06x15 - The Unknown Victim

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

- Hi! - Police officers, Miss.

We're conducting an investigation.

We'd like your help.

Hey, you're kidding.

- 'I'm afraid not.' - How can I help?

Uh, we'd like you to come down to the station with us. Uh..

'Look at some mug shots.'

Well, just to see if you can identify some of the men

we suspect might be pushing narcotics at your school.

Now?

If you don't mind, yes.

May I see your identification again, please.

[dramatic music]

Get into the car, please.

[theme music]

[Marvin Miller] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Tom Skerritt..

...Fabian Forte..

...Lynne Marta..

...Woodrow Parfrey.

Tonight's Episode

"Unknown Victim."

[instrumental music]

[Marvin Miller] At approximately 12:30 pm of 7th of October

the mother of Laura Singer received a ransom letter

at her Mount Vernon, New York home

post marked Newark, New Jersey

demanding $250,000

for the safe return of their daughter, Laura.

Because the kidnap ransom note had been sent through the mail

the FBI entered the case.

When did this arrive?



I called the school the minute I got it.

They said she'd left.

Does she often come home during the day?

No, never.

That's why I was surprised

when I came home and saw her car here.

Mrs. Singer, did anyone see Laura

leave for school in her car this morning?

Yes, I did.

We'd left together, inspector.

Well, then she must have come home

between the time I went shopping

and the time I returned.

When was that?

I don't know.

It was around 11, 12.

Owen what are we gonna do?

It's gonna be alright, Edith.

It's gonna be alright.

[Lewis] 'Do you have a recent photograph of Laura?'

Yes. I'll get it.

Inspector, do you think they've already k*lled Laura?

Well, there's really no way of knowing that, Mr. Singer.

But it's a possibility.

Yes, it's a possibility.

Why do they do it, inspector?

'Even if I pay the money, they must know that'

'sooner or later, they'll be caught.'

Excuse me. Am I butting in?

Laura?

Edith! Edith?

Laura!

Laura!

Wha-what's happening? What is it?

We thought you'd been kidnapped.

Kidnapped? You're joking.

This is Inspector Erskine of the FBI.

Who sent this?

We don't know yet.

Ms. Singer.

Did you drive your car from school today?

Oh, no.

Well, did someone else?

Uh, we'd rather you didn't call anyone just yet.

Don't you see?

Karen. They must have taken Karen thinking it was me.

Who's Karen?

Karen Oliver.

She's my, my under study in this play we're doing at school.

And, and I, I left my make up kit here at home

and I, I asked her to come and get it for me during lunch.

'I would have gotten it myself, except that I'

'I wanted to go over my lines.'

And, and when she, she didn't return

I, I cut my class to come home and get it myself.

Chet, call the school.

See if Karen Oliver's back yet.

Is there a...close resemblance between the two of you?

Oh, they look enough alike to be sisters.

Do you think that's what happened, inspector?

That they mistook Karen for me?

It's too soon to be sure yet.

Mrs. Singer, would you ask the servants

uh, if they've seen Ms. Oliver today?

Yes, of course.

I'll need the names and addresses of everyone

you've associated with recently.

Particularly, anyone who might have struck you as unusual.

Lou.

Karen Oliver hasn't show up for any

of her classes this afternoon.

[dramatic music]

Sheila, phone.

- Thanks. - Mm-hmm.

- Hello. - 'Sheila?'

- Yeah, Brian. - 'We got her.'

Any problems?

No. Did you think there would be?

I don't know what to think.

This whole thing sounds so crazy.

Huh! What was the matter with the way things were before?

Before Thorn?

We were doing alright.

Look, it's gonna be alright.

Don't you worry.

Why? Look, I know he's your brother.

But why did you have to get started up with him again?

Because I'm tired of swimming against the current, that's why.

Getting in the pool with everybody else.

Now, this is our chance to break out.

Alright, it's done.

Honey, will you see that nothing happens to her?

She's a nice kid.

I'll come down as soon as I get off.

Right.

Look, just remember..

...not to talk in front of her, okay?

Look, if you and she are such good pals

she could identify your voice later.

Okay.

I'll see you in a little while.

Brian..

...I love you.

Yeah, well, I love you, too.

[instrumental music]

- Mr. Oliver? - Yes.

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI.

This is Mr. Colby.

- May we come in? - Yes.

- Yes, of course. - Thank you.

These men are with the FBI.

What is it? What's the matter?

Is your daughter Karen at home?

No.

Why? What is it?

Sit down, Mrs. Oliver, Mr. Oliver.

A note was delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Singer today

stating that Laura, their daughter

was being held for ransom.

'But we've spoken with Laura'

'and there's been no attempt to abduct her.'

And, uh, while it's too soon to be certain

it's possible that the kidnappers

may have taken Karen by mistake.

Karen?

But, uh..

That doesn't make any sense.

How?

Well, at this point, all we can do is speculate.

But I understand that your daughter

bears a general resemblance to Lauran Singer?

Yes.

Laura told us that, uh..

...that she'd forgotten something at home this morning.

So, she let Karen take her car to pick it up for her.

It may be that the kidnappers, uh, followed her from school

thinking she was Laura.

I can't believe it.

We've checked the hospitals, Mrs. Oliver

and the local police.

They have no word on Karen.

If it is true..

'If the kidnappers do have Karen..'

...what will they do if they realize their mistake?

There's no way of knowing.

Just a minute.

Now, where is Laura Singer?

She's at home with her parents.

Naturally they're very disturbed with what's happened.

Relieved, too, I would imagine.

What's the FBI got so far?

The instructions are that an ad be placed in the Newark paper.

The ransom is $250,000.

Two hundred and fifty..

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?

There's no way on Earth we could raise that kind of money.

Put the ad in.

We'll raise it.

We'll raise it if we have to mortgage our lives.

[drill rattling]

Hey!

You alright?

Want anything?

Are you gonna keep me blind folded?

Yeah! Sorry.

Why are you doing this?

What do you want?

Give me that.

We want what everybody else wants, honey.

We want a good life.

To come home at night, eat a good dinner.

Drink some good wine. Get a little high.

Wanna live like everybody else, right?

[chuckles]

Only we can't 'cause we ain't got the bread.

Not yet.

But your rich daddy is gonna fix all that and give us some money.

'And if he doesn't, we're..'

[door knob rattles]

Well..

Hiya, baby.

Hey, lookey there.

She's gonna get us enough money

to buy us all anything we want.

[chuckles]

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

- 'Harry?' - Yes, Ruth.

Did you get it?

I've been everywhere.

Every bank, every savings and loan in town.

The story is the same. They'd like to help.

But their hands are tied.

With our insurance, the mortgage, everything

I figure we can raise about $30,000.

Maybe 35, but that's all.

If somebody had told me yesterday

that people could close their hearts at a time like this

I wouldn't have believed it.

We've always worked hard, but it wasn't good enough.

They've taken our daughter and we can't pay for her life.

You know what that means, Ruth?

You know what that means?

I spoke to Joe and Edna.

Joe thinks he can raise ten thousand for us.

We've been living in a dream world.

Takes something like this to make you understand

what it's all about.

The only thing that counts is money.

People don't care.

The important thing is the size of your bank balance.

Harry..

[instrumental music]

I'll get the money somehow.

Even I have to steal it.

If not, I've got an idea.

We'll go to Mr. Singer tomorrow. He'll help us.

It could have been his daughter.

Yes.

Yes, we'll, we'll get Karen home.

And it will work out.

It has to.

[instrumental music]

Coffee is still hot. Do you want some?

Yeah, thanks.

Yeah, look at that.

Not a care in the world.

It must be nice to have other people

doin' all the worryin' for you, huh?

He's doing his part.

Yeah..

Hey, if you're so unhappy with the arrangement

then why did you come to us in the first place?

Why do you think?

I don't think anything. That's why I asked you.

- Why don't you say it, huh? - Say what?

That you feel somethin' for me.

Thorn, you know I've never loved anybody

in my whole life but Brian.

Now you know that.

Hmm..

Don't you ever wonder what it would have been like

if I had met you before Brian did, huh?

[sighing] Nothing would have happened.

That's the truth. Nothing would have happened.

[sighing]

I wonder..

[instrumental music]

Who are you?

Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you.

Just tell me who you are.

Karen Oliver.

Why you?

I guess they followed me to the Singer house from school.

They must have thought I was Laura Singer.

I was driving her car.

Please.

My parents don't have any money.

They'll k*ll me.

I gonna let you go.

Listen.

Get out of here and get as far away from here as possible.

'Do you hear me?'

Use one of the backstairs.

Don't tell anybody that I let you go.

I mean, you did it yourself, okay?

Mm-hmm.

'Go on.'

Go on!

Brian, Brian, wake up!

[intense music]

[tires screeching]

There's a g*n in my pocket.

If you say anything, the cop gets it first, then you.

- Good afternoon. - How do you do, officer?

Get in the car.

[music continues]

[telephone ringing]

I'll get it.

[telephone ringing]

Ward. Oh, good, put him on.

- Lewis? - Yes, Art.

[Ward] 'We got the ransom note.'

- Any latents? - No, unfortunately.

When did Mr. Oliver place the ad in the Newark paper?

This afternoon in time for the morning edition.

Doesn't give us much time.

Now, we're checking out every lead Laura Singer

has been able to give us.

Alright, Lewis, good luck.

Stop it now! Stop it.

Stop it!

No, it wasn't his fault.

I let her go!

That's not Laura Singer.

I don't know what you mean. That's got to be her.

It was her car, it was her house.

'No, you blew it.'

That's not the right girl.

Who are you?

What's your name?

Karen.

Karen Oliver.

Karen Oliver.

You were the one that was in that record store.

You are the one that saw her and you were the one

that pointed her out to me, Bryan.

Now, I would like to know..

...how you could be so stupid, Bryan, and live.

Where were you?

You're always so quick to blame.

So quick to cop out.

I'm tired of being the fall guy, so just get off my back!

What a mess. What a stupid mess.

Look, all this crying over spilt milk

is getting us nowhere, alright?

So, why don't we just cut out now before it's too late?

'Just wait a minute.'

Maybe she's got some money.

[ominous music]

Hey? Your dad loaded, too?

How about that?

You think you daddy could, uh, raise $100,000

to save his little girl's life?

Hmm?

A hundred thousand dollars, that's not so much money.

You think your daddy could raise that?

I think he could raise it.

Yes.

I think he could.

Yeah, we're back in business, guys.

Yeah, ain't life beautiful, huh?

Can you think of anyone else you've been in contact with

in the past few months who might be able to help us?

Uh, I-I think I've given you everyone I can think of.

Well, there is one I forgot. I..

I-I'm quite a record collector, you know?

I-I have an account over at the Hobbit

and there's a salesgirl there who has been very helpful.

We-we dig the same music.

- What's her name? - Sheila, Sheila Waters.

[doorbell rings]

'Hello, Mrs. Oliver.'

I'm sorry to bother you. We just haven't any other..

- Hello, Laura. - Hello, Mrs. Oliver.

Oh, I'm, I'm just so sorry.

- It's alright. It's alright. - I'd give anything--

I don't believe we've met. Owen Singer.

- It's not your fault. - Mr. Singer.

- Any word, inspector? - Not yet.

Mr. Singer, we can't raise that money.

We-we've no other place to turn to. You are our last hope.

I swear, I'll pay it back

if it takes all my life.

I'm not worried about that, Mr. Oliver.

But let me ask you a question.

What guarantee do you have that Karen's alive?

That if I give the money, she'll be released?

Can you guarantee that, inspector?

I think you know we can't.

Look, I-I know what I am about to say is going to sound

uh, well, callous.

But ever since we got that ransom note

I've been doing a lot of soul searching.

Asking myself what I would have done

if the kidnappers had taken Laura.

You would have done what any parent would.

Just what we're doing.

- No. - No?

You mean you wouldn't have paid the ransom?

'That's right.'

Because if you let those maniac's do it once

there will be no end to it.

They'll do it over and over again.

You make it sound as if it were some kind of contest.

In a way, it is.

Not to us. it's our daughter.

It would've been yours except for some quirk of fate.

Inspector, in your experience..

No, Mr. Singer.

That's something you and the Olivers have to work out.

I'm sorry, I can't help you.

But I've lived all my life according to certain principles.

And I don't think I could go against the grain now.

Well, I pity you.

[instrumental music]

That's a far out record. You're really gonna dig it.

Hi, can I help you?

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI and this is Mr. Colby.

We'd, uh, like to talk to Sheila Waters.

I'm sorry, she's not here right now.

Is there something that I can help you with?

Uh, Laura Singer is a customer of hers, isn't she?

[scoffs]

I'll say.

I wish I had a customer like that.

You know, Laura trusted her so much

that Sheila could pick out her records

and send them to her on approval.

Say, um..

...is Sheila in any kind of trouble?

- No, why? - I don't know.

I thought it maybe had something to do with her boyfriend.

He was always messing up.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

You know, fights and things like that.

He can't seem to get it together at all.

He was in prison once, too.

At least that's what the girls said.

- Do you know his name? - Hazard.

Bryan Hazard.

He was just in here the other day.

Does he come in here often?

No, it was the first time he was ever in.

That's why I remember.

He asked me who the girl was that Sheila was waiting on.

- Who was she? - Laura Singer.

Do you, uh, happen to know where Ms. Waters lives?

Mm-hmm. 12033, Lake Side.

I usually drive her home after work.

Say, uh, should I be telling you all this?

I mean, what's going on here anyway?

I'm afraid I can't answer that right now.

I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention

our being here to anyone.

Sure. Okay.

Can you describe this Bryan Hazard?

Well, let's see.

He's about 5'10", brown hair.

But, but I'm part of this, too.

Don't my feelings count for anything?

Of course they do, honey.

But in the final analysis, it's my decision.

I can't debate with you, daddy.

I never could. I-I-I'm no match for you.

But, but if you don't help the Olivers..

...I'm moving out.

I-I can't force you to stay, Laura.

I-I wouldn't, even if I could.

Owen, I know all your arguments.

I even agree with some of them, but this--

Well, you've never questioned me before.

You-you've always trusted my judgment.

But don't you think I care about that girl.

Y-you think I have no feelings for Karen Oliver?

My personal feelings aren't going to dictate

whether I allow myself to be extorted by a bunch of maniacs.

I can't turn my back on principles

that I've lived by all my life.

Karen Oliver doesn't..

...doesn't know about your principles.

She just wants to live.

What if I were the one being kidnapped?

Would your decision be the same?

So help me, yes.

Oh, I feel sorry for you, daddy.

You've become to wrapped up in your principles

that you've forgotten what it is to be human.

[phone ringing]

- Hello? - Mrs. Oliver?

Yes?

Is your daughter worth $100,000 to you, Mrs. Oliver?

Well, c-could I talk to her? Is-is she alright?

[Thorn] 'Yes, she is now, but, uh, she won't be'

'if you bring the cops in on this.'

Oh, please, let me talk to her.

A hundred thousand dollars, Mrs. Oliver.

Small denominations.

I'll call you tonight.

They want $100,000.

By tonight.

I'm not running out on Thorn.

Ran out on him once before, huh?

[Bryan] 'What's the matter? Don't you like the money?'

I don't like Thorn.

I don't like the way he comes in here and just takes over

and pushes you around.

'That's just his way. You don't know him.'

- I know enough. - What's that supposed to mean?

- Nothing. - Nothing.

Well, just don't come around knockin' Thorn to me, huh?

You know, our mother died when I was born.

My father never really got over it.

He used to get juiced, and he used to come after me.

He blamed me for my mother's death.

[scoffs]

If it hadn't been for Thorn, he would've k*lled me.

Just don't leave me alone with him, that's all.

- What? - You heard me.

Oh, yeah! Everything's going to be just fine.

Gonna make that score tonight.

[chuckles]

Okay, now.

I want you both to listen to what I've gotta say to you

'cause I got this thing very carefully laid out.

Alright?

[instrumental music]

[intercom buzzes]

Erskine. Yes.

Hello, Art.

Lewis, I have some background on Bryan Hazard.

He was convicted of the attempted robbery

of a filling station six years ago in New Jersey

with his brother Thorn.

They served sentences in the state prison.

But less than a year of their release

Thorn Hazard was convicted of robbery

in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He was released three months ago.

I have forwarded mug shots of the Hazard brothers.

- It'll help. - 'Any progress?'

Well, we have the record store and Sheila Waters' apartment

under surveillance, but so far, she hasn't shown up.

Alright, Lewis, keep me informed.

Right, Art.

- Chet. - Yes, sir.

When they arrive, circulate the Hazard brothers' pictures

to the sheriff and police officers here and in New Jersey.

Look, Waldo, when I go public, you'll be the first to know.

'Only hang on to him this time.'

'Don't go wadin' out the way you did on those Thomson shares.'

Mr. Singer?

I tried to reach you at your office.

Time has run out, Mr. Singer.

- I can't raise the $100,000. - Please, not here.

Why not? What's the matter?

Am I interrupting your party?

Don't you see? I'm going under.

There's no time for you to hold on to your principles.

Mr. Oliver.

What do you want me to do? Beg?

Alright, I'm begging.

Mr. Singer, you have everything.

I only had my daughter.

'Don't you understand? They are going to k*ll her.'

You may teach somebody a lesson

but they are going to k*ll my daughter.

How can you?

Don't you have any feelings?

Yes, sit down.

Sit down, sit down, please.

There's still some time left.

I'll find you that money.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[coin clanking]

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - 'Mr. Oliver?'

- Yes. - 'Do you have it?'

Yes.

Alright, put the money in a plain suitcase.

Go to the corner of Maple and seventh.

There's a phone booth in the corner.

I'll call you in an hour.

Can you repeat that?

Maple on seventh.

Uh, Mr. Oliver.

If you want to see your daughter alive again..

...come alone.

Not enough time for a trace, Lou.

I'd better get started.

Mr. Oliver, if you have no objection

we'd like to provide you with a small transmitter

so you can relay directions to us.

But they said they'd k*ll Karen.

It's her safety we're thinking of.

Of course, the decision is up to you.

I'll, uh, do what you suggest, inspector.

[instrumental music]

I better get going.

Sheila, I wanna know.

Has anything happened between Thorn and you?

- Why don't you ask him? - Because I'm asking you.

He made a pass at me.

You're lying.

Alright, I'm lying.

He'd never try anything like that.

Why wouldn't he?

Because he's your brother?

Bryan, when you gonna take the blinders off?

You're just trying to split us up.

You've always been jealous of Thorn and me.

Wake up, Bryan!

You're trying to hold on to two different worlds.

Look, I don't know what Thorn was like then

when you were kids.

But he's changed.

He's not just doing this for the money. It's more than that.

It's the power over somebody's life.

He'll k*ll her.

No!

Oh, I hope you're right.

[instrumental music]

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - 'Mr. Oliver?'

- Yes. - You alone?

[Mr. Oliver] 'Yes.'

Alright, take the suitcase to the corner of Lincoln and Elm.

There's a gas station there

with an outside telephone booth.

Be there in 15 minutes.

W-when are you going to release Karen?

When we get the money, Mr. Oliver.

And don't get any last second ideas about callin' the cops

'cause if anything goes wrong, Mr. Oliver..

'No, I won't, I won't.'

Lincoln and Elm.

[intense music]

Inspector.

Yes, Mr. Oliver.

'They want me to go to a gas station'

'on the corner of Lincoln and Elm.'

Alright, let me know where he directs you from there.

We have units following on parallel streets.

[music continues]

[telephone ringing]

- Hello. - Right on schedule, Mr. Oliver.

Now, what I want you to do is leave the suitcase

in the telephone booth, get into your car

and head right straight home.

You got that?

Yes, but..

When will you release Karen?

When we have the money and there's no trouble, Mr. Oliver.

[door squeaking]

- Inspector. - Yes, go ahead.

'They, uh, told me to leave the money'

'in the phone booth and I did.'

'Now I'm supposed to drive straight on home.'

Alright, we'll take over from here.

[intense music]

[footsteps approaching]

[grunting] We did it, man. Ha, ha!

We did it.

Good.

What's the matter? What are you down about?

Nothing.

[intense music]

Your daddy's a smart man, honey.

You're gonna k*ll me, aren't you?

Hmm.

[music continues]

[Thorn] Now why would I k*ll a pretty thing like you?

[gasps]

[engine revving]

She's dialing, Lou.

[intense music]

Twenty to all units.

The package has been picked up by a woman

matching Sheila Waters' description.

She's wearing a tan poncho

and maybe slacks and driving a red two door sport sedan.

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

Hey, untie her.

I'm gonna..

...drop her off on the boondocks

and meet you and Sheila back here, alright?

Why don't you let me do it, huh?

- What? - Well, I need the air.

- I said I'll do it. - No.

You're gonna k*ll her, aren't you?

[sighs]

- No, Bryan, I'm not.. - I don't believe you.

Alright, what's your problem?

All my life, I've listened to you, man.

And I've always done exactly what you told me to do.

But not now.

Not this time.

Hey, what's so different about this time now?

You really don't know, do ya?

No, I don't know and don't you worry about it!

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

You two, cover the rear.

[screams]

[screams]

[dramatic music]

[screaming]

[door rattling]

[Erskine] 'FBI, hold it right there.'

[g*nshots]

[dramatic music]

[screams]

It's alright, it's alright.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

That's wonderful.

Mother, I think it's them.

I think they're here now.

Karen.

Oh, thank you.

How do we say...

Thank you.

[Marvin Miller] Thorn Hazard recovered from his wounds.

He, Bryan Hazard and Sheila Waters were tried

and convicted in federal court of extortion and kidnapping.

They were sentenced to terms in the federal penitentiary.

[theme music]

[music continues]