T.J. Hooker (1982) s04e16 Episode Script

(TJ Hooker theme music) (sensual music) - Memo to Benson file, Laura likes the drop ceiling idea and the track lighting in the den.
Check on those stained glass inserts for the kitchen cabinets.
I think I'm gonna suggest Mare Engineering to do the bearing wall estimate.
(anticipatory music) Shoot.
(anticipatory music) (brakes squeal) (sensual music) - Your driver's license please.
- I'm sorry officer, but this bee was driving me absolutely crazy in here.
I guess I was so busy swatting at it that I drove right through the light.
- A bee caught in an open car, that's very unusual, no pollen on the wings, no stinger.
- Looks to me like rigor mortis has even set in.
- Really? - How many times have you used this dead bee gimmick, Miss Sherman? - Look, I'm on my way to my girlfriend's house to do some work.
I already got a moving violation this month, couldn't you give me a break? - [TJ.]
I wish I could, but I can't.
- Do you realize what this is gonna do to my insurance rates, Sergeant Hooker? - Sign right here, please.
- I bet you even starch your underwear.
And efficient, too.
- That's what you pay taxes for.
- I guess I deserved it, huh? (sentimental music) - I'll give him a proper burial.
- Invite me to the memorial, eh sarge? - I'd put my top up if I were you.
There's a 60% chance for rain.
- I'll do that.
(car engine revs) - Love at first sight, Hooker? - Oh, ships that pass in the night.
(air blows) (thunders) (dramatic music) - This afternoon remember, drop mom a note and get her artichoke dip recipe for the restaurant opening.
P.
S.
on memo to mom, the bee trick doesn't work with some cops.
(dramatic music) What's Laura's car doing here? (dramatic music) Laura! Laura, where are you? (thunders) - Strike gold in there? - Yeah, close to 300, Moonshine.
- Let's see, maybe there's something else we can cash in on.
- You know, car like that Mercedes you'd thought there'd be more, huh? (dramatic music) - Get her.
(dramatic music) - [Operator.]
Nine 11 emergency.
- Police, emergency Ridgeway Rd and Dante canyon.
They're attacking my-- (static) - Who'd you call, the cops? (anticipatory music) - That car - Hmm? - It belongs to my friend, where is she? - Maybe you'd like some of the same, hmm? (dramatic music) (grunts) (dramatic music) - [Dispatcher.]
Units in the vicinity and Four Adam 30 a possible attack in progress at Ridgeway Road and Dante Canyon.
- Four Adam 30, that's a roger.
(dramatic music) (tires screech) (dramatic music) (sirens blare) (dramatic music) (dramatic music) (sirens blare) (dramatic music) - Let's get out of here.
(sirens blare) (tires screech) (dramatic music) - [Teri.]
Up here, I'm up here.
(dramatic music) They've done something to my friend, Laura.
- Where? - Across the road in the ravine.
- You okay? (gasps) - All they wanted was my purse, that's all they wanted just my purse.
(phone rings) - Nurse Hoskins report to (phone rings) Radiology, Nurse Hoskins (phone rings) Radiology.
- Okay, I got it.
The license on the suspect's car comes back to a Honda registered to an Elizabeth Woods in Monterey Park.
- Run it down.
Romano, do an N.
C.
I.
C.
computer run on the bump and rob M.
O.
.
I remember hearing about that for over a year now.
- I'm on it.
- N.
C.
I.
C.
computer run, M.
O.
, old bees, you guys must be half smart.
- Dumb cops went out with corner apple stands.
- Lucky for me, huh? How's Missus Benson? - She won't permit an examination, let alone acknowledge she was raped.
- Laura.
- I'm fine, Teri.
- Missus Benson, you can get expert help from the Rape Crisis Center.
- I'm tired of saying it.
I wasn't raped.
I'll call you later, Teri.
Can we go now? - Mm-hmm.
- She's lying to herself, why? - It's easier for her to deny everything than to admit anything happened.
Just give her time.
- What if that doesn't help? - Then, we have nothing but purse snatching and reckless driving, until she stops lying to herself.
(mellow saxophone music) As soon as the lab's done printing your car they'll give you a call.
- Thanks, I hope they get something to nail those creeps.
- Me too, the prints in your car are all we have to go on along with the Chrysler license plates.
Soon as I know something I'll be in touch with you.
- The scrimshaw.
- The what? - The carved whalebone that creep was wearing around his neck.
Here, I'll show ya.
There, another clue.
- You're real good, you know? - You're right, I am.
(laughs) And smart to, know why? - I won't have that drink with you.
- I didn't ask you.
- That's what makes you only half smart, sarge.
(phone rings) - These came from the print shop just before they closed for the day.
- Make sure the oncoming watch puts them into circulation.
Did the lab lift any prints off of Teri Sherman's Alpha? - Nothing that'll work for us.
- We're still trying to locate the owner of the license plates on that Chrysler.
She and her Honda moved from Monterey Park, no forwarding address.
- I think we have a beginning on that bump and rob.
It's a popular M.
O.
out of state.
- Three suspects, they've been working the M.
O.
between here Houston, Texas starting three months ago.
- 18 rape robberies, four homicides.
- You know, in two cases they followed up on property they found in their victim's purses, went back to their homes.
That accounted for one of the homicides in Nevada.
- Nice bunch.
- That young kid that tried to nail Teri Sherman do any of the other bump and robs show him as a participant? - Guess he just signed on.
(phone rings) - Hooker, yeah.
- Hi.
- Hi yourself, who's this? - Some compliment, you write me a ticket, save my life, spend half the day with me, drive me home and now it's who's this? - Hiya, Teri.
- Very good, sarge.
Now, what time you get off work? - As a matter of fact we're just going end of watch now, why? - Something important's come up.
You know a lounge in Chinatown called the Red Dragon? - I sure do, what's up? - I'll tell you when you get there.
(sighs) - Well, you gonna tell us what that's all about? - She's come up with something she wants to talk about.
She's come up with something she wants to talk about.
- That should be an interesting conversation.
(mellow music) (glasses clink) - You know, you look less like a Stormtrooper in your civvies.
Of course, I wouldn't rate you taste in clothes any higher than a five, so don't let the compliment go to your head.
- I'll work on it.
Would you answer the question now? What are we doing here? - At your request.
And, I made another one.
I called in some of my artist buddies.
Know who that lady is? - Black beard's mother.
- She was a lady pirate.
Her name was Alwilda.
The original's in a whaling museum in New Bedford.
- And, the one you grabbed from this punk is a copy.
- Yeah, I talked to the museum.
They said there was a Chinese man who did this.
He used to sell them out of a curio shop right here in Chinatown.
- Did you get a name? - No, they didn't know the curio shop either.
- We'll check them all out in the morning.
- What about now, you and me? - Hey, me cop, you interior designer.
- This Chinatown, from what I hear they won't tell a policeman anything around here.
I wanna help, what do you say? - I'm afraid of what I'll have to put up with if I say no.
(mellow music) (monkey chitters) - Charlie Wong makes this kind of scrimshaw, Hooker.
- Where can I find him.
- Mahjong parlors, maybe.
He's a hard man to pin down.
Hi, how you doing? - Mahjong? - Chinese poker.
- So, where are the Mahjong parlors? - In a places where a civilian can get into deep and dangerous trouble.
Charlie Wong.
- Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, hold on.
(water splashes) Thanks for today, sarge.
(sentimental music) What'd you wish for? - Maybe I already got it.
- You don't ask for very much, do you? - Well, I was always taught that if you asked too much at once you're liable to come up empty handed.
Too old fashioned? (laughs) - You don't take what's offered maybe you won't get a second chance.
Too modern? (scoffs) (sentimental music) (ominous music) - Looks like we're gonna be moving on, my land lady's back.
- Well, we're gonna have to figure out someway to thank her for these extra days we're spending here.
- Well, lookie here the lady with the little car.
Appears she and the lady you like are friends, Sonny.
Her name is Teri somebody or other.
- Teri Sherman, here's a business card.
Even says where she's working these days.
- Have me a bone to pick with that one.
(cardboard pops) (lock clicks) - Who are all these people? I sublet my place to you and you were supposed to vacate yesterday.
- Well, come on in pretty lady.
- Another thing, (door creaks) (door thuds) what are the license plates on my car doing on that Chrysler downstairs? - I told you to get them plates from out of the neighborhood so the cops couldn't trace us here.
- No, no Billy Joe's too lazy for that.
- Looks like we've been found out, doesn't it fellas? - I think we can handle it, this time.
(ominous music) (dramatic music) - Guy who carved the Scrimshaw, name's Charlie Wong.
He's done time for counterfeiting, illegal manufacturing of phony IDs, and fraud.
- Probably developed his scrimshaw talent in the slam.
- Might have met the bump and rob guy with the scrimshaw in the same place.
- You think he can finger the whereabouts of the group.
- He's our best shot so far.
Keep working the Chinatown contacts.
- Your interior designer have anything to do with you going to Chinatown last night? - Could be.
- What about those circles under your eyes? - Could be.
(beeps) - [Dispatcher.]
Four Adam 30, Four Adam 16 reports locating Elizabeth Woods, the owner of the license plates used in the Benson assault.
Meet the apartment manager at 9210 Ocean Place.
- Four Adam 30, roger.
(camera clicks) - Did the apartment manager remember seeing anyone with her? - Four people matching our composites.
The youngest guy sublet the place.
- You get any names? - No, but he heard one of them call our female suspect Moonshine.
- He said she's certifiable straight jacket material.
(ominous music) - What'd I tell ya? There's the little car.
The lady's probably inside.
- Yeah, along with a half dozen workers.
- So, we take her license to the DMV, we pay the four bucks, and we walk out with her home address.
Cute, huh? (laughs) - You'll get to pay the lady back for messing up your shoes, eh Billy boy? - Tell me you don't want her for your own reasons, Sonny.
(ominous music) - We picked up nearly six different sets of prints at Elizabeth Wood's apartment.
Not enough to classify any of them.
- And, the Chrysler? - Seen once, no sign of it now.
- They probably dumped it.
- N.
C.
I.
C.
file was bulging with monikers.
I pulled all the Moonshines that seemed to match our suspect's description, I got six.
- I'd hate to find myself in a bear hug with any of those ladies.
- Make copies of these pictures and run them by the victim's apartment manager and re-interview him.
Maybe he can remember something else.
- You want me to show those to the assault victim? - No, I want Teri Sherman to take a look at them before we talk to her friend.
And, you can get back to beating the bushes for that man who could put names to the faces we have.
- Charlie Wong.
(dramatic music) - You're doing all this? - The whole enchilada.
What do you think? - I am impressed.
- What's the policy on kissing men in uniform? - Definitely not allowed.
- I guess you'll just have to take me to jail.
- You're under arrest.
(laughs) - Last night was terrific, sarge.
- You know, I was in this building a couple of years ago on a vandalism charge.
The place was a wreck.
You're really turning it into something.
- Well, talk about a showcase that actually gets you a job.
It did in Connecticut.
A restaurant corporation has promised to keep me working for at least a year.
- I'm sorry to hear it.
These mug shots belong to women with the moniker Moonshine.
- That's her, she was standing by a tree in the gully.
Who is she? - Dorothy Unger, a 10 on the violence scale, mental hospitals, prisons.
She's from Texas.
We think she's tied to a string of rape robberies including one we discovered this morning.
A woman was raped and murdered.
- Oh, my god does Laura Benson know that? - No, you're a friend of Laura's.
I want you with me when I tell her.
- I'm not sure about anything, any of them.
My husband may be home in a few minutes.
I don't want him upset by this.
- You're the victim, not the criminal.
You gotta get that through your head.
- Ted told me that that dress I was wearing was too inviting.
I should never have worn it.
- You didn't hold up a sign saying hurt me.
And, you're not their only victim.
You're gonna keep feeling it's your fault until you share the hurt.
Take your time, give it some thought.
- Remember, we're friends, Laura.
Just get better.
- Sargent Hooker, the man who took my purse he called the woman sis.
Is that any help? - Everything helps, Missus Benson, good night.
(ominous music) - Sis, you think that's gonna be of any help? - Well, just the fact that Laura let us have it makes a difference for her and if it turns out that Dorothy Unger really does have a brother why it could pay off across the board.
- The whole evening paid off for me.
You're a man full of surprises, sarge.
You always that tender and compassionate with your crime victims? - Are you sure you're not confusing good police practice with something else? - I have never been confused one day in my life, until now.
(sentimental music) - Looks like the lady got herself occupied.
- I can wait.
- Me too.
(ominous music) (laughs) - He's in love with you sarge, relax and enjoy it.
Come on Toby, vanilla ice cream if you get down, hup.
Good thing he's not jealous that's his side of the bed.
- Looks like he's not used to giving it up, either.
- He's not.
- This job of yours in Connecticut, when does it happen? - Four or five weeks, why? Wanna give me a going away party? - I don't think I could bring myself to come to a party like that.
(sensual music) (phone rings) - Hello? It's your partner.
- Romano, you're my partner not my mother.
- But, it's your partner talking.
I did what you asked.
Kept digging for Charlie Wong, how would you like for his present whereabouts? (indistinct chatter) - You raided a Mahjong parlor.
- The Imperial Eye with the help of the Vice Squad, interested? - Sit tight, I'm rolling.
- Okay, okay calm down.
Come on let's keep moving, let's on guys.
Come, let's go, let's go, come on move it in.
- See what'd I tell ya? (ominous music) Dude probably has a wife at home to get back to.
- Let's do what we came here to do.
(ominous music) (dog barks) - Toby? (dog growls) Toby? (dog barks) Operator, this is a-- (clicks) (dog barks) (clicks) (dog barks) (ominous music) (glass breaks) (ominous music) (motorcycle engine revs) (indistinct chatter) (speaking foreign language) (indistinct chatter) - I've never been stonewalled so much in my life.
- Maybe when we get them into a court room somebody will decide they know Charlie Wong.
- I think someone does.
Look what we found in a sweep of the b wagon.
- Safety deposit key, have the bank detail check it out for us in the morning.
- I've got 20 Chinese gamblers to book.
- You know, that was my count.
- Something's going on with him.
- Yeah, I think it's called love.
(dramatic music) (breaks squeal) (dramatic music) (ominous music) (anticipatory music) (car door slams) (anticipatory music) (anticipatory music) (dog growls) (anticipatory music) (dog whines) (anticipatory music) - Let's get the car.
(bushes rustle) (anticipatory music) (dog whines) (grunts) (thuds) (grunts) (gun fires) (thuds) (grunts) (gun fires) - Halt! (gun fires) - Sonny! - Forget him, let's get out of here.
- No.
(dramatic music) (tires screech) (gun fires) (tires screech) (tires screech) (dramatic music) - I should see a doctor.
(dramatic music) - [PA.]
Doctor Cattrel, (gasps) Emergency admitting.
Doctor Parker, Doctor Phil Parker Emergency admitting.
- They looted your whole house.
I'm gonna need a list of the things that are missing.
- The dress, Stacy got it for me.
- How do you feel? - Find 'em, sarge.
- Uh, take a look at this.
- Is that the man you killed? - Yeah, is that the one that? - I can't be sure, it was so dark in there.
Can't your lab tell? - Probably, we have to check the blood type.
I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left.
- Don't.
- I should have been there.
I had no idea that they-- - Please, don't, don't torture yourself.
I'm gonna be just fine.
- Nothing broken, no cuts, no abrasions? I didn't say-- - I was surviving, Hooker.
I was afraid for my life.
- You can't go home, they're still at large.
Come back with me.
- I'm staying at Laura's.
She's waiting for me downstairs.
(melancholy music) (typewriter keys clack) (typewriter bell dings) (sentimental music) (pot clatters) (sentimental music) (phone rings) (sentimental music) (chair creaks) (sentimental music) (busy tone) (sentimental music) (thuds) - Hit all role calls get these distributed.
I'll start working the pawn shops on Broadway.
- Hooker, they may not even pawn the stuff they took from Teri's place.
- We won't know that until you start checking the pawn shops, will we? - Hey Hooker, prints came back on the guy you traded shots with last night.
Name's Sonny Unger, Dorothy's big brother.
- Anymore like him in the family? - Not that we can find, but an associate's list came up with an old Huntsville cell mate of Unger's named Jesse Simpson.
- His mug shot matches the composite.
We still have no idea who number four is.
- Get Simpson's picture on the bulletin with the others.
I want him.
- Hooker, you're driving yourself and this whole situation into the ground, ease up.
- Just doing the job.
- You're forgetting every basic you taught me about rape cases.
- I'm forgetting nothing, believe me.
- No, what happened to Teri wasn't just a sexual outrage.
It was a violent criminal act against a lady who was terrified for her life.
- Don't you think I know that? - Well, do you? I know you feel guilty about not being with her when it happened, but what's important now is giving Teri your support.
- Teri doesn't want anything from me.
She made that clear last night.
- She loves you and you have to let her know you feel the same way because of what did happen in that house.
- I can't change what happened, but I sure can even the score.
- That's wrong, Hooker.
There's no room in this for revenge.
- The hell there isn't.
(ominous music) (dramatic music) (tires screech) - I'll be back in a minute.
(anticipatory music) (paper crinkles) (anticipatory music) - Laura told me you called while I was out this morning.
- The office told me you called back.
I couldn't get to a phone.
- Looks like we're missing each other all the way around.
- Are you sure you feel up to working today? - It's all I feel like doing.
- I wanted to be with you last night.
I want you to know that.
- I didn't think I could handle it.
Laura and I had a long talk.
She decided to get some counseling.
She's even gonna file a complaint now.
If you ever get them.
- I'll get them.
I'll get them if I have to chase them through every state in the union, I'll get them.
And, when I do-- - Stop it before you terrify me more than they do.
- Teri-- (gasps) - Oh, I'm sorry.
- No, no, no.
I'm the one that should be saying that to you.
- Hooker, sorry, I just got word that they traced that safety deposit key on a scrimshaw ring to a Sammy Lee.
Turns out to be Charlie Wong's cousin.
- Either one of them picked up? - Corrigan and Stacy brought Lee down to the station, rattled his cage.
Suggested he might be implicated in murder.
- He give us a place to go to pick up cousin Wong? - He's in a new line of business, fencing stolen property.
- And, one of the bump and robbers could have traded hot property for the scrimshaw, let's roll.
- Hooker, not for me.
Do it 'cause you're a cop, okay? (sentimental music) (dramatic music) - Sonny got clipped by a love crazed cop named Hooker.
Man's gonna pay.
- Hey, don't you got countin' me into no cop killin', huh? We're gettin' our money, that's it.
- Killin' a cop ain't gonna bring Sonny back.
Forget it.
- Look at your face and say that.
I don't need to see him dead, just make him wish he was.
- What are you talking about? - His woman for Sonny.
- You're crazier than I thought you was.
You don't even know where she is right now.
- We know where she could be.
- Get what the stuff's worth, we'll meet you back at the hotel.
- You're really gonna do it, eh? - What do you think? (ominous music) (car engine starts) (ominous music) (chickens cluck) (ominous music) (dramatic music) (chickens cluck) (dramatic music) (dramatic music) - You make a mistake in here officers? - The only mistake around here Charlie is who you're selling your scrimshaws to.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
You can see the business I'm in, chickens.
- You're gonna feel like one of those hanging by their necks outside unless you tall me where this man is.
(chickens cluck) Charlie, Charlie.
(crashes) (chickens cluck) All of this is from Teri's house.
Don't lie to me once, Charlie, 'cause right now you're looking at a hell of a lot more than just receiving stolen goods.
(thuds) (chickens cluck) What rocks do I turn over to find the maggots you bought this property from? - I don't know where any of these things came from, cop.
I swear, I don't know.
(ominous music) (thuds) (grate rattles) - All I need is an excuse.
Hands behind your neck, lace your fingers.
We're gonna talk now, dirt bag, about all your good friends.
(dramatic music) - This is Four Adam 30, possible assault in progress at Jonah's Restaurant.
Request back up, code three.
- [Dispatcher.]
Roger, Four Adam 30.
- Hooker, the man could be lying.
To go after her again they'd have to be crazy.
- That's exactly what they are, crazy.
(ominous music) (shouts) - Hello sweetness.
(ominous music) - She wants you dead, lady.
Now, why don't you just make it easy on all of us.
(ominous music) (tires screech) (ominous music) (thuds) (ominous music) - Help, Teri.
(dramatic music) - Freeze or you're dead.
Turn over, hands behind your head.
(sirens blare) (ominous music) (dramatic music) Take her.
(dramatic music) (tires screech) (dramatic music) (groans) (dramatic music) (dramatic music) (indistinct chatter) (celebratory music) - Hi you guys.
(indistinct chatter) (celebratory music) Well? - Well, I think it's terrific.
(indistinct chatter) (celebratory music) You got something on your mind? - Can we talk? - I've tried to keep the lines of communication open all week.
- I care for you very much.
I want you to know that.
- We just need more time, Teri, I understand that.
- It's not just time.
I took the job in Connecticut.
- How long? - I don't know.
(sighs) I feel as if (sighs) a part of me died.
I just need a little time to mourn, away from here, and you, Hooker.
(sentimental music) I want you to touch me, but I don't wanna be touched.
(sentimental music) I need you Hooker, but I'm afraid.
Help me? - I'll be here.
- See you, sarge.
(sentimental music) (TJ Hooker theme music)