06x05 - The Savage Wilderness

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[laughing]

See, Emily, you're out of shape.

What you need is a good workout once a day.

Oh, who wants to date a muscular girl?

I do.

[intense music]

Stop it!

Stop it, please!

You're k*lling him!

No! No!

No!

Wait! Wait!

Emily! Run!

Take..

[grunting]

No. No!

No!

[screaming]

Wait! Wait, please!

Where are you talking me?

Please!

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds..

with guest stars, Don Stroud..

...Darleen Carr..

...David Macklin.

Tonight's episode, "The Savage Wilderness."

[instrumental music]

On the afternoon of June 27th

while picnicking on the beach of the Hidalgo National Forest

in Northern California

Emily Willis, an 18-year-old waitress

in the nearby Hidalgo Valley was forcefully abducted.

Her companion, John Evanhauer, was found a short time later

by a forest ranger.

Because the crime took place

in this national forest preserve

the case was referred to the FBI.

Inspector Lewis Erskine, who was in nearby San Francisco

immediately flew to Hidalgo to take charge

of the investigation.

You've positively identified the man as Walker Oborn?

Yes, sir, the ranger that called us said

the description fitted him and John Evanhauer

the man that was assaulted

made positive identification from the mugshot.

Dale, does, uh, this indicate the spot where it happened?

Yes, and it should be accurate.

Evanhauer knows that area pretty well.

You have no indication which way he went?

None.

Well, he and Emily were gone

by the time John came too.

I have forest rangers, sheriff's department

everybody alert.

Dale, can we be sure he was traveling on foot?

John thought so.

He didn't see or hear any other vehicle

in that vicinity.

You checked with DMV?

- Registration, license? - Yes, sir.

And there's no record that he had a driver's license

or any car registered.

[telephone buzzing]

Cameron.

Well, yes, he's right here. Just a minute. It's Mr. Ward.

Oh, put it on the blower, would you, Dale?

Yes, Art.

[Arthur] 'Well, I have Dale's teletype on the abduction.'

Have you developed anything more?

Nothing really substantial.

Well, I know that country.

Lonely stretches of beach, dense forest inland.

We've broken the territory up into sectors

and have started a coordinated search.

Fine. Incidentally, I have Oborn's arrest record for you.

He's been arrested twice.

'Once for as*ault and battery, and then he was later convicted'

'on a manslaughter charge.'

'Severed a term in the state penitentiary.'

You know, Ward, I think we're dealing

with a man who's cut himself off from civilization.

He feels at home in this area

'and I think he's gonna stick to it.'

What have you found out about the girl?

Well, she's 18. Lived here all her life.

She lost both parents when she was 11.

She's had institutional care.

Her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alec Anderson.

And she was currently working as a waitress

here in Hidalgo Valley.

Mm-hmm.

Lewis, the director's following this case closely.

Get back to me as soon as possible.

'Right, Arthur.'

[instrumental music]

Ow!

- What happened? - I stepped on a rock.

Come on, get up!

Oh, please..

...I can't go any farther.

Can't we rest?

[panting]

I don't know what to call you.

Walker!

My name is Emily.

Emily Willis.

How did you know?

Why are you doing this?

Please, can't you just tell me why?

We've rested.

Walker, if you just let me go

I promise I'll forget this ever happened.

You'll never forget this.

'Come on.'

[music continues]

[music continues]

[Emily] Help! Help!

No!

- You tried to get away? - Yes!

- Why? - I'm scared!

Can't you see I'm scared to death?

- Of what? - Of you!

You don't tell me anything. What do you want?

You're not a prisoner.

Then what am I?

You'll see.

I'm sorry, I, I shouldn't have tried to get away.

[instrumental music]

Dr. Sharpe, Inspector Erskine, FBI. Special Agent Colby.

We're looking into the Emily Willis abduction.

May we speak to John?

Mr. Erskine, it's just like I told that forest ranger.

He-he about choked me to death, and then he knocked me out cold.

I don't know, I..

I can't help thinkin' it was my fault.

'I should have stopped him, but I didn't.'

Do you have any idea where he might be going?

No, nothin'.

Well, I mean, he came on me so fast.

Look, there could have been two guys

and we couldn't have taken him.

When he swings at you, man, you really bought it.

Yeah, Johnny is right, fellas.

About ten years ago

I saw Walker go half out of his mind

when his mother died.

'He took on three orderlies and knocked over a meal cart.'

Of course, considering hospital food

that was sort of a favor to the patients.

[chuckles]

What was his reason?

Now Dr. Sanders, he's passed on now

he was treating Oborn's mother.

He told Walker that she was gonna be fine.

An hour later, she died.

She suffered a stroke.

Well, most kids would have cried

but Walker started smashing his fists into everything in sight.

He said the doctor had lied to him.

'He'd promised him that his mother was gonna be alright.'

Doctor, do you know if Oborn knew Emily?

Any idea why he might have abducted her?

No. Oborn was a man to himself.

And he was a lonesome creature who hardly ever spoke to anybody

after his mother died.

From what you've told us, Emily could be in real danger.

Yes...if she crosses him.

John, would you say she's a kind of girl

who'd panic in a situation like this?

- I don't know-- - Now, I'll answer that.

Emily has got good common sense.

She's a spunky kid. Independent.

She won't panic.

You'll be at home, John, if we need you?

Thank you, doctor.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Ah! Ow!

- What happened? - I tripped on something.

Twisted my ankle.

[gasps] Oh, I think it sprained.

Come on!

Ah!

Ow! I don't think I can walk.

[intense music]

[panting]

Come here.

Ah!

[motor engine starts]

Where are you taking me, Walker?

Where?

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

That's a large area to cover.

Even with all the units we have searching

we're not gonna get anyplace tonight.

If we knew a little bit more about Oborn

we might figure out where he's headed.

How do we know that he's heading anyplace in particular?

[knock on door]

Excuse me.

Oh, Mrs. Anderson. Come in, please.

Inspector Erskine, Mrs. Anderson.

Good evening. Thanks for coming.

This is Mr. Colby.

Please sit down.

Oh, I, I wish there was something I could do.

I believe you and your husband have been foster parents

to other children besides Emily, Mrs. Anderson?

Oh, so many of them, inspector.

We, we used to take in the infants

you know, children that were up for adoption

but, uh, then as we got older

the tiny ones become too much of a burden.

And Emily was 16 when she came to you?

Oh, she was a warm, sweet, wonderful girl.

So industrious, always helping out, lending a hand.

'You know, there's a lot to do in a ranch like ours'

even though it isn't very big.

[sighs] I-I've been at my wit's end since I heard what happened.

Mrs. Anderson, are you familiar with Walker Oborn?

Well, I-I've heard of him.

A person like that, you know, gets talked about

in a small community, and, uh, then there were all those things

in the paper, uh, five, six years ago.

'Uh, you know, when he had to go to prison.'

Then you never actually talked to him?

No, as a matter of fact, my husband warned me not to.

Why? Was he afraid of Oborn, Mrs. Anderson?

[sighs] Well, I don't like to say bad things about people

but this young man, he..

Well, he was known to have a short fuse, and, uh..

Well, my-my husband thought it best

if we just stay clear of him.

In other words, you never saw him at the ranch

uh, talking to Emily?

Oh, he was too shy ever to talk to Emily, but, uh

you could tell he liked her.

Ah, well, he used to just squat, as my husband put it

sometimes for hours, you know

watching her from under a tree, back up on the hill

and, uh, well, it all seemed so innocent at the time.

Had he been there recently?

Well, no, as a matter of fact

Alec and I were talking about that just last week.

We haven't seen him for about two months.

Well, that'll be all, Mrs. Anderson.

Thanks very much.

Inspector, do you think he'll harm her?

We're doing everything we can to prevent it.

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

It's a different light on things, isn't it?

Yeah, if he planned it that long ago.

He may have a particular destination in mind.

Dale, instruct all units.

If Oborn and the girl are found, I'm to be notified immediately.

- No one's to move in. - Yes, sir.

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[music continues]

Breakfast?

Go on, start. We have to move.

Go ahead, start.

You planned all this, didn't you?

'I mean, coming here.'

'This food you had stored.'

Planning everything.

That takes a lot of thought, lot of figuring.

You have to be pretty smart to figure all this out.

Doesn't matter.

Eat. We've got a lot of ground to cover today.

Walker, is it alright if I say all this?

'I mean, if it bugs you, I'll quit.'

Doesn't matter.

You followed us yesterday, didn't you? John and me.

Walker, you know, you have a very nice face.

'Anyone ever tell you that?'

Yes.

Who was she? Did I know her?

She's dead.

A girl?

No.

Your mother.

[instrumental music]

Mrs. Elbert.

Inspector Erskine, FBI. This is Mr. Colby.

Well, my goodness me. Come in, come in.

'I suppose this is about Emily.'

Yes, we've been told you're one of the few people

who's spoken to Walker Oborn in the recent years.

I suppose I am..

Dear me, I'll never forget the first time he came in here.

It must have been after 11:00 at night.

I was working on my inventory, and all of a sudden

he was just there.

Did he threaten you?

Oh, no, no, nothing like that, it was just his manner.

Well, you know

he wanted to sell me these lovely mother and child

abstracts he makes.

He's something more than a whittler

but less than a sculptor.

- Are they all mother and child? - Everyone of them.

'Maybe a 100 in just the last year.'

I see. Do you take them on consignments?

No, Walker wants the money right away.

Or half the time, he'll swap me.

The old barter system.

It's hard to imagine what a man who lives outdoors

all year around would want with things like this.

I have wondered myself, he takes the strangest things.

Last month, it was an old set of dishes.

I knew I could never sell, there were five pieces missing.

What else did he get from you?

Um, there was a broken sewing machine

a very lovely afghan.

Hmm.. It's been so long.

A mirror, antique, rather quaint.

And the cash you give him, I suppose he uses that

for food, supplies?

Some of it.

But he's bought a few things from Miranda.

A friend of mine, she sells used furniture.

[telephone ringing]

Good morning. Just Everything shop.

Uh, an Erskine?

Oh-oh, oh, I'm sorry.

Inspector Erskine.

Thank you.

Erskine.

Inspector, the sheriff's office just called and reported

a motor boat was stolen near the coast yesterday.

We just found one entering that description

in a cove up the river.

Alright, Cameron. We'll check it out.

Well, thank you, Mrs. Elbert, we, uh, we appreciate your help.

[instrumental music]

It's hard to believe

that the same person who carved this gentle work..

...could do something like this.

[birds chirping]

[vehicle approaching]

Hi, Hank, what are you up to?

Ah, the usual. Got ourselves about a dozen strays.

'The boss sent three of us out looking for 'em.'

Now, Hank, do you know this character Oborn?

Walker Oborn?

Well, I'd throw a "Howdy" at him now and then

but that's more than I ever got back from him.

Well, did you see him today?

I thought I did, about sunup, over at the Box Canyon.

But when I saw that girl trailin' behind him

I knew it wasn't Walker.

Too much of a loner, that one.

Been doin' some huntin'?

Ah, hey, could you tell which way they were headin'?

South, the same as you.

Thanks, Hank. See you around.

[instrumental music]

[helicopter whirring]

[music continues]

Yes, inspector, it was definitely John Evanhauer.

'And there was a r*fle on the seat beside him.'

Tom!

Stand by, Dale.

This match anything you found?

Yeah, an empty egg carton that's been torn off.

There's one piece here and another one

under those trees over there.

Say, Emily may be trying to leave a trail.

Yeah.

[helicopter whirring]

Dale, have all units concentrate on the area

'south, southeast of this location.'



[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Walker..

...these moccasins are so worn out, I'm practically barefoot.

Alright, we'll rest.

I'm sorry, Emily, but you're strong, you'll make it.

Once you make your mind up to do something

you've always done it.

How do you know that?

'We've never even talked to each other.'

You've forgotten?

Remind me.

There's a bit plenty of time for that.

No, now.

What am I forgetting?

What else do you know about me?

Everything, I guess.

My parents.

k*lled on the highway when you were 11.

Family?

None. Like me.

Well, then who took care of me?

Children's Home Society.

[chuckles]

I just don't believe you.

'What else?'

You lived with the Andersons till you were 16.

Go on.

When it was legal, you were 18

got that waitress job you wanted.

Got your own place.

I knew you could do that.

[instrumental music]

How do you know all this?

I had to find out, so I did.

But why?

You'll see.

I didn't know anyone..

...cared enough about me to go to all that trouble.

Now, it wasn't because you cared.

You had to find out who might come looking for me.

- Is that it, Walker? - Emily, let's not..

[helicopter whirring]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

You don't understand. I'm doing this for you.

I'm trying to help you, and you signal them..

...with this!

No!

'Walker!'

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Come on over!

- Mr. Judson? - Vincent Judson.

If you're a salesman, you sure have picked a lousy route.

Oh, we're with the FBI.

You fellas are a long way from home.

I'm looking for a man named Walker Oborn.

Walker in trouble? Stupid question.

You wouldn't hardly be looking for him if he weren't.

You think I might have seen him?

It's been at least a month.

'What did he do?'

He abducted an 18-year-old girl.

Goodness.

Mr. Judson...this one of Walker's carvings?

Walker drove a good bargain for that.

I had to give him three of my paintings

before he let me have it.

What did you do with the paintings? Sell 'em?

[chuckles] Not likely, friend.

I'm fast, not good.

Oh, I'm big in the motel

but they buy paintings by the gross.

I guess I have talked with Walker more than most

these last years.

He fooled you.

You figure there's nothing but upstairs

but then you look at the books he borrows from.

History, philosophy, the Arch.

He's a good worker too. He fixed my roof in '69.

Oh, you were wondering what he'd do with three of my paintings?

Maybe you should ask yourself what he wanted

with a bundle of shingles I bought and didn't use.

Tom, have you got that map?

Butler died in '64

we're gonna have to locate another one.

Now this map supposedly shows all the cabins in the area.

'Even those without electricity.'

Gentlemen, I've lived here since '38.

And there are some areas around here

that aren't charted on any map.

- Where? - Aye?

Well, this is the last occupied cabin around here.

Well, up beyond the old John Muir campsite.

Everything on that ridge has been abandoned since '51.

Well, I seem to remember a string of line shacks up there.

Here?

'Yes.'

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[groans]

I don't care what happens. I can't go another step.

What happened back there, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you.

Well, it's gonna happen again, Walker

because I'm gonna keep trying to get away.

You won't. Not when you see.

See what?

You'll know soon enough. We'll be there before dark.

If you don't k*ll me first.

Oh, I wouldn't.

You wanted to before, didn't you?

'Answer me, Walker!'

Please, Emily.

Do you know how long I've planned this? Two years.

All this time, just so I could have you.

So we could have each other.

There hasn't been a day I haven't thought about you.

I see you walking with him..

Your eyes, your pretty hair..

We need each other, Emily.

We're right for each other.

You almost make me believe you.

Why shouldn't you?

I'll try.

I'll try real hard.

[horse neighs]

[dramatic music]

I want that horse.

You want the horse, I reckon you got one.

[grunts]

No.

No! No!

Walker, no!

- You nearly k*lled him. - He lied to me.

[dramatic music]

You don't have to walk now. Get on the horse.

- We can't just leave him. - Get on the horse.

[music continues]

Hyah! Hyah!



[Tom] 'Lou.'

Some more of the egg carton.

It's the bag Evanhauer described.

And this probably caused the flash that Cameron saw.

Inspector, I'm over the John Muir campsite now.

There's no sign of life, but there is a line shack down there

and there's some new shingles on the roof.

That sound like it. What sector?

Uh, that would be in the northwest corner of Sector E4.

Repeat, Sector E4.

This is Inspector Erskine, all units on the search.

The subject's destination is Sector E4.

Move into the surrounding sectors

but stay clear of E4 until my arrival.

[dramatic music]

You see that, Emily, just over the ridge?

[Emily] 'I don't see anything.'

You'll see it soon enough. It's our new home.

Yours and mine.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

- What happened? - Strangers jumped me.

- Took my horse. - Can you move your head?

He needs a doctor, Lou.

I'll get our closest ground unit up here.

Have them take him to a clearing where Dale can land.

Was he a, um, uh, big man with brown hair?

Yeah, you called it, alright.

- Did he have a girl with him? - Could have.

Didn't see nothing.

When he hit me, I thought half the mountain would come down.

We'll get you to a hospital right away.

[dramatic music]

What did you do that for?

We're here, Emily.

[instrumental music]

You did all this?

For you.

I can't remember when anyone did anything special for me.

Look.

And it works.

Needles, thread, thimble, scissors.

Do you like the paintings? A friend of mine did them.

And the kitchen.

It's practically stocked with everything.

Why, Walker? I still don't know why.

You don't remember?

It was when you became a mother's helper

for Mrs. Anderson.

Do you remember when Mr. Anderson

was throwing away all those old clothes?

I gave them to you.

Yeah.

All wrapped up.

New buttons sewed on 'em.

That's when I started loving you.

Walker, I...I'm very touched..

...but it just won't work.

Oh, n-no, it will.

No.

I can't spend the rest of my life here.

Isolated from the rest of the world?

It's nothing but evil out there.

And there's evil here, Walker. In you.

'I've seen it, and you know it's there.'

It's happening now, isn't it?

Well, I'm not afraid of you anymore.

I stopped being afraid

when I thought you were going to k*ll me with the rock.

I don't know how to say it..

...but you made me feel so close to death

it's...it's like having survived dying.

Walker, look at me, I want you to hear this.

If I can't live my life the way I want to

free to do the things I want to do, go where I want to go..

Well, if I can't have that

then I don't care what happens to me.

But, Emily, I-I worked so hard, I planned all this.

And made a lovely prison. Can't you see that, Walker?

We'd both be prisoners here.

You can't be a prisoner in your own home.

If I can't leave it, yes. You won't let me leave, Walker.

And what do you think happens if you do?

They're already looking for us. The helicopter proves that.

Emily..

...they'll be a long time before they find us.

Walker, you're not stupid.

Time isn't gonna change the way I feel.

But it will.

By the time they find you, you'll wanna stay.

You-you'll be happy.

- You really believe that? - Yes.

I'll prove it to you. Stay a week, just one week.

S-so all this I've done won't be wasted.

[instrumental music]

Please, Emily.

Suppose..

Suppose, Walker, that I said no.

Not even a week..

'...what would you do?'

No, I, I couldn't let you go.

Not ever?

No, not ever.

Y-you're cold. I'll build you a fire.

I'll get some wood.

Well, they should be right below the shack.

Fan out, surround, and wait for my signal.

[dramatic music]

That's all we need.

[g*n fire]

- What's happened? - Stay here.

Keep him busy, I'll work my way around.

[grunts]

[groans]

[grunting]

[grunts]

It was gonna be our home.

Emily's and mine.

That's all I wanted.

After I tried to signal the helicopter

I thought for sure he was gonna k*ll me.

- But from then on-- - You kept your head, Emily.

You gave us the time we needed.

That was just luck.

But you know, out of the whole 24 hours

there were really only a few minutes when he flipped out.

Rest of the time, he was as gentle and as thoughtful

as anyone I've ever known.

Well, however you look at it

you're very lucky to come out this unharmed.

Yeah, I know.

Inspector, I realized that Walker is dangerous

but I think someone should know the other side of him.

We'll be calling on you to testify in court.

I'll want to.

- Thank you. - Bye-bye.

[male narrator] Walker Oborn was committed to a mental institution

until he was found competent to stand trial

in US district court.

[theme music]