04x15 - Eye of the Storm

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

Baby, are you alright?

Sure. Why?

I won't be long.

They're getting to know me over there.

[baby babbling]

Well, now, aren't you the happy one?

All by yourself in this big car.

Did your mommy run off and leave you?

Imagine somebody leaving a pretty little thing like you.

Hey, let's see you smile. Come on, big smile.

Come on, you can do it.

Ed?

Hey, man, where the heck you've been?

I've been sticking kind of close to home, Al.

Oh. Well, we dropped by the other night.

- The place looked empty. - Oh, we moved.

We, we're across the river now.

Oh, no kidding.

To see if we can do better in the new state.

We still come back here and shop.

You know, fool around.

How's Nora?

Nora's better. Little better.

Well, Eddie, it's a blow.

Grace and me lost one, you know.

But there'll be more.

Oh, well, the doctor says there won't.

That's the problem.

Anyway, how's the new gas station?

What does it feel like to be a big capitalist?

Beats me. I haven't signed the papers yet.

Well, why not? What's hanging you up?

Well, I need another $1000 for option money.

Hey, Eddie, uh, you wouldn't be interested?

Oh, man, you must be putting me on.

A thousand bucks?

You couldn't lose.

I-I mean it. No way.

Best corner in town. Plenty of traffic.

Not another station for almost a mile.

'With a grand option money, you'd be a full partner.'

Forget it, Al. But thanks, anyway.

Oh, listen, you and Nora come by and see us some time, will you?

You're right. Look, we'll call you, huh?

- Right. - Alright. Good to see you.

- Good to see you. - Alright.

[baby babbling]

- Well.. - Come on, let's get home.

- Huh? - You're not gonna believe me.

So what's the use in telling you?

Alright.

- Where did you get it? - You'll just call me a liar.

- 'Nora.' - See? Already, you're mad.

I'm listening. I'm, I'm not mad.

- Where did you get it? - A girl gave it to me.

- What girl? - I don't know.

She said she didn't want her.

She came along here and we got to talking.

And she started to cry.

'She said she couldn't keep her.'

That she was gonna put her in a home.

I said I want a baby.

Then she let me hold her for a minute

and she stopped crying for me.

The mother said take her.

[sighs] Nora, you, you can't--

Why not?

We don't have anything else in the whole world!

Look, it's a terrible responsibility.

Can't you see that?

I mean, there are all kinds of laws.

Well, the mother's gone

and I don't know where you're gonna find her now.

[baby crying]

What is it going to hurt to keep her for just a day or two?

Maybe the mother will want her back.

Did you tell her where you live?

Well, sure.

[sighs]

Oh, it's something.

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Billy Dee Williams

Denise Nicholas..

...Don Dubbins.

And special guest star, Moses Gunn.

Tonight's episode, Eye Of The Storm.

[tires screeching]

At approximately 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. John Shepard who had been exchanging some purchases

in a nearby store discovered

that her six-month-old daughter was missing.

She immediately notified the police.

No significant clues or witnesses could be found.

And 24 hours later, the FBI was asked to enter the case.

Did Mrs. Shepard notice anyone following her

when she left her home with the baby?

Well, I wanna be notified as soon as you get

any kind of break at all.

Did the director call you about the Shepard kidnapping?

Yeah.

Well, I don't have to tell you how panicked the parents are.

It's their only child. Little girl. Mary-Louise.

Shepard's afraid it might be some kind of a reprisal.

- For what? His editorials? - Editorials and speeches.

He's made quite a few people mad at him

the last two or three years.

Black and white.

I'll call you when I get in.

Hi. How did it go?

Well, it didn't go.

One job, twelve applicants.

They'll be asking ditch diggers for college diplomas next.

Oh, we gotta get you into something more comfortable.

- No word from the mother, huh? - No, no word.

Could you hand me that powder over there, please?

- Where? - It's in the crib.

[coughs]

I never should have let you keep this stuff.

I should have gotten rid of it

before you got home from the hospital.

Thanks.

What will the other women in this dump say

when they see you with a strange kid?

They know what happened.

They don't say anything.

What do they care?

I'll tell them it's my sister's baby.

It's none of their business anyway.

You know, you're gonna take a real beating

'for this one, baby.'

People do not just give away kids.

Suppose the mother's folks decide

they wanna take it back again some time.

Ed, what do you think we ought to call her?

'How about Gloria?'

Hey, Gloria, hey.

Hi. Hey.

'Hey, how's that, hmm?'

How's Gloria?

Yes, I'm Gloria.

How's Gloria, hmm?

Here we go. Yes.

[doorbell rings]

- Mr. Shepard? - Yes.

FBI. My name's Erskine.

This is Mr. Colby.

Where is she? I..

I mean, you haven't found her yet?

Not yet.

Come in.

I've been in the newspaper business too long.

I think in headlines.

Calamity.

When I saw you, I thought you were going to tell me

my little girl was dead.

Okay.

So how are we gonna fight this thing?

You want my wife down here?

The doctor just gave her a sedative.

No, no, no, let her rest.

Apparently, you haven't heard from the kidnappers?

The only calls I received so far

were from a couple of the other papers.

I tried to hold the story back, but nothing I could do about it.

Do you have other telephones in the house, Mr. Shepard?

Well, yes. There's one in here and one upstairs.

We'll wanna put a line of our own in, too

if you don't mind it.

Sure, anything.

What time do you usually get your mail, Mr. Shepard?

Around 10:00, uh, 10:30.

Have you received any threats in the last month or so?

Inspector, I've received threats

ever since I've been in this business.

- Do you keep them? - Yes, I do.

On my lawyer's advice.

If you don't mind, I'd like to look them over.

How's your stomach?

[telephone rings]

Uh, just a minute.

Alright.

- Hello? - John, Charlie.

It's Kline, my city editor.

- What's happening, Charlie? - Any word about your girl?

No, nothing. We thought when the phone rang..

[Charlie] 'Yeah, I'm sorry.'

I'll be off the line as soon as I can.

I didn't wanna bug you at a time like this

but the thing is, John, I've got to have a policy decision.

Alright, what is it?

A case of the plague's been reported

across the river down along the docks.

Plague?

I talked to the health officer over there

a fellow named Miller.

[John] 'Yeah.'

And he wants us to sit on the story

until they know more about it.

I said, "Man, come on.

"This paper's been campaigning against the rats

"in that ghetto for a year now.

The people have got a right to know what's going on."

But he claimed it might start a panic.

k*ll it.

John, it'll be in this state next.

Then give him a chance to stop it first.

Panic, we don't need.

When Miller gets a grip on the thing

we'll print whatever facts he feeds to us.

But I want everything cleared through him first, understand?

It's your newspaper.

Goodbye, John. Good luck.

Thank you, Charlie.

The plague.

Can you imagine?

Must be the first case we've had around here in 100 years.

Would have made quite a headline.

Some headlines hurt more than they help, inspector.

Those I can do without.

Hi, sweetheart.

What's the matter?

Read this.

"Publisher's baby missing.

"Daughter of John Shepard vanishes from car.

'"Mary-Louise Shepard, infant daughter'

'"of the black community's most controversial publisher'

'"disappeared Tuesday morning from her mother's parked car.'

- According to police--" - Ed, quit it.

Are you crazy?

What's the matter with you?

She's not the same one.

Where is that ankle bracelet she was wearing?

I don't know.

[baby crying]

"Mary-Louise Shepard. M.L.S."

Nora, that don't change a thing!

She's still Mary-Louise Shepard. We're still kidnappers.

Now why did you take her?

I didn't mean to.

She was so pretty.

I just picked her up.

It just felt right, Ed.

'It was like everything else was all wiped away.'

The hospital and the pain.

[baby crying]

You blame me for that, don't you?

No.

Oh, no, come on, let's get it out into the open.

Let's talk about it, 'cause I am to blame

whether you blame me or not.

Nobody's to blame, Ed. It just happened.

Well, maybe it wouldn't have happened if I had the money.

The money for the private nurses, for the right care

for the right medicine.

For, even for the right food.

Look at this dump! Look at this hole!

'Uh, what kind of place is this to bring a wife?'

It's not your fault, Ed.

He's got a home like a palace.

You can bet your bottom dollar, his wife had private nurses.

[baby crying]

Ed, if you make me take her back now, what will they do to us?

They'll figure out something sweet like the gas chamber.

Don't worry about a thing.

You can keep the baby.

Well, keep me informed. Bye.

Well, they have to check four more crank calls.

Nothing. No witnesses, no leads.

No progress.

Do you realize how long my daughter's been missing?

Why don't you try to get some sleep, Mr. Shepard?

I've been doing some research.

Last year, the FBI solved the Biederman kidnapping

in 35 hours.

'The O'Connor kidnapping in 29 hours.'

But for some reason, the Shepard case drags on

with no progress whatsoever!

'Now could it be that..'

I'm sorry.

I apologize.

I'm tired.

[doorbell rings]

Special delivery for me.

Will you open it?

Yeah.

- It's hers. - D-don't touch it.

M.L.S.

Why would they send it?

That's to prove they really have her, Mr. Shepard.

[Lewis] '"Put $1000 in envelope, small bills.'

'"Drop in trash can number 4 by drinking fountain'

'"at Harrison Avenue Playground 5:00 p.m. today.'

'No cops, no tricks."'

A thousand dollars?

You don't suppose they mean 10,000 or 100,000, do you?

Where was that sent from?

- Harrison Park. - Oh, my God.

Is that where they're holding her?

What's the matter? You know the area?

Inspector, I was born on Harrison.

Twenty blocks of dockside slums.

We've been campaigning against the rats there for a year.

Inspector, that's where the plague is.

- Eddie. - 'Hey, Al.'

What's going on?

I dropped by your house.

And Grace told me I'd find you here.

- You busy? - No, no.

I always stop over here on my day off

to see if the place is still here.

- What do you think? - It's beautiful.

I suppose you got that extra 1000?

Oh, Ed.

You wouldn't believe how tight cash is in this town.

No, I never got it.

Then, um..

...is the offer still on?

I-I mean, about the partnership for 1000?

Are you serious?

- When do you want it? - Whenever I can get it.

- Tonight? - Sure.

I'll drop it off after dinner.

You have the contracts ready, okay?

Oh, Ed, uh, it's gotta be cash.

Cash. Right. Folding money.

[chuckles]

What'd you do? Rob a bank?

No, I, uh, tried one of those new loan companies.

You can always find money someplace, I guess.

Well, you got a deal, partner.

I promise you something, Ed, you'll never regret it.

- Never. - Okay.

- Inspector Erskine? - Yes.

- I'm Gordon Miller. - Oh, it's a--

They told me you're coming down here.

Kind of you to see me, doctor. I know how busy you are.

Mr. Erskine, if the FBI can take time to drive over here

I certainly can take time to listen.

Now what can I do for you?

Well, I have a couple of questions and a request.

Fine. sh**t.

First of all, how bad is the plague outbreak?

How did you know it was the plague?

The news medium haven't reported it.

Well, I was talking to a man named Shepard.

- He publishes a paper here. - Shep..

Oh, yes, the kidnapping.

Oh, but, uh, you mean that it's possible

that the child is down here?

It's possible. What's the current situation, doctor?

No change.

So far there's been only one confirmed case reported.

A 70-year-old man.

Oh, we've isolated the tenement where he lives.

We're finally eliminating the rats

and we've just started a crash immunization program.

Our unit over here.

Is the, uh, disease ever spread by personal contact?

Very rarely.

Rodents and its parasites are the primary carriers.

You see, an infected rat will infect fleas

who in turn will infect other rats and sometimes humans.

What about treatment?

Well, we use a serum.

And if it's given soon enough, it's, uh, quite successful.

- Then it's not always fatal? - Oh, no, no.

Actually, you see, there are three kinds of plague.

Bubonic, uh, septicemic

a severe kind of blood poisoning

pneumonic, which affects the respiratory organs

and then there's another milder form.

It's called the ambulatory type.

Now it may or may not be suppurative

but that all depends upon the general physical condition

of the patient and of course, how soon he's been treated.

But the best treatment is still prevention.

Now we tried to control the area by the use of vaccine

and that's what our staff is doing right now.

I see now that my agents and I could move around

fairly safely if we were inoculated?

Oh, yes.

Is that the request you mentioned?

That's part of it.

I'd also liked to be notified

if the disease turns up in a female infant.

We've alerted all hospitals on both sides of the river.

We're trying to reach the private physicians now

but of course, that's kind of a slow process.

Well, in any event, they're all required

to contact me as soon as they spot the disease

so I'll just pass the word along.

Fine. You can, uh, reach me at this number.

And uh, now about that friendly needle.

[chuckles] Right this way.

[baby cooing]

[Nora] 'Here now. What's all this fuss about?'

This is supposed to be naptime.

You got any complaint, you tell me about it later.

Why are so warm, hmm?

- Hey, where're you going? - She's sick, Ed.

Something's wrong.

Uh, well, you know, kids get

a little whiny sometimes, little uptight.

Will you quit it with the uptight stuff?

She's got a fever.

You want me to get one of the other women?

No, I wanna take her to a doctor.

Baby, uh, what doctor?

I don't know. My doctor. He's good.

But he'll also know the kid's not yours.

I don't care!

She's sick, Ed. Will you help me?

Okay. Uh..

[baby wailing]

[baby crying]

And you're sure this vaccination won't hurt?

It won't hurt a bit.

Free shots?

I don't know.

Haven't had this much company since the last election.

Any other children in your building, Mrs. Gomez?

Three year old on the top floor.

- No others? - No.

Well, come on, Wabo.

You wanna get vaccinated, don't you?

I think it's still a little too early

for an absolutely accurate diagnosis, Mrs., uh..

Thompson.

But I think your baby ought to be hospitalized.

- Hospitalized? - It's just for observation.

- Oh, Ed. - Don't come all unglued, honey.

She'll be alright. What's-what's wrong with her, doctor?

Well, it's probably just a little cold

that's settled on her glands

but we might as well be absolutely sure.

I'll call general hospital and have them send an ambulance.

But, doctor, uh, listen

uh, can't we take her over there ourselves?

I mean, uh, wouldn't that save time?

Why, yes, it would.

I wonder if you'll mind waiting a few minutes, Mr. Thompson?

I'd like to run a few tests on you and your wife

while you're here now.

Nurse?

Just a minute, please.

Uh, come on.

He said he wanted to make some tests.

It don't matter what he said.

There's nothing wrong with us. He saw the baby.

We're not gonna stick around for any more questions.

He's probably in there calling the police right now.

But they'll ask us questions at the hospital, anyway.

We're not going to the hospital and we're not going home either.

Now come on.

Oh, Lew. Bureau's calling.

- Erskine. - 'Standby please for Mr. Ward.'

Lewis, I have the lab report on that material you sent.

- 'Yes.' - Nothing in the note itself.

The wrapping paper is standard stock, cheap grade.

The pen was a ballpoint.

No clear latence.

But we found traces of powder on the ankle bracelet

and in the envelope.

'It's scented and somewhat coarse.'

'Probably an inexpensive talcum powder.'

You don't have a brand name, I suppose.

Now we can't be definite

but the lab says it has some of the characteristics

of Tatum baby talc, another cheaper brands.

Tatum baby talc?

No, I, I've never heard of it.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

John, did you?

Tatum, no.

[telephone rings]

Well, it's our line.

Erskine.

Inspector, this is Gordon Miller.

'Yes, doctor.'

You asked us to notify you

if there are any reports of the disease

in an infant female.

- Yes, you have one? - Afraid so.

Name given was Thompson.

She should've been admitted to the isolation ward

of general hospital by now, but they hold no record of her.

Do you have a home address?

I only have the identity of the reporting physician.

- Will that do? - Yes, for a beginning.

Dr. Paul Obert, Parkview Medical Clinic

on Kingston Boulevard.

Alright, doctor, thanks very much.

Get a hold of Colby.

Tell him I want the names of any of the stores in Harrison Park

that carry this brand of talcum powder.

I'll, uh, be at the Parkview Medical Clinic on Kingston.

What's happening, Inspector?

I wonder if you'd mind coming along with me now, Mr. Shepard?

I'd like you to talk to someone who may have seen your daughter.

Oh?

Alright.

Well, this looks like the same child.

But you're not sure?

What about identifying features, Dr. Obert?

Well, as I recall, there was a series of three small moles

in the shape of a triangle on the right hip.

That's her.

You know if this is the plague, I'm more concerned now

about the adults than I am about the child.

I didn't get a chance to examine them.

I called the hospital and asked them to take care over there

but when I called down there

I found that none of them had ever shown up.

They'll notify you if the baby is brought in, won't they?

Oh, yes.

How did they act with the little girl, doctor?

I mean, were they kind to her?

They must've been worried to have brought her in at all.

Well, the woman was extremely distraught.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone

any more concerned over a child.

There's a great deal of love there, I can tell you that.

And the name they gave you was Thompson?

- Yes, Thompson. - No address?

Well, we never had time to get into that.

Inspector, we have to find them. We have to find them.

I know normally, you're afraid of putting the child in danger

but she couldn't be in any more danger than she is now.

Alright, doctor, I'll need a complete description

of both the man and the woman.

Here we go.

Milk.

Disposable diapers.

Baby bottles.

Baby food. Does she like carrots?

Right now, she doesn't like anything.

Ed, let's go to the hospital, please?

We can't, baby. You know that.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

What time is it?

It's, uh, it's ten after 4:00.

Oh, I better heat up a bottle.

[baby cooing]

Listen, y-you better lay down for a while, huh?

Come on.

Listen, I've gotta go now.

I'll be back in about an hour.

Be back?

- Where are you going? - To see about a job.

You didn't say anything to me about a job?

[chuckles] I wanted to surprise you.

Keep the door locked.

[baby cooing]

If suppose something happens

'the baby or something, where can I reach you?'

Will you stop worrying? Nothing's gonna happen.

[baby cooing]

Look, if this deal works out

I'll be able to go into business with Al Willis.

- The gas station? - Yes.

But I thought he wanted $1000?

First thing we'll be able to do is

move into another neighborhood where nobody knows us

where they'll believe Gloria is our own.

[baby cooing]

Okay?

Now you take it easy.

I will be back by 6 o'clock.

[baby cooing]

Now remember, keep this door locked.

Okay?

[baby cooing]

Alright, baby. Be ready in a minute.

[dramatic music]

This what you're looking for?

That's it.

- Do you sell much of this? - Not a whole lot. No.

This can's been on the shelves since my last inventory.

- What's the matter with it? - Nothing except the price.

Too cheap.

People like to spend more money on their babies even down here.

Makes them feel better.

Would you happen to remember who bought the last can of this?

Well, now let me see.

Uh..

Yeah.

Yeah, Tobin.

I'll tell you how I remember.

His wife was gonna have a baby

and, uh, he just about bought the place out one day.

I, uh, ran into him in the park later on.

I told him he could bring a lot of the things back.

- He never did. - What happened?

His wife lost the baby.

And, uh, you say his name was Tobin?

Yes, Ed

and, uh, I believe his wife's name is Nora.

Did Mr. Tobin pay cash for these items?

No, no, he charged everything.

Then you'd had an address on them?

Yes, I would. Right back here.

Yes, that's him.

Fine, thanks very much.

Why?

What makes a human being do a thing like this?

[telephone rings]

Dr. Obert.

Yes, just a minute. Inspector?

Thanks.

- Erskine. - 'Hello?'

[Tom] 'A customer here, his wife lost a baby about a month ago.'

Bought a number of items

including a can of Tatum baby talc.

- Do you have a description? - Yeah.

Male, n*gro



That seems to match what we have here.

We also have an address.

Ed and Nora Tobin, 1221 Parkside

apartment 16.

Hang on, Tom.

We may have the kidnapper's address.

Then go after them.

You realize the risk involved?

If it was your little girl

what would you do?

I'd probably do the same thing you'd do.

It's almost time.

I better get down. I have the money.

Mr. Shepard, the, um, the note

didn't specify that you had to deliver it personally.

Besides, you haven't been inoculated.

If you have no objection, I'd rather one of my agents

take care of it.

Alright.

Uh, Tom, on that address..

- 'Yeah.' - Check it out very quietly.

I'll be in the park. Is Morgan with you?

Yeah, he's right here.

Have him meet me there, will you?

[Tom] 'Right.'

[dramatic music]

[knocks] Hello?

Anybody home?

[baby cooing]

[music continues]

[children clamoring]

This is Unit 1. He seems to be alone.

Go ahead. Be careful.

Unit 2, yes sir.

Hey, fire! Fire!

All units, move in.

Tobin?

FBI. Stay where you are.

[tire screeches]

- Alright, where's the baby? - What baby?

Tobin, she may have the plague.

- Plague? - Your wife may have it.

[Lewis] 'Now, where are they?'

The 99 Motel, North Main.

I'll get an ambulance.

[baby cooing]

[tire screeches]

[baby cooing]

[siren blaring]

[coughs]

Little girl.

Help her, please.

She's alright, Mrs. Tobin. She's right here.

I didn't mean to hurt her.

I just wanted a baby.

Just a baby.

[baby cooing]

[John] 'Come on now.'

'Just one more big smile for your daddy.'

Can't you smile?

[baby cooing]

[chuckles]

Beautiful.

Come on.

[baby cooing]

Oh, we'll get one over here.

[grunts]

Just one more. Just one more.

He has four albums full.

[chuckles]

Well, I must say she doesn't seem to mind.

Oh, she doesn't mind anything after the hospital.

She didn't like that.

Well, I just thank God it was a milder case.

What about Mrs. Tobin? Will she be alright?

We won't know for a few days.

Poor thing.

By the way, I told him that you and your husband

wanted to pay her legal fees and hospital bills.

He didn't understand, but he was grateful.

Do you understand?

Yes.

I'm so lucky.

So lucky.

Edward Tobin was convicted of kidnapping

and is serving his sentence in a federal penitentiary.

The trial of his wife, Nora, was postponed

pending the outcome of psychiatric treatment.

[theme music]