Original subtitles

Meet you Monday at 1 o 'clock at the Wild... Why don't you try goodbye or is

that going out of style?

You say something to me, Dad?

Yeah. Remind me to do a piece on courtesy.

Sure.

Bye.

Lucas, your phone. I need to use your telephone.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

Andrew Duggan, Scott Marlowe,

Sorrel Book, Dana Elkar.

Tonight's episode, The Fatal Connection.

On the night of March 28th, nationally syndicated columnist Frank Connor was

shot and wounded.

At the time, Connor was conducting an expose of criminal infiltration in his

home city of Dixon Park, Indiana.

One of Connor's neighbors was able to provide a description of a stolen

vehicle used by the assailants.

And because it was discovered abandoned some 300 miles away across state lines,

the FBI entered the case.

They claim that if the bullet entered just half an inch further over that I'd

denied the use of the arm. But then, of course, you know doctors and they can't

simply let it go that you've got a hole in your shoulder and you've got to lard

it over with all that doomsday flourish.

Well, you're fortunate in your choice of occupation. At least you can type with

one hand.

Yes.

Yes, which ought to give the man that shot me a dandy of a headache. At least

hope it does.

What do you recall about him?

Well... Inspector, only that he was outfitted in overalls.

My eyes were on the gun, I'm afraid. I know that's not much help.

Your son was with you?

Yes, luckily.

Yeah, he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to spend the spring

recess with his old man.

If he'd gone to Florida with his mother and his sister, I'd be much less used.

Obituaries are never very informative.

Mr. Connor, your expose of criminal activity here has gained a great deal of

attention. You think...

That may have provoked the attack. Oh, I know it did.

How can you be so sure?

Oh, every few days I get a phone call saying, lay off or else.

Why didn't you report them?

Inspector, I've been threatened for years at the price of a byline.

A negative indicator, I will admit, but a good one.

The more heat you generate, the more you can be sure you're getting through.

To whom?

Tony Sprague, of course.

You'd think he'd be grateful for the publicity.

Do you have any...

Proof that Sprague was behind the calls?

Not really proof. It's just something I feel in my bones.

This one especially.

You'll forgive my lousy jokes, Inspector. They're a cover -up for dark

anger. Without them, I couldn't see straight.

Speaking of that, does anyone in your family wear contact lenses?

No, none. Why?

One turned up were the pieces of the broken milk bottle.

Excuse me, Inspector.

Some friends of Mr. Connor are here. Should I have them come back later?

No, we're finished.

Send them in.

Boys, this is Inspector Erskine and Mr. Colby, the FBI.

Mr. Erskine, how do you do?

Well, how are you? Are they treating you?

All right.

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

That's worth it.

Well, you're looking fine.

Cops? I'll let you relax, Duke. It's only an ordinary car.

I'm going to get you one of those white canes.

Yes, pretty man, please.

We have a report on that contact lens.

The shape is rather uncommon.

Double truncated. It's also tinted.

That should help.

We've sent flyers to all the issuing optometrists in the states involved.

Quite well. His wife and daughter got in from Florida this morning.

Oh, good.

Well, Lewis, I'll be in touch.

Right on.

Yeah?

Yeah, this is Duke.

What kept you?

What do you mean, we did?

Hey, you blew it!

That's right.

You said that newspaper guy was going to be alone.

You never said nothing about some moose kid being there.

I don't know.

Maybe we're interested, maybe we're not.

Yeah, well, I thought you mentioned it. That's what I meant to say.

We are interested.

Yeah, okay, okay.

Yeah, we'll be here.

They want us to go back and to finish the job.

That's crazy.

Is it?

He said if we don't, then they get us.

Briggs' offices are in that building across the street.

He's got the usual crowd with him now.

Stalbert, Luft, and Seibel.

Stalbo's the lawyer.

Right. He's a recent addition.

Luft is the accountant.

Seibel does the collecting.

He throws his weight around from time to time.

Any of them have records?

Just Seibel.

Aggravated assault and extortion.

Well, that's them.

Sprague is a short one with the shoulders

About

20

years ago Sprague was quite an athlete in this town, but he couldn't take any

criticism One day the coach called him down. It wasn't much, a mild rebuke.

Sprague tore him apart.

Broke his jaw and nearly killed him.

That was the end of his athletic career.

So now he has other people do his athletic work?

He's a big man, but he hasn't changed that much.

Besides narcotics and gambling, he's gotten himself into service industries

real estate.

But the role's the same.

He's the enforcer, tough guy.

Not the brain power.

You still have no idea who's behind him.

No, not yet.

The people who do know aren't talking.

There's no evidence yet that out -of -state interest might be involved.

No, Inspector.

But whoever's in the background here is working independently, at least so far.

All right, Bill, maintain your surveillance.

You okay?

Don't I look okay?

We thought something happened.

Hey, you know what time it is?

I told you I was going to get my hair done.

At night?

I work all day, remember?

No, I forgot.

Hey, would you mind?

All right.

The lens. Come on, let's have it.

Wow, what a greeting.

If you lay the contact on me, I might be able to tell.

Now, don't get mad, honey.

I tried. It just wasn't ready yet. There was nothing I could do.

They said it would be ready. Yeah, I know.

Like if they had the right shape in stock, which they didn't.

But they promised it by noon tomorrow.

All right.

I'll have to wait for a call tomorrow anyway.

Hey, go on and change your clothes and then fix us a drink.

Don't be angry.

Sorry I yelled at you.

I thought you were waiting on her, not the call.

I was.

If she's here, let's split.

Tomorrow, I get the lens.

Tomorrow, I figure out what our next move is.

And in the meantime?

In the meantime, stop thinking, Al.

And that way, you won't even bug yourself.

Well, all I can say is you got a charmed life, Mr. Conner.

You beat the toughest odds I got.

What else can you tell me?

Oh, nothing.

Just paying a little visit. Friend of friend.

I need more than that, Chip. I want to find out who made the deal for Sprague.

want to know who they were.

Yeah. Try them.

You've given me a lot of stuff in the past, Chip. Half of my columns I owe to

the inside dope you dig up.

Yeah, but this is different.

I could get myself killed. I know that.

And for whatever it's worth, I'll double the price.

I want to find out the man responsible for this.

Now get in there and dig, Chip.

I'll do my best, McConaughey.

And not just for the money.

Oh, hello, Inspector.

How are you feeling?

Well, I inhale, I exhale, same as usual.

Excuse me, Inspector.

Hello.

Yeah, this is Connor.

That's very well muffled, the usual garbage. We missed you the first time,

if you give us reason, we won't miss you the second time.

It's what gets me, the cliché -ridden dialogue.

Yes?

Right, just a moment.

Inspector, it's Larry Robertson calling from the Flint Resident Agency. He's got

something for you.

Oh, put it on the speaker, would you please?

Louis Eskin, Larry. What is it?

Inspector, an optometrist who received our flyer just called.

They've had a prescription refill for a lens that matches our specification.

A woman placed the order for a customer named Raymond Bergen.

What do we have on him?

He was released three months ago from federal penitentiary in Atlanta after

serving a term for interstate car theft.

What's his status?

He's in violation of parole, Inspector.

We're keeping the optometrist under surveillance.

Right. When will the lens be ready?

Noon today.

We're on our way.

No sign of any contact yet, Inspector.

Yes, ma 'am.

A contact lens, wasn't it?

That's right.

Let me see now. The name was?

Bergen. Of course.

Came in this morning.

That'll be $38.

Unit 7 to all units.

One with blonde hair, wearing a brown suede jacket.

Now picking up the lens.

Unit one to all units.

All units, converge on the car.

Go ahead.

Suspect heading north along Cushman Road from intersection of Windmoor.

See you next time.

Horns on your head.

Oh, boy.

Oh, boy.

Hey, it's like coming back from the dead.

Like I've been living in shadows.

I want to thank you guys for going back to my place and getting these for me.

Bergen, you have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be used against you in court.

And you can call a lawyer if you wish.

Oh, what's the difference?

Al's talked, ain't he?

He's told you all about Dixon Park.

Why don't you give us your version?

Well, a little while after my time was up, I get the word that there's

this newspaper man in Dixon Park who's, you know, like, stirring up things.

And he wanted somebody to scam him a little.

Who's they?

People. People.

Anyway, I get this call from this middleman in Dixon Park.

And what was his name?

I never found out.

I get the call, and I'm to pick me up a wheelman.

And I go on down to Dixon Park.

Well, I knew that Al had a loose mouth, but I mean, I didn't have time to go

looking around for nobody.

I mean, I'm not an employment agency, you know.

Yeah, well, anyway.

So Al and me, we go down and meet this guy in Dixon Park.

Where exactly?

There's this alley behind 9th Street.

And he's sitting in the car.

And I get in the back, you know, just like he told me on the phone.

The price is 10 grand.

I'm up front.

Five later.

I mean, he's got everything laid out there. Sketch of the house, everything.

He even picks the time down to the hour.

And he swears, he swears to me that this newspaper guy is going to be alone.

I thought, fine, easy, okay.

And it was, too, until I run into that kid.

What did this middleman look like?

Like a thousand other guys.

Oh, you'll have to do better than that.

No, I can't. I never saw him.

You were in the car with him.

Yeah, but all I ever saw was the back of his head. I mean, he never turned

around.

What about when he passed you the sketch?

You know, it's this and the same with the down payment, the five grand.

Describe what you did see.

What did he look like from the back?

He had a...

Two ears.

What color hair?

Dark, I guess.

Did he appear to be a big man to you?

Little? What?

I couldn't tell.

Hey, I mean, like, if you get in a cab at night, right?

What do you remember about a cabbie?

All right, tell us about the car you were in.

Oh, boy. It was a car.

A car.

It was a car. How did you find it?

It was parked there, you know what I mean?

And the windows on the sidewalk side were halfway down. This was the tip

Look, if you brought this guy in this door right now, I would know him or his

car.

Hey, Inspector, let me tell you something.

You treated me square. I mean, you ain't hassled me.

And I'm doing the same with you.

Now, I'm telling you the truth. That's on the level.

Is that all?

For the time being.

Come with me, please.

Well, he had a half hair and two ears.

All he needed now was a face.

What do you think?

Very pretty.

Yes. Like the color? Yeah, I love that seat, yeah.

Well, you know what happened?

It wasn't the fault of the old chair, I mean.

Let's see now.

Comfortable?

Very. Good.

Now, if you'll just write the things that will promote that comfort rather

jeopardize it.

Did I detect in that last remark a clucking sound?

Could be.

You find it hard, don't you, honey?

To be subtle.

No, it's not hard. It's impossible.

Oh, John, I know that you prefer I write the safe stories.

You're scared.

I can't blame you for that.

What is the idea of losing you that bothers me? It's making that transition

widowhood. I'm not ready for that yet.

Maybe next year.

But not now.

Bloodless female.

Frank, tell me.

Have you made up your mind yet?

Not quite.

But I'm getting there quickly.

Does that anti -crime campaign mean that much to you?

Is it really that important?

Yes, it is.

And it's also gratifying.

You've had a lot of praise. Is that what you mean? Oh, partially, I suppose. But

I mean it's gratifying on a very personal level.

You see, I feel I'm able to use my craft in a meaningful way.

And I guess I've always had the crusader instinct.

But the praise, now, there's another element.

It's good for the ego.

Let's face it, honey.

I need that, too.

And what about fear, Frank?

You are afraid, aren't you?

All the time I was in the hospital, I tried to figure out which was greater.

The fear of being shot again, maybe killed.

Or the fear of giving in to fear.

I still don't have an answer.

Any man as honest as you are.

Doesn't need a lot of clucking.

Hello, son.

Dad? Yeah?

Well, do you mean what she just said to Mom, or are we just making noises for

her benefit?

About what?

Well, you said that you were afraid.

Are you?

Not afraid.

Scared.

Red, green, purple, scared, that song.

Oh, wow.

That's really weird.

I didn't think there was anything in this world that would scare you.

Well, now you're no different.

Yeah.

That's really weird.

Look, if you've got nothing more to add to the conversation, why don't you get

out of here so I can get going on this?

If Connor renews his expose, it's almost certain to trigger another attempt.

He knows that, but he's made up his mind.

Are you certain Bergen and Rendage told you the truth?

Yes, I am, Arthur.

Whoever hired them never gave them a look at his face.

Can you approach the problem from a different angle?

Well, Tom's in Dixon Park now, rounding out a list of Connor's acquaintances,

people who know the layout of the house.

So it could be someone close to Connor.

Can you narrow the list down any?

I have an idea, and that I'll let you know.

All right, Lewis.

Move as swiftly as you can.

Yeah, I got six of them all ready. That should give us a pretty good crash.

Yeah. I hate to bother you, but Chip's in the kitchen. Oh, yes. Send him in.

I'll call you back.

Come on in, Mr. Tyler.

Well, how does it feel to be home?

Well, I can walk.

Two consecutive steps in any direction without bumping into a wall.

In answer to your question, ship, it feels just fine. Have a seat.

What were you able to turn up?

You won't like it.

Don't fence.

Lay it out.

Contract's still on.

Nothing's changed.

They want you dead.

Who wants it?

Whoever it was before.

Nobody seems to know.

Oh, Chip, you say there's a contract still out for me. You've learned that,

you don't know who's behind it?

Mr. Conn, I just know what I know, no more, no less. Well, try more.

I gave you everything.

You've got to believe me.

That was easier before you started working both sides of the street.

All right, Chip, here's what I want you to do. I want you to take a message.

Back to the boys, to Tony Sprague or whoever else is involved.

Tell them I'm starting a whole new series of articles next Monday. Mr.

if you don't mind my saying so, you're making a mistake.

If you laid off now, maybe they'd call in the contract.

Opinion or fact?

Call it a feeling.

Tell the boys I'm not moved. I'm starting right where I left off, and

I'm going the distance.

I hope you make it.

Hoping won't help.

Who's behind the contract?

You tell me that and the problem is over.

I swear on all that's holy, I don't know.

Try, Chip.

That's about what it looked like.

Just that?

Yeah. Why?

Well, it's just the rear. What about the rest of the house?

Well, he said to give you the same sketch that the middleman gave me.

That's it.

Maybe he figured that's all I had to have.

Or maybe it's all he knew.

Maybe he'd never seen the front.

Well, I wouldn't have no opinion on that, Inspector.

All right.

You had a chance to...

Think about it now. Can you recall anything distinctive?

White clothes, that kind of thing?

No, sir.

Did you get the idea that he knew Connors personally?

Maybe yeah, maybe no. I couldn't say.

Wait a minute. Yeah.

I tell you what I did notice.

He was very, very nervous.

Like it was his first time out, you know what I mean?

I don't mean that he was a civilian or anything like that, but I got a feeling

that it wasn't his usual thing.

What was his thing? Can you make a guess?

Nothing particular.

Odd jobs.

Whatever comes along and they don't want to use one of the regular guys, you

know?

Someone they could get rid of later if they had to.

Yeah, like that.

I think we ought to be going.

Thank you so much for coming by.

It was so nice to see you.

You too.

Thank you.

Bye. Mrs. Connor, you've got quite a husband.

I know.

What he's done for this city single -handedly is... Well, it's impossible to

measure, but... He really ought to take it easy and rest on his laurels for a

while. He's done more than any one man should.

Mr. Garth, I wish someone could convince him of that.

Well, don't you worry, Mrs. Connor. We're going to try.

Thank you. Bye.

Get in the car.

You're a little round at the eyes, Chip.

Yes, sir. I thought I'd be meeting... Tony Sprague.

Then it's you who's behind Tony.

It's you who's pulling the strings.

You now know a great deal, Chip.

That shows how much confidence we have in you.

Well, I appreciate it, Mr. Garth.

I'm just surprised you tip your hand to anyone.

Well, I've had to.

You see, they're watching Tony like hawks, so that leaves me no choice. I

to jump back in and do my own work.

Say, I heard this promotion of yours was dying.

Now I understand. I operate.

It's just a front.

Well, the main thing is it works.

Tony tells me that you're unhappy.

Well... Yeah, he promised me five bills.

I didn't get them.

You think you should?

Mr. Garth, it's not my fault the job went sour.

Well, whose is it?

Those punks, Duke and Al. They were supposed to know what they were doing.

You know, I have to deal with this kind of problem quite a lot myself. Let me

draw you a parallel.

Supposing that I hire a contractor to build some houses for me. Now, he in

hires some men to do the actual work.

Now, what is the pecking order if they don't do that work properly? I mean,

do I speak to?

The contractor.

Exactly.

I say to him, you want your money?

Okay.

Fix it. Make it right.

You understand what I'm saying?

Finish the job, Chip.

Finish it right.

Did he say specifically that he'd put the finger on his bridge?

No, but I'll lay money he will.

What's he been doing with all this information up till now?

Minding his own business.

Do you believe him?

Suddenly he decides to talk. I don't know.

Chip, would you turn off that water tap?

Yeah.

Well, he saw in the paper that you're going to start another series of

He figured if you had guts enough to do that after what's happened, then he

could take a chance to.

You said he works for Sprague. Doing what?

Oh, he's day foreman at Sprague's equipment rental place.

How did you get to him?

He got to me.

How come a straight shot like that comes to me?

Why doesn't he deal with you direct?

He's afraid word will get back that he talked, I guess.

He'd have to answer to Sprague.

Oh, I don't know.

I don't like him.

It's like you said.

Where's he been before this?

Why all of a sudden?

Now, you better pass.

Let me tell you something, Chip.

As long as people have the idea that a conspiracy can't be broken, they hunker

in, keep their doors closed.

But once there's a glimmer of hope, somewhere along the line, if you can get

door to open, even at a crack, that means you gotta step in fast.

Because if you can get that door to open, you can get another one to open.

And another.

And another.

I want to see this man.

No police, no FBI. You'll be naked.

You set it up.

Tonight? Tonight, 8 o 'clock. Pick me up here.

You sure?

Positive.

Sure, I'll tell him if you're here. Before you do, maybe you can give us a

Sure, glad to.

Nick, you're familiar with most of these names.

As you know, they're either friends of your father's or people he's worked

They have one thing in common.

All of them have been in this house at one time or another.

Yes, sir, I can see that.

We were wondering if any of them have only seen the rear of the house, never

been in this part. Is that possible?

Sure.

Phil Grouse, for instance.

Our milkman. He's never been past the kitchen.

That's the idea. Any others?

Uh -huh. Jack Webster. He picks up Dad's copy.

Excuse me, Inspector.

Nick, where's your father?

He's in the den.

No, he isn't. He isn't anyplace in the house.

What's up?

Move over. You're going to drive.

What for?

I'll get behind that wheel. I'm not too steady with this thing.

Inspector, the only visitor we noted Mr.

Conner had today was Chip Tyler.

What kind of a car was he driving?

A gray Falcon, 1964.

Could you get the license on before us, please?

Have it in a minute, sir.

Inspector?

Chip is another one I just remembered.

He's never been in the front part of the house as far as I know.

Only the back.

Control to Unit 1.

1, go ahead.

Agents on surveillance report.

Sprague and Staubel are still at the equipment. and rental facility.

What about Seibert?

Seibert's not with them.

10 -4.

The number's 93 -W -1 -1 -2 -5.

Thanks, officer.

Unit 1 to all units. The suspect in the Connor case is believed to be driving a

1964 Gray Falcon.

License number 93 -W -1 -1 -2 -5.

If located, notify me immediately.

and report spotting suspect's car heading west on Weaver from Commerce.

10 -4.

Maintain surveillance and keep me advised.

Unit 1 to all units, Weaver Street is in the northwest quadrant.

Move in.

It was you that set me up the first time, wasn't it?

Why ask if you already know?

So now you're in all the way.

And you're holding the gun.

What are you going to do when Spray gets here, huh?

You're going to leave this place, get into your car, and drive home?

Sprague isn't coming.

Oh.

So you're going to kill me?

I'll make it easy as I can for you.

I promise.

You won't make it any way at all.

You can't.

Look at yourself.

You never were an enforcer and you're not one now.

No.

Turn around, both of you.

Connor, I said turn around.

I want to make sure it's really you, Garth.

I've waited a long time to find this out.

You waited too long.

Now... Turn around.

No.

I'm going to look straight at you.

You do that.

This is the FBI. Throw down your guns.

Get out!

Well, I guess now you boys will have a case that'll hold up against Sprague and

his friends.

It looks that way. You know, I hope you'll be able to adjust to a normal

again.

Oh, well, I'll just peddle my papers.

Try to find something else to sink my teeth into.

Something a little less provocative, I hope.

Mrs. C., by any chance, do you still remember your famous recipe for corned

and cabbage?

Oh, I think I can remember the recipe.

Inspector Erskine, Mr.

Colby, we'd like it very much if you could have dinner with us before you

town. Oh, that sounds very nice, Mr. Conner.

Thank you.

Ed Garth, Chip Tyler, Tony Sprague, and his confederates were convicted in state

court of attempted murder and sentenced to terms in the state penitentiary.

Raymond Duke Bergen and Al Rendich were also convicted on similar charges.

They later pleaded guilty in federal court on charges of interstate

transportation in aid of racketeering and interstate car theft.

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