MovieChat Forums > Ransom (1996) Discussion > Shaker et al might still have succeeded

Shaker et al might still have succeeded

posted 8 years ago by mrrh
1 reply | jump to latest

At the time Mullen offered the $2M dead-or-alive reward the identity of the ringleader wasn't yet known, apart from suspecting Clark. They could've bumped off any random homeless guy, a petty criminal or even Clark, drop the stiff and kid somewhere and then tip off Mullen about the location. After the hubbub was over they merely had to contact Mullen again with some story about being mobsters or such (perhaps disgusted with lowlife kidnappers), hence not wanting to step in the limelight and having to answer awkward questions from the man. Mullen would have his kid back at this point and be more than delighted to fork over the cash.

Better than the alternative.
John Kenneth Galbraith, when asked what it was like to have reached the age of ninety.

[–] averagejoeman2013 8 years ago

Dang!!! That's pretty good.

It likely would have worked as well. But, they would have given some complications.

1. Unless the homeless guy was completely unknown and relatively healthy, it would have raised flags if he was competent enough to create such an elaborate plan (modified phone, directions, multiple parties, etc).

2. As the bounty was given, Mullen would then be an accessory to murder. His broadcast opened him up to prosecution as it was a straight up offer to pay anyone who killed the kidnapper(s). **Though... I would personally never convict him..lol.

3. What if someone else turned up dead first..who do they pay out?..or if several contacted them regarding the same deaths?

But, a good idea to be certain.

"Obamacare: It only works if you don't!"