Original subtitles

How does it look, okay?

Just great.

Well, it brightens things up a little, doesn't it? It sure does. Thanks a lot

for helping us out, Mrs. Fletcher. We sure appreciate it. It was fun.

You sure you boys can finish up all right without me? Sure we can, and

again. How about it, fellas?

Good night, boys. Thank you. Good night.

All right, men, that does it.

In the top of the fourth inning, still nothing to nothing with the White Sox at

bat. Milliken has been very steady until this inning, but his control seems

suddenly to have deserted him. He's walked the first two men to face him.

Ostro, the Sox cleanup man, now in the batter's box.

He's hitless so far tonight.

Milliken stares in to get his side, goes into the stretch. A breaking ball, low

and away, ball one.

Hello.

I see the ball game won.

Huh? I should have known that sermon wouldn't stand a chance of getting

with a ball game on.

That's what you get for going away and leaving me alone.

Did you get the service center decorated?

Finally, she said wearily.

A thousand miles of crepe paper later.

Come on home, I miss you.

I'm leaving the base now.

So don't go back to sleep.

I can't get away with anything with you, huh?

Not a thing, dear.

I'll see you.

Okay, honey.

Now Milliken looks in for his sign, nods, into the stretch.

Another sharp ground ball to Younger at shortstop. The throw to first, he's out.

What are you doing?

I know you, don't I? Haven't you been at the... No!

No!

And there it goes, away, way out, a home run into the left field bleacher.

A Quinn Martin Warner Brothers production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbliss Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

Stephen Brooks.

With guest stars Leslie Nielsen.

Malcolm Atterbury.

Bruce Dern.

Tonight's episode.

Pound of flesh.

I know all that, Arthur, and I'm sure your resident agent is efficient, but...

What I'm asking you for is your very best effort in this matter.

Charlie, I know your constituents are putting some pressure on, but Lou's desk

is already... My telephone hasn't quit ringing since the middle of the night.

General Chase said he's afraid he'll have a full -scale riot in his hands

something is done.

And Howard Shelley called to say that Fort Marshall... Howard Shelley?

Fort Marshall Inquirer.

Columnist. Yeah, I know him.

The nationally syndicated.

He said the townspeople are alpha blood.

Bludgeon, death instantaneous.

That's right, Congressman.

Three killings in six months.

All women.

Twice as many molestations.

Probably twice as many unreported.

They picked up a soldier on one of the murders, acquitted him.

That's in the last paragraph.

PFC, Byron Landy.

I don't have to tell you how important good relations are when an army base in

town are cheap by jowl like this.

Well, those good relations are disintegrating fast.

The townspeople blame the army for the crime wave. Well, the soldiers are

offended by the accusing finger.

And both elements are resentful because Landy was returned to duty.

You mean Landy's back at Fort Marshall?

He hadn't been back two days before Mrs. Fletcher was killed.

This, uh... Captain Craig Fletcher. There was an All -American named

That's right. He's the same man.

And very popular.

Matter of fact, if it hadn't been for Fletcher and his wife, there probably

would have been a blow -up long before this.

Now that safety valve is gone.

Arthur!

Charlie.

Jane.

Jane, I want the first.

Flight available for Mr. Erskine and Mr. Rhodes.

It's to Fort Marshall, Missouri.

Right, and would you notify the resident agent there?

That's Dale Newton.

Thing go blow on the head.

Usual blunt instrument.

There's still no sign of her car?

No, sir, not yet.

Presumed stolen by the subject.

Time of death?

About 8 .30 p .m.

Inspector, I don't know if this connects up, but the armory was broken into last

night.

Guard was slugged from behind.

Two .45 automatics, two submachine guns, and a thousand rounds of ammunition

were stolen.

The crew is looking for Prince now.

What time is that?

A little after 8. Blue, I've got a name. He was last seen at the PX around 7

.30. He's now listed as AWOL.

No others, then?

Yeah, there were three others, but they've all been gone two weeks or

The Newton asked the CID to let us know the minute they get a line on a private

Byron Landy, will you?

Yes, sir.

I understand the MTs are picking up Landy.

Well, that won't be much a surprise to my town.

Gershwin?

I beg your pardon?

Howard J. Shelley.

I'd be very flattered if I didn't have to explain who that was.

No, I'm familiar with your columnist, Shelley.

This is Special Agent Rhodes.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?

Well, Mr. Erskine, it's gratifying to see that the FBI is giving us such fast

action. You won't have to look far for Landy.

You understand, of course, Mr. Shelley, that Landy is wanted for questioning,

not murder.

Just a matter of time.

He murdered the Henderson girl, no matter what the jury said.

And it's my guess that he murdered Janice Fletcher, too.

You print a guess like that and this town will read it guilty.

All right, Inspector.

I'll hold off as long as I can.

But I think I should tell you that my syndicate expects a daily report on your

progress.

The FBI doesn't make reports on pending investigations, Mr. Shelley.

I have my own sources.

We have faith in the FBI, sir.

Well, I'll see you around.

Do you smell a little pressure?

Byron Landy.

Yes, I know him. Perhaps better than he knows himself.

Why?

What was your relationship with him?

Is he your man?

Did you like him? Did you get along together?

Byron Landy is one of the toughest ballplayers I've ever coached. He's the

of the base football team here.

He has lots of problems.

I ran across a dozen cases like his when I was studying psychology.

I tried to help him.

Did he resent that?

You're looking for a motive, huh?

It helps.

He accused me of using my influence to take him off the Vietnam roster.

Off the roster?

Yes.

There's fighting going on there.

Landy could never get enough of that.

He wanted to hit me.

I would have met a court -martial, so I volunteered to put the gloves on with

him.

I think that's about the first fight he ever lost.

Fire and Landy, huh?

Yes, he said he'd get even.

He had all the motive he needed.

Fletcher residence.

Yes, Dale.

Good, we'll be right over.

The CID picked up Landy right here in town.

Drunk in some bar.

Thanks, Chaplain.

Sorry to bother you at a time like this. Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye.

What's all this?

TVA station got a tip from the bar while they were picking up Landy.

Well, shall we run the gauntlet?

Inspector Erskine, we'd appreciate a few words. No comment.

There's a lot of excitement about this case and we're taping for the network.

haven't interviewed Landy yet.

Is there any doubt about his guilt?

No comment.

Why don't you turn him over to us, buddy? We'll get you a confession.

take care of it.

Word gets around.

Inspector, we questioned the guard who was on the auto gate last night, but he

doesn't remember seeing Landy or the stolen car go out. There was a lot of

traffic. Any fingerprints from the armory?

Must have been wearing gloves.

No trace of the car yet.

Stolen guns either.

Landy hit him pretty well if he's our boy.

You better keep an eye outside.

I'm Inspector Erskine of the FBI, Landy. This is Special Agent Rhodes.

I have to inform you that you're on the right to counsel, and that anything you

say can be taken down in writing and used against you in a court of law.

Well, you can write this down in your little book or whatever it is there,

Inspector, that Private Byron Landy is guilty of having a massive

hangover.

Which any court of law knows is due to excessive drinking.

When does drunken disorderly come under a federal statute?

When the degree of disorder warrants it.

Unfortunately, I can't always remember the...

Details of my campaigns.

Did you remember how you felt when you lost that boxing match?

Preacher doesn't always just talk in the pulpit, does he?

You threaten him?

I threaten him.

Why are you so anxious to go to Vietnam?

Well, soldiers are supposed to fight wars, aren't they?

Yeah, but they don't usually fight each other for the chance.

What's the great attraction?

What do you mean, what's the attraction?

Well, generally, when a man wants to go to war that badly, it's for one of two

reasons. Either he wants to kill somebody or he wants to get himself

Well, I don't know the answer to that, Inspector. Why don't you ask Dr.

Freud?

at what time did you drive off the base last night?

Oh, wait a second, man. I don't even own a car.

You know?

Well, what is the problem? What's the matter?

Some guns and ammunition were stolen from the armory last night.

Well, I'm not guilty.

Is that all?

There was a murder.

Mrs. Craig Fletcher.

In the parking lot about 8 .30 p .m.

Her car was stolen.

Now, wait a minute. I was acquitted.

Am I going to be the patsy for every murder that's committed from now on?

Now, I confess, I got drunk last night and I went over the wall, but that's all

I did. That was my crime for the day, all right?

Now, is there anything else?

Is there?

or try to get him.

The chaplain can't tell you any more than we can. I'm sorry. Are you going to

talk to Landley, chaplain?

Yes. Could you give us a statement about what you expect to learn?

You mean do I think he's guilty?

Yes.

Captain Fletcher, a statement like that is all this town needs. It's an avid

strain. There's no evidence yet.

Let me see him alone and there'll be no doubt.

Chaplain.

Captain Fletcher, I don't think you ought to go in there. Mr. Erskine, this

my duty.

He's an army prisoner and I'm an army chaplain.

You're a little early, aren't you? They haven't split my pant legs yet.

You know why I tried to stop you from going to Vietnam.

I don't know why everybody else couldn't wait to see me go.

Because you would have killed Landy.

And you would have liked it.

And then there would be no stopping you.

Yeah, well, there's a lot of people seem to think I'm hooked already.

I know you, Landy. I've seen that look in your eye. I tried to make you realize

that you were dangerous.

Oh, wait a second.

And now you have killed.

I didn't kill your wife. Why wouldn't you listen? I didn't kill your wife. Why

wouldn't you listen?

Why wouldn't you listen?

Why wouldn't you listen?

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I'm a phony.

I'm no better than that.

I wanted to kill him in there.

I don't think you could have.

Did you go in there to kill him?

I went in there to try to find the truth.

To understand.

I tried to understand it. I hated him.

Made a mockery out of every word I've ever said from the pulpit.

For one little moment, you forgot you were a chaplain.

One.

I haven't stopped hating, Inspector.

Chaplain.

You still think Landy's guilty?

That's about the only mistake I didn't make.

Seven. Seven.

Dispatcher to seven.

Seven, Erskine.

Mr. Rose to speak to you, Inspector.

Go ahead.

Hello, I'm back in Dale's office.

Word just came in from the Iowa Highway Patrol. They found Mrs. Fletcher's car.

Iowa? Not far across the Missouri border in Centerville.

It was abandoned off a highway.

Why would Landy drive all the way to Iowa and then turn around and come back?

I don't know. The car could have been bought, borrowed, or even stolen from

Landy after he left the base.

You better follow it up fast.

A crew from the Des Moines office is on their way there now.

Maybe they'll pick up some prints.

Ed? Yeah?

Ever know a minister's wife that drank beer?

Couple of good ones.

Yeah.

All right, Crowley Landry, let's see if you like beer.

They're not his.

Oh, great.

One step away from a formal murder charge and Landy turns out to be a

drinker. Of course, he doesn't prove he's innocent, but we're a long way from

indictment. I'm sorry to hear that.

Gentlemen, this is General Chase.

Inspector Erskine. Special Agent Rhodes. Agent Newton.

Yes, we've met.

You can't take Landy off our hands yet?

I'm afraid you're going to have to hold him on that AWOL charge a little longer,

General.

How much longer?

With Landy off the post, we could save some trouble.

There's another problem, Inspector.

My phone hasn't let up all day.

Civic leaders, service clubs, women's groups.

Miss Shelley, if you don't mind. Can't you see what's happening here,

The tension that's building up between the civilian and the military. This has

never happened here before, and I don't intend to let it continue.

Now, just one moment.

We've been on this case less than five hours.

Exactly what is it everybody expects?

A pound of flesh?

That's right.

Well, don't you care who's Mr. Shelley?

Suppose we were to give you Landy's head on a platter today and tomorrow find

out he's innocent.

He isn't. You know what the odds are.

Mr. Shelley, sometimes the FBI proves innocence instead of guilt.

Now, why don't you ask those readers of yours which they think is more

important?

Justice is a word I respect too, sir.

But this is an emotional crime. I'm not the first.

And my soft pedal is beginning to squeak.

Newton?

Yes.

He said what?

Yes, right away.

Thanks.

Inspector?

Here's the time saver for you.

Landy wants to confess.

I keep a bottle stashed away most of the time.

When I got about halfway through the bottle, I decided to go to town.

I got out to the parking lot, and Mrs.

Fletcher's car was there.

And I figured that our buddy, the chaplain, needed a little bit of

But then Mrs.

Fletcher got in the way, and I think I hit her with

something.

You think?

No, I hit her. That's right.

Hit her.

What did you hit her with?

Uh, heavy. I had something that was really heavy.

That's right.

How did you get off the base, Private?

I don't remember.

Look, you got me for murder. What else do you want?

We'd like one fact, Landy.

One fact that isn't... I killed her, all right? You got that down there? I

killed her. K -I -L -L -E -D. Killed.

Guard, why did you decide to confess, Landy?

Well, you're really a hard man to convince, aren't you?

I've seen all kinds.

From murderers to petty criminals. And almost all of them have one thing in

common. They want to be punished.

Well, you're in the wrong business, you know that?

You ought to turn your gun in for a Bible.

Vietnam or the gas chamber, what's the difference?

The job gets done.

There's one alternative, Landy.

It's called growing up.

I'll see you in a moment.

Well, looks like we're in business.

Got your confession.

I can see no reason why the U .S. Attorney can't put in a little night

Get Landy out of here.

I'm not going to the U .S. Attorney, General.

Inspector, the morning edition is going to carry a banner headline.

Landy confesses.

Do you want the subhead to read, but the FBI refuses to believe him?

The presumption of guilt or innocence is up to a jury.

Not to me, Mr. Shelley, and not to you either.

I'm aware of that.

I'm also aware there's nothing to stop you from setting the wheels in motion.

The evidence doesn't justify it.

Doesn't justify it?

Well, what more do you want?

Landy was AWOL at the time of the murder.

Supposing that's been a blind spot.

Somebody murdered for a car.

Now, if he had a legitimate leave, just think how far he could get before he'd

be missed.

Inspector, do you realize how many sets of fingerprints we're talking about?

We have a thousand troops on this base that are going to Vietnam in two weeks.

Over half of them were given a furlough yesterday.

The day of the murder.

Don't you think we'd better get out of general?

We don't keep the prints here. They're in Washington.

And that's where Mr.

Rhodes is going, just as soon as you give me that list of names.

Get your daughters off the street, people.

The dog faces are in town again.

Beer, Sam?

No, we don't want no trouble.

No trouble, we just want beer.

You heard what he said.

You got a pick. Go get your beer there.

That's where you belong.

Look, fella, we didn't do anything.

Look, fella, they're not leaving.

What do you think about that?

You want to take a look at this one?

That's it.

That's it. Yeah.

Whitney Duncan, private first class.

His records show three attempts to get a medical discharge, all of them

failures.

And the next step is usually the chaplain.

You recognize him?

Duncan Whitney, yes. I remember he came to me about a month ago.

If you're looking for a motive with him, don't, because he doesn't have one. All

he wanted to do was get married.

He hadn't checked with his CO and he didn't have the three days necessary to

his blood tests and his license.

His girlfriend only had that one Saturday off.

She had to go back to Iowa to her job.

What kind of a job?

Oh, it was some discount stores he worked in, I think she said.

Where in Iowa?

What difference does it make, Inspector?

It might make a great deal of difference.

I can't remember. The name was familiar, but I don't know. I don't remember.

Would it jog your memory, sir, if you saw it?

It might.

I picked up an Iowa road map.

What was the girl's name? What is the point of this, Inspector? You and I both

know that... I know that Whitney's fingerprints were on that beer can.

He could have thrown that in the back of the car when he was coming back from

the PX.

I might find out the answer to that if I knew who the girl was.

She never told me her name.

I never did get it.

He always called her Baby or...

She was pretty. She had a nice smile.

You say you saw them on a Saturday.

Which Saturday?

April 10th.

So we're looking for a girl who was absent from work in a discount house on

Saturday the 10th of April.

It's what makes you think that Whitney will be with that girl.

We checked the destination on his leave application.

He used a phony address. You still don't know the girl's name. No, but you know

what she looks like.

Now, wait a minute. We have a helicopter. We can be any place you say

within two hours.

Would you mind telling me why you're so bent on proving that Landy's innocent?

Would you mind telling me why you're so bent on proving he's guilty? Because he

is guilty.

I want to see him punished.

I thought I was, Inspector.

I cannot forgive him.

All right, Captain Fletcher.

Maybe we'll all think better after a night's sleep.

We'll be at the Fort Marshall Hotel in case you think of the name of that town.

Captain.

Erskine? Yes?

The mayor? All right, give it 15 minutes.

Mr. Shelley?

This is Mr. Elmer Russell, mayor of Fort Marshall.

Inspector Erskine. How do you do? Special Agent Rhodes. How do you do,

do you do? Sorry to intrude, Inspector, but the committee decided a meeting was

advisable before any action was taken.

The committee?

Appointed by me, Mr. Erskine, to expedite a conclusion to what is rapidly

becoming an intolerable situation.

All you'd have to do to ease the tension in this town is to arrest Byron Landy.

Inspector, last night there was a brawl between civilians and the military in a

downtown bar.

Ten of those people are now in city jail.

I've had to cancel all leave and restrict the barracks all military

out on duty.

There's a mass protest meeting scheduled for tonight on the steps of the city

hall.

I suggest that you be there.

This interview is over.

Inspector, I have no choice.

I'm going to call Washington.

Well, Inspector, it happened.

So I'll have to print it.

And I will.

It's blackmail.

Who do they think they are telling you how to conduct an investigation?

The U .S. Attorney knows what you're doing.

I suppose they're right, Jim.

Right?

I suppose Whitney did just toss that beer can into the car on his way back

the PX.

Oh, Lou.

Oh, Landy could have hidden the gun. Somebody else could have driven the car

Iowa. Anybody.

Yeah, but what about that confession?

I mean, it couldn't have sounded phonier.

Well, he wouldn't have been the first drinker to black out.

Still.

Erskine.

Inspector, Craig Fletcher.

Oh, yes.

Look, I haven't changed my mind about anything, but I don't feel I have a

to withhold information.

I found the name of that town in Iowa.

It's Elmira.

Elmira.

Inspector?

Are you there?

Oh, yes, yes, chaplain.

And there's no need to call me that anymore. I've decided to resign my

commission.

Resign?

Now, about Elmira.

I know that the mayor is setting up a committee to keep you from going there.

Oh, don't you worry about that.

Now, if you intend to fly there...

I would like to come with you, and I'll try to identify that girl.

Well, good. We'll pick you up in ten minutes.

Thank you.

The store closes at 10 .30 tonight.

But they keep the weekend receipts until the banks open in the morning.

That's all the money they took in Friday, Saturday, and today.

It should be about 15 ,000.

Look out, Mexico. Here come the rich Americanos. You come in here, that's the

office. Come in this door, and that's the safe.

Looks easy.

If you can open it.

Open it?

What, are you serious?

Come on.

Morgan doesn't know much.

They know his demolition.

This is the noisy stuff.

Nitro. I've been collecting it little by little for months.

Picked up some more goodies.

Oh, yeah. Hey.

Fowler.

Yes, Lamar, what did you dig up on the discount stores?

Yes? Yes.

I want you to get three cars over there right away.

Cruise the area.

Bring along walkie -talkies and stand by for instructions.

All the three discount houses in town all open weekends.

One reports no girls off on Saturday, April 10th.

One reports a Blanche Morris.

She's 58 years old. Now, the third, Richards, everybody was off that day.

Except the cleanup crew.

The sprinkler system was accidentally triggered.

How many women employees?

37. Eight in the subject's age bracket.

Fowler?

Yes, sir. He's right here.

Inspector? Washington.

Mr. Ward.

Arthur, I was expecting a call from you.

Well, I've gotten some calls I wasn't expecting, Lewis, including one from the

Pentagon. They're after your scalp.

After the whole Bureau's scalp, if I don't take you off that case.

Are you going to?

What's going on out there, Lewis? Why are you dragging your feet?

To tell you the truth, Arthur, I'm getting just a little tired of answering

question.

But you do have an answer.

I am investigating a case. I would like to be allowed to finish it.

In Elmira?

In Elmira.

All right, Lewis, I just wanted to hear you say it. I'll hold them off as long

as I can.

Thank you, Arthur.

Oh, Lewis.

Try not to bother me again on Sunday if you can help it.

Well, Chaplin, shall we go shopping?

That's what I'm here for.

Inspector, Mr. Richards has photographs of all of his employees. Should make our

job that much easier.

Always require a photograph with every application.

Can't always remember what they look like by the time I get around to hiring

them.

Oh, uh, this girl doesn't work here anymore, but she did at that time.

That's Whitney's girlfriend.

When did she leave?

Yesterday. Said she was going back home.

Michigan. I remember because she gave me two weeks' notice and they don't

usually bother.

Could we borrow this?

Keep it.

Vicki Tanner, 105 .4 Locust Street.

Erskine to all units, subject has entered the area.

Erskine to Hughes, come in.

Hughes, go ahead, sir.

Subject is driven away from the apartment, headed for your position.

Follow and keep me informed.

Erskine, clear.

Here she comes.

Let's go.

Erskine to all cars, follow subject at minimum three block interval.

Subject turned left on Court Street is proceeding east at 30 miles an hour.

Subject is proceeding east on State Highway 6.

All right, you stay with her. We'll go back to the office with the others. You

can reach me there if anything develops.

Clear.

Must mean Whitney isn't here.

Sorry you had to wait around like this. I'm going to charter a private plane to

fly you home.

Nothing new yet?

I just came from the radio room. I got a report that Vicki Tanner checked into a

motel about 30 miles from here.

And you still think that girl's going to meet Whitney?

We're going there to find out, but I'm sure you'd rather be in Fort Marshall.

No.

I prefer to stay here, if you don't mind.

We're a lot alike, you and I. We both have made a commitment in our lives.

We both had our faith in that commitment challenged.

Only you resisted.

Right or wrong, you stood by your code. I didn't.

But I have to now.

If you find Whitney, and if he is guilty, I have to face him.

I must see him.

Lou, we just heard from Hughes again.

Evidently, Vicki hadn't been in her room five minutes before she made a phone

call to Amy's motel roommate. It's right here in town.

Call her.

Yes, sir, he's right here.

Sir, it's Dale Newton at Fort Marshall.

Yes, Dale.

Inspector, Fort Marshall police just turned up the killer of the Henderson

a civilian wearing a stolen army uniform.

He's the same man who started the barroom fight with the soldiers. His

connected him with the other crimes.

I thought you should know.

Okay, thanks very much.

Well, I found the murder of the Henderson girl, and it wasn't Landy.

Clint, how far is that Amy's motel from here?

Oh, about 12 blocks. Let's go.

Good luck.

You boys are a little late. The Smith boys checked out half an hour ago.

Smith? Yeah. Oh, let's face it, honey. If it wasn't for the Smiths in this

world, I'd be out of business in a week.

Two of them. You sure of that? Am I sure?

Listen, if there's one thing I can do in this world, it's count.

Money. And people.

If you don't mind, we'd like to take a look at that wastebasket.

Sure, help yourself.

Look, don't make a mess, huh? Jim.

You, um, ever see this girl?

Yeah, she was in here bright and early this morning.

Right here in this room.

She left about an hour ago.

Hello?

Looks like we go shopping again.

Wait, take this. I'll have my hands full for the suitcase.

Get him to the hospital right away, Clint.

Call an ambulance.

I've got a few questions to answer.

Calling Dr.

Stevens. Dr.

Stevens, please.

Will you please check with the nurse on duty in Ward B?

Aren't you taking a chance, letting me go in there to see him alone?

I don't think so.

Isn't that why you wanted to stay?

Captain, I'm sorry.

Landy.

I want you to forgive me if you can.

What for, Chaplain?

Even though I didn't kill your wife.

I could have. You've always known that I've had it in me.

Yes, I knew.

Well, how do you get rid of it?

Do you know that?

I didn't, but I know now.

Yes, I know now.