04x14 - The Widow

[bunniefuu]

[laughter]

[jazz music]

[music continues]

Come on, man, what's the problem in there?

- What's she doing? - I don't know. She's still on.

What time is it?

Quarter to 1:00.

I better check again.

Ninety-nine percent of the time I'd go along with you, okay.

But I don't like this foolishness.

It'll work, Lee. Just give it a chance.

Cliff, we could've hit nine banks in the time

it's taken you and that dumb chick to set this up.

So what do you want, Lee, out?

No.

[music continues]

[music continues]

- Elliot. - Hm.

Honey, why don't you go on home now?

I mean, it's-it's almost 1 o'clock.

I wanna wait for you.

You're my wife all the way.

- Elliot. - I'll wait.

Alright, then.

You go on outside.

I'll get my coat, just right here behind the bar.

- What coat? I'll get it-- - No, Elliot.

It's-it's just here behind the bar.

I'll get it and-and I'll, I'll be right behind you.

- Joyce. - Elliot, go on out.

I'll-I'll be right behind you.

[dramatic music]

She's right up there waitin' for you.

Joyce. I don't see her. Where is she?

Well, just, come on up here and take a check.

Come on, go check.

[music continues]

[engine starts]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott

William Reynolds

with guest stars Glenn Corbett

Lynda Day.

Tonight's episode, The Widow.

Army sergeant, Elliot Carr, was found dead in an alley

in San Miguel, Texas.

Military and civilian authorities investigated

and both concurred in their findings.

Sergeant Carr, known to be a heavy drinker

had apparently been the victim of a savage mugging.

Then, in the routine processing of fingerprints

sent to the FBI

it was discovered that prints of Sergeant Carr's widow

were identical to those of a known federal parole violator.

What about the National Service Life Insurance check?

When?

Alright. Send a picture to the Mexican authorities

and put a 24-hour surveillance on the foster mother's house.

Her full name is Joyce Jane Carr.

Maiden name, Nelson.

She was born July 4, 1946, in London, England.

Brought to this country two years later.

No accent.

Alright.

The insurance check was issued

to the grieving widow this morning.

She hasn't been seen in San Miguel since.

What was her prison sentence for?

Car theft.

How close are you to winding up the Dolan case?

You should have my report any minute. It's being typed up.

Well, there's a flight that could get you into San Miguel

by tomorrow afternoon.

- You think you could be on it? - Hm-hmm.

The director reviewed this case with me

less than an hour ago, Lewis.

Sergeant Carr was less than 45

with an outstanding record in three wars.

Of course, we've both seen plenty of instances

where servicemen have been cheated and defrauded

and taken advantage of.

But if there's a slightest possibility

the sergeant was k*lled in that alley for $10,000

I want the people responsible and I want them fast.

You mentioned a foster mother.

Yes, Mrs. Cleste Abrams. 75, Old Trail Road.

That's out of Fort Worth.

Incidentally there may be another man in Joyce's life.

Mrs. Abrams reported that Joyce dropped by

with a birthday present last night.

There was a young male civilian with her.

She didn't mention the name?

No name. He was sitting outside in the car.

We'll need a sketch.

Couldn't an artist go out there and talk to her?

Alright.

Welcome back.

What were you thinkin' about?

I don't know.

I was just wondering who I am

where I was

where I'm going.

You're with me, isn't that enough?

Alright.

You are now in the sovereign state of Missouri.

Country of America.

Western Hemisphere.

The world.

The universe.

I keep getting smaller and smaller.

Less and less important.

You're important.

[sighs]

- Cliff. - Uh-hmm.

What if there really is a last judgment?

Joyce..

Doesn't that bother you ever?

Never.

Cliff, promise me it's gonna be different from now on.

I couldn't go through this again.

Sure, whatever you say.

Well, you've got your $10,000 now.

So why can't we just get married?

It'll happen you'll see.

But first, I've got to get that 5,000

to get Eddie off of my back.

Well, you're gonna have to do it without me.

Did I ask you to help?

Am I putting any pressure on you?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it the way it sounded, I..

I'm just..

[car approaching]

So how'd you do?

Get a load of this.

How much do you figure is in the bank?

- Maybe 50,000. - Yeah.

[laughing]

Hey, we better be on our way.

The bank will be closed in an hour.

- Okay, what is this? - Joyce..

[Joyce] 'What is it?'

You told me they weren't gonna be anymore g*ns.

- You said that you would.. - Oh, fine.

What do you expect me to do, Joyce?

If I could pick the money off the trees, I would.

If I could borrow it from a friend, I would

but we're out of options.

Now, some place I've got to get a hold of $5,000

or Eddie and his friends are gonna take it out of my hide.

But there's got to be another way.

Another GI? We're always open for suggestions.

You comin' or not, Joyce?

We need someone behind this wheel when we come out.

That's him.

That's very good.

Well, Mrs. Abrams.

- This is Inspector Erskine. - How do you do?

How are you?

Yeah, it's fine.

Let me have a copy..

Do you mind if I go on with this?

No, no, go right ahead, please.

Oh, Mrs. Abrams, do you remember

ever seeing this man with Joyce in the past?

I haven't seen Joyce for five years.

I knew she'd been in jail because your people told me

she was a parole violator and asked me to watch out for her.

Just like her daddy.

Yes, we know about that.

Well, that's how she came to me.

I always liked to take in foster kids, you know.

And then too, I was real close to her ma before she died.

Oh, you never saw a sweeter little girl.

She was just like one of my own.

And my son, John and her hit it off right from the start.

Uh, was she close to her father?

Oh, yes, yes.

Lord, I thought it would break her heart

when the police picked him up for stealing cars.

I never knew a girl who doted on her father so.

Why, all he had to do was to walk into the room

and her eyes would just light up.

He's dead now, you know. k*lled himself.

Of course, we never told Joyce how he died

but somehow I always thought she knew.

It was right after that

she began spendin' so much time with the boys.

Can you think of any specific names, Mrs. Abrams?

No.

There were so many and then I just didn't pay any attention.

Would your son be more apt to know her boyfriends?

Well, he used to.

He's in Vietnam now.

Funny, now that you mention it

I did get a letter from John saying

he was worried about Joyce.

And why was that?

Well, it seems she took up with somebody that

sounded to John like the spittin' image of her father.

Well, thanks for your help, Mrs. Abrams.

Cliff, please listen to me.

Well..

...what do you think?

Yeah, it looks fine.

Cliff.

Maybe I can help you get the money, huh?

How?

Well, you know how, the same way I did before.

No, it's too late for that now.

We're here and we're gonna go through with it.

Lee.

[sighs] Okay.

You need to sit here and take it easy.

Everything's gonna be alright. We'll be right back.

Cliff, you don't have to do this.

- Look, every time-- - Go!

She's gonna be alright.

Aren't you, sweetheart?

Let's go.

[woman screaming]

[g*nsh*t]

[woman screaming]

[g*nshots]

Cliff..

[g*nshots]

Come back here!

[g*nsh*t]

Cliff!

Cliff!

Cliff!

[g*nsh*t]

Come on! Come on!

- Cliff. - Drive!

- Joyce! - No!

- Will you drive? - No.

[tires screeching]

Your lad says you wanted to see me.

Yes, Mr. Davison.

My name is Erskine, I'm with the FBI.

Uh, what can I do for the FBI, inspector?

Was it about the mugging in the alley?

I've already talked to the military and the local police--

Yes, we're trying to locate the victim's wife, Mr. Davison.

I wonder if you can help us with that?

Uh, she quit on the same night.

She came back once on the morning of the funeral

to pick up her final check.

- I haven't seen her since. - Hmm. Was she alone?

No, there were two young fellows with her.

Was this one of them?

Yeah. She called him, uh, Cliff.

Can you describe the other man?

Well, he was about six feet, uh, 170 pounds

about 30 years of age.

Um, dark brown hair.

But the two of them looked an awful alike to be brothers.

- Hello. - Excuse me.

They've located Sergeant Abrams.

They're putting through the call to Vietnam now.

You can take it at the resident agency.

Good. I'll be right there.

Uh, Mr. Davison, just one last thing.

Did Joyce Carr give any indication

where she might be going?

Hmm, no. No, wait a minute.

She did ask me about Kansas City.

She wanted to know if there are any good working clubs up there.

Kansas City, huh?

But that doesn't mean she's going to go there.

Um, I've had a lot of girls working for me, inspector

and the one thing you can be sure of is that

you can't count on a thing they say.

They take the job for a week and they stay for two years.

They start for New York and you get a postcard from Mexico.

- Hmm. - Oh, they follow the beat.

And they have to keep moving.

- Cliff. - Don't crush the arm!

- Alright, alright. - Don't pull at him.

You're alright. You're alright.

There.

Okay, can you walk?

- Oh! - Just-just give me a minute.

Okay. Okay. You wanna lie down over there?

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Wait. Wait. Wait.

Doesn't look too bad.

- Would you spread that out? - Can you move your fingers?

I don't think it hit the bone.

Quit talkin' to him and spread it out!

Try and move your fingers.

Please. Give it to me.

Look around the other side.

- Did it go through? - Go through?

Come on, honey, over here.

Come here. Take it easy when you sit down.

- Yeah. - Okay.

- Okay. - Alright.

- Don't.. - 'Right here.'

Okay.

Watch it.

Alright, you're alright.

Oh, man, why did that woman have to scream like that?

Suddenly everything was out of control, Lee.

'She really fetted, didn't she?'

Oh, honey, I begged you not to do it.

We gotta bandage this arm.

Hey, man, next time, let's pick us a piggybank, huh?

What next time?

Well, sweetheart, I still owe my boys in Kansas City

a little over 5,000.

I told you I'd help you.

Did you mean it?

There's a can opener in the glove compartment

if you want to tear that.

You really think she'll marry another GI?

That's what the lady said, didn't she?

San Miguel?

I have Sergeant John Abrams here.

One moment.

It's 3:30, yesterday afternoon in Texas

and you're speaking to an FBI inspector named Erskine.

Hello, Mr. Erskine.

They filled me in about Joyce

but I haven't heard from her in around a, around a year I guess.

'Where's she now?'

Now, that's what we're trying to find out.

She hasn't contacted any of her

known friends for a couple of days.

By the way, do you know anybody named Cliff?

Well, there's, there's Cliff Holm.

- Does he have a brother? - Yeah, name's Lee.

Hey, look, inspector

she's not hooked up with this Cliff Holm, is she?

I mean, if she is, it's, it's my fault in a way.

See, I-I met him in a bar in Kansas City

after my basic training.

Joyce had just come up to visit me and I, I introduced her.

I mean, I knew he was a gambler

involved in some game in Kansas City but

but I had no idea about this other business.

- What other business? - Well, I don't know really.

Well, maybe it was just talk but

but Cliff and his brother, Lee, actually it was mostly Lee

they kept braggin' about how they're gonna

knock over some bank.

'And when I told this to Joyce'

'she said it was just their way of showing off.'

Maybe.

- That sure had me convinced. - I see.

Can you tell me anything more about this game in Kansas City?

Uh, who runs it for instance or the address?

No. Kansas City.

That's all I know.

Oh, but there was this, there was this guy

that Cliff used to talk about there named..

A gambler friend of his named Ed Crawford.

- Does that help? - Yes, it does.

Thanks very much, sergeant. And good luck to you.

Contact Kansas City.

See what they have on a man named Ed Crawford.

Well, Lee.

This is it. Unless someone gets you to change your mind.

No, you know me, man. This is my town.

Now, you two go on ahead.

I'll just stick around here

and see if I can find me some trouble to get into.

[laughing]

- How's the arm? - Fine. Fine.

- Good. - Oh!

- Ha ha ha. - Joyce!

What are doin'? We're gonna miss that plane.

I am hurrying as fast as I can.

You know that their muscles lock.

Yeah.

She's been sitting in front of that same mirror

in the same position for the last hour and a half.

I thought love conquered all that.

Well, I'm taking her to Galveston.

What more do you expect?

I said, "What do you want to go to Galveston for?"

She said she didn't know. She just likes Galveston.

Her daddy is buried there.

And, of course, Crawford doesn't object to that.

Well, he didn't like it, but I said

"Eddie, I've already paid you ten.

"You know I'm good for the other five.

What do you expect me to do, hide?"

Rush, rush, rush.

I look terrible and I feel terrible.

Oh, sweetheart, you look like a movie star.

Sure.

And now I say, uh, which one?

And he says, King Kong.

Lee, this is a beautiful woman.

[chuckles] That's a beautiful woman.

Let's go.

- You keep in touch, you hear? - Oh! You get out of here.

So I showed Crawford the drawing you sent.

He said he'd never seen the man, but by then

we'd picked up the report of the attempted bank robbery

in Madisonville.

The security officer identified the man

in the drawing as one of the robbers.

And the policeman said he heard one robber call the other Cliff.

We asked Crawford if there was any connection

between that Cliff and another party named Cliff

who'd paid off a $10,000 debt to him that afternoon

according to certain reports we'd heard.

And what did Crawford say to that?

He said, "Mr. McDonald, I want to talk to my lawyer."

- That's when I called you. - Have you seen him since?

About, uh, 20 minutes before your plane landed.

Now, this time he told me he was astounded that

we think he'd be mixed up in anything like a bank robbery.

He said the $10,000 was a legitimate debt

on Cliff Holm's part.

That Cliff's brother, Lee, was with him.

Said he washed his hands off the two of them.

Now, he said Lee had told him

they were staying at the Oaks Motel.

- No mention of the girl? - No. There it is.

I'll see how we stand.

Lee is there. The manager recognized the description.

He's using a name Hutchins and he's in number 12.

What about Cliff?

Oh, Cliff and the girl have left.

Destination unknown.

Except, uh, presumably to Lee Holm.

- Let's find out. - I have agents at the back too.

They've already evacuated the other cabins.

KC-1 to all units under special.

Lee Holm, this is the FBI.

'We have a warrant for your arrest.'

'You're charged with bank robbery.'

Come out with your hands above your head

or we'll use gas.

'The motel is surrounded, Holm.'

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

- Keep him busy. - Alright.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

[glass shatters]

[g*nshots]

[tires screeching]

[g*nsh*t]

Where are your brother and the girl?

- Get me a doctor. - I've got an ambulance.

Do you know where they've gone?

To find another..

Another what?

Another GI...for the insuran..

[groans]

Oh! A beer.

Uh, a beer.

Thanks.

- Little brisk today. - Yes.

Windy.

Oh, I don't know, I kinda like it that way.

Yeah? So do I.

It, uh, it kinda cleans everything up, doesn't it?

Well, almost everything.

Do you come out here often, miss..

Well, I used to come out here everyday.

I-I lived in Galveston back in the early '60s.

I don't know, I-I used to take the bus out here

and just sit..

...all day long.

I don't know there's

there's something very special about this place.

But none of your friends felt that way about it, did they?

- No. - 'No.'

Neither do mine and it is a special place.

I come down here all the time.

All alone.

I just love this gulf.

I don't know how to explain it, I.. It settles me down.

- It accepts me. - Like home?

Yeah, like home.

Well, where is your home?

I mean, when you're not in the army.

Well, California, North Dakota, Kansas, Idaho, you name it.

Well, have you ever thought of owning a home here?

I sure have.

Where would you build it?

Right on the beach.

[chuckles]

- Would you too? - Uh-hmm.

- My name is Fred Bruno. - I'm Joyce.

Joyce.

We sound like we're tuned in on the same wave, don't we?

[chuckles]

Oh, brother, that's just perfect.

Well, I have to split now, but...but can I see you later?

- Oh, sure. - 'When?'

- Well, tonight. - Yeah. Where?

- Well, aft-after work. - Where's work?

Oh, at the Orchid Room. I'm a dancer there.

Well, I'll be there.

Great.

So how did it go or do I have to ask?

How do you feel?

Can you hear me?

Yeah, I can hear you.

The hospital's given me permission to talk to you

but, uh, first I'd like to remind you

that you don't have to tell me anything.

May even want a lawyer.

How long have I been here?

Five days.

You...you're the agent..

...that came after me.

I'm one of them.

My name is Erskine.

Hmm. Yeah.

Yeah, I remember your face.

You kept asking me questions about something.

I asked you where your brother and the girl were.

You told me they'd gone to find another soldier.

Did I?

I don't remember.

I don't remember that.

You don't know where they are now?

No idea.

I understand your brother still owes over $5,000

to a man named Ed Crawford.

Is that what this GI business all about?

So she can marry him for the insurance?

I wouldn't know.

How did Sergeant Carr die?

I wouldn't know.

Was the girl along with you in the Madisonville job?

[sighs]

Let's say, for argument sake

'that your brother is as loyal to you when we catch him'

as you're being to him

that still leaves the girl.

How loyal do you think she'll be?

[chuckles] Catch him.

You don't think we will?

Alright, let's see.

He still needs $5,000.

When he gets it, he'll either take it to Crawford himself

or Crawford will send somebody after it.

'In either case, our agents will be there'

'when the exchange is made.'

And if your brother gets that money by k*lling someone else

you would've been able to have prevented it by helping us.

Think about that for a while.

I can't give you an address.

Just the city.

Galveston.

Thanks.

[door closes]

Joyce.

Hey.

What?

How are you and Bruno getting along?

Nothing spectacular.

What do you mean? He's seen you every night this week.

Has he asked you to marry him yet?

- No. - You're lyin'.

What do you think I am?

Something so special?

All I have to do is snap my fingers

and men do anything I want.

We're not talkin' about men. We're talkin' about boys.

Now, don't try and put me on, Joyce.

Anyone with a pair of eyes can see

he's so much in love with you, he doesn't know his own name.

What would you know about love?

Look, if you want out, just say the magic word.

No one's twistin' your arm.

How about my mind?

We'll just be a sec.

You don't have to pick me up tonight.

Well, if I remember correctly, this little game was your idea.

Not the first time, it wasn't.

Then why'd you do it?

You really don't know, do you?

You gonna marry this guy or not?

Why?

So you can k*ll him for the insurance?

- Joyce. - You use people, Cliff.

- Just use them. - Yes or no?

No.

Get lost!

Sweetheart..

...you know I love you.

Doesn't mean anything coming from you.

Used to. I haven't changed.

I have.

Why?

What's so different about this Bruno guy?

He's like me. That's what's different.

The others..

Well, the others..

...they were like you.

They just took.

Bruno wants to give.

- Do you understand that? - Do you?

You know what's gonna happen to you when we split?

I don't really care.

I ought to spend a hundred years in jail for what I've done.

And maybe I will and that's alright too.

Anything would be an improvement over now.

But the question is what's gonna happen to you..

...when they start asking me questions.

Just park it up there. I'll be back in a minute.

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

Actually, I got the report

just as you were deplaning, inspector.

We contacted half the go-go clubs in town.

But she was using the name Joyce Freeman.

The owner recognized her from a photograph.

- Is she there now? - The agents are still looking.

Probably she checked in earlier, but she hasn't been seen since.

Has there been any word on Cliff Holm yet?

Nothing.

[man on radio] 'Unit six calling unit one.'

One, go ahead.

We found another dancer

who had just taken the cab that Joyce used.

- Did you get a destination? - Uh, yes, sir, we did.

I talked to the cab dispatcher.

Subject's been taken to a bar on Gary Street, The Roche.

- How far is it? - About ten minutes.

We're on our way.

I had to see you first.

I couldn't do it without seeing you.

You've got to take me to the police.

You've got to.

It can't be as bad as all of that.

Oh, yes, it can.

Whatever it is, I'm sure it can be fixed.

No.

I'm afraid it can't be fixed.

Try me.

How do I start?

[Cliff] 'You start at the beginning.'

You say, "You see, Mr. Bruno.

"I was married once.

'But my lover, Mr. Holm, here k*lled the guy."'

Oh, Cliff..

And for kicks we tried to rob a little bank

and then we came down here lookin' for a new husband

and lo and behold, Mr. Bruno, we met you.

Get up.

- Now, wait-- - Up!

Hold it.

[tires screeching]

Cliff Holm, FBI.

[dramatic music]

[g*nshots]

[g*nsh*t]

[thud]

I don't know why I stayed with Cliff.

I loved him.

I thought I loved him.

I don't know.

Alright, Ms. Carr, I think that's enough for tonight.

Private Bruno.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[male narrator] Clifford Holm died of his injuries.

Joyce Carr and Lee Albert Holm were convicted of the m*rder

of Sergeant Elliot Carr and are serving life sentences

in a state prison.

Charges of attempted bank robbery against them

are still pending.

[theme music]