T.J. Hooker (1982) s05e06 Episode Script
Rip-Off
(fast tempo instrumental music) - [Man Radio Voice.]
Air We need assistance on a blown narcotics stake out from any units in the vicinity.
- [Woman Radio Voice.]
Roger Air 20, what is your location? - [Man Radio Voice.]
Dispatch we are at 14th and Broadway in pursuit of a late model red sedan headed west on 14th.
(dramatic music) - [Woman Radio Voice.]
Four Adam 30 and any units in the vicinity, Air 20 needs assistance in pursuit of late model red sedan headed west on 14th.
- We're Adam 30 to air 20 on tack two.
(whirring) - [Man Radio Voice.]
This is Air 20, what do you have 30? - I've just spotted a red sedan going west from 6th and Pen.
- [Man Radio Voice.]
Roger 30, that's our narcotics suspect.
Our ETA is one minute.
(mid tempo saxophone music) (whirring) We got him 30, south bound on Mason to Bridgeton.
- How far from me? (whirring) - [Man Radio Voice.]
He should be exiting a side street just ahead to your right.
(squealing) (engine revs) - Air 20 I've got him, right in my sights, dead ahead.
(sirens blaring) (fast tempo music) (squealing) (engine revs) (crashing) Air 20, light her up! (whirring) (gun fires) (crashes) - I kinda like you Hooker, even if you did almost break my arm.
See, you got respect for my intelligence.
Any other cop would be telling me I wouldn't have to go back to the slammer if I spit out a couple of names.
- You're going back behind bars Freddie, no question about that.
- I told you man, my name ain't Freddie anymore it's Jamal.
- Okay Jamal, but there are prisons and there are prisons.
You want to do hard time or you wanna do soft time? - Come on man, give me a break.
- Four months ago you bought that car used from a guy named Angel.
- He was just a guy I met.
- Hard time Freddie! - Jamal man, Jamal! What do you want Angel for? - Angel's an old friend who deals heavy dope and I want to reach out and touch him.
- Jamal, tell us the truth, do yourself a favor.
- Well, maybe it can't hurt to do a favor for some old friends.
I got Angel's number if that'd help.
- Looks like you're gonna set up your bust after all.
- Rico, your better half is on the line.
- Thanks Stace.
Honey, what'd the doctors say? - How is she? - Maria's the one with morning sickness and Rico's the one who's panicking.
- This is kid number three what's he so uptight about? - Take whatever the doctor gives you okay? Nothing's too good for my first son.
- And probably future president of the United States.
- You got it buddy.
Yeah, yeah, Maria, late.
Look I'm sorry I got a job to do.
I'll see you then, I love you.
- Don't we have to deal with the Feds on this drug bust? - They got 50% but our - And you're looking at him baby.
- Rico, I'm not so sure I want you in on this one.
- Uh, no way, no way.
I been following this deal from the get go and I'm not quitting.
- Priorities man.
You got a pregnant wife, family.
- And a job and I intend to do it.
(dramatic music) - This is Hooker.
- Go ahead Hooker.
- Is this thing set? Your man is overdue already isn't he? - Hooker, I got it covered.
- What about the deployment? You getting Rico the right kind of back up? - Leave it alone Hooker.
I know how to run a buy, I been at it enough years.
- Yeah, and I've crossed swords with you Feds enough to know yous get it wrong half the time.
(slow moody music) Emile's doing a solo.
- He's alone? - So far but don't count on anything staying the way it looks.
He's going in.
I'll keep an eye on the lobby and when he comes up Bennet do it right.
- Is he always this pleasant to work with? - Hooker, never asks for anything more than perfection.
- Angel hasn't contacted anyone in the lobby.
He's on his way up Bennet, look alive.
- Are we ready? (knocking) - Sound I been waiting for.
We in business good looking? - Bet he says that to all his cops.
- Looks like LCPD's finest is about to make a buy Tom.
- Yeah, all you guys that work with Hooker sound alike.
It's still a Federal case Rico, don't forget who found him.
- Right, right, I mean, you dudes got the room bugged, radio equipment that'd break the city's budget, a hundred thou in cash and all we can come up with is talent and man power.
Especially talent.
(knocking) - Angel, come on in.
- [Rico.]
Angel! - Hey.
Hey, I'm clean man.
- Okay.
- Looks like you come empty handed Angel.
- Hey I can get the snow in two minutes man.
But we count first then we deal.
- Bird don't leave the room till the snow arrives.
You hear me talking Angel? - Hey, it's only because of a short relationship that a man has to take his time.
Make sure things are cool, you know? - Hey it's cool.
(clicking) Count it Angel.
- One hundred thou, nice, real nice.
- It's all yours, as soon as see five keys of snow white.
- I'll be right back.
Oh, just one thing! (thuds) (gun fires) (dramatic music) - It's a rip off, move in! (gun fires) - Number one car he's going down! (dramatic music) - Hey alright, I had to shoot one of them.
It was a set up.
Cops were all over up there.
- But you did get the money? - Hey what do you think man? You're talking to Angel, I got it all.
(gun fires) (dramatic music) (clattering) (screaming) - Stand back! (dings) (squealing) (steps clattering) (radio chatters) - Hey easy with him.
- How is he? - Through and through, nobody knows yet.
Look what about Rico's wife? She ought to hear it from of us.
- I convinced Maria this was the best job in the world for Rico, and I trained him.
She's got to hear it from me.
I gotta get some answers.
This thing's a circus.
Right now everybody in it looks like a star clown.
Three slugs in Angel.
How many shots you say he got off? - Three.
But they're in the elevator doors on the 16th floor.
- I got questions.
What happened to the money? - The US Treasury.
- Who covered the elevators? What floors were staked out? That garage looks like a big black hole.
- Bennet was calling the shots, he was in charge, it was their case, remember? - No, it became our case the minute that drug pusher squeezed the trigger that hit our man.
- [Stacy.]
Hooker do you read me? - Yeah Stacy what is it? - Nine millimeter casings and they still smell fresh.
- [Hooker.]
How many? - Three, they landed on the floor right outside the elevator.
- Three casings on the floor, three slugs in Angel.
I don't think he ever got off the elevator.
- Angel didn't stop on the fifth floor just to pick up three slugs.
- I'm betting he had a partner and got himself double crossed.
Alright, Stacy stick with it until you get a lift from every push button on that elevator.
Jim, have the ME move on Angel's autopsy and then toss the registration desk for everybody who checked in or out of the fifth floor, everybody! Bell boys, maids, waitresses, push em hard.
(slow music) (dings) - Corrigan, what the hell happened in that hotel? - It was a rip off Lieutenant.
Rico got caught in the middle.
- Well how is he? - They're treating him for shock, getting him new blood.
Doctor says they can't operate on him until he stabilizes.
The best that we can do Rico is to smoke out what's been happening to him since we loaned him to the Feds two weeks ago.
Recover the territory, snitches, connections.
(dings) I want to find out who Angel's partner was that set up the rip.
He's the one that's responsible for what happened to Rico.
- What about the Feds? They found Angel, it was their case.
- That's right.
How bout it Bennet? - Well, it was nothing fancy Lieutenant.
Randolph, the undercover agent in the room with Rico picked up a rumble that Angel was dealing and we set it up.
- Yeah, I remember.
You said you knew how to run a buy.
- Hooker, the hotel had 20 floors.
Now I couldn't stake them all.
I admit, looking back on it now, it did go too easy.
Kilo buys don't usually come down that smooth.
- They never come that easy.
From here on I want Hooker to call the shots on this case.
Now, do I call your supervisor and we debate as to whose case this is or do we have an understanding? - Okay, we reach an understanding.
- I want the man who's responsible for this.
I want him fast.
- We'll get him.
- You still here? - I'm going, I'm going.
- Hooker, my husband is laying in there right now.
Now, I don't know if he's going to live or die.
- Maria, who ever did this, I promise you I'll get him.
- Two years ago, right here, it was the same thing.
Only you were telling me what a terrific job Rico had done.
What a terrific job he did before that 10 inch switch blade went up to its hilt in his body.
Now my husband has been used.
Why can't he be like other cops? Why can't he come home at five instead of spending his nights working the sewers of the city? - He volunteered for the job.
He volunteered because he wants the city clean for his kids, for all the kids.
So they won't ever end up in that sewer.
- You really believe that? - I believe it.
Rico believes it.
You believe it Maria.
(sighs) - Can I can I hold on to you please? - Yeah, got it, yeah.
- What'd he say Corrigan? - Yeah, what'd he say? - Latents wrapped up the comparisons on Angel's prints and the partials lifted from the inside elevator buttons.
Latents on the fifth and 16th floor buttons belong to Angel.
No match in the partial lifted from the elevator button on the fifth floor.
- Yeah, that means Angel intended to go to five and our mystery man sent him down the rest of the way.
- If Angel intended to stop that means he had a reason and that reason means he had a partner.
(ringing) Yeah? - We've got it down to one room on the fifth floor Hooker.
The registration desk put a guy in Alvarado in at noon.
But nobody's seen him since the rip off.
- Have forensics go over that room with a vacuum cleaner.
- Right.
Oh, there's also a good chance this guy might be wearing a beard or a mustache.
Found a small bottle of spirit gum.
- That's good police work.
When you round up the employees from the hotel let's make a special on everyone who saw a guy with a beard or a mustache.
Bring them in for interviews.
- Will do.
- What's that about a mustache? - Stacy found a bottle of spirit gum.
Seems our mystery man likes to play actor.
That ring any bells? - No, not a thing.
Look, why don't I take a copy of the partial you lifted off the elevator button? - Why it's only a partial? You got a name to go with it? - No, no name.
I just thought we could start checking it against major drug dealers.
Forget it.
The hundred thous got me pushing too hard.
Look, I got some reports I got to get out.
I'll see you guys in the morning.
- Yeah.
Jim, roll our police artist out of bed.
Tell him we need a composite as quickly as possible.
And Jim? Have our analytical officer do a run down on every narc rip we've ever hard of.
- Okay you got it.
(steps clattering) (moody music) - Yes, Mr.
Alvarado, room 220, like to place a call please.
(ringing) - This is Rita.
- I have a message for Martinez.
- Yes Mr.
Castro.
- Tell him I have all but $50,000.
I should have the rest within a week.
- Mr.
Martinez expects shipment within five days.
He asked that inform you of his circumstance.
- What circumstance? - Mr.
Martinez has other people wanting to buy his shipment.
He will negotiate with the first buyer available when the shipment arrives.
- You tell him I am his buyer.
I have been getting ready for one year for this.
I will not lose it now.
- I can only relay Mr.
Martinez's message.
I can't argue with you.
Please, continue to use the same number for contact at the designated times.
Eight and 10 a.
m.
, eight and 10 p.
m.
Adios senior Castro.
- Hello? Get me airline information.
(steps clattering) - Hooker! Autopsy on Angel.
Three 9 millimeter slugs.
Two are good for comparison if we can find the gun.
- What else? - Latents got one partial index finger out of the fifth floor hotel room.
Came off the glue bottle.
Matches 10 points the one we got out of the elevator.
- That's the ribbon on the package.
Tight conspiracy on the rip and Angel's murder.
- And the analytical officer asked me to tell you that she checked their files on narc rips.
Nothing comes close to this case except for the Benny Goldstone rip six months ago.
He's still in jail.
- Did they say what else the Feds have? - She said they had nothing.
- Come on.
- That's what she said.
She called the records man, five minutes later he calls back says nothing connects.
- Five minutes? Well have her call again.
Tell them to look this time.
(ringing) Tim? They did a nice job on the composite Hooker.
Next to the maid she got one good long look at him.
Corrigan's running some copies off now.
- Yeah well, we're all working like dogs here.
- I appreciate it.
I been getting a lot of heat from that hundred thou.
- Well, we all have a stake in the matter see? Rico's life is on the line.
You closed the door Tim.
- I don't follow.
- We called your records office in Washington.
Five minutes later they don't know anything about any narc rip anywhere in the country.
- Maybe they didn't have anything.
- Come on, the Benny Goldstone rip.
I gave them the information personally.
That Miami rip was all over the newspapers two months ago.
Your files aren't that sloppy.
- Hooker, no doors are closed.
We're in this together.
Maybe you just got a lazy records man.
I'll check it out personally, okay? - Hooker, there's our man.
- Ring any bells Tim? - Does nothing for me.
Listen, I'll go back to the office, get an in house distribution going.
Maybe one of our people can make him.
- Check out your filing system at the same time.
Pull half the day watch together.
Distribute it to every precinct in the city.
And set up a special telephone.
Start with the mug books, pull every known drug pusher.
- Where you going? - I'm gonna do a little fishing.
(moody music) Alright everyone listen up.
As of now Tim Bennet is shut off.
He gets nothing, understand? - Okay he gets nothing but I don't understand.
- Bennet and Gregory Loman III just had a nice cozy little chat.
- Gregory Loman III what? - He's a federal narc.
Bennet has been sucking us dry and running to him with the information.
- But why? - That's a question I'm gonna ask at the right time.
- I've distributed 1000 copies of Castro's picture with the suggestion that he might be wearing a phony beard.
Now if he is spotted, they are to leave him alone but call us.
- Airports? - Of course.
Look, relax.
This creep is gonna surface somewhere and then I am gonna nail him.
And then you'll be out of it.
- I'll be out of friends too.
(whistles) - Alright.
- Get outta here.
- The salary scale isn't great but there's a departmental rule against moonlighting.
- I been out on the street rapping with the girls.
- Any particular reason? - Angel's girlfriend was looking for him.
So I let her find me.
Then I told her Angel was dead and that this was the dude who pulled the trigger.
- Did she ID the drawing? - Yeah, she said his name is Gunther Castro, Angel's new business partner.
She also came up with an address.
Regent Arms on Sycamore.
He's using the name Alvarado.
- That's good police work.
Change into something decent.
(ringing) Pick up a warrant, you and Jim get on it.
Hooker.
What about Maria? Rico's dead.
(slow sad music) Pick up that damn warrant.
- The manager said he's been here three weeks.
He left two hours ago.
- Visitors? - He's only recall is of two people and the description matches Angel and his girlfriend.
And one possible lead, he made a phone call last night.
(ringing) - The phone been dusted? - Yeah? - Jim the eye sheet on Castro says he's a dealer.
He's been busted three, four times for narcotics.
The last time was a year ago.
- He do time? - None of the cases held up.
Interested in who had charge of the cases? - Tell me it was your friend Gregory Loman III, government super narc.
- How'd you ever guess? We been had.
Good.
- But you owe me an answer Loman.
What's with you and Castro? I mean, why do you want him so bad? - Okay, I have had him three times in the last five years and each time he has gotten off.
The last time I made a case he planted the evidence himself and then proved it phony in court.
He made a fool of me and this time I want him.
And I've almost got him.
- How can you be so sure? - Because an airport guard recognized him from one of the photos an alerted our men.
He's on route to Detroit where he's probably getting ready to set up another rip off to fund his next big buy.
I've got a surveillance team on him right now.
- So why don't you just step in and bust him? Why tail him? - Because I don't want him for some small rip.
I want him for the big buy.
I want him to be tasting that money in his mouth so I could just pull it right out.
- But you gotta make a case against him first, catch him dirty.
All Hooker's gotta do is find him first.
He's bought and paid for.
- Yeah, like you say.
All Hooker has to do is find him first.
- Pardon me for not knocking.
Fancy seeing you here Bennet.
- Hooker I - Shut up.
I want some answers to some questions.
- We lost $100,000.
- Well yeah, but it was he who lost it.
Wasn't it Bennet that lost it? Sure it was him.
What do you know about him? - If I told you what would you do with the information? - Use it.
What happened to all the team work we were supposed to have Bennet? - Hooker I'm sorry.
- Rico's dead.
It was your operation that got him killed.
This maggot set it up.
I think you have an obligation to us.
Gunther Castro.
His criminal record dates back to 1966.
His last arrest was May last year.
Loman here ran the show, only he slopped it up and Castro beat his case for the third time.
- Congratulations.
What else do you know? - What is it with you? An ego trip Loman? - We have got six million in cocaine, three mules in the joint but we lost him.
- Is that any reason to cut me out? - This creep's responsible for killing a cop! - I'll give you this much Hooker, when we took him he had a million up front.
The dope was seized and it bankrupted him.
Now I didn't know he was in your city.
We had no idea that he was setting a rip up here.
He was clearly trying to build a new bank roll to buy a big shipment.
- Where? - I don't know.
- You're lying.
- Stay off the case Hooker.
You'll have your shot at him.
- I want it now.
- I've got five years invested.
- I got a dead cop invested! Nobody does that in this city.
If Castro doesn't go on trial there's that much more jeopardy for a thousand other cops.
Alright, I've located Castro's path and I know a certain telephone number he's been calling.
I'm putting that up for trade.
- I've got nothing to trade.
- Then stay the hell out of my way.
(moody music) (door clicks) - Phone company traced that number Hooker.
The number Castro called's a public telephone in the valley.
- Nothing comes easy.
It's all we got, it's gotta be important.
I want a surveillance team.
- We're out of bodies Hooker.
I'll spring one for you tonight, but Corrigan and Stacy will have to cover in the morning.
- Consider it done.
- Hooker, sweating it out here all night isn't gonna bring Rico back.
- Neither is lying in bed with my eyes open.
- Hooker? Two drug dealers were shot to death tonight in Detroit.
Looks like another rip off.
- Castro style? - Yeah, Castro style.
Loman had a tail on him but the guys nearly slipped it.
- Loman's ego's running up a hell of a tab you know that? - Yeah.
Look Hooker, from everything I've been able to find out it looks like Castro's coming back here for a big buy.
Now that's all we really know.
And I just wanted you to know that.
- Tim? Welcome back.
(slow tempo music) - I don't think anyone's even alive at this end of town.
- What are you talking about? Here comes a live one now.
- Anything? - We had one tricky looking woman about 8 o'clock.
Parked by the phone booths like she was waiting for a call.
Smoked a cigarette, looked and the scenery and split.
- Any suggestions? - Yeah, stick with it.
Castro slipped through Loman's fingers in Detroit.
He's expected back in town.
(engine revs) - She's back.
- Stacy, go make a phone call and keep your ears open.
(rock music) (clanking) - Hello? Who is this Dad? I don't want to talk to you put mom on.
Yeah I'll wait.
(ringing) Come on, I haven't got all day.
- This is Rita.
- Castro here.
- Yes Senior Castro.
Our friend has the merchandise.
He is concerned about your situation.
- I just got back into town after a very successful trip.
You tell him my situation is perfect.
I'll meet him in one hour at the designated place.
- He will want to know what you consider successful.
- Five hundred thousand.
- Five hundred thousand is a nice figure.
Senior Martinez will be pleased to hear that.
One hour we'll be there.
(clanking) - Hooker to team she's yours.
- It's going down in an hour.
Cool half million.
- Alright, let's go.
(beeping) - [Radio.]
Four x-ray to 30 this is O'Brien in control three.
- Four x-ray 30 go ahead.
- I just got off the line with the attorney general and I had to give your friend Loman all our information including what you're doing and your location and he's rolling now.
- You know, if Loman takes Castro he gets priority.
- Our orders say cooperate.
- How far is this cooperation supposed to go? - You're to give Loman all the information on the progress of your case.
- Who takes Castro first? - I didn't ask.
(beeping) - [Radio.]
Four x-ray 16.
We've moved into front position on our lady.
We're south bound on the Harbor Freeway.
- That's a roger stay with it.
She has to pick up the merchandise.
All other units, fall back.
Keep up informed 16.
- [Radio.]
Roger.
(serious music) (engine rumbles) - Four x-ray 16 we're rolling again.
Our lady just picked up a male passenger.
They're heading north on Lake.
- Roger, x-ray 30, moving up into Septer Forbes street.
We'll be behind you.
(door clicks) (steps clattering) (serious music) (beeping) - [Radio.]
Five A base to four x-ray 30.
- X-ray 30 go.
- [Radio.]
Staff 7 requests you relay all information to an Agent Loman who wants to meet you at termination point when known.
- That's a roger.
Connect me through to Loman, I'll keep him informed.
(moody music) (squeals) - It's church, he's got religion.
(steps clattering) (squealing) (steps clattering) - Cover the rear.
- I appreciate the cooperation Hooker.
- We're on even turf.
No attorney general, nobody to call the shots.
I find Castro, he's mine.
(steps clattering) That's no priest.
- Oh it's Castro.
(clacking) - It's my bust man.
- We hand him over to you, you get priority jurisdiction over him.
- What's the difference? The scum is still off the street.
- Good man named Rico is dead, that's the difference.
(dramatic music) - The money's under the seat.
Make the count.
(groans) - Move in.
(dramatic music) (gun fires) (steps clattering) (gun fires) (steps clattering) (crashes) (thuds) (crashes) (thuds) I don't like your methods Loman and I don't like you.
But you made a good case back there in the church.
You want him, you got him.
- [Radio.]
12 A 79 clear.
- Hooker? I been thinking - Change will do you good.
- Could be.
Anyway Uncle Sam got back all the money that Tim Bennet lost.
- You know I wasn't worried about Bennet or the money.
- Well he was worried about losing your respect.
- Well you got what you want.
Case closed.
- Listen, I've also been thinking.
What the hell? The dope's off the street and that's good.
Take him, he's yours.
- Why Loman? You had the edge? - Maybe I've developed a conscience.
Or maybe I just don't want you mad at me anymore.
- Okay.
- Is that really Gregory Loman III? - Maybe it's the church.
Maybe he got religion in there.
- Whatever it is, I'll say it for Rico, Amen.
(slow music) (fast paced music)
Air We need assistance on a blown narcotics stake out from any units in the vicinity.
- [Woman Radio Voice.]
Roger Air 20, what is your location? - [Man Radio Voice.]
Dispatch we are at 14th and Broadway in pursuit of a late model red sedan headed west on 14th.
(dramatic music) - [Woman Radio Voice.]
Four Adam 30 and any units in the vicinity, Air 20 needs assistance in pursuit of late model red sedan headed west on 14th.
- We're Adam 30 to air 20 on tack two.
(whirring) - [Man Radio Voice.]
This is Air 20, what do you have 30? - I've just spotted a red sedan going west from 6th and Pen.
- [Man Radio Voice.]
Roger 30, that's our narcotics suspect.
Our ETA is one minute.
(mid tempo saxophone music) (whirring) We got him 30, south bound on Mason to Bridgeton.
- How far from me? (whirring) - [Man Radio Voice.]
He should be exiting a side street just ahead to your right.
(squealing) (engine revs) - Air 20 I've got him, right in my sights, dead ahead.
(sirens blaring) (fast tempo music) (squealing) (engine revs) (crashing) Air 20, light her up! (whirring) (gun fires) (crashes) - I kinda like you Hooker, even if you did almost break my arm.
See, you got respect for my intelligence.
Any other cop would be telling me I wouldn't have to go back to the slammer if I spit out a couple of names.
- You're going back behind bars Freddie, no question about that.
- I told you man, my name ain't Freddie anymore it's Jamal.
- Okay Jamal, but there are prisons and there are prisons.
You want to do hard time or you wanna do soft time? - Come on man, give me a break.
- Four months ago you bought that car used from a guy named Angel.
- He was just a guy I met.
- Hard time Freddie! - Jamal man, Jamal! What do you want Angel for? - Angel's an old friend who deals heavy dope and I want to reach out and touch him.
- Jamal, tell us the truth, do yourself a favor.
- Well, maybe it can't hurt to do a favor for some old friends.
I got Angel's number if that'd help.
- Looks like you're gonna set up your bust after all.
- Rico, your better half is on the line.
- Thanks Stace.
Honey, what'd the doctors say? - How is she? - Maria's the one with morning sickness and Rico's the one who's panicking.
- This is kid number three what's he so uptight about? - Take whatever the doctor gives you okay? Nothing's too good for my first son.
- And probably future president of the United States.
- You got it buddy.
Yeah, yeah, Maria, late.
Look I'm sorry I got a job to do.
I'll see you then, I love you.
- Don't we have to deal with the Feds on this drug bust? - They got 50% but our - And you're looking at him baby.
- Rico, I'm not so sure I want you in on this one.
- Uh, no way, no way.
I been following this deal from the get go and I'm not quitting.
- Priorities man.
You got a pregnant wife, family.
- And a job and I intend to do it.
(dramatic music) - This is Hooker.
- Go ahead Hooker.
- Is this thing set? Your man is overdue already isn't he? - Hooker, I got it covered.
- What about the deployment? You getting Rico the right kind of back up? - Leave it alone Hooker.
I know how to run a buy, I been at it enough years.
- Yeah, and I've crossed swords with you Feds enough to know yous get it wrong half the time.
(slow moody music) Emile's doing a solo.
- He's alone? - So far but don't count on anything staying the way it looks.
He's going in.
I'll keep an eye on the lobby and when he comes up Bennet do it right.
- Is he always this pleasant to work with? - Hooker, never asks for anything more than perfection.
- Angel hasn't contacted anyone in the lobby.
He's on his way up Bennet, look alive.
- Are we ready? (knocking) - Sound I been waiting for.
We in business good looking? - Bet he says that to all his cops.
- Looks like LCPD's finest is about to make a buy Tom.
- Yeah, all you guys that work with Hooker sound alike.
It's still a Federal case Rico, don't forget who found him.
- Right, right, I mean, you dudes got the room bugged, radio equipment that'd break the city's budget, a hundred thou in cash and all we can come up with is talent and man power.
Especially talent.
(knocking) - Angel, come on in.
- [Rico.]
Angel! - Hey.
Hey, I'm clean man.
- Okay.
- Looks like you come empty handed Angel.
- Hey I can get the snow in two minutes man.
But we count first then we deal.
- Bird don't leave the room till the snow arrives.
You hear me talking Angel? - Hey, it's only because of a short relationship that a man has to take his time.
Make sure things are cool, you know? - Hey it's cool.
(clicking) Count it Angel.
- One hundred thou, nice, real nice.
- It's all yours, as soon as see five keys of snow white.
- I'll be right back.
Oh, just one thing! (thuds) (gun fires) (dramatic music) - It's a rip off, move in! (gun fires) - Number one car he's going down! (dramatic music) - Hey alright, I had to shoot one of them.
It was a set up.
Cops were all over up there.
- But you did get the money? - Hey what do you think man? You're talking to Angel, I got it all.
(gun fires) (dramatic music) (clattering) (screaming) - Stand back! (dings) (squealing) (steps clattering) (radio chatters) - Hey easy with him.
- How is he? - Through and through, nobody knows yet.
Look what about Rico's wife? She ought to hear it from of us.
- I convinced Maria this was the best job in the world for Rico, and I trained him.
She's got to hear it from me.
I gotta get some answers.
This thing's a circus.
Right now everybody in it looks like a star clown.
Three slugs in Angel.
How many shots you say he got off? - Three.
But they're in the elevator doors on the 16th floor.
- I got questions.
What happened to the money? - The US Treasury.
- Who covered the elevators? What floors were staked out? That garage looks like a big black hole.
- Bennet was calling the shots, he was in charge, it was their case, remember? - No, it became our case the minute that drug pusher squeezed the trigger that hit our man.
- [Stacy.]
Hooker do you read me? - Yeah Stacy what is it? - Nine millimeter casings and they still smell fresh.
- [Hooker.]
How many? - Three, they landed on the floor right outside the elevator.
- Three casings on the floor, three slugs in Angel.
I don't think he ever got off the elevator.
- Angel didn't stop on the fifth floor just to pick up three slugs.
- I'm betting he had a partner and got himself double crossed.
Alright, Stacy stick with it until you get a lift from every push button on that elevator.
Jim, have the ME move on Angel's autopsy and then toss the registration desk for everybody who checked in or out of the fifth floor, everybody! Bell boys, maids, waitresses, push em hard.
(slow music) (dings) - Corrigan, what the hell happened in that hotel? - It was a rip off Lieutenant.
Rico got caught in the middle.
- Well how is he? - They're treating him for shock, getting him new blood.
Doctor says they can't operate on him until he stabilizes.
The best that we can do Rico is to smoke out what's been happening to him since we loaned him to the Feds two weeks ago.
Recover the territory, snitches, connections.
(dings) I want to find out who Angel's partner was that set up the rip.
He's the one that's responsible for what happened to Rico.
- What about the Feds? They found Angel, it was their case.
- That's right.
How bout it Bennet? - Well, it was nothing fancy Lieutenant.
Randolph, the undercover agent in the room with Rico picked up a rumble that Angel was dealing and we set it up.
- Yeah, I remember.
You said you knew how to run a buy.
- Hooker, the hotel had 20 floors.
Now I couldn't stake them all.
I admit, looking back on it now, it did go too easy.
Kilo buys don't usually come down that smooth.
- They never come that easy.
From here on I want Hooker to call the shots on this case.
Now, do I call your supervisor and we debate as to whose case this is or do we have an understanding? - Okay, we reach an understanding.
- I want the man who's responsible for this.
I want him fast.
- We'll get him.
- You still here? - I'm going, I'm going.
- Hooker, my husband is laying in there right now.
Now, I don't know if he's going to live or die.
- Maria, who ever did this, I promise you I'll get him.
- Two years ago, right here, it was the same thing.
Only you were telling me what a terrific job Rico had done.
What a terrific job he did before that 10 inch switch blade went up to its hilt in his body.
Now my husband has been used.
Why can't he be like other cops? Why can't he come home at five instead of spending his nights working the sewers of the city? - He volunteered for the job.
He volunteered because he wants the city clean for his kids, for all the kids.
So they won't ever end up in that sewer.
- You really believe that? - I believe it.
Rico believes it.
You believe it Maria.
(sighs) - Can I can I hold on to you please? - Yeah, got it, yeah.
- What'd he say Corrigan? - Yeah, what'd he say? - Latents wrapped up the comparisons on Angel's prints and the partials lifted from the inside elevator buttons.
Latents on the fifth and 16th floor buttons belong to Angel.
No match in the partial lifted from the elevator button on the fifth floor.
- Yeah, that means Angel intended to go to five and our mystery man sent him down the rest of the way.
- If Angel intended to stop that means he had a reason and that reason means he had a partner.
(ringing) Yeah? - We've got it down to one room on the fifth floor Hooker.
The registration desk put a guy in Alvarado in at noon.
But nobody's seen him since the rip off.
- Have forensics go over that room with a vacuum cleaner.
- Right.
Oh, there's also a good chance this guy might be wearing a beard or a mustache.
Found a small bottle of spirit gum.
- That's good police work.
When you round up the employees from the hotel let's make a special on everyone who saw a guy with a beard or a mustache.
Bring them in for interviews.
- Will do.
- What's that about a mustache? - Stacy found a bottle of spirit gum.
Seems our mystery man likes to play actor.
That ring any bells? - No, not a thing.
Look, why don't I take a copy of the partial you lifted off the elevator button? - Why it's only a partial? You got a name to go with it? - No, no name.
I just thought we could start checking it against major drug dealers.
Forget it.
The hundred thous got me pushing too hard.
Look, I got some reports I got to get out.
I'll see you guys in the morning.
- Yeah.
Jim, roll our police artist out of bed.
Tell him we need a composite as quickly as possible.
And Jim? Have our analytical officer do a run down on every narc rip we've ever hard of.
- Okay you got it.
(steps clattering) (moody music) - Yes, Mr.
Alvarado, room 220, like to place a call please.
(ringing) - This is Rita.
- I have a message for Martinez.
- Yes Mr.
Castro.
- Tell him I have all but $50,000.
I should have the rest within a week.
- Mr.
Martinez expects shipment within five days.
He asked that inform you of his circumstance.
- What circumstance? - Mr.
Martinez has other people wanting to buy his shipment.
He will negotiate with the first buyer available when the shipment arrives.
- You tell him I am his buyer.
I have been getting ready for one year for this.
I will not lose it now.
- I can only relay Mr.
Martinez's message.
I can't argue with you.
Please, continue to use the same number for contact at the designated times.
Eight and 10 a.
m.
, eight and 10 p.
m.
Adios senior Castro.
- Hello? Get me airline information.
(steps clattering) - Hooker! Autopsy on Angel.
Three 9 millimeter slugs.
Two are good for comparison if we can find the gun.
- What else? - Latents got one partial index finger out of the fifth floor hotel room.
Came off the glue bottle.
Matches 10 points the one we got out of the elevator.
- That's the ribbon on the package.
Tight conspiracy on the rip and Angel's murder.
- And the analytical officer asked me to tell you that she checked their files on narc rips.
Nothing comes close to this case except for the Benny Goldstone rip six months ago.
He's still in jail.
- Did they say what else the Feds have? - She said they had nothing.
- Come on.
- That's what she said.
She called the records man, five minutes later he calls back says nothing connects.
- Five minutes? Well have her call again.
Tell them to look this time.
(ringing) Tim? They did a nice job on the composite Hooker.
Next to the maid she got one good long look at him.
Corrigan's running some copies off now.
- Yeah well, we're all working like dogs here.
- I appreciate it.
I been getting a lot of heat from that hundred thou.
- Well, we all have a stake in the matter see? Rico's life is on the line.
You closed the door Tim.
- I don't follow.
- We called your records office in Washington.
Five minutes later they don't know anything about any narc rip anywhere in the country.
- Maybe they didn't have anything.
- Come on, the Benny Goldstone rip.
I gave them the information personally.
That Miami rip was all over the newspapers two months ago.
Your files aren't that sloppy.
- Hooker, no doors are closed.
We're in this together.
Maybe you just got a lazy records man.
I'll check it out personally, okay? - Hooker, there's our man.
- Ring any bells Tim? - Does nothing for me.
Listen, I'll go back to the office, get an in house distribution going.
Maybe one of our people can make him.
- Check out your filing system at the same time.
Pull half the day watch together.
Distribute it to every precinct in the city.
And set up a special telephone.
Start with the mug books, pull every known drug pusher.
- Where you going? - I'm gonna do a little fishing.
(moody music) Alright everyone listen up.
As of now Tim Bennet is shut off.
He gets nothing, understand? - Okay he gets nothing but I don't understand.
- Bennet and Gregory Loman III just had a nice cozy little chat.
- Gregory Loman III what? - He's a federal narc.
Bennet has been sucking us dry and running to him with the information.
- But why? - That's a question I'm gonna ask at the right time.
- I've distributed 1000 copies of Castro's picture with the suggestion that he might be wearing a phony beard.
Now if he is spotted, they are to leave him alone but call us.
- Airports? - Of course.
Look, relax.
This creep is gonna surface somewhere and then I am gonna nail him.
And then you'll be out of it.
- I'll be out of friends too.
(whistles) - Alright.
- Get outta here.
- The salary scale isn't great but there's a departmental rule against moonlighting.
- I been out on the street rapping with the girls.
- Any particular reason? - Angel's girlfriend was looking for him.
So I let her find me.
Then I told her Angel was dead and that this was the dude who pulled the trigger.
- Did she ID the drawing? - Yeah, she said his name is Gunther Castro, Angel's new business partner.
She also came up with an address.
Regent Arms on Sycamore.
He's using the name Alvarado.
- That's good police work.
Change into something decent.
(ringing) Pick up a warrant, you and Jim get on it.
Hooker.
What about Maria? Rico's dead.
(slow sad music) Pick up that damn warrant.
- The manager said he's been here three weeks.
He left two hours ago.
- Visitors? - He's only recall is of two people and the description matches Angel and his girlfriend.
And one possible lead, he made a phone call last night.
(ringing) - The phone been dusted? - Yeah? - Jim the eye sheet on Castro says he's a dealer.
He's been busted three, four times for narcotics.
The last time was a year ago.
- He do time? - None of the cases held up.
Interested in who had charge of the cases? - Tell me it was your friend Gregory Loman III, government super narc.
- How'd you ever guess? We been had.
Good.
- But you owe me an answer Loman.
What's with you and Castro? I mean, why do you want him so bad? - Okay, I have had him three times in the last five years and each time he has gotten off.
The last time I made a case he planted the evidence himself and then proved it phony in court.
He made a fool of me and this time I want him.
And I've almost got him.
- How can you be so sure? - Because an airport guard recognized him from one of the photos an alerted our men.
He's on route to Detroit where he's probably getting ready to set up another rip off to fund his next big buy.
I've got a surveillance team on him right now.
- So why don't you just step in and bust him? Why tail him? - Because I don't want him for some small rip.
I want him for the big buy.
I want him to be tasting that money in his mouth so I could just pull it right out.
- But you gotta make a case against him first, catch him dirty.
All Hooker's gotta do is find him first.
He's bought and paid for.
- Yeah, like you say.
All Hooker has to do is find him first.
- Pardon me for not knocking.
Fancy seeing you here Bennet.
- Hooker I - Shut up.
I want some answers to some questions.
- We lost $100,000.
- Well yeah, but it was he who lost it.
Wasn't it Bennet that lost it? Sure it was him.
What do you know about him? - If I told you what would you do with the information? - Use it.
What happened to all the team work we were supposed to have Bennet? - Hooker I'm sorry.
- Rico's dead.
It was your operation that got him killed.
This maggot set it up.
I think you have an obligation to us.
Gunther Castro.
His criminal record dates back to 1966.
His last arrest was May last year.
Loman here ran the show, only he slopped it up and Castro beat his case for the third time.
- Congratulations.
What else do you know? - What is it with you? An ego trip Loman? - We have got six million in cocaine, three mules in the joint but we lost him.
- Is that any reason to cut me out? - This creep's responsible for killing a cop! - I'll give you this much Hooker, when we took him he had a million up front.
The dope was seized and it bankrupted him.
Now I didn't know he was in your city.
We had no idea that he was setting a rip up here.
He was clearly trying to build a new bank roll to buy a big shipment.
- Where? - I don't know.
- You're lying.
- Stay off the case Hooker.
You'll have your shot at him.
- I want it now.
- I've got five years invested.
- I got a dead cop invested! Nobody does that in this city.
If Castro doesn't go on trial there's that much more jeopardy for a thousand other cops.
Alright, I've located Castro's path and I know a certain telephone number he's been calling.
I'm putting that up for trade.
- I've got nothing to trade.
- Then stay the hell out of my way.
(moody music) (door clicks) - Phone company traced that number Hooker.
The number Castro called's a public telephone in the valley.
- Nothing comes easy.
It's all we got, it's gotta be important.
I want a surveillance team.
- We're out of bodies Hooker.
I'll spring one for you tonight, but Corrigan and Stacy will have to cover in the morning.
- Consider it done.
- Hooker, sweating it out here all night isn't gonna bring Rico back.
- Neither is lying in bed with my eyes open.
- Hooker? Two drug dealers were shot to death tonight in Detroit.
Looks like another rip off.
- Castro style? - Yeah, Castro style.
Loman had a tail on him but the guys nearly slipped it.
- Loman's ego's running up a hell of a tab you know that? - Yeah.
Look Hooker, from everything I've been able to find out it looks like Castro's coming back here for a big buy.
Now that's all we really know.
And I just wanted you to know that.
- Tim? Welcome back.
(slow tempo music) - I don't think anyone's even alive at this end of town.
- What are you talking about? Here comes a live one now.
- Anything? - We had one tricky looking woman about 8 o'clock.
Parked by the phone booths like she was waiting for a call.
Smoked a cigarette, looked and the scenery and split.
- Any suggestions? - Yeah, stick with it.
Castro slipped through Loman's fingers in Detroit.
He's expected back in town.
(engine revs) - She's back.
- Stacy, go make a phone call and keep your ears open.
(rock music) (clanking) - Hello? Who is this Dad? I don't want to talk to you put mom on.
Yeah I'll wait.
(ringing) Come on, I haven't got all day.
- This is Rita.
- Castro here.
- Yes Senior Castro.
Our friend has the merchandise.
He is concerned about your situation.
- I just got back into town after a very successful trip.
You tell him my situation is perfect.
I'll meet him in one hour at the designated place.
- He will want to know what you consider successful.
- Five hundred thousand.
- Five hundred thousand is a nice figure.
Senior Martinez will be pleased to hear that.
One hour we'll be there.
(clanking) - Hooker to team she's yours.
- It's going down in an hour.
Cool half million.
- Alright, let's go.
(beeping) - [Radio.]
Four x-ray to 30 this is O'Brien in control three.
- Four x-ray 30 go ahead.
- I just got off the line with the attorney general and I had to give your friend Loman all our information including what you're doing and your location and he's rolling now.
- You know, if Loman takes Castro he gets priority.
- Our orders say cooperate.
- How far is this cooperation supposed to go? - You're to give Loman all the information on the progress of your case.
- Who takes Castro first? - I didn't ask.
(beeping) - [Radio.]
Four x-ray 16.
We've moved into front position on our lady.
We're south bound on the Harbor Freeway.
- That's a roger stay with it.
She has to pick up the merchandise.
All other units, fall back.
Keep up informed 16.
- [Radio.]
Roger.
(serious music) (engine rumbles) - Four x-ray 16 we're rolling again.
Our lady just picked up a male passenger.
They're heading north on Lake.
- Roger, x-ray 30, moving up into Septer Forbes street.
We'll be behind you.
(door clicks) (steps clattering) (serious music) (beeping) - [Radio.]
Five A base to four x-ray 30.
- X-ray 30 go.
- [Radio.]
Staff 7 requests you relay all information to an Agent Loman who wants to meet you at termination point when known.
- That's a roger.
Connect me through to Loman, I'll keep him informed.
(moody music) (squeals) - It's church, he's got religion.
(steps clattering) (squealing) (steps clattering) - Cover the rear.
- I appreciate the cooperation Hooker.
- We're on even turf.
No attorney general, nobody to call the shots.
I find Castro, he's mine.
(steps clattering) That's no priest.
- Oh it's Castro.
(clacking) - It's my bust man.
- We hand him over to you, you get priority jurisdiction over him.
- What's the difference? The scum is still off the street.
- Good man named Rico is dead, that's the difference.
(dramatic music) - The money's under the seat.
Make the count.
(groans) - Move in.
(dramatic music) (gun fires) (steps clattering) (gun fires) (steps clattering) (crashes) (thuds) (crashes) (thuds) I don't like your methods Loman and I don't like you.
But you made a good case back there in the church.
You want him, you got him.
- [Radio.]
12 A 79 clear.
- Hooker? I been thinking - Change will do you good.
- Could be.
Anyway Uncle Sam got back all the money that Tim Bennet lost.
- You know I wasn't worried about Bennet or the money.
- Well he was worried about losing your respect.
- Well you got what you want.
Case closed.
- Listen, I've also been thinking.
What the hell? The dope's off the street and that's good.
Take him, he's yours.
- Why Loman? You had the edge? - Maybe I've developed a conscience.
Or maybe I just don't want you mad at me anymore.
- Okay.
- Is that really Gregory Loman III? - Maybe it's the church.
Maybe he got religion in there.
- Whatever it is, I'll say it for Rico, Amen.
(slow music) (fast paced music)