02x22 - A Bad Deal in the Valley

[bunniefuu]

I have got a deal going now,

stands to net me
$250,000 worth of profits.

And it's gonna go through,
'cause I am a
dynamite salesman.

Yeah, I remember.

(YELLING) Jim!
Get your hands off me.

Jim!

Don't get involved.

Are you kidding?

Look, when you get
this case wrapped up,
give me a call, all right?

I don't want to be
anywhere near this one.

You're under arrest,
Mr. Rockford.

Read him his rights, Ed.

(PHONE RINGING)

ROCKFORD:
(ON ANSWERING MACHINE)
This is Jim Rockford.

At the tone, leave your name
and message.

I'll get back to you.

(BEEPS)

(ON TELEPHONE)
Uncle Jim, it's Ralph.

I got your letter.
But I moved out here anyway.

I really want those
detective lessons.

You know, I wasn't sure
you were going to show up.

I mean, three years
is a little more
than just an interlude.

Why did you?

Oh, let's just say
I was curious.

Curious?

That emotion doesn't
hold much fire.

Well, Karen,
it was three years ago.

We did our little torch dance,
and, as I recall,

we ended up
getting a little singed.

Well, I heal quickly.

And you know I don't.

So, let's just start with curiosity
and we'll see where it goes
from there, huh?

You know,
sometime around last summer,

I got to thinking
that maybe I'd made

a mistake about you.

I'd catch myself, when
I was alone sometimes,
thinking about us.

And I'd kind of
pull myself together,
and I'd say to myself...

"Karen...

"one of these days
he's going to call you

"and when he does,
you're going to handle
things differently."

But you never called and...

Well, go on.
What is it?

This is so corny.

Now, if you laugh at this,
I'm gonna punch you.
I mean it.

Well, I actually

looked you up
in the phone book

to see if you were listed
under Mr. And Mrs.

You said you wouldn't laugh.

I was sure some
sharpsh**ter would have
picked you off by now.

Anyway, I finally decided
that I'd better make
the first move,

so I called. You see...

I'm still pretty liberated.

Yeah, well,
I'm glad you did, Karen.

All I'm getting from you,
my friend, is...
What did you call it?

Curiosity?

Okay, Karen.

It's more than just curiosity.

Oh, that's nice.

Hey, how would you like to go
sit closer to the fire?

Yeah, there's a free table.

You're looking good, Karen.

Thank you.

There's something you're doing
must agree with you.

I told you, I've gotten
into real estate.

You know,
I got my broker's license
about a year ago.

Do you know
that I even have
my own office?

I'm impressed.
Good.

I do most of my work
out in the West Valley.

That has a nice,
solid ring to it.

Oh, it is solid.

You know something else?
It's fun.

I have finally found something
that I can do well
and that I really enjoy.

I have got a deal going now,

stands to net me
$250,000 worth of profits.

And you know something?

It's gonna go through,
'cause I am a
dynamite salesman.

Yeah, I remember.

So do I.

I've got two tickets
to the tennis matches
tomorrow.

Would you like to come?
I mean, can you get away?

Sure. That's one of the joys
of self-employment. What time?

Pick me up around 12:00?

Okay.

And then we...

I forgot. I've got a 10:30
appointment in Pasadena,

and there are these
escrow papers that have
to go to the realty company.

Jim, I wouldn't
ordinarily ask this,

it's just that I'm in a bind
because I've got a deadline.

And it's really, you know,
a big deal.

Is that that $250,000 deal?

Could you pick up the papers
at my office and take them
over to Chilson Realty?

What are friends for?

Oh.

I can think of lot of
other things friends are for.

Bet you can.

Excuse me.
I'd like to see
Mr. Chilson, please.

Yeah. I think
he's in his office.

Jack? Guy out here
wants to see you.

What's your name?

Rockford. Jim Rockford.

Karen Stiles asked me to...

Jim Rockford.

Okay. Grab a chair,
he'll be right out.

Collier's?

Rockford?
Yes.

Jack Chilson, sorry to
keep you waiting.

No problem. No problem.
I guess this is what
you're waiting for.

Yes, it is.
And I want to thank you
for bringing it over.

Oh, no trouble.
Glad to be of help.

Mr. Rockford,
do you want a receipt?

You think that's necessary?

I don't know if it's
necessary, but under
the circumstances,

I think it'd be advisable.

Have a seat, it'll just
take me a few minutes
to check this over.

Yeah. Would you mind hurrying?

I'll just catch up
on my reading.

Say, would you mind
checking with Mr. Chilson,

see how much longer
he's gonna be?

Couldn't take this long
to look at
a few escrow papers.

Jack? Guy out here
wants to know how much
longer you're gonna be.

Yeah. Okay.

Just a couple more minutes.

Jim Rockford?

I'm Sergeant Brunner,
this is Detective Michaels,
LAPD.

You're under arrest,
Mr. Rockford.

Read him his rights, Ed.

"You have the right to
remain silent. If you give up
the right to remain silent,

"anything you say can
and will be used against you
in a court of law.

"You have the right to speak
with an attorney

"and have the attorney present
during questioning..."

$100,000?

What are you talking about?
It was a bunch
of escrow papers.

Did you see them?

Not exactly.

Well, what exactly
did you see?

That. That briefcase, locked.

I was told it contained
escrow papers,

and, as far as I'm concerned,
that's what I delivered.

This is what you delivered.

So, I was wrong.

Look, Dennis, I was
doing a friend a favor.
I was a messenger.

Why drag me down here?
I haven't done
anything illegal.

That depends
on how you look at it.

Okay, Dennis. Let's have it.

The money's not straight.

Hold it. Wait a minute.

Do I read you right?
Are you accusing me
of counterfeiting?

I'm not accusing you
of anything.

But how do you explain
you happened to be
carrying around

$100,000 in funny money?

Explain?
I've already explained.

A friend gave me
a briefcase to deliver.
I delivered it.

Your friend is Karen Stiles.

She had to deliver $100,000
to Chilson Realty today

to exercise an option
on a piece of property.

We've talked to her.

She said the money
she put in the case
was the real thing.

She told you
she gave me the money?

Real money.

She hates to think
that you're ripping her off.

Look, Jimbo,
I got no choice.

But I'm gonna have to
book you for possession
and passing counterfeit money.

It's a federal beef,
you know.

I know.

That's a federal beef,
you know?

I know, I know.

Don't get sore at me, Jim.
I didn't pass the phony money.

Well, thanks.
Thanks a lot.

It's a real comfort
having you as my attorney.

First, I can't find you,
so I've got to spend the night
in this dump.

Then, when I do find you,
you think I'm guilty.

I didn't say that,

even though your story
is pretty shaky.

And attorneys are people, too,
you know.

I have a right
to a social life,

same as you.

Oh, Beth, I haven't
seen Karen in four years.

Did I say anything?
I'm your attorney,
not your keeper.

Take her four years
to come up with this frame?
'Cause it's a beauty.

I've been thinking
about that all night.

I just can't buy it.

No? Well, then buy this.

I just spoke with Solly,
he won't go your bail.

If you fall on this rap,

you're gonna be staring
at 5 to 10 years

in the federal birdcage
at Terminal Island.

If we don't get the truth
out of her, we're gonna
be in trouble, Jim.

Who is she, anyway?

Oh,

I did time with her father
in Quentin.

And then, when I got out
he told me to look her up.

And we got friendly.

That's a friend?

Her uncle is
a three-time loser.

She's been on the con
since she was 14 years old.

She set me up.

I didn't wanna believe it,
but she set me up.

Morning, Beth, Jim.

Everything's been
all cleared up.
You're free to go.

What?

(STAMMERING) Wait a minute.

They just told me out there
they were holding him
on $10,000 bail.

Yeah, well, it was
a little misunderstanding.

But he's free on an OR.

And you could pick up
your personal effects
at Property.

An OR? Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure.

What do you mean, am I sure?

You think I could make
a mistake like that?

The man is sure.
Let's not press the issue.

It's been nice
seeing you, as always.

Let's get together
for lunch, huh, Dennis?

All right.

Hey, sonny,
am I glad to see you.

I was just on my way
over to the jail.

Beth phoned and
told me what happened.

What happened?

Well, I can't explain it.
It's some sort
of crazy mix-up.

When she called
she said they wasn't
gonna set no bail.

How did you get out?

They just opened the door
and let me out.

That worries me a little.

I get the feeling
they know something
that I don't.

Well, what are you gonna do?

I'm gonna shower,
shave, change clothes.

Then I'm gonna go out
and get the answers
to a whole lot of questions.

(CHATTERING)

Hi, this is a surprise.

I'll bet it is.

How'd you know I was here?

I called your office.

It's clever, huh?

You're not in
a very good mood.

I'm in a lousy mood.

Spending the night
in the slammer

usually has
that effect on me.

Oh, Jim, I'm sorry
about that.

Not as sorry as I am.
I'm facing a federal rap.

Now, why'd you set me up?

I didn't.

I didn't. And if you don't
know me any better than that,

then there's nothing
for us even to talk about.

Oh, now, wait a minute.

There's a lot for us
to talk about.

What right do you have
to look so wounded?

I didn't set you up.

You told me I was delivering
escrow papers.

I didn't tell you
about the money,
because...

Look, I know you're
an honest man, basically.

They say that every man
has his price.
And $100,000 is...

You didn't tell me,
because you didn't trust me?

Well, neither of us
could have anticipated
what was going to happen,

and counterfeit...

You know, I'd forgotten.

You're awfully good.

I'd like to
explain to you.

Why, gee, Karen,
that would really be swell.

A week ago,
I sold 100 acres
of desert land.

I got paid in cash
for it.

Well, it's not
that I doubt you, but isn't
that a little unusual?

Dealing in cash?

It's very unusual.

But the client was
a good friend of mine.

I thought he was
a good friend of mine.
He...

He was going through
this messy divorce,

and I figured that
he didn't want any
canceled checks showing up

when it came time to
split the community property.

So, your client stiffed you
with the phony money?

And I used that money
to exercise my option
for the property

I was buying
for Chilson Realty.

I guess I should have
looked at it a little closer.

You know what I think?

I think you're lying.

And I think
you've nominated me
as Patsy of the Year.

You didn't even try
to straighten me out
with the cops and the feds.

Oh, babe,
the reason I didn't try

was that I knew
it wouldn't do any good.

I probably would have
wound up in jail

and what would
that have done?

It would have given me
peace of mind

knowing that you were
serving time right along
with me.

What do you want me to do?

Give me the name
of your client.

Tony Lederer.

Good. We'll start
by seeing him.

Oh, we can't see him.

When the police told me about
the money being counterfeit,
I tried to call him.

He's gone.
He has totally disappeared.

Talk about taking
someone for a ride. I...

You know, if you
could find him...

Oh, no.

First, we start
by cleaning up my image.

Now, I want you to come
down to the police station
with me and tell them

that I was just
a messenger boy.

Have them hang
a number on me?

Well, tell them
about Lederer.

He gave you the money.
You had no reason
to suspect it wasn't real.

All right.
Just take me a minute.
I'm gonna go change.

I'll meet you out front.

You don't need to change.

Well, I can't go into
a police station like this.

Sure, you can.

Jim, I want to change.
No.

What seems to be
the trouble?

Nothing. I was
just going to change.

Hey,
thanks for a good game.

Is there another exit
besides the front one
to this building?

Well, sure has been nice
chatting with you guys.

Good day.

Sorry I kept you waiting.

(YELLING) Jim!
Get your hands off me.

Jim!

Jim!

We got a make
on that license plate.

Pretty clever.

What's clever, Dennis?

The kidnappers.

They used the girl's
own car to snatch her.

That's great.
Where do we go from here?

Well, I put an APB
out on her car.
All we can do is wait.

I still don't know
what the hell's going on,
Dennis.

Why would anyone
wanna kidnap Karen?

Well, the girl's been hanging
around shady characters
all her life.

Maybe it's somebody who had
a grudge against her old man.
Who knows?

I don't know.

What about Tony Lederer,
did you check him out?

He's clean.
Not even a traffic ticket.

This burglary report
is the only thing we have,
and he was the victim.

$500,000 in jewelry

stolen from a wall safe
in their home?

Yeah. His wife reported it
last week.

And $100,000
in counterfeit money.
How does that connect up?

How?

I asked first.

What are you doing?

Just taking
a couple of notes.

Well, don't bother.
This is a very
active police case.

Very active. And we got feds
crawling all over the place.

Don't get involved.

Are you kidding?

Look, when you get
this case wrapped up,
give me a call, all right?

I don't want to be
anywhere near this one.

(DOORBELL CHIMING)

Yes, sir?

My name is Hagle. I'm with
Western American Insurance.

I'd like to see
Mrs. Lederer, please.

Oh, insurance.

Well, Mrs. Lederer
is around the side,
at the stables.

Oh, well, thank you.
Thank you.

I don't know, Frank.
He's still favoring that leg.

Are you sure the vet
couldn't find anything?

That's what he said,
Mrs. Lederer.

Well, I want
a second opinion.

And I don't want him ridden
till I know for sure.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes? What can I
do for you?

Are you Mrs. Lederer?

That's right.

I'm Arthur Hagle.
Western American Insurance.

We're handling
the claim on your jewelry.

If it's about the check,
that's to be sent
to my business manager.

No, no, it's not
the check, not yet.

Well, I've already made out
my report in triplicate.

Well, you have to understand,
Mrs. Lederer,
that on a claim this size,

the company likes to
have the facts checked
and rechecked.

And rechecked.
Yeah.

All right,
what is it this time?

Well, first,

the appraised value
of the jewelry.

My records show
$522,000.

Would you say
that's correct?

Yes.

And the police report
shows that the person,
or persons unknown,

broke into your safe
last Wednesday morning
between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Broke in? They blew it up
with dynamite.

I'm surprised
the whole house
didn't go.

Did you hear
the expl*si*n?

I wasn't at home that night.
I was staying with a friend.

Was your husband at home?

I rather doubt that.

If Mr. Lederer sets one foot
on my property,

I'll have him
thrown in jail
and he knows it.

Your property?

My property.

Your jewelry?

My everything, Mr. Hagle.

Jewelry, house, cars,
bank accounts.

He has rather nice clothes.
I let him keep those.

Well, that...
That seems equitable.

Mrs. Lederer, could you
tell me where I might
find your husband?

Why?

Routine questions.

Strange questions
for an insurance man.

Mrs. Lederer, after
everything you've told me
regarding your husband,

do you think it's possible
that he might have...

Stolen the jewelry
himself?

His was the first name
that popped into my mind.

But the answer's no.

I've had him followed
by private investigators

for the past two months.

May I ask why?

You may ask.
Of course, I won't answer.

Why hire a private detective
when you've already agreed

on a divorce settlement?

Goodbye, Mr. Hagle.

Thank you for your time.

Mrs. Lederer,

is there another way
out of here besides
the front driveway?

Yes. Behind the stables.

There's a dirt road
that leads back
to the main highway.

Why?

I'm being followed by the FBI.
I'd like to lose them.

Nice sh*t, Dennis.

I hate to break up your game,
but I gotta talk to you.

Oh, that's all right.
I've been running those
guys pretty hard, anyway.

They could use
a breather.

Dennis, I want you
to level with me.

Were the feds behind
my getting sprung?

What makes you think that?

I think they sprung me
just to see

if I'd lead them
to the source
of the bad money.

Did they?

I couldn't even tell you
if I knew it.

Yeah, I got the feeling
that they got
a lot more to go on

than just my delivering
that briefcase.

You really don't know,
do you?

Dennis, did you
ever get the feeling

that everybody knows more
about something than you do,

and the more questions
you ask, the less you know?

You served time
with Sam Stiles.

Sam Stiles was sent up
for kiting checks.

But didn't you know he was
one of the top plate artists
in the country?

You didn't. Well, that's
where it's at, Jim.

You knew Stiles in prison,

and now you show up
with his daughter
on your arm,

and a suitcase
full of play money.

Are you trying to tell me
Karen was deliberately
passing phony money?

I'm not trying to tell you
anything, Jim. That's the way
the feds see it.

And that she staged
her own kidnapping
just to take the heat off.

That makes about as much sense
as anything else.

Why'd you get mixed up
with that dame, anyway, Jim?

I don't know. I like her.

I don't trust her.

She'd sell me out
for ten cents on a dollar.
But I like her.

Hey!

Mrs. Lederer, please. LAPD.

Mrs. Lederer?
This is Sergeant Jim Dennis,

Los Angeles Police Department.

And I have some
good news for you.

I think we may have
found your jewels.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

I wonder, could you come down
to the Wilshire Station

at 5:00 this afternoon
and identify them?

Yes, ma'am.
Thank you very much.

Hi, remember me?

Arthur Hagle,
Western American Insurance.

Yeah, can I speak
to Mrs. Lederer?

Oh, I'm sorry. She isn't in.
She went to
pick up her jewels.

Oh.

Well, maybe you can help me.

When I was here before,
Mrs. Lederer gave me
the name

of a private detective agency
she had hired.

And I seem to have
misplaced my notes.

Would you happen
to remember the name?

Oh, you must mean
Mr. Slauson.

Right. Slauson.
Tom, wasn't it?

No, Murray.
On Wilshire Boulevard.

Of course, Murray Slauson.
Well, thank you so much.

You're welcome.

that our discussion will
remain strictly confidential.

You understand,
Mr. Slauson,

Of course, you...

You understand the importance
of our finding Mr. Lederer.

I mean, an insurance claim
of this size, we always like
to be sure of our facts.

Mrs. Lederer says
that you have been

observing Mr. Lederer
for quite some time now.

I'm sure you know
his whereabouts.

In my notes,

it says that Mr. Lederer
consummated a business deal

with a Karen Stiles.

I think they bought
some desert property,
I believe.

Look, Slauson,
I'm getting a little tired
of doing a monologue.

Why don't you
throw in a "yeah"
or a "maybe"

or even an "uh-uh"
once in a while, huh?

I don't know nothing
about no business deal.

Lederer was having an affair
with this Stiles broad.

And that's about all
I'm gonna tell you,

Rockford.

Yeah, I know who you are.

I study all my competition,

even though you ain't much.

(CHUCKLING)
Jim Rockford,

the con bull artist.

You never run
a straight line
in your life.

It's guys like you that give
the PI business a bad name.

Now, get out of here, bug,
before I squash you.

Well, I can understand
how you'd feel that way,

I mean, looking through
bedroom windows

and taking dirty pictures
must be more
spiritually rewarding.

Stuff it, Rockford.

Look, Slauson,

there's no need for anger.

Well, I'm sure I can

find the information I need
somewhere else.

You don't need
to show me out.
I can find my way.

When I get through
with you, pal,
you're gonna be on wheels.

Now, look, Slauson,
I don't wanna fight
with you, I really don't.

In fact,
I'd actually hate it.

The only way you're
gonna get out of here,
big mouth, is through me.

Yeah. Yeah,
I can see that.

(CAR HORN BEEPING)

(CAR HORN BEEPING)

Hey, yo-yo,
what's your problem?

You wanna see Karen,
don't you?

Come on,
we'll take you to her.

You're the two guys
that grabbed her.

You want to see her
or not?

Yeah, I want to
see her.

Do you mind if I follow
in my car?

Suit yourself.

I suppose you're more
than a little upset at me.

Me, upset? Whatever for?

I can explain.

Of course
you can explain, Karen.

It's just that I'm not
in a very receptive mood,
that's all.

Would you mind
backing off a little bit

and giving me
some more room, huh?

Jim, I'm sorry. This is Jerry
and Fred Southerland.

Some real-estate
associates of mine.

Charmed.

Watch your mouth,
mister.

If these two guys
sell real estate,
it comes in 6-foot plots.

You really are
upset with me,
aren't you?

Well, let's just get
a couple of things
straight, all right?

I know you set me up.
I know you fed me to the cops.

I know that your
only interest in me

is to lay a false trail
for the Federal Government.

So let's stop with the
flickering candlelights
and romance, angel,

and get down to see
who's gonna end up
rolling in the mud.

You're not even
going to listen to
what I have to say.

Of course I'll listen, Karen.

Who knows?
I might even get an idea.

Let's go
into the other room.

You know, there's a good idea.
Why don't you guys

just clean your g*ns, huh?
Get ready for your
next big real-estate deal.

I have to admit
I haven't been
too fair with you.

Oh, really? How refreshing.

Come on, Karen.

Where did you get
the q*eer money?

From your father's estate?

It was all money
my father had printed up.

And after he d*ed,
it became mine,
more or less.

I've had that money
for over a year.

I have never been
tempted to use it before.

I wouldn't have used it now,
if I hadn't been
in such a bind.

Well, we'll see
if we can get the teacher

to give you
a gold star for effort,
anyway.

Could you possibly
stop being flippant,

just try to understand?

Oh, I understand, Karen.

We're just playing
this out for fun.

You've really turned
into a choirboy
since I saw you last.

Old times only buys you
one ticket

and you cashed that yesterday.

Tony Lederer
and I had a deal.

He was supposed to
put up half

to buy this large piece
of real estate in the valley.

Well, that's a pretty
cute trick for a guy
that hasn't got ten cents.

You're wrong about that.

I talked to Mrs. Lederer.
Everything's in her name.

Tony has a lot of money.
His wife doesn't even
know about it.

Anyway, the deal was
that I found the property,

he was going to put up
$100,000 for the option,
and we'd split the profits.

I swear to you, I don't know
what made him back out.

That's when I got desperate
and used dad's money.

Jim, you've got to find
Lederer for me. I'll pay
your fee, whatever it is.

I know that if I can
just get hold of him,

I can talk to him
and change his mind
and push this thing through.

Is that the whole pitch?

It's the truth.

Okay.

It has really been great fun.

I suppose I can get
out of here without getting
my kneecaps sh*t off.

Jim, I need help.

Yeah. Me, too.

You've got to find
Lederer for me.

You can call me here.
I'll be here
for a couple of days.

Hiding out
or something?

I'll give you a lot of money.
I'll even cut you in
on the real-estate deal.

Oh, gee,
this is turning out
to be my lucky day.

Should we follow him?

I'd say yes,
but I don't think you could.

ROCKY: What did Becker say
when you told him
she wasn't kidnapped?

ROCKFORD: Well, I didn't
exactly tell him the truth.

I told him it was
just sort of a gag,
and I misread it.

You know, Rock,
I've never seen a situation

with so many pieces missing.

Nothing seems
to make any sense.

It never did
with that family.

She comes from
a long line of losers.

Uncle Charlie.

Karen's Uncle Charlie
used to be a top box man

before he went to Joliet.
He's retired now.

He could have
easily shown her
how to cr*ck a home safe.

What did she do, Jimmy?
What are you saying?

Take care of this stuff
for me, will you, Rocky?

I gotta go find a fence.

Now, that's
Lucky Lisa in the sixth. Yes.

And at Santa Anita,
Tidy Boy in the fourth.

Five on each to win.
And, Sidney,

I will be around later
this afternoon to collect the
$50 that you already owe me.

Morning, Preacher.

Oh! Sidney,
I'll catch you later.

Jim, it's good to see you.

You're still fooling them,
Preacher?

The Lord loves
a sinner, brother.

I need a little help.
Help?

Yes, well,
we all need help.

Seek and ye...
Preacher, Preacher.

I need a fence.
Someone who could
move $500,000 in ice.

Have you tried
Louis Montana?

And China Sam,
and Big Frank,
Fat Richard.

That's your first string,
all right.

Yeah, well, are there
any comers?

You know, somebody
I might have missed?

A shark moving up
I haven't heard about yet?

Comers, comers.
Sharks on their way up...

Why...

Somebody up there
is smiling on you today, Jim.

Mr. Appleby?

Yes, may I help you?

Well, I hope so.

But can I show you something?

About $500,000 in hot ice?

I had a feeling
when I got up this morning.
I said to myself,

"It's going to be
one of those days."

Didn't take you
for a fed, though.

You boys are
getting wiser, huh?

Well, not really.
I'm not a fed.

I'm in business for myself.
I'm looking
for a little information.

Try the Yellow Pages.

Well, the Preacher said
you might give me some help.

Oh, Preacher put you onto me?

Yeah, yeah, he said,
"The mouth of the just
bringeth forth wisdom."

Oh, that's good.
What do you need?

Well, just what I said.
$500,000 in ice.
Did it come through you?

No. That's because
there was no ice.

Very nice, yes,
but just paste.

Yeah, well, the woman
who brought it in,
did she have a name?

Do you?

She's about 5'2",
late 20s...

Real dish.

Thanks, Appleby.

What you've told me,
Mr. Rockford,
is an incredible story.

To be honest,
I find it very difficult
to believe.

Well, I can
understand that.

But let's just say
that it is true.

$500,000 is a lot of money
to save the company.

That would make you
a very big man
at the home office.

This is the home office.

Now, what do you want
from all this?

Or are you
merely being altruistic?

Oh, no, no, Mr. Braverman,
that's not one of my faults.

No, I was thinking about

10% finder's fee?

That's a lot of money
for very little work.

Very well,
I'll see to it.

I had a feeling you would.

Now, if you'll just
point me to your files,

I have a lot of research
to do on Mr. Lederer.

Hi.

Glad you're back.

Did you find Tony?

No.

No, but I found out
about you and Tony

and what you two were up to.

You and Tony pulled
the Lederer jewel robbery.

Only, somehow,

Tony pulled a switch on you
and you ended up
with the paste,

and he ended up
with the real jewelry.

You have been busy.

But you haven't got it
exactly right.

Okay, Karen,
how does it really go?

Well, you remember
that big real-estate deal
I told you about?

Tony and I were
trying to tie it up.

If we'd been
able to swing it,

we would have
put down $200,000

and then resold it
to a syndicate that I put
together two days later

for $2 million.

That's a nice profit.

We were going to use
Mrs. Lederer's jewels for
collateral on the $200,000,

but Tony had a fight with her
and she kicked him out
and sued for divorce.

So we decided to
steal the jewels,
so the deal could go through.

Only Tony double-crossed you,
took off with the jewels,

left you with the paste,
and disappeared.

I dug out dad's old money
and tried to make it work.

Do you know, if they hadn't
found out it was counterfeit,

two days later
I would have closed escrow,
resold that property

and made $2 million?

Karen...

if I turn up
Lederer for you,

how much is it
gonna net me?

What would you
say to $10,000?

Oh, that sounds generous.

I think you'd better
take me to him, then.

KAREN: How did you find Tony?

ROCKFORD: I checked at the
Power and Light office.

They said this place
was in use, so I figured
it had to be Lederer.

There's his car.

Hell, I don't want
to spook him.

Tell Frick and Frack
back there to wait
a couple of minutes

before they make
their charge.

We're going in alone.
Follow us in a few minutes.

Right.

We wait here.

KAREN: Tony?

Now, we can settle this
very quickly.
All I want is my $100,000.

Look, Karen, baby,
now, you know
I wouldn't stiff you.

Look, you have to understand.
My wife had me in a box.

Look, please,
I don't want any excuses.
Just the money.

If not, I'm afraid
I'll just have to ask

Jerry and Fred
to take you out to the lake

and use you for an anchor.

Okay. Okay,
I'll get it for you.

But it'll take
a couple of days.

Look, I'm telling you
the truth. I exchanged
those jewels months ago.

I sold the real ones
in Europe. Look, the money
is in a Swiss account.

I don't believe you.

ROCKFORD: You should.

Who asked you?

Well, it all fits
with what his wife told me.
He had no money.

And when he found out
she was going to divorce him,

well, he had to get rid
of the phonies. He conned you
into doing the job for him.

Damn it.

(SIGHING)

Jim, I'm sorry about this.
I really mean that.

It's just that it...
It suddenly appears to me

that you're
a terrible problem,

and I don't see
any other solution to this.

So much for old love affairs.

I said I was sorry.

I hate to be
a stickler, Karen,
but that hardly covers it.

If I let you go,
you'd go to the authorities

and then I wouldn't get
out of the country.

And after all we've
meant to each other.

Old love affairs are
like disposable tissues.

It's never a good idea
to count on them twice.

Well, then, you won't feel
too badly about it
when I tell you

that this whole conversation
is being transmitted
to the police.

Well,

you can believe me
when I tell you that this
whole place is surrounded.

All right, let's go.

This is going
to be a pleasure.

All right,
hold it right there.

And, you,
drop that g*n.

Take them all in.
Including the girl.

You okay, Jim?

Oh, yeah, I'm fine.
I was just hanging around
till you showed up.

Jim, I...

Yeah, I know, Karen.

You're sorry.

I really did look you up
in the phone book.

Doesn't your stomach
ever rebel eating that stuff?

Not after 8:00
in the morning. No.

Well, I'm sure glad
to see that all of this

ain't hurt
your appetite none,
sonny.

Besides, him and me
both warned you
against that one.

I could have gone
the rest of my life
without you saying that

and never missed it.

Well, we all make mistakes.

Just so we learn
from them.

I guess that's
the important thing.
Dennis,

how much do you think
she's gonna get?

Passing counterfeit money,
burglary. One to 20 years,
I should say.

And all they're gonna
get Lederer for
is conspiracy.

Probably be out
in six months.

Looks like I'm the only one
who's gonna get stiffed.

There's no jewels to recover,

so I blew the $50,000
finder's fee.

Easy come, easy go.

What was that again?

I said, easy come, easy go.

Did I hear him right?

Yeah.

Oh, well, thanks for
the sentiments, Dennis.

Sure makes me
feel a lot better.

Well, what are you
so sore about?

I'm not sore.

Just forget it, will you?

He liked her, Dennis,
that's all.

Yeah.

Yeah.