07x06 - The Mastermind: Part 1

[bunniefuu]

[carnival music]

[people screaming]

One, two, three.

[laughs]

[indistinct chattering]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Inside. Go on.

'This is no joke.'

[dramatic music]

[knocking on door]

You, tell them to open up.

No.

Start with the manager.

Alright.

'This is Rylie. Can I have the receipt tabulation?'

[g*nsh*t] Ah!

Bring 'em all in here.

[music continues]

[intense music]

[police siren blaring]

[music continues]

[g*nshots]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI"

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Bradford Dillman..

...Steve Ihnat..

...Scott Marlowe..

...Clu Gulager..

...Marianne McAndrew.

Tonight's episode, "The Mastermind"

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] The brazen robbery of over $1,800,000

from an armored truck, which included

weekend holiday receipts from a Louisville, Kentucky

amusement park amounted to one of the largest robberies

in the nation's history

and plunge the FBI, into one of its most dangerous man hunts.

A search which was to cover thousands of miles

and employ the full resources of the bureau.

Because evidence indicated the stolen money

and getaway car had been transported

across state lines into Indiana

special agents of the FBI

under assistant director Arthur Ward

and inspector Lewis Erskine

immediately assumed on the scene supervision

of the investigation.

Mr. Ward.

- Hello, Lewis. - Ted.

How's the wounded guard?

He's still in serious condition.

But the doctors feel he'll recover.

Now, we interviewed all the employees here

but their descriptions of the subjects weren't much help.

You mean because of the costumes?

- 'That's right, Lou.' - 'IV-4 to LS-1. Mr. Ward.'

Excuse me.

Yeah, this is Arthur Ward. Go ahead.

Mr. Ward, we found tire impressions

near the panel truck.

Looks like the subjects had

a second vehicle planted there.

Uh, we've taken photographs

and we're making plaster casts now.

Have you developed any latents?

Oh, we found some, but we're still processing the truck.

Alright, keep me advised.

We forwarded the costume found in the truck to the lab.

How did they get away with their disguise?

Well, the park carries a regular staff of wandering entertainers.

They usually don't start until afternoon.

So, the subjects were able to pose as employees

and moved right in.

[man on radio] 'LS-14 to LS-1.'

LS-1, go ahead.

We've located a car the subjects may have used

to bring them to the park.

'It's in section E.'

'1962, light blue, four door.'

'The office just checked the license number through DMV.'

'It was stolen from a parking lot'

'here in Louisville yesterday.'

This is Inspector Erskine.

Do you have anything else that ties in?

Yes, sir.

The parking lot attender remembered four men

getting out of the car.

'They were carrying bundles large enough'

'to contain the costumes.'

Right, we'll send some agents over to process the car.

'Mr. Ward.'

Mr. Ward, uh, this is Sandy Harris.

Hello, Sandy.

Ms. Harris was here in the park with some friends

during the robbery.

She uh, must have took some pictures

of the animals.

Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars..

- I say go, go, go. Go! - Here we go.

Hey, pass to the left. Charlie!

- h*! And.. - And touchdown!

[cork popping]

[chuckles]

- We made it, salesman. - Yeah.

No, nerves.

Hey, how much you figure?

It's gotta be uh, over a million. May be two.

You know, for a civilian, you planned this like a pro.

You sure this is your first job?

First and last.

Well, you don't look too happy about it.

I didn't wanna sh**t that guard.

You should've finished him.

He's probably the guy that set off the alarm.

You should've k*lled him.

[laughs]

Well, I'm gonna be glad when we split up.

He scares me.

[Howard] 'Chernik's okay. You're just nervous.'

Who isn't? My guts are still turning.

But it's all over now.

We got it made! We got it really made!

'What's first for you Howard?'

Well, now, I think I'll just settle down

and become a land owner.

Buy me a nice big piece of property somewhere..

...hire everybody to do all the work, lay down in the sun

not doing nothing.

That sounds pretty good. What about you?

Women. Yeah. I never had much luck with women.

I don't know. Maybe all this money will make a difference.

How about you, mastermind?

What's your big dream?

I'm not sure.

You don't talk much about yourself. Do you?

Let's split the money and get outta here.

Half the cops in the country must be looking for us by now.

[Howard] Hey, come on! Relax.

There'll be months getting a lead on us.

[Lewis] Howard Douglas Rademaker.

Served two times for armed robbery.

Released from state prison a couple of years ago.

[Arthur] His fingerprints matched the latents

found on the armored truck.

Fortunately, the latent fingerprint section

was able to identify him because of his previous

involvement with major crimes.

Right.

The U.S. Attorney has just authorized a warrant

for Rademaker's arrest.

This is one of the pictures the girl took at the park.

The costumes matched the witness's descriptions.

[Arthur] 'We know one of them is Rademaker.'

'Our job is to identify the other three.'

A teletype from the Cincinnati office, Mr. Ward.

Well, they've located Rademaker's wife

and have her apartment under surveillance.

They're requesting permission to interview her.

Director's office for you, sir.

Ward.

Yes, sir.

Yes, Sir. Right away.

There's been a top level defection

at one of our Iron Curtain embassies.

The director's ordered me back to Washington.

Lewis, why don't you get up to Cincinnati

'and interview Mrs. Rademaker?'

I'll let you know what we find out.

[intense music]

Good luck!

[g*n c*ck]

Rademaker?

All the money, in there.

[laughs]

- You're kidding. - No, he's not.

Go on.

[g*nsh*t]

[grunts]

Now, toss the g*ns over there.

Now let's unload the car.

Help him, Massey.

Chernik, on your feet. Up, up, up.

Go back against the door.

Hands against the wall.

I'll get you. No matter what it takes.

[g*nsh*t]

[engine revving]

Get him. Get him!

[Rademaker] 'It won't start. He took the rotor.'

Well, find a car and get him!

[intense music]

[grunts]

How far..

[Rademaker] Come on, get out. Move! Come on!

Get back.

[music continues]

[siren blaring]

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[engine revving]

[tires screeching]

[g*nsh*t]

How long has it been since you've seen

your husband, Mrs. Rademaker?

Well, just twice since he got out of prison the last time.

Once for the funeral of our daughter.

She, uh, died in an accident about a year ago.

I'm sorry.

The last time he came, he wanted money.

I gave him what I had.

I don't make much, but I gave it to him.

He won't be back.

You sound very sure of that, Mrs. Rademaker.

He has another woman.

I gave him all the money I had..

...and he bought a present for her.

Do you know who she is?

Could I get you gentlemen something to eat--

No, No. Thank you. Really.

He was mailing it to a bowling alley in St. Louis.

A woman with the first name of Mavis.

'That's all I saw.'

I hate him.

I was a good wife.

Could I get you gentlemen something to..

I'm sorry, I'm repeating myself.

It, it-it gets lonely.

If you, uh, do hear from him again

would you contact us, please?

I was a good wife.

[dramatic music]

I have something real nice planned for him.

When we find him.

- You got any ideas, Lyle? - You leave me out of it.

Yeah, you want him for yourself, don't you, Chernik?

Let's get one thing straight.

We're after a pretty clever operator.

We split up now, we're finished.

Keep our heads, work together, we still got a chance.

Alright. Where do we start?

From what we know about him.

Which is nothing.

Alright, let's take it step by step.

Start at the beginning, Rademaker.

You met him in St. Louis.

He knew your rap sheet.

Yeah, he said he was hunting uptown for a caper.

I got referred to him.

- By who? - He wouldn't say.

'My name could've been given to him by anyone.'

Didn't he give you anything on himself?

No, just said to call him the salesman.

I don't.. Why didn't you check him out?

Why didn't you?

Come on, let's face it.

We got conned.

He had us believin' anything.

[sighs]

So we got nothing.

What about the apartment he had in St. Louis?

I doubt he's gonna be sitting there waiting for us.

Well, maybe he left something behind! Maybe!

St. Louis.

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

Not too kindly towards hitchhikers.

I can believe it.

Can you describe 'em?

Well..

One was big, light hair..

...maybe 40.

That knock on head I took blocked out the rest.

But you were conscious when they brought you back here.

'Yeah.'

Hogged tight and blind folded.

All I remember is their voices.

The two of 'em came back here to pick up a partner.

'He was, uh, in pain like, like he'd been shot.'

What'd they talk about?

Well, they talked about the amusement park robbery and..

And something about getting a guy that had nailed 'em.

'Sounded like a double-cross.'

Did you catch any names?

No. No names.

E-except for the guy that double-crossed 'em.

They called him the, the salesman.

Salesman.

Well, thanks very much.

We found some latent prints on the car

and, uh, traces of blood on the floor

and, uh, on this.

From the looks of it..

...whoever was wearing this

is suffering from a g*nsh*t wound in the wrist of the arm.

Better alert all near by doctors and hospitals.

And uh, advice the bureau

that evidence is on the way in for examination.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

[both laugh]

You weren't supposed to be back till next week!

Changed my plans.

I'm glad you're home.

- Did you get a new job? - Right.

Did you pick up another line?

I opened up a whole new territory.

Oh! Oh, Debbie's birthday.

- Remember? - Ah..

[chuckles]

- Daddy! - Debbie!

I'm so glad to see you, daddy!

Oh, am I glad to see you.

Debbie, would you believe I forgot?

I forgot. You forgive me?

You sure?

I mean, you don't want a present or anything like that?

Oh, thank you, daddy.

A wrist watch!

'Look at it, mommy. It's a wrist watch.'

Beautiful.

You go on back to your friends, baby.

Happy birthday. Enjoy.

You guys want to hear some of my new records?

[all] 'Yeah.'

[indistinct chattering]

[laughs]

What's the matter? Have I worn out my welcome already?

Curt, that watch you gave Debbie

it must have cost a fortune.

Close enough.

[sighs] We can't afford that.

What is the best possible news

that you could think of?

Tell me.

Well, how about, uh..

...having me home for good?

I mean, no more long road trips.

'No more goodbyes.'

You're not going to quit your job?

No.

[sighs]

I already have.

I'm going into business for myself.

[chuckles] Curt, what's this all about?

[laughs] From now on, I sit in the boss' chair.

I look over the expense accounts.

What business?

I'll start a new, uh, clothing line.

You know, that I always wanted to develop.

Didn't you say that takes a lot financing?

I got the right people interested.

Who?

Marianne, uh, a long time ago..

...we made a bargain.

Now you mind the house and I'll buy the bread.

Is that bargain still on?

Can you stand by me? Trust me? Hmm?

Always.

It's just that this is so abrupt.

I couldn't imagine things changing so quickly.

This is just the beginning.

A lot of things are gonna be different from now on.

[instrumental music]

Tom picked it up off the floor.

It was lying near the car.

It appears to be the same kind of watch

worn by the subject in the photograph.

Could you trace it?

Yes, through the serial number and warranty.

It was Swiss made.

The owner reported it stolen over a month ago.

The blood found on the car floor and on the watch was type-A.

That doesn't match Rademaker's.

[Arthur] 'I know.'

Our best lead right now is the invisible laundry mark

found on the inside of the costume's shirt.

'Our lab reports shows it was the mark'

'of the Argo Laundry in St. Louis.'

Uh, just a moment, Art.

Erskine.

[female #1] 'St. Louis calling, inspector.'

Hold on.

Art, uh, St. Louis is calling, I'll get back to you.

[Arthur] 'Alright, Lewis.'

Go ahead, Stu.

We've located Rademaker's girlfriend, inspector.

Her name is Mavis Barret.

'She has arrest record here in St. Louis'

'for possession of marijuana and passing worthless checks.'

The police describe her as un-cooperative.

She's working now at the Crown Bowling Alley

on Orolo street.

The manager told us she's been associating

with a man of Rademaker's description.

We have her under surveillance.

Good. I'll see you in a few hours.

[dramatic music]

I found these in the, in the closet.

Our salesman plays golf.

That's gonna help a lot.

[furniture rattling]

[groans]

You know, Chernik, you gotta get that thing looked after.

Yeah.

How you gonna do that?

Doctor's report g*nsh*t wounds, Rademaker.

Not all of 'em. I know a guy outside of town that's safe.

You wanna go or not?

Alright, let's go.

Let's get out of here. There's nothing here.

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - Umm, i-is Curt there?

He's in the shower. Can I help?

Uh, just tell him Sally phoned.

'Uh, tell him I was worried.'

'I hadn't heard from him in a while.'

Could you hold on a moment?

Some girl. I'll try to get a hold of her.

Uh, Curt says could you come right on over?

- Now? - 'Yeah.'

I'll be there in about ten minutes.

Right. She might know something.

Okay, we'll wait for her.

Uh, I got to something for this pain.

Why don't you go with him and get some help?

And I'll talk to her.

Okay.

His number will be..

Try and wait here for us, okay?

[instrumental music]

Of course, it's one of my costumes.

Where else could you find workmanship like that?

Do you remember who rented it?

Oh, he was around 30. A perfect size 42.

- He came in alone. - Is this the man?

No.

He came in and left us a deposit check.

But the information he filled out

on the card won't help you any.

It's a phony.

I checked it when he didn't come back

with the costumes.

And he picked up all four of them himself?

That's right. Two size, uh, 42s.

One 48 and one 38.

These are the costumes?

Yeah! Did you find them?

Not as yet.

You say, uh, you say he paid by check.

That's the one thing that did come back.

He was the smoothest talker I ever saw.

I'm ashamed, gentlemen, ashamed.

Do you need these?

No, you can have 'em. It's a gift.

[knocking on door]

Hi.

Curt had to go out on a call. He asked if you'd come in and wait.

Come on in.

Okay.

I'm, uh, Clen.

- Sally Gaynor. - Hi.

Can I have a drink?

Oh, I'm afraid I don't know where he keeps things.

I'm afraid you don't even know Curt Harden.

'Well, when did he move out?'

[sighs] I don't know.

[laughs]

I just took a lease this afternoon.

You called and I liked your voice and..

You can't blame a guy for tryin'.

Nope.

I better go.

Hey! Am I that bad?

No. You're not.

Why don't I order something to drink?

Oh, no. There-there's no need for that.

But..

Well, if you're lonely, I'll talk to you.

Yeah.

I am lonely.

I am lonely.

Why don't you sit down? Come on.

Okay.

[instrumental music]

You know, I think you're a very nice person.

You do?

Thank you. You don't even know me.

I can tell.

Oh.

Sometimes I'm just not very smart.

I guess I trust people too much.

You know, you can get hurt doin' that.

You mean like this guy Curt?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, he was a salesman. A good one.

One date and he had me believin' in him.

'Oh, he could really charm a gal.'

Sounds like a smart operator. What did he tell you?

I'd rather talk about you.

Me?

I shouldn't have said that.

I shouldn't even be here.

I really have to leave.

Hey. Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Please move out of the way.

Look, if you wanna talk about me, you wanna be with me. Right?

No.

I wanted to be with Curt.

But Curt's gone, isn't he?

Why don't you just forget about him with me?

But I'd only be using you.

Use me, use me, go ahead. I don't mind.

[laughs]

Alright.

Look, let's start again, alright?

Okay.

I'm Clen.

- I'm Sally. - Hi.

[laughs]

I'm gonna have to do some digging.

You'll need an anesthetic.

No anesthetic. I wanna see what you're doin'.

Oh, what's this gonna cost?

I'll be very reasonable.

- Use your phone? - In the other room.

[dialer whirring]

- Howie, where've you been? - Later, Mavis.

I need some money. What are you holdin'?

- Look, Howie-- - Never mind, look.

What do you got?

I don't know, I-I-I might have $500 last week.

I, I haven't balanced my account yet.

Which bank?

It's the First Trust.

It's, it's on Fifth, near the park.

Get me the money. Meet me at the park.

One hour.

Howie, I cannot just walk out on this job.

Now, I can't do that.

Mavis, walk.

Your friend has a low pain threshold.

How much longer is it gonna take?

Oh, that's hard to tell.

The wound has to be drained and..

I, uh, have got to go out for a while.

Tell him I'll come back for him.

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

Well, you like this one?

Oh, I hate to go back to reality.

We better leave before we're picked up for trespassing.

On our own property?

[laughs]

[gasps]

Well?

You're not serious.

I'm serious enough to make a down payment.

- With what? - The financing on the new line.

I told you, it's already starting to snowball.

But you haven't even gone into production.

Honey, that's the easiest part.

See, I sold the idea big. Look.

Petty cash.

I'm turning backers away.

How did it happen so quickly?

I'm a salesman. You remember?

I finally decided to, uh... sell myself.

It's as simple as that.

Come on. Let's take a look at the rest of the house.

[sighs] So all this is real.

Sure.

Curt, I'd like to go home.

I couldn't handle this.

Honey..

...you won't have to.

You can have a maid. You can have a gardener.

- You can have a cook-- - I don't mean that.

Debbie would have to change schools.

We'd be miles from our friends.

- We'd-- - What is it? Are you scared?

Is that it?

Alright, I am.

I'm a small town girl, remember?

This is..

Well, this is so much, I never moved this fast.

I, I can't just tear up roots.

Curt, give me a chance.

I don't think I can handle all this.

I..

I, I, I.

What about me? Don't I deserve something?

Ten years!

Ten years on the road.

Second class hotels.

Every jerkwater berg across the country.

- Kurt! - 'No.'

You should've seen me.

I wish you'd been there to see me begging and pleading

with fat-bellied buyers, sweating out commissions.

Now, you can believe

that I had plenty of time to think.

And I learnt how to change things.

And now, I've made it.

And I'm gonna keep it. And you're gonna live with it.

You hear me?

I'll try, honey. Honest.

But I can't promise.

[dramatic music]

[bell chimes]

Now, how do you feel?

Where's Rademaker?

- Oh, he left. - Where?

I don't know.

And now, if you will give me $1000

'I think we can conclude our business.'

A thousand?

[grunts]

- 'Hey, what the..' - Sorry.

[grunts]

Hey!

I'm a little groggy, doc.

[dramatic music]

No. Please.

Is that your car in your driveway?

Yes, yes.

Give me the key.

[instrumental music]

Good, yes. Thank you very much.

What's the status on Mavis Barret?

She just left the First Trust National Bank

'and is driving South on Fifth street.'

'Still no contact with any of the subjects.'

[intercom buzzes]

Yes.

The bureau is calling. Mr. Ward.

Put it on the speaker, would you, Stu?

Yes, Art.

Lewis, the documents section has identified the person

who rented the costumes through handwriting examinations.

It's Clenard Massey.

His identification record includes numerous arrests

for forgery.

Do you have an address?

No, he was released from prison five years ago

and dropped out of sight.

'I've brought all the offices up to date.'

You'll forward his records?

'Right away.'

One of the surveillance units just reported

that Mavis Barret made contact with a man

who may be Rademaker.

Where are they now?

Near Shaw gardens, travelling North on Maple.

We'll join the surveillance, too.

Right.

[instrumental music]

You're gonna make me ask for it again?

Ninety dollars.

'Thought you said 500.'

I, I know, I..

I must've written some checks I didn't know about.

Are you holding out on me, Mavis?

Oh, no! I mean..

Honest, I've..

You know I'd give you every dime I have.

I've got to have some money.

[dramatic music]

Pull in there.

Why? What're you going to do?

Just pull in.

[dramatic music]

Howie, what are you going to do?

- Be here when I come out. - No.

[man on radio] 'SL-5 to 1.'

One, go ahead.

'Barett's car has just stopped in front of a supermarket'

'in Barca shopping center'

'in Maple and Fifth.'

'The girl is still in the car.'

Alright, maintain surveillance and keep me advised.

[dramatic music]

[Lewis] FBI. Would you step out please?

I didn't have anything to do with this.

It was all Rademaker's idea.

You better stop him. He went in with a g*n.

- Are you the manager? - No, assistant.

May I help you?

Yeah.

'Now, let's you and me take a walk to the cashier's booth.'

Nice and slow.

[music continues]

Rademaker, FBI.

Right there.

[intense music]

[cans clattering]

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

That one goes in the den.

Sir, where do you want the TV?

Ah, in the living room.

Hey, the FBI is getting close in that case, aren't they?

[male narrator] As the FBI makes its first major breakthrough in the case

the mastermind, Curtis Breer, will be driven

to desperate efforts to cover his tracks

only to discover that vengeful g*ng member Lyle Chernik

has learnt of his whereabouts

and begins a reign of terror which will jeopardize

Breer and his family.

Next week, on "The FBI."

[theme music]