Original subtitles

Hi.

Police officers, miss. We're conducting an investigation.

Would you like your help?

Hey, you're kidding.

I'm afraid not.

How can I help?

We'd like you to come down to the station with us.

Look at some mug shots.

Well, just to see if you can identify some of the men we suspect might be

pushing narcotics at your school.

Now?

If you don't mind, yes.

May I see your identification again, please?

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars Tom Skerritt.

Fabian Forte.

Lynn Marta.

Woodrow Parfrey.

Tonight's episode, Unknown Victim.

At approximately 12 .30 p .m. of the 7th of October, the mother of Laura Singer

received a ransom letter at her Mount Vernon, New York home, postmarked

New Jersey, demanding $250 ,000 for the safe return of their daughter, Laura.

Because the kidnapped ransom note had been sent through the mail, the FBI

entered the case.

When did this arrive?

12 .30.

I called the school the minute I got it. They said she'd left.

Does she often come home during the day?

No, never.

That's why I was surprised when I came home and saw her car here.

Mrs. Singer, did anyone see Laura Lee for school in her car this morning?

Yes, I did. We left together, Inspector.

Well, then she must have come home between the time I went shopping and the

I returned.

When was that?

I don't know.

It was around 11, 12.

Oh, and what are we going to do?

It's going to be all right, Edith. It's going to be all right.

Do you have a recent photograph of Laura?

Yes, I'll get it.

Inspector, do you think they've already killed Laura?

Well, there's really no way of knowing that, Mr. Singer.

But it's a possibility.

Yes, it's a possibility.

Why do they do it, Inspector?

Even if I pay the money, they must know that sooner or later they'll be caught.

Excuse me, am I butting in?

Laura?

Edith?

Edith?

What is it? We thought you'd been kidnapped.

Kidnapped? You're joking.

This is Inspector Erskine of the FBI.

Who sent this?

We don't know yet.

Miss Singer, did you drive your car from school today?

Did someone else?

We'd rather you didn't call anyone just yet.

Don't you see?

Karen. They must have taken Karen thinking it was me.

Who's Karen?

Karen Oliver.

She's my understudy in this play we're doing at school.

And I left my makeup kit here at home, and I asked her to come and get it for

during lunch.

I would have gotten it myself, except that I wanted to go over my lines.

And when she didn't return, I cut my class to come home and get it myself.

Chet, call the school.

See if Karen Oliver's back yet.

Is there a close resemblance between the two of you? Oh, they look enough alike

to be sisters.

Do you think that's what happened, Inspector, that they mistook Karen for

It's too soon to be sure yet.

Mrs. Singer, would you ask the servants if they've seen Miss Oliver today?

Yes, of course.

I'll need the names and addresses of everyone you've associated with

particularly anyone who might have struck you as unusual.

Who?

Karen Oliver hasn't shown up for any of her classes this afternoon.

Sheila.

Phone.

Hello? Sheila?

Yeah, Brian?

We got her.

Any problems?

No.

Did you think there would be?

I don't know what to think.

The whole thing sounds so crazy.

What was the matter with the way things were before?

Before Thorne?

We were doing all right.

Look, it's going to be all right. Don't you worry.

Why?

Look, I know he's your brother, but why did you have to get started up with him

again? Because I'm tired of swinging against the current, that's why.

Getting in the pool with everybody else. Now this is our chance to break out.

All right, it's done.

Honey, will you see that nothing happens to her?

She's a nice kid.

I'll come down as soon as I get off.

Right.

Look, just remember.

Not to talk in front of her, okay?

Look, if you and she are such good pals, you could identify your voice later.

Okay.

I'll see you in a little while.

Brian, I love you.

Yeah, well, I love you, too.

Mr. Oliver?

Yes? I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI. This is Mr. Colby.

May we come in?

Yes. Yes, of course. Thank you.

These men are with the FBI.

What is it? What's the matter?

Is your daughter Karen at home?

No.

Why? What is it?

Sit down, Mrs. Oliver. Mr. Oliver.

A note was delivered to Mr.

and Mrs. Singer today stating that Laura, their daughter, was being held

ransom. But we've spoken with Laura. There's been no attempt to abduct her.

And while it's too soon to be certain...

It's possible that the kidnappers may have taken Karen by mistake.

Karen?

What? It doesn't make any sense.

How?

Well, at this point, all we can do is speculate.

But I understand that your daughter bears a general resemblance to Laura

Yes.

Laura told us that, uh...

She'd forgotten something at home this morning, so she let Karen take her car

pick it up for her.

It may be that the kidnappers followed her from school, thinking she was Laura.

I can't believe it.

We've checked the hospitals, Mrs. Oliver, and the local police.

They have no word on Karen.

If it is true... If the kidnappers do have Karen...

What will they do if they realize their mistake?

There's no way of knowing.

Just a minute.

Now, where is Laura Thinger?

She's at home with her parents.

Naturally, they're very disturbed at what's happened.

Relieved, too, I would imagine.

What's the FBI got so full?

The instructions are that an ad be placed in the Newark paper.

The ransom is $250 ,000.

$250 ,000?

$250 ,000?

There's no way on earth we could raise that kind of money.

Put the ad in.

We'll raise it.

We'll raise it if we have to mortgage our lives.

Hey, you all right?

Want anything?

Are you going to keep me blindfolded?

Yeah.

Sorry.

Why are you doing this?

We want what everybody else wants, honey. We want a good life.

Come home at night, eat a good dinner, drink some good wine, get a little high.

Want to live like everybody else, right?

Only we can't because we ain't got the bread.

Not yet.

But your rich daddy's going to fix all that and give us some money, and if he

doesn't, well...

Hey, look at there.

She's going to get enough money to buy a phone.

Harry? Yes, Ruth.

Did you get it?

I've been everywhere.

Every bank, every savings and loan in town.

The story's the same. They'd like to help, but their hands are tied.

With our insurance, the mortgage, everything, I figure we can raise about

,000, maybe $35 ,000, but that's all.

If somebody had told me yesterday that people could close their hearts at a

like this, I wouldn't have believed it.

We've always worked hard, but it wasn't good enough. They've taken our daughter,

and we can't pay for her life.

You know what that means, Ruth?

You know what that means?

I spoke to Joe and Edna.

Joe thinks he can raise $10 ,000 for us.

We've been living in a dream world.

It takes something like this to make you understand what it's all about.

The only thing that counts is money.

People don't care.

The important thing is the size of your bank balance.

Harry.

I'll get the money somehow.

Even if I have to steal it.

I've got an idea.

We'll go to Mr. Singer tomorrow.

He'll help us.

It could have been his daughter. Yes.

Yes, we'll get Karen home.

And it will work out.

It has to.

Coffee's still hot if you want some.

Yeah, thanks.

Yeah, look at that.

Out of care in the world.

Must be nice to have other people doing all the worrying for you, huh?

He's doing his part.

Yeah.

Hey, if you're so unhappy with the arrangement, then why did you come to us

the first place? Why do you think?

I don't think anything. That's why I asked you.

Why don't you say it, huh?

Say what?

Don't you feel something for me?

Thorne, you know I've never loved anybody in my whole life but Brian.

Now, you know that.

Don't you ever wonder what it would have been like if I had met you before Brian

did, huh?

Nothing would have happened.

That's the truth. Nothing would have happened.

I wonder.

Who are you?

Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. Just tell me who you are.

Karen Oliver.

Why you?

I guess they've... Followed me to the Singer house from school.

They must have thought I was Laura Singer.

I was driving her car.

Please.

My parents don't have any money.

They'll kill me.

I'm going to let you go.

Listen.

Get out of here and get as far away from there as possible. Do you hear me?

Just go out the back stairs.

Don't tell anybody I let you go. I mean, you did it yourself, okay?

There's a gun in my pocket. Is there anything that can't get to the berth

you?

Afternoon.

How do, officer?

Into the car.

I'll get it.

Ward.

Oh, good. Put him on.

Lewis? Yes, Art.

We got the ransom note.

Any latents?

No, unfortunately.

When did Mr. Oliver place the ad in the Newark paper?

This afternoon, in time for the morning edition.

Doesn't give us much time.

We're checking out every lead Laura Singer's been able to give us.

All right, Lewis. Good luck.

It's got to be her. It was her car. It was her house.

No, you blew it.

That's not the right girl.

Who are you?

What's your name?

Karen.

Karen Oliver.

Karen Oliver.

You were the one that was in that record store, and you're the one that saw her,

and you're the one that pointed her out to me, Brian.

Now, I would like to know how you could be so stupid, Brian, and live.

Where were you?

You're always so quick to blame, so quick to cop out.

I'm tired of being the fall guy, so just get off my back!

mess. What a stupid mess.

Look, all this crying over spilt milk is getting us nowhere, right? So why don't

we just cut out now before it's too late?

Just wait a minute.

Maybe she's got some money.

Hey, your dad loaded too?

How about that?

You think your daddy could raise $100 ,000 to save his little girl's life?

$100 ,000, that's not so much money.

You think your daddy could raise that?

I think he could raise it.

Yes.

I think he could.

Well, we're back in business, guys.

Yeah, ain't life beautiful?

Can you think of anyone else you've been in contact with in the past

few months who might be able to help us?

I think I've given you everyone I can think of.

Well, there is one I forgot.

I'm quite a record collector, you know. I have an account over at the Hobbit,

and there's a sales girl there who's been very helpful. We did the same

What's her name?

Sheila. Sheila Waters.

Hello,

Laura.

Oh, Mrs. Oliver.

Oh, I'm just so sorry. I didn't think... I don't believe we've met.

Mr.

Singer. Any word, Inspector?

Not yet.

Mr. Singer, we can't raise that money.

We've no other place to turn to. You're our last hope.

I swear I'll pay it back if it takes all my life.

I'm not worried about that, Mr. Oliver.

But let me ask you a question.

What guarantee do you have that Karen's alive?

That if I give the money, she'll be released?

Can you guarantee that, Inspector?

I think you know we can't.

Look, I know what I'm about to say is going to sound, well, callous.

But ever since we got that ransom note, I've been doing a lot of soul

-searching.

Asking myself what I would have done if the kidnappers had taken Laura.

You would have done what any parent would, just what we're doing.

No.

No? You mean you wouldn't have paid the ransom?

That's right.

Because if you let those maniacs do it once, there'll be no end to it.

They'll do it over and over again.

You make it sound as if it were some kind of contest.

In a way, it is. Not to us. It's our daughter.

It would have been yours, except for some quirk of fate.

Inspector, in your experience?

No, Mr. Singer.

That's something you and the Olivers have to work out.

I'm sorry I can't help you.

But I've lived all my life according to certain principles.

I don't think I could go against the grain now.

Well, I peed.

That's a far -out record. You're really going to dig it.

Hi. Can I help you?

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI. This is Mr. Colby.

We'd like to talk to Sheila Waters.

I'm sorry.

She's not here right now.

Is there something that I can help you with?

Uh, Laura Singer is a customer of hers, isn't she?

I'll say.

I wish I had a customer like that.

You know, Laura trusted her so much that Sheila could pick out her records and

send them to her on approval.

Hey, um, is Sheila in any kind of trouble?

No, why?

I don't know.

I thought maybe it had something to do with her boyfriend. He was always

up.

Really? Mm -hmm.

You know, fights and things like that.

I can't think we'd get it together at all.

He was in prison once, too.

At least that's what the girl said.

Do you know his name?

Hazard.

Brian Hazard.

He was just in here the other day.

Does he come in here often?

No, it was the first time he was ever in. That's why I remember.

He asked me who the girl was that Sheila was waiting on.

Who was she?

Laura Singer.

Do you, uh...

Happen to know where Miss Waters lives?

Mm -hmm.

12033 Lakeside. I usually drive her home after work.

Say, should I be telling you all this?

I mean, what's going on here, anyway?

I'm afraid I can't answer that right now.

I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention our being here to anyone.

Sure. Okay.

Can you describe this Brian Hazard?

Well... Let's see.

He's about five foot ten.

Brown hair.

But I'm part of this, too. Don't my feelings count for anything?

Of course they do, honey. But in the final analysis, it's my decision. I

debate with you, Daddy.

I never could.

I'm no match for you.

But if you don't help the Olivers, I'm moving out.

force you to stay, Laura, I wouldn't, even if I could.

Owen, I know all your arguments. I even agree with some of them, but this...

You've never questioned me before. You've always trusted my judgment.

Don't you think I care about that girl? You think I have no feelings for Karen

Oliver? My personal feelings aren't going to dictate whether I allow myself

be extorted by a bunch of maniacs. I can't turn my back on principles that

lived by all my life.

Karen Oliver doesn't... doesn't know about your principles.

She just wants to live.

What if I were the one being kidnapped?

Would your decision be the same?

So help me, yes.

Oh, I feel sorry for you, Daddy.

You've become so...

Wrapped up in your principles that you've forgotten what it is to be human.

Hello?

Mrs. Oliver?

Yeah? Is your daughter worth $100 ,000 to you, Mrs. Oliver?

Oh, could I talk to her? Is she all right?

She is now, but she won't be if you bring the cops in on this.

Please let me talk to her.

$100 ,000, Mrs. Oliver.

Small denominations.

I'll call you tonight.

They won $100 ,000.

By tonight.

I'm not running out on Thorne.

I ran out on him once before, huh?

What's the matter? Don't you like the money?

I don't like Thorne.

I don't like the way he comes in here and just takes over and pushes you

That's just his way. You don't know him.

I know enough.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing.

Nothing. Well, just don't come around knocking Thorne to me, huh?

You know, our mother died when I was born.

My father never really got over it.

Used to get juiced, and he used to come after me.

He blamed me for my mother's death.

Mr. Thorne, he'd have killed me.

Just don't leave me alone with him, that's all.

What?

You heard me.

Oh, yeah!

Everything's gonna be just fine. Gonna make our score tonight.

Okay, now, I want you both to listen to what I got to say to you, because I got

this thing very carefully laid out.

All right?

Erskine. Yes.

Hello, Art.

Lewis, I have some background on Brian Hazard.

He was convicted of the attempted robbery of a filling station six years

New Jersey with his brother, Thorne.

They served sentences in a state prison.

But less than a year after their release, Thorne Hazard was convicted of

in Springfield, Massachusetts.

He was released three months ago.

I forwarded mugshots of the Hazard brothers.

It'll help.

Any progress?

Oh, we have the record store and Sheila Waters' apartment under surveillance,

but so far she hasn't shown up.

All right, Lewis. Keep me informed.

Right on.

Chet. Yes, sir.

When they arrive, circulate the Hazard Brothers' pictures to sheriff and police

officers here in New Jersey.

Look, Walter, when I go public, you'll be the first to know.

Only hang on to him this time. Don't go in and out the way you did on those

Thompson shares.

Mr. Singer.

I tried to reach you at your office.

The time has run out, Mr. Singer. I can't raise the $100 ,000.

Please, not here.

Why not?

What's the matter? Am I interrupting your party?

Don't you see?

I'm going under. There's no time left for you to hold on to your principles.

Mr. Oliver.

What do you want me to do, beg? All right, I'm begging.

Mr. Singer, you have everything.

I only have my daughter.

Don't you understand they're going to kill her?

You may teach somebody a lesson, but they're going to kill my daughter.

How can?

Don't you have any feeling?

Yes, sir.

Sit down.

Sit down, please.

There's still some time left I'll find you that money

Put the money in the plane suitcase.

Go to the corner of Maple and 7th. There's a phone booth in the corner.

call you in an hour.

Can you repeat that?

Maple and 7th.

Uh, Mr. Oliver, if you want to see your daughter alive again,

come alone.

Not enough time for a trace, Lou.

I'd better get started.

Mr. Oliver, if you have no objection, we'd like to provide you with a small

transmitter so you can relay directions to us.

They said they'd kill Kara.

It's her safety we're thinking of.

Of course, the decision is up to you.

I'll do what you suggest, Inspector.

I better get going.

Sheila, I want to know.

Has anything happened between Thorne and you?

Why don't you ask him?

Because I'm asking you.

He made a pass at me.

You're lying.

Well, I don't lie.

He'd never try anything like that.

Why wouldn't he?

Because he's your brother?

Brian, when are you going to take the blinders off?

You're just trying to split us up.

You've always been jealous of Thorne and me.

Wake up, Brian.

You're trying to hold on to two different worlds.

Look, I don't know what Thorne was like then when you were kids.

But he's changed.

He's not just doing this for the money. It's more than that.

It's the power over somebody's life.

You'll kill her.

No!

I hope you're right.

Yes. You alone?

Yes.

All right, take the suitcase to the corner of Lincoln and Elm. There's a gas

station there with an outside telephone booth.

Be there in 15 minutes.

When are you going to release Karen?

When we get the money, Mr. Oliver.

And don't get any last -second ideas about calling the cops, because if

goes wrong, Mr.

Oliver... I won't, I won't.

Lincoln and Elm.

Inspector. Yes, Mr. Oliver.

They want me to go to a gas station on the corner of Lincoln and Elm.

All right, let me know where he directs you from there. We have units following

on parallel streets.

Run and schedule, Mr. Oliver.

Now, what I want you to do is leave the suitcase in the telephone booth, get

into your car, and head right straight home. You got that?

Yes, but when will you release Karen?

When we have the money and there's no trouble, Mr. Oliver.

Inspector.

Yes, go ahead.

They told me to leave the money in the phone booth, and I did. Now I'm supposed

to drive straight on home.

All right, we'll take over from here.

We did it, man.

We did it.

Wait.

What's the matter? What are you down about?

What?

Your

daddy's

a smart man, honey.

You're gonna kill me, aren't you?

Why would I kill a pretty thing like you?

She's dining, Lou.

20 to all units.

The package has been picked up by a woman matching Sheila Waters'

She's wearing a tan poncho and navy slacks and driving a red two -door

sedan.

Hey, I'm tired. I'm going to drop her off on the boondocks and meet you and

Sheila back here, all right?

Why don't you let me do it, huh?

What?

Liney, dear.

I said I'll do it.

No.

You're going to kill her, aren't you?

No, man. I don't believe you.

All right, what's your problem?

All my life I've listened to you, man.

And I've always done exactly what you told me to do.

But not now.

Not this time.

What's so different about this time now?

You really don't know, do you? No, I don't know, and don't you worry about

You two cover the rear.

Hold it right there

It's

all right, it's all right

That's wonderful.

Mother, I think it's them.

I think they're here now.

How do we say?

Thank you.

Thorne Hazard recovered from his wounds.

He, Brian Hazard, and Sheila Waters were tried and convicted in federal court of

extortion and kidnapping.

They were sentenced to terms in the federal penitentiary.