very careful.
- Uh-huh.
How much?
- 30,000, half in advance.
(whistles)
- Please, honey.
- Well, it better be a winner.
- I'm sure you'll
be very pleased.
- Yeah, how soon
can you put it together?
- I'll begin immediately.
Meanwhile, I'll have ya
driven back to your hotel.
- [Crowley] Well, that
was short and sweet.
Thanks for the drink.
- My pleasure.
- Just do the best
you can, all right?
I gotta get back to Vegas.
- Of course.
- Come on, Bernie.
- Thank you, thank you
so much, Mr. Armitage.
- Bye.
- Thank you.
- Honey.
- Oh, sorry.
(chuckles)
- Wow.
- They smell good for it, Rita.
I want you to handle
this personally,
while I check them
out from top to bottom.
Go with them.
(exciting rhythmic music)
- Thank you.
- There you go.
- Here we go, sweetheart.
- Good morning.
- Hello.
- Good morning.
- [Frank] Morning.
- Great day for
a flight, isn't it?
- [Frank] Yeah, the
weather's cleared up very well.
- [Crowley] It's like back home.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Is that the plane
we're flying in?
- [Frank] That's the plane.
- [Anderson] Kind of
small, isn't it, honey?
- Oh, it's a
first-class airplane.
- Is that the regular
plane you use all the time?
- That's the one, yep.
Did you bring the
envelope, as they say?
- Yeah, it's hot off the press.
- Brand-new, fresh,
crisp $100 bills.
- Very impressive.
- Yeah, well, I
don't mess around.
- Neither do we.
Mrs. Vaughn will go with you
and make sure that your trip
is both pleasant and rewarding.
Have a pleasant flight.
- Thank you.
- Okay, thanks very much.
- Oh, Ernie, let's get
this very good project
off the ground.
- Shall we go?
- This is the regular
plane you use, huh?
- We're lucky to have
Ernie on this flight.
He's from Baja, California
and knows the area thoroughly.
- Yes, but can he fly?
(chuckles) (horn honks)
- Ah, they're coming after all.
- Who's that?
- Our chief nurse and two
of our expectant mothers.
They'll be traveling with us.
(tense music)
- Honey, I just have
to get off my feet.
Will you help me into the plane?
- Sure, watch your head.
What's the matter, baby?
- The driver is the head
nurse from one of the clinics.
She can blow this whole thing.
- Did you get your dark glasses?
- Yeah, give me your bag.
- Do that.
- Oh hi, Rita.
- [Rita] Hello.
- Mary, Helen, come on.
- Hello, girls.
- I want you to get onboard now.
You're gonna have a great trip.
Everything is gonna
be just fine, ya hear?
We gotta take good care of them,
Rita.
- Of course.
Oh, Mrs. Harris,
this is Mr. Rolston.
Girls!
- How do you do?
- Happy to know you,
Mr. Rolston.
- Nice to know you.
- Was that your wife I saw
just getting on the plane?
- Yes, ma'am, why?
- Because no matter
whichever baby she chooses,
I know she's gonna
be very pleased,
and if she's not,
I'll hear from her as
soon as you both get back.
- Aren't you going with us?
- Me?
Oh no, I'm scared to death
of anything smaller than a 747.
- That's too bad.
It's nice meeting you.
- You'll be on your
way just as soon as I get
this luggage onboard.
- Here, let me take
care of that for ya.
- Oh, well thank you very much.
- Believe me, it's
my pleasure, ma'am.
- You have a nice trip.
- At these prices, it better be.
She's a nice lady.
- Oh, I'm sorry I
didn't get to meet her.
- Me, too.
- Everybody comfortable?
- We're all ready.
- [Garcia] Air
detection, please.
- Well, I have to
give the Feds credit,
they got a good set
of mechanical ears.
- Give me the
radar room, please.
- Lieutenant Garcia.
- Huh?
- About how far
south is it effective?
- Oh, we could track them
to Panama if we have to.
- [Man On Phone] Hello?
- Hello, this is Lieutenant
Garcia in Mexicali.
- [Man On Phone] Yes,
Lieutenant, this is radar in San Diego
we expect the transfer
in about 20 minutes.
- What do you have on
our surveillance aircraft?
- [Man On Phone] If
they're heading south,
we'll give them to you
as soon as they get
south of the border.
- Right.
Well, we can expect the transfer
to San Diego center
in about 20 minutes.
(speaks foreign language)
And it won't be long
now, gentlemen.
Radar shows him southbound.
LAX center will
transfer them to us
just west of San Clemente,
and then we will know this
place where they sell babies.
- Hey, hey, well, this is nice.
- It's good to be
back on the ground.
- Yeah.
- Are you feeling better?
- Oh yeah.
- Are ya, honey, how's
that flat little tummy?
Not queasy?
- Well, we're lucky, you know,
we had such a smooth flight.
Sometimes coming over
the hills, it's really very bumpy.
- Oh yeah?
- Well, it was pretty bumpy
there for a minute,
but I'm all right.
- I'll show you your
accommodations.
- Thank you.
- Miss Vaughn.
- Yes.
- May I speak to you
for just a moment, please?
- Of course.
- Please, forgive me.
- Why don't you folks
wait for me inside?
- We'll do that.
- Yes, now.
- I think Alice would top
8.5 on the breathalator.
- She must know the pilot.
- [Anderson] Only way to fly.
Hello.
- Hello.
- Hi, how are you?
- Radar reports a plane has
landed at these coordinates,
in this vicinity.
That's about a 20-mile area.
- Well, that sure
narrows it down.
- My pilot and I
know it very well.
We will find it.
- He sure takes his time.
- He's a very busy man.
- Well, so is Tom.
- Honey, if the man is
busy, the man is busy,
so cool it, will ya?
- I'm sorry to have
kept you waiting.
I'm Dr. Wyness, chief
of the medical staff here.
- Doctor, this is Mr. Rolston.
- Well, Dr. Wyness,
I'm Tom Rolston.
- It's a pleasure.
I hope your accommodations
are comfortable.
- They're fine.
This here's Mrs. Rolston.
- Pleasure.
- Bernice, my name is Bernice.
- As I explained, they're
interested in getting
a very special baby.
- Well, the best way to
select one is with your heart.
- [Crowley] Well, what
do you say, Bernie?
(crying)
You get the pick of the litter.
- Well, honey, my heart just
doesn't see anything I like.
They all kinda look like prunes.
- What do ya
say, Doc, is this it?
- Well, it takes about two
weeks for 'em to fill out
and have that beautiful
look that we're all so used to.
- But two of our girls are
due tonight or tomorrow.
- Good, we'll see
how well they do.
- But you must
understand, Mrs. Rolston,
all newborns look
pretty much alike.
- Well, you must
understand, Miss Vaughn,
my wife just doesn't
want any of these,
so we'll wait around
for the right little fella,
okay?
- That's right.
What do we do around here?
I feel like a burrito, honey.
Are there some
sights we could see?
- What is there to see, Doc?
- Well, perhaps you'd
like to see our beach.
It's lovely.
- Could we, honey?
- Yeah, we could go
walk on the beach.
- Alice, would you?
- Yes, let me show you the way.
Please, follow me.
- Thanks, Doc.
- See you later.
(babies cry)
- Okay, hotshot,
now that we got
rid of the nursie,
you wanna tell me what all that
eyeballing was about
between you and
the doctor?
- Yeah, I'll tell ya.
The doctor and I
know each other.
He hasn't placed me
yet, but he's working on it.
Big surprise, he's
a wholesale butcher
who got his license
yanked about six years ago,
had an abortion
clinic in the Valley
and quite a few
of his patients died.
- You helped nail him?
- Small world, huh?
- Hope it's small enough
for Pete and Joe to find us.
- Mr. Rolston, Mrs. Rolston!
- [Crowley] Yeah?
- Doctor wanted me to tell ya.
- Oh, one of the girls
is having a baby?
- No, not yet.
We gotta let
nature take its time,
but he was worried
about you being bored.
You know, he didn't
want that to happen,
seein' how important ya are.
He thought maybe you
and the missus would like
to go out on the
boat and see the bay.
- Yeah, sure, that sounds good.
- All right, let's.
- Okay, follow me.
(motor rumbles)
- It's beautiful
out here, isn't it?
- Yeah, just like in movies.
Ah, the wind, the sky, the
spray ruining my hair again.
- The sharks.
- What?
- These waters
are full of sharks.
- Oh, you're kidding.
- I'm not kidding.
- He smiles like one.
- [Crowley] I'm just
glad Dr. Frankenstein
didn't recognize ya.
- Maybe I'm not that memorable.
- I'd be very embarrassed
to have you think that,
Sergeant Anderson.
You're most memorable.
(tense music)
Even after these
many years, six isn't it?
Six very long years,
but that's a unpleasant
reminiscence.
Unfortunately, you've intruded
into my exile, prosperous,
but sometimes lonely exiled.
Now, I'd appreciate
it if you'd turn around.
(tense music)
Now, turn around.
(tense music)
Walk.
(tense music)
Don't stop.
(helicopter whirs)
(dramatic music)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
- Go right at 'em.
Drop down as quick as you
can and go right at 'em, man.
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirs)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music) (grunting)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirs)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music) (grunts)
(helicopter whirs)
(dramatic music)
(grunts)
(dramatic music)
(yells)
(gun bangs)
(dramatic music)
- Hold it.
Hold it.
(gasping)
- Throw me that line, Pep.
(helicopter whirs)
(speaks foreign language)
- Looks all right now.
(laid-back rhythmic music)
- [Crowley] Hey, Pep, hang on.
(motor rumbles)
(laid-back rhythmic music)
- It's really kinda pretty here.
Sam, I didn't tell ya,
they found Minter's body
washed up on a beach.
Listen, I know it's
no consolation to you,
but we got an airtight case
against the rest of these guys,
for sure.
- Bill,
you and Pepper,
at least it'll happen
that much less.
- Let's hope so.
- Thanks.
- It's a hell of a problem.
- How are you feeling?
- Okay.
- Have you made a decision yet?
- No.
He made it for me.
He kicked for the
first time today.
(gentle instrumental music)
(exciting rhythmic music)