Original subtitles

Someone is in here.

We've got 12 different guys that match this M.O.

A prowler drives into a residential neighborhood,

he rips off a car.

This man stole this necklace.

Seen either one of them?

I am an honest businessman.

Those are all diamonds.

It's a murder case now, Mr. Benson.

I want my necklace and I'm willing to pay for it.

Som... somebody's here.

Somebody's here.

Hey!

,, he's got my necklace!

Security guard's name is Tom Mitchell.

Used to be a police officer.

Yeah.

I know.

He, uh... he taught me how to shoot at the academy.

I didn't know that.

Retired a couple of years ago.

He's, uh... I guess he just couldn't give it up.

Con permiso.

Can you tell me what the man looked like?

It was too dark to see his face when I caught him.

The punk got lucky with a sucker punch.

I mean, he breaks in here, he threatens my wife.

I'd like to tear the guy in half.

What about when you turned on the light?

Oh, god.

I was scared.

But I saw him.

He was about six feet and he was thin

and he was wearing all black.

Was he Caucasian?

Yes.

And he wasn't bald, but he had a... a receding hairline.

I'm sorry I can't be any more help.

It happened so fast.

No.

That's all right.

You're sure that this necklace is

the only thing that's missing?

That's all.

We checked.

And how much is it worth?

Over $1 million.

Those are all diamonds.

I'm sorry, honey. I'm so stupid.

I should have locked it up as soon as we got home.

Don't worry about it.

At least you didn't get hurt.

Let's call it quits, huh?

I mean, my wife's been through enough for one night.

Sure.

If I have any more questions, I'll contact you tomorrow.

All right?

How's Tom Mitchell?

Still in ICU.

What's the story on the victims?

Floyd Benson is a self-made millionaire.

He's recently retired.

Back in the '60s, he managed a trucking firm.

Then he owned it and then he bought out three of his biggest

competitors, and he did all of that

in just a matter of months.

Is all this aboveboard?

As far as we can tell.

And the necklace that was stolen was a gift from Floyd

to Carol.

It was a second anniversary present.

We've got 12 different guys that match this M.O.

A prowler goes to a residential district at night,

rips off a car, drives into a wealthy district,

burglarizes a home, drives off, abandons the car, end of job.

Now, nobody reports anything missing until the morning,

and by then the trail's too cold.

Any way you can link these guys to last night?

Well, there's three of them that

fit the general description.

One of them's been in the slammer for a couple of days

and the other one moved to San Jose.

The third one is this guy, Charlie Spain,

medium build, about six foot, sandy hair, receding hairline.

Basically, he matches the physical description

that Carol Benson gave us.

Pick him up.

You take Benson, I'll take Spain.

Yeah.

Who is it?

Metropolitan Police.

Just a minute.

OK.

Right on time, Charlie.

Weller, you want to bring him in?

We're going to ask you folks to take a look at a couple

of people here in the lineup.

I didn't get much of a chance at the guy.

That's all right.

Just take your time.

Can they see us?

No.

Like, I told you the first time,

I was sleep when Carol turned on the light.

And it was dark while we had it out.

I didn't get a shot at his face.

I don't recognize any of them.

Would you take another look, please?

I'm sorry.

I don't think he's there.

Thank you.

Honey, I thought you said you saw the guy.

I thought I did.

Guess not, huh?

She told me she got a good look at the guy's face

and we get down here, she can identify him.

I don't know. What do you want?

I mean, it does happen. - Yeah.

I don't like when it happens to me, though.

Well, neither do I. There's still Tom Mitchell.

Come on.

Yeah.

Hi.

I'd like to see Tom Mitchell, please.

Are you a relative?

No, but I'm a good friend.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Mitchell died about half an hour ago.

It's me.

347 Victoria, second floor, first apartment on the left.

He's alone.

- Who is it? - Carol Benson.

Who?

You remember me.

You broke into my house last night

and you stole my diamond necklace.

Lady, I've never seen you in my entire life,

and I don't break into people's houses.

I want it back.

You are barking up the wrong tree, you

and that wire you're wearing.

I'm not wearing a wire.

And I look stupid enough to believe that.

There's more than one place to hide a wire.

Satisfied?

Well, let's say I believe you're not wearing a wire.

Nobody knows I'm here.

I want my necklace and I'm willing to pay for it.

$50,000.

OK.

I'll play along with this.

Some guy grabbed your necklace.

What did you say it was, diamonds?

Diamonds it is.

What's something like that worth?

Call it $1 million?

Well, that guy could get 10% from any fence.

10% of a million, $100,000.

I'll pay $100,000.

Lady, you've got to have insurance.

What's going on here?

I don't want the insurance money; I want my necklace.

Like I said, I don't have it.

This is my phone number.

If you call me, and I'm sure you will, ask for Eleanor.

I'll know it's for you and I'll take the call.

Look what I got.

Hey, Grandpa.

Look, it's all fixed.

Just a little dab of super epoxy glue, that's all it needed,

man.

And it's as good as new.

Now, watch this here.

Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy.

Grandpa, how you doing?

Oh, just fair.

Good to see you.

How you doing, Sporty?

I decapitated Bessie Smith.

Grandpa's favorite blues singer, you know, I knocked it

off the mantelpiece yesterday.

Grandma bought it for Grandpa way back there, where,

in New York World's Fair, 1939.

Because the next year Grandma died.

Yeah.

There's probably not another one like it in the entire globe.

Man, he'll never forgive me.

Well, I'm sorry, Grandpa, Sporty.

How could I mess up your life?

Sporty, where would a guy ditch a piece of ice like that?

Oh, yeah.

For something this big, you're talking about some very

rarified fencing.

Uh, individuals who like to keep a low profile.

Oscar. - Oscar.

Yeah.

You go ask Oscar.

The man who's got a pawnshop on McAllister and Western.

He doesn't he handle this level of merchandise,

but he will lead you to people who can.

Good.

Thanks, Sporty.

So, uh, what about the usual Sporty James quid pro quo?

No charge, Hunter.

Man, I've got enough on my mind right now.

Being in Grandpa's doghouse is a full-time occupation.

See you, Grandpa.

See you, Sporty.

Get in there.

In, in, in.

I can't commit myself to something over the telephone.

Oh, yeah?

Well, you bring it in here and show me it's in perfect shape.

Listen, fella, I'm open 24 hours a day almost.

Just come in here, show me your merchandise,

I'll give you a price.

It's that simple.

Don't give me any lip, for crying out loud.

Will you come in here and we'll try and do business.

I gotta go.

Is there anything I can do for you, Sergeant?

Yeah.

You ever see that before?

Do I look like I deal in diamonds?

You're a fence, aren't you?

Hey, wait a minute.

Now, I... I don't even know how to respond

to an accusation like that.

I am an honest businessman.

Yo, Oscar, my man.

I would like you to meet your police officer friend here.

Oh.

Hey, police officer friend.

Hi, Wally.

Hi.

Oh, man.

I'm so stupid.

I'm double parked.

I wouldn't watch you to give me a ticket now.

See you, Wally.

Yeah.

Now, you see what I need here is, uh,

for you to give me the name or the names of people that

can fence $1 million in gems.

Or, Oscar, I put a squad car right...

Right out there outside your door every day for a month.

Three jewelers.

There's one in Century City, there are two in Beverly Hills.

They don't do a lot, but when they do it's always major.

Great.

Thanks.

Hey, Sergeant?

Do me a favor.

Will you forget where you got that?

Forget where I got what?

How can I help you, officer?

Well, let's see.

This man stole this necklace.

Seen either one of them?

This is a jewelry store.

I know.

I've been to two just like it.

This man murdered a security guard during the robbery.

Now, if anybody had seen you two together,

you could be an accessory to murder.

Well, I don't deal in stolen items.

Though on occasion, a criminal will approach me under the, uh,

assumption that I do.

Uh-huh.

Uh, this person came in with the necklace,

I told him to get out.

That's it?

That is all, though I must say you're making

an awful fuss over a fake.

What do you mean, a fake?

Cubic zirconia, synthetic diamonds, about $5,000 worth.

A brilliant imitation.

Good enough to fool the rich and famous, but not good

enough to fool me.

This necklace is a fake?

A fake.

Wow.

Benson residence.

Is Eleanor there?

It's for Miss Eleanor.

I'll take it.

May I help you?

Hello, Mrs. Benson.

Oh, hi.

Let's say I do have that necklace of yours

and let's say I took it to a fence...

A good one, a jeweler...

And he said that they're not diamonds.

I might begin to think, why would you

shell out $100,000 for a fake?

Get to the point.

I might also start to think that you don't want anybody

else to know that it is a fake, especially not

your moneybags husband, and that you'd pay, say,

$200,000 to make sure I return the favor

and keep my mouth shut. - Is that it?

I think I've said enough.

You know where I am.

Hello?

Where are you?

Bev Hills.

I just connected Spain with Carol Benson's necklace.

I'm glad somebody is having some luck

because I'm not having any at all with these other suspects.

Yeah.

Are you sitting down?

Yes.

The necklace is a fake.

- What? - Yeah.

That's what I said.

Meet me at Spain's apartment ASAP.

He's in that apartment up over the garage there.

I want you to wait around the back for me.

I'll go in the front way.

Spain? Metro PD.

Open up.

Spain?

Spain?

McCall, he's dead.

Oh, boy.

Can you describe exactly what you heard?

Two pops just like firecrackers.

As a matter of fact, I thought that's what

it was, the neighborhood kids messing around.

Can you remember about the time

that you heard these sounds?

Oh I can exactly.

It was one o'clock.

I had just switched on "Another World" and pop, pop.

That's when it starts, "Another World," one o'clock.

Thank you.

You've been very helpful.

Sure.

So there were two shots, one to the head, one to the heart.

Looks like a .22.

Was he beaten up?

No, just the bullet wounds.

I'd say whoever came here came here to kill him.

Yeah.

You know, I still don't understand why

she'd risk everything she had.

What do you mean?

Carol's husband gives her a necklace worth $1 million.

She trades it in for cash and then

she replaces it with a fake?

Now, why would she do that?

She's young, she's beautiful, she's

married to this wealthy guy.

Why would she risk losing it all by stealing from him?

It doesn't make any sense.

Plus, $1 million is probably petty cash considering

what the guy's worth.

I mean, she already has it all.

Well, the old man's 30 years older than she is.

Maybe he doesn't give her enough space to do

what she really wants to do.

Like what?

Like take advantage of the fact she's young and beautiful.

Good theory.

Bus 2114, express...

There it is.

To Pomona, Indio,

and now boarding...

Of course, that is provided we find something in this,

uh, locker other than gym shorts.

A bag.

You do the honors.

Well.

I wouldn't want to disappoint you.

Oh, hello.

Check it out.

Think he wears out when he works out?

Good.

It'd fool me.

Cute.

There she goes.

See you later.

Keep in touch.

You got it.

This is Lincoln 56.

I need a license traced in California.

Plate 2 Paul Charles Edward 316.

Looks like, uh, unmarked police vehicle, maybe...

Maybe from Beverly Hills.

POLICE DISPATCH: Roger L56.

On California plate 2 Paul Charles Edward 316,

car is registered to Martin Greenwald, 2834 Oakwood Avenue.

Marty Greenwald the private dick?

POLICE DISPATCH Owner

is listed as licensed private investigator.

Roger.

L56 out.

Mr. Benson, please.

Oh, yes. Just a minute, please.

Right through there, senor.

Thank you.

Sergeant.

Mr. Benson.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Did you come here to give me a report about our necklace?

No.

Actually, I came here to talk to your wife.

What for?

It's a murder case now, Mr. Benson.

You mean the security guard died.

Who else would I have meant?

What are you getting at, did he or didn't he?

Yes, he did.

He passed away several hours ago.

But there's been another death.

Charlie Spain, the prowler that your wife could not identify

in the lineup, he's dead, too.

- What the hell is... - Just relax.

Just sit down.

I need to know where your wife was at exactly 1:00 PM today.

In Beverly Hills.

Every Wednesday she's got a beauty appointment

from 12:30 to two o'clock.

That's where she was.

Can I check that out?

Angela, get Sergeant Hunter the address

of Mrs. Benson's beauty parlor.

By the way, where were you today at one o'clock?

Playing golf.

Why?

Golf.

What did Marty Greenwald want?

You see, I know Marty.

I just saw him leaving.

Look, I hired Greenwald because I

want that necklace back.

Sentimental value alone, it's priceless.

I know damn well the police department care more

about finding the guy who shot the security guard

than it does about my necklace.

And I like to deal with people who work for me.

Thank you.

And, uh, thank you.

Excuse me.

Hi. - Hi.

Sergeant Hunter.

What's your name?

I'm Stephanie.

Stephanie, could you tell me if Carol Benson was

in here today at one o'clock?

Carol?

Yes.

She comes in every Wednesday at 12:30 for a facial.

- Did you see her? - Well, no.

But that doesn't mean anything.

I was probably out to lunch.

Yeah.

Could you look?

Sure.

OK.

Right here at 12:30. Hm.

Hm, what?

Well her name's not crossed out so she didn't cancel,

but there's no X, which means we don't bill her for today.

Well, that means she never showed up.

Well, that means I'm glad you looked.

Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.

What's your 20?

8900 block on Wilshire, heading east.

I'll cut over to San Vicente.

Our suspect's alibi didn't check out.

It doesn't surprise me.

Just crossed Cannon.

Lincoln 57, this is Lincoln 56.

I'm at Wilshire Boulevard and San Vicente.

OK.

Wait for us.

Hey, let's go!

Move it, you jerk!

Sorry.

You know a Carol Benson?

No.

Never heard of her.

- Where's your elevators? - Around this way.

Thank you.

I'll call the floors.

Yeah.

She just passed the fourth floor.

Got it.

She's just coming up on the eighth.

She stopped at 15.

Got it.

Hi.

Carol Benson, please.

You must have the wrong apartment.

I live here. - Well, I know that.

But, uh, I think we both know she's in there.

Do you have a search warrant?

Let him in, Jeffrey.

Thanks.

You have no business following me around.

The state of my marriage is none of your concern.

That's true, but the murder of Charlie Spain is.

I have no idea who or what you're talking about.

Well, sure you do.

Charlie Spain's the guy you wouldn't ID at the lineup.

You know, this is a very, very nice place.

What'd you do, sell the necklace to pay for all this?

Get the hell out of here.

See, when Spain found out this necklace was a fake, what

he decided to do was hide it in a locker

down at the bus station.

That's why you couldn't find it at his place.

Then Charlie got the bright idea to blackmail you over this.

That's when you killed him.

At one o'clock today, you had a facial appointment.

You missed it. Why?

I was at the bank.

The bank.

Here, they messed up my checking accounts.

Took them forever to fix it.

I missed my facial.

Look, the time and date are printed right on it.

What is it, a little after one o'clock?

Yeah.

Why don't you call the bank?

I bet there's maybe six or seven people who remember me.

I may have raised a big enough stink about it.

Very good, Carol.

Not only do you have an alibi, but you've

got one in black and white.

I bet you don't have an alibi in black and white, Jeff.

What are you trying to say?

I think what she's trying to tell

you is she didn't kill anybody.

Now, if that's the truth, then that leaves one other suspect.

What were you doing at one o'clock today, Jeff?

I was at the health club between twelve and two,

working out with at least half a dozen people.

You can go over there and check.

Let's see now, pumping iron between twelve and two

and the bank at one o'clock.

I'll check both of those out.

Don't leave town.

Appreciate it.

Let me guess.

Jeffrey's alibi check out?

Yeah.

He was doing squats with about 5,000 other guys.

What about Carol?

Two tellers and two vice presidents

will swear that she was in that bank at one o'clock.

You know, why... why is it...

Why couldn't I have been a fireman?

Oh.

You know, when you left Benson's house, guess who drives up,

Marty Greenwald.

Marty Greenwald?

You mean Marty messy divorce Greenwald, that guy?

Benson hired him to find the necklace.

What, like the whole police department wasn't good enough?

I find that kind of hard to believe.

Yeah.

So do I.

So who the hell killed Spain?

Just a sec.

Hunter.

Hi, Marty.

I, uh, was just getting ready to take off.

But, uh, come in.

You've been a good boy?

You look good.

Yeah?

Well, I try.

I, uh, see you got out of that, uh, case

with the minister's wife, you know

with the photographs of the nude women spread all over town.

The lord works in mysterious ways.

Yeah.

What were you doing is Spain's apartment?

What are you talking about?

You a hit man now?

Spain's dead.

Hey, now wait a minute.

I do... I do...

I don't know anything about Spain being hit.

And, uh, you paid Benson a little visit today.

That was your car I spotted there.

Yep.

Benson made it clear that, uh, he hired

you to find that necklace.

Necklace?

Yeah.

Yeah.

He hired me before that ever happened to tail his wife.

He thought she was having an affair.

And I got the records to prove it.

Now, that's more than I should've told you.

Are you, uh... are you gonna Mirandize.

Me?

No.

Angela.

Hi.

I'd like to see Mr. Benson.

Mr. Benson no here.

Angela, his car is in the driveway.

I know he's here.

No, he's... he's gone.

Look, Angela, you know something bad is going on here,

don't you?

Will you do me a favor?

Will you stand right here and yell

as loud as you can yell if anybody runs through this door?

Will you do that for me?

Yes.

OK.

Floyd?

Floyd?

Senor.

Senor!

Senor!

Stop, police.

Get out, Floyd.

You know, Floyd, I wasn't too sure who killed Charlie

Spain until you took off.

Now I know.

I'll be out in three days.

Spain had an affair with my wife.

No way they're going to send me up for killing the bastard.

You're right about the affair bit,

but it wasn't with Charlie Spain.

You're crazy.

I've known for months something was going on there.

And then when she wouldn't identify

that punk in the lineup, Marty followed her to his apartment.

Marty saw her getting undressed, for crying out loud.

You shot the wrong guy, Floyd.

Lincoln 56, request a 990 for a 187 suspect

in custody, 1419 Granada Drive.

Accidents will happen, you know.

It's a law of nature.

To err is human.

I am human.

I mean, I never said anything else but.

That's right.

Maybe other people might have said so, but I never did.

I am a man, and a man can make mistakes.

Right?

Forget and forget, that's my philosophy.

Too bad it doesn't run in the family.

Hunter, don't even think about coming up on this porch

unless you're bringing a whole lot of good news.

Because that's what I need today, good news.

You know?

All I've been good lately is bad news, man.

If I didn't have any bad news, I wouldn't have no news.

Grandpa, I've been thinking about you.

Uh-huh.

I picked up something over at Oscar's.

I think you're going to like this.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Hunter.

And Grandma thanks you, too. - Yeah.

Well, this is a pretty nice little situation.

Now, you keep your heads off that doll.

Do you hear me?