Original subtitles

Is anything wrong?

No.

Not a thing, baby.

You know, this whole thing is going to break wide open.

I can feel it.

I think the answer is still back at that club, the Cradle.

You want time and money to go undercover as a singer?

Freeze, Wilcox.

Want to take the air out of that?

Hey, turn the sound up.

I want to hear that.

The car is registered to rock star, Zack Sherman.

Sherman, who was divorced last year after a stormy marriage

to rock vocalist Gina B, has been missing for over two weeks

and is suspected to be the victim of foul play.

I'm speaking with Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall

from Metro Homicide Division.

Sergeant, what can you tell us about the reports

that Gina B filed battery charges against Zack Sherman

last year?

Well, they were filed and withdrawn after the divorce.

Has the possibility of suicide been ruled out?

Dee Dee.

I don't believe this.

We just found the car, not the body.

Well, is there any evidence to indicate

that this could be something other than an accident?

I'm not really at liberty to discuss that right now.

Excuse me.

From the South Bay Area, this is Inez Pedrosa

for the All News Channel.

Hi, Hunter.

You have absolutely no screen presence.

I guess that's why they decided to interview me.

You should enroll in one of those classes,

those acting classes that teach you how to get in touch

with your most inner feelings.

You have such wit.

Good night.

All right.

Well, I just we don't get any better than that, huh?

Hey, Larry.

Thank you, baby.

Yeah.

They found the car.

The car?

That's all?

Move outside, I want to talk to you for a minute.

Is anything wrong?

- No, not a thing, baby. - Oh, OK, then.

Me and the guys are going to over to the Cradle

for a couple of drinks. Um, you want to come with us?

I'm buying.

- No, I'm too tired, baby. - OK.

Can I wake you up later?

Well, you can try.

Oh, I'll do better than that.

You can count on it.

Oh, Sam. Thanks for everything.

And thanks for bringing me back.

Hey, no problem, baby.

You have a good time. - All right.

And you sounded real good tonight, baby.

Oh, thanks.

OK, bye bye.

You know, this whole thing is going to break wide open,

I can feel it.

All right.

Now, what's going down with that broad?

Will you stop worrying?

I'm meeting her tonight right here.

She's due any minute.

Well, close it out.

And I don't care what it takes.

Do you get my meaning?

It's done, Sam.

I told you not to worry.

It's not funny anymore, Hunter.

It's Charlene.

Charlene?

I haven't talked to you in years.

How have you been?

I've gotta talk to you, Dee Dee.

It's about the case you're working on, Zack Sherman.

What about it?

Not on the phone.

Well, where are you?

I'll meet you at the Cradle.

It's...

Yeah, I know where that club is.

When do you want to meet?

Let's say, uh, about an hour and a half.

1:30.

But don't go inside.

Stay in the car. I'll find you.

Charlene, look, can't you tell me a little...

Jed?

You in here?

Jed?

You alone?

Uh, yeah.

Good.

Did you bring it with you?

No.

I'm calling off the deal.

What the hell you talking about?

I mean, uh, just forget it.

I don't want any money.

Tell Miss B not to worry.

I'm cutting out.

Not until you give me the merchandise, you're not.

I haven't got it.

It was a scam.

You don't understand.

It doesn't work that way.

We got a buyer here.

I haven't got it.

I never had it.

OK.

- OK. - Who does have it?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Yes?

Wendy?

Dee Dee?

Yeah.

I don't believe it.

I haven't seen you in 10 years.

I know.

10 long years.

So I heard you joined the police force or something.

Is that why you're here? - Yeah.

May I come in?

So, is this an official visit?

It is in a way, yeah.

I'm afraid Charlene is missing.

Yeah?

Hm.

You mean someone cares where she is?

She's probably hiding.

Why?

Is there a warrant out for her arrest?

Wendy, I think that Charlene might be in some trouble here.

Look, she called me last night.

She sounded very upset.

She sounded scared.

She asked me to meet her.

I waited for her, and she never showed up.

Well, I'm sorry if I can't get worked up about it.

I washed my hands of her years ago.

I'm real sorry to hear that.

Do you have an address or phone number on her?

Yeah, yeah.

She wrote me a letter about three months ago.

I have it around here somewhere.

I never answered it.

You know, Wendy, no matter what

may have happened between you and Charlene,

she is still your sister.

Oh, yeah.

She reminded me of that every time

she hit me up for another loan.

Look, um, I got an appointment in an hour,

and I need to get ready for it.

All right?

This is where she lived three months ago.

Thanks.

Looks like somebody broke it open.

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Come on, now.

It's against the law.

I'm impounding it, as evidence.

That's low.

Nobody's home.

Well, I don't want to leave this mail back out

there in that busted mailbox.

Leave it with the manager.

I think I ought to leave it inside, make sure she gets it.

So what are you going to do now, pick the lock?

I won't enter.

I'll just open the door and drop the mail in.

I had a big breakfast.

My timing's off.

Give me a break.

Here we...

Now we know she's in trouble.

This Charlene?

Yeah.

We might need this.

Oh, no.

Aw, jeez.

Don't move.

Police.

You're cops.

Oh, man.

Thank god.

You're happy about that?

Well, if you were looking down the barrel

of a cannon, who would you like to find out

was on the other side?

OK, move over here.

Spread them. - Hey, man.

I'm clean.

I ain't carrying.

I ain't holding.

Yeah?

Well, you're holding a lock pick for starters.

Lock pick?

It's a nail file.

Well, that's for you, then.

Why'd you break in?

Charlene's a friend of mine.

I ain't seen her in four or five days.

I thought maybe something happened to her.

Got some ID?

Yeah.

Scott Raymond Davis?

You can call me Scooter.

Everybody calls me scooter.

Where'd you know Charlene from?

I'm a musician, she's a singer,

we got mutual friends in common.

Would Zack Sherman be one of them?

No, but I know who he is.

You guys figure out what happened to him yet?

You date Charlene, do you?

Sometimes.

She's a free soul.

So am I.

So what happened here, Scooter?

A drug addict get caught short?

No, Charlene ain't into dope or anything like that.

I could check around, ask some questions,

see what I could shake loose.

Yeah, you do that.

You could... you could find me here, or at the Cradle.

It's a rock club.

Well, it was real nice meeting you.

Could I have my nail file back, please?

Thank you.

What planet do you think that that guy...

I don't know.

L-56, request any wants or warrants on a late model BMW,

California license plate, Lawrence Peter Charles 0-9-8.

Roger, L-56.

Well, he spotted us.

That tells us something.

I just got a little bit too close to him.

L-56, I have no wants or warrants.

Vehicle is registered to a Zachary Sherman,

1404 sector, Baldwin Hills.

Your friend, Scooter the spaceman,

stiffed us on his number.

Doesn't surprise me.

What do we got here, Sergeant?

Charlene's mail.

I thought you were going to leave it at the apartment.

- I forgot. - You didn't forget.

This is a Federal rap.

I won't have anything to do with this.

It's evidence.

Besides, there's nothing there except for junk mail and ads.

Give it to me.

There is one thing, however.

A phone bill.

Eight toll calls to the same number.

Want to check it out?

Yeah.

I don't want any, OK?

Jed Wilcox?

We're with the police.

We'd like to talk with you about Charlene Lindquist.

What about her?

Well, she called you a couple of times last week.

What about?

Drugs.

You saying she's a drug user?

Uses drugs?

She's a speed freak.

Some joy pop, freebase, speedball... you name it.

I told her I haven't got any connections.

I'm out of the drug scene.

We're talking about the same person here?

This girl's a singer.

Once, maybe.

Now she's your all-purpose junkie.

What do you do for a living?

I'm in the music business.

- Do you know Scooter Davis? - Yeah.

Why?

Where can we find him?

I don't know.

Have you tried the cradle?

Do you mind if we go inside and talk?

Damn right I mind.

I got a lady in there.

Probably someone we should talk to.

Not unless you've got a search warrant.

Well, I think we've got time to get one of those.

Why don't you wait here with him.

Excuse me.

OK.

OK, huh?

Come on in, officers.

Who was that?

Don't you think it's time you two

hard-nosers read me my rights?

There'll be time enough for that.

Charlene Lindquist.

She's beautiful.

Do you think she's in here?

I hope not.

Let's take a look right here.

Nope.

That's not it.

Let's check next door.

A singer?

You want time and money to go undercover as a singer?

That's right.

Look, Captain, I've done it before.

And I can pull it off.

I had a band when I was in school.

I've always kept up with music.

I can do it.

But this Cradle place, that's a little over your head,

isn't it?

They give unknowns a shot on weeknights.

Now, I know that if I can last a night or two that I can

get the information we need.

How dangerous is it?

Well, I don't sing all that bad.

You were just on TV the other night,

talking about Zack Sherman.

A lot of people saw you, McCall.

I know that.

But it was only for a couple of minutes,

and it was on the late night news.

Captain, this is no more dangerous than cuffing

a homicide suspect.

You've also got two people both missing

with close connections to this Cradle joint.

And Zack Sherman, isn't he connected to it somehow?

Yes, that's right.

But that's exactly why I think I ought to spend

a little time at the club.

Hunter know about this?

Yeah.

He doesn't think I ought to do it.

It's because one of the missing persons

is a musician whose name is Scooter Davis,

and he got a real good look at me and he knows I'm a cop.

But the odds of a missing person showing

up at that club on the same night I'm there are very slim.

And besides, the other missing person is a girl whose

name is Charlene Lindquist.

We practically grew up together.

Captain, I really want to do this.

How much is it going to cost?

Very little.

I have friends that are professional musicians.

They owe me a favor or two.

I'll put together a couple of songs.

We give it to this guy named Sooky at the Cradle.

And if he likes it, we're in.

OK.

Do it.

Thanks.

I can't say I'm unhappy we didn't find her.

Me either.

Hey, where's the little fox?

She's in your field now, Carlos.

Music.

All night,

I'm taking care of my family.

I'll be all I can be.

And when my work comes again, I ain't the bad one's friend.

I'm strong by day, and a lady at night.

Well, I'm strong by day, and a lady at night.

How come I never seen you before?

Just been traveling around a lot.

I just came down from Seattle.

So you can go anytime, huh?

Yeah.

OK.

Be here like early, 8:30, 9:00?

Like that there, huh?

Great, thanks.

L-56, L-56, come in.

L-56.

Hunter, do you want to be

patched through to Carlos?

He says it's important.

Yeah, patch him through.

Hunter, a DB just came in,

and I'm afraid it's your friend.

But you want to check it out for yourself, right?

You know me all too well, Carlos.

I'm on my way. Thank you so much.

And now, for the first time at the Cradle, the hot Mach 10.

Let's hear it.

Get it up.

Let's go!

Driving too fast, about to lose my mind...

Is that her?

Yeah, that's her.

Thank you.

Miss Gina B, Mr. Sam Pruitt.

You were really, really good.

You got no fear, and that's half the battle.

Sit down, stay a while. - Thanks a lot.

Yeah, that was beautiful.

Just wonderful.

Thanks a lot.

Miss B, I love you. I think you're great.

Well, thank you.

Thank you very much.

I like your work too.

Listen, you gonna get up and do a number.

Oh, not tonight, baby.

And the Cradle keeps on rocking with Dead Dog.

Let's hear it.

Excuse me for a second, baby.

Oh, why don't you ask him to come over?

- Yeah, OK. - OK.

Listen, I'm going to go join my band at the bar, OK?

Oh, why don't you stay?

I want you to meet this guy, Jed Wilcox.

I think he'd like you.

How about if I come back again later, huh?

Take a rain check.

All right, the next time.

Take care.

You too.

So what happened to the young lady?

Oh, she wanted to be with her friends.

Jed, you here on business or pleasure?

With you it's always a pleasure.

What's her name?

Mach 10.

Listen, I...

I think I blew my cords out on that last set.

I don't know... I don't think I can do another one.

All right, listen.

You guys are having a drink at the bar.

You go up, you have a shot of booze,

you'll be as good as new.

Hey, you did fine.

He burned me.

Let's go.

So tell me where did Carlos say they found Charlene?

They found her in a rundown motel

with a syringe laying next to her.

Oh.

Hey, I don't buy that Charlene called Wilcox for drugs.

I just don't buy that.

Well, I don't either.

She was also beaten up pretty badly.

It might have been an overdose. Who knows?

I don't think so. I believe she was murdered.

And now, tonight, well, we find out that Wilcox

is tied in with Zack Sherman.

Well, let's go tell her sister.

I don't want Wendy finding out about it on TV.

You think she cares?

I know there's somebody in there.

I heard them.

Miss Lindquist?

Police.

Check Wendy.

Do you have any idea at all what they were looking for?

No.

No, I asked them what they thought

I had that was so important, and they just started

to tear the place apart.

This has something to do with Charlene, doesn't it?

Answer me, Dee Dee. It's Charlene, isn't it?

Charlene's dead.

Oh, my god.

Oh, my god.

Big tall cop with a woman partner?

All right.

Get lost.

Call your travel agent, and take a trip.

I don't want to see you for at least a month.

Sorry we came up empty, Mr. Pruitt.

Yeah, forget it.

Work on your tan.

I'm going to Canada.

Yeah, whatever.

Just don't send me no postcards.

Sam, I'm really scared.

First they're telling us all these crazy stories

about undercover cops, and now this, whatever this is about.

Look, take it easy, baby.

Everything is under control.

But the police know about Scooter too.

They asked Jed Wilcox about him.

We will find Scooter, baby.

Now, you put this in my hands.

Let me take care of it, all right?

I should've never called on you for help.

I should have just turned myself in.

Now, forget that.

There was a time when you could've done that,

but that time is gone.

Yeah?

OK, move.

Hey, and Jed, thanks.

He's found Scooter.

Scooter.

Hey, Jed.

What are you doing here?

What's the matter with you?

You're nervous.

Well, you snuck up on me.

I didn't hear you coming.

I'm just sitting here, waiting for somebody.

Yeah, the guy you're waiting for, he called me.

Why?

Because I paid him to find you and to call me.

Because you and me, we got some business to transact.

Hey, man, I don't have nothing that you want.

But you do.

You've got the videotape. - Tape?

The tape, the one Charlene tried to sell me.

I don't know anything about any tape, man.

You got it from Zack's apartment,

and you gave it to Charlene.

But Charlene got rid of it.

That means you got it.

Now, where is it?

I don't know. I swear.

You are going to give it to me straight, little man.

Or I am going to blow you away right here.

I was never going to use it.

I wouldn't try to blackmail Miss B. Neither would Charlene.

We were very high the... the night I

let her look at the tape, and...

And we talked big for a while, too big.

Charlene, she threw that tape away.

Well, my boss is not going to buy it, Scooter.

He says I gotta clean things up right now.

Now, let's go get it. Move.

Freeze, Wilcox. Police.

Well, now we've got to find out who hired Wilcox and why.

Yeah.

I think the answer is still back at that club, the Cradle.

Cradle, huh?

Yeah.

You don't think Wilcox told them you're a cop, do you?

They won't be surprised when I flash my badge.

Or whatever you might flash.

Yes, whatever I might fl... you have the dirtiest

mind of anyone I've ever met.

It's true.

It is true.

You're giving them too much space.

Are you forgetting they're cops?

Any closer and they'll spot us, man.

You are not welcome here.

Out.

I want you out.

Look, you lied to me.

And you made a damn fool out of me, and I want you out of here.

As soon as we're finished, we'll leave.

State your business.

We'd like to talk to you...

Not you.

I am not talking to you.

State your business.

Jed Wilcox.

He came in last night, met with a guy.

Who was that?

His name's Sam Pruitt, and he's financing

Miss B's comeback album.

Why? - Ring a bell?

Yeah.

Before he got into the music business,

he was in the drug business.

- Anything else? - Yeah.

You know Scooter Davis? - Yeah.

So?

Well, Jed Wilcox murdered him yesterday.

He also murdered Charlene Lindquist.

Why?

Why would anyone do that?

That's what we're trying to find out.

It doesn't make any sense.

I mean, they were just two sweet losers, you know?

What can I do?

How can I help?

Wilcox was looking for something.

He thought that maybe Scooter or Charlene had it.

Like what?

Well, we don't know.

Could it be something small, like a paperback book?

It could be anything.

Why do you ask?

Because when Scooter had no place to live,

which was most of the time, he always

had his mail forwarded to me.

I've been getting stuff for the past couple

of days, mostly just junk mail.

But there's one package, the size of a paperback book.

Can we see it?

Yeah, sure.

Hey, Mac, the package for Scooter.

Thank you.

It's made out to you, Sooky.

Mind if we open it?

Yeah, go for it.

You got a VCR?

No, sorry.

I've got one at my house.

Let's go look at this.

Thank you.

Yeah.

He's got the cassette.

They've got it, and we're on them.

Oh, why do you got all the lights on?

You expecting somebody?

No.

I just want to see you.

Taking my clothes off?

Come on.

Ah.

I think we're watching an X-rated movie.

- Recognize the stars? - Yeah.

Zach Sherman and Miss B. Well, I can't watch that.

I'm... this is too strange for me.

I'll watch.

Make some popcorn.

Oh, you are so sick.

Evidence.

Gotta watch it.

I'll give you a blow-by-blow description.

Ow! Wait a minute.

Stop. What are you doing?

Shut up.

You love it and you know.

Oh, no.

Please.

Oh!

You always liked it rough.

What are you doing?

You miss it now, don't you?

Stop!

Got tired of sleeping with Sam Pruitt, huh?

No.

Remember how it was when Zack was your main man, right?

Stop!

Ow!

Hello.

This is Gina B. Let me speak to Sam.

Sam Pruitt.

What's that?

What?

That noise.

One of your men is dead.

Want to try for two?

Solly must have got Hunter.

Let's get her.

I got a better idea, lady cop.

You throw out your gun.

No deal.

Freeze.

Police.

Don't shoot.

Put the gun on the floor.

Very easy.

Put your hands behind your head.

Call an ambulance and some backup.

You have the right to remain silent.

My lawyer's name is Jake Richie.

He's in the phone book.

I'm sure he is.

Yeah?

I don't like this.

I don't like this one bit.

We've got to find Zack Sherman's body.

Why, Charlie?

Look, Pruitt is guilty of murder one.

We know that.

The district attorney is not the least

bit worried about his case.

He says it's air tight.

Well, what about her?

Miss... Miss B. No body, no case.

She is going to skate free.

Now, why do I get the feeling you

two don't care if she gets off?

Captain, this woman was abused for 10 years by Zack Sherman.

If she did kill him, the tape makes it clear that she

did it in self-defense.

So she walks?

Charlie, look, where are we going

to find a jury that's going to convict her of murder

without a corpus delicti?

And you two have no idea where Zack Sherman's body is?

We'll look for him on the way home.