Hunter (1984–1991): Season 4, Episode 22 - Silver Bullet - full transcript
When Hunter & McCall investigate a series of murders committed with police-issued bullets, the main suspect is closer than they think.
Let me tell you something
about Sam Beckman.
Sam Beckman was once suspended
for brutalizing a pimp.
I'm doing my job.
One of my jobs is
to provide hostesses.
You mean prostitutes.
They get one look at
her, and they're only
going to think of one thing.
If there was any way that I
could trade places with you,
I'd do it, baby.
I wanted her to die, Charlie.
You work with someone
for a long time,
you think you know
all about their lives.
Whoever is behind all this sure
is eager to make us
think it's a cop.
Thank you.
Let me get this straight.
You want me to provide
you with my best girls,
but you don't want them...
That's right.
I need women who know
how to handle men,
women who can take care of
themselves and be entertaining,
and women who know
when to say no.
That's quite a switch.
But I understand your theory.
Real sharp.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Well.
I think we can do business.
Good.
White Aston Martin.
Step on it.
What's going on, Mitchell?
Seven Adam 43 got the
call... ambulance, shooting.
Looks like a drive by.
No robbery involved.
Any witnesses.
There was a blonde
here when 43 got here,
but she was in shock...
They couldn't get
anything out of her.
Where might I find her?
Well, I had her
taken to the hospital.
From there she's
going to the station.
Right, thanks.
Barney, what's happening?
Well, male Caucasian, 45, 46.
Single gunshot to the head.
Entered the right
eye, downward track.
I'd say in the
vicinity of 45 degrees.
Likely penetrated
the cervical vertebra
and exited the upper
right rear shoulder.
Clean in and out.
I'd say high velocity.
That's Shag Russell.
You know him?
Yeah, we know him.
He's a suspect in a homicide
we're working on right now.
He runs one of the biggest
prostitution houses in LA.
One of his girls was found
dead about 10 days ago
with her, uh...
Pantyhose stuffed
down her throat.
This wasn't a drive
by shooting, either.
That looks
like about 145 degrees.
Let's go up there.
Hey, McCall.
C'mere.
Look at that.
That's a silver bullet.
Yup.
Hey, Mitchell!
Stand where the body was.
Looks like a 45
degree angle to me.
Yup.
I'm gonna take Mitchell and go
on over to Russell's apartment.
I dunno.
Maybe the guy that shot
him might be over there
looking for something.
- Yeah.
Don't say anything to anybody
about the silver bullet
till we talk to Charlie.
- Reading my mind again.
- Yeah, I know.
- I like it when you do that.
- I'll do it for you later.
Come on.
Miss Rogers, I'm
Sergeant Hunter.
I'll be investigating the
Shag Russell homicide.
I'm very sorry to
keep you waiting,
but as you can well imagine,
we are very, very busy.
Now, what were you doing
this evening having
dinner with a known pimp?
Sergeant, I-I work for a
multinational conglomerate,
and we have our annual
meeting this week.
Uh, executives from
all over the world
are going to be
coming to Los Angeles.
One of my jobs is to
provide hostesses.
You mean prostitutes.
No.
Hostesses.
We hire professional women who
know how to handle themselves.
They're told not to engage
in anything illegal.
What company do you work for?
ProtoChem Corporation.
ProtoChem Corporation.
You can call them if you want.
I'm a vice president
of Corporate Relations.
I wasn't doing anything
contrary to policy...
You can talk to my boss.
Uh-huh.
Wouldn't you say having
dinner with a known pimp
like Shag Russell goes
against company policy?
Sergeant, where do you live...
Sesame Street?
We have to hire professional
women that we can depend on.
They're not hired for sex...
We cannot afford to get
amateurs for the job.
How did you meet, uh...
Shag Russell?
Uh, his name was in our
files, and I called him,
and we had dinner.
And when we left the
restaurant, he was shot.
I didn't see or hear anything
but the sound of the gun.
Did you set him up?
What?
Well, the shooter was waiting
for him on the roof when
he came out of the restaurant.
Yeah, well, why
couldn't the shooter
have just followed
him there and then
waited for him to shoot him?
Maybe.
Thank you, Mitchell.
Glad to help out.
Hey, Ambrose.
Hm.
McCall.
How's Sheila doing?
Eh, she's a fighter.
She's hanging in.
What's the doctor say?
Stopped listening.
Sorry.
Yeah, well let's
talk about something
we got some control over.
What you find out?
Well, I stopped by
Shag Russell's house
on the way over.
It looks like... uh, they
had a 30-minute garage
sale or something.
The place was picked clean.
Get SID over there?
Yeah, they're there now.
Plan on leaving
town, gimme a call.
I will.
Here's my card in case you
need to get a hold of me.
And we can have a car take
you anyplace you'd like to go.
No, thanks... one ride in a
police car a day is enough.
I'll call a cab.
I'll be in touch.
I'm sure you will.
Get anything out of her?
No.
She didn't even know where
the bullet came from.
Perhaps we should consider
that she set him up.
No, I don't think so.
What do you got on this case?
Anything?
Yeah.
We found this... up on the
roof across the street
from the restaurant.
I thought he was
shot with a rifle.
He was.
You know, this looks like a
158 Grandstander, police issue.
You think maybe the killer's
trying to tell us something?
Like what?
Well, like maybe he's
trying to mess with our heads,
make us think he's a cop.
How many people know about this?
Just the four of us.
And the killer.
Well, I'm going to take
responsibility for this.
If the press finds
out that they found
a silver police issue bullet...
Right.
OK.
Who is it?
Joyce Rogers.
Hello, Miss Rogers.
I need your help.
Could I please come in?
Yeah, come on in.
OK, Joyce... talk to me.
Well, these two women,
they came to my door.
They accused me of
setting up Russell.
They tried to break the
chain lock on my door,
but I managed to close
the door on them.
So do you think the two
women belong to Shag Russell?
Oh, yeah.
Absolutely.
I was so afraid, and so I
packed a few things together,
and I went downstairs
to my car...
But my tires were all slashed.
And I tried to get
back into my apartment,
but I couldn't, because they'd
jammed a key into my lock.
Did you call the police?
I was too afraid...
I just ran down, I grabbed
the first cab I could,
and I came here.
OK, let's go take a look.
Now?
Yeah, right now.
Probably have to get a
locksmith to open the door.
First one on the right.
Give me your key.
It's not gonna work.
This one?
Yeah.
It's jammed.
It was jammed before...
I swear it was jammed.
Oh my god.
Yeah, Hunter.
13989 Metro Homicide.
I want you to send
a lab crew to...
Uh, 4150 Stonegate Court.
4150 Stonegate
Court, apartment 4...
4-2-7.
27.
Also, give me a black and
white for a 459 report.
Yeah, thanks.
Jack?
Make sure you dust everything.
I want all these
prints a priority.
Yeah.
Let's go.
I'm not going to
stay in a hotel.
I mean, if they found me here,
they could find me again.
You know, maybe I'm
just being paranoid,
but I don't think they're
through with me yet.
Isn't there someone
you can stay with?
A friend or something?
Well, yeah... sure, I could.
But I mean, if they found my
place, they could find hers,
and I don't want
to do that to her.
Could I stay with you?
You're a witness in a homicide.
I can't do that.
OK.
You can't protect me...
So lock me up then.
I mean, at least I'd feel safe.
Can you do that?
Yeah, I can do that.
That's a lot of paperwork.
Uh.
OK.
Uh, you can stay on the couch.
Thanks.
Lieutenant?
The duty nurse told me to let
you know when it was 3:00 AM.
Oh.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Shouldn't you go home now?
Hm.
Yeah.
I will.
Yeah, I'll be going soon.
Sweetheart.
If there was any way
in God's green earth
that I could create places
with you, I'd do it, baby.
Look, I don't blame you at all.
I think it's hard
enough to get a witness
into custody, let alone one
that didn't see anything.
But you know the boys at IA.
They get one look at
her, and they're only
going to think of one thing.
I'm glad you understand
that, because tonight,
she stays with you.
Hello.
Very nice.
Thank you.
Good work.
That was Reuben.
He says the
fingerprints we found
in Joyce's apartment
belonged to two
of Shag Russell's prostitutes.
Well, let's get
Vice to pick them up.
We've got work to do.
Right on.
Yeah?
We're investigating the
shooting that took place
last night about midnight?
Is that what all them
damn sirens were about?
Hee-licopters
buzzing overhead... I
thought you people
kept the peace!
You didn't happen to see
anything last night... did ya?
What a nice woman, huh?
Yeah.
I don't think she saw anything.
Saw you working the
other side of the street.
I figured you'd get
to me eventually.
Cops, aren't you?
Yep.
We're investigating
the shooting that took
place last night on Melrose.
You the ones with
the brown Dodge?
Brown Dodge?
Yeah.
Parked right across the street.
Saw you pull in.
Brown Dodge, uh, black tires.
No chrome, little antenna.
Real hard to spot, you know?
About what time was that?
It wasn't about...
It was exactly 22:45.
That's quarter of 11:00.
The NBA shot me in
the back, not my eyes.
I got my watch, and
I got my window.
Well, since you have
such good eyes, uh...
Who'd you see get
out of the car?
Nobody.
I went in the kitchen.
I was uh, cooking a couple of
eggs when I heard the shot.
By the time I got out
here to my window,
I saw the police car drive away.
You sure it was a police car?
There are ways to tell
an unmarked police car,
and I think I know all of them.
Yeah, it was a police car.
Hey, Sam.
Big Sam.
How you doing?
Well, if it ain't Sweet
Cheeks and her help.
Why is it every time I see you,
I feel as though I
should go lock my car?
Ah, well.
It's a war out there, you know?
You don't work Vice dressed
like a recruiting poster.
That's true.
You heard about Shag
Russell, didn't ya?
D'you know, it bugs
the hell out of me
when these guys get
themselves killed before I
get a chance to put them away?
Takes all the fun
out of police work.
You know, McCall, those
are kind of cute earrings.
You think I could
borrow one sometime?
Why don't you get the
city to buy you a pair?
Buy?
Earrings?
Never.
Well, there it is.
Brown Dodge, no
chrome, black tires.
Well, you know we
can't really be sure
it was a police
car that Hanes saw.
Even if it was, the city's
gotta have dozens of them.
Yeah, but they
only have one Vice
cop who was put on a
six-month suspension
for beating up a pimp.
First, we got a police issue
bullet that someone altered
to make it look silver...
The proverbial
symbol of justice.
Now we got a witness who puts
what may be an unmarked police
car at the scene of the crime.
Whoever is behind all
this sure is eager to make
us think it's a cop.
Or it is a cop.
I don't buy that.
If a cop was responsible
for this murder,
why is he leaving clues
around to his identity?
Maybe he's crazy.
Or he wants us to
think he's crazy.
I don't buy that either.
Yeah.
There are 18 brown police
cars in this division,
three in the department.
Finn, Commander
Stone, and Beckman.
Tomorrow morning, I will check
with Vice to see if Beckman
was in his car last night.
All right.
Even if Beckman
had his car out, it
doesn't make him the shooter.
Well, that's true.
But Sam Beckman was once
suspended for brutalizing
a pimp, and Shag Russell
was brought in last week
for killing Sam's
number one snitch,
and he got out on
some phony alibi.
We have a witness who saw a
brown Dodge at the crime scene.
Sleep on it.
I still feel like it's
someone who's trying
to make us think it's a cop.
Good night.
G'night.
Jose, man... it's
great to see you.
Eh, I got a bit of a...
Shut up!
Where's Luis?
- I dunno, man...
I couldn't find him.
I want my cut.
Luis has it.
I could find him tomorrow.
I'll be in Mexico tomorrow!
I want my cut tonight.
Where is he?
I don't know, man.
Where is he?
He's at Angela's.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
Got some good news for you.
Yeah?
Vice knows who
the two girls were
that ransacked your apartment.
They should have them in
custody by tomorrow morning.
Great.
Also, I think it's
best if you stay
at my partner's house tonight.
Oh, no.
I-I made arrangements to stay
at an old girlfriend's house
from high school.
It's OK.
Here's the address.
- Oh.
That's good, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah, Yeah.
My taxi's outside.
Um.
Uh, I just wanted to
tell you that I know
you did more for me than
you were supposed to do,
and I'm very grateful.
Oh, you're welcome.
I just wish it had been
under different circumstances.
Hello.
I thought you were coming
over here with your witness.
Oh, that won't be
necessary right now, McCall.
Yeah, well, you can
tell me about it later,
'cause you're out of there.
Devane just called,
and we've got
a DB at 1047 Southfield Road.
We're already working
on a murder case.
This is the same case...
The first officer on
the scene found a, uh,
silver police issue bullet.
Be right there.
Why don't you take this
bullet over to Reuben's, see if
you can get any prints off it.
OK.
Don't tell him where you got it.
Soon as you get the
results, get back to me...
Don't mention this to anybody.
Yep, got it.
Thanks.
Guy was killed by one
gunshot right to the head.
Looks like it was a .38.
He was obviously shot
at very close range.
His name is Jose Rivera.
Lucky guy got out on
bail this morning.
What was the charge?
Double homicide in
connection with a 2-11.
Well.
Another one bites the dust, huh?
Yeah.
Something's wrong...
I think she stopped breathing.
Get the crash cart.
Call the doctor.
Code blue, 2 West.
Code blue, 2 West.
Where's Lieutenant Finn?
Dr. Marler,
please call the operator.
Dr. Marler, please
call the operator.
Ambrose.
She's gone.
You gonna be OK?
Yeah.
There anything I can do?
No, thank you.
I gotta talk to you.
What's on your mind?
I need to know
where Sam Beckman's
been the last couple nights.
We don't keep a log
like the blue suits.
We play it loose.
Sam's been working
streetwalkers and pimps.
How's he been acting?
A little uptight
since Ginger was killed.
She was one of Sam's snitches.
I think he felt responsible.
Was Sam driving a
Dodge night before last?
Look... I don't want to
know any details, but you
sure you're on the right track?
I've worked with
Sam for five years.
He's a good cop...
Look, I know all
about that, Ski.
All I need to know is, was
Sam driving the brown Dodge
night before last?
You mean the night
Shag Russell was killed.
Yeah.
Yeah.
How about last night?
Yeah.
OK.
Let's chat.
What do you got?
Said Sam had the
car out the last two nights.
He also said if it was
Sam we were looking for,
we'd never catch him.
I'm starting to agree with him.
We don't have any witnesses,
no prints, no leads.
Right.
So what I did was, I went
through Sam's cases...
All of them.
Now the judge in 103 threw
out the big one this morning...
Judd Ross case.
Sam's been after Judd Ross
for the last six months.
And the judge kicks
it out of court?
I say we start with that one.
- All right.
I'll drop the bait... he'll
take it better coming from me.
I mean, he likes my earrings
and everything, right?
Right.
What can I get you, Sergeant?
A tuna sandwich and
an ice tea, please.
Mm-hmm.
The cashier went out to lunch.
That'll be $4.95.
Really?
Yeah.
Have a good one.
Thanks.
Hey, McCall.
Sit down.
Thanks.
So, listen... what
about that earring?
What about a date?
What are you doing here?
What's it look
like I'm doing here?
Well, I just thought you'd
be downtown, that's all.
What are you talking about?
Talking about the Ross case.
You were on it, right?
- Yeah.
So?
Well, the judge
just threw it out.
Says that we failed
to comply with an 844.
Who's he kidding?
I announced myself loud and
clear, and Ross heard me too.
Yeah, well, the judge said
that you didn't give Ross
enough time to open
up the door before you
decided to kick it in.
Enough time?
Enough time for what, for him
to grab a gun and shoot me,
like he did that waitress?
I'm doing my job,
some candy-nosed judge.
They told her three
months ago she was dying.
Three months, she fought it.
They couldn't do
anything for her.
They gave her some
pills for the pain.
She was brave, Charlie.
She was much braver than me.
I know how tough
it's been on you.
I've seen you getting
by on two, three hours'
sleep the last 10 months.
I wanted her to die, Charlie.
I couldn't stand
to see her suffer.
You did everything
you could, Ambrose.
I would've traded
places with her, Charlie.
I prayed to God that I could.
I know.
Look, why don't you go home?
Get some sleep,
take some time off.
No, no, no.
I got to work.
They're gonna bury
her day after tomorrow,
and I can't stand just
sitting around the house.
Please... I gotta work.
OK.
This is a summary
follow up on the Ross case.
Judge in 103 kicked
him loose this morning.
They let him out?
Yeah.
Judge let him go on an 844.
OK.
OK.
L-56, come in, please.
This is L-57.
Lincoln Five-Six, go.
I'm waiting on Sam outside
a little market over here.
Do you have any
sign of Ross yet?
No, nothing yet.
Sam's just coming out.
I'll keep in touch.
Lincoln 5-7.
This is L-57.
What's up?
Ross just showed up.
Well, I followed Sam
home with his groceries.
It looks like he's going
to be here for a while.
Tell you what... I'm gonna
wait it out, see if he makes
a move, all right?
Lincoln Five-Six out.
Lincoln Five-Six.
Go ahead, L-56.
Send backup to 2242
Clifford Street at once.
Lincoln Five-Six out.
Roger, L-56.
Not any big deal lawyers
and $600 suits now, are there?
Huh?
Nothing between you
and me, is there?
Freeze, boys!
Drop the guns!
Ambrose.
Stop where you are, Hunter.
He's gonna kill me.
Don't let him kill me!
He's not gonna kill anybody.
What the hell are
you doing, Ambrose?
Drop the gun.
Don't interfere, Hunter.
Just turn around, step
outside, and close the door.
I can't do that.
Sorry.
Drop the gun.
Rick, you stay here,
you're gonna have to kill me.
If you step outside,
I'll surrender as soon
as I'm through with this scum.
- Please.
Don't let him do it!
Yes.
This is Sergeant Hunter,
Metropolitan Police.
I'd like an ambulance
sent to 2242
Clifford Street, Apartment 10.
This is emergency
police business.
Ambulance on its way.
Ah.
It don't matter.
Listen.
I want you guys to understand.
Don't talk, Ambrose.
Sheila thought the world of us.
We were all heroes to her.
She thought we
stood for justice.
She didn't know
how little justice there is.
I'm sorry, Ambrose.
Awh.
It's OK, McCall.
There.
That's justice.
They really loved each other.
I can understand how
Ambrose must have
felt when Sheila started to go.
You just lost him.
He was a good man.
He was a good
police officer too.
C'mon.
Back to my house.
Get something to eat.
about Sam Beckman.
Sam Beckman was once suspended
for brutalizing a pimp.
I'm doing my job.
One of my jobs is
to provide hostesses.
You mean prostitutes.
They get one look at
her, and they're only
going to think of one thing.
If there was any way that I
could trade places with you,
I'd do it, baby.
I wanted her to die, Charlie.
You work with someone
for a long time,
you think you know
all about their lives.
Whoever is behind all this sure
is eager to make us
think it's a cop.
Thank you.
Let me get this straight.
You want me to provide
you with my best girls,
but you don't want them...
That's right.
I need women who know
how to handle men,
women who can take care of
themselves and be entertaining,
and women who know
when to say no.
That's quite a switch.
But I understand your theory.
Real sharp.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Well.
I think we can do business.
Good.
White Aston Martin.
Step on it.
What's going on, Mitchell?
Seven Adam 43 got the
call... ambulance, shooting.
Looks like a drive by.
No robbery involved.
Any witnesses.
There was a blonde
here when 43 got here,
but she was in shock...
They couldn't get
anything out of her.
Where might I find her?
Well, I had her
taken to the hospital.
From there she's
going to the station.
Right, thanks.
Barney, what's happening?
Well, male Caucasian, 45, 46.
Single gunshot to the head.
Entered the right
eye, downward track.
I'd say in the
vicinity of 45 degrees.
Likely penetrated
the cervical vertebra
and exited the upper
right rear shoulder.
Clean in and out.
I'd say high velocity.
That's Shag Russell.
You know him?
Yeah, we know him.
He's a suspect in a homicide
we're working on right now.
He runs one of the biggest
prostitution houses in LA.
One of his girls was found
dead about 10 days ago
with her, uh...
Pantyhose stuffed
down her throat.
This wasn't a drive
by shooting, either.
That looks
like about 145 degrees.
Let's go up there.
Hey, McCall.
C'mere.
Look at that.
That's a silver bullet.
Yup.
Hey, Mitchell!
Stand where the body was.
Looks like a 45
degree angle to me.
Yup.
I'm gonna take Mitchell and go
on over to Russell's apartment.
I dunno.
Maybe the guy that shot
him might be over there
looking for something.
- Yeah.
Don't say anything to anybody
about the silver bullet
till we talk to Charlie.
- Reading my mind again.
- Yeah, I know.
- I like it when you do that.
- I'll do it for you later.
Come on.
Miss Rogers, I'm
Sergeant Hunter.
I'll be investigating the
Shag Russell homicide.
I'm very sorry to
keep you waiting,
but as you can well imagine,
we are very, very busy.
Now, what were you doing
this evening having
dinner with a known pimp?
Sergeant, I-I work for a
multinational conglomerate,
and we have our annual
meeting this week.
Uh, executives from
all over the world
are going to be
coming to Los Angeles.
One of my jobs is to
provide hostesses.
You mean prostitutes.
No.
Hostesses.
We hire professional women who
know how to handle themselves.
They're told not to engage
in anything illegal.
What company do you work for?
ProtoChem Corporation.
ProtoChem Corporation.
You can call them if you want.
I'm a vice president
of Corporate Relations.
I wasn't doing anything
contrary to policy...
You can talk to my boss.
Uh-huh.
Wouldn't you say having
dinner with a known pimp
like Shag Russell goes
against company policy?
Sergeant, where do you live...
Sesame Street?
We have to hire professional
women that we can depend on.
They're not hired for sex...
We cannot afford to get
amateurs for the job.
How did you meet, uh...
Shag Russell?
Uh, his name was in our
files, and I called him,
and we had dinner.
And when we left the
restaurant, he was shot.
I didn't see or hear anything
but the sound of the gun.
Did you set him up?
What?
Well, the shooter was waiting
for him on the roof when
he came out of the restaurant.
Yeah, well, why
couldn't the shooter
have just followed
him there and then
waited for him to shoot him?
Maybe.
Thank you, Mitchell.
Glad to help out.
Hey, Ambrose.
Hm.
McCall.
How's Sheila doing?
Eh, she's a fighter.
She's hanging in.
What's the doctor say?
Stopped listening.
Sorry.
Yeah, well let's
talk about something
we got some control over.
What you find out?
Well, I stopped by
Shag Russell's house
on the way over.
It looks like... uh, they
had a 30-minute garage
sale or something.
The place was picked clean.
Get SID over there?
Yeah, they're there now.
Plan on leaving
town, gimme a call.
I will.
Here's my card in case you
need to get a hold of me.
And we can have a car take
you anyplace you'd like to go.
No, thanks... one ride in a
police car a day is enough.
I'll call a cab.
I'll be in touch.
I'm sure you will.
Get anything out of her?
No.
She didn't even know where
the bullet came from.
Perhaps we should consider
that she set him up.
No, I don't think so.
What do you got on this case?
Anything?
Yeah.
We found this... up on the
roof across the street
from the restaurant.
I thought he was
shot with a rifle.
He was.
You know, this looks like a
158 Grandstander, police issue.
You think maybe the killer's
trying to tell us something?
Like what?
Well, like maybe he's
trying to mess with our heads,
make us think he's a cop.
How many people know about this?
Just the four of us.
And the killer.
Well, I'm going to take
responsibility for this.
If the press finds
out that they found
a silver police issue bullet...
Right.
OK.
Who is it?
Joyce Rogers.
Hello, Miss Rogers.
I need your help.
Could I please come in?
Yeah, come on in.
OK, Joyce... talk to me.
Well, these two women,
they came to my door.
They accused me of
setting up Russell.
They tried to break the
chain lock on my door,
but I managed to close
the door on them.
So do you think the two
women belong to Shag Russell?
Oh, yeah.
Absolutely.
I was so afraid, and so I
packed a few things together,
and I went downstairs
to my car...
But my tires were all slashed.
And I tried to get
back into my apartment,
but I couldn't, because they'd
jammed a key into my lock.
Did you call the police?
I was too afraid...
I just ran down, I grabbed
the first cab I could,
and I came here.
OK, let's go take a look.
Now?
Yeah, right now.
Probably have to get a
locksmith to open the door.
First one on the right.
Give me your key.
It's not gonna work.
This one?
Yeah.
It's jammed.
It was jammed before...
I swear it was jammed.
Oh my god.
Yeah, Hunter.
13989 Metro Homicide.
I want you to send
a lab crew to...
Uh, 4150 Stonegate Court.
4150 Stonegate
Court, apartment 4...
4-2-7.
27.
Also, give me a black and
white for a 459 report.
Yeah, thanks.
Jack?
Make sure you dust everything.
I want all these
prints a priority.
Yeah.
Let's go.
I'm not going to
stay in a hotel.
I mean, if they found me here,
they could find me again.
You know, maybe I'm
just being paranoid,
but I don't think they're
through with me yet.
Isn't there someone
you can stay with?
A friend or something?
Well, yeah... sure, I could.
But I mean, if they found my
place, they could find hers,
and I don't want
to do that to her.
Could I stay with you?
You're a witness in a homicide.
I can't do that.
OK.
You can't protect me...
So lock me up then.
I mean, at least I'd feel safe.
Can you do that?
Yeah, I can do that.
That's a lot of paperwork.
Uh.
OK.
Uh, you can stay on the couch.
Thanks.
Lieutenant?
The duty nurse told me to let
you know when it was 3:00 AM.
Oh.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Shouldn't you go home now?
Hm.
Yeah.
I will.
Yeah, I'll be going soon.
Sweetheart.
If there was any way
in God's green earth
that I could create places
with you, I'd do it, baby.
Look, I don't blame you at all.
I think it's hard
enough to get a witness
into custody, let alone one
that didn't see anything.
But you know the boys at IA.
They get one look at
her, and they're only
going to think of one thing.
I'm glad you understand
that, because tonight,
she stays with you.
Hello.
Very nice.
Thank you.
Good work.
That was Reuben.
He says the
fingerprints we found
in Joyce's apartment
belonged to two
of Shag Russell's prostitutes.
Well, let's get
Vice to pick them up.
We've got work to do.
Right on.
Yeah?
We're investigating the
shooting that took place
last night about midnight?
Is that what all them
damn sirens were about?
Hee-licopters
buzzing overhead... I
thought you people
kept the peace!
You didn't happen to see
anything last night... did ya?
What a nice woman, huh?
Yeah.
I don't think she saw anything.
Saw you working the
other side of the street.
I figured you'd get
to me eventually.
Cops, aren't you?
Yep.
We're investigating
the shooting that took
place last night on Melrose.
You the ones with
the brown Dodge?
Brown Dodge?
Yeah.
Parked right across the street.
Saw you pull in.
Brown Dodge, uh, black tires.
No chrome, little antenna.
Real hard to spot, you know?
About what time was that?
It wasn't about...
It was exactly 22:45.
That's quarter of 11:00.
The NBA shot me in
the back, not my eyes.
I got my watch, and
I got my window.
Well, since you have
such good eyes, uh...
Who'd you see get
out of the car?
Nobody.
I went in the kitchen.
I was uh, cooking a couple of
eggs when I heard the shot.
By the time I got out
here to my window,
I saw the police car drive away.
You sure it was a police car?
There are ways to tell
an unmarked police car,
and I think I know all of them.
Yeah, it was a police car.
Hey, Sam.
Big Sam.
How you doing?
Well, if it ain't Sweet
Cheeks and her help.
Why is it every time I see you,
I feel as though I
should go lock my car?
Ah, well.
It's a war out there, you know?
You don't work Vice dressed
like a recruiting poster.
That's true.
You heard about Shag
Russell, didn't ya?
D'you know, it bugs
the hell out of me
when these guys get
themselves killed before I
get a chance to put them away?
Takes all the fun
out of police work.
You know, McCall, those
are kind of cute earrings.
You think I could
borrow one sometime?
Why don't you get the
city to buy you a pair?
Buy?
Earrings?
Never.
Well, there it is.
Brown Dodge, no
chrome, black tires.
Well, you know we
can't really be sure
it was a police
car that Hanes saw.
Even if it was, the city's
gotta have dozens of them.
Yeah, but they
only have one Vice
cop who was put on a
six-month suspension
for beating up a pimp.
First, we got a police issue
bullet that someone altered
to make it look silver...
The proverbial
symbol of justice.
Now we got a witness who puts
what may be an unmarked police
car at the scene of the crime.
Whoever is behind all
this sure is eager to make
us think it's a cop.
Or it is a cop.
I don't buy that.
If a cop was responsible
for this murder,
why is he leaving clues
around to his identity?
Maybe he's crazy.
Or he wants us to
think he's crazy.
I don't buy that either.
Yeah.
There are 18 brown police
cars in this division,
three in the department.
Finn, Commander
Stone, and Beckman.
Tomorrow morning, I will check
with Vice to see if Beckman
was in his car last night.
All right.
Even if Beckman
had his car out, it
doesn't make him the shooter.
Well, that's true.
But Sam Beckman was once
suspended for brutalizing
a pimp, and Shag Russell
was brought in last week
for killing Sam's
number one snitch,
and he got out on
some phony alibi.
We have a witness who saw a
brown Dodge at the crime scene.
Sleep on it.
I still feel like it's
someone who's trying
to make us think it's a cop.
Good night.
G'night.
Jose, man... it's
great to see you.
Eh, I got a bit of a...
Shut up!
Where's Luis?
- I dunno, man...
I couldn't find him.
I want my cut.
Luis has it.
I could find him tomorrow.
I'll be in Mexico tomorrow!
I want my cut tonight.
Where is he?
I don't know, man.
Where is he?
He's at Angela's.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
Got some good news for you.
Yeah?
Vice knows who
the two girls were
that ransacked your apartment.
They should have them in
custody by tomorrow morning.
Great.
Also, I think it's
best if you stay
at my partner's house tonight.
Oh, no.
I-I made arrangements to stay
at an old girlfriend's house
from high school.
It's OK.
Here's the address.
- Oh.
That's good, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah, Yeah.
My taxi's outside.
Um.
Uh, I just wanted to
tell you that I know
you did more for me than
you were supposed to do,
and I'm very grateful.
Oh, you're welcome.
I just wish it had been
under different circumstances.
Hello.
I thought you were coming
over here with your witness.
Oh, that won't be
necessary right now, McCall.
Yeah, well, you can
tell me about it later,
'cause you're out of there.
Devane just called,
and we've got
a DB at 1047 Southfield Road.
We're already working
on a murder case.
This is the same case...
The first officer on
the scene found a, uh,
silver police issue bullet.
Be right there.
Why don't you take this
bullet over to Reuben's, see if
you can get any prints off it.
OK.
Don't tell him where you got it.
Soon as you get the
results, get back to me...
Don't mention this to anybody.
Yep, got it.
Thanks.
Guy was killed by one
gunshot right to the head.
Looks like it was a .38.
He was obviously shot
at very close range.
His name is Jose Rivera.
Lucky guy got out on
bail this morning.
What was the charge?
Double homicide in
connection with a 2-11.
Well.
Another one bites the dust, huh?
Yeah.
Something's wrong...
I think she stopped breathing.
Get the crash cart.
Call the doctor.
Code blue, 2 West.
Code blue, 2 West.
Where's Lieutenant Finn?
Dr. Marler,
please call the operator.
Dr. Marler, please
call the operator.
Ambrose.
She's gone.
You gonna be OK?
Yeah.
There anything I can do?
No, thank you.
I gotta talk to you.
What's on your mind?
I need to know
where Sam Beckman's
been the last couple nights.
We don't keep a log
like the blue suits.
We play it loose.
Sam's been working
streetwalkers and pimps.
How's he been acting?
A little uptight
since Ginger was killed.
She was one of Sam's snitches.
I think he felt responsible.
Was Sam driving a
Dodge night before last?
Look... I don't want to
know any details, but you
sure you're on the right track?
I've worked with
Sam for five years.
He's a good cop...
Look, I know all
about that, Ski.
All I need to know is, was
Sam driving the brown Dodge
night before last?
You mean the night
Shag Russell was killed.
Yeah.
Yeah.
How about last night?
Yeah.
OK.
Let's chat.
What do you got?
Said Sam had the
car out the last two nights.
He also said if it was
Sam we were looking for,
we'd never catch him.
I'm starting to agree with him.
We don't have any witnesses,
no prints, no leads.
Right.
So what I did was, I went
through Sam's cases...
All of them.
Now the judge in 103 threw
out the big one this morning...
Judd Ross case.
Sam's been after Judd Ross
for the last six months.
And the judge kicks
it out of court?
I say we start with that one.
- All right.
I'll drop the bait... he'll
take it better coming from me.
I mean, he likes my earrings
and everything, right?
Right.
What can I get you, Sergeant?
A tuna sandwich and
an ice tea, please.
Mm-hmm.
The cashier went out to lunch.
That'll be $4.95.
Really?
Yeah.
Have a good one.
Thanks.
Hey, McCall.
Sit down.
Thanks.
So, listen... what
about that earring?
What about a date?
What are you doing here?
What's it look
like I'm doing here?
Well, I just thought you'd
be downtown, that's all.
What are you talking about?
Talking about the Ross case.
You were on it, right?
- Yeah.
So?
Well, the judge
just threw it out.
Says that we failed
to comply with an 844.
Who's he kidding?
I announced myself loud and
clear, and Ross heard me too.
Yeah, well, the judge said
that you didn't give Ross
enough time to open
up the door before you
decided to kick it in.
Enough time?
Enough time for what, for him
to grab a gun and shoot me,
like he did that waitress?
I'm doing my job,
some candy-nosed judge.
They told her three
months ago she was dying.
Three months, she fought it.
They couldn't do
anything for her.
They gave her some
pills for the pain.
She was brave, Charlie.
She was much braver than me.
I know how tough
it's been on you.
I've seen you getting
by on two, three hours'
sleep the last 10 months.
I wanted her to die, Charlie.
I couldn't stand
to see her suffer.
You did everything
you could, Ambrose.
I would've traded
places with her, Charlie.
I prayed to God that I could.
I know.
Look, why don't you go home?
Get some sleep,
take some time off.
No, no, no.
I got to work.
They're gonna bury
her day after tomorrow,
and I can't stand just
sitting around the house.
Please... I gotta work.
OK.
This is a summary
follow up on the Ross case.
Judge in 103 kicked
him loose this morning.
They let him out?
Yeah.
Judge let him go on an 844.
OK.
OK.
L-56, come in, please.
This is L-57.
Lincoln Five-Six, go.
I'm waiting on Sam outside
a little market over here.
Do you have any
sign of Ross yet?
No, nothing yet.
Sam's just coming out.
I'll keep in touch.
Lincoln 5-7.
This is L-57.
What's up?
Ross just showed up.
Well, I followed Sam
home with his groceries.
It looks like he's going
to be here for a while.
Tell you what... I'm gonna
wait it out, see if he makes
a move, all right?
Lincoln Five-Six out.
Lincoln Five-Six.
Go ahead, L-56.
Send backup to 2242
Clifford Street at once.
Lincoln Five-Six out.
Roger, L-56.
Not any big deal lawyers
and $600 suits now, are there?
Huh?
Nothing between you
and me, is there?
Freeze, boys!
Drop the guns!
Ambrose.
Stop where you are, Hunter.
He's gonna kill me.
Don't let him kill me!
He's not gonna kill anybody.
What the hell are
you doing, Ambrose?
Drop the gun.
Don't interfere, Hunter.
Just turn around, step
outside, and close the door.
I can't do that.
Sorry.
Drop the gun.
Rick, you stay here,
you're gonna have to kill me.
If you step outside,
I'll surrender as soon
as I'm through with this scum.
- Please.
Don't let him do it!
Yes.
This is Sergeant Hunter,
Metropolitan Police.
I'd like an ambulance
sent to 2242
Clifford Street, Apartment 10.
This is emergency
police business.
Ambulance on its way.
Ah.
It don't matter.
Listen.
I want you guys to understand.
Don't talk, Ambrose.
Sheila thought the world of us.
We were all heroes to her.
She thought we
stood for justice.
She didn't know
how little justice there is.
I'm sorry, Ambrose.
Awh.
It's OK, McCall.
There.
That's justice.
They really loved each other.
I can understand how
Ambrose must have
felt when Sheila started to go.
You just lost him.
He was a good man.
He was a good
police officer too.
C'mon.
Back to my house.
Get something to eat.