The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 10 - The Dexter Crisis - full transcript

Private eye?

Well, that translates into
a lot of things. Mostly bad.

You have
a very irritating manner.

So do you.

So you're
a professional gambler.

That's fascinating.

Yeah, it is, isn't it?

You can't protect Susan
from herself.

'Cause that's
not called protection.

What's it called?
Meddling.

[Tires screech]



[Telephone ringing]

(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.

At the tone leave your name
and message.

I'll get back to you.

[Machine beeps]

(man)
I staked out that guy,

only, it didn't work out
like you said.

Please call me.
Room 234, County Hospital.

What are you doing?
Opera glasses.

Susie, write this down.

"A-Z-I 656."

[Clears throat]

If you must smoke,
use an ash tray, please.

There aren't any.
Now, to answer your question.



Yes, the case is closed.

The police
aren't working on it.

[Yells]

Don't use that.
That's a Rostov plate.

[Clears throat]

Miss Adams,
would you come in here
for a moment, please?

Give it to her.

Excuse me.

Dirty, filthy habit,
isn't it?

Okay, Miss Susan Parsons
disappeared two days ago...

and the police
aren't working on it.

Maybe she just
got tired of L.A. And left.

Some of the things
she left behind
are valuable and dear to us.

I think we can eliminate
that possibility.

You say Miss Parsons
was a friend of yours?

What kind of friend?

Just what is that
supposed to mean?

Well,
did you have a mutual hobby?

Say, making model airplanes
or what?

Are you trying to be funny,
Mr. Rockford?

If I'm gonna be helpful
in finding her...

I'm gonna have to
know the nature
of your relationship.

I think you can assume
the nature
of our relationship.

Fine, then I can also assume
that you're paying the rent
on her apartment?

You have
a very irritating manner.

So do you.

Okay, Mr. Rockford.

I'm told
that you're trustworthy.

And I'm going
to rely on that trait.

No, I do not pay
the rent on her apartment.

She has a roommate
and they share that expense.

However,

[clears throat]

I did rent
a place at the beach...

and we meet there
twice a week.

I hope you understand that
I have a reputation
and a family.

And I don't need
any complications.

So I will count on
your discretion.

I met Susan at a Beverly Hills
department store.
She was a salesgirl.

We started
seeing one another...

and after a time,
I persuaded her
to enrol in UCLA.

Why?

I was also interested
in her mind.

Well, you're full
of unique characteristics.

How much do you cost?
$200 a day, plus expenses.

That's absurd.
I'll give you $50
and no expenses.

Mr. Dexter, I don't know
what you think
is going on here...

but I sell a service.

If you want the service,
you pay
what I think it's worth...

if you think it's too high,
you can go to Main Street and
deal with one of those guys.

You're a little touchy there.
Right. I'm a little touchy.

Okay, I'll pay it.
For a couple of days.

Do you have
a picture of Miss Parsons?

Yes, I do.

[Drawer clattering]

Miss Adams
has an envelope for you.

It contains the keys
to the beach house.

However,
I don't think you'll find
anything helpful there.

[Bell buzzes]

Thank you.

For your collection.

[Dog barking]

[Knocking on door]

[Exhales]

(Rockford)
Louise Anderson?

Are you here about Susan?
That's right. May I come in?

[Children chattering]

Can I get you a drink?

Soft, I mean.
Of course, I know you
cops don't drink on duty.

I'm a private cop.
We're practically required
to drink on the job.

You read that,
or you just use it
for posture exercises?

I read it.
Sometimes I swear at it.

It's a law book.
I'm a law student.

Private eye?

Well, that translates into
a lot of things. Mostly bad.

I'm not sure
I want to talk to you.

I'm trying to find out
what happened to Susan.

I talked to
a police sergeant
named Freeman.

He has Susan's file,
but his only interest
in the case...

seemed to be
getting it into his out-basket
as quickly as possible.

He did say
that you were throwing

most of the heavy dust
in the air...

so I thought,
maybe we could get together
and compare notes.

Who are you working for,
Mister...

Rockford.

I don't wanna seem stuffy,
but that is confidential.

She would never tell me this,
of course...

but Susan had a boyfriend.
Somebody important.

Since she has no family,
I guess you're working for
her boyfriend. Right?

Well, if that's the way
you want it,
I'm working for her boyfriend.

[Clicking]

Think I'll get you
that drink, after all.

Did Sgt. Freeman tell you
about the license?

Yeah, he mentioned it.

What did he say?

Well,
I'd rather hear it from you.

[Bottle clinking]

All right.
He didn't tell me anything.

As a matter of fact,
we didn't get along at all.

I go on my hunches
about people.

I got a hunch about you
that says maybe you're okay.

But I don't know
who you're working for.

And I don't know
how good your judgement is.

So, if I'm gonna give you
what I have...

we have to come to
some sort of arrangement.

Will $50 cover it?

I'll give you what I have,
and you let me help you
look for Susan.

In person help, I mean.
Teamwork.

No, I'm sorry.

For three or four days,
before Susan disappeared...

a man was hanging around
in a car.

I saw him two times at school,
three times
right up the street.

I have the license number.

When Susie disappeared,
he disappeared.

Pretty good?

Well,
if the police aren't on it,
it's probably a dead end.

The police are convinced
she just split...

because she took her bags
and there's no evidence
of foul play.

They probably haven't even
checked it out.

And if I'm gonna get
the number,
we got to be a team.

That's the deal.
Besides, I think
I can be a lot of help.

I know Susie, how she thinks.

Are you getting a little bored
with law school, or what?

I happen to be
Susie's best friend.
And I think she's in trouble.

You're the only way
I can find out
what happened to her.

All right.
Give me the license number
and I'll see who owns it.

Nothing doing.
The information
goes with me.

It's in my purse.

So, let's go do
whatever it is you do.

What kind of law
are you studying?

I'm gonna be
a public defender.

Or consumer advocate.
Nothing but pro bono publico.

Real bare-knuckle stuff.
Sounds great.

[Children screaming]

Did your friend in
Motor Vehicles
come through?

Yeah.
Well, who was it?

Louise,
you said you wanted to help,
maybe you can.

Jim, who was it?

Another private eye.
A guy named Kermit Higby.

Do you know him?
Well, we don't get along.

As a matter of fact,
we came to blows once.
He broke my nose.

And you put him in traction,
I suppose?

Somebody separated us
before he killed me.

I was recovering from the flu.
I was a little off my game.

If we're gonna get anything
out of Higby,
you're gonna have to get it.

I think you should do that.

If I was on fire,
I wouldn't hire him
to throw water.

We don't get along.
He wouldn't tell me
anything anyway.

You wanted team work,
I'm offering you team work.

He wouldn't hit a lady,
would he?

No, of course not.

At least,
I don't think so.

You ought to keep your eye
on his secretary,
she'd hit anybody.

(secretary)
I'm sorry, sir.

But all of our hostesses
require a deposit
at the beginning of the date.

And then, of course,
each girl is on her own to
do whatever she wants to do.

If you don't feel you got
your money's worth...

there really is nothing
I can do about it.

Of course, sir.
The same to you.

I thought Mr. Higby was
a private detective.

That's right.
We share the office.

I run
the Hollywood Escort Service
and type his letters.

I hate to sound indelicate...

but it sounded like
you were running something
more than a dating service.

Well, a dating service
is a little seedy.

So I decided to get into
the hostess business.

Well, I sort of
expected something else.

The trust officer at the bank
said I should seek
professional help.

They authorized
the expenditure, but...

Trust officer?

Which trust officer?
Which bank is that?

Well, I'm sorry.

Wait a minute, honey.
I think
you've got a problem...

and I'm sure
that Kerm can help you.

If he can't,
well, I probably can.

Kerm is out of town.

But I promise you,
I can get him back
within 24 hours.

Your deposit
will guarantee his service.

Where is he?

He's in Vegas on business.
But I'm sure
I can get him back.

I really don't like it here.
I'm sorry I bothered you.

I can see why
you didn't want to go in.

That's some service
they got going in there.

Did you find out?

If I tell you, how do I know
you're not going
to kick me out...

and work the lead yourself?

You know I won't
because I say I won't.

I'd feel better
if I had some leverage.

Would you like to
hold my driver's license
till this is all over?

I'm not gonna tell you
what I found out.

At least, not yet.
I'll give you directions.

Which way?

I've got to pack a few things,
then get on
the San Bernardino Freeway.

Las Vegas?

[People chattering]

(woman on P: A:)
Paging Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Charles Johnson.

Telephone please.

Paging Miss Bisset.
Miss Andrea Bisset,
telephone please.

Well, our luck's consistent,
anyway.

He's not registered here,
either.

Are there any hotels left?

No. There's 8I motels.
We could split them up
between us.

What's wrong?
That's Susan.

Where?
At the roulette table.

The one with the dark hair
and the tinted glasses.
That's Susan.

Paging Mr. Angelo.
Mr. Nick Angelo.

This is where
we cool the teamwork.

If she sees you,
we've blown it.

"Cool the teamwork?"
Are you telling me
to go home?

Just go to the motel, now.

[Machines whirring]

Paging Mr. Angelo.
Mr. Nick Angelo.
Cashier's window, please.

Yeah, operator,
I'd like to call
Los Angeles, please.

Mr. Charles Dexter
at 555-8000.

And operator, that's collect.

Yeah, I can see her right now.

Is she all right?
Seems to be.

You want to talk to her?

No, I want you
to make contact with her.

That could take a lot of time.
I could come up empty.

Just keep in touch with me.

Paging Mr. Beretti.
Mr. Carlo Beretti,
telephone please.

Number five.
Red and odd.

Place your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

Paging Mr. Angelo.
Mr. Nick Angelo.

Telephone please.

[Ball rattling]

Number 17. Black and odd.

Paging Mr. Beretti.
Mr. Carlo Beretti,
telephone please.

Place your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

Excuse me.

May I ask
what kind of system
you're using?

Well, it's too complex
to explain, I'm afraid.

If it weren't,
I'd be happy to.

Well, it seems to be working.
Yeah. It usually does.

[People chattering]

If you play black and red,
and odd and even...

you're bound to lose.
Really? Why?

The house percentages
are gonna chip away at you
till you lose it all.

Paging Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Charles Johnson.
Telephone please.

[Ball rattling]

I was just gonna
cash in my chips
and go get something to eat.

Care to join me?

If zero or double-zero
comes up, you lose...

on red, black,
odd, or even.

That's a 6.2% advantage
for the house.

You can win in a short run
if you get hot,

but in a long run,
they'll pick you clean.

But I lose even worse
at blackjack or dice

because I don't understand
how to play.

At least roulette is simple.
I suppose
your system's complicated.

Yeah. No, you see,
no roulette wheel
is ever in perfect balance.

Just figure out the bias
and keep playing...

till they catch on
what you're doing.

That gives you
a 6 or 7% advantage.

If you can keep them
from figuring your action,
you can rip them good.

I hit one of the strip hotels
for $50,000 last August.

Before they caught on.

You sat right there
in front of them,
making all those notes?

That's just stage craft.

Makes them think
I'm a system's bettor.
They love system's bettors.

They always lose.

No. If they figure
that I'm even
casing the wheel...

well, they'll close
the table down
and re-balance it.

So
you're a professional gambler.

That's fascinating.

[Music playing]

Yeah.

Yeah, it is, isn't it?

[People applauding
and cheering]

Will I see you again,
tomorrow maybe?

Same time, same wheel.

It's a date,
I want to learn your system.

I had a wonderful time
tonight.

I've been
sort of lonely here,
until tonight.

Goodnight.
Goodnight.

I heard you come in,
but I had to wait. Right?

A cool private investigator
like you,

you might have had
Susan on your arm.

Is she okay?

Did you get anything to eat?

Yeah.
I had a tuna fish sandwich.

Did you find out what's wrong?
Is she running from something,
or what?

I don't think so.

But she doesn't enjoy gambling
or she'd be
playing the numbers.

She's got a new name.
Her name is Donna Weston.

She's here waiting for
her divorce to come through.

Not a very original
cover story, is it?

Maybe she's hiding
from somebody.

I don't think so.

She's been hanging around
that casino for hours on end.

Anybody with any brains
is not gonna hide out
in that popcorn machine.

Well, what do we do now?
You should go home.

We found her.
Nobody's holding her
against her will.

Whatever she's doing,
she's doing
for her own reasons.

She's running from something.
I want to know
what it is and why.

What business is it of yours
what she does?

'Cause I know
she's in trouble. I can tell.

How?

When people are in trouble,
you can see it
in their eyes...

and the way they move.
Especially people you know.

You some kind of expert
on the human condition?

I grew up in a tenement house
in Philadelphia.

My parents spent their lives
getting fleeced by
semi-legitimate salesmen.

I'm gonna be an attorney
and protect people
against the scavengers.

And I've got
some commitments to myself.

I don't care
if they're important to you.
But they're important to me.

Susan is a starting point,
and I'm not gonna
turn my back on her.

Or on myself.
I'll see you in the morning.

[Sighs]

A speech like that
deserves more of a comment.

Okay.

There's a big difference
between protecting people from
semi-legitimate salesmen...

and protecting people
from themselves.

You can't protect Susan
from herself.

'Cause that's
not called protection.

What's it called?
Meddling.

[Sighs]

Goodnight.

[Door opens]
Goodnight.

[Door shuts]

Louise.

[People chattering]

(woman on P: A:)
Mr. Arthur Abelman,
telephone please.

[Woman on P: A: Chattering]

[Woman continues chattering]

Paging Mr. Stevens.
Mr. Mike Stevens,
telephone please.

[Ball rattling]

[Token clatters]

Mr. Angelo. Mr. Nick Angelo.
Cashier's window, please.

[Elevator whirring]

[Elevator shuts]

What are you doing here?

I was looking for you.
What are you doing here?

Who hit us?

I don't know.

How'd you get in?

I saw Susan
at the roulette table,
so I went to the desk...

and I told them
I was Donna Weston
and I forgot my key.

They made me a new one.

This place looks like
bargain day
at the drug store.

(Louise)
I wonder if they found
what they were looking for?

I don't think so.

How can you tell?

Well, this whole room
is wiped out.

Usually, when somebody's
looking for something,
they stop when they find it.

We better get out of here
before Susan gets back.

[Door shuts]

[Elevator whirring]

[Elevator shuts]

Hey, you never answered
my question.
What were you doing in there?

Trying to help you.

We don't know
what Susan is running from,

I decided to
have a look in her room.

I'm not lying.

When this elevator stops,
I'm gonna get out.

I'll expect you
to stay in it,
go down to the basement...

get into your car
and go home.
In other words, get lost.

[Music playing]

(woman on P: A:)
Paging Mr. Angelo.

Mr. Nick Angelo.
Cashier's window, please.

Mr. Nick Angelo.

Excuse me. You see
that red-headed girl
back there?

She's been following me
around all night.

I never saw her
before tonight,
and she keeps saying...

that she's the divine spirit
and I'm the Iris
of her psyche.

Whatever that is.

Either you get rid of her
or I'll move out
of this hotel.

I mean, come on, really.
The rates you guys charge.

I shouldn't have to
play tag with
some adolescent acid-head.

We'll take care of it,
sir.

Thank you.
Appreciate that.

Paging Mr. Stevens.
Mr. Michael Stevens,
telephone please.

Paging Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Charles Johnson,
telephone please.

Donna. It was you.
I saw you down in the lobby.

I thought
you went to bed.

Jim, hi.

I went out for some fresh air.
I thought you went to bed.

I got a call.

There's a seat open
at the Shamanda Pair,
so I went down...

but there weren't
enough players,
so I passed.

I hate to play cards
with shills.

Well, goodnight again.

Goodnight.

[Gasps]

What's wrong?

I'll call down to the desk
and report this.

No, don't.

Why not?

I think
it must've been my husband.

I don't want
to get into trouble.

Whoever did this
was looking for something.

They tore the paper lining
out of the drawers.

Would your husband
do that?

I don't know,
I just don't
understand it at all.

If you could use some help,
I'm ready, willing
and within reason, able.

No, I just... Yes.

I want to leave here
right now.

But I suppose
that's asking too much,
isn't it?

Just tell me
where you want to go.

I have to stay in Nevada for
my residence requirement...

but could you drive me
to Reno?

When do we leave?

Thank you.

The airline misplaced
my other suitcase
when I flew out here,

but they found it.

Could we stop and pick it up
on the way out of town?

Yeah.
Thank you.

[Cars honking]

You keep
looking into that mirror.
Are we being followed?

I think so.

There's no one back there.

He's back there.

I don't understand why
anybody would want
to follow me.

Well, if your husband
had hired somebody
to ransack your room...

maybe he'd hire somebody
to follow you.

I guess you're right.

Hi, Kerm.

It's good to see you
climbing out from
underneath your rock

from time to time.

I thought I gave you
a good lesson last time.
What's wrong?

Don't you remember
how I spread your nose out?

I remember.
That lucky punch.

I'm not worried.
Generally, you can't hit
the ground with both feet.

Maybe you got to be
taught another lesson.

Looks that way.
Let me help you.

[Groans]

Open it.
Clumsy, Kerm.

Looks like
you got a couple of choices.

Either you can tell me,
what you're doing
following me...

and why you knocked me out
in Susan's room...

or you can sit here
with your hand
in the door...

while I sharpen up
my right cross.
Which is it?

I didn't knock you out.

Okay, Kerm.

I'm gonna let your dentist
rebuild your whole mouth.

Suit yourself.

Damn!

If it had been me,
I'd have beat you to death.

Yeah, I know.

[Exclaims]

[Groans]

Who is it?

It's a man
named Kermit Higby.

You ever heard of him?
Never.

[Phone ringing]

Hello?

(Susan)
Hi. Hope you weren't
worried about me.

Well, no, of course not.
Why would I worry?

I only called your room
ten times since we checked in.

I'm sorry.

There were
a few personal things
I couldn't find...

in that mess
back in Las Vegas.

So, I went to the drug store.
I'm back now, come on over.

That knocking
you hear on your door is me.

[Knocking on door]

Hi.

I feel safe now,
thanks to you.

I registered
under a false name.
I hope that's not illegal.

Only in Kentucky.

[Chuckles]

Are you going to stay in Reno
for a while, I hope?

I have two more weeks
until the divorce
comes through.

Well, there's not
gonna be a divorce,
'cause you're not married.

I've been thinking it over.
We ought to get
a few things straight.

Higby's not
the only private detective
that's been following you.

There's another one.

Who? Where is he?

Right here. It's me.

Charles Dexter
hired me to find you.

I don't believe you.
He wouldn't.

You mean,
he wouldn't because...

he wouldn't admit that
he had a reason to find you?

He did.

He also told me about
the place down at the beach.
The whole story.

I talked to him on the phone.
He's flying here
and wants to talk to you.

Did he tell you
that I ran away from him
because he is insane?

That he started thinking
I was cheating on him
and he began to threaten me?

It was horrible.
I was afraid
he might kill me.

Now, why don't you just
start telling the truth
for a change?

Look, Dexter isn't
the only one who put
a private cop on you.

Somebody hired Higby.
I don't have any idea
who that is.

Somebody went through
your room in Vegas.

What do you think
they were looking for?
A key?

Maybe a key to a locker
with a suitcase in it?

When we went to the airport,
I didn't stay in the car.
I was watching you.

And you took that suitcase
out of a locker.

You didn't take it out of
the airline's luggage room.

That's why you think
I'm lying.

You think that I'm running off
with a bag of jewels
or something.

I'd like to check on it.
Where's the suitcase now?

In another locker?

No, it's right in there.

[Keys jangling]

[Knocking on door]

(Louise)
That's him, Officer.
That's the one. Arrest him.

Louise!

Honey, are you all right?
Was he hurting you?

(Rockford)
What?

(officer)
Shut up. You're going
downtown for questioning.

What's the charge?
Kidnapping and attempted rape.

[Laughs]

As a matter of fact,
he was holding me
against my will.

If you'd like
to look at my ID...

you'll see that
I'm a licensed
private investigator.

You don't want to say nothing
till I read you your rights.

This woman is the subject
of an official L.A. Wanted...

and I'm authorized by
City Statuette 12 to
take her in. Now, Officer...

if you don't take us
all in together,
you'll never see them again.

We'll be right behind you,
Officer.

If you go for that, Officer,
you'll be making a mistake.

Why don't you let me
worry about that, buster?

(Rockford)
I hope you appreciate the fact

that I haven't once said,
"I told you so."

I did appreciate it.
Till you just said it.

They've gone, Lieutenant.
I think they drove off
out of town.

Well, I already told you that.
They're headed back to L.A.

This fellow
still could be guilty.

(officer)
The girls maybe didn't want to
get stuck here as witnesses.

I don't think so.
There's a guy outside...

says his name's
Albert Frost...

claims Rockford here,
was working for him.

(officer #2)
And that Susan Parsons?
She's an L.A. Missing person.

Okay, you can go,
Mr. Rockford.

The watch commander
has a receipt for your car.
It's right out front.

[Typewriter clacking]

That's all? You guys don't
want to say anything to me
before I leave?

Like what?

Well, I think
somebody ought to apologize.

What for?

For treating me like
some kind of sex-creep
for the last two hours.

Move it, Rockford,
before I decide to
book you as a troublemaker.

Thank you, Lieutenant.
I accept your apology.

[Door slams]

Hey, that's mine.
Here's a receipt
signed by the Lieutenant.

Thank you.

You said
they were headed for L.A.

Albert Frost?

It's a little risky
using phoney names
with the cops, isn't it?

I could've blown your cover
by mistake.

When I employ people,
Mr. Rockford,

I expect a certain level
of competence.

If you still want
to employ me, Mr. Dexter...

you're gonna have to come up
with some fresh material.

What are you talking about?

What's Susan got,
that you and everybody else
is chasing after?

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

Then we got a jump-ball,
Mr. Dexter. Goodbye.

Wait a minute.

You know where she went,
don't you?

Maybe.

There's a great deal
involved here.

You've got to tell me
what you know.

Well, I know that Susan
bought another suitcase...

and whatever you're all after
is in it.

I lost her for about
a half-hour at the hotel...

gave her enough time
to buy another bag.

And then
her roommate stiffed me
with the Reno bulls...

and now you're still trying
to hang on to this
jealous boyfriend routine.

Frankly, Mr. Dexter,
I just don't have time

to stand around
and listen to it any longer.

Okay.

If I tell you,
you've got to promise me...

that whatever you recover,
you bring back to me.

I'll pay you your fee,
plus a 10% finders fee.

20.

10.

Okay. What's in the bag?

My corporation ran into
a very serious problem
a week or so ago.

So I negotiated with a man
who could fix
the trouble for us.

I was to meet him one night
with $250,000 in cash.

I showed up with the money
in a suitcase,
he wasn't there.

So I went to the beach house
that I rent for Susan
to stash the money there.

When I went back to get it,
Susan was gone
and so was the suitcase.

Well, if that's true,
why was Susan in Las Vegas...

playing the roulette wheels?

I don't understand.

Well, she wasn't gambling.

She was buying
several hundred dollars
worth of chips...

sitting at the roulette wheel
for a few minutes,
then cashing it in.

If it's the money
you were using for a bribe,
she was trying to launder it.

I didn't say it was a bribe.

I didn't just parachute in,
Mr. Dexter.

Now, let's stop
kidding ourselves.

I swear to you
that everything I've told you
is true.

Will you help?

I'll let you know
what I decide.

[Keys jangling]

[Engine starting]

[Birds chirping]

[Engine humming]

[Tires screech]

(Susan)
Who is it?

(Louise)
How should I know?

Every time I speed up,
he speeds up.

Every time I slow down,
he slows down.

[Honking]

I think it's Jim.
It can't be.

[Car honking]
Look out!

[Screams]

[Tires squealing]

[Engine faltering]

[Engine sputtering]

You all right?

I don't think
anything's broken.
Susie, are you all right?

I'm okay.

You sure?
Yeah.

[Bags thudding]

All right, where is it?

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

Whatever happened
to that nice girl
I met less than a week ago?

The one who was gonna be
a consumer advocate...

and never turn her back
on herself.

What I do with my life
is my business.

When did you get to be
my spiritual advisor, anyway?

And who are you
to talk about
public service?

I bet you haven't
thought about anybody
but Jim Rockford

since you were 14.

Your share of $250,000
isn't gonna do one thing...

but mess up
your opinion of yourself.

Tell me
what you get out of it,

if I hand over
Susan's money to you.

I get $25,000.
I'll tell you what.

I'll split it with you two.
How about it, Susan?

Louise told me
to let her handle it.

She's my lawyer.
I'm letting her handle it.

You both better get a lawyer.
And quick.

I don't think so.

I may not be too bright,
but I know Charles Dexter.

He's not making
any public charges
against anybody.

You're gonna need a ride.
Pick them up.

[Tires squeal]

[Bird chirping]

I've got an excuse,
you know.

Everybody does.

It's really a rotten world.
I mean, in general,
it really is.

It makes it kind of easy
to have temporary setbacks
in the ethics department.

Were you serious about
splitting the reward
three ways?

We're talking about
your life.

You want to stand out
in the highway
and quibble over money?

I just wanted to make sure
we understand each other.

Yeah, I was serious.

It's at a locker
at the bus depot,
next to the hotel in Reno.

Let's go.

[Tires screech]

[Engine faltering]

[Engine sputtering]

Higby,
I couldn't hit you before,
but you just changed all that.

What the hell.

[Bird calls]

I knew there's a reason
I didn't do that before...

I think I broke my hand.

[Groans]

(Dexter)
There we are.

$200 per day,
plus lavish expenses.

Do you plan
to pay the bonus...

with a separate check,
Mr. Dexter?

Bonus?
Yeah, the bonus.

The one we agreed on in Reno.
Ten percent of
whatever I got back for you.

It comes to exactly $24,822.

For one week's work?

Well, that's the agreement,
Mr. Dexter.
It could've taken me a year.

Mr. Rockford,
I wouldn't agree to pay
a private investigator...

$24,000
for even a year's work.

Mr. Dexter, we had a deal.
If I have to give you trouble
to get it, I will.

Did you say trouble,
Mr. Rockford?

Let me tell you something.

The reason
that fellow didn't show up
for his payoff...

is because
he decided not to go along.

As a result,
my corporation
is going to lose a suit...

that's going to cost me
$10 million.

And that private investigator?
Kermit Higby?
I found out who hired him.

My wife hired him.
She's suing me for divorce.

And you think
you can give me trouble?