06x19 - The Fatal Connection

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

Oh, hello, Bill.

[music continues]

Meet you on Monday, one o'clock at the wild..

Why don't you try goodbye

or has that gone out of style?

You say something to me, dad?

Yeah, remind me to do a piece on courtesy.

Sure.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[typewriter keys clacking]

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[screams]

Dad?

[music continues]

Mr. Lucas! Your phone! I need to use your telephone!

[music continues]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Andrew Duggan..

...Scott Marlowe..

...Sorrell Booke..

...Dana Elcar.

Tonight's Episode

"The Fatal Connection."

[instrumental music]

On the night of March 28th

nationally syndicated columnist, Frank Conner

was shot and wounded.

At the time, Conner was conducting

an expose of criminal infiltration

in his home city of Dixon Park, Indiana.

One of Conner's neighbors was able to provide

a description of a stolen utility vehicle

used by the assailants.

And because it was discovered abandoned some 300 miles away

across state lines

the FBI entered the case.

They claim that if the b*llet entered just, uh

half an inch further over

that I'd be denied the use of the arm

but then, of course, you know doctors

and they can't simply let it go

that you got a hole in your shoulder.

They gotta lard it over

with all that doomsday flourish.

Well, you're fortunate in your choice of occupation.

At least you can type with one hand.

[chuckles] Yes, yes.

Which I thought I gave the man who shot me

a dandy of a headache. At least, it hope it does.

What do you recall about him?

Well, inspector, only that he was outfitted in overalls.

My eyes were on the g*n, I'm afraid.

I know that's not much help.

Your son was with you?

Yes, yes, luckily.

Yeah, he changed his mind at the last minute

and decided to spend the spring recess

with his old man.

If he'd gone to Florida

with his mother and his sister

I'd be much less use.

Obituaries are never very informative.

Mr. Conner, your expose of criminal activity here

has gained a great deal of attention.

You think, uh

that may have provoked the attack?

Oh, I know it did.

How can you be so sure?

Oh, every few days I get a phone call saying

"Lay off or else.."

Why didn't you report them?

[chuckles] Inspector, I've been threatened for years.

It's the price of a byline.

A negative indicator, I will admit

but a good one.

'The more heat you generate'

'the more you can be sure you're getting through.'

To whom?

Tony Sprague of course.

You think he'd be grateful for the publicity.

Do you have any proof

that Sprague was behind the calls?

Hm, not really proof.

It's just something I feel in my bones.

I.. This one especially.

[laughing]

You'll forgive my lousy jokes, inspector

they're a cover-up for a dark Irish anger.

'Without them I couldn't see straight.'

Speaking of that, does anyone in your family

wear contact lenses?

No, none, why?

One turned up with the pieces of the broken milk bottle.

Excuse me, inspector.

Some friends of Mr. Conner are here

should I have 'em come back later?

- No, we're finished. - Send them in.

Boys, this is Inspector Erskine

and Mr. Colby, the FBI.

- Mr. Erskine. - How you do.

Well, how are you? How are they treating you?

[chuckles]

- Alright.. Oh. - Oh, oh, ooh, ooh.

- Careful with the.. - Th-that's where it's..

Well, you're looking fine.

[instrumental music]

[music on TV]

[g*nshots on TV]

[music continues]

Al..

'Come here!'

[chuckles]

Cops?

[exhales]

Why don't you relax, Duke?

It's only an ordinary car.

Gotta get you one of those white canes.

[instrumental music]

Uh, yes, put him on, please.

Oh, Lewis, we have a report on that contact lens.

The shape is rather uncommon

double truncated, it's also tinted.

'That should help.'

We sent flyers to all the issuing optometrists

in the states involved.

'By the way, how's Mr. Conner coning along?'

Quite well, his wife and daughter got in

from Florida this morning.

Oh, good.

Well, Lewis, I'll be in touch.

Right, Art.

[telephone ringing]

Yeah?

Yeah, this is Duke.

What kept you?

What do you mean, we did?

Hey, you blew it!

That's right!

You said that newspaper guy was gonna be alone.

You never said nothing about some mousse kid being there.

I don't know.

Maybe we're interested, maybe we're not.

Yeah, well, uh..

As you mentioned it, that's what I meant to say.

We are interested.

Yeah, okay, okay.

Yeah, we'll be here.

They want us to go back and to finish the job.

That's crazy.

Is it?

He said if we don't

then they get us.

Sprague's office's are in that building

across the street.

He's got the usual crowd with him now.

Staubel, Luft and Cybert.

Staubel's the lawyer?

Right, he's a recent addition.

Luft is the accountant

Cybert does the collecting.

'He throws his weight around from time to time.'

Any of 'em have records?

Just Cybert.

Aggravated as*ault and extortion.

Bill.

'That's him.'

[instrumental music]

Sprague is the short one with the shoulders.

About 20 years ago

Sprague was quite an athlete in this town

but he couldn't take any criticism.

One day the coach called him down

it wasn't much, a mild rebuke.

Sprague tore him apart

broke his jaw, nearly k*lled him

'and that was the end of his athletic career.'

So now he has other people do his athletic work?

He's a big man but he hasn't changed that much.

Besides narcotics and gambling, he's gotten himself into

service industries and real estate.

'But the role's same'

he's the enforcer, tough guy

not the brain power.

You still have no idea who's behind him?

No, not yet.

The people who do know, aren't talking.

[instrumental music]

There's no evidence yet that

out of state interest might be involved?

No, inspector.

But whoever is in the background here

is working independently. At least, so far.

Alright, Bill, maintain your surveillance.

Alright.

[music continues]

You okay?

Don't I look okay?

We thought something happened.

Hey, you know what time it is?

I told you I was gonna get my hair done.

At night?

I work all day. Remember?

- No, I forgot. - Hey, would you mind?

Alright.

The lens, come on, let's have it.

Wow, what a greeting.

[sighs]

So you like?

If you lay the contact on me I might be able to tell.

Now, don't get mad, honey.

I tried, i-it just wasn't ready yet.

There was nothing I could do.

They said it would be ready.

Yeah, I know.

Wha-like, if they had the right shape in stock.

Which they didn't.

'But they promised it by noon tomorrow.'

Alright, we'll have to wait for a call tomorrow anyway.

[sighs]

Hey, go on and change your clothes

and then fix us a drink.

Don't be angry.

Sorry I yelled at you.

I thought you were waiting on her, not the call.

I was.

She's here. Let's split.

Tomorrow we get the lens

tomorrow I figure out what our next move is.

And in the meantime?

In the meantime, stop thinking, Al.

That way you won't even bug yourself.

[instrumental music]

Well, all I can say is you got a charmed life, Mr. Conner.

You beat the toughest odds you got.

What else can you tell me?

Oh, nothing. Just paying a little visit. Friend of friend.

I need more than that, Chip.

I wanna find out who made the deal for Sprague.

I wanna know who they were.

I'm tryin'.

You've given me a lot of stuff in the past, Chip.

Half of my columns I owe to the inside dope you dig up.

Yeah, but this is different.

- I could get myself k*lled. - I know that.

And for whatever it's worth, I'll double the price.

I want to find out the man responsible for this.

Now get in there and dig, Chip.

You know I'll do my best, Mr. Conner.

And not just for the money.

[instrumental music]

[Frank] 'Oh, hello, inspector.'

How are you feeling?

Well, I inhale, I exhale. Same as usual.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me, inspector.

Hello.

Yeah, this is Conner.

What?

[indistinct chatter]

Oh. It's too late.

He had a male voice, very well muffled

the usual garbage, "We missed you the first time

"but if you give us reason

we won't miss you the second time."

[chuckles]

That's what gets me, the cliche written dialogue.

[instrumental music]

[buzzing]

Yes?

Right. Just a moment. Inspector?

It's Larry Robertson calling from the Flint Resident agency.

He's got something for you.

Oh, put it on the speaker, would you, please?

Lewis Erskine, Larry. What is it?

Inspector, an optometrist who received our flyer

just called.

'They've had a prescription refill for a lens'

that matches our specification.

A woman placed the order for a customer named

"Raymond Bergan."

What do we have on him?

[Larry] 'He was released three months ago'

'from a Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta'

'after serving a term for interstate car theft.'

What's his status?

He's in violation of parole, inspector.

We're keeping the optometrist under surveillance.

Right. When will the lens be ready?

Noon today.

We're on our way.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

No sign of any contact yet, inspector.

Lou.

[music continues]

Yes, ma'am. A contact lens, wasn't it?

That's right.

Let me see now. The name was..

- Bergan. - Of course.

came in this morning.

That'll be $38.

Unit seven to all units.

'A woman with blonde hair, wearing a brown suede jacket'

'is now picking up the lens.'

Unit one to all units..

[instrumental music]

[engine turning over]

All units converge on the car.

[tire screeching]

[music continues]

Go on.

[engine revving]

[music continues]

Suspect heading north along Cushman Road

from intersection of Windmore.

[music continues]

Maybe I can cut him off.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[siren wailing]

[tires screeching]

[dramatic music]

Put your hands on your head.

Oh, boy.

[chuckles] Oh, boy.

Hey, it's like-it's like coming back from the dead.

Like I've been living in shadows.

I wanna thank you guys for going back

to my place and getting these for me.

Bergan, you have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be used against you in court.

And you can call a lawyer, if you wish.

[sighs] Uh..

Oh, what's the difference? Al's talked, ain't he?

He's told you all about Dixon Park.

Why don't you give us your version?

[sighs]

Well, a little while, after my time was up..

...I get the word that there's this, uh

newspaper man in Dixon Park

who's, you know, like stirring up things.

'And they wanted some way to...scramble him.'

Who's they?

People. People.

Anyway, I get this call

from this middleman in Dixon Park.

And what was his name?

I never found out.

I get the call and I'm to pick me up a wheelman.

I go on down to Dixon Park.

Well, I knew that Al had a loose mouth but, uh..

I mean, I didn't have time to go looking around for nobody.

I mean, I'm not an employment agency, you know.

Yeah. Well, anyway..

So, Al and me, we-we go down and meet this guy in Dixon Park.

Where exactly?

There's, uh, this alley

behind 9th Street.

And he's sitting in the car

and I get in the back, you know

just like he told me on the phone.

The price is ten grand.

Five up front, five later.

I mean, he's got everything laid out there

sketch of the house, everything.

He even picks the time, down to the hour.

And he swears, he swears to me

that this newspaper guy is gonna be alone.

Well, I thought fine, easy. Okay.

And I was too, till I run into that..

...kid.

What did this, this middleman look like?

Like a 1000 other guys.

Oh, you'll have to do better than that.

No, I can't. I never saw him.

You were in a car with him.

Yeah, but all I ever saw was the back of his head.

I mean, he never turned around.

What about when he passed you the sketch?

Uh, you know, just this.

And, uh, uh, the same

with the down payment of five grand.

Describe what you did see.

[Lewis] 'What did he looked like from the back?'

He had a...hat..

...hair...and two ears.

What color hair?

Dark, I guess.

Did he appeared to be a big man's ear?

'Little, what?'

I couldn't tell.

Hey, I mean, like, if you get in a cab at night, right?

What do you remember about a cabbie?

Alright, tell us about the car you were in.

Oh, boy. It was a car. A car.

It was a car. How did you find it?

It was parked there. You know what I mean?

And, uh, the windows on the sidewalk side

were halfway down.. This was a tip-off.

Look, if you brought this guy in this door right now

I would know him or his car.

Hey, inspector. Let me tell you something.

You treated me square, you ain't hassled me.

And I'm doing the same with you.

Now, I'm telling you the truth, that's on the level.

Alright, Bergan.

[intense music]

Is that all?

For the time being.

Come with me, please.

Well, he had a hat, hair and two ears.

All we need now is a face.

[instrumental music]

What do you think?

Very pretty.

[chuckling]

- Yes. - You like the color?

Yeah. I love it. I love that seat.

Yeah. Yeah.

[laughing]

Oh, you know what happened

wasn't the fault of the old chair.

Yes.

See, now..

[moans]

'Comfortable?'

- Very. - Good.

Now if you just write the things that will promote

that comfort rather than jeopardize it.

Did I detect at that last remark a clucking sound?

Could be.

[chuckles]

You find it hard, don't you, honey, to be subtle?

No, it's not hard, it's impossible.

[laughing]

Oh, Joan, I know that you

you prefer I write the safe stories.

You're scared. I can't blame you for that.

Oh, it isn't the idea of losing you that bothers me.

It's making that transition into widowhood.

I'm not ready for that yet.

Maybe next year, but not now.

Bloodless female.

Frank, tell me..

...have you made up your mind yet?

Not quite. But I'm getting there quickly.

Does that anti-crime campaign mean that much to you?

Is it really that important?

Yes, it is.

Yes. It's also gratifying.

You've had a lot of praise, is that what you mean?

Oh, partially, I suppose.

But I mean it's gratifying in on, on a very personal level.

You see, I feel I'm able to use my craft in a meaningful way.

And I guess, I've always had the crusader instinct.

But the praise now, there's another element.

It's good for the ego.

Let's face it, honey.

'I need that too.'

And what about fear, Frank?

You are afraid, aren't you?

All the time I was in hospital

I tried to figure out which was greater.

'Fear of being shot again, maybe k*lled.'

'Or the fear of giving in to fear.'

I still don't have an answer.

Any man as honest as you are

doesn't need a lot of clucking.

[instrumental music]

Hello, son.

Dad?

Yeah?

Well, did you just mean what you said to mom or

were you just making noises for her benefit.

About what?

Well, you said that you were afraid.

'Are you?'

Not afraid.

Scared.

Red, green, purple scared, that's all.

Oh, wow, it's really weird.

'I didn't think there was anything'

'in this world would scare you.'

Well, now you know different.

Yeah. That's really weird.

Look, if you got nothing more to add to the conversation

why don't you get out of here, so that I can get going on this.

Yeah, okay.

If Conner renews his expose

it's almost certain to trigger another attempt.

He knows that, but he's made up his mind.

Are you certain, Bergan and Rendich told you the truth?

Yes, I am, Arthur.

Who ever hired them never gave them a look at his face.

Can you approach the problem from a different angle?

Well, Tom's in Dixon Park now

rounding out a list of Conner's acquaintances.

People who know the layout of the house.

So it could be someone close to Conner.

'Can you narrow the list down any?'

I have an idea on that, I'll let you know.

Alright, Lewis. Move as swiftly as you can.

Yeah, I got six of them already.

That should give us a pretty good--

- Dad? - Yeah?

I hate to bother you, but Chip's in the kitchen.

Oh, yes, send him in. I'll call you back.

Come on in, Mr. Tyler.

Well, how does it feel to be home?

Well, I can walk two consecutive steps in any direction

without bumping into a wall.

[laughing] What?

Answer to your question, Chip, it feels just fine.

Have a seat.

What were you able to turn up?

You won't like it.

Don't fence, lay it out.

Contract's still on.

Nothing's changed.

'They want you dead.'

Who wants it?

Whoever it was before.

Nobody seems to know.

Oh, Chip, you say there's a contract still out for me.

You've learned that, but you don't know who's behind it?

Mr. Conner, I just know what I know.

- No more, no less. - Well, try more.

I gave you everything, you gotta believe me.

That was easier before you

started working both sides of the street.

Alright, Chip, here's what I want you to do.

I want you to take a message.

Back to boys to Tony Sprague or whoever else is involved.

'Tell them I'm starting a whole new series of articles

'next Monday.'

You don't mind my saying, so..

You're making a mistake.

'If you lay it off now, maybe they'll call in the contract.'

Opinion or fact?

Call it a feeling.

You tell the boys, I'm not moved.

I'm starting right where I left off

and this time I'm going the distance.

[instrumental music]

- I hope you make it. - 'Hoping wont help.'

Who's behind the contract?

You tell me that and the problem is over.

I swear on all that's holy

I don't know!

Try, Chip.

[music continues]

That's about what it looked like.

- Just that? - Yeah.

Why?

Well, it's just the rear, what about the rest of the house?

Well, you said to, uh, give you the same sketch

that the middleman gave me.

That's it.

Maybe he figured that's all I had to have.

Or maybe it's all he knew.

Maybe he'd never seen the front.

Well, I wouldn't have no opinion on that, inspector.

Alright.

You've had a chance to think about it now.

Could you recall anything distinctive, uh..

Voice, clothes, that kind of thing?

No, sir.

Did you get the idea, that he..

...knew Conner's personally?

Maybe yeah, maybe no, I couldn't say.

Wait a minute, yeah.

I'll you what I did notice.

He was, uh, very, very nervous.

Like it was his first time out. You know what I mean?

I don't mean that he was a civilian

or anything like that but..

...I got a feeling that it wasn't his usual thing.

What was his thing? Could you make a guess?

I don't.. Nothing particular.

Odd jobs.

Whatever comes along and they don't want to use

one of the regular guys, you know.

Someone they could..

...get rid of, like if they had to.

Yeah, like that.

I think we'll be going.

Thank you so much for coming by.

So nice to see you.

You too.

Bye.

Mrs. Conner, you've got quite a husband.

I know.

What he's done for this city, single handedly is, uh..

Well, it's impossible to measure, but..

...he really oughta take it easy

and rest on his laurels for a while.

He's done more than any one man should.

Mr. Garth, I wish someone could convince him of that.

Well, don't you worry, Mrs. Conner, we're going to try.

Thank you, bye.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Get in the car.

You're a little round at the eyes, Chip.

Yes, sir, I..

- 'I thought I'd be meeting--' - Tony Sprague.

Then it's you who's behind Tony.

It's you, who's pulling the strings.

You now know a great deal, Chip.

That, uh, shows how much confidence we have in you.

Well, I appreciate it, Mr. Garth.

I'm just surprised you tip your hand to anyone.

'Well, I've had to.'

You see, they're watching Tony like hawks.

So, uh, that leaves me no choice

I have to jump back in and..

...do my own work.

I-I heard this promotion of yours was dying.

Now I understand how you operate it.

Just the front, huh?

Well, the main thing is, it works.

Tony tells me that you're unhappy.

Well..

Yeah, he promised me five bills.

'I didn't get 'em.'

You think you should?

It was the guy, that's not my fault the job went sour.

But whose is it?

Those punks took an out.

They were supposed to know what they were doing.

You know, I have to deal with this kind of problem

quite a lot myself. Let me draw you a parallel.

Supposing that I hire a contractor to, uh

build some houses for me.

'Now, he in turn hires some men to do the actual work.'

Now what is the pecking order

if they don't do that work properly.

I mean.. Whom do I speak to?

- The contractor. - Exactly.

I say to him, uh

"You want your money?"

Okay.

Fix it, make it right.

You understand, what I'm saying?

[instrumental music]

Finish the job, Chip.

Finish it right.

[instrumental music]

Did he say specifically that he put the finger on Sprague?

No.

But I'll lay money he will.

What's he been doing with all this information uptil now?

Minding his own business.

Can you blame him?

Suddenly, he decides to talk and I don't know.

Chip, would you turn off that water tap for me?

Yeah.

Well, he saw in the paper that

you're gonna start another series of articles.

He figured if you had guts enough to do that

after what's happened, then he can take a chance too.

You said he works for Sprague.

Doing what?

Oh, he's day foreman

at Sprague's equipment rental place.

How did you get to him?

He got to me.

Here's the part I don't feature.

How come a stray child like that comes to me?

Why doesn't he deal with you direct?

He's afraid word'll get back if he talked, I guess.

He'd have to answer to Sprague.

Oh, I don't know.

I don't like it.

It's like you said.

Where's he been before this?

Why all of a sudden?

Now, you better pass.

Let me tell you something, Chip.

As long as people have the idea that a conspiracy can be broken

they hunker in. Keep their doors closed.

But once there's a glimmer of hope..

Somewhere along the line, if you can get one door to open

even at a crack, that means you got to step in fast.

Because if you could get that door to open

you can get another one to open.

And another and another.

I want to see this man.

Oh, please, no FBI. You'll be naked.

You set it up.

Tonight?

Tonight. Eight o'clock, pick me up here.

You sure now?

Positive.

[instrumental music]

- Hello, Nick. - Inspector.

- Mr. Colby. - Nick.

Is your father in?

Sure, I'll tell him that you're here.

Before you do..

...maybe you can give us a hand.

Sure, glad to.

Nick, you're familiar with most of these names.

As you know, there are the friends of you father's

or people he's worked with.

They've one thing in common.

All of them have been in this house at one time or another.

Yes, sir, I can see that.

We were wondering if any of them have only seen

the rear of the house, never been in this spot.

Is that possible?

Sure, uh, Phil Grouse for instance.

Our milkman, he's never been past the kitchen.

That's the idea. Any others?

Uh-huh, Jack Webster, he picks up dad's copy.

Excuse me, inspector.

Nick, where's you father?

He's in the den.

No, he isn't. He isn't any place in the house.

[instrumental music]

What's up?

Move over, you're gonna drive.

Wha-what for, Ch--

If I were you, I'd get behind that wheel.

I'm not too steady with this thing.

[intense music]

Inspector, the only visitor we noted Mr. Conner had today

was Chip Tyler.

What kind of a car was he driving?

Uh, a grey Falcon, 1964.

Could you get the license number for us, please?

- Have in a minute, sir. - Yeah.

Uh, inspector.

Uh, Chip is another one. I just remembered.

He's never been in the front part of the house

as far as I know. Only the back.

[man on radio] 'Control to unit one.'

Uh, one, go ahead.

'Agents on surveillance report.'

'Sprague and Staubel are'

'still at the equipment rental facility'

What about Cybert?

'Cybert's not with him.'



The number's 9-3-W-1-1-2-5.

Thanks, officer.

Unit one to all units.

The suspect in the Conner case is believed to be driving

a 1964 grey Falcon.

License number, 9-3-W-1-1-2-5.

If located, notify me immediately.

[dramatic music]

[man on radio] 'Unit 1, Unit 14 reports spotting suspects car'

'heading west on Weaver from Commerce.'



[music continues]

Unit 1 to all units.

Weaver Street is in the north-west quadrant, move in.

It was you that set me up the first time, wasn't it?

Why ask if you already know.

So, now, you ran all the way.

And you're holding the g*n.

Oh, what are you going to do when Sprague gets here, huh?

You're gonna leave this place

get into your car and drive home?

Sprague isn't coming.

Oh.

So, you're going to k*ll me?

I'll make it easy as I can for you.

I promise.

No, Chip.

You won't make it any way at all.

You can't.

Look at yourself.

You never were an enforcer and you're not one now.

[intense music]

No!

Turn around, both of you.

Conner, I said turn around!

Uh-uh.

I wanna make sure it's really you, Garth.

I waited a long time to find this out.

You waited too long.

Now, turn around.

No.

'I'm going to look straight at you.'

You do that.

This is FBI, throw down your g*ns.

Get down!

[intense music]

Take over.

Hold it!

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Well, I guess, now you boys will have a case

that'll hold up against Sprague and his friends.

It looks that way.

You know, I, uh, I hope you'll be able to adjust

to a normal life again.

[laughs] Oh, well, I'll just peddle my papers.

Try to find something else to sink my teeth into.

Something a little less provocative, I hope.

[laughs]

Mrs. C, by any chance do you still remember

your famous recipe for corn beef and cabbage?

Oh, I think I can remember the recipe.

Inspector Erskine and Mr. Colby, we'd like it very much

if you could have dinner with us before you leave town.

Oh, it sounds very nice, Mr. Conner.

Thank you.

[male narrator] Ed Garth, Chip Tyler

Tony Sprague and his confederates

were convicted in state court

of attempted m*rder and sentenced to terms

in the state penitentiary.

Raymond Duke Bergan and Al Rendich were also

convicted on similar charges.

They later pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of

inter-state transportation in aid of racketeering

and inter-state car theft.

[theme music]

[music continues]