All language subtitles for The Rockford Files S05e15 Guilt_prob3

Well, there's nothing
to indicate it was more than

an isolated, impersonal...

How can you call attempted
murder impersonal, Dennis?

You keep acting
as if this is

the best of all
possible worlds.

You told me yourself,
your life is a soap opera.

Miss Ludwig, I thought you were
on your way back to San Diego.

Well, I just stayed in town one night.
To change your name.

He's gonna kill us.

Looks like the idea.

This is Jim Rockford,

At the tone, leave your name
and message.

I'll get back to you.

Jimmy, Angel. Listen, Eddie
Talafero, just gave me a hot tip

on a class filly in the
eighth out at Hollypark,

The only trouble is
I need $20.

No! Please, no!

Sam.

I don't care
what you say,

they don't make paint
the way they used to.

Well, I told you
it'd take two coats.

Yeah, but ten years ago.

It would still
take two coats.

Well, they don't make nothing
the way they used to.

Will you stop
grousing, Rocky?

You got your living room
painted, didn't you?

Yeah.

Leave the door.

Hey, listen, uh,
why don't you start with the chili

and I'll call Dennis and Coop
and see if they can make it.

Yeah, tell them about 7:00.

That'S when L.J.'S coming.

That'll make a really good
game, you know? Yeah.

Jimmy,
it's the voice

of prosperity calling again,
Don't go inviting him.

Listen, turkey,
you didn't return my call,.

I told you I got this hot tip
on that Hollypark filly,

Like I said, $500
guaranteed, He cheats!

So call old Angel.

seem
I can make us rich.

The last horse he gave me

could've used a skateboard.

Jim, it's Val,

I'm sorry to bother you,
but just don't know where to turn,

What'd you turn
that off for?

Oh, well,
it's probably nothing.

Now, you want me to give
you a hand with the chili?

No, sir.
When I'm cooking I don't want

no one in
the kitchen with me.

Val Pointer.

It's funny.
I was thinking about her

just the other day.

Would you look at
all this stuff?

I mean, it's nothing
but bills and throwaways.

You know how come I was thinking
about her the other day?

Because I run into
all them records

Hey. she give me.

Do you remember, Jimmy?
They got a great sale

down at Red's
Lumber Shack.

Want me to hold this for you?

You know, I'll never
get over that.

I happened to
just casual mention

I liked the voice
of Vaughn Monroe,

and here she come
and give me every one

of that man's records.

Oh, hearing her
voice now

sure brings back memories,
don't it, Jim?

Yeah.
Oh, boy,

20 years.

20 years and it
seems like yesterday.

Say, do you remember
little Nancy?

You remember? She couldn't
have been more than

a couple of years old then.

She was three, Dad.
Yeah, three.

Boy, she sure
did like you though.

I never saw a kid so crazy
about a man in all my life.

She wouldn't leave you alone.

Oh, Jim, do you remember
how you use to let her

stand on your feet,

and you'd waltz
around the room?

You two made
quite a picture. Yes, sir.

And Valerie, she was
always trying to get Nancy

to call me Grandpa.

All she could
call me was Gamps.

She couldn't say Grandpa.

Which worked out fine,
since you weren't.

Well, I could have been.
I come close.

Dad, that's just about
as far down memory lane

as I care to go.

I don't see nothing wrong
about talking about Nancy.

You're not talking about Nancy,
you're talking about Val.

And that's over.
It was over along time ago.

So stop farming the embers.

They are stone cold.

I wonder what she wanted.

Jim, I need you.

Somebody shot Sam,

Shot?

It's as if I
stepped into a nightmare.

Mrs. Pointer has
already stated

that her assailant
was unknown to her.

She had never
seen the man before.

I haven't had any
arguments with anybody,

not even any minor
disagreements.

Well, there's nothing
to indicate it was

more than
an isolated, impersonal...

How can you call
attempted murder

impersonal, Dennis?

I could call it
anything I want.

Mrs. Pointer, I have your description.
I'll try to run down the suspect.

Why bother?
Brown on brown,

no distinguishing marks
or characteristics.

That fits half the male
population of LA.

If it makes you
feel any better,

if you could have a friend,
your son-in-law,

someone to stay here with you
for the next few days.

No, I've been
enough trouble already.

Thank you for your
concern, Lieutenant.

Thank you.
I'll be in touch.

Uh, listen, Val,
the Goldstones are due at 10:00.

Do you want me
to cancel or what?

Oh, no, I forgot
all about the Goldstones.

Give me ten minutes
and we'll ride in together.

You're not up to working today.
I'm fine.

All right, I'm not fine.
But I'll be better off at work

than I will be sitting around here.
Just, ah,

you call ahead and tell them
I'll be a few minutes late.

Ever try arguing with her?

Thank you for coming, Jim.

You never let me down.

Oh, I can think
of a couple of times.

Don't.

Hmm?
Val.

Val, I really don't want to
shake your faith in the system,

but I really don't think

Dennis is gonna come up
with a whole lot.

Well maybe it was one of those
freak things. I'd like to think so.

Well, what else could it be?

Well, would you like me
to nose around a little?

You still trying to
be Mickey Spillane?

You still want
to be Suzy Parker?

We have nothing
more to discuss.

Get that stuff out of the
house by noon tomorrow,

or you're gonna be picking
it up off the front lawn.

You're going to
throw the 18th century

onto your front lawn?
That's criminal.

What's criminal is the
mess we walked into.

My wife's so upset she
can't even talk about it.

She's sitting out in the
car now feeling miserable.

Mr. Zakarian,
your wife approved

every piece of furniture,
every bibelot.

She hates it.

Does that tell you
something about Madame's taste?

Norman, please.
Mr. Zakarian,

Mr. Singleton's upset.

Why don't we discuss
this privately?

Whose side are you on?
Well, it isn't a question

of taking sides, Norman.

Look, why don't
we go back into my office?

I'm sure we can
straighten this out.

Or, perhaps,
I could talk with your wife.

The Chippendale
gilt consoles?

Well, Mrs. Zakarian
selected those herself.

You remember that when you're
tossing them into the begonias,

because you're going to
have to pay for them.

Not only am I not
going to pay for them,

I'm taking
you both into court.

To court?
Yes, for misrepresentation.

Well, you can't mean that.
For...

I think Mrs. Pointer's had
about enough for today.

Who the hell
invited your opinion?

I did.
Thank you, Jim.

Mr. Rockford's
a friend of mine.

I called him this morning when
somebody tried to shoot me.

What?
What do you mean, "somebody"?

Well, we don't know
who it is.

That's what Jim's
trying to find out.

He's a private investigator.

Well, at least you won't
have to waste your time

investigating
her client list.

They're only interested
in killing him.

My attorneys
will be in touch.

Well, I can't wait
for the rest of the day.

You were complaining
you didn't have anything to go on.

Now you got something.

The entire
membership roster

of the Brentair Yacht Club?

Hey, how about
a little gratitude?

You know what it took me to
con the management out of that?

I don't want to hear.
Ackerman, Alden, Anderson, Anderson.

How do you want
me to handle this?

Bring them in one
at a time or maybe

rent the Sons of
Yugoslavia hall

and question all
300 at once?

Dennis, the guy
was parked

in the parking lot of
the Brentair Yacht Club.

Now, the only way in
or out of that lot

is with a key card
issued to the members

by the club.

So you wanted a lead?
You got a lead.

You talk to
Mrs. Pointer about this?

Well, she looked
at the roster.

She recognized, oh, probably
ten percent of the names.

Ten percent?
She a member of the club?

Yeah, but she doesn't use
the facilities that often,

because of her work.

And, she's on good terms
with everyone there.

Valerie Pointer.

You know, when that call came
in, that name sounded familiar.

Yeah, well, she has a fairly
well-known decorating business.

No, no, it wasn't that.
It was something that Rocky said.

Was she...
Look, Dennis, there are two leads

that you can really
follow through on here.

One, the guy was parked
in the club lot.

He was driving
a white Peugeot.

So, if I were you,
I'd check to see

if any of the members
have a white Peugeot.

If not, check the members'
known associates.

You're talking
about 300 people.

You want me to check
the known associates

of 300 people?

Did anyone ever
tell you police work

was gonna be easy?

Hey!

What are you gonna be doing?

Waiting for your report.

Ah, bull!

Well, Coop can't make it.

He's researching a case
or something.

I.. said he'd be
here about 7:00.

I haven't heard
a word about Dennis.

Hmm, hmm.

I wouldn't
count on him, Rocky.

I think he's gonna be
tied up for a while.

Hold on.

Well, what do you
think you're doing?

Well, it doesn't
have any bite.

Well, leave it alone.

It'll have bite
by 7:00.

God, if Dennis don't come,
that's only gonna leave three of us.

What kind of a
poker game is that?

Yeah, well, I think it's
gonna be more like checkers.

I can't make it, either.

Oh, well, now, that does it.

I've been standing here sweating all day.
Over a hot stove all day

I know, Dad, and I'm sorry.
But, uh,

you know, Val's had a pretty
rough time of it herself.

So I thought I'd
take her to dinner.

Val?

You and Val?

Oh, well, why didn't
you say so?

Well, I..'S
a good enough

checkers partner and I
can freeze all the chili.

Look,
take her to one of them

little French restaurants.

Val always liked fancy food.
Hmm.

Mr. Rockford?
Yes?

I'm Jean Ludwig.

I have to talk to you.
Oh, come in.

Uh, this is my dad,
Joseph Rockford.

Would you care to sit down?
Yeah.

We were, uh,
getting ready to have a little snack.

Excuse me.

If I'm a little
awkward, forgive me.

I've never done this before.

I want to hire you,
Mr. Rockford.

You see, it's my sister.

Is she missing?
No.

What made you say that?

Uh...

See, we just moved
to San Diego

about four months ago and we
didn't know anybody down there.

Then, Lynn met this man

and it's gotten to the point where
they're talking about marriage.

What about Val?

Uh, Jimmy's working
on a case now, Miss.

He's really got
all he can handle.

How much do you charge?

$200 a day,
plus expenses.

But I...
Okay, I'll double it.

In fact, I'll
make it $500 a day.

Then that's more than
twice your going rate.

Mr. Rockford, I don't think this
man is who he says he is at all.

I think he's after
my sister's money.

Now, he could be dangerous.

Well, if you'd like me to
recommend someone, I'd be...

No.

I wasted enough
time selecting you.

I love my sister,
Mr. Rockford.

I don't want her
to make a tragic mistake.

Well, I understand,
and I'm sorry.

Believe me, I'm sorry.
I don't get offers like that every day.

But I just can't help you.

Well,

thank you for your time.

I'm sorry I couldn't
be of more help.

I guess I'll have to make
some other arrangements. Yeah.

Bye.

Hey, you done
the right thing, sonny.

Sure hard passing
up that kind of money, huh?

$500 a day.

I see she's driving
that black Porsche

over by the Sand Castle.

Ah, there's no
front license plate.

What do you care?
She gave you her name.

Yeah. Maybe,
but $500 a day

on an out-of-town job?

Well, maybe she's
worried about her sister.

Or maybe
somebody's worried about me.

They don't
want me working for Val.

Jim.

Come on,
get out of the way.

Come on.
Move it, move it.

Come on.

Damn.

I don't suppose
there's no way

you could take some
of this chili over to Val's?

She was always
real partial to it.

You're not using those
ice-cream cartons, are you?

Oh, yeah. They're made for freezing.
They work real good.

Yeah, that's what
you said last time.

But your chili had
a very distinctive

butter-pecan aftertaste.

Yeah, come in.

PM” LA.

Hey, hiya, Jimmy.
How you doing?

Fine, how you, I...?
Good to see you. Fine.

I think I must have
got my dates wrong.

I could have swore Rocky said
we was playing poker tonight.

Oh, no, no, no. You're right.
Well, you may not be playing poker.

You want a beer?
Yeah, thank you.

See Dennis is working
and Coop's working.

You and
me's still on.

Jimmy here,
he's got a date.

What do you mean, "a date"?
I'm taking an old friend out to dinner.

An old sweetheart,
he means.

They come just that close
to getting married.

No kidding.

Yeah, it was 20 years ago.
We decided against it.

Nah, you decided
against it.

I gotta get out
of here.

Hey,
where you taking her, sonny?

We got reservations
at the Cocked Hat.

The Cocked Hat?

Well, now,
don't give me that.

Hey, they got
the best ribs in town.

And the best
cottage fries.

You mean to tell me

you're taking a lady
like Valerie Pointer

to a steakhouse?

Well, I asked her
where she wanted to go.

She picked
the place, I didn't.

Yeah, because it's
one of your favorites.

That's the way she
is, you know, I..

She's always thinking

of the other fella.
Never of herself.

Yeah.

What are you saying, Dad?

That I'm selfish?

Oh, I didn't
say that, sonny.

Then what?

Well, you know
how Valerie is.

Always tippy-toeing round,

never coming right out
and saying what she'd like.

Yeah, which makes it hard

not to be wrong
most of the time.

Ah, well, look, I haven't seen
Valerie for a lot of years.

She might have changed.

A steakhouse
could be

the very place to take her.

This is really charming.
Not very.

Oh, I wish I had gotten
that license plate.

Jim, I don't know who that
girl was in the Porsche

and I don't know who the
guy was in the Peugeot.

But can't we forget it?

Just for tonight?
Yeah, sure.

You picked this
place because you, uh,

thought I'd like
it here, didn't you?

Are you gonna tell
me you haven't been

salivating over the
prospect of those ribs?

Yeah, they're good, but, uh,

you know,
a reservation isn't a contract.

We could go
someplace else.

I'm here with
you and I'm happy.

I thought a lot
about us today, Jim.

You know, we were
pretty good together.

Hmm.

But not great?

Oh, I didn't say that.

Oh, yes, you did.

You know, that
was 20 years ago.

Oh, you said it.
Very tenderly, very gently.

"Let's not rush
into this, Val.

"Let's, uh...
Let's think about it a little longer."

We were
awfully young, Val,

even though you
had been married.

Disastrously, of course.

Then there was Nancy,

not much
more than a baby then.

You know, I didn't even think of
her when I tried to kill myself.

All I could think of was
how much I loved you

and that you
didn't want me.

Valerie.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's always "Valerie"
when I've upset you.

I didn't mean to
bring all that up.

I guess it's just today.
You know...

Well, coming close
to death again,

it brought it all back.
It's silly.

Let's just forget it.

Oh, it was never
your fault.

Well, you know I never
held you responsible.

I know that.

You want to order?

Order? Oh, sure.

Oh, well, we know
it's ribs for you

and, uh, potatoes, right?

Yeah, cottage fries.

If you're not
interested in the ribs,

the steak's good,
or the lobster.

I'll have the dinner salad.

I told you we didn't
have to stay here.

We could go someplace else.

That's all I really want.
Honestly.

Nothing for me.

Jim.

Two orders of ribs,
two orders of cottage fries.

I don't want you to eat
something you don't want.

You don't want me to
eat something I do want.

Dinner salad for
the lady.

Ribs, fries for me.

You know, when
we're not fighting,

we really get along
just fine.

Did you notice that?
I noticed that.

Thanks for tonight, Jim.

It really helped a lot.

Sometimes my life seems
like such a soap opera.

I'm supposed to find a
potential killer and what've I got?

The membership of
the Brentair Yacht Club,

298 members
at last count,

some dame who
drives a Turbo Carrera,

whose name may
or may not be Jean Ludwig.

Well, what are you
complaining about?

That gives you
299 suspects.

Yeah, now all I gotta do is
hope the guy doesn't make

another move till I
sort through them all.

Yeah, well, what about the
guy on the beach this morning?

It was broad daylight and he
didn't bother to cover his face.

But at night,
when it's dark,

he was wearing a ski mask.

That tell you anything?

Yeah. It could be something
simple, like he's stupid.

Or, it could be
something simple like

he wasn't
wearing a mask

because he knew Valerie
wouldn't recognize him.

Contract killer, maybe?

A contract killer?
Jim, that's absurd.

No, no. It's a possibility.

But who?

Who hates me that much?

Well, if you could
give me the answer to that,

you'd make my job
a lot easier

and your life
a lot safer.

I honestly can't
think of anybody.

Well, I guess that's it.

Hey, do you think you could
leave a couple of men here

just to keep
an eye on things?

Sure. No problem.

Lieutenant,
I really appreciate...

Oh boy, I feel funny.
What's the matter, Val?

What's the matter?
You all right? I don't know.

I think it's all
beginning to hit me.

Jim, there's some
brandy in the study.

Would you mind?
Yes, yes, sure,

sure.
Thank you.

Ooh. Well,
if there isn't anything further,

Mrs. Pointer, I'll see that
the men are stationed outside.

Oh, Lieutenant,
no, no, no.

Really, that won't
be necessary.

Mr. Rockford will be
spending the night here.

Yeah, but he said...
Well, actually,

it upsets me to have
strangers around anyway.

I'll be perfectly safe
with Jim here.

Good night, Lieutenant.
Thank you for everything.

Uh, yeah. Good night.

Oh, uh, Lieutenant Becker said he
had to get back to the station.

Yeah, well,
what about the men?

Dennis said he was gonna
leave a couple of guys here

to keep an eye on things.
Oh, thank you,

I told him
not to bother.

Well, you know how having
people I don't know around

kind of makes me nervous.

That's the last
thing I need tonight.

But Valerie,
you can't stay here alone.

It's not safe.

Well, whatever
you say, Jim.

Well, I'll make up the guest room for
you, if you like.

Oh, now, come on, Val.

I really hadn't planned
to stay all night.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I must have misunderstood.

Of course, you probably
have plans.

No, I don't
have any plans.

It's just, well,

where I sleep is something
I like to decide for myself.

Well, there's no
reason to be upset.

I'm fine, really.

No, you do whatever
you think is best.

I'll check on
the doors and windows.

You're always
losing things

and always crawling
all over me

like it was my fault
or something.

I had my card case with me

when I was here
painting yesterday.

Now, you sure you
didn't pick it up

and put it someplace
for safekeeping?

You've got a habit
of doing that.

If I said I didn't see
it, I didn't see it.

What's the matter
with you anyway?

You come in here meaner than
a darn old grizzly bear.

I didn't sleep
too well last night.

I ended up at Val's.

Oh.

In the guest room.

Becker was gonna keep a
couple of men on her house

to keep an eye on it

and the minute
I was out of the room,

she sent them all home.
I didn't have any choice.

Think she was
planning it that way.

Huh! Some people got a mighty
high idea of themselves.

Yeah. Maybe. She said
she wasn't thinking.

Ah, well, she shouldn't
have to. She's a lady.

Rocky, did you hear
what you just said?

Here's a woman
who has a grown daughter.

She also has a very successful
decorating business.

What do you mean she
doesn't have to think?

That's right.
She is a woman,

a beautiful, delicate,
sensitive woman

and she ought to have
a good man taking care of her.

Well, don't rush out
and post the banns.

Jim, you know I always
been proud of you.

You give me a lot of
enjoyment in my life.

Never any disappointments
or nothing like most families

except...
Dad,

Dad, it just didn't work out
with Val and me. Okay?

I know that, sonny.

I know that, I just...
I don't understand why.

'Cause, man,
she really loved you.

Who do you know
that ever loved

some other person more
than their own life, huh?

Now, no, no, no,
don't take that wrong,

I ain't saying
that that pill-taking

was your fault.
Well, thanks.

And I ain't saying
that it's your fault

that in her grief
she turned to that

young Dr. Pointer,
you know.

Who'd know
what a monster

he was gonna turn out to be
after they was married?

And the time you
was supposed to join them

for dinner
and you couldn't go.

I ain't saying that
if you had been there,

you'd have stopped him
from getting a snootful

and getting in that car and
driving off and killing himself,

and darn-near killing her too.

But if I'd have done
the right thing,

none of it would have
ever happened. Right?

Did I say that?
Now, don't you put words in my mouth.

Valerie herself
said it was not your fault.

She told me so
a hundred or more times.

Well, she must have told me
a couple of thousand times.

It's kept me on the
string for 20 years

and I'm gonna tell you
something else, Dad.

I'm getting tired of getting
phone calls at 3:00 in the morning

every time she's having trouble
with her latest romance.

I'm getting tired of
spending my Saturday mornings

fixing her garage door or her
front gate or TV antenna.

Jim, she considers
you her friend.

I am her friend, Dad.
A very good friend.

I have nothing to
feel guilty about.

That's what
I just said.

That's my personal stuff
in there.

Where you going now?

Well, just as
a parting gesture,

I'd like to find out

who it is that's trying
to kill Val,

so I don't have to feel
guilty for another 20 years.

I'm sure I know
exactly what you want.

Luxury without ostentation.

I don't want a bunch of
furniture I can't sit on.

Ah, none of those
spindly little chairs.

Comfort, of course.

Hello, Jim. Val, I'd like to talk to you.
It's important.

But Mr. and Mrs. Goldstone...
It can't wait.

Oh, I'll just be a minute.

Jim, those people
are very important clients.

What can you do
for them dead?

You found out something?

No. I realized something.

It's time for both
of us to stop being polite.

I want to know what axes you've
been grinding, and where.

Honestly, we've been
through all this.

We've been through it,
but not honestly.

Ah, would you
excuse me a minute?

Something's come up.
My associate will be right with you.

Good God, when Val told me
what happened last night, I...

Eric, the Goldstones are outside
holding down the pavement.

Would you go over
to their house with them

and keep them busy
till I can get there?

I have an 11:00
appointment, Val.

So, you'll be late.

If you can't help me
when I need you, Eric...

All right, Val.
I'll take care of it.

See you later, Jim.

Oh, I never snap
at him like that.

Well, it was my fault.

Well, I didn't say
it was your fault.

But when you come
here and accuse me

of being dishonest...
Val, Val, you keep acting

as if this is the best
of all possible worlds.

You told me yourself,
your life is a soap opera.

You take Eric, for example.

Well, he's my right arm.

He's also
your ex-son-in-law.

Nancy's in Arizona
with the kids

and he's here
working with you.

I tried to keep
them together.

No, I did
everything I could.

Oh, but that divorce was
about as bad as you could get.

Charges, counter-charges.
I mean, a real mess.

What is he doing here?

Well, Nancy resented what
she called my interference

and when the judge awarded custody
to Eric of the children, why...

Well, she developed

a rather serious
drinking problem.

She took the children
and just left the state.

Well, Eric was devastated.

Those children mean
everything to him.

I figured if I kept him
around here

somehow it
would all work out.

It's a soap opera.

But it has nothing to do
with being shot at.

Val, don't you see?

You have these little dramas
swirling around you.

It's like when I
came in here yesterday.

There was some kind of
beef going on in here.

Those two guys looked like they
wanted to take a poke at you.

Oh, Norman's volatile.
That's his nature.

Yeah, well, what about
the irate customer?

Joe?

Oh, believe me,
attempted murder's

the last thing he needs.

Yeah
Joe?

Joe Zakarian.

He married Cynthia Germaine
about eight months ago

and all his dreams
came true.

Oil wells, supertankers,

the right resorts
and never an off-season.

Everything he ever wanted.

Well, it didn't
happen overnight.

He was hustling
for quarters

out in Gardena
when he was 14.

But Joe's got
the sweet life now.

Boy, oh boy.

Mmm-hmm.

From soap opera
to Harold Robbins.

Why didn't you
tell me about this before?

Well, tell you what?

You and Joe Zakarian.

You had an affair,
didn't you?

Well, what happened?

He break it off and you
threatened to tell Cynthia?

I didn't.

I'd never do
a thing like that.

Oh, of course you wouldn't.

But you'd say it.

Yeah, in a triangle
that's breaking up,

those things
always get said.

You really should've
told me about it, Valerie.

Jim.

What's his address?

Uh, Ambazac Way
in Bet-Air.

It's 22515.

But Joe wouldn't hurt me.

Val, he came in
here yesterday

with a great show of outrage

threatening a lawsuit.

Now you should be
the last person in the world

that Joe Zakarian would
want to antagonize. Right?

But that was
quite a scene. Why?

It doesn't make sense.

Of course it does.
He was trying to protect himself.

Look, if you got to Cynthia

before he got to you,
he'd just claim

that your story of an affair
was revenge for being fired.

He could lie to his wife
and make her believe it.

Or, if he managed
to kill you,

who'd accuse him?

He was the guy who
was gonna take you to court.

If I can place him in front
of your house last night, Val,

I've got the motive
and I got the man.

I'll get it.

What?
Mrs. Zakarian,

I'd like to talk
to you, if I may.

You want to talk to me enough
to carry some bags downstairs?

Sure, why not?

Ordinarily, I don't lift anything
heavier than a coke spoon,

but I'm so damned mad,
I can't wait

to get the hell out
of this dump.

Oh, the rest of the
luggage is upstairs.

All right, what is it?

Oh, my name is Rudy Crandall.
I'm with Pointer Interiors.

Terrific.

Just what I need in my life.

Someone else from
Pointer Interiors.

Valerian Rybar is
out there somewhere,

but who'd know it.
Yeah, well, Mrs. Zakarian,

I realize there's been some
problem about the decorum.

But nevertheless, the fabric
on the couches downstairs

was supplied by our company.

The furnishings,
the draperies...

I'm really not interested
in hearing your inventory.

Well, there's a bill outstanding,
an extremely large bill.

If you could just give me some
idea when we might expect payment.

Whistle for it.

Now, Mrs. Zakarian,
I realize

that you're
a little short of patience,

but then so am I.

You see, your husband
was supposed to meet me

at a restaurant
last night at 8:00.

We were gonna
discuss this very matter,

but then he never showed up.

He left me sitting there,
looking at some cheap art.

Hmm. Well,

if you want to know where
my husband was last night,

ask Valerie Pointer.

I guess you could say
we were both stood up.

My husband and I went
to a party last night.

People are still
celebrating our idyllic marriage.

He spent the first
part of the evening

trying to reach
somebody by phone.

Then he left.
I followed him.

I found him parked across the
street from Valerie Pointer's,

waiting for her
to come home.

Well, what time was that?
Cynthia.

9:30.

Well, you still gonna
help me carry my bags?

Well, I think Mr. Zakarian
has something else in mind.

Cynthia, go to your room.

Close the door.

Go to my room?

What do you think
I am? Ten years old?

Move.

You've got
a hell of a nerve

ordering me around.
This is my house.

Move!

Damn you!

You're not thinking
this through, Zakarian.

It's only
attempted murder now.

Cynthia knows you were there.

The marriage is over.

What happened?

Oh, my God!

Looks like we finally
nailed the guy trying to kill Val.

But I'd like to get
Zakarian talking for himself.

You're not gonna get anything
out of him, Dennis.

The doctor said
he had a severe concussion.

Well, he said something sounded
like "ox blood." It's a color.

They're decorating
their house. Or they were.

Get somebody
over here to get his statement

when he comes to.
Yes, sir.

What'd he say?

Well, nothing.
He's unconscious.

But his wife puts
him in front of your house

a half-hour
before the shooting

and we do have motive.

He was trying to keep
your affair quiet.

I guess that's that.

Yeah, well, you're still
gonna have to live through

the newspaper stories
and the trial and

none of that's
gonna be very pleasant.

I know, but what matters
now is it's over.

Thank you for
everything, Lieutenant.

Yeah, thanks
a lot, Dennis.

Yeah, I'll keep in touch.

I'd never have told Cynthia
about our relationship.

Joe should have known that.

Val,

how did he happen
to hire you to do the house?

Well, when I heard he'd
bought the place in Bet-Air,

I told him I'd like him to
consider my company for the job.

It didn't occur to you
that he might

take that as an ultimatum,

as a pay-off
for your silence?

Of course not.

He was always doing
little favors for me.

Just the other day my car wouldn't
start and I was late for an appointment

so I called Joe
and he came right over.

I'll bet he did.

Now, what's that
supposed to mean?

A married man,
with a wife who's known

for her jealousy,
and he just drops everything

and comes running
when you call?

Now, come on, Val,

doesn't that sound a little
more like guilt than friendship?

Oh, no, Jim.
You don't understand

the kind of
relationship we had.

Oh, I think I do.

But don't worry about it.
It's all over now.

Jim!

Jim, you all right?

That wasn't no backfire.

Oh, yes it was.
I thought I had

this whole thing
all wrapped up.

I want you to go
inside, call Dennis,

tell him what happened.

Tell him it was
the guy on the beach,

the one who took
the first shot at Valerie,

and he'd better get
some protection on her quick.

Are you going
over to her place?

No, I'm gonna go see

if I can get a line on
that lady in the Porsche.

That's about all we got left.

Ah, some life you live,

coming home,

getting shot at,
getting in your car

and tearing off.
Some life, I say.

Some life.

Oh, hey,
I'm really glad to see

they're springing
for some posters.

You know, the last
rally was a joke.

The thing was over before
anybody knew about it.

You go all the way down there, you'd like
to see a little competition, you know?

Yeah.

Is there, uh, something
I can do for you?

Well, yeah.
Oh, this is not my car.

It's a loaner, you know.
My Targa's in the shop.

The, uh, Deutsche Craftwork.
You know the place?

Over on Lancashire?
Yeah, yeah.

Well, you know
just as I was, uh,

pulling in there,
the girl driving out.

She was driving a black Turbo
Carrera with all the options.

I figure anybody
that's got a car like that

and keeps it waxed
the way she does,

she'd be
a member of the car club.

We don't give out any
information on our members.

Well, she was
a stone fox, pal,

but it's not what you think.

Uh,

do you think I could speak to you
just confidentially, you know?

That, uh, depends on
what you got to say.

Yeah. As I was puling in,
she was pulling out.

Now, this mechanic, he is screaming,
he's going tapioca, you know?

But Otto, the manager,
he's saying, "Forget it.

"Let it go. Just forget it."

But I think it's dangerous.

I'm not following you
at all.

Well, look, she brought her
car in here to get work done.

They popped the heads
on the thing

just to see if the valves
were sealing right.

And of course,
they were up to factory specs,

so he puts the head back on,
then he goes to lunch.

He never torqued
the head bolts down.

But if she drives it that way
for any length of time...

She's gonna have pistons
up in the seat with her.

But before Otto is ever gonna
admit that he made a mistake,

he's gonna let her blow
that engine all over the road.

Well, that's criminal.
That's Otto.

Well, he ought to be reported.

Yeah, that's why
I came in here.

I figured maybe you could help
me find her and I could warn her.

She's a brunette,
about 20.

I did a little
eavesdropping

but I didn't quite
get the name.

You know it sounded like,
uh, Ludwig.

The incompetence!

You wouldn't believe
the horror stories I've heard.

Oh, boy.

Boy, that's a good-looking car.
Yeah.

Do you think you could take a
look at that membership roster?

Don't have to. Sounds like
Sandy Ludner to me.

Look, you hang on a minute,
I'll get you her address.

Miss Ludwig?

I thought you were on
your way back to San Diego.

I was. I mean, I am.

Well, I just stayed in town long
enough to... To change your name?

Get out of my way.
Now, wait a minute.

I've been shot at today

and, quite frankly,
I'm not in a very good mood.

So, I'm gonna be
a little blunt about this.

Right now, you're an accessory
to an attempted murder.

If you don't give me
the answers I need,

you're liable to end up an
accessory to the real thing.

I'm not an accessory.

You're working for whoever's
trying to kill Mrs. Pointer.

No!

You tried to hire
me off the case

so whoever it is could work
without any interference.

No.

That's not
the way it was at all.

Look, I'm an actress.

I didn't even get
paid for this gig.

I did it as a favor.

Who was the favor for?

He told me that you were
working for his ex-wife

and she was trying to make
some trouble for him.

He said that if I could
get you out of town...

Look, I didn't know anything
about trying to kill people.

If I'd known that,
I never would have done it.

Now you've gotta believe me.
I'm not an accessory.

I'm just starting
to get featured parts.

Who was the favor for, Sandy?

Eric Genther.

Eric?

Look, now, I've been
absolutely straight with you.

Now, can you keep me out of it?
I just got myself a new agent.

He's got a lot
of faith in me.

He's pushing me
really, really hard.

Now, can you
keep me out of it?

Things are just
starting to happen.

Brian?
Brian, it's Sandy.

Well, I just did...
I just did something really, really dumb.

He scared me, you know?
Talking about being

an accessory to murder.

Well, if! hadn't have been
so hard up for money

you know, never
would have gotten into this,

I copped out
about Eric.

What do you mean,
you copped out?

It was that
private detective, um...

Rockford. I told him,
I said yeah,

Eric's trying to kill
his mother-in-law.

But listen, didn't say
anything about you.

I never mentioned your name.

Yeah. You left that to Eric.

Well, it's his word
against yours.

Listen, Sandy,
Valerie Pointer saw me.

Well... Well, maybe
Eric won't say anything.

Yeah, he won't if I have
a chance to shut him up.

Eric.

Jim. What are you
doing here?

I called the showroom.
They told me where to find you.

Yeah. Weekly lesson.

It's not Val, is it?
Nothing's happened to Val?

Well, now, that sounds
almost like genuine concern.

It is!

Eric, I, uh,
talked to Sandy Ludner.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Look, I've really
got to get back to work.

Eric, there's still
time to stop this.

Val's still alive,
and so am I.

You?

Yeah, whoever you hired made
a try for me at my trailer

a couple of hours ago.

He came close.

I told him.

He's crazy.

I tried to stop him, Jim.
After that morning on the beach,

when I saw what
I'd gotten into,

I tried to stop him
but I couldn't.

He panicked.
He'd been seen.

He was determined
to kill Val, then you,

after it looked like you were
asking the right questions.

I wasn't aware
I had asked any.

It was my key card he used
to get into the parking lot.

Who is he, Eric?

His name's Brian Tegg.

He runs a flight school
out at Van Nuys Airport.

I've been taking private lessons from him.
So has Sandy.

Nobody ever quite measures
up to Val, do they?

We're all a big
disappointment to her.

But you watch. She's gonna
smile gamely and go right on.

You blame her
for the divorce?

She ruined Nancy.
She ruined our marriage.

All I wanted
was my kids back.

How was killing
Val gonna do that?

I wasn't trying to kill her.
I only wanted to scare her.

I thought it would force
her back into the state.

Once they were here I could grab
the kids and that'd be that.

What happens now?
I turn myself in?

You don't have any choice.

Come on,
my car's outside.

I'll call Dennis and have
him meet us at the airport.

My car's out in the street.

Hey, what's that guy
in the chopper doing?

It's Tegg.
Are you sure?

How do you know?
I recognize the plane.

That maniac.
He's gonna kill us.

Looks like the idea.
Just hold on.

He's still behind us.

You're pretty good at this.

Where is he now?
Yeah, he's behind us.

No, he's gotta be on top.

He is. He's right above us.

He's still there.

I'm gonna try something.

Thanks for the lift,
you guys.

I am really looking forward
to that chili, Rocky.

That was so sweet of you
and Jim to bring it by.

Well, after all
you been through,

I figured you wouldn't feel
like doing any cooking.

Couldn't we buy you a cup of
coffee or something for now?

Oh, no, thank you.
I have to get back to the showroom.

Without Eric,
it is so hectic.

Have you heard from Nancy?

No, but I understand
she called Eric.

Oh, she'll be calling.

You know, the shock and all.

I don't know.
Realizing that

two people
wanted me dead.

Well, that's just
plain craziness, that.

Eric thinking he's gonna get
his kids back by killing you.

And that other fella.
Joe Zakarian.

Oh, he thought he had the perfect
cover after the first attempt.

He was just taking
advantage of an opportunity.

Well, it's all over now,

and that's what counts.

Thank you.

I suppose it is over.

Thank you, Jim.
Thank you for my life.

You know, I've been having
trouble with my car lately.

It's the starter, I think.
Could you stop by and take a look at it?

Well, I, uh...
Whenever you have time.

Okay.

Bye. Bye, Val.

Now, there goes
quite a little lady.

Yeah, she's had
a rough life too.

More than enough
for any one person.

You know, sonny,
seeing her again, well, it...

It's sort of
opened up my eyes.

I mean, well,
I never drop her a line on her birthday

or pick up the phone
to call her at Christmas time,

and, well, what I mean
is that seeing her again

just made me feel kind of...

Guilty?