A guard carrying stock certificate printing plates steps into an elevator. The specially-build elevator shaft only allows for it to make two stops. Seconds later, it arrives at the other floor, but without the guard or the plates. How'd it happen? It's no surprise when the insurance company calls in Banacek to find out... for his usual 10% finder's fee. Thomas has to wade through a long list of suspects, looking for motives, and barely seems to have time to figure how how the crime was done.
Andrew Duggan is "Jack Osburn", a man who's been in and out of 20 different businesses, 19 of which ended in bankruptcy, but finally hit it big by creating a "cartoon"-like company symbol, the bearded stereotype sailor, "Cap'n Jack." Now he's selling the company so he can retire, but the theft may put the kibosh on that.
Jessica Walter (PLAY MISTY FOR ME) is "Erica Osburn", Jack's daughter, who hangs around with Banacek almost too aggressively. Her behavior, attitude and motives are so confusing, that Banacek isn't sure what to make of her. He learns she made a deal with her friend at the insurance company behind his back, and undercut him by only asking for 5%... but also in concerned that her father might be involved in ripping off his own company!
William Schallert (THE PATTY DUKE SHOW) is "Leo Osburn", Jack's brother, lost interest years ago, opposes the "merger", as he fears the buyer has a shady reputation and may intend to run the company into the ground.
Liam Dunn (BLAZING SADDLES) is "Hanrahan", the engraver, who suffers a painful attack at the exact moment the security guard was entering the elevator. It looks so suspicious, but Banacek quickly learns is really was just a coincidence.
Wally Taylor (SHAFT'S BIG SCORE) is "Ed Spencer", the guard who stepped into the elevator, and was then found unconscious several blocks away. He seems a top suspect, as he had a previous record, but Thomas believes he's innocent.
David White (BEWITCHED) is "W. Crawford Morgan", the insurance company rep who hires Banacek.
Linden Chiles (THE TIME TUNNEL: The Day The Sky Fell In) is "Fennyman", an insurance guy who resents Banacek's presence. Crazy enough, Chiles came back the following season playing an identical character with a different name.
Gregory Sierra (SANFORD AND SON) is "Norman Esposito", the building's maintenance man. I confess, when he mentioned he works for the people who designed and put up the building, my own suspicion aimed directly at him.
Andrew Duggan is "Jack Osburn", a man who's been in and out of 20 different businesses, 19 of which ended in bankruptcy, but finally hit it big by creating a "cartoon"-like company symbol, the bearded stereotype sailor, "Cap'n Jack." Now he's selling the company so he can retire, but the theft may put the kibosh on that.
Jessica Walter (PLAY MISTY FOR ME) is "Erica Osburn", Jack's daughter, who hangs around with Banacek almost too aggressively. Her behavior, attitude and motives are so confusing, that Banacek isn't sure what to make of her. He learns she made a deal with her friend at the insurance company behind his back, and undercut him by only asking for 5%... but also in concerned that her father might be involved in ripping off his own company!
William Schallert (THE PATTY DUKE SHOW) is "Leo Osburn", Jack's brother, lost interest years ago, opposes the "merger", as he fears the buyer has a shady reputation and may intend to run the company into the ground.
Liam Dunn (BLAZING SADDLES) is "Hanrahan", the engraver, who suffers a painful attack at the exact moment the security guard was entering the elevator. It looks so suspicious, but Banacek quickly learns is really was just a coincidence.
Wally Taylor (SHAFT'S BIG SCORE) is "Ed Spencer", the guard who stepped into the elevator, and was then found unconscious several blocks away. He seems a top suspect, as he had a previous record, but Thomas believes he's innocent.
David White (BEWITCHED) is "W. Crawford Morgan", the insurance company rep who hires Banacek.
Linden Chiles (THE TIME TUNNEL: The Day The Sky Fell In) is "Fennyman", an insurance guy who resents Banacek's presence. Crazy enough, Chiles came back the following season playing an identical character with a different name.
Gregory Sierra (SANFORD AND SON) is "Norman Esposito", the building's maintenance man. I confess, when he mentioned he works for the people who designed and put up the building, my own suspicion aimed directly at him.