04x12 - The Flaw

[bunniefuu]

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Glen, good morning.

- Where is Hammond? - He'll be along in a minute.

He was checking the locks of his room when I talked to him

he thinks he was robbed last night.

Robbed of what?

A little pocket sized g*n.

It'll turn up someplace.

No doubt. Glen, what's going on?

I called the consulate.

They said Fielder landed in America a week ago.

Well..

Well, am I still your second in command here?

Of course, you are.

Then why didn't you let me know about Fielder?

'Cause it's none of your business.

Well, if KGB is upset over your handling of this operation

it's apt to become my business.

I told Fielder that, uh, it was a delicate job.

'Our inside man hadn't been able'

to get near the research lab yet.

And he asked me why I didn't replace the inside man.

I see.

Well, maybe it's time.

Hammond could be ready to crack.

'First thing we know he'll be calling the FBI.'

But it's not my fault, you know.

Everybody knows that.

Stop worrying about it.

Just because Fielder's been stalled up..

Here he comes.

Well, George, what happened to you?

We were beginning to think you left for Mexico or someplace.

It crossed my mind. Hello, Mr. Parmenter.

Hammond.

Uh, well, I better be getting back or-or do--

No, no, alright, you go ahead.

Everybody's on edge.

What's his problem?

Oh, the same as most people's I suppose

fatigue, too much work..

...too few results

Can we get on with this?

I know when I have been called into the principal's office.

Where is your rundown of Mountain Chemicals

and new liquid propellant?

Look, Mr. Parmenter, it's no use, I can't handle the job.

Let me off this hook.

Oh, now, Hammond, we paid you a great deal of money.

I'll make it up.

I'm just...at the end of my rope.

Oh, don't-don't cover your face

I can't read your lips when you cover your mouth.

I don't know what you bother

with that hearing aid at all for.

It helps.

I said I'm through.

- Alright. Come on. - Where?

The lift, there's someone I want you to meet

at the halfway high.

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I don't understand.

Alright, you go ahead, I'll be right after you.

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Mr. Parmenter, what's going on? There's no one here.

Oh, he must have gone ahead, right to the top.

Alright, get in.

Oh, I really..

[groans]

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[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds..

With guest stars, Victoria Shaw..

...Donald Harron...

...and special guest star, Barry Morse.

Tonight's episode, "The Flaw."

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The death of George Russell Hammond on a Colorado ski lift

may have gone in to the records as a bizarre suicide

except for one unforeseen circumstance.

Two notes had been left behind.

The k*ller had left one in Hammond's car.

The other had been written by Hammond himself

and left in his home for the FBI in case of his death.

Alright, Lewis, you're going to have to separate

fact from fantasy to begin with.

He must have been in a highly nervous state

when he wrote this.

Is that the second Hammond note?

Yeah, it just came in.

[Lewis] '"They're going to k*ll me.'

'"They want propellant, but can't get it.'

'Elaine Ross was first contact. Afraid."'

Is that, uh, propellant he speaks about a fantasy?

No. He was an executive at Mountain Chemicals

Colorado firm developing a liquid propellant for the army.

What about Elaine Ross?

There is an Elaine Ross, she's a secretary.

She knows several of the girls in Hammond's division

although she doesn't work for Mountain Chemicals herself

she never did.

She's unmarried, 28 years old, and, uh, attractive.

We know that Hammond was single. He had an emotional problem.

And he was an executive in a highly sensitive job.

A tempting target for a spymaster, isn't it?

Hmm.

And tempting big.

I'd like you to go out there undercover, Lewis.

President of the company is a man named Talbot.

He's already indicated he'll cooperate in any way he can.

Mm-hmm.

Get me Lloyd Talbot.

Ah, Mountain Chemical, Denver, please.

What was Hammond's position?

Head of purchasing.

Head of purchasing.

Well, suppose we asked Talbot to create a new section.

Something he might include purchasing, bookkeeping and..

New computer division maybe..

Uh, cost breakdown projection.

Fine.

I use the name, uh, John Dennison.

Oh, and, Art, when he plans the new proposal in his files

it might be a good idea at having pre-dated

by a few months.

Hmm.

Or have him let the secretaries know the new man is single.

Give Elaine Ross an excuse to arrange a meeting.

It's a good idea.

The company has a branch office in San Francisco

so, Dennison can come from there.

Now then what will be his Achilles heel?

What would a potential spy ring find attractive about him?

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What do you mean Elaine's found another man

at Mountain Chemical?

I thought you were going to leave that up to me.

We have to move as fast as we can.

What difference does it make who does the recruiting?

What? Difference?

Well, none, Glen. None!

Except that recruiting is supposed to be my job.

Now, Boland..

Or have you and Fielder

decided to replace me too?

Boland, please--

I have worked like a dog on this project.

Nobody has worked harder than I have, and all of a sudden

they send in some bright-eyed girl and everything falls apart.

Well, if you think I'm going to take the blame for it

you're out of your mind!

[panting] I'm not complaining.

I just want to set the record straight.

Nothing easier for Fielder than to say, "Replace him.

Put him on a ski lift somewhere."

Boland..

...would you take a vacation if I asked you to?

No.

I think you need one.

But I don't need, Glen.

There's a memo stuck in to my KGP file

saying that I've been relieved.

You know I wouldn't.

I said, no.

I'm alright, I'm..

I'm fine.

Just..

What's this man's name?

Oh, uh, Dennison. Came in Monday.

How did Elaine happened to hear about this character?

She found out where most of the girls at Mountain

have their hair done. She's been going there too.

Struck up quite a friendship with Talbot's secretary.

The woman's in a flutter about a new executive.

Assigned to Hammond's job?

No, he's in charge of another department

in a better spot than Hammond was, as a matter of fact.

He's also a much bigger question mark, isn't he?

I'll investigate him, don't you worry about it.

Maybe he isn't the only one you ought to investigate.

Now, Boland, listen..

...you're in no danger.

You don't have to strengthen your position

by chopping up Elaine.

Is that what I'm doing?

Well, think of this.

From the day she got here, there's been nothing

but mistakes, delays..

[car approaching]

A car just drove in.

You expecting Elaine?

I have to get back to town.

- Hi. Edward, are you leaving? - Yes.

You don't want to hear about the new man

for Mountain Chemical?

You could fill me in later.

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Well, what was that all about?

Uh, what do you think of Boland, Elaine?

Think of him?

I think he's been a little nervous lately.

Do you like him?

Well, no, not much, if you want the truth.

Why not?

- Oh, Glen, I don't-- - Come on, come on. Tell me.

Well, it was probably all my fault.

But when I was first assigned to this duty

I wanted to make a good impression.

I wanted everyone to be on my side.

'So, when Edward came by my apartment one night'

'I invited him in.'

That was my mistake.

Well, I finally got rid of him and told him

if he tried to bother me again, I was going to go to you.

Yes. That would account for it.

That and the fatigue..

...and the fear.

Account for what?

Oh, I had another giggling heart-to-heart talk with Grace.

Talbot's secretary.

Dennison won't talk about it

but it seems there's a six month gap in his personnel record.

From May until November, 1961.

Thank you.

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He probably won't amount to anything

but I thought I should meet him anyway.

Grace is a born matchmaker.

She's promised to arrange an introduction

for tomorrow night after work, okay?

Okay. But go slowly, carefully.

Where are you meeting him tomorrow?

Sorrento's.

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Oh, for heaven's sake, Elaine.

Well, hi, Grace.

Well, if this isn't the oddest thing?

Mr. Dennison here was sweet enough to ask me

to have c*ck with him after work

but just as we were coming thought the door

I suddenly remembered an errand I'm supposed to be doing

for Mr. Talbot.

Now you won't have to sit alone.

That almost makes you believe in faith, doesn't it?

Listen, forgive me, but I am late.

Please sit down, Mr. Dennison.

Thank you.

Not very subtle, is she? I'm Elaine Ross.

I know. She's told me all about you.

- She has? - Oh, yes.

You're, uh, secretary, you're single.

She mentioned several times that you're single.

- And a good cook? - A spectacular cook.

Oh, yes, I did ask her to emphasize that.

Well, so much for accidental meetings, are you shocked?

You could hardly shock the male ego by flattering it.

I was wondering, uh, would you care to have dinner with me?

Of course.

I just have one call to make. Excuse me.

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Ah, where's the telephone, please?

Thank you.

- 'FBI.' - Uh, yes, is Conney there?

[female #1] 'This is the Federal Bureau of Investigation.'

'Whom did you want?'

I see, well, uh

would you tell her I won't be able to make it tonight?

This is John.

'One moment please.'

No, I'll talk to her tomorrow.

Thanks very much.

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Excuse me.

No, John, is that anyway to treat a nice girl like Conney?

What?

Give me you wallet, John.

Oh!

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Let's get out of here!

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Are you alright? You look a little pale.

I'm fine.

Expect for the fact that two men tried to rob me.

Rob you?

- Here? - Mm-hmm.

Luckily, I just had a few dollars in my wallet.

But that's terrible. Would you like to leave?

- Not unless you would. - But you might've been k*lled.

Would like another drink?

Yes. Yes, I would.

Waitress.

Two vodka martinis, please.

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Thank you.

You were telling me about the plane accident.

Oh, I guess that's about all, they pulled me out

patched me up, and here I am.

Well, the pain must have driven you crazy.

Well, they have a way of taking care of that.

They give you morphine.

Oh, weren't there any bad after-effects?

You might say so.

I spent a few weeks that summer in a little resort

outside of San Francisco called Cyprus Hill.

Few weeks?

I thought you said you went back to work

just before Christmas that year.

That's right. I guess I did.

That would make it more than a few weeks, wouldn't it?

Cyprus Hill must be a lovely place

to make the time pass so quickly?

It was.

Shall we go?

Are you sure you feel alright now?

Oh, yes, really.

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Yes, Mr. Talbot, right away.

- Well, good morning. - Good morning.

- Is he in? - Yes, he is.

But there's a man from the Chicago office with him.

Uh, tell me. How did you and Ms. Ross get along after I left?

She's a charming girl.

Uh, may be you better tell him I'm here, Grace.

He said something about wanting to see me before lunch.

Sure.

[Talbot] 'Yes.'

Uh, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Dennison's here. Did you..

'Oh, yes. Send him in, please.'

Right. Okay.

Thank you.

Art.

Did Mr. Talbot fill you in?

As much as I could. I told him you'd met the girl.

I, uh, told him about the mugging.

And the girl seemed surprised about that, I understand.

You sure they were just checking your identification?

Pretty sure.

Were there any other contacts last night?

No. At least not overt ones.

Of course, I haven't talked to Lawrence yet.

Well, let's do that right now.

Would you ask that salesman

who's waiting outside to come in, Lloyd?

Yes, Mr. Talbot.

Grace, you send Mr. Lawrence in, please.

Yes, sir.

- He'll see you. - Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

Gentlemen.

Patrick, you know Mr. Ward of course?

- Sir. - This is Mr. Talbot.

Special Agent Patrick Lawrence.

Special..

How do you do?

I expect you gentlemen want to discuss things in private.

Excuse me.

We'd like to hear the raw

surveillance report now, Lawrence

Yes, sir.

Ms. Ross left her apartment in about 5:30.

She was alone, but her taxi picked up

a separate surveillance, not ours, at approximately 5:40.

It consisted of three men

who followed her in to Sorrento's restaurant

where they then took up a position in the bar.

- Three men? - Yes, sir.

And Ms. Ross seemed to be unaware of this?

'Completely.'

Alright.

Two of the men then followed Inspector Erskine

in to the lounge at 6:11. They left by the rear door.

They then proceeded to the airport

where they took a coach flight to New York City.

That's where they are at the present time.

Ms. Ross and Inspector Erskine left the restaurant at 9:02.

The third man followed, and his surveillance continued on

'throughout the evening.'

'Now, Inspector Erskine dropped Ms. Ross off at her apartment.'

'The surveillant then followed Inspector Erskine.'

Now this surveillance remained in effect for approximately

an hour after Inspector Erskine entered his own apartment.

Then the surveillant left.

[scoffs]

I don't understand that surveillance.

I don't either.

Unless someone in the ring doesn't trust her.

Where is the girl now?

Uh, she left for Cyprus Hill at 9 o'clock this morning

with a man that we've identified as Glen Parmenter.

Yes, of course, I understand

but beyond this, I'm afraid there's very little I can add.

Dennison was attractable patient.

Very cooperative.

And this was a voluntary commitment?

Oh, yes, of course. He knew he was an addict.

He wanted to break the habit.

And how long was he here Dr. Farrell?

Six months, from May until November 1961.

I'll need a transcript of the tapes.

Well, yes, of course.

You understand we can't give that to anyone

without the consent of the patient.

Oh, no. No. There's no hurry.

I guess I won't be able to fit him in to my schedule

until probably October.

I'll get him to drive down here in the fall and sign a release.

Fine. We'll have it for him when he can come in for them.

Now, this physical therapist you mentioned, is he still here?

Oh, yes.

Tom!

- Doctor. - Tom.

Uh, Ms. Ross, Dr. Parlem. This is Tom Elliot.

Tom, Dr. Parlem's interested in a former patient of yours.

- Do you have a minute? - Uh, certainly.

Well, I'm afraid, I must be getting back

but give my best to John when you see him.

- Ms. Ross. - Thank you, doctor.

Thank you.

Now, what can I do for you, sir?

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Well..

Do all your friends look like this?

Absolutely.

See, I'm in the wrong business.

I'll see if we can do something about that.

Oh, when you talk to Mr. Parmenter

be sure to face him and speak clearly.

He's dead but he reads lips.

So, that's why you drove me all the way up here?

To lure me away from Mountain Chemical.

- That's why. - Well, it won't work.

I immune to blandishments.

Come on.

[doorbell rings]

Doorbell.

Elaine, come in.

- Are we too early? - No, no.

Mr. Dennison!

Oh, I'm sorry. John, this is Glen Parmenter.

How do you do?

Oh, Mr. Dennison, this is Edward Boland.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

Well, I see somebody is a home movie fan.

Oh, yes, we both are.

Mr. Boland works with me. Uh, we make use of good money.

Aural-visual A*DS is my business.

Motion picture, tape recorders and so on.

I often help sell the product.

- I see. - Can I offer you a drink?

Uh, I don't think so, thanks.

You'd better, John. You may need one later.

We may all need more than that before we're through.

- That's enough. - It isn't enough.

I don't like this affair, I never have.

- You don't have to like it. - Does Fielder know about this?

Let Fielder be the judge.

Boland, I said, that's enough.

If I have to dismiss you, like I did to George, I will.

Just don't count on old friendships.

Glen, I..

That's alright, Elaine, just sit down.

We're not always like this around here, Mr. Dennison.

Put it down to the strain of business.

I guess the whole economy is under strain these days.

Well, now..

...how would you like to come to work for Parmenter and company?

Well, uh, I'm very flattered--

I know what Mountain was paying you, I'll double it.

Just to get a cost projection breakdown?

No, sir. To get Mountain's new propellant.

Well, I'm, uh, I'm afraid I don't understand.

Then, would you understand what it might mean to you

to be revealed as a former dope addict?

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How accurate are these figures, Lloyd?

- They'd fool an expert. - For how long?

A good technician, I suppose

might be able to spot the flaws within 36 to 48 hrs.

That means your cover could be exposed by Sunday.

Think that'll give you time

to smoke out this new man they mentioned?

- Fielder? - Yeah.

Yes, I think so.

If I can keep Boland off my back, he's a danger.

I thought you said it was the girl he didn't trust.

It is.

In fact he seems to feel she may be working with me

in some mysterious way.

Uh, he thinks the whole group's against him including Parmenter.

That is if he's thinking at all at this point

in the verge of a collapse.

If I could only, if I could only

cut the ground out from under him.

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Hello, John.

Well, do you have it?

Elaine, I've been sitting here trying to figure you out.

Why? I'm not very complicated.

Traitors are the most complicated people on Earth.

Traitors are, yes

but I'm not a traitor to what I believe in.

And what's that?

Glen and the cause.

Now, if you have the figures, you better give them to me.

Before I do, I want to know what Boland's after.

What he's after?

Why has he been following us?

'Why did he break into my apartment the other night?'

Yeah. He paid me a visit about 3:30 in the morning.

I recognized him at Parmenter's

but, of course, the damage had already been done.

- What damage? - I called the police.

Oh, John.

Well, how was I supposed to know he was checking up on me?

'Besides I'd already been attacked once.'

Anyway, I'm due to look over some

police mug shots this afternoon.

I'd better call Glen.

Elaine, I'm part of this thing now

and I don't like the idea of an idiot like Boland

causing any more damage.

I can't get away before Saturday, but tell Parmenter

I'll see him then, we'll have a showdown once and for all.

Here are your figures and microphone.

I'm late.

Well, what's going to happen with the police?

I have to show up now.

You can assure Parmenter I won't identify Boland.

I'll let you know about Saturday.

Glen, what's the matter with you?

Can't you understand what I'm saying?

- He went to the police. - How do you know?

I followed him.

- On whose orders? - Now, Glen--

Look, I don't care how tired you are

or how sick you are.

I've told you time and time again.

Glen, he went to the police.

So have you every time you've paid a parking ticket.

Shall I sh**t you for that?

It's you!

He believes everything you tell him!

Alright! Alright!

Would you believe they're in this together

if I showed you proof?

Oh, Edward, you really must be out of your mind.

We'll see, Saturday.

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John!

They're ready now.

- Was that Fielder? - Yes.

You look worried.

Well, I don't know what Boland's cooked up

but it turns out he's not only been following us

he's also been taking motion pictures.

[Fielder] I talked to him earlier.

He thought we'd have the results by noon at the latest.

- Uh-huh. - Then we'll take the next st--

Oh, John, come here. I want you to meet an old friend of mine.

Mr. Fielder, this is the man who's been so helpful to us.

John Dennison.

A pleasure, Mr. Dennison.

I wanted to thank you personally

'for the good work you've already turned in.'

I was impressed.

And I was impressed myself

by the kind of pressure you people use.

There'll be benefits too.

I haven't seen any of those yet.

[chuckles] Well, in a way you're still on trial, John.

In a number of ways. I'm ready here now.

Elaine, the curtains, please.

John.

Your formula figures were very complex, weren't they?

- Were they? - Yes, very.

But I've had teams alternating on them, day and night.

I'm told they'll be completely checked out by noon.

- Today? - Yes.

While you're here we thought that would be

more convenient all around.

And then I'll, uh, I'll be paid before I leave?

Hmm, soon as the call comes.

Unless of course the figures are wrong.

Or something like that.

Alright, go ahead.

Before I run these, Glen, I want to get one thing on the record.

Did I or did I not warn you yesterday

that Dennison had gone to the police?

You did.

He had his reasons though.

He was going down to look at some mug shots

after he handed the plans over to me.

Is that true, Dennison?

You just went down to look at some mug shots?

- That's true. - Watch.

[Edward] 'Dennison's apartment, Friday morning.'

'He's just coming out.'

Glen, what are they saying? Can you read their lips?

M-Mr. Dennison! Yes.

'Denver Detective Bureau!'

I like to talk to you about the prowler report you filed.

'Yes, uh, we have some mug shots'

'we'd like you to look over.'

'I was on my way to work.'

'Could I come down later?'

'Certainly, we'll see you then.'

This is, they, they met at the end of the lake.

Glen, what are they saying?

'Traitors are, yes'

but I'm not a traitor to the things I believe in.

'An-and what's that?'

'Glen and the cause.'

They arranged this! They knew I had the camera!

Look at the way they're facing, so we can read their lips!

- It's a set-up. - Be quiet. Glen.

'He paid me a visit about 3:30 in the morning.'

I recognized him at Parmenter's.

Um, but by then the damage had been done.

'What damage?'

'Uh, I, I called the police.'

'John!'

'Well, how was I supposed to know'

'that he was checking up on me?'

'I'd already been attacked once.'

'Anyway, I'm due to look at some'

'police mug shots this afternoon.'

Alright, I think that's enough.

Fielder. Fielder, listen.

Is that substantially what she had told you, Glen?

It's exactly what she told me.

You can open the curtains, Elaine.

John, I want to apologize

for putting you through this foolishness.

We have to make sure of our friends as well as our enemies.

Of course.

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Survey to all units, he's in trouble.

Move in.

- It's hot. - But beautiful all of a sudden.

Fielder, you can't be taken in by this.

Don't you see what they've done?

- Oh, John.. - 'Fielder!'

I wonder if you'd excuse the three of us for a moment.

Show him the lake, Elaine. It's very pretty down there.

[telephone rings]

Shall I get it?

Never mind, I know who it is.

Shall we go?

Uh, wait just a second, would you, John?

Hello. Yes.

Oh.

I see.

Boland.

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[g*n fire]

[glass shattering]

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[g*n firing]

Tear gas.

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[screaming]

FBI!

Come out with your hands raised or we'll use tear gas.

[glass shattering]

[Elaine coughing]

[all coughing]

Stop! Alright, stop it.

- Stop it! Stop! - Coming out!

[coughing]

Alright, hands on the rail.

Step back.

[coughing]

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You know, it really is a pity it had to turn out this way.

I mean, that you weren't actually, John Dennison

what a spy you'd have made.

Well, there was one rewarding aspect to it anyway.

I was right about you after all, wasn't I?

How does it feel to be a winner?

[male narrator] Clive Fielder, Edward Boland, Elaine Ross and two others

were found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage

and sentenced to terms in the Federal Penitentiary.

Glen Alfred Parmenter

was trailed on a state charge of m*rder

and is serving a life sentence in state prison.

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