All language subtitles for Higher Ground 1988 DVDRip x264-HJ

I can't keep cooling my heels.

Maybe we should discuss
this whole arrangement.

I don't know if you're trying to get
more money out of me...

...or you've lost your contacts
in Mexico.

The bank president himself
told me I can bring cash there...

...and he'll hide it,
no questions asked.

Well then, I don't understand
why it's taking so long.

I mean, not that I don't
enjoy our lunches...

...but my money's
not getting any cleaner.

Sorry to be an expense to you,
all right?

You want out? Is that it?

Hey, if that's the way you feel....

I'm not trying to play cute with you.

I'm not used to
this kind of thing, okay?

Settle down, Herman. Relax.

Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Can I help you?

I'll do it.

- I'll call you with the details.
- Good boy.

Showtime.

Jim. It's obvious.

Donoso's gonna be a full-time
bagman for these guys.

More like a full-time nervous wreck,
if you ask me.

I still think we can get him
to work for us.

We just did.

This slug'll give us his bosses
for two days off his jail term.

And I don't need informers.

I need bodies.

Bodies.

- Loden. What're you doing back?
- Stan, Stan, Stan.

My idol, huh? How you doing?
You look great.

Like my goggles? World War I.
Just got them at a swap meet.

You look great. Just great.
Memo-a-minute Stan, huh?

Where's your pass, Rick?

Everyone not currently
in the Bureau needs a pass.

How you doing, Jimzo?

Rick, you weren't supposed to
be here till tomorrow.

Well, I had some new business.
Had a change of plans.

- That shock you?
- It would shock me if you didn't.

- That would be just too damn tedious.
- Too damn tedious.

Meet Julia Reeves, my partner.

So you're Rick Loden.
I have heard a lot about you.

- Look, I'm out of here.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey.

- Where's Ginny and Tommy?
- She's on her way home.

She was visiting her mother.

I just had to swing by and see Jimzo
before I got back...

...to the fastest-growing
small flying service in Alaska.

Somehow I just can't imagine
you two guys working together.

Well, it's been a lot quieter
around here, I'll tell you that.

You've been grounded
in L.A. too long, Jim.

You think so, huh?

- I got something to show you, Ace.
- Okay. Okay.

My dad used to fly
one of these old Beavers...

...on his mail runs in New Mexico.
I've always wanted to own one.

It sure is a sweet little plane, Jimzo.

You got a great living situation
down in these lower 48s.

Come on, Rick.
We had some good times down here.

Did some good work.

We were in the thick of it...

...but it feels pretty good
to kiss it all goodbye.

So just stay
a little longer, Rick.

I can't.

I gotta pay attention to this client.

He's gonna put up guest homes.
on the north side of Annakin Bay...

...and when the tourists fly in,
I'm his pilot.

That's terrific.

Yeah. Your little investment's
gonna really work out, Jimzo.

Look, you pay me back
whenever you can...

...but it sounds like you got
some great action going on.

Well, Bill's gotta negotiate with the
native corporation who owns the land.

That'll take a couple of months.
In the meantime...

...I've got all this business
from the hunting lodge.

Enough business
to justify another plane.

Hold on.
You're not getting another plane.

I already got it. An Otter. Ten-seater.

Twenty-five hundred pounds
carrying capacity.

- You're not getting ahead of yourself.
- Of course I am.

Every time I turn on the gas,
I burn a hole in my pocket.

So the old pocket
needs another refill.

A little investor confidence
wouldn't hurt.

Oh, brother.

Well, you protect my investment, huh?
Don't burn out.

- You could have a say in that.
- It's not time for that yet, Rick.

Look, we've been talking
about this for five years.

I could really use you
there right now.

Yeah. This is Jim.

Phone call for you
from Agent Leidecker. Please hold.

Look, what's stopping you?
When you got your divorce...

...I thought you'd come and join us.

Look, you have the classic
northern plane here...

...sitting in Long Beach.
I think your head's in Alaska.

Now we gotta get your butt
out of L.A.

- He's on the line.
- Yeah, Stan.

I hate to cut short
your joy ride with Mr. Loden...

...but Donoso
wants to meet us at 7:00.

- What do you mean us?
- I'll be there with two other agents...

- ...for the backup.
- Look, Stan, Julia and I can do it.

I said I'd be there
with the backup, Jim.

Yes, sir.

I'm on my way.

Still stepping on your toes, huh?

Goes with the job.
We're nailing a guy tonight.

Look, Rick, next vacation,
I'm coming to see you.

You give my love
to Ginny and Tommy, huh?

Yeah.

- Take care, pal.
- I'll see you.

Hi, Herman. Didn't know we were
gonna have company.

Neither did I.

Pleasure doing business with you.

You stay here.

Donoso! Donoso!

Donoso! Out of the way.

Donoso! FBI.

FBI, huh?

You conned me into this.

Herman, what are you doing
with a gun?

Eyes front. Look at me.
You don't wanna do this, Herman.

Don't make this any worse
than it is, pal.

Look at me.

Give me the gun.

Herman, give me that gun.

Herman, you've got brains
in your head. Use them. Herman.

Come on, man. Come on.
Give it to me. Come on, Herman.

It's easy. Just give me the gun.

Come on, man.

Herman. Come on. That's it.
Give it to me.

Easy. Give it to me.
Herman, give it to me.

Come on, man.

- That's it. That's--
- FBI! Drop it!

No!

Somebody get some help.

You did not have to kill that man.

You lost control of that situation.

And walking up to a loaded gun?

Stan, Jim was doing a good
job of containing it.

I've had enough years on the street...

...to know that was a scared man
who was gonna give me that gun.

You know, Jim...

...you've had too many.
You don't have the right attitude.

I've got the perfect attitude, pal.
I'm out of here.

Jim, wait.

Fine.

I was gonna transfer you to
applicant processing in Fresno.

- You just saved me the paperwork.
- Jim, what are you doing?

You better go somewhere
and cool off.

That's exactly what I'm gonna do.

Dad! Dad!

Where were you, Dad?
We were waiting for you.

I had to make a few stops.

And I thought I was lugging
heavy equipment in the Otter.

You're really getting big.

You been lifting weights
with your mother?

It's Jim.

Jim!

Mom, who's that?

That's Jim Clayton.
Your dad's old friend.

- Hey, looks like he's here for a visit.
- You could say that.

- Oh, hi, Jim.
- Hi, Ginny.

Good to see you.
Remember Tommy?

- This is Tommy?
- Yep.

- How old are you now?
- Ten.

And a big guy too.

Looks like you made up
your mind, huh, Jimzo?

- Yes, I did.
- About what, Rick?

Believe me, honey, I'm as surprised
about this as you are.

Remember we talked about
Jim one day flying for us?

One day is this week?

Hey, Rick, if I can just
park here for a while...

...point me to the road,
and I'll look for a room.

Hey, no way, bud.

We're gonna move you into the
dispatch cabin.

You can sleep, eat, and breathe
planes. Is it okay with you, Ginny?

Tommy, take our guest in
and make him comfortable.

- Okay. This way.
- Jim, welcome to Alaska.

Thanks, Ginny.

- You like to fish?
- Sure do. When I was a kid...

...my dad took me to the mountains
camping just so we could fish.

Like me and my dad.

We fly everywhere together.

- Did your dad fly a plane?
- Yep.

My dad taught me
all about airplanes.

He let you fly one? What kind?
How old were you?

Hold on now, Tommy. I was...

I was 21 before I learned how to fly.

With your dad a pilot?
Why did you have to wait so long?

Well, when I was 12...

...my dad got caught in a storm
over the Rockies.

Mr. Clayton...

...my dad's been too busy lately.

- You think you could take me fishing?
- Why, sure, Tommy. I'd love to.

If it's okay with your dad
and your mom.

Oh, Jim, thanks. This is terrific.

- Oranges are like gold up here.
- It was my pleasure.

Annakin Air's gonna be a real airline
and Jim's gonna be a big part of that.

- All right.
- Hey, hold on, you guys.

Jim doesn't know anything
about Alaska flying yet.

Ginny's right, but I'm gonna get you
up there for scud-running.

Teach you how to fly with
one eye on the landscape.

- I can get you ready in a week.
- Ready for what?

We don't have any new business.

Oh, I saw Anne Hellerman
in town today.

I even gave her
some of my salmonberry jam.

Well, when she tastes your jam,
she'll hire us.

That's the travel agent from Juneau.

Bill McClain'll give us
all the business we can handle.

Yeah, sure, if he gets that land,
and if he builds those cottages.

For that matter, if he doesn't change
his almighty mind.

We've been flying the lodge's food,
equipment, hunters, fishermen...

...and if Bill starts building,
we'll fly in all the lumber.

We're gonna move, we're gonna grow,
and Jim'll be there...

...so will you please stop playing
the bookkeeper all the time?

I don't wanna be the bookkeeper,
but when the books don't balance...

...I'm the one
that has to take care of it.

I've got some flying ahead of me.
Will you please let me eat in peace?

My name's on that
air taxi certificate too.

I'm just trying to do my part.

I'm just the passenger today.
It's all yours.

Here we go.

To break the adhesion on this flat
water, you can't be tender with it.

You gotta pop it.

All right.

- You like the feel of the beast?
- I sure do.

We just have to fly over to Kotzebue
and drop off some medical supplies.

Hey, look at that.

- You all right?
- I am if you are.

That the last?

- It's all yours.
- Thanks a lot, Rick.

First job.

You told me this was hard work.
I love it.

Hey, is that Ginny?

Look at my baby fly.

Some bookkeeper.

Hey, husband of mine.

I got a call
to pick up some fish nets.

Let's hope this keeps up.
We can sure use the business. Over.

Honey, I'm with you,
and with a tail like yours...

...I'd follow you anywhere.

- That was pretty hot flying, lady.
- Hey, thanks.

- Oh, what's all this coming from?
- It's always there, honey.

Ginny's dad could land
this Citabria on a glacier.

He could read ice and snow
better than a native...

...but what's really amazing is
he kept this engine running somehow.

How'd you like to give it a crack?

I'll tell you what I'd really like, Rick...

...is that both of us talk to Ginny
a little more.

We will, we will...

...but I want you to meet
some people first.

Link Holmes. Ike Tench. Lisa.
My good friend Jim Clayton.

Howdy.

Show him what you got
in the sack, Link.

- Beautiful furs, huh?
- I'll say.

If they're trapped
two weeks out of season...

...doesn't make any difference
to the foxes.

Hey, come on, Rick.
These things are legal, all the way.

Come on, Link.
Mr. McClain's waiting.

Where'd you get whiskey?

Jordan's dry now.

You can't buy booze anywhere
and this kid's got whiskey.

Lose it before we fly, Ike.

Come on, Ike.

I'm finishing it.

Got a run to make, Jim.
I'll be home late.

- Hey, Bill. How's it going?
- You're late, Rick.

Don't let it happen again.

This is quite a load.
What's the cargo?

Antifreeze.

Tench'll go with you,
help you unload.

I want you to
set down right here...

...three miles outside Kaloma.

That's in the middle of nowhere.

If you didn't know the lay of the land,
Rick, you wouldn't have gotten the job.

- All right, pass it over.
- Okay. All right.

- Come on, man.
- I got it. I got it.

Here.

- Let's get out of here.
- All right, one more, one more.

Here.

- That's it?
- Yeah.

- That's the good stuff.
- All right.

- Ike, what's that?
- The guys don't work for nothing.

- You mean all these boxes...?
- Yeah.

What do you think
the big plane's for?

Dad, Lieutenant Smight's here.

Sorry to trouble you, but I have to
check up on all new planes and pilots.

A bootleg drop
is a serious matter around here.

You better believe it.

You must have a rugged streak.

Not many people come flying
up here with winter coming on.

Well, the timing
had nothing to do with it.

Yeah, well, we all have our
different reasons for coming here.

What's yours?

Well, I hope to work for Annakin Air.

Did those Indian boys
identify anyone?

No. No. It was dark
and they were frightened.

So, Rick, you'll....
You'll vouch for Mr. Clayton.

I've staked my life on him.

Well, that settles it, then.

Ginny, I'm sorry to wolf down
your delicious coffee...

...but I've five search
and rescues on.

Ben.

- Jenkins.
- Sir.

Good to see you, Ben.

I hope you and Alaska get along well,
Mr. Clayton.

You can bet on it. And I hope you find
those bootleggers.

Oh, we will, won't we?

- Yeah.
- Right.

We will.

Jenkins.

Show those kids a photograph
of Rick Loden.

- It might jog their memories.
- Yes, sir.

I'm gonna go on over
to Bill McClain's.

Dad, you said we'd go fishing today.

Oh, fishing. Fishing. Yeah.

Well, maybe we can squeeze it in
before the party.

- What party?
- It was supposed to be a surprise.

Man, I blew that, didn't I?

Just a little salmon bake
to welcome you to Alaska.

Well, why don't we go catch us
a fresh supply?

Dad, you said we could go fishing
two days ago and we didn't...

- ...then you said we could do it today.
- We're gonna go fishing.

When, I don't know. I said it
and I meant it, and that's the end of it.

Rick, now just wait a minute.

Think you could spend
a little more time with your son?

- Honey, Bill asked me to fly a photog--
- I'm tired of hearing about Bill McClain.

He may own that Otter,
but he doesn't own you.

Ginny, I told you not to interfere.

Lieutenant Smight came by
my place today.

That right?

- He say anything?
- No.

I just stood there and aged.

You know, just for flying booze alone,
he could confiscate my plane.

Whose plane, Rick?

You still owe me three payments
on that plane...

...and you're way behind.

I'll tell you what I'll do, though.
You fly three more flights for me...

...I'll cancel the debt.

Now, here's some cash
for operating expenses.

Take it.

I can't do this, Bill.

I can get square with you
without flying booze.

No, you can't.
You're a lousy businessman.

You've already proven that, Rick.

Since your father-in-law died...

...you've practically
run Annakin into the ground.

If this is the only way to save
my airline, then forget it.

Go buy yourself another pilot.

I don't break the law
and I don't like lawbreakers.

In fact,
this whole deal makes me sick.

Watch your head.

It's so delicious.

I can't believe I was so blind.

It was one of those things.
It can happen.

You get in over your head.
You fly some booze for somebody.

If Ginny finds out....

I must have been crazy.

Well, if you were in so much trouble,
why didn't you cut back?

You can't cut back.
This is a game of numbers.

How many man-hours you fly.
How many tons of cargo.

It's pretty wild out there, Jim. You're a
pilot, you gotta make tough decisions.

Are you telling me everything?

- Rick Loden.
- Rick.

Bill McClain. Look, I don't feel right
about what happened today.

I'd like to try and get it
straightened out with you.

Well, same here, Bill,
but I still meant what I said.

I know you did,
and I respect that, Rick, I really do...

...but you're a damn good pilot
and I wanna keep working with you...

...so no more swamp flights,
no more antifreeze...

...but you got a plane you owe me
money on and I got a job for you.

I need you to pick up some
freshwater fishermen...

...tomorrow morning.
What do you say?

Well, as long as we stick to that
kind of work, I'll be there.

Great.

Rick, one thing. There are
only gonna be three of you...

...so you don't need to use
the big plane.

- You got it.
- Terrific. Bye.

- Morning.
- Morning.

What's happening?

It's just a little flight to pick
up some fishermen. That's all.

- I got a call on it last night.
- Can I do anything?

No. Go back
and get some more rest.

- Keep the coffee hot for me.
- All right. Have a good flight.

Thanks.

Rankin Lake. McClain.

Rick! Rick! Rick!

It was a single-engine Cessna.

Has he checked in at all today?

No, he's way overdue.

He left at 8:00 this morning.

Okay. I'll let you know...

...as soon as something
comes in, all right?

Roger. Over and out.

This is Beaver 3304.
I think I spotted Rick's plane.

It looks fine. Everything intact.
It's at Rankin Lake. I'm going down.

Rick!

Rick!

Oh, my God.

Where's Dad? What--?

- What happened?
- Tommy--

You tell me what happened!
Where'd he go?

Where'd he go? Where'd he go?

Tommy....

I got it. Easy, there.

- All right.
- Dad.

Dad. Daddy....

--beseech thee, O Lord...

...the soul of thy servant
from every bond of sin...

...that he may live again in the glory
and the resurrection of breath...

...and rest in paradise
among the saints and elect...

...through Jesus Christ, thy son,
our Lord...

...who lives and resides with thee
in unity with the Holy Spirit...

...one God, world without end.
Amen.

Daddy.

He became a good pilot out here.

He could really fit the breed,
but you don't push this land.

I'm sorry.

I'll come and see you tomorrow.

I saw him the day before.

Think there's a small reception
over at the house.

It was nice of you to come, Link.
Did you know Rick well?

He was a friend.

- Mr. McClain.
- McClain.

Ben.

Miss Loden.

I didn't know Rick long,
but I cared for him quite a lot.

- I'll miss him.
- Thank you.

Stay strong, son.

Excuse me. I don't believe we've met.
Bill McClain's my name.

I'm Jim Clayton,
an old friend of Rick's.

I was gonna fly with him
for Annakin.

Is that right? Rick never told me.

Well, then,
I'm sorry for your loss too.

Excuse me.

Yes, sir.

Hell of a thing.

Take care.

You saw his plane and you didn't
tell me about it?

- I didn't know--
- You stupid?

You didn't know he was gonna go
to work for Annakin Air?

- Rick just told me he was a friend.
- You're becoming useless.

The police are gonna be
asking a lot of questions.

I want you to disappear and tell Link
to go trapping...

...and you make sure he stays
up there. Now get out of here.

Why did he do it, Jim?

My husband is dead
from a stupid case of whiskey.

He didn't.... He didn't talk to me.
He didn't come to me.

Just one last gamble.

He loved us so much, you know?

My dad started Annakin Air
20 years ago...

...and he was so proud.

I remember when Daddy got sick...

...Rick stood by his bedside...

...and he promised him
he'd make Annakin Air...

...the best flying service
in Alaska...

...and he tried.

He broke his back for us.

God.

I loved to watch him
fly out over the bay.

Then business tailed off,
and he just--

He couldn't face it. He....

He started doing anything
just to make money...

...but I didn't know
he was so out of control.

They don't allow you
too many mistakes out there.

It's a damn unforgiving country...

...and Rick deserved to be forgiven.

Ginny, if there's anything I can do
for you and Tommy....

I'm gonna be fine.

I just wanna be alone.

So you see, Mr. Clayton,
when I was a boy, I left Scotland...

...and I came to Alaska
to make my fortune.

Well, I quickly discovered that the only
riches that I truly valued...

...was the right to sleep at night
with a quiet conscience.

You're a former peace officer
yourself, aren't you?

You know that feeling...

...or have you already forgotten?

Lieutenant, if you think I knew...

...what Rick was doing
before I came up here...

...you're wrong.

The man has a bootlegging operation,
invites his former partner up...

...to fly with him
and he does not tell him about it?

He didn't have a bootleg operation.
He carried one load of liquor.

Then why was he found dead in
Rankin Lake...

...with a bullet in his head
and signs of robbery and ambush?

He went to Rankin Lake
to pick up fishermen.

No, he didn't.

He went to Kennicott Cove
to pick up those fishermen...

...then he took off on his own.

His flight log didn't say that.

Well, McClain says he's got
signed receipts to that effect.

Have you seen them?

Listen, lieutenant,
I know this is not my territory...

...but I'd like to work with you
on this thing. I--

Your territory?

I have just spoken
to Special Agent Leidecker...

...and you don't have
a territory anymore.

From what he says, I'm far better off
working without you.

But don't leave town, sir...

...because I may want to ask you
a few more questions.

This is Clairborne search
and rescue here. Over.

That Cessna of Rick's.

- Ginny's gonna need it back--
- That Cessna is impounded...

...until this investigation's over.
Good day, Mr. Clayton.

- You may go.
- Go ahead, Clairborne. Over.

We'll need a helicopter
and ambulance standing by. Over.

Give me an estimate. Over.

I'd say about an hour.

Let's see what we got here.

Oh, boy, we got something.

Oh, look at that baby.

Come on, pal.
Aren't you gonna help me out?

Don't feel like it.

Come on, you used to like
to throw the little ones back.

Listen to me, son.

All that pain we're both feeling
right now, it's okay.

It's okay to feel that way.

We both loved your daddy
very, very much.

We're gonna feel like this
for quite some time.

So we've gotta keep doing things.

Doing anything's gonna help.

As you can see, Mrs. Loden...

...I've been carrying Rick
for quite a while.

Now, I'd like to help,
but unless we can work out...

...some kind of an arrangement
on the payments...

...I'm afraid I'm gonna
have to take the Otter back.

You can see how far behind he was.

- This looks right.
- Yeah. Papers are all in order.

I don't like this
any better than you do.

If I hadn't believed in Rick,
I wouldn't have backed him.

- Yeah, he worked hard for you.
- You bet.

Carried that last load
of fishermen for you.

- They still around?
- Excuse me?

The fishermen.

They left the lodge yesterday.

You know, he never put down that last
leg of his trip on his flight schedule.

He just put down "Rankin Lake."
That's all.

I'm sure he had a sense
that something was gonna go wrong.

He was playing a pretty
dangerous game, you know.

I guess so.

Look, I know this puts you
in a tough spot...

...and I don't wanna
make it any tougher...

...so I'll tell you what.
Let me put you in touch...

...with an experienced
Alaskan bush pilot.

Someone who can help you
get back on your feet again.

Then you and I can work out
some kind of a--

I don't need your help, Mr. McClain.

My flying service
is gonna be just fine.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

Here's your keys.

Here.

- That's Dad's plane!
- Tommy.

Get away from Dad's plane.

- Hey, you!
- Back off, dude.

You owe that boy an apology.

Apologize. Apologize.

I apologize.

Get out of here.

Both of you.

Think about my offer.

We're better off without it, son.

Do you understand?

It was never really ours
to begin with.

I was sorry to hear about Rick.

Thanks, Mr. Baker,
and I appreciate it.

- We need two 50-gallon drums today.
- The account is way overdue.

I'm sorry about that as well.

- Yeah, well, we've--
- That's all right. We'll pay cash.

- I can't let you do that.
- Sure you can.

Any cash I get goes against
what Annakin Air owes me.

You trying to tell me
we can't get any gas for our plane?

Look, I don't want any trouble.

Right.

Miss Loden.

You know, Mr. McClain,
we can't seem to get any gas here.

- You have any idea why?
- No, sir, I don't.

I guess he just doesn't
have any fuel to sell you.

Yeah.

Well, we can get some
somewhere else.

It seems a shame,
you burning all your fuel...

...just trying to find
a place to get fuel.

He doesn't understand much
about Alaska flying, does he?

Added fuel hours,
lost man-hours.

Numbers are gonna go against you,
Mr. Clayton.

See, it's not smart to go
poking your nose...

- ...into other people's business.
- Maybe I haven't poked enough.

I've seen guys like you come up here
over and over again.

Can't take care of themselves.
They start trying to stir up trouble.

I can take care of myself, McClain.

- Is that right?
- Yeah.

Ginny, you know what I'd do
if I were you?

I'd have your friend here go back down
to the lower 48 where he comes from.

Fire it up.

--a lot of flying hours. Over.

Ginny, with all the problems
your airline has been having...

...I just can't take the chance. Over.

Anne, I really thought I was gonna
be able to depend on you.

Thanks anyway. Over and out.

Any luck?

Knute Carlson's sorry...

...but he doesn't know you well
enough to have you fly for him.

Then I spoke
to Anne Hellerman...

...and she just can't recommend a
flying service with our kind of problem.

She liked my
salmonberry jam, though.

Right.

Ben, here's that backup
you asked me for...

...on all the work that Rick Loden
did for me...

...including the stuff
on his last flight.

Receipts.

Invoices.

Oh, yes, that's very, very good.
Thank you.

Don, could I get
a cup of coffee, please?

Sure.

Mr. Land, your cooking is, as usual,
quite excellent.

Thank you very much.

Well, you're very welcome, Ben,
and tomorrow I'm fixing your favorite.

- Lamb stew.
- Lamb stew.

Mr. McClain, thank you so much
for going out of your way...

...in bringing this around.

I'll have it photocopied and let you
have it back as soon as possible.

No trouble at all.

Oh, by the way, that land deal.
How is that coming along?

I should have the balance of the
financing secured in a couple days.

Money in by the end of the week.

Well, that'll be a great benefit
to the entire community.

- Thank you again.
- By the way, Ben...

...how are you coming
on Rick's killing?

Are you getting anywhere?

There are flecks in the pan,
but I haven't found gold yet.

Good luck.

General call to pilots
in the Jordan-Kaloma area.

- Mom, can I answer it? Please?
- Yes.

This is Annakin Air, Station 3302.
Over.

Roger, Annakin Air.

Looks like we've got
a mayday situation...

...with a kayaker down
about 20 miles north of Kaloma...

...on the Kaloma River
near Jack Simon's cabin.

There's two other flying services
in the vicinity. Let them take the call.

That location is five,
10 minutes from here.

Ginny, that kayaker could be
critically injured. I can handle this.

Tommy, stay on the radio, okay?

This is Annakin Air.
We're answering your SOS.

Jim, hold it.
When you land down there--

I know. Land low where
you're going and head up straight.

Jim, listen to me.

It gets very rough on the Kaloma
this time of year.

You have to find a back eddy if you're
gonna nudge that plane on a sandbar.

Now, when you do,
take this extra rope.

While your engine's running,
hook it to your strut...

...then tie
the other end to a rock.

If you don't, you can
kiss this plane goodbye.

Okay. I got that. Thanks.

Jim, for God's sakes...

...if it gets rough out there,
please call for help.

- We do that here all the time.
- I'll do that.

Don't worry, because I've been
on rivers before.

There he is.

Ginny, this is Jim.
I've spotted the kayaker.

He's hurt, all right. I'm going down.

Okay. Okay. That's it.

Just another river, right? Right.

Come on, baby.

Come on. Hold it. Hold it.

Jim, this is Ginny.
Are you there? Over.

How you doing, pal?

I'm surprised your wings aren't
on your back.

I thought I was dead for racking up
out here alone.

- How'd you ever find me?
- A call came in.

Had your location
right on the money.

Okay, now, we'll get you up.

Put your weight on me. Come on.

Jim, this is Ginny.
You'd better be okay. Over.

Ginny, this is Jim. We're on our way.
Be there in about 10 minutes.

I'm gonna talk to you a little bit
about Alaskan rivers.

All right, pal, it's gonna be
a little rough.

- Do your worst.
- Here we go.

Give me the speed! Come on!
All right.

Come on. And pop it!

Yeah! Yeah!

Clear the way.

Careful, Randy.

- Easy, there.
- All right, here we go.

- Got it?
- Yeah.

- Ready?
- And lift.

You didn't have to take that risk.

Nice job.

Thanks.

- Hey, Don, nice to see you.
- Hi.

How you doing?

Nice job, Mr. Clayton. Nice job.

Word sure travels fast
about a rescue around here.

- Oh, well, thanks.
- Why don't you sit down?

I know, Ginny.

Just a tea for you
and an ice-cold milk for Tommy.

- I want a chocolate soda.
- Okay. Today he gets a soda.

Mr. Clayton. Your first time here.

Would you care for one
of my fine moose burgers?

- A moose burger?
- Yeah.

It's okay with lots of ketchup.

If you say so, Tommy.
With lots of ketchup.

Coming right up.

It's not really a moose burger.

Jack Simon.

I just wanted to shake your hand,
Mr. Clayton.

I've seen that river
when she gets mad.

- That was a fine piece of flying.
- Thank you.

Come next season,
I'll be calling you.

Well, thank you, Mr. Simon.
Would you care to join us?

Don't mind if I do.

Let's get out of here.

Your burger will be coming
right along.

Yeah, and did you happen to know
that Mr. Simon here...

...is the gentleman
that sent in the radio call?

So I did.
But that trapper kid, Link Holmes...

...he's the one that spotted the man.

- Link Holmes?
- Yeah. Lucky thing too.

He lives way down
by Spruce Hollow.

Must have been up in the mountains,
checking his trap lines.

- Jack.
- Oh, hi, Bill.

Miss Loden.

Oh, Bill, Link had a customer
in here today, but he didn't show.

Matter of fact, he hasn't been in here
lately at all.

Why you telling me this, Don?

Where did you say
Link Holmes lives?

Spruce Hollow.
Just west of Kaloma.

Do you mind telling me
what you want?

We don't want anything from you.

We're sick of you
poisoning our people.

I'm not one of the bootleggers.

I'm trying to stop them, just like you.

My friend Rick Loden
was killed by one of them.

Your friend was one of them.
What are you doing here, anyway?

I'm looking for Link Holmes.

And 700.

- I'd like an N, please.
- Yeah, one N.

Can I buy a vowel, please?

- Okay.
- Buy an I.

There are two I's.

- Spin, please?
- Sure.

You wait here.

Lieutenant Smight.

What are you doing here?

This is John Willingham,
the village public safety officer.

This is a police investigation.

Hey, I'm just looking for somebody.
Didn't think that was a criminal offense.

What's your business
with Link Holmes?

Link, his friend Ike Tench,
and Rick...

...all worked for the same man.
Bill McClain.

Bill McClain.

I have interviewed
Mr. McClain twice.

He has been
completely cooperative.

He has given me all the receipts
and invoices...

- ...pertaining to Rick Loden's flight.
- Is that enough for you?

Well, what do you suggest?

Well, I'd put Link and McClain
under surveillance.

Now, that is a fine example
of temperate zone mentality.

Put Link Holmes under surveillance
while he's out setting his trap lines?

You want me to place an entire forest
under surveillance?

I want you to do what any
good police officer would do...

...in the temperate zone
or the Arctic zone...

...or at the equator.
I want you to do your job.

Mr. Clayton...

...for the last week, I have been
investigating an area...

...approximately the size
of your native New Mexico.

I've looked for evidence
in 100 places...

...most of them not even
names on the map.

Now, you want me to arrest
the town's leading citizen...

...on the basis of an entry
in Rick Loden's logbook...

...and some suspicions that you may
have concerning Link Holmes.

Is that the sort of training in evidence
that they give you in the FBI?

Lieutenant, the office
in Kotzebue's calling.

Go away, huh?

Give me a chance to do my job.
Go home.

If you hadn't done
that fine search and rescue...

...I would not be inclined
to be so tolerant.

I appreciate your kindness.

Rick, buddy.

Mr. Clayton, what do you
think you're doing?

The rear seats in Rick's plane.
They're in their normal position.

What of it?

If he had a load of liquor in that plane,
he'd have to remove those seats.

And did you check the
evidence on the floor?

Forensics. Yes, we have heard of it.

We did a thorough check
on the soil in that plane.

- That looks like one set of footprints.
- What?

McClain says he sent Rick to
Kennicott Cove...

...to pick up some fishermen.

It was pouring rain that day.

Fishermen standing
around in the mud?

Where are the footprints?

Listen, I understand
what's going on here.

In L.A., it's cocaine, here it's alcohol,
but it's the same thing...

...and we're on the same team.

Suit yourself, bro.

McClain's cleaning out
the warehouse...

...so we load the Otter
and the ship today...

...and I fixed it
so that he pays us plenty.

One more job, Link, and after that,
we'll be rolling, man.

Rolling.

What are you thinking about?

I was thinking how we used
to come here as kids...

...talk to the raven and
talk to the killer whale.

We had some good times here, Ike.

We went through
a lot of stuff together.

Yeah, and now we're
all grown up.

I mean what is the problem, Link?

Do you think you're gonna pay
for that land claim you want...

...with trapping money?

- I can't get it if I end up like Rick.
- He screwed up.

What does that mean?

It means you do what Mr. McClain
says and you do what I say.

Ike. Tell me what happened.

- Link, don't get him angry.
- Stay out of this.

Ike, what are you doing?
Get off of me!

I'm sick of you always
pushing me around.

Shut up.

I'd better see you there, Link.

Ginny.

What happened?

Jim, he was just
playing dodge ball with the kids...

...then one of the kids said his
father was a bootlegger.

I'll talk to him. It'll be okay.

- Hi, Tommy.
- Go away.

Come on, pal.
Is that any way to talk to your friends?

You're Dad's friend, not mine.
Go away.

You're right, Tommy,
I was your dad's friend.

Do you know why I was his friend?

A lot of reasons.

He saved my life once.
Did you know that?

There was a thief with a gun.
Wanted to kill me.

Your dad saw him before I did,
took him right out.

He did?

He didn't worry about the gun.
He didn't worry about getting hurt.

He just took him right out.

Jim, they said things in school
about him.

Tommy, your dad was a good man.

Now, even a good man
can make a mistake sometimes.

You know, you get overextended.
You worry about your family.

You think you're not
doing enough for them.

Your dad realized what he was doing
and he stopped it.

He was a good man, Tommy.

They hate Dad.
They hate me.

I don't wanna go back there.

I'll make sure you can go back.

How are you gonna do that, Jim?

- By clearing Rick's name.
- How?

By putting the blame where it belongs:
on Bill McClain.

- Where are you going?
- I'm gonna find Link Holmes.

- It's not your job, Jim.
- Somebody's gotta do it.

Don't make this your private war.

This is my war, Ginny...

...and I gotta get Link
to help me win it.

It's about 20 minutes from here.

The trail forks left
as you get to the hillside.

Thanks.

Would've probably gotten lost.

Very lost.

Hello, Link.

Sorry, it's not a guest place.

You know, we all owe you
a vote of thanks...

...for running to Jack Simon's cabin,
calling in that kayaker.

Anyone would've done that.

Is that why you came
all the way up here?

- To thank me for that?
- No, I wanted to talk to you.

You haven't shown up
in town lately.

I'll be back in
when I got more to sell.

These look good.

What is it you wanna
talk to me about, Mr. Clayton?

Rick Loden was
a very good friend of mine...

...and I wanna ask you
some questions.

- Isn't that the trooper's job?
- That's right, it is...

...and they'll be getting around
to it.

They'll be asking questions like,
"What happened to those fishermen...

...that McClain sent Rick
to pick up at Rankin Lake?"

You see any fishermen
come back to the lodge?

I was selling pelts that day.
I didn't see him come back.

I know Rick was flying
bootleg liquor for McClain.

Maybe you know.

Maybe you don't.

But there's something that bothers
you about McClain, isn't there?

Maybe it's what he
might've done to Rick.

They had a fight before
he sent him out to that lake.

That's their business.

Look...

...I come into town for supplies
and customers, and that's it.

- Out here, I live alone.
- You're not alone.

You're part of McClain Enterprises.
He's taken you over.

No one takes me over.

Listen, I don't want you
to go against McClain.

I don't need you to leave the cabin.
Just tell me where the liquor's sold.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Tell the white man everything.
He'll take care of it.

There was a pine grove
about a half a mile from here.

My father
thought he owned this land...

...but some loggers
wanted those pines...

...so my father
went to the state troopers...

...and they said the Native Claims Act
was gonna be passed...

...so he could put in for the land,
nice and official.

So tell the loggers to leave.

Well, he did.
And a fight broke out. A bad fight.

And those troopers came back
and they took my dad to jail.

Smight was the one
who arrested him.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your dad.

I'm sorry the loggers
are still winning.

What do you know about it?

It's not about bootlegging
anymore.

It's about narcotics and murder.

And when they find out
who killed Rick Loden...

...everybody's gonna be accountable,
and that includes you, pal.

Wait.

It's the Lady Jane.

She's a packer ship coming
into the harbor at Jordan.

She sells liquor to the fishermen,
and she's pulling out tonight.

That's what I need. Thanks, Link.

I wanted to give you
another chance.

Now, what did you tell him?

- Ginny, this is Jim. Over.
- Go ahead, Jim.

Ginny, McClain has a big
shipment of bootleg liquor...

...about to leave the harbor.

Now, Link told me to find
a boat called the Lady Jane.

I think you'd better go tell Smight.

Ahoy, Lady Jane.

Anybody aboard?

Can I help you?

Howdy.

I heard the gold mining's pretty good
up at Ryan Creek...

...and thought I'd go find
myself some color.

Yeah? Good luck.

So I need something to keep
a little fire in my belly.

Fishermen told me
I might find it here.

- Gets awful cold up there at night.
- Welcome aboard.

I think we can help you out. Please.

It's just down here. Follow me.

Wrong move, Mr. Clayton.

- Link Holmes sold you a little short.
- I don't believe it.

Believe what you want.
It really doesn't matter now.

He's not here, either.
Where the hell is Link?

- I'm sorry. He's supposed to be here.
- I know he's supposed to be here!

I told you to keep your eye on him.
Let's get loaded.

You all set?

Does it look like I'm having
a good time here? Come on!

Come on, let's get this on. Come on.

Here you go, kid. Final payment.

Move. Move.

Unit 2B, we got a
hit-and-run on the corner of....

Our town benefactor served
a sentence for cocaine smuggling...

...before he came to Jordan.
Get all the men you can.

Now, you two, get home, okay?

Stand by the phone.
I'll call you shortly.

- Oh, Mom.
- Come on. Let's go.

Okay, let's get those
last few on there.

Damn it.

You two, back to the Lady Jane.
Move!

- Trooper boat.
- Let's get out of here.

- Can we make it this overloaded?
- We got to.

Fire it up!

- Link.
- Come on. We don't have much time.

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

You take that guy.

Close in. Close in. Close in.
Cut him off.

You're a dead man, Clayton.

Ike, no.

Don't do it.

Easy does it.

Put the gun down.

Easy, Ike.

Just give me the gun, Ike.

Come on, Ike.

Don't make this
any worse than it is.

Come on.

Come on, pal. Put the gun down.
It's okay.

- Hold your fire.
- Come on, Ike.

Come on. Give it to me.

Come on, pal. It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay.

Well done, laddie.

Unit 4A....

Ike stopped my bleeding.
He was trying to--

- We'll take care of him.
- What's gonna happen to me?

I'll make sure everyone
knows the truth, Link. You'll be fine.

I'll come see you.
Just take care of that wound.

Go.

Well, that was the easy part.

Now how about a hand
with the paperwork?

I don't work here, remember?

Oh, and by the way,
Mr. Clayton...

...welcome to Alaska.

Thanks.

We need a paramedic
at Carlson's Lodge.

There's been a hunting
accident. Gunshot wound.

This is Unit 6.

Thanks. That's terrific.
Yeah, just what we needed.

We'll be there, 4:00.
Over and out.

Hi, honey. What's the matter?

You know who I was just talking to?

Knute Carlson. And guess what?

He's got some fishing supplies
he wants us to deliver.

Now, you know...

You know Jim's
gonna fly for us now.

I thought it would be a good idea if you
were to go on his first flight.

How about it?

Oh, honey, we're still
gonna miss your daddy...

...and we're always gonna love him
just the way we remembered him.

I know it's not the same.

Oh, my gosh.

That's the way, Ace.

- A little backup.
- We could use it.