05x05 - Silent Partner

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

You think you can make it?

I got to.

Steve?

Can you let me have anything?

Not for me. It's for the electric bill.

'They're gonna turn it off.'

Why not for you, huh?

I mean, why can't it ever be for you?

Here.

[intense music]

Well, you finally made it in, huh, genius?

'And only 45 minutes late.'

[bell rings]

I got some business, genius.

- Yes, sir? - Fill it. The best.

What's the matter, man? You look beat.

Long hours.

Yeah, especially with all that studying you've been doing, huh?

How do you know that?

You look the type. Ambitious.

How are you going on jury duty tomorrow

with a schedule like this?

I tried to get out of it, but..

Who are you?

Just someone interested in your welfare.

Yeah, but I mean, how do you--

'I know all about you.'

Your wife's had a rough time.

You're in debt up to your ears.

'You're being thrown out of that rat trap you live in'

because of two months back rent.

You're cramming for college entrance exams.

Second time around.

Do you really think you have a prayer of making it this way?

Don't you guys ever give up, huh?

Your friend made a visit the other day.

I told him I wasn't interested

and I'm giving you the same answer.

Sure.

That'll be $4. Charge or cash?

Keep the change.

I can't change this. You got anything smaller?

That's the first time you've ever held

that much money, isn't it?

Five thousand dollars.

And that's only a down payment.

I'll double it once you vote the right way.

What's Torrance to you?

Just a name.

What difference does it make if he stays in business?

You vote guilty and the government

will pat you on the back and say thank you.

And send you right back to the gas station to work.

Use your head.

Now you're being smart.

I'll get in touch with you after the trial.

[engine revving]

[bell rings]

[theme music]

[Marvin Miller] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Robert Hooks..

Cicely Tyson..

Wesley Addy..

Robert Yuro.

Tonight's episode, "Silent Partner."

[instrumental music]

[Marvin Miller] On September 24th, Carl Torrance

powerful lord of organized crime

was brought to trial in San Diego, California

on four counts of inter-state gambling and racketeering.

For almost to weeks, US attorney Layton Simms

pursued a vigorous and well-documented prosecution

against Torrance.

Now, with the jury ready to return a verdict

conviction was considered almost a certainty.

But Simms had not anticipated the infectious reach

of La Cosa Nostra into the sanctum of the courtroom.

[door opens]

'All rise, please.'

Has the jury reached a verdict?

No, Your Honor, we're hopelessly deadlocked.

[indistinct chatter]

Order.

The jury is hereby discharged.

The defendant will continue on bail

pending motion for a new trial.

'Court's adjourned.'

[gavel bangs]

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[intercom buzzes]

I'll take it.

Hello?

'Hello?'

'Hello?'

Hello, Mr-Mr. Simms?

I'd like to ask a question about a deadlock jury.

Yes?

'Well, go ahead.'

If, if someone could prove

that a juror was bribed

would the defendant go back on trial more quickly?

Who is this, please?

Uh, it's-it's not important.

Are you talking about the Torrance case?

'Well, can't you be more specific at least?'

Hello?

Who is this?

Give me the FBI.

[instrumental music]

If there has been a jury tampering

we've got to find out about it.

Simms couldn't identify the voice as one of the jurors?

No, he couldn't.

It could've been a crank call.

Well, let's find out.

Lewis, I want you and Tom to get out to San Diego.

- 'You know Layton Simms?' - Yes.

Well, I want to move fast on this.

If they did reach a juror

and if he's wavering on a confession

I want him uncovered before Torrance steadies him.

With this mistrial and with the legal recourses we can employ.

It could be possible to delay the government's case

at least a year.

'That will get us time for a more solid defense.'

Well, that's fine.

We've been together a good many years now, fellas.

It's been good for us.

Until now.

What would have happened if there hadn't been a mistrial?

Well, we can understand why you'd be upset, Mr. Torrance.

The day you let them put me through the gate

of a federal penitentiary, I'll be upset.

Vic!

Hello, it's good to see you.

Hello, Carl.

I just thought I'd drop by and see if you need anything.

That's my Vic, always taking care of me.

Always looking after me, worrying about me.

Don't let me interrupt anything.

No, they were just leaving.

Go get yourself another suitcase full of court orders, boys.

Keep me happy.

We'll be contacting you, Mr. Torrance.

Mr. Berris.

Ah, you make me proud, Vic.

Very proud, you make the whole family proud.

The way you handle everything, perfect.

No problems, no troubles.

Thanks.

I had a good teacher.

[laughs]

Like your father. Smart.

Quick with the charm.

[chuckles]

You'll go far.

I mentioned it to the council.

Well, I'm glad to hear that, Carl.

Here.

Flowers bring me luck.

Oh, they're beautiful.

Uncomplicated.

That's you, Vic.

You stay that way.

You've got the world by a short string.

I like it that way.

Just don't forget who's letting you hold the string.

I tried to hold him on the phone as long as I could

but he evidently panicked and hung up.

Could've been a crank.

But I don't think so. He was too frightened.

Was there anything unusual about his voice?

Nothing I could tell.

Any background sounds?

Just some traffic noises.

Probably used a public phone.

Could we find out how the individual jurors voted?

Not unless they volunteer the information.

They elected to vote by secret ballot.

Hmm.

Well, we got twelve names. Let's get started.

[dramatic music]

It's nine o'clock, hon.

Station's gonna be calling for you.

Sure.

What is it, Steve?

You haven't said two words in the past few days.

Quit buggin' me.

Hey, I'm sorry, baby.

I'm just tired, I've been up studying most of the night.

- That's all. - Yes.

I saw you asleep with your head on the desk.

Don't you think you've been hitting a little too hard?

Lainey, I've been thinkin'.

How would you like it for the both of us to take a trip, huh?

Trip?

- Where? - A vacation.

Up the coast, to one of those sea side resorts.

Give you a little rest before Junior makes the scene.

Would you like that?

Where would the money come from?

Thank you for the dream, hon.

[sighs]

Baby?

See you at 6:00, okay?

Okay.

[phone rings]

Hello?

Oh, you workin' in the late shift now, genius?

I'm just leaving, I'll be there in a few minutes.

Huh? Eh, that's a surprise.

I thought you'd be phoning in your notice.

Notice? Why?

Well, what's a rich guy like you need with a place like this?

You've been sniffing too many gas fumes, Benny.

You better take a rest.

You know, that's just what I was thinkin' of doin'.

Five thousand dollars worth of rest.

Half of what you get for putting Carl Torrance back in business.

Man, you don't know what you're talkin' 'bout.

[laughing]

Don't I?

I was watching from under a car, not ten feet away

when that mafia fixer slipped you the five big ones.

If I don't have the money by noon tomorrow

I'll be making a phone call to the federal building.

[instrumental music]

What's your problem, Steve?

Look, here's your money. I spent about 900 bucks.

I'll give it back to you as soon as I can.

I'm calling the whole thing off.

A little late, isn't it?

I know it's done, but..

Well, I don't want the money, take it.

What's got you so rattled?

Well, maybe I got a conscience.

Buy it off.

Here's the other 5000. Like we agreed.

No.

You're really uptight, man.

There's something you're not telling me?

Look..

I got a...a blackmailer on me.

- Who? - He saw you give me the money.

Benny..

Go on.

Benny who?

Forget I said it. Forget everything.

Just leave me alone.

Thanks very much, Mr. Grayson.

I'll let you know if we need any more information.

Glad to have been of help.

- Anything? - Very cooperative.

He even told me he voted Torrance guilty.

But he has no idea who hung the jury.

Hmm. Well I talked to jurors Stuarts, Callahan and Grove.

They couldn't help either.

'I completed the check on the financial statements.'

None of the jurors made any recent large bank deposits.

Still checking on outstanding purchases.

Debts that have been cleared.

- Three more to go? - Uh-huh.

Steven Harber.

You haven't been able to reach him yet?

I just called him at the house.

Uh, he wasn't in, he wasn't at work either.

Okay.

Let's find him.

[dramatic music]

Hey, Vic!

Get some trunks, the water's great.

No, no thanks.

Hey, you better go easy on that stuff.

Little early for you, isn't it?

Just celebrating.

Juror good and fixed, huh?

Yeah, you've got nothing to worry about, Carl.

There's no way he can put a finger on you.

Why, he doesn't even know my name.

He knows my name.

He's satisfied with the arrangement, no problems.

Problems? What kind of problems?

I'm asking you, Vic.

My lawyers tell me the FBI is snooping around.

Be foolish to let anything go wrong now.

Harber's in too deep.

He wouldn't talk, he'd only hang himself.

It isn't his neck that concerns me.

Now you're in charge.

You take care of me, you protect me.

Council's watching, don't let anything go wrong.

You can count on it.

I certainly hope so.

Steve, what is it?

Nothing, nothing, leave me alone.

Something's going on.

It's not just the debts and your work.

Lainey, please.

Baby, when we married, we made a bargain to share it all.

Nothing's so bad you can't tell me.

You couldn't do anything so wrong I wouldn't help you.

What makes you so certain that I've done something wrong?

I told you, all I want to do is to be left alone.

I know you.

You're decent.

You make wrong one step and it tears you apart inside.

'You couldn't stand it.'

[knock at door]

[door opens]

- Steven Harber? - Yes?

We're with the FBI. I'm Inspector Erskine.

'This is Special Agent Colby.'

W-what's wrong?

I believe you were a juror on the Carl Torrance case?

That's right, come on in.

Thank you.

This is my wife.

How do you do?

We're investigating the possibility

that someone tampered with the jury.

We'd, uh, like to talk to you about it.

Jury tampering? Who would do a foolish thing like that?

That's what we're trying to determine.

Has anyone made an attempt to, uh, contact you about this case?

No, I don't believe this.

I mean, how could anybody tamper with the federal jury?

Well, Torrance has powerful connections.

I'm sure you heard the government testimony

concerning his tie with organized crime?

Yeah.

You also had a chance to observe the other jurors.

Did you get the feeling that any of them

had made up his mind in advance?

Not that I noticed.

I mean, we argued quite a bit, and discussed both sides

as any jury would.

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Harber, a week ago, you were heavily in debt.

Since then most of your bills have been paid off.

Do you mind telling us where you got the money?

Alright, uh, I won it at the race track.

Eight, nine hundred dollars.

[Erskine] 'Can anyone verify that? Were you with someone at the time?'

No, but it's the truth.

That's your story?

That's it.

Alright, Mr. Harber, if you think of anything else

uh, would you give us a call?

Keep him under 24-hour surveillance.

I wanna know everyone he talks to.

[dispatcher] 'SD55, SD55.'

SD55, 10-8.

'SD55, standby please.'

[Cullinan] 'Inspector, this is Ted Cullinan.'

Yes, Ted?

I'm out here at, uh, Carlisle Bay

with the police, investigating an accident

if that's what it was.

The, uh, jury foreman of the Torrance trial

has just drowned. Phil Grayson.

How did it happen?

Well, he was apparently, uh, fishing in the boat.

- Somehow turned over. - 'Were there any witnesses?'

I haven't been able to locate any.

What are the police saying?

Well, he, uh, suffered a head injury.

It could have been accidental

but the police aren't ready to say yet.

Alright, stay with it, we'll be right there.

[Cullinan] '10-4.'

Hello, Benny.

Who are you?

Don't you remember me?

You're the guy who..

What do you want from me?

No, s-stay away from me.

You hear? Stay away from me.

[Benny] 'Stay away from me, you hear?'

Well, what are you bothering me for?

[screaming]

[instrumental music]

Phil didn't talk about the trial very much.

Seemed somehow depressing to him.

And I didn't wanna question him about it.

- Sit down. - Mrs. Grayson.

Did, um, did your husband go fishing very often?

At least once a week.

He was retired, you know?

Well, he must've been a pretty good sailor then.

Yes, he always owned a boat.

I see.

And, uh, did he often fish at Carlisle Bay?

Every Saturday.

You...you think someone k*lled my husband, don't you?

He suffered a head injury before drowning.

But so far, the coroner hasn't been able to determine

whether it was accidental or not.

Why would anyone hurt Phil?

Did anyone threaten him, or try to coerce him

regarding his decision at the trial?

No, no, not at all, Phil surely would've told me.

Well, we won't trouble you anymore.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me.

Hello?

It's for you.

[clears throat]

- Erskine. - Lewis, uh, Ted Cullinan.

I just got a call from the city police.

They have a DOA on a Benjamin Logan.

He was a mechanic at the Golden Gate service station

where Steve Harber works.

[Cullinan] 'He, uh, took a fall from the second story porchway'

'of his apartment.'

Anyone see it?

Yes, a woman tenant of the building.

Now, she states that, uh, she wasn't in a position

to see everything but that there was another man with Logan.

[Cullinan] 'The police are questioning her now'

'at the South Beach division.'

Alright, uh, thanks. We'll go right over.

I know, I know.

The council is always worried.

Look, anytime they don't like the way I..

Yes, yes, I'll take care of things.

You'll tell them..

Do you think they're stupid?

Do you think I'm stupid? You k*lled that mechanic.

The one from Harber's service station, didn't you?

- Carl-- - Look, why?

What's the connection?

Had Harber talked to him?

Was the guy trying to shake him down?

Tell me!

The grease monkey heard my pitch.

He was trying to tap Harber for half.

You should've put a little muscle on him.

That's all. Kept him quiet until things died down.

Okay.

- I made a mistake. - Yes.

You make a mistake.

I don't like that, I don't like that at all.

Vic, Vic! What am I going to do about you?

Come here, let me show you something.

We're a close family,, and you're a part of it.

'The boys, they're part of it.'

Me, I'm another part.

All different branches, just like this plant.

In some parts of the world

this is used as a remedy for cobra bite.

'Mimosa pudica.'

'The sensitive plant.'

And that's our family too.

We're sensitive.

So if one of us makes a mistake

he's not the only one who gets hurt.

'The other suffer too.'

When one is touched..

'...all are touched.'

Okay, Carl, you've made your point.

Good.

Have you read the newspaper, Vic?

- No, I've been busy. - 'Ah, so you have.'

Well, there's a very interesting item.

It seems that the esteemed jury foreman at my trail

has suffered a drowning accident.

Do you see the excellent opportunity that this offers?

N-not exactly.

When you're as old and scarred as I am, you'll recognize luck

when it drops in your lap.

What does luck got to do with Grayson drowning?

He can't help us.

To the contrary.

He can help us a great deal.

Now I want you to handle this job personally.

Five thousand dollars ought to be a good bribe for Mr. Grayson.

Pay off a dead man?

We're going to give the FBI

exactly what they're looking for.

A jury tampering suspect.

And I distinctly heard Mr. Logan yell..

"Stay away from me."

Could you identify the man with him?

Hmm, I'm not sure.

He was about average height and rather well-dressed

in a dark coat, a rain coat, I think.

Were you acquainted with

any of Mr. Logan's callers before this?

I-I don't think he had any.

He was pretty much of a loner.

I'd like you to look at some photographs, Mrs. Wyatt.

If you don't mind.

Well, it was rather dark.

I can't promise anything.

Well, you may be able to pick out something that you forgot

in your excitement, it sometimes happens.

Of course.

I just took a call from Mrs. Grayson.

She wants to see you immediately.

She's on her way here now.

Did she say why?

Well, she was, uh, little too excitable

'to make much sense but it seems she's uncovered evidence'

'that her husband might've been bribed.'

[dramatic music]

Have you decided yet?

Decided what?

About going to the FBI and telling them

that you took the money from those racketeers.

Didn't you realize what you were doing to yourself?

To us?

- Answer me. - Alright.

You know why I took it?

Because I got tired of you having nothing.

I got tired of us living in filth.

The day you took that money was when we started living in filth.

We can't live on with this.

There's only one way out, let me call Inspector Erskine.

No.

You know what that means? That means jail.

A stretch in the federal prison.

Is that what you want, huh? Is it?

We're gonna have ourselves.

We're gettin' outta here.

Steve.

We can't. We can't just give up everything.

Think of the future.

Y-you're almost ready for your college exams, Steve.

That's all over now, forget it.

No, you can't.

You..

[moans]

Honey, what's wrong?

You..

You can't go now, hon.

The world's gotta stop for a minute.

Junior's coming.

- Are you sure? - I'm sure.

Come over here, sit down. Come on.

[laughing]

Sit down.

[wincing]

[laughing]

Do like I say. Tell them, please, Steve.

We'll take care of you first, and then we'll see, okay?

Okay.

[Mrs. Grayson] '$5,000.'

It was hidden under the work bench in the garage.

I was getting some of Phil's things sorted out.

Ted.

Have a list of these serial numbers sent to Washington

for possible identification.

Right.

I can't bring myself to believe Phil would take a bribe

to deadlock that jury.

And you feel sure that money is a bribe?

I've tried very hard to convince myself it isn't.

My husband and I always shared everything, no secrets.

He never hid money like this in his life.

Why did he do it now?

Unless he was ashamed.

[instrumental music]

Coroner's autopsy of Phillip Grayson.

Oh.

It's impossible to tell whether the injury

was accidental or not.

[intercom buzzes]

Yes?

I'll put him on.

- It's Mr. Ward. - Oh, thanks.

- Yes, Art? - 'Lewis?'

'We checked the serial numbers on the money'

'Mrs. Grayson found in the garage.'

Yes?

It was part of a treasury issue

printed less than two months ago

and delivered to the federal reserve bank in Chicago.

So allowing for normal distribution

Grayson probably couldn't have had it more than six weeks.

Trial started four weeks ago.

That would give Torrance two weeks

to soften him up for a bribe.

The pieces could fit.

On the surface maybe.

Have you had a look at Grayson's financial statement?

Yes, I have it here.

He left an estate approximating $100,000.

Not exactly a good prospect for a bribe, was he?

Anything new on Harber?

Nothing concrete yet.

We're still working on a possible connection

with Logan's death.

Well, keep me advised.

Right, Art.

Colby's trying to reach you on line two.

Oh.

- Yes, Tom? - Lou?

I'm with the Steve Harber surveillance.

He brought his wife to the Henderson clinic.

I think she's gonna have her baby.

Alright, stay with her, I'll get back to you.

Let's assign some agents to the Henderson clinic.

I don't want anything to happen to Steven Harber and his wife.

Mrs. Wyatt made a positive identification

on a man that she says was with Benny Logan when he was k*lled.

Hmm.

Victor Berris.

Let's find out his last known address.

Have the local authorities been notified?

We have an APB out on him.

Alright, let's pay Harber another visit.

[instrumental music]

- Yes, sir? - Where's Steve Harber?

He quit.

He quit?

- When? - This afternoon.

Just said he was through and left.

You want me to fill it up?

No, never mind.

You know him?

Mr. Harber.

You got a healthy boy, he arrived at seven pounds, even.

- And my wife? - She's fine.

You can see her in a few minutes.

He offered me ten thousand dollars to, uh..

...vote Torrance, not guilty.

Go slow, Vic.

Don't get excited.

He's taken off, he quit his job.

I called his house, both he and his wife had gone.

He's pointed a finger right at himself.

The FBI grabs him and he talks, they'll get to me.

That would be most unfortunate, Vic.

If they find about you, it's only one more step to me.

You don't think I'd talk, do you?

No, of course not, Vic.

I can depend on you, I know that.

I'm flying out of here, before they break Harber open.

Now, relax.

No need for panic.

Remember, we're a family.

'We take care of each other.'

'If you get in trouble--'

Carl, I am in trouble.

What am I supposed to do?

I've got an idea.

Why don't you come over here, we'll talk about it.

Decide what to do.

No.

You're stalling me, why?

Oh, you're upset, Vic.

Relax.

I don't wanna relax.

'Oh, how can I help you when you act like this?

I'm beginning to think I don't need your help.

'Vic..'

[instrumental music]

He says he's flying out.

[dispatcher] 'SD55, SD55.'

Go ahead.

'South San Diego airport security reported that'

'Victor Berris's car has just entered'

'the airport terminal parking lot.'

Dispatch three units, immediately.

We'll be right there.

SD55, out.

[instrumental music]

[man over PA] 'Your attention, please.'

'Passengers for Taurus Airlines.'

'International flight number 114'

'for Vancouver, British Columbian.'

'Please check in, at gate number three.'

FBI.

Take some men and cover the exits.

Clay, come with us.

[man over PA] 'Your attention, please.'

'Taurus Airlines, international flight number 114'

'is now ready for boarding at gate number three.'

[man over PA] 'Your attention, please.'

'This is the final call for Taurus Airlines'

'international flight number 1-1-4 for Vancouver.'

'All passengers aboard, please.'

Come on, come on!

Hold it. FBI.

They're trying to k*ll me.

[g*nshots]

[crowd screaming]

One to all units.

Subject is on a baggage car

headed for the north end of the field.

Intercept.

And bring a car around to the, uh, baggage area, right away.

You okay?

Alright, let's roll him over.

[instrumental music]

Full statement by, Steven Harber.

Corroborating statement by, Victor Berris..

Implicating Torrance as well as himself.

Fine, Lewis. I'll take over from here.

After I get through with Berris

the state wants to press charges against him for m*rder.

Inspector, I wanted to thank you for clearing this thing up.

I should've had the courage to do it myself.

Or not even get involved in the first place.

I think Mr. Simms wants to have a word with you.

I just wanted you to know that, if you

continue to cooperate with us

you'll have every opportunity for leniency.

Well, I guess that's all I have a right to ask.

Or probably, all I deserve.

[Marvin Miller] Carl Torrance and Victor Berris

were convicted of jury tampering.

Berris was turned over to state authorities

to stand trial on the death of Benny Logan.

Steven Harber was found guilty of obstructing justice.

[theme music]

[music continues]