Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones, a Quinn Martin production, starring Buddy Ebsen.

Also starring Lee Merriweather, with guest stars Lee Purcell,

Dabney Coleman, Renee Jarrett,

Don Knight.

Tonight's episode, A Taste for Murder.

Let's keep everything legal. Oh, I'll take that.

I was born 21.

Well, whose birthday is this anyway?

What is this?

Complaints from the birthday girl?

You're late, Dad.

That's my only complaint.

Well, I didn't want to sit around here all night being tolerated.

Hi, Maxie. How's your dad?

Intolerable. Oh, good for him.

Hi, Dad. How are you, Mr. Clark?

Kathy, good to see you again.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Clark. I've found a little hitchhikerish coming without a

date.

You can hitchhike a ride with me anytime, Miss Cooper.

Yeah?

Go play in traffic.

I'll talk to you later.

Good time?

Perfect. I wish I could be 21 again next year.

I only wish your mother could have been here for this.

I know.

Well, when do I get my birthday present?

One minute after midnight, not just...

Be patient, but I want to know something. When is that big horse race

Colonel?

An inter -academy invitational equestrian Jim Connor is not exactly a

race, Mr. Clark.

Santa Barbara is finally going to lose the cup this year.

Thanks to our new ringer from Texas.

Born to the saddle.

I probably won't be here.

What? What?

My daddy's very strict about my allowance, and I'm way overspent

So if I don't skip art school and get a job, I'll just have to head back to the

old homestead in Houston.

Oh, now, wait a minute. Look, if all it takes is room and board for us to beat

Santa Barbara, you can just move right in here with us.

Right, Allison?

Sure. Well, there you go. Besides, I understand without you, the only way

horsewomen will get that cup back is to steal it.

Really?

Here's to the cup.

Listen, Wayne, I can't keep people out of here all night.

Have you got it?

Yeah, I got it.

See you at home.

Look at that, would you?

I'll give you that for coming in third and bull riding.

No, they sure enough don't.

You took your sweet time getting here.

Where you been?

Well, the police were all over the place in about ten minutes.

We all had to stay to make sure the Clarks hadn't invited the cat burglar to

their birthday party.

Good girl.

You know, the $20 ,000 we get from the Dillingham job and $60 ,000 these will

bring, we're ready to go.

Get us packed.

Wayne, I'm not going.

What do you mean?

You gave me that story about your allowance, didn't you?

Yes.

Party's over.

We'll get us that little place in Oklahoma.

We'll settle down and raise rodeo stock.

No.

I'm sick of the smell of bulls and horses and hay that you can't wash off

one day to the next.

You went for that riding club ripoff like a kid in a candy store.

You got what you wanted.

Just leave me here.

I'm staying.

Clark's invited me to live with them, and I like the idea.

You like the idea?

No, you got something up your sleeve. I want to know what it is. Nothing!

Just leave me alone!

I said... We're getting out of here.

I told you I'm not going with him!

Yeah, we'll see about that.

Look, it's been a long night, Lieutenant, so if you and your people

in my bedroom... Mr. Clark?

Barnaby Jones, private investigator.

California Meridian Insurance called me in. How are you? This is my daughter,

Allison, Mr. Jones.

Hello. Allison.

This is as pretty a name as I've ever heard.

Thank you.

Lieutenant, you're up bright and early.

Oh, it's more like tired and late, Barnaby. We've been on this all night.

Have those pictures then write to me.

Well, the insurance company's a little anxious, aren't they?

They've been anxious ever since the Dillingham robbery four or five weeks

I guess they figured if they brought in an old duck, we might avert an epidemic.

Well, Doc, we've already got a complete history on this case.

I compared the guest list of both parties.

Many of the same young people were here, but... Now, wait a minute. I won't have

you suggesting that any of my friends are responsible.

Honey, look, he's not saying that. But different caterers were used here last

night. The musicians that played here were not at the Dillinghams' place. We

checked the servants.

You have an inventory of what's missing?

That's the Saxony Ransom. It's an heirloom set, third generation in the

Well, young lady, you must have been pretty excited at the prospect of

a present like that on your 21st birthday.

Probably told all your friends.

Well, of course. I must have mentioned it to the girls at the writing club a

dozen times.

Well, her friends aren't exactly hardship cases, Mr. Jones.

They're not even going to be friends if I don't get over to practice. You go

ahead, honey. Goodbye, Mr. Jones.

Bye -bye. Bye, Dad.

Well, you mind if I stay around here and maybe catch up with the chase?

Ride off in any direction you want, Barnaby.

You find something, Barnaby? Yeah.

Looks like a cowboy boot track.

Cowboy boot track?

Well, I'll be doggone.

Interesting, isn't it? Yeah.

I see you have already lifted a plaster cast to one of the tracks over there.

Yeah, they had a country western band here last night and wanted to compare

prints.

Did you find a Cinderella?

Nope. But whoever it was apparently entered through those doors there. Had

know exactly when and where.

Inside job.

Someone knew that case of jewels was going to be out of the safe deposit box

only overnight.

You question all the guests at the party?

They all had very good answers.

Now, listen, if you're working by the hour, I hope I haven't cut into your

No, no, Lieutenant.

In that respect, I'm a great deal like you.

I need all the help I can get, too.

You're a better man than I am, Betty Jones. He's all yours.

At the file from the insurance company?

Mm -hmm. Photos, history, affidavit information.

Tell me, what do you expect those footprints to tell you that they haven't

already told John?

Well, the lieutenant was asking the boot prints to tell him who.

I'm just asking how.

It seemed from the consistently deeper impressions on the right foot...

I would say that our thief might have a limp.

But he would have had to have legs nine feet long to get from here to those

doors over there without leaving any footprints in between.

Let's take a look upstairs.

I think this is the one.

The what?

Yeah, the one with the fresh rope marks on it.

You think he climbed in here?

What is it?

That's interesting.

Looks like some kind of wax.

I don't know. Maybe I ought to break a leg or something and give you guys a

chance.

Maxie, you're just raining too tight on the turns.

You look like you're afraid of old Snowshoe, Maxie.

Yeah.

He's probably afraid of me.

Have you got a compact?

Yes.

Here.

Keep it if you want to. I have another one. I'll see y 'all back at the house.

Oh, may I?

Sure. It's not my shade. I use medium dissipation.

Kathy!

Don't dash off now.

What are you doing here?

Oh, don't let's kick that about.

Where's Wayne?

We had a fight, broke up.

I don't know where he is.

I drove past the place, completely cleaned out.

What's going on?

I told you, he's gone.

And left you behind?

Oh, come on, love.

What are you trying to pull?

Nothing.

I've got to go.

Wait a minute.

I know Wayne made a school last night. It's in all the newspapers.

And don't go looking for another fence.

I paid in advance, remember?

I have a customer waiting.

And I want you and Wayne with the stuff at my place tonight.

I don't know where he is.

Then find him.

Do you understand me, lady?

Microscopically speaking, what is it?

Offhand, Betty, I would say that those boots that made those tracks were

occupied by an honest -to -goodness cowboy.

You could tell all that through the microscope?

Yep. Whoever it was that climbed a rope up to that balcony didn't use a common

ordinary rope.

His fibers that I picked up indicate that it was a tightly laid rope coated

paraffin. A paraffin -coated rope?

Yeah, it's used as a stiffener by ropers and wranglers.

A lariat?

I didn't know there were any real rustlers in fashionable Brentwood.

Allison Clark told every kid in that riding academy she was getting these

fabulous jewels for her birthday present.

Riding academy?

Horses?

Horses. Wrangler.

I think I'll tug on the lasso and see who's on the other end.

Betty?

Yeah? In here, Andy.

Betty,

now listen. On my mother's zircon tiara, if that bracelet you bought left one

trace of color on that wrist of yours, there's got to be some acid condition in

your delicate system because I wouldn't sell you.

I did leave the message for you, but it was Barbie who wanted to see you.

Oh.

Andy, I need your expert opinion.

Oh, my.

My, my, my.

Barnaby, pictures like this should be X -rated for ex -jewel thieves like me.

You're familiar with the set?

This morning's paper called them the Saxony Ransom Emeralds, right?

Right.

What was your first reaction when you read they were stolen?

Nostalgia.

What was your second reaction?

He figured out who might have gotten away with them?

Could be anyone from a...

Guttered junkie to a specialist from the Riviera.

Okay, what about the fence?

Now, now, there you lower your odds.

Who's ever fencing it has probably got a foreign buyer with maybe a third of a

mil. Million.

Foreign buyer?

Europe?

Orient?

Mideast? That's the market.

Who works that side of the street?

Only operator I know with a savvy... And the passports is Bertram Fisher.

Betty British.

Mr. Clark!

I didn't know that you'd be home so sooner.

I'd have been decent.

I'd say you're one of the most decent creatures I've seen in a long time.

Thank you.

Mr. Clark, I don't think that Allison is totally overjoyed with this

arrangement.

Oh?

Where is she, anyway?

Ted picked her up. For dinner, I think.

Oh.

Bourbon was just a little splash of water, right?

That's right.

Kathy, what do you think of Ted Forrester?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't guess I ever gave young men his age much thought.

Here. I hope it's right.

Perfect.

You know, sometimes I think I'm not prepared for the final stages of raising

daughter alone.

Your wife must have been a lovely woman.

She was.

She had a way of making a home, a sanctuary.

It's like they shut down tomorrow when Helene died.

Well, you certainly took a great risk inviting me into your sanctuary.

Well, I just hope it didn't appear too obviously calculated.

Well, for all you know, I might be a very designing woman.

Should I be on my guard?

Maybe I should be on mine.

Well, look, since Allison is obviously occupied tonight, why don't you and I

have dinner together?

Some quiet place where we can let down our defenses.

I'm sorry, I can't tonight.

You should have known better.

A man of my age can't compete with the Lotharios of Allison's crowd.

Now you stop that, you hear?

I am quite past the kitten stage of Allison. An attractive man like you is

exciting at any age.

How about tomorrow night?

It's a day.

Come on now. Easy.

Easy. Help, boy. Hold on. Hold on, boy.

Hold on. Easy. Come on now.

Take it easy, boy.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy. Come on.

You need a hand?

I need something.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, baby.

Oh.

There we go.

Yeah, boy.

There we go.

There we go. Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Here we go, baby. Come

on.

You make that look easy.

Well, I got a little wrench where I got a chance to practice.

Uh, don't you have a wrangler?

Got one, the best.

Wayne Tucker.

But he didn't show up for work today.

Mr. Scott, the owner, he's down in San Diego.

Well, Mr., uh... No, Tommy Allen.

Tom Mix, I ain't.

Well, uh, Tom, I'm Barnaby Jones, private investigator.

It's kind of important that I locate Wayne Tucker. I've got a few questions

ask him.

I guess Mr. Scott's got his address where he lives.

Wayne's got a pad here on the place, but he don't live in it.

Wonder if I could take a look at it.

Sure, I guess. We'll put this fella in the barn. Okay, here you go.

Come on, boy.

Here we go, boy. Come on.

How long has Wayne Tucker been a wrangler here?

About four months.

He from the movies or something?

Rodeo. Big time, I guess. Until he busted up his leg.

He still limps real bad, but he sure can handle horses.

He's his boots?

His work boots.

You ought to see his dress boots.

Genuine alligator.

I wonder if I could borrow these for a little while.

Oh, I don't know.

Wayne would have a fit.

Well, Tom...

I think I can assure you that these boots will be back here before Mr.

is.

Kathy, my dear.

I tried to make myself abundantly clear today.

Where's Wayne?

You weren't listening. I told you he's gone.

Yes, I've been pondering on that.

No way.

And yet your presence here would indicate that you have the... You can

pondering. I haven't.

I see.

No wane, and you have the jewels.

That puts a different complexion on things, doesn't it?

I didn't come here for comfort.

You don't find me attractive?

It must be the lights.

Shall we?

You and Tucker weren't suited for the grand tour.

You're right.

And why don't we just leave it at that?

The love of money does make for strange bedfellows.

For $60 ,000 minus Wayne's down payment, I could sleep alone.

Mayor?

Absolutely beautiful.

$1 ,000? What is this?

Look, it is a down payment on the future.

The agreement was $60 ,000.

My deal was with Wayne.

Now, there's a proper time when we've worked more together.

Perhaps... You're flipped out.

I'm through. I want my money.

Kathy, if you're through, then leave.

But I wouldn't go too far.

The police might want to know what happened to Wayne.

And the clerks might be interested to know that their recent houseguest came

directly from the campfire of the missing cowboy. I do my homework, lady.

You wouldn't dare.

Oh, but I would.

And you know it.

What do you want from me?

You're in the swim of the upper crust now.

You can spot the rich matrons with their glittering goodies and... I can't do

that.

Experience proves different.

Now, I know a dozen second -story men more skillful than Wayne.

And you and I would make a smashing pair, Cathy.

Who knows what exotic villa we may call home this time next year.

What do you say?

I think I'd like a drink.

That's my girl.

Spirits for the spirit.

You know, you'll find that I'm very understanding and generous.

Partner, Kathy, I must confess that I am somewhat taken with you.

I don't want anybody in there till I say so.

Barnaby?

Buying or just looking?

Oh, just kicking a few tires. I don't like the way they treat their customers.

Oh, that was the manager.

Juan Bertram Fisher, possible robbery victim.

Back at Mr. Fisher's office, I found this item the gunman overlooked.

Hmm.

It's a dandy.

This little dandy just happens to be one of the articles taken by our cat

burglar in the Dillingham job five weeks ago.

Very interesting.

You can tell California Meridian Insurance their client can claim his

recovered by the police department as a public service.

He'll be tickled pink.

Yeah.

Well, I just hope the customer who bought the Clark Emeralds doesn't end up

same way.

I don't like to complicate your life, Lieutenant.

I wouldn't be the first time.

But if it makes you feel any better, I just paid good money to track down

Fisher. My source tells me that he wasn't a customer. He was a middleman.

A fence?

Yes, and unfortunately, without the middleman, you have lost contact with

ends.

Now, you bagged some of the loot, Lieutenant, but I have a feeling we just

a quick chance to solve two robberies.

using just one pair of handcuffs.

Hi.

Oh, hello.

You must be the clerk's houseguest.

Kathy Cooper.

And you must be the private detective, Barnaby Jones.

Did you find just one boot, or did you lose the other one?

Well, let's just say I'm an old tracker and... When I get on the track of

something, I have to keep following it till I find out where it goes.

I'm going to have another cup of coffee. Would you like some?

No, thank you, but I'll go with you.

Good.

I think I detect a slight trace of the wide -open spaces in your accent.

Well, it doesn't take a detective to tell him from Texas.

I knew some Coopers in El Paso.

Houston. My father's L. Roy Cooper.

Old friends of the Clarks? No.

I met Allison about four months ago at the riding club.

Oh, then you must know the wrangler, Wayne Tooker.

Yeah, good horseman.

But I think that his real talent... Well, some of these delicate northern

girls, I find him ruggedly infatuated.

You mean like Allison Clark?

Excuse me.

Clock residence?

Yes, is Barnaby Jones there, please? This is his office.

Yes, he is. Hold on, please.

It's your office.

Thank you.

Betty?

Barnaby, I finally tracked down the owner of the writing academy in San

He gave me Wayne Tucker's address.

Oh, just a minute.

Yeah, what's the address?

It's 3133 Topanga Canyon Road.

3133 Topanga Canyon Road.

I'll pick you up in 20 minutes.

Well, Miss Cooper, thank you very much. I enjoyed meeting you and talking to you

and hope to see you again.

Goodbye, Mr. Jones. Bye.

Damn.

I would say from the tracks out there that our same cowboy has been tramping

around these parts.

Looks like Wayne Tucker's already gone that -a -way. I have a feeling he didn't

go that -a -way alone.

Finally.

was that he left with was a lady. I have a feeling that she has got a shiny nose

by now.

Speaking of noses, do you smell that?

Perfume.

Recent. Hey, what are you two doing here?

Well, howdy.

We're just looking for Wayne Tucker.

Oh, so am I.

Son of a gun moved out of bag and baggage, owing me a month's rent.

Next time I rent this place, the people are going to have to have a grand piano.

Pretty hard to put that in the trunk of your car in the middle of the night,

right? Right you are.

Did Mr.

Tucker live here alone?

Well, he may have lived here alone, but he wasn't lonely.

There was this brown -haired gal that kept hanging around most times when I

drove by.

Did you ever meet her or hear her name?

Nope. But I'm going to be nosier next time.

You know, I'm tired of providing the hall and buying the wine.

Well, it's crossed my mind.

Girls have fantasies, too, but... It's not a fantasy.

It's the way I feel about you, Kathy.

Before you say anything more, I think there's something you should know about

me. No, I don't want any confessions.

Just an honest reaction.

Do you think I'm dreaming?

If you are, that makes two of us.

What about Alice?

She'll just have to grow up a little.

About a lot of things.

Well, I hope she outgrows the cowboy stage soon.

What do you mean?

Oh, I thought you knew about Alice's little crush on the Wrangler at the

Club, Wayne Tucker.

No, I didn't know about that.

It'll pass.

It's so good to have all those small passions. Bye.

Why that little...

Hey, forget it.

Your dad's a big boy.

Well, shall we order now and spoil everything?

Let's wait, shall we?

Mr. Clark, excuse me. Miss Cooper, you have a telephone call in the lobby.

I'll be back in a minute, Joe.

You can stop where you are.

There isn't any phone call.

Oh, what a surprise.

Stop it.

Maxine Lifter told me that registration for art school was over two weeks ago.

And as for last term, they never heard of you.

I can explain that.

Don't bother.

Who are you anyway?

Honey, I know just how you must feel.

Don't you use that motherly tone on me.

I know what you're up to. Well, let me tell you something. My father is not

game. You leave him alone, you understand, or I'll find some way to

I'll find some way.

Good news?

Afraid not.

Glad I caught you, Mr. Clark. I wanted you to be here when I talked to your

daughter. Oh, Allison just went riding. What is it?

What about Kathy Cooper? Is she here?

No, she left right after Allison. Why don't you just be direct and tell me

it is?

I think your jewels were stolen by Wayne Tucker, the wrangler out at your

daughter's riding club. He's disappeared.

Do you know him?

No.

I've heard of him. He apparently works with an accomplice, an attractive brown

-haired girl. He's been seen with her on a number of occasions.

Oh, now, wait a minute, Mr. Jones.

Well, you told me to be direct. There were only four Burnetts at your

party. One of them is engaged, one of them doesn't know where the writing club

is, and two of them are living here.

Oh, this is ridiculous.

What is it you want, anyway?

You ever seen this?

No. Can't be sure.

Well, I have my cosmetics expert with me.

Could we start on Allison's room?

Seemed a little uptight this morning, Miss Clark. Gotta get some fresh air.

Clear my head.

Hey, take it easy. You'll break your neck.

I've never gone through Allison's things before.

Barnaby.

Two peas in a pod.

Same shade?

Afraid so.

What's this?

There is our man.

Wayne Tucker. You know him?

No.

Allison. Allison wouldn't. Do you think Allison was close with Wayne Tucker?

I understand she was infatuated with him.

It's very strange.

Smell this.

Well, I've smelled perfume stationery before, but never a perfume picture, and

especially from a cowboy.

Are you saying that Allison and this cowboy are stealing from me?

That's not it.

Mr. Clark, would it be possible to have a look at the room of your houseguest?

Young lady who calls herself Kathy Cooper.

How long ago did Allison leave? She just left, but she's long gone. The way she

took out of here, she wound up killing herself up there.

Maybe I can slow her down.

What do you mean she calls herself Kathy Cooper?

Well, her name may be Kathy Cooper, but she is not the daughter of wealthy

Ellroy Cooper of Houston. Did you know that?

Sure. We checked.

Elroy Cooper does have a daughter named Kathy, but she's a microbiologist in a

laboratory in New York.

Betty, you're the expert.

That's it.

I don't understand any of this.

Mr. Clark, those emeralds...

have been the cause of the death of one, possibly two people.

If someone is trying to implicate your daughter, they cannot afford to allow

to remain alive to deny it.

Betty, you and I have got to get out to that writing club now.

You, I told you I never wanted to see you again.

Please, Alf, and listen.

You're absolutely right. I lied. I'm sorry.

Well, so am I. Sorry that I ever thought you were my friend.

At least let me explain.

Then you can think whatever you want.

I'm listening.

I'm not who I said I was.

I don't have any rich father in Houston.

Just dreams.

All dreams.

Why? You wouldn't know.

You've had it all all your life.

I wanted everything, too, and I used people to get it.

I'm sorry. I really am.

I'll leave, but I didn't want to go having you think so badly of me.

Please. All right.

Look, I didn't want to hurt you or anybody.

It's just my father, you know?

You don't hate me?

No, I don't hate you.

So this is my last ride here.

Why don't we go on to Lookout Point?

Miss Clark's out riding, but I'm sure Miss Cooper's caught up with her by now.

Which way did they go?

Up on the North Trail.

Tom, I need a horse and I need it fast.

We can take mine there.

Thank you.

Betty, call Lieutenant Biddle.

Tell him that we may have something interesting for him.

Right away.

go to art school maybe you should.

Maybe I will.

Good.

No use, young lady.

Man down there with a siren. He's got a lot of questions he'd like to ask you.

Well, anyway, she didn't lie about her name.

Oh, it's Kathy Cooper, all right, but from Lubbock, Texas.

I really feel kind of sorry for her, wanting things so much.

She didn't start out as a calculating killer?

No. When she wouldn't leave with Wayne Tucker and the jewels, apparently he

became violent and she killed him in self -defense.

And then she had that fence on her hands, Bertram Fisher.

And it seems he had eyes for more than just the emeralds.

But she didn't kill him for the emeralds or the money.

What she wanted was all of this.

Yeah, I guess I'm to blame for that.

Inviting her here.

Believing things that I wanted to hear.

Don't blame yourself.

She probably told you the truth just for the wrong reasons, that's all.

I don't want to spoil this day with a lot of blame. Heavens, I think we should

spread a little credit around.

And I think I deserve quite a bit of it. Let's see, if it hadn't been for my

fantastic sense of smell and my superb knowledge of cosmetics and perfumes, I

mean, where would we be?

Betty, you're absolutely correct.

Here, sign the register.

Betty Jones, girl bloodhound.

Love me.

Me. Thank you.