The Killer That Stalked New York Page #6

And that open window.

We're not looking

for a smuggler anymore, Sid.

We're looking for a killer.

I didn't think doctors

went in for third degrees.

I'm giving you facts.

Your sister's got smallpox.

She's the one that brought it into the city.

Unless we find her, she'll die,

and with her a lot of others she contacted.

She couldn't have known that.

She was sick, wasn't she?

Yeah, but smallpox!

- Where is she?

- I don't know. I told her to get out.

I gave her this bottle myself.

- How important was that medicine?

- It helped keep her on her feet.

- Then she won't get far without it.

- Well, it depends.

Some people are hit quickly

and others hang on.

I didn't know. I didn't know.

Come on, you, you've got

some questions to answer.

Get him vaccinated first.

Sheila Bennet's our girl, all right.

We found her at her brother's hotel,

but she got away from us.

We've got to vaccinate that whole area

right away.

We can't. We're out of vaccine.

What?

The warehouse just called.

We're down to 1,000 units.

With four million still to be vaccinated

and cases mounting?

Well, they expected new shipments all day.

Now the drug manufacturers say

they can't meet the demand.

By tonight there won't be

a single office with any vaccine.

Well, what about

the out-of-state companies?

Well, they're flying in what they can

and even taking it off the druggists' shelves.

How long will that take?

- Four days.

- Four days?

We can't wait four days.

Not with Sheila Bennet on the loose

spreading the disease.

SOS! SOS!

Vaccine for four million!

But there wasn't any more, anyplace.

Even the Army and Navy gave all they had.

And when the doors closed

at the vaccination centers,

the big fear began.

As the frightened city felt the clammy hand

of death settle in the streets,

panic was born and became epidemic

as the disease itself.

Those without the scratch

stood alone and unprotected

against the ravenous killer.

The Mayor called a council of war

and again demanded the impossible.

I need vaccine. Lots of it,

and you drug manufacturers

are going to supply it.

We will, Mr. Mayor,

but it'll take several days.

- Tomorrow!

- That's impossible, sir.

So is what we're doing.

This city's in a jam,

and you're going to pull us out of it.

But, Mr. Mayor, the vaccine

has to be packaged in single doses.

That takes time.

- Then deliver it in bulk.

- We can't. Medical regulations.

Break them. Send it over in beer bottles.

But get it here.

All right, how many units from you?

- We'll try to get out about 20,000.

- Thirty.

- You, sir?

- Well...

Thirty.

There's still the problem of needles.

Needles?

Get me a sewing machine company.

They make needles. We'll sterilize them.

You gentlemen don't

seem to realize we're facing death.

No!

My baby!

You promised.

You made me send her away.

We did all we could.

Murderer!

Murderer! Murderer! Murderer!

Sheila Bennet! We've been looking

everywhere for you. Everywhere.

And you've come back.

I need medicine.

You've got smallpox.

Stay back.

We need your help, Sheila.

Stay back, I tell you!

You can't hold out much longer.

I've got to, until tomorrow.

No. No! Don't come near me!

Don't come...

Police Department.

She's got to be found.

We must learn where she's been,

who she's been with.

How could she stay on her feet?

By rights she should be dead by now.

If not that, at least flat on her back

in the hospital.

But she's still running around.

How does she do it?

How do cripples who've been bedridden

for years manage to get up and walk?

Because the reason for walking

is more important than their infirmities.

I know, I know, but Sheila Bennet's

got smallpox.

She said something to me when I told her

she couldn't hold out much longer.

She said, "I've got to, until tomorrow. "

There's a drive in that girl.

Something she has to do tomorrow

that's keeping her alive.

Tomorrow!

With eight million people looking for her,

we'll pick her up tonight.

The city's finest engraved the image

of the blonde death in their brains

and carried a spare, just to make sure.

Then set out to search for the sick animal

that might destroy them all.

Ifyou tried to drive in or out of New York

that night.

you had to pass inspection.

Ifyou were a female, 5'4",

and addicted to the rinse

that makes hair the color gentlemen

are supposed to prefer,

you had to prove you weren't Sheila Bennet.

Eight million people looked

for one sick. weary girl.

who dragged herself

to the one last place to hide.

A place where newspapers and police calls

never reach.

A convent.

Dr. Wood was right when he said

there was a drive inside Sheila.

She had the strength that comes

when a woman has to settle a score

with a man like Matt Krane.

A strength to last until tomorrow.

until the 10 hideous days were up.

I've come a long way, Mother.

If I may rest for a while?

Of course, child.

Sister Maria will show you to a bed.

Thank you, Mother.

Must hang on.

Must.

Must.

Well, how much?

Should bring about 40,000.

They're worth 50!

Matter of supply and demand.

For me, they're worth nothing.

What did you keep me waiting for?

It's simple, Matt. You need money,

and I don't want you to have any.

I don't like the deal you gave Sheila.

I need money!

Get it!

Demand and supply.

I've been waiting for you, Matt.

- I've got the stones.

- Don't move!

You're not going anywhere.

You'll never go anywhere again.

Moss!

He tried to help me.

He wouldn't take the stones.

After what we've been through...

What have you been through?

Look.

Look at me.

Something else I picked up for you

besides diamonds.

Not a pretty sight, is it?

The face you kissed once.

You figured things good, didn't you?

That's right, Matt.

I came here to kill you

for what you did to me and Francie.

You're crazy.

But I don't have to, now.

They'll burn you, Matt, for murder.

- Sheila, listen to me.

- No more.

Not much time for talk now.

I'm dying.

You can't turn me in!

This is Sheila Bennet.

- Sheila Bennet.

- What?

- Notify the Health Department.

- I already did.

Good boy.

The way I loved you.

I even let you make me a thief.

You've got to believe me!

You're frightened, Matt.

Maybe Francie was frightened, too.

Funny how things come clearer

when it's too late.

Everything Sid tried to make me see.

Sid was right.

He's up on the top floor. Come on, Mac.

Matt!

Hurry up. Get that ladder out.

Started out after her, Doc, but it scared her.

She almost fell off.

She's probably delirious.

Doesn't even know where she is.

Take it easy, Doc.

Sheila. Sheila.

I'm not a policeman, Sheila. I'm a doctor.

I'll help you back, Sheila. You can trust me.

Remember Walda, the little girl

you met in my office?

- Do you have a little girl?

- I wish I did.

- Do you have a little girl?

- She's dead, Sheila.

You killed her when you touched her.

Give me your hand, Sheila.

Unless you help me, Sheila,

lots of others will die.

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