09x12 - Ransom

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

You two gonna split to Mexico?

Aren't you forgetting about me?

I haven't forgotten about you

for a long time now, golden girl.

'I didn't forget you when I was in Nam'

'or when I got back.'

Somebody burns me, baby..

...I remember.

What have you done?

Spill it! Where are you mixed up in? Tell me!

Boy, I'm giving you one more chance--

What are you gonna beat me up again, dad?

You've always enjoyed doing that.

Cliff, I'm your father.

Let me help you.

I don't know, man. It just..

It just happened. There's...there's this girl.

'Her family's really rich.'

Oh, what did you do to her?

Oh, we haven't hurt her or anything.

I mean, we're gonna turn her loose.

It's just that

well, for right now, we're holding her for money.

Hello.

You come up with the 400,000 yet?

Yes, I'll be there.

You make the slightest mistake

and you're gonna need two graves.

- You understand me? - Yes.

'You better and listen!'

'You make sure the cops understand.'

'You make sure everybody understands, okay?'

[instrumental music]

[grunts]

Unh!

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

[instrumental music]

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott..

...and Shelly Novack.

With guest stars

Zalman King..

...Jerry Houser..

...Jo Ann Harris..

...Fred Beir.

And special guest star, Anne Francis.

Tonight's episode..

"Ransom."

[instrumental music]

Good morning.

Tish, we're leaving for the airport in a half hour.

I'm not.

Don't need me around to do your business.

What about your interview?

Pass.

I have decided that two more years

of that school trip would be unreal.

Alright.

But to go out seven nights out of seven

and stay out much too late, that's not unreal, is it?

'How late was it last night?'

Like you say.

"Much too late."

You know, I don't believe this.

I am 20 years old. What do I have to do, report to you?

Um..

I don't think your father expects that, Tish.

If you say so mother.

I'd like to be your friend.

[chuckles]

Beautiful.

We have our very own little soap opera.

Now, I'm surprised you don't try the big sister approach.

I'd be glad to.

Oh.

Sorry, wouldn't do.

You see, any wife of dad's is a mother of mine.

Paul.

Give her time.

Give her time.

[engine revving]

'You okay?'

Huh?

Yeah, I think so.

Come on up. We'll give you a ride.

You can send somebody back for your bike.

Oh, that's okay, uh.

Thanks for the offer, but, uh, I'll be okay

as long as I can get up this bank.

Just forget it.

'Get yourself up here.'

Help her out.

[dramatic music]

[male narrator] Shortly before 9 a.m. on the 8th of July

a special delivery letter bearing a local post-mark

was received at the home of the Lameir family

in Durham, North Carolina.

The message confirmed one of Mrs. Lameir's worst fears.

Her stepdaughter had been kidnapped

and was being held for ransom.

The FBI entered the case immediately.

Because of the deadly threat contained in the extortion note

Inspector Lewis Erskine assumed personal charge

of the investigation.

[Didi] 'This is the most recent picture we have of her, inspector.'

'Was taken at the wedding.'

Her father and I were married last April.

Her mother passed on about a year and a half ago.

You have any idea where Tish might've gone on her bike?

Somewhere up in the hills, I suppose.

- By herself? - 'Apparently.'

I called the boy she usually rides with Steve Crody.

He said he hadn't heard from her.

'She was angry with me, inspector.'

'And with her father, because of me.'

Oh, she's been like that ever since I moved in.

I guess it's only natural.

Can you give us a description of the bike, Mrs. Lameir

and its license number?

Well, it's chrome and black and it's new

but I-I don't remember the license number.

M-my husband should be able to help you with that

when he gets here.

That won't be too long.

His-his plane left Kennedy about two hours ago.

You better check the make and license number

with the Motor Vehicle Bureau and get out an APB.

Right away.

We'd like to contact this Steve Crody.

Tish's other friends as well.

Oh, they're-they're all right here.

This is what she calls her, uh, "active listings."

Like half of Durham?

Well, she makes friends very easily when she wants to.

Chris, you might as well get started.

Yes, sir.

It's, uh, such a sick feeling, inspector, knowing

she's really in trouble.

Earlier when the sun wasn't up

I just thought she was being spiteful when she wasn't back.

But that note changes everything.

Is there any chance she might've engineered all this?

Yeah, she'd do a lot to get her father's undivided attention

back again but it's-it's hard to visualize her going this far.

Is it impossible?

I'd like to say no.

Where did you dig that thing up?

In the junk-yard or did it come with the house?

This is how the other half lives, golden girl.

Does it turn you off?

It doesn't turn me on.

[Bernie] 'Let me have a beer.'

Take your pick.

Tamales in chili gravy or tamales in chili gravy?

May as well get used to it now.

Oh! So, that's the plan.

You two gonna split to Mexico?

Aren't you forgetting about me?

Am I?

[chuckles]

I haven't forgotten about you

for a long time now, golden girl.

'I didn't forget you when I was in Nam..'

'...or when I got back.'

Somebody burns me, baby.

I remember.

Well, it just so happens, I've never seen you before.

Yes, you did.

At least twice a week, your sophomore year at Griffin.

'Lunch hours you come into the record store.'

I sold you a lot of albums.

Well, I don't happen to remember salesmen.

We talked, baby.

I even tried to ask you out.

Why, you left such a lasting impression

it must've been a pretty dull come on.

No.

Just came from a guy that you didn't think was good enough.

Well, I was right about that.

[chuckles]

You just don't learn, do ya?

Hey, come on, man, will you let's rap out something that's

important okay, like the 200 Gs

or how we're gonna swing the pay off.

Now, as I was saying, golden girl

'people like you and your old man.'

That's right, I know him.

You got everything going for you

and you won't let anybody in.

Now we're gonna change that, see?

We're gonna be on the inside

and you're gonna get to feel what it's

like to be beggin' for crumbs.

Well, I hate to disappoint you.

But you're not gonna get 200 thou from my old man.

'Oh, he lives big.'

'But that's all on credit.'

I saw his office. He's got Picassos on three walls.

[laughs]

[Tish] 'Prints, Bernie. Prints.'

'Now, there is a difference.'

'You see everything he has is either leased or mortgaged.'

As a matter of fact, the only thing that is his

outright is some gold putter.

And Didi gave him that.

Who's Didi?

My loving stepmother.

Hey.

She could come up with the 200 thou.

Probably more.

'She's loaded.'

You puttin' us on?

No.

I'm putting her on.

Oh, do it.

Raise the ante.

I'd love to see how much she'd be willing to shell out for me.

Do it.

[instrumental music]

What do you got, Carter?

Well, we found the girl's bike and her helmet.

This is one of the trails her friend Steve Crody

suggested we check out.

Uh-huh.

The markings indicate, she lost control

and fishtailed over the side.

Apparently she was moving pretty fast.

- Any sign of blood? - Not a trace.

The grass is good and thick.

It must've cushioned the impact.

There are footprints leading from here to over there

and those tire tracks.

'Oh, we're having photographs'

'and plaster casts made of the impressions.'

She climbed up the bank with help.

They got in a car and drove off.

- That's it? - That's how it appears so far.

[instrumental music]

He's here.

Paul, this is Inspector Erskine.

How do you do, inspector?

We're doing everything we can, Mr. Lameir.

Well, where do we stand at the moment?

We found Tishs' bike up in the hills

just a little while ago.

And the note was mailed locally.

So we're hopeful she's still in town.

[telephone ringing]

I'll get the extension. Pick up on my signal.

- Hello. - Who's this?

[Paul] 'Paul Lameir.'

Did you come up with the 200,000 yet?

Look, I just got in from New York.

[Bernie] 'That's your problem, Paul.'

'Now, you got another one.'

The price has just doubled. It's four big ones now.

[Paul] 'Well, that's impossible!'

Be careful what you say, Paul.

I'm liable to take you seriously.

Then what do you think would happen

to your little golden girl?

Look. Well, I can't raise that kind of money.

[Bernie] 'Find a way.'

'Make sure it's in unmarked bills.'

Look, I swear to you. I can't!

[Bernie] 'Sure you can.'

Work it out with Didi. She's got the bread.

Get it up, Paul, and get it up fast.

I'll call you back in a few hours.

Who's Didi?

I am.

[dramatic music]

It's sort of a pet name.

Is that what your friends call you?

No, my father used to call me that when I was little

and now, Paul does too.

No one else.

It's interesting.

Someone involved in this seems to know you very well.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

What's goin' on?

- Why aren't you workin'? - Oh, why aren't you?

Oh, my sinuses are kickin' up.

Did you quit or were you fired?

Quit.

Where you takin' off for?

No place special. You know, uh, just around.

Son, what are you up to?

Cliff, I want to know!

Hey, stop makin' a hassle, will ya?

I just feel like gettin' away for a few days, alright?

- Who, you and Bernie? - Yes, me and Bernie!

g*n?

What've you done?

Spill it, huh? What are you mixed up in, tell me?

Boy, I'm giving you one more chance--

What you're gonna beat me up again, dad?

You've always enjoyed doin' that.

Cliff, I'm your father.

Let me help you.

I don't know, man, just..

It just happened. There's..

'Well, there's this girl.'

'Her family's really rich.'

Well, what did you do to her?

Oh, we haven't hurt her or anything.

I mean, we're gonna turn her loose. It's just that..

Well, for right now, we're holding her for money.

Oh!

Oh.

My son part of a kidnapping.

'Well, I thought it would be Bernie's idea.'

I knew it was a mistake lettin' him bunk here.

It's my fault. I blame myself.

But you! You went along.

'When are you gonna grow up?'

You always let yourself be pushed around.

Don't you have a mind of your own?

Oh, we kept watching her, you know, following her.

I mean, that was the whole number, right?

We weren't gonna go the next step but

but then yesterday morning

it just, it just happened fast, wham and we had her

and it was done, dad.

Well, now, we got to go through with it.

Don't you know the penalty?

Yeah, but it's a little late to cop out now.

I'll protect you.

You can't. I'm already hung.

Oh, there has to be a way out of this.

Forget it, dad, huh?

Hey, hey. You walk out of this apartment.

I'll pick up that phone.

Well, how you gonna stop me, son? sh**t me.

Come on. Come on.

Hey, we'll put our heads together.

We'll work this thing out somehow.

Hm?

Alright, dad.

We'll do it your way but, well, I don't want you involved in it.

[instrumental music]

Thought this might help make the minutes go by a little quicker.

It doesn't.

Mrs. Lameir, um, this name Didi

I believe you said only your husband uses it.

That's right.

Does he call you that in public?

No. For the most part it's, it's pretty much a personal thing.

I don't mean to pry but the kidnapper seem to suggest

that you have assets of your own independent of your husband.

I do.

- Is that generally known? - No, it isn't.

I know what you're getting at, inspector.

This kind of information would have to come from Tish.

I can't say I'm surprised.

But I am a bit shocked.

[door slams]

I've tried everyone. Even my banking contacts in New York.

Were you able to raise anything?

Eighty-five thousand, period.

Mr. Lameir, do you know very many of Tishs' friends?

I try to know everyone of them. Especially the boys.

Does any boy standout in your mind

as being particularly sullen, resentful?

Perhaps just behaving in a way that made you uncomfortable?

Oh, I don't think I follow you, inspector.

He's asking if Tish ran around with any weirdoes.

Well, of course, not!

I mean, why can't this be

the work of some random opportunists?

Somebody none of us know.

Indications so far suggest he's not a complete stranger.

We have to explore that possibility.

Is there anyone in your circle who might be using Tish

to get at you for whatever reason.

Well, I guess, I've stepped on a few toes here and there.

The oddballs that would do a thing like this..

...victimize a young innocent girl.

No. I don't know anybody like that.

- You're positive? - I'm absolutely..

Wait a minute.

There's a young man that came into my office three weeks ago.

Oh, no, no. That's ridiculous.

What happened?

Well, he came in for an interview.

He had none of the qualifications, I knew that.

But he'd gotten back from Vietnam and, uh..

I thought I should tell him personally

why I couldn't put him on.

He, he took that very badly.

What did he do?

While I thought for a minute

he was gonna pile over my desk and go for my throat

but instead he..

...told me what he thought of me.

Called me a "fat cat, profiteer."

And was a "have not" that he "fought my w*r for me."

And nobody would give him a break.

You never mentioned this before, Paul.

I probably shouldn't mention it now.

Under the circumstances it probably sounds

far worse than what it was.

I mean, can't blame the man.

'He was frustrated.'

I mean, he put his life down on the line

and he comes in for a job and all the doors close on him.

What was his name?

Oh, look, inspector, I, I really don't think it's connected.

I'm not assuming it is, Mr. Lameir.

Bernie. I don't remember his last name.

Would your secretary know?

Yeah.

On my calendar.

Excuse me.

Ooh! Man, what am I gonna do?

Do as I suggested in the first place.

Let me borrow against my trust.

That way you'll have all you need.

Oh, if there were any other way?

Oh, please, Paul. I want to. I want to help Tish. Let me.

What happened, you get lost?

Hey, I had to pack your things too, alright!

Jeez. We're getting a little uptight, aren't we?

I just wish we were out of this place, man.

I mean, I wish we were a thousand miles away from here.

This time tomorrow we will be.

Let me have the key.

You're gonna set up the payoff?

Boy, you're getting almost as smart as golden girl.

That's more than I can say for you.

[chuckles]

Well, looks like I'm gonna flunk hostage.

You do, sweetheart.

You might never get to graduate.

You watch.

Get goin'.

- What? - I said go man. Take off!

Hey, you don't understand Bernie, man.

When he hints at something, he means it, now..

- But why-- - He is gonna k*ll you!

Now, look, there's a phone

a couple of miles down the road. Here.

Have someone pick ya up.

What's gonna happen to you when he finds out?

Just take care of yourself, alright? Now, go!

[telephone ringing]

Telephone.

Hello.

You come up with the 400,000 yet?

[Paul] 'I've made the arrangements.'

'We're getting it together now.'

Terrific.

You know where Jackson cuts across DeSoto?

Yes. There's a pulp factory there.

There's also a phone booth.

along around 5:30 this afternoon

a little bell's gonna ring

you understand?

Yes. I'll be there.

[Bernie] 'I don't want you there. I want Didi there.'

Now, wait a minute. I won't allow that.

It's bad enough my daughter is in jeopardy.

I won't have my wife put in the same position.

[Bernie] 'Mister, you wanna dig a grave for your daughter?'

'Now, listen to me.'

Didi brings the cash.

Didi comes alone and that's it.

You make the slightest mistake

and you're gonna need two graves.

You understand me?

- Yes. - 'You better and listen.'

'You make sure the cops understand.'

'You make sure everybody understands. Okay?'

I'll do exactly as he says.

I'll be alright.

Inspector, I can't have Anne do that.

Well, we don't have any choice, Paul. I have to.

There may be a another way.

[instrumental music]

[screeching]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[leaves hustling]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[moaning]

[instrumental music]

Oh, Lewis, I have the results of the record check

you wanted on Bernard Voyt.

'I'd say there's a distinct possibility'

'he's involved with the kidnapping.'

What do you know about him?

He worked in a record store across from the high school

Tish Lameir attended.

Subsequently he was drafted and sent to Vietnam.

His record shows he was

extremely resistant to authority.

He got a bad conduct discharge.

- What was the reason? - 'Well, there were several.'

Disobeying orders, assaulting an officer

suspicion of being involved in a fragging incident.

Do you have a location on him?

'His separation papers show'

'he was returning to the Durham area.'

'Care of general delivery.'

I'm trying to get additional information now.

I'll contact you as soon as I have anything.

Right, Arthur.

[doorbell rings]

- Come in, Joyce. - Good to see you, inspector.

Mr. and Mrs. Lameir

this is Special Agent Hanafin.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

We appreciate what you're doing.

Just doesn't seem right.

You're risking your life while I'm sitting around here.

I think waiting is the more difficult role, Mrs. Lameir.

I promise you, she won't be alone.

- Are these for me? - Yes.

Would you like to try this one on?

Yes.

Seems fine. It's perfect.

At a distance, I might even confuse you with Anne.

All set, inspector.

You'll be driving Mrs. Lameir's station wagon, Joyce.

We'll pick you up along the way.

- Right. - Right. Here are the keys.

- Good luck. - Thank you.

Please, be careful.

Goodbye.

Special Agent Roth is gonna stay here with you.

We'll let you know as soon as anything positive develops.

[instrumental music]

You got an phony excuses, you better start 'em coming.

- It wasn't him. It was me. - I'm not talking to you!

I asked for his luck.

You're not gonna get any, Bernie.

I just couldn't handle it.

Look, I could've run, you know?

I mean, I waited here to tell ya.

What do you want, a pat on the head?

For what?

For turning against me like everybody else!

I thought I finally found a guy in this world I could trust.

You let me down, Cliff.

You never should've done that.

Man, I figured that if I didn't get her out of here

you were really gonna mess up. Now.

You're breakin' my heart.

Look..

If you k*ll me, you've got no one.

You'll be alone.

We've been friends for a long time, Bernie.

I mean, we've done a lot of things together.

[laughing]

Somebody put you up to it, Cliff.

Who was it?

My old man walked in the room when I was packin' the bags.

And you told him everything?

[Cliff] 'He made me!'

And he said that if I try to go through with the deal

he was gonna turn me in and you too.

Now, I didn't have a choice

I had to do it!

You got the same choice now you had then.

Either way, you gotta run.

But his way you go broke.

My way you go rich.

Which way is the best? Now, that's the $400,000 question.

'It's really very simple.'

'You have a mind.'

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess, it is.

Well, we can still go through with the deal, can't we?

Depends on whether you crumble away on me again.

I won't.

You do and you better keep on going.

[instrumental music]

Now, Didi's waiting for a phone call.

Don't keep her waitin'.

'Take care of yourself.'

They're putting up the 400,000?

I mean, they actually said that?

Didi's got it in her hot little hand.

That means she must have caved in.

As a matter of fact, most of it must have come from her.

Oh, wow! Did I ever read her wrong.

You don't read people at all, sweetheart.

Look, um, when you get the money

don't k*ll me, please.

I don't want to die.

Don't k*ll me.

Look, I-I'll pretend I didn't even see you.

I promise, I-I just.. I won't say anything.

I'll, um, I'll pretend you were 50 years old

and you had a beard, or I was blind

I didn't see you, I'd been blindfolded.

Don't k*ll me.

Please, please.

Seems like golden girl doesn't feel so smart anymore.

You're learning fast now, sweetheart.

Except it's a little late in the game.

Not fair.

It's the way it goes.

Unit One to Unit Three.

'We may have to move in fast. Standby.'

Ten-four.

Wow, I heard the telephone company was puttin' in

new equipment but I sure never expected to nothing like this.

A real life operator, right on the spot.

Now, that's service.

Hey, uh, my buddy and me is gonna pick up some booze

and, uh, have a party, how about it?

Sorry, I'm waiting for someone.

If they are involved, they are certainly playing it cautiously.

Come on, Al.

They could be checking with a third party.

A spotter inside the liquor store.

Inspector, end of the block.

Who am I talkin' to?

This is Didi Lameir.

[Cliff] 'You got the cash with you?'

Yes, I have it right here in a suitcase.

Okay, now you see a deserted factory across the street.

Okay, you go through the gate to the back

now, there you're going to see an old wreck car.

[Cliff] 'You go to it and stash the case in the trunk.'

- 'Now, you got that?' - Yes.

Okay, now as soon as you do your number

you start moving and get out of there.

Okay, now get going.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Hey, boy. Hey, you. Wait up.

Hey, uh, that chick was here a minute ago

You lookin' for her, ain't you?

Uh, no, you got the wrong guy, man.

I don't know from no chick. N-not around here.

Hey, Jimmy, what do you think?

Think he's hauling junk?

Could be he's making a buy.

Unit Three to Unit One.

Go ahead.

It looks like interference is developing, inspector.

All units, move in on foot.

[man on radio] 'Ten-four, inspector.'

You see what I see, Al?

I don't believe it.

Let's get it.

Hey, baby.

That's a lot of bread you got there.

How did you come by all that stuff, huh?

I bet he broke the law, man.

You do that kid? That ain't healthy.

You better let us help ya out.

Yeah, we'll work with ya.

See, I am warning you man, bug off.

Now don't be that way, boy.

I mean it. Don't come any closer.

Easy, easy.

You don't have to do that, kid.

[Cliff] 'I swear to you, man. I'll let you have it.'

Okay, no more hassle, kid. It's all yours.

FBI!

Turn around. Hands behind your head.

I'll get an ambulance.

Cliff Tetlow shares an upstairs unit with his father

and for several weeks now a third party, Bernie Voyt.

Any idea where either one is?

No, nothing on Voyt, but just before they got here

the landlady said she saw Mr. Tetlow get into his car

with a shotgun and in her opinion

that can mean only one thing.

He's on his way to a cabin he owns in the Lake Michi area.

The hunting season still on?

Not for duck, sir. And that's all there is at the lake.

Maybe not. Let's find out.

[dramatic music]

Hold it right there, Mr. Tetlow.

Don't try me. Hand back the g*n.

Get inside.

Stand right there.

Just relax.

Where's Cliff? What have you done to him?

Nothing, which was a mistake.

He was supposed to come back to the apartment.

He's supposed to pick up the money.

If he's not back here in ten minutes

you can write him off because for sure...I'm gonna get him.

He has been a good friend to you, Bernie.

He has been nothing.

Well, I'm not going to let you hurt him

and you're not going to hurt this girl either.

Stay away from her.

I said stay away from her.

[groans]

- Forget it! - No.

Get back in!

FBI, Voyt. Hold it right there.

You hold it!

You stay where you are or she gets it. Do you hear?

Do you hear me?

[intense music]

Spread out.

- No. No, wait. - Get up!

- Come on, get up! - I'm trying!

[music continues]

Tch.

Alright, Tish. You're alright?

- I ju. - It's over.

[music continues]

[Erskine] 'Drop the g*n.'

Where you want me to throw it?

Just let it fall.

[g*nshots]

Oh, dad. Daddy.

Mm! I'm so glad to be back.

[laughs]

[male narrator] Bernie Voyt and Cliff Tetlow recovered from their wounds

and were convicted in federal court

of conspiracy and extortion.

Voyt was also found guilty of assaulting federal officers.

The two men who attempted to take the ransom money

from Cliff Tetlow were turned over

to North Carolina authorities for prosecution.