04x22 - The Color of m*rder

[bunniefuu]

Mr. Mannix?

That's right.

I apologize for barging in like this,
without an appointment.

No problem.

You see, I need your advice,
and I didn't think it could wait.

Something wrong?

I have a feeling I may
have been followed here.

Oh. Please come in.

Uh--

Won't you sit down.

Oh. Miss...

Oh, Conrad. Cindy Conrad.

My father was Otto Conrad,
if you remember him.

Yes, of course he was
a very prominent man in this city.

Well, do you remember
how he d*ed?

He was k*lled about six years ago.

And I believe the man that did it
committed su1c1de, right?

Yes. Well, that's what the
phone calls have been about.

Phone calls?

From a woman.
The last one an hour ago.

A voice I've never heard before.

She won't give me her name.

What does she want?

Well, the first time she just said
that the police had been fooled.

That the real m*rder*r was still alive,
and she knew who he was.

And the next time she called,

she told you exactly
how much it would cost you to find out.

Oh. Heh. That's right.

$,-- A bargain, she said.

A personal favor,

she knew how much
my father meant to me.

Miss Conrad, you wanted my advice?

Forget it. Save your money.

There's nothing to it.

Nothing?

But she made it seem so real!

You see, those anonymous
phone calls and all the rest.

But you don't see--

It's page I in every bunco
artist's first reader.

You don't seem to understand.

She knew things--

Dates, details
nobody else could have known!

And in six years she could become
a walking encyclopedia.

An expert on you in no time at all,
believe me.

Come on, I'll walk you to your car.

Oh, wait!

Miss Conrad,
all she had to do was find out

you'd inherited a fortune

and you'd lost your father.

Now you were a custom-built pigeon.

Believe me, just ignore it.

You'll hear no more about it. Okay?

Can you be sure, Mr. Mannix.
I mean really sure?

Are you all right?

I

Jerry?

Be right with you.

Hey, Joel

Ha ha. Good timing, fellow.

I just this minute
finished threading it up.

How are you, Jerry?
How are Iris and the kids?

Oh fine, fine.

By the way, a date got here
a couple of minutes ago.

She's waiting for you
in the projection room.

Client, Jerry. Not a date.

You could do worse.

The first door on the left.

If you get the feeling
you want to communicate,

there's an intercom right
in front of you up there.

Just throw the switch.

I'll read you loud and clear.

Good.

Hey, I hope this wasn't too much trouble.

No. No trouble at all.

I just dipped into the file marked--

January , , and thar she blew.

Listen, I really appreciate this.

Anytime.

You've got a few seconds of
"Auld Lang Syne" up front.

Then it goes right
into that m*rder footage.

Good.

Hey, Joel

You got a notion that Otto Conrad's ghost
is coming back to haunt us?

You can never tell, Jerry.

And crowds across the nation last night

bid farewell to --

some fondly, others in
the spirit of good riddance.

But most reflecting new
hopes for the New Year.

Turning to the local scene this morning

brought climatic news of another sort--

The untimely death
of one of Los Angeles'

most honored citizens--
Mr. Otto B. Conrad,

a victim of g*nshots
from a passing motorist.

And even as shock was striking
the city this morning,

resolution of the tragedy came swiftly--

Dead by his own hand-- Johnny Marr.

Under fire by Conrad's
Anti-Crime Commission,

the night club operator
had early emerged

as the ranking suspect in the m*rder
of the well-known civic leader.

Tomorrow the city pays its final respects
to Otto Conrad.

That's the news.
Until the : report, good night.

Thanks, Jerry.

Anytime.

Nothing.

At least nothing
that hasn't been known.

That's why I'm actually glad
about that sh*t last night.

It proves that there's something
to that woman's story.

Hmm. You may be right.

Mr. Mannix...

it's all made out.

Your fee for helping me identify
the man who k*lled my father.

$,?

Isn't that enough?

That's enough to hire
a whole army of detectives.

But why is it post-dated
for a month from now?

Oh, I had to do that.

Oh?

The trustee of my estate.

On checks of that size,

the mean old darling made me
faithfully promise to do that.

But we're going to be so busy,
you'll never notice the wait.

What's our first step?

Well, the next time that woman calls,

you refer her to me. She won't like it,
but she'll go along with it.

Right.

And, uh, what do we do next?

We do nothing.

There's an old Armenian proverb--

The man works best who works alone.

Oh, that's sweet.

Hmm.

Really top drawer, Vivian.

Thanks a lot.

I'll talk to you later.

The trustee of Cindy Conrad's estate

just happens to be the present head

of her father's corporation,
Westland Trust.

His name is RB. Thompson.

A man like that certainly deserves more

than a necktie salesman.
What have we got?

Okay. Let's see.

How about...

ah, here's one.

Just don't forget
to wear your navy blue blazer.

Sorry, Mr. Morgan.

I couldn't possibly disturb him now.

Not that I don't admire your enterprise.

And I certainly recognize
a loyal secretary when I see one.

However, |--

Oh, I'll need those reports, Miss Dee,
for the board meeting.

Yes. And I'll need your
signature on this, please.

Mr. Thompson, I wonder if I could take
a minute of your time.

He has Cindy Conrad
as a prospect for a yacht.

He's found out that
you handle her funds,

and he wants to be sure
of your approval.

Mr. Thompson's office.

A yacht! What next?

Yes.

Excuse me.

Do you drive a green
convertible, top down?

That's right.

The basement garage says
you took your keys.

You're blocking a delivery truck.

Well, uh, tell them I'll be right there.

Mr. Mannix is on his way.

They got your name
from the registration.

Just exactly what
do you sell, Mr. Mannix?

Because unless it's chewing gum,

I suggest you find another prospect.

Why do you say that?

Considering the stringent
allowance Miss Conrad is on,

I think that would be
just about her limit.

Well, she is a rich girl, isn't she?

I don't understand.

You would if you watched her
dissipate a fortune

in one idiotic escapade
after another.

And since I don't plan to allow her
to throw away a second fortune,

you would do well to look upon her
as a certified pauper.

We all have days like this, Mr. Mannix.

Hey, what is this?!

Wait a minute!

Hey, what's going on?

Now see here, you're going
to get into a lot of trouble.

I've got a permit to carry that.

Since when do you need a permit
to carry a starter's p*stol?

A what, sir?

Yeah. To sh**t blanks like these!

Including the one you fired
at me last night.

Last night, sir?

Yeah. A real b*llet
would've hit something

a car, window, a wall, something!

There wasn't a trace of a slug.

Nobody's that lousy a sh*t!

Now we'll just wait here
for your partner--

Partner? Who's got a partner?

I think she just arrived.

I'm sorry, Cindy. He tricked me.

I was following him--

Shut up, Roger! How dare you!

How dare you question my integrity?

Oh, don't think I don't know
what you were doing at Westland Trust.

For your information that RB. Thompson,

that tyrant, that liar!

Cindy! If you're through,

I think it's time we had a little talk.

About what?

Well, you could start
with Roger's popgun here,

to tease me into taking your case.

Oh, now just wait a second.

After which you'd
stay on my trail

to pick up the pieces yourself,

so you could out me out

the way you intend to cut
out that woman caller.

That's not true!

If there ever was a woman caller.

And this whole thing
isn't some freaky new gag

you've dreamed up.

In which case you'll need
this for your next victim.

Have fun, kids.

No, no! You're wrong!

Wait! Joe! Mr. Mannix!

Oh please don't go!

Please, I'm sorry about Roger.

That wasn't fair. That was dishonest!

It was wrong.

It won't ever happen again, not ever!

That's right. Not to me it won't.

Well, if it's the money, a larger fee--

Look, there's one fund
that RB. Thompson can't touch!

From my grandmother's estate--

Good old Granny--

And there really is a phone
caller, Mr. Mannix. Honest!

She called again,
and I referred her to you.

Just like you told me!

So long, Cindy.

Why, you can't walk out
on a case like this!

It isn't ethical!

And it's not,
when you get right down to it.

Oh, get lost, Roger.
You didn't work out.

Joe?

Yeah, what?

About the Conrad case--

Well, you can file that
under "C" for "chump"

and forget the whole thing, huh?

Well, that might be a little premature.

What do you mean?

The woman that's been
calling Cindy Conrad?

What about her?

She just called you.

It was a few seconds before I could
get the tape going on her.

And she started by expressing
her admiration for Cindy Conrad.

...a cheating, conniving, two-timing,

ungrateful little liar!

Well, she's really caught her.

And now about your boss--

What about him?

You tell him

if he doesn't have that
money by the weekend

he's going to be one sad private eye.

Oh? Why's that?

Because I'll sell my information

to a certain party who'll bury it so deep

you'll never reach Conrad's k*ller.

You got that?

Now I have some instructions for you.

For me?

Peggy]
We want your credentials.

Some genuine, intimate fact
connected with the case

to indicate you know
what you're talking about.

Name of a place, a person,
or anything like that.

Oh, okay try this-- Thelma.

Never heard of a Thelma
in the Conrad case, Joe,

and that's one story I really covered.

Looks like you even b*at
the television cameras

to the scene that night.

It's a wonder
I didn't hear Johnny Marr

fire the sh*ts.

The cops were still
chasing the gawkers away

when I arrived with the photographer.

And I stuck with that story
right through to the time

that Johnny Marr k*lled himself

along with a beautiful theory of mine.

Johnny Marr of "The Play Pen",

that all-purpose night spot
featuring watered down drinks,

kited checks, book-making
and topless dancers. Heh.

Let's get back to that
theory of yours, Blaney.

Well you see,

Conrad was after the "Play Pen"
hammer and tongs.

And the funny thing was
that Johnny Marr,

he was only the manager.

He had nothing to lose but his job.

The real owner was a syndicate outfit,
called J.S. Electronics,

headed by a guy called Tony Abbott.

And where was Abbott that day?

No idea, nor where he's been since.

He just dropped out of sight
and disappeared.

It didn't make any
difference as Johnny Marr

used the same g*n on himself
that he'd used on Conrad--

That tied up the case.

Maybe not tight enough.

What's bugging you, Joe?

This face...

I don't know, Blaney...

Something!

On the local scene this morning

brought climatic news of another sort--

The untimely death
of one of Los Angeles'

most honored citizens,
Mr. Otto B. Conrad,

a victim of g*n sh*ts
from a passing motorist.

And even as shock was
striking the city this morning,

resolution of the tragedy came swiftly--

Jerry, hold it!

Now back it up, will you please?

How far back
you want me to go, Joe?

I'll tell you.

Right.

Yeah, that's good. Right there!

Him! That's what's bugging me.

Does he look like anybody you know?

What about him?

Johnny Marr!

Yeah.

Why it couldn't be.

I mean, Johnny Marr was
in a car, making his getaway.

So they say.

Maybe that's why
nobody spotted him.

Question --

Does it make sense that
Johnny would sh**t Conrad

from a moving car, park it
up the street and walk back?

Johnny wasn't a mental case.

Question --
If that is Johnny Marr,

how do we prove it?

Wait a minute!

Here.

Take a look at this girl
standing beside the car.

Notice her hat and raincoat.

The same girl.

Yeah. And this film was taken
over ten minutes later.

You're right.
You've got to be right.

That is Johnny Marr!

What makes you so sure?

I recognize her.

She was a dancer,

worked for Johnny Marr
down at the Play Pen.

She was one of the first people
at the scene of the crime!

What was she doing there?
Who brought her?

Johnny maybe.

But it could have been
somebody else.

Johnny's boss, Tony Abbott.

Why no pictures of him?

Well, try to find one anywhere.

You know, you can ask a dozen people

what he looked like,
you get a dozen answers.

He was camera shy.
And he liked it that way.

Well, it's a good thing
strippers aren't so shy.

Let's see what we can dig up on her.

Jerry, that'll do it. Thanks a lot.

Let's go.

Hey, how about her?

Heh. Keep going, Sam.

Makes a man feel kind of sad.

Know what I mean, Blaney?

Down memory lane into the Play Pen's
glamorous past

makes a man want to cry, Sam.

Hey!

Oh. Oh, that one.

Titty Wilde.

You know where we might find her?

Her least of all.

That sh**ting must have scared her.

She never worked here again.

I heard she left town altogether.

Titty Wilde.

You know, Blaney,

all these talented artists
must belong to some union.

How is your contacts with their guild?

Good.
I'll give it a try.

You know it's...

funny that you'd zero in
on that particular little kid.

What do you mean?

Just before the sh**ting began,

this other guy was trying
to get a line on her.

Private eye--Lamsdon--
Landon, something like that.

What'd he look like?

Fat guy.

How about Jack Loman?

That's him.

Big ears and all.

Right.

I got an address. Six years old.

Probably isn't worth much.

I guess that probably
goes for this name.

Titty Wilde--

I don't imagine that's the
name her mother gave her.

I got that one, too.

Thelma something?

Yeah.. Wilkins.

Thelma Wilkins.

Uh-huh.
Well, let's go see.

There you are, Sam.

That'll cover the rental
on the picture, too.

Oh, thanks a lot.

You with the sweater.

I'm going back to my office, okay?

Sure. I know where it is.

Jack Loman's listed in the book,

so I take it he's still in
the investigating business.

Oh, thanks, Peggy.

And here's one you can work on.

Not quite so current.

Our friend Thelma.

Yeah, she's moved from there.

But sometimes people leave
tracks like with neighbors.

Right. Joel!

There's a man
following me in a car!

He's out there now in front!

This time it's really true!

Oh, I shouldn't have led him here.

It wasn't fair to you.

Don't worry about it, Cindy.

He knew where I was
anyway. He told me so.

Peggy, keep an eye on her.

What took you so long?

What is this? Who are you?

I'll ask the questions!

You've made a mistake, pal.

I don't know you from Adam.

That girl you've been tailing--

She's new to you too, huh--

Ease off, Mannix.

Come on the both of you,
up nice and easy.

Well, now it looks like
we're going to have

to persuade two of you
to lay off is that it?

Listen, I don't know what I walked into,

but I'm not with this guy.

I've seen you some place before.

Where you from?

Out of town.

Oh, yeah. Hey, you know--

Sometimes you guys from Vegas--

You act like you belong
to a different organization.

Don't you ever check anything
with the West Coast?

I just do what I'm told!

There's a dame in there
that's into the casino for grand.

They've already warned her twice.

My orders was to shake it out of her.

He's okay.

But we've still got
a message for Mr. Mannix.

Ugh!

That's the message, Mannix.

Stay out of it!

No, no. There. That's it. Fine.

I'll say one thing, Cindy.

Whoever works for you really
earns their money.

You deserve more, Mr. Mannix.

I wouldn't argue that for one second.

Yeah, fine.

So long as you think Granny's estate
can handle both charges.

Both charges?

My fee and the $,
you owe to Las Vegas!

Now why didn't you
tell me that, Cindy?

That wheel was fixed!

I didn't pay because they're
nothing but a bunch of crooks!

And you're going to end up
in an alley somewhere!

Why do you think they sent
that guy up after you,

as a good will ambassador?

He wasn't with the others?

Different job, different branch,
same syndicate.

Same club that Tony Abbott
belonged to.

And all of a sudden
we're up to here with them.

I didn't mention the gambling debt

because all I could think of
was getting your help.

And now |'ve lost it!

Well, that depends--

That depends on what else
you're holding back!

Nothing. Nothing, Mr. Mannix.

There's nothing more to hold back.

You know all there is to know.

Please believe that!

Fine.

But I still don't think
Grandma Conrad's estate

is going to do
either one of us any good.

Why do you say that?

Because we checked.

She left everything
to a missionary society

two years before you were born.

Oh well, this from my grandmother
on my mother's side.

Who is still living comfortably in Carmel!

Aren't you ever going to stop, Cindy?

Oh, Mr. Mannix!

Don't worry, I'm not quitting.

And not because of you.

But because of whatever
it is you kicked open--

Intentionally or otherwise!

Peggy.

Yeah?

You tackle Thelma
first thing in the morning.

While you're doing what?

Paying a call to another member
of the profession.

Good morning.

I Wonder if I could see Jack Loman.

Joe Mannix. Hi, there.

Have we met before?

You get to know
the competition after a while.

Want to put that off till later, Belle?

So you wanted to see
Jack Loman. What about?

Uh, an old case of his.

What old case? Now, don't be bashful.

Well, it has something to do with a girl
named Thelma Wilkins,

formerly known as Titty Wilde.

Look...

I'm Jenny Loman, Joe.

Widow of the founder.

Jack was k*lled in an auto
accident six years ago.

Drunk driving.

Well, I'm very sorry to hear that.

Except that Jack didn't drink.

What I'm saying--

You could run into
some very rough cats.

What I'm advising--

You forget you ever heard
that kid's name.

You'll live longer.

Well, there's been
a new wrinkle in the case--

A gal who is handy with a telephone.

Listen, Joe,

the less you tell me,
the better I'll like it.

You know what I did with Jack's file
on that Conrad case?

What?

I b*rned it. Every scrap of it.

Well, I'm sorry about that, too.

Maybe you've got a good memory.

Maybe you didn't need the file?

Include me out.

Sure, Jenny. I wouldn't want
to push you into anything

you felt was too risky,
no matter how rewarding

it might be.

Oh, by the way.

How has it been going these days?

Oh, not bad at all.

I figure I get my share of cases.

Oh, well that's great.

I know how it can be
when cases get scarce.

And I know how nice it can
be when you get a big one.

I'll see you around, Jenny.

Uh, Joe.

I was just wondering.

Suppose we could
get together on this thing

pooled our facts, played it smart.

You suppose we could
work out some kind of

a split-fee arrangement?

I don't see why not, Jenny.

Yes?

I want to see Miss Conrad, please?

I'll see if she's in, sir.

Oh, Mr. Mannix!

It's all right, Martha.

You've found out something.

It's written all over you!

Yeah and it spells "sucker"
in your very best style!

Why didn't you tell me
about Jack Loman?

What? Who? I don't know
what you're talking about.

Six years ago,
you hired Jack Loman

to check out a nightclub dancer
by the name of Titty Wilde!

You ought to see
a doctor, you know that?

Knock it off, Cindy. We're going to talk
about Titty Wilde or Thelma Wilkins,

whichever name you prefer,

but we're going to talk
about her right now.

It was nothing! Honest!

I was just trying to help someone!

Who?

Uh, an executive in father's office.

I heard Titty was trying
to blackmail him.

You're lying. All right!

I thought she was trying
to blackmail my father.

You're still lying!

You thought your father
was mixed up with her.

Didn't you? Didn't you?!

Yes, yes!

You were spying on him!

Now when are you going
to start telling the truth?!

Oh, oh.

I'm so ashamed.

It was so awful of me

because he was innocent!

Somebody was trying
to frame my father,

smear his name!

In order to wreck the
Crime Commission investigation

and move your father
out of Westland Trust, right?

Yes.

So that somebody could move in
and take over.

Which somebody finally did, huh?

You said that! You, not me!

And I'm scared Joe.
I'm really scared!

I got a feeling you'll recover.

Miss Conrad, Mr. Thompson is here
and Lieutenant Malcolm, Mr. Mannix.

Hello, Cindy.

I caught Peggy on her way out.

She said you might be here.

What's the problem, Art?

That yacht-broker bit, Joe.

And then getting caught at it.

Naturally,
when we asked Mr. Thompson

if he'd come across

any suspicious characters
lately, your name came up.

Why should the question come up?

An anonymous phone call
that I just had.

A woman.

She wanted a quarter
of a million dollars

for evidence that could wreck me
and Westland Trust.

I see.

Well, actually I haven't
done any blackmailing

for a month or so.

Things have been pretty slow.

Knock it off, Joe.

I've assured him you're
a reliable investigator.

But since you evidently are on a case

that has some association
with Westland Trust,

we thought the call might
mean something to you.

We never know unless we ask.

You mean this isn't just some crank?

You think that woman's
actually on the level

with that thr*at?

If I did, I would either be paying her off

or I'd be on my way
to Brazil, Mr. Mannix.

But I would hardly be here.

No matter how Cindy esteems me,

as the keeper of her funds,

I'm sure even she would
vouch for my character.

The trouble is that cranks

sometimes run high
in nuisance value.

No offense personally.

He insisted,
you understand.

Sure.

That phony!

I'll be lucky if there's
a dime left in those funds.

I'd worry more
about our phone caller.

What do you mean?

She's beginning to peddle
her information elsewhere.

Hello. Yeah, right here.

It's for you. A woman.

Yes.

What?

Where are you, Peggy?

Right. I'm on my way!

She's located Thelma Wilkins.

Joe.

Peggy, where is she?

The apartment at the end of the hall.

What have you got on her?

Returned to city and mother's home

in with -year-old daughter.

Said she was a divorcee.

Mother later d*ed,

by which time Thelma had met a man
by the name of Roebeck.

Married him,
moved to this neighborhood.

The trace was easy
once you know how.

And just what does
that "daughter" entry

mean to you, Peggy?

The child was born within
a year of Conrad's m*rder

and-and should be about the age

of the little girl
coming down the hall,

which isn't any coincidence

since the lady she's with

just happens to be Mrs. Roebeck.

Hmm. Mrs. Roebeck?

Yes.

I'm Joe Mannix.

Joe Mannix,

Private investigator.

You wait in the car for me, honey.

I'll be right out.

It's in reference to your phone calls.

Phone calls?

The information you have for sale.

If you'd like to talk about it now.

You must have me mixed up
with someone else.

If your name used to be Titty Wilde,

I'm not mixed up at all.

Okay, buster, what's on your mind?

Who is he?

My husband.

What did he say to you, Thelma?

Nothing, honey.

He had me mixed up
with someone else.

Don't make alibis for him!

I know his kind like a book!

Herb! Don't!

Now take it easy, Mister.
It's just a mistake.

I could have sworn
she was an ex-girlfriend

from Fresno.

My loss not yours.

Come on, Thelma.

Outside of the fact
that you almost got pasted,

you know what else I saw?

What?

She put your card in her purse.

We may just see her again.

You think she's the caller, Joe?

Well, if she is,
she's playing it strictly solo

and scared to death
her husband Herbie

is going to find out.

If she isn't, I've got
one other candidate.

A visitor, Joe... Nervous.

Who isn't?

Mrs. Roebeck.

I don't know
what you want from me,

Mr. Mannix.

I don't know anything
about any phone calls

or anything to sell.

That's not why I'm here.

I imagine...

this is.

Your husband
doesn't know about her.

You wouldn't tell him!

Oh, you wouldn't do that,
would you?

I happen to have another one here.

Why are you doing this to me?

You know, Thelma,

when I first saw this picture,

I wondered what you were doing there.

I never once figured it
was Conrad himself.

But were there with him, weren't you?

When he was on that...
crime thing,

I had to give...a...

what do you call it?

A...a deposition.

That's when I met him.

And then afterwards, he...

well, he wanted to...

Help you start a new life.

I never met anyone like him
before, Mr. Mannix.

He was so important and all.

You wouldn't believe
the terrific things

he was going to do for me!

Not counting the baby.

And then Tony Abbott found out.

Okay, somebody found out.

Threatened to blow
the whistle on Conrad

unless he dropped that investigation.

That wasn't the half of it,
was it, Thelma?

They...

They were going to move
into his organization,

use him as a front man.

That's why he was going
to quit seeing me.

Because he wasn't going
to give in to them.

That night, he told me about it.

And Tony sh*t him.

I don't know who did it.

Then why does Tony's name scare you?

You saw him, didn't you?

Then he sent Johnny Marr over there
to get you out of town.

Oh please, Mr. Mannix!

Before he closed the case
by k*lling Johnny

with the same g*n and making
it look like su1c1de.

Now there's a k*ller loose,
and you can identify him!

What do I care?

That'd be identifying me, wouldn't it?

Not just to them!

No, there are courts.

And considering who the
father of your daughter was,

she could be worth a fortune,

did you ever think about that?

That's all I think about is her.

I think about a baby son,

and a husband who cares for them both
as much as he cares for me,

and that's a whole lot.

I mean, what is a fortune, anyway?

That's all the fortune I want.

And you're asking me to blow it up.

I can't do that, Mr. Mannix.
I can't do that!

Why don't you go on home Thelma.

Please...

Please don't tell them,
don't tell anybody, please.

Hey...

now, look.

You were never here.

I don't know who you are.

So I didn't learn a thing from you

because I never heard of you.

I'll do the best I can
to keep it that way, okay?

Oh...

Oh, you don't know
the nightmares I've had.

I'm so afraid somebody will find out.

Al right.

Now why don't you just go on home.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Blaney's holding on the line

about that financial material
you wanted him to get.

Oh, great!

Blaney, what have you got?

Take off!

J.. Electronics--

Dropped the name
of Tony Abbott as president

in . Got it.

Sold out to a holding company

known as the Walding Corporation

and who do you think owns Walding?

Wild guess-- Westland Trust.

You got any more of those?

Enough to know that Westland isn't just
in the banking business anymore.

That's great, Blaney.

You're about to get yourself a story!

Art Malcolm here to see you.

It's about Jenny Loman's m*rder,
in case you're wondering!

Well now, why should I wonder, Art?

Who do you think called the police
in the first place?

Anonymously.

It's a good thing the cleaning woman
saw you there,

remembered Jenny called you by name.

Well, I didn't want to get you involved

in that because
the shingles have been

flying off the roof around here --

Hello, Peggy. Is he in?

Oh, there you are!

Cindy. Thompson.

Mannix, you might as well
tear up that check

that Cindy gave you.

At least this one isn't post-dated.

You might say that this is my last act
as keeper of the funds.

They're all hers now.

Cindy finally convinced me
that that's one headache

I no longer need.

For services rendered, Joe.

With all my gratitude.

End of case?

You know, you were right
about those phone calls.

Mr. Thompson
knew they were phony, too.

And he urged you to drop
the whole thing?

Well, I can't say I blame him.

I'd do the same thing in his spot.

Exactly what spot do you mean?

A banker by the name of RB. Thompson,

who up till six years ago,

apparently didn't exist at all as a banker
or RB. Thompson.

Joel

Well, you've had
instant brainwash, Cindy.

I suppose his giving you
control of your money

made it a lot easier.

I don't have to listen to this.

Come on.

You don't, Mr. Thompson,
But Cindy does.

Cindy! Cindy!

Mannix, I'm warning you.

You've been warning me
from the time I left your office.

Your message is coming in
loud and clear.

Mr. Mannix, those men
have been following me!

Art?

I'll Stop 'em!

You were the only one I could come to!

They started following me
right after I left your office.

You better get out of here.

Tony!

You're making a mistake, Miss.

I give you my word.
It wasn't our fault.

We're carrying out orders, that's all!

That man's making a mistake tool

I've never seen him before!

Why Mr. Abbott, he works
for you, doesn't he?

Maybe even gave you a hand
with Conrad and Johnny Marr!

Hold it!

Let's see if this banker's carrying anything
besides withdrawal slips.

Oh, yeah.

I guess your kind of
banker would need this,

just in case...

Oh, Miss!

I'll explain it to you later, Art.

Then it was true.

He was mixed up in father's death.

Yes, he had some
special information

on your father that he used
to force his way into the company.

Now, why don't you go
on home, Cindy.

We have some unfinished business.

The Jenny Loman m*rder.

Well, that's in the works, Art.

Just deliver the message--

A certain party across
the hall from Jenny Loman

saw who came in and who went out.

The certain party would like to discuss it
at : tonight.

Right on time.

Joel

You got me here.

You know Cindy,
you really had it made.

By the way,

who made those calls for you,
your housekeeper?

Calls to me and Westland Trust.

Of course, we can forget
the calls to you.

Nobody made those, did they?

What else could I do?

Those gamblers--| knew
they meant what they said.

I had to get the money.

The only way
you could get the money

is to discredit the man who held it--

That's where I came in, huh?

Joe, why couldn't you
just let it go at that?

Why did you have to grab for more?

Like her, that Jenny Loman!

Calling me.

Insisting on a cut,
that's the way she put it,

that dreadful...

And-and you know it wasn't fair.

You know that!

After all my planning,

making it so perfect.

And it was too.

It was just beautiful the way I had it!

You know, Cindy,

planting that note
in Jenny Loman's office--

That was your mistake.

You see, if Tony's boys
had been there,

they wouldn't have left
that note lying around.

That's what I mean.
That's why it was so unfair.

The way she spoiled
everything for me.

You know, I just wanted
what was mine, Joe.

I didn't want to hurt
anybody-not even her.

I didn't mean to.

I tried to explain it to her.

Reason with her-- scare her even!

That's was all the g*n was for.

I just wanted to scare her a little bit.

And you know what she did?

She fought me.

She tried to take it away.

Oh, I can still see her face!

That poor woman.

That's when she--
that's when the g*n--

It all of a sudden, it just went off!

And that's the terrible thing,

because now I have to use it.

It's all your fault, Joe.

You made me k*ll you!

There's nothing else I can do.

You know something?

It's just like it was at Jenny's.

Nobody in the building heard a sound,

and I thought the world exploded.

Funny, isn't it?

Isn't it?

I guess, Cindy.

That's really the way it sounded--

Bang!

And there went the world.