Original subtitles

I have to propose.

Propose?

Is it marriage?

What are you going to do? Hold the ceremony in jail?

I'm glad that's been said the best.

I hate to see you marry a criminal.

You are going to marry him, aren't you?

I don't know.

Let's roll.

Keep me posted.

I checked every enemy he could have made on the way up.

He just wasn't that bad a guy.

You know, it keeps coming back to why he was at the stable at midnight.

A girl's the only one with a horse, sir.

Morning, Detective Cobb.

Nick Maxwell.

Meet Earl Gaddis, homicide.

I understand you're inheriting his house.

Does that make me a suspect?

Then again, I've always been a suspect, haven't I?

It's no big secret that you and your brother didn't get along.

Frankly, yeah, I didn't like him very much.

Shrink said it was envy mixed with some sort of edible thing.

What was the problem?

He was successful.

I was a screw-up.

He saved his money, planned for the future. I was a propagate, never thought

about tomorrow.

Shrink says my father probably encouraged that.

Consciously, of course.

But Peter left you this house and half of his money.

Big brother thing.

He never quite gave up on trying to save me from myself.

But I'm sure he probably would have changed the will and left it all to

Stephanie.

But he didn't, which means I'm the only person to profit from his death.

Hey, guys, I'm glad I got what I got, but it wasn't me.

You think Stephanie could have killed him?

That's a good one.

Sweet little Stephanie.

The more I got to know her, the more I thought she could be the most ruthless

person on the face of the earth. But she didn't stand a profit.

Peter was going to call off the wedding, wasn't he?

Yeah, I think so.

Honeymoon reservation.

Supposed to have been paid for the week before he died.

Didn't pay.

My shrink would say that indicates ambivalence.

Possibly passive-aggressive behavior.

I'm screwed.

Completely and utterly screwed.

When a lawyer says that, the repercussions for the client are usually

severe. The damn sperm degraded.

Excuse me?

In the Keim case.

The cops managed not to lose the sperm sample taken from the body, so I took it

to a lab for DNA testing. I was sure, sure that a comparison would prove that

it wasn't chyme in the house that night.

You're fired, Bruce.

What? You're not dealing with secured paper here.

A man's life is at stake.

And you took this case for whatever reasons.

Because you believed he was innocent, you were interested in the civil

settlement to irritate, test, whatever. You took it.

You thought you had an easy win, but that didn't turn out to be the case, so

now what are you gonna do?

I suggest you get off your butt and find some evidence to exonerate your client.

It has been four years.

Did he have an alibi?

Yeah, but Tess convinced the jury it was one friend covering for another friend.

Do you believe his alibi?

Yeah. Then convince the jury to believe it, too.

I was asleep before ten.

Just like every night.

Mr. Packard likes his orange juice and coffee at six o'clock sharp.

How about Stephanie?

She likes it when she likes it. It's not my place to question.

You didn't hear her come home that night?

It seems to me I heard a car, but I don't know when.

And I don't know whose it was.

What's going on here?

I was asking your housekeeper about your daughter's whereabouts the night of the

murder. I thought that had been cleared up.

You don't know when she came home, correct?

I went to sleep early, Detective.

Stephanie was a little too old for me to be checking in and reading her bedtime

stories. Well, so she could have come home at 10, like she said. Or she could

have come home at 1 or 3 or... Not at all, right?

Well, one doesn't require Sherlock Holmes to figure that out.

Surely she's not under suspicion.

Mr. Packard, until we arrest someone, everyone is under suspicion.

Thanks for your time, man.

You like your work?

You like horses.

So where's marriage rank on your hip parade, Meg?

Momentary chemical imbalance. You wait it out, it goes away.

Any other necessary treatment?

Spending sufficient time together to realize that men and women are two

different species who were never meant to live together.

How about love?

I'll be right back.

Saved by the beeper. You know it.

Well, I've got to take a rain check on dinner.

Call me if you free up.

I expect to see each other.

Well, evening, everybody.

Nice of you all to come.

This is serious, Cobb. Why, I certainly hope so.

Mr. Packard has confessed to killing Peter Maxwell.

And Sombro will be representing him.

Early to bed and early to rise, huh?

Three weeks, Peter.

Your timing is a great deal to be desired.

Well, I'm sorry, Jim.

I just thought it might be better to get out now than set up for an expensive

divorce later on.

Stephanie loves you. I don't love her.

Not anymore.

She's an attractive liability for a man like me.

You're dumping my daughter for your lousy third-rate political career?

With my dad's cash and my charm, I anticipated being first-rate in short

order, provided I'm not tied to a drag anchor like... Bastard, I can buy and

sell your father just like I can buy and sell your career.

First thing will happen.

campaign contributions will fall off and the press won't feel quite so friendly

towards you.

There are things to discover in your past that will be very... Son

of a bitch!

You don't like this defendant either, do you, Cobb?

Oh, I like him better than I do Tommaso Lopez.

Joe Maxwell and his friends.

want James Packard to fry in the electric chair. James Packard's

supporters, which includes his lawyer, wants him to walk scot-free.

We have a confession.

Put him in jail.

Can't do it.

Not with a claim to self-defense. Has to go to trial.

My only witness is a horse, Arthur.

Maybe you'd like to depose him for me.

And I'd be a lot happier if there was some physical evidence placing Packard

at the equestrian center.

Look around.

I've already looked.

Look again.

Okay. Maybe I'll sweat the horse. After all, he threw Maxwell.

Might be a motive there.

What's going to happen to my dad?

I guess he's going to trial. That's what he wants.

And you're going to be helping the prosecution? It's my job, Stephanie.

And we shouldn't be discussing this.

Maggie Zombrow is your girlfriend, huh?

I checked it out. You're people, right?

Don't you think it's a conflict of interest? No, it's not, Stephanie. Trust

me.

Go home.

Rest.

Don't make this any tougher than it already is.

Defense calls Christine Vallotta.

Objection, Your Honor.

Sufficient notice wasn't provided for this witness.

Defense only became aware of this witness in the past 24 hours, Your

Honor.

Approach.

I don't like fancy defense tricks, Counselor. They annoy me because they

usually amount to nothing.

So how important is this witness's testimony?

It will absolutely exonerate my client, Your Honor.

That's a pretty big claim. May we have a little hint as to the nature of this

testimony? The witness is here only to authenticate a photograph.

This isn't making it for me, Mr. Kaufman. Your Honor, four years ago,

Robert Keim offered an alibi.

Ms. Kaufman convinced the jury to disregard that testimony.

Well, I have found a picture that proves he was at the Harsworth Machine Works at

the time of the murder.

Let's see it.

Why wasn't this brought forward at the first trial? The defense attorney did a

lousy job.

I dug.

I found out there was a photographer at the plant that night taking pictures for

a year-end report. I looked at every negative she had.

Your Honor, the people request a 15-minute recess. You can't break this

test.

Could we avoid enacting family feud here?

Recess granted.

Meet me in my office, please.

I'm dropping the charges against Robert Kine. Oh, come on, Tess.

Can't you let me put up my witness? Can't you just let me win one?

I thought I just did.

I told you I'm dismissing the charges against your client. I know what this is

all about.

You just can't stand the thought that I might beat you in open court, that the

great Tess Kaufman might lose.

I lose plenty of them.

When did this become a contest between us? From the day you started divorce

proceedings against me.

I've made some mistakes, Tess, but I was a good lawyer. I am a good lawyer.

I'm not just a screw-up, Tess. I've got skills, I've got abilities, I've got

feelings. Read my lips, Bruce.

You did a good job.

You won.

You're a terrific lawyer.

I said I'm dismissing the charges against your client.

Okay.

Really?

Yes.

Okay.

Well, I can die happy now.

Why is that?

I finally worked a case that embodies a cop's life. Ah, hell, Earl, you're just

a passive observer.

You want to experience this stuff, you really got to get down in there. Got

something here.

Looks like real gold.

Why don't you bite it and find out.

Time to celebrate?

I just need somebody to celebrate with.

Poor Bruce.

Isn't professional satisfaction enough?

I thought you were a good lawyer.

You were supposed to get my father out on bail.

People always get out on bail. How could you not get my father out of jail?

Ms. Kaufman made a powerful argument, and it can't be denied your father let

an innocent man stand accused of a crime he committed.

Sometimes a judge just likes to make an example of somebody that has nothing to

do with the merits of the case.

Bruce Kaufman.

Associate with the firm.

I'm very scared.

What if he doesn't get off?

We're going to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen.

The problem with these cases is that it's up to a jury to decide. Yes, but it

was an accident. People will understand.

Hey.

Stephanie is concerned about the outcome of her father's bail hearing.

Triandos was being a hard ass.

You two obviously have plans.

Yes, we do.

Stephanie, come by tomorrow. We can talk some more.

I don't have any plans.

His work invaded my personal life.

I felt violated and betrayed at the deepest level.

And this made you want to end the relationship?

I never wanted to see him again.

Without discussing it? Dickie, I was so mad at you, I couldn't see that there

was anything to discuss.

Sounds like strong anger.

Well, when it comes to being violated, I lose sight of mitigating circumstances.

How about now?

I accept that you were doing your job.

And that he didn't mean to hurt you.

Sounds like your work has the potential for constant conflict. We're on opposite

sides of the law.

So to speak.

Not to mention the hours you must put in.

Beepers, phone calls.

Am I on the right track?

It's a common problem these days.

Couples working too hard. No time for their kids, no time for each other. Some

people get used to it.

Some people even like it.

Have you ever been on vacation together?

Just left the work behind?

What was that?

I just got scared.

I mean, when people go away together, escaping can be difficult.

Oh, maybe we need to explore that.

Oh, no, no.

I haven't bought it up.

You'll give me an answer when you're ready.

Let your work suffer.

I want to be more important to you than your work.

And so would I.

I thought we resolved all this two nights ago.

No.

I've never been married.

I would say your ex-husband is the big loser.

Tell me, Tess, whatever the answer, I'll survive.

Yes.

I'll marry you.

When I presented the pen to Mr. Packard, he admitted that it was his, and he went

on to volunteer that he

must have dropped the pen during his struggles with Peter Maxwell.

Thank you, Detective.

Oh, Miss Kaufman, wait a minute. What are you saying? Whatever it is, the

court would like to hear it.

Um, I was just inviting her to lunch.

Make dates on your own time, detective.

Ms. Albro.

I have no questions, Your Honor.

The witness may step down.

So, what's the deal here?

Pallet to pallet.

Yeah.

I remember when I told my parents.

My dad, he said hello.

My mom.

She just cried.

No girl is ever good enough for mama's little boy.

Hey, I'm going to hate it if you leave, Tess. I mean, what am I going to do?

Be Darren Burke's investigator?

I mean, really?

You think it's likely?

How's his family going to take him living in America?

They might move here.

Hmm. Well, that should make things easier, or, I mean, as easy as things

can be with in-laws.

Hey, you're the one getting married, Des.

It's not required that everyone join you in this suicide pact.

No way.

Mr. Hollis, until 1988, you were owner of Hollis Gaskets, is that correct?

Yes, it is.

And was Stephanie Packard an employee of your company? For a brief period in

1987, yes.

How did that come about?

My company was a supplier to James Packard's lawnmower engine business.

He asked me to give Stephanie a job when she dropped out of college.

What type of job?

Sales rep, calling on accounts.

He thought it would give her more of a real-life experience.

And how did she do?

Your Honor, I must object again to this line of questioning.

Gaskets and sales reps have no bearing on this case.

Mr. Hollis' story speaks to the character and the behavior of the

defendant, especially where his daughter is concerned.

Objection overruled, but move it along, Ms. Count.

Mr. Hollis, how was Stephanie Packard's performance as an employee?

I had to fire her after three months.

Why was that?

Failure to keep appointments, not being prepared when she did, and just a

general attitude that it was all a meaningless game.

When in fact it was your livelihood.

Was is right.

What happened after you dismissed Stephanie?

Mr. Packard was very upset and he canceled his account with me.

Then in the next six months...

I lost my ten best accounts in my business because of pressure from him.

Objection, Your Honor.

This is scurrilous hearsay.

The prosecution will happily produce the witnesses should the court wish to take

the time.

Witnesses who will testify to Mr. Packard's capability for well-planned

and ruthless action against someone who refused to put up with his daughter's

irresponsible behavior.

Would you like the witnesses, Ms. Zombrow?

No, Your Honor.

Then I'll leave Mr. Hollis' comment on the record.

Nothing further.

Mr. Hollis, did Mr.

Packard ever threaten you with bodily harm?

No, ma'am. As far as you know, did he ever do anything illegal in persuading

people to take their business elsewhere?

I guess not.

You guess?

Not as far as I know.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

You think Hollis did much damage?

A little.

Juries are sensitive to issues of character.

We'll counter with our own witnesses.

I'd like to start with you.

Why me?

Show the jury we're confident, have nothing to hide.

I'll just lead you through the events of the evening.

Is there anything you haven't told me?

Anything we need to review?

You're the attorney. You tell me.

What is it, Constable?

Well, I still don't understand why you asked Peter Maxwell to meet you at the

stables at midnight.

Well, I wasn't in the most rational frame of mind.

An out-of-the-way place, no one around, perfect opportunity for foul play.

Frankly, you seem too intelligent to have picked a place like that.

Maybe that could work to our advantage, huh?

I was riled up acting stupid.

Are you trying to convince me or yourself?

Look, I was upset he broke the engagement.

And I didn't want to make a fool of myself in some public place.

Maybe it is stupid, Miss Zombrow.

But fathers do stupid things where their children are concerned.

I can't produce a videotape.

But I didn't mean to kill him.

I don't know, Zombrow.

You had me right where you wanted me.

Helpless. Alone on the witness stand and you didn't take advantage.

I frequently have you where I want you.

And I prefer to pick my moments.

How's this one?

Promising.

Oh, I don't believe it.

Yes, Cobb, and this better be important.

Yeah, I'll be there.

Stephanie Packard is in the emergency room.

How unfortunate.

She wants me there.

I gotta go.

Wouldn't a doctor be better?

Meg.

I know this is a pain.

Okay?

She's alone.

And she just got mugged.

You don't have to justify being a nice guy, Dickie.

This won't take long.

Good.

I don't want you to miss the moment.

Listen, I really... I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

I still don't understand why you called me.

Sure you do.

Stephanie, you gotta get a hold of yourself.

You do not go walking in that part of town alone at night. You just don't do

it. I wouldn't do it. I lost track of where I was.

I could not get my mind off of that Mr. Hollis today in court. How dare he

slander my father?

Forget about it. Just try to stop thinking about it. Get yourself some

rest.

You won't come in?

Three o'clock in the morning? No.

No, I won't come in.

You can sleep here, in the guest room. I promise you I won't bother you.

I just don't want to be left alone tonight.

You're not alone.

See?

Evening, Miss McCurdy. Morning.

How you doing?

Detective Cobb?

Come in here, child.

Let's get you to bed.

Detective Corbett, resume.

Oh, Asher. Hello. It's been a while.

I understand you're legal now.

One can always count on governments to do the expedient thing.

And engaged.

Congratulations.

You mean it?

Yeah. Yeah, sure I do.

You're a lucky guy.

I know.

How about her?

That remains to be seen.

She's happy now.

Her happiness is important to me. Sounds like Big Brother is going to be looking

over my shoulder.

Oh, yeah, even if you move to another city.

Does that bother you?

You know, I don't have so many friends that I can afford to lose one, Asher.

But like I said, her happiness is important to me.

I'll safeguard that.

You have my word.

Richard! Stephanie, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that?

Because I didn't think you'd talk to me otherwise.

I gotta go.

Where?

Maggie's on Rose.

You really don't like me very much, do you? Not the point, Stephanie.

The point is I'm seeing somebody else.

And what if you weren't?

Listen to me, okay? You're an attractive lady.

Another time, another place, who knows? But it's not real, Stephanie.

And it's crazy to think about it, okay?

Now you're calling me crazy?

No.

What I'm telling you is I gotta go, okay?

There's a major conflict of interest when my father's defense attorney is

sleeping with the prosecution's investigating officer.

Interesting.

And how did you arrive at this conclusion?

Even Richard, Detective Cobb, said that he was on the other

side.

The professional code of ethics prevents me from discussing my cases.

Therefore, I don't perceive a problem.

It would be best if you and Detective Cobb stopped seeing each other.

This is one you can neither charm nor buy, Stephanie.

Mr. Packard, how would you describe Stephanie's state of mind?

She was distraught.

Peter had just broken their engagement.

Rejected her in a very cruel manner.

What did you do?

I gave her a sedative, got her to bed, then I called Peter and asked him to

meet me.

I was a little distraught myself.

And he agreed to meet you at the house?

Yes, at 11.30.

Would you tell us what happened?

We talked.

It started out civilized enough, but then became angry when...

He became furious.

He started at me, and I grabbed the pitchfork, and then...

Then what?

I'm not precisely sure. I was tense and highly adrenalized. He was threatening

me physically.

I must have jabbed too forcefully, because the next thing I knew, he was on

the floor with the pitchfork in his throat.

I panicked and left.

And you're telling this court?

that you had no intention of killing Peter Maxwell.

Absolutely not.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

Why the stables, Mr. Packard?

I wanted a private place.

Wouldn't Peter Maxwell's house have been private?

I was worried the conversation might be taped.

His family is very careful that way.

What about a restaurant or a bar?

I didn't want to make a scene in public.

You mean you didn't want to kill him in front of witnesses?

Objection, Your Honor.

I withdraw the comment.

Mr. Packard, it must have made you very angry when your threats didn't change

his mind. I believe I've said that already, Miss Kaufman.

Yes, you have.

And when you're angry, especially to someone who has crossed your daughter...

You become terribly vindictive.

Objection, Your Honor. This is ridiculous. Let me address that.

You're not a parent, Ms. Kaufman. If you were, you would know that parents often

go to extremes for their children, especially fathers for their daughters.

To the extreme of murder?

No, to the extreme of attempting anything to prevent them from being

hurt.

I have a few things I have to finish at the office.

What do you want to eat?

Well, I thought I would surprise my kitchen and cook.

Surprise me, too?

Oh, no.

I think I'll just move along.

I have an infelicitous effect on the young lady.

When do you want me?

About eight.

You know, it's not required that you save everybody, Dickie.

Excuse me?

Just what I said.

Did you know Tess was getting remarried?

Yes.

I heard it from Donald Mervis.

I learned from Donald Mervis my ex-wife is getting married.

Is there anybody other than me who doesn't know Tess is going to remarry?

I believe there's a letter carrier in Missoula who doesn't know. That's not

funny, Maggie.

I feel like a boob.

And why is that, Bruce?

She was my wife.

You were expecting her to ask for your blessing?

Well, no, but I mean... Does anybody know this guy?

Has he been checked out?

The test could get in trouble rushing into this. Like the last time.

Would you shut the door, please, Bruce?

No, Bruce.

I need to talk to you.

I'm worried about the James Packer trial.

This is news.

You worry about all your cases, Maggie.

Something is wrong.

At least the guy's sincere. That's the best thing you've got going for you in a

case like this. No, no. I could move heaven and earth to find that piece of

evidence that would clear him. But I get a very strong impression that this

client doesn't want a spade full of dirt moved on his behalf.

The guy has got his story.

Let him stick with it if that's what he wants. His story may send him to jail.

His story?

His choice.

You having dinner?

With Asher tonight?

Then to the rabbis.

Rabbis?

You're not getting married, are you?

Counseling. Oh, counseling.

Fine.

I thought I was your rabbi, Tess.

See you tomorrow.

Oh, yeah.

I'll be here.

Stephanie could be the most ruthless person on the face of the earth.

How can you just spring this on me?

Spring this on you?

Stephanie, we've been talking about this for months.

You won't change, and I'm tired of waiting. I ended it with Tommaso.

Oh, right, until you start with the next one.

You know, that isn't it anyway, Stephanie.

You act like an idiot.

You always liked my high spirits.

You thought it was cute.

Four years ago, it was cute. Now, it's pathetic.

It can still change.

You won't change.

Listen, I'm sorry, okay?

But I've got to get on with my life and my career.

I'm not going to see you anymore.

Stephanie, put that down.

Do you have any idea how you make me feel?

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... Damn it.

You brought it on yourself.

No, like, nothing.

Like, zero.

Like, zero means nothing at all. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?

I'm sure I don't.

Oh. Expecting someone else?

I guess so.

I wonder who... I want you to leave.

What is this about?

Evening, Stephanie.

I'm just visiting my father's attorney.

You wouldn't say I have a handgun in that bag, would you?

It's for protection. I was mugged. Do you have a permit to carry it?

Are you going to arrest me?

Yes, I'm going to arrest you, Stephanie.

But not for carrying a concealed weapon.

Don't. Don't.

Stephanie. Stephanie?

Much easier on you.

Let it go.

Dinner's a little cold.

You don't feel that way, do you?

You knew, didn't you, Meg?

I suspected.

It's not often I have an innocent client.

Did you ever stink at mission?

You used your key.

Yeah.

It seemed like the right moment.

You ready?

I have to.

It's something that I am best suited to handle. I can't let them down.

I am quitting.

This started almost a year ago.

Things develop sooner than I anticipated.

There's no time to train someone else.

No, no.

Our marriage won't be like that.

I have to do this.

But then I'll come back, and I swear I will never leave you again.

Be careful.

Come back to me.

You're right.

Have it had a better offer.