03x25 - The Predators

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

- Mr. Conners? - Ed.

I'm sorry I'm late. I was in a meeting when you called.

- I got here soon as I could. - No problem, sir.

- What's happening? - The equipment arrived today.

Tables for craps and roulette, bunch of slot machines.

They set everything up already in the main salon, B deck.

Where's it from, Ed?

The crates were marked Nevada.

Good work.

Alright, now it's interstate transportation

of gambling devices.

I'll call the FBI.

Go and board from the other pier.

I'll wait till you make the call and pull away.

Fine.

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

Well, would you tell the SRA that I called?

My name is George Conners.

I'm an investigator for the state attorney general's..

[g*nsh*t]

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

I got him. I'm sure of it.

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Linden Chiles..

...Diana Van der Vlis

and special guest star

Mark Richman

and Nico Minardos as Elias.

Tonight's episode, The Predators.

[siren wailing]

George Conners, gravely wounded and close to death

was removed from a Port Marlton pier

on the morning of October 6.

In the next few hours, doctors would fight to save his life.

Although mafia influence under family boss John Parker

had long been felt in this Gulf Coast city

the attempted m*rder of two state investigators

seemed to mark a new and brazen contempt for the law.

What neither the police nor the FBI could yet know, however

was that the attack was also intended to conceal

an attempt by La Cosa Nostra

to capture political control of an entire American state

to rule from the governor's mansion.

Governor Tyler's been fighting the mafia for years.

Uh, state attorney general's office knows

Conners was trying to reach me when he was shot

so they turned over all his reports.

What is Conners' condition now?

He's still in a coma.

Doctors aren't making predictions

one way or the other.

Is Clay able to give us any kind of description?

Not much.

We've managed to keep the fact that he survived

pretty much of a secret.

Well, we hope so.

Papers and local police are cooperating 100%.

Ward, you wanted to see me?

Yes, this is Special Agent Colby

here for our resident agent, Port Marlton.

- How are you? - How do you do?

Did Conners talk to you about this before, Perry?

Yes, he mentioned the SS Carolina.

Apparently, the syndicate's thinking of turning it

into a gambling ship.

Was Clay the only state agent on board?

Yes, sir, except the ship's radio operator

who's a naturalized American..

He has cooperated with my office in the past.

Come on.

Uh, would you get me the latest informant report

on a mafia high commissioner named Aaron Reese?

This boat is what? A, uh, cruise ship?

It's a hybrid.

Uh, she began as an ocean-going ferry on the old Cuba run.

Now Parker's converted some of the cabins

into first class suites.

She heads out of Port Marlton once a week

hits the major Gulf cities.

- American registry? - Panamanian.

The consensus is Parker owns it himself.

And he already keeps a permanent suite aboard.

Well..

...he put everything else into Port Marlton.

Narcotics, vice, the numbers.

I suppose he considers this gambling ship

his crowning achievement.

Maybe we can take it all away from him, Arthur

including the crown.

How do you plan to do that?

Suppose we fing him we could arrest him

on interstate transportation of gambling devices.

But once we get him in front of a federal grand jury..

...we could tie in any members of the crew involved

beginning with the captain.

Perry, what do you know about Governor Tyler's opponent?

Lane Benton?

He's young, tough, hardworking

fought his way from the same pier as Parker did.

As a matter of fact, the polls have him running

well ahead of Tyler.

- Any mob connections? - No, none.

Alright.

I'd like to go on a cruise, Mundy.

Oh, you would?

Parker's never seen me face-to-face.

None of the people around him know me.

Well, Aaron Reese knows you.

[phone buzzes]

Yes?

Oh, he did?

Alright, I'll tell him. Thank you.

Well, Lewis, reliable informant reports

that Aaron Reese is currently in Mexico City.

Well, then there doesn't seem to be any problem, does there?

No problem at all.

[indistinct chatter]

Welcome aboard the Carolina, miss.

I'm Chief Steward Greene. May I help you?

Yes, is, uh, Mr. Parker aboard?

- Parker? - My name is Yvonne Bruno.

Oh, yes, Miss Bruno.

I'll tell Mr. Parker you're here.

Cabin 3A.

Will Mr. Parker be alone?

I wouldn't think so, miss. He's having a drink with the captain.

Stay away from him.

Turn around.

[knock on door]

[Greene] 'Mr. Parker.'

[knock on door]

'Mr. Parker.'

Open the door. Then beat it.

I'm, I'm sorry, sir.

You're gonna be even sorrier--

Don't take it out on him.

He was just doing what I told him to do.

And who told you what to do, Kleinman?

Greene overheard Clay talking to Conners.

I knew Conners was at least on the state payroll.

I couldn't get in touch with you.

You were somewhere between here and Chicago.

I wanna know who decided to waste them

here and now and why.

I did.

Clay had already seen him, talked to him

by the time we got there.

We didn't know how much Clay had told him by then, Mr. Parker.

We thought we better shut them both up while we had the chance.

You did, huh?

But you didn't quite manage that, did you, huh?

Suppose Conners lives.

As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Parker

he was a dead man when I left him.

'I don't think he'll manage to pull through.'

He was already on the phone.

Yes, he was on the phone, but he, he couldn't have said much.

Nobody's been around.

Nobody's tied up the ship, have they?

And you see that as what? A big break?

How do you see it?

Well, I'll tell you, captain.

If I was a hunch player, I'd call off this cruise right now.

I'd store those games for six months

and I'd take a little vacation down in Miami.

Oh, we still could do that.

No, we can't.

Too many wheels are turning.

Too many big guests coming to the party.

Well, if we had engine trouble--

Kleinman, I said no.

Now you just keep your mouth shut and listen!

Uh, Mr. Parker, uh, speaking of guests

Miss Bruno is here. Cabin 3A.

- Lane Benton show up yet? - No, sir.

Alright.

I'll be with Miss Bruno.

You call me the minute Benton comes aboard.

Yes, sir.

Oh, and, Del

you better put some security in that gambling salon.

Security?

You don't expect to keep a thing like this quiet, do you?

Nobody in Port Marlton's gonna bother us.

[sighs] Those were state investigators you shot, captain.

Now that just might stir things up a bit, mightn't it, huh?

Yes, sir.

So we'll take this one cruise

and then we'll shut down till the election's over

and till we've got the state too.

In the meantime, I don't want anybody

not known to you or me personally

in that gambling salon.

Assign cards, buttons, something.

Yes, sir.

Anybody unauthorized

sneaks past you

you're gonna both take a nice swim with the sharks.

- Mr. Elias? - Yes.

My name's Erskine.

Erskine?

I thought it was supposed to be Trent.

It will be aboard the Carolina.

- I see. - I'll be in Cabin 5.

As a stock broker, I'll be receiving

and sending certain financial messages.

Yes, Farrar told me.

I hope he also told you

how much the bureau appreciates your help.

I'd just like to be able to look myself in the mirror

when I shave, inspector.

You see, the Greeks have a word for that.

It's called filotimo.

Means pride.

Do you understand what it is you're up against?

Yes, I do.

You see, the mafia sold my kid brother his first heroin

a week after he came here from Greece.

A year later, I had to lock him up

in a hotel room in Galveston for seven days

when he was trying to kick off the habit.

He never made it.

It k*lled him and he was only 16.

Mr. Elias..

...we can't do anything about your brother

but if you and I can tie Parker and the gambling

and the sh**ting of a state investigator together

at least we can make sure that that kind of thing

doesn't happen to somebody else.

Alright.

What do we do?

You've seen any gambling equipment aboard the Carolina?

No, not personally.

But I've heard the rumors.

Well, all of a sudden, they started refitting

the salon on the B deck.

'I don't know what for.'

Is that open to all passengers?

I would think so. I don't see why not.

In any event, we can try it

and if we're wrong, what can happen?

They'll throw us out, right?

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[knocks]

Yes?

You ought to lock your door.

What if I had been someone dangerous?

Like what, darling? A gangster?

[chuckles]

- How was your flight? - 'Pleasant.'

I, uh, spoke to the manager of your Miami branch.

She said you were thinking of taking a little, uh

trip to the Paris showings.

So I miss two or three collections.

There'll be others.

Well, I'm flattered anyway.

You know, luring the boss lady out of her penthouse office.

[chuckles] Angel, there wouldn't have been any office without you.

No, uh, penthouse, no boss, no lady, hmm?

- You really believe that, huh? - Does it matter?

Isn't that what you want me to say?

That I'm your creation, darling?

Not unless you think it's true.

Oh, it's true, it's true.

Is, uh, Lane here yet?

No.

John..

...I don't suppose it would do any good

to ask you to reconsider.

Now don't tell me you fell in love with him?

No, I won't, angel.

[male #1] 'All ashore..'

Well, listen, I'll talk to him first.

You, uh, may not even have to appear, hmm?

[male #1] 'All ashore, it's going ashore.'

Oh, colonel.

Salon opens at 3:00, colonel. Good luck.

- Name, sir? - Trent.

Mr. Trent.

Oh, yes, Mr. Trent, Cabin 5A. Welcome aboard.

[plane whirring]

[indistinct chatter]

Thank you, girls. That's enough.

Excuse us, Mr. Benton's very busy now.

Thank you very much, thank you, thank you very much.

Does Mr. Benton have time

to talk to the "Port Marlton Examiner?"

I always have time to talk to a newspaperman.

How are you, Somner?

I was surprised the rumor

you were coming turned out to be a fact.

Don't tell me you're taking the cruise, too, Mr. Benton?

Oh, no, I don't think so, I expect this meeting

will be a very brief one.

Now that's something you'll have to talk

to Mr. Devries about.

Bobby, have we got a story here?

All I know is that my friend Mr. Johnny Parker

told me he wanted to see my old night school buddy Lane Benton.

Thought I'd bring him around.

And you don't mind that, Mr. Benton?

Let's say that I'm not afraid of it.

I grew up with Johnny Parker

and I'm no stranger to these docks.

He may own them now, but I can remember a time when he didn't.

Sounds like you might welcome the chance

to tell him you think his days are numbered.

Yes, doesn't it?

Now, Somner, if you'll excuse us.

My best to Mrs. Benton and the children.

Thank you, thank you.

- Mr. Trent? - Yes?

My name is Elias. I'm the radio officer.

I have a wireless message for you from New York, sir.

'I hope I'm correct in all the abbreviations.'

Oh, it's, uh, stock market jargon.

This really is.

Only a broker can understand it.

[Elias] 'I see.'

[Lewis] 'Well, that's fine, miss.'

- 'Must be interesting work.' - Yes, sometimes.

Thank you.

There is a problem with B deck salon.

What kind of a problem?

Well, they have guards at the door.

No one can get in without a special, little metal tag.

I hear they plan to be very rough on gate crashers.

Hmm. Can you get me one of those tags?

I can try.

Anything else?

They..

'Conners was hit by an 11 millimeter b*llet.'

Average up, average up.

From a bigger than average Mauser.

'Model 7184.'

Bolt action r*fle.

Is there a g*n locker on the Carolina?

Yes, in the officer's quarters.

I'd like to take a look at it if you can arrange it.

Alright. I'll come back for you after we clear the harbor.

[foghorn blares]

This thing's clearing the docks, Bobby.

- I'm getting out of here. - Don't go, buddy.

I don't know any more than you do, but I promised the man.

I didn't.

Look, we can get a speed boat to take you out

whenever you say, five minutes notice.

He's wanted this meeting for a long time.

If you clear out now, he'll think you're afraid.

- Of him? - Give him a couple of minutes.

What are a couple of minutes gonna cost you?

Alright.

Mr. Trent.

Nice day for a cruise, Mr. Elias.

Yes, it's perfect day.

I'll never understand why the second mate

prefers sitting in the officer's quarters

reading a book in his off duty.

Have you seen the rest of the ship?

No, I haven't.

Oh, you have to look around. B deck is most interesting.

I'll do that.

[indistinct chatter]

Nice to see you again, Mr. Reese.

Tell Mr. Parker Aaron Reese has come aboard.

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

Say, uh, have you got a light?

Sorry.

Thank you.

This way, Mr. Reese.

- Aaron. - Thank you.

So how was Mexico?

Oh, beaches crowded with good-looking women.

Plenty of sun.

After a couple of weeks, I missed the snow.

Health and money, John.

I'll drink to that.

Alright.

Well, it's a big mystery.

Why am I here? What do you want?

Aaron, when you sponsored me

you said a good man ought to try to rise in the brotherhood.

Improve himself. Correct?

So long as he doesn't go too far too fast.

No, no, no, no, I don't wanna upset any apple carts.

[chuckles]

All I want is a seat that's already vacant.

And a high commission.

I want a voice in the council.

You and 30 or 40 others.

Thirty or forty others can't bring you what I can.

Port Marlton? Unh-unh.

How about the whole state?

That Tyler's been in office a long time.

He's an old man.

'The voters want a new and youthful face.'

Now Lane Benton is gonna win in November.

I can deliver him.

I don't say you exaggerate, John.

I just say sometimes you bite off

a little more than you can chew.

[laughs]

I knew you'd say that, Aaron.

That's why I wanted you here for the show.

You like the corridas, Aaron?

- Bullfights. - Yeah.

Well, sit back and relax. Enjoy yourself.

This is gonna be a pip.

Yes, would you ask Mr. Devries

to bring Mr. Lane Benton up here?

Yeah, now.

It's alright.

You know, they probably tried to k*ll Clay for less than this.

Now you're telling that the mafia high commissioner

is aboard ship who may recognize you.

All of a sudden, I feel like a mouse

that walked into a very chilly trap.

Do Greeks have a word for that?

Yes, pepromeno. Means fate.

Here we are.

Is that it?

It's been fired recently, anyway.

Well, what do I do now? Should I radio for help?

You know, one thing bothers me.

Lane Benton came aboard while we were still in port.

What do you mean we were in port?

He's still aboard ship.

- Are you sure? - Absolutely.

He was very upset when he realized that we left the port.

But the captain promised him

he'll put him ashore on the first stop.

[dramatic music]

[lock turns]

In there.

- Mr. Elias. - Yes, sir.

Port Marlton's been sending a ready to transmit signal

for the last ten minutes. Where have you been?

Sorry, captain, I had a headache

and I thought I'd come down, get something for it.

No less boys on this ship to run errands like that.

Well, yes, I--

Why don't you go back to your duties?

If you don't mind.

Yes, sir.

Come in, please.

- Johnny. - Hi, John.

Well, I don't suppose

we need any formal introductions, but, uh

Mr. Benton, Mr. Reese.

I understand you have a fine political future, Mr. Benton.

It's a pleasure to be associated with you.

What is this? A joke?

Well, if you'll excuse me--

No, no, Bobby. I want you to stay right here.

Mr. Parker may need someone to make strikes

and light cigarettes and things like that.

[laughs] Lane, that bothers me.

It just doesn't sound right somehow.

What was it I used to call you when we were kids on the pier?

Okay, I'll call you Lane.

You know, Aaron is right.

You do have a fine future.

You're gonna win that race.

- Next, we'll try the senate. - We?

We? What's this we business, Parker?

Well, of course, these campaigns

they cost a lot of money.

Well, I wouldn't want you gentlemen

to lose any sleep over that.

The citizens for Benton managed to support me

and you haven't heard of them.

Lane.

Lane, I am them.

Would you like to see the, uh, corporation

send up the canceled checks?

I'll pay it back.

I'll pay back the money, every cent.

Well, that's very nice.

But you already owe everything but the shirt on your back

the Patriot Savings and Trusts.

The Lee family knows I'm good for it.

Are you the Lee family too?

No, but I am Patriot Savings and Trusts.

The part of the deal with Preston Lee

was to let him keep his office down there.

You, what a rat, you.

What are you, what are you doing?

I don't care what it costs. I don't.

How about if it costs you your wife?

And your daughters, huh?

Would you come in, please?

I, uh, I believe you two met last month in Miami.

Is that right, Lane?

I believe you were down there, a little vacation.

'And, uh, the way I understand it'

'you, uh, ran into Bobby here.'

'And Bobby, he happened to know'

'this beautiful, young businesswoman, so..'

You, uh, had a couple of drinks together

went out to dinner

and the next thing you knew..

You helped him.

I'm sorry.

I'll tell you, Lane.

Johnny saved a cabin for you right down the hall.

Number 7.

Why don't you go lie down for a while

and think about those redneck voters

and their old-fashioned ideas..

...and how much we could tell them?

And maybe we can talk again later.

Okay.

Mr. Trent.

Well, I thought Kleinman would have you

handcuffed to that key from now on.

No, he's with Parker.

Aren't you taking a long chance

being away from the radio room again?

There were two radio messages. One of them for you.

It's important?

Not now. It's a warning.

The Mexican authorities have lost track

of Aaron Reese for the moment.

What's the other one?

Police announcement to the captain.

It seems that Conners' briefly regained consciousness.

Gave them some information they'd like to check out.

They'll be boarding the ship in the next port of call.

Said routine questioning.

That probably means Parker will be sending

some of the people ashore.

Oh, yes.

He already radioed for the launch

that brought Reese over.

'It's on its way back.'

What about Benton? Is he in on this?

Yes, he is. Even has a cabin. Number 7.

The waiter saw him leaving Parker's suite.

He and Devries were called down there.

To meet Reese?

I suppose so.

Oh, Reese has been with Parker ever since he came aboard ship.

By the way, they called the girl to go down too.

- What girl? - The one who was on the rail.

The one who just left.

Her name is Yvonne Bruno.

Her cabin is down the corridor from yours.

It's cabin 3A.

And she was in there with them, huh?

Yes, she was.

Alright, I'd like you to contact the fishing boat, Black Dolphin.

Tell them there's a definite case of measles

aboard the Carolina and the doctor needs assistance.

Definite case and assistance.

Where will you be?



[knocks]

Miss Bruno?

Miss Bruno.

[footsteps]

Hey.

- She's alive? - Yeah.

I don't suppose you have a doctor on board.

- No. - 'Lane..'

Lane, try to..

Can you be away from the radio shack a few minutes more?

Sure. What do you want me to do?

See if Benton's in the stateroom.

If he is, get him down here.

Keep an eye on things while he's here.

Tom.

Washington.

Yeah, Mr. Ward, Colby.

Farrar filled me in.

How long will it take you to reach the Carolina?

We'll be on her deck in 20 minutes.

Then you can tell the captain

the warrant was issued at Port Marlton.

The charge is interstate transportation

of gambling devices.

Suppose he mentions the Panamanian registry?

Well, it doesn't matter if he does.

We have proof the ship is American-owned

and its last port of call was American

so we have clear jurisdiction there.

Call me as soon as you've secured the vessel.

Yes, sir. Black Dolphin, clear.

Let's go.

- How is she? - She'll be alright.

This kind of pill carries a built-in emetic.

Anything near a fatal overdose

automatically results in vomiting.

How did you happen to find her?

I was looking for her.

I wanted to ask her some questions.

I see.

About?

About her relationship with Parker, Reese..

...you.

I've no connection with the mafia, Mr. Erskine.

Never, never did have.

Never will have knowingly.

What did Parker wanna talk to you about?

He has some threats that he wanted to make.

It seemed that he arranged my introduction to Miss Bruno

through a

through a friend of mine named Devries.

Yvonne and I met in Miami last month.

We, um..

And in event, Parker threatened

to make a campaign issue out of my immorality

if I didn't cooperate with him.

And if you did nothing, you'd be sad.

Mm-hmm.

Was Aaron Reese involved in this?

He was in the room.

He reminded me of what they could say

to the people of the state if I didn't cooperate.

Would you testify to that in court?

Yes.

I'm sure you must realize what it might mean to you

'and your position.'

Well, we'll see.

I'm not quitting.

I intend to tell the voter the truth

and I intend to tell my family the truth.

I hope maybe they can forgive me

and we'll just see what happens on Election Day.

[knocks]

[knocks]

Mr. Trent?

They're looking for Mr. Benton.

Now they know he's not in his cabin.

Suppose they come here.

Keep an eye out for the Black Dolphin.

It's Kleinman.

[knocks]

[Kleinman] 'Elias, what are you doing in there?'

[knock on door]

'Miss Bruno, this is the captain.'

'I order you to open the door.'

[knocks]

FBI, Kleinman. Stay away from it.

The launch will be here in ten minutes

but I can't find Mr. Benton.

Are there any other boats nearby? Coastguard?

No. Well, there's a fishing boat nearby.

You forget that. I need you here.

Tell Mr. Parker there's an FBI man aboard.

- FBI? - Yes.

Now break down the door.

Drop it.

[g*nshots]

[groans]

Wait for the agents.

Kleinman!

[g*nshots]

Ahoy to Carolina. This is the FBI.

We're coming aboard.

[foghorn blaring]

Stay where you are. FBI.

- Where's the captain? - I don't know.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*n clicks]

Well, k*ll me.

On your feet.

Well, we're finished with Parker for the moment, Perry

but the local police are very interested

in talking to Mr. Reese.

I, uh, just got a call from the emergency hospital.

Miss Bruno is in good condition.

Oh, good. Thank you.

Well, inspector.

Thank you.

If you don't need me anymore, I guess I'll be on my way.

We'll call you in a few days, Mr. Benton.

Good. Thanks again.

Thanks.

What are his plans?

Well, he's gonna tell his wife first.

If he lives through that one

he'll call a press conference to announce

that he intends to fight this thing through the finish.

Well, that's gonna take some courage.

Speaking of which..

Well, I thought I better start looking

for another job, Mr. Trent.

Uh, I mean, Erskine.

Well, that might be a good idea, Mr. Elias.

Do you have anything in mind?

Well, um, this kind of investigating

we just did was interesting.

Perhaps, I can get the same sort of feeling with the state.

Um, maybe we can help you.

Well, in this case, I will definitely try it.

A very wise decision.

I suppose the Greeks have a word for that too.

Oh, yes. Sofos.

The Greeks have a word for everything, Mr. Erskine.

Everything.

Delbert Kleinman and Will Greene were convicted

of the attempted murders of George Conners and Edward Clay.

Both have been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.

John Parker was convicted for interstate transportation

of gambling devices

and Arron Reese is awaiting trial

for attempted blackmail.

[theme music]