The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 1, Episode 16 - Counter Gambit - full transcript
Two former cons who knew him inside, hire Jim to track down one of their former girlfriends. Only thing is, noting seems to make sense - untill it's too late, and then Jim has to undue the damages the pair caused.
All right,
you're in for a third.
(Williams)
She calls herself
Valerie Thomas.
Don't worry.
Nudes are very difficult.
This is the first one
I've ever had trouble with.
I can tell you
who pulled that job.
Your fingerprints are
all over the lady's safe,
and theirs aren't.
Rockford
still takes the rap.
The minute you get your hands
on those pearls...
I come busting
through the door,
and get the necklace.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money
with you.
You mean you'll split
your sentence.
What guarantee
do we have...
you're not planning
on ripping them off
for yourself?
The best guarantee
in the world.
He don't wanna die.
[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]
(caller)
Jim, it's Jack.
I'm at the airport.
I am going to Tokyo.
I wanna pay you
the $500 I owe you.
Catch you next year
when I get back.
[Bell rings]
[Door closes]
I don't like you, Rockford.
I never did.
You sent me a $200 invitation
to tell me that?
I need your help.
Are you kidding?
You almost killed me
five years ago.
I spent two months
in a prison hospital.
You had it coming.
We're even.
I still owe you a broken jaw
and two separated ribs.
I want you
to find a girl for me.
Moss, that's not the business
I'm in.
My girl.
There's something wrong.
Like what?
I don't know.
Maybe she split on me,
maybe she's sick.
She used to write me
every day. Three months ago
she stopped.
For the three months,
nothing.
You try writing?
Yeah, my letters come back.
"Unknown at this address."
Unknown? She's been living
there for two years.
Now, I get out of this joint
in about a week.
I want you to find out
what's happened to her.
Why not find out
for yourself?
'Cause maybe she's hooked up
with somebody else.
Now, you know I got a temper.
I don't want
to go out and tear
some John's head off...
and wind up right back
here in the slam.
You tell me
that's what happened,
and that's the end of it.
I know your price,
$200 a day,
plus expenses, right?
I'll pay it.
The phone book's
full of P.I.'s
you never tried to kill.
Why me?
I don't like you,
but I can trust you.
You're an ex-con.
You know
what it's like in here.
You'll give me a fair shake.
I don't trust nobody
I got to pick
out of a phone book.
So you're it.
I need some time
to think about it.
You're it.
[Waves crashing]
(Rockford)
Yes.
Yes, Dr. Boren.
You see, my business manager's
been out of town.
Right, I hope you don't plan
to repossess my filling.
Yes, of course, Doctor.
I'll see that there's
something in the mail
for you today.
[Pounding on door]
(Rockford)
Yes, Doctor. Thank you.
Who is it?
(Kramer)
Mr. Rockford?
That depends.
On what?
On who you are.
I'm sorry. Daniel Kramer.
Moss Williams' attorney.
May I come in?
If this is about
Moss Williams, Mr. Kramer,
I can save you a lot of time.
I've given it some thought.
The answer is, no.
Mr. Williams explained
there's a certain antipathy
between you.
Mr. Williams
tried to kill me.
Yes, he mentioned that.
I can understand
why you would be hesitant...
in responding
to his plea for assistance.
I'm not hesitating.
You can tell
Mr. Williams to stuff it.
Yes, of course.
Let me tell you
how we've arranged it.
Arranged what?
This is a picture of the woman
in question: Maria Heller.
How did
a woman like this...
get mixed up
with a goon
like Moss Williams?
Yes. Well, there's
no accounting for taste.
There are some women,
well-bred, good families...
who seem to find it
physically exciting...
to associate themselves
with...
Gorillas?
Yes, of course.
In any event, this is
her last known address, and...
I'm not working
for Moss Williams.
And a cashier's check
in the amount of $500.
There'll be more
if you need it.
I'll be dealing with you.
That's correct.
I won't have to see Moss,
I won't have to
talk to him at all.
You report directly to me.
What do you say, Mr. Rockford?
Will you accept
the assignment?
Yes?
Good afternoon, sir.
I'm with the Rothschild
Beauty Foundation.
May I have a word
with the little woman?
What little woman?
The Mrs.
What do you want?
What I want, sir
is a word
with the little woman.
She's 5'7" and a half
in her stocking feet,
and she's in the shower.
Sir, I have
a mighty interesting business
proposition for the little...
For the Mrs.
She's not interested.
The Rothschild
Beauty Foundation has...
(woman)
Harry, I need my robe.
Just a minute.
This is the little woman?
Who invited you in?
You know, she's exactly
what we've been looking for.
You see,
the Rothschild
Foundation is having...
a sales opening
in this neighborhood.
Our last representative
made $200,
possibly $300 a week.
I'm doing
a preliminary survey and...
Out.
This is
a great opportunity...
Buddy, you're gonna
get out of here
or am I gonna call the cops?
If you're not interested,
just say so.
[Knocking on door]
(Rockford)
All right. Hold on.
All right.
[Knocking continues]
All right.
Now that's
a parole violation.
Where is she?
The deal is I don't have to
talk to you and I
don't have to see you.
If you don't tell me
where she is, I'm gonna
blow you apart.
If I do tell you,
you're gonna blow her apart.
What do you think,
I'm stupid?
Yeah, Moss,
I think you're stupid.
Look, the cops
know Maria is my girl.
I'm out of jail,
she winds up dead.
Who's gonna look number one
for the murder?
I just want to talk to her,
that's all.
And you're gonna
take me to her.
This is for you, pal.
Rockford, I could take you off
right now and nobody
would know the difference.
Which one?
Leave the gun here,
Moss.
Which one?
You're not gonna go
Neanderthal on me, are you?
Look, I told you
all I wanna do is talk to her.
It's upstairs.
Apartment 12.
Drive around the back.
(Williams)
Crown!
Moss! Wait a minute,
you got it wrong.
Hey.
You got it wrong.
You were gonna
cut me out, right?
No, Moss,
you got it wrong.
Let's find Maria
and ask her
how wrong I got it.
I can't.
What're you talking about?
Where is she?
I don't know.
I woke up this morning
and she was gone.
(Williams)
Where?
What are you gonna do?
I got some questions
and you better have
good answers.
Moss, not in front of him.
Forget him.
I'm begging you,
Moss, not in front of him!
(Williams)
She what?
And you let her
get away with them?
All right.
So I got a temper.
I probably
wouldn't have shot him.
I've known
Harry Crown a long time.
Your retainer
just ran out, Moss.
I paid you $700.
For what?
For nothing?
That's a lousy deal.
Yeah, it is, isn't it?
Okay, another $500
and you find Maria.
You know
what I think, Moss?
I think when Maria left,
she took something with her.
That's what
you want me to find.
It was something
that didn't belong to her.
Probably doesn't belong
to you, either.
You've been out of the joint
for 24 hours...
and you're looking for
a return engagement.
You don't have enough money
to buy me into
a mess like that.
So get out of my tree,
pal, and stay out.
[Knocking on door]
Who is it?
(Burch)
Mr. Rockford?
That wasn't an answer.
My name's Burch.
Edgar Burch.
I wonder if I could have
a few minutes of your time?
Why?
I can explain better
if you'd let me inside.
Mr. Burch, I haven't had
breakfast yet, and I'm not
in a very good mood.
So if you're suing, selling,
or collecting...
I'm not.
Come on in.
Mr. Rockford, you visited
a felon named Moss Williams...
at the penitentiary
just prior to his release.
Did I?
You did.
You've spent the past
couple of hours
with Mr. Williams.
Have I?
Let's not play games,
Mr. Rockford.
I've been following you.
I've also checked you out.
You have a prison record.
Consorting with a known felon
is, I believe,
a parole violation.
You're gonna
blow the whistle on me?
I'm sure
that won't be necessary.
I just mentioned it
to stimulate an atmosphere
of cooperation.
That's not
what you stimulated.
I'm not on parole,
I got a full pardon.
You've got about 10 seconds
to make it through the door.
Mr. Rockford,
I just want to ask a few...
Seven seconds,
you're cutting it close.
I'm sorry. I can see
that I started off
on the wrong foot.
You've got five.
Will you stop counting
and listen to me?
I just want to ask you
a few questions.
I'll make it worth your while.
You have some kind of a deal
with Moss Williams.
Is that correct?
He talked a deal.
Did you accept?
Why?
Did he mention
the property involved?
What property?
You're not answering
the questions...
Neither are you.
All right.
I'm with Midwest Marine
and Casualty Insurance.
Three years ago Moss Williams
and a man named Harry Crown...
stole a pearl necklace...
insured by my company
for a quarter
of a million dollars.
We were never able to prove
the case against them.
And you never recovered
the necklace.
They were arrested shortly
after the theft
on an unrelated charge.
They've been in prison,
but they're out now...
and they're going to try
to move those pearls.
How do I fit in?
My company already
paid off on that claim.
But we have
an incentive program.
Once our company pays a claim
if an investigator
can make a recovery...
Midwest pays
25% of the salvaged value...
as an incentive
never to drop a case.
I've been on this one
for three years.
Now that
Moss Williams is out...
I think I have a chance
to pick up that money.
With my help.
(Burch)
If you're interested,
I'd like us
to talk to Mr. Cutter.
(adjuster)
Mr. Connally, I've got
the agreement in front of me.
No, sir, you're covered
under sub-paragraph E.
That's right, sir.
We won't need
a conversion statement.
You're late, Ed. You know how
Mr. Cutter gets when you're
late for an appointment.
Sorry, Rebecca.
Mr. Cutter?
Mr. Burch is here
with a Mr... Yes, sir.
He'll see you now.
(Cutter)
Mr. Rockford, isn't it?
Yes.
Please sit down.
Ed, you're gonna
have to fill me in.
I didn't quite understand
your phone message.
You said something
about $250,000 claim?
That's right.
We have reason to believe...
a girl named Maria Heller
has the necklace
we paid off on.
Who is she?
An old girlfriend
of Moss Williams.
And Mr. Rockford?
He's agreed to help me recover
the necklace, for a percentage
of the recovery fee.
You've been looking for
the necklace for three years.
All of a sudden,
you're gonna cut in
Mr. Rockford. Why?
Yeah, why?
'Cause Williams and Crown
want Rockford
to find the girl.
If she sees Williams or Crown,
she'll run.
If they see me, they'll run.
So Rockford's
the perfect inside man.
You're proposing that
Mr. Rockford serve as
our agent in this matter.
It's worth
a third to me.
A third?
For the perfect inside man?
I've put in
a lot of time
on this case.
I'm taking all the risks.
For 60-40,
I'll think about it.
You get the 60?
I do.
Forget it.
Okay.
50%.
In writing.
You bet, in writing.
Get one of our standard
participation agreements.
(Burch)
Yes, sir.
Could you get me
a description
of the necklace...
so I know
what I'm looking for?
Now we can do
more than that.
We keep records,
photographic records
of all our jewelry...
and objects of art.
Things of that nature.
Mr. Rockford.
Ed.
Yes, sir.
You know what Moss Williams
will do if he finds
you're working for us?
I know.
Good.
That 50% is gonna
go down easier...
knowing you're working
with that on your mind.
I'm here to see Moss.
He doesn't wanna see you.
He'll wanna hear
what I have to say,
Harry.
(Harry)
Moss.
We got nothing
to talk about.
I'll find her for you.
What changed your mind?
I've got this loan shark
after me.
He's about to break
the fingers on my right hand.
I figure it's a little better
dealing with you than getting
my hand ground up...
if the price is right.
You're too late, pal.
We already found the girl.
Is she here?
No, but we know
where she is.
Only you haven't made
your move yet
because you know...
the minute she takes a look
at either one of you,
she's gonna rabbit.
She's gonna take with her
whatever it is you're
so anxious to get back.
Don't let him in, Moss.
We can handle it.
How? He's right.
It's gonna take
someone she's never...
I got something
to say and I say no.
I say yes.
We're not gonna argue
with me, are we?
'Cause when we argue with me
we lose our teeth.
All right,
you're in for a third.
She calls herself
Valerie Thomas.
(Williams)
She says her old man's dead.
She drinks scotch and water,
with no ice.
She's got this thing
about detail.
That's how come she's always
taking all these courses.
Watch yourself with her
'cause she's real sharp.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Maybe you can tell me.
What's wrong with that?
Let me see.
Everything.
Don't worry.
Nudes are very difficult.
To tell you the truth...
this is the first one
I've ever had trouble with.
What'll it be?
Scotch and water for me.
No ice, please.
That's two with no ice.
I don't care for ice either.
It's a little habit
I picked up in London.
When were you
in London?
The last time
a couple of years ago.
About two years ago?
Yeah.
That's when I was there.
Where'd you stay?
The Connaught.
Dorchester.
Business?
Pleasure.
Pleasure.
I wonder what else
we have in common?
(Williams)
What'd you find out?
Everything you gave me
on her checks out.
What about the pearls?
You were supposed
to find the pearls.
I'm working on it.
You're working too slow.
Harry, if I push it
any harder, I'm liable
to explode it.
Just let me do it
my way, will you?
How do we know that you
haven't already found
the pearls?
What guarantee
do we have...
you're not planning on
ripping them off
for yourself?
The best guarantee
in the world.
He don't wanna die.
He's absolutely right.
When do you see her again?
Tonight.
There's a new restaurant
opening down at the Marina.
I'll probably need
another $50.
(Harry)
Just hold it.
We just gave you $200
the day before yesterday.
How much today, Moss?
100 and...
What am I supposed to do?
I can't buy her a hot dog.
She's not
that kind of a lady.
You're treating her
like she was Princess Grace.
She's a thief.
But with
very good taste.
[Doorbell rings]
Hi.
Hi.
I'm sorry I'm late.
So am I.
I was afraid
I'd been stood up.
No, you weren't.
No, I wasn't.
I'll get my bag.
Did you get
tied up in traffic?
I got trapped by a client.
Showed up at my place.
No appointment, no warning,
just showed up.
Lady client?
No.
It was an old friend.
Well, a friend that was old.
He wanted me
to look after this.
These things
should be put in a vault...
but the banks were closed,
and I don't have any place
to keep them.
You mind riding
shotgun with me?
I'd love to.
Say, this is
a security building,
isn't it?
Yes.
They probably have
a vault downstairs.
Would you mind asking if
they'd lock it up? I'll pick
it up in the morning.
Why don't you
just keep it in my safe?
I didn't know
you had one.
Compliments
of the architect.
(Rockford)
You got enough room in there?
Sure.
I'll pick it up first thing
in the morning, I promise.
(Valerie)
No problem.
[Rewinding]
(Valerie)
Why don't you just
keep it in my safe?
(Rockford)
I didn't know you had one.
Compliments of the...
[Safe dial clicking]
[Safe dial clicking]
Still monkeying around
with that tape recorder?
I already got the truck
washed, and I stopped
by the cleaners for you.
I got us some staples.
I got it.
What've you got?
"17-24-32."
What's this?
I'd tell you it's none of
your business, but that
never stops you.
Rocky.
Don't you worry.
I know how to work
these things.
What was them
funny little clicking sounds?
17...
You know what I think?
That sounds like
the combination of a safe.
It does?
Yeah.
What if I told you
you're right?
I don't understand.
It's an idea I had
a long time ago.
I just never had a chance
to use it.
What kind of an idea?
It's only brilliant.
You see, safes are insulated
on the outside
but not on the inside.
This recorder
is sound-activated
by this little box right here.
The big problem is
trying to find out a way
to get this into the safe.
Once you got that,
you got no problem.
Now when the combination
is dialed,
it's recorded automatically.
That first, loud click
you hear, that's zero.
From then on you just count
the clicks and you got it.
How do you
tell left from right?
The first number has got to be
one or the other, right?
So, you go right,
left, right.
If that isn't it,
you go left, right, left.
You figured that out
all by yourself?
Yeah.
Very interesting.
Thanks.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
What are you doing
messing around
with this stuff?
It's just an experiment.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
(Valerie)
Darling, I'm sorry.
I should have planned
something that wouldn't keep
me in the kitchen long.
You want company?
No.
The secret to good cooking
is concentration.
And you're a distraction.
I certainly hope so.
Just give me five more minutes
with that soufflé in there...
and I promise you,
dinner will be served.
All this domesticity
isn't gonna scare you off,
is it?
Not unless you're a bad cook.
I'm terrific.
[Cutlery rattling]
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
Hey, Dennis. Jim Rockford.
How you doing, buddy?
(Rockford)
Dennis?
No.
What do you mean, no?
I haven't asked you
anything yet.
You will.
You've got some peculiar ideas
about this department, Jim.
This is not
an information bureau.
(Lt.Becker)
This is not
your branch office.
And I am not on your payroll.
What's the matter, Dennis?
The Captain
been chewing on you?
I'm tired,
that's what's the matter,
and I wanna go home.
What if I could turn
some hot jewelry?
Can you?
That was a "what if."
And what if
the insurance company
paid off three years ago...
and are offering
a recovery fee?
How long would
the police hold on
to the jewelry...
before I could
collect my money?
Listen, Jim, if you've got
any information...
How long, Dennis?
I don't know.
A couple of weeks, maybe.
Couple of weeks?
You mean you wouldn't
need it for the trial?
Not if we can
get an appraisal.
Get an expert statement
admissible in court.
[Clears throat]
What's going on, Jimbo?
Why don't you hang around
the precinct for a while,
Dennis?
I just may have
something for you.
[Phone clicks]
[Sighs]
Did you open the safe?
I opened it.
And the pearls?
They're in there.
Good.
I told you that was the way
when you said
you had the combination.
If we'd waited
for a court order...
done the whole thing
legal and tidy...
and the pearls
hadn't been in there...
we'd have tipped her
to the whole thing.
Okay, so you're right.
So, now we give
the combination
to the police.
We can't do that.
Why not?
If the police recover them,
they'll hold them
for material evidence.
We'll have to wait for it
to go through the courts.
We'll have to wait nine months
or more before we see a penny
of the recovery fee.
The police just get
an expert and take
a statement, that's it.
They don't hold the pearls.
Really?
My understanding that...
You're lying.
If you're
an insurance investigator,
you know the rules.
So who are you?
Let me go.
You know well who I am.
I don't think so.
I wanna know who you are,
and what's going down.
(Harry)
Come on,
let's get out of here.
He's gonna be out for a while.
[Phone ringing]
Yeah. Jimmy? You all right?
Where you at?
No, don't tell me.
They probably got
this phone tapped.
The cops?
(Rocky)
They been here three times.
They took
your new tape machine.
I think they got
this joint staked out.
Sonny, you really
done it this time.
I stole a pearl necklace,
right?
That's right. Off from
some lady named
Valerie Thomas.
(Rockford)
Her name's not Valerie Thomas.
Yes, it is.
Been all over the television.
Whatever gave me the idea
that Moss Williams was stupid?
I should have stopped you.
The minute I seen you
with that combination...
I should have stopped you.
Rocky, if it makes you feel
any better, I didn't steal it.
That's what I
keep telling myself.
Now, you listen to me, sonny.
You stay away from this place,
you hear?
And you better get hold of
that lawyer friend of yours.
I think you're
gonna need her.
Don't worry, Rocky.
I'll get out from under this.
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
I'm timing the call, Dennis
so don't bother
putting a trace on it.
Come on in, Jim.
Not a chance.
I know a nice tight frame
when I'm in one.
You didn't do it?
(Rockford)
That's right.I didn't do it.
You know how much
we got says you did?
You got a small,
black notebook.
Found at the scene.
Planted.
Which has,
in your handwriting,
the name of Valerie Thomas.
Where she goes,
what she does...
(Lt.Becker)
What she likes, from the time
you were setting her up.
I can explain that.
Sure you can.
Which has,
in your handwriting,
the combination of her safe.
That tape recorder gimmick,
very clever.
Listen Jim, come on in,
and we'll talk about it.
Dennis, I can tell you
who pulled that job.
Two guys.
Moss Williams and Harry Crown.
Thank you very much
for that information,
but how come...
your fingerprints are all over
the lady's safe,
and theirs aren't.
Because they wore gloves
and I didn't.
Look, I admit I opened
the safe but I didn't steal
the pearls.
I just looked at them.
Hi.
What are you
doing here?
Valerie, I've got
a pain in the neck...
and an incredible story
that goes with it.
Tell it to the police.
No, not quite yet.
It's you I wanna talk to.
Why? There's nothing
left in the safe.
Don't you think you ought
to be moving on now
to greener fields?
Of course. You want
the insurance money, too.
You see, darling,
they haven't paid off yet.
That's not a very nice thing
to say. You make me
sound like a crook.
Your fingerprints
were on the safe.
They found a little notebook
that had all kinds of details
in it about me.
And the cops told you that I
was an ex-con.
So it all adds up?
Well, it doesn't.
Trust me.
Trust you?
Why would I do
a dumb thing like that?
Because I need your help.
You want me to smuggle you
across the border?
No, I want you
to lend me a $1,000.
Are you serious?
$1,000 will get
your pearls back
and get me out of a jam.
Either you've got more gall
than anybody
I've ever come up against...
or you're innocent.
I'm not sure which.
Take a chance.
(Rockford)
Two tickets, please.
Listen Jim,
I have never been...
I don't think
this is really...
I just wouldn't...
(woman on screen)
I don't know, Doctor.
I just don't seem to get
anything out of it.
(man on screen)
I see.
Let me try
a few experiments.
Of course.
Why did you bring her?
I didn't bring her.
She brought me.
Angel,
will you relax?
After what I
been through?
Cops been climbing on me
all day long asking me if I
knew where you was.
Now you know what happens
if they find me with you?
It's a parole violation,
you go back to the joint.
Did you talk
to Manny Tolan?
You didn't even tell me
why I was pumping him.
Moss has to get
the pearls appraised
before he can deal.
He can't get them
appraised.
Not from
a Beverly Hills jeweler.
There'd be cops dropping
out of every palm tree.
There's only one man in town
that can do the appraisal,
keep it safe.
And that's Manny Tolan.
Now, is there a meeting
or isn't there?
Cost me eight Irish
and water.
Green Frog Motel.
Room 211.
9:00.
Doesn't give us much time.
9:00?
I don't think I like
that part about "us."
You're going
to impersonate
Manny Tolan.
I don't look
nothing like Manny.
(Rockford)
Have they ever seen him?
I don't know.
Chances are they haven't.
Chances are?
Let me tell you my plan.
Whatever it is,
I don't want nothing
to do with it.
What is it?
First, we gotta get
Manny out of the picture.
Jimmy, you can't do that.
They got the meeting
all set up.
Then we ring you in as Manny.
Moss and Harry show up
at the Green Frog Motel
with the pearls.
Now, I'll be in the next room
with a cannon.
The minute you get your hand
on those pearls...
I come busting
through the door and catch
them flat-footed...
we get the necklace,
and I get free of the cops.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money
with you.
You mean you'll split
your sentence with me.
I ain't touching that.
You got a dime?
No.
(man)
How's that?
You got a dime?
(woman)
Nice.
Very good.
And this?
Better.
I see.
Yes.
Listen, Jimmy, you and me
are friends, old buddy buds.
What is Manny Tolan's
phone number?
I've done all I could.
But you...
Jimmy.
It's 555-3420.
Lady, why don't you
say something?
Why do they allow
those movies
to be shown?
[Phone ringing]
Yeah?
Hello, Manny?
Who is this?
It's Moss Williams.
I been thinking...
it's not too smart moving
those pearls clear
across town. They're hot.
They were hot when you made
the appointment.
I made time for you.
Yeah. I'm not saying
we call the meeting off. No.
You know the
Sun Val Lodge on Ventura?
(Rockford)
I'll meet you there at 9:00:
I don't get out
to the valley much.
I'd have to charge
you travel time.
Yeah, whatever you say.
I'm in 118.
118. Sun Val.
(Manny)
All right, I'll see you there.
[Sighs]
It's all set.
It's an easy gig, Angel.
I ain't doing it.
(Williams)
The other pearls
are the same quality.
Going by the picture,
how much would you say
it's worth on the street?
I gotta get my medicine.
Ulcers. I'll be right back.
It ain't gonna work.
You and your plan.
They brought one pearl.
What am I gonna tell?
What am I gonna say?
$50,000? $75,000?
What am I gonna tell them?
Tell them it's paste.
Why?
Go on, tell them.
I'm not gonna
tell them that.
Yes, you are.
Now, go on.
How's your stomach?
Give me that thing.
Give me that.
All right,
what's it worth?
Well, depends
on the workmanship.
If it's good...
the necklace
could bring $50, $75.
What are you talking about?
It's paste.
It can't be.
Gentlemen, you asked
for an expert opinion.
Paste?
Yeah, here.
Take a close look
for yourselves. Come on,
look at this.
Now, do you see
the pale blue aura?
(Angel)
That's what we call it,
an "aura."
You see it?
Yeah.
It's bad. Let me show you
something else.
Look at this.
Look closer.
It's round.
It's a pearl.
It's manmade.
Not even one of your
cultivated pearls.
You see, nature
don't make them perfect.
That's the thing you
gotta keep in mind.
Pearls are tricky.
Anything else
I can do for you?
No, you've done
plenty already.
You know
what I'm thinking, Moss?
(Williams)
Shut up.
I'm thinking
the same thing.
Angel, you were great.
We got nothing,
no pearls, nothing.
You picked up an easy $200.
Easy?
I could've
got killed.
No, they wouldn't do
a thing like that.
No, I'm serious, you were
really great. That business
about the "pale blue aura."
You had me believing it.
I don't even
wanna talk to you.
I'm here with psychos
and you're hiding
in the bathroom.
I was never so glad
to get rid of anybody
in my life.
We didn't exactly
get rid of them.
What do you mean?
You told them
what we had was paste.
They're gonna think I switched
the pearls. They are gonna
come after me.
Why did you have
me say that?
'Cause I have an idea.
Tell you what
we're gonna do next.
You and me,
we ain't gonna do
nothing next.
I'm through. You're
always talking about
what good friends we are.
If we were good friends,
you wouldn't stuck me
into this deal.
Fooling with those guys,
I could've ended up in a sack.
You want company,
you look somewhere else...
'cause from now on,
I'm gonna take care of myself.
[Door closes]
What are you
doing here?
Can I talk to you?
It's important.
All right. Come on in.
All right. You said
it was important.
Yeah, it is.
(Harry)
Hey, Manny, what do you want?
Manny?
I ain't Manny Tolan.
Why don't we start with
who you are?
Names don't matter.
Angel. Everybody
just calls me Angel.
Why'd you come on
like you was Manny?
'Cause this friend of mine,
he kind of pushed me into it.
What friend?
He's a guy that I did
time with, guy named
Jim Rockford.
Rockford.
Yeah, I'm not trying
to get him in any trouble.
He got me in this trouble.
He doesn't care about me,
he never did.
All I want... I just wanna
clear myself. You understand?
Where's Manny?
What happened to Manny?
Rockford mousetrapped him
from the motel.
He made me come on
like I was Manny.
I didn't want to do it.
I said, "I don't wanna do it."
You ever say no to him?
What are you telling us
all this for?
Like I said, I just wanna
clear myself with you guys
and with Manny.
I mean, you were
bound to find out.
He didn't think that
but I know. You'll find out.
Then, who do you come for?
You come for him and me.
It's not like I'm trying
to burn Rockford.
Because you're not gonna
mess with him.
You got the pearls.
You mean they aren't paste?
No.
He told me to say that.
He was just buying time.
They're real.
I mean, if you
don't believe me, go show them
to Manny Tolan.
It's flash.
It's what?
Good quality,
but never saw the inside
of an oyster.
That ain't a phony.
It can't be a phony.
I spent 40 years
in this business. I'm telling
you that ain't worth two bits.
Jimmy ain't got the real ones.
I know that for sure.
If Rockford doesn't have them,
and we haven't got them...
who's got them?
I don't know.
I do. The girl's got them.
The girl? What do you mean?
Think about it, will you?
It makes sense.
No, it don't.
People with that kind of
jewelry always have copies,
right?
So, while we think
we're ripping off the girl...
she's ripping off
the insurance company.
We've been suckered.
It should've worked.
The way we had it figured,
it should've.
It's gonna work
just like we planned.
Rockford still takes the rap.
How do you know?
Because I know
human nature.
What'd I tell you?
She put the real ones back.
Human nature.
Give me the phonies.
This lady is in
for one big surprise.
Let's get out of here
and move these things.
Do you mind?
You didn't ask the last time.
You should have seen me,
Jimmy. I did it just like
you said.
I was selling you out
and they was buying.
I should have gone in
for bunco.
No, seriously, I'm not lying
to you. I think I got
a real talent there.
(Williams)
They're worth about
a quarter of a million.
Whatever's fair.
How much?
Quarter of a million.
That's what
they're insured for...
but we
don't expect that much.
What you two bums can expect
is about a year and a half
in traction.
What the hell are you
talking about?
Paste.
You're trying to stiff us
with paste.
Those are not paste.
No. Listen.
What we ripped off
the first time,
that was paste.
But Moss and me...
We went back
and we made the switch.
He took us, Harry.
You know that?
He really took us.
When I told Moss
these were flash,
I nearly choked.
These are the finest pearls
I've seen in five years...
worth a quarter of a million,
at least.
And they put them
right back in the safe.
You did it.
Yeah, I did, didn't I?
I helped. Didn't I help?
We couldn't have
done it without you.
You know, you make
a great informer.
It's a gift.
Fellows, I don't know how
to say thank you,
but I have to start somewhere.
Would you mind
starting with
Sgt. Becker?
I will.
Jimmy. Listen,
I've been thinking about it.
You and me work
pretty good together.
Yeah.
I mean, if we was
to turn your mind to it...
I'm not talking about
hitting friends...
Angel, didn't we
have this conversation
once before?
Over bread and water?
Yeah. I believe we did.
Sgt. Becker?
This is Valerie Thomas...
I have a rather...
Actually, it's a rather
embarrassing situation.
It's about my pearl necklace.
Yes, I know you are.
An APB? That is
one of the things
I was concerned about.
You see, from time to time
I have misplaced the necklace.
Just a few minutes ago,
I was going through
my glove drawer...
and there it was,
can you believe it?
Yes, that is what I'm saying.
I have the pearls,
they weren't stolen.
Of course, I realize
what I've done and that's why
I'm calling.
I thought if you could
handle the warrant
on poor Mr. Rockford...
I could handle
the apology.
Yes, thank you
very much.
you're in for a third.
(Williams)
She calls herself
Valerie Thomas.
Don't worry.
Nudes are very difficult.
This is the first one
I've ever had trouble with.
I can tell you
who pulled that job.
Your fingerprints are
all over the lady's safe,
and theirs aren't.
Rockford
still takes the rap.
The minute you get your hands
on those pearls...
I come busting
through the door,
and get the necklace.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money
with you.
You mean you'll split
your sentence.
What guarantee
do we have...
you're not planning
on ripping them off
for yourself?
The best guarantee
in the world.
He don't wanna die.
[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]
(caller)
Jim, it's Jack.
I'm at the airport.
I am going to Tokyo.
I wanna pay you
the $500 I owe you.
Catch you next year
when I get back.
[Bell rings]
[Door closes]
I don't like you, Rockford.
I never did.
You sent me a $200 invitation
to tell me that?
I need your help.
Are you kidding?
You almost killed me
five years ago.
I spent two months
in a prison hospital.
You had it coming.
We're even.
I still owe you a broken jaw
and two separated ribs.
I want you
to find a girl for me.
Moss, that's not the business
I'm in.
My girl.
There's something wrong.
Like what?
I don't know.
Maybe she split on me,
maybe she's sick.
She used to write me
every day. Three months ago
she stopped.
For the three months,
nothing.
You try writing?
Yeah, my letters come back.
"Unknown at this address."
Unknown? She's been living
there for two years.
Now, I get out of this joint
in about a week.
I want you to find out
what's happened to her.
Why not find out
for yourself?
'Cause maybe she's hooked up
with somebody else.
Now, you know I got a temper.
I don't want
to go out and tear
some John's head off...
and wind up right back
here in the slam.
You tell me
that's what happened,
and that's the end of it.
I know your price,
$200 a day,
plus expenses, right?
I'll pay it.
The phone book's
full of P.I.'s
you never tried to kill.
Why me?
I don't like you,
but I can trust you.
You're an ex-con.
You know
what it's like in here.
You'll give me a fair shake.
I don't trust nobody
I got to pick
out of a phone book.
So you're it.
I need some time
to think about it.
You're it.
[Waves crashing]
(Rockford)
Yes.
Yes, Dr. Boren.
You see, my business manager's
been out of town.
Right, I hope you don't plan
to repossess my filling.
Yes, of course, Doctor.
I'll see that there's
something in the mail
for you today.
[Pounding on door]
(Rockford)
Yes, Doctor. Thank you.
Who is it?
(Kramer)
Mr. Rockford?
That depends.
On what?
On who you are.
I'm sorry. Daniel Kramer.
Moss Williams' attorney.
May I come in?
If this is about
Moss Williams, Mr. Kramer,
I can save you a lot of time.
I've given it some thought.
The answer is, no.
Mr. Williams explained
there's a certain antipathy
between you.
Mr. Williams
tried to kill me.
Yes, he mentioned that.
I can understand
why you would be hesitant...
in responding
to his plea for assistance.
I'm not hesitating.
You can tell
Mr. Williams to stuff it.
Yes, of course.
Let me tell you
how we've arranged it.
Arranged what?
This is a picture of the woman
in question: Maria Heller.
How did
a woman like this...
get mixed up
with a goon
like Moss Williams?
Yes. Well, there's
no accounting for taste.
There are some women,
well-bred, good families...
who seem to find it
physically exciting...
to associate themselves
with...
Gorillas?
Yes, of course.
In any event, this is
her last known address, and...
I'm not working
for Moss Williams.
And a cashier's check
in the amount of $500.
There'll be more
if you need it.
I'll be dealing with you.
That's correct.
I won't have to see Moss,
I won't have to
talk to him at all.
You report directly to me.
What do you say, Mr. Rockford?
Will you accept
the assignment?
Yes?
Good afternoon, sir.
I'm with the Rothschild
Beauty Foundation.
May I have a word
with the little woman?
What little woman?
The Mrs.
What do you want?
What I want, sir
is a word
with the little woman.
She's 5'7" and a half
in her stocking feet,
and she's in the shower.
Sir, I have
a mighty interesting business
proposition for the little...
For the Mrs.
She's not interested.
The Rothschild
Beauty Foundation has...
(woman)
Harry, I need my robe.
Just a minute.
This is the little woman?
Who invited you in?
You know, she's exactly
what we've been looking for.
You see,
the Rothschild
Foundation is having...
a sales opening
in this neighborhood.
Our last representative
made $200,
possibly $300 a week.
I'm doing
a preliminary survey and...
Out.
This is
a great opportunity...
Buddy, you're gonna
get out of here
or am I gonna call the cops?
If you're not interested,
just say so.
[Knocking on door]
(Rockford)
All right. Hold on.
All right.
[Knocking continues]
All right.
Now that's
a parole violation.
Where is she?
The deal is I don't have to
talk to you and I
don't have to see you.
If you don't tell me
where she is, I'm gonna
blow you apart.
If I do tell you,
you're gonna blow her apart.
What do you think,
I'm stupid?
Yeah, Moss,
I think you're stupid.
Look, the cops
know Maria is my girl.
I'm out of jail,
she winds up dead.
Who's gonna look number one
for the murder?
I just want to talk to her,
that's all.
And you're gonna
take me to her.
This is for you, pal.
Rockford, I could take you off
right now and nobody
would know the difference.
Which one?
Leave the gun here,
Moss.
Which one?
You're not gonna go
Neanderthal on me, are you?
Look, I told you
all I wanna do is talk to her.
It's upstairs.
Apartment 12.
Drive around the back.
(Williams)
Crown!
Moss! Wait a minute,
you got it wrong.
Hey.
You got it wrong.
You were gonna
cut me out, right?
No, Moss,
you got it wrong.
Let's find Maria
and ask her
how wrong I got it.
I can't.
What're you talking about?
Where is she?
I don't know.
I woke up this morning
and she was gone.
(Williams)
Where?
What are you gonna do?
I got some questions
and you better have
good answers.
Moss, not in front of him.
Forget him.
I'm begging you,
Moss, not in front of him!
(Williams)
She what?
And you let her
get away with them?
All right.
So I got a temper.
I probably
wouldn't have shot him.
I've known
Harry Crown a long time.
Your retainer
just ran out, Moss.
I paid you $700.
For what?
For nothing?
That's a lousy deal.
Yeah, it is, isn't it?
Okay, another $500
and you find Maria.
You know
what I think, Moss?
I think when Maria left,
she took something with her.
That's what
you want me to find.
It was something
that didn't belong to her.
Probably doesn't belong
to you, either.
You've been out of the joint
for 24 hours...
and you're looking for
a return engagement.
You don't have enough money
to buy me into
a mess like that.
So get out of my tree,
pal, and stay out.
[Knocking on door]
Who is it?
(Burch)
Mr. Rockford?
That wasn't an answer.
My name's Burch.
Edgar Burch.
I wonder if I could have
a few minutes of your time?
Why?
I can explain better
if you'd let me inside.
Mr. Burch, I haven't had
breakfast yet, and I'm not
in a very good mood.
So if you're suing, selling,
or collecting...
I'm not.
Come on in.
Mr. Rockford, you visited
a felon named Moss Williams...
at the penitentiary
just prior to his release.
Did I?
You did.
You've spent the past
couple of hours
with Mr. Williams.
Have I?
Let's not play games,
Mr. Rockford.
I've been following you.
I've also checked you out.
You have a prison record.
Consorting with a known felon
is, I believe,
a parole violation.
You're gonna
blow the whistle on me?
I'm sure
that won't be necessary.
I just mentioned it
to stimulate an atmosphere
of cooperation.
That's not
what you stimulated.
I'm not on parole,
I got a full pardon.
You've got about 10 seconds
to make it through the door.
Mr. Rockford,
I just want to ask a few...
Seven seconds,
you're cutting it close.
I'm sorry. I can see
that I started off
on the wrong foot.
You've got five.
Will you stop counting
and listen to me?
I just want to ask you
a few questions.
I'll make it worth your while.
You have some kind of a deal
with Moss Williams.
Is that correct?
He talked a deal.
Did you accept?
Why?
Did he mention
the property involved?
What property?
You're not answering
the questions...
Neither are you.
All right.
I'm with Midwest Marine
and Casualty Insurance.
Three years ago Moss Williams
and a man named Harry Crown...
stole a pearl necklace...
insured by my company
for a quarter
of a million dollars.
We were never able to prove
the case against them.
And you never recovered
the necklace.
They were arrested shortly
after the theft
on an unrelated charge.
They've been in prison,
but they're out now...
and they're going to try
to move those pearls.
How do I fit in?
My company already
paid off on that claim.
But we have
an incentive program.
Once our company pays a claim
if an investigator
can make a recovery...
Midwest pays
25% of the salvaged value...
as an incentive
never to drop a case.
I've been on this one
for three years.
Now that
Moss Williams is out...
I think I have a chance
to pick up that money.
With my help.
(Burch)
If you're interested,
I'd like us
to talk to Mr. Cutter.
(adjuster)
Mr. Connally, I've got
the agreement in front of me.
No, sir, you're covered
under sub-paragraph E.
That's right, sir.
We won't need
a conversion statement.
You're late, Ed. You know how
Mr. Cutter gets when you're
late for an appointment.
Sorry, Rebecca.
Mr. Cutter?
Mr. Burch is here
with a Mr... Yes, sir.
He'll see you now.
(Cutter)
Mr. Rockford, isn't it?
Yes.
Please sit down.
Ed, you're gonna
have to fill me in.
I didn't quite understand
your phone message.
You said something
about $250,000 claim?
That's right.
We have reason to believe...
a girl named Maria Heller
has the necklace
we paid off on.
Who is she?
An old girlfriend
of Moss Williams.
And Mr. Rockford?
He's agreed to help me recover
the necklace, for a percentage
of the recovery fee.
You've been looking for
the necklace for three years.
All of a sudden,
you're gonna cut in
Mr. Rockford. Why?
Yeah, why?
'Cause Williams and Crown
want Rockford
to find the girl.
If she sees Williams or Crown,
she'll run.
If they see me, they'll run.
So Rockford's
the perfect inside man.
You're proposing that
Mr. Rockford serve as
our agent in this matter.
It's worth
a third to me.
A third?
For the perfect inside man?
I've put in
a lot of time
on this case.
I'm taking all the risks.
For 60-40,
I'll think about it.
You get the 60?
I do.
Forget it.
Okay.
50%.
In writing.
You bet, in writing.
Get one of our standard
participation agreements.
(Burch)
Yes, sir.
Could you get me
a description
of the necklace...
so I know
what I'm looking for?
Now we can do
more than that.
We keep records,
photographic records
of all our jewelry...
and objects of art.
Things of that nature.
Mr. Rockford.
Ed.
Yes, sir.
You know what Moss Williams
will do if he finds
you're working for us?
I know.
Good.
That 50% is gonna
go down easier...
knowing you're working
with that on your mind.
I'm here to see Moss.
He doesn't wanna see you.
He'll wanna hear
what I have to say,
Harry.
(Harry)
Moss.
We got nothing
to talk about.
I'll find her for you.
What changed your mind?
I've got this loan shark
after me.
He's about to break
the fingers on my right hand.
I figure it's a little better
dealing with you than getting
my hand ground up...
if the price is right.
You're too late, pal.
We already found the girl.
Is she here?
No, but we know
where she is.
Only you haven't made
your move yet
because you know...
the minute she takes a look
at either one of you,
she's gonna rabbit.
She's gonna take with her
whatever it is you're
so anxious to get back.
Don't let him in, Moss.
We can handle it.
How? He's right.
It's gonna take
someone she's never...
I got something
to say and I say no.
I say yes.
We're not gonna argue
with me, are we?
'Cause when we argue with me
we lose our teeth.
All right,
you're in for a third.
She calls herself
Valerie Thomas.
(Williams)
She says her old man's dead.
She drinks scotch and water,
with no ice.
She's got this thing
about detail.
That's how come she's always
taking all these courses.
Watch yourself with her
'cause she's real sharp.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Maybe you can tell me.
What's wrong with that?
Let me see.
Everything.
Don't worry.
Nudes are very difficult.
To tell you the truth...
this is the first one
I've ever had trouble with.
What'll it be?
Scotch and water for me.
No ice, please.
That's two with no ice.
I don't care for ice either.
It's a little habit
I picked up in London.
When were you
in London?
The last time
a couple of years ago.
About two years ago?
Yeah.
That's when I was there.
Where'd you stay?
The Connaught.
Dorchester.
Business?
Pleasure.
Pleasure.
I wonder what else
we have in common?
(Williams)
What'd you find out?
Everything you gave me
on her checks out.
What about the pearls?
You were supposed
to find the pearls.
I'm working on it.
You're working too slow.
Harry, if I push it
any harder, I'm liable
to explode it.
Just let me do it
my way, will you?
How do we know that you
haven't already found
the pearls?
What guarantee
do we have...
you're not planning on
ripping them off
for yourself?
The best guarantee
in the world.
He don't wanna die.
He's absolutely right.
When do you see her again?
Tonight.
There's a new restaurant
opening down at the Marina.
I'll probably need
another $50.
(Harry)
Just hold it.
We just gave you $200
the day before yesterday.
How much today, Moss?
100 and...
What am I supposed to do?
I can't buy her a hot dog.
She's not
that kind of a lady.
You're treating her
like she was Princess Grace.
She's a thief.
But with
very good taste.
[Doorbell rings]
Hi.
Hi.
I'm sorry I'm late.
So am I.
I was afraid
I'd been stood up.
No, you weren't.
No, I wasn't.
I'll get my bag.
Did you get
tied up in traffic?
I got trapped by a client.
Showed up at my place.
No appointment, no warning,
just showed up.
Lady client?
No.
It was an old friend.
Well, a friend that was old.
He wanted me
to look after this.
These things
should be put in a vault...
but the banks were closed,
and I don't have any place
to keep them.
You mind riding
shotgun with me?
I'd love to.
Say, this is
a security building,
isn't it?
Yes.
They probably have
a vault downstairs.
Would you mind asking if
they'd lock it up? I'll pick
it up in the morning.
Why don't you
just keep it in my safe?
I didn't know
you had one.
Compliments
of the architect.
(Rockford)
You got enough room in there?
Sure.
I'll pick it up first thing
in the morning, I promise.
(Valerie)
No problem.
[Rewinding]
(Valerie)
Why don't you just
keep it in my safe?
(Rockford)
I didn't know you had one.
Compliments of the...
[Safe dial clicking]
[Safe dial clicking]
Still monkeying around
with that tape recorder?
I already got the truck
washed, and I stopped
by the cleaners for you.
I got us some staples.
I got it.
What've you got?
"17-24-32."
What's this?
I'd tell you it's none of
your business, but that
never stops you.
Rocky.
Don't you worry.
I know how to work
these things.
What was them
funny little clicking sounds?
17...
You know what I think?
That sounds like
the combination of a safe.
It does?
Yeah.
What if I told you
you're right?
I don't understand.
It's an idea I had
a long time ago.
I just never had a chance
to use it.
What kind of an idea?
It's only brilliant.
You see, safes are insulated
on the outside
but not on the inside.
This recorder
is sound-activated
by this little box right here.
The big problem is
trying to find out a way
to get this into the safe.
Once you got that,
you got no problem.
Now when the combination
is dialed,
it's recorded automatically.
That first, loud click
you hear, that's zero.
From then on you just count
the clicks and you got it.
How do you
tell left from right?
The first number has got to be
one or the other, right?
So, you go right,
left, right.
If that isn't it,
you go left, right, left.
You figured that out
all by yourself?
Yeah.
Very interesting.
Thanks.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
What are you doing
messing around
with this stuff?
It's just an experiment.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
(Valerie)
Darling, I'm sorry.
I should have planned
something that wouldn't keep
me in the kitchen long.
You want company?
No.
The secret to good cooking
is concentration.
And you're a distraction.
I certainly hope so.
Just give me five more minutes
with that soufflé in there...
and I promise you,
dinner will be served.
All this domesticity
isn't gonna scare you off,
is it?
Not unless you're a bad cook.
I'm terrific.
[Cutlery rattling]
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
Hey, Dennis. Jim Rockford.
How you doing, buddy?
(Rockford)
Dennis?
No.
What do you mean, no?
I haven't asked you
anything yet.
You will.
You've got some peculiar ideas
about this department, Jim.
This is not
an information bureau.
(Lt.Becker)
This is not
your branch office.
And I am not on your payroll.
What's the matter, Dennis?
The Captain
been chewing on you?
I'm tired,
that's what's the matter,
and I wanna go home.
What if I could turn
some hot jewelry?
Can you?
That was a "what if."
And what if
the insurance company
paid off three years ago...
and are offering
a recovery fee?
How long would
the police hold on
to the jewelry...
before I could
collect my money?
Listen, Jim, if you've got
any information...
How long, Dennis?
I don't know.
A couple of weeks, maybe.
Couple of weeks?
You mean you wouldn't
need it for the trial?
Not if we can
get an appraisal.
Get an expert statement
admissible in court.
[Clears throat]
What's going on, Jimbo?
Why don't you hang around
the precinct for a while,
Dennis?
I just may have
something for you.
[Phone clicks]
[Sighs]
Did you open the safe?
I opened it.
And the pearls?
They're in there.
Good.
I told you that was the way
when you said
you had the combination.
If we'd waited
for a court order...
done the whole thing
legal and tidy...
and the pearls
hadn't been in there...
we'd have tipped her
to the whole thing.
Okay, so you're right.
So, now we give
the combination
to the police.
We can't do that.
Why not?
If the police recover them,
they'll hold them
for material evidence.
We'll have to wait for it
to go through the courts.
We'll have to wait nine months
or more before we see a penny
of the recovery fee.
The police just get
an expert and take
a statement, that's it.
They don't hold the pearls.
Really?
My understanding that...
You're lying.
If you're
an insurance investigator,
you know the rules.
So who are you?
Let me go.
You know well who I am.
I don't think so.
I wanna know who you are,
and what's going down.
(Harry)
Come on,
let's get out of here.
He's gonna be out for a while.
[Phone ringing]
Yeah. Jimmy? You all right?
Where you at?
No, don't tell me.
They probably got
this phone tapped.
The cops?
(Rocky)
They been here three times.
They took
your new tape machine.
I think they got
this joint staked out.
Sonny, you really
done it this time.
I stole a pearl necklace,
right?
That's right. Off from
some lady named
Valerie Thomas.
(Rockford)
Her name's not Valerie Thomas.
Yes, it is.
Been all over the television.
Whatever gave me the idea
that Moss Williams was stupid?
I should have stopped you.
The minute I seen you
with that combination...
I should have stopped you.
Rocky, if it makes you feel
any better, I didn't steal it.
That's what I
keep telling myself.
Now, you listen to me, sonny.
You stay away from this place,
you hear?
And you better get hold of
that lawyer friend of yours.
I think you're
gonna need her.
Don't worry, Rocky.
I'll get out from under this.
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
I'm timing the call, Dennis
so don't bother
putting a trace on it.
Come on in, Jim.
Not a chance.
I know a nice tight frame
when I'm in one.
You didn't do it?
(Rockford)
That's right.I didn't do it.
You know how much
we got says you did?
You got a small,
black notebook.
Found at the scene.
Planted.
Which has,
in your handwriting,
the name of Valerie Thomas.
Where she goes,
what she does...
(Lt.Becker)
What she likes, from the time
you were setting her up.
I can explain that.
Sure you can.
Which has,
in your handwriting,
the combination of her safe.
That tape recorder gimmick,
very clever.
Listen Jim, come on in,
and we'll talk about it.
Dennis, I can tell you
who pulled that job.
Two guys.
Moss Williams and Harry Crown.
Thank you very much
for that information,
but how come...
your fingerprints are all over
the lady's safe,
and theirs aren't.
Because they wore gloves
and I didn't.
Look, I admit I opened
the safe but I didn't steal
the pearls.
I just looked at them.
Hi.
What are you
doing here?
Valerie, I've got
a pain in the neck...
and an incredible story
that goes with it.
Tell it to the police.
No, not quite yet.
It's you I wanna talk to.
Why? There's nothing
left in the safe.
Don't you think you ought
to be moving on now
to greener fields?
Of course. You want
the insurance money, too.
You see, darling,
they haven't paid off yet.
That's not a very nice thing
to say. You make me
sound like a crook.
Your fingerprints
were on the safe.
They found a little notebook
that had all kinds of details
in it about me.
And the cops told you that I
was an ex-con.
So it all adds up?
Well, it doesn't.
Trust me.
Trust you?
Why would I do
a dumb thing like that?
Because I need your help.
You want me to smuggle you
across the border?
No, I want you
to lend me a $1,000.
Are you serious?
$1,000 will get
your pearls back
and get me out of a jam.
Either you've got more gall
than anybody
I've ever come up against...
or you're innocent.
I'm not sure which.
Take a chance.
(Rockford)
Two tickets, please.
Listen Jim,
I have never been...
I don't think
this is really...
I just wouldn't...
(woman on screen)
I don't know, Doctor.
I just don't seem to get
anything out of it.
(man on screen)
I see.
Let me try
a few experiments.
Of course.
Why did you bring her?
I didn't bring her.
She brought me.
Angel,
will you relax?
After what I
been through?
Cops been climbing on me
all day long asking me if I
knew where you was.
Now you know what happens
if they find me with you?
It's a parole violation,
you go back to the joint.
Did you talk
to Manny Tolan?
You didn't even tell me
why I was pumping him.
Moss has to get
the pearls appraised
before he can deal.
He can't get them
appraised.
Not from
a Beverly Hills jeweler.
There'd be cops dropping
out of every palm tree.
There's only one man in town
that can do the appraisal,
keep it safe.
And that's Manny Tolan.
Now, is there a meeting
or isn't there?
Cost me eight Irish
and water.
Green Frog Motel.
Room 211.
9:00.
Doesn't give us much time.
9:00?
I don't think I like
that part about "us."
You're going
to impersonate
Manny Tolan.
I don't look
nothing like Manny.
(Rockford)
Have they ever seen him?
I don't know.
Chances are they haven't.
Chances are?
Let me tell you my plan.
Whatever it is,
I don't want nothing
to do with it.
What is it?
First, we gotta get
Manny out of the picture.
Jimmy, you can't do that.
They got the meeting
all set up.
Then we ring you in as Manny.
Moss and Harry show up
at the Green Frog Motel
with the pearls.
Now, I'll be in the next room
with a cannon.
The minute you get your hand
on those pearls...
I come busting
through the door and catch
them flat-footed...
we get the necklace,
and I get free of the cops.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money
with you.
You mean you'll split
your sentence with me.
I ain't touching that.
You got a dime?
No.
(man)
How's that?
You got a dime?
(woman)
Nice.
Very good.
And this?
Better.
I see.
Yes.
Listen, Jimmy, you and me
are friends, old buddy buds.
What is Manny Tolan's
phone number?
I've done all I could.
But you...
Jimmy.
It's 555-3420.
Lady, why don't you
say something?
Why do they allow
those movies
to be shown?
[Phone ringing]
Yeah?
Hello, Manny?
Who is this?
It's Moss Williams.
I been thinking...
it's not too smart moving
those pearls clear
across town. They're hot.
They were hot when you made
the appointment.
I made time for you.
Yeah. I'm not saying
we call the meeting off. No.
You know the
Sun Val Lodge on Ventura?
(Rockford)
I'll meet you there at 9:00:
I don't get out
to the valley much.
I'd have to charge
you travel time.
Yeah, whatever you say.
I'm in 118.
118. Sun Val.
(Manny)
All right, I'll see you there.
[Sighs]
It's all set.
It's an easy gig, Angel.
I ain't doing it.
(Williams)
The other pearls
are the same quality.
Going by the picture,
how much would you say
it's worth on the street?
I gotta get my medicine.
Ulcers. I'll be right back.
It ain't gonna work.
You and your plan.
They brought one pearl.
What am I gonna tell?
What am I gonna say?
$50,000? $75,000?
What am I gonna tell them?
Tell them it's paste.
Why?
Go on, tell them.
I'm not gonna
tell them that.
Yes, you are.
Now, go on.
How's your stomach?
Give me that thing.
Give me that.
All right,
what's it worth?
Well, depends
on the workmanship.
If it's good...
the necklace
could bring $50, $75.
What are you talking about?
It's paste.
It can't be.
Gentlemen, you asked
for an expert opinion.
Paste?
Yeah, here.
Take a close look
for yourselves. Come on,
look at this.
Now, do you see
the pale blue aura?
(Angel)
That's what we call it,
an "aura."
You see it?
Yeah.
It's bad. Let me show you
something else.
Look at this.
Look closer.
It's round.
It's a pearl.
It's manmade.
Not even one of your
cultivated pearls.
You see, nature
don't make them perfect.
That's the thing you
gotta keep in mind.
Pearls are tricky.
Anything else
I can do for you?
No, you've done
plenty already.
You know
what I'm thinking, Moss?
(Williams)
Shut up.
I'm thinking
the same thing.
Angel, you were great.
We got nothing,
no pearls, nothing.
You picked up an easy $200.
Easy?
I could've
got killed.
No, they wouldn't do
a thing like that.
No, I'm serious, you were
really great. That business
about the "pale blue aura."
You had me believing it.
I don't even
wanna talk to you.
I'm here with psychos
and you're hiding
in the bathroom.
I was never so glad
to get rid of anybody
in my life.
We didn't exactly
get rid of them.
What do you mean?
You told them
what we had was paste.
They're gonna think I switched
the pearls. They are gonna
come after me.
Why did you have
me say that?
'Cause I have an idea.
Tell you what
we're gonna do next.
You and me,
we ain't gonna do
nothing next.
I'm through. You're
always talking about
what good friends we are.
If we were good friends,
you wouldn't stuck me
into this deal.
Fooling with those guys,
I could've ended up in a sack.
You want company,
you look somewhere else...
'cause from now on,
I'm gonna take care of myself.
[Door closes]
What are you
doing here?
Can I talk to you?
It's important.
All right. Come on in.
All right. You said
it was important.
Yeah, it is.
(Harry)
Hey, Manny, what do you want?
Manny?
I ain't Manny Tolan.
Why don't we start with
who you are?
Names don't matter.
Angel. Everybody
just calls me Angel.
Why'd you come on
like you was Manny?
'Cause this friend of mine,
he kind of pushed me into it.
What friend?
He's a guy that I did
time with, guy named
Jim Rockford.
Rockford.
Yeah, I'm not trying
to get him in any trouble.
He got me in this trouble.
He doesn't care about me,
he never did.
All I want... I just wanna
clear myself. You understand?
Where's Manny?
What happened to Manny?
Rockford mousetrapped him
from the motel.
He made me come on
like I was Manny.
I didn't want to do it.
I said, "I don't wanna do it."
You ever say no to him?
What are you telling us
all this for?
Like I said, I just wanna
clear myself with you guys
and with Manny.
I mean, you were
bound to find out.
He didn't think that
but I know. You'll find out.
Then, who do you come for?
You come for him and me.
It's not like I'm trying
to burn Rockford.
Because you're not gonna
mess with him.
You got the pearls.
You mean they aren't paste?
No.
He told me to say that.
He was just buying time.
They're real.
I mean, if you
don't believe me, go show them
to Manny Tolan.
It's flash.
It's what?
Good quality,
but never saw the inside
of an oyster.
That ain't a phony.
It can't be a phony.
I spent 40 years
in this business. I'm telling
you that ain't worth two bits.
Jimmy ain't got the real ones.
I know that for sure.
If Rockford doesn't have them,
and we haven't got them...
who's got them?
I don't know.
I do. The girl's got them.
The girl? What do you mean?
Think about it, will you?
It makes sense.
No, it don't.
People with that kind of
jewelry always have copies,
right?
So, while we think
we're ripping off the girl...
she's ripping off
the insurance company.
We've been suckered.
It should've worked.
The way we had it figured,
it should've.
It's gonna work
just like we planned.
Rockford still takes the rap.
How do you know?
Because I know
human nature.
What'd I tell you?
She put the real ones back.
Human nature.
Give me the phonies.
This lady is in
for one big surprise.
Let's get out of here
and move these things.
Do you mind?
You didn't ask the last time.
You should have seen me,
Jimmy. I did it just like
you said.
I was selling you out
and they was buying.
I should have gone in
for bunco.
No, seriously, I'm not lying
to you. I think I got
a real talent there.
(Williams)
They're worth about
a quarter of a million.
Whatever's fair.
How much?
Quarter of a million.
That's what
they're insured for...
but we
don't expect that much.
What you two bums can expect
is about a year and a half
in traction.
What the hell are you
talking about?
Paste.
You're trying to stiff us
with paste.
Those are not paste.
No. Listen.
What we ripped off
the first time,
that was paste.
But Moss and me...
We went back
and we made the switch.
He took us, Harry.
You know that?
He really took us.
When I told Moss
these were flash,
I nearly choked.
These are the finest pearls
I've seen in five years...
worth a quarter of a million,
at least.
And they put them
right back in the safe.
You did it.
Yeah, I did, didn't I?
I helped. Didn't I help?
We couldn't have
done it without you.
You know, you make
a great informer.
It's a gift.
Fellows, I don't know how
to say thank you,
but I have to start somewhere.
Would you mind
starting with
Sgt. Becker?
I will.
Jimmy. Listen,
I've been thinking about it.
You and me work
pretty good together.
Yeah.
I mean, if we was
to turn your mind to it...
I'm not talking about
hitting friends...
Angel, didn't we
have this conversation
once before?
Over bread and water?
Yeah. I believe we did.
Sgt. Becker?
This is Valerie Thomas...
I have a rather...
Actually, it's a rather
embarrassing situation.
It's about my pearl necklace.
Yes, I know you are.
An APB? That is
one of the things
I was concerned about.
You see, from time to time
I have misplaced the necklace.
Just a few minutes ago,
I was going through
my glove drawer...
and there it was,
can you believe it?
Yes, that is what I'm saying.
I have the pearls,
they weren't stolen.
Of course, I realize
what I've done and that's why
I'm calling.
I thought if you could
handle the warrant
on poor Mr. Rockford...
I could handle
the apology.
Yes, thank you
very much.