T.J. Hooker (1982) s03e14 Episode Script

1 (theme music) (dance music) These are crazy days living at the hands of faith Heads are in my haze and the girl is in a state Hit on news these days and it feels so powerless Got to find a way to believe the strength is there - Less than three minutes.
I wished we knew who Tony's contact was or what he looks like.
Where is Tony? - Don't worry about Tony.
He's a pro, he'll be here.
You gotta dance like a getaway Feel the music in the air - I hope the Alvarez says he knows where he's heading on this one.
Turn up the receiver, will you Jim? - Gladly.
It's the only way, find us on the day Don't wanna hear you say you're not in the mood You could have in vain, had a higher altitude You can lose yourself - Tony's inside, Hooker.
He's heading to the tables in the back.
- [Gang Boss.]
Take care of it.
- Hey Tony.
(speaks in foreign language) - You got it? - I got it.
You gotta dance like a getaway Feel the music in the air - Come on cutie, let's dance.
- I don't wanna dance with you.
- Leave her alone.
- There's a disturbance going on.
(thud) - They're out back, come on.
- Maybe we ought to wait 'til it quiets down.
- It's not whenever, these people don't wait Tony.
Come on, come on.
- The kid will get hurt, he's got a knife.
- Sounds like things are going bad.
(hissing) (thud) (screams) - The guy from the drug dealer just started a fight.
It could be a setup, he's coming your way, grab him.
- Let's move.
Come on, let the good times roll Let the rhythm take control (tires screeching) Dance, I could get away, through the music in the air (tires screeching) - I got a message for you from my brother.
He says "Adios.
" - Stacy, where the hell is To-- (gun bangs) (screams) (police siren blaring) - That's it Hooker, can't see him.
- I know of somebody who can.
Four Adam 30, to Air 20 on deck two.
(whirring) - [Helicopter Pilot.]
Here 20 to 30, what's up Hooker? - We've just lost a red Dodge, heading west from sixth LePen.
- [Helicopter Pilot.]
Roger 30, about a 20-second ETA.
(police siren blaring) (whirring) Now I think I got him, Hooker.
South Anafaci from Idaho.
- How far from us? - [Helicopter Pilot.]
He should be exiting the side street just ahead and to your left.
- Up there, that's him.
- Air 20, we have him on our sight, dead ahead.
- [Helicopter Pilot.]
Roger four Adam 30.
(police siren blaring) (tires screeching) (whirring) (bangs) (tires screeching) (dog barking) - Hold it, boy.
- He could be making it out the other side, Hooker.
- If he does, the bird will pick him up.
But if he's in there, he can bust you out of your sock before you ever saw him.
Come.
(whirring) Air 20, light her up.
Air 20, talk to him.
- [Helicopter Pilot.]
Throw down your gun, and come out with your hands up.
(gun bangs) He's 50 yards ahead, 40 degrees to your right.
(whirring) - Air 20, can you force him into the clear? - [Helicopter Pilot.]
Will do, Hooker.
(gun bangs) (whirring) (thuds) - You hurt me man, my arm is broken.
- So sue me.
Air 20, thanks for the assist.
- [Radio Operator.]
Four Adam 30, four Adam 30, meet King nine on tact two.
- King nine to four Adam 30 on tact two.
- This is 30, go Corrigan.
- Romano, we found Tony.
- Is he okay? - They shot him in the head, execution style.
- Is he alive? - I gave him CPR 'til the paramedics got here, Hooker.
They say there's a heartbeat but they're losing him.
(faint announcement) - Tony didn't have a chance, they even took his gun.
- He didn't make it.
You're here for me, Hooker, in the morning.
- You okay? - Hooker, the guy you nailed, Corrigan's leaning on him, something fierce.
- [General Announcer.]
Dr.
Cline, telephone please Dr.
Cline.
- Get off me, man, get off me.
What you think you're doing huh? - You started the fight so they could take out Tony.
(fast crosstalk) - Take it easy.
He's gonna breath, he's gonna talk.
- I don't know what he's saying man.
I didn't set up nobody, I told him.
- Now tell me.
- The guy that I score from most of the time, he gave me a hundred bucks and a $50 bag of cocaine to start fight anything.
As long as I got everybody's attention.
- His connection, what's his name? - I don't know, I don't ask.
I do little jobs, he takes care of me.
- I'm gonna take care of you if I don't get a name.
- You want me to make up a name? - Jim, back off.
Before we lose this lowlife because of harassment.
Now talk to me, describe him, what he looked like? - He's Latin, got one of 'em Cuban accent.
- Cuban, you sure? - Hey man, I've been around long enough to know Cuban when I hear.
- Get a sketch artist down here fast.
- [General Announcer.]
Dr.
Hansel, emergency, Dr.
Hansel.
- They called.
Said my brother was here.
- We were working on a drug bust, Carla.
Something went wrong.
- Is he? Oh God, no.
Vince why? Why Tony? All he ever wanted to be is a cop.
- I know, I know, I know, and he was the best.
I don't know what to say to you.
Damn it, Carla, Tony is dead, and there is nothing I can do to help you.
(muffled statement) - I just need you with me.
- I will be, Carla, you know I will.
- This will be a brief roll call so let's get started.
About four years ago, I gave a briefing right here.
We had a series of vicious rapes.
Two suspects, animals.
Beat their victims savagely.
One young officer dedicated himself to their apprehension.
He spent every spare moment on and off duty staking out possible hit locations.
When they did hit, they grabbed a coed while she was jogging.
He was on the job.
There was a gun battle.
A long foot pursuit but he captured both suspects.
One of the finest young officers had come through here.
They gave him the Medal of Valor.
The name was Tony Alvarez, and he was like a brother to every officer in this precinct.
Last night, we found him in an alley, dying.
He had been shot in the head.
You have the composite, possible suspect.
I want you to look for him, the way Tony looked for those rapists.
Every man and woman here has to go the limit to find this guy.
Tony would have done the same for you.
If you turn up anything, I'm to be notified, no matter the time of day and night.
Jim.
- It's bad enough letting anybody get blown away but a cop like Tony.
- Let's see if there's something we can do about it, shall we? (intriguing music) (beeps) - [Radio Operator.]
Four Adam 30, four Adam 30, meet four Adam 16, alley six McKenwood.
(car door thuds) - What do you got? - I think it's our man.
Beat officers here spotted him at the Shine center up the street.
- We drove by to scan.
I'm pretty sure it was him sitting inside.
- He looked like a runner? - Rabbit, it's written all over his face.
- We'll try and take him at the stand.
Take your car, cut him off at the north end, we'll start from here.
(car engine whirring) (upbeat music) (speaks in foreign language) (car horn blaring) (intriguing music) - Get out of here.
Over there.
(gun firing) You won't get out of here alive.
- Hooker, he's blowing the gas tank, get out of there.
(bangs) (gun firing) - Easy.
(faint statement) Easy.
- Damn.
- Stacy, an ambulance now.
- Four Adam 60, I need an ambulance at fifth Collins.
- The bullet that Romano took had my name on it.
(ambulance siren blaring) - [General Announcer.]
Dr.
Pearson please, Dr.
Pearson.
Dr.
Cosnick, telephone please, Dr.
Cosnick.
- The bullet's in his gut, somewhere.
They got to find it, take it out, stop the bleeding fast.
Jim, the scum who shot Romano.
- His name was Moro.
He was paid to set up Tony Alverez.
- By a bail bondsman named Louis Baca.
- Anything else? - Just that Moro was paid in cocaine.
That's all we can get out of him before he slipped into a coma.
- This bondsman Baca.
He must be tapped into the cocaine pipeline.
- Yeah.
- So we bust Baca? - Not yet.
He's the first rung on the ladder.
- So we're gonna work our way up? - Same way Tony was going to.
- Undercover, captain's already said no.
- This time, I'm not taking no for an answer.
Stacy, you're in this too.
- Romano wouldn't want us sitting around when we have a lead on Tony's killer.
- Whatever it takes.
- What's it's gonna take is Stacy is spending some time in jail.
(intriguing music) - Girl named Donna Mar.
Got popped last night on a narcotics sweep.
- Must be a high roller, 50 grand bail? Felonie, get me Donna Mar out here will you? - So how you doing Charlie? - Hey, can't complain, Mr.
Baca.
How about yourself? - Busy, have a cigar.
(laughs) Havanas.
- Get your hands off me, I can walk on my own.
I'm sick of this place.
Crummy food and plumbing that hasn't work since fourth of July.
- So I heard.
Hurry up, your friends are waiting.
So where are you from chicky.
- Hometown's Panama City though now I stay at Tallahassee but I've been living in Miami about a year.
- Got picked up last night at the airport huh? - Yeah, search is bad, I'll beat it.
- Sure, sure you will kid.
- Hey, baby.
(slap cracks) - You, dumb.
- Hey, come on.
- Mr.
Tran, Mr.
Tran, let me talk to you.
- What do you want? - Let me talk to you.
- What do you want? - (faint) Three kilos of cocaine at West Coast price.
That's 150 big ones.
- You've got your money.
- My lost is none of your business.
- Hey, don't get upset.
- Get your hands off.
- Don't get upset, Mr.
Tran.
Your friendly bondsman is here to help.
Listen, there is a park down the street.
Meet me there in 30 minutes, and don't bring the mule.
You understand, she's got a case.
(intriguing music) - I'll meet you in an hour.
- Okay.
(intriguing music) - What did the doctor say? - Romano is out of danger.
Busted up a little inside but he's gonna be okay.
- That's good news.
- You all right? - I just hope Stacy's idea holds up.
- Twill did his homework on this one.
There's a DEA agent living in Miami named a Donna Mar, same age, same description.
- She lives in Miami huh.
Maybe that's as close as I should get to any of Twill's people.
- Hey, Jim, snap out of it.
I know you actually mind what happened to Tony but if you don't get it together, you're gonna hang us both out.
- I'll be okay.
- What's on your mind? - Look, your mule was jacked up at the airport.
If you guys were pros, you know they watch all the incoming Miami flights.
Half the mules they picked up are chicitas.
- That's a chance to take.
Bringing into the country is always the toughest part.
(laughs) - Not with my people.
Interested? - Maybe, if the price is right.
- And the stuff is quality, we can't move garbage.
- You know a funny thing.
I've been addicted to these things since I was a kid.
They are called pirolis.
You ought to try one, in the sack, right there.
If you like the candy, call me.
(intriguing music) - He's slick.
I've seen a lot of people lay dope down, nobody better than that.
- He's too good.
He never even touched the stuff.
No way we can bust him, yet.
- [Jim.]
Not exactly your typical government office building.
- The DEA leases under a fictitious company name.
- What's up? - Eight o'clock, Latin Doll.
- I want to go in there with you.
- No, you can't, they don't trust you but stay close, we may need you for backup.
- They want to do 10 first time.
- Ounces, now how much are we talking about? - 3,000 per.
- You people crazy? I'm not gonna let $30,000 just ride down the yellow brick road.
- They're big leaguers, Twill.
Only big money will move them.
- Well, not with my 30 grand, especially in the hands of a couple of street cops.
I mean how could I explain that to Washington, Hooker? - You won't have to.
I'll get the money somewhere.
Forget Tony Alvarez, Twill.
Play it safe.
Hey, I'm sure you'll have the answers when your brass finds out that you backed off.
Another couple of street cops made the case without you.
- Now, wait a minute, Hooker, I'll play along but you wear a wire.
I smell a rip here.
- No wire.
One thing you can bet your shirt on.
They'll search us.
- I hope you know what you're doing.
(upbeat music) - Mr.
Tran, glad you could make it, Mr.
Rigs.
Please follow me.
Frank Fierro, Tran and Rigs.
- How are ya? - All right.
We gotta be careful.
You could be wired.
Maybe working for the man.
- Yeah, so could you.
In every business, there's gotta be an element of trust.
- First, you gotta know who you're trusting.
Like we know you are both busted.
Florida '79, smuggler.
We checked, both your names are on the bond.
One more thing, if anything goes during our deal, you'll never leave here alive.
- You're scaring me to death, let's deal.
- Put it on the tray.
Go ahead, we wouldn't want them to see it.
They might get hungry.
The money will be checked.
Take it easy, your merchandise is very close.
I'll be right back.
Enjoy your drinks, on the house.
- Think we're being ripped? - We may have to push a little.
See it goes out the woodwork.
- Push, in here? You gotta be kidding.
- The money is clean.
No funny, good powder, even the serial numbers checked okay.
- We're just happy beyond belief.
- Behind you, you're sitting on it.
- There's only nine, we paid for 10.
(speaks in foreign language) - My friends, the price of doing business.
The other goes to them, not to me.
To ensure that you leave here on your feet.
- Listen to me.
There's a .
38 pointed right at your gut.
Your friends try something, and you won't have anything left to hang your belt buckle on.
Now, let's get up, get out, nice and easy.
(upbeat music) (clicking) - You're on the money kid.
Let's go.
(tires screeching) (gun bangs) - You think that was close for ya well wait 'til I get through with ya.
(intriguing music) (whirring) - Hold it man, I'll get you the damn ounce.
It was a joke, we were just having fun.
(car door thuds) - You know what Hooker's doing? - Shooting craps.
If it works, it's breaking him, if it doesn't, we're back to square one.
- Okay, forget the ounce, I'll find you a kilo, how about that huh? Great stuff, hasn't even been cut.
Hey man, you're not just dealing with just me.
I'm nobody, I'm the front.
But if something happens to me, the big man will come after you.
Hey, you nuts.
You kill someone for a crummy once? - Call your man.
Rigs, get out there, put everything away.
We may have to leave in a hurry.
- He'll back me up, you'll see.
- He better.
Tell him how you're screwed up.
But tell him maybe we can still take care of business.
(phone whirring) - Hi, it's Frank.
- Yes, tell me what happened to you Frank.
- I screwed up, tried to burn them for an ounce.
- That's what I understand.
I've told you before Frank, it's very important that you take care of business.
- But they still want to deal, everything's okay.
- Is there any chance they're cops? - No, no chance, they were gonna kill me.
- Set it up, then get back to me.
And Frank, I won't tolerate any more mistakes.
(clacking) - Everything is okay, we can still do business.
You get credit on that ounce.
- Jim, how did you do? - Got it all, traced the number, Rudy Cates, attorney at law, heavy hitter.
(clanking) Surprise, you just struck out.
- You got it amigo, you're under arrest.
- Tell Baca to look a little deeper, make sure these guys aren't working off a beef.
- Trying to tell you got to place one of your guys with Fierro.
You got to tighten it up.
If he gets pushed hard, he's gonna roll.
You don't listen very good, brother.
- You listen, brother.
I made you an offer when you crawled in here with Gustro's boot print on your butt.
I give the orders and you stick around so long as you follow them.
- Fierro decided to cooperate after we offered him a witness protection plan.
- We're holding him at county.
- We pick him up before the deal is set to go.
- Now these two guys are running around in circles, trying to connect this investigation with Alvarez's murder.
- Two suspects running loose.
One of them try to blow you away last night, Hooker.
We don't like that.
- I'm not crazy about it myself but I want Cates.
- You're talking about one of the top criminal attorneys in this city.
You don't really think you're gonna ever get that high up in the ladder, do you, Hooker? - Fierro said that Cates handles the big deals in person.
He's got a new load coming in.
Fierro placed our order this morning.
- 20 kilos, 44 pounds.
- What are we talking about in dollars? - $50,000 a kilo.
- That's a million dollars.
This isn't Donkey Kong, Hooker.
This is the real world.
- You know your priority stink well? Knocks like Tony put their ass on line to fight drugs, and you're worried about money? - I don't care what you think about me sergeant.
From where I'm sitting, the risks are overwhelming.
- You ever make a case, Twill? You couldn't have.
You go through life playing it safe.
Cates has a brother.
Mario lead the gangster.
He was a jailbird in Cuba.
Between his thumb and his finger, right hand, he has a tattoo, the word Madra and an arrow, signifying his criminal specialty.
- Which is? - Murder, in Cuba he was a paid assassin.
You know Tony Alvarez was not just murdered.
- He was assassinated.
Do you think about the type of person that takes to put a gun to a man's head and pull the trigger? Then you think about Cates's brother.
You say the risks are overwhelming? When I think about Tony, I know they're worth it.
(intriguing music) - When do you call me in with the cash? - Not until it's time to count the money.
- You left us on Cates's service now.
How long we've been waiting? - About three hours.
- And damn it Twill, will you sit down? - Cool it Jim.
We're all feeling the pressure.
You've been eating your guts out since this thing started, talk to me.
- I was there to watch Tony's back at the stakeout.
It was my job and I blew it.
- You saw a man about to be knived and you went to help him.
Don't you think Tony would understand? - I don't know.
I wish I could ask him.
- You don't need to.
I'm telling ya, he'd have done the same thing you did.
What's happened, happened.
If you don't stop letting this thing eat you up, we're both gonna be in trouble on this one.
- I know, don't worry, I'll be there.
(phone rings) - Yeah.
We'll be there, four o'clock, with the money.
We got two hours.
Let's go get Fierro.
(intriguing music) The meeting's at Pier 16, that mean anything to you? - The load is probably coming in off a freighter.
They've done it before.
- What else should we know? - He'll probably have all other guys around him.
Stay off the air, they know all your frequencies.
Watch out for Cates's brother.
He's a real loco.
- All right, Charlie.
- Mr.
Baca.
- Frank Fierro, I didn't know he was here.
- Weren't here very long.
- Old customer of mine.
Who bailed him out? - Nobody, he must have made some kind of deal.
He was just released into police custody.
(intriguing music) - You take care of introduction, Fierro.
We'll handle the rest.
- And don't look so tight.
- It's not easy man, when you're in my shoes.
- Come on, you stay here, stay with the car.
- Very punctual, a quality I like in people I do business with.
Frank, you don't look well.
You're sweating.
- It's nothing.
Maybe I got a flu bug.
- Nice place Cates.
- It's not fancy but safe.
One of my clients owns this facility.
It's shut down temporarily.
- You got company? - There's no one except my brother.
Would you like to meet him? - No, not now, let's get started.
- It will be a moment.
We're waiting for your merchandise.
How about we start with the money count first.
- It's close by.
It will be brought in when the merchandise arrives.
- Punctuality is a quality I like too, where's the stuff? - It will be here.
- Like when? - Anything on the scanner? Then what are you doing here? Go back and keep watch.
- They all fit, I know my job.
- Time's up, see you around pal.
- Be patient, my friend.
- It's here.
(car door thuds) - Check it out, 20 kilos.
- Looks like it's all here.
Catch of the day.
- Jumped off the rest bucket in the harbor huh.
- The rest bucket as you call it has a cargo more valuable than any super tanker, I assure you.
- What's he doing here? - Zip it up, we're getting out of here.
- You got it.
- No, no, it's only Baca.
- That man there, he's working for the cops.
- You're crazy man.
- He got sprung from county to help them.
- That man is trying to lousy up our deal.
I don't see any cops here.
- Oh maybe I do.
- Maybe you're just playing loco like your brother.
- Actually it doesn't make any difference who you are, we have your money.
(thuds) - Freeze.
(thuds) - Stacy.
- You face down, hands apart.
(intriguing music) (gun bangs) (footsteps clocking) (gun firing) (splashing) (nostalgic music) - It's Tony's.
- You got him, Jim.
He's the one who pulled the trigger on Tony.
- The case made page one.
- The supervising agent, Twill made page one, read it.
- When DEA supervisor, Twill, was asked about the case, he replied modestly, all I did was assemble the very best people and give them the resources to do the job.
- Can you believe that? - We confiscated nearly 50 pounds of pure cocaine and made several arrests including that of a prominent attorney, Rudolfo Cates, who's been implicated in the murder of agent Tony Alvarez.
Do I need to read on? - Sounds like we just stood around with our hands in our pockets while super agent Twill did all the work.
- At least he mentioned Tony.
- Oh, for a guy like Twill, that amounts to an epitaph.
- My brother never looked for glory.
He just wanted to do his job as well as he could.
- Nobody knows that better than we do, believe me.
- Let's go, we're due on watch.
- You just let me know anytime you want to get back in the harness, junior.
- Hey, I'm ready Hooker.
I'm ready, only on account of my wound, and all the doc says that I can't stand any aggravation.
- Aggravation huh? - Yeah, so, you won't mind keeping your voice down, and by calling me junior, and stuff like that.
- No problem, ju-- Romano.
I know that you're mature, responsible adult.
You shouldn't be hanging around frivolous people, which is why I asked the DeFalker sisters never to call you again.
- Hooker, you didn't.
- Gotcha, junior.
(theme music)