Randall Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969) s01e23 Episode Script

What a miserable night.
I know I should have worn - my sheepskin lining.
- You're getting soft, Jeff.
An easy job like this.
Easy? If I don't get pneumonia, it'll be a miracle.
I loathe divorce cases.
You know that, Marty? Do you mind telling me what you're doing, sir? - It's all right, Constable.
- Oh, is it, sir? Who were you talking to? Myself.
- Helps to pass the time.
- Does it now? - And just why are you passing it here? - Hello, he's after promotion, this one, Jeff.
Private detective, eh? Yes, and I'm on a divorce case.
So if you don't mind, I'd rather not be seen talking to you.
Very well.
- I suppose we've all got a living to make.
- Thank you.
I've got a feeling it's going to be one of those nights.
I bet we're stuck here till dawn.
Well, there's no point in both of us hanging about.
Thank you and good night! - Divorce case, you say? - Now, look, I don't know anything about this.
That car! The shots must have come from that car.
Car? Did you get the number? - No.
No, I didn't.
- So you're just an innocent bystander, eh? My client's husband is in that apartment block.
That's the only reason I'm here.
We'll need a statement, sir.
At the station.
- But I'm working on a case.
- So am I.
Sir.
Jeff.
I'm on a case.
Want something? - Ah, Jeannie.
- Coffee? Yeah.
Oh, yes.
What happened? Been drinking the profits again? What profits? What do you mean "again"? You should read the papers, Jeannie.
Not only was I involved in a murder last night, but I had to take the police - to apartment 214 to prove my alibi.
- Oh, no! Your client wouldn't like that.
Neither did her husband.
He was very convincing on that point.
Oh, dear.
The rent's due again.
The rent's always due.
- What's the matter? Won't it work? - It's broken down again.
Look, Jeannie, will you nip over the road to the restaurant? Get two cups of coffee.
Yeah, sure.
- Do you think you can last that long? - I'll try.
- Now what have you forgotten? - Nothing that I know of.
Are you Mr.
Randall? Er Yes.
Please - Won't you sit down? - Thank you.
I'm afraid you've caught me after a long night.
I know.
I read the newspapers.
Oh, that.
- Now, then, Miss er - Susan Lang.
Mrs.
Susan Lang.
I want to hire you, Mr.
Randall.
Immediately.
Susan Lang.
I think we can arrange to fit your case in.
Now what's the problem? My husband.
It's not an easy thing to say, Mr.
Randall, but I believe he's involved with another woman.
Have you any evidence to support this? Well no, not really.
That's why I came to you.
I'm not a demanding wife, Mr.
Randall.
It's it's just I'd like to find out if it were true.
Yes of course.
Would it be possible for you to deal with this personally? Naturally I would pay a higher fee to retain your full services.
You have them.
What I really want is a complete report of all his movements.
Every day.
And, er, night.
I've listed all the information I could think of.
Thank you.
Oh and er here's a photograph.
Now as regards the fee would an advance of 100 pounds be sufficient? Er Quite sufficient.
Well, perhaps when you have something to report, we could have some lunch.
Sure.
Ah, one thing.
Is there any place Mr.
Lang visits regularly? A place where I could ask a few discreet questions? Well, I I suppose the Pelican Club would be about the best place.
He often plays poker there.
- It's on Sycamore Street.
- Fine.
Sycamore Street? - That's where I was hast night.
- Yes.
That's why I came to you.
The man who was killed I think was mistaken for my husband.
- You didn't believe that load of rubbish? - Oh, you were listening? I caught most of it and I tell you, her aura is all wrong.
- Looked all right to me.
- You can't see it.
- Can you? - No.
But I've got my intuition.
That lady's story has got the wrong feel about it.
Well, from where I'm sitting, it feels just great.
Who was that I passed in the corridor? Good heavens! What did you do, rob a bank? A new client.
I say! - Coffee, sir? - Thank you.
- You may as well get us a new percolator.
- Ooh.
And we might even be able to afford your wages this week.
Thank you! And they're away! Karen's Delight is the first to show on the inside.
Just in behind is Candy with Royal Flush going up on the inside and Tiny Tim not far behind.
We'll never find him here.
According to Mrs.
Lang's notes he goes racing Tuesdays and Saturdays and he has a stand seat.
It's too public.
Why don't you just give Mrs.
Lang her money back? Marty, I can't afford to turn down a fee like this one.
Come on, we'll check.
It's going to be a close finish between Hoopla and Royal Flush, Hoopla it is.
Hoopla just held Royal Flush.
There, that must be it.
Block E.
Oh fancy that! - It doesn't prove anything.
- It proves his wife is telling the truth.
It could be his secretary.
Could it? Take a closer look.
Now, why should he do that? In broad daylight, with 10,000 witnesses.
- There's something very wrong here.
- Maybe we'll find out at the Pelican Club tonight.
Open.
Yes, I'm in.
Enjoying the game? Yes.
- You've been here over an hour.
- That long? Some of the players don't like to be watched.
- And there's an empty chair, right? - That's right.
Well, seeing as you put it so nicely, maybe I'll sit in for a couple of hands.
- How much there? - 90, but er It's a big game, friend.
90.
I hope you're lucky.
Who's the new face? - I don't know, but he's got a long nose.
- Pointing at Lang? Maybe.
There's only one way to find out.
Ten.
Ten and raise ten.
I'm in.
No.
- Cards? - Three.
Three.
One.
Two.
Dealer takes three.
No.
Check.
Call.
- No.
- Flush.
Beats my three eights.
You're not going? Any objections? You to bet.
Not me.
Just not my night.
- Well? - He threw in.
Then he must be tailing me.
No-one throws in four aces.
Good night, sir.
You're leaving early, aren't you, friend? - Funny you should rush off so sudden.
- I'm trying a new system.
Now, fancy that.
- That was clumsy of me.
- Wasn't your fault, Harry.
He walked right into it.
What's your game? It was an accident.
After all, you didn't really have a reason for leaving so early, now, did you? - Like following the boss, for instance.
- Boss? I like a joker, don't you, Brin? Yeah.
Pretending not to know Mr.
Lang's business.
And it's a business he likes to keep very secret, friend.
The law is very touchy understand friend? Oh, he knows.
He knows, Brin.
I do believe he wanted to find out more.
Mr.
Lang hates interfering people.
You don't understand.
He's going to have another accident, if he's not careful.
You should find a new pastime.
Following Mr.
Lang is like following your own funeral.
That's right.
Now, are you going to have another game of poker? Look, I can't afford a game like that.
- We'll lend you the money.
- You'd better hope that you win.
You only get 24 hours' credit.
Full house, queens.
And where were you all last night? - Working on the case, what else? - And? I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.
There's a few things you ought to know about Lang.
He's the biggest racketeer in town and he's tied up with gambling, protection, oh you name it.
Exactly.
How did you find out? A game of poker with certain friends of his.
They let me off lightly, though.
What?! You can't pay out that sort of money! Now, why didn't I think of that?! You never were good at poker.
Two aces and your face lights up.
Oh, thanks! And what about Mrs.
Lang? What's she really after? I don't know.
I'm having lunch with her today and she's gonna do more talking than she planned.
- You can always withdraw from the case.
- And return the advance? - Oh, yeah.
That's the tricky bit.
- Tricky? It's impossible.
- I suppose I could always borrow the money.
- Who from? - Morning, Jeff.
- Morning, Jeannie.
- From Jeannie?! - Why not? Over my dead body, that's why not! - Are you early or just late again? - Late again, I'm afraid.
- You are not borrowing from my wife.
- Widow.
A technicality, Jeff, a technicality.
I refuse to allow it.
- You've done something with your hair.
- You know very well it's the same as always.
No, I Oh, I'm trying different shampoo.
Well, it obviously suits you.
By the way, got the percolator.
Oh, did you? It's thermostat-controlled, fully automatic.
Expensive? - It did cost a bit more but er - What's money? Her security, that's what money is.
I didn't pay all that insurance for nothing.
- We all have to make sacrifices.
- Sacrifices? Oh, I was just talking to myself.
Jeannie, how are you off? Financially, I mean.
Well, I'm not exactly desperate, Jeff, but well, if you could manage some of my back pay on the weekend Er That's not exactly what I meant.
Never mind.
I've got to go and get cleaned up.
I've got lunch with Mrs.
Lang.
- I'll see you later.
Ciao.
- Ciao, ciao.
Mr.
Randall.
How nice of you to come.
- I have ordered.
I hope you don't mind.
- Not at all.
I'll have the same as the lady.
We may not have the same tastes.
I'll take my chances.
Well? Have you anything to report? When I'm paid to follow a wayward husband, - it helps to know that he's public enemy No.
1.
- Paul? - You know the sort of people he's involved with? - Not specifically.
- You must have met them.
- I'm his wife, not his business manager.
You don't need a private detective, you need an assault force.
I was desperate.
I knew nothing about this side of his life until I married him.
And now that I do, he'll never let me go.
If I could only find out about some of the things he's involved in, details, proof, then I could force him to let me leave.
You can't threaten people like Lang.
But if I had some information in a safe place.
- A bank perhaps.
- What kind of information? Anything useful.
- His files, perhaps.
- Oh would you? - I didn't mean - I could let you know when he's at home, and keep him there while you went through his office.
I don't think I'm the right man for that.
Mr.
Randall, you're the only person I can trust.
I'm sure you can do it.
Shouldn't be too difficult, I suppose.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Hello, Jeff.
Have you any idea what you're letting yourself in for? We've dealt with bigger fish than Lang.
Anyway, I see her point of view.
So can I.
It's written all over your face.
- Jeff you're getting too close.
- Who's driving this motorcar? I still don't see where this is getting us.
Names, addresses, companies.
It all adds up to a pattern.
But the minute you get too near him, you'll be marked.
And this time they won't just play poker with you.
When they see me it'll be because I want them to.
Can't be staying long.
- The driver's waiting.
- Do you want me to take a look? No it's all right.
Ah here he comes.
If only we knew who the girl was.
- This bit doesn't add up.
- Because it follows his wife's story? No because he's being so obvious about it.
Watch out.
What are you hiding for? Sorry, Jeff, I forgot.
I got carried away.
- Well? - Um I'm not sure, Jeff.
If you'd have been watching, we wouldn't have lost him.
We can always pick him up again.
The only chance we've got is at the Pelican Club.
- You can't go back there.
- Why not? I've got very good reason.
My credit runs out tonight I want to win my money back.
But they're professionals.
- I can still win.
- You don't stand a chance.
I don't, but we do.
You mean we And they won't Exactly.
Jeff, we'll be rich! - Evening, sir.
- Good evening.
I'm sorry, sir, but your credit has run out.
Good night.
I see Randall's back.
Find out what he wants.
- You just spoiled my night, Randall.
- Isn't that sad? - You were told to stay away from Lang.
- Is he here? I was given 24 hours to find the money.
That's just what I'm going to do.
Win it.
Good evening.
- Trouble? - He thinks he can balance the books.
Does he now? Pass the word.
I want him down another 200.
Are you sure this game isn't too rich for your blood, Randall? Let's just say I feel lucky tonight.
- Pair of aces, Jeff.
- How much have you got? All right.
Then that's what we'll start with.
Not for me.
Come on, Jeff, come on.
You've got two pair.
- I'm in.
- Pass.
- Don't worry.
Pair of tens, that's all.
Rubbish.
- Play.
Card? I'll stay with these.
Just the one.
He's got two aces.
He's trying to worry you.
Three.
We'll trust you for 200 more, Mr.
Randall.
If you'll just sign this.
Thank you.
You to speak.
I don't want you out of this game too quickly, Mr.
Randall.
This one's squeezing the spots off 'em.
I can't see them.
What's the matter, friend? - Nervous? - Of you? Do you mind? Thanks, Jeff.
He's still got the pair of tens.
If he does bet, he's bluffing.
- Up 20.
- He's bluffing.
And20 more.
Hello, Jeff, they're trying to squeeze you out.
I don't think you're as strong as you make out, Mr.
Lang.
And 50.
No.
That showed him.
Coward.
OK.
You're called, Mr.
Randall.
- What are you trying? - I'm not trying anything.
Queens and threes.
Tried sticking on your big pair, eh? I thought so.
I've got a feeling I'm going to do a lot of that tonight.
They're your cards I could hardly mark them.
I think I'm going to enjoy this game.
They were trying to take you for 200.
Fools.
Come on, deal the cards.
Looks like being a long night.
Mm.
That's nice.
And dear, dedicated Mr.
Randall? Getting in deeper all the time.
Good.
By tomorrow he should be just about ready.
The perfect suspect.
For the perfect murder.
Oh, come on, Randall! I'm just wondering what you've got.
The only way to find that out is by paying.
Three nines.
The dealer has a small straight.
I'd say three of something, medium weight.
But I'll go 50 just to make you happy.
See you.
And me.
Flush to the queen.
You're wasting your time, Randall.
With your luck, you should play the stock markets.
Well, let's wrap it up.
Brin.
Leaves me with a profit of208.
Harry.
Give the man 208 pounds.
I'm happy to oblige you, Mr.
Randall.
I'm sure you are.
And eight.
Thank you.
And good night.
Not a bad night's work.
You know something, Marty? I think it's going to be a beautiful morning.
Honestly, Jeff, I don't know why you bother to rent your place.
It's habit, I guess.
What's this? Ah, that's your back pay.
Oh, Jeff! Easy come, easy go.
- Someone's early.
- Mm.
Randall and Hopkirk.
Randall speaking.
Oh, yes, Mrs.
Lang.
OK, yes, I'll meet you.
- You made it sound urgent.
- It is.
It's about Paul.
Today might be the best chance we'll have.
Best chance for what, Mrs.
Lang? You know, Jeff.
About getting the proof I need.
- Paul will be out of town all day.
- You're sure about that? Positive.
Here's the address of his office.
He keeps all his papers there.
- The safe's behind the bookcase.
- How do I open that? The combination's on the back of the card.
- 628143.
- You'll go? Yeah, I'll go.
- Now? - Why not? - The sooner I get it over the better.
- Oh, Jeff, that's marvellous.
- I'll wait until I hear from you.
- If I'm lucky, this afternoon.
Ciao.
- Waiter? Could I have a telephone, please? - Yes, of course.
Thank you.
Hello, darling.
Randall's on his way.
Surprise him for me.
I don't like it, Jeff.
It's all too pat.
The trouble with women is they always take you for a sucker.
- The trouble with that is they're always right.
- Shh.
What are you shushing me for? Nobody'll hear me.
I'm a ghost.
Jeff.
Wait a minute.
This thing's full of money.
- And you're caught opening it.
- Right.
It's Lang.
Out of town she said.
Yeah.
We'd better get out of here.
Looks as though our caller was right.
Yes, sir, and I've seen him hanging around before.
- You've got this all wrong.
- Breaking and entering, eh? Look, you've got it all wrong! Better take a look at this sir.
They're going to take some convincing, Jeff.
And that's your entire explanation, Randall? Yes.
And you can check it out.
Mm, what a good idea.
We'd never have thought of that! Now, look, inspector, I've been a licensed investigator for a long time now.
Is it likely that I'd pull a crazy stunt like that? Yes, if you had the right motive for it.
Jeff, ask him about Mrs.
Lang.
She's got to be tied up in it somewhere.
What about Mrs.
Lang? If you get her up here, we'll have this cleared up in minutes.
She'll be here, Randall.
We may be slow but we get there eventually.
- Do you want me to book him, sir? - There's plenty of time, Russell.
Yes? Oh, fine.
Bring her up right away, will you? Mrs.
Lang is on her way up.
- Good.
About time this mess was cleared up.
- Go easy on her, Jeff.
- There's no point in antagonising her.
- All right.
Come in.
Ah.
Do please sit down, Mrs.
Lang.
Mrs.
Lang?! Now, just a minute, inspector, that's not Mrs.
Lang, that's just his - girlfriend.
- How dare you! She's Mrs.
Lang all right, sir.
I told you, Jeff.
All the time I said she was wrong.
Mrs.
Lang, have you ever seen this man before? - Of course she hasn't.
- No, inspector.
Never.
If the woman who hired me wasn't Mrs.
Lang, who was she? And how do we start finding her? No-one saw you together.
The waiter at the hotel Yeah, I see what you mean.
Wait a minute.
How did she know about the club and Lang being suspicious? Well, Lang must have told Oh.
If she's not Lang's wife, how could she know? Maybe someone from the Pelican Club.
- The manager, Alan Corder.
- Right? It has to be.
- This thing's been set up from the beginning.
- How do we prove it? - No chance in here.
- Once they check your story out, - they'll see it's circumstantial and let you go.
- I can't wait that long.
Get over to the club, stay with the manager until you can find something to help me.
Right.
To the new regime.
Partnership.
Of course.
Don't ever forget, darling, we've got too much on each other to be greedy.
I've always considered you to be Paul's most valuable asset.
I don't mind sharing the rest.
How about Randall? Safely behind bars.
And in an hour or so, his client will cease to exist.
Yes, it was a risk you coming here at all.
The sooner you're out of that lot, the better.
- What lot? - Oh, I had to see you.
It would have been worse if I'd risked coming as - It's getting very cold in here.
- As what? Coming as what?! - I'll switch the heating on.
- Never mind about the heating! It'll be all right.
I'd better be going, before the club opens.
Will I be seeing you later? We have to celebrate the partnership, don't we? What did she mean? Coming as what? Is there anything I can bring you? would come in very handy.
- There's no chance of bail? - We'll work something out.
They've only got circumstantial evidence.
The gun which killed Lang was the same as the one used in the shooting in Sycamore Street.
- Well, my fingerprints can't be on it.
- You were at the scene of that crime, too.
And fingerprints do wipe off.
If you could only find that woman.
Inspector, look, give me three hours, that's all.
- Out of the question.
- Now look! You said that the gun that killed Lang was fired before.
Whoever fired those shots must have got the wrong man.
- And I hadn't even heard of Lang then.
- So you say.
I spent the night here, remember? And my Mrs.
Lang came to me the next morning after she'd read about me in the papers.
- It's true, inspector.
- Three hours and I'll lay it in your lap.
Mm.
- Mr.
Randall! - The police have finally come to their senses.
- You can check.
- No, I'm I'm sorry, it was just the surprise.
Do they Do they know who did kill Paul? It's just a matter of time.
- In fact, Mrs.
Lang, you may be the key to it all.
- Me? Yes, I think you know the woman who came to see me.
Tall, attractive, blonde.
- But why should I know her? - Because she knows a lot about you.
Maybe she's a maid or a friend who comes here often.
- I see.
- Thank you.
Tall, slim and blonde? - Right.
- There is someone, but I can't see how Whisky? Thank you.
Who, Mrs.
Lang? My sister.
She's been staying with me for the past two weeks.
But I'm sure she And yet, she does fit your description.
When could I see her? She should be home quite soon.
- Perhaps you'd like to wait.
- I certainly would.
Thank you.
Very well, but I do hope you're wrong, Mr.
Randall.
- If you'll excuse me for a few moments? - Certainly.
You know, you're a very difficult person to keep track of.
- I searched every cell in London.
- What happened at the club? Your Susan Lang and the manager did it.
But I couldn't find out much about the girl.
You mean Mrs.
Lang's sister.
- Sister? - I've been working too you know.
She'll be here in a few minutes.
- Are you sure about that, Jeff? - That's the only answer.
He's here now.
We can't risk him leaving.
He's getting too close.
- How did he find out? - Does that matter darling? He's expecting my sister.
When you ring the bell, I'll make certain he answers the door.
Well, if you think that's the only way.
I do.
Randall knows too much.
We can't have him talking to anyone.
Now, can we? How long ago did she leave the club? About half an hour.
Well, it's not far away.
She must have gone somewhere else.
Come to that, what's Mrs.
Lang doing? She's been gone for ages.
I'd like to take a look in there I apologise for keeping you waiting, Mr.
Randall.
- Is your drink all right? - It's fine, thank you.
I'm sorry to intrude on you at um well, such a bad time.
If my sister was involved, then I want to know.
You're a private detective? That's right, Mrs.
Lang.
We'll soon find out whether my sister hired you.
Jeff, she bothers me.
I don't know, her aura's all wrong.
Well, I'm going to take a look in there.
Jeff! Watch it! Jeff it's her! She's both of them I've just seen her disguise.
Blonde wig, eh? You're right.
He does know.
Question is - what are we going to do with him? - Oh, I think I have a solution.
I know a disused lime quarry in Kent.
Lime has a very fast chemical reaction on the human body, Mr.
Randall.
But I suppose you know that.
And your disappearance might make the police reconsider their decision.
Well, shall we go? It's rather a long drive.
All right, Jeff.
Don't say anything.
I know.
Get some help.
Get some help! If only you knew how difficult it was! Is there anyone there? Is there anyone present who wishes to communicate with me? I feel a presence.
What's all this, then? A convention? - Are you all ghosts? - Spirits.
- And you can just push off.
- Push off?! I have a message for Edna.
Do we have an Edna with us? Look, you don't understand, this is an emergency.
- It always is.
- Take your place in the queue.
There's no gate-crashing here.
Oh.
Are you all waiting, then? - It'll only take a minute.
- That's what they always say.
Get to the back of the queue.
He tells you not to worry, Edna.
He is happy and everything will go well with you - during the coming month.
- Oh, this is ridiculous! Get behind! You don't understand.
I'm working on a case.
- It's essential that I get a message through.
- That's a new one.
- They'll try anything once.
- But it's true! I've been waiting for three months.
Take your place like the rest of us.
Three months?! This is urgent.
I've got to get a message through to the police.
All I want is to borrow your seance for one minute.
I've been waiting three months.
Find your own seance! - It's a matter of life and death! - What's that supposed to mean? - But supposing it's true? - Nonsense! - Well, I think it's logical.
- He isn't even a regular.
Well, I think we should put it to the vote.
- Vote?! Now you're being ridiculous.
- Who's in favour? No! We can't vote on a thing like this! We all take our turn.
Is anybody there? - Can you hear me? - Yes, I hear you.
Good.
I've got a very urgent message that you must pass on immediately.
I want you to call the police.
A man is going to be shot.
Yes? Who? Spiritualist Society of Randall? Yes.
Yes.
I've got it.
End of the line, Randall.
Start walking.
And I wouldn't try anything if I were you.
I can just as easily shoot you here.
Out.
Jeff! Look out! Jeff? Are you all right? Can you hear me? Of course I'm all right.
I don't know how you got me out of it, but if you hadn't Jeannie.
I'm sorry.
I was dreaming about Marty.
You still think about him, too? You know, Jeff, the sooner you accept that you'll never see him again, the better.
Really.
Wanna bet?