The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977): Season 5, Episode 21 - Breakup - full transcript
(theme music playing)
(cable car bell clanging)
Please, Mr. Drake,
I can't go alone.
You don't understand.
You got to go with me.
Mr. Benson, if you really
want to turn yourself in,
all you have to do is
walk into a police station.
Oh, no, not unless I get a
lawyer with me I can trust.
Please, just meet me.
Take me in. That's all I ask.
(sighs) All right,
Benson, where are you?
The old abandoned
shipyard at Hunter's Point.
♪♪
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
(tires screech)
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
Larry, how often
you get calls like that?
These days, only
about... once a month.
I don't practice as much
criminal law as I used to.
And you have no idea why
some joker's trying to kill you?
No, I can't imagine.
And you didn't
recognize his voice?
No.
And the name Benson was
probably a phony, too, huh?
Oh, excuse me, Larry.
Oh, you, uh, you know
my partner Jerry Billings.
This is Lieutenant Mike
Stone, Inspector Dan Robbins.
How are you?
Oh, Larry, that business meeting
with the Hampton Corporation
executives has
been changed to 6:00.
Okay. I'll be ready for it.
I've been telling him to get
out of criminal law altogether.
Boy, you'd think he'd had
enough being the Deputy D.A.
I'll take divorces and
corporations anytime.
You live longer.
Now he tells me.
Okay, so it's somebody
that has a grudge against you,
somebody that maybe you
put away. Any idea who?
Are you kidding?
I had an enormous caseload.
They're all here,
copies of all my cases,
Everything from petty
larceny to murder.
I tried over 50 major cases:
rape, felonious
assault, armed robbery.
I mean, I put away a
lot of tough characters.
I'd like to have a full
list of all the hard crimes.
Okay, I'll send over
copies right away.
What about his car?
Uh, light blue. I-I think
a Ford, older model.
Anything on the license?
No. I was too busy trying
to save my own skin.
Larry, I think it would be smart
if we offered you
some protection.
Come on, Mike, I was Deputy D.A.
for eight years and I
never had protection.
I think, I think this
is just a one-shot.
Chances are the guy's
made his try and that's it.
Chances are he might try again.
Thanks, Mike, but no protection.
Okay, but if you change your
mind, let me know, will you?
- Sure.
- And don't forget
- I want that list as soon as possible.
- Right.
See what we can do. Do you mind?
Help yourself.
- Thanks, Mike. -Bye-bye, Dan.
- Bye-bye.
Hello, Mrs. Finn. Sorry
to keep you waiting.
Looks like we're gonna
have to start taking
a hard line with your husband.
Emily, you ever see
such a pile of worms?
Mr. Finn...
Did you ever see such
a pile of final notices?
I mean, whatever
happened to good faith?
Mr. Finn, they won't cut off
your credit for four months.
It's the fourth month
when they cut you off.
- You promise, huh?
- I promise.
Meanwhile what am I gonna
do about the payroll, huh?
How am I gonna meet
the payroll on the 15th?
Well, you still have
the Murphy account.
Yeah, and there's the hotel.
Yeah, Ceci promised
me that hotel account.
I mean, she's never let me down.
Okay, I'll get the
fabrics from Parsons.
Oh, God, he's been
dunning me since July.
(phone rings)
Hello.
Yeah.
Yeah, this is Charlie Finn.
Who?
IRS?
That's all I need.
Yes?
Well, listen, Mr. Petersen,
yes, I know I did not deliver
the quarterly withholding,
but there have been
some personal problems,
and I could use
a little more time.
Okay, so it's not
government policy, I mean,
it's not gonna create
a national crisis
to give a small businessman
a chance to breath, huh?!
Yeah, I would appreciate it if
you'd check with your superior.
Yeah, great.
Everybody wants
a pound of flesh.
And I got a headache. I
got a splitting headache.
I'll get you something.
(phone rings)
Hello.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hello, Mr. Drake.
Mr. Finn, Mr. Finn, I
called your attorney,
but he says you'd dismissed him.
Now, I don't like to
get into this with you,
but you, you give me no choice.
You're four months delinquent
on your first payment to Ethel,
and your second one
was due last week.
Look, I just don't have
the money right now.
I'm good for it.
I'm only asking for
a little time, huh?
Look, Mr. Finn, you signed a
settlement, that's a contract.
It's what you agreed to.
Now I'm gonna
have to hold you to it.
Will you get off my back, man?
I'm between a rock and a
hard place and I can't do it.
Now stop squeezing me!
I'm just trying to get
what's fair for your
wife and your kids.
What do you know
about what's fair?
Why don't you stop beating
around the bush, just kill me!
And you checked
it carefully for me?
Okay, thanks.
Benny Sheridan is still in
the slammer, so it can't be him.
That, That's 20 out of 50
that couldn't have done it.
Subtract the eight who
died, that leaves, uh, 22.
Take away three
out of the country,
four out of state,
gives us 15 possibles.
We're gonna have to
reduce this pile down
to the hard felons, that's all.
Break it right down.
David Bauer, Bert Jenkins.
No, no, no, here's
Harlan Betts, Sam Adams.
That's it.
One, two, three,
four, five, six.
Six possibles.
Nice group.
Murder, assault, arson,
armed robbery, kidnapping.
And every one of
them rehabilitated
and taking their
proper role in society.
Well, we're gonna have to
go through this pile and find out
where they are and where
they were this morning.
Too bad he didn't
get a look at the driver.
We might have broken
this down further.
Well, too bad that
Larry didn't consent
to having some, some protection.
Well, maybe the guy won't
take another crack at him.
What are you talking about?
Here, take a look at these.
Can you predict what each
one of these guys would do?
You didn't change the points.
Well, they didn't
need to be changed.
Betts, will you look
at 'em, for Pete's sake!
What do I have to do,
follow you around all day?
Look, man, you been needling me
ever since I started this job.
If you don't like the way I
run this shop, you can get lost.
It's a favor hiring a guy
like you. Change 'em!
- Brownie...
- Hey...
Hey, good to see you!
When'd you get out?
Last week.
What took you so
long to look me up?
Hey, I wanted to set
up something first...
for both of us.
After what I just saw,
I think you'll go for it.
The boss? He's a creep, man.
What do you got going?
How'd you like
to blow this town?
Go someplace where
it's nice and warm...
year round?
Lauderdale.
Oh, yeah? Lauderdale?
Oh, man, that's nice.
But we got to have
jobs promised, man.
That's what I set up.
You remember Kiley?
- Yeah.
- He's a big man down there now.
Owns three gas stations.
It's all set. Jobs
for the both of us.
He's putting it in writing
so the Adult Authority
can't jerk us around.
That's beautiful.
I mean, that's beautiful.
Okay. Go in and give him notice.
Well, not yet. I, uh, I
gotta have about a week.
What for?
We leave now, we
start work Monday.
What for?
The arm, Brownie,
the arm is what for.
I owe a guy for this. Now
I need a little more time.
Harlan, why don't you forget it?
Let's go now, start clean.
Forget it. No way.
I still wake up a dozen times
a night... in pain, Brownie.
I turn over, I wake up.
No, I owe a guy for this,
and he's gonna pay for it.
Now you wanna go
without me, you go ahead.
But that's it.
I'm back with Dulcie.
You can reach me at her place.
Yeah.
I won't go without you.
I'll give you a week.
Brownie, you know, that's great.
I mean you and Dulcie.
I know you understand
what I got to do.
I know what you got to do,
but I don't want to know.
So, don't tell me anything.
That way, I don't know.
Okay?
You call me.
So, the kids are okay, huh?
Yes, they're fine.
You ought to call more often.
You know you can come
over anytime you want to.
Yeah, I know. I'll
see you tomorrow.
I promised April
I'd take her out.
How's Hal doing?
He's fine.
He's going with someone new.
Her name is Jenny.
Look, Ethel, I uh, I
talked to your lawyer.
I don't think I'm gonna be
able to make that payment.
Well, uh,
there are things the
kids need, Charlie.
I'll have my real estate license
soon and that'll help, but...
Look Ethel, I don't want
to make things tough
on you and the kids.
Things are gonna get better.
I got a big drapery order
that's coming through,
and then I'll be solvent, see.
Uh, you remember Ceci
Roman, the decorator?
She's coming through for me.
But you got to
call off that lawyer.
I mean, he's attached
a lien on the business
on account of the back payment.
I mean, he's
strangling me, Ethel.
Well, I didn't know he did that.
I'll talk to him.
All right?
Oh, great, you're swell, Ethel.
I knew I could count on you.
You know even though
we could never live together,
it doesn't change the fact
you're a terrific woman.
You know, I thought about it
and thought about it,
and I still don't
know why we can't.
Yeah.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Tell April, okay?
Sure, I'll tell her.
Open up, police.
Hold it, Harper.
What're you running for, Harper?
Got a lot on your mind?
If you'd seen his
pad, you'd know why.
A one-man swap meet.
Hi, Emily.
Hello.
Ceci, come in, come in.
I, uh, I was just
grabbing a bite.
You want a half a
chicken salad sandwich?
No thanks, Charlie,
just had lunch.
What about something to
drink? Lemonade? Ginger ale?
I got some vodka somewhere.
Not a thing.
I can't stay, honey.
I'm afraid I've got
some bad news for you.
Bad news, bad news I
don't need this week, Ceci.
Charlie, I wish
it were different.
Okay, I'm a big boy.
Lay it on me.
It's the hotel order.
What about it?
It just didn't work out right.
I thought it was
going to be a big deal.
That's right.
3,000 yards you promised me.
I know, but they cut
the job way down.
All I can get now
is maybe 300 yards.
(scoffs)
(chuckling wryly) 300 yards?
I'm sorry, Charlie.
What can I tell you?
It's the breaks.
I need that order, Ceci.
It's the big one. I need it!
Is this the car?
Sure is.
Look at this hood
and that windshield.
Any prints?
No, no prints.
It's been wiped clean.
Whoever used it was a pro.
Did you get anything
out of Harper?
Well, I'd say he's
got a pretty good alibi.
Very original.
Says he was breaking and
entering at the same time
someone was trying
to cream Mr. Drake.
I checked and some of the
stolen loot was found in his place.
What about number
two, Dave Bauer?
He's clear;
working for the city.
He was with a construction
gang at the time.
Bert Jenkins has an alibi, too.
He had a heart attack.
He's still in intensive care.
Well, that's oh-for-three, huh?
Pretty good.
I guess the only thing we can do
is start with Betts and
work our way down.
♪♪
Mr. Drake,
I tried the office, but
I got the runaround.
Mr. Finn, I don't get into these
things with adversary clients.
Will you let me explain?
Just give me five minutes,
a couple of minutes.
What do I got to do, beg?
- (door closes) -I talked
to Ethel about the lien,
but it doesn't
make any difference
because I can't pay
anything right now.
Mr. Finn, it's
late and I'm tired,
and we've been
through all this before.
You don't understand, do you?
You're putting my whole
business in jeopardy.
Now, look, I'm not trying
to weasel out of anything.
I want to do right
by my wife and kids.
But what the hell good
is it going to do them
if I'm out on my ear, huh?
How am I gonna support
them if I don't have a business?
Your business was in trouble
long before your separation.
Well, of course my
business is in trouble; I mean,
what small business isn't
these days, especially fabrics?
I mean, they keep tellin' us
the economy's getting better,
but where, huh?
Where's it getting better?
That's my point.
Maybe you won't
be able to stay afloat.
Then where are
your wife and kids?
I say liquidate you now
so that they have
something that is assured.
I don't believe this.
A man works and
slaves for 20 years,
and you say throw
it down the sewer.
Mr. Finn, I've given
you enough time.
I want you to leave now.
Enough time?
You know you have
ice water in your veins?
Is that what you
learned at law school?
How to rip off an honest
man trying to make a living?
Either you leave right now,
or I'm gonna call the police.
Call the police!
Call the army!
- What difference does it make?
- Finn, get the hell
- out of my house!
- Listen to me!
That business is my life;
you can't take it away from me.
Let go of me.
(woman screaming)
Oh, Lieutenant.
Mrs. Drake.
- Doctor, how is he?
- He's still in a coma.
There are some bad
contusions, maybe a concussion.
We'll have to take X-rays.
This is going to take a while;
let me call you in the morning.
Mrs. Drake, now, we tried
to offer him protection, but...
I know, I know. He's that way.
Did you see the man
who attacked him?
No, I was upstairs.
I mean, I heard Larry come in,
and I thought he was bringing
somebody home for dinner.
He does that sometimes.
You heard them?
I heard them talking.
I thought it was business talk,
then it got louder
and more angry.
Then I heard the glass
shatter, and it was just awful.
I-I rushed downstairs,
but he was already gone,
and Larry was lying so still.
I thought he was dead.
Well, now if you heard them,
was a name mentioned?
No, no, no, I don't...
I don't remember.
Well, you must have
heard something.
A phrase, a word, something.
I do remember thinking
that it couldn't have been
anybody from the office,
that it must've been a client.
Why a client?
I heard him mention
something about divorce,
something about
his wife and kids or...
What else?
He mentioned
something about fabrics,
being forced into bankruptcy.
I... I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
That's quite all right.
Don't you worry about it.
Here.
Thank you.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
Are you all right, Charlie?
Me? Sure, sure.
I just had kind of a bum night.
Couldn't sleep too good.
You should of stayed in bed.
Well, I promised April we'd
have lunch on the Wharf.
I never broke a promise to her.
Never.
Have you been drinking, Charlie?
So what if I have?
What are you gonna do,
tell me I shouldn't, huh?
All right, I just thought
maybe you shouldn't be driving.
(sighs) I'll be all right.
Where's April?
She's getting dressed;
she'll be down in a minute.
You hungry?
No, no, thanks.
Hal around?
He's out looking for a
job to work weekends.
Charlie, I tried to
reach Mr. Drake
to get him to
call off that lien,
but he was in court.
You haven't talked to him?
Not yet, but I will.
I promise.
Well, he's going to be a
little harder to reach now.
You didn't hear what happened?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, it seems he had a
terrible accident yesterday.
I heard it on the
radio a while ago.
An accident?
A burglar or somebody
got into his house.
Drake caught the guy at it,
and the guy punched him out,
and he fell through a
glass door or something.
I called the hospital.
They said...
They said he-he's
in serious condition.
That's terrible.
What the hell's keeping April?
What's taking her so long?
She likes to look nice when
she goes with her father.
(footsteps approaching)
Hi, Pops. How's it going?
Terrific, princess, terrific.
Larry and I have been partners
ever since he left
the D.A.'s office.
ROBBINS: We're trying
to get a fix on the attacker.
Larry's wife caught bits and
pieces of their conversation.
Apparently a client of yours.
A client?
Could have something
to do with a divorce action.
She heard the
words "wife, kids,"
and something
about a settlement.
Oh, boy, Lieutenant, we've
got a bundle of divorce cases.
She heard mention of fabrics
and being pushed
into bankruptcy.
Fabrics?
Yeah, it's a divorce case.
Only he's not our client.
The wife is.
The guy you're looking
for is the husband.
What's his name?
Finn.
His name is Charlie Finn.
Thanks.
Hello, uh, I'm calling
about a patient of yours.
Lawrence Drake.
Well, no, I-I'm a neighbor.
How's he doing?
Much better, huh?
(stammering) Well,
I'm glad to hear it.
Um... Yeah, well, thank you.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
I'm Lieutenant Stone,
this is Inspector Robbins.
How do you do?
Can you tell us where
we can find Mr. Finn?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
He's in his office,
right over there.
Mr. Finn...
Now, look, I knew you
guys were coming for me.
I figured it was just a matter
of time before he woke up
and said who it
was that hit him.
He's still in a coma.
We found out about
you another way.
I can still see
him lying there...
Is he going to die?
No, no, the doctor says he
has a good chance to live.
I don't want him to die.
I didn't even mean to hit him.
You didn't mean to hit him?
You just walk into a man's house
and knock him through
a glass door by accident?
No, no, it was on
account of my divorce.
He had me against a wall.
I mean, I tried to
reason with him.
Was that your first
encounter with Mr. Drake?
I don't know what you mean.
What kind of a car do you drive?
A '63 station wagon.
Ever drive a Ford,
'69, light blue?
What're you talking about?
Two days ago there was
another attempt on Mr. Drake's life.
Now look, I was never
in the guy's house before.
I thought about
calling an ambulance.
I heard somebody
come down the stairs,
I don't know, maybe
it was his wife.
I just panicked, and I took off.
That was the second time.
The first time you tried to
run him down on the street.
Oh, now, wait a minute.
No, I hit him, I told you that.
I hit him and I didn't mean it.
I deserve to be
punished for that,
but I never tried to run
him down with a car.
Never.
Sekulavich?
Book him.
What for, Lieutenant?
Assault.
Let's go.
ROBBINS: What do you think?
STONE: I don't know.
He could be telling the truth.
And if he is...
then that means that our
boy is still out there someplace.
You think Finn just
happened to fall into this thing?
Yep, that's what I think.
But we still have
to cover all bases.
Say, how many do
you have on that list?
I've got Harlan Betts, Sam
Adams and Eddie Sullivan.
That makes three, huh?
Listen, Mike, I did a little
digging on these guys,
and I've got a hunch maybe
we should pay more attention
- to Betts than the other two.
- Yeah, why?
Ever hear of Clyde Davis?
Yeah, he was a lifer.
And he was killed in prison.
Yeah, well, Betts was a suspect.
Seems they had a
grudge going back years,
and Betts was afraid of him.
Anyway, when
Betts went to trial,
he wanted to make
a deal with the D.A.
not to be sent to the
prison where Davis was.
Only Drake wouldn't go for it.
Mm-hmm. Drake was a
pretty tough prosecutor.
Okay, so eight months later,
Davis was found dead one
morning in the laundry room, shivved.
And the same day, Betts
went into the prison hospital,
with knife wounds and a
permanently damaged left arm.
And you think that Betts was
holding Drake
responsible for all this?
Could be.
All right.
Since this is your idea,
you take Betts, and
I'll take the other two.
Daniel...
That's using it.
It was foolish
going there like that.
If you wanted relief
on the settlement,
you should have let
me handle it for you.
That's what you've
got a lawyer for.
I know, I know.
You fired me.
Stop worrying about the bill.
We'll work it out.
You weren't getting
anywhere, Ken.
My world was caving in.
Charlie, I told you before,
things take time and patience.
I can't rush things.
You can't either.
There's still a good chance
to save your business.
No, it's too late.
I spoiled everything.
Well, you sure
didn't help things,
but you can still
come through this.
How?
Plead "no contest."
Throw yourself on
the mercy of the court.
I talked to the
doctors at the hospital.
Drake should recover.
I think the court will
take your state of mind
into consideration.
Okay.
Sorry, Ken.
I know.
Look, I should have you out
on bail in a couple of hours.
Why don't you go
home, get some sleep?
I'll call you first
thing in the morning.
Guard...
♪♪
♪♪
Excuse me.
♪♪
♪♪
Well? Give me a hand!
Sorry.
I'm busy.
So what are the figures?
About 35% end up in a divorce?
Well, don't let that stop you.
Hey, listen, when the
right girl comes along...
Yeah, I know... I know, I know.
So, how did you like it?
Eh... You didn't like it?
Health food is all right.
Well, I just wanted you
to try it at least once.
Okay, so I tried
it at least once.
You know, steamed
eggplant is a lot like beer,
did you know that, Mike?
Oh no, don't give
me that, I like beer.
But did you like it the
first time you tried it?
No, you've got to
develop a taste for beer.
Same thing with
steamed eggplant.
All right, have it your own way,
but I'm gonna have my
normal lunch next time.
I know, I know,
tuna fish on white.
Better than eggplant on white.
DISPATCHER: Inspectors
eight-one, this is Central.
Inspectors eight-one.
DISPATCHER: I have urgent
message from County General.
Dr. Charles requests
immediate response.
We're on our way.
Come on, let's go.
(knocking)
Charlie, can I come in?
Sure, sure.
You know, you
shouldn't have come here.
Well, why not?
I'm worried about you.
It was an accident.
I know, it must have been.
I swear I never
meant to hurt him, I...
I just went over to talk to him,
to see if I could get
him to ease off a little.
I know you, Charlie.
You couldn't hurt
anybody unless...
unless you were backed up.
Thank God I didn't kill him.
Look, it's as much
my fault as it is yours.
I mean, I shouldn't
have let Drake press you,
but I didn't know
what else to do.
You only did what
you thought was right.
It's gonna be okay, you'll see.
Okay?
Look, I'm going to go to jail.
I committed assault.
There's gonna be nobody
to take care of the shop.
I mean, the whole
thing's gonna go belly up.
Now, how's it going
to be okay, huh?
You tell me.
ROBBINS: What happened?
Nurse went in this
morning to check his I.V.
He was dead.
You told me last night
that he would recover.
Believe me, I don't
understand it myself.
I thought he was
completely out of danger.
Well, what did he die of?
Well, for the moment,
I can only assume
that it was a result
of his injuries.
Doctor... I don't want
anything assumed.
I want a post-mortem,
and I want it as
soon as possible.
(intercom buzzes)
Yes?
What do you want, Mr. Finn?
Uh, sorry to bother
you, Mr. Billings,
but I called the hospital to find
out how Mr. Drake was doing
but they wouldn't say anything.
They wouldn't say
anything, Mr. Finn,
because Larry Drake is dead.
But he can't be,
I... He was okay.
They said he was okay.
He's dead, Finn!
Dead!
And you killed him.
Did the pathologist agree?
Yes, Lieutenant, your
instincts were right.
Mr. Drake died of asphyxiation.
Strangled?
No, no, there were
no bruises on his neck.
He was smothered,
probably with a pillow.
Yes, go on.
There was a septum
fracture in the nose
and lacerations on
the inside of the lip.
Suggesting a heavy
downward pressure on his face.
Not suggesting,
Lieutenant. Proving.
Death from natural
causes is ruled out.
It was murder.
Mmm.
Doctor, I want every member
of your staff rounded up
who was on the
third floor last night.
I want to talk to them. I'll
be there within the hour.
We have reason to believe
that someone entered room 303
and smothered the patient.
I'd like to know if any of
you heard or saw anything
while you were
on duty last night.
Anything at all, don't dismiss
a thing, the slightest thing.
Lieutenant, there was something.
I didn't think too much
about it at the time,
but there was an orderly,
and he could've been
coming out of 303.
What happened?
We bumped, and
I dropped my tray.
And I asked this orderly...
Well, he was dressed
like one anyway...
To help me.
But he just gave me some
phony excuse and took off.
Could you identify him?
Positive.
Positive?
Well, you don't
hear that too often.
You're sure?
Oh, I'm sure. I-I'd swear to it.
You probably will have to.
Thank you very much. Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- Thank you.
Harlan Betts.
Your hunch was
right. Put out an APB.
Got his work address
from Adult Authority.
Say, you're really
cooking, aren't you?
Come on. Let's go.
What's going on? How
come you got me out of class?
Let's take a walk, huh?
Yeah, sure.
Are you okay?
Oh, sure, sure, I'm fine.
I, uh, just wanted to give
you something for your mom.
Couldn't you drop
it by the house?
Well, I went by,
but she wasn't there.
I think she's taking that
Real Estate license test today.
I just wanted you to give
her these insurance papers.
And there's a letter
that goes with that.
Look, Dad, I know what
happened with that attorney.
I know you didn't mean it.
You couldn't hurt
anyone purposely.
I'll probably be spending
some time away.
It won't be long.
I mean, they know, they
know you-you didn't mean it.
But not meaning it doesn't
make somebody come back to life.
Stop it! You
shouldn't talk like that.
You shouldn't talk like that.
(voice breaks): I
just don't want you
to ever be ashamed of me!
Dad, don't, please.
Look, I could never
be ashamed of you.
Wait a minute!
♪♪
♪♪
Freeze!
Drop it! Drop it!
Be my guest, Daniel, cuff him.
All right, turn
around. Spread 'em!
Don't give me that stuff, Betts.
The intern from the
hospital identified you.
Well, he made a mistake.
No, she picked you
out of that lineup.
She saw you coming
out of that room.
We found the orderly's
jacket in your hotel room.
You had a motive.
I'm not doing any more
talking till my lawyer shows up.
Oh, did you hear that?
Until his lawyer shows up.
Oh, so lawyers
are okay now, huh?
You don't think so badly
about them now, do you, huh?
- (chuckles)
- (phone rings)
This is Lieutenant Stone.
Yeah, put her on. (laughs)
Yeah, Lieutenant
Stone, Mrs. Finn.
They told me you were the
officer who arrested my husband.
That's right.
It's Charlie, Lieutenant.
I'm worried sick about him.
I think he's gonna
try and kill himself.
"Dear Ethel, this
insurance policy isn't much,
"but it should help you
and the kids in the event
"anything should happen to me.
"You know I'd have to go
to jail for what I've done.
"It's the right thing.
"I should be punished for
taking another man's life.
"But whatever happens, I
want you to know I never meant
"to hurt anybody,
especially not you or the kids.
"Like I said, even if we
couldn't live together,
"you're a terrific woman.
"Hal, April, I love
you both very much.
I hope you can forgive
me. Love, Charlie."
If he's going to do
it, he'll probably try
to make it look
like an accident.
What can we do? Maybe
we're too late already!
When you went by his
apartment, was his car there?
No, he must have taken it.
But I don't understand.
What's he going to do?
- Crash it?
- April!
Any idea where he might
have gone? Any driving habits?
Favorite places?
Anything we can go on?
No, no, it could be anywhere.
Brandy Lane?
What?
You know, the
cliff and everything.
I just thought maybe...
He used to always say it was
dangerous driving up there,
a bad curve and all.
I was just thinking.
It's a, an empty lot we own.
We were gonna build on it once.
Now it's up for sale.
He said once... he was
kidding, but he did say it.
He said that if he couldn't
build his dream house there,
he'd drive off the edge.
Would you take us there?
There, there he is!
(tires squeal)
Charlie, wait a minute! Listen!
- Stay away! Stay back!
- All right.
Charlie, you
didn't kill that man
Somebody else killed Drake.
I don't buy it! You're
just saying that!
I'm not going to jail!
It's the truth, Charlie!
We've got the man in custody!
You're lying!
Charlie, it won't work! It's
not an accident anymore.
We're witnesses. There
won't be any insurance.
Charlie... Charlie, if
you don't care about me,
think about April and Hal.
I wouldn't let them come here
and see you this way because...
well, because I know
how much they love you.
You can't do this to them.
You can't leave them with
this kind of memory of you.
You owe them a father for
as long as they need one!
Charlie...!
(starter chugs)
- Oh!
- It ran out of gas.
(Ethel sobs, both laugh)
Remember how I
always used to nag you
to keep it filled up?
We'll see you soon,
won't we, Pops.
Have I ever broke a
promise to you? Have I, huh?
We'll all go out
and eat Saturday.
Someplace cheap, but good, okay?
That's a deal. Take
care of yourself.
Don't you worry about me.
You just stick with
those studies, okay?
Well, like I said...
Yes, I know, I'm
a "terrific woman."
Look, you big liar, I
passed my Real Estate test,
so I'll be able to ease
things for you a little.
But you're not gonna
get off scot-free.
Have I ever? Tell the truth.
You and your charm.
No wonder you got a
suspended sentence.
(footsteps departing)
Well, you, uh, you you
ever get Betts to confess?
No way. Never.
But the case against
him is foolproof.
Yeah, well, that's
your problem, right?
Yeah, I guess it is.
You've only got one problem
for yourself, though, haven't you?
What's that?
Well, you gotta come up
with that thousand bucks.
You were fined by
the court, remember?
Right.
Uh, you know anybody who
wants to buy a slightly used
blue station wagon
that uses too much gas?
(chuckles)
(cable car bell clanging)
Please, Mr. Drake,
I can't go alone.
You don't understand.
You got to go with me.
Mr. Benson, if you really
want to turn yourself in,
all you have to do is
walk into a police station.
Oh, no, not unless I get a
lawyer with me I can trust.
Please, just meet me.
Take me in. That's all I ask.
(sighs) All right,
Benson, where are you?
The old abandoned
shipyard at Hunter's Point.
♪♪
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
(tires screech)
(tires squeal)
(tires squeal)
Larry, how often
you get calls like that?
These days, only
about... once a month.
I don't practice as much
criminal law as I used to.
And you have no idea why
some joker's trying to kill you?
No, I can't imagine.
And you didn't
recognize his voice?
No.
And the name Benson was
probably a phony, too, huh?
Oh, excuse me, Larry.
Oh, you, uh, you know
my partner Jerry Billings.
This is Lieutenant Mike
Stone, Inspector Dan Robbins.
How are you?
Oh, Larry, that business meeting
with the Hampton Corporation
executives has
been changed to 6:00.
Okay. I'll be ready for it.
I've been telling him to get
out of criminal law altogether.
Boy, you'd think he'd had
enough being the Deputy D.A.
I'll take divorces and
corporations anytime.
You live longer.
Now he tells me.
Okay, so it's somebody
that has a grudge against you,
somebody that maybe you
put away. Any idea who?
Are you kidding?
I had an enormous caseload.
They're all here,
copies of all my cases,
Everything from petty
larceny to murder.
I tried over 50 major cases:
rape, felonious
assault, armed robbery.
I mean, I put away a
lot of tough characters.
I'd like to have a full
list of all the hard crimes.
Okay, I'll send over
copies right away.
What about his car?
Uh, light blue. I-I think
a Ford, older model.
Anything on the license?
No. I was too busy trying
to save my own skin.
Larry, I think it would be smart
if we offered you
some protection.
Come on, Mike, I was Deputy D.A.
for eight years and I
never had protection.
I think, I think this
is just a one-shot.
Chances are the guy's
made his try and that's it.
Chances are he might try again.
Thanks, Mike, but no protection.
Okay, but if you change your
mind, let me know, will you?
- Sure.
- And don't forget
- I want that list as soon as possible.
- Right.
See what we can do. Do you mind?
Help yourself.
- Thanks, Mike. -Bye-bye, Dan.
- Bye-bye.
Hello, Mrs. Finn. Sorry
to keep you waiting.
Looks like we're gonna
have to start taking
a hard line with your husband.
Emily, you ever see
such a pile of worms?
Mr. Finn...
Did you ever see such
a pile of final notices?
I mean, whatever
happened to good faith?
Mr. Finn, they won't cut off
your credit for four months.
It's the fourth month
when they cut you off.
- You promise, huh?
- I promise.
Meanwhile what am I gonna
do about the payroll, huh?
How am I gonna meet
the payroll on the 15th?
Well, you still have
the Murphy account.
Yeah, and there's the hotel.
Yeah, Ceci promised
me that hotel account.
I mean, she's never let me down.
Okay, I'll get the
fabrics from Parsons.
Oh, God, he's been
dunning me since July.
(phone rings)
Hello.
Yeah.
Yeah, this is Charlie Finn.
Who?
IRS?
That's all I need.
Yes?
Well, listen, Mr. Petersen,
yes, I know I did not deliver
the quarterly withholding,
but there have been
some personal problems,
and I could use
a little more time.
Okay, so it's not
government policy, I mean,
it's not gonna create
a national crisis
to give a small businessman
a chance to breath, huh?!
Yeah, I would appreciate it if
you'd check with your superior.
Yeah, great.
Everybody wants
a pound of flesh.
And I got a headache. I
got a splitting headache.
I'll get you something.
(phone rings)
Hello.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hello, Mr. Drake.
Mr. Finn, Mr. Finn, I
called your attorney,
but he says you'd dismissed him.
Now, I don't like to
get into this with you,
but you, you give me no choice.
You're four months delinquent
on your first payment to Ethel,
and your second one
was due last week.
Look, I just don't have
the money right now.
I'm good for it.
I'm only asking for
a little time, huh?
Look, Mr. Finn, you signed a
settlement, that's a contract.
It's what you agreed to.
Now I'm gonna
have to hold you to it.
Will you get off my back, man?
I'm between a rock and a
hard place and I can't do it.
Now stop squeezing me!
I'm just trying to get
what's fair for your
wife and your kids.
What do you know
about what's fair?
Why don't you stop beating
around the bush, just kill me!
And you checked
it carefully for me?
Okay, thanks.
Benny Sheridan is still in
the slammer, so it can't be him.
That, That's 20 out of 50
that couldn't have done it.
Subtract the eight who
died, that leaves, uh, 22.
Take away three
out of the country,
four out of state,
gives us 15 possibles.
We're gonna have to
reduce this pile down
to the hard felons, that's all.
Break it right down.
David Bauer, Bert Jenkins.
No, no, no, here's
Harlan Betts, Sam Adams.
That's it.
One, two, three,
four, five, six.
Six possibles.
Nice group.
Murder, assault, arson,
armed robbery, kidnapping.
And every one of
them rehabilitated
and taking their
proper role in society.
Well, we're gonna have to
go through this pile and find out
where they are and where
they were this morning.
Too bad he didn't
get a look at the driver.
We might have broken
this down further.
Well, too bad that
Larry didn't consent
to having some, some protection.
Well, maybe the guy won't
take another crack at him.
What are you talking about?
Here, take a look at these.
Can you predict what each
one of these guys would do?
You didn't change the points.
Well, they didn't
need to be changed.
Betts, will you look
at 'em, for Pete's sake!
What do I have to do,
follow you around all day?
Look, man, you been needling me
ever since I started this job.
If you don't like the way I
run this shop, you can get lost.
It's a favor hiring a guy
like you. Change 'em!
- Brownie...
- Hey...
Hey, good to see you!
When'd you get out?
Last week.
What took you so
long to look me up?
Hey, I wanted to set
up something first...
for both of us.
After what I just saw,
I think you'll go for it.
The boss? He's a creep, man.
What do you got going?
How'd you like
to blow this town?
Go someplace where
it's nice and warm...
year round?
Lauderdale.
Oh, yeah? Lauderdale?
Oh, man, that's nice.
But we got to have
jobs promised, man.
That's what I set up.
You remember Kiley?
- Yeah.
- He's a big man down there now.
Owns three gas stations.
It's all set. Jobs
for the both of us.
He's putting it in writing
so the Adult Authority
can't jerk us around.
That's beautiful.
I mean, that's beautiful.
Okay. Go in and give him notice.
Well, not yet. I, uh, I
gotta have about a week.
What for?
We leave now, we
start work Monday.
What for?
The arm, Brownie,
the arm is what for.
I owe a guy for this. Now
I need a little more time.
Harlan, why don't you forget it?
Let's go now, start clean.
Forget it. No way.
I still wake up a dozen times
a night... in pain, Brownie.
I turn over, I wake up.
No, I owe a guy for this,
and he's gonna pay for it.
Now you wanna go
without me, you go ahead.
But that's it.
I'm back with Dulcie.
You can reach me at her place.
Yeah.
I won't go without you.
I'll give you a week.
Brownie, you know, that's great.
I mean you and Dulcie.
I know you understand
what I got to do.
I know what you got to do,
but I don't want to know.
So, don't tell me anything.
That way, I don't know.
Okay?
You call me.
So, the kids are okay, huh?
Yes, they're fine.
You ought to call more often.
You know you can come
over anytime you want to.
Yeah, I know. I'll
see you tomorrow.
I promised April
I'd take her out.
How's Hal doing?
He's fine.
He's going with someone new.
Her name is Jenny.
Look, Ethel, I uh, I
talked to your lawyer.
I don't think I'm gonna be
able to make that payment.
Well, uh,
there are things the
kids need, Charlie.
I'll have my real estate license
soon and that'll help, but...
Look Ethel, I don't want
to make things tough
on you and the kids.
Things are gonna get better.
I got a big drapery order
that's coming through,
and then I'll be solvent, see.
Uh, you remember Ceci
Roman, the decorator?
She's coming through for me.
But you got to
call off that lawyer.
I mean, he's attached
a lien on the business
on account of the back payment.
I mean, he's
strangling me, Ethel.
Well, I didn't know he did that.
I'll talk to him.
All right?
Oh, great, you're swell, Ethel.
I knew I could count on you.
You know even though
we could never live together,
it doesn't change the fact
you're a terrific woman.
You know, I thought about it
and thought about it,
and I still don't
know why we can't.
Yeah.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Tell April, okay?
Sure, I'll tell her.
Open up, police.
Hold it, Harper.
What're you running for, Harper?
Got a lot on your mind?
If you'd seen his
pad, you'd know why.
A one-man swap meet.
Hi, Emily.
Hello.
Ceci, come in, come in.
I, uh, I was just
grabbing a bite.
You want a half a
chicken salad sandwich?
No thanks, Charlie,
just had lunch.
What about something to
drink? Lemonade? Ginger ale?
I got some vodka somewhere.
Not a thing.
I can't stay, honey.
I'm afraid I've got
some bad news for you.
Bad news, bad news I
don't need this week, Ceci.
Charlie, I wish
it were different.
Okay, I'm a big boy.
Lay it on me.
It's the hotel order.
What about it?
It just didn't work out right.
I thought it was
going to be a big deal.
That's right.
3,000 yards you promised me.
I know, but they cut
the job way down.
All I can get now
is maybe 300 yards.
(scoffs)
(chuckling wryly) 300 yards?
I'm sorry, Charlie.
What can I tell you?
It's the breaks.
I need that order, Ceci.
It's the big one. I need it!
Is this the car?
Sure is.
Look at this hood
and that windshield.
Any prints?
No, no prints.
It's been wiped clean.
Whoever used it was a pro.
Did you get anything
out of Harper?
Well, I'd say he's
got a pretty good alibi.
Very original.
Says he was breaking and
entering at the same time
someone was trying
to cream Mr. Drake.
I checked and some of the
stolen loot was found in his place.
What about number
two, Dave Bauer?
He's clear;
working for the city.
He was with a construction
gang at the time.
Bert Jenkins has an alibi, too.
He had a heart attack.
He's still in intensive care.
Well, that's oh-for-three, huh?
Pretty good.
I guess the only thing we can do
is start with Betts and
work our way down.
♪♪
Mr. Drake,
I tried the office, but
I got the runaround.
Mr. Finn, I don't get into these
things with adversary clients.
Will you let me explain?
Just give me five minutes,
a couple of minutes.
What do I got to do, beg?
- (door closes) -I talked
to Ethel about the lien,
but it doesn't
make any difference
because I can't pay
anything right now.
Mr. Finn, it's
late and I'm tired,
and we've been
through all this before.
You don't understand, do you?
You're putting my whole
business in jeopardy.
Now, look, I'm not trying
to weasel out of anything.
I want to do right
by my wife and kids.
But what the hell good
is it going to do them
if I'm out on my ear, huh?
How am I gonna support
them if I don't have a business?
Your business was in trouble
long before your separation.
Well, of course my
business is in trouble; I mean,
what small business isn't
these days, especially fabrics?
I mean, they keep tellin' us
the economy's getting better,
but where, huh?
Where's it getting better?
That's my point.
Maybe you won't
be able to stay afloat.
Then where are
your wife and kids?
I say liquidate you now
so that they have
something that is assured.
I don't believe this.
A man works and
slaves for 20 years,
and you say throw
it down the sewer.
Mr. Finn, I've given
you enough time.
I want you to leave now.
Enough time?
You know you have
ice water in your veins?
Is that what you
learned at law school?
How to rip off an honest
man trying to make a living?
Either you leave right now,
or I'm gonna call the police.
Call the police!
Call the army!
- What difference does it make?
- Finn, get the hell
- out of my house!
- Listen to me!
That business is my life;
you can't take it away from me.
Let go of me.
(woman screaming)
Oh, Lieutenant.
Mrs. Drake.
- Doctor, how is he?
- He's still in a coma.
There are some bad
contusions, maybe a concussion.
We'll have to take X-rays.
This is going to take a while;
let me call you in the morning.
Mrs. Drake, now, we tried
to offer him protection, but...
I know, I know. He's that way.
Did you see the man
who attacked him?
No, I was upstairs.
I mean, I heard Larry come in,
and I thought he was bringing
somebody home for dinner.
He does that sometimes.
You heard them?
I heard them talking.
I thought it was business talk,
then it got louder
and more angry.
Then I heard the glass
shatter, and it was just awful.
I-I rushed downstairs,
but he was already gone,
and Larry was lying so still.
I thought he was dead.
Well, now if you heard them,
was a name mentioned?
No, no, no, I don't...
I don't remember.
Well, you must have
heard something.
A phrase, a word, something.
I do remember thinking
that it couldn't have been
anybody from the office,
that it must've been a client.
Why a client?
I heard him mention
something about divorce,
something about
his wife and kids or...
What else?
He mentioned
something about fabrics,
being forced into bankruptcy.
I... I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
That's quite all right.
Don't you worry about it.
Here.
Thank you.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
Are you all right, Charlie?
Me? Sure, sure.
I just had kind of a bum night.
Couldn't sleep too good.
You should of stayed in bed.
Well, I promised April we'd
have lunch on the Wharf.
I never broke a promise to her.
Never.
Have you been drinking, Charlie?
So what if I have?
What are you gonna do,
tell me I shouldn't, huh?
All right, I just thought
maybe you shouldn't be driving.
(sighs) I'll be all right.
Where's April?
She's getting dressed;
she'll be down in a minute.
You hungry?
No, no, thanks.
Hal around?
He's out looking for a
job to work weekends.
Charlie, I tried to
reach Mr. Drake
to get him to
call off that lien,
but he was in court.
You haven't talked to him?
Not yet, but I will.
I promise.
Well, he's going to be a
little harder to reach now.
You didn't hear what happened?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, it seems he had a
terrible accident yesterday.
I heard it on the
radio a while ago.
An accident?
A burglar or somebody
got into his house.
Drake caught the guy at it,
and the guy punched him out,
and he fell through a
glass door or something.
I called the hospital.
They said...
They said he-he's
in serious condition.
That's terrible.
What the hell's keeping April?
What's taking her so long?
She likes to look nice when
she goes with her father.
(footsteps approaching)
Hi, Pops. How's it going?
Terrific, princess, terrific.
Larry and I have been partners
ever since he left
the D.A.'s office.
ROBBINS: We're trying
to get a fix on the attacker.
Larry's wife caught bits and
pieces of their conversation.
Apparently a client of yours.
A client?
Could have something
to do with a divorce action.
She heard the
words "wife, kids,"
and something
about a settlement.
Oh, boy, Lieutenant, we've
got a bundle of divorce cases.
She heard mention of fabrics
and being pushed
into bankruptcy.
Fabrics?
Yeah, it's a divorce case.
Only he's not our client.
The wife is.
The guy you're looking
for is the husband.
What's his name?
Finn.
His name is Charlie Finn.
Thanks.
Hello, uh, I'm calling
about a patient of yours.
Lawrence Drake.
Well, no, I-I'm a neighbor.
How's he doing?
Much better, huh?
(stammering) Well,
I'm glad to hear it.
Um... Yeah, well, thank you.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
I'm Lieutenant Stone,
this is Inspector Robbins.
How do you do?
Can you tell us where
we can find Mr. Finn?
Oh, yes, yes, of course.
He's in his office,
right over there.
Mr. Finn...
Now, look, I knew you
guys were coming for me.
I figured it was just a matter
of time before he woke up
and said who it
was that hit him.
He's still in a coma.
We found out about
you another way.
I can still see
him lying there...
Is he going to die?
No, no, the doctor says he
has a good chance to live.
I don't want him to die.
I didn't even mean to hit him.
You didn't mean to hit him?
You just walk into a man's house
and knock him through
a glass door by accident?
No, no, it was on
account of my divorce.
He had me against a wall.
I mean, I tried to
reason with him.
Was that your first
encounter with Mr. Drake?
I don't know what you mean.
What kind of a car do you drive?
A '63 station wagon.
Ever drive a Ford,
'69, light blue?
What're you talking about?
Two days ago there was
another attempt on Mr. Drake's life.
Now look, I was never
in the guy's house before.
I thought about
calling an ambulance.
I heard somebody
come down the stairs,
I don't know, maybe
it was his wife.
I just panicked, and I took off.
That was the second time.
The first time you tried to
run him down on the street.
Oh, now, wait a minute.
No, I hit him, I told you that.
I hit him and I didn't mean it.
I deserve to be
punished for that,
but I never tried to run
him down with a car.
Never.
Sekulavich?
Book him.
What for, Lieutenant?
Assault.
Let's go.
ROBBINS: What do you think?
STONE: I don't know.
He could be telling the truth.
And if he is...
then that means that our
boy is still out there someplace.
You think Finn just
happened to fall into this thing?
Yep, that's what I think.
But we still have
to cover all bases.
Say, how many do
you have on that list?
I've got Harlan Betts, Sam
Adams and Eddie Sullivan.
That makes three, huh?
Listen, Mike, I did a little
digging on these guys,
and I've got a hunch maybe
we should pay more attention
- to Betts than the other two.
- Yeah, why?
Ever hear of Clyde Davis?
Yeah, he was a lifer.
And he was killed in prison.
Yeah, well, Betts was a suspect.
Seems they had a
grudge going back years,
and Betts was afraid of him.
Anyway, when
Betts went to trial,
he wanted to make
a deal with the D.A.
not to be sent to the
prison where Davis was.
Only Drake wouldn't go for it.
Mm-hmm. Drake was a
pretty tough prosecutor.
Okay, so eight months later,
Davis was found dead one
morning in the laundry room, shivved.
And the same day, Betts
went into the prison hospital,
with knife wounds and a
permanently damaged left arm.
And you think that Betts was
holding Drake
responsible for all this?
Could be.
All right.
Since this is your idea,
you take Betts, and
I'll take the other two.
Daniel...
That's using it.
It was foolish
going there like that.
If you wanted relief
on the settlement,
you should have let
me handle it for you.
That's what you've
got a lawyer for.
I know, I know.
You fired me.
Stop worrying about the bill.
We'll work it out.
You weren't getting
anywhere, Ken.
My world was caving in.
Charlie, I told you before,
things take time and patience.
I can't rush things.
You can't either.
There's still a good chance
to save your business.
No, it's too late.
I spoiled everything.
Well, you sure
didn't help things,
but you can still
come through this.
How?
Plead "no contest."
Throw yourself on
the mercy of the court.
I talked to the
doctors at the hospital.
Drake should recover.
I think the court will
take your state of mind
into consideration.
Okay.
Sorry, Ken.
I know.
Look, I should have you out
on bail in a couple of hours.
Why don't you go
home, get some sleep?
I'll call you first
thing in the morning.
Guard...
♪♪
♪♪
Excuse me.
♪♪
♪♪
Well? Give me a hand!
Sorry.
I'm busy.
So what are the figures?
About 35% end up in a divorce?
Well, don't let that stop you.
Hey, listen, when the
right girl comes along...
Yeah, I know... I know, I know.
So, how did you like it?
Eh... You didn't like it?
Health food is all right.
Well, I just wanted you
to try it at least once.
Okay, so I tried
it at least once.
You know, steamed
eggplant is a lot like beer,
did you know that, Mike?
Oh no, don't give
me that, I like beer.
But did you like it the
first time you tried it?
No, you've got to
develop a taste for beer.
Same thing with
steamed eggplant.
All right, have it your own way,
but I'm gonna have my
normal lunch next time.
I know, I know,
tuna fish on white.
Better than eggplant on white.
DISPATCHER: Inspectors
eight-one, this is Central.
Inspectors eight-one.
DISPATCHER: I have urgent
message from County General.
Dr. Charles requests
immediate response.
We're on our way.
Come on, let's go.
(knocking)
Charlie, can I come in?
Sure, sure.
You know, you
shouldn't have come here.
Well, why not?
I'm worried about you.
It was an accident.
I know, it must have been.
I swear I never
meant to hurt him, I...
I just went over to talk to him,
to see if I could get
him to ease off a little.
I know you, Charlie.
You couldn't hurt
anybody unless...
unless you were backed up.
Thank God I didn't kill him.
Look, it's as much
my fault as it is yours.
I mean, I shouldn't
have let Drake press you,
but I didn't know
what else to do.
You only did what
you thought was right.
It's gonna be okay, you'll see.
Okay?
Look, I'm going to go to jail.
I committed assault.
There's gonna be nobody
to take care of the shop.
I mean, the whole
thing's gonna go belly up.
Now, how's it going
to be okay, huh?
You tell me.
ROBBINS: What happened?
Nurse went in this
morning to check his I.V.
He was dead.
You told me last night
that he would recover.
Believe me, I don't
understand it myself.
I thought he was
completely out of danger.
Well, what did he die of?
Well, for the moment,
I can only assume
that it was a result
of his injuries.
Doctor... I don't want
anything assumed.
I want a post-mortem,
and I want it as
soon as possible.
(intercom buzzes)
Yes?
What do you want, Mr. Finn?
Uh, sorry to bother
you, Mr. Billings,
but I called the hospital to find
out how Mr. Drake was doing
but they wouldn't say anything.
They wouldn't say
anything, Mr. Finn,
because Larry Drake is dead.
But he can't be,
I... He was okay.
They said he was okay.
He's dead, Finn!
Dead!
And you killed him.
Did the pathologist agree?
Yes, Lieutenant, your
instincts were right.
Mr. Drake died of asphyxiation.
Strangled?
No, no, there were
no bruises on his neck.
He was smothered,
probably with a pillow.
Yes, go on.
There was a septum
fracture in the nose
and lacerations on
the inside of the lip.
Suggesting a heavy
downward pressure on his face.
Not suggesting,
Lieutenant. Proving.
Death from natural
causes is ruled out.
It was murder.
Mmm.
Doctor, I want every member
of your staff rounded up
who was on the
third floor last night.
I want to talk to them. I'll
be there within the hour.
We have reason to believe
that someone entered room 303
and smothered the patient.
I'd like to know if any of
you heard or saw anything
while you were
on duty last night.
Anything at all, don't dismiss
a thing, the slightest thing.
Lieutenant, there was something.
I didn't think too much
about it at the time,
but there was an orderly,
and he could've been
coming out of 303.
What happened?
We bumped, and
I dropped my tray.
And I asked this orderly...
Well, he was dressed
like one anyway...
To help me.
But he just gave me some
phony excuse and took off.
Could you identify him?
Positive.
Positive?
Well, you don't
hear that too often.
You're sure?
Oh, I'm sure. I-I'd swear to it.
You probably will have to.
Thank you very much. Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- Thank you.
Harlan Betts.
Your hunch was
right. Put out an APB.
Got his work address
from Adult Authority.
Say, you're really
cooking, aren't you?
Come on. Let's go.
What's going on? How
come you got me out of class?
Let's take a walk, huh?
Yeah, sure.
Are you okay?
Oh, sure, sure, I'm fine.
I, uh, just wanted to give
you something for your mom.
Couldn't you drop
it by the house?
Well, I went by,
but she wasn't there.
I think she's taking that
Real Estate license test today.
I just wanted you to give
her these insurance papers.
And there's a letter
that goes with that.
Look, Dad, I know what
happened with that attorney.
I know you didn't mean it.
You couldn't hurt
anyone purposely.
I'll probably be spending
some time away.
It won't be long.
I mean, they know, they
know you-you didn't mean it.
But not meaning it doesn't
make somebody come back to life.
Stop it! You
shouldn't talk like that.
You shouldn't talk like that.
(voice breaks): I
just don't want you
to ever be ashamed of me!
Dad, don't, please.
Look, I could never
be ashamed of you.
Wait a minute!
♪♪
♪♪
Freeze!
Drop it! Drop it!
Be my guest, Daniel, cuff him.
All right, turn
around. Spread 'em!
Don't give me that stuff, Betts.
The intern from the
hospital identified you.
Well, he made a mistake.
No, she picked you
out of that lineup.
She saw you coming
out of that room.
We found the orderly's
jacket in your hotel room.
You had a motive.
I'm not doing any more
talking till my lawyer shows up.
Oh, did you hear that?
Until his lawyer shows up.
Oh, so lawyers
are okay now, huh?
You don't think so badly
about them now, do you, huh?
- (chuckles)
- (phone rings)
This is Lieutenant Stone.
Yeah, put her on. (laughs)
Yeah, Lieutenant
Stone, Mrs. Finn.
They told me you were the
officer who arrested my husband.
That's right.
It's Charlie, Lieutenant.
I'm worried sick about him.
I think he's gonna
try and kill himself.
"Dear Ethel, this
insurance policy isn't much,
"but it should help you
and the kids in the event
"anything should happen to me.
"You know I'd have to go
to jail for what I've done.
"It's the right thing.
"I should be punished for
taking another man's life.
"But whatever happens, I
want you to know I never meant
"to hurt anybody,
especially not you or the kids.
"Like I said, even if we
couldn't live together,
"you're a terrific woman.
"Hal, April, I love
you both very much.
I hope you can forgive
me. Love, Charlie."
If he's going to do
it, he'll probably try
to make it look
like an accident.
What can we do? Maybe
we're too late already!
When you went by his
apartment, was his car there?
No, he must have taken it.
But I don't understand.
What's he going to do?
- Crash it?
- April!
Any idea where he might
have gone? Any driving habits?
Favorite places?
Anything we can go on?
No, no, it could be anywhere.
Brandy Lane?
What?
You know, the
cliff and everything.
I just thought maybe...
He used to always say it was
dangerous driving up there,
a bad curve and all.
I was just thinking.
It's a, an empty lot we own.
We were gonna build on it once.
Now it's up for sale.
He said once... he was
kidding, but he did say it.
He said that if he couldn't
build his dream house there,
he'd drive off the edge.
Would you take us there?
There, there he is!
(tires squeal)
Charlie, wait a minute! Listen!
- Stay away! Stay back!
- All right.
Charlie, you
didn't kill that man
Somebody else killed Drake.
I don't buy it! You're
just saying that!
I'm not going to jail!
It's the truth, Charlie!
We've got the man in custody!
You're lying!
Charlie, it won't work! It's
not an accident anymore.
We're witnesses. There
won't be any insurance.
Charlie... Charlie, if
you don't care about me,
think about April and Hal.
I wouldn't let them come here
and see you this way because...
well, because I know
how much they love you.
You can't do this to them.
You can't leave them with
this kind of memory of you.
You owe them a father for
as long as they need one!
Charlie...!
(starter chugs)
- Oh!
- It ran out of gas.
(Ethel sobs, both laugh)
Remember how I
always used to nag you
to keep it filled up?
We'll see you soon,
won't we, Pops.
Have I ever broke a
promise to you? Have I, huh?
We'll all go out
and eat Saturday.
Someplace cheap, but good, okay?
That's a deal. Take
care of yourself.
Don't you worry about me.
You just stick with
those studies, okay?
Well, like I said...
Yes, I know, I'm
a "terrific woman."
Look, you big liar, I
passed my Real Estate test,
so I'll be able to ease
things for you a little.
But you're not gonna
get off scot-free.
Have I ever? Tell the truth.
You and your charm.
No wonder you got a
suspended sentence.
(footsteps departing)
Well, you, uh, you you
ever get Betts to confess?
No way. Never.
But the case against
him is foolproof.
Yeah, well, that's
your problem, right?
Yeah, I guess it is.
You've only got one problem
for yourself, though, haven't you?
What's that?
Well, you gotta come up
with that thousand bucks.
You were fined by
the court, remember?
Right.
Uh, you know anybody who
wants to buy a slightly used
blue station wagon
that uses too much gas?
(chuckles)