08x03 - The Fatal Showdown

[bunniefuu]

He's lost too much blood, he needs a doctor.

Then why don't we just drive into the nearest police station?

'I mean, why not, kid? It amounts to the same thing.'

I can't..

Help me..

...please.

Oh, no.

No.

He's checked out.

Move in.

[instrumental music]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

[pounding on door]

[alarm ringing]

Laurie. Something's happened to her.

k*ll the alarm in front.

[pounding continues]

- Help. - Hey, it's alright.

Honey, it's alright.

I came out of the movies and some..

I was crossing the park and this man jumped out at me

but I got away and I ran here.

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Junior.

Also starring Philip Abbott

William Reynolds

with guest stars

Joseph Campanella

Wayne Maunder

Kurt Kasznar

and special guest star

Marlyn Mason

and Edward Mulhare

as Otto Strasser.

Tonight's episode

"The Fatal Showdown."

[instrumental continues]

[indistinct chatter]

[male #1] 'Now at 35000, 36 thou.. 36000's now bid.'

'Now going at 36, looking for 37.'

'Now at 36 and 37, 37, thank you, sir.'

Thirty seven thousand is now bid.

'Going at 37,000, 37, 38 for it, please.'

Going at 37-38, going at 37.

Ladies and gentlemen, need I remind you

that this is a representative example

'of Klein's early abstract work'

'and going far-far below its market value at 37000.'

'Thirty eight $38,000 for it. Now, going at 38.'

'At 38,000 one, at 38,000 twice'

'at 38000 third and final call'

'and sold $38,000, thank you very much.'

Now, ladies and gentlemen, we direct your attention

to catalog..

[bidding continues]

[telephone ringing]

Cunningham Hale Galleries.

- Al, it's me. - 'Darcie?'

Yes, I had to call.

These men, they have g*ns and they're gonna

k*ll me unless you help.

'You have to do what they say. Please, Al.'

Darcie, what are you talking about?

Look, we got her out here on the alley right out here.

We're gonna walk over there now

and you're gonna open that backdoor and let us in.

'You got it?'

What? I can't!

You better, if you want this chick alive.

- Al, please! - Wait, don't hurt her.

[sighs] I'll do it.

Alright, no alarms, no tricks. We're on our way.

[dramatic music]

[knocking on door]

Now you just worry about your girlfriend here

and forget about everything else.

[music continues]

Now, move! Move!

[grunts]

[g*nshots]

[music continues]

[grunts]

[music continues]

[Johnny] 'That-that guy'

'came out of nowhere, I..'

'I just couldn't hold on to that stuff.'

Yeah, don't sweat it, Johnny. We got what we came for.

Yeah, right. We got the big one.

[moans]

How's it look, Earl? Bad, huh?

Nah, it's nothing.

'Take it easy.'

Yeah, sure.

Oh.. Where's my baby?

Right here.

We did it, huh?

One more.

And then we'll have enough, we'll get married.

'If I make it.'

You're gonna make it, Johnny. You're gonna be fine.

I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.

[groans]

[music continues]

[male narrator] On the afternoon of April 10th

armed robbers invaded the storage area

of a well-known New York auction house.

Injured a guard

and escaped with an extremely valuable

work of sculpture.

The subjects were observed fleeing the site

in a stolen panel truck.

A few hours later

the truck was discovered abandoned

in the vicinity of Kearny, New Jersey.

Because the sculpture had been transported

across State lines

the FBI entered the case.

Worldwide interest focused on the investigation.

For the missing statue was the famed

"Florentine Woman"

of Andrea del Verrocchio.

It was valued at $300,000.

Gentlemen, this is Inspector Erskine.

Mr. Hale and Mr. Worsky.

How, how do you do?

- How do you do? - How do you do?

We never had it happen before, inspector.

Not since the first day we opened our doors.

It was insured, of course.

Yes, and as I made clear to Mr. Worsky

he will be fully compensated.

'At least with the extent of a recent expert appraisal.'

The theft occurred before the piece had a chance

'to come up for auction.'

Yes, so now

even though some of us think

a higher price would've emerged from the bidding..

Well, who can really say?

And who cares? The dollars..

What meaning have they?

The value of the work is in the art itself.

Well, if you feel that way, why did you put it up for sale?

Survival.

The need for liquid assets.

Huh!

I hated to part with her.

But what is one to do under the circumstances?

[sighs] Well, there's always the chance

they'll make a ransom demand.

Yes, I don't think that would be a problem.

Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me..

All this has been very unsettling.

I better see him out.

It might be useful to get a list

of the gallery's regular clientele.

Yes, I'll ask for a copy.

Uh, Lou, we just got word about Al Linden

the guard who was injured.

He's gonna be alright and the doctor said

we might interview him tomorrow.

Any word come in on the hostage?

She's still being held by the g*ng.

If in fact she is a hostage.

According to one of the guards we just interviewed, uh

Linden only met the girl

a week or so ago.

- What's her name? - Darcie Hill.

Well, let's see what the identification division

comes up with on the truck latents.

[instrumental music]

Uh..

He can't hold on, he just can't.

- Uh.. - He'll last.

I'm sure he's tough. He's tougher than you know.

No, he's lost too much blood.

He needs a doctor.

We'll get him one later.

He can't wait.

Then why don't we just drive into the nearest police station?

'I mean, why not, kid? It amounts to the same thing.'

Darcie, Darcie..

Hold on, darlin', it won't be much longer.

Doctor. Get doctor.

[groaning] I can't take it.

[breathing heavily] Help me..

[sobbing] ...please.

[sighs]

Oh, no!

[instrumental music]

No..

He's checked out.

Oh..

Remove anything that could identify him.

You know, stuff in his pockets

his watch, labels, all of it.

Hurry up!

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Come on. Get inside.

What happens to the Atlanta deal now?

Now that Johnny is..

We go ahead with it.

Johnny figured it'd take all four of us

to do it right.

You thought so, too.

Yeah, that was then.

Now I say it's a job for three.

Come on, get some music, will you?

Let's cheer things up in here.

[instrumental music over radio]

[instrumental music]

I'm okay, inspector, thanks.

But what about Darcie?

Isn't there any word on her, yet?

There is, but, uh..

...not in the way you mean.

I'd like you to take a look at this.

Wait, it's Darcie.

But that's a mugshot.

Does that means she has a record?

That's right.

[sighs]

Then she wasn't really a hostage.

It was just an act so I'd open the door.

What did the men with her look like?

[scoffs] They're just a blur to me, inspector.

Seeing Darcie sort of wiped everything else out.

I..

All I could think about was what I could do to save her.

What a chump!

Wow.

How did you meet the girl?

There's a coffee shop on 61st

where I always take my breaks.

'This one day she sits down next to me at the counter.'

Asked me if the omelet's are any good.

All of a sudden we had this thing going.

[sighs] I just thought she couldn't resist me.

I-I knew her for ten days.

We dated every night.

Did you, uh, meet any of her friends?

No, sir, she, uh..

She told me she was new in town and didn't know another person.

Where was she staying?

An apartment in the village.



It's a furnished place, the kind you rent by the week.

[sighs]

Now that I look back on it

it's almost obvious that she was setting me up.

I mean, there was clues on top of clues

but I never saw any of 'em.

Well, thanks for your help.

Hope you get well soon.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

We'll have a look at the cash.

I take it Canute's is the one who was shot.

How bad is he?

He's not complainin'.

You were going to work it so no one got hurt.

'My clients are little upset.'

A skin off his nose.

He's afraid this sh**ting will put more heat on the case.

Two times zero is zero.

They don't know where to begin.

- How's it add up? - Perfect.

Well..

Appreciate you steering us onto this deal, Strasser.

Maybe we can return the favor.

You have something in mind?

As a matter of fact, yeah.

We're going into the oil business.

Whereabouts?

An untouched area.

Very rich.

Big potential.

- You interested? - I don't see why not.

Call you in a couple of weeks.

Now, that's the way I like to do business.

Cash on the line.

No stalls, no hang-ups, clean all around.

For everyone except Johnny.

Look, kid.

This is a high risk business.

We all knew that comin' in, we took our chances

three of us made it, Johnny didn't.

He would have!

If he'd gotten some help.

There was nothing we could do, Darcie.

Come on, let's look at the bright side.

Seventy five grand, split three ways.

That's something to celebrate.

I want just what I went in for. A fourth.

You are entitled to a piece of Johnny's action.

No, that's for you two.

You're the ones who earned it.

Now, wait just a minute.

Earl. Leave it alone.

Let her put it in place her way.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

It's been a long time, inspector.

Six years, this month.

It feels more like twenty to me.

But that's because my life has changed so.

You appear to be doing well.

Yes. But obviously my past has come back to haunt me.

Would it have anything to do

with the Verrocchio theft?

Yes, it would.

I might add you're not the only dealer

we're talking to.

I'm glad there's nothing personal.

However, I assure you, inspector

'that I know nothing whatever of this theft'

apart from what I've read in the papers

or heard on the news casts.

No one's approached you about handling it?

Oh, you compliment me.

'My expertise is now limited to'

tea cups and Toby jugs.

I'm a merchant of clutter rather than fine art.

Just looking around I'd say that's hard to believe.

Well, there's nothing of real quality here.

Just pretty things

for decorators and little old ladies.

You used be called into appraise renaissance canvasses.

Yes, I used to be.

Nowadays, I avoid temptations like that.

- What about sculpture? - No, no.

Never, inspector.

Never had the slightest interest in sculpture.

In that case, we won't take any more of your time.

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

[instrumental music]

We're closing, folks.

Sorry, it's closing time.

We're closing.

I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.

We're closing now.

You mean it's four o' clock, already?

- It couldn't be. - Afraid it is.

[chuckles]

Well, I can see you don't care

how I make out an art appreciation.

You are right. I'm cold and heartless.

- You don't feel guilty? - Not really.

I know you can come back in the morning.

Well, what if I couldn't?

- Would you let me stay? - Sure.

- Uh.. - No, I would.

If it was only up to me.

But there are also two other guys on this shift.

Starting Monday, I go back in my regular hours.

Come on at eleven and punch out at seven the next morning.

Well, that's not too bad.

I mean, it, uh, does leave your days free.

Right.

Also gives me the best part of the evening.

In case I wanna have dinner, see a show.

When you throw someone out, you do it very nicely.

[both laughing]

My name is Vince, Vince Norton.

I'm Laurie.

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.

You probably will, I've got about

seventy more paintings I have to make notes on.

- Okay, I'll look for you. - Okay.

- Bye. - Bye.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Mr. Lubey.

- Uh, Mr. Lubey! - Yes, I'm Lubey.

Come in, please. Come in.

Uh, we're with the FBI.

I'm Inspector Erskine, this is Special Agent Colby.

I hope you don't mind our walking in on you like this.

I welcome it, inspector.

Whenever I start a new work

I need interruption.

The conceptual process is too painful.

- Would you care to join me? - Oh, no, thank you.

We'd like to talk to you about

the recent theft of Verrocchio's "Florentine Woman."

I didn't think you were to talk about the weather.

Your considered one of the leading authorities

on Renaissance sculpture in this country.

I studied under Clay Boull

who studied under Anton

who in turn was the master of the Renaissance school.

Each time the baton was passed

I'm afraid the music was less.

But no matter.

I have the bloodline, so voila.

I'm the authority.

'How can I help you?'

Well, after a theft like this, Mr. Lubey

forgeries often turn up in the market.

Sometimes, uh, commissioned by the thieves themselves.

Yes, this will be the time.

But whereabouts of the original is unknown.

Uh, how many sculptors today

could make a convincing duplicate of "Florentine Woman?"

Besides yourself.

[chuckles] Well, there's only one other.

Mehrzinger in Zurich.

And there's no one else the thieves could turn to?

No one of any competence.

[sighs] I did hear a rumor about

someone seeking a sculptor

who could a piece somewhat

in the style of Verrocchio.

'Uh, it's a phrase decorators use sometimes.'

Who was it?

Hmm.

The man is a dealer.

His name is Otto Strasser.

'He has a little showroom here'

'in town someplace.'

Yes, we know where he is.

Thank you, Mr. Lubey.

Call it a debt, long overdue.

Maestro Verrocchio.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[g*nshots]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[door closes]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Why, I guess, it's been parked out there for five minutes.

Where you been?

Picking peaches, couldn't you hear me?

[chuckles] I heard some shots, that's what.

You really had me shook there for a minute.

Then I figured, who's gonna come gunning way out here?

Who was it? Some kid poppin' out a rabbit or something?

"Rabbit" huh?

Kid poppin' out a rabbit.

You mean, you poppin' at me.

Kenny, you're going crazy?

Trouble is you missed. So now you're the rabbit.

[breathing heavily] You know..

I should've known this was coming.

You and Darcie.

You telegraphed it.

You two have been just a little too close

ever since Philly.

Ken, you're sick in the head.

Nothing's changed. I swear it, I'm with you.

Yeah!

Yeah, I know, Earl.

I know.

You're just a little too much with me.

[instrumental music]

Will you listen?

It's just like I told you.

I hear the shots, I see the car

I go charging out back

I look around through the bushes

to see if I can find you.

Or whoever's poppin' shots.

'I don't see anyone.'

So I give it up, I come back.

That's the truth, Ken, honest.

[music continues]

Who says I've been fired?

I told you, Ken.

I heard shots.

I didn't squeeze any off.

Now, if you didn't..

...who did?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Unit 12 to Control.

Uh, this is MacGregor.

What you got, Alan?

The subject is taking a crate out the backway

and putting it into his truck.

Inspector Erskine, Alan. What size is it?

About two and a half feet square, inspector.

'It looks fairly heavy.'

[engine revving]

The truck's pulling out now.

Stay with it, we'll be joining you.

'Ten-four.'

[instrumental music]

I hope that wasn't too much of a drag tonight.

"Drag?"

It wasn't anything of the sort.

Your mom's nice.

She's a real lady.

She liked you.

You know, I could tell.

[chuckles]

Hey, how about standing me to a cup of coffee?

Just-just one and I'll split.

Vincent, you know how Mrs. Holroyd has rules

about visitors in the rooms.

- Do we care? - Uh-huh!

Maybe we don't.

But what about your mom?

I'd like her to keep liking me, wouldn't you?

Yeah.

I guess so.

Will you call me tomorrow?

Uh, first thing.

[door closes]

[instrumental music]

[car door closes]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[sighs]

That was touching, that routine at the door.

Like, something out of the thirties.

You should've caught the dinner scene

that was turn of the century.

'There aren't many like him left these days.'

You wouldn't be sorry about that, would you?

I'm sorry about a lot of things.

Well, today was the big day.

I got the private-private tour of the museum.

Saw where...even where the curator keeps

his allergy pills.

I did up a diagram

and there are a couple of pages of notes.

Any special problem?

Closed circuit TV monitors for one.

[inhales]

Oh, Ken and I will put our heads together.

Try working it out so no one gets shot this time.

You're uptight, baby.

Come on, I'll buy you a drink.

Buy yourself one, I'm going to sleep.

[instrumental music]

Don't I rate the same routine the kid got?

The guys I kiss all get hurt.

'Have you noticed?'

[music continues]

[car door closes]

[instrumental music]

NY-1 to NY-12.

This is 12, inspector.

No one has approached, yet.

'The subject is still in the truck.'

Stand back, 12.

[music continues]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[speaking in foreign language]

At last, now I can sleep.

My beauty has come home.

The fee, Mr. Strasser.

'It's been a pleasure.'

Thank you, Mr. Worsky.

Move in.

[tires screeching]

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

[crash]

FBI, Worsky. Would you come with me, please?

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[music continues]

[footsteps approaching]

[door thuds]

[music intensifies]

[engine revving]

[car approaching]

You look all clutched up.

I almost got it. Couple of minutes ago.

Somebody was laying for me with a .32.

'You thinking what I'm thinking?'

You just left her at her place, didn't you?

Yeah, but I stopped off at a joint and had a few.

'She had plenty of time to wit back here.'

- She hasn't got wheels. - Or, maybe she does.

She could've rented some like I did.

She does own a .32.

Ken, I didn't lay for you the other day

and you didn't lay for me tonight.

Now, it's gotta be her.

Yeah.

Now, we dumped Johnny. That's what did her.

She's gone bananas.

The way she's going about this though..

Something tells me she's not really trying to get us.

For one thing she hasn't got the stomach for it.

You should've been here earlier.

But you're not bleeding, are you?

You said she was waiting for you.

Oh..

She's trying to gaslight us, Earl.

'She's trying to get me to turn on you and vice versa.'

Yeah.

That would fit I guess. It's more her kind of thing.

Okay.

I'm over, so just let it ride like nothing happened.

That way we make her nervous.

I don't like it.

What's the matter, you afraid of a girl?

Yeah.

When she can k*ll me anytime she decides to.

[instrumental music]

The key is to get all three guards

away from the TV monitors before you come in.

That's it. Only then, only when that control room is clear.

You go ahead with the rest of your number.

Oh, good, that must be Earl with the truck.

Okay, let me hear you run through the sequence.

I start on the second floor

with the Risedale and the Ruox.

Once I get them down, I go for the Constable

and the Sura in the patron's room.

And if you're still busy

I'll go ahead and get the Fragonard.

If not you'll get it yourself.

By that time I'll have the truck at the back door.

Takes one minute to load up

three to drive to where the wagon's stashed.

And one to make the exchange.

'From then on we're golden.'

What kind of a truck to pick up?

Dark green van.

Good, how'd you finesse it?

Just climbed in and drove it off.

I better get back to town.

Yeah, listen, make sure you don't have anything to drink.

Now, you wanna be sharp for the night.

- Don't worry about that. - Alright.

That's Johnny's.

It was. What you want me to do? Leave it with him?

I'm surprised you didn't end up with his shoes.

She's building to something.

It could be, Earl, it could very well be.

But let's keep our minds on tonight.

We'll take care of her later.

And you can call a lawyer if you wish.

I don't think that will be necessary.

Running away didn't make much sense, did it?

Last night.

All of a sudden..

The thought of being shot up again for a second time.

I couldn't face it.

I still can't.

I still can't believe it has happened again.

How deeply were you in this thing?

I was the middle man.

I made the arrangements up front.

Took care of the pay-off

'and then took delivery.'

Would you look at these?

See if you recognize any of them.

This Johnny Canute. He's the one who got hit.

There's the girl, Darcie.

The other two are Ken Meade and Earl Gainey.

- But I don't see them here. - Where are they?

South of Atlanta. In a house on Mill Gate road

I was supposed to fly down tomorrow to talk over a deal..

[Lewis] 'What Meade called a big new oil find.'

Obviously a reference to paintings.

'There's been no report of a theft in the area.'

Atlanta is quite an art center.

There'll be a wide selection of targets.

It could be another auction house.

Uh, museum, gallery, even a private collection.

I'll have Atlanta put the house under surveillance.

And, I'll have the New York office

contact the U.S. attorney for warrants.

We're on our way to the airport now.

One other thing, what about Jerome Worsky?

According to Strasser, he was behind the theft

but he refuses to say anything.

Then he never had any intention of giving up the Verrocchio.

Only long enough to collect

a hundred thousand dollars in insurance.

After expenses.

Alright, Lewis, I'll be in touch.

[alarm ringing]

[thudding]

Laurie. Something's happened to her.

k*ll the alarm in front!

[pounding on door]

Hey, hey, it's alright. Honey, it's alright.

I came out of the movies and some man..

I was crossing the park and this man jumped out at me.

I got away and I ran here.

You're not hurt, are you?

Alright, easy then, easy, easy.

You're safe, now. You're with me.

But he's, he's out there somewhere in the bushes.

No, no, honey. He's probably long gone. Right, Jim?

Sure, he wouldn't stick around.

No, he's out there. I know and he's waiting for me.

Alright, suppose I take a look, huh?

- That make you feel better? - Yes.

Okay.

Hold it!

Get their g*ns.

[dramatic music]

Alright, move. Come on, let's go.

Straight ahead.

'Move, come on, move, let's hustle.'

Let's go.

Alright, on the floor.

Face down, right here.

There, go ahead. Down.

Hands behind your backs, cross 'em.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Get the truck.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Johnny.

Alright, baby.

Alright move back.

Put the stuff in there.

We thought you were dead.

I swear, Johnny. We would never have left you.

Save it!

Alright, baby, get behind the wheel.

We go this way.

That's it.

Hold it.

There's so much I wanna say, Johnny.

We'll have time let's move.

[Johnny] 'A little two room shack at the edge of a lake'

'with six hairy kids living there.'

This guy that found me, another guy and four chicks.

Livin' on vegetable, sleeping in bed rolls

'and meditating all over the place.'

They didn't ask any questions?

No.

They weren't even interested.

'So I let the chicks do some nursing'

she got me straightened out in no time.

As soon as I could, I split, came down here

staked out the museum and I just waited

for old Kenny boy here to show up.

'Then I followed him to the house.'

You were the one took the shots at me and Earl.

- What shots? - Yeah, what shots?

If you wanted to get us, why didn't you just do it?

That wouldn't have been right.

You see the real experience is thinking about dying.

And that's the one you gave me.

There was no way of gettin' you to a doctor that night, Johnny.

We just couldn't take the chance.

Well keep talking, Kenny, boy.

'You are hanging yourself real good.'

Johnny. Johnny, you're not planning--

There's nothing left to plan, baby.

It's just a matter of doing it now.

Alright, steady.

Okay, Kenny, boy, open her up.

[Lewis on speaker] 'FBI.'

'Drop the g*n, put your hands up.'

[g*nsh*t]

[music intensifies]

[Tom] 'Drop it!'

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

I'll get an ambulance.

[instrumental music]

Johnny.. It's all your fault.

Me?

How was I supposed to know they were waiting for us.

If I knew you were still alive

I wouldn't have gone through with tonight.

We didn't need it.

I did, baby, I owed a couple of guys, remember?

That's what I mean. That's what you cared about.

And look what it got us.

[male narrator] Kenneth Meade recovered from his wounds.

And along with Earl Gainey, Johnny Canute

Darcie Hill, Otto Strasser and Jerome Worsky

was tried and found guilty in Federal Court

on various counts of interstate transportation

of stolen property, conspiracy and interstate car theft.

Meade, Strasser and Oliver Blake were also

convicted of assaulting federal officers.

[theme music]

[music continues]