05x06 - Gamble with Death

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

Hey, here he comes!

[indistinct chatter]

Any plans for an appeal?

Mr. Paisley, any comment on your client's conviction?

Well, I think the jury made a terrible mistake.

Do you still insist John Springer was innocent?

Yes!

Anything you can add to that, Mr. Springer?

No, nothing.

I'm innocent, I didn't k*ll Sharon.

I didn't k*ll anybody.

What are you gonna do now?

Alright, boys, that's enough!

That's enough.

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct clamoring]

[dramatic music]

[screaming]

[tires screeching]

John.

John!

[screeching]

No!

[indistinct chatter]

Ugh! No.

[panting]

Somebody call an ambulance!

Get a doctor, quick!

Johnny! Let me through please..

Hey, Harry, Harry, help me.

[whistling]

Oh, Harry, I..

I didn't k*ll anybody, I swear.

[gasping] Oh, Harry, Harry, please.

[sobbing]

'Harry.'

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

"A Quinn Martin Production."

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbot.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars..

Michael Callan.

Anne Helm.

Simon Scott.

And special guest star, Laraine Day.

Tonight's episode, Gamble With Death.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Three days after John Eldon Springer's

conviction and futile attempt to escape

a special delivery letter arrived at the Boston home

of Alexander York.

A key prosecution witness in Springer's m*rder trial.

Because of the letter's apparent urgency

Mrs. York opened it and read the message.

In as much as the letter was obviously an extortion attempt

threatening York and his family.

She immediately tried to telephone her husband.

Unable to reach him

she placed a frantic call to the local office of the FBI

where inspector Lewis Erskine and special agent Tom Colby

were just completing there final report

on a major kidnapping investigation.

[telephone beeps]

Erskine.

[female on the phone] 'Inspector there's a Mrs. York'

'on line one with an extortion complaint.'

'She's very upset.'

'Her husband was a witness in the Springer case.'

Well, thank you, I'll talk to her.

This is Inspector Erskine, May I help you?

Inspector, a letter just came in

for my husband, special delivery.

I opened it because it was marked "Urgent".

Someone is trying to blackmail my husband.

Ah, would you read it to me please?

I'll have someone take it down.

[Helen] 'Well..'

'The words were cut out of different publications and..

'uh, pasted to this piece of brown wrapping paper.'

It says

"Mr. York, it was you not John Springer who m*rder*d

"Sharon O'Neil.

"I saw you k*ll her.

"For $50,000, I will keep quiet..

"...or else you and your family will die.

Don't contact police. Await instructions."

Has your husband seen this?

Oh, I-I haven't been able to reach him, but..

He should be home shortly.

Ah, what's your address, please?

[Helen] 'Oh, 1317, Maple Road.'

Alight, Mrs. York.

Hold on to the note and the envelope it came in.

I wouldn't mention this to anyone else.

I'll be right out.

I understand, you were just talkin' to Mrs. York, Lewis.

Yeah, extortion complaint.

Connection with the Springer case.

Wasn't York the star witness?

As long as we are here, I suppose we ought to

interview her.

Call the bureau, will you, Tony?

Tell 'em we'll be taking a later plane.

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[birds chirping]

Alex!

Helen, what's wrong? You're as white as a ghost.

I've been trying to reach you all over town.

Why, what happened?

When did you get this?

Just a little while ago. Special delivery.

I wonder what kind of a mind

sits down and dreams up this kinda stuff.

No, don't!

The FBI wants to see it.

FBI?

I couldn't reach you, so

I called them.

They said to keep the note and the envelope.

Well, you shouldn't have bothered them?

Well, Alex..

- I was frightened and-- - Frightened of what?

You sound as if you believe this nonsense.

Of course not, but..

[door bell ringing]

- Mrs. York? - Yes?

FBI. Inspector Erskine.

'This is special agent Colby.'

Please come in, inspector.

Thank you.

My husband just got home.

He's..

Alex York, inspector.

How do you do?

- Agent Colby. - How do you do?

- Is that the note? - Oh, yes.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize it deserved so much attention.

Well, mailing a extortion letter is a federal offense, Mr. York.

Oh, I see.

Won't you sit down?

Do you have any idea, who sent this to you?

No.

Well, I suppose, crank letters like this

are very common during a m*rder trail.

My husband was a witness at the John Springer trial.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

The girl he m*rder*d had worked at my ship yard.

Incidentally, uh, do you two have children?

Ah, yes, a boy and a girl, but..

They're both away at college right now.

Oh, we'll need their addresses.

I'll get them for you.

Inspector, I didn't think they allowed mail like this

to be sent from prison.

They don't.

Now, you gentlemen are beginning to get me worried.

You really think there's something to it?

I mean, you must receive mail like this, all the time.

We do.

Probably, this will turn out to be another of them.

Here they are.

Thank you.

Well, I guess, this is all we'll be needing for now.

Thank you for coming by so quickly.

If you get another letter, you'll let us know, won't you?

- Of course. - Good day.

[intense music]

Hi, Johnny.

How you feelin'?

Well, I..

...had a long time to heal.

You okay, Amy?

Oh, I'm fine.

Baby's doin' seven weeks.

Yeah.

You look wonderful.

You mean, bulky.

But I feel good.

[male #1] 'Hey, I, uh, spoke to your lawyer, Johnny.'

'He said the appeal may go through.'

Don't they always say that?

Oh, come on, now you gotta stop thinking that way.

We're all doing everything we can to help you.

Oh, I know, I know, I'm, I'm sorry.

Just that, how can anybody help me now?

I'm not sure, there..

There might be away.

Yeah?

'Ah, you're kidding.'

Oh, come on now, would I kid you about a thing like that, huh?

Look, uh..

Johnny, are you positive York was the guy who was

secretly seeing Sharon?

Well, she..

She never said so in so many words, you know, she..

She said she had a friend that was takin' care of her.

'Umm..'

Some man that would give her all the things she wanted.

She wanted plenty too.

Well, suppose it was York.

Just suppose..

It still doesn't mean he m*rder*d her.

Why else would he lie at the trail?

Ah, maybe he just made an honest mistake.

It's happened before.

Do you really think that?

Oh, well, I..

I wouldn't blame you if you did.

'You know there was a minute back there in court'

when York was on that stand

he almost had me convinced that..

That I was the one he saw.

But Sharon never mentioned his name.

Well, she, she said something about

did I ever meet his wife or something like that.

Look, Harry, uh..

You got problems enough of your own.

You know, what with the baby and everything, uh..

Besides that trail must have cost you

every last penny you have.

We'll manage, Johnny.

Ah, easy come, easy go.

I don't know what you got in your head, but I..

I think maybe the best thing right now--

Hey cut it out, Johnny, what's a brother for?

[mellow music]

Yeah.

Do you really think you can prove that York lied?

Hey, I'm not gonna get you the long shot.

But if what you think is true, it might just work.

Honey, you're talking in riddles.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to.

I just can't..

[instrumental music]

Oh, yeah, we're going now.

Keep the faith, okay?

Yeah, yeah.

Take care of yourself, Johnny.

Bye, Amy.

Harry, don't you know that false hope

is just worse than none at all?

That's easy for us to say, we're not in there.

Besides, wild as it is, it might just work.

What might just work?

Honey, you know what I'm in the mood for? Pizza.

Harry, you're not gonna do anything foolish, are you?

Now, did you ever know me to do anything like that in my life?

Well, there's always a first time for everything.

Honey, we can't afford anymore trouble.

I mean, with the baby coming and all.

Look, I'm an honest, hardworking salesman.

Maybe a little on the dull side, but I do know

the difference between legal and ill*gal.

Now, I promise you, there's nothing to worry about, okay?

Wish I could put my finger on it.

It's almost as though he was too casual about the note.

'Somehow I got the impression he didn't want us to investigate.'

What was Mrs. York's attitude?

Oh, she was a great deal more concerned than her husband.

Do you have any record of

previous extortion letters there?

No, this is the first one.

As soon as it arrives, I'll send it over to the document section

for a comparison with anonymous extortion notes we have on file.

[Lewis] 'Arthur, if it's alright with you'

'I'd like to stay on a few days.'

Lewis, let me ask you something.

You suppose there's any possibility

the extortionist might have something?

Seems hard to believe, doesn't it?

But if he has, York's moves in the next couple of days

should tell us a great deal.

Well, you better stay there and clear it up.

I'll let you know just as soon as we have anything.

Thanks, Arthur.

Tony, find out where Alex York does his banking, will you?

If he withdraws any large sums, we should know about it.

[instrumental music]

Amy!

Amy, you home?

Amy!

[intense music]

According to our current production schedules

the hall should come up the blocks by the end of June.

With any luck, the ship should be in the water no later than--

[telephone ringing]

Mr. York's office.

[Jones on telephone] 'Is Mr. York in?'

May I ask, who's calling?

'The name's Jones.'

'I, uh, sent him a special delivery letter.'

One moment please.

Mr. Jones..

Jones? I don't know him.

Something about a special delivery letter.

Alright, I'll take it.

We'll finish that letter after lunch.

Yeah.

Hello.

[male #2] 'Price is $50,000, York.'

Who is this?

An eye witness.

I saw you k*ll Sharon O'Neil.

If this is some kind of a sick joke..

No, it's not.

I want $50,000 in cash.

Do you know what they do to people like you?

Do you think that you could m*rder a girl

in cold blood and just walk away with no one knowing?

Who is this?

$50,000 dollars, York.

In small bills or I go to the police.

If you had any evidence

you would have testified at John Springer's trail.

No one pays you for going on the witness stand

and being a good citizen.

Not the way you're gonna pay me.

How do I know you have any evidence?

I told you.

I saw you.

I was there, I can prove it.

You're bluffing.

Okay, York, suit yourself.

- 'Bye now.' - No!

Wait a minute.

I'm waiting.

How do I deliver the money?

Just get it, I'll call again.

[intense music]

Hi, honey.

Oh, I got the cutest little yellow outfit.

Only three dollars.

What's wrong with you?

Uh, nothing.

Oh, something's the matter.

- No, honey. - Is it Johnny?

No, no, it's not Johnny.

Everything's fine, just fine.

You know, all my life, I've watched other people

pull off fantastic deals

run big bluffs and I've always envied them.

Wondered where they got the nerve.

But the funny thing is, it isn't that hard.

Really isn't that hard if you just have enough guts

to stick to your g*ns

people pay your price.

Honey, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.

Are you sure you're alright?

I never felt better in my life.

Happy days.

The party who arranged this call referred to it as..

...issuing a contract, I believe.

Yes.

I don't care what it costs.

Fine.

Have your men contact me

as soon as possible.

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

Oh, you mind if I eat my lunch while we talk?

Not at all.

One of the prosecution witnesses Alexander York, uh

received a threatening letter yesterday.

Was unsigned, accusing him of murdering Sharon O'Neil.

[chuckles] Can't blame that on Johnny.

Boy is lying in the prison hospital.

I thought you might be able to tell me

something about his friends.

He hasn't any.

What about relatives?

One brother.

If he wrote a letter like that, he'd scare himself to death.

Oh, excuse me.

Ah, according to the transcript of the trial

your client accused York of giving false testimony.

Yeah, that's right.

Ah, ulcers, like a red hot poker right here.

Mind telling me about it?

No, I first noticed it when I started eating spicy--

Oh, t-the testimony, Mr. Paisley.

Oh-oh, yes.

Well, Johnny and Sharon had a little romance going

until Sharon started dating another man.

Uh, someone that could take her places and give her things

that Johnny couldn't afford.

Johnny always thought the man was Alexander York.

'Now, Alex York sat there in court and swore that he was'

working late that night.

He heard this scream from outside.

Somewhere in the ship yard.

He went out to investigate.

He saw Johnny dragging Sharon's body toward the end of the pier.

But by the time he got there, Johnny had dumped the body

in the bay and disappeared.

And Springer denies the story.

Every word of it.

Unfortunately, he has no alibi for where he was that night.

No other witnesses?

No, only York.

His testimony was the emotional turning point of the trail.

That and some circumstantial evidence was all that was needed

to convict Springer.

'And that's it.'

Yeah, no wonder my ulcers' acting up.

Well, thank you Mr. Paisley.

[instrumental music]

I want this section finished by Friday, Mac.

Put on two more men, if you have to.

- Ah, Mr. York. - I'm sorry, I'm very busy now.

Ah, my name is Webber.

I think you've been expecting me, we have a contract.

Your organization works fast.

I'm impressed.

Oh, it's all included in the price.

Well, when will Mr. Paisley be back?

Well, why can't I see him then? I can be there

in about 20 minutes.

No-no, I've gotta see him today.

Tomorrow is too late.

You don't understand, this is a matter of life and death.

I promise I won't take too long.

Fine, and thank you.

Harry.

Who was that on the phone?

Ah, just a customer, honey.

I've, uh, I've gotta go see him.

What, about a matter of life and death?

Why, it worked, didn't it? I got the appointment.

Honey, it's the new me.

Demand and you shall receive.

It's that simple.

Honey, you're crazy, you know?

Yeah, like a fox, you'll see.

Oh, honey, I don't know what's gotten in to you lately, but--

But you like me better this way, don't you?

I don't know, I didn't mind you the old way.

Hey, look, I've gotta go, I'll, uh..

I'll be home early and, uh..

Why don't you take a nap or something?

Tonight, tonight maybe we'll go out to dinner, okay?

[instrumental music]

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Mr. York just drew $8000 cash from his personal account.

That's a long way from 50,000.

Has he cashed in any other assets?

Savings, insurance, securities?

Not that we've been able to term in, inspector.

[telephone beeping]

Yes.

Oh, yes, Mr. Ward.

Yes, Arthur.

Lewis, I'm in the lab.

And I'm afraid we haven't got much for you.

We compared the extortion note

but we can't come up with an identification.

- No good latents? - Nothing readable, no.

Is there a pattern?

I mean, does it tie in with other cases

where prosecution witnesses have received threatening letters?

No. It's a strange case, Lewis.

I can't recall seeing one quite like it before.

We'll let you know as soon as anything develops.

Alright, Arthur, thank you.

- 'Good luck.' - I'll talk to you later.

Any luck back there?

Not so far.

Tony, if anything breaks, we'll be at the state prison.

Okay.

[sighing]

Harry, these hypothetical cases make me very nervous.

Get to the point.

[Harry sighs]

Okay.

Suppose, just for example

someone tells York he witnessed the m*rder.

Was he telling the truth?

No, no, it's a bluff.

But, uh, say York doesn't know that.

Now, suppose he gets scared.

Makes a deal to pay the man to keep quiet.

A man would have to be guilty to do a thing like that.

Exactly. By making the deal, he proves his guilt, right?

Well, possibly.

But, you see, that raises a number of legal questions

which the court would have to consider.

But it might get them thinking.

Thinking enough to reopen the investigation.

It might.

Might also get the man who dreamed it up

a jail sentence for extortion.

Harry, the FBI talked to me today

about an extortion letter to Alexander York.

Now, I can't just pretend

this conversation never took place and look the other way.

What do you mean?

Hey, you wrote that letter, didn't you?

Let me finish, Mr. Paisley.

This fellow was planning to go to the police.

He wants them there when the real m*rder*r

delivers the money.

Harry, you want some free advice?

Well, it's about the only kind I can afford these days.

Forget about the whole thing.

Would you, Mr. Paisley?

'If it were your brother in the state penitentiary?'

[instrumental music]

[toy rattles]

[Harry] 'Price is $50,000, York.'

[Alexander] 'Who is this?'

[Harry] 'An eyewitness.'

'I saw you k*ll Sharon O'Neal.'

[Alexander] 'If this is some kind of a sick joke..'

What are you doing?

I just want to know what's going on, Harry.

Hey, now, what are you getting upset for?

I just wanna know what's going on!

Nothing, nothing is going on.

Oh, nothing, nothing?

You call witnesses money, you call that nothing?

Now, listen to me, it's just a bluff.

I mean, I'm not really gonna go through with it.

- The police are gonna be there. - The police?

You didn't understand. Alright, I want you to listen to this.

Now, just listen. He as good as admitted he k*lled that girl.

[Alexander] 'How do I know you have any evidence?'

[Harry] 'I told you. I saw you.'

'I was there. I can prove it.'

[Alexander] 'You're bluffing.'

[Harry] 'Okay, York, suit yourself.'

'Bye, now.'

[Alexander] 'No. Wait a minute.'

[Harry] 'I'm waiting.'

[Alexander] 'How do I deliver the money?'

There, did you hear that?

Hear what? That you frightened some man out of his wits?

It's because he's guilty. That's why he's frightened.

Oh, honey, will you just think it through?

I've already thought it through.

Well, I don't know about you but I'm afraid.

I just, I just think we better talk to Mr. Paisley about this.

I already have.

- And he goes along with it? - Well, of course.

Look, honey, I don't want you to do anything.

Now, I don't want you to do anything

because I know you're gonna get into trouble.

- I just know it. - Amy, it's gonna be alright.

Hey, now where are you going?

I'm going to see Mr. Paisley

to find out what he really said.

I can't turn my back on my own brother!

- Amy, wait. - Harry, I'm going.

- Please, Amy. - No, I'm going.

- Aah! - Amy!

Amy!

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

- Mr. Springer. - Now is she, doctor?

I'm afraid we weren't able to save the baby.

Oh..

And Amy? Wha.. How-how's my wife?

Well, there's been quite a bit of internal hemorrhaging.

- We hope we've stopped it. - You hope?

Well, we won't know for a while yet.

I'm sorry, Mr. Springer. I wish I could be more encouraging.

[melancholic music]

Oh..

Springer, we're with the FBI.

We'd, uh, like to ask you a few questions if you feel up to it.

About what?

During your trial, you accused Alexander York of perjury.

Yeah, that's right. Why?

Well, York's received a letter stating that the signer

had seen him m*rder Sharon O'Neal.

That he wanted $50,000 to keep quiet.

You don't seem surprised.

Why should I? I always said York was the one that k*lled Sharon.

At this point, all we know is that

someone's trying to blackmail him.

'Whether, in fact, the extortionist'

'witnessed the m*rder is only conjecture.'

Well, who do you think it is?

We were hoping you might be able to tell us.

Has York paid that ransom yet?

Not as far as we know.

Yeah, but, I mean, like, if he does..

...wouldn't that be an admission of guilt?

No, sir.

Not in a court of law.

[Lewis] 'You see, even if someone had actually'

'seen York commit the m*rder'

as a blackmailer, his integrity on the witness stand

would be seriously damaged.

The sooner we find this individual

the more credibility his testimony may have.

Yeah, but, I mean, why did the blackmailer wait until now?

I mean, why didn't he make his move before the trial?

Could be a bluff.

Now, who would be crazy enough

to pull a bluff like that besides myself?

Mr. Springer.

When was the last time you saw your brother?

[chuckles]

My brother.

[laughs]

My brother is the biggest square alive.

What did you talk about the last time you were together?

'Did he mention York, or a letter?'

Well, he...he had some wild idea on his my mind. He..

Ah, couldn't be it.

Well, I know it couldn't.

Five o'clock. Have it there.

It'll be there.

[instrumental music]

Charlie.

[music continues]

Eight thousand dollars.

I'll meet you here tomorrow with the rest.

That's fine. Fine.

Where's the drop?

Down the coast at Ocean Bluff. Five o'clock this afternoon.

You'll see a stone wall. Leave the money there.

The man who picks up that briefcase

is the one I want k*lled.

[engine cranks]

[music continues]

Operator, get me the police.

Mr. Springer.

I-I'm sorry, I, I didn't mean to.

It's, uh, it's alright.

I'm from the hospital business office.

Your, your wife was brought in this morning.

Yes.

I'm sorry to bother you

at a time like this, Mr. Springer, but

you didn't list any insurance on your form.

Yeah, well, that's because I don't have any.

But I did leave a check for the deposit with the office.

Could you step into the office for just a moment, please?

Is, uh, is something the matter?

It'll only take a moment.

Bounced, didn't it?

These things always seem to happen at once, don't they?

Yeah. What are the charges?

Oh, so far

surgery, anesthesia

oxygen, intensive care..

I hate to burden you at a time like this

but when there's no insurance, we're required to make some..

Perhaps you could borrow from some friend?

'Or we might put you in touch'

'with a loan agency that would--'

Don't you understand?

I don't have anything. I'm broke.

I just lost my child

and my wife is in the other room fighting for her life.

Does anyone care?

Does anything matter in this life except a few measly bucks?

Is that all it comes down to?

You want the cash?

Alright. I'll get it.

Please, Mr. Springer, I-I didn't mean..

[dramatic music]

Come on, get going.

What's wrong, Alex?

Oh, I'm just tired, I guess.

Is it the extortion note?

[chuckles]

I'd almost forgotten about that.

I wish you could tell me what's happening.

Nothing's happening. Nothing very important, anyway.

Well, it's, it's important enough for quite a few drinks.

A lot of things are important enough for that.

But you've been drinking

ever since you got the extortion note.

What are you trying to say, Helen?

Let me help you.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you.

I love you very sincerely.

Sincerely.

That's a strange word for..

...people who have been married some 20 odd years.

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

You knew her, didn't you?

Who?

Sharon O'Neal, the m*rder*d girl.

That doesn't even deserve an answer.

I'm entitled to one.

Alex, look at me.

Two years after we were married

the phone rang, and a man said

"Tell your husband to stop playing around with my wife."

'I cried for weeks.'

I didn't know what to do about it.

I wanted to bring it out in the open

but I didn't have the nerve.

I was afraid you'll leave me.

Helen..

And so I thought..

...it'll be just this one.

It will pass.

But I was wrong.

'And when the others happened'

'I'd started to rationalize.'

'Some men just have to get involved with other women.'

It's a sickness like gambling or drinking.

So, I made a, a kind of..

...peace with myself.

The children were crazy about you and..

'...there was always the hope that someday you'd grow up.'

But you didn't.

It hurts, Alex.

Even after 20 years

it still hurts.

Helen, I..

Please, try and understand.

You m*rder*d that girl, didn't you?

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

You couldn't have missed him by more than

ten minutes, inspector.

[telephone rings]

Yes?

For you, inspector.

- Erskine. Yes, Tony? - 'It's Tony, Louis.'

I just got a call from Andrew Paisley

John Springer's lawyer?

He seems to feel that Harry Springer

might be involved in the extortion.

He's worried that Springer's setting up

York to gain a tacit admission of guilt.

Alright, Tony, thanks very much.

Uh, Ms. Swenson, this is inspector Erskine.

- How do you do, inspector? - Ms. Swenson.

Ms. Swenson saw Springer leave the hospital.

Do you recall the number of the cab, Ms. Swenson?

No, inspector, I'm sorry, I don't.

Or address he gave the driver?

I'm afraid not.

Do you remember the name of the cab company?

Yes, it was a Madison cab. I'm, I'm sure of that.

- That was it. Ma-Madison? - Well, thank you very much.

- You're welcome, inspector. - Thank you.

- Uh, may I use the telephone? - Of course.

[theme music]

Don't you see? It was an accident.

I didn't intend to k*ll her.

Why?

[Alex] 'Somehow she got the idea I was going to marry her.'

'When I tried to end it, she started to call you.'

I tried to take the phone away from her.

She fell.

Hit her head against the edge of a piece of heavy machinery.

And what about the boy?

John Springer, the one who went to prison?

Helen, I'm not trying to justify what I did.

But I wasn't the only one involved.

There was you and the children.

You let him go to prison for us?

Why is it so hard to accept that

I would want to protect my family?

Alex, who are you trying to protect?

Your family or yourself?

Do face facts, Helen.

What would you and the children do if I go to prison?

Four useful exciting lives thrown away for a gesture.

What about John Springer's life?

Alright. What about John Springer's life?

What has he got to offer the world?

'Does he have a lovely wife and two wonderful children?'

Does he run a shipyard with a thousand employees?

Helen, in your heart

how can you compare his life with ours?

[sobs]

In a way, I'm-I'm responsible, too.

I should've spoken up long before.

Helen..

...I love you.

We can still be happy.

How?

We don't even speak the same language.

Springer's going to be alright, I promise.

I'll make it up to him.

Inspector Erskine, please?

Right.

Agents interviewed the cab driver.

The cabbie remembers dropping Springer

at a place called Ocean Bluff.

He remembers him because he acted very nervous.

Kept changing his mind.

How far is the Ocean Bluff from here?

Not far, if you use the expressway.

Thank you.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

This is 17 to all units.

Proceed to Ocean Bluff. Seventeen out.

[music continues]

There's a path over there.

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

Hold it right there.

[g*nshots]

[g*nsh*t]

Keep him pinned down. I'll work my way around.

[g*nsh*t]

Tell unit six to come in by the main highway.

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

FBI, stay down.

[music continues]

[g*nshots]

[music continues]

Drop the g*n.

[g*nsh*t]

[groans]

I swear, it wasn't for the money.

I swear.

[instrumental music]

But when he didn't hang up after I told him

I saw him k*lled Sharon, I thought

like I had a tiger by the tail.

I could feel my heart actually stop.

I-I couldn't back out, I was already committed.

When did you decide to take the money

instead of going to the police as you originally planned?

At the hospital. That's-that's where everything caved in.

Hm, it's too bad you didn't think about the consequences.

Yeah, well, at a time like that

all I could think about was my wife.

Everything that had happened.

I didn't care what happened to me

just that Amy get through it.

Later, I figured I'd tell you.

Maybe I could still do Johnny some good

by confessing everything. I don't know.

Alright , we'll have the statement typed up.

You can read it over.

What happens to York now?

Will Johnny's case get reopened?

Well, it's ironic.

While you were out trying to collect the payoff

Mrs. York called here.

York admitted what he'd done.

He asked to make a full confession.

You mean if I hadn't gone out to that meeting..

That's right.

It almost cost you your life for nothing.

[sighs] Well, won't this mean that Johnny will be cleared?

It looks that way.

As soon as York gave his statement to the police

the warden gave your brother the news.

Gee, that's great.

Does he know about me?

Not yet.

Will I get a chance to see him?

I think that can be arranged.

Thank you, inspector.

[telephone rings]

Yes?

Mr. Springer.

Thank you, I'll tell him.

Was that the hospital?

Your wife's out of danger.

She's gonna be fine.

[male narrator] Harry Springer was convicted of extortion

and placed on probation.

Alexander York was found guilty of manslaughter

in the death of Sharon O'Neill.

He is currently serving his sentence

in a state penitentiary.

[theme music]

[music continues]