02x05 - The Scourge

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

Most people in business have only overhead

and taxes to keep them broke.

Me? I've gotta have a brother too.

George, you don't understand.

Mmm, just take your moneylenders

and get out of here.

- Go on, out! - Mr. Colton.

You should know, a man who can't stay away

from a floating crap game is a bad risk.

Not when he wins.

Well, then you should recognize a loser.

How much, Sam?

More than last time?

Five thousand, six?

I-I needed a thousand to get even

and-and when I borrowed more with the interest, I--

Mr. Colton.

Your brother owes me $48,000.

It was the interest, 20% per 24 hours.

When I couldn't make it, it kept piling up for..

For...three weeks. I..

Juicers.

I've heard how you operate.

Well, we run a legitimate business.

And you're not going to bankrupt it.

There are still laws.

Now, George, don't do anything like--

- What! - Now, boys!

- Leave-leave him alone, please. - What are you..

Would you just tell 'em you didn't mean it, please.

No, Albin. Albin, please.

Don't. Don't, please..

Albin, please. Don't hurt him.

He's hurt. Please!

No. No.

[dramatic music]

Well, Sam..

...as sole owner of the business

now your troubles are over.

Andy here will move into the office.

He's very good at books.

We wanna keep you solvent, don't we?

And alive.

You can put George's half in my name.

I'm buying into the business for $48,000.

[music continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin, Warner Bros. Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Phillip Abbott.

Stephen Brooks.

With guest stars

Robert Duvall

Lin McCarthy

Will Kuluva

David Sheiner.

Tonight's episode

"The Scourge."

[music continues]

[male narrator] On June 21st, a body floating in the river

was found by workers aboard a commercial barge.

Fingerprints obtained by the local police

and sent to the FBI in Washington DC

identified the dead man as George Avery Colton.

And further probing turned up the name of John V. Albin

already the subject of a pending FBI investigation

into interstate racketeering activities.

Samuel Colton claimed

that his association with Albin was legitimate.

And denied knowledge

of the cause of his brother's death.

What's this for? Why are you putting this up for?

We're gonna show you how the Cosa Nostra works.

But why, eh?

We want you to know just who your new partner is

and where he gets his orders.

Well, now, you're-you're not gonna tell me

he's one of the big-big mob.

He'd like to be.

He's a candidate for membership.

Right now, you'd find his name

'somewhere down there.'

Did you ever hear of Mark Vincent?

- Vincent Savings and Loan? - Right.

Plus the Vincent Brewery.

Two hotels, a printing company, five restaurants.

A laundry, an electronics showroom

and a recording studio.

And he got 'em all from juicers like Johnny Albin.

Inspector, look--

Mr. Colton, l-l-let me try and explain this thing to you.

Mark Vincent is also one of the nine

mafia high commissioners.

These men control 24 families, like this

'in major cities from New York to California.'

Each family is headed by a boss.

'Next comes an underboss.'

And after that a counsellor

who acts as liaison with the other families.

'Later on, down here come'

'the regiments or units, headed by captains.'

'The captains have lieutenants.'

'And then come the soldiers.'

We're back to Johnny Albin.

- Long trip. - It's just the beginning.

First we have to nail him and then try to cut through

this insulation to the man who gives the orders.

Uh, if we get Mark Vincent

we can shake the protection he gives the others.

But we need witnesses.

I don't know anything, I-I can't help ya.

Mr. Colton, Johnny Albin has given us the break we need.

He's the crack in Vincent's armor.

Get out. Get out. Leave me alone.

Go on, get out.

[dramatic music]

I want a 24-hour surveillance on this man.

I wanna know everything he does, everywhere he goes

everyone he contacts.

Why Albin?

Because he's due for formal initiation into La Cosa Nostra.

And that means he'll have to contact..

...Mark Vincent.

He's the one we want.

[music continues]

Mr. Vincent, Mr. Towner.

Mr. Towner, come in.

Mr. Vincent.

I must say I didn't have any idea

my demand to see someone of higher authority

would be, uh, heard clear up here.

You'd be surprised how the sound of money carries.

You're here at my request, Mr. Towner.

Oh?

'Yes, I've heard a lot about Towner Industries'

and the man who built it.

Takes guts. I like a fighter.

Even if you did make one mistake.

Never let controlling interest slip away, Mr. Towner.

Too hard to get back.

Hard but not impossible.

I've been buying steadily for weeks.

Eighty five hundred more shares, that's all I need.

And a hundred thousand would go that, eh?

Yes, it would.

[sighs]

- Oh, sit down, Mr. Towner. - Thank you.

The stock you own all seems to be held

by banks for security.

I've borrowed against one block to buy another.

Yes, well..

We'd have to have some kind of collateral too.

Mr. Vincent..

'I've mortgaged every single thing'

I can lay my hands on outside of the company.

Now, personally, I haven't got..

[sighs]

Look, I won't kid you.

See me over this hump.

By next week..

Well, money will never be a problem anymore.

[chuckles]

A new government contract, eh?

We'll get the bid. We're bound to get it.

Stock will jump out of sight.

My profit alone'll buy back all my paper.

Mmm. And if Washington turns you down?

I'll pay it back, however long it took.

[exhales]

I'm sorry.

I'll give you points. Any interest you want.

[laughs] We're regulated, Mr. Towner.

You wouldn't want me to break the law, would you?

You had all the information you needed

before I came in here.

What do you wanna do? See me crawl?

Mr. Towner, we have to--

Is this what happens to a man when he gets

all the money in the world?

You get your kicks in some strange ways, Vincent.

[intense music]

Get out.

On my feet.

I don't crawl..

...for you, for anyone.

[woman on intercom] 'Yes, sir.'

Washington, Gebhardt.

[woman on intercom] 'Yes, sir.'

'Oh, by the way, Mr. Vincent, you have'

'a meeting tonight at Felix's.'

[instrumental music]

Hits..

Hits are ordered from this office and nowhere else.

Albin took matters into his own hands

and k*lled George Colton.

'He was sloppy.'

'Sloppy soldiers we don't need.'

Does the sponsor have any defense for the candidate?

It was an accident, Mr. Vincent.

I mean, I mean, Colton died of a heart attack.

Mmm.

John Albin for membership?

Denied.

Mr. Vincent, uh..

'Uh, Johnny's been working for a membership'

'for a very long time.'

A long time.

Now, he's kept himself clean. He's made some very good scores.

And he-he gives a respectable appearance

I mean he looks like a college graduate.

Now, what about another chance for him, hmm?

Another contract?

Because he's your cousin, Emil?

Because he's good, Mr. Vincent.

Because accidents do happen.

Once more.

But if there's another accident, Emil

you pull the trigger.

[dramatic music]

- "Towner Industries." - Hmm.

Show it to Albin, then burn it.

Be a nice one to own.

A good legitimate front.

No, I've changed my mind about that.

We'll use Towner to shake it down all the way.

I want this one bled and buried.

[music continues]

Tell Albin.

Towner's got all his bets

on a big government contract deed bid.

But he won't get it, that's the word around Washington.

He won't know that for a day or two.

The cash will be waiting at the Medford Hotel

in a room registered to William Clay.

Yes, Mr. Vincent.

They're leaving.

There hasn't been time for the initiation yet.

[music continues]

Cars 63-41-76.

Subject proceeding south on Griffith.

Black limousine, license..

J-L-2-3-7-4-9.

[instrumental music]

Goodnight, honey.

- Say your prayers. - Come along, Kathy.

[phone ringing]

- Hello. - 'Hello, Mr. Towner?'

Speaking, who's this?

Mr. Towner, this is William Clay.

You don't know me but I'm, uh, from Vincent Savings and Loan.

And I happen to have access to all loan applications

at Vincent's, and, uh..

[Albert] 'Yes?'

Well, strictly off the record

I know where you can get the money.

Scoot to bed, honey.

- You're serious? - Absolutely.

Well, uh, how soon could this be arranged?

Well, if you wanna meet me now, I'll be at the Medford Hotel

across the river.

I'll be there, Mr. Clay

and, uh, thank you, thank you very much.

You're welcome, sir. You're very welcome.

[man#1 on radio] 'Forty one to seventy six, we're turning off.'

'Can you pick up subject proceeding'

'west at Pearson Street bridge?'

[man#2 on radio] 'Seventy six, roger.'

'Subject in sight.'

He's crossing the state line.

Good, I always like to see him operating

within our jurisdiction.

Let's go see what he's up to.

[intense music]

[man#2 on radio] 'Seventy six to control.'

Go ahead, 76.

'Subject has stopped in front of the Medford Hotel.'

'Going inside.'

Follow him, get a room number if you can.

[lock clicking]

[dramatic music]

[knocks on door]

[Albin] 'Come in, Mr. Towner.'

Mr. Clay.

I hope we can make a deal.

Now, how's this for a starter?

Um, what's this going to cost me?

- Twenty percent for one week. - Twenty!

Mr. Towner..

You can't raise enough collateral to buy gas

to get home.

'But the dice are already thrown'

and by the time they stop rolling next week

twenty thousand will seem like peanuts to you.

I'll have to admit your research is thorough.

Oh, just one thing.

If something happens, I need an extension.

Mr. Turner, I'm a gambler too, but I like a sure thing.

I happen to know you're good for it.

Even if it takes ten years.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

Albin checked in. Came right here into this room.

He had no visitors and made no phone calls.

- How long did he stay? - Um, about 20 minutes.

Did you see anyone in the hall?

Yes, sir, the occupant next door had a caller.

- Next door? - 418, a man.

Mr. Gerst, do you, uh

happen to know who's registered in 418?

- Why, nobody, sir. - Nobody?

Well, maybe that's not quite accurate.

The room was reserved for a Mr. William Clay

on the phone.

And shortly after that a-a briefcase

was delivered here for him.

And the messenger insisted on bringing it up himself.

Well, we argued a little.

But, uh, after he paid for the room I let him in.

And this William Clay never showed up?

No, sir.

May we have your permission to take a look at 418.

Certainly, inspector.

[intense music]

Lou..

- Same brand? - Mm-hmm.

Have serology run a saliva comparison on it.

Alright.

There's no briefcase here, inspector.

Nothing.

Was the messenger carrying it when he left?

Well, I didn't see him again.

We followed Albin outside, made sure 61 tailed him

and then I called you.

Alright, dust this room too.

Get a hold of an artist, see if he can remember

what this messenger looked like.

[music continues]

Baby, we did it.

Yeah, it took the broker an hour and a half.

But we got the shares.

Controlling interest, Al? Really?

Of course, it's all on paper and the paper's mortgaged.

But I got 51%.

Well, I can tell you this much, inspector.

The saliva comparison indicates that both of these cigarettes

was smoked by persons of the same blood type.

No identification, can't match any of the prints in 418

with Albin's known contacts.

Keep digging. I wanna know who that visitor was.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

We got a call from Washington.

The contract awards are being announced early.

Today.

Well, you want Johnny to negotiate with Towner?

Uh..

Let's see if Towner can take a little softening up

as soon as it breaks in the papers.

[music continues]

[phone ringing]

- Yes, what is it? - 'Mr. Clay, sir.'

Hello, Mr. Clay. How are you?

Important question, Mr. Towner, is how are you?

You've, um, read about the..

Yes.

As a matter of fact, I'm, I'm glad you called, Mr. Clay.

I think there's something we have to talk about.

It's a strange coincidence, Mr. Towner

that's exactly what I was thinking.

Now, I'll give you an address.

You can meet me there at, uh, 9 o'clock.

Fine.

Yeah, I've got a pencil.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Forty eight, come in.

[man#3 on radio] 'Forty eight.'

Subject entered apartment building

the corner of Chase and Olive.

Cover inside.

We'll do. Next block, turn left.

[music continues]

Sorry, we're late. Get in.

I thought this was where you lived.

Get in.

[music continues]

Now, let's talk.

Isn't this, uh, a little melodramatic?

Not as melodramatic as the $120,000

you owe me, Mr. Towner.

You said you'd give me an extension.

You've gotta be reasonable about it, Mr. Clay.

Albin.

Where did that money come from?

What's your very best guess, Mr. Towner?

Who sent you?

Ever hear about our collection agency?

Mr. Albin..

Now, working me over isn't, uh, gonna get your money back

any sooner.

What will?

Well, I need time.

I've got interest payments to make at the banks too.

'Now, there's gotta be some way we can work this out.'

What do you want?

Blood?

Blood or money.

It's up to you.

[intense music]

[groans]

Somebody's holding it between floors.

Wait, wait there.

[sighs]

[Albin] 'You've got a wife and daughter.'

'Think about them before you think about'

'going to the police.'

[music continues]

[breathing heavily]

Hey, mister. Mister, you alright?

- Yeah. - Hey can I do anything for you?

Leave me alone.

- Are you sure? - Leave me alone.

[music continues]

[knocking on door]

Al!

Al! Darling, what is it?

Darling, what's the matter?

Here, sit down.

What is it, Al?

[exhales]

Cosa Nostra.

The money was theirs.

They did this to you?

- I'll call the police. - No! No. No.

- No. - Al, we've got to!

No, please, don't call the police.

They threatened you and Kathy.

Oh, dear God.

[groans]

Please don't call the police.

Please.

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

The agent established that Albin was still under surveillance

and then followed Towner.

The address gave us the name, and his navy prints match

the ones that were left at the Medford Hotel.

- He was the visitor. - He was the record victim.

Yeah, looks like it.

And on a bigger scale than most.

Thought you might like to come along. Give it another try.

Let's go.

[Lewis] 'Our identification and laboratory divisions'

'have placed you in that hotel room.'

'And in the elevator where you were beaten.'

[Arthur] 'If you put yourself in a position to be victimized'

by Johnny Albin

he's not gonna stop with one beating.

And I hope you understand that.

Your testimony could help us put him away.

Now, can you put away the whole Cosa Nostra too, Mr. Ward?

Piece by piece.

And what if one of those free pieces gets to my wife

and my daughter.

Can you help them too?

You'll have police protection.

Great.

Now you lock the barn door.

What happened to you all these years?

Oh, we are limited to specific federal violations.

And none of them cover organized crime.

Not effectively until the early 1960s when Congress passed

the anti-racketeering laws.

And we've made progress since then.

We want you to help us make a little more.

No.

No.

I got myself into this mess.

I'll get myself out.

- How? - How do I know?

I'm sorry.

The problem is, I've met the boys

and they've made their point.

How many times do I have to tell you?

I'm a coward. I'm afraid to testify.

And so was Albin's last victim.

Are you saying if he had, maybe this

wouldn't be happening to me?

Maybe.

That's something to think about, isn't it?

The next man.

I wonder if he'll have a wife and daughter too.

I hope not.

'Cause I can't help him.

I mean that. I can't help him.

[instrumental music]

Fine, Mr. Towner. Thank you.

If you should change your mind, contact the local field office.

Albin's gonna pick him clean and we can't stop it.

Doesn't look that way.

At least we can catch him at it.

Undercover man?

Yeah, maybe he needs an accountant.

- Rhodes. - Let's get him on it.

[music continues]

Mr. Davis, this is Inspector Erskine.

Mr. Davis is Towner's chief accountant.

I wanna thank you for coming, Mr. Davis.

Did Mr. Rhodes fill you in?

[Mr. Davis] 'Yes. Yes, he did.'

Now no one questions what I do in the accounting department.

I could put you on inconspicuously as a clerk.

When would you like to start?

As soon as possible, sir.

Send him in.

Nice to see you, Mr. Towner.

Aren't you being a little careless

meeting me out in the open like this?

You're gonna be seeing me here often from now on, Al.

'How does everyday strike you?'

Every..

Facts of life. You owe me $120,000.

In a week it will be a $144,000.

'Now, it's reasonable, I wanna be around here'

to keep an eye on things, isn't it?

You have a Vice President in charge of purchasing.

Get rid of him, I like the title.

I couldn't do a thing like that.

Maybe you ought to talk it over with your wife.

[intense music]

- Lyn. - 'Al.'

- Are you alright? - Yes.

There are two men here, but..

Two men?

They haven't hurt us. They..

Oh, Al. What are they doing to you?

What kind of animals are they?

[dramatic music]

Bring in the proposed.

What does the proposed think of these people gathered here?

They are good people.

[instrumental music]

I, John V. Albin, do solemnly swear..

"I, John V. Albin, do solemnly swear.."

...allegiance to the code of La Cosa Nostra..

"...allegiance to the code of La Cosa Nostra."

And that from this day forward..

And from this day forward..

...La Cosa Nostra will come before all else..

"...La Cosa Nostra will come before all else.."

...including wife, home, country and religion.

"...including wife, home, country and religion."

'And that in accepting the code I will live by the g*n.'

And in accepting the code I will live by the g*n.

And I will die by the g*n if I violate the code..

"And I will die by the g*n if I violate the code.."

...and burn as this paper.

"...and burn as this paper."

We represent La Cosa Nostra.

"We represent La Cosa Nostra."

This family is La Cosa Nostra.

"This family is La Cosa Nostra."

This family is named La Cosa Nostra.

"This family is named La Cosa Nostra."

A new member has been made.

Let the word spread.

So..

He will henceforth enjoy the respect that is due him.

'Gentlemen..'

Meet...a friend of ours.

Johnny, this is your godfather, Ed Junior.

[music continues]

[theme music]

Well, you were right on target.

He's moved in?

Lock, stock and trigger finger.

He's vice president in charge of purchasing

replaced Jim Cochran.

The word is out, he's been initiated

so he'll feel safer now.

I want a report on any purchase orders he puts through.

There is a problem though, with data processing.

A phony purchase order will be automatically paid

by the time we see it.

It's still evidence..

Let us know if you turn up anything.

I'll be there before you punch out.

[Rhodes] 'Yes, sir.'

I'm contacting the families in New York..

...Cleveland, Kansas City

Chicago, Detroit and San Francisco.

You gonna order the printing.

Have them get the purchase orders out first.

No, Johnny already thought of it.

He got me one here from Towner.

So we can copy it.

The initials will have to be forged.

Make it look like the purchase order was okayed by Cochran..

...before Albin moved in.

[telephone beeping]

Yes?

Good.

Harry..

H-hey, Mark, it's good to hear from you.

What's on your mind?

Need an out of town address there in Cleveland.

Dummy warehouse.

Sure, sure, I'll have a boy fix it up for you right away.

You got a name for me?

We'll call this one Eyrie Tool and Dye Works, okay?

Okay.

[instrumental music]

If I could figure out what he's doing..

He's not just occupying that office for a salary.

And what if you did know?

Would it make any difference? Would you stop him?

Sam, call the FBI.

- Tell 'em you'll testify. - Oh..

Oh, forget about Kathy and me for a minute.

Oh, honey, think what can happen to you

if Albin does something fraudulent in the company.

There are other stock holders, we should be involved.

The SEC would bring charges.

Honey, you could go to Jail.

Yeah. Sometimes, I think that'd be the easiest way.

It'd be all over then, wouldn't it?

And maybe then he'll leave us alone.

Al..

Call the FBI..

Please.

Please.

[music continues]

Purchase orders are signed with Cochran's initials.

They all pre-date Albin's appearance on the scene.

Those are forgeries, they're not bad.

Here are some copies of Albin's own initials

made on some small orders sent through

during the normal course of things.

Good, I'll have Document Examination look these over.

And here are the invoices on accompanying letters.

They all basically say the same thing in different ways.

"We're...holding the machinery

"you ordered, in our warehouse, ready for immediate delivery

upon receipt of payment."







Here's one for 90,000.

It's better than half a million, so far.

That's right.

And Towner's company's paid for all of it.

Wonder if Towner is aware of this yet.

Clearly bad management, that's all.

You didn't get rid of Cochran any too soon, you know that.

Jim Cochran's the best in the business.

Well I'll see what I can do to pull you out.

You're all heart, Albin.

You're just too good to me.

Funny..

What's funny?

Eighteen years ago..

My five-year old car sat in the street..

'Cause in the garage, my wife and I were working

from morning till night

seven days a week to start this company.

We weren't afraid of anything then..

What happened?

You accumulate things, Al..

Children, experience..

...caution.

Cowardice.

[intense music]

Al, you aren't thinking about

making some kind of a foolish move, are you?

I'm cautious.

Experienced coward like me, Johnny?

From what you tell me, I think he's heeding.

I-I think he'll go to the FBI.

They don't have anything.

They could drag you into court.

Subpoena me as a witness.

You? How?

Because you told Turner you work

for Vincent Savings and Loans.

Well, I had to make it sound logical--

It was mistake.

You could swear the fifth.

Don't you know about the immunity clause?

No..

Well..

All it does is guarantee that the testimony I give

wont be used against me.

Don't you see?

Even if I take the fifth..

...they can still order me to talk.

'If I do that..'

I'll violate our code.

I'm a dead man.

If I don't..

If I lie..

I go to jail.

Lies..

[music continues]

Hit him!

Me?

You're the one who set it up for them to get me

on that witness stand.

You, see that they don't..

...tonight.

Both signatures are made by the same man

but definitely not by Cochran.

No question of it.

And what about the invoices and the letters.

All made at the same paper stock as the phony purchase orders.

And it is different from the paper

normally used by Towner.

Uh, Canyon Paper Mills produced it.

They distribute all over the United States.

Canyon?

It's on the list.

Owned by Mark Vincent.

Call the US attorney, tell him we're on our way.

Warrant for Albin, subpoena for Vincent.

In that order.

[instrumental music]

Will you have the inspector call me

the minute you reach him?

Thank you.

He's tied up.

They'll have him call me back the minute he comes in.

- Hey, where's Kathy? - She's alright dear.

- I put her to bed. - Honey, I think you ought to--

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

'Hello, who is this?'

Hello? Hello!

[intense music]

Put me through to the board, I'll talk to him now.

[telephone ringing]

- Hello? - Towner, Inspector Erskine.

Oh, hello, inspector.

Uh..

I've changed my mind.

I've gotta see you.

Good. Does Albin suspect what you're doing?

Oh, I think maybe I gave him reason to.

'Cause maybe I'm imagining things, but..

A few minutes ago, the phone rang.

And somebody was on the other end of the line

but they didn't answer.

They just hung up.

Listen to me, Mr. Towner.

We're heading for your house now.

Turn all your outside lights on, darken your house inside.

Lock all your doors and windows.

Lock yourself and your family in a bathroom.

Let nobody in. Nobody!

[instrumental music]

[tires screeching]

[intense music]

[music continues]

Come on, come on, in the bathroom.

Oh, Al.

Now, it's just a precaution, honey.

We'll be alright in here.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[doorknob rattling]

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[g*n shots]

[door rattling]

[g*nf*re]

[glass shattering]

FBI, drop it!

Don't try it.

[knocking on door]

Mr. Towner, it's Inspector Erskine.

You can come out now.

Hello, sweetheart. Are you alright?

That's good.

[theme music]

Here he comes.

They're bringin' him in from the grand jury room.

I knew they would.

Do something, quick.

What am I paying you for?

[male #1] 'You may approach the bench Mr. Vincent, with your counsel.'

Mr. Vincent..

This court respects your right to invoke the fifth amendment.

'Upon the grounds that the testimony you give'

'might tend to incriminate you.'

'On the other hand..'

'It is the citizen's duty to testify

'in official proceedings.'

Mr. Vincent, it is the judgment of this court

that you be returned to the grand jury.

And I hereby direct you to answer those questions

which will be put to you.

You'll be immune from prosecution in any area

'in which your testimony might tend to incriminate you.'

No, you-you can't do this. I have my--

'I must warn you, sir..'

That your continued refusal to testify as directed

will place you in contempt of this court.

You're trapping me!

You-you can't do that, I have my rights!

Take him away!

You, you--

[male narrator] Mark Vincent's refusal to testify

led to his subsequent imprisonment.

John V. Albin was tried and convicted

on evidence gathered by the FBI and Albert Towner's testimony.

In addition, six other members of La Cosa Nostra

operating the dummy warehouses, were convicted.

All are currently serving sentences

in federal penitentiaries, at Leavenworth and Atlanta.

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