Pressure Point

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## Briefing

A company makes rich people purchase unnecessary security features and protection by threatening them or members of their families. Jon and Ponch become embroiled when they stop a friend of the Governors and they want this practice stopped before it leeches into LA.

## Report

Jon and Ponch ride through the affluent part of California, Ponch has heard it called "Haunts of the very rich."

A limo pulls out of the drive of one the the haunts. When it drives along the main street it is boxed in by some cars. A motorbike rides up beside and smashes the drivers window and then smashes the passenger window and throws in an A4 envelope before everyone drives away. The passenger tells his chauffeur to give chase but he's reluctant to do so. After being told twice he speeds off but cuts in front of an on coming car and it crashes. The limo can be seen driving off into the distance.

Jon and Ponch continue their conversation about the rich when they come to an intersection and stop. Jon notices a motorbike pass them and keeps his eye on it as it passes. He asks Ponch if he wants coffee and doughnuts, Ponch tells him it would cost him a fortune around where they are. Jon tells him he knows a place. The limo speeds past them, and they give chase.

The chauffeur tells his passenger that they're catching up to them and that they should stop. The passenger tells him not to and continue chasing the thugs. The passenger looks out the window and then notices the envelope on his briefcase and preceeds to open it, they're pictures of a young woman doing various activities. He puts them back in the envelope and into his briefcase. The passenger tells him to give up. Jon sides up to the drivers window and tells them to pull over. The passenger tells his chauffeur, Barney to not say a word about what happened and that he'll do all the talking. Jon asks the driver for his licence and his registration. The passenger pokes his head out the broken window and tells him it's all his fault and he's late for a very important business meeting. Jon asks what happened to their windows. Barney begins talking but the passenger interrupts him and tells him it was an accident at home. Jon notices that the car is registered to a company. The passenger tells him he's allowed to use the car and introduces himself as Arthur Forbinger. Jon asks him why he took so long to stop. Fobinger tells him that Barney wanted to stop but he wouldn't let him as he was late for an important business meeting. Ponch reminds him they can cite him for evading arrest. Forbinger assures them he wasn't. Jon tells Forbinger that he believes his story that he wasn't evading arrest this time and tell him not to do it again. Forbinger nods. Jon reminds him that they shouldn't drive until they take care of the broken glass. Barney tells them he will and Forbinger thanks them. Jon calls it in that they're done and the operator tell them to meet 7-Charles. Ponch wonders what Sindy wants.

The young woman in the photos, is sitting by the pool when the phone rings. She runs over to the phone and it's Fobinger, he asks Chris where she is and she calls him "Gramps" Fobinger tells Chris to get in the house and lock the doors with some urgency. Chris is confused and asks him what's going on. Fobinger tells him he doesn't have time to explain and to trust him. Chris asks him about the flowers that were delivered with no card and assumes they were from him. Forbinger is confused. Chris tells him that for the past week she's been inundated with candy and flowers. Forbinger tells Chris she can tell him all about it when he gets there but tells her to do as he says. Forbinger decides to take a detour and pick up someone.

A man is spying on Chris from above.

Sindy tells Jon and Ponch that the glass on the street is from the black limo they called in before. Ponch tells Jon that the old men never mentioned this happening. She asks Steve to tell them what he told her. Steve tells them he saved up money to buy his car all summer and had no insurance so his dad is going to kill him. Sindy tells him to tell them about the motorcycle. Steve tells them what he saw with the motorbike and the limo. Ponch tells Jon they spotted the bike earlier. Jon asks Steve if the limo was parked where they're standing. Steve tells them what he saw. Jon tells Ponch Mr Forbinger has some explaining to do.

Forbinger is in his car with another passenger, Paul Everett. Everett tells Forbinger that he's been disregarding his security advise for years. Forbinger tells him if it wasn't for Chris then he would still be disregarding it and that she means the whole world to him. He's going to hold Everett personally responsible if anything happens to her. Everett tells Forbinger to go with a private firm and he knows one, Forbinger tells him to do it but do it fast. They pull into his driveway.

Back at Central Jon and Ponch find out that the MO has happened before. Getraer confirms the MO has been used before but no charges were pressed. Jon wants to know what they're dealing with and Getraer doesn't know but he does tell them that if they're coming to the LA area then they want to keep a handle on it.

Ponch tells Getraer that there was no time for threats or demands and wonders why the 'old guy' would keep a lid on it. Getraer reminds Ponch that the 'old guy' is an important man in the state. He's the top dog at Trans Allied he's also on the Governor's industrial relations board. Jon wants to know why Fobinger didn't level with them. Getraer tells them to ask him, diplomatically.

Jon is on the phone with Forbinger, he tells him to either speak to them or he'll have to go to the DA to file a complaint against his chauffeur for hit and run. Forbinger tells Jon the meeting place is fine and thanks them for their co-operation.

Chris asks his gramps who was on the phone, Forbinger tells her not to ask questions. Chris grills her grandpa. Forbinger shows her the envelope he recevied. Chris rifles through the photos and asks him where he got them from. Forbinger tells her they came special delivery and the implied message is that she's in danger. Chris asks from whom. Forbinger believes it's her secret admirer. Forbinger tells Chris not to leave the house and asks her to promise him. She doesn't give him an answer due to the phone ringing. Forbinger tells the person on the other end that his safety and his granddaughters is in his hands. The man on the other end of the phone, whom Forbinger calls Mr Justin, tells him it's a decision he won't regret. The man is the same man who was spying on Chris earlier and Everett is in the same room as him.

Jon and Ponch have stopped off for some Mexican food, Ponch asks if the old guy will meet them. Jon tells him that rich people are the same as poor people and unless they call them they hate to see a cop on their front door step. Forbinger arrives and tells them he hates wasting time. Ponch asks him which crime he wants to talk about first. Jon tells Forbinger they know what happened to him and want to know why. Forbinger tells them he staged it to test his security people. He tells them that he'll make amends for the cars that got damaged and replace them with new ones. Ponch tells Forbinger that he's lying. Forbinger offers them to shed their uniforms and work for him for double the pay. Ponch tells him it means he's in trouble. Ponch tells him he believes it's extortion or a kidnap attempt, or an act of terrorism. Forbinger again tells them it was for a test. Ponch still doesn't believe him. Jon tells him that it might be a scam for him to hire protection by scaring him. Forbinger tells them to get the drivers of the damaged cars to call his office and leaves. Ponch notes that Forbinger is one scared tycoon. Jon tells him that he thought being rich was fun.

Back at Central, Jon and Ponch tells Getraer that Forbinger doesn't want their help. Getraer tells them he's going to get it whether he likes it or not. Jon and Ponch don't like where this is leading. Getraer tells them that tomorrow their bikes are going to the barn which elicits shock from both Jon and Ponch. Getraer tells them that Sacremento wants this problem nipped in the bud, and that the Commissioner is impressed at the way they're handling the Govenors friend, that they're assigning them both to protective services detail. Ponch calls it glorified babysitters. Ponch is assigned to bodyguard Forbingers granddaughter and Jon his chauffeur.

At Forbingers, Justin is telling him how his property should be secured and tells him all sorts of things he should buy for the property. He tells Forbinger that he and his granddaughter should keep a low social profile to avoid being a target. Forbinger trusts everything Justin tells him and Justin tells him he'll post a guard immediately. Forbinger accepts the guard but requires any work done to the property put down in writing before he commences. They shake hands.

Ponch can't believe that they turned down a job that paid twice that they ended up doing anyway, and then isn't happy that Jon got the chauffeur job and he has to babysit the granddaughter. Jon tells him that Getraer told him he's understanding and rides off grinning.

On the street a man in a blue pick-up truck is minding his own business. Justin is driving nearby along with the motorbike from earlier and a couple of cars. His men box in the pick-up truck. The driver honks his horn and can't free himself from being boxed in. Further down the street, Baricza is driving along and spots what is happening and blasts his siren at them. Justin, who is watching from the back spots the patrol car and radios his men to call it off. They drive off but the damage has been done. The driver has a heart attack and rolls his car down the embankment, but manages to jump out before it goes down. He rolls down the embankment and comes to a stop. Baricza gets out of his patrol car and runs down. Jon and Ponch arrive to see the pick-up truck down the embankment in flames. Baricza runs to call it in. Jon and Ponch run down and rescue the driver by pulling him away from the burning truck before it explodes. The man tells them he needs his pills, so Jon and Ponch search his pockets for his pills. Baricza tells them what he saw. After giving him a pill, Jon asks if a motorbike was involved. Baricza confirms there was. Ponch tells them that the driver will be okay. Jon stands up and tells them that the third one might not be so lucky.

Jon and Ponch arrive at Forbingers with their cover identities, they are stopped by the guard. Jon tells him that Ponch is from the Argentine Consul and that they're expected. Ponch gives him the paperwork that confrims his story. The guard lets them through.

Forbinger meets them at the door. Jon tells him it wasn't their idea and Forbinger tells them that he knows who's idea it was, and if he didn't do as the Governor wanted then he'd raise his taxes. Chris comes out of the house and Forbinger introduces her to the pair. Ponch is surprised as Chris is much older than he thought she'd be. They go inside and Jon goes to get the bags.

Later that night, Jon is reading through proposal for the increased security to be installed. Jon wants to check out Justin before he does anything to the property. Forbinger tells Jon that Justin comes highly recommended from someone he trusts. Jon warns Forbinger about scams, but Forbinger doesn't want to believe someone in his company would do that. Jon tells him to think about it and mentions the photos that were taken. Jon asks Forbinger if he's reconsidered, and Forbinger tells them he has.

At Justin's office, Everett walks in, Justin asks Everett what he found out. Everett confirms Jon and Ponch are legit. Justin asks about the proposal but Everett has heard nothing from Forbinger. Everett suggests they try another demonstration. Justin is opposed to this as it costs money to set up. Everett doesn't want him to hurt Forbinger, Justin tells him he's not talking about the old man.

Ponch takes Chris out, but she's worried her grandfather will be angry. Ponch thinks it should so Justin can buzz off.

While they're driving along, Everett passes them and does hasty u-turn. Chris tells Ponch she's sure it was Everett and tells Ponch he's the one who recommended Justin and that she was his responsibility. Ponch understands why Everett might be angry.

Grossie spots Everetts car and starts following. Everett sees Grossie in the mirror and he pulls over. Grossie asks for his licence and registration. Everett asks what he did wrong. Grossie tells him he made an unsafe lane change.

Ponch returns Chris home. Inside, Forbinger is angry at Jon for letting Chris go out. Jon tells him that they needed to in order to smoke the gophers out of the hole and it worked. Forbinger doesn't understand. Jon tells him to call Justin and tell him he doesn't want the protection he recommended. Fobinger doesn't know why that would work. Forbinger is about to reign fury down on Jon, but is interrupted by Ponch and Chris entering the room. Forbinger asks where they've been, but when he looks at Chris he stops and asks who she is. Sindy removes her hat. Forbinger worriedly asks what's happened to Chris. Sindy reassures him that she's at her appartment. Ponch introduces Sindy to Forbinger. Forbinger isn't happy that he's not being told what's going on. Jon tells Forbinger about the man who nearly died with the same tatics he experienced to convince him that his family was in danger. Jon tells him he believes the person behind it was Justin. Sindy tells him that Justin has businesses is two places and both places are experiencing the same problems, they believe it's more than coincidence. Forbinger wants to know if they can put Justin behind bars, Jon tells him they can't but they would need his co-operation. Barney appears in the doorway and is listening to the conversation. Ponch tells Forbinger he needs to let them do things their way. When Jon mentions paying extortion, Barney runs away from the door. Ponch tells Forbinger that it's not just money he could lose, he could also lose his granddaughters respect. Jon asks him what he wants. Forbinger is incensed he's being coerced. When Jon asks him to prove it, Barney reappears at the door with a gun. He tells everyone to put their hands up. He asks Forbinger to pick up the phone and call the police. Forbinger tells Barney that they are the police. Barney is confused and tells him he was listening to the conversation. Forbinger tells him he heard him making a fool of himself, and asks him where he got the gun from. Barney tells him it's his old navy weapon and got it out because of everything that's been happening. Ponch asks how old the ammunition is and Barney tells him it's from 1932. Forginger asks Jon what he wants him to do. Jon tells him he wants him to resume life as normal, and Sindy will do the same as Chris.

Back at Justin's office he's talking to Everett, the news is not good, there is a man sitting in a chair. Forbinger has cancelled the proposal. Justin asks who is taking Forbinger to his next appointment, Everett tells him he will be doing so. Justin tells Everett he has 24 hours to reverse the decision on the proposal or they'll go after Chris. After Everett leaves, Justin speaks to the man in the chair that he's lost faith in Everett. The man tells Justin he's not going to kill anyone. Justin offers to triple his fee and asks for an extra swing with his hammer. The man wonders why he's standing around and leaves.

At Forbinger's, everyone is leaving in the limo. Jon is driving with Ponch next to him and Forbinger and Sindy as Chris as passengers. The guard waves at them and tells them they can't leave without an armed escort as those are the new orders from Justin. Forbinger tells the guard he's fired.

Ponch calls Getraer to tell them they're on their way. They pass Everett who is heading towards the house. He stops by the guard and asks what's going on as he was expecting to take Forbinger to his next appointment. The guard tells him he doesn't know and that he's been fired. Everett asks him if he called Justin, the guard tells him he called him on his mobile number. Everett isn't happy that Justin is mobile and tells the guard to do what he's going to do, leave town.

Jon notices the cars following them and tells them to warn the back up units. Ponch is having problems connecting his call to Getraer. Justin gives the signal to box in the limo. Jon rams Justin's car which is ahead of him. Justin gives the signal for the motorbike. Jon sees him in the wing mirror and rams the car next to him to stop the motorbike from slipping in. Jon rams Justin's car again and he loses control and spins in front of one of the cars. Jon continues forward at speed and then does a quick u-turn and heads towards the remaining car and bike following them. The car mounts the pavement and stops and the motorbike is stopped by Baricza. Jon brings the limo to a stop and Forbinger shouts at Jon where he learnt to drive. Jon apologises but he had no choice. Forbinger wonders why he's apologising and tells Jon he's never had so much fun in years, he reaches his hand out to Jon who returns his and they shake.

In the report room, Jon is finalising his report and hands it to Forbinger to check. Forbinger can't believe Paul Everett would set him up like this after all the years he's worked for him. Getraer assures Forbinger that the statement should put a stop to Justin. Ponch arrives with Chris in tow and she runs over to her grandfather and hugs him. Jon asks Ponch if he wants to play racketball since they have a court. Ponch tells them that he can't because he's babysitting and looks at Chris.

## Notes

* When the pick-up truck driver is having a heart attack you can't see Baricza's patrol car.
* Mary Frances Crosby is the daughter of Bing Crosby.

### Codes

* 10-4 - No further assistance needed.
* 10-8 - Available.
* 11-98 - Meet me at.
* 11-80 - Traffic accident, major injuries.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* Larry Wilcox: Jon Baker
* Erik Estrada: Frank Poncherello
* Robert Pine: Joe Getraer

### Recurring

* Brianne Leary: Sindy
* Brodie Greer: Baricza
* Paul Linke: Grossman

Guest Stars

* Rudy Vallee: Arthur Forbinger
* Mary Frances Crosby: Chris
* Tom Troupe: Darrell Justin
* Guy Stockwell: Paul Everett

### Others

* Douglas V Fowley: Barney
* Michael Stearns: Guard
* Phillip Moyer: Steve Leahy
* David Wiley: George Price