The Rockford Files (1974) s02e16 Episode Script
A Portrait of Elizabeth
Say, are you absolutely certain that those checks are in the ledger? And I'm telling you, we're gonna drop the hammer on this guy tonight.
This is the last time I'll ever go to a concert with you.
That's great.
We'll just stick to the Rams and the Dodgers.
You're under arrest.
Would you come with us, please? What's the charge? Suspicion of attempt to defraud the Federal Government, suspicion of federal banking fraud, suspicion of grand theft and murder.
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
Jim, it's Harry.
We've been waiting on you two hours.
The forks.
Where's the forks? Lasagna ain't no finger food.
I don't know what happened.
Jim is usually very punctual.
Well, that's all right.
I just hope he can help me.
Oh, he's the best, Dave.
You used to date him.
Isn't that right? Date Jim? Jim Rockford? Oh, just every once in a while.
Hi, honey.
I'm sorry.
I'm Jim Rockford.
You must be Beth's client.
Right.
David Delaroux.
Pleased to meet you.
Gee, Jim, didn't have to get all dressed up.
Is anything wrong, honey? Stop calling me "honey.
" Yeah, well, okay Come on in.
Uh-oh.
Hey, I I left my keys over at Rocky's, but it's okay.
I got another one here.
We were pulling the engine on Rocky's truck and putting in a new cam, working on the fuel injection.
When we get that thing finished, it's really gonna be hot.
Go ahead, Miss Davenport.
Thank you.
You know, I don't know why Rocky wants to soup that truck up, but he does.
We had to rent a winch from over at Farmer's gas station.
Took us a long time to get the engine out.
We were unooking the linkage, and when we're working on the motor mount This is fascinating.
Yeah.
Just let me wash my hands, will you? What kind of an engine is it? It's a 350.
It's fuel injected, bored out a little, and Rocky put double shocks all the way around, you know.
Do you mind, Jim? Yeah, all right, I'll be right with you.
Just let me finish washing my hands.
He's usually very neat and punctual.
Cars are just sort of a hobby for him, that's all.
It's all right, Beth.
Relax.
I may hire him.
I'm not gonna marry him.
Here.
Forehead.
What? You've got On your forehead, it's dirty.
Is that all right, Mommy? Hey, here, come on.
Sit down.
Sit down.
Beth tells me you've got a little problem, huh, Dave? That's right.
I hired Beth to give me some legal advice.
Which he hardly needs.
He's one of the finest lawyers I've ever met.
You should see him in court, Jim.
He can turn a jury around like nobody you ever met.
Yeah? Well, how about that? You've known Beth long, Dave? Yeah.
David hasn't practiced law for a while.
He joined a company back east called Biometrics.
He's their comptroller.
What's the problem? There's a strong possibility that the head of our LA office is stealing company cashier checks.
One of the secretaries there is an old friend of mine, and he had let me in on it.
Okay.
Okay, so? Well, if I go in there and start asking questions, everything is gonna freeze up, and I don't know how many people are involved, if at all.
I want to find out without alerting anyone.
I haven't practiced law for five years.
That's why I hired Beth, to get me current with the legal responsibilities of Biometrics in the event that there are any bogus checks which have been cashed.
What I need is someone to get into the branch office to take a look at the cashier's ledger.
The checks are numbered, and I have a list of the ones that are possibly stolen.
If those checks are still there, then I'm afraid all this has been a waste of time.
If they're not, I think we should call the DA's office and start more formal proceedings.
Let me ask you a question, Dave.
Sure, Jim.
Why don't you just get a key and go into the office late at night and take a look for yourself? That's a good question, Jim.
I thought so, too.
The answer is I don't want to.
That's not much of an answer, Dave.
You can tell him, David.
We can trust him.
Well, the reason I don't want to go in there is because the head of the LA office is a man named Tom Hanson.
He's my first cousin, and he resents my interference, and he takes the cashier ledger home with him every evening.
He does, huh? That's right, Jim.
Well, look, I'm a little busy right now.
I have made all my payments on everything for the month, and I really don't know too much about cashier's checks, so I'd just as soon skip it.
Could you excuse us for a minute? Look, Beth, it's all right.
If he doesn't want to, we'll just find someone else.
Do you mind, just, could you go outside just for a second? Thanks anyway.
Yeah.
I promised him.
He's a friend, and he needs help.
You're gonna help him.
Uh-uh.
Please? Nope.
We have a very nice seascape engraved on a field of green, very subtle, very good taste.
We supplied the whole General Delaware Life Insurance Company with that design on their stock certificates when they went public last August.
It's quite handsome, very understated.
Yeah, well, you see, I don't understand what you're talking about, Mr.
Diederinghouse.
Now, you say you were asked to look us up by Mr.
Jurgins from our central office? No, Mr.
Swerling from the central office.
Mr.
Jurgins is with Seagren, Foote and Hall.
Our public relations firm, but why would they Look, I'm afraid I don't quite understand what's bothering you, Mr.
Hanson.
It's all very clear.
Yeah.
But why would Mr.
Swerling from the public relations firm want us to redesign our checks and bank notes? Because Mr.
Temple was in Jamaica last week, and he saw the engravings that Mr.
Hall did for Biometrics, Incorporated, and then he called Mr.
Sherman in New York, who called Swerling, who called Jurgins Yeah, but, see, Mr.
Temple is semi-retired.
I mean, he's on the board, but he's consulting.
Look, why don't we just forget about it, huh? I'll go back to Chicago, and you can get it sorted out through your corporate maze.
I'm sorry I bothered you.
No, no, no, no, no! No, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Look, if you don't understand I don't.
Well, then I suggest that you check it out.
That's fair enough, huh? I just don't have time to play around.
I have to see the B of A people, and I have to see three airlines by 4:00.
No, see You see, it's just that Wait.
Wait, see All right, if Mr If Mr.
Temple and Mr.
Jurgins want us to redesign our checks and bank notes It's just It's just progress, Mr.
Hanson.
Marketing and promotion, those are the watchwords of today's progressive businessman, Mr.
Hanson.
How can I help you? I suppose I should get a look at the current checks, and we'll go from there.
You mean, the cashier's checkbook.
That's what it's all about, Mr.
Hanson, yes.
All right.
I'll have to stay with you while you look at the cashier's checkbook.
Yes, yes.
Really tacky, isn't it? I beg your pardon? Tacky.
I mean, old English 1930 Ah, there's just no definition.
You know, it's amazing to me how some of these engravers get by.
Frightening.
Somebody just hit our line.
Yeah.
Well, he's looking at the cashier's checkbook.
No, haven't got his name, but you better come on down here and sniff this guy.
Yeah, okay, we'll put a tail on him.
Right.
Yes, sir, and thank you.
Jim Rockford.
I'm meeting Mr.
Delaroux.
You'll need a tie, sir.
What for? In order to be seated.
We can loan you one.
We do have a limited selection.
This way, please.
Hi, I'm sorry, Jim.
We went ahead and ordered.
David doesn't have much time.
No, that's all right.
I can make a telephone call and put off my appointments.
But you shouldn't have to, Dave.
Howdy, folks.
I'm sorry I'm late.
How's the tuna fish salad in this place? Is something wrong? Blue doesn't exactly go with yellow and brown.
Oh, really? I'll have to write that on a card and stick it in my locker.
I don't suppose you've made any headway yet.
As a matter of fact, I've made quite a bit of headway.
All the check numbers you gave me are in the cashier's book.
Are you sure? Yeah, I'm sure.
That's wonderful.
Then your cousin didn't steal from Biometrics.
Boy, that's a load off my mind.
Waiter.
Thanks, Jim.
It's nothing.
Would you tell a waiter to come over here, please? I'd like to order now.
That changes everything.
I was so sure that he was dipping into the company that I put off doing business with him until all this was resolved.
Now, now I think I should really take care of a couple of accounting items which shouldn't be put off.
Of course.
Yeah, but it's gonna cut into our plans for this evening.
Oh? Say, I've got a great idea.
Why doesn't Jim take you? They're great seats, really great, Jim.
Shostakovich is a marvelous composer.
It would be a shame to waste them.
Well Please, Jim.
Beth really had her heart set on going.
Well So did I, but I mean, I would be neglecting my responsibilities if I went along.
I've got two new computer programs that I should really discuss with him, now that I can trust him.
Look Say, are you absolutely certain that those checks are in the ledger? I mean, you're sure you didn't make a mistake or misread them, did you? Yeah, I'm sure.
You know something, Dave? You're beginning to get on my nerves.
Well, what I meant was I said they're there.
They're there.
Now, I will give you a signed affidavit.
Beth here can notarize it in the presence of one of the waiters if we can get one to come to the table, okay? Would you take this gentlemars order, please? Forget it.
Lost my appetite.
What on earth is wrong with you? Nothing.
You made a scene in front of David like some kind of six-year-old.
Look, I'm sorry.
I tell you what, Beth.
Do me a favor, will you? Be sure and get my check from David before you let him out of your sight.
Just what does that mean? That means I think Dave is a little slick.
I think he's trying to job us.
Sir? Yeah? What do you want? The tie.
May I have the tie back, please? Thanks.
I had nothing but compliments.
Mr.
Delaroux, I hope the meal was acceptable.
Marvelous, Harold.
Tell René he still has the best kitchen in Los Angeles.
Thank you, Mr.
Delaroux.
He'll be happy to hear it.
I hope you're gonna be in town for a while, Dave.
Just two days this time.
I'm sorry, sir.
You can't go in.
Mrs.
Silver is entertaining.
You bet she's entertaining.
Get out of my way, Alma.
You're the guy, huh? I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.
Who are you? Just get out of here, Mickey.
Get out of this house before I call the police.
Yeah? Is that what you're gonna do, Karen, honey? You're gonna call the cops? What's the charge gonna be, huh? Just get out of here.
This is my house! You ain't got no divorce yet, so you ain't got spit.
You must be Mickey Silver.
That's right, pal.
You got 10 seconds to pick up your gold cigarette case and get out the front door.
He is my guest.
That's right, honey, and he's leaving.
You've got a big mouth, mister.
You're looking to start some trouble, huh? Is that what you want to do, Mr.
Delaroux? How do you know my name? I got more than your name, pal.
You're a backbiting cocktail party hors d'oeuvre with too many silk robes in closets where they don't belong.
You got something in mind? Where you wanna do it? Oh, I hate to bust up my own furniture.
Fine.
How about out back? Go.
Mickey, stop this.
Shut up! Come on.
Come on.
Come and get it.
You're dead, mister.
Right now, you're dead.
Sure, sure.
You better get out of here while you can still walk.
Look at that.
Take it easy, Mick.
How long has she been seeing this guy? I don't know, Mick.
As soon as I heard about it, I called you.
He's dead.
Look, Mick.
I mean, you threatened him.
You take him off and people are gonna know.
I got us set up all night.
We've got an alibi nobody's gonna crack.
Let him settle in a little, get into his silk pajamas, then we'll take him.
Whose place is this? How should I know? He's alone.
That's all that counts.
We could at least have stayed till intermission.
I was falling asleep, Beth.
It was a beautiful concert.
I told you I'd leave you cab money.
You know, sometimes you make Dave look pretty wonderful.
Well, he is wonderful.
You put a tennis racket in his hand, you could stand him in the window of any sporting goods store in town.
You're jealous.
You're right.
Ever since Dave showed up, I have been taking seconds.
I'm on a second-hand date, listening to second-hand music.
Now I'm getting cussed out in second-hand legal terms, most of which I don't understand.
This is the last time I'll ever go to a concert with you.
That's great.
We'll just stick to the Rams and the Dodgers.
Brother! I'll take you home, and would you let me know when you get Dave's check? He'll pay you.
Sure, sure.
Now! Close it! Put the lights on.
Look at him.
Ten years I've been his bodyguard and look at him now.
I shouldn't have let you talk me into this.
Why? It's clean.
He threatened my life.
If the cops ever do put it together, it's gonna look like self-defense.
Yeah, I know.
It's just Don't worry.
We used Mickey's MO.
He never knew it.
The law was beginning to suspect him.
We've crossed him off, which leaves them with a lot of questions and no answers.
It's perfect.
It's just that There's one more little detail we gotta take care of.
What? Come here, I'll show you.
That's fine, thanks.
Hello? Beth.
Oh, David, I'm so glad you called.
The concert was brilliant.
It's Jim.
Strap yourself in, honey, I got a nightcap for you.
I just got home, and I found two guys in my trailer, and both of them have been shot dead.
The place has been ransacked, and looks like they used my gun.
You're kidding.
Oh yeah, Beth, this is one of my funniest routines.
Jim, you're not serious.
I'm gonna call Becker.
If I know the homicide dicks, well, I'm gonna be in a lot of trouble.
So tell Solly I'll need bail, and I'll put up my car just like last time.
Wait a minute.
Okay, I'll meet you at the police station.
I'll see what they have and try and get an OR release.
Good luck on that one.
Later, Beth.
Sergeant Becker, please.
Hey, Dennis, Jim.
Guess what.
What? Look, Dennis, I don't like it any better than you do.
If you never saw them before, why were they killed in your trailer? What were they doing there? I don't know.
Look, Rockford, CID is running a make on those two stiffs right now.
In 20 minutes, we're gonna know who they are.
That means, in 20 minutes we just might find out that you owed one of them money, that you threatened one, that you got some kind of spooky connection with one.
Whenever that happens, we're gonna pin it Murder One, and you're through.
That's absolute bull, but go ahead, make me an offer.
Okay.
I call the DA.
I get him in here.
You cop involuntary manslaughter.
The way it reads is, you came home, you found two guys ransacking your trailer, one a them pulls a gun, you blow them both away.
'Course, I overlook the fact you're not supposed to carry a pistol, and I overlook the fact I got you on Murder One.
We get your attorney in here, sign some papers, get if off the books, bang, bang.
How about that? Involuntary Manslaughter, huh? That's right.
Okay.
Who were they? I already told you, we don't know.
Sure you do.
You already ran a check on them, and you don't think you can tie it to me.
Otherwise, you wouldn't bargain it down to something I can walk away from in six months.
That's the offer.
Take it or leave it.
Well, I think you know what you can do with your offer, don't you, Lieutenant? What? Becker, book him as a material witness and get him out of here.
Take him over to West Hollywood.
I don't want him to connect up with a bail bondsman for a couple of hours.
Listen, Lieutenant.
We could OR him.
We've done it before.
He won't skip town.
No way, Sergeant.
He's gonna eat county food for a couple a days.
All expenses paid.
Lieutenant Diehl.
Yeah.
Oh, Beth.
Hey, great.
Hi, Solly.
Why don't you just reserve a room down here, Jim? Funny, Solly.
Really funny.
We've always got Rocky's truck.
Of course, the engine's out of it.
Diehl wants me to bicycle Jim from precinct to precinct, so you better push that arraignment.
Otherwise, he's gonna be buried so deep in paper, it's gonna take a month to find out what can he's in.
Something's in the air, and I don't know what it is.
Well, go on, Sergeant.
Get him out of here.
Hi, Rockford.
Agent Shore, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
You're under arrest.
Would you come with us, please? You gonna let him get away with that? Wait a minute.
This man is our prisoner.
Not anymore.
We're taking him to 2357 Wilshire.
You can have a little time with him after we're through, but he'll probably get moved to the Federal facility in Oxnard by tomorrow.
Now, wait a minute.
Hold the phone, buddy.
You can't just walk in here and take this guy.
Sure we can.
Wanna bet? No offense, but I wasrt talking to you.
No offense, but I'm his attorney, and if you aren't absolutely straight about the way you handle this, I'm gonna hit you with half a dozen technicalities starting with failure to inform prisoner of his rights, and failure to grant consultation with counsel, and harassment.
Don't throw the Miranda up at me, lady.
I don't ask incriminating questions until all the technicalities have been observed and witnessed.
Just back off.
You can't have him.
We got him in here as a material witness on a murder.
You're gonna subjugate the charge until were through with him.
You know what you can do with that, buddy.
What are the charges? Suspicion of attempt to defraud the Federal Government, suspicion of federal banking fraud, suspicion of grand theft and murder.
See you around, Jim.
You sure you didn't forget anything? Look, Shore, you can have him when I'm finished with him, which might be in about 30 years depending on the disposition of the murder case.
Do yourself a favor, Sergeant Lieutenant.
Whatever.
Check it with somebody a little higher up the line.
I'll do just that.
Let's go.
Just a minute, Shore.
I'd like to speak with my client, gentlemen.
Now, what is going on? I don't know, but I'm beginning to get a little suspicious.
About what? Dave Delaroux.
Now wait a minute.
Suspicion to defraud the government.
That's an accounting crime, right? And old David is an accountant.
Oh, come on.
Suspicion of federal banking fraud.
That wouldn't have anything to do with Biometrics' cashier's checks, now would it? Huh? You're darn right, it would.
And murder.
That would be the two guys with the glassy stares they found in my trailer.
How did they get in there? I mean, the door wasrt sprung.
Somebody just let themselves in.
And as I recall, Dave had a pretty good idea that we were gonna be at that concert, and he also saw where I hide the key.
You know, all of this is circumstantial.
You think? I know.
Okay, Beth.
Okay, but I'm gonna need you to verify what he wanted me to do and the fact that I never had any knowledge of Dave Delaroux before today.
I think the Feds are gonna want to know a lot about old Dave.
I'm gonna need you to back me up.
What is it? What's wrong? I'll do what I can, but if you're right, I'm afraid there isn't much I can do to help you.
That's great.
That's wonderful.
Why not? Because David hired me.
I am technically his attorney.
I can't do anything that would incriminate him.
If I did, it would be inadmissible in court anyway.
I never liked him, you know.
You remember? Remember the I said from the beginning I had a hunch about him, he's tricky.
You remember that? I remember.
Why don't we just go to the Federal building downtown? Why a garage in the Valley? Because we'd just as soon keep you out of reach of the local authorities for a little while.
Oh, yeah.
You guys wouldn't be pulling my wings, now would you? You're in a pile of trouble, Rockford.
The LAPD is about to hang a jacket on you, and the way I see it, you just might take the fall.
But your best bet is to come clean with us, and maybe we can screen them off you for a little while.
That's my best bet, huh? That's it.
What do you want to know? Let's start with something easy.
Tell us about the First Federal Bank in San Diego.
What do you want to know about it? Everything you know, and don't leave out anything.
Okay, it's a bank.
It's in San Diego.
Until about 10 seconds ago, I never heard of it.
I think that covers about everything.
Comedian.
How about that? Look, I got a very bad case of confusion.
Why don't you just run some of this past me, and maybe I can help.
I suppose you don't know anything about the $2 million.
That's right.
Okay, maybe you're a patsy, maybe not, so just for drill, I'm gonna go through it for you.
And if I can tie you into any of it, you're gonna get your palm slapped with a ruler, and I'm gonna see to it that you have to go stand in the corner for 20 years.
That's a joke? That's a fact.
A month ago, a guy named Rod Fitzpatrick walked into the First Federal in San Diego and set up a banking relationship.
He got real friendly with the bank manager, told him he was an advance man for Biometrics, which was gonna put in a huge sewage disposal plant in San Diego.
He passed a lot of money in and out of the account.
And then one day, about two weeks ago, he walked into the bank with $2 million in cashier's checks from Biometrics.
He cashed them and walked out the front door with the cash.
Checks turned out to be stolen.
And guess what? He's never been heard from again.
Wrong.
He dropped out of sight for two weeks and six days and then miraculously turned up tonight, a little worse for wear.
You wanna guess where? On the floor of my trailer? Bingo.
Which one was he? One of the guys was named Mickey Silver.
He's masterminded a lot of federal banking swindles over the last 10 years, and he set this one up.
The other guy was Arnold Adams, alias, Rod Fitzpatrick.
He's been Mickey Silver's bodyguard for almost 10 years.
Where does Dave Delaroux fit in? That's a good question, and the answer is gonna determine whether you pull the 20 years or not.
Well, I don't have the answers, but can I take a guess? Dave Delaroux is the comptroller of Biometrics, and he's the inside man, and he's probably got the $2 million.
Or you have.
Come on.
Even you don't believe that.
Why did you go into Biometrics yesterday and look through the cashier's checkbook? Dave Delaroux hired me to see if any of the checks were missing.
So you think he sent you in as a decoy to pull us out of the way while he got the chance to dust off Silver and Adams? That's what I think.
Okay, how do we confirm all this? Well, I'm a little jammed up in the alibi department.
What a bad break for you.
Yeah, well, my attorney is my alibi for tonight, but Dave Delaroux hired her on a related matter, which means that she can't testify to anything that might incriminate him.
Okay.
How about we put you on the box? A lie detector? Okay, but but if I pass, you gotta give me a promise that you'll get the locals off my back, okay? Okay, I'll do what I can.
Let's go.
I don't want you to take it too hard.
I think you figured a way to beat the machine, Rockford.
Hey, maybe I'm just telling the truth.
You ever think of that? From now on, you stay out of this or I'm gonna drop down on you like Batman.
Yeah.
See you.
If you say, "I told you so" one more time, I swear, Jim, I'm gonna throw this dish at you.
Besides, they haven't proved that he killed anybody or stole anything.
Whatever happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty? Well, let's look at the facts, Beth.
Now, two weeks ago, Arnold Adams rips off a San Diego bank for $2 mil.
Now, the feds seem to think that Mickey Silver set it up, but I'm not so sure.
Why? Well, it just doesn't figure.
I mean, if he set it up, why would he use his bodyguard to bluff the bank? I don't follow you.
Well, the Feds seem to think that there's an inside man somewhere, so they take pictures of all the Biometrics executives who have the resources to pull the strings from the inside.
Then they take those pictures along with one of Arnold Adams, and they show them to all the restaurant owners within a two block radius of the Biometrics building in New York.
Well, it turns out that one of those restaurant owners identifies dear old Dave as a frequent lunch companion of Arnold Adams, now tragically deceased.
That makes Biometrics very nervous, so they fire him.
Now, I think that Dave set the whole thing up and got the Feds interested in Mickey Silver by using his bodyguard.
They fired him? Yeah.
When? How long ago? Last week.
He never said anything about it.
How about that? Here.
Well, don't take it out on me.
He's your friend, not mine.
I'm not Beth, the guy is a first-class thief and probably a murderer.
I liked him.
Okay, so I'm a jerk! I liked him! Oh, Beth.
Hey.
Forget it.
Hey, Beth, I'm sorry.
Me, too.
Did you love him? I don't know.
You gotta give me a little bit of a pass, though, huh? I'm jealous, and jealous people do and say things they don't mean.
Are you jealous, Jim? Mmm-hmm.
Really? Really.
You know, two years ago, when I first met you, I thought, "This is the one.
" And I took out my little lariat, and I swung it over my head.
I took dead aim, and I tossed.
I must have thrown it but I gotta hand it to you, Jim.
You're a tough catch.
Sometime, I don't know, last year, I guess, I sort of settled for friend.
And I started looking for someone with more long-range possibilities.
David looked like a good candidate.
Thanks, but still jealous.
You still need a lawyer? Yeah.
And a friend.
We're gonna have to get a line on what else he's been doing in LA.
Why don't you see what you can get from the LA cops, and I'll go back to Biometrics and get on Tom Hanson.
Okay.
"Dear Beth, I'm sorry.
"I know what you must think, but I had no other choice.
"I borrowed your car.
" This just isn't my day.
"I'll leave it in the airport parking near the western terminal.
Dave.
" Well, it's a lead anyway.
What do you mean, a lead? You think we ought to go out to the airport to try and find your car? Well, sure.
All we have to do is find out how long it's been in the lot, and then we can pin down the flight by checking the airlines near where it's parked.
I think we'd be wasting our time.
There's one thing I've learned about old Dave.
He is a master of misdirection.
Watch the bouncing ball.
Which shell has the pea? Nothing in the hand and nothing up the sleeve.
What on earth are you talking about? He's still in town.
Why steal a car? Why not just take a cab or the airport bus? The car is a diversion just to keep us all moving in circles and asking a lot of dumb questions at the airport while he makes his last move.
Which is? I don't know.
I suppose he's gonna try to get that $2 million out of the country, which could pose a problem since every customs agent from Toronto to Tijuana has probably already been alerted.
Who else does he know in town? Well, nobody.
What's her name? Look, that was over at least a year ago.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Dave's true blue.
Anybody can see that.
All right, Beth, I'm sorry.
Look, I'll try not to step on your feelings, but I'm afraid I won't be able to hide mine completely.
It's okay.
What's her name? Susan Valero.
She's a real estate broker in the valley.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm Jim Rockford.
This is Miss Davenport.
Beth, isn't it? Yes, how did Dave mentioned you.
How can I help you, Jim? Well, we're Looking for Dave.
Did you try his apartment? Apartment? I sold him an apartment complex about two years ago.
That's how I met him.
Mr.
Garvey, the former owner, lives in one of the other units on a leaseback and manages the apartment.
It's a nice deal.
I didn't know he had an apartment.
He never told me anything about it.
Oh, well, what would you like me to say? Is he yours? That's right.
Hands off.
Well, we seem to be sharing the same men, so why break up the pattern? I'm in the book, or you can always reach me here during working hours.
In case he's interested in real estate.
Miss Valero, if you could put away your little seduction kit for a minute, maybe you wouldn't mind telling us where Dave's apartment is.
It's on Valley Street.
2416.
He bought it because it has a nice northern light.
He uses it more as a studio, I think, than a residence.
Studio? Oh, Dave's a truly fine artist, portraits.
That's right.
He's done several paintings of me.
Full figure.
Big deal.
Let's go, Jim.
Nice meeting you.
Don't be a stranger.
Lets go, Jim.
Bye.
Ciao.
I think that's David's car.
Oh, yeah? I don't know.
Maybe we should've called in the police.
I'm sure that's David's car.
Yeah, and he's all packed up and ready to leave.
Beth? David, I've gotta see you.
Uh Please, I'm alone.
Okay.
Well, well, what do we have here? You pulling up stakes? Is that it, Dave? That's right.
I'm running a little late.
I hope you don't mind.
Yeah, I do.
You got me in a whole pile of trouble.
Is that so? Yeah.
You know, if you take off, there's gonna be a lot of unappy gunslingers around.
Half the LA Federal Office is out looking, not to mention a bunch of local prowlies.
So if you disappear, I just get the strange feeling they're gonna drop down and kick me to death.
I don't know what you're talking about.
We know, David.
We know everything.
Look, Beth, we had a few laughs.
We had a good time.
What do you want? A little honesty.
Well, old Dave doesn't deal in honesty.
I think I've had about as much of you as I can stand.
Where you gonna go, David, huh? You gonna hit Canada or Mexico? Or you just gonna curl up under a rock till it all blows over? I'm leaving.
No, you're not.
You wanna bet? Yeah.
I was sort of hoping it would come to this.
Me, too.
Hey, now, wait, wait a minute.
Let's discuss the rules, huh? Rules? There are no rules.
Oh, well, good.
All right.
Go get the cops while I hold this guy.
Nobody's gonna get that money.
I got that money.
Nobody's ever gonna get it.
Well, go on.
Get going.
You just sit tight, slick.
You're all right.
I guess there's something to be learned from everything.
I have such a mixture of feelings.
He killed two people, stole $2 million, which nobody can find.
He'll go to prison and in seven years be up for parole.
And I feel like such a Look, Beth No, let me finish.
It's not so much that Dave was what he was as it is that That you didn't see? Yeah, I guess.
No, no, it's not that at all.
It's that I really did like him.
And somewhere deep down inside, I still do.
Well, you know, honey, when you take a chance on someone you gotta be ready to get hurt, but that doesn't mean you should stop taking chances.
If you stop, you're really through.
You wanna hear something really funny? I mean, this will show you how silly it all is.
I felt bad there wasrt a portrait of me.
All those other girls he was seeing, and no portrait of Elizabeth.
Isn't that crazy, something like that should bother me? Maybe you were too special.
Maybe.
Hey, hey, Beth, I forgot.
I want to thank you for all the help with the authorities.
I needed a character reference.
Oh, they didn't have anything on you, and Diehl was willing to accept a lie detector test.
You may still have to go to court, but you're probably gonna enjoy that part.
What? What are you thinking? What did you say Dave's legal specialty was? Didrt you say he was involved in federal banking for a while? Yeah.
And he would be familiar with federal banking instruments.
He needed a way to get $2 million out of the country, and he was a painter, right? Yeah, but Come on.
What are you thinking? Just come on.
Yeah.
What did you say this guy's name was? Garvey, I think.
Right.
Here it is.
Mr.
Garvey? Yes.
My name is Jim Rockford.
This is Miss Davenport.
We're here about Dave Delaroux.
Oh, I just got home.
I heard he was arrested.
Well, Miss Davenport has been hired as Mr.
Delaroux's attorney.
I was wondering, did he give you anything to hold for him? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, he did.
He wanted me to send it to him sometime later.
He was gonna call and give me the address, but I guess he won't be needing it now.
Well, do you mind if we see it? No, no.
Thank you.
What is it? It's a Federal bearer's bond.
He painted your portrait on the face of a federal bearer's bond in watercolor.
It may be the most expensive portrait ever painted.
It's won'th $2 million.
You see, you were special.
You are.
This is the last time I'll ever go to a concert with you.
That's great.
We'll just stick to the Rams and the Dodgers.
You're under arrest.
Would you come with us, please? What's the charge? Suspicion of attempt to defraud the Federal Government, suspicion of federal banking fraud, suspicion of grand theft and murder.
This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
Jim, it's Harry.
We've been waiting on you two hours.
The forks.
Where's the forks? Lasagna ain't no finger food.
I don't know what happened.
Jim is usually very punctual.
Well, that's all right.
I just hope he can help me.
Oh, he's the best, Dave.
You used to date him.
Isn't that right? Date Jim? Jim Rockford? Oh, just every once in a while.
Hi, honey.
I'm sorry.
I'm Jim Rockford.
You must be Beth's client.
Right.
David Delaroux.
Pleased to meet you.
Gee, Jim, didn't have to get all dressed up.
Is anything wrong, honey? Stop calling me "honey.
" Yeah, well, okay Come on in.
Uh-oh.
Hey, I I left my keys over at Rocky's, but it's okay.
I got another one here.
We were pulling the engine on Rocky's truck and putting in a new cam, working on the fuel injection.
When we get that thing finished, it's really gonna be hot.
Go ahead, Miss Davenport.
Thank you.
You know, I don't know why Rocky wants to soup that truck up, but he does.
We had to rent a winch from over at Farmer's gas station.
Took us a long time to get the engine out.
We were unooking the linkage, and when we're working on the motor mount This is fascinating.
Yeah.
Just let me wash my hands, will you? What kind of an engine is it? It's a 350.
It's fuel injected, bored out a little, and Rocky put double shocks all the way around, you know.
Do you mind, Jim? Yeah, all right, I'll be right with you.
Just let me finish washing my hands.
He's usually very neat and punctual.
Cars are just sort of a hobby for him, that's all.
It's all right, Beth.
Relax.
I may hire him.
I'm not gonna marry him.
Here.
Forehead.
What? You've got On your forehead, it's dirty.
Is that all right, Mommy? Hey, here, come on.
Sit down.
Sit down.
Beth tells me you've got a little problem, huh, Dave? That's right.
I hired Beth to give me some legal advice.
Which he hardly needs.
He's one of the finest lawyers I've ever met.
You should see him in court, Jim.
He can turn a jury around like nobody you ever met.
Yeah? Well, how about that? You've known Beth long, Dave? Yeah.
David hasn't practiced law for a while.
He joined a company back east called Biometrics.
He's their comptroller.
What's the problem? There's a strong possibility that the head of our LA office is stealing company cashier checks.
One of the secretaries there is an old friend of mine, and he had let me in on it.
Okay.
Okay, so? Well, if I go in there and start asking questions, everything is gonna freeze up, and I don't know how many people are involved, if at all.
I want to find out without alerting anyone.
I haven't practiced law for five years.
That's why I hired Beth, to get me current with the legal responsibilities of Biometrics in the event that there are any bogus checks which have been cashed.
What I need is someone to get into the branch office to take a look at the cashier's ledger.
The checks are numbered, and I have a list of the ones that are possibly stolen.
If those checks are still there, then I'm afraid all this has been a waste of time.
If they're not, I think we should call the DA's office and start more formal proceedings.
Let me ask you a question, Dave.
Sure, Jim.
Why don't you just get a key and go into the office late at night and take a look for yourself? That's a good question, Jim.
I thought so, too.
The answer is I don't want to.
That's not much of an answer, Dave.
You can tell him, David.
We can trust him.
Well, the reason I don't want to go in there is because the head of the LA office is a man named Tom Hanson.
He's my first cousin, and he resents my interference, and he takes the cashier ledger home with him every evening.
He does, huh? That's right, Jim.
Well, look, I'm a little busy right now.
I have made all my payments on everything for the month, and I really don't know too much about cashier's checks, so I'd just as soon skip it.
Could you excuse us for a minute? Look, Beth, it's all right.
If he doesn't want to, we'll just find someone else.
Do you mind, just, could you go outside just for a second? Thanks anyway.
Yeah.
I promised him.
He's a friend, and he needs help.
You're gonna help him.
Uh-uh.
Please? Nope.
We have a very nice seascape engraved on a field of green, very subtle, very good taste.
We supplied the whole General Delaware Life Insurance Company with that design on their stock certificates when they went public last August.
It's quite handsome, very understated.
Yeah, well, you see, I don't understand what you're talking about, Mr.
Diederinghouse.
Now, you say you were asked to look us up by Mr.
Jurgins from our central office? No, Mr.
Swerling from the central office.
Mr.
Jurgins is with Seagren, Foote and Hall.
Our public relations firm, but why would they Look, I'm afraid I don't quite understand what's bothering you, Mr.
Hanson.
It's all very clear.
Yeah.
But why would Mr.
Swerling from the public relations firm want us to redesign our checks and bank notes? Because Mr.
Temple was in Jamaica last week, and he saw the engravings that Mr.
Hall did for Biometrics, Incorporated, and then he called Mr.
Sherman in New York, who called Swerling, who called Jurgins Yeah, but, see, Mr.
Temple is semi-retired.
I mean, he's on the board, but he's consulting.
Look, why don't we just forget about it, huh? I'll go back to Chicago, and you can get it sorted out through your corporate maze.
I'm sorry I bothered you.
No, no, no, no, no! No, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
Look, if you don't understand I don't.
Well, then I suggest that you check it out.
That's fair enough, huh? I just don't have time to play around.
I have to see the B of A people, and I have to see three airlines by 4:00.
No, see You see, it's just that Wait.
Wait, see All right, if Mr If Mr.
Temple and Mr.
Jurgins want us to redesign our checks and bank notes It's just It's just progress, Mr.
Hanson.
Marketing and promotion, those are the watchwords of today's progressive businessman, Mr.
Hanson.
How can I help you? I suppose I should get a look at the current checks, and we'll go from there.
You mean, the cashier's checkbook.
That's what it's all about, Mr.
Hanson, yes.
All right.
I'll have to stay with you while you look at the cashier's checkbook.
Yes, yes.
Really tacky, isn't it? I beg your pardon? Tacky.
I mean, old English 1930 Ah, there's just no definition.
You know, it's amazing to me how some of these engravers get by.
Frightening.
Somebody just hit our line.
Yeah.
Well, he's looking at the cashier's checkbook.
No, haven't got his name, but you better come on down here and sniff this guy.
Yeah, okay, we'll put a tail on him.
Right.
Yes, sir, and thank you.
Jim Rockford.
I'm meeting Mr.
Delaroux.
You'll need a tie, sir.
What for? In order to be seated.
We can loan you one.
We do have a limited selection.
This way, please.
Hi, I'm sorry, Jim.
We went ahead and ordered.
David doesn't have much time.
No, that's all right.
I can make a telephone call and put off my appointments.
But you shouldn't have to, Dave.
Howdy, folks.
I'm sorry I'm late.
How's the tuna fish salad in this place? Is something wrong? Blue doesn't exactly go with yellow and brown.
Oh, really? I'll have to write that on a card and stick it in my locker.
I don't suppose you've made any headway yet.
As a matter of fact, I've made quite a bit of headway.
All the check numbers you gave me are in the cashier's book.
Are you sure? Yeah, I'm sure.
That's wonderful.
Then your cousin didn't steal from Biometrics.
Boy, that's a load off my mind.
Waiter.
Thanks, Jim.
It's nothing.
Would you tell a waiter to come over here, please? I'd like to order now.
That changes everything.
I was so sure that he was dipping into the company that I put off doing business with him until all this was resolved.
Now, now I think I should really take care of a couple of accounting items which shouldn't be put off.
Of course.
Yeah, but it's gonna cut into our plans for this evening.
Oh? Say, I've got a great idea.
Why doesn't Jim take you? They're great seats, really great, Jim.
Shostakovich is a marvelous composer.
It would be a shame to waste them.
Well Please, Jim.
Beth really had her heart set on going.
Well So did I, but I mean, I would be neglecting my responsibilities if I went along.
I've got two new computer programs that I should really discuss with him, now that I can trust him.
Look Say, are you absolutely certain that those checks are in the ledger? I mean, you're sure you didn't make a mistake or misread them, did you? Yeah, I'm sure.
You know something, Dave? You're beginning to get on my nerves.
Well, what I meant was I said they're there.
They're there.
Now, I will give you a signed affidavit.
Beth here can notarize it in the presence of one of the waiters if we can get one to come to the table, okay? Would you take this gentlemars order, please? Forget it.
Lost my appetite.
What on earth is wrong with you? Nothing.
You made a scene in front of David like some kind of six-year-old.
Look, I'm sorry.
I tell you what, Beth.
Do me a favor, will you? Be sure and get my check from David before you let him out of your sight.
Just what does that mean? That means I think Dave is a little slick.
I think he's trying to job us.
Sir? Yeah? What do you want? The tie.
May I have the tie back, please? Thanks.
I had nothing but compliments.
Mr.
Delaroux, I hope the meal was acceptable.
Marvelous, Harold.
Tell René he still has the best kitchen in Los Angeles.
Thank you, Mr.
Delaroux.
He'll be happy to hear it.
I hope you're gonna be in town for a while, Dave.
Just two days this time.
I'm sorry, sir.
You can't go in.
Mrs.
Silver is entertaining.
You bet she's entertaining.
Get out of my way, Alma.
You're the guy, huh? I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.
Who are you? Just get out of here, Mickey.
Get out of this house before I call the police.
Yeah? Is that what you're gonna do, Karen, honey? You're gonna call the cops? What's the charge gonna be, huh? Just get out of here.
This is my house! You ain't got no divorce yet, so you ain't got spit.
You must be Mickey Silver.
That's right, pal.
You got 10 seconds to pick up your gold cigarette case and get out the front door.
He is my guest.
That's right, honey, and he's leaving.
You've got a big mouth, mister.
You're looking to start some trouble, huh? Is that what you want to do, Mr.
Delaroux? How do you know my name? I got more than your name, pal.
You're a backbiting cocktail party hors d'oeuvre with too many silk robes in closets where they don't belong.
You got something in mind? Where you wanna do it? Oh, I hate to bust up my own furniture.
Fine.
How about out back? Go.
Mickey, stop this.
Shut up! Come on.
Come on.
Come and get it.
You're dead, mister.
Right now, you're dead.
Sure, sure.
You better get out of here while you can still walk.
Look at that.
Take it easy, Mick.
How long has she been seeing this guy? I don't know, Mick.
As soon as I heard about it, I called you.
He's dead.
Look, Mick.
I mean, you threatened him.
You take him off and people are gonna know.
I got us set up all night.
We've got an alibi nobody's gonna crack.
Let him settle in a little, get into his silk pajamas, then we'll take him.
Whose place is this? How should I know? He's alone.
That's all that counts.
We could at least have stayed till intermission.
I was falling asleep, Beth.
It was a beautiful concert.
I told you I'd leave you cab money.
You know, sometimes you make Dave look pretty wonderful.
Well, he is wonderful.
You put a tennis racket in his hand, you could stand him in the window of any sporting goods store in town.
You're jealous.
You're right.
Ever since Dave showed up, I have been taking seconds.
I'm on a second-hand date, listening to second-hand music.
Now I'm getting cussed out in second-hand legal terms, most of which I don't understand.
This is the last time I'll ever go to a concert with you.
That's great.
We'll just stick to the Rams and the Dodgers.
Brother! I'll take you home, and would you let me know when you get Dave's check? He'll pay you.
Sure, sure.
Now! Close it! Put the lights on.
Look at him.
Ten years I've been his bodyguard and look at him now.
I shouldn't have let you talk me into this.
Why? It's clean.
He threatened my life.
If the cops ever do put it together, it's gonna look like self-defense.
Yeah, I know.
It's just Don't worry.
We used Mickey's MO.
He never knew it.
The law was beginning to suspect him.
We've crossed him off, which leaves them with a lot of questions and no answers.
It's perfect.
It's just that There's one more little detail we gotta take care of.
What? Come here, I'll show you.
That's fine, thanks.
Hello? Beth.
Oh, David, I'm so glad you called.
The concert was brilliant.
It's Jim.
Strap yourself in, honey, I got a nightcap for you.
I just got home, and I found two guys in my trailer, and both of them have been shot dead.
The place has been ransacked, and looks like they used my gun.
You're kidding.
Oh yeah, Beth, this is one of my funniest routines.
Jim, you're not serious.
I'm gonna call Becker.
If I know the homicide dicks, well, I'm gonna be in a lot of trouble.
So tell Solly I'll need bail, and I'll put up my car just like last time.
Wait a minute.
Okay, I'll meet you at the police station.
I'll see what they have and try and get an OR release.
Good luck on that one.
Later, Beth.
Sergeant Becker, please.
Hey, Dennis, Jim.
Guess what.
What? Look, Dennis, I don't like it any better than you do.
If you never saw them before, why were they killed in your trailer? What were they doing there? I don't know.
Look, Rockford, CID is running a make on those two stiffs right now.
In 20 minutes, we're gonna know who they are.
That means, in 20 minutes we just might find out that you owed one of them money, that you threatened one, that you got some kind of spooky connection with one.
Whenever that happens, we're gonna pin it Murder One, and you're through.
That's absolute bull, but go ahead, make me an offer.
Okay.
I call the DA.
I get him in here.
You cop involuntary manslaughter.
The way it reads is, you came home, you found two guys ransacking your trailer, one a them pulls a gun, you blow them both away.
'Course, I overlook the fact you're not supposed to carry a pistol, and I overlook the fact I got you on Murder One.
We get your attorney in here, sign some papers, get if off the books, bang, bang.
How about that? Involuntary Manslaughter, huh? That's right.
Okay.
Who were they? I already told you, we don't know.
Sure you do.
You already ran a check on them, and you don't think you can tie it to me.
Otherwise, you wouldn't bargain it down to something I can walk away from in six months.
That's the offer.
Take it or leave it.
Well, I think you know what you can do with your offer, don't you, Lieutenant? What? Becker, book him as a material witness and get him out of here.
Take him over to West Hollywood.
I don't want him to connect up with a bail bondsman for a couple of hours.
Listen, Lieutenant.
We could OR him.
We've done it before.
He won't skip town.
No way, Sergeant.
He's gonna eat county food for a couple a days.
All expenses paid.
Lieutenant Diehl.
Yeah.
Oh, Beth.
Hey, great.
Hi, Solly.
Why don't you just reserve a room down here, Jim? Funny, Solly.
Really funny.
We've always got Rocky's truck.
Of course, the engine's out of it.
Diehl wants me to bicycle Jim from precinct to precinct, so you better push that arraignment.
Otherwise, he's gonna be buried so deep in paper, it's gonna take a month to find out what can he's in.
Something's in the air, and I don't know what it is.
Well, go on, Sergeant.
Get him out of here.
Hi, Rockford.
Agent Shore, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
You're under arrest.
Would you come with us, please? You gonna let him get away with that? Wait a minute.
This man is our prisoner.
Not anymore.
We're taking him to 2357 Wilshire.
You can have a little time with him after we're through, but he'll probably get moved to the Federal facility in Oxnard by tomorrow.
Now, wait a minute.
Hold the phone, buddy.
You can't just walk in here and take this guy.
Sure we can.
Wanna bet? No offense, but I wasrt talking to you.
No offense, but I'm his attorney, and if you aren't absolutely straight about the way you handle this, I'm gonna hit you with half a dozen technicalities starting with failure to inform prisoner of his rights, and failure to grant consultation with counsel, and harassment.
Don't throw the Miranda up at me, lady.
I don't ask incriminating questions until all the technicalities have been observed and witnessed.
Just back off.
You can't have him.
We got him in here as a material witness on a murder.
You're gonna subjugate the charge until were through with him.
You know what you can do with that, buddy.
What are the charges? Suspicion of attempt to defraud the Federal Government, suspicion of federal banking fraud, suspicion of grand theft and murder.
See you around, Jim.
You sure you didn't forget anything? Look, Shore, you can have him when I'm finished with him, which might be in about 30 years depending on the disposition of the murder case.
Do yourself a favor, Sergeant Lieutenant.
Whatever.
Check it with somebody a little higher up the line.
I'll do just that.
Let's go.
Just a minute, Shore.
I'd like to speak with my client, gentlemen.
Now, what is going on? I don't know, but I'm beginning to get a little suspicious.
About what? Dave Delaroux.
Now wait a minute.
Suspicion to defraud the government.
That's an accounting crime, right? And old David is an accountant.
Oh, come on.
Suspicion of federal banking fraud.
That wouldn't have anything to do with Biometrics' cashier's checks, now would it? Huh? You're darn right, it would.
And murder.
That would be the two guys with the glassy stares they found in my trailer.
How did they get in there? I mean, the door wasrt sprung.
Somebody just let themselves in.
And as I recall, Dave had a pretty good idea that we were gonna be at that concert, and he also saw where I hide the key.
You know, all of this is circumstantial.
You think? I know.
Okay, Beth.
Okay, but I'm gonna need you to verify what he wanted me to do and the fact that I never had any knowledge of Dave Delaroux before today.
I think the Feds are gonna want to know a lot about old Dave.
I'm gonna need you to back me up.
What is it? What's wrong? I'll do what I can, but if you're right, I'm afraid there isn't much I can do to help you.
That's great.
That's wonderful.
Why not? Because David hired me.
I am technically his attorney.
I can't do anything that would incriminate him.
If I did, it would be inadmissible in court anyway.
I never liked him, you know.
You remember? Remember the I said from the beginning I had a hunch about him, he's tricky.
You remember that? I remember.
Why don't we just go to the Federal building downtown? Why a garage in the Valley? Because we'd just as soon keep you out of reach of the local authorities for a little while.
Oh, yeah.
You guys wouldn't be pulling my wings, now would you? You're in a pile of trouble, Rockford.
The LAPD is about to hang a jacket on you, and the way I see it, you just might take the fall.
But your best bet is to come clean with us, and maybe we can screen them off you for a little while.
That's my best bet, huh? That's it.
What do you want to know? Let's start with something easy.
Tell us about the First Federal Bank in San Diego.
What do you want to know about it? Everything you know, and don't leave out anything.
Okay, it's a bank.
It's in San Diego.
Until about 10 seconds ago, I never heard of it.
I think that covers about everything.
Comedian.
How about that? Look, I got a very bad case of confusion.
Why don't you just run some of this past me, and maybe I can help.
I suppose you don't know anything about the $2 million.
That's right.
Okay, maybe you're a patsy, maybe not, so just for drill, I'm gonna go through it for you.
And if I can tie you into any of it, you're gonna get your palm slapped with a ruler, and I'm gonna see to it that you have to go stand in the corner for 20 years.
That's a joke? That's a fact.
A month ago, a guy named Rod Fitzpatrick walked into the First Federal in San Diego and set up a banking relationship.
He got real friendly with the bank manager, told him he was an advance man for Biometrics, which was gonna put in a huge sewage disposal plant in San Diego.
He passed a lot of money in and out of the account.
And then one day, about two weeks ago, he walked into the bank with $2 million in cashier's checks from Biometrics.
He cashed them and walked out the front door with the cash.
Checks turned out to be stolen.
And guess what? He's never been heard from again.
Wrong.
He dropped out of sight for two weeks and six days and then miraculously turned up tonight, a little worse for wear.
You wanna guess where? On the floor of my trailer? Bingo.
Which one was he? One of the guys was named Mickey Silver.
He's masterminded a lot of federal banking swindles over the last 10 years, and he set this one up.
The other guy was Arnold Adams, alias, Rod Fitzpatrick.
He's been Mickey Silver's bodyguard for almost 10 years.
Where does Dave Delaroux fit in? That's a good question, and the answer is gonna determine whether you pull the 20 years or not.
Well, I don't have the answers, but can I take a guess? Dave Delaroux is the comptroller of Biometrics, and he's the inside man, and he's probably got the $2 million.
Or you have.
Come on.
Even you don't believe that.
Why did you go into Biometrics yesterday and look through the cashier's checkbook? Dave Delaroux hired me to see if any of the checks were missing.
So you think he sent you in as a decoy to pull us out of the way while he got the chance to dust off Silver and Adams? That's what I think.
Okay, how do we confirm all this? Well, I'm a little jammed up in the alibi department.
What a bad break for you.
Yeah, well, my attorney is my alibi for tonight, but Dave Delaroux hired her on a related matter, which means that she can't testify to anything that might incriminate him.
Okay.
How about we put you on the box? A lie detector? Okay, but but if I pass, you gotta give me a promise that you'll get the locals off my back, okay? Okay, I'll do what I can.
Let's go.
I don't want you to take it too hard.
I think you figured a way to beat the machine, Rockford.
Hey, maybe I'm just telling the truth.
You ever think of that? From now on, you stay out of this or I'm gonna drop down on you like Batman.
Yeah.
See you.
If you say, "I told you so" one more time, I swear, Jim, I'm gonna throw this dish at you.
Besides, they haven't proved that he killed anybody or stole anything.
Whatever happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty? Well, let's look at the facts, Beth.
Now, two weeks ago, Arnold Adams rips off a San Diego bank for $2 mil.
Now, the feds seem to think that Mickey Silver set it up, but I'm not so sure.
Why? Well, it just doesn't figure.
I mean, if he set it up, why would he use his bodyguard to bluff the bank? I don't follow you.
Well, the Feds seem to think that there's an inside man somewhere, so they take pictures of all the Biometrics executives who have the resources to pull the strings from the inside.
Then they take those pictures along with one of Arnold Adams, and they show them to all the restaurant owners within a two block radius of the Biometrics building in New York.
Well, it turns out that one of those restaurant owners identifies dear old Dave as a frequent lunch companion of Arnold Adams, now tragically deceased.
That makes Biometrics very nervous, so they fire him.
Now, I think that Dave set the whole thing up and got the Feds interested in Mickey Silver by using his bodyguard.
They fired him? Yeah.
When? How long ago? Last week.
He never said anything about it.
How about that? Here.
Well, don't take it out on me.
He's your friend, not mine.
I'm not Beth, the guy is a first-class thief and probably a murderer.
I liked him.
Okay, so I'm a jerk! I liked him! Oh, Beth.
Hey.
Forget it.
Hey, Beth, I'm sorry.
Me, too.
Did you love him? I don't know.
You gotta give me a little bit of a pass, though, huh? I'm jealous, and jealous people do and say things they don't mean.
Are you jealous, Jim? Mmm-hmm.
Really? Really.
You know, two years ago, when I first met you, I thought, "This is the one.
" And I took out my little lariat, and I swung it over my head.
I took dead aim, and I tossed.
I must have thrown it but I gotta hand it to you, Jim.
You're a tough catch.
Sometime, I don't know, last year, I guess, I sort of settled for friend.
And I started looking for someone with more long-range possibilities.
David looked like a good candidate.
Thanks, but still jealous.
You still need a lawyer? Yeah.
And a friend.
We're gonna have to get a line on what else he's been doing in LA.
Why don't you see what you can get from the LA cops, and I'll go back to Biometrics and get on Tom Hanson.
Okay.
"Dear Beth, I'm sorry.
"I know what you must think, but I had no other choice.
"I borrowed your car.
" This just isn't my day.
"I'll leave it in the airport parking near the western terminal.
Dave.
" Well, it's a lead anyway.
What do you mean, a lead? You think we ought to go out to the airport to try and find your car? Well, sure.
All we have to do is find out how long it's been in the lot, and then we can pin down the flight by checking the airlines near where it's parked.
I think we'd be wasting our time.
There's one thing I've learned about old Dave.
He is a master of misdirection.
Watch the bouncing ball.
Which shell has the pea? Nothing in the hand and nothing up the sleeve.
What on earth are you talking about? He's still in town.
Why steal a car? Why not just take a cab or the airport bus? The car is a diversion just to keep us all moving in circles and asking a lot of dumb questions at the airport while he makes his last move.
Which is? I don't know.
I suppose he's gonna try to get that $2 million out of the country, which could pose a problem since every customs agent from Toronto to Tijuana has probably already been alerted.
Who else does he know in town? Well, nobody.
What's her name? Look, that was over at least a year ago.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Dave's true blue.
Anybody can see that.
All right, Beth, I'm sorry.
Look, I'll try not to step on your feelings, but I'm afraid I won't be able to hide mine completely.
It's okay.
What's her name? Susan Valero.
She's a real estate broker in the valley.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm Jim Rockford.
This is Miss Davenport.
Beth, isn't it? Yes, how did Dave mentioned you.
How can I help you, Jim? Well, we're Looking for Dave.
Did you try his apartment? Apartment? I sold him an apartment complex about two years ago.
That's how I met him.
Mr.
Garvey, the former owner, lives in one of the other units on a leaseback and manages the apartment.
It's a nice deal.
I didn't know he had an apartment.
He never told me anything about it.
Oh, well, what would you like me to say? Is he yours? That's right.
Hands off.
Well, we seem to be sharing the same men, so why break up the pattern? I'm in the book, or you can always reach me here during working hours.
In case he's interested in real estate.
Miss Valero, if you could put away your little seduction kit for a minute, maybe you wouldn't mind telling us where Dave's apartment is.
It's on Valley Street.
2416.
He bought it because it has a nice northern light.
He uses it more as a studio, I think, than a residence.
Studio? Oh, Dave's a truly fine artist, portraits.
That's right.
He's done several paintings of me.
Full figure.
Big deal.
Let's go, Jim.
Nice meeting you.
Don't be a stranger.
Lets go, Jim.
Bye.
Ciao.
I think that's David's car.
Oh, yeah? I don't know.
Maybe we should've called in the police.
I'm sure that's David's car.
Yeah, and he's all packed up and ready to leave.
Beth? David, I've gotta see you.
Uh Please, I'm alone.
Okay.
Well, well, what do we have here? You pulling up stakes? Is that it, Dave? That's right.
I'm running a little late.
I hope you don't mind.
Yeah, I do.
You got me in a whole pile of trouble.
Is that so? Yeah.
You know, if you take off, there's gonna be a lot of unappy gunslingers around.
Half the LA Federal Office is out looking, not to mention a bunch of local prowlies.
So if you disappear, I just get the strange feeling they're gonna drop down and kick me to death.
I don't know what you're talking about.
We know, David.
We know everything.
Look, Beth, we had a few laughs.
We had a good time.
What do you want? A little honesty.
Well, old Dave doesn't deal in honesty.
I think I've had about as much of you as I can stand.
Where you gonna go, David, huh? You gonna hit Canada or Mexico? Or you just gonna curl up under a rock till it all blows over? I'm leaving.
No, you're not.
You wanna bet? Yeah.
I was sort of hoping it would come to this.
Me, too.
Hey, now, wait, wait a minute.
Let's discuss the rules, huh? Rules? There are no rules.
Oh, well, good.
All right.
Go get the cops while I hold this guy.
Nobody's gonna get that money.
I got that money.
Nobody's ever gonna get it.
Well, go on.
Get going.
You just sit tight, slick.
You're all right.
I guess there's something to be learned from everything.
I have such a mixture of feelings.
He killed two people, stole $2 million, which nobody can find.
He'll go to prison and in seven years be up for parole.
And I feel like such a Look, Beth No, let me finish.
It's not so much that Dave was what he was as it is that That you didn't see? Yeah, I guess.
No, no, it's not that at all.
It's that I really did like him.
And somewhere deep down inside, I still do.
Well, you know, honey, when you take a chance on someone you gotta be ready to get hurt, but that doesn't mean you should stop taking chances.
If you stop, you're really through.
You wanna hear something really funny? I mean, this will show you how silly it all is.
I felt bad there wasrt a portrait of me.
All those other girls he was seeing, and no portrait of Elizabeth.
Isn't that crazy, something like that should bother me? Maybe you were too special.
Maybe.
Hey, hey, Beth, I forgot.
I want to thank you for all the help with the authorities.
I needed a character reference.
Oh, they didn't have anything on you, and Diehl was willing to accept a lie detector test.
You may still have to go to court, but you're probably gonna enjoy that part.
What? What are you thinking? What did you say Dave's legal specialty was? Didrt you say he was involved in federal banking for a while? Yeah.
And he would be familiar with federal banking instruments.
He needed a way to get $2 million out of the country, and he was a painter, right? Yeah, but Come on.
What are you thinking? Just come on.
Yeah.
What did you say this guy's name was? Garvey, I think.
Right.
Here it is.
Mr.
Garvey? Yes.
My name is Jim Rockford.
This is Miss Davenport.
We're here about Dave Delaroux.
Oh, I just got home.
I heard he was arrested.
Well, Miss Davenport has been hired as Mr.
Delaroux's attorney.
I was wondering, did he give you anything to hold for him? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, he did.
He wanted me to send it to him sometime later.
He was gonna call and give me the address, but I guess he won't be needing it now.
Well, do you mind if we see it? No, no.
Thank you.
What is it? It's a Federal bearer's bond.
He painted your portrait on the face of a federal bearer's bond in watercolor.
It may be the most expensive portrait ever painted.
It's won'th $2 million.
You see, you were special.
You are.