All language subtitles for Terror.at.Midnight.1956

[Music]

[Music]

7-1-3, calling 7-1-3.

When you come back to the barn, Officer

Neil Rickards, please report to Captain

Allison at the Homicide Bureau.

You're rich as speaking, 7-1-3 will do.

All units, all units, stolen vehicle,

license 2-W-9-5-6-2-2, 55 Ford Country

Savan, two-tone Freeman

Tan, white sidewall tires.

This car was stolen less than five

minutes ago from the parking

lot at the community market.

Almost in our own backyard. Yeah.

[Music]

I told him to drive out 7th Street. I

said for him to leave it near the park.

[Music]

Looks like the one we want.

That's it.

[Music]

That was a close one. I don't like him

that close. So we're out a hundred bucks.

How'd you like to be

in a spot that gets in?

I got no gun, so that's

what you're looking for.

We're looking for a stolen car, this one.

You better have a good story, son.

I got no alibi. Good guy, give me a

hundred bucks to pick

up a sedan in a pocket.

What guy?

I don't know, some guy met in the bar.

But for a hundred

bucks, I don't ask any names.

Not like us same busy guy

again. He had his first pigeon.

He left you holding a hundred bucks, but

he also left you holding a bag.

Come on, George.

[Music]

Captain Allison.

Hello, Chair.

Thank you.

I got your request for

a transfer to Hummus.

I'm just going over your record.

Hope you don't find

too much wrong with it.

Don't worry, I find

everything right with it.

Good Army record in the past and...

Good record with us.

Records, your transfer has been approved.

Fine. When do I start?

I'll take the rest of the day off to get

that uniform into mothballs.

Tomorrow, you're a part of Lieutenant

Conway's South Side Division.

Would you like to use my phone?

To call whom?

Susan Lang.

Don't you want to tell your girl?

Of course I do.

Do you mind telling me how

you happen to know her name?

I'm a detective.

Now, here you go, Sergeant.

Try that on for size.

After you've phoned your girl, I'll break

you on your new job.

[Music]

Rick, I don't know

which pleases me the most.

The ring or the badge.

Honey, you keep the

ring, I'll keep the badge.

Tell me everything the captain said.

Oh, you don't have to be

bored with the details.

It's our life now. Why should I be bored?

Well, in the first place, I

don't have the badge to keep.

Not yet.

But the captain plays on the sense as

long as we both keep out of trouble.

We both keep out of trouble?

Yeah, they not only checked my record,

they even looked into yours.

I guess they don't want me to marry a

woman that might disgrace the department.

Well, did I pass the acid test?

With honors.

If they overlooked that time, you'd get

the ticket for driving

40 in a 25 mile zone.

Thanks.

Well, maybe they didn't overlook it.

Maybe they looked into the record and saw

that you were the officer

that gave me the ticket.

Fine way to start a romance.

It's the same night I took

you to dinner, wasn't it?

Mm-hmm.

But you refused to fix my ticket.

Well, the dinner cost me $10.

And the traffic ticket cost me $11.

I'll tell you what, I'm willing to marry

you to make up for it, okay?

Okay.

Let's go.

[sighs]

You know, honey, I was just thinking, why

wait until Sunday to try

to find an apartment for us?

Why not start tomorrow?

Because Mother has to use my car.

Well, you can use this one.

Just drop me off at my place, and then

you can get an early

start in the morning.

And while you're at it, try to find a

little house for us somewhere, will you?

I'm tired of living in an

apartment with a rented room.

Look, let's not start spending your

sergeant's salary before you even get it.

You know, it's too bad Captain Allison

can't hear you say that.

You're exactly the type of woman he likes

to see a policeman marry.

Call me if you find a house.

An apartment?

I don't care if it's a

tent, be sure to call me.

Well, I'll try and find

something better than a tent.

Night, Sergeant. Call you tomorrow.

[music]

I'll phone for an ambulance.

Oh, thank you, lady.

Is he badly hurt?

You better get out of here,

lady, before the police come.

Police?

They always

investigate accidents like this.

They'll follow up the ambulance.

But I'm not to blame.

He came out of that

driveway without any lights.

The bicycle hit me.

I know that lady, but

just say me better call.

That watchman's all set for a big deal.

He's throwing up love.

He's not really hurt.

Love, what do you mean?

The same thing happened to my once.

And he was just as innocent as you are.

But the story broke in the newspapers,

and the scandal cost him his job.

And he was working for the city.

Yes, but I can't just drive away.

It'll save you a lot

of trouble if you do.

And it'll save your

family a lot of trouble, too.

When the captain thinks

I'm a citizen of the world,

we both keep out of trouble.

We both keep out of trouble.

We both keep out of trouble.

You better leave, lady,

before somebody gets your license number.

Look, your taillights are out, ma'am.

Don't you know that's against the law?

Yes, I...

I didn't know they were out.

Your fenders all dented up, too.

Did you have an accident?

Not that I know of.

It could have

happened in the parking lot.

A lot of tenants should have

reported the damage to you.

They're covered for things like that.

Well, maybe he didn't know it himself.

Maybe he didn't see the car that did it.

One-nine-six. One-nine-six.

Go to 1985 Bush Street. Repeat.

1985 Bush Street. Ambulance follow-up.

Better have those lights fixed.

I will.

Didn't anybody get the license number?

I think maybe he did.

Hey, you in a blue suit.

Come here a minute.

Did you get the

license number of that car?

I tried to, officer,

but it got away too fast.

My eyes ain't what they used to be.

Sorry. Excuse me.

How you feeling now? Any better?

I don't know.

I still kind of feel blacked out.

What do you got there?

Just pick up some

broken glass. Red glass.

Must be from a smashed taillight.

Like that car we just stopped.

Well, wrap the glass in your handkerchief

and we'll save it for AID.

Right.

[indistinct chatter]

One-nine-six reporting a hit

and run at 1985 Bush Street.

Repeat.

One-nine-six reporting a hit

and run at 1985 Bush Street.

[engine revving]

I'll be with you in a minute, lady.

Some doll out there

looks like a customer.

Well, get rid of her.

We're in a hurry. We

ain't gone all night.

I just closed them

up. What's your trouble?

Taillights and a re-offender.

How long would it take you to fix them?

What happened?

I, uh, hit the gate

backing out our driveway.

Don't your insurance cover it?

Oh, yes, but, well, you see,

I'd rather not make a report.

It's my husband's car.

Well, he doesn't like

women drivers anyway,

and I'm afraid he wouldn't let me drive

again if he found out

I'd backed into the gate.

Can't you fix it for me?

So your husband won't know?

Yes.

Well, I suppose I could have it about

this time tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night?

But I need it during the day.

Couldn't I have it by noon?

Well, I gotta close up now.

You can drop around about noon.

I'll see if I can get it out for you.

Oh, I'd really

appreciate it if you could.

Uh, may I use your

phone? I want to call a cab.

Oh, uh, not in there. My wife, she's

expecting a long-distance call.

But there's a phone in the

gas station on the corner.

Thank you. I'll be back at noon.

See you tomorrow.

Nice-looking dame, did you see her?

You keep hunting those quail, you're

gonna wind up with your

neck and a sling, Fred.

What's the matter? That

type quail out of season?

Your wife might think so.

So what my wife don't

know won't hurt her?

That goes for your deals with us, too.

I don't tell my wife nothing.

Make sure you keep it that way.

Your wife's a whino, Fred.

You never know when

somebody like that might talk.

If she talks, all three of us will be

locked up for a long time.

A woman like that can be

dangerous to all of us, Fred.

I told you, I tell my wife nothing.

That's all. I'll call you tomorrow.

All right.

[sirens]

All units, all units.

A description of a hit-and-run felony,

which occurred at 1985 push street.

What's up, officer?

AID wants us to contact all garages and

repair shops about a hit-and-run car.

License number unknown.

Driven by a young female Caucasian.

No other description.

This vehicle struck a man on a bicycle.

This vehicle will have

damage to the right rear.

A tail light will be broken.

Check and notify

garages and auto repair shops.

What year did you say it was?

The 50.

Should try to get a fix in some garage.

These women always do.

I'll keep an eye out for it.

[sirens]

Come on, hop in the truck,

baby, and I'll drive you home.

Thanks just the same.

My cab's on the way.

So he can pick up another fare.

After all, you don't owe

that cab driver nothing.

He owe me a lot.

Meaning what?

Let's not kid each other, huh?

That car you just brought in is hot.

The cop tells me they're

looking for it on a hit-and-run,

but did I tell him it was

right there in the garage?

Mm-hmm.

Did you big favor, baby?

I told him nothing.

There could be some other car they're

looking for, you know.

I don't drive the only

one like that in this city.

Well, then if it's

not your car they want,

you'll have no objections to

my turning in a police report.

I'll do that first thing in the morning.

Oh, must you make a report?

Look, I'll pay any bill within reason.

I'll give you a

deposit tonight, if you like.

Skip the deposit, baby. I'm on your side.

I don't like to see a

nice young lady in a jam,

and besides, I hate cops.

Then you'll fix the

car without reporting it.

You can bank on it.

Come on, hop in the

truck. I'll take you home.

Thanks, Justice Ains.

What's the matter? You scared of me?

No, it's...

It's just that...

Well, what would my husband think?

He coming home in a garage truck.

You ain't got no husband.

What makes you say that?

No wedding ring.

Well, I'm employed in a department store.

I don't always wear it.

I don't always wear mine either.

Come on, let's go someplace

and get a couple of beers.

Hop in the chair, you baby.

See you around noon at your garage.

How about seven in

the evening? For dinner?

Thanks, but I have a date.

(door opens)

You're late again, Fred.

So I'm late.

That woman?

What woman?

Well, I mean, the one you took the races.

How many times do I gotta

tell you that wasn't a date?

It was Laura Sanderson. She's the sister

of a guy I play cards with.

Oh, sure.

So you took her to the races

to make a fourth at Bridge.

You know why I drove

her out to the track.

Her brother couldn't get in town in time

to pick her up, so we all met out there.

You expect me to swallow that?

I don't expect you'd

ever swallow anything.

Except maybe another jug of wine.

There's a limit to how much I can drink.

So why don't you divorce me?

I'll never divorce you.

They just might put you in jail.

I'm not like you, Helen. I

don't drink myself into jails.

You go to jail, I won't be for drinking.

What'll it be for?

Fixing up stolen cars for

Lou Hamlin and Nick Moscati.

How do you know about that?

You get around?

Fred, if I ever catch you out with

another woman again, you'll regret it.

How did you find out?

About all your women?

You know how I mean.

How about Hamlin and

Moscati? How did you find out?

Take your hands off me.

Tell me how you'll find out.

You heard me. How did you find out?

I brought the spare

key to the alley door.

I was in the back of the garage that

night when they brought the

sedan into the paint shack.

Give me the key.

I haven't got it any more.

I dropped it someplace

when I left the garage.

Helen, if you ever say one word about my

deal with Lou Hamlin, I'll...

You what?

Kill your own wife?

No, you're not a wife.

You're just a child of mine!

You're a wife, Lou!

Don't you ever call me that again.

Don't you ever call me that again.

Oh, hello.

Oh, your car ain't ready yet.

You'll have to come back

tonight any time after ten.

But I'm meeting ri... Meeting my husband for dinner.

If I don't have the

car, what can I tell him?

What'd you tell him last night?

I...

didn't have to tell him anything.

He wasn't home last night.

What's the matter? He's

stepping out on you, baby?

Nobody's allowed in the paint shop.

Can't I see the car?

Sure, when the job's done.

Well, I got work to

do. See you tonight, huh?

I'll be back in a minute.

I'll be back at ten.

The car'll be ready.

So will I.

Careful, Freddy.

Just gave my lits a new paint job.

How about one for the road, huh?

I'd like to, but that lug I work for can

smell whiskey six blocks away.

Oh, speaking of work, it's after twelve.

I better get my bus a lot of here.

Gonna see you tomorrow?

You just try to keep me away.

There's my wife.

I'll handle it.

Um, can't you possibly have

the car ready by six, Mr. Hale?

I promised my husband

I'd pick him up after work.

Well, I'll do my best, Mrs. Hogan, but

you see all the work I got lined up.

Call back in a couple hours and I'll see

how the work stands.

Well, would it help

if I paid my bill now?

Well, that won't be necessary. After all,

you and Mr. Hogan are a

couple of my best customers.

Well, thanks a lot, Mr.

Hale. I'll phone about three.

Who was that? Another sister? Some guy

you play cards with?

Oh, knock it off, will you? That lady

happens to be one of my best customers.

Lady?

Oh, knock it off.

Why don't you come snooping

around here for her anyway?

What do you want to do,

scare away all my business?

You sure that was

business? I just scared away.

Look, Helen, I told you to stay away from the garage. Every time I see you, I'll be there. I'll be there. Look, Helen, I told you to

stay away from the garage.

Every time some dame brings in a job, you

want to make a big beef out of it.

What do you want me to do? Put a sign on

the door? Auto repairs for men only.

You hang on a sign like that

on the door, we both get rich.

Here, you forgot your lunch.

Hi, sweetheart. Waiting long?

Just a few minutes.

I've been waiting all day.

Hey, doesn't allow for it, huh? Looks

like a million bucks.

Well, it didn't cost quite a minute.

Rick, I found the apartment.

Good, where? How much?

I found park, Terrace. $75 a month, all utilities paid.

Wonderful. I'm going to get a little help. I'm going to get a little help. $75 a month, all utilities paid.

Wonderful.

Good evening, Mr. Ricketts. Cocktails?

No, thanks. We'll order later.

I was going to leave this in the car, but

I couldn't find it

anywhere in the parking lot.

Where'd you leave it?

I had to take your car to a garage, Rick.

But I'll have it back

first thing in the morning.

What's the matter with it?

Oh, nothing to worry about, dear.

Just some trouble with the car, Barista.

You have to be

careful to these garage men.

Sometimes they, you know, they're like

the peck advantage of a woman driver.

Not this one, I'm sure.

Do you mind very much

going home on the bus tonight?

Of course, not honey.

Tell me something, dear.

What did the man say was

wrong with the car, Breida?

Look, do we have to talk about the car?

Wouldn't you rather

hear about the apartment?

Of course. Tell me about it.

Have you decided yet, Mr. Ricketts?

Uh, yeah, I do. We'll have, uh, oh, just

a couple of the special dinner steaks,

please, huh? Medium?

No. Tell me.

Well...

Well, good evening, Mr. Ricketts.

And just who are you?

My name's Herman Speegelbaum.

My friends call me Speegie.

How did you get in

here? What do you want?

I told the landlady I was a friend of yours, so she
could tell me. Well, how did you get in here? What do you want?

I told the landlady I was a friend of

yours, so she let me in.

And, uh, and that's no lie.

I, uh, can be a friend of yours.

I'm a good guy for you to know.

And I like to help my friends,

in either a business or a personal way.

What, uh, what line

of business are you in?

Maybe you'd better tell me

what business you're in first.

I'm going to run out for

the ready bail bond service.

Any time you get in a

jam and land in jail,

I'll be right there with the bail bond.

I don't need a bail bond.

Well, maybe you'll need me

for something else, then.

I'm, uh, I'm also a bookie.

I can handle a bet in

any track in the country.

That is, any bet up to ten dollars.

Somebody must have sent you

here to rip me. Who was it?

Oh, it's no rip, Mr. Ricketts.

Uh, uh...

Do you know this, uh, license number?

I took it off a car

last night on Bush Street.

This morning I traced it.

Do you know who owns this car?

I do. What about it?

Did you know your car was in a

hit-and-run accident last night?

(car horn)

What are you talking about?

Oh, I know you weren't driving.

It was a woman.

Your wife, maybe, or a girlfriend.

But, uh, whoever you loaned your car to,

she's certainly in a jail.

What is this? Some kind of a shakedown?

Don't get tough with me, John.

You're in trouble enough already.

You and the woman who was driving.

She knocked a man off

a bicycle last night.

A night watchman.

Then she put the car in gear, and ran.

You were the only one who saw it?

I was driving right behind her.

It happened on Bush

Street in the 1900 block

at exactly 9.30.

Were there any other witnesses?

I was the only one that got the license.

Only I didn't report it to the cops.

Not yet.

Do you know why I didn't report it?

Well, sure, sure.

Well, sure, my friend.

And if the price is right,

you won't ever report it, right?

You catch on fast, John.

And the price happens to be $500.

I'd ask more, only, uh,

from the looks of this dump you're living

in, you, uh, thank God.

Suppose I don't have the $500.

Well, then I'll, uh, I'll take anything

you've got in your pockets

as a down payment.

You say you'll take

anything I have in my pocket?

How about this?

Oh, well, there must

have been some mistake.

As a matter of fact, it was an

out-of-state license

from Kansas or Nebraska.

And it was an old model keyboard.

You don't have to drive a

car like that, do you, officer?

No, I don't.

[door opens]

[phone rings]

Accident investigation

division, Browsi speaking.

Rickens, homicide.

Look, was there a hit and

run last night on Bush Street?

Did a woman riding alone

hit a man on a bicycle?

That's right, a night watchman.

The hit and run cars are like green Chevy

convertible, year 50.

Nobody got the license on it.

Was the man on the

bicycle hurt very badly?

Wait a minute.

The complete hospital

report isn't in yet.

Check back in a few hours.

Thanks, I will.

[phone rings]

Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Lang. This is Neil.

May I speak with Susan, please?

Why, she isn't home yet, Neil.

I thought she was out

with you this evening.

Now you've got me worried.

But now look, there's

nothing to worry about.

As a matter of fact, I

just remembered she, um...

Well, she said she might be a little

delayed getting home this evening.

Will you have a call when she comes in?

Yes, certainly, Neil.

Thanks. Hope I didn't disturb you.

Bye.

[music]

Oh, hi. How do you like the job?

Very much. How much do I owe you?

The bills in the office. Come on in.

We'll market paid, huh?

Well, how much is it, Mr. Hill?

Oh, the tab won't scare you, honey.

I'm gonna take advantage of a lady just

because she got herself in a little jam.

The bill's right there on my desk. I'll

be right with you. I

just want to wash my hands.

I can't seem to find it, Mr. Hill.

Half the time I can't find things myself.

But I need a private secretary. You don't

happen to be a secretary

looking for a job, do you?

No, I'm not.

Care for a little

drink while you're waiting?

No, thank you.

I better have one myself.

It might help me remember

what I did with the bill.

Look, I don't really need a receipt, Mr. Hill.

If you'll just tell

me how much I owe you.

Just remember.

I put it in here.

39 bucks.

No tax.

This is one job I won't report.

$39 seems fair enough, Mr. Hill.

You know, uh...

I just might tear up this bill.

You caught me in kind of a mellow mood tonight.

Stop, let me go.

Oh, come on. I've been kind and nice to

you. Why don't you be

a little nice to me?

Stop!

Don't yell. You'll have the cops in here,

and the cops are

nobody you want to talk to.

No!

I'll have to let me in. Open this door.

Fred!

You heard me, Fred. Open this door.

You heard me, Fred. Open this door!

You heard me, Fred. Open this door.

Where is she?

Where's who?

You don't lie to me. I

know there's a woman in here.

Ah, you're crazy. Or

you're just drunk again.

You scratched your face.

Knock it off. And beat it.

I got to work on the truck.

(Truck engine starts)

(Truck engine starts) (Truck engine starts)

One of your men customers dropped these.

I hate snoopers.

Now beat it.

You're filthy. You're a low down...

I said get out, Helen.

Either get out of your own

steam or I'll throw you out.

You whino.

I told you to get out of here!

You came in from the alley

and I'll take the same way out.

You heard what I said. Get out! Get out, you whino you! (Truck engine starts)

(Truck engine starts)

No! No!

(Truck engine starts)

(Phone rings)

Hello, Rickett speaking.

Yes, honey, I was worried of it. You're

going straight home tonight.

Well, there really wasn't

anything to worry about, Rick.

I stopped by the garage to see if I

couldn't pick up your car.

Wasn't ready yet, so I had to wait.

But I have it home with me now. Shall I

bring it over to you

first thing in the morning?

Oh, thanks. I'll pick it up.

Look, how about fixing breakfast for us?

Something I want to talk over with you.

Of course, dear.

Well, I'll have breakfast ready at eight.

Good night, Rick.

(Truck engine starts)

(Phone rings)

Rickett speaking.

Bye, Captain. I got it.

(Truck engine starts)

Hello, Rickett's homicide. Will you send

a radio call to pick me up?

I live at 327 Elm Street.

Sergeant Rickett's. Band's

nine-eight-four-nine.

Right.

(Door closes)

Hey, Jim. What's the score?

Name's Fred Hill. The

wagon just took him.

Age forty-two. He owns this garage.

I mean, he did own it.

Somebody put his own truck and gear and

pinned him up against the bench.

Oh, nice. Any leads?

Working on a couple.

Oh, uh, this is Mr. Overholt, sir.

Works nights at the

gas station next door.

He says he thinks he saw the

woman who killed Fred Hill.

Woman? What makes you

think it was a woman?

Of course I saw her. She's the less

pressing I see in Kamada Garage.

She slammed out of here like she was in a

real hurry, got into a

car, and drove away fast.

Uh, poking around the trash barrel.

We found this bent frame from an auto

taillight, and with it we found some

fragments of, uh, red glass.

Brass is trying to fit the pieces of red

glass found at the scene of a hit and run

with the pieces we

found here in the garage.

So far it fits as neat

as any jigsaw puzzle.

And it's framed from the same model car

we've been looking for.

Something else, too.

I can see traces of paint

scratched right here on the chrome.

Black paint.

The hit and run car knocked over a night

watchman. He was riding a

bicycle that was painted black.

This, um, accident. Where did it happen?

Bush Street. 1900 block.

Time? Or around nine thirty last night?

Well, if you want to be accurate, you'd

call it night before last.

The car drove away before eyewitnesses

got the number on it, but they all swear

it was a light green Chevy convertible.

Year fifty.

Say, Rickards owns a

car like that himself.

What have you been doing, Rick, driving

around at night knocking poor

watchmen off their bicycles?

Yeah.

Your name Rickards?

That's right.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought

you fellas knew each other.

Uh, Rick, this is Bob

Brassy, a new man with AID.

Rickards a new man with homicide.

I didn't know you.

Pleasure.

Were you the Rickards homicide that

called AID last season and asked for

details on this same hit and run?

Yeah. Some of the boys down at the

station said my car had been

in the hit and run accident.

I thought some comedian here like Flynn

was pulling a rib on me.

I didn't pull this rib on you, Rick.

Those jokers didn't even

let me in on it this time.

Oh, uh, Mr. Overhaul, sir.

Now, uh, can you describe the woman?

She was young, good looking.

Wore a white hat.

White hat, huh?

Anybody else in the car with her?

No, sir, she was alone.

This, uh, woman, uh, if you saw her

again, do you think he'd recognize her?

I saw her twice. Last night

and again and night before last.

Night before last?

She left the same car in this garage.

Uh, look at what else we found here.

Take them down to the crime lab and have

them dust them for latent prints.

After that you can file it.

Till we find the woman who drove that

convertible, she's the one who lost them.

How did that figure?

Fred Hill fixed up her hit and run car.

Then he made some trouble for her, maybe

over the price, maybe over

something else. I don't know.

Anyhow, they got into a fight. She

dropped these from her handbag.

And somehow, during the fight, Fred Hill

got himself between

the truck and this bench.

She slammed the truck in

gear and pinned them right here.

Well, now all you boys have to do is find

yourself a good looking young woman who

wore a white hat last night.

Fine, darn, you got the killer.

We'll find her, that's our job.

Hey, Rick.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

It's our job.

Morning, honey. Sorry I'm late.

Why aren't you going to kiss me?

May as well meet you

getting a thing like that.

Shows her how much I got on my mind.

Hey, boy, you really look good.

You know, I don't know which I love more.

You or the biscuits?

Be honest, it's the biscuits.

Here's the keys to your car.

I parked it in the driveway.

Thanks. I saw one that came in.

You seem a little

upset this morning, Rick.

Is there anything about us?

Yeah, it is, honey. In the way.

Sit down, dear.

Now listen, dear. For

your own good. For us.

I want you to tell me

the truth about the car.

Now, you weren't an

accident, weren't you?

Yes, Rick, I was.

Did it happen on Bush

Street? Watching on a bicycle?

Yes, but it wasn't my fault.

He coasted fast out of that driveway. No

lights at all on the bicycle.

I didn't hate him. He hit the car.

But, honey, if it wasn't your

fault, why did you run away?

I guess you'd call it shock, panic.

It makes your heart pound.

Suddenly you run.

I was really scared.

But not for myself.

You've got to believe that.

I was only thinking of you.

Why me?

I knew you'd feel duty-bound to help me.

And to help me would mean you'd have to

sacrifice an official duty.

I didn't want to give

you a problem like that.

I thought I could

solve the problem myself.

I took the car to a garage.

A man named Fred Hill fixed it.

No, honey, that was a big mistake.

You should have stayed right there until

the ambulance came and

the police cleared you.

I realize that now, of course.

But at the time...

Well, even the little man who

saw it said it wasn't my fault.

What man?

I didn't know. I didn't

even think to ask his name.

He was a little man who wore a straw hat.

When he said I should leave, well, I was already thinking of you.

This man told you to leave?

Yes.

He said the watchman was

only pretending to be hurt.

He said the same thing

happened before to a relative of his.

And you believed him?

I guess I wanted to believe him.

Well, it would help a lot

if we could locate that man.

And I think I can.

I think I'm scared.

I've been afraid to

look at the newspapers.

He's the watchman.

Is he badly hurt?

No, dear, no.

You're pretty lucky on that score.

Now, at least the hit and

run charge won't be a felony.

But there's something else now.

Something else?

Mm-hmm.

Taught them on the floor

of the garage, didn't you?

Tell me about it, dear.

My handbag was open.

I didn't have time to pick them up.

I had to get away from this red hill.

Must I tell you why?

Only I can guess why, but...

See, the fact that you had to fight your

way out of there, honey,

I might use that against you.

You said "against me"?

Fred Hill was killed in

the garage last night.

Killed?

By who?

No, no, no, yet.

It must have happened

just around that time.

Only a short time after you were seen

driving away from there.

Oh, Rick.

Surely you don't believe that I...

Honey, it's not what I believe, but the

whole police department

was looking for a young woman driving a

car identical to mine,

wore a white hat, had

a fight with Fred Hill,

and dropped these things at the garage.

Rick, tell me what to do.

I'll do anything you say.

Drive downtown

headquarters with me, dear.

Come in.

Be with you in a second, Rickards.

What does that mean?

That hit-and-run car we've all been

looking for, sir, it's mine.

Your car?

Yes, sir. Pocked outside.

I also brought the young

woman we've been looking for, too.

Susan Lang.

Your Susan Lang?

Yes, sir.

She's waiting outside.

You'll understand, of course, why I don't

want to be the one that books her.

That does hit close to home.

I'm resigning, sir. I think it's in the

best interest of the department.

What do you mean by that?

You think she's guilty of this murder?

I know she's not guilty.

Can you prove it?

Yes, sir. I think I can.

I have several leads I intend to run

down, strictly on my own, of course.

Lieutenant Conway put you on a night

watch, is that right?

Yes, sir.

So what you just told me, you told me

when you were off-duty,

and since your badge was

on my blotter at the time,

I'm going to consider all

your statements off the record.

Temporarily.

I don't understand, sir.

Well, you say you have a

number of leads. All right, then.

When you come back on duty, either bring

in evidence to clear Susan Lang,

or bring in Susan.

In the meantime,

I think it's in the best interest of the

police department if you keep your badge.

You may need it now more than ever.

Thanks, Captain.

Thanks. [door opens]

Honey, we've still

got until I go on duty,

again to run down all the clues we can.

What happens when you go on duty?

Well, we'll cross that

bridge when we come to it.

Here. Take one.

My economy of jitters.

Yeah, that little man that told me to

drive away from the accident,

shouldn't we try and locate him?

He's not top priority

on our list, not yet.

Let's first find out

who killed Fred Hill.

Are you still sure it was a woman's voice

you heard at the back door of the garage?

I'd swear to it, Rick.

You think he'd recognize the

voice if he heard it again?

I don't really know.

Let's go see his wife.

Whose wife?

Fred Hill's.

Maybe he treated other women the way he

treated you and his wife.

Might know about it.

[car starts]

[car starts]

[knocking]

Mr. Mann.

Yes?

Mrs. Hill?

I'm Sergeant Ricketts.

Susan Lang, we'd like to ask you a few

questions about your husband.

To today's he's just left. I have to

answer some more questions.

Well, we'll only be a moment.

Come on, honey. [door opens] [door closes] Would you care to sit down?

I realize you must be

pretty upset, Mrs. Hill.

Good night. Got along

better than most couples.

We never had a quarrel

since we were married.

I had something to be

proud of, Mrs. Hill.

If there's anything we can do to help...

[crying] I'm sorry. If there's anything we can do to help...

[crying]

Just a few more questions, Mrs. Hill.

Is your wedding picture...

Yes.

It got broken when it fell off the table.

We have evidence that there may have been

another woman in your husband's life.

You know who she might be?

Another woman. Of course not.

I told you we were always very happy.

Well, did he have any

enemies you can think of?

He never mentioned any.

Is that your car out in the driveway?

Yes. Fred gave me a car

right after we were married.

Did you have it here last night?

Yes, why?

Well, I was just wondering, Mrs. Hill,

why you called the police?

Why didn't you just get in your car and

drive over to the garage

and find out for yourself?

Well, I...

When he didn't answer his phone, I...

must have heard something

might have happened to him.

But if he didn't have any enemies, like

you said, what were you afraid of?

Well...

I really don't know.

I was just plain old

worried about him, I guess.

Just one more question, Mrs. Hill.

Did you have any particular

nickname for your husband?

I mean, did you just call him Freddy, or

did you mostly call him Fred?

I called him Fred.

What name?

Fred.

A little louder, please?

Fred.

I'm sorry, I still didn't hear you. Could

you say it just a little louder, please?

Fred!

What do you want?

You think I can call my

husband back from the grave?

Get out of here.

Get out!

Get out!

Better pull yourself together, Mrs. Hill.

We'll be back.

Well, what do you think, Susan?

Not the voice I made.

I'm not sure, Rick.

It wouldn't be fair to her if

I said it was the same voice.

Hell, even if it was her

voice, you couldn't prove it.

But if she's lying to

us, that's another thing.

You think she lied?

I don't think a woman would call the

police just because her husband's a

little late getting off from work.

And another thing, that wedding picture.

It didn't get smashed,

just falling off a low table.

More likely she threw it on the floor and

then deliberately stepped on it.

It looked like it was stepped on.

You think she and her

husband might have had a quarrel?

It looks like it to me.

I'll drop you at home, honey. I want to

see what Conway's dug up.

Come on, baby. You know a lot of chicks.

I'm not calling somebody.

Well, how about Gertie? You know, the

girl that works over at Jack's Tavern?

I think this is a day off.

She good-looking?

Well, now, Nick, with your pen, you can't

get too choosy about your dates.

That's a good idea, Hazel. Try, Gertie.

Okay.

Shall I answer it?

No. It might be business. I'll get it.

Hello. Hanlon talking.

This is Fred's wife. Fred Hill's wife.

I've got to leave town by tonight, Mr.

Hanlon, and I need $5,000 cash.

How soon can you bring it over here?

Are you kidding?

How many jugs of that stuff

you've been drinking today?

I mean it, Mr. Hanlon.

I want $5,000 cash.

If you don't have it over here within the

next hour, I'll phone the police.

I can tell them in earful, Mr. Hanlon.

I can tell them my husband used to do a

lot of work for you and Nick Muscati.

He's doing face

lifting work on stolen cars.

Hello.

Hello.

Oh, come on, Nick. This is only a party.

Who was it, Lou?

Hazel, take this into the kitchen with

your fill-up with ice cubes.

We've already got it.

Just fill it. Please,

Hazel, fill it with your fill-up.

Don't forget to shut the

kitchen door behind you.

All right, Lou. I'll

shut the kitchen door.

But if you're going to tell Nick the one

about the farmer's

daughter, I already know it.

I was there. I was the farmer's daughter.

Here's that wine of Fred Hill's wife.

It's a shakedown. She wants $5,000.

For what?

For not squealing to the

cops about us and Fred Hill.

Well, how did she find out?

The difference is to

make how she found out.

You gonna pay her off?

I'll get more on.

You can't pay off a crazy dame like that.

Compare $10,000, and the next time she

gets a belly full of sherry, she'll

squeal to the cops anyway.

What are you gonna do?

I'll give you three guesses.

[door opens]

See you in about an hour.

Hello, dear. Forget your keys.

Oh, I came home with the wrong handbag.

This one belongs to a Mrs. Hill.

Mrs. Hill?

A friend of Rick's.

He had to go on duty, so

I'll need your keys to the car.

They're in my bedroom, dear.

Thanks. Oh, listen, if Rick calls, tell

him I had to drive back to Mrs. Hill's,

and I'll be home in an hour.

All right, dear. [door closes]

[door closes]

Mrs. Hill?

[knocking on door]

Mrs. Hill?

[knocking on door]

It's Jose, señora.

Got a-- got a wine for you, señora.

You want me to give it in the kitchen? I'll see you.

Lieutenant Conway.

No.

All right.

Night, Russell. I'm not gonna do anything. I'm not gonna do anything. I'm not gonna do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. Night, Russell.

Take a look at these.

Fred Hill not only repainted stolen cars,

he renumbered the plates.

-Brasi? -Yeah.

Another homicide. This

time it's Mrs. Fred Hill.

Suspects already in custody.

They found her on the scene.

A woman?

Her name is Susan Lang.

Get on your radio and see if anyone knows

where we can find Sergeant Rickards.

You hear me, Brasi?

Try to locate Neil Rickards.

He just came in.

Well, the murder

weapon was a .45 automatic.

These ejected shells prove it.

You found the gun?

No, but there's a junk

pile in the yard out back.

Now, whoever shot Mrs. Hill

had time and places to hide it.

Under the circumstances, I'm going to

have to take Susan in.

Now, look, Lieutenant.

Susan wouldn't have had a fire and

automatic if a light depended on it.

Or if somebody else's

death depended on it.

Shall we go, Susan?

Lieutenant, can we

have just one more minute?

What?

-All right, one minute. -Thanks.

Now, listen, Susan. Listen to me.

The man you saw walking out of the

driveway, can't you describe him?

I didn't really pay

much attention to him.

A delivery man, I guess.

No.

Couldn't have been a delivery man.

The car waiting for him

was too good for that.

Where was the car?

Parked across the street.

There was another man in it.

What kind of a car was it?

It was a big convertible.

Same kind of car I saw once before.

Why, I think it was the same car.

What same car, dear?

Where did you see it before?

-At Fred Hill's garage. -When?

The first time I went there.

Mr. Hill said his wife

was in the office, but...

I could see the shadows of

two men behind the office glass.

And then later, when I was

waiting for my cab at the corner,

it came out of the

garage with two men in it.

Can you remember what

kind of a car it was?

I...

I think it was a new Lincoln.

I saw it another time, too.

Drove out of the garage when

I went to pick up your car.

Were the same two men in it?

No, not that time.

Only one of the men was driving, and...

a green sedan followed it.

A green sedan?

It could be our hot car boys.

It sure could.

That Lincoln, now, is there any chance

you remember the license number?

Well, any part of it, the first few

numbers or the letter.

What was the color of the car, honey?

Blue.

Well, there can't be too many blue

Lincoln convertibles around the city.

How about a broadcast?

Right now, and you better put yourself

out on that dragnet.

Sure.

Listen, this is no time to quit, honey.

Don't worry. I'll

phone your mother for you.

Communications and hurry it.

Lieutenant Conway, homicide.

All units, all units, repeat on that blue

Lincoln convertible.

License number is still unknown.

Any car of this description

is to be reported at once.

Occupants held for

questioning by homicide.

Now, look, would you take it easy, Hazel?

Me and Nick, we couldn't help but we...

Man, is she burned.

She says she's been left

holding the bag before,

but this is the first time anybody left

her holding an ice bucket.

Hey, tell her she better

come back. The ice is melting.

Listen, Hazel, honey, look,

let's not break up our date.

No, no. Me and Nick will hop in the car,

come over and pick you up.

- Gertie? - What?

Yeah, and look, Hazel, would you call

Gertie for Nick, will you?

Yeah. Yeah, we'd be right over.

Yeah, okay. Right away.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

five, six, five reporting blue Lincoln

convertible going west on third from Oak.

We'll pull it over.]

Pull over, Nick. We

didn't steal this one.

Well, officer, what did we do?

Nothing, maybe. Homicide's making a check

on all cars of this

make, model, and color.

Well, shut off your motor

and let me have the keys.

Nick, drive it.

[Tires screech]

Code 9, code 9. Pursuing fugitives in

Lincoln going north on Sycamore from 3rd.

Hey, Looney, we almost wrecked this,

trapping on a throttle like that.

What are you talking about? Homicide's

squad wants a car like this.

We've got the gun to kill Helen Hill. How

much does it take to make you run?

All units, all units, now pursuing

fugitives north on Mountain Park Avenue,

help the officer. Code 3, code 3.

[Gunshot]

Keep going. Come to the park.

[Gunshot]

Oh, they got it closed. Open it.

[Gunshot]

Oh!

[Gunshot]

All right, you. Out of

the car with your hands up.

Get him up. Okay, officer.

[Door opens]

Rick, what's going to happen now?

Take it easy, hon. You were completely

cleared in both homicides.

The men who killed Fred Hill's wife still

had the murder weapon on

them when we picked them up.

And fingerprints on the garage truck

indicate that Mrs.

Hill murdered her husband.

Fireprints were even on the cosmetics you

dropped in the garage, on

the back door of the garage.

See, that means she

was there after you were.

But what about the accident?

Well, we arrested Spiegelbaum. You know,

the man who told you to drive away?

He's being held by a

charge of attempted blackmail.

So in your case, the district attorney

won't issue a felony complaint.

You have to go to court, of course, but

you'll just plead

guilty to a misdemeanor.

A minor charge?

Oh, now come on. It's not so serious.

So I'm worried about you, Rick.

Does this mean you've

lost your sergeant's badge?

Honey, I haven't lost a thing.