Kojak (1973) s01e04 Episode Script
Knockover
[Radio: Classical.]
Hey, Johnny.
When are you gonna listen to some good sounds? [Funk.]
Bad girl.
You're a greedy girl.
You made a million dollar boo-boo.
[Young Man.]
Mindblowers.
The old flicks are too much.
- Dance with me - Come on! [Young Woman.]
I'll dance with you Hey, lady, are you, uh, drunk? Jimmy.
Jimmy, that is blood.
Lady, is something wrong? [Young Woman Screaming.]
[Siren Wailing.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
I know you can't see, but did you hear anything? Okay.
Um, a man, that's all.
A man.
He was short, fat, heavy? What? I don't know, Officer.
Just a man.
Oh, okay.
Um, yeah, I think that he was around Jimmy's height.
And, um, heavy, you know.
And maybe, like, 30 32 years old.
And he was Wrong.
Sara, that description's not even close.
Well, "close" would help.
[Jimmy.]
I mean, we didn't really see the guy.
As I said, we were just sitting down, and, you know, like, uh Well, he was taller than me.
About six foot tall, easy.
Maybe more.
Uh, as I said, we didn't really see the guy.
Black? Caucasian? Black man? White man? I don't know.
A real downer.
Oh, God! Well, see if you can agree on something and tell it to the officer, okay? Now, look, you two.
Let's start right from the very beginning.
Now tell me exactly what happened, what did you see? Okay, well, we came to this bench.
We werejust fooling around, you know, and and then I saw this woman.
"Leona Crown.
In case of accident" There's nothing on the thing.
It was blank.
Carrying 16 cents 16 dollars and 27 cents.
Three lipsticks, a pack of tissues, mascara, eyebrow pencil.
She was wearing this on her finger.
Wait till you get a load of it.
Took the medical examiner quite a while to get that thing offher finger.
Did you ever see anything the size of that? Must be nine, 10 carats, huh? She wasn't dressed all that well for all that diamond.
Lieutenant, that's about it.
The killer was a "tall, short" guy, somewhere between One eye brown, one blue, and the third one green.
That's good work, Gallagher.
I'll make sure there's something a little extra in your paycheck at the end of the week.
Thanks a lot.
In the meantime, you and Crocker find out any local rap on the chick parking tickets, whatever.
Get a set of prints and follow through with it.
And then you call the Baltimore Police Department.
Find out what you can about Leona Crown.
You know, library cards, old boyfriends, you know the scene.
Stay on that ring.
There's a lot more than friendship goes into a rock that size.
In the meantime, I'm on overtime.
I don't know about you guys.
All right, I'll see you back at the shop at, uh You forgot your watch.
Here.
Theo, what was it? Um, a homicide.
Young girl shot at a bus stop.
About your age, Joannie.
Oh.
The coffee's still hot.
What does that mean? Do I look that sleepy? Well, you ought to be.
Oh, I don't know.
The evening wasn't entirely all that, uh, unpleasant.
[Chuckles.]
Well, you can crash here if you like.
Just lock up before you leave.
No chance.
It would spoil my image with the troops if I turned up tardy.
What do you want? Oh, if you put it that way, it's a cop.
[Chuckles.]
It's just the uniform.
Come on.
You can give me a lift.
The story of my life.
According to the Baltimore Police Department, Leona Crown had no record.
The address in her wallet was vacated about six months ago.
Landlady says Leona worked in a downtown department store as a salesperson.
She took dancing lessons at night.
Landlady thinks no family, no known friends.
All right, have you got the medical examiner's report on Leona Crown? "Female, white, Caucasian.
Age 27.
"Height: 5'4" and one-half.
Weight: 121 pounds.
"Hair: Blonde.
Skin: Fair.
Distinguishing marks: "Dorsal scar from second cervical vertebra dextral "to tip of scapula.
"Bilateral scars following contour lines beneath both breasts.
- Projectile enters" - Hold it! What about the scars under her breasts? It says "cosmetic procedure silicone injections.
" Does it say how long ago? Yeah, four or five months.
Why? Well, about that time she left the salesgirl's job to come to the big city.
For what? A whole new life.
Doing what? She took dancing lessons.
And silicone injections to make everything else even out.
So, what comes not too talented, in all sizes, that a little silicone could help? [Funk.]
[Woman.]
Groovy, groovy, baby Groovin'to ya My soul is moving Moving closer to you [No Audible Dialogue.]
Feeling happyjust being together All of my life I've been waiting for you Groovy, groovy, baby Groovin'to ya My soul is moving Moving closer to you Feeling happyjust being together All of my life I've been waiting for you All of my life I've been waiting for you [Door Closes.]
Frank, can I see you a minute? Yeah.
The homicide on the bus stop off the dead girl's finger.
Take a look.
The drawing's been on the board for three months.
- That's part of the Cooper's Point loot.
- Mm-hmm.
How much did the gang get? A million.
Who knows? It was a lot of cash.
Bearer bonds, jewelry.
They've got it down for about a million.
Sweetjob too.
No clues, no prints.
A quarter of a million in new bills tens, twenties, fifties.
Federal Reservejust turned it over to the bank.
They'd have the numbers.
That'd be tough money to get rid of.
- So what have we got? - What have we got? We've got a murder, and we got a heist.
And what's the connection? And maybe a little bit more.
Maybe the rest of the take is around.
Maybe it's up for sale.
Maybe there's somebody in town to buy it.
Maybe Maybe They're turning over paperbacks for what today 18%? What does that give you on a quarter of a million? About 45,000.
Ken Dimin, when's the last time you saw him? The money buyer? Ayear, maybe longer.
What's today, Saturday? Well, I saw him on Thursday.
I had the great good fortune.
Out of the blue, Ken Dimin, what do you know? I was shooting a rack up at Slauson's.
There he was, coming out of the men's room.
The first time I'd glommed him in over a year, and he made me.
Then cut out, without even a nod.
- Why do you think he did that? - Why? Ayear ago, Dimin would have come over, slapped my back hello.
Thursday not a wave, not a wink, not a nod.
What do you make of that, gang? - Well, if Ken's still buying loot - Well, he arranges on behalf of the laundry.
He's been known to get a true friend as much as 20 cents on a dollar, no matter the condition of the bill.
That's Ken for you a Philistine's Philistine.
Now what you're saying, Theo, is Ken Dimin's suddenly around Yeah, and he's the swag buyer, and we got a dead girl with swag.
You think we can get a mug shot of Ken Dimin out on the street? Maybe a long shot, maybe not.
Okay, Theo, you got it.
I want to see him.
The gang worked at night, on a weekend, when there was no one around.
They went through the roof of the bank, blasted into the safety-deposit vault, sandbagged the blasts, sledgehammered the boxes, all in a weekend's work.
Sure, I know the chickie.
Leona, right? Some chickie.
Leona Crown, right? Right.
Now, let's see.
Leona, she hasn't been with us in, uh, make it four make it five days.
Chickie gave an honest performance.
People ask where she's at.
She's missed.
Have you any idea where she is? To greener pastures.
They latch onto a springer, you know, a rent payer, and they don't come back.
- That's the way it is.
- Did she find herself a dude? Who knows? They come, they go, they shake it a little and leave.
Who knows what ripple? Who asks? You got an address on her, Charlie? Are you kidding? I have to.
I'm an equal rights employer, ain't I? Ew.
What kind of slob lives like this? Lady, what can I tell ya? Who's gonna pay for all this? Who's gonna clean up all this mess? Lady, can we talk about it later? Who's gonna pay for that mattress? Oh, what kind of a girl would do this to a room? The minute I see her Well, if you want to see her, she's receiving at the city morgue.
Oh, my God.
Hmm, the table.
Look at the john.
He's being so bashful.
I wonder why.
Terminal acne maybe? Well, married men are sometimes camera shy.
Have you noticed? Oh, frequently.
Can you make out the name on the menu? No, but then I can't even read the top line on an eye chart anymore.
Hmm.
Tell me about it.
[Dials.]
Hey, get me the photo lab.
Something about her that smile, it's got quotes around it.
Hello, Snyder? Kojak.
I need a blowup of a picture.
It's on the way.
How big? Like a poster.
And soon, huh? And the mattress was ripped apart.
What do you suppose they were looking for? More of the Cooper's Point loot? That's it.
I'm through.
Okay.
Stavros, come here.
Yeah, Lieutenant? Anybody you know? Nope.
- Get somebody to walk it over to Safe and Loft Squad.
- Is he a safe man? Well, we're looking for somebody who knocked over a bank.
Let's find out.
Okay, Lieutenant.
[Man.]
Take the case.
All right.
You can't go up there! [Speaking Spanish.]
Lady, those are detectives up there.
You can't bother them! If you've got any problems, go down to the main desk, all right? [Spanish Continues.]
Lady.
Lady.
[Spanish.]
No, no, no.
No comprende.
No understand.
Yeah, just give me a minute.
Gomez! Just one minute.
Gomez! Yes, Lieutenant? Come here.
Now here's the man for you.
Here, I think you've got a big one.
You ought to learn the language.
Well, I try.
I try.
Such a sexy language, but I don't think I can handle it.
[Both Speaking Spanish.]
[Woman Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
Okay, I'm ready.
- [Crocker.]
Car 65 to Central, K.
- [Man #2.]
Go ahead, 65.
[Crocker.]
Have car 723 Car 723, reading you direct.
Car 65, redirect.
Dimin just pulled into the Bluebird Motel near LaGuardia.
All right, just stay right with him.
He may be expecting some out-of-town guests.
[Sighs.]
Lots of time.
Then why don't we blow it tonight? Because we need six hours in the vault.
And six hours will bring us into daytime.
- We all set for tomorrow? - Yeah, we're set.
All right, let's go.
Cómo está, amigo Cómo está Muy bien.
That's pretty good, Lieutenant.
What you ought to do is get yourself a nice Spanish-speaking girl.
It will help you with the important words.
Hey, take it from me, sonny.
For the important things, you don't need words.
But I do admit, a mi amore every now and then can't hurt.
Hey, Lieutenant, the yellow sheet on the man in the picture.
Stavros tells me Safe and Loft made him on the spot.
His name is Mickey Reason.
Two bits for robbery, explosives, first-rate juicer, safes, stuff like that.
Last known address Oh, God.
Scylar on the Hudson.
[Chuckles.]
I haven't been there in four years.
I wonder if they've missed me.
If anyone wants me, I'm on the way to Scylar on the Hudson.
[Man Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
[Little Boy.]
Mama! [Crying.]
- Mama.
- Hang on, sonny.
[Crying Continues.]
You stay there.
Take it easy, sonny.
Got ya.
What are you doing up here? What do you think you are, a pussycat? Hold onto me.
We'll go down here.
[Woman.]
Timmy? Oh, Timmy! Just practicing how to be a cat burglar, right, Tim? [Chuckling.]
You shouldn't have left the ladder against the house.
I just went in to get something to eat.
You ought to get him a trampoline.
Thank you.
I don't know how I can thank you.
You already did.
Excuse me, friend.
I don't want this to happen again.
I'll give you a hand.
Thanks.
Now, Tim, you go in the house, and stay there.
I'm Lieutenant Kojak, New York Police Department.
I'm looking for a Mickey Reason.
Do you know him? Mr.
Reason? Uh, you just missed him.
Oh? How long? Oh, two weeks.
He used to live here.
I rent a couple of rooms, and Mr.
Reason was a tenant.
But he's gone.
- Any idea where? - Haven't the foggiest.
How about you, fella? Never met the gent.
Just moved in the day before yesterday myself.
George Bradbury, Brotherhood of Painters and Paperhangers, Toledo, Ohio.
We got a reciprocity deal going with the locals around here.
There's a lot of new construction going on.
I see.
Well, if he should get in touch, uh, let me know.
Give me a call.
Sure.
Say, you didn't say why you were looking for this guy.
I'm investigating a homicide.
Thank you.
All right, keep moving.
The car, maybe one of Dimin's boys dropping by.
[Man #2.]
No, no, no.
That's not That's not a Vegas car.
All right, back up.
That man who just drove off, he's a cop.
A cop investigating a homicide.
Hey, cut that out! Get back in the house.
Well, what's going on? Just mind your own business! We'll be out of here in a couple of days.
If we didn't have a job to do, stupid, I would cut you up and use you for bait.
Man, how's it my fault? You could blow up the Empire State Building complete, and you could leave the 10th floor hanging.
But your brains wouldn't fill your nose! How is it your fault? Who got stupid for that bale of hay and let her walk off with half the Cooper's Point take? Talk to me.
Tell me! I was sleeping.
Anyhow, you got the stuff back out of her room.
Except the ring.
The ring! How do you think the heat got here? The ring! Hey, come on.
After tonight, we'll all be gone with bundles.
[Sighs, Chuckles.]
- [Crocker Over Radio.]
Car 65 to Central, K.
- [Man #2.]
Go ahead, 65.
[Crocker.]
Have car 723 meet this unit at Car 723, I read you.
Lieutenant, I'm covering Dimin at the Lincoln Hotel in Charley O's bar.
He's got two sharp dudes with him.
[Chuckles.]
All right, I'm heading back, I think.
Charley O's bar? - I should be there in about 20 minutes.
- All right.
Three of them, including Dimin.
The two guys with him are registered at the hotel separate rooms.
I checked their names at the desk.
[Soft Piano.]
[Kojak.]
Oh, yeah, wise guys from Vegas.
I know 'em all.
Go ahead.
[Chuckles.]
Well, how nice.
How nice and civilized when old friends get together.
They talk, they drink, they bring each other up-to-date on what's been happening.
You know something? It warms the cockles of my heart.
- You're intruding, Theo.
- Me? Intruding? Come on.
Can I sit down, Dimin? Oh, thanks a lot.
Look, you gotta think of me as the welcome wagon.
Who knows better than me about that rough trip to get here from Las Vegas? Oh, darling, would you let us have another round, please? I'll have a vodka and grapefruitjuice.
So, what's new, fellas? I mean, what brings you to Fun City at this time? Can't be those Broadway stripjoints, Tony.
All that smog-free excitement in Vegas, and here you are.
Why? - Why? - Taking in the shows.
I thought all the talent was in Vegas? But I guess talent is where you find it, right, Tony? How does he do it? How does Tony do it? Keeps coming up with all this fresh talent.
Oh, incidentally, congratulations.
I hear you beat the rape charge.
Ah, but you gotta cop to the assault, right? - Right, Tony? - Yeah, Kojak, you got it.
Look, I hate to take up your time, fellas.
I just heard there were some hot items loose on that Cooper's Point heist.
- You didn't hear anything about that, did ya? - You kidding? [Chuckles.]
No, Mesche, I'm not kidding.
As a matter of fact, and please forgive me, I thought maybe you guys were in town to discount that stuff, huh? Knock it off, Theo.
Drift.
[Banging.]
[Groans.]
Look, uh, pussycat.
Never ever, ever talk to me like that, okay? You and the rest of you butterflies around me I like to see smiling, happy faces.
And when you speak, speak softly and with respect.
Never, never any harsh words.
You understand? You? It's always a pleasure to see you, Kojak.
Nice.
And you? That's better.
- I'll take care of it.
- On your dying day.
Just stick around.
I want those room numbers.
Right.
Yeah.
Hello, Sergeant.
I need a black evening dress.
Now don't be a wise guy! Besides, I don't fit into a size 12.
That's right, it's for the commissioner.
He fits.
Yeah, it's basic black and gloves.
They gotta be long gloves, remember? A wire set, Al, and, uh, Joannie Garretty.
Here, hold this.
Wiring you for sound is gonna get me into Tony's room.
Providing I get into Tony's room.
Oh, you'll get into Tony's room.
Are you kidding? He'll take one look at you in basic black and he'll start talking to himself.
He'll figure out a way to get you into his room, right, and then he'll make his big move.
So don't worry.
I'll be right in back of you.
Before he gets rough, please.
Hey, my timing is always precise.
Let's hope so.
Now, look.
Start with the heist the ring on the dead girl's finger from Cooper's Point, and then find out if these guys are in from Vegas to pick up the rest of that loot.
Start from there and see what happens.
And then maybe it'll lead to the Cooper's Point robbers.
From whom we find out how the ring got to Leona, and then who iced Leona.
Here.
Basic black.
I've got a lace job that would blow his mind.
Yours too.
Tell me about it.
Look, Tony Curcio.
Basic black, long hair, gloves.
He falls apart.
Makes him do foolish things.
And come to think of it, me too.
Where'd the dress come from? Property.
It was evidence in a wife-beating case.
I don't know if she wouldn't put it on or wouldn't take it off.
Women are funny.
Zip me? It's gonna blow my image.
Am I funny? Sometimes you leave me breathless.
How'd you know my size? I'm a size man.
Walk over there.
Just testing.
You take care of yourself, ya hear? [Voice Echoing Through Speaker.]
Tony Curcio's got a bad temper.
He likes to hurt pretty things.
I'll be careful.
Do it.
[Coughing.]
[Chuckles.]
[Bartender.]
What'll it be, miss? A Dubonnet, please.
[Bartender.]
A Dubonnet it is.
Here we go, miss.
They're leaving.
Me too.
You know how you get when you're drinking.
So be careful.
[Kojak.]
Be careful, Joannie, and get off on the sixth floor.
Let me have 611.
I'll see you later.
What, are you crazy? You know, I have the same trouble.
I never know which way the room is, left or right? Are you going too? The party Genevieve's? Yeah, it's this way.
We're probably very late.
Don't worry about it.
Uh, sorry.
Wrong number.
Genevieve can wait.
That's a very naughty thought.
Of course, because you don't even know me.
And why should you go into a man's room for just one drink when all you know is, he rides a pretty good elevator, and who am I anyhow, right? Okay.
Who are you anyhow? Tony Curcio.
And from where else but Vegas? [Chuckles.]
It jumps, doesn't it? Except that I'm expected at Genevieve's.
One little drink.
Who's to know? You ought to be told about your clichés, Tony.
But okay, just one.
Terrific.
A martini? Uh, just don't bruise it.
All right! [Laughing.]
Mmm, yummy.
Great.
Come on.
Sit down.
Hi.
[Curcio.]
So you know Vegas, huh? A little.
When was the last time you were there? About six months ago.
How long did you stay? Ten days.
Have a good time? Sure.
Of course.
A girl like you would make out great in Vegas.
[Curcio.]
Meet some of the right people? A couple.
That's good.
That's very good.
Behave yourself.
Come on.
She's probably having a boring party anyhow.
Probably.
Then stay here.
Why? What for? Make your own reasons.
Like, for instance? Love! Money? I'm very bad with decisions, Anthony.
- Money.
- Instant decision, huh? Hey, I like to move fast.
I have fun.
How much? [Women Laughing.]
[Chattering.]
- You're serious, aren't you? - What's it gonna cost me for a couple of hours, two bills? How much? You kidding me? I don't ever kid.
Come here.
Hey.
I said come here.
Hey! Oh, I'm sorry.
Tony, stop! What are you, some kind of a teaser? Is that what you are? [Knocking.]
Open up, Curcio.
It's Kojak.
! [Joannie.]
I thought you were my friend.
[Sighs.]
I ought to stick your mouth in a light socket.
What happened to that old timing I hear you brag about? Well, you see, there was a bar mitzvah on the roof garden and it drew a cast of thousands.
It was gonna be a misdemeanor, Tony.
Soliciting for immoral purposes.
But now what we got is Look, Officer, don't you think you ought to examine the proximate premises and find out what you can material relevant to the commission of a felony? Mm-hmm.
That's what it is, Tony, a felony assault, attempted rape.
- Kojak, she's a cop? - Oh, yeah.
[Banging.]
[Banging.]
I don't know.
A rough guess half a million.
Half a million.
What does it all mean, Tony? What were you gonna do with all that folding stuff? It's a little too much to be discounting that Cooper's Point loot.
So what were you gonna do with a half a million balloons, huh? I want to see my lawyer.
Yeah, well, you tell your lawyer you'll be in the can, all right? Come on.
Come on.
You had your chance.
Did he hurt you? Everything but my ego.
He hadn't stopped bidding yet, and he had half a million.
[Mutters.]
Officer Garretty, come with me.
And it bugs me.
A half a million dollars.
What were they gonna buy? And from whom? Doesn't it bug you? Lieutenant, when I'm around this kind of bread, all's right with the world.
Nothing bugs me.
Nothing.
Mm-hmm.
- What's the matter? - What's this, a telephone number? Here.
See if it's a working number and get the exact address.
Gomez! Gomez.
! Yeah, coming, Lieutenant.
- What, Lieutenant? - Tell me about this, Gomez.
- What it says in the report.
- Just tell me about it, will ya? Well, the lady last night, Mrs.
Contreras you know, the fat one.
You remember.
With no English? The kids in the neighborhood are trying to build a clubhouse, and somebody ripped them off of some sandbags.
- You put a lot of sandbags.
- Yeah, make that 50.
Fifty sandbags.
Oh, maybe more.
She said that there might even be more the way [Crocker.]
It's a pay phone booth out at Scylar, on Moreland.
Scylar? You know, I was at Scylar this morning.
And I haven't been there for four years.
And I also went to an address on Moreland Avenue.
Well It's coincidence.
Well, if you believe that, Gomez, you'll never make lieutenant.
Come on.
Let's move.
Uh-huh.
Uh, here.
Oh, amigo, you watch the money, huh? Right, Lieutenant.
And, uh, it's counted.
It's counted.
Sandbags to protect the ganefs, direct the blast.
Just like at Cooper's Point the presence of the ring, loot.
That means the thieves are around? Could be.
I don't know.
All that Vegas money.
Let's assume something.
Assume it's to buy a lot ofhot loot from a safety-deposit vault.
Like at Cooper's Point.
Mm-hmm.
You're a thinker.
You know, at current prices, a half a million could buy up ten million dollars in securities, jewelry, hot cash.
What kind of a bank could be expected to hold that kind of money, like at Cooper's Point? Only in a much richer community.
Like Scylar on the Hudson.
Three cherries, baby.
Like Scylar on the Hudson.
Same kind of setup, same kind oflocation.
Only even more remote.
Out in the boondocks.
[Knocking.]
- No ladder.
- Ladder? What ladder? This morning there was a 40-foot ladder here.
Maybe it's around back.
No ladder back here.
Car 723 to Central.
Car 723 to Central, K.
Go ahead, 723.
Security Scylar National Bank.
Detectives on way to scene.
Don't use sirens.
- In progress? - In progress.
Where do you suppose all that ladder got to? Who would want all that ladder? To get to the top of a bank at night.
Mm-hmm.
You know the house? That house back there with the phony paint job? Close to a telephone booth, close to a playground, sandbags, close to a bank.
[Tires Screeching.]
[Kojak.]
Hold it.
! Freeze.
! Get 'em over there.
All right, move! Come on, over by the car.
Get on the car.
Spread 'em out.
Spread 'em out.
Don't try it.
Uh-uh-uh.
Oh! Hi, cannon.
Oh, I think you and I have met before, cannon.
Maybe on a ballistics report on my desk.
Do you suppose? - Oh, hi, Mr.
Bradbury.
- [Cars Pulling Up.]
Good union man.
Mr.
Bradbury, that wonderful housepainter.
Oh, talk about your generation gap.
What took you so long? I'm getting too old for this kid stuff.
All right, go join your mates.
[Man Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
[Kojak.]
All right, fellas.
Well, all in all it's been a pretty good night for us.
And maybe I can make it a little better for you.
Would you like that? Two nights ago, about this time, something more important happened than this, uh, high-class knock over.
Ayoung chick was taken off a bus stop in a body bag.
Her name, Leona Crown.
She was a nice, happy-go-lucky kid.
Lots oflaughs.
And her life was cut short.
And the way I figure it, one of you killed her.
I got the gun.
I gotta be halfway home, right? I'm gonna coast the rest of the way.
Freewheeling.
It'll be morning in an hour.
Before that, one of you gonna start chirpin'.
Did I say "one of you"? I'm gonna have a room full of canaries.
Hey, Johnny.
When are you gonna listen to some good sounds? [Funk.]
Bad girl.
You're a greedy girl.
You made a million dollar boo-boo.
[Young Man.]
Mindblowers.
The old flicks are too much.
- Dance with me - Come on! [Young Woman.]
I'll dance with you Hey, lady, are you, uh, drunk? Jimmy.
Jimmy, that is blood.
Lady, is something wrong? [Young Woman Screaming.]
[Siren Wailing.]
[No Audible Dialogue.]
I know you can't see, but did you hear anything? Okay.
Um, a man, that's all.
A man.
He was short, fat, heavy? What? I don't know, Officer.
Just a man.
Oh, okay.
Um, yeah, I think that he was around Jimmy's height.
And, um, heavy, you know.
And maybe, like, 30 32 years old.
And he was Wrong.
Sara, that description's not even close.
Well, "close" would help.
[Jimmy.]
I mean, we didn't really see the guy.
As I said, we were just sitting down, and, you know, like, uh Well, he was taller than me.
About six foot tall, easy.
Maybe more.
Uh, as I said, we didn't really see the guy.
Black? Caucasian? Black man? White man? I don't know.
A real downer.
Oh, God! Well, see if you can agree on something and tell it to the officer, okay? Now, look, you two.
Let's start right from the very beginning.
Now tell me exactly what happened, what did you see? Okay, well, we came to this bench.
We werejust fooling around, you know, and and then I saw this woman.
"Leona Crown.
In case of accident" There's nothing on the thing.
It was blank.
Carrying 16 cents 16 dollars and 27 cents.
Three lipsticks, a pack of tissues, mascara, eyebrow pencil.
She was wearing this on her finger.
Wait till you get a load of it.
Took the medical examiner quite a while to get that thing offher finger.
Did you ever see anything the size of that? Must be nine, 10 carats, huh? She wasn't dressed all that well for all that diamond.
Lieutenant, that's about it.
The killer was a "tall, short" guy, somewhere between One eye brown, one blue, and the third one green.
That's good work, Gallagher.
I'll make sure there's something a little extra in your paycheck at the end of the week.
Thanks a lot.
In the meantime, you and Crocker find out any local rap on the chick parking tickets, whatever.
Get a set of prints and follow through with it.
And then you call the Baltimore Police Department.
Find out what you can about Leona Crown.
You know, library cards, old boyfriends, you know the scene.
Stay on that ring.
There's a lot more than friendship goes into a rock that size.
In the meantime, I'm on overtime.
I don't know about you guys.
All right, I'll see you back at the shop at, uh You forgot your watch.
Here.
Theo, what was it? Um, a homicide.
Young girl shot at a bus stop.
About your age, Joannie.
Oh.
The coffee's still hot.
What does that mean? Do I look that sleepy? Well, you ought to be.
Oh, I don't know.
The evening wasn't entirely all that, uh, unpleasant.
[Chuckles.]
Well, you can crash here if you like.
Just lock up before you leave.
No chance.
It would spoil my image with the troops if I turned up tardy.
What do you want? Oh, if you put it that way, it's a cop.
[Chuckles.]
It's just the uniform.
Come on.
You can give me a lift.
The story of my life.
According to the Baltimore Police Department, Leona Crown had no record.
The address in her wallet was vacated about six months ago.
Landlady says Leona worked in a downtown department store as a salesperson.
She took dancing lessons at night.
Landlady thinks no family, no known friends.
All right, have you got the medical examiner's report on Leona Crown? "Female, white, Caucasian.
Age 27.
"Height: 5'4" and one-half.
Weight: 121 pounds.
"Hair: Blonde.
Skin: Fair.
Distinguishing marks: "Dorsal scar from second cervical vertebra dextral "to tip of scapula.
"Bilateral scars following contour lines beneath both breasts.
- Projectile enters" - Hold it! What about the scars under her breasts? It says "cosmetic procedure silicone injections.
" Does it say how long ago? Yeah, four or five months.
Why? Well, about that time she left the salesgirl's job to come to the big city.
For what? A whole new life.
Doing what? She took dancing lessons.
And silicone injections to make everything else even out.
So, what comes not too talented, in all sizes, that a little silicone could help? [Funk.]
[Woman.]
Groovy, groovy, baby Groovin'to ya My soul is moving Moving closer to you [No Audible Dialogue.]
Feeling happyjust being together All of my life I've been waiting for you Groovy, groovy, baby Groovin'to ya My soul is moving Moving closer to you Feeling happyjust being together All of my life I've been waiting for you All of my life I've been waiting for you [Door Closes.]
Frank, can I see you a minute? Yeah.
The homicide on the bus stop off the dead girl's finger.
Take a look.
The drawing's been on the board for three months.
- That's part of the Cooper's Point loot.
- Mm-hmm.
How much did the gang get? A million.
Who knows? It was a lot of cash.
Bearer bonds, jewelry.
They've got it down for about a million.
Sweetjob too.
No clues, no prints.
A quarter of a million in new bills tens, twenties, fifties.
Federal Reservejust turned it over to the bank.
They'd have the numbers.
That'd be tough money to get rid of.
- So what have we got? - What have we got? We've got a murder, and we got a heist.
And what's the connection? And maybe a little bit more.
Maybe the rest of the take is around.
Maybe it's up for sale.
Maybe there's somebody in town to buy it.
Maybe Maybe They're turning over paperbacks for what today 18%? What does that give you on a quarter of a million? About 45,000.
Ken Dimin, when's the last time you saw him? The money buyer? Ayear, maybe longer.
What's today, Saturday? Well, I saw him on Thursday.
I had the great good fortune.
Out of the blue, Ken Dimin, what do you know? I was shooting a rack up at Slauson's.
There he was, coming out of the men's room.
The first time I'd glommed him in over a year, and he made me.
Then cut out, without even a nod.
- Why do you think he did that? - Why? Ayear ago, Dimin would have come over, slapped my back hello.
Thursday not a wave, not a wink, not a nod.
What do you make of that, gang? - Well, if Ken's still buying loot - Well, he arranges on behalf of the laundry.
He's been known to get a true friend as much as 20 cents on a dollar, no matter the condition of the bill.
That's Ken for you a Philistine's Philistine.
Now what you're saying, Theo, is Ken Dimin's suddenly around Yeah, and he's the swag buyer, and we got a dead girl with swag.
You think we can get a mug shot of Ken Dimin out on the street? Maybe a long shot, maybe not.
Okay, Theo, you got it.
I want to see him.
The gang worked at night, on a weekend, when there was no one around.
They went through the roof of the bank, blasted into the safety-deposit vault, sandbagged the blasts, sledgehammered the boxes, all in a weekend's work.
Sure, I know the chickie.
Leona, right? Some chickie.
Leona Crown, right? Right.
Now, let's see.
Leona, she hasn't been with us in, uh, make it four make it five days.
Chickie gave an honest performance.
People ask where she's at.
She's missed.
Have you any idea where she is? To greener pastures.
They latch onto a springer, you know, a rent payer, and they don't come back.
- That's the way it is.
- Did she find herself a dude? Who knows? They come, they go, they shake it a little and leave.
Who knows what ripple? Who asks? You got an address on her, Charlie? Are you kidding? I have to.
I'm an equal rights employer, ain't I? Ew.
What kind of slob lives like this? Lady, what can I tell ya? Who's gonna pay for all this? Who's gonna clean up all this mess? Lady, can we talk about it later? Who's gonna pay for that mattress? Oh, what kind of a girl would do this to a room? The minute I see her Well, if you want to see her, she's receiving at the city morgue.
Oh, my God.
Hmm, the table.
Look at the john.
He's being so bashful.
I wonder why.
Terminal acne maybe? Well, married men are sometimes camera shy.
Have you noticed? Oh, frequently.
Can you make out the name on the menu? No, but then I can't even read the top line on an eye chart anymore.
Hmm.
Tell me about it.
[Dials.]
Hey, get me the photo lab.
Something about her that smile, it's got quotes around it.
Hello, Snyder? Kojak.
I need a blowup of a picture.
It's on the way.
How big? Like a poster.
And soon, huh? And the mattress was ripped apart.
What do you suppose they were looking for? More of the Cooper's Point loot? That's it.
I'm through.
Okay.
Stavros, come here.
Yeah, Lieutenant? Anybody you know? Nope.
- Get somebody to walk it over to Safe and Loft Squad.
- Is he a safe man? Well, we're looking for somebody who knocked over a bank.
Let's find out.
Okay, Lieutenant.
[Man.]
Take the case.
All right.
You can't go up there! [Speaking Spanish.]
Lady, those are detectives up there.
You can't bother them! If you've got any problems, go down to the main desk, all right? [Spanish Continues.]
Lady.
Lady.
[Spanish.]
No, no, no.
No comprende.
No understand.
Yeah, just give me a minute.
Gomez! Just one minute.
Gomez! Yes, Lieutenant? Come here.
Now here's the man for you.
Here, I think you've got a big one.
You ought to learn the language.
Well, I try.
I try.
Such a sexy language, but I don't think I can handle it.
[Both Speaking Spanish.]
[Woman Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
Okay, I'm ready.
- [Crocker.]
Car 65 to Central, K.
- [Man #2.]
Go ahead, 65.
[Crocker.]
Have car 723 Car 723, reading you direct.
Car 65, redirect.
Dimin just pulled into the Bluebird Motel near LaGuardia.
All right, just stay right with him.
He may be expecting some out-of-town guests.
[Sighs.]
Lots of time.
Then why don't we blow it tonight? Because we need six hours in the vault.
And six hours will bring us into daytime.
- We all set for tomorrow? - Yeah, we're set.
All right, let's go.
Cómo está, amigo Cómo está Muy bien.
That's pretty good, Lieutenant.
What you ought to do is get yourself a nice Spanish-speaking girl.
It will help you with the important words.
Hey, take it from me, sonny.
For the important things, you don't need words.
But I do admit, a mi amore every now and then can't hurt.
Hey, Lieutenant, the yellow sheet on the man in the picture.
Stavros tells me Safe and Loft made him on the spot.
His name is Mickey Reason.
Two bits for robbery, explosives, first-rate juicer, safes, stuff like that.
Last known address Oh, God.
Scylar on the Hudson.
[Chuckles.]
I haven't been there in four years.
I wonder if they've missed me.
If anyone wants me, I'm on the way to Scylar on the Hudson.
[Man Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
[Little Boy.]
Mama! [Crying.]
- Mama.
- Hang on, sonny.
[Crying Continues.]
You stay there.
Take it easy, sonny.
Got ya.
What are you doing up here? What do you think you are, a pussycat? Hold onto me.
We'll go down here.
[Woman.]
Timmy? Oh, Timmy! Just practicing how to be a cat burglar, right, Tim? [Chuckling.]
You shouldn't have left the ladder against the house.
I just went in to get something to eat.
You ought to get him a trampoline.
Thank you.
I don't know how I can thank you.
You already did.
Excuse me, friend.
I don't want this to happen again.
I'll give you a hand.
Thanks.
Now, Tim, you go in the house, and stay there.
I'm Lieutenant Kojak, New York Police Department.
I'm looking for a Mickey Reason.
Do you know him? Mr.
Reason? Uh, you just missed him.
Oh? How long? Oh, two weeks.
He used to live here.
I rent a couple of rooms, and Mr.
Reason was a tenant.
But he's gone.
- Any idea where? - Haven't the foggiest.
How about you, fella? Never met the gent.
Just moved in the day before yesterday myself.
George Bradbury, Brotherhood of Painters and Paperhangers, Toledo, Ohio.
We got a reciprocity deal going with the locals around here.
There's a lot of new construction going on.
I see.
Well, if he should get in touch, uh, let me know.
Give me a call.
Sure.
Say, you didn't say why you were looking for this guy.
I'm investigating a homicide.
Thank you.
All right, keep moving.
The car, maybe one of Dimin's boys dropping by.
[Man #2.]
No, no, no.
That's not That's not a Vegas car.
All right, back up.
That man who just drove off, he's a cop.
A cop investigating a homicide.
Hey, cut that out! Get back in the house.
Well, what's going on? Just mind your own business! We'll be out of here in a couple of days.
If we didn't have a job to do, stupid, I would cut you up and use you for bait.
Man, how's it my fault? You could blow up the Empire State Building complete, and you could leave the 10th floor hanging.
But your brains wouldn't fill your nose! How is it your fault? Who got stupid for that bale of hay and let her walk off with half the Cooper's Point take? Talk to me.
Tell me! I was sleeping.
Anyhow, you got the stuff back out of her room.
Except the ring.
The ring! How do you think the heat got here? The ring! Hey, come on.
After tonight, we'll all be gone with bundles.
[Sighs, Chuckles.]
- [Crocker Over Radio.]
Car 65 to Central, K.
- [Man #2.]
Go ahead, 65.
[Crocker.]
Have car 723 meet this unit at Car 723, I read you.
Lieutenant, I'm covering Dimin at the Lincoln Hotel in Charley O's bar.
He's got two sharp dudes with him.
[Chuckles.]
All right, I'm heading back, I think.
Charley O's bar? - I should be there in about 20 minutes.
- All right.
Three of them, including Dimin.
The two guys with him are registered at the hotel separate rooms.
I checked their names at the desk.
[Soft Piano.]
[Kojak.]
Oh, yeah, wise guys from Vegas.
I know 'em all.
Go ahead.
[Chuckles.]
Well, how nice.
How nice and civilized when old friends get together.
They talk, they drink, they bring each other up-to-date on what's been happening.
You know something? It warms the cockles of my heart.
- You're intruding, Theo.
- Me? Intruding? Come on.
Can I sit down, Dimin? Oh, thanks a lot.
Look, you gotta think of me as the welcome wagon.
Who knows better than me about that rough trip to get here from Las Vegas? Oh, darling, would you let us have another round, please? I'll have a vodka and grapefruitjuice.
So, what's new, fellas? I mean, what brings you to Fun City at this time? Can't be those Broadway stripjoints, Tony.
All that smog-free excitement in Vegas, and here you are.
Why? - Why? - Taking in the shows.
I thought all the talent was in Vegas? But I guess talent is where you find it, right, Tony? How does he do it? How does Tony do it? Keeps coming up with all this fresh talent.
Oh, incidentally, congratulations.
I hear you beat the rape charge.
Ah, but you gotta cop to the assault, right? - Right, Tony? - Yeah, Kojak, you got it.
Look, I hate to take up your time, fellas.
I just heard there were some hot items loose on that Cooper's Point heist.
- You didn't hear anything about that, did ya? - You kidding? [Chuckles.]
No, Mesche, I'm not kidding.
As a matter of fact, and please forgive me, I thought maybe you guys were in town to discount that stuff, huh? Knock it off, Theo.
Drift.
[Banging.]
[Groans.]
Look, uh, pussycat.
Never ever, ever talk to me like that, okay? You and the rest of you butterflies around me I like to see smiling, happy faces.
And when you speak, speak softly and with respect.
Never, never any harsh words.
You understand? You? It's always a pleasure to see you, Kojak.
Nice.
And you? That's better.
- I'll take care of it.
- On your dying day.
Just stick around.
I want those room numbers.
Right.
Yeah.
Hello, Sergeant.
I need a black evening dress.
Now don't be a wise guy! Besides, I don't fit into a size 12.
That's right, it's for the commissioner.
He fits.
Yeah, it's basic black and gloves.
They gotta be long gloves, remember? A wire set, Al, and, uh, Joannie Garretty.
Here, hold this.
Wiring you for sound is gonna get me into Tony's room.
Providing I get into Tony's room.
Oh, you'll get into Tony's room.
Are you kidding? He'll take one look at you in basic black and he'll start talking to himself.
He'll figure out a way to get you into his room, right, and then he'll make his big move.
So don't worry.
I'll be right in back of you.
Before he gets rough, please.
Hey, my timing is always precise.
Let's hope so.
Now, look.
Start with the heist the ring on the dead girl's finger from Cooper's Point, and then find out if these guys are in from Vegas to pick up the rest of that loot.
Start from there and see what happens.
And then maybe it'll lead to the Cooper's Point robbers.
From whom we find out how the ring got to Leona, and then who iced Leona.
Here.
Basic black.
I've got a lace job that would blow his mind.
Yours too.
Tell me about it.
Look, Tony Curcio.
Basic black, long hair, gloves.
He falls apart.
Makes him do foolish things.
And come to think of it, me too.
Where'd the dress come from? Property.
It was evidence in a wife-beating case.
I don't know if she wouldn't put it on or wouldn't take it off.
Women are funny.
Zip me? It's gonna blow my image.
Am I funny? Sometimes you leave me breathless.
How'd you know my size? I'm a size man.
Walk over there.
Just testing.
You take care of yourself, ya hear? [Voice Echoing Through Speaker.]
Tony Curcio's got a bad temper.
He likes to hurt pretty things.
I'll be careful.
Do it.
[Coughing.]
[Chuckles.]
[Bartender.]
What'll it be, miss? A Dubonnet, please.
[Bartender.]
A Dubonnet it is.
Here we go, miss.
They're leaving.
Me too.
You know how you get when you're drinking.
So be careful.
[Kojak.]
Be careful, Joannie, and get off on the sixth floor.
Let me have 611.
I'll see you later.
What, are you crazy? You know, I have the same trouble.
I never know which way the room is, left or right? Are you going too? The party Genevieve's? Yeah, it's this way.
We're probably very late.
Don't worry about it.
Uh, sorry.
Wrong number.
Genevieve can wait.
That's a very naughty thought.
Of course, because you don't even know me.
And why should you go into a man's room for just one drink when all you know is, he rides a pretty good elevator, and who am I anyhow, right? Okay.
Who are you anyhow? Tony Curcio.
And from where else but Vegas? [Chuckles.]
It jumps, doesn't it? Except that I'm expected at Genevieve's.
One little drink.
Who's to know? You ought to be told about your clichés, Tony.
But okay, just one.
Terrific.
A martini? Uh, just don't bruise it.
All right! [Laughing.]
Mmm, yummy.
Great.
Come on.
Sit down.
Hi.
[Curcio.]
So you know Vegas, huh? A little.
When was the last time you were there? About six months ago.
How long did you stay? Ten days.
Have a good time? Sure.
Of course.
A girl like you would make out great in Vegas.
[Curcio.]
Meet some of the right people? A couple.
That's good.
That's very good.
Behave yourself.
Come on.
She's probably having a boring party anyhow.
Probably.
Then stay here.
Why? What for? Make your own reasons.
Like, for instance? Love! Money? I'm very bad with decisions, Anthony.
- Money.
- Instant decision, huh? Hey, I like to move fast.
I have fun.
How much? [Women Laughing.]
[Chattering.]
- You're serious, aren't you? - What's it gonna cost me for a couple of hours, two bills? How much? You kidding me? I don't ever kid.
Come here.
Hey.
I said come here.
Hey! Oh, I'm sorry.
Tony, stop! What are you, some kind of a teaser? Is that what you are? [Knocking.]
Open up, Curcio.
It's Kojak.
! [Joannie.]
I thought you were my friend.
[Sighs.]
I ought to stick your mouth in a light socket.
What happened to that old timing I hear you brag about? Well, you see, there was a bar mitzvah on the roof garden and it drew a cast of thousands.
It was gonna be a misdemeanor, Tony.
Soliciting for immoral purposes.
But now what we got is Look, Officer, don't you think you ought to examine the proximate premises and find out what you can material relevant to the commission of a felony? Mm-hmm.
That's what it is, Tony, a felony assault, attempted rape.
- Kojak, she's a cop? - Oh, yeah.
[Banging.]
[Banging.]
I don't know.
A rough guess half a million.
Half a million.
What does it all mean, Tony? What were you gonna do with all that folding stuff? It's a little too much to be discounting that Cooper's Point loot.
So what were you gonna do with a half a million balloons, huh? I want to see my lawyer.
Yeah, well, you tell your lawyer you'll be in the can, all right? Come on.
Come on.
You had your chance.
Did he hurt you? Everything but my ego.
He hadn't stopped bidding yet, and he had half a million.
[Mutters.]
Officer Garretty, come with me.
And it bugs me.
A half a million dollars.
What were they gonna buy? And from whom? Doesn't it bug you? Lieutenant, when I'm around this kind of bread, all's right with the world.
Nothing bugs me.
Nothing.
Mm-hmm.
- What's the matter? - What's this, a telephone number? Here.
See if it's a working number and get the exact address.
Gomez! Gomez.
! Yeah, coming, Lieutenant.
- What, Lieutenant? - Tell me about this, Gomez.
- What it says in the report.
- Just tell me about it, will ya? Well, the lady last night, Mrs.
Contreras you know, the fat one.
You remember.
With no English? The kids in the neighborhood are trying to build a clubhouse, and somebody ripped them off of some sandbags.
- You put a lot of sandbags.
- Yeah, make that 50.
Fifty sandbags.
Oh, maybe more.
She said that there might even be more the way [Crocker.]
It's a pay phone booth out at Scylar, on Moreland.
Scylar? You know, I was at Scylar this morning.
And I haven't been there for four years.
And I also went to an address on Moreland Avenue.
Well It's coincidence.
Well, if you believe that, Gomez, you'll never make lieutenant.
Come on.
Let's move.
Uh-huh.
Uh, here.
Oh, amigo, you watch the money, huh? Right, Lieutenant.
And, uh, it's counted.
It's counted.
Sandbags to protect the ganefs, direct the blast.
Just like at Cooper's Point the presence of the ring, loot.
That means the thieves are around? Could be.
I don't know.
All that Vegas money.
Let's assume something.
Assume it's to buy a lot ofhot loot from a safety-deposit vault.
Like at Cooper's Point.
Mm-hmm.
You're a thinker.
You know, at current prices, a half a million could buy up ten million dollars in securities, jewelry, hot cash.
What kind of a bank could be expected to hold that kind of money, like at Cooper's Point? Only in a much richer community.
Like Scylar on the Hudson.
Three cherries, baby.
Like Scylar on the Hudson.
Same kind of setup, same kind oflocation.
Only even more remote.
Out in the boondocks.
[Knocking.]
- No ladder.
- Ladder? What ladder? This morning there was a 40-foot ladder here.
Maybe it's around back.
No ladder back here.
Car 723 to Central.
Car 723 to Central, K.
Go ahead, 723.
Security Scylar National Bank.
Detectives on way to scene.
Don't use sirens.
- In progress? - In progress.
Where do you suppose all that ladder got to? Who would want all that ladder? To get to the top of a bank at night.
Mm-hmm.
You know the house? That house back there with the phony paint job? Close to a telephone booth, close to a playground, sandbags, close to a bank.
[Tires Screeching.]
[Kojak.]
Hold it.
! Freeze.
! Get 'em over there.
All right, move! Come on, over by the car.
Get on the car.
Spread 'em out.
Spread 'em out.
Don't try it.
Uh-uh-uh.
Oh! Hi, cannon.
Oh, I think you and I have met before, cannon.
Maybe on a ballistics report on my desk.
Do you suppose? - Oh, hi, Mr.
Bradbury.
- [Cars Pulling Up.]
Good union man.
Mr.
Bradbury, that wonderful housepainter.
Oh, talk about your generation gap.
What took you so long? I'm getting too old for this kid stuff.
All right, go join your mates.
[Man Over Police Radio, Indistinct.]
[Kojak.]
All right, fellas.
Well, all in all it's been a pretty good night for us.
And maybe I can make it a little better for you.
Would you like that? Two nights ago, about this time, something more important happened than this, uh, high-class knock over.
Ayoung chick was taken off a bus stop in a body bag.
Her name, Leona Crown.
She was a nice, happy-go-lucky kid.
Lots oflaughs.
And her life was cut short.
And the way I figure it, one of you killed her.
I got the gun.
I gotta be halfway home, right? I'm gonna coast the rest of the way.
Freewheeling.
It'll be morning in an hour.
Before that, one of you gonna start chirpin'.
Did I say "one of you"? I'm gonna have a room full of canaries.