03x23 - The Ninth Man

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Move in.

FBI, McKay. Hold it!

[g*nsh*t]

[intense music]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

Well, Oren, it's been a long time.

You've had quite a run.

How'd you know I was gonna be here?

For one thing, you talked about it

at half the bars in Baltimore.

Yeah.

I remember back in '60..

even before we pulled the armored car job

Hale used to say to me..

"Oren, if you could just sew up that mouth of yours

you'd be a big man in this business."

Where is Hale, by the way?

[chuckles] Inspector, you mean, you haven't caught Emory Hale yet?

After all these years?

Statute of limitations are gonna be

running out in the next month, huh?

We got an indictment against all eight of you.

So the statute no longer applies.

We got all the time in the world to pick up Hale.

But you know, I'm the impatient kind.

I wanna close this case

and I want that two million you stole.

Yeah, I'd like to steal that money myself, inspector.

Use your head, Oren.

Hale's the only one who knows where that money is hidden.

Money will still be there

when the time comes for the split.

We made a pact.

He won't cross us.

What's to stop him?

Uh, what?

Who?

You not as near to close

in this case as you thought, inspector.

Now that turns out there's a ninth man.

[McKay laughing]

[dramatic music]

[Marvin Miller] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Murray Hamilton..

Wayne Rogers..

Burr DeBenning..

Anne Helm..

and Milton Selzer as "Jordan Alexander."

Tonight's episode, "The Ninth Man."

[intense music]

[siren wailing]

[Marvin Miller] In 1963, eight desperate men perpetrated one of the most

spectacular robberies in the United States.

The two-million dollar Texas armored car robbery.

But with the arrest of a seventh man Oren McKay

in January 1968, the case seemed to reach a dead end.

Thousands of hours of investigative work

had still not uncovered the whereabouts of

the g*ng's leader Emery Hale.

And now, the possible existence of a shadowy ninth man

had been revealed for the first time.

Hey, Lewis. Where do we stand? How many were there?

- Three. - Was Hale there?

No, just Oren McKay

and a couple of local hoods he got for the one job.

We interviewed McKay's accomplices'.

They've been charged with attempted burglary

by the local police.

Neither seem to know much about the Texas robbery

and apparently, McKay was pretty closed-mouth for once.

No lead at all as to where Hale might be.

They were under the impression that Hale had left the country.

You're still keeping his wife under surveillance, aren't you?

Yes, she's in Tucson.

She's changed her name, moved half a dozen times.

As far as we know, she hasn't seen Hale since '63.

Oh, by the way, Lou, your mysterious

ninth man popped up again.

Hm? What ninth man?

Something McKay mentioned. What was the connection?

Well, one of the hoods said he told McKay

he'd feel a lot better about this job

if they had an inside man.

The case that he had, it certainly helped

on the Texas heist.

Said he was surprised

'cause he'd heard that all eight g*ng members

were outside men.

McKay didn't go into any detail

but, uh, they told him there was a ninth man.

That's all McKay told him?

Yes, sir. That's all.

Well, he's run over the mouth about everything else

that's ever happened to him.

Why couldn't he do it here?

Well, we thought he was going to.

As a matter of fact, he started talking to the press.

- The press? - Yes.

That's why I tried to shut him up--

- Did he mention this ninth man? - Yes, sir.

This could be the break in the case, Art.

What if the networks from wire services report tonight

that McKay has told the FBI there was a ninth man?

An inside man involved in the Texas robbery.

No telling what might come out

of the armored car company woodwork.

If he's still there.

But suppose he's left?

Suppose he isn't the type to panic.

Well, we still won't have lost anything.

But suppose he does panic.

[instrumental music]

How's the popcorn?

Bag or box?

Give me a bag.

Fifteen cents.

Thanks, Anita.

I think you got me mixed up for someone else.

You aren't Anita Hale?

No. I'm Dorothy Phillips.

You don't remember me, do you?

Mm-mm.

Well, me and my brother George

met you and Emery over in Dallas

back in '61.

Fred Peters.

Well, but I sure do remember you.

Oh Emery, he really saved my life once.

He gave me an alibi when..

I mean, I had to have one.

I never forgot that.

So, when I heard what was going on

I said to myself..

"Alright, Fred..

"He helped you..

...now you help him."

Emery doesn't need any help.

Mrs. Hale, haven't you read the papers?

Yeah, I read 'em. What about 'em?

Well, this ninth man, he..

He figures Emery blew the whistle

on both McKay and him.

He's out to cut Emery down.

Is that right?

That's right.

Now, I just come from El Paso.

And the word's out that he already knows where Emery is.

I got to get to your husband, Mrs. Hale.

So where can I find him?

You can't.

Nobody has found him in five years

and nobody's gonna find him now.

So why don't you just buck up, buddy, huh?

- You don't believe me? - That's right.

I don't believe you.

How can I..

How can I convince you that what I'm saying is the truth?

Listen, if you know so much about this ninth man

what's his name?

Well, come on, what's his name? Where did he meet Emery?

[Fred] 'His name is Jordan Alexander.'

He says he met Emery in a bar.

He got to know him, and gave him the whole plan.

Now, Mrs. Hale, for the love of Pete

please let me help.

Listen, you either go in, and you see that movie

or you get out of here, 'cause I'm closing up shop.

- Mrs. Hale.. - I said no.

[cash register chings]

[intense music]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

No, this is the friend of his. Who's calling?

You want to talk to my brother?

Yes, George.

Yes, Freddie, how did it go?

Pretty good, Mr. Alexander.

Found the girl.

She was working in a neighborhood movie house.

Over in Tucson.

Did she swallow your story?

Well, I think so, she wouldn't tell me anything

but she left right out after work.

She picked up a suitcase at her room

and drove east over here to New Mexico.

Where are you now?

It's a little dump of a town it's called Los Venus.

Yeah, that would be right, she and Emery lived there once.

You're almost on the Mexican border, aren't you?

[Fred] 'Yeah, about half a mile.'

She didn't cross over?

No. She checked into a hotel.

- She looks real bad. - 'How do you mean?'

Uh, sick, tired, you know.

Oh.

Uh, keep an eye on her.

If she leaves, try to follow.

Oh, Freddie, did she seem to know

where the money was herself?

Uh, she didn't give any indication.

Well, she probably doesn't.

If I know Emery, he wouldn't tell anybody

even his own wife.

We'll have to squeeze it out of him.

Yes, sir.

Alright, George and I will be in Las Rinas

tomorrow morning about 6 o'clock.

- We'll see you then. - 'Fine.'

Goodnight, Freddie. You did real good.

[intense music]

So where is the Las Rinas?

Not far, we can make it by 6:00 easy if we start now.

Start now?

Now. Yeah.

Well, I, uh, I mean, it's your money.

You call in the shots.

You hired us to find them, but they wouldn't be up all night.

What's the hurry?

The hurry is that I'm 56 years old, George.

And I would want to enjoy part of that two million

before the FBI catches up to me.

I couldn't take 15, 20 years in prison, could I?

So why didn't you try a couple of years ago?

What'd you wait for?

Well, nobody was on to me a couple of years ago.

And Hale's idea sounded sparred.

Let the thing die down.

Let the the statute of limitations run out.

Then we could pick up the money just like a tax-free gift.

Oh, I don't know.

Sometimes I think I must have been born under a wrong star.

Everything I want is always

about an inch beyond my fingertips.

Never got to college.

Never got the promotions I deserved.

Never met the right woman to marry.

The only happy time in my life was when I was in Japan.

Forty-six, the occupation.

Maybe you go back someday.

Oh, I will. I will.

I'm gonna take my money and fly to Kyoto

and buy me a young little wife who'll wear kimonas

and bow to me when I come home.

You're gonna buy her?

You know any other way I could get one?

Come on, George, time's running out.

[instrumental music]

Tell him I'll get back to him sometime this afternoon

at the latest.

[knock at door]

Come in.

Right.

Excuse me.

Lou, just got a call from the senior resident agent at Tucson.

Their surveillance reports that Mrs. Hale left her apartment

late last night and drove to a little town in New Mexico

called Las Rinas. She's at the hotel there now.

Is she alone?

- As far as they know. - Las Rinas?

Yes, sir, it's a little town on the Mexican border.

- Any word from El Paso? - 'Not yet.'

'Course the armored car company is happy to co-operate.

'They've helped us place agents in the shipping office.'

'Counting personnel.'

Call Larry Douglas in Albuquerque.

Tell him we'll be arriving about noon, this time.

And ask him to keep a very discreet surveillance

- on the girl from now on. - Yes, sir.

I'll have the liaison section alert the Mexican authorities

in border patrol, just in case she decides to join him.

You think he's in Mexico?

Don't you?

Looks like.

[instrumental music]

[Anita] 'Who is it?'

Anselmo, senora.

[speaking foreign language]

Senora.

Hey, now don't you cry.

How nice, how wonderful to see you again.

I came as soon as I got your message.

Come on, sit down.

You look just same as ever.

[laughs]

You need new glasses.

Oh, maybe you lost a little weight.

You know, the boss always liked you a little heavier.

How is he?

He's fine.

Do you see him a lot?

I go over there a couple of times a month.

Does he ask about me a lot?

Chica.

- You know I miss him. - It won't be long.

Only three and a half weeks to go.

Then I'll put you in my fine truck and drive you to him

just like a bride. Okay?

What's the matter?

I have to see him now. I have to tell him something.

Is it about the newspaper stories?

He's read them. He's not worried.

Will Alexander know where he is?

Oh, I doubt it, but I'll tell him.

I don't think there's anything to worry about.

Did you come all the way down here just for that?

No, not just for that.

I can't wait three weeks.

I don't have three weeks.

What do you mean, senora?

It's, it's alright. I've known it for a long time.

[speaking foreign language]

- Alright, come on. - No, no.

I couldn't spot anyone following me, but you can't be sure.

Now you go. You go tell him, and you two can make some sort

of arrangement.

Be careful, Anselmo.

Don't worry. I would not cross the border at the gate.

I have my own place. I will see that no one is following.

Even if I have to watch all day long. Adios.

Senora..

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

Now your main problems, as far as any undercover activity

is concerned, is going to be the size of the town itself.

- What is the population, Larry? - Less than a hundred.

Excuse me.

'Yes, sir?'

When did this teletype come in?

'About five minutes ago, Mr. Douglas.'

Thank you.

Progress in El Paso.

Four men absent today from county departments

under examination.

Three accounted for satisfactorily

fourth unaccounted for.

Name, Jordan James Alexander.

Position in 1961, assistant dispatch supervisor.

Main office.

No arrest record.

You have a description there, Larry?

Uh-huh.

How're you covering the hotel?

Oh, I have two Mexican-American agents

camped in a vacant lot next door.

It's a known assembly point for farmers this side of north.

She stayed in the hotel since she arrived in town.

Yes, she has.

Has she had any visitors?

One. Anselmo Morales.

He's a local handyman, town character.

He was employed by the girl's family

for years as a ranch foreman.

Mrs. Hale was born and raised in Las Rinas County.

Her parents are dead now, the ranch was sold in '59.

Is there any central meeting place in the village, Larry?

Or any one person who will be up on all the gossip?

Well, if he's still around

your man would probably be Patrick Owens.

He has a general store and post office.

Now you see, he's a town clerk.

Justice of the peace, uh, acting constable, you name it.

Justice of the peace, huh? Hmm.

They do any hunting down there?

Yeah. It's not bad.

Cougar primarily.

See if you can get us some clothes, will you, Larry?

Couple of r*fles?

Right. Hunting lessons?

No, uh, we'll pick those up ourselves.

[dramatic music]

Anselmo!

[speaks in foreign language]

What's the trouble?

"Trouble?" What makes you think that?

This isn't your regular day to drive up here.

- Senora.. - Come on, old man, spit it out!

I've seen your wife.

Where?

Las Rinas.

Las Rinas.

Is she crazy? I told her to stay away from the border.

I didn't even want her as close as Tucson.

Senor, senor.

- She's worried. - About those new stories?

Well, about those

but there's something else.

You know..

I thought to myself, she does not look so good.

She's a little thin.

Old man, what's the point?

How do you say it?

Say what?

God, she's dying.

Came back after all these years, the old trouble.

Is she sure?

Come on.

Senor Hale! Please wait! Please!

She told me to tell you

because she didn't want you to do anything foolish.

Get in if you're coming.

[cash counter chings]

[speaking foreign language]

Can I help you gentlemen?

Yes, please. We, uh, we need a couple of hunting licenses.

Animals or people?

- Little humor there. - Oh.

Could I see your driver's license, please?

Yeah.

Ah-ah.

Right over here, please.

Oh, are there any game laws

we ought to be particularly aware of..

...Mr. Owens, is it?

Yes, Owens.

No, there's, uh..

Not in particular, I-I wrote most of 'em myself.

Just common sense.

Booklet you might look at.

Why, thank you.

Incidentally, we'll be needing a guide.

I don't suppose you're in that business too.

No. There's couple of boys around town.

I'm sure they'll be glad to help you out.

Say, Lou..

What was the name of that old man they mentioned to us

down in Las Cruces?

Oh, yeah. Morales. Uh..

Anselmo Morales. I understand he knows this country pretty well.

Right, that's a good choice.

Would you, uh..

...sign those right there, please.

And it's nine dollars each.

Uh, I suppose you're gonna be staying at the hotel?

Ah, yeah.

Oh, good. I'll have Anselmo drop by when he gets back.

Oh, back from where?

Mexico.

I've got a gas pump out in the alley.

He always fills his tank before he crosses the border.

'He was in this morning.'

How long does he usually stay?

In Mexico?

Oh, not more than couple of hours.

Maybe you better check with the border guards.

See if he has come back yet.

Where is the, uh, border crossing?

Oh, down the end of the block

and then straight south, half a mile.

I'll see you at the hotel.

Is there, uh, anything else that I can get for you?

Equipment, canteen?

No, I don't. Oh, yeah, there is one other thing.

A friend of mine said he might be coming down this way.

Wonder if you've seen him.

His name's Alexander. He's, uh..

Oh, about 5'10, balding.

Maybe weighs a 150, 160 pounds. Blue eyes?

No, he hadn't been in here, but..

If he's in town, I'll hear about it, sooner or later.

I could ask around.

- Do that, will you? - Thank you.

[instrumental music]

[vehicle approaching]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[vehicle approaching]

How did he get here?

I don't know, senore.

Hello, Emery.

It's good to see you again.

How are you?

Surprised.

What for? Don't you listen to the radio?

Oren McKay, the mouth who walks like a man

just couldn't keep quiet for another minute.

The FBI knows you had inside help now.

Listen, how did you find us?

- I followed you. - From where?

Anita's hotel.

But I looked back a thousand times.

Thought I looked.

So what do you want?

What do I want?

I want my money.

Bargain was we'd wait for five years.

You still got three and a half weeks to go.

Well, don't you think McKay cut down that time a little?

Three and a half weeks.

Now look, Emery..

Everybody's behind bars now, except you and me.

So their shares will draw interest in a nice Swiss bank

till they get out, right?

We're not making any sense.

Why can't we take a million a piece and go our separate ways?

Where's your car?

Well, back up there.

Okay, friend, you get in your car and you clear out of here.

And next month I'll send you your share, one ninth.

Now look, Emory.

[g*nsh*t]

Hold it!

Emory, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine.

George and Freddie Peters.

Emory Hale.

Hiya.

Now, where's the money?

[instrumental music]

Say, uh, any of you men speak English?

Si, senor. A little bit.

Ah, could I talk to you for a minute?

[speaking foreign language]

Inspector, welcome to Las Rinas.

My name is Lane Alamota.

Anything happening at the hotel?

Ah, well, I'm not sure.

The woman's still there.

Nobody's dropped by since the old man left.

But about ten minutes ago..

The woman came out, got inside her car, sat there for a while

and then went back inside.

Did she take anything back with her?

Well, no, sir, in fact..

...first I thought she was drunk.

She almost fell on the way back.

Matter of fact, she wasn't even dressed.

Looked to me like she was wearing a robe over pajamas.

I was wondering if she might be ill or something.

Yeah, she had a history of tuberculosis.

Where's the nearest hospital?

Well, that'd be Jackson about ten miles north.

- What's her room number? - Four.

Okay, thank you.

[instrumental music]

Mrs. Hale?

Tom!

- What happened? - There's a hospital in Jackson.

Little town, north of here.

Better get her over there right away.

Right.

Did you talk to the border guards?

Yeah, they all know him somewhere.

They're sure he didn't cross the border there this morning.

Oh, where will I get in touch with you?

- Check with Owens. - Alright.

[intense music]

Emory..

What makes you think you've got more courage

than George has got strength?

Look at him, J.J.

The poor boy's beat.

You keep him flingin' around in this altitude, and..

...he'll have a heart attack.

Hey, you know, he's right.

I haven't worked this hard since me and you..

...pickin' harps up in Oregan that summer.

Remember that, Freddie?

Oh, terrible.

You have to bend over, you know?

It can get you, in the small of the back.

Yeah..

Now look, now look.

We're all a little excited here.

But I'll tell you what I'll do, Emory.

If you show us now, without wasting any more time..

I'll go back to the original deal I mentioned to you.

I'll give you a half.

A million a piece and no hard feelings.

Otherwise, Emory..

You'll die right here, I mean it.

'Well, what do you say?'

[gasping] You do know how to tempt a man, J.J.

But I think I'll play the cards I got.

Alright, Freddie. Pick him up.

George, if you get too tired

you whistle.

- I can spare you a little. - Y-yeah.

- Alright, I will. - No, no, no, no..

- Wait a minute. - Why?

Well, there's just gotta be an easier way, fellas.

Oh, I don't see what it is, Mr. Joe Alexander.

He's the only one that knows where the money is.

What about his wife?

Well, sure..

What about the wife?

Now, isn't that funny, the way the mind cuts out

when you're too close to a problem.

Can't see the forest with the trees.

Isn't that the truth?

Emory..

Freddie followed your wife from Tuscan to Las Rinas.

She's in a hotel there now.

Do you want me to have George go and ask here where the money is?

She doesn't know where it is.

That'll be a waste of time to George to

work her over, wouldn't it?

So why don't you spare all that pointless greed, uh?

Ah?

Okay, go and talk to her, George.

It's under a border marker.

No. 14.

Where's that Emory? Which way?

Fifteen miles, east.

Show us.

FBI?

Well, I..

Morales is probably

gone to tell Hale that his wife is here in Las Rinas.

Well, isn't Hale dead?

I mean, I knew Hale and his wife lived here, years ago, but..

Well, Anselmo didn't say anything.

Anita never came back.

Well, she's back now.

And if Morales is over the border

we know he didn't cross legally.

So you want to find out where he did cross?

Any ideas?

An awful big haystack, Mr. Erskine.

But if want to take the advice of an old needle searcher..

Go ahead.

Well, this is a crazy notion.

But it's just kind of thing Anselmo might remember.

Back, it was in the '50s.

I took a posse out after a woman

who chopped her husband up with a machete.

We finally found her up north.

But Anselmo, he was bound and determined

she headed south.

He said if he ever cut anybody's heart out

he'd zap across the border

as there was a perfect spot in the southeast end of the county.

You want to give it a try?

Can I borrow a car?

You can borrow me too, if you want to.

I can close the place up.

Come on!

[instrumental music]

Come on!

Okay, Mr. Hale..

[honks]

[music continues]

Is that it?

A yard to the left.

Yeah, how about down?

Six feet.

[intense music]

Is he dead?

Well, there's your needle, Mr. Erskine.

For all the good it does us.

[instrumental music]

Hey, yo!

I thought you said six feet!

We must be close to that by now.

Yeah!

Well, where is it then?

Beats me.

Maybe it sank a little in the sand.

It's been five years, don't forget that.

- Emory.. - Yeah.

This is the right place, isn't it?

I mean.. You're not trying to waste everybody's time?

Now, why in the world would I want to do

a thing like that, J.J.?

With all I've got to gain.

Hey, you know something?

What are we wearin' ourselves out for?

Why don't he dig a little?

Yeah, how about that?

Hey!

You wanna help?

Nope.

You want me to work you over again?

Oh, come on, George, stop fooling around.

Your brother's tired. Go on and help him.

What's the matter with him?

Dig!

[instrumental music]

Think it's a waste of time.

Look at him. He's stallin'.

Nothin' down here.

Oh, yes, there is, George.

I don't know what you based it on.

He loves the girl.

He knows I'll keep my promise about her if he's lied to me.

Don't you, Emory?

Come on, boys.

Dig.

[instrumental music]

How much does she know?

Ah, she came to in the car.

I told her who I was and what we're down here for.

Any sign of cooperation?

Mrs. Hale, my name's Erskine.

How do you feel?

I have some good news for you.

I talked to the doctor.

He gave me permission to tell you

that all your tests were negative.

It's true. He'll tell you himself in a few minutes.

I'm afraid he'll also give you a lecture about people

who don't call the doctor when they feel sick.

'Your collapse was probably due to tension'

plus a virus you managed to pick up along the way.

Unfortunately, I, uh..

I have some bad news too.

Not about your husband.

Your friend Morales is dead.

- How? - He was shot near the border.

Mrs. Hale, I, uh, I don't wanna cause you any more pain.

But we've got to have your help now.

There were several other footprints near the body.

And some tire tracks a little distance away.

Morales was on his way to see your husband, wasn't he?

I don't know.

Jordan Alexander's missing from his job.

We think he's in this vicinity.

[scoffs]

You know his name.

Is he the ninth man?

- Yes. - And is he in New Mexico?

I don't know, probably.

I heard that he was coming here to k*ll Emory.

Well, isn't there something else he was coming for as well?

Something else?

If not why didn't he k*ll him at the same time he k*lled Morales?

Isn't it because your husband's the only one

who knows where the money is?

Yes.

Do you know where it is?

No, I..

Mrs. Hale..

...if he's in Alexander's hands now

the only way in the world we can save him

is by getting to Alexander before he gets to the money.

Now, where is it?

Please, I..

Is it in Mexico at his hide out?

I don't know. He didn't tell me anything except tha..

Except what?

Well, he said that..

Before the robbery, he said that..

...he was going to go to Mexico and he thought

a good place to hide the money

was on the border.

- Where on the border? - I don't know.

Thank you, Mrs. Hale.

Let's get a helicopter.

[instrumental music]

We fooled around here long enough. Come on out, George.

There.

That's it.

Lift it out to me, George.

Lift it out!

'Attaboy!'

[helicopter whirring]

[g*nsh*t]

[George] 'Is it all there, Mr. Alexander?'

Yeah. Yeah, it's all here.

[g*nsh*t]

Surprise you, Hale?

About as much as death and taxes, George.

You, uh, kinda had it figured this way, right?

I didn't see any other way out for him.

Mr. Hale...you mind stepping over there?

Please.

Mr. Hale.

You know there's still gonna be seven of us alive.

Seven?

Yeah. Those others must have picked up

about five hundred years between 'em.

They all have brothers or sons.

They all know I was loyal to them.

They'll send someone out to find you.

Sure.

Look, Hale, it's a big world.

We can stay hidden. Live quiet.

Live simple.

Live simple?

Yeah, sure.

What's the point of having the two million?

[chopper whirring]

Hey, George.

[dramatic music]

[g*nshots]

FBI! Hold it!

Helicopter One to all search units.

Subjects have been located

at Grimm Point. M as in Mary. Move in.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

Get him in the helicopter.

Anita?

Hi.

How do you feel?

Like some maniac shot me in the back.

They've taken the b*llet out.

You'll be up and walking in a day or two.

They don't mess around here, boy.

I had the same bed yesterday, and they..

'They kicked me out to make room for you.'

Can you imagine?

Everything was negative, Em. I'm okay.

Really?

Really.

[Marvin Miller] Emory Dennis Hale and Oren McKay

were sentenced to 20 years in a federal penitentiary

for their part in the Texas armored car robbery.

Of the nearly two million dollars stolen

from the El Paso office

there is no evidence that any g*ng member

ever managed to spend one penny.

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