All language subtitles for The.Closer.401.HDTV.XviD-0TV.Eng

Sergeant Gabriel, priority homicide.

I'm just looking for someone.

She's right there.
I'll be one second.

Excuse me. No, just one second.

The winds changed.

Fire's coming this way.

And we have company outside.

Okay.

Pardon me.

Excuse me, guys. Sorry. Sorry.

Pardon me.

Chief pope. Commander taylor.

Deputy chief Johnson,
sergeant Gabriel...

This is Ricardo Ramos from the times.

He's gonna be trailing priority
homicide's investigation.

Nice to meet you, Chief Johnson.

Sergeant Gabriel.

Pardon me, uh.

Ricardo, would you mind

waiting over there by the bodies
for just one moment, please?

Thank you so much.

Yeah. All right.

Four people are dead.
The fire isn't contained.

This entire command center has to move.

The last thing I need right now,

is a reporter following me around.

She already agreed
to a media presence on her next case.

If it were a regular homicide,
yes, but it's not.

I can't get anywhere near the fire,

and the incident commander
won't even talk to me.

Yeah, that's because you're
not supposed to be here.

What? Why not?

Because before a fire is contained,

L.A.P.D. usually
just directs traffic,

manages civilian evacuations,
tows cars away.

They let you badge your way up here,

but we don't even know
if this is an arson yet.

There are no electrical wires
near the fire's anchor point,

so the fire is probably
of human origin, sir.

Which makes
this a massive crime scene.

It's just massive.

So, what are you saying...
this case is too big for you?

No, I'm saying it's too big
for five fire departments,

nine fire engines,
four helicopters,

and I don't know what all.

It's not a murder anymore.
It's a natural disaster.

Would you ask me to babysit
a reporter during a hurricane?

People don't start hurricanes.

Hurricanes are not crimes.

Taylor, tell the incident commander
we're leaving.

Sergeant Gabriel,
tell lieutenant Provenza.

I want the team back down
on Los Feliz boulevard... now.

We have an injured firefighter
and another victim!

- Get out of here.
- Hey, I got a pass. I can be here.

- I Don't care.
- Take it easy. Take it easy.

- He's with us.
- Please move.

You know, I should have
the authority to reject journalists

if I think that they're going to

get in the way of my investigation.

Okay, authority.
What about my authority?

I get orders, too, okay?

And mine were absolutely clear
in this case...

Improve relations
between L.A.P.D. and the media.

That is what I am doing.

Commander Taylor is assisting me,

I expect your enthusiastic cooperation

fine I will. What ever you want

besides it's a big story. We got them
head on reporting from the inside

than guessing among on the street.
You might even be happy about it

oh yes journalists.
They are so helpful.

We will want them on every case.

I think
this is your attemped enthusiasm

I am sorry. I mean to say ipic

sergeant

let's go lutinient.
Let's go go go

come cants

all right, Buzz,
let's cover all our bases.

Get as many faces
in the crowd as you can.

Check and see if anyone's
admiring their handiwork?

You got it.

Chief, our victims...

We got two firemen...

One from burbank, one from county.

Got a hiker... Connie Miranda.

She got trapped in a canyon.

And then a guy golfing...
Richard Gordon.

He ran the wrong way
off the sixth hole.

That's a guy who could use
a mulligan.

Lieutenant provenza,
this is Ricardo Ramos of the times.

Lieutenant provenza

is Chief Johnson's second-in-command.

Nice to meet you, sir.

What about the other woman found?

D.O.A.... burnt, no I.D.

The fire was started
in the middle of the park.

Anyone caught running out?

Not so far, but how an arsonist
could escape this place

after we surrounded it,
I don't know.

Lieutenant Flynn, Ricardo Ramos.

Yeah, I met him... when he was
taking pictures of the dead girl.

- I Thought it was a rescue.
- Rescue?

Considering how bad she looked,

I'm surprised they brought
her back at all.

Well, unless stuff is falling out
of the body,

firefighters always
bring the victims back.

She was found near a canyon
where the homeless hang out.

Might explain why she had no I.D.

Here. Let me help you with that.

- I Have it.
- I'll get it.

I said I have it, sergeant.

Thank you.

Chief Lieutenant Flynn...

Right behind the tape.

- Where did he go?
- Where did who go?

That's Bill Croelick.

Gentlemen...

Would you please catch up
with bill Croelick,

and invite him downtown?

Who's bill croelick?

He's a pyromaniac
who uses alcoholic beverages

to set his girlfriends on fire.

He likes the smell of burning flesh.

Oh. Why isn't he in jail?

We arrested Croelick for murder twice,

but our chief witness against him

at the first trial disappeared,

and he was found not guilty.

We got a conviction in another murder

and put Croelick on death row.

But, unfortunately,

he was framed
in that particular killing.

So now croelick has a huge lawsuit

pending against the state
for wrongful imprisonment.

Almost settled,
and we wouldn't want to disrupt that.

But if Croelick is a person
of interest in this fire,

that's something I'd like
to run with.

This may surprise you, Ricardo,

but when a newspaper announces
we're looking for people,

it sometimes makes them harder
to find.

Just playing devil's advocate
for one moment...

By running a picture
of this guy's face on the front page

you're running a picture
on your newspaper

and later on, it turns out
that someone saw Croelick

in Griffith Park striking a match,

his lawyer will say
that our witness I.D.'d Croelick,

from that photograph in your paper.

Besides, you can't refer
to Croelick as a known arsonist.

He wasn't convicted as an adult,

but if it were opened,
you could read about how Croelick,

branded his name on a girl's arm
during sexual intercourse.

Now, listen to me, Ricardo,

because I've interviewed
Mr. Croelick

and I suggested
that he might be a killer.

And the next night,
when I got home,

I found him waiting
for me on my front porch.

He has a habit of doing
that when he's irritated...

Just turning up out of the blue...

In the dark, when you're all alone.

So, you run with that picture,
and here's what happens.

You lose all access
to the L.A.P.D.,

and while we're looking
for Croelick,

Croelick is looking for you.

Hello, lieutenant Provenza.

No.

Have lieutenant Flynn
and detective Sanchez,

put some undercover people together,

to watch Croelick's apartment
in case he shows nup.

Thank you so much.

What happens if Croelick
lights up malibu,

and we withheld a picture
that could have helped stop him?

A better question would be,
what if you run the story

and it turns out croelick had nothing
to do with the griffith park fire

and he takes
an instant dislike to you?

Let's put it this way.

Ricardo, you have
two excellent opportunities

of visiting the county morgue
this week,

and one of them is with me.

I see dead people...
lots and lots of dead people.

Two smoked, two extra-crispy,

this lady here

the combo platter.

First time at the morgue?

Gracias.

You're welcome.

Should I act like he's not here?
That's what I'm trying to do.

Just go ahead, doctor, please.

Okay, this lady...

I was told she might be homeless,
but I don't think so.

Not only does
she have all her teeth,

but, also,
they've just been bleached.

How are you holding up there,
Ricardo?

Yeah I'm fine

and this victim's address
she's wearing a dress

over a cotton t-shirt

you suggest she addressed
for an occasion?

In two highly materials,

and no damages to her lungs.

She's dead
before the fire started?

From a prettey serious blow
in her skull

and then she was torched
afterwards.

And I say torched

because her hair,
her body, her clothes

were drenched in alcohol.

I may be able to rehydrate the hand.

I don't know.

She's not as far as
I would have thought,

considering the circumstances.

What? What circumstances?

If you're looking
for the epicenter of your fire,

I think it might be right here

what a cute cat.

How did you know I have a cat?

Yes, I have a cat,
but that is 100% off the record.

Oh, Kitty!

Hey, news says your fire's
90% contained.

Sorry. I was trying
to spot smoke this morning.

So I must have... right.

Hello.

This is Ricardo Ramos from the times.
He's covering the fire.

Ricardo, my fianc,fritz howard.

Fianc? When's the happy day?

As soon as we buy a house.

Oh, you're moving out? In.

Oh. Yesterday?

Six weeks ago.

It's temporary.

I had a bungalow. We had.

We had a bungalow that I sold...
We sold.

... we sold, and...

Then the house prices got weird,
and so we decided to rent.

And the landlord said absolutely,
positively no pets,

so please don't mention Kitty
in your article.

Thank you.

Excuse me one moment,

and then we will go
to the hospital

and see if we can talk
to the firefighters.

Honey?

You can't leave the curtains open.

Someone is going to see Kitty,

and then there will be big,
big trouble.

We can't meet the upstairs neighbor

because the landlord said no pets.

We have to keep the curtains closed
24 hours a day,

because the landlord said no pets.

It's like living with Anne Frank.

Were you able to fix the toilets?

No, I'm sorry.

Oh, how many more mornings

are we gonna be rushing
to work to pee?

Just please call a plumber.

Please.

The landlord should be responsible
for fixing the bathrooms.

That's one of the upsides
of renting.

If you let me talk
to the landlord...

No. No. No.

Kitty stuff everywhere. Okay, fine.

If you really have to use the bathroom,

go upstairs and meet the neighbor.

Ask her if you can use her bathroom.

That's not how I want to meet her.

Hey, wait a minute.

Is that why you're still here,
drinking coffee?

You went upstairs to the neighbor's

and asked nto use her bathroom?

No, I took a shower.

What does that mean?

You peed in the...

Gross! Gross! Oh, for god's sake.

Everything went right down the drain.
And completely unfair.

Never do that again. Never!

We both have to use that shower,

and I'm not getting back in there

until you scrub,
scrub, scrub every tile.

Just, please, call the plumber.

I need this place
to be more manageable.

Oh, why do you sit in the window?

Bad kitty! Bad!

Oh, I need to get to the hospital.

Ricardo said he'd find you later.

You know, you might feel less
all "over the place"

if you unpacked.

And then just have to box it
all up again when we move.

I can't even think nabout that.

This fire.

Where is my brown sweater?

Just please call the plumber.

Please.

I will deal with it.

Thank you.

Chief... chief...

Oh, sorry. This way. Oh.

So, the fire is still burning.

Croelick is still at large.

Jane doe is still unidentified,

although I talked to all
of the firefighters involved,

except for the guy that found her...
Tom Merrick.

He's recovering
from smoke inhalation.

His wife stepped out
to call her family,

but she said that he is up

and that we can talk to him
if it's absolutely necessary.

Well, of course it's necessary.

Thank you, David.

Anything else I should know?

Not really.

Because if there's a problem

in your relationship
with detective daniels...

No. No.

No, no. No, no, not at all.

Oh, thank goodness.

'cause I really couldn't handle
that right now.

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. Gentlemen, pardon me.

Thanks, guys. Thank you.

I think she was right about here.

How'd you find her?

Well, we were looking for her.

I mean, we thought somebody
might be up where we found her.

There's a small canyon
where the homeless hang out.

When the brush-burn index goes up,
we have to clear them out.

Why?

Well, they start cooking fires.

We'd just chased them
off the day before yesterday.

Usually, they don't come back
for a month.

There's this one guy.
He got... mad at us, you know?

He was a little weird.

What did he look like?

He had a baseball cap pulled down
over his face.

He hadn't shaved
for a few days.

He didn't feel homeless,
if you know what I mean.

Sorry to bother you at...

Listen, I walk out
of here tomorrow morning.

Two of our firefighters are dead,
so bother me, sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Anyone resemble your guy?

Take your time, Tom. Be sure.

Sorry. I...

I try not to look at those people.

You know,
when I heard where the fire was...

When they mobilized the whole department,

I thought of that creepy guy,
and I wondered.

Any idea how someone could start
a fire

in that part of the park

and then disappear
before we sealed it off?

Maybe he didn't get out.

Maybe you'll find
another body up there.

You know, arsonists usually aren't
the brightest people on earth.

So, you think it was one of these guys?

Don't worry about them, Tom.

You did your job.

Now let us do ours.

Homeless, unshaven guy wearing
a cap in hollywood...

That narrows it down.

It could have been croelick.

We think he likes to pick people
he thinks won't be missed.

Except I don't think
our victim was homeless.

I think she was put somewhere

where homeless people
are known to go.

What did we hear from the fire
department? 95% containment.

Fire was originally spotted
very early

by a traffic helicop...

A traffic helicopter,

which was joined in the air
by the police,

who circled the anchor point
until the fire department arrived.

Is that kind
of rapid response unusual?

In the MTZ, no.

MTZ? It's a mutual threat zone.

It's not just Los Angeles

that's endangered
by a fire at Griffith Park.

There's Glendale. There's burbank...

Detective daniels, you...
you were saying?

I think he was about to add burbank,

San Marino, and the county,

and that would be it.

Hey, Tao.

We have a name for our...

For our... homeless woman
with the bleached teeth?

Missing women ages 30 to 50.

Of course,
if she disappeared last night,

we won't know anything
for another 60 hours.

Why?

Oh, geez. don't ask him why.

Adults aren't considered missing

until they've been gone
for at least three days,

not to mention the hours
it takes after that

to generate the... I see.

So, why don't you just release
this Jane Doe's picture,

see if... see if anyone
recognizes her?

Okay. so, croelick's unemployed.

Big surprise.

No known associates...

Uses only prepaid cellphones...

And no car.

Hey, Ricky,
put down my mother's crucifix

and get out of my chair.

Neighbors say Croelick
is polite but distant.

Haven't noticed him dating anyone.

And he always has a candle burning
in his window.

Freak.

Eh, we'll find him.

Not if he finds you first, lieutenant.

Hello, just plain Brenda.

Spread 'em. come on!

No one's been this excited to see me
in a long time. Hello, there, Bill.

What brings you here?

Heard you were looking for me.

Thought I'd stop by.

No attorney.

Happy to answer questions.

So...

Deputy chief Johnson,
up for a chat?

We don't actually have anything
on Croelick...

Well, except his record,
his pathology,

and his presence near the scene.

Why didn't he bring his attorney?

Over 70% of criminals never ask
for a lawyer.

Afraid it'll make them look guilty.

And it does.

Don't take this personally,
lieutenant,

but if you don't leave,

I will invoke my right to counsel.

Why? you lost your sense of humor?

Fine.

We'll catch up later.

He's controlling the interview.

No, that's what we want him to think.

There, now. is that better?

Improves the odor of the room...

A little.

You know, I'm a little annoyed.

Why is that?

When it became obvious
you were looking for me,

I went by your house,

and the gay boys that you sold it to

had no idea where you'd gone.

Found a mate?

Living together?

How about you, bill?

Anyone special in your life?

Oh, no.

I'm still carrying a little torch
for you.

Why the interest in my personal life?

When you were at the park last night,

did someone stumble across the body

of a young womanburned to

how young?

Oh, that's a cheap trick.

It's not up to your usual standard.

I asked about victims

to determine
your specific interest in me.

You were standing across the street
from a really big fire.

It just naturally occurred to me,
given your interests,

that you might have a theory
about how it all started.

That's all. That's all.

That's all.

My attorney would probably want
to know

if you searched the crowd
for anyone else

with similar alleged interests

and if the swiftness
with which you settled on me

had something to do
with my lawsuit against the state.

Who else in that crowd would know
more about a fire than you?

A moth... maybe?

But you have a point.

Well, I have a helpful side.

If you took me back there,
let me watch the fire's end...

It's out of the question. oh, come on.

Just the two of us
and a couple of lawn chairs.

You know, the chemicals in the air

should make for a fantastic sunset.

Well, no dental-record match

from the missing women
to our Jane Doe.

Could hold him for a day or two.

Add another million to his lawsuit?

I don't think so.

Buzz.

Lieutenant Provenza says
we still can't I.D. our Jane Doe.

I'm sorry.

You... you...
you want to think about it?

no?

Really?

All right.

Well, hate to overstay my welcome.

But we're only just getting reacquainted.

Are you gonna arrest me?
No. may I leave when I wish? Yes.

Goodbye.

At least give me a confirmable alibi

for the hour before the fire.

Please.

I'll tell you what.

I go back to griffith park...

Now...

Or I invoke my right to counsel,

and we never talk again.

Wait! wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.

Wait. Wait.

He took the bait.

Hey, where are we going?

Taking you where the fire started.

That's what you wanted.

But a firefighter told us
the victim was found up there.

It was night. Smoke everywhere.

Your firefighter was disoriented.

No. This way.

So, now we have
to pretend he's an arson investigator?

Really?

She's just feeding his ego.

We're 10 minutes away from an arrest.

Why don't you... why don't you
button your lip for once

and just watch?

It's crazy, you know?

Having a wildlife park
in the center of a city.

I look around
at your little nature preserve.

You know what I see?

It's all fuel.

And you and you and you...

Rich man, poor man,
beggar man, thief.

Black man...

White man...

Deputy chief.

Fire doesn't care about your name

or rank or badge number.

You're all just bite-size lumps
of flesh and bone

in the flaming food chain.

God, I'm hungry!

How about you?

I had a big lunch.

Speaking of which...

I can still smell her...

Your victim...

'cause she burned right here.

See?

That might be her wallet,
I.D., credit cards...

All melted away...

Along with her face.

Got a picture of the remains?

That would be inappropriate.

So judgey.

The area around here...

It isn't burned at all.

So, how did the fire...

Slip out of control
all the way over there?

Yes.

I think we're looking
for another body.

That's not good.

Did you notice?

The vegetation back here
has all been cut down...

Dried limbs, dead brush...

Dragged from the vicinity
of little Miss crisp

and piled like he meant
to take the trash with him.

But the park burning?

no.

No, that was a mistake.

Where is the other body, bill?

See, whoever dumped your girl
in that pit

forgot to make sure she was alone.

And when your killer started
his... flamb?

Poor little rat.

Ran out of the frying pan
and started a bonfire.

There you go, sergeant.

Y'all be sure and give him
a proper funeral, now.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Picking an isolated spot...

Cutting it back...

Waiting till dark...

And then, in seconds...

All his precautions up in smoke...

The fire moving away from his lady.

Happened very, very fast, I'm sure.

Like drowning.

Well, it might take me some time
to prove,

but it looks to me like you've led us

right to the scene of the crime.

Wouldn't you say, sergeant?

Mm. and you described everything
so well,

it's... it's almost like you
were here when it happened.

Well, let's take
your implication seriously,

see how it holds up.

The lady was dead
before she was set on fire.

And pardon me for asking,

but... where's the fun in that?

How did you know she was dead?

Should I tell her?

Or should you?

He what?

He interviewed Croelick
before I did.

How'd you find him before us?

You said he had a lawsuit
against the state,

for wrongful imprisonment.

He called his attorney.

You called his attorney?

To arrange a meeting, yes.

For the record,
you didn't find Croelick, okay?

I did.

And I convinced him to come in,
so I helped you.

Look, all I did was ask
a few questions.

You can't ask people questions

without telling them
what you want to know.

I need his notes and tapes
from his interview with Croelick.

What? No. No way. His photographs,
his camera... everything.

It's against the law for you to demand
my notes, and I will not surrender them.

It's against the law to interfere
with a murder investigation.

You want to hear
about against the law,

i'd be more than happy to oblige!

Morales thinks he can get
a fingerprint off our Jane Doe.

Look, your victim was drenched
in alcohol,

which is Croelick's M.O.

Am I wrong? Huh?

Now, he led you
to where the fire started.

He showed you how it happened.

What more do you people need
to make an arrest?

Untainted evidence.

Which might be in your notes...

I can't give you those, okay?

You know what? Shut up.

We can't even hold Croelick
because of you.

You cannot talk to me like that.
Shut up.

I am this far from reading you
your rights... this far.

You want to be under arrest?

I'm sorry, chief.

I'll call his editor
and see what I can work out.

Thank you so much.

May I say something now?

I wouldn't.

No. Mnh-mnh.

We usually get only one
or two shots at this,

which is why I make the detectives do it.

Do what?

We debone the hand of a burn victim

and rehydrate the skin for 24 hours.

If it works out,
sometimes we can get you a print.

It's too slack.

Which is why I need a detective

close to our jane doe's size.

You want me to slip the skin
of her fingers...

Over your own.

And gently, too, because it tears.

I know it sounds horrible,

but it's just the thumb
and two fingers left.

The other two fell off.

Here, chief. Let me help you.

It'll catch on the rubber,
so off with the glove.

I'll tell you what...
eyes on gabriel.

I'll guide your hand.

See, chief? There's really nothing to it.

It's just... just science at work.

There. Done.

Linda harrell-- 36.

Fingerprinted two years ago.

Arrested for stalking
an ex-boyfriend,

breaking into his house.

I talked to her ex this morning.

Lives in oxnard and has an alibi.

He said that linda always wanted
to know where he was,

demanded all of his attention.

Yeah, well, anyway, she moved here
about two months ago.

No problems that we know
of until yesterday,

when her boss filed
a criminal complaint.

Yeah, Linda failed
to make the evening bank deposit

after her bar shift was over
and didn't show up today.

Chief.

Could you please gather the evidence

that we collected from linda's house
and take it to my office?

-tHank you so much. -you got it, chief.

Sorry, sir.

Could we talk later?

I've just executed a search warrant
of our victim's house,

which is where she was murdered.

Her car's missing,
and I'm sure that the killer used it

to move her body to the park,

and I really need
to concentrate on finding it.

Then I'll be brief.

The L.A.P.D. and the times

have reached a good compromise.

Chief johnson,
I am extremely sorry.

That's the first part.

Now, Chief Johnson accepts
your apology.

- I Do?
- That's great.

The rest of the agreement
goes like this.

You agree to let ricardo catch up
on our investigation.

In return, ricardo agrees
to give you copies

of all of his pictures
and notes from the past two days.

You first.

Thank you. Chief.

So, anything
from this Linda Harrell's house

connecting her to croelick?

no.

Her computer was gone,
and her desk was emptied out.

Judging from the dust patterns
on the top of her dresser,

it looked like some picture frames
were removed.

So someone's connected to her.
That's for sure.

There was no sign of forced entry,

suggesting that she knew the killer.

That's inference.
She was a bartender.

Could be one of her customers
followed her home.

Right. A customer who just happened
to be an expert arsonist.

Anyway, Linda reached
for the phone,

and the murderer yanked it
from the wall.

And grabbed her like this.

- Hey!
- Put him down, Detective Sanchez.

- I Just want to show him...
- Talk to him visualed, please.

Will you put me down?!

- What are you... nuts?
- Okay.

The killer pushes Linda
into some shelving,

and then he drops her
to the ground really hard!

Then the killer reaches
for this bookend

and smashed her head in.

She bled out.

Killer cuts the carpet in half,
rolls her up in it,

plops linda down in her own car,
and drives away with her.

Yeah, to the park,
where he sets her on fire.

I mean, what?
You didn't see her computer there?

Any residue on this other half
of the carpet?

no.

Thank you, gentlemen.
I'll take it from here.

A fire hot enough to corrupt
computer files beyond recovery

would have grabbed some attention,

and this was supposed
to be a controlled burn.

And the carpet's made out
of artificial fabric,

maybe even treated
with flame retardant.

Its fumes could have been poisonous.

But those are the concerns
of an experienced arsonist.

Could be our killer studied up.

For example, you cover police
and fire departments.

Could be you've researched everything
we've discussed so far.

And what motive could I possibly have?

You don't always solve murders
by finding out why.

Sometimes it's more about how,

which is why I keep asking

how could the killer get away?

Well, Croelick had the victim's car.

Maybe he drove it away somewhere.

Helicopters buzzing around,
firefighters pouring in,

police blocking all the exits...

No, he didn't dare go back
to the car.

Like you, he knew far too much

about how police
and firefighters work to even try.

Would you have burned Linda's body
to delay identification

only to leave a registered vehicle
parked nearby,

knowing we would find it?

But you haven't found it.

And that's your problem, isn't it?

Explaining how the killer got out
of the park with the car

after the fire started
without being noticed.

You've summed it up perfectly.

Oh. Interrupting an interview?

No. No.

Ricardo here is up to speed.

We'll talk more later.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome so much.
Can I have my book, please?

Oh, no. I'll be holding on
to these for a while.

The landlord's bringing a plumber by

to fix the toilets today.

Oh, wonderful.

I vacuumed all the furniture...

Put out a room deodorizer...

Got rid of all incriminating
kitty evidence.

Also, I shoved everything
we're not using

into the guest room --

You know, so the landlord

will think we're actually living there.

- I feel badly you had to do all...
- Don't.

Because while I was scrub, scrub, scrubbing out the shower,

I finally decided how to deal with your cat.

Our cat.

Your cat is not coming home

until the landlord knows she's there.

But where will he live?

She. With you in your office.

Okay. Now, wait a minute.

I'm really sorry.

Which is good -- I appreciate that.

But if I leave him here,
maintenance will take him away.

Well, you can stop
by the pound every morning

and pick her back up.

They take her away, and I pick her up later.

And the inside of our apartment

can stop looking like norway
in december.

Brenda, are -- are you here?

Hello?

Oh, kitty. I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry.

I have to hurry -- really hurry.

Why? Where are you going?

Because during a fire,

police manage civilian evacuations,

tow cars, and direct traffic,

and he still has the keys.

I'll explain more later.

Okay. Poor kitty.

Could you please make sure

- that there's water left for him...
- Her.

... and some food

and make sure that the office doors

are closed tight, tight, tight.

Tight, tight, tight.

Tom?

Tom merrick?

You're the hero firefighter

that I interviewed
in the hospital yesterday, right?

You remember me?
I'm deputy chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.

Sure.

What a coincidence.

What... what are you doing here?

Just working.

This is where the L.A.P.D.

Towed all the vehicles from the fire.

You know, and speaking of coincidences,

the woman whose body
that you carried out of the park

this is her car,

a-and you're holding the keys to it.

You remember sergeant Gabriel here,
don't you?

Say hello, sergeant.

Hello.

Tom Merrick, you have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say

can and will be used against you
in a court of law.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney,

one will be appointed
for you by the state.

Have you heard
and understood these rights?

Yes, I understand, but you're making
a big mistake. Well, maybe.

Now, I've only one question
to ask you myself,

but sergeant gabriel here thinks
that we should arrest you

for the murder of linda harrell...

Something about the clearing
where the body was found.

What is it, sergeant?

Well, he moved out
all the homeless,

a.k.a. possible witnesses,
a day ago,

so he knew he could carry
Linda's body in there

without being seen,

and all the vegetation was cut back.
To control the burn.

But I say that that's what
a firefighter does for a living.

And then there was something
about a... a phone.

Lieutenant tao.

The phone that was ripped off
the wall at Linda's house,

when you hit the redial button,

what shows up
are the first five digits

of his home phone number.

But linda had a history
of nasty breakups.

Maybe she wanted to chat
with your wife,

and you were just trying to stop her.

And in my opinion,
it was just luck

that you changed out
of your regular clothes

into your uniform
when you burned Linda's body,

but, you know,
it was really good luck

because while we were looking
for an arsonist,

you were able to run out of the park

with your fellow firefighters,

carrying the victim,
looking like a hero.

Okay, so, the uniform was lucky,

but everything else points to murder.

We can't prove that, sergeant.

Be patient
and let Mr. Merrick here

answer the only question
that I think is important.

Now think hard and be honest.

Did you kill linda harrell on purpose?

No.

No! I never wanted to hurt her.
I... I...

I just wanted to stop her
from calling my wife.

There was a shelf.

It fell on her.
It was a complete accident.

She died before I could get help.

It's the truth. I swear.

I believe you.

See, sergeant?

We can't hold him for Linda's death.

You're just gonna have
to be satisfied

arresting him on a charge of arson.

Oh, and...
four counts of felony murder...

One for each of the people who died

when your little fire
slipped out of control.

Wait. Wait.

Wait! I want a lawyer.

Yeah? Well,
you're gonna need one, buddy boy.

Hey, chief johnson.

-hI. -hi.

Everything's flushing great.

Oh, thank you so much.

And your friend is in the living room.

Oh, wonderful. Okay?

It's so nice to meet you.
Goodbye.

Friend?

He may have meant me.

Move! Get back!

I didn't break in.

Move! Further! Hurry up!

- Your friendly plumber opened the door.
- Fritz?

- This is hardly an appropriate way.
- Fritzi?

- To greet someone who helped you solve a murder.
- Fritz?

Your FBI-agent boyfriend
is not here.

You're still upset with me, Brenda?

The news says your firefighter

was having an affair with an angry,
possessive young lady

who didn't know he was married.

Probably why he sent you

to the wrong part of park
to begin with.

And you find the right place
because of me.

So...

Why the... hostility?

Can't you prove your case?

Yes.

Yes.

You are completely out of the woods,
so why come here?

Why?

Apology accepted.

And I brought you something...

... a gesture towards what I hope
will be an amicable parting.

May i?

Now...

Brenda...

I'm about to settle my lawsuit
against the state

and take my... $4 million

and leave your jurisdiction forever.

And though I'm, you know,

flattered by your interest in me,

I think we've taken this relationship
about as far as it can go.

You know?

And I think it best for both of us

if I regard you as something like...

An old flame.

So...

Let's say our goodbyes
and wish each other well.

If you're not out of my house

in the next 10 seconds,

i'm gonna save
the state a whole lot of money.

And I'm not kidding. Okay.

Get out of here. Never come back.

I see you agree with me.

Good.

Well, I'm off.

I will think of you often,
just plain brenda,

and hope to see you not at all.

Hey. Brenda?

Brenda, are you here?

Hey...

Yes. Hi. Hey.

Look at that.

And Kitty. Oh. Yes.

I called the landlord and begged,

and gave him a huge security deposit

and promised him monthly inspections.

Well, I have something for you, too.

Wait here.

You know...

I know you thought you lost this
in the move.

Look what I found.

It was just...

- Hey, you all right?
- Yes.

Honey, you look a little...
oh, no, I'm fine.

I just haven't slept in two days,
that's all.

Yeah?

You'll feel better tomorrow.

Never in a million years

would I have thought you'd have
done something so romantic.

Actually, I didn't buy these myself.

Well, where did they come from?

Just... someone I worked with.

A housewarming gift.