06x04 - The Architect

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

- Foreman 1 to Control. - 'Go ahead, 1.'

We're just passing Holly Farms on Highway 90.

'Condition is stable. Would you give me a time check?'

[male #1 on radio] 'Time is 11:41.'

Roger, Control. We should be at the prison in about 40 minutes.

[male #1 on radio] '10-4.'

[screams]

Get away from that man.

He swallowed his tongue. He'll suffocate.

That's the deal. He just got out of the hospital.

I said get away from that man.

[groans]

Why don't you help with his feet?

[groans]

[g*nsh*t]

[grunting]

[indistinct shouting]

- What about them? - Leave 'em.

We can operate quicker alone.

[indistinct shouting]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Monte Markham..

...Billy Dee Williams..

...Arthur Franz.

Tonight's episode, The Architect.

On June 23, three convicts escaped

from a state prison bus in Central Kansas.

One of these was Arthur McBride

a convicted bank robber

known in the underworld as The Architect

because of his reputation for planning and executing

large-scale holdups throughout the United States.

Because state authorities had developed strong evidence

that the fugitives crossed state lines

the FBI was requested to enter the case

under provisions of the unlawful flight statute.

[sighs] "Arthur McBride born in Troy, New York, 1938.

'"Arrested 1961 in Mount Vernon, New York'

"for two bank robberies.

"Escaped January 6, 1965.

"Recaptured June of that year in Norman, Oklahoma.

"While he was an escapee

"he m*rder*d a Kansas highway patrolman

and committed five armed robberies."

"Sentenced to life imprisonment, 1966, Topeka, Kansas."

Prison psychiatrist describes him

as a highly dangerous psychotic.

But not exactly lacking in mental capacity.

He has an IQ of 142.

Near genius category.

He's sometimes known as The Architect.

What have we got on the other two?

Borden was a first offender. He held up a liquor store.

Was captured almost immediately.

Howard Deal has a record dating back to 1940.

Grand theft, armed robbery.

[telephone buzzes]

Yes?

Oh, good. Put him on.

It's Mark Kress, Omaha.

Uh, Mark, I'm putting you on the speaker.

Inspector Erskine and Al McClure are here.

Go ahead, Mark.

[Mark] 'Oh, we located the car the subjects'

'commandeered after the escape.'

They forced the occupants to drive them to Squire Hill.

That's located just after Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mark, were the occupants harmed?

[Mark] 'No, sir. They are husband and wife.'

They're both badly frightened, but otherwise alright.

Now we've set up roadblocks throughout the district

and right now, we're conducting a house-to-house search

of the Squire Hill area.

So far though, nothing's turned up.

Lewis Erskine, Mark. What about stolen cars?

Well, there have been none reported in the last, uh

four hours in this area, inspector.

It's likely they commandeered another vehicle.

Inspector Erskine will be out on the next flight.

- I'll see you shortly, Mark. - 'Right, inspector.'

I want you to nail this down fast, Lewis.

We've got a walking time b*mb on our hands.

I thought maybe you staked the claim on that bathroom.

Can't get clean. Still stink of that person.

It can't get out of my skin.

- Thanks for the lift here. - It wasn't my choice.

Where's your family?

[male #2] 'My wife's dead. There's no one else.'

Who is this? Your housekeeper?

[chuckles]

That's my daughter.

But, but she's away for the summer.

"John Prysock."

Let me have your wallet, Mr. Prysock.

Yes.

Eighteen dollars?

You've been away too long.

Everybody lives on credit cards now.

Do you have any cash in the house?

I don't keep money here.

That's the truth.

I suppose you're going to k*ll me

to prevent my giving information.

May I make one request?

I'd like to call my daughter.

I promise I-I-I won't tell her about any of this.

She's all I have.

I'd just like to hear her voice one more time.

Sleeping pills.

Do you have trouble sleeping, Mr. Prysock?

Put him to bed.

Go!

Deal.

Make sure he gets a good rest.

I can't take an overdose.

My heart. I, I'd die in my sleep.

You're lucky, Mr. Prysock.

That's a nice way to go.

Come on.

- Did you have to do that? - He reminded me of my father.

Proper, disciplined. The totally correct man.

Authority all the way.

I bet he drove this little girl to straight As.

Decision time.

You wanna make it on your own or stick with me?

There'll be no hard feelings. You don't owe me anything.

I owe you a lot.

You got me through three years on the yard without a scratch.

I respect you.

I guess I like you as a friend.

The respect's enough. I don't need anybody liking me.

But if you stay with me, you follow my rules all the way.

Alright.

We skip the country?

We shake it up a little first.

The country owes me a bill for those years in that cage

I intend to collect.

We better get organized. We'll need clothing.

- We'll need-- - One thing first.

- Deal. - What about him?

He's mentioned he's going to split. I don't like it.

He knows too much about the jobs I got planned.

- Oh, he won't do any talking. - I think he will.

Deal drinks too much and he likes the girls.

At his age, he'll tell them anything to impress them.

He's an old man. He just wants to live in peace.

I'm going on to Chicago.

Call me at the number I gave you.

You and Deal take Prysock's car.

Deal wants peace.

Give it to him.

Make sure he's not found for a while.

We just got a report from the, uh, agents in Squire Hill area.

They've located witnesses who made positive identification

on all three subjects.

They did commandeer another car.

DMV says it's registered to a John Prysock.

He's an insurance broker in the Plattsmouth area.

I've already alerted the agents there.

You know what I thought about all those years on the yard?

It's gonna give you a laugh.

[chuckles] Fishing.

I used to lay on my cot and dream I was in a boat

off the Key West or the Baja reeling in a big one.

Mm-hmm.

Of course, there's lot to be said

for fresh water fishing too.

And I, I know a spot up in Oregon

where the trouts just leap on your hook.

Won't you forget about McBride and come on with me?

You know, once you taste that air up there

and see one of those sunsets, you..

[car slows down]

- What's the matter? - End of the line, Howie.

What do you mean? I thought we were going all the way up..

Oh, Jimmy.

[c*ck g*n]

Get out.

Straight ahead into those trees.

This isn't your idea.

- It was McBride, wasn't it? - It doesn't matter. Move.

Oh, Jimmy, please.

Now three years, we were together in stir.

You know what it's like in there.

Now I..

- Look, I'm free-- - 'Move!'

Oh, Jimmy, please?

[shudders] I'm an old man.

I'm sick. I'm not gonna be around much longer anyway.

Don't take what I've got left, please.

Get out of here.

Go on, move!

- Get an ambulance. - Right.

Alright, thanks very much.

I just talked to the hospital.

They said Prysock's gonna make it.

But he's still unconscious and they don't know

when he'll be able to talk to us.

Hmm.

A call was placed to Chicago

from this phone at 9:40 this morning.

We're checking the listing now.

We found this on the floor over there.

Belongs to Prysock.

No cash or credit cards.

Um, I could, uh, call the local credit bureaus.

Find out what credit cards he was holding.

And enter the numbers in the NCIC.

Alright.

[phone rings]

- Hello? - 'Inspector, Kirby Greene.'

We've just checked out the phone call

that was placed from the Prysock home.

The number's listed to the Albemarle Club here in Chicago

which has a very exclusive membership.

Now the switchboard operator who would have taken the call

is off-duty now.

'We're trying to locate her. We'll get back to you.'

Right, Kirby, thanks.

[Mark] 'Lew.'

- Prysock's car's been found. - Where?

It was on the secondary road just outside Council Bluffs.

- They're heading east then. - Yeah, but not together.

On the report I got from Des Moines

it seems a truck driver picked up a man

of McBride's description and drove him

from Glenwood, Iowa to, uh, Marshalltown.

Did the driver give any other information?

No, he's not in any condition to.

McBride left him in a ditch with a fractured skull.

We hope to interview him tomorrow.

- When he come to, call me. - Alright.

[McBride] 'Merriman?'

What are you doing here?

I couldn't reach you at your club.

- What do you want? - What do you think?

Alright, I can, uh..

I can let you have about 100. That's all I can..

Now let's talk about real money.

I need financing.

Well, I'm through with all of that.

I've got a job that's going to take a lot of front money.

About 30,000.

A lot of grease to open a can of corn.

I told you I'm not interested.

You can go now.

You're living well, Stacy. Nice business, beautiful home.

You've got everything a man could ask for.

You know what it's like inside prison?

The police would love to hear about all the jobs you financed.

- McBride-- - That naval payroll hold-up.

The jewelry heist in Santa Fe.

You're soft, Stacy. You couldn't take stir.

You'd be dead in six months.

Don't, please.

I'm leading a new life.

Married a wonderful woman.

I got a lovely daughter.

Look.

They look like very nice people.

It'd be a shame to have them find out about you.

Get 30,000 in cash. I'll call you later.

McBride.

'Tell me something, just out of curiosity.'

What holds you up? What keeps you pushing?

'No friends, family.'

No desire for any.

Even a thief has to live for something.

What's your reason? I've always wondered.

[crash]

Don't wonder, Stacy.

Just have the money ready.

I got so many calls over this switchboard.

I can remember there was one for Mr. Coleman

then Mr. Storm.

They were both in the club today.

Didn't you say the call was long distance?

Yes.

I'm sorry. I just can't remember anymore specifically.

Alright, Miss Eddy. Thanks very much.

If you, uh, should think of anything else..

...please notify us.

We're checking out the membership

and the staff of the Albemarle Club.

'And so far, we have found nothing to connect them'

'with McBride or the other subjects.'

Cleveland office located Borden's wife.

She's, uh, living in an apartment there

with her son working as a waitress.

When they interviewed her, she maintained

that Borden made no attempt to contact her.

They have her under surveillance.

[phone rings]

Yes.

It's Mr. Ward.

Put it on the speaker, would you, Kirby?

Yes, Arth.

[Arthur] 'Lewis, we got a lead'

'on Howard Deal through the NCIC.'

A man of his description used

one of John Prysock's credit cards

to make purchases in a clothing store at Gothenburg, Nebraska.

- When was that? - 'About two hours ago.'

[Arthur] 'I notified the Midwestern officers.'

He also tried to buy a train ticket

but he left when the clerk became suspicious.

Did the clerk find out where he was going?

'Yes. Salem, Oregon.'

'I notified the Portland office.'

'They're checking any connections '

'he might have in that area.'

Right, Arth, thanks.

Miss Eddy said she just recalled something

which might be important.

I-I just remembered one of the call I received.

It was a bad connection, it was long distance.

It was a man and he asked for one of the club members.

Mr. Merriman.

[male #3 on screen] 'Pilot to crew, approaching target area.'

'Keep your eyes peeled, boys.'

[expl*si*n]

I never knew Stacy was mixed up in anything like this.

I was so surprised.

Tell us what happened, Mrs. Merriman.

Well, about an hour ago, I came into the den

and Stacy was just hanging up the telephone.

He was trembling.

He seemed half out of his mind with fear.

I couldn't understand everything he said

but he did mention this man's name.

- That's Arthur McBride? - 'Yes.'

He said he wasn't going to let McBride intimidate him anymore

and then he dashed out.

Did he give you any clue where he was going?

No, just that he was headed for town.

Do you have a photograph of your husband, Mrs. Merriman?

I think so.

That's all..

No, just before he hung up the telephone

he said a name, The Graphic

as though he was repeating instructions.

How was he dressed? Do you remember?

He had on a-a dark gray suit, uh..

And he took his briefcase.

You better hurry. He had a g*n.

[male #3 on screen] 'Fighter's coming in. 8 o'clock high.'

Let's have it.

[male #3 on screen] 'Twelve fighters at 10 o'clock.'

[male #4 on screen] 'Take them up, Chuck.'

[Chuck on screen] 'Got it. Another one coming in at 2 o'clock.'

[male #4 on screen] 'Chuck, get that bird 12 o'clock.'

[Chuck on screen] 'I wanna go home.'

Give me the g*n, Stacy.

No, you're not gonna blackmail me anymore.

Stacy.

[g*nsh*t]

[woman screams]

[Chuck on screen] 'Watch that plane off our right wing.'

'It's got flame coming out of its tail.'

- 'Hey, that's a new one!' - 'What is it? A robot?'

Out of my way!

[grunts]

Alright, on your knees.

[knock on door]

- Yeah. - 'Jimmy.'

I got your message. I was just leaving to meet you.

[sighs]

The little creep shot me.

Never so surprised.

It hurts.

[sighs]

It's not deep, but you're wearing a slug behind a rib.

- It's gonna have to come out. - There's no time.

I gotta make Miami by tomorrow.

Arthur, that b*llet's gotta come out.

And I need tools.

You?

I was a medic in the army, remember?

[gasps]

Get what you need.

Alright.

Oh.

Don't move.

I'll get back as quick as I can.

[breathes heavily]

I'm glad it's all over. That's everything I know.

You're sure McBride didn't give you any hint

of the kind of job he was planning?

No, no.

No, wait a minute.

He did use the expression

"It takes a lot of grease to open a can of corn."

'Something like that. It didn't mean anything to me.'

Alright, thanks very much.

This way, please.

A can of corn?

A bank?

Possibly.

One thing is certain.

McBride's got the money to finance

any operation he chooses.

We've got to find him.

What kind of split you're figurin' on makin'?

Everything over half a million is mine.

Everything under half we split.

Forty for me, twenty each for you two

and the fourth man.

That's a pretty healthy slice, isn't it?

My plan.

My front money.

You, uh, ever bust an armored car before?

I've always wanted to, but one thing worried me.

Firepower.

No.

How to stop an armored car where and when you want to

and still have a chance to cut off that radio

before they can call for help.

'And I think I've got it licked now.'

[knock on door]

Relax.

- Clegg? - 'Right.'

McBride.

Spencer. Borden.

Forrest Clegg.

Spencer handles the expl*sives.

Borden will work with you on the g*ns.

You didn't say nothin' about him.

That's right. I didn't.

Alright. What's the whole story on the job?

Racetrack?

The car that carries the money from the track.

Alright, get set on your equipment.

Be back here by 7:00.

I'll have a preliminary plan drawn up.

We stage a dry run tomorrow.

It's, uh, kind of funny, McBride.

You wanna pull a caper this fast?

What's funny?

Oh, I mean, usually when a guy gets out of stir

he wants to relax with old friends, with people.

I don't like people.

[sighs]

Hey, let me have a look at that wound.

It's alright.

It's not alright.

You've got an infection going. You need a doctor.

Forget about doctors.

Just get me something that'll keep the fever down.

Keep my head clear till after the job.

You're taking a big chance, Artie.

- 'I don't wanna see you--' - Quit slobberin' over me.

Just do what I tell you.

'Jimmy.'

I forgot to ask you.

Did everything go alright with the deal?

I couldn't do it.

- He's alive? - And I left him.

I've k*lled men for not following my orders.

Alright.

Let's hope we both don't have to pay for that one.

[sighs]

It will be just another moment, Mr. Prysock.

I could give you a check if you don't honor credit cards.

Oh, no. That's fine.

Uh, looks like you're planning quite a stay in the mountains.

I thought I'll get away a while.

Uh, y-you know, we've got a sale on some of those poles.

Oh, I think I've got everything I need.

You favor that type reel?

Oh, this is the best. Watch this action.

Howard Deal, FBI. You're under arrest.

Alright, hands behind your head.

The armored car leaves the track here at 4:30.

It takes about 30 minutes to reach the downtown offices.

Does he always take the same route?

No, but there's road construction here

so they'll have to go this way.

What counts is how fast you can get those doors open.

Don't sweat.

Your pal's a little late. Where is he?

I sent him out to buy some food. He should be back soon.

[telephone rings]

Hello?

[Borden] 'Mary.'

Jim, honey.

Are you alone?

Y-yes.

Where are you?

Are you here in Cleveland?

No, uh, Miami.

Jim, why? Why did you break out?

You only had a year.

It's too late to think about that.

It's not too late.

Give yourself up.

Please, before they k*ll you.

Jim, please, don't throw it all away like this.

Give up. I swear I'll wait.

No chance and there never was.

There is a chance if you go back now.

There never was for you. There never will be.

Not as long you're tied to me.

'This is a goodbye.'

No.

No use saying I'm sorry about anything.

Uh, it wouldn't help.

Just try to..

...forget I was ever around.

Jim, wait.

Wait, wait just a moment, please.

J-just one second, please, will you?

Okay.

Jim, here's..

[line disconnects]

Give me..

Give me the FBI, please.

I don't know where McBride went.

I wish I did. I'd tell you in a minute.

He tried to have me k*lled.

Borden pointed the g*n, but McBride ordered it.

I know that.

Do you have any idea what kind of jobs he might be planning?

- Nothing definite. - You sure? Nothing?

All he talked about..

He wanted to open an armored car.

Where's this suppose to take place?

I don't know.

But it sounded big. More than a million.

The way he talked, he'd been planning it for a long time.

I can't help you anymore. He didn't tell me anything else.

[telephone rings]

Erskine.

Deal.

Yes, Arth.

Lewis, the Cleveland office reports

that Borden's wife called them.

She said that Borden phoned her from Miami at 9:40 this evening.

I brought the Miami office up-to-date.

I better get right down there.

That, uh, can of corn Merriman spoke of

probably isn't a bank, Arth.

Howard Deal claims he doesn't know any details

but he thinks McBride's after an armored car.

I'll have them check on all the armored

truck companies in the area.

Thanks, Arth.

I see you've k*lled most of the pain already.

I don't need you.

I know. You don't need anyone.

Do it without anyone.

Show them.

'Cause I got the brains.

The campus whiz kid.

'PhD at 20.'

I had my pick of jobs.

Begging me.

Made me assistant department head.

Draggers, all of them.

Said I wasn't compatible.

Didn't get along well.

They fired you.

I get along..

...with what's up here.

I didn't need them.

No one.

I quit.

Pulled my first job alone.

I guess with your genius, you..

...you didn't stop to get along with people.

That's sad.

Everyone pushed me.

Now I push.

There's no time.

No time.

Don't leave me, Jimmy.

Please.

Don't.

- No, no. Here's my.. - That's it. What'd you get me?

- Six? - A six. I asked you for..

[Owen] 'Then there's no such vehicle by that number?'

Hmm. Alright, thanks.

- Oh, hi, inspector. - Owen.

- Hi, Tom. - Owen.

- How was the flight? - Fine. What have you got?

The motel manager identified McBride

from a ten most wanted circular.

He spent two days here and, uh

checked out about 8 o'clock this morning.

- Did they identify his car? - 'No.'

McBride left a license on the motel register

but it's a phony.

Was he alone?

[Owen] 'He registered alone'

but he had two, three visitors.

Descriptions were too vague to be of any use

but the manager positively identified James Borden

from his picture.

- Paper, mister? - Beat it.

[James] 'Go on, get out of here.'

- Last night.. - Forget about it.

No, you forget about it.

Let me go! Let me go!

Give me the FBI.

[male #5 on radio] 'MM-16.'



'Inspector, we have a report that Arthur McBride'

'and James Borden just left the Midland racetrack.'

'Information comes from a newsboy at the track'

'who seems to be very responsible.'

'He got a license number, which he thinks is accurate.'

- Good, let's have it. - 'Florida license number.'

'789985. It's reported stolen.'



and get in touch with the racetrack security.

See if there's been an armored car pickup

in the past hour.

Anytime you're ready.

I'll tell you when.

[male #6 on radio] 'Control to 415.'

- 415, go ahead. - 'What is your location?'

We've just turned east on Hartcourt

from coast highway.

[male #6] 'Standby for message from the FBI.'



We believe a robbery attempt on your vehicle may be imminent.

'Units are proceeding towards you.'

'I suggest you wait for them at Harcourt and 10th.'



Now.

[expl*si*n]

[tires screeching]

- Out! - Over here!

Alright, drop your g*ns! Hurry up!

Both of ya!

[g*nf*re]

[expl*si*n]

Alright, get off.

All units, we've lost radio contact with the truck.

Does anyone have it in sight?

[male #7 on radio] 'Unit 6, inspector, we've just spotted the truck'

'from the expressway, Harcourt Drive near 5th.'

'Robbery in progress.'

'We'll get off at 7th and double back.'

Roger, 6, all other units converge on Harcourt and 5th.

- That's it. - Get in the car.

I'll be with you in a second.

No, you're not gonna k*ll them.

Move away, Jimmy, or you'll get it too.

You'd like that, wouldn't you? It would give you an excuse.

I know too much about you, don't I?

Move!

What you were talking about last night?

You can't bear the thought that anybody knows

that The Architect needs somebody.

- He's human after all. - Shut up.

FBI, McBride. Hold it right there.

[crash]

McBride, Borden, give yourselves up.

'There's no way out.'

I can get a couple of 'em. Cover me.

They're giving us a chance.

I don't want the help.

[g*nshots]

Get an ambulance.

You sold me out.

I won't forget it.

I saved your life.

You didn't do me a favor.

How did you find out about this operation?

Couldn't have been from Deal. He didn't know anything.

Where was my mistake?

In Mount Vernon when you robbed your first bank.

Arthur McBride, James J. Borden

Atlee Edward Spencer and Forrest Clegg

were found guilty of the armored truck robbery

and sentenced to terms in a state penitentiary.

McBride, Borden and Howard Deal

were also charged with kidnapping.

Stacy Merriman was convicted of as*ault

with a deadly weapon and faced prosecution

for his involvement in McBride's earlier crimes.

[theme music]