05x24 - The Dealer

[bunniefuu]

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

What's the trouble? Are you stuck?

Yeah. I got a broken axle.

Could you take my patient in the trolley?

- Sure. - Good.

[music continues]

Get back in the truck, Mac.

[music continues]

[truck engine revving]

[music continues]

Now, who says we are trying to get rid of you?

'We're just glad you found the right guy.'

Huh? Oh, no.

'Oh, no, you don't get a look at it until after the wedding.'

'But I think you'll like it.'

Yeah.

Okay, baby.

Uh, tell mom I'll be home in an hour, okay?

Yeah, I love you too.

Bye-bye.

What is it, Lobb?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

- What's this? - Take a look.

You, get that box off the truck.

Get the box! Osborne give him a hand.

Open it!

Like your typewriters, calculators, office machines.

'All the very finest.'

Total manifest $200,000.

I told Brokaw I was through dealing.

He didn't tell us.

What happened to the driver of this rig?

[dramatic music]

Relax, he's alright.

Show him.

[music continues]

He gave us a little argument, we had to knock him out.

Don't give me that look, dealer.

You set yourself up in this business.

When Brokaw says you fence, you fence!

And you keep on fencing as long as we need you.

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds..

With guest stars, Edward Binns..

Vincent Beck..

Paul Mantee..

And special guest star, Nina Foch.

Tonight's episode, "The Dealer."

[instrumental music]

[siren blaring]

On November 18th, a freight truck en route from New Orleans

to Kansas City was reported long overdue

at its destination.

When the truck was found abandoned in Galveston, Texas

with its cargo missing and its driver in a coma

from a concussion, the FBI entered the case

under provisions of the theft

from interstate shipments statute.

The truck belongs to New Orleans Interstate Freight Company.

Its destination was Kansas City

with stops at lake Charles and Shreveport.

And it ended up in Galveston.

Well, it seems likely it wasn't unloaded there

at least not where it was found.

There were no tire impressions of a transfer vehicle.

If the truck driver kept to his itinerary

the furthest point west where he could have been hijacked

would be Lake Charles.

What's the distance between New Orleans and Galveston?

About 370 miles.

According to the company it traveled, um..

...traveled..

...nearly 500 miles since departing New Orleans.

That leaves a 130 unaccounted for.

It looks as though it was unloaded

within this general radius

then taken to Galveston and dumped.

- Any news on the truck driver? - He's still unconscious.

The doctors feel he'll recover, but they have no idea

when he'll be coherent.

We'll start an immediate investigation

of all known fences in this area.

The Identification Division come up with any

latents on that truck?

Yes, they are still being processed.

This represents the points where trucks have been hijacked

during the past six months.

The New Orleans office feels that the merchandise is being

diverted to the same fence.

Well, we knew who that was.

Any other common denominators?

Well, most of the stolen trucks belong to the same company.

The president is going to give his full cooperation.

What's your approach, Lewis?

New Orleans Interstate Freight has been shifting personnel

since the hijackings began.

I'd like to request that Colby be pulled off

the Villeneuva case.

It'd be a chance to get him into a sensitive position.

So, he'll be ripe for an approach

by any inside people the hijackers may have.

With a background that would make him vulnerable to them.

I'll give him a criminal record.

This is gonna have to be handled in such a way

that the hijackers will be able to ferret out that information.

We've already started on it.

[instrumental music]

Honey, you're home before midnight.

What a treat.

Well, if you had me here all the time

you wouldn't appreciate me.

- Oh, that's not true. - Where's Barbie?

She's out shopping. You got a visitor.

- Who? - Some salesman.

He said you were expecting him.

Build me a tall one while I get rid of him.

Hello, Barney.

Brokaw, I told you never to come here.

Why not? It's a very nice house.

Much better than the hutch I have in New Orleans.

- You live well, dealer. - What do you want?

I have some information.

Not interested.

Oh, that's right. You are retired.

You're old, rich and fat.

You've stolen enough.

Time to get out, live respectable.

What about the rest of us, dealer?

We're not so rich.

You can't just pick up your chips and cut out.

Are you threatening me?

Of course not.

I'm only offering the opportunity

for all of us to leave the game rich.

I just got the word.

A shipment of Esoto watches will be coming in next week

to be transported to Chicago.

Two dozen gross.

Esotos. You know what they're worth?

Maybe three quarters of a million.

Does that make the blood run a little faster, dealer?

The old w*r horse is getting a scent?

It'll be hard to push.

But you might know some outlets where you could push 'em

for a third of the value.

In which case you'll actually be getting half

'and telling us that you settled for a quarter.'

Let's not cheat this time, dealer.

Let's share evenly and all go home happy.

Daddy, I bought the whole bridal assortment

you're going to have to..

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company.

It's alright, we were just finishing.

Uh, my daughter, Barbara. This is Frank Brokaw.

Well, I better be going.

I'll call you in that matter when I get more details.

- You know why I love you? - Tell me again.

Because of what you are.

Because you're so fine and wonderful and great.

And most of all because you are my father.

And suppose you found out that

I wasn't so fine and wonderful and great.

Had it be the day.

Oh.

Let me take a look at those waybills you are working on.

- You're the new dispatcher? - That's right.

- Tom Erickson. - Doug McKenzie.

You've been transferred from another division, huh?

- Yeah, few days ago. - I see.

Then you're not from around here, huh?

No.

Better not keep you from your work.

- You see the new man? - Mm-hmm.

What do you think?

He's not much of a talker.

Get hold of the personnel record.

Let's find out more about him.

[instrumental music]

Barney.

Terry, what are you doing here?

I got lonesome.

Aren't you ever coming home this evening?

[scoffs] Where does the time go? This inventory--

Why don't you give this up, Barney?

Baby, I'll be through in an hour.

Barney, I mean for good.

Well, you've got enough money. You've worked enough years.

Why don't you do some of those things you've always wanted?

Buy that property in Florida.

Buy that fishing boat you've always been looking at

in the catalogue.

- Go after the big ones? - I'll cook them.

Baby, you don't eat marlin, you mount it.

Okay, okay, wall to wall fish.

Anything that'll make you happy.

I just can't see you driving yourself like this.

You've got to stop it.

I can't stop, not right now.

Why not?

Well...I don't know.

Maybe it's the past, the early years.

You know, Terry, my father, the old man, he..

He loved children, all the kids in the neighborhood

but, but they were afraid of him because he was a deaf mute.

'So they used to taunt him.'

Throw things at him.

You know, sometimes on the way home from church

he would have to go into an alley

and clean the mud off himself that they had thrown on him

and I couldn't do anything but watch.

Yeah, and-and then, and then they gave me his handle, dummy.

Even though I was brighter than any of them.

Well, I made up my mind that I was gonna be

better than they were too, and I was gonna have a lot more

a lot more, and I didn't care how I got it.

Doesn't the fact that you have a family that loves you

mean anything to you at all?

Oh, yes.

Yes, so much, so much.

- Terry, go home now please. - Well, I--

I, I like to be alone for a little while.

But..

[instrumental music]

Relax.

Oh.

[sighs]

You got a good mind, Lobb. Too good to be working for me.

No, no. You don't owe me anything.

I knew you were a good worker when I first met you.

That's why I hired you, and you have been.

You've been loyal.

Uh...how many years did you spend in prison?

Yeah, I know.

Life is never fair to people like us.

I need your help.

There's a ferret at my throat.

[instrumental music]

- Yeah? - Good evening, Mr. Erickson.

- Brokaw. - Mm-hmm.

Speak to you for a minute?

Ah, what is this?

- Just a visit, Mr. Thaine. - The name's Erickson.

That's not what they call you in Leavenworth.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I think you better leave.

[Frank] 'If I've made a mistake, I'll apologize.'

But I think the police might like to hear about it.

'Or maybe your parole officer in Topeka.'

He's been missing you.

That was a clever move you made.

Switching identities.

Now, that's a nice family, isn't it?

Hmm.

Lovely wife.

They planning on joining you if the job works out?

Maybe they'll catch the same plane as the Kansas cops.

Uh, wait a minute.

How'd you find out?

I paid for my mistake.

Five years.

This system is very unfair.

I don't have any money.

- What do you want? - We want a pipeline.

You have full access to information

about cargo manifests and incoming shipments.

There's an item we'd like to know about.

It's supposed to be arriving next week.

What is it?

You'll know when the ship docks.

We'll be in touch with you.

- That's a nice contact. - Maybe too nice.

How many ex-cons you suppose are in this town?

Hm, I don't know, enough.

See what you can find me one that's recently

graduated from Leavenworth.

Call out of town if you have to.

[Lewis] 'We matched his prints with the latents on the photograph'

'you picked up in Colby's apartment.'

[Arthur] '"Norman Clark Whitehead.'

'"Served a term in Joliet for armed robbery.'

Five years in Auburn Prison, New York, for hijacking."

Some of his known associates.

What do we have on Brokaw?

Uh, as far as so no arrests.

This is his background from his army service record.

Francis Brokaw. Born in Camden, New Jersey.

Good family. College, two years.

Here at the army in 1950.

Honorable discharge.

In the army, he had to debate that one.

He was suspected of being in collusion with a civilian ring.

They were diverting and selling commissary supplies.

Nothing could be proved and the matter was dropped.

Whitehead and Brokaw are both under surveillance.

And their confederates.

I've brought the New Orleans office up-to-date.

What's the latest from Colby?

No developments since they first approached it.

Thank you.

We might be getting a lead on that fence

more quickly that we thought.

The Chicago office has identified a fence

who may be holding a shipment of office equipment

'hijacked on November the 18th.'

You better get out there, Lewis.

Right.

[instrumental music]

Have you received a manifest on this cargo?

Should be here in a few minutes.

I want a copy.

Look, Brokaw, I don't want to get into this.

Let me off the hook.

Please.

A copy by this afternoon.

[music continues]

Recognize him?

Well, there was over 2000 cons at Leavenworth.

I didn't get to meet all of them.

If you had a talk with him

do you think you could connect whether he was lying?

Easy.

[instrumental music]

I'm sorry you didn't get to see the one on display

but the shipment just came in.

If you're looking to buy a really fine typewriter

this will do it.

Wanna try it?

No, that won't be necessary.

Let's see, um, is that another one in there?

Yup.

Well, at these prices, I think I better take both of 'em.

Besides it will prevent a fight between two jealous secretaries.

I've told her to bill. Excuse me for a moment.

[Lewis] 'It matches the serial number of one of the models'

'hijacked from New Orleans Interstate Freight.'

Call the Chicago office.

Tell 'em to ask the US attorney

for a warranty on the owner of Chicago Commercial Products.

Tell 'em we'll need a search warrant too.

Mr. Ward, we've just received a teletype

from the New Orleans office.

The surveillance team covering Brokaw reports

he's made contact with an ex-convict

named Ernest Edward Maxwell, and here's his file.

Parole, one month ago from Leavenworth.

Has Colby been notified of this?

Yes, sir. The New Orleans office

got word to him a short time ago.

Contact the Bureau of Prisons.

I want a complete summary on Maxwell's prison background.

See to it that Colby gets it immediately.

[instrumental music]

Over here.

I just checked the inventory.

I saw the watches are ready to go.

The routing number is R-12.

Did you get a copy of the waybill?

No, it won't be ready till morning

but, uh, truck's been assigned, 412.

That's a Kansas City run.

- Leave at 10:00 in the morning? - Yeah.

Intermittent stops?

No, it's an express.

Good work.

I'll see you get a present.

Ernie.

Ernie Maxwell, Tom Erickson.

Ernie's gonna be working with us.

Yeah, I hear you did a nickel at Leavenworth, huh?

'For a guy who just pulled five, you look pretty good.'

Did Nuley take it easy on you?

Can I go?

He asked a question.

I wasn't under Nuley.

I was in cell block 12 under Lieutenant Rush.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think I remember you now, uh..

Didn't you work in the foundry for a while?

I worked in the metal shop. I was a cutter.

You didn't work in the foundry either.

Oh, you remember me, huh?

No, your cellmate.

Larry Adamshock.

He'll be there for another ten.

Get some sleep.

What do you think?

Uh, I don't know, I..

I guess he's alright.

- 'Is everybody ready?' - 'Yes.'

[Barney] 'If anybody laughs, the wedding is off.'

Well..

[chuckles] You look gorgeous. Doesn't he, mother?

You really do, daddy.

Hey, say, um, you don't think the coat is a little too big?

I still have plenty of time to have it altered.

No, it looks absolutely perfect.

Oh, careful, careful, careful.

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Just a moment, please.

That's it.

It's for you, daddy.

Oh, alright. I'll, I'll take it in there.

Lobb.

Yes.

The merchandise has just left.

You should have it by 8 o'clock.

Alright, we'll be waiting.

I'll be in about the same time.

So have my down payment ready.

What's the matter, you afraid we're gonna

grab the stuff and run?

You won't be able to run, dealer.

I'll be too close by. Like a Siamese Twin from now on.

From now on? Wait a minute.

You said this was the last operation.

Did I? That was stupid.

We can't break up a winning combination.

Now how you gonna stop it?

And don't threaten me with any muscle.

No need to. Just one phone call to the cops.

- You go down with me. - 'Wrong, dealer.'

'I'm free and unattached.'

'And it's just a short, sweet hop to the border'

'and I'd end up in Mexico.'

But you, dealer, how are you gonna run?

With a family, house..

- Mortgage. - Look--

It kinda destroys your family's image of you, doesn't it?

I can just see your daughter's write ups from the wedding.

The bride looked lovely

but unfortunately her father couldn't attend.

'He was being indicted'

'on charges of receiving stolen property.'

Alright, alright. Alright, that's enough.

I think so.

I'll see you in a couple of hours.

[dramatic music]

Brokaw. He won't let me off the hook.

He's, he's coming to the warehouse.

Tonight.

[music continues]

Were you able to find out where they plan to hijack the truck?

No, I tried every way I could think of, Lou

but, uh, no luck so far.

Well now, the retail dealer we arrested in Chicago

admits buying the equipment through a middleman in Houston.

He can't tell us who he is.

So, if this present cargo is to be diverted to Houston

they'll probably make their move

before the truck reaches Baton Rouge.

Well, I've, uh, discovered some more of, uh

Brokaw's people here on the dock.

He's got the company pretty well infiltrated.

Personnel department, loading section, harbor.

Good work, Tom.

You better stay on there right through the operation.

'Yes, sir.'

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Thanks, Ed.

These men will drive you back.

You better take this.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Erickson

I, uh, I didn't mean to be so tough on you the other night.

Oh, that's alright.

No hard feelings?

Uh, forget it.

I told you I thought there was something funny about that guy.

Come on, I got to get goin'.

Look, I don't think he was ever in Leavenworth.

Why?

I knew there was something phony about him

but it didn't connect until just now.

His hands.

His what?

His hands.

When I shook hands with him just now, I just noticed..

There's no marks on him.

Look, he, he never worked in any prison sheet metal shop.

'Look, a few days in a place like that'

'your hands are cut to shreds.'

'You, you raise calluses like rivets.'

Why would he lie about workin' there?

Unless he's lyin' about everything.

Now you try to get to Osborne in time.

Tell him that the truck heist is off.

What about Erickson?

Maybe he's a cop.

Maybe not.

But he's got too much on us.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

- Unit 1 to unit 4. - 'Go ahead 1.'

We're approaching Lafayette. Situation's still normal.

That's a 10-4. We're two miles behind you.

Leapfrog will take effect as soon as you leave Lafayette.

[dramatic music]

- 'Unit 4 to unit 1.' - Go ahead.

Louisiana highway patrol reports pick up

on Ernest Maxwell just south of Lafayette

he was heading your direction.

- Was he alone? - 'Yes, sir.'

He's been charged on speeding and resisting arrest.

'Inspector, we have a message for you from control.'

Yes.

They've received information that Tom Colby's been injured

in an accident at New Orleans Interstate Freight.

'Inspector, do you read?'

Uh, do they know his condition?

No information on that yet, sir.

Where's Brokaw now?

Surveillance reports he left New Orleans a few minutes ago

heading west on Route 61.

Repeat. West on Route 61.

He's made no contact with anyone.

Alright, maintain surveillance and keep me advised. 1 out.

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]



Out.

In the back.

[music continues]

Get in.

Hold it. Tie him up.

[music continues]

[truck engine revving]

Mr. Ward.

I flew down just as soon as I heard.

They found out..

I don't know how.

I'm sorry.

That's alright, Tom.

I'm feeling...fine, I'm..

I'm gon-I'm gonna be alright.

Well, of course you are.

What time is it?

Did we get him yet?

Not yet.

You get some rest, Tom.

We'll, uh, we'll be nearby.

Surveillance on the hijack truck reports

they're about ten miles from Houston.

The Houston office says all available units ready to assist.

What, uh, what's on the surveillance on Brokaw?

Oh, he's running about a half hour behind the truck.

Stopped in Lake Charles and picked up Whitehead

and they spent some time in there in the bar talking.

Well, we better get back to the office.

We'll standby in the radio room.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

[clock bell ringing]

Open it!

Where's the dealer?

In the office?

Alright, start unloading that cargo.

Let's go.

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - 'Osborne?'

Yeah, this you, Brokaw?

- Where are you? - 'In to town.'

- 'Everything alright?' - Yeah, we just got in.

Dealer ain't here, nobody here, but Lobb.

'Did the dealer leave any messages?'

No, no, nothin'.

Brokaw, what's goin' on?

- I don't like it. - 'I don't know.'

'Erickson, that new dispatch, had turned out to be a phony.'

'And now this.'

'Maybe the dealer's decided to pull out.'

'Stay there. I'll check his house and get back to you.'

Right.

What do you want, dummy?

[dramatic music]

Give all units our position.

Tell them to get here right away.

Houston Bargain Fair.

This is unit 1 to all units.

[music continues]

No, Lobb. Lobb! Lobb!

[g*n fire]

No, Lobb! Lobb, no!

FBI, hold it.

Hands behind your head.

Wait here.

Dealer.

Why weren't you at the warehouse, dealer?

[woman on phone] 'Inspector Erskine advises'

'US attorney has issued warrants'

'for Norman Whitehead, Francis Brokaw, Bernard Simms.'

'Maintain your surveillance.'

'Inspector Erskine and other units'

'will be arriving momentarily.'

[telephone ringing]

[telephone ringing]

Osborne doesn't answer.

Now, what's going on?

Maybe he's on the dock.

No, I don't think so.

I think it's the end of the line.

Too many things going wrong.

Why don't you, why don't you give it up? Go away?

I'll get a new dealer someplace else.

I'll get in touch with you.

No, no.

No, I told you, no more, no more from me.

You don't really think you could get rid of me

that easy, did you, dealer?

We're still gonna work together for a long time.

Now, I want my money, all of it.

I've only got a few thousands, it's in the safe.

Alright, I want it. Fast.

[dramatic music]

Step away.

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

What is this? What is it?

- Mrs. Simms? - Yes.

We're with the FBI. Is your husband in?

Well, yes, I think so.

- But what-- - You please wait here.

We have a warrant for his arrest.

'Brokaw.'

[g*nsh*t]

You tried to destroy me, my family, my whole life.

- Dealer, look-- - No, you look.

- I'm tired-- - Don't sh**t, Simms.

We're the FBI. Give me the g*n.

Don't be a fool.

[instrumental music]

We received word from the New Orleans office.

Tom Colby's gonna be okay.

Good.

Alright.

Looks like I won't be making the wedding.

Daddy.

Barbie..

...try to remember me..

...the way you thought I was.

[male narrator] Barney Simms, Frank Brokaw

and the other members of the hijacking conspiracy

were tried and found guilty on federal court of theft

from interstate shipment violations.

Brokaw was also found guilty of assaulting a federal officer.

They were sentenced to terms in the federal penitentiary.

[theme music]