The Closer s03e09 Episode Script
Blindsided
- So.
- Officer-involved shootings often bring up feelings of remorse and/ or guilt, even if the officer's life was threatened.
How have you been feeling since the attack? - Any nightmares? - No, I'm fine.
Well, I haven't been sleeping much lately, but that's perfectly normal for someone going through early onset menopause.
Which I might be, according to my doctor.
- Any flashbacks? - No.
Just the occasional hot flash.
So, you're fine.
Nothing major going on in your life? Yes.
No.
Well, no.
Not really.
My parents are coming to town today.
And my daddy's never met Fritz, so - Who's Fritz? - My boyfriend.
Fiancé.
We just got engaged.
Oh, my My ring's in my purse.
I'm getting it sized.
And I'm We're buying a house.
So, then, other than possible early onset menopause, getting engaged, having your parents come into town, buying a new house, and being attacked with a cattle prod then shooting and killing your assailant, there's nothing significant happening in your life? Why do you have to say it like that? So I'm done? I can go? That's up to you.
Brenda, if you're ever feeling unfine, come back and see me.
I will.
Thank you.
So, I Thank you.
Bye.
- It was very helpful.
- Good.
You're always saying I need to listen to outside opinions more, and the opinion of our best psychiatrist is that I'm ready to go back to work.
Really? Ready for work? That's what she said? Yeah.
More or less.
"To Chief Pope.
From Dr.
Leonard.
Re: You.
"Deputy Chief Johnson is not fit for full investigative duties.
"She is exhausted, disconnected, distracted, "and in denial of deep emotional issues.
"Allowing Deputy Chief Johnson to resume a full workload could put her "and other members of the LAPD at risk.
" Well, that is just nuts! According to the department shrink, so are you: But since making you stay at home will only make matters worse, Greg Pierson, a reporter for Channel 8, wants to do an investigative piece on the LAPD.
I know.
But this is a good one.
He wants to draw attention to how overburdened and understaffed we are, and that's a story we need to get out there.
So, you want me to talk to this reporter? I was thinking a ride-along with the Deputy Chief and head of Priority Homicide might be a nice gesture of cooperation.
Pick Pierson up at his office.
And, Brenda, I know.
He looks like a ninth grader, but he's very sharp.
So please keep your answers as simple and clear as possible.
Are you seriously giving me advice on how to handle an interview? Yes, I am.
Just please don't make news.
Hey, Fritzy! Where are you? You were supposed to be home by now.
I'm at work.
What are you doing? What am I doing? I'm trying to clean up this place before your parents get here.
No, no, no.
Don't clean up.
I'll do that when I get home, which will be a little bit later than I thought.
Wait, wait, wait.
No, Bren.
You're not suggesting that I pick up your dad, who I have never met, all by myself? You met my mother.
She'll introduce you.
- Brenda, Brenda, Brenda.
- Look, don't worry.
My daddy has a great sense of humor.
And my mother, she's just going to be reading signs all the way back to the hotel, anyway.
Just let them drop their bags, check in, and I'll meet you at home later.
Okay? - No, you can't - I promise.
And don't say anything about the engagement.
Okay? - No! Wait! - Love you.
- Hello, Sergeant.
- Hi, Chief.
Good to see you back.
Lieutenant Provenza? Pope asked me to drive you and Greg Pierson around to free you up to talk to them, so Pope? He's your buddy now, huh? You don't have to call him Chief Pope? I suppose he assigned you to baby-sit me? Where y'all going? - Nowhere.
- Has there been a homicide? Yeah.
And this one's pretty interesting too, Chief.
Dead body found inside a room that's locked from the outside.
Now, inside, there are no windows and no locks.
- Really? - No.
Some Academy Award-winning writer found dead in the Hollywood Hills.
Probably OD'd.
It was only a nomination.
He didn't actually win.
You want to come along? - What's the address? - No! If you give her that address, I swear to God I will tell Pope.
Chief Pope.
Sorry, Chief.
- Well, I'm driving.
- Actually Should we be talking or something? Just do what you normally do.
Pretend we're not even here.
Does he really need to film the back of my head? Just act natural.
She is.
Maybe we should just stop by the crime scene for one minute.
No.
No! What I'm really hoping for here, you guys, is a sense of how outnumbered you are.
Now, I did a little research.
I got a couple of addresses.
Supposed to be gathering places for one of the local gangs.
"Washington and Ridgeley.
" Take Franklin.
It's faster.
Franklin is not even on the way.
Franklin takes us into the Hills, and we are not going there.
That was a bit of a letdown.
Maybe the next address will be a little more exciting.
Now, if you don't mind my asking, what makes a homicide a priority? I mean, how do you prioritize murders, anyway? Well, three bodies or more.
Critical missings with children.
Homicides involving high-profile individuals.
Actually, you guys sometimes have more to do with that determination than we do.
You know, maybe we should just check and see if there's an example of one of these high-profile cases.
Maybe not.
So, essentially, rich white people are considered more important than poor minorities? No, sir.
Just seems that way because of the media coverage.
Does the LAPD also have Priority divisions for theft or for rape? Well, I'm not really qualified to answer some of your questions, but if you really want to see how we work, we should just take you to a Priority crime scene.
Sergeant Gabriel, you know the address, I presume.
Chief Pope has suggested we let Mr.
Pierson direct our route today.
Would you like me to call in and ask him if he wants Down! Shots fired.
We're at the corner of Damn it.
Santa Fe.
- Send an ambulance now! - Sergeant! I need a towel or something.
All units, officer needs help.
- Help him! - Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
- Help him.
Chief.
I know.
I know, Sergeant.
- We need help! Now! - It's all right.
It's all right.
Santa Fe, 400 South! It's gonna be okay.
Help is coming.
Send paramedics! Please! Officer needs help! Hang in there, man.
Just calm down, all right? Just calm down.
Just breathe.
- Help him.
- Oh, my God! Brenda! No, wait, wait! Don't you Okay.
I got you.
I got you.
Mr.
Johnson, I'm sorry.
The cat was trying to - I'm sorry.
- A man ought to have a dog.
You can talk sense to a dog.
Where's Brenda? I thought you said she'd be here by now.
Yeah, I did.
She must've hit some traffic.
Can I get you something to drink? - Iced tea.
- I don't think they have iced tea, Clay.
Of course, they have iced tea! Everybody's got iced tea.
Not in Los Angeles.
- Don't do that.
- I didn't say anything.
- You were going to.
- I have ice.
And I think I have tea.
You know, I think he could really use a bourbon.
Bet they don't even have bourbon.
Make it a double.
He's driving me crazy.
Are you all right? What happened? Oh, no.
This blood is not mine.
This is Chad, and this is Roy.
They'll be staying with us for a bit.
Oh, honey! I'm fine.
Mama, I'm fine.
I just I need to shower.
- Daddy.
- Willie Ray, let her go.
There are two SWAT guys in the living room, a black and white out in front of the house.
Tell me what happened.
There was a shooting.
I tried to help the victim, but he didn't make it.
Look, I don't want my parents to worry about me.
And you shouldn't be in here when they're out there! Would someone mind telling me what's going on? - Roy? - I'm sorry, ma'am.
I'm not at liberty to say.
Say what? That someone tried to shoot my daughter? So you already know? Of course.
Just not all the details.
Well, ma'am, your daughter and Sergeant Gabriel weren't hit.
One of the passengers was killed.
The other one's going to make it.
Kitchen's clear.
So, as you can see, I'm fine.
Now, how are you and Daddy getting along? I don't know.
Where's your ring? Oh, it's in my purse.
In evidence.
Sorry.
Look, please don't leave my parents alone out there.
And, please, don't tell them I got shot at.
You got shot at? Yes! But they missed.
Look, now we got the SWAT detail, so everything's going to be fine.
Please, just please look after my parents.
Okay.
Okay.
So, y'all ready to go to dinner? Roy said someone was trying to kill you.
- Sorry, ma'am.
- You had no choice, son.
We're staying here.
No, no, no.
That's not necessary.
Honey, we've already canceled the hotel.
Roy sent a squad car to pick up our luggage.
I'll cook something.
No! We're going out to dinner! Maybe we should take it easy.
No, I'm not going to let this ruin our fun.
Just because we have this silly SWAT detail, doesn't mean that we can't do what we were planning.
Like going to the beach.
And Chinatown.
Honey, the only sight we're here to see is you.
Oh, all right then.
But y'all are going to stay in my bedroom, okay? Oh, no! No, you're the one that got shot at.
We'll sleep on the foldout.
The only question is, where's Fritz going to sleep? Oh.
Well Well, I We're going to need a bigger board.
We've moved that writer suicide over to Hollywood division, so you all are on the shooting full time now.
Chief Johnson believes that you are the best detectives in the building.
So, prove her right.
Lieutenant Provenza, you're in charge.
What do you got? Tao.
Ballistics confirmed our casings are.
223 rounds.
M16, AR-15, some kind of serious firepower.
- Probably gangs.
- Sanchez.
Santa Fe and Mateo.
That's not big gang territory.
But they do travel.
And she's ticked off plenty of them over the past couple of years.
I've been on the line with special investigators at the county lockup and the state prisons.
Now, they're following up to see if any of their snitches have heard anything about a hit on a cop.
Flynn.
We're checking out everybody that Chief Johnson has either arrested, investigated or helped convict, along with their friends and families.
Starting with the most recent, and are working our way back.
I'm expecting a similar list from Atlanta.
What about D.
C? There were a lot of people who hated her there.
Already contacted them.
All right.
So, is that it? No, sir.
In about 20 minutes, we are interviewing the witnesses.
Oh.
Hello, Sergeant.
So, how you doing? I'm I'm kind of pissed at being shot at.
But how are you? I'm so sorry.
- For what? You didn't do anything.
- I almost got you killed.
Oh, forget it, Chief.
That's And I have been so mean to you! Chief, really.
It's okay.
I'm fine.
All right.
Let's get this over with, huh? Here you go, Chief.
Who's going to interview who? - Call it.
- Tails.
Heads.
Come on, Gabriel.
So, look, Chief, if this is a little awkward for you.
No, Lieutenant.
Go right ahead.
When do I get my purse back? Your purse? Your purse is in evidence.
- Okay - So, do you have any leads? Anyone see the shooter's car? Time out.
I'm more interested right now in your recollections.
Starting with what route you took.
We were headed west on Santa Fe, and Chief wanted to come to your crime scene instead.
I wouldn't take her there.
Did you see where the shots came from? I felt it was coming from my right side and it sounded close.
But, I didn't I didn't see anything.
Nothing? - Anything might help.
- No.
I have been trying, but I can't remember seeing anything.
Not a face, not a color of a car.
I don't even know if there was a car there.
I should have been paying more attention.
I'm sorry.
It's okay, Sergeant.
Just take it easy.
Have you received any death threats? Had any unusual contact with gang members, - or subjects of a past investigation? - No.
What about your love life? Dating anybody who might have an angry ex-boyfriend? No ex-boyfriends that I know of.
But you are dating someone? Yeah.
Does this somebody have a name? Irene Daniels.
Detective Daniels? Who knew about this? Saw them at the movies.
How long have you and she been About a year now.
And in that time, I haven't met any of her exes, or she hasn't mentioned any.
Now, can we move on? We were pulling away from a stop sign, and I heard a loud report, so I dropped down to the floor.
- And how many shots did you hear? - Five.
Fifteen.
Maybe 20.
How many times do I have to say it? I heard five shots.
I remember counting five.
I told myself to be sure to count.
Seemed like it went on forever.
And there were some other noises.
There was some screaming.
- You're sure? - Lieutenant, I'm positive.
Pierson's cameraman kept rolling the whole time.
Ma'am, are you sure you want to see this? Yes.
Yes, I am.
Buzz, play it please.
Pierson direct our route today.
Would you like me to call in and ask him if he wants Down! I could've sworn it was five.
Twenty-one shots were fired, lasting 4.
3 seconds.
Buzz, roll the crime scene video.
- Buzz! - Now, looks as though the shots came from one position, either a stationary or a slow-moving vehicle.
Deputy Chief Johnson and Sergeant Gabriel have blood on them, none of which appears to be theirs.
The casings we did find were in one area.
Like the asshole was waiting.
Hey! Folks, you want to step back, please? Lieutenant Provenza, keep me updated.
And you two go home.
Take the rest of the week off.
I'm sure you both have significant others who are worried about you.
forensics are looking for shrapnel.
It appears the shots came from over there.
People think we don't get shot at.
Buzz, get the car.
You two were lucky.
No.
I don't believe in luck.
You know what? Lieutenant, if I were running this investigation, I'd want the witnesses to see that car.
In person.
You know, I was just thinking the same thing.
Lieutenant Tao.
Lieutenant Tao, how many casings were recovered at the crime scene? We're trying to jog the witness's memory.
- Twenty-one casings.
- And how many bullets hit the car? Well, I can't say for sure 'cause a couple could've gone through the windows, which wouldn't leave bullet holes, but I'm counting 17.
Seventeen or more out of 21? All concentrated in the same area? That's pretty solid marksmanship.
Yeah.
But he missed.
No.
He didn't miss.
I wasn't his target.
You can either slap me on the wrist about insufficient neighborhood police presence, or you can tell me you're taking that money out of my budget.
Pick one! When might Chief Pope have a moment to speak with me today? - Hey.
Are you okay? - Hey.
- Better than okay.
- Great.
That's great.
- Why? - Because the guy you thought was trying to shoot at me was actually shooting at Greg Pierson.
So you can call off the SWAT team, and I can get on with doing my job - and investigating this murder.
- Not going to happen.
- But why? - Until we have the shooter in custody, the security detail stays in place.
- You are too important to this department.
- Well, I'm flattered, but I cannot operate under these conditions.
Maybe I should remind you that you're not supposed to be operating at all until you are cleared for active duty by Dr.
Leonard.
Come on, Will.
Nobody has to know.
Good.
Nobody has to know.
Good.
That'll make it like Gabriel and Daniels dating for a year.
- Well, it's not like they're partners.
- I don't care.
That's important enough that I would've expected you to tell me about it.
Look, we can talk about this later.
Right now, you need to go home.
- Is that an order? - Yeah.
If it has to be.
Guess I didn't realize how much I was bothering you.
Great.
Once again, Chad, I did not mean to hurt your feelings.
- It's okay.
- Now, what are you gonna tell Chief Pope? - That we went straight home.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Kemble, how are you feeling today, sir? I remember putting my camera down.
That's it.
Mr.
Kemble, we are very sorry about your friend.
Thanks.
You know, I've been doing this job long enough to recognize the real deal.
I mean, this kid, he had "network" written all over him.
And I guess I kind of thought he'd bring me with him.
I was wrong.
I'm so sorry about all of this.
I'm just so sorry.
- Thank you.
- It's all just so unfair.
Greg was such a good man.
The work he did.
- You're pulling a Pierson.
- Excuse me? You know, kiss ass and lie to your subject till they tell the story you want.
- I wasn't trying to - I worked with Greg.
I've seen the technique enough to recognize it.
You're saying Greg lied to people? Who did he lie to? Everybody.
He lied to you guys.
- He did? - Greg wasn't doing a feature on the overburdened LAPD.
He was about to expose how incompetent you are.
Really? We're incompetent? Well, there are thousands of fugitives in LA who you guys say you can't catch.
Greg did some basic research, followed up a few simple tips, and found a bunch of them.
One of them crashed at those two addresses he gave you.
So while we thought Greg was actually helping us out, he was setting us up to look like idiots.
- That is not cool.
- Well, like Greg used to say, "Sometimes you have to lie to tell the truth.
" Well, in my experience, most people don't like being lied to.
- What was this fugitive's name? - I don't know.
All right, Sergeant Gabriel, would you please have Lieutenant Provenza look into those two addresses? See what a little basic research turns up.
And, Mr.
Kemble, if you could give me some background information on anyone else who might have had a Pierson pulled on them, I would greatly appreciate it.
These gas pumps aren't just taking your money.
They're taking your identity.
Tonight I'll expose the Southland gas stations that are the biggest culprits.
And we'll tell you how to protect yourself against this all too common crime.
Fast forward.
Stop.
At these four-star restaurants, not all the wild animals end up on your plate.
Fritz, did you know Roy here raises German Shepherds? No, I didn't know that.
Roy and I haven't really had much of an opportunity to chat.
Some of his dogs have been trained to smell drugs.
- Just one.
Klaus.
He's a good boy.
- shocking video that may be difficult for more sensitive viewers.
Hey! Get that camera out of here! All of you out of here before I call the cops! - You It's a free country, sir.
- Shut it off! - It's a free country.
- Get out of here! Fast forward.
My mom's going to be bummed when she hears this guy died.
- She loved him.
- Such a nice-looking young man.
He's the first guy I've come across that seems to realize that LA is nuts.
- Who'd want to kill him? - Corporate accountants, lawyers, city councilmen, insurance company.
- Oh! Pause it! Pause it! - Please! Please, pause it! Okay, okay, okay.
What is going on, Brenda? Greg Pierson gave me two addresses when we were in that car.
Excuse me, Daddy.
His cameraman said he was following up on some tips.
I think I might know where those tips might've come from.
Lieutenant Tao, I need you What? Oh, it's 11:30.
Oh, right.
I'm sorry for calling so late.
I need you to pull some phone records for me.
Please? It's an 800 number.
I did you one better than that, Chief.
The network records all their tips and they keep all the recordings.
In case they get sued, I guess.
I know where you can find Alberto Ramirez.
Sir, can you please tell your name and where you received - Excuse me.
- Hey.
- What's going on here? - Hello, Commander.
Pardon me, but didn't Chief Pope forbid you two to be involved - in this investigation? - Well, we're just doing a little follow-up, Commander, with our primary witnesses.
Don't you usually do that at the home of the witnesses? Oh, my goodness, Commander.
With the price of gas? Yeah.
So we thought we would just save the department a few bucks by bringing them down here.
Well, I suggest you get them out of here before Chief Pope comes back in.
If he finds you're helping violate policy, especially on a case involving a member of the press - Thank you, Commander.
- You're welcome, Chief.
He's staying at 549 Ridgeley.
If he's not there you can find him at 2107 Mateo.
Okay, let me just repeat that.
Hello? Sir? So the caller sets Pierson up.
Gives him two addresses.
And while you're on your way to the first one, he has time to set up at the other.
And 2107 Mateo doesn't even exist.
But it's right near the intersection where you two got hit.
And what about the fugitive? Alberto Ramirez? Okay, he used to live at 549 Ridgeley.
But the guy's been in jail for two months.
He's a junkie.
- Where did the call come from? - Private residence.
Mr.
And Mrs.
Deke Hawthorn.
Deke Hawthorn.
Is that the Hawthorn Lodge guy? Oh, man! I love that place.
- What place? - Well, it's a LA institution, Chief.
One of the oldest steakhouses in the city.
Steakhouse? You're not doing the place justice.
It's a wild game restaurant.
You know, elk, venison.
- The Hawthorn Lodge.
- They closed, like, over a year ago.
- They closed? Why? - I think I know.
This report contains some shocking video that may be difficult for more sensitive viewers.
Hey! Get that camera out of here! All of you out of here before I call the cops! - You It's a free country, sir.
- Shut it off! Okay.
Freeze that.
It's a free country.
Okay, that old guy there, that's Deke Hawthorn.
His grandfather opened the restaurant in the '20s.
He's a big game hunter.
Whole family is.
Weekly special usually consisted of whatever they brought back from the hunt.
Okay, roll the crime scene video.
So Pierson does an exposé on the Hawthorn Lodge, claiming health code violations and, two months later, they have to close down.
- A lot of people trusted this guy.
- Losing a family business.
That's motive.
Maybe we should talk to Deke Hawthorn.
What's the matter with you? I can't believe that I may have eaten rat droppings.
and Forensics are looking for shrapnel.
It appears the shots came Okay.
Go back.
Go back.
Okay.
Stop there, Buzz.
He look familiar to anyone? That's the same guy who's with Deke Hawthorn in that news video! Okay.
Lieutenant Provenza, find Deke Hawthorn, please, and see if he knows who this young man is, and then bring them both in.
Let's see if we can find out exactly whose voice is on that tip line.
- So are you going to interview them? - I am Not allowed to participate in any investigation.
Mama, why are you reading yesterday's newspaper? Your father has today's.
I'll read that one tomorrow.
You know, I was thinking you could invite some of your friends from work over tonight.
We could have a cookout.
Mama, they're busy.
Working.
- Do you need pancakes, sweetheart? - No! I'm not hungry.
I'll make some pancakes.
Roy, Chad, would you boys like to help me in the kitchen? Yes, ma'am.
- She never listens to me.
- Are we upsetting you? - No.
- Do you want us to go? No, Daddy.
I am upset, but not at you.
It's that stupid psychiatrist who won't let me go back to work.
Which probably thrills you to no end 'cause you've been wanting me to quit being a police officer since the day I started.
All we've ever wanted was for you to be happy.
I am happy, Daddy.
Why can't you just accept that? Look, honey, when you wanted to go to Georgetown, I said no, and you went anyway.
When you wanted to go to work for the State Department, I said no.
Well, you did it anyway.
Then when you called and said you're going to work for the D.
C.
Police, your mama nearly had to sit on me to keep me from driving the van up there and kidnapping you.
Over the years, I've tried to stand in your way several times, and you always ran right over me.
Capisce? You want to go back to work, you go back to work.
I've always found it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Know what I mean? - Aren't you supposed to be at home? - Just poking my head in.
Mind waiting out here for a minute, please? Hi, everybody.
Fine.
- Did you talk to the psychiatrist? - No.
What did I miss? Well, two months after Pierson's rat exposé, the Hawthorn Lodge closed.
Six months after that, Deke Hawthorn died.
- How? - Pills.
Twenty of them all at once.
- So who's our friend from the news video? - It's Bill Hawthorn, Deke's son.
He used to work for his dad, but now he's a waiter at a diner downtown.
Lives at home with mom.
Could've been Bill who called the tip line.
Did you search their house? The Hawthorns own eight registered rifles.
Looks like everyone in the Hawthorn family hunted.
We found seven at the house.
The one that was missing was a AR-15.
Mrs.
Hawthorn said it was up north at the family lodge.
So, no rifle.
Did Lieutenant Flynn read Mr.
Hawthorn his rights? Well, of course he did, Chief.
And the kid waived them.
But he doesn't have much to say, and our evidence is circumstantial.
Your evidence isn't circumstantial.
It isn't even evidence.
It's supposition and coincidence.
You don't even have the murder weapon.
But wait a minute, Chief.
Just wait a minute there.
- Maybe Flynn can get this kid to - Let him go.
But if we let him go, he could lawyer up or he could leave town.
Well, he isn't talking.
And you guys don't have any evidence.
So I don't see what other choice you have, but to let him go.
Nice to see y'all.
- You know what? You look very familiar.
- Really? - Where do I know you from? - I don't know.
- You going down, right? - Yeah, thanks.
- We've met before.
I know we have.
- No.
I don't think so.
No.
Are you sure? I could've sworn.
Excuse me! We're going up.
Shoot.
I'm sorry.
You know, it's funny that you don't remember me because I remember you.
Yeah, I really just don't.
Grab the next one.
You're the man who tried to kill me.
What? - That's not true.
- Oh, it is true.
And I can prove it.
You knew I was going to be with Greg Pierson three days ago.
And you called his tip line with two bogus addresses, so you could lure me to that street corner, where you were waiting to kill me.
But you missed.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Channel 8 recorded your voice on this tip line.
I know where you can find Alberto Ramirez.
- Are the elevator security cameras on? - Yeah.
Can you pull up this one? Do you have audio? Look Sergeant, I thought I told you to take the rest of the week off.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Security cameras are recording everything you and I say in this elevator right now.
So all I have to do is match what you say in here to that message you left on the tip line in our voice recognition lab, and I could positively identify you.
We got a voice recognition lab? - No.
- I can also match the gunshot residue on your hands and face.
Oh, I'm sure that you've washed them thoroughly since then, but unless you washed them with iodine and bleach that residue stays on your skin for five days.
It doesn't.
And I'm quite sure that it will match your father's AR-15 rifle, which you could've easily converted into an automatic weapon using a $20 kit you bought on the Internet.
Look, lady, I don't know who you think I am, but I don't know anything about any of this, okay? You're crazy.
I am not crazy.
I'm not the one who shot 21 rounds into a police car.
I'm not the one who tried to make it look like a gang drive-by.
I'm not the one who killed one person, wounded another and then returned to the scene of the crime to admire his handiwork.
- You don't understand - Do you have any idea how the LAPD feels about someone who tries to kill one of their own? Two of their own? My partner, my friend, was in that car with me.
And it doesn't end with the police, Bill.
Judges, juries, prison guards.
They all share a special contempt for someone who tries to hunt down and murder a police officer! That's a capital crime, Bill! You think this elevator's small? Just wait until you step into the gas chamber.
- Why are you doing this to me? - Why am I doing this to you? You're the one who tried to kill me! - No, I didn't! I swear to - Yes, you did! I was there, Bill.
A bullet went into the back of my car seat.
And if I hadn't ducked, I would be dead! And what did I ever do to you? What did I ever do! Nothing, I swear I Why did I deserve to sit curled up in the footwell of my car, while blood and glass rained down on me? Why me, Bill? Why did you try to kill me? I wasn't aiming at you! It was him! Pierson! He killed my father.
- Your father committed suicide! - No, he didn't! Pierson killed him! With that story he did on our restaurant.
Hawthorn Lodge was my dad's life, and Pierson destroyed it.
He planted those rats! I know he did! But my dad never did anything to deserve that! He never did anything to anybody! So you shot him? Yeah.
I never meant for anyone else to get hurt.
I didn't! I didn't I didn't even know you were going to be there until you picked him up in the car.
And look, I know how to use a gun, okay? I was so careful not to aim at you.
And I came back! I came back to make sure that you were okay! I did! And you are, you know.
You You're okay.
People need to know what he did to my dad.
People need to know the truth.
They will.
- Get back! Back against the wall! - Wait a minute! Turn around! Turn around! - Turn your ass around! - What's going on? - Don't move! - I don't understand what's happening.
- Face the wall! - But you're okay! I'm alive.
But I am not okay.
Don't ever do that again.
Look, I'm going to need my purse back from evidence.
Please.
It was really nice of you to invite us for dinner.
It's our way of saying thank you.
So, Brenda, Roy was telling us that we really need to see the - What is the name of that museum? - The Getty.
- Ever been, Fritz? - No, Roy, I haven't.
- It's awesome.
- And your father is interested in visiting that aircraft carrier at the Maritime Museum in San Diego.
- That seems a bit of a drive.
- Fritz and I are engaged.
- I knew it! - Nice! Good for you! How did you know? A mother knows these things.
And besides, your hand kept reaching over to feel your ring finger - as if something was missing.
- Well, it was in evidence.
Here it is.
Oh, honey, that is beautiful! Well, Agent Howard of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, did it not occur to you to pick up a telephone and call and ask for my blessing? Well, I'm sorry, sir, but Brenda and I are both adults, and I love your daughter.
Relax, son.
I'm just messing with you.
Come on.
You do hug, don't you? I mean, you have a cat.
- That's not my cat.
- It is now, son.
And you better make that cat very happy.
Hey, you two.
Smile! English
- Officer-involved shootings often bring up feelings of remorse and/ or guilt, even if the officer's life was threatened.
How have you been feeling since the attack? - Any nightmares? - No, I'm fine.
Well, I haven't been sleeping much lately, but that's perfectly normal for someone going through early onset menopause.
Which I might be, according to my doctor.
- Any flashbacks? - No.
Just the occasional hot flash.
So, you're fine.
Nothing major going on in your life? Yes.
No.
Well, no.
Not really.
My parents are coming to town today.
And my daddy's never met Fritz, so - Who's Fritz? - My boyfriend.
Fiancé.
We just got engaged.
Oh, my My ring's in my purse.
I'm getting it sized.
And I'm We're buying a house.
So, then, other than possible early onset menopause, getting engaged, having your parents come into town, buying a new house, and being attacked with a cattle prod then shooting and killing your assailant, there's nothing significant happening in your life? Why do you have to say it like that? So I'm done? I can go? That's up to you.
Brenda, if you're ever feeling unfine, come back and see me.
I will.
Thank you.
So, I Thank you.
Bye.
- It was very helpful.
- Good.
You're always saying I need to listen to outside opinions more, and the opinion of our best psychiatrist is that I'm ready to go back to work.
Really? Ready for work? That's what she said? Yeah.
More or less.
"To Chief Pope.
From Dr.
Leonard.
Re: You.
"Deputy Chief Johnson is not fit for full investigative duties.
"She is exhausted, disconnected, distracted, "and in denial of deep emotional issues.
"Allowing Deputy Chief Johnson to resume a full workload could put her "and other members of the LAPD at risk.
" Well, that is just nuts! According to the department shrink, so are you: But since making you stay at home will only make matters worse, Greg Pierson, a reporter for Channel 8, wants to do an investigative piece on the LAPD.
I know.
But this is a good one.
He wants to draw attention to how overburdened and understaffed we are, and that's a story we need to get out there.
So, you want me to talk to this reporter? I was thinking a ride-along with the Deputy Chief and head of Priority Homicide might be a nice gesture of cooperation.
Pick Pierson up at his office.
And, Brenda, I know.
He looks like a ninth grader, but he's very sharp.
So please keep your answers as simple and clear as possible.
Are you seriously giving me advice on how to handle an interview? Yes, I am.
Just please don't make news.
Hey, Fritzy! Where are you? You were supposed to be home by now.
I'm at work.
What are you doing? What am I doing? I'm trying to clean up this place before your parents get here.
No, no, no.
Don't clean up.
I'll do that when I get home, which will be a little bit later than I thought.
Wait, wait, wait.
No, Bren.
You're not suggesting that I pick up your dad, who I have never met, all by myself? You met my mother.
She'll introduce you.
- Brenda, Brenda, Brenda.
- Look, don't worry.
My daddy has a great sense of humor.
And my mother, she's just going to be reading signs all the way back to the hotel, anyway.
Just let them drop their bags, check in, and I'll meet you at home later.
Okay? - No, you can't - I promise.
And don't say anything about the engagement.
Okay? - No! Wait! - Love you.
- Hello, Sergeant.
- Hi, Chief.
Good to see you back.
Lieutenant Provenza? Pope asked me to drive you and Greg Pierson around to free you up to talk to them, so Pope? He's your buddy now, huh? You don't have to call him Chief Pope? I suppose he assigned you to baby-sit me? Where y'all going? - Nowhere.
- Has there been a homicide? Yeah.
And this one's pretty interesting too, Chief.
Dead body found inside a room that's locked from the outside.
Now, inside, there are no windows and no locks.
- Really? - No.
Some Academy Award-winning writer found dead in the Hollywood Hills.
Probably OD'd.
It was only a nomination.
He didn't actually win.
You want to come along? - What's the address? - No! If you give her that address, I swear to God I will tell Pope.
Chief Pope.
Sorry, Chief.
- Well, I'm driving.
- Actually Should we be talking or something? Just do what you normally do.
Pretend we're not even here.
Does he really need to film the back of my head? Just act natural.
She is.
Maybe we should just stop by the crime scene for one minute.
No.
No! What I'm really hoping for here, you guys, is a sense of how outnumbered you are.
Now, I did a little research.
I got a couple of addresses.
Supposed to be gathering places for one of the local gangs.
"Washington and Ridgeley.
" Take Franklin.
It's faster.
Franklin is not even on the way.
Franklin takes us into the Hills, and we are not going there.
That was a bit of a letdown.
Maybe the next address will be a little more exciting.
Now, if you don't mind my asking, what makes a homicide a priority? I mean, how do you prioritize murders, anyway? Well, three bodies or more.
Critical missings with children.
Homicides involving high-profile individuals.
Actually, you guys sometimes have more to do with that determination than we do.
You know, maybe we should just check and see if there's an example of one of these high-profile cases.
Maybe not.
So, essentially, rich white people are considered more important than poor minorities? No, sir.
Just seems that way because of the media coverage.
Does the LAPD also have Priority divisions for theft or for rape? Well, I'm not really qualified to answer some of your questions, but if you really want to see how we work, we should just take you to a Priority crime scene.
Sergeant Gabriel, you know the address, I presume.
Chief Pope has suggested we let Mr.
Pierson direct our route today.
Would you like me to call in and ask him if he wants Down! Shots fired.
We're at the corner of Damn it.
Santa Fe.
- Send an ambulance now! - Sergeant! I need a towel or something.
All units, officer needs help.
- Help him! - Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
- Help him.
Chief.
I know.
I know, Sergeant.
- We need help! Now! - It's all right.
It's all right.
Santa Fe, 400 South! It's gonna be okay.
Help is coming.
Send paramedics! Please! Officer needs help! Hang in there, man.
Just calm down, all right? Just calm down.
Just breathe.
- Help him.
- Oh, my God! Brenda! No, wait, wait! Don't you Okay.
I got you.
I got you.
Mr.
Johnson, I'm sorry.
The cat was trying to - I'm sorry.
- A man ought to have a dog.
You can talk sense to a dog.
Where's Brenda? I thought you said she'd be here by now.
Yeah, I did.
She must've hit some traffic.
Can I get you something to drink? - Iced tea.
- I don't think they have iced tea, Clay.
Of course, they have iced tea! Everybody's got iced tea.
Not in Los Angeles.
- Don't do that.
- I didn't say anything.
- You were going to.
- I have ice.
And I think I have tea.
You know, I think he could really use a bourbon.
Bet they don't even have bourbon.
Make it a double.
He's driving me crazy.
Are you all right? What happened? Oh, no.
This blood is not mine.
This is Chad, and this is Roy.
They'll be staying with us for a bit.
Oh, honey! I'm fine.
Mama, I'm fine.
I just I need to shower.
- Daddy.
- Willie Ray, let her go.
There are two SWAT guys in the living room, a black and white out in front of the house.
Tell me what happened.
There was a shooting.
I tried to help the victim, but he didn't make it.
Look, I don't want my parents to worry about me.
And you shouldn't be in here when they're out there! Would someone mind telling me what's going on? - Roy? - I'm sorry, ma'am.
I'm not at liberty to say.
Say what? That someone tried to shoot my daughter? So you already know? Of course.
Just not all the details.
Well, ma'am, your daughter and Sergeant Gabriel weren't hit.
One of the passengers was killed.
The other one's going to make it.
Kitchen's clear.
So, as you can see, I'm fine.
Now, how are you and Daddy getting along? I don't know.
Where's your ring? Oh, it's in my purse.
In evidence.
Sorry.
Look, please don't leave my parents alone out there.
And, please, don't tell them I got shot at.
You got shot at? Yes! But they missed.
Look, now we got the SWAT detail, so everything's going to be fine.
Please, just please look after my parents.
Okay.
Okay.
So, y'all ready to go to dinner? Roy said someone was trying to kill you.
- Sorry, ma'am.
- You had no choice, son.
We're staying here.
No, no, no.
That's not necessary.
Honey, we've already canceled the hotel.
Roy sent a squad car to pick up our luggage.
I'll cook something.
No! We're going out to dinner! Maybe we should take it easy.
No, I'm not going to let this ruin our fun.
Just because we have this silly SWAT detail, doesn't mean that we can't do what we were planning.
Like going to the beach.
And Chinatown.
Honey, the only sight we're here to see is you.
Oh, all right then.
But y'all are going to stay in my bedroom, okay? Oh, no! No, you're the one that got shot at.
We'll sleep on the foldout.
The only question is, where's Fritz going to sleep? Oh.
Well Well, I We're going to need a bigger board.
We've moved that writer suicide over to Hollywood division, so you all are on the shooting full time now.
Chief Johnson believes that you are the best detectives in the building.
So, prove her right.
Lieutenant Provenza, you're in charge.
What do you got? Tao.
Ballistics confirmed our casings are.
223 rounds.
M16, AR-15, some kind of serious firepower.
- Probably gangs.
- Sanchez.
Santa Fe and Mateo.
That's not big gang territory.
But they do travel.
And she's ticked off plenty of them over the past couple of years.
I've been on the line with special investigators at the county lockup and the state prisons.
Now, they're following up to see if any of their snitches have heard anything about a hit on a cop.
Flynn.
We're checking out everybody that Chief Johnson has either arrested, investigated or helped convict, along with their friends and families.
Starting with the most recent, and are working our way back.
I'm expecting a similar list from Atlanta.
What about D.
C? There were a lot of people who hated her there.
Already contacted them.
All right.
So, is that it? No, sir.
In about 20 minutes, we are interviewing the witnesses.
Oh.
Hello, Sergeant.
So, how you doing? I'm I'm kind of pissed at being shot at.
But how are you? I'm so sorry.
- For what? You didn't do anything.
- I almost got you killed.
Oh, forget it, Chief.
That's And I have been so mean to you! Chief, really.
It's okay.
I'm fine.
All right.
Let's get this over with, huh? Here you go, Chief.
Who's going to interview who? - Call it.
- Tails.
Heads.
Come on, Gabriel.
So, look, Chief, if this is a little awkward for you.
No, Lieutenant.
Go right ahead.
When do I get my purse back? Your purse? Your purse is in evidence.
- Okay - So, do you have any leads? Anyone see the shooter's car? Time out.
I'm more interested right now in your recollections.
Starting with what route you took.
We were headed west on Santa Fe, and Chief wanted to come to your crime scene instead.
I wouldn't take her there.
Did you see where the shots came from? I felt it was coming from my right side and it sounded close.
But, I didn't I didn't see anything.
Nothing? - Anything might help.
- No.
I have been trying, but I can't remember seeing anything.
Not a face, not a color of a car.
I don't even know if there was a car there.
I should have been paying more attention.
I'm sorry.
It's okay, Sergeant.
Just take it easy.
Have you received any death threats? Had any unusual contact with gang members, - or subjects of a past investigation? - No.
What about your love life? Dating anybody who might have an angry ex-boyfriend? No ex-boyfriends that I know of.
But you are dating someone? Yeah.
Does this somebody have a name? Irene Daniels.
Detective Daniels? Who knew about this? Saw them at the movies.
How long have you and she been About a year now.
And in that time, I haven't met any of her exes, or she hasn't mentioned any.
Now, can we move on? We were pulling away from a stop sign, and I heard a loud report, so I dropped down to the floor.
- And how many shots did you hear? - Five.
Fifteen.
Maybe 20.
How many times do I have to say it? I heard five shots.
I remember counting five.
I told myself to be sure to count.
Seemed like it went on forever.
And there were some other noises.
There was some screaming.
- You're sure? - Lieutenant, I'm positive.
Pierson's cameraman kept rolling the whole time.
Ma'am, are you sure you want to see this? Yes.
Yes, I am.
Buzz, play it please.
Pierson direct our route today.
Would you like me to call in and ask him if he wants Down! I could've sworn it was five.
Twenty-one shots were fired, lasting 4.
3 seconds.
Buzz, roll the crime scene video.
- Buzz! - Now, looks as though the shots came from one position, either a stationary or a slow-moving vehicle.
Deputy Chief Johnson and Sergeant Gabriel have blood on them, none of which appears to be theirs.
The casings we did find were in one area.
Like the asshole was waiting.
Hey! Folks, you want to step back, please? Lieutenant Provenza, keep me updated.
And you two go home.
Take the rest of the week off.
I'm sure you both have significant others who are worried about you.
forensics are looking for shrapnel.
It appears the shots came from over there.
People think we don't get shot at.
Buzz, get the car.
You two were lucky.
No.
I don't believe in luck.
You know what? Lieutenant, if I were running this investigation, I'd want the witnesses to see that car.
In person.
You know, I was just thinking the same thing.
Lieutenant Tao.
Lieutenant Tao, how many casings were recovered at the crime scene? We're trying to jog the witness's memory.
- Twenty-one casings.
- And how many bullets hit the car? Well, I can't say for sure 'cause a couple could've gone through the windows, which wouldn't leave bullet holes, but I'm counting 17.
Seventeen or more out of 21? All concentrated in the same area? That's pretty solid marksmanship.
Yeah.
But he missed.
No.
He didn't miss.
I wasn't his target.
You can either slap me on the wrist about insufficient neighborhood police presence, or you can tell me you're taking that money out of my budget.
Pick one! When might Chief Pope have a moment to speak with me today? - Hey.
Are you okay? - Hey.
- Better than okay.
- Great.
That's great.
- Why? - Because the guy you thought was trying to shoot at me was actually shooting at Greg Pierson.
So you can call off the SWAT team, and I can get on with doing my job - and investigating this murder.
- Not going to happen.
- But why? - Until we have the shooter in custody, the security detail stays in place.
- You are too important to this department.
- Well, I'm flattered, but I cannot operate under these conditions.
Maybe I should remind you that you're not supposed to be operating at all until you are cleared for active duty by Dr.
Leonard.
Come on, Will.
Nobody has to know.
Good.
Nobody has to know.
Good.
That'll make it like Gabriel and Daniels dating for a year.
- Well, it's not like they're partners.
- I don't care.
That's important enough that I would've expected you to tell me about it.
Look, we can talk about this later.
Right now, you need to go home.
- Is that an order? - Yeah.
If it has to be.
Guess I didn't realize how much I was bothering you.
Great.
Once again, Chad, I did not mean to hurt your feelings.
- It's okay.
- Now, what are you gonna tell Chief Pope? - That we went straight home.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Kemble, how are you feeling today, sir? I remember putting my camera down.
That's it.
Mr.
Kemble, we are very sorry about your friend.
Thanks.
You know, I've been doing this job long enough to recognize the real deal.
I mean, this kid, he had "network" written all over him.
And I guess I kind of thought he'd bring me with him.
I was wrong.
I'm so sorry about all of this.
I'm just so sorry.
- Thank you.
- It's all just so unfair.
Greg was such a good man.
The work he did.
- You're pulling a Pierson.
- Excuse me? You know, kiss ass and lie to your subject till they tell the story you want.
- I wasn't trying to - I worked with Greg.
I've seen the technique enough to recognize it.
You're saying Greg lied to people? Who did he lie to? Everybody.
He lied to you guys.
- He did? - Greg wasn't doing a feature on the overburdened LAPD.
He was about to expose how incompetent you are.
Really? We're incompetent? Well, there are thousands of fugitives in LA who you guys say you can't catch.
Greg did some basic research, followed up a few simple tips, and found a bunch of them.
One of them crashed at those two addresses he gave you.
So while we thought Greg was actually helping us out, he was setting us up to look like idiots.
- That is not cool.
- Well, like Greg used to say, "Sometimes you have to lie to tell the truth.
" Well, in my experience, most people don't like being lied to.
- What was this fugitive's name? - I don't know.
All right, Sergeant Gabriel, would you please have Lieutenant Provenza look into those two addresses? See what a little basic research turns up.
And, Mr.
Kemble, if you could give me some background information on anyone else who might have had a Pierson pulled on them, I would greatly appreciate it.
These gas pumps aren't just taking your money.
They're taking your identity.
Tonight I'll expose the Southland gas stations that are the biggest culprits.
And we'll tell you how to protect yourself against this all too common crime.
Fast forward.
Stop.
At these four-star restaurants, not all the wild animals end up on your plate.
Fritz, did you know Roy here raises German Shepherds? No, I didn't know that.
Roy and I haven't really had much of an opportunity to chat.
Some of his dogs have been trained to smell drugs.
- Just one.
Klaus.
He's a good boy.
- shocking video that may be difficult for more sensitive viewers.
Hey! Get that camera out of here! All of you out of here before I call the cops! - You It's a free country, sir.
- Shut it off! - It's a free country.
- Get out of here! Fast forward.
My mom's going to be bummed when she hears this guy died.
- She loved him.
- Such a nice-looking young man.
He's the first guy I've come across that seems to realize that LA is nuts.
- Who'd want to kill him? - Corporate accountants, lawyers, city councilmen, insurance company.
- Oh! Pause it! Pause it! - Please! Please, pause it! Okay, okay, okay.
What is going on, Brenda? Greg Pierson gave me two addresses when we were in that car.
Excuse me, Daddy.
His cameraman said he was following up on some tips.
I think I might know where those tips might've come from.
Lieutenant Tao, I need you What? Oh, it's 11:30.
Oh, right.
I'm sorry for calling so late.
I need you to pull some phone records for me.
Please? It's an 800 number.
I did you one better than that, Chief.
The network records all their tips and they keep all the recordings.
In case they get sued, I guess.
I know where you can find Alberto Ramirez.
Sir, can you please tell your name and where you received - Excuse me.
- Hey.
- What's going on here? - Hello, Commander.
Pardon me, but didn't Chief Pope forbid you two to be involved - in this investigation? - Well, we're just doing a little follow-up, Commander, with our primary witnesses.
Don't you usually do that at the home of the witnesses? Oh, my goodness, Commander.
With the price of gas? Yeah.
So we thought we would just save the department a few bucks by bringing them down here.
Well, I suggest you get them out of here before Chief Pope comes back in.
If he finds you're helping violate policy, especially on a case involving a member of the press - Thank you, Commander.
- You're welcome, Chief.
He's staying at 549 Ridgeley.
If he's not there you can find him at 2107 Mateo.
Okay, let me just repeat that.
Hello? Sir? So the caller sets Pierson up.
Gives him two addresses.
And while you're on your way to the first one, he has time to set up at the other.
And 2107 Mateo doesn't even exist.
But it's right near the intersection where you two got hit.
And what about the fugitive? Alberto Ramirez? Okay, he used to live at 549 Ridgeley.
But the guy's been in jail for two months.
He's a junkie.
- Where did the call come from? - Private residence.
Mr.
And Mrs.
Deke Hawthorn.
Deke Hawthorn.
Is that the Hawthorn Lodge guy? Oh, man! I love that place.
- What place? - Well, it's a LA institution, Chief.
One of the oldest steakhouses in the city.
Steakhouse? You're not doing the place justice.
It's a wild game restaurant.
You know, elk, venison.
- The Hawthorn Lodge.
- They closed, like, over a year ago.
- They closed? Why? - I think I know.
This report contains some shocking video that may be difficult for more sensitive viewers.
Hey! Get that camera out of here! All of you out of here before I call the cops! - You It's a free country, sir.
- Shut it off! Okay.
Freeze that.
It's a free country.
Okay, that old guy there, that's Deke Hawthorn.
His grandfather opened the restaurant in the '20s.
He's a big game hunter.
Whole family is.
Weekly special usually consisted of whatever they brought back from the hunt.
Okay, roll the crime scene video.
So Pierson does an exposé on the Hawthorn Lodge, claiming health code violations and, two months later, they have to close down.
- A lot of people trusted this guy.
- Losing a family business.
That's motive.
Maybe we should talk to Deke Hawthorn.
What's the matter with you? I can't believe that I may have eaten rat droppings.
and Forensics are looking for shrapnel.
It appears the shots came Okay.
Go back.
Go back.
Okay.
Stop there, Buzz.
He look familiar to anyone? That's the same guy who's with Deke Hawthorn in that news video! Okay.
Lieutenant Provenza, find Deke Hawthorn, please, and see if he knows who this young man is, and then bring them both in.
Let's see if we can find out exactly whose voice is on that tip line.
- So are you going to interview them? - I am Not allowed to participate in any investigation.
Mama, why are you reading yesterday's newspaper? Your father has today's.
I'll read that one tomorrow.
You know, I was thinking you could invite some of your friends from work over tonight.
We could have a cookout.
Mama, they're busy.
Working.
- Do you need pancakes, sweetheart? - No! I'm not hungry.
I'll make some pancakes.
Roy, Chad, would you boys like to help me in the kitchen? Yes, ma'am.
- She never listens to me.
- Are we upsetting you? - No.
- Do you want us to go? No, Daddy.
I am upset, but not at you.
It's that stupid psychiatrist who won't let me go back to work.
Which probably thrills you to no end 'cause you've been wanting me to quit being a police officer since the day I started.
All we've ever wanted was for you to be happy.
I am happy, Daddy.
Why can't you just accept that? Look, honey, when you wanted to go to Georgetown, I said no, and you went anyway.
When you wanted to go to work for the State Department, I said no.
Well, you did it anyway.
Then when you called and said you're going to work for the D.
C.
Police, your mama nearly had to sit on me to keep me from driving the van up there and kidnapping you.
Over the years, I've tried to stand in your way several times, and you always ran right over me.
Capisce? You want to go back to work, you go back to work.
I've always found it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Know what I mean? - Aren't you supposed to be at home? - Just poking my head in.
Mind waiting out here for a minute, please? Hi, everybody.
Fine.
- Did you talk to the psychiatrist? - No.
What did I miss? Well, two months after Pierson's rat exposé, the Hawthorn Lodge closed.
Six months after that, Deke Hawthorn died.
- How? - Pills.
Twenty of them all at once.
- So who's our friend from the news video? - It's Bill Hawthorn, Deke's son.
He used to work for his dad, but now he's a waiter at a diner downtown.
Lives at home with mom.
Could've been Bill who called the tip line.
Did you search their house? The Hawthorns own eight registered rifles.
Looks like everyone in the Hawthorn family hunted.
We found seven at the house.
The one that was missing was a AR-15.
Mrs.
Hawthorn said it was up north at the family lodge.
So, no rifle.
Did Lieutenant Flynn read Mr.
Hawthorn his rights? Well, of course he did, Chief.
And the kid waived them.
But he doesn't have much to say, and our evidence is circumstantial.
Your evidence isn't circumstantial.
It isn't even evidence.
It's supposition and coincidence.
You don't even have the murder weapon.
But wait a minute, Chief.
Just wait a minute there.
- Maybe Flynn can get this kid to - Let him go.
But if we let him go, he could lawyer up or he could leave town.
Well, he isn't talking.
And you guys don't have any evidence.
So I don't see what other choice you have, but to let him go.
Nice to see y'all.
- You know what? You look very familiar.
- Really? - Where do I know you from? - I don't know.
- You going down, right? - Yeah, thanks.
- We've met before.
I know we have.
- No.
I don't think so.
No.
Are you sure? I could've sworn.
Excuse me! We're going up.
Shoot.
I'm sorry.
You know, it's funny that you don't remember me because I remember you.
Yeah, I really just don't.
Grab the next one.
You're the man who tried to kill me.
What? - That's not true.
- Oh, it is true.
And I can prove it.
You knew I was going to be with Greg Pierson three days ago.
And you called his tip line with two bogus addresses, so you could lure me to that street corner, where you were waiting to kill me.
But you missed.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Channel 8 recorded your voice on this tip line.
I know where you can find Alberto Ramirez.
- Are the elevator security cameras on? - Yeah.
Can you pull up this one? Do you have audio? Look Sergeant, I thought I told you to take the rest of the week off.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Security cameras are recording everything you and I say in this elevator right now.
So all I have to do is match what you say in here to that message you left on the tip line in our voice recognition lab, and I could positively identify you.
We got a voice recognition lab? - No.
- I can also match the gunshot residue on your hands and face.
Oh, I'm sure that you've washed them thoroughly since then, but unless you washed them with iodine and bleach that residue stays on your skin for five days.
It doesn't.
And I'm quite sure that it will match your father's AR-15 rifle, which you could've easily converted into an automatic weapon using a $20 kit you bought on the Internet.
Look, lady, I don't know who you think I am, but I don't know anything about any of this, okay? You're crazy.
I am not crazy.
I'm not the one who shot 21 rounds into a police car.
I'm not the one who tried to make it look like a gang drive-by.
I'm not the one who killed one person, wounded another and then returned to the scene of the crime to admire his handiwork.
- You don't understand - Do you have any idea how the LAPD feels about someone who tries to kill one of their own? Two of their own? My partner, my friend, was in that car with me.
And it doesn't end with the police, Bill.
Judges, juries, prison guards.
They all share a special contempt for someone who tries to hunt down and murder a police officer! That's a capital crime, Bill! You think this elevator's small? Just wait until you step into the gas chamber.
- Why are you doing this to me? - Why am I doing this to you? You're the one who tried to kill me! - No, I didn't! I swear to - Yes, you did! I was there, Bill.
A bullet went into the back of my car seat.
And if I hadn't ducked, I would be dead! And what did I ever do to you? What did I ever do! Nothing, I swear I Why did I deserve to sit curled up in the footwell of my car, while blood and glass rained down on me? Why me, Bill? Why did you try to kill me? I wasn't aiming at you! It was him! Pierson! He killed my father.
- Your father committed suicide! - No, he didn't! Pierson killed him! With that story he did on our restaurant.
Hawthorn Lodge was my dad's life, and Pierson destroyed it.
He planted those rats! I know he did! But my dad never did anything to deserve that! He never did anything to anybody! So you shot him? Yeah.
I never meant for anyone else to get hurt.
I didn't! I didn't I didn't even know you were going to be there until you picked him up in the car.
And look, I know how to use a gun, okay? I was so careful not to aim at you.
And I came back! I came back to make sure that you were okay! I did! And you are, you know.
You You're okay.
People need to know what he did to my dad.
People need to know the truth.
They will.
- Get back! Back against the wall! - Wait a minute! Turn around! Turn around! - Turn your ass around! - What's going on? - Don't move! - I don't understand what's happening.
- Face the wall! - But you're okay! I'm alive.
But I am not okay.
Don't ever do that again.
Look, I'm going to need my purse back from evidence.
Please.
It was really nice of you to invite us for dinner.
It's our way of saying thank you.
So, Brenda, Roy was telling us that we really need to see the - What is the name of that museum? - The Getty.
- Ever been, Fritz? - No, Roy, I haven't.
- It's awesome.
- And your father is interested in visiting that aircraft carrier at the Maritime Museum in San Diego.
- That seems a bit of a drive.
- Fritz and I are engaged.
- I knew it! - Nice! Good for you! How did you know? A mother knows these things.
And besides, your hand kept reaching over to feel your ring finger - as if something was missing.
- Well, it was in evidence.
Here it is.
Oh, honey, that is beautiful! Well, Agent Howard of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, did it not occur to you to pick up a telephone and call and ask for my blessing? Well, I'm sorry, sir, but Brenda and I are both adults, and I love your daughter.
Relax, son.
I'm just messing with you.
Come on.
You do hug, don't you? I mean, you have a cat.
- That's not my cat.
- It is now, son.
And you better make that cat very happy.
Hey, you two.
Smile! English