Original subtitles

Nick.

Putting in A six day week, huh?

I'’ve been calling Your place since noon.

I got no answer, So I got to figure, morton,

Oh, you'’re some smart guy.

You can'’t take No for an answer?

Saving the good stuff, hm?

Just taking some work Home for the weekend,

- that'’s all, nick. - come on!

You think I'’m so dumb I don'’t know?

You made the deal, Didn'’t you?

No, I didn'’t, nick.

We'’ve been partners For nine years.

You come to me, you want to Put a torch to the business

And I say, "Absolutely no!"

So who cares What nick thinks?

Nine years hard work.

One of the best seasons We ever had last year,

And it All goes up in smoke?

That was last year, nick.

How much further can we go With plastic cups and saucers?

We are doing fine.

Who needs to be a millionaire?

Me, nick.

Look, you'’re an old man.

For you it'’s fine, But I'’m still young.

We'’ve got A once-in-a-lifetime chance

With this deal Catlin'’s offering us.

Do you know what you'’re Talking about with this fire?

Fraud.

This deal Takes cash, nick.

No! No, it takes Something else.

Something I don'’t have.

Call it off.

- I can'’t! - you want me to call him?

Give me his name. I'’ll stop him.

It'’s too late.

Don'’t you understand Anything, nick?

All right.

Have it your own way, But I warn you,

If we have this fire, I talk to the police.

I tell them Everything I know.

You can'’t do that, nick.

No, I'’m not going to jail.

Not for this business.

Not for you, And especially not for you.

Nick, you don'’t understand.

Nick, you got to listen to me!

You don'’t understand. Nick!

Come on. Get your hands off me.

Nick!

- yes? - this is vince hackley.

You told me to Check in with you.

Everything'’s set.

We'’ll go ahead... What we talked about.

You checked With your partner?

He'’ll go along.

Are you sure you want To go ahead?

Yes, you'’ve got your deposit. Now do the job.

All right, but you better Get out of the city

So you have an alibi.

It'’s already taken care of.

I'’ll see you monday, The same place?

Right.

What are those kids Doing in that building?

It'’s supposed to be locked. You better pull over.

Hey, you!

But they'’re gonna catch you.

No, I'’ll be all right. You go ahead.

I'’ll follow him.

You take her.

Hey!

Don'’t let me stop you, pal.

Where did he go?

Who?

- I lost the other one. - yeah, mine'’s gone too.

Now, what do you suppose they Were doing in that building?

Hey.

Hey, nolan. Move it.

I don'’t want to be Out here all night.

Keep those people Back, come on.

Oh, yeah. Far out.

What is this, a guy fawkes Birthday celebration?

Don'’t ask me, kojak.

I just put them out.

Your stiff'’s on The third floor,

And a couple of your men Are already up there.

Aren'’t you gonna ask me Who guy fawkes is?

What do you want from me?

Who'’s the fire Marshal on the job?

I saw jess egan go in About 20 minutes ago.

Nolan, get those hoses up!

Come on, Let'’s get out of here!

Terrific.

What did you use to put Out this fire, nasal spray?

They might as well have. How are you, theo?

Hanging in there.

Hey, did you hear this one About the, uh--eh, forget it.

What'’ve you got?

Five alarms. Started on the floor below.

Some kind of a printing company.

Place was roaring before the Engine company could respond.

Your, uh, corpse is in here.

Oh.

Hey, what was this place Before dante took over?

Tallman-vane plastics company.

Cups, dishes, containers.

This is tallman'’s-- Was tallman'’s office.

- is this him? - no, no, nick vane.

We salvaged part of his wallet. He'’s the partner.

Oh, yeah, what happened?

Well, the engine company Found him like that

With the bookcase On top of him.

All right. Where'’s the m.E.?

He'’s on his way.

In his partner'’s office-- What'’s he doing here?

Why didn'’t he get out?

Well, the bookcase Must have fallen

On top of him Before he made it to the door.

Oh, is that so?

And how did the bookcase Fall on top of him?

Fire.

Really?

In other words, The victim is so nearsighted

That he waits for the room To be all ablaze,

And then he lets a ton Of books fall on top of him?

Lieutenant, he could have Passed out from the fumes

Before the fire got up here.

It happens that way.

That'’s right.

- that'’s right. - ah, jesse.

If the fire Made the bookcase fall,

Wouldn'’t it be more Charred on the bottom?

Yeah. I see what you mean.

It'’s evenly charred From top to bottom.

And what does that Mean to you, baldy?

Well, it must be that The bookcase fell on top of him

Before the fire hit the room.

You know something? You'’re right.

You thinking homicide?

Me? Never.

Call forensic. Have them get a team down here.

And then call the m.E. And tell Him I want to see that report

As soon as it becomes official.

What happened?

They don'’t know yet.

A cab driver spotted A boy and girl

Running away from the building Around 10:00,

Just before the fire Was discovered.

A boy and a girl. Juvenile vagrancy, huh?

I thought their specialty Was burning down public schools.

The cab driver got A good look at the boy,

But the girl was too far away For an accurate description.

All right. Take a letter please, james.

I want you to get the witnesses Together

With a sketch artist, okay?

Get that composite Out to everybody.

And then I want you to round up Everybody who works

In this building and find out What they were doing

This evening, all right? Everybody.

Okay.

Hello.

What'’s this?

I don'’t know. It was just there.

Really?

Uh-huh.

Come on, jess.

What have we got In the building?

We got a print shop, Tallman-vane plastics,

Candle fashions On the fifth floor,

And a wholesale furniture Showroom on the sixth floor.

All right, I want a rundown On all of them, okay?

Financial statements, bank Accounts, personnel files,

Insurance--oh, yeah, Especially insurance, okay?

- go ahead. - yes, sir.

Hold it.

Look, I'’ve got to get inside.

My name is morton tallman. I own a company in here.

Lieutenant kojak, New york police.

You can'’t go in there.

But my partner, nicholas vane, They told me that--

Yeah, we know about that, Mr. Tallman,

But there'’s nothing you Can do for him now anyway.

Nick, I just don'’t believe it.

I was I white plains, My sister'’s,

When they contacted me.

Uh-huh. What was he doing here?

I beg your pardon?

It'’s saturday night.

Does he usually work this late?

Nick was a widower; The business was his life.

We found him in Your office, mr. Tallman.

Why is that, do you suppose?

I don'’t know.

Any number of reasons--

He might have wanted something From my files.

We had no secrets From each other.

You got a telephone number?

You know, maybe I want To talk to you later.

What'’s to talk about?

My best friend and partner dead.

My business a pile of ashes.

Well, surely the tenants Must have had insurance,

Mr. Tallman.

Insurance?

What is insurance? Money?

By the time I take to rebuild,

My customers, where are they? With somebody else.

You can'’t buy customers With money.

You'’ve got to have product.

And you can'’t find a partner Like nick anymore.

Not these days.

I had a great business, Lieutenant.

If I could buy it back with Every penny of insurance

I collect, I'’d be the luckiest Man in the world.

You got the telephone number?

Very nice. Thank you.

- yeah, who asked him? - huh?

You know, you ask some guys The time,

And they start giving you A whole dialogue

On now to build a watch.

Here, when you start Checking your personnel,

Check this guy out First, will you?

Come on.

So what do you Want me to say?

The boss is in Financial problems?

Go ask him, Not me.

M.E.'’s office on line Two, lieutenant.

The incomparable agajanian.

Me kojak. What have you got, incomparable?

The deceased, nicholas vane,

Succumbed to a blow on the head.

Fractured skull.

Massive cerebral hemorrhage.

Death must have been Virtually instantaneous.

Was this before Or during the fire?

Oh, definitely before.

Insufficiency of toxic waste In the lungs.

But there was Some toxic waste?

Dear boy, anyone breathing The perfumed airs

Of baghdad on the hudson Inhales toxic matter,

But never in the quantity Ingested by most fire victims.

Can you pinpoint The time of death?

It might take all summer.

Issues like that have Stumped greater minds than mine.

Thanks. Would you send me a copy?

Thank you.

Okay, miss, uh--

Mrs.

Mrs. Teresa ryan.

Mrs. Teresa ryan.

And you'’re the switchboard Operator

At the tallman-vane plastics?

Yes, sir.

What'’s the matter, You nervous?

Oh, I guess I'’m just not Too crazy about police stations.

I'’ll tell you something; Neither am I.

Lieutenant, This report just came in

From the fire marshal'’s office.

Egan was right.

The fire started in a storeroom On the second floor.

Yeah, but does he know How it started?

Well, they'’re Still working on it.

Sounds like a press Release from gracie mansion.

Well, How we doing out there?

Uh...

Well, I know this doesn'’t Exactly look like much now,

But, uh, do you recognize this?

It looks like Mr. Tallman'’s trophy

From the association.

Where exactly did he normally Keep it, do you know?

I'’m not sure.

On the bookshelf?

No, I don'’t think so.

There was a table with three Or four trophies all together.

But I went in there Very little,

And I couldn'’t be certain.

One more thing Before I let you go,

Mrs. Riley-

Ryan.

Ryan, yeah.

Do you recognize this man?

No.

- are you sure? - I'’m sorry.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I guess that'’s it. Thank you very much.

Lieutenant, Maybe we got something here.

Like what?

This is mrs. Paulfred.

No, paulford, Mr. Tallman'’s secretary.

Yes, mrs. Paulford.

This man, I'’m sure, is luis rivera.

He worked in our stockroom About three weeks ago.

Mr. Vane had to let him go.

Luis was very upset, but the Shipments had slowed down,

And we didn'’t need him.

Would you say That'’s a good likeness?

It'’s almost perfect.

And anybody in your Office would recognize him?

You had to be blind Not to remember luis.

I mean, he wasn'’t exactly What you'’d call

A shrinking violet.

Thank you, mrs. Paulford.

This way, mrs. Paulford.

Right through here.

Go over there and get Three hot dogs, huh?

No mustard on mine.

Lots of sauerkraut.

Luis rivera.

Yeah.

I'’m lieutenant kojak,

Manhattan south, Detective division.

I'’m your friendly cop.

Look, your sister told me I could find you here.

I got a couple questions To ask you.

What kind of questions?

Take it easy, luis, eh?

Come on. I'’ll buy you a hot dog.

We can chat over lunch.

Am I under arrest?

Would you knock it off?

Thanks.

Hey, look, if you want to be Arrested, I'’ll arrest you.

Have it your way.

Okay, okay, Your way.

That'’s a three second Violation, wise guy.

- no sauerkraut? - no sauerkraut.

Put some more relish on it.

Recognize that pretty face, Luis?

Come on, what is this?

Two witnesses Saw this face leave

Your ex-employer'’s building Saturday night.

Tallman-vane plastics.

And this morning it'’s just One big hunk of goo.

And you, luis, You'’re the prime candidate

For arson and murder. ¿comprende, amigo?

Hey, man. It couldn'’t have been me.

I wasn'’t anywhere near there.

I was out walking by the river.

Oh, I see.

You'’re gonna tell me now You were skinny dipping?

The perfect innocent.

Uh, they didn'’t have Sauerkraut.

I got you one with chili.

You know what I think, luis?

I think you were bugged at Nick vane for letting you go.

I also think you went There that night,

You creamed him With the trophy

And then set fire to the whole Joint to cover it up.

What do you think?

You'’re gonna make me Take you down and put you

In the line-up, right? You know they'’re gonna I.D. You,

But you'’ll let me do it Just the same.

Why should I make Your job any easier?

Because you bought Me a hot dog?

Would it help if I threw in an egg cream?

Come on, let'’s go.

Mr. Tallman, you told me

Everything was set With your partner.

It was.

The police Are suggesting homicide.

Are you crazy?

I don'’t know what nick Was doing there

Any more than you do.

Don'’t play your games with me.

I read the papers.

Your partner was dead Before that fire started.

The bookshelf must have Fallen on him, that'’s all.

You were there.

Look--

Look, You knew there was a risk.

This match job, It was your idea, not mine.

You approached me.

I needed some extra money. You needed a fire.

But I never would have been A part of anything like this.

Okay. Take it easy.

Nobody can connect us.

As long as we don'’t See each other,

The police will never Put it together.

Don'’t worry.

Don'’t worry. I am worried.

You did a good job. They'’ve got nothing to go on.

Let'’s hope not.

It'’s all there.

One thing, mr. Tallman.

I know the law.

There'’s a statute Of limitations on arson,

But not on murder.

So don'’t make any trouble For me.

So long, kid.

You'’ve got to be kidding.

You don'’t want to book him?

Two impeccable witnesses Pick him out of a line-up

And place him at the scene.

By his own admission, He'’s got no alibi.

On top of that, He had means,

Motive and mucho Opportunity.

Now, come on, theo, What more do you want?

I just don'’t think He'’s guilty, mack.

Well, is that one Of your famous hunches

Or does it come with some Reasons attached?

All right, Let'’s start with the fact

That it'’s saturday night.

Now, rivera has a beef To settle with vane.

What makes him think he'’s gonna Find him there on the weekend?

But more significantly,

Why does he go looking For vane in tallman'’s office?

Well, maybe he didn'’t go up There looking for vane at all.

Maybe it being saturday, He figured nobody was there.

Maybe he was burgling the joint, And vane walked in on him.

Ran rivera'’s Prints through b.C.I.

Want to know something?

Didn'’t come up with A yellow sheet.

Not even a juvenile misdemeanor.

Hey, theo.

Sirhan sirhan didn'’t have A yellow sheet either.

Okay, Let'’s say you're right.

Let'’s say that It'’s a simple case of b&e.

Let'’s say that vane comes In and surprises rivera.

Let'’s say that Rivera slugs vane.

In order to cover Up his crime,

He sets fire to the joint.

Tell me this: why does he Go downstairs to the floor

Below in order to Set up the blaze?

And why does he wait until The building'’s really cooking

Before he decides to split?

Maybe he was afraid to leave

Until he was absolutely certain

The flames had reached Tallman'’s office.

Ah. All right.

Now, here'’s a report From jess egan

From the fire marshal'’s Office,

And they covered The building from head to foot

Looking for A cause for willful arson.

You know what they come up With?

Zilch. Cause of fire: unknown.

- so? - so what are you saying?

A kid who drops out From high school,

Who gets an "F" in chemistry--

You mean he adlibs a fire that Baffles the entire arson squad?

Hey, look, I know he'’s lying.

- I know he was there. - well, then why?

Because he'’s frightened.

I mean, wouldn'’t You be in his place?

If he didn'’t kill vane And he didn'’t start the fire,

Enlighten me.

What the hell Was he doing there?

They, frank. What were they doing there?

He was with a girl, remember?

Look, I won'’t book him,

But I can hold him for 36 hours On an open charge, right?

Why don'’t I do that?

Maybe I can come up With some answers, okay?

Okay.

Yeah.

Captain, lieutenant, The insurance records on the

Four tenants in the building, And they'’re all insured.

In a fire trap like that, That'’s no surprise.

The biggest insurance Policy is on tallman-vane,

- $900,000. - yes, which tallman claims

Doesn'’t begin to even Begin upon their losses.

Well, maybe not.

The invoice shows The orders for this year

Are up about 50%, So they'’re not doing so bad.

That'’s not much of a reason To order a fire, is it?

Not for tallman, maybe, But for the print shop,

That fire was A death house reprieve.

As of two days ago, They were within

Spitting distance Of the bankruptcy court.

- yeah, sure. - oh, come on, theo.

That is where the fire started.

I know, but the body was Found on the floor above.

You making any headway With the bank records?

Well, they'’re just starting To come in now.

All right, keep an eye peeled

For large sums of money Unaccounted for.

Do you understand?

Maybe a check made out to cash.

If this was a professional Torch job--

And I'’m betting that it Was--it didn'’t come cheap.

Go ahead.

All right, frank.

Assuming luis rivera'’s innocent,

I'’m convinced that vane's Killer knew

There was gonna be a fire.

I'’m not saying He touched it off himself;

I'’m saying he had Advance knowledge

And he thought that he Could cover up a murder.

And you think it was tallman?

Anything else Would be an affront

To cosmic orderliness.

Cosmic my astronaut.

You heard crocker'’s report.

Now just give me one good Reason why a man

With nothing to gain And everything to lose

Would buy himself a matcher.

Well?

Well, I can'’t, frank.

"I can'’t, frank." Brilliant.

One moment, please.

Leonard doppler.

Leonard, how are you?

I'’m just fine, morton.

Just fine.

It'’s you that I'm worried about.

Oh, I'’m all right.

I was expecting some more money.

Considering That arson is suspected,

That would be rather risky For me right now, morton.

But lenny, You were telling me--

But me no buts, tallman.

You'’re already into me For 50 big ones.

Now you want $350,000 more By the end of the month,

Only I don'’t hear What you'’re telling me

On account of the noise The cops are making.

Lenny, I swear to you, Nothing--

Swear to your rabbi, Not to me.

For me it'’s enough That the heat goes off.

You'’re gonna take care Of that, aren'’t you morton?

Yes. Yes, of course.

Good. That'’s what I wanted to hear.

Now, once the heat goes off, You give me a call.

Only don'’t make Me wait too long.

Good-bye, leonard.

Agnes, get me selwyn catlin.

Come in, lieutenant.

Please forgive the mess.

Miss paulford and I are using This as a temporary office.

- sit down, please. - thank you.

My I offer you some Refreshments--

- coffee, a highball? - no, thanks.

Mr. Tallman, Selwyn catlin on the line.

I can'’t speak to him. Tell him I'’ll call him later.

He'’s going out any minute.

Just apologize to him.

Tell him I have a visitor.

Mr. Catlin, the real Estate entrepreneur?

Well, yes. Do you know him?

Entrepreneur is a good Word for a new york kid.

No, I don'’t know him, Just by reputation.

We'’re not actually friends,

Just occasional Golfing partners.

Different lines.

The only thing we share In common is a 4 handicap.

Is there some problem, Lieutenant?

I mean, with the insurance, The fire.

Why, should there be?

What I meant was, I understand

You'’ve arrested the rivera boy.

Oh, yes.

Well, we'’ve detained him For questioning.

You see, we now know that Somebody killed your partner

And left the body There to burn, you know,

To make it look Like an accident.

And you think luis did it.

Of course. I suppose he could have done it.

He publically Threatened nick,

But I assume you know that.

Because vane fired him.

That'’s what I don't Understand mr. Tallman.

I mean, you said you had A thriving business,

And yet you let A little stock boy go--why?

Oh, we were--we were Temporarily not shipping.

A seasonal lull, that'’s all.

We had no need For rivera'’s services.

I understand.

It'’s a pity luis Couldn'’t see it that way.

Nick might be alive if he had.

Oh, I don'’t think so.

But you said luis--

No, no. You said.

See, I don'’t believe That luis did it.

I'’m...Taking up a little Too much of your time.

Thank you.

What do you mean, You did it again?

Did what again? Who are we talking about?

Tallman.

First he goes into this whole Scenario about luis rivera,

Which I didn'’t ask for.

And then when the name of Selwyn catlin came up,

He acts like the only time He ever saw him

Was over a 9-iron.

Oh, come on, theo.

You'’re not suggesting That catlin,

A man with his reputation,

Would involve himself In something like this?

He'’d be crazy.

An operation the size of his?

Tallman'’s fire insurance Wouldn'’t keep catlin

In real estate brochures.

Still, there'’s a connection.

Now look, More of a connection

Than there probably should be In a two-seated golf cart.

Look, mack, you'’ve got Connections, in real estate.

Why don'’t you put out The hooks there?

Maybe you can come up With an angle for me.

- what are you gonna be doing? - you want to know why

Luis rivera keeps putting His head in a chopping bag

And lying to me, right?

Well, I think you deserve An intelligent answer.

Oh, yeah, the knicks Could use you.

Yeah? Well, I'’ll go down

To the garden, Man, and try out.

You come to bust my chops?

No, baby.

Maybe I came to help your buddy.

Sure, sure.

You and the lone ranger.

Hey, look, tonto.

We got enough on your buddy Luis to send him away

To ossining for live, Throw away the key.

Oh, but you think maybe He'’s telling the truth,

Right, man?

Lying through his teeth.

I just want to know why.

I mean, why is a guy willing To take a fall

Rather than to level with me?

What do I know? I wasn'’t there.

How about his girlfriend?

I mean, maybe she can take Him off the hook?

Yeah, he'’s got a chick.

An anglo, Real pretty girl.

Yeah?

I think maybe she'’s married, Man.

No applause, Please, as I exit.

I don'’t know What you'’re talking about.

I'’m talking about Saturday night, mrs. Ryan.

I'’m talking about a loft On west 24th street

Where a young lady was seen Walking out of the building

With a one luis rivera.

Yeah?

Want him now, lieutenant?

Okay. Come on.

Okay, sit down.

Now, which one of you Compulsive liars

Is gonna Start telling the truth?

Hey, she'’s got Nothing to do with this.

Doesn'’t she?

Now look, either you start Saying something significant

Or I'’ll see that you both Wind up in rikers island,

And the charge-- Obstructing justice.

All right. I was there.

Luis is worried for me Because of my husband.

- teresa. - luis.

Hey, look, I'’m tougher Than anybody'’s husband.

Now you let the lady talk.

Go ahead.

There'’s a customers' Lounge on the fourth floor,

And a few months ago we started Meeting there after work.

It just developed into Something, that'’s all.

I mean, we didn'’t have any Other place to go, you see,

'’cause we don't have much Money, either of us and, uh,

We didn'’t--we couldn't afford A hotel room.

Look, lieutenant, I was 18 when I got married,

And I was 18 1/2 when I knew I made a mistake.

All right, I was wrong, But I love luis.

With me, he'’s kind And he'’s gentle.

That'’s terrific.

But I'’m not looking For a character reference.

I just want to know what Time you went to the building.

8:00, maybe a little after,

But we went straight To the fourth floor.

- did you go together? - yeah.

Around 10:00, I smelled the smoke.

Out in the hall We saw the flames

Shooting up the rear Stairwell.

That'’s when we ran.

You see anybody Else in the building?

The door was locked, Lieutenant.

That was a beautiful Old fashioned move.

Now, during the time

That you were both up On the fourth floor...

Did luis rivera Ever leave your sight?

No, I swear it.

Look, we didn'’t have anything To do with anything, man.

I just didn'’t want to Make trouble for teresa.

You know how it is.

Oh, yeah, I know how it is.

Hey, look, teresa,

The phone logs Were destroyed; I know that.

But I also know that Mr. Tallman was making

A lot of calls to A mr. Catlin in jersey, right?

Yes.

Was he a customer?

I don'’t know.

Did you ever see Him in the office?

I don'’t think so.

Hey, hey.

Thank you, mrs. Ryan.

Saperstein, get in here.

Release luis rivera.

Let'’s go.

Hey, I'’m releasing you, luis,

But I have a suggestion For both of you.

Oh, forget it.

Marriage counseling Is not my line of work.

So, you want to know What morton tallman

And selwyn catlin Have in common?

Catlin'’s putting up a retirement Village outside larchmont.

Tallman'’s one Of the investors.

$50 grand in front money,

Another $350,000 At the end of the month.

$50 grand.

Boy, he didn'’t get that Skimming off petty cash.

What a boor.

What'’s tallman's bank balance?

A little under $7,000.

And, uh, withdrawal?

Other than the usual,

Maybe $4,000 Over the last month.

Six checks made out to cash And endorsed by tallman.

And yet he coughed up 50 big ones. How?

He knows A warm-hearted shylock.

Yeah, but what'’s his Collateral?

The insurance.

You know, I told you The kid had promise.

Okay, he knows it will be Anyway 90 days

Before he can get a payoff, Right?

And the catlin Deal won'’t wait.

So he hits on an understanding Shylock: $50 grand now

And the rest When the fire marshal

Gives his stamp of approval.

All right, get me Jess egan on the phone.

Yeah, but theo, tallman Stands to collect $900,000.

Now, why wouldn'’t he pour The entire amount

- into catlin'’s operation? - I'’m sure he would like to,

But half of that belongs to Nick vane'’s heirs or assignees.

Tallman'’s share Is only $450,000.

50 for the shylock'’s Vigorish and how much--

Lieutenant, jess egan.

Here, hold this. Don'’t bite it.

Yeah, jess.

Yeah, suppose I want to Buy a fire--how much?

$10,000, $15,000.

What if I had $4,000?

What kind of a fire Does that buy me?

Enough to broil a couple Of steaks,

Unless, of course, You'’re dealing with an amateur.

What, are you kidding?

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Fry me two marshmallows. Thanks.

Anytime, theo.

Hi, hon.

Hi.

Bad day?

Usual.

Finish your thesis?

Almost.

What'’s this from, vince?

Well, it'’s a bonus from Insurers protection bureau.

In cash?

$4,500?

Where'’s the champagne?

I was gonna tell you Tomorrow when I didn'’t

Have any work to do So we could celebrate.

Oh, you got fired.

It'’s severance Pay or something?

I do good work. They'’re gonna promote me.

In a part time job?

When they know you'’re gonna Quit at the end of the term?

Vince, you'’re lying to me.

Why?

What'’s this all about?

Look, linda, I want a break for us.

I want to get my degree, Which we are not going to get

On the salary of a high School chemistry teacher.

So?

Vince, I don'’t understand.

Do you know how much Money I'’ve saved for us?

Sure.

$2.12.

Who can save?

$22,000.

You have $22,000?

We have.

Well, where did we Get it from, vince?

The truth.

I don'’t want a second Lie between us, ever.

Linda, I inspect People'’s factories.

If it'’s too risky For fire insurance,

I tell my company,

But I don'’t always tell them.

I get paid not to

By people who want a fire,

People who want to Collect their insurance.

You mean people Just come to you

And tell you they Want to commit arson?

Why don'’t they think You'’ll put them in jail?

Because I bring it up To them.

Look, it doesn'’t take A genius to figure out

When a guy is dying to burn Up his bad debt,

So I help him out.

But I know how to do it.

I'’m a chemistry Professor, right?

But don'’t worry, I won'’t get caught.

And anyway, I'’m through with it now.

Sure, why not?

Vince, tell me everything.

I am, really.

Did you hear anything About a fire in a plastics plant

Over the weekend?

No.

Well, that'’s what The $4,500 was for.

It was the easiest Money in the world,

But I...Got suckered By this mr. Tallman.

There was a body In that fire, linda.

Nothing to do with me, but try To convince the cops of that.

I mean, I got scared.

I'’m finished.

For good.

Is this really happening?

Are you telling me This straight?

Oh, I'’m sorry, baby.

So sorry.

This man, tallman--

Can he get you in trouble?

Can he implicate you?

No, linda.

That'’s the one thing He can'’t do.

Oh.

Okay.

Nice of you to come.

One arson, The other murder.

And the only reason I say It'’s a murder is because

The trophy was found underneath The bookstand,

And it didn'’t fall off Any shelf.

Any dissenters?

We'’re listening, lieutenant.

That'’s nice.

We got two perpetrators--

One the matcher And the other the customer.

Now, whoever knocked Off nick vane

Knew that the fire would Destroy the evidence.

If you'’re trying to tell me That a matcher

Would knock off anybody, You also got to convince me

That tinker bell knocks off Little old ladies

On the times square shuttle.

Okay, we got a deuce here.

Number one, We got the matcher, right?

The matcher.

And "X."

And now I'’m gonna make It easy for you.

"X" equals...

Well, captain?

I'’m not saying Your theory doesn'’t hold water,

Because it does.

But how do you get Past the fact

That tallman-vane plastics Was showing a rise in income?

I mean, you don'’t throw in The sponge

When the referee'’s Your brother-in-law.

Only if he just Barely wants to win.

Elucidate.

All right, Give him the numbers.

Well, I'’ve checked out A few companies

In the same line as tallman-vane Products, captain.

And the cost of raw Materials used in making

Tallman-vane products went up 51% in the last year.

Now, if their orders Were with old customers,

At old prices, They'’d barely break even.

Mr. Catlin presented tallman With a golden opportunity.

Oh, come on, frank.

You checked it out yourself.

Catlin'’s putting up A retirement village

Outside larchmont, right?

What with federal and state Aid for those projects,

Catlin'’s been turning over A profit of 400%

On his last ten Development deals.

And lately catlin'’s Becoming very generous.

He'’s taking in partners,

Eliminating his own risk.

Maybe, but that'’s perfectly Kosher and good business sense.

So enters tallman.

Yeah.

An ambitious guy with a big Taste for bread, thank you.

He figures he and his partner Go in for almost a mil,

Which they get from The insurance company

If the business burns down.

Vane says no and gets killed,

And koochie koo tallman still Collects half the insurance.

And if catlin'’s operation Runs true to form,

He stands to make 1 1/2 mil.

It'’s beautiful if you Can make it stand up.

And that'’s why we've got To find that matcher.

Without his testimony, Tallman'’s home free.

All right, crocker, What have you got?

Jess and I have gone over The past fires

And we'’ve come up with 40, Maybe 50,

In the last couple Of years that fit--maybe.

Maybe?

These are possible arsons, That'’s all.

There doesn'’t seem To be any link.

50 fires, 50 different Kinds of companies,

Maybe 16 different insurers.

But for $4,000 a job, I don'’t see it.

Well, you said It yourself, jess.

Suppose it wasn'’t one Of your standard pros.

Then how did Tallman find the guy?

You send out a feeler, You get a vet.

Every time.

And you pay the going rate, Or you go begging.

All right, suppose tallman Doesn'’t send out feelers.

Suppose the matcher Contacts him.

First off, the matcher'’d have To know about the insurance.

Then he'’d have to find out about

His prospective customer'’s Business

To determine If he was prime for a fire.

What about an underwriter Or a field investigator?

There are investigators.

They check out the company, Snoop around,

Talk to the owners,

Make recommendations To the underwriters.

These insurance outfits, they Have their own investigators?

Some do. Some hire outside people.

Most of the companies On this list hired

- insurers protection agency. - bingo.

Now, that'’s our first Common denominator.

All right.

Egan, you stick with every Possible case of arson

Where the insurers protection Agency was involved, okay?

Go back through each Company'’s financial records

Prior to that fire.

I mean, don'’t look For big withdrawals.

I'’m sure that's Been done already.

Look for ones adding Up to $3,000, $4,000,

Just like Tallman'’s withdrawals, okay?

Now, how long is It gonna take?

How many men Can you give me?

Well, we could pull A few strings, captain.

Tell them what a cushy Job it'’s gonna be.

Maybe we could get Some volunteers.

You'’re all volunteers, And thanks.

Oh. All right.

We get ourselves a matcher

And we got ourselves a murderer.

Come on, let'’s go.

Lieutenant, So far we'’re scoring runs.

Captain, $3,000, $4,000 In cash withdrawals

From 1/2 dozen Burned out companies.

Take a look at this.

So far I'’ve come Across three of these.

Inspection reports from Insurers protection bureau.

Take a look at the back.

It'’s just routine stuff.

At the bottom.

Vjh.

Somebody'’s initials?

Should be the man who made Out the inspection report.

All right, Call the company.

Lieutenant, it'’s sunday.

So it'’s sunday.

Listen, I wouldn'’t care if It'’s their leading cantor

At the mormon tabernacle.

You drag them out; I want To find out who vjh is.

You see what a terrible Quandary

You'’ve put me into, morton.

Three weeks ago, I lent You $50,000 on good faith.

True.

With the full expectation That your insurance

Settlement would adequately Cover the loan

Plus my Modest carrying fee.

I'’m not quarreling about The rate of interest.

Of course not.

You'’re in no position To quarrel about anything.

But we both know my money is In serious jeopardy now, morton.

You'’ve got to do Something about that.

I just need more time.

Time; that'’s something I just can'’t give you.

Perhaps catlin would Let you out of the deal.

No way. I can'’t go to him.

Now, listen, nick'’s death Is not going away.

Those homicide dicks Are gonna hang in there

Until they find that matcher, And when they do,

They'’ll nail you to the wall.

Frankly, I'’d hate To see that happen.

You go to jail, I lose my investment.

Of course, if that matcher Was no longer around,

They couldn'’t ever tie you To that fire, could they?

What are you suggesting?

Oh, I'’m not Suggesting anything.

It'’s sunday.

You need more Money real soon,

Or your deal With catlin goes sour.

And I'’m not gonna like that, So...

Maybe in a day or so, Things will have changed.

I can'’t do that.

It'’s your life.

Never on sundays, baby.

Lieutenant, I just spoke To the office manager.

The guy'’s name is Vincent joseph hackley,

211 lewison drive.

Mm-hmm.

Okay, let'’s go.

- yes? - vincent hackley, please.

Oh, I'’m sorry.

He just walked over to His lab on the campus.

Oh, this is mr. Stern from The insurers protection bureau.

It'’s rather important That I speak to him.

I could give him the message Or you could try

City university, 555-2390, extension 290.

Oh, well, You see I'’m in the area.

Perhaps I'’ll just drop In on him.

Which building is he in?

Chemistry building.

Second floor.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Mrs. Hackley?

Yes.

I'’m lieutenant kojak, Manhattan south.

Come in.

Thank you.

I'’m sorry. I'’ve got no choice.

Hold it!

Grab him, crocker.

Against the wall.

All right, hold it. Spread them out.

Crocker, you all right?

Yeah, I got it covered.

Ehh.

He tried to kill me.

What are you, Something special?

He killed his partner. Why not you?

Go on. After you.

It was going along So great.

Nobody got hurt except A couple of insurance companies.

I would have my Master'’s degree in june.

Three months more. That'’s all.

Yeah, well, that'’s the trouble With the globe, hackley,

You know, so many dropouts.

That'’s all right. You can pick it up again

In about, uh, five years.