03x11 - The Trouble with Warren

[bunniefuu]

I hit a cop?

Let me out of here.

Not until you tell me
what you're running from.

Warren is
a brilliant chess player.

He's a turkey.

Warren Weeks?
That don't seem possible.

What are you doing?

It's called
Grand Theft Auto.

(SIREN WAILING)

Warren, will you
stop the car?

Cuff them both.

Oh, come on, Dennis.
Why me?

I've been rousted
by the cops,

by a couple of
ex-Harvard hot dogs.

Jim, Warren just called.
You've got to stop him!

(PHONE RINGING)

ROCKFORD
ON ANSWERING MACHINE..
This is Jim Rockford.

At the tone, leave your name
and message.

I'll get back to you.

(BEEPS)

PHIL.. Jimmy, it's PhiI
in Puerto Rico.

This is real important.

(STATIC CRACKLING)
...he'll pay $20,000.

(STATIC CRACKLING)
Call him at 221-6228.

MAN: This is it, Bonner.

(GAMBLING MACHINES CLANGING)

Jim?

Hi, Warren.
What are you doing
down here?

Rocky told me
where to find you.

Thought you only played
the flute.

Oh, no.
That's on Tuesday night.

(SIGHING)

You don't want to
play anymore?

How about you, Warren?
You want to play?

You know, I tried to
reach Beth, but I can't
find her anywhere.

Maybe you're looking
in the wrong places.

I have to talk to someone.

(SIGHING)

Has it occurred to you
to leave a message
with her answering service?

You see, Jim,
this is important.

Okay, Warren,
what is it?

Well, we
can't talk here.

Why not?

Because I'm in trouble. I...
I'm in bad trouble.

Maybe we should go
to your place.
It's probably safe there.

Safe from what?

They're looking for me.

That doesn't exactly
pin it down, Warren.

Warren?

Oh, how did they
find me?

Who are those two apes?

Hey, what are you into?

Weeks.
No!

Hold it!

You drive very well.
Thanks.

Who did I hit?

I wonder if I've done
the right thing.

Maybe I should have gone
down to the station with them
and answered their questions.

I hit a cop?

Why'd you let me do that?
What's the matter with you?

Well, I guess I panicked.

Yeah.
Well, I know the feeling.
I got it right now.

It was the shock
of hearing it that way.
I mean, over the radio.

Wanted for questioning.

I mean, I've never even
had a moving violation.

Why do the police
want you?

(SIGHS)

Robert Bonner
was k*lled tonight.

Bonner,
he's the Vice President
at Lefcourt Electronics.

Bob and I
had an argument today.
It was nothing serious.

I just lost my temper,
that's all.

And then his secretary
gave out a statement

that made it sound
as if I k*lled him.

But don't worry, Jim.

I mean, I know
that I can straighten
this whole thing out.

Hmm.

as*ault on a police officer,
flight to avoid arrest.

Flight to avoid
what arrest?

Hey, I thought
I was getting away from
a couple of gunslingers.

I wasn't wanted
for anything.

You would have been
if you'd stuck around
for a few minutes.

Chapman,
I came in here on my own
to iron this thing out.

Now I brought Weeks
in with me.

I didn't have to do that.

And what am
I supposed to do?

Give you brownie points
because you're trying to keep
your butt out of a sling?

Book him.

Well now, wait a minute.
I didn't know they were cops.

A couple a guys walk in,
I never saw them before,

they look like
a couple of g*ons.

They did not
identify themselves
as police officers.

Now you go ahead.
Ask them.

They didn't identify
themselves

because you didn't give them
a chance to.
You just fell on them.

And that's gonna cost you
your license.

The hell it is.

You've been asking for this
for a long time, haven't you?

I mean, I heard about you
while I was still down
at Wilshire division.

You got a big smart mouth,
with contempt for the law,

and the people
who try to enforce it.

Not all of them, Lieutenant.

(CHUCKLES)

Book him. Book him.
Book him. Book him!

Get him out of here!

Did I ever sue?

Ought to sue them
for false arrest.

The important thing is
that you're out.

No, Beth.
The important thing is

I never should have
been in.

Jim. Oh, Jim.
Gee, I'm sorry.

I tried to get you out
last night.

Do you know they kept
telling me that you were
being held on suspicion?

They didn't hold you?

Oh, no, no.
I explained everything.

They don't have a case
against me.

They don't have a case
against me.

Warren, would you mind
if I spoke with Jim just for
a couple of minutes?

Oh, no. Of course not.
And then we could have
lunch together. Okay?

Oh, I can hardly wait.

The last time we had lunch

he spent 45 minutes
on the Steinitz Gambit

and how Strogovitch
electrified the chess world

in the 1960
Leningrad championship.

Warren is
a brilliant chess player.

He's a turkey.

He's my cousin.

Jim, he doesn't realize
the trouble he's in.

I'm the one who spent
the night on the county bed.

And everybody
has apologized.

Now will you listen to me?

The cops don't have
a case against him,

but they're trying
to build one.

There was no eyewitness,
no m*rder w*apon.

They did find
Warren's lighter
next to Bonner's body.

Well, maybe
he k*lled him.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

He couldn't have dropped
his lighter there.

He doesn't even park
anywhere near Bonner.

He parks
on the next level up.

Somebody's trying
to set him up.

Yeah.

Well, the cops let him go,
Beth.

And told him
not to leave town.

Whoever k*lled Bonner
must be somebody
who's in the company,

somebody who knows
about the argument
between Warren and Bonner.

They used it
to make him the patsy.

Well, what did he do?
Hit Bonner with his flute?

It wasn't a fight,
it was an argument.

Warren asked Bonner
to help him try to find a job.

He has one.

Yeah. Well, Lefcourt
fired him yesterday.

Jim, somebody planted
that lighter.

How do we find out
what else they phonied up?

Oh, well, the cops'll talk
to everybody
at the company.

And ask them
all the wrong questions.

You could ask
the right ones.

They haven't charged him,
Beth.

And I'm not gonna interfere
with an active
police investigation. Uh-uh.

Jim?
No, Beth.

Please?

You know, my next attorney
is gonna be a foundling,

someone with no known
living relatives.

My business manager handles
my personal tax returns,
Mr. Taggart.

If the IRS
is conducting an audit,
maybe...

The IRS?

Oh, I'm sorry,
Mr. Lefcourt.

Maybe your secretary
misunderstood me.

Oh. Here.

Department of
Human Resources?

Isn't that
the unemployment office?

Oh, well, we prefer
to call it

the Department
of Human Resources.

I'm attached to
Executive Reassignment.

That's a new program.
Well, not exactly new.

I mean, we initiated that
just shortly after
the economic slump.

You know, most people think
we deal only in

punch press operators
and shoe salesmen.

But we have a really
marvelous department

dealing solely on
the executive level.

Get out of here.

I beg your pardon.

A lot of people try to force
their way into my office,

for one reason
or another,

but nobody has ever tried
anything as patently absurd
as that story.

The Department
of Human Resources

does not have
field representatives

to find jobs
for their clientele.

Sunnyvale Employment does.

Oh, you thought I meant
the government agency.

No, no, no, no, no.
We're a private concern.

Yeah. No,
the only thing we have
in common is that

we're in the same business.

Well, we did kind of
borrow

the Department
of Human Resources tag.

But it gives it more dignity.
Don't you think?

Personnel is on
the third floor.

Yeah, but personnel
can't give me

the insight that I'll need,
or the entrée.

No, I want to talk
to all the people that
Mr. Weeks worked with

on a day-to-day basis.

Warren Weeks gave me
as a reference?
Well, yes.

He was employed
by Lefcourt Electronics
for better than eight years.

And he was fired
in eight minutes.

Yes. And I wonder
if you could...

And believe me,
this is confidential.

Could you tell me
why you fired him?

I didn't.

But Mr. Weeks said...
This is a multi-nationaI
corporation, Mr. Taggart.

I have neither the time
nor the inclination
for hiring and f*ring.

I pay people to do
that sort of thing.

Who did fire him?

Robert Bonner.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have an appointment.

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

Yes?

WOMAN ON INTERCOM..
Mr. Lefcourt,
Senator Claremont on line one.

He's calling from Washington.

I'm out.

But, Mr. Lefcourt,
he says it's urgent.

He's called three times.

I'm out!

Any information you want
on Mr. Weeks
you can get from personnel.

His record speaks for itself.

Good day, Mr. Taggart.

Mr. Taggart?

Well, at least Chapman
let you out.

Malicious mischief.
What kind of
charge is that?

Suppose it was the best
he could come up with.

You're my attorney,
Beth.

You're supposed to get me
out of trouble,
not get me into it.

Now, I'm not gonna
help Warren
by hanging myself.

Then who
is gonna help him?

Well, he's not exactly
on death row.

He hasn't even been charged.
I have.

Warren says
Perry Lefcourt fired him.

Perry Lefcourt says
it was Robert Bonner.

Now, why would Warren lie
about who fired him?

I'm out of it, Beth.
Just ask Warren.

You don't like him.

That's it, isn't it?

I'm just crazy
about him, Beth.

He has an IQ
of a 158

and you just dismiss him.

You make fun of him
because he plays the flute.

Now what's funny about
playing the flute?

He talks about it
all the time.

Well, you talk about
fishing all the time.

And the Rams.

Mr. Rockford?

Todd Alcott.

May I have a moment
of your time?

Oh, I've had a bad day.
I don't think so.

You could save us all
a lot of time

if you'd just come down
to the Federal Building
and answer a few questions.

This is an official request
on behalf of
your federal government.

I've just dealt with
an official request

on behalf of
my local police department,

and I'm tired of
answering questions.

You're not being
very cooperative.

Why should I cooperate?

We're conducting
an investigation.

I'm not at liberty
to deal in specifics
at this time.

Who is he?
Your local boy scout?

When you are,
give me a call.

Suit yourself. You can expect
a grand jury subpoena.

If I agree to the questions,

may I have
an attorney present?

You're entitled to have
an attorney present
during questioning,

but it isn't
really necessary.

You mind if I'm
the judge of that?

ROCKFORD:
My lawyer's not at home,

and she's not back
in her office yet.

Self-incrimination
isn't to our advantage.
Information is.

However, if you want
to wait...

No, I don't.

Your name is James Rockford?
Mmm-hmm.

A verbal response, please.

My name is James Rockford.

You reside at
29 Cove Road,
Malibu, California?

Yeah, and you're gonna
have to come up with

something more provocative
to hold my interest.

What do you know
about Bolivia?

Coffee? Juan Valdez?

Uh, no.
No, that's Columbia. Sorry.

We're serious,
Mr. Rockford.

So am I.

All right.
Let's try something else.

What do you know about
General Miguelito Varga Lopez?

I've never heard of him.

You have heard of
Warren Weeks.

Oh, well.

Look, if this has
anything to do with Warren,

it has nothing to do with me.

I don't believe that.

Well, I'm not surprised.
I keep saying it and nobody
pays any attention.

We happen to have it
on good authority...

What authority? The cops?
Perry Lefcourt?

I know Daddy Warbucks
has a lot of clout.

Did he set you two
federal types in motion?

You're not at liberty
to say, huh?

Okay.

It looks like
you better get
that subpoena.

(PHONE RINGING)

Oh, hey, excuse me,
a minute, pal.

I'm with HUD
down at the end of the hall
and I've got a complaint.

I'm sorry,
but do you realize

that there are never
any paper towels
in that men's room?

I've never noticed it.

Yeah. Well, that's probably
because you don't have to

walk all the way down
to your office

and dry your hands
on typing paper.

But it's the tenants
in 244.
I've seen them.

I mean, those guys use
paper towels like
they're going out of style.

No. There's no tenants
in 244.

244 is empty.
Oh, sure.

Sure. There's two guys.
Two lawyer types.

Oh, those two guys.
Oh, no, no.

They don't work
in the building.

But I heard they were sent
down from Washington,
temporarily.

Yeah. Well, who are they?

I've tried to talk to them.
They're not overly friendly.

Yeah. They don't have to be.

Hey, I don't know
who those two guys are,

but they got
some kind of clout.

We're not even supposed
to clean out
office 244 after dark.

As if I give a hoot about
what the Congress is up to.

Hey, Congress?

I mean,
they act like cops.

Hey, listen, mister,
I don't know about you,

but I'm just a GS3,

and if those guys
are down from Capitol Hill,

they can take all the towels
they want out of that bathroom

and I could care less.

Well, thank you,
anyway.

Mr. Rockford?

They couldn't have
gotten one this soon.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, I, uh...

I'm expecting
a legal document.

I'm Gareth Hudson.

Vice President of
Lefcourt Electronics.

Gareth?

I knew a Gary Hudson once.

He was the fattest kid
in the sixth grade.

I understand you're trying
to help Warren Weeks.

I want to help him, too.
Why?

Because he's my friend.

Perry Lefcourt
doesn't run everybody.

It just looks that way
on the books.

He doesn't know I'm here.

Warren's in big trouble,
and it's going to get worse.

Probably.

The argument that Warren had
with Bonner,

it isn't anything
that doesn't take place

ten times a day
in any company.

It's just that
Bonner's secretary got
a little hysterical.

She called the police
and she talked to the media.

And Lefcourt took it
from there.

Oh, look,
Mr. Hudson,

there's something
I ought to explain to you.

I am no longer involved
with Mr. Weeks.

Lefcourt knows
Warren was having an affair
with his wife, Catherine.

Warren didn't mention it
to you?

Well, we're not really
that close.

I tried to reach Warren
and I couldn't.

It's important for him
to realize

that Lefcourt knows
about him and Catherine.

If I see him...

He's got to be warned.

I don't know how you fight
a man like Perry Lefcourt.

I just want Warren to realize
what he's up against.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.

Hello. Beth, it's Jim.

Oh. Well, if you're calling
to apologize...

Apologize?

I've been rousted
by the cops,

by a couple of
ex-Harvard hot dogs.

Apologize?
Then why did you call?

I want to talk to Warren.
Do you know where he is?

Well, he's here,
but he isn't feeling well.

Well, put him on.

No.

You're upset
and you're angry.

Beth, put him on.

Jim? What's the matter?

Warren, what do you know
about Bolivia?

Bolivia?

Well, I did a feasibility
study there for the company
about five months ago.

And you dealt with
somebody, a GeneraI
something Varga Lopez?

How did you know that?

Well, for some reason
the federal government
is fascinated by the subject.

Well, I can't imagine why.
It was all fairly routine.

I got a feeling
it's important.

It's coming straight
from Washington.

The grand jury is gonna
want to ask us both
a lot of questions about it.

Well, there won't be a lot.
I can tell them about it.

I did a half a dozen studies
just like it in Milan,
Hokkaido, Brussels.

You're a real master
of indirection,
aren't you, Warren?

Well, let me tell you
something,

I don't care about Bolivia,

and I don't care
who you've been playing
house with,

including Mrs. Lefcourt.

Now, wait a minute.

I don't like being hassled.

I got into white water
trying to find out
who was bad-rapping you,

and you never once mentioned
that Perry Lefcourt
had a really swell reason

for wanting you
out of the way.

You have no right
to talk like that.

Catherine
is a wonderful woman.

She is bright
and she's kind.

Gareth Hudson asked me
to warn you about it.

Okay, you've been warned.

Okay. Thank you!

Hey, you, I want to
talk to you.

What's the problem,
Mr. Lefcourt?
Get security.

I don't think we should
discuss this in public.

I have nothing to discuss.

You're trying to make it
look like I k*lled Bonner.

You found out about
Catherine and me, huh?

And that's why
you're doing it?

Okay. I love Catherine,

and I'm gonna ask her
to marry me.

I'm sure
she'll be deeply moved.

What do you plan
to offer her, Warren?

Rag rugs,
chintz at the window?

Very romantic
and very naive.

Mr. Weeks
was just leaving.

Get your hands off me.

This doesn't settle
anything.

I am not going to let you
get away with this.
I'm not!

Hey, I thought you said
this morning

you wasn't gonna be
able to make lunch.

Is that enough fries
for you?

You said you was gonna
be helping Warren Weeks.

Let's change the subject,
all right, Rocky?

Well, it ain't as though
I was butting in on something
that don't concern me.

I know him, too,
you know?

I said let's not talk
about it. All right?

Say, these,
these potatoes reaI?

What do you mean reaI?

Well, you know I don't like
those ready-made potatoes,

all cold and frozen.

The Galloping Gourmet.
Just eat, will you?

Warren Weeks.
He always seemed like
such a clean-cut boy.

Rocky, I told you
I didn't want
to talk about it.

Yeah. Well, you're not.
I am.

Rocky.

Well, anyway, I'm sure glad
whatever trouble
he got himself into,

you was able
to get him out.

Yeah. Well,

I didn't.

It was that bad?

You couldn't do anything?

I didn't say that.
There's nothing I will do.

I walked away from it.

Oh, Jim, he's Beth's cousin.

And that's the only reason
I got involved with the yuk
in the first place.

He lied to me,
he let me belt an officer,

and now he put
a federal grand jury
on my case,

and I'm spending more
time down at
Lieutenant Chapman's office

than I am here.

Warren Weeks?
That don't seem possible.

Yeah. Well, you always were
a sucker for a short haircut.

Warren Weeks.

Will you stop saying that?

(CHUCKLING)
Well, I don't know.

He always seemed like
such a clean-cut, nice boy.

He always seemed so...

Dull?

Dull. Yeah.

Well, he's making up for it.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

Jim, Warren just called.
You've got to stop him!

Who is he gonna
k*ll this time?

Oh, don't say
things like that.

Look, I know I've got
no right to ask you.

I know how much trouble
he's caused you, but...

But he's your cousin.

Jim, we know Perry Lefcourt
is behind this entire frame,

and Warren is on his way over
to his house right now.

That's the worst
possible thing he could do.

At least he's consistent.

Oh, try to head him off,
will you?

If you left right now
you could probably
intercept him.

I don't want to intercept him.

Oh, Jim, don't say no.

This is the last time
I'll ever ask you to do
anything for him.

I promise.

Okay, Beth.

You know something, Rocky.

There's a lot to be said
for friendship,

and there's a lot
to be said against it.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.
What's the problem?

Let me out of here.

Not until you tell me
what you're running from.

Jim, I didn't k*ll Lefcourt.
I swear.

He was dead
when I got here.

Well, why did you
come here at all?

Because there was a message
on my answering service

and they said that
it was from Lefcourt.

(SIREN WAILING)

How did the police
get here so fast?

Cause somebody
called them.

Probably the same person
that called you.

Well, they're never gonna
believe I didn't k*ll him.
What am I gonna do, Jim?

Well, get in the car.

It's gonna be
a lot easier on you

if you turn yourself in
voluntarily.

Yeah. But what about
the police?
They're not here yet.

If we stand around
talking about it,
they will be. Get in!

I left my car down
at the bottom of the hill.

Okay.

It's a backup unit.

Must've come in
on a Code Two.
You better stop, Warren.

Warren, will you
stop the car?

(SIREN WAILING)

What's the matter with you,
Warren?

There's a wedding here.

Go on. Pull in there.
Hang a left.

ROCKFORD:
You drive very well.

You also just made me
an accessory
after the fact!

Thank you.

There's nothing like running
amok to straighten things out.
Come on.

Come on, buddy,
move it! Move it.

Get your hands up.

(PIANO PLAYING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

We're never gonna
get out of here.

Do me a favor, Warren,
and shut up.

Hey, how are you?
Glad to see you.
Hi.

Yeah. You seen
Herb around?

Herb?
Yeah.

Yeah, he said
he was looking for
a place to hang his coat.

Oh. Well, he'd be
in the house in there.

Hey, thank you.
We'll get together on that
Santa Cruz deal later. Okay?

Yeah, we'll talk about
Santa Cruz later.

Bye.

Okay.
What?

You didn't come
with a coat.

Shh.

They just came in.

Let's get out of here.
Okay.

ROCKFORD: There you go.
MAN: What kind of car?

Company car.

It was, uh...
I'll find it.

I knew you would.

What are you doing?

It's called
Grand Theft Auto.

I'm looking at a rap
for aiding and abetting,
Warren.

You think I'm gonna be
worried about a little detaiI
like stealing a car, huh?

Hey, Jim, I got you
in pretty deep, I know.

I'm sorry.

Well, I'm not interested
in sorry.

I'm interested in
out from under.

ROCKFORD: Okay.

Now, I'm gonna get Beth.
We're going
down to the station,

and you're gonna
get me off the hook.
And that's it.

You think they're going
to arrest me?

I hope they throw
the book at you.
Now, get out.

Jim, what if...
The floor is not open
to questions, Warren.

Warren!

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Hi.
Hl, Beth.

Where's Warren?
Did you miss him?

Unfortunately, no.

Well, what happened?
Is he all right?

The family genius?

Why worry about a guy
with an IQ of 185.

His IQ is 158.
You wanna bet?

Sergeant Becker, please.

(PHONE RINGING)

Sergeant Becker.

ROCKFORD..
Hey, Dennis. Jim.
How you doing?

(SNAPS FINGERS)

Fine, Jimbo.
How about you?
Fine.

Oh, glad to hear it.

You know, I was just going
to give you a call.

I got a little time off.

I thought we might do
some fishing.

Maybe you might
check with Rocky,
see if he wants to...

Sergeant Becker, please.

What was that all about?

Fishing.

Becker.
Dennis.

Why did you hang up?

I didn't want the call traced.

Just how much trouble
am I in, Dennis?

Oh, well, what are you
talking about?

The flight to avoid arrest,
Grand Theft Auto,

or that dusty old A and B
from yesterday?

I'm talking about
the Lefcourt m*rder.

You want me to tell you
how hot you are?

I'll make a deal with you.

Come on in,
give me your version,

and I'll have them
call off the APB.

An APB, huh?
Thanks, Dennis.

Honey, I'm gonna have
to borrow your car.

Why?

Because Warren stole
the car that I stole.

Could I have
your keys?

Oh, Jim, I wish you'd tell me
what's going on.

What happened to Warren?

Oh, he's probably getting
a flute lesson.

Jim.

Beth, I've tried to help him.
You've tried to help him.

I've racked up
a dozen felonies,

the LAPD's about to
drop a net on me.

I'll get you out of it.
I promise.

The only thing that's gonna
get me out of it is

if I hand the cops
whoever k*lled Perry Lefcourt.

Thanks for the keys.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Who is it?

I...
Excuse me.

I'd like to ask
Mrs. Lefcourt
a few more questions.

Well, I don't know.
She's trying to sleep.

CATHERINE:
Hilda, who is it?

It's a policeman,
Mrs. Lefcourt.

Yes?

You're Catherine Lefcourt?

That's right.
What can I do for you?

I'm sorry
to inconvenience you,

and I'm sorry
about your husband,

but there are
a few questions.

There've been
a great many questions.

All right. Come in.
Thank you, Hilda.

Now, what would you
like to know?

Well, Mrs. Lefcourt,

we are aware
of your relationship
with Mr. Weeks.

You're aware
because I volunteered
the information.

Who are you?

Well, I wasn't here
when you were questioned
earlier,

but in going
over this statement...

I was asked if I knew
of any reason

why Mr. Weeks might want
to k*ll my husband.

I told the truth.

Well, good. Good.

Most people usually leave
something out

when they're talking
to the police.

They usually have something
at stake,

their peace of mind,
their reputation.

My husband
was m*rder*d today.

I didn't think this was
the appropriate time

to be concerned about
my reputation.

Are you sure the m*rder*r
was Mr. Weeks?

I never said that.

I didn't accuse Warren.

You placed a motive on him.

Mrs. Lefcourt,
the same motive
could apply to you

if your husband decided
to interfere
with your relationship

with Mr. Weeks.

My husband never interfered
in my personal affairs.

Is that all?

Well, not quite.

How much will you inherit,
Mrs. Lefcourt?

I'll answer
any further questions
at your headquarters

with my attorney present.

At my headquarters?

I'm not with the police,
Mrs. Lefcourt.

Hilda said you...

Hilda jumped
to a conclusion.

I'm trying
not to do the same thing.

I didn't k*ll Perry.

What would you think
if you were me,
Mrs. Lefcourt?

You with all that money

and Warren Weeks,
a born patsy.

ROCKFORD:
What is this, prune?

Well, it's all I could get.

Hey, listen, sonny.
Say, do you think it could
be that Mrs. Lefcourt?

I don't know.

Both she and Warren
had a motive.

But what about
Bonner, huh?

I just don't know, Rocky.

The two murders
have to tie together.

Now, that means
it's an in-company,
high-level play.

Give me the keys
to the car.

Here.

Where are you going?

I'm gonna try out
a theory.

And you better keep
this door locked.

(PHONE RINGING)
Right.

Yeah. I know.

All right.
Talk to you later.

Hi, Jeff.

Your mailman give you
another hot tip?

You keep tabs on
what's going on

inside the big companies,
don't you, Jeff?

I'm a broker, right?
I'm doing business.

What's happening with
Lefcourt Electronics?

Anybody inside the company
been unloading a lot of shares
the last couple of days?

Lefcourt's blue chip.

Murders don't change that.
Nobody's selling.

You sure?
Yeah. I'm sure.

Jeff, there's got to be
something going on.

Now, they handle
a lot of government contracts,
don't they?

So?

Well, have you heard
anything about any trouble?

Maybe a congressionaI
investigation?

No, but I'm really
not into that.

Well, somebody around here
must be.

Jim, I'm very busy.

Jeff, it would be good
to know, right?

Bernie? Jeff.

Listen,
I just got a weird rumble

on Lefcourt Electronics.

You hear anything about
some government investigation?

Yeah. All right.

Yeah?

No kidding.

No. No. I understand.
Of course.

Of course. Not a word.
All right. Thanks.

I was right, huh?

The Senate Subcommittee on
Multinational Corporations

is about to fall
on the entire operation.

The one that's investigating
corporate bribery.

I didn't know that
Lefcourt Electronics
was into that.

When you go after
government contracts,

you go through
government officials.

And they go through
your pockets.

How did you know?

Bernie said it was all
very hush-hush.

I guessed.

Now look, Jeff.

Senator Claremont put in
a call to Perry Lefcourt,

for the third time,

and Lefcourt got uptight
and wouldn't take the call.

Then I got detoured by
a couple of law doctors,

councils to the committee,
I imagine.

Who do you think the senators
will call to testify?

Officers of the corporation.

That many?

Well, they'll only be going
after the top.

With Lefcourt and Bonner out,
that would be
Thomas Van Heusen,

Gareth Hudson.

Maybe Harold Whitbeck.

Here's the rest.

Okay. Thanks.

Hey, Jim...
One phone call. Local.

I'll make it fast.

Hi, Gary.
Having a little problem?

Yeah. I called the Auto Club,
but they haven't shown up yet.

Oh, Rockford.

I thought it was
the Auto Club.

What seems to be
the trouble?

Well, I thought
they would tell me.

All the problems
at the office and now this.

Umm.

What are you
doing here?

Problems
at the office.

Yeah, you said
you wanted to help Warren.

I did. I mean, I do.

Uh, would you mind
kicking it over?

Oh, yeah.

I need information.

Whoever k*lled
Lefcourt and Bonner

is somebody high up
in the executive structure.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)
I think it's all these
smog devices.

Can't see the engine
for all these hoses.

I figured
after two murders

the k*ller would want
to leave town in a hurry,

but he would want
to unload his stock.

Everybody seems to be
holding what they got.

Oh, look, I'd really like
to try to help you,

but I got to get
to the office.

Maybe I'd better
take a cab.

Oh, here. Let me
take a look at it.

Seems like you're
not getting any spark.

You know, I'll tell you
what it just may be.

It's those metering jets.
Right?

Now I had trouble
with them before.

Yeah, maybe,
but I was talking
about the murders.

Warren has a theory.
It's pretty interesting, too.

Where's your screwdriver?

It's right there.
Right.

That Senate investigation?

Warren seems to think
there's pay dirt there.

What Senate investigation?

Your operation in Bolivia.
Remember, Mr. Hudson?

Oh, yes.

The company is into
big-time bribery,

so all the higher ups
would know about that.

So the murders weren't
to cover up the bribes.

Then what?

What does Warren
think it was?

Well, the money was to be
paid in large sums in cash.

Now what if Robert Bonner
started skimming

and Perry Lefcourt
found out about it?

That would give Bonner
a reason for k*lling Perry,

but they're both dead.

And Bonner
was k*lled first.

Exactly.
That's Warren's point.

You want to get in
and hit it.

But don't put your foot
on the throttle, huh?

What's his point?

Well, Warren seems to think
that Bonner had
a partner somewhere.

Somebody
who was skimming with him.

That's where you come in.

Now wait a minute.
What are you implying?

Thomas Van Heusen,
the Director of Contracts.

Warren seems to think
he's a candidate. Hit it.

(ENGINE RATTLING)

Warren was always
terrible at sizing up
people and situations.

Van Heusen
was Perry's sergeant
in the Army.

He's been with the company
for 30 years.

Well, Warren seems
to think that Bonner
had a partner somewhere.

Now look, can you
use your car?

Give me a push
so I get started?

You can't push start it.

A catalytic converter.
Right?

You see what I mean about
those smog devices?

It's an a*t*matic.

Look, Mr. Hudson,
would you do me a favor

and check out Van Heusen's
lifestyle, huh?

See if he's living
a little high on the hog?

I think that Warren's theory's
pretty good.

All we need
is that final piece.

All right.
I'll do what I can.

But how do I get in touch
with Warren?

Oh, he'll be in contact
with his cousin.

I took a room for him
at the Sunset Lodge Motel
on Sunset.

He knows the cops
are looking for him,

so he needs a place
to hole up.

She'll send him over there
after dark.

So if you come up
with anything,

I mean, anything at all,
let him know, huh?

It'll give him something solid
to hand to the police.

Maybe this'll work out
pretty well.

But before I hit
Van Heusen's bank
and financial records,

maybe I'll just
subtly pump him.

I'll give him
a call right now.

Maybe get a ride to work.

Good.

Sure is a lot of wires.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.
It's Gareth Hudson.

You hear from Warren?

ROCKFORD..
Yeah. Beth just put him
in a cab.

He's on his way
over here. Should be here
any minute.

What about Van Heusen?

Well, as near as
I can determine,

he's living
well within his income.

Well, whatever he skimmed

might be in a safe deposit box
or a Swiss bank.

I got one more angle
I want to check out.

What's that?

Well, Bonner spent
a lot of time at a place

called the Green Willow
up on the Strip.

The main attraction
was the cashier.

She goes on duty at 9:00.

I thought I'd go up there
and have a talk with her.

What about Warren?

Oh, he'll be all right.

I'll just leave him a note
telling him
I'm still working on it.

Well, I'm sorry
I couldn't be
of any more help.

Hey, don't worry about it.

We're on the right track,
and thanks, Mr. Hudson.

Okay.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

HUDSON: Warren?

(WATER RUNNING)

Warren?
It's Gareth Hudson.

All right, Hudson,
get up.

(BOTH GRUNTING)

Are you about through
with all that?

How did you know?

I didn't.

You were just
another possibility.

That friendly little
visit that you paid me
at my trailer.

I don't like the idea
of you using me to deliver
a message to Warren

to trigger him into a showdown
with Lefcourt.

That made me
think a little.

Where is Warren?

Beats me.

Tell me something, Gary?
What was it gonna
be this time, huh?

su1c1de?

Warren just couldn't live
with all the pressure
and the guilt?

I got nothing further
to say to you.

If you're gonna make some
macho citizen's arrest,

you go ahead and do it.

It's a good idea.

Hold it, Gareth.

Now you can make it
easy on yourself.

I got the m*rder w*apon.

It wasn't my fault.

I didn't want to k*ll anybody.
It was Perry's fault.

You didn't know him, Rockford.
I've seen him destroy people.

I couldn't let Bonner
go to him.

He thought we could
deal with him,

throw ourselves on his mercy.

Perry never showed
any mercy.

You k*lled Bonner

so Lefcourt wouldn't know that
you two were skimming, huh?

So why k*ll Lefcourt?

Bonner had already
told him everything.

So when he was k*lled,
Perry put it all together.

You know the deaI
he offered me?

He wanted me to take
full responsibility
for those bribes,

so the investigation wouldn't
reach all the way up to him.

And in return,
he wouldn't turn you in
for Bonner's m*rder.

Yeah.

He wanted me to fix it
so Warren would take
the rap for that.

(SIREN WAILING)
That's Perry Lefcourt.

He'd have had me on a string
for the rest of my life.

Both of you,
stay where you are.

All right.
What's the problem here?

Marty, put us code four
at the location.
Where's Weeks?

I didn't promise you Weeks.

I promised you Bonner's
and Lefcourt's k*ller.
Here he is.

Cuff them both.

Oh, come on, Dennis.
Why me?

You want the charges,
you'll hear them later.

I've had
a very long day.

(POLICE RADIO CHATTERING)

All right. You'll have
to sign for it.

I know, Sergeant.

It's like riding a bicycle.

Once you learn,
you never forget.

Hey, where have you been?

Oh, I was running the problem
through the computer.

I figured it was
the logical approach.

Insufficient data.

I spoke to Catherine.

Well, that must have been
quite a conversation.

Oh, come on, Jim.
Give him a break.

He's been through a lot.

You know, I never meant
anything to her.

I mean, I loved her.
I honestly loved her.

And, um...

I was just an object.

What kind of an object?

You know.

A sex object?

I don't want
to think about it.

Hi, Jim,
I got rid of the GTA,

the flight to avoid arrest
and the A and B charge.
See you tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

That's all
they've got on me.

Well, there were
a couple of late entries,

possession of
an unregistered handgun

and carrying
a concealed w*apon.

Oh, Jim, I'm sorry.

I know what
you've been through.

But it isn't Warren's fault,
it's mine.

If it hadn't been for me,
you'd have
stayed out of it.

But he is your cousin.
Yeah.

He's a turkey.