The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Kirkoff Case - full transcript

Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?

(Rockford)
What do you mean,
don't count on too much?

I'm counting on you
and this Girl Scout troop
in here to solve it.

Shut up. Every time you come
in here with a bloody nose...

morale goes up 10 points.

What are you,
hard up for work or something?

Could I have my pants,
please?

You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?

Of course not.
Don't be silly.

You got 30 seconds,
then you're leaving.

So get it said,
whatever it is.



What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.

[Telephone ringing]

(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.

At the tone,
leave your name and message.

I'll get back to you.

[Beeps]

It's Norma at the market.
It bounced.

You want us to tear it up,
send it back,
or put it with the others?

[Seagulls cawing]

Excuse me. Did you see a man
come by here dressed
in a cowboy hat a minute ago?

He had to come by here.

He had a cowboy hat, you know,
ten-gallon hat, jeans,
boots, all that?

What color horse?

I know I'm amusing you,
but could you give me
a straight answer?



Okay.

Did you see him?

No.

Thanks.

I'm sorry.
No, I didn't see a cowboy.

I was reading my book,
and he could've passed me,
but I doubt it.

Okay. Thanks.

What else could I think?
I mean, I'm sitting
at the beach and I look up...

and there you are
with a trout fishing pole
asking about a cowboy.

I hate to tell you,
but the trout fishing
in the ocean is lousy.

It was a disguise,
sort of.

That's clever. Wing-tip shoes
and a spinning rod.

Do you ever say anything
that isn't glib?

What do you do
when you're not
hunting cowboys?

I sell greeting cards.

Is there much money
in that?

What?

I said, is there much money
in greeting cards?

Christmas and Easter
isn't too bad...

but Mother's Day
just sort of lays there.

A sign of the times.

Hey, my apartment's
that white building about
a mile up the main highway.

Why don't you come by
and have a drink?

You're not in there.
I already looked.

It's not because
I haven't tried.

I'm sure.

I read it because it has
the names of rich people
in it.

And then I go out
and I try to marry one.

At least it's not
as seasonal
as greeting cards.

You'd be surprised
how hard it is
to be spontaneous and blunt...

at the same time.

Rich people find that
an attractive quality.

I'll bet.

All right,
now what's going on?

Nothing.

We're just having a drink.
Maybe we'll get to be friends.

It just doesn't figure.
I mean, my bank statement
is a nightmare in red.

You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?

Of course not. Don't be silly.

You didn't put something
in that drink?

I sure called that one.

[Sighing]

(Travis)
What else did he tell you?

(Tawnia)
Nothing.

Greeting cards, huh?

Okay, hotshot, who are you?

Let's go, boy.
Why were you following me?

Wake up.

Hey, give me a minute,
will you?

What've you been doing,
anyway?

And would you mind
not pointing that thing
at me, please?

You better
get to talking, mister.
Who are you?

Lieutenant Larry Dent, LAPD,
and you better have a permit
for that thing.

You ain't no cop.
You got no gun or ID.

You're gonna tell me
what I wanna know...

or you're gonna wind up
on the critical list
in one big hurry. Savvy?

Right.

Right. Now,
why are you following me?

You didn't really need to go
to all this trouble, Travis.

I wasn't having any luck
following you so I was gonna
ask you about it, anyway.

Ask me about what?

I'm investigating
the Kirkoff killings...

and I heard you were having
an affair with Mrs. Kirkoff
before she was killed.

I told you.
A private cop, huh?

Look. You aren't gonna
shoot anybody,
we both know it.

So why don't you
put that thing away
before you have an accident?

Who you working for?

That's confidential.
Larry Kirkoff.

Larry Kirkoff?
What are you, hard up
for work or something?

Could I have
my pants, please?

What are you messing around
with me for?

I didn't kill anybody
and I sure wouldn't
kill Jenny.

It's obvious
I made a mistake.

So why don't we just
forget it happened and I'll go
on my way. All right?

Larry killed his own parents.
Everybody knows that.
The cops...

I have been sitting here
answering questions
in my shorts...

for a reasonable
length of time.

I want my pants
and I wanna get out of here.
All right?

Give him his pants.

You know,
you're a sucker, pal.

Everybody knows that that kid
done in his own parents.

He was indicted for it
and everything.

You got a good point there,
but Larry seems
to have another theory.

The DA didn't press it,
and the cops
are not working on it.

So I agree with you.
I am probably
just wasting my time.

You and me is gonna
take a little ride.

Just where are we going?

Just shut up
and put that coat on.

What are you
going to do, Travis?

This guy could start trouble
for us.

I'm gonna make sure
he stays out of our way.

Let's go.

Look, if you don't mind...

I came here alone,
I'd just as soon leave alone.

I can mess you up right here
if that's the way you want it.

All right.

Look, Travis...

You know, I fell
for that trick once myself.
Works pretty good, doesn't it?

Where's my camera?

Why'd you do that?

Just for the fun of It.

Travis is right,
Larry Kirkoff is guilty.

All he wanted you for...

is to make
his country club friends
think he didn't do it.

The way it is now,
nobody wants him around.

You were saying?

I followed Travis,
and you were right.

He was having an affair
with your mother.

I knew it.

[Growling]

If you want my opinion,
he didn't kill your parents.

I'm not paying you
for your opinions,
only for your observations.

I'm having a special
this week...

so my opinions come
with no extra charge.

I could care less.

Opinion number one
is Travis just doesn't figure.

Your mother was putting money
in a bank account for him.

She was giving him
pretty new horses to train.

Once your parents were killed,
all that stops...

so I just don't see
how he makes any sense
as the killer.

Have you ever heard
of sheer jealousy?
Or of lovers' quarrels?

Just put it down there,
I'll find a place.

What I'm trying to say is...

I think
we've run out of things
to go on.

I'll notify you
when I think
we've run out of clues.

[Growling]

Could you get him
to stop that?

Salvatore, come.

Tell them to keep an eye
on those movers in there,
will you?

And I'll be served now.

[Dog continues growling]

Salvatore, lie down.

Opinion number two is...

you still look better
for this
than anyone around.

I can see
why the grand jury
indicted you.

And I can see
why you don't charge
for your opinions.

They aren't worth very much.
If the DA had a case
against me...

he would've brought me
to trial, which he didn't.

And the police would
still be investigating me,
which they aren't.

They're not investigating,
period.

There's a reason
for that.

They're sure you did it,
they just can't pin it
on you.

So for the time being,
it's inactive.

And what are
your other opinions?

Opinion number three
is that...

for someone
who's supposed
to be broken up...

over the death
of their parents...

you're having
way too much fun
redecorating this place.

I have to live here now,
Mr. Rockford.

My father's taste
in furniture was Victorian,
like him.

He was a sanctimonious,
self-righteous man.

He's been dead
for three months now.

I'm just getting rid
of some things.
What's wrong with that?

It has a real lack
of style.

I'll just send you a bill
for my time.

I'm afraid that won't do.

It'll have to.

How much more
do you want, Mr. Rockford?

No one could be in a racket
like yours...

without being influenced
by money.

Not me.

Especially you.

I'd say your price
is hovering around $20,000.

A bonus of $20,000
when you find out
who killed my parents.

If you killed your parents,
and I can't prove it...

it's going to be a long time...

getting to
the cashier's window,
isn't it?

I made my offer, Mr. Rockford.
I'm not going to bicker
about it.

$20,000 buys
a lot of groceries.

[Growling]

There is one more thing
I could look into,
and then I'll let you know.

Of course. What is it?

I ran into a girl this morning
and took her picture.

Its probably nothing,
but you said
you had a darkroom...

so, shall we take a look?

[Dog continues growling]

He really knows how to lay out
the old welcome mat,
doesn't he?

(Rockford)
According to the police...

your mother was killed
with a Tokarev
7.62mm pistol...

and your father
was killed...

with a .300 Magnum
hunting rifle
at long range...

and yours was stolen.
Isn't that the way
you're telling it?

That's one
of the police department's
dead ends.

Is that the rifle?

I don't know if that's it.
I guess it could be. Yeah.

You told the police you never
reported it stolen...

because you didn't miss it
for a long time...

and you'd never used it
very much.

I didn't.

You were sure using it
when these pictures
were taken.

Those pictures were taken,
what, five years ago.

You're pretty good.

Yeah?

I know her. I mean,
I don't know her name,
but I saw her once.

I was going up
to my father's hunting cabin,
and just before I got there...

I saw his car pull out,
only she was at the wheel,
this girl.

My parents were separated
at the time.

I figured he was having
an affair with her...

wanted to keep it quiet...

so my mother couldn't use it
in court. It all fits.

All right,
I'll check into it.

If I come up with anything,
I'll hang with you
for a while.

If I don't,
I get out. Okay?

Fair enough.

A special delivery
for Mr. Smith
from his office.

Is that Steven Smith
or Thomas?

Thomas. This is
his mixed-doubles day.

[Birds chirping]

[Phone ringing]

[People chattering]

May I help you?
I'm the assistant manager.

Yeah, I'm not sure, really.
I was looking for Jerry Green.

I'm afraid
you're out of luck.
He's not here.

That's too bad.

I'm Jim Rockford,
and I'm an old friend
from Chicago.

I was here on business,
and I called him at the house.

There's no answer.

I knew he was a member.
Thought I might track him
down here.

He and Mrs. Green
are on vacation abroad.

Don't tell me, Madge and Jerry
finally made it
to the Greek Islands?

Why, yes,
that's where they went.

Really? Hey, that's great.
That's marvelous.

They've been talking
about that trip for years.

Good for them.

Bad for me, though,
I was hoping
I'd get in a little tennis.

Back to the old hotel.

Excuse me.

I'm sure if you'd like
to use the club...

they'd want you
to have a guest card.

Yes, that'd be very nice.
Thank you.

[Tawnia laughing]

Tawnia Baker. It is you.

I was standing over there,
and I said to myself:

"What a small world.
That's Tawnia Baker."

How's Travis?
Have you seen him
since the accident?

Jim, my goodness.
How are you?

To tell you the truth,
I'm not too good.

I had a headache all morning.
Must've been something
I drank.

Jim Rockford, Calvin Carras.

Hi. You got a marvelous
tennis partner here...

but watch her, she's tricky.
She'll call
those close ones out.

What was it you wanted?

Nothing, really.
I just wanted to say "hi."

What are you drinking?
Could I buy you another one?

Three more bloody marys
here, please...

and don't give anybody
the check but me.

We were just about
to play tennis, Jim.

How's your
insurance picture, Cal?

I'm with
Massachusetts National Life.

Here. Why don't you
take one of these...

and we'll get together
and talk a little?

Excuse me a minute.

He looks like a good one.
What does he do?

How did you get in here?

How did you?

I have a guest card.

Me, too.

I suppose you're going
to try and mess me up here.

That depends on how much
you decide to cooperate
with me.

I want some answers, honey.

Don't call me honey.

I was looking
into your background.

It read like
The Chapman Report.

What really got me
was the last chapter.

Are you going to come
to the point or not?

I found out that
you were having an affair
with Charles Kirkoff...

just before he was killed.

(Calvin)
Tawnia, our court's ready.

Nice to meet you,
Mr. Rockford.

Could you give it away, Cal?

I don't feel very well
right now.

Anything I can do?

No. I'll be all right
in a minute.

Sure.

I hope it wasn't
something I said.

Just tell me what you want
and then get out of here.

Stop flexing your muscles.

What do you want?

Dinner tonight.

I have a date with Calvin.

Break it.
Why?

'Cause I wanna find out
how much you know
about the Kirkoff killings...

and how you and Travis fit in.

I'll just tell you
and we can spare
the dinner date.

You see, I loved Charles...

and Travis loved
Mrs. Kirkoff...

and when Larry didn't get
tried for it...

Travis came to me...

and we decided
to look into it ourselves.

What makes you think
Travis didn't do it?

He wouldn't.

I'll pick you up
at 8:00 tonight.

I don't wanna go out
with you.

I'm not too crazy
about the idea myself,
but it means $20,000 to me.

So I'm gonna sit on you
until you hatch
into something.

$20,000?

You're not worth it.

I know.

Hi, Rocky.

Where you been, sonny?

Out.

I'm only asking
'cause I'm interested.

Say, you want to know
about your calls?

That depends on
who called.

Where's the aspirin, Dad?

You got a headache?

No. I got a hot tip
that the sea bass...

out by the pier are hitting
aspirin tablets...

if you can keep them
from dissolving.

[Chuckles]

Try the shelf
behind the peanut butter
and the ant poison.

So who called?

There's this fellow here
from the Athletic Club.

Now he's trying to scalp
some Ram tickets off on you
on the 50 yard line.

$20 a seat.

Who else?

Then there's this lady.

Now, she wouldn't
leave a name,
just a number.

You're not gonna call her,
are you?

I might give it a try.

They're getting
mighty smart,
those bill collectors.

Was I you,
I wouldn't call her.

[Phone ringing]

(woman)
Hello?

This is Jim Rockford.

Mr. Rockford, I understand
you're looking
for information...

on the Kirkoff killings.

I might be. Depends.

I'm not going to negotiate
with you.

What I've got is important
and it's going to cost you.

What's your name?

Come on, Mr. Rockford.
Are you interested or not?

I'm interested.

Meet me
at the Sierra Lounge
on Wilshire at 8:00.

I'll be wearing a red coat,
sitting in a booth
at the back.

[Phone disconnecting]

Rocky, call Mike Braun
at the telephone company...

his number's
in the Rolodex there
on the desk...

and give him this number...

and ask him
to get me an address,
will you?

What are you giving me
all this heavy work?

Why don't you get yourself
a secretary?

'Cause if I did that,
she'd park herself
on the sofa...

you'd end up at the desk,
and there wouldn't be any room
for me. See you.

You gonna be long, sir?

I don't think so.

Sir...
Yeah?

Does your mother know
what you do for a living?

Shut up.

[Machines whirring]

Hey, take it easy.
I'm not struggling, am I?

I don't know
what you guys want...

but there must be
some misunderstanding here.

Hold him.

Hey, come on, man.
Don't hit me.

Well, now, hold it a minute.
Can't we talk about this?

Talk about it a little while?

If I say
some of the wrong things...

we can always get to this.
What do you say?

[Rockford grunting]

(Muzzy)
That's just so
you'll get the idea.

We're not playing around.

You convinced?

Completely.

Good.

I got you figured
for a pretty smart guy,
Mr. Rockford.

I figure you know
what's healthy for you
and what's not.

So I'm gonna give you
a little advice...

and I got a feeling
you're gonna take it...

'cause if you don't...

I ain't gonna talk nice
with you again.

I'm just gonna
sharpen your heels...

pound you down
into the hard ground.

I could use a little advice,
believe me.

You're a private detective
and I know you got to work
for a living.

I understand that.

But your client
is guilty of murder.

You know? Murder.

I know it to be a fact,
the DA knows it...

and the cops
and every newspaper editor
in town knows it.

So, how come you're trying
to prove it otherwise?

Why, that was this morning.

I just stopped working
for him.

I never really liked him
very much.

It ain't that
I really care that much
about Larry Kirkoff. No.

I think the kid's a creep
for killing his mom and dad...

but that's not the reason
why I want you to quit fooling
around with this.

You're right.
I understand.

No, you don't understand.

No, I don't.

I'm gonna explain it
to you, though.

It's a real estate fraud
that could get discovered...

if the DA
reopens the Kirkoff case.

Now, if that happens,
I'd have myself
some real trouble.

And you'll end up
in a brass bottle.

You get my drift?

Yeah.

Good.

So now, just so
you don't feel too bad...

about this here beating...

I'm gonna leave you with $200.

You don't have
to do that, really.

No. I insist.
It's my pleasure.

[Headlights shattering]

Doesn't anybody have
a 409 Assault Form
around here?

Don't all volunteer.

I'll just have to use a 157M
and change it over later.

157M? That's murder.

It's the same
as the Assault Form...

only that there's a little box
for the coroner's report
at the bottom.

The way you're going,
you may need it.

Looks good. Nice.
Tagged you real good,
didn't he?

I'm glad you like it, Dennis.
Now, let's get on with it.

What are you working on?

Don't worry.
You're not on it.

Humor me.

I'm working
for Larry Kirkoff...

to find out
who killed his parents.

Are you kidding?
Haven't you heard?

He killed his own parents
and inherited $20 million.

Everybody keeps
telling me that.

And we would've had him, too,
except for two things.

We couldn't turn up
the hunting rifle...

and we couldn't put him
at the scene of the crime.

Maybe he didn't do it.

And maybe mud tastes
like ice cream.

Can you remember
what these five guys
looked like?

No. All except the one
who did all the talking.

He had a husky voice like
he'd been hit in the windpipe
a couple of times.

Like an ex-fighter?

Yeah, maybe.

I'll tell you what
I'm gonna do, Jim.

I'm gonna fill this out,
give it to patrol...

but don't count on much.

What is that
supposed to mean?

I get kidnapped by two guys
and they beat
the poo out of me.

I'm making
a legitimate complaint.

What do you mean,
don't count on too much?

I'm counting on you
and this Girl Scout troop
in here to solve it.

Shut up, will you?
What do I have to do,
spell it out for you?

You're not exactly
Princess Margaret
in this Department.

Every time you come in here
with a bloody nose...

morale goes up 10 points.

And, if I weren't a buddy
of yours,
I wouldn't even type this up.

Okay?

Okay.

[Typing]

Dennis, the warehouse
where these guys
booted me around...

it's condemned.

I wonder who owns it.

Now, just wait one moment.

You can find out.

Yes, I could find out,
but I ain't.

These guys walked
around that place
like they knew it...

like they'd been there
before.

They said
they didn't have anything
to do...

with the Kirkoff killings,
right?

Right.

So who cares
who owns the place?

I got news for you, Dennis.
I don't believe them.

I think
I got somebody worried.

The only one you got worried
is your physical therapist.

All right, Dennis,
can't you call somebody
at the Hall of Records?

I need it tonight.

No.

I'll spot you 10 points...

the next time
we play handball.

$5 a point, $10 a game?

Come on, Dennis.

$2 a point, $5 a game.

Okay, but you don't
tell anybody
where you get it.

If you get turn up
anything good,
give it to me.

Make me look
like the hero.

You're a sweet guy.

Jim, I think
you made a bad bet.

[People chattering]

♪♪[music playing]

(Tawnia)
Why didn't you call?

[Mixer whirring]

Do you mind?
I'm with the lady.

Regrettable, but true.

You have my number, Don.
Maybe tomorrow.

I'm sorry.

Where have you been?

I had to rent a car.
Somebody kicked
my headlights out.

Don't you ever
take any time off?

On the phone
you said 8:00. It's 9:00.

What the devil
is this?

You've been fighting.

Not me. The other guys
did the fighting.

I stood there
and caught punches.

Could I trade this in
for a Scotch
and soda, please?

Your table is ready.

Enjoy your meal.

Thank you.

You're not having
much of a day, are you?

Now that you mention it,
I guess not.

What are you so angry about?
You're an hour late.

You don't know how tired I get
of people like you.

It's okay for you
to scratch and claw for $1.

It doesn't matter
if Larry Kirkoff is guilty,
he's got $20,000...

so you drop
right in the basket.

Take it easy, will you?

I went after Charles Kirkoff,
because he had money.

I told him that
and he understood that.

But I wouldn't have gone
any further if I hadn't
found him attractive.

He was one of
the most vital men
I've ever met...

and if they'd taken
all of his money away...

I still would have married him
because he was one of a kind.

Everybody I talked to
thought old Charlie
was a pretty cold number.

Maybe for them he was.

With me, he was gentle.

It's like you said,
I'm not having much of a day.

You and Travis got me started
on the wrong foot...

then a squad
of flat-nosed guys...

jumped me and waltzed me
around for a while...

and the cops are just tickled
to death over it.

Why don't you and I
just start fresh? Okay?

Okay.

I can't afford
this place.

Me, neither. Let's go.

Deal.

♪♪[music playing]

I'll bring
your coffee later.

Yeah, and don't forget
the cream and sugar.

I don't see what the B.R.W.
Has to do with it.

There's two things.

First is, that warehouse
where I was taken...

was condemned,
so I had a friend of mine
run a check on it.

Found out that
it used to belong
to the B.R.W.

Second thing is...

that that is the union
that Charles Kirkoff did
most of his negotiations with.

Hey, this is good.

You don't think I'd stick you
with a bad restaurant?

Just a cheap one.

Right.

They forgot the mustard.

You said you spent
about two weeks with him
down at his beach house?

Yes, I left a couple of days
before he was murdered.

Did he ever have
any business conversations
while you were around?

All the time,
he was funny that way.

He'd show off, sort of,
like a little boy
chinning himself.

Did he ever send you
out of the room...

when any of those
conversations were going on?

Why?

I'm just trying out a theory
that maybe the cops
haven't tried before.

Yeah. Twice. I think.

Did he ever say
who he was talking to?

Did he ever mention
any names or anything?

The first time,
I don't know...

but the second time,
when I was leaving the room...

I remember
he mentioned a name.

I remember it because
it was an unusual name...

Muzzy. He said,
"What is it, Muzzy?"

Muzzy.

Do you know him?

Yeah. I think so.

Ten, 15 years ago, there was
a promising middleweight.

He was a little flat-footed,
so he didn't last long
in the fight business.

His name was Muzzy Vinette.

[Honking]

Where are we going?

Nowhere,
I just want the mustard.

[Honking]

Good morning,
Mr. Rockford.

Ahem.

I'm sorry. No, you don't.
Goodbye.

I have an appointment,
J. Rockford.

I represent
Kirkoff Industries.

It's about a personal
injury insurance claim.

Our board feels it's unfair,
and your labor authorities
are pressing it...

so I'll have to speak
to Mr. Dancer
about it personally.

I'm sorry. Mr. Dancer
isn't going to talk to you
about insurance.

You see, Mr. Dancer
runs this union. He makes
administrative decisions.

We have an
insurance claims department.
You can talk to them.

I'm afraid
I can't accept that.
Just tell Mr. Dancer I'm here.

I'll show you
to the elevator.

What is your name,
please?

Don't pull
that tired line on me.
Just be a nice man and leave.

Look, this is
really important.

Isn't there some way
of possibly convincing you
to let me see him?

Get out of here.

There must be some way
of convincing you.

The only way you're gonna
get in there is if you climb
over me to do it.

Now, you want to try that?
Just go right ahead.

Come on.
There must be some other way.

Goodbye.
Talk to our Claims Department.

The Claims Department.
You're right. I see.

You've seen it before, huh?

Yeah. A couple of times.

Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?

Maybe you'll see him,
after all.

(Dancer)
All right, bring him in.

You got any reason
why I shouldn't book you
for assault and battery?

I had to see you.

I figured if I take a poke
at one of your gorillas...

either way it came out
I'd end up in here
and here I am.

You got 30 seconds,
then you're leaving. So
get it said, whatever it is.

What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.

He clean?

Yeah.

Go on, get out.

What is it?

I think you wouldn't like it
if you found out...

that one of your boys
on the payroll
is moonlighting.

Yeah. That's right.
I wouldn't.

I'm gonna do you a favor,
Mr. Dancer.

You got a goon working for you
named Muzzy Vinette?

This is the age
of public relations.

Mr. Vinette is not
called a goon.

He's called a labor organizer.

You can call him
whatever you want.

Go on. Get to the point.

I'll bet you know
if he has a gun,
and if he does...

you probably know
what caliber it is.

Come on, Mr. Rockford. Guns?
That was in the '30s.

You're in some trouble, Al.
I'm trying to help you.

Now, he's got a gun,
we both know it.

I think that
it's a Tokarev 7.62mm
automatic...

and he took
an independent contract
to kill somebody.

Is that so? Who'd he kill?

Mrs. Charles Kirkoff.

Why should I believe you?

In this age
of public relations,
you can't afford not to.

Thank you. Is that all?

That's all.

If you're right,
I owe you.

Put something in the mail.

I think he wants you.

(Dancer)
Where's Muzzy?

He's got a girl stashed out
by the country club.
He's out there, I think.

It's her pad.

Marsh, go get him.

Pick him up
and get any guns
he might have.

Bring him in here.
Go on, get going.

[Gun firing]

[Gun clicking]

[Brakes screeching]

[Tires screeching]

[Man shouting]

[Cars honking]

(man)
Get out of here!

Just what do you guys think
you're doing?

I'm sorry.

He keeps getting stuck
in the sand traps. Just go
ahead and play on through.

[Dog growling]

Sit.

I was hoping
you weren't gonna
put that there.

I suppose
you're here for your money.

Yeah, that's right.
I sure am. The money,
the $20,000.

Listen, I understand
the police have the man,
a Muzzy Vinette?

They sure do. Ballistics
matched up the gun. He's the
one that killed your mother.

He was the one
hired by my father
to kill my mother.

I told you he was
a cold-blooded man, didn't I?

Look, Larry, if I could
just have the $20,000,
I'll be moving.

And who do the police think
killed my father?

I don't think
there's any doubt about
who killed your father, Larry.

You killed your father.

You found out your mother
was killed, picked up a rifle,
killed your father.

Unfortunately, the cops
can't find the rifle.

So they don't think
they have a case.

I see.

And for this,
you think I'm going
to pay you $20,000?

Maybe you're right.
I don't blame you for not...

going for the whole $20,000
under the circumstances...

but shall we make it $10,000?

I picked up on Muzzy Vinette
for you.
That should be worth $10,000.

What? Yeah,
I suppose, $10,000.

So the police don't think
they have a case against me.
Is that right?

I'll mall it to you.
Just send me a bill.

Now, look, Larry.
We had a deal.

I want my money.

[Growling]

Right, Larry, why don't you
just mail it to me?

Why don't you just do that?

I just don't believe
that Charles could've hired
that man to kill his wife.

I thought I knew him.

I wonder if he could've
killed her because of me?
Wouldn't that be awful?

Look. He killed her
because she was about to ruin
his reputation as a puritan.

Then she was gonna
pick him clean
in the divorce courts.

That's all there is to it.
So don't make yourself
the heavy.

I hate to let it lay, though.
That kid is guilty.

They say you can't get away
with murder, but Larry Kirkoff
is gonna do it.

The cops aren't
gonna press it.
He's gonna get away clean.

Unless somebody...

who cared for Larry's father
would take some sort
of interest in the case.

What is that
supposed to mean?

Look, in the heat
of the moment, he hired
someone to fix his wife.

There was bad blood there...

but, like you said,
he was gentle and kind.

What do you take me for,
some kind of mental deficient?

I just hate to see him
get away with it,
that's all.

Okay. How much?

$200 a day, plus expenses.

Come on, $100.

$200 and I'll throw
in the expenses.

$125.

$175.

$150 and you buy
the dinner tonight.

You got yourself a deal.

What are you parking
here for? Why don't you
let the attendant park it?

I just hate to pay $1
to have some attendant...

put scratches
all over a car.

(Rockford)
I'll be damned!
He was using me.

Not the way you thought.

I never knew him at all.
He wasn't trying to get away
with anything.

He was just waiting for me
to prove he was right
so he could give himself up.

I'm really something.

I think "insensitive"
is the word I'm looking for.

That doesn't sound
like the Jim Rockford
I know.

Clear-eyed,
vigilant, precise...

Tangle-footed, myopic,
obtuse. Let's get
something to eat.

By the way, you're fired.

In that case,
I'll buy you a hot dog.