Original subtitles

[explosion]

Chris!

[crashing]

Well, I've just got a feeling in my bones it was an arsonist.

McCloud, I don't care what you feel in your bones...

proof is what I care about.

There's this girl who knows that,

and knows a lot more.

- Blackmail? - Arson.

Was she murdered?

If you're wrong about this and Chief Clifford finds out...

[rumbling]

[siren blaring]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[engine sputtering]

[phone buzzing]

- Switchboard. - Flo?

Flo: Oh, good evening, Ms. Coughlin.

Did the theater tickets arrive yet?

A little while ago. Would you like me to send them up?

Oh, yes. Just give them to Mr. McCloud when he comes in.

Right. Say, do you know four letters for "albatross?"

[elevator bell dings]

Well, the apartment is ready.

Notify my new tenant, they can move in whenever they like.

I'll call 'em first thing in the morning.

Alright.

What's six letters for "amnesty?"

- Pardon? - You're a genius.

Flo: P-A-R-D-O-N.

[dramatic music]

[door closes]

Good.

This is locked?

No, it can't be. It's a fire exit.

Nobody ever uses it.

How're you gonna start it?

So that it goes flying up that heater duct...

through this vent here.

I don't understand.

Well, you don't have to.

All you care is about the insurance money

you'll get out of this dump, isn't it?

Look, don't worry. It'll go clean and fast.

The roof and top floors will go before the bottom.

By time the fire department even knows about it,

goodbye, Charley.

[music continues]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[doorbell buzzing]

- Mark! - How's my favorite aunt?

[chuckling] What're you doing here?

Well, I came to New York to beat out Joe Namath.

No, I'm just passing through on my way to school.

[chuckling] Why didn't you call?

Well, mom told me not to, but I decided to anyway.

Well, I'm glad you did. You can stay over.

Oh, just the words I wanted to hear.

Now I can save that hotel money for a pair of cleats I need.

I'll take your football.

[dramatic music]

- Hey, Joe! - Hey, McCloud.

Good to be back.

- How you doin'? - Oh, good. Good.

You know, you can learn a lot down there in that file room.

Did you know Calvin Hart died at the age of 81?

- No! - Hm-hm.

I have to tell you, I really don't care.

Well, in three more minutes, I won't either.

My sentence's goin' to be up.

You've seen the duty roster for next week?

You know, McCloud, when you come to think about it,

your work in the file room must be really incredible.

Fascinating.

All the lives of all those criminals in New York history

at your fingerprints.

- Imagine that. - Joe...

I want to know and I got to know where I'm going next week.

- You're not. - Not what?

Going.

Oh, this has gotta be a mistake.

No, it isn't. I figured a friend ought to break the news.

- Oh, thanks. Thanks. - I'm sorry, McCloud.

Sorry doesn't begin to say it.

- You can't see the chief now. - Why not?

Well, the city photographer's in there

taking a new official picture of him.

[scoffs]

McCloud, you can't!

Chief Clifford said, when you came up here

bellowing like a buffalo with its tail on fire,

and those were his exact words, I was to keep you out.

Maggie, have got a sawed-off shotgun

underneath that typewriter?

Of course not.

Then you just tell the chief that you didn't have

the ammunition to hold me back.

[sighing]

Clifford: Can't we get on with this?

Policeman is your friend.

So let's have a big, warm smile, huh?

You got a big, warm smile.

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

Chief...

there's something wrong here.

I knew that, McCloud, the day you walked in from Taos.

You know, I've been a good sport about

working down in the file room, but--

Good sport?

And since when is obeying the orders of the superior officer

considered being a good sport?

Workin' down in that basement, I might as well be back in Taos!

That's what I like about it. I can almost think you are.

The duty roster is official. You stay in the file room.

Hope he didn't upset you.

Upset? Who's upset?

I've got another week of peace.

Come on, take your picture.

[chuckling]

[telephone ringing]

[indistinct TV chatter]

- Hello. - Chris, this is Sam.

- What's wrong? - Nothin'. Nothin'.

I, uh... I'll be over there in a little while.

It sounds like I'm in for some police brutality tonight.

Yeah, well, I'm anxious to see you too.

I'll be there in a little bit.

Announcer: Ted in the lead. Ball is snapped,

Morton hands off the... Helms on the sweep...

Helms cut back inside and is hit with a grunting block!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[door opens]

- Hey, what's goin' on? - I don't know.

- What is that stuff down there? - What?

[music continues]

Are you still seeing that cowboy?

Oh, he still moseys over the old ranch

every once in a while.

[dramatic music]

[crackling]

[explosion]

[horn honking]

[explosion]

[explosion]

- Hello, Flo. - Oh, hi, marshal.

What's a six letter word for "sneak?"

Uh... coyote?

Coyote. Great. It fits.

Now what's a nine letter word

for "onomatopoeia" starting with a "Y?"

Huh! Not gonna touch that as a ten-foot hole.

Oh, your tickets, marshal.

- Enjoy the play. - You smell somethin'?

[sniffing] No.

[McCloud sniffing]

[crackling]

- Flo! There's a fire! - Fire?

Call the fire department.

Evacuate the building. Get everybody out of here!

Tell 'em to take the elevator, not the stairway.

Flo: Fire department? This is the operator.

We have a fire in the stairwell.

We're at the Anderson Building.

Corner of Lexington and 4th.

[dramatic music]

You take the bed. I'll be out late.

I'll take the couch. Yes.

Ms. Coughlin, this is the switchboard.

I'm calling all the tenants, the building's on fire.

Mark!

[door opens]

- Hey, what's going on? - There's a fire!

No. There's no need to panic. But just get out quick.

And don't use the staircase 'cause it's spreading fast.

We've got to get out of here.

[explosion]

Hey, is there any other way to get out of here?

No!

Man on PA: Engine Company, 24, East Mont,

high-rise apartment, 54th, Second Avenue on fire!

[alarm ringing]

Engine Company, 23, high-rise apartment.

54th, the Second Avenue on fire!

[siren blaring]

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[clamoring]

Chris! Chris!

Are you still in there?

- Sam! We're trapped! - What by?

There's fire and steam! We can't get through!

- Who's with you? - My nephew Mark!

I'm comin' in!

Mark, get down!

[banging on door]

[banging on door]

[crashing]

[grunting]

Mark!

[whimpering]

[coughing] Is he alive?

Barely.

[McCloud grunting]

[Chris screaming]

[groaning] Sam!

Sam, my back!

[Chris groaning]

Mark! We've got to get him free!

I want you to get outta here!

The whole ceiling can go any minute.

- Got to get outta here! - I can't leave him there!

Chris, you're badly burned.

Go, get outta here! I'll go back for him.

Sam, please!

Chris... you-- you can't help here.

You're in the way. Now get on the elevator.

- And get outta here! Chris: No!

I'll get him!

[clamoring]

[siren blaring]

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatter]

[fire crackling]

[music continues]

[coughing]

[sighing]

I'm alright.

[music continues]

There're two men still trapped in there!

Where? We were told everyone had been called.

[fire crackling]

[indistinct chatter]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

Lieutenant, take the hoses in through the front.

And keep it going!

[instrumental music]

[gunshots]

- What's his name? - Sam McCloud.

- Sam McCloud, can you hear me? McCloud: Yeah!

Are you trapped?

[explosion]

Yeah!

Can you make it back to the front of the building?

No!

Sam, are you alright?

- Yeah! - Did you get Mark?

No!

You've got to get him down.

I can't get a ladder truck in that confined of an area.

Well, isn't there anything else?

The snorkel. But it's not here.

The way that fire's going in front it'll be too late.

You've got to do something.

The air bag. He's jump on the air bag.

[hissing]

Can't they hurry?

We're doing the best we can.

Say, you better have that looked at.

Why don't you go around in front of the paramedics...

No, until he's down.

[indistinct chatter]

Attention, Sam McCloud.

Can you hear me?

McCloud: Yeah!

You have to jump into the air bag!

There's no other way.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Jump, McCloud.

Sam! Jump!

Jump!

[intense music]

Chris!

- Sam! - You alright?

Where's the ambulance?

[siren blaring]

[dramatic music]

[hissing]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Woman on PA: 2-5-7, stat.

Dr. Sherman, 4-6-5, stat.

McCloud.

McCloud.

[sighing] Thank you.

How's Chris?

Ah, she's not as bad as we first thought.

She's got second degree burns on her left shoulder.

What about yourself?

Alright.

I'll feel a lot better when I get both feet into this.

Feet into what?

You know, chief, that fire was...

jumpin' along that staircase like it had a mind of its own.

You suspect arson?

[scoffing] I'd bet my next month's pay on it.

Save your money.

I've been all night on this.

The fire department's initial report

indicates faulty electric wiring.

Oh, really?

Did they discover that faulty electrical wiring

before or after the fire?

McCloud, I know how you feel. I feel the same way, but--

Well, then put me on the arson squad.

Wouldn't do any good if I did.

It's up to the fire department

to determine whether or not there was arson.

What if they don't?

We only investigate after they believe

a criminal act has been committed.

But what if they're wrong?

McCloud, I know what you did last night, and I'm grateful.

I appreciate that, chief, but important thing is to

find out who burned down Chris' building.

Well, I've just got a feeling in my bones it was an arsonist.

McCloud, I don't care what you feel in your bones,

what your intuition tells you, what your instinct senses.

Proof is what I care about. Hard proof, you understand?

Right. I gotcha.

Oh, and, McCloud, try to remember,

first, we don't know that it was arson.

Second, there is no evidence that yet that points to arson.

And third, even when I'm trying to be nice,

why do you always drive me up the wall?

[sighing]

[instrumental music]

McCloud: In your preliminary report

you said it looked like faulty wiring.

Frank: That's right. It did. And it still does.

Nothing so far points to anything but an accident.

McCloud: Well, what about the dead janitor I found?

Frank: Well, that could've been an accident too.

Look, we'll just have to wait for the coroner's report.

McCloud: Well, look, let me just ask you something,

if you saw a fire coming out of that duct over there,

and running along this concrete wall over here,

another coming out of this ventilator,

and one coming down the stairs there, what would you think?

You're sure that what you saw?

Movin' faster than a jackrabbit.

I think possibly it'd be the work of a paid arsonist.

Well, who do you think would hire him?

Well, basically, it would rule out vanity and spite...

like a jealous husband or someone trying to get even.

They usually toss a match to it and run.

What about a pyromaniac?

Well, it's too spotted, like you said.

Most likely it would be for a profit.

- You mean, like the insurance. - Right.

Well, who'd be most likely to do that? The owner?

Well, usually.

Well, what're gonna do about it?

Look, I can only report my findings. What I see.

I'll tell the insurance company what I believe happened here,

and I'll report your suspicions to the police arson squad,

and to your captain, what else can I do, huh?

There's one more thing that you can do.

What?

Just hold off on reportin' to the police,

and take me over to the insurance company

and introduce me to the man in charge.

That's two.

Well, there's always room for one more among friends,

isn't there?

[instrumental music]

McCloud: Well, I certainly appreciate

the time that you've given me, Mr. Andrews.

Believe me, marshal, I'd be more than willing to

give you the next five years if I thought it would,

uh, turn up some arsonists.

But, uh, Mr. Carter doesn't seem to be a likely prospect.

Now, he renewed his policy recently some nine months ago,

and at that time we thoroughly investigated his finances.

He is a very wealthy man.

His building was relatively new, 1940.

To rebuild would cost him much more

than the insurance it was covered by,

occupancy was nearly a 100 percent.

Not a motive in the world that I can see.

[sighing]

Well, I guess...

fire inspector was right.

I'm afraid so. But I appreciate your interest.

Arson is our biggest headache.

But there's no use being paranoid about every fire,

even if there is a strong, personal reason.

[dramatic music]

[chuckling softly]

What're you thinking?

That I haven't taken out as much time as I should've.

For what?

Just to look at your face.

You're a very busy man.

Real busy. Too busy. Everybody is...

for what's really important.

What do you know about Jason Carter?

[sighs]

- The man that owns my building? - Hm-hm.

[sighs]

I've never met him. Just-- just what Flo has told me.

What's that?

Chris: Well, he's a regular Horatio Alger.

Well, everything he touches turns to money.

- He has a gorgeous companion. - Hm.

With his luck, the fire will probably be lucky for him.

How's that?

Well, it was a rent control building.

If he has to rebuild, he can charge any rent he wants.

What do you know about this glamourous companion of his?

Anything?

[sighs] Well, I know that she has

rent control beat by a mile.

How's that?

He was keeping her. [chuckling]

Oh, she's living in same building with you?

She did, but she-- she moved out about three, four weeks ago.

You know her name?

Claire something.

I think she's a, a fashion photographer.

Maybe I better let you rest.

[chuckling softly]

[groaning]

I don't sleep well on my stomach.

- Does it hurt? - No. Just ugly.

Probably scar.

You know, beauty is more that skin deep.

[chuckling softly]

[instrumental music]

Claire: I mean, what do you want me to do?

Move back into one of your

brand new burnt out flats?

Claire, look, I swear to you,

things are gonna be different from now on.

- Come on, baby. Come on. - No! No!

Oh. What's it all about?

It's about us. Just like the old days, hon.

Well, I'm back here now, I'm a working girl again.

It's nickels and dimes stuff, that's not your style.

Well, at least it's a lot better than wondering when his lord

and master is going to throw me out.

Honey, try to understand. I had to do it.

I couldn't tell you why.

But it's alright now.

Jason, I've heard that con before.

It's not a con.

[Claire chuckles]

Listen, I'm expecting a model any minute.

Well, you call me when you're finished.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

Claire: Just enjoy yourself.

Good.

Now again. Nice and big.

Wide.

Come on, reach.

Reach for that sky.

Reach! Reach! Reach!

Come on! Yeah. Good!

Right. Come on. Reach! Reach!

Big. Slide over.

[laughing] Even this lotion isn't that good.

- Just a minute. - Ms. Harrison?

What's your company?

I'm with the police.

Really? How chic.

I like their new uniforms.

Alright, Liza.

I don't mean to be rude, just under a lot of pressure.

Your lover is on his way...

Can I help you, officer?

Tell me about Jason Carter.

Now wouldn't that be nice, kiss and tell?

- What's it about? - His building that burned down.

- Yeah, he told me about that. - When?

Restless, Liza.

- Little while ago. - You sure?

Of course. He just had the fire. When else could he have told me?

Three weeks ago before it burned down.

This meeting has suddenly stopped being friendly.

Is that why you moved out, to protect yourself?

No, for one reason, the rent got too high.

He wanted me to pay it.

Have a fight?

No, he just couldn't afford me.

Not my rent, my charge accounts, or my whims.

Hm.

- Is he busted? - To pieces.

- At least he was. - Was?

- Does that surprise you? - Well, yeah.

You know, he has a reputation of being a very wealthy man.

[telephone ringing]

Claire Harrison.

Just a second.

Thank you.

After you finish your phone call,

go investigate some place else.

I have work to do. No more questions and answers.

This is McCloud here.

Frank: This is Frank Colton, from the fire department,

arson squad.

I've got to see you right away.

Where?

[instrumental music]

Frank: After I talked to you at the building,

I checked through all the torches I thought

could possibly have set it if it was arson.

There's not too many around who could have

pulled it off that expertly.

I think our man's in this building here.

- What's his name? - Stan Barry.

It fooled me at first because

none of the top torches was around.

Then I remembered old man Barry, one of the best.

Word got out that he taught his son

everything he knew before he died.

That's a great legacy.

[knocking on door]

Yeah?

- Stan Barry? - Uh, yeah. Who is it?

McCloud: Police. - What's it about?

- Open the door! - Uh, just a minute.

[gunshot]

[screaming]

[woman screams]

But, marshal, I don't even know

if it's within purview to do what you ask.

Mr. Andrews, it's our only chance.

All I'm asking is if you just

let me look through the files of Jason Carter.

I might stumble on to something that you missed.

If he ever found out, he could sue us for a fortune.

Well, he's the only one that's got a motive,

and I know that Jason Carter is our man!

Well, whatever proof you're looking for,

you won't find it in the files, believe me.

Mr. Andrews, there's just got to be some way

of provin' that it's him.

There's got to be.

- Well, maybe there is. - What?

Nah, it wouldn't work. It's not admissible evidence.

Well, I don't need admissible court evidence,

all I need is enough to convince my chief

that-- that-- that I'm not yellin' down a dry well.

What is it?

Voice stress analysis.

- Voice stress analysis? - Yeah. Yeah.

You can listens to answers to somebody's questions

and tell if he's telling the truth or not.

It's actually quite simple.

Well, it might be simple, but how you're gonna

get him to submit to questioning?

He doesn't know it's happening.

How's that?

Now, look, marshal, uh, from here on in

whatever we say between us, that's strictly off the record.

That's right.

Now remember, either this company

nor my self must be implicated.

Mr. Andrews, you've got my word on it.

Now, how does it work?

[dramatic music]

[door closes]

I'm glad you called me, baby.

- I just couldn't resist. - Oh.

Everything alright with us?

Uh, not precisely.

I've been working out a puzzle.

Hm. I don't like games.

Not games. Life and death.

- What're you talking about? - The puzzle, darling.

See, a man is broke...

he's got this building that he's losing his shirt on.

But it does happen to be a choice piece of land.

Well, suddenly, the building burns down.

He's not broke anymore.

As a matter of fact, he's rich.

Now, everybody thought he was rich before that,

but he wasn't.

And there's this girl who knows that

and knows a lot more.

- Blackmail? - Arson.

That microphone and this recorder

are the entire apparatus.

Now just have him say a few things to set his norm,

and then ask him the questions in the insurance folder.

You know what's going to happen to the both of us

if you're wrong about this and Chief Clifford finds out?

Joe, all you have to do is do it like we rehearsed it,

and you're home free.

McCloud, I just wish I was home, period.

[instrumental music]

Mr. Broadhurst, am I under some kind of suspicion?

No, sir, not by me. Just routine.

Mr. Andrews at the insurance company said

they were sending a man over.

Do they always move this quickly?

Well, it's hard for me to say, sir.

I'm new to this sort of thing.

Well, they wouldn't send an inexperienced man

if it was anything important, would they?

You have a point, sir.

Alright, ask away.

Okay. First, Mr. Carter...

did you set fire to your building?

Did I what?

Take it easy, this isn't an accusation.

It's a form. We ask these questions

before paying off any claim.

Well, what good are they? I'm not under oath, am I?

Well, it has nothing to do with legalities, sir.

I just need it for our files.

Alright, go ahead.

Joe: Sir, did you set the fire?

No, I did not set the fire.

Did you hire someone else to set the fire?

No, I did not hire someone else to set fire to my building.

Joe: Do you have any idea who might wanna see

the building destroyed?

Jason: No, I know of no one who'd wanna

see my building destroyed.

Joe: Are you in great need of the insurance money

you will receive?

Jason: Yes, of course I am.

I need it to rebuild.

Okay. Hold it.

What's supposed to happen now?

Well, from the waves recorded

on this Psychological Stress Evaluator,

we can tell if the man is lying or not.

Well, like a polygraph, huh?

Maynard: Essentially voice stress

works like a lie detector,

but instead of blood pressure, we use tonal stress change.

We feel it is accurate in more than 95 percent

of the cases.

Alright. Let's see it work.

Joe: Well, it has nothing to do with legalities, sir.

That is true.

I'll say.

Joe: I need this for my files.

Lie.

Jason: Alright. Go ahead.

Joe: Sir, did you set fire to your building?

Jason: No, I did not set fire to the building.

Maynard: Lie.

Joe: Did you hire someone else to set the fire?

Jason: No, I did not hire anyone

to set fire to it.

Maynard: Lie.

Joe: Do you have any idea who might

wanna see the building destroyed?

Jason: No idea of who'd wanna

see the building destroyed?

Lie.

Joe: Are you in great need

of the insurance money you will receive?

Jason: Of course I am. I need it to rebuild.

Maynard: True.

Clifford: The answer is still no, McCloud!

Why? I mean, just tell me why.

You said yourself that you wanted hard facts.

McCloud, not one word on that tape

is admissible evidence.

Well, I know that, not in court, it isn't.

But at least we know now that it wasn't an accident.

That it was arson. And it was murder.

And that makes it a police case.

Maybe, but a lousy one.

I need something more, like a witness.

Well, I might be getting one.

- Who? - Carter's ex-girlfriend.

She knows all about him, and not too friendly.

You can't develop a case on a lover's whim.

Well, here's another thing, the coroner's report

on that janitor that was killed.

"Death attributed to cranial damage."

So? He could have been struck by a falling timber.

Chief, I was the first one to see that janitor.

He was lying there on the stairway.

There wasn't a timber within 20 feet of him.

And besides that there was no smoke inhalation in the lungs.

Which means he was dead before the fire.

Alright. I'll get Carter in here.

And we can get the truth out of him.

No, chief, I wouldn't do that.

And why not?

Well, suppose we get him in and he admits it,

which I doubt, what have we got?

We got one man. What we want is the big guy.

The one that Carter goes to.

The one that controls the torches.

McCloud, you have a point.

[sighs]

- No. I take that back. - You can't.

Uh... Chief, listen to me. If you get Carter--

McCloud, you listen to me,

you're not assigning to arson.

They're top men, veterans.

They can conduct an investigation

without your help.

I couldn't agree with you more,

believe me.

I couldn't agree with you more.

As a matter of fact, I don't even think

they should know what I'm doing.

There's no tellin' how deep this thing goes.

Am I going to see you this afternoon?

- Well, I don't know. - Why not?

I got a few things to check out.

I don't know when it'll be finished.

Vagueness doesn't become you, Sam. What is it?

You know, all you gotta worry about

is just gettin' yourself well.

The fire?

I wondered why you wanted to know about Jason Carter.

You think he set the fire?

Now don't jump to conclusions.

Yeah. That's it, isn't it? Jason Carter!

It's a possibility.

He killed Mark for money!

Don't make yourself upset.

Upset?

I'm gonna work on this one with you, Sam!

Chris, all you're gonna do is work on getting well.

I wanna nail Carter. It was my nephew!

Chris, there's nothin' you can do.

Don't tell me there's nothin' I can do.

- Alright. Alright. - I mean it.

Okay.

I'll see what I can do.

Okay?

Thank you.

Hey.

[instrumental music]

McCloud: Jake, this is Sam McCloud.

Jake: Hey, McCloud! How have you been?

When are you coming home?

Just soon as I finish my special assignment

here in New York, that's what I'm callin' you about.

I need your help.

What in the world could I do?

Well, I'd like to use your name.

I wanna impersonate you.

You wanna impersonate me?

Yeah, I've gotta pose as somebody that's very rich.

Well, I'm not that rich.

You mean you'd have trouble checking out at the bank?

- Oh, I'd check out very well. - Then you won't mind?

Well, Frankly, McCloud, I'd feel flattered.

Is it a big case you're on?

Yeah, it's arson.

Oh, Jake, one other thing,

would you have your banker tell 'em

how wild and colorful you are?

Colorful... wild...

There you go.

[chuckles]

Mr. Porter, as I tried to tell you on the phone,

I am a very busy man.

Ha! Aren't we all?

Like I said, you know,

you give us five, ten minutes together,

no tellin' where we'll end up.

Oh! Hey, this is nice.

Very nice.

Yeah, that's, that's really beautiful.

Well, there's no question about it,

you're the man that I want.

For what?

Well, I'm gonna speak very frankly.

I need a little advice, Mr. Carter.

I got a building here in New York

that's, that's costing me a bundle in taxes.

Jason: So?

Well, if it was soybean or sorghum or oats, cotton,

well, we'd be talking about something else.

You see, that's my line. And I'm the best.

But this is real estate. And that's your line.

They tell me that you are the best.

The best always have two problems,

being expensive and busy.

Well, I don't think that you'd have to worry 'bout that,

I'll come up with any ante that I got to.

[phone buzzes]

Doesn't solve my other problem, time.

You know, Mr. Carter, I found out

if you can just solve that first problem, money,

all the other little problems kind of fall in place naturally.

Yes.

Just a minute.

It's for you. Long distance.

Hm.

- Jake Porter. Chris: Mr. Porter.

This is your number one assistant.

Oh, great. Great.

Well, of course I wanna pick up the option.

Man'd be crazy not to pick it up now.

Uh, just a minute, please.

Mr. Carter, you gotta come down to Albuquerque with me.

I gotta what?

There's a sorghum field down there

that's about to become a housing project.

Congratulations. But I think I'll have to pass.

Don't say I didn't tell you.

What is that fella's name at, uh, out in Los Angeles

you keep ravin' about?

You're the only man I've ever raved about.

And I'll call you back in three minutes as planned.

Yeah, Perkins, that's the fella, right.

Would you get him on the horn and offer it to him?

Yeah? Well, what'd he say?

$10,000 just to come down and look at it?

[laughs]

Well, I think maybe we oughta, we oughta pay it.

A man that's got that kind of gall

is gotta be worth something.

Yeah, but no more than $75,000 for the survey, right?

No, no, no, I'll be back, I'll be back

no later than Monday.

And quit trackin' me down

with the telephone.

You do things in high style, Mr. Porter.

Well, I just feel bad that you won't be in on that one too.

I'm not in on the other one.

You know, Mr. Carter, I plan to go from the pavement

right up to a record.

I want the tallest building in these parts.

And I want the best with me.

Mr. Porter, as you must know,

an architectural firm like mine

gets up to ten percent of the total cost of the building.

Hey, you're sittin' on eight, nine million dollars.

Yes, possibly, but from long experience,

sitting doesn't necessarily guarantee hatching.

Yeah, well, I'm willin' to gamble $75,000

that this nest gets hatched.

I'm not.

I have too much to do as it is.

[phone buzzes]

Yes.

Long distance again.

Sorry.

- Jake Porter. Chris: At the tone it will be.

Well, just who are you workin' for?

Me or the architect?

Chris: Well, your plans are much more interesting.

Yeah, alright, alright.

Well, I've gotta have him for the survey.

Okay. $100,000, pay it.

No, I know it, I know it.

They're expecting me in half hour,

haven't forgotten, thank you.

I'll make you the same offer, Mr. Carter, $100,000.

Well, I'm afraid I still have to pass.

I tell you, you're a hard nut to crack.

You know, I gotta run. Say, would you do me a big favor?

I gotta be back home by Monday, and my time is just tighter

than a noose at the hangin'.

I'm havin' a few people over at my place

to settle a hotel tonight at 9 o'clock.

I wonder, would you mind just droppin' by for a quick drink?

I could talk a little bit more about the survey one

maybe get a chance to twist your arm?

I'm sorry. Maybe some other time.

You might change your mind.

I doubt it.

Good day, Mr. Porter.

Central Hotel, 9 o'clock.

[dramatic music]

[speaking in foreign language]

Now, don't tell me you're already here

with the money you owe me?

Well, it won't be long.

The fire went off perfectly.

I know.

Now, all we have to do is

wait until the insurance pays off.

Floyd, I was going to ask you a favor.

- More margin? - No, no, no.

I have an opportunity to buy the building next to mine.

It's a small lot, but with it,

I think I can triple the size of the condominiums

I intend to build and it only takes $100,000 for the option.

And you want me to forward it to you and collect it

with the rest of the money you owe me

when your insurance comes in?

Well, I may not even need it.

The insurance company said they'd off my claim, right away.

But I can't take any chances.

I don't want to lose the parcel.

You have a fatal flaw, Carter.

Greed.

No. Not greed, Floyd,

I have, I have a high standard of living.

Well, I don't intend to finance it

any more than I already have.

Let's get the fire money,

and we'll take things from there.

Listen, you don't seem to understand.

Without that parcel,

my own property isn't worth half as much.

Floyd: Carter, I'm not your father.

I was your broker.

You got in over your head, I helped bail you out.

But I do not intend to become your private money lender.

Miss Henry, continue with my calls, please.

About the money you owe me,

you understand interest is accruing on it

until it gets paid.

Yes?

[indistinct radio chatter]

Are you the one who called? Where is she?

Mr. Andrews, you can't pay off Carter's insurance.

You've got to hold back on his check.

He's broke, he needs the money.

And now he's gonna need me, you've got to.

Marshal, according to you,

I had to show you Mr. Carter's account.

I had to tell you about Voice Stress Analysis.

I had to involve my own staff and equipment in its operation.

I had to bend over backwards and do a somersault

in breaking just about every rule that I stand by

and what this company's ethics is based upon.

And each time it was the only way.

Now, Mr. Carter has that insurance check coming to him

and I won't hold up its payment.

I have no legal basis for it.

I hope, I mean, I pray, I've made myself clear.

Mr. Andrews, I appreciate your position.

I understand that you have to do what you feel is best.

Well, I've got to do what I feel is best.

What do you mean? What-- what are you gonna do?

I may have to write this thing clear to the supreme court,

but I'm gonna find out just how much water

that Voice Stress Analysis holds.

No, you can't. That would involve me.

The company, everyone connected with us.

Well, what do you think that arson does?

You gave me your word.

Well, what do you want me to do?

Just back away from it?

Just open up the trap

and let him go free

after he's caused the death

of that young boy?

And all the rest of the sufferin'?

Huh? And now he's caused another death.

You gave me your word.

Alright!

You still got it!

If you can live with it in your conscience,

I guess I'll be able to do the same thing.

Have you any idea how thin the ice is?

Well, let's skate or sink,

at least we'll be able to say to ourselves

we gave it our best shot.

Alright. Two weeks. But that's the maximum.

I can't hold up the money any longer.

Get me Jason Carter.

- Oh, there's one other thing. - What?

Just don't tell Mr. Carter when he's gonna get the money.

[instrumental music]

Mr. Andrews, I was told that my check

was in the process of being written.

Uh, that's true. It is.

But we won't be able to disperse it at the present.

Well, could I get part of the money now?

I mean, that would be very helpful to me.

No, I'm sorry. That's impossible.

Impossible? Look, I was promised the money this week.

Uh, I know you were. You shouldn't have been.

That's why I'm calling you personally.

Tell me, Mr. Andrews, exactly

what is wrong with my claim.

Why are you holding up payment?

No, I'm not holding it up, it's just that

with the fire this size, with the claim as large as yours,

it is necessary for the claim to be reviewed by our board.

A board?

Andrews: But believe me, it's just a formality.

How long is this routine gonna take?

Every case is different. It's hard to say.

Believe me, I'm doing everything in my power

to expedite your claim.

Well, I hope you can handle it soon.

So do I. Goodbye.

- Joan, get me Mr. Butler. Joan: Yes, sir.

- Mr. Butler. Butler: How are you, Carter?

I'm fine. Never felt better.

Butler: Are we still on for tomorrow?

Well, as a matter of fact, that's why I'm calling.

Uh, something important just popped up

that I have to take care of.

Butler: I thought buying my property

had a measure of importance to you.

A measure? Are you kidding?

Your lot next door is key to my plans.

No. Look, um, what I thought I'd like to do

is give you a call, say, in a couple of days,

and then we can get together and lock it all up.

Butler: This isn't a song and dance, is it, Mr. Carter?

No, no, no, believe me, I'm not stalling.

It's just that I have to take care

of this other thing first.

Butler: Good enough.

I'll wait on your call, two days.

Right. Good man.

Joan, I want a full financial report

on Jake Porter, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It's confidential and rush it.

Joan: Right away, sir.

[instrumental music]

Hey.

What's this I hear about you checkin' out?

Come to take me home?

The only place you're goin' is right back in bed.

Sam, I told you, I'm gonna help you get Carter.

It's a good way of windin' up in the morgue.

- Morgue? - Yeah.

That's what happened to Claire.

The photographer you told me about.

Was she murdered?

Chris, we found her face down

in a bath of developing solution.

I wouldn't tell you this, but I just want you to know

the kind of people that we're dealin' with.

Chris.

I'm not gonna let you do it. It's too dangerous.

Sam, from the bottom of my heart

I love your concern, but believe me,

nobody could stop me.

Not even you.

[instrumental music]

When does the show begin?

We're supposed to be there at 8:30.

I told Carter to show up at 9:00.

Remember what I told you, Broadhurst,

I want a strict accounting of this down to the last ounce.

Right, chief.

- McCloud. - Yeah.

- McCloud. - Yeah.

The department paying for that?

Just a rental.

You playing bartender?

What's your poison?

Alright, let's see how sharp you are.

Make me a daiquiri.

A daiquiri?

I'm not sure what goes in it.

Bull shot then.

I never heard him swear before!

I wasn't swearing. That's a drink.

I certainly hope the rest of your operation

is better prepared than he is.

It's 9:30, McCloud. What makes you think he's gonna show?

Money.

Uh-uh. Nothing gets touched unless it's an official party.

Chief's orders.

Personally, I don't think your pigeon's gonna show,

which means that Chief Clifford's gonna be

in great voice tomorrow mornin'.

I'm glad I'm not in your shoes.

Joe, the important thing is that you care. Huh?

[phone ringing]

Yeah?

You bet. Send him right up.

We're in business.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[doorbell buzzes]

I don't know that that, Connie, but I still say that

Carter was our man.

Jake, when are you gonna do anything with some thought?

You've got to stop flying by the seat of your pants.

There are instruments to go by.

You pay me a fortune to advise you.

For once in your life, why don't you listen to it?

If I listened to everybody that gave me advice, Connie,

you know what I'd be doing?

I've be pushing a plough through a turnip patch.

All I can say is, I've got to do what I gotta do.

And all you had to do is just puttin' it down in Latin

and make it legal.

I've been doing nothing for the past few months

except look at plans by the best architects in the world.

Well, I looked at his plans, they're fine.

- Carter's plans are fine. - Fine?

You don't want just any building.

You want an edifice, a UN.

You want a Rockefeller Plaza, Lincoln Center,

you've always been screaming for class.

Now, let's get it.

McCloud: Connie, why you're always right.

Why do you always bore through like a, like a boll weevil

right through the heart of everything?

Mr. Porter.

Hey! You made it.

Yes, I did. Look, if you're busy, I can...

No, no, no, no, that's alright. No. Not busy at all.

I'd like to introduce you to Connie Franklin.

This is Jason Carter.

This is my legal counsel here.

She's the chief chief cook and bottle washer.

When she says, "Jump," I just say, "How high, baby?"

There's a telephone call for you, long distance.

Ah, who is it?

I didn't ask.

Well, how do I know if I wanna talk?

- I'll check, sir. - Yeah.

Yeah, that's alright. That's alright.

Excuse me.

I have to confess, I couldn't help overhearin'.

Well, in case it wasn't clear, I voted against you.

Hm. That was before you knew me.

But not before I know your work.

Now, frankly, I think that Hope and Hope

are better architects for what Jake has in mind.

- Why am I here? - Jake likes you.

Jake's rather... flamboyant, isn't he?

Jake's Jake.

That doesn't tell me very much.

What do you wanna know?

Well, you probably wouldn't tell me anything

really confidential about him anyway, will you?

Confidential?

Now, Jake's never had a secret in his life.

He enjoys talking about himself and his money too much.

- What about you? - Me?

Do you have any secrets?

Well, only one that you'd be interested in.

I just wrote a check for $100,000

to Hope and Hope for the survey.

But you haven't sent it?

I haven't torn it up yet.

Well, let's see what we can do about changing your mind.

They say the way to a lady's heart is through a waltz.

No, I hate dancing. Why don't we just stay right here?

Listen, I've got a better idea.

Why don't we go downstairs to the bar

and get out of here altogether?

Okay.

[instrumental music]

You're a fascinating woman, Connie.

As fascinating as the building that Jake wants built?

Well, can't you take a compliment?

You're too beautiful to be insecure.

That's like being too rich to want more money.

Alright, I admit it, I want that building.

It's a challenge. I'll tell you something else, so are you.

Aside and away from the building.

It must be nice to be able to handle two challenges

the same way like two birds with one stone.

- None of the bruises show. - Bruises?

From all the hard knocks you must have had

to make you so cynical.

You're confusing cynicism with reality.

You're confusing business with romance.

Same two birds.

Well, not in this case.

But I'll have to tell you that I'm pretty good.

At which? Business or romance?

Architecture.

You'll have to tell me how I'm doing with the romance.

You're too charming to be insecure.

Hey, shall I take that as encouragement?

I would.

Look around for another bottle of scotch somewhere, will you?

Hey, Joe, I'm workin' on a million-dollar arson case.

Can't you take care of the little stuff?

Yeah, I always get the little stuff, huh?

Like the eighteen bucks out of my pocket

for everything missing from inventory.

How'd it go?

Well, no matter what we talked about,

somehow the conversation always got back

to the $100,000 advance.

You did let him talk you out of Hope and Hope, didn't you?

Alas, I succumbed.

He's gonna look at the building tomorrow afternoon.

- Hey, that's great. It worked. - Yeah, it did.

- What's bothering you, McCloud? - The next step.

What step?

Gotta find a building for him to look at.

You need a what?

We got Jason Carter believing

that Sam's interested in getting advice on a building.

- That's right. - We?

He's infected you too?

Chief, surely this town has got

an old building some place that I can use.

Old? Why don't we just put something up for you?

I hate to see you use just any old building.

I'm sure that Sam is on the right track.

I was, I was just talking it over with my uncle.

- Your uncle? - The commissioner.

And he thought it was a wonderful idea--

Alright! Alright! Alright!

[phone buzzing]

Clifford.

Yeah, he's here.

It's Jake Porter, Albuquerque.

What's happening, Jake?

I got the call from Carter's people.

Everything go alright?

With a wild and colorful guy like me,

how could it miss?

No way.

They're thorough, my bank was contacted,

so was my stockbroker, and ex-wife.

- Were you covered with her? - No, but it didn't matter.

When they heard the size of the alimony check,

I guess they figured I owned Albuquerque.

Listen, Jake, I just can't thank you enough.

No, forget it, I haven't had so much fun since I was a kid.

There you go.

- Carter is sold. - Well, I'm not.

Chief, with the progress we're makin'

we can't stop now.

I'm sure Sam's on the right track.

Why, when I was talking to my uncle...

Hm. The commissioner?

- How did it go? - We got it.

You mean, the chief's actually got you a building?

Everything's on schedule for tomorrow.

- Excuse me, Joe. - What's the matter, Sam?

Chris, I want you to...

Chris, I want you to listen to me very carefully.

I know how you feel about Carter.

And I know that you want him to pay for what he's done.

But the best thing that you can do now is just to step back...

- Step back? Now? - Yeah.

You couldn't have gotten this far without me.

- Chris-- - What about tomorrow?

You need me there. It's all arranged.

I want a policewoman.

I don't believe it.

Chris, we know that Carter is capable of murder.

Now, what do you think he's gonna do

when he finds out who we are?

I want a trained police officer.

You're going to get a trained reporter

who's getting madder by the second

and who's going to blow her stack

if this discussion goes on another minute.

I'm in! That's final! Period.

Exclamation point. Underlined.

McCloud: Well, what do you think?

You're sittin' on a goldmine.

Why don't we start diggin'?

Jake, you don't have the money for it.

I got the money.

No, you don't have the money for it.

I've got the money.

You got in land and places like this.

But no cash.

Connie, I'll get the money.

You already did for the Albuquerque project.

It's gone.

You mean to tell me I don't have a lousy $100,000

to give Mr. Carter here?

I made the check.

I thought you wrote a $100,000 check

to Hope and Hope?

That was before the other project--

Well, why didn't you tell me this morning?

Why did you wait till now?

Get the man out here and waste his time?

Mr. Carter, what can I tell you?

I'm embarrassed.

Oh, Mr. Porter, I'd like in on this project.

But I, I kinda need my money now.

Well, I want you in on it. You're my man, believe me.

I may have to cool this thing for a month or so, but...

That cash flow problem would work itself out.

Well, maybe there's a way that I can save you a month or two.

[instrumental music]

Right, Mr. Butler, look, how about in my office

day after tomorrow by 11:00?

Butler: That'll be fine. Did you clear up that other matter?

Oh, yeah, it couldn't have worked out better.

Uh, look, could you bring that survey on your lot along?

Butler: Will do.

Right.

Well, Carter bought your story, huh?

- That's right. - Well, that's that.

No, no, no, not quite.

- Why not? - Well, it's like we said.

There's no sense in knocking off the bottom

and leavin' the top untouched.

If he committed arson, he is the top.

No, no, no, somebody had to do it for him.

That means a professional arsonist.

Now somebody had to hire the professional arsonist

for Carter.

And that means that my suspicion

of a full arson ring is true.

Alright. What's the bottom line?

Well, you know that old building you let me use?

No frills, McCloud. No sales job.

- What do you wanna do with it? - Burn it down.

[instrumental music]

Man on PA: Engine Company, 24.

Repond to high-rise apartment 54

in Second Avenue for fire.

Let me get this straight, marshal.

A city-owned warehouse is gonna be set on fire tonight?

That's right, captain.

And the arsonists involved thinks

you own the building?

Right.

And you want us to be there

to put the fire out

shortly after it starts.

Not exactly, I mean,

I figured that you and your fellas

can come in a little bit later.

Allow it to get out of control?

Well, you don't have to let it

burn out of control

just as long as it burns to the ground.

Burns to the ground?

Sorry, I can't.

Uh, captain.

Captain.

Captain, you gotta go along with me.

We might have a chance to knock off

the top arson ring in the country!

But there are high-rises in that neighborhood, McCloud.

What if the fire spreads?

I figured you and your boys will be in there by that time.

Look, I'll go with you on one condition.

Name it.

I've got to be there every step of the way.

- You got it. - Alright.

Thank you.

[siren blaring]

[dramatic music]

- Who are you? - Police.

You gonna bust me for looking around an empty building?

What do we have here?

[chuckles] Now, this is gonna be a cinch.

- No problem in court, McCloud. - No.

Especially with the captain here to testify.

Perfect.

You know you just made me

lieutenant, pigeon.

What're you talking about?

I just solved the last ten arsons

in my district.

I didn't do them!

Besides, a couple of homicides.

Hey, hold it. I never killed anybody.

You can't pin that on me.

You're pinned, you're trussed, and ready for the oven, pigeon.

Come on, give me a break.

Gotta be something I can do for you.

Ten unsolved arsons on his record

isn't doing him any good

and he's the kind of guy

who likes to do good.

What's gonna happen?

You'll be booked as the ring leader

of the arson gang.

Probably every precinct in town

will lay their unsolved arsons on you.

Listen, this is nuts! I'm no ring leader.

I don't even know who owns this joint. I never do.

Look, you tell me who sent you.

Who's your boss, huh?

Who sent you?

Now, who's your boss?

He'd kill me.

Pigeon, you're just as good as dead anyway.

You're looking at life in prison.

How does that stack up to you

against two to 15 for attempted arson, huh?

Who's your boss?

Now, I don't give a damn if you tell me or not.

'Cause one way or the other, my book's gonna be cleared.

- You understand? - Wait a minute, man.

What happens to me if I do tell you?

You stand trial just like any other arsonist.

But I'll be there to tell the judge

that you cooperated.

Now who is he?

Alright. Forman. Wally Forman.

He operates out of his paint store at 9th and 63rd.

- What's the money? - $25,000.

- Where do you collect it? - Forman's place.

Tomorrow morning. 10 o'clock.

Get him out of here, Joe.

Well, captain, might as well get to it.

No, no, no, no, no.

- Easy. Easy. - What's wrong?

I agreed to burn the building down, not us.

[siren blaring]

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

- You Forman? - What do you want?

Twenty-five thousand dollars.

This is a paint store, not a bank.

Yeah. Look, fella, you mean you're not gonna pay?

- Who are you? - Lonny Springer.

Means nothing to me.

You mean, Carey didn't tell you?

- Who's Carey? - He's a friend of mine.

I was visitin' town. Looked him up.

So?

Well, he broke his leg last night.

I lit the warehouse for him.

Where is he?

He's at Bellevue.

Let me have the number for Bellevue Hospital.

[telephone ringing]

Dr. Broadhurst.

What?

Well, yes, I'm with him right now.

I think, that would be alright, sir.

For a minute.

- Hello. - How are you doing?

I was expecting to hear from you.

They gave me some stuff for the pain.

I just woke up a minute ago.

I got a friend of yours here, Springer?

Yeah, Lonny? Yeah, he, uh, he pinch hit for me last night.

Forman: You should have called me first.

There wasn't time.

Hey, don't worry about it. He's the best.

Burned down half of Texas, New Mexico.

How long you gonna be in town?

Till I leave.

Well, I maybe I'll need somebody, Springer.

Forman: How could I reach you? - Hey, wait a minute, now...

Hey, Forman, I just did this as a favor for a friend,

you know what I mean?

Your jobs are not big enough.

This one could be.

Well, why don't you have your man call me?

- Through Carey. - What man?

Forman, I don't work second hand.

Now, what makes you think I don't run my own show?

Hey, look, you know who I am, right?

Well, I know what you are.

[instrumental music]

Yes, Mr. Richards.

You want a hundred shares, quarter under.

You're in. Thanks.

Now, what's your problem?

- Your tool and die plant. - What about it?

- Carey. He's out. - Why?

He had an accident yesterday, broke his leg.

- Who took care of last night? - Friend of Carey's.

- He looks to be a terrific man. - What do you know about him?

He works at Southwest Texas, New Mexico, mostly.

He's a real pro.

That warehouse job was one sweet one.

If Carey's out, we're gonna need a pro.

- What's the new man's name? - Springer. Lonny Springer.

Ms. Henry, get me Royce Hutchins in Dallas.

Here's to the new partnership.

By the time you rebuild on your burned-out lot and Jake's,

you'll be known as the condominium king.

I hope so. I'll drink to that.

[telephone rings]

Excuse me.

- Yes. - Lonnie Springer there?

Oh, just a second. It's for you.

I think you'll wanna take it privately.

Well, where is she?

Find out for yourself.

McCloud: Yeah. - This is Wally Forman.

- I got your number from Carey. - So?

Yeah, why don't you come on by here at 3:00?

What for?

The big one we were talking about.

Bueno.

- You move fast. - Mm-hmm.

Is that a complaint?

I'll complain some more when I see you this evening.

Mm-hmm.

Tell my partner I'll see him later.

I should've never let you get into this.

Just get him, Sam.

[dramatic music]

Not until I meet the man.

You don't.

- Then I'm out. - Now, look, take it easy.

Don't tell me to take it easy!

Look, I tried. But he calls the shots.

He'll only do business his way.

And his way pays 100 grand, Springer.

- What's the job? - Tool and die plant.

Seventy-five-thousand square feet of factory.

Where?

You'll find out when the time comes.

Seventy-five-thousand square feet, huh?

[sighs]

Well, I'm gonna have to round up some supplies.

I'll get everything you need.

Well, you make this the classiest job you ever pulled.

Well, Forman, they're all the same to me.

Not to us.

This is our swan song.

[dramatic music]

- A tool and die plant? - That's right.

That's all you got out of him?

Well, I tried to get more,

he closed up tighter than a drum.

You have any idea how many of those plants

there are in the metropolitan area?

Probably two dozen.

Go out to a radius of 30 miles

there'll probably be a hundred.

And what's this swan song business?

Well, it has to be his own place.

A factory like that has gotta be worth millions.

Joe: Yeah, well, uh, Edward's comes on at midnight.

- Broadhurst. - Call you back.

Get a fix on every tool and die plant over 75,000 square feet.

What zone, chief?

Within a hundred mile radius.

Whatever you're doing, Betty, drop it.

I want you to contact all fire stations

here and in Jersey, get their high-risk factories,

especially tool and die.

Right, chief.

Carson.

I want you to contact all major insurance carriers.

Have their computers

locate every tool and die plant they carry

within in a hundred miles of here.

Stay on top of this, Broadhurst.

Put all the information together

I want each spot pin-pointed on a map.

Joe: Right, chief.

...still only two guards?

And they both cover the main gate.

Have you heard from the insurance?

No problem, it's just a matter of time

on my place and on our client's.

The torch did a perfect job.

Better tell him to get set.

Central Hotel.

Room 1418.

Who'd you say you were calling?

The torch, Lonny Springer.

You gotta have the wrong room.

Springer? Yeah, yeah. This is Wally Forman.

McCloud: Have you got more information on the job yet?

You can get set...

Oh, look, somebody just came in.

I'll call you right back to you.

What's all this about, Carter?

I recognized that voice. It's the same room.

That's Jake Porter.

The man who's warehouse

you took care of last Tuesday!

Porter? His name's Springer.

He's the one who lit it. Ah, you're crazy.

He's a top flame. I checked him out.

So did I, and he's a multi-millionaire.

A cop. He's gotta be a cop.

- We've been set up. - Alright. What will we do?

Do? As we planned.

- What about Springer? - As we planned.

Only be very careful not to be tailed.

Jason: If he's a cop, then so is his lawyer!

They are the only two people who can finger anyone.

Whatever they say can't be corroborated

if they don't appear.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

You think this will do it for you?

Yeah, I could burn down the whole city with this.

I still don't like it. I like to work single.

We can't take any chances. Too much at stake.

- The man said-- - Oh, the man! The man!

I'm tired of hearing what the man said.

I don't bow down to anybody.

I don't exactly call a hundred grand bowing down.

[music continues]

And we've circled possible locations

where we think the fire can take place.

This is an open line.

McCloud will use if he can.

[telephone ringing]

Broadhurst.

Oh, Chris.

No, nothing new at all. Sure.

Chris Coughlin, chief. She wants to talk to you.

Hello, Chris.

Well, I'm sorry, there is nothing I can tell you either.

He's totally on his own then?

Nothing we can do about it.

Well, couldn't you to put a tail on him or something?

Clifford: Well, no, it's too risky.

So far, they've played it cool and smart.

If they spotted a tail, it could blow the whole show.

I'll call you as soon as I hear something.

Thanks.

[doorbell buzzes]

- Connie. - Aren't you a little premature?

I mean, our date isn't for two hours.

I know. I just had a phone call from Jake.

And he told me to bring you to him.

But why didn't he call me himself?

Well, I don't know, but he said to tell you

it was important and that we should

both meet him as soon as we could.

I don't know, I--

You want me to tell him you wouldn't come or what?

Well, uh, are you going to see him now?

He said right away.

Alright.

Let's hope whatever it is, it, uh,

it doesn't interfere with our date.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Spencer: It's certainly a great pleasure

to watch a top pro at work.

So you are the legendary Lonny Springer.

I was told that you didn't show your face to us workers.

In this case, I couldn't resist.

Mr. Springer or whatever your name is.

Hey, what do you mean by that?

That we're not as stupid as you might have imagined.

Did I say you were stupid? I never said you were stupid.

You're fairly convincing for a cop.

"For a cop?"

- So what're you gonna do? - What we all came here to do.

To set fire to my building.

If they can identify what is left of you,

it will go down as an accident to an over-zealous officer.

Everything is still gonna point to you.

Circumstantial.

Go on.

Hey.

[grunts]

[music continues]

Get out.

- I said get out! - No!

Bring Jake here.

- Come on! - No.

You're lying, Carter. I'm not going in there.

Move it!

Ah, so pretty, so young.

Who are you?

Floyd Spencer.

The ring-leader that you and your associate

have been looking for so hard.

Floyd Spencer of the stock brokerage house.

I'm flattered that you heard about me.

So that's the set-up.

You know everything about your investors.

You know who's in good shape,

you know who's going down the tubes.

Exactly.

What kind of an advisor would I be

if I couldn't get some of them out of a tight spot

once in a while?

Like Jason Carter.

Sam!

Sam.

Everything set?

One match right there and up she goes.

How long will it take?

This place will be ashes inside of 20 minutes.

Then let's not lose any more time.

Why'd you do that?

Generals have lieutenants

so the trail will never lead back to them.

And since this is my last fling, so to speak,

I think it best, don't you?

Give me a hand.

- Now, what about me? - You?

You're no threat.

You have too much to lose to incriminate yourself.

Now go and lay down that fuse.

[dramatic music]

So the circle is complete.

Two officers caught the arsonist

and in that desperate struggle

they were consumed in the flames.

[music continues]

[dialing]

Man on phone: Central Hotel. - Yes, operator.

Give me Jake Porter's suite.

Man on phone: Sorry, there's no answer on Mr. Porter's suite.

But there has to be.

Ah, no, tell me has Connie Franklin left?

Man on phone: There's no message here telling us she has.

Clifford: Thank you, operator.

Carson, get over to the Central Hotel right away.

See if you can find Chris Coughlin.

Oh, remember, she's going by the name Connie Franklin.

Make it fast.

- What happened to her? - I don't know.

She doesn't answer the phone.

Could she have followed McCloud?

No, she didn't know where he went.

She suppose to be waiting to hear from me.

[dramatic music]

Chris: Sam.

[music continues]

Oh, come on, Forman, put that thing away.

You're gonna need my help just as much as I need yours.

Well, look through the suite again

then check with every page, bellhop,

cab driver and anyone else you can think of.

She has to be somewhere.

[alarm ringing]

Man on PA: Engine Company.

Respond to a warehouse fire at 23rd and First Avenue.

Engine Company 28,

respond to a warehouse fire at 23rd and First Avenue.

Engine Company 28,

respond to a warehouse fire at 23rd and First Avenue.

3-2, check with dispatch.

[telephone ringing]

Broadhurst.

[dramatic music]

Where?

Right.

- There it is. - Alright. Let's go.

[instrumental music]

[siren wailing]

[siren blaring]

[horn blares]

[indistinct chatter]

Mr. Spencer, we just got a phone call.

Your tool and die plant is on fire.

- You're sure? - Yes.

The entire factory is burning down.

- I'll go with you. - Gentlemen, excuse me.

Get me that chain.

[instrumental music]

[glass shatters]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[Chris coughing]

[intense music]

Give me a hand!

He's the arsonist.

[dramatic music]

Floyd.

[tires screeching]

[engine revving]

[siren wailing]

- It can't be! - Oh, yes, it can.

- Chris, how-- - It's Sam!

After him.

[siren wailing]

[music continues]

[horn blares]

[music continues]

[horn blares]

[siren wailing]

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[siren wailing]

There you go.

[theme music]