The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 14 - Aura Lee, Farewell - full transcript
Jim's old friend Sara Butler hires him to find out the real reason her employee Aura Lee Benton died. The police believe it was a drug overdose but Sara is convinced she was murdered.
Do you need a permit
to carry a thing like this?
I paint what I feel.
You must not feel well.
You can tell Dick Stockton
for me he's wasting his time.
I don't know the girl.
When it comes to
political sabotage, I can duck
and throw mud with the best.
Look out!
[Tires screeching]
(Sara)
They're looking
for his body now.
If he's dead,
somebody murdered him.
[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]
(man)
Mr. Rockford,
you don't know me.
But I'd like to hire you.
Could you call me at...
My name is...
Never mind. Forget it.
[Dial tone buzzing]
Where you headed?
Los Angeles.
Good. So am I. Tired of
talking to myself. Hop in.
[Waves crashing]
I'm Aura Lee Benton.
Aura Lee.
It was many
and many a year ago
In a kingdom by the sea
Where a maiden there lived
whom you may know
By the name of Aura Lee
My apologies
to Edgar Allan Poe.
Are you a lover of poetry?
Sometimes, between
where I came from
and where I'm going.
Listen, I was thinking of
stopping up near Santa Barbara
for a bite.
Would you care to join me?
I'd like that.
Good.
You're overdue somewhere.
No.
An anxious wife.
It's okay. I understand.
Look out!
[Tires screeching]
[Crickets chirping]
Is he dead?
No, thank God. But we'd
better go for an ambulance.
Shouldn't I stay with him?
Get back in the car,
will you?
Please, will you
get in the car?
And get out of sight.
Get your head down.
[Car door closes]
There's been an accident.
A man's badly hurt.
I'm gonna drive
for an ambulance.
Would you watch him, please?
I don't understand.
Why didn't you
want me to stay?
All right. Look, please,
it's... You're right,
I am married.
Please understand
in my line of work...
I can't afford to have
anybody know...
that you and I were together.
Please understand that.
I'll have to let you off
up here alone.
I know you'll be all right.
You need money?
Do you need anything?
No. Don't worry. I'll be okay.
[Coin rattling]
[Phone rings]
Operator. Now listen to me
very carefully.
This is an emergency.
I have just accidentally
run over a man...
about a mile south
of the Ventura County line.
Now, he needs a doctor
and an ambulance immediately.
I'll be waiting there.
This is State Senator
Evan Murdock.
(Sara)
But wait till you
taste these sandwiches.
Got this recipe from a little
Scandinavian cookbook.
They're sardine sandwiches.
Wait a minute.
When you said lunch, I thought
you meant a restaurant,
with you paying the bill.
I did sort of make it
sound like that, I confess.
But this is less expensive.
And it gets us even
for the time you asked me
to go out to dinner...
and then stuck a fishing pole
in my hand. Remember that
little disaster?
So you had bass
and I caught a...
A flounder.
Yes.
They inhabit the very bottom.
They cruise around
the kelp beds
like nomadic scavengers.
I usually throw them back...
but since it was getting late
and I didn't have to
eat it...
Bet you really qualify
as an enlightened man.
I gotta give you that.
(Rockford)
What's this?
That's the remainder
of what I owe you
for last year.
The first check
you ever wrote me
came back six times.
By the time that dog
cleared it, it could
get to the bank all by itself.
This one's okay.
Okay.
Why?
You mean, why pay it
all off right now?
Yeah.
The reason for that is
because I want to
hire you again.
I figured if I didn't
clear up my old account,
that you wouldn't go for it.
You know,
I still won't go for it.
But, Jim, I can
afford you this time.
Sure you can.
That's why we're having
a picnic instead of
a real expensive lunch.
Don't you even want to
listen to what it is
I want you to do?
No. Now, where are we
gonna eat this thing?
I'm supposed to go
to a fashion show.
It's a mile from here.
We could sit in the back...
Nothing doing.
(Rockford)
I know a place.
It's the only place in town...
where I can stand eating
picnic lunches.
In fact, I kind of
enjoy it there.
[Waves crashing]
[Whirring]
[Whirring]
Come on, you guys.
Hit one of these things,
will you?
You know,
I made lunch, Jim.
All right. I'll have
a super sardine sandwich.
[Paper rustling]
You cut the crust off?
Right. That's what
the recipe book told me
I should do.
But I like the crust.
Jim, will you please
listen to what it is
I have to say?
I think I've been
very patient.
I guess I put it off
as long as I can.
But just because
I'm listening, that's no sign
I'm gonna take it.
Do you remember
Aura Lee Benton?
Aura Lee?
She worked in my boutique.
She's young, pretty.
She was there two weeks ago,
when you picked me up
for my dream date, remember?
Come on, Sara. That was
a good fight. It was
a knockout in the fifth round.
Do you remember her?
Yeah.
What about her?
She's dead.
The police found her dead
in her apartment in Venice
two days ago.
They said it was
an overdose of heroin...
but I know
she never used narcotics.
What are you thinking?
If the cops are calling it
an OD, it was probably
just that.
As I recall,
that's pretty much
the position you took...
when my father was murdered...
but we ended up proving
who killed him.
If you think I'm gonna fall
for one of the...
Jim, I can pay you
this time. I have money.
How much is there?
$2,600.
Where did you get it?
That's the funny part
about it. I found it
after she was murdered.
No. You mean, OD'd.
Let's not jump to conclusions.
I was cleaning out
the desk drawer...
where she keeps some
of her personal things,
and I found this.
This reminds me
of a magic act I saw once.
Only instead of
cash and cigars...
this guy had
little white rabbits
in his basket.
Sara, a lot of these guys
are dopers.
Now, at least most of them
have been busted.
They're part
of the drug culture.
She didn't use drugs, Jim.
Her parents are dead.
She had no family. Just me.
I want you to prove
she was murdered.
You must have
some employee's benefit plan.
It includes catching killers
and everything.
She was good for me.
And to me.
So you owe her.
(Becker)
You're chasing your tail, Jim.
This girl was new in town.
No family, no friends.
She gets Ionely,
pulls out the needle.
Goes for the long sleep.
You talk like
she had a steady habit.
According to this,
there were no needle marks.
If the kids kick the habit,
the needle marks clear up.
A few months later,
they get on a downer,
start fixing again.
But the equipment we found
in her apartment had seen
plenty of service.
And hers were
the only fingerprints on it.
Anaphylactic shock.
Too rich a dose?
Especially,
if the girl's system
had never been drugged.
You're reaching.
Whose money are you
wasting on this?
Probably my own.
[Inaudible]
[Dog snarling]
Stop. Stop it.
Get away from me.
Get away, puppy.
[Dog continues snarling]
Abstract expressionism, right?
(Trask)
I don't label it.
I just...
I feel it, you know.
Yeah.
You ever see her?
Yeah. Sure. She lived
in my apartment building.
You ever talk with her?
I hit on her
a couple times. Zero.
You ever see her with anybody?
Yeah, there was one dude
with the car.
The car?
You a cop?
Would it make a difference?
Look, the chick's dead,
you know. I got no eyes
to get involved.
How much?
$200.
I'll give you $10.
Deal.
The dude with the car?
Look, I don't know his name,
okay? He floats through here
once in a while.
Maybe he's got a scam going
or something. I don't know.
He's a big guy.
Flashy dresser.
Drives one of those
foreign jobs, baby blue.
The model?
No, I'm not into cars,
you know.
Materialistic trap.
Right.
If you ever see him again,
would you get his
license number?
I'd appreciate it if you'd
give me a call.
Yeah, okay.
Hey, you forgot your painting.
Not yet, but I'm trying.
[Bell tinkling]
[Door closes]
Hi.
Hi.
You owe me $100.
That's for half a day
of my time, and the gas
and shoe leather are for free.
You're trying to
tell me something?
Yeah. I agree
with the police.
You're quitting.
Look, I've put out
some feelers.
If they don't start
to pay off, I can't
take your money.
Hey, did you hear me? Honey?
I think you'd
better read this.
It came for Aura Lee
in the afternoon mail.
Don't you know
it's against the law to open
other people's mail?
"Dear Aura Lee.
"It was a pleasant surprise
to hear from you
and receive all that money.
If you ever pass here again,
I would like very much
to see you. Oscar."
Oscar's, a little restaurant
about 50 miles up
the Coast Highway.
I looked it up
in the phone book.
Did Aura Lee own a car?
She told me she was saving up
for one and suddenly
lost interest...
and said she hadn't
saved any money.
With $2,600 in her desk?
Do you like sand dabs
Véronique?
We get along.
Good. I know where you can
take me for lunch
after we go to Oscar's.
I might be able to help you.
It all depends.
Yeah? On what?
You got a portrait
of Andrew Jackson?
Maybe I could come across
with something.
Who knows?
How about Lincoln?
I'll tell you what.
Make it a Hamilton.
What are you two
talking about?
Money.
If you could make soup
like you negotiate,
this place would be packed.
Thank you. Hold it.
Go back and get another one.
Come on, take a seat.
Go ahead, sit down.
Here.
(Rockford)
Look, what I meant was...
Try it. You ain't never gonna
taste any better.
[Clinking]
You know the reason
this place stays empty?
It's in the middle of nowhere.
Listen, what about
this note?
You said she sent you
all that money.
How much money
are we talking about?
All that money? I said that
'cause all I gave her
was soup and a sandwich...
and she sent me a Jackson.
That's $20.
Thanks. I was about to
fall behind there.
You happen to remember
the exact day
she wandered in here?
It was about maybe
a month and a half ago,
and it wasn't day,
it was night.
And the reason I remember
is 'cause I thought
it was strange.
[Cash register rings]
Yeah? Why?
Well, she couldn't have been
dropped off by somebody...
who was turning off
on the main highway.
Thank you.
'Cause there's no turnoff
from that road
within 10 miles.
Damn, that's good!
Anyway, she seemed like
a sweet kid, so I fed her.
And pretty soon I got busy,
and she left with the...
The lobster bisque.
How's that?
A fellow sitting
in the corner booth,
he was having lobster bisque.
The guy she left with...
you remember what he
looked like, what kind of car
he was driving?
No, I don't. I was too busy.
Midweek I only got
one girl on the job.
It was midweek?
Yeah, I guess it was.
Which night?
Who can remember?
Could have been any night,
except Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the Hamilton.
Been waiting for you, man.
I called you
over two hours ago.
Don't you ever
check your service?
Now and then.
Do you need a permit
to carry a thing like this?
I told you,
I paint what I feel.
You must not feel well.
Yeah, well, it's yours
for $50.
Why would I want to buy
a piece of junk like this?
Gratitude. See, I got
the license number of the dude
you're looking for.
You know, it does have
a certain gross charm.
I thought you'd like it.
License is 811 QJK.
You realize, of course,
if you're scamming me...
I'll climb your easel
and break all your brushes.
I'm just trying to
hang in, man.
[Telephone rings]
(Becker on phone)
Becker, here.
(Rockford)
Hey, Becker. Jim Rockford.
I need a favor.
License number 811 QJK.
Name, address and rundown
on the guy who owns it.
Why should I give you
that information? I mean,
it is against policy.
Because if I find out
who killed Aura Lee Benton...
and I don't let you
in on it...
you're gonna feel awful silly
reading about it
in the papers.
811 QJK.
I'll wait for your call.
[Knocking on door]
(Dirk)
Who is it?
(Rockford)
LAPD, Lt. Rockford.
You Dirk Schaffer?
Yeah.
[Metallic clinking]
Look, I gave
at the office, pal.
That's great.
A real funny man.
I got my degree
in musical comedy wise guys.
Have you
got a warrant, pal?
I was hoping
I wouldn't need one.
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant...
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
So, what is it? What?
Let's talk about
Aura Lee Benton.
[Sighing]
(Dirk)
I don't know the lady.
According to our witness,
you do.
You were seen picking her up
at her apartment
in Venice several times.
In Venice? Come on, buddy,
I don't move
in that part of town.
There's no part of town
you don't move in.
It may make you happy to know
you're the best bunko artist
in the city limits.
Bribery, extortion...
What kind of scam
were you working
with Aura Lee?
Look, you got a point to make,
make it or get out.
[Sighing]
Aura Lee Benton was murdered.
It was meant to look like
an OD, but it was murder.
You're the only one
we can connect her with.
[Ice clinking]
Look, you got no warrant,
right? So get out of here.
I got an attorney
who wrote the book
on police harassment.
[Dial tone buzzing]
[Dials telephone]
That's great.
That's really great.
You tell him to bone up
on a murder one charge, huh?
You're gonna choke on one.
[Telephone rings]
[Door closes]
[Clicks]
[Whirring]
(Dirk)
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
So, what is it? What?
(Sara)
What did he say?
Nothing.
He must have said something.
You were up there
for at least five minutes.
He's your average,
clean-cut bunko creep.
Probably goes to
a lot of Humphrey Bogart
movies.
He talks out of the side
of his mouth a lot...
calls you "buddy" and "pal."
A real brass cupcake.
But he knew Aura Lee Benton.
He said that?
No, I said that.
[Engine starting]
[Door closes]
[Keys clinking]
Could I get you a beer, Dirk,
or some salted peanuts
or something?
(Dirk)
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
[Clicks]
So I lied a little.
Okay, now I'm gonna tell you
how it was with Aura Lee,
Lieutenant, right?
I picked her up hitchhiking
on Sunset Boulevard one day.
Said she worked
in some kind of dress shop.
She was living
in a one-room hole in Venice.
I liked her.
I took her to dinner
a couple times, but she
turned out to be a squirrel.
That's not the way I heard it.
Yeah? Well, you heard wrong.
Said she had something going,
it was gonna make her
a lot of bread.
Did she say what it was?
Then she asked me
if I could get her
a couple of dime bags.
Said she was getting
strung out on the caper.
You didn't sell her any.
Hey, pal, she asked me for it.
There's a guy I know,
owed me a favor,
he slipped me
a couple of dime bags.
I gave them to her.
And she killed herself?
Those are the risks when you
start jamming a needle
in your arm, pal.
So why tell me now?
Hey, look. I got a lot
of good things going
in this town.
You keep walking around
pretending to be a cop...
talking to the people
I deal with, they get nervous.
They think maybe
I'm a bad risk.
Hurts my business,
so it's time for you
to dummy up quick.
And if I don't dummy up?
[Whirring]
(Dirk)
...going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
[Clicks]
You made your point.
So, you think he was
telling the truth?
I said his story
had the ring of truth.
He admitted just enough
to convince me that
all his moves made sense.
But then, he's a con artist.
So I'm not buying it, not yet.
I'll keep trying.
Wonderful. Where do we look?
We start back at square one.
Square one?
Yes. Square one is that stuff
you kept taking out
of the picnic basket.
Let's go through it again.
I have been through that
at least 10 times.
Yes, but not with a brilliant,
qualified $200-a-day expert.
Will you get it?
Dominick's.
You ever been there?
Is it important?
No, but they cook a chicken
that will knock you dead.
Come on, Jim. She
didn't know any of them.
Did she ever mention
their records?
Anything like that?
No.
If she thought enough of them
to save this,
you'd think she'd
at least talk about them.
What does it mean?
Sara, would you stop saying,
"What does it mean"
and "Is it important"?
I'm just thinking out loud.
Why don't you just admit
you don't know what it means?
Because when you charge
$200 a day...
you don't go around
admitting things like that.
Boris Stanik.
Did she ever mention him?
Is it important?
It's not important.
I don't know.
I'm just fishing.
I hope you don't get stuck
with a flounder.
Me, too.
[Telephone rings]
Becker.
(Rockford)
Becker, Rockford.
What do you want to know, Jim?
Who is Boris Stanik?
Wino.
So?
Listen, Jim, I shouldn't be
giving this stuff out to you.
Come on, Dennis, who is he?
He's nobody, but he was
run down on the Coast Highway
by a state senator.
The paper threw
a blanket on it.
'Cause our investigation
showed that Senator Murdock
wasn't at fault.
Where was he hit?
About a mile south
of Ventura County line.
(Rockford)
When?
June 5.
Thanks, Dennis.
Listen, you've used up
this year's supply
of favors...
and don't call
for another one.
When did Aura Lee
start working for you?
Sometime in June.
It was the seventh.
This guy got run over one mile
from Oscar's restaurant...
two days before
she started working for you.
What do you think?
It sure ain't no flounder.
It sure ain't.
[People chattering]
(woman)
Mrs. Murdock, how do you
like campaigning...
with your husband?
(Ellen)
It's a little hectic,
of course...
but we're trying to settle
into a routine...
that I can get used to.
What are you doing
here today?
We're here to
help launch support...
for several charities
the Senator and I
are involved with.
Sen. Murdock,
I gotta see you
in private.
I'm sorry. You have to see
my campaign secretary.
Yeah, I did that.
I can't wait two weeks.
I'm sorry.
I'm extremely busy.
You understand how it is.
Senator, would you like me
to step out in front
of the TV cameras...
and ask you to explain
your relationship with
a Miss Aura Lee Benton?
My office is
on the 15th floor.
I'll see you
in a few minutes.
Both, really.
[Inaudible]
(Murdock)
I'm sorry, I can't give you
any more of my time.
I've got a meeting.
Don't flex up on me,
Senator.
If I get insulted,
I might feed you
to the newspapers.
If you people think
this Laura Lee is
supposed to shake me up...
you got another think coming.
You can tell Dick Stockton
for me he's wasting his time.
I don't know the girl.
When it comes to
political sabotage, I can duck
and throw mud with the best.
I suppose Dick Stockton's
the guy you're
running against.
You're well informed.
All right, look.
You said that the girl
was on the highway
when I hit the old man.
No. I said she was in the car
with you and now she's dead.
I don't know Dick Stockton
from a box of Post Toasties.
So if you want to
jerk me around, fine,
I'll give my theories
to the police.
Let me say this.
Senator, I was just on my way
to the office to see you.
Yeah, you go ahead.
I'll join you.
Okay.
What kind of
a shakedown is this?
I'm just looking
for a straight answer.
All right, I'll give you one.
A: I don't know the girl.
B: I was driving down
from Santa Barbara.
I hit an old man,
it was an accident.
You can check that
with the highway patrol.
Needless to say,
I have a lot
of political connections.
If you're trying to smear me
with something...
I'll come down on you
with half the civil servants
in this town.
By the time you dig out
from all the lawsuits,
the court orders...
we'll all be too old to care.
Yeah, that might work,
except for one thing.
You don't know who I am.
What'd you get?
I don't know.
Hand me the cigar box.
Here.
What are we looking for?
We're looking
for a Santa Barbara address.
He was in Santa Barbara
the night it happened.
Is this it?
Fraud, tax, burglary?
Which are we gonna be?
You really cover
all the bases.
I don't know.
Depends on the guy.
Probably taxes.
People really get shook up
when you mention taxes.
They can't give you
the information fast enough.
I don't know.
I think I'd clam up...
or have my accountant
talk for me.
I know what I'm doing.
Here, this one's yours.
Assistant Investigator?
Yeah. I'm gonna be the boss.
I don't talk to tax men.
I did that once.
Ended up getting audited
all the way back to 1970.
I think you'd better
talk with my accountant.
Currently
we're assigned to burglary.
You ever have
your car stolen,
Mr. Salisbury?
No.
That's a real downer.
We're working on
a bunch of car thieves.
They've been stealing cars
in San Francisco...
and then bringing them
down the coast.
And we figured they're
probably staying over here...
for some sleep
in Santa Barbara.
People are creatures
of habit, Mr. Salisbury.
We figured if they
stayed over here
before at this motel...
next time through,
they'll stay here again.
How're you gonna tell
whether they were here?
We got a break.
We found out that
one of the cars
was a dark red Buick...
license number 385 OJF.
F.
We're trying to find out
if the guy stayed over here.
If you just show us
your motel
registration cards...
for June 5 and 6,
we'll know for sure.
Okay, I'll show you the file.
[Sara laughing]
Okay. Yes.
Thank you very much.
I'm sorry to have
bothered you. Bye.
Anything?
All three of the people
who registered driving Buicks
are for real.
Terrific.
You didn't expect Murdock
to leave anything behind...
that could be
used against him.
I've been through this
motel routine before.
People are creatures of habit.
They'll use a portion
of their car registration
or their name.
They'll transpose a letter
or number
in their license plate...
just in case anybody checks,
it looks like
an honest mistake.
Meaning the Senator
never stopped here?
Either he never
stopped here...
or somebody pulled the card
we're looking for.
What now?
I'll have to run a bluff.
Isn't that what we
just did?
[Sighs]
Obviously I didn't make
myself clear this afternoon.
But I did find out
who you are, Mr. Rockford.
One of my campaign workers
downstairs got your
license number.
Now, that was
a real clever move.
You said on the phone
you had some evidence.
I'm interested in
what kind of fabrication
you've come up with.
It's not fabrication.
You and Aura Lee Benton
visited at the Seacrest Motel
in Santa Barbara.
I have the motel
registration card.
Go on.
I want you to come with me
to the police...
and admit that you were
with her that night.
And you can tell them
anything you know
about her or her murder.
If I didn't know
an Aura Lee Benton...
how could I know anything
about her murder?
You're going to deny that
you were with her
in that motel on June 5?
Look, I was at that motel
with a woman, but not
Aura Lee Benton.
I see what kind of
a shakedown this is.
How much do you want
for the registration card?
Depends.
On what?
What do you think, Senator?
I wouldn't consider selling it
for less than $100,000.
$100,000?
You must be joking.
I only joke
with my friends.
I can't come up
with any $100,000.
I'll give you $10,000.
For that price,
I don't think I'm interested.
I better turn it over
to the cops.
For the last time,
I didn't know
an Aura Lee Benton.
Then why are we
standing here dickering over
a motel registration card?
Because I was in that motel
with a woman, but not
Aura Lee Benton.
She was one of my
campaign workers.
We spent a couple of hours
at the motel and drove south
in my car.
She was with me
when I hit Mr. Stanik...
but I don't think
my marriage or my campaign...
would benefit
by that kind of information
getting out.
Now, since I know that
I didn't murder
Aura Lee Benton...
I will not pay you $100,000.
I'll give you $10,000 now
and $10,000
after the election, all right?
I'll call you.
[Tires squealing]
[Telephone ringing]
Hello.
Jim, have you seen
the morning newspapers?
I can barely see the phone.
Senator Murdock
killed himself last night.
They found his clothes
lying on the beach,
his wallet, his car.
They're looking
for his body now.
(Rockford)
I saw him last night.
He was in that motel.
He claims he was
with a campaign worker.
He offered to buy
our registration card
for $20,000.
It's one thing to
have your wife find out
about an affair...
that's pretty bad...
but to kill yourself...
I gotta tell you, Sara,
I was pressing him
pretty hard.
But, damn it, he just
didn't seem that worried.
I told him I'd call him.
So why would he kill himself
before I called back?
Then he was murdered
like Aura Lee?
I didn't say that.
Yes, you did.
Okay.
Okay, I did.
I don't want to look
too interested. The cops
will want to know why.
You think somebody
killed Aura Lee...
just to keep that
one-day affair a secret?
I don't know,
but I don't believe
that's suicide.
A guy like Murdock is
too tough and ambitious
to put his clothes...
on the beach
and swim out to sea
like a lovesick schoolgirl.
It just doesn't figure.
If he's dead,
somebody murdered him.
Come on. Let's go.
Where are we going?
Dirk Schaffer's.
To do what?
Something I really hate to do.
Break and enter.
[Engine humming]
[Ringing]
No answer.
You wait right here.
[Clicks]
[Metallic clinking]
(Sara)
Got anything?
I was looking for a picture.
I got a bonus.
Mr. And Mrs. Evan Murphy,
a Buick, June 5.
[Engine starts]
(Rockford)
Lay your odds,
a handwriting expert...
will tell you that's
Evan Murdock's handwriting.
The question now is,
how did Schaffer get it?
(Sara)
Aura Lee didn't
give it to him.
I'd stake everything I own
on that.
The police can get that
out of Schaffer
after they arrest him.
Are we going
to the police now?
Not yet.
[Sighing]
All right. Which one
is the lobster bisque?
Jackson.
Lincoln.
Jackson.
Lincoln.
Come on, Jim, give him
a Hamilton at least.
It's my money.
Settle for a Hamilton?
Deal.
All right. The guy that
Aura Lee left with,
is he there?
Yeah.
Right there.
Now to the police?
Now to the police.
[Engine revving]
What are you gonna tell them?
Well, let's say
you're right about her.
If you are, it might
run down something like this.
Schaffer picked up
Aura Lee at Oscar's...
and she innocently told him
what she'd been through
that night...
and he reads about
the accident in the papers...
realizes who
she had been with.
So he goes to Murdock
and starts shaking him down.
Aura Lee didn't have anything
to do with that.
Probably not.
No, he was just trying
to keep her around.
He probably gave her
the $2,600.
Maybe a loan, so she'd owe him
and wouldn't leave town.
Schaffer killed her,
didn't he?
Yeah, it had to be.
She found out
that he was shaking down
the senator...
threatened to go to the cops,
so he killed her.
Then I put some pressure
on the senator,
told him that Aura Lee
had been murdered.
He had to figure
that it was Schaffer
who did it.
So, he went to Schaffer...
told him he was
going to the cops
and he got killed.
That seems to be
a very unhealthy thing
to say to Dirk Schaffer.
[Engine faltering]
What's wrong?
I don't know.
[Engine grinding]
[Engine dying]
What is it?
(Rockford)
It's the carburetor. Suddenly,
it's full of junk.
[Motorcycle approaching]
[Gun firing]
Get out. Quick.
[Tires squealing]
[Engine revving]
[Brakes squealing]
[Engine revving]
[Gunshots]
(Sara)
Which way?
In there. Come on.
(Rockford)
Stay right there.
[Motorcycle engines rev]
Come here.
Now listen, I want you
to count to 30...
one, two, three, that speed...
and then start screaming
and keep screaming.
[Motorcycle approaching]
[Sara continues screaming]
[Tires squealing]
[Engine roaring]
[Engine roaring]
[Engine continues roaring]
[Water running]
(Sara)
Dirk Schaffer's
gonna live, huh?
(Rockford)
Yeah, if you call
20 to life living.
[Whirring]
You missed your calling,
you know that, don't you?
You shouldn't be
messing around
with the detective business.
You ought to get a job
on a tuna boat.
Yeah. I like tuna fishing.
You hit a big school...
you can boat a hundred of them
in 10 minutes.
That's a thrill.
Terrific. You want to eat
one of these sandwiches...
or shall we break them up
and use them for bait?
You can get one out.
At last.
[Sighs]
No, that must be
one of yours.
How can you tell?
You cut the crust off.
Remember, I like the crust on.
I'm sorry, Jim.
I cut the crust off
of all of them. I forgot.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
[Birds chirping]
We did it again.
We caught them.
I'm getting to be
a pretty good...
What do you call it?
Operative.
You're not too bad.
We're two for two.
That must do something good
for your average.
Sara, it might surprise you,
but when I work
all by myself...
I hobble around a lot,
but occasionally...
I get lucky
and solve something.
I'm ready for dessert.
That's not bad.
It's not bad at all.
Not exactly
what I had in mind.
I want to get back to that,
you understand.
It's just that I think
we ought to
square up accounts.
It's not that I don't
trust you, sweetheart.
It's just...
In the past, we have had
our little problem, right?
Cute card.
[Chuckles]
Yeah, I looked
and I looked.
Where is it?
The police have it.
You see, when you find money
that was gained
in an extortion...
you can't keep it.
It's kind of like
finders keepers,
losers weepers...
and we're the losers.
Sara, we've...
Look...
How are you gonna pay me?
On the installment plan
like before.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
I want the pink slip
to your car.
to carry a thing like this?
I paint what I feel.
You must not feel well.
You can tell Dick Stockton
for me he's wasting his time.
I don't know the girl.
When it comes to
political sabotage, I can duck
and throw mud with the best.
Look out!
[Tires screeching]
(Sara)
They're looking
for his body now.
If he's dead,
somebody murdered him.
[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]
(man)
Mr. Rockford,
you don't know me.
But I'd like to hire you.
Could you call me at...
My name is...
Never mind. Forget it.
[Dial tone buzzing]
Where you headed?
Los Angeles.
Good. So am I. Tired of
talking to myself. Hop in.
[Waves crashing]
I'm Aura Lee Benton.
Aura Lee.
It was many
and many a year ago
In a kingdom by the sea
Where a maiden there lived
whom you may know
By the name of Aura Lee
My apologies
to Edgar Allan Poe.
Are you a lover of poetry?
Sometimes, between
where I came from
and where I'm going.
Listen, I was thinking of
stopping up near Santa Barbara
for a bite.
Would you care to join me?
I'd like that.
Good.
You're overdue somewhere.
No.
An anxious wife.
It's okay. I understand.
Look out!
[Tires screeching]
[Crickets chirping]
Is he dead?
No, thank God. But we'd
better go for an ambulance.
Shouldn't I stay with him?
Get back in the car,
will you?
Please, will you
get in the car?
And get out of sight.
Get your head down.
[Car door closes]
There's been an accident.
A man's badly hurt.
I'm gonna drive
for an ambulance.
Would you watch him, please?
I don't understand.
Why didn't you
want me to stay?
All right. Look, please,
it's... You're right,
I am married.
Please understand
in my line of work...
I can't afford to have
anybody know...
that you and I were together.
Please understand that.
I'll have to let you off
up here alone.
I know you'll be all right.
You need money?
Do you need anything?
No. Don't worry. I'll be okay.
[Coin rattling]
[Phone rings]
Operator. Now listen to me
very carefully.
This is an emergency.
I have just accidentally
run over a man...
about a mile south
of the Ventura County line.
Now, he needs a doctor
and an ambulance immediately.
I'll be waiting there.
This is State Senator
Evan Murdock.
(Sara)
But wait till you
taste these sandwiches.
Got this recipe from a little
Scandinavian cookbook.
They're sardine sandwiches.
Wait a minute.
When you said lunch, I thought
you meant a restaurant,
with you paying the bill.
I did sort of make it
sound like that, I confess.
But this is less expensive.
And it gets us even
for the time you asked me
to go out to dinner...
and then stuck a fishing pole
in my hand. Remember that
little disaster?
So you had bass
and I caught a...
A flounder.
Yes.
They inhabit the very bottom.
They cruise around
the kelp beds
like nomadic scavengers.
I usually throw them back...
but since it was getting late
and I didn't have to
eat it...
Bet you really qualify
as an enlightened man.
I gotta give you that.
(Rockford)
What's this?
That's the remainder
of what I owe you
for last year.
The first check
you ever wrote me
came back six times.
By the time that dog
cleared it, it could
get to the bank all by itself.
This one's okay.
Okay.
Why?
You mean, why pay it
all off right now?
Yeah.
The reason for that is
because I want to
hire you again.
I figured if I didn't
clear up my old account,
that you wouldn't go for it.
You know,
I still won't go for it.
But, Jim, I can
afford you this time.
Sure you can.
That's why we're having
a picnic instead of
a real expensive lunch.
Don't you even want to
listen to what it is
I want you to do?
No. Now, where are we
gonna eat this thing?
I'm supposed to go
to a fashion show.
It's a mile from here.
We could sit in the back...
Nothing doing.
(Rockford)
I know a place.
It's the only place in town...
where I can stand eating
picnic lunches.
In fact, I kind of
enjoy it there.
[Waves crashing]
[Whirring]
[Whirring]
Come on, you guys.
Hit one of these things,
will you?
You know,
I made lunch, Jim.
All right. I'll have
a super sardine sandwich.
[Paper rustling]
You cut the crust off?
Right. That's what
the recipe book told me
I should do.
But I like the crust.
Jim, will you please
listen to what it is
I have to say?
I think I've been
very patient.
I guess I put it off
as long as I can.
But just because
I'm listening, that's no sign
I'm gonna take it.
Do you remember
Aura Lee Benton?
Aura Lee?
She worked in my boutique.
She's young, pretty.
She was there two weeks ago,
when you picked me up
for my dream date, remember?
Come on, Sara. That was
a good fight. It was
a knockout in the fifth round.
Do you remember her?
Yeah.
What about her?
She's dead.
The police found her dead
in her apartment in Venice
two days ago.
They said it was
an overdose of heroin...
but I know
she never used narcotics.
What are you thinking?
If the cops are calling it
an OD, it was probably
just that.
As I recall,
that's pretty much
the position you took...
when my father was murdered...
but we ended up proving
who killed him.
If you think I'm gonna fall
for one of the...
Jim, I can pay you
this time. I have money.
How much is there?
$2,600.
Where did you get it?
That's the funny part
about it. I found it
after she was murdered.
No. You mean, OD'd.
Let's not jump to conclusions.
I was cleaning out
the desk drawer...
where she keeps some
of her personal things,
and I found this.
This reminds me
of a magic act I saw once.
Only instead of
cash and cigars...
this guy had
little white rabbits
in his basket.
Sara, a lot of these guys
are dopers.
Now, at least most of them
have been busted.
They're part
of the drug culture.
She didn't use drugs, Jim.
Her parents are dead.
She had no family. Just me.
I want you to prove
she was murdered.
You must have
some employee's benefit plan.
It includes catching killers
and everything.
She was good for me.
And to me.
So you owe her.
(Becker)
You're chasing your tail, Jim.
This girl was new in town.
No family, no friends.
She gets Ionely,
pulls out the needle.
Goes for the long sleep.
You talk like
she had a steady habit.
According to this,
there were no needle marks.
If the kids kick the habit,
the needle marks clear up.
A few months later,
they get on a downer,
start fixing again.
But the equipment we found
in her apartment had seen
plenty of service.
And hers were
the only fingerprints on it.
Anaphylactic shock.
Too rich a dose?
Especially,
if the girl's system
had never been drugged.
You're reaching.
Whose money are you
wasting on this?
Probably my own.
[Inaudible]
[Dog snarling]
Stop. Stop it.
Get away from me.
Get away, puppy.
[Dog continues snarling]
Abstract expressionism, right?
(Trask)
I don't label it.
I just...
I feel it, you know.
Yeah.
You ever see her?
Yeah. Sure. She lived
in my apartment building.
You ever talk with her?
I hit on her
a couple times. Zero.
You ever see her with anybody?
Yeah, there was one dude
with the car.
The car?
You a cop?
Would it make a difference?
Look, the chick's dead,
you know. I got no eyes
to get involved.
How much?
$200.
I'll give you $10.
Deal.
The dude with the car?
Look, I don't know his name,
okay? He floats through here
once in a while.
Maybe he's got a scam going
or something. I don't know.
He's a big guy.
Flashy dresser.
Drives one of those
foreign jobs, baby blue.
The model?
No, I'm not into cars,
you know.
Materialistic trap.
Right.
If you ever see him again,
would you get his
license number?
I'd appreciate it if you'd
give me a call.
Yeah, okay.
Hey, you forgot your painting.
Not yet, but I'm trying.
[Bell tinkling]
[Door closes]
Hi.
Hi.
You owe me $100.
That's for half a day
of my time, and the gas
and shoe leather are for free.
You're trying to
tell me something?
Yeah. I agree
with the police.
You're quitting.
Look, I've put out
some feelers.
If they don't start
to pay off, I can't
take your money.
Hey, did you hear me? Honey?
I think you'd
better read this.
It came for Aura Lee
in the afternoon mail.
Don't you know
it's against the law to open
other people's mail?
"Dear Aura Lee.
"It was a pleasant surprise
to hear from you
and receive all that money.
If you ever pass here again,
I would like very much
to see you. Oscar."
Oscar's, a little restaurant
about 50 miles up
the Coast Highway.
I looked it up
in the phone book.
Did Aura Lee own a car?
She told me she was saving up
for one and suddenly
lost interest...
and said she hadn't
saved any money.
With $2,600 in her desk?
Do you like sand dabs
Véronique?
We get along.
Good. I know where you can
take me for lunch
after we go to Oscar's.
I might be able to help you.
It all depends.
Yeah? On what?
You got a portrait
of Andrew Jackson?
Maybe I could come across
with something.
Who knows?
How about Lincoln?
I'll tell you what.
Make it a Hamilton.
What are you two
talking about?
Money.
If you could make soup
like you negotiate,
this place would be packed.
Thank you. Hold it.
Go back and get another one.
Come on, take a seat.
Go ahead, sit down.
Here.
(Rockford)
Look, what I meant was...
Try it. You ain't never gonna
taste any better.
[Clinking]
You know the reason
this place stays empty?
It's in the middle of nowhere.
Listen, what about
this note?
You said she sent you
all that money.
How much money
are we talking about?
All that money? I said that
'cause all I gave her
was soup and a sandwich...
and she sent me a Jackson.
That's $20.
Thanks. I was about to
fall behind there.
You happen to remember
the exact day
she wandered in here?
It was about maybe
a month and a half ago,
and it wasn't day,
it was night.
And the reason I remember
is 'cause I thought
it was strange.
[Cash register rings]
Yeah? Why?
Well, she couldn't have been
dropped off by somebody...
who was turning off
on the main highway.
Thank you.
'Cause there's no turnoff
from that road
within 10 miles.
Damn, that's good!
Anyway, she seemed like
a sweet kid, so I fed her.
And pretty soon I got busy,
and she left with the...
The lobster bisque.
How's that?
A fellow sitting
in the corner booth,
he was having lobster bisque.
The guy she left with...
you remember what he
looked like, what kind of car
he was driving?
No, I don't. I was too busy.
Midweek I only got
one girl on the job.
It was midweek?
Yeah, I guess it was.
Which night?
Who can remember?
Could have been any night,
except Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the Hamilton.
Been waiting for you, man.
I called you
over two hours ago.
Don't you ever
check your service?
Now and then.
Do you need a permit
to carry a thing like this?
I told you,
I paint what I feel.
You must not feel well.
Yeah, well, it's yours
for $50.
Why would I want to buy
a piece of junk like this?
Gratitude. See, I got
the license number of the dude
you're looking for.
You know, it does have
a certain gross charm.
I thought you'd like it.
License is 811 QJK.
You realize, of course,
if you're scamming me...
I'll climb your easel
and break all your brushes.
I'm just trying to
hang in, man.
[Telephone rings]
(Becker on phone)
Becker, here.
(Rockford)
Hey, Becker. Jim Rockford.
I need a favor.
License number 811 QJK.
Name, address and rundown
on the guy who owns it.
Why should I give you
that information? I mean,
it is against policy.
Because if I find out
who killed Aura Lee Benton...
and I don't let you
in on it...
you're gonna feel awful silly
reading about it
in the papers.
811 QJK.
I'll wait for your call.
[Knocking on door]
(Dirk)
Who is it?
(Rockford)
LAPD, Lt. Rockford.
You Dirk Schaffer?
Yeah.
[Metallic clinking]
Look, I gave
at the office, pal.
That's great.
A real funny man.
I got my degree
in musical comedy wise guys.
Have you
got a warrant, pal?
I was hoping
I wouldn't need one.
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant...
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
So, what is it? What?
Let's talk about
Aura Lee Benton.
[Sighing]
(Dirk)
I don't know the lady.
According to our witness,
you do.
You were seen picking her up
at her apartment
in Venice several times.
In Venice? Come on, buddy,
I don't move
in that part of town.
There's no part of town
you don't move in.
It may make you happy to know
you're the best bunko artist
in the city limits.
Bribery, extortion...
What kind of scam
were you working
with Aura Lee?
Look, you got a point to make,
make it or get out.
[Sighing]
Aura Lee Benton was murdered.
It was meant to look like
an OD, but it was murder.
You're the only one
we can connect her with.
[Ice clinking]
Look, you got no warrant,
right? So get out of here.
I got an attorney
who wrote the book
on police harassment.
[Dial tone buzzing]
[Dials telephone]
That's great.
That's really great.
You tell him to bone up
on a murder one charge, huh?
You're gonna choke on one.
[Telephone rings]
[Door closes]
[Clicks]
[Whirring]
(Dirk)
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
So, what is it? What?
(Sara)
What did he say?
Nothing.
He must have said something.
You were up there
for at least five minutes.
He's your average,
clean-cut bunko creep.
Probably goes to
a lot of Humphrey Bogart
movies.
He talks out of the side
of his mouth a lot...
calls you "buddy" and "pal."
A real brass cupcake.
But he knew Aura Lee Benton.
He said that?
No, I said that.
[Engine starting]
[Door closes]
[Keys clinking]
Could I get you a beer, Dirk,
or some salted peanuts
or something?
(Dirk)
Look, make it fast, will you?
I was just going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
[Clicks]
So I lied a little.
Okay, now I'm gonna tell you
how it was with Aura Lee,
Lieutenant, right?
I picked her up hitchhiking
on Sunset Boulevard one day.
Said she worked
in some kind of dress shop.
She was living
in a one-room hole in Venice.
I liked her.
I took her to dinner
a couple times, but she
turned out to be a squirrel.
That's not the way I heard it.
Yeah? Well, you heard wrong.
Said she had something going,
it was gonna make her
a lot of bread.
Did she say what it was?
Then she asked me
if I could get her
a couple of dime bags.
Said she was getting
strung out on the caper.
You didn't sell her any.
Hey, pal, she asked me for it.
There's a guy I know,
owed me a favor,
he slipped me
a couple of dime bags.
I gave them to her.
And she killed herself?
Those are the risks when you
start jamming a needle
in your arm, pal.
So why tell me now?
Hey, look. I got a lot
of good things going
in this town.
You keep walking around
pretending to be a cop...
talking to the people
I deal with, they get nervous.
They think maybe
I'm a bad risk.
Hurts my business,
so it's time for you
to dummy up quick.
And if I don't dummy up?
[Whirring]
(Dirk)
...going out.
Lieutenant.
(Rockford)
Rockford. Lt. Rockford.
[Clicks]
You made your point.
So, you think he was
telling the truth?
I said his story
had the ring of truth.
He admitted just enough
to convince me that
all his moves made sense.
But then, he's a con artist.
So I'm not buying it, not yet.
I'll keep trying.
Wonderful. Where do we look?
We start back at square one.
Square one?
Yes. Square one is that stuff
you kept taking out
of the picnic basket.
Let's go through it again.
I have been through that
at least 10 times.
Yes, but not with a brilliant,
qualified $200-a-day expert.
Will you get it?
Dominick's.
You ever been there?
Is it important?
No, but they cook a chicken
that will knock you dead.
Come on, Jim. She
didn't know any of them.
Did she ever mention
their records?
Anything like that?
No.
If she thought enough of them
to save this,
you'd think she'd
at least talk about them.
What does it mean?
Sara, would you stop saying,
"What does it mean"
and "Is it important"?
I'm just thinking out loud.
Why don't you just admit
you don't know what it means?
Because when you charge
$200 a day...
you don't go around
admitting things like that.
Boris Stanik.
Did she ever mention him?
Is it important?
It's not important.
I don't know.
I'm just fishing.
I hope you don't get stuck
with a flounder.
Me, too.
[Telephone rings]
Becker.
(Rockford)
Becker, Rockford.
What do you want to know, Jim?
Who is Boris Stanik?
Wino.
So?
Listen, Jim, I shouldn't be
giving this stuff out to you.
Come on, Dennis, who is he?
He's nobody, but he was
run down on the Coast Highway
by a state senator.
The paper threw
a blanket on it.
'Cause our investigation
showed that Senator Murdock
wasn't at fault.
Where was he hit?
About a mile south
of Ventura County line.
(Rockford)
When?
June 5.
Thanks, Dennis.
Listen, you've used up
this year's supply
of favors...
and don't call
for another one.
When did Aura Lee
start working for you?
Sometime in June.
It was the seventh.
This guy got run over one mile
from Oscar's restaurant...
two days before
she started working for you.
What do you think?
It sure ain't no flounder.
It sure ain't.
[People chattering]
(woman)
Mrs. Murdock, how do you
like campaigning...
with your husband?
(Ellen)
It's a little hectic,
of course...
but we're trying to settle
into a routine...
that I can get used to.
What are you doing
here today?
We're here to
help launch support...
for several charities
the Senator and I
are involved with.
Sen. Murdock,
I gotta see you
in private.
I'm sorry. You have to see
my campaign secretary.
Yeah, I did that.
I can't wait two weeks.
I'm sorry.
I'm extremely busy.
You understand how it is.
Senator, would you like me
to step out in front
of the TV cameras...
and ask you to explain
your relationship with
a Miss Aura Lee Benton?
My office is
on the 15th floor.
I'll see you
in a few minutes.
Both, really.
[Inaudible]
(Murdock)
I'm sorry, I can't give you
any more of my time.
I've got a meeting.
Don't flex up on me,
Senator.
If I get insulted,
I might feed you
to the newspapers.
If you people think
this Laura Lee is
supposed to shake me up...
you got another think coming.
You can tell Dick Stockton
for me he's wasting his time.
I don't know the girl.
When it comes to
political sabotage, I can duck
and throw mud with the best.
I suppose Dick Stockton's
the guy you're
running against.
You're well informed.
All right, look.
You said that the girl
was on the highway
when I hit the old man.
No. I said she was in the car
with you and now she's dead.
I don't know Dick Stockton
from a box of Post Toasties.
So if you want to
jerk me around, fine,
I'll give my theories
to the police.
Let me say this.
Senator, I was just on my way
to the office to see you.
Yeah, you go ahead.
I'll join you.
Okay.
What kind of
a shakedown is this?
I'm just looking
for a straight answer.
All right, I'll give you one.
A: I don't know the girl.
B: I was driving down
from Santa Barbara.
I hit an old man,
it was an accident.
You can check that
with the highway patrol.
Needless to say,
I have a lot
of political connections.
If you're trying to smear me
with something...
I'll come down on you
with half the civil servants
in this town.
By the time you dig out
from all the lawsuits,
the court orders...
we'll all be too old to care.
Yeah, that might work,
except for one thing.
You don't know who I am.
What'd you get?
I don't know.
Hand me the cigar box.
Here.
What are we looking for?
We're looking
for a Santa Barbara address.
He was in Santa Barbara
the night it happened.
Is this it?
Fraud, tax, burglary?
Which are we gonna be?
You really cover
all the bases.
I don't know.
Depends on the guy.
Probably taxes.
People really get shook up
when you mention taxes.
They can't give you
the information fast enough.
I don't know.
I think I'd clam up...
or have my accountant
talk for me.
I know what I'm doing.
Here, this one's yours.
Assistant Investigator?
Yeah. I'm gonna be the boss.
I don't talk to tax men.
I did that once.
Ended up getting audited
all the way back to 1970.
I think you'd better
talk with my accountant.
Currently
we're assigned to burglary.
You ever have
your car stolen,
Mr. Salisbury?
No.
That's a real downer.
We're working on
a bunch of car thieves.
They've been stealing cars
in San Francisco...
and then bringing them
down the coast.
And we figured they're
probably staying over here...
for some sleep
in Santa Barbara.
People are creatures
of habit, Mr. Salisbury.
We figured if they
stayed over here
before at this motel...
next time through,
they'll stay here again.
How're you gonna tell
whether they were here?
We got a break.
We found out that
one of the cars
was a dark red Buick...
license number 385 OJF.
F.
We're trying to find out
if the guy stayed over here.
If you just show us
your motel
registration cards...
for June 5 and 6,
we'll know for sure.
Okay, I'll show you the file.
[Sara laughing]
Okay. Yes.
Thank you very much.
I'm sorry to have
bothered you. Bye.
Anything?
All three of the people
who registered driving Buicks
are for real.
Terrific.
You didn't expect Murdock
to leave anything behind...
that could be
used against him.
I've been through this
motel routine before.
People are creatures of habit.
They'll use a portion
of their car registration
or their name.
They'll transpose a letter
or number
in their license plate...
just in case anybody checks,
it looks like
an honest mistake.
Meaning the Senator
never stopped here?
Either he never
stopped here...
or somebody pulled the card
we're looking for.
What now?
I'll have to run a bluff.
Isn't that what we
just did?
[Sighs]
Obviously I didn't make
myself clear this afternoon.
But I did find out
who you are, Mr. Rockford.
One of my campaign workers
downstairs got your
license number.
Now, that was
a real clever move.
You said on the phone
you had some evidence.
I'm interested in
what kind of fabrication
you've come up with.
It's not fabrication.
You and Aura Lee Benton
visited at the Seacrest Motel
in Santa Barbara.
I have the motel
registration card.
Go on.
I want you to come with me
to the police...
and admit that you were
with her that night.
And you can tell them
anything you know
about her or her murder.
If I didn't know
an Aura Lee Benton...
how could I know anything
about her murder?
You're going to deny that
you were with her
in that motel on June 5?
Look, I was at that motel
with a woman, but not
Aura Lee Benton.
I see what kind of
a shakedown this is.
How much do you want
for the registration card?
Depends.
On what?
What do you think, Senator?
I wouldn't consider selling it
for less than $100,000.
$100,000?
You must be joking.
I only joke
with my friends.
I can't come up
with any $100,000.
I'll give you $10,000.
For that price,
I don't think I'm interested.
I better turn it over
to the cops.
For the last time,
I didn't know
an Aura Lee Benton.
Then why are we
standing here dickering over
a motel registration card?
Because I was in that motel
with a woman, but not
Aura Lee Benton.
She was one of my
campaign workers.
We spent a couple of hours
at the motel and drove south
in my car.
She was with me
when I hit Mr. Stanik...
but I don't think
my marriage or my campaign...
would benefit
by that kind of information
getting out.
Now, since I know that
I didn't murder
Aura Lee Benton...
I will not pay you $100,000.
I'll give you $10,000 now
and $10,000
after the election, all right?
I'll call you.
[Tires squealing]
[Telephone ringing]
Hello.
Jim, have you seen
the morning newspapers?
I can barely see the phone.
Senator Murdock
killed himself last night.
They found his clothes
lying on the beach,
his wallet, his car.
They're looking
for his body now.
(Rockford)
I saw him last night.
He was in that motel.
He claims he was
with a campaign worker.
He offered to buy
our registration card
for $20,000.
It's one thing to
have your wife find out
about an affair...
that's pretty bad...
but to kill yourself...
I gotta tell you, Sara,
I was pressing him
pretty hard.
But, damn it, he just
didn't seem that worried.
I told him I'd call him.
So why would he kill himself
before I called back?
Then he was murdered
like Aura Lee?
I didn't say that.
Yes, you did.
Okay.
Okay, I did.
I don't want to look
too interested. The cops
will want to know why.
You think somebody
killed Aura Lee...
just to keep that
one-day affair a secret?
I don't know,
but I don't believe
that's suicide.
A guy like Murdock is
too tough and ambitious
to put his clothes...
on the beach
and swim out to sea
like a lovesick schoolgirl.
It just doesn't figure.
If he's dead,
somebody murdered him.
Come on. Let's go.
Where are we going?
Dirk Schaffer's.
To do what?
Something I really hate to do.
Break and enter.
[Engine humming]
[Ringing]
No answer.
You wait right here.
[Clicks]
[Metallic clinking]
(Sara)
Got anything?
I was looking for a picture.
I got a bonus.
Mr. And Mrs. Evan Murphy,
a Buick, June 5.
[Engine starts]
(Rockford)
Lay your odds,
a handwriting expert...
will tell you that's
Evan Murdock's handwriting.
The question now is,
how did Schaffer get it?
(Sara)
Aura Lee didn't
give it to him.
I'd stake everything I own
on that.
The police can get that
out of Schaffer
after they arrest him.
Are we going
to the police now?
Not yet.
[Sighing]
All right. Which one
is the lobster bisque?
Jackson.
Lincoln.
Jackson.
Lincoln.
Come on, Jim, give him
a Hamilton at least.
It's my money.
Settle for a Hamilton?
Deal.
All right. The guy that
Aura Lee left with,
is he there?
Yeah.
Right there.
Now to the police?
Now to the police.
[Engine revving]
What are you gonna tell them?
Well, let's say
you're right about her.
If you are, it might
run down something like this.
Schaffer picked up
Aura Lee at Oscar's...
and she innocently told him
what she'd been through
that night...
and he reads about
the accident in the papers...
realizes who
she had been with.
So he goes to Murdock
and starts shaking him down.
Aura Lee didn't have anything
to do with that.
Probably not.
No, he was just trying
to keep her around.
He probably gave her
the $2,600.
Maybe a loan, so she'd owe him
and wouldn't leave town.
Schaffer killed her,
didn't he?
Yeah, it had to be.
She found out
that he was shaking down
the senator...
threatened to go to the cops,
so he killed her.
Then I put some pressure
on the senator,
told him that Aura Lee
had been murdered.
He had to figure
that it was Schaffer
who did it.
So, he went to Schaffer...
told him he was
going to the cops
and he got killed.
That seems to be
a very unhealthy thing
to say to Dirk Schaffer.
[Engine faltering]
What's wrong?
I don't know.
[Engine grinding]
[Engine dying]
What is it?
(Rockford)
It's the carburetor. Suddenly,
it's full of junk.
[Motorcycle approaching]
[Gun firing]
Get out. Quick.
[Tires squealing]
[Engine revving]
[Brakes squealing]
[Engine revving]
[Gunshots]
(Sara)
Which way?
In there. Come on.
(Rockford)
Stay right there.
[Motorcycle engines rev]
Come here.
Now listen, I want you
to count to 30...
one, two, three, that speed...
and then start screaming
and keep screaming.
[Motorcycle approaching]
[Sara continues screaming]
[Tires squealing]
[Engine roaring]
[Engine roaring]
[Engine continues roaring]
[Water running]
(Sara)
Dirk Schaffer's
gonna live, huh?
(Rockford)
Yeah, if you call
20 to life living.
[Whirring]
You missed your calling,
you know that, don't you?
You shouldn't be
messing around
with the detective business.
You ought to get a job
on a tuna boat.
Yeah. I like tuna fishing.
You hit a big school...
you can boat a hundred of them
in 10 minutes.
That's a thrill.
Terrific. You want to eat
one of these sandwiches...
or shall we break them up
and use them for bait?
You can get one out.
At last.
[Sighs]
No, that must be
one of yours.
How can you tell?
You cut the crust off.
Remember, I like the crust on.
I'm sorry, Jim.
I cut the crust off
of all of them. I forgot.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
[Birds chirping]
We did it again.
We caught them.
I'm getting to be
a pretty good...
What do you call it?
Operative.
You're not too bad.
We're two for two.
That must do something good
for your average.
Sara, it might surprise you,
but when I work
all by myself...
I hobble around a lot,
but occasionally...
I get lucky
and solve something.
I'm ready for dessert.
That's not bad.
It's not bad at all.
Not exactly
what I had in mind.
I want to get back to that,
you understand.
It's just that I think
we ought to
square up accounts.
It's not that I don't
trust you, sweetheart.
It's just...
In the past, we have had
our little problem, right?
Cute card.
[Chuckles]
Yeah, I looked
and I looked.
Where is it?
The police have it.
You see, when you find money
that was gained
in an extortion...
you can't keep it.
It's kind of like
finders keepers,
losers weepers...
and we're the losers.
Sara, we've...
Look...
How are you gonna pay me?
On the installment plan
like before.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
I want the pink slip
to your car.