a variation of the same plot line be use in a simon and simon episode ( thin air ) that originally air in dec 1982. the gender of the victim be change and the surviving spouse be one of rick old flame . it also interest to note that gerald mcraney have a role in this rockford file episode . both episode be base on a story by howard browne a note in the list of write credit . anthony james play one of his classic tv bad guy role . the continuation of the concept between the rockford file to magnum pi to simon and simon quite interesting .