Out of the Past Page #7

Things are mixed up.

Bailey mix them?

KATHIE:
I can't talk on the phone.

We're trying to get a plane.

But you're bringing me something?

KATHIE:
No, Whit. I can't explain now,

darling. I just wanted to tell you.

I don't want anything

to happen to you.

- Like what, honey?

- KATHIE:
Don't go to Tahoe.

Be careful and wait in

Reno for me. Goodbye.

- You look like I might be in trouble.

- You will be if we don't find Bailey.

I might be if I do.

MAN:
"Bridgeport service station operator

sought in San Francisco slaying.

Five-year-old murder

motive, the police say.

Leonard Eels, attorney, was found

murdered in his apartment house...

114 Fulton Street, early

this morning." Well.

"Jeff Bailey, at one time private

detective and more recently...

operator of a small gas

station in Bridgeport...

- is hunted for two murders."

- I knew he was no good.

I said all along, "There's a man

who should be run out of town."

Look at that. Police are

hunting him for two murders.

- I told you, Ann.

- MAN:
Ann.

Oh, leave me alone.

MAN (OVER RADIO): Cooper reporting. Road

is now blocked 20 miles south of Bridgeport.

Checking all cars. That is all.

- Hi, Jim.

- Hello, Ed. You talked to the kid yet?

He's gone. The station's

locked up tight.

- Gone where?

- Maybe with Bailey.

Well, that doesn't make sense.

If you had the law on your tail...

would you let a guy working for

you come up to chew the fat?

I'd want a partner,

if I could get him.

- Ed?

- ED:
Yeah?

Our attention.

Says, "Bailey took a plane to L.A.

last night. No trace since."

Says, "May be headed this way."

Okay.

Would you consider it too dumb

for him to try to hole up here?

He'll come here. And when

he does, I'll know it.

See you.

- What's he mean, he'll know it?

- What do you suppose? Ann Miller.

Me? I'll take the kid.

You all right, Ann?

I know what you're going to say,

and I don't wanna hear it.

Jeff didn't kill anybody.

He told me everything.

Has he got you mixed up in this?

- Has he?

- Whatever he's mixed up in, I am too.

Well, I'm not going to stand

by and see him hurt you.

- If he comes back here...

- What'll you do?

- You won't go to the police.

- I don't know what I'll do.

No, Jimmy.

Do you expect me to

help him get away?

Jim.

JOE:
He can read your lips.

Mr. Sterling is fishing.

No. In the high mountains.

Tell Jeff we're sending for him.

Where can we reach you?

Joe will find you at the

station when we have word.

I'm not so sure this

is a bright idea.

You think of a brighter one on

the way, come back with it.

(GUNSHOT)

He follow you from Tahoe?

Who'd you see? Sterling?

Kathie?

Cute kids, aren't they?

What are you scared about?

Joe isn't coming back. He got

careless and fell in the river.

Didn't you hear what I said?

Joe's dead, Kathie.

Can't you find some tears for him?

- Come on.

- What are you gonna do?

Talk to Whit. Don't

you think I should?

Yes, of course you should. He wants

to see you. He's waiting for you.

With his fishing rod? You

told the kid he was fishing.

He, uh, came back

late this afternoon.

I'll bet he's pacing up and

down, worrying about Joe.

- You think I sent Joe?

- Oh, you're wonderful, Kathie.

- All right. Where is the gentleman?

- Downstairs. In the library, I think.

Jeff, don't let him trick you.

He'll pay anything you ask.

He'll do anything you ask.

Sure he will. Anything.

If only there was some

way about Fisher.

There is.

(FOOTSTEPS)

Well, you getting things in

shape for the treasury boys?

Hello, Jeff. I've been

sort of expecting you.

Well, let's get down to business.

Start all over again, right?

- You have some papers of mine.

- All right, you take the frame off me.

You pin the Eels murder on Joe.

Sure. Sure.

I get a modest settlement. Say...

Oh, say 50,000.

That should be enough for me to

spend my waning years in Mazatln.

Not Acapulco because I'd keep

thinking about you, Kathie.

Up there in the women's

prison in Tehachapi.

It won't be too bad. Hills all

around you, plenty of sun.

You make me nervous.

You'll be happier if you let the cops

have her. That's what you'll have to do.

Somebody's gotta take the rap for

Fisher's murder. It's not gonna be me.

Wait a minute.

- I'm not framing any woman.

- JEFF:
When did you reform?

I wouldn't try it, Whit.

You're out of shape.

- Besides, it's not a frame. She shot him.

- He was gonna kill you.

See, Whit? Self-defense. A cinch to beat.

She might not even have to do time.

- I'll say you killed him. They'll believe me.

- Do you believe her?

Go on, Kathie, tell him about Joe.

What about Joe? Where is he?

Last time I saw him, he was

in the East Walker River.

I didn't send him after Jeff.

It was his own idea.

- Did you kill him?

- He slipped and fell.

When I got there, it was too

late. That's a mean river.

WHIT:
He was trailing you?

Well, you don't go fishing

with a .45 in your hand.

But stop worrying about it.

It makes everything simple.

A dead man? Fish him out. Stick

a note in his pocket. Suicide.

He couldn't stand living

with what he had done.

Don't look so stricken, Whit.

You'll get over it. I did.

But you talk it out if you want

to. I'll be waiting in there.

Oh, one thing, Kathie:

Did it take much persuasion to

make you say I killed Fisher?

Come on. Feed my ego.

Tell me he beat you.

Tell me he had to drag

every word out of you.

- Well, that's the way it is.

- You said you were going.

Get out.

You dirty little phony.

Go on, lie some more.

Tell me how you handled things

for me in San Francisco.

Tell me it was all Joe's

idea. Go on, Kathie.

Show me how you're gonna

squirm your way out this time.

- Listen...

- What a sucker you must think I am.

I took you back when you came

whimpering and crawling.

I should have kicked your teeth in.

No, I'm not going to.

Not now, Kathie. We'll let

the law push you around.

- You can't.

- You're wrong.

You're gonna take the

rap and play along.

You're gonna make every

exact move I tell you.

If you don't, I'll kill you.

And I'll promise you one

thing:
It won't be quick.

I'll break you first.

You won't be able to answer a phone or

open a door without thinking, "This is it."

And when it comes,

it still won't be quick.

And it won't be pretty.

You can take your choice.

KATHIE:
Whit.

I have to go to Reno for

your money. Where's the file?

JEFF:
It'll be mailed to you.

I crossed you once. I know better

than to try it a second time.

I've got a reason for

wanting to be let alone.

You'll get the file,

after I'm out of reach.

Well, if that's the

way it has to be.

While you're in Reno, find a pilot

who can keep his mouth shut.

Tell him to set his plane down in

the desert where he won't be seen.

Make it about dawn.

And cheer up, Kathie.

You'll get out of it all right.

You always have.

- They say you killed a man.

- Do you believe them?

- Not until you tell me.

- You believe everything I say, don't you?

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