The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977): Season 4, Episode 7 - Murder by Proxy - full transcript

(theme music playing)

♪♪

I'll take you in and then
I'll put the car away, okay?

Well, it's about
time you realized

how heavy the baby is getting.

Aw, he's getting so
big I can almost hear

the patter of little
feet from over here.

(chuckles)

(screaming)

(glass shatters)

(woman screams)



Jules!

MAN: It's gonna
be all right, baby.

- It's gonna be all right.
- Jules!

Darling, are you all right?

Oh, yes, Mr. Steiner.

They could have killed the baby.

I'm gonna get a gun.

No, you're not!

Then we're moving
out of this neighborhood.

Jules, if we do, it'll be
like starting all over again.

I've had it with
this street, Sally.

I just called the cops.

A lot of good that's gonna do.

STEINER: Wait a minute.



I've got a friend who's a cop.

Let me talk to him.
Maybe he can help.

He'll just give you the
same old runaround.

Just wait till I
talk to him, okay?

(sirens approaching)

Okay.

It's like an epidemic, Mike.

Muggings, arson, vandalism.

A 78-year-old woman...
They broke her jaw...

right in the street...

in the middle of the day.

Someone killed a dog

belongs to a kid two
doors away from me.

A dog, Mike.

How long has this been going on?

Oh, three, four
months. I don't know.

So we call the police,
and who do they send?

A couple of nice kids,
fresh uniform, crew cut.

They ask questions,
they fill out forms

and away they go.

Did you talk to Sergeant Lacy?

Oh, plenty of times.

He's a nice guy...
Underpaid and overworked.

I want you to do something.

Oh, now, that's out
of my department.

I'd be stepping on an
awful lot of toes if I...

Mike, something is
happening on Rafael Street.

I'm asking you for help.

Not as a cop... as a friend.

All right, Leo.

What do you want
me to do, exactly?

I don't know.

Something.

Now, please, Mike.

I'll look into it.

Call me tomorrow, hmm?

Tomorrow?

You know the telephone
number. You remember.

Yes, I remember the
telephone number, but...

Call me tomorrow.

(chuckles)

That man could talk
the fleas off of a dog.

Yes, he did seem to
have a way with words.

- He certainly does.
- I noticed, yeah.

Best rewrite man they
ever had on the old Herald.

Well, I guess there
goes our lunch hour.

Wait-wait-wait. What do you
mean our lunch, kemosabe?

I'm asking you for
your help, not as a cop...

as a friend.

Oh, you put it that way.

Maybe a hamburger to go, huh?

(chuckles)

Good morning, Diane. Messages?

Mr. Buxton's waiting for you.

Am I late?

No, he's early.

Now, wait a minute, Walt.

You knew exactly what
the parameters were

when you took the job.

I have to be in Paris
tomorrow morning

for a vis-a-vis
meeting with DeValle.

Now, you have it worked
out by the time I get back.

All right, good-bye.

Where do we stand on
the Rafael Street project?

Right on schedule, Hal.

Anybody can be on schedule, Tom.

I expected more from you.

Yeah, well, we've, uh, we've
closed on 50% of the property.

We have another, um,
ten percent in escrow now,

- and, uh, we have offers.
- What are the figures?

Oh, well, we're running about
four percent under budget.

But we'll probably be into
the contingency override

by the time the
project's completed.

Tom, when I go back
to New York next month,

I want to take that West
Coast Towers project with me,

100% complete and ahead
of schedule and under budget.

Well, you see, there've, uh,
there've been a few problems.

You're not here to
bring me problems.

You're here to
bring me solutions.

Yes, I know, but, see,

there's been resistance
from some of the local people.

Nothing worthwhile
comes easy, Tom.

Problems are to be
solved, resistance overcome

and obstacles to be eliminated.

When I go back east,

it's to talk about my moving
into the New York headquarters.

When I go, my staff goes.

And you're number
one in my staff.

We'll be dealing
directly with the old man

in the South America project.

You know what that means?

Yes, indeed.

Then show me some hustle.

I'll go start fires
under some people.

35 felonies, all in the
same neighborhood. Why?

You believe in astrology?

That's not funny.

Then don't ask me a
question that I can't answer!

"Why?" Why does one
house get burglarized

and another one not?

Why does a 73-year-old man
get beaten to death in the park?

Why would anyone
shoot a 12-year-old child?!

Does there have to be a reason?!

In this case, yes!

That neighborhood is being
picked apart by buzzards.

All within four square blocks.

We took action on every
one of those complaints, Mike!

I'm not saying you're
not doing your job!

I have ten cars...!

I know the problems!
Don't tell me the problems!

What do you want from me, blood?

Come here.

Take a look at that map.

How far back did you go?

We went back about six months.

That's been a very
busy neighborhood.

Can you think of any reason why?

Not right offhand.

But I'll sure step up

the frequency of
patrols in that area.

(sighs) Satisfied?

Satisfied.

Hey, the next time
you invite me to lunch,

make it rare roast beef
on whole wheat, huh?

Hello, Mr. Wells.

Hello, Quincy.

Mrs. Arturo.

- Mr. Buckey.
- Oh.

I've been looking for you.

Well, been right here on
the same block for 23 years.

The party who wants
to buy your house

has raised his offer to $38,000.

That's a good offer.
You'll never get a better.

It's only a good
offer if I want to sell,

and I happen to like it
right here on Rafael Street.

Listen, have you seen
those new condominiums

down at the Golden
Age retirement home?

I have, and you know something?

They look like hospital rooms.

Well, if you should
ever change your mind...

I'll let you know.

Good afternoon, Mr. Fitz.

Have you confessed
your sins lately?

I don't think I have any sins
worth confessing, Mr. Lloyd.

That's one right there:
the sin of arrogance.

That's not arrogance,
that's security.

Tell me, how do we stand
as of noon today, Mr. Lloyd?

You should learn to
make small talk, Mr. Fitz.

Makes doing business bearable.

Well, as of noon today,

we stand right where we
stood as of noon yesterday:

right on schedule.

Then we're behind, because
the schedule's been moved up.

The acquisition of that
property must be completed

by the end of the month.

- End of the month?
- That's right.

Say, there are people
down there, Mr. Fitz.

And you can't put
people on a flow chart.

You've got to deal
with them one by one.

Do you have any
idea what I had to do

just to acquire the
property we already got?

I'm not interested in
the problems, Mr. Lloyd,

just the solutions.

Well, right now, we're
down to the diehards...

Old, set in their ways.

Some of those people have
lived on that block for years.

They don't want to move now.

They're like boulders;
we'll have to blast them out.

You know more
about that than I do.

Biggest obstacle is Leo Steiner.

He's your friendly
neighborhood philosopher.

Runs the print shop.

If we can move Steiner,

I think the others
would fall like dominoes.

Then make him an
offer that he can't refuse.

Like what?

Like more money.

And if he still won't sell?

Look, how you
handle it is up to you.

Now you got a five-percent
bonus on over a million dollars,

but only if you acquire
that property on schedule.

You better handle it, soon.

Problems are to
be solved, Mr. Lloyd,

resistance to be overcome,
obstacles to be eliminated.

Just as you say, Mr. Fitz.

Just as you say.

Hey, that's a nice car.

Tell me something, just
between you and me.

Is it paid for?

I'll be waiting for your call.

You really ought to go
to confession, Mr. Fitz.

It's good for the soul.

♪♪

Please, Mike, don't smile
unless you got good news.

You were right, Leo.

Which means that
things are very bad,

and that is not good news.

Well, things could get better.

Eh, things have a way of getting
worse before they get better.

My father, the optimist.

When you have lived
as many years as I have...

I've heard the speech, Papa.

It's number four
in your repertory

and number one on the charts.

Kids these days.

No respect.

So, tell me.

Well, crime and vandalism
in this neighborhood

is up about 300% higher
than in any other district.

We already know that, Mike.

Half the people in the
block have moved away.

Some of my oldest friends.

Is there anything special
about this neighborhood?

To you, no.

Where you come from,
they probably call this a slum.

But to me, it's special,
because this is where I live.

And something is
happening where I live.

And nothing happens by itself.

There has to be a reason.

Good, good.

Then all we have to
do is find that reason.

I don't have enough
lunch hours for that.

Mike, you're a policeman.

What are policemen
for, except to help?

That's right.

But you've got
to help, too, Leo.

Sergeant Lacy said that he would

increase the
patrols in this area,

but the police can't
be everywhere at once.

(phone ringing)

Which phone is that, John?

Over there, Papa.

Excuse me.

There's not really much
you can do, is there?

Alone, no, but
together, who knows?

STONE: Keep your eyes open.

Look for anything suspicious.

Watch the street, will you?

Thanks, Lieutenant.

I'll see you, Leo!

Okay.

Print shop, Leo here.

Hey, Leo, my friend.

I got news for you.

Terrific. Who is this?

Quincy Lloyd.

Hey, remember that
matter I was discussing?

Well, my party's
raised his offer.

Now, brace yourself.

40,000 smackolas
for your property,

lock, stock and barrel.

I told him he's crazy, but...

Not interested, thanks.

Now, Leo...

I know you love that old
place, but I said 40,000.

And I said no!

Now, please, Leo,
listen to me, will you?

How many ways
do I have to wrap it?

Negative, non, nicht,
nien, nada, nyet!

And whatever it is
in Sanskrit, okay?

Okay, Leo.

Don't say I didn't try.

Good-bye, my friend.

Stupid.

The man won't listen.

Well, when do we get
the rest of the money?

After you're finished.

I'll meet you at the Tripp Inn.

What time?

11:30.

What's the matter?

In a word: Steiner.

Leo Steiner.

And you think you're going to
find the answer to Mr. Steiner

in that calculator?

Maybe.

If the figures are right.

Where are the kids?

In bed.

Hmm.

Where does the time go?

Well, a little bit
here on one Steiner,

and then on another Steiner,

and then there's
always another Steiner.

How would you like...

a martini, very dry...

with a couple of
olives and a Cheryl?

I've got work to do.

Well...

(sighs heavily)

Hey, fella... want to neck?

You're about as
subtle as a train wreck.

Well... let's put it this way:

how'd you like to
save your marriage?

Yeah, not right now.

Well, I guess I'll
go to my bedroom

and tell myself I have
a terrible headache.

So just don't jiggle the bed
when you come in, all right?

Aw, Cheryl... (laughs)

Listen.

How'd you like to
live in New York City,

in the big time, baby?

May be big time to you,
but as far as I'm concerned,

you know I think
it's an open sewer.

Some people like it there.

I understand some Arabs
love living in the middle of

- the Sahara Desert...
- (chuckles): No.

I'm talking about a promotion.

To world headquarters

for Double C.I.
working directly with

the president of the company.

You know what that means?

Yeah.

Moving again.

To the top.

Tom, we've only moved five
times in the last seven years,

from Kansas, to...
to Texas, to Omaha,

to Los Angeles,
to San Francisco...

I haven't been in one city
long enough to register to vote.

Why bother?

My department at Double C.I.
has more effect on the economy

than any ten congressmen.

Oh, wow.

Well, I'll just remind the kids
not to study the Constitution.

But that's not the problem.

The kids don't have
any time to make friends.

We don't have any friends.

Aw, Cheryl, what are
you talking about there?

The Davises in Accounting,

uh, Marv Roberts in
Research and Development.

And what about, uh, Jim Burns
in, uh, Marketing and Sales?

Tom, those people
aren't friends,

they're business associates!

And their wives are deadly
bores, and they're boring.

All they ever talk about is

what their husbands
do for the company,

and what the company
does for their husbands.

For seven years, I
have heard nothing

- but "the company."
- Now, listen.

"The company this, and
the company, the company..."

That company parlayed a lousy

B.A. degree from a third-rate
state college into this house!

Into the cars.

Into private
schools for the kids.

Into, uh, charge accounts
and credit cards for Mama!

All right, is that
all there is to life?

I don't hear you
complain on payday.

Well, if the company has
already bought my husband,

body and soul, why
should I complain

if they send me a
lousy installment check?!

Tom... (sobs)

Go have your headache, Cheryl.

Do you want me
to wait up for you?

I'll be late.

♪♪

♪♪

(siren wailing)

(tires screech)

I'm sorry, Johnny.

He tried to tell you what
was happening down here.

Did you find him?

This morning.

I offered to stay with
him last night, but...

he knew I had an
extension class, so I...

I went home.

We were gonna have breakfast.

He was running
off these handbills.

"Protect Yourself."

"That's what we all have to
do to protect Rafael Street,

our children and each other."

Is there anything missing?

Petty cash.

$20 or $30.

He should've taken the offer.

He was offered $40,000
for this shop yesterday.

He should've taken
the money and run.

40,000?

I told him he was stupid.

I didn't realize
how right I was.

Uh...

look, I gotta get this
place cleaned up.

Okay.

Let's talk to some
of the neighbors.

Maybe they saw
or heard something.

Did you notice any strange
cars or people on the block?

Did you hear anything unusual?

Uh, like I said, I-I
was watching TV.

Was there anyone
else in the house?

Only my wife.

She was asleep.

Every time I turn on the
TV, she goes sound asleep.

It's automatic.

But tell me, why would
anybody want to kill Leo Steiner?

When I find out,
I'll let you know.

Well, don't bother.

I won't be here.

I got a good offer for
this place, for $38,000.

I'm gonna take it and get out.

Excuse me. Who
made you that offer?

Quincy Lloyd.

Thank you very much.

I'm really sorry
that I can't help you.

I liked Leo.

He was pretty hip for
an old guy, you know?

But I was working, and
I didn't see anything.

You own this house?

Yeah, why?

Anybody made an offer
to buy it from you lately?

Well, I've got a
standing offer: $32,000.

I just might take it.

I don't think I want my wife
and kids living on this block.

Who made you that offer?

Lloyd. Quincy Lloyd.

Thank you very much.

You bet.

MAN: Well, if there's anything
I can do to help, Lieutenant,

just let me know.

STONE: I appreciate
that. Thanks a lot.

Excuse me, has anybody
offered to buy your house?

- As a matter of fact...
- Quincy Lloyd.

He made an offer.

Told him no.

Yeah. Thank you.

What was that all about?

In the past four months, over
half the people on this block

have sold their
houses and moved,

and there's a standing
offer on all the rest of them.

- From Quincy Lloyd?
- That's right.

Well, as Leo said,

where you come from,
they call this place a slum.

- Who would want it?
- (sighs)

Except the people who live here.

Why don't we go
ask Quincy Lloyd?

Come on, kids, it's almost 8:00.

You're going to be late.

There you go.

What kind of sandwiches
did you make for lunch?

Ham and cheese.

- Again?
- Again.

Kiss your daddy good-bye.

You be good, now, sport.

Okay.

You're going to
be late, too, honey.

Well, Buxton left
last night for Paris

for a meeting with DeValle.

I can be a couple
of minutes late.

Something wrong, Tom?

No, I...

Uh, yeah, I-I don't...
I don't feel very well.

Would you call the office?

Tell them I won't
be in this morning.

All right.

Sorry I've only got
a minute, gentlemen.

I wish there was
something I could tell you,

but I was on the other side
of town with some friends.

STONE: Well, we're talking to
everybody in the neighborhood,

just in case.

I understand, Lieutenant.

I was very fond of Leo Steiner.

He was a fine man.

A gentle soul.

But a very lousy chess player.

(chuckles)

Well, I understand you've
been buying a lot of property

in this area, Mr. Lloyd.

Oh, property is the best
investment a man can make.

You interested?

How much property do
you own around here?

None whatsoever.

I even rent my office,
from a Mr. Beckman.

Then you don't know anything
about these transactions?

Oh, I know
everything about them.

I'm an agent, a broker.

I buy and sell property for
other people, not for myself.

Well, who's buying the
property around here?

Well, that's a matter of
public record, gentlemen.

Atmen and Fields have
bought half a dozen properties.

Dellenback and
Bynum, maybe ten or 12.

Some out-of-state
corporations, well...

I can't remember all
of them just offhand.

Now, are those the principals
or the intermediaries?

I never ask.

None of my business,

so long as the
checks don't bounce.

Well, if there's
anything more you need,

just give me a call!

You heard the man.

Public records.

You go to the Hall of Records,

look up all the real
estate transactions

on this block for
the past six months.

Well, now, what
are you gonna do?

I'm gonna poke around here
and see what I can come up with.

Well, why don't I
poke around here,

and you go to the
Hall of Records?

That's a good reason.

That's a very good reason.

(doorbell rings)

Who is it, Cheryl?

It's just me, Tom. Quincy.

Hate to bother you at home,
but the matter's pressing.

Tried your office;

your secretary said
you were home sick.

I hope it's not catching.

Would you like some coffee?

Not just now, no.

What have you done?

I've acquired five new pieces
of property this morning.

They'll be in escrow by evening.

I'm talking about Steiner.

- Leo Steiner?
- LLOYD: Terrible shame.

Man was a dear,
dear friend of mine.

I spoke to his son a while
ago; the boy's grief-stricken.

He's thinking of
selling the property

and moving away from
the scene of the tragedy.

I can't say I blame him.

Did you have anything
to do with Steiner's death?

I was wondering just
how sick you were.

It worries me; a sick man
might do or say something...

I asked you a question, Lloyd.

The question indicates
a basic lack of trust

in our relationship, Tom.

(chuckles)

Well, we've almost
done it, Tommy.

Ahead of schedule
and under budget.

What did you want
to see me about?

Seem to have run
short of petty cash.

I wanted you to
sign this authorization

for Atmen and Fields to release
some of the funds due me.

All right.

Here.

But don't ever come here again.

No reason to.

Our business is
almost at an end.

I can find my own way out.

Good morning, Mrs. Fitz.

Well... I think I'd better
get down to the office.

Who was that man?

Oh, uh... Mr. Quincy Lloyd.

I don't think I like
him very much.

You don't have to like a
man to do business with him.

Just what kind of
business does he do?

That kind?

What are you
talking about, Cheryl?

I don't know, but I think I'm
talking about Leo Steiner.

Do you think that I
was party to this?!

I'm afraid to ask,
because if you say yes,

I think something inside
me is just gonna die.

And if I say no?

I don't think I'd believe you.

I know the man I married

could never be involved
with anything like this,

but you're not
the man I married.

You've changed, you've
become a-a company man, you...

With every promotion,
every move, every raise,

you get more corporate
and you get less human.

I don't know where
you live anymore.

I don't know who you are, I
don't know what you think,

I don't know where I live,

I don't know what
country, what state!

Don't register to vote, Cheryl.

We're going to New York.

(sniffles)

(sobbing softly)

JOHNNY: You don't have
any idea who did it, do you?

I'm not into the
"who" stage yet.

I'm still trying to
figure out why.

Well, I think I got
something. Listen.

All the real estate in this
area is being bought up

by different corporations,
not individuals.

I got a list right here.

There's companies in
Nassau, two in Bermuda

and a couple in Lichtenstein.

And the same agent for
all of them: Quincy Lloyd.

Dummy corporations.

There's nothing
sinister about that;

sometimes it's good business.

Why would they use
dummy corporations

if they didn't have
something to hide?

How do we find
out who's behind it?

We gotta go to Nassau,
Bermuda and Lichtenstein.

Why don't we just
ask Quincy Lloyd?

Even if he knew, he
wouldn't be required to tell us.

Not unless we could
prove that there was a...

a link between the
death of your father

and the sale of
some of that property.

Then what are you gonna do?

We're gonna pierce
the corporate veil.

Why don't I go punch
Quincy Lloyd in the mouth,

see if his tongue
shakes up a little?

Because you'd end
up in jail, that's why.

You just let us take care of it.

Come on.

♪♪

(car approaches)

(car door opens)

(door closes)

(clattering)

Well, we got ourselves a hit.

- I could smell it.
- Mr. Quincy Lloyd.

He's clean in California;
he's just the picture of

a perfect, hard-working
businessman.

Then what?

Well, he's only been
here for ten years.

Been arrested in
Kansas, Missouri, Illinois...

Embezzlement, assault, fraud.

- He's a con man.
- Convictions?

Embezzlement only, but
he gave the money back,

sentence suspended.

(knocking)

Yeah, come in.

- Busy?
- Not too busy.

What can we do for you?

These are hot from the
personal files of Quincy Lloyd.

Where'd you get those?

Don't answer that question.

Read him his rights.

What?

Read him his rights.

You have the right
to remain silent.

- Anything you say can...
- Hey, Lieutenant Stone...

Sekulavich, come here!

Keep reading.

Keep reading him his rights.

You have the right
to talk to a lawyer

and have him present while
you're being questioned.

If you cannot afford
to hire a lawyer,

one will be appointed
to represent you

before any questioning,
if you wish one.

Yeah, Mike?

This is John Steiner. Book him.

No warrant.

Then file these with
the property clerk.

You can't do this.

Let's find out
whether I can or not.

Book him!

- Let's go.
- Come on, move!

Come on, let's go. Let's go.

(chuckles)

Just overnight.

Keep him out of trouble.

You got something
in those files?

Just what Mr. Lloyd
said was there:

a lot of names of
lawyers and corporations.

They all look like fronts
to me, except this one.

This one here.

Here, take a look at it.

"T. Fitz... 28 thou...
Friday... CCI."

Communications Consolidated.

They're down on Howard Street.

Sounds like Lichtenstein to me.

Fine.

Look, George, that land
belongs to this company.

It's an industrial
site, not a city park.

Those kids can play
baseball somewhere else.

Well, if you bulldozed that lot

and put a chain
link fence around it,

they might get the idea, okay?

(intercom buzzes)

Yes?

SECRETARY: Two gentlemen
are here to see you, Tom.

Who are they? What do they want?

They're from the police.

Send them in.

Hello.

I'm Lieutenant Stone,
and this is Inspector Keller.

Yes, gentlemen,
what can I do for you?

Well, do you recognize any
of the corporations on this list?

Uh... why do you ask?

Well, all of them have
been buying property

up on Rafael Street.

Is that against the law?

That depends on how you do it.

(chuckles)

Well, we usually pay for it.

And if the owners
don't want to sell?

Then we, uh, may
pay a little more.

Well, that comes back
to my first question.

Yes. Um... Won't
you have a seat?

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Uh, gentlemen, this is, uh...

a highly confidential matter.

Do you know what would happen
if it became public knowledge

that, uh, we were buying
property on Rafael Street,

say, or anywhere else?

- Yeah, the prices would go up.
- That's right.

And we're acquiring
property all the time,

because Double C.I. is a
multinational corporation

with hundreds of thousands of
employees, all needing space.

Now, my department, um,
projects and acquires that space.

Office space, warehouse
space, computer room space.

Up to the year 2005.

Now, the, uh, the companies
listed here are acting as our,

uh, intermediaries
in the acquisition

of the Rafael Street property.

Yeah, that's very interesting.

Do you know a Quincy Lloyd?

Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

We, uh, we usually work
through a local real estate agent.

It gives people the
feeling, you know,

that they're dealing with
friends and neighbors

rather than some
faceless corporation.

Well, what do you
know about him?

Well, just that he-he
seems to be dependable.

He gets the job done.

It's how he gets the job
done that interests us.

What do you mean?

Well, in the case
of Rafael Street,

that could mean vandalism,
violence, extortion...

possibly even murder.

Those are very serious
charges, Inspector.

STONE: No, we're not
making any charges.

We're simply interested in a...

in a homicide on Rafael Street.

Lieutenant, I presume
that Mr. Lloyd is not involved

in any of this, because if you
have proof to the contrary...

No.

No proof.

Well...

I'm afraid I can't
help you any further.

I don't know any more than that.

If you'll excuse me.

Thank you for your time.

- Certainly.
- Thank you.

Get me Quincy Lloyd.

So we've pierced the corporate
veil and see the year 2005

and come up with a
lot of empty spaces.

I think we got
something, though.

What is the first
thing somebody asks

when you tell 'em
there's been a murder?

- "Who's been killed?"
- Right.

So either he's pretty
cold or he knows.

- Or even worse, both.
- Yeah.

Let's go and see if Quincy
Lloyd filed a burglary report yet.

LLOYD: What is it
that's so important?

I was right in the middle...

FITZ: I don't care what you
were doing. You can stop.

As of right now,
stop everything.

Are you having an attack
of remorse, Mr. Fitz?

No, I'm having a bad case
of the shakes, Mr. Lloyd.

And one of the things
I'm gonna shake is you.

Police came to see me today.

They told me what's been
going on down on Rafael Street.

And to put it mildly, I don't
approve of your methods.

It's a little late
for that, Tommy.

You're fired, Quincy.

I'll have my secretary send
you a letter in the morning.

You see, Tommy,
I'm a very direct man.

I get right to the point.

And the point is this:
nothing's changed.

Problems are to be solved,
resistance to be overcome,

obstacles to be eliminated.

Your very words.

Leo Steiner was an
obstacle. He was eliminated.

I'll tell you the truth,

I don't know who killed
that dear sweet man.

I was all the way across
town when it happened.

But I did hear you say
he should be eliminated.

So I guess you found
someone to do it for you.

I leave it to your conscience.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I got a few more
people to persuade,

some deals to close
and a bonus to collect!

♪♪

Cheryl?

Cheryl?

CHERYL: "Tom, there is a
point beyond which I cannot go.

"I've actually
reached that point.

"I actually believed

"you had something to
do with that man's death.

"And, God help me, I still do.

"I must be a little crazy to
think a thing like that, but...

"So I've taken the children

"and gone to stay
with my parents

"until I regain my senses
or until you regain yours.

"Please don't call me.

I'll just cry. Cheryl."

I mean, there are people out
there on the street this minute

who killed my father.

There are muggers, pushers,
arsonists, car thieves...

And who do you arrest? Me.

Where did you pick this up?

I told you, I stole it from
Quincy Lloyd's office.

Lloyd presses charges,
that's burglary, Johnny.

Would you have found out
about this CCI thing if I hadn't?

No, not as soon.

I rest my case.

Well, what does CCI want
with our crummy block, anyway?

I mean, I thought they just made

computers and
television sets and stuff.

It's a large company.
It's expanding.

Lebensraum.

- What?
- Hitler.

All he wanted was
lebensraum...living room.

A little more room,
a little more space.

$38,000, Mr. Buckey.

Escrow will close in 30 days,
and you'll get your money.

You'll be a rich man.

Might have been
once, but not now.

No, no, you wait here.
And no monkey business.

Oh, you've come at a
bad time, Lieutenant.

I was just on the way out.

This belong to you?

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

Must have fallen out of my car.

We thought somebody
might have stolen it.

Who would want to steal
these? They're not that important.

You've been buying
property in this area

for Communications Consolidated.

Who said that?

Tom Fitz.

Then it must be true.

Have you ever been
in trouble with the law?

Yes.

To my everlasting shame.

Back in Kansas.

I took some money
that didn't belong to me.

But I replaced the money
and the matter was dropped.

I was much younger then.

(tires screech)

It came from over there!

Come on! Let's get 'em!

(tires screech)

♪♪

(tires screech)

They went down there
and around the corner.

(siren wailing)

(clamoring)

(siren approaching)

Get back! Get back! Take
it easy! Come on! Get back!

Get out of here!

Stand back, all of
you! Everybody back!

Come here. That's enough!

That's enough!

Now, you guys turn around.

Get your legs out.

You have the right to remain
silent. Anything you say...

Hey, wait. What's
all this about?

They have the
same rights you do.

Turn around.

Now, what do you know
about the death of Leo Steiner?

Who do you work
for? Who hired you?

I want my lawyer.

See, I don't say nothing
without my lawyer.

You work for
Communications Consolidated?

Do you know a Tom Fitz?

How about Quincy Lloyd?

I don't say nothing
without a lawyer.

What's the name of your lawyer?

You pick him.

Okay, you guys
just stay right here.

We'll get your lawyer.

Hey, wait a minute.
Hey, wait a minute.

You want a lawyer.

Hey, you can't leave us here.

KELLER: Don't worry. We'll
be back in about an hour.

All I need is five minutes.

Hey! Hey, wait a minute.

It was Quincy.

Quincy Lloyd!

He's the guy that
hired us. Don't go.

- Go get Quincy Lloyd.
- Don't go!

It was Quincy!

- All right, step back.
- Don't go!

All right, it's all over now.

Don't go.

Step back, step back. All right.

So, of course, I fired
Lloyd on the spot,

but it may be too late.

Did you alert the
legal department?

Yes, I've already talked
with Miller, in general terms.

No particulars yet.

If push comes to shove,

get in touch with
Public Relations

and tell them to keep the
company's name out of it.

(intercom buzzes)

Yes?

SECRETARY: There are two
policemen here to see Mr. Fitz.

- Tell them to come right in.
- Yes, sir.

I'm Lieutenant Stone,
and this is Inspector Keller.

Hello.

Gentlemen, I understand
there's a problem.

Perhaps I better get our
legal counsel to join us.

Perhaps you'd better.

I don't think that's
necessary, Mr. Buxton.

They already know the
company's not involved.

How can I help you?

We have a confession
from Quincy Lloyd

on certain actions that
he took on your behalf.

The only thing Lloyd did
for me was to buy property.

Well, he said he told you

that Leo Steiner
was an obstacle,

and that you told him to
eliminate that obstacle.

(chuckles) Well, I was only
speaking metaphorically.

I never meant for
him to kill anyone.

When's the first time you found
out Mr. Steiner was murdered?

I read about it in the paper
the morning after it occurred.

And when did you
hear that Mr. Lloyd

was involved in that murder?

He said he discussed it
with you the next morning.

Well, well, no, not-not
as murder per se.

Just in the, um,
context of business.

Why didn't you call the police?

Why didn't you tell us the
afternoon we talked to you?

You're under arrest.

For what?

I haven't done anything!

You did withhold
evidence, obstruct justice.

Maybe even enough to charge
you as an accessory after the fact

to first-degree murder.

I suggest you,
uh, call that lawyer.

Don't use one of
our lawyers, Tom.

I'd like to keep the
company's name out of this.

Could I stop by my
office for a moment?

Tom, on your way out,

could you leave your letter of
resignation with my secretary?

And, Tom... date it yesterday.

So how you like it so far?

Well, it's gonna be the
biggest thing on the block.

It's gonna be the
only thing on the block.

Yeah. There goes
the old neighborhood.

JOHNNY: Lieutenant!

Johnny, I thought you
were gonna stay here

and fight these fellows
to the bitter end?

The end came much
sooner than I expected.

They offered me
$120,000 for the print shop.

(Keller whistles)

Even Papa would have taken it.

I'll bet Mr. Buxton must
have been pulling his hair out.

Oh, Mr. Buxton's
not there anymore.

I heard they transferred
him to Omaha.

Omaha?

He broke the law.

What law's that?

None that you ever heard of.

You see, a company as big
as CCI is like a nation unto itself.

They have their own
morals, their own codes,

their own values.

And Mr. Buxton, well, he
made a mistake in judgment.

And because of this
mistake... (whistles) Omaha.

Well, Omaha's not
the end of the world.

Go tell that to Mr. Buxton.

(chuckles)

I'll see ya, Johnny.

- Okay.
- Johnny, take care.

Bye-bye.