Original subtitles

Tonight on Hunter.

The third time this week you've called. Is your lady still running around with

that other guy?

He won't bother us again.

Phil Beeman was murdered last night. Why would anyone want to hurt him? Any man

that Lyle believes she's intimate with could be a target.

I'll be the new man in her life. He'll come for me, Charlie.

We set out to get this guy's attention. Now we got it. What do we do now? We

turn up the heat.

Great dinner, Phil.

I know.

You're late.

I'm sorry.

Hey, fly to San Francisco with me on Sunday. We'll spend the night.

Let me think about it. Call me.

Bye.

Okay, Kay will be with you soon. I hope.

How nice of you to join me.

Phil again?

Oh, this must be serious, huh?

There's only one thing I'm serious about.

Right. Radio is your life.

And now, your lady of the night, Kate Lawson with Mail Call.

Hi, this is Kate.

Your Kate.

It's exactly 9 p .m. and I'll be with you.

Only you until midnight on KOXO 94 .2 on your FM dial.

This is Mail Call, the only show in L .A. for you fellas out there who have no

one else to talk to.

The lights are low.

Oh, the mood is perfect.

Let's see. Why don't we start with Michael from Santa Monica.

Hi, Mike.

Mike's not my real name, Kate.

I'm afraid my wife will find out I called and I don't want to hurt her.

Well, maybe we shouldn't be meeting like this.

Seriously, Kate, I have a terrible problem.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mike.

Let's talk about it.

Kate, my wife is a clean finette.

She takes care of the house to a fault.

Everything is spotless. You can eat off the kitchen floor.

When I smoke, she's right there with a cloth cleaning out the ashtray.

a newspaper on the floor, she's right there to pick it up and arrange it

on the coffee table.

She's always vacuuming and I can't watch TV.

It's driving me crazy.

You love her, don't you?

Of course I do, but I want her to relax a little and let me be comfortable in my

own home.

That's what you've got to tell her.

If you want things to change, you're going to have to talk it out.

And you'll see it'll all work out.

Well, Kate, if you...

Good night.

It's exactly 9 .57, three minutes away from a station break, but enough time to

squeeze in one brief call.

Lyle, it's the third time this week you've called. Is your lady still

around with that other guy?

No, not anymore, Kate.

Well, that's good news.

So you took my advice and had it out with her?

Well, I had it out with him.

You didn't do anything foolish, I hope.

No, no.

Now, I did the right thing, Kate.

You won't bother us again.

Well, glad it all worked out. Thanks for calling.

It's 10 p .m., and we'll pause for a station break and be right back.

Ooh, that guy is weird. If he ever calls again, don't log him in.

I have been, buddy.

Has he left yet?

No, it's not that, Irv. I just need some sort of ETA.

Yeah, I'll hold it.

Thank you.

That's great. There's a reward for you in heaven.

I'm going to need that information right away, okay? So I'll wait for it.

How are you doing?

Well, the victim's name is Phil Beeman, some kind of an advertising executive.

Neighbor said he was a real nice guy.

Yeah, well, someone didn't think so.

Did you find the murder weapon?

No, but I might have found something more interesting. I have to have

check it out, but I think I might have found powder traces on that phone.

You mean the killer shoots a guy at close range with a shotgun and sits down

his table and uses his telephone?

Yeah.

Maybe. I checked with the telephone company. They said that the last call

was made from this line was made at exactly 9 .57.

What did he call?

This you're not going to believe.

Oh,

Lou, would you get my demonstration tape ready? I've got to get it to my agent

later. It's done.

Your agent's going to love it.

Sergeants McCall and Hunter are here?

Oh, right. Yeah, send them in.

Hi. Hi.

Sergeant McCall. Sergeant Hunter.

How are you? This is my engineer, Lou.

Lou, how are you doing?

I'll just talk to you later, Kate. Could you stick around?

Yeah, sure. I'd appreciate it, thanks.

What's this about?

We're investigating a homicide.

A Mr. Phil Beeman was murdered last night.

Phil?

Dead?

Oh, my God.

You knew him?

Oh, he dated for a few weeks.

He dropped me off at the station last night after dinner.

Why would anyone want to hurt him?

We've confirmed that the killer called your show from Mr. Beeman's home.

And the phone company said that he connected exactly at 9 .57.

Do you remember who you were talking to at that time?

Kate, I think that's about the time that you were talking with Lyle. Who's Lyle?

He's a guy who's been... calling pretty regularly for a few weeks. He's a little

strange. Yeah, can you recall what you talked to Lyle about?

Well, you can hear for yourself.

We tape all our calls.

Lyle, it's the third time this week you've called. Is your lady still

around with that other guy?

No, not anymore, Kate. Well, that's good news.

So you took my advice and had it out with her?

Well, I had it out with him.

You didn't do anything foolish, I hope.

I did the right thing, Kate.

Don't bother us again.

Well, glad it all worked out. Thanks for calling.

Can I listen to the tapes of his earlier calls?

I gotta dig them out of the library.

All right. Let's go do that right now, okay?

All right.

How you doing, Miss Lawson?

Uh... You know, I admit he may be a little bent, but why would he kill Phil?

Oh, jealousy, perhaps.

How do you figure that?

Well, you heard the tape yourself. He said, I did the right thing.

He won't bother us again.

I think us means you and him.

What are you, a cop with an advanced degree in psychology?

No, I don't pretend to be. That's why we had the police psychologist listen to

these tapes. Yeah, and they'll conclude that it was my fault. I didn't say that.

No, well, I have a feeling that's what you're thinking.

Look, Sergeant, I run a damn good show.

One that I am proud of. But it is nothing but entertainment. My fans know

None of them would take it seriously.

I think Lyle might have.

But, Marnie, what if the police are right and my show sparked a lunatic out

there? Oh, take it easy.

Just because some cop does it so, it doesn't make it true.

Poor Phil.

You knew the guy a couple weeks.

You might have had enemies.

I'm worried, Marty.

You've got to get yourself in control here.

Your show is starting to take off. The ratings are going up. Sponsors are

falling into play. Now, you got that little demonstration tape I wanted?

Yeah.

I know just the sponsor's going to love this.

Katie, you've got to relax. This is going to blow over.

You can trust me.

I'm more than your agent.

I am your friend.

Now, I've got a lot of clients out there, but you are special, and that is

love you the most.

Now, I've got to go.

I'll talk to you later, huh?

Yeah, come in.

Mr. Brill. Hi, Sergeant Hunter. Nice to meet you. Hi.

This is Julie Hanley, our Director of Public Affairs.

Miss Hanley, how are you? Fine, how are you? Nice to meet you. I've got to be

honest with you. I have run radio stations for 15 years, and I've seen

everything. This is a little hard to believe.

It is, I know. I understand that.

Isn't Kate Lawson supposed to be here? She'll be here.

Okay. Well, you've, uh...

Both listen to the tapes, right? Yeah, and we'll do everything we can to help

you. Good.

Ray, I'm sorry I'm late. I had lunch with my agent.

Miss Lawson.

Hi. Please, go ahead. Okay.

We're going to set up a technician here at the station to monitor all the phone

calls that come into your radio show.

Well, I presume if this man calls, you're going to trace it. That's the

Now, Miss Lawson, if we're lucky enough to get this guy on the air, do you think

you can hold him on the line? Kate is a pro. She'll do fine.

How do we handle the media?

Well, we don't. This is police business.

Hold on a second. We have a news organization here. This is our story.

murder investigation.

If the press gets a hold of this, we'll have absolutely no chance of catching

our killer.

What if he is the killer?

Ray, this could be a major story.

Yes. And when it's resolved, we'll cover it.

Sergeant Hunt is right. This is police business.

Hunter?

Excuse me.

Yeah.

Dr. Pike, look into the tapes.

He feels that Kate Lawson can definitely establish a sense of intimacy with her

listeners. Now, in this case, maybe Lyle feels that he's the only one that she's

talking to. Now, here's the clincher.

The doctor says that any man that Lyle believes she's intimate with could be a

target.

Really?

Good work. Thank you.

Miss Lawson, did you say that you had lunch with your agent this afternoon?

Mm -hmm. That's right.

Do you have a phone number I might be able to call?

Oh, well, he works out of his house. It's 555 -4421.

21. Why?

Oh, it's probably nothing. I'm just checking on something.

Miss Lawson.

Not now, please.

Look, I'm afraid it's going to have to be now.

All right.

You were right and I was wrong.

But two men that I cared for are dead.

And it's because of me.

Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Look, I can imagine how it must

make you feel, Miss Lawson. But believe me, you're not responsible for their

deaths.

Well, that is easy for you to say.

But it is my talking on the air that caused these men to die.

Okay.

Then let's do something about it.

Harv, what you're really saying is that your wife has changed.

She was so independent when I first met her. Now she just hangs around and

watches the plants grow. It's killing me.

Have you tried getting professional help?

She won't hear of it.

Then you have to sit her down and have a heart -to -heart.

I'll bet if you try, you can be a pretty persuasive guy.

Bill, call. What's your first name? Where are you calling from?

George from Pasadena. I have a serious weight problem.

No, it's not.

Hi, Charlie.

How are we doing?

Well, we got traces in all the incoming lines, and if he calls, and if Miss

Lawson can keep him on the line, we'll get him. I love the girl I married, and

want her to be that girl.

That's what you've got to tell her.

Just like that?

First, you've got to make sure she knows how much you love her.

Then let her know how much you also love the strong, independent girl she was

when you married her.

You think she'll understand?

I think all she needs is for... Okay, okay, I'm sorry I'm late. If the boss

chooses how, you can blame it on me.

Doesn't matter, I want to get less business anyway.

Thanks for being there when I need you.

Goodbye.

That was Harvey, who, if he's persistent, will win back the girl of

Don't you ever get tired of listening to her?

I love her.

Boy, I could use some of that.

Black.

Coming up.

Oh, I'm not exactly burning up the airways tonight, am I?

You're doing fine, Miss Lawson. Just keep up the good work.

Kate.

And I owe you an apology.

How's that?

Well, for doubting that Lyle killed Phil and my agent Marty.

It's called denial.

I kept thinking that it would go away.

You understand that?

Sure. Get in.

Kate, you okay?

Yeah, I'm hanging in there.

You know Sergeant Hunter?

Sure.

Kate, your story could go national in a minute.

But it's not going to go national in a minute, is it, Kate?

And I think you ought to be concerned less with your ratings.

I resent that.

Julie, just drop it. I mean, if the sergeant says no press, then that's it,

okay?

Anything you say, Kate.

I appreciate very much your help with that. Yeah.

Well, I got to get back on.

Mail call. What's your name? Where are you calling from?

Hold on a second there, Lyle.

Okay, just be patient, Lyle. As soon as we come out of the news, I'll put you

on, okay?

He's calling from Silver Lake. Put him on hold as long as you can.

Just be natural.

Good luck.

Ralph. I'm working it.

The news is wrapping. You want me to put somebody else on now? No, no, no. Just

wait a minute. That about wraps it up for the news headlines this hour. The

is almost up.

Put him through. Go ahead. Go ahead.

And now it's back to Our Lady of the Night, Kate Clawson and Mail Call.

Hi, this is Kate.

And we're back with you for another full hour. And our first caller is Lyle.

Hi, Kate.

You sound awfully chipper, Lyle.

I guess everything's okay with you and your girlfriend.

Well, there was some creep who hit on her today, but I took care of it.

You still there, Kate?

Of course I am, Lyle.

You know, you never told me very much about your lady.

What's she like?

Oh, she's everything.

Beautiful, intelligent, honest.

I've got it.

She sounds really special. Jackie, service 6, 6 .30.

Armacost, court.

You love her that much?

No, I do.

You know, Lyle, I don't even know her name.

Quit kidding me, Kate, of course you do.

No, I don't.

I have to go back to work now. I'll call you tomorrow.

Tomorrow's my day off.

Doesn't matter.

I'm sorry. I just blew it. No, no, no. We got the trace.

You did a great job.

Our people should be there by now.

What took you so long?

Called a friend.

You should have ordered a pizza while you were at it.

I think we're right on it.

If Lyle could connect up with that garage, she's probably working for

Telephone. Oh, boy, that's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

500 needles, to be exact.

Here's a list of all the people working in the area.

Jeez, Marie.

We're going to have to go to the academy and get some recruits to help you

canvass this stuff.

Yeah, right, Charlie, but I think what we really need is bait.

I don't like the sound of that. Oh, look, Charlie.

Lyle is going to kill any man that Kate Lawson is with. Isn't that right? So

that's exactly where you put me.

I'll be the new man in your life. He'll come for me, Charlie. But that's

dangerous. Look, I think Sergeant McCall can handle this list. Don't you?

Besides, you have to assign someone to protect her anyway, right?

And it might as well be you, right?

I'm only kidding. Lighten up.

Captain, I happen to think he's right.

Yeah, see, there you go.

I know.

I still don't like it.

All right.

But you're going to need a lot of backup.

Absolutely. But very low profile and only while I'm at Kate's house. I don't

want to blow this deal.

All right.

All right. Great. Thanks, Charlie.

I was sort of curious.

Have you discussed this plan with Kate Lawson yet?

Yes, McCall. I've discussed it with Kate Lawson.

See, that's one thing I've always liked about you. You're such a fast mover.

Why don't you go home?

Right after I call Kevin Costner.

He might need someone as bait.

Great.

Kate, we sure appreciate you helping us on this case.

Well, I think you'll change your mind after a night on this sofa.

Hunter, I think you should... I think you should sleep upstairs in the

I mean... I mean, I think I should... I mean, I should... I should sleep here on

the sofa.

I knew that.

You know, this is insane.

Two people have been killed, and you're here to bait a murderer.

And I can't make a bed.

And I'm laughing.

Well, that's one way of handling the situation, isn't it?

Laughing.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is.

So, uh... What do we do tomorrow?

Well, we go out and have ourselves a real good time and hope that Lyle is

watching.

Yeah, well, you think we can do that?

I'm very optimistic we can do that.

You're pretty funny, you know that.

Why? Well, we come to a real nice fancy restaurant and you order a hamburger.

I'm a junk food fanatic.

In my business, a hamburger is considered a staple.

Fast food, Lena.

Yeah.

I had a great day today.

I did too, thank you. Thank you.

I mean, I haven't had so much fun in a long time.

And with a cop, no less. Well, you know, cops are people too.

Yeah, I found that out.

You know, this morning we were walking along the beach there. You started

telling me about Phil Beeman. Phil was a sweet guy.

I think he knew that it was never going to be serious.

I mean, he was the kind of man who would have tried to change me because he

wanted a real relationship.

And you don't. Well, I'd love one one day, but not now. I mean, it's just not

the cards.

I mean, my career is the most important thing to me right now.

Isn't yours?

Yeah, but I don't go without relationships.

Well, I don't either. It's just that, I mean, there are just certain things that

I've got to do.

I mean, I've spent ten years of my life working my way into L .A. radio.

I mean, did you know that I was rocking Morgana in Seattle?

And Cajun salad, the Bayou Blues Queen from a little town outside of New

Orleans.

And none other than Candy Smith from Butte, Montana.

Candy Smith. Give me a break.

Well...

So, who are you now?

I'm Kate Lawson, and I am working at the biggest radio market in the country

with a chance of going all the way.

At least I thought so until now.

Now, wait just a second, Kate.

I told you everything was going to work out just fine. Believe me. Trust in me

with that, okay?

Besides, if things do hit the fan, you can always go back to Butte, Montana.

Just don't use your real name.

Let's get out of here.

Let's do this right.

Well, let's do this even better than right.

Oh, I got it.

Right Okay

Morning

Where the hell have you been?

I went for a run. You went for a run? I told you, if you go anywhere, you go

with me.

Relax. You said yourself that I'm not the one in danger. You are.

Yeah, well, uh... Don't do it again.

What was this guy looking at? I don't know. That's what was so

strange. I mean, there he was.

Oh, I'll get it.

Wait a minute.

Don't touch that. I'm not supposed to receive any phone calls here.

Will you relax? I mean, I still have a few friends in this house. Look, I know

that. Come here. Hold on to that. I'll get it.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello? Oh, my God.

It's him, isn't it?

My phone is unlisted. How did he get my number? Now, just relax. No, I don't

want to play this game anymore. Wait, wait, wait.

Don't cave in on me now.

We set out to get this guy's attention. Now we've got it. Look at me.

It's working.

It's working.

Okay.

So what do we do now?

Oh, well, we turn up the heat.

Oh, what kind of woman are you looking for, Steve?

Somebody special.

She'd have to be beautiful.

Have a really nice personality.

You know, I kind of hope she'd be just like you.

If that's a proposal, I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you. I'm sort of

spoken for.

That figures.

Just my luck.

Well, I hope this jerk is worthy of you.

Well, we're just in the getting acquainted stage, but, well, I can't

I'll bet he's not as good looking as I am.

Oh, I don't know.

He's pretty cute.

Did she write this script, or did you?

Well, that's enough about me, Steve.

Mail call is for you fellows out there.

But I'll tell you this.

If my fellow and I ever break up, why don't you give me a call, and maybe we

work something out.

That was Steve. This is Kate, and I'll be right back after a commercial.

All right, I do.

Captain Devane, you can call me any time.

That's from a professional.

I don't know. Was I subtle enough?

I'd go out with you.

Mail call. What's your first name? Where are you calling from?

Hang on, Lyle.

We've got a lot of calls waiting.

Don't put him through.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. We've got a trace going here. Charlie, the traces

aren't going to work. Let's mix him up a little bit.

Irritate him. Maybe he'll come after me.

Look, look, maybe this bait idea wasn't such a good one after all. Charlie, it

is a good idea. Look, we don't have any other choice, do we?

All right, go ahead. Great.

Look, Lyle, I'm afraid Kate has too many calls waiting tonight.

Why don't you try back in a couple of days?

Mail

call.

What's your first name?

Let me talk to her.

Look, I don't care who's waiting. If she knew it was me on the line, she'd want

to talk to me.

Uh, please, Lyle, uh, some of the other guys deserve a chance to talk to Kate,

huh? I'll try and fit you in tomorrow night.

Well, Hunter, it may be me that needs police protection tonight.

Good job, Lou.

Well done.

Thanks.

Charlie, I think it's time I took a little drive.

All right, be careful.

Come on, Charlie.

Devane. Hey, Charlie, Hunter.

Look, I've been driving around here for the last three hours.

This Lyle character's had plenty of opportunity to hit me.

Well, it was worth a try, Rick.

We're still canvassing the phone company records, so you go home and get some

rest. Yeah, I'm going. I'm going to be at Kate's.

I'll call you in the a .m.

All right.

Easy on the glass, man. You might break it. Give me two cheeseburgers with the

word.

Hey!

You alright?

Yeah.

It's me.

Well, I ran into good old Lyle at the hamburger stand tonight.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm all right.

Two cheeseburgers at the works. Two French fries.

You didn't. I did.

You idiot.

Yeah. Yeah.

Your coffee and newspaper.

And an apple's orange juice.

You know, I could get really used to this.

Yeah? Yeah.

I hope so.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Come on, Mr. Brill.

Hold it, hold it.

Hey, hold it.

Would you please?

I'll answer all your questions, but one at a time.

Mr. Martin.

The police refused to comment. Do you have any idea how close they are to...

Excuse me, what the hell does that mean, huh?

Hunter, you care to comment on that?

No, I don't want to comment on it. Come on.

I have no comment on any of this stuff.

No, you can't, honey. No,

absolutely not. Thanks for coming.

Sergeant Hunter, I realize that you might be upset. You realize I might be

upset. You know you two programming geniuses have blown the whole deal.

There's no way we're going to catch this guy. Oh, come on now, Sergeant.

Oh, boy, you stupid.

You want to go to jail?

Now, wait a minute. Hey, enough, Julie. Enough.

Look. I am truly sorry about this. And you're right. She had no right to make

such a decision.

Julie, you're fired.

You can't do that.

I'm afraid it's done.

You bastard.

You know what obstruction of justice is, Brill?

Look.

It's my fault. Yeah.

Take your best shot.

Forget it.

Look, I'm gonna be around the building. You wanna talk later if there's anything

I can do?

Mm -hmm.

All right?

Well, what do we do now?

How come you're not down at the station?

Because I've got to figure out where to go with this case by the time I pick her

up tonight.

How's she doing?

Oh, she's anxious. I mean, everybody's going to call in that radio station and

want to talk about Lyle.

She'll probably have the highest ratings in the history of L .A. radio tonight.

Not her fault. Oh, look, I know that.

Kind of like her, don't you? I like her, and I'm really concerned for her.

Hey, Hunter, McCall.

Come here.

I've been asking myself, how could you do this to me?

I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything to you.

Yes, you did.

What do you want, Lyle? I just want everybody out there to know what you

are.

You don't know how to love.

Nobody can feel about you the way I did, and you betrayed me every time.

Why is that, Lyle?

Don't call me Lyle.

My name is Gilbert, Gilbert Zachary, and I know the cops have been looking for

me at the telephone company.

Gilbert Zachary? Where's that telephone company employee list?

I can tell you nobody's going to find me.

I bet you want to kill me next, right?

It'd be too easy.

What do you mean?

It means that I'm going to kill myself.

You'll have to live with that. It'll be your fault.

You don't really mean that.

doesn't matter now there's a zacker we haven't checked out yet at

11023 fillmore avenue north hollywood let's get the hell out of here

uh

this is kate and uh we'll be right back after a commercial

it's about time I don't want to be late for work again

You think of what I'm thinking?

Yeah, I am, Charlie.

This is no suicide.

If this guy kills himself, he's got gunshot red to do all over his hand, and

doesn't.

I'll bet anything that's not Lyle.

Better tell Kate about this. Oh, gee, yeah, you're right. She should be on her

way home by now. Can you handle that? Sure, sure. Thanks.

Hello?

Kate?

Where are you?

Kate?

Good evening, Sergeant Hunter.

Well, hello, Lyle.

Why should I call you Gilbert?

Doesn't matter.

I need you to come for her.

Kate, you all right?

Say something to the sergeant. Rick, he's got a gun.

Now, Lyle, I want you to put the gun down and let her go. You're under

She can't love.

And she can't love me. She ain't loving anybody. She has to die.

Homicide, Hunter. Hi.

It's me.

Hey, how are you?

Um, I thought you were coming over.

Well... Yeah, I will, uh... But you see, some of us have to do more than just

talk for a living.

How about late dinner tonight?

Great. Good, I'll pick you up then.

Hunter! Pick a hike, Martin. Come on, Kate Lawson has turned into a major

celebrity.

I cannot do a follow -up story without a comment from you.

Martin, I have absolutely nothing to say to you, okay?

Would you be reasonable? Kate and Julie Hanley already gave me the information.

All I need is a quote.

Martin, Julie Hanley was fired last week.

Wrong.

I talked with her this afternoon.

This is Kate Lawson for Mail. Lou.

Put a couple of commercials on there for me, would you?

What's going on?

Would you do it for me?

Yeah.

Give me some privacy, too, would you?

Thank you.

I thought you had work to do. Julie Hanley still works here, doesn't she?

don't lie to me, Kate. I checked it out.

Yeah, Ray Brill brought her back.

The truth of the matter is, she was never fired.

You, she, and Brill concocted her firing to get the story out. Isn't that right?

All right. It was Ray's idea. It was not Ray's idea. I talked to Ray. It was

your idea.

Don't you think you're overreacting? You lied to me.

I'm sorry about that. You were sorry?

Yeah. Doesn't it faze you in the least that an innocent man is dead because you

leaked the story?

I didn't know it was going to happen, Rick.

Come on, be reasonable.

What happened is over.

I thought we had a nice relationship going.

A relationship?

My God, you don't even know what a relationship is.

You sit here in this little divided cubicle passing judgment on the world.

You know, Lyle was a sick man.

He had an excuse.

But you don't.

You don't.

He was right about you.

The hell do you know about it?

Don't talk to me about love.

Haven't you heard? I'm the reigning expert on the subject.

I spend six nights a week hearing all about it from men not unlike you.

And I have heard it all.

And you know, one way or another, you men are all the same.

Nothing but the walking wounded with nothing better to do with your time than

call me and spill your guts about...

Your stupid and petty little lives.

And I sit here and I listen to their drivel about their macho and their

marriages and their stupid, pathetic little affairs. And it is all justified

the name of love.

It's pretty pathetic stuff.

But I take it in.

And I make them feel better about themselves.

Because I get paid, too.

And I'm going to get paid even more when this is over. So why don't you just

take a hike?

Oh, Kate.

What the hell happened?

I think you laid a star. I just took a big dip in the ratings.