Original subtitles

This is SU -7 to Control.

Control to SU -7.

Go ahead.

All units have been advised in the...

The Walters should be here by now.

Maybe we'd better give them another call.

We'll wait.

Stay away from that phone.

Who are you?

If you're going to rob us, take what you want and go.

But don't... You and your kids are no danger.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest

stars Don Gordon, Mary Ann McAndrew, special guest star

Sandra Locke.

Tonight's episode, Dark Christmas.

Look, I don't have much cash.

Where's Gormley?

Gormley?

Who's Gormley?

Let's don't play games. You're a friend of his. You made him alone last week.

Now, where is he? Don't.

Please don't.

He's in Colorado.

Somewhere near Denver.

Where near Denver?

The description of the mysterious assailant of George Weldon, wealthy

investment counselor, was given by an eyewitness to the shooting.

The description matched that of Stuart Walker Tilden, a criminal who had been

reported to be in the Chicago area and on whom the FBI had an unlawful flight

avoid confinement warrant.

A weapon was discovered a few blocks from the scene of the shooting and

over to the Chicago Police Department.

and was then forwarded to the FBI laboratory in Washington.

The slug removed from Weldon matched the bullet fired from the weapon found near

the crime scene.

Japanese Nambu pistol stolen in a Reno burglary a week ago.

A burglary isn't Tilden's line, is it, Lewis?

Hardly. Sent to life imprisonment for murder.

Escaped the Nevada State Penitentiary October 2, 1972.

Suspected hitman.

Weldon's still unconscious. He's considered critical.

The robbery doesn't seem to have been the motive.

Is there any reason the contract could have been put out on him?

Well, not that we know of. He's a reputable businessman, and he's got a

background.

Weldon may not have been the intended victim. The witness said they were

just before the shooting, as though Tilden were questioning him. Then a

started.

Yes?

All right.

George Albright calling from Reno.

Hello, George.

Inspector Iskin and Tom Colby are here with me. I'm putting you on the speaker.

The police have a suspect in the burglary of the Reno apartment where the

pistol was stolen.

His name is Irwin Lee Calder. He has an arrest record for burglary.

A number of other items, including some valuable jewelry, were also stolen.

Do they know where this Calder is?

They have evidence that he took a plane from Reno to Salt Lake City shortly

after the burglary.

Authorities here have requested an unlawful flight warrant on him.

All right, George, we'll pull his identification record here.

You send us a description of all the stolen items.

Yes, sir.

We've got to find this Calder.

If Tilden's after another victim, we may not have much time.

Can you hear me?

You're coming through just fine.

Puerto Rico's not the other side of the world, you know. You locate our client?

He's somewhere around Denver. That's all I learned.

Wasn't our contact cooperative?

Well, I didn't have enough time. I had to shut off the meeting.

Termination?

No, but he's a vegetable.

I don't like that.

I had no choice. Now what?

Go on to Denver. Hold up.

Keep in touch.

Listen, I'll need some tools. I got rid of the last one after the conference.

All right.

How's your money?

It's good.

Look, I'm going to hang up. I'm freezing.

After you finish the business, I'll get you down here to San Juan. You can thaw

out. Yeah, okay.

Assemble all the data we have on Gormley.

And I want you to be on the first plane stateside.

I want you to oversee the whole operation.

But keep plenty of miles between you and Tilden. I want a wide buffer.

Wait a minute.

Denver.

Gormley used to talk about wanting to buy some property near Denver.

Geiger.

Geiger, Colorado. That was it.

A nice little house in Geiger.

Tony, what's on your mind? I don't like it when I don't know what people are

thinking.

I don't like killing Gormley.

You don't like it.

He built the business.

He talked me into international land development.

Best number one man I ever had.

Then he walked, just because I wanted to expand.

You'd think shipping some roulette wheels and slot machines to the mainland

really a terrible crime.

The way we disperse, it is. It's a federal crime.

Look, anyway, Gormley doesn't know anything about the expansion.

I'm not positive.

In his position, he could have uncovered anything.

Besides, I don't trust him. So long as he's alive, I won't rest easy.

Barbie, you on the phone, too?

Yes, Daddy. Have you got all my presents?

Well, I'm getting them. And the records that you promised me. And my big

surprise. I won't forget, sweetheart.

Hi, Dad. How's San Francisco?

Fine, fine.

Where's your mom? Is she around?

Uh -huh.

You want to talk to her, too?

Please. Don't worry about my presents.

If it's too much trouble, I mean.

Hey, it's not too much trouble, son.

Greg? No, it's me. Hold on a minute.

Let me talk to Dad alone, okay? Okay.

I can guess why you called. Something's gone wrong.

Well, there's still a good chance that we can finish up on time, but so far

things aren't going so good.

Oh, Dick.

I don't care about the commission anymore, and you promised.

Honey, look, I am so close. A few more hours could make a big difference.

Look, you know I can be home by Christmas morning.

Those men must have families, too. They can't want to work on Christmas Eve.

They live here, remember? They can be home in a few minutes.

Look, I'm booked on the latest flight out to get me there on time. Now, none

you know I'll try and make it.

I know.

Nothing's changed. I got used to spending the holidays without you when

working for Shrek.

I'll survive.

Marion.

Okay, honey.

One way or the other, I'll be there.

I'll prepare the kids anyway, just in case you're not.

No, no, no. I'll make it. I promise.

Really? Yep.

Just because I love you.

All right.

But be careful.

And come home safe.

Just because I love you, too.

An informant told us that Calder has an apartment here, second floor left, room

251. According to the manager, he's there now.

The U .S. attorney's issued a warrant for him.

The same informant also told us that Calder has been fencing the jewelry that

stole in Reno. He says that it's worth more than $50 ,000.

Love of the rare. Hello?

This is SU -7 to Control.

Control to SU -7.

Go ahead.

All units have been advised and the helicopter will join you momentarily.

10 -4.

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be held against you.

You may call a lawyer if you wish.

So I cracked an apartment.

That's federal?

Well, the United States Attorney seems to think so. He's very interested in the

$50 ,000 worth of jewelry you fenced from the Reno burglary. He feels he has

enough to charge you with interstate transportation of stolen property.

$50 ,000 worth of jewelry?

Oh, hit me with another laugh.

Let's start with a smile.

This was stolen from an apartment in Reno.

Along with a pistol.

What pistol?

An Ambu that was used in an attempted murder in Chicago.

Are we still amusing you?

Now, you can't tie me to that Reno burglary. Did you ever hear of tool

They can be matched, you know. You used the channel lock pliers from the job in

Reno on the one here last night.

What do you want from me?

Do you know this man?

His name's Tilden.

Guido sold him his gun.

Who's Guido?

Jerry Guido, a source I use in Salt Lake City, but he operates out of Denver.

He's a specialist, only handles guns.

Where in Denver?

I don't know.

I just got a tip he was staying over in Salt Lake City for a while.

Where is he now?

I don't know. I heard he left Salt Lake City, but I don't know for where.

Honest, I don't know.

Don't you watch what you're doing?

I try to.

I'm sorry. I was in a hurry.

I'm Gina Mason.

I live in Apartment 3.

My glasses.

I don't really need them.

Why do you wear them?

Just have it.

Someone must tell me I look better without them.

Arthur? Go ahead, Lewis.

We've had to put down in Meeker, Colorado.

Mechanical problem.

We're waiting for a flight out.

We have some background information for you on Gerald Guido.

The man called or claimed sold the Nambu pistol to Tilden.

Here's Al McClure.

Inspector, Guido's an alias for Geros Garkin.

He has an arrest record for carrying a concealed weapon.

Served a term in Maryland State Penitentiary in 1952.

He's an expert on firearms.

guns used in a number of crimes.

We've located his place in Denver. It's under surveillance.

No more information on Tilden or who the victim might be.

Well, it looks as though they have a plane for us. We should be in Denver

an hour.

Hold it a minute, Lewis.

Thank you.

The Denver office reports that Guido rented a car in Colorado Springs.

Agents there have been alerted.

There's a good chance Guido's in Colorado to deliver another gun to

A gun that Tilden plans to use on his next victim.

Your parents' home?

My mom's at the market. Are you selling something?

No, buying. I'd like to purchase some of this property.

You mean you want to buy our house?

Just some of the land.

Do you know how far back it goes?

Not exactly. I guess you'd have to ask my daddy.

Is he home?

No, he's away.

With your mother?

Oh, no.

He's way far away.

In San Francisco.

But he'll be back Christmas Eve.

Barbie! This man wants to buy our house.

My dad wouldn't ever sell this house.

We're not supposed to talk to strangers.

Mr. Ward, we just received an informant's report that an Anthony

having the payoff for Tilden and Guido.

Have any other information?

Guess that he has an office in Richmond.

He's not there. We haven't learned his present location, but his secretary says

he's due back tomorrow evening.

All right.

Good work, Bowmiller.

Get out of the area, fly back to Richmond, and wait there.

Gormley has a house just outside of Geiger.

He's somewhere in San Francisco now, but he's due back Christmas Eve.

So, looks like everything is all set.

Vaughn Miller got word to tell them.

Gormley will be dead as soon as he arrives home.

I know it's near Christmas, but how long does it take to get or put through a

long -distance call?

Well, how long are the lines going to be tied up?

All right, you do that. Yeah, then you call me back.

Sorry to bother you, but I... I thought you might like a little decoration.

Oh, we couldn't help noticing that you are all alone.

Who's we?

My mother and I. We live over there.

I don't like being spied on.

Well, we weren't spying.

I just thought that...

Would you happen to have some coffee or something in your place?

Yes, yes, we do.

Well, I'm expecting a very important call.

Oh, well, you could hear your phone from our apartment.

Okay, I'll leave the door open.

Thanks, buddy.

Anthony Baumiller?

I'm with the FBI.

We want to talk to you.

Certainly. Can we step into my office?

Wouldn't you work better with your glasses, Jean?

I have them.

I mean your regular glasses.

I don't need them.

Your type of work must be boring for Mr.

Foster. Wouldn't you rather we all had a game of cards?

No. Just a suggestion.

I used to be an excellent gin rummy player.

People underestimate me.

I usually end up holding all the guards.

You may not believe it. I believe it.

This is interesting.

Well, I've never trusted glass. It breaks too easy.

That's okay. You go on ahead. I'm curious.

You're incredible.

You try one.

Oh, no. Come on.

Afraid?

You should wear these.

Get this glass.

Not as easy as I thought it would be.

You know, if that'll just... Just turn.

There we are.

A basket.

Putting me on, Mr. Foster.

No one does this well on the first try.

But I did it. You saw me do it.

If you believe me, it was just luck.

Believe me, it won't happen again.

But I'm afraid it will.

The times have a gift for creating.

Do you think you should go out this time of night?

Never mind.

Thank you.

I

think

Jean Anne's right, Mr. Foster.

You have been putting us on.

What do you mean by that?

Oh, nothing.

Just something to say about everyone I ever see.

Would you like some more coffee?

Oh, no, thank you.

I've got some things I've got to do.

It was very nice.

Thank you very much.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Erskine.

Yes, put him on, please.

What's happened, Lewis?

Well, the state police found Guido's car with a broken axle.

He'd apparently fallen asleep and skidded off the road.

Any trace of Guido?

The police interviewed a rancher who owns the property where the car was

He gave Guido a lift to the nearest town and dropped him off at a garage. We're

checking it now.

Well, I think we have the man who hired Guido, Anthony Baumiller.

Al McClure, Inspector.

Now, Baumiller's a contractor out of Richmond.

Recently, he's been posing as a land developer in Puerto Rico.

We suspect him of shipping gambling devices from Puerto Rico throughout the

United States.

We have an informant in San Juan who says Baumiller arranged the payoff for

Guido and Tilden.

He's a liaison man for William Schreck.

That big?

That big.

So far, Baumiller's refused to tell us anything.

We've been trying to trace his recent movements and find out who Schreck wants

dead.

Hold on a minute, Art. I think Tom's got something.

Yes, sir. We just got word that a man answering Guido's description rented a

in Pueblo.

Pueblo?

You better get up there right away.

This is Unit 1.

Lewis, I just received your report on Guido.

The state police have spotted him driving north on US -25.

They've set up roadblocks. We're searching some of the secondary routes.

We may have uncovered the potential victim.

Richard Gormley.

He was the former executive assistant to Schreck.

A taxi cab driver who Baumiller hired in Richmond found a notebook left in the

cab.

He just turned it over to us.

Lewis, Guido may be meeting... with Tilda to give him the gun now.

10 -4.

Care for a snack?

I'm sorry I couldn't meet you in Denver, but there's too much law looking for me

there.

Where's the gun?

Give me a minute.

Thank you.

According to that surveyor, two cars went down that road a little while ago.

Sounds like Guido's car was one of them.

Where does the road lead?

Well, it extends about a mile and changes into a number of access roads.

Have them locked off.

Right.

Thank you.

And there was no room at the inn.

So Mary and Joseph entered a stable.

And it was there that the Christ child was born.

Why didn't Joseph and Mary call for reservations?

Daddy always does.

There weren't telephones in those days, nothead.

True. We used to bat the wise men. It's about where they come in. With

Frankenstein and Merv.

Frankincense and Merv.

I'm sorry.

Was Christ a god right from the start?

No, it was just a baby, probably wanting attention, like a couple of other kids

I know.

Gotcha, gotcha.

I thought he heard a car.

It's still early, Craig.

It's going to be dark soon.

Did Junior tell you where Gormley is?

Children just told him he's been staying in Denver.

He won't be here.

It's just as well I didn't like him.

There was something strange about that man. Couldn't you see it?

I could see sickness.

Didn't it frighten you?

No.

I've lived with it all my life.

I didn't make my body cripple, Jean.

I wasn't talking about your body.

I'd advise you not to be impertinent.

I won't.

I forget.

What do you mean?

I'm leaving tomorrow, Mother.

You really think you can survive without me?

I'm going to give it the best try you ever saw.

And what about me?

Alone?

Helpless?

Look at yourself, Mother.

You forgot your canes.

Miss Mason?

Yes. Inspector Erskine, FBI.

What's this all about?

Do you know this man?

No.

He's an escaped prisoner.

He may be on his way to kill someone.

We know he visited you.

He was here.

He called himself Foster.

That's all I know about it. He didn't want to talk about himself.

Excuse me.

Well, go ahead and say it.

It's your victory.

Victory.

Gina.

No. You were going to stand by yourself.

Maybe at this time you do it.

The numbers are listing for a local automobile club. Miss Eggers is a clerk

there. She received a couple of calls from a man who requested information

open routes to Pueblo and Geiger, Colorado.

Now, he used the name Foster, but he gave the telephone number here for her

call back in case there's any change in road conditions.

Call her as an agent.

I'm looking for the Wallace place.

They live a half mile down the road.

Oh.

Taxi really let me off in the wrong spot.

Are you a friend of Mr. Wallace?

He was brother -in -law.

Gregson, Stan Gregson. I just flew in from New York.

Well, it's too far to walk. Why don't you come in and use the phone?

Thank you.

A friend of Mr.

Wallace's. Now, come on, kids. It's time for you to go to bed.

But it's early. We want to stay up and see Dad.

Oh, all right. For a little while.

The phone's right over there, Mr. Gregson.

This is Inspector Erskine.

Control, Inspector Erskine. President agent covering Geiger reports no sign of

children. He's trying to locate Gormley now.

He will be there shortly.

The Wallace's should be here by now.

Maybe we better give them another call.

We'll wait.

Stay away from that phone.

Who are you?

If you're going to rob us, take what you want and go.

But don't... You and your kids are in no danger.

Nothing personal, lady.

Just following orders.

Inspector, Garmley bought his house from an agency under the name of Porter.

The real estate man didn't recognize Garmley's photo immediately, but he's

certain it's the same man.

10 -4, we'll join you there.

Where do creatures like you come from?

Not from places that have silk curtains and soft beds.

It had a two -by -four waiting to work me over.

If I got out of line.

I spent Christmases grubbing the railroad tracks for coal to keep us

Things like you always have those excuses.

What do you know about it, Lee? My husband does.

He started the same way you did.

The only difference was he was a man.

Hilton's inside.

You all know what to do.

Mom.

It's all right. It's all right.

Why don't you put your kids to bed?

Faith. Come on. Come on, get up, dear. We're going to go to bed.

Barbie.

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

Go on up by yourselves.

Hello?

Marion?

Where are you?

I'm in a phone booth. I'll be home in about 15 minutes.

Nothing wrong?

No.

We're just all exhausted.

11 o 'clock, I guess you should be.

I'm on my way. I love you.

I love you with all my heart.

I'm not going to let you kill him.

Richard Gormley?

Yes? FBI.

you and your sister to come with us.

We're going to take you to your daddy.

Okay?

Mm -hmm.

It's all right, sweetheart.

Get out now or you're going to have to shoot me first.

Not a word, you understand?

I hope I'm not disturbing you. My car is stalled and I can't get it started. I

wonder if I could use your phone.

Inside.

He's going to kill my husband Turn around

All right, step back.

Your husband's safe, Mrs. Gormley.

I don't know what I would ever do if this ever happened again, Daddy. I was

afraid.

Dad, I put the star on the Christmas tree.

Oh, you did a good job, son.

Thanks.

Guys, remember what we always read on Christmas Eve?

Uh -huh. Oh, yeah.

I said to a man who stood at a gate, give me a light that I may tread safely

into the unknown.

And he replied.

Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.

And that shall be to you better than light and safer than no light.

Stuart Walker Tilden was returned to the penitentiary to complete his original

sentence and was given additional time to serve because of his escape.

The state of Illinois prosecuted Tilden for attempted murder and Colorado

brought him to trial on assault with intent to kill. He was found guilty of

offenses.

Gerald Guido was charged by Colorado authorities with selling stolen

Irwin Calder was charged with burglary in Salt Lake City, and a detainer had

been filed against him in Reno.

Anthony Baumiller and Calder were also charged with assaulting federal

Baumiller and William Schreck were named as co -conspirators in the plot to

murder Richard Gormley.