Original subtitles

Don't turn around.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

Vic Morrow, Gary Collins,

Susan Howard.

Tonight's episode, Center of Peril.

In the early morning hours of October 13th, Kansas City, Missouri police began

their investigation into a major art theft.

The portrait of a man painted over three centuries ago by the Dutch master Frans

Hals was valued at almost $1 million.

The one eyewitness provided local police with a license number and description

of the vehicle involved.

When police in neighboring Kansas received the all -points bulletin, They

reported that the sought -after vehicle had been found abandoned.

Because the stolen vehicle used by the thieves had crossed state lines, the FBI

entered the case.

Noel, how are you?

Inspector Erskine, nice to see you again. Tom? Noel.

This is Mr. Atwood, director of the museum.

How do you do? Mr. Atwood.

How do you do, sir? How do you do?

Any idea how they entered, Noel?

It appears they got in through the roof.

Agents are at the museum now, winding up the crime scene search.

Inspector, it was a front house, a national treasure.

Is there any way we could get it back?

It's a little early to say yet, Mr. Atwood. They may already have a buyer,

they may try and sell it back.

Inspector, this is the main floor above the break -rope tender where the

painting was hung.

And notice the door to a small utility closet off the side.

Now, that door was always locked. They couldn't have entered that way. There's

evidence they did.

Any sign the door was forced?

No, sir. Then what makes you think they got in that way?

I'll explain it. The pictures were just developed.

Here's a blow -up of one side of the door jamb.

Notice the dark specks here. They appear to be flecks of gold leaf from the

picture frame.

Why, a utility closet.

It was a stairway inside leading to a ladder which gives access to the roof

through a trap door above.

Any indication that door had been forced?

Yes.

From the outside.

This is a trapdoor area on the inside. Again, more gold leaf flecks along this

edge from the frame.

But I don't understand how they could have gotten onto the roof in the first

place.

Well, an eyewitness identified a cherry picker at the scene of the crime, Mr.

Atwood. Cherry picker? Yeah, that's a truck with a telescopic arm for working

great heights.

Yes? Inspector Erskine, please.

Oh, yes, just a moment.

Inspector, this is Mr. Ward.

Yes, Art.

Any leads yet, Lewis?

I'm just being brought up to date on the theft.

From what you've been able to learn so far, does this case follow the same

pattern as the Renoir theft last month in St. Louis?

Very much so, judging by its scope and size.

We're obviously dealing with someone who has powerful connections.

Well, I've been going over the list of possible buyers. We may have a stroke of

luck there.

Do you remember Raoul Decker?

Yes, I do, as a matter of fact.

He was convicted about 63 or 64, fraud against the government.

Been living in Europe, I believe.

That's right.

For some time, Decker's been acquiring a very impressive art collection.

We checked with the top galleries in New York and London.

Decker's representative has let them all know that he's after a major Halt

painting. Half an hour ago, his representative landed at Kennedy,

customs, and bought a seat on the next plane to Wichita.

Doesn't much sound as though the painting's going to be offered back to

museum, does it?

Well, whatever the next move, it's likely to happen there.

And soon.

Oh, we'll be ready.

Jay Burness.

How does it feel to be in the big leagues, huh?

Huh?

Oh, hand me that, will you?

Listen, you tell your girlfriend any time she wants, I can give her 200 for a

landscape, huh?

You know, it's funny, when I found you two kids, you were taking chances for

nickels and dimes.

We managed.

Yeah, but now look at you. Your cut from the Renoirs was 8 ,000.

This time around, you and Yvonne get to split... You're gonna get to split,

um...

Fifty. Fifty thousand?

Fifty thousand, enough to get married on.

Oh, yeah.

We've been, you know, talking about it.

Yeah, well, marriage is nice.

Thing is, Porter, you know Yvonne, she wants a

house and kids and dogs.

What I'm trying to say is that we want out.

Out?

Out? Hey, you just got in.

We're just barely scratching the surface.

Don't you know the big boys in the organization are beginning to take

I don't know, Porter. You know, there's a lot to be said about the square life.

Oh, I know. Look, I'm not putting you in if I'm down for wanting that. You know

what I do once in a while on a Sunday?

I get a chef's hat. Yeah, I put it right on.

Barbecue hamburgers and have the kids over.

Barbecue hamburgers. Me, just like the rest of them.

But I'm going to tell you something. No matter what game you're playing, no

matter what game you're playing, there's just winning and losing.

The rest is just window dressing.

Don't you know that yet, Mark?

Hello.

Yeah, I'll hold.

Uh, Mark?

Hello, Mr. Allister.

How do you do, sir?

Oh, I'm fine.

But you're in big trouble.

What do you mean, big trouble? Everything went just perfectly.

I was just getting ready to drive over to Wichita.

Supposed to meet Decker's men there tonight.

Decker is dead.

Dead? What do you mean, dead?

Buried under an avalanche in Switzerland.

I don't believe it.

Count your blessings, Porter. You're well out of it.

Hey, wait a minute. Now, you wait a minute.

I went out on a limb for you before.

It was a new field and the idea appealed to me.

But your buyer is dead.

What do I do with the painting?

How do I know? Burn it.

Burn a million bucks?

Where are you going to find another buyer for it?

It'll take months to find somebody like Decker and there's no guarantee you ever

will. There's another way.

No. No, I'm not interested.

A buyback.

Sell it back to the museum?

Too risky, no. I don't think the mob will go for it.

Well, you, Mr. Allister, would you go for it?

I mean, supposing I pulled it off.

Are you prepared to say the organization is willing to write off $750 ,000?

All right.

There's a meeting tonight. I'll bring it up.

But just remember, I gave you an out. If anything goes wrong from now on, you're

on your own.

That's it.

That's fine.

It isn't fine.

One just doesn't replace a painting by a house. It's part of our tradition, our

culture.

It's amazing how emotionally involved one gets. I suppose that must seem a

little strange.

But the house was a painting that I'd been trying to get our board of

to purchase for over seven years.

I understand, Mr. Edwin.

Tell me, how long have you been director here? Almost nine years.

Excuse me.

Mr. Atwood, your secretary's been trying to find you. There's a call for you in

your office.

Thank you.

Hello? Mr. Atwood?

Yes? We have the Howells.

Who is this?

Never mind that.

If you want the painting back, it's going to cost you $750 ,000.

Now, that's a bargain price.

You're the fourth person who's called claiming to have the painting.

Yes, but, Mr. Atwood, how many of your callers mentioned the fact that the

stretcher bars of the canvas were held to the frame with 18 roundhead brass

screws?

There's no point in any further discussion unless we can arrange to have

expert... examine the canvas and authenticate that it's not a copy.

Well, um... I'll have to get back to you.

You

seem

convinced? I am. He was too reasonable, calm, knowledgeable, in fact.

Mr. Atwood.

How hard would it be actually to determine whether or not the painting

genuine? Well, there are several people at the museum who could do it. Do you

suppose I could get away with it? You, Inspector?

Well, yes, you'd have to take a crash course with one of our experts.

Shall we get started?

In doing this test, Inspector...

He would use a minuscule sample from a section of the painting that is not too

important to the did like here, for instance.

Will that little bit give you the information you need?

Oh, yes.

And this he would examine under the microscope.

To determine the ground color.

Very good.

And Hals, you recall, used a very light ground.

Always eager he was to get to the subject matter.

But won't they expect more sophisticated equipment like X -ray or chemical

analysis? No, not if they are well informed. You see, those things are no

entirely reliable.

I see.

Mr. Perrier, what can I do if I need to stall for time?

Oh, yes, of course.

I have here for you some photographs.

Close views of the entire portrait of a man.

Now... Look carefully.

This is where the forger is most often exposed.

Here.

You see how the paint has cracked over the centuries?

They're like spider webs.

Precisely. But the webs are very intricately woven by time.

They are infinite in their design and would require infinite patience to

reproduce.

In other words, I could take as much time as necessary to compare the

photographs with the canvas.

Exactly. And you can take all the time you need to study half -brush strokes.

Get the painting ready. I'm going to call that one.

Port, I don't like it.

Why do they need to send an art expert?

Because they want to make sure it's the original painting before they buy it

back. Yeah, I know that.

But it could be a trick.

That's right.

So to play it safe, check with Yvonne. There's a good chance she'll know the

expert they're sending.

So you go to town, find out what you can know.

Hey, hey, Port, my idea was to get the painting.

I don't want any part of this.

What do you think this is, a social club? Once you're in, you're in, till we

tell you different.

Hey, Mark, come on. Things aren't so bad. Pretty soon you'll have more money

sell in your whole life.

I'll tell you what. When this is all over, you fly down to Puerto Rico.

Take Yvonne. Two weeks on me, it'll be a wedding gift.

Ordered. Mark, I'm telling you something.

You go to Puerto Rico, and you come back. Things are going to look

If I ever catch you juicing on this job again, I'll kill you, you hear me?

I'll kill you!

Yes?

I'll take it.

Hello? The art expert you mentioned.

Is he in the museum now?

No, but he can be here in a few minutes.

All right, here's your routine.

Your man will use your car. The instructions are over the visor on the

side.

If he's followed, the whole deal is off. Is that clear?

Yes. By the way, what's his name?

Orlinger. Warren Orlinger. Do you know him at all?

I'm not sure.

I might have seen him at the museum.

Look, I have to get to work. I'm late.

What's this all about?

Porter lost his buyer.

He's going to sell the house back to the museum, but before the museum springs

for it, they want to send an art expert to make sure we're not selling him back

a phony.

Porter wants you to see what you can find out.

Mark, didn't you talk to Porter?

Yeah, I talked to him.

Well, what did he say?

You want a quote?

You don't get out till we tell you.

We should never have gotten in this deep.

Honey, Porter's like everybody else. He wants to put you in a cage.

Cages have keys.

Yeah, if he got the courage to use them.

You have the courage. Not without you.

Mark, is this what you want?

Just me?

Because I want you to know that you're free.

You're not tied down to me.

I know that.

Do you?

Because I don't want to be your jailer, like Porter.

Hey, honey, I love you.

Listen, once this thing is over with, we got the money, I really think we can

make it. I mean, for the first time in my life, I really believe it. But how?

Mark if we run they're gonna come after us for a while maybe but they'll forget

us. We're not that important Only to each

other I'll see what I can find out

be careful How will I get in touch with you

I'll call you

Here we are.

Thank you very much, Mr. Perriere.

You're a good student. You will be just fine.

You have my cover story, in case they call again?

Yes, I have that.

Oh, one other thing.

They may want to move quickly once contact's made. You have the cash on

Oh, yes.

Well, I guess that's it.

Good luck.

Operator, this is mobile.

AX19221.

I'm calling 570 -6211.

Yeah? Porter?

He's getting ready to leave.

You sure he's alone?

Yes. All right.

Stay with him. Just stay with him.

These are new ones. The old ones are on the desk.

Please take the desk over there. Please, I'll take this one. Thank you.

Mr. Farahir. Yes.

I was wondering, would you mind if I took the day off?

I must have caught the flu or something.

Oh, no. Of course not.

Oh, before I forget, I was cataloging and there was a call for a Mr.

Orlinger. I didn't know who he was, so I had the call referred to you.

Thank you.

I thought I knew everyone at the museum, but Mr. Orlinger must have escaped me.

Oh, he's in and out, you know.

I'm sure you've seen him around.

Oh, I'm sure if he's here, then I've met him.

I hope you feel better.

Thank you.

Don't turn around.

Now put this blindfold on.

Follow instructions well, Mr. Hollinger.

They weren't difficult.

Take off your blindfold as soon as we reach our destination.

The quicker you finish your examination, the better off we'll be.

We don't want to hurt you, so you just follow instructions.

That's what we tell you, and everything will be all right.

This is okay. It's just stuff he needs to do the job.

All right, let's go see the painting.

I'll have the last two steps right here in front of you.

I'll follow in the car. I want to call Yvonne.

All I was told was that there was a telephone call for Mr.

Orlinger.

Probably checking to find out if there is a man named Orlinger on the museum

staff.

Who got the call?

Miss Shelby did.

Who's she?

She's a volunteer worker.

I wonder why she got the call.

I don't know.

I don't recall the name Shelby. Was she on the list of employees you gave me

yesterday?

Come to think of it, I didn't include her name.

You see, she's not on salary. She's a volunteer worker.

Well, I'd like to talk to her. Is she in the museum now?

No, she was not feeling well. I told her she could take the day off.

You don't think she may be involved in this, do you?

How long has she been with the museum?

About two months. She does some cataloging for us on a volunteer basis.

You know, she's like so many women who majored in art or studied abroad and

suddenly find they have a lot of time on their hands.

What else do you know about her?

Not much, other than she's obviously worked in museums before.

Very knowledgeable.

Cooperative.

Mr. Atwood, was she here the night of the robbery?

I think so.

Yes.

You have her home address?

I'll get it for you.

We'll call up your runway.

Yvonne, this is Porter.

What did you find out about Oliver?

I checked him out.

He's on the staff.

Do you know him?

Well, I guess I've seen him around.

What do you mean, you guess?

I can't swear to it, if that's what you mean.

That's exactly what I mean.

In case you don't know it, you and your boyfriend are in this up to your necks.

Now, if that museum sent a ringer, you better be here to tell me. You

that?

Yes.

All right. You got a pencil?

Yes.

All right, the penny will be in front of you. You'll be working with your back

towards us. At all times, it'll be a gun pointed at the base of your skull. If

you so much as try to turn around, it's going to go off. Do you understand that?

Perfectly. Case is here. You got anything else?

No.

Take off your blindfold and start working.

You couldn't have missed her by more than ten minutes.

I was just coming back from shopping and I ran into her in front of the

building. Did she say where she was going?

Well, yes. She said her mother was ill and she'd be gone for a few days.

Do you know where her mother lives?

Someplace in Missouri, I think.

Look, I'm just her roommate.

I haven't known her that long.

What kind of car does Miss Shelby drive?

A white Cougar with a black top.

Why'd they pick you for this job, Mr. Roger?

I purchase paintings for the museum. I arrange their exhibitions.

Well, then you've seen the house before.

Oh, yes.

Do you like housework?

He's a great master, but he doesn't happen to be one of my personal

Who is?

Oh, in that century, I'm very fond of a mayor.

Are you familiar with Vermeer's nurse and child?

I think you'll find Hulse painted that.

Do you mind if I go back to work now?

He's testing the pigment.

Well, what do you think?

He seems to be on the level.

We'll know for sure when Yvonne gets here.

No?

Yes.

Find something?

Yeah, a telephone pad.

Can we pull the blinds?

Route 40 and 2 -R.

Yes, but that cuts clear across the state.

Hmm.

Miss Evans, does Route 40 or 2 -R mean anything to you?

No.

2 -R, R -R, 2 -R.

Back road, railroad, a ranch maybe.

We'll start an immediate canvas and check out all the possibilities.

Mr. Evans, may I use your telephone?

Tom, I'm glad you called.

Where's Lewis?

Well, he's already gone, sir.

Well, it looks like we may have some trouble on our hands. That name check

requested, Yvonne Shelby?

Yvonne Simpson.

She was convicted of interstate transportation of stolen property eight

ago in Los Angeles.

Inspector Erskine headed the investigation and he made the arrest.

Mr. Ward, everything here points to her having fingered the job.

I know.

That's what worries me.

Where's the woman now?

My bag's in the back.

What about Olinger? You remember anything about him?

Don't worry.

If I've ever seen him before, I'll remember.

Roger, keep your head down. Don't look up.

Well?

Yes, I know him.

How much longer are you going to be?

Oh, a couple of hours, maybe less.

I'm tired.

I've been driving, remember?

I ought to go into town for some things. Mark, you come with me. Kiss you and

everything. Joe will be here.

Be back.

You have any coffee?

Yes, I think there's some out in the kitchen.

Inspector Erskine.

Well, Miss Simpson.

I wondered if you'd remember.

It was a long time ago.

Why didn't you tell them who I am?

Because I didn't want anybody to get hurt.

And what do you plan to do now?

What difference does it make?

No matter what I do, I lose.

You lose a lot more with a murder charge against you.

If I were to help you, would you be willing to make a deal?

I think you know that's impossible.

Oh, I'd be running a risk.

What if Porter found out I lied to him?

If he thought anything was wrong, I don't believe he'd have left us here

to you.

I don't know what to do.

Think about it, Miss Simpson.

It's probably the most important decision you'll ever make.

Yeah, this is it.

I'll radio the agents on the canvassing operation when we find the car and have

them concentrate their search in this area. Good. They can't be too far away.

-huh.

Is Olinger finished?

Not yet.

Are we going to keep Olinger until the exchange with the museum's over?

That's right. Once he verifies the penny, we'll make a recording of his

saying that it's the original.

We'll send it in to Atwood.

While I stay here with Olinger, you and Jay go into town and pick up the money

from Atwood.

But how does Atwood know you're giving the house back?

Because you and Jay will have the penny when you pick up the money.

Well, then Olinger's really our trump card.

That's right.

The market won't work.

Why not?

Orlinger's an FBI agent.

His real name is Erskine. He arrested me in Los Angeles eight years ago.

You satisfied, Mr. Orlinger?

The painting's genuine.

It's eye -opening.

I don't understand.

Just don't turn around and don't worry. We're going to just make ourselves a

little recording.

Mark? I think it's Jay.

Mark, he's gaining on.

Hang on.

You okay?

Come on.

Hold it!

Throw the gun back.

Okay, let's go.

All right, Jay, that's enough.

You two had it made, you could have had it all, but the minute things got tight,

you panicked.

Listen, that Orlinger, he's an FBI agent.

You can tell me that the minute you took off without your split. What difference

does it make who he is?

We held all the cars and we still do.

Jay, you hold him here.

Hold it.

Helicopter to ground unit.

Subject running north along railroad track.

Set him up.

And you're gone.

There was really no way we ever could have made it.

Too bad you couldn't have convinced Porter of that.

As it turned out, it didn't make any difference.

It may make a great deal of difference to you.

Remember what I said?

How I lose no matter what?

You still did the right thing.

I hope so.

Authentic? If you'll accept my expert opinion.

Porter Bent, Mark Donald Gaynor, J. Richard Yarborough, and Yvonne Simpson

found guilty of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Bent, Gaynor, and Yarborough were found guilty of interstate car theft.

Bent and Yarborough were also convicted of assault on a federal officer.

They were sentenced to terms in a federal penitentiary.

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