T.J. Hooker (1982) s03e07 Episode Script
A Child Is Missing
(suspenseful music) (inspirational music) (suspenseful music) - There he is.
He's the one with the red shirt and the blue jeans.
Well, go get him.
- See you tomorrow, Bobby.
I'll bring my bat.
- Hi, Ryan.
- Hi.
- I've been waiting for you.
Your mom asked me to pick you up.
- Where is she? - Oh she's just doing some errands and I'm helping her out.
- [Boy.]
I don't know you.
- I know you don't, dear, but I know your mommy.
- You do? - Yeah, her name's Sarah.
She asked me to take care of you until she gets home.
Come on, let's go have an ice cream cone.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Brian, this is Dave.
He's going to drive us.
- How you doin', pal? - Hi.
(suspenseful music) (funky rock music) - And his name is Brian? - Brian, wearing a red polo shirt and blue jeans.
Today was a minimum day at school.
He should have been home by noon, no later.
- Are you sure your little boy didn't go home with a friend, maybe just forgot to tell you? - We're positive.
We've called all his friends.
We looked everywhere he might go.
- Officer, our son is missing.
Don't you people do anything besides fill out forms? - Mr.
Randall, I know how upset both of you must be but the detectives who handle child missing cases are out on a call right now.
We're spread a little thin on uniform personnel until the next shift.
- Well then what are you gonna do about it? - Can I give you a hand? - Mr.
and Mrs.
Randall here are reporting a missing child, their son Brian, seven years old.
He should have been home hours ago.
- Brian is our only child.
- Would you like a drink of water, ma'am, or maybe you'd like to sit down? - That's okay, I'll be alright.
- I know how you must feel.
It happened to me once.
My boy went looking for trouble in a storm drain and he was down for eight hours.
Seemed like eight days.
- But he was alright? - Yes, and that's the way these things usually turn out and I'm sure that's the way it'll be with Brian.
In the meantime we'll have copies of his picture made, we'll hand them out to all our people and to all the other precincts.
Next shift is just getting ready to come on.
- We'll get some units out on the streets right away and start looking for Brian.
- I'm Sgt.
Hooker, here's my number.
If Brian turns up please call me and if I hear of anything I'll be in touch.
- Thank you.
Come on, honey.
- Tough on 'em.
You can see they're pretty torn up about it.
- A missing child can be the worst.
Follow every lead, you can turn the city upside down, child's never seen again.
How many units can you spring for this? - Half dozen uniforms out with the flu.
I'll have to check the duty roster.
I'm clockin' off the desk.
Stace and I can hit the streets with 'em.
- And you can count me in.
- You mean you'd break your date with Erlene? - Yeah.
I'll just tell her not to start without me.
(laughter) Man, how can kids just disappear without a trace? - Sometimes some creep has given them a push.
(suspenseful music) - I don't understand.
A child is missing so how come the FBI won't help? - They have to have a clear signal that it's a kidnapping, otherwise they have no jurisdiction.
- You know, maybe we're tracking the wrong horse.
- What are you thinking? - I checked out Larry Randall, Brian's father.
He's been unemployed for six months ever since they closed the assembly plant in Sandhall.
A guy under that kind of pressure could take it out on a kid.
- Does he have any record of child abuse or wife beating? - Not that I can find.
- I got the feeling he really loved that boy but we can't afford to take anything for granted.
We gotta run him through NCIC computer, see if it's got anything on him.
- Hooker and Romano are doing a house to house? - Checking everything including storm drains.
Well, let's start hitting those Sudan buildings over on Western.
(upbeat instrumental music) - Well yeah, I did hear there was a missing child on the news on TV but I don't know what that's got to do with me.
- That old refrigerator has a great deal to do with you.
It's a death trap.
- What do you mean? - What's it take to get through to you people? Newspapers, TV, community circulars.
They all tell ya if you have an old refrigerator that's not being used take the door off or wire it closed.
- I know you're right.
I've been after my husband Harry to get a piece of wire.
- We're not gonna wait for your husband, okay? Now you tell your husband Harry when he comes home tonight that he's lucky that little Brian Randall isn't in there or I'd wire him close.
- We've about done it all, Hooker.
Brian's teacher, his friends, we've checked the community pool, the storm drains, gone door to door.
So have Corrigan and Stacy and all the other units.
We have covered this entire neighborhood.
Where else do we look, Hooker? - We start over from the beginning with Brian Randall's parents.
(beeps) - [Dispatcher.]
Dispatched four out of 30.
Dispatched four out of 30.
- Go Dispatch, this is 30.
- [Dispatcher.]
30, we have four out of 16 ready to be patched through.
Stand by.
- 30 this is Corrigan.
- You got something? - A jogger over here found the body of a young boy in the river bed.
He's been dead several hours.
- Dang.
(suspenseful music) Corrigan, Hooker.
Is it Brian Randall? - He's six to eight years of age, 46 inches tall, 52 pounds, dark hair, brown eyes, no distinguishing marks.
The description fits, Hooker.
(suspenseful music) (jazzy band music) (applause) - Oo.
- Cut it out, Dave.
I told you before, save it for Paula.
- Your loss, Crystal.
- I'm used to losing.
That's why I'm here.
- Great.
- Where have you been? The kid's been driving me crazy.
He wants his mommy.
- Look, just hang in till tomorrow, okay? That's when my deal comes together.
- This is insane.
I'm trying to work here and explain away a kid.
- What kind of story did you come up with? - I said he was my nephew.
Look, Dave, I can't handle this anymore.
You gotta talk to him.
- Alright, fine, so I'll talk to him.
Just start packin' because we're pulling out tomorrow.
- Hi Brian, you okay? - I want my mom.
- Aw, don't worry about your mommy, kiddo.
She's okay and she knows you're with me.
- I want my dad.
- Oh no you don't, and you know why? Because he's not your real daddy.
I am.
- No you're not.
You're not my dad.
- Brian, see this picture here, hmm? That's your mommy and this is you in mommy's arms and you see this man here? That's me, see? (suspenseful music) (funky rock music) - I thought Corrigan said the computer came up dry on Mr.
Randall.
- Nothing but a few traffic violations but when it comes to child abuse you don't want to hang your hat on the computer.
Most instances go unreported.
- You think that's the reason Brian might have split? - I wish I knew.
- One thing, it'll be a relief to be able to tell them the little boy in the river bed wasn't Brian.
- Yeah, but it was a boy that someone was looking for somewhere, some little kid who died alone and the chance of matching up the boy with the family is mighty slim.
- You'd think with all the technology in this country, computers, cameras, telephones, there shouldn't be any trouble ID'ing a kid's body.
- Brian's description could fit half the six to eight year olds I've ever known.
- Which is the problem.
- Sergeant, any word? - Nothing, I'm sorry.
- Come on in.
(dog barking) There's no news, honey, no.
Coffee, gentlemen? - No no, thank you.
- Thank you, no.
- Mr.
Randall, so far we've been operating under the theory that your son wandered off when exploring, got lost.
We haven't considered the possibility that your son's been kidnapped.
- I'm unemployed, what kind of ransom would anyone get from me? - People don't always kidnap for ransom.
Is there anybody you know that might want Brian just to have him, friend, a relative, a babysitter who was particularly fond of him? - Relatives.
- No Larry you're wrong, he couldn't.
There's no reason to bring that up.
- Mrs.
Randall, we're at a point where there's a reason to bring everything and anything up.
Who are we talking about? - We're talking about Brian's life, Sarah.
Her first husband David Burke.
- Brian's natural father but he doesn't even know Brian.
He deserted us when Brian was just four months old.
- Where is he now? - In prison back in New York.
- What for? - Armed robbery, he got 10 to life.
- Anything else I can check up on? - Oh nothing, Sargent.
- Your son was quite the little artist.
- That's the last one he did.
- No, Mrs.
Randall, not the last one, not if it's up to me.
(suspenseful music) (gasp) (gunfire) - Alright, everybody on the floor let's go, get down.
(screaming) (glass breaks) Come on, come on.
Come on, hurry up.
Hurry up.
(suspenseful music) - [Dispatcher.]
Four Adam 30 and all units in the vicinity of 4th and Roundtree.
The 211 silent, Van Ruth's Jewelers, 30 handle code two.
- Four Adam 30, roger.
(glass breaks) (gunshot) - Let's go.
- Ah, I'm hit.
(upbeat instrumental music) - There's three of 'em in a gray Chevrolet.
I hit one of 'em.
- Which way? - Straight to the right.
(police sirens) - Chevy sedan gray, westbound on Roundree.
Now passing 14th.
(car screeches) (upbeat instrumental music) (police sirens) - Aw, come on it's bad, man.
I gotta see a doctor.
- Burke, we gotta do something about this, fast.
- Okay, I'll get hold of a doctor.
You stay put.
I'll send them here.
- What are we doing, Hooker? This is where we lost 'em.
- We had 'em in sight till they swung off the Boulevard.
(suspenseful music) - The cops.
(gunshots) (car screeches) (police sirens) (car breaks through metal gate) (upbeat instrumental music) (cars screeching) (car drives through garage door) - Squeeze the trigger and you're a dead man.
Open your hand, let it fall.
Kick it away.
Your partner, too.
Now put your hands behind your neck and take it real easy.
- My partner's in bad shape.
- You're not doing too well yourself.
Get on your knees.
Read him his rights.
Give him a seat in the lounge.
I'm gonna talk to his buddy.
- You have the right to remain silent.
If you give up the right to remain silent.
- Let's see both hands.
Both hands.
(man moans) - You have the right to remain silent.
- Oh, man, skip the rights.
- You were made at the scene of a robbery, Van Ruth's Jewelers.
There were three men involved.
Who was the third man? - I need a doctor.
- And I need the name of your accomplice and where I can find him.
- Oh, come on, man.
I'm in pain.
- The name of your accomplice, who is he? Come on.
He split on you, didn't he? He probably told you he was gonna get a doctor.
You could have died waiting.
Who is he? - Burke, his name's Dave Burke - Dave.
Where do I find him? - I don't know.
- What do you mean you don't know? - I swear I don't know.
- You help him rip off all those jewels, you don't know where to find him? How are you gonna get your cut of the action? - Touch, got in contact with the buyers, some guy from Mexico somewhere.
- If you don't know where he lives, where does he hang out? - Popeyes, he goes with one of the strippers, Paula Bennett.
- Is this the boy? - Yeah, I wish you'd got here sooner.
Burke's probably in Mexico by now and for sure Paula and the kid are with him.
They all took off together.
- Well that's our answer, that's what's happened to the boy.
Burke snatched him and ran with him to Mexico.
And Brian isn't Paula's nephew, Crystal.
That's a story they fed you.
Where in Mexico are Paula and Burke taking Brian? - Morales, they'll be there a couple of days and then they're headed to South America.
- How do you know? - Paula told me.
- These drawings, did Brian do them? - Yeah, I helped him do the one of Paula and that's a cat and that's well, I guess it's just a bird.
- At least we know he's still alive.
- There's no guarantee he's gonna stay that way.
Are you sure he said Morales? - Yes, sure.
- Thank you, Crystal.
(suspenseful music) - Please.
Hey, Hooker.
- What do you have at home these days? - Morales? Talked to my brother the other day.
Fish are jumping, weather's good.
Why, you gonna take some of that overtime you've got built up? - I've been thinking about it.
- Hey, you go to Morales and you gotta look up my big brother Miguel.
He'll show you around if he can tear himself away.
- His caseload as heavy as ours? - (Laughs) No, it's not police work that keeps Miguel busy.
Senoritas, tequila, poker.
- I thought you said he was a good detective.
- The best, he knows what's under ever rock in Morales but I thought you wanted to go fishing.
- Yeah, for a snake who kidnapped a little boy.
I'll need your brother to turn over some of those rocks.
Call him for me, will ya? Tell him I'm comin' down.
- You got it, Hooker.
(jazzy instrumental music) - Buenos dias, what's it going to be, Senor, bull fights or las senoritas? - Police station.
- The police station, Senor? What are you going to do there? - See a friend of a friend Detective Miguel Gomez.
- (Laughs) Senor, you don't want to go to the police station.
You never find Detective Gomez there but don't worry, I take you to him.
(upbeat instrumental music) (car screeches) Senor, you have to go down to the classroom, past the left, go to the church.
- Thank you very much, sir.
- I don't like it here.
- Don't worry about it.
You'll like it just fine.
- I don't like it here either.
- Just get off of my back.
- If I'd have known what you were into I never would have taken up with you again.
- Hey, babe, you wanted a better life.
I'm giving you better.
- I want my mommy.
- Shut up.
- Don't take it out on him.
You've done enough to him already.
You've taken him from his home, not because you love him or you want him, but to get back at your ex-wife.
He's a possession to you, like a car or a TV set that you just don't want here to have.
(slaps woman's face) - Leave her alone.
- I'm warning you, Paula.
You go sour on me and I swear I'll leave you out here in the middle of nowhere.
(suspenseful music) (upbeat instrumental music) - Guys, I'm a detective.
- So you're a poker fan? - So you're Detective Vigel Gomez? - Mm hmm.
Real pleasure to meet you.
Brother Pete says you're one hell of a hotshot cop, huh? - Your brother tends to exaggerate.
- (Laughs) Oh, you think so? What'd he say about me? - That you're one of the best.
- Pete does not exaggerate (laughs).
Make yourself at home.
I'm red, amigos.
(speaking Spanish) You like tequila? - This is important.
- Throw the money on the table important? Excuse me.
- We have a saying here, baby needs a new cerappe.
Don't you, baby? (speaking Spanish) - Your brother Pete says you owe him one.
He owes me one.
I'm here to collect.
- That's the way it goes, huh? Everybody's got a pitch, everybody's got their hand out.
- In this case it's the hand of a little boy, seven year old.
For all I know his life may be in danger.
(speaking Spanish) - My brother Pete also says that when Hooker means business you either go with him or get out of his way.
- Your brother does not exaggerate.
- Whoa (laughs).
(speaking Spanish) - Never touch it.
- I think I'm gonna like you.
Let's go.
(speaking Spanish) After you.
- After you, you never know what's on the other side.
- Good point.
(instrumental Mexican music) Well, the boy's cute.
Forget the man Burke.
Now this woman, she I would like to find.
- I need all three.
Where do we start? - I'd have to say it's down it's full torch.
Maybe there are more of you here than us.
Look, why don't you tell me something about this Burke, huh? - He was doing time in upstate New York for armed robbery.
Just before I came down here I learned that he got out on parole.
- Oh, wait a minute.
He broke his parole when he drove across the border.
Maybe there's a reward out for his capture, huh? - No, I'm afraid not, but he and two associates cleaned out a jewelry store, over a million dollars worth and I'm sure the insurance company would be very appreciative to get those jewels back.
- Yeah, that's my kind of fugitive.
Let's go find that boy.
Right over here.
(car stalls) - I have the same problem.
(car starts) - Ah, wait, not so fast.
- Whoa whoa.
- I've been looking for you.
- You have been looking for me? You found me.
It's your lucky day, Mano.
Well, you're back in business.
This is for his merchant's license.
He doesn't like to go down to city hall.
- Of course.
Luis, Detective Gomez is helping me find three Americans, these three.
They came across the border yesterday.
Have you by any chance seen them? - No, senor.
Sorry.
(speaking Spanish) - Luis sees a lot of people, doesn't always take notice, but things for sale, those he knows about, right? - Hey Luis, this man here robbed a jewelry store in my city.
He's here in Morales trying to get rid of the jewels.
Over a million dollars worth of diamonds and rubies and emeralds and gold.
(speaking Spanish) - Help him, por favor.
- Could be I hear something about those jewels.
- Like what? - Just talk.
From my sister.
- Where do we find your sister? - I know of her, just follow me.
Gracias, Luis.
- Adios.
(funky instrumental music) - What are we stopping here for? - Hey, you wanna talk to Catalina, Luis's sister? Alright, she works here in the house.
First door at the top of the stairs.
- You coming with me? - No, you can handle it.
Besides, this is a good place for me to take my siesta (sighs).
- Something tells me they don't like to go down to city hall either.
(funky instrumental music) (knock on door) (suspenseful music) My name is Hooker.
I'd like to have a word with Catalina.
- Who sent you.
- Detective Miguel Gomez.
(laughter) There's a gorilla up there.
- Yeah, he's mean.
His name is Mingo.
- Why didn't you tell me? - My brother says you're a man who likes to learn for himself (laughs).
Here.
- I just learned.
I'm gonna do this my way.
(smack) - Not bad.
- My way.
(laughter) - Mingo, that's my Sergeant Hooker, United States.
- Which one of you is Catalina? - I am Catalina.
- Your brother Luis and Detective Gomez said you had some information that could help me.
- Nothing more? - I'm trying to track some stolen jewels that were smuggled in from the states.
You told your brother you had heard something about them? - You must be mistaken, senor.
- But Catalina, you're afraid.
What is it? - I can't say.
I am sorry.
- You're not afraid of Detective Gomez are you? - (Laughs) Miguel? No senorita is afraid of Miguel.
- Then what is it? Why won't you help me? - Please, just leave.
- Catalina, when I mentioned the jewels just now you got very quiet.
I don't care about the jewels.
But the man who stole them and smuggled them here, he also took a little boy he had no right to take and there's a chance that something bad might happen to that little boy if i don't get to him quickly.
Please, help me.
- I have this friend, Ampro.
She spends much time at the hacienda of Senor Madera.
She told me she heard the senor speak of buying many diamonds and other jewels.
- That's good enough.
- That's all I know.
- Many thanks.
And I'll tell Detective Gomez that you helped me.
- Where to, my friend? - To the hacienda of someone named Madera.
- Senor Hidalgo Madera? He's a very powerful man in the city.
- He's also a dealer in stolen jewelry.
He could lead us to the boy.
- That may be but unfortunately I don't even have grounds on which to question Mr.
Madera.
- Now look, when I go back to my city the boy's mother and father are gonna be waiting for me.
I'm not gonna give them a speech on jurisdiction and red tape.
I'm gonna give them a boy.
- If my son were missing you'd be the first man I'd ask to find him, alright? Now this Madera, he's not just rich, he's dangerous.
If what you say is true this Burke is equally dangerous.
In which case you might need this.
- Gracias, amigo.
- Of course if you get caught with that regretfully I will have to say it was stolen from me.
- Of course.
- And put you in jail.
- Of course.
Two more things then you're off the hook.
- I hope so.
- Lend me your car and point me to Madera's hacienda.
- Alright.
(suspenseful music) - Listen, your men have had enough time to look at the stuff, huh? - Have another drink, Mano.
Take your pick of one of my girls.
Here, take this one.
Life is short.
- Thanks, not this time.
I just want to finish my business and get on the road.
- Yes, our friend in the states said you would be in a hurry.
Very well, let us conclude matters.
(speaking Spanish) (suspenseful music) The estimated market value is $1.
2 million.
I will give you $300,000.
- Don't try to shortchange me, Madera.
Our deal was 50% of market.
- Yes, that was before you had to come here to my country.
Here I am king.
I would use the respect my colleagues as a businessman if I did not press my advantage.
I will give you $300,000.
- Alright.
Just give me my 50%.
In 15 minutes me and my kid'll be out of Morales.
- If you kill me my men will surely kill you.
Don't be a fool, Burke.
Take your $300,000 and get out while you still can.
(gunshot) (speaking Spanish) (fighting) - I counted on you being here.
Madera's in there with the stolen jewelry.
- What a lucky coincidence, my friend.
I've been after him for a long time.
(speaking Spanish) - That's Burke.
(speaking Spanish) (upbeat rock music) (police sirens) - That's as far as we go.
No way to make it through there without a four-wheel drive.
- Let's get back to the road.
That's gotta be where he's headed.
- Yeah, but where's he going after that? - Burke said he could grab Brian in 15 minutes.
That means a place close by.
- Yeah, well there's a lot of motels close by.
Got La Paloma, El Sid, La Luna, Papa Gallo Rojo and Sed.
- Wait a minute, Papa Gallo Rojo? That means the red parrot, doesn't it? Brian drew a picture of a red bird.
- That could be it.
- Let's go.
- We gotta get out of here.
Come on, pack it up.
- So, where's the Bronco? - Let's try around back.
(window breaks) (gunshot) - Keep him busy.
Fire into the air.
I don't want to hurt the boy.
(gunshots) (suspenseful music) (gunshots) - Come here.
(panting) Stay right there, Brian, or I'm gonna have to hurt your Aunt Paula.
- Don't listen to him.
Brian, run.
- Shut up.
Get out of my way.
- I want the boy and I want you.
(gunshot) Stay there.
(suspenseful music) (gunshot) - Who are you? - I'm the guy that's gonna bury ya.
(gasps) (gasp) - It's alright.
Detective Gomez, local police.
Mr.
Brian, hola (laughs).
(suspenseful music) - Why, why me? - 'Cause I don't like your face.
(gunshot) 'Cause of what you did to Brian.
(gunshot) 'Cause I'm enjoying it.
(gunshots) You want me to try another? - No, no no no, please don't.
- That's too bad, but I guess a bullet would be too quick and you don't deserve to get off that easy.
(suspenseful music) (upbeat instrumental music) Don't forget to tell your mom and dad how you helped me find you with your drawing of the red bird.
- Okay, Sargent Hooker, I'll tell 'em.
- I bet when you grow up you're gonna be a famous artist.
- Nope, when I grow up I wanna be a policeman.
- Brian.
Oh God, you're safe, you're safe.
- I don't know how to thank you, Sergeant.
- Looking at your face and Sarah's is thanks enough, believe me, Mr.
Randalls.
- You know what, Brian's my stepson but I feel about him like he's my own.
- That's clear to everybody, including Brian.
And I know Brian thinks of you as his own.
(upbeat instrumental music)
He's the one with the red shirt and the blue jeans.
Well, go get him.
- See you tomorrow, Bobby.
I'll bring my bat.
- Hi, Ryan.
- Hi.
- I've been waiting for you.
Your mom asked me to pick you up.
- Where is she? - Oh she's just doing some errands and I'm helping her out.
- [Boy.]
I don't know you.
- I know you don't, dear, but I know your mommy.
- You do? - Yeah, her name's Sarah.
She asked me to take care of you until she gets home.
Come on, let's go have an ice cream cone.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Brian, this is Dave.
He's going to drive us.
- How you doin', pal? - Hi.
(suspenseful music) (funky rock music) - And his name is Brian? - Brian, wearing a red polo shirt and blue jeans.
Today was a minimum day at school.
He should have been home by noon, no later.
- Are you sure your little boy didn't go home with a friend, maybe just forgot to tell you? - We're positive.
We've called all his friends.
We looked everywhere he might go.
- Officer, our son is missing.
Don't you people do anything besides fill out forms? - Mr.
Randall, I know how upset both of you must be but the detectives who handle child missing cases are out on a call right now.
We're spread a little thin on uniform personnel until the next shift.
- Well then what are you gonna do about it? - Can I give you a hand? - Mr.
and Mrs.
Randall here are reporting a missing child, their son Brian, seven years old.
He should have been home hours ago.
- Brian is our only child.
- Would you like a drink of water, ma'am, or maybe you'd like to sit down? - That's okay, I'll be alright.
- I know how you must feel.
It happened to me once.
My boy went looking for trouble in a storm drain and he was down for eight hours.
Seemed like eight days.
- But he was alright? - Yes, and that's the way these things usually turn out and I'm sure that's the way it'll be with Brian.
In the meantime we'll have copies of his picture made, we'll hand them out to all our people and to all the other precincts.
Next shift is just getting ready to come on.
- We'll get some units out on the streets right away and start looking for Brian.
- I'm Sgt.
Hooker, here's my number.
If Brian turns up please call me and if I hear of anything I'll be in touch.
- Thank you.
Come on, honey.
- Tough on 'em.
You can see they're pretty torn up about it.
- A missing child can be the worst.
Follow every lead, you can turn the city upside down, child's never seen again.
How many units can you spring for this? - Half dozen uniforms out with the flu.
I'll have to check the duty roster.
I'm clockin' off the desk.
Stace and I can hit the streets with 'em.
- And you can count me in.
- You mean you'd break your date with Erlene? - Yeah.
I'll just tell her not to start without me.
(laughter) Man, how can kids just disappear without a trace? - Sometimes some creep has given them a push.
(suspenseful music) - I don't understand.
A child is missing so how come the FBI won't help? - They have to have a clear signal that it's a kidnapping, otherwise they have no jurisdiction.
- You know, maybe we're tracking the wrong horse.
- What are you thinking? - I checked out Larry Randall, Brian's father.
He's been unemployed for six months ever since they closed the assembly plant in Sandhall.
A guy under that kind of pressure could take it out on a kid.
- Does he have any record of child abuse or wife beating? - Not that I can find.
- I got the feeling he really loved that boy but we can't afford to take anything for granted.
We gotta run him through NCIC computer, see if it's got anything on him.
- Hooker and Romano are doing a house to house? - Checking everything including storm drains.
Well, let's start hitting those Sudan buildings over on Western.
(upbeat instrumental music) - Well yeah, I did hear there was a missing child on the news on TV but I don't know what that's got to do with me.
- That old refrigerator has a great deal to do with you.
It's a death trap.
- What do you mean? - What's it take to get through to you people? Newspapers, TV, community circulars.
They all tell ya if you have an old refrigerator that's not being used take the door off or wire it closed.
- I know you're right.
I've been after my husband Harry to get a piece of wire.
- We're not gonna wait for your husband, okay? Now you tell your husband Harry when he comes home tonight that he's lucky that little Brian Randall isn't in there or I'd wire him close.
- We've about done it all, Hooker.
Brian's teacher, his friends, we've checked the community pool, the storm drains, gone door to door.
So have Corrigan and Stacy and all the other units.
We have covered this entire neighborhood.
Where else do we look, Hooker? - We start over from the beginning with Brian Randall's parents.
(beeps) - [Dispatcher.]
Dispatched four out of 30.
Dispatched four out of 30.
- Go Dispatch, this is 30.
- [Dispatcher.]
30, we have four out of 16 ready to be patched through.
Stand by.
- 30 this is Corrigan.
- You got something? - A jogger over here found the body of a young boy in the river bed.
He's been dead several hours.
- Dang.
(suspenseful music) Corrigan, Hooker.
Is it Brian Randall? - He's six to eight years of age, 46 inches tall, 52 pounds, dark hair, brown eyes, no distinguishing marks.
The description fits, Hooker.
(suspenseful music) (jazzy band music) (applause) - Oo.
- Cut it out, Dave.
I told you before, save it for Paula.
- Your loss, Crystal.
- I'm used to losing.
That's why I'm here.
- Great.
- Where have you been? The kid's been driving me crazy.
He wants his mommy.
- Look, just hang in till tomorrow, okay? That's when my deal comes together.
- This is insane.
I'm trying to work here and explain away a kid.
- What kind of story did you come up with? - I said he was my nephew.
Look, Dave, I can't handle this anymore.
You gotta talk to him.
- Alright, fine, so I'll talk to him.
Just start packin' because we're pulling out tomorrow.
- Hi Brian, you okay? - I want my mom.
- Aw, don't worry about your mommy, kiddo.
She's okay and she knows you're with me.
- I want my dad.
- Oh no you don't, and you know why? Because he's not your real daddy.
I am.
- No you're not.
You're not my dad.
- Brian, see this picture here, hmm? That's your mommy and this is you in mommy's arms and you see this man here? That's me, see? (suspenseful music) (funky rock music) - I thought Corrigan said the computer came up dry on Mr.
Randall.
- Nothing but a few traffic violations but when it comes to child abuse you don't want to hang your hat on the computer.
Most instances go unreported.
- You think that's the reason Brian might have split? - I wish I knew.
- One thing, it'll be a relief to be able to tell them the little boy in the river bed wasn't Brian.
- Yeah, but it was a boy that someone was looking for somewhere, some little kid who died alone and the chance of matching up the boy with the family is mighty slim.
- You'd think with all the technology in this country, computers, cameras, telephones, there shouldn't be any trouble ID'ing a kid's body.
- Brian's description could fit half the six to eight year olds I've ever known.
- Which is the problem.
- Sergeant, any word? - Nothing, I'm sorry.
- Come on in.
(dog barking) There's no news, honey, no.
Coffee, gentlemen? - No no, thank you.
- Thank you, no.
- Mr.
Randall, so far we've been operating under the theory that your son wandered off when exploring, got lost.
We haven't considered the possibility that your son's been kidnapped.
- I'm unemployed, what kind of ransom would anyone get from me? - People don't always kidnap for ransom.
Is there anybody you know that might want Brian just to have him, friend, a relative, a babysitter who was particularly fond of him? - Relatives.
- No Larry you're wrong, he couldn't.
There's no reason to bring that up.
- Mrs.
Randall, we're at a point where there's a reason to bring everything and anything up.
Who are we talking about? - We're talking about Brian's life, Sarah.
Her first husband David Burke.
- Brian's natural father but he doesn't even know Brian.
He deserted us when Brian was just four months old.
- Where is he now? - In prison back in New York.
- What for? - Armed robbery, he got 10 to life.
- Anything else I can check up on? - Oh nothing, Sargent.
- Your son was quite the little artist.
- That's the last one he did.
- No, Mrs.
Randall, not the last one, not if it's up to me.
(suspenseful music) (gasp) (gunfire) - Alright, everybody on the floor let's go, get down.
(screaming) (glass breaks) Come on, come on.
Come on, hurry up.
Hurry up.
(suspenseful music) - [Dispatcher.]
Four Adam 30 and all units in the vicinity of 4th and Roundtree.
The 211 silent, Van Ruth's Jewelers, 30 handle code two.
- Four Adam 30, roger.
(glass breaks) (gunshot) - Let's go.
- Ah, I'm hit.
(upbeat instrumental music) - There's three of 'em in a gray Chevrolet.
I hit one of 'em.
- Which way? - Straight to the right.
(police sirens) - Chevy sedan gray, westbound on Roundree.
Now passing 14th.
(car screeches) (upbeat instrumental music) (police sirens) - Aw, come on it's bad, man.
I gotta see a doctor.
- Burke, we gotta do something about this, fast.
- Okay, I'll get hold of a doctor.
You stay put.
I'll send them here.
- What are we doing, Hooker? This is where we lost 'em.
- We had 'em in sight till they swung off the Boulevard.
(suspenseful music) - The cops.
(gunshots) (car screeches) (police sirens) (car breaks through metal gate) (upbeat instrumental music) (cars screeching) (car drives through garage door) - Squeeze the trigger and you're a dead man.
Open your hand, let it fall.
Kick it away.
Your partner, too.
Now put your hands behind your neck and take it real easy.
- My partner's in bad shape.
- You're not doing too well yourself.
Get on your knees.
Read him his rights.
Give him a seat in the lounge.
I'm gonna talk to his buddy.
- You have the right to remain silent.
If you give up the right to remain silent.
- Let's see both hands.
Both hands.
(man moans) - You have the right to remain silent.
- Oh, man, skip the rights.
- You were made at the scene of a robbery, Van Ruth's Jewelers.
There were three men involved.
Who was the third man? - I need a doctor.
- And I need the name of your accomplice and where I can find him.
- Oh, come on, man.
I'm in pain.
- The name of your accomplice, who is he? Come on.
He split on you, didn't he? He probably told you he was gonna get a doctor.
You could have died waiting.
Who is he? - Burke, his name's Dave Burke - Dave.
Where do I find him? - I don't know.
- What do you mean you don't know? - I swear I don't know.
- You help him rip off all those jewels, you don't know where to find him? How are you gonna get your cut of the action? - Touch, got in contact with the buyers, some guy from Mexico somewhere.
- If you don't know where he lives, where does he hang out? - Popeyes, he goes with one of the strippers, Paula Bennett.
- Is this the boy? - Yeah, I wish you'd got here sooner.
Burke's probably in Mexico by now and for sure Paula and the kid are with him.
They all took off together.
- Well that's our answer, that's what's happened to the boy.
Burke snatched him and ran with him to Mexico.
And Brian isn't Paula's nephew, Crystal.
That's a story they fed you.
Where in Mexico are Paula and Burke taking Brian? - Morales, they'll be there a couple of days and then they're headed to South America.
- How do you know? - Paula told me.
- These drawings, did Brian do them? - Yeah, I helped him do the one of Paula and that's a cat and that's well, I guess it's just a bird.
- At least we know he's still alive.
- There's no guarantee he's gonna stay that way.
Are you sure he said Morales? - Yes, sure.
- Thank you, Crystal.
(suspenseful music) - Please.
Hey, Hooker.
- What do you have at home these days? - Morales? Talked to my brother the other day.
Fish are jumping, weather's good.
Why, you gonna take some of that overtime you've got built up? - I've been thinking about it.
- Hey, you go to Morales and you gotta look up my big brother Miguel.
He'll show you around if he can tear himself away.
- His caseload as heavy as ours? - (Laughs) No, it's not police work that keeps Miguel busy.
Senoritas, tequila, poker.
- I thought you said he was a good detective.
- The best, he knows what's under ever rock in Morales but I thought you wanted to go fishing.
- Yeah, for a snake who kidnapped a little boy.
I'll need your brother to turn over some of those rocks.
Call him for me, will ya? Tell him I'm comin' down.
- You got it, Hooker.
(jazzy instrumental music) - Buenos dias, what's it going to be, Senor, bull fights or las senoritas? - Police station.
- The police station, Senor? What are you going to do there? - See a friend of a friend Detective Miguel Gomez.
- (Laughs) Senor, you don't want to go to the police station.
You never find Detective Gomez there but don't worry, I take you to him.
(upbeat instrumental music) (car screeches) Senor, you have to go down to the classroom, past the left, go to the church.
- Thank you very much, sir.
- I don't like it here.
- Don't worry about it.
You'll like it just fine.
- I don't like it here either.
- Just get off of my back.
- If I'd have known what you were into I never would have taken up with you again.
- Hey, babe, you wanted a better life.
I'm giving you better.
- I want my mommy.
- Shut up.
- Don't take it out on him.
You've done enough to him already.
You've taken him from his home, not because you love him or you want him, but to get back at your ex-wife.
He's a possession to you, like a car or a TV set that you just don't want here to have.
(slaps woman's face) - Leave her alone.
- I'm warning you, Paula.
You go sour on me and I swear I'll leave you out here in the middle of nowhere.
(suspenseful music) (upbeat instrumental music) - Guys, I'm a detective.
- So you're a poker fan? - So you're Detective Vigel Gomez? - Mm hmm.
Real pleasure to meet you.
Brother Pete says you're one hell of a hotshot cop, huh? - Your brother tends to exaggerate.
- (Laughs) Oh, you think so? What'd he say about me? - That you're one of the best.
- Pete does not exaggerate (laughs).
Make yourself at home.
I'm red, amigos.
(speaking Spanish) You like tequila? - This is important.
- Throw the money on the table important? Excuse me.
- We have a saying here, baby needs a new cerappe.
Don't you, baby? (speaking Spanish) - Your brother Pete says you owe him one.
He owes me one.
I'm here to collect.
- That's the way it goes, huh? Everybody's got a pitch, everybody's got their hand out.
- In this case it's the hand of a little boy, seven year old.
For all I know his life may be in danger.
(speaking Spanish) - My brother Pete also says that when Hooker means business you either go with him or get out of his way.
- Your brother does not exaggerate.
- Whoa (laughs).
(speaking Spanish) - Never touch it.
- I think I'm gonna like you.
Let's go.
(speaking Spanish) After you.
- After you, you never know what's on the other side.
- Good point.
(instrumental Mexican music) Well, the boy's cute.
Forget the man Burke.
Now this woman, she I would like to find.
- I need all three.
Where do we start? - I'd have to say it's down it's full torch.
Maybe there are more of you here than us.
Look, why don't you tell me something about this Burke, huh? - He was doing time in upstate New York for armed robbery.
Just before I came down here I learned that he got out on parole.
- Oh, wait a minute.
He broke his parole when he drove across the border.
Maybe there's a reward out for his capture, huh? - No, I'm afraid not, but he and two associates cleaned out a jewelry store, over a million dollars worth and I'm sure the insurance company would be very appreciative to get those jewels back.
- Yeah, that's my kind of fugitive.
Let's go find that boy.
Right over here.
(car stalls) - I have the same problem.
(car starts) - Ah, wait, not so fast.
- Whoa whoa.
- I've been looking for you.
- You have been looking for me? You found me.
It's your lucky day, Mano.
Well, you're back in business.
This is for his merchant's license.
He doesn't like to go down to city hall.
- Of course.
Luis, Detective Gomez is helping me find three Americans, these three.
They came across the border yesterday.
Have you by any chance seen them? - No, senor.
Sorry.
(speaking Spanish) - Luis sees a lot of people, doesn't always take notice, but things for sale, those he knows about, right? - Hey Luis, this man here robbed a jewelry store in my city.
He's here in Morales trying to get rid of the jewels.
Over a million dollars worth of diamonds and rubies and emeralds and gold.
(speaking Spanish) - Help him, por favor.
- Could be I hear something about those jewels.
- Like what? - Just talk.
From my sister.
- Where do we find your sister? - I know of her, just follow me.
Gracias, Luis.
- Adios.
(funky instrumental music) - What are we stopping here for? - Hey, you wanna talk to Catalina, Luis's sister? Alright, she works here in the house.
First door at the top of the stairs.
- You coming with me? - No, you can handle it.
Besides, this is a good place for me to take my siesta (sighs).
- Something tells me they don't like to go down to city hall either.
(funky instrumental music) (knock on door) (suspenseful music) My name is Hooker.
I'd like to have a word with Catalina.
- Who sent you.
- Detective Miguel Gomez.
(laughter) There's a gorilla up there.
- Yeah, he's mean.
His name is Mingo.
- Why didn't you tell me? - My brother says you're a man who likes to learn for himself (laughs).
Here.
- I just learned.
I'm gonna do this my way.
(smack) - Not bad.
- My way.
(laughter) - Mingo, that's my Sergeant Hooker, United States.
- Which one of you is Catalina? - I am Catalina.
- Your brother Luis and Detective Gomez said you had some information that could help me.
- Nothing more? - I'm trying to track some stolen jewels that were smuggled in from the states.
You told your brother you had heard something about them? - You must be mistaken, senor.
- But Catalina, you're afraid.
What is it? - I can't say.
I am sorry.
- You're not afraid of Detective Gomez are you? - (Laughs) Miguel? No senorita is afraid of Miguel.
- Then what is it? Why won't you help me? - Please, just leave.
- Catalina, when I mentioned the jewels just now you got very quiet.
I don't care about the jewels.
But the man who stole them and smuggled them here, he also took a little boy he had no right to take and there's a chance that something bad might happen to that little boy if i don't get to him quickly.
Please, help me.
- I have this friend, Ampro.
She spends much time at the hacienda of Senor Madera.
She told me she heard the senor speak of buying many diamonds and other jewels.
- That's good enough.
- That's all I know.
- Many thanks.
And I'll tell Detective Gomez that you helped me.
- Where to, my friend? - To the hacienda of someone named Madera.
- Senor Hidalgo Madera? He's a very powerful man in the city.
- He's also a dealer in stolen jewelry.
He could lead us to the boy.
- That may be but unfortunately I don't even have grounds on which to question Mr.
Madera.
- Now look, when I go back to my city the boy's mother and father are gonna be waiting for me.
I'm not gonna give them a speech on jurisdiction and red tape.
I'm gonna give them a boy.
- If my son were missing you'd be the first man I'd ask to find him, alright? Now this Madera, he's not just rich, he's dangerous.
If what you say is true this Burke is equally dangerous.
In which case you might need this.
- Gracias, amigo.
- Of course if you get caught with that regretfully I will have to say it was stolen from me.
- Of course.
- And put you in jail.
- Of course.
Two more things then you're off the hook.
- I hope so.
- Lend me your car and point me to Madera's hacienda.
- Alright.
(suspenseful music) - Listen, your men have had enough time to look at the stuff, huh? - Have another drink, Mano.
Take your pick of one of my girls.
Here, take this one.
Life is short.
- Thanks, not this time.
I just want to finish my business and get on the road.
- Yes, our friend in the states said you would be in a hurry.
Very well, let us conclude matters.
(speaking Spanish) (suspenseful music) The estimated market value is $1.
2 million.
I will give you $300,000.
- Don't try to shortchange me, Madera.
Our deal was 50% of market.
- Yes, that was before you had to come here to my country.
Here I am king.
I would use the respect my colleagues as a businessman if I did not press my advantage.
I will give you $300,000.
- Alright.
Just give me my 50%.
In 15 minutes me and my kid'll be out of Morales.
- If you kill me my men will surely kill you.
Don't be a fool, Burke.
Take your $300,000 and get out while you still can.
(gunshot) (speaking Spanish) (fighting) - I counted on you being here.
Madera's in there with the stolen jewelry.
- What a lucky coincidence, my friend.
I've been after him for a long time.
(speaking Spanish) - That's Burke.
(speaking Spanish) (upbeat rock music) (police sirens) - That's as far as we go.
No way to make it through there without a four-wheel drive.
- Let's get back to the road.
That's gotta be where he's headed.
- Yeah, but where's he going after that? - Burke said he could grab Brian in 15 minutes.
That means a place close by.
- Yeah, well there's a lot of motels close by.
Got La Paloma, El Sid, La Luna, Papa Gallo Rojo and Sed.
- Wait a minute, Papa Gallo Rojo? That means the red parrot, doesn't it? Brian drew a picture of a red bird.
- That could be it.
- Let's go.
- We gotta get out of here.
Come on, pack it up.
- So, where's the Bronco? - Let's try around back.
(window breaks) (gunshot) - Keep him busy.
Fire into the air.
I don't want to hurt the boy.
(gunshots) (suspenseful music) (gunshots) - Come here.
(panting) Stay right there, Brian, or I'm gonna have to hurt your Aunt Paula.
- Don't listen to him.
Brian, run.
- Shut up.
Get out of my way.
- I want the boy and I want you.
(gunshot) Stay there.
(suspenseful music) (gunshot) - Who are you? - I'm the guy that's gonna bury ya.
(gasps) (gasp) - It's alright.
Detective Gomez, local police.
Mr.
Brian, hola (laughs).
(suspenseful music) - Why, why me? - 'Cause I don't like your face.
(gunshot) 'Cause of what you did to Brian.
(gunshot) 'Cause I'm enjoying it.
(gunshots) You want me to try another? - No, no no no, please don't.
- That's too bad, but I guess a bullet would be too quick and you don't deserve to get off that easy.
(suspenseful music) (upbeat instrumental music) Don't forget to tell your mom and dad how you helped me find you with your drawing of the red bird.
- Okay, Sargent Hooker, I'll tell 'em.
- I bet when you grow up you're gonna be a famous artist.
- Nope, when I grow up I wanna be a policeman.
- Brian.
Oh God, you're safe, you're safe.
- I don't know how to thank you, Sergeant.
- Looking at your face and Sarah's is thanks enough, believe me, Mr.
Randalls.
- You know what, Brian's my stepson but I feel about him like he's my own.
- That's clear to everybody, including Brian.
And I know Brian thinks of you as his own.
(upbeat instrumental music)