02x08 - Collision Course

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[engine revving]

- Thanks. - Where're you heading?

Texas.

Well, I'll be turning off at Durant.

That'll get you part of the way, get in.

Fine.

Much obliged.

Pretty dead alone here this afternoon.

Terrible.

First car I've seen in an hour and a half.

First one that stopped whole day.

Yeah, I've been on the road a long time.

Uh, I'm in musical instruments, you know, guitars, banjos.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I mean, I pick up everybody I can.

You know, I mean, if they look decent.

- You can tell. - Hm.

By the way, my name's Loomis.

- Uh, you're from Tulsa? - Nope.

Uh, what you do?

Oh, little of this, little of that.

Mostly, I, uh, boost banks.

[chuckles]

- You boost what? - Banks.

[chuckles]

You mean, you, uh, hold 'em up?

Mm-hmm.

[dramatic music]

You know what this is?

Mister..

Pull over.

No, no. Across the road, near the side in the shoulder.

Give me your wallet.

You aren't going to hurt me, are you?

Mnm-mnm.

Mister, I've just been married three weeks.

I married this wonderful girl.

Her husband was k*lled and..

...she's got four kids.

Give me the watch and the ring.

Yes, sir.

Okay, now you can get out.

Thanks.

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[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 Jack Lord..

...Richard Anderson..

...Pilar Seurat.

Tonight's episode, "Collision Course."

[instrumental music]

Shot down in cold blood

Robert Julien Loomis was found on a highway

six miles north-west of Durant, Oklahoma.

Loomis lived long enough to describe his assailant

and that description together with the b*llet

was rushed to FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC.

There the striations on the .38 Caliber slug

indicated that it had been fired

from a g*n last known to be in the possession

of Frank Andreas Shroeder

wanted by the federal government

for bank robbery, unlawful flight

to avoid prosecution...and m*rder.

Crime Records, Is Al McClure there?

Oh, it's Inspector Erskine, would you have him

call me when he comes in, please?

I'll be in my office. Thank you.

Mr. Ward got your message, he's on his way up now.

- Good. Thanks, Earl. - Anything new on Shroeder?

Two months, three killings

this maniac's worse than Dillinger.

[telephone ringing]

I'll get it.

- Erskine. - Hello, Al McClure.

Al, how do we stand currently in the ten most wanted?

- Any spots open? - Why? Have you got a candidate?

'A beauty. Frank Shroeder.'

Well, I talked to Assistant Director, Ward, last night.

Yes?

'He wants to go with the New York extortionist'

'Bobby Roman. We're processing it now.'

Yes.

Uh, Al, will you hold off till you hear from me?

I'll get right back to you.

Hold off? Why?

Uh, SAC San Antonio on two.

We've located Frank Shroeder. Oklahoma.

Alright, I want this character.

He's a throwback to the Nelsons and the Floyds

We finally got a fix on him

we can flood the whole south-west with publicity.

Well, it's the ten most wanted, Lewis, not eleven.

- Alright, I-- - You'll get the next vacancy.

In the meantime, do the best you can.

Erskine.

Christian Palmer, inspector, we've located the Loomis car.

- Where? - 'Loomis car lot.'

'Cleburne, about ten miles south of Austin.'

The owner's positively identified.. Thank you.

Schroeder as the seller.

He signed a partial payment slip with his left hand.

He said that his right hand was broken.

'He'll never make it as a forger'

'but this is a pretty good first try.'

Well, he won't be able to cash the dealer's check until Monday.

You've notified all the banks in the area?

'Yes, we have.'

How much money was Loomis carrying?

'Twenty dollars.'

- Was Shroeder alone? - Yes, he was.

One more thing

we got a call from the Austin Police.

They picked up a drunk named Walters, who claimed

he had dinner with Shroeder last night in Austin.

And that Shroeder tried to hire him.

To do what?

To help cut a woman's throat.

- Where? When? - 'Uh, we don't know.'

'He turned the job down.'

Walters had the impression that he knew this woman

somewhere in San Antonio. Knew her or worked for her.

She was an old woman, and get this

he claims that she has a quarter of a million dollars

worth of diamonds, hidden in her house.

Palmer, this is Arthur Ward.

Just how reliable do you think this Walters is?

We've checked him out, he and Shroeder

were cellmates in prison.

Close friends?

'Shroeder hasn't got any close friends.'

'That's why we're having so much trouble tracing him.'

These are his home grounds. Laredo, San Antonio, Austin.

We haven't been able to dig up a friend, a partner

a girl, anybody.

What about family?

No brothers or sisters. He has a father though.

He's supposed to be living in San Antonio.

We're checking it out now.

Alright, I want a list of every employer Shroeder ever had.

Start with his old neighborhood.

Circulate descriptions of Loomis' watch

and ring to all pawn brokers in the area.

And put a 24 hour surveillance on the father

as soon as you locate him.

Right.

Lou, you're coming up?

Okay.

Next flight.

Shroeder's name will be on the list

we release this afternoon.

Pick him up fast, Lewis.

I don't want to keep Bobby Roman waiting.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[man groaning]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Where are you headin', honey? San Anton?

Look, I'm tired and you're tired.

'Most of these bums are too scared to stop'

'for anybody out here alone, but..'

'...for a couple, maybe.'

What's the matter?

You don't speak English?

Lady, use your head. You help me out, I help you out.

That's all there is to it.

We get to San Antonio, we split.

Right?

Come on.

[instrumental music]

- San Antonio? - See, no problems.

Yes, ma'am, thank you.

I was just saying to Ernie I wish we could find

a young couple to talk to.

Sweetheart.

[dramatic music]

- Hello, Jim. - Chris, how are you?

- Fine. - Chris, hello.

Good to see you again.

Well, this is what we've got so far.

Frank Shroeder left Durant when he was 17

he hasn't been back since, unless he's here now.

Apparently the only person he ever worked for

while he was here was his own father.

Have you located him?

- 'His father?' - Mm-hmm.

Yes, he's here now.

His name is Fritz Shroeder

former cabinet maker, retired.

He used to take his son along

to show him the fancy homes. Rich people.

Does he remember the woman with the diamonds?

Yes, he remembers.

But he won't tell us. He's made that clear.

Hmm.

Does he know that Shroeder might be planning another m*rder?

I've told him that, Lou, but he doesn't believe me.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

Sweetheart, I thought you and I had made a little bargain.

'Now, I told you to get lost'

'I'm not going to tell you again.'

Partnership is dissolved, comprende?

So, adios, huh? Hasta la vista.

Write if you get bored. Now beat it.

[chuckling]

She doesn't get the picture, huh?

- You speak Spanish? - Sure.

Come here.

Well, do me a favor, will you?

Tell this kid to get lost

before she loses a couple of teeth.

[speaking in Spanish]

What?

One minute.

She says you saved her life.

Saved her life?

[laughs] No, no, no, look..

She says she's from Chihuahua

and that you're the nicest North American she's met.

You get rid of her.

Hey, man, don't be hasty.

She's a nice-looking chick.

She's not going to talk about you when you're gone.

You like her?

Fine. You take her home. She's yours.

[instrumental music]

Paper, mister?

Thank you.

[dramatic music]

[knock on door]

- Hello, Barry. - Hello.

Are we going at the Shroeder house?

No, sir, the Shroeder house is in the left

and nobody's gone in.

Gentlemen, this is Inspector Erskine, Special Agent Rhodes.

- How do you do? - Agent Pike, Agent Dorsia.

Does anyone live with the old man?

No, sir.

Chris, are there any women in this area

with a jewelry collection big enough to tempt Shroeder?

- Got that list, Barry? - Yes.

We checked the society columnist, jewelers

came up with five names, none of which value their collection

anywhere near a quarter of a million dollars.

For Shroeder, it might have been overestimating the value.

Did his father work for any of these people?

Oh, I don't know.

He had a file, he won't show them to us.

None of the fives recognize his picture or his son's.

The police have their families under surveillance.

Maybe this particular woman never had any dealings

with local jewelers.

She sure has kept quiet about her collection.

Possible.

Well, there is one person she'd tell.

Insurance representative.

Ask Carr to get someone to stall her back there.

Meanwhile check out the local underwriters.

Right.

Any, uh, offences in town big enough to handle

a quarter of a million dollar diamond job?

Yes, sir, there is one. Abel Litvian.

He's under surveillance.

No word on Loomis' watch or ring?

No, but the pawnbroker is alerted.

Alright. We can't afford to wait any longer.

It's risky, but I'll have to talk

to Shroeder's father myself.

[instrumental music]

[man on radio] 'Shroeder has been armed in the past'

'and reportedly possesses'

'at least one .38 caliber automatic p*stol.'

'He may attempt to leave or enter the San Antonio area'

'as a hitchhiker.'

'Anyone knowing this man's whereabouts'

'is urgently requested to contact the FBI.'

'Shroeder is 35 years old..'

[telephone ringing]

'Height 6'1"'

'weight 175-180 pounds.'

'Build, large, hair, dark brown'

'complexion, medium, race, white'

'nationality, American.'

'Occupations, fry cook, laborer.'

'Scars and marks..'

Hello, Mr. Shroeder, I'm back again.

This is Inspector Erskine.

May we come in, please?

We'd just like to ask you a few questions, Mr. Shroeder.

[man on radio] 'He should be considered extremely dangerous.'

'And now we return to our local program.'

[instrumental music]

May I?

When was the last time you saw your son, Mr. Shroeder?

Well, uh, I already gave this man all that information.

Yes, I know. Uh, could we go over it once more, please?

March 3rd, 1948.

He was 17 years old.

He stole ten dollars off my workbench

and I'd beat him with a broomstick until it broke.

Had he been in trouble before that?

Ever since his momma died. He was 12 then.

Petty theft, that sort of thing?

'Theft, gangs, fights.'

'I never knew where he was, what he was doin.'

I didn't care.

After my wife died, I..

I couldn't get used to her being gone.

I couldn't even talk to Frank.

So I worked.

'You don't have to worry about what a piece of wood feels.'

'You carve, you polish.'

You're very patient, very interested.

Why couldn't I have been as interested in a son..

...as I was in a piece of wood?

And you never heard from Frank after he ran away?

I read he was in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary

in McAlester last year.

I-I went up there..

...but he wouldn't see me.

Did you give the prison authorities this address?

Yes.

Then Frank knows where to contact you.

Mr. Shroeder, if he should call here..

No. Now, get out.

We're going to find him, Mr. Shroeder.

Now, if you could talk him into surrendering

you might save..

...a good many lives.

Mister, I went looking for Frank the night he left.

I've been looking for him ever since.

If my boy calls now

you think I'm going to beat him with another broomstick?

[instrumental music]

- Mr. Shroeder. - Thank you, sir.

[instrumental music]

Anyway, this is it.

It's clean, it's quiet

and you got your own private entrance there.

Bathroom's down the hall.

- How much? - You alone?

No, I got this army outside waiting to sneak in.

Of course, I'm alone.

Now, look, sweets

don't get on your high horse with me.

It's $20 a day for one, $30 for two.

Twenty a day? You must be kidding.

This is a private residence, sweets.

Nobody comes here unless someone tells 'em about it.

'Now, if you want to go on downtown'

'and sign in at some hotel, you go right ahead.'

Me? I don't even know your name.

And I don't care, see.

So it's $20 a day for one.

You take it or leave it.

[instrumental music]

Hasta luego, sweets.

- What'd you say your name was? - Jessie.

You got something I can lighten my hair with, Jessie?

'Maybe find an old pair of sunglasses?'

I can get 'em.

Where's the nearest phone?

Phone booth's in the alley there.

Leave this stuff in the bathroom, huh?

Yeah, I'll leave it in the bathroom.

You got change of a quarter?

No, I only have a dime. Here.

You owe me a dime, and don't forget it.

[woman on phone] 'Information, may I help you, please?'

I'd like the number of, uh, Miss Mary Carmichael.

C-A-R-M-I-C-H-A-E-L.

She used to live on Filipo Street.

I don't know if she's still there or not.

[woman on phone] 'One moment, please.'

'That number is diamond 1-1-1-3-1.'

Thank you.

[dramatic music]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

'Hello?'

'Hello?'

Sorry, uh, wrong number.

[music continues]

So, I said to Ernie, "Why, Ernie, that description

fits that boy we picked up."

Is, um..

Is this the man?

Yes.

- Was he alone? - 'No, he had a girl with him.'

Oh, she was a very pretty little thing.

She didn't say a word the whole trip.

Where did you let them off, Mrs. Gennaro?

On the corner of Jones and Ramona.

Do you think you'll catch him?

Yes, I think we will.

Can you give us a description of the girl?

Well, she was young. She.. About 20.

Mexican, black hair, black eyes. Very pretty.

The...boy kept looking at her

the whole time whenever he thought

she wouldn't notice.

[dramatic music]

Hey, you want to buy..

- Hi. - Hi, amigo.

How are you?

- You got rid of her, huh? - Hope so.

- Where'd she go? - Well, she was hungry.

I sent her to Las Delicias up the street.

Yeah.

Hey, don't you want to buy a paper?

Crazy Americano.

First he doesn't want her, then he..

[chuckling]

[instrumental music]

Oh, you just don't give up, do you?

I tell you, chiquita

you're going to be the death of me yet.

Come on.

[instrumental music]

[man on radio] 'Shroeder, last seen on the vicinity of Jones and Ramona'

'may be accompanied by a female Mexican'

'or Mexican-American.'

'Twenty years old, black hair, black eyes'

'five foot six inches tall.'

'Weight, approximately a 110 pounds.'

'Now, for my Spanish speaking audience..'

Palmer.

Hold it.

Surveillance on Abel Litvian.

Had his dinner, went back to his office

no suspicious contacts of any kind.

Alright, interview him. We can't wait any longer.

Ask him if he'll come in for an interview, huh?

And nothing from the insurance companies.

And none of the local underwriters handle anything

in the quarter million bracket.

Have you heard anything from Washington?

Oh, no, still working on it, but, uh..

...it doesn't look too good.

Boys, I don't get it.

How can a woman keep a quarter of a million dollars

worth of diamonds in her house and not insure them?

- Expense? - Hm?

I suppose we're looking for a miser.

[instrumental music]

Don't look so shook up, chiquita.

It's me.

Yeah, how about that, huh?

[instrumental music]

You're a funny one.

I can't figure you out.

You're beautiful.

I forgot you..

...you can't hear.

I don't even know your name.

What's your name?

Tu nombre? Tu nombre?

"Teresa?"

[instrumental music]

[door opens]

[Jessie] 'Well, well, well. Cozy, huh?'

Somebody better teach you to knock, Jessie.

You do that again, you're going to get a b*llet

right in your head.

Who's this, huh?

Part of the army that wasn't waiting outside

to sneak in, huh?

So I owe you ten.

Listen, sweet, this ain't even a down payment.

You want to take a look at this?

And you're on TV too.

Radio, posters, the FBI's going all out on this one.

'Oh, somebody up there don't like you.'

They don't know about this.

Sorry. I need the room, sweet.

I paid you, Jessie.

Listen, sweet, I don't play games with the FBI ever! Ever!

Look, Jessie, I got a little visit to make

something to pick up. I'll be out of here by morning.

- No. No. - How much?

For her to stay until, uh, you make that visit?

'Yeah.'

One hundred dollars.

- Take a couple of diamonds? - No, nothing hot.

Just cash and quick. Quick!

How about a check?

I sold my car. The firm is legitimate.

Oh, you're a barrel of laughs, sweet. Aren't you?

- Oh, really. - Fence it.

You fence it if you can.

Teresa..

...you wait here for me. Don't worry, I'll be back.

You understand? Wait?

[instrumental music]

[g*n c*ck]

Te amo, Teresa.

Te amo.

Fence? Me?

[chuckles] Inspector, I don't understand.

You must be thinking of another Abel Litvian.

And you've never heard of Frank Shroeder?

Could you spell that for me, please?

Litvian, there's no time for fun and games. He's here.

If you've made a deal for diamonds, forget it.

Inspector, listen, I swear--

He'll be running a little low on funds.

He's got a watch, a ring and a worthless check.

If any of them show up anywhere in the world

we're coming back to you. Do you understand?

Well, uh, I don't control this town.

I can't help if someone else might buy.

Abel, are you going to disappoint me

after I've told these gentlemen how much commonsense you have?

This Shroeder is important to you?

[chuckles] So who needs him?

If I hear something, uh, anything, I'll call you.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Yes, sir?

You, uh, you buy rings?

Well, it depends.

I'm a little over-stocked, but, uh, what have you got?

My, uh, grandfather left me this one.

It's worth, uh, plenty. Take a look.

Well, I don't know if--

'Perfect blue vein.'

I'll let you have it for a 100.

Uh..

Let me see..

Yeah. Yeah, alright.

- No arguments, huh? - No, no.

- Uh, uh, hundred you said? - Hundred.

[cash register dings]

[intense music]

- Shame on you. - No. I, uh..

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[groaning]

[groaning]

[music continues]

[siren wailing]

It was S-Shroeder.

I-I shot him.

Two people saw him going north on Vista.

We cornered off a 20-block area.

Rogers to Princess on the north, Princess to Ferrell

Ferrell to San Sebastian.

Over here.

What sort of an area is it?

Small businesses?

Businesses, hotel, boarding houses.

Well, a m*rder charge facing him

he won't give up without a fight.

I'll get as many residents out as I can.

[man on radio] 'Search for the fugitive continues unabated.'

'Repeating the latest bulletin..'

[telephone ringing]

'...man identified as Frank Shroeder'

'tonight attacked and robbed the owner of a pawn shop on..'

- Pike. - Inspector Erskine.

- Is Rhodes there? - Yes, he is, inspector. Jim.

- Yeah, hello. - 'Anything new?'

No, not much.

Double the surveillance in the back.

- Lew? - Hold on.

Two murders.

[intense music]

The pawnbroker died.

Tell the father. Maybe it'll make a difference.

Yes, sir.

I'm, uh, I'm going to talk to Shroeder's father.

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[siren wailing]

[knock on door]

Teresa? Teresa?

[groaning]

'Teresa.'

[groaning]

She threw you out, huh?

[breathing heavily]

Get a doctor, Teresa.

Get a doctor. No.

[breathing heavily]

Get me a medico. Quick.

Medico.

[dramatic music]

[breathing heavily]

"PE-6-3831."

P.

P-E-6.

P-E-6.

[breathing heavily]

[Litvian on phone] 'Yeah?'

Litvian?

Yeah.

- Uh, who is this? - 'Frank.'

- 'Where you've been?' - Uh, F-Frank who?

[Frank] 'Shroeder.'

[breathing heavily]

Abel, help me, listen.

Uh, well..

W-where are you?

'Frank?'

'Where are you?'

[intense music]

[breathing heavily]

PE..

PE-6..

[mumbles]

[knock on door]

Mr. Shroeder, I'm with the FBI. May I come in, please?

Thank you.

Sir, I, uh

I don't know whether you've been informed or not

but your son robbed a pawnshop here in San Antonio tonight.

I was informed.

By Frank?

By the police.

'Did the police also tell you'

'that the pawnbroker was seriously injured?'

Yes.

The man's dead, sir.

Now, has Frank tried to reach you?

No.

'God, help him, please.'

[sighs] PE-6-3831.

PE-6-3831.

PE-6-3831.







[telephone ringing]

Hello?

[Frank] 'Papa, help me, papa.'

[sobbing] Papa..

Hello, Frankie.

Can.. Can I come home, papa?

You come and get me?

Where are you?

Uh, boarding house.

Newman and Rio.

The alleyway and back.

Yes. Stay there.

It'd be good to see you again, papa.

[instrumental music]

Where is he, sir?

I'll show you, but let me talk to him.

Let me try to get him to surrender.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[groaning]

[doorknob rattling]

[groaning]

[groaning]

[engine revving]

[dramatic music]

[g*n fire]

Drop your g*n, Shroeder. FBI.

Frank, it's me! Frankie!

[groaning]

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[footsteps approaching]

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

You're sure this is the address Shroeder gave you?

This is it.

[music continues]

[doorbell ringing]

- 'Who's there?' - Ms. Carmichael?

Well, uh, what do you want? Who are you?

Uh, we're with the FBI.

My name is Erskine. This is Special Agent Rhodes.

Ms. Carmichael, you have some jewelry.

Now, what business is that of yours even if it were true?

- Ms. Carmichael.. - 'Coming around here.'

Bothering honest people.

Oh, I know how you FBI men work.

Well, why don't you go out

and, and bother some criminals for once, huh?

Ms. Carmichael--

Now, you get off my property. Go on!

[door slams]

Well...let's go bother some criminals.

[chuckling]

[male narrator] Was the rumor true that Mary Carmichael

had a fortune in diamonds

hidden behind the boarded-up windows

of her house?

True or not, it almost cost her her life.

It brought Frank Shroeder to his death.

Teresa Morales who was found with him

had no criminal record and was allowed to go free.

She was befriended by Shroeder's father

and is now attending a school for the handicapped

in San Antonio, Texas.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]