Reckless (2014): Season 1, Episode 1 - Pilot - full transcript

(indistinct conversations)

Oh, it is on tonight, baby.

Woman (Giggling): I need
a drink after this one.

You're going the wrong way, sugar.

(Siren whoops)

Damn it.

Officer (On bullhorn): Exit the bridge.

Pull over to the right.

(Indistinct radio transmission)

License and registration.

You know how fast you were driving?



Officer, please don't give me a ticket.

I told my husband

I was working late, and... kind of wasn't.

You been drinking, ma'am?

If you could just let me go this one time.

I'd do anything.

Out of the car.

Put your hands up on the fence.

Spread your legs.

Wider.

What?

What are you doing?

No!

(Panting)



I like the cuffs, Terry.

It's a nice addition.

Shh.

(Heavy breathing)

(Indistinct chatter) Man:
...Scheduled for next week.

Woman: Next week? Well, that's not so bad.

(Laughter, indistinct chatter)

Woman 2: Baby Jesus, it's hot out here.

Man 2: Hot enough to fry
an egg on the sidewalk.

(Indistinct conversations continue)

(Chatter fades)

Come on, Bennett. I brought donuts.

Counselor.

You look lovely, as usual.

Save the gentleman shtick
for the press, Roy.

Or the waitresses at Hooters
or whoever it works on.

Don't be dissing Hooters.

You might be working there some day.

(Siren wailing, indistinct chatter)

Terry: Hey.

Go on, now, come on.

Left the car at dispatch.

Thanks.

Preston. Hey, partner.

Terry.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Indistinct radio transmission)

Check your e-mail.

Roy: Prosecution calls
detective Terry McCandless.

Please...

Take us through the facts of the case

if you would, detective.

Carrie Baker was working late in her studio

on February 6.

Computer records show that
someone entered her building

with a security card key at 1:23 A.M.

Now, the card key used was the victim's own.

And there was no sign of forced entry.

Her business partner found her body

when she came to work the next morning.

Carrie was stabbed in the back of her neck

with one of her own tools;
It's called a... a bezel.

Was anything missing from the studio?

$80,000 worth of precious gems,
gold and jewelry.

And you found one of these pieces
of stolen jewelry on the defendant,

Deshaun Linares, when you went
to his home to question him.

- Is that correct?
- Terry: Yes, sir.

Mr. Linares was the
handyman at the building.

- And we also found his finger...
- Juror: You got an extra pen?

- ...h-his fingerprints in the victim's studio.
- Man: Uh-uh.

- Man 2: No.
- Woman: Mine's not working.

Could we get the jury some pencils, please?

Woman: Records show that Deshaun repaired a leak

in the studio's kitchen that week.

Perhaps that's how the
fingerprints got there.

It's also how he could have
stolen her card key.

But... he has his own card key, doesn't he?

He works there.

Is there any fiber or DNA evidence

linking Deshaun to the crime scene?

No.

But you arrested him

because you found a ring in his pocket.

Did he tell you that Carrie Baker

made him this ring personally,

for him to give to his girlfriend?

Terry: Right, she just
gave the handyman a ring

that goes for five grand. (Quietly scoffs)

- Man (Quietly): I doubt it.
- Man 2: He's right.

Tiny ring. Must be...

Size five.

Brenda, would you try this on?

Objection. Relevance.

I find it relevant. Overruled.

You may proceed, miss Sawyer.

(Jurors murmuring)

Woman (Hushed): Deshaun,
oh, that's really nice.

Woman 2: Look at that.

Woman 3: Oh, my.

Man: How about that?

Woman: I'll take one.

Need quarters?

Thanks.

So, what's with the ring, Jamie?

You trying out for the
home shopping network?

I'll tell you a little secret they
don't teach you at Wake Forest.

- Ooh.
- A jury remembers

what they see, not what they hear.

But the ring fits, like it was made for her.

Just like Deshaun said it was.

But who cares if the ring fits?

It has nothing to do with
the facts of the murder.

What facts?

All of your evidence is circumstantial.

State does not have a case,
and I know you agree

'cause you've been phoning
it in the whole trial.

How would you know that?

I watch you, I know.

Well, you know, I watch you, too, Jamie.

And you know what I see?

I see a Yankee lawyer in expensive shoes

who doesn't know how to work a Southern jury

or a Southern DA.

Assistant DA.

You see, that is exactly
what I'm talking about.

Believe me, Roy,

under the right circumstances,

I would know exactly how to work you.

Be home soon, all right?

I miss daddy.

(Sighs)

Are we gonna win this thing, Ms. Sawyer?

'Cause I can't stand to think of

my baby girl growing up without me.

We're gonna win.

(Sighs)

(Indistinct conversations)

(No voice)

Hi, Roy.

That's what they meant.

(Men chuckling)

These mothers sweet.

- Oh, yeah.
- Mmm.

(Phone ringing)

Woman: Anderson, Fortnum and Dobbs.

- Please hold.
- Oh.

There he is!

Where you been, Roy?

Well, I don't know if you remember, Dec,

but your daughter is divorcing me.

My daughter is a fool.

Sit on down.

Well, you know Tom, from the mayor's office.

- Roy.
- And this is Davis peel,

director of the South
Carolina Democratic party.

Heard a lot about you, Roy.

You hungry?

- I already ate.
- Tom: Roy, you probably know that the mayor

has finally decided to retire.

Davis: I think it's safe to say

that the next mayor won't be a democrat.

(Men laughing)

We're advising him to make as
many appointments as he can.

Dec: What they're trying to say is

he wants you, Roy.

He wants to appoint you city attorney.

(Laughs)

Me?

It's a big prize.

I mean, I'm in the DA's office.

Now, how can I represent the city

when I don't even have a firm?

Come work here.

For us.

We pick up a great lawyer,

and Charleston gets a perfect city attorney.

Dec, is this because of my father?

Your father was the best city
attorney Charleston ever had.

You know, what I remember about my dad being

city attorney was that...

We never had enough money to pay the bills.

And I would... I would consider it

if you'd make me a full partner at the firm.

That's what I meant, son.

(Laughs)

(Chuckling)

(Phone rings)

Woman: Charleston PD evidence room.
Please hold.

I need to see the gun from 486.

(Sighs) It might take a minute.

Hey.

Can't a guy get a smile?

Is that part of my job description?

You smile for McCandless, don't you, kitten?

Meow.

Jamie: Brenda, I saw you

with Detective McCandless.

Is he bothering you?

Wasn't bothering me.

(Train whistle blowing in distance)

(Birds chirping)

I grew up on a street like this.

South side of Chicago.

My mother was high or
drunk most of the time.

I know what it's like...

To avoid attention, especially from cops.

I know how they can make life bad for you.

He's been coming around here.

Calling.

I told him I don't want
nothin' to do with him.

He says that if I go with him...

And do the things that he wants me to do...

He'll help Deshaun.

(Sniffles) And then he
started threatening me.

Threatening my baby.

Shauny, come here, honey.

- We have to lodge a complaint.
- No.

No way.

You're a good lawyer.

I got faith in you.

But I ain't got no faith in me
takin' on the Charleston PD.

♪

Jamie: It's a great store.

It's a shame it won't be around.

I know. I tried to keep it going, but...

(Sighs) I can't do it without her.

I don't even want to.

(Door opens) Helen...
I know this is hard for you,

but Deshaun is not the killer.

He didn't steal anything.

That's what I keep telling her.

This is Kenny. He's my boyfriend.

How well do you know Deshaun?

Pretty well. (Groans)

- He's a good kid.
- (Sighs)

I don't know what to believe.

Look, I think the detective on this case

took the easy way out.

He fingered Deshaun and
didn't look any further.

I'm gonna reexamine everything--

his evidence, and his reports.

Let's find out who did this.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Phone rings)

You gonna forward that
one to your buddies, too?

- I didn't forward nothin'.
- You think I don't see the way

some of the guys around
here are looking at me?

- Lee Anne, shh.
- I am done, Terry. I am done.

- I should've ended it a long time ago.
- It's over when I say it's over.

Now, I can forward those pictures

right up to the deputy chief,
but that wouldn't be too good

for your career, now, would it?

You'd go right down with me.

Woman: Officer Marcus, this attorney

wants to get into the evidence room.

- Uh, this way, please.
- Thank you.

So, this is everything?

All the evidence from the case?

Everything from the
jewelry store is right here.

Was there anything else
you were looking for?

Well, where's this ring?

This one, she's wearing in the picture?

(Sighs) Let me see.

It's not here.

Maybe the body was released to the family

with the ring still on it.

So, she was buried with it?

It's a pretty nice ring.

Maybe an officer stole it.

There's a few dirtbags on the force.

Generally it's a good department, but...

Do you know the detective on this case?

Terry McCandless?

Sure, I know him.

Is he one of the dirtbags?

He's the king dirtbag.

Girl (Over phone): Hi, daddy. I made goalie.

There were six girls trying out,

and they only picked two.

And I got it!

Girl 2: Daddy, Julia took my scrapbook.

Julia: I didn't take it. She lost it.

- Yes you did!
- No I didn't.

Girl 2: I want to come home.

Julia: We are home. Sorry, daddy.

Girl 2: Bye, daddy! We love you.

Julia: We love you, daddy.

- Call us back.
- Call us back!

(Grunts)

(Cell phone ringing)

Hello?

It's Jamie Sawyer.

Oh, geez.

I need to talk to you.

Oh, Jamie, it's late.

It'll only take a minute.

I'm standing at your door.

What?

Can I come in?

Hell no.

Why?

You having a date?

You know, I'm gonna kill
whoever told you where I live.

Real estate transactions are public record.

All right, well, you got three minutes.

Although I don't know why you'd want

to buy a dump like this.

A deepwater dock, so I can have a real boat.

Now you have two and a half minutes.

McCandless is harassing
my client's girlfriend.

Offering to change his
testimony in return for sex.

Your mayor wants to
appoint me city attorney.

Wow.

That's great, Roy.

That's really good for you.

Being ADA sucks.

Especially with you around all the time.

Perfect. So you can just
drop the case against Deshaun,

and get on with your next gig.

Jamie, I'm not dropping the case.

I mean, Carrie Baker was murdered.

Not by Deshaun.

That detective's credibility
is totally impeached.

Then maybe Brenda cooked
up the harassment thing

to help Deshaun get a
mistrial down the road.

I saw them together.

Maybe she wanted you to see them.

You drive me crazy.

The feeling is mutual.

How come I never see you sweat?

I'm sweating right now.

In little private places you can't see.

(Laughs)

Don't you wish we could just...

have a beer together?

Like two regular people?

When this case is finished,

I am coming right over
there with a six-pack.

And you better not like that European beer,

'cause I ain't bringing that.

(Laughs)

I'll see you in court, Roy.

(Indistinct radio transmission)

Hey.

Did you talk to that woman lawyer?

I helped her in the evidence room.

Don't tell her nothing about me or about us.

You understand?

I'll tell her whatever I want.

Don't fight me, Lee Anne,

or next time I cuff you,

you'll wish it was a game.

Hey!

Hey, counselor.

Hey, detective.

Well, this isn't our regular night.

I know, I just needed to talk to someone

without a Southern accent.

(Laughs) Well, you called the right guy.

You look... good.

(Chuckles) So do you.

You got a guy in your
department named McCandless?

That why you called me?

To work me for the 411?

No.

(Sighs)

You got any?

(Laughs)

You're something else.

(Laughs)

Yeah, Terry McCandless.

Real good ol' boy.

Knox loves his ex-marines,

but he, uh, promoted this kid too fast.

He's already messed up two cases

'cause he's just...

Arrogant.

Look, Jamie, I don't want to be

your inside man in the department.

I'd rather just be your
booty call than that.

You're not my booty call.

Really?
- (Laughs)

Really? I'm not?

(Laughs) You know what I mean.

You're more than that.

I know what you mean.

Got your coffee and a biscuit.

You in court today?

No. One of the jurors in Deshaun's case

got a personal day.

You find out where Carrie Baker's buried?

She wasn't buried. She was cremated.

Where are the ashes?

In the columbarium at Cypress Grove.

What the hell's a columbarium?

Oh, I love it when I know
something you don't know.

It's one of those buildings

with all the drawers in the walls

where they keep people's ashes.

I'm gonna need a court
order for those ashes.

I want to find that ring.

I can get you an order.

But it might not be from the court.

I didn't hear that.

(Indistinct chatter)

You wanted to see me, Deputy Knox?

Close the door.

Lee Anne, you're a good officer,
and I am more than happy

to write glowing recommendations

to any department you ever apply to.

But I think it's time for you to move on.

Why?

You know why.

(Sighs)

Please, sir, I... I can't get fired.

Well, you should have thought of that

before you started
sending photos of yourself

to fellow officers on department e-mail.

What about Terry? Does he get fired?

McCandless has been reprimanded.

But you are a bad influence
in this department.

Me? He is just as...

I'm giving you an opportunity to
walk away with a clean record.

I'll need your badge.

And your gun.

You're gonna regret this.

Thank you.

Sorry, Carrie.

Vi: Topaz and diamonds melt?

Jamie: No, the gems were fake.

So, let's say Carrie is making

and selling jewelry with fake gems.

Then she sells the real gems.

It gives her double the money,
double the profit.

But why does she even go through the motions

of buying the jewels in the first place?

To keep it a secret... from Helen.

I think I'll talk to Helen again.

Miss Sawyer?

I think I need an attorney.

Who would have thought your
soon to be ex-father-in-law

would become your best buddy?

- (Laughter)
- Right?

Yeah, city attorney.

You remember when your dad thought

you were such a screw-up,
he refused to pay for law school?

Uh, guess he thought wrong.

(Sighs)

I like the new place.

Thank you.

So, uh, how are Susie and the kids?

They're great.

Boys always ask after Julia and Marie.

When are they coming for a visit?

Well...

Supposed to see them every
other weekend, but...

I hate this for you, Roy.

I mean, I'm fine. I just...

miss my girls.

Yeah.

Listen, when you're city attorney,

there's something coming down the pike

you might need to deal with.

I had to fire an officer,

a female officer,

and she's complaining to the
equal employment commission.

Mm.

She have a case?

Nope. I mean, this woman was not harassed.

Anything that happened
was purely consensual.

We have e-mails, texts

sent on department cell phones...

All right, well, I'm gonna
need to see all that,

so just forward it to me, all right?

Well, you don't want me to do that.

How many are there?

(Sighs)

(Sighs)

(Sighs)

(Bells jingling)

I came to see Helen.

She's not here.

Uh, everything all right?

Yeah, I just have a few questions.

Are these your paintings?

(Sighs) Yes. I'm taking over the studio.

Oh. Nice.

Do you mind if I look?

Oh, please.

I'll get you a catalogue.

It's Carrie if you're wondering.

She modeled for you?

Yes.

Does Helen know about this painting?

I don't want her to know.

I messed up.

I hooked up with Carrie. It was nothing.

Did the police ever question you?

(Laughs)

I mean, what's your next
question-- what's my alibi?

I was with my buddies down at the ice house

till 2:00 A.M. or so.

You can ask them.
- Oh, I will.

(Sighs)

(Door opens, bells jingle)

The judge gave us a recess,
but we have to work fast.

Check out Kenny and his alibi
and get on the road today.

How much road are we talking about?

We have to find out if Kenny's involved

in the whole jewel scheme with Carrie.

I want you to hit every gold and gem shop

in the county if you have to.

Show 'em a picture of Carrie. Kenny, too.

Find out if either of them
were fencing any jewels.

It might have gotten her killed.

You stole this?

I borrowed it.

You would have made a good criminal.

I'm saving my gas receipts.

Jamie, you have a minute?

Sure.

Are you taking on the case
of Lee Anne Marcus versus the

- Charleston police department?
- How do you know about that?

Well, I know a lot of people.

Look, I'd like you to
come by my place tonight.

I got something to show you.

Shall we say 9:00?

♪

You seen these folks around here?

Uh-uh.

Still ain't seen 'em?

Mm.

♪

(Footsteps approaching)

Ooh!

It's four-alarm hot out there.

You seen this gal around here

in the last year or two selling gems?

No, I ain't seen her.

How about this fella?

Look-look, we ain't supposed
to talk about our customers.

Oh, I understand, honey.

But just so you know...

I'm running out of these.

I ain't seen him...

But I seen her.

Every other Friday.

One of our best customers.

(Crickets chirping)

You're gonna let me in this time?

To the left.

What's all this about?

Just watch.

Okay.

Oh. Where did you get this?

Deputy chief.

Oh, and right there.

Or a bump. Let me rewind there.

There's like a...

A cut or something.

Right there. You see that?

I mean, it's probably missing footage,

or, you know, something
they're trying to hide.

So, what do you think?

I think we need that beer now.

(Insects trilling)

Do you think they sit
around watching that video?

I mean, someone was shooting it.

Then, maybe that's the person
who's getting off on it.

(Bottle cap clinking on ground)

(Waves lapping)

Did you?

Did I what?

Get off on it?

Oh, did you?

I asked you first.

All right, well, if I answer
this question totally honestly...

...will you answer one
from me totally honestly?

Deal.

All right, well, the video is...

It's all right, but...

Sitting there

watching, next to you was, um...

Yeah.

- (Laughs)
- (Laughs)

(Chuckles)

Why did your wife divorce you?

Well, Nina likes money.

And he's rich. Like...

private-jet rich.

So here's my question.

You got a boyfriend?

Why do you care?

You know, the gentleman thing with me...

It's not an act.

Hmm.

I do.

have a boyfriend.

He's a homicide detective.

Maybe you know him.

Preston Cruz.

Sure, I know him.

Well...

...he is a lucky guy.

Better get going.

Yeah.

(Chuckles)

(Siren wails)

(Tires screech)

(Indistinct radio transmission)

Evening, ma'am. Would you mind
stepping out of the car for us?

I wasn't speeding.

Step out of the car, please.

What's this about?

Well, you were driving a
little erratically back there.

Uh, no, I wasn't.

You know I wasn't.

- What do we have here?
- Four cops for a speeding ticket?

What, do you call out the SWAT
team if I run a red light?

Hey. Hey! You don't have a warrant!

Is there something in here
we need a warrant for?

No.

Well, lookie here.

Oh, my... this is ridiculous.

Well, at least you don't
have to call a lawyer.

Get her in the car.

- This is a setup.
- Ma'am,

you have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can and
will be held against you

in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.

If you can't afford an attorney,
one will be provided for you...

(Door clangs open)

Woman: Jamie Sawyer?

(Indistinct chatter)

(Coughs)

Hey. Babe, I'm sorry this
took so long, you know?

I know. I'm just happy to see you.

Thank you.

Let's go.

You want to come to my house?

I got to go home.
I got to be in court in an hour.

Terry: Hey, brother,
you got something for me to sign?

Man: Yeah, right here, Terry.

Terry: Thanks.

(Door shuts)

Have you ever seen this ring, Ms. Barnes?

Of course. My partner made it.

Restate for the record this is the ring

Detective McCandless
found in my client's pocket,

a ring he said the victim
made for his girlfriend.

Can you identify the
precious gems in this ring?

Those are sapphires and that's a diamond.

Thank you.

Now, what happens to precious gems

when they are exposed to fire?

Nothing.

So...

What will happen to this ring in the fire?
Will it be harmed?

I'm... not an expert.

I'm just a businesswoman. (Chuckles)

(Gallery murmuring)

Diamonds don't burn.

Or melt.

The effect the fire had on this ring

is proof that the so-called gems

in the setting are fakes, nothing but paste.

(Gallery murmuring)

Did you know the jewels were fake?

- Of course not.
- Really?

Because I have an affidavit from a gentleman

in Greenville who says you've been coming in

every other Friday for a
year to sell him loose gems.

Objection, your honor.

- Overruled.
- Did Carrie find out

you were switching her gems?

Is that why you went to
the studio that night?

- Roy: Objection!
- Judge: Sustained.

- Ms. Sawyer...
- Or is it because you found out

she was sleeping with your boyfriend?

Ms. Sawyer! Order! (Gavel bangs)

Ms. Sawyer, Mr. Rayder, please approach.

Ms. Barnes, you may step down.

Now, I don't know how they run
their courtrooms up in Chicago

or New York, but down here,
we don't allow our attorneys

to play Perry Mason.

Who's Perry Mason?

All right, look,

what have you actually got on this witness?

I've got phone bills and shipping receipts

signed by Helen to a company in Mexico

who manufactures counterfeit gems.

And I've got two jewelers who will testify

in return for immunity

that they took the real diamonds

out of Carrie's pieces and
replaced them with fakes.

Hmm. Roy...

Kind of looks like she's
got you bent over a stump

with your pants down, son.

(Chuckles)

What do you want to do?

In light of the new evidence,

the state of South
Carolina will drop its case

against Deshaun Linares.

I want him released immediately.

We can make that happen.

(Gallery murmuring)

(Family sighs)

Roy: Well done, counselor.

Must feel good.

Mm. I didn't get much sleep last night.

It is hard to sleep in jail.

Your coke possession charge

came into the DA's office this morning.

Completely fabricated.
I got a firsthand account

of how Charleston PD does business.

- Are you okay?
- I'm fine.

News just travels a little
too fast for me around here.

Well, it's a big place, but a small town.

(Indistinct radio transmission)

So, can I give you a ride?

Uh, no, I have one.

Right.

(Indistinct radio transmission)

Man: This way.

Hey, baby.
- Hi.

Man (Over radio): 10-36 in progress.

I'm gonna need additional units.

Uh, possibly two units, if possible.

(Radio transmission continues indistinctly)

Officer: All right, let's go.

Jamie: They have a tape.

It's footage of you and three
other men, including Terry...

having sex on a police car.

That didn't happen.

I've seen it. It's you.

I swear to God, I did... I did not do that.

How can you be in a tape and not know it?

I don't know.

Were you ever with a group of them?

All the time. We'd go out for drinks.

He must have slipped something into my beer.

- Like what?
- GHB.

Or oxy. It's all over the evidence room.

They brag about the stuff they can get.

So this could have happened
one night without you knowing it.

It did happen one night

without me knowing, I swear to you.

The cops are saying your involvement

in the group sex was consensual.

How could you believe them...

after what they did to you?

(Indistinct radio transmission)

McCandless.

I'm in a hurry, dude.

Terry, I'm not your dude.

Understand?

I will destroy you, you understand me?

You-you stay away from Jamie Sawyer,

or I will destroy you.

Are we clear?

(Laughing): Yeah.

Good.

You fix that cocaine scheme
that you pulled, too,

or I will have you demoted
so far down the food chain

you're gonna have to reach
up to grab your nuts, hmm?

(Grunts)

You got me? You got me?

- Yes, sir.
- Good.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press,

congratulations to our new city attorney.

(Applause)

Ms. Marcus will be suing
the city of Charleston

and the Charleston police department

for sexual harassment,

wrongful termination and
defamation of character.

Reporter: Ms. Marcus!

Okay, Jamie, game on.

The missing footage.

check the camera.