Mannix (TV Series)

A Problem of Innocence (1973)

Anne Archer: Anne Avery

Quotes 

• Anne Avery : Thank you for coming so quickly.

  Joe Mannix : Well, you sounded upset this evening.

  Anne Avery : Someone broke into my apartment.

  Joe Mannix : Did you call the police?

  Anne Avery : They left just a few minutes ago.

  Joe Mannix : Well, I, uh, don't really see how I can help you any more than they could, Miss Avery. Things like this happen every 30 seconds in Los Angeles.

  Anne Avery : Not like this.

  [shows Joe that her apartment has been ransacked] 

  Anne Avery : Lieutenant Malcolm said he couldn't spare any men to help guard the place, and if I were too frightened, I should think about hiring a private detective. He mentioned you. I am frightened, Mr. Mannix. I'm scared to death. I think I must have interrupted whoever it was before he finished. My bedroom hasn't been touched.

  Joe Mannix : Before he was finished? You think he was after something specific?

  Anne Avery : Yes. A million dollars.

  Joe Mannix : That seems like an awful lot of loose change to keep in an apartment.

  Anne Avery : My father was William Avery. He was killed yesterday in an automobile accident. You may have read about it.

  Joe Mannix : He was, uh, released from prison yesterday morning after serving ten years.

  Anne Avery : For stealing a million dollar payroll.

  Joe Mannix : Which, uh, someone now thinks you have.

  Anne Avery : I don't have it, of course. And neither did my father, not ever.

  Joe Mannix : You believe he was innocent?

  Anne Avery : Oh, I know he was. He told me, and I believed him.

  Joe Mannix : Were you very close?

  Anne Avery : Not until recently. He and my mother were divorced when I was just a child, a long, long, time before he went to prison. I lived with her until she died a few years ago. I sent him Christmas cards, and every once in a while, a letter. Sometimes he answered. And then a few months ago when he knew he was going to get out, he wrote me and asked me to come and visit him. I did quite a few times. We got to know each other very quickly, and made up for a lot of years. We talked about my life, my friends. I know he was innocent.

  Joe Mannix : Obviously, someone thinks otherwise. Miss Avery, exactly what would you like me to do?

  Anne Avery : Find out who it is. Tell him I don't have the money. Tell him I have no idea what happened to it, and neither did my father.

  Joe Mannix : We'll... I'll do what I can. Tell me, how much do you remember about your father's trial, names of witnesses, things like that?

  Anne Avery : Not a thing. My father's lawyer could help you, though- Lawerence Corwin. His offices are in Beverly Hills.

  Joe Mannix : I'll talk to him. I don't think you better stay here for the next day or two. Uh, I'll find some friendlier surroundings. Now, why don't you pack a few things in a bag and I'll be back after you about 5:00?

  Anne Avery : Fine.