Michael Payne

During his magic act, the Great Santini slays business associate Jesse Jerome, who was blackmailing him. Though the illusionist has a solid alibi - he was supposedly submerged in water in an airtight trunk - Lt. Columbo finds clues that incriminate him. Meanwhile, Sgt. Wilson discovers evidence of Santini’s carefully laid plan to frame nightclub singer Danny Green.

In the concluding half of a two-part episode, David Banner tries reaching civilization with the injured McGee when a forest fire engulfs them. Banner is forced into his Hulk metamorphosis to save their lives which reveals to McGee a new insight on his quarry.