05x25 - Deadfall

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music]

Pookie!

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

- How do you do? - Hi.

We're from, uh, Gemini Home Repairs

here to see about the estimate.

Oh, oh, I'm afraid, I don't know anything about that.

But, uh, if you come back after 5:00..

[cat meows]

Pookie!

There's no one else here.

I think we ought to get out of here.

- What do you want? - Please, come with us.

- Who are you? - We'll explain that, girl.

- Can't you just come along? - No!

- Hey, wait a minute. Hey.. - Lady, you just..

I think you ought to shut up, huh?

Get control of yourself.

- Okay, nice. - Now relax, huh?

No screaming. No yelling.

You understand?

This is a g*n, huh?

And I wouldn't hesitate to use it. You got that?

Yes.

Okay. So you come with us, nice and quiet.

Come on.

Pookie, you bad cat, where have you been?

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars Robert Drivas..

...Zohra Lampert.

Special guest star Anne Francis

and Wayne Rogers as Ronnie Brimlow.

Tonight's episode, Deadfall.

On March 7, the kidnapping of a young housewife

from a residential home in New Jersey

was to launch the FBI into one of its most puzzling manhunts.

The description of one of the abductors

by the seven-year-old girl who witnessed the kidnapping

matched that of Ronald Brimlow

one of the FBI's ten most wanted fugitives

who was currently being sought in that area.

This information was immediately relayed

to FBI Inspector Lewis Erskine

who along with Special Agent Tom Colby

was personally directing the investigation.

It couldn't have been my wife.

She wouldn't have been home then.

She operates a real estate office over in Avondale.

How long since you've spoken to her, Mr. Cerelli?

It was early this morning.

She left the house before I did.

Uh, this is Mr. Cerelli.

Uh, let me speak with my wife, please.

Didn't she say where she was going?

Oh, have her call me the moment she gets in.

Yes, it's important. It's very important.

The clerk said that she left the office about two hours ago

and they don't know where she went or when she'll be back.

We'd like a description of your wife, Mr. Cerelli

and, uh, a photograph if you have one here.

Am I interrupting anything?

[Mr. Cerelli] 'Well..'

I was out showing property to a client, dear

and I thought maybe you'd like to take me lunch

i-if you're not busy?

[laughs]

Dom.

What's the matter with you?

Honey, we thought you were kidnapped.

- Uh, kidnapped? - Yeah.

[laughs]

Yes, that's right, Mrs. Cerelli.

It's not her.

Who is it?

But it was Mrs. Cerelli I saw.

The man pointed a g*n at her.

And you're certain this was the man?

Yes, sir.

Vickie, are you sure you weren't playing

a little game in your mind?

I don't mean you were lying, but sometimes we imagine--

Imagining things and saying they're real

is the same as lying.

I wouldn't do anything like that.

Inspector, if you have no more questions

do you mind if I put Vickie down for her nap?

- Of course not. - Come on.

[telephone rings]

Hello.

- Mr. Cochella? - Yes.

We're holding your wife.

What?

Fred, they took me for Madeleine.

[Fred on phone] 'Mary.'

Look, if you wanna see her back again

you'll do exactly as I say.

Wh-what is this? Tell me.

I want you to go to your job, act normal.

We're gonna call you there in two hours.

But what are you? I mean, what, what..

If you tell anyone about this and I mean anyone

your wife is dead. You got that?

Who is this? Who is it?

Now shut up. You're wasting time, Cochella.

You're due at work in half an hour.

But..

No.

- You're hungry? - Um, um--

- Thirsty? - No.

Can you tell me why?

You know, uh, we have no money to speak of.

But, Mrs. Cochella, we're gonna keep you here

only a few hours, okay?

Now if you don't give us any trouble, uh

get out of line or anything, nobody's gonna harm you.

That's all I can tell you.

Now, uh, try to make it easy on yourself, huh?

Hey, over here.

Want a cr*cker?

What are you doin'?

'Get over here.'

When he comes out, you'll have to come down this way.

So we pick him up right here.

In an area like that, it'll go unnoticed.

Yeah, what's he look like?

Where are the photographs?

Well, I'm sorry.

Didn't you get the photographs?

Um, well, I-I never had a chance, you know.

Oh, it wasn't easy, huh?

[sighs] Alright, alright, alright, we'll have him mark himself.

'Now, look.'

'We'll start here.'

'Stadium's here, right?'

[softly] Miss.

Could you do something?

Couldn't you do anything?

'Please.'

I have three children.

You're lucky.

Brimlow has a long arrest record for armed robbery

but kidnapping is new to him.

I see his wife has a record too.

Yes.

She was previously convicted with him for armed robbery.

They were released about a year ago.

She's also wanted in New York

for that bank robbery he pulled last month.

[phone buzzes]

Yes?

Mr. Ward.

Put him on the speaker will you, Bennett?

Yes, Arth.

Lewis, the New York office received a tip

from a reliable informant

on Brimlow's possible accomplice in the kidnapping.

'A Frank Moonan, aged 26, white male American.'

'I'm forwarding the details by Tele-Tech.'

- Do we hold a warrant for him? - 'Yes.'

He's an escaped federal prisoner.

According to the informant, Moonan met Brimlow

in New York City a few weeks ago.

They were seen together in a bar several times.

And then Moonan disappeared from town

the same time Brimlow did.

Uh, Mr. Ward, uh, has Moonan been involved

with kidnapping in the past?

No, but he's worked extortion by a threat of kidnapping.

Seems he'd call a victim he knew to be alone

and at home and tell him that he'd kidnapped a relative.

A wife or a child.

And then he'd demand a few thousand dollars

ransom immediately.

Well, if the victim couldn't find the relative

'he'd fear the worst and pay the money.'

Only this time, it looks as if

he was in on the actual abduction.

Yes, but of whom we don't know yet.

You think the Cerellis

could have had another relative taken?

We questioned them about that.

They said everybody in their family

was accounted for.

But I think we better pay them another visit.

Fred, it couldn't be Mary.

Mary will be in New York until Friday.

Well, she got back last night.

And early this morning, she took a bus to go up and see you.

Well, she must have gotten the door with the key

I leave under the mat.

And the child next door thought it was me.

- Oh, my God, my sister. - Come on. Come.

[sobs] Oh, Mary.

Oh, Mary.

Fred.

Why would anybody wanna kidnap Mary?

Huh?

I mean, if they plan this, they must know

that there's not enough money in the whole family

to make a worthwhile ransom.

- Yeah. - I know. I know.

Listen, Dominic.

They said they're gonna call me back.

Now don't mention this to anyone, please.

They threatened to k*ll Mary if I said anything

so don't, don't say anything.

No, no, of course not.

- What can we do, Fred? - I'll let you know.

Oh, oh, yeah, there is, there is something.

The kids, the kids will be out of the movie at 4 o'clock

and, uh, well, there won't be anybody here.

So if-if, if you could--

Yeah, we'll drive over and pick 'em up.

- Which theater, Fred? - The Cinema.

Look, uh, Dominic, don't-don't say anything

to the kids about this, okay?

Now don't worry about that, Fred.

Thanks. Thanks very much.

[clicks tongue]

Let's go.

- Ronnie, I don't think-- - Shell!

Now look, it's gonna be wound up by 5 o'clock.

If I'm not back or you don't hear from me

you get out of here fast, alright?

What about her?

You leave her alone, that's what.

Mm, sure.

What?

- I said okay. - I didn't hear you.

She'll be fine.

Look, Shell, it's the last mountain.

This one and we're home free.

Don't worry.

Cool it.

Sit down.

Sit down!

Don't worry, you're gonna be alright.

The man we suspect has a pattern

of threatening his victims' relatives.

Are you sure you've accounted for every member

of your immediate family?

[Dominic] Yes.

Mrs. Cerelli, you seem to be holding something back.

Inspector, we've already answered you.

I don't see any reason why we have to go over this

again and again and again.

Very well.

You realize, of course, that when someone's life is at stake

we'd like to be able to help.

'But our hands are tied unless you tell us'

'everything you know.'

- Inspector. - 'Yes, Mrs. Cerelli.'

They took my sister.

[indistinct chatter]

Fred, can I speak to you a moment, please?

Well, the armored car will be here right away, Mr. Atkins.

Mm-hm. Come here.

This is Inspector Erskine of the FBI.

Agents Colby and Adams. This is Mr. Cochella.

My sister-in-law told you about my wife, didn't she?

Mr. Cochella, our first concern is for her safety.

Alright, alright, but where do we start?

What were the kidnappers' exact instructions?

Well, they, they told me to, to come to work

and act normally.

And that they'd call me by 3:30.



[sighs] Alright, we'd like permission to monitor your telephone.

You've got it.

Uh, miss, please

it's, uh, it's kind of cold in here.

[sighs]

Thank you.

Thank you. Say, uh, could you untie

my hands for a little while?

They're kind of numb.

No.

[sighs]

Are you tired?

No, I'm scared.

Are you? You put me on.

Oh, this whole thing frightens me.

- Um, don't be frightened. - Aren't you taking a chance?

Ronnie? No problem.

What does that mean?

Means, uh

there's gonna be a, uh, change in command.

If you're smart, you'd be with me.

You really think you can take Ronnie?

He won't know what hit him.

- Why do you want me? - I want you.

- I'm not your type. - Well, let's find out.

Come on.

Put your g*n on the table.

Slowly.

Over there.

May I?

If you move from that cot before Ronnie gets back

I'm gonna use this.

I wonder if you would.

Try me, Frankie.

Maybe I will.

[telephone rings]

- Hello? - Cochella?

[Fred] 'Yes.'

Have you counted the box office receipts yet?

No, uh, well, that is, uh

we're, we're not, uh, quite finished yet.

What's your guess at the total?

I don't know. It's, uh..

It's close to $100,000.

Alright, now listen, here's what I want you to do.

'You put all the money in a bag.'

'You leave the stadium and walk west on Ford Street.'

'You got that? West on Ford Street.'

'Keep walking and we'll intercept you.'

But, uh, there are, there are a lot of people around.

I mean, how, how do I get the money out?

You're in charge there, aren't you?

You figure a way.

Alright, I'll try.

Ah, one more thing.

I want you to put a white marker on the money bag.

- A white marker? - That's right.

Tie a handkerchief around it, anything.

Be out of that stadium in 15 minutes.

'Alright.'

[sighs]

Inspector.

If I let Fred take the money

can you guarantee to get it back for me?

No, Mr. Atkins, I can't.

But that's your money. I, I can't, I can't--

Give me a total of the amount.

Fred, you take the money.

Oh, Mr. Atkins, I don't know how to--

You better hurry.

Oh, just a moment.

Let's listen to the end of that recording again.

[Fred on tape] 'I'll try.'

[Ronnie on phone] 'Ah, one more thing.'

'I want you to put a white marker on the money bag.'

- 'A white marker?' - 'That's right.'

[Ronnie] 'Tie a handkerchief around it, anything.'

What does that suggest to you?

I don't know.

It sounds like the, uh

kidnappers don't know you, Mr. Cochella.

They need that marker as a means of identification.

These people may not be as well organized as they appear to be.

Evidently not.

Mr. Cochella, you can make the payoff..

...but it will be dangerous.

With your permission, I'd like to go in your place.

But they, they-they might k*ll my wife.

But you're putting your life on the line, aren't you, inspector?

And I'd be a fool not to do everything I possibly could

to help you.

You go ahead.

Tom, call the bureau. Bring them up-to-date.

Bennett, assemble a special squad right away.

Mr. Cochella, you and I are gonna get the money ready.

We'll operate at the audio signal of this homing device

on channel 2 of your car radio.

We'll try and get it with three units.

Two parallel, one from behind.

Oh, here it is, inspector.

Thank you.

[shudders]

Oh, gosh.

[sighs]

Shh.

[sighs]

[softly] Walk with me. Come on.

[chuckles] Oh, the..

Oh.

Dizzy.

Take deep breaths.

[inhales] Deep breaths.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

[sighs] Sit down over here.

Put your head between your knees.

That's right.

Is it better?

Are you alright?

They're gonna k*ll me.

[sobs]

- No, no, no. - I'll never see my children.

[sobs]

Shh, shh. Please. Shh.

Get your mind off things. Talk to me.

Please, talk.

- I don't know what to say. - Doesn't matter.

Just talk about anything. Talk about yourself.

There really isn't anything to talk.

I'm just a housewife.

Uh, is your husband handsome?

Do you have a happy marriage? Do you, do you have a dog?

Just talk.

I was married when I was 18.

Uh..

I guess it was, uh..

...pretty typical.

We had no money.

And, uh, we had three kids.

We lived.

You asked me about my marriage.

'At first, you know, I was very happy.'

A kid in love.

But later, I..

...I began to wish that I hadn't married him.

That it'd been somebody else.

'And that we hadn't had the three kids, you know'

'not right away.'

[laughs] I know what I sound like.

A silly housewife with the..

...getting older problems.

'Rifing about her dull routine of a life.'

But now..

Now I'd give anything just..

...to..

...see my husband and children again.

'I'd never ask for anything more.'

Please, can't I?

Please.

How did you, uh, get started?

[laughs]

I mean, uh..

Was that your husband who brought me here?

He looks so, uh..

[chuckles] He doesn't look like a, uh..

Doesn't look like a kidnapper.

No. No.

He-he's a college man.

[chuckles]

Yeah, that's where we met.

College?

We went to college just like normal folks.

You thought people like us just grew out of the ground

with horns behind our ears, huh?

I don't know what I thought.

It was a little Midwestern college.

Yeah, and Ronnie was a big man on campus.

He ran everything.

And I won all the popularity things.

Just like one great big party.

Never ended. Just excitement and fun.

Then, uh, how did you, uh, get started?

We left college in our third year.

We thought that since school was so great

life must be fantastic

and we just couldn't wait to get started.

Then suddenly, we were 30.

We were all alone.

[sighs]

All our friends had changed.

We had nothing.

Couple of years before that, we had held up a, a gas station.

You know, just kind of for kicks.

And this time, we did it for real.

It was so easy.

It was so easy and it, it, uh, just became easier.

Well, right up to you.

Me?

The big bundle.

Great life across the border if we make it.

A life sentence if we don't.

You don't have any children?

I can't have any children.

Then you have nobody at all?

Yeah, my parents are still living

and his father..

[scoffs] We haven't heard from them for years.

They must be pretty proud of us.

Look out!

Now it's my turn.

Hold it.

Get in.

AK5 to Units 6 and 8.

Following prearranged pattern.

- AK5 to Control. - Go ahead, 5.

We're moving east on 4th Street.

Just passing Katz Avenue.

Is my wife alright?

Is she alright?

Look, uh, drive around for a while.

I wanna make sure nobody's following us.

Yeah, your wife's alright.

I get a front row seat

when your old man comes through the door.

- You're crazy. - Yeah? Just watch me.

Look, you've got what you want.

Now why can't you take me to my wife?

Relax, huh?

You know what time it is?

We're supposed to be back by 5:00.

Alright, let's go home.

AK5 to Units 6 and 8.

They're fading on us.

Are you picking him up?

[man on radio] 'Unit 8, we've got a strong signal.

'He's moving downtown Lake Boulevard'

'heading for the expressway.'

- '8 to Control, do you read?' - 10-4.

Fred, there's a couch in the other office.

- Why don't you get some rest? - I'll wait here. Thank you.

- Been in the FBI long? - About two years, sir.

Married?

No, sir, I'm not.

I guess you'd have to be married

to know what I'm going through right now.

- I think I understand. - No. No, you don't.

You live with a woman a number of years.

She cooks your meals

bears you children.

You take it for granted.

You feel she should be there.

And suddenly, she's not.

You realize she might never be again.

And you wonder if you can go on.

- NK5 to Control. - 'Go ahead, NK5.'

Subject has just crossed into New York.

They've turned off of Blount's

and they're heading

north up River Fork Road.

[woman on radio] '10-4.'

The fork he's traveling on seems to end

at a cul-de-sac at the river.

It must be their destination.

There's nowhere else they could go.

Have all units move in and surround the area.

Have them stand by for further instructions.

Yes, sir.

[Shelly in muffled voice] 'Frank.'

Frank.

You wanna say something?

You still want me to go with you?

Are you making a deal for your old man's life?

And hers.

I don't know.

After this, I'll be able to afford much better.

And much younger.

Maybe so.

But I promise I'll never give you any trouble.

For as long as you want.

[car approaching]

[grunts]

Sit down over there.

Hey, uh, pick it up.

I haven't decided what to do about him or you yet, huh?

Get over there with them.

Well..

...I can't just leave you here, can I?

Frankie.

Something's wrong. Yeah.

You know, you never looked at him?

Not since he's come in here?

And you haven't said one word to her.

'Oh, uh..'

I'm not her husband.

I'm with the FBI.

'This place is completely surrounded.'

You have one chance.

Give up before anyone else gets hurt.

You, uh..

You got any proof that you are?

No.

There's no one out there.

They're out there.

You know what this is? It's a homing device.

Our agents have been following its signal

ever since he first picked me up.

Your stupid, stupid husband!

Okay.

Okay.

The three of us are going out there together.

You're gonna tell your men to let us get through.

It won't work.

You're gonna make it work.

Otherwise I'm gonna finish her off right here.

FBI!

Tell them.

He's threatening Mrs. Cochella if you don't let him through.

No way out. Give it up.

I've got her, huh?

[screams]

Run! Go on!

[grunts]

Mary.

Mary, come here.

Oh, darling, are you alright?

[sobs] Are you?

A little damp, but, uh, it's all there.

Come on, let's pick up the kids and go home, yeah?

- Come on, let's go. - We'll do that next.

- Let's, uh.. - Oh.

Sir, may we, may we..

[laughs] May I?

Thank you.

You, thank you. Thank you so much.

All of you, so very much. You, I don't know.

Excuse us for the trouble. Bye-bye.

[blows nose]

[clears throat] I-I get a little emotional.

I suppose you fellas are used to this sort of thing.

No, you, uh, you never get used to it.

Ronald Brimlow, Shelly Brimlow, Frank Moonan and Arthur Cody

were tried and convicted in federal court

of kidnapping and bank robbery.

[theme music]