Original subtitles

Mr. Mannix?

That's right.

I apologize for barging in like this, without an appointment.

No problem.

You see, I need your advice, and I didn't think it could wait.

Something wrong?

I have a feeling I may have been followed here.

Oh. Please come in.

Uh...

Won't you sit down.

Oh. Miss...

Oh, Conrad. Cindy Conrad.

My father was Otto Conrad, if you remember him.

Yes, of course he was a very prominent man in this city.

Well, do you remember how he died?

He was killed about six years ago.

And I believe the man that did it committed suicide, right?

Yes. Well, that's what the phone calls have been about.

Phone calls?

From a woman. The last one an hour ago.

A voice I've never heard before.

She won't give me her name.

What does she want?

Well, the first time she just said that the police had been fooled.

That the real murderer was still alive, and she knew who he was.

And the next time she called,

she told you exactly how much it would cost you to find out.

Oh. Heh. That's right.

$50,000... A bargain, she said.

A personal favor,

she knew how much my father meant to me.

Miss Conrad, you wanted my advice?

Forget it. Save your money.

There's nothing to it.

Nothing?

But she made it seem so real!

You see, those anonymous phone calls and all the rest.

But you don't see...

It's page 1 in every bunco artist's first reader.

You don't seem to understand.

She knew things...

Dates, details nobody else could have known!

And in six years she could become a walking encyclopedia.

An expert on you in no time at all, believe me.

Come on, I'll walk you to your car.

Oh, wait!

Miss Conrad, all she had to do was find out

you'd inherited a fortune

and you'd lost your father.

Now you were a custom-built pigeon.

Believe me, just ignore it.

You'll hear no more about it. Okay?

Can you be sure, Mr. Mannix. I mean really sure?

Are you all right?

♪♪

Jerry?

Be right with you.

Hey, Joe!

Ha ha. Good timing, fellow.

I just this minute finished threading it up.

How are you, Jerry? How are Iris and the kids?

Oh fine, fine.

By the way, a date got here a couple of minutes ago.

She's waiting for you in the projection room.

Client, Jerry. Not a date.

You could do worse.

The first door on the left.

If you get the feeling you want to communicate,

there's an intercom right in front of you up there.

Just throw the switch.

I'll read you loud and clear.

Good.

Hey, I hope this wasn't too much trouble.

No. No trouble at all.

I just dipped into the file marked...

January 1, 1966, and thar she blew.

Listen, I really appreciate this.

Anytime.

You've got a few seconds of "Auld Lang Syne" up front.

Then it goes right into that murder footage.

Good.

Hey, Joe!

You got a notion that Otto Conrad's ghost is coming back to haunt us?

You can never tell, Jerry.

And crowds across the nation last night

bid farewell to 1965...

Some fondly, others in the spirit of good riddance.

But most reflecting new hopes for the New Year.

Turning to the local scene this morning

brought climatic news of another sort...

The untimely death of one of Los Angeles'

most honored citizens... Mr. Otto B. Conrad,

a victim of gunshots from a passing motorist.

And even as shock was striking the city this morning,

resolution of the tragedy came swiftly...

Dead by his own hand... Johnny Marr.

Under fire by Conrad's Anti-Crime Commission,

the night club operator had early emerged

as the ranking suspect in the murder of the well-known civic leader.

Tomorrow the city pays its final respects to Otto Conrad.

That's the news. Until the 1 1:00 report, good night.

Thanks, Jerry.

Anytime.

Nothing.

At least nothing that hasn't been known.

That's why I'm actually glad about that shot last night.

It proves that there's something to that woman's story.

Hmm. You may be right.

Mr. Mannix...

it's all made out.

Your fee for helping me identify the man who killed my father.

$10,000?

Isn't that enough?

That's enough to hire a whole army of detectives.

But why is it post-dated for a month from now?

Oh, I had to do that.

Oh?

The trustee of my estate.

On checks of that size,

the mean old darling made me faithfully promise to do that.

But we're going to be so busy, you'll never notice the wait.

What's our first step?

Well, the next time that woman calls,

you refer her to me. She won't like it, but she'll go along with it.

Right.

And, uh, what do we do next?

We do nothing.

There's an old Armenian proverb...

The man works best who works alone.

Oh, that's sweet.

Hmm.

Really top drawer, Vivian.

Thanks a lot.

I'll talk to you later.

The trustee of Cindy Conrad's estate

just happens to be the present head

of her father's corporation, Westland Trust.

His name is R.B. Thompson.

A man like that certainly deserves more

than a necktie salesman. What have we got?

Okay. Let's see.

How about...

ah, here's one.

Just don't forget to wear your navy blue blazer.

Sorry, Mr. Morgan.

I couldn't possibly disturb him now.

Not that I don't admire your enterprise.

And I certainly recognize a loyal secretary when I see one.

However, I...

Oh, I'll need those reports, Miss Dee, for the board meeting.

Yes. And I'll need your signature on this, please.

Mr. Thompson, I wonder if I could take a minute of your time.

He has Cindy Conrad as a prospect for a yacht.

He's found out that you handle her funds,

and he wants to be sure of your approval.

Mr. Thompson's office.

A yacht! What next?

Yes.

Excuse me.

Do you drive a green convertible, top down?

That's right.

The basement garage says you took your keys.

You're blocking a delivery truck.

Well, uh, tell them I'll be right there.

Mr. Mannix is on his way.

They got your name from the registration.

Just exactly what do you sell, Mr. Mannix?

Because unless it's chewing gum,

I suggest you find another prospect.

Why do you say that?

Considering the stringent allowance Miss Conrad is on,

I think that would be just about her limit.

Well, she is a rich girl, isn't she?

I don't understand.

You would if you watched her dissipate a fortune

in one idiotic escapade after another.

And since I don't plan to allow her to throw away a second fortune,

you would do well to look upon her as a certified pauper.

We all have days like this, Mr. Mannix.

Hey, what is this?!

Wait a minute!

Hey, what's going on?

Now see here, you're going to get into a lot of trouble.

I've got a permit to carry that.

Since when do you need a permit to carry a starter's pistol?

A what, sir?

Yeah. To shoot blanks like these!

Including the one you fired at me last night.

Last night, sir?

Yeah. A real bullet would've hit something

a car, window, a wall, something!

There wasn't a trace of a slug.

Nobody's that lousy a shot!

Now we'll just wait here for your partner...

Partner? Who's got a partner?

I think she just arrived.

I'm sorry, Cindy. He tricked me.

I was following him...

Shut up, Roger! How dare you!

How dare you question my integrity?

Oh, don't think I don't know what you were doing at Westland Trust.

For your information that R.B. Thompson,

that tyrant, that liar!

Cindy! If you're through,

I think it's time we had a little talk.

About what?

Well, you could start with Roger's popgun here,

to tease me into taking your case.

Oh, now just wait a second.

After which you'd stay on my trail

to pick up the pieces yourself,

so you could cut me out

the way you intend to cut out that woman caller.

That's not true!

If there ever was a woman caller.

And this whole thing isn't some freaky new gag

you've dreamed up.

In which case you'll need this for your next victim.

Have fun, kids.

No, no! You're wrong!

Wait! Joe! Mr. Mannix!

Oh please don't go!

Please, I'm sorry about Roger.

That wasn't fair. That was dishonest!

It was wrong.

It won't ever happen again, not ever!

That's right. Not to me it won't.

Well, if it's the money, a larger fee...

Look, there's one fund that R.B. Thompson can't touch!

From my grandmother's estate...

Good old Granny...

And there really is a phone caller, Mr. Mannix. Honest!

She called again, and I referred her to you.

Just like you told me!

So long, Cindy.

Why, you can't walk out on a case like this!

It isn't ethical!

And it's not, when you get right down to it.

Oh, get lost, Roger. You didn't work out.

Joe?

Yeah, what?

About the Conrad case...

Well, you can file that under "C" for "chump"

and forget the whole thing, huh?

Well, that might be a little premature.

What do you mean?

The woman that's been calling Cindy Conrad?

What about her?

She just called you.

It was a few seconds before I could get the tape going on her.

And she started by expressing her admiration for Cindy Conrad.

A cheating, conniving, two-timing,

ungrateful little liar!

Well, she's really caught her.

And now about your boss...

What about him?

You tell him

if he doesn't have that money by the weekend

he's going to be one sad private eye.

Oh? Why's that?

Because I'll sell my information

to a certain party who'll bury it so deep

you'll never reach Conrad's killer.

You got that?

Now I have some instructions for you.

For me?

We want your credentials.

Some genuine, intimate fact connected with the case

to indicate you know what you're talking about.

Name of a place, a person, or anything like that.

Oh, okay try this... Thelma.

Never heard of a Thelma in the Conrad case, Joe,

and that's one story I really covered.

Looks like you even beat the television cameras

to the scene that night.

It's a wonder I didn't hear Johnny Marr

fire the shots.

The cops were still chasing the gawkers away

when I arrived with the photographer.

And I stuck with that story right through to the time

that Johnny Marr killed himself

along with a beautiful theory of mine.

Johnny Marr of "The Play Pen",

that all-purpose night spot featuring watered down drinks,

kited checks, book-making and topless dancers. Heh.

Let's get back to that theory of yours, Blaney.

Well you see,

Conrad was after the "Play Pen" hammer and tongs.

And the funny thing was that Johnny Marr,

he was only the manager.

He had nothing to lose but his job.

The real owner was a syndicate outfit, called J.S. Electronics,

headed by a guy called Tony Abbott.

And where was Abbott that day?

No idea, nor where he's been since.

He just dropped out of sight and disappeared.

It didn't make any difference as Johnny Marr

used the same gun on himself that he'd used on Conrad...

That tied up the case.

Maybe not tight enough.

What's bugging you, Joe?

This face...

I don't know, Blaney...

Something!

On the local scene this morning

brought climatic news of another sort...

The untimely death of one of Los Angeles'

most honored citizens, Mr. Otto B. Conrad,

a victim of gun shots from a passing motorist.

And even as shock was striking the city this morning,

resolution of the tragedy came swiftly...

Jerry, hold it!

Now back it up, will you please?

How far back you want me to go, Joe?

I'll tell you.

Right.

Yeah, that's good. Right there!

Him! That's what's bugging me.

Does he look like anybody you know?

What about him?

Johnny Marr!

Yeah.

Why it couldn't be.

I mean, Johnny Marr was in a car, making his getaway.

So they say.

Maybe that's why nobody spotted him.

Question 1...

Does it make sense that Johnny would shoot Conrad

from a moving car, park it up the street and walk back?

Johnny wasn't a mental case.

Question 2... If that is Johnny Marr,

how do we prove it?

Wait a minute!

Here.

Take a look at this girl standing beside the car.

Notice her hat and raincoat.

The same girl.

Yeah. And this film was taken over ten minutes later.

You're right. You've got to be right.

That is Johnny Marr!

What makes you so sure?

I recognize her.

She was a dancer,

worked for Johnny Marr down at the Play Pen.

She was one of the first people at the scene of the crime!

What was she doing there? Who brought her?

Johnny maybe.

But it could have been somebody else.

Johnny's boss, Tony Abbott.

Why no pictures of him?

Well, try to find one anywhere.

You know, you can ask a dozen people

what he looked like, you get a dozen answers.

He was camera shy. And he liked it that way.

Well, it's a good thing strippers aren't so shy.

Let's see what we can dig up on her.

Jerry, that'll do it. Thanks a lot.

Let's go.

Hey, how about her?

Heh. Keep going, Sam.

Makes a man feel kind of sad.

Know what I mean, Blaney?

Down memory lane into the Play Pen's glamorous past

makes a man want to cry, Sam.

Hey!

Oh. Oh, that one.

Tilly Wilde.

You know where we might find her?

Her least of all.

That shooting must have scared her.

She never worked here again.

I heard she left town altogether.

Tilly Wilde.

You know, Blaney,

all these talented artists must belong to some union.

How is your contacts with their guild?

Good. I'll give it a try.

You know it's...

funny that you'd zero in on that particular little kid.

What do you mean?

Just before the shooting began,

this other guy was trying to get a line on her.

Private eye... Lamsdon... Landon, something like that.

What'd he look like?

Fat guy.

How about Jack Loman?

That's him.

Big ears and all.

Right.

I got an address. Six years old.

Probably isn't worth much.

I guess that probably goes for this name.

Tilly Wilde...

I don't imagine that's the name her mother gave her.

I got that one, too.

Thelma something?

Yeah... Wilkins.

Thelma Wilkins.

Uh-huh. Well, let's go see.

There you are, Sam.

That'll cover the rental on the picture, too.

Oh, thanks a lot.

You with the sweater.

I'm going back to my office, okay?

Sure. I know where it is.

Jack Loman's listed in the book,

so I take it he's still in the investigating business.

Oh, thanks, Peggy.

And here's one you can work on.

Not quite so current.

Our friend Thelma.

Yeah, she's moved from there.

But sometimes people leave tracks like with neighbors.

Right. Joe!

There's a man following me in a car!

He's out there now in front!

This time it's really true!

Oh, I shouldn't have led him here.

It wasn't fair to you.

Don't worry about it, Cindy.

He knew where I was anyway. He told me so.

Peggy, keep an eye on her.

What took you so long?

What is this? Who are you?

I'll ask the questions!

You've made a mistake, pal.

I don't know you from Adam.

That girl you've been tailing...

She's new to you too, huh...

Ease off, Mannix.

Come on the both of you, up nice and easy.

Well, now it looks like we're going to have

to persuade two of you to lay off is that it?

Listen, I don't know what I walked into,

but I'm not with this guy.

I've seen you some place before.

Where you from?

Out of town.

Oh, yeah. Hey, you know...

Sometimes you guys from Vegas...

You act like you belong to a different organization.

Don't you ever check anything with the West Coast?

I just do what I'm told!

There's a dame in there that's into the casino for 50 grand.

They've already warned her twice.

My orders was to shake it out of her.

He's okay.

But we've still got a message for Mr. Mannix.

Ugh!

That's the message, Mannix.

Stay out of it!

No, no. There. That's it. Fine.

I'll say one thing, Cindy.

Whoever works for you really earns their money.

You deserve more, Mr. Mannix.

I wouldn't argue that for one second.

Yeah, fine.

So long as you think Granny's estate can handle both charges.

Both charges?

My fee and the $50,000 you owe to Las Vegas!

Now why didn't you tell me that, Cindy?

That wheel was fixed!

I didn't pay because they're nothing but a bunch of crooks!

And you're going to end up in an alley somewhere!

Why do you think they sent that guy up after you,

as a good will ambassador?

He wasn't with the others?

Different job, different branch, same syndicate.

Same club that Tony Abbott belonged to.

And all of a sudden we're up to here with them.

I didn't mention the gambling debt

because all I could think of was getting your help.

And now I've lost it!

Well, that depends...

That depends on what else you're holding back!

Nothing. Nothing, Mr. Mannix.

There's nothing more to hold back.

You know all there is to know.

Please believe that!

Fine.

But I still don't think Grandma Conrad's estate

is going to do either one of us any good.

Why do you say that?

Because we checked.

She left everything to a missionary society

two years before you were born.

Oh well, this from my grandmother on my mother's side.

Who is still living comfortably in Carmel!

Aren't you ever going to stop, Cindy?

Oh, Mr. Mannix!

Don't worry, I'm not quitting.

And not because of you.

But because of whatever it is you kicked open...

Intentionally or otherwise!

Peggy.

Yeah?

You tackle Thelma first thing in the morning.

While you're doing what?

Paying a call to another member of the profession.

Good morning.

I wonder if I could see Jack Loman.

Joe Mannix. Hi, there.

Have we met before?

You get to know the competition after a while.

Want to put that off till later, Belle?

So you wanted to see Jack Loman. What about?

Uh, an old case of his.

What old case? Now, don't be bashful.

Well, it has something to do with a girl named Thelma Wilkins,

formerly known as Tilly Wilde.

Look...

I'm Jenny Loman, Joe.

Widow of the founder.

Jack was killed in an auto accident six years ago.

Drunk driving.

Well, I'm very sorry to hear that.

Except that Jack didn't drink.

What I'm saying...

You could run into some very rough cats.

What I'm advising...

You forget you ever heard that kid's name.

You'll live longer.

Well, there's been a new wrinkle in the case...

A gal who is handy with a telephone.

Listen, Joe,

the less you tell me, the better I'll like it.

You know what I did with Jack's file on that Conrad case?

What?

I burned it. Every scrap of it.

Well, I'm sorry about that, too.

Maybe you've got a good memory.

Maybe you didn't need the file?

Include me out.

Sure, Jenny. I wouldn't want to push you into anything

you felt was too risky, no matter how rewarding

it might be.

Oh, by the way.

How has it been going these days?

Oh, not bad at all.

I figure I get my share of cases.

Oh, well that's great.

I know how it can be when cases get scarce.

And I know how nice it can be when you get a big one.

I'll see you around, Jenny.

Uh, Joe.

I was just wondering.

Suppose we could get together on this thing

pooled our facts, played it smart.

You suppose we could work out some kind of

a split-fee arrangement?

I don't see why not, Jenny.

Yes?

I want to see Miss Conrad, please?

I'll see if she's in, sir.

Oh, Mr. Mannix!

It's all right, Martha.

You've found out something.

It's written all over you!

Yeah and it spells "sucker" in your very best style!

Why didn't you tell me about Jack Loman?

What? Who? I don't know what you're talking about.

Six years ago, you hired Jack Loman

to check out a nightclub dancer by the name of Tilly Wilde!

You ought to see a doctor, you know that?

Knock it off, Cindy. We're going to talk about Tilly Wilde or Thelma Wilkins,

whichever name you prefer,

but we're going to talk about her right now.

It was nothing! Honest!

I was just trying to help someone!

Who?

Uh, an executive in father's office.

I heard Tilly was trying to blackmail him.

You're lying. All right!

I thought she was trying to blackmail my father.

You're still lying!

You thought your father was mixed up with her.

Didn't you? Didn't you?!

Yes, yes!

You were spying on him!

Now when are you going to start telling the truth?!

Oh, oh.

I'm so ashamed.

It was so awful of me

because he was innocent!

Somebody was trying to frame my father,

smear his name!

In order to wreck the Crime Commission investigation

and move your father out of Westland Trust, right?

Yes.

So that somebody could move in and take over.

Which somebody finally did, huh?

You said that! You, not me!

And I'm scared Joe. I'm really scared!

I got a feeling you'll recover.

Miss Conrad, Mr. Thompson is here and Lieutenant Malcolm, Mr. Mannix.

Hello, Cindy.

I caught Peggy on her way out.

She said you might be here.

What's the problem, Art?

That yacht-broker bit, Joe.

And then getting caught at it.

Naturally, when we asked Mr. Thompson

if he'd come across

any suspicious characters lately, your name came up.

Why should the question come up?

An anonymous phone call that I just had.

A woman.

She wanted a quarter of a million dollars

for evidence that could wreck me and Westland Trust.

I see.

Well, actually I haven't done any blackmailing

for a month or so.

Things have been pretty slow.

Knock it off, Joe.

I've assured him you're a reliable investigator.

But since you evidently are on a case

that has some association with Westland Trust,

we thought the call might mean something to you.

We never know unless we ask.

You mean this isn't just some crank?

You think that woman's actually on the level

with that threat?

If I did, I would either be paying her off

or I'd be on my way to Brazil, Mr. Mannix.

But I would hardly be here.

No matter how Cindy esteems me,

as the keeper of her funds,

I'm sure even she would vouch for my character.

The trouble is that cranks

sometimes run high in nuisance value.

No offense personally.

He insisted, you understand.

Sure.

That phony!

I'll be lucky if there's a dime left in those funds.

I'd worry more about our phone caller.

What do you mean?

She's beginning to peddle her information elsewhere.

Hello. Yeah, right here.

It's for you. A woman.

Yes.

What?

Where are you, Peggy?

Right. I'm on my way!

She's located Thelma Wilkins.

Joe.

Peggy, where is she?

The apartment at the end of the hall.

What have you got on her?

Returned to city and mother's home

in 1966 with 2-year-old daughter.

Said she was a divorcee.

Mother later died,

by which time Thelma had met a man by the name of Roebeck.

Married him, moved to this neighborhood.

The trace was easy once you know how.

And just what does that "daughter" entry

mean to you, Peggy?

The child was born within a year of Conrad's murder

and... and should be about the age

of the little girl coming down the hall,

which isn't any coincidence

since the lady she's with

just happens to be Mrs. Roebeck.

Hmm. Mrs. Roebeck?

Yes.

I'm Joe Mannix.

Joe Mannix,

Private investigator.

You wait in the car for me, honey.

I'll be right out.

It's in reference to your phone calls.

Phone calls?

The information you have for sale.

If you'd like to talk about it now.

You must have me mixed up with someone else.

If your name used to be Tilly Wilde,

I'm not mixed up at all.

Okay, buster, what's on your mind?

Who is he?

My husband.

What did he say to you, Thelma?

Nothing, honey.

He had me mixed up with someone else.

Don't make alibis for him!

I know his kind like a book!

Herb! Don't!

Now take it easy, Mister. It's just a mistake.

I could have sworn she was an ex-girlfriend

from Fresno.

My loss not yours.

Come on, Thelma.

Outside of the fact that you almost got pasted,

you know what else I saw?

What?

She put your card in her purse.

We may just see her again.

You think she's the caller, Joe?

Well, if she is, she's playing it strictly solo

and scared to death her husband Herbie

is going to find out.

If she isn't, I've got one other candidate.

A visitor, Joe... Nervous.

Who isn't?

Mrs. Roebeck.

I don't know what you want from me,

Mr. Mannix.

I don't know anything about any phone calls

or anything to sell.

That's not why I'm here.

I imagine...

this is.

Your husband doesn't know about her.

You wouldn't tell him!

Oh, you wouldn't do that, would you?

I happen to have another one here.

Why are you doing this to me?

You know, Thelma,

when I first saw this picture,

I wondered what you were doing there.

I never once figured it was Conrad himself.

But were there with him, weren't you?

When he was on that... crime thing,

I had to give... a...

what do you call it?

A... a deposition.

That's when I met him.

And then afterwards, he...

well, he wanted to...

Help you start a new life.

I never met anyone like him before, Mr. Mannix.

He was so important and all.

You wouldn't believe the terrific things

he was going to do for me!

Not counting the baby.

And then Tony Abbott found out.

Okay, somebody found out.

Threatened to blow the whistle on Conrad

unless he dropped that investigation.

That wasn't the half of it, was it, Thelma?

They...

They were going to move into his organization,

use him as a front man.

That's why he was going to quit seeing me.

Because he wasn't going to give in to them.

That night, he told me about it.

And Tony shot him.

I don't know who did it.

Then why does Tony's name scare you?

You saw him, didn't you?

Then he sent Johnny Marr over there to get you out of town.

Oh please, Mr. Mannix!

Before he closed the case by killing Johnny

with the same gun and making it look like suicide.

Now there's a killer loose, and you can identify him!

What do I care?

That'd be identifying me, wouldn't it?

Not just to them!

No, there are courts.

And considering who the father of your daughter was,

she could be worth a fortune,

did you ever think about that?

That's all I think about is her.

I think about a baby son,

and a husband who cares for them both as much as he cares for me,

and that's a whole lot.

I mean, what is a fortune, anyway?

That's all the fortune I want.

And you're asking me to blow it up.

I can't do that, Mr. Mannix. I can't do that!

Why don't you go on home Thelma.

Please...

Please don't tell them, don't tell anybody, please.

Hey...

now, look.

You were never here.

I don't know who you are.

So I didn't learn a thing from you

because I never heard of you.

I'll do the best I can to keep it that way, okay?

Oh...

Oh, you don't know the nightmares I've had.

I'm so afraid somebody will find out.

All right.

Now why don't you just go on home.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Blaney's holding on the line

about that financial material you wanted him to get.

Oh, great!

Blaney, what have you got?

Take off!

J.S. Electronics...

Dropped the name of Tony Abbott as president

in 1964. Got it.

Sold out to a holding company

known as the Walding Corporation

and who do you think owns Walding?

Wild guess... Westland Trust.

You got any more of those?

Enough to know that Westland isn't just in the banking business anymore.

That's great, Blaney.

You're about to get yourself a story!

Art Malcolm here to see you.

It's about Jenny Loman's murder, in case you're wondering!

Well now, why should I wonder, Art?

Who do you think called the police in the first place?

Anonymously.

It's a good thing the cleaning woman saw you there,

remembered Jenny called you by name.

Well, I didn't want to get you involved

in that because the shingles have been

flying off the roof around here...

Hello, Peggy. Is he in?

Oh, there you are!

Cindy. Thompson.

Mannix, you might as well tear up that check

that Cindy gave you.

At least this one isn't post-dated.

You might say that this is my last act as keeper of the funds.

They're all hers now.

Cindy finally convinced me that that's one headache

I no longer need.

For services rendered, Joe.

With all my gratitude.

End of case?

You know, you were right about those phone calls.

Mr. Thompson knew they were phony, too.

And he urged you to drop the whole thing?

Well, I can't say I blame him.

I'd do the same thing in his spot.

Exactly what spot do you mean?

A banker by the name of R.B. Thompson,

who up till six years ago,

apparently didn't exist at all as a banker or R.B. Thompson.

Joe!

Well, you've had instant brainwash, Cindy.

I suppose his giving you control of your money

made it a lot easier.

I don't have to listen to this.

Come on.

You don't, Mr. Thompson, But Cindy does.

Cindy! Cindy!

Mannix, I'm warning you.

You've been warning me from the time I left your office.

Your message is coming in loud and clear.

Mr. Mannix, those men have been following me!

Art?

I'll Stop 'em!

You were the only one I could come to!

They started following me right after I left your office.

You better get out of here.

Tony!

You're making a mistake, Miss.

I give you my word. It wasn't our fault.

We're carrying out orders, that's all!

That man's making a mistake too!

I've never seen him before!

Why Mr. Abbott, he works for you, doesn't he?

Maybe even gave you a hand with Conrad and Johnny Marr!

Hold it!

Let's see if this banker's carrying anything besides withdrawal slips.

Oh, yeah.

I guess your kind of banker would need this,

just in case...

Oh, Miss!

I'll explain it to you later, Art.

Then it was true.

He was mixed up in father's death.

Yes, he had some special information

on your father that he used to force his way into the company.

Now, why don't you go on home, Cindy.

We have some unfinished business.

The Jenny Loman murder.

Well, that's in the works, Art.

Just deliver the message...

A certain party across the hall from Jenny Loman

saw who came in and who went out.

The certain party would like to discuss it at 9:00 tonight.

Right on time.

Joe!

You got me here.

You know Cindy, you really had it made.

By the way,

who made those calls for you, your housekeeper?

Calls to me and Westland Trust.

Of course, we can forget the calls to you.

Nobody made those, did they?

What else could I do?

Those gamblers... I knew they meant what they said.

I had to get the money.

The only way you could get the money

is to discredit the man who held it...

That's where I came in, huh?

Joe, why couldn't you just let it go at that?

Why did you have to grab for more?

Like her, that Jenny Loman!

Calling me.

Insisting on a cut, that's the way she put it,

that dreadful...

And... and you know it wasn't fair.

You know that!

After all my planning,

making it so perfect.

And it was too.

It was just beautiful the way I had it!

You know, Cindy,

planting that note in Jenny Loman's office...

That was your mistake.

You see, if Tony's boys had been there,

they wouldn't have left that note lying around.

That's what I mean. That's why it was so unfair.

The way she spoiled everything for me.

You know, I just wanted what was mine, Joe.

I didn't want to hurt anybody... not even her.

I didn't mean to.

I tried to explain it to her.

Reason with her... scare her even!

That's was all the gun was for.

I just wanted to scare her a little bit.

And you know what she did?

She fought me.

She tried to take it away.

Oh, I can still see her face!

That poor woman.

That's when she... That's when the gun...

It all of a sudden, it just went off!

And that's the terrible thing,

because now I have to use it.

It's all your fault, Joe.

You made me kill you!

There's nothing else I can do.

You know something?

It's just like it was at Jenny's.

Nobody in the building heard a sound,

and I thought the world exploded.

Funny, isn't it?

Isn't it?

I guess, Cindy.

That's really the way it sounded...

Bang!

And there went the world.