Copycat (1995) - full transcript

An agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.

The screams of the victim

deaden his pain.

The act of killing

makes him feel intensely alive.

What he feels next is not guilt...

...but disappointment.

It was not as wonderful as he'd hoped.

Maybe next time, it will be perfect.

And as his determination builds

to take another life...

...he plans, in obsessive detail...

...what props he'll bring...

...what knots he'll tie.

Let me ask you guys something.

What turns you on?

What really does it for you?

Is it a great body?

Is it a nice smile? Is it beautiful legs?

What turns on a serial killer is the suffering

and death of another human being.

Now, I'd like to ask you guys a favor.

If you could all stand up,

all the men in the room.

Please indulge me.

Come on, it's only fair,

after all the time you've ogled us.

Now, would everybody under 20

and over 35 have a seat.

If you are of Asian or African-American

descent, you may sit down.

Kenny, turn that light on, please...

...so we can get a good look

at these guys.

Ladies, what do you see?

Some pretty cute guys,

don't you think?

If one of these fellas asked you out

for a drink, you'd go.

Let me tell you something.

Nine out of 10 serial killers

are white males...

...aged 20 to 35...

...just like these.

Albert DeSalvo, Bianchi and Buono...

...Berkowitz, Dahmer, Ted Bundy.

They were quiet, unassuming...

...even nice.

They had jobs.

They made decent neighbors.

Their victims trusted them.

The FBI estimates...

...there could be as many

as 35 serial killers...

...cruising for victims even as I speak.

Guys, sit down. You're scaring me.

Serial killers are not

a 20th-century invention...

...but we are spawning them

in greater numbers.

The state of Florida

spent almost $8 million...

...to electrocute Ted...

You're dead.

Sorry.

The state of Florida spent $8 million

to electrocute Ted Bundy.

Wouldn't that money have been

better spent keeping him confined...

...subject to intense scientific scrutiny?

Isn't our best hope to try to identify

the Ted Bundys of the future...

...before they kill?

Thank you.

- Don't park next to vans.

- Thank you.

Thanks for coming.

I'm hitting the ladies' room.

Since she's using the ladies' room,

I'll use the men's room.

- Thanks for your help, Tom.

- Anytime.

Hello?

Sorry, ma'am.

- Okay, doc, it's all yours.

- Thank you.

Dr. Hudson?

Hello?

Come out with your hands up.

I'm not gonna ask you...

What are you doing with my gun?

How'd you get my gun?

What are you doing in the ladies' room?

Are you spying on little girls again?

Hey. I'll tell you something right now.

Hey!

Don't she look pretty up there, officer?

You know what I want to know?

Help me out on this, Dr. Hudson,

since you're the expert.

How would a fartknocker like me...

...take out a dumb guy like this?

Would you stick him...

...or would you shoot him?

Stick him or shoot him? I can't...

I can't decide, but I think

I'll just go ahead on and do both.

Whoo-hoo-hoo! Whoo! Hot potato!

You bloodied up my knife, you dog.

I hate cops.

Hey, Dr. Hudson.

What do you say me and you

have a little fun?

John Adams...

Adams...

...Jefferson...

...James Monroe, James Madison...

...John Quincy Adams.

Andy?

John Quincy Adams.

Andrew Jackson.

Martin Van Buren.

Wait a minute. This is so stupid.

Calvin Coolidge.

Andy?

Oh, God!

Hello, Kate.

I got you beat.

Bye, Kate.

Police! Freeze!

The good news is, you're still alive.

You see a downside to that?

This is pretty remedial stuff, Ruben.

Remedial? Let's review the scenario.

Didn't anyone at the Academy

teach you to shoot conservatively?

Boom-boom-boom-ba-boom-boom-boom?

You shredded him.

I'm an intuitive cop.

With poor impulse control.

Let's assume you didn't mow down

a 75-year-old man...

...who couldn't hear your warning

because he's deaf.

Huh? Eh?

Let's say you greased the guy

while he was trying to surrender. Ah.

Well, he jumped out at me.

Now you're on leave

pending an inquiry.

Friends wonder if you're a psychopath.

On top of that...

...the guy's junkie wife's lawyer slams

a wrongful-death action up your tail.

All right, smartass,

let's see how you do.

The shoulder of his

gun hand's exposed.

You hit the brachial nerve, he drops

the gun. You read him his rights.

Plus, you haven't taken a human life

so your karma's still okay.

You hungry? I'm starving.

- Aren't you gonna answer that?

- No, it's probably not important.

I'm sure she thinks it is.

How about Moroccan?

You like couscous?

Don't you want to

know which one it is?

Hello?

You must have mental telepathy.

I was just about to call you.

The usual.

Long days making sure justice prevails.

- 10390 Mariposa.

- Yeah.

Scaffolding on the north

and west sides of the building.

Great. The Mouth is here.

You can end her career.

Pop her in the brachial nerve,

she'll drop the microphone.

♪ I miss your sexy ways ♪

It's a thought.

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I miss the ins and outs... ♪

- How are you?

- Fine, thanks.

Can you confirm reports

that this latest murder...

...fits the same pattern

as the other two?

We just got here. I'm not prepared to...

Is there a serial killer stalking

the streets of San Francisco?

- Susan, thank you.

- Excuse me. I'm a member of the press.

Hey, MJ, all done.

Hey, Jim. Can you grab some overalls

from the crowd, some nice, clear faces?

- I'll make them say "cheese."

- Oh, Jesus.

The landlady found her.

The front door was open.

She tried the bell.

The tenant didn't answer,

so she went inside and found the body.

She used the telephone to dial 911,

otherwise she touched nothing.

- You're thinking robbery?

- It doesn't look like it.

It's all yours, kids.

I'll take care of the Mouth.

Good morning, sir.

- With this scaffolding, we should call...

- I'll call the contractor.

Take this.

- Good morning.

- Morning.

Morning, MJ.

- Were you first on the scene?

- Yes.

- That the landlady?

- Yeah.

- Ruben? Thanks.

- Sure.

- "Johnson." What's the first part?

- Mike.

Did you touch anything, Mike?

I don't want to get excited about

latents and find out they're yours.

- No, I didn't.

- You didn't?

Mm-mm.

Okay.

She usually goes jogging

in the morning, to the Delores Park.

- Hi, Bill.

- Hey, MJ.

- Ruben?

- Yeah?

- This one.

- Okay.

Hi.

- Morning.

- Morning, MJ.

- Hi.

- Wow!

- Uh-huh.

- Pretty wild.

- How you doing?

- Okay.

Got an estimate for me?

- About eight hours.

- Mm-hm.

I'm seeing ligature marks, petechiae.

Strangled, huh?

- Same as the others.

- Yeah.

- Bag all the stuff on the bedside table?

- Yes.

Thanks, Bill. Excellent.

That's the only one I need.

Mike?

Yes, ma'am.

- Were you the first one here?

- Yes.

Did you touch anything?

No, ma'am.

What's wrong, Mike?

Nothing.

If you're holding out on me,

I'll get it out of you. You know I will.

There was a stocking around her neck

when I found her.

- I don't know what happened to it.

- Hmm.

Who else was in there

before the CSI showed up?

Lieutenant Quinn.

That's all right, then. Thanks, Mike.

Celebrating 25 years of the spirit

of the '60s in San Francisco...

...the Festival of Love got underway

today in Golden Gate Park.

- Why did you remove evidence from the...?

- Shh.

I want to hear this.

In Potrero Hill...

...homicide detectives discovered

yet another grisly murder today.

Police would not comment, but informed

sources inside the department...

...tell us this latest death...

...could be the work of the same killer

responsible for the deaths of two women.

Susan Schiffer, Potrero Hill.

You messed with the scene.

Somebody around here can't keep

his big yap shut, and I'll find out who.

What did you do with the stocking?

I tagged it.

I don't want some blabbermouth

leaking the MO to her...

...so she can tell everyone,

leaving us nothing to play.

Am I in charge of this thing or not?

Why are you so prickly?

I ought to be the one deciding

what evidence to sequester, sir.

All right, inspector.

Which evidence on this case

would you like to sequester?

- The stocking around the neck.

- The stocking around the neck.

God, you're one pushy broad, MJ.

I'll take that as a compliment, sir.

MJ?

I didn't say serial killer,

you didn't say serial killer.

For chrissake.

Again.

George Washington.

John Adams.

Thomas Jefferson.

James Madison.

James Monroe.

Oh, come on, Helen.

John Quincy Adams.

Martin Van Buren.

Idiots!

So you followed the girl home.

And then what?

I killed her.

Where did you do that?

It was in the bathtub.

Why did you do that?

She was dirty.

She was a very dirty girl. Very dirty.

So do you remember...

...how many times you stabbed her?

Eighty-seven.

Harvey?

Yeah?

Get the fuck out of here.

I got work to do. Come on.

Come on, let's go. What?

The blood of the innocents

are on these hands.

I understand. That's a terrible thing.

But let me tell you...

...if you come back,

I'll make you stand in the corner again.

Bye, Harvey!

- But innocent blood is on these hands.

- I understand. It's terrible.

Bye, Harv.

You don't care about the truth.

We pay for city government, just like this,

and you never care about the truth.

I killed her!

- I know.

- I killed her in the bathtub.

Goodbye, Harvey.

- Hi.

- Hi. Whew.

Was it something I did in another life?

Probably something you did in this one.

Stuff came in from Mercer.

Medical, dental receipts.

- Nothing in common with the others.

- Ruben.

What is that around your neck?

I'd get one like yours, Nikko,

but I don't live near the Kmart.

How about friends, acquaintances?

Uh-uh. The only thing these girls had

in common is they all owned vibrators.

It's a tool of survival.

How can he come to

work wearing that?

God. Lay off him.

A cop should look like a cop.

What's the world coming to?

Let me let you talk

to the lead inspector on the case.

Hold on.

MJ, we got Deep Throat again.

How many calls is that, Pach?

That makes three today.

Fourteen, total.

Phone company set up on our Centrex?

Yeah, this morning.

Have Gigi put a tracer on her ass.

I'll see if it'll work.

Inspector Monahan speaking.

Homicide.

Yes, hello.

Ask her about the moon bike.

I'm really interested in your ideas.

The moon bike...

- What is that?

- Moon bike?

I said a "lunar cycle."

I think he might be on a lunar cycle.

Because the first two murders

were 28 days apart.

Still want to crack jokes?

No, this is no joke. Neither is tying up

police lines with crank calls.

Are you calling me a crank?

Do you have any evidence to report?

Did you know the victims?

This is number three.

That is an opinion, not evidence.

May I ask who I'm speaking with?

Aah.

Who's Helen Hudson?

Dr. Hudson,

what did you think of his claim...

...that he tied these women to a tree...

...and burned them alive

because Joan of Arc told him to?

He was lying.

How do you know?

People suffering from aural

hallucinations hear voices in both ears.

In stereo.

Daryll Lee told me...

...Joan of Arc always appeared

on his left side...

...and spoke softly in his left ear.

Those are the lab results,

hot off the press. No sperm.

Wow.

So we've got a serial.

You didn't say that.

You interviewed Cullum three times.

Who's that?

The woman that got the cop killed?

She might be useful.

The woman is a wrong number.

Work the clues, for chrissake.

Sir?

What clues? We don't have any clues.

Nobody here has ever worked

a serial case before.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I have.

- The Zodiac, right?

- Right.

Did anyone ever catch the Zodiac,

or did he die of old age?

What?

Commissioner's on 2,

about the Chinatown thing.

Work the clues.

Only part. I see. But what else?

Mr. Cullum satisfies

the rules for sanity...

...in being fully aware

at the time of the murders...

...that his actions were wrong

and unlawful.

Thank you, Dr. Hudson.

No more questions.

You're dead.

- Hello.

- San Francisco Homicide.

I'm Inspector Goetz.

This is Inspector Monahan.

- Yes?

- Is Helen Hudson here?

I'm her assistant. Can I help?

If we could have a few minutes?

Come in.

This way, please.

Dr. Hudson, this is

Inspectors Goetz and Monahan.

He's escaped again, right?

- I'm sorry?

- Well?

Is he out or isn't he?

I'm not following, ma'am.

Let's talk about your phone calls.

Phone calls?

I didn't make any phone calls.

Isn't this nice?

Would everyone like to sit down?

Shall I make coffee?

Get me my stuff.

Joyfully.

I talked to you this morning,

Dr. Hudson.

Do you remember?

Of course I remember.

There's nothing wrong with my

memory. You called me a crank.

- Yes, ma'am.

- I suppose I am.

I got a couple of crank calls myself.

That's why I thought

Daryll Lee Cullum was out of prison.

If Daryll Lee had gotten out,

you'd be the first to know.

Well, good. I'm relieved.

I hate to sound like

a broken record, but you called us.

Yes.

- I did. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.

- Why?

There's a serial killer out there who's

strangled three women. He'll do it again.

If there's evidence connecting these

murders, nothing's been reported.

- How do you connect them?

- I don't know.

Twenty years of clinical experience

and having serial killers on the brain.

Would you work with us on this?

You're kidding, right?

No, ma'am.

I thought you knew

that I don't do this anymore.

I'm retired.

Is that why you called us 14 times?

Because you're retired?

Help me out. I really admire your work.

Does she do this...

...wide-eyed-little-girl routine often?

Yeah.

Does it work?

- Usually.

- Sometimes.

You can spare me the bullshit.

You don't admire me or like me.

None of your people do.

But the thing is, I don't give a fuck!

That's the upside of a nervous breakdown.

If you don't mind,

I have a very busy day.

Well, ma'am, it's a hell

of an apartment you got here.

I guess...

...the books you wrote

about these scumbags paid well.

Now, we can't afford to pay you...

...your usual fee...

...but if you'd be so kind as to look...

I don't want these here.

- Would you be comfortable downtown?

- I don't want to see these here.

- I'll drive you, if you prefer.

- Andy?

Andy? Andy!

- Andy! Andy!

- What's wrong?

It's all right. It's okay.

Just breathe. I'm here. Breathe.

- Should we call the paramedics?

- No.

It's just a good, old-fashioned

panic attack.

She hyperventilates till she faints, then her

breathing gets normal and she's fine.

- What did we do?

- She's agoraphobic.

She's afraid of spiders too?

She hasn't left home in over a year.

She's okay?

She's fine. In half an hour,

she'll be singing.

Tell her...

...we're sorry we bothered her.

Did you want her to look at those?

If you do, leave them.

I'll make sure they're safe.

Tell her to call me...

...if she feels like it.

That one is a strange ranger.

Quinn said she was a crackpot.

He forgot to mention

pill-popping juicehead...

...hyperventilating,

agoraphobic asshole.

I thought she was sweet.

Ruben!

Honest to God!

Are they gone?

All gone.

Oh, God!

I must have looked

like such an asshole.

No, no.

You look good with a bag on your head.

Oh, God.

I want to die.

I wouldn't.

He'll be back.

Who'll be back?

Don't be coy.

You thought he was cute too.

- No, I didn't. I did not.

- Didn't you?

You like those cute, brutal types

with the eyebrows and the handcuffs.

Admit it.

- Oh, God.

- What? What'd I say?

Nothing.

I miss men.

Yeah? And what am I?

You know what I mean.

I miss sex.

He was pretty cute.

Yes, he was very cute.

Okay, no young cops for you.

Come on. Up you go. Sit over here.

Look at these pictures.

Why are these here?

I'll get you some coffee.

Andy, I can't.

Why don't you just die, then?

They'll find you years from now amongst

unopened mail and unread newspapers.

Yeah, the old hermit lady.

She lived on cat food and Camembert.

She used to be

a really good shrink once.

Make up your mind. Here's your coffee.

Live or die.

Andy?

You scared me.

Burning the midnight oil?

This stuff never gets any easier.

Yeah. That's why they pay us

the small bucks.

Hey, listen.

Do you?

What would you think if...

...when you're finished here

we go to Joe's and we...

...have a steak and...

I don't think so.

Thanks anyway.

What? You got other plans?

Not that it's any of my business...

You got that right.

Bean curd, smoked-eel sushi.

Oh, Nikko.

We got prawn tempura, seaweed salad.

You want to join us?

You kiss your mother after eating that?

No. I can kiss you, if you like.

Go fuck yourself.

Who put the bug up his ass?

Where's my cheeseburger?

I made an executive decision.

Japanese.

It's better for your heart.

Ruben? Ruben?

You didn't even get french fries.

You're pissing me off.

Here, here.

Any word from...

...Helen "Put a Bag Over My Head"

Hudson?

Not yet, but there will be.

No way.

Five bucks she's going to call tonight.

Deal.

Wait a minute.

What's this Quarter Pounder

with cheese doing here?

Homicide.

Inspector Monahan, please.

These three are

the work of the same man.

This one is different.

Are you testing me?

Well, not exactly.

We had reason to believe...

I have to take tests now?

Ongoing case?

Six months.

The scene is disorganized.

The killer lives nearby. He would've

been too disoriented to drive.

You have two possibilities: One is

a mental patient, the other is a boyfriend.

Someone who was denied sex

on this occasion...

...who knew and cared about her.

He beat the shit out of her.

But he felt remorse.

He covered her up afterward,

because he felt conflicted.

Not like this man.

These are the work of someone

who is not conflicted at all.

He's doing exactly

what he wants to do.

Highly organized.

I'll bet there were no prints,

no stains, no blood. Right?

- Right.

- No sign of forced entry.

He probably conned his way in.

These may or may not be about sex...

...but they're about power.

See the multiple thumbprints

along the throat?

Was the hyoid bone broken?

Yes, it was.

He strangles them face to face,

so they can see his power...

...and he can watch their terror.

That gets him off.

Then he revives them

and does it again.

Look for an intelligent white male,

20 to 30 years old, socially functional...

...with a major interest

in golden oldies.

Did I pass?

You passed.

What do you mean by "golden oldies"?

Where's the stocking

that was tied around this one's neck?

How'd you know that?

I mean, I assume it was a stocking

and not pantyhose...

...tied in a big loopy bow...

...like this one, right?

Right.

For goodness sakes,

it's the Boston Strangler.

He's imitating Albert DeSalvo's

crime scene down to the kinky details.

This guy's copycatting a serial killer

who's been dead for...

Twenty years.

Why DeSalvo? Why not somebody

in the news recently?

Gacy or Ramirez?

I don't know.

I mean, these guys are like viruses.

There's always some new mutation.

♪ Tears are running down your breast ♪

♪ And your friends ♪

♪ Treat you like a guest ♪

♪ Don't you want somebody to love? ♪

Hi. Heh.

The commissioner is up my ass,

saying we could use help here.

We could use help.

We need their VICAP, we need their...

- ...database thingies.

- Yeah, yeah.

The FBI will bury you with fucking help.

During Patty Hearst...

...some snot-nose with a crew cut

took over my office for a month.

So you're saying?

I'm saying, if you need help...

...Nikko is almost through

with the Chinatown thing.

That really won't be necessary, sir.

Join us. We need you.

Anyone with a similar profile

to the Strangler.

Or with a German wife.

Can you do that?

Anyone who wears green pants...

The files in from Boston, yet?

Should be here tomorrow.

Nikko, what are you up to?

Going to Chinatown.

Sit in on this for a minute.

Pach, what do you got?

Winning?

I'm pulverizing him.

All right, I'm off, then.

- See you.

- Have a good time.

I won't wait up.

Ha!

I got you.

She's next.

How do you know?

Because I watched

her face change to that.

- Did you try to play it back?

- No.

How did he send this to you?

He's hacked into her Internet address.

Can we trace it?

- Only if he's online right now.

- He ain't.

Can we rewind or?

Yeah, we should be able to play it back.

- How long is the program?

- Thirty seconds.

- Can we get a copy of that face?

- No, it's too big a file.

- Huh?

- Back up to tape.

She's got a tape backup. We can

make a copy and take it with us.

How do you know about all this?

Misspent youth in video arcades,

I guess.

A lot of quarters.

Why would he send this to you?

Why do you think?

No one mentioned your involvement.

There is no involvement.

I'm not involved!

This is a game they play.

They hang around watching the cops...

...feeling superior to them.

Instead of catching him,

you led him to me.

He didn't write to me,

he wrote to you. Why?

Because I'm their damn pinup girl.

They all know me. They have libraries.

They collect clippings.

I'm the fucking muse of serial killers.

Holy shit.

What the?

- No.

- Yeah.

Excuse me.

Christ.

Try the C drive too.

Any other suggestions?

It's gone. The file is not here.

It's not on C drive, and it's not in List.

The utilities aren't retrieving it.

You think he put a virus in there?

- Yeah.

- What exactly is?

He wrote a virus into the program.

You try to copy it, it's erased.

He booby-trapped it!

I gotta hand it to the guy.

- He's a smart motherfucker.

- Do you remember what she looked like?

Yes.

She looked like a girl.

She looked like a million other girls.

Okay?

I barely saw her.

I'm going to the office to get

a systems guy on this. Maybe Marty.

Or Mercer.

What are you doing?

Unplugging this.

It's an open window.

He can crawl in any time he likes.

He comes in, we grab him.

It's the only lead we've got.

And what am I?

The lamb tied to the stake?

You don't get it. This is the only space

that I have in the world.

- You're not gonna get it.

- I'll get a guard here.

I don't want a fucking guard here!

All right. Hey.

- We're all working together.

- I'm not.

- I'm not working with anybody.

- This is what we'll do.

Turn the monitor back on and I'll stay

until we figure out what's happening.

- Go on.

- Catch you later.

All right?

Heil Hitler.

I don't think he's gonna send us

anything else tonight. He's too busy.

Yeah.

You want a drink?

No, thank you.

Always on duty?

Always.

So...

...what about you

and the wee inspector?

What about us?

Are you?

We're partners.

Partners? In every way?

Not yet.

Self-confident.

Actually, I'm shy...

...selective.

The trouble is I'm...

I'm finding myself...

Well, you're in the witness category,

you see.

Well...

In better times, maybe.

Yeah.

Peter! Peter!

I've been calling and calling.

Didn't you hear me?

You completely forgot about me.

Very thirsty, weren't you,

my little sweetie?

Come on.

Are you teasing me?

Naughty little boy.

What are you doing?

Want to watch Letterman with me?

Well, I could, but...

I don't watch talk shows on my own.

I know.

It's just... I'm right...

Oh, go on.

Go back to your silly little computers.

Thanks.

Haven't you forgotten something?

I love you.

Yeah, me too.

Uh-oh.

Looks like you're in a bit of trouble.

Okay.

I'm going to place my hand...

...right here.

Okay.

I'm gonna put my elbow right here.

And just...

...cut a little hole.

There, now.

Didn't I say I'd take care of you?

Goodness. You're so hot.

Now, this is gonna hurt a little bit,

I'm afraid.

They claim they didn't see anything.

You received a call from dispatch

at 6:35 a.m.?

Correct. 6:35. The first unit arrived

about 15 minutes later.

Great.

Did you isolate the kids

who found her?

Yes, they're over on the side

of the hill.

How many of you knew her?

We just danced with her.

Really?

You just met her tonight?

Uh-huh. Excuse me. Good afternoon.

Did you stand too far

from your razor this morning?

- Good morning.

- I was up all night with a sick friend.

- I want to talk to you.

- What?

Have you got a thing going

with MJ now?

- I don't believe it.

- You don't believe it?

Good God, man, you stink.

Heavy date last night? Are you

screwing around on her already?

What's wrong with you?

Me? I'll tell you something,

you just treat her right, okay?

Don't go screwing around on her.

She doesn't deserve that.

Nikko, remind me again

why she dumped you.

Why is he here?

What do you see?

Tell me what you see.

There are stains.

So she's been sexually assaulted.

No defense wounds. No ligature marks

or bruising, like the others.

Very cyanotic.

Asphyxiation, huh?

- Doesn't look like our guy.

- You don't think so?

- No.

- Look at her heels.

There's abrasions, but no bleeding.

- She's been dragged up here postmortem.

- Maybe.

On this stuff we're not gonna get

any prints or tracks.

Ooh. Long night?

- Don't you start.

- What about her arms?

Yeah. There's needle marks, all right.

Not tracks. Not a regular user.

Probably so stoned,

she never knew what got her.

Hope so.

A lot of little hippie girls.

They all want to make love.

They all want to be beautiful.

That's your type, right, Ruben?

What are you doing?

Want to be on the 6:00 news?

Go down and finish taking statements.

Let's get out of here.

I know. They found another one.

What? Ruben told you already?

No, I heard it on my scanner.

- Can I use your phone?

- Sure.

They want you to call the office?

Your phone is busted.

You're some piece of work.

I turned that damn scanner off,

but then I turned it on again.

I can't listen to it, but I can't

not listen to it. So I make Andy do it.

Are you on medication?

I need your whole brain on duty.

Well, I'm not on duty.

Neither is my brain.

Everything is different. Different guy.

She was asphyxiated, not strangled...

...dumped outdoors, sexually assaulted.

So nothing like DeSalvo.

Completely different.

Monahan. Messages, please.

So why do you need me?

I think I'm wrong...

...because there was something

artificial about it.

Like posed. She was on display.

Why drag a body

all the way up a hill, a huge hill...

...where it will be found by tourists?

You think he's changed his routine?

That doesn't happen.

Hello? Yes, no. Monahan.

These men are robotic.

The murder's a ritual.

The method is part of the pleasure.

Why is that computer turned off?

Because I turned it off.

You can't do that.

I believe I can.

- But would you like me to turn it back on?

- Yeah.

Okay. Thanks.

Hello, Ruben.

Please thank Inspector Goetz

for taking care of me last night.

Dr. Hudson wants me to thank you

for taking care of her last night.

Uh-huh.

Lab results on the new one.

Two kinds of sperm.

Well, I guess it's...

...a gang thing.

Thanks for the use of your phone.

There were two kinds of sperm?

They said one was a secretor,

the other was not?

How'd you know about that?

There were needle marks?

On her right arm?

So far, nothing they test for

comes out positive.

Was the body found

near a "No Dumping" sign?

Yes.

Like this?

I could've taken that picture.

Shit. He switched.

From DeSalvo to Bianchi

and Buono. The Hillside Strangler.

Two men. Two kinds of sperm.

Very witty, our guy.

You said that they're like robots...

Yeah, but "consistency

is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Tell them to test for chemicals found

in window cleaner: Ammonia, ethanol...

- I know window cleaner.

- It's what they injected into a victim.

Why these guys? Why in such detail?

He wants to dazzle us.

Anyone can strangle someone

in a bathtub, right?

He's saying, "Look out.

"I'm just getting started."

In San Francisco...

...the mutilated body of an unidentified

young woman was discovered.

Police have yet to comment

on the slaying...

...which is the fourth such body

to be found in the last six weeks.

Reporting live is Susan Schiffer.

In response to growing alarm,

a special task force is being set up...

...inside the police department.

Aiding the police is noted criminal

psychologist, Dr. Helen Hudson.

It was her expert testimony that

sent Daryll Lee Cullum to death row...

...for the murders of two young women.

Cullum later escaped and attacked

Dr. Hudson, killing a police officer.

Meanwhile, schoolyards are empty,

college campuses are deserted...

...and a terrified city locks its doors.

Hey, little darling.

Full service is available.

Want me to check your oil?

Oh, hi. Sorry.

I'm a little lost. Can you help me out?

Um, sure.

Thanks.

We have a white female, early 20s...

...found deceased in vehicle.

Gunshot trauma to head.

Request CSU forensics and coroner.

Backup is requested.

Gotcha.

It's a beauty.

Great.

I'll look at it in a sec.

The tape is there for a purpose, sir.

You thought you heard a backfire?

Where were you?

I was just waiting to cross the street,

going east.

Excuse me.

- Yeah?

- Hi, it's me, Helen.

Look, this isn't a good time.

It's a woman shot in a car, right?

No, it looks like a drive-by.

She's in a parked car, shot in the head,

no sexual assault.

Which side was she on?

- Look, I really got to...

- Was it the passenger side?

Yeah.

Was the tape player on?

I don't know. Was the tape player on

when you got here?

Yeah, it was. It was driving me crazy,

so I shut it off.

You shut it off? Really?

Okay. Switch it on, would you?

It's still warm.

Don't laugh, but I think it might be

the Partridge Family.

Okay. You mind putting

the tape player on?

Helen thinks it might be

the Partridge Family.

♪ I think I love you ♪

Ruben, don't hang up.

Is there a gas station nearby?

- Yeah.

- With a phone booth?

- Uh-huh.

- Go look for a note.

Okay.

Here. I got to go check the pay phone.

It's Berkowitz, isn't it?

He's doing Son of Sam.

She was sitting in a parked car

when she was shot with a .44.

Look in the crowd.

Berkowitz liked to

watch the cops work.

Helen, we found a note.

It says, "Police, let me haunt you

with these words: I'll be back."

It's to Helen.

I'm going over there.

I know it's kind of late, but Ruben's

gonna drop by with a couple questions.

Look, I gotta go, so I'll see you later.

Inspector Monahan, Homicide.

Copy, go ahead.

I need a 10-25 to Pier One, Fort Mason.

Approach Code 2. Wait for instructions.

Alert the officer on security duty there.

Why do they put

these stupid alarms in cars?

Just pull it.

Just steal the car and go.

Burt?

John Madison.

Thomas Jeffer...

He knows what he's doing.

- I think I've got it.

- That one right there.

Shit!

I'll deal with you later, asshole.

Helen!

- Helen!

- You must think I'm a moron!

Until we know different,

I say the guy's just a junkie.

A junkie?

In a full-on SWAT suit?

Ruben, you're such a lousy liar.

Are you sure nothing's missing?

Yes, there is! The cop who was

supposed to be at my door!

Where was he?

He screwed up. That's not the point.

It is! You dragged me into this,

you're supposed to protect me.

What are you doing?

I'm checking the bed! Okay?

That man is in and out of here

when he feels like it!

We got here as quickly

as we could, okay?

Fortunately we got here...

Why is that? Why did you come

to my rescue so fortuitously, huh?

What?

There was a note, wasn't there?

At the gas station.

I was right. What'd it say?

You think the guy's been in here before?

You said he comes when he feels like it.

I don't know.

Somebody came and messed

with my clothes.

And they put this red suit of mine

on the bed.

Anything special about it?

It was the one that I was wearing...

...at the lecture hall.

Oh. Why didn't you report this?

I didn't know.

I thought it was me, you know? I just...

I had taken a lot of pills

and I had been drinking.

I just didn't know.

I wasn't sure then, but I am now!

So stop pretending to me

that it's a burglar!

Stop treating me like I'm some

fucking idiot! Just tell me the truth!

Okay.

I think the man who has killed

five women in this city...

...was just in your apartment.

I don't know why.

But I do know he has a plan,

and you seem to be a part of it.

The truth is he's very smart,

and he's way ahead of us.

And I take it your moving is

out of the question?

No, thank you.

So all I know to do...

...is run the usual checks, change

your locks, tighten up security...

...and pray.

Feel better?

No.

But I appreciate your candor.

So when do I get to see this note?

♪ Once that you've decided on a killing ♪

♪ Then you can turn a murder into art ♪

♪ There really isn't any

need for bloodshed ♪

♪ You just do it with a little more finesse ♪

♪ If you can slip that tablet

Into someone's coffee ♪

♪ Then it avoids an awful lot of mess ♪

♪ Because it's murder by numbers ♪

♪ One, two, three ♪

♪ It's as easy to learn ♪

♪ As your A-B-Cs ♪

♪ It's murder by numbers ♪

♪ One, two, three ♪

♪ It's as easy to learn as your... ♪

Good morning, commissioner.

Good morning.

"Murder By Numbers," by The Police.

Obviously, the killer wants us to hear

this song for reasons other than...

...music appreciation.

Familiarize yourselves with the lyrics.

We need to figure out

what this guy's trying to tell us.

I think that about covers it.

Anything else?

Yes, inspector?

We're set up on Helen's phone line

so we can monitor calls...

- ...and anything coming to her modem?

- Yes, sir.

Questions? Commissioner?

There we go. Yes, that was it.

He is not a happy camper.

- The Hudson broad.

- What about her?

The commissioner thinks, and I agree,

that she's leaking like a rusty bucket.

Maybe she's trying to hype

her new book. I don't know.

She's just not reliable.

Especially after lunch.

She's the one person who has been

really useful to us on this case.

I do not want you discussing

this case with her...

...in any shape, way or form.

- Do I make myself clear?

- Crystal, sir.

Did that help any?

You don't feel fear, do you?

One of those people who thinks

everything happens for a reason.

And we're all "God's chillun."

How nice.

I put my ass on the line

to bring you that letter.

Are you gonna help me out or not?

"Helen, don't lose your head."

So we're on a first-name basis.

Is it a threat?

Does he want to cut off my head?

Dahmer cut off heads.

Kemper.

I think Rifkin did.

I'm sorry. It's difficult.

It's okay. Take your time.

"First you make a stone of your heart."

That's the first step: Dissociation.

He's saying he's suffered.

Now it's our turn.

What made a stone of his heart?

Usually it's rejection or humiliation

by a parent.

Gacy's father beat him for fun.

Kemper's mother locked him up

in a cellar when he reached puberty.

Something happened to this one.

Are these his first killings?

I think they are.

But he's thought about them.

This guy's copycatting.

He wants what those killers got.

Fame, the power to terrify us...

To take whoever, whatever he wants

without saying "please."

"And if you find that your hands

are still willing, you can turn murder...

...into art."

He wants us to think

what he's doing is art.

We're looking for someone

desperate for acceptance.

Probably has a fair academic record.

And I think has a technical job.

Something that demands

a certain precision.

"Flushed with your very first success...

...you must try a twosome

or a threesome...

...and you'll find your conscience

bothers you much less."

A gruesome twosome.

Kemper did two in one day.

Bundy at Chi Omega did three.

Boston Strangler, Hillside Strangler...

Does the order mean anything?

It's not chronological.

Son of Sam was before Hillside.

He's sending you letters

like he's daring us to nail him.

If he wants to be famous,

he has to be caught.

So you can write a book about him.

Ick.

Good grief.

- Thanks, Mike. Stick around, okay?

- Sure thing.

It's lousy, but it's hot.

- Thank you.

- Are you all right?

Sure.

- Yeah, Pach?

- He burnt the print off the finger.

What a surprise.

But he used it as a bookmark.

The chapter where

Daryll attacks the good doctor.

We know that Mr. Cullum was safe

in San Quentin last night, so...

...why did this book

show up under the mattress?

I'll call you one better.

It's personally autographed.

"Hey, doc, hope you like the book.

Love and sloppy kisses,

Daryll Lee Cullum."

That's cuddly.

- Thanks, Pach.

- Yeah.

Helen.

Helen.

I know what you're gonna say.

I'll do the talking.

- Hey, warden. How you doing?

- Hey, Daryll Lee.

Daryll Lee, I want you to look

into this little camera here.

Then I want you to speak

into this microphone.

She gonna see me through that?

- How she gonna hear me?

- Speak into the microphone.

Hello?

Hey, doc.

Woohoo!

I'm Inspector Monahan.

I'll be speaking for Dr. Hudson.

Uh-uh. I'm hanging up.

I ain't talking to a cop.

Dr. Hudson just got your book.

Do you know anything about it?

Yeah, I surely do...

...but that's all I'll say till that

foxy lady gets on the horn.

Put her on.

Hello, Mr. Cullum.

Doc!

I've been expecting your call.

From one author to another,

how'd you like my book?

What do you know

about the man who delivered it?

Peter Kurten? What about him?

- Peter Kurten?

- Yeah.

Peter Kurten is the name of a serial

killer from the '30s in Germany.

I'll be damned,

he took that man's name.

He bothering you?

He broke into my apartment

to leave your book.

Kind of a hand-delivery?

Did you put him up to it?

Doc, this Kurten guy,

he's been writing me all these letters.

I figured he owed me

a couple of favors.

So I sent a book with him to your

house. I didn't think he'd break in.

Steer clear of that son of a gun.

He's a freak.

He told me he's gonna send me

$500 for some of my...

- My spirit.

- Spirit?

He said that he can make me immortal

if he had some of my spirit.

You know what I'm saying?

This is kind of embarrassing.

I don't want to say it right out

in front of a lady.

I think I know what you're referring to.

What did you do about it?

I took some liquid soap,

put it in a sandwich baggie...

...with a message from Jesus

to mend his ways.

How will you contact Kurten?

Buddy of mine got paroled.

I'll send the baggie with him.

Kurten will hook up with him.

- When and where?

- Do you know when and where?

All depends, doc.

Depends on what?

You see, it gets awful lonesome

in here, doc.

I think about you all the time.

A personal token would be nice.

Let's see.

Something...

...feminine...

...something lacy, something frilly,

something pretty.

I got it.

Send me some of your squirrel covers.

I beg your pardon?

"I beg your pardon?"

Your panties.

You wear them, don't you?

That's what I want.

- Jesus.

- I want them autographed to me personally.

Daryll Lee Cullum. Deal?

That's a promise.

My buddy's meeting Peter tonight at 10:00

at the Danver Meat Packing Company.

Doc.

How's life?

Hey, Ruben...

...how'd you like to get off

the Chinatown detail?

We have a lead.

I think we can get this guy.

Yeah, I'll be right down.

That's why you gotta talk to me...

...because Jesus kept you alive

for a reason.

He knew Satan was in my heart,

raising my hand to kill you.

And Satan knew I had a good six,

seven years of appeals...

...before they'd drop

them cyanide tablets.

And I'm just like Jesus.

I got disciples too.

They're dying to do whatever I ask them,

as long as I just say the word, doc.

I'm death and life to you, doc.

Death and life.

Help me out.

- I speak Mandarin. They're Cantonese.

- How can I get a statement?

I wish I could help you out.

I'll do anything you want.

Here you go.

Okay. You speak English?

Huh?

You speakie the English?

Okay, let's go. Get up.

Fuck you, asshole.

We're taking a walk.

Get your fucking hands off me!

Come on, man, kick his ass!

Well, we're out of here, babe.

Say good night to Hal.

Good night, Helen.

You're going out in public like that?

Festival of Love. Power to the people.

- Hang loose.

- Heavy. Far out.

Like, psychedelic.

Bye.

You want the doughnut?

You behave.

I'll send you to your room.

There's only a glazed.

You can't have the chocolate.

Okay. Easy.

Everybody take it easy.

Hey, just... What is he saying?

Hold the gun down so it don't go off.

Put up your weapons!

Weapons up.

Easy, easy. Put the gun down.

Tell him to put the gun down.

I don't know how to say that.

- Take it easy. Okay.

- It's all right.

You little shit. Okay.

Nobody out that door!

Aw, fuck!

Hey!

Ruben!

Freeze!

- I'm a juvenile!

- Don't you fucking move!

It's weird, you know?

You think you're going

to crash your car...

...or go out in a blaze of glory

with some big bad guy.

And what happens?

Some jerk...

...forgets to lock his stupid drawer.

I can't tell you how many times I saw

the two of you together and I saw...

You know.

I'd see you with your heads together.

He'd be making some kind of dumb joke.

And...

And I wished...

I wished him dead.

Every time.

You know what?

The strange thing about it is,

I'd really give my life right now...

...to bring him back.

Nikko.

You're in terrible trouble, Nikko.

Terrible trouble.

Who gives a fuck?

I give a fuck.

You know that in all the years

I've known you...

...I've never seen you cry.

He's on paid leave. I managed

to talk the commissioner out of no pay.

You take his, you take mine.

Now I'm supposed to lose

three good cops in one day?

Sir...

...I tried to control the situation.

I tried to control it. I made a choice.

It didn't work out.

An officer got killed.

Mary Jane, you made a decision,

and it was the right decision.

You just got the wrong result.

That's all.

You go out and you get drunk.

I am.

- Yeah?

- We missed him.

Jesus Christ! How'd that happen?

It was my fault.

I was so stupid.

We had a...

We had a problem with the...

Ruben's dead.

- Come in.

- No, really. I'm okay.

I thought you should hear it

from somebody...

...instead of seeing it on the news,

because...

...I know that you and he had...

...a thing.

No. No, we didn't.

He was just...

He was a...

...sweet man.

I thought of him as a boy.

- Come in.

- No, I'm okay.

- Come in for just a sec.

- Answer your phone.

Let me tell you something.

Nine out of ten serial killers

are white males...

...aged 20 to 35, just like these.

The FBI estimates that there could be

as many as 35 serial killers...

...cruising for victims even as I speak.

All right, guys...

Peter Kurten?

- Oops! Sorry!

- Bitch!

♪ Fame ♪

♪ Lets him loose

Hard to swallow ♪

♪ Fame ♪

♪ Puts you there

Where things are hollow ♪

♪ Fame ♪

♪ Not your brain, it's just the flame ♪

♪ That burns your change

to keep you insane ♪

Get the tap on Hudson's phone and

see if it traced a call two minutes ago.

There's a tap on my phone?

Yeah, just this second. He hung up.

Don't argue. Please, please just do it.

Is it possible this guy was a student

of mine?

Where did you give this lecture?

All over the country. Dozens of times.

It was my stock lecture.

When was the last

time you gave it here?

Would have been last year,

just before...

I'm getting it.

That's it. That's the order I gave it.

"DeSalvo, Bianchi and Buono,

Berkowitz, Dahmer." Dahmer's next.

Which means he'll kill a man

and after that...

He'll do Ted Bundy.

Yeah?

The Sound Factory? Perfect.

I know where it is. I'm going now.

Give me some backup.

Christ, Helen!

Just maybe...

Maybe.

Helen.

He's gonna do Ted Bundy next.

That was the last name on the list.

He'll pick the most

extravagant murder.

The song talked about a threesome.

Bundy killed three girls in one night

at that sorority house...

...Chi Omega.

He... He faked injuries.

He wore a cast on one arm,

and he used crutches...

...and he asked the girls for help.

And he...

He drove...

...a very distinctive car. It was a...

Gold VW Bug.

We need to get on the DMV.

We want records on all gold

or tan-colored VW Bugs, any year.

I want an in-person check

on every registered owner.

Anyone who's registered a gold, yellow,

tan or any light-colored VW Bug.

Contact campus security

at every college within 50 miles.

They need to warn all female students,

especially those with long hair...

...to avoid any contact

with males they don't know.

Report any man with an injury

or a handicap.

DMV printouts on all Bug owners.

- Beautiful.

- Mm-hm.

No. No. No.

That's him.

He gave him the drink,

they went out on the dance floor and...

You're absolutely sure?

Yeah, that's him.

Peter Foley, Daly City.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

We've got him.

Call the SWAT team. I'm not

taking any chances with this fuck.

Kind of defeats the purpose

of my Miracle Bra...

...but who's looking?

I hear you're onto him.

Good work.

Just horseshit luck.

I don't think so.

You take care out there. Okay?

Don't I always?

I love you.

You know?

Yeah...

...I know.

You're looking good, team leader.

This is a status "David."

Go, team leader.

Peter Foley, this is the police.

Come to the front door.

Come out with your hands

above your head.

Team leader,

we have a fire in the basement window.

This is status "George." This is go.

We got a dead woman on the bed!

No pulse.

Lieutenant, can you tell us

what happened here tonight?

San Francisco Police developed

evidence that identified the killer...

...known in the media

as "The Copycat Killer"...

- ...as one Peter Foley...

- Come on.

...who lived at this address.

When Mr. Foley was asked

to step outside to be interviewed...

...it's believed that he set fire

to the residence.

Don't tell me you both want

to use the men's room.

Hi, Helen.

I got your invitation, and I accept.

Helen, it's MJ.

I'm sure you heard on your scanner.

It was a mess.

I know it's late, but I'm coming over.

That's perfect.

That is perfect, Helen.

Sounds like we have company coming.

Now, I'm not gonna lie to you.

This is gonna hurt.

This is Inspector Monahan, Homicide.

I'm at Pier One, Fort Mason. I've got

an officer down. I need assistance.

Copy, Monahan.

Shit.

Up we go.

Oh, hi there.

We join our program

already in progress.

Inspector Monahan...

...don't you ever get tired...

...being a day late and a dollar short?

You probably think I'm just gonna

maybe slit her throat right now.

Cut my losses, so to speak.

Well...

...wrong-o!

Do you really think

I'd get her all dressed up so pretty...

...with no place to go?

Now, if you're a smart cop...

...you'll know where to find us.

And if you're a really smart cop...

...you'll come alone.

Otherwise...

...it's bye-bye, Helen.

See you.

No, this is wrong.

Here we go, Helen.

There we go.

Much better.

What about him?

Did I get the pose right?

Did the best I could from the photos.

Come on, help me out.

Which way was his head?

Was it this way, or this way?

Uh or unh?

This way.

Good. Excellent.

Everything has to be just so.

God, Helen, I remember...

...watching you up on that big screen.

In your red dress.

God, you looked huge.

Look at you now.

So sad.

But look on the bright side.

I am gonna make you

the world's most famous victim.

Guess what that makes me?

Did you know that more books have

been written about Jack the Ripper...

...than Abraham Lincoln?

It's a sick world...

...isn't it, Helen?

You are not to go in there alone.

You wait for proper backup.

And you acknowledge my order!

You stay out of that building

until backup arrives! You copy?

Absolutely, sir.

Careful, Helen.

See?

Now you've cut yourself, haven't you?

Hmm?

See, Helen, I've been practicing.

Want to know the trick? Hm?

Small...

...incisions...

...with a fine...

...instrument.

That way, Helen...

...I can make it last...

...for hours.

And you will not believe

how long a minute can feel.

Fuck you.

What?

You heard me, you little twerp.

You think I'm afraid of you?

I know you are.

I know all about you.

You're just a sad...

...second-rate...

...boring, impotent little copycat.

Watch it, bitch!

Or I will slice that smile off your face,

do you hear me?

- Daryll Lee couldn't get it up, either.

- Do you hear me?!

Okay. I see, Helen. Nice try.

Want to know a little secret?

I'm onto your trick.

I won't kill you fast.

No matter how much...

...you're gonna want me to.

Excellent, Helen.

See, here's where

Daryll Lee got sloppy.

He wasn't expecting a second cop.

- But I am.

- I'm in here!

Helen, relax.

That other cop's collecting his pension.

So will she.

But if you warn her, I will kill her.

This is Inspector Monahan.

I have a message for Quinn.

Go ahead.

Tell him...

...I'm sorry I blew it.

Now, that's my gun, isn't it?

What in the world are you doing...

...with my gun?

Huh?

Get your ass over here.

Come on, doc,

help me out in this situation.

What do I do?

Do I stick her or shoot her?

Shoot her or stick her, huh?

Come on, doc, help me out.

You watch this, Helen. You watching?

Perfect symmetry here.

Get up here, you dumb bitch.

You watching?

You watching this?

Hey, hey!

Helen, what are you doing? No!

Feet on here!

Damn it!

Good try, Helen.

But you don't get off that easy.

Come on, get up. Let's go.

Get up, bitch.

Shit! Shit!

Help us! Somebody!

Somebody!

Help us!

Hey, Helen,

looks like I cured the agoraphobia.

Help us! Help!

Forget it!

Too late!

Too late for you, Helen!

Come on. Put up your dukes!

What the fuck are you

laughing at, bitch? Huh?

What the fuck are you laughing at?!

What are you waiting for?

Go ahead.

Dear Conrad:

Thank you for your letter.

Praise the Lord.

I know you must be so happy

that he chose to spare Dr. Hudson.

The big guy moves in mysterious ways,

don't he?

It just so happens I'm

awaiting the arrival...

...of a pair of genuine

Helen Hudson undies...

...signed personal to me.

A real collector's item,

I'm sure you'll know.

They're yours.

But don't forget,

a disciple must be strong...

...if he is to succeed where others fail.

Peter strayed from the path

and the Lord smote him good.

So keep it simple.

Then glory is yours...

...and "vengeance is mine"...

...as the Good Book says.

I know you'll get my meaning.

Happy hunting, partner.

Daryll Lee Cullum.