Jake Lassiter: Justice on the Bayou (1995) - full transcript
Gerald McRaney stars as Jake Lassiter, a colorful ex-football player turned top defense attorney who is hired to defend Dr. Roger Salisbury, a surgeon charged with malpractice in the mysterious death of a wealthy patient, Phillip Corrigan.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
I can't believe I'm
stuck inside lawyering
on a day like this.
Mondo disgusting.
Where do you want this?
You're the secretary.
File it.
Malcolm?
Is that official
NFL issue, Jake?
Oh, yeah.
Won it in my last game.
You mean the one where you
missed the tackle on Regans?
No, the one where I
missed the tackle on Peyton.
I missed the tackle on
Regan the game before that.
And I just stopped
by to tell you
that our esteemed senior partner
Mr. Marsh McGonagle requests
the pleasure of your
company in the conference
room for a pouring.
- Ah.
Hand off, Jake.
To the linebacking litigator!
Here, here!
Relax, Philip.
We'll remove that disc,
zip you up, and have you
back on your feet in no time.
Ah, great.
Melanie will think
she's married a gymnast.
Ah, I can't wait.
Pride and appropriate
welcome to the newest
member of the firm.
As senior partner, I hereby
order the offices of Harmon
and Fox immediately closed for
the day, and direct everyone
to the park where, in
honor of Jake Lassiter,
we will engage in the
first annual Harman
and Fox touch football game.
OK.
Here we go.
I wish they'd fix
that coffee machine.
Yeah, I wish they would too.
Yes.
I wish they'd get some
of that gourmet coffee.
Suction.
Let me get this for you.
Sucker.
There's a little
bouillabaisse started for you.
End game.
Excellent.
There you go.
All right!
You OK, Big?
No.
If it hadn't been 15 years.
I know.
Jake, you OK?
Didn't think I was gonna
have to wear my knee
brace to practice law here.
Take it easy.
This is for posterity, boy.
Can I get an interview?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MACHING BEEPING]
I need help!
Code blue!
Code blue, guys!
Coming through,
coming through!
Come on, let's hook him up.
I'll take over.
- Here we go.
Got it?
- Yeah.
I got this.
OK.
Set it at 200.
How's his surgeon?
Uh, Salisbury.
Go to 300.
Clear.
Nothing, nothing.
Call Dr. Salisbury.
Good, you found it.
OK, hop off there and
squat and walk like a duck.
Jeez, Roger.
It's only been three
weeks since you cut on me.
Just do it, Jake.
Squat and walk like a duck.
Come on.
- All right.
Oh, man.
That's amazing.
That is amazing.
There's no pain at all.
Yeah.
Oh!
I haven't been able to do this
since, well, I don't know when.
Yeah, well, clean
out a little floating
cartliage, tired ligaments,
and you're as good as new.
You know, orthopedic
medicine has progressed,
Jake, since we played
for the Saints.
If they'd done this
when I was younger,
I might still be playing.
Oh, I doubt that.
I was there, remember?
Oh yeah.
Whenever I needed a kick
in the ass or a point
in the right direction,
tgere you were.
And for that and for
this, I don't know
how I'll ever thank you, Roger.
Well, pay the bill.
Well, that's going too far.
Here.
Take care of that
for me, will ya?
This is a lawsuit.
Got you a lawyer.
Oh yeah, well,
tell me about it.
The estate of
Philip Corrigan--
Philip Corrigan the
zillionaire real estate
developer?
Yes, the late
zillionaire real estate
developer in the
person of his widow
is suing me for malpractice.
He died of an aneurysm after
I performed a laminectomy
on the L3 L4 vertebrae.
English, Roger, please.
Well he died a few
hours after I removed
a slipped disk from his back.
And they say the aneurysm
was due to a mistake
that I made during surgery.
It wasn't.
It happened hours later.
Well, several
fellows at the firm
specialize in this sort thing.
I'll refer one.
I want you, Jake.
Roger, I just left the
public defender's office
two months ago.
I'm just now getting my toe wet
over there at Harman and Fox.
This is a technical lawsuit
for 5.6 million dollars.
I don't care.
I don't want a hired gun.
I want you, Jake.
I trust you.
And you know that
I'm a good doctor.
Besides, the Doctor's
Medical Insurance Trust
will pay you $300 an hour.
Dr. Watkins, when the surgeon
is performing this particular
procedure, can he
see what he's doing
in there with this
implement-- the rongeur--
or does he go by feel?
That depends.
Beg pardon?
That depends-- is
that what you said?
Yes, counselor, it depends on
at what point in the procedure
you're referring to.
Ultimately, the rongeur
poses no danger itself.
Hm.
My client, Dr.
Roger Salisbury is
a respected member of
the medical fraternity
in this community.
Mrs. Corrigan here
has lost her husband.
And you, sir, are visiting
New Orleans to offer
us expert medical testimony.
And the best you can come
up with is that depends.
Objection-- argumentative
and repetitious.
Miss Thibeaux.
Judge, Mr. Lassiter is
making speeches again.
If the surgeon's
too hasty or too rough
or loses track of
where he is, that's
where the real danger lies.
Objection, Your
Honor-- the witness
is the one speech-making now.
Sustained on both counts.
Strut your stuff when it's
appropriate, counselor.
Your Honor, may I request
a five-minute recess
at this time.
We'll take a 10-minute break.
(WHISPERING) Roger.
What in the hell are
you doing in there?
What are you talking about?
I saw you making eyes
at the widow, Roger.
How long you known her?
Why don't you worry about
you're cross-examination, Jake?
Don't you screw with me, pal.
I'll take this whole case and
ram it so far down your throat
you'll need a proctologist
to get it out.
Why would you bust
Dr. Watkins chops?
I'm taking care of that.
If that's not good
enough for you,
get yourself another lawyer.
Jake, wait, wait, wait.
Answer the question.
A lot of doctors know
their patients wives.
I mean, what difference
does it make?
What d-- well, I tell
you, Roger, it confuses me.
And if it confuses me, it
just might confuse the jury.
And if it confuses the
jury, they're not going
to think you're so innocent.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
I understand.
I'm sorry.
I should have told, Jake.
I'm sorry.
[BEEPER]
- Is that you?
No, it's me.
I still have a medical practice.
For now.
Now, you go ahead
and return your call.
When you get back
in that courtroom,
you keep your eyes to yourself.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
I don't want to discuss
this on the carphone.
No, don't give me that
"relax Melanie" crap.
They can listen in on
carphone conversations.
Look, I miss you
too, but you're just
going to have to
keep your distance
until this is all over with.
[BEEP]
Tell us about your
husband-- your late husband--
Mrs. Corrigan.
Phil was the most giving
man I've ever known.
After his first wife
died, he thought
he could never love again.
I guess I brought
something to his life,
but to me he was
everything-- a lover,
a friend, even the
father I never had.
(WHISPERING) I think
she means sugar daddy.
And for him to die
like this in his prime,
it's just-- (CRYING)
Your witness.
Your Honor, we
feel that it would
be unfair to keep Mrs.
Corrigan on the stand
any longer to discuss
this painful subject.
We have no questions.
[KNOCKING]
Been out sleuthing.
I hope they got what you wanted.
What is this?
"Across the river a voice
to shine tempus fugit doc
speaks at 9:00."
- I managed that much on my own.
- It's haiku.
Who?
I do.
What do you do?
I do haiku for
me-- something new.
Haiku is three line Japanese
poetry, no breaking hearts,
just recording the author's
observations of nature
and the human experience.
What does it mean,
metaphorically speaking?
Get with it boss.
Crazy old Charlie Briggs
testifies tomorrow at 9:00.
He'll tell one and all what
killed filthy rich Corrigan.
The widow loses.
You keep lawyering.
Salisbury keeps doctoring.
We hope.
Why the uncertainty?
Charlie's the best
witness we have.
I got a bad feeling
about this case.
Your Dr. Salisbury has
a weird look in his eye.
You know this could be one
of them pot and kettle things.
What'd you find out?
The late Mr. Corrigan had
a daughter-- only child.
Her real mother
died five years ago,
leaving Phillip a
very rich widower
and his daughter sole heir to
Phil Corrigan's $100 million
real estate fortune until
the old man married Alvima
Fantastic, and that would
be Melanie Corrigan,
and kicked forthwith.
- And?
Her name is Susan.
I can't believe that Phillip
Corrigan was her father,
and I didn't even know it.
You know her?
One date a few years ago.
She's a sports reporter,
works for The Times Picayune,
covers the Saints.
Undergrad work at Tulane.
Master's in--
Uh, yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
--Journalism at Northwestern.
Pick him up.
Pick him up.
- Set blue 32.
- Set.
Blue 32.
Hike.
You stay on top of him.
You hear me?
I don't want to see that.
If you'd been able to do
that while you were playing,
you might still be
on the team, Jake.
I doubt it.
He didn't cover the tight
end over the middle,
was a sucker for a
play action fake,
and a step too slow besides.
Oh, and I see you
two know each other.
Hey, hey, hey, since
when did you start
throwing to girls anyhow, Tom?
Oh, when we became sports
writers and he finally started
hearing intelligent questions
that required-- I don't know--
sophisticated answers.
Well, I'm out of here.
- I'll call you, OK?
- OK.
Thanks.
OK, now that you've screwed up
my interview, what do you want?
Well, actually, I came by
to express my condolences
over your father's passing.
Thanks, accepted.
Is that it?
No.
Kind of curious as to why
you didn't join in the suit.
Well, you know I represent
Roger Salisbury in the suit that
was brought by your stepmother.
You're dumber than you look.
What is that supposed to mean?
You really don't know, do you?
Would you give
me a break here?
What are you being
such a hard case for?
MAN: Head's up!
Good hands.
For a girl.
That's not what I said.
It's what you thought.
I think I can change your mind.
- Oh yeah?
Yeah.
I am a trained professional
athlete, you know?
Yeah, well, why
don't you just choose
your game and your stakes.
All right.
Dealer's choice.
Good.
I win, and you tell me
what it is that I don't get.
Uh-huh.
You win, I won't
bother you anymore.
Great.
Uh, I'll race you
to the goal line.
Think you can catch that one?
All right.
Guess you're going to
want a head start, huh?
Yeah, go.
Whoa, hey.
Hey.
Once a linebacker,
always a linebacker.
[LAUGHING].
Maybe we should have tried
this four years ago, huh?
Oh.
You OK, Susan?
Yeah, yeah.
Thanks.
Let me know if
you need anything.
I will, thanks.
It's OK.
You really don't know, do you?
Susan, what are
you trying to say?
You are being used.
The suit you're
trying is a cover,
and that surgeon and
my stepmother Melanie
are in this together.
And you, my friend,
are still a sucker
for the play action fake.
Melanie and Roger
conspired to kill
your father so they
could live happily
ever after on the inheritance.
Your client isn't guilty of
medical malpractice, counselor.
He's guilty of
premeditated murder.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
It wasn't murder, Jacob.
You've been retained to
defend a simple civil suit.
Just do your job.
Ah, you're right, Charlie.
You're always right.
I don't get it.
You eat that garbage
all the time, probably
going to live to be 102.
What are you talking about?
40 years a pathologist, I
never declared anybody dead
from cholesterol poisoning.
This is New Orleans,
Jacob, the Big Easy.
And you eat like a refugee
from a California fern bar.
Life is to be savored
not picked at.
You're not going to
spring any surprises on me
in court tomorrow, are you?
Nope.
My lawyering's a good deal
like my footballing-- nothing
tricky about the defense.
Besides, what jury's not
going to believe Charles w.
Riggs, MS. Just leave out
the part about how you
never had a patient who lived.
How did you ever get
to play linebacker?
You eat like an
anorexic ballerina.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Stop it, dammit.
Still driving that thing?
'69 Olds 442--
four-barrel carburetor,
dual exhaust, 400 of
Detroit's finest cubic inches
producing 345 horses.
You know, it sounds
like it has asthma.
You don't mind, I'll take
a look at it for you.
Help yourself.
You know cars?
Yeah, and the men who
use them to compensate
for certain inadequacies.
I think I know what
the problem is here.
Unbelievable.
You know, change your air
filter once or twice a decade,
she might stop sounding like Joe
Cocker with black lung disease.
Would it be premature to
ask for your hand in marriage?
What if I invite you
inside for a drink?
Tell me I'm right about you.
Tell me you want to know the
truth about my father's death.
Susan, you got it all wrong.
It's not even possible
for Roger Salisbury
to have killed your father
during that operation,
not if you know the time
and the cause of death.
I'm telling you, someone
murdered my father.
Can you prove it-- any of it?
You think I can?
No.
If you could, you'd be talking
to the cops, not to me.
Yeah, I'll bill you.
I guess we aren't going
to be having that drink.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[GROWLING]
Nothing like a moonlight jog.
Rufus extremus.
I thought we had a deal.
Did you come all the way
down here to rag on me.
The deal was this.
You keep the phone
with you at all times
as long as you insist on
living like a homeless person.
One, the phone is kind
of a drag to run with.
Two, I am not homeless.
I'm address-less, and
there's a big difference.
Well, not one that I could
explain to your father.
[BARKING]
Listen, when your old man
recruited me to play for him
in college, he told me that he
was going to be like the father
that I never had.
And he kept his word.
When he called me and told me
that you're going to be moving
here, I told him that I
would look after you like
you was my own flesh and blood.
And you have.
Ergo, chill out.
Not as long as you're
living like this.
I want for nothing Jake.
I have a roof, a bed, a
good man-- Arnold-- to keep
me safe and warm at night.
Every night I come home to
one of the most beautiful
neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Every morning, I wake up
to a glorious sunrise.
And every week I put most
of my paycheck in the bank.
The economically prudent
fiscally responsible
daughter, every father's dream--
she never asks for money.
You make it all possible, and I
love you like a brother for it.
Well then, why don't you
just move into my house?
You know, occasionally
brothers and sisters
do live under the same roof.
Alpha, no one at the
office would buy it.
Beta, no offense, but
your neighborhood--
it's not a happening occurrence.
Now, are you just calling
to check up on me,
or did you want something, bro?
I was just checking up on you.
Uh-huh.
Thought so.
Arnold.
[BARKING]
Dr. Riggs, based on the
records and your years
of experience, do you have
an opinion as to what caused
the death of Philip Corrigan?
I do.
And what was the
cause of death?
A ruptured aorta,
internal bleeding,
which in turn caused the
lowering of the blood pressure.
In layman's terms, the heart
did to not have sufficient fluid
to pump, so it stopped.
And what, sir,
caused the rupture?
We can't answer that
with absolute certainty,
but we can exclude
certain things.
Such as?
I can tell you that
Dr. Salisbury certainly
did not do it with a rongeur.
May I use the chart?
Please, sir.
Thank you.
The rupture was on the anterior
side of the aorta-- the front.
The surgeon making an
incision in a man's back
would not puncture the
front of the aorta,
the part facing the abdomen.
Well, now, if Dr. Salisbury
did not puncture the aorta,
what did cause the rupture?
We call that spontaneous
aortic aneurysm.
And did Philip Corrigan have
any prior medical abnormalities
that might have
caused this to occur?
This Mr. Corrigan had a
previous history of some degree
of arteriosclerosis--
weakening of the arteries--
a susceptibility to aneurysm.
In that condition, Mr.
Corrigan could have had
an artery blow out at any time.
At any time.
Without trauma--
watching television,
having dinner, anytime.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
You were great today,
counselor, earned every penny
my insurance company pays you.
Which is a lot better
than you deserve.
Hey, hey, I work hard to make
those malpractice premiums.
You know, Rog, I quit the
public defender's office
because I was tired of
getting off dirt bags
that I knew were guilty.
Well, they didn't
deserve a lawyer like you.
But at least I could tell
when they were lying to me.
- How?
- Their lips were moving.
[LAUGHING].
It ain't that easy with you.
Are you saying you
think I'm guilty?
I'm saying there are
things you haven't told me.
There is one thing.
Melanie asked me to
kill her husband.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The truth, Roger--
all of it, right now.
I met Melanie about
9 or 10 years ago.
Julie just divorced
me, and I never
thought I'd find another woman.
You got to be kidding me.
I was with Julie
since Penn State.
I was the arrow,
remember-- home every night
of the season, medical school
from January until July.
Anyway, Melanie was a
kid, kind of mixed up.
She was sort of an
exotic dancer so she
could pay her tuition to UNL.
She called herself Autumn Rain.
JAKE: Oh my lord.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Anyway, I hadn't seen
her for probably six years
when Phillip Corrigan
invited me over for dinner.
I had no idea that he had
married Aut-- Melanie.
So you two started
sneaking around--
out of the way
motels, little nooners
just for old time's sake, huh?
Hardly.
I mean, Philip had, shall we
say, a few kinks in his armor.
He played with the other girls.
Melanie played with me.
I mean, I know it
doesn't sound good, Jake,
but that's the way it was.
Y'all played house, and she
asked you to ace her husband.
Well, she said it should
just be the two of us,
but that Philip would never give
her the right kind of divorce.
There was some kind
of a pre-nuptial.
And she said I was
a doctor, and I
should know about these things.
Then she-- she asked
me if I'd ace him,
as you so eloquently put it.
And?
Jake, I am a
doctor, not a hitman.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR OPENING]
[BEEPING]
[CAR DOOR CLOSING]
[BEEPING]
What's happening, big?
- Waiting.
- Waiting for what?
Waiting for Thibeaux's
rebuttal witnesses,
Dr. Watkins, to show up.
She's got a long wait
for the good doctor.
You didn't kidnap
him, did you?
Kidnap him?
You think that is
the only way I could
get a guy to buy me a drink.
No need to tell me
that you bagged Dr.
Watkins in some sort of-- are
you trying to get me disbarred?
It wasn't me.
It was my friend.
(WHISPERING) Margarita.
Who?
You know, Margarita
the girl, not the drink.
Miss Anthropomorphic Tabasco
1994-- hot, hot, hot.
The one who's so dumb she
thinks the Silicon Valley is
the space between her--
BAILIFF: All rise.
Civil district court in and
for the parish of Orleans
is now in session.
Miss Thibeaux,
called your witness.
Your Honor, may
we have one moment?
You've just had 90
minutes for lunch.
Now, do you have rebuttal
testimony or not?
If not, we'll recess, and you
can both close in the morning.
The plaintiff recalls
Dr. Harvey Watkins.
[CHATTER]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Am I worried?
Yeah, I'm worried.
You never really know how those
jurors think, what they feel,
what they know, who they know.
[SCREAMING]
Give me the blouse.
Take it off.
You're late.
- Roger, relax.
- Relax?
I couldn't eat lunch.
Is it a good thing the
jury is taking this long?
Hey, Ernest, you got
the sports section here?
- I'm screwed, aren't I?
- Yeah.
They're taking this long,
they're talking damages, right?
I'm screwed.
- You watch too much TV, Roger.
Jake, verdict.
You happy now?
- Is that us?
- That's us.
OK.
Roger, you want to
wait for your lawyer?
Yeah, yeah, come on.
Let me get this.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The clerk will
publish the verdict.
In civil district court in
and for the parish of Orleans,
case number 9418376,
Melanie Corrigan,
as personal representative of
the estate of Philip Corrigan,
deceased, versus Roger A.
Salisbury, MD, we the jury
find for the defendant.
- Yes.
Court adjourned.
Susan called.
Two hours, quaff one
celebratory brewski,
then be there or be square.
I used to live
in the main house
before my dad
married that woman.
And then I decided to
give him a little privacy.
But I still do my mile
in the pool every night.
I want to show you something.
That's the salon on the Lanya.
- The Lanya?
The boat parked outside.
Oh.
I thought that was non-match.
4,000 sailors on shore leave.
Now, wouldn't
that make her happy?
I bet you didn't know he
made house calls, did you?
Came across it by accident.
I thought it was the
Saints game I taped.
You want to feel
uncomfortable, keep watching.
They're just getting started.
Melanie gets my
dad to join in with
that chorus line of bimbo's.
Susan, every family has
its dirty little secrets.
Some of them are better
left in the closet.
You don't understand.
That's not my father.
Philip Corrigan--
my father Philip
Corrigan-- was a man
who valued his dignity
and treasured his family.
I'm a good person because he
taught me to be a good person.
That man there,
that's not my father.
What happened?
My mom died.
Oh, wow, it was six
years ago, before I
met you the first time.
I was living in Atlanta,
covering Georgia Tech.
He was alone, and
these people came in,
and they just showed him
things that he'd never
seen before-- sick things.
By the time I got home and
realized what was happening,
it was too late.
The drugs?
How do you go to your
father-- the man you adore,
the man who gave you
everything-- and tell him?
He would have been humiliated.
And besides, he changed.
He was like them.
You hate him for that?
No.
I love him still.
That's why I want you to
help me catch his killlers.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Susan, listen to me now.
They changed him, and
they corrupted him,
but that doesn't mean
anybody killed him.
Your father died of an aneurysm.
That happens to 61-year-old men,
no matter how rich they are,
and no matter how much
their daughters love them.
Your client's the only
one I know who cut my dad
open the day before he died.
And as far as I know,
he's the only one
who carried poison around in
his little black leather case.
What are you talking about?
The murder weapon--
succinylcholine,
a drug used in anesthesia.
It paralyzes the
limbs and the lungs.
In anesthesia, a respirator
breathes for you.
Without a respirator,
you just lie there
and watch yourself die.
Where'd it come from?
Found it in Melanie's bedroom,
but it belongs to your client.
She played him, counselor.
She manipulated him, just like
she manipulated my father.
She hated my father, but
she couldn't divorce him.
She'd get nothing because of
the pre-nuptial agreement.
But if he died while
still married to her,
she'd get the house, the boat,
and 50% of a $100 million
estate.
That's a lot of money.
In your profession,
counselor, I
think they call that a motive.
When the mosquitoes are
biting better than the catfish,
I thought that sauteed possum
would be a hell of a way to go.
Charlie, in the category
of things too ugly to eat,
possum's right up there
at the top of the list.
Many things in
life are ugly, Jacob.
Many ways of dying are ugly.
Though few of them are uglier
than being poisoned with
succinylcholine.
Your, um, friend--
Susan Corrigan.
Susan Corrigan-- She
told you right about that.
There must be some way
we can determine if it
were administered, though.
Well, it would be
difficult to trace
succinylcholine in the body.
It breaks down into
succinic acid and cholene,
and both substances are
normally found in the body.
Of course, a physician
would know that.
It would be a flawless way
for him to commit a homicide.
Yeah, unless we could
find the needle marks.
No, Charlie, we're not going to
exhume Philip Corrigan's body.
You would be surprised
at how well embalming
fluid preserves tissue.
But it would be difficult
to find needle marks,
because the skin would be moldy.
That body would smell
like ducks with dysentery.
Charlie, it's a bad idea.
I'm sorry I even brought it up.
I mean, Roger
Salisbury is my client.
I couldn't do anything that
would be against his interests.
Besides, I know the man.
I've known him for 25 years.
He couldn't murder anybody.
Every killer has a
best friend and a mother.
You understand the
implications of this.
Well, there's only one
way we could go about it.
Charlie, grave
robbing is illegal.
- Of course.
- It's unethical.
Damn right.
It's disgusting.
Here it is.
Six generations of Corrigans
have been buried here.
Don't worry, honey.
We'll be careful.
I'll see you back at the truck.
OK.
[OWL HOOTING]
[CRASHING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[GRUNTING]
What are the odds that Philip
Corrigan could have been buried
in a yellow chiffon dress?
JAKE: Charlie, doing this on the
kitchen counter is disgusting.
The skin is macerated.
There's substantial mold.
There's evidence of two surgical
procedures close to death--
the laminectomy and the
emergency abdominal surgery
to repair the aorta.
There is substantial trauma to
the abdominal area undoubtedly
caused by this procedure.
I have found it.
What?
The puncture wound-- large
gauge hypodermic needle,
just as fresh as
the day it was made.
Must have been close
to death, or there
would be a sign of healing.
Well, that could just
be routine, right--
connected with the surgery?
No, nothing like that
in the hospital charts.
What about the undertaker.
No way.
There's a blood trail
along the needle track.
He had to be alive because--
Dead men don't bleed.
That's right.
Dead men do not bleed.
All right, so somebody
injected something into Philip
Corrigan before he died.
What's next?
We check the brain
and liver tissue
for succinic acid and choline.
[SAW STARTING]
We'll have to cut
into the skull.
[THUD]
Jake?
Jake?
What happened?
You fainted.
Oh.
Where's Charlie?
Everything I've come
up with is inconclusive.
I'm going to have
to call in a favor
and use the toxicology
lab downtown after hours.
Oh.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hello?
You must be a good man.
You're hard to fine.
JAKE (ON PHONE): Right.
I was wondering if you
make house calls, counselor.
I wasn't sure about the
propriety of my coming
into your office, but I
do have a proposition.
It's a might
impressive goldfish.
They're Portuguese
man o' wars.
They make rattlesnakes
seem like earthworms,
maybe 100 times more deadly.
What do you have against
angelfish and yellowtail?
They're boring.
But beautiful.
I'm afraid beauty isn't enough
to make it in this world, Jake.
Believe me, I know.
That's why I'd like you to
represent me in the future.
Why would you need to
retain an attorney now?
Well, people in
my position need
attorneys for everyday
business and financial matters.
And there is that
matter of probate.
Oh, that was settled,
and you got all this.
And Susan got the rest.
She must have mentioned that.
But Jake, that's not
what Philip wanted.
He died before he
could make the changes
in his will, which is why
this-- this whole thing
has gotten so complicated.
And I think you could
help uncomplicate it.
Are you kidding?
You just tried to
destroy Roger Salisbury.
I represented him.
If I turn around
and represent you,
that'll be a big
time complication.
Besides, Melanie, I know
more than you think.
Roger told me everything.
Did he tell you that he
wanted me to kill Phillip,
that he talked
about it for months?
Did he tell you I refused?
You know, we all make
mistakes in his life, Jake.
Roger's mine.
He wanted me to divorce
Phil and marry him.
I wouldn't do it.
I loved Phillip.
Roger mistakenly had this
notion that if Philip
was out of the way
that I would marry him.
So he killed him.
Oh, I think that we just
proved in court that he didn't.
Your husband died of a
spontaneous aneurysm.
Philip didn't die in surgery.
He was poisoned in
his hospital room.
Yeah.
Roger had this
liquid in a bottle--
some kind of anesthetic.
He wanted me to get Philip
drunk and shoot him up.
He said it couldn't be traced.
He gave you the bottle.
No, no, because
I wouldn't take it.
Then after Philip died,
I was at Roger's house,
and while he was
sleeping, I went took
it out of the refrigerator.
I wanted to give it
to the authorities.
Did you?
No, no, I had second thoughts.
So instead, you sued
Roger for malpractice,
because if you didn't,
and Susan got suspicious,
she just might think that you
and Roger were in it together?
Is that what she said?
Show me the poison.
I can't.
It's gone.
It was stolen.
And now, Jake, I'm really
afraid Roger is going
to try to do something to me.
Well, then, I guess you
better just hope that there
is honor among thieves.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Who in the hell are you?
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE].
Well, Yoko Ono and Macchu
Picchu to you too, pal.
I'm a trained professional.
You get anywhere near
me, I'm going to turn
you into a tackle dummy.
[SHOUTING].
[GROANING].
You're the only
dummy here, bubba.
Next time, you mind
your own business, hear?
[GROANING].
[KNOCKING]
Hi.
Hey.
Oh.
Cut yourself shaving?
Oh, no, there was
this karate guy.
Oh, oh, well, karate guys
can get pretty dangerous.
Dangerous?
Karate guys?
Are you kidding me?
You get a hold of those
kamakazi sukiyakis,
and they fold up
like lawn chairs.
Now, you can fool me with
those moves one time,
but Jake Lassiter does not
get trap blocked twice.
Right.
I am a professional
athlete trained
in a very violent sport.
I am bred to accept pain.
If I get my hands on that
SOB, he's going to be about as
useless as nuclear waste.
You want some of this?
- Yeah.
Well, come on in, then.
Oh, OK.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, this won't hurt a bit.
Mm-hm.
Come here.
Ow.
Jeez.
[LAUGHTER]
[WHISPERS]
Charles Riggs?
Detective Joe Baer, NOPD.
Hey, listen to this.
From your exalted journal--
vandals destroyed a grave site
and removed the body from
the Eternal Memories Mortuary
and Mausoleum over the
weekend, New Orleans Police
reported yesterday.
The body of Phillip R. Corrigan
was taken from a private crypt
at the cemetery, according
to police spokesman.
Mr. Corrigan,
who died last year,
was a well-known
builder and real estate
developer whose projects
were often opposed
by environmental groups.
This is funny stuff.
This isn't funny, Dennis Lee.
Well, I guess it's
better they suspect
radical environmentalist instead
of the real grave robbers.
Oh, its-- it's a lot better.
I have to say, this is a good
way to wake up in the morning.
LOUDSPEAKER: Mr. And Mrs.
Carters to admitting.
Mr. and Mrs. Carters
to admitting.
[BELL RINGING]
I hope you're not wasting my
time here, Remy, because I'm
having a real bad day.
No, child, I'm going
make you very happy.
Your late husband was a
good friend to this district
attorney's office.
And we take care of our friends.
You found his body?
And we found his killer, too?
I'm-- I'm sorry here, Remy.
I don't quite understand.
Our estimable retired
coroner, much to my surprise,
did me a favor and dug up the
evidence in a little private
post-mortem examination.
It seems your husband
was murdered, child.
His doctor, Roger
Salisbury, killed him.
It's a sick world, babe,
when a man can't trust
his own doctor not to kill him.
But with any luck, by
the end of the year,
he'll be on my wall of infamy.
What is that?
38 murderers been sentenced
to death on my watch, babe.
I intend to make Roger
Salisbury number 39.
When I get through
with him, he's
going to ride the lightning.
Ride the lightning?
We still use the electric
chair in Louisiana, child.
There's one thing I
got to know, child.
You know, sometimes
we say there ain't
but 500 people in New Orleans.
It's a small town.
And I hear that
you and this doctor
might have had a friendship
is what they say.
Now, the personal affairs of
my constituents and supporters
ain't none of my business
until it becomes my business.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Oh god.
Bag's gone.
[PHONE RINGING]
Yeah.
I'll be right there.
LOUDSPEAKER: Dr. Collum to OR 4.
Dr. Collum, OR 4.
Jake, I'm sorry.
Some creep ratted on me.
Hey, Jake, you going to
defend Dr. Salisbury again?
What's the charge?
How about murder one?
Well, Mr. McGonigal,
after I managed
to get him released on
bail, Dr. Salisbury said
he wanted me to represent him.
I figured I owed him that much.
We try not to dirty our
hands with criminal cases
at Harmon and Marks, Jake.
Our corporate clients
aren't fond of being
associated with murderers.
Well, I'll keep that in mind.
And I'll try not to use any
of the firm's valuable assets.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Evening, Miss Ingram.
Now, I understand you
have two children.
[PIANO PLAYING]
Hey, Jim.
The firm is not happy.
The firm is not going to help.
It'll be like the old days,
back in the public defender's
office.
Yeah, the time machine
thing-- living history.
You'll help.
Sure.
Good, because it's not
going to be good enough just
get Roger off.
We're going to have to find
out who the real killer is.
We'll start with Melanie.
Why is that?
Well, among the other
reasons, 'cause she
doesn't wear a wedding ring.
That bothered me since first
time I laid eyes on her.
If I were her lawyer, she's
playing the grieving widow.
She'd be wearing a wedding ring.
Um, thank you.
Now listen, Cindy, you're going
to be working with your friends
down at police headquarters.
And I'll start at the hospital.
Charlie, you-- you better
just kind of lay low.
I got you in enough
trouble for a while.
What?
You want to bring it
up, Jake, or should I?
Susan.
We're going to have
to take a look at her.
Charlie she is the one
who has insisted all along
that this was a murder.
If she did it, why would
she want an investigation?
Did she have the means?
Well, that succinylcholine
did disappear just
as soon as the body was dug up.
- Motive?
Her father was thinking about
writing her out of his will.
$100 million Makes
people act funny.
That leaves opportunity.
Yeah, I hear you, Charlie.
I'll deal with this.
Susan, there are things
that I haven't asked you
because you're special to me.
Like what?
Were you aware
that your father
was thinking about writing
you out of his will?
Yeah.
You know, we discussed it,
and he decided against it.
All right.
You were the first person
to show me that hypodermic.
[CRYING].
What are you saying?
You're saying I love you, but
did you murder your father?
I didn't say that, Susan.
How can you look at me
and ask me these questions?
How can you believe
those people?
Susan, please.
They murdered my
father, and you're
trying to blame me for it.
I thought you understood.
Jake, I thought you knew me.
Excuse me, you John Pelegrin?
I'm Jake Lassiter.
Yeah, yeah, you
used to play football.
Yeah.
Yeah, you missed
that tackle on Riggins.
Yeah, Peyton and Campbell too.
I made all the greats greater.
I'm an attorney now.
Ooh, congratulations.
Thanks.
What, lawyering make
you lose your hair?
I seem to remember
had a little--
Were you working
this floor the night
that Philip Corrigan died?
Well, this is a hospital.
A lot of people die.
Makes it hard to remember.
Mm-hm.
LOUDSPEAKER: Nurse
Julian to C284.
Nurse Julian--
Yeah, I was working.
Well, what do you remember?
See, I had a
really bad hangover.
I was sleeping it off in
one of the empty beds.
I think if I was you,
I'd talk with Nurse Ingram.
Nurse Ingram.
Mm-hm.
Put that toward
a memory course.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[BELL RINGING]
[KNOCKING]
Good morning.
Sorry to bother you at
this hour, Miss Ingram.
You'll see me in
court, Mr. Lassiter.
Can't it wait until then?
It's about what you're
going to say there.
I think you saw
something that night
you haven't told anyone about.
I told the truth
in my deposition.
I'll tell the
truth on the stand.
Miss Ingram, if there's
something you are afraid of,
we can protect you.
Roger Salisbury is a good
doctor, and he's a good man.
He shouldn't have to pay
for something he didn't do.
I'm sorry.
I've got to get back to my kids.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Miss Ingram, did you see
the defendant the night
of Mr. Corrigan's death?
Yes, I saw him leaving room
512, Mr. Corrigan's room,
hurrying down the hall.
At what time?
10 O'clock.
Did you notice anything else
about the defendant that night?
Yes, he was carrying a
little leather valise, black.
Thank you, ma'am.
No further questions,
your Honor.
Your witness.
Mr. Lassiter.
Nurse Ingram, was it
unusual to see Dr. Salisbury
on the floor that evening?
No, he frequently checks on
his patients after surgery.
Any more questions, counselor?
Yes ma'am, one more question.
Nurse Ingram, did you see
anyone else on the floor
that evening prior to 11:15?
No.
No further
questions, your Honor.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[VIDEO PLAYING]
[CHATTER]
Mm.
Oh, yes, here we go.
Here we go.
Look at this.
OK.
- Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
[DIALING]
MELANIE (ON PHONE): Hello?
I'm watching this videotape.
I had no idea you
were a thespian.
Ooh, I love it
when men talk dirty.
JAKE (ON PHONE): That's obvious.
Don't mess with me, Lassiter.
Good, we're on the same page.
This is business, not pleasure.
You know seeing that,
Susan just might want
to contest her daddy's will.
Yeah, well, how about you
bring me that videotape?
You mean you want
to watch it with me?
There's one scene you might
be real interested in.
Well, now, I'm always
interested in a good show.
You know, Lassiter, it probably
wouldn't be a good idea
for us to be seen together.
Do you know where
Bayou Teche is?
JAKE (ON PHONE): New Iberia.
Yeah.
There's an old
fishing camp there.
You take a left
at a place called
C and R's Bait and Tackle,
and it's exactly 6/10
of a mile off the main road.
Why don't you meet me
there in two hours?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Bro.
This here's what you
call a quandary, bro.
Hey, karate man, you come to
settle that insurance claim?
Not unless you've
got whole life.
Just like I thought.
You chop shop guys ain't
much in close, are you?
[SHOUTING]
[SPLASH]
Take care of him.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CLEARS THROAT].
[SPLASH]
- Yo, are you the lawyer?
- Why?
Are you going to sue him too?
Lady sports writer said
you might need some help.
She's given me a lot of pub.
Probably got me
rookie of the year.
I figured I owe her.
- Susan sent you?
- Yeah.
She's a good lady.
Yeah, a damned good lady.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Susan!
Come on, Susan.
Don't you die on me.
Come on, baby.
Come on, baby.
Come back to me, child.
Come on, now.
No.
No.
No!
Seen him?
Charlie, I haven't even talked
to him since Susan died.
Jake?
Jake.
Oh god.
[SNORING]
- I'll get the coffee.
- Come on.
What?
- You're due in court.
- What?
Come on, you're
late for court.
- OK.
- Up and at 'em, baby.
- OK.
- Come on.
- All right, I'm coming.
- Get your butt in gear.
All right!
Susan's autopsy was by the
book-- salt water in the lungs,
pinkish foam in the airway.
She was alive when she
stepped into the pool.
If she had been killed
and then dumped in,
the lungs would have
produced the foam.
It's death by drowning--
nothing to dispute.
I dispute it damn it.
She was a strong swimmer--
mile a day, 365 days a year.
There's no way she drowned.
Look again.
Hey, Jake, you
know, you've got
an active imagination, Jake.
Murder in the gulf,
ambush on Bayou Teche.
If you set off to Hollywood--
Your star witness murdered
Susan Corrigan and set me up.
The coroner said
Susan Corrigan drowned.
And as for you, that's
not the way I hear it.
Melanie Corrigan said
you tried to extort her.
She said you said
that if she testifies,
you could play that tape,
and if she don't testify,
you'll give her the tape.
You're going to get your
equipment in a wringer, Jake.
Our boy's got enough to bust
you for obstruction right now.
Well, Remy, you
got my address.
Send them on over.
Jake, where's
the sport in that?
I want to beat
you fair and square.
[SPEAKING FRENCH], babe.
Let the good times roll.
But don't worry.
I'll invite you to the party.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Charlie.
My friends that I still
have at the coroner's office,
they took another look.
They found a microscopic
quill from a Portuguese man
o' war lodged in Susan's neck.
That would have paralyzed her.
That explains the drowning.
Portuguese man o' war?
You sure?
I'm sure.
Kind of unusual for
these waters, isn't it?
Yeah, especially
in a swimming pool.
You're absolutely certain.
Absolutamento.
Dennis Lee Hardin married
Miss Melanie Newton in Monroe,
Louisiana, on June 12th, 1984.
Five years ago, the same Miss
Melanie Newton marries one Mr.
Philip Corrigan on June 12th.
Far as I can see, there's
no record of divorce.
Best I can figure, she had a
fifth anniversary and wedding
all on the same day.
Dr. Riggs, not to steal
your thunder, but you're
prepared to testify
for the defense
that Philip Corrigan died from
a spontaneous aortic aneurysm,
isn't that correct?
Correct.
Lots of things can cause a
spontaneous aortic aneurysm,
right doctor?
That's right-- hypertension,
arteriosclerosis,
syphilis, trauma.
How about a huge injection
of succinylcholine?
Would that cause
trauma to the heart?
The trauma I'm referring to
would be from a serious blow,
like the chest
hitting the steering
wheel in a car crash
or a vicious punch,
kick, karate chop.
What about the injection?
That depends.
You have to ask a cardiologist.
That depends?
That depends?
- Yes.
That depends.
No further questions,
your Honor.
Hey, Charlie.
Yeah.
That karate blow you were
talking about this afternoon--
could that really have caused
Philip Corrigan's aneurysm?
Yeah, but nobody
can know for sure.
We have a needle track,
and we have an aneurysm.
Maybe they're connected.
Maybe they're not.
Forensic medicine is
not an exact science.
Then we got nothing.
We don't have the nurse.
We don't have a smoking gun.
And this is fourth quarter, and
we're three touchdowns behind.
We're going to have to
come up with some way
to create a reasonable doubt
that Roger aced Phillip.
Hey, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
I didn't kill fill Phillip.
Jake, you said you believed me.
Now you're talking
like I'm guilty.
You're talking like I
have something to hide.
Roger, no.
Roger.
Do you want me to get you off?
- Yes.
Then you're going to
have to give me something.
You're going to have
to give me Melanie.
She is framing you, man.
You're just sitting there
posing for the picture.
I am not guilty.
Do you hear me?
I did not kill Phillip Corrigan.
Well, I guess we'll just
going to have to buy some time
to convince the jury of that.
Objection, your Honor.
Oh, come on, Remy.
I'm just asking Mr.
Hardin here if he
can break these two little
bitty blocks with one blow.
That's all.
Well, can you do
that, Mr. Hardin?
Who knows.
That's irrelevant, your Honor.
Uh, Mr. Savaul, this
is a capital case,
and I will not unduly
limit the defense.
But Mr. Lassiter,
get to the point.
Overruled.
Fact is, you're not good
enough to break these blocks,
are you?
- Are you kidding?
With my hand, my
foot, or my head?
That's kid stuff.
Oh yeah?
Well, let's see you do it.
Come on then.
Your Honor, he's
badgering the witness.
Give me that book, Dijon.
With the court's permission,
I've got the citation
right here, your honor.
State of Louisiana versus men.
Here it is.
I know all about you
and Melanie, Dennis Lee--
high school sweethearts,
nice little Baptist
wedding up there in Monroe.
When you come down here to the
big city for the big score,
she shakes her booty and
old Phillip Corrigan just
drooled like a St. Bernard.
But then Melanie got to liking
Mr. Corrigan, didn't she?
That old man could do stunts
an old boy full of steroids
just couldn't manage.
That why they call you the Big
Softy from the Big Easy, bro?
You want me to
mess you up, bubba?
You got in over
your head, didn't you?
And so you messed up Phillip
Corrigan real good, didn't you?
[SCREAMING].
Bailiff.
The jury shall-- The jury
will-- [GAVEL BANGING]
Gentlemen, my
chambers right now.
OK, here's the deal, boys.
I'm declaring a mistrial.
Oh, damn it.
The jurors won't be able
to ignore that business.
And Mr. Lassiter, I know
you provoked that action.
I'm holding you in contempt.
Report for sentencing
tomorrow morning
and bring your toothbrush.
Hell of a story, Remy.
The defendant goes free, and
the lawyer goes to the joint.
[BELLS RINGING]
Well, Remy, I have to
admit that's the first time I
ever been bailed out by the DA.
That was a nifty move, Jake,
getting that mistrial declared.
I had to buy some
time for my clients
so we could find the real doer.
By the way, where are we going?
Somebody wants to talk
to you in my office.
I'm sorry.
I was so afraid.
He threatened my babies.
It's all right.
When I read the
story in the paper
I knew I had to come forward.
I'm sorry I put you
through this, Mr. Lassiter.
Jake.
And it's OK.
You just tell me what
you saw that evening.
Sometime between
10:30 and 11:00
I was walking down the hall.
And I saw a muscular
man and a woman
leaving Mr. Corrigan's room.
Did you recognize him.
No, not at the time, but
now I know it's the same man
who threatened my babies.
It's the man I saw come after
you on the news and the trial.
Do you know how long they
were in Mr. Corrigan's room?
I don't know.
But it wasn't too
much after that we
went code blue on Mr. Corrigan.
If the muscle man new how
to shoot up on steroids,
he certainly could
inject a supine body
with succinylcholine.
And if Philip Corrigan fought
back in his weakened condition,
that would explain the aneurysm.
It's like the poor
SOB was killed twice.
What do you think
about all this, Remy?
I think it sounds like
good news for your client.
Then why don't you
let me go talk to him?
[BEEPING]
ANSWERING MACHINE: You've
reached Roger Salisbury.
I'm not in right now.
If you need me, call
my emergency s--
[BEEP]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
[TROLLEY BELL]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[KNOCKING]
You dumb son of
a-- when are you
going to start thinking
with your brain
and not your hormones.
[MUFFLED MOANING]
What?
I came here to
find out how she
killed Phillip Corrigan, Jake.
Roger, the nurse came forward.
You're going to walk.
Not very far.
Dennis Lee, they set
the jailbird free.
Yeah, and just
imagine, you were
the first people I came to see.
Yeah, the last two,
unless you and Doc grow
gills all of a sudden.
When did you start
letting him talk?
Don't underestimate
him, Lassiter.
Oh, I wouldn't dare.
He's so talented.
All right, let's go.
I mean, just imagine, he
can shoot an old man full
of succinylcholine, and
unless I miss my guess,
he's one that helped
you put that man
o' war in the swimming pool.
Keep it moving, bro.
You know, the one
that stung Susan.
Yeah, that was good.
Wasn't it?
See that's a-- that's
a salt water pool.
Stand by the bay.
All kinds of marine
life can survive
in it except the
expert swimmer stung
by a Portuguese man o' war.
Oh, wait.
This is my favorite part.
When it's over, all you have
to do is raise up the screams,
and the murder weapon
just floats out to sea.
I just love the details.
Don't you?
Come on.
Come on.
[SPEAKING JAPANESE].
Bupkis.
[GUN FIRING]
OK?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, Dennis Lee, you are
under arrest for murder, babe.
You've got the right
to remain silent.
So just shut up.
Hey, you want to fish this
piece of trash out the water?
Hey, Melanie, I know
how much you like details.
How's this one strike
you-- 15 years to life.
Watch your head, child.
- Jake.
- Not now, Roger.
We'll talk later.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CAR STARTING]
This is a cool sunrise.
Yeah.
Groovus extremus.
And it's nice to know
that one way or another,
it comes up every day.
Yeah.
Anybody for breakfast?
I know a great little
Sicilian Creole place
right here in the Quarter.
They serve a calamari
and oyster frittata.
Scrambled eggs aioli--
it's to die for.
What the hell?
Nobody lives forever.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
I can't believe I'm
stuck inside lawyering
on a day like this.
Mondo disgusting.
Where do you want this?
You're the secretary.
File it.
Malcolm?
Is that official
NFL issue, Jake?
Oh, yeah.
Won it in my last game.
You mean the one where you
missed the tackle on Regans?
No, the one where I
missed the tackle on Peyton.
I missed the tackle on
Regan the game before that.
And I just stopped
by to tell you
that our esteemed senior partner
Mr. Marsh McGonagle requests
the pleasure of your
company in the conference
room for a pouring.
- Ah.
Hand off, Jake.
To the linebacking litigator!
Here, here!
Relax, Philip.
We'll remove that disc,
zip you up, and have you
back on your feet in no time.
Ah, great.
Melanie will think
she's married a gymnast.
Ah, I can't wait.
Pride and appropriate
welcome to the newest
member of the firm.
As senior partner, I hereby
order the offices of Harmon
and Fox immediately closed for
the day, and direct everyone
to the park where, in
honor of Jake Lassiter,
we will engage in the
first annual Harman
and Fox touch football game.
OK.
Here we go.
I wish they'd fix
that coffee machine.
Yeah, I wish they would too.
Yes.
I wish they'd get some
of that gourmet coffee.
Suction.
Let me get this for you.
Sucker.
There's a little
bouillabaisse started for you.
End game.
Excellent.
There you go.
All right!
You OK, Big?
No.
If it hadn't been 15 years.
I know.
Jake, you OK?
Didn't think I was gonna
have to wear my knee
brace to practice law here.
Take it easy.
This is for posterity, boy.
Can I get an interview?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MACHING BEEPING]
I need help!
Code blue!
Code blue, guys!
Coming through,
coming through!
Come on, let's hook him up.
I'll take over.
- Here we go.
Got it?
- Yeah.
I got this.
OK.
Set it at 200.
How's his surgeon?
Uh, Salisbury.
Go to 300.
Clear.
Nothing, nothing.
Call Dr. Salisbury.
Good, you found it.
OK, hop off there and
squat and walk like a duck.
Jeez, Roger.
It's only been three
weeks since you cut on me.
Just do it, Jake.
Squat and walk like a duck.
Come on.
- All right.
Oh, man.
That's amazing.
That is amazing.
There's no pain at all.
Yeah.
Oh!
I haven't been able to do this
since, well, I don't know when.
Yeah, well, clean
out a little floating
cartliage, tired ligaments,
and you're as good as new.
You know, orthopedic
medicine has progressed,
Jake, since we played
for the Saints.
If they'd done this
when I was younger,
I might still be playing.
Oh, I doubt that.
I was there, remember?
Oh yeah.
Whenever I needed a kick
in the ass or a point
in the right direction,
tgere you were.
And for that and for
this, I don't know
how I'll ever thank you, Roger.
Well, pay the bill.
Well, that's going too far.
Here.
Take care of that
for me, will ya?
This is a lawsuit.
Got you a lawyer.
Oh yeah, well,
tell me about it.
The estate of
Philip Corrigan--
Philip Corrigan the
zillionaire real estate
developer?
Yes, the late
zillionaire real estate
developer in the
person of his widow
is suing me for malpractice.
He died of an aneurysm after
I performed a laminectomy
on the L3 L4 vertebrae.
English, Roger, please.
Well he died a few
hours after I removed
a slipped disk from his back.
And they say the aneurysm
was due to a mistake
that I made during surgery.
It wasn't.
It happened hours later.
Well, several
fellows at the firm
specialize in this sort thing.
I'll refer one.
I want you, Jake.
Roger, I just left the
public defender's office
two months ago.
I'm just now getting my toe wet
over there at Harman and Fox.
This is a technical lawsuit
for 5.6 million dollars.
I don't care.
I don't want a hired gun.
I want you, Jake.
I trust you.
And you know that
I'm a good doctor.
Besides, the Doctor's
Medical Insurance Trust
will pay you $300 an hour.
Dr. Watkins, when the surgeon
is performing this particular
procedure, can he
see what he's doing
in there with this
implement-- the rongeur--
or does he go by feel?
That depends.
Beg pardon?
That depends-- is
that what you said?
Yes, counselor, it depends on
at what point in the procedure
you're referring to.
Ultimately, the rongeur
poses no danger itself.
Hm.
My client, Dr.
Roger Salisbury is
a respected member of
the medical fraternity
in this community.
Mrs. Corrigan here
has lost her husband.
And you, sir, are visiting
New Orleans to offer
us expert medical testimony.
And the best you can come
up with is that depends.
Objection-- argumentative
and repetitious.
Miss Thibeaux.
Judge, Mr. Lassiter is
making speeches again.
If the surgeon's
too hasty or too rough
or loses track of
where he is, that's
where the real danger lies.
Objection, Your
Honor-- the witness
is the one speech-making now.
Sustained on both counts.
Strut your stuff when it's
appropriate, counselor.
Your Honor, may I request
a five-minute recess
at this time.
We'll take a 10-minute break.
(WHISPERING) Roger.
What in the hell are
you doing in there?
What are you talking about?
I saw you making eyes
at the widow, Roger.
How long you known her?
Why don't you worry about
you're cross-examination, Jake?
Don't you screw with me, pal.
I'll take this whole case and
ram it so far down your throat
you'll need a proctologist
to get it out.
Why would you bust
Dr. Watkins chops?
I'm taking care of that.
If that's not good
enough for you,
get yourself another lawyer.
Jake, wait, wait, wait.
Answer the question.
A lot of doctors know
their patients wives.
I mean, what difference
does it make?
What d-- well, I tell
you, Roger, it confuses me.
And if it confuses me, it
just might confuse the jury.
And if it confuses the
jury, they're not going
to think you're so innocent.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
I understand.
I'm sorry.
I should have told, Jake.
I'm sorry.
[BEEPER]
- Is that you?
No, it's me.
I still have a medical practice.
For now.
Now, you go ahead
and return your call.
When you get back
in that courtroom,
you keep your eyes to yourself.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
I don't want to discuss
this on the carphone.
No, don't give me that
"relax Melanie" crap.
They can listen in on
carphone conversations.
Look, I miss you
too, but you're just
going to have to
keep your distance
until this is all over with.
[BEEP]
Tell us about your
husband-- your late husband--
Mrs. Corrigan.
Phil was the most giving
man I've ever known.
After his first wife
died, he thought
he could never love again.
I guess I brought
something to his life,
but to me he was
everything-- a lover,
a friend, even the
father I never had.
(WHISPERING) I think
she means sugar daddy.
And for him to die
like this in his prime,
it's just-- (CRYING)
Your witness.
Your Honor, we
feel that it would
be unfair to keep Mrs.
Corrigan on the stand
any longer to discuss
this painful subject.
We have no questions.
[KNOCKING]
Been out sleuthing.
I hope they got what you wanted.
What is this?
"Across the river a voice
to shine tempus fugit doc
speaks at 9:00."
- I managed that much on my own.
- It's haiku.
Who?
I do.
What do you do?
I do haiku for
me-- something new.
Haiku is three line Japanese
poetry, no breaking hearts,
just recording the author's
observations of nature
and the human experience.
What does it mean,
metaphorically speaking?
Get with it boss.
Crazy old Charlie Briggs
testifies tomorrow at 9:00.
He'll tell one and all what
killed filthy rich Corrigan.
The widow loses.
You keep lawyering.
Salisbury keeps doctoring.
We hope.
Why the uncertainty?
Charlie's the best
witness we have.
I got a bad feeling
about this case.
Your Dr. Salisbury has
a weird look in his eye.
You know this could be one
of them pot and kettle things.
What'd you find out?
The late Mr. Corrigan had
a daughter-- only child.
Her real mother
died five years ago,
leaving Phillip a
very rich widower
and his daughter sole heir to
Phil Corrigan's $100 million
real estate fortune until
the old man married Alvima
Fantastic, and that would
be Melanie Corrigan,
and kicked forthwith.
- And?
Her name is Susan.
I can't believe that Phillip
Corrigan was her father,
and I didn't even know it.
You know her?
One date a few years ago.
She's a sports reporter,
works for The Times Picayune,
covers the Saints.
Undergrad work at Tulane.
Master's in--
Uh, yeah, thank you.
Thank you.
--Journalism at Northwestern.
Pick him up.
Pick him up.
- Set blue 32.
- Set.
Blue 32.
Hike.
You stay on top of him.
You hear me?
I don't want to see that.
If you'd been able to do
that while you were playing,
you might still be
on the team, Jake.
I doubt it.
He didn't cover the tight
end over the middle,
was a sucker for a
play action fake,
and a step too slow besides.
Oh, and I see you
two know each other.
Hey, hey, hey, since
when did you start
throwing to girls anyhow, Tom?
Oh, when we became sports
writers and he finally started
hearing intelligent questions
that required-- I don't know--
sophisticated answers.
Well, I'm out of here.
- I'll call you, OK?
- OK.
Thanks.
OK, now that you've screwed up
my interview, what do you want?
Well, actually, I came by
to express my condolences
over your father's passing.
Thanks, accepted.
Is that it?
No.
Kind of curious as to why
you didn't join in the suit.
Well, you know I represent
Roger Salisbury in the suit that
was brought by your stepmother.
You're dumber than you look.
What is that supposed to mean?
You really don't know, do you?
Would you give
me a break here?
What are you being
such a hard case for?
MAN: Head's up!
Good hands.
For a girl.
That's not what I said.
It's what you thought.
I think I can change your mind.
- Oh yeah?
Yeah.
I am a trained professional
athlete, you know?
Yeah, well, why
don't you just choose
your game and your stakes.
All right.
Dealer's choice.
Good.
I win, and you tell me
what it is that I don't get.
Uh-huh.
You win, I won't
bother you anymore.
Great.
Uh, I'll race you
to the goal line.
Think you can catch that one?
All right.
Guess you're going to
want a head start, huh?
Yeah, go.
Whoa, hey.
Hey.
Once a linebacker,
always a linebacker.
[LAUGHING].
Maybe we should have tried
this four years ago, huh?
Oh.
You OK, Susan?
Yeah, yeah.
Thanks.
Let me know if
you need anything.
I will, thanks.
It's OK.
You really don't know, do you?
Susan, what are
you trying to say?
You are being used.
The suit you're
trying is a cover,
and that surgeon and
my stepmother Melanie
are in this together.
And you, my friend,
are still a sucker
for the play action fake.
Melanie and Roger
conspired to kill
your father so they
could live happily
ever after on the inheritance.
Your client isn't guilty of
medical malpractice, counselor.
He's guilty of
premeditated murder.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
It wasn't murder, Jacob.
You've been retained to
defend a simple civil suit.
Just do your job.
Ah, you're right, Charlie.
You're always right.
I don't get it.
You eat that garbage
all the time, probably
going to live to be 102.
What are you talking about?
40 years a pathologist, I
never declared anybody dead
from cholesterol poisoning.
This is New Orleans,
Jacob, the Big Easy.
And you eat like a refugee
from a California fern bar.
Life is to be savored
not picked at.
You're not going to
spring any surprises on me
in court tomorrow, are you?
Nope.
My lawyering's a good deal
like my footballing-- nothing
tricky about the defense.
Besides, what jury's not
going to believe Charles w.
Riggs, MS. Just leave out
the part about how you
never had a patient who lived.
How did you ever get
to play linebacker?
You eat like an
anorexic ballerina.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Stop it, dammit.
Still driving that thing?
'69 Olds 442--
four-barrel carburetor,
dual exhaust, 400 of
Detroit's finest cubic inches
producing 345 horses.
You know, it sounds
like it has asthma.
You don't mind, I'll take
a look at it for you.
Help yourself.
You know cars?
Yeah, and the men who
use them to compensate
for certain inadequacies.
I think I know what
the problem is here.
Unbelievable.
You know, change your air
filter once or twice a decade,
she might stop sounding like Joe
Cocker with black lung disease.
Would it be premature to
ask for your hand in marriage?
What if I invite you
inside for a drink?
Tell me I'm right about you.
Tell me you want to know the
truth about my father's death.
Susan, you got it all wrong.
It's not even possible
for Roger Salisbury
to have killed your father
during that operation,
not if you know the time
and the cause of death.
I'm telling you, someone
murdered my father.
Can you prove it-- any of it?
You think I can?
No.
If you could, you'd be talking
to the cops, not to me.
Yeah, I'll bill you.
I guess we aren't going
to be having that drink.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[GROWLING]
Nothing like a moonlight jog.
Rufus extremus.
I thought we had a deal.
Did you come all the way
down here to rag on me.
The deal was this.
You keep the phone
with you at all times
as long as you insist on
living like a homeless person.
One, the phone is kind
of a drag to run with.
Two, I am not homeless.
I'm address-less, and
there's a big difference.
Well, not one that I could
explain to your father.
[BARKING]
Listen, when your old man
recruited me to play for him
in college, he told me that he
was going to be like the father
that I never had.
And he kept his word.
When he called me and told me
that you're going to be moving
here, I told him that I
would look after you like
you was my own flesh and blood.
And you have.
Ergo, chill out.
Not as long as you're
living like this.
I want for nothing Jake.
I have a roof, a bed, a
good man-- Arnold-- to keep
me safe and warm at night.
Every night I come home to
one of the most beautiful
neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Every morning, I wake up
to a glorious sunrise.
And every week I put most
of my paycheck in the bank.
The economically prudent
fiscally responsible
daughter, every father's dream--
she never asks for money.
You make it all possible, and I
love you like a brother for it.
Well then, why don't you
just move into my house?
You know, occasionally
brothers and sisters
do live under the same roof.
Alpha, no one at the
office would buy it.
Beta, no offense, but
your neighborhood--
it's not a happening occurrence.
Now, are you just calling
to check up on me,
or did you want something, bro?
I was just checking up on you.
Uh-huh.
Thought so.
Arnold.
[BARKING]
Dr. Riggs, based on the
records and your years
of experience, do you have
an opinion as to what caused
the death of Philip Corrigan?
I do.
And what was the
cause of death?
A ruptured aorta,
internal bleeding,
which in turn caused the
lowering of the blood pressure.
In layman's terms, the heart
did to not have sufficient fluid
to pump, so it stopped.
And what, sir,
caused the rupture?
We can't answer that
with absolute certainty,
but we can exclude
certain things.
Such as?
I can tell you that
Dr. Salisbury certainly
did not do it with a rongeur.
May I use the chart?
Please, sir.
Thank you.
The rupture was on the anterior
side of the aorta-- the front.
The surgeon making an
incision in a man's back
would not puncture the
front of the aorta,
the part facing the abdomen.
Well, now, if Dr. Salisbury
did not puncture the aorta,
what did cause the rupture?
We call that spontaneous
aortic aneurysm.
And did Philip Corrigan have
any prior medical abnormalities
that might have
caused this to occur?
This Mr. Corrigan had a
previous history of some degree
of arteriosclerosis--
weakening of the arteries--
a susceptibility to aneurysm.
In that condition, Mr.
Corrigan could have had
an artery blow out at any time.
At any time.
Without trauma--
watching television,
having dinner, anytime.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
You were great today,
counselor, earned every penny
my insurance company pays you.
Which is a lot better
than you deserve.
Hey, hey, I work hard to make
those malpractice premiums.
You know, Rog, I quit the
public defender's office
because I was tired of
getting off dirt bags
that I knew were guilty.
Well, they didn't
deserve a lawyer like you.
But at least I could tell
when they were lying to me.
- How?
- Their lips were moving.
[LAUGHING].
It ain't that easy with you.
Are you saying you
think I'm guilty?
I'm saying there are
things you haven't told me.
There is one thing.
Melanie asked me to
kill her husband.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The truth, Roger--
all of it, right now.
I met Melanie about
9 or 10 years ago.
Julie just divorced
me, and I never
thought I'd find another woman.
You got to be kidding me.
I was with Julie
since Penn State.
I was the arrow,
remember-- home every night
of the season, medical school
from January until July.
Anyway, Melanie was a
kid, kind of mixed up.
She was sort of an
exotic dancer so she
could pay her tuition to UNL.
She called herself Autumn Rain.
JAKE: Oh my lord.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Anyway, I hadn't seen
her for probably six years
when Phillip Corrigan
invited me over for dinner.
I had no idea that he had
married Aut-- Melanie.
So you two started
sneaking around--
out of the way
motels, little nooners
just for old time's sake, huh?
Hardly.
I mean, Philip had, shall we
say, a few kinks in his armor.
He played with the other girls.
Melanie played with me.
I mean, I know it
doesn't sound good, Jake,
but that's the way it was.
Y'all played house, and she
asked you to ace her husband.
Well, she said it should
just be the two of us,
but that Philip would never give
her the right kind of divorce.
There was some kind
of a pre-nuptial.
And she said I was
a doctor, and I
should know about these things.
Then she-- she asked
me if I'd ace him,
as you so eloquently put it.
And?
Jake, I am a
doctor, not a hitman.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR OPENING]
[BEEPING]
[CAR DOOR CLOSING]
[BEEPING]
What's happening, big?
- Waiting.
- Waiting for what?
Waiting for Thibeaux's
rebuttal witnesses,
Dr. Watkins, to show up.
She's got a long wait
for the good doctor.
You didn't kidnap
him, did you?
Kidnap him?
You think that is
the only way I could
get a guy to buy me a drink.
No need to tell me
that you bagged Dr.
Watkins in some sort of-- are
you trying to get me disbarred?
It wasn't me.
It was my friend.
(WHISPERING) Margarita.
Who?
You know, Margarita
the girl, not the drink.
Miss Anthropomorphic Tabasco
1994-- hot, hot, hot.
The one who's so dumb she
thinks the Silicon Valley is
the space between her--
BAILIFF: All rise.
Civil district court in and
for the parish of Orleans
is now in session.
Miss Thibeaux,
called your witness.
Your Honor, may
we have one moment?
You've just had 90
minutes for lunch.
Now, do you have rebuttal
testimony or not?
If not, we'll recess, and you
can both close in the morning.
The plaintiff recalls
Dr. Harvey Watkins.
[CHATTER]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Am I worried?
Yeah, I'm worried.
You never really know how those
jurors think, what they feel,
what they know, who they know.
[SCREAMING]
Give me the blouse.
Take it off.
You're late.
- Roger, relax.
- Relax?
I couldn't eat lunch.
Is it a good thing the
jury is taking this long?
Hey, Ernest, you got
the sports section here?
- I'm screwed, aren't I?
- Yeah.
They're taking this long,
they're talking damages, right?
I'm screwed.
- You watch too much TV, Roger.
Jake, verdict.
You happy now?
- Is that us?
- That's us.
OK.
Roger, you want to
wait for your lawyer?
Yeah, yeah, come on.
Let me get this.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The clerk will
publish the verdict.
In civil district court in
and for the parish of Orleans,
case number 9418376,
Melanie Corrigan,
as personal representative of
the estate of Philip Corrigan,
deceased, versus Roger A.
Salisbury, MD, we the jury
find for the defendant.
- Yes.
Court adjourned.
Susan called.
Two hours, quaff one
celebratory brewski,
then be there or be square.
I used to live
in the main house
before my dad
married that woman.
And then I decided to
give him a little privacy.
But I still do my mile
in the pool every night.
I want to show you something.
That's the salon on the Lanya.
- The Lanya?
The boat parked outside.
Oh.
I thought that was non-match.
4,000 sailors on shore leave.
Now, wouldn't
that make her happy?
I bet you didn't know he
made house calls, did you?
Came across it by accident.
I thought it was the
Saints game I taped.
You want to feel
uncomfortable, keep watching.
They're just getting started.
Melanie gets my
dad to join in with
that chorus line of bimbo's.
Susan, every family has
its dirty little secrets.
Some of them are better
left in the closet.
You don't understand.
That's not my father.
Philip Corrigan--
my father Philip
Corrigan-- was a man
who valued his dignity
and treasured his family.
I'm a good person because he
taught me to be a good person.
That man there,
that's not my father.
What happened?
My mom died.
Oh, wow, it was six
years ago, before I
met you the first time.
I was living in Atlanta,
covering Georgia Tech.
He was alone, and
these people came in,
and they just showed him
things that he'd never
seen before-- sick things.
By the time I got home and
realized what was happening,
it was too late.
The drugs?
How do you go to your
father-- the man you adore,
the man who gave you
everything-- and tell him?
He would have been humiliated.
And besides, he changed.
He was like them.
You hate him for that?
No.
I love him still.
That's why I want you to
help me catch his killlers.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Susan, listen to me now.
They changed him, and
they corrupted him,
but that doesn't mean
anybody killed him.
Your father died of an aneurysm.
That happens to 61-year-old men,
no matter how rich they are,
and no matter how much
their daughters love them.
Your client's the only
one I know who cut my dad
open the day before he died.
And as far as I know,
he's the only one
who carried poison around in
his little black leather case.
What are you talking about?
The murder weapon--
succinylcholine,
a drug used in anesthesia.
It paralyzes the
limbs and the lungs.
In anesthesia, a respirator
breathes for you.
Without a respirator,
you just lie there
and watch yourself die.
Where'd it come from?
Found it in Melanie's bedroom,
but it belongs to your client.
She played him, counselor.
She manipulated him, just like
she manipulated my father.
She hated my father, but
she couldn't divorce him.
She'd get nothing because of
the pre-nuptial agreement.
But if he died while
still married to her,
she'd get the house, the boat,
and 50% of a $100 million
estate.
That's a lot of money.
In your profession,
counselor, I
think they call that a motive.
When the mosquitoes are
biting better than the catfish,
I thought that sauteed possum
would be a hell of a way to go.
Charlie, in the category
of things too ugly to eat,
possum's right up there
at the top of the list.
Many things in
life are ugly, Jacob.
Many ways of dying are ugly.
Though few of them are uglier
than being poisoned with
succinylcholine.
Your, um, friend--
Susan Corrigan.
Susan Corrigan-- She
told you right about that.
There must be some way
we can determine if it
were administered, though.
Well, it would be
difficult to trace
succinylcholine in the body.
It breaks down into
succinic acid and cholene,
and both substances are
normally found in the body.
Of course, a physician
would know that.
It would be a flawless way
for him to commit a homicide.
Yeah, unless we could
find the needle marks.
No, Charlie, we're not going to
exhume Philip Corrigan's body.
You would be surprised
at how well embalming
fluid preserves tissue.
But it would be difficult
to find needle marks,
because the skin would be moldy.
That body would smell
like ducks with dysentery.
Charlie, it's a bad idea.
I'm sorry I even brought it up.
I mean, Roger
Salisbury is my client.
I couldn't do anything that
would be against his interests.
Besides, I know the man.
I've known him for 25 years.
He couldn't murder anybody.
Every killer has a
best friend and a mother.
You understand the
implications of this.
Well, there's only one
way we could go about it.
Charlie, grave
robbing is illegal.
- Of course.
- It's unethical.
Damn right.
It's disgusting.
Here it is.
Six generations of Corrigans
have been buried here.
Don't worry, honey.
We'll be careful.
I'll see you back at the truck.
OK.
[OWL HOOTING]
[CRASHING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[GRUNTING]
What are the odds that Philip
Corrigan could have been buried
in a yellow chiffon dress?
JAKE: Charlie, doing this on the
kitchen counter is disgusting.
The skin is macerated.
There's substantial mold.
There's evidence of two surgical
procedures close to death--
the laminectomy and the
emergency abdominal surgery
to repair the aorta.
There is substantial trauma to
the abdominal area undoubtedly
caused by this procedure.
I have found it.
What?
The puncture wound-- large
gauge hypodermic needle,
just as fresh as
the day it was made.
Must have been close
to death, or there
would be a sign of healing.
Well, that could just
be routine, right--
connected with the surgery?
No, nothing like that
in the hospital charts.
What about the undertaker.
No way.
There's a blood trail
along the needle track.
He had to be alive because--
Dead men don't bleed.
That's right.
Dead men do not bleed.
All right, so somebody
injected something into Philip
Corrigan before he died.
What's next?
We check the brain
and liver tissue
for succinic acid and choline.
[SAW STARTING]
We'll have to cut
into the skull.
[THUD]
Jake?
Jake?
What happened?
You fainted.
Oh.
Where's Charlie?
Everything I've come
up with is inconclusive.
I'm going to have
to call in a favor
and use the toxicology
lab downtown after hours.
Oh.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hello?
You must be a good man.
You're hard to fine.
JAKE (ON PHONE): Right.
I was wondering if you
make house calls, counselor.
I wasn't sure about the
propriety of my coming
into your office, but I
do have a proposition.
It's a might
impressive goldfish.
They're Portuguese
man o' wars.
They make rattlesnakes
seem like earthworms,
maybe 100 times more deadly.
What do you have against
angelfish and yellowtail?
They're boring.
But beautiful.
I'm afraid beauty isn't enough
to make it in this world, Jake.
Believe me, I know.
That's why I'd like you to
represent me in the future.
Why would you need to
retain an attorney now?
Well, people in
my position need
attorneys for everyday
business and financial matters.
And there is that
matter of probate.
Oh, that was settled,
and you got all this.
And Susan got the rest.
She must have mentioned that.
But Jake, that's not
what Philip wanted.
He died before he
could make the changes
in his will, which is why
this-- this whole thing
has gotten so complicated.
And I think you could
help uncomplicate it.
Are you kidding?
You just tried to
destroy Roger Salisbury.
I represented him.
If I turn around
and represent you,
that'll be a big
time complication.
Besides, Melanie, I know
more than you think.
Roger told me everything.
Did he tell you that he
wanted me to kill Phillip,
that he talked
about it for months?
Did he tell you I refused?
You know, we all make
mistakes in his life, Jake.
Roger's mine.
He wanted me to divorce
Phil and marry him.
I wouldn't do it.
I loved Phillip.
Roger mistakenly had this
notion that if Philip
was out of the way
that I would marry him.
So he killed him.
Oh, I think that we just
proved in court that he didn't.
Your husband died of a
spontaneous aneurysm.
Philip didn't die in surgery.
He was poisoned in
his hospital room.
Yeah.
Roger had this
liquid in a bottle--
some kind of anesthetic.
He wanted me to get Philip
drunk and shoot him up.
He said it couldn't be traced.
He gave you the bottle.
No, no, because
I wouldn't take it.
Then after Philip died,
I was at Roger's house,
and while he was
sleeping, I went took
it out of the refrigerator.
I wanted to give it
to the authorities.
Did you?
No, no, I had second thoughts.
So instead, you sued
Roger for malpractice,
because if you didn't,
and Susan got suspicious,
she just might think that you
and Roger were in it together?
Is that what she said?
Show me the poison.
I can't.
It's gone.
It was stolen.
And now, Jake, I'm really
afraid Roger is going
to try to do something to me.
Well, then, I guess you
better just hope that there
is honor among thieves.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Who in the hell are you?
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE].
Well, Yoko Ono and Macchu
Picchu to you too, pal.
I'm a trained professional.
You get anywhere near
me, I'm going to turn
you into a tackle dummy.
[SHOUTING].
[GROANING].
You're the only
dummy here, bubba.
Next time, you mind
your own business, hear?
[GROANING].
[KNOCKING]
Hi.
Hey.
Oh.
Cut yourself shaving?
Oh, no, there was
this karate guy.
Oh, oh, well, karate guys
can get pretty dangerous.
Dangerous?
Karate guys?
Are you kidding me?
You get a hold of those
kamakazi sukiyakis,
and they fold up
like lawn chairs.
Now, you can fool me with
those moves one time,
but Jake Lassiter does not
get trap blocked twice.
Right.
I am a professional
athlete trained
in a very violent sport.
I am bred to accept pain.
If I get my hands on that
SOB, he's going to be about as
useless as nuclear waste.
You want some of this?
- Yeah.
Well, come on in, then.
Oh, OK.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, this won't hurt a bit.
Mm-hm.
Come here.
Ow.
Jeez.
[LAUGHTER]
[WHISPERS]
Charles Riggs?
Detective Joe Baer, NOPD.
Hey, listen to this.
From your exalted journal--
vandals destroyed a grave site
and removed the body from
the Eternal Memories Mortuary
and Mausoleum over the
weekend, New Orleans Police
reported yesterday.
The body of Phillip R. Corrigan
was taken from a private crypt
at the cemetery, according
to police spokesman.
Mr. Corrigan,
who died last year,
was a well-known
builder and real estate
developer whose projects
were often opposed
by environmental groups.
This is funny stuff.
This isn't funny, Dennis Lee.
Well, I guess it's
better they suspect
radical environmentalist instead
of the real grave robbers.
Oh, its-- it's a lot better.
I have to say, this is a good
way to wake up in the morning.
LOUDSPEAKER: Mr. And Mrs.
Carters to admitting.
Mr. and Mrs. Carters
to admitting.
[BELL RINGING]
I hope you're not wasting my
time here, Remy, because I'm
having a real bad day.
No, child, I'm going
make you very happy.
Your late husband was a
good friend to this district
attorney's office.
And we take care of our friends.
You found his body?
And we found his killer, too?
I'm-- I'm sorry here, Remy.
I don't quite understand.
Our estimable retired
coroner, much to my surprise,
did me a favor and dug up the
evidence in a little private
post-mortem examination.
It seems your husband
was murdered, child.
His doctor, Roger
Salisbury, killed him.
It's a sick world, babe,
when a man can't trust
his own doctor not to kill him.
But with any luck, by
the end of the year,
he'll be on my wall of infamy.
What is that?
38 murderers been sentenced
to death on my watch, babe.
I intend to make Roger
Salisbury number 39.
When I get through
with him, he's
going to ride the lightning.
Ride the lightning?
We still use the electric
chair in Louisiana, child.
There's one thing I
got to know, child.
You know, sometimes
we say there ain't
but 500 people in New Orleans.
It's a small town.
And I hear that
you and this doctor
might have had a friendship
is what they say.
Now, the personal affairs of
my constituents and supporters
ain't none of my business
until it becomes my business.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Oh god.
Bag's gone.
[PHONE RINGING]
Yeah.
I'll be right there.
LOUDSPEAKER: Dr. Collum to OR 4.
Dr. Collum, OR 4.
Jake, I'm sorry.
Some creep ratted on me.
Hey, Jake, you going to
defend Dr. Salisbury again?
What's the charge?
How about murder one?
Well, Mr. McGonigal,
after I managed
to get him released on
bail, Dr. Salisbury said
he wanted me to represent him.
I figured I owed him that much.
We try not to dirty our
hands with criminal cases
at Harmon and Marks, Jake.
Our corporate clients
aren't fond of being
associated with murderers.
Well, I'll keep that in mind.
And I'll try not to use any
of the firm's valuable assets.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Evening, Miss Ingram.
Now, I understand you
have two children.
[PIANO PLAYING]
Hey, Jim.
The firm is not happy.
The firm is not going to help.
It'll be like the old days,
back in the public defender's
office.
Yeah, the time machine
thing-- living history.
You'll help.
Sure.
Good, because it's not
going to be good enough just
get Roger off.
We're going to have to find
out who the real killer is.
We'll start with Melanie.
Why is that?
Well, among the other
reasons, 'cause she
doesn't wear a wedding ring.
That bothered me since first
time I laid eyes on her.
If I were her lawyer, she's
playing the grieving widow.
She'd be wearing a wedding ring.
Um, thank you.
Now listen, Cindy, you're going
to be working with your friends
down at police headquarters.
And I'll start at the hospital.
Charlie, you-- you better
just kind of lay low.
I got you in enough
trouble for a while.
What?
You want to bring it
up, Jake, or should I?
Susan.
We're going to have
to take a look at her.
Charlie she is the one
who has insisted all along
that this was a murder.
If she did it, why would
she want an investigation?
Did she have the means?
Well, that succinylcholine
did disappear just
as soon as the body was dug up.
- Motive?
Her father was thinking about
writing her out of his will.
$100 million Makes
people act funny.
That leaves opportunity.
Yeah, I hear you, Charlie.
I'll deal with this.
Susan, there are things
that I haven't asked you
because you're special to me.
Like what?
Were you aware
that your father
was thinking about writing
you out of his will?
Yeah.
You know, we discussed it,
and he decided against it.
All right.
You were the first person
to show me that hypodermic.
[CRYING].
What are you saying?
You're saying I love you, but
did you murder your father?
I didn't say that, Susan.
How can you look at me
and ask me these questions?
How can you believe
those people?
Susan, please.
They murdered my
father, and you're
trying to blame me for it.
I thought you understood.
Jake, I thought you knew me.
Excuse me, you John Pelegrin?
I'm Jake Lassiter.
Yeah, yeah, you
used to play football.
Yeah.
Yeah, you missed
that tackle on Riggins.
Yeah, Peyton and Campbell too.
I made all the greats greater.
I'm an attorney now.
Ooh, congratulations.
Thanks.
What, lawyering make
you lose your hair?
I seem to remember
had a little--
Were you working
this floor the night
that Philip Corrigan died?
Well, this is a hospital.
A lot of people die.
Makes it hard to remember.
Mm-hm.
LOUDSPEAKER: Nurse
Julian to C284.
Nurse Julian--
Yeah, I was working.
Well, what do you remember?
See, I had a
really bad hangover.
I was sleeping it off in
one of the empty beds.
I think if I was you,
I'd talk with Nurse Ingram.
Nurse Ingram.
Mm-hm.
Put that toward
a memory course.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[BELL RINGING]
[KNOCKING]
Good morning.
Sorry to bother you at
this hour, Miss Ingram.
You'll see me in
court, Mr. Lassiter.
Can't it wait until then?
It's about what you're
going to say there.
I think you saw
something that night
you haven't told anyone about.
I told the truth
in my deposition.
I'll tell the
truth on the stand.
Miss Ingram, if there's
something you are afraid of,
we can protect you.
Roger Salisbury is a good
doctor, and he's a good man.
He shouldn't have to pay
for something he didn't do.
I'm sorry.
I've got to get back to my kids.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Miss Ingram, did you see
the defendant the night
of Mr. Corrigan's death?
Yes, I saw him leaving room
512, Mr. Corrigan's room,
hurrying down the hall.
At what time?
10 O'clock.
Did you notice anything else
about the defendant that night?
Yes, he was carrying a
little leather valise, black.
Thank you, ma'am.
No further questions,
your Honor.
Your witness.
Mr. Lassiter.
Nurse Ingram, was it
unusual to see Dr. Salisbury
on the floor that evening?
No, he frequently checks on
his patients after surgery.
Any more questions, counselor?
Yes ma'am, one more question.
Nurse Ingram, did you see
anyone else on the floor
that evening prior to 11:15?
No.
No further
questions, your Honor.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[VIDEO PLAYING]
[CHATTER]
Mm.
Oh, yes, here we go.
Here we go.
Look at this.
OK.
- Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
[DIALING]
MELANIE (ON PHONE): Hello?
I'm watching this videotape.
I had no idea you
were a thespian.
Ooh, I love it
when men talk dirty.
JAKE (ON PHONE): That's obvious.
Don't mess with me, Lassiter.
Good, we're on the same page.
This is business, not pleasure.
You know seeing that,
Susan just might want
to contest her daddy's will.
Yeah, well, how about you
bring me that videotape?
You mean you want
to watch it with me?
There's one scene you might
be real interested in.
Well, now, I'm always
interested in a good show.
You know, Lassiter, it probably
wouldn't be a good idea
for us to be seen together.
Do you know where
Bayou Teche is?
JAKE (ON PHONE): New Iberia.
Yeah.
There's an old
fishing camp there.
You take a left
at a place called
C and R's Bait and Tackle,
and it's exactly 6/10
of a mile off the main road.
Why don't you meet me
there in two hours?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Bro.
This here's what you
call a quandary, bro.
Hey, karate man, you come to
settle that insurance claim?
Not unless you've
got whole life.
Just like I thought.
You chop shop guys ain't
much in close, are you?
[SHOUTING]
[SPLASH]
Take care of him.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CLEARS THROAT].
[SPLASH]
- Yo, are you the lawyer?
- Why?
Are you going to sue him too?
Lady sports writer said
you might need some help.
She's given me a lot of pub.
Probably got me
rookie of the year.
I figured I owe her.
- Susan sent you?
- Yeah.
She's a good lady.
Yeah, a damned good lady.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Susan!
Come on, Susan.
Don't you die on me.
Come on, baby.
Come on, baby.
Come back to me, child.
Come on, now.
No.
No.
No!
Seen him?
Charlie, I haven't even talked
to him since Susan died.
Jake?
Jake.
Oh god.
[SNORING]
- I'll get the coffee.
- Come on.
What?
- You're due in court.
- What?
Come on, you're
late for court.
- OK.
- Up and at 'em, baby.
- OK.
- Come on.
- All right, I'm coming.
- Get your butt in gear.
All right!
Susan's autopsy was by the
book-- salt water in the lungs,
pinkish foam in the airway.
She was alive when she
stepped into the pool.
If she had been killed
and then dumped in,
the lungs would have
produced the foam.
It's death by drowning--
nothing to dispute.
I dispute it damn it.
She was a strong swimmer--
mile a day, 365 days a year.
There's no way she drowned.
Look again.
Hey, Jake, you
know, you've got
an active imagination, Jake.
Murder in the gulf,
ambush on Bayou Teche.
If you set off to Hollywood--
Your star witness murdered
Susan Corrigan and set me up.
The coroner said
Susan Corrigan drowned.
And as for you, that's
not the way I hear it.
Melanie Corrigan said
you tried to extort her.
She said you said
that if she testifies,
you could play that tape,
and if she don't testify,
you'll give her the tape.
You're going to get your
equipment in a wringer, Jake.
Our boy's got enough to bust
you for obstruction right now.
Well, Remy, you
got my address.
Send them on over.
Jake, where's
the sport in that?
I want to beat
you fair and square.
[SPEAKING FRENCH], babe.
Let the good times roll.
But don't worry.
I'll invite you to the party.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Charlie.
My friends that I still
have at the coroner's office,
they took another look.
They found a microscopic
quill from a Portuguese man
o' war lodged in Susan's neck.
That would have paralyzed her.
That explains the drowning.
Portuguese man o' war?
You sure?
I'm sure.
Kind of unusual for
these waters, isn't it?
Yeah, especially
in a swimming pool.
You're absolutely certain.
Absolutamento.
Dennis Lee Hardin married
Miss Melanie Newton in Monroe,
Louisiana, on June 12th, 1984.
Five years ago, the same Miss
Melanie Newton marries one Mr.
Philip Corrigan on June 12th.
Far as I can see, there's
no record of divorce.
Best I can figure, she had a
fifth anniversary and wedding
all on the same day.
Dr. Riggs, not to steal
your thunder, but you're
prepared to testify
for the defense
that Philip Corrigan died from
a spontaneous aortic aneurysm,
isn't that correct?
Correct.
Lots of things can cause a
spontaneous aortic aneurysm,
right doctor?
That's right-- hypertension,
arteriosclerosis,
syphilis, trauma.
How about a huge injection
of succinylcholine?
Would that cause
trauma to the heart?
The trauma I'm referring to
would be from a serious blow,
like the chest
hitting the steering
wheel in a car crash
or a vicious punch,
kick, karate chop.
What about the injection?
That depends.
You have to ask a cardiologist.
That depends?
That depends?
- Yes.
That depends.
No further questions,
your Honor.
Hey, Charlie.
Yeah.
That karate blow you were
talking about this afternoon--
could that really have caused
Philip Corrigan's aneurysm?
Yeah, but nobody
can know for sure.
We have a needle track,
and we have an aneurysm.
Maybe they're connected.
Maybe they're not.
Forensic medicine is
not an exact science.
Then we got nothing.
We don't have the nurse.
We don't have a smoking gun.
And this is fourth quarter, and
we're three touchdowns behind.
We're going to have to
come up with some way
to create a reasonable doubt
that Roger aced Phillip.
Hey, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
I didn't kill fill Phillip.
Jake, you said you believed me.
Now you're talking
like I'm guilty.
You're talking like I
have something to hide.
Roger, no.
Roger.
Do you want me to get you off?
- Yes.
Then you're going to
have to give me something.
You're going to have
to give me Melanie.
She is framing you, man.
You're just sitting there
posing for the picture.
I am not guilty.
Do you hear me?
I did not kill Phillip Corrigan.
Well, I guess we'll just
going to have to buy some time
to convince the jury of that.
Objection, your Honor.
Oh, come on, Remy.
I'm just asking Mr.
Hardin here if he
can break these two little
bitty blocks with one blow.
That's all.
Well, can you do
that, Mr. Hardin?
Who knows.
That's irrelevant, your Honor.
Uh, Mr. Savaul, this
is a capital case,
and I will not unduly
limit the defense.
But Mr. Lassiter,
get to the point.
Overruled.
Fact is, you're not good
enough to break these blocks,
are you?
- Are you kidding?
With my hand, my
foot, or my head?
That's kid stuff.
Oh yeah?
Well, let's see you do it.
Come on then.
Your Honor, he's
badgering the witness.
Give me that book, Dijon.
With the court's permission,
I've got the citation
right here, your honor.
State of Louisiana versus men.
Here it is.
I know all about you
and Melanie, Dennis Lee--
high school sweethearts,
nice little Baptist
wedding up there in Monroe.
When you come down here to the
big city for the big score,
she shakes her booty and
old Phillip Corrigan just
drooled like a St. Bernard.
But then Melanie got to liking
Mr. Corrigan, didn't she?
That old man could do stunts
an old boy full of steroids
just couldn't manage.
That why they call you the Big
Softy from the Big Easy, bro?
You want me to
mess you up, bubba?
You got in over
your head, didn't you?
And so you messed up Phillip
Corrigan real good, didn't you?
[SCREAMING].
Bailiff.
The jury shall-- The jury
will-- [GAVEL BANGING]
Gentlemen, my
chambers right now.
OK, here's the deal, boys.
I'm declaring a mistrial.
Oh, damn it.
The jurors won't be able
to ignore that business.
And Mr. Lassiter, I know
you provoked that action.
I'm holding you in contempt.
Report for sentencing
tomorrow morning
and bring your toothbrush.
Hell of a story, Remy.
The defendant goes free, and
the lawyer goes to the joint.
[BELLS RINGING]
Well, Remy, I have to
admit that's the first time I
ever been bailed out by the DA.
That was a nifty move, Jake,
getting that mistrial declared.
I had to buy some
time for my clients
so we could find the real doer.
By the way, where are we going?
Somebody wants to talk
to you in my office.
I'm sorry.
I was so afraid.
He threatened my babies.
It's all right.
When I read the
story in the paper
I knew I had to come forward.
I'm sorry I put you
through this, Mr. Lassiter.
Jake.
And it's OK.
You just tell me what
you saw that evening.
Sometime between
10:30 and 11:00
I was walking down the hall.
And I saw a muscular
man and a woman
leaving Mr. Corrigan's room.
Did you recognize him.
No, not at the time, but
now I know it's the same man
who threatened my babies.
It's the man I saw come after
you on the news and the trial.
Do you know how long they
were in Mr. Corrigan's room?
I don't know.
But it wasn't too
much after that we
went code blue on Mr. Corrigan.
If the muscle man new how
to shoot up on steroids,
he certainly could
inject a supine body
with succinylcholine.
And if Philip Corrigan fought
back in his weakened condition,
that would explain the aneurysm.
It's like the poor
SOB was killed twice.
What do you think
about all this, Remy?
I think it sounds like
good news for your client.
Then why don't you
let me go talk to him?
[BEEPING]
ANSWERING MACHINE: You've
reached Roger Salisbury.
I'm not in right now.
If you need me, call
my emergency s--
[BEEP]
[TIRES SQUEALING]
[TROLLEY BELL]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[KNOCKING]
You dumb son of
a-- when are you
going to start thinking
with your brain
and not your hormones.
[MUFFLED MOANING]
What?
I came here to
find out how she
killed Phillip Corrigan, Jake.
Roger, the nurse came forward.
You're going to walk.
Not very far.
Dennis Lee, they set
the jailbird free.
Yeah, and just
imagine, you were
the first people I came to see.
Yeah, the last two,
unless you and Doc grow
gills all of a sudden.
When did you start
letting him talk?
Don't underestimate
him, Lassiter.
Oh, I wouldn't dare.
He's so talented.
All right, let's go.
I mean, just imagine, he
can shoot an old man full
of succinylcholine, and
unless I miss my guess,
he's one that helped
you put that man
o' war in the swimming pool.
Keep it moving, bro.
You know, the one
that stung Susan.
Yeah, that was good.
Wasn't it?
See that's a-- that's
a salt water pool.
Stand by the bay.
All kinds of marine
life can survive
in it except the
expert swimmer stung
by a Portuguese man o' war.
Oh, wait.
This is my favorite part.
When it's over, all you have
to do is raise up the screams,
and the murder weapon
just floats out to sea.
I just love the details.
Don't you?
Come on.
Come on.
[SPEAKING JAPANESE].
Bupkis.
[GUN FIRING]
OK?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, Dennis Lee, you are
under arrest for murder, babe.
You've got the right
to remain silent.
So just shut up.
Hey, you want to fish this
piece of trash out the water?
Hey, Melanie, I know
how much you like details.
How's this one strike
you-- 15 years to life.
Watch your head, child.
- Jake.
- Not now, Roger.
We'll talk later.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CAR STARTING]
This is a cool sunrise.
Yeah.
Groovus extremus.
And it's nice to know
that one way or another,
it comes up every day.
Yeah.
Anybody for breakfast?
I know a great little
Sicilian Creole place
right here in the Quarter.
They serve a calamari
and oyster frittata.
Scrambled eggs aioli--
it's to die for.
What the hell?
Nobody lives forever.
[MUSIC PLAYING]