All language subtitles for Mannix S05E22 To Draw the Lightning.DVDRip.NonHI.en.CBS

Aw come on, Larry.

You're going to wind
up with a lame arm.

How you doin', Ramon?

Why don't you pack it up?

'Cause it feels good.

Look, it was six months ago.

Why don't you forget it?

'Cause I can't forget it.

It's as simple as that.

It won't get you anywhere
toting around all that hate.

Time to put it to rest.

Like Constantine put
Kevin Grady to rest?

I just don't like it
when some clown

guns down a police
officer in an alley

and gets off on a technicality.

Kevin was more than
just an ordinary cop.

There wasn't a
guy on this force...

Lieutenant Mendez.
Can I help you?

I want to talk to
Lieutenant Gifford.

Who's calling?

Uh, uh, it's a confidential
matter, do you mind?

Larry, it's for you.

- Who is it?
- Wouldn't say.

Stay on.

Lieutenant Gifford.

I got something
for you, Lieutenant.

How you doin', Archie?

How would you like to
know about a little somethin'

that's going to be
cooking on the front burner

in about 10 minutes?

What's it going to cost?

Oh no, no, no for freebies.

Just a citizen doing
his duty, Lieutenant.

Someone's going to knock over

the Walton warehouse
on 3rd and Adelaide. Okay?

Yeah, okay.

Let's go!

Still warm.

You stay here. Cover me.

Police officer!
Hold it right there!

Are you all right, Larry?

Yeah.

Danny Constantine...

♪♪

Mrs. Gifford?

Yeah.

I'm Joe Mannix.

I was afraid of
that, Mr. Mannix.

I was hoping for a nice,
harmless door-to-door salesman.

I'm sorry. But your husband
asked me to come over.

I know.

Irene, is that Mr. Mannix?

Better come in. Your
patient is calling for you.

Hello, Gifford.

Hello, Mannix.

Well, you didn't waste
any time getting here.

When you ask me for something,

I don't want to
miss a minute of it.

Sit down.

I'm in a tough spot, Mannix.

So far it's only a spot.

He'd like you to help
him turn it into something

about the size of a cell.

Come on, Irene. Now,
we've had this all out.

I don't care.

When you start hiring a...

Civilian?

A civilian to interfere
in police business,

you're just going to
make matters worse, Larry.

You know, he's been
suspended pending the hearing.

And if it goes wrong there,
he could be tried for murder.

These hearings are held by
professionals, Mrs. Gifford.

Men like your husband.

They're only
interested in facts.

That's just it. Larry's
given them the facts.

Now, if he hires you, it'll
make it look like he isn't sure.

All right, Irene.
You've had your say.

Now, that's enough.

It is not enough, Larry.

If you do this...

it'll look like you don't
trust your own officers.

You might as well
go in and tell them

you're afraid you're guilty.

Larry, if you can't think of
yourself, at least think of me.

If anything happens to you...

You can come see
me on visiting days.

Now Irene, please!

You read the papers about
how I happened to gun down

Danny Constantine?

What do you think, Mannix?

Well, I'm not one of your
biggest rooters, Gifford,

but, uh, I believe you.

Thanks.

Now you didn't call me
here for a vote of confidence.

No.

You know, anybody else
but Danny Constantine

and there wouldn't even
have been a hearing.

But that local loudmouth
on the late TV news

blew it up all
out of proportion.

Made it sound like a
personal vendetta...

Police brutality, hair-trigger
lieutenant, the whole bit.

It's a known fact that
you didn't have any love

for Constantine.

I hated his guts.

He killed my
partner Kevin Grady.

But I didn't know that Constantine
was in that warehouse. I swear it!

And you don't think it
was just a coincidence?

Not quite.

You know Archie Preston?

The stoolie? Sure.

Ever know him to give
away anything free?

Not to me he hasn't.
Strictly cash and carry.

He's the one that tipped me
to the warehouse action. Gratis.

What did Preston say
when you checked him?

I never caught up with him.

I was suspended.

When you're suspended,
you sit tight. No moves.

No muscle. Nothing.

If they catch you
looking sideways

when you're on
suspension, you're through.

Why me?

You're good at your job.

You want this one?

Nothing on my license says I
have to be old friends with my clients.

All right, Gifford.

Thank you, Mannix.

I need all the help I can get.

Gifford... familiar name.

As I recall,

you and the lieutenant
aren't exactly buddies.

So?

Well, you're taking
the case, aren't you?

Well, his money's as
good as anybody else's.

Oh come on, Joe, I
know you better than that!

Now look, Peggy, no
matter what else he is,

Larry Gifford is straight.

So he's been on my
back more than once.

That doesn't alter the fact
that he's a smart, honest cop.

Now, see what you can do
about locating that stoolie.

Where does one begin to look
for a character like Archie Preston?

Start with floating crap
games and work down.

Oh, and check with
our back alley pipeline.

Where will you be?

I want to see if tinhorns live
any better than stool pigeons.

According to our reports
at Great Pacific Insurance,

Mr. Constantine lived
on a much simpler level

before he moved here.

Paid his rent and
made no trouble.

That's all I've got to say.

I see.

Tell me, would you happen
to know if anybody came here

after Mr. Constantine
was killed?

Just the police.

How about before? Any
visitors that you know of?

We... we don't
spy on our tenants.

Oh well, I'm not
accusing you, sir.

I'm merely appointed
to settle claims.

You see, Great
Pacific is obligated

to pay various expenses
for Mr. Constantine's estate.

Does that mean
you're responsible

for all of
Mr. Constantine's bills?

For the ones we can verify, yes.

I don't see any reason why
I should be stuck for $53.

Uh, what $53 would that be, sir?

His phone bill.

You see, the building guarantees
payment to the phone company.

So I'll have to
pay it if you don't.

I see.

Well, first my company
will have to have the bill

for the records. You understand?

I suppose I, uh, should
turn it over to the police.

Oh, I'd be more than happy to
do that for you, sir if you'd like.

But in the meantime,

why don't you
allow Great Pacific

to discharge its obligation?

Mm-hmm.

Nothing yet on Archie
Preston. How are you doing?

I think I'm about to
find out. Take a look.

Nearly half of these toll calls,

all to the same number...

839-7399.

Girlfriend, maybe?

I hope not.

For $53 I want to talk to
more than a born loser.

Hello.

Hi. Who's this?

Whom were you calling?

Is, uh, Alice there?

There's no Alice here. You
must have the wrong number.

That's funny. This is the
number he gave me for Alice...

839-7399?

You have the right
number... But the wrong girl.

Who knows?

Some of my closest friends
started out as wrong numbers.

What's your name?

I'm sorry. This is
a business office.

You're tying up a private line.

Oh, I'm sorry, too.

By the way, what do you do
after business hours, sweetheart?

I'm afraid that's my business.

Goodbye.

Well, Casanova?

Pretty voice. Young.

Good education. She says "whom".

Whom might that be?

I'd like to find out.

See if you can get an
address for that number.

May I help you?

Yes. I never forget
a pretty voice.

Now as I was saying
before you hung up on me...

I beg your pardon.

We had a telephone
conversation a little while ago.

It must have made more of an
impression on you than on me.

I don't recall.

But that wasn't
the number I called.

You said something about
"tying up a private line".

You're either very
forward or a little backward.

I can't decide which.

Neither. I'm Joe Mannix.

And I'd like to find the
other end of that private line.

I wonder if I might
speak to Alan Deedrich?

Yeah?

There's a Mr. Mannix
to see you, Mr. Deedrich.

Well, I'm a little tied up,
Ellen. Ask him what he wants.

What is it about sir?

I'm a private investigator.

I'd like to talk to him
about Danny Constantine.

He's a private investigator.

He wants to talk to you
about a man called...

Danny Constantine.

Danny Constantine.

Uh, have him wait.

Hey, Alan, do you want
to go over these later?

You don't mind, do you, Bob?

No, no, no, I'll go below
and see what's holding up

the Mendolsen job.

Those grease monkeys
are getting behind schedule.

You should know about
grease monkeys, eh?

Yeah, listen, call me
when you're free, will ya?

Honey, I'll be around
the service hangar

if I get any calls.

Yes, Mr. Greer.

Ellen.

Yes, sir.

Send Mr. Mannix in.

Mr. Mannix.

- How do you do?
- Mr. Deedrich.

You said something
about Danny Constantine?

Yes. A friend of
yours, I believe.

Well, I'm afraid you're a
little misinformed, Mr. Mannix.

I don't know
anybody by that name.

Oh really?

Maybe I was given a bum steer.

Mind if I use your phone?

Be my guest.

If I'm wrong, I certainly
apologize, Mr. Deedrich for...

But I'm not wrong, am I.

Now what is that
little sleight-of-hand

supposed to mean?

That's your private
line I just dialed.

Danny Constantine
called it several times.

And someone answered.

I know because it
shows on his bill.

Well, it's a mystery
to me, Mr. Mannix.

I don't know anybody by the
name of Danny Constantine.

Well, then it's a mystery
to both of us for now.

Mr. Mannix...

I really don't know
what this is all about.

Would you mind telling
me who you're working for?

That's confidential.

I see.

Oh, Mr. Deedrich, when
you close that desk drawer,

I wouldn't slam it.

That gun's liable to go off.

Well, you forget
how long it's been

until you come face-to-face
with one of these.

Ever jockey one of these around?

Some.

I'm Bob Greer.

Alan Deedrich's partner.

Joe Mannix. Nice
meeting you, Mr. Greer.

Same here.

Uh, Mr. Mannix.

I should say I'm more
than just Alan's partner.

I'm also his friend.

We've been together since Korea.

I overheard Miss
Frazier tell Alan

that you're a
private investigator?

Private and empty-handed.

That is, unless you can tell me

something about
Danny Constantine.

Danny Constantine. Well,
I'm afraid not. Who is he?

A cop killer who was
walking around free

with a pocketful
of technicalities.

Well, then I don't understand
the connection, Mr. Mannix

between a man like Danny
Constantine and Alan?

If I find out, Mr. Greer,
I'll let you know.

Mr. Mannix' office.

I understand Mannix
is looking for me.

Who is this?

Archie Preston.

Hey, keep the mutt
quiet a second, will ya?

Tell Mannix he's wasting
his time. I ain't even in L.A.

right now, ya understand?

Well, is there a number where
Mr. Mannix can contact you?

Uh, no.

I'm... I'm sort of movin'
around, ya understand?

I'm in Arizona... on business.

Tell him I'll call
him when I get back.

Uh, you can tell him
yourself, Mr. Preston.

Mr. Mannix just walked in.

Hello.

Sorry, Joe. I couldn't
keep him talking.

The only thing that keeps
Archie talking is money.

Where was he calling from?

He said he was on
business in Arizona.

Don't count on it.

Did he say anything else?

It was kind of hard to hear.

There was music in the
background, like a juke box.

Probably a bar... another
Archie Preston "branch office".

I don't think so, Joe.

There was a dog barking.

A dog?

Mm-hmm.

What kind of a dog?

Joe, I can't tell a
dog's breed by its bark.

No, no, a big
dog or a little dog?

Well, a little dog, I guess.
It sounded kinda yippy.

How many times did the dog bark?

Joe...!

Think, Peggy. How many
times did the dog bark?

I don't know... A
couple of times, I guess.

Or was it three times?

Yeah. Yes, it was.
It was three times.

Yeah.

Joe, you know the place?

More than that,
Peggy. I know the dog.

Very good, Harry.

Now here's another one.

Subtract 139 from 142.

Now think.

Well, Harry?

That's a good boy.

Now, how about this one?

Multiply 6 by 4,

and divide by 8.

Think, now. Think... think...

Well, Harry?

He's a regular
Professor Einstein.

And then some.

Now, I'm going to give
him a real back-breaker

and then you'll
really see him go.

Ok, Harry.

This is going to
be a bit harder.

Now, take the cube root of 27,

add 2 times 2,

and subtract the
square root of 16.

What've you got?

Think now.

Take your time.

No hurry.

Think.

I believe he's got it!

Well, Harry?

I wouldn't've believed it!

Hi, Lou.

What do you know, Joe?

How's Harry?

Still the mathematical genius.

How's his spelling?

Spelling?

Can he spell the
name Archie Preston?

He's a smart dog.
But he ain't that smart.

But you are, Lou.

Where can I find Archie Preston?

I'll tell him you want to
see him when he comes in.

First, I'll take a look
in the back room.

There... there's nobody there.

Well, I'll take a look anyway.

Oh, Lou, you press that button,

and I'll sic Harry on you.

Archie? Just a minute.

Sit down.

Now I'm in a hurry, Archie.

And I want something
from you straight.

Joe, I owe you.

Why did you call
Lieutenant Gifford

and give him that tip
on the warehouse heist?

What's it to you?

I'm a very interested party.

You?

Interested in Gifford?

Ehh...

I want answers,
Archie, not questions.

You talk to Gifford about it?

Yeah, I talked to him,
and now I'm talking to you.

Lieutenant Gifford said you
phoned him that tip gratis,

no strings attached.

Yeah.

Look, Joe,

I... I've been laying
low because of this deal.

I'm sorry I even
got mixed up in it.

I'm not interested in
how sorry you are, Archie.

Now keep talking.

I... I figured later it was like
putting my own neck in a noose.

I... I was paid to
make the call, Joe.

I was told what to say.

The whole thing was a set-up.

Who paid you?

The guy who wanted to get away

with putting Danny
Constantine 6 feet under.

The lieutenant himself.

Larry Gifford!

I'll kill him!

So help me, I'm
going to kill that guy.

Now don't go off half-cocked!

Now he's lying, and
he's going to eat that lie!

- Larry! Larry! Please!
- Get out of my way, Irene!

Will you listen to me!

No! I'm going to
take over for myself.

Now just calm down
and listen to me.

I'll calm down after I
settle with Archie Preston.

Yeah, like you did with
Danny Constantine?

This time you'll buy yourself
a murder trial for sure.

Oh, Mr. Mannix... Larry... He
wouldn't have done anything.

That's just talk!

You don't have to
explain me to him.

You don't want to listen
to anybody, do you?

Right now I just want to get
this thing straightened out.

That's what you
hired me for, Gifford.

And you believed Archie Preston.

I didn't say I believed him.

I just told you what
he said about you.

- Well, he's lying.
- All right.

You tell me why.

That's what I'm
going to find out.

You put the muscle
on Archie Preston,

and he'll blow any
chance you've got.

Sure, I believe Preston
was paid to make that call,

but who paid him?

And why would anybody
bother to arrange this whole setup

and make you the
fish in the barrel?

Ok, who put me there? Why?

That's what I'm
trying to find out.

Now why don't you stay put!

Okay.

Oh honey, I'm sorry.

I'm some character.

I spend half my life
losing my temper

and the other half
telling you I'm sorry.

Oh, Larry, you're a
character, all right.

But I love you anyhow.

Lou...

Archie still here?

No buzzer, remember?

No way, Joe.

When the big guys
mix in, I mix out.

Archie?

Archie!

Did anybody leave the
bar just before the shooting?

Well, they come and they go.

You don't exactly
need reservations

in a place like
this, Lieutenant.

But you keep track of
Mannix, here, don't you.

When he's in the neighborhood.

You said he was in here
to see Archie Preston.

Yeah, twice.

Well, Mannix?

Do you think I did it, Mendez?

You're the only one
who was chasing Archie

when he bought it.

You through with me, Lieutenant?
I got customers, you know.

What'd you want with Archie?

What did anybody ever
want with Archie? Information.

Information about what?

That's private.

Oh yeah, you're a
private investigator.

Who's your client, Mannix?

Sorry, Lieutenant.

I can find out.

This is a murder case, and I
can subpoena your records.

Want to save me all
that time and trouble?

Not especially.

No harm in asking.

Any harm in my
using the telephone?

Not unless you're calling
an airline to leave the country.

No chance, Mendez.

I want to be around
when you crack this one.

Hello?

This is Joe Mannix.

I'd like to speak to
your husband, please.

He's not here, Mr. Mannix.

Where is he?

I don't know. He went out.

When?

He left here just a few
minutes after you did.

Thank you.

Mannix.

Oh, Gifford.

Where have you been?

I've been here waiting for you.

Before that?

Around town.

- Come in.
- No time.

Archie Preston is dead.

I heard.

Well, where were you?

Where I go is my
business, Mannix.

I told you to sit tight.

Well, I guess that's
just not my nature.

Archie Preston was killed in an
alley behind Lou Weldman's bar.

I told you, I heard.

Something Lou said
keeps bugging me.

What?

"When the big guys
mix in, I mix out".

So?

How come that doesn't bug you?

Because I just heard it.

It should bug you anyway.

Why?

Because the "big guys"
means the Syndicate.

And?

So where does an airline
magnate like Alan Deedrich fit in?

How much do I owe you, Mannix?

Why?

That's what I was
waiting here for.

To tell you to send the
bill. You're off the case.

Hold it right there.

- Okay.
- Fine.

Now put it in "park".

Okay.

That's good.

All right, let's go.

Yes?

I hate to sound
like a broken record,

but I'd like to see
Mr. Deedrich again.

Sorry. Not in.

His car is in its
parking slot outside.

Mr. Deedrich flew to Tucson
on business an hour ago.

One of the mechanics in the hangar
said he came in 10 minutes ago.

He's very busy.

He may just have a second.

- You can't go...
- Just a minute, Mannix.

Miss Frazier said
you can't go in there.

I want to see Alan Deedrich.

It'll just have to wait.

Sorry. This can't wait.

You heard the lady!

I'm going to give you one chance

to take your hands
off of me without help.

Then I'm going to
show you how it's done.

You're trespassing
on my property.

You've got a partner, remember?

- I'm speaking for him.
- Everybody's speaking for him.

I want to talk to
the man himself.

- Deedrich!
- What's going on here?

Sorry, Alan. I
couldn't stop him.

I want to talk to you, Deedrich.

It's either here and now or in the
office of Lieutenant Mendez later.

- Take your pick.
- What's he talking about?

- It's all right, Bob.
- What... what is it about?

No, it's ok. I want to be
alone. I'll explain it to you later.

Later's no good
for me, Deedrich.

I'll take my explanation now.

- About what?
- About Danny Constantine.

What do you know about him?

I told you, I don't know
any Danny Constantine.

I think you do.

What are you doing here
anyway? You've been fired!

You didn't know
who my client was.

How did you hear I was fired?

Well, I... I heard it
from somewhere.

Yeah, on that private line?

Let's cut out the
double-talk, Deedrich!

Danny Constantine was killed

supposedly trying to pull a
heist at the Walton Warehouse.

Well, that was a...

It so happens that your
company owns Walton.

- It was a coincidence.
- No more coincidence

than Lieutenant
Gifford being tipped

to a heist that wasn't
really a heist at all.

Danny Constantine
wasn't there to pull a job.

He was a lamb
being led to slaughter.

Look, Mannix!

I told you.

I don't know anything about
Danny Constantine's death.

But you do know
something about Constantine!

There is nothing I can tell you.

All right, Deedrich.

Suit yourself.

He's coming out now,
getting into his car.

All right now, that's
enough, Mannix!

Nobody comes into my house
and says the fix is in with me!

I didn't say fix.

I said somebody put the
pressure on, and got you to fire me.

And I say you're wrong.

Then why did you
bounce me off the case?

Because I already told
you. I thought it over

and if word leaked
out that I hired you,

it would go bad for
me at the hearing.

Now who's going to leak it?
Only you and your wife know.

Yeah, what about your secretary?

Come off it. That's
not what got to you.

All right.

The department
told me to sit tight,

so I've decided that's
exactly what I'm going to do.

Well, now you told me sitting
tight wasn't in your nature.

Well, now it is.

Look Gifford. I'm
on to something.

I need your help.

What do you mean,
you're on to something?

There's a connection
between the Deedrich outfit

and the Walton Warehouse.

There's also a connection

between the killing of Archie
Preston and the Syndicate.

How do you know that?

I've been checking,
on my own, no charge.

You know, Mannix, you're really
going to louse things up for me!

Who got to you, Gifford?
Who changed your mind?

Nobody got to me!
I like being a cop.

I don't want you
ruining it for me.

Now I don't want to jeopardize
my job or my pension.

I'll take my own chances with
the hearing, without your help.

I've got a good record.

And I've got friends
in the department.

And enemies outside...
Big guys pulling strings

and they pulled one
on you, didn't they?

I got to say it for
the last time, Mannix.

Lay off anything
that concerns me!

Hello.

Joe, I've got an emergency call.

Who was it?

Lou Weldman from that bar.

He's got information but
he doesn't want you to go

anywhere near his place.

Where do I go?

A telephone booth...
Corner of 5th and Elm.

You'll get a call
at exactly 11:05.

Hello.

Hello?

Good boy, Harry. Isn't he great?

Yes, sir, eh...

Lou.

Help yourself, folks,
drinks on the house!

All right, who put you up to it?

What?

Don't play dumb with me,
Lou. You set me up. Why?

I was told to call you, get
you to the phone booth.

Now that's all. I didn't
know what was happening.

- I just did what I was told.
- Who told you?

You don't ask questions when the
Big Guys send down instructions.

I'm just a small fish in a pond.

It was the same with Archie.

I want to know who
fingered me, Lou.

Even if I knew, I
wouldn't tell you!

You know the worst
part about it, Lou?

What?

I believe you.

Ok.

Now, my advice to you
is just be glad you're alive.

Don't fool around.

Whatever you're
mixed up in, forget it!

Maybe you should forget it, Joe.

I mean, if the
Syndicate's involved,

you can't fight them yourself.

It's too late to be
a nice guy, Peggy.

Those weren't warning shots.

They had that phone
booth measured for a coffin.

Hi, Mannix.

Oh, Lieutenant Mendez.

Don't tell me you're
here with a subpoena?

Nice piece. Pre-Columbian?

Yeah, very old.

Oh, my secretary, Peggy
Fair, Lieutenant Mendez.

Mucho gusto, Señor.

Es un placer.

Muchas gracias.

Have a chair.

You, uh, still trying to find
out who my client is, Mendez?

No, I'm more interested
in who your friends are.

Knowing you seems
to be kind of unlucky.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, first you show up
around Lou Weldman's bar,

and there's trouble.

Then you show up at the airport,

just making a friendly call,

and there's more trouble.

Well, if you're keeping
score, Mendez,

somebody threw a couple of
shots at me in a phone booth.

And it was no friend.

Is that so?

You said airport, you
mean Condor Aviation?

Yeah.

I understand you
knew Alan Deedrich.

What do you mean knew?

Alan Deedrich is
past tense. He's dead.

Who did it?

Well, from the way things look,
I'd say Deedrich did it himself.

Mr. Mannix, come in.

Thanks for seeing
me, Miss Frazier.

I'm sorry to bother you.

There are a few things I
still don't quite understand.

Does it matter now, Mr. Mannix?

Well, it does to me.

Miss Frazier, do
you have any idea

why Alan Deedrich would
want to take his own life?

It's very important.

You didn't know Alan.

He was a dedicated family man.

He was so worried.

So conscience-stricken about...

Are you trying to tell
me there was something

between you and Deedrich?

Something?

You make love sound like it's
a package you get in the mail.

It was much more
than that, Mr. Mannix.

And Danny Constantine found out.

And he knew Deedrich
would pay... and pay well...

To keep your affair quiet.

I told Alan it would never end.

Blackmail never does.

The payoffs were made in
cash at the Walton Warehouse?

When the police...
that Lieutenant Gifford...

Shot Constantine, we...

Thought that fate had
played right into your hands.

Yes.

But then you threatened
to uncover the whole thing

all over again.

Alan was worried sick.

I begged him to
call you and explain

so that you would
leave him alone.

It's all over now, anyway.

Maybe not.

I'm not so sure that's the real
reason Alan Deedrich is dead.

I tried to call you.

Your answering service said
they didn't know where you were,

so I decided to come
by here and wait.

Seems you take a lot
of convincing, Mannix.

Deedrich is dead.

I heard.

Somehow you hear everything.

It came over the radio.

Suicide.

Maybe not. Maybe
somebody stopped him.

Maybe they got to Deedrich
one way and got to you another.

Nobody got to me, Mannix!

I told you, you're fired.
And I told you why!

Now lay off!

Sorry, I've got this funny rule.

When somebody tries to kill me,

I want to find out who
he is before he succeeds.

What?

How come you
didn't hear about that?

What are you talking about?

Somebody ambushed
me this afternoon.

How do you feel
about it now, Gifford?

The same.

Your concern for
my life is touching!

Mannix, I'm warning
you. Get off the case!

I'm not buying, Gifford.

Now, why don't you just
turn around and go on home?

Something you want to tell me?

Yeah.

It's not just your life now,
Mannix. It's my wife's, too.

I got a phone call...

"Get you off the case
or go to Irene's funeral."

I've been married to
that woman for 18 years.

I love her.

I don't want anything
to happen to her.

Ok, I'm asking you.

Please lay off.

You think that's
going to end it?

It might.

Come on, Gifford. You know
them. You know how they operate.

Mannix.

Mr. Mannix, it looks
as if you were right.

I don't think Alan
killed himself.

I just found a letter
that was to be opened

only in case of his death.

And it's not a suicide note.

Where are you?

I couldn't sleep.
I'm at the airport.

I came out to the office to
go through Alan's papers,

when I found the letter.

One other thing...

I think somebody's following me.

Any idea who it is?

No. But he's
driving a blue coupe.

Where is he now?

I haven't seen him since
I turned in to the airport.

All right, you stay right in
that office and lock your door.

I'm not in the office.

I'm calling from a phone
booth outside the hangar.

I'm on my way.
Now stay out of sight.

Miss Frazier!

Miss Frazier?

Hold it, Mannix!

Throw the gun behind you!

Uh, if you're looking for Ellen,

well, she's on her
way back to town.

I'll give your
regards though, later.

Ok, Greer, so I was a sucker.

So it would seem.

It was really you
and Miss Frazier

who were having the love
affair all along, wasn't it?

You mean you didn't
buy her little performance

back at the apartment? Ohh.

And just now, she
was playing dead

so that your button man
could get a bead on me.

Yeah, he was a
little slow in the dark.

But of course, I won't
have that trouble.

The only trouble you'll have

is explaining my death
to Lieutenant Gifford.

Oh, talk about suckers.

I mean, the Lieutenant
really gets first prize.

Yeah, and Danny
Constantine ran a close second.

You put him up to the idea
of blackmailing Deedrich,

didn't you?

Alan Deedrich was a
weak and stupid man.

He got frightened.
He wanted to back out.

Ohh. And the whole thing
could have blown wide open.

He had to die.

And, uh, Danny Constantine

found out he was really
being used to set Deedrich up

for a phony suicide
and wanted to get cut in.

So you decided to let
Lieutenant Gifford take care

of Constantine for you.

It almost worked, too.

Except that Gifford hired you
to start doing some digging.

The Syndicate must have really
wanted to tie in with your company.

Oh, opportunity of a lifetime.

You see, they get a
transportation system

for shipping
their, uh, products.

I just make a fortune.

That is, if you don't get
to tell anybody about it.

Drop the gun, Greer!

Not bad for a civilian.

You shaved it kind
of close, Gifford.

Well, we had to make sure we
had all the evidence, now didn't we?

What about the Frazier girl?

We'll pick her up.

She's probably back in town
waiting for her boyfriend here.

Gifford.

Yeah?

Do me a favor, will you?

What's that?

The next time you need
help, don't call me, I'll call you.