Original subtitles

Is this thing wrong?

No, not a thing, baby.

You know, this whole thing is gonna break wide open. I can feel it.

I think the answer's still back at that club, The Cradle.

You want time and money to go undercover at Thinger?

Freeze, World Cup!

Want to take the air out of that?

Hey,

turn the sound up.

I want to hear that.

The car is registered to Rockstar That Sherman.

Sherman, who was divorced last year after a stormy marriage to rock vocalist

Gina B., has been missing for over two weeks and is expected to be the victim

foul play.

I'm speaking with Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall from Metro Homicide

Division. Sergeant, what can you tell us about the reports that Gina B.

filed battery charges against that Sherman last year?

Well, they were filed and withdrawn after the divorce.

Has the possibility of suicide been ruled out?

No, but it hasn't been seriously good either.

We just found the car, not the body.

Well, is there any evidence to indicate that this could be something other than

an accident?

I'm not really at liberty to discuss that right now.

Excuse me.

From the South Bay Area, this is Inez Pedroza for the All News Channel.

Hi, Hunter.

I have absolutely no screen presence.

I guess that's why they decided to interview me.

You should enroll in one of those classes.

Those acting classes that teach you how to get in touch with your most inner

feelings.

You have such wit.

Good night.

All right.

Well, I don't guess we can get any better than that, huh?

Hey, Larry, thank you, baby.

That's all.

I'll go outside. I want to talk to you for a minute.

Is anything wrong?

No, not a thing, baby.

Oh, very good.

Me and the guys are going over to the cradle for a couple drinks.

Do you want to come with us, I'm popping?

No, I'm too tired, baby.

Okay, can I wake you up later?

Well, you can try.

I'll do better than that. I'm counting.

Oh, Sam, thanks for everything, and thanks for bringing me back.

Hey, no problem, baby.

You have a good time. All right. And you sounded real good tonight, baby.

Thanks. Okay. Bye -bye.

You know, this whole thing is going to break wide open. I can feel it.

All right.

Now, what's going down with that broad?

Will you stop worrying?

I'm meeting you tonight right here.

It's due in a minute. Well, close it out, and I don't care what it takes.

Do you get my meaning?

It's done, Sam.

I told you not to worry.

It's not funny anymore, Hunter.

It's Charlene.

Charlene, I haven't talked to you in years. How have you been?

I've got to talk to you, Dee Dee.

It's about the case you're working on.

Zach Sherman?

What about it?

Not on the phone.

Where are you?

I'll meet you at the cradle.

It's... Yeah, I know where that club is.

When do you want to meet?

Let's say about an hour and a half. 1 .30.

But don't go inside.

Stay in the car.

I'll find you.

Charlene, look, can't you tell me a little...

Dad?

You in here?

Dad?

You alone?

Uh,

yeah.

Good.

Did you bring her with you?

No.

I'm calling off the deal.

What the hell are you talking about?

I mean, just forget it.

I don't want any money.

Tell Miss B not to worry.

I'm cutting out.

Until you give me the merchandise.

I haven't got it.

It was a scam.

It doesn't work that way.

You got a buyer here.

I haven't got it.

I never had it.

He does have it.

Yeah? Wendy?

Edie?

Yeah. I don't believe it. I haven't seen you in ten years.

I know, ten long years.

So I heard you joined the police force or something.

Is that why you're here?

Yeah, may I come in?

So, is this an official visit?

It is in a way, yeah.

I'm afraid Charlene is missing.

Yeah?

You mean someone cares where she is?

She's probably hiding. Why?

Is there a warrant out for her arrest?

Wendy, I think that Charlene might be in some trouble here.

Look, she called me last night. She sounded very upset. She sounded scared.

She asked me to meet her. I waited for her, and she never showed up.

Well,

I'm sorry if I can't get worked up about it.

I washed my hands of her years ago. I'm real sorry to hear that.

Do you have an address or a phone number on her?

Yeah, yeah. She wrote me a letter about three months ago.

I have it around here somewhere.

I never answered it.

You know, Wendy, no matter what may have happened between you and Charlene, she

is still your sister.

Oh, yeah. She reminded me of that every time she hit me up for another loan.

Look.

I need an appointment in an hour, and I'll have to wait for it, all right?

This is where she lived three months ago.

Thanks.

Looks like somebody broke it open.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Come on now. It's against the law.

I'm impounding it as evidence.

It's law.

Nobody's home.

Well, I don't want to leave this mail back out there in that busted mailbox.

What do you go with the manager?

I think I ought to leave it inside and make sure she gets it.

So what are you going to do now? Pick the lock?

I won't enter. I'll just open the door and drop the mail in.

Had a big breakfast. My timing's off. Give me a break.

Thank you.

Now we know she's in trouble.

This is Charlene?

Yeah.

Might need this.

Oh, jeez.

Don't move.

Please.

You're cops.

Oh, man, thank God.

You happy about that?

If you were looking down the barrel of a cannon, who would you like to find out

what's on the other side?

Okay, move over here. Straight up.

Hey, man, I'm clean. I ain't carrying. I ain't holding.

Yeah.

You're holding a lockpick for starters.

Lockpick? It's a nail file.

Well, that's for you, then.

Why'd you break in?

Charlene's a friend of mine. I ain't seen her in four or five days. I thought

maybe something happened to her.

Got some ID?

Yeah.

Scott, Raymond, David?

You can call me Scooter. Everybody calls me Scooter. Where do you know Charlene

from? I'm a musician. She's a singer.

We got mutual friends in common.

Zach Sherman be one of them?

No, but I know who he is.

You guys figure out what happened to him yet?

You date Charlene, do you?

Sometimes. She's a free soul.

So am I.

So what happened here, Scooter? A drug addict get caught short?

No, Charlene ain't into dope or anything like that.

I could check around, ask some questions, see what I could shake loose.

Yeah. You do that.

You could find me here or at the cradle.

It's a rock club.

Well, it was real nice meeting you.

Could I have my nail file back, please?

What planet do you think that... I don't know.

L -56, request any wants or warrants on a late model BMW California license

plate, Lawrence Peter Charles, 098.

Roger, L -56.

Well, he spotted us. That tells us something.

I just got a little bit too close.

Your friend Scooter the Spaceman?

Stift us on his number.

Doesn't surprise me.

What have we got here, Sergeant?

Charlene's mail. I thought you were going to leave with the apartment.

I forgot.

You didn't forget. This is a federal wrap. I don't want to have anything to

with this.

It's as it is.

There's nothing there except for junk mail and ads.

There is one thing, however.

Phone bill.

Eight toll calls to the same number.

Want to check it out?

Yeah.

I don't want any, okay?

Jed Wilcox?

We're with the police.

We'd like to talk with you about Charlene Lindquist.

What about her?

Well, she called you a couple of times last week. What about her?

Drugs. And she's a drug user?

Uses drugs.

She's a speed freak.

So Joy Pop, Freebase, Speedball, you name it.

I told her I haven't got any connections.

I'm out of the drug thing.

You're talking about the same person here? This girl's a singer.

Once, maybe.

Now she's your all -purpose junkie.

What do you do for a living?

I'm in the music business.

You didn't know Scooter Davis?

Yeah, why?

Where can we find him? I don't know.

Have you tried the cradle?

Do you mind if we go inside and talk?

You're damn right I mind.

I got a lady in there.

Probably someone we should talk to.

Not unless you've got a search warrant.

Well, I think we've got time to get one of those. Why don't you wait here with

him? Excuse me.

Okay.

Okay, huh?

Come on in, officer.

Who was that?

Don't you think of time you're too hard -nosed read me my right?

There'll be time enough for that.

Charlene Lindquist.

She's beautiful.

Think she's in here?

I hope not.

Let's take a look right here.

Nope.

That's not it.

Let's check next door.

A singer?

You want time and money to go undercover as a singer?

That's right.

Look, Captain, I've done it before, and I can pull it off.

I had a band when I was in school. I've always kept up with music. I can do it.

But this cradle place, that's a little over your head, isn't it? They give

unknowns a shot on weeknights. Now, I know that if I can last a night or two,

that I can get the information we need.

How dangerous is it?

Well, I don't sing all that bad.

You were just on TV the other night, talking about Zach Sherman.

A lot of people saw you in the poem.

I know that, but it was only for a couple of minutes, and it was on the

night news.

Captain, this is no more dangerous than covering a homicide suspect.

You've also got two people, both missing, with close connections to this

joint. And Zach Sherman.

Isn't he connected to it somehow?

Yes, that's right, but that's exactly why I think I ought to spend a little

at the club.

I don't know about this.

Yeah. He doesn't think I ought to do it.

Because one of the missing persons is a musician whose name is Scooter Davidson.

He's got a real good look at me, and he knows I'm a cop. But the odds of a

missing person showing up at that club on the same night I'm there are very

slim.

Besides,

the other missing person is a girl whose name is Charlene Lindquist.

practically grew up together. Captain, I really want to do this.

How much is it going to cost?

Very little.

I have friends that are professional musicians.

They owe me a favor or two. I'll put together a couple of songs. We give it

this guy named Suki at the cradle, and if he likes it, we're in.

Okay. Do it.

Thanks.

I can't say I'm unhappy we didn't find her.

Me either.

Hey, where's the little fox?

He's in your field.

Here.

I've never seen you before.

I've been traveling around a lot.

Just came down from Seattle.

So you can go anytime, huh?

Yeah.

Okay. Be here like early.

8 .30, 9, like that there, huh?

Great.

Thanks.

L -56.

Hunter, do you want to be patched through to Carlos?

He says it's important.

Yeah, patch him through.

Hunter, a DB just came in, and I'm afraid it's your friend. But you want to

check it out for yourself, right?

You know me oh too well, Carlos. I'm on my way. Thank you so much.

Is that her?

You're really, really good. You got no fear, and that's half the battle.

Sit down. Nice one.

Yeah, that was beautiful. Just wonderful.

Miss Vig, I love you. I think you're great. Well, thank you. Thank you very

much. I like your work, too. Listen, you going to get up and do a number?

Oh, that might be.

And the cradle keeps on rocking with... Get up! Let's hear it!

for a second, baby. Why don't you ask me to come over?

Yeah, okay.

Okay.

Listen, I'm going to go join my band for the bar, okay? Oh, why don't you stay?

I want you to meet this guy, Chad Wilcox. I think he'd like you.

How about if I come back again later? I'll take a rent check.

Oh, all right. The next time.

Take care.

So what happened to the young lady?

Oh, she wanted to be with her friends.

Chad, is your own business a pleasure?

To you, it's always a pleasure.

What's her name?

Mockton.

Listen, I think I blew my cords out on that last set. I don't think I can do

another one. All right, listen.

You guys are having a drink at the bar.

You go up, you have a shot of booze, you'll be as good as no. Hey, you did

He burned me. Let's go.

So tell me where did Carlos say he found Charlene?

They found her in a...

Run down motel with a syringe laying next to her.

Hey,

I don't buy that Charlene called Wilcox for drugs. I just don't buy that. Well,

I don't either.

She was also beaten up pretty badly. Might have been an overdose. Who knows?

don't think so. I believe she was murdered. And now tonight, well, we find

that Wilcox had tied in with Zach Sherman.

Well, let's go tell her sister.

I don't want Wendy finding out about it on TV.

Think she cares?

I know there's somebody in there. I heard them.

Miss Lindquist?

Police!

Check Wendy.

You have any idea at all what they were looking for?

No.

No, I asked them what they thought I had that was so important, and they just

started to tear the place apart.

It has something to do with Charlene, doesn't it?

Answer me, Dee Dee, it's Charlene, isn't it?

Charlene's dead.

Big, tall cop with a woman partner.

All right.

Get lost.

Call your travel agent and take a trip.

I don't want to see you for at least a month.

Sir, we came up empty, Mr. Pruitt.

Yeah, forget it. Work on your tan.

I'm going to Canada.

Yeah, whatever.

Just don't send me no postcards.

We will find Scooter, baby.

Now, you put this in my hands. Let me take care of it, all right?

I should have never called on you for help. I should have just turned myself

Now, forget that.

There was a time when you could have done that.

But that time is gone.

Yeah.

I mean, Jed.

Thanks.

He's found Scooter.

Hey, Jed, what are you doing here?

What's the matter with you?

I'm nervous.

You snuck up on me. I didn't hear you coming. I'm just sitting here waiting

somebody. Well, yeah, the guy you're waiting for called me.

Why? Because I paid him to find you and to call me.

Because you and me, we've got some business to transact.

Hey, man, I don't have nothing that you want.

But you do.

You've got the videotape.

Tape? The tape.

The one Charlene tried to sell me? I don't know anything about any tape, man.

You got it from Zach's apartment and you gave it to Charlene. But Charlene got

rid of it.

That means you got it.

Where is it?

I don't know, I swear.

You are going to give it to me straight, little man.

Or I am going to blow you away right here.

I was never going to use it.

I wouldn't try to blackmail Miss B.

Neither would Charlene.

We were very high the night I let her look at the tape, and we talked big for

while. Too big.

Charlene, she threw that tape away.

Well, my boss is not going to buy it, Scooter.

He says I've got to clean things up right now.

Now, let's go get it.

Move. Please, Wilcox, please!

Now we've got to find out who hired Wilcox and why.

Yeah, I think the answer's still back at that club, the Cradle.

Cradle, huh?

Yeah.

You don't think Wilcox told him you're a cop, do you?

They won't be surprised when I flash my badge.

Or whatever you might flash.

Yes, whatever I might flash. You have the dirtiest mind of anyone I've ever

It's true. It's true.

You're giving them too much faith.

You forgetting their cops?

Any closer, they'll spot us, man.

You are not welcome here.

Out.

I want you out.

Look, you lied to me, and you made a damn fool out of me, and I want you out

here. As soon as we're finished, we'll leave.

State your business.

We'd like to talk to you. Not you.

I am not talking to you.

State your business.

Jed Wilcock?

He came in last night, met with a guy. Who was that?

His name's Sam Pruitt.

And he's financing Miss B's comeback album. Why?

Ring your bell?

Yeah. Before he got into the music business, he was in the drug business.

Anything else?

Yeah, you know Scooter Davis.

And so?

Jed Wilcox murdered him yesterday.

He also murdered Charlene Lindquist.

Why?

Why would anyone do that?

That's what we're trying to find out.

It doesn't make any sense.

I mean, they were just two sweet losers, you know?

What can I do? How can I help?

Wilcox was looking for something. He thought that maybe Scooter or Charlene

it. Like what?

Well, we don't know.

Could it be something small?

Like a paperback book?

It could be anything. Why do you ask?

Because when Scooter had no place to live, which was most of the time, he

had his mail forwarded to me.

I've been getting stuff for the past couple of days, mostly just junk mail.

But there's one package the size of a paperback book.

Can we see it?

Yeah, sure.

Hey, Mac, the package for Scooter.

Thank you.

It's made out to you, Suki. Mind if we open it?

Yeah, go for it.

You got a VCR?

No, sorry.

You got one in my house.

Let's go look at this.

Thank you.

Yeah.

You've got the cassette.

They've got it, and we're on them.

I just want to see you.

I think we're watching an X -rated movie.

Recognize the stars.

Zach Sherman and Miss B.

Well, I can't watch that. This is too strange for me.

I'll watch. Make some popcorn.

Oh, you are so sick.

Evidence. Gotta watch it. I'll give you a blow -by -blow description.

That was your main man, right?

What's that?

What?

Sally must have got Hunter.

Let's get her.

I got a better idea, lady cop.

You throw out your gun.

No deal.

Freeze! Police!

Don't shoot.

Put the gun on the floor.

Very easy. Put your hands behind your head.

and some backups.

You have the right to remain silent.

My lawyer's name is Jake Ritchie. He's in the phone book. I'm sure he is.

Yeah.

I don't like this.

I don't like this one bit.

We've got to find Zach Sherman's body.

Why, Charlie?

Look, Pruitt is guilty of murder when we know that. The district attorney is not

the least bit worried about his case. He said that they're tight.

Well, what about her?

Miss B.

No body, no case. She is going to skate free.

Now, why do I get the feeling you two don't care if she gets on?

Captain, this woman was abused for ten years by Zack Sherman.

If she did kill him, the tape makes it clear that she did it in self -defense.

So she walks?

Charlie, look.

Where are we going to find a jury that's going to convict her of murder without

a corpus delecti?

And you two have no idea where Zach Sherman's body is.

We'll look for him on the way home.