Father Dowling Mysteries (1989) s02e05 Episode Script

(theme music playing)
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
(church organ playing)
(crowd murmuring)
(music stops)
In the words of our Lord,
suffer the little children
to come unto me.
God loves you.
Not just today
when you celebrate your
First Holy Communion,
but every day,
from the day you were born.
He looks after you
(footsteps echoing)
What kind of man are you?
A priest!
I didn't believe it.
Oh, no, no, wait, I-I'm
not who you think I am.
How can you do this?
It's evil, it's
This man, your priest,
told me he loved me.
He made love to me, and then
he swindled me out of $50,000.
I hope there's a special
hell for you, Edward.
(crowd murmuring)
(sputtering): No, uh
It's Blaine, and this
time I can't forgive him.
Father Dowling, you must
explain this. Who's Blaine?
Frank has a twin brother
who is a crook and a con artist.
I'm used to Blaine
breaking the law,
and I'm used to being blamed
for what he's done, but this time
he's caused a scandal in
my church and in the parish.
You have a twin brother?
God help me, I do.
And he looks like you?
Dead ringer.
Hard to believe isn't it?
Not as hard as Father
Dowling the Casanova.
Then it wasn't you who
defiled that poor woman?
Of course not.
PRESTWICK: Oh, what a relief.
I mean, not that
I ever thought
Frank, what are you going to do?
Well, the first thing I'm gonna
do is to try and find that woman
and prove to her that
I am not my brother.
She's Daphne Dumont.
How do you know?
Well, her picture's in
all the advertisements.
It's on every product she makes.
She's Dumont Cosmetics.
She's very rich and famous.
And she fell for Blaine?
Are you sure he looks like you?
My bro
My brother attracts women.
I don't know why and I
certainly don't want to know how.
Well, when you meet
her, would you ask her?
Oh, dear!
The Bishop will hear about
this, if he hasn't already.
Don't panic, Frank.
Don't panic. I'll get to the
Bishop before anyone else
and I, I'll tell him that
no matter what he hears
you are not the
lothario people think.
I'll tell him that it
was all a mistake,
a dreadful, but
plausible, mistake.
I've got to go see Miss Dumont.
Well, do you think
she'll believe you?
I don't know, but I gotta try.
SECRETARY (on
phone): Dumont Cosmetics.
Oh, no, she's in a
meeting right now.
Can I take a message?
Uh, well, try back
in about two hours.
(women arguing)
Ladies, ladies, please! Please.
You will be auditioned in the
order in which you signed in.
Just sit down and try to relax.
Mr. Halliday, you're here.
I'm Father Frank Dowling
of St. Michael's Parish.
I want to see Miss
Dumont, please.
Does Miss Dumont know that
she's seeing you this morning,
Mister..?
Dowling. Father Dowling.
No, she doesn't.
Would you please
tell her I'm here?
You got a lot of nerve
coming here, Halliday.
I am not Halliday, and
I came here to prove it.
Now, I must see Miss Dumont.
Oh, she's in conference.
I'll wait.
Who are you?
(chuckling)
You know who I am.
What are you trying to take
her for this time, Halliday?
Why don't you take
the money and run?
I'm gonna stay here
until I see Miss Dumont.
Suit yourself. Take a seat.
(laughing)
(sighing)
(door closes)
It's bad enough that you develop
a product without consulting me,
but how dare you ship it?
It's just a small amount
for limited test markets.
I'm sure I mentioned
it to you, Aunt Daphne.
I guess you were so
preoccupied with Mr. Halliday
Don't mention his name.
And don't try to distract me.
Now, I have found this company.
I am running this company,
and I will decide what products
we develop, understood?
Perfectly.
It's powder, Aunt Daphne,
talcum-based
with a pearl finish.
We already have a
pearl essence powder.
Why would you develop
something what is it, Kevin?
Uh, Edward Halliday's
outside waiting to see you.
Edward. Here.
I'll throw him out.
Um, no, there's something
I'd like to say to him.
Please send him in.
I'll catch up with you later.
- I want a development report
and a product sample, pronto.
All right.
(sighing)
(door closing)
Thank you for seeing
me, Miss Dumont.
Still posing as a priest?
Lightning should strike you.
Miss Dumont,
a terrible wrong
has been done you,
but I am not the
man responsible.
It's not the money.
I would have given
you the money.
It's the lie.
I have a twin brother, his
name is Blaine Dowling,
and he's the one
who deceived you.
Oh, God, still lying.
How could I fall in love
with a man so twisted?
Look, if-if-if you
would just take a-a look
at this family photo album.
It's got pictures of
Blaine and I growing up.
We're identical.
What is it?
Are you afraid I'll
have you arrested?
Look, do you think I want
this to get into the papers?
Do you think I want the
whole world to know?
Then why did you
come to the church?
I had to see for myself.
Please, take a
look at these photos.
And the worst thing
is I feel such a fool.
I loved you ever since that
night at the Meadowbrook Club.
I believed you.
I would have done
anything in the world for you.
And all that time,
you were using me.
Oh, this isn't working.
Look, I'm going to find Blaine
and I'm going to
bring him back here.
Stop lying to me!
Get out!
(glass shattering)
(panting)
(crashing)
(shrieking)
(panting)
(shattering)
(panting)
(door opens)
KRIESS: Daphne?
I hate you.
I'm sorry, Miss Dumont,
but this isn't over.
I'll be back.
What are you two staring at?
Well, now, how did
she get at distribution?
I don't know, but she did, and
now she's asking questions.
All right, look, we'll tell
her we recalled the product,
that it wasn't ready.
Come off it. She's
not gonna buy that.
She's too smart and too tough,
and madder than hell.
Ugh, the best thing
that ever happened to us
was her romance with Halliday.
For awhile there, we
were running the show.
Awhile wasn't long enough.
Kevin
we've got too
much at stake here.
Aunt Daphne's a problem.
We need a solution,
a safe, permanent solution
What are you thinking of?
Perhaps Mr. Halliday
can help us again.
BLAINE: Hello, Frank.
Blaine.
I heard Daphne came
to one of your services.
I need your help, Blaine.
That poor woman thinks it was
me that seduced and swindled her.
Oh, I didn't set you up, Frank.
You're not gonna straighten
this thing out for me, are you?
Of course not.
Then why did you come here?
BLAINE: To tell you to relax.
This will blow over.
One of the nice things
about scamming rich women
is that they get so embarrassed.
Oh, you'll glance over your
shoulder for a week or so.
Some of them will have
little guns in their purses, but
then they begin to worry
about their friends finding out
and laughing at them.
So they drop it.
You've got nothing
to worry about, Frank.
It's not that simple.
BLAINE: Oh, but it is.
Don't try and find me, Frank.
I've got heavy deals pending.
Oh, no. For once
you're going to do
something in your
life that's right.
You're going to come to
the rectory with me, right now.
Frank? Dinner's ready.
Steve, I want you
to meet my bro
brother.
I know things look
bleak, Father Dowling,
but you must have faith.
The truth will out.
Please pass the potatoes.
Your reputation is impeccable,
and when word spreads
through the diocese
that you have been
accused of a heinous crime
And it certainly will
Who will believe it?
(laughing)
Are those the string beans?
Thank you, Marie.
Oh, just wait, Frank.
People aren't going to
call you "rogue priest."
You're not going to be shunned
by your ecclesiastical brethren
or be driven from your parish.
As long as we can get
this matter straightened out.
(telephone ringing)
The roast seems a
little dry, don't you think?
Ah! Muffins.
Where was I?
Having a second helping.
That was Miss
Dumont's secretary.
Miss Dumont would like
to see me immediately.
Ah, she's ready
to listen to reason.
Let's go.
Right now it's very important
that we keep Father
Dowling's spirits up.
And you were doing
one heck of a job.
You wait here, Sister.
Are you sure?
Ah, Miss Dumont might want
to unburden herself about Blaine.
Personal, I-I understand.
I'll be here.
DOWLING: Miss Dumont?
Oh.
In the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Father Dowling, we got a call
to investigate a disturbance.
Oh, oh,
something tells
me I've been set up.
I know what you're
gonna find on that,
everything but my initials.
Do you think Blaine
could have killed her?
I can't imagine why.
My brother’s
larcenous by nature,
but I don't believe
he's a killer.
Well, who do you think
called you to go over there?
I don't know,
but at least we've
narrowed the field
down to someone close
to Daphne's business.
Only your prints were found
on the murder weapon, Frank.
Oh, Clancy, you don't really
think that he did this, do you?
I can't ignore the evidence.
Sergeant, somebody
called me down to the plant.
Somebody called you.
Now, obviously, it
was the same person.
Who called you?
Well, I checked the 911 tape.
It was a man's voice, but
he didn't identify himself.
But this is an obvious frame.
Maybe, but it's a
pretty good one.
Look, Clancy,
if you arrest me for this crime,
the scandal's gonna
hurt the church,
our parish, everyone,
regardless of the
ultimate outcome.
Please, take a little more time.
Try to find the man who called.
All right.
I'll give it another 48 hours.
But if we don't come
up with anything new
by then, Father, the DA
will want to press charges,
and I won't be able to stop him.
I understand.
Thanks, Clancy.
You won't regret this.
I hope not.
I've got to find Blaine.
He's our only lead.
So we go pub crawling, huh?
No, no, I think he's working
the other side of
the street these days.
I don't know, Steve.
It's gonna work, Frank.
Well, I'll give it a try.
By the way, where did you get
the money to rent this tux, huh?
Well, I borrowed Marie's
Christmas rum cake money.
Sister, when was the last
time you had confession?
Let's go, Frank.
Oh, wow.
Oh, there you are,
Father Dowling.
Um, any new developments
in the, uh, situation?
Not yet, no.
We'll keep you posted.
Dressed for a special occasion?
- Surprise.
- (chuckles)
(lounge music plays)
(sighs)
This had better work.
Go get 'em, Frank.
(groans)
How are you today?
My, we're looking
lovely, aren't we?
(exhales)
Hi.
WOMAN: Hello.
Do, uh, do you recognize
me by any chance?
I'd know you anywhere.
You would?
Who wouldn't know
Fred Astaire?
Fred Ast
Uh, seriously, do
you know who I am?
I've waited for
you my whole life.
You're the man
I've spent $50,000
in dance classes
to meet one day.
(screams)
Oh, no.
Ooh, let's get down.
(lively swing tune plays)
- Fraud.
- Hmm?
Oh.
(grunts)
Um, excuse me, who was that guy?
Harlan Sinclair, or so he says.
Why'd you punch him?
The man is a fortune hunter.
Do you know where
I could find him?
Well, of course.
(doorbell rings)
Hello, Blaine.
I'd like you to meet
Sister Stephanie.
I've heard so much about you.
Oh, really?
I'll bet you have.
Well, you're here.
You might as well sit.
Just what is it you want, Frank?
Blaine, I'm very
close to being charged
for the murder of Daphne Dumont.
Really?
Well, you ought
to be more careful.
Well maybe we're looking at
the guy who iced her right now.
Who is this girl, Frank?
Some sort of urban
development project of yours?
Sister Stephanie cares
about people besides herself.
Now, I realize that makes
her a curiosity to you.
Now, who killed Daphne Dumont?
I'm not sure.
But you can guess.
If I tell you what I suspect,
do you promise not
to come back here?
(sighs)
Well, if I were you,
(chuckles) and sometimes I am,
I'd take a close look at
Daphne's second in command,
- Bill Taylor.
- Why him?
Well, the last time I saw her,
she was muttering
something about him
and making notes
in her secret file.
She was really upset
about something.
Where did she keep that file?
Well, she kept it in
a tan designer folder.
She had it with
her all the time.
We better get our
hands on that file.
Yeah, if the killer
hasn't gotten it first.
I like her, Frank.
She's cute.
Let's go, Sister.
You, uh, haven't actually said
that you wouldn't come back.
No, I didn't.
But I won't.
Good-bye, Blaine.
- Good-bye, Frank.
- (door opens)
If any of you, or your staff,
might know who called
the police last night,
please let us know immediately.
Please, make sure that everyone
in all departments understands
this and cooperates fully.
Anything else, Sergeant?
Not for now.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Before you all go, there
is something I'd like to say.
You all know that my
aunt was a great fighter,
a great competitor,
and I know that she would
want us to continue on,
business as usual.
Pay our respects certainly,
and then get on with it.
There will be a brief memorial
service Friday at noon.
Thank you very much,
and let's get back to work.
How come they haven't
arrested that priest?
I don't know, Kevin.
Perhaps if things had
been handled a little better,
they would have.
What's that supposed to mean?
What it means is
that I'm selling out
our interest in Dumont Dust.
You're what?
What am I supposed to do?
Thanks to you,
this place is
crawling with police
and that priest is still
running around loose.
We'll be giving up millions.
Wages of sin, Kevin.
Just be happy they're
not arresting you.
Hey, now, look, come on.
I did your dirty work for you.
So now you got the
company; what have I got?
My undying gratitude.
Get the other two.
I got it.
Let's go.
Get inside.
I'll get the tripod.
Maybe the killer
has the folder, Frank.
Maybe.
(door closes)
What was that?
I'll go see.
(door opens)
It-it was nothing.
I'll keep a lookout.
(door closes)
KRIESS: No, I
don't like the deal.
You look like somebody
who's looking for somebody.
Won't I do?
Yeah, you'll do.
♪♪
♪♪
Steve, I found it.
Steve?
How'd you do, Frank?
Steve?
The new and improved version.
What happened?
Well, I was standing
lookout, right?
And these guys
come and they find me.
Well, for a second, I figure,
okay, that's it, it's over,
you know, I'm history.
And they take me and
they hustle me downstairs
and they put me
in this little room,
and there are all
these lights, you know,
like-like when you're gonna
get the third degree or something.
Well, it turns out Now
this is the funny part
It turns out, they think
that I am a contestant
to be the new Dumont girl.
So, so, all of the sudden,
they're attacking me with
the hair and the makeup
and the things, you know.
It was torture, Frank.
But I couldn't say
anything, could I?
Well, what happened then?
Nothing. I'm a finalist.
They're gonna shoot me tomorrow.
Shoot you?
With a camera, Frank.
They told me to wear this gown.
They said that I
need the practice.
It's nice, huh?
(sighs)
Who's there?
Nobody.
Oh, may I help you, miss?
I don't think so, Phil.
Thanks, anyway.
Oh, do I know you?
DOWLING: Coming, Sister?
Yeah.
That's very clever,
masquerading as a woman.
Father Prestwick,
you're not planning
to stay over, by any chance?
No. I was just waiting
for you to get back,
in case there was
anything I could do.
I could make some tea.
Stay out of my kitchen
please, Father Prestwick.
What's going on?
Nothing, Marie.
Go on back to bed.
Father Prestwick
was just leaving.
Wash your face,
Sister Stephanie.
Good night, Marie.
Good night, Father Prestwick.
So what do you
make of it, Frank?
Oh, it's mostly appointments,
couple of notations
on investments.
Hello, what's this?
I can't figure it out.
Some kind of a
list of deliveries.
And it's got some
notations in her own hand.
It's hard to read
her writing, huh?
Yeah.
Dumont Dust.
I never heard of it.
Here's the phone number.
Must be some kind
of special deliveries
of this Dumont Dust,
whatever that is.
I'm getting a recording.
Whose number is it?
It's Paladino and
Sutherland Investigations,
who say that they're in Bangkok
until the end of the month.
Hmm. I wonder if Daphne
got through to them,
or more importantly, what
she wanted them to do.
Is there anything else in there?
No, I'm afraid not.
We're no better off than
we were before we had this.
You know, Frank, I went
through their entire brochure
and I don't remember
anything about Dumont Dust.
Who could be getting
those deliveries?
The competition?
Steve, you don't
think maybe we're onto
some kind of industrial
espionage, do you?
You're flat on one side.
Admit it, you
slept on your hair.
I slept lying down.
With your head on a pillow?
Yeah, a big one.
Oh, how could you do this to me?
You were perfect when you
walked out of here yesterday.
I need a miracle.
Where's the spray gel?
I feel like a criminal.
Next time, wrap your
head in toilet paper
and sleep hanging
over the end of the bed.
You do that?
Yes. And you better, too,
if you want to get anywhere.
Remember, we're like athletes.
Only got a few years.
Even Kareem lost his sky hook.
Uh, no, no, no, no, no.
Hey, hey, we're not done yet.
Yeah, well, thanks,
but it's really not me.
Honestly.
Wait here.
Ta-da.
For God's sake!
You got it.
See ya.
Models.
I'm a shoo-in.
Ah, there you are, Father.
Out of my way.
Well
All right, where is he?
Where's who?
My brother.
Frank?
Right, my brother.
You're not Frank, are you?
Of course I'm not Frank.
Do I look like a
stupid priest to you?
No, I suppose not.
Look, what is it gonna
take for you to tell me
where my
double-crossing brother is?
I'm not sure.
Oh, why don't
you try the church.
I don't need you
to tell me that.
I'm making my special
ham casserole for you.
Smells awful.
He's certainly not himself.
You have no idea.
(organ playing)
Frank.
Beg pardon?
(chuckles)
You should,
after telling the cops
where to find me.
What choice did I have, Blaine?
I've been accused of murder
and you refuse to help me.
I had the deal of
my life going down.
Suckers right there,
reaching for their wallets.
And then in walks your
Sergeant Clancy to ask me
if I had an alibi for the
time of Daphne's murder.
(chuckles) I did.
Then there's no harm done.
You owe me a
million bucks, Frank.
That's what I would've
got for that deal.
Listen to me, Blaine.
Sometimes, God has a way
of stepping into our lives
when we least expect it.
He gives us a chance
to look at ourselves.
Oh, are you trying
to save me again?
I'm only trying
to help, if I can.
Well, I don't want your help
and I don't need to be saved.
I like what I do.
I'm good at it.
There's nothing
I want to change.
I can't believe you mean that.
Well, it's true.
I'm a very happy man.
And you know it and
you hate it, Frank.
I know you better than
anyone in the world,
and I know that you're
not a happy man.
Cheating and lying
You couldn't be.
Happiness is-is
something you earn,
it's not something
you steal from others.
And you know that,
don't you, Blaine?
Blaine?
(sighs)
(loud thump)
♪♪
(talking quietly)
(engine starts)
MAN (over P.A.): Train
347, the Illinois Zephyr,
with coach service to
La Grange, Naperville,
Plano, Mendota,
Princeton, Kewanee,
Galesburg, Macomb, Quincy,
West Quincy, North Madison
WOMAN: Cynthia! Get over here!
MAN (over P.A.): and
Kansas City, Missouri.
All aboard, please, train 347,
the Illinois Zephyr.
(Dowling sighs)
Sorry I'm late.
What's going on?
- We're waiting.
- For what?
For somebody to come
along and open up the locker
on the top row,
second from the right.
See, I was poking
around at the factory,
and I ran into Bill
and that-that goon
- that works for him.
- Mm-hmm.
Well, I saw them
picking up some boxes
of Dumont Dust from
the lab, so I followed them.
Here?!
Yeah, but they're
over there somewhere.
Don't worry. They can't see us.
Oh.
But they left the Dumont
Dust in that locker.
And we're waiting to see
who's gonna pick it up?
- You got it.
- Oh.
Try and look like you're
waiting for the 6:15 to Flossmoor.
We might be here a while.
Yeah.
(Dowling sighs)
(overlapping chatter)
♪♪
Drugs.
They're testing the product.
Guys in that business
can tell with one taste.
(train whistle blowing)
Oh, just coffee.
- Ma'am?
- Uh-uh.
MAN: Everything
seems to be in order.
MAN (over P.A.):
service from Los Angeles,
Flagstaff, Albuquerque
MAN: It's all there.
Very good, gentlemen.
It's been a pleasure
doing business with you.
Let's get out of here.
MAN (over P.A.): adjacent
to track number seven.
Well, it looks like
they're satisfied
with the product.
All we need now is proof, Frank.
We got to get a
sample of that stuff.
How? They don't look
like they're willing to share.
Well, then we got
to go to the source.
(horn honking)
They got the
stuff out of this lab.
How we gonna get in?
Why do I ask?
Bingo!
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Hello. ♪
Mm.
- Here.
- Frank?
Use this.
(door closing)
What's that?
KEVIN: They didn't have a
clue what I was talking about.
TAYLOR: What do you
mean, they didn't have a clue
what you were talking about?
- I don't know.
- He's just being
They're coming.
Call Clancy. I'll keep 'em busy.
Well, good afternoon, gentlemen.
What the hell are
you doing here?
Search him.
DOWLING: I'm afraid
you arrived a little too soon.
No.
I think we arrived just in time.
May I help you?
I'm Sergeant Clancy,
this is Sister Stephanie,
and we are looking for
Father Frank Dowling.
We don't have
anyone by that name.
Yes, you do. They're hiding
him around here somewhere.
We want to see Bill Taylor
right now. (knocks on desk)
I'll ring him.
Yes, Father Dowling was here,
but we had to ask him to leave.
He was trespassing.
Perhaps he's in church.
I saw you grab him.
He is lying, Sergeant.
Uh, would you mind if we
had a look around, Mr. Taylor?
Of course not.
Just look in there.
What? You think Father Dowling
is hiding inside this cabinet?
No, but there is enough stuff
in there to powder the nose
of every junkie in
Chicago, and I happen
to have a sample
of it right here.
You just wait until the
police lab analyzes this.
You know, you're
gonna be laughing out
the other side of your face.
Now, I don't know what
that is, or where you got it,
but if it's what you say it
is, it certainly did not come
from Dumont Cosmetics.
Any sign of him, Williams?
Sergeant?
I've been very patient so far.
I appreciate that, Mr. Taylor.
I guess we're through.
Clancy, you can't just leave
him here with these people!
What if they kill him?
Steve, we have done
everything that we can do.
Yeah, but they're hiding
him around here somewhere.
You don't know that for sure.
Besides, I can't get a search
warrant without probable cause.
I'm sorry.
(indistinct chatter)
(Taylor laughs)
Your friend, the nun, just
dropped by with the police.
They seem to think you
might be on the premises.
Fortunately, I was able
to straighten them out.
They'll be back.
Not in time to do you any good.
Yeah, suppose
they get a warrant?
So what?
Once we get rid
of him, we're clean.
I'm going back to the office.
Wait until we close,
and then get rid of him.
It's been a pleasure.
Mm-hmm.
(door opens)
(door closes)
You gonna kill me, Kevin?
Shut up.
Did you kill Miss
Dumont, or was it Bill?
I said, shut up!
You can't intimidate
me anymore, you know.
I'm already in as much
trouble as I can be.
Yeah, well
there's nothing else we can do.
Things have gone too far.
How much does he
pay you to kill for him?
Is it worth it?
I'll let you know.
♪♪
How did he get loose?
What are you talking about?
I just saw him on
the security monitor.
(door opens,
footsteps approaching)
Oh, thank God you're here.
I just found Father Dowling.
- What?
- STEPHANIE: Frank?
Are you okay?
Barely. How did you find me?
Well, we just fished around,
and Blaine was the bait.
(indistinct chatter)
Just keep your hands
where I can see them.
Just keep on walking.
You know, I don't blame
Bill for falling for that trick.
I can barely tell the
two of you apart myself.
How did you ever
get Blaine to do it?
Well, you know, Frank,
he is your brother,
and I-I think that deep down,
he really does care about you.
- Hmm.
- I'm gonna go get the car.
Yeah.
BLAINE: I usually like to
have more time to prepare,
but, uh, went pretty
well, wouldn't you say?
Blaine I don't
know what to say.
You saved my life.
Don't spread that around, Frank.
I got a reputation to protect.
Oh, no, I'm not gonna
let you make light of this.
You placed yourself
in danger for my sake.
What you did was selfless
and beyond generosity.
Selfless?
(chuckles)
Look I told you,
I like what I do.
I also told you I'm good at it.
I just proved it.
It was just another
scam, Frank, another con.
But you got to
admit, I'm the best.
I don't care what you call it.
I won't forget this.
I won't let you.
You owe me, Frank.
You owe me one.
(door opening)
You okay, Frank?
Mm.
Let's go home.