Police Woman (1974–1978): Season 3, Episode 13 - Night of the Full Moon - full transcript
- Captain wants me
to put together a team
of half a dozen female officers,
dress them up like older
ladies, good part for you.
- You don't like
my legs anymore?
- Maybe I'll shape up.
- You were the one who
insisted on getting married.
I think living
together is perfect.
- I'm passing the old lady.
I look perfectly harmless
til she passes me,
I throw the chain
around her neck,
and very quickly that's
the end of the old lady.
- Have some trouble, move in.
(dramatic music)
(tense music)
(bus pulls away)
- Evening.
- Good evening.
(dramatic music)
Look Mother, another one.
Tommy, will you
brush my hair, please?
Tommy?
Don't, Tommy.
No, Tommy, not now, please.
Tommy.
Charlene.
Charlene, why do
you do this to me?
- Pete, Joe, Pep,
come in the office.
Bring that report,
will you, Joe?
Okay, now we should be
operational by tomorrow night.
The heat's on, it's
not going to come off
until we collar this nut.
- How do we handle it?
- We're going to try drawing
him out using decoys.
Captain wants me
to put together a team
of half a dozen female officers,
dress them up like older ladies.
Good part for you.
- Hey, what about us?
You don't like my legs anymore?
- Yeah, why don't they use men?
- They tried putting guys
out there, didn't get a nibble.
Now, Captain's got a hunch
if we put women out there
we might change our luck.
Okay, now the
killer so far has killed
all of his victims in the
same neighborhood.
Unless he moves to
another part of the city,
we should be able to put
together a pretty tight operation.
Joe, you want to go
over that MO again?
- Yeah.
Okay, all victims
Caucasian matrons.
Late 40s, early 50s.
Strangled with a
metal chain or wire.
No sign of struggle, no
sign of sexual attacks,
and nothing taken
from their purses.
That's it.
- Rules out robbery.
- Yeah, but what's
the motive then?
- The motive is, we're
obviously dealing with a psycho.
(tense music)
- I didn't expect
you'd be out this late.
- Well, you want me
to stay irresistible?
I need my nights
working out at the gym.
- And Saturdays you go hiking.
You never take me along.
- Well, when I make an
honest woman out of you,
maybe I'll shape up.
- You were the one who
insisted on getting married.
I think living
together is perfect.
- Marriage is better.
Say you want to marry me.
- I do, I do want to marry you.
- That's better.
- Oh, I love it when
you come home like this.
Does working out in
the gym really do that?
- It helps.
- Okay, we just received
an additional report.
It happened again last
night, so everybody be alert,
will you, just be alert.
- Bill, what about a backup?
- You're going to
have plenty of backup.
First of all, we're going to
try to keep everybody in sight.
Also, you're all
going to be miked,
so we'll have
constant radio contact,
and if anything happens, all
you gotta do is just sing out
and there'll be somebody
there within seconds.
- The killer surprised
all three victims,
so apparently he doesn't
look like your cliche bad guy.
- That's right.
- None of the victims
showed any sign of a struggle?
- None whatsoever.
Apparently he
strikes without notice.
Just,
before anybody can even
attempt to defend themselves.
- Then how do you think
he makes his approach?
- I think he, I think going
into a situation like this.
Pep, throw me
that cord, will you?
Okay, Pepper, you
want to be the old lady?
Now I'm the killer.
This is a sidewalk,
back up will you, Pep?
I'm walking along, I
look very harmless.
In my hand is concealed
a chain or a wire.
I'm passing the old lady.
I look perfectly harmless
til she passes me,
I throw the chain
around her neck,
and very quickly that's
the end of the old lady.
Now, if you're
prepared for this,
you can't be totally surprised.
Keep your hands up
near your throat at all times
to protect yourself,
very important.
Also, you're gonna be wearing
gloves like Pepper's got on
to protect your hands
so they won't get cut.
Any questions?
Anybody want to back out?
Not you.
- I think you made the point.
- One other thing.
We've never had a policewoman
get hurt on decoy duty,
but there's always
that one chance,
so watch yourselves
out there, okay?
Now, anybody want
to get back to work?
- 12-Y-64 reporting a male
figure starting to approach
from the other
end of the street.
About 15 feet away.
- You got that, Joe?
- Right, Bill.
It's an old man, Caucasian.
- [Officer On Radio] 12-Y-62,
older woman coming out of
a private residence
and heading my way.
- 12-Y-51, man running
right at me across the street.
- You on that, Pete?
- I'm on it, Bill.
- 12-Y-51, he
went into the john.
- [Officer On Radio]
The guy looked like
he was about to come down on me.
He's passed now.
- 12-Y-68, male
figure approaching
from the end of the block.
Over six feet, walking fast.
- No sir, nothing at all.
Well, maybe he
knows we're out there.
Look, except for the
guy we're looking for,
it's a pretty safe neighborhood,
you know what I mean?
Yeah, yeah, I will.
- Hey Bill, I think
we found something.
Well, kind of.
- Like what, kind of?
- Well, the next of
kin of the last victim
said that they didn't realize
anything was missing
from her purse,
and they also
mentioned that the reason
she took the bus that
night was because
she was getting
her car repaired.
- So?
- We didn't find
any driver's license.
- Once we pointed that out,
they discovered
that it was missing.
Her husband says that she
always kept it in her wallet.
- So we thought we'd
recheck the other two victims.
Their next of kin didn't notice
anything missing
at first either.
- Was anything missing?
- It took a little while.
None of the victims
drove, but they uh,
carried a lot of credit cards.
- And one from each
of them is missing.
- I tell you, you'd
better have them alert
and check out all the
credit companies in the city.
(tense music)
- He's by, no one
else is in sight.
12-Y-62, approaching the corner
of First Street and Arizona.
No encounters.
(dramatic music)
- Pep's in trouble, move in.
(sirens wailing)
It was a routine punk looking
for some dough for a fix.
- Well, he got a nice one
from Pepper last night.
(officers chuckle)
- Okay, now we've been
at it for a week so far.
All we've come up with are
three purse snatching attempts
and two propositions.
- Anyone getting discouraged?
- I have some kids who
would like to see me.
- My husband's actually
learning how to cook.
- Bill, how long do
we keep this up?
- Just as long as
the captain and I
can keep us on
budget, that's how long.
We're starting
to get a lot of flak
about all this overtime.
- About another two
weeks or so, right?
- I don't think we're going
to have to wait that long
for this nut to go
after his next victim.
29 days elapsed between
the first murder and the second,
but only 17 between
the second and third.
Now I think this killer
is going to start feeling
that urge again any day now.
- There's a full moon coming up,
and you know that's when
the crazies get crazier.
At least Bill does.
(officers laugh)
- Is nothing sacred with you?
- Hey Tommy, it's six o'clock.
Don't you realize you're free?
- Don't bother me.
I'm trying to impress the boss.
- Okay.
(pencil tip snaps)
(phone rings)
- Oh, alright.
Hello.
- Hi beautiful.
- Hi yourself.
- Got some bad news.
- You're not coming home.
- I have to work late.
- Oh Tommy, I had a sensational
meal planned for tonight.
- Can't you put it off
til tomorrow night?
- I suppose.
- Oh and uh,
since I have to work late, ah,
maybe I'll stop off at the
gym and get a little workout.
- Yeah, sure.
- Oh, and before I forget.
- [Evie] What?
- I love you.
- Oh, Sergeant
Styles, I presume.
- Hello Peter.
- How're you doing?
- Alright.
Dombrewski's typewriter's on
the bum, he's using my desk.
- Where are Bill and Pepper?
- Oh, up with Parks,
talking about full moons and
Dracula.
- My favorite subject.
How do I look?
- You know that guy I busted
a about a couple of weeks ago?
He had all this
stuff in his pocket.
I guess he was some sort of
year-round Halloween freak.
(phone rings)
- I can use this thing.
- Yeah, uh, Investigator Styles.
Okay, right away.
- What's happening?
- Well, boss wants us
in the meeting with him.
(tires squeal)
(dramatic music)
- 12-Y-51.
Be out on the street
in a couple of minutes.
12-Y-51 stand by,
I have company.
(engine starts)
12-Y-51, false
alarm, he drove out.
- Can't keep you
where I can see you.
(footsteps approaching)
(Pepper gasps)
- Oh, you startled me.
(dramatic music)
(Pepper struggling)
(tires squeal)
- Pepper!
- It was, it was a woman.
She got in the elevator.
- A wo...
This is 12-Y-50.
I want this entire
area sealed off.
The suspect is female.
- Ow, man.
Ah, she was strong.
An old woman
wouldn't have a chance.
- Too close, huh.
- Oh, close as I
ever plan to get.
- Get in the other side,
let's get out of here.
(men arguing)
- I got a heart condition.
Can't stand anything
like this, please.
- What the hell is
this, car fare money?
- You got more than that, creep.
- I don't, I honest
to God don't.
- Where are you hiding
the rest, huh, where?
- [Victim] I don't have any...
- Stan, give the
creep one of our cards.
- [Victim] I don't
have (groaning).
- Stan, come here, quick.
Take a look.
- [Stan] She's
coming right to us.
- Maybe it won't be
such a bad night after all.
(dramatic music)
(men fighting)
- [Pepper] No, the hair's
no good, let me try this one.
Yeah, kind of a shag there.
- [Bill] That there?
- [Pepper] That's the, no,
the lips, I don't like the lips.
- Change (mumbles) lips.
See how that grabs you.
- No.
More like that, emery 20.
Yeah, that's it,
that's more like it.
- Let's try it with the glasses.
- [Pepper] Mm hmm.
- [Bill] Is that right?
- [Pepper] That's it.
- Hey Bill, I just got a
call from a friend of mine.
He's at the hospital
ward of Central Jail.
He was telling me this story.
He was laughing so hard
he could hardly get it out.
Last night, two
hard-case muggers
tried to take off a young lady,
and she wiped them both out.
- Yeah.
- Not only did she fit the
description that Pepper gave us,
they were picked up two blocks
from where Pepper was mugged.
- Well, maybe we should
pay them a little visit.
Thanks, Willis.
So these are the two guys, huh?
I'm Sergeant Crowley,
this is Sergeant Anderson.
We hear you guys got
in a little trouble last night.
- Yeah, you could say that.
- Yeah, we heard you robbed
and beat up an old man.
Then unfortunately, tried to do
the same thing to a young woman.
Is that true?
- You already know
the whole story,
what do you want from us?
- Yeah, you guys look
pretty rugged to me, I,
I'd just like to
know why you let
some little lady beat
the hell out of both of you.
- Hey, she was a pretty
tough chick, let me tell ya.
- She surprised us.
Who'd expect a broad
like that to know karate?
- Did you get a
good look at her?
- It was dark.
- Did she look
anything like this?
- I don't know.
- How about you?
- I don't know.
- I want you to look
at the picture, punk.
Now what about you.
- Could be.
Like I said, it was dark.
- What was she wearing?
- Some kind of,
what do you call it,
a pants outfit, pants.
- What color was it?
- I don't know.
- Was it light, dark?
- Dark!
- Did the top and bottom match?
- The lady asked you if the
top and the bottom matched...
- It matched.
- What else?
Was she carrying a
purse, a shopping bag?
- She was carrying a purse.
- What else do they
think we were after?
(man chuckles)
- What else can
you tell us about her.
- It was dark, that's,
that's all we know.
- Looks like we've got a
couple of winners here.
- Hey, you are going to try
and catch her, aren't you?
- For a couple of law-abiding
gents like you guys?
She's gonna pay for
what she did to you.
What do you think?
- Well, I can't be positive,
but it could be her.
- Well, I guess we spend
the rest of the afternoon
on Park Avenue.
It's all yours.
(lively music)
- I don't know.
They pay their rent, that's
all the landlord cares about,
so that's all I care about.
- She doesn't look like
anybody you've ever seen?
- Tell you the truth, I
don't pay much attention.
We've got a few
ladies lives here,
could be one of them.
- Well, would you just
give me their names
and the apartment
numbers, please?
- Do I have to, I got a
meatloaf in the oven.
- Yes, if you wouldn't
mind, it's important.
- Okay.
I got Sylvia McCarthy in 401.
Uh, Linda Maxwell in 311.
Charlene Parker, 312.
Can I see the picture again?
- Yes.
- The hair's different,
but you know that
could be Charlene.
- 312 you said?
- Yes.
- Why, thank you very much.
- You're welcome.
(car horn blares)
(tense music)
- [Tommy] Charlene,
you've got to stop this.
- [Charlene] Oh yeah?
Why should I?
- [Tommy] You really don't care
what this is doing
to me, do you?
- [Charlene] No, not really.
It's my life, and I'll do
what I please with it.
- [Tommy] Charlene, now you know
I promised to take care of you.
- [Charlene] I
don't give a damn.
Can't you get that
through your head?
(footsteps crossing room)
- Yeah?
- I'd like to speak
to Charlene Parker.
- She's not here.
- But I heard a woman's voice.
- Do you spend a lot of time
listening at other
people's doors?
- As a matter of fact, I do.
I'm with the police,
I'm Sergeant Anderson.
- I'm sorry, I, I,
it's been a rough day.
- And your name?
- Tom Shaw.
What can I do for you?
- I'd like to speak
to Charlene Parker.
- Well, I told you,
she's not here.
Have a look for yourself.
(tense music)
- Is this the bathroom?
- Mm hmm.
(tense music)
Uh, you want to
know what you heard?
TV.
I like it loud.
- Do you live here?
- No, just a friend with a key.
- Your friend, what time
do you expect her home?
- Charlene?
I was hoping she'd be here now.
Is she in some kind of trouble?
- No, we want to question her
about someone we're looking for.
- I see.
- Would you ask her
to call me, please?
Thank you.
- Are you sure it couldn't have
been a television set, Pep?
- It wasn't the television,
I, it was his voice.
- So where was the girl?
- It's really weird.
I know she was there,
and the manager did say
it could be Charlene.
- Why don't you
phone into the office.
Let's get moving
on a search warrant.
- 12-Y-50.
It was not the television.
(tense music)
(footsteps approaching)
- [Man] Hi, miss.
- You say it's a search warrant?
- Uh, yes ma'am, right here
it says search
warrant, right there.
- What'd she do?
- Could we just
have the key, please?
- Tommy, is there
something wrong?
I think you should
tell me about it.
- There's nothing wrong.
Can't I just be in a
mood once in a while?
- Sure, but.
- But what?
- It's more than a mood.
You don't come
home until all hours.
Sometimes I feel like
there's another woman.
(Tommy laughs)
- Oh baby.
There's no other woman.
Hey, we got a weekend coming up.
- And you'll be off in
the mountains hiking.
- No, we'll be off.
You've always wanted
to come with me.
So, I'll call in sick tomorrow,
and we'll uh, sleep in,
have a late breakfast.
Okay?
- Yeah.
(doorknob rattling)
- Let's be careful
not to touch anything.
They'll probably
have to dust for prints.
- I never would
have thought of that.
- Don't be smart.
She doesn't even
got a toothbrush.
- Bill, look at this.
- What do you got?
- This outfit.
- What about it?
- It's like the one
she was wearing.
- You're sure?
- Well I can't be positive,
but it's awful close.
I don't think anybody
really lives here.
- There's no sheets on the bed.
Looks like nobody sleeps here.
- No sneakers, no
jeans, couple of wigs.
- You think she just comes
here to change clothes?
- I don't know.
I think these are all costumes.
- If she just uses
this place as a
way station, why has she got
all these photographs up here?
These are all the same woman.
Could be her mother.
The Crawford Studio,
Clear Valley, California.
- Yeah, that's Mrs. Shaw.
She died about 10 years ago.
Stroke, I believe.
- Did you know her well?
- No.
Just that everybody knew about
the terrible thing
that happened.
- And what was that, sir?
- Oh, mustn't have been
more than a few weeks
after this was taken,
her husband and little girl
got killed in a car accident.
She took it awful
hard, they say.
Went crazy with grief.
Anyway, nobody was surprised
when she passed
on some years later.
- Did she have
any other children?
- Uh, a little boy.
- What happened to him?
- Last I heard, he was living
with his uncle Martin Shaw.
- Tommy was only a toddler
when his father and
sister were killed.
- How old was his sister?
- Charlene?
Uh, she was six.
- Did you say her
name was Charlene?
- Yeah, Charlene.
- She meant the
world to her mother.
The loss affected her mind.
- Oh, in what way?
- [Both] Well.
- She couldn't accept
Charlene's death,
so, to her, Tommy
took the girl's place.
She kept him in dresses
until he was school age.
- Well now are these,
are these pictures
of Tommy or Charlene?
- Pictures of both.
- He finally went to
school as a boy, but uh,
he had to wear dresses
around the house
until he was seven years old.
- Tommy rebelled and refused
to dress that way anymore.
His mother just
couldn't understand why.
- Now let me get this straight.
The boy lived with you
after his mother died, right?
- [Martin] Oh yes, until he
graduated from high school.
- And do you hear from him?
- Yes.
- All the time.
- Could we have his
address, Mr. Shaw?
- I can write it.
- Also sir, do you have a
more recent picture of him?
- Oh yes, I have a picture
taken just after graduation.
Can't you tell me
what he's done?
- We're really not at liberty
to say right now
Mr. Shaw, sorry.
- He's a nice boy.
He wasn't exactly what
you'd call happy but,
I can't imagine him
doing anything wrong.
- How did he,
how did he get
along with his mother?
- Well, he loved her
very much, at times, then,
again, he could
hate her pretty bad.
Even refused to
go to her funeral.
- Yeah, Pepper made
positive identification
from his graduation picture.
Now listen, I want him
kept under surveillance
until that apartment is dusted
and we can check him
with DMV, you got that?
We'll be there in 30 minutes.
- Evie?
- [Evie] Yeah?
- Make sure you bring a jacket.
It gets pretty cold up there.
- How's this for starters?
- Sensational.
- We're really gonna
sleep on the ground?
- Mm hmm.
Sounds pretty grubby, huh?
Want to back out?
- Uh uh, no, even if
I have to stay dirty.
- You won't have to.
You got plenty of
cold icy streams.
Oh Evie, make sure we
have some heavy socks, too.
- Oh, shoot.
(tense music)
Tommy, would you
come in here, please?
Tom...
What are these?
What do these mean?
Who do they belong to?
Tommy?
- They were put away.
Nobody was supposed to see them.
Why didn't you leave
them where they were?
- What's this all about?
Tommy, is there something
that hurts you so bad
you can't share it with me?
You can't talk to me about it?
I want to help you.
I find an envelope
taped to the bottom
of the drawer and open it.
What is it?
- I'm keeping them for somebody.
- Who?
- I promised I
wouldn't tell anyone.
- Does that have anything to
do with what's bothering you?
Then for God sakes tell me.
- They're my sister's.
- You're sister?
The only sister you had
died when she was a kid.
- No, I,
had to lie about that.
She didn't die.
- Then what?
- No more questions now.
- But...
- We'll talk about it on
the way to the mountains.
- Yeah, well look, if
you hear from him,
let me know, will you please?
Thank you.
Hey Pep.
Bill.
Just checked out the
place where he worked.
He phoned in sick today.
- Oh yeah, what
about his apartment?
- Well, Pete's over there now.
- Anything new on
those fingerprints?
- They're still checking,
say they should have
something in a few minutes.
(dramatic music)
(tires squeal and horn blares)
(phone rings)
- Crowley here.
Okay.
Tell him to keep relaying
his position, we're following.
Hey Pep, Joe.
Let's move it, Pete's
on him, let's go.
- Suspect traveling north
on Pacific Coast Highway.
- Charlene didn't die in
that accident, just my father.
But the accident
affected her mind.
She had to be
put in a sanitarium.
Mama didn't want
to tell me about it
until I was about 10
years old because,
well, she was afraid I
wouldn't understand.
After she was
released, Mama got sick.
I sort of started taking
care of Charlene.
But when Mama
died, Charlene split.
- Why didn't you
ever tell me this?
- I didn't want you
to become involved
with her and her problems.
- We're just
passing State Beach.
- Yeah, that puts us
about 10 minutes behind.
What's their speed?
- Uh, just maintaining 55.
- Well, why do you
keep seeing her?
- I promised my
mother that I would.
- But you were just
a little boy, Tommy.
- I felt responsible.
I wanted to do it, though.
There's always been
a bond between us.
- Did she like you?
- You know, I think
she needed me
more than she
needed anybody else.
- Okay, I think I'll
close the gap a little.
We just got an affirmative
on the prints from DMV.
- Yeah, so I heard.
- After I started living
with my aunt and uncle,
Charlene would contact
me from time to time but
she would never tell me where
she was or agree to see me.
- You should have
told me this before.
- You don't know her,
but she has a way of
getting ahold of people.
- Does she have that
much of a hold on you?
- I think she enjoys
seeing me suffer.
- Pete, he's our man.
Just don't try
anything alone, okay?
- I got you, Bill,
roger and out.
- Tommy, the things
in that envelope,
what do they mean?
- I don't want to talk
about this anymore.
- Oh please.
- No, I mean it.
Let's just not talk for a while.
(dramatic music)
(birds singing)
- Tommy?
All of the sudden, I don't
want to be doing this.
- You want to go back?
- I don't know.
I feel so strange.
- With me?
- Just, the way things are.
- Evie, don't worry about it.
I just thought it best you
not knowing, that's all.
I can see now where I was wrong.
- You've got to
help me understand.
- I will.
I feel better already
just being out here.
Come on.
(birds singing)
- Oh.
Oh, it is beautiful!
- I knew you'd like it.
- Do you always come here alone?
- Uh huh.
- Why?
- Kind of keeps my head
together, you know what I mean?
Couple of times
Charlene came with me.
Thought it might be
a way of reaching her.
I mean,
nobody else could do it, really.
- Tommy, how did she
feel about your mother?
- She loathed her.
So much so I
couldn't believe it.
You know, one of the
first things she told me
after we got
together again was...
- What?
- She planned to kill her.
You know what else she told me?
She said she felt
cheated because
Mama died of natural causes.
- Where are they, Pete?
- Up there hiking on the trail.
- Let's go.
- Tommy, tell me
the rest, all of it.
- What else do you want to know?
- Do you really Charlene was
capable of killing your mother?
- I have to reason to doubt it.
She's
killed her three times since.
- What do you mean?
- And each time,
she takes something from them.
Something with their name on it,
and give it to me.
- What are you saying?
- To prove,
to prove she was the killer.
The driver's license.
The credit cards.
And I'd read those names in
the paper and know it was true.
- The stranglings?
Are you talking about those
women who were strangled?
But how could you?
Why didn't you go to the police?
- I couldn't!
- But why?
Tommy, you've got to tell them.
- I can't!
Oh dear God, Evie, help me.
- Of course I'll help you.
I'll help you.
(Tommy crying)
Tommy, I love you.
More than anybody
else in the world.
I'm gonna take
care of you, okay?
I mean it, baby.
Shh.
(Charlene chuckles)
(tense music)
- (as Charlene) So you
and Tommy are going to
take care of things
together, are you?
(Charlene laughs)
I don't think you are.
You know how long it's
taken me to get rid of him?
My sanctimonious brother.
- You, you're not real.
- My sweet, caring brother
with all his loving advice.
- You, you can't be real.
- But he's gone for good.
Just like you're going
to be gone for good.
- No.
- Would you like to see how
I killed those other women?
- No, please.
- I think you should
know exactly how it was.
- No.
- Except with you,
it's going to be very,
very,
slow!
(Evie gasping)
(dramatic music)
- Tommy!
- (as Tommy) No!
What's the matter?
Evie?
Who are these people?
- Are you alright?
- (as Charlene) I'll kill you.
Depend on it.
I'll kill you all.
- Get him out of here, go on.
(dramatic music)
- Hi Larry.
Hi boss.
- Girl okay?
- Yeah, I stayed with her
until her sister picked her up.
She's going to be okay.
- How would you like to hop
out, get something to eat?
- I'm really not hungry.
- It's my treat.
- Why don't you just
go with the guys, alright?
- I'd be happy to do that,
except Joe's gone home
and Pete's got a date.
- I wonder how long
before Tommy Shaw is out
and back on the street.
Well, I guess that's the
system, that's how it has to be.
(dramatic music)
to put together a team
of half a dozen female officers,
dress them up like older
ladies, good part for you.
- You don't like
my legs anymore?
- Maybe I'll shape up.
- You were the one who
insisted on getting married.
I think living
together is perfect.
- I'm passing the old lady.
I look perfectly harmless
til she passes me,
I throw the chain
around her neck,
and very quickly that's
the end of the old lady.
- Have some trouble, move in.
(dramatic music)
(tense music)
(bus pulls away)
- Evening.
- Good evening.
(dramatic music)
Look Mother, another one.
Tommy, will you
brush my hair, please?
Tommy?
Don't, Tommy.
No, Tommy, not now, please.
Tommy.
Charlene.
Charlene, why do
you do this to me?
- Pete, Joe, Pep,
come in the office.
Bring that report,
will you, Joe?
Okay, now we should be
operational by tomorrow night.
The heat's on, it's
not going to come off
until we collar this nut.
- How do we handle it?
- We're going to try drawing
him out using decoys.
Captain wants me
to put together a team
of half a dozen female officers,
dress them up like older ladies.
Good part for you.
- Hey, what about us?
You don't like my legs anymore?
- Yeah, why don't they use men?
- They tried putting guys
out there, didn't get a nibble.
Now, Captain's got a hunch
if we put women out there
we might change our luck.
Okay, now the
killer so far has killed
all of his victims in the
same neighborhood.
Unless he moves to
another part of the city,
we should be able to put
together a pretty tight operation.
Joe, you want to go
over that MO again?
- Yeah.
Okay, all victims
Caucasian matrons.
Late 40s, early 50s.
Strangled with a
metal chain or wire.
No sign of struggle, no
sign of sexual attacks,
and nothing taken
from their purses.
That's it.
- Rules out robbery.
- Yeah, but what's
the motive then?
- The motive is, we're
obviously dealing with a psycho.
(tense music)
- I didn't expect
you'd be out this late.
- Well, you want me
to stay irresistible?
I need my nights
working out at the gym.
- And Saturdays you go hiking.
You never take me along.
- Well, when I make an
honest woman out of you,
maybe I'll shape up.
- You were the one who
insisted on getting married.
I think living
together is perfect.
- Marriage is better.
Say you want to marry me.
- I do, I do want to marry you.
- That's better.
- Oh, I love it when
you come home like this.
Does working out in
the gym really do that?
- It helps.
- Okay, we just received
an additional report.
It happened again last
night, so everybody be alert,
will you, just be alert.
- Bill, what about a backup?
- You're going to
have plenty of backup.
First of all, we're going to
try to keep everybody in sight.
Also, you're all
going to be miked,
so we'll have
constant radio contact,
and if anything happens, all
you gotta do is just sing out
and there'll be somebody
there within seconds.
- The killer surprised
all three victims,
so apparently he doesn't
look like your cliche bad guy.
- That's right.
- None of the victims
showed any sign of a struggle?
- None whatsoever.
Apparently he
strikes without notice.
Just,
before anybody can even
attempt to defend themselves.
- Then how do you think
he makes his approach?
- I think he, I think going
into a situation like this.
Pep, throw me
that cord, will you?
Okay, Pepper, you
want to be the old lady?
Now I'm the killer.
This is a sidewalk,
back up will you, Pep?
I'm walking along, I
look very harmless.
In my hand is concealed
a chain or a wire.
I'm passing the old lady.
I look perfectly harmless
til she passes me,
I throw the chain
around her neck,
and very quickly that's
the end of the old lady.
Now, if you're
prepared for this,
you can't be totally surprised.
Keep your hands up
near your throat at all times
to protect yourself,
very important.
Also, you're gonna be wearing
gloves like Pepper's got on
to protect your hands
so they won't get cut.
Any questions?
Anybody want to back out?
Not you.
- I think you made the point.
- One other thing.
We've never had a policewoman
get hurt on decoy duty,
but there's always
that one chance,
so watch yourselves
out there, okay?
Now, anybody want
to get back to work?
- 12-Y-64 reporting a male
figure starting to approach
from the other
end of the street.
About 15 feet away.
- You got that, Joe?
- Right, Bill.
It's an old man, Caucasian.
- [Officer On Radio] 12-Y-62,
older woman coming out of
a private residence
and heading my way.
- 12-Y-51, man running
right at me across the street.
- You on that, Pete?
- I'm on it, Bill.
- 12-Y-51, he
went into the john.
- [Officer On Radio]
The guy looked like
he was about to come down on me.
He's passed now.
- 12-Y-68, male
figure approaching
from the end of the block.
Over six feet, walking fast.
- No sir, nothing at all.
Well, maybe he
knows we're out there.
Look, except for the
guy we're looking for,
it's a pretty safe neighborhood,
you know what I mean?
Yeah, yeah, I will.
- Hey Bill, I think
we found something.
Well, kind of.
- Like what, kind of?
- Well, the next of
kin of the last victim
said that they didn't realize
anything was missing
from her purse,
and they also
mentioned that the reason
she took the bus that
night was because
she was getting
her car repaired.
- So?
- We didn't find
any driver's license.
- Once we pointed that out,
they discovered
that it was missing.
Her husband says that she
always kept it in her wallet.
- So we thought we'd
recheck the other two victims.
Their next of kin didn't notice
anything missing
at first either.
- Was anything missing?
- It took a little while.
None of the victims
drove, but they uh,
carried a lot of credit cards.
- And one from each
of them is missing.
- I tell you, you'd
better have them alert
and check out all the
credit companies in the city.
(tense music)
- He's by, no one
else is in sight.
12-Y-62, approaching the corner
of First Street and Arizona.
No encounters.
(dramatic music)
- Pep's in trouble, move in.
(sirens wailing)
It was a routine punk looking
for some dough for a fix.
- Well, he got a nice one
from Pepper last night.
(officers chuckle)
- Okay, now we've been
at it for a week so far.
All we've come up with are
three purse snatching attempts
and two propositions.
- Anyone getting discouraged?
- I have some kids who
would like to see me.
- My husband's actually
learning how to cook.
- Bill, how long do
we keep this up?
- Just as long as
the captain and I
can keep us on
budget, that's how long.
We're starting
to get a lot of flak
about all this overtime.
- About another two
weeks or so, right?
- I don't think we're going
to have to wait that long
for this nut to go
after his next victim.
29 days elapsed between
the first murder and the second,
but only 17 between
the second and third.
Now I think this killer
is going to start feeling
that urge again any day now.
- There's a full moon coming up,
and you know that's when
the crazies get crazier.
At least Bill does.
(officers laugh)
- Is nothing sacred with you?
- Hey Tommy, it's six o'clock.
Don't you realize you're free?
- Don't bother me.
I'm trying to impress the boss.
- Okay.
(pencil tip snaps)
(phone rings)
- Oh, alright.
Hello.
- Hi beautiful.
- Hi yourself.
- Got some bad news.
- You're not coming home.
- I have to work late.
- Oh Tommy, I had a sensational
meal planned for tonight.
- Can't you put it off
til tomorrow night?
- I suppose.
- Oh and uh,
since I have to work late, ah,
maybe I'll stop off at the
gym and get a little workout.
- Yeah, sure.
- Oh, and before I forget.
- [Evie] What?
- I love you.
- Oh, Sergeant
Styles, I presume.
- Hello Peter.
- How're you doing?
- Alright.
Dombrewski's typewriter's on
the bum, he's using my desk.
- Where are Bill and Pepper?
- Oh, up with Parks,
talking about full moons and
Dracula.
- My favorite subject.
How do I look?
- You know that guy I busted
a about a couple of weeks ago?
He had all this
stuff in his pocket.
I guess he was some sort of
year-round Halloween freak.
(phone rings)
- I can use this thing.
- Yeah, uh, Investigator Styles.
Okay, right away.
- What's happening?
- Well, boss wants us
in the meeting with him.
(tires squeal)
(dramatic music)
- 12-Y-51.
Be out on the street
in a couple of minutes.
12-Y-51 stand by,
I have company.
(engine starts)
12-Y-51, false
alarm, he drove out.
- Can't keep you
where I can see you.
(footsteps approaching)
(Pepper gasps)
- Oh, you startled me.
(dramatic music)
(Pepper struggling)
(tires squeal)
- Pepper!
- It was, it was a woman.
She got in the elevator.
- A wo...
This is 12-Y-50.
I want this entire
area sealed off.
The suspect is female.
- Ow, man.
Ah, she was strong.
An old woman
wouldn't have a chance.
- Too close, huh.
- Oh, close as I
ever plan to get.
- Get in the other side,
let's get out of here.
(men arguing)
- I got a heart condition.
Can't stand anything
like this, please.
- What the hell is
this, car fare money?
- You got more than that, creep.
- I don't, I honest
to God don't.
- Where are you hiding
the rest, huh, where?
- [Victim] I don't have any...
- Stan, give the
creep one of our cards.
- [Victim] I don't
have (groaning).
- Stan, come here, quick.
Take a look.
- [Stan] She's
coming right to us.
- Maybe it won't be
such a bad night after all.
(dramatic music)
(men fighting)
- [Pepper] No, the hair's
no good, let me try this one.
Yeah, kind of a shag there.
- [Bill] That there?
- [Pepper] That's the, no,
the lips, I don't like the lips.
- Change (mumbles) lips.
See how that grabs you.
- No.
More like that, emery 20.
Yeah, that's it,
that's more like it.
- Let's try it with the glasses.
- [Pepper] Mm hmm.
- [Bill] Is that right?
- [Pepper] That's it.
- Hey Bill, I just got a
call from a friend of mine.
He's at the hospital
ward of Central Jail.
He was telling me this story.
He was laughing so hard
he could hardly get it out.
Last night, two
hard-case muggers
tried to take off a young lady,
and she wiped them both out.
- Yeah.
- Not only did she fit the
description that Pepper gave us,
they were picked up two blocks
from where Pepper was mugged.
- Well, maybe we should
pay them a little visit.
Thanks, Willis.
So these are the two guys, huh?
I'm Sergeant Crowley,
this is Sergeant Anderson.
We hear you guys got
in a little trouble last night.
- Yeah, you could say that.
- Yeah, we heard you robbed
and beat up an old man.
Then unfortunately, tried to do
the same thing to a young woman.
Is that true?
- You already know
the whole story,
what do you want from us?
- Yeah, you guys look
pretty rugged to me, I,
I'd just like to
know why you let
some little lady beat
the hell out of both of you.
- Hey, she was a pretty
tough chick, let me tell ya.
- She surprised us.
Who'd expect a broad
like that to know karate?
- Did you get a
good look at her?
- It was dark.
- Did she look
anything like this?
- I don't know.
- How about you?
- I don't know.
- I want you to look
at the picture, punk.
Now what about you.
- Could be.
Like I said, it was dark.
- What was she wearing?
- Some kind of,
what do you call it,
a pants outfit, pants.
- What color was it?
- I don't know.
- Was it light, dark?
- Dark!
- Did the top and bottom match?
- The lady asked you if the
top and the bottom matched...
- It matched.
- What else?
Was she carrying a
purse, a shopping bag?
- She was carrying a purse.
- What else do they
think we were after?
(man chuckles)
- What else can
you tell us about her.
- It was dark, that's,
that's all we know.
- Looks like we've got a
couple of winners here.
- Hey, you are going to try
and catch her, aren't you?
- For a couple of law-abiding
gents like you guys?
She's gonna pay for
what she did to you.
What do you think?
- Well, I can't be positive,
but it could be her.
- Well, I guess we spend
the rest of the afternoon
on Park Avenue.
It's all yours.
(lively music)
- I don't know.
They pay their rent, that's
all the landlord cares about,
so that's all I care about.
- She doesn't look like
anybody you've ever seen?
- Tell you the truth, I
don't pay much attention.
We've got a few
ladies lives here,
could be one of them.
- Well, would you just
give me their names
and the apartment
numbers, please?
- Do I have to, I got a
meatloaf in the oven.
- Yes, if you wouldn't
mind, it's important.
- Okay.
I got Sylvia McCarthy in 401.
Uh, Linda Maxwell in 311.
Charlene Parker, 312.
Can I see the picture again?
- Yes.
- The hair's different,
but you know that
could be Charlene.
- 312 you said?
- Yes.
- Why, thank you very much.
- You're welcome.
(car horn blares)
(tense music)
- [Tommy] Charlene,
you've got to stop this.
- [Charlene] Oh yeah?
Why should I?
- [Tommy] You really don't care
what this is doing
to me, do you?
- [Charlene] No, not really.
It's my life, and I'll do
what I please with it.
- [Tommy] Charlene, now you know
I promised to take care of you.
- [Charlene] I
don't give a damn.
Can't you get that
through your head?
(footsteps crossing room)
- Yeah?
- I'd like to speak
to Charlene Parker.
- She's not here.
- But I heard a woman's voice.
- Do you spend a lot of time
listening at other
people's doors?
- As a matter of fact, I do.
I'm with the police,
I'm Sergeant Anderson.
- I'm sorry, I, I,
it's been a rough day.
- And your name?
- Tom Shaw.
What can I do for you?
- I'd like to speak
to Charlene Parker.
- Well, I told you,
she's not here.
Have a look for yourself.
(tense music)
- Is this the bathroom?
- Mm hmm.
(tense music)
Uh, you want to
know what you heard?
TV.
I like it loud.
- Do you live here?
- No, just a friend with a key.
- Your friend, what time
do you expect her home?
- Charlene?
I was hoping she'd be here now.
Is she in some kind of trouble?
- No, we want to question her
about someone we're looking for.
- I see.
- Would you ask her
to call me, please?
Thank you.
- Are you sure it couldn't have
been a television set, Pep?
- It wasn't the television,
I, it was his voice.
- So where was the girl?
- It's really weird.
I know she was there,
and the manager did say
it could be Charlene.
- Why don't you
phone into the office.
Let's get moving
on a search warrant.
- 12-Y-50.
It was not the television.
(tense music)
(footsteps approaching)
- [Man] Hi, miss.
- You say it's a search warrant?
- Uh, yes ma'am, right here
it says search
warrant, right there.
- What'd she do?
- Could we just
have the key, please?
- Tommy, is there
something wrong?
I think you should
tell me about it.
- There's nothing wrong.
Can't I just be in a
mood once in a while?
- Sure, but.
- But what?
- It's more than a mood.
You don't come
home until all hours.
Sometimes I feel like
there's another woman.
(Tommy laughs)
- Oh baby.
There's no other woman.
Hey, we got a weekend coming up.
- And you'll be off in
the mountains hiking.
- No, we'll be off.
You've always wanted
to come with me.
So, I'll call in sick tomorrow,
and we'll uh, sleep in,
have a late breakfast.
Okay?
- Yeah.
(doorknob rattling)
- Let's be careful
not to touch anything.
They'll probably
have to dust for prints.
- I never would
have thought of that.
- Don't be smart.
She doesn't even
got a toothbrush.
- Bill, look at this.
- What do you got?
- This outfit.
- What about it?
- It's like the one
she was wearing.
- You're sure?
- Well I can't be positive,
but it's awful close.
I don't think anybody
really lives here.
- There's no sheets on the bed.
Looks like nobody sleeps here.
- No sneakers, no
jeans, couple of wigs.
- You think she just comes
here to change clothes?
- I don't know.
I think these are all costumes.
- If she just uses
this place as a
way station, why has she got
all these photographs up here?
These are all the same woman.
Could be her mother.
The Crawford Studio,
Clear Valley, California.
- Yeah, that's Mrs. Shaw.
She died about 10 years ago.
Stroke, I believe.
- Did you know her well?
- No.
Just that everybody knew about
the terrible thing
that happened.
- And what was that, sir?
- Oh, mustn't have been
more than a few weeks
after this was taken,
her husband and little girl
got killed in a car accident.
She took it awful
hard, they say.
Went crazy with grief.
Anyway, nobody was surprised
when she passed
on some years later.
- Did she have
any other children?
- Uh, a little boy.
- What happened to him?
- Last I heard, he was living
with his uncle Martin Shaw.
- Tommy was only a toddler
when his father and
sister were killed.
- How old was his sister?
- Charlene?
Uh, she was six.
- Did you say her
name was Charlene?
- Yeah, Charlene.
- She meant the
world to her mother.
The loss affected her mind.
- Oh, in what way?
- [Both] Well.
- She couldn't accept
Charlene's death,
so, to her, Tommy
took the girl's place.
She kept him in dresses
until he was school age.
- Well now are these,
are these pictures
of Tommy or Charlene?
- Pictures of both.
- He finally went to
school as a boy, but uh,
he had to wear dresses
around the house
until he was seven years old.
- Tommy rebelled and refused
to dress that way anymore.
His mother just
couldn't understand why.
- Now let me get this straight.
The boy lived with you
after his mother died, right?
- [Martin] Oh yes, until he
graduated from high school.
- And do you hear from him?
- Yes.
- All the time.
- Could we have his
address, Mr. Shaw?
- I can write it.
- Also sir, do you have a
more recent picture of him?
- Oh yes, I have a picture
taken just after graduation.
Can't you tell me
what he's done?
- We're really not at liberty
to say right now
Mr. Shaw, sorry.
- He's a nice boy.
He wasn't exactly what
you'd call happy but,
I can't imagine him
doing anything wrong.
- How did he,
how did he get
along with his mother?
- Well, he loved her
very much, at times, then,
again, he could
hate her pretty bad.
Even refused to
go to her funeral.
- Yeah, Pepper made
positive identification
from his graduation picture.
Now listen, I want him
kept under surveillance
until that apartment is dusted
and we can check him
with DMV, you got that?
We'll be there in 30 minutes.
- Evie?
- [Evie] Yeah?
- Make sure you bring a jacket.
It gets pretty cold up there.
- How's this for starters?
- Sensational.
- We're really gonna
sleep on the ground?
- Mm hmm.
Sounds pretty grubby, huh?
Want to back out?
- Uh uh, no, even if
I have to stay dirty.
- You won't have to.
You got plenty of
cold icy streams.
Oh Evie, make sure we
have some heavy socks, too.
- Oh, shoot.
(tense music)
Tommy, would you
come in here, please?
Tom...
What are these?
What do these mean?
Who do they belong to?
Tommy?
- They were put away.
Nobody was supposed to see them.
Why didn't you leave
them where they were?
- What's this all about?
Tommy, is there something
that hurts you so bad
you can't share it with me?
You can't talk to me about it?
I want to help you.
I find an envelope
taped to the bottom
of the drawer and open it.
What is it?
- I'm keeping them for somebody.
- Who?
- I promised I
wouldn't tell anyone.
- Does that have anything to
do with what's bothering you?
Then for God sakes tell me.
- They're my sister's.
- You're sister?
The only sister you had
died when she was a kid.
- No, I,
had to lie about that.
She didn't die.
- Then what?
- No more questions now.
- But...
- We'll talk about it on
the way to the mountains.
- Yeah, well look, if
you hear from him,
let me know, will you please?
Thank you.
Hey Pep.
Bill.
Just checked out the
place where he worked.
He phoned in sick today.
- Oh yeah, what
about his apartment?
- Well, Pete's over there now.
- Anything new on
those fingerprints?
- They're still checking,
say they should have
something in a few minutes.
(dramatic music)
(tires squeal and horn blares)
(phone rings)
- Crowley here.
Okay.
Tell him to keep relaying
his position, we're following.
Hey Pep, Joe.
Let's move it, Pete's
on him, let's go.
- Suspect traveling north
on Pacific Coast Highway.
- Charlene didn't die in
that accident, just my father.
But the accident
affected her mind.
She had to be
put in a sanitarium.
Mama didn't want
to tell me about it
until I was about 10
years old because,
well, she was afraid I
wouldn't understand.
After she was
released, Mama got sick.
I sort of started taking
care of Charlene.
But when Mama
died, Charlene split.
- Why didn't you
ever tell me this?
- I didn't want you
to become involved
with her and her problems.
- We're just
passing State Beach.
- Yeah, that puts us
about 10 minutes behind.
What's their speed?
- Uh, just maintaining 55.
- Well, why do you
keep seeing her?
- I promised my
mother that I would.
- But you were just
a little boy, Tommy.
- I felt responsible.
I wanted to do it, though.
There's always been
a bond between us.
- Did she like you?
- You know, I think
she needed me
more than she
needed anybody else.
- Okay, I think I'll
close the gap a little.
We just got an affirmative
on the prints from DMV.
- Yeah, so I heard.
- After I started living
with my aunt and uncle,
Charlene would contact
me from time to time but
she would never tell me where
she was or agree to see me.
- You should have
told me this before.
- You don't know her,
but she has a way of
getting ahold of people.
- Does she have that
much of a hold on you?
- I think she enjoys
seeing me suffer.
- Pete, he's our man.
Just don't try
anything alone, okay?
- I got you, Bill,
roger and out.
- Tommy, the things
in that envelope,
what do they mean?
- I don't want to talk
about this anymore.
- Oh please.
- No, I mean it.
Let's just not talk for a while.
(dramatic music)
(birds singing)
- Tommy?
All of the sudden, I don't
want to be doing this.
- You want to go back?
- I don't know.
I feel so strange.
- With me?
- Just, the way things are.
- Evie, don't worry about it.
I just thought it best you
not knowing, that's all.
I can see now where I was wrong.
- You've got to
help me understand.
- I will.
I feel better already
just being out here.
Come on.
(birds singing)
- Oh.
Oh, it is beautiful!
- I knew you'd like it.
- Do you always come here alone?
- Uh huh.
- Why?
- Kind of keeps my head
together, you know what I mean?
Couple of times
Charlene came with me.
Thought it might be
a way of reaching her.
I mean,
nobody else could do it, really.
- Tommy, how did she
feel about your mother?
- She loathed her.
So much so I
couldn't believe it.
You know, one of the
first things she told me
after we got
together again was...
- What?
- She planned to kill her.
You know what else she told me?
She said she felt
cheated because
Mama died of natural causes.
- Where are they, Pete?
- Up there hiking on the trail.
- Let's go.
- Tommy, tell me
the rest, all of it.
- What else do you want to know?
- Do you really Charlene was
capable of killing your mother?
- I have to reason to doubt it.
She's
killed her three times since.
- What do you mean?
- And each time,
she takes something from them.
Something with their name on it,
and give it to me.
- What are you saying?
- To prove,
to prove she was the killer.
The driver's license.
The credit cards.
And I'd read those names in
the paper and know it was true.
- The stranglings?
Are you talking about those
women who were strangled?
But how could you?
Why didn't you go to the police?
- I couldn't!
- But why?
Tommy, you've got to tell them.
- I can't!
Oh dear God, Evie, help me.
- Of course I'll help you.
I'll help you.
(Tommy crying)
Tommy, I love you.
More than anybody
else in the world.
I'm gonna take
care of you, okay?
I mean it, baby.
Shh.
(Charlene chuckles)
(tense music)
- (as Charlene) So you
and Tommy are going to
take care of things
together, are you?
(Charlene laughs)
I don't think you are.
You know how long it's
taken me to get rid of him?
My sanctimonious brother.
- You, you're not real.
- My sweet, caring brother
with all his loving advice.
- You, you can't be real.
- But he's gone for good.
Just like you're going
to be gone for good.
- No.
- Would you like to see how
I killed those other women?
- No, please.
- I think you should
know exactly how it was.
- No.
- Except with you,
it's going to be very,
very,
slow!
(Evie gasping)
(dramatic music)
- Tommy!
- (as Tommy) No!
What's the matter?
Evie?
Who are these people?
- Are you alright?
- (as Charlene) I'll kill you.
Depend on it.
I'll kill you all.
- Get him out of here, go on.
(dramatic music)
- Hi Larry.
Hi boss.
- Girl okay?
- Yeah, I stayed with her
until her sister picked her up.
She's going to be okay.
- How would you like to hop
out, get something to eat?
- I'm really not hungry.
- It's my treat.
- Why don't you just
go with the guys, alright?
- I'd be happy to do that,
except Joe's gone home
and Pete's got a date.
- I wonder how long
before Tommy Shaw is out
and back on the street.
Well, I guess that's the
system, that's how it has to be.
(dramatic music)