All language subtitles for The FBI s05e18 Conspiracy of Corruption.eng

No.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production starring
Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William
Reynolds, with guest stars

James Olsen, Catherine Justice,

Armando Silvestre, and special guest
star J .D. Cannon.

Tonight's episode, Conspiracy of
Corruption.

On October 17.

While ranch foreman Peter Griffith lay
in a coma in a nearby hospital, unable

identify his assailant, local sheriff's
deputies and state highway patrolmen

began an investigation under the general
direction of Las Montas County Sheriff

William Temple.

However, within hours of the crime, the
Las Montas County prosecutor called the

FBI headquarters in Washington.

Because suspicion had arisen that a law
enforcement officer might have been the

assailant, and thereby violated the
civil rights of the victim.

The Attorney General ordered the FBI
into the case under the provisions of

civil rights statutes.

It's not a very happy situation.

It never is when a law enforcement
officer is suspected of committing a

That's why I thought it so important
that you two get the first plane out.

Did the doctors have anything
encouraging to say about Griffith's

No. It's still critical.

and they had to take the chance of
flying him up to the state capitol for

medical facilities.

There's some sort of paralysis, so he
may not be able to give us any

information, even if he does recover.

What kind of evidence does the county
prosecutor have, Mr. Ward?

Well, for one thing, we've had a report
that a sheriff's black and white sedan

was spotted at the scene of the crime.

Well, that plus the fact that Sheriff
Temple's had it in for Griffith for some

time. The attorney general based his
request for our investigation on both

points. Was there ever any actual threat
made by either man?

We don't know if it went that far.

But Sheriff Temple bucked the Wyatt
Ranch.

And in so doing, he bucked both Griffith
and Cliff Wyatt.

Wyatt's very influential and powerful.

Which means there's going to be a lot of
pressure on this.

Not only out in the field, but back here
in Washington.

Who's the resident agent there?

John Potter.

He's driving to Las Montes. He'll meet
you there and introduce you to Sheriff

Temple.

And Temple's directing the
investigation.

Yeah, we'll be shaking hands with the
prime suspect in the case.

They just passed the crossing.

Well, I'd better go out and welcome
them.

John?

Sheriff Temple, I'd like you to meet
Inspector Erskine.

Special Agent Colby here.

Inspector, Mr. Colby.

Well, I can't say I was surprised when
John called and said that you were on

way.

Good. Let's get right on it, shall we,
Sharon?

They came from a 30 -30 hunting rifle,
Inspector.

Did you make plaster impressions of the
tire marks and footprints?

Yes, we did.

We'd like to forward all the evidence
you have back to Washington immediately.

But they're evidence in an attempted
murder investigation.

And also in a civil rights
investigation, Sheriff.

All right.

Sheriff, the .30 -30 is one of the
standard weapons in your department,

it? Yes, it is. We have four of them.

We'd like to send them back as well for
comparison with the slug.

All right.

There's something I've got to tell you.
One of our guns is missing.

It disappeared. It was stolen about five
days ago from one of our cars.

Did you record the theft?

No, I didn't.

Why not?

Well, I guess I kept hoping we'd find
it.

Sheriff, the night that Griffith was
shot, where were you?

On routine patrol.

Did you have a deputy with you?

No, I was alone.

I understand you'd had a conversation
with Griffith that morning.

Yes.

I'd had several talks with him.

I was trying to make him realize that
somebody would get killed if he and

didn't stop importing Braceros.

Cliff Wyant.

All the money in the world, and he still
insists on bringing in the cheapest

labor he can get.

Did you really expect Griffith to turn
against his employer?

My quarrel wasn't really with Griffin. I
think he's a fairly honest man.

But over the years, he'd seen Wyant
change, and I just about had him to the

point where he was willing to go along
with me.

In what way?

Contact me the next time they were going
to pick up a load of braceros.

That's all I've been waiting for.

I could make an arrest and get Wyant
into a federal court.

But he didn't contact you.

No.

Sheriff. How did the trouble between you
and Wyant start?

Well, I guess when I first put on this
badge.

You see, Cliff Wyant isn't just a power
around here. He's a way of life.

This town's in his pocket.

So is the whole county.

Maybe even the state.

Everyone except you?

Either I'm the law here or he is.

I know what this informant from across
the border thought he saw.

But I've only got six black and white
sedans.

Three were on patrol. I was in the
fourth.

And the other two are in Kyle Harris'
garage for servicing.

You have any idea who this informant
might be?

I don't think it was one of the Braceras
themselves, but it might have been the

contact man who brings them across.

I was hoping to arrest him and Griffith
at the point of sale.

Griffith changed his mind and didn't
call you as he promised.

Mm -hmm.

Cliff Wyatt and his daughter.

I imagine they'd like to talk to you
alone, Inspector.

That's all right, Sheriff.

Might be easier.

Get a good set of the sheriff's tire
impressions.

Afternoon.

Inspector Erskine, I imagine.

Dwight. How do you do?

My daughter, Laurel.

How are you?

I just flew in from the capital.

I must say I'm a little surprised to
see...

Sheriff Temple's still free as the
breeze.

Well, he's still a sheriff, Mr. Wyant.
He's performing his duty.

Oh, I imagine he will.

Right up to the moment you put the
handcuffs on him.

How do you think it happened?

Well, all I know is he'd been harassing
Pete for a long time.

Probably watched every move Pete made.

And I understand the sheriff was out
alone that night. He could have spotted

Pete, followed him here.

Why do you think he'd do a thing like
that, Mr. Wyatt?

Why do you think he'd do a thing like
that, Mr. Erskine?

Hard to say.

Do you suppose he could have heard that
Griffith was planning to bring some

aliens in illegally?

Now, that would have to be proven in a
court of law, wouldn't it, Inspector?

Why don't we wait and see what happens?

Pete Griffith's half dead. Everyone here
knows who did it.

Why are we wasting so much time? Because
he's the sheriff?

Easy now, Laurel.

Mr. Erskine and his people are just
getting to know us in this area.

Matter of fact, I'd like to extend an
invitation to you.

Visit the Wyant Ranch.

Well, that's an invitation I accept with
pleasure, Mr. Wyant. Good.

Anytime. Just give us a call.

State police called, then. One of the
patrols just found what might be the

murder gun along the roadside near
Madeira.

How far is that from here? Twenty -five
miles.

Where's the gun now?

It's on its way to the Las Manas County
Sheriff's Office.

This is definitely the rifle that was
missing, Lou.

The serial number matches the number in
the gun locker.

Good. How soon do we get it off to
Washington?

We can get it out on the six o 'clock
flight.

Call for you from Washington, Inspector.
Line one.

Oh, thank you.

Erskine. I'm starting to get some
inquiries, Lewis, from so -called

Wyatt. The questions go something like
this.

We have a prime suspect, a motive of
long standing, a report that one of his

cars was at the crime scene.

How much more do we need?

Well, the answer to that may...

The answer to that may be in the
evidence we're flying out to you within

hour. Oh? What is it?

Possibly the weapon used in the crime.

30 -30 rifle.

From the sheriff's office.

Hot day for that kind of work.

Yeah, yeah it is, but I promise it for
tomorrow.

I'm Kyle Harris, owner, chief mechanic,
and general flunky of this place of

business.

Believe it or not, I keep my promises.

You're the FBI manager?

One of them.

My name's Erskine.

These are two vehicles that were brought
in for repair the night of the 16th?

Yeah, that's right.

Freshly washed, huh?

Does that mean they're ready to go back?

Oh, no. I'm waiting for parts on both of
them.

See, I did a wheel alignment job on the
one and put some new brushes and plugs

on the other.

So I road tested them today and had them
washed.

Is that of some interest to the FBI?

Maybe.

You service all the sheriff's cars?

Oh, yeah.

Him and all the sheriffs before him.

See, we vote them in and we vote them
out.

Does that mean you disapprove of Sheriff
Temple?

Well, I didn't say that. I mean, he has
new ideas, new ways of doing things, but

maybe it's for the best.

See, in this town, it's not so much
people disliking the sheriff as if they

he's gone up against Cliff Wyatt.

That can't help but be a mistake.

Wyatt's done everything good around
here. One man can.

I'd like to see the mileage logs on
those two vehicles.

Mileage logs?

You understand, when the deputies bring
the cars in, they leave mileage logs. It

can be checked against the speedometers
for...

Lubrication tags, I think. Oh, yeah,
they must be here someplace.

Probably in the desk.

Let me take a look.

I don't see them right off, but they
gotta be here.

Tell you what, I'll take a good long
look in the morning and call either you

the sheriff.

That is, if the sheriff's still around
to be called.

Appreciate it.

Sure thing.

Absolutely radiant.

A beauty.

A real beauty, Laurel.

You're just saying that because I'm
Hawaiian.

And I'm yours.

And because it's true.

I'm glad your friends called.

Talked you into going to the club.

I'd much rather go up to the Capitol and
be with Pete.

There's nothing you can do there. I
talked to him. Still no change.

They won't let anyone near him. Got a
guard standing by all the time.

How about you come into the club, too?

You've been under terrible strain.

Ah, thanks. No, I'd better stay here.

That young FBI man called. He and his
boss are on their way out.

Then how about I stay, too?

And then after they leave, we could go
to Morelos' bar.

Young lady, I did not build that country
club and an 18 -hole golf course and a

dance pavilion so you could sit around
Morelos' bar.

That's no place for a girl like you.

Funny, I'm so much like you and you
can't see it.

Pete did, that's why he always let me
come along.

Poor Pete.

Laurel, you've still got a good chance.

I know.

When I wake up in the morning or half
-wake up and think, Tuesday, Pete and I

had to go out and check on the new grass
on the Sierra Vista side.

And then I remember Pete may never check
anything anymore.

I'd better get started You enjoy
yourself

Welcome to the Wyatt Ranch, Inspector.

Can Aunt Maria bring you anything?

No, thank you. Thank you, Maria. Come
in, come in. Sit down.

I'm sure there are certain questions
you'd like to ask me about Pete

Inspector. I'll go right ahead.

Thank you.

Leaving out the question of right or
wrong for the moment, if Griffith was

waiting for Bracero's...

It would seem there must have been a
contact man.

I should imagine.

You have no idea who that might have
been.

Well, there are certain things I didn't
question Pete about.

And if I didn't, nobody would.

Well, did he have any enemies here in
Las Mondas? Like disgruntled former

employees who might have threatened him?

Well, if we have any disgruntled former
employees, I doubt they'd stay around

this part of the country, let alone
threaten any of us.

I see.

Mr. Wyant, you must realize that you
don't have to tell us anything.

And whatever you say can be used against
you.

I am aware of my rights, but why all the
fuss?

Pete's going to make it. Then he'll tell
you himself who shot it. We can't count

on that, even if he does recover.

The shots were fired from behind some
brush.

Griffith probably never even got a look
at whoever it was.

Ambush? Is that what you're saying?

In effect.

Mr. Wyatt, where were you the night of
the shooting?

All right.

I was in Morellas'. That's a bar in Los
Matos, the best bar.

That's not saying very much, but it's
quieter than the country club.

I got there, oh, about nine.

Morellas should be able to pin the time
down for you.

But may I ask why I need an alibi?

Some people say Sheriff Temple is the
only man in this county who ever defied

you and got away with it.

If you two were at odds, we'd like to
verify your account.

That's an explanation I can accept.

Temple thinks that because he's sheriff,
that gives him the right to badger and

harass me and my men.

It's happened before in this part of the
country.

A man puts on a badge, he thinks that
gives him the power over other men, even

the power of life and death.

Sheriff Temple can't stand me or what I
represent around here.

He's been trying to beat me down ever
since he took office.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Lou, may I talk to you for a minute?

I'll be right back.

Less than half an hour ago, Mexican
police raided a warehouse just across

border. They found two dozen braceros,
but the man in charge of them escaped

after a gunfight.

Who is he?

Well, his name is Carlos Lara.

He's holed up in a barn on a farm about
five miles this side of the border.

He somehow managed to get to a phone
call. Potter told me he wanted to talk

the FBI.

Ah, one thing more.

He told Potter that if Sheriff Temple
gets to him first, he's afraid Temple

kill him.

All right, I'm asking you one last time.

Come on out.

We're coming in.

Bill, take it easy. According to the
Mexican police, they wounded him. He

run far.

You better take cover. I'm not waiting
any longer.

Sheriff? Over here, Inspector.

I've got men flanking the barn, but I
think I'm going to have to go in and get

them.

Do you mind my asking what you're doing
here?

Lara called the office. He wants to talk
to us.

I'm sure John told you.

Well, he's armed and he's wounded. If
you want to talk to him, go right ahead.

Lara!

I'm Inspector Erskine with the FBI.

Come out, unarmed, and you'll be safe.

You got something that says you're an
FBI man?

Yes, I have.

I'll show it to you if you let me.

All right.

You take a flashlight and you point it
at the ground.

And you start walking this way.

Alone. Sheriff, do you have a
flashlight?

Look, Inspector, this is crazy.

He's had it. He's going to take you
along with him. But the flashlight just

makes you a lighted target. Take the
flashlight, please.

We'll cover as best we can.

Lara!

I'm coming in.

Hold it.

Hold it.

You put that light on your face.

I said you put that light on your face.

Okay.

Now come the rest of the way.

Now toss me the light.

Easy.

Easy.

Okay.

Show me your ID.

Sorry to...

But you're in so much trouble, Mr.
Eskin.

But I couldn't take the chance of having
Sheriff Temple put a slug into me like

he did with Pete Griffith.

Lara claims he actually called the state
police to identify Sheriff Temple as

having been at the scene of the crime.

But he hung up because he was afraid he
might be talking to one of Temple's

friends.

Is he willing to testify it was Temple
he saw?

Yes, he is.

That's why he asked to talk to us first.

Well, I would think that just about does
it.

I have the ballistics report here.

There's no question that the bullet the
doctors removed from Griffith was fired

from the weapon you forwarded to us.

Right. You'll see the Civil Rights
Division about issuing a warrant.

Right, Lewis.

The warrant charges that while acting
under color of law as a law enforcement

officer, you willfully violated the
civil rights of Peter Evans.

I'm sure you know you're right, Sheriff.

You have the right to remain silent and
have an attorney present.

What reason do we give for going back to
Los Manos, Lou?

Tom, we're going back because I'm not
satisfied.

Unit 1 to Unit 2.

Griskin. John Potter, Inspector.

We've just been notified the Sheriff
Temple made bail on the civil rights

and is no longer in custody.

Right, John. We're on our way back
anyway. There's still a few things that

to be cleared up. I'll meet you at the
hotel.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Inspector.

You can tell me we're getting to be that
familiar a sight around here. It's a

small town.

And there's still that fine old Western
tradition of curiosity about a stranger.

Sure. We're very old and very heavy in
old Western tradition.

Have you known Cliff Wyatt a long time?

Ever since I was a kid.

Pretty good customer?

Very good.

The music never stops when he's here.

Was he here Wednesday night?

Yes, he came in about nine because Joe
Cruz was still here. Joe stops in for a

quick one, then goes back and closes up
his service station.

And what time did Wyant leave?

Right around 11 .30.

He watched the news as he usually does.
Then he left.

Did he leave the bar at any other time?

No, sir. When Mr. Wyant sits down to
relax and have a few, he don't jump up.

I see.

Miss Morales, since I've been in Las
Montes, I've found out quite a bit about

it.

I heard, for instance, that some of the
earliest sheriffs were in the habit of

arresting men on a Saturday night for
having a few drinks in them, knowing

could get 30 days free labor out of them
in the county work gang.

But that Sheriff Temple changed all
that.

In fact, they say he accomplished quite
a bit around here.

All right. He did some good.

Have you ever given the county 30 days
free labor because you happen to have a

few drinks in you on a Saturday night?

I still say Mr. Wyatt was here that
night.

Thank you, Mr. Morales.

Si, senor.

Lost in the last week.

Did you find the cat's tracks?

Found it. Lost it again in Prada's wash.

Well, I'll take the dogs out for lunch.
Go out after it.

I wish Pete was here.

Those two fellas I had with me?

They couldn't find a cat and a pet
shelter.

Suppose I go with you?

That won't be necessary.

How was the dance?

It was all right.

Any word on Pete?

And they said they'd call if there's any
change.

I thought it'd do any good to fly up
there.

You told me yourself there's nothing
else we can do.

I know.

You're right.

Daddy, I want to go after the cat. I
want to go with you.

Promise to be careful.

All right, Inspector.

I think the next step is for me to talk
to the DA.

And the next step after that would seem
to be the filing of a formal complaint.

I've talked to the U .S. Attorney's
Office, and he agrees that the local

prosecution should take immediate
precedence.

Well, we want to thank you for all the
assistance you've given us, Inspector.

Well, I tell you, Mr. Reese, there are
one or two things I'd like to clear up

before we leave.

Osmontis County Sheriff's Office, Deputy
Joyner speaking.

Who's calling, please?

Mr. Ward in Washington.

Yes, Arthur.

Lewis, we now have the three tire
impressions you sent.

Yes, the last was taken right after
Sheriff Temple drove off.

Well, that's the best of the three.

We can now say with certainty that
Sheriff Temple's car did not make either

the first two.

Well, what do they indicate, anything?

Well, they're from a heavier, older
model sedan and a heavy truck. Different

tire widths and tread patterns.

I see.

Well, thanks, Arthur. I'll talk to you
later.

Joiner, Sheriff Temple drove your newest
sedan, didn't he? One of them.

We got three this year.

Well, last Wednesday night, would all
three of the newer ones have been on

patrol? Yeah.

Plus one of the older ones. The other
two were in the garage.

I gather the tire impressions don't
match.

That's right, they don't.

Well, Templer's a kind of a scientific
crime buff.

Is there any reason why he couldn't have
driven his nice new sedan back here and

taken one from the garage?

No reason.

He had all the master keys on a big
ring, including one for the garage.

Inspector, I see you're still here, huh?

I was wondering if you'd found the log
sheets on those two sedans.

Uh, no, as a matter of fact, uh, must be
around the house someplace.

Mr. Harris, we've reached the point in
our investigation where we have to ask

you some very important questions.

Now, you don't have to answer, and
you're entitled to an attorney.

Sure, sure.

What is it you want to know?

We looked over the deputies' log sheets
for the last day the cars were in use.

We added an extra half mile from here to
the sheriff's office.

That's closer to a mile.

Like.

Deputy Joyner and Mr. Colby here checked
the mileage on both cars this morning.

Sedan UYM 314 had been driven an
additional two miles.

Sure, I road tested it. Had it washed.

But the other squad car, the COV 080,
had been driven an additional 53 miles.

Ah, that's impossible.

You mean to drive that far just to road
test a set of points and plugs?

The distance between your garage and the
spot where Griffith was shot is a

little over 26 miles, or about 53 round
trip.

That car never left the garage until
I... Mr. Harris, would you be willing to

say that under oath?

We know the Sheriff Temple's car was not
at the crime scene.

And we know from tire impressions that
one of the two in your garage was.

I didn't drive that car.

But you know who did.

Wednesday night about 7 .30.

I got a call.

Take one of the sedans over behind the
railroad station and leave it there.

Who made the call?

Cliff Wyatt.

Fundamentally, it's the same statement
you gave Inspector Eskin, just on county

paper.

Sure.

That it?

That's it, Carlos.

Thank you.

Do you think once Sheriff Temples and
Jayla can be released?

We'll see about that.

Inspector Erskine, there was a call for
you.

Laurel Wyatt.

Hello? Miss Wyatt?

Oh, hello, Inspector.

My father asked me to call.

We're going out after a marauding
mountain lion this afternoon. He

you'd care to join us.

Well, it's very kind of you, Father,
Miss Wyant, but I'm afraid I won't be

to make it.

Oh, that's right. You're catching the 2
o 'clock plane.

No, we're staying on a little longer.

I talked to Deputy District Attorney
Reese earlier, and he said the

investigation was finished.

You've got the guilty man.

Surely the man who shot Pete Griffith is
going to be tried and punished.

Yes, the man who did it will be, Miss
Wyant.

There are some indications the
investigation may only be starting.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'm sorry that you can't make it.
Maybe some other time.

Goodbye, Inspector.

Afternoon, boys

Good day for a hunt, isn't it?

Anything wrong, honey?

No, not really.

Come on, come on. I know you.

I didn't want you to worry, but when I
talked to Inspector Erskine this

he said something kind of odd.

He said that the investigation might
only be starting.

I don't understand that.

Deputy DA said Temple had been booked
this morning.

I know. They must have found something
else.

Something else?

What is there for them to find?

I don't know.

Forget it.

I've got the scent!

Cliff Wyatt?

Yeah. Yeah, I've seen him.

Do you say there's a resemblance between
him and Sheriff Temple?

No. No, none at all. Why do you ask?

You still want us to believe it was
Sheriff Temple you saw behind the wheel

that black and white car the night of
Wednesday the 16th, huh?

Look, I told you people before.

The light wasn't that good that night,
Carlos.

Maybe you didn't recognize anybody.

Who do you suppose gave the Mexican
police the tip that almost got you

Who would have benefited if Sheriff
Temple had shot you?

Who's the one person who could just walk
away without anybody at the wiser?

Who would that be, Carlos?

Wyant.

Wyant was in the black and white car.

You know, he even called me the next
day.

He told me I wouldn't have to worry
again.

He promised me we had a deal.

Then he called the Mexican police.

He tried to get me killed.

It's too dangerous to take the dogs up
there.

Those two might wind up shooting one of
us.

Jeff, you boys wait here.

You wait here, too. I'll go get him. No,
let me go, too, please.

It's a beautiful cat.

Pete would... Pete would really like to
have been here.

He'd have been proud of you.

I'm proud of you, too.

I know.

Laurel got him. How do you like that?

Right up there, on the crest.

Jeff, you go get him.

That's the sheriff's car, isn't it?

You know, on second thought, maybe I'd
better show Jeff where he is.

Might take him all day and probably
break a leg in the bargain.

Jeff?

Where's your father?

We just killed a mountain lion that's
been raiding our calves. Why? Something

wrong?

Mr. Wyatt!

This is Deputy Joyner!

Mr. Wyatt!

Jeff, you can go back now.

Mr. Wyatt!

I don't understand. What's this all
about?

Ms. Wyatt?

I have to tell you that your father is
responsible for Griffith being shot, not

Sheriff Temple.

Mr. Wyner, it'll be easier if you come
down, but if we have to, we'll come up.

No, that's impossible.

They've known each other since they were
little boys.

Pete would do anything for Dad except...
Except what?

There didn't have to be any shooting. He
wasn't going to go through with it.

You mean he wasn't going to help the
sheriff make a case against your father?

Dad found out Pete had talked to Temple.

He gave him a rough time about it. Pete
got angry, threatened to drive all those

braceros down to the sheriff's office,
but he'd never do that. He was just hurt

because Daddy didn't trust him.

Wyatt?

Are you coming down?

No good, Erskine.

I don't see myself in a cell block.

I wish I could, honey.

I wish I could.

And where you are, Wyatt.

I understand Laura, Wyatt, is going to
take over running the ranch.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if she did
a pretty good job.

That's it, Bill.

And that's no small accomplishment to be
in jail one day and back running it the

next. Be nice to have things back to
normal again. I wonder if it'll ever be

back to normal.

Oh, I'm sure it will be one day.

Why did you come back?

I figured once I was arrested, that was
going to be the end of it.

Well, I guess you've been sheriff long
enough to know all about hunches.

I'm glad you stuck around.

So am I.

Bye, Sheriff.

Inspector.

Sheriff. Mr. Colby.

Inspector.

Thank you.

Peter Griffith recovered from his wound.

Clifford Wyant was tried and convicted
in state court of assault with a deadly

weapon and attempted murder.

Kyle Harris, Juan Morelos, and Carlos
Lara were found guilty of furnishing

information to federal officers and
sentenced to terms in a federal

penitentiary.

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