Original subtitles

♪ (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) ♪

♪ ♪

Mannix s7e16 The Dark Hours

(GROANS)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

♪ ♪

Got 'em.

Okay. Waste him.

♪ ♪

(TIRES SCREECH)

(ENGINE REVS, TIRES SQUEAL)

(RUSTLING NEARBY)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Hey, Jim, look!

We better get to a phone.

FEMALE DISPATCHER (OVER RADIO): 7-Sam-8, 7-Sam-8, Code 1.

DISPATCHER 2: 11-L-30, roger.

11-L-93, 11-L-93 with 11-L-20.

Correction: 11-L-30.

Avenue 22 and North Broadway.

(POLICE RADIO COMMUNICATION CONTINUES IN BACKGROUND)

(POLICE RADIO COMMUNICATION CONTINUES IN BACKGROUND)

Lieutenant!

Found this about ten feet away from the body.

No gun on Joe?

No, sir.

Looks like his.

It's been fired.

Probably used this to kill him.

(PLASTIC BAG CRINKLING)

Charley, you're in charge here.

I want this whole area covered.

I know how you feel, Lieutenant.

I doubt that.

(ENGINE STARTS)

♪ ♪

He's alive!

Get this crate moving!

(SIREN WAILING)

(SIREN STOPS)

ART: What's going on?

Hey, what's going on?

Why the siren?

I don't know how, Lieutenant, but he's breathing.

ART: What are his chances?

All I can tell you, he's going to surgery

as quick as we can get him there.

(MONITOR BEEPING STEADILY)

♪ ♪

(STEADY BEEPING CONTINUES)

♪ ♪

You're doing fine, Mr. Mannix.

Hang in there.

A couple of your friends want to look in on you.

I can allow them just a minute.

Don't expect too much.

We have to take our miracles one at a time.

Can you hear me, Joe?

Do you know who did it?

Can you tell us anything?

There's something I can do, Joe?

A girl?

Are you telling us a girl is involved in what happened?

I'm sorry.

Your minute's up.

(PHONE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(RINGING CONTINUES)

Hello?

WOMAN: Mr. Mannix? That's right.

My name is Karen Winslow.

I'd like to hire you.

And to do what?

Well, a man's been following me,

and I want you to find out who he is and stop him if you can.

Why not go to the police?

I already did, this afternoon.

Well, he disappeared until they were gone.

Now he's back?

Yes. He followed my taxi.

Mr. Mannix, I don't mind telling you that I'm frightened.

(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

Miss Winslow.

I'm Joe Mannix.

Oh!

I'm so glad to see you.

Well, now, that's not usually included in my fee.

Except the man that's been following me

is sitting at the end of the bar,

so I thought perhaps it would be better

if we made it look like a date.

Of course.

Now, uh, why don't we sit down

and take a look at your friend, huh?

That's quite a man to have following you.

Do you know him?

Does the name Johnny Sands mean anything to you?

No.

He's an enforcer.

You know what an enforcer is?

It's a paid killer.

Yeah.

He works for a man named Al Kordic.

(ANXIOUS GASP)

What is it?

I... I mean, I just can't believe it.

Why would Al have a man like that following me?

Al?

Well, now, if you're that chummy,

I can think of a lot of reasons.

Our relationship is strictly professional.

I work for him.

Oh.

Tell me about it.

I can't.

Miss Winslow, I usually don't take a case

unless I know at least as much about it as my client does.

I'm really sorry I dragged you

all the way out here, Mr. Mannix.

There's obviously been some terrible mistake.

I mean, if Johnny Sands works for Al,

then I'm sure I'm not in any trouble at all.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I'm glad; glad to hear it.

Now, uh, why don't we have dinner

and then I'll see you home, okay?

Terrific. Mm.

I'd ask you in for a nightcap, but I...

But a girl who kisses on the first date

has to draw the line somewhere.

(CHUCKLES)

Will you send me a bill for your time?

You just paid it.

Thank you.

Good night.

Stay down.

(ENGINE STARTS)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(MONITOR BEEPING)

(BEEPING CONTINUES)

ART: Joe, I know what I'm asking,

but you're the only one that can help us.

Somebody tried to kill you,

and they're liable to try again, unless we can catch them first.

Peggy's been through every record in your office.

You said there was a girl involved with what happened.

She must have a name.

(MUFFLED, SLOWLY): Karen.

Karen?

Karen what?

I'm sorry, Lieutenant, that'd better be all for now.

What about the girl, Joe?

Later, Lieutenant.

MANNIX: He got away.

KAREN: Are you all right?

Oh, I wouldn't do that.

Uh, give the police a chance.

They may be able to lift a fingerprint.

I don't want the police.

I don't understand.

Now, some clown comes in here,

turns your apartment upside-down,

tries to kill you, and you say no police.

Why?

Look, I hired a private detective, all right?

Oh, you unhired me just before dinner.

Okay.

I told you I'm working for Al Kordic.

Karen, now I might be able to help you,

but I've got to know what you're doing for him.

(SIGHS)

I'm writing a book.

Karen Winslow... you're the writer?

Yeah.

"As told to..."? That Karen Winslow?

You got it.

Look, Al was very close to his father

and he was terribly distressed when Vince Kordic was killed,

so... as sort of a memorial,

he wanted a book about his father's life,

but I promised him that no one would know about it

until he gave the word.

The Don, huh?

That ought to be some book.

How are you going to write it, with a submachine gun?

It's a family portrait.

It's about their private lives.

Vincent Kordic: philanthropist, businessman,

all-around beautiful human being.

Oh, damn!

Why would anybody want to do that?

Why... why would they want to ruin my film?

What was on it?

Oh, the Kordic lifestyle:

the house, the grounds, Al showing off a racing stable.

Were those all the pictures you took,

the ones that are in the camera?

No, I have another roll in my bag.

I was going to drop it off at the lab,

and then when I realized I was being followed,

I just never made it.

Tell me about the pictures in your bag.

Well... they were all taken yesterday,

on a tour of the family businesses:

a commercial laundry, auto sales, a couple of restaurants.

They're even opening a private medical center.

Yeah, dirty money sometimes has its clean uses.

I don't understand.

In this whole apartment, there's nothing worth stealing

except my camera, and he leaves that.

But exposed the film.

Yeah, why?

Well, let's see if we can find out.

Grab your bag.

I've got a friend whose darkroom we can borrow.

All you're going to see are teeth.

Al's a confirmed smiler.

MANNIX: When were these taken?

KAREN: Uh, yesterday morning

between 10:00 and 12:30.

In this one, taken of him in front of the used car lot,

his wristwatch shows 2:30.

Two... oh, right, I forgot.

Uh, that was taken after lunch.

We were on our way out to the Valley

to see that new medical center.

And just you and Al... no one else, huh?

Right.

As a matter of fact, it did kind of come out of the blue.

He called and said, uh,

"How about taking those pictures today?"

That could explain why the film in your camera was exposed.

Why?

So that your body wouldn't be found in a room

with a camera full of snapshots of Al Kordic.

I think that that burglary at your place

was just window dressing.

It was supposed to look

as if you had been killed by a prowler.

But Al couldn't have had anything to do with that.

Somebody did.

(PHONE RINGS)

(ART SIGHS)

Yeah.

MANNIX: Sorry to disturb you, Art.

I hope so.

Do you know what time it is?

I, uh, I need some information.

And, naturally, it can't wait.

What do you know about Al Kordic?

Is there any heat on him?

Kordic...

Yeah, lots.

An APB.

What about Kordic?

What's the charge?

ART: Murder.

Who's dead?

Uh, Regina Kordic.

His stepmother.

Her body was found in the trunk of her car tonight.

When was she killed?

Do you know yet?

Yesterday afternoon, according to the ME.

(MONITOR BEEPING)

Well, at least we've got some complicated answers

to a simple question: why you're a clay pigeon.

You mean because of what happened to Regina Kordic?

Right.

B-But how does that involve me?

Well, to begin with, let's suppose Al didn't kill her.

He couldn't have... he was with me all day yesterday.

Exactly, but maybe he wasn't supposed to be.

If Al's innocent

but a second party wanted to pin Regina's murder on him,

he'd have to get rid of you and your pictures.

I'm his alibi.

Right.

And that second party doesn't want Al to have one.

I don't understand.

Why did Al have Johnny Sands follow me?

He must have gotten wind of some trouble

and he wanted to make sure his alibi was safe.

Yeah.

What now?

Well, I think for a couple of days,

it's best if no one knows where you are.

The guest room is on the left,

the extra toothbrush is in the medicine cabinet, and, uh,

a nightgown in the closet.

I gather all your clients aren't men.

Not all.

Hm. You must enjoy your work.

There are times I enjoy it more than others.

Where are you going?

Downstairs, my office.

I want to put these pictures in the safe.

They are your life insurance.

(MONITOR BEEPING)

♪ ♪

I wouldn't do that, Mannix.

You stay open nights?

Business must be lousy.

Okay, Sands, you're in.

What do you want?

The girl.

What girl?

Your date.

Karen Winslow.

Al wants to see her.

I don't blame him.

She's very pretty.

Where is she?

Isn't she home?

Funny.

Where does that go?

My apartment.

Let's have a look.

Why?

Maybe you brought her back here.

You two looked pretty cozy at that restaurant.

Check 'em out.

Nothin'.

Satisfied?

Okay.

She's not here.

Where do you think we should look?

I've been trying to tell you.

I hardly know the lady.

Maybe you'd better try and sell that to Al.

He said not to come back without her.

(MONITOR BEEPING)

SANDS: Says he doesn't know where the girl is.

Kordic.

Listen, Mannix, I'm going to level with you.

This city's in for a bloodbath.

Six months ago, my old man was hit.

Yeah, I know.

Matt Brandon put out that contract.

What makes you think that?

Who else?

And now he's trying to frame me for the shooting of Regina.

It's incredible.

Everybody knows how much you cared for your stepmother.

I guess it's no secret I really hated her.

I lay you odds she helped set up my old man

for Brandon's soldiers.

But I didn't kill her.

That makes you a pretty lucky guy, Al,

having an airtight alibi.

Karen Winslow and the pictures she took

on the day Regina was being hit.

Where is she?

I wish I knew.

Mannix, I don't like being holed up on this scow.

I mean, hiding from the cops?

And even if you've had the girl and the pictures,

how could you prove you didn't put out the contract on Regina?

Well, let the DA's Office prove that I did.

If they want to take a cheap shot, they're welcome.

Look, if I really wanted her killed,

I'd have done it myself,

for the pleasure of it.

Now, what do you say, Joe?

Last time.

Where is she?

Like I said, Al,

I don't know.

(GRUNTS)

(MONITOR BEEPING ERRATICALLY)

He'll need another transfusion right away.

NURSE: Yes, Doctor.

(BEEPING CONTINUES)

DOCTOR: Welcome back.

We almost lost you last night.

MANNIX (MUFFLED): Must see Lieutenant Malcolm.

I didn't quite catch that.

Must see...

Lieutenant Malcolm.

This afternoon.

Now.

Important.

Later.

I want to hold on to the progress you've made.

Call me if there's any change.

Yes, Doctor.

Mannix, remember me?

Yeah.

Matt Brandon.

BRANDON: Very good.

Looks like they didn't shake all your marbles loose.

I, uh, don't remember you calling for an appointment.

Well, the front door was open.

I just walked in.

Looks like you've been talking to my old friend, Al Kordic.

Yeah, we had a nice chat.

What did you talk about?

Al thinks, uh, one of your soldiers

planted that bomb in his father's car.

He also thinks you're trying to frame him for Regina's murder.

Yeah, I know.

I got a call last night

with a warning about Al.

You know he's put out a contract on me?

I'd say that you've got a big problem with Al.

That's why I'm here, Mannix.

I want you to cool him down.

Me?

How?

Tell him I've got his alibi.

She's all right.

We took her last night,

when Johnny Sands was hassling you down here.

Listen, you tell Al he can have her back

if he plays it my way.

Or there goes his witness.

How do I know you haven't already killed her?

That's very good.

Lou.

Put her on.

Karen?

KAREN: Joe, is that you?

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine, but they... (CLICK)

All right, you talked to her.

Okay?

Now good luck with Al.

Better luck than you had last night.

Where do I find him?

All I know is he's on a boat.

BRANDON: Try slip 126, Marina del Sol.

HENCHMAN: He's clean.

So you suddenly remembered where you hid the girl, right?

Wrong.

But I know who's got her.

How'd you find your way back here?

A tip.

From your friend Matt Brandon.

Oh, some friend.

Well, maybe you've got it figured wrong, Al.

He knows you're here.

All it would take is a swimmer with a plastic bomb,

and, uh... good-bye, Al.

What's he want?

He wants to give you back your alibi.

The girl?

You mean, Brandon's got the girl?

That's right.

Hm.

What's it gonna cost me, couple of arms and legs?

He wants you off his back.

He says he didn't kill your father or your stepmother.

This is how he proves it.

It's too easy, Al.

You thinking again, huh, Johnny?

What else?

A meeting between you and Brandon.

To sign a peace treaty.

Yeah, who sets that up?

A neutral party.

Me.

Okay.

But you better make sure I don't get myself blown up.

(INHALES QUIETLY)

Flowers for Mr. Mannix.

I'll see that he gets them.

Oh, uh... I hope the get well card works.

Aren't these lovely, Mr. Mannix?

They were left for you at the nurse's station.

You should've seen the way the police examined them.

Took the root ball right out of the pot.

Shall we see who sent them?

(MUFFLED): No...

(BEEPING RAPIDLY, ERRATICALLY)

What is it, Mr. Mannix?

Don't open it.

No...

♪ ♪

ART: You were lucky, Joe.

You could've left the hospital a lot sooner than you expected.

Now, could you clue me in?

What's going on?

Almost...

all together...

You got to do better than almost, Joe.

Somebody's taken a couple of runs at killing you.

Pick up...

Matt Brandon.

ART: Brandon?

Bring him here...

Is he in on this?

Have to...

talk to him.

What about the girl?

You've been trying to tell us something about a girl.

Get Brandon.

You got him.

♪ ♪

Hello, Al.

Long time, Matt.

Yeah?

Mm.

Okay.

When do I get the girl?

You don't.

What?

The girl was only part of the alibi package.

Just to keep everybody honest...

the rest of it is in this envelope.

What is it?

Pictures of you, taken by Karen Winslow,

that weren't ruined last night.

Now, if you want the police to believe you,

I'll have to show those to Lieutenant Malcolm.

Especially the one of you

standing in front of the used car lot.

Your wristwatch shows the exact time and date,

which proves you couldn't have killed your stepmother.

All you need is for Karen Winslow

to testify she took the pictures.

Okay.

Sell it to Malcolm.

What about the girl?

No one said what I came to hear.

You're hearing it, Matt.

I was wrong about you.

You knew about the boat.

You could have sent an army.

I didn't kill the Don.

We were competitors, but I respected your father.

Okay.

I believe you.

Girl will be at your office in an hour.

I'll be waiting.

You're on.

(MONITOR BEEPING)

(GROANS)

(GROANING)

(BEEPING RAPIDLY)

(GROANING CONTINUES)

(GROANING LOUDER)

Mr. Mannix...

is there anything I can do?

(QUIETLY): No...

Let me talk to him alone, Art.

I'll be right outside.

The girl?

She's okay.

Where is she?

Well, she's not at your office.

I'd say that's a break for her.

I had one of my boys stake out your place the other night.

Saw a couple of guys dragging you out of there.

Your deal with Al still stand?

Soon as I find out who gets the Winslow dame.

Lieutenant Malcolm.

You're kidding.

Stick out my neck like that?

You bring her here.

I'll clear it with Malcolm.

Okay.

Your word's always been good, Mannix.

Joe, what are you up to with Brandon?

Stopping some killing maybe.

How?

Not sure.

Can't get a handle on the last piece of the puzzle.

Something's missing.

Picture.

Something I did.

Joe...

MANNIX: Art...

girl will be here soon.

Karen Winslow.

Make sure she's safe.

(COIN CLINKS, BELL DINGS TWICE)

(LINE RINGING)

(PHONE RINGING)

Yeah.

Hold on. He just came in.

Simpson.

Yeah?

SIMPSON: Brandon left the hospital a few minutes ago.

What about Mannix?

Blue's still all over him.

Okay, you've been hanging around there long enough.

Brandon may be on his way here.

Johnny, we've blown this thing.

If Al finds out you set him up, we're dead.

We should be a long way from here by now and traveling fast.

Listen, Brandon's got that girl

stashed in a house across the street.

Sooner or later, he's gonna have to move her.

And when he does, one bullet shuts her mouth,

and we pick up all the marbles.

But what about that missing picture?

The one with the wristwatch?

That's all the alibi Al needs.

About that missing picture...

Mannix had it at the garage.

I saw him show it to Al.

Now he goes back to his office, you two guys nab him,

put a slug in him and take the pictures.

Only, one picture happens to be missing.

So, where is it? What happened to it?

Maybe he took it to the cops.

Then why are they still looking for Al?

That picture would have cleared him.

No way.

So, where is it?

I think Mannix wasn't taking any chances.

Just in case somebody got to him after the meeting,

he slipped that picture out of the envelope and got rid of it.

Where?

I went back and checked.

There's a mailbox right outside of the garage.

You think he mailed that picture to Al

before he had the girl in the clear?

No, stupid!

He mailed it to himself.

That picture was his hole card.

He wasn't about to let anybody take it away from him.

So, it's probably still back at his office,

because he's been in the hospital.

Bright.

Hey, Johnny, Brandon just drove up.

He's come to get the girl.

We're back in business.

Come on.

Out the back way.

Where are we going?

Mannix's office, to look at the mail.

Make sure that girl doesn't testify at Al's trial.

(WHISTLES)

Matt, take cover!

(GUNSHOT)

Go! I'll cover you!

(GUNSHOT)

(BULLET RICOCHETING, DEBRIS CLATTERING)

(TIRES SQUEALING)

I don't know about this plan of yours, Mannix,

for keeping everybody honest.

Where are the pictures

if you didn't give them to Lieutenant Malcolm?

The night they shot me, they took the pictures.

Well, that's why they're still after me.

I'm all that's left of Al's alibi.

Except...

Except what?

...there's one picture they didn't get.

(SIGHS)

Get Lieutenant Malcolm.

He's right outside.

Now, wait a minute.

Now, I don't get busted for anything, right?

That was the agreement.

Yeah.

Okay.

KAREN: Come in, Lieutenant.

What is it, Joe?

My office.

ART: What about it?

Envelope.

I mailed it to myself.

The picture Karen took.

Get it.

SANDS: Got it.

But... Uh-uh.

Hm.

Let's go, lady.

You're coming with us.

Why?

That's why.

You can talk.

Come on, doll.

Freeze!

(PEGGY GASPS)

Okay, baby, tell 'em they play it cool,

or you're dead.

(GRUNTS)

What's your hurry, Johnny?

ART: Joe, you would've been proud of Peggy.

(ART CHUCKLES)

The way she broke away from those two clowns was beautiful.

I taught her everything she knows.

(PEGGY LAUGHS)

But why was Johnny Sands trying to kill me?

I thought Al sent him to protect me.

So did Al, but Johnny was ambitious.

He wanted to wind up in charge of the whole operation.

So he killed the Don.

He knew that Al would blame Matt Brandon,

and he framed Al for his stepmother's murder.

Would've worked, too,

if it hadn't been for your pictures.

Obviously, I was writing the wrong book.

I'll drop you off at home, Miss Winslow.

Thank you.

You know what the Chinese say:

You saved my life, now you're responsible for it.

I always try and take care of my responsibilities.

I know.

I've seen your guest closet.