Original subtitles

Dennis, we talked about this last week. I thought you'd be all packed and ready

to go.

Just look at you. You've got a jump start on the beard. Since that's against

regulations, you must have been halfway out the door before I even asked you.

I'm on my way nowhere, okay? Forget about the beard.

What? I've got a rash, and if I scratch it, I make it worse.

Well, of course you have a rash. I mean, look at the pressure you're under. I

mean, it's a sign, Dennis.

It's a sign. You need to get away, and you've got time coming. You told me that

yourself.

Look at it around here.

Well, what are you going to do? Wait for the slack season in crime? There isn't

any. I don't know. It's always the same with you, Dennis. I don't even know why

I ask anymore.

It's not always the same with me. You make it sound like I always say no. I've

been to Cabo fishing with you. Yeah, it seems just like yesterday, doesn't it?

It was 1987.

One, two, three.

It's a surprise.

She's a nice lady. She doesn't mean any harm.

What did I say?

You should look stunning in it. What is the big deal around here? I want to make

a complaint. I've been saying it for the past half hour. Why are you having such

a problem with this? I've already explained it to you, lady. You're in the

department. This is robbery, homicide. You want violence.

If I want advice, you think I don't know right where to find it.

I want to talk to... Someone in authority. I'm in authority. I don't

anyone below, Lieutenant.

No, you don't talk to anyone, period. You're in the wrong department.

Fine. And your name is?

Sergeant Cranston.

Okay.

Lamont, here's how this is going down.

Now, for the record, I was here, I tried, and now I'm going to have to take

I got in this envelope directly to the papers. And when that happens, hey,

me on this.

Everyone is going to know that you're the guy hung the department's dirty

laundry on the line.

Uh, excuse me, miss.

Lieutenant Becker, may I help you?

What do you say, Lamont?

Are you okay with that? She's got a complaint, belongs in vice.

I am not going to make a complaint where I know it's going to get buried and me

along with it.

Detective Eddie Lopez, vice.

Detective Barry Hollis, vice.

The three of us.

We're all in vice. I'm just working it from the other side. You with me?

Maybe we should take this into my office, okay?

I'm a working mother.

I got more to worry about than just myself.

I got a four -year -old son.

I understand.

And when they start taking, when I'm out there to sell, I mean, once even,

twice, I mean, whatever.

You know, it's a cost of doing business. I mean, I can live with that. But these

two, you know, they...

Why should I give it away?

You know, because they're cops?

Because they say, do me or do time?

And they're not just going to bust me for solicitation.

They're going to find a stash of crack in my apartment. I mean, they came right

out and told me that. I mean, I never did crack in my life.

So I paid a friend of mine to take some pictures, and now

it is not.

Just my word against this. I got physical proof.

Yeah. Yeah.

And these are just copies. I got the negatives. Thanks.

So, I want to press charges.

I want to charge him with a... With a... Restrain the trade?

What are you doing here?

This is official business.

Sexual harassment.

Yeah, sexual harassment.

And I got a damn good case for it, too.

Your phone has been ringing off the hook night and day for two weeks.

I've been in Cabo. And you didn't hear it?

Well, I... Oh, I cranked the phone up when it was loading the pickup and then

forgot to turn it down when I left.

Why didn't you do it?

Because you also forgot to leave me a key.

Oh. Well, I'm sorry.

Harvey, I went to ask you to look... I...

Let me apologize to you over lunch, huh?

Left side of the menu, beverage of choice. When? Today?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, okay.

Sandcastle. One o 'clock. And thanks, sir.

One o 'clock.

This is Jim Rockford. A totally renamed message. I'll get back to you.

Jim, it's Lettie.

Lettie, Lettie, don't hang up. I just came through the door, hon.

Yeah, I've been out of town. I knew it. I knew it had to be something like that.

What is it? What's the matter?

Jim, he wanted to see you.

He said, what's the matter?

He's in the bedroom, waiting for you.

Hey, Rocco.

Booker.

What's it been?

A year?

Well, no, not that long.

We got together at Lettie's birthday party, remember?

Oh, yeah.

That was nice.

I got lucky here, huh, Jim?

Oh, real lucky.

Yeah.

She still crying?

Yeah, you want to tell me why? I'd like to help if I can.

Nothing you or anyone else can do, Jim.

One day I'm walking around like always, and the next, I'm here and Lettie's...

Washing my face and spoon -feeding me like a two -year -old.

Say, could you... Could you hand me that, please?

What, this? Yeah.

Yeah, there you go.

Listen.

Just take me a minute.

It ought to be...

Right here somewhere. Oh, you just take your time. I got all day.

Here.

What's this?

Something you probably never figured to see again.

That's the 400 you lent me back in 95.

I don't want your money.

It's not my money, Jim.

It's yours.

Well, I don't want it.

You've got bills.

You're going to need it.

Well, what's the chance that... Did I know what I'm going to need?

Better than you know what I'm going to need.

What I need is to get clean of my past dues. That's what I need.

I'm not checking out owing 15 cents, much less 400.

So, you going to take that money?

Am I going to have to feed it to you? Settle down.

Settle down. I didn't mean to make you angry. You know, I thought Letty could

use it, you know?

Letty's covered.

I've been clocking steady for more than a year now.

She'll be just fine.

Look, I'm getting a little tired here.

Well, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stay so long. No, no, no. Go nowhere, Jim.

It's great seeing you, man. It's just that I got four or five cases

that I never got a chance to wrap up.

I got to call them.

I gotta explain.

Hey, you know what fries me?

I've already done most of the work. Now somebody else is gonna collect.

Hey.

I could recommend you if your plate's not already too full.

I cut nothing on my plate. I've been on vacation.

What are the cases?

Oh, no -brainers.

Repos. And I like... I got old files here.

You can take them if you want.

Booker, I'll make a deal with you. If it'll help you, I'll wrap up the cases

you, but you have to keep the payoff.

Now, if you want me to take the 400, those are my terms.

Well, Jim, if you'd do that for me, Jim, I remember the day I died.

Hey, dinner.

I went by the station. They said you'd probably be here. Hey, Jim, I thought

were in Cabo. Yeah, well, I got back this morning.

Yeah, I should have gone with you. What a couple of weeks.

Hey, you want a burger?

No. You want a ball?

You got the wrong table, pal. You don't want to talk to me. I'm in a lousy mood.

Well, too bad. I drive all the way down here just to talk to you. You're in a

lousy mood.

That's it.

All right, we all got problems.

What's yours?

Forget it.

What are you going to do, sulk?

You wanted to talk, talk.

I don't know.

I don't know if I'd do any good. The funny thing is, I don't know why it hit

so hard.

We've known each other a long time. We've been friends.

Nobody lives forever. We all know that.

Just seeing him there lying in bed so weak he could hardly hold his head up.

Strongest man I ever knew. I mean, he could crack a Brazil nut with his

I've seen him do it, a Brazil nut.

This friend of yours, somebody I know?

Yeah, sure, Booker Hutch.

The book man from C -Block, remember?

The hell's the matter with you hanging out with a bum like that?

He's not a bum.

He's a bum, ex -con.

So am I.

He's dying, Dennis.

He's a cockroach. He's not dying. You can't kill him. We do the dying. His

go on forever.

Excuse me?

This doesn't look like anything you're going to wrap up anytime soon. I just

have a few questions for you while you finish your burger. I'm finished.

Oh.

Well, then I can follow you back to the station if that's better for you. It is

and it won't work.

I got meetings all afternoon.

Give me a call tomorrow. I'll see if I can fit you in.

What's wrong with him?

Today just doesn't seem to be working for anybody.

I'm Breanne.

Bree. Jim Rockford.

You work with Dennis?

Why do you say that?

Well, he doesn't have too many friends that aren't on the force.

This is kind of a cop hang -up. Well, it's also a great burger joint.

Oh, can I buy you one? I would love that.

Wouldn't you get a second?

Right with you.

No, I couldn't help overhearing what you were saying to Dennis.

If it's something that you need to talk about, I'm a great listener.

See, I've already started.

I had the lobster.

The lobster?

Yeah, well, fine.

Listen, I'm sorry about what happened. Forget it. The food was good, and I

didn't have to worry about holding up my end of the conversation.

There wasn't any... Yeah, well, just wait a damn minute. There was a really

good reason why I couldn't be there.

I went to visit a friend this morning, and, well...

I didn't even know he was sick. Now, what do you say we try to make it up

tomorrow, huh?

You sure you can make it? I can make it.

Don't worry. One o 'clock tomorrow at Sandcastle. I'll call Critch right now

make the reservation.

kicking my door, I'll buy you a new one. There are indentations right there. You

were kicking my door.

Will you chill?

I'm on a tight skid here. I don't even have time for a cup of joe's. Good,

because I have no intention of offering you any and cleaning up that mess.

Yeah, I got a breakfast at the Bel Air with a guy that can green light a

project. Then I'm at Universal at 11 o 'clock. They won't pay for lunch.

I figure by the end of business day, we'll have bids from all the majors and

maybe a few indies.

Angel, clean up that mess. I'm not going to tell you again. Good, because I got

a split.

I didn't even stop to draw up a contract.

Not that you and me need legal paper between us. I trust you. You trust me.

did that happen?

Well, the contract's just protection.

So you get hit by a bus. Where does that leave me? Or me, for that matter.

I see just the two of us on this. The hoochie's out. Out?

Well, it's your life. It's not her life. She's got no claim on it.

Now, with Booker... Booker?

Gets a little frail.

I mean, he could argue that it's his life, too, which, strictly speaking, it

you know. But like I said before, I see it as a two -way split. We could get

lucky, he'd belly up, and it's over and out.

But if he lingers, and whether you like it or not, he could linger.

I know a guy that was at death's door for nine years, solid.

Wife, I land off.

What the hell are you talking about? A movie!

What movie? The movie I'm going to tell based on your life, you and Booker.

A friendship forged in the grim confines of prison, spanning more than 20 years.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Story of loyalty and compassion. Oh, let me see that.

You know, if I hadn't racked Sikorsky's paper this morning, I'd have missed the

whole story. Then where'd you be? I know you, man.

I've seen you let opportunity boogie on by more than once. Well, I'm not getting

no L -drink.

You just chill. I'll bring in the grip.

Did you see this? Did you read it?

I mean, really, Dennis, you could have warned me. Why didn't you tell me she

a reporter?

And why didn't you tell me you were taking over Booker's case? You said you

went to see him. You didn't say anything about working his beat. Why would I?

You told Brian Lambert I made her call him this morning.

And whose fault is that? I mean, just because you're in a lousy mood, a simple

introduction would have done it. Jim, this is Brian Lambert of the Daily

Bulletin. But no, no, you're out of there. And look what I'm left with.

In a town where friendships are ephemeral, Rockford's loyalty and

support of Mr. Hutch are a lesson to us all. The bonds and cell blocks, see,

have proved far hardier than the steel that shackled these men together during

days bleak with despair.

The stalwart detective, stalwart, makes me sound like a cross between Harrison

Ford and Oliver Twist.

It's a real career -sicker, Dennis. Lieutenant Becker, can I see you for a

minute? Yes, sir.

Wait here, I'm not through.

What?

We're very disappointed in you.

Your friend Rockford, if he's here officially, Commander Cage wants to

it. If it's social, you get him the hell out of here. You got that?

Yes, sir.

Okay,

that's it. See you around. You told me to wait. You waited, now you're leaving.

What the hell's going on with you, Dennis?

You got something to say to me, you spit it out. Okay. I don't like your

attitude, Rockford.

You think I'm your friend, so I get a pass, but every other cop you got

but contempt for.

Contempt? Where did that come from? Let me tell you something. You get mugged at

an ATM, you get carjacked, you don't dial 911 and ask them to send you a

Oh, no, you ask them to send you a cop.

Hooker? And they're there for you, ready to lay down their life, but that's what

it takes, and that includes Hollis and Lopez, in spite of what you're trying to

do to them. Lopez and Hollis? There's never been a complaint on either one of

them. Nothing.

Clean. Nothing but commendations.

Now their names are smeared all over the paper. Who's going to give them back

their reputation?

You ask yourself that? What have I got to do with Lopez and Hollis? According

the paper, you took over Booker's caseload. Did he tell you anything about

No -brainers, a couple of repos.

He gave me the files. I just haven't had time to look through them yet.

Well, find the time.

Why? The department's been getting a lot of black eyes lately. A couple of weeks

ago, they collected a new one. This time, charges of sexual misconduct.

You were there when I took the complaint.

Oh, yeah, the day I left Bacabo?

Where you should have stayed, by the way. Anyway, the department turned it

to Internal Affairs. Before they had a chance to start their own investigation,

the whole mess made every paper in town.

You know what happens then?

Suddenly we have this Citizens Committee, which then launches its own

investigation.

This is Booker's case?

Not anymore. It's yours.

Off the record, every cop in this department is going to figure you're out

nail two of L .A.'s finest.

I'd keep a real low profile if I were you.

Hey, Booker.

Booker.

Booker, open up. I know you're in there.

He's not in there.

He's gone.

Gone? Went early this morning.

Oh, no.

I knew it was bad.

You know where Letty and Mrs. Hutch, you know where she is?

Went with him.

Went with him?

There's nothing wrong with her.

Should have seen it coming. She was crying all week.

Do you think there's going to be any sort of services?

You mean like an open house?

Open house?

Because around here, it's just word of mouth.

You know, somebody interested, send them by.

The place comes fully furnished, all utilities included.

Are you saying they moved?

Yes, they moved.

What have we been talking about?

He was sick, bedridden.

Well, he threw that TV around like it was nothing.

Microwave, too.

Mrs. Hutch helped with the small stuff, but mostly she just cried.

I know how she feels.

Look at this place.

That doesn't look too bad, Letty. Let's check it out.

You check it out. I don't care.

Unless all I need from you now is attitude.

I don't have enough trouble, huh?

Seems to me you don't have any trouble at all.

You dumped it all on Jim.

I had no choice.

You don't want to hear the truth. You should have married another woman.

Letty. If I hadn't split, I'd ended up dead or back in the joint or both.

Probably both.

You saw what they did to me. Letty damn near killed me.

And you send Jim into the same mess, and you don't even warn him. I don't want

to talk about this now, okay?

Nothing about this is okay. Nothing.

Hey, he can handle himself better than anybody I ever met in my life.

He's not going to get hurt, I guarantee it. If he gets anywhere in their

trouble, he'll talk his way out of it.

A man can talk his way out of anything.

May I see your license, please?

My license?

Yes, sir. You have one, haven't you? Of course I have one. I just don't know why

you want to see it. Front wheels were in the crosswalk back there. It's a moving

violation. How can it be a moving violation when I wasn't moving?

You're really going to give me a ticket? On what charge?

Driving without a license.

Okay, okay, that's just fine.

Only this one I'm fighting. You saw what happened. This is a blatant case of the

quota system, or personal prejudice, or Breanne Lambert's column. I'm not on the

case. Sir?

I am not working for the Citizens Committee, and I'm not investigating

and Lopez.

This case that you're not working on, do you think it has something to do with

why you're being cited?

It's a very serious charge, Mr. Rockford.

You were stopped for a violation of the motor vehicle code. I don't know who you

are, the nature of your business. You just addressed me as Mr. Rockford.

It's on your driver's license.

Which I haven't shown you yet.

I can't wait to see how you guys play this one.

I thought they brought you in on some kind of traffic thing.

Well, it was a traffic thing with variations.

Something about unpaid parking tickets. I meant to fight him in court, but hey.

You know, things got the way they were, and I forgot all about them. Would you

remind Lieutenant Becker I'm here, please?

Look, it has to be more than that. Do you know what your bail was? I'm glad I

had enough of me to cover it. They have to make it high to keep dangerous types

like me off the street. Thanks for coming through, Barb.

Yeah, sure. How did you happen to think of me?

I knew where to find you.

I'm the guy you weren't having lunch with.

Oh, yeah.

I had the prime rib.

For lunch?

Don't comment, Brianne. Now, get out of here.

Brianne! Jim!

Oh, no. Come on. Not a chance now. We have some talking to do. Not now, Jim.

This is really a bad time. The last 24 hours, I have redefined the term bad

time. You'd know that if you'd answered my phone calls. Why didn't you call me?

I've been trying to reach you all over town. I left messages on your answering

machine at the sand... Castle? How about jail? Do you try jail? Jail? I put up

the bail money.

Name's Harvey Metcalf. What were you doing in jail?

Well, you ought to be able to answer that. It was your column that put me

This is not a place for this conversation.

I'm sort of an embarrassment to Dennis. He'd have to tell you why.

Wait a minute.

My column put you in jail?

Let's move out of here, okay?

Rockford! What the hell do you think you're doing here?

Uh, Commander?

I'm here to file a complaint. Gage, an official complaint.

Wait, a complaint against Commander Gage? How do you spell that? G -A -G -E?

this another friend of yours, Lieutenant? Because if it is... Rion

Daily Bulletin.

Now, you see, Dennis?

It didn't take any time to say that. Look at the reaction you got. You see

jaw snapshot?

That could have been me at lunch.

Think of all the trouble we would have avoided. The jail time, the filing of

complaints, the possible... No, make that probable lawsuit.

There aren't going to be any laws.

From time to time, he thinks he controls the courts? What I mean is, if we work

together, we can resolve our differences.

Why don't we just cut to the chase?

You, uh, you took a few facts and liberal amounts of fantasy and turned me

some sort of tabloid folk hero and put me on the Metrolink to hell.

Jim, I never intended to do that.

Well, of course you didn't. Nobody ever does.

Of course, the people who read that story, and evidently you have one hell

readership, they all assume that I'm out to bury the police department in

general and detectives, Hollis and Lopez in particular. The fact that I'm not,

they have no time for that.

Rockford, I'm going to look into what happened to you this afternoon and...

What? Get me out of traffic school?

You know, they wanted to give me the death penalty, but they settled on

school. Look, Brianne...

I want you to print a retraction tomorrow.

I am not on the case. Is that understood?

I am not on the case.

Understood. As far as Booker Hutch goes, we are not good buddies. We are not

Damon and Pythias or Frick and Frack or any other dynamic duo.

He tried to terrorize me the first time I met him in Cell Block C.

Since that didn't work, he changed his methods, but not his motives.

He's a self -serving scam artist who wouldn't know the meaning of friendship.

And you want to quote me?

Quote that.

Come on, Harvey, let's get some fresh air.

Jim, just how much trouble are you in? No, just the usual. My friends turning

in, the whole police department trying to put me away.

Being made a fool of on a daily basis by a highly respected journalist. I just

can't wait to see what's going to fall on me next.

Where are the papers, Cicero?

Front page.

Mrs. Loretta Purcell, chair of the Citizens Committee for Police Oversight,

once again deployed the apparent inaction of internal affairs in

serious charges filed against Vice Guard officers Hollis and Lopez.

You keep stirring, Mama.

Citing a desperate need to restore public faith in the justice system, Mrs.

Purcell promises that the results...

of the committee's personal investigation will be announced within

And if those results aren't dirty on all counts, I'm gonna wanna know why.

Can't go no other way.

Yeah?

What about this shoe?

Rockford?

The cops are doing nothing but hassling him.

He's gonna call them two dirty whether he buys it or not.

Well, you keep on him.

And you keep on the hoochie, too.

I don't want him getting nowhere as close to her.

And if he does, you do him like you did that Booker Hutch.

Only permanent.

Got me, Cicero.

You free for lunch today?

I don't know, Harv. Every time I make a date these days, all hell seems to break

loose. Why don't we just wait and see how the day starts shaping up? You got

babe. This thing is hot.

Iggy, you're going to lose me.

Iggy? Well, that answers that question.

When Angel Martin starts your day, there's only one word for it.

Ominous. See you later, Harv.

Jimmy! It does not get any better than this.

Three calls this morning. That's three, big board.

Plenty of scratch -ready to Hancock corporations.

I'm not going to bore you with all the lames I had to click from the get -go.

Couldn't even get a seat on the L -tray.

Staphangers, you know the type. Like the espresso themselves, smooths a little.

Like the magic's going to rub off on them. Come on, jump in. We'll talk while

go to the lawyer. Angel, if you would listen to someone beside yourself, you'd

know that I have no interest in turning my life story or any part thereof into a

motion picture.

Not even if Clint Eastwood plays your part?

Clint?

There's interest, Jim.

Eastwood? I talked to his personal assistant.

It wasn't 45 minutes ago. I didn't mention to you that they called when the

first story ran. There was interest then, but not enough to close.

But with today's story, it's in the pipeline.

Today's story? You've seen it? Yeah, I got it right here.

Did they mention the fact that I was not working Booker's cases, particularly

that sexual harassment case against the police?

I didn't read it. I was just keeping it for the files. What do you mean you're

not working Booker's cases?

That's the whole basis, the raison d 'etre of the picture.

Angel, there is no picture. You got that? No picture. You're dumping a

friendship forged in the grim confines of prison?

Consider it dumped.

Compassion? Clint Eastwood? Nobody dumps Clint Eastwood. Considering the fact

that you invented his interest, I am certain that you can invent an apology

me. I threw my paper back there. I'm going to keep yours somewhere in the

seat there.

Where are you going?

I was promised a retraction. I'm damn well going to get it.

Jimmy?

Jimmy? Jimmy!

I'm stuck in the sand!

Your paper told me where to find you.

Do you have to pick a cop hangout? What?

You promised to print a retraction, Brianne. You broke your word.

I did not.

It might not be phrased exactly the way that you hoped, but I happen to think

that I handled the matter with subtlety, wit, and a certain amount of grace.

Well, maybe that's what threw me. The subtlety.

I've read this twaddle four times. I can't find it.

Third paragraph from the top, last line.

You gave me a whole line. It's a long line.

Yeah, Mr.

Rockford declines all praise for his selfless and devoted efforts on behalf

his friend.

That's it?

Mm -hmm.

That's not a retraction. That's not even close.

Well, what were you expecting?

Bold -faced type? Something outlined in black?

Well, at least it would have been appropriate. Do you have any idea what

doing to me? Do you care?

What is this?

That's for your expense report.

You got them for me? You can pay them for me.

This one.

Going 17 miles an hour in a 15 -mile zone.

I didn't need no radar registered at that speed. Of course, I got a couple of

them when I wasn't moving at all. Police harassment?

Is that what you're charging? Because it seems like it's open and shut to me.

No, no, no. Shh, shh, shh. I'm not charging anything at all.

I'm just trying to illustrate that... You know something? This has an entirely

new element to the mix and a damn good one. How many of these do you have?

Forget it. Forget it. I'll pay them.

You have no story sense at all, do you?

is exactly what I've been looking for. The abuse of power right here, right

And it ties in with your suffering in the early days of prison.

Which doesn't compare to the suffering I'm going through right now. What the

hell does it take to stop you? I'm sorry. It was never my intention to

any problems.

And if there's anything that I can do, I'd be happy to help. Print a

a real one. I am not working for the Citizens Committee.

Well, they have not issued a denial.

Well, maybe they think I am. Maybe they don't want to kill a story where they're

getting all this press. I don't know. They have their own agenda. But I'm not

working for them. I'm not out to sink the police.

The only thing I'm working on is trying to find Booker Hutch so I can beat him

to his knees.

Fine.

I'll run a retraction tomorrow, okay?

Well, good.

Today would be better than tomorrow, but I think I can low -profile it for

another 24 hours.

Perfect. And look what you did. Look what I did?

You know how much insurance costs for a kid my age? Hey, I don't get it for

nothing. May I see your license, please? My license?

Yes, sir.

Yeah, well, what about Crash Corrigan here?

I'm the agreed party. I was on the receiving end. Why don't you ask him

his license?

Better yet, ask him where he planned to park, on my roof?

Look, he backed into me. That car up there almost rammed him up front, and he

probably panicked and jammed it in reverse.

Panicked? Look at that.

I just got it out of the shop.

I'm driving along there.

Your license.

You're really going to write me up? I'm going to write him up, too. You'll both

have a chance to make your statement in court unless there's anything you want

me to add to my report.

For the record, I'm off the case.

Look, honey, I've got a 4 o 'clock open today, and that's it for the week.

Yeah, I'm giving Mr.

Scorsese first crack at it because, hey, taxi driver is my Bible. Can you hold

on a second, please?

So what did he say, huh? Well, you break into the meeting, what do you think

you're there for? Yeah, you're there to make sure that he doesn't miss important

calls like this one. Think about it.

Oh, mama, these folks never stop.

You still with me, honey? Good, good.

Now, listen, you tell him I see this as a holiday release.

Yes, he'll know what that means.

It means that we should have started shooting yesterday.

Now, you get in touch with me as quick as you can.

I'm going to keep him in first position, but I'm getting a lot of pressure from

the O's around.

Thanks a lot. Bye.

Did you talk to him?

What do you mean he can't come out of the meeting? Hey, Variety says that he's

looking to expand his slate.

Reporters got it on the front page. I mean, is this hype or is the guy

Because I'm sitting on a project that I consider to be a mega hit. Yeah, it's

got everything that Sly looks for in a picture.

Action, adventure, heart, social conscience.

You got a phone call on the bar.

I'm on the phone.

Take a message.

Yeah, sure.

As soon as I have you arrested for illegal parking.

Could you hold on for one minute, please?

Parking? I'm not parked. I'm stuck.

I'm moving it just as soon as Jimmy gets here. What's the big deal?

The big deal is I'm not an answering service. I'm a restaurant.

And you're not even a customer.

You've never even picked up the tab for a cup of coffee in here.

And you expect me to take messages for you?

That's the sixth call I've had today.

I'm just trying to keep all lines open. Just worry about keeping your own lines

open. Leave mine alone.

I'm going inside, and I'm hanging up. Don't hang up. I don't even know who's

calling. What?

Jimmy will never forgive you if you hang up. Oh, please. Hold on one second,

please. I'll be right with you. Don't hang up.

Jimmy, Jimmy, can you get that phone in your trailer?

And if it's anybody but Mel Gibson, hang up, because I don't want to tap the

lights. Ooh, that could be Tom Hanks. Put him on hold, Grinch.

I should have said Sharon Stone.

Hello?

You had me drive an hour and a half for this?

What the hell is the matter with you, Dixie?

Frank, it's Mr. Rockford. What the hell's the matter with me for letting

talk me into this? An hour and a half.

No, three hours, coming and going.

Just so you can have your picture taken in front of this cheesy trailer.

Oh,

give me the camera. Let's get this over with.

This makes no sense to me at all.

What are we doing here?

You read the article, too, Frank.

This is history.

The Boston Tea Party.

Washington crossing the Delaware.

Elvis going platinum.

Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

That is history.

This is stupid. I read it in the newspaper. It was published.

That makes it history.

Oh, I'd be so proud to shake your hand, Mr. Rockford. You know, the world is

running short on heroes. Please believe me, I am no hero. You can say that

again. The real heroes are the cops.

Hey, where are they in all this? They're holding their own.

Did you take that mail call?

No, I didn't even answer it. You didn't?

Would you stop giving up my phone number?

Well, it's not like you're unlisted. You're in the Yellow Pages.

Would you mind if Frank took a picture of us shaking hands and we could get the

trailer in the background? Or maybe move around so we could get a little bit of

the trailer and a little bit of the beach?

What are you still doing here?

I'm waiting for you.

I had a hard day, Angel. Hey, mine hadn't been bright lights and lollipops.

stuck. I need your AAA cards. Hey, it's the card, the car, or the couch.

Um, could you smile?

Not with any sincerity.

Hello?

Ah, Bree.

Jim Rockford. Yeah? You know that retraction you were going to run

Tie a can to it.

Well, I think I went into hostility overload this afternoon.

You see the looks I was getting in the arsenal?

All of a sudden, I'm Vlad the Impaler.

Well, I'm mad as hell, and guess what?

You're not going to take it anymore.

You got it. Maybe we'll just shake things up a little bit. I want you to

that I'm not only working Booker's cases, but I'm working around the clock.

with special interest to the sexual misconduct charges brought against two

members of the police department. Wait a minute.

You're saying that you want me to write that? With your signature wit and grace.

It's yours exclusively.

We'll come at this from a different angle. I don't see how I could make

any worse than they already are.

Well, I do. They can stop hassling you and start hurting you.

No way.

No, it couldn't happen. Nobody hurts a star.

Yeah, a friend of mine is shopping my life story around town. His name is

Martin. He'll be producing.

It'll be coming to the multiplex of your choice in the fall.

I want you to be sure that makes the column, too.

It's Jim Rockford.

We met sort of unofficially a couple of weeks ago when you made your complaint

to Lieutenant Becker.

You got a card?

Oh.

There you go.

I remember you.

Restrained trade.

That was pretty good.

So, uh, what can I do for you? And if it takes more than ten minutes, forget it.

Are you leaving town?

Yeah, we can, uh, maybe desert.

That's where your boy is?

What the hell is wrong with all of you?

None of you's got any business asking where he is.

He's a four -year -old kid.

You leave him the hell alone.

Oh, hey, take it easy, pal. I only asked because you, you know, I heard you

talking about him at the station. I saw that he wasn't here.

Look, you're going to have to leave, okay?

I got to pack.

You got questions?

I'm sorry. I don't got time for them. That's all right. You already answered

them. That's a lie.

I answered nothing.

Your son is not here.

So? That tells me that you're worried about him, about his safety.

You felt like you had to get him out of town.

Charging Hollis and Lopez with sexual harassment wasn't your idea, even if the

charges were true, which I doubt.

You're too smart a girl to get yourself involved in a mess like that. You were

pressured into it.

You know, everybody's got opinions.

You want to take yours for a walk around the block?

Pressure's not off just because your son is safe. I don't know who's behind all

this, Val, but when they find out that their leverage with you has left town...

You think that's going to make them a little nervous?

I've got to think.

Got to give me time to think.

Did you hear that?

Like a metal sound, like a metal door?

No, I didn't hear anything.

There's a door out back that leads to the alley.

That's how they come in. They never come in the front.

You want me to look?

Nothing, at least nothing I can see.

Yeah.

I don't know what to do.

Whatever it is, it's bound to be wrong.

Buddha is unforgiving.

Well, I think the first thing we ought to do is get you out of here.

Yeah?

Where am I going?

Well, that's up to you.

Train station, bus depot, hotel.

Or I could take you in for another heart -to -heart with Lieutenant Becker.

He's a good cop, Val.

If you're straight with him, he'll be straight with you.

If I read the signs right, you may need one of L .A.'s finest and the heat he's

carrying.

You mean you don't have a gun?

Sure, I have one. It's just I keep it at home in my cookie jar.

Huffman 187. Email Juan at 187.

I hate to be trite, but where am I? County General.

How you doing, Rocco? Huh?

Did you come by to finish me off or cut yourself a piece of the movie deal? What

are you talking about?

Breanne Lambert's column.

I gave her that item just for you. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist it.

don't know nothing about no column.

I heard about what happened to you on the news. Now, you got to believe me,

I never meant that you should end up in a hospital.

That beats dead.

Fortunately, I took the brunt of the trauma to the hardest part of my body,

head.

I'm sorry.

Sorry doesn't even come close to cutting it, Booker. Jim, I didn't want this to

happen.

I had no choice.

Hot, cold, up, down, paper, plastic, we all have choices.

You made one.

You figured my butt would look better in a sling than yours.

You suckered me into taking a case I still haven't figured out. And what's

worse, you used Letty to do it. Oh, now, Jim, this is between the two of us.

Let's leave Letty out of this. Not a chance.

It was your scam, but she's what made it work. Boy, too bad you had to miss her

performance. It was award -winning. She was crying real tears.

I figured you had about... Twelve and a half minutes to live. She wanted no part

of it, Jim, and that's the reason she was crying. She told me, she said,

my friend, I shouldn't do you like that.

And I tried to explain to her, I had no... Choice.

Yeah, we covered that.

I promised her I'd make it up to you. Well, fine, you can start by telling me

what the hell's going on.

I don't know.

Well, that's great.

All right, Jim, I'll tell you exactly what went down.

This guy Dudnick has an agency downtown.

He asked me, can he subcontract a case with me? And he made it sound like it

just going to be a... A repo?

A no -brainer?

Yeah. I didn't press him for details.

Now, the citizens' committee hired him on, and once he found out he was going

be taking on the whole PD, all he wanted was out.

So he signs me on and checks himself and the Cedars on an emergency nose job.

And when you find out, you dump it on me.

Well, that wasn't my first choice. I tried to work it.

I went to see Val Jagger, you know, the hooker.

Val? Yeah.

Did they mention her on the news? Did they bring her in here with me?

She was in the car with me, Booker.

I didn't know, Jim.

Police fished her out of a drainage canal early this morning.

Val? Oh, no.

No, jeez.

Oh, no.

She has a son.

Four years old. She stashed him somewhere to keep him safe.

He may never even know what happened to her.

You should have never gotten near her, Jim.

That's a mistake I made.

Damn near beat me to death.

Must have been six of them.

There's one guy, Cicero. Yeah, he's the one who was calling all the shots.

Geez, I'm sorry, Rock. I was scared to death. I didn't know what else to do.

Well, here's an idea for you. Why didn't you just leave town?

Do you have any idea what that would have done to my professional reputation?

It could only improve it. Oh, come on, Rocco.

Working for the Citizens Committee is the first uptown break I ever got. I

just walk away from it. No, no, just go ahead and drop it on old Rocco.

Well, you know, laying it off on you was kind of a compliment.

Besides, you're the only person I know who could come through all of this and

come out alive.

Well, let's the two of us just try to keep it that way, all right? We're going

to take what we got down to the station.

Hand it over to Becker. Get the police to start helping me instead of hassling

me. You could do him.

Why do you want to question Hollis and Lopez?

I got some questions for you.

Why aren't you in the hospital?

They make lousy coffee.

Okay. And why would Val Jagger have your card in her pocket when they fished her

out of the water? She was in the car with me last night. She was in the car

me when it was rammed. I don't know what happened after that because I got

knocked out.

But I was bringing her down here to the station to meet with you. Me?

Yeah, well, I think she wanted to get the trade on the charges she made

Hollis and Lopez.

It was an obvious frame.

Hold it. You're saying you agree that they were framed?

Ah. You didn't see that coming, did you?

She was a Buddhist.

She just happened to mention that.

So? So, I don't know.

Sort of surprised me, you know.

I don't know any Buddhists. Well, there's Richard Gere. He's a Buddhist.

I don't know Richard Gere.

Where are you going?

I'm going into Gage's office, I assume. He has to sign out on my interrogation.

Oh, and incidentally...

He didn't exactly say so, but I got the distinct impression that Booker figures

it for a frame, too.

Booker? I thought he was dying.

He had a miraculous recovery.

We're all very, very grateful.

Could we please get some decent coffee around here? Well, well, well, Mr.

Rockford. I thought they had you on ice down at County General.

I'm a fast healer, and there's something I don't think I should postpone. Do you

think you could arrange for me to have a talk with Hollis and Lopez now?

I'd turn you down if I could.

Ever since I'm the official representative for the Citizens

Oversight. Look, you call down the vice, tell them bring Detective Hollis and

Lopez over here now, huh? Right away, sir.

Becker.

Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt.

She's here to confess.

Not now, Sally. Maybe later, huh?

Oh.

Come with me.

What I want to know is if you've been on a case all along... Why did you spend

so much time denying it?

Oh, that made the column, too, did it? Good.

You know, I'm surprised you find time for such mundane things as investigative

work. What was your movie career?

I'm not actually going to appear in the picture.

What picture?

Oh, it's simply the story of my life. It's a fine story.

Confidentially, this can't leave the room, but they're talking Clint

He's very high on it. Clint Eastwood?

Here they are.

Sorry to put you through this again. This is Jim Rockford, this is Detective

Lopez, and Detective Hollis.

I don't know if you're aware of it, but I was here when Val made her complaint,

so I've heard her version of what happened the night of the alleged

Why don't you tell me yours?

We got word Val wanted to see us that night.

What do you mean, got word?

Threw another hooker, works the same beat.

We got verbal word, no telephone record, something like that. You ask her about

it today, she knows nothing about it.

Anyway, we show up, Val's acting real scared.

Afraid her pimp's gonna show, see us talking.

She tells us it's all a mistake, tell us to go.

But we don't want to leave her. This guy's a real snake.

We've seen his work.

Girl gets out of line, he likes to cut them up. And all the while, they're

taking pictures.

She's feeding us a story that'll have us do exactly what they need to set the

frame, grab her by the arm to keep her from running, follow her into the motel.

But, uh, we don't blame Val. He made her do it. Uh, this pimp...

His name wouldn't happen to be Cicero.

Yeah, yeah, that's him.

Little Cicero.

That's what they call him.

Do either of you have any idea why he'd want to frame you?

No. Excuse me, sir, we're due in court in ten minutes a case on appeal.

All right, that's enough for today. Just one more question, if you have the

time.

Do you have any idea where I could find this little Cicero?

If I were you, I wouldn't go looking for him.

But... If you have to, get to the street where he runs his girls or any strip

joint in town, for that matter.

Excuse us.

Well, it's one way to spend an afternoon.

You sure you want to go on with this? This is eight joints we've hit so far.

Everybody knows Cicero. Nobody knows when he's coming.

It's like we're getting nowhere. You invited yourself in on this, Dennis.

I usually work alone.

Not when it's official police business.

I'm only going to be about a half hour. It'll take you to be more comfortable

down there.

Oh, no, wait a minute. I'm going with you this time.

Dennis. Dennis. I'm the ranking officer. What the hell am I talking about

ranking? You are a civilian.

Dennis, would you look at that joint? Huh?

You think they're not going to make you the minute you walk through the door?

I'd like at least a shot at getting some information.

I'd also like to know that someone's covering my back.

Lap dancing don't start till 6 .45.

I'm not here for lap dancing. I'm looking for someone. I was told there's

customer here.

You need to talk to Mr. Bryant.

Is that the manager?

Manager, owner, the boss?

You know where I might find him?

In his office?

Uh... Which one is he?

The albino.

Albino? Yeah, you got a problem with that?

No, no.

As long as you have it.

Uh,

Mr. Brown?

I wonder if you could spare me a moment of your time. I'm trying to connect with

the gentleman who's supposed to be a regular here.

This hang got a fuzzy?

I don't know about that. He has a name.

Little Fitzgerald?

Well, he don't hang here.

Mr.

Brown wants me to walk you to your car.

Well, you thank Mr. Brown for his courtesy.

I've been able to do that on my own for years now.

Oh, hey, Dennis, you all right? Lock him.

You handled that really well. I'm going to make a point of letting Gage know

that. You've got something to crow about.

Am I crowing?

Well, when you bring him in next time.

Oh, there's a next time to this. Well, there has to be.

You know, I got that hit on the head last night. It jarred loose a little

of information that...

He didn't really fall into place until I saw him here today.

I wonder if this is drivable if I put a spare on it. Dennis, will you listen to

me? I don't know why I ever have.

Look, Dennis, he was driving the car that Ram does.

I saw his face clearly just before he hit. When you bring in little Cicero,

you'll be bringing in not only Val's pimp, you'll be bringing in her

Lieutenant Becker, Commander Gage will see you now. Thank you.

Lieutenant Becker, I'd like a word with you.

Yes, sir?

I'm aware of a serious problem we have in this department. Things are happening

that I know nothing about.

No kidding.

Do you know how I find out what's going on? No, sir. I have a copy in the

Danish, and then I read about it in the morning paper. And that's not how things

should go down, Lieutenant.

Sir, I'm on my way to see Commander Gage.

Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt, but I did, didn't I? I have to double -check

these measurements. I may be a tidge off.

Sally, can we do this another time?

Oh, of course.

Thank you.

You were saying, Captain?

Odd woman.

Great macaroons, but quite eccentric.

Sir, Captain Gage is waiting for me. We may have a break into Val Jagger

murders. Oh, really?

Are we going to hear about it before your newspaper friend?

Don't bother to deny it.

I know you've been leaking information to that Lambert woman, but I have

witnesses that can put the two of you together on more than one occasion.

Sir, Ms. Lambert is an acquaintance. She's also a reporter. Yes, she tried to

talk to me. That's her job.

And you told her what?

What the hell are you doing? Come by way of Panama? Get in here.

What did you tell her?

No comment. No comment?

That's not an acceptable answer, Lieutenant.

The no comment was not a no comment to you, sir. The no comment was a no

to Ms. Lambert.

Yes, sir.

Quick and to the point would be appreciated.

Another hour of paperwork and my wife still wants me home on time for dinner.

That after 28 years of marriage.

Yes, sir.

The bottom line is we have Val Jagger's killer. We don't have him physically,

but we definitely know who he is.

Little Cicero.

Well, you pretty much knew that when you went looking for him, didn't you?

Well, yes, sir. That was a gut instinct. But this is something that we can take

to court. An eyewitness who can put little Cicero behind a wheel of the car

ran Brockford and down the night of her murder.

Rockford? Yes, sir.

Why didn't Rockford say anything about this before?

Well, because he couldn't remember.

He had a slight concussion. Anyway, when he saw little Cicero behind the wheel

of the car that ran me... Rammed you?

Yes, sir.

Totaled? No, sir.

But I will need a loaner for a couple of weeks.

Detectives Hollis and Lopez are in my office now. And, uh, get Lieutenant

some wheels.

Well, we don't have all the answers, but we are getting closer.

You trashed department property, but you came up with an eyewitness, so I guess

that's a fair tradeoff. Of course, he's not an eyewitness to the actual murder.

Yeah, all we need is to get little Cicero with the smoking gun in his hand.

You will.

Jim, I'm so glad you called. I was worried sick.

Oh, there's no need to worry.

When I heard what happened, I called the hospital, and they said that you just

walked out. You can't walk out of the hospital with a head wound. Sure you

Can you believe how this story exploded? It's all in the wrist.

What?

It's all in the wrist.

Nothing.

Is your life always like this? I mean, I know it must be exhausting, but it

makes for great copy.

Now, I know that the papers have covered it, but that was really just from the

news side. I'd like to get beyond that. I'd like to get into the feelings, into

the moments, the intimate detail.

Like, do I wear pajamas or Chanel No. 5?

Forgive me if I seem a little over -dedicated to this project, but I'm just

high on it. And I don't want to jinx it, but I have heard the word Pulitzer

mentioned more than once.

Pulitzer. Wouldn't that be something?

Jim, what is it?

I'm sorry, Harvey Metzger. I didn't see him when we came in.

Didn't I meet him at the station the other day? Yeah, almost.

He's the only one eating alone in here. Would you mind if... If you asked him to

join us?

Jim, that would make for a really late evening. I have so much to discuss with

you. I mean, the story arc, the movie deal.

A movie deal?

Now... I don't want you to think that I'm trying to cut in where I don't

I was afraid that that's how it might appear, but my attorney assures me that

I'm on solid legal ground. Your attorney said that? Yes.

But the most important thing is our relationship. I wouldn't want to do

to jeopardize that, no matter how much money is involved.

What are you having?

The ahi tuna, I think. Would you excuse me for a minute? I just want to say

hello to Harvey.

Harvey?

Jim! Mind if I join you for a minute? For a minute? For dinner, you mean.

My treat.

Oh, well, thanks, but I... You know, I almost called you, but after all you

through last night, I figured, well, you didn't need a dinner invitation.

I'm sorry we didn't connect.

Well, it's never too late.

Look, I'm having the Dover sole, but Critch says the ahi tuna is a killer.

Yeah, well, that's what I'm having, the ahi tuna, but at another table.

I'm having a dinner -slash -business meeting, or I'd ask you to join us. Hey,

problem.

Rain check?

Oh, rain check for sure.

It's, uh... No, I'm with Breanne Lambert. She's doing that series of

Oh, yeah, yeah.

I almost met her at the station.

Almost.

Enjoy.

That was a fairly long hello. I was beginning to develop an abandonment

You seen Jim Markford?

Sorry. I'll be right back.

Oh, hey, Critch. What? Do you think you could stash him at an empty table for a

few minutes? Oh, Jim, we're coming up to my busy hour. You know, okay, that's a

few minutes. That's fine.

Yeah, and Critch, do you think you could ask her if she'd like to drink some

wine? Yes, yes, I'll take care of that.

I know what you're going to say, and I'm sorry.

It seems like every time I run into you lately, I gotta apologize.

It's getting pretty old.

But you didn't really expect me to go walking to some old police station under

my own steam. I had to split.

You can understand that.

But you're here for me now. To the wall, Rocco.

What are you doing? I'm watching for your nose to grow.

You think I'm lying?

I know you're lying, Booker. You read Breanne's article.

Your greedy little heart skipped a beat. Couldn't wait to get out of here and

see what your cut was.

I don't know nothing about no article. I'm here for one reason, only because I

owe you one. And besides, you got a real bad habit of rattling the wrong

people's cages.

Who knows what you're going to scare up? That's why you're here.

That's why I'm here.

Okay. You want to sit down at the table over there, and if you order anything,

you pay for it. I'll be back.

Would you mind... Why don't I say no, since yes isn't going to stop you.

Let me ask you something.

Do you moonlight as a greeter?

It's my first night.

Oh.

We slip a couple of people you do not want to see.

Like, how about Booker Hutt?

I knew he'd come crawling out of the woodwork.

He wants in on the action, right, huh? For nothing. He wants to cut himself

right in. Maybe.

Booker's not the type to drop in and ask about your health.

Well, yeah.

How you doing?

You look fine. You know what, Jim? Last night, that stuff, it's fresh.

I mean, that's worth a hundred grand, maybe even more. The thing you got to

in mind is every time you get dogged on, every time somebody trashes your car,

or even better, you, well, it just cranks up the bandit. I mean, every kid

jackpot city. Who else?

Who else what?

You said there's a couple people we're trying to space, Booker and... Breanne

Lambert.

Just keeps getting better.

You know, we ought to get a rule established here that from now on, you

talk to the press unless you clear it with me.

Now, that could make dinner a little awkward, unless you'd care to join us. I

don't want to get anywhere near that hooch. You listen to what I say. By the

time the night's over, that heifer's going to try and cut herself in on the

She already asked.

Well, you see...

You see the damage you've done? You tell me that there's no movie, then you tell

her that there is one. I mean, can we get a little coordinated here?

Angel, there is no movie.

I've got a letter out to Richard Sanning.

And Lily.

We'll talk about it later.

Okay, you ready to order?

I don't like to eat alone.

You're not alone.

Really? For how long?

Are you ready to commit to a salad or perhaps a salad and an entree? I've

apologized for the interruptions, Brianne. They weren't planned. I never

they were.

Have some wine.

It's very expensive.

I heard.

And we should order another bottle because I don't mind drinking alone.

You're not alone.

Excuse me. Jim, there's a phone call for you. You can take it at the service

desk. Oh, thanks, Critch, but would you tell whoever it is I... It's Dennis

Becker. He said it's important.

He wanted to know if you were sitting by a window.

I know.

You'll only be a minute.

Yeah.

There you are. Thank you.

Yeah, Dennis, what do you mean, am I sitting near a window?

What I mean is, don't.

I'm on my way, saw Hollis and Lopez.

Like it or not, you got protection. I've also got Breanne Lambert waiting for

dinner. Oh, great. Get her the hell out of there now.

Go home.

And don't forget to hit the cookie jar.

Are you telling me to arm myself?

What the hell's going on, Dennis?

I'm making my report to Commander Gage. He pointed out something that didn't

occur to either one of us.

That we didn't have to go after Little Cicero, that he'd be coming after you.

You're the only eyewitness that ties into Val's murder.

He'll want to kill you. Now move, okay?

Yep.

Brianne, we can talk rain check tomorrow, but right now you're going to

leave. What? Does that mean the dinner date from hell doesn't include dinner?

There's a certain urgency here. Yeah, I picked up on that.

I'll walk you to your car. I'm not going to my car.

That isn't a request, Brianne. That's an official order of Lieutenant Dennis

Becker of the police department. I don't care if it's an official order of the

governor. This has to do with my story, doesn't it? Well, where my story goes, I

go. Wrong. You want me to tell you what your choices are? You can go to jail or

you can go to your car.

Oh, really?

On what charges?

They can hold you for 24 hours without filing charges.

I call Dennis on his cell phone, he calls the Malibu station. I'll be over

10, 15 minutes. I don't suppose you have time to hear my take on your behavior,

but you can read all about it in my column tomorrow. It is heavy -handed,

paternalistic, and sexist. Let go of me! You listen to me.

Now, you weren't there last night.

It is one thing to read about it or write about it. It is another thing to

through it.

Now, one minute Val's sitting next to me in the car, the next I'm in the

hospital, and they're fishing her out of a drainpipe.

Now, these people play very hard ball, Brianne.

It'd be nice if I could keep you alive. Now, come on.

You said you were coming back, Rocco.

Oh, okay.

Rocco?

Yeah, yeah.

Sorry, Booker, but I'm a little busy.

Yeah, I figured you would be. Now, look, I'm here to back you up.

You want me to walk alongside you like everything's normal, or you want me to

cover your back?

You're not going to go, are you?

I made a special trip.

Okay, it's your call.

Angel, I'm sorry I left you in there.

You didn't forget about him. I noticed you walked out, walked right past me,

never said a word like I'm nothing, like I'm trash.

And after I busted my hump putting this deal together, I wrote to Richard

Zanuck, I wrote to Spielberg. You didn't know that, did you? Will you just shut

up and listen for a minute? No, you listen to me. You think I'm out and he's

Well, that's not how it's going to play. How it's going to play is I'm in and

he's out. Who's out? You're out. You're history. You'll never work in this town

again. You can't cut me out. It's just as much my story as it is his. Not

anymore. It's his story. You're a composer.

Both of you.

Now, look, I don't have the time or the patience for any of this. I gotta get

Breanne and get... What the hell's a composite?

Where the devil did she go? Breanne, Breanne!

Uh, Rocco, you might have noticed that I kind of bent the truth back in there a

little bit, just so you wouldn't think there was anything going on.

Hey, I read the article. I know about the movie and that, but that's not where

I'm here. I'm here...

To back you up. There is no movie, Booker.

Oh, sure. No movie, right. Who cares? Like I said, I'm here to back you up. We

cut this area into sections. We each take a third. You know, we do a complete

search on this thing.

Hey, Angel?

Angel?

Booker?

I don't like what's happening here.

You know, we're gonna have to get on the phone to Dennis, and we're gonna have

to do it.

Keep it down, will you? Not much porn, sir. They're gone.

Who's gone?

Well, Rockford, for one.

Not in a restaurant. He's in the trailer.

No, sir, he isn't. We check there first.

There's his pickup, and there's Breanne's car.

Damn, I told him to get the hell out of here.

Yeah, well, he did, or somebody did, because we can't find her either.

You're telling me she disappeared, too? They all walked out of the restaurant

together. Jimmy, the newspaper lady, the big guy Jimmy did time with.

You know, the one who's supposed to be dying. And then right after them, that

scuzzy little guy. What's his name? Angel. Yeah, there were no reports of a

disturbance, no sign of a struggle. That's right. They just walk out here

they're gone.

Like an alien abduction.

I don't know if either of you gentlemen have noticed, but a mistake's been made

here, a very serious mistake. And though I'm not one to personally hold a

grudge, I don't belong to this group. I mean, I don't even know who they are.

And though you may have a legitimate beef with them, then you'll have to do

you will. But see, I've got a poker game at 48's house, and I don't know if

either of you know how Sidney gets when you're late.

If I get hysterical, or if I faint, or if I do something stupid, I... You'll

us all to shame if it comes to that. If?

Well, fat lady has a son, in this case, the fat gentleman.

I said bring me him.

The guy that can tell you to bow.

What is this? Are you looked out of what, man? No, Buddha.

Buddha. See, he's got all of them with him and they want space.

It's like he's using them for protection.

Ah, but you can smart to let a trick like that stop you.

If you could read, you would know that the hole works for the Daily Bulletin.

The guy I asked for.

Nobody's gonna miss.

Now, we don't just have the cops.

We've got an amazing newspaper on our air.

Angel, sir, if I might have just a moment of your time.

I know by your blessed name that you're a man of Holy Spirit sent to aid and

sustain those who wish to follow in your blessed footsteps on the path to

salvation and enlightenment.

I myself am called Angel.

He told us he was going to play poker with Sidney Poitier. A game of skill and

simple pleasures, the money of which goes to the youth foundation of my

Which is?

Which is what?

Your church.

What is your church?

First EM, first church, southern Buddhist.

Throw some water on him or plant him.

Let's take you in. This cut's opened up again.

I'm fine. And you ought to have x -rays. I'm just fine. You wouldn't say that if

you could see yourself.

Said the lady working on a world -class shiner.

Really? You think so?

If I'd known that's all it took to make Abby.

Well, it does have a certain cachet.

Dennis, would you please tell him to go to the hospital?

Go to the hospital? No.

Mr. Rockman.

Lopez and I wanted to thank you. Hey, you guys were combat ready. I'm glad you

showed up. I think we were outnumbered. And make it, Jim, okay?

I just can't believe it's finally over.

We got our lives back, huh? Yeah, and the thing is, it was so simple.

Once we saw Buddha, it all made perfect sense.

Oh, and not to me. I wasn't thinking about Buddha being someone walking

.A. or not walking in this case.

Why were you thinking about him at all?

The night Val was killed, she was scared to come in and talk to you. I mean...

She wanted to, but she was scared.

She said Buddha is unforgiving. She had that right.

I missed a connection there, though. I was thinking Gautama Buddha, the

religion. Well, Lopez and I made the wrong connection, too. We were figuring

little Cicero for the frame. I mean, we didn't know he was Buddha's front man.

Had we known that, the frame would have made perfect sense.

Why? Well, because we had Buddha on a major drug deal, had him dead bank.

If we'd have got a conviction, he was going in and never coming out. He has

priors. I guess he had nothing to lose.

You gotta admit, it was a pretty good plan.

Dirty you two guys up with charges that make headlines, sexual misconduct.

They keep the heat on. By the time we got it into court, I'm sure they could

convince a jury that it was some sort of an attempted shakedown. They planted

the drugs on him.

Just a damn shame Val got caught in the middle. Yeah, but it made them look like

the two dirtiest cops in uniform.

Becker!

Yes, sir?

Becker!

How the hell do we get him out of here? Sir?

It's like moving a three -bedroom house.

Now, this man has been in prison. You find out how they moved him.

Yes, sir.

Good.

Becker.

Yes, sir? You all right?

Fine, sir.

Dennis.

Dennis. All right, look. Come over here.

Commander Gage wants me to do something. This is important.

I won't tell him you said that.

What happened? What's the matter? He's asleep.

Find someone to take him to the hospital before he wakes up. It's our only

chance.

Look at him.

He's sleeping the sleep of the just.

Or very, very tired.

Brianne, what was the name of this place again? Bracklin Hospital.

It's a private facility in Beverly Hills. I think you'll like it. If you

sun, there's a roof garden. I can't afford to stay in this hospital. They

personal shoppers, the entire fourth floor is a gym, and they have a great

sauna. I probably can't even afford to park my car here. You're not paying for

it. Who is?

The Daily Bulletin. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Do you have any idea what you

did for our circulation? Let me just get this straight. Is it exactly what are

they paying for? I told them it was the least that they could do. The room

and... Everything. Every phone call, cup of coffee, haircut.

Look at you.

You look worse than Booker. Yeah, well, I'm not as good a fighter as he is. I

got hit a few more times.

What happened last night?

When the smoke cleared, so had you.

I had promised Lettie that I would let her know that you and I got squared

Is that true, Jim?

She was a little worried about that. Booker apologized, and you accepted. I

you. I know you told me. I want to hear it from him.

Well, we had a nice long talk. I think you could say we came to an

understanding.

Wait till you see who just arrived.

Right this way, Sam.

Take it.

It's been pointed out to me that I neglected to thank you last night. Not

as well.

I probably couldn't have handled it.

Well, maybe you can handle it now.

I hate that department policy.

Well done, well done.

Yeah, I never thought I'd live to say it, but well done, Rockford. Maybe I'm

the bum I always thought you were.

Jimmy, it was his idea. He wanted to thank you in person. What do you say to

that? I'd say that's about the crabbiest thank you I ever heard. Jimmy, I got a

commendation. So did Lopez and Hollis. An official commendation. Part of my

record. I mean, I won't have to settle for a lousy thank you. No, you're saving

that for me. I got something that's going to make you feel better.

Sally. Sally.

Remember, I'm sorry I called you a disappointment.

I'm sorry I called you a disappointment.

And I wanted to make it up to you, so I made that. I thought it was okay by me.

Come on, Sally, I'll take you back to the station. Thank you, sir.

Come on, we've got to go. Bye.

Bye, Santa. Bye.

Jimmy. Hey, Angel, where have you been?

I don't know.

Hey, look, I'm feeling a little guilty about all this.

Let's just forget all about this motion picture business.

There's no deal. All bets are off. Hang on.

Hey, hey, the book bomb!

I've got to run. I've got a meeting on my new book. I'm calling it In the

Company of Heroes.

Oh, well, Brianne, that's very flattering, but I have to insist.

No, no, no. It's about the police department.

We got to split, too. I'm supposed to meet Denzel's people at the polo lounge.

Denzel? Washington. See, since you didn't want to do the film, me and

going to do it. You're doing my life story with Booker? No, they're going to

my life story.

You're a composite.

I don't think that long talk you had with Booker was quite long enough.

I'll call you later.

Well,

I guess I better be getting along, too. You got something to do?

No, I haven't had anything to do since I retired.

Or since Gwenny. Well, then hang around a while.

We'll share a little peace and quiet.

You know, I must say you're handling all this really well, Jim.

I couldn't help overhearing. Seems like everybody in the deal got something out

of it.

Except you.

I don't know.

I might have come out of this with the best thing going.

A good friend.

Pull up a chair, Harb.

Here we go.

I was thinking about the grilled

whitefish and a nice bright chardonnay.

It's showtime!

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