05x02 - Nightmare Road

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music]

I'll check the manager.

[music continues]

He's been here three days. No visitors, no phone calls.

Let's go.

[music continues]

[Mercer] 'Collins?'

Mm-hmm.

Jack, my name is Mercer, FBI.

We have a warrant for your arrest.

This is Deputy Sheriff Holden.

Uh, turn around. Put your hands against the wall.

Stand back.

The warrant charges you with violating

'the terms of your release in prison.'

[Jack] 'I guess I should have reported regularly. I know that--'

[Mercer] 'You have the right to remain silent'

'cause anything you say may be used against you.

I went down to Memphis thinking I had a job.

Well, you'll have the chance to explain all that. Your..

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

g*n, what did you do?

He recognized me. What do you expect me to do?

[music continues]

'Let's go.'

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Robert Duvall..

...Burr DeBenning..

...Davey Davison.

Tonight's episode, "Nightmare Road."

[instrumental music]

[siren wailing]

On the morning of October 17th

Deputy Sheriff Floyd Holden

and Special Agent Douglas Mercer

were gravely wounded.

Even as they were rushed to a hospital

in St. Louis, Missouri

the name of the man Mercer had arrested

Lawrence "Jack" Collins

was placed at the head of the ten-most-wanted list.

Collins, 24 years old

and with no prior history

of violent as*ault, then became the subject

of one of the most intensive investigated efforts

ever launched by the FBI.

Barbara Mercer, who had been preparing to join her husband

in St. Louis on his new assignment

flew there immediately.

She was accompanied on the flight

by Inspector Lewis Erskine

and assistant director, Arthur Ward.

- Martin. - Ward.

- You know Lewis Erskine. - Hi, Martin.

You've been able to identify Collins' partner yet?

No, sir, with Mercer and Deputy Holden

still unconscious, we still don't have a real witness.

Wasn't the motel owner any help?

No, sir, as far as he was concerned

Collins never had a companion 'til this morning.

Is there some chance?

So far, he hasn't responded to treatment we had hoped.

I think we have to go into surgery immediately.

'I'd like to have a signature of consent from you.'

- Of course. - 'Here.'

'You sign right here, please?'

Barbara

the hospital has placed a suite

on this floor at your disposal.

Oh, that's very kind of them.

I don't suppose there's anything more I can do now.

Nurse?

If you like, I'll have the nurse call you

when we go up to surgery.

Oh, yes, please, doctor.

Deputy Holden recovered consciousness a few minutes ago

I took a statement.

Did he identify the second man?

No, sir, he never really got a clear look at him.

'The other man appeared suddenly'

'firing from the kitchen doorway.'

Then it wasn't Collins who did the sh**ting?

No, Lou, all the shots were fired by the second man.

Mr. Ward, I just got the word

a team of agents found Collin's car

abandoned on the downtown street.

They're grid-searching the area now but

nothing on Collin's or his companion has turned up yet.

Anything in the car?

A hunting r*fle.

Wiped completely clean of prints.

[man on radio] 'At the same time, teams of FBI agents throughout the Midwest'

'are pressing an intensive hunt for the two young men involved.'

'This has been the "One a.m. News"'

'brought to you by Station KMVO'

'the sound of Kansas City.'

[radio shuts]

[instrumental music]

[knock on door]

- Who is it? - 'It's Jack, honey.'

Oh, Jack!

Oh, Jack!

Carolyn, this is Jerry Wilson.

Carol.

I can see why Jack talks so much about you.

[music continues]

You wouldn't have a drink around here, would you?

In the kitchen, there's some Bourbon

in the cupboard above the ice box.

How did you get mixed up with him?

Through some guys I met in Memphis.

I heard about Jerry when I was in prison

he's pulled some big jobs.

He shot those men, didn't he?

Ha had to.

One of them recognized him. Jerry's on the top ten.

So are you now, Jack.

It was just on the news.

It'll be alright. Don't worry about it.

Why did you ever have to start with him?

They turned me down with that job I was sure I had.

I couldn't come back for you empty-handed.

And then I met Jerry. I figured one more score.

Just enough to set us up, you and me

and I wouldn't ever have to see him again.

Jerry sent me up to a little town outside St. Louis

to stake out a bank.

I had it all set up when he walked into my room.

But the law was there too.

What are we gonna do?

I gotta go with him for a while till it's safe.

And then I'll send for you.

When, Jack?

It's no good.

I don't wanna lose you again.

I'm gonna get some things together. I'm..

I'm going with you.

No! I can't let you do that.

Just get us some money and some wheels.

I don't have any money

but I've got a car and I'm going, Jack.

[Wilson] 'Don't talk her out of it, Jack. It's a good idea.'

They won't be lookin' for us with a pretty girl.

[laughs]

Hair dye.

Jerry thought I should darken my hair.

Make a new man out of him, Carolyn.

Just don't start laughing when I come out.

[dramatic music]

You and Jack have known each other a long time.

That's right.

Heard you got into some trouble

just about the time you were gonna get married.

I'm sure you know all the details.

Couple of wild kids

stole a car and went joy ridin'.

Jack hit a man and k*lled him.

I was driving.

I see.

So that's why you're gonna come with us.

You figured you owe him something.

No..

...I love him.

That's all the reason I've ever needed.

Welcome aboard.

[instrumental music]

Next few hours should tell.

[music continues]

What time is it, inspector?

Little after 4:00.

Can I get you some coffee, Barbara?

[breathing heavily]

Barbara, glad you're here.

Doug.

Where are we?

Memorial Hospital in St. Louis.

Oh.

How's the kids?

Fine.

Just waiting for you to get well.

Hello, Douglas.

Mr. Ward.

'Inspector..'

...did you get him?

Not yet.

[instrumental music]

Doug..

...who was the other man?

Wilson.

Gerald Wilson.

Are you positive it was Wilson?

Yes, sir, he..

He came through the kitchen..

...with a r*fle.

Thanks, Doug, that's what we need for now.

[music continues]

Sir, is, uh

Deputy Holden gonna be alright?

He's gonna make it.

That's enough for now.

Get some rest.

We'll talk later.

[music continues]

- No, tell him "No." - Relax.

Just keep remembering it's your ticket.

Jacks' out of all this.

Now, when I go inside, you'll lead, wait in the front.

Nice and easy, don't k*ll the motor.

[dramatic music]

[intense music]

Hello.

[music continues]

Police officer.

Now, you just ease that hand out of your jacket

and I don't wanna see anything in it.

It's right now, son.

[grunts]

Nobody moves, you won't get hurt.

Get the money.

No, no, come on, let's go!

[music continues]

[tires squealing]

[instrumental music]

He's gone..

...isn't he?

[male #1] Fire!

[g*nf*re]

Aim, fire!

Aim, fire!

[bugle music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[Barbara] 'I don't know..'

'Still seems so hard to accept.'

Thank you for being so kind..

...patient.

Mr. Hoover wants me to tell you we'll..

...stand behind you in any way

through the years.

Thank you very much.

Whenever you feel up to it..

...we'll go over the benefits provided for you.

[instrumental music]

Hello, inspector.

Bob, thanks for your help.

'Mrs. Keller, thank you. We'll be in touch with you.'

Murrow, good to see you again.

Here's the sketch I had made of the girl who drove the car.

We got a good description from the woman

who saw them drive off.

Who identified Collins and Wilson?

One of the tellers and the off-duty police officer

who tried to stop it

identified Collins from seein' him

on a ten-most-wanted bulletin

that was broadcast late last night.

They said his hair is darkened now

but both still made a positive identification.

Actually, Collins entered the bank first

then went back to the door before Wilson came in.

How is the officer?

Tom?

Well, he's got a fractured skull

but the doctors say he's not in any danger.

Right, Tom, call the bureau

tell them we're wire photoing an artist sketch.

Ask 'em to give it the widest possible circulation.

- I'll get started. - 'Well, just a minute.'

Let's take another look at all arrest records

on Wilson and Collins.

Whom they wanted notified in case of on emergency

maybe we'll come up with the girl.

Right.

How much was taken in the robbery?

Oh, a little less than $400.

They had to leave in a hurry.

That's not gonna get them very far.

Lou, you figure they might be tryin'

to get out of the country?

[inhales deeply] It's a possibility.

Wilson's parents have been in California

the last 20 years.

He was born in Tulsa.

[instrumental music]

It could be so good, Jack.

I know.

When?

How long do we have to keep running with him?

[music continues]

You in the market.

He called a friend of his in Tulsa.

Now, he's getting a stake to get us to Mexico..

- And maybe-- - Shh!

You promised we'd leave him

right after the bank.

I only went along with you because you promised.

Please, please let's leave

before something worse happens.

Okay. I'll tell him.

No.

Oh, no, don't tell him.

He won't let us just leave, we know too much.

Besides, you've seen the way he looks at me.

I'm afraid of him, Jack.

Do you think he's sleeping?

Yes.

Okay.

[dramatic music]

[engine turning over]

[music continues]

Get out of the car. Get out slow.

'I'd have buried both of you right here.'

Gimme your g*n.

Slipped this under the distributor cap.

We'll all try and forget about this.

I'd like to think of us as members of a little club

with a lot of little rules..

...just one big one.

Nobody quits

unless I quit them.

[instrumental music]

Wilson's been arrested here in Tulsa four times.

Once in 1962, twice in 1966

where he picked up a year in a county jail

on an aggravated as*ault conviction.

And again in 1968 for bank robbery and m*rder

when he escaped while being tried.

Does he still have contacts there?

There's an Eldon Hunter who runs a pawn shop here.

I ran his name through the Tulsa Identification Bureau.

Long arrest record for receiving stolen property

loan sharking.

Might be the kind of friend

Wilson would turn to if he needs money.

That's right. I'm having his shop under surveillance.

Arthur..

...I'd like to go directly to this man, Hunter

maybe there's a way I can get him to cooperate.

Alright, it's worth a try.

Might break things open.

Uh, hold on a minute, Lewis.

I think we've identified that girl for you.

Baltimore PD just wired a photo of the girl

who was arrested with Collin's in '66.

For auto theft and manslaughter.

'She strongly resembles the sketch of the girl'

'who was driving the car in the bank robbery.'

What do we have on her?

Her name is Carolyn Palmer, aged 22.

Last known address, General Delivery, Kansas City.

She received permission to live there

after she was released from prison.

- No other criminal record? - No.

Neither she nor, uh, Collins had any previous record.

That's before the, uh, manslaughter charge.

- Until now, that is. - Alright, Art, thank you.

Now let me know how you make out with Hunter.

Good luck.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[door opens]

- Eldon Hunter? - Yes?

- What can I do for you? - We're with the FBI.

Would like to talk to you about your friend Gerald Wilson.

My friend? I haven't seen him in years.

Not since 1966 when you bailed him out on a burglary charge?

I don't follow you.

Wilson k*lled an FBI agent, Hunter.

- We want him. - You helped him in the past.

'We think he may come to you again.'

But I told you, I-I haven't seen him.

You went to the bank this morning.

You withdrew $2000.

'The largest withdrawal you've made since 1966.'

Well, yeah, I--

We'll get him anyway, you know.

It's just a matter of time.

'If you're afraid of him'

we might be able to help you get him off your back.

Think it over.

[Hunter] 'No, w-wait.'

Day before yesterday... he called me long distance.

What did he want? A stake?

He's holdin' me up.

But-but nobody crosses him.

When is he supposed to pick up?

He wouldn't say. "Have it ready," he says

and he'd call me again.

Alright. We'd like to make use of your shop, if you don't mind.

- You have an extension phone? - Yeah.

[Hunter] 'Alright.'

You put your agents in here.

You have 'em listen on the phone.

But when he gets in here, you k*ll him.

Do you understand?

[instrumental music]

[ticking]

[phone ringing]

- Hello? - Hello, Eldon?

- How are we coming along? - Oh, just fine, Jerry.

- I've got a little over $2000. - Good.

- Anybody talk to you? - 'No.'

- You talk to anybody? - Ah.

You know me, Jerry.

That's fine, I'll see you soon, Eldon.

[Hunter] 'When?'

- When are you coming? - Soon.

It's getting chilly.

Here.

Thank you.

Jerry, please?

You yell, you'll wake him. Now you don't wanna do that.

[intense music]

[clock ticking]

Now, where's the pawn shop?

It's one block over and four blocks west.

You'll see the sign "Hunters."

But he doesn't know me!

Well, he knows somebody's coming in to pick up the money.

It'll take about 15 minutes.

Why can't we go with him?

'Cause Tulsa's my hometown

a lot of people around here know me

and not just prowl cops.

It's four o'clock in the morning.

That's why I figured it was safe to come this far.

Fifteen minutes

but you should be able to do it in ten.

[instrumental music]

Okay.

I'll be right back.

[music continues]

[bottle clanking]

Unit two to unit one

Units on the special.

Unit one, go ahead.

Suspect who looks like Collins

just passed me and headed for the pawnshop.

Ten four.

[music continues]

[knock on door]

[clock ticking]

- Yeah? - I'm Jack Collins.

Jerry sent me, Mr. Hunter.

Okay, come on in.

I've got the money, a little over $2000.

Hey, hey.

[crickets chirping]

It's an old safe.

Well, hurry up.

Why didn't Jerry come with you?

Why do you ask?

There's no reason.

I-I just would like to see him.

What's the matter with you? You're jumpy, is it..

Nothing. Honest.

What's going on here? Are there cops outside?

No! I swear. There's not.

- ...lying! - No!

- Hold it! FBI. - Let him go!

- Where's Wilson? - Who?

Tom, tell the other units to spread out

start covering the neighborhood.

Unit one all units.

Fifteen minutes, that's it, I'm not waiting here any longer.

You can't, he's probably on his way back.

Just settle down.

[instrumental music]

Once more.

Where are they waiting for you?

You think Jerry would talk if it had gone the other way?

What do you think?

Remember, if he gets away he's got Carolyn with him.

I think you know what that means.

Okay. Okay, the-they're parked about four blocks east

and one over the south.

Come on, you're gonna show us.

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

You could have waited a few minutes more.

No.

Besides it's better this way now.

Just you and me now, Carolyn.

I got her into this.

She didn't have anything to do with any of it.

What about the bank robbery Lee's Summit?

Wilson forced her.

She only went along 'cause she was afraid.

If you told us where the car was sooner

she'd be out of danger by now.

He'll never give up.

You'll never take him alive.

- You gotta save her. - And you have to help me.

- Now where were you heading? - Mexico.

Any particular route?

That's all for now.

[instrumental music]

I don't see why we have to dump my car.

It's on every hotlist in the country by now, sweetheart.

Come on.

[music continues]

Hey, hey.

I'll just be in a minute.

[music continues]

Operator, connect me with the FBI

please hurry, it's an emergency.

Can I speak with an agent, please, this is Carolyn Palmer.

[gasps]

You try that again, it's all over.

[music continues]

[screeching]

[instrumental music]

[man on radio] 'Unit 14.'

Fourteen, go ahead.

'Stand by please.'

- Lewis. - Oh, hello, Art.

Lewis, a couple of things just broke.

One, a girl identifying herself as Carolyn Palmer

phoned the Waco resident agency

just a short time ago.

The call was cut off before they got anything more than her name.

Waco, huh?

'I've alerted all law enforcement agencies'

'in a 1200 mile radius.'

Right, I'm flying down there now.

Lewis, we just picked up a report here in the NCIC

from the Waco PD.

The car Wilson was driving was abandoned there

just a few minutes ago.

Any reports of another stolen car in the immediate vicinity?

I may have something for you on that right now.

Yes, "'69 white country square

Texas license, GIL717."

It was reported stolen at about the same time

and just a short distance from where

the other vehicle was abandoned.

I'll have them send this out right away.

Alright, talk to you later, Art.

[intense music]

Forty-one miles more.

Just drive, we'll get there by dark.

You haven't said five words all day.

Makes the trip a little more pleasant

if there's a little conversation.

What do you want me say?

In a little while we'll both be dead.

At least it'll all be over.

Sorry I asked.

We'll be in Mexico soon you'll see I got a lot friends there.

I can see it now, we'll be on a beach somewhere like

Puerto Vallarta, soaking up the sun.

I'll bet you stop traffic in a bikini.

[laughing]

- Marvin. - Inspector.

- Hi, Tom. - Ellis.

Few matches at the airport.

A sheriff patrol spotted

the suspect station wagon about here.

They attempted to follow but lost them behind

a slow moving freight at a railroad crossing.

Have you got all frequencies cleared?

Uh, yes, sir.

Uh, we have four of our units in the field

and the clearance gave us the local police departments

sheriffs offices'.

Now we've put a roadblock here and here

and this one, we felt this is the most likely route

to the border.

[intense music]

That's it.

[screeching]

Come on.

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

[Wilson] FBI, I wanna talk to somebody from the FBI.

Hold your fire.

[music continues]

Go ahead.

This girl Carolyn

she didn't have anything to do with this.

I forced her to come along.

What do you want?

I want you people to pull back.

Otherwise I get rid of her right now.

Now let us take the car on down the road.

I don't wanna see any unmarked cars

or any helicopters over us.

When I'm convinced it's safe..

...I'll let her go.

Alright, I agree.

Let him through!

Okay, honey, take it easy.

Whatever happens, just keep going.

[music continues]

[screeching]

The road there runs down to the border, here.

- What's there? - A small border patrol station.

Ordinarily there's only two men this side of the bridge.

But one of our units is there now and the, uh

Mexican federal police are waiting on the other side.

Gotta have 'em hold our unit reserve out of sight.

Then what do we tell the border patrolman at the bridge?

Let's not be in too big a rush here.

Tom..

You noticed a general pattern

to Wilson's always sending someone ahead.

Like having Collins go into the bank first?

Yeah. And at Hunter's pawn shop.

Wilson never showed at all. He sent Collins.

Even when they came up to St. Louis.

Collins waited in that motel three days

before Wilson showed up.

He's very consistent.

You think he'll try sending the girl across the border alone?

Hoping to draw us off?

Instruct the border station to make no attempt to stop the car.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

Can't stall all night.

What's the matter?

Tell you what, Carolyn, you drive on down there

I'll jump out before you cross over

and I'll meet you on the other side.

I don't understand.

Suppose the Mexican police are waiting across the bridge.

Give 'em my best.

Now go on and if you stop

remember the first b*llet that hits the car will be mine.

[intense music]

- It's them. - It is subjects car.

[music continues]

'The girl appears to be alone.'

'Wilson might be down, out of sight.'

Alto! Alto!

FBI, Wilson, hold it right there.

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Your statement is correct, would you sign it please.

What happens now, Mr. Erskine?

You and Collins will be arraigned in federal court

here is Kansas city.

Can I see him for just a minute?

Of course.

[instrumental music]

I never should have got you mixed up in this.

[indistinct]

No matter what happens..

...you're never gonna see me again.

[sobbing] Oh, why?

There's got to be a chance sometime

to start over.

If two people love each other.

Uh, Otto.

[male narrator] Lawrence Jack Collins and Carolyn Palmer

were cleared of complicity

in the death of FBI agent Douglas Mercer.

Collins was tried and convicted for his part

in the arm robbery of the Lee's Summit Bank

and returned to federal prison to serve his sentence.

Miss Palmer was found guilty of harboring

a federal fugitive.

[theme music]

[music continues]