Original subtitles

Nice morning, huh?

I like this kind of day.

Yeah. Hey, you want some more wine?

Oh, no, you haven't.

Choice's product of the Iberian Peninsula. How about that?

Goodbye,

Choice's product.

Into the mouth of the great sea god.

Did I tell you how glad I am that I came to that party?

Uh -huh.

So am I.

Come on.

Let's go.

What is it?

The Navy supplied people.

Let's take a look around.

For what?

How do I know for what until we look?

Something different and unusual or memorable.

Like a surplus nuclear sub or a couple of old admirals in mothballs. Are you

crazy? This place belongs to the government. Oh, they won't even know

were here.

Look at these tanks.

Hey, look at that.

It's okay now.

Come on.

Come on, we've got to get out of here.

Here.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

Murray Hamilton, Flora Plum,

Roger Perry, and special guest star Don Grady.

Tonight's episode, The Witness.

On the morning of February 20th. Petty Officer Peter Fernandez, gravely injured

in an explosion at the Los Miendres Naval Depot outside San Diego, was

the intensive care ward of the Balboa Naval Hospital.

Fernandez, in critical condition and shock, was conscious only long enough to

give a partial description of a late model yellow sports car in which the two

unidentified occupants fled.

Because the crime had occurred on a U .S. government reservation.

And because of the possibility of sabotage, the Federal Bureau of

entered the case immediately.

Freeze.

Everything out of your pockets and on the booking counter.

Everybody's an entertainer. I didn't think you'd be up.

I have to see somebody this morning.

Dad, I went to this party last night.

What's wrong? Wasn't it very good?

No, it was out of sight.

Okay, you must be beat. Get some sleep.

We'll have dinner with your mother tonight and let you have something

going.

No. No, not a thing.

Want some company?

Of course I want some company.

I felt better this morning.

So being Sunday, I thought I'd get dressed up and join you.

Absolutely. All right, Shannon, I'll take over. You want some coffee,

How about some toast? I'll make it myself.

No, no, I'm fine.

Okay. I will have a cup of coffee. Right.

And just stare at my famous husband.

I can't seem to turn a page of the union without finding some mention of him.

I always told you I'd make you comfortable, honey.

It took a while, but it's no fun if you don't have to scratch for it.

And this Paragon project, you'd actually build and finance all over the

Southwest? That's right.

Start in Fort Worth and follow the sun.

Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson.

And finish up with the most gorgeous 20 -story condominium you ever saw.

Within walking distance of Mission Bay.

You look like John when he used to see the presents around the tree on

morning. You gotta want to win.

John was out pretty late.

Yeah, but there was a party.

You know, pretty soon I'm gonna hand him a desk or the army's gonna hand him a

gun.

Let him enjoy himself.

Jeriskin, this is Lieutenant Commander Chalmers.

How do you do?

How does it look?

As I explained to his family, the most critical period in a burn case may not

show up for several days, even weeks.

Fernandez is holding his own.

But there can be a sudden and fatal loss of fluids. We defend against that.

And if it doesn't occur, then the chances for full recovery are very good.

I see.

Excuse me.

Like it after the depot.

Yes, sir. We have agents still searching the area.

So far, about the only thing we've come up with that might have a bearing on the

case of these sunglasses, their prescription.

They were found on a beach and below the installation.

It's possible they were dropped by the girl.

Do you have a local optician who's worked with us before?

Yes, sir. Kane Laboratories. We'll get him started on this.

Doug, nice to talk to you in person.

I was flat out, George.

Crowded. But I did get a chance to put some figures down.

Based on our last conversation on Friday, I would think three million

set you up and put us into a working relationship.

Maybe we ought to discuss that further.

The working relationship.

I'd like to know just who I'd be working with and how.

That's no problem.

But I must say you sounded a lot more positive Friday morning.

This report was put on my desk Friday night.

I just read it.

What report is that, Doug?

When a man in business needs money, he's a little like a lonely spinster in her

40s.

Any offer must be hopefully but carefully considered.

There's a private agency that investigates for me.

They found a half a dozen cases in the last 15 years where George Petrakis and

associates have gone into a business that was a little shaky.

Within an average of 18 months, each of those businesses was bankrupt.

And it sold everything footloose to pay off their obligations to George Petrakis

and associates.

Now, look, I don't know where you caught your report.

I'll spell it out.

They say you're a front man for La Cosa Nostra.

Nobody's ever proved that. Perhaps.

But before I commit myself, I want the truth.

The truth is that you need money.

We've done a little checking, too, and I don't think you're going to find it

anywhere else.

What money doesn't get a little dirty eventually?

The last thing I or anyone I'm associated with wants is the destruction

McElroy Enterprises.

We'd be laundering the money La Cosa Nostra gets from gambling.

Prostitution. Narcotics.

I'm not sure I'm ready to go into the laundry business yet.

It's just a question of time.

I'm staying at the Ocean Palms.

I'll wait for your call.

He could be just trying to make the best deal he can with us.

Thanks.

In a week, we'll have him under salary forever.

I don't know.

I know the commission wants action out here.

An outlet. George.

Why do you think they sent me out here three weeks ago?

McElroy has a son who's a born hellraiser.

A wife they keep alive by, uh, pills and doctor pills.

Every man has something he's afraid of.

guilty of or going the other way somebody he loves and wants to protect

you have to do is find that area take a knife and rip it wide open

Well, there's something about a sabotage theory that bothers me.

You know, in almost every case of planned professional destruction, the

saboteurs bring something from the outside.

Something they can rely on.

Explosives, firebombs.

Usually with a timing device.

What are you getting at, Inspector?

Well, I'm wondering if those two young people mightn't have... stumbled on the

place.

Been surprised by Fernandez and in trying to escape?

Well, they most likely have come along the beach.

That's right.

And their car would have been parked somewhere over there.

Commander, we may have men out here most of the night.

We have portable searchlights and an auxiliary generator available.

You tell us what you need, Inspector, and the Navy will deliver it.

Phone call.

What's her name?

She won't say.

Okay.

Hello? Johnny?

It's Yvonne. Can you talk?

Yeah, sure. Go ahead.

How are you?

Not very good.

I sit here and...

Get more scared and more guilty.

There's nothing we can do now, Yvonne.

Johnny? What?

I was thinking maybe I ought to go home to Sioux City.

Well, whatever you think is best.

What do you want me to do?

I know I can't sit here alone in this room much longer. Can I see you?

Sure.

Where do you want to meet?

Oh, I usually go to the C .N.

Lynn's working tonight.

And the lounge is almost empty on Sunday night.

All right. Nine o 'clock?

Do you want to see me, Johnny?

Sure I do.

Goodbye.

Just a minute.

It's Converse.

Yes, Bill.

We have something, Inspector.

150 yards from the depot, we found a slightly damaged post.

It could have been caused by the car when the couple fled.

Paint transfer?

Yes, yellow. We've taken paint scrapings from the post.

And we found some broken glass which looks like a damaged headlight.

Fine. The lab should be able to tell us quite a lot from that.

One more thing.

There were particles of black rubber for 150 feet.

It's possible the fender was so badly damaged it was cutting into the tire.

Well, that could help.

I want every gas station checked out along Highway 5 all the way into the

Right.

Looks like your roommate's been stood up. McElroy ain't gonna show.

No, I guess not.

You sure it's John McElroy, Douglas McElroy's son?

I'm positive.

Guess you've been out with him all night.

She was shaky and scared, and she was crying later.

You know, I know there's trouble somewhere, but I think she's afraid to

about it.

Well, won't you spot her on another ginger ale?

I think you're going to introduce us.

Okay.

Yvonne, it's all on Vance, his treat.

Vance, this is Yvonne Demarest.

Hi. Thanks.

Bonnie, Vance is a friend. I told you about him.

Maybe he can help.

Yeah, that's right.

Listen, if it's John McElroy that's got you hung, I could tell you a few stories

about him.

How's it going out there, Lewis?

Well, we're beginning to make a little headway.

I saw the teletype on the paint samples in the honor glass.

As soon as they arrive, the lab will get started.

Good. We also got a report on the sunglasses.

There's a difference in the correction for each eye.

According to the laboratory, the chance of two people having exactly that same

difference is extremely small.

You sending that also?

In a circular along with a photograph and description of the glasses.

How's the tailor doing?

He's just barely holding his own, Arthur.

The fender got all smashed.

The tire got cut.

We had to stop.

You all right?

When we were in that gas station, I wanted to phone you or my folks or

But you said there wasn't time.

Lynn, why don't you call it a night and take Yvonne home, huh?

Yeah. Thanks, Vance.

I'll get my coat.

Hello.

Hey, listen, I hear you might be interested in anything that has to do

Douglas McElroy or his family.

That it might be worth some money to you.

Yeah, go ahead Vance and I'll be the judge of how much it's worth

Morning,

mr. McElroy

Sorry, I can't remember where we... Well, we've never met. My name is Jerry

You might say I'm associated with George Petrakis.

Look, I told him yesterday. I wasn't quite ready.

Yesterday, George lacked some vital information.

About what?

About a sailor lying in a hospital more dead than alive.

About a boy and a girl who were there when it happened and sped away in a

car.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about your son, Mr. McElroy.

And a girl named Yvonne Demarest.

And a guy they might have killed.

I don't believe a word of this.

Ask your son.

You have lunch at home on Mondays?

How do you know that?

Well, we know a great deal about you, Doug.

Sooner or later, you'll come around.

Like it or not.

He said he remembers his partner taking care of a couple in a sports hardtop

early Sunday morning.

I think that's him now.

Who are the FBI, Mr., uh...

Bud Mueller.

I understand you were on duty early Sunday morning.

That's right.

You remember working on a yellow sports hardtop with a young man and woman as

passengers?

Uh... I serviced a lot of cars on Saturday night. I can't remember them

Well, you'd remember a yellow car with a damaged front fender, wouldn't you?

Was the car hot?

Do you remember the car?

Yeah.

Yeah, it was in and out for 30 minutes. No more.

What about the fender?

Yeah, I might have helped the guy pry it loose.

You might have or you did?

I did. I did. What is that, a federal crime or something?

Hewler, what about the tire? Did you replace it?

I had to.

The fender torn the tire to shreds.

And the headlight?

Yeah.

The guy paid cash.

Where's the sales slip?

I can't remember if I made one out.

Does the manager know you don't remember things like making out sales slips?

Well, maybe I can find it.

While you're at it, see if you can find the carcass of the tire you replaced,

too.

Oh, that's gone.

Then why is it gone?

Well, I sold it.

And the sales slip to the new tire and the headlight.

Who'd you sell them to?

I don't know.

A couple of guys came in here early this morning when I opened up.

They knew about the car and those two kids.

They paid me 50 bucks for their stuff, and they paid me another 20 not to tell

anybody.

What were they driving?

It's one of those big new Mark 3s. I don't remember the license number, but I

could tell you it was a rental car.

The company's name was on the license plate frame.

It was, uh, Unique Auto Drive.

That's not true.

I was never within ten miles of that depot at any time.

Well, what about this girl, Yvonne something or other?

Well, I did meet her at the party, but that's all.

She took off with some other people. I have no idea who.

Well, then maybe they're the ones who were involved.

You swear there's nothing to this story?

I swear.

There's nothing to worry about.

What I'm wondering is where you heard about this in the first place and how

found out about Yvonne.

That's neither here nor there.

Dad, you're holding something back from me.

Don't press me on it, huh?

Okay.

I'm sorry.

I don't like to hold things back.

You and I have always been pretty open with each other.

That's probably why this crazy story shocked me so much.

There was a time you came to me with everything from an electric train to an

explanation of the currents in the San Diego Channel.

I guess that has to change as I get older.

We just talked to the unique auto drive people who only have three luxury

sedans. One's in the agency garage of the other two, a retired army officer

no apparent connection to the cases using one.

The other was rented to a George Petrakis early Sunday morning.

Where's he staying?

The Ocean Palms Hotel, 118 Big Front.

We've got agents across the street, and the car's in a stall.

We talked to the manager and obtained a list of phone calls that Petrakis has

made. Called the local number listed to a Douglas McElroy twice.

They also made a couple of long -distance calls.

Area code 212, that's New York City.

3848598. The address for that is 335 East 61st Street, 305 Miami,

783 -3369. That's the Hotel Talbot he asked for suite 205.

All right, Bill.

Start a 24 -hour surveillance on Petrakis right away.

And I want a background summary on McElroy.

Do you know who Douglas McElroy is?

No.

When La Cosa Nostra meets in New York, they use 335 East 61st.

When they get tired of the slush and snow, they adjourn to the Hotel Talbot

Miami.

Look familiar to you, Johnny?

This is the sales slip for the new tire and headlight, with your license number

on it.

We even have carbons and some witnesses.

Where's Yvonne?

Well, I didn't think you were that interested.

But if it's really important to you, stick around the house tomorrow. We'll

her calling.

Johnny, tell me what this means.

The tire carcass, the repair bills, and over and above all that, the fact that

you lied to me today.

Maybe it means that I lied because I didn't think you were that anxious to

the truth.

Really, Dad.

All my life I figured you didn't care what I did, as long as it didn't cost

too much.

And that you even enjoyed some of the trouble, because then you could make a

deal to get me out of it.

Well, I'm sure you two gentlemen have things to talk over.

I'll just take this.

have to be brought into the company of the full vice president with powers of

allocation and disbursement. The $3 million loan must be secured by 51 % of

stock in McElroy Enterprises.

And there are a few executive positions we would like to fill with people we

trust.

Perhaps we could negotiate. That's the package.

You take it all, you take nothing.

In which case, your son gives the state five, maybe...

20 years of his life.

Good night, Doug.

We, uh... We used to enjoy watching movies about the syndicate, huh, Johnny?

That's what they look like in real life.

Dad, I'm sorry I lied to you.

I guess I thought maybe there was some way out.

Some way that you and Mother wouldn't find out.

There is a way now.

I'll have to let them into my company.

Well, is that so bad?

You'd be able to stay in business.

Yeah.

I'd even do very well.

Dad, I'm really sorry that I messed you up.

I guess in a sense I'm responsible for what happened to that sailor.

What do you mean in a sense?

If it wasn't for you and your girlfriend, he wouldn't be in the

Well, we didn't plan on anything happening to him, Dad.

Look, Dad, I don't want to go to jail.

I don't want Yvonne to go to jail.

I don't want to have to pay for the rest of my life for one night and one quart

of wine.

How do you think we might work it, son?

Well, you make this deal with Lee.

You said you needed the money, and we can make it up to him later.

Go on.

Well, Dad, it's like you've always told me.

You look at any problem long enough, and you see that there's a deal that can be

made to solve it.

You may have to spend a little money to make a lot of it to cut a few corners,

but the deal, if you look hard enough, is always there.

Yes.

Yes, that's what I said, isn't it?

I don't know why this deal bothers me so much.

I made so many of them.

Bragged to you and your mother about them.

They were just to make money.

This one will save my family.

We're maintaining the surveillance on Petrakis, but so far he hasn't moved out

of his motel room.

The Special Investigative Division has identified the man who accompanied

Petrakis to the gas station.

His name is Jerry Lee.

He's from one of the New England families.

I'm sending on a photograph and details.

I thought he was a hitman.

Well, evidently they're moving him up.

If he can penetrate legitimate business in California, well, they probably

figure he'll go far.

Well, let's just see if we can't take him out of the race.

Yeah.

Louis, the resident agent in Sioux City got an almost immediate response from

that circular we put out on the sunglasses.

An eye specialist there made a pair of glasses for a local girl named Yvonne

Demarest with the same identical correction for each eye.

About six months ago, she left Sioux City and moved to San Diego.

Do you have an address on her here?

No, but six weeks ago, he received a request for a copy of her records from

Jolla, California.

From a Dr.

Martin Whitten in the Golden State Building.

Right, I'll get in touch with him.

Get me a Dr. Martin Whitten in La Jolla, please.

Johnny? Are you all right?

Yeah, no one's bothered me.

But they won't let me leave, Johnny. What's this all about?

Well, they know what happened, and they're using it to pressure my father.

Johnny, I don't know what I said or to who.

It must have been last night. I didn't know I was giving them something they

could use against your father or against you. I didn't plan on it.

Johnny?

I was just thinking, Yvonne.

Those are almost the same words that I said to my father a little while ago.

We didn't plan on it.

Maybe if you'd met me last night, like...

You said you would. It would have worked out differently.

But all you seemed to want was to get rid of me.

Look, Yvonne, I don't want to get rid of you now.

What are you going to do?

I don't know, Yvonne.

In a way, I wish it were all over, one way or another.

Look, I'll figure out some way to get you out of there.

Trust me.

I guess I have to trust you. There isn't anyone else.

The landlady says the Demarest girl left early this morning with two men. And

the description of one of them fits Jerry Lee exactly.

Her roommate came home about two in the morning, paid him months' rent in

advance, and said she was going to Las Vegas.

Looks like Lee is spending some money.

He's got the girl somewhere. Has Petrakis made a move yet? He hasn't left

hotel, but his car is gone.

One of Lee's men picked it up less than ten minutes ago.

Surveillance reports he's heading north out of San Diego.

I want to know exactly where he goes.

Margaret?

I won't be home for lunch today.

It's a little quiet, so I'm going to take a run up to the pines.

Is anything wrong, Douglas?

Just business.

But somehow things always seem clearer up there.

And I want to get out of Civic Center for a couple of hours.

If Johnny should call, tell him I want to see him as soon as possible.

You know, I read somewhere that the average married man only tells his wife

three or four times a year that he loves her.

Maybe that's enough.

In any case, let me weigh in with an additional declaration this morning.

I love you.

I haven't always been sure of that the last 25 years.

It's nice to hear.

The man who arrived in Petrarca's car went directly to room 212.

The manager says there's a girl staying there. Her description fits the Von

Demarest. What about the others?

One left as soon as the car arrived. The others in room 17, which is directly

across the court.

All right, tell Converse we're going in. All right.

Just a minute.

It's Emirates.

I'm with the FBI.

I'd like to talk to you.

Hi. Hi.

I called home.

Mom told me you were here.

I was hoping you would.

I thought we should talk privately.

It's been a long time since you and I have been here together.

Yes, it has.

I didn't sleep much last night. I don't suppose you did either.

No, not much.

I got to thinking the mafia must have spent a lot of time considering Douglas

McElroy, deciding they could get to me.

They must have realized that I started out with nothing, that I was ambitious,

eager, something of a hustler.

Well, you didn't do it just for yourself, Dad.

No.

No, I had the usual carrots at the end of the stick, the family I loved, big

house. new and impressive opportunities.

And I had a son.

I wanted him to have all the things I thought I'd missed.

I had no idea what I'd done to you, Johnny.

But it's not too late.

I don't understand.

Last night, I was kidding myself.

I was ready to make one last final deal with them.

I thought there was some way to hold on to the business, the tri -state deal.

political ambitions, myself, your mother.

And most importantly, I thought there was some way I could avoid turning my

into the police.

Because that's the toughest thing of all for a father.

And if you hate me for it, I'll understand.

But then why did you tell him... Because I failed you, Johnny.

Somewhere along the way.

The answers you gave were the ones I put into your mouth.

A set of values I passed on to you.

Wheel and deal, cut corners, look for the angle.

Dad! What is it you want from me?

Would you buy forgiveness?

Because you're going to have to pay the biggest price for my failure.

I'm beginning to wonder about you.

Now you don't have to.

I've changed my mind.

We're not going to do business together.

Oh?

Well, what about your son?

You let me worry about that.

I think you ought to be looking at plane schedules.

Look, McElroy, do you know who you're talking to? I know exactly who I'm

to. A hoodlum. A thief.

I know you're guilty of extortion and possibly kidnapping.

You know what they might do to you?

Yes, Jerry.

Well, that's the situation as it stands now.

I've got a couple of boys with a phone in the car watching both of them.

Maybe we brought you along a little too fast.

You think you'll go to the government?

Yes, I do.

See that everything is taken care of yourself.

Call your mother and let her know we'll be a little late.

The FBI offices are at 3211 Fifth Avenue.

Funny?

What is it?

The lion's dead.

I don't know what this is all about, but Mrs. McElroy is a very sick woman.

She's been a semi -invalid for years, and her doctor has warned her husband,

son, and myself that any sudden shock would be... Excuse me.

McElroy residence.

Yes, just a moment, please.

It's for you, Inspector.

Erskine. Inspector.

Petrakis got a call from Miami. He's packed his bags and headed for the

What about Lee?

Still looking for him.

Well, stay with it.

I'm going to have to talk to her.

What is it you wanted to ask me, Inspector?

McElroy, you shouldn't be doing this. Are you all right? Never mind, Shannon.

Stop fussing.

This is McElroy.

It's extremely urgent that we contact your husband and son immediately.

They're at our Torrey Pines Lodge.

Doug telephoned me early this morning, and then my son called a little later.

Are they in some kind of danger?

Well, I don't know yet.

May I have the telephone number?

5820016.

Do you mind if I use your phone?

No, no, not at all.

This family is in some trouble, though, Inspector.

It looks that way, Mrs. McElroy.

You see, my husband and my son have a firm conviction that if they shut the

world out almost entirely, they can somehow keep me alive forever.

I don't think they'll be successful in that, though, do you?

No, I knew something was wrong.

I heard a stranger in the house with them late at night.

There were arguments.

Shouting. Does your husband know you heard this?

I didn't want him to worry.

I called the number, Lou.

Nothing.

Supervisor says the line is out.

We'll notify all units in the vicinity and get us a helicopter.

What I don't understand is what they're waiting for.

Dad, I've got an idea.

It's you they want.

Suppose I take your jacket and take your car and I'll make a run for it. If I

can draw them off, I can make it down to the highway patrol station on five.

No, no, Johnny. Heaven knows what might happen to you.

Dad, you've got to let me do this one thing.

What's happening?

The kid put on the old man's jacket.

Tried to make a run for it. Well, he's beginning to show a little class.

Yeah. Now remember, this has got to look like a murder -suicide.

Father and son who couldn't stand the disgrace the son brought on them. So

means we use this gun, right? That's right. What about the cars?

Pull the rotors. Replace them. Now remind me when this is over to have the

telephone wires reconnected, okay?

Right.

Johnny.

FBI, drop your gun.

Thank you.

I'll follow you in if that's all right with you, gentlemen.

Of course.

I'll have a lawyer there to represent you and arrange bail as soon as

Okay.

What about Yvonne?

What do you want done about Yvonne?

Well, I'd like the attorney to represent her, too, if that's possible, Dad.

She had nothing to do with this.

That would leave you with the full responsibility.

That's the way it should be.

John McElroy was found guilty of crime on a government reservation.

Federal prosecution of Yvonne Demarest was declined.

Jerome Jerry Lee recovered from his wounds, and with George Petrakis and his

confederates, was convicted in federal court of anti -racketeering violations.

Petty Officer Peter Fernandez recovered from his injuries and has returned to

active service.