Walker: Independence (2022) s01e02 Episode Script

Aren't you a handsome fella?
Morning, Sheriff.
Can I help you find something?
Yeah, I hope so.
Your slaughterhouse nearby?
Are you looking for something?
I'm not sure.
But I need to know why
my husband was killed.
And I can't leave until Sheriff
Davidson pays for what he did.
Why, exactly
did we come back to this place?
To see if anything was taken.
Scavengers could've been
out here already.
Taken anything valuable.
He knows from experience.
Hey, who are you? Who is this guy?
- Why are we trusting him?
- Calian found me out here.
I'd be dead without him.
I trust him with my life.
More than I can say for a man
who held me at gunpoint
in a bank yesterday.
And why would you tell him that?
I already figured it out.
Yeah, I bet you did.
So I'm supposed to trust a stranger
- who helps us how?
- I found
another set of tracks.
So someone was with Davidson?
- Maybe a witness?
- Or an accomplice.
Probably that deputy of his.
We can trust Augustus.
I've known him for years.
He's loyal to this town.
There's a lot of trust going around.
Your friend there
almost arrested me
at the show last night.
Well, you did rob a bank.
Look, I-I just work better alone.
Didn't you suspect the Davidsons
of stealing the cattle
from Lucia's ranch?
Do you really think
it's going to stop there?
If we are going to figure out
what he's really up to,
you two have to work together.
- That's Liam's cigar case.
- It's empty.
Too bad.
Could use a smoke.
He used to keep
his father's pocket watch,
his-his journal in here.
What, you find something else?
Liam made it.
He said this is where
we were going to live together.
I know that place.
It's over the next hill.
I can take you.
I need to see it.
Miss Walker.
What are you doing out here?
Sheriff Davidson.
So what do you think of the place?
Just moved in.
It's a town tradition
for the sheriff to live here.
But I guess you already knew that.
Yes. I went to the sheriff's
office looking for you and
heard you were here.
You wanted to talk about the robbery?
Yes. The robbery.
I was looking for you.
Turns out we found each other.
Looks that way.
Must've been a harrowing ordeal,
being taken hostage like that.
Terrifying, not knowing
what might happen next.
- Any idea who it was?
- Not yet.
Augustus and I are still
talking to witnesses.
But anything you can remember
would be of great help.
He was
covering his face.
With a bandana.
His hair was red.
A-Average height, build. Um
perhaps on the skinny side.
I really wish I could remember more.
Well
better than some of
the ladies at the bank.
Mesmerized by his blue eyes.
Imagine that being what you recall.
It's strange what you remember
during something like that.
Well, maybe more detail
will occur to you in time.
But until then
I promise I'll do
everything in my power
to catch the man who did it.
You have family?
I mean
will anyone be living here with you?
I hope to have a family one day.
You're new here, too, I understand.
Folks at the bank
said they never seen you
in Independence before.
I'm passing through.
Friends in town. I haven't
decided how long I'll stay.
Well, maybe dinner would change that.
With you?
Well, I got a whole welcome
party on my first day here.
It's only fair, after what's happened,
that you get a decent
welcome to town, too.
I have other matters to attend to.
Another time.
Another time.
What are you upset about now, Kate?
You still haven't paid
the dancers and you know it.
I will. In time.
Once I pay the vendors.
The repairs for our new sheriff's
coronation.
Pay the girls. You might not
have a show next week.
- Can't afford new costumes.
- No one's gonna care
if there are no dancers to wear them.
You never know.
I hear something's going around.
We might all get sick.
I'll do my best.
Now can you buzz around someone else?
Asking questions.
Making demands.
Say,
what do you think
of that new sheriff, huh?
Oh, come on. You were
at a table with him all night.
What do you think?
I think he wants to buy us out.
Mm. I love when you say "us".
Fly away, little bee.
Buzz, buzz, honey.
Tracks. Try to keep up.
Oh, hell no.
Come on, Cordell!
Right behind you.
It's the same tracks, Calian.
They head back to town.
These are in mud.
They make as strong an impression as me?
Horseshoes.
Stars.
All right.
Let's go see a man about a horse.
The blacksmith.
Ah. I get it.
Not everyone in town likes you.
I'll ride ahead, do the talking. You
watch from wherever you
do your watching from.
These horseshoe stars are a little
distinct.
Did you make any of these
the last few days?
Yeah. Customers.
Right.
Any not so stand-up customers?
New faces in town?
Like yours?
- Why you asking?
- Well,
I'm trying to track down
a friend of a friend who
rode on a horse
with those horseshoes of yours.
Hoyt Rawlins.
Good seeing you again.
Deputy.
You know, I been talking
to folks from the bank.
Turns out you fit
the description of the robber.
Is that a fact?
Hard to identify a man
wearing a bandana.
Oh, I never said he did.
Eh, seems to make sense
if you don't want to get caught.
You know?
You know, you sound
like quite the expert.
Maybe me and you should have a little
conversation.
Yeah.
Wonder what she's thinking.
You stroll back into town
only to be questioned
the day after a robbery.
How dare you.
My husband was at
Hagan's show last night.
Wouldn't shut up about
some little Mexican singer
in a red dress.
My red dress,
stolen off my clothesline yesterday.
I know it was you.
I want my dress returned
or I'll take it up with the sheriff.
I can help.
I'm sorry?
Come by my laundry this afternoon.
I will make it better.
Maybe later.
Take a seat.
So
how can I help you catch him?
Well
where were you yesterday?
I was out for a ride.
- Mm.
- Told you.
Before that.
Oh.
I was at Hagan's with Lucia Reyes.
She'll vouch for me.
But do me a favor,
don't talk to her family.
- She's not supposed to be
- What?
Associating with your kind?
Where you working while you're in town?
I'm out at the Reyes ranch.
Turns out, someone's
stealing their cattle.
Might want to look into that.
It must've been hard
being passed over for sheriff.
Let me make this clear.
I don't need a star to do my job.
I keep this town safe, so
let's try again.
You see anything, hear anything,
maybe at the saloon
- that'll help.
- Y-You know what?
I-I did hear something.
Uh, but a little parched.
You got anything to drink around here?
Feet off the table.
Mm.
Tell you what.
Cattle rustling?
Bank robbery?
It's a regular crime spree around here.
Oh, water?
Huh-uh. Whiskey's what'd make me talk.
Out.
It's always a pleasure, Deputy.
Sure is.
Sheriff.
- Is everything all right in there?
- Yeah, just
offering my assistance
to find that bank robber.
Oh, by the way, is there a reward
if I track 'em down myself?
Yeah, his horse.
Brown gelding with a Grey tail.
Only thing witnesses can agree on.
Find that horse, you find the man.
Spit it out, Augustus.
See you got something on your mind.
Reyes family had some cattle
stolen the other night.
Just wondering if there's a connection.
Cattle thief and a bank robber?
Seems like a stretch.
You know, you should take that
to Sung's Laundry.
Kai will stitch that right up for you.
Prefer it that way.
Reminder to be more careful.
Any correspondence for me?
I'm waiting for a letter from my father.
I didn't get a chance to go through it.
Your father, huh?
Oh, I imagine he's mighty proud
of his son's new position.
He's a difficult man to please.
Sheriff?
Everything all right?
Just another reminder
to be more careful.
Calian? Where's Hoyt?
Being questioned
at the sheriff's office.
Well, that can't be good.
How exactly did he get himself
Your wound.
It looks infected.
I've-I've been trying to keep it clean.
Can I look at it?
Is that okay?
Yeah.
So this is where you ran off to.
Kate, uh
This is Calian.
Pleasure to meet you.
I didn't see you after the show.
But my offer still stands if you, uh
if you need a place to stay.
Thank you. I-I still need
- to think about it.
- That's no problem.
In the meantime,
if you need to borrow a dress,
you let me know.
And then there were four.
I'm not sure what
that's supposed to mean.
But I am sure you need a shower.
It's a nice little umbrella.
I'm delicate.
- Well, what do you have to say for yourself?
- Easy.
Talked my way out of far worse.
So, spoke to Calian's pal, Gus.
Told him about our cattle rustlers.
Figure if he looks into it,
ties the theft
back to the Davidson family,
he'll start suspecting that
slick sheriff he's all
holstered up with.
Mm. You say anything else?
I didn't want to overstay my welcome.
But there, uh, was a little,
slight problem.
Wouldn't by chance have
anything to do with that?
All right, everybody, step back.
Well, no one could identify me, but
I always knew it'd end this way.
Liam's rifle,
my law book were in that saddlebag.
Last night Augustus
wanted me to track you.
The bank robber.
What're you gonna do about that, huh?
- Lock me up?
- You really don't trust anyone, do you?
Look, right now,
you are wanted
whether you like it or not.
And we are your best chance
at not being caught.
I'm glad you came.
I'm not sure why I did.
Please.
I saw you and the woman.
She was not in the best of moods.
So you know?
I know you need a new dress.
Do you mind?
What is your favorite color?
Favorite color?
- Yes.
- Red. Green.
Yellow.
I saw you at the show.
I wasn't the only one there.
You made a loud place quiet.
Not easy to do at Hagan's.
Thank you, but
you were there to see someone else.
The dancer. The wild one.
Kate?
- Does she know?
- Not until I tell her.
H-How long have you been together?
You and the cowboy?
I don't really know
if we are really together.
Sheriff Davidson.
Liam.
Let's quiet down, folks.
Rode out of town looking for a trail
on yesterday's bank robber.
Found tracks that led
up the hill, just south of here.
I came across a shallow grave.
I knew something was amiss.
Wasn't even buried proper,
so I dug him out.
Discovered he'd been shot in the back.
And I found papers on this person
that identifies him as Liam Collins.
He was to be sheriff of Independence.
Oh, my God.
Went missing a week ago,
and by that time
the county judge reached out to me.
And I take no pride in saying
I filled this man's shoes.
And now that I know his fate,
I will not rest until
I catch his killer.
And I have reason
to believe that the murderer
is the same man who robbed our bank.
The tracks on the hill
are from the same horse
the robber rode on.
I will find him.
And he will hang.
Along with anyone else
who helped aid this evil bastard.
Did you know the man?
No.
- What did you do?
- Ah, lookit!
Got some fire under
all that noble buckskin.
Well, for someone we didn't turn in,
you have a funny way of thanking us.
Tell us what happened. The truth.
Fine. I did it, but it's your fault.
- You said trust people.
- You are unbelievable.
And you said trust Gus.
So I left a note where the body was.
If he found it,
he'd wonder who get served
by killing the man, right?
Think it's that new sheriff
who just rolled into town.
That was the best hand to play.
I guess Davidson found the note first.
Or Gus told him about it.
From now on, we all decide
the best hand to play.
Hoyt, I need you to do things I can't.
Things he can't.
And I know you want to get
to the bottom of this as much
- as we do.
- Hey, where the hell you going?
- I need to talk to Augustus.
- The hell?
We're not even sure
he didn't help Davidson.
I need to find out what he knows.
If he can be trusted.
I used our Pinkerton connections
to look into that last sheriff,
Liam Collins. His records
show he was married.
- Where'd the wife go?
- Exactly.
This is all very intriguing, Kate.
It is, but we
we're being paid to keep
an eye on the railroads.
And all the crime and
corruption that follows.
Yeah, Hell on Wheels, I know.
Well, I'm just working
at Hagan's for the ambience.
It looks like you are.
Look, all I'm saying is
one sheriff is killed,
new sheriff comes to town.
Town that may be directly in the
path of the railroads out here.
Add a missing wife.
Yeah, and that is
a lot of dots to connect.
It's a good thing I like patterns.
While you were looking
into the old sheriff,
I was looking into the new sheriff.
Tom Davidson. Wealthy family back east.
He has ties to steel.
They make trains and railroads
out of steel, last I checked.
Yes, they do. And he
has family out west, too.
Cattle ranchers.
New sheriff would help the
family business on both sides.
Boy, look at us.
Connecting the dots.
- Very funny.
- Mm-hmm.
Keep reporting what
you find and I'm happy
to help however I can, but
do not go looking for something
that is not there, Kate.
- What happened back east
- Yes, thank you, I was there
for that part.
And that doesn't mean I'm not
onto something with this.
- See you next week, Katherine.
- Sure.
Say, you know, as it turns out,
it does take an awful lot
of money to connect dots, you know.
There's, uh, there's informants,
there's bribes.
I do a lot of bribing in my spare time.
- You do a lot of bribing?
- None of your business.
I'll be back.
I was hoping I'd run into
you after Hagan's show.
A lot of guns, a lot of alcohol.
Sometimes that means trouble.
Well, still could've used your
help to catch that bank robber.
And murderer,
if you believe the sheriff.
Mm. You heard what happened.
- You trust him?
- The sheriff?
He seems like a good man.
But even then, sometimes it takes time
before you know the whole
truth about somebody.
You know, I've been
meaning to talk to you
about that, uh, Abby Walker.
Same day you brought her to town
is the same day there's a bank robbery.
Now I find that as bad luck
or one hell of a coincidence.
Hyah!
The sheriff pick up a new trail?
Guess so. Why, that bother you?
He's been here two days.
You've been here two years.
Does that bother you?
If he's really on the trail
of a bank robber,
a killer
don't you think he'd need
someone to watch his back?
Especially after what happened
to the last sheriff.
You were hired to take cattle.
Not lose cattle.
It's one stray. What's the big deal?
Cows were branded by a family.
They're now spreading rumors
about their cattle being stolen.
It ain't a rumor, Tom.
I don't like loose ends, Griffin.
So you here to pay us the other half?
Where were you last week?
Any chance you were
out by the wagon trail,
just northeast of here?
What are you getting at, Tom?
Hey, someone's here.
You're under arrest
for the murder of Liam Collins.
Those tracks we found earlier,
horseshoe stars,
lead to where he and
the others were hiding out.
Looks like the sheriff
found his fall guy.
Better him than me.
Whoever he is, he's innocent.
That's not the man who shot my husband.
You saw everyone in town.
They want revenge for your husband.
Sheriff there's making
himself look like a hero.
What do you want to do?
Let's
let's get that prisoner to talk.
You think Tom Davidson's gonna
- let him have his day in court?
- No.
But that won't stop him
from speaking out
against the man trying to hang him.
Not from behind bars.
- Well, then let's break him out.
- Huh.
Yeah, stage a lot of prison
breaks in Boston, did you?
No, but we are no longer in Boston.
And I have a feeling you've
committed your fair share.
Lady
we're not exactly a well-oiled machine.
Well, if we have any chance
at pulling this off,
you two are going to have to figure out
a way to work together
and not get along.
Keep your mouth shut about the cattle,
and I'll get you out of this.
Miss Walker.
Can we help you?
Is that him?
Ma'am, everything points that way.
Is that the man you saw at the bank?
The one who took you hostage?
Like you said
maybe you're still too rattled
to recall every detail.
So will the county judge hear
his case tomorrow?
He shot at me and my deputy.
That's enough to make
him hang in my book.
In your book, but
doesn't the due course of the law
"insure a trial with
as little delay as possible"?
Well, I'll be.
Well, that just rolled off your tongue.
- Where'd you learn that?
- My uncle was a judge back east.
I'd sit in his court after school.
He'd offer me a nickel
if I could learn the statutes.
It was as interesting as Dickens to me.
Well, the county judge
out here advised me
to use my own discretion
in certain cases.
And I think this is one of them.
Well, I'm sure some of the town
would like a sheriff
that exhibits such brute force
in his first days here.
But I wonder if the whole town
might respect a man who
enforces the letter of the law
and yet still finds justice.
Maybe we can discuss this another time.
Maybe over dinner.
If the offer still stands.
We can't take this.
It's your own money.
What are you talking about?
Of course you can take it.
You earned it.
Go buy that kid of yours
a toy or something.
Not a wooden gun.
Thanks for always
taking care of us, Kate.
Yeah, of course.
Carver?
That you buzzing around down there?
Well, I mean, if the hat fits
Yeah, well, none of them do.
That's so sad for you.
I thought about what you said.
And I will pay the dancers.
Next week.
Right, so there is no show
this week, then.
Because I've been meaning
to go on vacation.
I hear the hill country's
beautiful this time of year.
There is a show, and when
I get paid for that show,
I will pay them.
You know, you could always
just take a little bit
off the top of your hat budget.
Maybe sell one of these antiques
you have lying around, Nathaniel.
You know, you've had me
do your books before.
I know you have enough.
Hmm?
Fine.
Tell them to come by in the morning.
If you play cards this evening,
I am throwing you under a wagon.
I'll pay them in the morning.
There.
Was that so tough?
Come in.
- Hi.
- Hello Oh.
I wanted to see
if I could sing here again.
Is this a bad time?
Not in that dress.
Where did you order it from?
Nowhere. Kai made it.
- Did he?
- Isn't he talented?
I'm sure he'd be happy to make you one.
Kate, I'm sorry to interrupt.
Can I borrow a Dr
That is beautiful.
We're gonna need to double the
costuming budget for next week.
Dressed for the part.
To have dinner with my husband's killer.
Doesn't matter who it is.
Thing about being a grifter is
the job's the same.
You're playing a part to fool
whoever's across the table from you.
Trust me.
Hell, I've done it so long,
kind of
kind of lost who I am.
And who I'm supposed to be.
But you?
I'm pretty sure you know who you are.
Who you're supposed to be.
Oh, this ain't gonna be good.
Lucia.
Wait.
Just wait.
- Where'd you get that
- I didn't steal it like you did.
Or the money in the flowers.
You robbed that bank, didn't you?
Keep it down.
It was for your family.
I know you're struggling out there.
I burned it.
Nothing but ash.
Do you know what I risked to get that?
I didn't ask for you to do it.
Miss Walker.
Mm.
Come on in.
You mentioned living in Texarkana.
Mm, a portmanteau.
Is that where you're from?
Moved up and down the east coast.
- What made you head west?
- Fresh start.
Isn't that always the reason?
You're from
New England. Moved around a lot.
You have family who are ranchers?
I overheard it in town.
You hear anything else?
You made an offer to buy Hagan's.
Small town gossip.
Now weren't we supposed
to discuss the letter of the law?
Or would you like some more wine first?
I'm fine.
Put any more thought
into letting a court decide
- your prisoner's
- Your father was a judge?
Uncle.
"Uncle".
In Boston?
Lewiston.
I tried to be the proper New Englander.
Trained to be a schoolteacher,
marry the right man.
But I just remember sitting in court,
watching and listening
to all the men in there,
wondering why I couldn't be an attorney.
You should.
The prisoner.
- His name's Griffin.
- Did he confess?
- They never do.
- If there is even a shadow of a doubt, you can't
He killed a woman.
Prostitute out in Stafford.
'Cause she laughed at him.
He cut her up.
Then he shot the sheriff
who came to arrest him.
Watched him bleed out.
He's wanted in five counties.
Griffin was born a criminal.
And it's time that he
paid for his crimes.
How do you know that he killed
Liam Collins?
'Cause I found this on him.
Initials W.C.
William Collins.
Then a rifle
with the same initials
and a law book belonging to Mr. Collins
in Griffin's saddlebag.
That's enough evidence for me.
Question is
why isn't it enough for you?
Everyone deserves a fair trial.
So why won't you allow him that?
You are the sheriff.
And it's your first case in town.
Any more advice from the New Englander
that should've been an attorney?
About the letter of the law?
Or how to keep the trust of the town?
Keep on moving.
think he is, walking in here?
Beer, please.
Hey.
Flynn, you heard him. Serve the man.
Thanks, scout.
All right, another.
Hey, you, gorgeous!
- This time you don't take it.
- Oh, come on.
Just having a little fun.
Don't you got a stage to dance on?
I'm gonna dance on
your head in a minute,
- you're not careful.
- It's fine.
- Thank you.
- See, scout can handle himself.
Not sure he can handle
his liquor, but
Says the man who can't stand straight.
I can stand straight enough
to knock some manners into you.
Harder than you think when you probably
see three of me right now.
Who'd you have to kill
to get a nice gun like
Here we go.
There's still more wine.
Thank you. I really should be going.
I'll ride to town with you.
Oh, I'm fine.
It's late.
With everything going on
I'd say that's about enough.
- The Apache started it.
- That's a lie.
What'd you say to me?
What the hell do you think you're doing?
That is enough. Stop it!
Look, the man wanted a beer.
Doesn't he scout for this town?
We should be buying him one.
Not starting fights, which he did.
Okay.
Nathaniel, what in the hell
happened here?
Him.
I'm just picky with who
I drink with, that's all.
Well done, Deputy.
Looks like you finally
get to lock me up.
New friend for you.
- At least your friend's sober.
- What you talking about?
Are you serious?
- You trying to bust out of here?
- Not me. You.
That is, if you tell me
everything you know
about Tom Davidson.
You wanted to talk to me?
We've ridden side by side for miles.
Saved each other many times.
I need to know where we stand.
There's a shack on a hill,
about a mile south of here.
- Wait for us there.
- "Us"?
Folks who are gonna get you safety
if you tell us what you know. Deal?
Yeah, yeah.
It's best you stay inside for now.
Uh, I know you're in a rush,
but thank you for dinner
and the escort.
- If you want to discuss the case
- Appreciate it.
But right now I should go figure out
who was raising Cain earlier.
I'll be seeing you, ma'am.
Ever since I rode up on that hill,
I feel like you've been
hiding something from me.
Am I wrong?
No.
There's something I need to tell you.
Horse is out back.
Go, go, go.
That ain't right.
Released me.
After everything, what do they care
about the town drunk?
You want some soup?
Ooh, please.
It's good to see you, Kai.
You two know each other?
- Mm.
- Hoyt is my best customer.
When he's in town.
I'm glad you're getting along.
So
this our escondite now?
It means "hideout".
Where we meet.
Better than a back alley.
I know you two risked a lot tonight.
And we failed.
A man died.
But I can't leave this place
until I know
why Sheriff Davidson
murdered my husband.
Now we've all seen what he's capable of.
He can't get away with it.
Any of it. The town has
to know who he really is.
We'll see this through.
Hey.
You got somewhere to stay?
I believe I do.
Thank you.
My dresser, yours, sink.
There's some more clothes
in there I got you
at the lost and found and
of course
the curtain.
Thank you.
You seem tired.
A lot's happened
over the last few days.
Well, I'll tell you what.
Sleep it is.
And then we can stay up all night
and we can gossip and you can help me
plan the show tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
- You sleep well.
- You, too.
It's a nice song.
Feel like I've heard it before.
How long have you been there?
In the shadows?
Long enough.
Thought about what
you had to say earlier.
And you were right.
He did deserve his day in court.
I was going to send a telegraph
to the judge in the morning.
Well, it's too late now.
Yeah, it's too late now.
I could use someone like you
in the sheriff's office.
To help out with things around here.
You want me to work for you?
I think you and I would
make a hell of a team.