The Rockford Files (1974) s02e06 Episode Script
The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company
Mr.
Hart, you have $10,000 of my money in your safe.
I want it back.
What kind of a shakedown is this? What are you trying to pull? They're selling an invisible lake.
I'm gonna get my money back.
And at this point, I don't particularly care how.
Mr.
Tanner here will escort you in your car to the center of the lake.
If your body ever is found, the verdict will be accidental drowning.
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
Hello, Jim Rockford's machine.
This is Larry Doheny's machine.
Will you please have your master call my master at his convenience? Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi.
Well, looks like I got here just in time.
Looks like you didn't.
Well, look, I got a little problem with my fuel line.
I got some sand in it.
You think you can fix it for me? I'm closed.
Bring her around in the morning.
Oh, I can't wait till morning.
You got no choice.
Next statiors 35 miles from here.
Look, mister, I'd like to help you, but I clerk nights at the motel.
Got to get my supper and check in.
Come by and I'll give you a rate on a room.
Hey, look, pal Pal, I got a few important papers, ought to be kept in a safe.
You got a safe in the motel? No, sir.
Well, where's the bank? It's going up right down the street.
You mean you haven't got one? Not yet.
It's going up.
Why don't you use the land office? What for? To lock up them papers.
They got a safe.
Everybody in town uses it.
Just as good as a bank.
I don't know.
Look, mister, I got close to $500 in there.
You want a bank, that's it.
Where would I find it? About a mile down this way.
Great big fancy building on the right.
You can't miss it.
Thanks a lot, pal.
Can I help you? Yeah.
My name is Rockford.
The man from the gas station sent me over here.
Oh.
I'm afraid we're closed.
Matter of fact, I was supposed to be out of here half an hour ago.
If you could come back in the morning, somebody would be glad to take you out, show you the lake Look, I'm not interested in property.
See, there's no bank in town, and I have something I'd like to lock up overnight.
I understand you have a safe.
Mr.
Rockford, that's a courtesy the land office extends to residents of the town.
Well, could you extend me the same courtesy for $50? What's won'th $50 to you? Well, you see, I'm a private investigator and I picked up some bail money for a client and they gave it to me in cash.
It's $10,000.
Mr.
Hart is the manager.
He's He's gone for the day.
I'm just a salesman.
What's it gonna hurt? Not sure Mr.
Hart would like it.
You're not a resident.
Well, sure I am.
I'm staying in a motel till they fix my car.
$50, huh? Hello? Hey, Rocky.
Where you been? Waiting for you.
We was supposed to have supper.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
I've been calling for over an hour.
Oh, was that you? Yeah, it was me.
Why, you been there all the time? Why didn't you answer the phone? Because I'm tired of getting hollered at, that's why.
There's some guy down in the county jail who wants out.
His lawyer's been calling to find out what happened to you.
Where's the bail money? Where are you? At a place called the Great Blue Lake.
Look, the next time he calls I ain't gonna answer the phone.
Just tell him I'm having engine trouble.
I'll be back in L.
A.
After I get it fixed in the morning by noon.
It won't work.
He wants out now.
He don't want to spend the night in jail.
Besides, why do I have to be the one to tell him? You know I hate passing out bad news.
Well, it's not that bad, Rocky.
This is Thursday.
They got chicken fried steak.
Goodbye.
Good morning, sir.
May I help you? I'm looking for Murray Johnson.
Johnson? Paul Tanner's my name.
And if you don't mind my saying so, this is the smartest move you ever made.
Most of the folks we get in here, they've got blue hair and an outside chance of another 10 years.
You're buying in young.
You're gonna have time to enjoy your investment.
Maybe I should talk to a Mr.
Hart.
Mr.
Hart's in management, not sales.
I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression.
When I said most people, I meant we get our share of senior citizens, but we've got a lot of folks who fit right into your age bracket.
Yeah, my name is Rockford and I'd like to speak to Mr.
Hart.
It's personal.
Mr.
Hart is not in sales.
That's gonna work out just fine because I'm not buying anything.
Mr.
Rockford? Please come in.
Thank you for seeing me, Mr.
Hart.
Not at all.
Now, you said it was personal.
Yeah, well, I wouldn't have disturbed you with it, but I didn't see Murray Johnson outside and I am on a pretty tight schedule.
They fixed my car and I'm ready to leave town.
I'm sorry, I just don't seem to be following this at all.
Oh.
Well, I guess if he hasn't come in yet he didn't have a chance to explain it to you, but I had to stay in town last night and Mr.
Johnson was kind enough to let me use your safe.
Here's the receipt.
It's self-explanatory.
$10,000? That's right.
It's signed for by Murray Johnson.
And just who the devil is Murray Johnson? He's one of your salesmen.
Well, I have three salesmen.
Paul Tanner, Terry Burch and Henry Fielding.
And Murray Johnson.
What kind of a shakedown is this? What are you trying to pull? Mr.
Hart, you have $10,000 of my money in your safe.
I want it back.
Just like that? Just like that.
You come in here waving a phony receipt signed by someone I've never even heard of, and I'm supposed to give you $10,000? Return, not give.
Get out of here.
Would you at least look in your safe? Mr.
Rockford, you do not have $10,000 in my safe.
I saw Johnson put it there.
Wait, you say you never heard of him.
Then how did he have the key to the office? How did he know the combination to your safe? It's a wall safe.
It's behind the county map outside.
And the receipt is on your letterhead.
Sally, would you call Sheriff Mitchell, please? Ask him if he can come on over here.
It seems we've got a problem.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We've got a problem.
Now, this is a small town, Mr.
Rockford.
Maybe that's why you figured you could pull off a stunt like this and get away with it.
But let me tell you, you're gonna be sorry you tried.
If that's meant to terrify me, Mr.
Hart, it doesn't.
I want to see the sheriff as much as you do.
I'm not leaving this town without my money.
Bet on it.
I thought we got this all settled back at the land office.
I want to file a complaint.
Mr.
Hart was kind enough to open up his safe for you and let you look inside, and your $10,000 just wasrt in there.
It was in there last night.
Johnson stole it.
You know, ever since that land office opened we've had salesmen just coming and going here.
I can't keep track of them all, but Mr.
Hart can.
Because he hires them.
And he said he don't know any Murray Johnson.
I don't care what he said.
I want to file a complaint.
I have that right.
Well, you want to waste your time and mine.
I guess I can't stop you.
Murray Johnson.
Mmm-hmm.
Height? Oh, he was about medium.
Weight? Average normal.
Hair? Brown.
Brown.
His eyes and his hair were brown.
Light brown? Dark brown? Medium.
Look, Sheriff, I'm trying to be as accurate as I can, but he didn't have any distinctive features.
He's just one of those guys who kind of fades into the background.
All right, give me your home address and phone number, and anyone turns up looking average-medium-normal, I'll give you a call.
If anyone turns up? You think he's waiting around to get caught? He's got $10,000.
He's running.
Well, if he runs more than 15 miles, he's gonna run right out of my jurisdiction.
All right.
For the record.
There were 10 $1,000 bills.
There's a copy of the serial numbers and on the back is his home address.
Number 12 Second Street North.
Twelve Second Street North? That's right.
I followed him home last night.
Why? When you give somebody that much money, you want to know where to find him.
You been out there this morning? I didn't have any reason to, until now.
It might be a good idea if I was just to go along with you.
Yeah, it might be.
If I find him with my money, I'm gonna clean his clock.
You sure you got the right place? Yeah, I'm sure.
This is it.
Morning, Billie.
Something wrong? No, no, no, no.
We just want to ask you a couple of questions is all.
Like what? Well, this fellow, Rockford here, he come to me with a kind of a peculiar story.
I'm looking for Murray Johnson.
Murray Johnson? Do you know him? No.
Should I? He lives here.
Mister, I don't know who you are, but I happen to live by myself.
About 6:15, 6:20 last night I followed him to this house.
He came up to the door, he took the key Billie, that is a damn fool place to leave a door key.
He took the key, he put it into the lock, he opened the door and went inside.
Now, I saw him and nobody's gonna tell me I didn't.
I can't say one way or the other.
I wasrt home.
Sheriff, 6:00 is our busy time at the restaurant.
You know that.
I was serving you your supper.
I would have known if there'd been somebody in my house.
There wasrt nothing missing, nothing out of place.
He has brown eyes, brown hair.
I told you.
I don't know Murray Johnson.
Sheriff, is that all? I'm already late to work.
No, that's all, Billie.
And, Billie, you tell Cooper that I kept you.
Don't want him docking you none.
Mr.
Rockford, I'm afraid I don't know what to make of your story.
Why don't you try believing it? You mean, you're right and everyone else is wrong, huh? So far, yeah.
Let me tell you something.
This house has been the Carlton place for as long as I can remember.
And Billie is not living with Murray Johnson, or any other man for that matter.
This is a small town and that kind of news travels fast.
Now, do you have any other checking up you want me to do? No.
No, you've been a big help.
Sheriff, I don't know what's going on around here, but I'm gonna get my money back.
And at this point, I don't particularly care how.
Hello? Oh, Jimmy? Yeah, Rocky, you know a town by the name of Colson? Yeah, off Route 181.
Hey, I thought you were gonna be here around noon.
I told that lawyer fella.
I don't know what he's gonna say if you keep him waiting much longer.
I do.
I just talked to him.
Look, I'm in Colson.
There's a restaurant by the name of The Twin Palms.
It's just off Main Street, the east end of town.
I want you to meet me here as soon as you can and bring Harry DeNova with you.
Fast Harry? I wouldn't bring him to a chicken fight.
Yeah, I know you don't like him, Rocky, but I need him.
I'm in trouble.
What kind of trouble? I'll explain when I see you.
Sonny, I don't want you mixing with that Fast Harry.
Now, whatever you're into, you and me can handle it.
Rocky, bring him.
It's important.
I don't even know where to find him.
Rocky.
Well, I ain't seen him for six months.
That's the last time.
It's also the last time I seen my 14 carat gold lodge ring.
Harry didn't steal your ring.
And if he did, I'll make him give it back to you.
Now, Rocky, I don't have time to argue with you.
The last time I saw Harry, he was working at a used car lot.
What if he don't want to come? Harry's always looking for a big score.
You just tell him I'm on to a hell of a scam and he could get a piece of it.
I don't like the sound of that.
Harry will.
Now, do like I tell you.
I didn't have change for a $50.
I would've picked up the tab.
You know me.
This is true? I wouldn't have believed it.
You getting suckered.
This never would've happened in the joint.
You had a reputation.
You dealt straight, you didn't trust nobody.
Now, you hand $10,000 to some turkey and you're surprised when he steals it.
Let's just drop it, Harry, okay? Okay, yeah.
Why wouldn't you level with me? What do you mean? Rocky didn't tell me there's no bind.
He waltzes me out of here with some cockamamie story about if I come out with him, I'm gonna fall into a gold mine.
Why not level? Were you afraid I wouldn't come? Well, I knew you wouldn't.
You never done nothing for nothing in your life, Harry.
That is true.
But for a pal? Not for your sainted grandmother.
I don't forget I owe you a couple.
And Fast Harry always pays his debts.
Yeah, out of somebody else's pocket.
He's been like that the whole way out here.
Look, if you got any questions you want to ask, ask them now.
Great Blue Lake's only about 30 miles.
Now, we go in separately.
You drive the rental car, Harry, and once we get there, we do not know one another.
If they tie us together, this whole thing won't work.
So you be careful how you get the information to me.
Okay? No questions.
Rocky? Yeah, I got a question.
How come you tried to sell my pickup? He tried to sell my pickup.
Harry, the truck is not for sale.
Neither is the rental car.
I'd like you to get started today, if you can.
Yeah, well, the sooner I start, the sooner I can sell.
Well, you'll need some time to familiarize yourself with the development, but the staff will give you all the help you need.
Don't worry about a thing, Mr.
Hart.
Selling real estate's like selling anything else.
You size up the customer, push the right button and Why don't you get started then? Now, this section here, it's been pretty well picked over.
Well, how about this stuff in here? I kind of like the looks of that.
All those shade trees and all.
Mr.
Finley, you're not gonna believe this, but that's exactly the area I was going to suggest.
We have three parcels left, and every one a gem.
But that's lakefront property.
It's snapped up real fast.
I'd like to run you over there right now, let you look it over.
Well, let's go.
It's a completely self-contained community.
Shopping center, market, clothing stores, gas station.
'Course, they're not anywhere near the residential area.
Everything for your comfort and convenience.
Well, what did I tell you? Where's the lake? There.
Oh, it isn't in yet.
Yeah.
I gotta tell you.
If I were choosing something for myself, this is what I would pick.
Let me tell you exactly what you have if you decide on this location.
You've got lakefront.
Now, that means an unobstructed view and close to the country club.
Though not too close that it'd ever be noisy or anything.
Country club? Yeah, right there.
Remember, with this property you get the shade trees.
Not that it ever gets what you'd really call hot.
But you've always got that breeze right off the lake.
Warm breeze.
Of course, to have access to the lake, you have to buy shares in it, but the cost is so minimal when you consider what you get in return.
But no power boating, and no water skiing.
No? No, no.
Too many potential hazards.
It's safety.
But you do have swimming, fishing, sail boating.
Oh, incidentally, we deal in volume.
I can get you a very good price on a boat.
Oh.
Well, I think I'll wait a while on the boat till I make up my mind about the land.
Oh, yes, sure, but I wouldn't take too much time making up my mind because I had a couple here yesterday from North Platte, Illinois.
He's retired.
They want to relocate, and they've got their eye on this property, too.
Well, I'll try to get back to you before they do.
I'd kind of like to talk it over with my son.
Well, bring him around.
I'll be glad to show it all to him.
Well, that won't be necessary.
He'll take my word for it.
Well, be sure and tell him about the resale value.
Now this is the North Shore, our real prestige area.
Take a look, mister.
Take a good, long look.
No smog, no crowds no roads, no water, no electricity.
They're selling an invisible lake.
You know, and that ain't all.
Out there where there's nothing but sand and jackrabbits, this guy tried to sell me a boat.
You buy it? No, I didn't.
No, I didn't.
But they're doing business out there and it ain't all mail-order business neither.
These folks get to come out there and pry around and they see what they're getting for their money.
No.
They see little white sails on a great blue lake and barbecue every Saturday night at the club.
It's called salesmanship, Rocky.
That ain't what I call it.
Most of those folks got their money in that land, they're retired.
They're living on pensions.
Now, stealing is bad enough.
But stealing what a man spent his whole life to save.
You know, Jimmy, I was thinking, as long as we're here anyway The answer is no.
You don't even know what I was gonna ask.
Yes, I do.
And I'd look lousy on a white horse.
You sure nobody saw you come in here? I come in this way here.
Who is it? Walter Hart.
The bathroom.
And take your coat.
Mr.
Rockford.
May I come in? Why? Well, apologizing out here is a little public.
You know, I was gonna give you a call.
Well, then I decided that this is something I'd better do in person.
You know, when you came by with that incredible story, I I thought that Well, you know what I thought.
Your money wasrt in the safe and I didn't know anybody named Murray Johnson.
What happened to the apology? Oh, well, it comes with an explanation.
You see, I employ a man named Terry Burch.
Well, he didn't show up for work.
So, I sent one of the other salesmen over to his apartment to check and he was gone.
Now, Terry was born in Los Angeles, and he's got a mother living down there, so I had one of our L.
A.
Office people go over and check his house.
And they found him.
They also found this.
It's all there.
Plus a couple of hundred for your inconvenience.
Now, you have my apology and your $10,000.
Could I possibly persuade you not to press charges? No.
Mr.
Rockford.
Sad stories depress me, Mr.
Hart.
So I make a policy of not listening to them.
I don't want to hear about his mother's operation, how desperate he was He only took that money because it looked like a quick, easy score.
Now, Terry's worked for me for over two years.
Now, he's lost his job and his reputation, the trust of people I think he cared something about.
He's gonna have an awfully difficult time getting another job and he can't use me as a reference.
Now, isn't that punishment enough? Do you always play big daddy to your employees? No, only when they're in a position to hurt the company.
See now, if you press charges, it'll hit the papers and no corporation that deals with the public can afford that kind of notoriety.
So, what do you say? I'll think about it.
Thank you.
And again, I I am sorry for the inconvenience.
And the understatement? You got it back, huh? Yeah.
Murray Johnson, Terry Burch.
Sure took him long enough to figure that out.
Harry DeNova, please.
Oh.
Thank you.
Harry's in the bar.
I'd have tried there first.
All right, we can get rid of the rental car in Colson and Harry can drive back with me.
Unless you want company.
He can ride back with me.
You fixing on leaving right now? Well, yeah.
You want to get home, don't you? Oh, yeah.
Sure I do but Well, what's the matter? You tired? No, I'm not tired or anything.
Well, it's getting kind of late.
I just thought it'd be nice if we stay over and then we could drive home tomorrow morning when it's light and see the countryside.
The room's on me.
For one night only.
And thanks for the help, Rocky.
I don't know, Harry.
But being that close to the club, it just got to be noisy.
On the other side, yes.
On this side, no.
The way the club is built, you won't hear a thing.
I personally guarantee it.
We're leaving, Harry.
Excuse me, but we're leaving now, Harry.
Jimmy.
Yeah, well, you don't have to put yourself out none on my account.
That's the kind of guy he is.
Look, why don't you wait for me over there and I'll be right with you.
Now, that's a sweetheart.
You're gonna be neighbors, if you buy like I tell you.
Now, you look over those plans a minute and I'll be right back.
Okay.
We're not supposed to know each other.
Oh, it's all right, Harry.
I got my money back.
Now, come on, we got a long trip back to L.
A.
I ain't leaving.
What are you talking about? Today's my first day on the job, right? About real estate, I know zip.
I'm about to close a deal.
You aren't.
I swear.
First time out.
Right on the dotted line.
Lovely lot.
Right on the North Shore.
The North Shore of what? The lake.
There isn't any lake, Harry.
Shh.
Why? You don't think she noticed? All right, the real estate isn't won'th spit.
You know that and I know that.
But Mildred from Minnesota don't know it.
So don't queer the deal.
You stink, pal.
Did I invent pigeons? They run them out here on a bus three times a week.
Put them up at the motel, feed them, give them a couple a drinks.
They can't wait to buy a piece of that sandbox.
I have hit the mother lode, pal.
Don't tell me not to work it.
The Department of Real Estate is probably already investigating that company.
And when I get back to L.
A.
, if they're not, I'm gonna suggest they do.
You wouldn't.
Believe me, I could score big.
Believe me, you could get busted for fraud.
I hope you're going to be very happy, neighbor.
Jimmy's in kind of a hurry.
Don't wait on us.
You know, your two lots are right directly next to mine.
I'll give you a ring next time I hit town.
You know, Harry, I've decided that you're right about the one I should buy.
I like children.
Don't you, Harry? Harry likes pigeons.
Oh? You don't want to keep the kids waiting.
Harry, you know, I feel bad about the money.
I mean, you could knock down a pretty good commission on those two lots.
What? You're not buying? Yeah, I know you told me about the little problem with the land because of the kids and I appreciate that, Harry.
What did Harry tell you that he didn't tell me? Oh, well, it's not a big deal, really.
The land is good, I guess.
They haven't run any tests there in years.
Tests? Oh, come on, Harry.
I mean, Mildred isn't gonna be scared off by something that happened 30 years ago.
It used to be a nuclear testing ground.
You're selling radioactive land? Why, there ought to be a law against it.
Get out of the car, Rockford! You plan on using that gun? Shut up and get out! Would you mind telling me what this is all about? Lean into the car.
Spread them.
I don't carry a gun, Sheriff.
Shut up.
All right, put them back here.
Where's the money? What money? Where's the money? In the trunk.
How'd you know I got the money back? Because it wasrt on the body.
What body? We found him.
Out back of the motel.
Shot twice.
Only his name wasrt Murray Johnson.
It was Terry Burch.
Well, you don't think I killed him? Well, you said you didn't care how you got your money back.
I guess you didn't.
I didn't kill Terry Burch.
Walter Hart gave me the $10,000.
That's not what he said.
Well, he lied.
My father overheard the whole thing.
He'll back me up.
I'd be surprised if he didn't.
Look, I'm telling you the truth.
Hart gave me the money and he could only have gotten it from Burch.
The serial numbers match.
He killed him.
Why? I don't know.
Well, you had motive, opportunity, and you made public threats against Burch.
Now, it's getting late.
Sheriff, I'm allowed a phone call.
You're not gonna be one of those guys who reminds me of their rights all the time, are you? Okay, Rockford, make the call.
I ain't gonna do it.
You have to.
I don't have to do nothing.
I'll call Beth.
She's got you sprung more than once.
Just do what I told you to do.
No.
Rocky.
Look, I'm your pa.
You want to get yourself killed, don't ask me to help you.
It's the only chance I've got.
I'll call your lawyer.
Sheriff, Jimmy never killed nobody.
He was framed.
Everybody says they was framed.
He'll get to tell his side of things when we get to court.
He don't like being locked up in there.
He don't think he's gonna get a fair shake.
You got something on your mind, Mr.
Rockford? I don't like seeing him in jail.
But it's better than seeing him killed.
Why don't you just come right out and tell me what you got to say.
Sheriff, will you do all you can to keep Jimmy from getting hurt? I can't promise nothing if I don't know what you're talking about.
He's gonna try and break out of there.
Well, he ain't gonna make it.
I didn't say he was gonna make it.
I said he was gonna try.
Now, Sheriff, if you was to keep a real close eye on him, it might keep him from doing anything foolish.
I'll keep an eye on him.
And a shotgun.
Trying to break jail would be a big mistake.
I'll shoot you.
What? I know what you got in mind, but it ain't gonna work.
There's only one way out of this cell, and that's right through this door.
And I got the key.
What do you think you're running here, San Quentin? It's a sardine can.
The question isn't could I break out of here, it's who couldn't? If I wanted to walk out of here, I'd walk.
Well, you'll have to walk right through me, because I'm gonna be sitting in a chair right here, all night long, with a loaded shotgun.
Now, you want to disappear in a puff of smoke, I'll be happy to oblige.
Breakfast, Rockford.
Rockford.
Rockford.
Rockford.
He did it.
Hey, Rocky, in here.
What took you so long? Well, this place ain't exactly no national landmark.
And, besides, your friend Harry didn't want to come.
What made you change your mind? He said he'd tell my parole officer I left the county without permission.
Did you do that? That's not very smart.
Look who's talking smart.
They got you on Murder One.
Yeah, they also got me on Grand-Theft Auto.
You stole a police car? Yeah, when you're breaking jail, you don't wait around for a bus.
And I'm an accessory.
I wasrt doing too bad at the car lot.
Now, don't worry, you're just taking a few days off.
You'll be back selling cars.
There's a limited market in the joint.
You're not going back, and neither am I.
All I want from you is some inside information on Walter Hart.
I'm not inside anymore.
They dumped me.
When did that happen? This morning.
I get to the office and it's locked.
There's a sign up "Closed for Inventory.
" So I look in the window to see for myself.
They're packing up, getting ready to split.
What's that gonna do to you? Without Walter Hart, you got nothing.
No wants or warrants on him.
How you gonna stop him? All right, Rocky.
Rocky, I want you to pull up to the corner and just park there.
And if any cops come, you take off.
Only don't lay rubber.
Just keep it casual.
You're sure you don't want me to go in with you? No, no.
If it goes sour, I want you out of it.
Get out of here.
I have to talk to you, Billie.
Get out! I'll scream! Scream, but only listen to me first.
You killed Terry.
No, Walter Hart killed Terry, or had him killed.
No.
No.
He stole some money off of you.
You killed him and took it back.
It's been on the news all morning.
$10,000 isn't enough money to kill a man for.
At least, not for me.
Now, Billie, you loved Terry.
If you want to see me in jail, just go ahead and pick up the phone and call the sheriff.
Or do you want to find out who really killed him? Mr.
Hart wouldn't have no reason.
When I saw Terry in the land office, he was going through a bunch of papers and an account ledger.
I think he was getting ready to leave town.
He'd have told me.
Not if what he was doing was dangerous.
Terry was a salesman.
Yeah.
He was selling won'thless land for Walter Hart.
Hart was making millions out of that development.
Now, I think Terry took something incriminating.
Now, when I was following him and he came here, he was carrying an attaché case.
Did he leave it here? Whatever was in that attaché case might convict Walter Hart.
Yeah, it's all here.
Uh-huh.
There's receipts, cancelled checks, an account ledger.
It's all very interesting.
There's names, dates.
You bought a lot of protection, Mr.
Hart.
And you'd like to sell me some more? Well, according to this, payoffs are all a part of the business.
How much? $100,000.
That's ridiculous.
I might be able to raise $50,000.
Well, you could probably raise a couple of million, but I'm not greedy.
No.
It's got to be $50,000 for setting me up for the murder rap, and $50,000 for the book and papers.
I get it all.
You won't try squirreling anything away for the future? No, you get everything.
Well, I'll need about an hour.
Where do we make the exchange? How about the lake? The lake? Yeah, well, I've heard so much about it, I thought I'd like to see it for myself.
Did you bring the papers? Did you bring the money? You're forgetting the money.
Well, you didn't seriously expect me to give you $100,000, did you? I guess it was wishful thinking.
$50,000 will do.
Mr.
Tanner here will escort you in your car to the center of the lake and if your body ever is found, the verdict will be accidental drowning.
The way it was with Terry Burch? Well, Terry decided he wanted a bigger piece of the action and when I turned him down, he got nervous.
Tanner.
Gentlemen.
Sheriff's been listening to the whole thing.
No place to hide out here, so you might as well give it up.
What are you holding them for? They know you.
I never saw him before in my life.
Oh, shut up, Harry.
Look, you got Hart and his gorillas.
Why not let us go? I can't do that, Rockford.
You stole my car.
I told you where to find it.
And you broke jail.
How did you do that, anyway? I just walked out.
That's impossible.
Look, Rockford, it's nothing personal, anyway.
I know what you've been through.
If there was any way that I could let you go, I'd do it.
Well, it's a shame.
I mean, you got Walter Hart for fraud, attempted murder, Murder One.
It's gonna make all the headlines when I tell my side of the story.
Yeah, I'm gonna look like a jackass.
I know.
Of course, if we'd been working together, that'd change the whole picture.
I mean, you were just playing along with them until you could drop the net.
There's no law that says an unofficial deputy can't use the police car.
And who is gonna believe that I could walk right out of your jail without your help, huh? You'll make yourself available for the trial.
Oh, you know where to find me, Sheriff.
My lodge ring! I want to file a complaint.
Now, Rocky, don't do nothing rash.
You're gonna feel pretty bad when I tell you that ring belonged to my own sainted father.
It was the one thing he left me when he passed on.
I suppose his initials were J.
R.
? That's right.
I told you you'd feel Come on now.
Give me that ring.
I want to file a complaint, Sheriff.
Rocky! No, I want to file a complaint! Rocky.
Runs in the family.
Hart, you have $10,000 of my money in your safe.
I want it back.
What kind of a shakedown is this? What are you trying to pull? They're selling an invisible lake.
I'm gonna get my money back.
And at this point, I don't particularly care how.
Mr.
Tanner here will escort you in your car to the center of the lake.
If your body ever is found, the verdict will be accidental drowning.
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
Hello, Jim Rockford's machine.
This is Larry Doheny's machine.
Will you please have your master call my master at his convenience? Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi.
Well, looks like I got here just in time.
Looks like you didn't.
Well, look, I got a little problem with my fuel line.
I got some sand in it.
You think you can fix it for me? I'm closed.
Bring her around in the morning.
Oh, I can't wait till morning.
You got no choice.
Next statiors 35 miles from here.
Look, mister, I'd like to help you, but I clerk nights at the motel.
Got to get my supper and check in.
Come by and I'll give you a rate on a room.
Hey, look, pal Pal, I got a few important papers, ought to be kept in a safe.
You got a safe in the motel? No, sir.
Well, where's the bank? It's going up right down the street.
You mean you haven't got one? Not yet.
It's going up.
Why don't you use the land office? What for? To lock up them papers.
They got a safe.
Everybody in town uses it.
Just as good as a bank.
I don't know.
Look, mister, I got close to $500 in there.
You want a bank, that's it.
Where would I find it? About a mile down this way.
Great big fancy building on the right.
You can't miss it.
Thanks a lot, pal.
Can I help you? Yeah.
My name is Rockford.
The man from the gas station sent me over here.
Oh.
I'm afraid we're closed.
Matter of fact, I was supposed to be out of here half an hour ago.
If you could come back in the morning, somebody would be glad to take you out, show you the lake Look, I'm not interested in property.
See, there's no bank in town, and I have something I'd like to lock up overnight.
I understand you have a safe.
Mr.
Rockford, that's a courtesy the land office extends to residents of the town.
Well, could you extend me the same courtesy for $50? What's won'th $50 to you? Well, you see, I'm a private investigator and I picked up some bail money for a client and they gave it to me in cash.
It's $10,000.
Mr.
Hart is the manager.
He's He's gone for the day.
I'm just a salesman.
What's it gonna hurt? Not sure Mr.
Hart would like it.
You're not a resident.
Well, sure I am.
I'm staying in a motel till they fix my car.
$50, huh? Hello? Hey, Rocky.
Where you been? Waiting for you.
We was supposed to have supper.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
I've been calling for over an hour.
Oh, was that you? Yeah, it was me.
Why, you been there all the time? Why didn't you answer the phone? Because I'm tired of getting hollered at, that's why.
There's some guy down in the county jail who wants out.
His lawyer's been calling to find out what happened to you.
Where's the bail money? Where are you? At a place called the Great Blue Lake.
Look, the next time he calls I ain't gonna answer the phone.
Just tell him I'm having engine trouble.
I'll be back in L.
A.
After I get it fixed in the morning by noon.
It won't work.
He wants out now.
He don't want to spend the night in jail.
Besides, why do I have to be the one to tell him? You know I hate passing out bad news.
Well, it's not that bad, Rocky.
This is Thursday.
They got chicken fried steak.
Goodbye.
Good morning, sir.
May I help you? I'm looking for Murray Johnson.
Johnson? Paul Tanner's my name.
And if you don't mind my saying so, this is the smartest move you ever made.
Most of the folks we get in here, they've got blue hair and an outside chance of another 10 years.
You're buying in young.
You're gonna have time to enjoy your investment.
Maybe I should talk to a Mr.
Hart.
Mr.
Hart's in management, not sales.
I hope I didn't give you the wrong impression.
When I said most people, I meant we get our share of senior citizens, but we've got a lot of folks who fit right into your age bracket.
Yeah, my name is Rockford and I'd like to speak to Mr.
Hart.
It's personal.
Mr.
Hart is not in sales.
That's gonna work out just fine because I'm not buying anything.
Mr.
Rockford? Please come in.
Thank you for seeing me, Mr.
Hart.
Not at all.
Now, you said it was personal.
Yeah, well, I wouldn't have disturbed you with it, but I didn't see Murray Johnson outside and I am on a pretty tight schedule.
They fixed my car and I'm ready to leave town.
I'm sorry, I just don't seem to be following this at all.
Oh.
Well, I guess if he hasn't come in yet he didn't have a chance to explain it to you, but I had to stay in town last night and Mr.
Johnson was kind enough to let me use your safe.
Here's the receipt.
It's self-explanatory.
$10,000? That's right.
It's signed for by Murray Johnson.
And just who the devil is Murray Johnson? He's one of your salesmen.
Well, I have three salesmen.
Paul Tanner, Terry Burch and Henry Fielding.
And Murray Johnson.
What kind of a shakedown is this? What are you trying to pull? Mr.
Hart, you have $10,000 of my money in your safe.
I want it back.
Just like that? Just like that.
You come in here waving a phony receipt signed by someone I've never even heard of, and I'm supposed to give you $10,000? Return, not give.
Get out of here.
Would you at least look in your safe? Mr.
Rockford, you do not have $10,000 in my safe.
I saw Johnson put it there.
Wait, you say you never heard of him.
Then how did he have the key to the office? How did he know the combination to your safe? It's a wall safe.
It's behind the county map outside.
And the receipt is on your letterhead.
Sally, would you call Sheriff Mitchell, please? Ask him if he can come on over here.
It seems we've got a problem.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We've got a problem.
Now, this is a small town, Mr.
Rockford.
Maybe that's why you figured you could pull off a stunt like this and get away with it.
But let me tell you, you're gonna be sorry you tried.
If that's meant to terrify me, Mr.
Hart, it doesn't.
I want to see the sheriff as much as you do.
I'm not leaving this town without my money.
Bet on it.
I thought we got this all settled back at the land office.
I want to file a complaint.
Mr.
Hart was kind enough to open up his safe for you and let you look inside, and your $10,000 just wasrt in there.
It was in there last night.
Johnson stole it.
You know, ever since that land office opened we've had salesmen just coming and going here.
I can't keep track of them all, but Mr.
Hart can.
Because he hires them.
And he said he don't know any Murray Johnson.
I don't care what he said.
I want to file a complaint.
I have that right.
Well, you want to waste your time and mine.
I guess I can't stop you.
Murray Johnson.
Mmm-hmm.
Height? Oh, he was about medium.
Weight? Average normal.
Hair? Brown.
Brown.
His eyes and his hair were brown.
Light brown? Dark brown? Medium.
Look, Sheriff, I'm trying to be as accurate as I can, but he didn't have any distinctive features.
He's just one of those guys who kind of fades into the background.
All right, give me your home address and phone number, and anyone turns up looking average-medium-normal, I'll give you a call.
If anyone turns up? You think he's waiting around to get caught? He's got $10,000.
He's running.
Well, if he runs more than 15 miles, he's gonna run right out of my jurisdiction.
All right.
For the record.
There were 10 $1,000 bills.
There's a copy of the serial numbers and on the back is his home address.
Number 12 Second Street North.
Twelve Second Street North? That's right.
I followed him home last night.
Why? When you give somebody that much money, you want to know where to find him.
You been out there this morning? I didn't have any reason to, until now.
It might be a good idea if I was just to go along with you.
Yeah, it might be.
If I find him with my money, I'm gonna clean his clock.
You sure you got the right place? Yeah, I'm sure.
This is it.
Morning, Billie.
Something wrong? No, no, no, no.
We just want to ask you a couple of questions is all.
Like what? Well, this fellow, Rockford here, he come to me with a kind of a peculiar story.
I'm looking for Murray Johnson.
Murray Johnson? Do you know him? No.
Should I? He lives here.
Mister, I don't know who you are, but I happen to live by myself.
About 6:15, 6:20 last night I followed him to this house.
He came up to the door, he took the key Billie, that is a damn fool place to leave a door key.
He took the key, he put it into the lock, he opened the door and went inside.
Now, I saw him and nobody's gonna tell me I didn't.
I can't say one way or the other.
I wasrt home.
Sheriff, 6:00 is our busy time at the restaurant.
You know that.
I was serving you your supper.
I would have known if there'd been somebody in my house.
There wasrt nothing missing, nothing out of place.
He has brown eyes, brown hair.
I told you.
I don't know Murray Johnson.
Sheriff, is that all? I'm already late to work.
No, that's all, Billie.
And, Billie, you tell Cooper that I kept you.
Don't want him docking you none.
Mr.
Rockford, I'm afraid I don't know what to make of your story.
Why don't you try believing it? You mean, you're right and everyone else is wrong, huh? So far, yeah.
Let me tell you something.
This house has been the Carlton place for as long as I can remember.
And Billie is not living with Murray Johnson, or any other man for that matter.
This is a small town and that kind of news travels fast.
Now, do you have any other checking up you want me to do? No.
No, you've been a big help.
Sheriff, I don't know what's going on around here, but I'm gonna get my money back.
And at this point, I don't particularly care how.
Hello? Oh, Jimmy? Yeah, Rocky, you know a town by the name of Colson? Yeah, off Route 181.
Hey, I thought you were gonna be here around noon.
I told that lawyer fella.
I don't know what he's gonna say if you keep him waiting much longer.
I do.
I just talked to him.
Look, I'm in Colson.
There's a restaurant by the name of The Twin Palms.
It's just off Main Street, the east end of town.
I want you to meet me here as soon as you can and bring Harry DeNova with you.
Fast Harry? I wouldn't bring him to a chicken fight.
Yeah, I know you don't like him, Rocky, but I need him.
I'm in trouble.
What kind of trouble? I'll explain when I see you.
Sonny, I don't want you mixing with that Fast Harry.
Now, whatever you're into, you and me can handle it.
Rocky, bring him.
It's important.
I don't even know where to find him.
Rocky.
Well, I ain't seen him for six months.
That's the last time.
It's also the last time I seen my 14 carat gold lodge ring.
Harry didn't steal your ring.
And if he did, I'll make him give it back to you.
Now, Rocky, I don't have time to argue with you.
The last time I saw Harry, he was working at a used car lot.
What if he don't want to come? Harry's always looking for a big score.
You just tell him I'm on to a hell of a scam and he could get a piece of it.
I don't like the sound of that.
Harry will.
Now, do like I tell you.
I didn't have change for a $50.
I would've picked up the tab.
You know me.
This is true? I wouldn't have believed it.
You getting suckered.
This never would've happened in the joint.
You had a reputation.
You dealt straight, you didn't trust nobody.
Now, you hand $10,000 to some turkey and you're surprised when he steals it.
Let's just drop it, Harry, okay? Okay, yeah.
Why wouldn't you level with me? What do you mean? Rocky didn't tell me there's no bind.
He waltzes me out of here with some cockamamie story about if I come out with him, I'm gonna fall into a gold mine.
Why not level? Were you afraid I wouldn't come? Well, I knew you wouldn't.
You never done nothing for nothing in your life, Harry.
That is true.
But for a pal? Not for your sainted grandmother.
I don't forget I owe you a couple.
And Fast Harry always pays his debts.
Yeah, out of somebody else's pocket.
He's been like that the whole way out here.
Look, if you got any questions you want to ask, ask them now.
Great Blue Lake's only about 30 miles.
Now, we go in separately.
You drive the rental car, Harry, and once we get there, we do not know one another.
If they tie us together, this whole thing won't work.
So you be careful how you get the information to me.
Okay? No questions.
Rocky? Yeah, I got a question.
How come you tried to sell my pickup? He tried to sell my pickup.
Harry, the truck is not for sale.
Neither is the rental car.
I'd like you to get started today, if you can.
Yeah, well, the sooner I start, the sooner I can sell.
Well, you'll need some time to familiarize yourself with the development, but the staff will give you all the help you need.
Don't worry about a thing, Mr.
Hart.
Selling real estate's like selling anything else.
You size up the customer, push the right button and Why don't you get started then? Now, this section here, it's been pretty well picked over.
Well, how about this stuff in here? I kind of like the looks of that.
All those shade trees and all.
Mr.
Finley, you're not gonna believe this, but that's exactly the area I was going to suggest.
We have three parcels left, and every one a gem.
But that's lakefront property.
It's snapped up real fast.
I'd like to run you over there right now, let you look it over.
Well, let's go.
It's a completely self-contained community.
Shopping center, market, clothing stores, gas station.
'Course, they're not anywhere near the residential area.
Everything for your comfort and convenience.
Well, what did I tell you? Where's the lake? There.
Oh, it isn't in yet.
Yeah.
I gotta tell you.
If I were choosing something for myself, this is what I would pick.
Let me tell you exactly what you have if you decide on this location.
You've got lakefront.
Now, that means an unobstructed view and close to the country club.
Though not too close that it'd ever be noisy or anything.
Country club? Yeah, right there.
Remember, with this property you get the shade trees.
Not that it ever gets what you'd really call hot.
But you've always got that breeze right off the lake.
Warm breeze.
Of course, to have access to the lake, you have to buy shares in it, but the cost is so minimal when you consider what you get in return.
But no power boating, and no water skiing.
No? No, no.
Too many potential hazards.
It's safety.
But you do have swimming, fishing, sail boating.
Oh, incidentally, we deal in volume.
I can get you a very good price on a boat.
Oh.
Well, I think I'll wait a while on the boat till I make up my mind about the land.
Oh, yes, sure, but I wouldn't take too much time making up my mind because I had a couple here yesterday from North Platte, Illinois.
He's retired.
They want to relocate, and they've got their eye on this property, too.
Well, I'll try to get back to you before they do.
I'd kind of like to talk it over with my son.
Well, bring him around.
I'll be glad to show it all to him.
Well, that won't be necessary.
He'll take my word for it.
Well, be sure and tell him about the resale value.
Now this is the North Shore, our real prestige area.
Take a look, mister.
Take a good, long look.
No smog, no crowds no roads, no water, no electricity.
They're selling an invisible lake.
You know, and that ain't all.
Out there where there's nothing but sand and jackrabbits, this guy tried to sell me a boat.
You buy it? No, I didn't.
No, I didn't.
But they're doing business out there and it ain't all mail-order business neither.
These folks get to come out there and pry around and they see what they're getting for their money.
No.
They see little white sails on a great blue lake and barbecue every Saturday night at the club.
It's called salesmanship, Rocky.
That ain't what I call it.
Most of those folks got their money in that land, they're retired.
They're living on pensions.
Now, stealing is bad enough.
But stealing what a man spent his whole life to save.
You know, Jimmy, I was thinking, as long as we're here anyway The answer is no.
You don't even know what I was gonna ask.
Yes, I do.
And I'd look lousy on a white horse.
You sure nobody saw you come in here? I come in this way here.
Who is it? Walter Hart.
The bathroom.
And take your coat.
Mr.
Rockford.
May I come in? Why? Well, apologizing out here is a little public.
You know, I was gonna give you a call.
Well, then I decided that this is something I'd better do in person.
You know, when you came by with that incredible story, I I thought that Well, you know what I thought.
Your money wasrt in the safe and I didn't know anybody named Murray Johnson.
What happened to the apology? Oh, well, it comes with an explanation.
You see, I employ a man named Terry Burch.
Well, he didn't show up for work.
So, I sent one of the other salesmen over to his apartment to check and he was gone.
Now, Terry was born in Los Angeles, and he's got a mother living down there, so I had one of our L.
A.
Office people go over and check his house.
And they found him.
They also found this.
It's all there.
Plus a couple of hundred for your inconvenience.
Now, you have my apology and your $10,000.
Could I possibly persuade you not to press charges? No.
Mr.
Rockford.
Sad stories depress me, Mr.
Hart.
So I make a policy of not listening to them.
I don't want to hear about his mother's operation, how desperate he was He only took that money because it looked like a quick, easy score.
Now, Terry's worked for me for over two years.
Now, he's lost his job and his reputation, the trust of people I think he cared something about.
He's gonna have an awfully difficult time getting another job and he can't use me as a reference.
Now, isn't that punishment enough? Do you always play big daddy to your employees? No, only when they're in a position to hurt the company.
See now, if you press charges, it'll hit the papers and no corporation that deals with the public can afford that kind of notoriety.
So, what do you say? I'll think about it.
Thank you.
And again, I I am sorry for the inconvenience.
And the understatement? You got it back, huh? Yeah.
Murray Johnson, Terry Burch.
Sure took him long enough to figure that out.
Harry DeNova, please.
Oh.
Thank you.
Harry's in the bar.
I'd have tried there first.
All right, we can get rid of the rental car in Colson and Harry can drive back with me.
Unless you want company.
He can ride back with me.
You fixing on leaving right now? Well, yeah.
You want to get home, don't you? Oh, yeah.
Sure I do but Well, what's the matter? You tired? No, I'm not tired or anything.
Well, it's getting kind of late.
I just thought it'd be nice if we stay over and then we could drive home tomorrow morning when it's light and see the countryside.
The room's on me.
For one night only.
And thanks for the help, Rocky.
I don't know, Harry.
But being that close to the club, it just got to be noisy.
On the other side, yes.
On this side, no.
The way the club is built, you won't hear a thing.
I personally guarantee it.
We're leaving, Harry.
Excuse me, but we're leaving now, Harry.
Jimmy.
Yeah, well, you don't have to put yourself out none on my account.
That's the kind of guy he is.
Look, why don't you wait for me over there and I'll be right with you.
Now, that's a sweetheart.
You're gonna be neighbors, if you buy like I tell you.
Now, you look over those plans a minute and I'll be right back.
Okay.
We're not supposed to know each other.
Oh, it's all right, Harry.
I got my money back.
Now, come on, we got a long trip back to L.
A.
I ain't leaving.
What are you talking about? Today's my first day on the job, right? About real estate, I know zip.
I'm about to close a deal.
You aren't.
I swear.
First time out.
Right on the dotted line.
Lovely lot.
Right on the North Shore.
The North Shore of what? The lake.
There isn't any lake, Harry.
Shh.
Why? You don't think she noticed? All right, the real estate isn't won'th spit.
You know that and I know that.
But Mildred from Minnesota don't know it.
So don't queer the deal.
You stink, pal.
Did I invent pigeons? They run them out here on a bus three times a week.
Put them up at the motel, feed them, give them a couple a drinks.
They can't wait to buy a piece of that sandbox.
I have hit the mother lode, pal.
Don't tell me not to work it.
The Department of Real Estate is probably already investigating that company.
And when I get back to L.
A.
, if they're not, I'm gonna suggest they do.
You wouldn't.
Believe me, I could score big.
Believe me, you could get busted for fraud.
I hope you're going to be very happy, neighbor.
Jimmy's in kind of a hurry.
Don't wait on us.
You know, your two lots are right directly next to mine.
I'll give you a ring next time I hit town.
You know, Harry, I've decided that you're right about the one I should buy.
I like children.
Don't you, Harry? Harry likes pigeons.
Oh? You don't want to keep the kids waiting.
Harry, you know, I feel bad about the money.
I mean, you could knock down a pretty good commission on those two lots.
What? You're not buying? Yeah, I know you told me about the little problem with the land because of the kids and I appreciate that, Harry.
What did Harry tell you that he didn't tell me? Oh, well, it's not a big deal, really.
The land is good, I guess.
They haven't run any tests there in years.
Tests? Oh, come on, Harry.
I mean, Mildred isn't gonna be scared off by something that happened 30 years ago.
It used to be a nuclear testing ground.
You're selling radioactive land? Why, there ought to be a law against it.
Get out of the car, Rockford! You plan on using that gun? Shut up and get out! Would you mind telling me what this is all about? Lean into the car.
Spread them.
I don't carry a gun, Sheriff.
Shut up.
All right, put them back here.
Where's the money? What money? Where's the money? In the trunk.
How'd you know I got the money back? Because it wasrt on the body.
What body? We found him.
Out back of the motel.
Shot twice.
Only his name wasrt Murray Johnson.
It was Terry Burch.
Well, you don't think I killed him? Well, you said you didn't care how you got your money back.
I guess you didn't.
I didn't kill Terry Burch.
Walter Hart gave me the $10,000.
That's not what he said.
Well, he lied.
My father overheard the whole thing.
He'll back me up.
I'd be surprised if he didn't.
Look, I'm telling you the truth.
Hart gave me the money and he could only have gotten it from Burch.
The serial numbers match.
He killed him.
Why? I don't know.
Well, you had motive, opportunity, and you made public threats against Burch.
Now, it's getting late.
Sheriff, I'm allowed a phone call.
You're not gonna be one of those guys who reminds me of their rights all the time, are you? Okay, Rockford, make the call.
I ain't gonna do it.
You have to.
I don't have to do nothing.
I'll call Beth.
She's got you sprung more than once.
Just do what I told you to do.
No.
Rocky.
Look, I'm your pa.
You want to get yourself killed, don't ask me to help you.
It's the only chance I've got.
I'll call your lawyer.
Sheriff, Jimmy never killed nobody.
He was framed.
Everybody says they was framed.
He'll get to tell his side of things when we get to court.
He don't like being locked up in there.
He don't think he's gonna get a fair shake.
You got something on your mind, Mr.
Rockford? I don't like seeing him in jail.
But it's better than seeing him killed.
Why don't you just come right out and tell me what you got to say.
Sheriff, will you do all you can to keep Jimmy from getting hurt? I can't promise nothing if I don't know what you're talking about.
He's gonna try and break out of there.
Well, he ain't gonna make it.
I didn't say he was gonna make it.
I said he was gonna try.
Now, Sheriff, if you was to keep a real close eye on him, it might keep him from doing anything foolish.
I'll keep an eye on him.
And a shotgun.
Trying to break jail would be a big mistake.
I'll shoot you.
What? I know what you got in mind, but it ain't gonna work.
There's only one way out of this cell, and that's right through this door.
And I got the key.
What do you think you're running here, San Quentin? It's a sardine can.
The question isn't could I break out of here, it's who couldn't? If I wanted to walk out of here, I'd walk.
Well, you'll have to walk right through me, because I'm gonna be sitting in a chair right here, all night long, with a loaded shotgun.
Now, you want to disappear in a puff of smoke, I'll be happy to oblige.
Breakfast, Rockford.
Rockford.
Rockford.
Rockford.
He did it.
Hey, Rocky, in here.
What took you so long? Well, this place ain't exactly no national landmark.
And, besides, your friend Harry didn't want to come.
What made you change your mind? He said he'd tell my parole officer I left the county without permission.
Did you do that? That's not very smart.
Look who's talking smart.
They got you on Murder One.
Yeah, they also got me on Grand-Theft Auto.
You stole a police car? Yeah, when you're breaking jail, you don't wait around for a bus.
And I'm an accessory.
I wasrt doing too bad at the car lot.
Now, don't worry, you're just taking a few days off.
You'll be back selling cars.
There's a limited market in the joint.
You're not going back, and neither am I.
All I want from you is some inside information on Walter Hart.
I'm not inside anymore.
They dumped me.
When did that happen? This morning.
I get to the office and it's locked.
There's a sign up "Closed for Inventory.
" So I look in the window to see for myself.
They're packing up, getting ready to split.
What's that gonna do to you? Without Walter Hart, you got nothing.
No wants or warrants on him.
How you gonna stop him? All right, Rocky.
Rocky, I want you to pull up to the corner and just park there.
And if any cops come, you take off.
Only don't lay rubber.
Just keep it casual.
You're sure you don't want me to go in with you? No, no.
If it goes sour, I want you out of it.
Get out of here.
I have to talk to you, Billie.
Get out! I'll scream! Scream, but only listen to me first.
You killed Terry.
No, Walter Hart killed Terry, or had him killed.
No.
No.
He stole some money off of you.
You killed him and took it back.
It's been on the news all morning.
$10,000 isn't enough money to kill a man for.
At least, not for me.
Now, Billie, you loved Terry.
If you want to see me in jail, just go ahead and pick up the phone and call the sheriff.
Or do you want to find out who really killed him? Mr.
Hart wouldn't have no reason.
When I saw Terry in the land office, he was going through a bunch of papers and an account ledger.
I think he was getting ready to leave town.
He'd have told me.
Not if what he was doing was dangerous.
Terry was a salesman.
Yeah.
He was selling won'thless land for Walter Hart.
Hart was making millions out of that development.
Now, I think Terry took something incriminating.
Now, when I was following him and he came here, he was carrying an attaché case.
Did he leave it here? Whatever was in that attaché case might convict Walter Hart.
Yeah, it's all here.
Uh-huh.
There's receipts, cancelled checks, an account ledger.
It's all very interesting.
There's names, dates.
You bought a lot of protection, Mr.
Hart.
And you'd like to sell me some more? Well, according to this, payoffs are all a part of the business.
How much? $100,000.
That's ridiculous.
I might be able to raise $50,000.
Well, you could probably raise a couple of million, but I'm not greedy.
No.
It's got to be $50,000 for setting me up for the murder rap, and $50,000 for the book and papers.
I get it all.
You won't try squirreling anything away for the future? No, you get everything.
Well, I'll need about an hour.
Where do we make the exchange? How about the lake? The lake? Yeah, well, I've heard so much about it, I thought I'd like to see it for myself.
Did you bring the papers? Did you bring the money? You're forgetting the money.
Well, you didn't seriously expect me to give you $100,000, did you? I guess it was wishful thinking.
$50,000 will do.
Mr.
Tanner here will escort you in your car to the center of the lake and if your body ever is found, the verdict will be accidental drowning.
The way it was with Terry Burch? Well, Terry decided he wanted a bigger piece of the action and when I turned him down, he got nervous.
Tanner.
Gentlemen.
Sheriff's been listening to the whole thing.
No place to hide out here, so you might as well give it up.
What are you holding them for? They know you.
I never saw him before in my life.
Oh, shut up, Harry.
Look, you got Hart and his gorillas.
Why not let us go? I can't do that, Rockford.
You stole my car.
I told you where to find it.
And you broke jail.
How did you do that, anyway? I just walked out.
That's impossible.
Look, Rockford, it's nothing personal, anyway.
I know what you've been through.
If there was any way that I could let you go, I'd do it.
Well, it's a shame.
I mean, you got Walter Hart for fraud, attempted murder, Murder One.
It's gonna make all the headlines when I tell my side of the story.
Yeah, I'm gonna look like a jackass.
I know.
Of course, if we'd been working together, that'd change the whole picture.
I mean, you were just playing along with them until you could drop the net.
There's no law that says an unofficial deputy can't use the police car.
And who is gonna believe that I could walk right out of your jail without your help, huh? You'll make yourself available for the trial.
Oh, you know where to find me, Sheriff.
My lodge ring! I want to file a complaint.
Now, Rocky, don't do nothing rash.
You're gonna feel pretty bad when I tell you that ring belonged to my own sainted father.
It was the one thing he left me when he passed on.
I suppose his initials were J.
R.
? That's right.
I told you you'd feel Come on now.
Give me that ring.
I want to file a complaint, Sheriff.
Rocky! No, I want to file a complaint! Rocky.
Runs in the family.