Original subtitles

Hey, look at that old bird up there.

He's out kind of early, isn't he?

You get the feelin' that he knows somethin'?

That's an awful shame about your machine.

They don't run too good without water.

Nearest pump's, quite a walk.

54 statute miles.

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

I'd expect close to a 100, ought to get up to 110 by noon.

Well, your enjoy your stay, you hear?

By the way, if you're planning to hitch a ride outta here,

well, you might get lucky.

There's a cattle truck comes by every couple of months.

Hold it.

Now, what makes you think I won't shoot you?

Well, it crossed my mind, but I decided against it.

Throw down your car keys.

Well, I hid them under a rock,

back there a way.

Take you about six weeks to find them.

And don't start counting down on me,

'cause I don't think you're carrying a piece.

All right.

Marshal.

The name's McCloud, Dep. Marshal,

Las Cruces District, New Mexico.

Well, that's real nice.

Get over here and turn around, and get your hands behind your back.

Hate to be so formal with you.

According to the law, I'm supposed to inform you of your rights.

There's no need for that.

All boils down to keep your mouth shut.

If I'd known the ride was going to be this long,

I'd have taken my chances out there on the mesa.

If I'd known they were going to extradite you to New York,

I'd have left you there.

No, I don't want any, no.

Christopher Coughlin.

Seem like she'd change her name to Christine.

Course she writes kind of like a man, sort of tight and nasty,

like some old police reporter with a jug

in the bottom drawer.

10-to-1 she hits the best-seller list.

One thing she got right: Ramos is guilty.

Well, that's what the jury said.

You mind telling me why I'm being hauled clear back to New York?

You're what they call a star witness.

For what, a trial that's already over?

The Court of Appeals granted them a new trial.

That can happen sometimes when it's a death sentence, even with Ramos.

Well, I told the hotel cops all I know.

Well, now you get to tell it in court under oath,

where you can be cross-examined.

Well, they'd save money letting me phone it in.

Ramos is one guilty spic, and what I've got to say

is going to cook his red beans and rice.

He's a U.S. citizen entitled to his full day in court.

Well, well, well, somebody rubbed the red off his neck.

Mr.

By special courtesy,

I'm supposed to deliver you without any nicks and scratches.

You give in to your mouth,

and somebody's going to close it for you.

I got a briefing sheet in my pocket.

Subject: Minority Demonstrations.

About halfway down it says the Ramos case

is going to blow half of Manhattan straight up.

Ramos' brown brothers? Let them blow.

No race riot's going to touch me.

I'm covered by a big fat shield.

It says Marshal.

Cutting it close.

Don't worry, we'll make it.

Marshal McCloud,

Dep. Moreno, Dep. Alvarez.

We've a transfer receipt for James Waldron.

I have a set of papers in my pocket.

Special custody to point of delivery.

Well, this is your delivery point.

We'll take him from here.

My sub-paragraph says I'm supposed to deliver him

to Peter B. Clifford, Chief of Detectives.

Well,

can't argue with a special order,

but, you'll have to ride in the back with him.

We'll be up front.

You, left your book on the plane.

I'm setting on it.

That lady got my part of it right.

Last time I saw Ramos, he was out in the alley back of the hotel

working on a wine bottle.

Well, he had to be juiced out of his head.

Crawled up the service stairs, found his way in that beauty queen's room,

and killed her.

Yeah, well, that's what she said that you said.

Why did you leave town before the trial?

There's no law against taking a trip.

There is if they've tapped you with a subpoena.

I mean, skipping town's not what you call maximum cooperation.

Maybe not.

But that didn't stop the jury from convicting Ramos of murder.

Nice bumpy road.

Ought to be on a highway.

Something wrong?

I didn't do it.

Open the door.

I didn't do it.

Let me out of here.

Trying to get killed, Mac?

I need a lift.

With those handcuffs? Good luck. Look, I'm a peace officer.

Got a badge in my pocket.

Sure. And I got the Mets in my glove compartment.

{McCloud) Do me a favor?

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna call the cops.

How'd you guess it?

All right. You're Dep. McCloud,

I'm Chief of Detectives, Peter B. Clifford.

According to this, you're supposed to deliver

and I'm supposed to receive witness James Waldron.

Well, I don't see him.

No, sir. I'm—I'm afraid that he's not present or accounted for.

Have you any idea what the metropolitan papers are going to do to us?

To us? Yeah.

Any man with a badge is police to them.

They've been waiting on Waldron's testimony.

I can tell you right now, you're going to be one big celebrity.

Yeah, I can see where this is going to land on me, all right.

I just feel bad it has to rub off onto your department.

Have you got anything to go on?

Positive ID?

Well, it was two deputies in uniform,

full set of papers, they were driving a police van.

Dropped a tear gas grenade on us.

Somebody tried to bust my skull with a gun butt.

You'll live.

Yeah, right now, all I'm hurting from is a hard kick in the reputation.

There's only one cure for that.

Don't make any statements.

As soon as you're sewed up, go down the back stairs to the armory,

and get the Sergeant to break you out of those cuffs.

You write up your report

and grab the first plane back to the farm.

My orders are to deliver Waldron to you personally.

Now, you don't see him, but you're going to.

Dep. McCloud.

Chris Coughlin.

You here on police business?

Of course. I always go by the book.

Press pass. Clearance to interview all personnel.

Pass to enter armory.

Signed by Com. Coughlin, my cousin, in case you're interested.

It's always interesting to meet people

with heavy connections. Thank you.

Of course, if I don't tense up like all the rest of them,

it's just because I'm not under this jurisdiction.

You mind if I check out my side arm?

My, what a big pistol.

But then a .38 snub wouldn't sell the image.

I'm not selling and I'm not buying.

Here, you can have that one.

Only five?

Yeah, we kind of like to keep the hammer on an empty.

Of course like you say, if a big pistol like this

can't get the job done with five,

might as well keep it buttoned.

According to the desk report, that's what you did.

The, tear gas blew, the witness flew, and not a shot was fired.

Sounds like something you'd sing around the campfire.

By golly, you're right.

The Ballad of James Otis Waldron.

How Marshal McCloud, known as Mac the Loser,

did let disappear the sole witness who might clear Luis Ramos

of murdering Merri Ann Coleman.

I'm familiar with the details, I've read the book.

I'm, preparing a sequel.

Who Helped Kill Luis Ramos?

We both know the answer to that one, don't we?

Now look, Miss Coughlin,

where I come from, we listen to Country and Western radio stations.

But in between, we've got what they call newscasts,

where we primitives pick up on big city shucks like best-sellers

and possible sale of movie rights.

Now you and I both know that a fresh witness with new testimony

might just blow your guesswork right off of the charts

and leave you stuck with a used fairy tale.

What's that got to do...

I'm not finished.

For all I know, the men who walked off

with Waldron might just be your publishers.

So, let's just knock off this little interview,

and you watch what you're printing

or I'm going to sue both you and your cousin.

{Broadhurst) Hi, Christopher.

Hi, welcome to Melody Ranch.

Joe...

Have you ever tried Christine?

Sgt. Joe Broadhurst, I'd like you to meet a living legend,

Dep. McCloud.

Yes. Your name has gotten around.

Sgt. Broadhurst.

The paperback I picked up mentions a Sgt. Broadhurst.

Credited with wrapping up the Ramos case.

I was looking forward to Mr. Waldron's testimony.

I bet you were.

He wouldn't have shaken anything loose.

Ramos did it.

You swear to that?

Stake my badge on it.

Well, then, my losing Waldron,

shouldn't make a whole heck of a lot of difference.

Wonder why Chief Clifford got so mad?

One thing to remember about Cliff:

his bite is worse than his bark.

The request is denied.

Because he's leaving town, that's why.

Listen, you tell them this is not a sideshow.

The answer is "No."

{Chris) What got that big a no?

Late show TV interview. They think he's colorful.

I think so, too.

We could, wrangle a steer.

My report meet with your approval?

Approved and filed under Total Fiasco.

Well, just so that you keep the file open.

Did you find out what happened to the real deputies?

Yeah.

They,

Stopped to look at a burning car.

It was a faked accident.

The victims pulled some guns on them, and then locked them

in the engine crates at the air freight terminal.

Any ID?

They were Spanish-speaking.

Probably Puerto Rican. Friends of Ramos.

Why would friends of Ramos kidnap WwWaldron? I mean, he's their last chance to clear Ramos.

Well, you tell me.

You're supposed to be the expert with all the, research.

Ask McCloud. He thinks I'm in back of it

to, protect my royalties.

That's right. With her connections,

they'll suppress the verdict just to keep the sales up.

Well, I think I'll just poke around

Just a bit. That is, unless, you need a good hand

to help you deliver some witnesses.

We reserved a seat for you on Flight 601,

non-stop to New Mexico.

Appreciate it.

I'll let you know when I'm ready.

Flight 601 leaves at 7:00 a.m. in the morning.

Yeah. Well, that might be just a little bit tight

for what I have in mind.

But don't worry none, I'm not going to waste a ticket.

On Page 27, the book goes into the Hotel Cumberland,

now, Merri Ann Coleman was murdered in Room 514-A,

but it didn't make mention of the street address.

Corner of 31st and Lexington.

Why do you want to know?

Just so I can get the feel of the place.

I could use a shower, maybe an aspirin or two.

Might even grab myself a little nap.

You're going to bed?

Well, you know, Miss Coughlin, I've been up all night

and I'm just no use to anybody without my five hours.

In your opinion...

No comment. Well, in your own words.

Those are my words.

Dep. McCloud, this kidnapping

does this provide Ramos with grounds for a mistrial?

{McCloud) Well, I'm not a lawyer.

They say the police are behind this move.

Who says? What move?

The minority press says that Ramos was framed,

and the cops want to keep it that way.

May we have a word on that?

Wrong.

If it's not tear gas, it's flashbulbs.

Marshal, we've got a car for you.

Like dropping a flitch of bacon in the county pond. Do you have any immediate plans?

Yes, try to escape. Isn't there some comment you'd like to make?

Any of your own opinion?

One last...

That was my opinion.

My name is Whitman. Del Whitman. Page 64.

The Wall Street Journal doesn't go that high.

Christopher Coughlin's book.

The Ramos case. Attorney for the Defense.

Unsuccessful, I'm afraid.

But I'm handling his appeal.

Would you care for the grand tour?

Wall Street, Chinatown...

Hotel Cumberland.

Hear that, Billy?

Sour mash?

Well, sip of mash might flush out my sinuses.

We don't have too many mobile juice fixtures out our way.

Thank you.

Yeah, this is quite a limousine.

Nice piece of leather. Hand-stitched.

Country.

Cin-cin.

Mud.

MmMmm.

That must've cost $5 a package.

$12.60 a fifth.

There you go.

To think we used to confiscate it.

How about some music?

I don't suppose you have too many hoot stations around here.

This is living.

Well, I appreciate your hospitality, Counselor,

But, a man in you're position,

he doesn't get confidential

unless he thinks he's going to gain something by it.

What do you want from me?

Okay. Let's say I do want something.

I defended Ramos because I thought

he was being railroaded, and I still do.

And, well, let's face it,

civil rights is the going thing these days.

Now, what I want is some information.

And I'm willing to contribute to your favorite charity,

cash on the line.

I want to know if Waldron said anything to you,

anything at all, that may in any way help my client.

Now why did you have to go and say a thing like that?

I was just beginning to enjoy the ride.

This stuff is smooth as syrup,

and then you got to get improper and out of order

trying to corrupt a law enforcement official.

Really coming on like some down-home, courthouse fixer.

I'm real disappointed, Counselor.

What's the matter?

You afraid something might fall apart?

Some big error might crop up in the proceedings? Like justice being served?

Okay. Forget it.

No down-home, courthouse fix.

It's just that I've been butting my head against the wall

with this thing for over a year.

Nothing gives.

Pull over, you hear?

Don't you want to stop at the Cumberland?

I'll walk it.

I think I could stand some fresh air.

I'm afraid I spilled a little something on the man's badge.

Let him out, Billy.

Thanks for the hospitality and all.

It's always a pleasure to contribute

to the delinquency of a good company man. You're a credit to Texas.

New Mexico.

I've never heard of it. See you, McCloud.

Luggage?

That's it. Figured I'd be on my way home by now.

If you don't mind, I'd like room 514-A.

This one has a nicer bath.

Well, you've had one bath, you've had them all.

I'll take 514-A.

Curiosity? Like the others?

What others?

Tourists.

We redecorated, changed the rugs, furniture,

people still like to carry away the ashtrays.

I see you have the book.

Yeah, yeah, you bet.

She mentions my name in it.

I'll stop by for your autograph.

Chicol I want him. Hold him there.

Hey, Chico. Hey, grab him.

Move it, get back.

He says Ramos is guilty.

He won't say anything. You hear me? Not if we shut him up.

Just shut him up, don't kill him.

All we want is a mistrial.

You'll get a mistrial if he's dead. We don't want a murder.

Not on the organization. You understand?

So who's gonna know?

If it gets out we lose support of the people.

The plan is to hold him in prison, keep him here.

As long as he's here, Ramos is safe.

We use him to get to the newspapers,

to get our case before the people.

You can hit on me all you want.

All it does is drop a Federal charge on you.

You shut him up.

Chicol Grab him. I want him alive.

I want him.

Chico, I'm not going to tell you again, now you cool it, you hear?

We want him alive.

Hey, come here, you've rested enough.

Come here.

They brought you here to testify.

What have you got to say?

You tell me. I don't know nothing.

Comprende?

You told the police that you drank wine with Ramos.

Yeah, we had a bottle. I had six or eight drinks.

Then what?

That was it. I left him and went back to my apartment.

I never saw him again.

But, for some reason, you left the city the very next morning.

Thousands of people leave New York.

It's the best place I know to leave.

Where did you go?

Mexico.

Why?

Why not?

Maybe I like the climate, maybe I like the women.

Are you going to let him spit on us?

You weren't aware

that the defense was looking for you,

that we needed your testimony in order to save Ramos?

I told you, my testimony won't save Ramos.

But you didn't come forward.

No, and I'm gonna tell you why.

Now, you see if this means anything to you.

There was nothing I could say!

{Broadhurst) Standard issue. No prints.

Well, that's it.

We checked the van. No prints on the wheel.

A set of smears on the window.

No match. No lead

No nothing.

What about McCloud?

McCloud?

He couldn't find the Empire State Building on a clear day.

Okay with you if I keep an eye on him?

What for?

Because a fish out of water sometimes learns to crawl.

You know, I think you need a vacation.

McCloud's a stranger here.

He might see things we city boys take for granted.

You know where he is now?

Yeah, I know he's casing the hotel.

That's what I call computerized efficiency. He goes to the scene of the crime more than a year

after it's happened.

Grabs you, doesn't it?

Yeah.

Surprise. I've been a rotten hostess, McCloud.

So I've decided to welcome you to New York.

Come in, Chris, and bring your champagne festival,

or do they frown on drinking down in Texas?

New Mexico.

I khow you read this, but this is the hardcover edition, far beyond the means of a simple lawman.

If you'll examine the flyleaf,

you'll discover the personal autograph of the author,

complete with unlisted phone number.

Please, don t thank me, and try not to talk so much.

Wow.

I still get vibrations from this place.

They can repaint it, redo the decor,

it's still Merri Ann Coleman's room.

I don t see you shooting the cork out of your gift bottle.

Pretty strong stuff.

I'm sure you can handle it, Marshal.

There are tumblers in the bath cabinet,

wrapped in sanitized bags for your protection.

Is that what those are?

You know, I sense a certain reluctance on your part

to join in on the celebration.

Or were you expecting company of your own choosing?

Well, to tell you the truth,

I wasn't expecting anyone at all, Miss Coughlin.

Most people call me Chris.

But, in your case, I'll even answer to Christine.

Couldn't ask for much better than that.

Couldn't you?

Well, I guess you could, if you had a mind.

It's getting through to me, Marshal,

that you don't, as you put it, have a mind.

My, champagne seems to have gone flat.

I think I'll, save what little face I have left

by leaving you for your five hours.

I really am sorry to have been so snippy.

Even if my cousin is Commissioner,

it may open doors, but it doesn't excuse bad manners.

Pleasant dreams, McCloud.

I thought you New Yorkers stayed up clear till midnight.

I accept.

We might even take a couple of pulls on the champagne,

that is, if you're willing to share a few secrets.

I see. It's not me, it's my book.

Look, I'm not trying to knock your style of writing.

You string words together real good.

As a matter of fact,

you smooth them out so nice,

I can't make head or tail out of what you're saying.

Now, you take this, Merri Ann Coleman,

Page 6, paragraph 2.

About halfway down, you say that, she seemed

as though she was destined for special things, right?

Well, the way I see I,

this Ramos was just about as ordinary

a soul as ever pushed a mop.

All right. Merri Ann Coleman.

106, dry weight in her white bathing suit.

19 years old,

jade green eyes, soft southern drawl...

I'm sold 100%.

And she was last in her class at Nashville High,

and first in her class at the State Beauty Contest.

Miss Tennessee.

Special?

This is nice. I'm sold.

Now, she'd never been to New York before in her life.

Well, I can't argue with that.

There's a lot of people who'd like to avoid it.

And out of the blue, she finds herself on top of Manhattan

with a clear shot at the title: Miss United States.

Yeah. She was pretty enough to win it.

Which takes us to Page 20, paragraph 3.

Luis Angel Ramos.

Born San Juan, Puerto Rico.

November 9, 1948.

Fifth of seven children. Arrived stateside, July 12, 1967,

and went to work bussing and washing dishes at the Cumberland Hotel.

And on Page 29, murder.

Merri Ann was in her room getting ready for bed.

The busboy and the beauty queen came together with no reason,

No logic, just fate.

Why did she let him in?

She thought it was one of the chaperones.

Why didn't she scream?

She probably tried to, but Ramos saw it coming and panicked.

He couldn't let her go until he was sure she was quiet.

Well, maybe so, maybe not.

It's a whole lot of guesswork.

From then on it's not.

One of the chaperones happened to check,

and Ramos was in the room.

You'd think that he would've taken off.

Apparently, the shock of what happened made him pass out.

His shirt was ripped. His face was scratched.

But he swears,

that he was in the alley with Waldron,

at the time of the murder.

Waldron backed him up part of the way,

but then he ran out.

That Waldron's always running off when he's needed the most.

They found skin traces from the scratches on Ramos' face

under Merri Ann's fingernails.

That

Is what the law calls

Conclusive evidence.

I take it we can close the book now.

I guess it's all wrapped up for now.

Some people find champagne stimulating.

Of course. It's the time zones.

Your biological clock is three hours out of whack.

It's the first time I've ever heard it called that.

I'll come back when your spring's all wound up.

Good night, McCloud.

Chris?

That muscatel bottle, was it empty?

Yes. Ramos and Waldron finished it off. Why?

Just bits and pieces.

I like to get it all together in one sack.

Goodnight, McCloud.

Goodnight.

{guard) Ramos, Luis Angel. 1-9.

Step into your cell.

Okay to ask you? Something has happened?

Looks like your witness is out of it.

Waldron? He is not coming to speak for me?

He got here last night, but he didn't get far.

Somebody wearing policemen clothes took off with him.

He's gone?

They got the whole works out looking for him. All points.

Plainclothes, Federal. They'll find him.

Waldron!

Okay.

{Nieves) Yes?

McCloud's the name.

Yes, I recognize you.

You're all over the 6:00 news.

I'm Augusto Nieves, from the church club down the street.

We better move.

Look's like you've got a few prospects there.

Yeah.

Well, I appreciate your talking to me.

You know, most folks around here, when I show them my badge,

they get a little tongue-tied.

Well, it isn't as bad as it used to be.

But still the police aren't too popular.

I was just getting ready to spring for a cup of coffee

but I guess that'd be going too far.

Well, I guess a couple of minutes can't do too much harm.

What's on your mind?

I read in a book where you were Luis Ramos' priest.

Yeah. That's your problem, Marshal.

You see, Ramos happens to be an innocent man.

That's why badges makes everybody uptight.

Yeah, well, you see,

we're kind of stuck waiting for the appeal verdict,

which we may not get unless we can locate James Waldron.

Why look for Waldron here?

Well, I figure if can find some of Ramos' friends

that they'll lead me to Waldron.

I can see you're not too familiar with New York City.

It shows?

There's a code of silence in the neighborhood communities.

The ltalians call it omert?

We have no name for it, but it exists.

If Waldron is in Spanish Harlem, nobody's gonna tell you.

Not even you?

I know these people, I know how they feel.

Why should they trust another cop?

Well seems to me like it goes beyond cops.

I'd say it had something to do with just plain people.

Stop that.

{McCloud on phone) Morning. McCloud?

Do you know what time it is?

Past 7:00.

Am I butting in on your breakfast?

Breakfast? In the middle of the night?

Where are you?

Poking around.

Care to join me, I'll treat you to sinkers and coffee.

Let's go find Adrienne Redman.

{Chris) I thought you said breakfast.

She's in your book about halfway through it.

Miss New York.

Merri Ann's friend in the contest.

And she's not in the phone book.

Of course not.

She's beautiful, living alone.

Who ever heard of a top model with a listed phone number?

Well, there you go. Always putting my foot in it.

Why do you want to see her? She's been quizzed by everyone twice.

Can you track her down?

You've got a funny glint in your eye.

How do I know you're not just collecting phone numbers?

Well, that's the chance you'll have to take.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Morning.

What do you say?

Nothing much. I thought I'd fill you in on the rest of my schedule,

save you a little time and trouble.

When'd you spot me?

Back a ways, when you first started tracking me.

I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm used to spotting bobcats and quail out of the tail of my eye.

We're just keeping tabs, in case you spot a bobcat.

Sure welcome to tag along.

What did he want?

Just to visit.

What got you turned on to this murder?

I mean, aren't you supposed to be hunting for Walter?

Yeah, well, one thing leads to another.

I got a call from the Department.

They found Ramos hanging from a pipe on his cell.

Come on.

This is Ramos' report?

Father, just finishing up.

See, on this side, abrasions. Over here-—-

What's the story on Ramos?

Rope burns and a sore throat. He'll live.

It's a chain reaction, Deputy.

You lose one, you start to lose them all.

This is Dep. McCloud. We've met.

Mr. Whitman. Padre.

Well, you've been out and around, haven't you?

How are you, Marshal?

About even.

Well, I'm glad to see that you're taking it so calmly.

When my clients try to commit suicide in a guarded cellblock

that shakes me up a little,

and I start filing charges of gross neglect,

failure to provide adequate security,

criminal negligence.

You file anything you want, Counselor.

That's your privilege.

I intend to.

What's Ramos saying?

He says he's better off dead.

Waldron was his one last chance.

He also said, he'd like to kill the est? pido

who let Waldron disappear.

Luis Ramos?

What's that all about?

Well, he's biting on me a little.

Nothing too serious.

Any objections to your client being interrogated, Counselor?

I object to the language.

He understands English well enough to answer.

You bet.

How much wine, vino, did you have before you passed out?

It was a gallon jug.

Why the quiz, McCloud? What are you trying to prove?

I'm just trying to prove

that somebody cares what happens to him.

If he quits trying to break his neck,

he might have a chance.

Why'd he do it, Deputy?

He leave a confession?

Do you feel responsible?

Come on, Deputy, it's your fault for blowing his last chance.

Well, I guess you could say that.

Some people say it's too bad he blew his suicide attempt.

Who'd say that?

Some people think that he could save the state money. He is a murderer.

That a fact?

Are you saying he's not?

Now, look, I'm from Taos, New Mexico.

The murder, that's something for the local authorities.

Waldron was in my custody

and that's all I'm concerned about, officially.

Yes, but what about unofficially?

Well, let's say that I have my doubts.

Are you saying that you doubt that Ramos killed Merri Ann Coleman?

You fellows are just too good for your jobs.

What I'm trying to say is nothing,

but you keep pulling it out of me.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do.

Yes, but...

{Broadhurst) Okay, fellows, that's all.

All right, all right. You heard him, that's it. No comment.

Father.

When did this happen?

Couple of weeks ago.

Real sorry, I wish I could do something.

Thanks.

I wish I could do something for you, Marshal.

Give me Waldron.

You think I know where he is?

That's right.

It isn't that easy.

Well, it's your spread, Padre.

You drop it on somebody, he drops it on the next one.

Before you know it, word works its way back

to where it can do some good.

Now, let's get this straight.

You're still a cop, even with that hat.

So no guarantees.

Now, look,

I'm at a point where I don't even expect a pair of deuces.

And the only thing that I got in my hand is proof

of the way I feel about Ramos.

Now, that can win me some trust

or maybe it can't.

January 1677

Yes. Yes, sir.

11:00.

I'd like to see Mr. Whitman, please.

Yes, sir, she’ll also be there.

We'll be getting there, 8:00 in the morning.

Yes, sir.

Tell him Mr. Peralta is here.

Sir, do you have an appointment?

Excuse me, sir, you can't go in.

He wants to see me.

Just tell him Carlos Peralta.

Hold on, please.

Excuse me, sir, I've got a gentleman in the office.

He doesn't have an appointment. His name is Mr...

Peralta, it's not so hard.

Peralta.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

You may go right in.

What's wrong?

We made a mistake about Waldron.

You said it would save Ramos.

It will.

The new trial cannot proceed without him.

What about this Dep. McCloud? Did you read what he said to the newspapers?

I was there when he said it.

Is that so? What do you think of him?

Man with a badge.

There's a feeling in the community.

They find him simp? tico.

Well, at least he thinks Ramos is innocent.

Some of my men are beginning to give me trouble.

If I don't get rid of Waldron, one of them is liable to shoot him.

You want to give him back?

I don't know.

If I don't get rid of Waldron,

it's liable to split up the organization.

I'd like to talk to McCloud.

What good would that do?

If we give him back his prisoner,

he’ll drop the kidnapping charges.

Can you fix it for me so I can talk to him?

That's what I'm for, to fix things. Marshal, this is Carlos Peralta.

He's editor of Las Verdades,

a Spanish language weekly, up in Harlem.

Nice to know you.

What do you say?

I appreciate your calling me, you mind telling me where we're heading?

First we need a promise.

Nobody knows where you went or who you talked to,

including Mr. Peralta.

Well, I don't know if I can deliver on a promise like that.

Any reason?

For one thing, we're being followed.

There's a yellow sedan behind us, sir.

Sgt. Broadhurst. Posse of one.

Lose him.

He's too close.

That phone work?

Yes.

Mobile JZ 136-177.

This is a police emergency. I want Central Dispatch.

That's right, Dep. Marshal McCloud.

Emergency, intercept vehicle

with New York license plate 2D7876,

heading due north on...

50th and 8th.

Heading due north on 50th and 8th.

Yellow sedan, one occupant.

Hold for suspected felony.

He's going to be madder than a scolded owl.

Well, thank you, I really appreciate that, sir.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

Well, that's it for McCloud.

Is it going to affect his seniority?

Well, I'd hate to have an inter-departmental reprimand on my sheet.

Thanks, honey, that's fine.

Listen, I want to tell you, he's asked for it.

Ralph!

He won't listen to me, and he's walked all over you.

Maybe he had to.

McCloud's hard-headed, but he isn't a joker.

I think he was into something and he had to cut me off.

Well, I hope not. Everything he gets into, gets into the papers.

Like that heavy bomb he dropped this morning, "Ramos innocent.™ He sounds like the Supreme Court.

He's got a right to his opinion.

And I've got a right to mine. He goes.

Las Verdades, the truth.

You write editorials? I'm editor and the typesetter

and the circulation manager.

I also do the political drawings.

Well, then you must've covered the Ramos case?

Ramos is a symbol to the Spanish-speaking people of New York.

If there's no justice for Ramos,

there's no justice for any of us.

Do you think that, kidnapping Waldron,

is going to bring justice to Ramos?

You don't have to answer.

I want to.

No, I don't think that kidnapping Waldron

will bring justice to Ramos.

I think it was a mistake.

I want to ask you a question.

You say you think Ramos is innocent.

That's what I said.

All right. Do you mind telling me

how you came to this conclusion?

Would you like for me to tell your friends, too?

Save going over it twice. [

Friends.

Seems like I heard a listening committee

shuffling around in the back room.

They all know you.

Yeah, I met a couple of them.

You their lawyer, too?

Yes, they asked me to represent them.

What makes you think Ramos is innocent?

A man named Old Tom.

Old Tom™? Yeah, Old Tom is what we call a kick-out,

back in New Mexico. You arrest him for drinking, kick him out,

and a couple of hours later he's back. Vwhen we booked Waldron out in Las Cruces,

we locked them up iNn the same cell together. Old Tom, he—-he likes cheap muscatel.

Muscatel?

Yeah, and Waldron, he couldn't stand to be near him.

He wanted us to change him to another cell.

What I'm saying is,

that the smell of raw wine just turned him green.

You can't call that conclusive.

No, no, guess not,

but when I was on the plane with Waldron,

but when I was on the plane with Waldron,

I had him in custody to bring him to New York, I noticed that,

the stewardess tried to pour him some wine, and he made her take it away.

He drank wine with Ramos.

Well, that's his story, of course,

but it doesn't stand up.

According to all the tests, Ramos starts

to go under two pints.

Can't talk, can't remember his name,

and he passes clean out at about a quarter and a half.

Who are you?

Come on, go downstairs.

Where are we going?

They sent me to get you. Come on, it's all right.

I got a car for you.

The bottle that they found on the night of the murder was empty.

One gallon, stone dry.

You're fishing, McCloud. Maybe the rest of the wine was spilled.

Maybe.

But it makes more sense to me that, Waldron poured it out.

You're saying Ramos was framed?

I'm saying, maybe.

There's, plenty of room for reasonable doubt.

Of course, the way it stands now,

Ramos is headed for the death penalty,

unless Waldron comes forward and, explains the facts.

Would you be willing to say this in court?

Well, all I can say in court is just my doubts.

What really counts is what shakes out of Waldron.

He's right.

They've decided to give you Waldron.

Congratulations, Marshal.

Looks like you're back in business.

I think it would be more skilful for you

to officially take over from here on,

so, I won't give you a lift back to the Department.

Well, congratulations to you, too, Mr. Whitman.

At least your client's going to have a fair chance.

See you in court.

{woman on radio)

6-A11, 6-A11, ambulance injury.

He must've swiped the keys from the guard, somehow.

Came in later and jumped him.

He probably fell trying to climb down.

Peralta said they had him on Seconal to keep him quiet.

That catwalk is tricky, but trying to hurry

with your sense of balance knocked out by barbiturates...

Fill out a report, Joe.

{woman on radio)

Well, they brought me here to try and work out terms

for returning him to custody.

They went to a lot of trouble to get themselves in trouble.

Yeah.

I's been bothering me a whole lot, too, Chris.

They didn't strike me as being stupid

but this... this whole kidnapping thing has worked

against Ramos from start to finish.

Yeah, well, it's finished, all right. Not for me, it's not.

What are you talking about, McCloud?

Your sole responsibility and your sole relationship

to this case was James Waldron.

With him out of it, you're out of it.

Yes, sir. I know that.

But I'm not talking as a deputy now.

I'm not trying to be a detective.

Like it or not, I got involved in this case

just as a plain person.

Now, you can close it up as tight as you want to, officially.

But unofficially, and off the record,

and if you insist, off-base,

I'm in this to the bitter bottom dregs.

You think Waldron's death wasn't an accident?

Well, I think it's awful convenient.

Key witness takes a high dive to oblivion and from then on in,

nobody give a hoot and a holler who killed Merri Ann Coleman.

McCloud, plain person.

It's as plain as day. Ramos killed her.

No.

You do as you see fit, Deputy.

But for your information, I saw fit to call Taos, New Mexico,

and as of several days ago,

you are severed from the proceedings and are on your way home.

Well, it can't get any plainer than that.

Hello, pigeon.

Well, what else do you know about Merri Ann?

What she was like behind the scenes?

I suppose about the same as in front.

Yeah?

Healthy, hometown girl.

She wasn't very bright.

I thought she was your friend.

Now, who ever heard of a girlfriend?

Merri Ann was pure competition.

You might as well know that beauty contests are female karate.

Did she have a fianc??

McCloud, you are a trip.

No, she did not have a fianc?

See, the judges blow the whistle on human relationships.

You know, back in New Mexico,

we brought in a couple of winners.

Every one of them was a flirt.

A flirt?

Yes, rolling their eyes, sending out vibrations.

Did Merri Ann like to turn fellows on?

I'd say she invented it.

She didn't sound like that in the book.

Well, Chris Coughlin's not interested in things like that.

But that's what Merri Ann was, she was a turn-on. Judges, photographers, TV cameramen...

How about Ramos?

No, Ramos is different.

So she didn't go for hired help, that's wasn't her bag.

She wasn't a snob,

but what can a busboy bring you, but problems?

There you go.

Come on, Addie, let's finish up.

Yeah, yeah, in a minute. Listen.

Stick around, I'll buy you a hamburger.

Well, I'd kinda like that, but I got to go to jail.

I never get to do anything exciting.

Really?

Well, I'll tell you. Sometime, when you're down around Taos,

I'll treat you to the best enchilada you ever had.

Now, you knew that kidnapping was a Federal offense.

Yeah, I also knew that law enforcement agencies

can be negotiated with if you got the right cards.

Negotiated with? How? For what?

We figured if we could get Waldron to say Ramos was innocent,

we release his statement to the newspapers, turn him over to the police,

then public opinion is on our side.

But who planned that out?

From the first thought of grabbing Waldron, who's idea was it? It's mine. I'm the leader, it's my responsibility.

Yeah, you're the leader. You're in jail.

Who put the bug in your ear?

Nobody.

Well, you just think about it.

Somebody had to say:

"Let's hijack that boy."

It came out of ideas on how to save Ramos.

And cause a mistrial.

It was only a suggestion, a way to postpone the death sentence.

He made that very clear.

He came to one of our meetings and offered it as a—- as a comment.

Who did?

I did.

Wishful thinking. I'm, I'm sorry they took me up on it.

Well, Counselor, I guess my time is up.

Stay if you want.

You might be able to help us with our defense.

Well, I'd like to do that, Counselor,

but, right now I'm planning an attack.

{Chris) I'm going to miss you.

Are you leavin'?

Aren't you?

Not till I get the flapping parts tied down, I'm not.

Well, you see, I got me some sick leave coming.

So I figured I might as well shoot it up,

hanging out in the big city.

You weren't kidding about taking this thing personally.

Well, that's the only way that I can take it.

See, what happened to Waldron a good deal of it was my fault.

But it's over.

That's what the killer's counting on.

All I know is it's not going to be over with me

till I get his hide nailed to the barn.

Do you have anyone in mind?

Yeah, I got my eye on somebody.

Somebody always hanging around, checking up, keeping tabs.

Me?

Well, they're just set on me getting out of town.

How about us having us a going away party?

I suppose we could go up to my place,

and, take another run at the champagne.

No, We're gonna save that until after business hours.

What I mean is a real party slam-bang, horns, pats.

I'll help you make out the guest list.

You really are something left over from the fin de si? cle.

I'm not sure my lease permits the use

of the premises as a trap for murderers.

Invite some nice girls to make it look natural.

I'm on to you, McCloud.

You're a dirty old marshal.

Country.

It was billed as your final appearance.

Chris,

where would be a good place to ambush me?

Well, we could start with the linen closet.

No, I mean it, for real.

For real live bullets outside on the street.

Later tonight, so we don't pick off an innocent bystander. McCloud, this is New York, it's not Dodge City.

Somewhere away from police patrols,

so we don't scare anybody off.

I'm not about to help you get yourself set up as a target.

Well,

If you don't, somebody else will.

Come on, Chris.

Where's a good place around here for a man to get shot?

All right. If that's what you want,

I'll give you a whole smorgasbord of terrific places to die.

Any subway station on the Upper West Side.

There are some great docks on the Hudson.

The, Cloisters at 4:00 in the morning. You can't miss. Well, yvou're on the right track,

but, it's a little bit too citified.

I need open terrain, rocks, trees, room to run.

Central Park?

How far away is that?

Across the street.

Yeah, country.

Chris.

Go straight to bar and collect drink.

I see you've invited the "A" group.

Rear projection. None of it's real.

See the plastic cutouts? See them drink?

See them bore Christopher.

I, I don't see your Far Western exhibit.

He's hiding in the library under a stack of research.

Research? On the Ramos case?

Yes, when last seen, he was reading the trial transcripts.

He admires your speeches.

He doesn't give up, does he?

Is he really going to leave?

Yes. He's on his way.

First silver bird in the morning.

According to him, he's solved the case.

All he needs is corroborative proof,

which he expects to find down in Mexico.

Do you believe him?

Who knows? Maybe he's cracked it.

If he has, Chief Clifford is going

to commit honorable cardiac arrest.

Millions of cops, computers,

a city crime if ever there was one

and Davy Crockett cracks it.

Excuse me, Del.

People can't arrive without being greeted by the hostess.

You make a heck of a speech. Your summation to the jury...

I hope you read it, low-key.

Well, on the paper it reads nice and quiet

but you saying out loud, it's a string of firecrackers.

You lit into that jury like they were on trial.

I may have let my anger show a little.

Isn't that kind of dangerous?

Running the risk of turning them against your client?

Well, it's a fine line in criminal law.

Always a matter of judgment.

Judgment.

Chris tells me you've, solved the case.

Got it lined up right in the crosshairs.

How about, sharing the good news?

My client could use some, for a change.

Yeah. I think it's about time that Ramos got a break.

Merri Ann Coleman, Miss Tennessee.

You now, a friend of hers told me that she was just an out-and-out flirt.

Of course, these pictures are not meant to turn people off.

80, here she is in New York, men all around her.

Now, these are not like the boys back home.

They're—- They're important men, men with money.

So she starts sending out signals,

and somebody gets the message.

She doesn't expect a well-bred gentleman to get out of hand,

especially in her own room with chaperones down the hall.

So she lets him in,

just enough to keep it flirtatious,

just enough to drive him up the walls.

You with me?

Sounds right so far.

Now suppose that this secret little date goes sour,

that he's not the well-bred gentleman that he's supposed to be.

She gets frightened and freezes up.

He won't leave, they start to argue.

He gets a little bit mean, maybe a little violent.

Enough to want to kill her?

Could've been an accident.

That's what Chris said in the book.

But, she probably started to scream,

he saw it coming and panicked.

Now, once he started, you see,

he couldn't stop until he was sure she'd be quiet.

What about Waldron? How does he fit in?

Waldron, well, he was on room service.

He's coming up to deliver some ice, set up, for whatever.

He just walked into it.

Just like that. Yes.

Yeah, it's all it took.

That and a lot of money.

I see. The murderer paid him off.

Hush-money, blackmail,

a pack of cash to set up a scapegoat,

then get out of town and forget what he saw.

And you believe that Ramos was framed?

Well, he couldn't ask for a better patsy.

Waldron knew that Ramos couldn't hold his liquor,

so he got him dead drunk, lugged him up to the room,

dumped him on the floor with Merri Ann.

Then scratched his face with one of her hands and headed south.

You, wouldn't care to name names?

The murderer?

Well, I got an idea,

just still need corroboration.

Something conclusive.

Yes.

{ That's why I'm heading for Mexico. See, back on the plane, when I had Waldron in custody,

he did shoot his mouth off.

About what?

Nothing much, just you know, big-shotting

about Mexican chicks down in La Paz.

McCloud,

did, Waldron mention any girl in particular?

Quite a few, by name. Got them right here.

Shoot, I'm going to miss my party.

Take it easy, you hear?

Much obliged. My coat's the heavy one with the sheep lining.

I appreciate all you've done for me, Miss Chris.

Quit being nice.

Who needs a dead nice person? McCloud, you're so very welcome.

Even if it blows your book?

You sure give a girl great choices.

Well, you could be right.

Maybe it'll be a no-show and I'll just walk around all night.

And catch a cold and die.

If it looks like all night, will you come back and get warm?

You and your dumb ambush.

Yes, sir.

No. Not yet.

Wait a minute, here he comes now.

He's going into the park.

Yes, he's going in alone, sir.

Right, I'll wait for you, sir.

Clifford, you've got to help McCloud.

All right, Chris. Calm down, will you?

We set up a trap with himself as bait

but he doesn't know he's up against more than one person.

Where are they?

Central Park.

Somewhere near me. I don't know, exactly.

All right, go to bed, will you?

Did McCloud go into the park?

Yes, ma'am.

I just want you to know how much I appreciate

your having wrecked the sales of my book.

Well,

It's an awful good story,

why don't you just use it as a novel?

You, mind if I use my desk?

Sure.

This must be some kind of a mistake.

Yep, it's a mistake, all right.

"In line with Inter-City Program,

"you are hereby assigned to New York Police Department

"for further instruction and training

"for further instruction and training

"in metropolitan detection methods,

under the authority of Chief Peter B. Clifford."

Well, I'm,

I'm awfully sorry about this, Chief, 11 truly am.

There's must be some way to spring me out of here.

May 1? Thank you.

May 1? Thank you.

Just remember, McCloud,

you're assigned for training under my authority.

Chief.

Yes, sir.

Come on, McCloud,

vV

You'll love it: snow, slush,

traffic, smog, high prices.

{McCloud) There you go. Country.

{McCloud) There you go. Country.