07x02 - Recurring Nightmare

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

- Hi, Wendy. - Hi, Wendy.

- Oh, hi. Are you Wendy Rankin? - Uh-huh.

Well, listen, I'm from the stables

and, uh, I'm sorry but they said

your horse has got a loose shoe there

and they want him brought back.

Oh.

So, you can ride on back with me in the truck

and my partner will walk him back there.

Maybe we should have asked her to join us.

Sure, it's such a bummer when you're shy.

What would you know about being shy?

I spend my nights reading about it.

Come on.

I don't remember seeing you at the stables.

Oh, we're most of the time at the grazing range.

Well, I-I'd rather walk him back myself.

Well, l-listen, the boss asked me to, you know

bring you back in the truck 'cause it's all our fault

you know, about the horse and, you know

we don't wanna put you out.

Y-you're not putting me out.

Um, I can walk back.

I'll, I'll tell it was my idea, okay?

Come on..

[yelps]

[dramatic music]

[Wendy screams]

[engine revving]

Hey! What're you doin'?

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

Also starring

Philip Abbott

William Reynolds.

With guest stars

Belinda Montgomery

Ralph Meeker

and Tim McIntire

as Dale Fisher.

"Tonight's Episode

"Recurring Nightmare.""

[instrumental music]

On April 9th, a truck matching

the description and license number

furnished by the eyewitness

to the abduction of Wendy Rankin

was found across the Colorado state line

outside Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Because the victim apparently had been transported

across state lines

the FBI entered the case.

Yes, I have it. Thank you.

Mr. Rankin, I had just received..

[doorbell dings]

I'll get it.

- Hello. - Inspector. Colby.

Hi.

Has there been any contact yet?

No, sir. Not yet.

But agents have just located the rental agency

where the pick-up truck was rented.

The leasee matches the description given

by the eyewitnesses.

What was the name used?

Wyatt Larson.

'Agents are forwarding latent prints lifted from the truck'

'and the bureau's searching the name "Wyatt Larson."'

Has something happened?

You haven't found her?

No, I'm sorry. Not yet.

Inspector, why don't they phone? I-I don't understand.

Our little girl could be..

Why doesn't somebody do something?

I'm sorry, inspector, it's..

This awful waiting that I can't stand, it's..

It's not knowing.

We're not wealthy people, inspector.

But if we get a ransom note

'I don't care how much they ask'

'we'll pay it.'

We just want Wendy back

alive, and safe.

That's what we want too, Mr. Rankin.

Was, uh, horseback riding

one of your daughter's regular activities?

She went once or twice a week.

She was just getting to the point

where she really seemed to like it.

Do many people know about her riding

'other than the stable personnel?'

No.

We need a list of her friends, Mrs. Rankin

people she's been seeing recently.

Wendy doesn't have very many friends.

You see, she's always been very shy

withdrawn.

It's just been in the last couple of years

that she's begun to gain some confidence

to come out into the world.

'I just know this is going to drive her right back into it.'

Please get her back for us, inspector.

Please get our little girl back.

[instrumental music]

Why won't you tell me where you're taking me?

Well, I did tell you, darling. Now, just relax.

Just think of it as being kind of a little vacation.

You're so tired. Now, why don't you try and get some sleep.

No. No, I can't.

'Well, sure you can, if you try.'

Now, look, why don't you..

climb back there and curl up in the backseat

and I'll just throw my coat over you.

No, she stays where she is.

She gets in the back she might try to jump out.

Oh, now, come on, Gray, what are you trying to do

scare our girlfriend here?

Listen, now just put your head on my shoulder and..

Okay, but I mean, look at yourself

you're just a nervous wreck

and there's no need for it.

Nobody's gonna hurt you.

My parents must be frantic by now.

No, they're not, honey.

That's why we sent them that little note.

Oh, please, what do you want?

Nothin', honey.

Just look around you, it's beautiful here.

Just take it all in and-and let your mind go

let your thoughts come out.

[intense music]

[Mr. Rankin] '"Dear mommy and daddy'

'"I just need a little time to myself'

'"away from home and with friends.'

'"Everything is just fine, so, please don't worry about me.'

'Love, Wendy."'

They must have forced her to write that.

According to what the witnesses told us

she didn't get in the truck willingly.

- Is it her handwriting? - Oh, yes, it's her handwriting.

Do you have any other examples

of her handwriting around the house?

Yes, yes, I think we do.

There's something

she never called us "mommy and daddy."

You see..

...Wendy's an adopted child.

It took her years before she could even refer to us

as her mother and father.

'Believe me, that was a momentous occasion.'

But "mommy and daddy," never.

Could be her way of telling you

she was forced to write the note.

Could be.

Did she seem preoccupied or disturbed

during the past couple of weeks?

Not at all.

- When was Wendy adopted? - When she was eight.

Here, I think these notes of Wendy's will help you.

Thank you.

Uh, where was the adoption made?

Uh, here in Denver?

No, no. In Salt Lake City.

We were living there at the time.

Well, what was her real name?

It was Williams. Gwendolyn Williams.

Have her own parents or relatives

ever tried to get in touch with her?

No, no one.

And I'm sure she'd have told us.

[telephone rings]

Hello.

It's for you, inspector.

You can take it in the hall if you like.

Thank you.

Hello.

Lewis, the Wyatt Larson you identified

as renting the truck used in the abduction

is an alias of a Dale Fisher.

We matched the latents from the truck

with his fingerprint record.

I'm sending out his identification record

and photos right away.

Dale Fisher..

What do we know about him?

'He was paroled from prison a few months ago'

'after serving a term for armed robbery.'

At present, he is in violation of his parole.

The Utah authorities have asked our assistance in locating him

under the unlawful flight statute.

Well, Salt Lake City is where Wendy was adopted.

You think there might be a connection?

I don't know. Unless Fisher's a relative.

Has there been any ransom demand yet?

No, the Rankins received a note from the girl

but it seems clear she was coerced into writing it.

Why would Fisher go to the trouble

of getting her to write a note?

Hard to say.

I think I better fly to Salt Lake, Art

and have a talk with the people at the adoption agency.

Alright, Lewis. Just keep me informed.

[dramatic music]

[sighs] Come on, get out, honey.

Stretch your legs a little bit.

Boy, it's beautiful, isn't it?

Go ahead, walk around a little.

[instrumental music]

Go ahead. Go ahead.

You sure this is the place?

This is the place.

Okay, then get to work.

Gray, you haven't been listening to anything

I've been tellin' you.

'You can't force these things.'

'Just look at her.'

You just gotta let it kind of come out.

'Cause your brain is like a little teeny computer.

'Everything you've ever done is in there.'

'It's recorded in there.'

But if something really bad happens

you just kind of cancel it all out.

Now, it's still in there, still in the computer

but it's like you've thrown away the key.

So, we've gotta take it nice and slow

and help her find those keys. It's as simple as that.

Don't lecture me.

I'm not stupid.

And reading a few books doesn't make you a genius.

[chuckles] I know that, man.

[dramatic music]

[Dale] 'What's the matter, sweetheart?'

Nothing.

Oh, come on now, what is it? You're shakin' all over.

Come on.

Now, you can tell me. Just...what is it?

It's this place, uh

there's something familiar about it to you, isn't there?

- No, I, I don't know. - Well, sure you do.

And you can tell me because I'm your friend.

No, you're not, or you'd take me home right now.

Now, you know what we're talking about

and you know exactly what this place is, so tell us.

I don't know anything. I just wanna go home.

Alright, now. Take it easy, now, honey.

You can go home anytime you want to.

- Oh, you don't mean that. - Yes, I do.

All you have to do is just..

...tell us where that money is.

What money?

The $400,000.

And you know exactly where it is.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

After I got your call, inspector

I arranged for authority to make these records available to you.

Thank you.

Gwendolyn was only with us five months.

Did you ever meet her parents, Mrs. Copeland?

No. Wendy came to us when her grandmother became too ill

to take care of her anymore.

Unfortunately, I never met the grandmother personally.

She died in the county hospital

shortly after the little thing came here.

What sort of child was Wendy?

Oh, I remember her quite well.

She was painfully shy..

...and frequently had nightmares.

Not that there's anything so unusual about that.

But, certain things she would never talk about.

- Such as? - 'Her background.'

Where she came from.

Who her parents were.

Her real name is Gwendolyn Williams, isn't it?

Yes, her parents are Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Williams

of Salt Lake.

Both deceased.

Did Wendy have any brothers or sisters?

[Mrs. Copeland] 'No.'

Do you remember anyone by the name of Fisher

among her relatives or visitors for that matter?

No, I, uh..

I don't think so.

Mrs. Copeland, have your records been tampered with recently?

We did have a burglary five weeks ago

and some petty cash was taken.

At the time I reported it

I thought it was only the money

but now that you mention it

my records were gone through.

I wonder if you'd mind if we had these

processed for fingerprints.

No, of course not.

Thank you for your cooperation.

They'll be returned to you as soon as possible.

You've been most helpful.

[instrumental music]

Here you go, darlin'.

Now, come on, take it.

[sighs] Now, I'm gonna show you something here..

...and it's nothing you have to be afraid of or anything.

I just want you to look at it

and, tell me what comes into your mind.

[instrumental music]

You remember that, Wendy?

No.

Alright, now. I know it's gonna be hard.

I.. I don't like to put you through this, darling

but there's just no other way.

You...seeing your father like this and..

You were only eight years old at that time and I..

I think you're gonna feel a lot better if you just

tell me about it.

I don't know what you're talking about.

And I feel fine, thank you.

You're just not telling me the truth, honey.

'This little vein right there on your forehead'

'is just pumpin' like a puppy out of breath.'

Now, I, I know it isn't easy losing your father

and having to go to your grandma

but, don't you wanna go home, honey?

He told me to wait.

He said he'd come back for me.

So, I waited.

[Dale] 'Alright, now where did he say he was going?'

[Wendy] 'I don't remember.'

I was scared and..

And then I heard..

...g*nshots, like..

Like firecrackers.

'I was so frightened.'

'But I ran toward the noise.'

'And..'

...when I got closer

I stopped.

The man saw me and..

And I ran.

That's when I saw him.

I guess they didn't want me to see him

but...I did.

He was just.. Just lying there by the car.

Why did you bring me here?

Easy now, take it easy.

Take your time. Now, it's..

It's all gonna come back

and, and some of it will be bad

but there's a lot of good in it too, you know?

Think of some of the good things.

Like, it must have been fun

drivin' up here with him, you know.

Do you remember drivin' up here with him?

Where, where'd he say he was going?

Away.

- We were going away. - 'That's right.'

'Now, he was headed for the Canadian border.'

But before that, that morning, before you got here

where had you been?

Where did he hide that money?

I don't remember.

Well, i-i-is there any.. Did you pass anything?

Was it on the way? Was there like a, a place or something?

Rocks.

The Indian teepees.

You saw Indian teepees?

'The rocks looked like three Indian teepees.'

My father made it a..

A story of about..

About three Indian brothers who didn't want to fight..

...and the other Indians thought they were cowards.

But they all died very bravely.

And they carved the rocks..

...to look like their teepees.

That's fine.

You did just fine.

So, that's it, huh?

Some Indian story.

We're getting there, Gray.

How?

Don't you see? It's like a puzzle.

She just gave us the first two pieces.

How do we get the rest of the pieces?

Find the rocks.

Inspector, I'm just waiting here.

Is there any way I can go with you and help find her?

Mr. Rankin, I appreciate how you feel

but you're going to help us best by remaining calm

and staying exactly where you are.

Alright, inspector.

Inspector, you have to understand

Wendy is our only child.

She couldn't be more dear if she had been our own.

You see, before we got her

the doctors told us we couldn't have any children.

She's all we have in the world.

Please let us know the moment you learn anything.

Of course.

[buzzing]

Colby.

Yes, sir. Lou, it's Mr. Ward.

- Hello, Arthur. - Hey, Lewis.

The background information from the children's home records

helped us in our file search.

Wendy's father J. S. Williams was undoubtedly

Jason Stanley Williams.

Ten years ago he and a confederate held up

a payroll office for $400,000.

That would make Wendy about eight at that time.

That's right.

Williams' partner was captured at the scene

but Williams got away with the money.

He headed up for Canada

but he stopped on his way to pick up his daughter.

'Sheriff's deputies caught him in the Wyoming National Forest'

'where Williams tried to sh**t his way out'

'but he was k*lled.'

- Was the money recovered? - No. That's just it.

Williams evidently hid it someplace in that area.

The little girl was in such a state of shock

she couldn't remember anything.

What happened to Williams' partner?

His name is Graham Newcomb.

He was released from prison last month

after completing his sentence.

His cellmate was the Dale Fisher we've been looking for.

And we developed Fisher's latent prints

on the children's home records.

The whole thing's pretty clear, isn't it?

I'm afraid it is, Lewis.

And that poor girl has to live through it all over again.

[instrumental music]

- Can I help you? - Oh, I hope so, ranger.

I, uh, have a friend with me that's a photography nut

and, uh, he's looking for some rocks around here

that's supposed to look like, uh, Indian teepees or something.

'You ever heard of that?'

I wonder if your friend might not

be thinking of Sachem Rocks.

They look like three Indian teepees.

Years ago the Indians made pilgrimages to them

to pray to an end to any natural disaster

like floods or droughts or forest fires.

Uh-huh. Uh, is that anywhere near here?

Yes, it's, uh

just past the Carson Turnout.

There's a picnic ground there too. A nice place to lunch.

Oh, this right in.. So, I take this left fork here, huh?

That's right. About a half hour from here.

Great, thanks a lot. That's a big help.

[instrumental music]

Wonder what's takin' him so long.

You're just stalling, aren't you?

You know where the money is

but you're just playing for time.

I'm talking to you!

[music continues]

Get out of there!

Gray, are you out of your head? Put that thing away.

You're givin' orders now?

You can't have a r*fle up here, man

if anybody sees us with that, we're gonna get nailed.

Come on.

If we don't get what we came after soon

we're gonna get nailed anyway.

Look, she knows where the money is, she's just stalling.

Oh, leave her alone, she told the truth

about those rocks, man.

I found out where they were. Look here.

See, there's the Carson Turnout?

Right there, Sachem Rocks.

Well, let's go.

[instrumental music]

- Gray? - 'Yeah.'

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[screams]

[panting]

That's it. From now on we do it my way.

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

This is where the gunfight occurred?

Yes, sir. I was with the sheriff's department

at that time.

We tried to take Williams alive

but we were forced to fire in self-defense.

Oh, were you able to talk to him?

No, he died immediately.

We conducted an extensive search for the money

but we never found it.

We didn't know what area he'd been in

and a rainstorm had washed out all tracks.

What about his daughter, you talk to her?

Not right away, she was in some kind of shock.

We tried later but the doctor said

she'd blocked out all memories of what happened

and to question her further would do some real damage.

The girl was staying with her grandmother then?

Right.

I'm sorry she's

been thrown into this nightmare again.

Have all ranger stations been alerted?

Yes, sir. And we're doubling security at the entrances.

Well, we've divided the area into grids

with a control point..

- Right here. - Mm-hm.

We'll be using helicopters. Why don't you keep that?

We have another copy.

Fine. If we can be of any further help, you let us know.

Thank you.

[man on radio] 'Unit Six to Unit One.'

This is One.

'Inspector, District Force Ranger Reed reports'

'that a man answering the description'

'of one of the subjects was in to see him.'

Ten-four. tell him we're on our way.

[instrumental music]

I don't see any Indian teepees.

Well, maybe we're too close or something.

Just keep looking around, honey

do you remember if you ever havin' been here before?

I warned you about stalling.

Look, I'm trying. I'm honestly trying.

But the more you threaten me the more frightened I become and..

Oh, I don't care what happens anymore, I just don't care.

You don't wanna remember, do you?

If I saw my father dead, I'd never forget.

It would take something else to make me wanna forget it.

- That's not true. - Sounds like sense to me.

I don't know what you're both talking about.

You think it's your fault, don't you?

- You're a liar! - Hey, wait a minute.

That is it, isn't it?

- No. - 'Well, sure it is.'

Your father had the money, he could have gone

right on to Canada, but he stopped and got you.

Look, he loved me. No matter what he was, he loved me.

Well, of course, he loved you

but that just made it hurt more

knowing that you'd slowed him up

'and knowing that because of you he got himself k*lled.'

- No, I did not! - That's absolutely true.

That's what you've been thinki'' all these years, isn't it?

Well, it's wrong. It's not your fault.

You've been blamin' yourself all this time for nothin'.

It's not your fault that he pulled that job

and you can't be blamed for what happened to him.

Can't you see that?

But I did slow him down.

I had a cold and it was..

It was, it was rainy and windy

and, and I didn't feel well and I begged him to stop someplace.

I even remember crying.

Where did he stop?

A cabin. I remember waking up and he..

I felt warm, he put a coat over me.

Where's the cabin?

I don't know. I..

I just remember, um..

...a-a picture on, on the wall

of an old man with a white beard.

What else, what else did you see in there?

Rocks...out the window.

The rocks, the three Indian teepees.

Get the map.

Come on, now what else?

Do you remember where he hid that money?

No.

How can you be friends with somebody like that?

Oh, he's not so bad. He's.. just a desperate man, that's all.

He thinks that money belongs to him

because all those years in prison

that's all he ever thought about.

Were you in prison with him?

Yeah.

Now, listen. I'll protect you as long as I can

but you've got to help me.

You've got to remember where that money is hidden

and this whole thing will be over.

[Graham] 'Dale!'

I think this is it. "Historical monument.

- Round Rock Cabin." - That's gotta be it.

Let's go.

[intense music]

Yes, this is the man who was here.

- Was he alone? - No, sir.

He said he had a photographer friend were looking

for a particular rock formation

shaped like some Indian teepees.

I directed him to the Sachem Rocks.

Where would that be, ranger?

Just there, past the Carson Turnout.

But you don't get a good view from there.

You're too close.

Was he driving a car?

No.

Matter of fact, he was on foot.

Maybe he had a car parked further on down the road.

You say you don't see, uh, Sachem Rocks very well

from there, where do you see it from?

Best place is right up here near the Round Rock Cabin.

- Thanks very much. - Anytime.

I'd feel a lot better if he'd seen the Rankin girl.

Well, they obviously haven't found the money yet

so they still need her.

Unit One to all units.

Subjects are believed to be in the area of Sachem Rocks.

Uh, concentrate search in Grid F-3.

[intense music]

Well, it was dark, but this looks like it.

[dramatic music]

[door lock rattling]

Look, please don't leave me alone with him.

[door banging]

[music continues]

There's those three peaks.

Yeah, they do look like teepees.

Alright, where did he bury it?

I don't know.

Uh, give me some time to think please.

Down there.

He had a shovel with him

and, he walked back up that little trail.

I, I couldn't see where he'd been

but, well, it couldn't have been too far.

He said that he'd buried it

in between the two birch trees

in the middle of, of the trail

and he'd mark the spot with

with a pile of stones.

And he said that it'd be..

it'd be safe there until we could come back for it.

Keep an eye on her.

[dramatic music]

Dale, I lied about the money. It's not there.

You what?

Look, just listen first, please.

Once he finds that money he's gonna k*ll me.

Oh, come on. Well, you know, nobody's gonna k*ll anybody.

Oh, yes, he will.

I'm not a child anymore.

I can identify him and you.

And that's what you planned all along. I know it.

But what's to stop him from k*lling you too?

'All he wants is the money, you know?'

[chuckles] Now, you're all worried about me, huh?

Well, you've been kind, and you're not like him.

And, well, if I was to show you where the money was

you'd let me go, I know it.

Do you know where the money is?

Yes.

'Look, I can tell you're just as afraid of him as I am.'

And you can have it all to yourself.

Alright. Where is it?

About half a mile. I can't tell from up here.

Let me tell you something.

If you're lyin' to me, so help me--

No, I swear.

Please, Dale. I'll take you to the money.

[exhales]

Alright. Let's go.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

Dale!

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Well, these could be their footprints.

Yeah, it appears they didn't wander very far from the car.

Well, they really didn't need to.

Can't see Sachem Rocks from here anyway.

You know, I don't think Williams would try

to bury the money on this side, Lou.

It's, uh..

...it's almost sheer rock.

[Lewis] 'Yeah, it's pretty exposed over this way.'

Well, Reed said the best view of Sachem Rocks

is from the Round Rock Cabin area.

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

Unit One to all units.

Subjects are believed to have left Sachem Rocks

and proceeded northeast.

Now, all units in grids seven, eight, and nine

concentrate in that area.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Ah..

You startled me.

You camped on site 12?

I, uh, guess you didn't read the signs

but, uh, firearms aren't permitted

in this part of the National Forest.

If you have a car nearby, why don't you

lock it in the trunk.

Yeah, I'll do that.

[music continues]

This is Ranger Harper, Promontory Rock.

I just encountered a man with a r*fle. He..

[groans]

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Alright, now we've gone over a mile

and you said it was a half a mile. Now, where is it?

Well, there were two trees, and..

Two trees? That's a lot of help, isn't it?

I-I remember water.

You see any water around here?

You tried to split us up, didn't you?

Well, you've done it!

'Cause he knows we're gone by now

and he's out looking for us with that r*fle!

Listen to me, I lied, but I'm not lying now.

I had to or you wouldn't have come

but not now.

Um, bits and pieces keep coming back to me

and I-I remember the two trees

and, and, a..

A waterfall of some size.

[instrumental music]

There's a waterfall on there.

Come on.

[instrumental music]

We'll call in our location.

[groans]

One of them jumped me.

Like the one called Newcomb.

Was he alone?

Yes. It seemed like he was lookin' for the others.

We'll get help here right away.

[Wendy] 'There used to be a waterfall over there.'

And..

...I think these are the two trees.

Where did he bury it?

There.

[dramatic music]

[helicopter whirring]

[man on radio] 'Unit Six to Unit One.'

'Helicopter 3 reports at least one or two people.'

[Tom] 'Lou.'

[man on radio] 'A man and a girl in Grid E-2'

'northwest quadrant.'

'They're standing by over Grid E-6. Over.'



Helicopter-3 spotted two people

a man and a girl in Grid E-2.

Let's go.

[instrumental music]

Dale!

[clangs]

[groans]

Hold it!

'Come here!'

[dramatic music]

[Dale groaning]

Leave him alone.

You can't just let him die.

He won't die.

[instrumental music]

Grid E-2 must be right..

...there.

Yeah.

[dramatic music]

FBI, Newcomb.

[g*nsh*t]

Wendy, down behind the rocks.

[music continues]

[g*nf*re]

Take her back.

[music continues]

Newcomb!

[g*nf*re]

[instrumental music]

Completely decomposed.

What a price to pay.

For this.

[instrumental music]

Yes.

No, not yet.

I really appreciate it. Yes, I'll tell her.

[knock on door]

I'll have June call you later.

Wendy! Oh, darling!

[both laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

Well, fellas, come on in, come on in.

[laughing]

Thank heaven.

Thank you.

Let me look at you.

How do you feel, are you alright?

Yeah, I'm fine.

I think you'll find she's a little different

from the girl you described to us.

- Different? - No, mom, really, I'm alright.

- Nothing's changed. - Hasn't it?

It's the first time you ever called me mom.

Well, what are we, what are we all standing around for?

Let's go inside and be comfortable.

[male narrator] Graham Newcomb recovered from his wounds.

He and Dale Fisher were tried and convicted

in federal court of kidnapping.

Newcomb was also found guilty of assaulting federal officers.

Fisher was convicted in state court of burglary.

They were sentenced to terms in federal penitentiaries.

[theme music]