07x04 - The Deadly Gift

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

Just try to relax, Mr. Dalcour.

Your wife is..

...trying to come over.

[female voice] 'Frances.'

Ethel?

'Did you get my collection?'

Yes, Ethel.

I have it.

'Oh, now I see it.'

'Open the box, Frances.'

'Is that all of them?'

'Ah, yes.'

'There's my ruby pendant.'

'Thank you, Frances.'

'I feel more at home now.'

'Now close the box.'

'Go to my closet.'

'Bring me my dress.'

'The long red formal.'

'You know the one.'

[music continues]

I trusted you.

It's all been an act.

The other seances?

Everything.

Hmm?

Just a moment, Mr. Dalcour.

No more lies.

The jewels.

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI.."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr..

Also starring Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds..

With guest stars, Dana Wynter..

...Joan Van Ark..

And special guest star, Fritz Weaver.

Tonight's episode, "The Deadly Gift."

[instrumental music]

On August 3rd

Mr. Frances Dalcour of New Orleans, Louisiana

was robbed of $125,000 worth of jewelry

and knocked unconscious.

His housekeeper called the police.

The FBI entered the case after police learned

that a man matching the criminal's description

boarded a plane for Atlanta

less than an hour after the robbery.

Latent fingerprints were forwarded to the FBI

Identification Division in Washington.

[Lewis] 'Carl Ridley. Alias Charles Ridgeway.'

We've matched the latents

found at the scene with his fingerprints on file.

He has a long identification record.

Arrest for forgery. Interstate check violations.

Several convictions.

Now, he's apparently running another confidence operation

posing as a psychic.

Have we been able to interview Dalcour yet?

Not yet.

His, uh, housekeeper stated

he attended three seances with Ridgeway.

In the first two, there was a medium.

A young woman.

Does he have a history of using an accomplice?

No, and her description's pretty general.

Medium height, dark hair. Middle to late 20s.

We're giving all our officers

a description of the stolen jewelry

the housekeeper furnished us with an insurance inventory.

Now, Ridgeway's always been very clever

in choosing his victims.

He always seems to pick

only those who want to believe in him.

How potentially dangerous do you think he is?

This is the first time he's used violence.

[door opens]

Teletype from the New Orleans office, Mr. Ward.

Dalcour's condition has improved.

He may be able to be interviewed shortly.

Lewis, you and Tom better get down to New Orleans.

Contact me as soon as you've talked to Dalcour.

Ridgeway's had some success in his psychic role

he's probably aiming for higher stakes now.

[instrumental music]

Well, then, 30 guests in all.

Well, it's just right, it's not too big nor too small.

I don't know, I'll ask Julie about him.

Alright.

Have you seen Ms. Rhodes?

[Julie] 'I'm up here, Carol.'

Oh!

I was poking around and I found this terrific room

at the end of the hall, it would make a perfect upstairs den.

That was Jim's room.

Your son's?

I want to keep it just the way he left it.

Oh, Carol, I'm sorry. That was so stupid of me.

I promise no more decorating ideas unless you ask.

Nonsense. You've given me some wonderful ideas.

I should hire you professionally.

[laughing] When you get to know me better

you'll find that I always have to be doing something.

Well, then you are.

You're helping me with the party.

Oh, my secretary just called.

Do you remember my inviting a Dr. Elliot?

Yes, I think Freddy told us about him.

He's just in New Canaan for a couple of days

on a lecture tour.

We're supposed to be very lucky to get him for the party.

Huh? Doctor of what?

Parapsychology, I think.

I hope he's not one of those encounter group enthusiasts.

Why not? What's so wrong about encountering men?

Oh!

Oh, I feel like such an idiot

when I realize how I was taken in.

If you are looking for vase or other paraphernalia

there is nothing, I checked.

How did you first meet Ridgeway?

Well, I took bar in the French quarter.

We started chatting over drinks, and suddenly he, he mentioned

some things about my late wife.

What kind of things?

That she was trying to get through to me.

Oh, he described her very accurately.

But then he refused to discuss it anymore.

That's how I got involved.

I don't understand.

Well, if he had mentioned a fee or, or money

I would have been frightened off.

But he twisted it so that..

...I had to beg him to continue.

He said he had an extrasensory gift.

But that he was afraid of it.

I ended up talking him into those seances.

Well, we understand that he used

a woman for the first two seances as a medium.

Yes, he, he called her his, uh, sensitive.

Did, uh, either of them ever give you an address?

No, uh, they..

- They always contacted me. - Hmm.

And you never saw the woman again after the second seance?

No. Uh, Ridgeway did not need her any longer.

See, Ethel had broken through.

What did he mean by that?

Uh, Ridgeway..

Ridgeway took this..

'...during the second seance.'

'So he says.'

[instrumental music]

There are some legal matters to talk over.

And besides it's been weeks

since you've let me take you to dinner.

I'm sorry, Edward

but you've been wonderful trying to cheer me up.

I just hate to see a woman like you so alone.

I'm not alone. Look at all the people.

I promised Roger before he died that I'd look after you.

And you have, Edward.

I think he knew that I was always very fond of you.

Really?

Well, then Roger was a perfect husband, you know.

He was never jealous.

I would have been.

[indistinct chatter]

Who's that man?

Sir Dr. Elliot. Quite famous.

So they tell me. Excuse me.

Are you also a conchologist, Dr. Elliot?

[chuckles]

This...mollusk is fascinating, isn't it

with its, its bones on the outside?

The only creature that's beautiful in death

as it is in life.

You seem keen on that one.

Oh, this is very beautiful.

But there are others just as beautiful.

Why didn't you pick those?

Why do people do certain things?

I don't know.

You're a psychologist, doctor. You should know.

A parapsychologist.

What does that mean?

Beyond psychology, beyond the senses.

I'm interested in the sixth sense.

Oh..

Well, it's a wonderful party, Mrs. Stanford.

Thank you so much for asking me.

Why did you pick this particular cowry shell?

Was that a sixth sense?

[chuckles] You don't give up easily, do you?

I asked you a question, doctor.

I was drawn to it somehow.

My hand just reached out and touched it.

And what did you feel?

I don't know exactly. Several things.

Emotions?

Yes.

Love, hate. What were they?

Terror. Suffocation..

I don't know who you are, Dr. Elliot

or what your game is

but if you're playing parlor tricks with me..

I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Stanford.

I seemed to have touched on something.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I snapped at you.

Well, it's getting late. I must be going.

No, please don't go. I'm-I'm very sorry.

No, I got an early appointment. Thank you very much. Bye.

- What's wrong? - Oh, I did an awful thing.

I'm afraid I insulted him.

Dr. Elliot, that handsome thing?

I thought the two of you were getting along.

Julie, find out where he's staying.

- I must apologize. - Okay, but what happened?

Well, I accused him of a cheap trick.

You see, h-he picked up one of my son's shells.

And five in Jim's collection were almost identical

and yet this was the one that he picked.

[chuckles] What's so special about that one?

It was the last one that my son found before he was drowned.

[dramatic music]

Yes. It's a nice job.

Ethereal, that's what she wanted.

- Who? - Carla Todd.

See, I not only work here, I hold classes

in studio and dark room technique

and Carla was one of my students.

Can you describe her?

Maybe 26.

Medium height, long black hair.

Tell me, uh...how was this photograph made?

I'll show you.

The parent negative was the man sitting at the table.

'Then we superimpose the woman'

'from a 35 millimeter transparency.'

Weird effect. That's what Carla wanted.

Do you have any idea how we can get in touch with her?

Let's see, she filled out a registration card.

"Carla Todd."



Is this her handwriting?

Yes, it is.

Do you mind if we take it?

No, not at all.

Gee, I hope Carla is not in any trouble.

She had a talent for dark room work.

Maybe you rather have a drink?

No, no, no. Tea's fine. Thank you.

I'm so awfully sorry about last night.

- Oh, please don't be. - Hi.

- Dr. Elliot, hello. - Julie, I was just pouring..

Oh. it's alright. I can't stay.

Thanks for the ride. It was great. See you later.

- Bye. - Bye.

- She seems very nice. - Yes, she is.

- Good old friend? - No.

We've only known each other a week or so.

Julie's an old friend of friends of mine in California who rode

asking if I would look after her.

Oh, excuse me. Do you take cream?

Please.

I invited her to stay here

but she insisted on her own apartment.

Tell me more about that cowry shell last night.

It's very important.

Well, it isn't easy.

The obvious keeps getting in the way of the emotion.

'The obvious is coral reefs, white beaches, palm trees.'

And the emotion i-is terror?

Yes, terror, but then oddly

I felt, um, um, a release from this terror.

See, that shell was the last one that my son brought up

before he disappeared.

- Ah. - 'See, it happened a year ago.'

Jim was only 19.

We were in the Bahamas off Turtle Cay

and he drowned while scuba diving.

At least that's what it says in the report.

So his body was never found.

'He was collecting and photographing'

'and that shell was the last one he brought up.'

Oh, he was so excited about that

because it was so beautiful and so perfect.

And then he dove and...never came up again.

Sometimes the bottom currents can be very strong.

'He was not swept out to sea.'

That's what everybody keeps trying to tell me

but he was not.

I don't understand.

You see...I think that Jim is still alive.

[instrumental music]

You see, I think he came ashore

but on some other island or a cay.

There are many of them, you know, deserted islands.

I'm sure that these, these other cays were searched.

Thoroughly.

But a native fishermen could've picked him up.

Or Jim could've been hurt..

...an air bubble in the brain cell

that he doesn't remember who he is.

It must be so. He must be alive.

Thou canst not stir a flower

without troubling of a star.

That's a line from a poem.

That's the essence of my work actually.

You see, I believe that all of us in this world

are connected in the extrasensory

in the sixth sense that there's a

there's a common subconscious.

So you mean that I'm connected to Jim, now?

That we're communicating?

It's happened before.

It's not uncommon between mothers and sons.

The son is wounded in a w*r 6000 miles away

and the mother feels the pain.

Yes. Yes, I believe that.

Now, doctor, last night when you held the shell

you said that you felt terror, suffocation.

- Uh-huh. - That could be drowning.

Then you said you felt a release.

That could mean that Jim's alright.

Yes, it could be.

These things are spooky.

[dramatic music]

What did you say?

I said these things are..

That's all, that word spooky. It's been in my mind all night.

Why do you think it's odd?

That's not an uncommon word, I suppose

but it's one that I never use. I never use that.

Hal, Spooky is the name of Jim's dog

when he was a child. I had almost forgotten him myself.

Jim adored Spooky.

Oh, you can help me find Jim.

You're in communication with him.

Carol..

...these things are very dangerous.

Meddling in them can be very disillusioning..

Oh, Hal, please don't say no.

I know that Jim is alive someplace.

And I know that he needs me.

Please help me find him. Please.

Carol, I want to help you. You know I want to help you.

But if my sense, my intuition turns out to be wrong..

...I don't want to see you get hurt.

Answer me one question.

Last night, when you held that shell

you felt something else, didn't you?

Something you didn't tell me about.

Was it to do with life and death?

Did you feel that Jim is alive?

Or dead?

He's alive.

Yes, just a moment, he's right here. Lou.

It's Mr. Ward.

Arthur?

I was just about to call you.

We had an address on the woman Ridgeway has been working with

but it turned out to be false.

I'm sending along a registration card she filled out

maybe the Document Section can identify her handwriting.

We got a good lead on Ridgeway from the flyers

we sent out on psychics.

A man by the name of Allen Forbes

who's interested in psychic research

called our Houston office.

He thinks he might have met Ridgeway.

Good, we'll have a talk with him.

Any word on the stolen jewels?

No, nothing yet.

If he hasn't fenced them, he may be low on cash.

Alright, Lewis. Keep in touch.

Right.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Very good.

For a girl you mean.

How many times have you been married, doctor?

Oh, is that how I appear to you?

You haven't answered my question.

Just once.

First wives don't count.

This one counted.

What happened?

She found somebody else.

That's hard to believe.

Do you want to play anymore?

No, I know when I'm beaten.

I've got something to tell you.

Hal, Jim's clock.

The one in his room it's ticking again.

Well, one of the maids probably wound it.

No, I checked it. Nobody's touched it.

Carol..

...we-we've had just the greatest time.

'Hal, I want you to find Jim.'

When can we start?

I..

You know, if it's a question of..

Well, I realize that your time would be involved

and that's dear to you.

I would gladly..

Reimburse me.

Yes.

Yes, I-I-I didn't want to mention money, but..

...you know, I'd pay anything. Anything that you wanted.

And I hope I haven't insulted you.

No, you are not insulting me, not at all.

It's just..

Well, I can't devote any time to it right now.

You see, I've got to be leaving.

Are you going back to Boston?

- No, London, I'm afraid. - London?

There's interest in a parapsychology institute

I have been trying to set up.

- Well, that's wonderful. - Oh, Carol, I'm sorry.

You know I want to help you.

- A phone call for you, sir. - For me?

Yes, sir, you can take it in the bar.

You better take it. It may be London.

Pardon me.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello, Carl.

It's been a long time.

[dramatic music]

Well, Pete. How have you been?

Great now.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, I was hurting, but, uh, now I'm not.

Because I'm gonna get a piece of it, Carl.

[scoffs]

- You are way off. - 'No, you're off.'

I want a piece of the con.

Because this time you just happen to be conning

one of the richest women in Connecticut.

'And that's sayin' a lot.'

Mrs. Stanford and Ridley, the so-called psychic.

'Who was run out of Winnetka, Illinois.'

I want a big piece, Carl.

Or I will blow it.

[dramatic music]

Mr. Forbes, I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI

and this is Mr. Colby.

Gentlemen, I'm honored.

This is my first visit by the FBI.

Well, I suppose you are here about Ridgeway.

- What can I tell you about him? - How did you meet him?

Well, it was here in Houston. He called himself Faraday.

He seemed to know all about me, my reputation.

You know, thinking it over now I realize he sought me out.

Because of your books on extrasensory perception?

'Yes, he knew about them.'

I just happen to have ESP ability.

Well, smile if you want, some believe in ESP and some don't

I do, because I have it.

'My specialty is clairvoyance.'

'I seem to be aware of certain things, I just know them.'

For instance, I can always find my wife's car keys.

[Lewis] 'I don't suppose Ridgeway called you?'

No, he's much more casual than that.

Obviously planned that way by him.

First time I met him

it was in our local parapsychology meeting.

He was just passing through.

We got talking. We became friends.

I ended up inviting him home to dinner.

What exactly was he after?

Oh, I think all he wanted was to pick my brains.

My wife was aware of it before I was.

Around the third time he came to dinner

he could actually mimic me.

My mannerisms, sound of my voice.

Would you say he had extrasensory powers?

I think he depended mostly on simple psychology and hunches.

And passed himself off as a true psychic.

Men like Ridgeway give parapsychology a bad name.

- How long ago was all this? - It was last spring.

One day he simply disappeared, as fast as he appeared.

Do you have any idea where he might have gone?

'No.'

- Did he ever write to you? - Yes, he did.

Did, uh, Ridgeway have a girl with him?

No, not that I know of.

He wanted some information on voices from the grave.

It's not my specialty.

[telephone ringing]

Here's an address.

"Little Club, Indianapolis."

He's written last month.

Yes, just a minute. It's for you, inspector.

- Yes? - 'Uh, Lewis.'

Oh, hello, Arthur.

'The Document Section has identified the Carla Todd'

'handwriting you sent in.'

Her real name is Julie Rhodes.

She's been involved in confidence schemes

and served time in Florida for passing worthless checks.

She's worked as an entertainer.

We've checked all her old addresses

but haven't been able to establish her location yet.

Good, Arthur.

We have a lead on Ridgeway in Indianapolis.

Would you send me the information on her?

- Right away, Lewis. - 'Fine.'

- Well, thanks, Mr. Forbes. - My pleasure.

Listen, if you want to take the word of an old ESP man

I predict you'll find him.

Forbes.

[instrumental music]

I hope you are not deeply involved with him.

Of course not. I've only known him a short while.

Carol...you know, I'm concerned.

I'm alright, Ed.

Dr. Elliott is gonna help me find Jim.

Carol.

We've been through all this before.

You've got to stop torturing yourself.

Jim is dead.

Now that man has you believing that he's alive all over again.

But I've always believed that.

I suppose he's asking you for money.

Of course not. Just the opposite.

Just what do you know about the man?

Nothing.

Ed, you are very kind, and I know that you mean well

and that you have me and my interests at heart

but please don't spoil this.

You said it, Carol.

My job is to look after your interests.

So I'm going to check that man out.

- Edward. - Don't worry. I'll be discreet.

[instrumental music]

We're closed.

FBI.

Are you the manager?

What can I do for you?

Do you recognize this girl?

No.

How about him?

'Do you recognize him?'

No.

Well, that's funny.

He gave this as his mailing address.

Alright, what's the beef?

Have you seen either of them lately?

No, they were billed here as CR and company.

A mind reading act.

Do you have an address on them?

I had a local address, but they-they left town.

Did you book them through a theatrical agency?

Hey, yeah, the Empire Agency in New York.

They were booked out of the Empire Agency in New York.

Thank you.

[telephone ringing]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

- 'Senora Carol Stanford?' - Yes.

Who is this?

[speaking in foreign language]

Mom?

[static] 'Mom, can you hear me?'

Jim!

Oh, no! Jim!

[static] 'Hi, mom.'

Oh, darling, is it really you?

It's...it's a long story, mom. I-I haven't got much time.

W-where are you, darling? Where are you?

I've had a tough time reaching you, mom.

There been no phones.

Oh, Jim, I've been praying for this moment.

Oh, it's-it's been a year.

Mom, are you-are you there?

[Carol] 'Yes, Jim. I'm so happy.'

'Jim? Jim?'

Why did you quit?

I think she's had enough, Carla.

Oh, you should have kept her dangling.

I was gonna come on again in Spanish.

I said, she's had enough.

Hey!

You aren't hung up on her, are you?

Sometimes I think we go too far.

Somebody could get hurt.

Now, don't you go getting soft on me.

Look, you're just tired.

You've been working too hard.

Yeah, I'm alright.

Sure, you are.

But it is a beautiful con.

Our best one so far, Carl.

Find the red button, push hard, right?

Yeah.

You know, I was tempted to take her up on the invitation

to live there.

Just think what we could have found out then.

The dog in the shower enough.

[sighs] Spooky was easy.

All those photographs in the album.

The shell was just luck.

The maid happened to tell me about it

when she was cleaning.

[sighs] I'll be glad when this is over.

Maybe after this one we won't have to do anymore.

We still have the jewels, don't forget.

We could go to Tangier's for a while.

[knock on door]

I got tired of waiting for you to come to me.

Nice to see you again, Ca--

Go on downstairs the apartment.

- I'll see you later. - I'll stay.

Sure. Let's all have a friendly drink.

I told you when we scored, I give you a piece.

I want little something upfront.

We haven't got anything upfront.

A little down payment you might say.

And I want it now.

And if I don't get it, I go to Mrs. Stanford

and I tell her about Winnetka.

You're still looking good, Carla.

Oh, we should've..

Pushed me in Lake Michigan, right?

Yeah.

This is ten times more than your worth.

Don't give him that! That's the one I wanted to keep!

Well, this has got to be hot. All I'll be doing is fencing it.

Alright, forget it.

- Goodnight, Pete. - I'll be back.

Didn't you hear, Pete? That is it!

That's all you're getting.

And don't try to slip out on me

because I know all of your tricks.

Don't try to bleed us, Pete, I'm warning you.

I'll be back.

Oh, no, you don't.

[dramatic music]

[grunts]

[panting]

I don't know who he is. Some, some drunk, I..

He was knocking on the apartment door next to mine

I-I answered the door, he came out, he-he took a step.

He-he staggered and he fell.

I'll just call for an ambulance.

[dramatic music]

Come on..

- Get out of here fast. - Right.

[Lewis] 'Where are they working now?'

They aren't. Business has been bad lately.

Now, what's the, uh, natural color of her hair?

Who knows?

Usually.

Oh, uh, blond, uh, fluffy and blond.

Have you seen them lately?

Yeah.

Carla was in, uh, only, uh, only last week.

Poor thing, uh, she needs money so badly

that she's down to selling her things.

What sort of things, Ms. Ashley?

Well, um, she had a diamond bracelet

I, uh, gave her a $1000 for.

I know it was worth five times that.

'But I'm, uh, thinking of it just as a loan'

'and when she gets working again, she can buy it back'

'with no interest.'

May we see the bracelet?

Oh, uh, I don't wear it to work. It's, uh, back at the apartment.

Would you mind if I send an agent over to have a look at it?

Of course not.

Why? What's wrong?

Well, frankly, Ms. Ashley

we think it may be part of a collection that was stolen.

Really?

I wonder if Carla knows that.

Yes, I think she might.

Do you have an address where she can be reached?

No, no, address. Uh, but a phone number.

She said she was staying at New Canaan, Connecticut

for some reason.

We'd appreciate it if you didn't mention we were here.

Don't worry, I won't.

[instrumental music]

[doorbell rings]

Hal.

Oh, Hal, I've been trying to call you all morning.

- I heard from Jim last night. - You heard from your son?

Yes! Yes! Jim called. It's true! He's alive!

Carol.

'It's true.'

'Jim called at a little bit after 1 o'clock last night.'

The connection was bad.

I could hardly hear what he was saying

and I don't know where the call came from.

Probably Cuba. There were some Spanish.

Carol, no.

'Let me finish.'

'I got the whole thing figured out.'

Jim was picked up by a Cuban fishing boat.

Carol, isn't it possible you dreamed that phone call?

No.

'It's very common between mother and son.'

A telepathic dream.

It's possible he was sending out some sort of emotional call.

[chuckles] No. It was real.

I tell you. I was awake.

Did you trace the call?

Oh, I didn't think of that.

Carol, I, I didn't want to just call you on the phone

and tell you..

What?

Carol, I'm sorry, I'm on my way to the airport now.

I'm flying to London.

Oh, no.

'I must. It's all set.'

You see, I got a phone call too.

But, but you've got to help me find Jim.

I can't. Not now.

I'm sorry, Carol.

Visit the institute that you were talking about?

Yes.

Look, I have a solution.

How about setting up that institute here?

Right here in the United States?

I've tried.

Wouldn't you rather have it in America?

Of course, I would

but these London people are coming up

with the first 100,000, but it must be there.

Must be now.

I'll help you.

Whatever you need, I'll underwrite.

Carol, no.

Hundred thousand you said.

Oh, Carol, don't be ridiculous.

I'm not being ridiculous. I'll get that money for you.

[instrumental music]

- Hello, do you work here? - Yeah, I'm the manager.

Oh, we're with the FBI.

Are these people still here?

They were.

H and A.

Uh, Dr. Elliot and Ms. Rhodes.

When did they check out?

Oh, very early this morning.

Any idea where they went?

No. No forwarding address.

They left in a hurry.

You see, there was an accident here last night.

A man fell down the steps. Hurt bad.

Dr. Elliot said it was an accident, but I wonder now.

Do you know the injured man's name?

No.

Where was he taken?

The emergency hospital in town.

Thank you.

That was my broker.

He's calling my bank now

about pledging the bonds for the money. It won't be long.

He's going to call me back.

Now, how do we go about it?

Well, we'll, uh..

We'll go to the Bahamas where you last saw Jim

and, uh, and we'll have charts of the area.

And we'll have the cowry shell.

And I'll hold the shell

and I'll let whatever thoughts come in to my head.

And it will happen.

And you're certain that's the man?

Yeah, that's him.

He's the one who pushed me down the steps.

Oh, I hope you get him.

Do you know where he is?

'Yeah. Conning some rich woman.'

- What's her name? - Stanford.

Mrs. Carol Stanford.

You won't have any trouble finding her place.

It's one of the largest in New Canaan.

Just east of town.

Thank you.

Well, here's the check.

The bank has finally authorized it.

Carol, I feel very guilty about this.

Oh, please forget about it.

Come. Do what you have to do with the check

and then I need your help.

When can we leave?

Carol! Anybody home?

Oh.

Julie, honey, how nice.

We're off to find Jim.

What?

[Carol] 'Yes. He telephoned last night.'

'Isn't that wonderful?'

Oh, yes, indeed.

Listen, why don't you take care of the check

and Julie will help me pack

and then you can call me back in, uh..

[telephone ringing]

Excuse me. Just a moment.

[Carol] 'Yes.'

'Please, Ed, I'm in a hurry.'

Uh, this is important, Carol.

Your Dr. Elliot doesn't exist.

Oh, come on, Ed, if this is some kind of joke..

I only wish it were. I have checked very thoroughly.

I called Boston and all the other places he mentioned.

I even called London. Dr. Elliot simply doesn't exist.

[dramatic music]

I can't believe that.

The man's obviously a fraud, Carol.

Well, I won't believe that.

You must. It's true. It really is.

C-Carol..

Carol, you, you haven't given him any money, have you?

Well, I, I just authorized a check.

Call the bank immediately and stop payment.

He's a fraud.

What's the matter, Carol?

That was my lawyer.

Hal..

Hal, he says you're a fraud.

You believe that?

I don't know what to believe.

He says I should stop the check.

Maybe I should.

You're not stopping anything.

[dramatic music]

Then it's true.

Both of you?

And Jim's telephone call too.

Oh!

We can't leave her here now.

Oh!

[dramatic music]

Carol! Don't make us hurt you!

[music continues]

Now, I've got to call the police.

[g*nsh*t]

[grunts]

[dramatic music]

Ridgeway, this is the FBI.

[g*nsh*t]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Carol..

...I'm, I'm terribly sorry.

Are you gonna be alright, Mrs. Stanford?

Yes, thank you, inspector.

He hurt me so terribly.

More than I've ever been hurt before.

I, I wanted so much to believe.

And I was believing.

I suppose in a funny way I needed that man.

I needed him to teach me that..

...my son is dead.

[male narrator] Charles Ridgeway and Julie Rhodes

were convicted in federal court

of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Ridgeway was also found guilty of assaulting federal officers.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]