Ep 16. Sleight of Hand

James Garner stars as private detective Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files season 1 episode 16, "Sleight of Hand." In this episode, Rockford is hired by a magician named Harry Timkin to clear his name after he's framed for a murder he didn't commit.

Rockford begins his investigation by visiting the scene of the crime, a hotel room where Timkin's assistant was killed. The police believe Timkin was responsible for the murder, as he was the only other person in the room at the time. However, Timkin claims he was performing a magic trick outside at the time and has no idea what happened.

As Rockford delves deeper into the case, he discovers that Timkin has a troubled past. He used to be a highly respected magician, but his career was derailed when he was accused of stealing a valuable artifact during a tour in Europe. Though he was never found guilty, he lost his reputation and was forced to take low-paying gigs at birthday parties and retirement homes.

Rockford begins to suspect that the real killer is someone who has a vendetta against Timkin. He starts to look into the people Timkin has crossed in the past, including his ex-wife, his former manager, and a rival magician who has been stealing his tricks.

Along the way, Rockford gets caught up in the world of magic and illusion. He attends a magic show with his friend Angel, where they witness a spectacular trick involving a woman who disappears from a locked cage. Rockford is impressed by the ingenuity of the trick, but he's also skeptical that it could have been done without any kind of trickery.

As Rockford gets closer to solving the case, he finds himself in increasing danger. He's followed and threatened by mysterious men in black suits, and he narrowly avoids getting run off the road. Despite the risks, Rockford is determined to clear Timkin's name and bring the real killer to justice.

The episode culminates in a dramatic showdown at a magic show, where Rockford confronts the killer in front of a packed audience. The killer's identity is revealed in a surprising twist, and Timkin is exonerated. As the credits roll, Rockford shares a moment with Angel, reflecting on the strange and exciting case they just solved.

Overall, "Sleight of Hand" is an entertaining and suspenseful episode of The Rockford Files. It's a must-see for fans of detective stories, magic, and James Garner's iconic portrayal of Jim Rockford.