Father Dowling Mysteries (1989) s02e07 Episode Script

(theme music playing)
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Father Dowling's
overdrawn again?
Hmm, by several hundred dollars.
I'd call him, but this
is so awkward, Sister.
Well, don't call
and don't worry.
I'll straighten out
St. Michael's books
and I'll bring 'em back
first thing tomorrow.
BANKER: I appreciate
that, Sister Stephanie.
Thank you.
No problem, I'll see you
tomorrow, Mr. Pearson.
- All right.
- Oh, holy!
I'm so sorry, are you okay?
I'm all right, I'm okay.
PEARSON: Oh, dear.
- A-Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
Actually what I
am is embarrassed.
Could you help me up?
Oh, of course, here.
(both grunt)
You shouldn't be embarrassed.
I ran into you.
Actually I kind of enjoyed it.
It's not every day I get to
have a woman fall all over me.
(chuckles)
Oh, I'm sorry, I should
introduce myself.
Uh, you're
Sister Stephanie from
St. Michael's parish.
I'm psychic.
(laughing): No, actually I
couldn't help but overhear.
I'm Nick Moran.
Hi, hi.
Hmm.
You don't feel like a nun.
Well, what I am is a klutz.
Um, listen, can I help you?
- Can I, can I drive you home?
- No, I have a friend coming
- to pick me up in a couple of minutes.
- All right, I'm
I am so sorry.
Don't worry about
it, no harm done.
- Okay.
- Hope to see you again,
but next time wear a bell
so I can hear you coming.
Okay, I'll have bells on.
It was nice bumping
into you, Mr. Moran.
- Bye.
- Nick.
Take care of
yourself, Stephanie.
(tapping cane)
(engine starts)
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
It's all there and it balances.
Sister Stephanie, what would
Father Dowling do without you?
Well, he takes pretty good
care of me, too, Mr. Pearson.
Thanks, bye.
Good-bye, Sister.
Ding, ding, ding,
ding, ding, ding.
- Stephanie?
- (both chuckle)
- With bells on.
- Yeah.
How are you?
Good lost but good.
Well, what can I do to help?
I can never find the
safe deposit vault.
Maybe you could point
me in the right direction.
I'll do better than that.
I'll take you there myself.
Excellent.
My friends call me Steve.
Good-bye, Mr. Allen,
have a nice weekend.
Bye.
Hi.
Sister Stephanie,
it's so nice to see you.
Thanks.
Good morning, Mr. Moran.
What brings you here, Sister?
She was kind enough to
lead me in the right direction.
After I've been a
customer a little longer
I'll know my way around.
Any of us will be
happy to help you,
Mr. Moran.
Why don't you step in?
Oh, you're going to
hate me, Miss Higgins,
but I've lost my key.
No problem, Mr. Moran, we'll be
happy to issue you another key.
I'll get the forms.
Thanks.
Tell me the truth, Stephanie.
She made a face, right?
(Stephanie laughs)
Yeah.
(alarm ringing, people gasping)
NICK: What happened?
STEPHANIE: Um, power
failure The lights are out.
NICK: Stay put.
Now Nick's got two minutes.
(alarm continues)
Okay, turn it back on.
- (alarm stops)
- There you are.
The lights are back on.
Light or dark, it's
all the same to me.
HIGGINS: Oh, just what we need.
A power failure on Friday.
You two okay?
- Yeah.
- Good.
We have to run a systems
check, Sister Stephanie.
I'm sorry, but would
you mind coming back?
Nick?
This bank's exciting,
what with women falling all
over me and sirens blaring.
I can't wait to come back.
Okay, bye.
Bye.
- Hey.
- There's a man waiting to see you.
He seems real upset.
His name's Bowles.
- Ian Bowles?
- Yeah, that's the one.
He's in the study.
Come on, Steve.
Mr. Bowles, I'm Father Dowling
and this is Sister Stephanie.
Hello.
We met at the bishop's
lunch last week.
Oh, yes.
Please excuse this
unannounced visit,
but I have a serious problem.
How can I help you?
There was a theft from my
safe deposit box this morning.
Miss Higgins told me
the only two customers
at the safe deposit area
were Sister Stephanie
and a blind man.
Well, what makes you think
the theft took place today?
Yesterday I put the
item that was lost
in my safe deposit
box at closing time.
Last night I put
the key in the desk.
This morning the
key was missing,
now the item is missing.
Steve, do you know who this
man is or where we can find him?
No, all I know
His name is Nick.
I don't know where he lives.
Call me if you
remember anything.
The item that was lost is of
the utmost importance to me
and I want it back.
Thank you.
Frank, um, this guy Nick
You know, when I
was helping him up
I saw him keep from
hitting his head on the table.
He kind of ducked.
Maybe Mr. Bowles is right.
Well, I got to go make a
statement to the police.
I just saw Ian Bowles
getting into a limousine.
He was here at St. Michael's?
Briefly.
(sighs) What did he want?
What is he giving you?
He's not giving us anything.
Come on, Frank, Ian
Bowles, mega-millionaire
known for his philanthropy.
Last year when the bishop made
him Diocese Layman of the Year,
St. Patrick's got a new bus
and St. Tim's got a new wing.
So, what is it?
We could use a
new vacuum cleaner.
Mr. Bowles was here
for personal reasons.
He's a personal friend?
Frank, I'm impressed.
Wait a minute, I've got an idea.
The bishop's birthday
celebration is coming up;
I'm in charge
of the festivities.
We'll turn his birthday
party into, into a fund-raiser
for the homeless and you'll
ask Mr. Bowles to be chairman.
People will donate like crazy.
I'll ask him no such thing.
He's got a lot on his mind.
Oh, please, Frank, you must.
It's charity.
The bishop would love it.
STEPHANIE: Are
you coming, Frank?
Oh, yes.
Excuse us.
PRESTWICK: A new
car?
A new rectory?
With a self-cleaning oven?
(Prestwick chuckles)
Father. Sister Stephanie.
Clancy.
Church business, I hope.
Well, not really.
We came to ask
you about the theft
from the safe deposit
box at First National Bank.
What theft?
Father Dowling. Sister.
Uh, Mr. Bowles,
why didn't you report
your theft to the police?
Please, uh, be seated.
(Bowles laughs airily)
I don't know what to say.
This, uh, missing item
Is it something that
might embarrass you?
Very astute, Father.
It's a journal.
Actually, it's a diary
of various romantic liaisons
I've had with several ladies.
Several of these
ladies are married,
they're all wealthy
and socially prominent,
and I must protect
their reputations.
And you've got your
own to look after, too.
I don't deny that.
I like to think
that I've given something
back to this community,
so you can understand
why I can't go to the police.
Don't you realize
that whoever has that diary
is going to blackmail you?
Yeah, you got a
really big problem.
I know.
And I'm certain
that you understand
that what I've told you is in
the strictest of confidence.
You can't reveal this to anyone.
Mr. Bowles, you're
tying our hands.
BOWLES: So be it.
This is a matter
of ethics, Father.
I have your word, and Sister's,
that this will go no further?
(sighs)
You leave us no choice.
Hmm.
Do you suppose that Mr. Bowles
has already been contacted
by whoever stole his book?
Well, if he has, he's
not gonna tell us.
Oh. Who would imagine
that Ian Bowles could live
such a lurid secret life, huh?
Not the bishop,
or he wouldn't have made
him Layman of the Year.
Yeah, at least he's trying
to protect the women
he's, uh (chuckles)
befriended?
I just can't imagine
that Nick had anything
to do with this, Frank.
- I sure hope you're right.
- There's only
one way to find out.
We got to find Nick.
So, if you could give me
Nick Moran's home address,
I really want to take those
forms over to him myself.
He's not a member
of your parish?
Well, I don't even
know if he's Catholic.
We just ran into each other.
That's nice that you
wanted to help him.
If only there were more
people like you, Sister.
I'll have it for
you in a second.
Thanks.
(siren blaring)
(knocking)
Oh, stop frowning, Frank.
We knocked.
We always knock.
If we're gonna look around
the room, let's do it fast.
It's a mob hotel.
STEPHANIE: Yeah, I know.
The guy at the desk didn't
even bother to hide his gun.
The lobby looks like
a hooker convention.
I'm gonna check the bathroom.
Closet's empty.
No clothes, nothing.
(Stephanie sighs)
Toothbrush and a razor.
Well, your friend travels light.
(door opens)
The desk clerk tell me
you're looking for Nick Moran.
That's right.
He don't live here anymore,
so you got nobody to visit.
Oh, well (chuckles)
in that case, we'll be leaving.
Right right behind you.
Mr. Farina, Nick had
a couple of visitors.
I doubt that Nick
Moran is blind.
What do you mean, Frank?
A blind man would not
have a room on the third floor.
He'd want to be on the
ground floor in case of fire.
And in his room, there
was an open magazine
on the table next to his bed.
Frank, why would Nick
pretend to be blind?
Well, what better way to
learn the layout of a bank
that you were planning
to rob in the dark?
He probably rented that room
so he'd have an address
to give to the bank.
Listen, I know it doesn't
look good for Nick,
but I just I just
have this feeling
that he's not such a bad guy.
So far, the evidence says he is.
- (door closes)
- Hi, Phil.
- There you are.
- Oh, Father Prestwick.
I was so lost in thought,
I didn't hear you come in.
- Hmm.
- Have you spoken to Mr. Ian Bowles?
Not about the
bishop's birthday, no.
(sighs) Priorities, Frank.
We want the bishop
blowing out candles
with a smile on his face.
DOWLING: What's this?
PRESTWICK: I've
been searching my mind
for a theme for the
bishop's birthday fund-raiser.
Something punchy that
would entice Ian Bowles.
I've got it.
"From Wall Street
to your street.
We're bullish on charity."
- Certainly has punch.
- (Prestwick chuckles)
Sister Stephanie,
what do you think?
- (door closes)
- Um, I think it's time
to get the oil
changed in the car.
While you're at it,
have Mr. Moneybags
donate a lemon pie.
Father Prestwick
just ate the last piece.
(laughing)
Wonderful sense of humor.
(car door closes, engine starts)
(brakes squeak)
All set, Sister.
How much do I owe you, Mike?
A rosary will do it.
Hey, thanks.
Bye.
Hey, Nick!
I've been thinking about you.
Me, too.
You know, there was
a robbery at the bank.
Safe deposit box, when
the power went out.
No kidding.
Yeah.
Well, I didn't hear or s
sense anything odd, did you?
Pretty hard to hear anything
with those sirens blaring.
You know, Nick, um,
when the lights went
out, I reached for your arm,
but you weren't there.
Where were you?
Doing what I was taught to do.
You see, I learned
that when there's
a problem in public,
you head for the nearest wall.
That way, you don't get
trampled by all you seeing types
who tend to panic.
Smart.
I got kind of worried about
you, you know, and I asked
the bank for your
address, and I, um
I went to your hotel.
You didn't?
(chuckling): Oh.
I'm so embarrassed.
Why?
'Cause I didn't know
what kind of place it was
until a friend came
to pick me up.
He told me I was staying
with ladies of the night.
Of the morning and
of the late afternoon.
(laughs) Yeah. So,
you didn't know?
NICK: I guess I
should have been able
to tell by the perfume, but
(sighs)
Stephanie, um
I-I can't see,
but I know you're
beautiful.
How do you know that?
NICK: Instinct.
I don't know how I know.
I just know.
Well, listen, I got to
get back to the rectory.
Do you need a lift or anything?
No, thanks. The
friend I'm staying with
for a couple of days is
picking me up at the bus stop.
Okay.
You take care of
yourself, Stephanie.
You too, Nick.
♪♪
(engine starting)
♪♪
♪♪
(indistinct chatter)
MAN: They get caught,
they get two years
then they're back out
NICK: She bought my story.
You're sure?
She's a nun. She'll
believe anything.
MAN: You sure
know how to pick 'em.
Let's make the deal.
(punching keypads on phone)
Mr. Bowles, Sam Farina.
I'm calling to invite
you to a party tomorrow.
I'll send my limo for you.
No, Mr. Bowles.
You don't have a
prior commitment.
You're gonna enjoy this party.
We're gonna exchange gifts.
You bring ten million dollars,
and I'll return your
missing property.
I thought you'd be interested.
Prove that I have the item?
Certainly.
In my hand, I have a
red leather-bound volume.
Few pages but
interesting reading.
Inside are names and dates.
Oh, look, that's enough?
Good.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Your driver's name is Harry.
The great Ian Bowles
We stopped him cold.
Lock up in here,
Nick, all right?
Okay, Sam.
(sighs)
Looking for someone, Sister?
Oh, no, no.
Actually, my car
broke down outside.
You're in trouble.
Who gives you the right
to break into my house?!
I know everything.
I know you've got
Ian Bowles' book.
I know you're
gonna blackmail him.
You know a lot,
don't you, Sister?
- Yeah, I do.
- Too damn much for your own good!
You're not gonna
get away with this.
You're gonna go to jail.
Like hell I am!
Sam!
She's a nun.
No, she's trouble, Nick.
The kind of trouble
that puts you away
for the rest of your life.
- Do you want that, Nick?
- No!
But we don't have to do it
like this.
What's the matter
with you, Nick?
You always take care
of my trouble for me.
All you've ever asked
me is who and where.
Well, this time's different.
Why, 'cause she's a nun?
Because it doesn't
make any sense to kill her.
What's she gonna prove?
She can't even prove
she was in this house.
She'll talk, Nick.
So what if she does?
Who's gonna believe her?
Bowles isn't gonna
back up her story.
People are gonna think
she's just some flaky nun
who's read too many
detective novels.
No, she's trouble.
She'll talk, people will listen.
You take care of
her; that's an order.
You got to get out of here
before they come back.
- Nick, I
- Now!
Listen to me!
Thank you.
You sure scared
the hell out of her.
Nicely done.
The rest is up to you.
STEPHANIE: The worst
part is that I trusted him, Frank.
I even admired him.
I had a friend that
was fooled once
by a married
sailor in Cleveland.
But there was a war on.
I know you're
upset about this
He made a fool out of me.
We should call the police.
We can't.
Frank, I told you,
Ian Bowles is being held
up for ten million dollars.
I know.
But despite that, we gave
Mr. Bowles our word of honor.
And until he releases
us from that bond,
we can't talk to anyone,
including the police.
Maybe you can't, but I can.
Steve, are you that
upset about Nick Moran?
What do you mean?
I've never known you
to go back on your word.
Ah, Frank.
Well, we can't let Ian
Bowles just get ripped off
by Sam Farina; it's not right.
Steve, the only thing we can
do is go and see Mr. Bowles,
try and reason with him
and maybe talk him
into going to the police.
Excuse me for not
knocking, but I'm so excited.
Here is a nomination for a papal
knighthood for Mr. Ian Bowles,
signed by the bishop himself.
Think that'll do it, Frank?
Well, let's not be so
hasty, Father Prestwick.
You know, a papal knighthood,
that's a, that's a
very serious honor,
and Mr. Bowles is a
Well, he has so many awards.
Frank, you're a babe in the
woods when it comes to politics.
The idea is that we give
Mr. Bowles his nomination
at the bishop's
birthday celebration.
Understand what that means?
Better than you do.
(sighs softly)
Stephanie?
What are you doing here?
- We have to talk.
- No, we don't.
Stephanie, I got
you into this
You call me Steve
or you call me Sister!
Steve's a guy's
name; you're no guy.
And the Sister part
doesn't feel right to me.
You gonna talk to
me about feelings?
After what you put me through?
Look, I know how it seems,
but I really care about
what happens to you.
And this Ian Bowles situation is
more dangerous than you know.
So now you're saying that
you're worried about me?
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Yeah, well, I'm sorry if I
don't fall for it this time, Nick.
Look at me. Look at me.
I'm telling the truth this
time, and you know it.
Who are you?
What are you about?
Who I am isn't important, and
you already know what I'm about!
You grew up on the
South Side, right?
And your parents were
probably nightmares, right?
Talking to me like a kid!
Look, I was a bad kid.
I hung out with guys that
stopped caring about themselves
and stopped-stopped
caring about other people.
They just, they walked
around empty, you know.
Those are bad guys, Nick.
I look at you, and
you're one of the good guys.
Is it your job to find
the good in everybody?
Nun rule number one?
Well, you made a
mistake about me.
I'm exactly what you see.
And I'm good at it.
Have it your way, Nick.
I'm sorry I disappoint you.
I saw you light that candle.
Who's that for?
A liar.
(jazzy rock music
playing, people chattering)
Did you get that
nun off our backs?
I hope so.
You better do more than
hope; you better make sure.
You want her?
Thanks, no.
Good night, Sam.
Hmm?
Mr. Bowles, we know about
your deal with Sam Farina.
Who told you?
That's not important.
What is important is that
you go to the police right now.
Not on your life, Sister.
Sam Farina's a dangerous man.
The guy plays hardball.
And I don't?
Let me tell you
something, Sister.
Men like Sam
Farina, they're pikers.
Real sharks are on Wall Street.
I mean, they strip you down
to the bone in ten seconds
and they don't stop moving.
I've dealt with
sharks all my life,
and I have always
come out on top.
I'm not afraid of a
cheap hood like Farina.
Is that why you're paying him
ten million dollars for a diary?
You even know how much.
I'm impressed.
I've written checks
for 60 million;
I can hand over
ten without blinking.
Yeah, but you don't understand.
Sam Farina is a killer.
I'm not interested in
continuing this discussion.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
You can't do this.
I am doing it, Father Dowling.
I'll go to the police.
And I'll deny everything.
Father, I know how
to get what I want.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Good luck, Mr. Bowles.
Frank, he just doesn't realize
what he's getting himself into.
Oh, yes he does.
He's wearing a gun.
What?
I felt it when he
started to leave.
Well, what if he tries
some crazy cowboy
maneuver or something?
Well, then he's gonna
get himself killed.
Steve, we got to do something.
Yeah, we got to get that book.
Yeah.
STEPHANIE: It sounds
like some ritzy party
Sam Farina's throwing.
With a ten million dollar
payoff, you can afford it.
Are you sure you know
where Mr. Bowles' book is?
Yes, I know exactly.
I saw where they put
it in the den, Frank.
Now, this would be a lot easier
if Nick hadn't locked that door.
Yeah, well, when I
get inside, I'll unlock it.
You go in, get the book, and I
want you out of there by 5:00.
- Okay.
- How do I look?
Is this too tight?
No, you look great.
Borrowed it from Father McGuire.
You sure I look all right?
Yeah, I'm-I'm positive.
How are you getting in?
Well, I arranged it
with the bandleader;
he's an old friend of mine.
You got a lot of friends, Frank.
Mm, God has been good to me.
(piano playing gentle
music, people chattering)
Who are you?
He's our vocalist.
I am?
Well, are you or aren't you?
Yes, yes, I-I'm the vocalist.
You can sing, can't you?
We're gonna find out, aren't we?
And then there suddenly
appeared before me ♪
The only one my
arms will ever hold ♪
I heard someone
whisper, "Please adore me" ♪
And when I looked, the
moon had turned to gold ♪
Blue moon ♪
Now I'm no longer alone ♪
Without a dream in my heart ♪
Without a love of my own. ♪
(applause)
May I take a break?
Take your time.
Mm-hmm.
Ma'am? Sir?
Oh, no.
- No, no.
- Thank you.
(bird chirping in distance)
Uh, I've been asked to
read a few announcements.
(applause)
Uh, everybody here would like
to welcome back Philly Scalia,
who just returned from
an extended stay in Joliet.
Welcome home, Philly.
♪♪
The, uh, Friday night poker
game at Jake Sloan's house
has been cancelled on account
of Jake's sudden disappearance.
(laughter)
Poker next Friday at Tommy's.
Leo Summers is selling his car.
It's in perfect condition
except for three
holes in the hood.
MAN (distant):
It's upstairs, Solly.
I'll go get it.
Hey, where you going?
I'm just taking a break.
Take your time.
The ten million.
- You want to count it?
- (door closes)
No need, Mr. Bowles.
My property?
Certainly.
Then we can enjoy
the rest of the party.
You can enjoy the
party, Mr. Farina.
I don't socialize
with your kind.
Whatever you wish, Mr. Bowles.
Harry, you move the book?
- No.
- Nick?
No.
We've got a small problem here.
What are you saying?
The book's gone.
What the hell is this?
It's got to be here;
give us a few minutes.
Find it and call me.
What the hell's going on?
A few minutes ago I was
standing out on the balcony,
thought I saw that nun
climbing over the wall.
- Why didn't you stop her?
- What could I do?
She was already gone.
This is it; I had enough.
Go get that book and
get rid of that nun now!
I hear you.
We need to talk.
(door closes)
I tried calling
Mr. Bowles at home.
He doesn't answer.
We better keep trying.
Yeah.
Let's see,
Nah, nah, nah,
nah, no you don't.
Not till I get through it.
There might be
some explicit details.
About these women
that trust Mr. Bowles?
Yeah.
Well, I'll be.
What?
Steve, take a look at this.
Well, there are
names in here, all right.
There are numbers too.
And dates.
Frank, this is a ledger.
All these people
paid Bowles a lot of money.
I wonder why?
I'll tell you why.
You see these letters
next to the names?
Those are stock market symbols.
I think our friend,
Mr. Bowles, is an inside trader.
You mean that people
pay him for information
on what's going
on in his company?
That's right.
And insider trading is very
lucrative and very illegal.
And first thing in the morning,
I think we ought to get
this to Sergeant Clancy.
Steve, you look tired.
Why don't you go home
and get some sleep, huh?
Okay, um I'm gonna
stop by the church first.
Good night, Frank.
Good night.
You know what, you
made my day today.
How's that?
You sang my favorite song.
Blue Moon,
da-da-da-dee-dee-dee-da-dum ♪
Stephanie, for God's
sake, give me the book.
I can't.
I know everything, Nick.
I know it's all about some
deal that you helped pull off.
A very big deal.
I don't know how much
longer I can protect you.
Mr. Bowles lied; you lied.
I'm losing my instincts, Nick.
Who would have thought
that Steve Oskowski
would let herself get conned
twice in one week.
Stephanie.
Sister Stephanie, okay?
Just leave me alone.
Give me the book.
(door opens)
Hiya, Nick.
Harry what are you doing here?
Sam sent me.
Where's the book?
It's in the rectory.
Let's go get it.
Yeah.
Yeah, we'll do that,
but first you got some business.
What's the matter, Nick?
Need some help?
Since when do I need help?
It's my job.
I'll do it.
(gunshot)
Oh, my God, Nick.
I'm all right.
Just help me up.
(groans)
- I've got to go.
- You can't.
- You're bleeding.
- I'll make it.
Well, what are you gonna do?
Steal.
(door slams)
Clancy, all the information
you need is right here.
Thank you, Father Dowling.
We're getting warrants for
both Sam Farina and Ian Bowles.
They might just
end up cellmates.
- Good night.
- Night.
Are you okay?
(sobbing)
He'll take care
of himself, Steve.
I know.
I just hope he's all right.
Time to go.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Thank you, Frank.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Where's Steve?
Gone home to bed.
Well, that's a good idea.
It's been quite a night.
Father Dowling, how
could you do this to me?
What is it I've done
now, Father Prestwick?
You didn't tell me Ian
Bowles is a criminal.
I didn't know.
But I'd already announced him
as the bishop's fundraiser.
Frank, His Excellency
was listening to the news.
He heard.
He called me.
He's livid.
How livid?
He said there's no reason why
the homeless should suffer
as a result of my mistake.
So he suggested that I
should go door to door
and collect for the
homeless myself.
For how long?
He mentioned the word "forever."
Frank, what am I gonna do?
Get started.