04x05 - Death of a Fixer

[bunniefuu]

[intense music]

Creely.

Who's the other guy with him?

[male #1] 'Nobody important.'

'Bail bondsman I found out on Roanoke Street.'

We wont have a problem then, d*ck.

With a bondsman? No.

He doesn't know why the brotherhood

wants Creely out, he doesn't care.

I'll tell you how Mr. Harris put it to me.

He said everybody liked Creely.

But that the high commissioners

couldn't let a mistake like this go.

He said the next thing the federal government would do

would be to put Creely on a stand

and ask him why he tried to bribe a US attorney

in a simple little gambling case.

What did Creely know that they didn't know.

'This is just a matter of discipline.'

'That's all.'

Mm-hmm.

- Creely doesn't have a car? - No.

Hey, Roy.

Say hello to Mr. Harris for me when you see him.

Yeah, sure.

[intense music]

[footsteps approaching]

[music continues]

[door rattling]

[music continues]

Blake..

...please.

[panting]

[intense music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[alarm ringing]

[ringing continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Jessica Walter..

...Joseph Campanella..

...Dan Travanti..

...Brooke Bundy.

Tonight's episode, "Death Of A Fixer."

[instrumental music]

Edward Steven Creely was a mafia fixer.

Only a small wheel in a big machine.

Yet his execution was to bring to an end

the rein of one of La Cosa Nostra's most powerful leaders.

According to informants, Creely had been slain

to prevent government attorneys from questioning him

about La Cosa Nostra intentions to establish

gambling in every major city in United States.

Further information indicated

that the contract to k*ll Creely had been given

to a mafia family captain named, John Anthony Harris.

Main question seems to be, why?

Harris is known as a organizer, not a disciplinarian.

On the other hand, if the mob brought Harris in here

to organize a big new gambling push

he'd probably expect him to do the disciplining too.

Tom, is Harris still in Las Vegas?

'Uh, no, sir, Florida, Seminole Springs.'

He bought motel and racquet club there in April.

Uh, he's expected to stay on till mid-July

when he's getting married again.

The word is, they planned a honeymoon in Europe.

Who's the lucky new bride-to-be?

A Cleveland girl named, uh, Eleanor Prior.

Eleanor Prior?

Tennis player?

Yes, sir.

Why, do you know her?

Well, I've heard of her.

As a matter of fact, I've seen her play at Forest Hills.

She's good.

I think she's the fifth

or sixth ranking amateur in the world.

What a shame.

She might have had quite a career.

Looks like she's going to have quite a career.

Mid-July, huh? That doesn't give us much time.

Well, Harris is the link here.

If we can only connect him with Creely's m*rder.

Is he still under surveillance?

Uh, yes, but very discreet.

Then better increase it. Round the clock.

On Harris as well as the club.

Has he met with any of the high commissioners?

Yes, sir. Grant King came up from Miami last night.

Surveillance has him still at the motel.

What about the hitman? Any leads there?

Well, I'm not sure.

But I think there may have been someone in that shop

when Creely was k*lled.

There's nothing in the report about a witness.

Well, the place was empty when the police got there.

But..

...whoever triggered that, uh

burglar alarm had to do it deliberately.

You better ask the SAC to check out

any employees who might have had keys.

And I'll need some background information on Eleanor Prior.

Uh, names of relatives, living and dead

former addresses, schools, whatever you can get.

What's your approach, Lewis?

Oh, I'm a little tired, Art.

I'd like to go down to Seminole Springs.

You know, lie in the sun, play some tennis

meet some new people?

That's your trouble. No dedication.

You only think of your own pleasure.

Alright, go to Seminole Springs.

'And have a good time.'

[instrumental music]

Gin, deal the cards, honey, I'll be back in a minute.

[music continues]

Mack, I agree with your taste, but she's all tied up.

Sorry.

You go find yourself somebody else to play with.

Okay?

[instrumental music]

Honestly, sometimes I think I might as well just quit.

Oh, Deb.

Well, I'm absolutely pitiful.

I haven't got a backhand, I can't play the net, I..

I don't know why you even bother with me.

Or is it just because I come with the territory?

That's it, you're the cross I have to bear

for wanting to marry your dad.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Who was that? - Who? Him?

- Beats me. - Oh, brother.

Roy, she's daddy's fiance, not his sl*ve.

'You don't have to act like Parsifal'

guarding the Holy Grail.

Maybe she would like to play Tennis

with somebody good for a change.

You're good.

[sighs] You wanna swim?

Oh, I don't dare, I promised our lord master

I'd meet him right here.

I'll see you at lunch.

Where is he? He's late.

Conference. Big business.

He'll be along.

- Hit it? - 'No.'

You're getting to be clumsier that Roy Blake, John.

You know what I'm really getting to be, Grant?

Sick of apologizing.

Now, if you don't like the way I'm running this thing

why don't you replace me?

You're a good administrator.

But as a tactician, you've made some loose moves.

It was my understanding that Creely had to be stopped.

- I stopped him. - Oh.

There are ways and ways to stop a man, John.

Might even be done without

leaving a witness behind, Hmm?

Yeah.

No activities, no sports, one club.

Well, she sounds like a good, quiet girl, anyway.

Anybody up there, watching her?

d*ck Amazeen.

'No moves toward the police yet?'

- Nope. - Mm-hmm.

I've called a commission sit-down

for this weekend in Miami.

We'll decide what to do then.

- About the girl? - 'Mm-hmm.'

Grant.

I can't imagine a dumber move

than hitting this kid.

In my opinion, we'd open up twice as many problems

as we solve, anyway she's obviously

afraid of making waves.

I'll contact you when we have decided.

You know, Johnny, I've always thought

that a women will be the death of you.

Wonder if it's gonna be this one.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

They called me at the airport.

The dispatcher said he's located

one of Eleanor Prior's relatives.

Yeah, her mother. Father's dead.

No brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Prior moved here from Cleveland in 1960.

She hasn't seen Eleanor since then.

Anything from New York?

I've gotta call in for the agent in charge there, now.

[doorbell buzzes]

Mrs. Prior?

Yes.

I'm Inspector Erskine.

How many more of you people

are going to come by here bothering me?

May I come in?

Mrs. Prior, I'd like to talk to you about your daughter.

My daughter is dead.

People die when they turn from God.

Doesn't matter whether they go on breathing or not, does it?

I'd say God means many things to many people, Mrs. Prior.

You have no contact at all with Eleanor then?

You're right.

I burned the letters without opening them.

I imagine that man has..

...touched the paper.

Why should I soil my hands with it?

- What man? - That criminal.

I read the newspapers.

How did they meet? Do you happen to know?

She was on tour, I think.

Prancing around some around some tennis court and I..

I'm not sure. She'd left home by then.

Under what circumstances?

I nailed her bedroom window shut one night

so she couldn't sneak back into the house.

She was 16 years old.

I knew she'd been sinning even before that.

She was out on those tennis courts

in those short dresses.

She had a book in her bureau drawers.

How to dance.

I whipped her.

I took her to church every night in the congregation.

Prayed for her.

No use.

No use.

Why are you asking all these questions?

Are you going to arrest her?

She's a friend of John Harris.

That makes her important to us.

It would be of great help if we can understand her better.

There's no way.

I never did.

Thank you, Mrs. Prior.

[instrumental music]

I talked to Newark.

Nothing so far in the interviews

with the clerks of the dress shop.

If there was a witness

he apparently decided not to cooperate.

Keep after it. I'll be in Seminole Springs.

[instrumental music]

Barb?

- Hi. - Hi, yourself.

Where have you been?

- Just home. - Mm-hmm.

I called you everyday at home since school ended.

Your mother said she'd tell you.

Well, I, I suppose she forgot.

You know how she feels about you, anyway.

Hey, who cares how she feels, huh?

I thought you and I meant something to each other.

I guess you're wrong.

Uh-uh. I'm not wrong about the way I feel.

Oh, Gene, please.

'You afraid somebody's gonna find out'

'we we're together in the shop that night.'

We've been there before.

Look, my old man didn't even know the key was missing.

I put it back before I went to bed.

But my yearbook's there someplace!

He's bound to find it and when he does, he'll tell the police.

Police have been all through that place

cause of the guy that got shot in the alley.

They didn't find any yearbook.

Look, you left it somewhere else at school, on the bus--

'No!'

Look, ar-are you sure it's gone?

Any..

I mean, someone must've taken it.

Barb!

Are you mad cause I didn't drive you home that night?

No. I-I told you to go on.

I, I just want do some thinking.

You pulled out before the m*rder, right?

Yeah.

Alright.

Look, I don't know what's bugging you

but it's not worth all this, huh?

Look, why don't the two of us get out of here, huh?

Who cares what your mother feels--

It'd k*ll her! She wouldn't understand.

- Well, look I-- - Gene, please!

Leave me alone.

Let me handle this myself.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Excuse me.

I, um, I hate to start off like a conversational bankrupt

but haven't we met before?

I don't think so.

Well, I know I've seen you somewhere

and I-I-I could swear it was on a tennis court.

Wait a minute.

You're Eleanor Prior.

Well, for heaven's sake.

My name's Lee Hanes.

Been a fan of yours ever since I first saw you play.

'I, um, I don't suppose you'd like to hit some.'

- Well-- - Here's your drink, Eleanor.

Or is our court ready now?

Hey, Mack, I seem to have left my racket in my room.

I wonder, could I borrow yours?

Oh, I'm sorry. The young lady and I are just going to play.

But the young lady's changed her mind.

[intense music]

Oh, Roy, I think I've spilled my drink.

Would you be a darling and get me another?

Lee, you coming?

[music continues]

Who's charm boy?

Oh, Roy Blake? He's just a messenger really.

Does all sorts of odd jobs around here.

I bet, he does.

- Lee! - Oh, sorry.

[music continues]

Okay. Fine.

I-I'm just a dumb teenager. Spoiled rotten.

I never had to milk three cows before breakfast

or walk six miles to school.

That's six cows and three miles.

But I do know about one thing.

That's love.

You do, huh?

'Yeah, I do.'

'I-I know that I love you.'

'A-and I know that Eleanor loves you.'

And I know that you love her.

Us. Check?

Check.

Well..

You're gonna loose her if you aren't careful.

I mean.. Uh, daddy, women just don't dig this business bit.

You're up here everyday, all day working

while she's down at the courts alone.

She's getting pretty tired of that.

Has she told you so?

[chuckles] She doesn't have to.

Daddy, don't you think there are

some things more important than business

n-no matter what the business is?

Well, look l-let me put it this way..

I-Is the world gonna collapse if you left this desk

and went out and played a little tennis with your fiance?

Come on, let's test it.

[doorbell buzzes]

Who is it?

- Johnny. - Grant.

Can I, uh, see you for a minute?

- Business? - Mm-hmm. Business.

Excuse me.

So, how's everything been going?

How'd everything go in Miami?

Oh, we had a good meeting.

I think I know how to solve the Newark problem.

She makes one move toward the police, one move

I'll buy her family off, whatever amount it calls for

everybody's got a price, Grant.

Hit her?

She can't be much older than my own girl.

We can't afford to have any loose threads.

[intense music]

Get hold of d*ck Amazeen.

Little girl he's been watching.

Tell him to put her to bed.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Can I come in?

Now, today we eat, right?

[music continues]

Baby, what's the matter?

Nothing.

You're just gonna stay in this house, forever?

Well, if you wont tell me what the problem is

you wont even talk about it with me

I've got to have to get a doctor for you.

Are you waiting for what's-his-name to call you?

His name is Gene.

Oh, look, baby. I don't like to forbid you to see anybody

but the boy is just not good enough for you.

Alright, mother. I'll try to work something out.

[instrumental music]

See, uh, uh, a little more to your left.

Okay?

Perfect.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

For what?

Well, for buying such enormous quantities of film

the last few days, for one thing.

I do have a certain interest in this place.

Or I will have next month.

I like to see the concessions make money.

I suppose you know who owns this motel, don't you?

Oh, yes, the inimitable John Harris.

I guess you've heard the usual lies about him.

Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers, Lee.

I don't.

Where is he keeping himself by the way?

I haven't seen him since I got here.

Oh, well, he's been busy.

Now, he enjoys tennis and he's good.

Not as good as you are, of course

but better than average.

He plays a very unorthodox game.

People criticize him for it.

Doesn't seem to bother him in the least.

- You admire that? - Yes.

Does criticism bother you?

You're very direct.

That's something else I admire.

'You're also very easy to talk to.'

'Maybe it's 'cause you don't make judgments.'

Alright, yes.

Criticism does bother me a little.

I guess you're talking about John and me.

But I love him.

People don't understand him, and I'm sorry about that

but I understand him and I love him.

That's the important thing.

You mean, you live the way you play tennis? Dangerously?

[chuckles] I don't know, maybe I do.

I had a very odd childhood.

Very restricted.

My mother didn't like dancing or parties or even tennis.

I had to sneak out to the courts.

The tighter the leash got around my neck

the harder I tried to break it.

Took a while, but here I am.

Here you are.

You know why I think you and most people

really disapprove of John?

Why?

Because he is unconventional.

He's anti-establishment.

He not only ignores the law, he seems to get away with it.

As a matter of fact, I understand he has even

a private casino on the grounds.

There is.

Would you like to see it?

- Mm-hmm. - I'll give you a card.

Did you ever think, Lee, that may be..

...may be the establishment could be wrong?

Thanks.

The world's full of hypocrites.

At least John's honest with me. He's a professional gambler.

He's not ashamed of it.

Just the gambling?

Oh, Lee, come on.

Let me tell you something.

There's no such thing as the mafia

- Is that right? - 'That's a scare word.'

Something that looks good in news report.

I've met most of John's friends

you know what they look like?

Bankers, middle and upper class businessmen.

Maybe that's part of the problem.

Lee, there is no problem. There really isn't.

[female #1] 'Telephone for Mr. Hanes. Mr. Lee Hanes, please.'

Oh, there's a phone over there.

Excuse me.

Hello, this is Lee Hanes, you have a call for me?

[female #1] 'Yes, Mr. Hanes.'

'One moment please.'

- 'Go ahead.' - 'Hello, Lee?'

Oh, hello.

I hate to bother you.

Don't be silly, it wouldn't be a vacation

without a call now and then from the office.

[chuckles]

Well, a claim just came in on that last, uh

big policy you wrote.

I thought you ought to know about it.

'Yes?'

Seems there was a witness

to the accident.

Unfortunately, she forgot to sign her name.

'She?'

Lee, it's Tom.

I showed the letter to one of our claims examiners.

He said it's a type found in most drug stores.

It's, uh, pretty popular with and

sold primarily to teenage girls.

The top of the note paper, there's a little legend.

Our examiner says it reads..

'"Barbs from Barbara."'

And the language in the letter itself is pretty young.

She describes the driver of the other vehicle

as being middle aged and then she goes on to say

that he's in his late 20s.

Well, I'm sure he'd appreciate that.

Did she say anything else about him?

[Arthur] 'Six foot one, 185 pounds, dark brown hair.'

Well, thanks for bringing me up to date.

By the way, did you get the pictures I sent?

Oh, yes.

'There was one at the tennis court.'

Uh-huh.

'The should give you a pretty good idea of the place.'

'Make you jealous?'

[Arthur] 'Very.'

[Lewis] 'Might have that one enlarged.'

I'd like you to show it around.

Alright, I'll do that.

Keep these pictures coming in.

By the way, have you taken one yet of that, uh

interesting room we heard about?

I'm gonna see it this afternoon.

Fine.

Alright, Lee..

...have a good time.

Bye.

What's the matter, Mack, lose something?

Uh, yeah, my camera.

Oh!

Is that your camera?

[intense music]

Yeah, that's my camera.

Why don't you just stay away from the young lady?

See, Mr. Harris is a very old-fashioned type.

He doesn't approve of strangers makin' a play

for his girlfriend.

He doesn't or you don't?

- Same thing! - Oh..

So, uh..

Why don't you just check out of this place?

Before I have to teach you some manners.

Get the camera.

Get it yourself.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Poor fellow panicked.

[instrumental music]

So, practiced?

Have there been that many women?

You really wanna know?

- No. - Good.

Look, John..

...let's get married right away.

Before..

Before what?

I don't know.

I've been neglecting you lately, haven't I?

Well, yeah, kind of.

I've, uh, had some

rough decisions to make.

But they're all out of the way now, I think.

Come on, what would you like to do? Would you like to swim?

Play golf, tennis, what?

Let's just get in the car and drive.

Anywhere, just the two of us.

I'll get my keys.

Oh, and my cigarettes!

[instrumental music]

Will these do?

Who's Barbara Legors?

Friend of Debb's. Ready?

[intense music]

Here's your dress.

You had your bath yet?

Not yet.

Baby, let's go.

Mom

I-I really don't wanna go.

Well, honey..

That's up to you, of course, but

personally I think it would do you good.

We'll have some dinner together and catch an early movie.

- Mom.. - Please?

- Okay. - Good. Then come on.

We've got to get going if we wanna catch the first feature.

'We haven't got much time.'

[instrumental music]

[telephone rings]

Hello.

- Hello, Lee? - 'Oh, yes.'

I hate to keep bothering you like this.

Hope I didn't get you at a bad time.

It's in regard to that claim.

Especially the tennis court picture.

You mean the fellow in the background?

Mm-hmm, and you were right.

Our enquiries reveal he was in Newark

the night of the accident.

I'm not surprised.

Have you located our teenage witness yet?

No..

We were hoping you might have come up with something by now.

'We haven't got much time left.'

The other party is bound to have a contract with her name on it.

I'll see what I can do.

Did you, uh, get my last pictures?

Yes, I did.

It was one very remarkable picture.

An interior..

[Lewis] 'I thought you might like that.'

'I was wondering where the machines came from.'

- Nevada. - 'You sure?'

I saw the man crate it.

Then that's it. I'll send some friends out to see you.

Regarding the witness, you better get in touch with Tom

directly, if you have any luck. He's in Newark now.

The unlisted number.

Goodbye, Lee.

Goodbye.

[instrumental music]

Lee!

Hello!

What happened at the pool?

Nothing important.

Roy's furious.

I don't know what might have occurred, but..

Maybe you better leave.

Why?

Well, he's got a g*n.

But he's just a messenger, isn't he?

Yes, but..

Uh, nothing very dangerous about a messenger.

I mean, it isn't if he were a hired k*ller.

Now wait a minute..

John's never gonna win a prize for purity and neither am I.

That's fine.

Lee, it's a tough business, he knows some tough people.

But this isn't Chicago in the '30s.

He's a gambler, not a..

Not a what?

Not a m*rder*r, and he doesn't hire murderers.

Then there's nothing to worry about, is there?

Roy has a temper.

Well, he works for Harris.

Why don't you tell him to cool him off?

Alright, do whatever you want.

I've warned you.

Eleanor.

Eleanor!

Believe me, I'm grateful..

But you just can't go on burying your head in the sand.

Who are you?

Did you ever meet a man named Ed Creely?

Yes.

You knew he was k*lled last Saturday, in Newark?

I read something about it.

Where was Blake on Saturday?

Here!

No.

Newark.

Had Harris sent him up there?

Yes!

'There was a witness to the m*rder.'

A teenage girl.

Do you think Harris and his friends

would stop at k*lling a teenage girl

if they thought it was necessary?

A girl. John wouldn't.

We think her first name was Barbara.

[instrumental music]

I need her last name, Eleanor, and her address.

I-I don't remember her last name.

Just wait. Wait in your room for me.

[music continues]

Eleanor? Hi.

- Hi. - Where have you been?

Everybody's been waiting for you down in the lounge.

Well, I-I thought I left my keys here.

- Did you find 'em? - Yeah.

Deb, do you know a girl named Barbara Legros?

No. Why?

No reason.

Hey, they're on their way back here now.

Will you tell dad I've gone to the show with some other kids?

Okay. Have a nice time.

You too.

[instrumental music]

[phone ringing]

- Hello? - Do you have a pencil?

Yeah, just a second.

'Her last name is Legros.'

L-E-G-R-O-S.

The address is "1250, Spencer Street, Newark."

It's not a question of that, where..

[dramatic music]

Hello? Eleanor?

[female #2] 'Operator.'

Operator, I wanna call long distance.

Area code 201.

And the number is 2-4-3-9-9-7-0.

And hurry, please.

[music continues]

Well, what's this all about?

That's what I was gonna ask you, John.

Stay here.

Who's Barbara Legros?

A friend of Debs.

John, I asked her.

Why are you lying to me?

Because you wanted an answer to something

that was none of your business.

Who is she, Roy?

Is she the girl who saw you m*rder Ed Creely?

And now you've sent someone to k*ll her.

Haven't you?

[dramatic music]

Barbara?

I'm ready.

Spencer Street is next.

Eleven hundred block as to your left.

[instrumental music]

[tires screeching]

- Barbara Legros? - Yes?

- FBI. - Mom.

[engine revving]

Jay!

[intense music]

FBI. Get out of the car, please.

[knocking on door]

Inspector, I'm Bart Russell.

- Ward sent you? - Yes, sir.

The US attorney says we have enough

to pick up Blake and Harris now.

Let's go.

I said I don't know who she's told.

I've been trying to get in touch with Amazeen

to have him cool it for a while.

Well, maybe you can contact him.

Yeah, right.

What's the matter with you women?

When are you gonna learn to keep your curiosity

to yourselves?

Pandora, Bluebeard's wife.

Why do you always wanna cut your own throats?

I don't believe this.

You've gotta be crazy...or I am.

How could I've been so involved with you?

Get the car.

[sighs]

Are you gonna k*ll me too?

[dramatic music]

I don't know.

We'll drive. We'll talk.

We'll see.

Blake.

FBI. Hold it right there.

[g*nshots]

John! Feds!

[music continues]

Drop it!

Creely, that fixer..

All over that slob of a fixer.

Like noth..

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[music continues]

[g*nshots]

[instrumental music]

Here.

So then, I, um, I through my yearbook across the room

and when he went for it, I had a chance

to set off the burglar alarm.

I left before the police got there.

But you're willing to testify that Roy Blake

is the man you saw m*rder Creely.

Yes. That's the man.

Alright, Miss Legros. Thank you very much.

[instrumental music]

- Okay? - Yeah.

Come on.

- Eleanor. - Hi.

I want to thank you for offering to help us.

I know how difficult it must be for you.

It's getting less difficult everyday.

And Grant King called this morning.

Had a bribe in mind.

Would you like to hear what he said?

Yes, but I'd rather hear what you said.

I just hope your secretary isn't easily shot.

[chuckles]

[male narrator] Roy Blake was tried in state court

for the m*rder of Edward Creely and was sentenced to death.

Grant King along with Richard Amazeen and five others

was convicted in federal court

on charges of inter-state gambling activities.

All are serving terms in federal penitentiaries.

[theme music]