Against the Wall s01e01 Episode Script
Pilot
Against The Wall 1x01 Pilot Wait, you didn't tell them? The Bears were playing, okay? It never seemed to be a good time.
There was a game last night? It's called Monday Night Football, Mackie.
It's been around for, like, 40 years.
I'm going to tell them! When? It's already been a week.
I know.
I will.
Sunday dinner.
That's another five days.
- It will be fine.
- No, it won't.
Waiting is only gonna make this worse.
Trust me, nothing could possibly make this any worse.
Very nice.
There was a rock, okay, Mackie? Sir, you really don't have to help me.
- Abby? - Danny! Oh, my gosh.
What's it been, like, three years? I see you're still tripping over things that don't exist.
- Oh, there was a rock.
- No, there wasn't.
- Hi, I'm Mackie.
- Danny Mitchell.
Danny used to work in the D.
A.
's office.
You look good.
You still on patrol? No, actually, today is the first day of my new job-- I made detective.
Congratulations.
Which department? Internal Affairs.
Wow! Bet your family loved that.
Oh, no, she hasn't told them yet.
OhOkay.
Good luck with that.
I should get going.
- It's really great seeing you.
- You too.
Maybe we could grab lunch, catch up.
Yeah, sure.
Sounds great.
Here, call me with a time.
Call me if you need a lawyer.
Thanks.
All right.
He is so cute.
What is the story with you guys? We're just friends.
The guy was totally into you.
No, he wasn't.
- Do you mind if I call him? - No.
- Can I help you? - Uh, Lieutenant Papadol.
Corner office.
seasons don't fear the reaper nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain we can be like they are come on, baby, don't fear the reaper baby, take my hand don't fear the reaper You got your B.
A.
in Criminal Law, Master's in Criminology.
Top of your class at the academy, excellent review by your Captain.
And you aced the Detective exam? - How'd I get so lucky? - Sir? Why Internal Affairs? And don't blow smoke up my ass.
You were the only department with an opening.
I'm flattered.
Lina Flores, wanna meet your new partner, Abby Kowalski? Show her the ropes.
Don't look so worried, I still have three more months.
Sorry-- My husband is a very big man.
Little Carlos takes after his papa.
You're having a boy.
- That's great.
- Not really, I wanted a girl.
Ladies, less chat, more work, eh? Got you two off-duty officers, possible involvement in an altercation with several bar patrons.
Hazy way for a good cop to lose everything.
For sure.
Is Lieutenant Papadol from Toronto? Yeah.
Transferred here a few years back when he married a local.
Word of advice-- don't mention the Stanley Cup.
Oh, park it there.
You looking for their horns and pitchforks? No.
Yes.
Sorry.
We're checking out Roy Taggot and George Lee.
You know 'em? No.
Good.
Heads, you take Taggot, tails, Lee.
Officer Taggot, Detective Kowalski.
SoWhat happened last night? - Read my report.
- I did.
You spelled "verbal" wrong.
Complaint stated that you slammed a bar stool over Mr.
Penn's head.
The guy was a jackass.
The guy was a jackass? Seriously? That-- what does that mean? Are you saying that's why you hit him, or are you just commenting on his personality? I'm trying to help you.
This isn't your first complaint.
You already have a prior for fighting.
Do you really want this on your record? Look, Taggot, I get it.
I do.
You and your partner were having a beer, trying to unwind, and this jackass Uh, Joe Penn comes over and starts mouthing off.
Maybe it was about the Cubs, maybe it was about Chicago's new mayor, I don't know.
But this Joe Penn crossed a line somehow, and you felt you needed to step in and deal with it.
Or not.
If I'm anywhere close, just grunt.
Read my report.
Lee says he and Taggot had been there about an hour, had a couple of beers, were about to leave when this Joe Penn got into a fight with another patron.
He and Taggot stepped in to break it up.
How'd you do? Yeah, that's pretty much what Taggot said.
Hey, Sis.
I'll just be a minute.
Donny, Steve.
Hey.
What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out busting bad guys? The shift doesn't start till 11:00.
Yeah, but this isn't your station.
Why are you acting weirder than usual? - I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- Yeah, you really are.
- Way beyond your normal weird.
Well, I'm just surprised to see you guys here, that's all.
So why are you here? To wish Sean Dunn good luck.
We talked about this last night.
It's his last day.
He's moving to Tampa.
Is any of this ringing a bell for you? Right.
Yes.
Right.
Well, you-- you should go do that.
I don't want to keep you.
- Abby.
- Yes? What are you doing here? And why aren't you in uniform? Look, I really didn't want to talk about this here.
I was gonna tell you all last night, but then I thought I should probably tell you at Sunday dinner.
- Abby, you're rambling.
- No, I'm not.
Isn't that that bitch from I.
A.
? Her name is Lina Flores, and she's not a bitch.
She's my partner.
Well, she might be a bitch.
I don't really know yet.
I just started.
- What are you talking about? - Partner? I made detective and took an opening in Internal Affairs.
- You what? - Does dad know about this? No! And please don't say anything.
This is so typical of you.
What is that supposed to mean? Figure it out.
He-- Abby.
Those your brothers? Both cops.
And you went to I.
A.
? - Mm-hmm.
- Are you crazy? Apparently.
I'll take the lead on this.
You jump in if you have a question.
Joe Penn? Yeah.
We need to talk to you about the complaint you filed.
I already told you guys everything last night.
We're with Internal Affairs.
We conduct our own investigation.
I'm kinda busy.
You wanna retract your statement? Then tell us what happened.
I'm drinking a beer, talking to my buds.
Out of nowhere, this dickmo flies-- - Which dickmo would that be? - The big ugly one.
Taggot? He starts going off on Val.
- Who's Val? - The bartender.
Taggot was drunk.
How do you know? - You could tell.
- But how? Were you sitting next to him? Did you buy his drinks, count how many he had? Was he slurring his words, stumbling-- Why would you assume officer Taggot was drunk? 'Cause Val was trying to cut him off.
He goes nuts.
Shoves her up against the wall.
Me and my buds step in to try and help Next thing I know, I'm in E.
R.
getting stitches.
We're gonna need the names of all your buds.
- Hey, Richie.
- Batten down the hatches.
Brother big-mouth strikes again.
Damn it.
Did Steve call you? Uh-huh.
I told him not to tell anyone.
Does dad know? Well, I haven't heard any yelling, so I'd say no.
You want to meet for lunch? Yes.
Usual? Richie? Richie! Yeah, I'll see you there.
All right.
- Boyfriend? - Brother.
Another brother.
How many you got? - Three.
- He a patrol cop too? Oh, yeah.
Three brothers, all patrol cops.
And my dad.
You had to know they'd be upset.
Well, yeah, that's why I didn't tell 'em.
Growing up, I.
A.
was worse than the bogeyman in my house.
Then why take the job? Because I want to be a detective.
When I passed the exam, they gave me a choice-- I.
A.
or back to patrol-- I took I.
A.
Double chili cheeseburger.
You want something? - No.
- Mm-hmm.
You hate the streets that much? No, it's just not my goal.
I did patrol because it was required.
Then just wait for another department to open up.
For how long? I've already spent five years of my life on patrol.
Now I'm required to put in two more years on the job before I can even think about moving up to homicide.
Homicide? That's your goal? So that's how it is? I.
A.
's just another requirement.
The minute your time's up with us, you're history? And I.
A.
was always your goal? No.
But that's completely different.
I was pregnant with my first son.
I had to get off the street.
I understand, but why are you so upset? Because I love this job.
I may have joined I.
A.
because of the great hours, but I stay because I believe in what we do.
Unlike you, I'm not just biding my time.
I am not biding my time.
Okay, I am, kinda, but that doesn't change anything.
I still plan on doing the best job I can do while I'm here.
How lucky for us.
I would never have taken this job if I didn't respect what I.
A.
does.
We investigate our own.
When they've done something wrong.
But I.
A.
also defends and clears the innocent when wrongly accused.
Nice.
You been practicing that? - How'd it sound? - Good.
But I'm not the one you need to convince.
Joe Penn was a whiner.
Wanted morphine for four stitches.
I handed him off to an intern.
What about Valerie McDougal? Valerie was brought in about 1:00 a.
m.
She was involved in the same bar fight as Joe Penn-- come on! The bartender-- she was pretty messed up.
Two broken ribs and a busted lip.
I wrapped the ribs, glued her lip, and gave her some pain meds and told her to take it easy.
Is Valerie still here? No.
Her boyfriend came and picked her up around 3:00 a.
m.
boyfriend? Yeah.
Some big ugly-looking cop.
- How'd you know he was a cop? - Ha.
Flashed his badge.
How'd you know he was her boyfriend? I saw 'em kissing.
- Anything else? - No.
- Thanks for your help.
- Yeah.
Big and ugly.
Man, this case is just getting better and better.
If Taggot picked her up, she's probably at his place.
Doubtful.
He's married.
I know.
Right? Why don't you take the lead on this one? - Really? - Sure.
What are you doing? Uh, exercise.
I'll meet you up there.
We just need to ask you a few questions about last night.
I'm a little drugged.
Pain killers.
Right.
Well, this won't take long.
How well do you know off-- How well do you know Officer Taggot? - Who? - Officer Taggot.
He your boyfriend? No, no.
Then why did he pick you up last night from the hospital? That's right, we know about that.
He just--he felt bad that I got hurt.
Valerie, hey, whoa! FocusOkay? Mm-hmm.
Tell us what happened.
Joe was coming on to me, and I told him no.
And Officer Taggot told him to get lost.
And all hell broke loose.
So who started the fight? JoeI think.
Maybe it was Bobby.
I don't know.
It all happened so fast.
Did Officer Taggot hit you or shove you at any time, even by accident? No.
No way.
It wasn't him.
How could you be so sure if it all happened so fast? 'Cause Roy would never, never Valerie? Okay, Valerie? Valerie.
Going down is much faster.
- You claustrophobic? - Just a tad.
I'm scared of heights.
We make a call on Sears Tower, it's all you.
You do realize they have an elevator? - They also have stairs.
- It's 108 floors.
That's not my problem.
A Polish, uh, mustard, and a jumbo.
There she is.
How are you? Good.
Ow! Richie! It was cute when you were five.
Shut up and help me.
Ah! Freed.
Hey, abSent-minded.
What is he doing here? You know Brody's my partner.
He comes with the car.
I'll catch you later.
Could he be any more disgusting? Ha ha.
You don't want to know.
Did you tell Steve you knew? Hell, no.
This is your mess.
I'm just a shoulder to cry on.
I appreciate it.
Mom knows.
Is she mad? You know, more hurt than mad.
I told you to tell 'em last night.
I couldn't.
The Bears were winning.
Everybody was really happy.
Exactly! Always take advantage of a good mood.
Well, you could always quit.
Just a thought.
I think it's time you take this to a higher power.
You got nothing to say? Nope.
All good.
Father Bardini says he hasn't seen you in months.
So much for the seal of confession.
That's only inside the box.
Good to know.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
You had your reasons.
I didn't want you in the middle.
Oh, honey, when it comes to you kids and your father, I'm always in the middle.
How bad is it gonna be? Do you remember the time you and Stevie painted Richie purple? Oh, damn it! You didn't ask his advice.
You joined Internal Affairs.
And don't swear in the Lord's house.
I didn't think I had to ask his permission.
How long have you known your father? It was my decision.
Do you want him to forgive you or not? For becoming a detective? For living my life? Sorry.
What do I do? Bake him a cake.
Chocolate.
A cake? Seriously? It'll soften the blow.
It doesn't matter what I do.
He is never going to forgive me.
Of course he will.
You're his only daughter.
He has to.
Congratulations, by the way.
- Thank you.
- How's it going? Good.
Good.
Okay, talk to your father soon, please, because I need your help on Saturday with the Novack wedding.
They want five additional cakes.
Cakes.
Mom-- mom! Mom.
What? You don't even ask anymore, you just assume? What if I have plans? Do you? - That's not the point.
- What's the point? That I could have.
What time Saturday? 8:00 a.
m.
I love you.
I don't know how to tell him.
Honey, ever since you could crawl, you've been out to prove a point-- that you could do whatever your brothers could do, only you could do it better.
And you've always been way too smart, except where it comes to your father.
You're 30 years old.
When are you gonna stop looking for his approval? I thought we were going out.
When I'm done.
Wouldn't a cake mix be faster? I want my dad to forgive me, not disown me.
Oh, hey, Kelly's Lot is performing in Millennium Park on Sunday at 1:00 p.
m.
- I don't know who that is.
- Exactly.
It'll be good for you.
Sorry, can't.
Bears are playing.
I thought you said they played last night.
Yeah, it's kinda like a weekly thing.
- Couldn't you TiVo the game? - I don't TiVo my Bears.
I have to cheer in real time.
You do know they can't hear you.
I called Danny.
We're going out tomorrow.
- You just met him.
- Well, that's how it works.
You meet a guy you like, you go out--it's called dating.
Are you mad? 'Cause you said it was okay.
- I'm not mad.
- You're acting mad.
I am just bewildered at the speed in which you work.
He's single, good-looking, and has a job.
I'm bewildered as to why you haven't snagged him for yourself.
We're just friends.
Right.
So what's wrong with this guy? Nothing.
I just don't want a relationship right now.
Who said anything about a relationship? I'm talking dating.
Yes.
But dating leads to a relationship, which leads to marriage, which leads to kids.
And suddenly my days are nothing more than driving from one soccer game to the next, and I just can't handle that right now.
Abby, it has been two years since you broke up with-- okay, his name shall not be spoken.
When are you gonna get over this? I am over it! I'm just not looking for another one.
Okay.
But if you change your mind, you've got his number.
- Don't put that there.
- Fine.
Hey.
I need to see you.
Good night, Brody.
Thanks for coming in.
- Who was that? - Bobby Sheridan.
- Joe Penn's friend.
- Bobby? - Yeah.
- Detective Kowalski.
Thanks so much for coming in.
Mm.
Short fingernails.
How did Taggot get those scratches? We got other things to worry about.
Bobby just confirmed everything Joe said, word for word.
Looks like Joe and his buds got some solid rehearsal time.
I hate it when they lie to my face.
Your sister dating anybody? - Why? - Just asking.
I would kill you! - Bro - Without hesitation.
- I thought we were tight.
- We are.
As long as you stay away from my sister.
You're not really her type.
Well, what's her type? No idea.
Thank you.
Taggot took his family on vacation.
- That's convenient.
- Mm.
Captain said he had a few days coming, so he took 'em.
No Biggie.
His words, not mine.
You got a letter, Detective.
What? Warning or threat? Either way, get used to it.
We always give these to Papadol.
Hey.
Hi, kiddo.
How's my favorite daughter? Good.
Made you a cake.
Mmm.
Hello.
A cake, huh? What's going on? Can't a girl bake her dad a cake for no reason? And visit him in the middle of the day when she should be at work? What did you do? I didn't do anything.
Okay, I did do something, but it's not bad.
It's just, I knew how you were gonna feel about it, so I I made detective, and I took an opening in I.
A.
Dad, please.
Did your mother know about this? This has nothing to do with mom.
I made this decision on my own.
Why didn't you ask me? I already know how you feel about I.
A.
I know what you would've said.
It didn't stop you.
Because I don't agree.
You got brothers on the force.
You think about them? All the time.
But I want to be a detective.
You know how hard I've worked for this.
So you screw over your family for your ambition? I didn't do this to hurt anyone.
I am sorry that I.
A.
had the only opening available, but I am not gonna let some biased opinion-- Biased? You have no idea what you're talking about! I've dealt with I.
A.
They're a bunch of assholes out to get good cops! That is not true.
I am doing my best right now to help a cop out-- he's the one being the asshole.
Did I teach you nothing? Five years on the streets teach you nothing? There's a code that we live by, that every cop lives by-- we protect our own.
What's it all about Alfie? is it just for the moment we live? what's it all-- Oh, no! Uh-- Should have known it was you.
Are you following me? No, but I would say calamity does.
- You're funny.
- Thank you.
Hey, how do you do your job without shooting yourself? Oh, I just have to focus Really hard.
But it makes me extremely tired, so by the end of the day I just say to hell with it and return to my usual state of klutziness.
So how was your date? I don't know if I'd call it a date.
- We just had coffee.
- Oh.
Mackie's nice.
We're going to the game on Sunday.
- Game? - The Bears.
She agreed to go to a Bears game? Yeah.
You did explain to Mackie that it was football, right? She seemed excited.
Well, I have season tickets.
- You have season tickets? - Yeah.
But I won a bet off a buddy, got us sideline passes.
- Oh - Be first time on the field.
Should be fun.
- Wow.
- Should I, uh Oh, thank--thank you.
Always happy to help you.
I should probably check out before I do any more damage.
That's probably a good idea.
Okay.
Yeah.
You doing anything now? Buying my groceries.
I meant after.
I thought we could grab a pizza, do that catching up.
Sure.
Why not? Married? - Two years.
You okay? - I'm fine.
So what happened? Oh, do you mind me asking that? No.
Uh, I just made a mistake.
I mean, I said "I do.
" I knew I didn't.
And then I spent the next two years trying to convince myself that it could work.
Mm, I hear that.
Wow, married.
What about you? Me married? No.
Weren't you dating some musician? Yeah, that's been over for a while.
- What about now? You in love? - No.
Why not? Uh, because the only guys that seem to like me these days are Viking fans, so But you're excluding me from that statement, right? I like you, Abby.
I always have.
Look, I-- you're great.
And I just-- it's okay.
- You don't have to explain.
- Yes, I do.
It's just I've got a lot happening in my life right now.
I just made detective, and half my family hates me.
I'm dealing with a lot, so I--I can't-- I gotta go.
I'm sorry.
I should just Thanks for the-- - Hey! - Hey, Richie.
- What you thinking about? - Nothing.
Must be something.
You've burnt the hell out of your marshmallow.
Oh, damn.
So why aren't you at home with your lovely wife? Oh, Laura's at some meeting for something to do with something or-- I have no idea what.
You talk to dad? Uh-huh.
And? I've never seen him this mad.
Are you all right? Want a piece? Nah, I gotta watch my girlish figure.
You ever ride with Roy Taggot? Mm-mm.
No.
Heard he's in some kind of trouble.
Yeah.
Bar fight.
You think he's a good cop? - Oh, man.
- What? You want me to be your snitch.
I love you.
You know I've always got your back.
But come on, Abby I.
A.
? Don't ask me to be a part of that.
Hey I need to see you.
Hey, you don't have to go.
I thought we'd grab some pizza or something.
Brody, that's not a good idea.
Because of your brother? Yeah.
He wouldn't-- I get it.
It's cool.
Okay, bye.
Where's breakfast? You want it, you make it.
I hate cereal.
Why am I being punished for your daughter's mistake? She didn't make a mistake.
She made a decision about her life, which you don't agree with.
- And you do? - It doesn't matter.
And by the way, Abby's our daughter, and we back her, right or wrong, regardless of personal feelings.
- That's what parents do.
- Not this time.
Then you better get used to cereal.
Hey, guess whose neighbor called the police to report domestic abuse? - Taggot beats his wife.
- Mm-hmm.
And maybe his mistress? It would explain why Valerie is so messed up.
But the wife never filed charges.
- Most of them don't.
- Well, the neighbor said this isn't the first time he'd heard yelling.
When the cops showed up, they found the wife crying, Taggot's hand bleeding.
He said he accidentally cut himself while gardening.
Well, you questioned him.
What do you think? I don't know.
I'll call the local hospitals, see how many times Mrs.
Taggot has visited the E.
R.
We're still missing something.
We need to talk to Taggot.
But he's on vacation.
I have it on good authority that he's vacationing at home.
I may have left the streets, but I kept my informants.
Are you sure this is the right address? Looks like Taggot might be hiding more than just domestic abuse.
Is that my ice sculpture? No, dear.
What are you doing here? We need to ask you a few questions.
Come around back.
Okay, what do you want? We want to know why you've been to the E.
R.
six times in the past year.
I'm a cop.
We get hurt.
That's what we thought, only we couldn't find any record of you being injured on the job.
Which means you've been getting into fights that aren't being reported.
Beating up your wife wasn't enough? - I don't hit my wife.
- Cut the crap.
We know about the domestic abuse.
You don't know anything.
Then set us straight.
Because none of this makes sense.
This house, you, your wife.
I'm not allowed to love someone with money? And risk it all for a bartender? How'd you get the scratches on your arm? We know you didn't get them from the bar fight.
Stray cat.
Where's she going? To check your wife's nails.
- She didn't mean it.
- Which time? Was it when you had to stay overnight in the hospital with a concussion? Or the fractured wrist? Or maybe it was the eight stitches in the back of your head.
Why don't you just get a divorce? With her money, I'd be lucky to get weekend visitation.
So that's it? You just continue to be abused? What about your boys? She doesn't hurt them.
You don't have to hit someone to hurt them.
Look, can we just keep this between us? - Long as you tell us the truth.
- Okay.
Just someplace else.
You're lucky I'm craving turkey.
We'll meet you at corner bakery.
Call him.
He's a good lawyer.
Taggot started seeing Valerie three months ago, but before that, she had been dating Joe Penn.
- The plot thickens.
- We got a regular soap opera.
When Valerie broke up with Joe Penn, she didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she told him she just needed some space.
Joe thought she was playing hard to get, so he continued to come to the bar.
Taggot finally had enough, so he told Valerie if she didn't tell Joe to get lost, he would.
Who threw the first punch? Joe Penn.
Taggot was just defending himself, only it turned into a brawl, and Valerie ended up getting hurt when she tried to stop it.
Why didn't Taggot tell you right away? He was scared if the affair came out, his wife might kill him, literally.
Or worse, take his boys away, and he'd never see them again.
A cop being abused by his wife.
That had to be hard to get out of him.
It just all added up.
Along with the money Mrs.
Taggot has, she could have left at any time.
Why doesn't he just get a divorce? Still working on that, sir.
Okay.
Good job, Detectives.
You give me that report first thing tomorrow.
Yeah? Heads or tails? What are we flipping for now? - Who does the report.
- Oh.
Heads.
Kowalski, we just got an officer-involved shooting.
Want it? Thank you, sir.
- Shall I drive? - Save it for homicide.
Welcome to the party.
Jamarcus Lawrence.
15 years old.
Robbed the Quick Mart down the street.
When our boys in blue showed up, he gave chase.
Turned the corner and his gun on the two pursuing officers.
Officer in the lead shot him twice in the chest.
They found a gun two feet away from the body.
- Was it fired? - Waiting on ballistics.
Any witnesses? We're still canvassing the area.
Where's the officer that was involved? Not yet.
Homicide takes the lead.
Hey I need to see you.
There was a game last night? It's called Monday Night Football, Mackie.
It's been around for, like, 40 years.
I'm going to tell them! When? It's already been a week.
I know.
I will.
Sunday dinner.
That's another five days.
- It will be fine.
- No, it won't.
Waiting is only gonna make this worse.
Trust me, nothing could possibly make this any worse.
Very nice.
There was a rock, okay, Mackie? Sir, you really don't have to help me.
- Abby? - Danny! Oh, my gosh.
What's it been, like, three years? I see you're still tripping over things that don't exist.
- Oh, there was a rock.
- No, there wasn't.
- Hi, I'm Mackie.
- Danny Mitchell.
Danny used to work in the D.
A.
's office.
You look good.
You still on patrol? No, actually, today is the first day of my new job-- I made detective.
Congratulations.
Which department? Internal Affairs.
Wow! Bet your family loved that.
Oh, no, she hasn't told them yet.
OhOkay.
Good luck with that.
I should get going.
- It's really great seeing you.
- You too.
Maybe we could grab lunch, catch up.
Yeah, sure.
Sounds great.
Here, call me with a time.
Call me if you need a lawyer.
Thanks.
All right.
He is so cute.
What is the story with you guys? We're just friends.
The guy was totally into you.
No, he wasn't.
- Do you mind if I call him? - No.
- Can I help you? - Uh, Lieutenant Papadol.
Corner office.
seasons don't fear the reaper nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain we can be like they are come on, baby, don't fear the reaper baby, take my hand don't fear the reaper You got your B.
A.
in Criminal Law, Master's in Criminology.
Top of your class at the academy, excellent review by your Captain.
And you aced the Detective exam? - How'd I get so lucky? - Sir? Why Internal Affairs? And don't blow smoke up my ass.
You were the only department with an opening.
I'm flattered.
Lina Flores, wanna meet your new partner, Abby Kowalski? Show her the ropes.
Don't look so worried, I still have three more months.
Sorry-- My husband is a very big man.
Little Carlos takes after his papa.
You're having a boy.
- That's great.
- Not really, I wanted a girl.
Ladies, less chat, more work, eh? Got you two off-duty officers, possible involvement in an altercation with several bar patrons.
Hazy way for a good cop to lose everything.
For sure.
Is Lieutenant Papadol from Toronto? Yeah.
Transferred here a few years back when he married a local.
Word of advice-- don't mention the Stanley Cup.
Oh, park it there.
You looking for their horns and pitchforks? No.
Yes.
Sorry.
We're checking out Roy Taggot and George Lee.
You know 'em? No.
Good.
Heads, you take Taggot, tails, Lee.
Officer Taggot, Detective Kowalski.
SoWhat happened last night? - Read my report.
- I did.
You spelled "verbal" wrong.
Complaint stated that you slammed a bar stool over Mr.
Penn's head.
The guy was a jackass.
The guy was a jackass? Seriously? That-- what does that mean? Are you saying that's why you hit him, or are you just commenting on his personality? I'm trying to help you.
This isn't your first complaint.
You already have a prior for fighting.
Do you really want this on your record? Look, Taggot, I get it.
I do.
You and your partner were having a beer, trying to unwind, and this jackass Uh, Joe Penn comes over and starts mouthing off.
Maybe it was about the Cubs, maybe it was about Chicago's new mayor, I don't know.
But this Joe Penn crossed a line somehow, and you felt you needed to step in and deal with it.
Or not.
If I'm anywhere close, just grunt.
Read my report.
Lee says he and Taggot had been there about an hour, had a couple of beers, were about to leave when this Joe Penn got into a fight with another patron.
He and Taggot stepped in to break it up.
How'd you do? Yeah, that's pretty much what Taggot said.
Hey, Sis.
I'll just be a minute.
Donny, Steve.
Hey.
What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out busting bad guys? The shift doesn't start till 11:00.
Yeah, but this isn't your station.
Why are you acting weirder than usual? - I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- Yeah, you really are.
- Way beyond your normal weird.
Well, I'm just surprised to see you guys here, that's all.
So why are you here? To wish Sean Dunn good luck.
We talked about this last night.
It's his last day.
He's moving to Tampa.
Is any of this ringing a bell for you? Right.
Yes.
Right.
Well, you-- you should go do that.
I don't want to keep you.
- Abby.
- Yes? What are you doing here? And why aren't you in uniform? Look, I really didn't want to talk about this here.
I was gonna tell you all last night, but then I thought I should probably tell you at Sunday dinner.
- Abby, you're rambling.
- No, I'm not.
Isn't that that bitch from I.
A.
? Her name is Lina Flores, and she's not a bitch.
She's my partner.
Well, she might be a bitch.
I don't really know yet.
I just started.
- What are you talking about? - Partner? I made detective and took an opening in Internal Affairs.
- You what? - Does dad know about this? No! And please don't say anything.
This is so typical of you.
What is that supposed to mean? Figure it out.
He-- Abby.
Those your brothers? Both cops.
And you went to I.
A.
? - Mm-hmm.
- Are you crazy? Apparently.
I'll take the lead on this.
You jump in if you have a question.
Joe Penn? Yeah.
We need to talk to you about the complaint you filed.
I already told you guys everything last night.
We're with Internal Affairs.
We conduct our own investigation.
I'm kinda busy.
You wanna retract your statement? Then tell us what happened.
I'm drinking a beer, talking to my buds.
Out of nowhere, this dickmo flies-- - Which dickmo would that be? - The big ugly one.
Taggot? He starts going off on Val.
- Who's Val? - The bartender.
Taggot was drunk.
How do you know? - You could tell.
- But how? Were you sitting next to him? Did you buy his drinks, count how many he had? Was he slurring his words, stumbling-- Why would you assume officer Taggot was drunk? 'Cause Val was trying to cut him off.
He goes nuts.
Shoves her up against the wall.
Me and my buds step in to try and help Next thing I know, I'm in E.
R.
getting stitches.
We're gonna need the names of all your buds.
- Hey, Richie.
- Batten down the hatches.
Brother big-mouth strikes again.
Damn it.
Did Steve call you? Uh-huh.
I told him not to tell anyone.
Does dad know? Well, I haven't heard any yelling, so I'd say no.
You want to meet for lunch? Yes.
Usual? Richie? Richie! Yeah, I'll see you there.
All right.
- Boyfriend? - Brother.
Another brother.
How many you got? - Three.
- He a patrol cop too? Oh, yeah.
Three brothers, all patrol cops.
And my dad.
You had to know they'd be upset.
Well, yeah, that's why I didn't tell 'em.
Growing up, I.
A.
was worse than the bogeyman in my house.
Then why take the job? Because I want to be a detective.
When I passed the exam, they gave me a choice-- I.
A.
or back to patrol-- I took I.
A.
Double chili cheeseburger.
You want something? - No.
- Mm-hmm.
You hate the streets that much? No, it's just not my goal.
I did patrol because it was required.
Then just wait for another department to open up.
For how long? I've already spent five years of my life on patrol.
Now I'm required to put in two more years on the job before I can even think about moving up to homicide.
Homicide? That's your goal? So that's how it is? I.
A.
's just another requirement.
The minute your time's up with us, you're history? And I.
A.
was always your goal? No.
But that's completely different.
I was pregnant with my first son.
I had to get off the street.
I understand, but why are you so upset? Because I love this job.
I may have joined I.
A.
because of the great hours, but I stay because I believe in what we do.
Unlike you, I'm not just biding my time.
I am not biding my time.
Okay, I am, kinda, but that doesn't change anything.
I still plan on doing the best job I can do while I'm here.
How lucky for us.
I would never have taken this job if I didn't respect what I.
A.
does.
We investigate our own.
When they've done something wrong.
But I.
A.
also defends and clears the innocent when wrongly accused.
Nice.
You been practicing that? - How'd it sound? - Good.
But I'm not the one you need to convince.
Joe Penn was a whiner.
Wanted morphine for four stitches.
I handed him off to an intern.
What about Valerie McDougal? Valerie was brought in about 1:00 a.
m.
She was involved in the same bar fight as Joe Penn-- come on! The bartender-- she was pretty messed up.
Two broken ribs and a busted lip.
I wrapped the ribs, glued her lip, and gave her some pain meds and told her to take it easy.
Is Valerie still here? No.
Her boyfriend came and picked her up around 3:00 a.
m.
boyfriend? Yeah.
Some big ugly-looking cop.
- How'd you know he was a cop? - Ha.
Flashed his badge.
How'd you know he was her boyfriend? I saw 'em kissing.
- Anything else? - No.
- Thanks for your help.
- Yeah.
Big and ugly.
Man, this case is just getting better and better.
If Taggot picked her up, she's probably at his place.
Doubtful.
He's married.
I know.
Right? Why don't you take the lead on this one? - Really? - Sure.
What are you doing? Uh, exercise.
I'll meet you up there.
We just need to ask you a few questions about last night.
I'm a little drugged.
Pain killers.
Right.
Well, this won't take long.
How well do you know off-- How well do you know Officer Taggot? - Who? - Officer Taggot.
He your boyfriend? No, no.
Then why did he pick you up last night from the hospital? That's right, we know about that.
He just--he felt bad that I got hurt.
Valerie, hey, whoa! FocusOkay? Mm-hmm.
Tell us what happened.
Joe was coming on to me, and I told him no.
And Officer Taggot told him to get lost.
And all hell broke loose.
So who started the fight? JoeI think.
Maybe it was Bobby.
I don't know.
It all happened so fast.
Did Officer Taggot hit you or shove you at any time, even by accident? No.
No way.
It wasn't him.
How could you be so sure if it all happened so fast? 'Cause Roy would never, never Valerie? Okay, Valerie? Valerie.
Going down is much faster.
- You claustrophobic? - Just a tad.
I'm scared of heights.
We make a call on Sears Tower, it's all you.
You do realize they have an elevator? - They also have stairs.
- It's 108 floors.
That's not my problem.
A Polish, uh, mustard, and a jumbo.
There she is.
How are you? Good.
Ow! Richie! It was cute when you were five.
Shut up and help me.
Ah! Freed.
Hey, abSent-minded.
What is he doing here? You know Brody's my partner.
He comes with the car.
I'll catch you later.
Could he be any more disgusting? Ha ha.
You don't want to know.
Did you tell Steve you knew? Hell, no.
This is your mess.
I'm just a shoulder to cry on.
I appreciate it.
Mom knows.
Is she mad? You know, more hurt than mad.
I told you to tell 'em last night.
I couldn't.
The Bears were winning.
Everybody was really happy.
Exactly! Always take advantage of a good mood.
Well, you could always quit.
Just a thought.
I think it's time you take this to a higher power.
You got nothing to say? Nope.
All good.
Father Bardini says he hasn't seen you in months.
So much for the seal of confession.
That's only inside the box.
Good to know.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
You had your reasons.
I didn't want you in the middle.
Oh, honey, when it comes to you kids and your father, I'm always in the middle.
How bad is it gonna be? Do you remember the time you and Stevie painted Richie purple? Oh, damn it! You didn't ask his advice.
You joined Internal Affairs.
And don't swear in the Lord's house.
I didn't think I had to ask his permission.
How long have you known your father? It was my decision.
Do you want him to forgive you or not? For becoming a detective? For living my life? Sorry.
What do I do? Bake him a cake.
Chocolate.
A cake? Seriously? It'll soften the blow.
It doesn't matter what I do.
He is never going to forgive me.
Of course he will.
You're his only daughter.
He has to.
Congratulations, by the way.
- Thank you.
- How's it going? Good.
Good.
Okay, talk to your father soon, please, because I need your help on Saturday with the Novack wedding.
They want five additional cakes.
Cakes.
Mom-- mom! Mom.
What? You don't even ask anymore, you just assume? What if I have plans? Do you? - That's not the point.
- What's the point? That I could have.
What time Saturday? 8:00 a.
m.
I love you.
I don't know how to tell him.
Honey, ever since you could crawl, you've been out to prove a point-- that you could do whatever your brothers could do, only you could do it better.
And you've always been way too smart, except where it comes to your father.
You're 30 years old.
When are you gonna stop looking for his approval? I thought we were going out.
When I'm done.
Wouldn't a cake mix be faster? I want my dad to forgive me, not disown me.
Oh, hey, Kelly's Lot is performing in Millennium Park on Sunday at 1:00 p.
m.
- I don't know who that is.
- Exactly.
It'll be good for you.
Sorry, can't.
Bears are playing.
I thought you said they played last night.
Yeah, it's kinda like a weekly thing.
- Couldn't you TiVo the game? - I don't TiVo my Bears.
I have to cheer in real time.
You do know they can't hear you.
I called Danny.
We're going out tomorrow.
- You just met him.
- Well, that's how it works.
You meet a guy you like, you go out--it's called dating.
Are you mad? 'Cause you said it was okay.
- I'm not mad.
- You're acting mad.
I am just bewildered at the speed in which you work.
He's single, good-looking, and has a job.
I'm bewildered as to why you haven't snagged him for yourself.
We're just friends.
Right.
So what's wrong with this guy? Nothing.
I just don't want a relationship right now.
Who said anything about a relationship? I'm talking dating.
Yes.
But dating leads to a relationship, which leads to marriage, which leads to kids.
And suddenly my days are nothing more than driving from one soccer game to the next, and I just can't handle that right now.
Abby, it has been two years since you broke up with-- okay, his name shall not be spoken.
When are you gonna get over this? I am over it! I'm just not looking for another one.
Okay.
But if you change your mind, you've got his number.
- Don't put that there.
- Fine.
Hey.
I need to see you.
Good night, Brody.
Thanks for coming in.
- Who was that? - Bobby Sheridan.
- Joe Penn's friend.
- Bobby? - Yeah.
- Detective Kowalski.
Thanks so much for coming in.
Mm.
Short fingernails.
How did Taggot get those scratches? We got other things to worry about.
Bobby just confirmed everything Joe said, word for word.
Looks like Joe and his buds got some solid rehearsal time.
I hate it when they lie to my face.
Your sister dating anybody? - Why? - Just asking.
I would kill you! - Bro - Without hesitation.
- I thought we were tight.
- We are.
As long as you stay away from my sister.
You're not really her type.
Well, what's her type? No idea.
Thank you.
Taggot took his family on vacation.
- That's convenient.
- Mm.
Captain said he had a few days coming, so he took 'em.
No Biggie.
His words, not mine.
You got a letter, Detective.
What? Warning or threat? Either way, get used to it.
We always give these to Papadol.
Hey.
Hi, kiddo.
How's my favorite daughter? Good.
Made you a cake.
Mmm.
Hello.
A cake, huh? What's going on? Can't a girl bake her dad a cake for no reason? And visit him in the middle of the day when she should be at work? What did you do? I didn't do anything.
Okay, I did do something, but it's not bad.
It's just, I knew how you were gonna feel about it, so I I made detective, and I took an opening in I.
A.
Dad, please.
Did your mother know about this? This has nothing to do with mom.
I made this decision on my own.
Why didn't you ask me? I already know how you feel about I.
A.
I know what you would've said.
It didn't stop you.
Because I don't agree.
You got brothers on the force.
You think about them? All the time.
But I want to be a detective.
You know how hard I've worked for this.
So you screw over your family for your ambition? I didn't do this to hurt anyone.
I am sorry that I.
A.
had the only opening available, but I am not gonna let some biased opinion-- Biased? You have no idea what you're talking about! I've dealt with I.
A.
They're a bunch of assholes out to get good cops! That is not true.
I am doing my best right now to help a cop out-- he's the one being the asshole.
Did I teach you nothing? Five years on the streets teach you nothing? There's a code that we live by, that every cop lives by-- we protect our own.
What's it all about Alfie? is it just for the moment we live? what's it all-- Oh, no! Uh-- Should have known it was you.
Are you following me? No, but I would say calamity does.
- You're funny.
- Thank you.
Hey, how do you do your job without shooting yourself? Oh, I just have to focus Really hard.
But it makes me extremely tired, so by the end of the day I just say to hell with it and return to my usual state of klutziness.
So how was your date? I don't know if I'd call it a date.
- We just had coffee.
- Oh.
Mackie's nice.
We're going to the game on Sunday.
- Game? - The Bears.
She agreed to go to a Bears game? Yeah.
You did explain to Mackie that it was football, right? She seemed excited.
Well, I have season tickets.
- You have season tickets? - Yeah.
But I won a bet off a buddy, got us sideline passes.
- Oh - Be first time on the field.
Should be fun.
- Wow.
- Should I, uh Oh, thank--thank you.
Always happy to help you.
I should probably check out before I do any more damage.
That's probably a good idea.
Okay.
Yeah.
You doing anything now? Buying my groceries.
I meant after.
I thought we could grab a pizza, do that catching up.
Sure.
Why not? Married? - Two years.
You okay? - I'm fine.
So what happened? Oh, do you mind me asking that? No.
Uh, I just made a mistake.
I mean, I said "I do.
" I knew I didn't.
And then I spent the next two years trying to convince myself that it could work.
Mm, I hear that.
Wow, married.
What about you? Me married? No.
Weren't you dating some musician? Yeah, that's been over for a while.
- What about now? You in love? - No.
Why not? Uh, because the only guys that seem to like me these days are Viking fans, so But you're excluding me from that statement, right? I like you, Abby.
I always have.
Look, I-- you're great.
And I just-- it's okay.
- You don't have to explain.
- Yes, I do.
It's just I've got a lot happening in my life right now.
I just made detective, and half my family hates me.
I'm dealing with a lot, so I--I can't-- I gotta go.
I'm sorry.
I should just Thanks for the-- - Hey! - Hey, Richie.
- What you thinking about? - Nothing.
Must be something.
You've burnt the hell out of your marshmallow.
Oh, damn.
So why aren't you at home with your lovely wife? Oh, Laura's at some meeting for something to do with something or-- I have no idea what.
You talk to dad? Uh-huh.
And? I've never seen him this mad.
Are you all right? Want a piece? Nah, I gotta watch my girlish figure.
You ever ride with Roy Taggot? Mm-mm.
No.
Heard he's in some kind of trouble.
Yeah.
Bar fight.
You think he's a good cop? - Oh, man.
- What? You want me to be your snitch.
I love you.
You know I've always got your back.
But come on, Abby I.
A.
? Don't ask me to be a part of that.
Hey I need to see you.
Hey, you don't have to go.
I thought we'd grab some pizza or something.
Brody, that's not a good idea.
Because of your brother? Yeah.
He wouldn't-- I get it.
It's cool.
Okay, bye.
Where's breakfast? You want it, you make it.
I hate cereal.
Why am I being punished for your daughter's mistake? She didn't make a mistake.
She made a decision about her life, which you don't agree with.
- And you do? - It doesn't matter.
And by the way, Abby's our daughter, and we back her, right or wrong, regardless of personal feelings.
- That's what parents do.
- Not this time.
Then you better get used to cereal.
Hey, guess whose neighbor called the police to report domestic abuse? - Taggot beats his wife.
- Mm-hmm.
And maybe his mistress? It would explain why Valerie is so messed up.
But the wife never filed charges.
- Most of them don't.
- Well, the neighbor said this isn't the first time he'd heard yelling.
When the cops showed up, they found the wife crying, Taggot's hand bleeding.
He said he accidentally cut himself while gardening.
Well, you questioned him.
What do you think? I don't know.
I'll call the local hospitals, see how many times Mrs.
Taggot has visited the E.
R.
We're still missing something.
We need to talk to Taggot.
But he's on vacation.
I have it on good authority that he's vacationing at home.
I may have left the streets, but I kept my informants.
Are you sure this is the right address? Looks like Taggot might be hiding more than just domestic abuse.
Is that my ice sculpture? No, dear.
What are you doing here? We need to ask you a few questions.
Come around back.
Okay, what do you want? We want to know why you've been to the E.
R.
six times in the past year.
I'm a cop.
We get hurt.
That's what we thought, only we couldn't find any record of you being injured on the job.
Which means you've been getting into fights that aren't being reported.
Beating up your wife wasn't enough? - I don't hit my wife.
- Cut the crap.
We know about the domestic abuse.
You don't know anything.
Then set us straight.
Because none of this makes sense.
This house, you, your wife.
I'm not allowed to love someone with money? And risk it all for a bartender? How'd you get the scratches on your arm? We know you didn't get them from the bar fight.
Stray cat.
Where's she going? To check your wife's nails.
- She didn't mean it.
- Which time? Was it when you had to stay overnight in the hospital with a concussion? Or the fractured wrist? Or maybe it was the eight stitches in the back of your head.
Why don't you just get a divorce? With her money, I'd be lucky to get weekend visitation.
So that's it? You just continue to be abused? What about your boys? She doesn't hurt them.
You don't have to hit someone to hurt them.
Look, can we just keep this between us? - Long as you tell us the truth.
- Okay.
Just someplace else.
You're lucky I'm craving turkey.
We'll meet you at corner bakery.
Call him.
He's a good lawyer.
Taggot started seeing Valerie three months ago, but before that, she had been dating Joe Penn.
- The plot thickens.
- We got a regular soap opera.
When Valerie broke up with Joe Penn, she didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she told him she just needed some space.
Joe thought she was playing hard to get, so he continued to come to the bar.
Taggot finally had enough, so he told Valerie if she didn't tell Joe to get lost, he would.
Who threw the first punch? Joe Penn.
Taggot was just defending himself, only it turned into a brawl, and Valerie ended up getting hurt when she tried to stop it.
Why didn't Taggot tell you right away? He was scared if the affair came out, his wife might kill him, literally.
Or worse, take his boys away, and he'd never see them again.
A cop being abused by his wife.
That had to be hard to get out of him.
It just all added up.
Along with the money Mrs.
Taggot has, she could have left at any time.
Why doesn't he just get a divorce? Still working on that, sir.
Okay.
Good job, Detectives.
You give me that report first thing tomorrow.
Yeah? Heads or tails? What are we flipping for now? - Who does the report.
- Oh.
Heads.
Kowalski, we just got an officer-involved shooting.
Want it? Thank you, sir.
- Shall I drive? - Save it for homicide.
Welcome to the party.
Jamarcus Lawrence.
15 years old.
Robbed the Quick Mart down the street.
When our boys in blue showed up, he gave chase.
Turned the corner and his gun on the two pursuing officers.
Officer in the lead shot him twice in the chest.
They found a gun two feet away from the body.
- Was it fired? - Waiting on ballistics.
Any witnesses? We're still canvassing the area.
Where's the officer that was involved? Not yet.
Homicide takes the lead.
Hey I need to see you.