Original subtitles

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What I've tried to do since I signed on here as administrator is to cut

operational costs to the bone.

No pun intended.

Without reducing health care.

I think if you examine these grids, you'll see the figures bear me out.

To put it simply, gentlemen, this hospital is a no -nonsense operation.

Morning.

Who was that?

Head of internal medicine.

You're late.

The car wouldn't start.

Why don't you get a new one?

I don't need a new one. I just need for this one to run.

Besides, that car happens to be a collector's item.

Oh, really?

What does it collect besides dust?

Come on, come on. Is Nick Osborne here?

No, he's canceled.

Again.

Can I borrow your car after class?

Sure you can, if you can find my brother and get it back from him.

I'm waiting for you.

Iatrogenic.

Doctor -induced. A medical condition induced by a doctor.

It could be from prescribing the wrong medicine, ignoring the symptomology,

from unnecessary surgery.

Now, how does it happen? Well, some doctors make wrong assumptions.

They see their patients as cases rather than people.

And as some of us know, a case is something you put cans of beer in.

Bill?

All right, let's try a practical example.

Jack, could you come up here, please?

You all know Jack Parker, a resident in internal medicine.

Jack is one of our most promising diagnosticians.

Jack, will you have a look at this guy and tell me what you think?

I would say from the pallor of his skin, the blueness around his lips, he died

of asphyxiation.

Thank you, Jack. Okay.

Death by asphyxiation.

Now, there's only one problem with that.

Herb?

I didn't say he was dead.

Meet Herb Brennan, one of our kitchen staff and a very, very good sport.

Thank you very much.

Let's hear it.

Jack, I'm sorry to have done that to you, but I think we all know that if

could make that mistake, I could, we all could. So the point here is never, ever

assume.

Thank you.

Jack, I hope you really didn't mind.

At least I didn't have to play the court.

Well, if I'd used one of those two, it would have seemed unfair.

No, Mark, Mark, do not feel guilty.

Doctors aren't supposed to feel guilty. This is why we have malpractice

insurance. Is that why we have it?

Look, will you cover my rounds for me? I have to set up that physical for Nick

Osborne. Oh, he finally showed up.

Not yet.

The exercise helps a lot, but be sure and check with your doctor, though.

I think a low -fat diet helped a lot.

Eric, I don't know how to break this to you since you obviously just stepped off

a space shuttle, but advertising dollars are very, very soft now.

Very soft.

What are you doing?

No, not you, Eric. I know what you're doing. You're trying to bankrupt us.

Eric.

Eric, there's no further discussion. You fire them. You pay them 50 cents on the

dollar, right?

The other 50 cents is all you've got to replace them with.

Now, have you got that?

Good.

Yeah. All right.

Yes, I'll see you later.

TV people.

No concept of money.

Depends.

145 over 90.

Not high, hmm?

I promised your mother I would take care of you.

You're going to get your physical today, whether you like it or not. Oh, you

won't get it on me.

Well, here you are, a group president of Cord Enterprises, all hypertensive.

Successful.

Every year you've been here, I've seen your blood pressure go up.

It's the cost of doing business, Mark.

I'm putting a lot in, I know that, but also, I'm very close to the payoff.

Two more years, I'm out of here.

That's what I'm afraid of.

Well, you're really out to get me today, aren't you?

I don't want to lose you, Nick.

You're the only guy in the Wednesday night game who'll draw to an inside

straight.

Shall we?

Good

morning,

ladies. Good morning, Mr. Coyle. I changed your hair. I like that. Thank

Give me Frank Stevens, Anita Clifford, and Eric Walker in that order, please.

Yes, sir.

Frank, I'm sorry to call you out here. I just didn't know what else to do.

Thought we had this problem solved.

Well, the last doctor we got out here won't come back. He says he can't

prescribing uppers just to keep our star in front of the camera. I have $25

million stuck in this film. Now, you get another doctor.

You buy one if you have to.

All right, David, the plan is scene 22.

We're making a change. Cell phone, Mr. David. Not now.

Mr. Court.

Hi, Stephen.

I'll hold.

Hello, Russell.

I can't right now. I'm just... Here, I'll be right there.

Present tense in the publishing business is the bottom line.

Something we all have to pay attention to.

And you never take anyone to lunch.

Lunch?

You know, Marvin, where people sit together, sometimes actually eat, but

importantly, sign authors whose books make a profit so that we can publish

like these, books that bring romance, scandal, and weight loss to thousands of

people.

Clifford, I wouldn't know how to do that.

You had better learn in a hurry, Marvin.

Yes, Anita Clifford.

Hello, Russell.

Oh, well, I'd like to, but it's pretty crazy down here, so I can't... Yes, I'll

be right up.

On day two, we'll deal with nutrition and exercise geared especially for the

couch potato war.

On day three, we'll take an in -depth look at male menopause. Fact?

Send a memo to Clark and tell him to fire her.

The facelift doesn't help.

It just makes her look desperate.

And get rid of the weatherman.

The one with the hats.

Clark doesn't like to be told how to run his department.

Tell him the decision has been made.

Osborne is giving me a problem about Moneyberry. I have to deal with that.

Yeah.

Just a moment.

Mr. Walker, Cord wants to see you pronto.

Oh, that sounds like fun.

Mr. Walker's on his way.

This is very bad news for you.

If you'll examine those agreements, you'll see that I'm not only selling off

your divisions, but each of you is going to forego all compensation, stock

options, or severance pay.

That's a joke, Russell.

It needs a rewrite.

This is outrageous.

Why should we go along with something like this?

I was hoping you'd ask that.

Where is Dr. Sloan?

He's with a patient. Shall I have him call you?

As soon as he's free.

He's with a patient?

Oh, yes.

I didn't get that combination.

You got it? You practice it.

Isn't that what most doctors do?

Practice.

Well, Mr. Sims, I think that'll do it for today. I'll have Hester check that

dressing for you.

Hester, would you say to Mr.

Sims... Hello. Look, I am sorry about this morning. My car broke down. Wait a

minute, wait a minute. What was going on in there?

Mr. Sims, he's a burn patient.

And that explains why you were tap dancing?

Absolutely, yes. See, he couldn't pay for my services.

And had no insurance.

So I kind of worked out a barter system.

I always wanted to learn to tap dance.

I have a staff meeting. We're not finished with it.

Talk to you later. Please do.

Fine -looking woman. She sure is.

See you Friday.

Okay, but keep at it.

Mark, what are you doing?

I can't get these steps.

What do you want?

Your patient, Osborne, just bailed out on a stress test.

What? Yeah, he got a call from his office. He had to take off.

Now, let's get this straight, Russell.

You're going to sell the movie operation, the publishing company, and

network.

It has to be done, Nick.

I need the cash for some important acquisitions. Do you?

And it doesn't occur to you that when you sell the group, there's no longer a

need for a group president? That's me, Russell.

This sale's going to cost me everything I ever worked for.

It's all but done.

I'm making a confirming call to my buyers tonight.

Wait till Stevens, Clifford, and Walker hear about this.

They've been told.

You already told them?

That's right.

How could you go behind my back like that? Those people report to me.

I put up with your arrogance and abuse for 15 years, and this is the payoff?

I expect you to be gone by the close of business tomorrow afternoon.

Otherwise, I'll have your personal effects crated up and shipped to you.

Now get out.

Is everything all right, Mr. Corey?

Couldn't be better.

Yeah. Yeah, the connection's perfect. You people still have the best

Yeah, of course we still got a deal.

Just have to clarify a couple small points.

Now, look here.

Lawyers will take care of the language. We just have to agree on the dollars.

All right.

All right. Forget I said dollars. Let's just say the value of my personal

equity.

Never seen you like that before.

Yeah.

Yeah, sure. That'll be fine.

See, I'm not that hard to deal with.

You and I don't have that much.

Take care, Mr. Court.

He's got a sprained neck, contusion on the right side of his head, and a

possible concussion. Is he conscious?

Yeah, he wants to see you.

I'm going to be fine.

I sure messed up my physical.

Mark, Russell Cord was murdered.

I didn't get a good look at who did it, but I chased after them.

Come hand me down.

I've got to talk to the police.

There's a couple of cops outside.

Be right back.

Why don't you go ahead and take five? I'll take over here. I'm going to wait

the doctor to come out.

Osborne's under sedation. I'd rather you didn't talk to him right now.

He didn't get a good look at who did it, but he'll tell you what he can in the

morning. We're not here just to talk to him.

We're arresting him for murder.

In fact, if you don't find anything, call me anyway.

I'd rather be poking around here than back there doing paperwork.

These days, everybody gets murdered in Triplett.

Give me a couple shots of this area over here, will you, Jim?

Nothing fancy, just trying to keep it in focus.

Phil, I want that ME report as soon as it comes out.

Sign up by tonight, just have them send it over to my house, okay?

Now,

here's our medical advisor.

Half an hour late.

First time in two years on the job, my car's not running.

You come to work dressed like that often?

I'm going straight from here to batting practice.

Is this what you called me down here to look at?

Yeah. Found it in the bottom door of his desk.

What's it for?

Evidently, Mr. Corden was injecting himself with nandrolone.

Steroid? You know, before Corden was paralyzed in that Grand Prix accident,

was quite an athlete.

It could be that bulking up made him feel better about himself.

But why was the kid in the bottom drawer?

I don't know. Why not? Well, there's nothing else in there.

See, Cord was in a wheelchair, and it would have been very awkward for him to

use that bottom drawer.

And that's why everything else is up here.

You know what I think? I think that whoever was that killed him probably put

there.

See, see, there's a lot of... We have got our killer.

Who I happen to know is a friend of yours.

Nick Osborne did not do it, Keith.

Can you prove that? Because we can prove he did. You find the hit -and -run

driver that ran down Nick Osborne, you've got the killer.

We've got an APB out on the car, but even if we find it, I don't know if

going to help your friend.

What's what?

The garage attendant says he has never seen anybody here driving a black Jeep

Cherokee. Well, yeah, he told me that, too.

You know what, you look awful. Are you eating enough?

Three times a day enough for you?

Got a date Saturday night?

No. Do you?

Dinner's on me.

What does the points bet on the Raiders?

I'll give you three points.

That's just a bet, son.

More than anything, I like taking your money, Dad.

You just find that hit -and -run driver.

First, you have this threatening scene with Cord, witnessed by his secretary.

It wasn't that threatening. Let me finish.

You run from the scene of the crime.

If you hadn't been struck by the car, they figure you would have gotten away.

And last, but by no means least, they find the belt Cord was strangled with

beside you.

Can't you see this is a frame?

You know, it's all circumstantial. Nobody actually saw him kill Cord.

I think we should talk privately.

I have no secrets from Mark.

Okay. The D .A. is willing to cut a deal.

But I didn't do it.

That's not exactly irrelevant, but close.

A jury could go either way on this one, and I don't like the odds.

Plead me not guilty.

You got it.

I'll be in touch.

Doesn't look very good, does it?

Besides yourself, who else had a motive?

It had to be Frank Stevens, Anita Clifford, Eric Walker.

All of them stand to lose if the company were sold.

Were they the only ones who had a key to that executive elevator?

Yes. Why?

Short arrows down the field, isn't it?

Why don't you tell me about them?

How do I get you to go out with me?

Let's say dinner.

Let's say tonight.

Jack, I don't want to marry a doctor.

I'm just asking you to dinner.

It starts with dinner.

You think if you can find the right buttons to push that I'll fall for you.

Okay, okay, fine.

What do you want?

I want to be an outstanding coroner.

A coroner?

I like working with people.

Amanda.

Yes? Those buttons that you mentioned, where are they?

Jack.

Hmm?

You're fogging up my slide.

Hi.

Did you have any luck getting the medical examiner's report on that cord?

Right.

Meet me in front of Cord Plaza at 8 o 'clock.

You got it.

What are you two doing?

Investigating.

Wait a minute.

Wait, wait, wait.

It's really not a good idea, you guys. If you're right, there's a killer

around somewhere.

I appreciate your concern, Jack, but I've got to try and help Nick.

I don't believe he got you involved in this.

It wasn't his idea.

What are you doing here?

Well, you didn't really think I was going to let you come out here by

did you? Are you an expert on these matters, some talent I don't know about?

Well, let's just say that I grew up murderous and all that kind of stuff.

Well, what a surprise.

Just thought you might like some help.

I've got Nick's executive key card. Let's go.

I've checked the switch for print.

You know how to do that?

I'm a regular crime stopper. Didn't the cops see that?

No, they didn't. They were convinced they already had their murderer.

I want to have a look in those desk drawers again.

Something is missing.

Oh, here's his address book.

Look in there and see if you can find the name of a doctor who might have

prescribed those steroids.

I still don't understand the significance of the steroids.

I'm not sure.

I'm still wondering why the killer, Put the kid away.

No prints on the switch.

Well, the killer obviously wore gloves.

Let's ask the police who turned off the lights after the murder. It certainly

wasn't Nick.

I got three doctors here. I don't know any of them.

I can check them out in the morning.

Well, let's not hang around here too long.

Who was that?

Frank Stevens.

Head of Kord's movie company.

You know him?

No, but I've read a lot about him.

He's always in the paper with a new girl on his arm.

I sure would like to know what was in that file he took.

Well, maybe we just got lucky and found our killer.

Maybe. Never yet, maybe not.

Who said it was easy?

that you wanted on court? Yeah.

The steroid level in him was so low that he couldn't possibly have injected

himself that night.

The bottle and syringe were empty.

Where'd the steroid go?

You think it's important?

I don't know.

Listen, ask Steve if they found any solution on the floor by the desk.

Oh, listen, my car won't be out of the shop till five.

Could you drive me out to see Frank Stevens about 30 minutes?

Pick you up in front?

Thanks.

Hey, hey, hey. Where are you going?

I'm looking for my friend, Jimmy Kruger.

Uh, Jimmy left.

He's okay, though, with just a leg bruise.

Were you working that windshield -washing hustle with him?

Yeah. You know, if people don't want that done, you should just leave him

Jimmy's lucky he only got knocked over.

Okay, I gotta go.

Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute.

You run all the way from downtown?

Just from the bus stop.

You had this breathing problem before?

Yeah, for a long time.

When you run, does your chest thump?

Yeah. Ever faint?

Once, about a month ago, but not for long.

Can you give me something to fix it?

Maybe. You need to talk to your folks first.

Yeah, well, my old man took off.

Where's your mom?

She's out of town for a couple of days. She sells stuff door to door. Any other

relatives? My grandma, but she lives in Central. Look, can't you just give me

something? Well, if you stay here a couple of days, let us check you out.

Stay in the hospital?

Yeah. No way.

Hey.

If we got cable TV, I can even get you a VCR.

Food's not so hot, but I can bring you what you want.

Is this serious or something?

I won't kid you, son. It could be.

That's why you should let us look into it.

But you could fix it, right?

Hey, if it needs fixing, that's what we do the best.

What's your name, son?

Paul. Paul McKinney.

Uh, Paul, could you go sit over there for a sec?

Are you nuts?

You can't admit this, kid. You so much as take his temperature, his mother can

sue you with the hospital, and you could lose your license.

Jack, unless I'm wrong, he could have a mitral valve problem.

Congenital, probably, but it's getting worse.

And we've got to run some tests to see for sure.

He could die running for a bus.

What mother wouldn't want me to do this? Mark, what if she doesn't?

Well, I don't have much choice, do I?

Yes, sir. Yeah. Listen, get me a bed for Herman Johnson.

White, male, Caucasian, age 35.

Yeah, I know.

I'll explain later. Thank you.

Kate Hamilton's going to kill you.

What if she doesn't find out?

Well, okay. I think we're going to get you fixed up, Bo.

to arm across.

You get here, go down.

Got it?

Excuse me.

I'm looking for Mr. Stevens.

He should be here in a minute.

Who are you?

Oh, I'm Dr.

Mark Sloan.

Oh, thank God. Would you come with me, please?

I'll wait right here.

What seems to be the problem?

It's our star, Lyle Markham.

Won't come out of his trailer unless he sees the doctor.

We lose hours over this every day, so see what you can do for him, will you?

Oh.

Are you the doctor?

I'm one of them, yeah.

They're killing me, Doc.

Nobody cares what happens to me.

The hours, the pressure.

It's brutal.

Are you under a doctor's care?

No. These local quacks?

No offense, Doc.

They won't listen.

I've got to have someone to pick me up.

I'm exhausted.

Just give me something to get me going, okay?

Help me through this nightmare.

Excuse me.

Do you have a company nurse here on the set?

Sure. Would you send the nurse in here a moment, please?

Thank you.

I know just the thing.

You an actress?

No, I'm hoping to be a coroner.

You're cute.

You know, my daughter -in -law's a great fan of yours.

I don't suppose she could get an autographed picture.

Sure, just call my secretary.

Okay, let's do it.

Hey, I don't want you. I'm not too good a shot at this.

hell is that?

Doctor's giving him a shot.

Okay, let's make this movie.

All right, people, we're ready to roll. Let's go.

Uh, Mr. Stevens?

Mark Sloan. Oh, yeah, send me a bill.

No, actually, I wanted to talk to you about the cord.

Uh -huh. What's that to do with you? I'm a medical advisor with the police

department. I'm looking into the case. I, uh, just kind of use it.

Like what?

Well, like the night of the murder. Were you in the building?

No, I didn't see anything. I'm sorry.

Were you there last night?

Yeah. I worked late.

Why do you ask?

Oh, it's not important.

Where were you the night of the murder? Oh, wait a minute.

Nick Osborne has already been arrested for the murder.

I'll tell you something.

I don't have to answer your question.

No, that's true. You don't. But, Mr. Stevens, I gave your star a placebo.

Sterile water. You wouldn't want him to know that, would you?

I was screening a picture of my house, and I was alone.

So the projectionist wouldn't have known if you slipped out. That'll have to

hold you, Doc. Really.

Any more information, just contact my lawyer.

Right now, I have to audition this young lady for a very important part in my

life.

I'm being discovered.

What?

Here's to... To us.

Oh, I am so sorry. I am so embarrassed. I really...

I am really so sorry. And spilling champagne, it's bad luck, isn't it?

Not today. No, it won't be today.

I'll just go change.

Really, I'm very sorry.

tidying up.

What a good girl.

Let's try again, shall we?

Why not?

Yeah?

Oh, hi.

No, things are going okay.

Oh, well, no, I might have this one little problem. I've got this nosy

who keeps asking a bunch of questions.

No, I can't come to me.

No. DePaul's Winery.

Eight o 'clock.

Yeah.

Okay. Right.

Now why do I get the feeling I'm a bad piece to that?

Jim.

Where'd you go to school, Caesar's Palace?

Mark? Amanda, where have you been?

Stay here.

What is the matter with you? This man could be a murderer.

I can't have you chasing around after... Mark, I'm okay.

And listen, I did a little snooping around his place.

There were no suspicious files, but he does have a black Cherokee.

I'm not sure where he keeps it, but I'll try to find out tomorrow.

There's not going to be any tomorrow.

I don't want you taking any more risks.

So what kind of an audition was that, anyway?

Why, Mark, I don't think I've ever seen you quite so paternal.

I'm not sure, but I think I like it.

Oh, also, right before Stephen sent me away, he got a very mysterious phone

call.

But don't you want to know where he has a secretive meeting tonight at 8? Okay,

okay, okay.

In front of DePaul's winery.

Keep an eye on him till I get back.

Oh, by the way, he cheats.

Tell me something I'd like to hear about my money.

Oh, you're going to get paid everything I owe you. Because my Phoenix operation

is going fine. I don't care where you get the money, Frank.

I've been patient with you, haven't I? Oh, you're covered. Not to worry.

I might have to ask for a little help on something else, though.

You tell me you can take care of your own problems. Yeah, I can. I can, except

this doctor, he's giving me a little bit of a problem. He's been asking around

the office, and now he's collared me, and he's asking me about my alibi.

How you been?

Amanda told me you were here. I came to get you out. What a funny way to do it.

I'll explain later. Come on.

Don't tell me. Let me get it.

You're the nosy doctor I keep hearing about.

That sounds like me.

So just where you got my son into here?

Son?

I decided to take my mother's name because I don't want anything to do with

I spent a fortune on him.

Best schools.

Nothing was too good. And this is how he repays me.

Well, maybe I'll be able to make up for some of what you've done.

Who are you to judge me?

Somebody should.

Uh, I'd like to speak to your father alone for a minute.

So, anyway, just what was it you wanted?

Mr. Foss, I'm trying to prove that an innocent man has been framed for Russell

Cord's murder.

How has that got to do with me?

Frank Stevens.

Is he into you for some pretty heavy gambling, Des?

He's nosy.

Yeah, what if he is?

Well, it would give him a strong motive for murder. Look, let me make it easy

for you.

The night Court was killed, Stevens was with me, losing a lot of money.

Does that satisfy you more by curiosity?

For now, yeah.

You know, by the way...

Your son is a very good doctor.

You should be proud.

You okay?

Yeah, yeah.

You saw a patient who was a heavy smoker and noticed he had clubbed fingers.

What would you think?

Possible lung cancer.

Jack, if your father is seeing a doctor, he should be.

Yeah.

I'll tell my mother.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Thanks.

No. I have no idea what that means.

Whatever it is, it's very important to Frank Stevens.

There. You're officially discharged.

First we go downtown for the arraignment. Bail is all arranged. Then

home. Now remember, don't overdo it. Take it easy. I'll keep you posted.

Mark, thank you very much.

I haven't done anything yet. Just nosed around a little.

What can you tell me about Herman Johnson?

Who? One of Dr. Sloan's patients.

Admitted yesterday.

Caucasian male, age 35.

Ah, you better ask the doctor about him. He doesn't always tell me everything.

How long do I have to wear these things for?

Just till tomorrow, so we can monitor you.

Yeah.

to Mr. Johnson yesterday?

Now, he hasn't been in his room, and the floor nurses are very evasive.

Johnson. Herman. Very puzzling case.

Did you try radiology?

Our accounting department says his insurance carrier never heard of him.

Well, our people got onto that one pretty quickly, didn't they?

Could it be that you told him to double -check all my admissions?

Now, why would I do a thing like that?

I don't know what you're up to, Sloan, but I'm going to find out.

Bye.

Did you find Paul's mother?

No, but I'm still working on it.

Keep an eye on him for me, will you? Okay.

Pardon me.

Do I know you?

No, I don't think so. I'm Dr.

Mark Sloan.

Oh, is this about the weight loss book, The Ice Cream Diet?

No. No, I'm here about the Accord murder.

I'm a medical advisor to the police department.

You people have my statement, and I'm very busy.

Yes, you are. Your secretary wasn't here. I answered the phone for you. Oh,

took a message.

A Mr.

Walker call.

I'll see you right away.

Thank you very much, Doctor.

No problem.

Now, if you will excuse me.

I understand you were once a registered nurse.

That was a long time ago. What about it? Were you aware that Mr. Cord was giving

himself steroid injections?

Of course not.

Who told you I was a nurse anyway?

Nick Osborne.

Just what's in that little bag of tricks, Doctor?

I am trying to help Nick Osborne.

Forgive me, but what Nick needs is a good lawyer.

Well, could I just ask you a couple of questions?

I'm sorry, Doctor. I've got an appointment and I'm going to be late.

Were you in the building the night of the murder?

No.

Were you?

Is there a problem?

Stevens is getting nervous.

What does he want us to do?

Let's move up the schedule in Phoenix.

I think it's a bad idea.

Who are you?

Dr. Bruxell.

Come with me.

I don't have your name down here. Nobody ever tells me anything. Just stand

right over here, please.

That's right. Right on the mark. Yep, yep. We're going to wire it up here.

Put this in here.

Put this little guy on right there.

What is happening here exactly?

Just try to relax.

What's that for?

Pointing.

Teleprompt is right there on the camera.

Roll tape.

Weatherman test.

Dr. Mark Sloan. Meteorologist in three, two...

High tomorrow is expected to be in the 80s. No kidding.

Sorry. Fair skies with sunshine for most of the basin.

You really should remind people not to get too much direct sun.

Yeah, we'll do that.

And now, looking at the map... There's nothing up here.

It's chroma key. Doctor, just read the copy, please.

We have a low -pressure system moving across the western states.

Now, how do I tell? I mean, shouldn't I be pointing or something?

This isn't going well, is it?

Should I come back some other time?

Cat, that's a good idea, Doctor.

Thank you.

We'll let you know.

All right, come on, people.

All right, let's do it.

Come on, folks.

Hi,

it's me.

Hi, how's it going?

All three of them are up to something, and that's for sure.

Listen, Stevens just invited me to his place in the mountains for an overnight.

What? Don't get nervous. We can go together. He gave me directions.

It's probably the place where he keeps that black Cherokee.

Well, look.

We should go up to Stephen's cabin before he gets there if we're going to

for that car.

Can you pick me up in front of the court plaza? See you there.

Great. Bye.

Dr. Swan?

What? No, it's okay, it's okay. Our microphone.

Oh, sure.

Thank you. Thank you.

The three of them were involved in something called Phoenix, whatever that

Checking Osborne now?

Never heard of it.

I thought there was supposed to be a caretaker.

Don't see anything.

Take a look around. Yeah.

That's it?

Well, you can't examine it from out here.

What do you suppose that can't take, babe?

Lunch.

Why don't we try that roadhouse we saw about a mile back?

No, you go. You go. I'll stay here in case he shows up.

You sure?

Will you go?

Now, you look like somebody who's waiting for somebody.

You got that right.

Are you waiting for me, Mama? We are worth waiting for.

Now, you see, you're not answering.

Let me. Not yet, baby.

You know, I think we should take her to the circus.

Excuse me.

Excuse me. Coming through, please. Coming through.

Came as soon as I got the call.

Gentlemen, I'm a doctor. Please give her a little air.

You never know when you're going to come upon one of these.

One what?

Monotoxicosis.

Oh, look at the color of those eyes.

It's a good thing I got here when I did.

You didn't let her touch you, did you?

No, man. Oh, that's good.

It's a very, very rare disease, but one thing we know for certain, it's highly

contagious.

Oh, listen, could you give me a hand, would you, please?

Gentlemen, gentlemen,

please!

Mother, thank you very much.

For me, I love roses. It's nice timing, thanks.

This is Tom, the caretaker. Oh. Miss Bentley. Hello. How do you do? I told

gentleman that Mr. Stevens wouldn't be here till later and that maybe you

both come back then, but... But I insisted.

Tom, could... I have the keys to the tool shed. I need to look at that car.

Well, I can't imagine why, but... All right.

Well, I'll be inside.

Thank you.

Dad?

Dad, you have got to stop this. You have really got to stop this. You could have

been killed.

Steve, please.

Look, I know you're concerned.

I appreciate it. I really do.

This is important.

What has to happen before you'll stay out of this?

Steve, the killer is covering his tracks here. We could have proven that Nick

was struck by that car.

Are you saying Frank Stevens committed this murder? Either him or somebody

driving his car.

Dad, you don't have anything to support that. Not yet.

Please, go back to the hospital.

Cure somebody and give up on this.

Steve.

Giant agree?

Why not?

What happened here?

Somebody wanted a barbecue.

Who invited you?

He's with me.

Oh, I see. You're a setup. Is that it?

That was the car that hit Nick Osborne.

Don't look at me.

Anybody else have access to that car?

I loaned this place to a couple of friends of mine. And who they are is

your business.

And you, I'm very disappointed in you.

I really liked you.

Now get off this property.

What is odd?

Frank Stevens couldn't have known I was coming up here to look at that car.

How could anybody else have known?

Of course.

You know, you really should remind people not to get too much direct sun.

And now, looking at the map.

Well, it's a little rough in spots, but you have a certain angular charm.

That's why I'm here.

Oh, I can guess why you're here.

Still sniffing around trying to save Nick Osborne.

That's right.

And a very strange thing just happened to me.

Somebody who obviously wants to stop me from investigating the murder knew I was

going to Frank Stevens' cabin.

And I couldn't figure out how they knew.

Then I remembered.

I was wearing that microphone.

When I made the phone call, somebody in the studio could have heard my

conversation, couldn't they?

You're quite a Sherlock Holmes, aren't you?

Not quite.

Nice -looking family.

I see your kids are about the same age as Anita Clippers.

Let me make this easier for you.

Doctor, I was at a taping when Cord was killed. However, I could have slipped

out of the building, killed Cord, and gotten back before I was missed.

What do you think?

Wouldn't rule it out.

Very good.

You actually think like a detective.

Are you on staff anywhere, Doctor?

Community General.

Well, that's a good hospital.

All my kids would want at that hospital.

Mr. Walker, this is Barry Donovan, a VP in Drama Development.

And this is Mark Sloan, your real -life crime doctor. You should use him as a

consultant for the series.

I'm late for a taping.

We just made a pilot about a crime -solving doctor.

Oh.

You know, Conan Doyle based Holmes on a Scottish doctor. Oh, I know that.

I'm a medical advisor with the police department myself.

Yeah, that's exactly what our character does on the show.

Oh, really?

Oh, that's interesting.

Let me ask you something.

What if this crime -solving doctor of yours needs the answer to a question?

Now, he's a medical advisor to the police department, but he's not a police

officer.

And... He's in an office and he needs some information.

How does he go about that?

Well, this character is very resourceful. Oh, that's good.

And very engaging. Oh, even better.

Now, say I'm this crime doctor and you have access to some information that I

need. Now, how do I get it out of you?

Oh, you just charm me.

Or con me into it.

Oh, I don't think I could do that.

Sure you could. I don't think so.

Just ask me a question in a really offhand way.

Oh, offhand.

Okay.

I just suppose you could tell me what the word Phoenix means around here,

you? See, that's terrific.

It's very low -key, right? But you see, it wasn't a very tough question.

Phoenix is the name of the market research company that Mr. Walker uses on

confidential basis.

But you knew that, right?

Oh, sure. Just an example.

So that's kind of the way this character would work, huh? Yeah.

What do you think?

I like it.

I like it a lot.

Good morning.

That remains to be seen.

Dr. Sloan and I need to confirm.

Now, before you have a coronary, I want to show you something.

Look at your glasses.

I've been monitoring his heart.

Now, this is Dr. George Eckstein's opinion.

Mitral valve disease.

He has to have surgery or he could die.

Now, Eckstein is ready to do the replacement the minute we get the

okay. But you're putting me and this hospital in an impossible situation.

You can't let him walk out of here and die.

And neither can you.

you had better find his mother and fast.

I had no luck on the mother.

Paul, we had a very serious problem here.

You need heart surgery right away.

But your mom has to approve it.

What's wrong with me?

Well, look here.

See that right there?

That's the mitral valve.

Now, because yours isn't working properly, the oxygen in your blood isn't

getting through to the vital organs.

So we have to give you a new one.

It's done all the time.

And if you don't?

Your heart could stop.

My mom's a hooker.

She works in a bar on the marina.

The outrigger.

Got it.

You okay?

Just wondering how she's going to take this.

I got the phone number of this Phoenix company from information.

The guy that answers the phone won't give me the address.

You what? Yeah, I'm not kidding. He said that all their business is done by

referral.

Who did you try? The Corporation Commission?

I tried the county business tax office. I tried the Chamber of Commerce. Nothing

is listed.

It is very strange.

Yeah.

Well, how's your dad?

My mother said he went in for some tests.

You know, Jack, maybe you should consider making your peace with him.

Yeah, well, I'll think about it.

You're a pager.

Hey, maybe we should page Phoenix.

What? Well, if we can't get to them, maybe we make them come to us.

Yeah? Pick up at Walker's office.

11 sharp.

Are you Susan Blankenship? Yes.

Boy, am I glad to find you. I've been all over the building looking for you.

Was there a problem? Susan, you have no idea.

There's been a foul up in records.

The computer ate your file.

We didn't even know where you worked.

What does this mean?

You're going to have to go down to accounting and throw out a whole new set

-4s. Oh, so you're not really busy today.

Well, if you can't go down there right away, I can't promise you a check this

Friday.

Mr. Walker doesn't like me to leave the office when he's not around. That's all

right. I'll cover for you.

Oh, thanks.

Oh, don't worry. Take your time.

Well, I know what she told you. Believe me, she tried the same thing with me.

But you know what I said to her?

Hold on.

Can I help you?

Pick up Profini.

Yes.

So anyway, I said, don't tell me what you told him. Just tell me what he said.

Oh, no.

Good luck.

Pardon me. Pardon me.

You notice there are several cars in the parking lot.

I didn't see anybody go out or come in.

Not even during lunch hour.

Let's have a closer look.

Hi there.

Boy, I'm glad to see you.

Yeah? You have no idea.

Who are you?

Jack Parker. What can I do for you?

Well, actually, I was sort of hoping to see the sales manager.

I know I don't have an appointment. We're not selling anything.

Oh.

Uh, well, how would I hire your company to do some consulting work?

We're not taking on any new clients.

Business is that good, huh?

Looming.

Uh, well, I'm very disappointed.

Thank you very much.

Anytime.

I got Stonewall. What about you two?

Well, I noticed two of the cars had flat tires.

The license renewal stickers are all over a year old. Obviously props.

Why the charade?

Well, maybe it's the front car drug operation. Or money laundering.

Stevens has got gambling debts.

Clifford and Walker are both facing pretty expensive divorces.

Who knows? Maybe this is the answer to their problem.

Sloan, Esther found the boy's mother.

Where is she? In your office.

What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with him. Come on, Mom,

just forget it. Mrs.

McKinney, we've run a series of tests.

Paul needs a heart valve replacement, and right away.

Wait a minute, wait.

You ran tests on my kid? That's right.

Without my permission?

This is an emergency.

Who says it's an emergency? You? Come on, Mom, let's just get out of here.

it, hold it, hold it. Maybe I should call a lawyer, huh?

Mrs. McKinney, may I talk to you for a moment?

Please?

I want you to sign these release forms.

Why should I?

See if I can guess your price.

Hey, don't look down your nose at me, lady.

I don't do this because I like it. I don't care if you're on the Supreme

You're supposed to be that boy's mother.

If you take him out of the hospital, he's going to die.

Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.

I've talked to our lawyers, and if that happens...

It's negligent homicide, and I will personally see to it that the police go

after you.

Maybe you don't care about that boy, but we do.

What makes you so sure this will do it?

Surprise me.

Pick a card.

Okay.

Four diamonds.

How did you do that?

Here are the signed forms.

You can tell it's time. We're ready when he is.

Where's my mom?

She had to leave.

How did you get her to change her mind?

Gentle persuasion.

You're not going soft on me, are you? Don't be ridiculous. I'm just looking

after the best interest of the hospital.

Kate.

Thanks.

Well, come on, Esther. I'll take you to your room.

You scared?

A little.

Yeah. Look, if I promise you, everything's going to be okay.

Will you stop cheating at gin?

Sure. The way you play it, I don't even have to cheat.

Get out of here.

Time to make the call.

Yes, Sergeant Steve Sloan, please.

Here goes nothing.

Right here.

Yeah, this had better be good.

Steve, I am convinced that Stevens and Walker and Clifford are running some

of illegal operation based in there. And I think it has something to do with

Cord's murder.

We can't go in there. I don't have a search warrant. And I sure as hell don't

have probable cause.

That's not entirely true.

Because if I'm wrong, you can arrest me for breaking and entering.

Dad, you can't do this.

How do you like that?

They're up to nothing.

Well, I think we're about done here.

Something is going on in here. I know it.

I just know it. Dad, can I interrupt?

Sure, bud.

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You can't

be serious.

You have the right to an attorney.

Steve, Dad, please.

You can't afford an attorney.

Steve

said

I'd find you down here.

That's not all he said.

I hope your son never has to read you your rights.

No fun.

Now, there is a loose end we never did tie up.

Ready for some big news?

I've had the entire accounting department on this, and here's what we

uncovered.

The Phoenix Company has billed over $2 million in the past few months, and

that's to all three of the divisions, publishing, movies, and TV. So, if Cord

had lived to sell the company, the audit would have exposed them.

We can show how each division was billed.

All the DA has to do is subpoena their bank accounts to see where the money

went. That's a great idea. You just create a phony company, you bill Cord,

you're home free.

But it still doesn't put us any closer to figuring out which one of them killed

Cord.

You know, maybe we're closer than we think.

Hello, Nick.

Anita. Well, this is something of a surprise.

I suppose it is.

But I just wanted you to know that I'm back on the job.

Really? Isn't there the small matter of your trial?

Well, my attorneys have every confidence that I'm going to be vindicated, and

they felt it was important that I return to work.

Well, I can understand that.

Nice knowing you're here.

Thanks.

I appreciate your support.

Oh, don't forget.

You signed up for the blood drive?

I just gave.

Blood in the middle of the downstairs.

Just taking one look.

You're next.

You wanted to see us.

Oh, I want to see you all right. I want to see all three of you in jail.

And you know what?

I'm going to.

There's all the evidence the D .A. is going to need to open up your bank

accounts. Cord found out what you were doing, so you killed him.

Well, I've heard enough.

You're not getting away with murder.

You're not going to lay this on us.

Whoever killed Cord...

was injected with steroid from this syringe.

This particular steroid stays in the bloodstream for days.

And your blood samples are on their way to the hospital lab right now.

Let me count it.

Let's flip it.

Funny. I didn't think it would be you.

I would like to audition a whole new group tomorrow.

We've had quite a few names already here. Maury, there are people in this

who will just tell you what the weather's going to be like and let it go

that. We'll find them.

I don't know how to break this to you, Sloan, but I just don't believe you as a

weatherman.

Actually, I just came to give you the news.

We just caught Anita Clifford at the hospital trying to fix the blood

You mean she killed Cord?

Sure looks like it, doesn't it?

Well, I guess you can never really tell what a woman will do.

Is she in custody?

Well, she's with the police right now.

You know nothing of this.

No, I'm as shocked as you are.

I probably shouldn't say any more now, should I?

I mean, I don't want to make this any more difficult for her.

You bastard.

Anita?

You did it.

And I can prove you did it.

For God's sake, Anita, don't you see what they're trying to do?

I'm going to tell them exactly how you did it, darling.

Okay.

When we first met, you said you'd been to the hospital several times.

Were you afraid you'd be recognized there? Is that how you got her to go to

hospital for you?

I don't think I'm going to say any more except to my attorney.

I'm sorry.

You know, the irony of it is she didn't need to switch the label on your blood

sample with Stevens.

The steroids would have been onto your system anyway.

They only last six hours.

By the way, I got the idea from you.

You know, you were very lucky this time. You can say that again.

This isn't going to become a habit. Oh, absolutely not.

Why don't I believe you? I don't know.

You sounded pretty convincing.

Oh, by the way.

Steelers and Six, you're on.

Mark, what's the best way to say thank you? Yes.

I'm glad you asked.

Just go through that door over there and take your stress test.

Done. Thank you.

Doctor, this patient requested a consultation from you. Thank you,

Check.

Okay? Yeah.

I'd like you to speak to this patient for me.

Hello, Jack.

Dr. Sloan says you want a second opinion.

That's right.

Yeah, well, uh... You know, I looked at your x -rays.

And, uh... I got to agree.

I think the tumor's inoperable.

You can cut the crap with me, Jack.

Six months tops.

I could have gone to any hospital

I wanted, you know.

To the biopsy on his father.

I'm sorry.

Let's take him to dinner.

Mark, you know I have a rule about dating doctors.

That's with only one doctor. There'll be two of us.

You go invite him to dinner? Yes.

I see that our young patient is making a splendid recovery.

Oh, he couldn't be doing better.

You know, Paul told me that somebody arranged for him to go live with his

grandmother. That's nice.

You wouldn't have any idea who did that, would you? I wouldn't rule out any

suspects, Doctor.

Buy you dinner.

Okay.

Terrific. We'll join Jack and Amanda. Pick you up about eight.

Sloan, don't get any ideas that some casual fraternization means that I've

changed. I'm still on your case.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'll give you your medicine.

Got it right here.

Ah, good.

Look, I got a problem.

I cannot get this combination right. Now, what am I doing?

Um, try that again.

And stop.

I think I know what the problem is.

Try it this way.

Sally wants a dog ball.

Sally wants a dog ball.

Sally wants a dog ball.

Starling, the bomb.

Of course.

I think we're onto something.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Starling wants the bomb.