Original subtitles

No.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

James Olsen, Catherine Justice,

Armando Silvestre, and special guest star J .D. Cannon.

Tonight's episode, Conspiracy of Corruption.

On October 17.

While ranch foreman Peter Griffith lay in a coma in a nearby hospital, unable

identify his assailant, local sheriff's deputies and state highway patrolmen

began an investigation under the general direction of Las Montas County Sheriff

William Temple.

However, within hours of the crime, the Las Montas County prosecutor called the

FBI headquarters in Washington.

Because suspicion had arisen that a law enforcement officer might have been the

assailant, and thereby violated the civil rights of the victim.

The Attorney General ordered the FBI into the case under the provisions of

civil rights statutes.

It's not a very happy situation.

It never is when a law enforcement officer is suspected of committing a

That's why I thought it so important that you two get the first plane out.

Did the doctors have anything encouraging to say about Griffith's

No. It's still critical.

and they had to take the chance of flying him up to the state capitol for

medical facilities.

There's some sort of paralysis, so he may not be able to give us any

information, even if he does recover.

What kind of evidence does the county prosecutor have, Mr. Ward?

Well, for one thing, we've had a report that a sheriff's black and white sedan

was spotted at the scene of the crime.

Well, that plus the fact that Sheriff Temple's had it in for Griffith for some

time. The attorney general based his request for our investigation on both

points. Was there ever any actual threat made by either man?

We don't know if it went that far.

But Sheriff Temple bucked the Wyatt Ranch.

And in so doing, he bucked both Griffith and Cliff Wyatt.

Wyatt's very influential and powerful.

Which means there's going to be a lot of pressure on this.

Not only out in the field, but back here in Washington.

Who's the resident agent there?

John Potter.

He's driving to Las Montes. He'll meet you there and introduce you to Sheriff

Temple.

And Temple's directing the investigation.

Yeah, we'll be shaking hands with the prime suspect in the case.

They just passed the crossing.

Well, I'd better go out and welcome them.

John?

Sheriff Temple, I'd like you to meet Inspector Erskine.

Special Agent Colby here.

Inspector, Mr. Colby.

Well, I can't say I was surprised when John called and said that you were on

way.

Good. Let's get right on it, shall we, Sharon?

They came from a 30 -30 hunting rifle, Inspector.

Did you make plaster impressions of the tire marks and footprints?

Yes, we did.

We'd like to forward all the evidence you have back to Washington immediately.

But they're evidence in an attempted murder investigation.

And also in a civil rights investigation, Sheriff.

All right.

Sheriff, the .30 -30 is one of the standard weapons in your department,

it? Yes, it is. We have four of them.

We'd like to send them back as well for comparison with the slug.

All right.

There's something I've got to tell you. One of our guns is missing.

It disappeared. It was stolen about five days ago from one of our cars.

Did you record the theft?

No, I didn't.

Why not?

Well, I guess I kept hoping we'd find it.

Sheriff, the night that Griffith was shot, where were you?

On routine patrol.

Did you have a deputy with you?

No, I was alone.

I understand you'd had a conversation with Griffith that morning.

Yes.

I'd had several talks with him.

I was trying to make him realize that somebody would get killed if he and

didn't stop importing Braceros.

Cliff Wyant.

All the money in the world, and he still insists on bringing in the cheapest

labor he can get.

Did you really expect Griffith to turn against his employer?

My quarrel wasn't really with Griffin. I think he's a fairly honest man.

But over the years, he'd seen Wyant change, and I just about had him to the

point where he was willing to go along with me.

In what way?

Contact me the next time they were going to pick up a load of braceros.

That's all I've been waiting for.

I could make an arrest and get Wyant into a federal court.

But he didn't contact you.

No.

Sheriff. How did the trouble between you and Wyant start?

Well, I guess when I first put on this badge.

You see, Cliff Wyant isn't just a power around here. He's a way of life.

This town's in his pocket.

So is the whole county.

Maybe even the state.

Everyone except you?

Either I'm the law here or he is.

I know what this informant from across the border thought he saw.

But I've only got six black and white sedans.

Three were on patrol. I was in the fourth.

And the other two are in Kyle Harris' garage for servicing.

You have any idea who this informant might be?

I don't think it was one of the Braceras themselves, but it might have been the

contact man who brings them across.

I was hoping to arrest him and Griffith at the point of sale.

Griffith changed his mind and didn't call you as he promised.

Mm -hmm.

Cliff Wyatt and his daughter.

I imagine they'd like to talk to you alone, Inspector.

That's all right, Sheriff.

Might be easier.

Get a good set of the sheriff's tire impressions.

Afternoon.

Inspector Erskine, I imagine.

Dwight. How do you do?

My daughter, Laurel.

How are you?

I just flew in from the capital.

I must say I'm a little surprised to see...

Sheriff Temple's still free as the breeze.

Well, he's still a sheriff, Mr. Wyant. He's performing his duty.

Oh, I imagine he will.

Right up to the moment you put the handcuffs on him.

How do you think it happened?

Well, all I know is he'd been harassing Pete for a long time.

Probably watched every move Pete made.

And I understand the sheriff was out alone that night. He could have spotted

Pete, followed him here.

Why do you think he'd do a thing like that, Mr. Wyatt?

Why do you think he'd do a thing like that, Mr. Erskine?

Hard to say.

Do you suppose he could have heard that Griffith was planning to bring some

aliens in illegally?

Now, that would have to be proven in a court of law, wouldn't it, Inspector?

Why don't we wait and see what happens?

Pete Griffith's half dead. Everyone here knows who did it.

Why are we wasting so much time? Because he's the sheriff?

Easy now, Laurel.

Mr. Erskine and his people are just getting to know us in this area.

Matter of fact, I'd like to extend an invitation to you.

Visit the Wyant Ranch.

Well, that's an invitation I accept with pleasure, Mr. Wyant. Good.

Anytime. Just give us a call.

State police called, then. One of the patrols just found what might be the

murder gun along the roadside near Madeira.

How far is that from here? Twenty -five miles.

Where's the gun now?

It's on its way to the Las Manas County Sheriff's Office.

This is definitely the rifle that was missing, Lou.

The serial number matches the number in the gun locker.

Good. How soon do we get it off to Washington?

We can get it out on the six o 'clock flight.

Call for you from Washington, Inspector. Line one.

Oh, thank you.

Erskine. I'm starting to get some inquiries, Lewis, from so -called

Wyatt. The questions go something like this.

We have a prime suspect, a motive of long standing, a report that one of his

cars was at the crime scene.

How much more do we need?

Well, the answer to that may...

The answer to that may be in the evidence we're flying out to you within

hour. Oh? What is it?

Possibly the weapon used in the crime.

30 -30 rifle.

From the sheriff's office.

Hot day for that kind of work.

Yeah, yeah it is, but I promise it for tomorrow.

I'm Kyle Harris, owner, chief mechanic, and general flunky of this place of

business.

Believe it or not, I keep my promises.

You're the FBI manager?

One of them.

My name's Erskine.

These are two vehicles that were brought in for repair the night of the 16th?

Yeah, that's right.

Freshly washed, huh?

Does that mean they're ready to go back?

Oh, no. I'm waiting for parts on both of them.

See, I did a wheel alignment job on the one and put some new brushes and plugs

on the other.

So I road tested them today and had them washed.

Is that of some interest to the FBI?

Maybe.

You service all the sheriff's cars?

Oh, yeah.

Him and all the sheriffs before him.

See, we vote them in and we vote them out.

Does that mean you disapprove of Sheriff Temple?

Well, I didn't say that. I mean, he has new ideas, new ways of doing things, but

maybe it's for the best.

See, in this town, it's not so much people disliking the sheriff as if they

he's gone up against Cliff Wyatt.

That can't help but be a mistake.

Wyatt's done everything good around here. One man can.

I'd like to see the mileage logs on those two vehicles.

Mileage logs?

You understand, when the deputies bring the cars in, they leave mileage logs. It

can be checked against the speedometers for...

Lubrication tags, I think. Oh, yeah, they must be here someplace.

Probably in the desk.

Let me take a look.

I don't see them right off, but they gotta be here.

Tell you what, I'll take a good long look in the morning and call either you

the sheriff.

That is, if the sheriff's still around to be called.

Appreciate it.

Sure thing.

Absolutely radiant.

A beauty.

A real beauty, Laurel.

You're just saying that because I'm Hawaiian.

And I'm yours.

And because it's true.

I'm glad your friends called.

Talked you into going to the club.

I'd much rather go up to the Capitol and be with Pete.

There's nothing you can do there. I talked to him. Still no change.

They won't let anyone near him. Got a guard standing by all the time.

How about you come into the club, too?

You've been under terrible strain.

Ah, thanks. No, I'd better stay here.

That young FBI man called. He and his boss are on their way out.

Then how about I stay, too?

And then after they leave, we could go to Morelos' bar.

Young lady, I did not build that country club and an 18 -hole golf course and a

dance pavilion so you could sit around Morelos' bar.

That's no place for a girl like you.

Funny, I'm so much like you and you can't see it.

Pete did, that's why he always let me come along.

Poor Pete.

Laurel, you've still got a good chance.

I know.

When I wake up in the morning or half -wake up and think, Tuesday, Pete and I

had to go out and check on the new grass on the Sierra Vista side.

And then I remember Pete may never check anything anymore.

I'd better get started You enjoy yourself

Welcome to the Wyatt Ranch, Inspector.

Can Aunt Maria bring you anything?

No, thank you. Thank you, Maria. Come in, come in. Sit down.

I'm sure there are certain questions you'd like to ask me about Pete

Inspector. I'll go right ahead.

Thank you.

Leaving out the question of right or wrong for the moment, if Griffith was

waiting for Bracero's...

It would seem there must have been a contact man.

I should imagine.

You have no idea who that might have been.

Well, there are certain things I didn't question Pete about.

And if I didn't, nobody would.

Well, did he have any enemies here in Las Mondas? Like disgruntled former

employees who might have threatened him?

Well, if we have any disgruntled former employees, I doubt they'd stay around

this part of the country, let alone threaten any of us.

I see.

Mr. Wyant, you must realize that you don't have to tell us anything.

And whatever you say can be used against you.

I am aware of my rights, but why all the fuss?

Pete's going to make it. Then he'll tell you himself who shot it. We can't count

on that, even if he does recover.

The shots were fired from behind some brush.

Griffith probably never even got a look at whoever it was.

Ambush? Is that what you're saying?

In effect.

Mr. Wyatt, where were you the night of the shooting?

All right.

I was in Morellas'. That's a bar in Los Matos, the best bar.

That's not saying very much, but it's quieter than the country club.

I got there, oh, about nine.

Morellas should be able to pin the time down for you.

But may I ask why I need an alibi?

Some people say Sheriff Temple is the only man in this county who ever defied

you and got away with it.

If you two were at odds, we'd like to verify your account.

That's an explanation I can accept.

Temple thinks that because he's sheriff, that gives him the right to badger and

harass me and my men.

It's happened before in this part of the country.

A man puts on a badge, he thinks that gives him the power over other men, even

the power of life and death.

Sheriff Temple can't stand me or what I represent around here.

He's been trying to beat me down ever since he took office.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Lou, may I talk to you for a minute?

I'll be right back.

Less than half an hour ago, Mexican police raided a warehouse just across

border. They found two dozen braceros, but the man in charge of them escaped

after a gunfight.

Who is he?

Well, his name is Carlos Lara.

He's holed up in a barn on a farm about five miles this side of the border.

He somehow managed to get to a phone call. Potter told me he wanted to talk

the FBI.

Ah, one thing more.

He told Potter that if Sheriff Temple gets to him first, he's afraid Temple

kill him.

All right, I'm asking you one last time.

Come on out.

We're coming in.

Bill, take it easy. According to the Mexican police, they wounded him. He

run far.

You better take cover. I'm not waiting any longer.

Sheriff? Over here, Inspector.

I've got men flanking the barn, but I think I'm going to have to go in and get

them.

Do you mind my asking what you're doing here?

Lara called the office. He wants to talk to us.

I'm sure John told you.

Well, he's armed and he's wounded. If you want to talk to him, go right ahead.

Lara!

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI.

Come out, unarmed, and you'll be safe.

You got something that says you're an FBI man?

Yes, I have.

I'll show it to you if you let me.

All right.

You take a flashlight and you point it at the ground.

And you start walking this way.

Alone. Sheriff, do you have a flashlight?

Look, Inspector, this is crazy.

He's had it. He's going to take you along with him. But the flashlight just

makes you a lighted target. Take the flashlight, please.

We'll cover as best we can.

Lara!

I'm coming in.

Hold it.

Hold it.

You put that light on your face.

I said you put that light on your face.

Okay.

Now come the rest of the way.

Now toss me the light.

Easy.

Easy.

Okay.

Show me your ID.

Sorry to...

But you're in so much trouble, Mr. Eskin.

But I couldn't take the chance of having Sheriff Temple put a slug into me like

he did with Pete Griffith.

Lara claims he actually called the state police to identify Sheriff Temple as

having been at the scene of the crime.

But he hung up because he was afraid he might be talking to one of Temple's

friends.

Is he willing to testify it was Temple he saw?

Yes, he is.

That's why he asked to talk to us first.

Well, I would think that just about does it.

I have the ballistics report here.

There's no question that the bullet the doctors removed from Griffith was fired

from the weapon you forwarded to us.

Right. You'll see the Civil Rights Division about issuing a warrant.

Right, Lewis.

The warrant charges that while acting under color of law as a law enforcement

officer, you willfully violated the civil rights of Peter Evans.

I'm sure you know you're right, Sheriff.

You have the right to remain silent and have an attorney present.

What reason do we give for going back to Los Manos, Lou?

Tom, we're going back because I'm not satisfied.

Unit 1 to Unit 2.

Griskin. John Potter, Inspector.

We've just been notified the Sheriff Temple made bail on the civil rights

and is no longer in custody.

Right, John. We're on our way back anyway. There's still a few things that

to be cleared up. I'll meet you at the hotel.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Inspector.

You can tell me we're getting to be that familiar a sight around here. It's a

small town.

And there's still that fine old Western tradition of curiosity about a stranger.

Sure. We're very old and very heavy in old Western tradition.

Have you known Cliff Wyatt a long time?

Ever since I was a kid.

Pretty good customer?

Very good.

The music never stops when he's here.

Was he here Wednesday night?

Yes, he came in about nine because Joe Cruz was still here. Joe stops in for a

quick one, then goes back and closes up his service station.

And what time did Wyant leave?

Right around 11 .30.

He watched the news as he usually does. Then he left.

Did he leave the bar at any other time?

No, sir. When Mr. Wyant sits down to relax and have a few, he don't jump up.

I see.

Miss Morales, since I've been in Las Montes, I've found out quite a bit about

it.

I heard, for instance, that some of the earliest sheriffs were in the habit of

arresting men on a Saturday night for having a few drinks in them, knowing

could get 30 days free labor out of them in the county work gang.

But that Sheriff Temple changed all that.

In fact, they say he accomplished quite a bit around here.

All right. He did some good.

Have you ever given the county 30 days free labor because you happen to have a

few drinks in you on a Saturday night?

I still say Mr. Wyatt was here that night.

Thank you, Mr. Morales.

Si, senor.

Lost in the last week.

Did you find the cat's tracks?

Found it. Lost it again in Prada's wash.

Well, I'll take the dogs out for lunch. Go out after it.

I wish Pete was here.

Those two fellas I had with me?

They couldn't find a cat and a pet shelter.

Suppose I go with you?

That won't be necessary.

How was the dance?

It was all right.

Any word on Pete?

And they said they'd call if there's any change.

I thought it'd do any good to fly up there.

You told me yourself there's nothing else we can do.

I know.

You're right.

Daddy, I want to go after the cat. I want to go with you.

Promise to be careful.

All right, Inspector.

I think the next step is for me to talk to the DA.

And the next step after that would seem to be the filing of a formal complaint.

I've talked to the U .S. Attorney's Office, and he agrees that the local

prosecution should take immediate precedence.

Well, we want to thank you for all the assistance you've given us, Inspector.

Well, I tell you, Mr. Reese, there are one or two things I'd like to clear up

before we leave.

Osmontis County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Joyner speaking.

Who's calling, please?

Mr. Ward in Washington.

Yes, Arthur.

Lewis, we now have the three tire impressions you sent.

Yes, the last was taken right after Sheriff Temple drove off.

Well, that's the best of the three.

We can now say with certainty that Sheriff Temple's car did not make either

the first two.

Well, what do they indicate, anything?

Well, they're from a heavier, older model sedan and a heavy truck. Different

tire widths and tread patterns.

I see.

Well, thanks, Arthur. I'll talk to you later.

Joiner, Sheriff Temple drove your newest sedan, didn't he? One of them.

We got three this year.

Well, last Wednesday night, would all three of the newer ones have been on

patrol? Yeah.

Plus one of the older ones. The other two were in the garage.

I gather the tire impressions don't match.

That's right, they don't.

Well, Templer's a kind of a scientific crime buff.

Is there any reason why he couldn't have driven his nice new sedan back here and

taken one from the garage?

No reason.

He had all the master keys on a big ring, including one for the garage.

Inspector, I see you're still here, huh?

I was wondering if you'd found the log sheets on those two sedans.

Uh, no, as a matter of fact, uh, must be around the house someplace.

Mr. Harris, we've reached the point in our investigation where we have to ask

you some very important questions.

Now, you don't have to answer, and you're entitled to an attorney.

Sure, sure.

What is it you want to know?

We looked over the deputies' log sheets for the last day the cars were in use.

We added an extra half mile from here to the sheriff's office.

That's closer to a mile.

Like.

Deputy Joyner and Mr. Colby here checked the mileage on both cars this morning.

Sedan UYM 314 had been driven an additional two miles.

Sure, I road tested it. Had it washed.

But the other squad car, the COV 080, had been driven an additional 53 miles.

Ah, that's impossible.

You mean to drive that far just to road test a set of points and plugs?

The distance between your garage and the spot where Griffith was shot is a

little over 26 miles, or about 53 round trip.

That car never left the garage until I... Mr. Harris, would you be willing to

say that under oath?

We know the Sheriff Temple's car was not at the crime scene.

And we know from tire impressions that one of the two in your garage was.

I didn't drive that car.

But you know who did.

Wednesday night about 7 .30.

I got a call.

Take one of the sedans over behind the railroad station and leave it there.

Who made the call?

Cliff Wyatt.

Fundamentally, it's the same statement you gave Inspector Eskin, just on county

paper.

Sure.

That it?

That's it, Carlos.

Thank you.

Do you think once Sheriff Temples and Jayla can be released?

We'll see about that.

Inspector Erskine, there was a call for you.

Laurel Wyatt.

Hello? Miss Wyatt?

Oh, hello, Inspector.

My father asked me to call.

We're going out after a marauding mountain lion this afternoon. He

you'd care to join us.

Well, it's very kind of you, Father, Miss Wyant, but I'm afraid I won't be

to make it.

Oh, that's right. You're catching the 2 o 'clock plane.

No, we're staying on a little longer.

I talked to Deputy District Attorney Reese earlier, and he said the

investigation was finished.

You've got the guilty man.

Surely the man who shot Pete Griffith is going to be tried and punished.

Yes, the man who did it will be, Miss Wyant.

There are some indications the investigation may only be starting.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'm sorry that you can't make it. Maybe some other time.

Goodbye, Inspector.

Afternoon, boys

Good day for a hunt, isn't it?

Anything wrong, honey?

No, not really.

Come on, come on. I know you.

I didn't want you to worry, but when I talked to Inspector Erskine this

he said something kind of odd.

He said that the investigation might only be starting.

I don't understand that.

Deputy DA said Temple had been booked this morning.

I know. They must have found something else.

Something else?

What is there for them to find?

I don't know.

Forget it.

I've got the scent!

Cliff Wyatt?

Yeah. Yeah, I've seen him.

Do you say there's a resemblance between him and Sheriff Temple?

No. No, none at all. Why do you ask?

You still want us to believe it was Sheriff Temple you saw behind the wheel

that black and white car the night of Wednesday the 16th, huh?

Look, I told you people before.

The light wasn't that good that night, Carlos.

Maybe you didn't recognize anybody.

Who do you suppose gave the Mexican police the tip that almost got you

Who would have benefited if Sheriff Temple had shot you?

Who's the one person who could just walk away without anybody at the wiser?

Who would that be, Carlos?

Wyant.

Wyant was in the black and white car.

You know, he even called me the next day.

He told me I wouldn't have to worry again.

He promised me we had a deal.

Then he called the Mexican police.

He tried to get me killed.

It's too dangerous to take the dogs up there.

Those two might wind up shooting one of us.

Jeff, you boys wait here.

You wait here, too. I'll go get him. No, let me go, too, please.

It's a beautiful cat.

Pete would... Pete would really like to have been here.

He'd have been proud of you.

I'm proud of you, too.

I know.

Laurel got him. How do you like that?

Right up there, on the crest.

Jeff, you go get him.

That's the sheriff's car, isn't it?

You know, on second thought, maybe I'd better show Jeff where he is.

Might take him all day and probably break a leg in the bargain.

Jeff?

Where's your father?

We just killed a mountain lion that's been raiding our calves. Why? Something

wrong?

Mr. Wyatt!

This is Deputy Joyner!

Mr. Wyatt!

Jeff, you can go back now.

Mr. Wyatt!

I don't understand. What's this all about?

Ms. Wyatt?

I have to tell you that your father is responsible for Griffith being shot, not

Sheriff Temple.

Mr. Wyner, it'll be easier if you come down, but if we have to, we'll come up.

No, that's impossible.

They've known each other since they were little boys.

Pete would do anything for Dad except... Except what?

There didn't have to be any shooting. He wasn't going to go through with it.

You mean he wasn't going to help the sheriff make a case against your father?

Dad found out Pete had talked to Temple.

He gave him a rough time about it. Pete got angry, threatened to drive all those

braceros down to the sheriff's office, but he'd never do that. He was just hurt

because Daddy didn't trust him.

Wyatt?

Are you coming down?

No good, Erskine.

I don't see myself in a cell block.

I wish I could, honey.

I wish I could.

And where you are, Wyatt.

I understand Laura, Wyatt, is going to take over running the ranch.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if she did a pretty good job.

That's it, Bill.

And that's no small accomplishment to be in jail one day and back running it the

next. Be nice to have things back to normal again. I wonder if it'll ever be

back to normal.

Oh, I'm sure it will be one day.

Why did you come back?

I figured once I was arrested, that was going to be the end of it.

Well, I guess you've been sheriff long enough to know all about hunches.

I'm glad you stuck around.

So am I.

Bye, Sheriff.

Inspector.

Sheriff. Mr. Colby.

Inspector.

Thank you.

Peter Griffith recovered from his wound.

Clifford Wyant was tried and convicted in state court of assault with a deadly

weapon and attempted murder.

Kyle Harris, Juan Morelos, and Carlos Lara were found guilty of furnishing

information to federal officers and sentenced to terms in a federal

penitentiary.