07x22 - The Test

[bunniefuu]

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[whirring]

Good morning.

'Any luck?'

Just got out here.

I know you from someplace?

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Move.

My wallet's in my tackle box.

Move.

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[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

...William Reynolds

with guest stars

John Colicos..

...Harold Gould..

...Barbara Babcock

and Robert Foxworth

as Paul Hale.

Tonight's episode, "The Test."

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[tire screeching]

In the late afternoon of August 9th

Paul Hale, the only son

of prominent Portland, Oregon businessman, George Hale

came home to receive a special delivery letter

postmarked "Kelso, Washington"

threatening his father's life.

The FBI was notified

and immediately entered the case.

The letterhead's been cut off.

Tom, get this over right away.

Inspector, state police have just located Hale's car

near a deserted beach, about 75 miles out of Portland.

Apparently, he had been fishing

when the kidnapper approached him.

There was evidence of a struggle.

Did your father mention he was going fishing?

No, he was gone when I got up.

I asked the servants but nobody saw him leave.

I suppose I should've guessed

'but keeping up with my dad is a full time job.'

He might have just as easily

taken off for Alaska to hunt grizzly.

Would anyone else know where he was going?

No.

Why? You think it might be someone he knows?

Can you think of someone who might hold a grudge against him?

No.

Of course, uh..

My dad really never has taken me into his confidence

about things like that.

Uh..

I suppose you gentlemen don't approve.

Well, you go to your church, I'll go to mine.

Look, uh, I need help.

I'm really not ready to deal with this, you know, uh..

I've called my sister in Los Angeles, she's flying up.

You're gonna have to deal with it.

Whoever sent that note

is gonna be getting in touch with you again.

Well, we'll pay the ransom, there's no question about that.

My only concern is for my father's safety.

If he's still alive.

I'd like to leave an agent here around the clock

if you don't mind.

I'll do anything you want, inspector.

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[water running]

[sighs]

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There's some food, if you want.

What do you want with me?

Retribution.

For what?

[chuckling] You don't even know who I am, do you?

Should I?

One day you're something.

Somebody..

People say "Good morning" to you when you come to work.

Suddenly you're dirt.

Overnight.

Take me to the bank.

I'll write a check for whatever amount you want.

It's too late.

'Your son should have the ransom letter by now.'

My son!

Look, I'm telling you, if you want that money

you take me to the bank.

My son..

My son doesn't know anything about these matters.

You're not giving the orders.

You just better pray that your son comes through.

[intense music]

[water running]

[telephone ringing]

I'll get it.

Ward.

Oh, good, put him on.

- Lewis. - Uh, Art, Tom's here with me.

I'm putting you on to the speaker.

[Arthur] 'Lewis, we examined the ransom note you sent us.'

'It's written on expensive commercial stationary.'

'It has a watermark.'

'It's manufactured in Portland, Oregon.'

Columbia Paper Products.

- Good. Any latent prints? - 'Yes, there were, several.'

However, the handwriting doesn't match anything

we've got on our anonymous letter file.

Lewis, I'll keep you advised.

[telephone disconnects]

Tom, see what you can find out at Columbia Paper.

Alright.

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[dings]

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Long distance.

I'm calling... "Portland, area code



[dings]

[telephone rings]

Yes.

- Paul Hale? - Yes.

Have you got the money?

The-the banks don't open till 10.

Listen to me.

And listen well.

If you ever want to see your father alive

you'll have the money in small denominations

by noon today.

I'll call you back at 12.

If you don't have it, I'll k*ll him.

Wait!

[door opens]

Yes, this is all watermark.

But we just discontinued this three years ago

when we went to some new bonds.

Hmm.

Well, can you give me an idea of how many companies

use this particular stationary?

Well, you'd have to check with associated stationary

and office equipment.

We, uh, did a special order of the paper for them.

But I'll tell you this

it was not one of our best sellers.

I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

- Thank you, Mr. Davis. - Quite welcome.

Good day.

Yes, I see.

When he comes in, call me at the house right away.

You mean, he hasn't been to the bank?

Well, what time is it?



Well, something must have happened then.

[doorbell rings]

- Yes? - 'Miss Hale..'

'I'm inspector Erskine. This is Special Agent Colby.'

Oh, yes. Come in, please.

Sir, the, uh, agents at the bank say that

Mr. Hale hasn't shown up yet.

Inspector..

...I know where he is.

He's stopped at a bar.

[water running]

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[sighs]

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[sighs]

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You're Logan.

'John Logan.'

If you believe what you see.

Oh, uh..

I don't understand.

- Five years ago-- - You ruined me.

You went to my customers.

Told them I was old-fashioned

the times had passed me by.

Oh, you did a good job on me.

All my customers left.

I could never get back up.

Look, it wasn't exactly that way.

That's exactly the way it was.

You know..

Years..

...I gave body and soul to that business.

And in six months..

...I was wiped out.

That night I told my wife I was bankrupt.

I..

I'll never forget it.

Year later..

...she was dead.

[sighs]

Look, I'm-I'm sorry.

I couldn't go on welfare.

Sit in the park.

Huh.

I swallowed my pride.

I called you.

[chuckles]

You know what you said to me?

That you couldn't put anybody on.

Look, John, that-that was true.

You see, I overextended myself.

Please, you got to believe me.

Leave me.

[groans]

[retching]

[John coughing]

[groaning]

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Lou, agents located Paul in Jason's Bar

near Fidelity Trust, the bank he was headed for.

Uh, inspector, could I, could I come with you?

- I think might be able to help. - Come on.

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You have to understand Paul.

[sighs] He never got out from under my father's shadow.

Well, I was supposed to be the boy.

And, so, when Paul was born

my father..

...he'd just put all his hopes

and all his expectations in him.

'And my father is a very successful man.'

He's.. Oh, he's even an exceptional man.

He's succeeded in everything he ever attempted to do.

And Paul couldn't compete.

He tried to. He..

Once he took up chess, just so that he could

beat dad at something.

'And at first, he did.'

'And then, before long'

it was all he could do to hold his own.

Oh, I'm not being fair.

I'm making my father

sound like some sort of ogre.

[Lewis] 'No, I-I, I think I understand.'

Do you? I'm not sure I understand myself.

I don't understand why Paul never got out.

'Maybe I'm just trying to justify myself.'

I..

I ran away after my mother died

and I tried to get Paul to come with me.

And we had a terrible fight

and, uh..

...and he said that my father needed us now

more than ever.

And the truth is that my father never needed anybody

not even my mother.

I'm sorry.

I don't usually talk like this

unless I'm upset.

- I'm sorry. - Don't be.

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Paul.

- Mary-- - Oh, Paul, how could you?

W-wha-what time is it?

I've got to get to the bank.

Inspector.

You better get back to the house

so you can take the call.

[grunting]

[telephone rings]

- Hello. - 'Have you got the money?'

Yes.

- I-I'm-I'm getting it. - What do you mean, getting it?

I-I-I told you to have it.

Look, you-you just have to, you just have to wait.

You-you'll get your money. You will.

You got to give me m-more time, you know, it's not that easy

'to get together $250,000.'

Alright.

A-a-alright. W..

When you get it, put it in an attache case

and, and drive to Seattle.

'Just before you reach the city limits'

take the Pacific turn off.

There's a phone booth at the first set of lights you come to.

'Be there at 9:00, tonight.'

'That should give you enough time.'

W-wait a..

A Pacific turn off, the phone booth.

The first set of lights.

Take a four-door sedan..

...with the mirror removed.

- I don't understand, why? - Just do it!

A-a-and be sure you're alone.

Look..

...how do I know my father's even alive?

Oh, he's alive.

But he won't be unless you're there tonight with the money.

Why would he want the mirror removed

unless he intended to get in the car with me?

That's a possibility.

He's..

He'll have a g*n.

Uh, he'll, he'll be desperate, you know.

He'd have to be desperate to do something like this

in the first place.

Couldn't somebody else take his place?

- Yes. - 'But..'

[Paul] 'If he knows who I am, he'd know'

we made a switch.

What do you want to do, Paul?

[crying]

I better get to the bank. I'm gonna drive to Seattle.

Paul.

Paul!

Our agents checked associated stationary.

'Now, their record show that eight companies'

'ordered the stationary.'

But only two ordered the grey tint paper

the kind the ransom note was written on.

They both been checked?

Well, they found one.

But the other company, uh, Logan Lumber Company

went bankrupt about five years ago.

Now, the interesting thing, Lou, is that, um..

...the Logan Lumber Company, what business

they had left was absorbed by their principal competitor.

A company owned by George Hale.

We've been trying to locate the former owner, John Logan.

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[clanks]

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[grunting]

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Told you he wasn't here.

He just took off, not a word.

Nothing.

Yeah.

How do you figure it?

A man lives here four years.

And then sneaks off like a thief in the night.

You know, i-it's hard to believe

that he used to own a big lumber company.

Oh, I guess he just, uh

bottomed out after his wife died, huh.

- How long has he been gone? - Um..

Three days.

We'd like to take this with us.

Sure.

Alright, Mr. Grozny, thank you very much for your cooperation.

If, um, you should hear from Mr. Logan..

...please give us a call

and, uh, don't tell him we were here, okay?

You betcha.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

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That is impossible.

Look, the lumber yard alone is worth nearly a million dollars.

Over the last two years

your father has suffered severe losses

in the stock market.

He's overextended himself to the point

where the lumber yard is on the verge of bankruptcy.

He never told me that!

How much is the bank prepared

to lend us?

I would like to say the full amount.

But under the circumstances

the...best we can do..

$70,000.

It's a long way from $250,000.

Paul..

...let me give you something to think about.

'We can pack that $70,000 in such a way'

'as to make it look like 250.'

But if he discovers he's being tricked

he could k*ll me.

It's a possibility.

It's up to you.

Um..

I'll ta-take the chance.

Alright.

If he does get in the car with you

don't panic, just do what he tells you.

And with your permission we like to, um

conceal a small radio in your car

so you can keep in touch with us

and we can hear everything that's said.

Yeah, sure.

Paul, are you sure you wanna do this?

Who else can?

Oh..

You don't have any confidence in me.

Oh, Paul, now that has nothing to do with it.

Doesn't it?

Paul, now, please.

Don't put me on trial, Mary. Not now, don't.

I'm not the one putting you on the trial, Pau--

Who is?

Who do you think is?

Look, when I wanna be analyzed

I'll pay for it, alright?

I'm sorry, I came here 'cause I thought I could help.

You say I put myself on trial

'how do I do that?'

By comparing yourself to dad.

I do that?

Yes, you do that.

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[squeaking]

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I had such plans.

But life goes by so fast.

Where does it all go?

You ever wonder about that?

Logan, Logan, please

at least move me to the upper deck

before the water fills the hold.

- 'Why?' - Don't you understand, man?

I'll drown here!

That depends on your son.

Whether he comes through with the money.

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Hello, Tom, leaving for the day?

Mr. Ward.

I'll only be in town a few hours.

- Where's Lewis? - In Seattle.

He's surveillance on the Hale kidnapping.

How's young Hale doing?

- He's nervous. - Well, he's got a right to be.

Mr. Ward, the bureau calling.

Thank you, Carter. Ward.

Mr. Ward, this is Warren Burwick calling

from the Identification Division.

Hold on a minute, Warren, I'll put you on the speaker

Tom Colby's with me.

I just wanna let you know we found a fingerprint record

for your suspect John Logan.

His prints match the latents on the ransom note.

Good work, Warren.

Tom, call the US attorney

get authority for a warrant for the arrest of John Logan.

Yes, sir.

[water gushing]

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Help!

'Help! Help!'

Help!

Anybody there?

'Help!'

'Help!'

'Help!'

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'Help!'

'Help!'

'Help! Help!'

'Help!'

[rat squeaking]

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[telephone ringing]

[John] 'Hale?'

Yes.

And you got the money?

- Yes. - 'Alright then, listen..'

Get back in your car and drive north

on Flower Street.

Just before you come to the circle turn off

make a right on the first street

and slow down

'you'll see a red handkerchief tied around a street light..'

'...stop there.'

'You got that?'

Yes.

No tricks..

...or your father gets it.

[line disconnects]

- Inspector. - Yes.

It looks like I'm gonna have company.

He wants me to drive north on Flower and turn right

at the first street before the circle turn-off.

Um, he said to stop when I see a red handkerchief

tied to a light pole.

Alright, Paul, do exactly as he says.

We'll be nearby.

Alright, inspector.

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Inspector, I'm at the marker.

I just turned off of Flower on to Fourth.

[Lewis] 'Alright, Paul.'

Unit one to all units on the surveillance

subject likely to make contact at any moment, standby.

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[footsteps approaching]

Don't turn around.

Drive over into that alley across the street.

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Now, hand me back the case.

And don't turn around.

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Alright.

Alright.

'Now, drive back to the marker.'

'I can use some of this.'

Right away.

'I..'

[dramatic music]

I-I, uh..

I-I, I couldn't get it all.

- I-I tried to but-- - You're lying.

- Uh-the bank wouldn't give it-- - Get out!

- My father's lost a lot of.. - Get out!

- What are you gonna do? - Get out!

Get out!

[intense music]

[g*nsh*t]

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[tires screeching]

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It's vital we talk to him as soon as possible.

Well, he still hasn't regained consciousness.

It's a case of touch-and-go.

Alright, would you let me know as soon as

there's any change in his condition?

- Of course. - Thank you, doctor.

You know, even if Logan makes it

what are the chances he'll tell us anything?

Tom, put an agent on a plane with his clothes right away.

Maybe the lab can tell us where he's been the last 24 hours.

I keep going over an over the last 24 hours.

Maybe if I'd handled things different--

Oh, Paul, stop going over it. You handled it fine.

You know you changed?

Have I?

Yes.

I don't know.

You know, when I was in that car

I was on my own.

For the first time in my life, really.

I was frightened

but I was forced to do something.

I was..

I did it.

I did it, I did it.

I just hope dad's alive.

I hope he's alive.

[male #1] 'You'll notice, Mr. Ward, the minute particles'

of anti-fouling paint

and we also discovered a residue of salt

in the man's clothing.

Salt.

Could mean the waterfront area.

Yes, sir, the combination of the anti-fouling paint

and the salt are characteristic of the waterfront.

Mm-hm.

This is Arthur Ward, get me Inspector Erskine

in Seattle, Washington, please.

[intense music]

[squeaking]

Thanks, Art.

Hale and Logan's photographs are along the entire waterfront.

Establish a quick search. Put every agent available on it.

Yes, sir.

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Do you, uh, recognize either of these men?

No, I haven't seen either of them around.

Well, thank you.

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Hey.

[male #2] 'Half and half, what do I need a beat-up compass for?

I'm in the wind now. I need my wine.

Come on, give me a break, j-just a buck, just a buck.

Hi, that's, uh, that's a nice looking compass.

I-I wasn't breaking any laws!

Who are you?

My name is Colby and I'm with the FBI.

Have you ever seen either of these men before?

You have? Where did you see them?

[babbling] I, I-I j-just s-seen him.

I-I just saw him

d-down at the wharf.

I saw him leave in an old tub.

Mr. Half and Half

did you see this man?

Well, I-I..

C-could be..

Could be he's still on board the ship?

Why do you say that?

Well..

I heard a voice.

Man, I wasn't gonna stick around to find out

but it was weird.

Really spooked me.

Could you...show me where the ship is?

Yeah, sure, sure, man.

- This way. - Wait, wait, wait.

- What about that-- - I'll give it you later.

Go with the man.

[intense music]

[rats squeaking]

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[footsteps approaching]

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The doctor says I may be rocky for a couple of days

but that all things being equal, thanks to you gentlemen

I'm in pretty good shape.

Well, the important thing is it's all over.

You know, it's a funny thing about Logan

he forced me to think about things

that I'd managed to push aside most of my life.

So busy building a business

I eliminated everything else from my life.

Even my family.

Inspector Erskine told me about the ransom pay off, Paul.

I'm proud of the way you handled yourself.

Of course, you'll know then the shape the company's in.

I, or rather we, have a lot of rebuilding to do.

Come on.

[male narrator] John Logan recovered from his injuries

and was tried and convicted in federal court of kidnapping.

He was sentenced to the federal penitentiary.

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