Original subtitles

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Mayor Randy

Christmas of Miami, Florida.

The film you're about to see is a

startling expose based on fact.

It concerns a vicious attempt by

organized crime to take over

the entire state of Florida.

But for the alert and courageous work of

Florida's law enforcement

agencies and the integrity

of its governmental administrations, this

threat might have been made good.

I take this opportunity to issue a

warning to the people of

every state in the nation.

It could happen in your state.

We are dedicated here in Florida to the

belief that it will

never again happen to us.

Thank you.

You are in a plane flying

over the state of Florida.

You're a visitor soaring over such cities

as Tallahassee, the

state capital, St. Augustine,

Jacksonville, Tampa, Titusville.

You are too high to see what has happened

to Florida, to see that it has become the

fastest growing state in the nation, that

its population is

more than five million in

the tourist season.

Perhaps you don't care about statistics.

All you're interested in

is the end of the line.

For the end of the line is Miami, and

that's where most of

Florida's fun, romance, adventure,

and excitement are waiting.

You're not interested in the millions of

others who are flocking

into the state on planes,

buses, trains, and boats.

All you want to do is

forget your troubles.

But where there are millions of people,

there are billions of dollars.

And there are too many men who would do

anything for that kind of money.

Yes, you should have

thought about those statistics.

They might have saved your life.

It's a hot Sunday afternoon.

Quiet, lazy.

It's two months since 41 people died in

the crash of the transport plane.

Most people have forgotten it.

It was an accident the investigators

said, but it doesn't do

much good to brood about

tragedy.

But these people haven't forgotten.

The passenger in seat 36 on the death

plane was a vital statistic to them.

They have no

intention of ever forgetting.

I grabbed the first plane in the morning

for the Phantom, and you

make sure you're keeping

that you do twice a day.

This chap shouldn't take too long.

A Sunday afternoon, serene, placid,

filled with sun and brightness.

A day of rest or fun.

A day for those who don't

care too much about tomorrow.

A day for the fortunate, for the men with

big plans for tomorrow.

Great.

I have listened to every one of your

confounded musical soirees.

Attended your dinners, guzzled your

liquor, wallowed in your banquets.

Played cards with you,

generally with his buddy-buddy.

Ever since you came to

Florida eight months ago.

Now, this just proves one point to me,

that you want something.

Now, what is it?

Must somebody always

want something from you?

Yes.

Can't get it anywhere else.

What's a lobby is for?

I do favors for people.

I know.

I'm used to it, and I like it.

I'm the general store.

The biggest one in the state.

I've seen and played cozy and coast to

the vest, but none like you.

Now, are you going to tell me what you

want, or are you going

to keep me in suspense?

I don't think you can deliver.

No?

Not as much as I want.

All right.

I'm being baited.

You name it.

Florida has become one of the richest

states in the country.

At the next election, I want the, uh,

people to vote for legalized gambling.

I want to make Miami the

last Vegas of the East.

Huh?

Also, this is a day for those who can

only worry about today.

The ones who aren't fooled

by a quiet Sunday afternoon.

The ones who know that at any moment, a

fuse could be lighted to blow it into a

hell of violence, a death.

How do all those people on the beach find

the energy to knock

themselves out in a day like this?

Well, they can't waste time.

Most of them only have two weeks to eat

and get healthy and get a heart attack.

Just think they had the choice.

If I was out on one of those umbrellas,

even those bathing suits passed away, it

wouldn't keep me awake.

Some of the boys say you've been thinking

of retiring to one of

those umbrellas permanently.

Me?

I look crazy.

What does a guy do has nothing to do?

See the world?

I can see the world out that window.

You're just talking like the other boys.

Well, I just wanted to hear you say it.

They put me in your

spot and I don't want it.

Maybe you're smart.

And smart.

He's got it all figured out.

Two more years I retire, 20 years of

being a cop is enough.

I got a pension.

I'll only be 41.

Can I find something safe

and sane to grab hold of?

You managed to stay alive 18 years.

18 years made me a

lieutenant in homicide.

35 years got you a captain.

See, what have we got to show for it?

We're still alive, that's all.

Now I'll play it the way

Ann wants. Two more years.

I'll do my job without trying to be a

hero or getting any medals.

Four o'clock already?

Yeah. My ship's up.

You gonna see Ann?

Maybe taking a movie.

Wait a minute.

Steve, you said he wanted some pencils.

For a five-year-old, this

kid uses up more pencils.

Maybe he's writing his life story.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

Elkins.

All right, I'll take it.

Yes, ma'am. This is police headquarters.

Now, what?

You just saw a murder committed?

A man killed another man with a knife.

In the hotel right

across the street from you.

Yes, Mrs. Henderson.

Now, where did you see this killing?

The crowd was in the air. The killing? The Cromwell.

The 20th and Collins.

All right, we take care of it right away.

All I want to know is why you're making

me sharpen all these pencils at once?

If I don't, you'll start kissing Mom and

we won't be able to talk.

Oh. But if you had a girl

as pretty as your mom...

Ah-ah-ah. Be careful,

Steve. He's trying to trap you.

Hey, I know it.

Uncle Bart, when are

you going to be my father?

(CLEARS THROAT)

Young man, would you kindly

go in and wash up for dinner?

Nobody ever answers anything.

(GROANS)

You know, I'm not

gonna muster your lipstick.

Oh, man.

You know, he's right. Nobody answers any

questions around here.

When are you gonna marry me?

Not until you get off the force.

Yes, I know.

Bart, I can't take a chance on that

happening to Stevie again.

I know that was rough on the boy,

but half the fellas on the force are

married and have kids.

All I know is Steve's father was a

policeman and he was killed.

I saw what that did to Stevie.

(PHONE RINGING)

Oh. Yes, he is. It's your office.

If they think I'm gonna pass up your

dinner again, hello, Scott, yeah.

Hmm?

(MUSIC PLAYING)

My God.

How did that happen?

Yeah, I'll be over right away. I'll...

Hotel Cromwell.

Room 710.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Ida...

Hannah's just been killed.

No.

He ain't another guy. A knife died.

I got your hold of them.

Yes, a quiet Miami Sunday afternoon.

Did explode into a hell

of violence and death.

And its first victims

were Captain Harry Elkins,

who had spent 35 years in

the Miami Police Department,

and a man named Joey Hodges.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(TICKING)

Not much of a struggle, Chief.

No. Killer was probably hidden.

I think he saw him. Harry never did.

He never knew what hit him.

Had to bear out what

that Henderson woman said.

Saw a couple guys start a

fight and then they killed him.

Quick jump.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Find anything out yet?

Grogan talked to the witness who saw it

from her window across the street.

She was too far away to

give us a description.

Who's this other one?

My name's Joe Hodges. Just moved into

this apartment about five hours ago.

His, uh... His wife got away.

Your wife?

A manager here said he saw her go up and

come tearing down again immediately.

He was scared stiff. She grabbed a cab.

You're checking the cab quickly, huh?

Yeah, she's Stevenson.

I've already sent Hodges a print into the

lamp. You're checking.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Bart.

I know how close you and Harry were.

He was too old. Why did

he come up here alone?

Young man might have

been able to handle it.

You better run things until we get a

permanent captaincy for you.

Uh, Chief, I...

Yes?

Harry knew how I felt about

running the office, Harry.

Just how did you feel?

I'll do what I can.

Drive back with me.

Follow through on the fingerprints.

The fuse has been lit on

this quiet Sunday afternoon.

The explosion can take

place anywhere, anytime.

Oh, yes, we met before.

Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Pell to see you, sir.

He's in the library.

Um, excuse me, everybody.

I'll be back right away.

(DOOR OPENS)

It's fouled up. His wife got away.

Huh? I got Hodges all right, but his wife

wasn't there, so I decided to wait.

Instead, the cops showed up.

Police?

That must have been a tip-off somewhere.

Did you see him?

I killed him before he could.

You?

I suppose there's

nothing else you could do.

Nothing.

It'll be a big investigation.

They never let it drop

when the policeman's killed.

This Hodges woman.

She can't back up there just as I got

through with the cop.

I don't think she saw my face.

You're letting it away?

I couldn't follow her. I

couldn't take the chance.

Now, look, Ray, there's a

lot of things I'll do for you.

Because you have to.

Now, you can't let this woman talk.

She's got to be found.

She may be a long way

from me, but I won't.

You go back to the hotel.

Wait till I get in touch

with you. Don't leave me alone.

Maybe there's a way

of finding out quickly.

The vab says the prints

are the same, all right.

Joey Hodges, bodyguard for Louis Ascot.

Ex-gunsel for a Cleveland mob.

Poor Harry sure walked you to something.

Somebody sure knew what Hodges was up to.

The Stevens and Sithers Hodges woman took

a cab to the airport,

then bought a ticket for Havana.

She must be through the Ascot right now,

but I don't go after her.

Take one of the men with you.

Havana, please. Give

me all the help I need.

I'll call him before I leave.

All right.

Yeah.

Yeah, he's here, Steve.

Hello.

Hello, Oliver.

Yes, all the boys here

feel pretty bad about it.

No, nothing concrete.

We know there's a woman involved. Yes.

Havana, eh? Huh?

Oh, yes, I heard about Harry from a

friend of mine who happened

to be passing by at the time.

Yeah.

Well, you know, there's anything I can do

for you. You can count on me.

Yes, it's terrible.

Mm. Well, all right, Charlie.

Uh, say hello to Ezel for me, will you?

I'll do that. See you soon, Oliver.

News gets around fast.

I guess there's very little that happens

at this state that Oliver

Tubbs doesn't know about.

Now, you make your

arrangements for Havana, huh?

Well, Sir Doya, the Havana force, will be

notified to put a check

on Lava Hodges tonight.

I'll take the first morning plane.

Okay.

See you later, Bob. I said I'd go along with you on this

legal gambling bill of yours, right?

Cut. Yes, please.

About about.

Any man who turned down a million-dollar

fee would be a fit

subject for a psychiatrist.

Thank you.

That perhaps is the thought of the

million dollars that should stop me from

asking questions, eh?

But I still want to know what's so

important to you about

the Elkins Hodges murder.

Important?

Oh, nothing.

But before I return, I'll tell you what I've done. I've done more than nothing.

But before I retired, in my days as a

criminal lawyer up north,

I got to know the

workings of the criminal mind.

In a purely clinical way, I understand.

I also got to know the mobs, the things

they want, the things for

which they'll commit crimes.

I know about this Hodges and his wife.

Used to be a dealer in a Midwest gambling

compound at one time.

Mary wanted to test my own ingenuity.

I guess the wife would try and find the

man her husband was

working for at the time,

Louis Ascot, and Ascot's in Havana now.

So the information you got from the

police may have

confirmed my guess, that's all.

I'm not often wrong

about the moves they make.

It's a fascinating study.

Well, I can't say I

share your enthusiasm.

Tell me, you want to do things my own

way, about this gambling milli-on?

No, Oliver.

You'll do them my way.

All right, show a million.

I want a committee formed

of the names on this list.

It'll be the most

influential committee in the state,

and it'll throw all its

weight behind the bill.

Henry Tremont, the contractor, Marshal

Indicate Department storeman,

Eric Tallman-Oil, John Hobart and Citrus,

Frank Meaney, Dan Spanner, Barb Lucker.

Wait a minute, these are the most

important men in the state.

You expect me to get all of those?

I don't expect anything or

anybody to stand in my way.

Remember that,

Oliver. It's very necessary.

In the brief moment that

it takes to kill a man,

Lila Hodges had

become the central figure,

the most fantastic and scandalous plan

for crime in the history of Florida.

The girl hoped to find

refuge in Havana, Cuba,

but there wasn't a country in the world

that could guarantee her safety now.

(DOOR OPENS)

-Where's Mr. Asker? -I have

to pull him with Pierre soon.

-Ask him to come in, please. -Thank you.

You know what I thought of Joey, Lila.

First Georgie Evans on

that plane, not Joey.

Sheraton's gonna pay

through the teeth for this.

Nobody's been able to

hang anything on him yet.

Maybe we'll go back to like

it was in the old days later.

We don't wait for the

law to do our job for us.

Oh, don't be a fool, Louie. A cop was

killed in Miami, too.

Face is too hot to try something.

Right now, I'm just

worried about my own neck.

The killers didn't miss me by much.

-Your nerves are shot. -They

can't let me run around loose.

-They'll think I know too much. -Your

nerves are shot. You're saved.

They'll chase me here and they'll fight.

You're saved. They can't find you in this

place. You know that.

I know it. You say no.

Nobody followed you here.

Oh, no. I got into town yesterday.

I checked in and out of three different

hotels, two restaurants,

a nightclub and a movie theater. Nobody

could tell me through that nobody.

Good. I'm gonna miss Joey.

You've got no worries. Not

for the rest of your life.

Now you get into your

bathing suit, huh, Lila?

And you join the people at the pool.

Yeah.

Maybe later we talk

about your future, huh?

Joey hasn't even called yet.

Yeah, sure, I know. I'm jumping the gun.

When a guy gets a little older, he likes

to make every day count.

-Make you drink, then. -Yeah.

I'll wait for you at the pool.

Okay.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

My man followed her as best he

could, but she is very smart.

Yeah, well, that

figure's Lieutenant Sedora.

She's probably taking a

roundabout route to ask her.

I have a car for you as you asked.

Perhaps you better take a

couple of my men with you.

No, that won't be necessary.

But if I don't show up by

six, come after me, will you?

That's okay.

Can I hire a car around here?

-See, sir, you're outside the

terminal to the right. -Thanks.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

Thanks, Chavez.

-Does there be anybody else? -Yeah.

He's there now?

The cop from Miami, Scott, one of the

homicide boys, I know him.

What am I gonna do to him?

Your running looks bad. I keep him up.

That looks bad, too.

I gotta talk to the cop.

They better not have any choice.

He's got something in his

head. I gotta find out what.

Stay here. Don't come in the house.

Okay, send him in.

Okay. (DOOR OPENS)

You think I was born yesterday, Scott?

If I didn't know you better, I think

you're trying to con me into a payoff.

And you know I'm leveling.

Get your clothes, Louie. I'm taking you

back to the murder of

Harry Elkins and Joey Hodges.

You look crap. Joey was like my own kid.

Oh, now that he's gone, you're gonna

adopt little Lila, hmm?

-You can't make that stick.

-Now, what is she doing here?

You think her jewelry wouldn't believe

you got rid of him to get her?

You want something, you're pressuring me.

You know I had nothing

to do with those killings.

Did Lila get a good look at

the guy who did the nothing?

She had to get out of there fast. She

isn't sure she could identify him or not.

What was she and Joey doing in my eye?

They went there to do some shopping

before joining me down here.

(LAUGHS)

And some guy bumped him off because he

was shopping in the wrong store.

How do I know it? The reason was you got

all kinds of crackpots

in the tourist seats.

Maybe the guy was off

his rocker or something.

(GUNSHOT) Okay, Louie. Maybe Lila will

do better with the answers.

I'm taking her back as a

witness, back to Miami.

So that's what you want.

That's why you were pressuring me.

Listen to me, Scott.

You take her back to Miami, that killer's

gonna get another crack at her.

Maybe next time she won't be so lucky,

maybe she winds up dead.

I want a killer that bad, they can do it.

No, no, not here. Here, she's safe.

I don't want anything to happen to her.

Rope comes to Andy Ascot.

Hmm?

(LAUGHS)

The grass is in here.

All right, let's drink.

(BANGS GAVEL)

(SHOUTS)

(SHOUTING)

-What happened to my

baby? -Easy, baby, easy.

(LAUGHS)

(ALL CHATTER)

(ALL CHATTER)

Where did you happen?

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

What happened?

Lila Hodges.

Yeah, she's Lila.

It's OK, baby.

He knows.

He'll be all right.

Where'd the shot come from?

I'll stand up.

I didn't think it could happen.

Not here.

You still think you'd be

safe ahead and with the police?

What's he mean?

He wants you to go to Miami

and answer some questions.

Lila, maybe you should go.

What kind of double cross is--

Easy, baby.

I think it'll be all right.

You haven't done anything wrong.

You have nothing to be afraid of.

Just maybe some nut with a gun.

You answer some questions for the police.

They catch this maniac, and you come back

till we all frame clear.

We going about our business, huh?

All right, Lila.

I don't know very much,

but I'll tell the police.

OK, Lieutenant.

So do we. Get out of here.

I'll never save her.

I'll feel.

One thing you remember, Scott, you got to

give her protection.

Anything goes wrong.

I'm taking it out of your hide.

What about your clothes?

They're upstairs.

Don't get them.

Don't try anything funny.

Havana police are just

looking for a shape like yours

to whistle at.

You shouldn't talk

like that to Lila Scott.

You just stay out of Miami, huh, Scott?

The way you feel about

her could still give us

a motive for Joey's death.

The airport's the other way.

That's right.

Look, Scott, you're supposed to get me out of here. I'm going to get you out of here. Look, Scott, you're supposed to get me

out of Havana in a hurry.

I've forgotten that a guy

with a gun is looking for me.

Relax.

You're going to spend

the night at my hotel.

Why, you cheap cop, if you think you--

I said relax.

No, he'll kill you.

He won't let you get away with it.

We're giving this chance.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Mr. and Mrs. Broad Scott.

Louie's going to love

that on the hotel register.

Lila, you're going to get

more attention than a wife.

I'm going to get you out of my sight.

So it's not me.

You're up to something.

That's using the overhead.

Well, what do we do?

Sit right here in

this room until morning?

I don't know.

I'm not even sure you're

going to live till morning.

Was that supposed to mean?

I like Havana.

Lots of night spots to go to.

You and I could do it up big.

I'm not moving out of this room.

We don't know where the killer is.

We don't know he won't see me.

Well, there's a

chance we'll have to take.

We'll have to take.

It's my neck, not yours.

Now listen to me, Scott.

You'll have to drag me

out of this room screaming.

Now you're so loud, they'll

hear me clear back in Miami.

Ready to make a deal?

What kind of a deal?

Tell me why Joey was killed and will

be on the next plane to Miami.

How could I know?

I wasn't even with him at the time.

OK, so we go to the town tonight.

And if you haven't told me

by morning, maybe Louis will.

And if Louis doesn't

kill you, maybe I will.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Got away.

No more.

I've had enough.

Let's go back.

Ready to talk?

I've told you I don't know anything.

How much can you do to me?

My nose feels as if

they're coming through my skin.

Now you know this can

go on not after night.

I don't mind.

I'm having a good time.

Taxpayers are picking up the chick.

What you got instead of blood, Scott?

And bombing fluid?

Harry Elkins had real blood.

What good did it do him?

I'm going to ask her.

That's where you'll get yours.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Thought they went to Miami.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Here he comes.

Which hospital you want to go to?

I don't like double crosses, Scott.

You said you'd get Lila off the island

and give her protection.

I changed my mind.

Just like that?

In Cuba, you're not a cop.

Maybe you forgot.

Oh, no, I didn't forget.

That's where I asked some

friends to meet me here.

Senor Ascot, your friend George Evans

operated in Havana for a long time

without any trouble.

Perhaps you should have

learned a few things from him.

Well, what's the pitch this to?

I was worried about your memory, Louie.

I-- I think it's slipping.

The office is in the back.

Senor Ascot, the Taurus Commission here

wants everyone to think the

Cuban climate is very helpful.

We stay here with Lieutenant Scott

to make sure he enjoys that good health.

[CHATTER]

How long are you going

to be a wise guy, Scott?

I play ball with you.

Have a night.

Louie, I'm going to give you a chance

to show Lila how much

she really means to you.

Well, maybe I don't need you for that.

Oh, you do.

You do.

I'm practically the best man.

Louie, you know where she

and I have been all night?

Dancing, eating,

drinking, every spot and time.

You did that?

Knowing that trigger

happy killer's in town?

He thinks you're going to

tell him why Joey was killed.

He's not going to take me

out of the van until he knows.

Well, you stinking cop--

It's no use, Louie.

I'll call him everything already.

You think this is playing rough?

I could hang you up by your

thumbs or her or anyone else

that's necessary.

It would help me find out

who killed Harry Elkins.

Well, Louie, you going to

tell me what I want to know?

Or does your girlfriend

still make like a clay pigeon?

All I know is I couldn't

stand another 24 hours in Havana.

I didn't tell him anything.

If you wonder, it's up to you.

Joey was in Miami because a new mob

is going to take over your state.

You expect me to swallow that?

You ever hear of a guy

named Raymond Sheridan?

Sheridan?

Criminal lawyer?

Well, he's your boy.

He's going to push legalized gambling

through in the next election.

Why didn't you tell me before?

Two men were killed,

Georgie Evans and Joey.

I was ready to move in, Scott.

I was ready to move in and turn Florida

into a battlefield if I had to.

Evans and Joey were sent out here to lay

the groundwork, huh?

If we could have got rid of Sheridan

without getting

rough, we'd have tried it.

Sheridan didn't wait.

He killed my men.

Your information, Evans was on that plane

that blew up a couple of months back.

Harry walked into that, huh?

It's been happening

right under your nose.

Business is falling off

in Reno, Vegas, and here.

We couldn't stand the

competition of another state

opening up.

You see how it is, Scott?

It's either Sheridan or it's us.

Now, there's gotta be

more to it than that.

Somebody's in this with Sheridan.

He couldn't do this alone.

He has millions to spend

the many needs he'll buy.

I'm guessing one of them will be that

lobby guy, Oliver Tubbs.

Tubbs?

You see, you happen to be

a pretty square guy, Scott.

But Sheridan's buying the

ones who aren't so square,

and maybe they're more Sheridan's kind.

You want my advice, you'll

leave your guns and mothballs.

You've been a good

boy a long time, Louis.

It's paid off.

Don't spoil it.

Do it your way.

You mess it up.

I forget the mothballs, and I go looking

for Sheridan myself.

Is that all of it?

It's all I know.

Well, Lila, you and I can be on our way

to Miami tomorrow morning.

You're more valuable now than ever.

You helped me stop Sheridan.

I don't know.

Maybe the governor

will pin a medal on him.

Just forget the medals, huh, Scott?

Make sure you send it

back to me in one piece.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Get this gun off me.

I got back from the

hospital about a half hour ago.

They say she'll be sick of

fire, but she'll recover.

You had it right.

The lab boys found traces of strychnine

at one of the coffee cups on the plane.

What you tell me about Sheridan is true.

This Lila Hodges is

just a drop in a bucket,

especially with men like Oliver Tubbs

throwing it with him.

How are we going to need it, Chief?

There are two things we've got to do.

We've got to find the murderer so that

Lila can identify him

and then tie the

murderer in with Sheridan.

You haven't seen the morning papers.

Tubbs came out publicly demanding a

cleanup of the state.

Down with vice, gambling, crooked

politics, the words.

The propaganda started already, huh?

Yeah.

This is the best

administration the state's ever had.

But by election time, you'll have

convinced the voters

that we're all a bunch of crooks.

We've got to prove

Sheridan's the murderer.

Now, our best wedge is Lila Hodges.

We've got to keep her alive.

And the best guarantee of that is to make

Sheridan think she's dead.

What would that get us?

Well, Sheridan can't be

sure how much Lila knows.

If he thinks she's

alive, he'll walk on glass.

If he thinks she's dead, he'll open up.

That's what we want.

Why would you handle it?

I don't know. I don't know.

Let it come from you.

Give it to the papers that

Lila Hodges died this morning

sometime after being

admitted to the hospital.

It could backfire.

I know. I know.

You've got more to lose than I have.

We got a place to hide

her until we need her?

I think so.

All right.

Move her out of the

hospital when you can.

I'll arrange for the death

certificate and the newspapers.

Right. Oh, Bart.

Do you want me to recommend you now for

that permanent captain spot?

Well, you see, whether you have to make

out a death certificate for me first.

Well, there's Endicott, Torman, Hobart,

Spanner, Meany and Blanco.

We're all with me 100%.

All right.

But Allenson, Dobie and

Jensen, tell me down cold.

Oh.

Perhaps they need a

different kind of persuasion.

What?

Perhaps something

that may help you. Come.

Hmm. This is a file on Victor Jensen.

A file? Hmm-hmm. Look it through.

Well, this is fantastic.

Where did you get this information?

Impressive, isn't it?

Who could have believed such things of

the righteous Victor Jensen?

Powerful civic and society leader.

Which, but is it all true?

Mr. Jensen is a very discreet gentleman.

Somehow he's managed to

hide the crimes of his youth.

I'd say he'd hidden them from everybody in the world except two people.

His wife and her friends. And now, of course, you.

So what about the other files?

All charming little exposits.

Hmm.

There's even one in the

name of Oliver Terrance.

Who's here then, file?

Don't bother. It's complete.

You know, I'm very thorough

if the stakes are high enough,

but you're my friend.

Instead of forcing you to do it, I want to pay a million dollars.

I'm going to pay you a million dollars. I'm going to pay you a million dollars. Instead of forcing you to do it, I want

to pay a million dollar fee.

That's to show you of my good intentions.

Tell me how long have

you had these files?

Everything was prepared

before I moved to Florida.

Oh.

So you're going to blackmail Jensen into

lending his name to this committee?

No, Oliver, I'm not.

You are.

Oh, but this is hideous.

All these people are my friends.

All you're going to do is to give him a

chance to make a lot of money.

I don't know. I just don't know.

I'm going to show them of it.

I shall be running the

gambling license commission,

and only our friends will

have licenses to operate.

No gangsters, Oliver.

Just a very clubby group of gentlemen.

So, here are the files

on Allenson and Dobie.

Talk to them and, uh, and Victor Jensen.

And I'm sure this time they'll see the

value of ridding Florida

of the thieves and murderers

attracted by illegal gambling.

Be right back, Sergeant.

Hey, Bart, this is Gene.

This is Gene.

Take him in there, Groban.

If she wants to walk a bit let her.

Doctor said she'll get

better faster that way.

But you know I'm scared.

Groban will be here with you.

There's no cabin to mine us so far in the

Everglades. Even I need

him. I have to find it.

You're gonna take over

Harry's job, aren't you?

You wouldn't want me to

slap things off now, would you?

I don't know.

There'll be lots of time here to think

things out. I have to

consider Steve's future.

Thanks for helping me with the letter. No

one else had their trust.

Maybe that'll give you

something to think about, too.

I gave her another Saturday. She'll be

knocked out in a few minutes.

Okay, Groban, take care

of him. I need him. Call.

If anything happens, use the phone. It's

working. I made sure.

Hey, Uncle Ron, I need pencils again. The

kind Captain Elkins used to send.

I'll bring them.

I'll bring them. I'll bring them.

(GRUNTS)

I warned you, Scott. I said if anything

happened to Lila, you'd get your lumps.

Get your hoods out of here, ass cunt.

Don't you ever stop giving orders.

No.

(SIGHS)

She's alive, you idiot.

She's okay. We want

Sheridan to think she's dead.

What kind of a stall are you giving me?

If she's alive, where is she?

Better than a cab in any other garage.

We'll keep her there till we want her.

It won't take me long to

find out if you're leveling.

You bird-brained idiot.

Go on, hand Sheridan what he wants on a

silver platter. Play into his hands.

Take things with your own hands and

Lila's still liable to get killed.

You're mad. Okay, so you're mad. When I

read in the paper, made me mad.

There's a lot riding on

this coming election, Scott.

Maybe I'll just stay here

to do some fishing, huh?

Yeah.

Bait your hook with these two punks.

You want to fish fish?

Now stay out of my hair.

Would you say your

cabin wasn't I didn't say?

You're good cops, Scotty.

I like you.

In the week following the publicized

death of Lila Hodges,

Oliver Tubbs stepped up his campaign to

form committees in every large city.

He toured the state to hold secret

meetings with influential men

on behalf of the legal gambling bill.

Where necessary, he resorted to the

blackmail information

contained in the

files of Raymond Sheridan.

Sheridan became more

brazen, more sure of himself.

He began to take chances.

One such chance was his desire to secure

the backing of Henry Tremont,

a man who figured prominently in the

phenomenal growth of Florida.

It was a move that could have

far-reaching effects on

the entire election campaign.

If Tremont went with Sheridan, the

gambling bill was

almost assured of success.

And on Henry Tremont,

Sheridan had dug deep

to prepare the most

vicious blackmail file of all.

Tubbs, I've known you

for more than 25 years.

I've always known you'd stoop

low to gain what you wanted.

But I didn't think

blackmail was a weapon you'd use.

Oh, look, you're going off the deep end

all we want as your support,

and that support will

bring you a fortune.

And if I don't give it to you, you're

ready to ruin the lives of

my daughter and her husband.

Well, I hope you

don't make that necessary.

We have nothing personal

against Lewis and Bill, but...

Not only will I not

lend my name to that Bill,

but I'll do everything

in my power to fight.

Now, look, you...

Get out, Tubbs!

Tubbs, run! So help me out!

All right, honey.

I hope you realize this

is a mistake on your part.

What is Oliver? Is he gone?

Yes.

Martha, sit down.

Is something wrong?

It's a great deal, Rowan.

Please sit down, honey.

Tubbs knows about Bill.

How'd he find out?

I don't know.

But I can't think of anyone in the world

I'd rather not have find out.

It's something he

wants. Is that right, Henry?

Yes.

And you don't want to give it to him?

Tubbs chooses to make this public.

It would mean the end of our lives here in Charlie Lane. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. And you're asking me

to make the decision?

I want you to have the choice.

If you want me to string

along with Tubbs, I will.

Oh, darling.

It seems like so much to give up.

I'll get in touch with Tubbs.

He can have what he wants.

It'll be all right.

I'll be all right. I'll be all right. It'll be only one more

thing we have to live with.

I don't want you to help him.

How's about a drink?

I'll fix him.

Big, tall ones.

I did everything but throw me out.

I tell you, this treemunt is a tough guy.

He's got to fight us.

You know what that

means. Trouble. Big trouble.

I should never have gone near him.

You should have left well enough alone.

I'll tell you something, Ray. You're

overstepping yourself,

and I'm the one who's being hurt by it.

I'm sure the fee you're receiving will

help to soothe your injured feelings.

Go home, Oliver. Get a good night's rest.

Henry Treemunt's not

going to stand in our way.

How could he be so sure?

Let's just say that I

have faith in our enterprise.

You know, Ray, sometimes you're scared to

let me take lights out of me.

Afternoon, Oliver.

So long.

Please, what?

Somebody tell something! Hey, wait. Hold it, son.

(COUGHING)

I think that's about all of it, honey.

Well, aren't you going to kiss me hello?

After what you said last

time, I need an invitation.

I've missed you. Is

that enough invitation?

Kiss her with you. She hadn't had her mind on the gin game all week. I always wondered what

kind of women fell for cops.

Is there a special kind?

With the beating they

take on the money they get?

Are you serious?

See, you're feeling bitter.

Oh, she felt good enough

the second day to beef.

How long have I got to

stay holed up in this swab?

I wish I knew.

Sheridan's the one making all the progress, not us.

Doubt to the star of the campaign all over the place. Committees in every city.

If you think I want to stay here till election time...

Get in the house. (TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

It's Louis Ascot.

Ascot, are you crazy coming here?

I thought you might like

some company, Scotty Boy.

Okay. Where is she?

Come inside.

Sit this one out,

Admiral. It won't be long.

You boys have a crap game or something.

(DOOR OPENS)

Lila, baby.

I'm never gonna believe what

I read in the papers again.

You know, Cheryl, it...

Yeah. The swamps agree with me.

Sheridan's men have been

watching you like hawks...

...ever since you came to Miami.

What if they trace Lila here through you?

You know how long I've been

trying to find this place.

Every day for three

days we've been looking.

And I knew what I was looking for.

Sheridan has no reason to look.

I just hope he didn't give me one.

Scotty Boy, you worry too much.

But I like a guy who

plays square with me.

He said Lila was alive and she is.

I just wanted to come here and make sure.

If anything had

happened to her, I don't...

(DOOR OPENS)

Yeah?

This is Scot.

Who?

I'll get right back to town.

What is it, Scott?

Henry Tremont's been shot to death.

Tremont's a big shot contractor?

The wife says Oliver Tubbs did it.

Now ask Scott you saw her, she's alive,

you and your playmates. Clear out.

Grover, you see where...

...go.

Oh, this is silly,

gentlemen. You know me.

I wouldn't kill anybody.

I'm a peace-loving man.

There are other character witnesses among

the top men of this

state of the box world.

You're accused of

blackmailing murder, Tubbs.

Your big shot prince

can't talk you out of that.

Well, you've only got

the word of Martha Tremont.

I like it. I admire her.

I've known her for many years.

I don't know why she'd

do a thing like this.

Maybe it was the shock

of Henry being killed.

If you didn't do it, Tubbs, who did? Are

you trying to save your own skin?

I'm trying to protect someone else's.

Look, I told you, I

don't know who killed him.

Man was killed at Havana.

The same gun that got

him got Henry Tremont.

Why haven't been in Havana for 15 years?

Man who killed Tremont

poisoned Lila Hodges.

What's Lila Hodges got to do with this?

Raymond Sheridan is behind these murders.

We think you're trying to

do his dirty work for him.

Let it sink in, Tubbs.

It's either your neck or his.

Chief, let's go look

at those fingerprints.

Yeah.

There's a couple of guards outside the

door. Don't get funny.

Tubbs didn't do the actual killing.

He wouldn't know what to

do with the .357 Magnum.

You sure you left the switch open?

Yeah. Come on.

Okay.

Let's send Sheridan and

let Tubbs take the ram.

And Tubbs is a fool.

Strange, with all the smart deals he's

pulled in this state,

he'd let himself be made a patsy by

someone like Sheridan.

Well, if he thinks he's in trouble now,

Widdley finds out Lila

Hodges is still alive.

Is your timing so tight with Sheridan?

They'll never have a chance.

And by that time, it'll be too late for

Tubbs attorneys to do anything about it.

Hey, Chief, is that intercom open?

That ought to give him an earful.

I'll go and release him.

That ought to stop his

lawyers from screaming.

I'm under arrest for murder

and then you go in swimming, eh?

Well, is my lawyer special out in there?

Eh?

Go, have a drink.

No, I don't want a drink.

I want to know the truth.

What do you know about the

death of Henry Tree-Mond?

Why, am I supposed to know something?

Well, the police seem to think so.

That's impossible.

They're looking over an open intercom.

They didn't know it.

They think that you're responsible and

you're letting me take the blame.

And do you believe that?

Well, if you wanted a blackmail,

Tree-Mond, what else could I believe?

You're a frightened

little rabbit, Oliver.

Well, I was in that jail and you weren't.

And here's another thing I heard, man.

Wila Hodges isn't dead.

Oh, that it does mean something to you.

How do you know about the Hodges woman?

Just something I heard at

headquarters, that's all.

I want you to leave the country.

What, John Bale?

Why, that would be

admitting that I killed Tree-Mond.

You heard me. Start running.

I'll put a private

plane at your disposal.

Go to South America, get yourself lost.

Yeah, but my money.

You'll get your money.

Look, I can't pull up stage like that.

I'm giving you your life, you moron.

You and Lila Hodges are the only two who

can hurt me and she's

not going to be so lucky.

Get out!

I never want to see your

silly face in Florida again.

I must arrest her right to

the hospital and pumped her up.

I just don't understand how she took it.

Don't get it. She must be made of iron.

You can't afford another mistake, Maury.

Time's run out.

Lila's got to be found.

Now wait, Ray.

There's something that may

give us the answer to this.

I had Chuck Borden tailing Louis Ascot.

He told me that Louis took a little joy right up in the Everglades. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. He told me that Louis took a little joy

right up in the Everglades.

Let's face it, the Everglades are for a

tourist and sportsman.

And our boy Louis, neither one of those.

Well, get going.

Check with you later.

Yes, sir. Gentlemen,

do something for you.

Yeah, we're thinking

about taking a little ride.

A friend of ours told us you took him on

one and it was real good.

Maybe you could take

us to the same place.

Sure thing. But who is

your friend so I know?

A fellow named Ascot, Louis Ascot.

Yeah, I remember him, but

that's not our usual run, mister.

Look, well, 100 buys the same trip today.

For 100 bucks, mister, I'll take you

clear to Havana for that.

You just go on and get aboard. I'll call

the boss and tell him we're taking off.

He has to send somebody

else over to watch the office.

Okay, Parker, go.

Yes.

Could Captain Scott please?

Could Captain, this is Gil

Miller at the boat house.

Those guys are here.

I didn't think it was

going to happen this fast.

It's going to be rough. Is

your radio transmitter set up?

All set. It'll pick up

anything they say, all right.

You better hurry up, Kev. I don't like

being caught in the middle of this.

Yeah, sure. I'll try to

make the trip as slow as I can.

Yeah, look.

Yeah, boy.

Oh, everything's nice

and quiet around here.

You jumped the gun.

You're on the way out

here now. How many are there?

All right, Bart.

We'll do the best we can.

No, no, I won't let them leave the house.

But Bart, look. Get out here quickly.

Fine.

Bad news, huh?

In either of you handle a gun.

What's with the guns?

I've done a little

hunting with Bart. What's wrong?

Sheridan's killers are

on the way out here now.

What?

You think I'm going to stay here and get

killed? You're crazy.

Let me out! Get out of here!

Don't come! I don't want

to be killed! Let me go!

Listen to me.

I'm just giving the owners of the ways to

go into those trees.

A place is full of quicksand and you

wouldn't last a hundred yards.

Now, Shaggy, come on! Sit down.

Sit down.

We didn't expect it to

work out this way, but...

...the headquarters set up a trap to

bring Sheridan's killers out of the open.

The trap was sprung too fast.

Now, the police are going to try to get

here first. They may not make it.

So now you know what's happening.

There's a gun for you, huh?

Steve, you and my pal?

Yes.

You're a man, my boy.

And when these men get here...

...I want you to lie down on the floor

and make like a carpet.

Don't even lift that

little head of yours, okay?

Okay. I won't.

Man up, boy.

How's it come for you?

I've never shot away in my life.

Maybe this will be

your day to learn, baby.

Even if you can't hit him, just keep

firing him. Keep him ducking for cover.

Stupid. I don't want

you to be frightened.

Frightened? Mother, this is terrific.

Wait till the other kids

hear how we lick those crooks.

How about that? He may not report the

headquarters already.

And up, boy.

Yeah. If somebody wanted to get lost,

they could shoot through to this place.

You guys have never

been through here before?

No. And after today, I don't think we'll

ever have to go through it again.

A guy could show how

this guy back came around.

His wife had a fight and got about it.

Maybe that's what our friend Louie Ascot did. You're old enough to know that. Get out of the way. See you later, kid. Aloha. Maybe that's what our

friend Louis Ascot did.

Yeah.

That's why we're so anxious to let his powers know about his book trip.

Anybody want me to read to them?

There's a kid. No one's going on here.

He's a child. He's a child.

Sit down. You're going to the police.

They're a fool coming to keep you acting

right with that big mouth.

They don't come by, but when they come,

my foot laughs someplace else.

With what Bart told me about the land

around here, they'd never make it.

Well, maybe they'll get

lucky. Maybe they will make it.

We'll be sitting here like

a bunch of rats in a trap.

They could shoot through their windows so

fast we wouldn't even...

Shoot their heels.

Either you have no guts or no brains,

which I don't know, but

that's a kid over there.

You understand a kid. And he

has to rely on us, all of us.

What's a good thing he's confused?

I better go outside so I

can hear what's coming.

What's he picking on me for?

He had an ass to be made up of pigeon.

It's his responsibility to see that

nothing happens to you.

Suppose you had to worry

about somebody else's life.

You're going to make me

feel like a two-pin heel, too?

Oh, no. That wouldn't be you.

You're the kind of a girl

that goes to church on Sunday

and wishes every day was Christmas.

And you've never felt that way. You're the kind of girl that goes to church on Sunday and wishes every day was Christmas.

And you've never felt that way.

Christmas is for people who get presents.

They've never got

anything I didn't learn.

Lila, we all came here to

help you. We didn't have to.

And you, shut up!

What's a two-pin heel?

Are you kidding? I knew what that was

before I could walk.

Maybe that's the trouble.

Sure, why not? Will's full of them.

My father was one of the

first guys I ever loved.

His one of the schmoe I married was one.

But that's the first time

anybody ever called me one.

Brogan's made mistakes before.

Want some coffee?

How can you do so, Carl?

They've been worse for you with a kid.

I know the police will

do everything they can.

I thought you didn't

think too much of cops.

That seems to be my fate, Lila.

I think it'll go too much of them.

Really overboard for that Scott guy.

Yes.

Well, it's times like these

it would be sure good to hear

the pattern of size 13s around the house.

Well, Scott's okay.

He could have made a pass

of me in Havana, but not.

He was strictly a business.

All cop.

Maybe you shouldn't try

and make him anything else.

Marry him, kid. Then you got it made.

Sitting around

remembering you're a widow at L

That is if we ever get out of this windy.

Lila, I want you to be right.

How's about me telling you some stories?

You know some good ones?

Oh, buttes.

Here, come on.

Let's start off when I was a kid, hoping

for the USO in Lausanne.

Okay.

You've been riding

around these squads for hours.

What are you trying to do?

Make a career out of this?

Look, I'm responsible for you, man.

You go too fast in here and you stand a

good chance of ripping out your bottom.

Skip, Berdle, Louis Ascot

went in here for a reason.

I paid you 100 bucks to

find out what that reason is.

Wait, friend. I don't want any

conversation out of you.

I just want you to get us where we're

going before it starts.

Otherwise, you might

not make that return trip.

Look, I didn't hire after.

Suppose you just make this

crate do a little faster.

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

Sheridan's getting impatient.

Now, this time, we don't make any mistake

with a conscious woman.

That's it. That's the time with Sheridan.

(HORSE WHINNYING)

There's an airboat coming.

Look, Stevie, you won't be

able to do what I told you.

No.

Anna, boy.

Anna, I want you to go blow on your top.

We're gonna have enough trouble as it is.

Hey, Grogan, did I ever

show you the soft shoe

I did with Luzon with the shells landing

about 100 yards away?

What did you do, get

the bougie on his arm?

Boy, he should have got a medal.

I did. I got a good conduct medal.

From a general in two currents.

Thanks.

You know, I kind of forgot about Luzon.

I was too dumb to be

afraid of guns in those days.

Why don't you get real stupid now and

grab that .38 over there?

Right.

Let's come over here.

Here they come.

Of course, Stevie.

Drop your eyes, baby.

Don't make like a hero, Skipper.

(GUNSHOTS)

(GUNSHOTS)

Watch, move.

Away and all the Marines.

Hey, Sarge, we held the beachhead.

(GUNSHOTS)

Go ahead, Sarge.

No guts, cop.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

How do you like that?

Always kiss him.

(SIREN WAILING)

Well, I guess that's it.

Lila's identification of Marty Pell.

Pell's testimony should put the rest of

them where they belong.

If I am sorry he's dead, I'd like to have

seen him come to trial.

Might have served as a better warning to

some of these other guys with big ideas.

Wonder what Florida would have been like

with legal gambling.