08x16 - The Rap Taker

[bunniefuu]

Bobby.

I need somebody to take a fall.

The most you'll get is maybe a year in jail.

You're asking me to take the rap for something somebody else did?

That's right.

And if you do

you and your wife and your kid will be taken care of

for the rest of your lives.

Whose rap is it, Casey?

It's Junior's, isn't it?

You had Tuttle's effects on you when you turned yourself in.

His ring, his watch, his wallet.

It shows how desperate I was. I wasn't thinking.

Or was the whole confession a package?

What are you saying?

I'll go to the police.

I'll tell them everything.

No, you won't.

And I'll tell you why you won't.

You got that kid to take care of.

Bob's a loser.

Always was.

Let me show you what a winner's like.

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Robert Drivas..

...Brooke Bundy..

...Stephen McNally.

Special guest star, Scott Marlowe.

Tonight's episode, "The Rap Taker."

[laughs] Do you remember our senior prom night?

[laughs]

How could I forget?

You and me both being busted in the hot car.

[chuckles] I thought the old man would split a gut.

Hey, how is Casey, anyway?

Well, you know, the same.

Oh, he told me to say hi to you

when I told him I was gonna look you up.

[sighs] What are you doin' in Denver?

Long way from Kansas City.

Oh, you know, a little this, a little that.

Business, pleasure.

Honey.

Could we have another round?

Excuse me.

Hi, Sammy, how are you?

Hi, Junior.

I was gonna pay back.

I wasn't trying to run off.

- I didn't think you were. - You didn't have to track me.

Track you?

You don't think I have anything better to do

than to follow around a two-bit loan chisler?

Then there's not gonna be any muscle?

Muscle? Hey come on, Sammy.

That's not my style.

Let me buy you a drink, I spoiled that one.

No, I..

I gotta go.

Okay?

I'll, uh, keep in touch.

Honest, I will.

Bartender, give me a roll of dimes.

[intense music]

[grunting]

You said no muscle.

Hey.

Hey!

You alright?

Hey.

Help! Help, somebody!

[theme music]

[male narrator] On May 9, Inspector Lewis Erskine

and Special Agent Tom Colby were in Denver, Colorado

on a major investigation

involving the loan sharking activities

of organized crime figures Casey and Junior Morton.

The case was based on information

that Sammy Tuttle had fled the Mortons

rather than pay the high interest rates they demanded.

When Tuttle was found badly beaten and in serious condition

the agents moved immediately to interview Casey Morton Jr.

Casey Morton Jr, FBI. We'd like to talk to you.

Yeah, well, I'm about to catch a plane.

We wanna talk to you about Sammy Tuttle.

You're under arrest. Assaulting a federal officer.

That's it.

How about that? That's 100 you owe me.

Yeah, that's what I get for letting you

hustle me on my own court.

Oh, you're not gonna quit now? I'll tell you what.

I'll give you a chance to get even.

Double or nothing on the next game.

Sure, why not?

I'll let you hustle me on the golf course. Why not here?

[chuckles]

So how is that boy of yours doing?

Oh, fine.

I understand you, uh, sent him to Denver on a little errand.

You don't miss much, do you, Mike?

Not much, Casey.

Not much.

Yeah, he's on the morning plane back right now.

[chuckles]

He's in a Denver jail for assaulting an FBI agent.

He worked over our mark after telegraphing it

to all the witnesses in the bar, just like he wanted an audience.

Hey, Casey, you didn't figure on

keeping this news from me, did you?

Look, Mike, let this be my headache.

It doesn't have to worry you and the board.

Ah, but we do worry about it.

He knows too much about our business.

Look, Mike, he's my kid.

And he's goofy sometimes too.

Oh. No offense, Casey.

You yourself know he's unstable.

We worry he'll spill his guts all over a courtroom

about everything.

The board is very upset, you know?

And they're also concerned that you're the one

that recommended him to the organization.

Get it straightened out, Casey.

He's your flesh and blood.

A nice kid, but wild.

Take care of it.

Yeah.

Yes, you can talk to Tuttle now.

How serious are his injuries?

Well, we're a little concerned about the concussion.

But he seems to be doing pretty well.

Now, if we can keep him quiet for the next few days

he should make a full recovery.

You don't sound exactly sure of that, doctor.

Well, I, I'm a little worried.

You see, Tuttle has a history of heart trouble.

Now this can be a problem in an injury case.

But as of now, it's not a factor.

Alright, doctor, thanks very much.

- We'll be as brief as possible. - Alright.

What's to tell?

Some creep mugged me, that's all.

How come it's a federal offense?

Sam, we know they were pressing you.

We know Junior Morton followed you here

from Kansas City to collect.

So I owe him money. Big deal.

Everybody, even Casey, owes him money.

I mean, they're in the business of lending money.

Fifteen thousand at five percent interest a week?

Was it Junior who worked you over last night?

- I got nothing to say. - Alright, Sam.

Inspector, there's a telephone call here for you.

Yeah, he's on his way.

Erskine.

Lewis, did you have any luck with Tuttle?

Well, he still claims he was mugged from behind

but witnesses at the bar saw Junior Morton with him

a few minutes before the as*ault.

Is there any witness to the as*ault?

Oh, just the janitor who found him

and he only saw the assailant's back.

He was running away?

After trying to get into a car with a young woman.

Did you get any description of her?

Early 20s is all.

It was a light-colored convertible.

He couldn't catch the license number.

'Any news on Morton Sr.?'

Yes, he left Kansas City an hour ago, flying to Denver.

He's undoubtedly made arrangements

to get Junior out on bail.

'Lewis, Junior is the weak link'

in the whole Midwestern loan shark operation.

Anything we can do to tie him in with a conspiracy

will put us that much further ahead.

This is great, huh? Best room in the place.

So this is how you handle it, huh?

I couldn't help it.

Are you telling me you can't pull a simple job

like leaning on a client

'without putting both our heads on a block?'

That's right. We're both under the g*n now with the board.

For what reason?

Because they don't trust you

to keep your mouth shut

about the whole operation.

[sighs] Oh.

You know what I think?

It's a little late for you to start thinking, Junior.

Be quiet while I work this out.

About last night, were there any witnesses?

Anybody see you in that parking lot?

- No. - The truth.

No.

What kind of a case have we got?

People saw you talking to Tuttle, then follow him out.

- That's all? - That's it.

When you roughed Tuttle up, did you take his wallet and stuff?

'Make it looked like a mugging?'

- Don't I always? - What'd you do with it?

I buried it miles from where I roughed him up.

I wanna know exactly where you left it.

Why? You gonna pick it up?

I have an idea.

If it works, there's a way to get us both off the hook.

Your daddy is building you the best swing set

in the whole wide world.

- Oh, yeah? - Mm-hmm.

We're gonna see about that.

What's wrong?

What's he doing here?

I don't know.

Bob, you don't owe him anything.

Please, don't even talk to him.

What are you talking about?

He's the closest thing to a father I've ever had.

- Bob, please-- - Alright.

Will you cut it out now?

Please, just take Brian and go on inside, okay?

So this is where you live.

Yeah, this is it.

It's not much. We call it home.

Well, it looks very practical.

I guess that's a good word as any.

Bobby, what are you and I talking this way for?

Like a couple of strangers.

Come on, Bobby.

Boy, I missed you, kid.

It's really great to see you, Casey.

It's great to see you after all this time.

Hey, you-you're thin, kid.

Well, what's the matter? Don't you eat enough?

What did you do? Come all the way from Kansas City

to nag me about eating right?

Okay, okay, you're right.

There is something else I have to say.

Something important.

Come on, let's sit down.

You know, I meant what I said when I left and came out here.

What you said? What was that?

About getting out of the rackets.

Hey, it's great, really great to see you, Casey.

But don't try to stick me in your pocket.

Did I ever do that to you?

Ah, yes, sort of.

Oh, come on, Case, let's face it.

There wasn't any cozy, little family business

you were starting me out in.

'You were planning to bring me along in the mob.'

Only not as fast as I was gonna bring Junior along, right?

What's Junior got to do with it?

Oh, come on, let's not con each other after all these years.

Junior was my real kid.

You were the orphan kid I took in off the streets.

Junior got the world on a silver plate.

You got his leftovers.

Don't you think I know how you felt?

You think I don't know the real reason

why you left when you did?

No, Casey, that wasn't the reason.

I just got so tired and so fed up

of all the things that I was doing.

All the lying and the stealing and hurting people.

For what, for what?

'Oh, yeah, sure, I admit.'

I got jealous of Junior once in a while.

But that wasn't the thing.

The thing was I didn't do right by you, kid.

You always got the short end of things.

But I'm stopping all that.

Starting now.

What's this?

Twenty five thou.

And it's all for you.

Why?

Look, I'm not gonna try to kid you

that I can just hand you that free gratis

and forget about it.

You know how these things work.

Oh, yeah, I know how they work.

Alright.

Bobby.

I need somebody to take a fall.

The most you'll get is maybe a year in jail.

You're asking me to take the rap for something somebody else did?

That's right.

And if you do

you and your wife and your kid will be taken care of

for the rest of your lives.

'You have my word on that.'

Casey, do you know what you're asking me to do?

I got a wife and a kid and a business.

Well, great. By all means, think about them.

That two-bit radio repair shop

doesn't make enough to feed your family.

'Your wife has to wait on tables, nights'

just so you can break even.

One year out of your life and you're sitting pretty.

And your wife and your baby boy can move into a decent house.

Tomorrow, if they want to.

Whose rap is it, Casey?

It's Junior's, isn't it?

You wanna know something, Bobby? Something funny.

I've always had this secret wish.

I even let myself think about it very often.

I've always wished that, uh..

...Junior had been the one I took in

'and that you had been my real son.'

Do it, Bobby.

Be that son I always wanted.

[dramatic music]

I confess to mugging the guy. What else can I say?

[Lewis] It's the confession we want to talk to you about.

What about it?

Well, for one thing, why did you do it

'after staying out of trouble so many years?'

Money problems, pure and simple.

Why Tuttle?

He came in the bar and he flashed a roll of bills.

Looked easy.

You were raised by Casey Morton, weren't you?

So what?

So Tuttle left Kansas City

owing Casey Morton a lot of money.

That was a coincidence.

- It doesn't add up. - Well, you total it.

Well, for openers, you just paid off over $2000 in debts.

The guy was loaded.

According to the police, he had less than $100 on him.

You had Tuttle's affects on you when you turned yourself in.

His watch, his ring, his wallet.

Why didn't you get rid of the wallet at least?

It shows how desperate I was. I wasn't thinking.

Or was the whole confession a package?

Why would I do that?

You didn't.

Are you saying that I took the rap for somebody?

How much did Morton pay you?

I got nothing else to say now.

When you have, let's hope it's not too late.

Please, leave me alone.

[intense music]

- Look, just try to forget it. - I can't. It was terrible.

I mean, I'll never forget him beating that poor man.

And then I just drove off without doing anything to help.

- What could you do? - I could've called the police.

I mean, I could have told them about that, that creature.

I'll never forget his face.

Bill, what should I do?

Janice, it's over.

But suppose he hurt someone else.

We don't even know what they were fighting about.

Maybe that guy ran after you to explain it.

All I know is, if you get involved now--

My father might find out that we've been seeing each other.

And after what he said--

Don't make me the villain in this.

We both decided it was better to keep it from him for a while.

I know.

Your father is a great guy and I'm lucky to be working for him.

But we both know a struggling architect

isn't exactly what he had in mind for his daughter.

Isn't that what he told you?

That's why I need some time to prove myself.

To show him that I'm not using you to get ahead.

I know. You're right.

And besides, if it was something important

we would have read about it in the papers.

Now you're making sense.

- You still love me? - I never stopped.

I'll call you later.

[car honks]

Like I said, I didn't get a good look at either one of them.

It was kind of dark out there.

You know, with that, uh, guy laying out there, I--

Yeah. You said the woman was driving a beige convertible?

You remember ever seeing it here before?

You know something, now that you've mentioned it

I, I think I have.

'And it might be that same girl too.'

Then you've seen her before?

Maybe, she's the one that I

I've seen leaving the building a few times.

- You say she works here? - No, I don't think so.

It, it's, well, it's..

It's like she was visiting somebody in one of the offices.

- Do you know which one? - No.

But it was always late in the evening.

Most of the offices close their doors at 5:00 sharp.

I wonder if you could give us a list of the ones that don't.

Of course, I would be glad to. Sure.

May I help you?

Oh, we're with the FBI.

Inspector Erskine, Special Agent Colby.

We're looking for Mr. Silvestri.

He's not here right now. I work for him.

Bill Harris.

Mr. Harris, we're trying to find a young woman

who may have witnessed an as*ault

in connection with a case we're investigating.

You mean that mugging a few nights back?

You know something about it?

No, just what I've heard around the building.

You know it's pretty shocking when something like that

happens on your doorstep.

The girl we're looking for is, uh, oh, early 20s

brown hair, we think, tall.

She drives a convertible.

I wouldn't mind finding one like that myself.

I'm sorry. I-I can't help you.

Does, uh, anyone else work late in this office?

No, I'm the lucky one.

And how late do you usually stay?

It varies. Sometimes 8, 9 o'clock.

Thanks for your help.

[dramatic music]

[telephone rings]

Janice, listen.

'Some men from the FBI were just here.'

- Was it about the mugging? - Yes.

They're looking for a young woman who witnessed it.

'They described you pretty closely.'

You didn't tell them?

I played dumb.

Honey, maybe this thing is more serious than we thought.

I was afraid of that.

I think you should tell them what you saw.

But what about my father?

Right now, I'm worried about you.

If the FBI is in on this, it must be something big.

Maybe even dangerous.

I don't know.

If dad finds out about us, he might fire you.

So I'll go to work for someone else.

It wont be the end of the world.

I just don't want it to be the end of us.

Honey, it won't be.

Bill, he's home. Let's talk about it later.

You better not come by here.

I'll meet you at the Steak Ranch about 9:00.

We'll have dinner.

Uh, I'd love to meet you, Kate.

I'll see you after the club.

You know what this reminds me of, Junior?

The time I took you to New York to watch the Yankees play

in the World Series.

Remember, we stayed in the best hotel in town

just the two of us.

You didn't want to eat anything there neither.

You were too excited.

All you did was stand in the window looking down

'at how small everything seemed in the street.'

That was a long time ago, Junior. Just memories.

Come on, relax.

Have some wine.

You're off the hook. We both are.

I could have fixed things myself, papa.

So I gave you a hand.

What's a father for, anyway?

You could've trusted me.

I do, but in a different way.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means we're not all cut out to do the same things in life.

Maybe I got you in over your head.

If I did, it's my fault, not yours.

The main thing is you're my son and I love you.

What's wrong with that?

What about Sammy Tuttle? What if he talked?

He won't.

Suppose you're gonna take care of that, too, right?

That's right, Junior. I'll take care of everything.

I'll see you later, papa.

[telephone rings]

Hello?

What do you want?

Easy, Sammy.

I just called to see how you were.

You expect me to buy that?

It's the money, isn't it?

Nah, I'm not worried about the money.

I know you'll pay that back.

Well, I always meant to.

Well, then what's to worry?

I heard that, uh..

Well, I heard you were, uh, talking to the law.

No, Junior. I didn't tell them anything.

I swear.

Oh, you wouldn't lie to me, would you, Sammy?

I give you my word.

Your word and 15 cents will buy me a cup of coffee.

Now listen carefully and listen very hard.

If anything happens to me because of that night

if I even have to answer any questions about it

I'm holding you responsible.

And that means wherever you are, I'll find you.

And when I do, there won't be enough left

to put you back together again.

You got that?

[stutters]

Time for your medication.

Nurse, uh, the door, has it got a lock on it?

No, none of the rooms have locks.

Well, that means anybody can just walk right in.

Don't worry, Mr. Tuttle. We won't let anyone disturb you.

Can you tell me when I'll be able to leave?

As soon as Dr. Bristle says it's okay.

But I feel fine.

I'm sure it won't be more than a day or two.

[dramatic music]

[grunts]

I just talked to the doctor..

Mr. Tuttle!

We're moving Tuttle to the Cardiac ward.

It's the first time he's been stable enough for us to do this.

It's been touch and go for an hour.

What do you suppose happened to bring on the attack?

I'm not sure. I understand he received a phone call.

- What are his chances, doc? - Hard to say.

Right now, he's critical.

You don't beat a man up with a bad heart

and expect him to walk away from it.

Inspector.

[instrumental music]

Hi.

Hello.

You look pretty, Ann.

Thank you.

I don't feel very pretty.

How's Brian?

He's fine. He's fine.

He misses you.

I do too.

What did you tell him?

I told him, um, that you were working.

That you were working very far away.

Ann...I'm sorry.

Bob.

Why did you do it?

[sighs]

I told you I had a few drinks

and this guy walked in the bar

and he flashed a roll of bills like that.

You're lying to me.

Bobby, you couldn't rob anybody.

I know that.

You're covering for someone.

Aren't you?

Has the FBI been talking to you?

No.

No, I went to the bank.

The safe deposit box, I-I went to get the pink slip

for the car.

I thought maybe I could sell it to hire you a good lawyer.

Bobby, there's almost $20,000 in cash in there.

Casey gave it to you

to cover up for someone.

- Ann, please. - Wasn't that what happened?

Why?

Why did you do it?

Because I couldn't stand the look on your face

every time another bill came in the mail.

When you wanted a new dress and we couldn't afford it.

Hey, babe, don't you see? This changes everything.

I'll only serve a short term.

And then when I come out, we'll have some money

some real money to start all over again with.

- Haven't you heard? - 'Heard what?'

It was in the newspapers this morning.

That man you said you robbed, he got worse last night.

Much worse.

If he dies, they're gonna try you for m*rder.

Bobby.

You've gotta tell 'em the truth.

Please now.

Please.

I can't.

Even if it means spending the rest of your life in prison?

Don't you understand?

If I cross them now, they'll take it out on you.

Or maybe even Brian.

Oh, babe, I made a deal.

Now I'm stuck with it.

Bobby.

[dramatic music]

Sorry, you missed me the first time you came around.

I was in Phoenix on business.

We're looking for a young woman.

'Tall, dark hair.'

Others who've seen her in the building.

say it's usually after most of the offices are closed.

'I've been wondering if you have run into her.'

I have seen one girl like that.

After hours, like you said.

Come to think of it, I've seen her a couple of times.

Do you know who's office she was visiting?

No.

Uh, wait a second. I remember seeing her in the elevator once.

And was she alone?

That's it, she was, uh

she was with that young architect down the hall.

- 'Bill Harris.' - You're sure?

Oh, yeah. Lucky guy.

Well, thanks, Mr. Crane. You've been very helpful.

[knock on door]

Well, Annie, h-how are you?

Come on in.

Junior, uh, I'm looking for your father.

Well, um, no hi first.

Uh, how are you?

"Looking good." Nothing?

- Hi. - Hi.

Hey, want a drink?

You still like those drinks with all the crushed ice in them?

See, I remembered.

Uh, no. Thank you.

I-I-I really don't want anything.

My father says when someone says they don't want anything

it usually means they want everything.

[chuckles]

I-I have to speak to Casey.

Well, obviously he's not here.

Junior, when do you expect him back?

Look, Annie, uh..

...my father is a busy man.

If there's anything you want you can ask me.

Alright.

It's about Bob.

He made a deal with, with Casey

but, but now this, this man might die and..

Casey can't let him go through with it.

Bobby shouldn't have told you that.

He didn't. I found it out on my own.

Then don't get mixed up in it.

Bobby is my husband.

I know.

So he's old enough to know what he's doing.

Junior..

...if that man dies

Bobby's gonna spend the of his life in prison.

I guess that could happen, huh?

But you always said he was like a brother to you.

He is, and what's a brother for if not

to help you out when you need him, huh?

Well, well, that's exactly what I'm saying..

Bobby is covering for you.

I should've known.

I should've known.

You don't know anything.

I don't?

I'll go to the police.

I'll tell them everything.

No, you won't.

And I'll tell you why you won't.

You got that kid to take care off.

Isn't that right?

Annie.

Bob's a loser, always was.

Let me show you what a winner is like.

[intense music]

[man on radio] 'Inspector, Bill Harris isn't at his apartment.'

'But I talked to his roommate.'

Does he know where Harris is?

'He said Harris had to deliver some blueprints'

'to a construction site.'

'He gave me the address.'

What do you mean you're not gonna catch the flight

back to Kansas City with me?

What more have you got to do here?

- It's some business, papa. - What kind of business?

I told you I'd take care of everything.

Well, it has nothing to do with Sammy Tuttle.

- What then? - Well, it's personal.

Like, maybe it has something to do with a girl

named Janice Silvestri?

When are you gonna learn, Junior

that there is nothing I don't know about?

You had one of my people trace down a license number for you.

"Janice Maria Silvestri."

[chuckles] So, that's it, huh?

You see a cute number riding down the street

so you go out of your way to meet her.

What's wrong? Aren't the girls back in Kansas City

good enough for you?

Well, this one's different.

Sure, they're all different.

But why not?

Your age, I'd be doing the same thing.

[intense music]

Hello again.

Harris, I think you know the girl we're looking for.

You're mistaken. I told you--

Look, Harris, the man we're investigating

has a record of violence.

Now he might be after her, too

if he thinks that she might identify him.

It's pretty unlikely, isn't it?

Do you wanna take that chance?

No.

I had my reasons not wanting to get her involved.

Her name is Janice Silvestri.

I work for her father.

I won't be home after the club tonight.

I'm going to meet Kate Wallace for dinner.

Okay, have a good time.

- Don't be too late. - I won't.

- Drive carefully. - I will.

[dramatic music]

[doorbell rings]

- Mr. Silvestri? - Yes.

We're with the FBI. I'm Inspector Erskine.

This is Special Agent Colby.

Is your daughter, Janice, at home?

No.

Do you know where we can find her?

What's this all about?

We think she witnessed a beating that took place

outside your office building the other night.

Oh, you mean the mugging?

Has she said anything to you about it?

No.

But what would she be doing around the office at night?

Oh, wait a minute.

Was she visiting Bill Harris?

Where can we find her?

Well, she should still be at the health club.

She swims there three nights a week.

What is it?

Well, when she drove away from the house

now that I think about it

there could have been someone following her.

Hi.

Remember me?

Please, I didn't say anything. You don't have to worry.

Yeah, well, I'm the worrying kind.

[intense music]

No.

Please, no.

Morton.

[g*nsh*t]

[intense music]

[g*nshots]

[hissing]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

So Casey showed me an envelope with $25,000.

I went for it.

That's all there is to it.

Hey, are you alright?

I am now.

[male narrator] Based on the testimony of Sam Tuttle and Bob Stern

along with other evidence, Casey and Jr. Morton

were convicted in federal court of conspiracy and violations

of the extortionate credit transactions statute.

Jr. Morton was also found guilty

of assaulting federal officers

and in state court of as*ault with intent to k*ll.

Stern was convicted in federal court

of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

[theme music]