- Joe Mannix: Well, if that's true, then who tried to kill me?
- Lt. Dan Ives: I'm in homicide, Joe. I can't investigate that until they succeed.
- Joe Mannix: Well, uh, my secretary tells me your husband has disappeared.
- Marcia Inman: Yes. I don't really know where to begin.
- Joe Mannix: Where do you live?
- Marcia Inman: We live in Cleveland. My husband's head of Darrel Inman Incorporated. They make optical equipment- Binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, things of that sort. He came out here just over a week ago to inspect the L.A. office. He was only supposed to be gone 48 hours.
- Joe Mannix: Uh, did he call you at all?
- Marcia Inman: No. He's usually very considerate about letting me know where he is. But this time, when I didn't hear from him, I thought he just got wrapped up in the local problems. When I phoned the hotel, they said he checked out after two days, exactly as planned.
- Joe Mannix: So, uh, he's been out of touch for about five days.
- [Marcia nods]
- Joe Mannix: Does the local office in Los Angeles have any idea where he might be?
- Marcia Inman: [shakes her head] Phillip Lomax- he's the manager- he says as far as he knows, Darrel intended to go straight back to Cleveland.
- Joe Mannix: Mrs. Inman, have you been to the police?
- Marcia Inman: No. No, I haven't. You see, uh...
- [takes out a picture from her purse]
- Marcia Inman: I found this in my husband's desk.
- [hands the picture to Joe]
- Marcia Inman: I thought if he's involved, the less publicity, the better.
- Joe Mannix: [looks at the photo and sees a woman sitting in a chair] Do you know who she is?
- Marcia Inman: No. Whenever Darrel gets involved, I try to pretend it simply isn't happening. Normally, I wouldn't have done anything about it, but since he's missing, it's the only clue I have.
- Joe Mannix: Hmm. Do you have a picture of your husband?
- Marcia Inman: Not with me, but I have sent for one.
- Joe Mannix: Can you describe him for me?
- Marcia Inman: Well, he's... he's about your height, dark brown hair, medium build. His eyes are... His eyes are very sensitive to the light. He wears tinted glasses.
- Joe Mannix: Well, that ought to do it for a start. I'll go to work on it. Where can I reach you?
- Marcia Inman: At the Fieldmont. We always stay there.
- Joe Mannix: All right, if I come up with anything, I'll give you a call.
- Marcia Inman: Thank you, Mr. Mannix.