Original subtitles

Mr. Rockford. Good morning, Mr. Zucker.

It still gets you down on the oilers. New spread is eight.

But it's a straddle if you plan to match the bet on the Detroit Pittsburgh. I'm

still trying to get over the pounding it took during basketball season.

Buy your kickstart before breakfast?

I'm not much of a morning drinker, Zucker.

Morning,

Jim. Mr. Lee. Good morning.

Hey, morning, Mr. R. Hi, Carlos.

Gents. Jim.

Good morning, Leon.

Ain't no morning a good morning, Jim.

Take a look at those idiots out there working on their melanomas.

Makes me sick.

Ain't nothing going right for me these days.

Things get better, I promise.

Well, how are they going to get better when I've got to float outlets for 10 o

'clock drinkers?

No offense, sir. None taken.

Thank you.

He'll be standing outside waiting for us to open up, but getting here earlier

and earlier.

Who?

Sookie the bookie. He breaks my heart. I'm really worried about him, Jim.

He's starting to resemble Mr. Potato Head.

Yeah, well, I guess, you know, his age. Call Dennis Becker about that... that

thing we talked about.

Oh, Babs.

Babs, I talked to him, oh, at least five times on it last year.

I thought since there's really nothing new... You didn't call him, did you?

I talked to him three times last month alone. There's nothing there, Babs. And

Becker's getting angry with me.

Hey, good morning, Mr. R.

Saw you coming across through the window.

Pablo put them on the grill for you.

Thanks, Carlos.

I hired a forensic lab in Torrance.

They do like autopsies on poison animals, cats and stuff who die under

circumstances.

They do fecal studies and urinalysis, just like the L .A. coroner's office,

with animals.

Good idea. I also sent him a copy of Cal's autopsy report that the L .A.

coroner's office gave me, and guess what?

They agree with me.

They did? Good.

It all fits, Jim.

I got a new time of death.

He was killed at Joseph Cortello's house after work, like I said, at 5 .30 p .m.

Then they took him away in a car and dumped him in that canyon.

He always had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. You remember that?

Yeah, ever since he was a kid.

This animal lab said the gastric intestinal juices dissolve stomach

about two liters an hour.

Okay, this peanut butter sandwich was only partially digested. The stomach

and colonic enzymes were only partially occluded. That's what they call bowel

-blocked ingestion, occlusion.

He still had undigested deviled eggs, peanut butter, and soda in his stomach.

So he died earlier than they said.

His colon hadn't processed the contents. It was still just bile -soaked stomach

matter.

Where are you going, Jim?

Something the matter with your omelet?

No, no, the omelet's just fine.

Babs, honey, you have got to let this go.

Let it go?

This mobster killed my son.

The police don't arrest him. They don't do anything.

Because you can't prove it. Well, you watch me prove it.

They don't call Joseph Cortello Happy Cortello because he's happy.

Why do they call him happy?

I don't know.

The point is, he's a very dangerous guy.

You know, they picked him up on your say -so -long because I asked Dennis Becker

to do me a favor.

And there was no proof.

He had a great alibi. He was in church.

You know, Cat was up there painting Cortello's pool house. Ten hours later,

found him dead in the bushes below Mulholland. That's all you have.

That's not probable cause for an arrest. Jim, the guy's a gangster.

Oh, he's much more than a gangster.

He's a rich, influential gangster.

You don't want to lose that thought, Babs. Well, you may be afraid of him,

I'm not. You know what I'm doing? Oh, boy. Oh, boy is right.

I'm staking him out.

What? Every night, I park across the street from his house. I take down

plates and descriptions of people coming and going. I am going to get this guy.

He can't kill my son and just walk away.

Why would have Cortella kill him? He saw something. He saw something? Well, duh.

He saw some slimy deal go down, and this pasta head gets nervous, goes after

him, and kills him. But you don't have any proof, Babs. I will have.

I'm sorry you're not willing to help me.

Thought we were friends.

Babs!

Babs, you can't just park your car in front of this guy's house and then go

following him around. You're going to get him angry. Good.

He got me angry, so now we're even.

Excuse me.

Hey, Babs.

Can I buy you a drink?

We can watch the sunset and make up.

No need to make up.

I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow, Jim. No, no, no, no. Wait, wait, wait, wait,

wait. Come on now, now. Hold it, Babs.

Babs, honey.

Look, honey, I'm your friend. I really am.

And as your friend, and a seasoned professional in police science, I have

tell you that sitting out in front of half a cartel without me is a uniquely

idea. Good night, Jim.

No, no, no, wait.

Hey, get out! I gotta go. No, hold it. Just hold it. Wait a minute Cal was

killed when 18 months 18 months three weeks four days and depending on which

you believe 10 to 20 hours ago. He's found nothing get out of my car. I'm

No, no, I can't let you go. Well, it's not up to you now. Get out. Just hold

Hold hold it. Well, you want them to do what?

What, you parked down the street, around the corner, out of sight or something?

No, I parked right across from his driveway. This is a straight -in -your

stakeout. I want this jerk to see me. I want him to know I'm not through with

him. I'm mad. Now, get out.

I'm coming with you.

I thought you didn't want to mess with this.

I didn't say I didn't want to mess with it. I said there was no evidence.

I can't let you commit suicide either, so let's go.

Come on, come on.

We're more obvious than Quakers at a barn dance. Back up. Go back down the

street. Why? I want him to know I know what a jerk he is. If I can't catch him

for Cal's murder, I'll catch him doing something else. That ought to scare him.

You're not going to scare him, guys. Like, half -court teller don't scare.

You're going to flip him off is what you're going to do.

You don't want to catch him. Just back up. Do what I tell you before we get

hurt.

Is this far enough back for you? Or should we park in Tarzana?

Babs, you asked me to help you. I'm here. Stop attacking me.

I don't know, Jim.

You work so hard to raise your kids, and Cal turns out so good, and...

Guys, I love both my boys But Cory can be such a little jerk sometimes

He's out there selling drugs, getting busted It's like they weren't even

brothers Yeah, I know I

never could understand how

brothers could be so different

I keep thinking, maybe it's my fault.

Maybe I tried harder with Cal than Cory.

But then I remember Cal's gardening business when he was just six.

You remember him pulling weeds with that little red wagon so I wouldn't have to

work anymore?

I remember he signed me up, weeding the pots around the trailer, watering,

dollar a day.

Best buy I ever had in the garden.

And he always gave me what he made.

He said, Mom...

I'm going to make you so proud.

One day I'm going to buy you a house and a maid so you won't ever have to wait

on anybody again.

And then he made all A's in school and was working his own way through college.

Yeah, Rocky.

He was probably the best judge of character I ever knew.

Cal died.

Rocky said, I'm so good, God could only loan him to us.

Yeah, well.

Cal was pulling weed. Corey was pulling car radio.

He got yours once, I recall.

Yeah, well, he didn't really get it all the way. I mean, just sort of halfway.

He broke it.

Yeah, I guess.

And he stole from Mr. Critchlin at the Sandcastle.

And with doing drugs and everything... So who goes and dies?

I know that is a horrible thing to say.

But I loved that boy.

And he tried so hard and now he's gone and there is nobody left except me to

give his soul rest

You're too close. He's going to see it.

I want him to see it. Jim, I always do it this way.

Just drop back. We're trying to tail him, not tick him off.

Stay back, man.

Do it my way, will you?

Well, don't stop.

Look at him. We should knock that smile of his right into the dirt.

Hi.

Now look.

Oh, my God.

Jim.

Hey, hey, hey.

I usually don't hit his skirt.

But you keep at it, honey.

You're going to be mewing in the grass with him. You got it? Huh?

That's why they call him Happy.

It worked.

This 4th of July weekend, only on the Hallmark Channel.

Let's make the payments.

Joseph Happy Portello, you want to file a false charge? You're damn right,

Sergeant. Battery public endangerment, illegal parking.

grinning hideously in public. You make the list. I'll sign it. So I'll sign the

complaint, too. I'm a witness. No, you won't. We don't need you on the

complaint. I'm plenty.

I leave a little scar, but it's mostly in a wrinkle, so it shouldn't show too

much. My modeling agent is going to be crazed. Where do I sign this thing? You

go get him. I'll come in and put the hat on him as soon as he's hooked and

booked.

Don't take this the wrong way, Mr. Rockworth, but this kind of thing has

happened in this precinct once or twice before, okay?

Often people have a change of heart.

Now, I don't want to have to go down and pick up Mr. Cotello and go through all

that legal BS unless you are absolutely sure you're going to press charges. I am

so sure my palms are itching. Go get it.

Okay. It's going to take about ten hours to get the warrant produced, and the

booking desk will call you, sir.

Now, you see?

Now, I don't mean to be an I -told -you -so, but you see what happens when your

tails are close?

Honest, Jim, I don't get it.

You said stay back.

Stay back? But I never stay back, and I've been following him a month, and

is the first time it happened.

Tim. Zookie.

You guys are here early.

Head hurt, couldn't sleep, got up, my hands started shaking. Me too.

Babs here yet?

Her day off.

It's Saturday.

I forgot.

Morning, Jim.

Oh, Miss Trudy. Hey, what happened, Jim? Somebody bounce you like a bad chick?

Leon? Zookie?

Let me run something by you guys.

If it's got to run, let's get a bet down first.

Hey, morning, Mr. R. Hey, Carlos.

Well, last night, seems I got into a little tiff with a guy named Joseph

Cotello.

Happy Cotello?

You're kidding me. He did that to you?

Giggling all the time, I bet. That's why they call him Happy. He's got this

overactive adrenal gland.

When he gets excited, he pumps too much adrenaline and starts laughing.

Can't control himself.

I could have really used that information yesterday, Zookie.

What's your question, Jim?

Well, you know, this guy, he never let me get fat. He got me off balance,

slammed me around.

I don't usually get marked up like this. Oh, yeah, yeah, I know. We know that.

Then he karate kicked me a couple of times and threatened me and then just...

Got in his car and drove off. Just like that, huh? So I called the cops, and

last night at the hospital, I filed a complaint against him. You what?

Brave man.

Oh, wrong move, Jim.

Yeah, but last night I was mad, you know. I got up this morning, and I

thinking, hey, it's a small town.

Everybody has a bad moment now, and then maybe I caught Cortello on a bad day.

So maybe the right thing to do is just say, hey, no hard feelings. Let's all

move on down the road.

Hey. It's damn sure the right thing to do unless you want to take advantage of

Forrest Lawn's annual special.

Well, not that I'm scared of this meltdown. I can handle him.

Sure you can. I know.

Stuff happens.

Absolutely. Exactly.

Exactly.

Do you have Babs' address? I haven't been to her new place. You know, I

her, but she didn't answer. I thought I'd just go on up there and tell her she

was a witness. I don't want to call the cops or anything since I'm going to

withdraw the complaint.

Babs. Of course.

This is all about her kid, isn't it? She got you into this.

Oh, Jimbo.

Come on. You're sharper than that. No kidding.

You know, it's one thing for Babs to get stuck on stupid.

It's her kid that got murdered. But you're supposed to be a pro.

Now, you ought to know better.

Just give me the damn address.

Barbara? Barbara?

Babs?

Babs?

Babs.

Babs. Babs.

We're looking for Holy Light Drive.

Should be off Heavenly Way.

Up on the right.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul. Thanks, Rockford.

Yeah, who's picking this up? This looks expensive.

Shh, Corey, it's your mom's funeral.

I fear no evil, for thou art with me.

Things haven't been going too well for you, I see, huh?

You still driving that 20 -year -old soup can with the 8 -track?

Shut up. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Our dearly departed has gone on to be with her maker.

Yo, Rockford, let me crash in your place tonight. Cop's got mom's all taped up.

Shut up.

Our memories of Babs are personal.

All right, all right.

Let's get around here. Come on, everybody.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Hustle it up. Come on. Come on.

Those memories must be shared.

Trudy Wise, her dear friend, would like to say a few words.

Babs and I waitressed together at the Sandcastle for almost ten years.

Babs, she was always there for all of us, with an extra smile in the morning

we were sad, or a shoulder to cry on.

Or an extra ten bucks if we needed it.

She would take everyone's order.

But what she served was friendship.

All right, everybody, gather around. Come on, come on up here.

All right, I want you to take a look up there to the right under that large palm

tree. You'll see Lieutenant Becker.

He's the officer in charge of the case. He's watching the mourners, making

notes.

So, we shall have a paper on gravesite observation. Do we get extra credit for

that paper?

I read Lieutenant Becker's homicide report.

That you Xeroxed. What a joke. I mean, I don't concur that this was a crime of

passion.

Disorganized crime scene?

This was a crime of opportunity. No doubt about it. She didn't know we were

sailing.

Ooh.

With all due respect, sir, the woman just died.

Forensics is still out there, and I can't have 20 kids pouring through my

scene. No, no, no, no. These are not kids, as you so euphemistically put it.

These are budding criminologists.

Every student in this class has a major in either criminology or pre -law.

I think letting them have a little insight into a homicide investigation is

what the doctor ordered. This is James Scott Rockford.

Mr. Rockford found the body. Over the years, he's found lots of bodies.

It's also served time for a Class A felony.

Mr. Rockford is the local area private detective who frequently visits crime

scenes and other human disasters.

Captain Chapman, should I put him on my list of suspects?

I wouldn't put him on your party list, Candace.

Who's in charge here?

I am. Dr. Trish George.

We're studying this murder for a criminal behavior class.

Then you should be ashamed of yourself.

I beg your pardon?

A woman we care for just died.

Her friends are here to pay their last respects. This is not a criminal science

lab. It's a funeral. Uh, Jim, can I talk to you for a minute? Oh, my God,

Dennis. Just shut up and listen, okay?

Chapman is out of line, but you don't want to get him riled up. What is this?

It's Southwest California University criminology course. I know you feel bad

about Babs, but you don't want to take on Chapman. This guy is leading a field

trip to Babs' funeral? Why?

Because she was a waitress and he doesn't think she counts?

Calm down, Jim, okay? Well, if it was the mayor's wife, you don't think he'd

bringing a bunch of college kids around, do you? Of course not, Jim.

Chapman signed on as a guest lecturer at the university. His deal is, Ruben, to

include the usual fees, honorary doctorate, first row basketball tickets.

figure. You're not going to take these kids up to Babs' house before forensics

even gets out of there.

Right, so it's part of Chapman's new community relations program.

Show them how it's done. Maybe they don't throw bricks at squad cars. Don't

just love it?

Great, Cory.

Just what your mom's funeral needed.

That funeral was tough.

I want you to know, Jim, nobody thinks it was your fault.

No, you were just caught playing man to man instead of zone. Couldn't harm

anyone. Thanks, Zookie, but it is my fault.

It's my fault. I knew it was dangerous.

After he attacked me, I should have known he was a psychotic.

I ain't sure nothing happened to her. Now they got that college class up there

pawing through all her stuff. I can't believe Captain Chapman is letting that

happen. Chapman, you're dealing with a real trifecta idiot there.

Jim, we took up a collection.

And we want to hire you to find out who killed Babs.

There's $600.

Trudy, I can't take that.

We have to. I mean, you cared about her like we did. And to the cops, she's just

going to be some waitress who got killed. A statistic.

You loved her like we did.

I can't take money for it. You know, if you want, you can kick in too, but we

want to pay you. If we don't, it just won't feel like we're doing anything.

Count me in.

Well, how about you, Leon?

How about me what?

We're hiring Jim to find out who killed Babs.

Oh.

Everybody's sad about Babs now.

Well, where... were you guys when she really needed you?

When she was trying to put Cal through college?

Where were you guys when she was working double shifts and that poor boy was

hashing all night, painting houses and gardening just to make the tuition?

Now he's dead, she's dead. They can't use your money and you've taken up a

collection.

You people amaze me.

He don't mean it. He don't.

It's just his way. He is hurting, just like the rest of us.

Well, Jim, what are you going to do? Where are you going to start?

Well, I've got some stuff to do around here, and then I guess I'll go up and

take another look at her house.

Thank you, Jim.

Thank you, Jim.

Go get him.

Babs is the first locker on the left there, Jim.

Thanks for the key, Chris.

Just be a minute.

Let yourself out when you're done.

Dear diary.

June has come, and I feel like my life has turned around.

I have so much to be thankful for. I have my boys.

Cory's in rehab, and I'm praying for him.

Cal got into Southwest California University.

Somehow we'll scrape up the tuition.

Everybody at the Sandcastle is so wonderful.

I feel their love and support.

Nobody deserves such wonderful friends.

I know I'm blessed.

Hey, Rockford, what are you doing here?

All right, Pete.

No air conditioning.

It's hot as hell in that bathroom.

I had to pry open the window just to get some air.

Mr. Rockford?

Good place for a picnic.

I'm very sorry about your friend.

I can tell.

Mr. Rockford, did you have a relationship with the deceased?

I hope you plan on picking up all your trash before you leave.

Mr. Rockford, I know how this looks.

I'm a trained criminal behaviorist.

I've worked with several police departments.

Then you know these kids shouldn't be here.

I know.

I know. The dean gave control of my class this semester to Captain Chapman,

for some reason, he seems to think that this is an important field experience.

Excuse me, will you?

Look, Mr. Keats, will you stay out of the house till the forensic team gets

of there?

They're wasting their time. It's a follow -home robbery turned into murder.

crime did not happen in the bedroom. There's no follow -home robbery, okay?

Now stay out of there until the crime tapes are down.

If this is not a follow -home, then I'd like very much to hear you defend your

theory, Captain McEnroe.

Let me, Captain.

Only a drooling fool would follow home a rusted -out 10 -year -old clunker.

Chin, get out of here. Chapman, see if you want to go ballistic.

What's all that?

I got a great deal for Chapman by 10 tomorrow.

You got a what?

Let it be, okay? Just get out of here. Dennis, have you got anything?

There's not too much here.

That's because it was a professional hit.

I told you what happened.

She's been parking out in front of Hap Cortella's house, following him around

for a month.

He could have thought she witnessed one of his crooked deals, came up here and

killed her. I sent away to Chapman, Cesar.

Oh, look at that. Look at that.

I mean, the fat kid out there drops this, and now it's evidence. You better

these kids out of here. They're contaminating your crime scene.

What the hell are you doing, Rockford?

Becca, what is she doing?

What the hell is she doing?

Get me a blue out here right now.

Yes, sir. Captain, the lab people marked one of those candy wrappers that one of

your class dropped.

Well, if they marked it, then it's evidence.

This is a crime scene. I don't want civilians in my crime scene.

Unless they have a student body card.

I don't need wise -ass remarks from you, Rockford.

You'd be well advised to listen to these kids. They've studied criminology,

which, to my knowledge, you haven't. They've got lots of good ideas.

Please, I can't take much more.

It just so happens that Keith's theory that this was a crime of opportunity and

she didn't know her killer is proving itself out. There was a forced entry,

forced entry means she didn't know her assailant. Let me guess. The bathroom

window. How the hell did you know that? The Pillsbury doughboy out front, the

one that dropped the candy wrapper, he opened it because it got hot.

Go on, ask him.

This was no prime of opportunity. It was premeditated first -degree murder.

She knew her killer, Hap Court Teller. She'd been following him around for over

a month.

Pete, arrest him.

You got a charge?

How about tampering with evidence, interfering with a homicide

That's just for starters. Oh, and I might even add suspicion of murder.

Chaplain.

Suspicion of murder? You better get yourself an attorney, Jim.

Now let me get this straight. You're holding him for contaminating a crime

while at the same time you lead a class full of college students to the very

same location?

You don't really want to read about that in tomorrow's paper, do you, Captain?

God, how I used to hate it when you were doing criminal law. I thought you were

out writing trashy novels now.

Captain, I'll always be here to drop a flag on you. My California bar license

current, so let me fix you a reality cocktail.

You keep this up, you're going to end up looking like Captain Kangaroo.

Okay, Vincent.

You can have him back.

But here's the deal.

He's still a suspect in this murder. Want to bet? And if I catch him in an

unauthorized attempt to mess with this case, I'll dropkick him into orbit.

I'll pass it along.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Make him believe it.

I'm going to cut him loose.

So get him out of here.

Take that out of your mouth, Jim, and listen to me.

I know what he said. It's the same thing he always says.

He's going to jack me if I don't get lost, right?

Drop kick you into orbit was the exact expression.

Chapman couldn't drop kick a beach ball into a playpen.

I can handle him. Don't worry. Jim, listen to me. You could be looking at

years. You're underestimating Chapman. He's going to get you if you don't lay

off. If he gets me, you'll get me out. That's the criminal justice line dance.

Everybody gets to walk in L .A.

Eat lots of Twinkies, Jim.

Sometimes life is such a struggle.

It's as if God was passing me through the fire to forge me.

Cory just can't seem to get it right.

Ten hours out of rehab, he got busted again.

His friends are such grief stains.

Why can't he see what he's doing to himself?

At least Cal still hums along.

He got a job painting houses.

On a sweet note, Jim Rockford was in today.

He's been gone out of town on business.

It was good to see his smiling face.

If my boys could end up being like him, I'd feel I had done my job.

I just wish he was a better tipper.

Well, you must have my transcript.

I want to re -enroll in the college.

I had three units in 89 fall semester. I took a golfing class.

Another true seeker of knowledge.

You ever get rid of that slice?

I like to refer to it as a fade.

Yeah.

Hi.

What do you want?

I want to sign up for your class.

Sorry, you've got to be a student at this university with a transcript and at

least one preliminary course in this field of study.

You're kidding me, right?

I teach criminal science. How is introductory golf a prerequisite?

Both courses are about hitting defenseless objects with clubs.

Look, I'm... I'm sorry I came on so strong up at the funeral park and at

house.

I was upset.

She was a close friend, and I... I feel guilty about her death. I was a little

emotional.

And you were right. We shouldn't have been there.

I need to get into your class, Dr. George.

Captain Chapman isn't fond of you.

You see? Already a character reference.

I don't like him either. He's a jerk.

Yeah, I, uh...

I picked up the registrar's slip, and she said that I had to get your approval

to start the class late.

I also got the reading list, a new binder at the student store, and all I

is your signature and a student parking pass.

Now, what we have here are the five W's.

Now, we know where she was killed in the bedroom.

What was she killed with?

22 caliber bullet. When she died, according to the liver temperature test,

died at 1245 AM.

Now, that leaves why and who.

Let's take a whack at this. What do you say?

Suspects. Anyone?

Hands. Let's clock.

I met this guy at the funeral. His name is Corey Honeywell. He's the dead

woman's son. That guy is so fly.

He couldn't have done it.

He has a record for dealing drugs and petty theft.

And I was just thinking him for one of the who. Or maybe it was a bad drug

He killed his mom by mistake.

Brenda, why?

Anyone else?

Hey, wait.

This guy Rockford is way into the margin for me. I mean, he says he's up there

because he wants to tell her that he's not going to file some criminal charge

against some guy.

And lo and behold, he finds the body?

This is good thinking. I like this.

I'll carry it a little further, if you can. I think he's our classic, not very

smart criminal returning to the crime scene.

And who is this guy? He's certainly not an upstanding citizen. He's got a prison

record. I was cleared, Sonny.

Unless a pardon in the state of California doesn't mean anything

Get out, Rockford.

This is a university lab. We don't allow audits. You want some really horrible

news, Captain Chapman?

I am registered. I am a full -fledged student body card -carrying heckler. No,

you're not.

You're out of here.

I don't have you on my reg list.

Well, you must have the old list. I paid my tuition. I was accepted into the

class by Dr. George.

I signed him in.

I filed it with the registrar. I didn't think you'd mind. You said the more the

merrier. And believe me, I intend to keep it merry.

Now, back on our merry way up there under who, you might want to add an L

gangster by the name of Joseph Cortello, a .k .a. Happy Cortello. Happy dresses

up any suspect list.

Joseph Cortello. He was the guy who killed those two people with a bailing

last year. He got off on some technicality. Yeah, the very same. Now,

Up there under why, does it bother anybody at all that Babs Honeywell's 22

-old son, Cal, was a homicide victim 18 months ago?

That's another case. Well, I don't think it is.

You know, I don't know about all of you, but I think it's kind of loose for a

bunch of college students to be messing around in a case where two closely

related people have died in two years and Joe Cortella is in any way involved.

But it's a follow -home killing.

This killing was not done by some zooted -up junkie. It was a premeditated

homicide. It was committed by a top -shelf psychopath. And if I were you

think I'd pick a case where the suspects don't eliminate witnesses.

I don't want to get killed in the course.

All right, all right. Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

make something very clear here.

This class was assigned to study every aspect of the Honeywell murder.

And they're damn well gonna do it.

Class dismissed and stay low.

Outside. I don't want to niggle and whine, but isn't there some sort of

code that's supposed to exist between student and teacher?

You need a prerequisite course for this class.

I got one. I've been accepted by the registrar. But if that's not enough, I

your advanced criminal courses in sweet potato gardening and shower stall combat

at Quentin. Those credits should transfer.

You want to get in this class. Why?

For what possible reason?

I missed the circus this year. Uh -huh.

Okay. I can live with that, but, uh, you enrolled two weeks late.

So I'm gonna need a 30 -page makeup paper day after tomorrow, and, uh, let

see. Oh, how about the collection and preservation of physical evidence in the

homicide?

The what?

I want you to pay particular attention to latent fingerprinting, selection,

shipment, as well as proper evidence packaging.

I mean, you just so much as miss one section, I'm going to come down on you

a concrete wall.

Then I'm going to remove you from this class for failure to perform.

I've had that complaint before, but never from a guy.

Shipment and what?

Oh, when you make up the paper, use a bibliography and proper footnotes, one

-inch margins.

Neatness counts.

Hi.

Hi. That was some dust -up you had in class.

Well, Chapman and I have a bad history.

I heard you have to write a paper.

Yep, and neatness counts. All I can say for sure is it's going to be a very neat

paper.

So to do it, I'm going to get these back to my trailer.

Why are you so determined to stay in this class?

This class was assigned to study every aspect of the Honeywell murder.

And they're damn well going to do it.

By insulting him, I managed to nest that statement out of Chapman. That's why I

want to stay in your class.

To study the murder.

Jim Rockford, the private investigator, has been told by Doug Chapman, the

police captain, to stay away from the Honeywell murder case.

However, Jim Rockford, the college student, has been assigned by Doug

the college professor, to investigate the very same case.

I'm going to prove that Hap Cortello killed her.

How?

I need you to give me a special assignment.

Of what?

I need to be assigned a field practicum to...

access and coordinate some research material.

What's he saying?

Yeah. He's going to break into Babs' pad and toss it.

Yeah.

Okay.

I want to go with you. Me too.

Well, why don't we just get Leon and Zookie and hire a bus?

If I don't go, there's no assignment.

Man, what is with your neighbors? I'm just walking past some bicycles, and

dink underneath is two Dobermans at me.

There's more German dogs out there than a Bavarian polka festival.

You're a regular Willie Loman. All this for sale?

My new product line sample kit. Huh?

Oh, there's bargains here to make your heart sing. I tell you what, Jimmy,

nobody sells this stuff cheaper than I do.

This is the list price.

Hot stuff usually goes for a 90 % discount.

It's not hot. It's previously owned merchandise.

Take your time. Let's just leave it out here, huh? Let you get used to taking a

look at it. Let it become part of your life.

I'm not buying any hot goods. I have enough trouble with the police as it is.

It's not hot.

Right.

Angel? You used to write the Mrs.

Lonesome Heart column for your brother -in -law's newspaper, so this ought to

a snap for you. That Lonesome Heart Club column is a loser's waiting room. What

a bunch of pathetic whiners.

Pay attention.

How much am I getting paid to write this again?

A hundred bucks.

And you buy the Hormel juicer?

A hundred bucks for the paper. That's all.

It doesn't have to be good. Just fill in the pages.

Here's some books on evidence gathering. And, Angel, will you try to make it

look like I wrote it?

You want her to litter it?

When's it due?

Tomorrow, and use my computer. I mean, use it here.

I know my computer, Angel.

You try to swap it for some piece of junk, I'll come after you with something

worse than a German dog.

What's worse than a German dog? A German pistol.

Now get started.

Too bad, this is a...

Oh, who's there?

God.

Oh, Tim.

Oh, God, I shot him.

I shot him. Is he all right?

God.

Mr. Critchland was with the accountants all day today.

He tries so hard, but the Sandcastle just never seems to make enough to

all our efforts.

I think we should all turn down our automatic raises this year to help him

Well, looky here.

It's Professor Chapstick.

Hey, you're going to have to give me a late excuse on my paper. It's coming

along great, but, you know, it's hard to make progress with a morphine drip and

half my arm missing. I gave you direct instructions to stay off this case, but

you marched right up there and hot prowled the murder scene.

You're going to need some felony paper on this, Rockford.

Obstructing justice, interfering with evidence.

I wouldn't have gone up there if you hadn't asked me to. I never asked you

This class was assigned to study every aspect of the Honeywell murder.

And you expect that to stick?

I assigned him to redefine your motive and time of death theory.

I'm speechless.

It's a big improvement.

Redefine the motive. The motive was profit. It's always profit.

Well, I don't want to contradict, Captain, but besides profit, there are

other classic motives.

Jealousy, revenge, to cover a crime, to avoid humiliation or disgrace,

accidental homicide, and homicidal mania. Any of this is going to be on the

final? You're busted, Jimbo.

Do you mind if I call you Jimbo?

You know, this whole thing's not going to play well down at Parker Center.

You're hanging way over the fence here, Doug. You got your honor student

slinging lead at the class cut -up. The whole lesson plan may need a retool.

Yeah, sure.

You really shouldn't be leaving. I mean, that wound could get infected and we'd

have to drain it. Your sutures could fall.

I am leaving. I stay in the hospital more than a few days. I got a soft

How are you going to get home? You can't drive.

Chief of transport service. Did you transport James Ryford?

You guys got great timing, but I didn't order an ambulance.

You know a Trish George?

She shouldn't be wasting her money on an ambulance.

Well, she's already done it. Paid in advance.

What's right or not?

I guess.

Yeah, let's go.

We've been traveling a long time. You sure you guys know where you're going?

We're almost to Malibu Hills now.

There's the bug in the clam sauce.

I don't live in Malibu Hills.

Sorry. Malibu Hills is the delivery point I've been contracted for.

I'm rewriting the contract.

Just take it easy, Mr. Rockford.

Or what?

Nothing.

Just don't make this into a situation.

Let me guess.

You guys work for half a cartel.

Don't give him a hand.

Ramon. Ramon, listen.

Try Ocean View Drugs. All right? They're closer.

Right away, Mr. Coachella. I think I'm big off. I've had plenty of drugs for a

while.

What's the matter with you?

I'm not going to hurt you.

I want you to be my guest for lunch.

I ordered out for sushi.

You love it?

Ho, ho, ho!

Ramon, um, have Dr.

Klinberg phone the guys at the drugstore.

I need that. Now. You got it. Go, will you?

Sinuses, allergies, flu? Uh, I got, uh, I got what they call a bipolar illness.

That's what they call it now. Sorry to hear it.

Yeah, they used to call it manic depressive.

Now they call it bipolar.

Sometimes when I don't have my lithium, I blow off the needle and kick the crap

out of somebody.

Not to be prying, but is that what you're out of, what Ramon is after?

Yeah.

I thought I had some in the pool house, but my wife must have taken it out the

last time she was there.

Now, we're not entirely moved in.

The way these contractors are going, we never...

I'm finished. You can borrow my ambulance if you want. It might speed

Thanks, but I've got a car.

Go, will you, now!

Look, Mr.

Rockford, Jim, I'd like to apologize for what happened the other night. I want

to make it up to you because... Well, that's not necessary. You probably just

needed your lithium.

Will you shut up and listen, okay?

I'm trying to have a civil conversation here with you. Why do you keep

interrupting me, damn it? I'm trying to say I'm sorry.

Look, you're going to have to excuse me. I'm not well.

I've lost a lot of blood lately, and what I've got left would launch a SAM

missile. This woman, Babs, she thought I killed

the kid. I liked him. He was painting my pool house. Why would I kill him?

No kidding. Why, indeed?

I have a very good alibi.

I was at a church fundraiser with a cardinal.

You probably read that in the police report.

I mean, you ever even know a cardinal?

I knew a couple of Dodgers once.

You're making fun of me.

No.

No, I'm just trying to get the picture. You paid for an ambulance to bring me up

here so you could tell me that you didn't kill Cal and his mother. Is that

What? What?

Putting words in my mouth. I hate that.

Well, okay.

Okay.

Hey, what?

Well,

here we are.

Kind of hot for this time of year.

You know, it usually doesn't get this oppressive until mid -July, but... I'm

trying to... I'm sorry.

I want to apologize to you for kicking the crap out of you. So why are

you making me so damn mad?

I can't find it, boss!

Try the master bath upstairs.

It's a little white bottle with a yellow safety cap.

All right, boss!

If I hurt you.

I want to pay for your hospital bill.

But I'm going to ask for a favor in return.

I want you to stop saying... I

killed your friend.

Because I didn't.

Can you do that for me, Jim?

Okay.

Done.

Well, this has really been enjoyable.

Would you be kind enough to take me to my ambulance?

Oh, I'm going to be level in a minute.

I'm going to stay for lunch. Well, the ambulance is double parked, and I've got

a lot of things to do.

Tape up my lip, empty up my shoes.

Now, remember what I told you. You do me that favor, I owe you.

Done. Good.

Your name was...

Nicky, was it?

Yep. Well, let's leave.

Yeah, good idea. Shall we?

Leon bought a new fishing boat yesterday.

It's the first time I've seen him happy.

Cal worked for him last summer in the storeroom and said that Leon was a

pessimist who always saw the glass as half empty.

He's a grouch, but a lovable one.

On the bright side, Corey got a new parole officer.

And this time, I'm hoping he can finally get it right.

Hi. Hi.

You look different.

Well, nylon isn't my best fabric.

I'm much snappier in tweed.

The university closed down the criminal behavior class.

Well, what a bummer. That leaves my fifth period open.

And your friend Chapman wrote a letter to the dean saying that the reason the

accident happened was because I failed to control the curriculum.

I'm sorry, Trish.

Maybe I should write a letter and straighten him out about Chapman.

Probably won't help.

Oh, Babs' diary?

Yep. Anything in it?

Nope. She was a sweet person. She cared more about everybody else than she did

herself.

As I was reading it, you could see what a tender soul

she was.

Nobody ever gave her anything.

You... You think a 10 % tip is too little?

Most people give 15, 20 if the service is great.

Oh, I always give 10.

All my life I've worked, nobody ever tipped me.

Yeah, but you can set your fees.

Waiters and waitresses are underpaid. They depend on the tips to make up the

difference. Seems like 10 % is enough.

Sometimes I don't even get paid for my work.

Damn angel stole my computer.

Rounding out a perfect week.

What are we gonna do now?

I guess we gotta go...

Do what we started to do a couple of days ago.

Go up to Bad House and see if there's anything up there.

You know, she kept a notebook on her investigation of Hap Cortello.

It's got to be there somewhere.

If he saw something, give him a reason to kill her. We need to know what it is.

Isn't that dangerous?

Well, it has been so far.

This time, I intend to control the field trip and the curriculum.

Melissa. After you get your clothes on, if you're armed, please don't shoot.

What are you talking about? Of course I'm not armed.

Hey, it's Jimbo the Gimbo.

Cory, what are you doing here?

Hey, this place is mine now.

As soon as the cops split, I did a tight vector and cried.

Do you think we could get in off the front porch? I've been drawing a lot of

fire lately.

Well, you made a few changes.

Yeah. Well, maybe that's because you bled all over the place.

Where's your mom's stuff?

In storage.

What? You can't live here if all the drawers in the closet are full.

Aren't you going to hit him, Corey?

Melissa, a woman died here.

His mother.

I never knew her.

I'm choking on all this sentiment.

Where's your mother's stuff?

Well, I ain't gonna be around much after I sell this dump.

And I don't have any place to put it, so if you're really interested... I'll

sell it to you.

Sell it?

Are you serious?

Sure. How much you got on you right now?

About a hundred.

A hundred?

What, are you kidding?

For a guy choking on sentiment, that's a hell of a furball there, eh, Jimbo?

Has great sentimental value to me.

250.

I've got 75.

175.

You are such a loser, Rockford. We got a deal.

Throw in your watch.

Then we got a deal.

Come on, I'll show you where I stored it.

He's horrible.

That's not storage, that's trash.

What makes him like that? He got dealt an extra white chromosome.

He can't help it. He's a psychopath. Do you think you could bring your car in

here and we can pack this up and get out of here before I do something really

stupid?

It's good.

Look at Babs.

She was having fun.

Hey, remember?

She gave us all coconut brownies that she made? I got it. This is what I was

looking for.

Her investigative log.

She had this in the car the night I was with her.

Leon, a little celebration?

With an olive in it, please.

Anybody else?

No, thanks. Not me.

A colorful drunk is a long -standing tradition.

Every saloon needs one.

Besides, it's in Babs' honor.

Zookie, Babs worried about you. She told me the day she died she thought you

were hitting a bottle too hard. She cared about you. We all do.

Yeah. Instead of having a drink in Babs' memory, why don't you not have one in

her memory?

She was worried about me?

Very much.

She was afraid you were killing yourself.

Broke her heart to watch you do it.

You really know how to ruin a celebration, don't you?

Do you think we're missing something real obvious?

Probably. That's been the keynote in at least half my investigations.

I know that you think half Crotella did it.

What about Corey?

That little viper could have killed his mother.

He also could have killed his brother, Cal.

You know, I've known Cory since he was six or seven.

The one thing about him, he was never really up for the big ones. He was a

sneak. He'd take your car radio when you're out of town or steal your bike

you went to the bathroom, but I've never seen him get physical with anyone.

He's all show and no go.

Yeah, but he could have done it.

He needed money for drugs or something. He goes to his mom. They fight about it.

He loses his temper and he kills him.

I just can't see him banging away at her with a .22. It just doesn't fit my

picture of him.

Anything in here?

I got six addresses out of there. She followed him to a warehouse on Sloss in

beach house in Malibu, a bar in Venice called the Pineapple Factory, a

on Melrose, and two motels in Glendale where he met different women.

Neither was his wife.

So what are you thinking?

We need to find the Transformer.

A transformer?

Street slang.

Transformer is somebody who would roll over on anyone immediately to save

themselves.

You know one of those?

Intimately. Jimmy! Jimmy, stop it! I almost finished the paper. Forget the

paper. The class got canceled. You stole my computer.

I told you not to take my computer.

Well, I had to work on it here because I had some deeply pressing business

engagements. Yeah, like fencing the Hormel juicer. Yeah, that amongst

Angel, I am seconds from ending your life.

You are circling the drain.

Don't mess with me. I don't mess with you ever, ever.

Maybe once. Oh, maybe twice.

Okay? I mess with you a lot.

All right, we'll get back to my missing computer in a minute.

I think I can get that back for you, Jimmy.

I need some information.

Information. Ding dong.

That's speciality. I can't get that away free. I mean, that would affect my

overall price structure, my downstream revenue flow. I mean, I get your watch,

get your microwave oven, I get your Hormel juicer. Man, all of that's yours,

especially the Hormel juicer because we're overstocked. But information, that

costs money.

Generally, your credit is acceptable.

Let's deal with that.

Half Cortella.

What's he into these days?

Well, that's a broad category. I mean, it'd be hard to ascertain what a top

-shelf yodeling wacko like him was up to unless you surprised me with some

pertinent doohickeys.

Well, we know he's into drugs. We know he's into vice. We know he's got some

extortion going.

You know, lots of action. But, you know, this is something big, something he'd

kill for. I don't know, Jimmy. People on the street aren't talking about that

fruitcake.

Hey, good job.

Suitcases.

Suitcases. What?

He's sapping suitcases.

I don't like the sound of that, Angel. Make it sound better. Well, you know,

knockoff stuff, some of that Gucci, Gucci, Italian leather goods, you know,

purses, wallets, suitcases. I mean, it's nationally a $10 billion business. It's

bigger than drugs.

Well, you think he's got a shipment of knockoff bags in that warehouse?

Well, how do I know what he's got in the warehouse?

You asked me to get you the rumor on the street about half.

Okay. The rumor on the street is that he's into counterfeit luggage.

He's got distributors all over the city. High -class stores selling at a top

dollar only. He gets his stuff in Mexico.

Looks exactly like the originals, only when the weather changes, the stitching

falls out.

You know, this is not the way that two old friends discuss problems.

Angel, my computer is back in my trailer by tomorrow noon, or you'll be

discussing this problem without your bridge worker.

If you're interested, the paper I wrote for you is brilliant.

Angel told you this, didn't he? Well, I have other sources besides everyone,

Mark. Now, let me get this straight. You want me to go down to this warehouse

down at Tlausen and do what?

I want you to wait for half an hour until we can show up, and then I want

be the cover story in the blue line.

That's the police department's newsletter.

Lieutenant Becker nabs L .A. mob kingpin in a room full of counterfeit luggage.

Couple of problems. What if the warehouse is empty?

I know nobody trusts a guy who says, trust me, but trust me.

Then I would need a warrant, and there's no PC to get a warrant. Lieutenant

Becker, I know you don't exactly relish my involvement in this case.

Are you kidding? I love grading little blue bugs.

This is not strict blue coaster, but it'd work because there's a legal

precedent. I go into the warehouse, and I get caught.

And then Jim, he runs and calls the police because I've been kidnapped.

And since he witnessed a crime in progress... You don't need a warrant.

Dennis, this is a great idea.

Of course, I'll be the one that gets kidnapped, and she'll call the police,

it's perfect.

It was my idea.

I'm the victim.

No way it's me.

No!

What's he saying?

Rockford will be the victim.

This is the sloppiest B &E since Watergate. Something we can do for you,

Rockford? Nicky, how you doing? Not good.

You want to answer the question?

Well, I was passing out copies of Watchtower. I happened to be in the

neighborhood and I thought I saw a light on.

Funny. Let's go.

Hey, Nicky.

Nicky, let me ask you something.

It ain't just a question.

Has Hap had his lithium today?

Oh, Rockford.

Rockford!

This is getting very annoying.

Well, you know, I changed my mind about lunch. I thought maybe we could have

dinner, but hey, if it's a bad time, we could reschedule.

Thank you.

Hey, come on. I'm injured. You don't want to hit a cripple.

Don't do that.

Hold it. Hold it a minute.

I've got a question.

What?

Whose is this?

It says he eats them all the time.

Nicky, we're going to be doing some business.

Not very.

damn likely slick.

Get out of here, boss!

Dennis,

you still got that Jim Jam rapper in the evidence room? No, I picked it up. He

told me that fat kid dropped it.

I left it in my shirt pocket at home. I could have been wrong about who dropped

it. You're going to have to dust it for prints. And then Mr.

Zeno here may want to make a statement.

Save himself for being booked as an accessory to murder one.

You

say

that Mr. Zeno dropped a... at the scene of Ms. Honeywell's murder? Well, that

is, as we say, essentially accurate.

The aforementioned Mr. Zeno's prints were on the aforementioned candy

which was at the scene of the aforementioned Ms. Honeywell's murder,

indicated his complicity in the aforementioned murder. The

Zeno then offered to cooperate with said investigation into said suspect, Joseph

Cortello, thereby turning state evidence.

The district attorney said that said evidence would not be made public. He

that said evidence would be said in court.

He said, um... Huh.

We'll bring you updates as they come in. Now back to you in the studio.

What do you want? I got a little nervous.

Well said.

And said and said.

Good going, Jim.

You solved the murder.

Yeah, Jim.

You can have your Denver omelet on the house.

All next week.

Thanks, Rich.

Zucky, you know what I said the other day? I didn't mean to upset you.

She cared for me, didn't she? Yeah.

I found a paragraph last night.

I don't think she'd mind if I read it to you.

Zuki is one of my favorites.

Seeing him at the bar makes me both happy and sad.

I'm happy because he brings light to all of us and sad because I know he's

somehow lost.

Like all of us, he's looking for something he can't describe.

I pray he finds fulfillment.

He's too good to lose to the dark spot inside him.

A couple of times, so is...

Too potted to get home, she let me sleep on the couch at her house.

We took her for granted, didn't we, Jim?

She had to die before we realized what we had.

Leon,

is this glass half empty or half full?

They knew.

Just booze you ain't drunk yet.

I think I'll go home.

That's hard enough.

You could help him, Leon.

He needs to quit.

Zookie the bookie ain't gonna quit drinking.

And he ain't gonna quit betting the nags.

People don't change.

Not you, not Zook, and not me. Human nature.

Let me run something by you, Leon.

Yeah, sure.

Hap Cortella killed Babs because she was following him around, right?

Yes, sir. She was following him around because she thought that Hap... killed

her son, Cal. Yep.

There's no evidence to that fact.

Why would Hap kill him?

Well, he was working up there painting in Cortella's pool house and saw

something.

Well, that's what Babs said.

Well, when Hap had me up at his house, he told me he didn't kill Cal. He said

liked him.

Now, I don't know. It's strange, but I believed him. You want this? It's on the

house. Oh, no, thank you.

It just seems unfinished.

She just wanted to know who killed her son.

I'm going to stay on this till I make sure I know who did it.

That much I can't do for her.

Chappin may have closed this case, but I don't buy it. I'm going to do some

digging on my own. You want to help? I'm going to start first thing in the

morning. Sure.

Jim, have you heard from Tennyson Keats?

We don't talk too much since he put two ounces of lead in my arm.

Well, you know, he hasn't shown up in classes for two days, and I tried

his house, and there wasn't any answer.

Do you think that he could have gotten even deeper into this, that he's in even

more trouble?

I don't want to hear that.

What's his address?

This is it, 1526.

Oh my God.

Is he dead?

Yeah, and for a long time.

I'm sure getting tired of finding bodies.

Here's the last number he dialed. Could you take this down?

213 -555 -0187.

Dennis Becker, please.

Dennis, I found another one.

You're the new body -finding champion of the Western Hemisphere, aren't you? Did

you kill him, Rockford? Oh, even you don't believe I killed this guy. Why

He shot you, you shot him. That plays good for me. I have an alibi, Chapman.

be very careful here, because we have a history together, and it includes scores

of problematic judicial encounters.

You book me, and I'll have Beth Van Zandt set up an asset inventory on your

front lawn.

Captain, it's a suicide, and it's the way I'm going to book it.

I hate you, Rockford.

You pond scum.

Damn, deputy chief again.

If I find out who wrote the department that letter about the class, I'm going

kill him.

Don't look at me.

It's not a suicide, Dennis.

Prove it. The guy was left -handed.

How do you know that?

Because I sat behind him in class.

It's true.

He was left -handed. He might have been pig -headed and relentless, but I don't

think he shot himself in the head and then changed gun hands.

Also, I'll bet if you follow the track of the bullet, you'll find it won't fit

with the suicide.

What are you trying to say?

I'm saying it's another aforementioned murder.

The kid was popped.

Why? Probably for sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong.

Look who's talking.

Can I go home, Dennis?

My arm's throbbing. My head's throbbing. I think I'm starting to drool a little.

Yeah, get the hell out of here. Just make sure you're in the office tomorrow

sign that statement.

Okay, so who killed Tennyson Keats?

I have no idea. In school, it's all science. But when you're out there in

field and real people are dead, none of it makes sense.

Yeah, well, the difference in finding your way and looking back, we're still

finding our way.

Tennyson Keats found the answer, or something reasonably close to the

App Cortella didn't kill him because he was in jail, and I don't believe any of

his crew did, because they're not going to be that loyal to a guy that's going

to death row.

Well, then who did kill him?

Do you have that phone number?

Yeah.

Maybe whoever's at the end of this line can tell us something.

There's got to be somebody Cal knew.

I still think it was his brother. Everybody loves Cal. It seems obvious

Corey just couldn't deal with it.

Maybe.

I hate to think it could have gone down that way. I mean, Babs' family is

destroying itself from the inside.

Most people in law enforcement are cynics.

You are a romantic.

Pretty cute, isn't it?

I can't go digging around in my files for a bunch of useless old information.

Mr. Liggett, please help us.

We have nowhere else to go. Two people have died.

Fifty bucks.

I got twenty.

We ought to save something for gas. I'm almost on empty.

I've got fifteen.

Thirty.

In the old days, I just offered a deck of guy like that, but I'm not healing as

fast as I used to.

Don't apologize.

It's a creep.

We're bound to run into a few.

Here it is.

Joseph Cartello's pool house, re -plumbed. He's having it renovated.

We put on the jacuzzi and new showers. Gumpy Cook did that work.

Does he still work here? He's in the back, probably staying on the lock wash

just now to load the truck.

Go hold him up.

He's late.

Joey B., your delivery's in.

Maybe we should have asked what he looked like.

Well, Gumpy Cook, with a name like that, he's got to look like Mr.

Plumberbutt. And there he is.

Hey, Gumpy.

I know you.

I'm a friend of Cal Honeywell's.

Two days ago, I would have said, who the hell is Cal Honeywell?

Sure, the second guy asked me about him in 24 hours.

And the other one was, uh, Tennyson Keith?

Yeah, that's the name.

He was, uh, checking on some stolen food.

Ask me if that kid, what's his name, Cal Honeywell, mentioned it when he was up

painting that pool house.

What stolen food?

How the hell do I know?

But I remember this guy comes up there to Cortello's house about 12 noon the

before they found Cal's body.

And these two, they have this huge argument. I mean, they're screaming at

other and such. And then they go up front. And then about 20 minutes later,

Cal kid comes back in. He's mattered in hell.

He starts painting trim, but he's so mad, he's getting the gold trim all over

the white fresh on the house.

And then he says he's mad at this other guy, and he's going to turn him in.

And that was that.

You told Tennyson Keats this yesterday?

Yeah, and that's when Keats said it was about stolen food.

And that's all he said.

Get the truck loaded, Gumpy.

You and Kelly got to get that job done at Oak Grove by 2 .30.

I keep hoping old Carl's gonna blow a valve and take the big bust, but he just

keeps on stroking.

Better get back at it.

This guy that Cal had the argument with, was he a tall African -American, say,

late 40s, early 50s?

Yeah. Didn't I mention that?

No.

Thanks for your help.

Old Zook didn't make it in this morning.

Living his kidneys, probably arguing over that last gin -soaked pimento.

Yeah, old Zook. Kind of fun watching him kill himself ounce by ounce.

What's that supposed to mean?

Let me ask you a question, Leon.

Sure, go ahead. What is it?

Why do you suppose this place could never turn a profit?

I don't know.

How am I supposed to know?

I just worked the bar.

Well, don't you also run the food warehouse in the back?

So? Well, I take inventory and everything, log in the meat, check it

it away if it's bad, stuff like that. Is this leading up to something?

That boat you bought last summer, what does a deal like that cost?

I don't remember.

Well, see, Ray, 30 -foot Sundancer, I think the sales brochure right here.

As I recall, when I went out to meet you the last time, you had everything on

it. You had navigation, side half, you got that right?

Ceruno radar, the 75 -mile color unit. Isn't that the rig you got?

Yeah, 105 ,000 -plus packs. Put that little honey in the water.

You trying to say something, Jim?

Cal worked here the summer he died in the warehouse for you, as I recall.

You saying I killed him? And Babs? Not exactly.

No, I think Cal caught you stealing from a sandcastle.

maybe skimming 10 % off the food and bar purchases. That would lean out old

Critch's profit picture.

Cal confronted you. You went up to Cortello's house. You got in an argument

him. You're nuts.

Eh, pretty soon, you know, somebody starts taking a swing.

Cal goes down, hits his head, and he's dead.

I don't have to listen to this.

And, of course, it's bad.

Babs is so sure that Cortello killed her boy that she starts following him

around, finds the warehouse full of knockoff luggage, and gets herself

Then along comes Tennyson Keith.

Smart ass, hateable, but perceptive and bright.

He figures out you're stealing. I don't know how he did that, because he took it

to the grave with him.

Here's all right in Babs' diary right in front of us.

How does a guy who pours drinks for seven bucks an hour end up with a $105

boat?

You should have left it alone, Jim.

You

can't

beat this one, Leon. The cops are already on their way. I didn't mean to

Cal. It was an accident.

That's what happens when you make the wrong things important.

Now I have to kill you, Jim.

I don't kill too easy, Leon.

I've had better guys than you try.

Bitch.

You know, everybody at the Sandcastle gave you the benefit of the doubt. You'd

come in and growl at us with a smile and call you the Sand Crab.

We were your friends.

We were all wrong about you.

From the very beginning, you were nothing but a mean, angry son of a

Does it hurt?

Maybe you should take another pain pill.

It hurts where I can't get it with drugs.

Not much to say, is there, Jim? Nope. Lose, lose.

Holy on. Who'd have thunk it?

Yeah, I know.

I'm gonna hit the pack early.

I'm tired of walking around in my arms, sticking up the air.

I feel like a wounded chicken.

Jim.

What you read about me in Babs' diary really stuck with me.

I decided I'm gonna get off the sauce.

This morning I checked into, uh, AA.

Well, that's great, Tuck.

At least something good came out of it.

You know, Leon said that nobody ever changes.

You can do it.

We all can. All we have to do is try.

He's really down.

It's pretty hard when... One friend is responsible for killing two others.

Tim comes on like a tough guy, but underneath, he's pure warm and running.

I'll be damned.

What?

You put on 20%.

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