01x15 - The Hijackers

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[music over radio]

[intense music]

There she is, 277.

Two men in a cab..

...to haul a load of cheese?

I thought you used to handle that truck by yourself.

- Fill it up, will you, Whitie? - Be right there, Ed.

I won't be long.

Now what?

Let's forget about it. Let's get out of here.

Take it easy. Take it easy.

Just a small change of plans.

Max, you drive the truck. I'll clear the way.

Told 'em it would take two guys to replace me.

Smitty. How are you?

What are you doing down here, slummin'?

Thought I'd drop around, see if I could

buy you workin' stiffs a beer. How about it?

Smitty, I ought to stay with the truck.

What for? A beer, five minutes.

Alright. Wait a minute.

Come on!

- Thank you, boys. - Come on.

Laverne..

- For cryin' out loud, Smitty! - Laverne, baby.

Yeah. Wow, wow.

[laughs] Boys!

Wow, what is the whole mob doin' over here on a night like this?

[indistinct chatter]

You should have stayed by the truck.

One beer, that's all he said. Alright?

Look, I ain't gonna tell him that we're carryin'

a half a million dollars in furs.

You know what a big mouth he is.

Laverne.

[laughing]

[whirring]

[engine turns over]

[engine revving]

Al, Ed..

Here's to that load of cheese

and that you get her there.

Before she mildews.

[laughing]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "THE FBI."

A Quinn Martin, Warner Brothers production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

Stephen Brooks.

With guest stars

Arthur O'Connell..

John McIntire..

Cecil Kellaway.

Tonight's episode, "The Hijackers."

[instrumental music]

Mm.

[telephone rings]

Erskine.

[Arthur] 'Hello, Lewis, this is Arthur. Did I wake you up?'

- No, no, I was just, uh.. - 'Oh, that's good, Lewis.'

Lewis, remember that hijacking syndicate case.

Trucks that were hit in Seattle

Denver, New Orleans?

Man, don't tell me those boys are still in business.

They just hijacked a refrigerated truck

with five hundred thousand dollars' worth of furs in it.

Milwaukee, not more than three hours ago.

Now, we're gonna jump in on this fast this time.

We're gonna put a stop to it.

I want you to get ahold of Rhodes.

- Right. - 'Tonight.'

'You are gonna have to sleep on the plane.'

It's Flight 71, leaves at 2:55.

You're gonna have to hurry.

- Arthur.. - 'Now, wait a minute.'

This trip has some fringe benefits to it.

You've got an uncle living in Milwaukee, haven't you?

Yes.

Well, maybe you can find some time to visit him.

Excuse me. Goodnight, Lewis.

[instrumental music]

Uh, Jim, Lou.

How'd you like to have breakfast with me, in Milwaukee?

Morning, people. What do you think of this..

Good morning, dear.

You must've come in late last night.

Well, you know Sam, he gets behind, he won't let you quit.

[laughs]

How'd you make out?

Fine, baby. One six eighty five.

Now, that math been working? Here's your juice.

Why, thanks, baby.

- Here's the paper, mom. - Oh, thank you.

Gramps, can we go down to the creek this morning?

What do you have in mind, Steve, anything special?

Fishin'.

Uh, well, that sounds like a fair idea.

Well, what do you know.

Your old firm had a truck hijack last night.

You don't say.

Serves 'em right for firing grandpa.

Steve, I've told you a hundred times

your grandfather wasn't fired.

He was pensioned off.

[Steve] 'But he didn't wanna be pensioned off.'

If I was a man I'd go right over and sock that Mr. McTague

right in the nose.

If I was a man, I'd do the same thing, Stevie.

But you are a man, grandpa.

You're the best there is.

Okay, Steve. Okay.

Uh, funny thing.

When McTague laid me off, I happened to mention to him

that in 30 years I never once was hijacked.

"Hijacked," he says. "Who's gonna hijack a load of cheese?"

Cheese? Some cheese.

[dramatic music]

I just remembered, um..

I'm supposed to see Max Wood this mornin'.

Well, aren't you gonna eat your eggs?

I'm a half hour late already.

- Gramps! - Yeah?

What about the fishin'?

Hate to break a promise, Steve

but looks like we'll have to put it off.

That's okay. It wasn't exactly a promise anyway.

We were just talkin'.

Maybe tomorrow.

Uh, but-but, Harold..

[intercom buzzes]

Yes?

Uh, send him right in.

Hello, inspector. Good to see you again.

Oh, Jim Rhodes, Allen Clarke.

- Hello, Allen. - Good to see you.

Well, anything new on the hijackers?

Yes, sir, I, uh..

I think we've got 'em pretty well bottled up this time.

We were notified within minutes of the actions

so we threw a quadrant around the city.

It'll be next to impossible to get the truck out.

What about fences. You got 'em covered?

Yes, sir, it's not gonna be easy

to dispose of a truck load of furs in any case.

[Jim] I wouldn't be too sure of that, Allen.

These boys are pretty well organized.

They've got pipelines set up that spread the loot around

so thin, you'd never notice it.

Well, we've notified our informants what to look for.

Excuse me.

Clarke.

Yes. Inspector?

- That's the number you wanted. - Oh.

Hello, Uncle Walter, this is Lewis.

Lewis.

[laughs] Where are you, my boy?

I'm in town at the field office.

Well, I hope I see you this time.

Well, I certainly hope so.

Let's have dinner together tonight.

'Uh, tonight?'

Yeah. That is, if you're not too busy.

Well, I-I'll tell you what, let me call you

later this afternoon, I'll know more by then.

Okay. I'll look forward to it.

Oh, and thanks for thinking of me, Lewis.

Goodbye, Uncle Walter.

The, uh, Interstate Transfer, here's the address.

The contact is the owner, Arnold McTague.

He's expecting us in about an hour.

[dramatic music]

I'd sure like to see Arnold McTague's face about now.

It ain't funny anymore, Smitty.

You said you wanted to play a practical joke on your boss.

"Okay," I said, "They're not gonna haul out the militia

for a load of cheese."

But a half a million bucks worth of furs.

Half a million, imagine.

That's like 10,000 fifty-dollar bills.

Player in the big time now.

Big time is what we're gonna get.

[clatter]

Psst. My son's here.

Can I speak to you a minute, pops?

What's eatin' you, Irwin?

You know I got no secrets from these two.

Well, we're all jammed up.

We got three new monthlies last week and two more today.

Now, we got to open up the fifth floor.

[dramatic music]

Well, then get rid of those six deadheads on four.

Been in over a year, sell 'em for storage charges.

Okay. You're the boss. Okay, pops.

Could he find out about the truck?

I got the only key.

I think we ought to sneak that truck out tonight

park it on the side street, and notify the cops by phone.

No, good. They got the whole police force on the prowl.

Supposed somebody spots us..

But it'll be dark.

And, uh, they'd find a clue. Fingerprints or something.

Well, we'll wipe everything clean.

Wear gloves or somethin'.

The FBI got a million ways.

Suppose they start puttin' the heat on Ed now..

...find out I was there..

- They're gonna do that anyway. - Yeah.

But they got no point to bargain from, see.

You see?

It's simple. They can find out all they want.

That don't bring back the furs.

Right now, that's the main point they're interested in.

- So? - So, play it smart.

Hold on to the furs, for a little while.

That makes them anxious..

Then, we're in a position to do a deal.

What deal?

Return the furs. No, questions asked.

It's done all the time.

Take my word for it.

I've been in the truckin' business all my life.

Let Arnold McTague sweat a while.

I am not worried about McTague, I am worried about us.

Well, stop worryin'.

Give me back the key.

Worst comes to the worst

I'm just a guy who brought in a truck.

You don't know from nothin'.

Rabbit's foot. We're gonna need some luck.

Well, it always worked for me before.

Well, I never was hijacked.

No. No. Now, wait a minute.

Just listen. Will you pay attention?

Now you get those trucks moving

I don't care what you have to do.

Look, I don't want to hear any problems.

I got enough problems.

This is just terrible for the firm, inspector.

Terrible, terrible.

We're pretty sure you'll get the furs back, Mr. McTague.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But when?

I hope within a few days.

This I got to see.

[intercom buzzes]

Yeah?

[woman on phone] 'Mr. Sheldon and Mr. Evans'

'are waiting in room 15.'

Uh, show these men where it is, huh?

See they don't get lost.

- Thanks for the co-operation. - Never mind that.

Just get me some results.

Today he's in one of his moods.

Uh, room 15 is right this way please.

I'll meet you back at the office.

Yes, sir.

Oh, I'm sorry about that McTague character.

Well, what are you gonna do, you can't win 'em all.

Johnson!

Yes, Mr. McTague.

What's number 98 doing in maintenance?

I thought we put her back in service yesterday.

Paul says he can't re-bore that engine.

It's too far gone.

Well, you tell that grease monkey if he can't do the job

I'll get somebody who can.

'I don't care how tough it is to get good mechanics.'

You tell him that. You hear?

Attaboy, Arnold.

Who let you in?

Arnold, is that anyway for a field general to talk?

By right, you shouldn't really be up here.

You should be down there with them glasses.

Sittin' on a big white horse.

I am a very busy man. I got no time for jokes.

Well, I got time.

I got lots of time.

Remember when you was a kid

you used to sneak rides on my truck?

I remember when your father went into this business.

He brought a broken down rig..

...from a jump man.

I bet if he were still alive, I'd still be working here.

Look, you get a good pension.

In a couple of years you're gonna be

knocking down social security.

What more do you want?

Arnold, I want a job!

Will you stop calling me Arnold?

- Okay, boss. - I am not your boss anymore.

Will you get that through your head?

You don't belong here!

Now I'm sorry I gave you them rides.

Alright, look, you're sorry, I'm sorry, we're both sorry, eh?

Now, do me a favor and get lost.

I read about the hijacking.

Naturally being my truck I was interested.

Now, how did you know that?

We didn't give out any information about the truck.

Uh..

Ooh, well, I still have some friends downstairs.

Alright. Alright. So it was your old truck.

I got a proposition to make to you.

Suppose I help you get them furs back.

You?

Well, it would prove I still got enough stuff to hold down a job.

You know something?

I got rid of you just in time.

You really flipped.

Furs back, job back, deal?

Okay. Okay. It's a deal. It's a deal.

Now do me a favor and get out here

and let me get some work done.

Arnold, you won't regret this.

[instrumental music]

Good luck.

[Erskine] 'I see.'

'And even though normally you'd have stayed behind'

'as a guard you, you decided to leave the truck last night'

'because of this peculiar attack of light-headedness, huh?'

Well, it come over me all of a sudden.

I started feeling dizzy.

[Erskine] 'You get these spells often?'

No, sir. Not too often. I..

I figured it must've been my stomach, so I..

I went inside to get something to settle me.

And, uh... Well, I couldn't have been gone

more than a couple of minutes.

[Erskine] 'Where did you leave the keys? In the ignition?'

Oh, no. No, sir. No, sir. I got them right here.

[Erskine] 'That wouldn't stop pros they could hot-wire--'

Hey! I thought it sounded like you fellas.

Hey, how about a beer?

Smitty! Uh, this is Mr. Erskine and Mr. Rhodes from the FBI.

The FBI?

Hey.

Boy, wait till my grandson hears about this.

[laughs]

Uh, uh, uh. I-I, I am sorry I butted in.

Oh, not at all. We're all through here.

I'd appreciate if you kept yourselves available.

- Yes, sir. - Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.

Pleasure's all mine. Ha ha. It's my pleasure.

What's the big idea, Smitty?

Well, I thought I could be of some help.

Hey, you're gonna help Al lose his job

if you open your big mouth at the wrong time.

I heard you telling them about your tummy ache.

What am I supposed to say, Smitty?

That I just happened to stop in for a beer?

Wait a minute.

Come to think of it, if they check

and McTague finds out about it

I'm dead!

Maybe we could have Laverne cover for you.

Say that Al just had a soda water or something.

We can't go back there.

I can.

Smitty, would you go out on a limb for me?

Sure.

Oh, Smitty, that's decent of you.

That's mighty decent of you.

Well, I feel responsible in a way.

[laughs]

[instrumental music]

[intercom buzzes]

Yes, sir, he's here.

Mr. Morton, Mr. Clarke will see you now.

[Walter] 'Excuse me.'

Yes, sir?

Is this Mr. Clarke's office?

Oh, yes, sir.

You're Mr. Erskine, aren't you?

Yes.

Uh, the receptionist told me my nephew wasn't in.

I told the receptionist to send you in.

Mr. Erskine will be here any minute.

- Would you like to sit down? - Thank you.

- May I? - Of course.

Thank you. I took a chance in coming here.

You see, my nephew wasn't sure that we could have

dinner together tonight.

So I said, if he's at work, he must eat.

[chuckles]

And if I could just be there to..

Well, you understand.

It would save him the trouble of coming to my place.

Well, that's very thoughtful of you.

Please sit down and be comfortable.

Thank you.

[door opening]

Margaret, is Morton here?

Yes he is, sir, and also..

Uncle Walter!

It's good to see you, Lewis.

You look wonderful!

Oh, Jim, I want you to meet my favorite uncle.

- My associate, Jim Rhodes. - How do you do, sir?

I came to ask you to come to lunch, Lewis.

Lunch?

Well, Uncle Walter, right now it's, uh..

Oh!

Bad time, hm.

Tsk, I'm sorry, I really am.

Oh, that's alright, I, I'll just go back home

and wait for your call.

I'll do my best to make it tonight, I promise.

[intercom buzzes]

Yes, sir, Mr. Erskine is right here.

Well..

Well..

Goodbye, Lewis.

- Young man. - Good day, sir.

- Goodbye, miss. - 'Goodbye.'

[instrumental music]

Oh, Inspector Erskine, Special Agent Rhodes.

This is Andy Morton, most reliable and formidable guy.

- Andy. - Hi.

If those furs are within a 100 mile radius

Andy will get a line on 'em.

Think it was wise to come here?

I drive a hack, inspector.

I'm not particular what calls I answer.

Um, by George, you'll even pick up FBI agents.

Oh, my contacts think it gets me in with the bureau.

Any word yet?

No, not a thing.

Tsk, strange.

Don't worry, something will show up.

It's not like they're gonna hide a half million in furs.

Unless they eat 'em, I'll hear about it.

[chuckles] Oh, just..

Uh, couple of new fences you might keep an eye on.

Yeah, right.

I'll check-in the minute I hear anything.

- Good. - See you around.

Andy.

Well, gentlemen, I'm buying lunch.

Oh, that's the second offer we've had today.

This one we'll accept.

As long as it is at a place

called The Truckers Haven.

Oh, food ought to be good at Whitie's

so all the truck drivers eat there.

[instrumental music]

Ed Sheldon was having a beer when Evans walked in.

Said his stomach was botherin' him.

That's when somebody drove off with their truck.

Alright, thank you.

The, uh, counterman verified the story.

[men laughing]

Hey, I never expected to run into you two fellas so soon.

Hey, Laverne, you better watch your step.

These two men are from the FBI.

Hey, um, I-I'm glad I ran into you.

Uh...I've been trying to get in touch.

It's, uh, it's about those hijacked furs.

Bein' on the truckin' business for 30 years

you learn a few of the ins and outs

and I thought I might be able to help.

Unless you have some objections.

No objections at all, Mr. Smith.

Uh, call me Smitty.

[chuckles]

Bureau encourages cooperation from private citizens, Smitty.

Well, I appreciate that.

Give me something to do.

Smitty, I-I thought you worked for interstate.

I used to. I'm pensioned off.

But I still get an itch to come 'round the old place

once in a while.

Any, uh, special way I can reach you?

Mm, just the local FBI field office.

Oh.

Uh, I'll get to work on it right away.

Gets around, doesn't he?

Yeah.

I, uh, talked to Whitie, the mechanic

but he couldn't help much.

Said that he was busy at the time

saw the truck drive out, and figured it was

the same one that drove in.

Well, we didn't get anywhere here.

I wouldn't say that, we-we just enlisted the aid

of a very willing informant, Smitty.

[instrumental music]

[man on radio] 'And in the opinion of this reporter'

'that the furs were hijacked by a nationwide syndicate'

'known to shift its operations abruptly'

'from one part of the country to the other.'

'However, there has been no official confirmation'

'of this from informed sources.'

'Now, tomorrow's weather, slightly..'

Nationwide syndicate, eh?

I ought to call the FBI.

- The FBI? - The FBI?

Yeah, I've been working with 'em.

Didn't I tell you that, Anne?

Really, grandpa?

Sure, look.

- See that number? - Yeah.

Watch the number I dial.

He's really calling the FBI, grandma.

Oh!

Uh, hello, Inspector Erskine please.

Yes, uh..

Could I please speak to Inspector Erskine?

Harold Smith.

Just tell him Smitty's calling.

[chuckles]

Uh, hello, inspector.

How are you?

I'm fine, thanks.

[Smitty] 'That's good, good.'

Uh, what is it you want, Smitty?

Well, uh...the word is inspector

that, uh, this hijacking job was done

by a nationwide syndicate, and it seems as if

they've been doing it all over the country.

Uh, where did you get this information, I mean, uh..

what's your source?

Well, uh, there's this friend

and he has a lot of informed sources

and-and that's what he said.

Do you know him well, this friend?

Well, not personally.

Uh, and his name can't be divulged.

Did he, uh, did he mention anything specific?

Uh, no. No, he didn't.

No places or names.

Uh, no, that's what he said.

But I thought I better tell you right away.

I see. Well, thanks very much, Smitty.

Ah, inspector, if I, uh, if I uncover anything else

I'll give you a call.

Yes, you do that.

Bye, inspector.

Gee, the FBI!

[sighs]

Oh, you'd better hurry and wash up for dinner.

Your mother will be home from work any minute.

Hm.

Imagine, the FBI!

Look, I told you, I'd call you when I had something to say.

Now, we gotta move faster than this, Morton.

What's the problem? They can't have disappeared into thin air.

Inspector, I don't understand it myself.

I haven't heard one single solitary thing.

Alright, well, call me the minute you do.

Yeah.

[dramatic music]

Lou, what's going on? Are they just holing up somewhere?

It's not their pattern.

Success has always come from speed, hit and run.

Yeah, well, they're not doing it this time.

I know they're not doing it.

They're not doing it, they're not doing it.

Lou, what are you talking about?

Jim..

Suppose it was a local job, here and simple.

We've gotta run down on every pro in the area

if it takes all night.

Oh, Lou, uh, where are we having dinner tonight?

We're not, that..

[dramatic music]

Uncle Walter.

[instrumental music]

[telephone ringing]

[clears throat] Hello?

[Erskine] 'Uncle Walter.'

Oh, hello, Lewis.

'Uncle Walter, I'm terribly sorry, but, uh..'

'something came up at the last minute'

'with this case I'm working on.'

'I'm-I'm afraid I just can't make it for dinner.'

'I hope you're not too disappointed.'

Oh, well, of course, I'm disappointed, my boy

but, uh, I understand.

[Erskine] 'Maybe tomorrow.'

Yes, maybe tomorrow.

Yeah, yes.

Ah, and good luck on your case.

[instrumental music]

[clears throat]

[sighs]

King of spades. Pay me double, gents.

Oh.

Double on double. May be win two this time.

Now, is there anything else I can get

for you boys before I go to bed?

Yes, get a big safe for your husband

to keep his money in.

[chuckles]

- Don't stay up too late. - You hear that?

The minute her husband's ahead, she wants to break up the game.

Oh, Sam. Uh.

Stevie, back to bed, mister.

Ah, grandma, can't I stay up and watch a while?

Go on, go on, go on.

[dramatic music]

Smitty, when are you going to get that truck

out of my garage?

Relax, Max.

The FBI isn't looking for three pinochle players.

They're looking for a nationwide syndicate.

Uh, that's us.

The Mellow Lane syndicate boys.

[laughing]

h* h* h*. Very funny.

Except my son-in-law has been after me

to open up that loft.

Stall him.

I can't, not any longer.

Pass.

Pass.

Brought a guy in today to look at the floor.

Needs over full space for 30 cabs.

'I told him to come back tomorrow afternoon.'

The man was mad as a hornet.

My son-in-law pestered me to death.

You got to get that out of there tonight.

How can I get even if you don't play cards?

Max, you want the whole thing to be for nothin'?

What about my deal with McTague?

I gotta make him sweat long enough

that he'll remember to keep his promise

and give me back my job.

Smitty, it's your bid.

Well, then get another job.

I got my own business to think of.

Smitty!

A fine friend you turned out to be.

Friends are not supposed to back out on a man.

[Max] 'And friends aren't supposed to get other friends'

'into trouble either.'

'Gonna get us all into jail if we don't watch out.'

Alright, friend. I'll move the truck tomorrow.

What's wrong with tonight, friend?

Because, friend, in the daytime

it'll be less noticeable.

The FBI won't be expecting the hijackers to move

all them furs in broad daylight.

[Max] 'Alright, then tomorrow at noon.'

'At 12 o'clock sharp at high noon.'

'Or I call the FBI.'

Do a bid. Friend.

Not a case.

I've been running all over this town.

Oh, wait'll you see my expense account.

Yeah, well, one crime at a time.

I've been livin' with those fences.

Nothin'! Zero!

Not one single solid piece of information.

Andy, I-I thought you weren't gonna contact us

until you had something to give us.

That's what I said. And that's what I did.

A number one solid information.

'That's what I gave ya.'

I don't understand what..

What you're tryin' to tell us is that you know too many crooks

and not enough honest people.

Move to the head of the class, inspector.

Amateurs.

[Morton] 'That's what it looks like to me.'

Wouldn't you know it?

I'd say you got your work cut off for ya.

No, we can't even be sure of a motive now.

Back to the beginning.

Interstate Transfer.

Arnold McTague.

Uncle Walter.

Uh, please don't get upset with me, Lewis.

I just keep on hoping that someday I'll catch you

when you're not so busy.

Oh.

Jim, you know what questions to ask McTague.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Erskine.

Now, then, Uncle Walter.

Where shall we dine?

[chuckles]

Lewis, I'm very sorry, I ought to..

Why?

You think I'm upset because you want to see me so much?

I'm flattered.

[laughing]

You know, you remind me so much of your father.

Ah, and you look more like him every time I see you.

Which isn't enough, I'm sorry to say.

'Because, you know..'

...sometimes I get really lonely.

You know, it's three years since your Aunt Helen..

But, you know, I think one of the hardest things

of all to take is to retire.

When a man doesn't have his work

he has so much more time to think

and remem..

That reminds me.

[chuckles] Thanks for the invitation to dinner

but, uh, you've got work to do.

When it's done, call me, huh?

I will, I promise.

Oh, and remember now, when the time comes

for you to retire..

...don't, stick to the job.

It'll keep you out of trouble.

[dramatic music]

Smitty.

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

Of course, I got enemies.

Man can't stay in business without enemies.

Nobody is stupid enough to hijack furs.

You fire anybody lately?

I fire people every week.

Sometimes twice a week.

Anybody can't pull his own weight, out.

Mind if we look at your payroll records?

You're the federal government, aren't you?

Who else do I keep books for?

By the way, Mr. McTague

what can you tell us about a man called Smitty?

Smitty? He's a pest!

He used to work for my father, I retired him

a couple of months ago, but he keeps poppin' up.

- Popping up? - Yeah.

Now, you take this hijacking thing.

Just 'cause it was his truck that was involved..

He used to drive the truck?

Yeah!

And he thinks that gives him the right

to keep bothering me about it.

Even offered to help me get the furs back

if I give him his job again.

Now, how in the world did you get mixed up with Smitty?

Oh, we met him a couple of times.

He offered to use his long experience

in the trucking business to help us.

No wonder you're not gettin' any place.

Can I have his address, please?

[dramatic music]

"313, Mellow Lane Road."

[dramatic music]

Won't you sit down, gentlemen?

No, thanks, Mrs. Smith, we'd just like to see your husband.

We're in kind of a hurry.

Uh, so am I.

That's why I had Stevie bring you into the kitchen.

Oh, I hope you don't mind.

I just got back from shopping

and I'm way behind on everything.

My goodness, you'll never know how surprised

I was when my husband told me that he was working

with the FBI.

Ah, yes, ma'am, is he here?

No, I'm afraid, he isn't.

Uh, he'll be so sorry to have missed you two.

Do you have any idea where we could find him?

Oh, have you tried Max Wood's garage?

'Uh, he-he didn't say that's where he was going'

but it's, uh, almost always a good bet.

He plays pinochle with Max, and Sam Fuller.

Uh, do you have that address, ma'am?

Oh, yes, it's written down.

Uh, uh, Stevie, get our little phone book over there.

Thank you.

One last thing, Mrs. Smith.

Was your husband home the night before last?

Uh, the night before last?

Oh, let's see.

Oh...no.

No, he wasn't.

Eh, as a matter of fact, he-he-he came home quite late.

He-he was at Max Wood's I think, uh, playing pinochle.

Thank you.

[Stevie] 'Why do you want to know about that night?'

You gonna arrest grandpa?

Uh, Stevie.

He didn't have anything to do with it.

He wouldn't steal your old furs.

Stevie!

I-I'm sorry, I don't know what made him do that.

I'm terribly sorry.

That's alright, Mrs. Smith.

Thanks again for your help.

Oh, wait, we'll find our way out.

Goodbye.

[dramatic music]

[door closes]

Stevie.

Stevie, come back here.

Grandma, he did it.

Grandpa did it.

'I-I heard him say so last night.'

He's the one who hijacked the truck.

[music continues]

And have Clarke stand by in the area with three agents.

Clear.

Sounded like the boy knew something.

Lou?

[sighs]

Looks that way.

[dramatic music]

Some people sure can take advantage of a friend.

Coming right up on 12 o'clock.

What are you gonna do with the truck?

- Hide it. - Where?

If I don't tell you then you can say

you don't know without lying.

'Cause the one thing I don't wanna do is get

my friends in trouble.

- Yeah. - Heh heh.

I think your father is in terrible trouble, Ruth.

You'd better come home, right away.

[dramatic music]

- Three minutes to 12. - Who asked ya?

[music continues]

[engine cranking]

[engine revving]

[dramatic music]

Turn right next corner.

[music continues]

- Now you be careful, Smitty. - I will, Sam.

[music continues]

How about a pinochle game tonight, Sam, two handed?

You've got exactly 30 seconds to 12 noon.

Yeah.

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

FBI!

Inspector Erskine, this is Special Agent Rhodes.

Either one of you Max Wood?

Wood, yes, sir, I am.

Uh, we're looking for Harold Smith.

Oh, well, I'm going to see him tonight.

We're gonna play pinochle.

Tonight.

Yeah, my name's Fuller, Sam Fuller.

We had an idea he might be here right now.

Well, here, no, sir. No, he ain't here.

- Mind if we look around? - No.

Is it about Smitty helping you out on that hijacking case?

Uh, if you don't mind.

[clears throat] Right, right up here.

Pop.

Hi, pop.

Can I open up the fifth floor now?

- It's open. - Already? How come?

I opened it.

Suppose we start with the fifth floor.

Well, nothin' on the fifth floor.

Hasn't been for weeks.

Are you gentlemen from Acme camps?

I'll be happy to show you around.

Never mind, I'll show 'em around.

Right up here.

[dramatic music]

Well, there she is, fifth floor.

[music continues]

Gasoline.

Hasn't been anyone up here in weeks, huh?

You're wasting your time, we don't take trucks

in this garage.

Who said anything about trucks?

You know, Mr. Wood, you'd be doing Smitty a favor

if you told us where he went with that truck.

Well, I don't know, and that's the truth.

Alright, Jim, call Clarke and have him move in now.

Tell him to contact the US attorney.

He can meet us in Interstate Transfer.

[dramatic music]

Smitty, you workin' again?

Smitty, don't!

What are you doin' in that jacket?

Company rules, can't drive a company truck

without a company jacket.

- Now, we made a deal. - Get outta here.

Arnold, I got the furs, and I want my job back.

You got the..

Take that jacket off before I have you arrested.

Arnold, aren't you gonna keep your promise?

I have had just about enough of you.

You been gettin' away with m*rder around here for years

just because you happen to be a friend of my old man.

Yeah, I was a friend of his.

And he knew how to treat his friends.

People who worked for him weren't just uniforms

they were names with faces

they were people, he didn't just use them

and then throw 'em out like a worn out truck.

Oh, beat it.

Are you gonna keep your promise? Listen to me, Arnold!

Will you beat it? Get outta here.

[indistinct argument]

Smitty in there?

Yes, yes, he is.

[thuds]

Wait here for Clarke.

[indistinct screaming]

Alright, alright, get up. Hold it.

[indistinct screaming]

He tried to k*ll me, you saw him.

Alright, do you want to tell me what you did with that truck?

And the furs?

Oh, come on, inspector, now how would he--

He knows, he took 'em.

And I brought 'em back. And there's no harm done.

No harm? What?

[scoffs] Do you realize this is a felony?

Punishable by up to ten years in prison.

Prison?

[breathing heavily]

[instrumental music]

What's this gonna mean to Steve?

Inspector...I am..

...in ruins.

I'm gonna tell you something.

I have an uncle, he's retired too.

But he doesn't have a wife.

Or a daughter, or a grandson.

Or anyone.

Compared to him, you've got everything.

'Now, where's the truck?'

It's in the maintenance yard.

Arnold, I don't blame you

for wanting to get rid of me.

I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you.

I mean it.

I'm sorry too, Smitty.

I never..

[door opening]

Oh, someone to see Mr. Smith.

Harold.

Oh, Harold.

[crying]

'Oh, Harold.'

Emily, could you forgive me?

Ruth.

I guess your grandpa is some kind of a dope, Steve.

[dramatic music]

Smitty.

I guess it's about time I turned the business over

to the son-in-law anyway.

Think of all the time we'll have to play pinochle.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

Well, Allen, thanks for your help.

Get the reports back to bureau as soon as possible, will you?

Maybe the courts will go easy on him in view

of their background.

And be on the lookout for hijackers.

I understand there's a nationwide ring

still operating, somewhere.

I'll do that, sir.

- Lou, we better hurry. - Yeah.

We're gonna miss that plane.

Unh-unh, you're gonna miss that plane.

I called the bureau, I'm spending

the weekend in Milwaukee.

Oh.

[instrumental music]

Oh!

- Well, have fun, Lou. - I will.

Well, Uncle Walter..

What sort of mischief do you suppose we can get into?

You got any ideas?

[laughing]

A few my boy.

[laughing]

A few!

[theme music]

[music continues]