Switchback (1997) - full transcript

F.B.I. agent Frank LaCrosse returns home to find his home has been broken into, his son is missing and Missy the babysitter is lying in a pool of her own insides. Her murder being the hallmarks of a elusive enigmatic serial killer whose slaughter spree...stretches nearly two years. Frank's desperate pursuit leads to Amarillo, Texas, where two more victims matching the killers M.O. have been found slashed to death. As Frank searches for his suspect the local Sheriff Buck Olmstead and his Deputy Nate Booker investigate the killings in-between a heated election feud, with his competition police chief Jack McGinnis. All the while drifting former doctor Lane Dixon is picked up by ex-railroad man, Bob Goodall. As a local Mechanic, Clyde 'Shorty' Callahan becomes the latest victim. Frank hopes and prays to find this sociopath before he disappears perhaps forever into the rocky mountains

whoo, there.

your folks are gonna

be home soon,

and they're gonna

get me if they see

you're still up.

ooh, hold still,

hold still.

we got to

dry you off.

there you go.

[doorbell rings]

let me get your

head in there.

oh. is somebody

at the door?

i don't care.

who can it be?

[doorbell rings]

now, you play

with your train.

i'll be right back, ok?

yeah. hurry back.

all right.

evening, ma'am.

is frank or jean home?

no, they're not.

they'll be back realsoon.

you must be missy.

forgive me for not

introducing myself, missy.

i'm tom bellingham,

an old friend of jean's

from denver.

i told her last week

i'd stop in and say hello.

when did you say

they'd be back?

maybe 30 minutes.

darn.

i'm gonna miss them.

my plane leaves

in an hour.

would you tell them

that i just dropped by

to steal a peek

at little andy?

my wife would kill me

if i came all the way

from denver

and didn't say hello.

i'm sorry, mr. bellingham.

they'll be home real soon.

i understand.

don't you worry.

[creaking]

andy?

[meow]

[gasping]

[muffled screaming]

[andy grunts]

[horn blows]

"jack mcginnis

for sheriff.

it is time for a change."

my god,

that boy can smile.

[bells ringing]

morning, sheriff.

deputy in background:

coroner's been on scene

about 20, 25 minutes.

dispatcher on radio:

is the sheriff there yet?

deputy: that's a 10-4.

the sheriff's here now.

dispatcher: all right.

i'll release a couple

of units then.

reporter: coming on

the election eve,

amarillo residents

will certainly...

morning, boys.

morning, sheriff.

morning, sir.

thanks, charlie.

[knocking]

hey, sheriff.

hey, bud.

how's your daddy?

he's doing better.

i'll tell him you asked.

tell him to stay off

that leg.

hey.

sheriff.

buck.

sim.

you want to tell me

about it?

aw, ain't so bad.

male had a severed

femoral artery

in the groin area.

female

had her throat cut.

both wounds,

single incisions,

almost surgical cuts.

whoever done this knew

what they were doing.

nothing tentative about it.

i can give you more

when we get them

out of here.

how are you holding up?

when have you ever

known me to worry

about an election?

never. then again,

i've never known anybody

who could beat you before.

you still don't.

buck: nate.

tell me about it.

this fella registered

as, uh, bill sutherland.

home, fort worth.

checked in alone,

but paid for 2.

the owner said that he paid

from a thick wad of bills

like to choke a horse.

now, we have no money,

have no wallet.

keys, car are gone.

we're gonna get an i.d.

on the car any minute.

what about the girl?

she was a maid here

at the motel.

it's a family place.

here it is...

now, he's

in the bathroom.

he's finished

with sutherland.

she knocks on the door.

there's no answer.

she comes in.

he grabs her,

cuts her,

stops the blood

with the towel,

and then carries her

into the bathroom.

why?

go figure.

what about

the other guy?

no, no one saw

another person.

both beds

have been slept in.

we found hair samples

in this bed matches

sutherland's.

now, this bed's

been slept in,

but it's clean.

clean? is that a fact?

we will check it again.

we're pulling the 4 hours

surrounding the time

of the murders.

buck, we don't know

if he even came in here...

or who we're looking for.

soon as you can, nate,

bring in the waitresses.

find out

who they know...

regular customers first,

then work back

from there.

your sister

gonna vote for me?

well, she sure likes

your billboards.

aw, jeez. mcginnis.

hey, jack,

how you doin'?

looks like a bad one,

buck.

thought i'd come by

to see if you

needed any help.

well, that's mighty nice

of you to offer, jack.

maybe you and your boys

can handle traffic

out on the street.

a lot of people are

gonna be concerned

about this one

when they hear

about it, buck.

if this killer turns up

in my jurisdiction,

don't expect

a courtesy call.

if he's in

your jurisdiction, jack,

he's safe

as a church-mouse.

so what about

this missing car?

1996 ford explorer,

red, texas plates.

state patrol's got

the word out on it.

find it.

comin' up

on our turnoff.

sure you won't

come up,

stay the night?

thanks. uh, i need

to get a little further

up the road before dark.

well, just don't

get stuck out here

if this storm hits.

thanks for stopping.

radio: * there's a girl

with a heart *

* as big as the sky *

well, get in, boy.

i can't heat this car

and the whole

new mexico desert, too.

* all for the love

of sunshine *

* all for the love

of sunshine *

[clicks off radio]

[doors lock]

always drive with

my doors locked,

seat belts on.

habit.

i'm a creature

of habit.

some collection, eh?

yeah.

you should have seen

my first one.

'82 seville.

had my girls

all lacquered on

with liquid sealer.

man, it was a beaut.

but after a while,

you know,

your tastes change,

you get tired of

looking at the same

old faces and all.

when i ran out of room

to put up new ones,

i had to sell her.

man, i had a heck

of a time trying

to get rid of her.

i bet.

this honey here,

this baby's

the state of the art.

now if get tired

of one of my sugars,

i just slip her out...

toss her...

and put me up a new one.

don't worry,

trudy, honey.

i wasn't going to

throw you away...yet.

yeah...

hell of a lot cheaper

than buying a new car.

yeah.

i'm pulling your leg.

ain't my car.

it's a friend's.

i'm just returning it

to him.

had you going, didn't i?

name's goodall.

bob goodall.

lane dixon.

where you heading,

lane?

utah.

big place, utah.

salt lake city.

me, too. now,

how's that for luck?

first i save you

from freezing to death,

now you got a free ride

to mormon land.

must be my lucky day.

must be.

i almost didn't stop.

in the old days,

i'd never think twice

about picking up

a rider.

these days, you can't

be too careful who

you let in your car.

you know, if you'd just

let me out at this place

we're coming up on,

that'd be great.

i don't think so.

there's another place

about 20 miles

up the road.

look, i said

i want out here.

sorry, friend.

this is mining country.

i can take care

of myself.

i believe you

just might be

fool enough to try.

[country music playing]

thanks for the lift.

hell, lettin'

a bunch of naked women

scare you off. heh heh.

[country music playing]

how you doin'?

i'll have a beer.

don't have beer.

ok, uh...

i'll have whatever's

in one of those bottles.

lane: i was hoping

i might catch a ride

over to raton.

well...

you might be

waiting here

a long time, then.

well, i'll take

a ride anywhere

in that direction.

i bet you would.

[laughing]

you got a problem

with something?

you say this

is the guy, ben?

he's one of them,

all right.

my friend ben here

was in raton

last friday night.

claims you and some

of your friends jumped him.

well, he's mistaken.

and you're

a goddamn liar.

uh-uh.

they aren't going

in your direction.

course right now,

i figure you'd

probably take a lift

in any direction.

look, i'm not

calling your friend

or anyone else a liar.

all i'm saying is

i wouldn't have

done that to anybody.

on your feet, boy!

you made a bad mistake

comin' in here.

[laughter]

now, seein' that ben can't

do this to you himself,

i'm going to teach you

a lesson.

man: hey, rick.

do it again.

come on!

your memory

becoming clearer?

i never saw him before.

no?

son of a bitch!

get his goddamn legs.

want another piece

of him?

no, i got to

take a leak.

[laughter]

luke!

you keep him warmed up

till i get back, huh?

huh?

[lane grunting]

[punch]

lane: uhh!

hey, luke! i said

don't kill the bastard!

i'll be right back!

ha ha ha ha.

hoo hoo ha ha ha.

try it,

and it's history.

rick: luke!

he's got a knife on me!

bring the guy

in here, alone, man.

luke: let him go.

i'll blow your

friend's head off.

some friends you got.

i didn't come

to negotiate, bud.

aah! don't bargain

with him, you asshole!

he'll cut my dick off!

now slide the piece

over here.

and let him go.

bob: you ok?

yeah.

pick up the gun

and get the keys

out of my pocket.

pull the car out front,

and when you're

ready, honk.

what about you?

i'll be out directly.

hey--hey, man,

he--he let the guy go.

w-w-why don't you

do likewise, huh?

i mean, that--

that was the deal.

deal?

who said anything

about a deal?

what?

wha--w-what are you

going to do?

oh, no, no, no, no.

no, no, please. aah!

oh! oh, thank god.

oh, thank you.

still itching

for a fight, bud?

come on and get

some of this.

lane: it's ok, bob!

yee-haw!

ha ha ha!

goddamn!

nothin' like a little

excitement to get

the old blood a-pumpin'!

hey,

what you looking for?

looking for them.

someone following us?

not yet.

yeah, that's because

it takes time to

change a flat tire.

did you slash

their tires?

yeah... hell, no.

i'd have been

there all night.

how you feelin'?

must've got worked over

pretty good.

i'll live.

thanks.

yeah, feeling's mutual,

partner.

hey...

i heard you were

in early.

forensics

did find a hair

in that second bed.

they're pushing it

through.

and we isolated

20 unknowns

in the videotapes.

i ran into billy coogan

last night.

he said we're

leading mcginnis

2 to 1 out his way.

did you end up calling in

the fed boys on

those motel killings?

no. why?

'cause it looks like

we've got company.

you ever see anything

like that before?

yes.

i'll see ya, buck.

good luck out there today.

have a good day, jim.

make sure

you stop by the polls.

sheriff olmstead.

sally.

sally: it's coming,

sheriff.

care for some breakfast,

mr. lacrosse?

oh, no, thank you.

so...

what can we do

for the fbi today?

you have 2 bodies

in the morgue.

i need the car

that was taken

from the motel.

take a number.

time is critical,

sheriff.

time is always critical,

mr. lacrosse.

what makes you so sure

that we're talkin' about

the same killer here?

excuse me.

severed femoral artery,

single incisions,

5 to 7 inches long,

inch,

inch and a half deep.

you've seen the bodies.

no prints, no weapon,

no witnesses.

i know this killer,

sheriff,

and when he kills,

he moves fast,

and the only chance

you have of catching him

is to find out

what he's driving

or to be

incredibly lucky.

do you mind if i call you

by your first name, frank?

now, you say

you know this killer.

you got

a physical description?

height? weight?

hair color?

male between the ages

of 20 to 50,

medium to large build,

from a western state.

probably spent a lot

of time in the east.

well, that really

narrows the field down,

doesn't it, frank?

he's a serial killer,

sheriff.

nate: well,

the serial killers

we've dealt with

didn't seem

to want to have

their victims found.

this one does.

sally, bring me a cup

to go, please.

sally:

right up, buck.

well, who knows, frank?

maybe we'll both

get lucky today.

hey, oscar.

hey, buck.

well, the city police

spotted the car

about 4 a.m.

the officers tailed it here,

and then instead of waiting

for backup,

one of the cops

followed him inside...

course,

that's when the suspect

started shooting.

just beautiful.

yeah, well, he's holed up

in back someplace.

of course, mcginnis

has got his whole

swat team here now,

and he won't let any of

our deputies near the place.

course not. hell,

the tv trucks might

show up any minute.

nate: speak of the devil.

could i have

your flashlight, please?

damn.

all dressed up.

well, buck, come to see

how a real operation

is done?

i declare, jack,

you must have calluses

from patting yourself

on the back so much.

why don't you just

give me the facts here?

hold this, please.

yes, sir.

oh, my god.

what the hell's

going on over there?

[gunshot]

bill!

bill:

christ. allen's down.

we can't reach him.

we're falling back.

bill. bill!

allen's hit.

he's in the room.

i need instructions.

over.

get him out

of there, jack.

is he alone?

who

the hell's this?

jack, this is

frank lacrosse, fbi.

ask him.

listen, mister,

i got a man down--

ask him!

bill, is he alone?

bill: can't tell.

he says he's holding

a knife on one of them.

bill, where are you

in relation to the room?

we're down the hall,

northwest stairwell.

hey! hey!

bill, you're about

to have some company.

stop him!

man: i got a family

in here!

give me a 2-way

in here right now!

i want a radio!

only one down?

yeah.

sir, chief mcginnis

said that--

shit. he's going

into the room.

man: shut that door!

if he gets one

of my men killed...

well, that'd make you

look real bad,

wouldn't it, jack?

all this tv coverage,

you in charge.

man: what's going on

out there?

i swear to god, i'll start

cutting in here!

who the fuck are you?

i said i negotiate

only by radio.

answer me!

are you blind, man?

i got a knife!

i see it.

uh-uh. they don't

go anywhere,

or i cut him.

they don't

have a choice.

man, i don't know

who you are,

but i'm gonna

make you pay.

before you do...

i just want to ask you

one question.

question?

you're crazy.

where'd you get the car?

i ain't answerin'

any of your fuck--aah!

who fired that shot?

it came from inside

the apartment.

now...where did you

get the car?

car...

the car...

from the motel.

get in there. now.

i don't know nothin'

about a motel.

i boosted it

a couple hours ago.

where?

where?!

sutherland's.

where'd this come from?

in the car.

along with a body.

well,

thanks a lot, frank.

32 years of dedicated

public service,

and you just wiped

the slate clean with

one quick, easy stroke.

what are you

talking about?

oh, hell. never mind.

i'm glad you

caught the killer.

he's not the killer.

lane: good morning.

ha ha ha.

[lane chuckles]

[car rattling]

[train horn blowing]

god...damn!

your 7 a.m.

wake-up call.

you know, you could have

just given me a shake.

i wake easily.

my god.

hungry?

mcginnis: hector saldez...

8 priors.

2 assaults with a knife,

armed robbery, conviction

of second-degree murder

in oklahoma,

and now caught in possession

of a murder victim's wallet

and car.

all you've got

on him is possession

of a stolen vehicle.

he didn't know

about the wallet

till i showed it to him.

i bet he didn't even know

there was a body in the car.

says you. ballistics have

already matched the gun

he used on my men

as the one used to cap

that john doe in the car.

any more

theories?

jack, i think all

frank's trying to say here

is we need

to keep our options open.

there's no "we"

in this, buck.

i have the suspect

in custody,

and as soon as i

get the green light

from the d.a.,

i'm going to announce

that saldez

is being charged

with the murders

of those 3 people.

don't do that.

he's setting you up.

you make that announcement,

he'll kill again

just to embarrass you.

embarrass me?

i suppose you've had

that happen to you

before, mr. lacrosse?

yes.

oh, i get it.

well, you would

like me to delay

that announcement

till after the election,

wouldn't you, buck?

that was a nice try.

who the hell

is this guy anyway?

i mean, how many times

you seen an fbi agent

work a case alone?

we can find out.

don't have much use

for us state and local

boys, do you, frank?

it's a prejudice

i have, sheriff.

no one's proved me

wrong yet.

well, i have my problems

with jack myself,

but, you know, there

for a brief moment,

i found myself thinking

he was making a lot

more sense than you.

i don't care what

you think, sheriff.

maybe not,

but you need me,

or you'd be

long gone by now.

why believe me

and not him?

first of all, i've seen

a hell of a lot more

murders than he has,

and these just don't

seem to fit that man

he's got in lockup.

secondly...

maybe you haven't noticed,

but chief mcginnis and i

are engaged in an election

battle for my office

which he desperately wants,

and which i--i'm sad to say--

am desperate to defend.

him?

well, i'll take that

as a compliment.

but the fact remains

he has a suspect

in custody and i don't.

but i'm here

to tell you, frank,

i'm not going to be

worth a damn to you

in this investigation

unless i know what you

know about this killer.

ok.

[country music playing]

when i turned around

and saw that 30.30

staring down at me,

i thought,

wow, this is it.

no joining the birds

this time.

joining the what?

old railroaders used to say

that if you were on a train

that was about to crash

and you had a chance to jump,

you were joining the birds.

you worked

on the railroad.

for a while.

mined a while,

cowboy'd a while.

fact, i did a little bit

of everything up here.

man: hey, fae,

is this ticket right?

how we gonna get through

with the storm?

ain't gonna affect us much.

it's going north.

what about you,

lane dixon?

what kind of work you do?

i'm between jobs

right now.

before that.

before that, uh...

i worked

in a hospital.

orderly? nurse?

well, i did a little

bit of everything.

[chuckles]

that's what's

in utah, a job?

no. i've just been,

uh...traveling.

it's my first time

west.

cook: come over

from alamosa?

man: yep.

how is it up there?

man: it's not bad.

worst of it's going north.

cook: well, we've been

watching it come down here

for the last hour or so.

how'd you know?

my father

used to say,

"weather don't

make the rules.

mountains do."

and i know

the mountains.

waitress:

how y'all doing?

we're doing

just fine here.

how about you, darlin'?

get you anything?

i'm ok, thanks.

your friend's cute,

but shy.

i'm gonna get a paper.

now, did i scare him off?

tell him i won't bite

if he looks me in the eye.

[chuckles]

[man coughing]

[coughing]

you all right?

he's chokin'.

he ain't breathing.

call an ambulance.

god damn it, fae,

call the ambulance!

fae: is he gonna die?

let me look at him.

i'm a doctor.

get back.

let him look at him.

he's got something

really jammed in there.

god, he's

turning blue.

get in the kitchen, fae.

god damn it, go on!

get him on the counter.

i'm going to need

a first-aid kit.

i need some alcohol.

and give me

that right there.

open up his shirt.

ok, open the bottle.

now pour.

fae: oh, my god.

god damn it, fae,

get in--

god damn!

dr. dixon.

don't call me that.

hey, i didn't

make that up.

you called

yourself one.

it clears a path.

don't give me that bullshit.

what you did in there wasn't

something you picked up

out of some book.

you've had training.

now, maybe you've

been in medical school

and dropped out,

or maybe you been

in the army,

but you don't lie to me

that you're no doctor

because i was just in

the operating room with you.

i don't want

to talk about it.

dr. dixon.

he kills for

the sensation of power.

he started with

the unconnected victim.

no one missed them

when they were alive,

and it was a long time

before anyone realized

that they were gone.

he is credited

with at least

18 known deaths.

no way of knowing

how many came

before he began

telling me about them.

he tells you about them.

what's he do, call you?

he writes.

he sends me these.

buck: why you, frank?

i headed a task force

that tracked him

for 15 months.

after the task force

formed, he changed.

he got bolder.

he started

taking more risks.

he began to see

the murders as a kind

of competition.

he turned it

into a damn game on you.

yes.

and he took

his publicity

very seriously.

but it got

harder for him.

he started

making mistakes.

we got closer.

then 3 months ago...

he just stopped.

why?

i don't know.

he's been quiet

ever since.

[watch beeps]

i need to make a call.

go ahead on in

and use the phone

in my office, frank.

there ain't

no doubt about it.

he knows this killer.

[nate sighs]

what are you

thinking, nate?

i'm thinkin' it's 8 a.m.,

polls are open,

and i hope to god

we're hunting the right man.

it's me.

amarillo.

since about 4:00

this morning.

no, i was too late again.

they did?

when?

what did you tell them?

don't cry, honey.

no, i don't think that

they know i'm here yet.

we'll deal with that

when it comes.

i love you.

bob: you're

a strange one, doc.

you're smart,

cool under pressure.

yet something's

bothering you.

fine. you don't

want to talk about it,

that's your business.

i quit.

i was a first-year intern.

i was good.

hell, i was cocky

i thought i was so good.

when it started

to get heavy,

i used to watch other

post-graduates wash out,

and i'd think,

"that'll never happen to me."

well...here i am.

what happened?

you have a patient die

on you or something?

yeah.

hell,

that's gonna happen.

but you go home,

get some sleep,

get up the next day

and try again.

yeah, i did.

it just, uh...

i couldn't shake it,

you know?

well, you seemed

cured today.

this time.

but what about

the next time?

what do you want,

guarantees?

there ain't

no guarantees.

what a waste.

yeah. i've heard

that before.

yeah, bet you have.

and like anyone else

in your life, i got

nothing invested in you.

my father used to say,

"nerve succeeds."

you've got the nerve, doc,

and i've seen it up close.

if you really were a quitter,

you would have stood around

like the rest of us.

deputy: as of 7:30

this morning, we have

6 reported missing persons--

3 of those are women--

and 5 homeless

who didn't report

to shelters last night.

rule out the homeless.

he needed transportation.

secretary: sheriff?

mr. saldez's attorney,

mr. martinez, is here,

and he is breathing fire

about mr. lacrosse

shooting his client.

thank you, becky.

we really do need for

this guy to cooperate

with us, frank.

mmm.

maybe nate and i ought

to talk to him alone.

no. i'll talk to him.

ok.

mr. lacrosse?

the lab reports

just came back

about that hair

they found in the bed.

it is definitely

not saldez's.

a 36052.

i beg your pardon?

special agent

frank lacrosse,

am i glad

to see you.

mr. martinez,

thank you for coming in.

i wouldn't miss it.

i wanted to thank you

personally

for making my job of

defending hector saldez

such an easy one.

really?

how's that?

how's that?

how's violating three

of his constitutional

rights for starters?

torturing him?

illegally

questioning him?

failure to advise him

of his rights?

oh, mr. lacrosse,

you're a godsend.

jorge...

may i remind you

that your client

was holding a knife

on an innocent man?

you can remind me

all you want to,

sheriff.

it ain't going

to mean jack

to the jury.

so i take it you don't

wish to cooperate with us?

[chuckles]

what, are you kidding?

i came here to thank you

personally

on behalf of my client

who i will also be

representing

in civil proceedings

against you and

the city.

good day, gentlemen.

sit down,

mr. martinez.

you didn't hear

what i said?

i'm not staying.

oh, yes, you are.

what are you going

to do, special agent?

are you going to put

a bullet in me, too?

[knock on door]

uh, excuse me, sir.

the lab report

just got back.

it was a 36052.

thank you, bud.

nate: bud, what the hell

are you talking about?

i'm sorry, mr. martinez.

i've wasted your time.

um, what do you

mean by that 360--

oh, that's a lab term.

it's about a hair

we found in the motel.

we'll see you in court.

lab term?

yeah.

'cause, look,

you wanted to know

about the car, right?

oh, that's

no longer necessary.

'cause i--i could tell you

if we made a deal.

buck: jorge...

deal...

what kind of deal

are we talking

about here?

drop the murder charges,

and i'll tell you where

he found the explorer.

forget it.

you know you can't

prove anything.

we'll see.

sometimes you win,

sometimes you lose,

amigo.

he boosted the car

at the airport.

long-term parking,

lot "c."

bud: get that list

of stolen cars.

thank you, mr. martinez.

what about the hair?

oh, yeah. it belonged to a male

in his early 20s.

brown.

son of a bitch.

son of a bitch.

go back

to the waitresses

at the restaurant.

see if that hair color

sparks anything.

you got it,

mr. lacrosse.

they teach you that

little 36052 maneuver

back at the academy,

did they, frank?

no. my wife did.

and what is she,

a con woman?

sort of.

she's a lawyer.

airport security

does have videotape on

all the license plates

coming and going

from long-term parking.

we're going to pull

the last 24 hours

and cross-check that

with stolen vehicles.

well, frank, it looks like

you may have just gotten

your first big break.

i think we ought to make

an announcement, buck.

announcement?

we don't know

anything yet.

we know it's not saldez.

we can blow

mcginnis' case clear

out of the water.

no.

you do that, you'd be

letting the real killer

know that we're onto him.

i think we'd be making

a big mistake, buck.

most of the folks

in town here are going

to be voting

on their lunch hour.

we still got time.

is that what's

going on here,

winning an election?

winning that election is

my goddamn livelihood.

now, i know you don't

give a tinker's damn

about that,

but i've been working

hard in this office

for 15 years,

and if

jack mcginnis wins,

buck olmstead ain't

the only one who's gonna

lose out around here.

the only reason

mcginnis has not made

that announcement

is because he

doesn't have enough

to charge saldez.

and until that time comes,

we just stand pat.

becky:

sheriff, telephone.

sheriff olmstead.

how can i help you?

sheriff, grant montgomery,

fbi here in dallas.

i understand frank lacrosse

is in your custody.

well, he's here.

he's not in my custody.

well, i'll be arriving

in a couple of hours

to take him off your hands.

mr. montgomery, he's

working on a case here.

shouldn't be. should

be in philadelphia

on another assignment,

which he left 24 hours ago

without authorization.

and this isn't

the first time, sheriff.

he's left duty posts 3 times

in the last 2 months.

he's currently

on bureau probation.

you want to tell me

what he did wrong?

not your problem, sheriff,

but i'd appreciate it

if you'd hold him

till we get there.

what about your

ongoing investigation

with this killer?

is that what he told you?

there is no ongoing

fbi investigation, sheriff.

the case has been

closed for nearly 3 months.

that's impossible.

look, sheriff--

no. you look!

now, i got 3 people

dead in this town,

and you tell me

you're coming to

pick up the only man

that seems to know

what the hell

is going on?

now, i want

some answers.

i don't give a shit

what you want.

right now, the only thing

that you'd better deal with

is keeping that man

in your sight

till i get there.

now, if that's too much to ask

i can have a u.s. marshal

in your office in 5 minutes

who can handle that kind

of responsibility.

are we clear, sheriff?

[hangs up]

buck,

what's going on?

i don't know.

lane: what's

wrong with it?

it's not tuned

for this elevation.

did you fix it?

naw.

just patched it till

we get to the next town.

and where is that?

not far.

find everything ok,

frank?

yeah. thanks.

is this your wife

on the horse?

yep.

beautiful woman.

thanks, frank.

we had 33 wonderful

years together.

she passed on...

2 years ago.

i'm sorry.

[sizzling]

how about you, frank?

where'd you meet

your wife at?

in law school.

so you're a lawyer, too.

i never took the bar.

i did an internship

one summer with the bureau

and never looked back.

any children?

one.

and what does

your wife think

about you traipsing

all over the countryside

chasing banditos?

oh, actually, she's

very understanding.

that's key.

sit down and eat.

plenty more where

that came from.

no, thank you.

nonsense.

i make the very best

blts in this part

of the country.

the secret's

in the tomato.

built a greenhouse

out back--

he took my son.

[sighs]

you asked me why

he stopped killing.

we were getting close.

we had several breaks.

outside of boston,

we had roadblocks set up

within 20 minutes

of a murder there,

and he slipped

through them.

everybody felt it was

just a matter of time

before we nailed that guy.

and then he took my son.

and by doing that, he--

he removed you

from the case.

the bureau

gave the kidnapping

the highest priority.

2 weeks later,

they found this man at

a motel in wisconsin.

his prints matched

those found on my door,

and with his body,

we found detailed notes

about the victims.

dates, places, things

only the killer would know.

obviously, you don't

think the guy's dead.

it was too easy.

i tracked this man

for 18 months.

i know him.

he used that guy

to end the chase.

among the notes...

they found this.

that's my little boy.

"believe."

believe in what?

i don't know.

2-18?

18 victims,

18th of february...

day after tomorrow.

i assume your people

have checked

all this out?

yeah.

they found nothing.

what about your son,

frank?

do you really think

he's still alive?

i don't have a choice.

bud:

texas plate, 234-4s3.

"james ruskin."

ruskin.

james...

that's a hit.

james ruskin, missing out

of midland 2 days ago.

what's he driving?

'77 cadillac

eldorado, white.

we got it.

put the word out.

man: that fellow and me,

we went to school together,

went to work together,

he was the best man

at my wedding.

i broke my back 2 years ago.

you want to guess who fed

my kids while i was laid up?

come on, shorty. make me

sound like a saint.

that's broken, bob.

could you hand me

one of those spark plugs?

there you go.

thanks.

what kind of work

did you guys do?

we cleared passes

for the rio grande.

you know,

a storm like this

can drop 1 1/2 to 2 feet

in these passes,

somebody's got

to clear 'em up

so the freight

can get through.

that was our job.

lane: and when did you

start doing this?

well, i was in

the service for a while,

i got married,

had a family.

i guess i figured i'd

better not tempt fate.

[radio playing]

radio: you're listening

to the country king.

620 on your dial.

and now the news.

amarillo city police

have confirmed...

hey, bob,

turn that up,

will you?

radio: suspect

in custody in connection

with the shooting

in a local apartment complex

early this morning.

sources close

to the investigation

say the suspect

may have some connection

with the 2 brutal murders

at a local motel

and a third body discovered

at the apartment complex.

you fellas been

following those murders

down in amarillo?

it's a bad business.

the last 2 days,

i've been carrying this.

you be careful

with that.

can't be too careful

is what i say.

you goin' somewhere?

stretch my legs.

how long before we're

outta here, shorty?

oh, about 10 minutes,

but you ain't goin'

anywhere.

you're staying

with us tonight.

next time.

sweet tooth.

what?

bob wouldn't tell you,

but he's got

a vicious sweet tooth.

[chuckling]

[bell on door rings]

pretty when it comes

down like that.

yeah. and if it

gets any prettier,

i'll be spending

the night here.

i just want to pick up

some candy.

sure.

pretty quiet.

quiet isn't the word.

i broke my tail

to get into work today,

nearly ran off

the road twice,

and for what?

you're the first person

i've seen today.

what about your boss?

oh, well,

he calls and tells me

he can't make it in.

i told him,

even braddock's across

the street is closed,

but does he tell me

to lock up and go home

before i get stuck?

course not.

what can i get for you?

candy corn.

small bag.

ok.

why don't you

just lock the store up

and not tell him?

oh--ha!--i would,

but he's going to call

and check on me.

otherwise, believe me,

i'd be out of here.

hey, listen,

i didn't mean to bend

your ear with this.

it's 2.75.

[telephone rings]

oh, that's him.

[radio

playing country music]

[rustles paper bag]

better tell bob.

hey, shorty.

hey, john.

how about some gas?

comin' right up.

finished for the day?

just starting.

whew!

'77 eldorado. yours?

no. it's a friend

of mine's.

she's a beaut.

wait till you see

the interior.

whoa, baby!

whoo.

yeah, that's right,

larry. not a soul

the entire morning.

[girl laughs]

yeah, well, i wish

you were paying me

what you're spending

to heat the place.

[sighs]

uh-huh.

yeah.

yeah.

[laughs]

see you tomorrow.

you didn't

take my money.

oh, forget it.

if i rang it up,

he'd see it tomorrow

and give me hell.

well, at least let me

buy you a cup of coffee.

thanks...

but i'd better

hit the road while

i got the chance.

hey, i hate to ask,

but i might need a hand

getting my car out.

if you wouldn't mind

helping me, and then...

maybe.

maybe?

you wouldn't be

leading me on, would you?

[bell on door rings]

lane: bob?

[door creaks, closes]

shorty's finished

with the car.

thanks for coming in

and telling me.

sorry i can't help you.

maybe next time.

the wind must have

turned it around.

sorry if i interrupted

something back there.

you flatter me, doc.

lane:

something wrong?

naw.

nice hat, doc.

wish you fellas

would change your mind.

next time, shorty.

hang on, doc.

i forgot something.

i'll be right back.

shorty?

yo! back here, bob.

forget something?

yeah.

shorty: if you're gonna

try to force money on me,

you should know better,

'cause i ain't accepting it.

[laughs]

what's the matter, buddy?

buck: when did he

spot it?

nate: 20 minutes ago

at a gas station

in martinsberg.

the officer did not

know the car was hot.

he's going back right

now to investigate.

do we have a description

of the driver?

yes. white male,

early 20s, brown hair.

matches one of our

unknowns from the motel.

and another thing,

buck...

they're here for him.

ok.

[horn honks]

light's changed.

yeah. i see it.

becky: they're here.

nate: thank god.

wait a minute, frank.

close the door.

oh, my god,

they're leavin'.

what's the story,

deputy?

you said he'd be here

15 minutes ago.

well, you know, buck's

been having some car trouble.

he's got a bad solenoid

on that starter.

i'll call him.

i'll call him right now.

buck, what the hell

are you doing?

don't ask any questions

if you don't want

to hear the answer.

buck, are you

out of your mind?

you're messing with

a federal investigation here.

that's called

obstruction of justice.

i know exactly

what it's called.

get on the phone

to the airport.

tell them to have

the chopper standing

by in 10 minutes.

a department

helicopter?

and i want a car

waiting for him

in martinsberg.

buck, mcginnis is going

to have a field day

with this.

even if you do win,

he'll have you impeached.

well, i guess we can

just consider this

my last official act.

colorado state patrol

says they've got

roadblocks

set up in

a 200-mile radius.

lot of snow up there

right now. slow going.

maybe you'll get lucky.

thanks.

[helicopter engine starts]

buck?

go find him, frank.

time's a wastin'.

[tires squealing]

damn.

it's cold.

i know.

heater ain't working.

radio, too.

shorty must

have blown a fuse

when he was working.

where are we?

my shortcut.

we'll skirt

the storm this way.

cut 2 hours

off our time.

if we get there.

trust me, doc.

trust me.

doc, while

you were sleepin',

i was thinkin'...

and i've decided

i have to ask

a great favor of you.

i have a son.

i'm not the best old man

he could have had,

but i do my best.

i have someone

to keep him for me.

where's his mother?

she's dead.

my sister keeps him.

why are you

telling me this?

i've been

thinking about

if something

happened to me,

he's got no one

to look up to.

nothing's

gonna happen to you.

i don't need you

to take care of him.

he needs somebody

to sort of be

a godfather to him.

be an example.

what, me?

you're smart, doc.

tough. responsible.

hard qualities

to find these days.

if something

did happen to me,

i'd appreciate it

if you'd do that

for me.

sure.

thank you.

he lives in oakland.

8899 todd street.

down near the bay.

you remember

that address?

uh, 8899 todd.

yeah. thanks, doc.

i feel better

already.

[tires squeal]

bob:

ahh...yeah.

just in time, huh?

ha ha ha!

whoa!

hold on, doc!

god damn it,

get out!

[creaking]

bob?

bob!

hey, bob!

yeah!

i'm here!

don't come down here,

doc!

it's too dangerous!

my god.

can you get out?

[click]

no! it's jammed!

then i'm coming down!

stay up there!

one wrong move,

and they'll be digging

both our asses out in july.

hang on!

oh.

god damn, you deaf

son of a bitch,

i said stay up there!

it's a little too late

for that.

if we get out

of this thing,

i'm gonna beat the shit

out of you for sure.

this ain't so bad.

oh, no,

mr. ice-water-in-the-veins?

but now,

since you're down here,

you might as well get me

out of this.

uh, here...

here, i got

a better idea.

be careful not to cut

my pearls.

[laughs]

real easy.

don't want you cutting

the wrong thing.

god, i'm sure gonna

miss you girls.

thank you, baby.

i'll see you later.

let's get the hell

out of here!

[grunting]

i gotcha.

ahh.

whoo!

thanks, doc.

i'm gonna still beat

the shit out of you.

come on, let's git.

i hope you know

where we are.

i sure do, partner.

i sure do.

just a little stroll,

then a nice, warm bed.

mmm!

i can smell that coffee

brewing right now.

[laughing]

[creaking]

[branches snapping]

yeah, and some grits,

bacon, and some biscuits

and honey.

yeah.

smell it?

you're gonna

like this place, doc.

what the hell?

ah.

[breathing heavily]

[chuckles]

what the hell

you think you got,

9 lives or something?

huh?

[creaking]

whew.

get on up here!

[chuckles]

you think that's funny,

huh?

doc!

bob!

bob!

i got you, doc.

[grunting]

don't even think

about trying to pull

some local strings here,

sheriff.

i consider what you did

to be a serious

obstruction of justice,

and i'm gonna make sure

you remember this stay.

damn, grant,

you've got me quakin'

in my boots.

mr. lacrosse?

yes.

captain heber,

colorado state patrol.

i'm supposed to hold you

till your people

get up here tomorrow.

mind if i have

a look around,

captain?

be my guest.

victim's name was

clyde "shorty" callahan.

no murder weapon

was found.

never even tried

to pull it.

we figure

it was a blitz attack.

how else

can you do that

to a man

with a loaded .38?

maybe he trusted him.

we've still got roadblocks

up on routes 10, 160,

and out on 350.

if he wanted to get out

of this valley,

he'd have to pass

through one of them.

i guarantee

no cadillac has.

what about the roads

through the mountains,

have they been checked?

no need to.

i can tell you right now

they're completely

impassable.

nothing going in or out.

[sighs]

you don't think he made it

past the roadblocks.

he's not in the mountains.

where is he?

i didn't say

he didn't get through

the roadblocks.

i said no cadillac

like that has.

i got a report

that says

there's over 200

stranded vehicles

on i-25 alone.

and that's just between

here and pueblo.

if he were heading

to alamosa,

the weather's worse.

and i think

when we start digging

all those vehicles out,

we're gonna find us

one white cadillac.

kinda got ahead

of himself, didn't he?

not even the 17th.

i asked ruth to hold

a room for you

over at the railroad

maintenance dorm

over by the tracks.

it's the only place

in town.

i thought you were

supposed to hold me.

well, it's 20 miles

to the nearest lockup,

and i figure if the killer

can't get out,

you can't either.

thanks, captain.

don't thank me.

thank buck olmstead.

damn shame

about that election.

won't be the same

without him.

[knock on door]

howdy.

good evening.

you mr. lacrosse?

yes.

sign in here, please.

terrible thing,

that murder.

you know,

i used to baby-sit

for shorty

when he was just

a little fella.

i can't believe it.

[train horn blows]

good night, ruth.

see ya, bill.

you be careful up there

now.

bill: you betcha.

[door closes]

shorty used to do that.

what's that?

clear the passes.

his wife made him

give it up

on account

it was too dangerous.

that's irony, isn't it?

he gave up clearing

the passes

'cause it was

too dangerous.

then he gets hisself killed

in his own garage.

well, here's your key.

the room is out the door

to the right.

here you go, bob.

nice.

yeah.

where is everyone, al?

i thought this place

would be packed.

well, you can't get in,

and nobody's

getting out,

so it ain't packed.

[running water]

how'd you all get in

to la veta, anyway?

ah, we hoofed it.

little car trouble

up on the mountain.

you guys

are really lucky.

yeah.

don't look like

he held up to well.

he did better

than you think.

wonderful, robby.

tell sally

it was delicious.

will do, sheriff.

i brought that little

something you asked for.

oh, thank you.

i'll get you a glass.

make it 2, will ya,

robby?

well, i see

you've adjusted well

to your new situation.

care to join the recently

unemployed in a drink?

don't be so down, nate.

it's not your fault.

i just can't help

thinking that...

maybe we should have

made that announcement.

maybe.

or maybe if he'd killed

in midland

instead of amarillo...

or...

if saldez would have had

his little shoot-'em-up

in our jurisdiction

instead of mcginnis'--

who knows?

maybe we should have

turned him in.

maybe we should've

done a lot of things

differently.

[clink]

but turning frank in

was never an option.

why not?

'cause he told

the truth.

once you've heard

the truth,

everything else

is just cheap whiskey.

i might have settled

for it.

no, you wouldn't.

you're a good policeman,

nate.

you're gonna do just fine

with jack.

now you go on home

and hug those children.

give that pretty wife

of yours a kiss

and know

that what you've done

was the right thing.

what about you, buck?

me?

well, as you can see,

this whole experience

has just devastated me.

good night, sheriff.

bob, good to see ya.

you, too, hank.

hey, bob.

hey, tate.

what's news,

cubby?

cubby: someone got killed

over in martinsberg.

they think it might

be the same guy

from amarillo?

if they do,

they ain't saying?

state patrol say

they're looking

for a young fella.

you boys seem to be

up on all the news.

well, hell,

we been stuck here

since the day

before yesterday.

haven't done anything

but watch tv.

well, then...

it's time we get

that pass opened up

and move on.

well, they're gonna send

a crew up tonight.

you're more than welcome

to go with them.

be like old times.

in my youth, friend.

in my youth.

thank you, hank.

now, what's your rush?

uh, you see,

the lack of female

clientele disturbs me.

uh, by the way, tate,

you hear anything

about the 218?

martinsberg?

last i heard,

it's going up.

but it don't come here.

you know that.

just asking.

[train horn blows]

well, they got

the pass open.

don't worry.

the 218's

the only train

till tomorrow.

[bells ringing]

[train horn blows]

[breathing heavily]

[bird calls]

[men conversing]

[water running]

first man:

pass is clear, boys.

got the word

the pass is clear.

second man:

all right. thank you.

third man:

you ready to go?

fourth man:

you're full of shit, joe,

you know that, right?

third man:

i know what

i'm talking about.

a cadillac. i know

what a cadillac is.

fourth man:

filled with pictures

of naked women, right?

third man:

that's what i said.

fourth man: uh-huh.

[turns off water]

third man:

i heard it on the radio.

what about that car?

you heard it, too?

tell this guy

it's the truth,

will ya?

it's the car

that the killer in amarillo

was driving, wasn't it?

see? he knows.

hey, stranger.

how about this

for a day?

they sent a plow

to the pass last night

and had some luck.

we got about 30 minutes

before the train leaves.

you feeling all right,

doc?

yeah, i'm fine.

i'm just, uh...

just a little tired

here.

sleep ok?

yeah.

thought maybe you heard

the police were looking

for a car like mine.

white cadillac.

yeah, i did.

well, that car that

they're looking for

had texas plates.

mine had oklahoma tags,

remember?

uh, yeah.

that's right.

you do believe me,

don't you?

yeah. it's just, uh,

it's crazy.

it just took me

by surprise.

you? how about me?

well, i'm going

downstairs

to catch the weather.

throw on your clothes,

and we'll grab a bite

before we go.

ok.

female weathercaster:

frigid temperatures continue

to blow in from the northwest,

and it looks like

we won't even reach

the 32-degree mark

until sometime

this weekend.

man on television:

at cherry creek dodge,

we've been steering

you right with great deals

for 16 years.

now we've put special

anniversary sale prices

on every car, truck,

and van...

hey, doc. ready?

where did you get

that car?

look, doc,

i can understand

your concerns,

but you ever stop

to think

about how many

white caddies

there probably are

in the great state

of texas?

probably a lot.

i'd say more than that.

but not that many

with pictures.

where'd you get the car?

well, i lied to you.

i wasn't taking it

to no one.

it's my car.

bought it in tulsa

the day before

i picked you up,

but that doesn't mean

i killed anyone.

stop right there.

i told you

it was a friend's

because i figured you'd

feel too uncomfortable

if you thought it was mine.

and i was right, wasn't i?

wasn't i?

i was gonna throw

all those pictures out

when i got to salt lake.

they were a hoot,

though, weren't they?

those pictures?

[cocks]

doc...

if i killed

those people...

why would i travel

in that car?

don't come any closer.

if i was the killer,

would i take you

to all the places

where i'm known,

introduce you

to my friends,

hell,

even save your neck?

i mean it!

if i was the killer,

why didn't i kill you?

i had plenty of chances.

god damn it!

it was my car!

prove it!

with what?!

i got off a train

and bought it

off a fella

for 500 bucks!

i knew it wasn't

on the up and up

because

of the price.

what did you

expect me to do,

ask him

for a receipt?

that is the truth!

and if you can't

trust me,

then turn me in,

'cause all i got

is my word.

reporter on television:

in amarillo today,

police officials

have announced

that the key suspect

has been booked

for the murders

of 3 people there friday.

amarillo city police chief

jack mcginnis

praised investigators

for the arrest

of hector saldez.

mcginnis:

i want to thank

the combined efforts

of the city police

and forensic departments

for the arrest

of this killer.

the suspect's name

is hector saldez.

mr. saldez has been wanted

in new mexico and oklahoma

on assault charges.

now, both of these states

have waived extradition

so that we may proceed

with the prosecution.

reporter:

chief, do these murders

have anything

to do with the murder

in colorado yesterday?

well, i can't comment

on their investigation.

reporter: chief mcginnis

would not comment

on whether

there was any connection

between the slayings

in texas and a recent

murder in...

just an accident, al.

nothing to get

all excited about.

ah.

let me know

what we owe you

for damages.

what?

colorado state patrol

found his car

in a stream

near a railroad trestle.

seems he lost control

while chasing a train.

they're looking

for his body now.

a train?

yeah,

a rio grande freight.

the 218.

218?

it wasn't a date.

he set him up.

we've gotta get in touch

with that train.

can't. they're out

of contact till it gets

to the other side.

storm's knocked out

telephone transmission.

how long?

5 hours.

5 hours.

he knew frank

wouldn't give up,

so he sucked him in.

are you saying

that the killer

was expecting him

to be there?

and i helped deliver him.

[cocks]

who are you?

ray calabrese.

don't shoot me.

please.

how'd you lose

your shoe?

getting on the train.

how'd you get here?

i was with

that crew that cleared

la veta pass last night.

everyone else went

back down to martinsberg

with the plow.

i live in salida,

on the other side

of the pass.

218 picks me up here,

takes me home.

[train horn blows]

when's the next one

due over?

this is it for the day.

no, that's not possible.

there's gotta

be another one.

not unless you wanted

to climb the hill

to the upper grade

at understanding,

catch the 20-10.

there are 2 lines

through the pass.

the upper grade

is on the other side

of the hill.

what's "understanding,"

a town?

no, man.

it's a railroad siding.

when's it come through?

the 20-10?

in about an hour.

you can't go up there

like that.

watch me.

wait.

what do i owe you?

bill's already been

settled.

bob paid it.

you know where

i can find him?

over at the freight office.

[gun bumps on counter]

sorry.

right then.

i'm on my way.

bye.

can i talk to you?

i'm sorry.

i'm sorry

i doubted you.

doc, if i had been

in your shoes,

hearing what you heard,

i'd have probably held

a gun on me, too.

if the offer's

still open, uh,

i'm going over

with you.

glad to have you,

partner.

bobby!

hey!

hey!

how you doing,

buddy?

oh, god.

hey, doc!

this crusty

old thing here...

oh, welcome!

welcome!

...is tex monroe.

climb aboard.

i'll tell ya,

any friend of this man

is a friend of mine.

come on. i got a lot

to tell ya about bobby.

come on in here.

now, if you won't

help him,

let me out of here,

and i will.

you've helped the fbi

enough already,

don't you think?

my god, man.

he's trying to find

his son.

it's a pipe dream,

sheriff.

buck: jack.

i need your help here,

jack.

i wish i could help you,

buck,

but...

i-it's a federal thing.

by the time

it would take me

to get a hearing--

i don't need a hearing.

i need you to turn the key.

christ, buck.

this is the last thing

i need on the first day.

yes, it is.

open the door.

[lock buzzes]

you're off

to a good start, jack.

anything else you need?

well, as a matter

of fact...

there is.

yep, we're getting up

close to the pass.

trains still get

swept away in slides

up here.

careful what you touch

up there, doc.

yes siree.

those levers control them

big 4-ton wings out there.

you send one out

by accident--

[chuckles]

have just a little

bit of trouble getting

through the next tunnel.

what gives them power?

them big air tanks

in the main compartment.

this always been your job,

working this thing?

aw, no, no.

i just a-haulin'

this spreader

over to alamosa.

clearing passes

ain't a job i cotton to.

night work, mostly.

cold. oh, god.

bobby, he used to clear

these passes up here, though.

long time ago, tex.

long time ago.

[horn blows]

oh.

aah! aah!

anybody got a light?

well, i'll be damned.

this is the place...

where them murders were

in amarillo.

the motel in amarillo.

been on the news

for 2 days.

did i say something?

yeah, tex, you did.

hope i didn't

say nothin' bad.

nothing bad, tex.

it's just ol' doc

over there

has got me pegged

as a killer

right about now.

what? where'd you get

a crazy thought

like that?

why, they're looking

for some young fella

with brown hair...

sorta like yours. geez.

this here man...

is the salt

of the earth.

the salt of the earth.

[gasps]

stay right there, doc.

oh, my god.

let me help him.

it's too late.

there's nothing

you can do.

aah!

bring that pack

down here.

i'll take the gun.

relax, doc.

you followed me

from the motel.

actually,

from the night before.

i watched you check in.

the motel was full,

so you shared a room

with that fella.

i didn't stay.

[gunshot]

i was car shopping

that night.

but by the time

you came over

for breakfast

the next morning,

i was back.

i heard you ask

for a ride.

then i paid your friend

mr. sutherland a visit.

[water running]

it was a quick visit.

they'll find you.

i don't think so.

like tex said,

they ain't lookin'

for me.

where's the gun?

oh.

freeze.

i didn't do it.

get away from him.

look, it was him.

he's the one who did it.

he's the one who killed him.

i didn't do it.

where is he?!

what? who?

i will kill you

to find him.

i don't know what

you're talking about.

look out!

aah.

you made good time,

frank.

i have to admit,

i was worried for awhile

that you'd make it at all.

drop the gun

so we can talk civilized.

state patrol knows

i'm on this train.

they know you're on it.

they'll be waiting

on the other side.

always needing help,

aren't you, frank?

you didn't start out

that way.

in the beginning,

when it was just me

and you,

it was a challenge.

i'd make a move,

then you'd make a move.

then you have

to start playing

the game unfairly.

it never was a game.

oh, yes, it was.

me against you.

then it was me against you

and 50 other agents.

then 200 agents.

you never seemed

to have any trouble.

hey, don't bullshit me,

frank.

so i had to level

the playing field.

that's why i took

your boy.

where is he?

remember the deal?

kill me to find him.

[chuckling]

you had your chance,

frank!

you should have

taken it!

[train horn blowing]

bye, frank!

[gunshot echoing]

[raspy breathing]

don't talk.

[clank]

rest.

[louder clank]

[clanking]

aah!

aah!

radio: southern pacific,

this is denver dispatch.

you read me?

[chuckling]

yeah.

you got the nerve,

doc.

it's time to give it up.

[hissing]

aah!

where's my son?

kill me to find him,

frank.

that was the deal.

yee-haw!

[laughing]

[laughing]

aah.

[horn blows]

oh!

aah!

oh!

[helicopter]

radio:

southern pacific 20-10,

this is colorado

state patrol.

try him again.

you know,

tex is an old fella.

just because he doesn't

answer his radio

doesn't mean...

you know, that's odd.

there's no smoke

coming out

of that smokestack.

sy!

sy, get the dispatcher!

buck.

oh, my god.

frank.

back there.

take care of this one.

is that him?

the killer's dead.

what about your boy?

just hang in there,

son.

we'll get you

to the hospital.

he's lost a lot of blood.

he's got hypothermia.

help me up.

sir, you better

come here.

[speaking spanish]

gracias, amigo.

he said the city

condemned this place

about 2 months ago.

ain't nobody lived here

since.

[speaking spanish]

he's missing his son.

the guy was a killer,

frank.

yeah.

but he wasn't a liar.

[train horn blows]

andy.

daddy!

[guitar music playing]

martina mcbride singing:

* whoa whoa *

* whoa oh oh *

* where i used

to have a heart *

* feels like

a mile-wide ditch *

* i got a hole inside *

* the doctor

just can't stitch *

* gone without a trace *

* you left a hollow *

* place *

* there's not a stone

to mark *

* where i *

* used to have *

* a heart *

* there were times

when i would hold you *

* and feel the poundin'

in my chest *

* and now

i'm just as empty *

* as a canyon

way out west *

* that's how deep

i loved you *

* babe,

i love you still *

* to the bottom

of this space *

* i'll never fill *

* where i used

to have a heart *

* feels like

a mile-wide ditch *

* i got a hole inside *

* the doctor

just can't stitch *

* gone without a trace *

* you left a hollow *

* place *

* there's not a stone

to mark *

* where i *

* used to have *

* a heart *

* guess i'll learn

to live with *

* a different kind

of pain *

* i'm sufferin'

from a sickness *

* that i cannot

give a name *

* it's such

a strange sensation *

* i've never felt

before *

* missin' you *

* has cut me *

* to the core *

* where i used

to have a heart *

* feels like

a mile-wide ditch *

* i got a hole inside *

* the doctor

just can't stitch *

* gone without a trace *

* you left

a hollow place *

* there's not a stone

to mark *

* where i *

* used to have *

* a heart *

* whoa whoa oh oh *

* whoa oh ho *

* oh ooh *

* where i *

* used to have *

* a heart *

[music ends]