Walker: Independence (2022) s01e06 Episode Script

1
Tom murdered Liam Collins.
I wish you would have come to me sooner.
I mean, why wouldn't you trust
me with something like this?
I think I know who killed Liam Collins
and it wasn't Tom.
- Then who?
- The old sheriff,
my mentor, Otis Clay.
Why would a retired sheriff
kill the man sent to replace him?
Well, what if retirement
wasn't his idea?
Come on, think about it.
We both know what Otis is capable of
when someone gets in his way.
I mean, the man is prideful to a fault.
That'd go a long way
towards providing motive.
Besides, from what I gather
from Ruby, it wasn't Griffin.
I should've came to you
sooner with my suspicions.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
I wish you had.
But I still have
too many unanswered questions with Otis,
starting with where he was
the night Liam was killed.
And even more damning,
the undertaker was
able to recover a .36.
Otis carries a .36 caliber.
Exactly.
And you know who doesn't?
Tom.
I wonder what Otis would
have to say for himself.
And that's why I think we
should pay him a visit.
You comin'?
Hoyt!
Ah, damn it.
Francis. It's good to see you.
How's, uh, how's Lucia doin'?
Visiting her abuelita.
Hadn't seen her since Founders' Day.
N-Not that I was looking
for any particular reason.
So, how's everything out at the ranch?
It's been a struggle
since the cattle were stolen.
Cash is tight, but we'll manage.
I heard about the shootout.
What you did.
The question is, how are you?
Eh. It's just a scratch, really,
you know, a little sore,
you know, a small price to pay
to keep innocent folks
out of harm's way.
When we heard you were shot,
we were worried.
We want you to be around for a while.
We?
Ah
I know we're bad at showing it,
but Anna Maria and I, we
we always considered you
part of the family.
You know, it was your father's
idea that we settle here.
There was a big oak tree
right over there.
What? That old stump behind the dentist?
Yeah, they cut it down
so they could build the Side Step,
but, years ago, it was the
only shade for miles around.
And when your father and I,
we spotted it,
he said, right then and there,
"This is where we build the future".
You were born in a small cabin
just outside of town.
Even though your father
never saw you grow up,
you're still the firstborn
son of Independence.
Take pride in that, mijo.
Take pride in that.
Good to see you, Hoyt.
Your father and I, we were supposed
to run this ranch together.
Maybe there's still a place
for a Rawlins after all.
Come by later. We'll talk
about the future, hmm?
Huh, I'll be damned.
Ethan, were you gonna
tell me you'd be early?
- And if I had?
- I would have thrown you a parade.
Well, your presence is parade enough.
Well, that's very flattering,
but if I'm not mistaken
which I rarely am
we're not supposed to meet
for a few more days.
Yes, that was the plan,
but I heard about the Eli McDowd debacle
and I got on the first coach
that I could,
just to make sure
you were safe and sound.
As you would for any
other detective in the field.
I wouldn't leave the office
for about half of them.
You know how I feel about you.
Oh, that's done.
Let's just let's stick
to business, shall we?
I can't pretend that we
never happened, Kate.
It's easy. You should try it.
Now, can I please tell you
about how Tom Davidson
killed Liam Collins?
Of course. What do you have?
I have a witness. The wife.
- Oh?
- Mm-hmm.
Will she testify?
Plus evidence to suggest motive.
The Davidsons, they're
buying up land and properties
under all these company aliases.
And you realize that owning
property is not evidence,
especially for murder.
I would say eyewitness testimony
is, wouldn't you?
Yes, I would, but only if she testifies.
Otherwise, I need more.
I need something tangible.
Yes, Katherine, I will meet
with your witness tomorrow.
Good man.
You know, I knew you'd listen
to reason eventually.
- Hi.
- Morning.
So, I have some good news.
Our meeting has been
moved up to tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
- Hmm.
I thought we had a few more days.
Well, we did, and then
Ethan arrived early, so
All right, where is he?
He's upstairs, resting up.
Kate Carver, are you
sleeping with your boss?
Listen to me, first of all,
Ethan is not my boss.
He is my handler that
is a glorified messenger
who couldn't cut it in the field.
Second of all, what we had
had, past tense was fun
and is not happening anymore.
Now, please, God, enough about
my disintegrated love life.
Um, I know that I don't have to tell you
that tomorrow is serious business,
and I've been thinking we may need more
than a couple of
Davidson shell companies.
I was going to ask you
if you feel comfortable
going against Tom in public?
- Testify?
- Mm-hmm.
It would be his word against mine.
Well, we need a stronger case.
I thought that's what Ethan is for.
Doesn't he have the resources
to open up a real investigation?
Yes, he does, but we still
have to be thorough.
When things like this proceed
without caution,
people people get hurt.
And I refuse to make that mistake.
I will find out what I can.
Oh, well, hiya, sunshine.
What brings you to Hagan's
on this beautiful morning?
Just looking for Sheriff Davidson.
He's not at the jailhouse.
Have you seen him?
He hasn't left his new office.
Thank you.
Bye, Kai.
Hi.
He didn't even know I was here.
I think he likes you.
Yeah, well, what can I say?
I have that effect on some people.
That's not a heart I'm willing to break.
- Sheriff.
- Kai.
You wanted to see me?
Is this about the other night
at the restaurant?
I understand you used
to work the railroads.
Did you ever see or speak
to the men in charge?
Never spoke. Only saw
them at the fights.
The fights?
We work long hours. We were
underfed and underpaid.
To earn extra money,
the workers would fight each other.
Fights.
Aw, hell no.
Tricky son of a bitch!
That's a sacred tree stump!
What else can you
tell me about these fights?
The bosses would dust off their top hats
and watch.
Place bets.
For us, it was life or death.
For them, a source of amusement.
A spectacle.
Did you ever fight?
Get your damn hands off me, Hoyt.
No.
I didn't mean nothing by it.
I'm just saying, have some decency.
Here's your damn hat back.
I was just watering!
Thanks for dropping in, Kai.
Hey, boss, I got a question for you.
Mr. Virgil Green.
Indeed. Who's asking?
Tom Davidson,
sheriff and proprietor
of this fine establishment.
I'd like to welcome you to Independence.
My Aunt Teresa told me
you'd be coming through town.
And I must say, your
timing is impeccable.
You've arrived on the occasion
of our town's inaugural Fight Night.
Would you be interested in staying?
- I'd be honored.
- Excellent.
I'll put you up in our best suite,
and consider yourself a guest of honor.
And if there's anything that
you need, don't hesitate to ask.
- Miss Carver here
- Hi.
will handle everything.
Thank you.
So, what else makes you
think that Otis killed Liam Collins?
A .36 is common enough.
You don't find it curious
that he hasn't been
in town since the murder?
He lived in town over
ten years and now he's a ghost.
Doesn't mean he's guilty.
And that's why we're going to go
let him tell his side of the story.
And it shouldn't be that hard either.
Only thing that man loved more
than the law was talking.
From the news out of Austin
to the latest rash
he found on his person.
Not only that, but
I'm sure whatever he has to say,
it's been wearing on him.
You may be right.
But I hope for your town's sake,
you're wrong.
Howdy, boys!
Next time you might want
to announce yourselves.
Excuse the mess.
Well, we, uh, we missed you in town.
I was wondering why
you haven't been around.
Oh, you know how it is.
I got things to do. You get busy.
Besides, I wouldn't want to
step on the new sheriff's boots.
He doesn't need the old guard
looking over his shoulder.
Never mind all that.
My friends are here.
Let's have ourselves a drink.
No, thanks. We're all right.
What's with you two?
Gus, you on duty or something?
Otis, I think you need to take a seat.
I got to ask you some questions.
- On the house.
- Thanks, Kai.
Mmm.
You really think you're
going to find anything
in that book?
Went over this for weeks with Liam.
He brought it back after
accepting the offer out here.
I keep thinking there must
be something in here,
some thing he didn't tell me.
Some reason why.
Let me take a look.
Ah, "From one sheriff to the next".
This was a gift?
From the previous sheriff
of Independence.
Otis Clay.
Liam met with him
to formally accept the job.
But what did you know about him?
He was a law-and-order type,
the good kind, I guess
you could say, but
He wasn't too happy
about his early retirement.
He was the last person
Liam spoke to here
before we left Boston.
Maybe he has some information
that would help our case with Ethan.
Is Otis still around?
He lives a couple miles out of town.
If you leave now, you
could be back before dark.
Cover for me with Tom?
Sure.
Few things I want to discuss
with His Majesty anyway.
Okay.
You. You're not seriously
thinking about throwing
a Fight Night here.
I didn't realize I was required
to check with my dancers first.
It is a horrible idea.
Tom Hagan tried it once.
- Disaster.
- Yeah, well, I'm not Hagan.
This I know. You know, he listens to me
and he learns from his mistakes,
which Fight Night was one of.
By the way, it cost hundreds
of dollars to repair afterwards,
not to mention the hell that
crowd puts my girls through.
Dancers can have the night off.
Was thinking of bringing
the White Doves in anyway.
But how is it different for them?
Miss Carver, this is about
more than just making a profit.
I'm doing this for Independence.
I didn't peg you for selfless.
Well, I guess you could write
a new song about me then.
I'll pass.
I want to start giving back to this town
and I want to do it my way.
What the hell are you
gonna do about fighters?
Drag a couple of drunks out of a saloon,
pit 'em against each other?
You worry about bringing
that charm and wit
to keep the crowds at bay.
I'll take care of the fighters.
Hey!
Exactly what kind of pugilist
did you have in mind, huh?
See it?
That's going to leave one
hell of a scar right there.
Him? Yeah, good luck.
He'd never risk messing
up his pretty face.
- We'll see about that.
- What?
Course I heard about Griffin.
They say he killed that
young sheriff coming in.
But there are questions whether or not
we got the right man.
You mean you think
you killed the wrong man.
You want some help from your old boss?
I see. Let's get to it then.
So what was Mr. Collins shot with?
- Believe it was a revolver.
- A .36.
This should work. Come on.
How do you know it was
a revolver, a .36 no less?
The powder burn on his shirt.
Figured it happened pretty close.
Easy shot.
Any chance he had an accomplice?
Possibly.
Another set of prints
were found at the campsite.
How'd you find the body?
Moved. Buried in a shallow grave.
That is curious.
As is burying a man
murdered in cold blood.
Any idea when this all happened?
He was supposed to arrive
in Independence that Sunday.
Between the train and their wagon party,
I figure somewhere around the first.
Lot of rain the week before.
Cloudy, not a lot of stars.
Wouldn't even see him coming.
Remember our first case together?
Llewelyn boy who disappeared
down that well?
If it wasn't for you finding him, Cal
Damn lucky to have you two by my side.
Still can't believe how y'all met.
Buffalo soldier on one side,
driving out an Apache on the other.
Could have killed each other,
but you didn't.
He was shot.
Didn't seem like he was
in a rush to get back.
It would have made more sense
to stick with Calian and his people
than go to a man who didn't
care about either of us.
It's a hard world.
Not easy to make
the right choices sometimes.
Thankful you two did.
I made the wrong decision
with you, though, didn't I, Gus?
What's that about?
I should have had you take
my place when I left.
But it wasn't all up to me,
but I'll tell you this.
I wish to hell it wasn't
that Tom Davidson
or that son of a bitch Liam Collins.
Half of me thinks
it's not so bad he's dead.
Put him out of his misery.
Well, who the hell's this now?
Otis, this is Abigail Walker.
New law clerk Tom brought in for help.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clay.
Please. Call me Otis.
Why don't we go back inside
so we can talk some more?
What are you doing here?
I wanted to speak to the old sheriff.
It's not a good time. Augustus believes
he has something to do
with Liam's murder,
as an accomplice, maybe more.
I don't know about that, but I do know
he met with Liam before
accepting the job out here.
Abby, you should go.
No. I'm the law clerk after all.
Someone has to take his account.
So, just picture it.
The Winning Spirit of Independence.
Sounds like something
that more suits a horse.
- Why me?
- I've seen you in action.
Easily quickest draw in the town.
I can only imagine what
you can do with those fists.
Or I could ask that tracker
friend Calian of yours
if you'd like.
No, I'm not saying
I couldn't be persuaded.
I just need to know what's in it for me.
Town hero isn't enough, huh?
I can understand that.
All right. What'd you have in mind?
That's a good question. I don't know.
Month of free drinks at Hagan's?
Tell your deputy to lay off
with his baseless accusations.
Week's worth of beer.
And I'll talk to Augustus for you.
The thing is a man
willing to put himself
in harm's way could use a
little padding in his pockets.
Assuming bets can be placed.
That wouldn't be illegal, right?
I don't see an issue
with a few small wagers.
- Deal.
- Deal.
Who am I gonna be fighting?
Someone from out of town. From Brenham.
Think of it as a chance
to give Independence a win.
I also want tonight
to make a lasting impression.
Well, that's a Hoyt Rawlins specialty.
Why don't you just say what
you're getting at, Augustus?
You think I was involved
in Liam Collins' murder.
- That it?
- Otis, listen
What the hell is this?
I didn't pull that damn trigger.
- Just tell us why you stepped down as sheriff.
- I retired.
I don't need to explain myself to you.
Did you ever meet with Liam Collins?
Once. Months back.
He wanted to get out
of Boston in a hurry.
Did he say why?
No, but I have some ideas.
Was he running from someone in Boston?
Or did someone want
him out here, or ?
Thought crossed my mind, too.
Felt like someone
was pulling the strings.
- Who?
- Hell. You don't think those Davidsons
- know how to throw their money around?
- The Davidsons?
Yeah, and anyone else
with more money than sense.
The rest of us just have
to go along to get along.
Look at me, for Pete's sake.
Wait, wait, wait, I thought
you said you wanted to retire.
I never said I wanted to.
I was forced out! All right?
Didn't think you'd understand.
I was offered money and I took it.
By who?
Got word from the judge,
cash and a land offer.
Judge Carter?
Nah, some other circuit judge.
I don't remember.
I loved my job.
Now, way I see it,
newcomer taking your job
seems like an awful good
reason to put him down.
You think I'd kill a man for that?
Well, if you didn't, then who did?
I don't know.
Collins was clearly
running from something.
Looking over his shoulder.
Thought there was
someone following them.
- Them?
- He had a wife.
Far as I know, they never
found her, did they?
Look, did you ever meet
with Tom Davidson
prior to him being named sheriff?
Hell no.
Son of a bitch just took my job.
Didn't even have the decency
to come and shake my hand.
And you ask why
I haven't been back to town.
My succession had been handled.
Without me.
I'm sorry, Augustus.
You still haven't answered
where you were that night,
the night Liam Collins was murdered.
With Francis Reyes.
He asked for some help on a cattle drive
on the night in question.
And Francis will attest to that?
I'm getting fed up with the accusations.
Taking a payoff don't make me a killer.
But getting treated like one
is starting to piss me off!
Get your things. We're going for a ride.
And leave your gun.
I have to get back to town.
I have some things to attend to.
Do you want me to come with you?
No, thank you.
Just let me know what
happens at the Reyes ranch.
Best we head back now
if we're gonna make it back
before sundown.
Why didn't you tell me about her?
Is that why you've been keeping secrets?
Can't alibi myself.
What the hell are we waiting for?
Let's get this over with.
Hey! That's enough.
Come on, sweetie, I'm sorry.
Go on. It's time.
Let's get this disaster
on the road, huh?
Out of the woods
like a pack of wolves ♪
Stage fright doesn't seem
like your thing, Carver.
Ah, well, boxing
doesn't seem like yours.
Best of luck out there.
Seeing red till the end of time ♪
All right, you vagabonds,
bad eggs, ne'er-do-wells,
this is the moment
you've all been waiting for!
Get your cash out, place your bets!
Our first fighter,
he is as lean and mean
as he is dimwitted.
He is the fastest draw
west of the Mississippi.
He is the very spirit of Independence.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hoyt Rawlins.
And coming to us all
the way from Brenham,
the town that cannot be bothered
to pick its own damn cotton,
prized champion Andrew Jones.
I can't keep this crowd
under control for much longer.
Fight starts at sundown.
Let 'em get riled up.
Ah-ooh. ♪
Remember the LeBlanc twins?
It was hours before we found them
passed out behind the mission.
Got drunk off the Blood of Christ.
Yeah, I miss those days.
Us three against the world.
Hey, you all right?
Yeah.
Tension between you two
is thick as molasses.
Hope it don't last.
Loyalty's hard to come by out here.
Y'all have clearly
lost some trust in me,
so you may not want to hear it,
but one of my regrets as sheriff
was not solving the mystery
of her going missing.
Hope y'all come to forgive me.
I did everything I could.
Everything you could, Sheriff?
Is that what you tell yourself?
There's Francis now.
Your witness to question, Deputy.
A vision from the past.
What brings you all up here?
Ah, Mr. Reyes.
Sorry to take you away from your work.
I need to ask you about
your last cattle drive.
When was that?
Well, Otis knows.
Left on the first.
It was a long while, too.
No star to guide us.
Anything suspicious
happen on that drive?
No. It was a good haul.
We were glad to have Otis along to help.
Am I missing something?
What do you say now, Deputy?
I think that's all I needed.
Well, I'll get back, then.
Appreciate you for taking the time.
You see your way out?
Satisfied?
All right, now,
place your bets!
- Bet against me, sweetheart.
- What?
Yes.
Hey, hey, what the hell are you doing?
Get your guard up. Come on.
Hey, that's about enough for one night.
Six! Seven! Eight!
Nine! Ten!
Hey, hey, got to get up.
- Come on, let's go, come on.
- Yeah.
What the hell was that?
You almost got yourself killed.
Well, look at you. Almost
like you care about me.
Damn it.
Hey.
You missed Hoyt getting clobbered.
Hey, what'd you find? You know what?
I'm gonna ask you later.
I wouldn't be able to hear you
over this damn crowd anyway.
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff
Well, look who thinks he's
fighting for this town now.
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Come on, give it to him!
Hold on to him, Sheriff!
Knock him down, Sheriff!
- Come on, Tom! Come on!
- Come on, Sheriff! You got this!
You need to tire him out.
I got this.
Listen to me or he's going to win.
Keep moving. Make him chase you.
Wear him down. Draw him to the corner.
Move in close.
Yes, then, when he drops
his hands, strike.
Quickly. Here, here, here.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Sheriff. You're gonna get murdered.
Why are you doing this?
I'm gonna make something of this town.
Come on, knock his head off, Sheriff!
You can do it!
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight
nine, ten.
You didn't just watch the fights
along the rail lines, did you?
Ah, yeah.
That son of a bitch
is going to walk out after all that.
For a little grizzly bear of
a man, he hit like a dead fish.
I almost regret taking that dive now.
Could've beaten Brenham's
finest with both my eyes shut.
- Hell.
- Put on a good show of it, though.
Pete, you ain't wrong.
Anyway, pleasure
doing business with you.
And don't worry, it's for a good cause.
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Now where could he be?
When a man's gotta go, I guess.
Undercooked a deer last week.
It wasn't pretty.
No, it's not that.
Sometimes he does that. Wanders off.
Otis, I want to apologize
for suspecting you in all this.
You'd be a crap lawman if you didn't.
And an even crappier protégé.
It's a testament to myself
when you think of it.
Francis and I didn't stray a
lick from the trail that night.
But you know who did?
Those two ranch hands over there.
Wasn't sure before.
- But now you are?
- Mm-hmm.
Damn it. Otis.
I'm fine.
Where'd that first shot
come from anyhow?
Here, keep pressure on this.
Damn it!
Calian. What happened? What happened?
I don't know.
Francis.
It was him. He shot him!
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Get away from him!
Hoyt, Hoyt. Don't, don't. Stay back.
No, no, no, no.
Francis. Francis.
What did you do?
Calian, Calian, what
in the hell happened here?
I don't know.
Kate. Kate.
Good Lord, who did you rob?
It was all a lie.
Liam was paid off to be here
by the Davidsons.
I-I went to the bank,
I said we had to requisition
Liam's accounts, and-and look.
$7,500.
That's three times what
he ever made in Boston.
He lied.
He lied to me.
"Things aren't quite
what they seem in Independence.
Nestled between charming oak
land and serene savannas,
this small town has
enough spirit and pride
to fill plenty a freight wagon.
Between the delicious treats
found at Sung's Kitchen,
to the soft caresses
of White Doves,
it's the town's new sheriff
Tom Davidson who embodies
the true nature of Independence,
defending the town's
reputation in the ring
against prized champion Andrew Jones,
a resident of rival town Brenham.
In a true David-son versus Goliath fray,
Tom stood up against
the mountain of the man,
able to defeat the giant
playing fast and smart,
a certain competency many fail
to learn out here in the West".
This is printed statewide,
all the way to Kansas City.
Friend gave me the early edition.
So the railroad executive
left without a word but you
managed to make the papers?
Me. Us.
And the town.
Eat.
Right.
"If there's any hope in connecting
the many terrains and
cultures in Texas by rail,
let us implore the railroad to consider
Independence a town worth
building through".
"While it may not bear
the sounds and sights
of Dallas or Austin,
it's the perfect spot for those who wish
to reconnect with their humanity
and sense of community.
Independence, a town to behold.
No truer destination
in the American West".