The Rockford Files (1974) s01e01 Episode Script
The Kirkoff Case
1
Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?
What do you mean,
don't count on too much?
I'm counting on you and this Girl
Scout troop in here to solve it.
Shut up. Every time you come
in here with a bloody nose
morale goes up 10 points.
What are you,
hard up for work or something?
Could I have my pants,
please?
You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?
Of course not.
Don't be silly.
You got 30 seconds,
then you're leaving.
So get it said,
whatever it is.
What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.
This is Jim Rockford,
At the tone,
leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
It's Norma at the market.
It bounced.
You want us to tear it up, send it
back, or put it with the others?
Excuse me. Did you see a man come by here
dressed in a cowboy hat a minute ago?
He had to come by here.
He had a cowboy hat, you know,
ten-gallon hat, jeans, boots, all that?
What color horse?
I know I'm amusing you,
but could you give me a straight answer?
Okay.
Did you see him?
No.
Thanks.
I'm sorry.
No, I didn't see a cowboy.
I was reading my book,
and he could've passed me, but I doubt it.
Okay. Thanks.
What else could I think? I mean,
I'm sitting at the beach and I look up
and there you are with a trout
fishing pole asking about a cowboy.
I hate to tell you, but the trout
fishing in the ocean is lousy.
It was a disguise,
sort of.
That's clever. Wing-tip shoes
and a spinning rod.
Do you ever say anything
that isn't glib?
What do you do when you're
not hunting cowboys?
I sell greeting cards.
Is there much money
in that?
What?
I said, is there much money
in greeting cards?
Christmas and Easter
isn't too bad
but Mother's Day
just sort of lays there.
A sign of the times.
Hey, my apartment's that white building
about a mile up the main highway.
Why don't you come by
and have a drink?
You're not in there.
I already looked.
It's not because
I haven't tried.
I'm sure.
I read it because it has the
names of rich people in it.
And then I go out
and I try to marry one.
At least it's not as
seasonal as greeting cards.
You'd be surprised how hard it
is to be spontaneous and blunt
at the same time.
Rich people find that
an attractive quality.
I'll bet.
All right,
now what's going on?
Nothing.
We're just having a drink.
Maybe we'll get to be friends.
It just doesn't figure. I mean,
my bank statement is a nightmare in red.
You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?
Of course not. Don't be silly.
You didn't put something
in that drink?
I sure called that one.
What else did he tell you?
Nothing.
Greeting cards, huh?
Okay, hotshot, who are you?
Let's go, boy.
Why were you following me?
Wake up.
Hey, give me a minute,
will you?
What've you been doing,
anyway?
And would you mind not pointing
that thing at me, please?
You better get to talking, mister.
Who are you?
Lieutenant Larry Dent, LAPD, and you
better have a permit for that thing.
You ain't no cop.
You got no gun or ID.
You're gonna tell me
what I wanna know
or you're gonna wind up on the
critical list in one big hurry. Savvy?
Right.
Right. Now,
why are you following me?
You didn't really need to go
to all this trouble, Travis.
I wasn't having any luck following you
so I was gonna ask you about it, anyway.
Ask me about what?
I'm investigating
the Kirkoff killings
and I heard you were having an affair
with Mrs. Kirkoff before she was killed.
I told you.
A private cop, huh?
Look. You aren't gonna shoot
anybody, we both know it.
So why don't you put that thing
away before you have an accident?
Who you working for?
That's confidential.
Larry Kirkoff.
Larry Kirkoff? What are you,
hard up for work or something?
Could I have
my pants, please?
What are you messing around
with me for?
I didn't kill anybody and
I sure wouldn't kill Jenny.
It's obvious
I made a mistake.
So why don't we just forget it happened
and I'll go on my way. All right?
Larry killed his own parents.
Everybody knows that. The cops--
I have been sitting here answering
questions in my shorts
for a reasonable
length of time.
I want my pants and I wanna
get out of here. All right?
Give him his pants.
You know,
you're a sucker, pal.
Everybody knows that that kid
done in his own parents.
He was indicted for it
and everything.
You got a good point there,
but Larry seems to have another theory.
The DA didn't press it,
and the cops are not working on it.
So I agree with you.
I am probably just wasting my time.
You and me is gonna
take a little ride.
Just where are we going?
Just shut up
and put that coat on.
What are you
going to do, Travis?
This guy could start trouble
for us.
I'm gonna make sure
he stays out of our way.
Let's go.
Look, if you don't mind
I came here alone,
I'd just as soon leave alone.
I can mess you up right here
if that's the way you want it.
All right.
Look, Travis
You know, I fell for that trick once
myself. Works pretty good, doesn't it?
Where's my camera?
Why'd you do that?
Just for the fun of It.
Travis is right,
Larry Kirkoff is guilty.
All he wanted you for
is to make his country club
friends think he didn't do it.
The way it is now,
nobody wants him around.
You were saying?
I followed Travis,
and you were right.
He was having an affair
with your mother.
I knew it.
If you want my opinion,
he didn't kill your parents.
I'm not paying you for your
opinions, only for your observations.
I'm having a special
this week
so my opinions come
with no extra charge.
I could careless.
Opinion number one
is Travis just doesn't figure.
Your mother was putting money
in a bank account for him.
She was giving him
pretty new horses to train.
Once your parents were killed,
all that stops
so I just don't see how he
makes any sense as the killer.
Have you ever heard of sheer jealousy?
Or of lovers' quarrels?
Just put it down there,
I'll find a place.
What I'm trying to say is
I think we've run out
of things to go on.
I'll notify you when I think
we've run out of clues.
Could you get him
to stop that?
Salvatore, come.
Tell them to keep an eye on
those movers in there, will you?
And I'll be served now.
Salvatore, lie down.
Opinion number two is
you still look better for
this than anyone around.
I can see why the grand
jury indicted you.
And I can see why you don't
charge for your opinions.
They aren't worth very much.
If the DA had a case against me
he would've brought me
to trial, which he didn't.
And the police would still be
investigating me, which they aren't.
They're not investigating,
period.
There's a reason
for that.
They're sure you did it,
they just can't pin it on you.
So for the time being,
it's inactive.
And what are
your other opinions?
Opinion number three
is that
for someone who's supposed
to be broken up
over the death
of their parents
you're having way too much
fun redecorating this place.
I have to live here now,
Mr. Rockford.
My father's taste in furniture
was Victorian, like him.
He was a sanctimonious,
self-righteous man.
He's been dead
for three months now.
I'm just getting rid of some things.
What's wrong with that?
It has a real lack
of style.
I'll just send you a bill
for my time.
I'm afraid that won't do.
It'll have to.
How much more
do you want, Mr. Rockford?
No one could be in a racket
like yours
without being influenced
by money.
Not me.
Especially you.
I'd say your price
is hovering around $20,000.
A bonus of $20,000 when you
find out who killed my parents.
If you killed your parents,
and I can't prove it
it's going to be along time
getting to the cashier's
window, isn't it?
I made my offer, Mr. Rockford.
I'm not going to bicker about it.
$20,000 buys
a lot of groceries.
There is one more thing I could look
into, and then I'll let you know.
Of course. What is it?
Iran into a girl this morning
and took her picture.
Its probably nothing,
but you said you had a darkroom
so, shall we take a look?
He really knows how to lay out
the old welcome mat, doesn't he?
According to the police
your mother was killed with
a Tokarev 7.62mm pistol
and your father
was killed
with a .300 Magnum hunting
rifle at long range
and yours was stolen.
Isn't that the way you're telling it?
That's one of the police
department's dead ends.
Is that the rifle?
I don't know if that's it.
I guess it could be. Yeah.
You told the police you never
reported it stolen
because you didn't miss it
for along time
and you'd never used it
very much.
I didn't.
You were sure using it when
these pictures were taken.
Those pictures were taken,
what, five years ago.
You're pretty good.
Yeah?
I know her. I mean, I don't know her
name, but I saw her once.
I was going up to my father's hunting
cabin, and just before I got there
I saw his car pull out,
only she was at the wheel, this girl.
My parents were separated
at the time.
I figured he was having
an affair with her
wanted to keep it quiet
so my mother couldn't use it
in court. It all fits.
All right,
I'll check into it.
If I come up with anything,
I'll hang with you for a while.
If I don't,
I get out. Okay?
Fair enough.
A special delivery for
Mr. Smith from his office.
Is that Steven Smith
or Thomas?
Thomas. This is
his mixed-doubles day.
May I help you?
I'm the assistant manager.
Yeah, I'm not sure, really.
I was looking for Jerry Green.
I'm afraid you're out of luck.
He's not here.
That's too bad.
I'm Jim Rockford,
and I'm an old friend from Chicago.
I was here on business,
and I called him at the house.
There's no answer.
I knew he was a member.
Thought I might track him down here.
He and Mrs. Green
are on vacation abroad.
Don't tell me, Madge and Jerry
finally made it to the Greek Islands?
Why, yes,
that's where they went.
Really? Hey, that's great.
That's marvelous.
They've been talking
about that trip for years.
Good for them.
Bad for me, though,
I was hoping I'd get in a little tennis.
Back to the old hotel.
Excuse me.
I'm sure if you'd like
to use the club
they'd want you
to have a guest card.
Yes, that'd be very nice.
Thank you.
Tawnia Baker. It is you.
I was standing over there,
and I said to myself:
"What a small world.
That's Tawnia Baker."
How's Travis?
Have you seen him since the accident?
Jim, my goodness.
How are you?
To tell you the truth,
I'm not too good.
I had a headache all morning.
Must've been something I drank.
Jim Rockford, Calvin Carras.
Hi. You got a marvelous
tennis partner here
but watch her, she's tricky.
She'll call those close ones out.
What was it you wanted?
Nothing, really.
I just wanted to say "hi."
What are you drinking?
Could I buy you another one?
Three more bloody Marys
here, please
and don't give anybody
the check but me.
We were just about
to play tennis, Jim.
How's your
insurance picture, Cal?
I'm with
Massachusetts National Life.
Here. Why don't you
take one of these
and we'll get together
and talk a little?
Excuse me a minute.
He looks like a good one.
What does he do?
How did you get in here?
How did you?
I have a guest card.
Me, too.
I suppose you're going
to try and mess me up here.
That depends on how much you
decide to cooperate with me.
I want some answers, honey.
Don't call me honey.
I was looking
into your background.
It read like
The Chapman Report,
What really got me
was the last chapter.
Are you going to come
to the point or not?
I found out that you were having
an affair with Charles Kirkoff
just before he was killed.
Tawnia, our court's ready.
Nice to meet you,
Mr. Rockford.
Could you give it away, Cal?
I don't feel very well
right now.
Anything I can do?
No. I'll be all right
in a minute.
Sure.
I hope it wasn't
something I said.
Just tell me what you want
and then get out of here.
Stop flexing your muscles.
What do you want?
Dinner tonight.
I have a date with Calvin.
Break it.
Why?
'Cause I wanna find out how much you
know about the Kirkoff killings
and how you and Travis fit in.
I'll just tell you and we
can spare the dinner date.
You see, I loved Charles
and Travis loved
Mrs. Kirkoff
and when Larry didn't get
tried for it
Travis came to me
and we decided
to look into it ourselves.
What makes you think
Travis didn't do it?
He wouldn't.
I'll pick you up
at 8:00 tonight.
I don't wanna go out
with you.
I'm not too crazy about the idea
myself, but it means $20,000 to me.
So I'm gonna sit on you until
you hatch into something.
$20,000?
You're not worth it.
I know.
Hi, Rocky.
Where you been, sonny?
Out.
I'm only asking
'cause I'm interested.
Say, you want to know
about your calls?
That depends on
who called.
Where's the aspirin, Dad?
You got a headache?
No. I got a hot tip
that the sea bass
out by the pier are hitting
aspirin tablets
if you can keep them
from dissolving.
Try the shelf behind the peanut
butter and the ant poison.
So who called?
There's this fellow here
from the Athletic Club.
Now he's trying to scalp some Ram
tickets off on you on the 50 yard line.
$20 a seat.
Who else?
Then there's this lady.
Now, she wouldn't leave a
name, just a number.
You're not gonna call her,
are you?
I might give it a try.
They're getting mighty
smart, those bill collectors.
Was I you,
I wouldn't call her.
Hello?
This is Jim Rockford.
Mr. Rockford, I understand
you're looking for information
on the Kirkoff killings,.
I might be. Depends.
I'm not going to negotiate
with you.
What I've got is important
and it's going to cost you.
What's your name?
Come on, Mr. Rockford.
Are you interested or not?
I'm interested.
Meet me at the Sierra
Lounge on Wilshire at 8:00.
I'll be wearing a red coat,
sitting in a booth at the back,
Rocky, call Mike Braun
at the telephone company
his number's in the Rolodex
there on the desk
and give him this number
and ask him to get me an
address, will you?
What are you giving me
all this heavy work?
Why don't you get yourself
a secretary?
'Cause if I did that,
she'd park herself on the sofa
you'd end up at the desk, and there
wouldn't be any room for me. See you.
You gonna belong, sir?
I don't think so.
Sir
Yeah?
Does your mother know
what you do for a living?
Shut up.
Hey, take it easy.
I'm not struggling, am I?
I don't know
what you guys want
but there must be
some misunderstanding here.
Hold him.
Hey, come on, man.
Don't hit me.
Well, now, hold it a minute.
Can't we talk about this?
Talk about it a little while?
If I say
some of the wrong things
we can always get to this.
What do you say?
That's just so
you'll get the idea.
We're not playing around.
You convinced?
Completely.
Good.
I got you figured for a pretty smart
guy, Mr. Rockford.
I figure you know what's
healthy for you and what's not.
So I'm gonna give you
a little advice
and I got a feeling
you're gonna take it
'cause if you don't
I ain't gonna talk nice
with you again.
I'm just gonna
sharpen your heels
pound you down
into the hard ground.
I could use a little advice,
believe me.
You're a private detective and I
know you got to work for a living.
I understand that.
But your client
is guilty of murder.
You know? Murder.
I know it to be a fact,
the DA knows it
and the cops and every newspaper
editor in town knows it.
So, how come you're trying
to prove it otherwise?
Why, that was this morning.
I just stopped working
for him.
I never really liked him
very much.
It ain't that I really care that
much about Larry Kirkoff. No.
I think the kid's a creep
for killing his mom and dad
but that's not the reason why I want
you to quit fooling around with this.
You're right.
I understand.
No, you don't understand.
No, I don't.
I'm gonna explain it
to you, though.
It's a real estate fraud
that could get discovered
if the DA
reopens the Kirkoff case.
Now, if that happens,
I'd have myself some real trouble.
And you'll end up
in a brass bottle.
You get my drift?
Yeah.
Good.
So now, just so
you don't feel too bad
about this here beating
I'm gonna leave you with $200.
You don't have
to do that, really.
No. I insist.
It's my pleasure.
Doesn't anybody have a 409
Assault Form around here?
Don't all volunteer.
I'll just have to use a 157M
and change it over later.
157M? That's murder.
It's the same
as the Assault Form
only that there's a little box for
the coroner's report at the bottom.
The way you're going,
you may need it.
Looks good. Nice.
Tagged you real good, didn't he?
I'm glad you like it, Dennis.
Now, let's get on with it.
What are you working on?
Don't worry.
You're not on it.
Humor me.
I'm working
for Larry Kirkoff
to find out
who killed his parents.
Are you kidding?
Haven't you heard?
He killed his own parents
and inherited $20 million.
Everybody keeps
telling me that.
And we would've had him, too,
except for two things.
We couldn't turn up
the hunting rifle
and we couldn't put him
at the scene of the crime.
Maybe he didn't do it.
And maybe mud tastes
like ice cream.
Can you remember what these
five guys looked like?
No. All except the one
who did all the talking.
He had a husky voice like he'd been
hit in the windpipe a couple of times.
Like an ex-fighter?
Yeah, maybe.
I'll tell you what
I'm gonna do, Jim.
I'm gonna fill this out,
give it to patrol
but don't count on much.
What is that
supposed to mean?
I get kidnapped by two guys and
they beat the poo out of me.
I'm making
a legitimate complaint.
What do you mean,
don't count on too much?
I'm counting on you and this Girl
Scout troop in here to solve it.
Shut up, will you? What do I have to
do, spell it out for you?
You're not exactly Princess
Margaret in this Department.
Every time you come in here
with a bloody nose
morale goes up 10 points.
And, if I weren't a buddy of yours,
I wouldn't even type this up.
Okay?
Okay.
Dennis, the warehouse where
these guys booted me around
it's condemned.
I wonder who owns it.
Now, just wait one moment.
You can find out.
Yes, I could find out,
but I ain't.
These guys walked around that
place like they knew it
like they'd been there
before.
They said they didn't
have anything to do
with the Kirkoff killings,
right?
Right.
So who cares
who owns the place?
I got news for you, Dennis.
I don't believe them.
I think
I got somebody worried.
The only one you got worried
is your physical therapist.
All right, Dennis, can't you call
somebody at the Hall of Records?
I need it tonight.
No.
I'll spot you 10 points
the next time
we play handball.
$5 a point, $10 a game?
Come on, Dennis.
$2 a point, $5 a game.
Okay, but you don't tell
anybody where you get it.
If you get turn up anything
good, give it to me.
Make me look
like the hero.
You're a sweet guy.
Jim, I think
you made a bad bet.
Why didn't you call?
Do you mind?
I'm with the lady.
Regrettable, but true.
You have my number, Don.
Maybe tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
Where have you been?
I had to rent a car.
Somebody kicked my headlights out.
Don't you ever
take any time off?
On the phone
you said 8:00. It's 9:00.
What the devil
is this?
You've been fighting.
Not me. The other guys
did the fighting.
I stood there
and caught punches.
Could I trade this in for
a Scotch and soda, please?
Your table is ready.
Enjoy your meal.
Thank you.
You're not having
much of a day, are you?
Now that you mention it,
I guess not.
What are you so angry about?
You're an hour late.
You don't know how tired I get
of people like you.
It's okay for you
to scratch and claw for $1.
It doesn't matter if Larry Kirkoff
is guilty, he's got $20,000
so you drop
right in the basket.
Take it easy, will you?
I went after Charles Kirkoff,
because he had money.
I told him that
and he understood that.
But I wouldn't have gone any further
if I hadn't found him attractive.
He was one of the most
vital men I've ever met
and if they'd taken
all of his money away
I still would have married him
because he was one of a kind.
Everybody I talked to thought old
Charlie was a pretty cold number.
Maybe for them he was.
With me, he was gentle.
It's like you said,
I'm not having much of a day.
You and Travis got me started
on the wrong foot
then a squad
of flat-nosed guys
jumped me and waltzed me
around for a while
and the cops are just tickled
to death over it.
Why don't you and I
just start fresh? Okay?
Okay.
I can't afford
this place.
Me, neither. Let's go.
Deal.
I'll bring
your coffee later.
Yeah, and don't forget
the cream and sugar.
I don't see what the B.R.W.
has to do with it.
There's two things.
First is, that warehouse
where I was taken
was condemned, so I had a friend
of mine run a check on it.
Found out that it used
to belong to the B.R.W.
Second thing is
that that is the union that Charles
Kirkoff did most of his negotiations with.
Hey, this is good.
You don't think I'd stick you
with a bad restaurant?
Just a cheap one.
Right.
They forgot the mustard.
You said you spent about two weeks
with him down at his beach house?
Yes, I left a couple of days
before he was murdered.
Did he ever have any business
conversations while you were around?
All the time,
he was funny that way.
He'd show off, sort of,
like a little boy chinning himself.
Did he ever send you
out of the room
when any of those
conversations were going on?
Why?
I'm just trying out a theory that
maybe the cops haven't tried before.
Yeah. Twice. I think.
Did he ever say
who he was talking to?
Did he ever mention
any names or anything?
The first time,
I don't know
but the second time,
when I was leaving the room
I remember
he mentioned a name.
I remember it because
it was an unusual name
Muzzy. He said,
"What is it, Muzzy?"
Muzzy.
Do you know him?
Yeah. I think so.
Ten, 15 years ago, there was
a promising middleweight.
He was a little flat-footed, so he
didn't last long in the fight business.
His name was Muzzy Vinette.
Where are we going?
Nowhere,
I just want the mustard.
I have an appointment,
. Rockford.
Good morning,
Mr. Rockford.
Ahem.
I'm sorry. No, you don't.
Goodbye.
I represent
Kirkoff Industries.
It's about a personal
injury insurance claim.
Our board feels it's unfair, and your
labor authorities are pressing it
so I'll have to speak to
Mr. Dancer about it personally.
I'm sorry. Mr. Dancer isn't going
to talk to you about insurance.
You see, Mr. Dancer runs this union.
He makes administrative decisions.
We have an insurance claims department.
You can talk to them.
I'm afraid I can't accept that.
Just tell Mr. Dancer I'm here.
I'll show you
to the elevator.
What is your name,
please?
Don't pull that tired line on me.
Just be a nice man and leave.
Look, this is
really important.
Isn't there some way of possibly
convincing you to let me see him?
Get out of here.
There must be some way
of convincing you.
The only way you're gonna get in there
is if you climb over me to do it.
Now, you want to try that?
Just go right ahead.
Come on.
There must be some other way.
Goodbye.
Talk to our Claims Department.
The Claims Department.
You're right. I see.
You've seen it before, huh?
Yeah. A couple of times.
Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?
Maybe you'll see him,
after all.
All right, bring him in.
You got any reason why I shouldn't
book you for assault and battery?
I had to see you.
I figured if I take a poke
at one of your gorillas
either way it came out I'd
end up in here and here I am.
You got 30 seconds, then you're leaving.
So get it said, whatever it is.
What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.
He clean?
Yeah.
Go on, get out.
What is it?
I think you wouldn't like it
if you found out
that one of your boys on
the payroll is moonlighting.
Yeah. That's right.
I wouldn't.
I'm gonna do you a favor,
Mr. Dancer.
You got a goon working for you
named Muzzy Vinette?
This is the age
of public relations.
Mr. Vinette is not
called a goon.
He's called a labor organizer.
You can call him
whatever you want.
Go on. Get to the point.
I'll bet you know if he has a
gun, and if he does
you probably know
what caliber it is.
Come on, Mr. Rockford. Guns?
That was in the '305.
You're in some trouble, AI.
I'm trying to help you.
Now, he's got a gun,
we both know it.
I think that it's a
Tokarev 7.62mm automatic
and he took an independent
contract to kill somebody.
Is that so? Who'd he kill?
Mrs. Charles Kirkoff.
Why should I believe you?
In this age of public relations,
you can't afford not to.
Thank you. Is that all?
That's all.
If you're right,
I owe you.
Put something in the mail.
I think he wants you.
Where's Muzzy?
He's got a girl stashed out by the
country club. He's out there, I think.
It's her pad.
Marsh, go get him.
Pick him up and get
any guns he might have.
Bring him in here.
Go on, get going.
Get out of here!
Just what do you guys think
you're doing?
I'm sorry.
He keeps getting stuck in the sand traps.
Just go ahead and play on through.
Sit.
I was hoping you weren't
gonna put that there.
I suppose
you're here for your money.
Yeah, that's right. I sure am.
The money, the $20,000.
Listen, I understand the police
have the man, a Muzzy Vinette?
They sure do. Ballistics matched up the gun.
He's the one that killed your mother.
He was the one hired by my
father to kill my mother.
I told you he was
a cold-blooded man, didn't I?
Look, Larry, if I could just
have the $20,000, I'll be moving.
And who do the police think
killed my father?
I don't think there's any doubt
about who killed your father, Larry.
You killed your father.
You found out your mother was killed,
picked up a rifle, killed your father.
Unfortunately, the cops
can't find the rifle.
So they don't think
they have a case.
I see.
And for this,
you think I'm going to pay you $20,000?
Maybe you're right.
I don't blame you for not
going for the whole $20,000
under the circumstances
but shall we make it $10,000?
I picked up on Muzzy Vinette for you.
That should be worth $10,000.
What? Yeah,
I suppose, $10,000.
So the police don't think they have
a case against me. Is that right?
I'll mall it to you.
Just send me a bill.
Now, look, Larry.
We had a deal.
I want my money.
Right, Larry, why don't you
just mail it to me?
Why don't you just do that?
I just don't believe that Charles
could've hired that man to kill his wife.
I thought I knew him.
I wonder if he could've killed her
because of me? Wouldn't that be awful?
Look. He killed her because she was about
to ruin his reputation as a puritan.
Then she was gonna pick him
clean in the divorce courts.
That's all there is to it.
So don't make yourself the heavy.
I hate to let it lay, though.
That kid is guilty.
They say you can't get away with murder,
but Larry Kirkoff is gonna do it.
The cops aren't gonna press it.
He's gonna get away clean.
Unless somebody
who cared for Larry's father would
take some sort of interest in the case.
What is that
supposed to mean?
Look, in the heat of the moment,
he hired someone to fix his wife.
There was bad blood there
but, like you said,
he was gentle and kind.
What do you take me for,
some kind of mental deficient?
I just hate to see him get away with
it, that's all.
Okay. How much?
$200 a day, plus expenses.
Come on, $100.
$200 and I'll throw
in the expenses.
$125.
$175.
$150 and you buy
the dinner tonight.
You got yourself a deal.
What are you parking here for?
Why don't you let the attendant park it?
I just hate to pay $1
to have some attendant
put scratches
all over a car.
I'll be damned!
He was using me.
Not the way you thought.
I never knew him at all. He wasn't
trying to get away with anything.
He was just waiting for me to prove he
was right so he could give himself up.
I'm really something.
I think "insensitive"
is the word I'm looking for.
That doesn't sound like
the Jim Rockford I know.
Clear-eyed,
vigilant, precise
Tangle-footed, myopic, obtuse.
Let's get something to eat.
By the way, you're fired.
In that case,
I'll buy you a hot dog.
Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?
What do you mean,
don't count on too much?
I'm counting on you and this Girl
Scout troop in here to solve it.
Shut up. Every time you come
in here with a bloody nose
morale goes up 10 points.
What are you,
hard up for work or something?
Could I have my pants,
please?
You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?
Of course not.
Don't be silly.
You got 30 seconds,
then you're leaving.
So get it said,
whatever it is.
What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.
This is Jim Rockford,
At the tone,
leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
It's Norma at the market.
It bounced.
You want us to tear it up, send it
back, or put it with the others?
Excuse me. Did you see a man come by here
dressed in a cowboy hat a minute ago?
He had to come by here.
He had a cowboy hat, you know,
ten-gallon hat, jeans, boots, all that?
What color horse?
I know I'm amusing you,
but could you give me a straight answer?
Okay.
Did you see him?
No.
Thanks.
I'm sorry.
No, I didn't see a cowboy.
I was reading my book,
and he could've passed me, but I doubt it.
Okay. Thanks.
What else could I think? I mean,
I'm sitting at the beach and I look up
and there you are with a trout
fishing pole asking about a cowboy.
I hate to tell you, but the trout
fishing in the ocean is lousy.
It was a disguise,
sort of.
That's clever. Wing-tip shoes
and a spinning rod.
Do you ever say anything
that isn't glib?
What do you do when you're
not hunting cowboys?
I sell greeting cards.
Is there much money
in that?
What?
I said, is there much money
in greeting cards?
Christmas and Easter
isn't too bad
but Mother's Day
just sort of lays there.
A sign of the times.
Hey, my apartment's that white building
about a mile up the main highway.
Why don't you come by
and have a drink?
You're not in there.
I already looked.
It's not because
I haven't tried.
I'm sure.
I read it because it has the
names of rich people in it.
And then I go out
and I try to marry one.
At least it's not as
seasonal as greeting cards.
You'd be surprised how hard it
is to be spontaneous and blunt
at the same time.
Rich people find that
an attractive quality.
I'll bet.
All right,
now what's going on?
Nothing.
We're just having a drink.
Maybe we'll get to be friends.
It just doesn't figure. I mean,
my bank statement is a nightmare in red.
You wouldn't be setting me up,
would you?
Of course not. Don't be silly.
You didn't put something
in that drink?
I sure called that one.
What else did he tell you?
Nothing.
Greeting cards, huh?
Okay, hotshot, who are you?
Let's go, boy.
Why were you following me?
Wake up.
Hey, give me a minute,
will you?
What've you been doing,
anyway?
And would you mind not pointing
that thing at me, please?
You better get to talking, mister.
Who are you?
Lieutenant Larry Dent, LAPD, and you
better have a permit for that thing.
You ain't no cop.
You got no gun or ID.
You're gonna tell me
what I wanna know
or you're gonna wind up on the
critical list in one big hurry. Savvy?
Right.
Right. Now,
why are you following me?
You didn't really need to go
to all this trouble, Travis.
I wasn't having any luck following you
so I was gonna ask you about it, anyway.
Ask me about what?
I'm investigating
the Kirkoff killings
and I heard you were having an affair
with Mrs. Kirkoff before she was killed.
I told you.
A private cop, huh?
Look. You aren't gonna shoot
anybody, we both know it.
So why don't you put that thing
away before you have an accident?
Who you working for?
That's confidential.
Larry Kirkoff.
Larry Kirkoff? What are you,
hard up for work or something?
Could I have
my pants, please?
What are you messing around
with me for?
I didn't kill anybody and
I sure wouldn't kill Jenny.
It's obvious
I made a mistake.
So why don't we just forget it happened
and I'll go on my way. All right?
Larry killed his own parents.
Everybody knows that. The cops--
I have been sitting here answering
questions in my shorts
for a reasonable
length of time.
I want my pants and I wanna
get out of here. All right?
Give him his pants.
You know,
you're a sucker, pal.
Everybody knows that that kid
done in his own parents.
He was indicted for it
and everything.
You got a good point there,
but Larry seems to have another theory.
The DA didn't press it,
and the cops are not working on it.
So I agree with you.
I am probably just wasting my time.
You and me is gonna
take a little ride.
Just where are we going?
Just shut up
and put that coat on.
What are you
going to do, Travis?
This guy could start trouble
for us.
I'm gonna make sure
he stays out of our way.
Let's go.
Look, if you don't mind
I came here alone,
I'd just as soon leave alone.
I can mess you up right here
if that's the way you want it.
All right.
Look, Travis
You know, I fell for that trick once
myself. Works pretty good, doesn't it?
Where's my camera?
Why'd you do that?
Just for the fun of It.
Travis is right,
Larry Kirkoff is guilty.
All he wanted you for
is to make his country club
friends think he didn't do it.
The way it is now,
nobody wants him around.
You were saying?
I followed Travis,
and you were right.
He was having an affair
with your mother.
I knew it.
If you want my opinion,
he didn't kill your parents.
I'm not paying you for your
opinions, only for your observations.
I'm having a special
this week
so my opinions come
with no extra charge.
I could careless.
Opinion number one
is Travis just doesn't figure.
Your mother was putting money
in a bank account for him.
She was giving him
pretty new horses to train.
Once your parents were killed,
all that stops
so I just don't see how he
makes any sense as the killer.
Have you ever heard of sheer jealousy?
Or of lovers' quarrels?
Just put it down there,
I'll find a place.
What I'm trying to say is
I think we've run out
of things to go on.
I'll notify you when I think
we've run out of clues.
Could you get him
to stop that?
Salvatore, come.
Tell them to keep an eye on
those movers in there, will you?
And I'll be served now.
Salvatore, lie down.
Opinion number two is
you still look better for
this than anyone around.
I can see why the grand
jury indicted you.
And I can see why you don't
charge for your opinions.
They aren't worth very much.
If the DA had a case against me
he would've brought me
to trial, which he didn't.
And the police would still be
investigating me, which they aren't.
They're not investigating,
period.
There's a reason
for that.
They're sure you did it,
they just can't pin it on you.
So for the time being,
it's inactive.
And what are
your other opinions?
Opinion number three
is that
for someone who's supposed
to be broken up
over the death
of their parents
you're having way too much
fun redecorating this place.
I have to live here now,
Mr. Rockford.
My father's taste in furniture
was Victorian, like him.
He was a sanctimonious,
self-righteous man.
He's been dead
for three months now.
I'm just getting rid of some things.
What's wrong with that?
It has a real lack
of style.
I'll just send you a bill
for my time.
I'm afraid that won't do.
It'll have to.
How much more
do you want, Mr. Rockford?
No one could be in a racket
like yours
without being influenced
by money.
Not me.
Especially you.
I'd say your price
is hovering around $20,000.
A bonus of $20,000 when you
find out who killed my parents.
If you killed your parents,
and I can't prove it
it's going to be along time
getting to the cashier's
window, isn't it?
I made my offer, Mr. Rockford.
I'm not going to bicker about it.
$20,000 buys
a lot of groceries.
There is one more thing I could look
into, and then I'll let you know.
Of course. What is it?
Iran into a girl this morning
and took her picture.
Its probably nothing,
but you said you had a darkroom
so, shall we take a look?
He really knows how to lay out
the old welcome mat, doesn't he?
According to the police
your mother was killed with
a Tokarev 7.62mm pistol
and your father
was killed
with a .300 Magnum hunting
rifle at long range
and yours was stolen.
Isn't that the way you're telling it?
That's one of the police
department's dead ends.
Is that the rifle?
I don't know if that's it.
I guess it could be. Yeah.
You told the police you never
reported it stolen
because you didn't miss it
for along time
and you'd never used it
very much.
I didn't.
You were sure using it when
these pictures were taken.
Those pictures were taken,
what, five years ago.
You're pretty good.
Yeah?
I know her. I mean, I don't know her
name, but I saw her once.
I was going up to my father's hunting
cabin, and just before I got there
I saw his car pull out,
only she was at the wheel, this girl.
My parents were separated
at the time.
I figured he was having
an affair with her
wanted to keep it quiet
so my mother couldn't use it
in court. It all fits.
All right,
I'll check into it.
If I come up with anything,
I'll hang with you for a while.
If I don't,
I get out. Okay?
Fair enough.
A special delivery for
Mr. Smith from his office.
Is that Steven Smith
or Thomas?
Thomas. This is
his mixed-doubles day.
May I help you?
I'm the assistant manager.
Yeah, I'm not sure, really.
I was looking for Jerry Green.
I'm afraid you're out of luck.
He's not here.
That's too bad.
I'm Jim Rockford,
and I'm an old friend from Chicago.
I was here on business,
and I called him at the house.
There's no answer.
I knew he was a member.
Thought I might track him down here.
He and Mrs. Green
are on vacation abroad.
Don't tell me, Madge and Jerry
finally made it to the Greek Islands?
Why, yes,
that's where they went.
Really? Hey, that's great.
That's marvelous.
They've been talking
about that trip for years.
Good for them.
Bad for me, though,
I was hoping I'd get in a little tennis.
Back to the old hotel.
Excuse me.
I'm sure if you'd like
to use the club
they'd want you
to have a guest card.
Yes, that'd be very nice.
Thank you.
Tawnia Baker. It is you.
I was standing over there,
and I said to myself:
"What a small world.
That's Tawnia Baker."
How's Travis?
Have you seen him since the accident?
Jim, my goodness.
How are you?
To tell you the truth,
I'm not too good.
I had a headache all morning.
Must've been something I drank.
Jim Rockford, Calvin Carras.
Hi. You got a marvelous
tennis partner here
but watch her, she's tricky.
She'll call those close ones out.
What was it you wanted?
Nothing, really.
I just wanted to say "hi."
What are you drinking?
Could I buy you another one?
Three more bloody Marys
here, please
and don't give anybody
the check but me.
We were just about
to play tennis, Jim.
How's your
insurance picture, Cal?
I'm with
Massachusetts National Life.
Here. Why don't you
take one of these
and we'll get together
and talk a little?
Excuse me a minute.
He looks like a good one.
What does he do?
How did you get in here?
How did you?
I have a guest card.
Me, too.
I suppose you're going
to try and mess me up here.
That depends on how much you
decide to cooperate with me.
I want some answers, honey.
Don't call me honey.
I was looking
into your background.
It read like
The Chapman Report,
What really got me
was the last chapter.
Are you going to come
to the point or not?
I found out that you were having
an affair with Charles Kirkoff
just before he was killed.
Tawnia, our court's ready.
Nice to meet you,
Mr. Rockford.
Could you give it away, Cal?
I don't feel very well
right now.
Anything I can do?
No. I'll be all right
in a minute.
Sure.
I hope it wasn't
something I said.
Just tell me what you want
and then get out of here.
Stop flexing your muscles.
What do you want?
Dinner tonight.
I have a date with Calvin.
Break it.
Why?
'Cause I wanna find out how much you
know about the Kirkoff killings
and how you and Travis fit in.
I'll just tell you and we
can spare the dinner date.
You see, I loved Charles
and Travis loved
Mrs. Kirkoff
and when Larry didn't get
tried for it
Travis came to me
and we decided
to look into it ourselves.
What makes you think
Travis didn't do it?
He wouldn't.
I'll pick you up
at 8:00 tonight.
I don't wanna go out
with you.
I'm not too crazy about the idea
myself, but it means $20,000 to me.
So I'm gonna sit on you until
you hatch into something.
$20,000?
You're not worth it.
I know.
Hi, Rocky.
Where you been, sonny?
Out.
I'm only asking
'cause I'm interested.
Say, you want to know
about your calls?
That depends on
who called.
Where's the aspirin, Dad?
You got a headache?
No. I got a hot tip
that the sea bass
out by the pier are hitting
aspirin tablets
if you can keep them
from dissolving.
Try the shelf behind the peanut
butter and the ant poison.
So who called?
There's this fellow here
from the Athletic Club.
Now he's trying to scalp some Ram
tickets off on you on the 50 yard line.
$20 a seat.
Who else?
Then there's this lady.
Now, she wouldn't leave a
name, just a number.
You're not gonna call her,
are you?
I might give it a try.
They're getting mighty
smart, those bill collectors.
Was I you,
I wouldn't call her.
Hello?
This is Jim Rockford.
Mr. Rockford, I understand
you're looking for information
on the Kirkoff killings,.
I might be. Depends.
I'm not going to negotiate
with you.
What I've got is important
and it's going to cost you.
What's your name?
Come on, Mr. Rockford.
Are you interested or not?
I'm interested.
Meet me at the Sierra
Lounge on Wilshire at 8:00.
I'll be wearing a red coat,
sitting in a booth at the back,
Rocky, call Mike Braun
at the telephone company
his number's in the Rolodex
there on the desk
and give him this number
and ask him to get me an
address, will you?
What are you giving me
all this heavy work?
Why don't you get yourself
a secretary?
'Cause if I did that,
she'd park herself on the sofa
you'd end up at the desk, and there
wouldn't be any room for me. See you.
You gonna belong, sir?
I don't think so.
Sir
Yeah?
Does your mother know
what you do for a living?
Shut up.
Hey, take it easy.
I'm not struggling, am I?
I don't know
what you guys want
but there must be
some misunderstanding here.
Hold him.
Hey, come on, man.
Don't hit me.
Well, now, hold it a minute.
Can't we talk about this?
Talk about it a little while?
If I say
some of the wrong things
we can always get to this.
What do you say?
That's just so
you'll get the idea.
We're not playing around.
You convinced?
Completely.
Good.
I got you figured for a pretty smart
guy, Mr. Rockford.
I figure you know what's
healthy for you and what's not.
So I'm gonna give you
a little advice
and I got a feeling
you're gonna take it
'cause if you don't
I ain't gonna talk nice
with you again.
I'm just gonna
sharpen your heels
pound you down
into the hard ground.
I could use a little advice,
believe me.
You're a private detective and I
know you got to work for a living.
I understand that.
But your client
is guilty of murder.
You know? Murder.
I know it to be a fact,
the DA knows it
and the cops and every newspaper
editor in town knows it.
So, how come you're trying
to prove it otherwise?
Why, that was this morning.
I just stopped working
for him.
I never really liked him
very much.
It ain't that I really care that
much about Larry Kirkoff. No.
I think the kid's a creep
for killing his mom and dad
but that's not the reason why I want
you to quit fooling around with this.
You're right.
I understand.
No, you don't understand.
No, I don't.
I'm gonna explain it
to you, though.
It's a real estate fraud
that could get discovered
if the DA
reopens the Kirkoff case.
Now, if that happens,
I'd have myself some real trouble.
And you'll end up
in a brass bottle.
You get my drift?
Yeah.
Good.
So now, just so
you don't feel too bad
about this here beating
I'm gonna leave you with $200.
You don't have
to do that, really.
No. I insist.
It's my pleasure.
Doesn't anybody have a 409
Assault Form around here?
Don't all volunteer.
I'll just have to use a 157M
and change it over later.
157M? That's murder.
It's the same
as the Assault Form
only that there's a little box for
the coroner's report at the bottom.
The way you're going,
you may need it.
Looks good. Nice.
Tagged you real good, didn't he?
I'm glad you like it, Dennis.
Now, let's get on with it.
What are you working on?
Don't worry.
You're not on it.
Humor me.
I'm working
for Larry Kirkoff
to find out
who killed his parents.
Are you kidding?
Haven't you heard?
He killed his own parents
and inherited $20 million.
Everybody keeps
telling me that.
And we would've had him, too,
except for two things.
We couldn't turn up
the hunting rifle
and we couldn't put him
at the scene of the crime.
Maybe he didn't do it.
And maybe mud tastes
like ice cream.
Can you remember what these
five guys looked like?
No. All except the one
who did all the talking.
He had a husky voice like he'd been
hit in the windpipe a couple of times.
Like an ex-fighter?
Yeah, maybe.
I'll tell you what
I'm gonna do, Jim.
I'm gonna fill this out,
give it to patrol
but don't count on much.
What is that
supposed to mean?
I get kidnapped by two guys and
they beat the poo out of me.
I'm making
a legitimate complaint.
What do you mean,
don't count on too much?
I'm counting on you and this Girl
Scout troop in here to solve it.
Shut up, will you? What do I have to
do, spell it out for you?
You're not exactly Princess
Margaret in this Department.
Every time you come in here
with a bloody nose
morale goes up 10 points.
And, if I weren't a buddy of yours,
I wouldn't even type this up.
Okay?
Okay.
Dennis, the warehouse where
these guys booted me around
it's condemned.
I wonder who owns it.
Now, just wait one moment.
You can find out.
Yes, I could find out,
but I ain't.
These guys walked around that
place like they knew it
like they'd been there
before.
They said they didn't
have anything to do
with the Kirkoff killings,
right?
Right.
So who cares
who owns the place?
I got news for you, Dennis.
I don't believe them.
I think
I got somebody worried.
The only one you got worried
is your physical therapist.
All right, Dennis, can't you call
somebody at the Hall of Records?
I need it tonight.
No.
I'll spot you 10 points
the next time
we play handball.
$5 a point, $10 a game?
Come on, Dennis.
$2 a point, $5 a game.
Okay, but you don't tell
anybody where you get it.
If you get turn up anything
good, give it to me.
Make me look
like the hero.
You're a sweet guy.
Jim, I think
you made a bad bet.
Why didn't you call?
Do you mind?
I'm with the lady.
Regrettable, but true.
You have my number, Don.
Maybe tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
Where have you been?
I had to rent a car.
Somebody kicked my headlights out.
Don't you ever
take any time off?
On the phone
you said 8:00. It's 9:00.
What the devil
is this?
You've been fighting.
Not me. The other guys
did the fighting.
I stood there
and caught punches.
Could I trade this in for
a Scotch and soda, please?
Your table is ready.
Enjoy your meal.
Thank you.
You're not having
much of a day, are you?
Now that you mention it,
I guess not.
What are you so angry about?
You're an hour late.
You don't know how tired I get
of people like you.
It's okay for you
to scratch and claw for $1.
It doesn't matter if Larry Kirkoff
is guilty, he's got $20,000
so you drop
right in the basket.
Take it easy, will you?
I went after Charles Kirkoff,
because he had money.
I told him that
and he understood that.
But I wouldn't have gone any further
if I hadn't found him attractive.
He was one of the most
vital men I've ever met
and if they'd taken
all of his money away
I still would have married him
because he was one of a kind.
Everybody I talked to thought old
Charlie was a pretty cold number.
Maybe for them he was.
With me, he was gentle.
It's like you said,
I'm not having much of a day.
You and Travis got me started
on the wrong foot
then a squad
of flat-nosed guys
jumped me and waltzed me
around for a while
and the cops are just tickled
to death over it.
Why don't you and I
just start fresh? Okay?
Okay.
I can't afford
this place.
Me, neither. Let's go.
Deal.
I'll bring
your coffee later.
Yeah, and don't forget
the cream and sugar.
I don't see what the B.R.W.
has to do with it.
There's two things.
First is, that warehouse
where I was taken
was condemned, so I had a friend
of mine run a check on it.
Found out that it used
to belong to the B.R.W.
Second thing is
that that is the union that Charles
Kirkoff did most of his negotiations with.
Hey, this is good.
You don't think I'd stick you
with a bad restaurant?
Just a cheap one.
Right.
They forgot the mustard.
You said you spent about two weeks
with him down at his beach house?
Yes, I left a couple of days
before he was murdered.
Did he ever have any business
conversations while you were around?
All the time,
he was funny that way.
He'd show off, sort of,
like a little boy chinning himself.
Did he ever send you
out of the room
when any of those
conversations were going on?
Why?
I'm just trying out a theory that
maybe the cops haven't tried before.
Yeah. Twice. I think.
Did he ever say
who he was talking to?
Did he ever mention
any names or anything?
The first time,
I don't know
but the second time,
when I was leaving the room
I remember
he mentioned a name.
I remember it because
it was an unusual name
Muzzy. He said,
"What is it, Muzzy?"
Muzzy.
Do you know him?
Yeah. I think so.
Ten, 15 years ago, there was
a promising middleweight.
He was a little flat-footed, so he
didn't last long in the fight business.
His name was Muzzy Vinette.
Where are we going?
Nowhere,
I just want the mustard.
I have an appointment,
. Rockford.
Good morning,
Mr. Rockford.
Ahem.
I'm sorry. No, you don't.
Goodbye.
I represent
Kirkoff Industries.
It's about a personal
injury insurance claim.
Our board feels it's unfair, and your
labor authorities are pressing it
so I'll have to speak to
Mr. Dancer about it personally.
I'm sorry. Mr. Dancer isn't going
to talk to you about insurance.
You see, Mr. Dancer runs this union.
He makes administrative decisions.
We have an insurance claims department.
You can talk to them.
I'm afraid I can't accept that.
Just tell Mr. Dancer I'm here.
I'll show you
to the elevator.
What is your name,
please?
Don't pull that tired line on me.
Just be a nice man and leave.
Look, this is
really important.
Isn't there some way of possibly
convincing you to let me see him?
Get out of here.
There must be some way
of convincing you.
The only way you're gonna get in there
is if you climb over me to do it.
Now, you want to try that?
Just go right ahead.
Come on.
There must be some other way.
Goodbye.
Talk to our Claims Department.
The Claims Department.
You're right. I see.
You've seen it before, huh?
Yeah. A couple of times.
Didn't you notice
I was wearing glasses?
Maybe you'll see him,
after all.
All right, bring him in.
You got any reason why I shouldn't
book you for assault and battery?
I had to see you.
I figured if I take a poke
at one of your gorillas
either way it came out I'd
end up in here and here I am.
You got 30 seconds, then you're leaving.
So get it said, whatever it is.
What I want to say,
you won't want them to hear.
He clean?
Yeah.
Go on, get out.
What is it?
I think you wouldn't like it
if you found out
that one of your boys on
the payroll is moonlighting.
Yeah. That's right.
I wouldn't.
I'm gonna do you a favor,
Mr. Dancer.
You got a goon working for you
named Muzzy Vinette?
This is the age
of public relations.
Mr. Vinette is not
called a goon.
He's called a labor organizer.
You can call him
whatever you want.
Go on. Get to the point.
I'll bet you know if he has a
gun, and if he does
you probably know
what caliber it is.
Come on, Mr. Rockford. Guns?
That was in the '305.
You're in some trouble, AI.
I'm trying to help you.
Now, he's got a gun,
we both know it.
I think that it's a
Tokarev 7.62mm automatic
and he took an independent
contract to kill somebody.
Is that so? Who'd he kill?
Mrs. Charles Kirkoff.
Why should I believe you?
In this age of public relations,
you can't afford not to.
Thank you. Is that all?
That's all.
If you're right,
I owe you.
Put something in the mail.
I think he wants you.
Where's Muzzy?
He's got a girl stashed out by the
country club. He's out there, I think.
It's her pad.
Marsh, go get him.
Pick him up and get
any guns he might have.
Bring him in here.
Go on, get going.
Get out of here!
Just what do you guys think
you're doing?
I'm sorry.
He keeps getting stuck in the sand traps.
Just go ahead and play on through.
Sit.
I was hoping you weren't
gonna put that there.
I suppose
you're here for your money.
Yeah, that's right. I sure am.
The money, the $20,000.
Listen, I understand the police
have the man, a Muzzy Vinette?
They sure do. Ballistics matched up the gun.
He's the one that killed your mother.
He was the one hired by my
father to kill my mother.
I told you he was
a cold-blooded man, didn't I?
Look, Larry, if I could just
have the $20,000, I'll be moving.
And who do the police think
killed my father?
I don't think there's any doubt
about who killed your father, Larry.
You killed your father.
You found out your mother was killed,
picked up a rifle, killed your father.
Unfortunately, the cops
can't find the rifle.
So they don't think
they have a case.
I see.
And for this,
you think I'm going to pay you $20,000?
Maybe you're right.
I don't blame you for not
going for the whole $20,000
under the circumstances
but shall we make it $10,000?
I picked up on Muzzy Vinette for you.
That should be worth $10,000.
What? Yeah,
I suppose, $10,000.
So the police don't think they have
a case against me. Is that right?
I'll mall it to you.
Just send me a bill.
Now, look, Larry.
We had a deal.
I want my money.
Right, Larry, why don't you
just mail it to me?
Why don't you just do that?
I just don't believe that Charles
could've hired that man to kill his wife.
I thought I knew him.
I wonder if he could've killed her
because of me? Wouldn't that be awful?
Look. He killed her because she was about
to ruin his reputation as a puritan.
Then she was gonna pick him
clean in the divorce courts.
That's all there is to it.
So don't make yourself the heavy.
I hate to let it lay, though.
That kid is guilty.
They say you can't get away with murder,
but Larry Kirkoff is gonna do it.
The cops aren't gonna press it.
He's gonna get away clean.
Unless somebody
who cared for Larry's father would
take some sort of interest in the case.
What is that
supposed to mean?
Look, in the heat of the moment,
he hired someone to fix his wife.
There was bad blood there
but, like you said,
he was gentle and kind.
What do you take me for,
some kind of mental deficient?
I just hate to see him get away with
it, that's all.
Okay. How much?
$200 a day, plus expenses.
Come on, $100.
$200 and I'll throw
in the expenses.
$125.
$175.
$150 and you buy
the dinner tonight.
You got yourself a deal.
What are you parking here for?
Why don't you let the attendant park it?
I just hate to pay $1
to have some attendant
put scratches
all over a car.
I'll be damned!
He was using me.
Not the way you thought.
I never knew him at all. He wasn't
trying to get away with anything.
He was just waiting for me to prove he
was right so he could give himself up.
I'm really something.
I think "insensitive"
is the word I'm looking for.
That doesn't sound like
the Jim Rockford I know.
Clear-eyed,
vigilant, precise
Tangle-footed, myopic, obtuse.
Let's get something to eat.
By the way, you're fired.
In that case,
I'll buy you a hot dog.