T.J. Hooker (1982) s03e10 Episode Script
Blue Murder
1 (upbeat music) (siren blaring) (upbeat jazz music) - And finally, but in no way incidentally, let me say that there is not the least doubt in my mind that you're guilty as charged.
The narcotics you're known to distribute turn up on every level of our social structure.
And what I find particularly detestable is that your activity plays such a deadly role in the destruction of our children.
Mr.
Brown, to allow you to return to society unpunished is to do the greatest disservice to the people of this city.
You are, in my opinion, an evil person.
However, due to the arcane technicalities dredged up by your council, I have no alternative but to find you not guilty.
(gavel Pounding) (people chattering) (dismal music) (upbeat music) - Isn't that Willie Brown's car up ahead? (horn honking) (tires screeching) You believe that? - I believe anything about Sweet Willie.
(tires screeching) He thinks he's above the law.
- I seem to remember the last time we wrote him up the Skipper heard from Councilman Allen and then we heard from the Skipper.
- It was worth it.
(siren blaring) (upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) (knocking on windor) - What seems to be the trouble, officer? - Very simple Willie.
You made an illegal left.
Other than that, no trouble at all.
- That piece of paper don't mean nothing, man.
I got half of City Hall in my pocket.
- Yeah, I know.
You're a big man, Willie.
That's why I want your autograph, right there.
(doors slamming) (engine starting) (upbeat jazz music) (siren blaring) - I want names and badge numbers.
This is capital H harassment! - Guess again, pal.
(gun firing) - Now, where was that we said we're eating lunch? - 38th and Camden.
Let's roll.
(ominous music) (upbeat music) - I feel good about the whole thing.
The annual pistol competition.
- My money's on Hooker for the individualized.
- Oh, mine too.
But I think we'll win the team trophy as well.
This year with you we're stronger than ever.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Attention all units in the vicinity of 5th and Spring.
A 187 reported in the alley north of 5th.
- We're around the corner.
(siren blaring) - Not for long.
(tires screeching) (upbeat music) (siren blaring) - Alright everybody, get back from the car.
Come on, come on, back it up.
- Over here, move away! - [Man.]
Let's go! - Move away! - Just a second, just a second.
- [Man.]
Behind the car.
- Take it easy.
- [Man.]
He's dead! - Take it easy.
Stand back.
- [T.
J.
.]
You're the one that phoned this in? - Yes sir.
I saw him when I came out to dump some trash.
- [T.
J.
.]
Came out from where? - Hotel there.
I work the desk.
- Hi Hooker.
- Conrad.
- Anybody we know? Oh, Sweet Willie Brown.
- I gave him a traffic citation a block from here not 10 minutes ago.
- [Conrad.]
Well, he won't be paying it.
- Any of these rooms facing this way occupied? - Just one.
- You got a key? - Sargent, our guests have a right to privacy.
- Your guests are prostitutes and their Johns and they buy their privacy by the hour.
Now do you want me to get into that? - I'll get you the key.
- Thank you.
- The guy signed the register John Smith.
Think that's his real name? - Yeah, and the girl's name is Pocahontas.
- Uh huh.
(knocking) Looks like John Smith didn't get his money's worth.
Maybe he saw something.
- Looks like he left in a hurry.
Found his lighter.
Ralph P.
Janco.
One life one love.
(soothing jazz music) (door slamming) (doorbell ringing) - Yes - [T.
J.
.]
I'm Sargent Hooker, this is officer Romano.
- [Vince.]
Ma'am.
- [T.
J.
.]
We're looking for a Ralph P.
Janco.
- My husband, why? What's the matter? - Yes, what is it? - [T.
J.
.]
Mr.
Janko, I'd like to speak to you for a minute.
Out here.
There was a murder earlier today in an alley north of 5th Street.
We have reason to believe you may have seen something.
- 5th Street? I'm never in that part of town.
- Would you like to run that again? - Alright, I was there.
But I didn't see anything, I swear.
- What about the girl you were with? - Yeah, she did.
She must have.
We were, you know, getting ready and she was closing the drapes, and all of a sudden she just ran out.
- Any idea what she saw? - No, she didn't say and I didn't look.
I just took off.
- This girl, who is she? - Her name's Gloria.
That's all I know.
I just met her five minutes before.
- Nice lighter.
Who gave it to you? - My wife.
(ominous jazz music) (country music) (phone ringing) - Sherry's Bar.
Oh, yeah hold on Al.
Hooker, it's for you; Sargent Downey.
- Yeah.
- What's going on? Hooker got the whole vice squad out looking for Gloria? - Believe me, he tried.
- That's great, Al.
Al Downey got a lead on Gloria.
An address.
- Great, well what are we waiting for? - Morning; she's going to be doing her thing until sunup.
Frank! Frank.
- Hooker.
- What are you doing back in our precinct? - Well one thing's for sure, it's not nostalgia.
Come on, I'll buy you a drink.
- Well that's a first.
- Sherry Begal.
- [Sherry.]
(laughing) - How are ya? - Frank Medavoy, I haven't seen you since you made captain.
- You know something? You're the only thing I miss around here.
- Thanks a lot.
- Set us up with two tall ones Begal.
- [Sherry.]
Okay.
Oh, I have some bad news for you.
Your reign as department pistol champ is about to come to an end.
- Oh yeah? - I have a boy who could shoot the eyebrows off a gnat.
- Anybody I know? - Bill Roper.
- Roper, yeah.
The way I remember him he was too much of a Wyatt Earp for your precinct.
- The 23rd has changed, Hooker.
I've just spent three hours going over the records of the graduating recruits, and I aim to wind up with the best of the litter.
- Well pardon me if I don't wish you good luck.
We need them more than you do, our stats are going off the graph.
- Maybe, but they will start going down after today.
I heard about Sweet Willie.
- You know, something odd about that.
- Like what? - Well his gun was in his holster, the bullet-proof window was down, and he was shot point-blank.
- So? He knew his assassin.
- That was the same conclusion we reached last week when Helman got it.
And the same two weeks ago, when Jake Lundy was gunned down.
- That's the way things go sometimes.
- Frank, we're not talking ordinary hoods here.
We're talking heavy dudes.
These guys have been on top a long time.
They knew how to survive.
- Maybe they lost the knack.
The important thing is, we don't lose ours.
(door slamming) - [Officer.]
Gimme a box of .
22 longs, will ya? - You got it.
How about some thirty-eights? We got 'em on special.
- I got all I need.
It's for my lady.
- Smart, every lady should have a weapon these days.
You know, it's gettin' so you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys.
- I hear that.
Thanks a lot.
- Have a nice day.
- [Officer.]
Yeah, same to you.
(door slamming) - Got it - Hey look at this.
Nick Sypes, the hit man.
His attorney's talking to the D.
A.
- Nick Sypes? Maybe he should be added to the list.
(ominous music) - Now we have more than a pattern Junior, we got a connection.
- Yeah, sweet Willie and Lundy were taken out with the same .
22.
- You got it, and I'll bet ya' if that bullet found in Louie Helman hadn't been so mangled we'd have a third match.
- Okay, but why? Lundy was loan sharking.
Helman was extortion.
And Sweet Willie moved drugs.
- They got a common enemy.
- Who, the mob? Are they moving in? - Possible.
- How about a vigilante? - Another possible.
- A lot of questions.
- Maybe Gloria can give us an answer.
(upbeat music) (doors slamming) (knocking at door) - [T.
J.
.]
Gloria open up, police! (upbeat music) (door crashing) - You take the stairs to the roof.
(upbeat music) - Hold it! (upbeat music) - Don't shoot me! Please don't shoot me.
- Calm down, take it easy.
- I didn't do anything.
- [T.
J.
.]
Nobody said you did.
- I know what you cops did to Sweet Willie.
Please don't.
- What are you talking about? - I saw it! One of you shot him.
and the other just stood there and watched.
- You saying a cop shot Sweet Willie? (ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (door slamming) (grunting) - And you're the one who's always telling me to keep my feet on the ground.
- (grunting) It stretches out the back muscles.
You ought to try it some time.
- I have my own apparatus for that.
Arlene.
You ready for work? - [T.
J.]
Yeah, I'll be right with you.
- You know, you can have those ankle hooks built in now.
- Yeah but that requires a whole operation, who wants to be laid up for six weeks? Want some coffee? - I'll pass, thanks.
I wanna make it through the day without a hole in my stomach.
Have you seen this? An article about another street hood being knocked off.
I wonder who would have the guts to take him out.
- I wonder.
Something tells me it took more than guts.
- Hi Romano.
Hi Hooker.
- [T.
J.]
Claudia Sweenor.
- Hi Claudia, what are you doing with Hooker's dictionary? Working on crossword puzzles? - No, I was perming Phyllis's hair.
- With a dictionary? - Yeah, Phyllis is taller than I am and I couldn't reach.
- These are great, Hooker.
It's great having you as a next door neighbor.
So many things I can borrow.
Know what I mean? - Let's go, Romano.
Let's go.
- Do we have to? - Fighting crime's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.
Hang in there, Claudia.
(cheery music) - Wait a minute.
Maybe they're not real cops.
- Sure, anyone can walk into a uniform store and buy a set of blues, right? - But nobody can walk into a showroom and buy a fake squad car.
- You could buy black and white paint.
- Well, that's true.
But in the streets a fake black-and-white's a dangerous game.
One of our units would pick 'em up in no time.
- Then we're back to real cops.
- Well that's what I think, and if so we gotta pick 'em up right away.
Every cop in this city has a stake in it.
The day any one of us takes the law into our own hands, nobody's safe.
- How do we get to the truth? - We start diggin'.
(upbeat music) The first sheet has every call in our precinct between 12 and 13 hundred hours the day Sweet Willy bought it.
The other one gives the cars in the area at that time.
- Only four.
- Two if you eliminate us and 16.
That leaves Four Adam 10 and Four Adam 14.
- Four Adam 10, let's see; Rice and Jackson.
- Rice retires at the end of the month.
I'd say that leaves him and his partner out.
- Yeah I guess you're right.
Rice wouldn't chance blowing his pension when he's this close.
- Who's in 14? - Yoblanski and Falco.
- A transfer and a phase four; maybe.
- No wait a minute.
It says here they had a ride along that day, a reporter.
- So much for maybe.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Dispatch to Four Adam 30.
We have Four Adam 16 ready to be patched through.
- This is Four Adam 30, go 16.
- Hey, scratch the notion of any cars in the motor pool being used.
All we did was get our butts in the ringer.
- Sorry about that 16, we struck out, too.
None of our cars on patrol were involved either.
- Well let's hope you do better at the pistol shoot.
Remember, we got money riding on you.
- That's a roger, 16.
(soothing jazz music) - I'm telling you Corrigan, Gloria said it like she meant it.
- I don't care how she said it.
I just don't believe a cop killed Sweet Willie.
Looks like we're buying the beer.
- (laughing) Oh, make it four.
Hooker's due any minute.
- Hooker say what Lieutenant Wallace wanted to see him about? - Something they wanted us to handle for the D.
A.
's office tomorrow.
- Kelley, that's Stacey Sheridan.
I've been trackin' her ever since we were at the academy together.
- Ow! USDA prime, always was.
- Hi Stacey.
Buy you a drink? - Thanks, but I've got one ordered.
- Hey.
Don't run off, baby.
I got plans for us.
- Look, I told you at the academy I wasn't interested.
Be a nice guy and take a hint, okay? - You don't know what you're missing.
I'm tellin' ya' I really want to get together with you.
- Hey.
She said no thanks.
- I don't like anyone puttin' hands on me.
(grunting) - Hey, hey, hey! (grunting) Knock it Hey, come on you guys.
We may be from different precincts, but we're all cops.
- I was just saying hello to Stacy, and this guy here decks me.
- It's more than a hello, Roper.
You were pushin' it.
- Hey, hey; Hooker listen, we didn't come here to make trouble.
We came here looking for you.
- What for? - It's about the annual pistol competition.
Here to defend a champ.
- Yeah, so? - So, how about making it interesting? A side bet; your score against mine.
- Yeah, we got 500 bucks here says Roper'll out-shoot you, Hooker.
- Hey you guys, I don't shoot for money.
- Your bet's covered.
- You have to settle for half, Romano.
I want the other half.
- You got it.
- Seem to be short a couple beers.
- I notice Roper was wearing them.
- Yeah, on his face.
Geno, just a couple more.
What's Lieutenant Wallace got lined up for you tomorrow? - I gotta deliver Nick Sypes to the Grand Jury.
He's turning state's evidence.
- That's a cute way to get off the hook.
Tell a few lies and walk.
Killer like Sypes; I wouldn't wanna guess how many contracts he's filled.
- Tell me about it.
- Now we're giving him protection.
- All the way.
- You wanted to see us, captain? - I got the information.
The code name on Nick Sypes is Red Dog.
- All we have to do is tune in on Hooker's frequency.
- And jump the call.
- It might not be that easy.
It depends on the location.
Hooker could get there before you do.
- How do we deal with that? - You don't.
I do.
I figured this out.
It's a matter of making a phone call.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Attention Four Adam 30; proceed to Starlight Motel room six.
Pick up Red Dog and then go directly to your pre-assigned destination.
- That's it; Red Dog.
Nick Sypes.
(upbeat music) (phone ringing) - Yeah.
Hold on.
It's a guy from the D.
A.
's office.
- Yeah.
- Mr.
Sypes, this is Paul Warner with the D.
A.
's office.
We had an unfortunate problem with security.
- What do you mean, problem? - The men that were assigned to bring you in were intercepted, and their car and their uniforms have been taken.
- Look, you gotta protect me, that was part of the deal.
- Slow down, Mr.
Sypes.
There are four plain-clothes detectives already on their way.
- Yeah, well they better get here.
- What is it, Nick? What are we doin'? - It's a hit.
- Hooker and Romano are out front.
- I can't draw a bead on Sypes.
- We do it the way the Skipper said, right? (gun firing) (glass breaking) (gun firing) (upbeat music) - [Man.]
Nick, we're surrounded! (glass breaking) (guns firing) - Cover me.
Put your hands up.
Put 'em up! Cuff 'em.
- [Romano.]
Hand on your head.
- He's dead.
- You guys; you really are the cops.
What about the other two? Are they the phonies? - What other two? - The two out back.
- Maybe the same ones Gloria saw.
(ominous music) There's glass in the back, here.
Somebody fired a shot from the rear.
- The other two cops; they fired the first shots.
- We were set up, Junior.
They fixed it so we'd do their dirty work for them.
(ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (balls bouncing) - Of course you figured out what I'm up to by now.
- Hey Frank, I figured it out before we started.
You're trying to tire me out for this afternoon.
- [Frank.]
That's right.
- [T.
J.
.]
I wanna win that pistol championship.
- [Frank.]
Oh, wait a minute.
You're not giving me a chance.
- Well that's the whole idea, Frank.
- I'm beginning to feel like Nick Sypes.
- Not funny.
That was ugly business.
- I can't cry over Nick Sypes, even if you were right about hose rogue cops and that setup.
Listen, the bottom line is you did what the courts failed to do.
You got an animal off the streets.
- The wrong way.
- Maybe that's all that's left to us.
- Never.
Cops can't be judge and jury.
All your years here at the academy, that was your theme.
You drummed it into our heads.
- Yes, but that was theory.
And that was back then.
But today, out there, just isn't working.
- It's gotta, and that's the real bottom line.
(people chattering) - I'm still adding it up but I think this is the breakdown.
- Looks like a dead heat for the team championship between us and the 23rd precinct.
- I thought we were ahead.
- We were until Roper came up in the last round.
- What about the individual standings? - Hooker and Roper even up.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Attention ladies and gentlemen; final count is in.
Academy precinct 246, 23rd precinct 246; it's a tie.
(people clapping) A head to head shoot-off will determine the winner.
Officer Roper for the 23rd, and Sargent Hooker for the Academy.
- It's up to you Hooker, the precinct is counting on you.
- So are we, me and Corrigan.
Let us not forget the five big ones we have riding on this one.
- I don't know whether I can handle the pressure, Junior.
- Like I told you Hooker; my boy's gonna win the trophy this year.
- There's still another round to go.
- And Roper's just warming up.
- In this kind of a shooting situation you have to cool down.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Is the shooter ready? - Ready! (gun firing) - [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Hooker's score: 19 out of a possible 20.
- [Romano.]
Way to go, Hooker! - [Stacy.]
That was beautiful.
- Hooker, you made me a rich man.
- Don't count your money yet.
Roper's pretty sharp.
- Conrad, what's happening with those murders; Sypes and Sweet Willie's? - Yeah, did you get a line on those other two cops? - You mean the mystery cops? - [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
We're ready to resume, ladies and gentlemen.
- Not to suppose the quality of your eyewit's, Hooker.
First you come up with a prostitute, then you give me a two-bit gunman.
- Both pointing the finger at cops.
- Let 'em, I don't believe 'em.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Officer Roper to the line.
- Ready! - What about the phone call to Sypes just before it went down? - I don't believe that either.
You're not really serious about this, are you? - Dead serious.
We got rogue cops on the streets.
They're wearing uniforms and badges, and they're making their own rules.
They're taking the one symbol of security the public has and destroying it.
I'm not gonna let it happen.
(gun firing) (ominous music) - Reflex, went for his backup.
- He must carry one on the street.
- We never learned about carrying an extra gun at the academy.
- Department policy, and mine, is you don't need it.
Some think it's quicker than reloading.
It isn't if you have the procedures down pat.
Some officers carry a backup in case their weapons malfunction.
It shouldn't if it's properly maintained.
And then there are others who feel stronger and more macho if they tote around a lot of armor.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Roper's score: 18 out of a possible 20.
Winners are Hooker and the Academy.
(people cheering) - We did it, Jim! There was never a doubt in my mind.
- Then how come you had your fingers crossed, Romano? - It couldn't hurt.
(people clapping) (ominous music) (upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) - I was just talking to a friend.
- Whatever you say, Gloria.
I wanna talk to you again about the Sweet Willie murder.
- I told you everything I know.
- Yeah, well let's talk about it again.
Was there anything special about those cops that you saw? - I told you it all went so fast, I didn't even see their faces.
- I know.
Just think about it.
- Well, the one guy walks up to the car, pulls out his gun, and - Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Do it again.
Is that where it was? Back there? - Yeah, right there.
Why, does it matter? - I think so.
Thanks.
- Any time.
You're not gonna move me along, are you? - Not today, Gloria.
You've earned a pass.
- [Gloria.]
(laughing) Right.
- Did you collect yet on your bet with Kelley and Roper? - We collect tonight at Sherry's Bar.
- We're gonna fix it so you collect before tonight.
I wanna see 'em on duty.
I want to see what they carry for backup, 'cause that's what was used on Sweet Willie.
- Roper and Kelley? The hits were all in our precinct.
- But all our guys check out.
And Kelley and Roper were standing there at Sherry's Bar when Corrigan asked me about picking up Sypes.
(ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (doors slamming) - Quite a panic; think we were gonna run out without paying off that bet, huh? - Yeah, well I got a heavy date tonight; I need the green.
- That was some good shootin', Hooker.
- You might have beat me if you'd a used your backup.
- Who knows.
- What do you use? - .
38 two-inch.
- Nice, what do you use? - Same thing.
I keep in the glove compartment unless we're on a roll.
- Yeah, I never went for these.
Short barrel doesn't do much for your accuracy.
Let's go Junior, we got work to do.
See you guys around.
(engine starting) - Came lookin' and he found.
He saw the box of .
22s.
- There was a box of .
22s in that glove compartment.
- Then it's gotta be them.
- That's a bet I'd cover.
But the ammo by itself isn't proof.
- What do we do? - Put it where it belongs.
On Frank Medavoy's desk.
(soothing jazz music) - There's no telling how Medavoy's gonna take this.
I'd better see him alone.
- You got it.
- [T.
J.
.]
Frank.
- Hooker, what are you doing here? - There's something I have to talk to you about; something very important.
- I can't right now, I'm running late.
- Frank, it's about your two men, Kelley and Roper.
I believe they're the ones using the badge as a license to kill.
- Kelley and Roper? - Sorry Frank, but I believe I can make the case.
Nick Sypes, Sweet Willie Brown, Lundy, Helman.
- I don't know what to say.
But look, I've got a whole task force waiting for me.
My detectives just nailed down the operating base of that ring that's been stealing andúexporting those luxury cars; a wrecking yard out here on Magnolia.
- I can't sit on this, Frank.
- I've got 20 men waiting; uniform, plain clothes.
That won't go down unless I'm there.
- Just tell me when and I'll come back.
- I'll call you later; I'll clear some time.
- It has to be before the end of watch, Frank.
Otherwise I go ahead on my own.
- You'll hear from me, Hooker.
(ominous music) (mysterious music) (doors slamming) - What happened? You talk to Medavoy? - No, not yet.
We got a few minutes.
- He's got two bad cops out there and he doesn't have time to talk.
- You'd think he'd wanna put a lid on it.
- Yeah, you'd think so.
- Hey Hooker, telephone.
- Hooker here.
- Hooker, I'm still at the wrecking yard.
Is it possible for you to meet me here? - Yeah sure, but - I've been thinking about it since you told me.
Trying to figure a way to keep this within the department.
If the word leaked out, we'd be devastated.
- Frank let's face it, you can't keep this thing quiet.
- Well maybe you're right.
Get down here and we'll talk about it.
- Sure I'll be there in a half an hour.
(upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) - Where are your men? Big bust.
- They did good.
Went down easier and faster than I expected.
- Have you decided how to handle this? - How much do you know? - I thought I knew everything.
Roper and Kelley have chalked up four murders.
- Murder isn't murder when you're fighting a war; and we're losing this one.
We've been playing it by the book, and the criminals are getting off on technicalities.
- It's an imperfect system, Frank.
- They're taking over the streets.
We can't stand for that.
When the judges and the legislators don't help us do the job, then we have to do it ourselves.
- And take the law into our own hands.
- There's no other way.
- You're telling me things I didn't want to hear.
- I watched it go downhill from the first day I put on a uniform.
Now I stood it as long as I could.
- Why are you admitting all this to me? - With you on my side, we can make this city the kind of a place it used to be.
- You know something, Frank? You've sunk to the level of the people we've sworn to fight.
- Don't do it for me, do it for yourself.
I know you, Hooker; I know how you think.
- I'm afraid you don't.
I'm afraid that after all these years we're about as far apart as we can get.
- I'm sorry.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
(gun firing) (upbeat music) (guns firing) (ominous music) (bullet ricocheting) (suspenseful music) (grunting) (engine starting) (siren blaring) (upbeat music) (tires screeching) (glass breaking) (door creaking) - Frank, dammit man - Skip the lecture.
You'll never convince me I was wrong.
At least we got rid of some of the enemy.
- Yeah, the department lost three cops.
And I lost a friend.
(soothing jazz music) - [Jim.]
You know Hooker, I could almost understand where Medavoy was coming from.
- Well almost is very important.
You start to understand that kind of thinking, and it's too late; you're over on the other side.
- How does that happen? - Different ways to different people.
- Well in Kelley and Roper's case, (coin clanging) they're a breed.
They're the kinda guys that become mercenaries.
- They like to kill.
- That's why they went for the badge in the first place.
They're looking to become warriors, not peace officers.
- But that wasn't Medavoy, was it? - Certainly not.
(coin clanking) Frank was a fine cop from the start and he started for all the right reasons.
- So what went wrong? - Well, I'll tell you what I think.
Frank cared so much about getting the job done, it became an obsession.
Then somewhere down the line he hit the double wall; the system and the escalating crime rate.
He just couldn't handle it.
- Just too much frustration.
- Yeah.
(coin clanking) Right.
(cheery music) (coffee flowing) (people laughing) (upbeat music) (cheery music)
The narcotics you're known to distribute turn up on every level of our social structure.
And what I find particularly detestable is that your activity plays such a deadly role in the destruction of our children.
Mr.
Brown, to allow you to return to society unpunished is to do the greatest disservice to the people of this city.
You are, in my opinion, an evil person.
However, due to the arcane technicalities dredged up by your council, I have no alternative but to find you not guilty.
(gavel Pounding) (people chattering) (dismal music) (upbeat music) - Isn't that Willie Brown's car up ahead? (horn honking) (tires screeching) You believe that? - I believe anything about Sweet Willie.
(tires screeching) He thinks he's above the law.
- I seem to remember the last time we wrote him up the Skipper heard from Councilman Allen and then we heard from the Skipper.
- It was worth it.
(siren blaring) (upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) (knocking on windor) - What seems to be the trouble, officer? - Very simple Willie.
You made an illegal left.
Other than that, no trouble at all.
- That piece of paper don't mean nothing, man.
I got half of City Hall in my pocket.
- Yeah, I know.
You're a big man, Willie.
That's why I want your autograph, right there.
(doors slamming) (engine starting) (upbeat jazz music) (siren blaring) - I want names and badge numbers.
This is capital H harassment! - Guess again, pal.
(gun firing) - Now, where was that we said we're eating lunch? - 38th and Camden.
Let's roll.
(ominous music) (upbeat music) - I feel good about the whole thing.
The annual pistol competition.
- My money's on Hooker for the individualized.
- Oh, mine too.
But I think we'll win the team trophy as well.
This year with you we're stronger than ever.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Attention all units in the vicinity of 5th and Spring.
A 187 reported in the alley north of 5th.
- We're around the corner.
(siren blaring) - Not for long.
(tires screeching) (upbeat music) (siren blaring) - Alright everybody, get back from the car.
Come on, come on, back it up.
- Over here, move away! - [Man.]
Let's go! - Move away! - Just a second, just a second.
- [Man.]
Behind the car.
- Take it easy.
- [Man.]
He's dead! - Take it easy.
Stand back.
- [T.
J.
.]
You're the one that phoned this in? - Yes sir.
I saw him when I came out to dump some trash.
- [T.
J.
.]
Came out from where? - Hotel there.
I work the desk.
- Hi Hooker.
- Conrad.
- Anybody we know? Oh, Sweet Willie Brown.
- I gave him a traffic citation a block from here not 10 minutes ago.
- [Conrad.]
Well, he won't be paying it.
- Any of these rooms facing this way occupied? - Just one.
- You got a key? - Sargent, our guests have a right to privacy.
- Your guests are prostitutes and their Johns and they buy their privacy by the hour.
Now do you want me to get into that? - I'll get you the key.
- Thank you.
- The guy signed the register John Smith.
Think that's his real name? - Yeah, and the girl's name is Pocahontas.
- Uh huh.
(knocking) Looks like John Smith didn't get his money's worth.
Maybe he saw something.
- Looks like he left in a hurry.
Found his lighter.
Ralph P.
Janco.
One life one love.
(soothing jazz music) (door slamming) (doorbell ringing) - Yes - [T.
J.
.]
I'm Sargent Hooker, this is officer Romano.
- [Vince.]
Ma'am.
- [T.
J.
.]
We're looking for a Ralph P.
Janco.
- My husband, why? What's the matter? - Yes, what is it? - [T.
J.
.]
Mr.
Janko, I'd like to speak to you for a minute.
Out here.
There was a murder earlier today in an alley north of 5th Street.
We have reason to believe you may have seen something.
- 5th Street? I'm never in that part of town.
- Would you like to run that again? - Alright, I was there.
But I didn't see anything, I swear.
- What about the girl you were with? - Yeah, she did.
She must have.
We were, you know, getting ready and she was closing the drapes, and all of a sudden she just ran out.
- Any idea what she saw? - No, she didn't say and I didn't look.
I just took off.
- This girl, who is she? - Her name's Gloria.
That's all I know.
I just met her five minutes before.
- Nice lighter.
Who gave it to you? - My wife.
(ominous jazz music) (country music) (phone ringing) - Sherry's Bar.
Oh, yeah hold on Al.
Hooker, it's for you; Sargent Downey.
- Yeah.
- What's going on? Hooker got the whole vice squad out looking for Gloria? - Believe me, he tried.
- That's great, Al.
Al Downey got a lead on Gloria.
An address.
- Great, well what are we waiting for? - Morning; she's going to be doing her thing until sunup.
Frank! Frank.
- Hooker.
- What are you doing back in our precinct? - Well one thing's for sure, it's not nostalgia.
Come on, I'll buy you a drink.
- Well that's a first.
- Sherry Begal.
- [Sherry.]
(laughing) - How are ya? - Frank Medavoy, I haven't seen you since you made captain.
- You know something? You're the only thing I miss around here.
- Thanks a lot.
- Set us up with two tall ones Begal.
- [Sherry.]
Okay.
Oh, I have some bad news for you.
Your reign as department pistol champ is about to come to an end.
- Oh yeah? - I have a boy who could shoot the eyebrows off a gnat.
- Anybody I know? - Bill Roper.
- Roper, yeah.
The way I remember him he was too much of a Wyatt Earp for your precinct.
- The 23rd has changed, Hooker.
I've just spent three hours going over the records of the graduating recruits, and I aim to wind up with the best of the litter.
- Well pardon me if I don't wish you good luck.
We need them more than you do, our stats are going off the graph.
- Maybe, but they will start going down after today.
I heard about Sweet Willie.
- You know, something odd about that.
- Like what? - Well his gun was in his holster, the bullet-proof window was down, and he was shot point-blank.
- So? He knew his assassin.
- That was the same conclusion we reached last week when Helman got it.
And the same two weeks ago, when Jake Lundy was gunned down.
- That's the way things go sometimes.
- Frank, we're not talking ordinary hoods here.
We're talking heavy dudes.
These guys have been on top a long time.
They knew how to survive.
- Maybe they lost the knack.
The important thing is, we don't lose ours.
(door slamming) - [Officer.]
Gimme a box of .
22 longs, will ya? - You got it.
How about some thirty-eights? We got 'em on special.
- I got all I need.
It's for my lady.
- Smart, every lady should have a weapon these days.
You know, it's gettin' so you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys.
- I hear that.
Thanks a lot.
- Have a nice day.
- [Officer.]
Yeah, same to you.
(door slamming) - Got it - Hey look at this.
Nick Sypes, the hit man.
His attorney's talking to the D.
A.
- Nick Sypes? Maybe he should be added to the list.
(ominous music) - Now we have more than a pattern Junior, we got a connection.
- Yeah, sweet Willie and Lundy were taken out with the same .
22.
- You got it, and I'll bet ya' if that bullet found in Louie Helman hadn't been so mangled we'd have a third match.
- Okay, but why? Lundy was loan sharking.
Helman was extortion.
And Sweet Willie moved drugs.
- They got a common enemy.
- Who, the mob? Are they moving in? - Possible.
- How about a vigilante? - Another possible.
- A lot of questions.
- Maybe Gloria can give us an answer.
(upbeat music) (doors slamming) (knocking at door) - [T.
J.
.]
Gloria open up, police! (upbeat music) (door crashing) - You take the stairs to the roof.
(upbeat music) - Hold it! (upbeat music) - Don't shoot me! Please don't shoot me.
- Calm down, take it easy.
- I didn't do anything.
- [T.
J.
.]
Nobody said you did.
- I know what you cops did to Sweet Willie.
Please don't.
- What are you talking about? - I saw it! One of you shot him.
and the other just stood there and watched.
- You saying a cop shot Sweet Willie? (ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (door slamming) (grunting) - And you're the one who's always telling me to keep my feet on the ground.
- (grunting) It stretches out the back muscles.
You ought to try it some time.
- I have my own apparatus for that.
Arlene.
You ready for work? - [T.
J.]
Yeah, I'll be right with you.
- You know, you can have those ankle hooks built in now.
- Yeah but that requires a whole operation, who wants to be laid up for six weeks? Want some coffee? - I'll pass, thanks.
I wanna make it through the day without a hole in my stomach.
Have you seen this? An article about another street hood being knocked off.
I wonder who would have the guts to take him out.
- I wonder.
Something tells me it took more than guts.
- Hi Romano.
Hi Hooker.
- [T.
J.]
Claudia Sweenor.
- Hi Claudia, what are you doing with Hooker's dictionary? Working on crossword puzzles? - No, I was perming Phyllis's hair.
- With a dictionary? - Yeah, Phyllis is taller than I am and I couldn't reach.
- These are great, Hooker.
It's great having you as a next door neighbor.
So many things I can borrow.
Know what I mean? - Let's go, Romano.
Let's go.
- Do we have to? - Fighting crime's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.
Hang in there, Claudia.
(cheery music) - Wait a minute.
Maybe they're not real cops.
- Sure, anyone can walk into a uniform store and buy a set of blues, right? - But nobody can walk into a showroom and buy a fake squad car.
- You could buy black and white paint.
- Well, that's true.
But in the streets a fake black-and-white's a dangerous game.
One of our units would pick 'em up in no time.
- Then we're back to real cops.
- Well that's what I think, and if so we gotta pick 'em up right away.
Every cop in this city has a stake in it.
The day any one of us takes the law into our own hands, nobody's safe.
- How do we get to the truth? - We start diggin'.
(upbeat music) The first sheet has every call in our precinct between 12 and 13 hundred hours the day Sweet Willy bought it.
The other one gives the cars in the area at that time.
- Only four.
- Two if you eliminate us and 16.
That leaves Four Adam 10 and Four Adam 14.
- Four Adam 10, let's see; Rice and Jackson.
- Rice retires at the end of the month.
I'd say that leaves him and his partner out.
- Yeah I guess you're right.
Rice wouldn't chance blowing his pension when he's this close.
- Who's in 14? - Yoblanski and Falco.
- A transfer and a phase four; maybe.
- No wait a minute.
It says here they had a ride along that day, a reporter.
- So much for maybe.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Dispatch to Four Adam 30.
We have Four Adam 16 ready to be patched through.
- This is Four Adam 30, go 16.
- Hey, scratch the notion of any cars in the motor pool being used.
All we did was get our butts in the ringer.
- Sorry about that 16, we struck out, too.
None of our cars on patrol were involved either.
- Well let's hope you do better at the pistol shoot.
Remember, we got money riding on you.
- That's a roger, 16.
(soothing jazz music) - I'm telling you Corrigan, Gloria said it like she meant it.
- I don't care how she said it.
I just don't believe a cop killed Sweet Willie.
Looks like we're buying the beer.
- (laughing) Oh, make it four.
Hooker's due any minute.
- Hooker say what Lieutenant Wallace wanted to see him about? - Something they wanted us to handle for the D.
A.
's office tomorrow.
- Kelley, that's Stacey Sheridan.
I've been trackin' her ever since we were at the academy together.
- Ow! USDA prime, always was.
- Hi Stacey.
Buy you a drink? - Thanks, but I've got one ordered.
- Hey.
Don't run off, baby.
I got plans for us.
- Look, I told you at the academy I wasn't interested.
Be a nice guy and take a hint, okay? - You don't know what you're missing.
I'm tellin' ya' I really want to get together with you.
- Hey.
She said no thanks.
- I don't like anyone puttin' hands on me.
(grunting) - Hey, hey, hey! (grunting) Knock it Hey, come on you guys.
We may be from different precincts, but we're all cops.
- I was just saying hello to Stacy, and this guy here decks me.
- It's more than a hello, Roper.
You were pushin' it.
- Hey, hey; Hooker listen, we didn't come here to make trouble.
We came here looking for you.
- What for? - It's about the annual pistol competition.
Here to defend a champ.
- Yeah, so? - So, how about making it interesting? A side bet; your score against mine.
- Yeah, we got 500 bucks here says Roper'll out-shoot you, Hooker.
- Hey you guys, I don't shoot for money.
- Your bet's covered.
- You have to settle for half, Romano.
I want the other half.
- You got it.
- Seem to be short a couple beers.
- I notice Roper was wearing them.
- Yeah, on his face.
Geno, just a couple more.
What's Lieutenant Wallace got lined up for you tomorrow? - I gotta deliver Nick Sypes to the Grand Jury.
He's turning state's evidence.
- That's a cute way to get off the hook.
Tell a few lies and walk.
Killer like Sypes; I wouldn't wanna guess how many contracts he's filled.
- Tell me about it.
- Now we're giving him protection.
- All the way.
- You wanted to see us, captain? - I got the information.
The code name on Nick Sypes is Red Dog.
- All we have to do is tune in on Hooker's frequency.
- And jump the call.
- It might not be that easy.
It depends on the location.
Hooker could get there before you do.
- How do we deal with that? - You don't.
I do.
I figured this out.
It's a matter of making a phone call.
(radio beeping) - [Dispatcher.]
Attention Four Adam 30; proceed to Starlight Motel room six.
Pick up Red Dog and then go directly to your pre-assigned destination.
- That's it; Red Dog.
Nick Sypes.
(upbeat music) (phone ringing) - Yeah.
Hold on.
It's a guy from the D.
A.
's office.
- Yeah.
- Mr.
Sypes, this is Paul Warner with the D.
A.
's office.
We had an unfortunate problem with security.
- What do you mean, problem? - The men that were assigned to bring you in were intercepted, and their car and their uniforms have been taken.
- Look, you gotta protect me, that was part of the deal.
- Slow down, Mr.
Sypes.
There are four plain-clothes detectives already on their way.
- Yeah, well they better get here.
- What is it, Nick? What are we doin'? - It's a hit.
- Hooker and Romano are out front.
- I can't draw a bead on Sypes.
- We do it the way the Skipper said, right? (gun firing) (glass breaking) (gun firing) (upbeat music) - [Man.]
Nick, we're surrounded! (glass breaking) (guns firing) - Cover me.
Put your hands up.
Put 'em up! Cuff 'em.
- [Romano.]
Hand on your head.
- He's dead.
- You guys; you really are the cops.
What about the other two? Are they the phonies? - What other two? - The two out back.
- Maybe the same ones Gloria saw.
(ominous music) There's glass in the back, here.
Somebody fired a shot from the rear.
- The other two cops; they fired the first shots.
- We were set up, Junior.
They fixed it so we'd do their dirty work for them.
(ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (balls bouncing) - Of course you figured out what I'm up to by now.
- Hey Frank, I figured it out before we started.
You're trying to tire me out for this afternoon.
- [Frank.]
That's right.
- [T.
J.
.]
I wanna win that pistol championship.
- [Frank.]
Oh, wait a minute.
You're not giving me a chance.
- Well that's the whole idea, Frank.
- I'm beginning to feel like Nick Sypes.
- Not funny.
That was ugly business.
- I can't cry over Nick Sypes, even if you were right about hose rogue cops and that setup.
Listen, the bottom line is you did what the courts failed to do.
You got an animal off the streets.
- The wrong way.
- Maybe that's all that's left to us.
- Never.
Cops can't be judge and jury.
All your years here at the academy, that was your theme.
You drummed it into our heads.
- Yes, but that was theory.
And that was back then.
But today, out there, just isn't working.
- It's gotta, and that's the real bottom line.
(people chattering) - I'm still adding it up but I think this is the breakdown.
- Looks like a dead heat for the team championship between us and the 23rd precinct.
- I thought we were ahead.
- We were until Roper came up in the last round.
- What about the individual standings? - Hooker and Roper even up.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Attention ladies and gentlemen; final count is in.
Academy precinct 246, 23rd precinct 246; it's a tie.
(people clapping) A head to head shoot-off will determine the winner.
Officer Roper for the 23rd, and Sargent Hooker for the Academy.
- It's up to you Hooker, the precinct is counting on you.
- So are we, me and Corrigan.
Let us not forget the five big ones we have riding on this one.
- I don't know whether I can handle the pressure, Junior.
- Like I told you Hooker; my boy's gonna win the trophy this year.
- There's still another round to go.
- And Roper's just warming up.
- In this kind of a shooting situation you have to cool down.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Is the shooter ready? - Ready! (gun firing) - [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Hooker's score: 19 out of a possible 20.
- [Romano.]
Way to go, Hooker! - [Stacy.]
That was beautiful.
- Hooker, you made me a rich man.
- Don't count your money yet.
Roper's pretty sharp.
- Conrad, what's happening with those murders; Sypes and Sweet Willie's? - Yeah, did you get a line on those other two cops? - You mean the mystery cops? - [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
We're ready to resume, ladies and gentlemen.
- Not to suppose the quality of your eyewit's, Hooker.
First you come up with a prostitute, then you give me a two-bit gunman.
- Both pointing the finger at cops.
- Let 'em, I don't believe 'em.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Officer Roper to the line.
- Ready! - What about the phone call to Sypes just before it went down? - I don't believe that either.
You're not really serious about this, are you? - Dead serious.
We got rogue cops on the streets.
They're wearing uniforms and badges, and they're making their own rules.
They're taking the one symbol of security the public has and destroying it.
I'm not gonna let it happen.
(gun firing) (ominous music) - Reflex, went for his backup.
- He must carry one on the street.
- We never learned about carrying an extra gun at the academy.
- Department policy, and mine, is you don't need it.
Some think it's quicker than reloading.
It isn't if you have the procedures down pat.
Some officers carry a backup in case their weapons malfunction.
It shouldn't if it's properly maintained.
And then there are others who feel stronger and more macho if they tote around a lot of armor.
- [Voice Over P.
A.
.]
Roper's score: 18 out of a possible 20.
Winners are Hooker and the Academy.
(people cheering) - We did it, Jim! There was never a doubt in my mind.
- Then how come you had your fingers crossed, Romano? - It couldn't hurt.
(people clapping) (ominous music) (upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) - I was just talking to a friend.
- Whatever you say, Gloria.
I wanna talk to you again about the Sweet Willie murder.
- I told you everything I know.
- Yeah, well let's talk about it again.
Was there anything special about those cops that you saw? - I told you it all went so fast, I didn't even see their faces.
- I know.
Just think about it.
- Well, the one guy walks up to the car, pulls out his gun, and - Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Do it again.
Is that where it was? Back there? - Yeah, right there.
Why, does it matter? - I think so.
Thanks.
- Any time.
You're not gonna move me along, are you? - Not today, Gloria.
You've earned a pass.
- [Gloria.]
(laughing) Right.
- Did you collect yet on your bet with Kelley and Roper? - We collect tonight at Sherry's Bar.
- We're gonna fix it so you collect before tonight.
I wanna see 'em on duty.
I want to see what they carry for backup, 'cause that's what was used on Sweet Willie.
- Roper and Kelley? The hits were all in our precinct.
- But all our guys check out.
And Kelley and Roper were standing there at Sherry's Bar when Corrigan asked me about picking up Sypes.
(ominous music) (soothing jazz music) (doors slamming) - Quite a panic; think we were gonna run out without paying off that bet, huh? - Yeah, well I got a heavy date tonight; I need the green.
- That was some good shootin', Hooker.
- You might have beat me if you'd a used your backup.
- Who knows.
- What do you use? - .
38 two-inch.
- Nice, what do you use? - Same thing.
I keep in the glove compartment unless we're on a roll.
- Yeah, I never went for these.
Short barrel doesn't do much for your accuracy.
Let's go Junior, we got work to do.
See you guys around.
(engine starting) - Came lookin' and he found.
He saw the box of .
22s.
- There was a box of .
22s in that glove compartment.
- Then it's gotta be them.
- That's a bet I'd cover.
But the ammo by itself isn't proof.
- What do we do? - Put it where it belongs.
On Frank Medavoy's desk.
(soothing jazz music) - There's no telling how Medavoy's gonna take this.
I'd better see him alone.
- You got it.
- [T.
J.
.]
Frank.
- Hooker, what are you doing here? - There's something I have to talk to you about; something very important.
- I can't right now, I'm running late.
- Frank, it's about your two men, Kelley and Roper.
I believe they're the ones using the badge as a license to kill.
- Kelley and Roper? - Sorry Frank, but I believe I can make the case.
Nick Sypes, Sweet Willie Brown, Lundy, Helman.
- I don't know what to say.
But look, I've got a whole task force waiting for me.
My detectives just nailed down the operating base of that ring that's been stealing andúexporting those luxury cars; a wrecking yard out here on Magnolia.
- I can't sit on this, Frank.
- I've got 20 men waiting; uniform, plain clothes.
That won't go down unless I'm there.
- Just tell me when and I'll come back.
- I'll call you later; I'll clear some time.
- It has to be before the end of watch, Frank.
Otherwise I go ahead on my own.
- You'll hear from me, Hooker.
(ominous music) (mysterious music) (doors slamming) - What happened? You talk to Medavoy? - No, not yet.
We got a few minutes.
- He's got two bad cops out there and he doesn't have time to talk.
- You'd think he'd wanna put a lid on it.
- Yeah, you'd think so.
- Hey Hooker, telephone.
- Hooker here.
- Hooker, I'm still at the wrecking yard.
Is it possible for you to meet me here? - Yeah sure, but - I've been thinking about it since you told me.
Trying to figure a way to keep this within the department.
If the word leaked out, we'd be devastated.
- Frank let's face it, you can't keep this thing quiet.
- Well maybe you're right.
Get down here and we'll talk about it.
- Sure I'll be there in a half an hour.
(upbeat music) (soothing jazz music) - Where are your men? Big bust.
- They did good.
Went down easier and faster than I expected.
- Have you decided how to handle this? - How much do you know? - I thought I knew everything.
Roper and Kelley have chalked up four murders.
- Murder isn't murder when you're fighting a war; and we're losing this one.
We've been playing it by the book, and the criminals are getting off on technicalities.
- It's an imperfect system, Frank.
- They're taking over the streets.
We can't stand for that.
When the judges and the legislators don't help us do the job, then we have to do it ourselves.
- And take the law into our own hands.
- There's no other way.
- You're telling me things I didn't want to hear.
- I watched it go downhill from the first day I put on a uniform.
Now I stood it as long as I could.
- Why are you admitting all this to me? - With you on my side, we can make this city the kind of a place it used to be.
- You know something, Frank? You've sunk to the level of the people we've sworn to fight.
- Don't do it for me, do it for yourself.
I know you, Hooker; I know how you think.
- I'm afraid you don't.
I'm afraid that after all these years we're about as far apart as we can get.
- I'm sorry.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
(gun firing) (upbeat music) (guns firing) (ominous music) (bullet ricocheting) (suspenseful music) (grunting) (engine starting) (siren blaring) (upbeat music) (tires screeching) (glass breaking) (door creaking) - Frank, dammit man - Skip the lecture.
You'll never convince me I was wrong.
At least we got rid of some of the enemy.
- Yeah, the department lost three cops.
And I lost a friend.
(soothing jazz music) - [Jim.]
You know Hooker, I could almost understand where Medavoy was coming from.
- Well almost is very important.
You start to understand that kind of thinking, and it's too late; you're over on the other side.
- How does that happen? - Different ways to different people.
- Well in Kelley and Roper's case, (coin clanging) they're a breed.
They're the kinda guys that become mercenaries.
- They like to kill.
- That's why they went for the badge in the first place.
They're looking to become warriors, not peace officers.
- But that wasn't Medavoy, was it? - Certainly not.
(coin clanking) Frank was a fine cop from the start and he started for all the right reasons.
- So what went wrong? - Well, I'll tell you what I think.
Frank cared so much about getting the job done, it became an obsession.
Then somewhere down the line he hit the double wall; the system and the escalating crime rate.
He just couldn't handle it.
- Just too much frustration.
- Yeah.
(coin clanking) Right.
(cheery music) (coffee flowing) (people laughing) (upbeat music) (cheery music)