Original subtitles

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.