Mannix (TV Series)

A Ransom for Yesterday (1975)

Mike Connors: Joe Mannix

Quotes 

• Janice Graham : [talking to Joe privately alongside her pool]  I might as well tell you, Mr. Mannix. I had you checked out thoroughly.

  Joe Mannix : Well, that makes sense.

  Janice Graham : I liked what I heard. Among other things, I was told you never betray a confidence. Is that true?

  Joe Mannix : I haven't had too many complaints.

  Janice Graham : Does my name mean anything to you?

  Joe Mannix : Yes, it does.

  Janice Graham : What?

  Joe Mannix : Well, about six years ago, your son was kidnapped while he was playing in a park. You received a ransom note, you agreed to the demands, but something went wrong at the drop. The kidnapper escaped, and there was no trace your son.

  Janice Graham : No trace of Peter has ever been found, Mr. Mannix. I just always assumed that he was dead until this morning. And now-now I don't know what to believe.

  Joe Mannix : What happened this morning?

  Janice Graham : Another ransom note.

  [gives to note to Joe] 

  Janice Graham : Do you think it's genuine?

  Joe Mannix : I can't say yet.

  Janice Graham : [shows him another ransom note]  This was the ransom note that came six years ago.

  Joe Mannix : [takes the note from six years ago and compares it to the one she just received]  Well, except for the different amounts of money, I'd say they came from the same person.

  Janice Graham : Do you think it's possible that Peter is still alive?

  Joe Mannix : I'll have to check, Mrs. Graham, but I'd say it is possible, yes.

  Janice Graham : Oh. Six years, it's like an eternity. I mean, people change, lives change, nothing stays the same, not even hope.

  Joe Mannix : What about your husband?

  Janice Graham : Oh, I don't know. Howard... Howard and I only stayed together a couple of years after... after Peter was kidnapped. Things got very bad between us. We started to blame each other for all the things we didn't do when Peter was still with us.

  Joe Mannix : You're separated?

  Janice Graham : Yes. Howard has his bank functions, his racing cars, spends most of his time in Paris.

  Joe Mannix : Don't you think he should be told?

  Janice Graham : No. Oh, no, absolutely not. It was his panic that scared away the kidnapper the first time. He must not know, Mr. Mannix.

  Joe Mannix : And you're going to try and raise the ransom money?

  Janice Graham : Yeah, I'll-I'll start to try to collect it today.

  Joe Mannix : Suppose this turns out to be someone's idea of a joke?

  Janice Graham : Well, that's why I hired you. Before I get my hopes up, I want to find out once and for all if my son is dead or alive.

  Joe Mannix : Well, I'd like to take these along with me. Oh, if anybody calls, let me know right away, huh?

  Janice Graham : You know, Peter... Peter was two years old when he was taken away from me. Do you think children still remember their parents after all these years?

  Joe Mannix : You loved him?

  Janice Graham : Oh, yes.

  Joe Mannix : He'll remember.

  [walks back to his car and leaves]