Original subtitles

Hey, Vic.

You know something? You're getting a little uptight.

And we can't afford that. Meaning? I got a lot to lose, Vic.

But you got more.

Because inside this nice house, you got two kids and a wife.

Who are your kind of people, Vic?

Muscle -bound men and their stupid wives? People run too fast. Sometimes

break their necks. Vic, you tell me where I failed.

Our kids are in Heritage. That's the best private school in the state. What

you saying? I'm supposed to save myself by giving you Dave?

No, I'm not.

But you can tell the truth before it comes out.

And it's coming out fast.

The

FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Ephraim Zimbalist Jr., also starring Philip Abbott and Shelley

Novak, with guest stars Charles Chiappi, Joan

Hotchkiss. Tonight's episode of Peace of the Action.

Well, he's a little early.

You used to do the same thing?

Get out here this early, you got the highway pretty near all to yourself.

Easy you got it

Come on, let's hustle.

Take one of these minks home to your wife.

Get in good with her. She's got a mink out there. A trap and a shotgun.

Within hours after the hijacking of a shipment of furs from an interstate

freighting company truck, Inspector Lewis Erskine flew to St. Louis and took

charge of what was soon to become a wide -ranging investigation of a ruthless

and vicious criminal organization operating throughout the Midwest.

Mr. Lamport, this is Inspector Erskine.

From Washington, huh?

Special Agent Daniels.

Sit down, gentlemen.

Anybody want a drink?

Mr. Lamport, I understand one of your trucks was used in a hijacking early

morning. That's right. It was stolen right from this terminal. I already

theft report with the St. Louis police about 8 .30. That was almost two hours

after the hijacking, wasn't it?

Hey, I got 75 trucks coming and going here. It's very easy to lose track of

for a couple of hours. Really?

What are you trying to say, gentlemen?

I believe this isn't the first hijacking where one of your trucks was reportedly

involved.

Reportedly? Allegedly. You got any proof?

My company's clean.

If that means expanding while half of your competitors have been driven into

bankruptcy. In the last six months, Mr. Lamport, they've been hit with 27

hijackings and five burnouts.

So what?

Trucking's a tough business.

I've been hit a couple of times myself.

Yes, you have, a couple of times.

For a total of less than $8 ,000.

Come on, Inspector, what do you want me to do, apologize for that? I told you

trucking's a tough business, and I play tough in return.

Think those guards and Dobermans out there are just window dressing?

If they're not, how did somebody get past them? That's exactly what I asked

chief of security before I fired him.

Of course it's possible the truck was stolen by somebody who works for you.

Anything's possible.

Then you'd have no objection to letting us have the names, addresses, and

personnel records of all your drivers?

Inspector, that's the first time I've seen Vic Lamport sweat.

What about this competitor of his, James Starnes?

Sold out and retired a year ago.

I'd like to talk to him as soon as possible.

What else should we know about Lamport?

Well, up until two years ago, he was the classic success story.

Came back from the Korean War with a battlefield commission, bronze stars for

gallantry. He opened a trucking company with one truck and one driver, Vic

Lamport. Worked around the clock.

Then two years ago, he had a severe coroner. He put him on the shelf for six

months.

Since then, we've seen his name and his younger brother Dave's on more and more

police reports concerned with hijackings.

When we get his records, have each driver's photograph shown to the couple

witnessed the hijacking.

Maybe we'll get lucky.

Is Dave here? Yeah.

Listen, could you hold Dennis for a minute? I'm a few minutes alone with

please. Dick, I wait six weeks and you never even notice.

Notice what?

Oh, the chairs. They came, huh? Yeah.

These chairs happen to be the finest examples of Sheridan furniture this side

Fifth Avenue.

They're really nice. I'm sorry I missed them when I came in, but there's such

new stuff around here, you know, every time I come home.

badges and credentials in order? Oh, come on. That's a stupid joke, Dave.

They're tough. They flew in an inspector from Washington.

Yeah, well, I don't care if they flew in the Marines.

You're overreacting.

So a driver got tapped on the head. Big deal.

Tapped on the head.

Don't you realize this man could die?

All right.

Suppose he does.

You're beginning to sound like your friends.

Hey, hey, hey.

My friends are making us rich.

You know, we had nickels and dimes for years, and now we got a piece of the

action. The action that counts.

Nickels and dimes sent you to school. They paid for your education.

They didn't pay for this house or the fancy furs Nancy wears.

Look, Vic, you know, you came out of the hospital. You had the whole world

handed to you on a platter.

Success, prestige.

And nobody hands you that for nothing.

Blood money.

Every buck we make, they take back ten cents.

So we make a lot of bucks.

Oh, all right, all right. I'll, uh... I'll talk to Max Horton.

I'll convince him. From now on, the boy's got to lay off the rough stuff.

Hey, it's a little too late for that. The FBI are very interested in what

happened this morning.

They got a pretty good idea what's going on.

Hey, Vic, you know something? You're getting a little uptight.

And we can't afford that.

Meaning? I got a lot to lose, Vic.

But you got more.

Because inside this nice house, you got two kids and a wife.

Are you trying to tell me something can happen to my wife and kids?

Now, would you rather hear it from me or from the boys?

Listen, you take it easy.

You had one coronary already, Vic. You want to try for another?

Look how many times you want me to tell you, Inspector.

Nobody forced me to retire.

I know you had a run of bad luck. It all depends on how you look at it.

We all make our own luck, don't we?

You trying to tell us you're responsible for the fire that gutted your own

trucking terminal?

And the hijacking?

Look, you know and I know what happened to me.

But I'm not saying word one about Vicar Dave Lamport.

So let's stop the waltz right here, okay?

Mr. Starrs, those men ruined your life.

Hey, fella.

At least I still got it.

You all right?

Yeah.

Nice of you to meet us this early, Dave.

Good morning, Max.

How are you? Well, it turned out to be a nice day after all. You know, you could

almost see Chicago up there.

Extra dividends, just declared by Interstate Freighting.

Hey, I'm surprised they could afford it with all those furs lost.

You must have been heavily insured.

Hey, uh, your brother still doesn't want to see any of the percentages, huh?

He refuses to admit it exists.

Maybe he won't admit that we exist, too.

It's funny about some guys, how they try to kid themselves.

It's all right for us to knock over the competitors' trucks or try to put them

out of business.

But he doesn't want to see any of the money from the heist.

What's he think? That's going to make him less guilty, huh?

Hey, look, Max, I don't think like my brother, but I happen to respect him. We

don't have respect in the family. Is that what you're trying to say? Look,

Vic's upset about the way the interstate freighting thing was carried out. I

can't really blame him. Hey, I'm not too happy about it either, you know.

You're the one who vouched for that Hank Angel.

He's the one who busted up that truck driver.

Where is he now?

How do I know?

The newspapers say he and his partner are in hiding.

Look, if that driver recovers and puts the finger on us, I'm going to make sure

that that hiding place is permanent.

Oh, terrific.

What's the matter, Dave?

Oh, no, it's just a family problem.

I promised Vic that there'd be no more rough stuff for a while.

Where do you get off making promises?

So long, Dave.

Something's bothering him, Mr. Horton.

I'm not too sure just how reliable the Lamperts are.

Especially Vic.

Every so often he has hallucinations that he's stealing on his man.

Relax, Peter.

Our investments are secure.

The word I have that Vic Lampert's wife is spending so much money, if he doesn't

keep doing business with us, he'll have to try robbing banks.

Signification to get back to you.

Henry Angel.

Ken Miller just called from Denver.

The couple who saw the hijacking have identified a former Lamport driver,

Angel, as the one who actually hit Project.

Prints we lifted from the truck confirm it.

Henry Angel, last date of employment was Lamport, 3 -11 -72, home address at

time of employment, 1114 Lake Street, St. Louis, Missouri.

I doubt that's still good, but let's check it out. I'll get right on it.

To contact your local informants, they may know something about his partner.

Chris, call the U .S. Attorney and ask for a warrant on Angel.

By the way, Inspector, the Chicago office has forwarded a teletype on Larry

Oldham, the president of Interstate Freighting. He was in the East on

when the hijackers hit, but he'll be flying into O 'Hare tomorrow.

All right, have the Chicago office set up an appointment. I'll fly out for it.

Let's hope he's more cooperative than James Starnes.

I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting.

Goodbye.

Well, hello, Mr. Lambert.

Mrs. Firenze, is my wife still here?

Of course she is. The gown arrived.

It was almost right, but there are a few little things that need to be done.

Oh.

That's the one that was made in Paris, huh?

She's just putting it on now.

She wants you to see it, of course.

Oh, and these are a few things she picked up.

Heavy, huh?

Little things.

You know, I get the bill for these things at the end of the month, and it's

week's pay for one of my drivers.

Nancy's lucky she's not married to one of your drivers.

This is a Pierre Lembois original.

No kidding.

Well, that Pierre, he's really something, isn't he?

Isn't she something?

Hi, honey.

What do you think?

Probably okay for driving the kids to school in the morning, something like

that.

I'll have your breath for you, Mrs. Lambert, while you're waiting for the

I'll wait till March Rantman sees this Saturday night.

Look, honey, I'm not sure I want to go. I mean, they're just not my kind of

people. Who are your kind of people, Vic?

Muscle -bound men and their stupid wives?

People run too fast. Sometimes they break their necks. Vic, you tell me

failed. Our kids are in Heritage. That's the best private school in the state.

In the last two years, with a couple of minor exceptions, there isn't one

friendship I've sought that I haven't gotten. What happened to the friends we

used to have?

Oh, Vic, let's not go into that again.

I have the friends I want.

And they're not the ones that came with the marriage and the truck.

I am wearing this to the Rantlins if I have to go there alone.

Okay.

Nancy, I need you.

I know, Vic.

I know you've been under strain.

I don't know. Sometimes it just seems that we were a lot happier when I only

one suit and you had that black dress for Saturday night.

I'm not saying we weren't happy then.

But I'm just telling you, I won't go back.

What makes you think we could?

I'd better get out to the airport. I'll check you from there.

Wright speaking.

Go ahead, Kirby.

Ed, we're across the street from an old motor court where Angel and his partner

are hiding out.

Our informant has identified Angel's partner as John Credis, an ex -con with

close underworld ties.

The informant said he saw both men entering the area earlier today, and

both armed.

What's the address?

11900 South L, and both men are in room, or rather, cabin 24.

Now, earlier today, a woman who fits the description of Angela's wife visited,

and she had a suitcase with her.

Are there any cars around?

There's a brown sedan with Illinois plates with VIZ 141.

We checked it through the DMV, and the car is registered to credit.

We're on our way.

The rest of the tent has been moved out, Lou.

This is the FBI.

We have a warrant for your arrest.

You cover me.

Thank you.

Angel's conscious now.

So far, all he's given is his name. He's waiting for his lawyer.

Credis is out of surgery.

His condition's still critical. He's unconscious.

His attorney is on the way.

Now, I have a feeling that if their friends had known we were that close, we

wouldn't have gotten either one of them alive.

Angel's a strange wife.

Are you the FBI man in charge?

That's right.

Well, what did you say to him?

Why doesn't he want to talk to me?

Did you tell him he can't? We had no objection at all to your talking to him.

He just wants to talk to his lawyer?

I guess there's no point in my hanging around.

Sancho.

Is this your number?

I left it with him earlier.

That was before I knew he was wanted.

Don't you think it's possible he might just be trying to keep you out of

trouble? I think he should have worried about himself.

He always wanted easy money.

When did he meet Curtis?

About a week before he left Lampert trucking.

And me.

Curtis put all the big ideas into his head.

He and Dave Lampert wined him and dined him.

Got him dates.

Tickets to the fights.

Lampert's brother, too?

Oh, no.

Not Vic.

Vic gave Hank the job when he came back from Vietnam.

And he's a decent man.

It's his brother who has all the big ideas.

Do you happen to know when he last went with him?

About three nights ago, Hank came by to drop off the child support money.

Dave and Curtis were outside in a new car.

Tell Hank I'd like to see him.

I wonder where it all went wrong and what you could have done to prevent it.

Gellan Credence met with Dave Lamport just before his brother reported the

stolen. Well, the time sequence has fallen into place. Dave Lamport could

taken that truck any time he wanted to. Who's going to question him?

Well, I'm in Chicago.

See what you can find out from Credence.

I don't know who you've been talking to, Inspector, but nobody's ever

intimidated me.

And interstate freighting has no intentions of folding.

I've been in the freight business since...

Vic Lambert was pushing a kiddie car around a playpen.

His brother, he's just a punk kid with big ideas as far as I'm concerned.

You said you believe the Lamports and Horton are behind all this. Sure, but I

can't prove it.

You help us and maybe we can find a way to prove it.

A way to save your firm and others from being taken over or driven into

bankruptcy. I'm not interested in other people's businesses.

And I've never run away from a fight before with these people by going to the

police.

What's wrong with going to the police?

Look, when they fractured Johnny Project's skull, that was a declaration

And I advised my supervisors to get weapons permits for my drivers, and I've

doubled the guard force here at the main Chicago terminal.

Mr. Oldham, you're not going to solve a thing that way.

Nothing's going to happen to me, but the next time they try to take one of my

trucks, or to declare bankruptcy for the match, we're going to exercise the

right of the citizen. That's to keep and to bear arms.

We're going to blow their heads off.

And after that...

Did you ever stop to think about what happens to you?

Inspector, I appreciate you flying up here, but nobody's going to save

Interstate Freighting except me.

It's my business, it's my war, and I'll fight it in my own way.

You know something, Mr. Oldham?

I'm afraid you're going to lose that war.

Credits is so critical, he may not make it. You have the file from Lamport? In

the car.

Yeah, thanks for passing the work along.

Doesn't look too good for credits.

Oh, yeah?

Now that's tough.

That's all you got to say, huh?

What do you want me to say?

Actually, it's kind of a break.

What?

No, I don't want it.

Wait a minute.

Okay, put him on.

It's Larry Oldham.

How's the trip east? Busy.

I heard the click before you came on the wire, so I assume the kid brother's

listening. Look, Larry, I know you're upset.

I'm not upset.

I should have figured that you'd take advantage of my absence.

But what I didn't figure is that you'd okay an attempted murder.

Larry, I'm as sorry as you are about Projack. I swear I had nothing to do

it. Maybe you didn't.

But I'll bet my life that Dave and Horton did.

Larry, what's happened to you? What...

What made you people think you could get away with a thing like this? Look,

Larry, there are things and people sometimes you just

can't buck. Now, look, I know you a long time, and I... You don't want to see

anything happen to me.

I'd like to believe that, Vic.

But from now on, it's an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

If you people can fracture the skull of one of my drivers, we can break a few

heads, too.

Sorry it's come to that.

Larry!

He tries one thing and he's a dead man. Listen, I know this man 20 years. His

wife, his kids, everything. I don't want anything to happen to him.

Yeah, well, I'm not so sure you could do anything about it.

You know, Vic, there's such a thing as natural history. You know what I mean?

Larry Oldham happens to be a dinosaur.

And dinosaurs, my dear brother, are extinct.

So where are you going now? To lunch.

But you might remember what I just said.

I want to thank you.

The file on Harry and Joe was very useful.

Who are you kidding, Erskine?

You didn't come here to return a couple of boxes of records.

No, I didn't.

So what is it this time?

Two years ago, while you were in an oxygen tent, your brother Dave became

executive officer of this company. Yeah, that's right. There was a pretty good

chance I might not come out of that tent. While you were still in the

list, the first police intelligence report came through of a contact between

your brother and a hood named Max Horton.

One conversation with somebody doesn't put you in a partnership with them.

No, it doesn't.

But before you left the hospital, your brother had fired the accounting firm

you'd been using for 20 years and hired one that's known as a front.

experts in hiding illegal profits.

That's funny, because we've never had any problem with the tax people.

Up to now.

Gentlemen, I really think you ought to be talking to my lawyers.

Limehorn, I came here because all the information we have links your brother

with the top criminals in this area.

What are you saying? I'm supposed to save myself by giving you Dave?

No, I'm not.

But you can tell the truth before it comes out, and it's coming out fast.

I can understand loyalty to a brother, but what do you want me to say?

Sixteen years I raised this kid.

I fought his battles for him, I sent him to school, always with the idea that

someday he's going to join me in the business, you know? It was a dream of

I used to really love him once, but now, I don't know.

It turned into a pretty bad dream.

Well, it's my dream, Erskine.

And I'll live with it, and I'll handle it, so you get no help from me.

Looks good.

Yeah. Just got it back from the thousand -mile checkup.

Listen, Dave, there's chicken and vermicelli, and Elise knows you're

home. Well, thank you, Nancy.

Do you think Vic's about ready?

Yeah. Yeah, as a matter of fact, I'd get right down there if I were you.

See that he has a good time at the party, will you, Nancy?

Be a good and loving and reassuring wife.

What's wrong?

Nothing, Major.

But he thinks there is.

Now, listen, tell me the truth. Things have gone so well so far, I don't want

anything to upset him now.

Well, you like having a piece of the action, don't you?

Oh, Dave, I wouldn't call it that.

A place in the sun.

It's the same difference.

Okay, you ask me for the truth?

We, uh... You stand to lose everything we've gained if Vic doesn't hold

firm. Hold firm about what?

Now, don't ask me things I can't tell you about.

But you do understand the importance of Vic not falling apart, doing something

foolish? Yeah, I understand that very well.

Good girl, Nancy.

at least.

You could put the salad on the table.

Hello? Hello, Dave.

Sorry I wasn't in the office when you called. What's up? We got a call from

Larry Oldham today.

Yeah, I heard he got back.

I also heard that he saw that Erskine from the FBI today.

What we got, Max, was a virtual declaration of war.

Yeah, I figured on that.

All right, we can accommodate him if that's what he wants.

But what worries me is what happens.

when we get it across to him that he's losing them. I don't think he's going to

go quietly.

He may just go screaming to the FBI, you know.

And he knows a lot.

I think a hard -working U .S. attorney could get some indictments on the basis

of what Oldham knows.

Uh -huh.

He's almost as knowledgeable as your brother Vic.

Look, I told you, Max, you don't have to worry about him.

I'm not, Dave.

Believe me, I'm not.

Thank you.

We're trying to reach Vic Lamport now.

The maid says he and his wife are at a charity luncheon, but she hasn't got the

number. I should be hearing from Chicago again at any moment.

Oldham's apparently holding his own. When I talked to him this morning, it

clear he has information that might be used against Horton and the others.

Well, they must have been aware of that.

We have agents standing by when and if he regains consciousness.

Chicago Homicide has the hospital covered.

All right, Arthur, I guess we've done everything we can.

Lou, you want to go back up to Chicago?

No, I don't think so. If anything breaks, it'll be right here in St.

I just

called the office

Larry Oldham's wife and the FBI have been trying to reach me Oldham's just

shot Is he dead?

Oldham's wife says I'd go either way.

What can you do, Vic?

Well, one thing I can't do is stand in there with a drink in my hand and talk

about thoroughbred horses and boats and trips to Europe. There's nothing wrong

with those things.

No, but there is something wrong when the money that goes to pay for them

from the same people that just try to blow Larry Oldham's head off.

Now, you listen to me.

I'm not going to talk about that. I don't want to hear about it. We will

the party. Do you understand me?

I have to leave. Vic, you can't leave.

You go outside and tell the Rantlins I'm sorry I have to go.

Yes.

I'd like to speak to Inspector Louis Erskine, please.

Tell him it's very important.

Vic Lamport.

Yes, Mr. Lamport.

Look, I changed my mind.

I... I think we ought to meet later.

I have some records I think you should see, and I'll answer any questions you

have to ask.

Where are you now?

I'm at a party at the country club, but I'm leaving.

I'll meet you at Gerardo's. No.

I don't know if there's anybody there I can trust anymore.

Look, I guess I don't have to tell you how dangerous this is. We'll give you

the protection we can.

Well, it's 4 .30 now. What do we meet at... Meet at 5 .30 at the

Truck Line Cafe.

Where's that?

It's on Highway 70. It's an old trucker's spot. I know the owner there.

an office in the back where we can talk.

I'll be there.

Ed, I want a conference with all the agents on the special within the next 15

minutes.

I'm late. I'll get there right after the Daily Double, all right?

Hey. Oh, Nancy.

What is it, Nancy?

Vic just left here a couple of minutes ago.

He's on his way to meet with the FBI.

Is he going to their offices?

No.

Well, where, Nancy?

He said he'd meet them at the Truck Line Cafe at 5 .30.

Is he going there directly?

No. I think he's going to his offices first.

right nancy i'll handle it dave now listen just talk him out of it just meet

and talk him out of this insanity will you do that dave oh yeah i'll do the

best i can i don't want anything to happen to me

What are you doing here?

I'm here on an errand of mercy, Vic.

Life -saving.

What's in the box?

You better get out of here, Dave.

Are you crazy?

Now you take that stuff to the FBI. Wait a minute. How do you know I'm going to

the FBI?

What difference does it make?

What did Nancy tell you?

Look, Vic, she loves you. She's trying to save your life.

What are you trying to do?

Make my wife as corrupt as you are?

She always was corrupt, Vicar.

Yeller's crazy as old him.

Crazy! You get up, I send you right through the window.

You know what you're pushing me to do? What?

Brother against brother?

Sweetheart, that's the oldest story in the world.

Calm down, Dave, and tell me exactly what I have to know.

Mm -hmm.

Where's he meeting the FBI?

The truck line cafe.

At 5 .30.

Truck line cafe at 5 .30?

All right.

Well, what do you suggest we do, Dave?

Don't ask me that, Max. I don't want that decision.

Hey, Dave.

You made the decision when you called me.

Look, from now on, our percentage is 20%. Max.

Look, Dave, you got 80 % all to yourself, right?

Goodbye, Max.

Well, I have 445.

Not much time. We'll have to move fast.

Have I made it all clear?

Inspector, do you really think they're going to try to hit him in front of us?

Well, if they're smart, they won't. But if they were smart, they wouldn't be

what they are.

On one.

Erskine.

Yes, Arthur.

Larry Oldham regained consciousness a few minutes ago.

He identified the man who shot him as Peter Allerton.

That makes sense. He's supposed to be a contract killer for Horton. Do you have

an address?

3118 Fuller Street.

We have a request from Chicago Homicide for Allerton's arrest under the unlawful

flight statute, and the U .S. Attorney in Chicago has authorized a warrant.

We'll move on it right away.

What about Vic Lampert? I'm meeting him in about 40 minutes.

He wants to tell the whole story. I'll get back to you.

Chris, you'll have to pick up Allerton. The Chicago office has a warrant.

Head, let's go.

Nancy, you want to put a bet down?

Still 1 ,000 to open.

Oh, uh, what was it?

One thousand.

Sure.

Anything.

Stuff.

Unit 40, Unit 1, Inspector Erskine.

Yes, Chris. I just checked out Peter Allerton's apartment. He hasn't been

all day, but his girlfriend came by and picked up some things. The manager's

wife says she took a cab to the airport.

Which either means he's on the run, or he has one last assignment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The, uh... Planet has got the back office open.

It's been a while since you've been there.

Yeah, I used to start my run from here when I was still driving.

You know, get on the highway early in the morning.

And as soon as the U .S. Attorney's open, see about warrants for Horton and

Lamport. Right.

Your wife's outside.

Why don't... to talk to her now. Maybe later, but not just yet.

I'll explain.

She should have my things, though. I think the cash and the keys to the car,

keys to the house.

Sure.

She need those.

It's really a nice house.

It's something she's always wanted.

Maybe there's still a way she can hold on to it.

Victor and David Lamport, Angel, Credence, Horton, and Allerton were

of conspiracy and theft from interstate shipments.

Angel, Horton, and Allerton were convicted of assault on a federal

Allerton was convicted in state court of attempted murder.