07x01 - Death on Sunday

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

Hey, you scamp.

How many suppers are you gonna have tonight?

Now, come on and get washed before your dad comes home.

[instrumental music]

How come daddy's practicing so late?

He isn't practicing.

He's looking over old game films of the other teams.

I don't get it. Why does he do that?

So he can figure out how to score touchdowns against them.

I thought all he had to do was pass!

So did he, his first two years in the league.

Alright, that's enough stalling.

Go wash.

Okay.

[door opens]

Honey?

'Kenny's just eaten.'

'I thought we'd have a candlelight supper tonight.'

'Just the two of us.'

Oh, honey, let's have some wine with dinner tonight.

[switch clicks]

[dramatic music]

Your husband don't read his mail, does he?

What mail? What do you mean?

Letters I sent him.

You know the ones.

I want you to give him a message.

Tell him to pay the money.

Because if he doesn't, I'll k*ll him.

[instrumental music]

[Kenny] 'Mommy!'

It's alright.

[dramatic music]

[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, Frank Converse..

Andrew Prine..

Linda Marsh..

Solomon Sturges.

Tonight's episode, "Death On Sunday."

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] At approximately 7:20 on the 17th of January

an intruder entered the home of professional

football player Paul Talbot

warning his wife, that unless Talbot complied

with the terms of an earlier extortion letter

he would be k*lled.

But Talbot defying instructions of the extortion letter

contacted the FBI.

And the extortion letter together with Mrs. Talbot's

description of the intruder was sent to the Bureau's

headquarters in Washington.

[intercom buzzing]

Yes?

Alright, send him in, please.

- Good morning. - Arthur.

Anything new on the Talbot extortion case?

No, I'm just waiting for Allen Bennett's call now.

Did the Identification Division

find any latents on the extortion note?

No, sir.

[intercom buzzing]

Yes?

Oh, good. Put him on.

It's Allen.

Uh, hello, Allen. This is Arthur Ward.

[sighs] Inspector Erskine and Tom Colby are with me now.

I'm putting you on the speaker.

Oh, Mr. Ward, Talbot has received

other extortion letters.

Uh, how many letters have they been altogether?

Three. They were all paste-up notes.

Talbot thought they were the work

of a crank, and threw them away

but Mrs. Talbot saved the last one.

Does he have any idea who might have sent the letters?

'No, he hasn't been able to suggest'

'any possible suspects.'

Have, um, any other members of the team being threatened?

No, inspector. Not that we know of.

Alright, uh, put as many men on the case as you need.

If there is any developments, call us right away.

Well, what do we have?

An unknown subject

well over six feet tall.

Hmm. When you consider the thousands of people

who watch Talbot play football every Sunday..

Well, we can get away later this afternoon.

Alright, Lewis, fine.

[instrumental music]

Nice shot.

[claps]

[Kenneth] Dad.

They're some men inside with mom.

Practice your lay-ups.

I'll be back in a minute.

- Hello, Paul. - Hi.

- This is Inspector Erskine. - Inspector.

- Special Agent Tom Colby. - Hello.

- How do you do? - Hi, how're you doing?

Mr. Talbot, when you received these threats--

Yeah, I know, I know, you guys are unhappy

because I didn't report the letter right away.

I thought it was a crank.

I get a lot of mail, inspector, some of it pretty far out.

You know, some guys who blew a bundle on a game and blamed me.

Look, I just like handling things on my own.

Honey, this was no crank.

He-he came to the house.

Well, I wish I could get my hands on that guy.

I mean..

What kind of an animal dreams up something like this?

Breaking into a man's house, terrorizing his wife.

- Are there any sicker crimes? - Not many.

Did the extortionist ever try to contact you by phone?

No, just the letters.

I had half a mind to go to the bus depot.

Wish I had. Maybe I could've nailed him.

I'm glad you didn't.

Well, maybe you're right.

Maybe I should have taken it seriously.

Mr. Talbot, with your permission

we'd like to have an agent here

in case the extortionist contacts you again.

Okay.

[music over radio]

Hey, man, what're you doing? I like that song.

[music continues]

- Jack. - Hmm?

Uh, never mind.

What's bugging you?

You didn't hurt anyone last night, did you?

Man, you're something else.

I-I mean, we're not gonna k*ll this guy, are we?

[sighs]

Jack..

You never had a buck in your life.

And, now, when you got a chance to score..

...you don't have the stomach for it?

It's a lousy song.

What's the best job you've ever held?

Cook?

Car wash?

For the first time in your life you could be somebody.

A man of quality.

But that's expensive. It costs.

So I'm gonna ask you straight out.

If you can't cut it

tell me.

Hm?

Think of all the threads you could buy for $50,000.

Yeah.

Is that all you got to say?

Would you just think!

You could open that men's store you're always talking about.

[sighs]

I was 21 before I got my first suit.

It cost me a $150 bucks.

When I put it on, it..

...made me feel like..

What was it you said?

A man of quality.

Yeah.

You think Talbot will go for it, Jack?

I met his family.

He'll go for it.

[telephone rings]

Hello.

- Talbot. - Yes, who's this?

- Never mind, just listen. - Yeah.

[Jack] 'There's an overpass at the end of Flower and Olive.'

I want you to be there at 7 o'clock tonight

with a $125,000 in small bills.

- The letter said a $100,000. - 'The price just went up.'

I can't get a hold of that kind of money.

Hot football player like you..

[scoffs]

...you'll get it.

- Wait a minute. - Flower and Olive.

And, Talbot, be alone.

Because if you're not..

I mean, if there're any tricks

I'll be back for your wife and kid.

[telephone clicks]

No, not enough time for a trace, Lou.

Did you recognize the voice?

No.

Inspector, I'm not so sure I want the FBI in on this thing.

But, Paul, we've already decided.

I want the FBI to help.

But what if he sees you

gets scared and comes after my wife and son?

Something could happen.

- Couldn't it? - It certainly could.

But if you want us to go ahead

we'll take every precaution to see it doesn't.

I don't know.

Alright.

I'll go to the bank and..

...make arrangements for the money.

[instrumental music]

[brakes screeching]

[brakes screeching]

- What time is it, please? - 5:30.

Shouldn't we have heard something by now?

Not necessarily.

[sighs]

I sure picked the wrong week to stop smoking.

You know, it's ridiculous.

Go through life..

...worrying about the small things.

And then, bang!

Something like this happens..

...and you realize..

Really realize just how vulnerable you are.

I'm not making any sense, am I?

[sighs]

Have you ever seen my husband play football?

Yes.

Not as a pro, but I saw him play in college.

Hm.

That's where we met.

In college.

It's a funny story, really.

[chuckles]

My mother is such a promoter.

She sent me to an expensive college to marry comfortably.

So, what happens?

I meet Paul, who's there on an athletic scholarship

and I end up marrying a kid from the streets.

I'm thanking my lucky stars ever since.

Do you think it's gonna be alright, Mr. Colby?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

[instrumental music]

You think there's any chance he might still show, Lou?

I'll tell you why he didn't show.

He saw you.

The surveillance reports

no one approached the overpass all night.

[telephone rings]

Hello.

You blew it, Talbot.

What?

[scoffs]

I told you not to call the police.

I didn't, I was there.

You never showed up.

I'm no fool.

I don't have to see uniforms

to know police are hanging around.

No, man.

[Jack] 'And, you know, you may be right.'

I mean, maybe they can protect your wife and kids

but how're they gonna watch every man in the crowd

while you're playing ball?

Listen, you stay away from them, you hear?

I brought the money. What else do you want?

[laughs]

Oh, well..

Maybe you'll hear from me again.

Or maybe you'll just get it.

He knows.

He knows every move we're making.

- Ten! - Hut! Two, three, four.

Hey, man. Don't go picking off my passes. I'm a superstar.

Fans come to see me throw touchdowns.

[laughs]

For whose side?

Don't worry, come game day

the Swamp Fox will be ready.

Okay, you'd better be, baby.

Or it's gonna be a long, cold winter.

Has the Swamp Fox ever let you down?

'Okay, right on.'

Paul, you can tell me to go butt off if you want to

but I think that we've been playing together long enough

that I can tell when something's bugging you.

I mean, you know, if there's anything I can do?

You know for, for just one rap.

Man, what's the matter with you guys?

One of two bad practices, and you're ready to write me off.

Jerry, just worry about running your patterns.

- Everything's cool. - Yeah, sure, man.

- Hello, inspector. - Hi, Paul.

Thank for coming over.

- How long you've been watching? - Just a few minutes.

You're lucky.

I can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Well, that's fine. You probably don't have to.

I've never been much of a practice player, but..

...this is unreal.

You know championship game is this Sunday.

[Paul sighs]

Whole season riding on one game.

I can't afford to get psyched.

Lot of people depending on me.

Inspector, how can you be sure

that he didn't see you at the drop?

The point is Paul, you're not sure.

And that's all he wants.

You might say he's hedging his bet.

You know, it's funny, what a thing like this

can do to your head.

I mean, I start looking at people on the street

wondering "Is that him? Is that the guy?"

I mean, somebody comes out of the woodwork

he can see you, you can't see him.

He knows who you are. You don't know who he is.

You could say it's beginning to get to me.

I mean, I've been under the g*n before.

You know, games and the army, but..

...I always knew I could get through.

This..

I don't know.

Just don't know.

What's the matter with me?

Paul.

I've asked you this before but..

...see if you can think of anyone who might

hold a grudge against you.

'No matter how small, no matter how old.'

Yeah, I'll give it some thought.

You really think it might be more than just the money?

Sometimes money is just a peg to hang it on.

I'll see if I can think of anything.

Don't worry, inspector.

- I'm not gonna fold. - I never thought you would.

Why the dry run? What're we stalling for?

- He hasn't called the cops. - Quit worrying.

Man, I'm laying my neck on the line.

- Now, you owe me answer. - Because I want him to sweat.

I want him to suffer, so that if he gets any ideas

about calling the cops he'll lose 'em.

Is that all?

- What're you talking about? - I think there's more.

I've seen it.

Talbot bugs you, doesn't he?

'Something personal.'

It's more than money.

You, you want to bring him down.

[scoffs]

You know something, you're really flipped, you know that?

Look, Jack, I just want to know. Why Talbot? I mean..

There's a lot of guys with money.

They don't play football every Sunday

in front of a crowd of 50,000 people.

[sighs]

Didn't have to be Talbot, it can be anyone. I'm not proud.

And that's the beautiful thing.

Because after Talbot, we can pull it again.

You're really serious, aren't you?

Why not?

Believe me

the best is yet to come.

Looks like it's gonna that kind of a day.

- Dad. - Hmm?

Why does that man want to hurt us?

Why? For money?

Can't the FBI catch him?

Yeah. I guess they can.

Just have to give them a chance.

Dad, are you scared of that man?

[sighs]

Yeah, I guess I am.

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

To be afraid of something.

I don't think I ever started a ball game in my life

I didn't have butterflies in my stomach.

It's how you handle it, whether you let it take over.

Once in a championship game in high school

my knees started shaking.

I mean, even before the game even started.

Knees, I said..

if you knew I was taking you in a few minutes

you'd stop shaking.

Then I ran out on to the field

they blew the whistle

and I made the first tackle.

You know what I'm trying to tell you?

Yeah, I guess so.

[dramatic music]

[telephone rings]

- Hello. - 'Talbot.'

Yeah.

[Jack] 'You're a lucky man, I decided to let you live.'

- You got the money? - Yeah.

Good.

Put in a plain bag and go to Chinatown.

If you leave now, you should be there in about a half hour.

It's early, it shouldn't be too crowded.

'Now, I want you to drop the bag'

'in the litter basket, in front of the square'

'as you come in from Claver Street.'

'You got that?'

Litter basket in front of the square

as I come in from Claver Street.

And, Talbot, this is your last chance.

Don't blow it.

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

[intense music]

Unit 1 to all units.

The package has been picked up by a male suspect

wearing a gray windbreaker and blue slacks.

He's walking out to Claver Street.

Surveillance units standby to move.

Back off!

Throw it away, man.

[Lewis] 'FBI.'

Yeah, I'm sorry, I just had to hit him.

- At least we got him. - I'm not so sure.

What do you mean?

According to your wife's description

the man who entered your house

had light hair, and was well over six feet tall.

This man's dark, and looks more like 5'10" to me.

Really blew it, didn't I?

[instrumental music]

Parker..

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI.

This is Special Agent Colby.

Now, before we start

you know you have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be used against you.

You have the right to call a lawyer if you wish.

Ma-man, I've been in trouble before

but never like this.

The thing is, you've got the wrong man.

No, it's the truth.

None of it was my idea.

Well, whose idea was it?

Tanner's. Jack Tanner.

Where's Tanner now?

He's probably split.

He was supposed to meet me back at my apartment.

It's 28-42, Lambert, Apartment 7?

Yeah.

Wasn't he there?

Where does Tanner live?

I don't know. I..

That's the thing, he always used to find me.

[sighs]

That's what I've been thinking about

ever since I came to.

How little I really knew about the guy.

Maybe he set me up.

Why did he pick Talbot?

I-I'm not sure.

Maybe it was just for the money, but..

There was a side of Tanner I just couldn't figure.

Like, he used to get his kicks every time he called Talbot.

He really dug it, you know.

I-I got the feeling he must have known him somewhere before.

- But you don't know where? - No.

Did you always meet at your apartment?

No, he was big on health.

There was a health food store we used to meet.

Wild Carrot.

I-I think he knew the owner.

Macrobiotic food. Food in accordance with the universe.

Uh, pardon me.

- Are you the owner? - Yeah.

Well, I'm Tom Colby with the FBI.

What can I do for the FBI?

- Um, do you know this man? - Yeah.

He's been here.

Well, we're looking for a friend of his.

A man who used to be in here with him quite often.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think I know who you mean.

I can't come up with his name

but I know he hasn't been buying a while.

He used to be pretty much a regular.

Was he particularly friendly with anyone else in here?

Yeah, there was a girl.

Uh, Joyce David.

Now, she might be able to help you.

Where would I find her?

Well, she works in the neighborhood somewhere.

I don't know exactly where, but she comes by all the time.

I whip her up something special

in the blender everyday, you know.

Cream and honey.

- Has she been in today? - No, not yet.

Well, I'm gonna stick around for a while.

Now, if she'd come in, let me know, would you?

- Yeah, sure. - Thank you.

[doorbell rings]

- Come in, inspector. - Thank you.

- Mrs. Talbot. - Inspector.

- It's not over, is it? - No.

We interviewed Parker at the hospital today

and he claims he does have a partner.

Sit down, inspector.

- Can I get you some coffee? - No, thank you.

Mrs. Talbot, see if any of these men look familiar.

Does the name Jack Tanner mean anything to you?

No.

I'm afraid not, inspector.

You think this Tanner will try again?

Well, I'd only be guessing.

Have you given anymore thought to people

who might hold a grudge against you?

Yeah.

I made a list.

Every beef and hassle I could think of.

Well, some of them are pretty far out.

Well, let's have a look at this.

Uh, if you don't mind, I will have that coffee.

Oh.

- Ms. David? - Yes.

I'm Tom Colby with the FBI.

Huh! Oh, wow!

I'd like to talk to you for a minute about Jack Tanner.

Does he owe the FBI money too?

Well, not exactly.

Do you know where I could find him?

I, well.. I wish I knew.

What's your sign?

When is the last time you saw him?

About two months ago.

Um, he was still working at the garage where I take my car.

And I went back there and tried to get

some of the money he owed me.

Hey, you don't want to hear all this, do you?

Every word.

[sighs]

Would you believe, I ended up letting him another $25?

Two days later he split.

That's the story of my life.

Put me in a room with a hundred other people

and I'll always end up with a bum tripper.

I'm not gonna let anyone into my life

until my horoscope says so.

What's the name of this garage where he worked?

Collin's Garage, it's over on..

...King's Street.

I bet you're a Virgo?

- September 8th. - What'd I tell you?

Thank you, Ms. David.

[billiard ball clatters]

[sighs]

Could've made an exception for him.

- Hello. You Mr. Collins? - Yeah.

Yeah, what can I do for you?

My name is Tom Colby, I'm with the FBI.

What's the deal?

Well, we're looking for a man named Jack Tanner.

I understand that he worked here about two months ago.

Tanner.

Oh, yeah, yeah. There was a guy here for a while.

Gal kept calling him Tanner, right?

Called him on it, he said he didn't want the girl

to know his right name.

You know, it's tricks like that

made me finally get rid of him.

If you ask me, he was a real loser.

Well, what name did you know him by?

Um, tsk, Ma-Mason.

Mason. Harry Mason.

Do you have any idea where he might be now?

No, no way.

You know, guys like that, they come, they go.

Well, do you have his employment records?

I'd like to take a look at them.

Yeah, sure. Over in the office.

[sighs]

Hey, mom! It's a wipe out, mom.

He's too much, mom. I can't get on the board.

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - You bought it.

You're dead this Sunday, and nobody can save you.

Nobody.

[intense music]

[instrumental music

[phone ringing]

Hello.

Oh, hello, Art. Uh, Tom and Alan are here, Art.

I'm putting you on the speaker.

The name Harry Mason on the employment record is an alias

of Irwin Lynch, convicted extortionist.

Lynch was the subject of an extortion case

Detroit investigated in 1966.

Uh, similar paste-up note was used in that case too.

Art, in this Detroit extortion, who was the victim?

Lynch's former boss.

Seems he fired Lynch, and Lynch bore him a grudge.

What else do we know about him?

[Arthur] 'I just had Detroit check'

'with his former parole officer.'

He says Lynch's prison record

indicated he's a borderline psychotic

and could be very dangerous.

Well, that gives us some idea of what we're dealing with.

Hmm, I'll send his identification record

and photographs to you right away.

Right, Art.

[crowd cheering]

[indistinct shouting]

[instrumental music]

Where's Kenny?

At that birthday party.

Yeah.

You're gonna play, aren't you?

Can't run away.

Why not?

'Cause I don't want to spend the rest of my life on my knees.

I'm no hero, I don't wanna get shot

but I can't cop out. Lot of people depending on me.

We depend on you too. Kenny and I.

And not just for Sunday, for all the days after that.

Oh, honey.

Besides, when you come right down to it, it's just a game.

There's a backup quarterback behind you.

Someone that they pay to take your place when you can't play.

Paul, there is no one here to take your place.

You're all we've got.

Don't you see if I'm not my own man, who am I?

You talk about Kenny.

What else can I give him except my own values?

My example as a man.

- I'm scared, Paul. - Please, try and understand.

No! You can't have it both ways.

[dramatic music]

[door slams]

[doorbell rings]

- Come in, inspector. - Hello, Paul, any news?

I've got a picture I'd like you to take a look at.

See if you recognize this man.

His real name is Irwin Lynch.

Irwin Lynch.

Looks familiar.

Maybe in the army.

I was in MP.

Could've been someone you arrested.

I made a number of arrests.

Our Lynch was stationed at Fort George in 1963.

Convicted of grand theft.

Yeah, sure.

I remember.

Ha ha.

He's changed.

I mean, he was like a kid.

That's him.

I was on a, a patrol.

I thought I noticed someone breaking into the PX.

There was a fight, and..

he got away and I chased him through the area

caught up to him before he got to his car.

He begged me not to turn him in.

He tried to bribe me.

He was tried by a military court marshal, given a stiff sentence.

I had to testify at the trial.

That's strange.

All these years.

He must be sick.

It's more than that.

Lynchs of this world blame their own failures on people like you.

You mean, if that hadn't happened

he would have invented a reason.

- You know, inspector-- - I know.

You've decided to play.

Yeah, right, yeah.

Hut two, hut three, hut four.

[crowd cheering]

[dramatic music]

[sportscaster on TV] 'Not normally renowned as a scrambler in last week's game'

'Paul Talbot scrambled for his life scoring what proved to be'

'the winning touchdown in the final game of the season.'

We didn't realize you were such a gifted runner, Paul.

Oh, well, it's, uh, it's amazing what the

wish to survive can do for your running.

[sportscaster on TV] 'Paul, there have been rumors circulating all week that you'

're-injured your knee and might not be'

'able to start tomorrow's game, any truth?'

[Paul] 'Nah, nah. Knee's never been better, I'll play.'

[sportscaster on TV] 'Oh, okay. Thanks, Paul, good luck, thank you.'

[crowd cheering]

[dramatic music]

You say Talbot arrested him years ago?

[Lewis] That's right, Art.

The US Attorney has authorized a warrant.

The police have been alerted and I'm setting up a meeting now

with all agents to go over our coverage of the stadium.

Alright, good luck, Lewis.

[instrumental music]

- Paul? - Hmm?

Hey.

Why aren't you asleep?

Why aren't you?

Must be after 1:00.

I looked a few minutes ago. It's close to 2:00.

It's gonna be alright.

Don't worry, okay.

[Paul] 'Elaine, try and get some sleep.'

When I tucked Kenny into bed tonight

I bent down to kiss him goodnight

and I could see something was really bothering him.

Well, I was hoping this wouldn't get to him.

[Elaine] 'I asked him what was wrong, and he said..'

"When I grow up, will I be like my daddy?"

And I told him, "Of course you will."

And he said, "Mommy, I can't wait to grow up."

That's nice.

Paul, I'm sorry.

I want you to know I was wrong.

Oh, you forget it.

[Elaine] No, wait.

I've been lying here.

Oh.

I'm still scared.

But if you can't be your own man..

...then you're not ours either.

I understand that now.

Isn't that remarkable

that it took me that long to figure this out?

I love you.

Oh, I love you too.

I love you so much.

[instrumental music]

Our agents are positioned so that all the entrances

into the stadium are covered.

[crowd cheering]

It's almost game time, Lou.

Unit 7 to all units.

'I think, I spotted the subject, but I can't get close enough'

'to make positive identification.'

He's under the stadium at gate 28 and is walking south.

'He's wearing sunglasses, white narrow brimmed hat'

'carrying a plaid tote bag.'

Unit 1 to all units, south of gate 28.

'Repeat, gate 2-8. Advise when you see subject.'

[intense music]

Inspector, this is Unit 9. It's the subject alright.

'He started up the stairs, section 12.'



[intense music]

[woman screaming]

[crowd cheering]

[sportscaster on TV] 'Talbot's fourth touchdown passed the day'

'made the final score 34 to 7.'

'A fine individual effort by Talbot lead his team mates'

'to their first championship.'

Alright, sweetheart, turn it off now.

More coffee, inspector?

Thanks.

Well, Paul, what are your plans now?

I don't know, inspector, I'm gonna lie around the house

for a few weeks, and take the family camping.

I got a new fishing reel I wanna break in.

You're not a fisherman by any chance, are you?

- I am. - Are you Kenny? So am I.

You know, the last time I was at June Lake I caught

a German Brown that was that big.

How big?

Fasten your seat belts, Mr. Colby

I think we're in for a long evening.

Kenny..

[male narrator] Irwin Lynch and Zach Parker

were convicted of extortion

and of assaulting federal officers.

They were sentenced to terms in a federal penitentiary.

[dramatic music]

[theme music]