09x09 - Fool's Gold

[bunniefuu]

Inspector, that cross must be found.

It dates back to the Crusades.

It has survived wars

vandals, revolutions.

It just can't wind up in the hands of two petty crooks

who right now are probably dickering

with some greedy collector.

Jewels alone are worth more than that.

You'll wreck 'em gettin' them out.

'I mean, they're stuck in there for real.'

A metallurgist.

He'd take 'em out in an hour.

- Who? - A metallurgist.

You get one who works with precious metal like gold.





Melt it down.

Have 'em out just like that.

- He shot me. - Where's Hudson?

He took 'em. Uh, took 'em both.

Now try not to move.

We'll have a doctor here in a few minutes.

Arnold Brice? FBI.

Why, you lousy old broad.

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Junior.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...and Shelly Novack.

With guest stars Leslie Nielsen..

...Lou Antonio..

...Susanne Benton..

...Stephen Young.

Tonight's episode Fool's Gold.

Closing time, please. 5 o'clock, folks.

Closing time, please.

That's the last of 'em. Lock her up.

If you're gonna be a while, Mr. Anderson

we won't turn the alarm on just yet.

That's alright, Stark.

I'm through with the exhibit rooms.

[alarm blaring]

Come on, move, move.

Down here.

Hey, you! Stop!

[g*nsh*t]

I got the license plate number.

[pants] They got away.

The cross.

They've taken the cross.

[male narrator] On July 7, minutes after closing

of the Stanton Art museum in St. Louis

two men ex*cuted the theft of a 13th century gold cross

valued by art authorities at $250,000.

Early questioning by St. Louis police

the same night established the identity of one of the men

as Arnold Brice already sought by the FBI

in connection with a series of bank robberies

in Kansas and Missouri.

The FBI was notified

and began an immediate investigation.

I pleaded with them not to lend the cross.

Foolhardy risk with a priceless church antique.

We're making every effort, Father.

Well, it doesn't seem to be enough.

Mr. Anderson, Father Conforti

this is Inspector Erskine and Special Agent Daniels.

- How do you do? - Nice to meet you.

- Hello? - How do you do?

Excuse me, Father.

Have the, uh, agents finished..

Yes, sir, they lifted a number of latent prints.

Oh, I doubt the fingerprints will be helpful.

I think both men were wearing gloves.

You were the one who identified Brice?

Yes, sir, from those pictures.

I also showed these to Miss Saunders

Mr. Anderson's assistant.

No doubt about it.

He's been in the museum three, four times

just this last week.

And the guy I shot, I never saw before.

St. Louis police put out an APB

with the description and license number.

It was a stolen car, Lew. I reported it to the NCIC.

I believe the police said this door

is normally kept locked, Mr. Anderson?

Yes.

There's no sign that lock was forced

or tempered with, Lew.

Who has keys to this room?

Uh, Ted Stark here, myself

and Miss Saunders, my assistant.

- You both have them with you? - 'Yes.'

Do you mind if I borrow yours?

Oh, no.

I wonder if I could speak to your assistant?

If you wish.

Inspector, that cross must be found.

It dates back to the Crusades.

It has survived wars

vandals, revolutions.

It just can't wind up in the hands of two petty crooks

who right now are probably dickering

with some greedy collector.

I understand, Father.

I keep it locked in my desk at all times, inspector.

Thank you.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

Now if you'll excuse me--

You were, uh, in the museum

all last week, weren't you?

Yes. Why?

You don't recognize any of these men?

Uh, I already told you, Mr. Blanchett

that I'd never seen any of these men before.

We're looking for one of them in connection

with a series of crimes.

Uh, Mr. Stark told us

he was in the museum a number of times last week.

Well, as I said I've never seen any of those men.

It's possible Ted made a mistake.

Yes, of course.

Well, if something should occur to you

that might be helpful, we'd appreciate a call.

Certainly.

[telephone rings]

Alright.

- Yeah? - 'It's me.'

[sighs] Look, uh, Barbara honey, I told you no more phone calls.

I'm tryin' to keep this phone clear.

Uh, I have to talk to you.

The FBI just showed me your picture.

- Uh, did you tell 'em anything? - No.

Alright, I'll tell you what.

I'll meet you during your lunch break.

Chris, I want Miss Saunders put under surveillance.

What do you got?

A feeling.

- H-hey, Eddie around? - Yeah, I guess.

Eddie?

Long time.

What are you doing outside?

Now is that any way to greet an old buddy. How are ya?

You ain't a buddy and you ain't welcome.

Is that laid out for you?

Andy, you get started with that back pen, will you?

Uh, sure, right away, Eddie.

I, uh, need a little medical help, Eddie.

That's too bad, you should've tried the hospitalization.

- How far behind you are they? - Too far, man.

They'll never catch the old fox. I left them a rabbit.

You ain't holding up here, you know?

Oh, sure. No, I understand.

It's just, uh, I need a little patch-up, that's all.

Come on.

I gotta hand it to you. It's, uh, it's great cover.

What kind of action you got here?

Hot cars? Dope? What?

Chickens. Just chickens.

[Eddie] 'Molly?'

What?

[Eddie] 'Will you come here a minute?'

You come here.

[Eddie] 'And bring the whisky.'

[sighs]

[sighs]

Eddie, I thought, you said you didn't have

any action going on around here?

I wouldn't want you to have to wash a glass on my account.

- Were you in an accident? - Honey, he's been shot.

You mean to tell me Eddie didn't tell you

about his old cellmate, Nick Parrish?

Now look, take the bottle and split.

I'm doing no more time in the bucket

for you or anybody else.

[chuckles] I know it.

Man, I used to watch you when they threw that lock.

'You'd sit there and grab that bunk'

till your knuckles turned white.

I'm gonna need..

some bandages, some antiseptic and some tape.

Well, I don't have anything for that.

I mean, I'd have to go into town.

No.

Molly, I'd really appreciate that.

And, hey, listen, would you mind going out to my car

and-and getting that thing that's wrapped in a blanket

in the backseat and bring it in, huh?

Look, Nick, I don't want her getting involved.

Do it!

[sighs]

Eddie?

Eddie?

[panting] Eddie, look.

[Nick] 'Yeah, Eddie, have a look.'

Honey, when you go into town

I don't want you to breathe a word of this to anybody

'Because if you do'

'you won't need bandages.'

'You'll need a nice, long pine box'

for your old man here.

Now get goin'.

Go on!

Unit 7 to unit 1.

- Go ahead, Earl. - Subject is at the fountain.

- Brice is moving toward her. - We'll be right over.

Hey.

Come on, people will think I'm a masher.

I'm liable to get arrested.

Maybe you should be.

You've been using me, Arnold.

Using me.

What about the big bad gamble that you told me about, Arnold?

The ones that were gonna blow your head off?

You wanna tell me about them again?

If I did not come up with that money, I--

Oh, stop it, Arnold.

There weren't any gamblers

and there weren't any gambling debts.

You're just a criminal, a two-bit criminal.

I wanted to tell you about it.

Why didn't you?

Come on, you wouldn't have understood.

Listen, you didn't mean anything to me at first.

And then..

...something happened.

I fell in love with you.

It's funny, isn't it?

I set a trap for you and I fall into it myself.

Barbara.

I wanted to tell you the truth.

I was afraid.

Arnold Brice? FBI.

Why, you lousy old broad.

Alright, throw down the g*n.

Okay.

Okay!

Turn around. Hand to the wall.

Now back up.

Listen, I don't know what she said to you

but whatever it was, she was lying.

Then maybe you'll tell us the truth.

[groans]

I'm sorry if I hurt you.

It might just keep on bleeding.

Well, then maybe I'll need a full-time nurse.

Molly, are you available?

Alright.

You've been patched up, now get out.

Eddie, when I was in town, I picked up a paper.

Look, $250,000, there's a picture of it.

What about the other guy? What happened to him?

Well, he ran in the wrong direction.

Yeah.

That would leave an opening for you, Eddie.

Not interested.

Well, uh, you had better get interested

because I need a ride.

So flag a bus.

- Eddie? - 'Eddie, I'll cut you in.'

Yeah. You'll cut us in, you'll cut us down.

I get to where you're going

and you'll leave us face down at some ditch.

You got an evil mind.

- Who are you calling? - Supermarket.

I'm going to order a whole truckload of lettuce.

Otto? Nick.

I, uh, got that little item we talked about.

Nah, nah, nah, it's just a scratch, don't worry.

You got the hundred Gs?

'Yeah.'

That's no problem. I just hired myself a chauffeur.

Call you when I get there. Cheers.

- Okay, let's go. - 'No.'

Goodbye and good luck.

- Eddie, we can't-- - Stay out of this!

What, are you crazy or something?

You got a chance of making thousands of dollars

just by giving him a ride!

You're not mad enough.

- You put that down! - Alright, you two knock off.

[g*nsh*t]

Now..

...let's just make like one big happy family.

Okay, come on, move.

Don't you ever threaten me like that again.

I'm sorry, honey, I just didn't wanna get you--

Alright, make up in the car. Come on, let's move.

You drive.

You, get in the back.

Andy, don't!

[g*nsh*t]

Alright, he's had it. You wanna join him?

Mm, no, inspector.

I don't know anything about any museum.

Uh, I, I certainly don't know anything about any stolen cross.

And no, I-I don't know

any, uh, Miss Saunders?

Then why were you talking to her?

[chuckles] Yeah, I was doing a little bird hunting.

Well, you know, you see a girl, you go up to her

you start to talk to her.

There's no crime in doing a little bird hunting, is there?

It becomes a crime when you do it in Downtown, St. Louis

with a g*n in your belt.

Finish up with him, Chris.

I'll see what Miss Saunders has to say.

Yes, sir.

You know what should be happening right now, inspector?

I should be listening to a minister

reciting a wedding ceremony.

[chuckles] And what do I hear?

A federal officer telling me

I have the right to remain silent.

You don't have to ask me any questions, inspector.

I'll tell you.

I was used.

Uh-huh.

I should've known.

I have two dates in two years

and along comes someone like Arnold

who pretends, uh..

...he just can't leave me alone.

[chuckles]

Yeah, of course. The key?

Of course, I gave him the key.

I would've given him anything.

Right now, I'd like the name of the man

who was with Brice.

Uh, Parson?

Nick Parson.

I only met him once.

Excuse me.

Page, uh..

Check the name Nick Parson. Could be an alias.

If you can't identify him

see if he has any friends or relatives around here.

Nick Parson?

That's right. We're looking for a Parson with a cross.

[chuckles] You wanna know something, Nick? You're stupid.

Stupid is always in front of the g*n, Eddie old man.

What do you mean stupid?

Hundred grand? You're giving that stuff away.

I was in the business, I ought to know.

Jewels alone are worth more than that.

You'll wreck 'em gettin' them out.

I mean, they're stuck in there for real.

A metallurgist.

- He'd take 'em out an hour. - Who?

A metallurgist.

'You get one who works with precious metal like gold.'

'1063 degrees Centigrade.'

'1945 degrees Fahrenheit.'

'Melt it down.'

Have 'em out just like that.

Well, doesn't matter..

Day after tomorrow, I'll be on some beach

in Rio De Janeiro kickin' sand.

You, you'll be kick..

Yeah.

We'll be kicking some sheets in a morgue.

Well, that depends, Eddie old man.

I mean, I got no reason to k*ll you.

You got no reason to make me.

[groans]

Take another drink.

[sighs]

[sighs]

[exhales]

Eddie, turn on some music.

[sighs]

[music on radio]

County record show it to a chicken ranch

outside Mattoon here.

No reports of trouble on Hudson

since he settled here though.

Oh, there's Hudson's place.

[Andy] 'Help me.'

[groans]

- He shot me. - Where's Hudson?

He took 'em. Uh, took 'em both.

Alright, try not to move.

We'll have a doctor here in a few minutes.

[music on radio]

- What are you doing? - I'm going to call the police.

No!

Eddie.

We've got a fortune in our hands.

What we got is a one-way ticket for me back to prison.

Now give that to me.

Prison?

Where do you think you've had me in for the past six years?

Stuck away out there.

That's the only thing that I could do.

Do you think I liked it?

So do something about it.

Or I'm going to leave you.

You keep saying you love me.

Yeah.

I love you.

Then prove it.

You drive.

Hey, what's going on?

Get out.

- Well, come on, Eddie-- - Out!

I-I wasn't gonna hurt you, honest.

- Walk. - Oh, now come on.

[breathing heavily] Oh, give me a break.

- Come on, Eddie-- - Shut up.

Eddie.

[grunting]

[g*nsh*t]

We just left him.

He told us Parson forced the Hudsons

into the car at gunpoint.

The law enforcement agencies and hospitals

throughout the state of Illinois are being alerted, Lewis.

He probably had a fence lined up in advance.

From the way he's heading, it looks like Chicago.

Well, I'll have the Chicago office alert informants

about the possible sale and get back to you.

- 'Get rid of that.' - Where?

[Eddie] 'Wrap it in a newspaper and throw it in a garbage can.'

- Who are you calling? - Someone with a 100,000.

And a quick market for hot gold crosses.

- 'Hello?' - Who is that?

Otto Sherman, Sherman Imports. What can I do for you?

Mr. Sherman, I'm calling for Nick Parrish.

I'm afraid you got the wrong number.

No, I got the right number

and I just wanna make sure you got the right number.

It's 100,000.

- Let me talk to Parrish. - Parrish is out of business.

I've taken over his inventory.

Well, uh, I don't know.

I'm not sure if I'm any longer interested.

Alright, suit yourself.

I've had a close look at this merchandise.

You're not buying it, you're stealing it.

Alright, now hold it. Wait a minute.

How do I know you're on the level?

If I wasn't on the level

I'd give the thing back to the church.

Now you're interested or not?

Yes, yes. I'm interested.

Uh, get over here soon.

- I'll wait around. - And no big bills.

- Small and lots of 'em. - Okay.

It's 103, Sumner.

- 103, got it? - Yeah, I got it.

I thought I told you to get rid of that.

[sighs]

One of our informants here in Chicago told us

that a woman named Emily Tyson

was suspected of dealing with Parson some years ago.

She had the reputation of being a good fence.

Is she still in business?

No, she was released from prison two years ago

after serving a sentence for receiving stolen property.

She's married now and runs a boutique shop

here in Chicago under her married name.

- You know her address? - That and her new name.

Emily Rountree.

Yes, I'm Emily Rountree.

Inspector Erskine, FBI. This is Special Agent Daniels.

Is there a place we can talk?

[chuckles] I don't have to go to back rooms

to talk to people anymore, inspector.

Um..

How about right here?

Have you been in touch with Nick Parson lately?

He called two or three weeks ago.

Wanted to know if I'd be interested in handling

a sizeable transaction for him.

A museum piece?

- An antique cross? - Yes.

- What'd you tell him? - The truth.

The only things I handle anymore have a price tag

for the general public.

'I admit that what they pay for some of the stuff'

'is a crime, but you can't arrest me for that.'

Did he try to talk you into buying it?

The last man that tried to talk me into anything

was two years ago.

I married him.

Beautiful man.

He made an honest businesswoman out of me.

Did Parrish say who he might see

about getting rid of the cross?

As an honest businesswoman, you should remember that.

He asked about Otto Sherman

who has an import business over on Sumner.

I told him as far as I know.

Sherman was out of jail and in town and that's all.

Do you know if he contacted Sherman?

What I don't know lets me sleep nights.

You arrived right on time.

- Where's the money? - Right here.

I almost didn't get here in time to give you the payoff.

I almost didn't have strength enough to steal a car.

Now where do you want it, Eddie?

'Just tell me.'

That's right.

Just pull that g*n out nice and easy

and toss it over here.

Come on!

Now why don't you two just leave what you brought

and then be on your way?

That's the best advice you're ever gonna get.

I should k*ll you both right now.

Come on, sweetheart. Give me that cross.

Now!

[grunting]

No, Nick.

[breathes heavily] Give me the keys.

No, Nick, no. Are you crazy?

You running around with a slug in your arm

and a g*n in your hand in my car?

- No way. - Give me your keys!

You're making a mistake, Nick.

FBI, Parson.

Turn around.

Hands on the fence.

Step back.

[jazz music]

- Eddie? - Hmm?

- Eddie? - What? What?

- Did you find any metal, um-- - Metallurgist.

Yeah!

Found a whole page of 'em.

Well, now what?

- Eddie? - What?

[sighs]

Penny for your thoughts.

All of a sudden, you're getting cheaper. How come?

I didn't mean what I said about leaving you.

Yeah, baby.

I know all about it.

I mean, if you want to pack out and..

What, are you putting me out?

No. If you'd rather call the whole thing off--

Well, how do I go about explaining to the judge

about poor old Andy who's lying out there dead in the dirt?

What do I say, I'm busy, Your Honor?

You know, I was stealing cars.

Attempted m*rder.

Fencing stolen property.

I'm sorry, Your Honor, I couldn't give Andy

a prompt and decent burial.

Now look, honey, out there in the parking lot is a hot car.

It's got a quarter million dollars in the trunk.

Now it ain't like riding a bus.

You don't just pull a chord and get off whenever you like.

[sighs] You actually think you can find somebody to do it?

Get me some dimes.

One of these guys is gonna put me back

in the wholesale jewelry business.

That old man's crazy.

I never, uh, went to any farm.

I never shot anybody.

We will know about that in a few minutes.

Your g*n is being examined in our laboratory.

[scoffs]

Oh, beautiful. Beautiful.

First, they take my g*n away form me

and then they try to k*ll me with it.

Then they got the gall to go to my contact.

Then when they get away

they leave me with my own g*n again.

Man, I lay that story on a DA

he's gonna think I got it from a comic book.

Don't worry, Parrish, if your story's true

we'll help substantiate it for you.

Did they leave in the station wagon?

Yeah.

But they probably shucked it on some side street by now.

I mean, Eddie's smart enough for that.

Is he smart enough to know who's handling stuff like this?

I don't know.

If he had his own private contact though

then he wouldn't have to go to mine.

[chuckles] And he calls me stupid.

If fencing that cross is so stupid

how come he tries it himself?

Did he have another idea?

Yeah.

Melt it down, he says.

Jewels are worth a fortune, he says.

Did he say how he expected to get that done?

Well, I was a little bombed at the time

but, uh, I think he said, um..

...a-a-a metal, a metal--

- Metallurgist? - Yeah, that's it.

He knew the exact temperatures and everything

to melt down the gold, I mean.

Just rattled them right off.

Jewels used to be Eddie's business, you know.

Yes.

I'll start checkin' out metallurgist right away.

Particularly the ones who work with precious metals.

No, I won't do it.

It's sacrilege.

Well, as you can see, Sampson

there are two schools of thought about that.

So this is why you asked me to stay late.

This is your big industrial problem

my supper's getting cold for.

Well, mister, I won't help you.

Well, that means both you and your supper

are gonna get cold together, Sampson.

You cannot make me commit sacrilege.

[grunts]

[c*ck g*n]

Now you wanna be a martyr, Sampson?

Do you?

Well, if all you want are the jewels, I could take them out.

You don't have to melt the whole--

We don't have any time.

Now melt it.

God, forgive me.

We've checked with most of the metallurgists already

inspector, but so far nothing.

We're gonna contact everyone if it takes all night.

Well? Well?

Almost pure.

[telephone rings]

Let it ring!

It's my wife.

I asked her to call me if she hadn't heard from me.

- So you're not here. - Then she'd call the police.

We've had robbers.

Alright, answer it, but watch what you say.

Watch what you say.

Hello?

Sampson Metallurgy, this is the FBI calling.

I'm sorry, Louise, but I'm going to be here for a while.

- I've got a rush job. - Can you talk?

Uh, no, dear, I'm busy.

Inspector.

I'm sorry, but I've just got to finish this job, Louise.

This is Inspector Erskine.

I'm gonna ask you a couple of questions.

Just answer yes or no.

- Sure, okay. - Come on.

Is there a couple there with an antique gold cross?

- Yes, dear, that's right. - Are they armed?

Yes, uh-huh.

Alright, we're on our way.

When you hang up act normally. Don't put yourself in danger.

Don't worry, dear. Bye-bye.

Alright, let's go.

Let's go.

[Eddie] 'Come here.'

Come on, move it.

But i-it has to be the right temperature.

You're an expert, you ought to know--

Alright, alright.

What you're doing is sinful.

This cross symbolizes centuries of religious faith.

Why don't you just shut up?

It's ready. Get it in the oven.

Hurry up and get it in the oven!

[thud]

What's that?

What was what?

Your guilty conscience probably.

Is there anyone else here?

If there were, you wouldn't be getting away with this.

- That's for sure. - You better go and see, Eddie.

FBI, Hudson.

[g*nsh*t]

Get down.

Alright, now stay back!

'I got a man here and he's coming out with us.'

I said stay back and take off!

Or a dead man is coming out this door in front of me!

[softly] Molly.

Molly!

Molly, where are you going?

Drop the g*n.

[g*nshots]

Stop. FBI.

Alright, Mrs. Hudson.

[breathing heavily]

It's mine.

It's mine.

I'm afraid not.

[sobs] It's mine. It's mine!

I'm afraid not.

Come on with me.

[sobs]

Eddie.

All I wanted was for us to have some kind of chance.

I was gonna put a dime in that phone..

...until I let you put that g*n in my hand.

I stalled to delay it every way I could think of, inspector.

It would have been tragic to destroy

this beautiful piece of religious history.

Well, I'd say history and a certain priest

owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Sampson, and so do we.

Nick Parrish, Arnold Brice and Barbara Saunders

were convicted in federal court of interstate transportation

of stolen property violations.

Parrish was also convicted of interstate car theft.

And Illinois authorities charged him

with the attempted m*rder of Andrew Fischer.

Edward Hudson was convicted of assaulting federal officers.

He and his wife were also prosecuted on charges

brought by the state of Illinois.

[theme music]