All right, you're in for a third.
(Williams) She calls herself Valerie Thomas.
Don't worry. Nudes are very difficult.
This is the first one I've ever had trouble with.
I can tell you who pulled that job.
Your fingerprints are all over the lady's safe, and theirs aren't.
Rockford still takes the rap.
The minute you get your hands on those pearls...
I come busting through the door, and get the necklace.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money with you.
You mean you'll split your sentence.
What guarantee do we have...
you're not planning on ripping them off for yourself?
The best guarantee in the world.
He don't wanna die.
[Telephone ringing]
(Rockford on answering machine) This is Jim Rockford.
At the tone, leave your name and message.
I'll get back to you.
[Beeps]
(caller) Jim, it's Jack. I'm at the airport.
I am going to Tokyo. I wanna pay you the $500 I owe you.
Catch you next year when I get back.
[Bell rings]
[Door closes]
I don't like you, Rockford. I never did.
You sent me a $200 invitation to tell me that?
I need your help. Are you kidding?
You almost killed me five years ago.
I spent two months in a prison hospital.
You had it coming.
We're even.
I still owe you a broken jaw and two separated ribs.
I want you to find a girl for me.
Moss, that's not the business I'm in.
My girl. There's something wrong.
Like what? I don't know.
Maybe she split on me, maybe she's sick.
She used to write me every day. Three months ago she stopped.
For the three months, nothing.
You try writing?
Yeah, my letters come back. "Unknown at this address."
Unknown? She's been living there for two years.
Now, I get out of this joint in about a week.
I want you to find out what's happened to her.
Why not find out for yourself?
'Cause maybe she's hooked up with somebody else.
Now, you know I got a temper.
I don't want to go out and tear some John's head off...
and wind up right back here in the slam.
You tell me that's what happened, and that's the end of it.
I know your price, $200 a day, plus expenses, right?
I'll pay it.
The phone book's full of P.I.'s you never tried to kill.
Why me?
I don't like you, but I can trust you.
You're an ex-con. You know what it's like in here.
You'll give me a fair shake.
I don't trust nobody I got to pick out of a phone book.
So you're it.
I need some time to think about it.
You're it.
[Waves crashing]
(Rockford) Yes.
Yes, Dr. Boren.
You see, my business manager's been out of town.
Right, I hope you don't plan to repossess my filling.
Yes, of course, Doctor.
I'll see that there's something in the mail for you today.
[Pounding on door]
(Rockford) Yes, Doctor. Thank you.
Who is it?
(Kramer) Mr. Rockford?
That depends. On what?
On who you are.
I'm sorry. Daniel Kramer.
Moss Williams' attorney.
May I come in?
If this is about Moss Williams, Mr. Kramer, I can save you a lot of time.
I've given it some thought. The answer is, no.
Mr. Williams explained there's a certain antipathy between you.
Mr. Williams tried to kill me.
Yes, he mentioned that.
I can understand why you would be hesitant...
in responding to his plea for assistance.
I'm not hesitating. You can tell Mr. Williams to stuff it.
Yes, of course. Let me tell you how we've arranged it.
Arranged what?
This is a picture of the woman in question: Maria Heller.
How did a woman like this...
get mixed up with a goon like Moss Williams?
Yes. Well, there's no accounting for taste.
There are some women, well-bred, good families...
who seem to find it physically exciting...
to associate themselves with...
Gorillas?
Yes, of course.
In any event, this is her last known address, and...
I'm not working for Moss Williams.
And a cashier's check in the amount of $500.
There'll be more if you need it.
I'll be dealing with you. That's correct.
I won't have to see Moss, I won't have to talk to him at all.
You report directly to me.
What do you say, Mr. Rockford? Will you accept the assignment?
Yes? Good afternoon, sir.
I'm with the Rothschild Beauty Foundation.
May I have a word with the little woman?
What little woman? The Mrs.
What do you want?
What I want, sir is a word with the little woman.
She's 5'7" and a half in her stocking feet, and she's in the shower.
Sir, I have a mighty interesting business proposition for the little...
For the Mrs. She's not interested.
The Rothschild Beauty Foundation has...
(woman) Harry, I need my robe.
Just a minute.
This is the little woman?
Who invited you in?
You know, she's exactly what we've been looking for.
You see, the Rothschild Foundation is having...
a sales opening in this neighborhood.
Our last representative made $200, possibly $300 a week.
I'm doing a preliminary survey and...
Out.
This is a great opportunity...
Buddy, you're gonna get out of here or am I gonna call the cops?
If you're not interested, just say so.
[Knocking on door]
(Rockford) All right. Hold on.
All right.
[Knocking continues]
All right.
Now that's a parole violation.
Where is she?
The deal is I don't have to talk to you and I don't have to see you.
If you don't tell me where she is, I'm gonna blow you apart.
If I do tell you, you're gonna blow her apart.
What do you think, I'm stupid?
Yeah, Moss, I think you're stupid.
Look, the cops know Maria is my girl.
I'm out of jail, she winds up dead.
Who's gonna look number one for the murder?
I just want to talk to her, that's all.
And you're gonna take me to her.
This is for you, pal.
Rockford, I could take you off right now and nobody would know the difference.
Which one?
Leave the gun here, Moss.
Which one?
You're not gonna go Neanderthal on me, are you?
Look, I told you all I wanna do is talk to her.
It's upstairs. Apartment 12.
Drive around the back.
(Williams) Crown!
Moss! Wait a minute, you got it wrong.
Hey.
You got it wrong.
You were gonna cut me out, right?
No, Moss, you got it wrong.
Let's find Maria and ask her how wrong I got it.
I can't.
What're you talking about? Where is she?
I don't know. I woke up this morning and she was gone.
(Williams) Where?
What are you gonna do?
I got some questions and you better have good answers.
Moss, not in front of him. Forget him.
I'm begging you, Moss, not in front of him!
(Williams) She what?
And you let her get away with them?
All right. So I got a temper.
I probably wouldn't have shot him.
I've known Harry Crown a long time.
Your retainer just ran out, Moss.
I paid you $700. For what?
For nothing?
That's a lousy deal. Yeah, it is, isn't it?
Okay, another $500 and you find Maria.
You know what I think, Moss?
I think when Maria left, she took something with her.
That's what you want me to find.
It was something that didn't belong to her.
Probably doesn't belong to you, either.
You've been out of the joint for 24 hours...
and you're looking for a return engagement.
You don't have enough money to buy me into a mess like that.
So get out of my tree, pal, and stay out.
[Knocking on door]
Who is it?
(Burch) Mr. Rockford?
That wasn't an answer.
My name's Burch. Edgar Burch.
I wonder if I could have a few minutes of your time?
Why?
I can explain better if you'd let me inside.
Mr. Burch, I haven't had breakfast yet, and I'm not in a very good mood.
So if you're suing, selling, or collecting...
I'm not.
Come on in.
Mr. Rockford, you visited a felon named Moss Williams...
at the penitentiary just prior to his release.
Did I? You did.
You've spent the past couple of hours with Mr. Williams.
Have I?
Let's not play games, Mr. Rockford.
I've been following you. I've also checked you out.
You have a prison record.
Consorting with a known felon is, I believe, a parole violation.
You're gonna blow the whistle on me?
I'm sure that won't be necessary.
I just mentioned it to stimulate an atmosphere of cooperation.
That's not what you stimulated.
I'm not on parole, I got a full pardon.
You've got about 10 seconds to make it through the door.
Mr. Rockford, I just want to ask a few...
Seven seconds, you're cutting it close.
I'm sorry. I can see that I started off on the wrong foot.
You've got five.
Will you stop counting and listen to me?
I just want to ask you a few questions. I'll make it worth your while.
You have some kind of a deal with Moss Williams.
Is that correct? He talked a deal.
Did you accept? Why?
Did he mention the property involved?
What property?
You're not answering the questions...
Neither are you.
All right.
I'm with Midwest Marine and Casualty Insurance.
Three years ago Moss Williams and a man named Harry Crown...
stole a pearl necklace...
insured by my company for a quarter of a million dollars.
We were never able to prove the case against them.
And you never recovered the necklace.
They were arrested shortly after the theft on an unrelated charge.
They've been in prison, but they're out now...
and they're going to try to move those pearls.
How do I fit in?
My company already paid off on that claim.
But we have an incentive program.
Once our company pays a claim if an investigator can make a recovery...
Midwest pays 25% of the salvaged value...
as an incentive never to drop a case.
I've been on this one for three years.
Now that Moss Williams is out...
I think I have a chance to pick up that money.
With my help.
(Burch) If you're interested,
I'd like us to talk to Mr. Cutter.
(adjuster) Mr. Connally, I've got the agreement in front of me.
No, sir, you're covered under sub-paragraph E.
That's right, sir. We won't need a conversion statement.
You're late, Ed. You know how Mr. Cutter gets when you're late for an appointment.
Sorry, Rebecca. Mr. Cutter?
Mr. Burch is here with a Mr... Yes, sir.
He'll see you now.
(Cutter) Mr. Rockford, isn't it?
Yes.
Please sit down.
Ed, you're gonna have to fill me in.
I didn't quite understand your phone message.
You said something about $250,000 claim?
That's right. We have reason to believe...
a girl named Maria Heller has the necklace we paid off on.
Who is she?
An old girlfriend of Moss Williams.
And Mr. Rockford?
He's agreed to help me recover the necklace, for a percentage of the recovery fee.
You've been looking for the necklace for three years.
All of a sudden, you're gonna cut in Mr. Rockford. Why?
Yeah, why?
'Cause Williams and Crown want Rockford to find the girl.
If she sees Williams or Crown, she'll run.
If they see me, they'll run. So Rockford's the perfect inside man.
You're proposing that Mr. Rockford serve as our agent in this matter.
It's worth a third to me.
A third? For the perfect inside man?
I've put in a lot of time on this case.
I'm taking all the risks. For 60-40, I'll think about it.
You get the 60? I do.
Forget it.
Okay.
50%. In writing.
You bet, in writing.
Get one of our standard participation agreements.
(Burch) Yes, sir.
Could you get me a description of the necklace...
so I know what I'm looking for?
Now we can do more than that.
We keep records, photographic records of all our jewelry...
and objects of art.
Things of that nature. Mr. Rockford.
Ed. Yes, sir.
You know what Moss Williams will do if he finds you're working for us?
I know. Good.
That 50% is gonna go down easier...
knowing you're working with that on your mind.
I'm here to see Moss. He doesn't wanna see you.
He'll wanna hear what I have to say, Harry.
(Harry) Moss.
We got nothing to talk about.
I'll find her for you. What changed your mind?
I've got this loan shark after me.
He's about to break the fingers on my right hand.
I figure it's a little better dealing with you than getting my hand ground up...
if the price is right.
You're too late, pal. We already found the girl.
Is she here?
No, but we know where she is.
Only you haven't made your move yet because you know...
the minute she takes a look at either one of you, she's gonna rabbit.
She's gonna take with her whatever it is you're so anxious to get back.
Don't let him in, Moss. We can handle it.
How? He's right. It's gonna take someone she's never...
I got something to say and I say no.
I say yes.
We're not gonna argue with me, are we?
'Cause when we argue with me we lose our teeth.
All right, you're in for a third.
She calls herself Valerie Thomas.
(Williams) She says her old man's dead.
She drinks scotch and water, with no ice.
She's got this thing about detail.
That's how come she's always taking all these courses.
Watch yourself with her 'cause she's real sharp.
What's the matter?
I don't know. Maybe you can tell me.
What's wrong with that?
Let me see.
Everything.
Don't worry. Nudes are very difficult.
To tell you the truth...
this is the first one I've ever had trouble with.
What'll it be? Scotch and water for me.
No ice, please. That's two with no ice.
I don't care for ice either. It's a little habit I picked up in London.
When were you in London?
The last time a couple of years ago.
About two years ago? Yeah.
That's when I was there. Where'd you stay?
The Connaught.
Dorchester.
Business? Pleasure.
I wonder what else we have in common?
(Williams) What'd you find out?
Everything you gave me on her checks out.
What about the pearls? You were supposed to find the pearls.
I'm working on it. You're working too slow.
Harry, if I push it any harder, I'm liable to explode it.
Just let me do it my way, will you?
How do we know that you haven't already found the pearls?
What guarantee do we have...
you're not planning on ripping them off for yourself?
The best guarantee in the world.
He don't wanna die.
He's absolutely right.
When do you see her again? Tonight.
There's a new restaurant opening down at the Marina.
I'll probably need another $50.
(Harry) Just hold it.
We just gave you $200 the day before yesterday.
How much today, Moss? 100 and...
What am I supposed to do? I can't buy her a hot dog.
She's not that kind of a lady.
You're treating her like she was Princess Grace.
She's a thief.
But with very good taste.
[Doorbell rings]
Hi. Hi.
I'm sorry I'm late. So am I.
I was afraid I'd been stood up.
No, you weren't. No, I wasn't.
I'll get my bag.
Did you get tied up in traffic?
I got trapped by a client. Showed up at my place.
No appointment, no warning, just showed up.
Lady client? No.
It was an old friend. Well, a friend that was old.
He wanted me to look after this.
These things should be put in a vault...
but the banks were closed, and I don't have any place to keep them.
You mind riding shotgun with me?
I'd love to.
Say, this is a security building, isn't it?
Yes.
They probably have a vault downstairs.
Would you mind asking if they'd lock it up? I'll pick it up in the morning.
Why don't you just keep it in my safe?
I didn't know you had one.
Compliments of the architect.
(Rockford) You got enough room in there?
Sure.
I'll pick it up first thing in the morning, I promise.
(Valerie) No problem.
[Rewinding]
(Valerie) Why don't you just keep it in my safe?
(Rockford) I didn't know you had one.
Compliments of the...
[Safe dial clicking]
Still monkeying around with that tape recorder?
I already got the truck washed, and I stopped by the cleaners for you.
I got us some staples.
I got it.
What've you got?
"17-24-32."
What's this?
I'd tell you it's none of your business, but that never stops you.
Rocky.
Don't you worry. I know how to work these things.
What was them funny little clicking sounds?
17...
You know what I think?
That sounds like the combination of a safe.
It does? Yeah.
What if I told you you're right?
I don't understand.
It's an idea I had a long time ago.
I just never had a chance to use it.
What kind of an idea?
It's only brilliant.
You see, safes are insulated on the outside but not on the inside.
This recorder is sound-activated by this little box right here.
The big problem is trying to find out a way to get this into the safe.
Once you got that, you got no problem.
Now when the combination is dialed, it's recorded automatically.
That first, loud click you hear, that's zero.
From then on you just count the clicks and you got it.
How do you tell left from right?
The first number has got to be one or the other, right?
So, you go right, left, right.
If that isn't it, you go left, right, left.
You figured that out all by yourself?
Yeah.
Very interesting. Thanks.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
What are you doing messing around with this stuff?
It's just an experiment.
Who are you planning to rob?
I'm not gonna rob anybody.
(Valerie) Darling, I'm sorry.
I should have planned something that wouldn't keep me in the kitchen long.
You want company?
No.
The secret to good cooking is concentration.
And you're a distraction. I certainly hope so.
Just give me five more minutes with that soufflé in there...
and I promise you, dinner will be served.
All this domesticity isn't gonna scare you off, is it?
Not unless you're a bad cook.
I'm terrific.
[Cutlery rattling]
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
Hey, Dennis. Jim Rockford. How you doing, buddy?
(Rockford) Dennis?
No.
What do you mean, no? I haven't asked you anything yet.
You will.
You've got some peculiar ideas about this department, Jim.
This is not an information bureau.
(Lt.Becker) This is not your branch office.
And I am not on your payroll.
What's the matter, Dennis? The Captain been chewing on you?
I'm tired, that's what's the matter, and I wanna go home.
What if I could turn some hot jewelry?
Can you?
That was a "what if."
And what if the insurance company paid off three years ago...
and are offering a recovery fee?
How long would the police hold on to the jewelry...
before I could collect my money?
Listen, Jim, if you've got any information...
How long, Dennis?
I don't know. A couple of weeks, maybe.
Couple of weeks? You mean you wouldn't need it for the trial?
Not if we can get an appraisal.
Get an expert statement admissible in court.
[Clears throat]
What's going on, Jimbo?
Why don't you hang around the precinct for a while, Dennis?
I just may have something for you.
[Phone clicks]
[Sighs]
Did you open the safe? I opened it.
And the pearls? They're in there.
Good.
I told you that was the way when you said you had the combination.
If we'd waited for a court order...
done the whole thing legal and tidy...
and the pearls hadn't been in there...
we'd have tipped her to the whole thing.
Okay, so you're right.
So, now we give the combination to the police.
We can't do that. Why not?
If the police recover them, they'll hold them for material evidence.
We'll have to wait for it to go through the courts.
We'll have to wait nine months or more before we see a penny of the recovery fee.
The police just get an expert and take a statement, that's it.
They don't hold the pearls. Really?
My understanding that... You're lying.
If you're an insurance investigator, you know the rules.
So who are you?
Let me go. You know well who I am.
I don't think so.
I wanna know who you are, and what's going down.
(Harry) Come on, let's get out of here.
He's gonna be out for a while.
[Phone ringing]
Yeah. Jimmy? You all right?
Where you at?
No, don't tell me. They probably got this phone tapped.
The cops?
(Rocky) They been here three times.
They took your new tape machine.
I think they got this joint staked out.
Sonny, you really done it this time.
I stole a pearl necklace, right?
That's right. Off from some lady named Valerie Thomas.
(Rockford) Her name's not Valerie Thomas.
Yes, it is. Been all over the television.
Whatever gave me the idea that Moss Williams was stupid?
I should have stopped you.
The minute I seen you with that combination...
I should have stopped you.
Rocky, if it makes you feel any better, I didn't steal it.
That's what I keep telling myself.
Now, you listen to me, sonny. You stay away from this place, you hear?
And you better get hold of that lawyer friend of yours.
I think you're gonna need her.
Don't worry, Rocky. I'll get out from under this.
[Phone ringing]
Becker.
I'm timing the call, Dennis so don't bother putting a trace on it.
Come on in, Jim.
Not a chance.
I know a nice tight frame when I'm in one.
You didn't do it?
(Rockford) That's right.I didn't do it.
You know how much we got says you did?
You got a small, black notebook.
Found at the scene.
Planted.
Which has, in your handwriting, the name of Valerie Thomas.
Where she goes, what she does...
(Lt.Becker) What she likes, from the time you were setting her up.
I can explain that.
Sure you can.
Which has, in your handwriting, the combination of her safe.
That tape recorder gimmick, very clever.
Listen Jim, come on in, and we'll talk about it.
Dennis, I can tell you who pulled that job.
Two guys. Moss Williams and Harry Crown.
Thank you very much for that information, but how come...
your fingerprints are all over the lady's safe, and theirs aren't.
Because they wore gloves and I didn't.
Look, I admit I opened the safe but I didn't steal the pearls.
I just looked at them.
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Valerie, I've got a pain in the neck...
and an incredible story that goes with it.
Tell it to the police.
No, not quite yet. It's you I wanna talk to.
Why? There's nothing left in the safe.
Don't you think you ought to be moving on now to greener fields?
Of course. You want the insurance money, too.
You see, darling, they haven't paid off yet.
That's not a very nice thing to say. You make me sound like a crook.
Your fingerprints were on the safe.
They found a little notebook that had all kinds of details in it about me.
And the cops told you that I was an ex-con. So it all adds up?
Well, it doesn't. Trust me.
Trust you?
Why would I do a dumb thing like that?
Because I need your help.
You want me to smuggle you across the border?
No, I want you to lend me a $1,000.
Are you serious?
$1,000 will get your pearls back and get me out of a jam.
Either you've got more gall than anybody I've ever come up against...
or you're innocent. I'm not sure which.
Take a chance.
(Rockford) Two tickets, please.
Listen Jim, I have never been...
I don't think this is really... I just wouldn't...
(woman on screen) I don't know, Doctor.
I just don't seem to get anything out of it.
(man on screen) I see.
Let me try a few experiments.
Of course.
Why did you bring her?
I didn't bring her. She brought me.
Angel, will you relax?
After what I been through?
Cops been climbing on me all day long asking me if I knew where you was.
Now you know what happens if they find me with you?
It's a parole violation, you go back to the joint.
Did you talk to Manny Tolan?
You didn't even tell me why I was pumping him.
Moss has to get the pearls appraised before he can deal.
He can't get them appraised.
Not from a Beverly Hills jeweler.
There'd be cops dropping out of every palm tree.
There's only one man in town that can do the appraisal, keep it safe.
And that's Manny Tolan. Now, is there a meeting or isn't there?
Cost me eight Irish and water.
Green Frog Motel.
Room 211.
9:00.
Doesn't give us much time. 9:00?
I don't think I like that part about "us."
You're going to impersonate Manny Tolan.
I don't look nothing like Manny.
(Rockford) Have they ever seen him?
I don't know.
Chances are they haven't.
Chances are?
Let me tell you my plan.
Whatever it is, I don't want nothing to do with it.
What is it?
First, we gotta get Manny out of the picture.
Jimmy, you can't do that. They got the meeting all set up.
Then we ring you in as Manny.
Moss and Harry show up at the Green Frog Motel with the pearls.
Now, I'll be in the next room with a cannon.
The minute you get your hand on those pearls...
I come busting through the door and catch them flat-footed...
we get the necklace, and I get free of the cops.
What do I get?
I'll split the reward money with you.
You mean you'll split your sentence with me.
I ain't touching that.
You got a dime? No.
(man) How's that?
You got a dime?
(woman) Nice.
Very good.
And this? Better.
I see.
Yes.
Listen, Jimmy, you and me are friends, old buddy buds.
I've done all I could. But you...
What is Manny Tolan's phone number?
Jimmy.
It's 555-3420.
Lady, why don't you say something?
Why do they allow those movies to be shown?
[Phone ringing]
Yeah?
Hello, Manny?
Who is this?
It's Moss Williams. I been thinking...
it's not too smart moving those pearls clear across town. They're hot.
They were hot when you made the appointment.
I made time for you.
Yeah. I'm not saying we call the meeting off. No.
You know the Sun Val Lodge on Ventura?
(Rockford) I'll meet you there at 9:00:
I don't get out to the valley much.
I'd have to charge you travel time.
Yeah, whatever you say. I'm in 118.
118. Sun Val.
(Manny) All right, I'll see you there.
[Sighs]
It's all set.
It's an easy gig, Angel.
I ain't doing it.
(Williams) The other pearls are the same quality.
Going by the picture, how much would you say it's worth on the street?
I gotta get my medicine. Ulcers. I'll be right back.
It ain't gonna work.
You and your plan. They brought one pearl.
What am I gonna tell? What am I gonna say?
$50,000? $75,000? What am I gonna tell them?
Tell them it's paste.
Why? Go on, tell them.
I'm not gonna tell them that.
Yes, you are. Now, go on.
How's your stomach?
Give me that thing. Give me that.
All right, what's it worth?
Well, depends on the workmanship.
If it's good...
the necklace could bring $50, $75.
What are you talking about?
It's paste. It can't be.
Gentlemen, you asked for an expert opinion.
Paste? Yeah, here.
Take a close look for yourselves. Come on, look at this.
Now, do you see the pale blue aura?
(Angel) That's what we call it, an "aura."
You see it? Yeah.
It's bad. Let me show you something else.
Look at this. Look closer.
It's round.
It's a pearl. It's manmade.
Not even one of your cultivated pearls.
You see, nature don't make them perfect.
That's the thing you gotta keep in mind. Pearls are tricky.
Anything else I can do for you?
No, you've done plenty already.
You know what I'm thinking, Moss?
(Williams) Shut up.
I'm thinking the same thing.
Angel, you were great.
We got nothing, no pearls, nothing.
You picked up an easy $200. Easy?
I could've got killed.
No, they wouldn't do a thing like that.
No, I'm serious, you were really great. That business about the "pale blue aura."
You had me believing it.
I don't even wanna talk to you.
I'm here with psychos and you're hiding in the bathroom.
I was never so glad to get rid of anybody in my life.
We didn't exactly get rid of them.
What do you mean?
You told them what we had was paste.
They're gonna think I switched the pearls. They are gonna come after me.
Why did you have me say that?
'Cause I have an idea. Tell you what we're gonna do next.
You and me, we ain't gonna do nothing next.
I'm through. You're always talking about what good friends we are.
If we were good friends, you wouldn't stuck me into this deal.
Fooling with those guys, I could've ended up in a sack.
You want company, you look somewhere else...
'cause from now on, I'm gonna take care of myself.
[Door closes]
What are you doing here?
Can I talk to you? It's important.
All right. Come on in.
All right. You said it was important.
Yeah, it is.
(Harry) Hey, Manny, what do you want?
Manny?
I ain't Manny Tolan.
Why don't we start with who you are?
Names don't matter.
Angel. Everybody just calls me Angel.
Why'd you come on like you was Manny?
'Cause this friend of mine, he kind of pushed me into it.
What friend?
He's a guy that I did time with, guy named Jim Rockford.
Rockford.
Yeah, I'm not trying to get him in any trouble.
He got me in this trouble. He doesn't care about me, he never did.
All I want... I just wanna clear myself. You understand?
Where's Manny? What happened to Manny?
Rockford mousetrapped him from the motel.
He made me come on like I was Manny.
I didn't want to do it. I said, "I don't wanna do it."
You ever say no to him?
What are you telling us all this for?
Like I said, I just wanna clear myself with you guys and with Manny.
I mean, you were bound to find out.
He didn't think that but I know. You'll find out.
Then, who do you come for? You come for him and me.
It's not like I'm trying to burn Rockford.
Because you're not gonna mess with him. You got the pearls.
You mean they aren't paste? No.
He told me to say that.
He was just buying time. They're real.
I mean, if you don't believe me, go show them to Manny Tolan.
It's flash.
It's what?
Good quality, but never saw the inside of an oyster.
That ain't a phony. It can't be a phony.
I spent 40 years in this business. I'm telling you that ain't worth two bits.
Jimmy ain't got the real ones. I know that for sure.
If Rockford doesn't have them, and we haven't got them...
who's got them? I don't know.
I do. The girl's got them.
The girl? What do you mean?
Think about it, will you?
It makes sense. No, it don't.
People with that kind of jewelry always have copies, right?
So, while we think we're ripping off the girl...
she's ripping off the insurance company.
We've been suckered.
It should've worked. The way we had it figured, it should've.
It's gonna work just like we planned.
Rockford still takes the rap.
How do you know?
Because I know human nature.
What'd I tell you? She put the real ones back.
Human nature. Give me the phonies.
This lady is in for one big surprise.
Let's get out of here and move these things.
Do you mind?
You didn't ask the last time.
You should have seen me, Jimmy. I did it just like you said.
I was selling you out and they was buying.
I should have gone in for bunco.
No, seriously, I'm not lying to you. I think I got a real talent there.
(Williams) They're worth about a quarter of a million.
Whatever's fair.
How much?
Quarter of a million.
That's what they're insured for...
but we don't expect that much.
What you two bums can expect is about a year and a half in traction.
What the hell are you talking about?
Paste.
You're trying to stiff us with paste.
Those are not paste. No. Listen.
What we ripped off the first time, that was paste.
But Moss and me...
We went back and we made the switch.
He took us, Harry.
You know that? He really took us.
When I told Moss these were flash, I nearly choked.
These are the finest pearls I've seen in five years...
worth a quarter of a million, at least.
And they put them right back in the safe.
You did it.
Yeah, I did, didn't I?
I helped. Didn't I help?
We couldn't have done it without you.
You know, you make a great informer.
It's a gift.
Fellows, I don't know how to say thank you, but I have to start somewhere.
Would you mind starting with Sgt. Becker?
I will.
Jimmy. Listen, I've been thinking about it.
You and me work pretty good together.
Yeah.
I mean, if we was to turn your mind to it...
I'm not talking about hitting friends...
Angel, didn't we have this conversation once before?
Over bread and water?
Yeah. I believe we did.
Sgt. Becker? This is Valerie Thomas...
I have a rather...
Actually, it's a rather embarrassing situation.
It's about my pearl necklace.
Yes, I know you are.
An APB? That is one of the things I was concerned about.
You see, from time to time I have misplaced the necklace.
Just a few minutes ago, I was going through my glove drawer...
and there it was, can you believe it?
Yes, that is what I'm saying. I have the pearls, they weren't stolen.
Of course, I realize what I've done and that's why I'm calling.
I thought if you could handle the warrant on poor Mr. Rockford...
I could handle the apology.
Yes, thank you very much.