Original subtitles

No, thank you. I was beginning to think you turned churlish, decided not to

come. Sorry we're late, Cecily. Something came up.

Mark. Miss Forbes, I've been enjoying your column.

I wouldn't have thought the latest gossip about San Francisco society was

bag, but thank you anyway.

I'm sure your rack of lamb flambeau a la Ironside will win. I've never heard

such raves from the committee. Well, now, I don't think it's that

Oh, shush, Robert.

Being so humble, it's out of character.

I suppose he tried out his creation on you before entering in the competition.

At least a dozen times. I liked number eight myself. It had an orange glosset

it. That was an atrocity. I was only experimenting.

Well, you sure made one happy guinea pig out of me.

Go on inside. Maybe you're not too late to influence a few of the boats.

A little politicking wouldn't hurt.

Somebody call an ambulance. Quick.

How is he?

Serious?

They've just taken him up to surgery.

What are the chances?

50 -50.

Maybe a little less.

He'll make it.

It's going to be a long wait.

The doctors will do their job. We'll do ours.

Do we have anything to go on? A hotel full of people, one of them with a gun.

Lieutenant Stanton's checking them out.

You'll let me know?

About Mark?

Of course.

Eve, in the last 20 years on this job, I've made a lot of enemies.

Start with our current cases.

Check them through for anyone you think would have enough motive to kill me.

You're not blaming yourself, are you?

Look!

I'm offering you a job.

You'd live where I live, eat what I eat, go where I go.

And I go a lot of interesting places.

Isn't there always a time when a person says it might have been different if...

Not this time.

And not you.

Check out.

As far as I'm concerned, it couldn't have come from anyplace else.

30 feet.

And from this angle, he must have thought he was a pretty good shot.

Would have been right on target if Mark hadn't gotten in the way.

You turn up anything?

So far, just the cream of San Francisco society.

At least 10 carats apiece.

Staff? All clean.

Talk about a blank wall.

All right, what are you going to do? Just butt your head against it?

We're checking all hotel personnel.

Bellhops, doorman, parking attendants, even registered guests.

I could have been followed to the hotel.

Run down all cars and cabs arriving after I did.

Right. Chief.

Nothing yet, Ed. Well, that's better than... Call you later.

Any news about Mark?

Nothing yet, Miss Forbes.

There's anything I can do.

Thanks. Tell Robert how sorry I am.

Excuse me.

Nothing at all in the current cases, Eve? The only two possibilities had

that checked out.

I've started on your back files.

The most promising lead is a Danny Garten.

Garten.

Garten.

Yeah, armed robbery about six years ago.

Yes. He made a big speech in court about how he'd pay you back as soon as he got

out. His sentence was up a month ago.

Oh, one of his cellmates paid him back first. He was knifed last year.

Keep looking.

Right. Chief?

Nothing new on Mark.

He's been in surgery a long time.

I know.

I'll be in touch.

Dr. Carstairs, please.

I thought you might be needing something.

Thank you.

Any news?

Well, they're still in the operating room.

And we've been handing the calls to the desk. Is that all right?

Calls? People who've been phoning to find out how Mr. Sanger is.

There have been several.

And we didn't think you'd want to be disturbed.

Thank you.

They've been most concerned.

Mr. Sanger must have had a lot of friends.

Yes.

I just heard a half an hour ago.

You know how sorry I am.

Of course.

Thank you for coming down.

My understanding is still in surgery.

Are you going to stay here?

Naturally.

Just wanted to be sure.

Dennis.

What's going on?

Going on?

You don't usually travel with an escort.

Well, he's not. Then what exactly is he?

Now, Bob... When you start an answer like that, I know I'm not going to like

Well, like it or not, you've got it.

I haven't yet.

Do you think I'm going to leave you unprotected?

That's what I thought. Now, get him out of here.

Now, Bob, be reasonable. I've never had a bodyguard in my life, and I'm not

starting now. Now, would you just close your mouth and listen to me for a

change? You've bulldozed me into a lot of things, but not this.

Somebody's out to kill you.

If he tries it in the middle of a crowded hotel, he'll try it anywhere,

Without Ed or Mark or Eve around, you're a sitting duck. I can take care of

myself. Not here, you can't. Not now.

You have a thick hide.

But it won't stop a bullet.

You're bad -tempered, overbearing, and irascible.

But I put up with it too long to give it up now.

Dennis, I didn't think you cared.

You're staying under police protection.

Thank you. And no tricks.

I promise.

Janet!

Jock, one up for you.

Oh, you're still way ahead of me.

As soon as you're here.

You will, too.

Chief Ironside?

Chief Ironside?

It's over.

You all right?

The doctor's on his way down now.

Dr. Block?

Dr. Block, please.

Well, the bullet's out.

I send it to Ballistics.

Mark's in the recovery room.

Then he'll live.

I'd say his chances have improved considerably.

Can I see him? He's unconscious.

I'd like to see him, Doctor.

Doctor!

Another call about Mr. Sanger. His condition has improved.

Thank you, Doctor.

Well, come on. Don't just stand there.

Thank you, Bert. I've managed now.

Something wrong?

No, no.

Surgery's over.

Mark Stone's loss can be expected.

You didn't call.

Oh, I talked to Ed. Your lines were tied up.

I was checking.

When can we see him?

For a day or so. Any coverage?

Not much. You look worn out, Chief. Can I get you some coffee?

No, I've already had about three gallons.

Inside.

Yes, Ed. We got lucky to a point.

A car that was timed into the hotel a minute after you arrived was abandoned

the parking lot.

Turned out to be hot. Stolen this morning.

Sounds promising. What about fingerprints?

I said to a point. The car was clean.

In my book, that adds up to a pro.

I have the attendant who parked the car going over the mug books now, but I

wouldn't hold my breath.

All right, let Stanton cover that.

You get back here and help us with these files.

Will do.

Oh, and Ed.

Better bring something to eat. We don't have time to cook.

Hamburgers, or should I use my imagination?

Ling Po's mandarin duck certainly isn't what it used to be.

Egg rolls were good, though.

There's one left. Anyone?

Here's something. The Brockman case, he swore you framed him.

I did, with evidence that he supplied. Put him on the list.

Chief Ironside's office.

Yes, Stanton.

Good.

I'll let it know.

Parking attendant made a tentative identification.

Fred Murdoch.

Fred Murdoch?

Professional gun, narcotics, robbery, you name it. Stanton has an APB out.

Finally a break.

Why would he want to kill you?

I don't know.

You see any of these people using a hired gun? It's possible, but I don't

so.

Let's run through it again.

Okay.

The shooting was planned in advance.

But why at the luncheon? It was publicized in the newspapers that you'd

Or the assailant was under pressure, didn't have time to wait.

He simply followed you there, looking for an opportunity.

So we come right back to the motive. Someone out of your past, that's still

bet. Could be a relative of someone you nailed, or a brother, a son, maybe even

a friend.

Ironside.

Yes, Doctor.

Thank you, I appreciate your call.

Uh, do you happen to be at the desk?

May I speak to the floor nurse?

Thank you.

Mark's out of danger.

Been moved into his own room.

Kevin.

Hello.

Have there been any more calls about Mark Sanger?

Yes, about three or four since you left.

From different people?

Now that you mention it, the voices didn't sound alike.

Male? Yes.

You know, the more I think about it, it was the same one each time.

What did you tell him? Well, what the doctor's report was, that Mr. Sanger's

condition was improved.

Thank you very much, nurse.

Thank you.

Good night.

There are always two sides to every coin.

So we turn this over.

String of calls at the hospital, most of them by the same man, inquiring about

Mark.

Fred. Ed.

The report of the shooting first came out in the evening edition.

Those calls started in an hour after he was in surgery this afternoon.

Now, how did this friend know that Mark had been shot?

Chief. A professional gun, confident of hitting his target at 30 feet.

I say he did hit his target.

Mark. If I weren't such a colossal egotist, I would have realized it

But who'd want to kill Mark?

Mr. Thorne?

Mr. Thorne?

I'm under here, Farrell.

You better have a good reason for being here.

Figured we'd lay low for a while, let things cool down.

I'm thinking of rearranging the schedule.

And if it'll make you feel any better, we'll use a different location.

Find yourself a job. Let me know what station.

You mean you want me to take over Hal's spot?

Afraid of getting your hands dirty?

I'll know about that. What about Sanger?

Suppose he talked.

He's out of it.

So is Murdoch.

And there's nothing to connect us to either of them.

What do you know we don't know?

Just what I read in the papers.

I don't know what this is all about, but that story gives me the creeps.

Better than a wreath, isn't it?

I thought the newspaper was supposed to print the truth and nothing but the

truth. It pays to have friends.

And muscle.

Say, Aunt Ruby hasn't seen this, has she? Don't worry, I explained everything

her. Well, good.

I hope somebody will explain it all to Mina.

The market took it some time to figure it, but at the hotel, it was you they

were shooting at, not the chief.

Last night they tried again.

We do want them to continue using you as a clay pigeon. Well, I'm with you. The

third time's a charm.

Who was the guy who tried to kill me? Fred Murdoch, a professional.

You ever hear of him?

No. No reason he'd want you dead.

Not that I know of.

And the important thing is, who hired him?

Beats me, Chief.

How about Charlie Tattersall?

Who's that?

He's an old acquaintance. Wanted me to pull a job with him.

I passed.

But Charlie went ahead, was caught, sent him up.

As I remember, he threatened you at the trial, said you ratted on him, and that

he'd get you for it. Have you seen him lately?

Yeah, he's out now. I ran into him about a month ago.

What happened?

Well, let's put it this way. He hasn't mellowed any.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for Charlie Tattersall. Who?

Charlie Tattersall.

What for?

Does it matter?

That's him over there.

Tattersall.

I'd like to talk to you.

In there.

Okay, ladies.

You're next.

Bye.

Close, huh?

Names aren't done.

Oh, yeah, hey, now, that's the name that is, man.

You looking for a new boy?

Why should I? Well, I read what happened the same.

And you'll cry all the way to the cemetery?

Not even to the gate.

But how about it, huh?

I can cook good, I can drive, and I'll push that chair of yours from here to

Kingdom Car.

I can imagine.

Give me a chance at a job?

Take him in, Ed. Book him on suspicion.

Wait a minute.

Suspicion of what? The murder of Mark Zanger. Oh, no, man, you're putting me

You already got the cat that killed Mark, that guy Murdoch. It's been in all

papers. And you hired him. Me?

If I'd have wanted Mark dead, I'd have done it myself.

Not necessarily. The price of murder is pretty cheap these days. You can get

anyone killed for a hundred bucks plus expenses.

No, no way, man. No way you can tie me to Murdoch. We already have. You two are

in prison together.

But don't prove nothing.

That's enough for a start.

Come on, let's go.

No, wait a minute, wait a minute.

I'm leveling.

You've got to do better than that.

Now, when was the last time you saw Murdoch?

In jail. When?

No, no, I remember now. It was about a month ago.

He came in or he was pushing. He wanted me to leg for him. That's a big bust,

man. I don't want no part of it.

Look, that's straight.

It's the last time I've seen him.

And I didn't set up Mark.

All right, stay loose. We'll be talking to you again.

Do your thing.

Eve, could you do that?

Given the right occasion.

Planning the right occasion?

A funny thing happened to me on the way to work this morning.

Kind of early for an after -dinner speech.

My mind was so full of this case, I drove all the way from my apartment.

And I don't remember doing it.

A little dangerous, but not uncommon.

What's your point?

That some of the things in our lives become so routine, they make very little

impression on us.

All right, Eve.

What's your theory?

Number one,

except for Tattersall, Mark has no known enemies.

And I don't believe he did it. Neither do I, so?

So?

What if whoever hired Murdoch was a stranger?

All right. Why would a stranger want to have Mark killed?

Because maybe Mark knows something incriminating about it.

Like my driving to work this morning.

There could have been a national disaster going on and I wouldn't have

In other words, whatever this incriminating fact, Mark doesn't know he

Because the incident was so trivial, it made no strong impression on him.

Only the person who hired Murdoch didn't know that.

And to him, the matter is vitally important.

All right, we'll drop you at headquarters. Do a complete rundown on

activities during the week before the shooting.

Ed and I will check the subject personally.

You mean I saw something and I didn't know I saw it?

Maybe.

Man, that's wild.

If this theory holds up, it probably occurred while you were doing something

routine. Like going to the bank or getting your hair cut or grocery

Think back over the week prior to the shooting.

Well, I was with you most of the time. But not all the time.

Well, let's see. I picked up my cleaning on Tuesday.

Anything happen there?

I just picked up my cleaning. That's all.

What else did you do that week?

I gaffed up the van at the police garage.

Made a deposit at the bank.

Believe me, Chief, if they were robbing the place, I'd have seen it.

I went to my night school classes.

Anything occur there?

Same old grind.

Wait, there was one thing.

It was after class. I was just leaving.

Singer! When this cat calls out to me.

What's going on, man?

You've been mouthing off about me and my friends.

I say what I think, and I don't like what you and your friends have been

We're out to make some changes.

Well, I'm for that.

It's the way that you're trying to make them that I don't buy.

Why'd he throw you a bill of goods?

Nobody sold me anything.

Then you prove it.

We're having a rally in a couple of days.

You show up.

Sit on the platform.

You got the wrong boy.

Take care of yourself now.

And that's all there was to it. And that's all for this afternoon, T.

Bineside. I'm sorry, but we don't want to tire him.

Of course.

What was that student's name?

Parks.

Steve Parks.

We've broken some ground.

You keep thinking.

Thank you.

At the time of the shooting, Parks was addressing a militant group in the

quadrennial for an audience of at least 400 students.

That doesn't mean he couldn't have hired Murdoch.

No apparent connection.

We've got him and some of the other leaders under surveillance.

Well, I hope you had better luck.

I've been backtracking Mark's activities for the week previous to the shooting.

I think I know him better than he does himself.

I could only come up with this.

Gasoline receipt?

For the van. Notice the date.

Four days prior to the shooting.

So?

Mark usually fills up the police garage.

That's from a station on the other side of town.

You remember. You were with me. That's right.

We'd been out all day on the Donnelly case.

And I didn't know if we had enough gas to get back to the garage.

So we stopped at that station across town.

Never forget the look on that cat's face when I told him. Give me a dollar's

worth and don't worry about checking under the hood.

What happened then?

Nothing. I signed the slip and we left.

Come back and see us.

Thank you.

Wait. There was something else that happened before we left.

Hey, Chief, you want something cold to drink?

No, thanks, Mark.

Did anything unusual happen?

No, I had a drink and came back to the van.

Think again.

Are you certain you didn't see something when you were out of the van? I was

standing there by that machine. I remember I didn't want all the drink.

And then I saw something.

He acted a little jumpy, but I didn't pay that much attention.

What exactly was he doing?

It was like he had a kind of package in his hand.

Can you describe it?

It was like one of those toolkits that come with some foreign cars.

What did he do with it?

Well, I don't know. In my mind, I just associated toolkit with car.

Did you get me police headquarters, please?

Can you remember anything else? The make of the car, anything unusual about it?

Nothing special, just an ordinary car.

Brown, I think.

Sedan.

Narcotics Division, Lieutenant Stone, please.

Ted? Bob Ironside.

A couple of days ago, there was something in your division report about

skin wrapped package.

Can you give me any details?

No, I missed seeing it in the newspaper.

That's very interesting.

I may have a lead on it.

Yeah, I'll get back to you.

The day after our stop at that gas station, a package was found on one of

highways leading out of the city.

It contained $35 ,000 worth of pure, uncut heroin.

Wow, that's a lot of H.

You think that might be the same package Mark saw?

Could be why the mechanic reacted the way he did when Mark saw him.

And I didn't even know what I saw.

They couldn't take the chance that you'd see the story and eventually put two

and two together.

So they decided to kill you. And according to Tattersall, Murdoch was

narcotics.

Now what?

Well, we've got work to do.

Meanwhile, you just rest.

If you think of anything else, grab the phone.

Maybe the doc will let me go home. I'll be more help there.

Mark, they've already taken two cracks at you.

They'll try again if they discover you're still alive.

You said it, man.

Third time's the charm.

How does he check out? 100 % solid, substantial citizen.

Loyal family man.

Elk. And the oil company reports he's one of the best managers they have in

area. Have you been told what this is all about? I would.

Chief Ironside, this is Mr. Ralph Burns.

How do you do, Mr. Burns?

We're interested in something that might have occurred at your station on the

17th of this month.

Can you tell us what cars were brought in to be serviced on that day? Yes, sir.

Let's see. The 17th, we serviced eight, no, nine cars.

We're concerned with a brown sedan.

License number and make unknown.

Mr. Farrell drives a brown sedan.

He always has it serviced on the 17th.

Here it is, complete lube and oil change.

Seems strange that he'd have the car serviced on exactly the same date every

month. Actually, he has it serviced twice a month.

Twice a month? Yes, on the 2nd and again on the 17th. Isn't that unusual, Mr.

Burns? I mean, to have a car serviced that often? Well, it always needs it.

Do you know anything about Mr. Farrell?

No, we try not to get personally involved with our customers.

But you do have a record of his full name and address.

Oh, yes, sir.

It's right here.

Excuse me.

Then that's all you can tell us about Mr. Farrell.

That's about it.

Mr. Burns.

Who was working the lube rack on that particular date?

Hal Tate.

He been with you long?

He was with me a few months. Good man.

Was with you?

He just didn't show up for work one day. And you haven't heard from him since?

Not a word.

This is 2729 Powell Street. No police record. Occupation, traveling salesman.

makes bi -monthly business trips to Chicago and back, which could explain

his car needs more frequent servicing.

Might also indicate that he's the courier.

He picks the stuff up, drops it off in Chicago, then comes back here for

shipment. But we still don't know who supplies it from this end.

Ed. Call that service station manager and ask him... If there's anyone else

brings a car in for servicing, more often would be normal. I already did.

can forget about questioning how it's made.

Why? You fixed his body out of the bay this afternoon.

This outfit obviously doesn't tolerate mistake.

All right, Ed, you were saying?

The station manager gave me another name. Walter Thorne.

Hello? Cicely, Bob Ironside.

Oh, Robert.

So nice to hear from you.

Does the name Walter Thorne mean anything to you? Yes, I've known Walter

years. In fact, I know the whole family of old San Francisco.

Chanteel, but not much money.

Except Walter started an import -export business several years back, dealing

mostly with the Far East.

Yes?

Good. What's the address?

43 -55 -Gary.

All right.

And we're changing the dates. The fourth instead of the second.

I'll pass the word on to Farrell.

Stop worrying, will you?

I told you, we're in the clear.

Right.

Still nothing?

Zero.

We've had a 24 -hour surveillance on both Thorne and Farrow. Neither of them

made a move.

I'm beginning to think they've folded their tent.

Chief, I'm getting awfully tired of this place.

Lie on your back all day while people look after you? You should try it. I

already have.

I'll call you later.

What are you doing?

Tipping a few things for your scrapbook.

Scrapbook?

I thought it was about time you started one.

How's Mark?

Fine. Ready to come home.

I'm fed.

Good.

Follow him. Call me back on the van phone.

That was Ed. Walter Thorne just left his place in a Duesenberg.

Yes. 4355 Garrett.

Right.

Did you get that?

Yes, sir.

Who's that working with Lou Brack?

Jim Saunders.

Got a long list of priors as a narco. Sure, but no convictions.

The boys getting over there?

Over there.

There you are, sir.

Oil's all changed.

I think I'll fill up while I'm here.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Harry, take care of this for me, will you?

Change on, give me a lube job.

About those clippings.

Yes.

A recent case?

Not a case, exactly.

Something about the Amateur Chef of the Year Award?

Something. Do I have to drag it out of you?

What? Who won?

You did.

I was just trying to see how long you could go without asking.

Now you know.

Chief, I think we've got enough.

All right.

Move in.

Here's a shot of the package being removed from Mr. Thorne's Duesenberg.

Here it's being temporarily hidden.

This is Mr. Farrell's car.

Here's the package being attached to it.

Well, that about wraps it up, gentlemen.

Mr. Farrell, Mr. Thorn, you've both become victims of a rather clever plot.

Unknowingly, you've been transporting narcotics for a smuggling ring.

Incredible.

Sergeant Brown has a few questions, then you're both free to leave.

What kind of questions?

Who would have had access to Mr. Thorne's car to plant the stuff and

remove it?

Gentlemen.

All right.

Well, Jim, that leaves just you, doesn't it?

I don't know anything about this.

It's all there on film.

Conclusive evidence.

Unless there's something else you'd like to tell us.

I got nothing to say. In that case, having been duly informed of your

constitutional rights when you were arrested, I now charge you with illegal

trafficking in narcotics and the murders of Mark Sanger and Hal Tate.

Murder?

No, I'm not taking no murder rap.

A narco beef is one thing, but not murder.

Want to tell us about it? You already know. It was Murdoch. And you hired him.

No. Then who did?

Take him away.

No. No, no!

Sergeant, I've told you everything I can.

I thought we were free to leave.

Yeah, I got some customers I gotta call on.

Well, this is just routine. Now, uh...

Let me go over these names again.

Yes.

Gotcha.

Gentlemen, it seems to be more than routine after all.

I'm afraid you're going to have to stay with us a while longer.

In fact, quite a while longer.

Welcome home.

Hello, Mark.

How do you feel? Great.

Just as soon as I get it a little stronger, I'll race you once around the

building. You're on.

Well, I wouldn't worry about it, Chief. Won't be for quite a while yet.

This is a list of instructions from the doctor.

Allowed up only two hours a day.

Medication every four hours around the clock.

Special diet.

Who's going to do all this?

I thought you were so anxious to get him out of there. Sure, we could have kept

this case going for another couple of weeks.

Anyway, I won't be that much trouble, just as long as I get my sponge bath

morning. Sponge bath?

Speaking of special diets, hmm, what's cooking?

Rack of lamb flambeau a la Ironside.

Number eight? Sure, number eight, with the orange glace.

The atrocity, but it's your atrocity. Let's eat. No, no, champagne first.