04x21 - Voice in the Dark

[bunniefuu]

Who is it?

It's me, Miss Kinman-- Tony.

Stand back so I can see you.

Come in.

If you don't start
recognizing my voice pretty soon,

I'm going to feel you don't like me.

Put it over there as usual.

Oh, uh, for you.

I hope you don't mind.

That's very thoughtful, Tony.

The park's just beautiful now.

It's alive with flowers.

You really should see them.

Your tip is included.

The tip isn't
necessary, Miss Kinman.

Bringing your dinner up
these past few weeks

is something I really enjoy doing.

I mean if it wouldn't
be presumptuous,

I'd be very happy to take you

over to the park
one of these afternoons.

I mean if you should decide to go out.

I've had a lot of experience with this,

I really guarantee you a smooth ride.

Well, thank you
for such prompt service.

I appreciate it.

You really should think about it.

Getting out, getting some air.

I hope you will.

Hello?

Yes, this is Dorothy Kinman.

How did you get my number?

Why are you doing this?

Oh, no!

No, please!

Please, no no!

I

How's it coming, Peggy?

If you mean
"is your trap properly baited,"

I think so.

You ask a simple question,
you get a loaded answer.

Martinis here-- cool and dry.

Beautiful.

Glasses here-gathering
their prescribed frosting.

Perfect.

Appetizers artistically displayed.

A thing of beauty. Mmm...

Well, I can see you've been around.

Before I was a secretary,
I was a girl.

Oh, and I got your
background music on, too.

hours' worth. All syrupy.

That ought to do it.

Hope this hasn't been
too much of a burden on you,

doing this for me, Peggy.

On triple time, nothing's a burden.

Um...does this one have a name?

Peggy, she's ocean spray.

I'll see you in the morning.

I think so.

Good night, Joe.

Good night.

Don't answer that, Peggy.

It might be somebody.

I'm sorry, Joe.

You've conditioned me too well.

Hello.

Yes, it is.

No, I'm sorry. this is his secretary.

Yes.

Well, ...

just a second--
I'll see what I can do.

It's a Miss Kinman--
Dorothy Kinman.

That sounds familiar.

Yeah...

Isn't that the girl they were
touting for the Olympics?

That's right,
the one that was hurt.

That's her name.

She says she's got to see you.

Yeah, well she can.
First thing in the morning.

Make an appointment, Peggy.

Joe, she sounds very upset.

Just talk to her, huh?

Hello.
Yes, this is Joe Mannix.

Yes.

Yes, I understand, Miss Kinman.

Well, uh...couldn't this wait
until tomorrow morning?

Oh...

yeah, all right.

If you'll give me
your address...

and phone number.

All right, fine.

I'll be there in about minutes.

And now Peggy, if you like,
you can do me another favor.

When she arrives...

I'll tell her the tide went out...

Yeah.

I could explain a little better though,

if I knew her name.

Abigail.

Who is it?

Joe Mannix.

Would you show some
identification, please?

Come in, Mr. Mannix.

Miss Kinman?

Thank you for coming here.

I just poured myself a Scotch.

Would you care for some?

Yes, thank you.

I must have sounded pretty hysterical
when I called you.

Well shall we say
you sounded...upset?

I think these phone calls
are getting to me.

When did the calls first begin?

A month ago.

Four or five days
after I left the hospital

and moved into here.

Have you, uh... notified the police?

Won't you sit down.

Thank you.

Yes, they suggested
that I change my number.

Did you?

Last week.

I thought that was the end of it.

But tonight...

How long did he stay on the line?

Just a few seconds.

That's all there ever is.

What exactly did he say?

What he always says.

That he's going to k*ll me.

Let's start with the familiar.

Can you think of anybody
who might want to hurt you--

Or at least frighten you?

No. No one.

Let's go back two or three years.

Have you ever had any
trouble with anybody --

for instance, a cab driver,

a clerk in some hotel, anyone at all?

I didn't think there was.

Obviously, I was wrong.

Well, the fact that
he knows your name

doesn't necessarily mean you've met.

And after all you are a public figure--

Won the nationals--

Everyone's choice for the Olympics.

Former choice.

I don't want anyone's pity, Mr. Mannix.

All I want is to be left alone

and not to be terrified
every time the phone rings.

Tell me, who handled your complaint
at the police department?

Uh, Lt. Tobias.

Well now, that's a help.

Do you know him?

Yes.

He wasn't very optimistic.

It seems that calls
of such short duration

are very hard to trace.

Which means we'll have
to lengthen them.

How?

By asking questions--
making conversation.

If nothing else, we might get an idea

of the kind of psychopath
we're dealing with.

He wasn't interested in conversation.

He wouldn't listen to me.

We'll make him.

You're an optimist, Mr. Mannix.

Comes with the territory.

I think I'd better get over
and see Lt. Tobias.

I'll, uh...

call you first thing in the morning.

Thank you, Mr. Mannix.

The name is Joe.

Joe.

Kinman...

Dorothy Louise.

Oh yeah...

Well, I'm not surprised
she hired a private investigator, Joe.

She wasn't exactly overwhelmed
with what we did for her.

Did you put a tap on her line?

No, no.

She insisted it wouldn't do any good.

She insisted?

Well, Joe,

you know, nobody's ever with her
when she gets these calls.

Frankly, I'm not convinced
there were any.

She convinced me.

Yeah, well...

She also tell you
that she took that apartment

after she got out of the hospital?

She told me.

It wasn't a hospital, Joe.

It was a sanitarium.

She spent the last
four weeks of her recovery

with a team of psychiatrists.

Are you trying to tell me
she imagined the calls?

I'm suggesting a possibility.

Here quote from the psychiatrists:

"Patient displayed severe depression,

"complained of recurring nightmares,

"had strong feelings of guilt

and a tendency toward fantasy."

Well of course, she had to go through
some sort of adjustment.

And after all that accident
turned her whole life upside-down.

I realize that.

When she called me tonight,
she was pretty badly shaken up.

I can't believe it was all
a performance or a fantasy.

Well, the trouble is, Joe,
there's no way of telling.

There might be if you put
a tap on her line.

And I think I could talk her into it.

Now if she could just keep
the caller on the phone

for say seconds,
we might have a chance.

Adam, I believe her.

Okay, Joe, okay.

For a couple of days.

I knew you couldn't turn down
a lady in distress.

Lady in distress--

Real or imagined.

Listen, if you want to call her,

why don't you just use
my phone there.

Thanks, Adam. I appreciate that.

It's all right. We're here to serve.

There's no answer.

You sure you got her new number?

Oh yeah, she gave it to me
when she called my office.

There's something wrong, Adam.

Open it!

Miss Kinman is very
particular about her privacy.

Don't worry about that.

Open it up!

The chain's hooked.

Miss Kinman!

Dorothy!

Dorothy!

I'll call an ambulance.

There's a doctor on the first floor.

Get him!

Joel

She didn't take anywhere
near a fatal dose.

She'll be a little groggy in the morning.

But she'll be all right.

Keep giving her coffee
for the next hour or so.

Okay. Thanks, doctor.

No more.

Come on, now Dorothy, drink that.

Feel strong enough
to talk, Miss Kinman?

Yes, I think so.

What happened?

I got another call...

about half an hour after you left.

I called your office,
but there wasn't any answer.

I was terrified.

I--I couldn't sleep,
so I took some pills.

Enough to make you a very sick girl.

I must have forgotten
that I had taken some earlier.

I guess I awakened after a while and...

I was afraid I couldn't
get back to sleep...

so I took some more.

What did the caller say this time?

He said that I was going to die
in a very ugly and awful way.

He said it would happen
within the next few days.

Got your chain fixed, Miss Kinman.

It doesn't do much good, does it?

I mean if somebody
really wants to break in.

Would you give me your key?

I can't do that, Miss Kinman.

Suppose there's an emergency?

Like just now, for instance?

There's a continuing emergency.

Somebody is trying to k*ll me.

Now give me your key!

I think under the circumstances,

Mr. Kobin...

In the morning, Miss Kinman,

one of my men will put a tap on your line.

Thank you.

Well, what about tonight, Adam.

A guard on the door?

Yeah, I'll call in--

Have a man here
in about ten minutes.

I'll stick around until he gets here.

Okay.

Oh, Adam.. thanks.

Anything for a lady in distress, Joe.

Dorothy...

The Lieutenant still has
his doubts, doesn't he?

Doubts?

About me. About the calls.

He doesn't believe me.

Why do you say a thing like that?

It's in everything he does.

I can see it in his eyes.

That's the way they look
at you in the sanitarium.

Oh, I think you're being
a little too sensitive.

I can tell.

He thinks that I'm a mental case.

No, I don't think he does at all.

He's just aware as we all are--

How difficult it must be
adjusting to what's happened.

Adjusting...

is that your way of suggesting

that I've imagined these phone calls?

Well now if I believed that,
I wouldn't be here.

Dorothy, you know I think you're kind of
a very special girl.

A lot of other people feel the same way.

Anyone that ever saw you--
or read a newspaper.

Those days are over.

So you'll learn how to
compete in other ways.

I don't have to do anything.

I'm quite resigned
to the way things are.

Oh, is that the way it's going to be--

Resignation-- nothing more?

Dorothy...

Dorothy, you can't just lock yourself
in this apartment forever

and make believe you don't have
to deal with people.

You just can't live that way.

It's my choice.

If I never go out that door again--

It's still my choice.

Hello.

Why are you doing this?

Why are you doing this?

Hello? hello?

Well, do you have that book, Miss?

Hello?

Who is this?

This is Miss Hayward.

Isn't this the Regal Bookstore?

What happened to that lady?

What's going on?

I'm afraid you have the wrong number.

There was a man on first.

It was him. I swear it!

He said,

" was going to k*ll you tonight.

"I was right there--
beside your bed--

"Watching you sleeping.

"But the time wasn't right, not yet.

"And if you don't believe me,

look under your wheelchair."

Then you picked up the extension,

and he stopped talking.

How could he have been here?

He was here!

He was here!

Oh, my God, he was here.

Take it easy, Dorothy.

But--

Take it easy!

Lt. Tobias sent me over, Mr. Mannix.

Just wanted you to know I'm on duty.

Good. Thanks.

You'll be all right now.

Joe...

you believe me, don't you?

Yes.

Now you be sure and lock this...

after I leave.

Okay, Marge.

No, I think I've got enough and thanks.

Thanks a lot.

And how's the research coming?

Digging with all possible speed,

but we haven't sifted yet.

Just got raw material.

Well, let's have it.

Okay.

Kinman--George F.

Dorothy's father.

Chairman of the Board--
Kinman Construction.

Big in the business world...

Big socially.

Heavy contributor to charities--

Especially the Olympic Fund.

Widowed two years ago.

Later married again--
a woman much younger.

By the name of...

Grace Murray.

Previous marriage ended in divorce.

Previous husband, David Murray,

still works for Kinman-
in a minor capacity.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I'll get it.

Keep going.

Okay.

Kinman -- Dorothy.

An only child.

Started diving at the age of .

Never thought of anything else...

Never let up... until forced to--

By the auto accident.

Any other interests?

None.

Boyfriend?

Nothing steady.

Uh... what about
any other close friends

other than family.

Well she was close to a Nancy Deemer--

Also a diver--

Who retired from competition

to marry attorney John Deemer.

What happened to that relationship?

The Deemers were riding with Dorothy

when the accident occurred.

They were in the back.

Nancy was k*lled.

What about the other car--
the one Dorothy hit?

Oh, uh...two men.

Roger Stack and Ted Wilkes.

Partners in a Beverly Hills
investment firm.

Wilkes was burned to
death when the car caught on fire.

When the police arrived,
they found his remains

in the front seat.

Where was Roger Stack?

A dozen feet away-- unconscious.

Apparently, he'd been thrown clear

before the car exploded.

Very lucky.

So was Wilkes in a way--

In a terribly cruel way.

What do you mean?

Well what I meant was...

it saved his fate in another way.

He was about to be indicted

by the Securities
Exchange Commission.

What for?

Embezzlement and fraud.

Without his partner's knowledge?

Evidently.

He wasn't charged,

and he's continuing in business.

And that's all I've got.

Well, I'm going
to need two addresses.

Uh...Deemer and Stack.

There you go.

You know, Peggy,

at times your efficiency
is absolutely stunning.

What do you mean, at times?

Well, it's the same as... now and then.

I don't appreciate your
coming here, Mr. Mannix.

I'm sorry, Mr. Deemer.

I know how painful this must be for you.

Then Miss Kinman is having
her share of pain, too.

Her share?

I doubt if the equation is equal, Mr. Mannix.

Dorothy is alive.

My wife and child are dead.

Child?

My wife was pregnant.

I'm sorry. I didn't know.

Dorothy knew.

She and Nancy were very close.

They shared everything.

Dorothy was the one
who suggested the three of us

go to that Olympic Fundraising
dinner together that night.

Do you blame Dorothy for the accident?

Nancy wasn't feeling well.
She tried to beg off.

Dorothy objected?

Strenuously.

And furthermore,
she insisted on driving us.

And drive she did--

Despite Nancy's condition.

Are you implying that Dorothy
was negligent or reckless?

Dorothy's whole life was lived in high gear.

That included her driving.

The accident report said
the car hit an oil slick.

If she had been going slower,
she might not have lost control.

I was in the back seat with Nancy.

She was feeling dizzy.

I kept telling Dorothy to take it easy.

Well just how fast was she driving?

Too fast, obviously!

I heard the squeal of brakes.

The car swerved.

I felt the impact.

That's all I remember.

When I came to...

my wife was dead in my arms.

Mr. Deemer...

I'm deeply sorry.

I only hope--

You only hope...

I'm not the one threatening Dorothy's life.

You've had more than
your share of grief.

I don't want you to give yourself any more.

Mr. Mannix, get out of here!

May I help you?

Yes, my name is Mannix.

I'd like to talk to Mr. Stack.

Did you make an appointment
with his secretary?

No.

I'm sorry, you'll have to see her first,
and she isn't here right now.

There's no way I'm going to talk to her
not when I can talk to you.

I know when I'm well off.

It's either you or no one.

Well, I suppose I could try
ringing you through directly.

Thank you.

Mr. Stack?

It's Joyce at reception.

A gentlemen here would like to see you.

A Mr. Mannix.

Yes, sir.

I sorry, Mr. Stack will be
in conference all day.

I see.

Well, thanks for trying... Joyce.

Your phone's been ringing.

Miss Ocean Spray.

Oh...

I thought you'd be pleased.

She phoned twice.

I'd say she's definitely interested.

Yeah, sure in spelling out exactly

what she thinks of me
for standing her up last night.

Probably.

But that's a good sign.

When a lady calls
to say that she's angry,

that means that you'll
definitely see her again.

Really?

Guaranteed. standard procedure.

Hey, now what about your procedure

with Mr. Deemer and Mr. Stack?

Progress zero.

Deemer was barely civil.

However he did manage to convey

a thoroughgoing resentment

for Dorothy.

He feels she was
responsible for the accident

and, despite what she's been through,

he's not about to forgive her.

Well, this resentment--
is it deep enough for revenge?

Undoubtedly, but he's not the type.

At least, I don't think so.

Besides, if he was going to channel

that resentment into action,

he wouldn't be so vocal about it.

Mmm. What about Mr. Stack?

I couldn't even get in to see him.

Maybe that's significant.

I'm tempted to think that... but why??

I mean, what motive would
he have to harass Dorothy.

What would he have to gain?

He never even saw her
before the accident.

There's no connection.

Unless it's the embezzlement thing.

Don't ask me how that
relates to Dorothy.

In fact, forget I even said it.

Yeah, no. Let's toy
with that for a minute.

Suppose there was a connection--

Somehow-let's say out of
that embezzlement charge.

But then that still wouldn't involve Stack.

That's right.

It wasn't Stack that was under suspicion.

It was his partner, Wilkes.

Which puts us right back
to where we started.

Adam.

Hey, Joe.

Are we all hooked up?

Yeah, been on her line
since : this morning.

Any calls?

Well, her father called
to say he was coming over

and she just ordered
some hors d'oeuvres

from the restaurant. That's about it.

Who took the order?

One of the Captains-- name of Tony.

Tony. Okay, I'll see you later, Adam.

Tony?

Yeah, that's right.

I take it this is for
Miss Kinman's apartment.

Yes, it is.

I'll ride up with you.

You always handle Miss Kinman's
order personally?

Yes sir, every night.

Or anytime she needs something.

She always asks for me.

She just calls down
when she wants something, huh?

Sure.

You never call her?

No, I wouldn't think of it.

You know, it just isn't done that way.

I'll take it in.

The cart has to go back.

From now on you'll need two carts.

You deliver the full one
to the officer on duty

and pick up the empty.

Hey, what's going on?

Anything?

Not a thing. Just waiting for my relief.

Who is it?

It's Joe.

Come in.

I uh...ran into the Captain
in the elevator.

Thank you, Joe.

Would you put it over there
by the table?

Sure.

How are you feeling?

Just a little tired.

Well, do you think you're up
to answering some questions?

If you insist. Help yourself.

Thank you.

|, uh.. talked to John Deemer.

Why?

Well, he uh...did lose
his wife and child.

It could constitute a motive.

I'd rather not talk about that.

Hmm.

If Deemer called you, would
you recognize his voice?

I'm not sure.

Why? Do you think he's the one?

I don't know. He seemed awfully bitter.

You, uh...

think he could be bitter
enough to want you dead?

That's something you'll have to decide.

I'll get it.

Miss Kinman's parents are here,
Mr. Mannix.

Oh, fine.

Mr. Kinman, I'm Joe Mannix.

Oh, of course,
Dorothy's told us about you.

This is my wife Grace.

How do you do?

Mrs. Kinman.

Daddy.

Hello, honey.

How are you feeling, Dorothy?

Oh, a little better.

Not quite so defenseless
with Mr. Mannix around.

I'm sure.

Honey, why don't you and Grace
make some martinis

while Mr. Mannix and |
get to know one other, huh?

All right.

Mr. Mannix, I'm very
worried about my daughter.

The police and I are doing
everything we can, Mr. Kinman.

Oh, I'm sure you are.

And I'm sure you'll find this madman
who's been terrifying her.

No, I'm more concerned
with what happens to her

when this is over.

I don't understand.

Well, let me be direct.

I've got heart trouble.

And without trying to sound dramatic,

I could check out very quickly.

Sorry to hear that.

Oh, it doesn't give me any problem.

And if I do go,

Dorothy will be very well
provided for financially.

As for her psychological welfare...

well, ever since the accident,

she's given up, turned off as they say.

She's been under
a great deal of stress.

I know. But she's lived her
whole life under stress.

Yes, but it's a little
different now, isn't it?

She thinks a great deal of you.

If I'm not around I'd--

Well I know this is an imposition,

but I'd like you to help her fight back.

She is a fighter by nature.

She can be again. She needs to be.

I'll do what I can, Mr. Kinman.

But...uh, she's got to make the first move.

Not enough to wet an olive.

I think there's another
bottle in there somewhere.

Then I'm sure I'll find it.

Now look what I've done.

What's holding up the drinks?

The gin.

But now I've got it.

Could I see those cards, please?

You do card tricks, Mr. Mannix?

Not with this deck.
There's a card missing.

The ace of spades...

Thank you.

Health.

Evening, Lieutenant.

Hey, Red.

Glad you could fill in.

It's up on the eighth floor.

Elevator's that way,

and you're relieving Dexter.

New man?

No, no. he's out of Central.

Listen, when you get up there now,

identify yourself to Miss Kinman

and then ask for Joe Mannix,
and tell him I'm waiting.

Still waiting.

Okay.

You're a free man.

Two minutes late.

Well, nobody's perfect.

Well, I've got to be running along.

It was awfully nice meeting both of you.

Enjoyed talking with you, Mannix.

Hope we can do it again sometime.

A pleasure.

Dorothy--

Joe, I don't know
how those cards got there.

We'll discuss it later, huh?

Hold it!

Thanks.

Now you call if you want anything, honey.

I will.

And I meant what I said.

We could go out and maybe
do a little shopping.

Well, I don't think so,
but it's a very nice thought.

Okay. well, bye-bye, honey.

Goodbye, honey.

Bye-bye.

Oh, Excuse me, Miss Kinman,

but the Lieutenant wants me
to check the phone--

Make sure the tap is still working.

We can't be too careful, can we?

Adam, sorry.

Go ahead. ask me
something. anything.

I've had time to memorize it.

Look, Dorothy's folks are with her.

It was tough to get away.

I could use some refreshment.

Let me make a call first, huh?

Anybody I know?

Yeah, Mr. Roger Stack.

He ducked me earlier this afternoon
when I stopped by his office.

It's a little late. you might catch him.

Maybe--

Hello.

Oh hello. Mr. Stack's office, please.

This is Mr. Stack's office.

Hello.

Hello?

Do you have that book, Miss?

This is Miss Hayward.

Isn't this the Regal Bookstore?

What happened to that lady?
What's going on?

Is this Mr. Stack's secretary?

Yes. But Mr. Stack has gone home.

The office is closed.

Thank you.

What's wrong, Joe?

That voice-- it's the same one.

Same as what?

That call to Dorothy--

The woman about the bookstore?

Stack's secretary
and that woman-same voice.

What are you talking about?

I think Stack's the one
who's been calling Dorothy.

Stack?

It's got to be.

Why? What for?

I don't know.

Maybe it's something to do
with the accident. What's he look like?

Looks like , other guys.

I want a picture.

I'll get you one.

I mean now, Adam.

He could make his move any time.

Well, if he does, he'll have to climb
over a lot of blue uniform to get to her.

You know Red--
he's built like a pro tackle.

Red?

Yeah. he's the one who relieved Dexter.

He's on the door now.

You're wrong, Adam. I saw the man.

It's not Red!

I thought you were
checking the phone.

Well, I am, Miss.

I just had to see
if any of the wires ran outside.

Everything seems to be all right.

Yes, everything seems to be
just the way we want it.

Better take the stairs!

Do you remember me, Miss Kinman?

No. Should I remember you?

Have we met before?

Well, if your memory was
hazy before, it isn't now.

I can tell.

You recall every detail
of that night, don't you?

Don't you?

Yes, Mr. Stack.

I remember all of it.

These-you put them in my room
last night while I was sleeping.

You could have k*lled me then.

Why didn't you?

I wasn't here last night.
I just told you that.

I planted these a month ago
when you first moved in.

Before the phone calls?

Yes. And before the chain on the door
and the guards outside.

No. No. No. Stop it! Please.

No! No!

No! No!

It's all right.
It's all over. It's all over.

Stack and his secretary
were using their company

to steal money.

They juggled the books to make
it look like it was Wilkes.

Wilkes got wise.

There was a fight,
and Stack strangled him.

Then Wilkes was already dead
when the accident happened.

Stack was on his way
to dispose of the body

when your car hit the oil slick
and went out of control.

He decided to use
the accident to his advantage.

So he put Wilkes in the front
seat and set fire to the car.

That's what I saw.

That's what I didn't
want to remember.

Stack was afraid you would
remember and go to the police.

And he knew he had to k*ll you.

But why the phone calls?

He wanted it to appear
like you were cracking up,

so, that when he did k*ll you,
it would look like su1c1de.

The world gets to be a pretty dark

and frightening place sometimes.

I guess we all have
our own private hells.

Don't you think it's
about time you left yours?

Now, the sun is out.
The park is pleasant.

And I've got about one hour to k*ll.

You fought Stack long enough
for me to get up here.

You must have wanted to keep living.

All you have to do is go out this door.

How about it?