One Shoe Makes It Murder (1982) - full transcript

A down-at-the-heels private detective is hired by a crime boss to find his missing wife. However, he soon finds out that everything isn't quite as cut and dried as he has been led to believe.

This is probably a mistake.

Lately I seem to specialize

in mistakes,

and this trip is probably

no different.

Not that I had

anything better to do.

Saturdays in L.A.

were nothing special.

Sunday through Friday

was even worse.

Maybe one drink.

Maybe two.

Maybe three and get back

on the plane to L.A.

Well, no.

I got this far.

Hey, somebody else is in there.

You mind sharing a ride?

Yeah, I mind.

Thought I'd ask.

It's their money but

you'd save a couple of bucks.

I still mind.

Where to?

Castle lodge

on the Nevada side.

I know where it is,

but it ain't open.

Gaming commission closed

it down about a week ago.

You better try

someplace else.

Everything's going

to hell. You know that.

I think I'll buy

a cabin in the mountains

and never come down.

You're a cop,

ain't you?

No, I'm not a cop.

Baloney,

you're not a cop.

Not that it makes any

difference to me, mind you.

But I can tell.

Here we go, pal.

Good-bye, California.

Hello, Nevada.

Those guys

at castle lodge--

if I were you,

I wouldn't trust

any of them.

What do you care

what I think, huh?

Not much.

Don't get snotty,

mister,

'cause I don't care

about your tip.

You see, I speak

my mind. Besides, you're a cop.

Cops are

lousy tippers.

The man said he wanted

to discuss something

of a confidential nature.

"Confidential to who?"

I asked.

"You'll be paid

for your time."

"Why me?"

I wanted to know.

"What's it got

to do with me?"

"Look, buddy, somebody wants

to do you a favor."

I couldn't even remember

the guy's name.

Hey, you're schillman,

right?

I'm smiley cappell.

I'm sorry I couldn't

get down to meet you.

Here. I'll take care

of this.

Some place, huh?

Why don't you

take a look around

if you want?

I'll take

your bag inside.

Cops are lousy tippers,

but crooks,

they do it big.

See you around,

pal.

Mr. Charnock's

tied up right now,

but I let him know

you were here.

That's alright.

I'm in no hurry,

mister...

Smiley. Everybody

calls me smiley.

What does

everybody call you?

My name is Harold.

Yeah, but I mean

what does everybody

call you--schill?

Sometimes.

Well, you came

to the right place.

Let me see if I can find

a room for you. Lord knows

we got plenty of them.

Thank you for coming,

Mr. Schillman.

Believe me,

I appreciate it.

Especially

since I couldn't

tell you then

why I wanted you

to come.

I hope it was

no inconvenience.

No. I wasn't doing

anything important.

Please.

I know exactly

what you were doing.

I know quite

a lot about you,

Mr. Schillman--

that you were a good cop

and an honest one.

I'm not a cop anymore.

I'm aware of that.

I also know the circumstances

which led you to resign

and the events

which followed.

That's a nice way

to put it.

I was fired.

Look, Mr. Charnock,

I tried to kill myself,

except I missed.

I spent three weeks healing

in San Diego general.

Then the court sent me

to the vacaville

medical facility

for 90 days'

psychiatric examination.

You mind if I

walk around a little?

Not at all.

After you

were released

from vacaville,

you moved

to Los Angeles,

where you went to work

for the credit finance

corporation,

repossessing cars by day

and drinking yourself

into a stupor at night.

You've been picked up

a number of times

for drunkenness

by the l.A.P.D.,

but never booked.

Professional courtesy.

You've done a lot of work,

but I think you wasted

your time.

Why don't you

hear the problem

before you decide?

Okay.

The Nevada state

gaming commission

claims to have evidence

that a skimming

operation

was going on

in this casino--

sufficient evidence

to close US down.

My license

has been suspended--

something

the commission does

not do lightly.

Is it true,

this skimming?

No. It wasn't

skimming.

Money was being

taken illegally,

but I knew nothing

about it.

Except they suspended

your license.

Because it's

my responsibility.

This casino runs

on my license

and my reputation.

The commission

closed US down

11 days ago.

The next day,

my wife disappeared.

That's why

I contacted you.

I want you to find her.

Do you think

she was involved?

I don't know

what to think.

I only know that she's gone,

and I don't know where.

She may be in trouble.

She may need my help.

That's my wife.

Her name

is Caroline.

Why me?

Because I think

you can find her.

A failed cop...

A failed suicide...

Even a failed drunk.

I don't buy it,

Mr. Charnock.

The police

would ask questions.

A private investigator

might get carried away.

I can't afford that.

I don't want any questions,

Mr. Shiillman.

I just want you to find my wife,

let me know where she is.

And watch her

until I get there.

I'll pay you $10,000,

and you'll forget

that it ever happened.

$10,000.

She left in her car,

headed for San Francisco.

It's a white

rolls Royce

convertible

with Nevada plates.

That shouldn't be

too difficult to trace.

I own an apartment

in San Francisco.

Caroline spent

a good deal

of time there.

I'll have

a car for you

in the morning.

How are you?

Water's warm if you

want to take a dip.

No, thanks.

I got the steam room

fired up.

Maybe you'd like

to have a nice sweat,

little rub-down massage.

You'll feel like

a million bucks.

Thanks

just the same.

If you change your mind,

pick up any of the phones

and ask for Rudy. That's me.

The girls will know

where to find me,

day or night.

24-hour service.

I'm impressed.

And they say

good help is

hard to find.

Oh, it is.

Take my word for it.

It was a joke.

I don't like jokes.

You're a friend

of Mr. Charnock's.

You get what you want

when you want it.

What do

his enemies get?

That's not real funny,

either.

Three days on the wagon

was making me irritable.

I felt like damaging

the white t-shirt,

but the L.A. flight

was already gone.

That left me

with nowhere else to go.

I guess

he just doesn't

feel sociable.

Yeah. He just doesn't

want to intrude.

There's nobody in the whole

world like Carl charnock.

Let me tell you.

When you get

to know him better,

you'll know what I mean.

I'll take your word for it.

Don't.

That's one thing I don't

kid about. Why do you think

he hired you?

'Cause he heard you were

a good guy who needed a break.

He mentioned a few

other reasons, too.

Listen...

You tried to bump

yourself off, right?

Now see, that means

something to char.

You might say, he's got

a feeling for that

because he knows

what it's all about.

His first wife ruthie...

You know how many times

she tried?

Eight.

He had her watched

around the clock.

He'd drive her

to the hospital,

get her pumped out.

He lived with that

for years.

So what

finally happened?

Ruthie...

She finally did it.

But I'll tell

you something,

he always loved her.

He never stopped.

That was 10 years ago.

See what I mean?

And, uh,

what about the second

Mrs. Charnock?

Caroline?

He married Caroline

two years ago.

Surprised the hell

out of all of US.

He never even

told me about it.

But if it makes him happy,

that's all that matters.

You don't like her.

What?

Come on.

No, no, no.

Caroline is a...

Caroline's

a high-class lady.

Her and me,

well, we just don't talk

the same language.

Could she have

anything to do

with the stealing?

Now you sound like

a cop.

You were hired

to find her, schill,

not to find out.

Remember that,

why don't you.

Oh, ho ho.

Company's here.

Hello, smiles.

Let's go.

Hey, fay.

You're looking

beautiful. Just beautiful.

This is the guy

I was telling you about.

I'd like you to meet a friend

of mine Harold schillman.

They call him schill.

This is lady fay Reid.

Hi.

Hi.

Well, do I pass,

or do I just get by?

You'll do.

Since you two

seem to be hitting it off,

I've got some business

to attend to.

See you later, fay.

I could use a drink.

What's it going

to be tonight, folks?

Rob Roy, on the rocks.

Rob Roy.

How about you,

Mr. Schillman?

Oh, hell. Let me have a beer.

Okay.

Is it always

that hard,

working your way

down to a beer?

I don't know.

I haven't

been trying it

for very long.

Does it show

that much?

I've seen worse.

You from Vegas?

Is that what

smiley told you?

Just guessing.

Bad guess.

I live in L.A.

I used to live there,

but I left right after

the big earthquake.

Were you there?

I heard about it.

Yeah, everybody

heard about it,

but I was sitting

right on top of it.

But that did it for me.

I thought the whole world

was coming to an end,

so I just left.

Good-bye and the hell

with everything.

I just got in my car

and headed north.

I was that scared.

And now?

I like it here.

No smog, no traffic,

and no earthquakes.

Come on. Let's

see if you have

any gambler's luck.

It's on the house.

My pleasure.

Thanks.

Here. Go ahead.

No, you go first.

I already know my luck.

Good or bad?

It gets by.

Go ahead the machines.

Tell all.

I hope not.

Oh.

Heh heh.

Welcome to the club.

You're sure in a hurry,

aren't you?

I like to get it

over with.

Winning is something

you do slow

so you can enjoy it,

but losing,

I do it as fast

as I can.

Is that

how it's done?

Yeah. Why?

Haven't you been

doing it right?

I guess not.

You feel better?

Much.

How about

some Blackjack?

What will we play for?

Love.

That way

everybody loses.

Let me have

your room key.

Give me a couple

of minutes.

Come on in.

The water's fine.

I finished

your drink.

Congratulations.

You know, nothing's

going to happen.

That's what

they all say.

I really mean it.

It's been a long time,

and I...

Well, I'd rather not

talk about it.

Okay.

Other than that,

it's been swell.

Can I spend the night?

I don't want

to go home.

Why?

I don't want

to be alone.

I won't bother you.

Besides,

I'm a quiet sleeper.

And I'm a nice person.

That's $1,000

in expense money.

You can count it

if you want.

I could never do it

like you do.

Mr. Charnock's

private number.

Call him collect,

anytime, day or night.

Mr. Charnock's address

in San Francisco--

the apartment.

The car's out front.

The key's are in it. Anything

else?

If there is,

you'll hear from me.

Hey.

How'd it go

last night?

Beyond your

wildest dreams,

smiley.

Beyond your

wildest dreams.

No taxi yet?

No taxi yet.

Well, I could give you

a lift.

[Fay]

How far are

you going?

[Schillman]

San Francisco.

You could drop me

in vallejo.

It's on your way.

It's just before you

get to Oakland.

What's in vallejo?

My sister.

And my kid.

How would you

get back?

Oh, somebody will

give me a lift.

That's no problem.

You married?

Not anymore.

Kids?

No.

My little boy's

10 years old.

Wesley Jordan Reid.

That's some fancy

name for a kid.

His father

was an actor.

That probably

explains it.

Sebastian Reid.

You ever hear of him?

He did a couple

of pictures and worked

in television a lot.

What does he do now?

He teaches meditation

and self-hypnosis.

Sounds phony, huh?

It's a living.

That's what you think.

He's always broke.

He hasn't paid me

a dime of alimony,

but we had fun.

That's what counts.

Yeah,

that's what counts.

Listen, if you

want me to be quiet,

just say it,

but don't cut me up,

okay?

Sorry. It just

came out that way.

You remind me

of my first

husband Joe.

I was 17 when

we got married.

How many husbands

have there been?

Just two--

Sebastian and Joe.

Joe hervey.

We're still friends.

All three of you?

Oh, go stuff it.

The traffic caught US

outside Sacramento,

and seeing as we didn't

have much to say,

fay curled up

and went to sleep.

That gave me

plenty of time to think.

Except I still didn't know

what I was getting into.

Vallejo!

Vallejo!

You're home.

Oh.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

Well, uh...

Thanks for the ride.

Well...

Oh, listen.

Uh...here.

Here's the number...

In case you don't have

anything better to do.

Wesley! Hi, honey.

Hi.

Mrs. Charnock

just get in?

She's

expecting me.

In the garage?

Yeah.

She's thinking about

selling the rolls.

I'm thinking about

buying it.

You don't look like someone

that buys a car like this.

You look like a cop.

You know that's

a funny thing.

You're the second

guy in two days

who's told me that.

Then we're both right,

me and the other guy.

You take care of

Mrs. Charnock's car

while she's in town,

don't you?

It would be worth

20 bucks

to find out

what kind of shape

it's in.

Car's in good shape.

She just get in?

It ain't worth it,

buddy. You know it.

You know,

you're right.

She'll probably

tell me herself

for nothing.

Hey, that's a private

elevator, buddy.

That's okay

I don't mind.

I told myself the car could

have been in the garage

for the past 11 days, but

somehow that didn't seem right.

And if Caroline was

in the apartment,

then nothing

would make sense.

I had one more chance

to climb out of the hole

I had been in

for over a year,

maybe my last chance.

It made me nervous.

[Knock knock]

Mrs. Charnock,

my name is schillman.

Your husband

hired me yesterday.

He wanted me

to find you.

He thought maybe

you'd...

Now that you've found me,

Mr. Schillman,

why don't you come in.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

So my husband

hired you to find me.

Yes. He was worried

about you.

Hadn't heard from you.

Didn't know where you were.

Carl told you this...

Personally?

That's right.

I spoke to

my husband this morning.

He called at about 10:00.

However, he didn't mention

anything about you.

Well, he must have had

an awful lot on his mind.

Carl has known exactly

where I've been

since I left the lodge.

I speak to him every day,

usually more than

once a day,

and he didn't say

anything about hiring you.

How do you explain that,

Mr. Schillman?

Why don't we call Mr. Charnock

and let him explain it?

My husband has been

under a lot of pressure

these past days...

Terrible pressure.

I'm sure you know

all about it.

Yes. The commission

suspended his license.

Would you like to

make that call now?

Oh, Carl's reputation,

his whole life

depends on the outcome

of the commission hearings.

The anxiety is unbearable,

and when you consider

his behavior in that light...

How much is he paying you

to find me, Mr. Schillman?

A lot of money.

And you did it

so quickly.

Well, Carl is

a very generous man.

He'll pay you whatever

he agreed to,

but I'm sure you can

understand the importance

of keeping this episode

entirely confidential.

I hope you can

assure me of that.

Oh, sure.

I have no one

to talk to.

Nice place.

Yes, it is.

So why don't you

go home, Mr. Schillman,

and forget all about this?

Your check will be

in the mail within the week.

I promise you.

[Schillman]

Yes, I'm in San Francisco.

I found your wife.

Yes, I'm sure it's her.

What are you doing,

playing games with me?

She told me she talked

to you this morning,

she talks to you every day,

sometimes twice.

She said you knew

where she was all the time.

She wanted me to go home and

forget about the whole thing.

You better get down here.

You're welcome,

Mr. Charnock.

Son of a gun,

this is some mess.

So...what do

you think, Harold?

About what?

What do you

think about what?

About this.

You saw the whole

thing, right?

You're an eyewitness.

I saw her fall.

And you're

the only one, Harold.

So what do you think?

About what?

Harold, don't start

that again. I don't want to

hear that anymore.

I want to know

what you think.

You think she fall?

You think she jumped?

You think she was she pushed?

I wanna know

what you think?

I don't know,

inspector...

Carmona.

Inspector carmona.

And you remember that.

Now, Harold,

you got to think something.

Let's see.

You come here.

You talk to the guy

in the garage.

Then you come up here

and talk to the lady.

Right.

Then after you talk,

you go downstairs...

And minutes later,

you look up,

and here she comes.

What did you say

to her, Harold?

Look, inspector...

Carmona.

I know--

inspector carmona.

I can remember

your name.

You can

remember mine.

Mr. Charnock

will be here

in a little while.

I'll talk to him

before I talk to you.

No, Harold.

That's not right.

You're not a lawyer.

You're not a priest.

You're not a doctor.

You're not even

a licensed p.I.

You got no

privileged conversations.

But that's

the way it is.

Obstruction of justice.

Harold, that could

put you in the caboose.

All I'm asking for

is a little time,

inspector.

I owe Mr. Charnock

that.

Harold, you see that shoe?

That shoe gives me

a lot of trouble.

You know why?

Because she wasn't

wearing it.

If the lady had been

wearing both shoes

when she hit,

then I wouldn't have

so much trouble.

You know how many

steps it is

from that shoe

to the edge

where she went off?

Seven, and I got

small feet.

You think she

walked seven steps

with one shoe off?

I don't know.

I know you

don't know, Harold.

I am asking you

what you think.

I think I should wait

until Mr. Charnock gets here

and talk to him.

I'm going to have

your buns, Harold,

if you give me

any more problems.

You know...

I'm 34 years old...

A minority race,

and a homicide

inspector.

Now you know

all about me.

Fair enough?

Tell me about you.

Who are you, Harold?

I already told you.

Details. You didn't

give me any details.

Like,

you look at me,

you know my name

is carmona.

You think

I'm Mexican.

Wrong. I'm Cuban.

What's a Cuban doing

in San Francisco?

I didn't like Miami.

Now,

come on, Harold.

Harold schillman,

anglo-Saxon protestant.

Last employer--

credit finance company,

Los Angeles. Okay?

Distinguishing marks.

You didn't say anything

about distinguishing marks.

How'd you get that one?

From a gun, inspector.

.38 caliber. Hurt.

Inspector?

[Siren]

Mr. Charnock,

I'm inspector carmona.

Somebody here would

like to speak to you.

Just wait here.

Harold.

I'm sorry,

Mr. Charnock.

I'm very sorry.

Yes. Thank you.

This is the eyewitness,

Mr. Charnock.

Do you know him?

Yes.

He doesn't want

to talk to me

until he talks to you.

That's alright.

You hear that, Harold?

He says that's alright.

I'd like to speak

with Mr. Charnock

privately.

I'm going to give you

exactly 10 seconds,

but that's all.

What shall I tell them,

Mr. Charnock?

Do you want me to wait?

Shall I keep quiet?

Maybe you can tell me what's

going on around here?

Did she jump?

I don't know.

It looked like it.

Why?

I don't know, Mr. Charnock.

The only thing I do know is

that this is making me sweat.

And I don't like to sweat.

What shall I tell them?

The truth.

Okay.

The easy way

would have been to go along

with whatever story

the police wanted,

but $10,000 bought

a lot of loyalty.

If charnock wanted me

to tell the truth,

I'd tell the truth.

Simple.

Except I didn't know

what the truth was.

Think he'll be

alright alone?

No. I offered to

fly up with him.

Maybe sometimes

it's better to be

by yourself. Maybe.

What are you

going to do?

I'll drive

back up to Tahoe

in the morning.

They're going to

need you for the inquest.

You've got

my statement.

Maybe they want to ask

some questions.

Maybe I want to

ask some questions.

I need answers.

You're all I got.

That ain't much.

I'll tell you what

you call me in the morning.

Where're you going to be?

I dunno, I'll find a place.

Well, you call me. You call me

or I'll come find you.

And take my word for it, Harold

you wouldn't like that.

This carmona is trying to

hang a murder on me.

Have I been set upas the

biggest patsy in the world?

Fay?

Fay, this is schillman.

I thought maybe you'd like

to finish that drink.

Yeah. I remember what you said--

nothing better to do.

Neither have I.

The, uh, red rooster inn...

On mission road.

Don't worry.

I'll find it.

9:30 is good for me.

Yeah, I'm glad

I called, too.

[Soft jazz playing]

[Cash register rings]

What happened to

fighting the good fight?

Or is that just

ginger ale?

Brandy and soda.

And what are you having?

Try to remember.

Hi.

Hi.

A Rob Roy on the rocks

for the lady, and I'll have

another of these.

You're really

going to do it, huh?

It just might

be possible.

Did you have a nice day?

You didn't.

Was little Sebastian

or whatever his name is

happy to see his mother?

Wesley.

Sure. He's always

happy to see me.

We had a terrific time

how's your sister?

My sister's fine.

You're

really in trouble,

aren't you?

No. Just making

conversation.

Um...you want to

tell me what happened,

or am I supposed

to guess?

You are supposed to

sit there and be friendly

and drink your drink.

I'm friendly.

Now what?

I'm driving back up

tomorrow.

You want a ride?

Sure.

Short visit.

Long enough.

Just tell me

if you're in trouble.

No trouble.

The job I was working on

just didn't work out well.

That's all.

Oh, for Pete's sake!

It's Joe, my first husband.

Good old Joe.

Joe!

So,

how's my baby?

What are you

doing here?

I was just

passing through.

I was going to

call Gloria

tomorrow morning,

see if you were

in town.

You're looking really good,

faithy. Really good

Joe, I want you

to meet a friend of mine.

Harold schillman,

Joe hervey.

Harold.

How are you?

I don't want to

use up any more

of your time.

I'll give you a call in

the morning at Gloria's.

You are staying there.

Yeah, not too early.

Okay.

Nice meeting you.

I'm sorry.

I didn't even know

he was in town.

Where is he usually?

L.A.

Joe keeps moving.

That's nice.

You didn't like him.

Not particularly.

Who's Gloria? Your sister?

Uh-huh.

Why did you want to

see me tonight?

Well, I guess it was my turn

not to want to be alone.

You and me,

we have a history now.

Well, I like you.

Is that enough?

Where are you staying?

In a motel

down the road.

Let's go there.

Why?

We'll get a bottle.

It's cheaper.

And it's private.

Come on.

Just a little bit

of heaven.

Or somewhere.

Relax.

Make yourself

at home.

Glasses are

in the bathroom.

Motels are funny

that way.

She talks. She laughs.

She mixes drinks.

She does it all.

You look pretty pleased

with yourself.

No. But I am glad

that you're here.

And if I wasn't?

I'd feel a lot worse

than I do now.

What happened today?

Tell me.

Was it that bad?

Caroline charnock

killed herself.

I saw it happen.

Dead?

My god! Dead.

How?

She went off the terrace.

Straight down.

She killed herself.

Oh, it's been done.

But Caroline charnock?

Did you know her?

Yes, I knew her.

She sure was pretty.

Rest in peace.

I'm sorry. I didn't know

you were friends.

I wouldn't have, uh...

Not friends.

I knew her, that's all.

You're going to be

staying up in Tahoe?

No. I'll just

go and give them

their car back

and finish things up.

Then what?

I don't know.

Back to L.A., I guess.

Why?

Why not?

Is your wife in L.A.?

Uh, your ex-wife?

No.

You never see her?

I never want to.

It was bad, huh?

No, it wasn't bad.

It...really wasn't

much of anything.

Then it turned to

garbage, to filth.

Wow! I really pushed

the right button there.

No buttons.

I mean, uh,

forget it.

Okay.

Did she walk out

on you?

No. I walked in on her.

You mean

with another guy?

That's right.

Right in the middle of it.

I came home one day

while I was on duty.

I never did that before.

There they were

in my bed.

She was looking at me

over his shoulder.

She's screaming

because I had the gun out.

Pointed it right at her.

He's rolling off

onto the floor

like he's trying to hide,

so I pointed it at him.

She's still screaming.

So I pointed it back at her.

I knew I was

going to kill somebody.

I just couldn't decide who.

It turned out to be me.

You tried to

kill yourself?

The bullet bounced off.

Lousy angle.

Why didn't you

shoot them?

Why didn't

you shoot her?

Why you?

I don't know.

Doctor--

psychiatrist at vacaville--

kept asking me that.

He kept asking me

why I went home that day,

kept trying to

get me to admit

that I knew

I'd find them,

that I was trying

to catch her,

that I wanted it to, that

I wanted it to happen.

Well...maybe he was right.

But you don't feel

that way now.

You wouldn't

do it again.

Lady, I don't feel

any way now.

I wouldn't let you.

I'd never let you.

[Shower running]

Uh.

Yeah. I'd like to call

police headquarters

in San Francisco.

I don't know the number,

but they probably have

a central line.

My name is schillman,

room 36.

Thank you. I'll hold on.

I'd like to speak with detective

inspector carmona, please.

Homicide division.

Thank you.

Hi. How do you feel?

More or less alive.

Did you put me into bed?

We kind of

helped each other.

Don't you remember?

It's, uh, all pretty blank.

That happens to me.

Inspector carmona, please.

This is Harold schillman.

We made love.

Do you remember that?

That must have been

somebody else.

I remember.

Inspector.

Yes.

You asked me to call.

You want to talk

about suiciding?

Listen, I got it

all the time.

And I got no reason to think

that Caroline charnock

suicided herself,

except for you saying

that she jumped.

I didn't say she jumped.

I said I saw her fall.

Well, maybe you got

a reason for saying that...

Maybe you're involved.

If you are, Harold,

you're in big trouble.

So if you've got something else

to say, now's a good time.

Now is a perfect time.

That's all.

That's not good enough.

You gonna do better than that.

You didn't get to be

no police sergeant

by saying, "that's

what it looked like."

You had thoughts then.

I want you to have thoughts now.

You run a check on me?

You bet I did .

They say you were

a pretty good cop...

Till you got in

over your head

and started slacking off.

Letting your friends down.

And ended out on your own.

What else did they say?

That ain't enough?

You got drunk...

And you've been

falling around

ever since.

They say that

you're all messed up now.

Ever since you tried to

blow your brains out.

Why'd you do that?

Well, you had to be there.

Are they right

about you, Harold?

They're always right.

Maybe you ought to

try and change things.

Why don't you start right

now and stop horsing

me about that suicide story.

That's what

it looked like.

I don't want you

saying that anymore,

because it's

making me think

that maybe somebody's

paying you

to be that kind

of witness,

and that could mean

real trouble,

serious trouble.

I was paid to find her,

that's all.

Easy money, huh?

Maybe you got suicide

on the brain, Harold.

Maybe that's it.

Would you like me to

change my story, inspector?

I want you to start

thinking like a cop again.

Want you to use your head.

One shoe on the edge

of the terrace--

think what does

that shoe say to you?

Not one little thing.

If she got dragged and pushed,

one shoe comes off easy.

And what do you do with

that shoe afterwards

when you see it?

You leave it right there.

Isn't that what you would do?

Because it would

look pretty funny

if that shoe came after

her 10 seconds later.

Now what do you say?

I don't know.

Then I'm going to tell you.

Two shoes

and a depressed lady

makes it suicide.

One shoe and

a not-depressed lady

makes it murder.

That's how it's going

into the books, Harold--

murder one--

until somebody proves

to me different.

You got proof?

Only what I saw.

Not good enough.

I'll tell you

something else.

I don't think I like you

anymore, Harold.

You're no accident,

not like some tourist

walking down the street.

You're in there, you're

in there right up to your buns.

And I might even have

to get you, Harold.

Carmona was pushing me,

and I was resisting,

just the way I resisted

in the hospital.

It wasn't that I was

withholding information,

but that I didn't have any.

That's what

was troubling carmona.

Now it was troubling me.

"Think like a cop,"

he said.

I haven't done that

for a long time.

I'm not sure I can.

Still interested

in buying it?

Price ought to be

about right.

I'll take that answer now.

What time did

Mrs. Charnock get in?

Yesterday it was

worth 20 bucks.

Yesterday I was generous.

Today I'm in a hurry.

That's your problem.

I got all day.

You got 10 seconds.

I'm not going to ask again.

Tough.

Ah!

Ah!

You're crazy!

Last chance.

Morning.

10:00.

Yesterday?

Yeah. Now let me go.

When was the last time

you saw her before that?

About a month ago.

Was she alone?

Yeah. Now let me go!

You're breaking my neck!

He'll be right with you.

Where the hell have you been?

Why?

Haven't you heard?

They're saying now that

Caroline was murdered.

Lousy reporters here

all afternoon.

How's charnock?

Not good.

He's keeping it

all bottled up inside.

It could tear him apart,

schill. Wide apart.

Better let him know

you're here.

Honey, could you

get me charnock,

please?

Got couple of

messages for you.

Uh, char, I hate

to disturb you,

but I thought you should know

that schillman just got here.

Okay.

He wants to see you. Now.

I'll take you over there.

Where?

The schvitz.

Tell you gotta

little something going

with fay, huh?

You think of everything.

I do my best.

Take your choice.

You're an unpleasant jerk.

Anybody ever tell you that?

All the time.

Yesterday

when you said that

Caroline had jumped,

I couldn't

believe it.

Not Caroline.

I know about suicide.

You asked me once

if I thought Caroline

was connected with

the problems here.

I said I didn't know.

But in my heart,

I suppose I did know.

I just didn't want it

to be true.

So her death,

Mr. Schillman...

Her death is

still involved.

I want the answers.

Where did she go

when she left here?

Why did she run away?

I want to know

who killed her.

Rest for a while.

He wanted to know

who killed her.

Suddenly, I was no longer

just working for Carl charnock.

Now I wanted to know

who killed Caroline.

And I didn't even know

who the hell she really was.

Her name was

Caroline Selby

when we met.

That was about

2 1/2 years ago.

And after that?

Caroline told me

certain things--

that she had no family,

that she lived in New York

before moving to L.A.,

that she'd been

a photographer's model.

But I never pressed her.

I didn't want to know

the personal details.

Married before?

No, but she was

an experienced woman.

However...

The life we began together

was a new life.

What came before that

didn't matter.

It does now.

Yes, now it does.

I won't need

to know everything,

Mr. Schillman,

only those things--

I understand.

What about

just before she left?

Was there

anything different,

anything unusual?

No.

She knew what

was going on.

Mr. Schillman,

everybody knew.

When was the last time

she had her car serviced?

Just before

she left. Why?

Well, the mileage

should be

on the invoice.

I could check that

against the mileage

on it now,

find out

how far she went.

Yes, I see.

$10,000, as we agreed.

The check is certified.

You were hired to find her,

and you found her.

What you do now

calls for a new arrangement.

I think this

covers it all.

It doesn't,

but an additional

15,000 will.

I've always

found it better

to pay my debts.

Owing is far more costly.

I called fay from up in Tahoe

and said I'd drive down

in the morning.

She said,

"come on down tonight."

What the hell.

I had no place else to go.

[Loud music playing]

Hi. Come on in.

I'm Gloria.

Fay's...Little sister.

You are schill,

aren't you?

Yeah. I'm schill.

Then come on in.

Hey, schill.

Nice to see you.

Hi.

Listen, faithy went to the can.

She'll be out in a minute.

I'll fix you a drink?

No, thanks.

You just drive down?

You made pretty good time.

How are things

up at the lake?

Quiet.

Come on.

Have a little drink.

We're just

sitting around,

talking about old times.

Faithy went out and bought

a bottle of Brandy

just for you.

Well,

in that case...

So what's going on

in Tahoe?

I didn't see

much of anything.

Hi. I missed you.

I bet.

Faithy was really worried

about you.

[Fay]

Gloria.

Well, you were, honey. That's

all you talked about all day.

You've got

a big mouth.

Look...can we

get out of here?

Sure.

What is it?

Honey...tell me.

Nothing.

You've got

too much on your mind,

that's what it is.

Yeah, probably.

And you're tired.

You're thinking

about her?

About who?

Caroline.

I am now.

It's really hard

to believe that she's dead.

You know, you said

she killed herself,

but on the news,

they say it was murder.

Maybe it was.

But you're the one

who saw it happen.

Yes, I seem

to be the one.

How well

did you know her?

Mmm...just...

You know, not really.

She never was very friendly,

even when I first

knew her in L.A.

What was she

doing then?

I don't know.

She was just around.

We used to know

lots of people then.

You and who?

Joe.

I was 17

when we got married.

Just a dumb kid.

Can you imagine? 17?

Did Joe know her, too?

I don't know. Probably.

It was a long time ago.

I never saw her again

until after she married

Mr. Charnock up in Tahoe.

All those strings.

What strings?

Tying everybody

together.

I don't get it.

Even you.

You're still

working for him?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm still

working for him.

Why don't you

turn out the light?

Little fay's just bushed.

Little fay and Caroline

in L.A.--

another coincidence.

The answer had to be

with Caroline.

Carmona's probably right.

Two shoes--suicide.

One shoe--murder.

Wow. Some people

really know how to live.

Oh, I didn't mean it

like that.

[Schillman]

Mean what?

Well, Caroline

being dead and...

It just sounded bad.

Oh, forget about it.

What are you doing,

honey?

Just looking.

Did you

find something?

Let's go find out.

Go on.

Take a look around.

You sure nobody's here?

[Loudly]

Anybody here?

See?

It's spooky here.

That's where

she went off.

I don't want to see it.

Now what

are you doing?

Caroline's car

had, um...

7,461 miles on it

when she left Tahoe.

It now has 8,544 miles,

which means she drove...

1,183 miles.

Correct?

If you say so.

Divide that in half,

you come up with 591.5.

What's about 500 miles

from San Francisco?

L.A.?

Where Caroline

used to live.

It's about 500 miles

to Las Vegas, too.

Why would she go

to Las Vegas?

Why would she go to L.A.?

I don't know.

You want to be

a secretary?

Sure.

Call this number--

canyon rolls Royce

in Beverly Hills.

Ask for the service manager.

Tell him you're calling

for Mr. Schillman

of hartman insurance.

Ask him

if he recalls servicing

Mrs. Caroline charnock's

white rolls Royce convertible

with Nevada license plates

within the last two weeks.

What's

hartman insurance?

If he says yes,

call me.

Where are you going?

I'm just going

to look around.

Mr. Schillman?

Mr. Howard

is on the line.

I'll take it in here.

Mr. Howard.

Harold schillman.

I'm glad we finally

located you.

Yes. Mrs. Caroline charnock's

rolls Royce--

do you happen to have

the invoice handy?

I'll hold on.

Every little girl's

dream.

Right out

of a magazine.

Not your style, huh?

Do I look the type?

Neither did Caroline.

Yes, Mr. Howard.

I'm right here.

Was it the air conditioner pump

that you replaced?

The car only had

8,000 miles on it.

Yes. I see.

I understand.

I just wanted to be sure.

Oh, one more thing

Mr. Howard--

what address did Mrs. Charnock

give you in Los Angeles?

What hotel?

Uh-huh.

Okay. Thank you.

No. No problems.

You've been very helpful.

Thank you, Mr. Howard.

Now I suppose you think

you're terrific.

Well, you must admit

I'm getting better.

Oh! Uhh! Ha ha!

The door was open.

I closed it,

inspector.

Well, it wasn't locked,

Harold.

Wait for me

in the other room,

will you, honey?

Who is that?

What is it, Harold--

you want to make it in a dead

woman's bed? What is that?

Some special kinda kick?

We all have our little

idiosyncrasies, inspector.

Yesterday

you come here

and you kick the beans

out of the garage

attendant.

Today you mess around

with the lady's car.

Then you and your friend

come up here.

Just what are you up to?

I came up here

to make a phone call.

Is that why Mr. Charnock

gave you the keys--

so you could use

the phone?

It's not against the law.

That's very funny.

Harold, you should tell me

what you're doing.

Because it won't be so very good

if I have to guess.

I'm working

for Mr. Charnock, inspector.

Still or again?

Just doing a few

odds and ends.

Are you lying

to me, Harold?

Ask him.

I'm asking you!

Withholding evidence

from the police

is worth five years,

Harold, remember?

That's not like some crummy

section 502 drunk charge

that they don't even process

because they all feel

sorry for you.

Now, we've still got

a murder to solve, Harold.

Remember?

You ever

think of going back

to Havana, inspector?

Tsk. All the time, Harold,

all the time.

Wow! The way

he walked in like that.

I didn't know

who the hell he was,

and there we were

on the bed.

Didn't you think

that was funny?

Yeah, it was funny.

Except you're

not laughing.

Now what do we do?

First I drive you

back to Gloria's.

I'm flying down

to L.A.

For how long?

I'll be back tomorrow.

Well, then,

let me come with you.

That way I can be sure

you come back.

When I hold on,

I hold on tight.

My car was

in the parking lot at l.A.X.

The battery was dead.

It took an hour

for the tow truck to arrive

and another hour to fight

traffic to the adriatic hotel.

It didn't matter anymore

why charnock had hired me.

Now I wanted

to do the job.

It was more than just having

something to do.

It was making me feel

alive again.

You won't forget

about me, will you?

The manager around?

Police?

My name's schillman.

I'm Mr. Krueger.

You're the manager?

Assistant manager

in charge of security.

Just the man I want to see.

Regarding?

A few questions

about Mrs. Caroline charnock--

she left here

a few days ago.

Yes. I'm familiar

with the situation.

The hotel would

of course appreciate

as much discretion

as possible.

There's been

no publicity so far.

Why start now?

You wouldn't mind if I

looked around her room?

Would you?

I'm afraid that suite

is occupied.

What about a copy

of her bill?

Phone calls,

messages, visitors,

anything else you've got.

I'll get the file.

It's all there.

I hope so.

Hate to make two trips.

What about the phone calls?

There's a list.

There's no way of tracing

the local numbers she dialed

herself.

Just the toll calls

and the one long-distance.

Those were all made

on the day she arrived.

Long-distance to where?

Nevada.

I believe you'll find that

to the number of castle lodge.

Visitors?

No.

However, she did

receive a letter

which was forwarded

to the San Francisco

address.

I knew

you'd tell me something.

Hello, Marilyn.

It's me--schillman.

Yes, I know

I was fired.

Well, tell him I quit,

but, uh, do me a favor

anyway, will you,

just for the fun of it?

555-5185--

run a tracer on it,

and I'll call you back.

Oh, come on.

Sure you can do it...

If you really want to.

Okay.

Uh, that was Sebastian.

Just passing through

in the parking lot?

You were in there long,

and I had to talk to him.

You seem to have ex-husbands

everywhere we go.

Sebastian. He doesn't give

a damn about the kid.

All he cares about

is himself.

He knows I need the

money. Or I'd never ask.

You told me

he's always broke.

Not that broke.

He just bought himself

a new car.

That's what made me

so angry.

He said if I really

needed money,

I could make it

easier than he could.

How much do you need?

You don't like it

when I talk

about that, do you?

I'll give you some money.

If you don't want me to,

I won't do it anymore.

What do you want?

What do you think?

Then don't worry

about the money.

I won't.

[Thunder]

This is how you live?

It's where I live.

Make yourself at home.

Marilyn,

this is schillman again.

Did you get it?

You say it's a pay phone

in the valley?

Well,

that's a dead end.

Ew!

Thanks, anyway.

[Hangs up telephone]

Good lord.

There. You feel better?

Listen,

I'm one swell housewife,

so don't mess around.

How can you drink it

like that?

You get used to it.

Getting used to something

doesn't make it good.

It's terrible.

You know,

when I was a kid,

I used to love beer.

Joe used to say I was

a cheap date, and I really

looked young then.

So when we went out,

I could never get served.

For somebody

who doesn't like it,

you do pretty good.

The story of my life.

Pour.

You want to fly

back to San Francisco

with a hangover?

That's tomorrow morning,

and who cares

about tomorrow morning?

Listen, Mr. Schillman,

I'm going

to tell you something.

You go right ahead.

I changed my mind.

Good. So do I.

You're easy

to get along with.

That's what

they tell me.

Well, I'm easy

to get along with, too.

Don't you think so?

Good old easy-to-

get-along-with fay.

And good old easy-to-

get-along-with schill,

except...you get mean

sometimes.

I never do.

Except I hate your ex-wife.

So do I.

And you hate

Sebastian and Joe.

I do?

You ought to,

especially Joe.

I was 17

when we got married.

When I was 18,

he turned me out.

You know what I mean?

The first time

for money.

Good old easy fay.

Good old dumb fay.

Huh. Just a cute little

kewpie doll

who believed anything.

I really thought

I was living the life,

going to parties,

meeting all sorts of people,

like miss Caroline Selby.

Huh. But I was

just another loser,

just another dumb broad,

living easy and thinking

just because Joe bought me

a Mercedes convertible

that the party and the people

were going to--

were never going to end.

I'll tell you something

about that car.

After I left Joe

and moved in with Sebastian,

Joe came over one night

and poured sugar

in the gas tank.

How about that?

The one

really nice thing I had,

and he had to ruin it.

[Sigh]

As if Sebastian

was any better.

That earthquake

is the best thing

that ever happened to me.

Got me the hell

out of here,

and for a while,

I thought it was going to

change everything,

and maybe it would have.

Then I ran into--

then I met

somebody in Tahoe.

Do you hate me?

I couldn't live

if you hated me.

I swear I'll never

do it again.

Never.

Don't hate me.

The letter

was waiting there

in Caroline's

polished brass mailbox

forwarded

from the hotel in L.A.

No one

had bothered to look.

Dead people don't get mail.

You must really

like it here.

It's the only place

I know.

You were so bombed,

I'm surprised you remember.

Late night.

I felt it all

coming together now--

all the pieces

sliding into place...

Or almost all.

I wondered what fay's story

would be this time.

You lied to me,

didn't you?

About what?

About, uh,

making love.

Yes.

Why?

Because I guess

I wanted it to be true.

It doesn't matter, schill.

I've had enough sex to last me

the rest of my life.

I don't care about it.

Okay.

That's the only lie.

Okay. Forget it.

Look what

I found today.

What is it?

Look.

Oh, my god.

Recognize anybody?

Caroline.

So she made

a stag film.

You didn't

know about it?

No. I swear I didn't.

I wish I did.

She used to act

like the fanciest

$500 trick in town,

and the rest of US,

well, we weren't

in her class.

So she was hooking, huh?

You bet she was.

Joe was setting

up dates for her

until I found out.

Oh, ho. I blew my cork

over that one.

Joe backed off.

Caroline just disappeared.

I didn't see her again

until Tahoe

after she married

Carl charnock.

You'd think she'd be

a little nervous

running into me.

Not Caroline.

All she said was,

"how nice

to see you again."

Did you tell Joe

about that?

Yeah,

but that was

a couple months later.

He wasn't

very interested.

Maybe he already knew.

It was right after Caroline

disappeared in L.A.

That Joe went to jail,

isn't it?

How did you know

about that?

I ran a check on him.

He did two years

in chino.

And it was

all his own fault, too.

Getting involved

with those crooks--

I told him he was crazy.

But he said it was going

to be easy money.

Those guys stole everything in

sight.

And Joe got caught.

So, what did you do

while he was away?

That's when I met

Sebastian Reid.

Then after Joe got out,

it was all over between US.

What are you doing,

schill?

My job.

Mr. Charnock is expecting me

up there tomorrow,

and he wants me to tell him

who killed Caroline.

Do you know?

Who?

You think it was Joe,

and that's why

you're asking me.

Where is he, fay?

You know what

you're asking me to do?

You don't have to

tell me.

But if I don't?

Okay.

Going somewhere, Joe?

What are you

doing here?

I work for Mr. Charnock.

Didn't fay tell you?

I don't know.

I don't remember.

She just called you,

didn't she?

What are you talking about?

Nobody called me.

Joe, look,

I used to be a cop.

18 years in San Diego.

I got into some

rough action down there,

but I never lost.

I haven't met the punk

who could take me yet.

Oh. Congratulations.

Joe, I can beat you.

I can hurt you.

Hey, I'm a lover,

not a fighter.

You're a pimp.

You turned fay

into a whore.

Okay, I'm sorry.

What do you

want me to do?

I want the rest

of the film.

What film?

You're making me

very angry, Joe.

I'm going to take it

all out on you.

Now give me

the film.

Look, what the hell.

It's in the trunk.

How much did you get,

Joe?

How much do you want?

Look, i--i was just

trying to scare her.

You did a hell of a job.

Aah!

What do you think

you're doing?

Shut up!

[Sirens and radios]

Seems like

you make trouble

everywhere you go, Harold.

Don't talk like that,

inspector.

I'm doing a good job.

What did you burn?

A roll of film.

A hotel employee tried to stop

him and an another witness says

the guy that got killed

tried to run away from him.

You make it

really tough, Harold.

I can explain everything.

I bet you can.

Well?

Go ahead.

Once upon a time...

Book him!

Wait a minute.

Bring him back here.

You make me lose

my temper, Harold.

I'm sorry.

Last chance,

so do it right.

The dead man is Joe hervey,

a pimp from L.A.

He's got a record.

Years ago, he had a high-class

hooker named Caroline Selby.

She quit the business

and showed up in Tahoe,

respectable as hell.

Six months later,

she married Carl charnock.

He knew absolutely nothing

about her past.

You making this up,

or is this real, Harold?

After the wedding,

she ran into somebody

who knew her

from the old days.

She couldn't wait

to tell Joe the news.

Joe saw the gold

and went for it.

Caroline was afraid

to tell her husband,

so she paid Joe

to keep his mouth shut.

She kept on paying

until finally it got too

hot and she panicked.

Slow down.

Slow down.

Caroline drove down

to L.A.

To tell Joe hervey

the good times were all over,

but Joe didn't

let go so easily.

When she came back here,

he followed her and put

pressure.

That's when I showed up.

Caroline told me the easiest

lie that came to her mind

with, probably, good old Joe

hiding in the bedroom.

After I left,

Joe tried to frighten her

by dragging her to the terrace,

except she went over.

All of a sudden,

you remember

all of this.

Explain yourself.

Well, I figured it out.

"Start thinking like a cop."

That's what you said.

Full of holes, Harold.

Full of holes.

Joe hervey

is a piece of meat.

You burned

the blackmail evidence.

You got no proof,

Harold.

A cop needs proof.

So I'm a little rusty.

Harold, what am I

going to do with you?

Inspector, you wanted me

to book him?

I rehearsed my speech

all the way up to Tahoe,

trying to make it sound

better than it was.

There was no way

to make it sweet.

You're not going to like

what I have to say.

I don't expect to.

Your wife was a hooker

in L.A.

Hey, schill,

you don't--

she made a stag film.

Joe hervey had it

and he was blackmailing her.

I burnt the film,

all except this.

There. No more film.

No more Joe hervey.

That's it, huh?

I got more.

Do you want to hear it?

Let it alone, char.

Don't torture yourself.

I'll handle the rest.

Not this time, smiley.

Why don't you

lay off, pal.

Enough is enough.

Take your money

and go home.

Buy yourself

a bathtub

full of booze.

It's up to you.

I'm listening.

When your wife

drove down to L.A.,

one of the first things

she did was call back up here.

That's number one.

Number two--Joe hervey

was hitting her hard

for a lot of money.

She had to

get it somewhere.

Three--fay Reid

is Joe hervey's ex-wife.

She knew Caroline

in the old days,

but when she mentioned

seeing Caroline up here,

Joe already knew it.

Alright.

That's one, two, three.

Go ahead. Add them up.

I'm trying.

If fay wasn't the only one

who knew Caroline,

then it figures

whoever she called

must have been

Joe hervey's pal,

someone who could

help her get the money--

pay him off

a lot of money.

Now, where would you

get a lot of money

around here?

The casino cashier.

Tough place to get into,

but not for you.

I have the keys.

I suppose Caroline could borrow

them long enough to make copies.

I suppose so.

Come on. If Caroline went

anywhere near that cashier,

everybody up here

would have heard about it.

But what if Caroline gave

the keys to her old friend

to help her

get the money,

and the old friend decided

to keep the keys

and help himself,

knowing that Caroline

couldn't do anything

about it?

Ah, that's a mighty big

what-if.

I've got another one.

What if Caroline thought

the only way

to stop her old friend

was to tip off

the gaming commission

that the casino

was being skimmed?

Who is it?

I'm just guessing.

Maybe smiley

can help US.

Why me?

Well, you never did

like Caroline.

You made it very easy for me

to find out about her past.

All you had to do

was introduce me to fay.

You know something,

schill?

You took

all the wrong steps,

but you got there.

I didn't know anything

about Caroline's past.

I mean, sure,

we didn't get along together,

but I wasn't looking

for anything like that.

It was something else.

See, uh...

I figured out that she was

f-fooling around up here

right under your nose.

I didn't know

how to tell you.

How do you tell somebody

something like that?

I figured that, uh,

you'd, uh, you'd get mad at me

or that

you wouldn't believe me,

and, uh...

I would have to leave.

I got nowhere else to go,

so I didn't say it.

I couldn't

say the words, char.

I didn't do anything.

And then when

it got worse,

uh, there was

nothing else I could do.

Hey. Howdy.

You scum.

What did I do now?

I checked with the girl

on the phones.

She remembered.

You got a long-distance call

the day after

the casino shut down.

So what?

It was my wife

who called you.

Why would she call me?

Let me get a couple

of boys to soften him.

Forget it.

You waited too long, Rudy.

You had a chance to run.

You should have taken it.

You got nothing.

You were sleeping

with my wife.

You were

blackmailing her.

You can't prove it.

Oh, yes, we can.

You're so dumb,

I bet you've still got the keys.

What keys?

Why don't we take a look

through his room?

Put the gun down,

Rudy.

How far do you think

you could get?

Far enough.

You're not

going anywhere.

No!

There wasn't anything

I could do,

not for the living

and certainly not for the dead.

Joe hervey and smiley,

both of them had

a run at death,

but not Caroline.

There was so little cause

for her to die.

There's a job

here for you

if you want it.

No. It just

wouldn't feel right.

I understand,

but if ever

you do want it...

$15,000.

What are you

going to do?

Go home.

I'll have

someone drive you

to the airport.

No. I'll just

call a cab.

Smiley...jumped

in front of me,

didn't he?

Yeah.

Maybe that was

his atonement.

Atonement?

For not telling you,

for not saying anything.

Maybe it was an accident.

Smiley was with me

for 30 years.

That's a long time.

You could

give me a lift.

If you want to say no,

then just say it.

It won't kill me.

You called him,

didn't you, fay?

You called Joe up

and told him I was coming

so he wouldn't

be there.

Yeah. I had to.

I knew him so long.

I couldn't just...

No, I guess

you couldn't.

I'm, uh,

leaving this place,

moving back to vallejo,

raise my kid.

I'm trying real hard

to make you like me.

I like you, fay.

Yeah.

Well, maybe if

one of these days...

Maybe you'll call.

You have the number.

[Horn honks]

I had a feeling

it might be you.

I heard there was

a lot of excitement

up here before--

shooting and everything.

And you tried to tell me

you weren't a cop.

Baloney, pal.

I know a cop

when I see one.