Randall Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969) s01e20 Episode Script

Money to Burn

- Morning, Jack.
- Morning.
How much have you got today? Phew! The way we got through it I'm surprised there's any left.
Don't think that I don't feel the same way, too.
All that money - just a few bundles, that's all I'd need.
I must be mad doing this job.
- There's worse.
- Worse? What could be worse than having to look at that lot? How would you like to be the fellow who throws it into the furnace? Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
All that lovely money going up in flames.
That's right.
There must be somebody, somewhere who's trying to save it? Oh, yes, there's money in it - money to burn.
- Oh, er - Yes? Jeff Jeff Randall not in? No, he's out for today.
Can I help you? No, it's a personal matter really.
Oh, I see.
Would you like to leave a message? Oh, I No, I'd rather see him.
Who shall I say called? Hmm No, I'd rather leave it, really! - All right.
Is it a job? - A job? - No, no, it's nothing like that.
- Oh.
Don't look too worried - there's money in it.
I'll get hold of him.
- Thanks.
- Thanks.
Bye! Bye.
This isn't the way to my place.
No, it's the way to mine.
Nightcap? One martini, wine with dinner and two very large after-dinner brandies.
Well, seems reasonable.
Plus a car ride to your apartment.
Miss Saxon, how long have you been a lawyer? Three years.
Your facts are all right but your conclusions are shaky.
I thought we had business to discuss.
All right.
I'll guarantee you're offered nothing stronger than coffee.
- Whisky for the lady.
- O'Malley! The very same.
- Shall I, er, pour the drinks? - Let's get in first.
- And complete the introductions.
- I'm not staying.
But I still don't know who y'are.
You can't appear like this and then fade away like nothing happened.
It's my lawyer.
Miss Elizabeth Saxon, Kevin O'Malley.
An old friend.
And burden.
It must be six years since we've seen each other.
Will you have that drink? No, you must have a lot to talk about.
And there's not much left of the night.
- I'll drive you home.
- No, the porter will get me a cab.
You stay and entertain Mr.
O'Malley.
Phew! Your, er, lawyer, you said? And if I know you, she's gonna come in very handy.
Now, Jeff All right, O'Malley, what is it this time? A fantastic opportunity.
The last time as I remember it was 27,000 pairs of false teeth.
This is a bit different, Jeff.
Now, joking apart, I don't need your help.
It's for old times' sake, Jeff.
There's a big score between us and this'll help to even it up.
- What are you on about? - You thick Englishman.
In me dumb Irish way, I'm grateful for all the jams you've got me out of in the past.
Oh, yeah? Can you see why the English and the Irish remain best enemies? - There's a bit of Irish in me.
- Yes, the worst bit.
- Look, you don't owe me a thing.
- Oh, yes I do.
So here it is.
I'm offering you a half share in 475,000 pounds.
- That's a lot of false teeth.
- I'm serious, Jeff.
- The money's there - For the taking.
For the taking.
You mean you're giving me a chance to steal 475,000 pounds? Not exactly steal, no.
It's more like we're going to salvage it.
Somebody doesn't want half a million? Used notes.
Withdrawn from circulation to be incinerated in Battersea power station tomorrow night.
- You're not mixed up with this? - I am.
I've got it all laid on.
I switch three plain wooden crates at the last moment and they burn a half a hundredweight of newsprint, and nobody's the worse off.
Somebody's bound to be! Not on this deal.
That's what's so perfect! It is, like I said, more salvage than stealing.
Look, I've got it all laid on.
I'd like to cut you in.
Now, don't answer me now, you can reach me through this girl.
- Anne-Marie.
- Anne-Marie? Benson.
She's a very torchy singer at the Club 70.
Just say it's Jeff, she knows all about you.
Ring me.
Now, don't forget - ring me.
I can tell you now what my answer Sure, and I know what it would be but just let the thought of all that money run around in your head.
Wait till your next rent's due and you can't pay it.
Or you need a new car and you can't pay for it then you'll think of your old mate Kevin O'Malley.
But then it'll be too late, Jeff.
That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will have slipped through your fingers.
Ring me.
So he wouldn't pay our fee? No.
And he knows I can't afford to take him to court.
He's the thief! I hope someone steals his whole perishable supermarket! What are we gonna do? - I'm gonna have an early night.
- We've been broke before but - I know but what can I do? - But listen! - I'll see you tomorrow.
- Yeah.
Police.
'Hello? Hello?' - Get off! What are you doing?! - A warrant to search the premises.
All right, the full treatment.
Take the place apart.
Now wait a minute! - You'll be compensated if necessary.
- "If necessary"? Look! - All right, Tompkins.
- Thanks.
- What is this all about? - Last night, Tuesday the 23rd, your car was seen parked besides the Battersea power station.
Oh.
So all this is for a parking offence? He's got quite a sense of humour.
Who wouldn't have, with half a million stashed away? - Half a million? - You didn't know? - No! - You'll have to come to the station.
- What if I refuse? - Get dressed and make it fast! Eleven o'clock! This won't do, Jeff! What's that? Is that you banging, Jeff? Jeff?! Jeff? What are you doing in here? - Driving offence.
- What'd you do, pinch a bus? No, parked next to the place somebody stole half a million from.
Half a million?! - Someone's wrecked the apartment.
- I know.
- Who? - The police.
Oh.
You weren't there, were you? - Where? - The half a million.
No, they must have the wrong car number.
It shouldn't take long to sort out.
The office phone was going and Jeannie wasn't there.
- She's at her aunt's.
- Cybil? - Sussex? - That's Matilda's.
What's the matter? - Is this getting you down? - No, no.
When they check your story you'll be out.
Sure.
You don't mind answering a few questions, do you? Not at all, as long as you'll answer me one.
- Go ahead.
- Am I under arrest - and if so, what's the charge? - No charge, Randall, as yet.
- Then I can go? - In theory, yes.
When you've answered my questions.
Let's get started - when my lawyer arrives! All right, first things first.
Where were you last night? You don't have to answer that.
Well, Randall? - I was out.
- So your hall porter told us.
- Did you take your car? - Yeah.
A white saloon number RXD 966 F? - Yeah.
- Then where were you last night? I was out with a girl.
Went to dinner, a couple of clubs, can't remember where.
- Her name? - Anne-Marie.
She sings in some club.
- Which club? - I don't know.
This girl, Anne-Marie, what's her surname? Benson.
Anne-Marie Benson.
Great, Jeff, you'll be out of here in no time.
All right, Randall, we'll check on this.
Will you stay with your client, Miss Saxon? Yes, thank you.
We'll have Miss Benson's confirmation in no time.
One way or the other.
Miss Saxon? Elizabeth Will you do something for me? Anne-Marie Benson works at the Club 70.
- You didn't tell the police that.
- Club 70? I didn't mention it so you could get a start.
What sort of start? Get there before the police.
Why should I see Anne-Marie before the police? Well, to let her know what questions they're going to ask her.
What does it matter if you were with her? It might be misinterpreted if I saw Anne-Marie.
Sort of like priming the pot.
Yeah, I didn't think of it like that.
Hold it, girls! Jenny, I don't know what you're doing! Watch this movement, make it much, much bigger.
One, two, three, four.
All right, after two.
One, two one, two, three, four.
Right, let's see it from the back.
After two - one, two! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! - One, two - OK, Don, give the girls a break.
All right, girls.
Five, quick about it! Anne, these gentlemen would like a word with you.
- Police? - Detective Inspector Large.
This is Detective Sergeant Hinds.
Thank you, Miss Kendon.
Miss, er, Benson? I believe you know a Mr.
Jeff Randall? - The name's familiar.
- "Familiar"? Come on! - When did you see him last? - Last night! Look, I said the name's familiar, I can't tell when I last saw him, if I ever saw him, that is.
Of course.
See if this jogs your memory.
Maybe.
Do you recall seeing him last night? To me it's a nothing face.
Maybe I saw him and maybe I didn't.
What did you do last night, Miss Benson? Last night, Tuesday My night off.
Did you spend any part of it with Mr.
Randall? Miss Benson? No, definitely not.
- How long will it take? - That depends what you want to know.
Whether that car was in the Battersea area in the last 10 days.
- Tall order, eh? - Not really.
Battersea's a particularly industrial area.
- How does that help? - Areas have characteristic fallout.
It depends on the type of factories in the area.
Different permutations leave different fallout ash on the car or on a man's shoes.
You take a look at this.
Each colour indicates the chemical composition of the area's fallout.
Battersea - aluminium, sulphur, magnesium.
Ah, thank you.
Now we shall know.
Aluminium, sulphur, magnesium.
No doubt about it.
- What does that prove? - This car has been in the area.
At least once in the last 10 days.
Well? Anne-Marie didn't go along with my story, eh? She didn't know you.
The name was familiar, though.
- And the car has been in Battersea.
- How'd they work that out? We've had it down in the laboratories.
- "We"? - Your alibi doesn't stand up.
- That's right.
- Well, don't just lie there.
This could carry - I know the form.
- All right, I'll go along with that.
Come on, Jeff, open up a bit.
- You're in deep.
- I know how deep I'm in! What, then? Some kind of trouble? Blackmail, is that it? - You're being forced to cooperate? - You're way out.
Well, to my way of thinking there's only one possibility left.
You were there because you wanted to be.
That's it, isn't it? You've conned me, the inspector, your lawyer - everybody! Me! Why don't you go to wherever you go until this blows over? Oh, it's not that easy - I'm supposed to be your friend, not someone you make a fool of the minute something goes wrong.
All right if that's the way you want it.
I'm going.
- Marty? - Yes? Nothing.
Right.
Still worried about your pal Randall? Why shouldn't I be? He's in jail and it's my fault.
It's not your fault.
His own stupidity put him there.
Anyway, I've got to see him.
Don't be a fool, Kevin.
You've had too much to drink.
Too much - or not enough.
# I'll see you home again, Kathleen Across the ocean wide and wild Oh, ho ho! # To where your heart has ever been Since first you were my bonny Come on, now, sir.
Steady on, please.
Come on.
Just a minute, what do you think? Cool off in 'ere Come on, in you go.
Take it easy.
This is a lovely place! Jeff? Hey, Jeff?! It's O'Malley! Jeff, it's O'Malley! It's O'Malley.
- What are you doing here? - I had to talk to you.
- What are they charging you with? - The full half million.
I put your girlfriend up for an alibi but she didn't come through.
She wasn't to know, was she? And why would you be needing an alibi anyway? Look, you've got 12 hours.
- 12 hours? What for? - To get out of the country! Hey, wait a minute I don't need to get out of the country! - It's a tricky game.
- That one of us is playing, yeah.
- You didn't take the money? - Right, and you say the same.
- Right! - OK, then.
From now on it looks like every man for himself.
If that's the way you want to play it.
You're the one who's calling the shots.
- Right! - Right! - All right, O'Malley, on your way.
- Hmm.
I, er I hope I wasn't too offensive last night, Sergeant? - I don't think so.
- I wasn't violent, was I? Or, er, singing drunk, was I? All right.
Do you want to get out of here or not? - That depends.
- Depends? On what? Do you do breakfast here, Sergeant? Look, don't be saucy.
Get your coat and get out.
Right, Sergeant.
- You don't want another night here.
- Goodbye, Sergeant.
Goodbye in there, whoever you are.
We'll meet again, I've no doubt.
Goodbye, O'Malley.
I decided to come back, Jeff.
Very glad you did, Marty.
I mean, after all, what are friends for? Just to clear it up, though, you, er - You didn't? - No, I didn't.
Half a million's disappeared and you know something.
Should we start from the beginning? Yeah, all right, Marty.
I went to Battersea power station because an old friend put up a scheme to me.
To lift the money? You wouldn't tell the police because of him? I thought they'd get him without me.
You shouldn't have kept it to yourself.
What else could I do? If I'd told you, you'd have found a way to do something.
It'd be the same as me putting the finger on O'Malley - so I just sat tight.
- Why did you go then? I don't know.
I went window shopping.
And the police picked you up? Window shopping? No, someone gave them the car number.
What about this alibi, this girl, Anne-Marie? She's the girlfriend of the fella with the scheme.
This old friend of yours, O'Malley.
O'Malley! He's the one - he's got the money! Yeah, that's what I thought.
I don't know, Marty, I just don't know.
He claims he lost his nerve at the last minute.
Now, logically it's either him or me.
Well, we know it isn't you.
Mr.
O'Malley.
Well, if it isn't Jeff Randall's lawyer.
- You were at the police station.
- They invited me to stay the night.
Invited? They insisted.
Drunk and disorderly, released first thing in the morning.
- Without breakfast.
- Quite a coincidence.
The same station as they're holding Mr.
Randall.
Mmm.
Quite a coincidence.
Another coincidence - he mentioned a girl at this club in his statement.
Now, Miss Saxon, I'd like to help Jeff out but the man won't help himself.
And confess to something he hasn't done? Right, but all the signs are against him.
In English law you need more than indications of guilt, you need proof.
So far there's not a jot of real proof against Jeff Randall.
Randall! - Seven years bad luck.
- He startled me.
Did I? - They searched the office.
- Come to ask me more questions? A man like you - what would you expect him to have? - Have? - In savings.
Watch it, Jeff - be careful.
Savings they're not my strong suit, Inspector.
Out of character, perhaps, no desire to store away a few nuts.
What are we really talking about? of your office premises! - My office?! - Your office.
Er It's a plant, it's got to be! A plant? Of 20,000 pounds? Even your best friend would find that hard to swallow.
All right, what's going on? So far you've been here on a holding charge whilst the evidence has been examined.
I see.
From now on you're offering different terms? Jeffery Randall, I charge you that on the night of Tuesday, November the 23rd you committed wilful larceny of property belonging to the Bank of England.
I must also warn you that anything you say may be used in evidence.
Do you have anything to say? My client will make a formal reply to the charges in the form of statement at a later date.
I think he meant that.
The size of the sum makes it a shrewd move on somebody's part.
- Whose? O'Malley's? - Why not? Yes, why not? Assuming your innocence, he's the best suspect to date.
In fact, Jeff, the only one.
- You're not going? - Yes.
The Club 70.
Perhaps I can persuade Mr.
O'Malley to buy me a drink.
If ever I needed a lawyer You might, sooner than you think.
- Anything wrong? - Mm.
The singer's late for her number.
Anne-Marie? Yeah.
Look, will you? Will you excuse me? I'll take a look upstairs.
Upstairs? She has the apartment above the club.
Hey, did you know you're late for your number? Or did you just plan not to turn up? - A holiday? - I don't need your permission, do I? No, but I find it very strange you didn't mention it.
But I don't blame you for wanting to go.
I've been very dumb, haven't I? I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, you don't, do you? I'm saying I've been a bit slow putting two and two together.
Who else knew that Jeff Randall was the man to frame? - What are you going to do? - Take you to the police station, and swap you for Jeff Randall, OK? No, O'Malley, it's not at all "OK".
You? You mean, together? You two together pulled off the job? Don't sound so astonished.
We had an excellent plan of operation to work from - yours.
What would have happened if I'd decided to go and do the job myself? We guessed that you wouldn't.
We knew you'd chicken out at the last moment.
What an epitaph that'd make.
He, er He chickened out at the last moment.
Most times.
Anne! The gun! Keep away.
Keep away! Where are you going? Good evening, madam.
You're right, let's see what Mr.
O'Malley's up to.
O'Malley! Oh, no! Oh, Mother Reilly, me head.
Anne-Marie, she's decided to give up singing.
She's just come into a legacy from the British Treasury.
- I've got a car downstairs.
- Is it fast? They're turning off.
We've lost them.
- There it is! - There it is.
- They've run for it.
- Yeah, but where to? - We're in the clear, Anne.
- I can hardly believe it.
I told you we could do it.
- Can they force us back? - No.
We'll be outside territorial waters before anybody knows.
I wonder.
Jeff, I need the Inspector's cooperation.
- What cooperation? - I can't explain.
I want him to meet someone at an airport.
The Inspector won't do me any favours.
I'm charged with a serious offence.
Tempt him into concessions - tell him you know where the money is.
- Oh, sure.
What then? - Leave the rest to me.
- Hey! Where's this airfield? - It's in Surrey.
Remember when Jeannie and you and I went for a picnic? Should be crossing the coast in 10 minutes.
It'll be too dark to see the coastline.
You worry too much.
It's a simple matter of reading a compass.
As I understand it, you want me to go haring off to some private airfield in Surrey.
That's right.
If you want to recover the money.
- Of course I do.
- And apprehend the culprit.
We already have one of them, Randall.
I take it this is tantamount to a confession? No, it should establish my innocence.
All right.
- I'm impressed you've the details.
- Ta.
And if you are instrumental in recovering the money, - it'll stand you in good stead.
- You're too kind.
Come on.
Come on, move! Move! Come on, move round! That's it! Come on! I can't understand it, Anne, we should be over the sea by now.
I can still see lights below.
Must be a strong crosswind.
An amazingly strong crosswind.
Keep still.
Now stay there! Fantastic.
One hour's flying and I can still see lights.
Be quiet! I'm going lower to pick up a feature to navigate by.
We'll crash and the banknotes will get incinerated after all - and us with them! - It's definitely a light aircraft.
- And getting closer.
It's nothing short of a miracle.
Randall couldn't have known - could he? I don't see what else the police are doing here.
I can see lights ahead.
- It was an airfield.
- I can see the runway.
- You know what we've done? - What? We've crossed the Channel without realising it! - You mean this is France? - Yes.
Tomorrow we'll be in Switzerland.
It's sad, really.
Jeff! You're missing all the excitement! And I'm gonna go on missing it.
The plane's coming down - they think they're landing in Calais! - They're in for a shock, then.
- Do you mind if I get back? I wanna see the expression on their faces when they find out.
- Sure.
- What's that? - Coffee, I think.
- Eww! - Cheers, Marty.
- 'Cheers!' - We made it.
- Your navigation was perfect.
The maintenance staff.
I'm looking forward to hearing French spoken again.
If you'll come this way, there's a few questions we'd like to ask you.
Oh, yes, very French.
So, I'll be free as soon as my lawyer gets the charges dropped.
- That's about the size of it.
- Good.
Jeff, it might not be all that soon.
What? Why not? Where's Elizabeth? She's planned to let O'Malley drive her home.
What?!
Previous EpisodeNext Episode