The Rockford Files (1974–1980): Season 2, Episode 18 - In Hazard - full transcript
Beth has trouble and is nearly killed by a client with tax trouble.
Well, what are you sore about?
I'm an eccentric.
I have a peculiar
aversion to violence,
particularly when
it's directed at me.
It's a nice,
clean job, Walt.
Not a mark on him.
Oh, we'll keep him alive
until we're sure he leveled.
It's your gamble, Fred.
I'm just your broker.
What broker takes
50% of the profits?
I do.
Jim, I wouldn't
give just anybody
the combination
to my safe.
I trust you.
Beth's in jail.
Beth? What's
she in jail for?
Three days.
Miss Davenport
was here, Sergeant,
but she's no longer with us.
Could you be just
a little more specific?
We'd like an answer, okay?
Officer...
Against the car. Move!
There's
an explanation
for this.
I can't wait
to hear it.
(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)
Mr. Rockford,
Miss Miller of
the Bartlett Book Club.
Great Detectives of America
is not in stock,
so we sent you
Cooking Made Easy.
Hope you enjoy it.
BETH: What do you
want me to do?
You gotta
get them off me.
I stop at a drugstore
for a cup of coffee,
the next I know,
they're questioning
the waitress.
There's nothing
I can do to stop that.
Well, there must
be something.
I mean,
get a restraining order,
or hit them
with some statute.
Invasion of privacy.
Invasion of privacy?
Mr. Bailey, you are
under indictment
for tax fraud.
Which is gonna be thrown
right out of court
because all they've got
is speculation.
And a lot of experience
in building cases.
They compare
reported income
with known expenditures.
If you declare an income
of $50,000 a year,
and in the same year,
buy five acres in Bel Air,
the aroma wafts
all the way to Washington.
You think I'm guilty.
I think we got
a lot of work to do
before we go to court.
I'm busy all day.
How is 6:30 tonight?
What kind
of representation
am I gonna get
from somebody
who thinks I'm guilty?
The best possible,
guilty or innocent.
I'm an attorney,
Arnold, not a judge.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes.
RECEPTIONIST: There's a call
for Mr. Bailey on line two.
Thank you.
You can take it
over there.
Arnold, if you decide
to change counsel...
No, no, no.
I'll see you tonight.
Okay. Sorry I have to go.
I'm due in court.
Hello?
Arnold? Fred Metcalf.
You know better
than to phone me.
How'd you know I was here?
I called your office.
Oh, that's great. Brilliant.
They've probably
got the line tapped.
I gave a phony name.
Look, I gotta see you, now.
Hey, I'm being tailed.
Lose them.
This is important.
Meet me at the usual place.
I can be there
in half an hour.
I'm telling you...
I'm telling you,
be there, or I show up
at your office.
(ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING)
Nobody followed you?
If they did,
the Feds have their case
against me and you, too.
You're worried
about a lousy tax rap.
Better start worrying
about staying alive.
What's that supposed to mean?
It means I think
Jordan found out.
He don't like
being ripped off.
Anyone tries, he does
something permanent
as an example.
You brought me
down here for that?
Jordan's your problem,
not mine.
I don't even know the man.
You're in this with me.
It's your gamble, Fred.
I'm just your broker.
What broker takes
50% of the profits?
I do.
It's your deal, Fred.
Handle it.
I got problems
of my own.
(CAR DOORS SLAMMING)
ROCKY: Hey, Jimmy!
Do you know
what time it is?
Yeah. Be right with you.
Well, you've been
saying that
for a half hour.
Look, on a good deal
like this, if a guy
don't hurry up,
someone will
beat him to it.
Come on, Rocky,
how many people
are in the market
for a 40-foot semi?
Well, now, you'd
just be surprised.
Oh, yeah?
It's a good investment.
Yeah. Well,
certificates of deposit
are a good investment.
You don't have to worry
about the paint job.
You don't have
to change the oil.
It's a good investment!
Look, I might even do some
independent contracting.
No cross-country
or nothing, short hauls.
But I could even
lease it out, sonny.
Rocky, do you know
what you're
talking about?
I happen to be talking
about trucking,
which is what I've done
my whole life.
You know, Rocky,
it's not just what you pay
for the semi.
It's the interest
on the bank loans,
the maintenance,
the operating costs,
insurance, license fees.
I just think it'd be
a big mistake.
Oh, you do, huh?
Yeah, I do. You know,
there are national companies
in the truck-leasing business.
How you gonna
compete with them?
Well, I'm not
if somebody else
buys that rig
before I get a chance at it.
Oh, Rocky.
All I'm asking you to do
is go look at it with me.
You said you would.
Well, I know what I said.
Then you're coming?
What does it look like?
(RINGING)
Rocky.
Jimmy.
Hold on a minute.
Hello.
(STUTTERING)
Yeah. Wait a minute.
Just slow down.
Run that by me again.
You're kidding.
Yeah. Yeah, well,
Rocky and I were just
heading out the door.
Rocky's got
something...
Important.
Important that he...
Beth, just calm down.
I'll see you in about
a half an hour.
Half an hour?
That don't give us
enough time.
That rig is clear up
in Oxnard.
Yeah, well, we're gonna
have to make a stop first.
Beth's in jail.
Beth? What's
she in jail for?
Three days.
BETH: Contempt of court!
Do you believe that?
Me, in contempt of court.
Do you believe that?
Well, under
the circumstances,
yeah, I believe it.
What'd you do?
Nothing.
Beth.
Nothing!
I went to court,
I presented my case,
got a dismissal,
and ended up here.
Bum rap, huh?
You bet it's a bum rap.
It's that woman. That witch.
Judge Turman?
You see, I didn't
even have to tell you
who I was talking about.
Nobody ever gets out
of her courtroom
without being penalized
in some way.
If she doesn't
hang the defendant,
she hangs the attorney.
She doesn't belong
on the bench.
Maybe so, but she's there
and you're here,
and there's nothing
either one of us
can do about it.
I know it.
Hey, look,
it's only three days.
You got
nothing to worry about,
as long as you stay away
from the spaghetti.
I've never been in a jail yet
where the spaghetti sauce
wasn't a real killer.
Well, look, honey,
Rocky's waiting
out in the car.
We got a date
with a semi in Oxnard.
You're not going?
Yeah. If I don't,
I'm gonna hear about it
for the next 10 years.
Jim, I need your help.
Oh, well, fine. Fine.
You just make a list
of what you need,
and on the way back
we'll drop by your apartment,
pick up whatever you want.
Not that kind of help.
I'm working on
a tax evasion case.
I can't wait three days
to prepare the defense.
I can't wait three hours.
And you want me
to do what?
I've got all the material
I need at the office.
Oh, you want me
to call the office
and have them
send it over here to you?
They closed at 5:30.
I've already made arrangements
to meet my client here.
Would you go to my office?
Open the safe,
I'll give you
the combination,
and bring me back
a large manila envelope
with the name
"Arnold Bailey"
written on it.
Come on, Beth.
I mean, Rocky's really
ticked off at me already.
Anyone can
play messenger.
Jim, I wouldn't
give just anybody
the combination
to my safe.
I trust you.
Thanks.
(CAR HORN HONKING)
He keeps passing out.
We can dump
some more water on him
if you want
to talk to him, sir.
Did you get
the information?
Oh, yeah.
Then I don't
wanna talk to him.
You know where to find it.
Pick it up.
Oh, we'll keep him alive
until we're sure he leveled.
You hurt like he does,
you level.
Pick it up now. Tonight.
It's a nice,
clean job, Walt.
Not a mark on him.
Except he can't walk.
He won't have to.
Okay. So long.
Well? What'd he say?
I told him we'd be there
first thing in the morning.
Early.
Well, then it's
still for sale.
Well, no thanks to you.
It could have been sold.
Yeah, but it wasn't.
(SCUFFLING)
Jim!
Jim, what happened?
You all right?
Yeah. I think so.
Man, you were
gone so long
I figured I'd better
come look for you.
What is it? Huh?
What is it?
I was carrying
a big manila envelope.
I don't see nothing.
That's 'cause there's
nothing left to see.
You say Rocky didn't
witness the attack?
No.
No. I was waiting in the car.
You see, what was
happening was,
Jim and me were fixing
to go up to Oxnard.
I'm thinking about
buying a semi.
Yeah. There were two of them?
No, no, no.
Just the one.
It's a cabover
with a 40-foot trailer,
beautiful paint job...
There were two of them,
both of them about my height.
That's a swell description.
Probably pick them up
before morning.
I told you the lights
were out, Dennis.
What am I, an owl?
Okay, Jimbo. I'll file
a John Doe A and B,
which won't put you anywhere
except on the record.
File it?
Well, what are you sore about?
I'm an eccentric.
I have a peculiar
aversion to violence,
particularly when
it's directed at me.
You got an aspirin?
Yeah. You got a headache?
No, I connected
with one of those guys.
Feels like I hit
a freight train.
Hey, you might've
hurt something, Jim.
Maybe you ought
to go see a doctor.
Oh, I'm all right, Rocky.
I just gotta remember that,
the next time
I run into those guys,
you can't play the jawbone
and the human hand
like cymbals.
You know
what I'm thinking?
I think maybe
you better try
not finding them.
They done enough damage
to you already.
Yeah. You know, we could work
backwards on this thing.
We could find out from Beth
what she kept in her safe.
That'd let us know
who had a motive
for ripping it off.
Well, I could get
a lab team over there,
check the place out
for prints.
How did they
get into the safe?
I had the combination
written down
on a slip of paper.
It's an open case.
Hmm?
You made the rule,
I didn't make it.
You don't work
on open cases.
Now, you filed
a police report,
and that makes it
police business.
I'm the one
that ended up eating
six feet of shag rug,
and that makes it my business.
Well, you can't go around
changing the rules
just to please yourself.
Oh, yes, I can.
Well, I'll order
the lab team over there,
then we'll go over
to Beth's apartment.
Yeah, well, she's not
at her apartment.
No? Where is she?
She's in jail.
I'm afraid she's not here.
Well, of course
she's here.
She's serving
three days for contempt.
I was with her
just a few hours ago.
My name's
in the visitor's book.
Elizabeth Davenport?
Miss Davenport
was here, Sergeant,
but she's no longer with us.
Could you be just
a little more specific?
Well, she was transferred
to the prison ward
in County General.
What's she doing
in a hospital?
What's wrong?
We'd like an answer, okay?
Our security system's
as good as any in the country.
I don't know how
it could've happened.
What happened?
She was poisoned.
Now, how come you two
get to see her, and I don't?
We can't all go
trooping in there, Rocky.
Well, I'm tired
of waiting in the car.
Well, nobody said
you had to wait in the car.
You can wait in the hall.
WOMAN ON INTERCOM:
Dr. Fernandez,
outside call on line nine.
Dr. Fernandez,
outside call on line nine.
Hey.
I warned you
about the spaghetti.
I'm here, too.
And Rocky's outside.
Doctor says you're
gonna be fine.
You came close,
you know that?
Yeah. I know.
We talked to
the investigating officer,
but we'd like
to hear it from you, too.
You feel up to it?
Just tell us exactly
what happened, Beth.
I got permission
to see a client,
Arnold Bailey.
I'm working on a case.
During the meeting
the matron brought in
a pot of coffee.
Did you ask for it?
No.
I thought it was
a nice thing
for them to do.
Drank about a cup and a half.
Did Bailey drink any?
What was in the coffee?
Sodium cyanide.
It's very fast acting,
so you became ill
within minutes.
It's probably
what saved your life.
Who would want
to kill you?
The poison was meant
for Bailey,
must have been.
Why?
Oh, it couldn't
have been for me.
Well, he could've
arranged for the coffee.
It doesn't make sense.
He's the one
that called for help.
Well, what was he
supposed to do
with a guard standing
right outside the door?
So what's his motive?
Well,
you're his lawyer.
He could have told you
something incriminating
and had a change
of heart about it.
That's ridiculous.
He'd know
I couldn't testify
against him in court.
Well, two guys
jumped me
when I went
to your office tonight.
They took the envelope
with Bailey's name on it.
You're kidding.
Along with everything else
that was in the safe,
cleaned it out.
It wasn't
an ordinary theft, Beth.
Not when it ties in
with an attempted murder.
I'd like to have
a list of everything
that was in the safe.
To the very last
piece of paper. Okay?
I'll do what I can.
You get some sleep.
We'll be back
in the morning.
All right, Jim.
I gotta make a call.
I'll meet you in the car.
All right, Dennis.
How is she?
Did you tell her
I came to see her,
but they wouldn't
let me in?
Yeah, I told her.
Oh, man,
it's a terrible thing,
isn't it?
Oh, this fella
over there,
Arnold Bailey,
he's the guy was with her
when she was took sick.
Oh, yeah?
WOMAN ON INTERCOM:
Dr. Virginia Williams to ENT.
Hi, Mr. Bailey?
That's right.
Jim Rockford.
I'm a friend
of Beth Davenport's.
Yes. Your father mentioned
that you were visiting her.
How is she?
Alive.
Doctor give you
any idea about how long
she'd be hospitalized?
You worried about
your indictment?
Mr. Rockford,
I've never seen you
before in my life.
I'm not about to discuss
my case with you.
I discuss it
with my attorney.
Period.
Beth almost dies
and he's worried
about a tax beef.
Mr. Bailey,
you have lousy priorities.
I should have known
if you said you were buying
it'd be something like this.
Best tacos in town.
For breakfast?
You ever tried it?
Pass.
What did you hear
from the lab?
Nothing.
You mean they
turned up nothing,
or they told
you nothing?
I'll have another
cup of coffee.
And another taco, please.
Well, they dusted
the safe in Beth's office.
It was wiped clean.
So that angle's dead.
Real pro job.
I got the list
from Beth this morning.
And?
And I'll check it out.
Not much to go on.
Just a bunch of names.
And every time
I asked her a question,
it was
"privileged information."
Dennis,
what's this,
"I'll check it out"?
We'll check it out.
Since when did you
join the LAPD?
Come on, Dennis.
Go fishing.
I'm not gonna step on
any departmental toes.
I'll keep a low profile.
You're out.
Someone tried to kill Beth,
and I got fed
into a kicking machine.
I've got a personal interest
in this one.
I'll let you know
how it turns out.
Buy your own breakfast.
Hey, I only had the coffee.
I already gave
the list to Dennis.
Well, Dennis doesn't
wanna play show and tell,
so now you're giving it to me.
Did you make a duplicate?
I'm an attorney.
We're crazy for paperwork.
All right.
Well, this is pretty cryptic.
"Maynard Forbes, certificate."
What kind of certificate?
Oh, come on, Jim. That's...
I know. I know.
That's privileged. Right?
"Frances Bagley,
last will and testament.
"George VanDeusen,
last will and testament.
"Hallie Chilberg,
assignment of rights."
Privileged? Mmm-hmm.
"Fred Metcalf, letter."
Well, you can do
better than that.
I mean, that's it?
Letter? What kind of letter?
I don't know.
Beth, someone tried
to kill you.
Now, you can carry
confidentiality too far.
I just told you,
I don't know.
He just gave me
a letter to hold for him.
When?
About five years ago.
Oh, well, that can't be it.
"William Thornton,
last will and testament."
You lose many clients?
What kind of a letter
would you keep
in an attorney's safe
for five years?
Who is Metcalf, anyway?
He's the Vice President
of the American Brotherhood
of Affiliated Machine
and Textile Workers,
but I don't think the letter
would have anything to do
with union business.
I represent Fred personally,
not the Local.
Did he say anything
when he gave it to you?
No. He just asked me
to hold it for him.
But he didn't tell you
not to open it.
He didn't have to.
As a matter of fact,
he told me I should open it
if anything happened to him.
Well, Beth!
It probably had to do
with the administration
of his estate.
Is there any connection
between Bailey and Metcalf?
Not to my knowledge.
Did you tell Becker
about the letter?
No.
And what Metcalf said?
No. Why?
If he calls you,
you tell him.
What are you
gonna be doing?
I'm gonna be
checking on Metcalf.
Oh, you're feeling better.
BECKER: Tell her to snap to it
with that, okay?
You know, I ought
to throw the book at you.
For what?
For interfering
in a police investigation.
I'm not interfering.
I'm helping.
The police department
doesn't want your help.
Look, Dennis,
they're releasing Beth
from the hospital tomorrow.
Now, I think somebody's
liable to take another
crack at her.
So don't tell me
not to help.
If you got
anything solid
to go on, turn it in.
We'll follow through.
Will you follow through
on a hunch?
'Cause that's all I got.
All right. Spill it.
Well, Metcalf was
a union biggie.
Vice President in charge
of guess what?
Pension fund.
Bingo.
And that's
a multi-million dollar
temptation.
Do you think
he was skimming?
It's possible.
Whatever it was, he was in it
with somebody he didn't trust.
Five years ago
he gave Beth a letter
to hold for him
and instructed her
to open it if anything
happened to him.
An insurance policy.
Yeah. I think
he probably wrote
everything down on paper.
Names, dates,
the works, as protection.
Only they beat
on the soles of his feet
until he told them
where it was.
And then they canceled
the insurance and the insured.
And if they think
Beth read that letter,
then the attempt
on her life starts
to make sense.
You don't know
how good it feels
to be out of county hands.
Oh, I have an idea.
I am so sick
of county clothes
and county food.
When you get me home
I'm gonna make
an enormous omelet.
Mushroom, maybe.
How does that sound?
Mushroom, a little cheese.
Yeah. I'll have to stop
and pick up some eggs.
Oh, I have eggs.
Yeah, but I haven't.
You're coming home with me.
Why?
I want to keep
an eye on you
until we find out
who iced Fred Metcalf.
Without knowing
what was in the letter,
that could take a long time.
Yeah. Yeah, it could,
couldn't it?
What are we gonna do, Jim?
I mean, I can't
hide out forever.
And how long can you devote
riding shotgun with me?
Honestly, I'm all right.
Yeah.
We'll never lose them
in this traffic.
It's too dangerous.
Somebody's gonna get hurt.
Keep driving in circles,
but don't leave the yard.
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
Right where you are.
Officer...
Against the car. Move!
There's
an explanation
for this.
I can't wait
to hear it.
You know, I think
you should arrest
those two guys over there.
BECKER: Okay. I arrested
the two guys who you say
were chasing you.
But do you know
how many violations
you racked up?
I was trying
to get arrested.
Well, congratulations.
You made it.
Well, what was I
supposed to do, Dennis?
I couldn't shake them.
Now this is
the second attempt
on Beth's life.
Why don't you just
run a check on them,
find out who they are?
I know who they are.
You want to share it?
Yeah.
Walter Rayner,
Howard Nystrom.
Never heard of them.
Who do they work for?
They're self-employed.
I'll bet.
Well, if they are,
they're doing pretty good.
They got some
high-priced legal talent.
Sprung them
just like that.
You think you could
do the same for us?
Jim, it's me.
I'm gonna drive up to...
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
...to Oxnard. I'm gonna...
I'll call you right back.
Hi, Rocky.
I was just talking
to your machine there.
Hey, what are you all
dressed up for?
Well, I'm driving
up to Oxnard
to see that semi.
I thought you wanted me
to go with you.
Well, I did,
but your time's
sort of been taken up
the last couple of days.
Sit down.
Sit down, Beth.
I'm glad to see
you're feeling better.
You know, I stopped
into the hospital to see you,
but they wouldn't let me in.
Jim told me. Thanks.
Hey, Rocky, we'll go
up there this afternoon
and take a look at it.
I can't wait any longer.
I'll bet you that
Pete Schofield
read that ad.
I'll bet he's
on his way up
right now.
I'm only asking
for a few hours.
You don't buy a semi
just like that.
I mean, there's paperwork
and all that.
Besides, I got something
I gotta check out,
and I can't
take Beth with me,
and I can't
leave her alone.
You can, but you won't.
Well, she could drive up
to Oxnard with me.
I don't want her
leaving this house.
Jim, if Rocky has some...
What do you say, Rocky?
Just a few hours?
Maybe less.
How's your pinochle?
Thank you, Rocky.
Want a coffee?
Oh, thanks, I'd love it.
Now, I don't want you
leaving here.
What are you
gonna do?
I'm going out.
Jim, aren't you
gonna tell me
where you're going?
No. You probably
wouldn't approve.
Jim, I'm worried.
Who put up
the bail bond
for Arnold Bailey?
Solly Marshall. Why?
I'll tell you later.
Tell me now.
Beth, I am swinging wild.
I'm just playing
hunches, that's all.
Bull! You've got something
and I want to know what it is.
Well, while you were
talking to Dennis,
I got on the phone
to Bailey's office.
He has dropped out of sight.
I got his secretary
just a little confused,
and she told me
that Arnold Bailey was
Fred Metcalf's stockbroker.
So, what does that prove?
Well, for one thing it proves
they knew each other,
and for another,
it gives me
a queasy feeling
about Bailey,
which, I've gotta admit,
I've had from the start
of this thing.
What are you gonna do?
Well, since I can't
find out where
Bailey disappeared to,
I'll just go have
a little talk
with his bail bondsman.
What on earth could Solly
possibly tell you?
Maybe plenty.
Hey, Solly, you're
just the man I want to see.
Not now, Jim.
Got no time.
Hey, Solly, Solly.
Come on, do yourself a favor.
Now, take a break.
Come on. Sit down.
Solly,
nobody likes
losing money, right?
What do you expect,
an argument?
What's it worth to you
if I clue you in
on a possible skip?
What skip? Who? Who?
Well, wait a minute.
First we have to deal.
How about
$500?
I ain't gonna
pay you no $500.
Not until you tell me
how much he's into me for
and what was the bond?
If I tell you that, Solly,
you'll be able
to figure out who it is
and you won't need me.
Jim, would I stiff you?
Sure you would.
So what do we do?
Well, I won't give you
the exact figure,
but I will say
it is sizeable.
Sizeable?
What is sizeable?
$20,000, $30,000?
I'm not gonna
tell you, Solly.
But, let's just say
it's $35,000, huh?
Now, if it's $35,000
and your client skips,
that's 35,000
less $3,500 that he put up.
That's $31,500
out of your pocket.
And then insurance will
cost you about $1,000.
But then let's say
it's $50,000.
If it's $50,000...
$1,000!
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa!
$500.
That's it.
Who's the skip?
No, possible skip.
Arnold Bailey.
Oh, come on, Jim.
That's a crummy tax beef.
And it was only
a $20,000 bond.
Solly, Solly.
Hey, first timers
are big skippers.
Everybody knows that.
Now, you take a hooker
with a client list,
she's gonna be there forever.
But your average
stock broker type...
I know. I know. I know.
Well, now, I know
a couple of things
about him.
He is not at his house,
and he's not at his office.
So where is he?
How do I know?
Come on, Solly, don't tell me
you didn't stay with him
for a couple of days
just to see that he wasn't
liquidating his assets.
You always do.
Well, I put a tail on him
for a couple of days
after I bailed him out, but...
And?
Where does he go?
Who does he see?
I got so many people
to keep track of. I...
Bailey. Bailey.
The athletic club.
He's a French food nut.
See, there's
this little place on...
Who does he see, Solly?
You mean see regular?
Yeah, regular.
There's this...
Some dame. A secretary.
He's got an apartment
off Verdugo Lane.
Two Twenty Seven Sixteen.
Two Twenty Seven Sixteen.
I wonder if you can tell me
which one is
the Bailey apartment.
(RINGING)
Hello?
I been sitting on him
like you said.
He's got a visitor.
Who?
Tall guy, dark hair.
I've never seen him before.
Stay where you are.
I'll be out there.
If they make a move,
you move. Got it?
That's what I'm here for.
Yes?
Mr. Bailey in?
BAILEY: If that's the cab,
tell him to wait.
It isn't.
What are you doing here?
I was going
to send him away,
Arnold, but...
It's all right, honey.
Go inside and finish packing.
All right.
You forgot to say,
"May I," Mr. Rockford,
so you can just take
a couple of giant steps
back out that door.
And if you don't, I'II...
You'll call the cops?
Or call your secretary?
Hey, you really should,
you know.
She's worried about you.
She thinks you're out
someplace brooding over
Fred Metcalf's death.
Fred Metcalf?
Yeah, you remember Fred?
The guy in charge
of that nice, big,
fat union pension fund?
I don't know what
you're talking about,
and I haven't
got time to listen.
I'm going on a business trip.
It's just been canceled.
Who do you think you are?
Now get out of here!
Any time you're ready.
Arnold?
Look, you stay out of this.
All right, what am I
supposed to have done?
Come on, tell me. What?
Well, I think you tried
to kill Beth Davenport.
Of course, you were
more successful with Metcalf.
That isn't true.
I had nothing to do
with Fred's death.
Well, you look
number one to me, pal,
and I think for once
the cops and I are gonna
be in total agreement.
Well, this is ridiculous.
I'm getting out...
Now, hold it.
I can't swim!
I didn't murder him. I didn't.
You're making a mistake.
Make me believe it.
I can't.
We were in it together,
but it was his idea.
He was in charge
of the pension plan.
He had me invest
in high-yield bonds.
I phonied
the investment portfolio
so it'd look like the bonds
were returning 5%
when they were returning 8.
We divided the 3% profit.
How much profit?
$600,000.
We split it, 50-50.
That's supposed
to convince me
you're innocent?
Sounds more like
a motive than an alibi,
particularly if you
got tired of dividing.
I didn't kill him!
Believe me, I didn't kill him!
Well, then who did?
I can't tell you.
Oh?
Okay. Okay. Let me out.
Please.
Now, who killed him?
Martin Jordan.
Who's Martin Jordan?
He's connected.
Organized crime?
Yeah. They took over
the union a long time ago.
Lately, they've been
checking up on Metcalf.
He was afraid
something might happen,
but he thought
he had protection.
Oh, the letter he wrote
tying Jordan to the union.
Yeah. That's right,
but it didn't save him.
When I found out
Fred had been killed
I thought maybe
he told them about me,
so I decided to bail out.
All right.
Let's go downtown,
make it official.
Hold it.
I think you better
come with me.
Mr. Jordan.
Now.
Slide across.
Get in there.
Give me the gun.
Okay,
everybody out of the pool.
BETH: You know, Arnold Bailey
shouldn't have talked
till I got to the station.
Didn't anyone bother
to tell him that?
ROCKFORD: Beth,
you couldn't
stop him from talking,
he was trying to get out
from under a murder beef.
You haven't got
anything to worry about,
he's turning
State's evidence.
If he hadn't
been so anxious
to spend his money,
he wouldn't have had
the IRS after him
in the first place.
Well, their collection
technique's a little easier
on the subject
than Jordan's.
Metcalf didn't
spend a dime,
he ended up dead.
They recovered
the whole $300,000?
In Jordan's possession.
Makes a neat package
to take into court.
ROCKY: Hi.
Hi, Rocky.
Oh, hey, Rocky!
Look, I'm really sorry.
I forgot.
I'm not even gonna try
to lie to you about it,
I just plain forgot.
It don't matter.
Well, it does to me.
Let me tell you
what happened.
No, it don't matter.
Well, stop saying that.
Look, I'm the one
knows how I feel.
I got a right to say it.
Or you giving me
orders on that, too?
I never give you orders.
You told me
not to buy that semi.
That wasn't an order.
That was advice.
You know, old Pete Schofield,
he run up to Oxnard
and had a look at it.
I hope
he didn't buy it.
Honey, you know what?
He said he wouldn't have it
if it was under
his Christmas tree
with a red ribbon on it.
He did?
Old Pete, he knows
trucking, you know.
He said this fella
that had it
let it sit outside
till it just turned
plumb into junk.
Ruined, that's
what it was.
No wonder he wanted
to sell it, huh?
It would have been
a waste of valuable time
going up there.
Well, Rocky,
I'm really glad
to hear that.
I admit that I didn't think
it was too good an idea,
but I'm just glad
I'm not the one that
made you lose the deal.
Don't give it
another thought.
Waste of valuable time.
But,
there's this one
I heard about
over in Lancaster.
I'm an eccentric.
I have a peculiar
aversion to violence,
particularly when
it's directed at me.
It's a nice,
clean job, Walt.
Not a mark on him.
Oh, we'll keep him alive
until we're sure he leveled.
It's your gamble, Fred.
I'm just your broker.
What broker takes
50% of the profits?
I do.
Jim, I wouldn't
give just anybody
the combination
to my safe.
I trust you.
Beth's in jail.
Beth? What's
she in jail for?
Three days.
Miss Davenport
was here, Sergeant,
but she's no longer with us.
Could you be just
a little more specific?
We'd like an answer, okay?
Officer...
Against the car. Move!
There's
an explanation
for this.
I can't wait
to hear it.
(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)
Mr. Rockford,
Miss Miller of
the Bartlett Book Club.
Great Detectives of America
is not in stock,
so we sent you
Cooking Made Easy.
Hope you enjoy it.
BETH: What do you
want me to do?
You gotta
get them off me.
I stop at a drugstore
for a cup of coffee,
the next I know,
they're questioning
the waitress.
There's nothing
I can do to stop that.
Well, there must
be something.
I mean,
get a restraining order,
or hit them
with some statute.
Invasion of privacy.
Invasion of privacy?
Mr. Bailey, you are
under indictment
for tax fraud.
Which is gonna be thrown
right out of court
because all they've got
is speculation.
And a lot of experience
in building cases.
They compare
reported income
with known expenditures.
If you declare an income
of $50,000 a year,
and in the same year,
buy five acres in Bel Air,
the aroma wafts
all the way to Washington.
You think I'm guilty.
I think we got
a lot of work to do
before we go to court.
I'm busy all day.
How is 6:30 tonight?
What kind
of representation
am I gonna get
from somebody
who thinks I'm guilty?
The best possible,
guilty or innocent.
I'm an attorney,
Arnold, not a judge.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes.
RECEPTIONIST: There's a call
for Mr. Bailey on line two.
Thank you.
You can take it
over there.
Arnold, if you decide
to change counsel...
No, no, no.
I'll see you tonight.
Okay. Sorry I have to go.
I'm due in court.
Hello?
Arnold? Fred Metcalf.
You know better
than to phone me.
How'd you know I was here?
I called your office.
Oh, that's great. Brilliant.
They've probably
got the line tapped.
I gave a phony name.
Look, I gotta see you, now.
Hey, I'm being tailed.
Lose them.
This is important.
Meet me at the usual place.
I can be there
in half an hour.
I'm telling you...
I'm telling you,
be there, or I show up
at your office.
(ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING)
Nobody followed you?
If they did,
the Feds have their case
against me and you, too.
You're worried
about a lousy tax rap.
Better start worrying
about staying alive.
What's that supposed to mean?
It means I think
Jordan found out.
He don't like
being ripped off.
Anyone tries, he does
something permanent
as an example.
You brought me
down here for that?
Jordan's your problem,
not mine.
I don't even know the man.
You're in this with me.
It's your gamble, Fred.
I'm just your broker.
What broker takes
50% of the profits?
I do.
It's your deal, Fred.
Handle it.
I got problems
of my own.
(CAR DOORS SLAMMING)
ROCKY: Hey, Jimmy!
Do you know
what time it is?
Yeah. Be right with you.
Well, you've been
saying that
for a half hour.
Look, on a good deal
like this, if a guy
don't hurry up,
someone will
beat him to it.
Come on, Rocky,
how many people
are in the market
for a 40-foot semi?
Well, now, you'd
just be surprised.
Oh, yeah?
It's a good investment.
Yeah. Well,
certificates of deposit
are a good investment.
You don't have to worry
about the paint job.
You don't have
to change the oil.
It's a good investment!
Look, I might even do some
independent contracting.
No cross-country
or nothing, short hauls.
But I could even
lease it out, sonny.
Rocky, do you know
what you're
talking about?
I happen to be talking
about trucking,
which is what I've done
my whole life.
You know, Rocky,
it's not just what you pay
for the semi.
It's the interest
on the bank loans,
the maintenance,
the operating costs,
insurance, license fees.
I just think it'd be
a big mistake.
Oh, you do, huh?
Yeah, I do. You know,
there are national companies
in the truck-leasing business.
How you gonna
compete with them?
Well, I'm not
if somebody else
buys that rig
before I get a chance at it.
Oh, Rocky.
All I'm asking you to do
is go look at it with me.
You said you would.
Well, I know what I said.
Then you're coming?
What does it look like?
(RINGING)
Rocky.
Jimmy.
Hold on a minute.
Hello.
(STUTTERING)
Yeah. Wait a minute.
Just slow down.
Run that by me again.
You're kidding.
Yeah. Yeah, well,
Rocky and I were just
heading out the door.
Rocky's got
something...
Important.
Important that he...
Beth, just calm down.
I'll see you in about
a half an hour.
Half an hour?
That don't give us
enough time.
That rig is clear up
in Oxnard.
Yeah, well, we're gonna
have to make a stop first.
Beth's in jail.
Beth? What's
she in jail for?
Three days.
BETH: Contempt of court!
Do you believe that?
Me, in contempt of court.
Do you believe that?
Well, under
the circumstances,
yeah, I believe it.
What'd you do?
Nothing.
Beth.
Nothing!
I went to court,
I presented my case,
got a dismissal,
and ended up here.
Bum rap, huh?
You bet it's a bum rap.
It's that woman. That witch.
Judge Turman?
You see, I didn't
even have to tell you
who I was talking about.
Nobody ever gets out
of her courtroom
without being penalized
in some way.
If she doesn't
hang the defendant,
she hangs the attorney.
She doesn't belong
on the bench.
Maybe so, but she's there
and you're here,
and there's nothing
either one of us
can do about it.
I know it.
Hey, look,
it's only three days.
You got
nothing to worry about,
as long as you stay away
from the spaghetti.
I've never been in a jail yet
where the spaghetti sauce
wasn't a real killer.
Well, look, honey,
Rocky's waiting
out in the car.
We got a date
with a semi in Oxnard.
You're not going?
Yeah. If I don't,
I'm gonna hear about it
for the next 10 years.
Jim, I need your help.
Oh, well, fine. Fine.
You just make a list
of what you need,
and on the way back
we'll drop by your apartment,
pick up whatever you want.
Not that kind of help.
I'm working on
a tax evasion case.
I can't wait three days
to prepare the defense.
I can't wait three hours.
And you want me
to do what?
I've got all the material
I need at the office.
Oh, you want me
to call the office
and have them
send it over here to you?
They closed at 5:30.
I've already made arrangements
to meet my client here.
Would you go to my office?
Open the safe,
I'll give you
the combination,
and bring me back
a large manila envelope
with the name
"Arnold Bailey"
written on it.
Come on, Beth.
I mean, Rocky's really
ticked off at me already.
Anyone can
play messenger.
Jim, I wouldn't
give just anybody
the combination
to my safe.
I trust you.
Thanks.
(CAR HORN HONKING)
He keeps passing out.
We can dump
some more water on him
if you want
to talk to him, sir.
Did you get
the information?
Oh, yeah.
Then I don't
wanna talk to him.
You know where to find it.
Pick it up.
Oh, we'll keep him alive
until we're sure he leveled.
You hurt like he does,
you level.
Pick it up now. Tonight.
It's a nice,
clean job, Walt.
Not a mark on him.
Except he can't walk.
He won't have to.
Okay. So long.
Well? What'd he say?
I told him we'd be there
first thing in the morning.
Early.
Well, then it's
still for sale.
Well, no thanks to you.
It could have been sold.
Yeah, but it wasn't.
(SCUFFLING)
Jim!
Jim, what happened?
You all right?
Yeah. I think so.
Man, you were
gone so long
I figured I'd better
come look for you.
What is it? Huh?
What is it?
I was carrying
a big manila envelope.
I don't see nothing.
That's 'cause there's
nothing left to see.
You say Rocky didn't
witness the attack?
No.
No. I was waiting in the car.
You see, what was
happening was,
Jim and me were fixing
to go up to Oxnard.
I'm thinking about
buying a semi.
Yeah. There were two of them?
No, no, no.
Just the one.
It's a cabover
with a 40-foot trailer,
beautiful paint job...
There were two of them,
both of them about my height.
That's a swell description.
Probably pick them up
before morning.
I told you the lights
were out, Dennis.
What am I, an owl?
Okay, Jimbo. I'll file
a John Doe A and B,
which won't put you anywhere
except on the record.
File it?
Well, what are you sore about?
I'm an eccentric.
I have a peculiar
aversion to violence,
particularly when
it's directed at me.
You got an aspirin?
Yeah. You got a headache?
No, I connected
with one of those guys.
Feels like I hit
a freight train.
Hey, you might've
hurt something, Jim.
Maybe you ought
to go see a doctor.
Oh, I'm all right, Rocky.
I just gotta remember that,
the next time
I run into those guys,
you can't play the jawbone
and the human hand
like cymbals.
You know
what I'm thinking?
I think maybe
you better try
not finding them.
They done enough damage
to you already.
Yeah. You know, we could work
backwards on this thing.
We could find out from Beth
what she kept in her safe.
That'd let us know
who had a motive
for ripping it off.
Well, I could get
a lab team over there,
check the place out
for prints.
How did they
get into the safe?
I had the combination
written down
on a slip of paper.
It's an open case.
Hmm?
You made the rule,
I didn't make it.
You don't work
on open cases.
Now, you filed
a police report,
and that makes it
police business.
I'm the one
that ended up eating
six feet of shag rug,
and that makes it my business.
Well, you can't go around
changing the rules
just to please yourself.
Oh, yes, I can.
Well, I'll order
the lab team over there,
then we'll go over
to Beth's apartment.
Yeah, well, she's not
at her apartment.
No? Where is she?
She's in jail.
I'm afraid she's not here.
Well, of course
she's here.
She's serving
three days for contempt.
I was with her
just a few hours ago.
My name's
in the visitor's book.
Elizabeth Davenport?
Miss Davenport
was here, Sergeant,
but she's no longer with us.
Could you be just
a little more specific?
Well, she was transferred
to the prison ward
in County General.
What's she doing
in a hospital?
What's wrong?
We'd like an answer, okay?
Our security system's
as good as any in the country.
I don't know how
it could've happened.
What happened?
She was poisoned.
Now, how come you two
get to see her, and I don't?
We can't all go
trooping in there, Rocky.
Well, I'm tired
of waiting in the car.
Well, nobody said
you had to wait in the car.
You can wait in the hall.
WOMAN ON INTERCOM:
Dr. Fernandez,
outside call on line nine.
Dr. Fernandez,
outside call on line nine.
Hey.
I warned you
about the spaghetti.
I'm here, too.
And Rocky's outside.
Doctor says you're
gonna be fine.
You came close,
you know that?
Yeah. I know.
We talked to
the investigating officer,
but we'd like
to hear it from you, too.
You feel up to it?
Just tell us exactly
what happened, Beth.
I got permission
to see a client,
Arnold Bailey.
I'm working on a case.
During the meeting
the matron brought in
a pot of coffee.
Did you ask for it?
No.
I thought it was
a nice thing
for them to do.
Drank about a cup and a half.
Did Bailey drink any?
What was in the coffee?
Sodium cyanide.
It's very fast acting,
so you became ill
within minutes.
It's probably
what saved your life.
Who would want
to kill you?
The poison was meant
for Bailey,
must have been.
Why?
Oh, it couldn't
have been for me.
Well, he could've
arranged for the coffee.
It doesn't make sense.
He's the one
that called for help.
Well, what was he
supposed to do
with a guard standing
right outside the door?
So what's his motive?
Well,
you're his lawyer.
He could have told you
something incriminating
and had a change
of heart about it.
That's ridiculous.
He'd know
I couldn't testify
against him in court.
Well, two guys
jumped me
when I went
to your office tonight.
They took the envelope
with Bailey's name on it.
You're kidding.
Along with everything else
that was in the safe,
cleaned it out.
It wasn't
an ordinary theft, Beth.
Not when it ties in
with an attempted murder.
I'd like to have
a list of everything
that was in the safe.
To the very last
piece of paper. Okay?
I'll do what I can.
You get some sleep.
We'll be back
in the morning.
All right, Jim.
I gotta make a call.
I'll meet you in the car.
All right, Dennis.
How is she?
Did you tell her
I came to see her,
but they wouldn't
let me in?
Yeah, I told her.
Oh, man,
it's a terrible thing,
isn't it?
Oh, this fella
over there,
Arnold Bailey,
he's the guy was with her
when she was took sick.
Oh, yeah?
WOMAN ON INTERCOM:
Dr. Virginia Williams to ENT.
Hi, Mr. Bailey?
That's right.
Jim Rockford.
I'm a friend
of Beth Davenport's.
Yes. Your father mentioned
that you were visiting her.
How is she?
Alive.
Doctor give you
any idea about how long
she'd be hospitalized?
You worried about
your indictment?
Mr. Rockford,
I've never seen you
before in my life.
I'm not about to discuss
my case with you.
I discuss it
with my attorney.
Period.
Beth almost dies
and he's worried
about a tax beef.
Mr. Bailey,
you have lousy priorities.
I should have known
if you said you were buying
it'd be something like this.
Best tacos in town.
For breakfast?
You ever tried it?
Pass.
What did you hear
from the lab?
Nothing.
You mean they
turned up nothing,
or they told
you nothing?
I'll have another
cup of coffee.
And another taco, please.
Well, they dusted
the safe in Beth's office.
It was wiped clean.
So that angle's dead.
Real pro job.
I got the list
from Beth this morning.
And?
And I'll check it out.
Not much to go on.
Just a bunch of names.
And every time
I asked her a question,
it was
"privileged information."
Dennis,
what's this,
"I'll check it out"?
We'll check it out.
Since when did you
join the LAPD?
Come on, Dennis.
Go fishing.
I'm not gonna step on
any departmental toes.
I'll keep a low profile.
You're out.
Someone tried to kill Beth,
and I got fed
into a kicking machine.
I've got a personal interest
in this one.
I'll let you know
how it turns out.
Buy your own breakfast.
Hey, I only had the coffee.
I already gave
the list to Dennis.
Well, Dennis doesn't
wanna play show and tell,
so now you're giving it to me.
Did you make a duplicate?
I'm an attorney.
We're crazy for paperwork.
All right.
Well, this is pretty cryptic.
"Maynard Forbes, certificate."
What kind of certificate?
Oh, come on, Jim. That's...
I know. I know.
That's privileged. Right?
"Frances Bagley,
last will and testament.
"George VanDeusen,
last will and testament.
"Hallie Chilberg,
assignment of rights."
Privileged? Mmm-hmm.
"Fred Metcalf, letter."
Well, you can do
better than that.
I mean, that's it?
Letter? What kind of letter?
I don't know.
Beth, someone tried
to kill you.
Now, you can carry
confidentiality too far.
I just told you,
I don't know.
He just gave me
a letter to hold for him.
When?
About five years ago.
Oh, well, that can't be it.
"William Thornton,
last will and testament."
You lose many clients?
What kind of a letter
would you keep
in an attorney's safe
for five years?
Who is Metcalf, anyway?
He's the Vice President
of the American Brotherhood
of Affiliated Machine
and Textile Workers,
but I don't think the letter
would have anything to do
with union business.
I represent Fred personally,
not the Local.
Did he say anything
when he gave it to you?
No. He just asked me
to hold it for him.
But he didn't tell you
not to open it.
He didn't have to.
As a matter of fact,
he told me I should open it
if anything happened to him.
Well, Beth!
It probably had to do
with the administration
of his estate.
Is there any connection
between Bailey and Metcalf?
Not to my knowledge.
Did you tell Becker
about the letter?
No.
And what Metcalf said?
No. Why?
If he calls you,
you tell him.
What are you
gonna be doing?
I'm gonna be
checking on Metcalf.
Oh, you're feeling better.
BECKER: Tell her to snap to it
with that, okay?
You know, I ought
to throw the book at you.
For what?
For interfering
in a police investigation.
I'm not interfering.
I'm helping.
The police department
doesn't want your help.
Look, Dennis,
they're releasing Beth
from the hospital tomorrow.
Now, I think somebody's
liable to take another
crack at her.
So don't tell me
not to help.
If you got
anything solid
to go on, turn it in.
We'll follow through.
Will you follow through
on a hunch?
'Cause that's all I got.
All right. Spill it.
Well, Metcalf was
a union biggie.
Vice President in charge
of guess what?
Pension fund.
Bingo.
And that's
a multi-million dollar
temptation.
Do you think
he was skimming?
It's possible.
Whatever it was, he was in it
with somebody he didn't trust.
Five years ago
he gave Beth a letter
to hold for him
and instructed her
to open it if anything
happened to him.
An insurance policy.
Yeah. I think
he probably wrote
everything down on paper.
Names, dates,
the works, as protection.
Only they beat
on the soles of his feet
until he told them
where it was.
And then they canceled
the insurance and the insured.
And if they think
Beth read that letter,
then the attempt
on her life starts
to make sense.
You don't know
how good it feels
to be out of county hands.
Oh, I have an idea.
I am so sick
of county clothes
and county food.
When you get me home
I'm gonna make
an enormous omelet.
Mushroom, maybe.
How does that sound?
Mushroom, a little cheese.
Yeah. I'll have to stop
and pick up some eggs.
Oh, I have eggs.
Yeah, but I haven't.
You're coming home with me.
Why?
I want to keep
an eye on you
until we find out
who iced Fred Metcalf.
Without knowing
what was in the letter,
that could take a long time.
Yeah. Yeah, it could,
couldn't it?
What are we gonna do, Jim?
I mean, I can't
hide out forever.
And how long can you devote
riding shotgun with me?
Honestly, I'm all right.
Yeah.
We'll never lose them
in this traffic.
It's too dangerous.
Somebody's gonna get hurt.
Keep driving in circles,
but don't leave the yard.
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
Right where you are.
Officer...
Against the car. Move!
There's
an explanation
for this.
I can't wait
to hear it.
You know, I think
you should arrest
those two guys over there.
BECKER: Okay. I arrested
the two guys who you say
were chasing you.
But do you know
how many violations
you racked up?
I was trying
to get arrested.
Well, congratulations.
You made it.
Well, what was I
supposed to do, Dennis?
I couldn't shake them.
Now this is
the second attempt
on Beth's life.
Why don't you just
run a check on them,
find out who they are?
I know who they are.
You want to share it?
Yeah.
Walter Rayner,
Howard Nystrom.
Never heard of them.
Who do they work for?
They're self-employed.
I'll bet.
Well, if they are,
they're doing pretty good.
They got some
high-priced legal talent.
Sprung them
just like that.
You think you could
do the same for us?
Jim, it's me.
I'm gonna drive up to...
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
...to Oxnard. I'm gonna...
I'll call you right back.
Hi, Rocky.
I was just talking
to your machine there.
Hey, what are you all
dressed up for?
Well, I'm driving
up to Oxnard
to see that semi.
I thought you wanted me
to go with you.
Well, I did,
but your time's
sort of been taken up
the last couple of days.
Sit down.
Sit down, Beth.
I'm glad to see
you're feeling better.
You know, I stopped
into the hospital to see you,
but they wouldn't let me in.
Jim told me. Thanks.
Hey, Rocky, we'll go
up there this afternoon
and take a look at it.
I can't wait any longer.
I'll bet you that
Pete Schofield
read that ad.
I'll bet he's
on his way up
right now.
I'm only asking
for a few hours.
You don't buy a semi
just like that.
I mean, there's paperwork
and all that.
Besides, I got something
I gotta check out,
and I can't
take Beth with me,
and I can't
leave her alone.
You can, but you won't.
Well, she could drive up
to Oxnard with me.
I don't want her
leaving this house.
Jim, if Rocky has some...
What do you say, Rocky?
Just a few hours?
Maybe less.
How's your pinochle?
Thank you, Rocky.
Want a coffee?
Oh, thanks, I'd love it.
Now, I don't want you
leaving here.
What are you
gonna do?
I'm going out.
Jim, aren't you
gonna tell me
where you're going?
No. You probably
wouldn't approve.
Jim, I'm worried.
Who put up
the bail bond
for Arnold Bailey?
Solly Marshall. Why?
I'll tell you later.
Tell me now.
Beth, I am swinging wild.
I'm just playing
hunches, that's all.
Bull! You've got something
and I want to know what it is.
Well, while you were
talking to Dennis,
I got on the phone
to Bailey's office.
He has dropped out of sight.
I got his secretary
just a little confused,
and she told me
that Arnold Bailey was
Fred Metcalf's stockbroker.
So, what does that prove?
Well, for one thing it proves
they knew each other,
and for another,
it gives me
a queasy feeling
about Bailey,
which, I've gotta admit,
I've had from the start
of this thing.
What are you gonna do?
Well, since I can't
find out where
Bailey disappeared to,
I'll just go have
a little talk
with his bail bondsman.
What on earth could Solly
possibly tell you?
Maybe plenty.
Hey, Solly, you're
just the man I want to see.
Not now, Jim.
Got no time.
Hey, Solly, Solly.
Come on, do yourself a favor.
Now, take a break.
Come on. Sit down.
Solly,
nobody likes
losing money, right?
What do you expect,
an argument?
What's it worth to you
if I clue you in
on a possible skip?
What skip? Who? Who?
Well, wait a minute.
First we have to deal.
How about
$500?
I ain't gonna
pay you no $500.
Not until you tell me
how much he's into me for
and what was the bond?
If I tell you that, Solly,
you'll be able
to figure out who it is
and you won't need me.
Jim, would I stiff you?
Sure you would.
So what do we do?
Well, I won't give you
the exact figure,
but I will say
it is sizeable.
Sizeable?
What is sizeable?
$20,000, $30,000?
I'm not gonna
tell you, Solly.
But, let's just say
it's $35,000, huh?
Now, if it's $35,000
and your client skips,
that's 35,000
less $3,500 that he put up.
That's $31,500
out of your pocket.
And then insurance will
cost you about $1,000.
But then let's say
it's $50,000.
If it's $50,000...
$1,000!
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa!
$500.
That's it.
Who's the skip?
No, possible skip.
Arnold Bailey.
Oh, come on, Jim.
That's a crummy tax beef.
And it was only
a $20,000 bond.
Solly, Solly.
Hey, first timers
are big skippers.
Everybody knows that.
Now, you take a hooker
with a client list,
she's gonna be there forever.
But your average
stock broker type...
I know. I know. I know.
Well, now, I know
a couple of things
about him.
He is not at his house,
and he's not at his office.
So where is he?
How do I know?
Come on, Solly, don't tell me
you didn't stay with him
for a couple of days
just to see that he wasn't
liquidating his assets.
You always do.
Well, I put a tail on him
for a couple of days
after I bailed him out, but...
And?
Where does he go?
Who does he see?
I got so many people
to keep track of. I...
Bailey. Bailey.
The athletic club.
He's a French food nut.
See, there's
this little place on...
Who does he see, Solly?
You mean see regular?
Yeah, regular.
There's this...
Some dame. A secretary.
He's got an apartment
off Verdugo Lane.
Two Twenty Seven Sixteen.
Two Twenty Seven Sixteen.
I wonder if you can tell me
which one is
the Bailey apartment.
(RINGING)
Hello?
I been sitting on him
like you said.
He's got a visitor.
Who?
Tall guy, dark hair.
I've never seen him before.
Stay where you are.
I'll be out there.
If they make a move,
you move. Got it?
That's what I'm here for.
Yes?
Mr. Bailey in?
BAILEY: If that's the cab,
tell him to wait.
It isn't.
What are you doing here?
I was going
to send him away,
Arnold, but...
It's all right, honey.
Go inside and finish packing.
All right.
You forgot to say,
"May I," Mr. Rockford,
so you can just take
a couple of giant steps
back out that door.
And if you don't, I'II...
You'll call the cops?
Or call your secretary?
Hey, you really should,
you know.
She's worried about you.
She thinks you're out
someplace brooding over
Fred Metcalf's death.
Fred Metcalf?
Yeah, you remember Fred?
The guy in charge
of that nice, big,
fat union pension fund?
I don't know what
you're talking about,
and I haven't
got time to listen.
I'm going on a business trip.
It's just been canceled.
Who do you think you are?
Now get out of here!
Any time you're ready.
Arnold?
Look, you stay out of this.
All right, what am I
supposed to have done?
Come on, tell me. What?
Well, I think you tried
to kill Beth Davenport.
Of course, you were
more successful with Metcalf.
That isn't true.
I had nothing to do
with Fred's death.
Well, you look
number one to me, pal,
and I think for once
the cops and I are gonna
be in total agreement.
Well, this is ridiculous.
I'm getting out...
Now, hold it.
I can't swim!
I didn't murder him. I didn't.
You're making a mistake.
Make me believe it.
I can't.
We were in it together,
but it was his idea.
He was in charge
of the pension plan.
He had me invest
in high-yield bonds.
I phonied
the investment portfolio
so it'd look like the bonds
were returning 5%
when they were returning 8.
We divided the 3% profit.
How much profit?
$600,000.
We split it, 50-50.
That's supposed
to convince me
you're innocent?
Sounds more like
a motive than an alibi,
particularly if you
got tired of dividing.
I didn't kill him!
Believe me, I didn't kill him!
Well, then who did?
I can't tell you.
Oh?
Okay. Okay. Let me out.
Please.
Now, who killed him?
Martin Jordan.
Who's Martin Jordan?
He's connected.
Organized crime?
Yeah. They took over
the union a long time ago.
Lately, they've been
checking up on Metcalf.
He was afraid
something might happen,
but he thought
he had protection.
Oh, the letter he wrote
tying Jordan to the union.
Yeah. That's right,
but it didn't save him.
When I found out
Fred had been killed
I thought maybe
he told them about me,
so I decided to bail out.
All right.
Let's go downtown,
make it official.
Hold it.
I think you better
come with me.
Mr. Jordan.
Now.
Slide across.
Get in there.
Give me the gun.
Okay,
everybody out of the pool.
BETH: You know, Arnold Bailey
shouldn't have talked
till I got to the station.
Didn't anyone bother
to tell him that?
ROCKFORD: Beth,
you couldn't
stop him from talking,
he was trying to get out
from under a murder beef.
You haven't got
anything to worry about,
he's turning
State's evidence.
If he hadn't
been so anxious
to spend his money,
he wouldn't have had
the IRS after him
in the first place.
Well, their collection
technique's a little easier
on the subject
than Jordan's.
Metcalf didn't
spend a dime,
he ended up dead.
They recovered
the whole $300,000?
In Jordan's possession.
Makes a neat package
to take into court.
ROCKY: Hi.
Hi, Rocky.
Oh, hey, Rocky!
Look, I'm really sorry.
I forgot.
I'm not even gonna try
to lie to you about it,
I just plain forgot.
It don't matter.
Well, it does to me.
Let me tell you
what happened.
No, it don't matter.
Well, stop saying that.
Look, I'm the one
knows how I feel.
I got a right to say it.
Or you giving me
orders on that, too?
I never give you orders.
You told me
not to buy that semi.
That wasn't an order.
That was advice.
You know, old Pete Schofield,
he run up to Oxnard
and had a look at it.
I hope
he didn't buy it.
Honey, you know what?
He said he wouldn't have it
if it was under
his Christmas tree
with a red ribbon on it.
He did?
Old Pete, he knows
trucking, you know.
He said this fella
that had it
let it sit outside
till it just turned
plumb into junk.
Ruined, that's
what it was.
No wonder he wanted
to sell it, huh?
It would have been
a waste of valuable time
going up there.
Well, Rocky,
I'm really glad
to hear that.
I admit that I didn't think
it was too good an idea,
but I'm just glad
I'm not the one that
made you lose the deal.
Don't give it
another thought.
Waste of valuable time.
But,
there's this one
I heard about
over in Lancaster.