08x15 - Dark Christmas

[bunniefuu]

[tires screeching]

This is SU-7 to Control.

[man on radio] 'Control to SU-7.'

Go ahead.

[man on radio] 'All units have been advised'

'and a helicopter will join you momentarily.'



[dramatic music]

The Wallaces should be here by now.

Maybe we better give them another call.

We'll wait.

Stay away from that phone.

Who are you?

If you're going to rob us, take what you want

and go, but don't--

You and your kids are in no danger.

My husband?

[theme music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott..

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Don Gordon..

Marianne McAndrew..

Special guest star, Sondra Locke.

Tonight's episode, "Dark Christmas."

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

Look, I don't have much cash.

Where's Ghormley?

Ghormley, who's Ghormley?

Just don't play games, you're a friend of his.

You made him a loan last week. Now, where is he?

Don't, please don't.

He's in Colorado.

Somewhere near Denver.

Where near Denver?

[coughing]

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[male narrator] The description of the mysterious assailant

of George Weldon, wealthy Chicago investment counselor

was given by an eye witness to the sh**ting.

The description matched that of Stuart Walker Tilden.

A criminal who had been reported to be

in the Chicago area, and on whom the FBI

had an unlawful flight to avoid confinement warrant.

A weapon was discovered a few blocks

from the scene of the sh**ting.

And turned over to the Chicago police department.

And was then forwarded to the FBI laboratory in Washington.

The slug removed from Weldon, matched the b*llet

fired from the weapon found near the crime scene.

Japanese Nambu p*stol, stolen in a Reno burglary a week ago.

Burglary isn't Tilden's line, is it, Lewis?

Hardly, since the life imprisonment for m*rder.

Escaped the Nevada State Penitentiary

October 2nd, 1972.

Suspected hit man.

Weldon's still unconscious, he's considered critical.

Robbery doesn't seem to have been the motive.

Is there any reason a contract could have been

put out on him?

Well, not that we know of, he's, uh..

a reputable businessman, and he's got a good background.

Weldon may not have any intended victim.

The witness said, they were talking just before the sh**ting

as though Tilden was questioning him.

Then a fight started.

[intercom buzzing]

Yes? Alright.

George Albright calling from Reno.

Hello, George. Uh, Inspector Erskine, and Tom Colby

are here with me, I'm putting you on the speaker.

[George] 'The police have a suspect'

in the burglary of the Reno apartment

where the Nambu p*stol was stolen.

His name is Erwin Lee Calder.

He has an arrest record for burglary.

[George] 'A number of other items including, uh..'

'some valuable jewelry were also stolen.'

Do they know where this Calder is?

They have evidence that he took a plane from Reno

to Salt Lake City, shortly after the burglary.

Authorities here have requested

an unlawful flight warrant on him.

Alright, George, we'll pull his identification record here.

You send us a description of all the stolen items.

Yes, sir.

We gotta find this Calder.

If Tilden's after another victim

we may not have much time.

Can you hear me?

You're coming through just fine.

Puerto Rico's not the other side of the world you know.

'You locate our client?'

He's somewhere around Denver, that's all I learned.

Wasn't that contact co-operative?

Ah, well, I, uh, didn't have enough time.

I had to shut off the, uh, the meeting.

'Termination?'

No, but, uh, he's a vegetable.

I don't like that.

I had no choice. Now what?

Go on to Denver, hold up, keep in touch.

Listen, I'll need some tools, uh..

'I got rid of the last one after the conference.'

Alright, how's your money?

It's good. Look, I'm gonna hang up, I'm freezing.

After you finish the business

I'll get you down into San Juan, you can thaw out.

Yeah, okay.

Assemble all the data we have on Ghormley.

And I want you to be on the first plane state side.

I want you to oversee the whole operation.

But keep plenty of miles between you and Tilden.

I want a wide buffer.

Wait a, wait a minute.

Denver..

Ghormley used to talk about wanting to buy

some property near Denver.

Geiger.

Geiger, Colorado. That was it.

A nice little house in Geiger.

Tony, what's on your mind?

I don't like it when I don't know what people are thinking.

I don't like k*lling Ghormley.

You don't like it?

He build the business.

He talked me into international land development.

Best number one man I ever had.

Then he walked, just because I wanted to expand.

'You think shipping some roulette wheels'

'and slot machines in the mainland'

'was really a terrible crime.'

In the way we disperse, it is. It's a federal crime.

Uh, look, anyway, Ghormley doesn't know anything

about the expansion.

I'm not positive.

In his position, he could have uncovered anything.

Besides, I don't trust him.

So as long as he's alive, I won't rest easy.

[instrumental music]

There.

A little more.

I'm trying, can't you see?

Why don't you let mommy do it?

[telephone ringing]

- Dad. - Daddy.

Hey, Craig. Barbie, you on the phone too?

Yes, daddy. Have you got all my presents?

Well, I'm getting 'em.

And the records that you promised me

and my big surprise.

I won't forget, sweetheart.

Hi, dad, how's San Francisco?

Fine, fine. Where is your mom?

Is she around?

'Uh-huh. You wanna talk to her too?'

Please.

Don't worry about my presents

'if it's too much trouble, I mean.'

[Richard] Hey, it's not too much trouble, son.

- Craig? - No, it's me, hold on a minute.

Let me talk to dad alone, okay?

- Okay. - Okay.

I can guess why you called.

Something's gone wrong.

Well, there's still a good chance

that we can finish up on time

but so far things aren't going so good.

Oh, d*ck, I don't care about the commission anymore

and you promised.

Honey, look, I am so close.

A few more hours can make a big difference.

Look, you know I can be home by Christmas morning.

Those men must have families too.

They can't wanna work on Christmas Eve.

They live here, remember? They can be home in a few minutes.

Look, I'm booked on the latest flight out

to get me there on time. Now, you know I'll try and make it.

[sighs] I know, nothing's changed.

I got used to spending the holidays without you

when you were working for Shrack. I'll survive.

Marian..

Okay, honey.

One way or the other, I'll be there.

I'll prepare the kids anyway, just in case you're not.

No, no, no, I'll make it, I promise.

- 'Really?' - Yep.

Just because I love you.

Alright, but be careful.

And come home safe.

Just because I love you too.

Bye.

Bye.

[claps] Well..

An informant told us that Calder has an apartment here.

Second floor, left. Room 251.

According to the manager, he's there now.

The US attorney has issued a warrant for him.

The same informant also told us that Calder has been fencing

the jewelry they stole in Reno.

He says that it's worth more than $50,000.

- Cover the rear. - Lou.

[dramatic music]

Calder, FBI.

[g*nsh*t]

[tires screeching]

This is SU-7 to Control.

[man on radio] 'Control to SU-7.'

Go ahead.

[man on radio] 'All units have been advised'

'and a helicopter will join you momentarily.'



[blades slapping]

[tires screeching]

[dramatic music]

[tires screeching]

[blades slapping]

[dramatic music]

'Tom, above you!'

[theme music]

You have right to remain silent.

Anything you say may be held against you.

You may call a lawyer if you wish.

So I cracked an apartment. That's federal?

Well, the United States Attorney seems to think so.

He's very interested in the $50,000

worth of jewelry you fenced in the Reno burglary.

He feel's he has enough to charge you

with interstate transportation of stolen property.

$50,000 worth of jewelry?

[laughing] Hit me with it, and I'll laugh.

Let's start with a smile.

This was stolen from an apartment in Reno.

Along with a p*stol.

What p*stol?

A Nambu, that was used in an attempted m*rder in Chicago.

Are we still amusing you?

Now, you can't tie me to that Reno burglary.

Did you ever hear tool markings? They can be matched you know.

You used the channel lock pliers in the job in Reno

and the one here last night.

Look, uh, what do you want from me?

Do you know this man?

His name's Tilden.

Guido sold him his g*n.

Who's Guido?

Gerald Guido, a source I used in Salt Lake City

but he operates out of Denver.

He's a specialist, only handles g*ns.

Where in Denver?

I don't know.

'I just got a tip he was staying over'

'in Salt Lake City for a while.'

Where is he now?

I don't know. I heard he left Salt Lake City

but I don't know for where.

Honest, I don't know.

[instrumental music]

Can't you watch what you're doing?

I try to. I'm sorry, I was in a hurry.

I'm, Gina Mason, uh, I live in Apartment 3.

Oh, my glasses.

I, I don't really need them.

Why do you wear them?

Oh, I just have it.

Someone once told me I look better without them.

Yeah, they're right.

[dramatic music]

Arthur.

[Arthur] 'Go ahead, Lewis.'

We had to put down in Meeker, Colorado.

Mechanical problem.

[Lewis] 'We're waiting for a flight out.'

We have some background information for you

on Gerald Guido.

The man Calder claims sold a Nambu p*stol to Tilden.

Here's, Al McLaure.

Inspector, Guido's an alias for Geros Garkin.

He has an arrest record for carrying concealed weapon.

Served determined Marilyn State Penitentiary in 1952.

He's an expert on firearms.

'Believed to have supplied g*ns used in a number of crimes.'

We've located his place in Denver, it's under surveillance.

No more information on Tilden

'or who the victim might be.'

Well, it looks as though they have a plane for us.

We should be in Denver within an hour.

[Arthur] 'Hold it a minute, Lewis.'

Thank you.

Well, the Denver office reports that Guido rented a car

in Colorado springs.

Agents there have been alerted.

'There's a good chance Guido's in Colorado'

'to deliver another g*n to Tilden.'

'A g*n that Tilden plans to use on his next victim.'

- Hi. - Hello.

Are your parents home?

My mom's at the market. Are you selling something?

No, buying. I'd like to purchase some of this property.

You mean you wanna buy our house?

Just some of the land.

Do you know how far back it goes?

Not exactly. I guess you'd have to ask my daddy.

Is he home?

No, he's away.

With your mother?

Oh, no. He's way far away.

In San Francisco, but he'll be back Christmas Eve.

Barbie.

This man wants to buy our house.

My dad wouldn't ever sell this house.

We're not supposed to talk to strangers. Come on.

[dramatic music]

Mr. Ward..

We just received an informant's report

that an Anthony Baughmiller

is having to pay off for Tilden and Guido.

Have any other information?

Just that he has an office in Richmond.

He's not there, we haven't learned his present location.

But his secretary says he's due back tomorrow evening.

Alright, good work, Baughmiller.

Get out of the area, fly back to Richmond, and wait there.

Ghormley has a house just outside of Geiger.

He's somewhere in San Francisco now

but he's due back Christmas Eve, so..

...looks like everything is all set.

Baughmiller got word to Tilden.

Ghormley will be dead as soon as he arrives home.

[instrumental music]

I know it's near Christmas, but how long does it take

to get or put through a long distance call?

Well, how long are the lines going to be tied up?

Alright, you do that, yeah, then you call me back.

[knock at door]

Hello.

I'm sorry to bother you, but I, um..

I thought you might like a little decoration.

Oh, we couldn't help noticing that you are all alone.

- Who's we? - My mother and I.

We live over there.

I don't like being spied on.

Well, we weren't spying.

[Regina] I just thought that..

Wait a minute.

Thanks.

It's pretty.

Uh, would you happen to have some coffee

'or something in your place?'

Well, yes. Yes, we do.

Well, I'm expecting a very important call, um..

Oh, well, you could hear your phone from our apartment.

Okay, I'll leave the door open.

[instrumental music]

Thanks, buddy.

Anthony Baughmiller?

We're with the FBI.

- 'We want to talk to you.' - Heh. Certainly.

Can we step into my office?

Wouldn't you work better with your glasses, Jean?

I have them.

I mean your regular glasses.

I don't need them.

Your type of work must be boring for Mr. Foster.

Wouldn't you rather, we all had a game of cards?

- No. - Just a suggestion.

I used to be an excellent Gin Rummy player.

People underestimate me.

I usually end up holding all the cards.

- You may not believe it. - I believe it.

Does this interest you?

Uh, well, I-I-I've never trusted glass, it breaks too easy.

Uh, but that's okay, you, you go on ahead, I'm, I'm, uh, curious.

It's beautiful.

You're incredible.

- You try one. - Oh, no.

- No, no. - Come on, afraid?

- I'm not afraid. - Okay.

- But you'll show me what to do. - Right.

Um, here, you should wear these.

- Alright. - And..

Take this glass.

That's right.

I'm gonna try something where I can push this one together.

Wait a minute. Now, let's see.

It's not as easy as I thought it would be.

[Stuart] That'll just stick, right?

- Ah! - There we are.

A basket.

You're putting me on, Mr. Foster.

No one does this well on the first try.

But I did, you saw me do it.

Would you believe me?

It was just luck.

Believe me, it won't happen again.

Oh, but I'm afraid it will.

These hands have a gift for creating.

I'm going out.

Mother, do you think you should go out this time of night?

Never mind.

Thank you.

[Regina] Here's you purse.

I think Gina's right, Mr. Foster.

You have been putting us on.

- What'd she mean by that? - Oh, nothing.

She has something to say about everyone I ever see.

Oh, would you like some more coffee?

Oh, no, thank you.

Um, I-I've got some things I've got to do, uh..

It was very nice. Thank you very much.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

[instrumental music]

[intercom buzzes]

Erskine.

Yes, put him on, please.

What's happened, Lewis?

Well, the state police found Guido's car with a broken axle.

He'd apparently fallen asleep, and skidded off the road.

Any trace of Guido?

The police interviewed a rancher who owns

the property where the car was found.

He gave Guido a lift to the nearest town

and dropped him off at a garage, we're checking it now.

Oh, I think we have the man who hired Guido.

Anthony Baughmiller.

Al McLaure, inspector.

Baughmiller was a contractor out of Richmond.

Recently, he's been posing as a land developer in Puerto Rico.

We suspect him of shipping gambling devices

from Puerto Rico throughout the United States.

We have an informant in San Juan who says Baughmiller arranged

the pay-off for Guido and Tilden.

He's a liaison man for William Shrack.

- That big? - 'That big.'

So far, Baughmiller has refused to tell us anything.

We've been trying to trace his recent movements

and find out who Shrack wants dead.

Uh, hold on a minute, Art, I think Tom's got something.

Yes, sir, we just got word that a man answering Guido's

description rented a car in Pueblo.

Pueblo? I think you better get up there right away.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[man on radio] 'Control to Unit One.'

This is Unit One.

Lewis, I just received your report on Guido.

The state police have spotted him driving north on US-25.

They've set up roadblocks.

We're searching some of the secondary routes.

Well, we may have uncovered the potential victim.

Richard Ghormley.

[Arthur] 'He was a former executive assistant to Shrack.'

A taxi cab driver who Baughmiller hired in Richmond

found a notebook left in the cab.

He just turned it over to us.

[Arthur] 'Lewis, Guido may be meeting with Tilden

'to give him the g*n now.'



[intense music]

[tires screeching]

Care for a snack?

I'm sorry I couldn't meet you in Denver

but, uh, there's too much law looking for me there.

Where's the g*n?

Just give me a minute, huh?

Thank you.

According to that surveyor, two cars went down that road

a little while ago.

Sounds like Guido's car was one of them.

Where's the road lead?

Well, it extends about a mile and changes into

a number of access roads.

- Have them blocked off. - Right.

[intense music]

[intense music]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[Marian] And there was no room at the inn.

So Mary and Joseph entered a stable.

And it was there that the Christ child was born.

Why didn't Joseph and Mary call for reservations?

Daddy always does.

There weren't telephones in those days, nut-head.

True.

Read us about the Wise Men, the part where they come in.

With Frankenstein and Myrrh.

[chuckles]

Frankincense and Myrrh.

I'm sorry, was Christ a God right from the start?

No, he was just a baby.

Probably wanting attention like a couple of other kids I know.

Gotcha, gotcha!

I thought I heard a car.

It's still early, Craig.

It's gonna be dark soon.

[dramatic music]

Guido tell you where Ghormley is?

Tilden just told me he's been staying in Denver.

[instrumental music]

He won't be here.

It's just as well, I didn't like him.

There was something strange about that man.

'Couldn't you see it?'

I could see sickness.

Didn't it frighten you?

No.

I've lived with it all my life.

I didn't make my body crippled, Jean.

I wasn't talking about your body.

I'd advise you not to be impertinent.

I won't.

Ever again.

What do you mean?

I'm leaving tomorrow, mother.

You really think you can survive without me?

I'm going to give it the best try you ever saw.

And what about me?

Alone, helpless.

Look at yourself, mother.

'You forgot your canes.'

[knock at door]

- Ms. Mason? - Yes.

Inspector Erskine, FBI.

What's this all about?

[Erskine] Do you know this man?

No.

He's an escaped prisoner.

He may be on his way to k*ll someone.

We know he visited you.

He was here.

He called himself Foster.

That's all I know about it.

He didn't want to talk about himself.

Excuse me.

Well, go ahead and say it, it's your victory.

Victory?

Gina..

Oh, mother.

No, you were going to stand by yourself.

Maybe it is time you do it.

The number's a listing for a local automobile club.

Miss Eggers is a clerk there.

She received a couple of calls from a man who

requested information about open routes

to Pueblo and Geiger, Colorado.

Now, he used the name Foster, but he gave

the telephone number here for her to call back

in case there's any change in road conditions.

Call the resident agent.

[instrumental music]

- Huh! - Hi.

Hello.

Good evening. Um, I'm looking for the Wallace place.

They live a half-mile down the road.

Oh, taxi really left me off in the wrong spot.

Are you a friend of Mr. Wallace?

I'm his brother-in-law. Gregson, Stan Gregson.

I-I just flew in from New York.

Well, it's too far to walk.

Why don't you come in and use the phone?

Thank you.

[intense music]

Dad!

- Who's he? - Ah, a friend of Mr. Wallace's.

Now, come on, kids, it's time for you to go to bed.

But it's early, we want to stay up and see dad.

Oh, alright, for a little while.

Oh, the phone's right over there, Mr. Gregson.

[man on radio] 'Control to Unit One.'

This is Inspector Erskine.

[man on radio] 'Control to Inspector Erskine, resident agent covering Geiger'

'reports no sign of Tilden.'

'He's trying to locate Ghormley now.'

We'll be there shortly.

[instrumental music]

The Wallaces should be here by now.

Maybe we better give them another call.

We'll wait.

Stay away from that phone.

Who are you?

If you're going to rob us, take what you want

and go, but don't--

You and your kids are in no danger.

My husband?

Oh, no.

No, please!

Nothing personal, lady, just following orders.

[man on radio] 'Inspector, Ghormley bought his house'

'from an agency under the name of Porter.'

'The real estate man didn't recognize'

'Ghormley's photo immediately.'

'But he's certain it's the same man.'



Where do creatures like you come from?

Not from places that have, silk curtains and soft beds.

It had a two by four waiting

to work me over, if I got out of line.

I spent Christmases grubbing the railroad tracks for coal

to keep us warm.

Things like you, always have those excuses.

What do you know about it, lady?

My husband does.

He started the same way you did.

The only difference was, he was a man.

[intense music]

Tilden's inside.

You all know what to do.

[Craig] 'Mom?'

It's alright, it's alright.

Why don't you put your kids in bed?

- Craig? - Yeah, mom.

Come on, get up, we're gonna go to bed.

Barbie.. Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

[telephone ringing]

- Answer it. - Go on up by yourselves.

Hello.

Marian?

Where are you?

I'm in a phone booth, I'll be home in about 15 minutes.

Something wrong?

Uh, no, we're just all exhausted.

Hmm, 11 o'clock, I guess you should be.

I'm on my way. I love you.

I love you, with all my heart.

I'm not gonna let you k*ll him.

- Richard Ghormley? - Yes?

FBI.

Shh. It's alright, son.

We're with FBI, and we want you and your sister to come with us.

We're gonna take you to your daddy, okay?

- Mm-hmm. - Shh!

It's alright, sweetheart.

Get out now, or you're gonna have to sh**t me first!

[glass shatters]

[knock at door]

[intense music]

He's coming. Not a word, you understand?

I hope I'm not disturbing you, my, uh, car has stalled

and I can't get it started.

I wonder if I could use your phone.

Inside!

He's going to k*ll my husband!

Turn around.

[intense music]

Alright, step back.

Your husband's safe, Mrs. Ghormley.

[instrumental music]

Oh, d*ck!

- Daddy! - Hey, you guys! How are you?

- I missed you, dad! - Ha ha ha!

[chatter]

I don't know what I would ever do

if this ever happened again, daddy.

I was so afraid.

Dad, I put the star on the Christmas tree.

[Richard] 'Oh, you did a good job, son.'

Thanks.

You guys remember what we always read on Christmas Eve?

- Uh-huh! - Oh, yeah.

"I said to a man who stood at a gate..

Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied..

"Go out into the darkness

"and put your hand into the hand of God.

"And that shall be to you better than light

and safer than a known way."

[male narrator] Stuart Walker Tilden was returned to the penitentiary

to complete his original sentence

and was given additional time to serve because of his escape.

The state of Illinois prosecuted Tilden

for attempted m*rder

and Colorado brought him to trial

on as*ault with intent to k*ll.

He was found guilty of both offenses.

Gerald Guido was charged by Colorado authorities

with selling stolen property.

Erwin Calder was charged with burglary in Salt Lake City

and a detainer had been filed against him in Reno.

Anthony Baughmiller and Calder were also charged

with assaulting federal officers.

Baughmiller and William Shrack were named

as co-conspirators in the plot to m*rder Richard Ghormley.

[theme music]

[music continues]