The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 15 - Sleight of Hand - full transcript
Jim's girlfriend suddenly disappears with no clue as to how or why. Lt. Diel thinks Rockford is probably responsible for her disappearance and orders him to stay away from the case. But Jim can't stop until he finds out what happened.
A woman named
Karen Mills lives here.
She's disappeared.
I've gone without sleep
for 24 hours.
I've lost both my girl
and my patience...
and I'm looking for someone
to take it out on.
You better send
a couple of ambulances
and the fire department.
Hello, police?
There's a holdup
at the Buena Vista Inn.
You better hurry,
there's three or four of them.
[Tires screeching]
We are in pursuit
of a white two-door sedan...
[phone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(caller)
Rockford, this is Mr. Dowel.
If you think I'm going to pay
to have your car repainted,
you're nuts.
You can take your expense bill
and stuff it.
Jimmy?
I made you
some fresh coffee here.
Man, I hope you don't feel
as bad as you look.
I'm sorry. What?
I said,
you don't look so hot.
No snappy answers?
I guess that means
there's no news.
There's no news,
no clues...
traces, no nothing.
You know, I'm
a pretty good listener, son.
You want to tell me
about it?
Talk to me about it?
(Rocky)
Maybe something
that happened...
when the three of you
was in San Francisco...
or maybe on the way back.
It could be something
that just completely
slipped your mind.
(Rockford)
How's she doing?
(Karen)
She's sound asleep.
Jim, could we come
back up again?
It was fun.
Julie really loved it.
But I could forego getting up
at 6:30 in the morning.
Is that necessary?
Sure,
it's necessary.
You gotta get off
with the tide.
The tide
goes out at 7:30.
It does?
Yeah.
Boy, what kind of sailor
are you?
Where did you learn sailing,
in the dictionary?
In the Army.
No, it's true.
I used to sell
contraband Japanese radios
to the Navy guys...
at Terminal Island. We had to
sail underneath the radar.
I don't believe you.
What did you get for them?
$17.95 for the two-band.
$20 for the earplug.
The ear plugs were big because
they used to play them
at night after lights out.
I bet you did.
It's a buck.
I'm serious. Can we
come back up here again?
You got a deal.
Boy, I'm getting tired.
I might end up
going to sleep on you.
Always the back seat.
Little crowded,
but there's a back seat.
[Crickets chirping]
Karen, we're home.
You want to go up and open
the front door?
I'll take Julie in.
[Car door closes]
There's my girl.
[Crickets chirping]
[Car door closes]
[Door closes]
Karen?
There we go.
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen!
[Keys rattling]
[Phone ringing]
Yeah.
At 2:30 in the morning?
Okay, which line?
[Phone clicks]
What do you say, Jimbo?
What is it this time,
aggravated assault...
or a common 502?
Knock it off, Dennis.
I want you to come to
this address. Write it down.
450, North Blanchard Street.
What's the problem?
Bring a matron with you.
A little girl here
may have to be taken
to her father's house.
Yeah, I'm on my way.
[Frogs croaking]
What's going on, Jim?
I wish I knew. A woman named
Karen Mills lives here.
She's disappeared.
Yeah, we went
to San Francisco
for the weekend...
drove back tonight.
We left at 6:30
and got in here
less than a half hour ago.
Karen was asleep
in the back seat of the car.
She went up to unlock
the front door of the house,
so I could carry Julie in.
And she wasn't ahead of me
more than 20 seconds.
When I got inside,
she was gone.
Did you check the whole house?
What do you think, Dennis?
What did she look like?
She has light brown hair.
She's 5 foot 6.
She's wearing a brown coat
with a fur collar.
Take a look around,
guys.
Now, you and this girl
more than just friends?
Yes.
She ever do anything like this
before? I mean, is she whacko
or anything like that?
No. I've known her for
about six months, ever since
she was divorced.
She's as sane as
any human being I've ever met.
How sane is that?
Anything happen
over the weekend?
Quarrel maybe?
No. We had a great time.
Doing what?
Stealing soup
from the Salvation Army.
Why do you think I got
rubber pockets in my coat?
Jim, I gotta ask.
You know that.
(Etacey)
Sergeant.
Yeah, what is it?
I think you better come
see for yourself.
You better call
the coroner's office
and homicide.
Do you know him?
No.
You know the routine.
You better come down
to the station
and give us a statement.
What for? Think there's
some connection between this
and Karen's disappearance?
This guy's only been dead
for a short time.
And there's an old cop saying.
Never believe in coincidence.
But it was
a good clean bust.
Wonderful.
What about the report?
What kind of a 211
is this?
I want it in English
next time. Here, do it right.
I warn you. I'm going to
ask you some questions.
Anything you say
can be...
used against you. You have
the right to an attorney.
One will be provided...
Wait a minute.
What the hell's going on?
An interrogation
into a homicide.
I've heard Sgt. Becker's recap
of your story.
You sure you haven't got
anything to add to it?
I told him all there was.
I don't see
where it adds up...
to you reading me
my rights.
I'll be glad
to tell you.
The matron who took
the little girl
to her father's house...
is a good policewoman.
She asked the little girl
a good question.
The question was,
"Did your mother
come home with you tonight?"
Wanna know
what the little girl answered?
I know what she answered.
She said no.
Her exact words were.
"Mommy didn't come home
with us."
And that makes me
a homicide suspect...
something from
a 3-year-old child who was
asleep when we got home?
Take it easy.
What do you mean?
You guys are trying
to pull my chain. You want me
to take it easy?
Lieutenant, we just got
another call
on Vince Minnette.
They sound like
the others?
No. Some guy saw him
going into Mexico.
Who saw him?
Johnny Orton,
used to be Minnette's runner.
(Lt. Diel)
Talk with Orton.
See what you can get.
(OIson)
Right.
If I told you a woman walked
out of her home
and left her purse behind...
would you believe me?
I'd wonder why,
but I wouldn't call
you a liar.
The dead man was
her next-door neighbor.
He was out for a walk.
Time of death was roughly
the same time you claim
you lost your girlfriend.
There was no visible signs
of foul play in that house.
You walked in there 20 seconds
after her, and she was gone.
You're asking us to believe...
she just walked
out the back door
for no reason at all?
I'm not asking you
to believe anything.
I reported what I saw,
the way I saw it.
I don't claim
to understand it.
Either she was grabbed
by somebody...
which is impossible if we're
to believe your story...
or she just
walked out the door. Lt. Diel.
I can't handle that now.
Check with Olson.
I'll get back to you later.
What I'm saying is...
no woman would walk out,
leave her purse...
not to mention
her 3-year-old child.
You're also saying that
I'm a liar. Now what do you
think happened?
I think it's possible
Karen Mills...
didn't make it home
that night, something happened
on the way.
And to cover my story...
I killed a man who happened
to see she wasn't with me
when we got home?
Is that how it goes?
It's a theory.
When you make it a charge,
you let me know and
I'll jam it down your throat.
Very tough man,
this friend of yours.
You're the one with spit
on his chin.
I'm just hanging out.
I wanna search your car.
You want me to get a warrant?
You search it,
Lieutenant.
I also want a list of the
stops you made on the way down
from San Francisco.
We left San Francisco
at 6:30.
There's a dozen witnesses
to that.
We stopped for dinner
in Paso Robles
and gas in San Luis Obispo.
At midnight, we stopped
just north of Santa Barbara...
at a little place
called the Buena Vista Inn
for coffee.
We were seen
in all those places.
No stops after midnight?
No.
That leaves two hours
when nobody saw you.
That's right, Lieutenant.
Okay, you're free to go.
Don't leave this jurisdiction
without checking
with me first.
I'm not going anyplace until I
find out what's gone down.
When do I get my car?
About an hour.
Rockford, do us both a favor.
Stay out of the way.
I don't get involved
in open police cases.
You don't believe me,
ask Sgt. Becker.
[Police radio chattering]
(Lt. Diel)
What I'm saying is...
No woman would do that,
and leave her purse behind.
Not to mention
her 3-year-old child.
(Lt. Becker)
She ever do
anything like this before?
I mean, is she
whacko or anything like that?
(Lt. Diel)
If I told you a woman
walked out of her home...
And left her purse behind...
Would you believe me?
(Lt. Becker)
You and this girl
more than just friends?
(Morry)
Why ask me? You some kind of
heat or something?
No, I'm just looking for
this girl.
She's a personal friend.
You should have this
encased in plastic.
That way it doesn't get
all worn out in your wallet.
On your 2:00 run,
did you pick her up
at Rosewood and Third?
I could have.
Do you think it was her?
I don't know
if it was her.
Maybe it was,
maybe it wasn't.
Was she wearing
a tan suede coat?
Look, mac...
I quit checking out
that kind of talent
almost 10 years ago.
Like I said,
maybe it was her,
maybe it wasn't.
She was young...
and I think
she was blond.
One other thing,
she didn't have a purse.
She had to go through
her pockets for the money
for the fare.
Do you remember
where you let her off?
Yeah, at a cab stand
on Hoover Street.
Thanks.
Anytime, pal.
This is a residential hotel,
and the people who live here,
their lives are private.
You know, private.
She was wearing a brown coat
with a fur collar.
She got out of a cab
at this address
at 3:41 this morning.
All I want to know is,
is she staying here?
Did she just walk
in the front door
and walk out the back?
You're not a cop
or you would have flashed
a badge.
So as far as I'm concerned,
you ain't getting zilch
from me.
How much zilch are you
willing to give for $20?
You're not getting
the message.
The people who live here
have a right to privacy,
and they get it.
You're right.
People are entitled
to privacy.
That's probably
the only thing
that keeps me...
from coming across
this desk
and climbing your tree.
You really think
you can scare me?
Pal, I don't want
to bother you
with all my troubles...
but I've gone without sleep
for 24 hours.
I've lost both my girl
and my patience...
and I'm looking for someone
to take it out on.
Your last chance.
All right, look, a woman
came in here late last night.
I don't know...
if it's the woman
that you showed me
the picture of...
because I didn't get
a good look at the picture.
Where did she go?
304 and she's registered here
as Diana Lewis.
Sorry I had to
get rough.
You picked the wrong time
to be right.
Are you Diana Lewis?
Yeah.
I'm a big disappointment
to you, right? Why?
May I come in?
I'd like to talk to you.
What about?
It'll only take a minute
of your time, and it would be
a great help to me.
You got a minute
of my time.
You want to look
my bedroom over, too?
I understand that
you came in
at 3:41 this morning.
Maybe. I don't punch
a time clock.
The cab driver's trip sheet
says that he let you out
here at 3:41.
You took a bus
from West Hollywood
to the end of the line.
You got out and went across
the street to a cab stand...
took a five-mile cab ride,
then got into another cab
and came here.
I'm curious about that.
Who are you?
I'm investigating
the disappearance of a woman
who lives in West Hollywood.
I think I've answered
just about all the questions
I care to...
Why the cab switch?
Who were you trying to shake?
Look, if you're a cop,
let me see some ID.
I just happen to be
looking for a girl
that I like very much.
I can't help you.
I'm sorry.
One of the cab drivers said
that you weren't carrying
a purse.
Why not?
He's wrong.
I had this
one right here.
You really care about her,
whoever she is.
Yes, I did. I do.
That's a revealing
slip of the tongue.
You took a bus from
West Hollywood and two cabs?
I'm afraid I did.
It doesn't matter
too much now, I guess.
But would you
tell me why?
Yeah, I'm having an affair
with a married man.
We both thought his wife
was in Seattle.
Last night,
we heard a noise...
and she's coming up
the driveway.
And I walked two miles
to West Hollywood,
and I caught the bus.
Why two cabs?
I don't know.
I got scared for him.
I decided to take
a little extra precaution.
Look, you don't have to
believe it.
And like you said...
it really doesn't matter,
does it?
There's something you
could do that would help me
believe you.
Tell you the name of the man?
Not a chance.
Show me the coat
you were wearing last night.
That I'm willing to do.
Are you always
this impulsive?
What are you
looking for?
I'm looking for
a brown suede coat
with a fur collar.
I don't have one,
but I'd sure like to.
So keep looking,
maybe we'll both get lucky.
I'm sorry.
Stop by again
sometime...
when you're not
on a downer.
[Knocking on door]
Is that your boyfriend?
Yeah.
Not the one
you mean.
Look, I didn't mind you
being here before,
but now you're a problem.
That's okay. Okay.
Just tell him I'm a cop.
Go ahead.
What do you know.
He's a cop.
He's been asking me
some questions...
about some woman
who disappeared.
A cop?
That's more original
than the meter man.
I was just leaving,
okay?
Could I see
your badge?
Thanks
for the help.
Be nice.
I wanna know
what you're doing here.
She told you.
I don't buy it.
Could I hear something else?
I came
to read the meter.
(Rockford)
I just can't accept
that dead-end.
I was so sure that when I
opened that door...
that there'd be Karen,
and with her,
some kind of an answer.
I don't know, Dad.
I got nothing.
I'm right back
where I started.
That was
about noon yesterday.
What have you
been doing since then?
Walking on the beach,
thinking.
I was on a case
not too long ago.
Maybe you remember.
There was...
a beautiful girl
who was missing...
and I found her
on the beach, dead.
She'd been murdered.
Homicide took over.
I don't even know
how it ended.
I keep thinking
about that girl.
Thinking I'm gonna find Karen
the same way, dead...
washed up on the beach.
A crowd of people
standing around,
staring at her body.
Will you have some coffee?
You know,
I don't know if you
want my help or not...
but you're going to
get it anyway.
There's one thing
about that story of yours
that's wrong.
Something you'd never
have missed, if you weren't
so personally involved.
What?
You're trying to keep
from thinking about it.
Come on, Dad, just say it.
What is it?
The little girl said,
"Mommy didn't come home
with us."
You gonna make
something out of that?
You would, if you
were sitting where I am.
You're trying to ignore it
because you were there,
and you know it didn't happen.
But the little girl said it.
So she said it.
Maybe you better
stop a minute and think
what that could mean.
When did Karen decide
to go to sleep
in the back seat of the car?
We stopped
at the Buena Vista Inn
for coffee...
and to get Julie
some milk.
Karen went
to the ladies' room...
and when the waiter
brought me the check...
he said that Karen had asked
him to tell me she was tired
and went directly to the car.
And I carried Julie
out to the car.
Karen was already asleep
in the back seat.
I put Julie down next to her.
I got in the front seat
and drove home.
Now I know why I come to you
when I'm in trouble.
Because I'm your pa
and 'cause
I'm smarter than you.
'Cause once or twice a year,
you're right.
Maybe not this time.
Maybe this time
the little girl is right.
Maybe you did drive home
with another woman.
And I know
right where to find her.
[Instrumental music playing
on radio]
[Music stops]
[Dialing]
Sergeant Becker, please.
Where have you been?
You weren't supposed to
leave town, remember?
You want to hear what I
have to say, or you want to
play room mother?
All that bull about
not getting involved
in open police cases?
"If you don't believe me,
ask Sgt. Becker."
Come on, Dennis. Will you
put a cork in it
for a minute and listen?
How do you think it makes
me look? You're burning
the case for us.
Every lead that we
come across,
you've already been there.
Have you come across a girl
by the name of Diana Lewis?
About an hour after you did.
Why?
I just found her
in her apartment
a few minutes ago.
She was hit
on the back of the head...
same style
as Karen's neighbor.
She's dead.
Okay, let me
have the rest of it.
I've decided Diel was right.
There is some connection
between...
Karen's disappearance,
and her neighbor's murder,
and this one.
What made you
change your mind?
I just took a look through
Diana Lewis' apartment...
and I found a book of matches
from the Buena Vista Inn.
You're disturbing evidence
at the scene of a crime.
That's really great.
You got any more goodies
for me?
No, but I'll give you
a little advice.
If I were you,
I'd get some of
my girl scouts together...
and go to
the Buena Vista Inn...
and shake that place
by its heels.
You might find an answer.
Did you call the local police
to report that you found
a dead woman?
No, Dennis. I thought
I'd let you have that.
What are friends for?
If you're planning
to stay out there...
you better
keep your head down.
Lt. Diel put out
a warrant for your arrest...
and I signed it.
No, Dennis. Really?
What are friends for, Jimbo?
What are you doing here?
Who are you, anyway?
I'm a man looking for
a missing woman,
and there's a connection...
between the missing woman
and this dead one.
You know
what that connection is.
Like hell I do.
I'm gonna call
the cops.
No, I already did that.
They'll be here any minute.
Come on. Make up your mind.
You gonna talk to me or you're
gonna talk to the cops?
So suppose I don't want
to talk to the heat.
That doesn't mean
I know anything about this.
Sure it does.
What is this missing woman
to you? Who is she anyway?
You're wasting time, pal.
You know, you're gonna look
good for this killing.
This girl was messing around.
You found out about it.
You went bananas.
You came over here and started
pounding on her with
a well-known blunt instrument.
Now what did you do?
You forget
a piece of evidence?
Something that would tie
you and Diana into
what I was working on?
Like, maybe...
a book of matches
from the Buena Vista Inn?
Michael Cordeen.
Oak Grove, California.
Oak Grove.
The Buena Vista Inn's
only about six miles
south of Oak Grove...
isn't it, Mike?
Isn't it, Mike?
Just tell me,
and you're out of here.
If you don't,
I'm gonna hold you
till the cops walk in.
You're gonna turn me over
to the cops
no matter what I do.
Take a chance, Mike.
You won't like what I know.
It isn't much.
Just stick to the truth.
Diana and I worked at
the Buena Vista Inn.
She sang with the combo,
and I tended bar.
The woman that you
were looking for, she came in.
She went
to the ladies' room...
and then when she came out,
she went the wrong way...
and she opened a door that was
supposed to be locked.
She saw something that she
wasn't supposed to see.
[Siren wailing]
They're gonna be in the lobby
in about half a minute.
Then they grabbed her,
your girlfriend.
Then the manager gave Diana
your friend's coat...
and she was told to get back
into the backseat of your car.
She was to get out of the car
the first chance she got...
once you were away
from the Inn.
What did she see?
Diana told me she didn't know
what the woman saw.
The people that own the place,
they're syndicate types.
And Diana was just doing
what she was told to do.
You're almost
out of the tunnel.
Don't blow it now.
That's all Diana told me.
What did she see?
I don't know.
The place is clean.
There's no gambling.
There's no nothing.
I don't know
what she could have seen.
If I told you this much,
I'd tell you everything,
wouldn't I?
Come on,
let me out of here!
There you are.
Hope you know
a back way out.
(male announcer)
But even with
a trade agreement unlikely...
The President is expected
To sign the bill when it
reaches his desk.
In local news,
police still have no clues
To the murder of Walter Miller
of 452,
North Blanchard Street.
The police are leaning
to the theory
That the mysterious
disappearance
Of Karen Mills, a neighbor
of Miller, is somehow
connected to his murder.
State, federal and local
authorities are still
frustrated in their search
For reputed underworld boss
Vincent Minnette.
There is growing speculation
among law enforcement
officials that Minnette,
Whose face is familiar
to millions of Americans,
has taken refuge in Mexico.
Good evening, Mr. Cordeen.
He's waiting to see you now.
Anything I can do
for you, sir?
I was just checking in
for the night. I had
a little drink in the bar.
I just tried to get lucky.
You know how it is.
I was looking for my room.
This happens to be
a private wing.
Now I'd suggest...
that you go to the lobby desk,
and I'm sure
they'll help you out.
Right out that door,
they're around the corner
of the building.
That where it is?
Thank you.
This is an emergency.
Could I have the police,
please?
Yeah, I was driving down
Highway 101, and there's been
a big accident...
at that motel,
the Buena Vista Inn.
You better send
a couple of ambulances
and the fire department.
Hello, police?
There's a holdup
at the Buena Vista Inn.
You better hurry,
there's three or four of them.
Right.
[Sirens wailing]
Mr. Minnette.
[Tires screeching]
(Lt. Becker)
Hey, Jimbo, what's up?
Damn it, Rockford,
didn't I tell you
to stay out of this?
You better get moving...
Vince Minnette's
in the white sedan
right in front of you.
All units, all frequencies,
this is 2-Baker-7.
We are in pursuit
of a white two-door sedan...
proceeding
south on Highway 101...
about five miles
from Buena Vista junction.
Vehicle contains
felony fugitive
Vincent Minnette.
All units intercept.
(officer on radio)
10-4, we read you.
By the way,
you're under arrest.
You're out of
your jurisdiction.
[Tires screeching]
[Siren wailing]
Could I ask how you got
switched off from looking for
your girl to Vincent Minnette?
She made a mistake
at the Buena Vista Inn,
saw Minnette.
They grabbed her.
She in that car?
No. There's Minnette,
one man I don't know,
and Mike Cordeen.
I think he's
a hitman for Minnette.
When I left
the Buena Vista Inn
that night...
with the wrong woman...
Cordeen followed us
to make sure
nothing went wrong.
You get Cordeen,
you get the answer
to two murders.
What about Karen Mills?
I don't know.
I'd like to think
Minnette hasn't killed her.
[Brakes screeching]
(Lt. Becker)
Don't move.
(Lt. Diel)
Everybody out. Okay,
everybody out. Come on, out.
(Lt. Becker)
Okay. Come on, out. Move.
(police #1)
All right, get your hands up.
(police #2)
Faster. Come on, move.
[Police radio chattering]
(police)
Stay where you are.
Don't move.
(Rocky)
Sonny, you know
who called me this morning?
Old Virgil Peterson.
Remember him?
The fellow that had
the cabin up at Big Bear?
The boat?
The big refrigerator?
Right.
He told me he was going
back east for a few weeks.
He wanted to know if
I'd look after the place
for him while he was gone.
Said the trout was biting
on everything from
belt buckles to bran muffins.
Sounds good, Rocky.
But I can't go.
You haven't had
a vacation.
We haven't been
trout fishing.
Man, you could use
that vacation, too.
Believe me.
Bran muffins.
We've tried that once,
Rocky, remember?
You ate up the bait. We had to
hike five miles
to that little fishing store.
I ain't gonna eat
no belt buckles,
I'll tell you that.
Come on. How about it, son?
Why don't we try it?
Look, Rocky, why don't you
go out, stake out
all the good holes?
Maybe I'll come up
in a couple of days.
What are you
gonna do?
I don't know,
just want to
sort things out.
Hey, Jim.
It ain't your fault
Karen's dead.
I know.
[Inaudible]
Karen Mills lives here.
She's disappeared.
I've gone without sleep
for 24 hours.
I've lost both my girl
and my patience...
and I'm looking for someone
to take it out on.
You better send
a couple of ambulances
and the fire department.
Hello, police?
There's a holdup
at the Buena Vista Inn.
You better hurry,
there's three or four of them.
[Tires screeching]
We are in pursuit
of a white two-door sedan...
[phone ringing]
(Rockford on
answering machine)
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name
and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(caller)
Rockford, this is Mr. Dowel.
If you think I'm going to pay
to have your car repainted,
you're nuts.
You can take your expense bill
and stuff it.
Jimmy?
I made you
some fresh coffee here.
Man, I hope you don't feel
as bad as you look.
I'm sorry. What?
I said,
you don't look so hot.
No snappy answers?
I guess that means
there's no news.
There's no news,
no clues...
traces, no nothing.
You know, I'm
a pretty good listener, son.
You want to tell me
about it?
Talk to me about it?
(Rocky)
Maybe something
that happened...
when the three of you
was in San Francisco...
or maybe on the way back.
It could be something
that just completely
slipped your mind.
(Rockford)
How's she doing?
(Karen)
She's sound asleep.
Jim, could we come
back up again?
It was fun.
Julie really loved it.
But I could forego getting up
at 6:30 in the morning.
Is that necessary?
Sure,
it's necessary.
You gotta get off
with the tide.
The tide
goes out at 7:30.
It does?
Yeah.
Boy, what kind of sailor
are you?
Where did you learn sailing,
in the dictionary?
In the Army.
No, it's true.
I used to sell
contraband Japanese radios
to the Navy guys...
at Terminal Island. We had to
sail underneath the radar.
I don't believe you.
What did you get for them?
$17.95 for the two-band.
$20 for the earplug.
The ear plugs were big because
they used to play them
at night after lights out.
I bet you did.
It's a buck.
I'm serious. Can we
come back up here again?
You got a deal.
Boy, I'm getting tired.
I might end up
going to sleep on you.
Always the back seat.
Little crowded,
but there's a back seat.
[Crickets chirping]
Karen, we're home.
You want to go up and open
the front door?
I'll take Julie in.
[Car door closes]
There's my girl.
[Crickets chirping]
[Car door closes]
[Door closes]
Karen?
There we go.
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen?
Karen!
[Keys rattling]
[Phone ringing]
Yeah.
At 2:30 in the morning?
Okay, which line?
[Phone clicks]
What do you say, Jimbo?
What is it this time,
aggravated assault...
or a common 502?
Knock it off, Dennis.
I want you to come to
this address. Write it down.
450, North Blanchard Street.
What's the problem?
Bring a matron with you.
A little girl here
may have to be taken
to her father's house.
Yeah, I'm on my way.
[Frogs croaking]
What's going on, Jim?
I wish I knew. A woman named
Karen Mills lives here.
She's disappeared.
Yeah, we went
to San Francisco
for the weekend...
drove back tonight.
We left at 6:30
and got in here
less than a half hour ago.
Karen was asleep
in the back seat of the car.
She went up to unlock
the front door of the house,
so I could carry Julie in.
And she wasn't ahead of me
more than 20 seconds.
When I got inside,
she was gone.
Did you check the whole house?
What do you think, Dennis?
What did she look like?
She has light brown hair.
She's 5 foot 6.
She's wearing a brown coat
with a fur collar.
Take a look around,
guys.
Now, you and this girl
more than just friends?
Yes.
She ever do anything like this
before? I mean, is she whacko
or anything like that?
No. I've known her for
about six months, ever since
she was divorced.
She's as sane as
any human being I've ever met.
How sane is that?
Anything happen
over the weekend?
Quarrel maybe?
No. We had a great time.
Doing what?
Stealing soup
from the Salvation Army.
Why do you think I got
rubber pockets in my coat?
Jim, I gotta ask.
You know that.
(Etacey)
Sergeant.
Yeah, what is it?
I think you better come
see for yourself.
You better call
the coroner's office
and homicide.
Do you know him?
No.
You know the routine.
You better come down
to the station
and give us a statement.
What for? Think there's
some connection between this
and Karen's disappearance?
This guy's only been dead
for a short time.
And there's an old cop saying.
Never believe in coincidence.
But it was
a good clean bust.
Wonderful.
What about the report?
What kind of a 211
is this?
I want it in English
next time. Here, do it right.
I warn you. I'm going to
ask you some questions.
Anything you say
can be...
used against you. You have
the right to an attorney.
One will be provided...
Wait a minute.
What the hell's going on?
An interrogation
into a homicide.
I've heard Sgt. Becker's recap
of your story.
You sure you haven't got
anything to add to it?
I told him all there was.
I don't see
where it adds up...
to you reading me
my rights.
I'll be glad
to tell you.
The matron who took
the little girl
to her father's house...
is a good policewoman.
She asked the little girl
a good question.
The question was,
"Did your mother
come home with you tonight?"
Wanna know
what the little girl answered?
I know what she answered.
She said no.
Her exact words were.
"Mommy didn't come home
with us."
And that makes me
a homicide suspect...
something from
a 3-year-old child who was
asleep when we got home?
Take it easy.
What do you mean?
You guys are trying
to pull my chain. You want me
to take it easy?
Lieutenant, we just got
another call
on Vince Minnette.
They sound like
the others?
No. Some guy saw him
going into Mexico.
Who saw him?
Johnny Orton,
used to be Minnette's runner.
(Lt. Diel)
Talk with Orton.
See what you can get.
(OIson)
Right.
If I told you a woman walked
out of her home
and left her purse behind...
would you believe me?
I'd wonder why,
but I wouldn't call
you a liar.
The dead man was
her next-door neighbor.
He was out for a walk.
Time of death was roughly
the same time you claim
you lost your girlfriend.
There was no visible signs
of foul play in that house.
You walked in there 20 seconds
after her, and she was gone.
You're asking us to believe...
she just walked
out the back door
for no reason at all?
I'm not asking you
to believe anything.
I reported what I saw,
the way I saw it.
I don't claim
to understand it.
Either she was grabbed
by somebody...
which is impossible if we're
to believe your story...
or she just
walked out the door. Lt. Diel.
I can't handle that now.
Check with Olson.
I'll get back to you later.
What I'm saying is...
no woman would walk out,
leave her purse...
not to mention
her 3-year-old child.
You're also saying that
I'm a liar. Now what do you
think happened?
I think it's possible
Karen Mills...
didn't make it home
that night, something happened
on the way.
And to cover my story...
I killed a man who happened
to see she wasn't with me
when we got home?
Is that how it goes?
It's a theory.
When you make it a charge,
you let me know and
I'll jam it down your throat.
Very tough man,
this friend of yours.
You're the one with spit
on his chin.
I'm just hanging out.
I wanna search your car.
You want me to get a warrant?
You search it,
Lieutenant.
I also want a list of the
stops you made on the way down
from San Francisco.
We left San Francisco
at 6:30.
There's a dozen witnesses
to that.
We stopped for dinner
in Paso Robles
and gas in San Luis Obispo.
At midnight, we stopped
just north of Santa Barbara...
at a little place
called the Buena Vista Inn
for coffee.
We were seen
in all those places.
No stops after midnight?
No.
That leaves two hours
when nobody saw you.
That's right, Lieutenant.
Okay, you're free to go.
Don't leave this jurisdiction
without checking
with me first.
I'm not going anyplace until I
find out what's gone down.
When do I get my car?
About an hour.
Rockford, do us both a favor.
Stay out of the way.
I don't get involved
in open police cases.
You don't believe me,
ask Sgt. Becker.
[Police radio chattering]
(Lt. Diel)
What I'm saying is...
No woman would do that,
and leave her purse behind.
Not to mention
her 3-year-old child.
(Lt. Becker)
She ever do
anything like this before?
I mean, is she
whacko or anything like that?
(Lt. Diel)
If I told you a woman
walked out of her home...
And left her purse behind...
Would you believe me?
(Lt. Becker)
You and this girl
more than just friends?
(Morry)
Why ask me? You some kind of
heat or something?
No, I'm just looking for
this girl.
She's a personal friend.
You should have this
encased in plastic.
That way it doesn't get
all worn out in your wallet.
On your 2:00 run,
did you pick her up
at Rosewood and Third?
I could have.
Do you think it was her?
I don't know
if it was her.
Maybe it was,
maybe it wasn't.
Was she wearing
a tan suede coat?
Look, mac...
I quit checking out
that kind of talent
almost 10 years ago.
Like I said,
maybe it was her,
maybe it wasn't.
She was young...
and I think
she was blond.
One other thing,
she didn't have a purse.
She had to go through
her pockets for the money
for the fare.
Do you remember
where you let her off?
Yeah, at a cab stand
on Hoover Street.
Thanks.
Anytime, pal.
This is a residential hotel,
and the people who live here,
their lives are private.
You know, private.
She was wearing a brown coat
with a fur collar.
She got out of a cab
at this address
at 3:41 this morning.
All I want to know is,
is she staying here?
Did she just walk
in the front door
and walk out the back?
You're not a cop
or you would have flashed
a badge.
So as far as I'm concerned,
you ain't getting zilch
from me.
How much zilch are you
willing to give for $20?
You're not getting
the message.
The people who live here
have a right to privacy,
and they get it.
You're right.
People are entitled
to privacy.
That's probably
the only thing
that keeps me...
from coming across
this desk
and climbing your tree.
You really think
you can scare me?
Pal, I don't want
to bother you
with all my troubles...
but I've gone without sleep
for 24 hours.
I've lost both my girl
and my patience...
and I'm looking for someone
to take it out on.
Your last chance.
All right, look, a woman
came in here late last night.
I don't know...
if it's the woman
that you showed me
the picture of...
because I didn't get
a good look at the picture.
Where did she go?
304 and she's registered here
as Diana Lewis.
Sorry I had to
get rough.
You picked the wrong time
to be right.
Are you Diana Lewis?
Yeah.
I'm a big disappointment
to you, right? Why?
May I come in?
I'd like to talk to you.
What about?
It'll only take a minute
of your time, and it would be
a great help to me.
You got a minute
of my time.
You want to look
my bedroom over, too?
I understand that
you came in
at 3:41 this morning.
Maybe. I don't punch
a time clock.
The cab driver's trip sheet
says that he let you out
here at 3:41.
You took a bus
from West Hollywood
to the end of the line.
You got out and went across
the street to a cab stand...
took a five-mile cab ride,
then got into another cab
and came here.
I'm curious about that.
Who are you?
I'm investigating
the disappearance of a woman
who lives in West Hollywood.
I think I've answered
just about all the questions
I care to...
Why the cab switch?
Who were you trying to shake?
Look, if you're a cop,
let me see some ID.
I just happen to be
looking for a girl
that I like very much.
I can't help you.
I'm sorry.
One of the cab drivers said
that you weren't carrying
a purse.
Why not?
He's wrong.
I had this
one right here.
You really care about her,
whoever she is.
Yes, I did. I do.
That's a revealing
slip of the tongue.
You took a bus from
West Hollywood and two cabs?
I'm afraid I did.
It doesn't matter
too much now, I guess.
But would you
tell me why?
Yeah, I'm having an affair
with a married man.
We both thought his wife
was in Seattle.
Last night,
we heard a noise...
and she's coming up
the driveway.
And I walked two miles
to West Hollywood,
and I caught the bus.
Why two cabs?
I don't know.
I got scared for him.
I decided to take
a little extra precaution.
Look, you don't have to
believe it.
And like you said...
it really doesn't matter,
does it?
There's something you
could do that would help me
believe you.
Tell you the name of the man?
Not a chance.
Show me the coat
you were wearing last night.
That I'm willing to do.
Are you always
this impulsive?
What are you
looking for?
I'm looking for
a brown suede coat
with a fur collar.
I don't have one,
but I'd sure like to.
So keep looking,
maybe we'll both get lucky.
I'm sorry.
Stop by again
sometime...
when you're not
on a downer.
[Knocking on door]
Is that your boyfriend?
Yeah.
Not the one
you mean.
Look, I didn't mind you
being here before,
but now you're a problem.
That's okay. Okay.
Just tell him I'm a cop.
Go ahead.
What do you know.
He's a cop.
He's been asking me
some questions...
about some woman
who disappeared.
A cop?
That's more original
than the meter man.
I was just leaving,
okay?
Could I see
your badge?
Thanks
for the help.
Be nice.
I wanna know
what you're doing here.
She told you.
I don't buy it.
Could I hear something else?
I came
to read the meter.
(Rockford)
I just can't accept
that dead-end.
I was so sure that when I
opened that door...
that there'd be Karen,
and with her,
some kind of an answer.
I don't know, Dad.
I got nothing.
I'm right back
where I started.
That was
about noon yesterday.
What have you
been doing since then?
Walking on the beach,
thinking.
I was on a case
not too long ago.
Maybe you remember.
There was...
a beautiful girl
who was missing...
and I found her
on the beach, dead.
She'd been murdered.
Homicide took over.
I don't even know
how it ended.
I keep thinking
about that girl.
Thinking I'm gonna find Karen
the same way, dead...
washed up on the beach.
A crowd of people
standing around,
staring at her body.
Will you have some coffee?
You know,
I don't know if you
want my help or not...
but you're going to
get it anyway.
There's one thing
about that story of yours
that's wrong.
Something you'd never
have missed, if you weren't
so personally involved.
What?
You're trying to keep
from thinking about it.
Come on, Dad, just say it.
What is it?
The little girl said,
"Mommy didn't come home
with us."
You gonna make
something out of that?
You would, if you
were sitting where I am.
You're trying to ignore it
because you were there,
and you know it didn't happen.
But the little girl said it.
So she said it.
Maybe you better
stop a minute and think
what that could mean.
When did Karen decide
to go to sleep
in the back seat of the car?
We stopped
at the Buena Vista Inn
for coffee...
and to get Julie
some milk.
Karen went
to the ladies' room...
and when the waiter
brought me the check...
he said that Karen had asked
him to tell me she was tired
and went directly to the car.
And I carried Julie
out to the car.
Karen was already asleep
in the back seat.
I put Julie down next to her.
I got in the front seat
and drove home.
Now I know why I come to you
when I'm in trouble.
Because I'm your pa
and 'cause
I'm smarter than you.
'Cause once or twice a year,
you're right.
Maybe not this time.
Maybe this time
the little girl is right.
Maybe you did drive home
with another woman.
And I know
right where to find her.
[Instrumental music playing
on radio]
[Music stops]
[Dialing]
Sergeant Becker, please.
Where have you been?
You weren't supposed to
leave town, remember?
You want to hear what I
have to say, or you want to
play room mother?
All that bull about
not getting involved
in open police cases?
"If you don't believe me,
ask Sgt. Becker."
Come on, Dennis. Will you
put a cork in it
for a minute and listen?
How do you think it makes
me look? You're burning
the case for us.
Every lead that we
come across,
you've already been there.
Have you come across a girl
by the name of Diana Lewis?
About an hour after you did.
Why?
I just found her
in her apartment
a few minutes ago.
She was hit
on the back of the head...
same style
as Karen's neighbor.
She's dead.
Okay, let me
have the rest of it.
I've decided Diel was right.
There is some connection
between...
Karen's disappearance,
and her neighbor's murder,
and this one.
What made you
change your mind?
I just took a look through
Diana Lewis' apartment...
and I found a book of matches
from the Buena Vista Inn.
You're disturbing evidence
at the scene of a crime.
That's really great.
You got any more goodies
for me?
No, but I'll give you
a little advice.
If I were you,
I'd get some of
my girl scouts together...
and go to
the Buena Vista Inn...
and shake that place
by its heels.
You might find an answer.
Did you call the local police
to report that you found
a dead woman?
No, Dennis. I thought
I'd let you have that.
What are friends for?
If you're planning
to stay out there...
you better
keep your head down.
Lt. Diel put out
a warrant for your arrest...
and I signed it.
No, Dennis. Really?
What are friends for, Jimbo?
What are you doing here?
Who are you, anyway?
I'm a man looking for
a missing woman,
and there's a connection...
between the missing woman
and this dead one.
You know
what that connection is.
Like hell I do.
I'm gonna call
the cops.
No, I already did that.
They'll be here any minute.
Come on. Make up your mind.
You gonna talk to me or you're
gonna talk to the cops?
So suppose I don't want
to talk to the heat.
That doesn't mean
I know anything about this.
Sure it does.
What is this missing woman
to you? Who is she anyway?
You're wasting time, pal.
You know, you're gonna look
good for this killing.
This girl was messing around.
You found out about it.
You went bananas.
You came over here and started
pounding on her with
a well-known blunt instrument.
Now what did you do?
You forget
a piece of evidence?
Something that would tie
you and Diana into
what I was working on?
Like, maybe...
a book of matches
from the Buena Vista Inn?
Michael Cordeen.
Oak Grove, California.
Oak Grove.
The Buena Vista Inn's
only about six miles
south of Oak Grove...
isn't it, Mike?
Isn't it, Mike?
Just tell me,
and you're out of here.
If you don't,
I'm gonna hold you
till the cops walk in.
You're gonna turn me over
to the cops
no matter what I do.
Take a chance, Mike.
You won't like what I know.
It isn't much.
Just stick to the truth.
Diana and I worked at
the Buena Vista Inn.
She sang with the combo,
and I tended bar.
The woman that you
were looking for, she came in.
She went
to the ladies' room...
and then when she came out,
she went the wrong way...
and she opened a door that was
supposed to be locked.
She saw something that she
wasn't supposed to see.
[Siren wailing]
They're gonna be in the lobby
in about half a minute.
Then they grabbed her,
your girlfriend.
Then the manager gave Diana
your friend's coat...
and she was told to get back
into the backseat of your car.
She was to get out of the car
the first chance she got...
once you were away
from the Inn.
What did she see?
Diana told me she didn't know
what the woman saw.
The people that own the place,
they're syndicate types.
And Diana was just doing
what she was told to do.
You're almost
out of the tunnel.
Don't blow it now.
That's all Diana told me.
What did she see?
I don't know.
The place is clean.
There's no gambling.
There's no nothing.
I don't know
what she could have seen.
If I told you this much,
I'd tell you everything,
wouldn't I?
Come on,
let me out of here!
There you are.
Hope you know
a back way out.
(male announcer)
But even with
a trade agreement unlikely...
The President is expected
To sign the bill when it
reaches his desk.
In local news,
police still have no clues
To the murder of Walter Miller
of 452,
North Blanchard Street.
The police are leaning
to the theory
That the mysterious
disappearance
Of Karen Mills, a neighbor
of Miller, is somehow
connected to his murder.
State, federal and local
authorities are still
frustrated in their search
For reputed underworld boss
Vincent Minnette.
There is growing speculation
among law enforcement
officials that Minnette,
Whose face is familiar
to millions of Americans,
has taken refuge in Mexico.
Good evening, Mr. Cordeen.
He's waiting to see you now.
Anything I can do
for you, sir?
I was just checking in
for the night. I had
a little drink in the bar.
I just tried to get lucky.
You know how it is.
I was looking for my room.
This happens to be
a private wing.
Now I'd suggest...
that you go to the lobby desk,
and I'm sure
they'll help you out.
Right out that door,
they're around the corner
of the building.
That where it is?
Thank you.
This is an emergency.
Could I have the police,
please?
Yeah, I was driving down
Highway 101, and there's been
a big accident...
at that motel,
the Buena Vista Inn.
You better send
a couple of ambulances
and the fire department.
Hello, police?
There's a holdup
at the Buena Vista Inn.
You better hurry,
there's three or four of them.
Right.
[Sirens wailing]
Mr. Minnette.
[Tires screeching]
(Lt. Becker)
Hey, Jimbo, what's up?
Damn it, Rockford,
didn't I tell you
to stay out of this?
You better get moving...
Vince Minnette's
in the white sedan
right in front of you.
All units, all frequencies,
this is 2-Baker-7.
We are in pursuit
of a white two-door sedan...
proceeding
south on Highway 101...
about five miles
from Buena Vista junction.
Vehicle contains
felony fugitive
Vincent Minnette.
All units intercept.
(officer on radio)
10-4, we read you.
By the way,
you're under arrest.
You're out of
your jurisdiction.
[Tires screeching]
[Siren wailing]
Could I ask how you got
switched off from looking for
your girl to Vincent Minnette?
She made a mistake
at the Buena Vista Inn,
saw Minnette.
They grabbed her.
She in that car?
No. There's Minnette,
one man I don't know,
and Mike Cordeen.
I think he's
a hitman for Minnette.
When I left
the Buena Vista Inn
that night...
with the wrong woman...
Cordeen followed us
to make sure
nothing went wrong.
You get Cordeen,
you get the answer
to two murders.
What about Karen Mills?
I don't know.
I'd like to think
Minnette hasn't killed her.
[Brakes screeching]
(Lt. Becker)
Don't move.
(Lt. Diel)
Everybody out. Okay,
everybody out. Come on, out.
(Lt. Becker)
Okay. Come on, out. Move.
(police #1)
All right, get your hands up.
(police #2)
Faster. Come on, move.
[Police radio chattering]
(police)
Stay where you are.
Don't move.
(Rocky)
Sonny, you know
who called me this morning?
Old Virgil Peterson.
Remember him?
The fellow that had
the cabin up at Big Bear?
The boat?
The big refrigerator?
Right.
He told me he was going
back east for a few weeks.
He wanted to know if
I'd look after the place
for him while he was gone.
Said the trout was biting
on everything from
belt buckles to bran muffins.
Sounds good, Rocky.
But I can't go.
You haven't had
a vacation.
We haven't been
trout fishing.
Man, you could use
that vacation, too.
Believe me.
Bran muffins.
We've tried that once,
Rocky, remember?
You ate up the bait. We had to
hike five miles
to that little fishing store.
I ain't gonna eat
no belt buckles,
I'll tell you that.
Come on. How about it, son?
Why don't we try it?
Look, Rocky, why don't you
go out, stake out
all the good holes?
Maybe I'll come up
in a couple of days.
What are you
gonna do?
I don't know,
just want to
sort things out.
Hey, Jim.
It ain't your fault
Karen's dead.
I know.
[Inaudible]