Silk Stalkings (1991–1999): Season 5, Episode 2 - The Lonely Hunter - full transcript
(tense haunting music)
(woman panting)
(jarring tones)
(suspenseful music)
(table thudding)
(glass crashing)
- No.
God, please.
No.
(planter thudding)
Why?
(chilling tones)
Why?
(woman screams)
(clock ticking)
(animalistic tones)
(gritty stirring music)
(gun banging)
(uneasy music)
- (speaks in foreign language)
She was so beautiful.
Not like in the
pictures, you know.
And she was sweet but sad
at the same time, you know.
(speaks in foreign language)
- Now, you said you
heard her fighting
with someone last night.
Was it a man?
- Yes, yes.
It was 10 o'clock at night,
quiet time, you know.
I mind my own business.
I'm in my room.
I watch the TV.
And she's yelling and yelling,
and he wants her to be quiet.
I almost go and say something.
But he walk out and drove away.
- [Rita] Uh-huh.
- You describe this guy for us?
- Yes, he's tall,
dark-haired, handsome man.
There he is.
(faint chattering)
- [Man] Yeah, yeah.
- [Officer] Hold on a second.
- Let him in.
- All right, thanks, Elena.
We'll be in touch.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- What happened here?
Who are you?
- Sgt. Lance, Sgt.
Lorenzo, homicide.
You are?
- I'm Paul Clifton.
- Your name's on
these photographs.
- Yeah, that's
right, I took 'em.
- And what is your relationship
to Traci Winter, please?
- She was my model, my wife.
- Your wife?
- Was, we're divorced.
May I?
- [Rita] Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, go ahead.
(poignant music)
(Paul sighs)
- I'm sorry.
- It's all right.
The manager said you
were here last night.
- Yeah, we had dinner,
talked a little business.
- Must've been a hell of a talk.
The manager heard it
from across the courtyard
over her TV set.
- Elena would
sleep with an alien
if she thought it would
get her on "Oprah."
There was no fight.
Traci and I had an argument.
There's nothing more.
- No, I'd say there is more.
Your ex-wife was
murdered last night,
and you were the last
person to see her alive.
You know, for someone so
beautiful and so smart,
Traci was really insecure.
I mean, she wanted
everyone to love her.
Never learned to say no.
That was my job.
- Uh-huh.
What did you say
no to last night?
- Susan Strong is Traci's agent.
Susan and I never
really got along.
So I was trying to talk
her into leaving Susan
and signing with
a friend of mine.
His name's Eddie Quark.
- What was the
problem with that?
- Well, Susan's not a
woman you wanna cross.
- Now, what did you do after
you left here last night?
- Got with Eddie, went to one
of those after-hours clubs
to hear a new band of his.
- Let me through.
Take your hands off
of me, you morons.
I'm Lauren Richards.
She's my friend.
- All right, let her through.
You're wanted on the set.
- What's he doin' here?
- Look, Lauren,
for Traci's sake,
why don't you try to get a grip?
- Traci called me at Susan
Strong's house last night.
She'd been crying after
a big fight with Paul.
He never could accept
that it was over.
- Do I have to listen this?
- Why don't we take
this over here?
- Traci have any enemies?
Anyone who might have had
a motive for killing her?
- No, everyone loved Traci.
I mean, there was a
problem sometime back
with one of those
celebrity stalker types.
But Traci's line of work, it's
just an occupational hazard.
- Yeah, I remember that.
That got a lot of
publicity, didn't it?
- Yeah, right.
It got to where she
couldn't even go for a jog
without a herd of reporters
following her around.
- You remember the guy's name?
- You don't forget
somethin' like that.
Wicker, Peter Raymond Wicker.
- Has there been any
problem since then?
- She wasn't sure.
She said she thought
she might have seen him
a couple of weeks ago.
- Okay, well, we may
need you to come down
and make a statement, all right.
- Anything.
Anything at all.
- Thanks.
(upbeat music)
- Look down, lift the glasses.
Nice.
Okay, ladies, lean in.
Great.
Beautiful.
That's beautiful.
Let's swing it all right a bit.
Nice.
Okay.
Great, oh.
Over here.
Beautiful.
- I don't care how tasteful
Bob says it's gonna look.
Lauren Richards
does not do pink.
More glycerin on the girls.
Definitely not for 100 grand.
250 before I even mention it.
- You Susan Strong?
♪ I'm in action,
like a transaction ♪
- I am.
And you're cops.
Next.
- We're investigating the
murder of Traci Winter.
- Well, I didn't think you
were here for modeling jobs.
Although...
- Lauren Richards says that
she was with you last night
when Traci called.
- She spent the
night at my house.
Lisa, more fire.
You look like a lox.
And Kirsten, one
more chocolate sundae
and you'll be back serving them.
Let's just get to
the point, okay.
You're looking for
Traci's killer, right?
I'll tell you right now.
Paul Clifton did it.
- Yeah?
What makes you so sure?
- He had that girl so screwed up
she couldn't make
a move without him.
Traci was in a panic last night.
Paul left, he was drunk.
And according to Traci,
he was on a rampage.
He even threatened her.
He said, "If I can't have her,
"I will make sure
no one else can."
You do the math.
- Lady, you've
really done it now.
(Susan groans)
- Is this how you
punish your clients?
You knew Traci was
gonna drop you,
so you dropped her instead.
- That's stupid
even for you, Eddie.
- If I find out you had
anything to do with this,
I swear, I'll kill you.
- Say hello to Palm
Beach Homicide.
- Eddie, how you doin'?
- I meant that
figuratively, of course.
- Right.
- Get rid of him.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Thanks.
- Thanks, guys, you
do wonderful work.
- Eddie, we'd like to ask
you a couple of questions,
if we could.
- I'm sorry, okay, I was
just so bent over this thing,
I just couldn't think straight.
- Yeah, were you
thinking straight
when you accused Susan
Strong of murder?
- (sighs) Susan is a vicious,
power-hungry,
black-hearted bitch.
And she would do anything to
keep her girls under control.
I mean, isn't murder the
ultimate act of control?
- You know, she used
almost the exact same terms
to describe your
friend Paul Clifton.
- Paul?
He loved Traci.
Susan hated him for years
because he kept sharks like
her from eating Traci alive.
When did you say
Traci was killed?
- Between 11 and two.
- Uh-oh, that lets Paul out.
He was with me the whole time.
- Quick with an
alibi, aren't ya?
- I'm just tryin' to save
you guys some trouble.
- We appreciate it.
(Chris sighs)
(slow bassy music)
- Okay, terrific.
No, thanks, okay, bye.
Well, Paul Clifton and Traci
Winter were married 18 months,
divorced two years ago,
amicable, uncontested,
with a two-way
prenuptial agreement.
Your turn.
- While she was married to Paul,
Traci filed three
stalking complaints
against a Peter Wicker.
No criminal charges,
but she managed to get
a restraining order
against this guy.
- That whole thing
was very weird.
I mean, I'd never
even heard of her
'til she did that whole
tabloid circuit thing,
and then all the sudden,
it was Traci, Traci, Traci.
- Well, chalk another one
up to 15 minutes of fame.
- Yeah.
(telephone ringing)
- Yeah, Sgt. Lance.
Yes, what can I do
for you, Mr. Clifton?
Okay.
And what time?
All right.
Okay, I'll see you then.
Paul Clifton wants to talk.
- What time's he comin' in?
- He wants to meet at his house.
- What time is he expecting us?
- Not us, me.
He specifically said he
doesn't want you there.
I guess you make him nervous.
- Part of my irresistible charm.
No, I don't like it, Sam.
Who's gonna play bad cop?
- Well, I guess it is my turn.
See you later, okay.
(gentle music)
(knocking)
- Glad you could make it.
- It's part of the
job, Mr. Clifton.
- It's Paul.
Come on in.
- Thank you.
It's a beautiful house.
- Thanks.
Traci did the decorating.
- You getting ready
to have lunch?
- Yeah.
With you.
- Look, I'm a cop.
You called me over here to talk.
I assumed it was about the case.
- And we will talk,
right after lunch.
- This is a bad idea.
- Well, now, how can you
look this lasagna in the face
and say it's a bad idea.
Besides, no food, no talk.
(lighthearted music)
- It's quite a view.
- Mm, it's what sold
us on the house.
Funny, I hardly
notice it anymore.
The house is not the same
since Traci and I broke up.
- The divorce decree cited
irreconcilable differences.
- It had to say
something, right?
Listen, Rita, I know I'm a
suspect in Traci's murder.
And I also know
that Susan Strong
had some pretty choice
things to say about me.
- Who told you that?
- It's a small business.
The fact is Susan tried to
take advantage of Traci,
and I wouldn't let her.
She hates me for that.
- Enough to accuse
you of murder?
- Oh, easily.
And that's half the reason
I asked you here today.
I wanted to look you in the
eye and tell you straight out,
I didn't kill Traci.
What was the other half?
- I wanted to have
lunch with you.
Come on, I wanna
show you something.
(tense haunting music)
- I've seen this before.
- Mm, Traci's apartment.
They were her favorites.
Mine, too, I guess.
All except for this one.
(emotional music)
- Yeah, she was
a beautiful girl.
- Never more than on that day.
You know, Rita, I'm sorry,
I have this professional eye
that, well, I can never
really get rid of.
And I can't help but noticing
you have a terrific face.
I'd really like to
photograph you sometime.
- Not if we
photograph you first.
Why did you and Traci break up?
- Well, in my work, I'm
surrounded by beautiful girls.
Traci sometimes mistook
my professional attentions
for something more than that.
- Well, I can understand
how that might be a problem.
- Girls come and go.
Actually, I'm much more
attracted to women.
(camera clicks)
Perfect.
- What do you
think you're doing?
- Trick of the trade,
element of surprise.
- Well, maybe I should warn you,
cops really don't
like surprises.
- For a minute there, I
almost forgot you were a cop.
- I think I should be going.
Well, thanks for lunch.
I guess if things don't
pan out as a photographer,
you could always
get a job as a cook.
- I'll keep that in mind.
- Yeah.
- Thanks for coming, Rita.
- Yeah, I'm glad I did.
I'll talk to you.
(uneasy music)
(heart-pounding music)
(engine revving)
(tires screeching)
It was a burgundy
Firebird, possibly a '75.
I didn't get a
look at the driver,
and I didn't get
license plate numbers.
- You're sure Paul Clifton
had nothing to do with this?
- Well, how could he?
I mean, I just left
him inside the house.
- I'm not sayin' he was driving.
I'm just sayin' maybe he
set the whole thing up.
- Okay, for what
possible reason?
- Well, to throw you off
and make you think
he's not the guy.
- You are such a cop, Chris.
- That's why I
get the big bucks.
- I'll tell you what I think.
We're looking for someone
who had an ax to grind
with both Traci and Paul.
- No, come on, Rita,
look at the evidence.
I mean, the guy a stormy
relationship with his ex-wife.
They had a fight just
before the murder.
We got witnesses that
say he threatened her.
I think that adds
up pretty good.
- It adds up to zero, Chris.
Paul has an alibi.
Look, he and Traci were friends.
They had an argument
about business.
And your so-called statements
come from witnesses
who are admittedly hostile.
Why don't you look
past the obvious?
- Mm, this guy must
be a smooth operator
to sell you this bill of goods.
- Please. (mutters)
- Come on, why don't you
think with your brains
instead of your hormones?
- Look, you're
outta line, Chris.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Both of you, in my office, now.
Okay, what's the problem?
- Nothing.
- Nothing.
- Nothing.
- Oh, good, 'cause
for a second there,
I thought I was gonna have to
send you to neutral corners.
- Well, you can send him
to Timbuktu for all I care.
- Ut-ut-ut oh,
come on, children.
Tell your Uncle
Harry all about it.
- Forget it. (sighs)
Sam, I apologize.
- Yeah?
- [Chris] Yeah.
- Okay.
- Isn't that cute?
Now don't we all
feel so much better?
Oh, Rita, here.
I almost forgot.
This was delivered
to you a while ago.
It's from Paul Clifton.
- Strange.
- Why don't you open it, Rita?
Could have something
to do with the case.
- Thank you for
the wonderful time.
Love, Paul.
- Okay, Rita, talk fast.
- There's really
nothing to tell.
I went over to his house
to discuss the case.
And he fixed lunch and--
- Whoa, whoa, wait.
Hold on.
You had lunch with a suspect,
and then you let him
take pictures of you?
- Not pictures, one picture.
And I didn't exactly let him.
- You didn't let him?
What happened, he
tied you up and,
mm, hmm-mm, no, no.
I don't wanna know.
What I do wanna know is,
have you lost all your
marbles here or what?
What the hell could
you have been thinking?
You wanna compromise this
entire investigation?
What happens if the press
gets a hold of this?
(telephone ringing)
What?
Yeah, what?
Yeah, he's right here, hold on.
It's Jimmy from the lab.
- Yeah, Jimbo?
(Rita sighs)
No kiddin'.
All right, when can you
have the report ready?
Yeah, sooner the better.
Report came back from the lab.
They found blood other
than Traci Winter's
on the murder weapon.
- All right, good, so we
grab us a couple of samples.
We spin the wheel, see if we
can come up with a winner.
In the meantime, Sgt. Lance,
do you think you could order
your priorities long enough
to be able to do your job?
- Whatever you say, Captain.
- Thank you.
- Rita, this is a surprise.
- Yeah, so was this, Paul.
Can I come in, please?
- I thought it was
a beautiful picture.
I wanted you to have it.
- That is not the point, Paul.
- Can we roll this thing
back a couple of frames,
like to where you showed up
and I said, "Rita,
what a surprise"?
- Do you see how this looks?
I am a cop working on
a murder investigation.
And now my partner
and my captain
are questioning my judgment
and my ability to do my job.
I mean, the way they see this,
you are trying very hard to
comprise this investigation.
- Look, Rita, I'm sorry, okay.
I didn't mean to
cause a problem.
This is the first time I've
ever been attracted to a cop.
- Under any other circumstances,
I would be crazy not to
be interested in you.
It's just, I need
your help right now.
- Anything, name it.
- Well, when I was
leaving here yesterday,
a '75 burgundy Firebird
tried to run me down.
- What?
Are you okay?
- No, I'm fine, they missed.
It's just, do you know
anybody with a car like that?
- No, not off hand.
- Not anybody who might
have had a motive,
someone who was jealous,
anything like that at all?
- Well, Susan Strong
hates my guts.
And I was involved for a
time with Lauren Richards.
But they both have
alibis, don't they?
- Yeah, well, I haven't met
a killer yet who doesn't.
Look, there's something else.
There was blood other
than Traci's found
on the murder weapon.
Would you be willing to come
down and take a blood test?
- Is that absolutely necessary?
- It would be the quickest way
to exclude you as
a suspect, yes.
- Then sure, no problem.
- I'm so glad you said that.
(lively upbeat music)
(knocking)
- [Chris] Peter Wicker?
- What's the deal, man?
You can't bust in
here like that.
- You invited me here, remember?
- What do you want with me?
- I want you to get up,
turn that music off,
and I want you to
put some pants on.
- What is this about?
- This is about the object
of your perverse fascination.
- You mean Traci?
- Yeah, I mean Traci.
- Isn't it just so sad?
- Spare me the routine.
I know your history with her.
- Yeah, that's all
it is, history.
Or didn't you know, she
got a restraining order.
- Yeah, I heard.
But somethin' tells me
that you're not over your
fascination with her yet.
- (chuckles) Hey, man,
ain't no erotic fixation
worth goin' to jail over.
- You've been pegged, Petey Boy,
flappin' your wings
in the no-fly zone.
And with Traci's recent demise,
I'm gonna be frank with you,
that puts you right in
the lineup for murder.
- I was at a dance
club that whole night.
Lots of people saw me.
- So you don't deny
that you were circling
where you shouldn't have been?
- Hell yes, I deny everything.
Who told you that?
I bet it was that little
bitch, Lauren Richards.
- Since you opened the door,
she says you've been
sniffin' around her, too.
- Figures.
I wouldn't let my
dog sniff around her.
Even if you had a dog.
Look, for all her
lovey-dovey bit with Traci,
that girl's got a
jealous streak in her
makes Lady Macbeth look
like Mother Teresa.
- What makes you such an expert?
- It's my hobby, remember.
- (clicks tongue) Put that on.
You got a doctor's appointment.
- Since when?
- Since I need a
sample of your blood.
- What for?
- To prove that
you're not a killer.
You can volunteer, or we can
do this the old fashioned way.
- What's that?
- I can bust your ass
and get a subpoena.
- Okay.
- You're sure?
Okay, thanks, Jimmy.
- You okay?
(Rita sighs)
You wanna talk about it?
- I just found out Traci Winter
had a million-dollar
life insurance policy
and the beneficiary
is Paul Clifton.
(Chris whistles)
Yeah, and there is more.
Comparison just came back
on the blood on the knife,
and Paul's sample
was a positive match.
- Hmm
Well, if you wanna sit this
one out, I'll take care of it.
- No. (chuckles)
Come on, let's go.
(tense music)
If you would like an attorney
but cannot afford one,
one will be appointed to you.
Do you understand these rights?
- I understand, but
you're making a mistake.
- Remember your right
to remain silent?
Use it.
(curious music)
- Don't get any ideas,
kid, I know the mileage.
- Excuse me.
- Eddie, you got a minute.
- Not really.
- Take one anyway.
- What's up, how'd you find me?
- Your secretary.
- Yeah, I eat here
almost every day.
You should try this place.
- I couldn't afford
the water here.
Look, we hate to interrupt
your power lunch,
but we got a matter of a felony
that we'd like to book you for.
- Come again?
- Yeah, see, we have evidence
that puts Paul Clifton
at the murder scene.
That means either you or
the evidence is lying.
- Look, I told you, we were
at the club that night.
That is a fact.
- Uh-huh.
- But you also said
that you were with him
'til after 2:00 a.m.
You still wanna
stick to that story?
- Well, I was kind
of busy that night.
I mean, it could have been two.
It could have been before that.
I mean, you know, I kind
of looks track of time.
- Right, so you're
saying you don't know
what time Mr. Clifton
left the club then.
- Hey, don't put
words in my mouth.
- I'm not sayin' another thing
until I contact my lawyer.
- That's probably a good idea.
- Yeah.
- Have a good lunch.
- Do you understand that
you've waved your right
to have an attorney present
during this interrogation,
any statements you make can be
used as evidence against you?
- I have nothing to
hide, nothing to fear.
- Just wanna make sure
we understand each other.
You can stop at any point
and request a lawyer.
Is that clear?
- Crystal clear, Sergeant.
- Why don't you
start by telling us
about the insurance policy?
- The policy was
bought and paid for
when Traci and got married.
And if you check into it,
you'll find that there's
an identical policy on me
with Traci as the beneficiary.
- And if the situations
were reversed,
we'd be talkin'
to her right now.
- The point is I'd forgotten
all about it until yesterday
when I got a call from
the insurance company.
I mean, it's not like I
need the money anyway.
- Yeah, but you'll
take it, right?
- No.
As a matter of fact, I won't.
I've already made arrangements
to have it donated
to a charity that benefits
the victims of violent crimes.
- What about the blood,
your blood that was found
on the murder weapon?
- I cut my hand on a
kitchen knife earlier,
when I was helping with dinner.
(Chris chuckles)
- You didn't find it necessary
to tell us about this before?
- I didn't think
it was significant.
- Give me a break, please.
- How was I to know that that
was the knife in question?
- Because, Paul, you
killed Traci Winter.
(recorder clicks)
- I'd like to
speak to my lawyer.
- Can do.
- Sgt. Lorenzo,
call on line six.
She says it's urgent.
- Hold that thought.
(faint chattering)
- (sighs) Rita, do you
believe, I mean, in your heart,
that I killed Traci, and
then I manipulated you
just to throw off
this investigation?
- Yeah.
That's what I believe.
(tense music)
- Rita, we gotta go now.
(crestfallen music)
- What's up?
- Just got a panicked
call from Lauren Richards.
She'd holed up in a
motel over on West Palm.
She said Peter Wicker
followed her over there
and he's hangin' out.
- This whole thing just keeps
getting weirder and weirder.
Do you think there's any chance
Paul's telling the truth?
- Not a hail storm's
chance in hell.
(tense music)
(car horns honking)
(brisk suspenseful music)
All right, there he is.
(tires squealing)
- Police!
- (grunts) Ow.
Ow.
- You got him?
- I got him.
- What's goin' on?
- [Chris] How you doin', Pete?
- Lauren, open up,
it's Sgt. Lance.
Hi, I'm a police officer.
Can you open this
door for me, please?
Lauren?
- Yeah, 10-4 that.
Well, transportation
is on the way.
Where's Lauren?
- She's gone.
I think she went
out bathroom window.
- Easy, dude.
You ever hear of
police brutality?
- Did you ever hear of reality?
Now, we can do this here, or
we can go downtown and talk.
Your choice.
- Got nothin' to say.
- Really?
You know, actually, he
looks a lot like that guy
that tried to run me
over the other day.
- What?
I don't even know what
you're talking about.
- Maybe, but I could make
your life a living hell
just by saying that you do.
- Attempted murder
on a peace officer.
No bail pending trial with that.
You ready to be
somebody's girlfriend?
- (sighs) What do
you want from me?
- The truth, my friend,
from genesis to revelations.
- You want the truth?
I'm an actor, just tryin'
to earn a lousy buck.
- You wanna come
again with that?
- I was hired, okay,
to stir up publicity
for Lauren Richards,
just like I did for
Traci a few years back.
- Hired by whom?
- Who do you think?
Super agent to the stars.
- Susan Strong.
- Susan Strong.
- She told me if I helped her
out, she'd get me a series.
Get it?
I'm not a stalker,
but I play one on TV.
- It's a sick world.
(siren wailing)
Your limo has arrived.
Let's go.
(radio chattering)
(uneasy music)
- Yeah.
Aw, come on, that's crazy.
What are you talkin' about?
What, do you guys got
nothin' better to do
than to make our lives
miserable here, huh?
No, no, I'm not
mad at you, George.
(groans)
I'm just killin' the messenger.
- That Lorenzo, L-O-R-E-N-Z-O.
Homicide, H-O-M-I-C-I-D-E.
Yeah, yeah, thank you.
When she checks in, would you
please tell her that I called.
Appreciate it.
Susan Strong hasn't
been to the office
or checked in all day long.
- You think a little bird
told her about our pigeon?
- You think she flew the coop?
- To beat a metaphor
to death, yeah.
- I just got a call
from George Donovan.
He's got a problem.
- You just figured that out?
- What's his beef, Cap?
- Unfortunately, you are.
- Let me guess.
The county attorney's
office is all in an uproar
about my so-called
involvement with Mr. Clifton.
They would like me to step aside
and let someone else
take over the case.
- She's good, isn't she?
- Not bad, I just wish
it was that simple.
He's turned the whole
thing over to IAD,
requesting a full-scale
departmental investigation.
And he's recommended that
be placed on restricted duty
pending the outcome.
- This is ridiculous.
- No, that's crazy.
- My words exactly.
- So what am I supposed to do?
What, can I make you
guys some coffee?
- Come on, come on.
We all know this
is a load of BS.
You take a couple of days off.
You let Lorenzo bat cleanup.
Give me a chance to make
the whole thing go away.
- Is this an order, Captain?
- Do I need to make it one?
(papers whooshing)
(chair crashing)
- (sighs) Not her fault, Cap.
- I know it isn't, but she
put herself in this position.
(telephone ringing)
- Yeah, Lorenzo.
Hey, where, I've been tryin'
to call you all day long.
Susan Strong.
You what?
Yeah, hello, Susan?
(dial tone droning)
Got disconnected.
- Well, what'd she say?
- She said she knows
who killed Traci Winter.
(tense music)
Susan?
(suspenseful music)
Susan?
(Chris sighs)
(dispirited music)
(tense music)
- [Dispatch] L41, dispatch.
- L41, copy.
- [Dispatch] I've got
a 10-21 call for you
from a Lauren Richards.
Shall I connect?
- That's affirmative.
- [Dispatch] Go ahead.
- Lauren?
- Sgt. Lance, you've
gotta come right away.
- What is it?
- I can't talk.
I think somebody's following me.
- Where are you?
- I'm at the marina,
Sea Basin Drive.
Please hurry.
- Okay, Lauren, I'm
on my way, stay put.
Lauren?
(siren wailing)
(tires squealing)
- Hold it, hold it.
(curious music)
(tense music)
(siren wailing)
- Lauren?
(metal thuds)
(Rita groans)
- You're busted, bitch.
- The evidence
justified the warrant.
You got no grounds
for false arrest.
Aw, oh, lawyers. (laughs dryly)
Shakespeare was right.
Yeah, with all due
respect, George.
Yeah, okay, okay,
I'll turn the key,
but I want you to know that
this is your responsibility.
Uh-huh.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
I just call 'em
the way I see 'em.
Yeah, buh-bye to you, too.
Paul Clifton's gettin'
sprung on a writ. (sighs)
Donovan's got his
shorts in a bunch.
- Yeah, well, when
doesn't George
have his shorts in a bunch?
- You've got a point.
- I put an APB out
on Lauren Richards.
I've got surveillance
at her building.
She never showed up for
her photo shoot today.
- No sign of her?
- No, but the DMV check
turned up a '75 Firebird,
burgundy, registered
in her name.
- Well, I'll be damned.
(telephone ringing)
Yeah, what?
- [Dispatch] This is dispatch.
We just picked up an
APB on Lauren Richards.
- Yeah?
- [Dispatch] About
a half an hour ago,
we patched an urgent
call through to Sgt.
Lance's car phone.
It was Lauren Richards.
- Thanks. (sighs)
(telephone ringing)
(cellphone ringing)
- [Operator] The cellular
customer you are trying to reach
is away from the phone
or has traveled outside
the service area.
- Wait a minute,
something's wrong.
- Well, what's wrong?
She's just out of
range, that's all.
- No, not with Rita's system.
If she's out of range, it
goes right to the recording.
It doesn't ring first.
- Wait a minute.
You're tellin' me that
somebody cut off that call?
- We gotta find her.
- Well, yeah, but
where do we start?
- She's got the
Zone Track system.
Yeah, this is Lorenzo.
I got a code three
priority search
on Zone Track subscriber
number 10-7551.
Okay, I'm gonna be
10-6 on tac two.
You copy that?
(tense eerie music)
- Ow, my head.
What happened?
- I didn't hit you had enough.
- What the hell do you
think you're doin'?
- Borrowing Susan's boat.
She won't be needing it anymore.
- Why, did you kill
her, too, Lauren?
- (scoffs) She knew
I killed Traci.
She was gonna make me pay
for the rest of my life.
- Which you'll be doing anyway.
- Shut up.
- Why?
If you were gonna kill me,
you would have already
done it anyway.
Right?
- You're my insurance policy.
And we're goin' on
a little cruise.
As soon as we hit
international waters,
you're goin' for a swim
in those handcuffs.
(siren wailing)
- Look, Lauren, you
still have a chance.
I know Traci stole
Paul from you.
She pushed you out
of the spotlight.
And you couldn't
stand it anymore.
- I was at Susan's having a
drink and doin' some lines.
And when Traci
called, I don't know.
I just...
- You snapped.
I know you didn't
mean to kill her.
- I didn't.
I just blacked out,
and then there was
the knife, the blood.
- This is a classic case
of diminished capacity.
I think I could get you off.
- Don't try and con me.
(gun clicks)
- Look, I'm not.
But even with Susan,
she was extorting you.
It was a crime of passion.
This, this is premeditation.
You called me.
You set the whole thing up.
You handcuffed me.
Lauren, you are getting
ready to cross a line,
and you're not gonna be
able to turn back around.
- Look, 12 miles out
and they can't touch me.
- Yeah, well, you can't
float around for forever.
- What do you think, I'm stupid?
I've been hiding money in
offshore accounts for years.
- Okay, you've got the
whole thing figured out.
(engine sputtering)
So what are you
waiting for, hmm?
- Engine won't start.
- (laughs) Oh, yeah,
we're dealing with a real
master criminal here.
- That is enough outta you.
- Look, Lauren, you still have
a chance to turn yourself in.
(siren wailing)
I called for backup
on the way down here.
They're gonna be
here any minute.
You're not gonna
make it 12 miles out.
You're not even gonna make
it to the break water.
Or you could wait here like
a sitting duck, if you want.
(engine revving)
- Guess again.
(tense music)
(suspenseful music)
(siren wailing)
- Freeze!
Drop it.
- Don't come any closer.
- I don't have to.
I could put you down from here.
Drop the gun.
- Back off!
I mean it.
- All right.
All right, Lauren,
you're in the majors now.
I'm not gonna tell you again.
You put the gun down, or
you take your best shot.
(guns banging)
(tense eerie music)
- Good career move.
- That's easy for you.
I almost missed.
(Lauren coughing)
(hopeful music)
- Paul?
- Hi, Rita.
- Hi.
- What's on your mind?
- Well.
Just wanted to, you know,
apologize for ever doubting you.
- Just doin' your job, right?
- Yeah.
But I kind of felt like,
at moments, you know,
there was more going on.
- Maybe there was.
For moments.
- Maybe there can be again.
- I've thought about that.
As a matter of fact,
it's practically all
I've thought about.
I'm just afraid
everything that's happened
would always be there, you know,
sort of like the
elephant in the room.
No one acknowledges it.
No one even wants to see it.
But it's always
there, just the same.
I'm afraid it might crush us.
- Well, I would rather
face that elephant head on
than kick myself
for never trying.
- Can I think about
that for a moment?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
While you are thinking about it,
I would like to
introduce you to someone.
Her name is Rita.
And she's a pretty great person.
She likes to cook.
She'd like to have
you over lunch.
No, nothing fancy, just
lasagna or somethin'.
Maybe we could just
meet for the first time.
- I think I'd like that.
- Yeah?
(gentle music)
Yeah, me, too.
(clock ticking)
(animalistic tones)
(gritty stirring music)
(lighthearted music)
(bright music)
(effervescent music)
(dramatic music)
(woman panting)
(jarring tones)
(suspenseful music)
(table thudding)
(glass crashing)
- No.
God, please.
No.
(planter thudding)
Why?
(chilling tones)
Why?
(woman screams)
(clock ticking)
(animalistic tones)
(gritty stirring music)
(gun banging)
(uneasy music)
- (speaks in foreign language)
She was so beautiful.
Not like in the
pictures, you know.
And she was sweet but sad
at the same time, you know.
(speaks in foreign language)
- Now, you said you
heard her fighting
with someone last night.
Was it a man?
- Yes, yes.
It was 10 o'clock at night,
quiet time, you know.
I mind my own business.
I'm in my room.
I watch the TV.
And she's yelling and yelling,
and he wants her to be quiet.
I almost go and say something.
But he walk out and drove away.
- [Rita] Uh-huh.
- You describe this guy for us?
- Yes, he's tall,
dark-haired, handsome man.
There he is.
(faint chattering)
- [Man] Yeah, yeah.
- [Officer] Hold on a second.
- Let him in.
- All right, thanks, Elena.
We'll be in touch.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- What happened here?
Who are you?
- Sgt. Lance, Sgt.
Lorenzo, homicide.
You are?
- I'm Paul Clifton.
- Your name's on
these photographs.
- Yeah, that's
right, I took 'em.
- And what is your relationship
to Traci Winter, please?
- She was my model, my wife.
- Your wife?
- Was, we're divorced.
May I?
- [Rita] Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah, go ahead.
(poignant music)
(Paul sighs)
- I'm sorry.
- It's all right.
The manager said you
were here last night.
- Yeah, we had dinner,
talked a little business.
- Must've been a hell of a talk.
The manager heard it
from across the courtyard
over her TV set.
- Elena would
sleep with an alien
if she thought it would
get her on "Oprah."
There was no fight.
Traci and I had an argument.
There's nothing more.
- No, I'd say there is more.
Your ex-wife was
murdered last night,
and you were the last
person to see her alive.
You know, for someone so
beautiful and so smart,
Traci was really insecure.
I mean, she wanted
everyone to love her.
Never learned to say no.
That was my job.
- Uh-huh.
What did you say
no to last night?
- Susan Strong is Traci's agent.
Susan and I never
really got along.
So I was trying to talk
her into leaving Susan
and signing with
a friend of mine.
His name's Eddie Quark.
- What was the
problem with that?
- Well, Susan's not a
woman you wanna cross.
- Now, what did you do after
you left here last night?
- Got with Eddie, went to one
of those after-hours clubs
to hear a new band of his.
- Let me through.
Take your hands off
of me, you morons.
I'm Lauren Richards.
She's my friend.
- All right, let her through.
You're wanted on the set.
- What's he doin' here?
- Look, Lauren,
for Traci's sake,
why don't you try to get a grip?
- Traci called me at Susan
Strong's house last night.
She'd been crying after
a big fight with Paul.
He never could accept
that it was over.
- Do I have to listen this?
- Why don't we take
this over here?
- Traci have any enemies?
Anyone who might have had
a motive for killing her?
- No, everyone loved Traci.
I mean, there was a
problem sometime back
with one of those
celebrity stalker types.
But Traci's line of work, it's
just an occupational hazard.
- Yeah, I remember that.
That got a lot of
publicity, didn't it?
- Yeah, right.
It got to where she
couldn't even go for a jog
without a herd of reporters
following her around.
- You remember the guy's name?
- You don't forget
somethin' like that.
Wicker, Peter Raymond Wicker.
- Has there been any
problem since then?
- She wasn't sure.
She said she thought
she might have seen him
a couple of weeks ago.
- Okay, well, we may
need you to come down
and make a statement, all right.
- Anything.
Anything at all.
- Thanks.
(upbeat music)
- Look down, lift the glasses.
Nice.
Okay, ladies, lean in.
Great.
Beautiful.
That's beautiful.
Let's swing it all right a bit.
Nice.
Okay.
Great, oh.
Over here.
Beautiful.
- I don't care how tasteful
Bob says it's gonna look.
Lauren Richards
does not do pink.
More glycerin on the girls.
Definitely not for 100 grand.
250 before I even mention it.
- You Susan Strong?
♪ I'm in action,
like a transaction ♪
- I am.
And you're cops.
Next.
- We're investigating the
murder of Traci Winter.
- Well, I didn't think you
were here for modeling jobs.
Although...
- Lauren Richards says that
she was with you last night
when Traci called.
- She spent the
night at my house.
Lisa, more fire.
You look like a lox.
And Kirsten, one
more chocolate sundae
and you'll be back serving them.
Let's just get to
the point, okay.
You're looking for
Traci's killer, right?
I'll tell you right now.
Paul Clifton did it.
- Yeah?
What makes you so sure?
- He had that girl so screwed up
she couldn't make
a move without him.
Traci was in a panic last night.
Paul left, he was drunk.
And according to Traci,
he was on a rampage.
He even threatened her.
He said, "If I can't have her,
"I will make sure
no one else can."
You do the math.
- Lady, you've
really done it now.
(Susan groans)
- Is this how you
punish your clients?
You knew Traci was
gonna drop you,
so you dropped her instead.
- That's stupid
even for you, Eddie.
- If I find out you had
anything to do with this,
I swear, I'll kill you.
- Say hello to Palm
Beach Homicide.
- Eddie, how you doin'?
- I meant that
figuratively, of course.
- Right.
- Get rid of him.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Thanks.
- Thanks, guys, you
do wonderful work.
- Eddie, we'd like to ask
you a couple of questions,
if we could.
- I'm sorry, okay, I was
just so bent over this thing,
I just couldn't think straight.
- Yeah, were you
thinking straight
when you accused Susan
Strong of murder?
- (sighs) Susan is a vicious,
power-hungry,
black-hearted bitch.
And she would do anything to
keep her girls under control.
I mean, isn't murder the
ultimate act of control?
- You know, she used
almost the exact same terms
to describe your
friend Paul Clifton.
- Paul?
He loved Traci.
Susan hated him for years
because he kept sharks like
her from eating Traci alive.
When did you say
Traci was killed?
- Between 11 and two.
- Uh-oh, that lets Paul out.
He was with me the whole time.
- Quick with an
alibi, aren't ya?
- I'm just tryin' to save
you guys some trouble.
- We appreciate it.
(Chris sighs)
(slow bassy music)
- Okay, terrific.
No, thanks, okay, bye.
Well, Paul Clifton and Traci
Winter were married 18 months,
divorced two years ago,
amicable, uncontested,
with a two-way
prenuptial agreement.
Your turn.
- While she was married to Paul,
Traci filed three
stalking complaints
against a Peter Wicker.
No criminal charges,
but she managed to get
a restraining order
against this guy.
- That whole thing
was very weird.
I mean, I'd never
even heard of her
'til she did that whole
tabloid circuit thing,
and then all the sudden,
it was Traci, Traci, Traci.
- Well, chalk another one
up to 15 minutes of fame.
- Yeah.
(telephone ringing)
- Yeah, Sgt. Lance.
Yes, what can I do
for you, Mr. Clifton?
Okay.
And what time?
All right.
Okay, I'll see you then.
Paul Clifton wants to talk.
- What time's he comin' in?
- He wants to meet at his house.
- What time is he expecting us?
- Not us, me.
He specifically said he
doesn't want you there.
I guess you make him nervous.
- Part of my irresistible charm.
No, I don't like it, Sam.
Who's gonna play bad cop?
- Well, I guess it is my turn.
See you later, okay.
(gentle music)
(knocking)
- Glad you could make it.
- It's part of the
job, Mr. Clifton.
- It's Paul.
Come on in.
- Thank you.
It's a beautiful house.
- Thanks.
Traci did the decorating.
- You getting ready
to have lunch?
- Yeah.
With you.
- Look, I'm a cop.
You called me over here to talk.
I assumed it was about the case.
- And we will talk,
right after lunch.
- This is a bad idea.
- Well, now, how can you
look this lasagna in the face
and say it's a bad idea.
Besides, no food, no talk.
(lighthearted music)
- It's quite a view.
- Mm, it's what sold
us on the house.
Funny, I hardly
notice it anymore.
The house is not the same
since Traci and I broke up.
- The divorce decree cited
irreconcilable differences.
- It had to say
something, right?
Listen, Rita, I know I'm a
suspect in Traci's murder.
And I also know
that Susan Strong
had some pretty choice
things to say about me.
- Who told you that?
- It's a small business.
The fact is Susan tried to
take advantage of Traci,
and I wouldn't let her.
She hates me for that.
- Enough to accuse
you of murder?
- Oh, easily.
And that's half the reason
I asked you here today.
I wanted to look you in the
eye and tell you straight out,
I didn't kill Traci.
What was the other half?
- I wanted to have
lunch with you.
Come on, I wanna
show you something.
(tense haunting music)
- I've seen this before.
- Mm, Traci's apartment.
They were her favorites.
Mine, too, I guess.
All except for this one.
(emotional music)
- Yeah, she was
a beautiful girl.
- Never more than on that day.
You know, Rita, I'm sorry,
I have this professional eye
that, well, I can never
really get rid of.
And I can't help but noticing
you have a terrific face.
I'd really like to
photograph you sometime.
- Not if we
photograph you first.
Why did you and Traci break up?
- Well, in my work, I'm
surrounded by beautiful girls.
Traci sometimes mistook
my professional attentions
for something more than that.
- Well, I can understand
how that might be a problem.
- Girls come and go.
Actually, I'm much more
attracted to women.
(camera clicks)
Perfect.
- What do you
think you're doing?
- Trick of the trade,
element of surprise.
- Well, maybe I should warn you,
cops really don't
like surprises.
- For a minute there, I
almost forgot you were a cop.
- I think I should be going.
Well, thanks for lunch.
I guess if things don't
pan out as a photographer,
you could always
get a job as a cook.
- I'll keep that in mind.
- Yeah.
- Thanks for coming, Rita.
- Yeah, I'm glad I did.
I'll talk to you.
(uneasy music)
(heart-pounding music)
(engine revving)
(tires screeching)
It was a burgundy
Firebird, possibly a '75.
I didn't get a
look at the driver,
and I didn't get
license plate numbers.
- You're sure Paul Clifton
had nothing to do with this?
- Well, how could he?
I mean, I just left
him inside the house.
- I'm not sayin' he was driving.
I'm just sayin' maybe he
set the whole thing up.
- Okay, for what
possible reason?
- Well, to throw you off
and make you think
he's not the guy.
- You are such a cop, Chris.
- That's why I
get the big bucks.
- I'll tell you what I think.
We're looking for someone
who had an ax to grind
with both Traci and Paul.
- No, come on, Rita,
look at the evidence.
I mean, the guy a stormy
relationship with his ex-wife.
They had a fight just
before the murder.
We got witnesses that
say he threatened her.
I think that adds
up pretty good.
- It adds up to zero, Chris.
Paul has an alibi.
Look, he and Traci were friends.
They had an argument
about business.
And your so-called statements
come from witnesses
who are admittedly hostile.
Why don't you look
past the obvious?
- Mm, this guy must
be a smooth operator
to sell you this bill of goods.
- Please. (mutters)
- Come on, why don't you
think with your brains
instead of your hormones?
- Look, you're
outta line, Chris.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Both of you, in my office, now.
Okay, what's the problem?
- Nothing.
- Nothing.
- Nothing.
- Oh, good, 'cause
for a second there,
I thought I was gonna have to
send you to neutral corners.
- Well, you can send him
to Timbuktu for all I care.
- Ut-ut-ut oh,
come on, children.
Tell your Uncle
Harry all about it.
- Forget it. (sighs)
Sam, I apologize.
- Yeah?
- [Chris] Yeah.
- Okay.
- Isn't that cute?
Now don't we all
feel so much better?
Oh, Rita, here.
I almost forgot.
This was delivered
to you a while ago.
It's from Paul Clifton.
- Strange.
- Why don't you open it, Rita?
Could have something
to do with the case.
- Thank you for
the wonderful time.
Love, Paul.
- Okay, Rita, talk fast.
- There's really
nothing to tell.
I went over to his house
to discuss the case.
And he fixed lunch and--
- Whoa, whoa, wait.
Hold on.
You had lunch with a suspect,
and then you let him
take pictures of you?
- Not pictures, one picture.
And I didn't exactly let him.
- You didn't let him?
What happened, he
tied you up and,
mm, hmm-mm, no, no.
I don't wanna know.
What I do wanna know is,
have you lost all your
marbles here or what?
What the hell could
you have been thinking?
You wanna compromise this
entire investigation?
What happens if the press
gets a hold of this?
(telephone ringing)
What?
Yeah, what?
Yeah, he's right here, hold on.
It's Jimmy from the lab.
- Yeah, Jimbo?
(Rita sighs)
No kiddin'.
All right, when can you
have the report ready?
Yeah, sooner the better.
Report came back from the lab.
They found blood other
than Traci Winter's
on the murder weapon.
- All right, good, so we
grab us a couple of samples.
We spin the wheel, see if we
can come up with a winner.
In the meantime, Sgt. Lance,
do you think you could order
your priorities long enough
to be able to do your job?
- Whatever you say, Captain.
- Thank you.
- Rita, this is a surprise.
- Yeah, so was this, Paul.
Can I come in, please?
- I thought it was
a beautiful picture.
I wanted you to have it.
- That is not the point, Paul.
- Can we roll this thing
back a couple of frames,
like to where you showed up
and I said, "Rita,
what a surprise"?
- Do you see how this looks?
I am a cop working on
a murder investigation.
And now my partner
and my captain
are questioning my judgment
and my ability to do my job.
I mean, the way they see this,
you are trying very hard to
comprise this investigation.
- Look, Rita, I'm sorry, okay.
I didn't mean to
cause a problem.
This is the first time I've
ever been attracted to a cop.
- Under any other circumstances,
I would be crazy not to
be interested in you.
It's just, I need
your help right now.
- Anything, name it.
- Well, when I was
leaving here yesterday,
a '75 burgundy Firebird
tried to run me down.
- What?
Are you okay?
- No, I'm fine, they missed.
It's just, do you know
anybody with a car like that?
- No, not off hand.
- Not anybody who might
have had a motive,
someone who was jealous,
anything like that at all?
- Well, Susan Strong
hates my guts.
And I was involved for a
time with Lauren Richards.
But they both have
alibis, don't they?
- Yeah, well, I haven't met
a killer yet who doesn't.
Look, there's something else.
There was blood other
than Traci's found
on the murder weapon.
Would you be willing to come
down and take a blood test?
- Is that absolutely necessary?
- It would be the quickest way
to exclude you as
a suspect, yes.
- Then sure, no problem.
- I'm so glad you said that.
(lively upbeat music)
(knocking)
- [Chris] Peter Wicker?
- What's the deal, man?
You can't bust in
here like that.
- You invited me here, remember?
- What do you want with me?
- I want you to get up,
turn that music off,
and I want you to
put some pants on.
- What is this about?
- This is about the object
of your perverse fascination.
- You mean Traci?
- Yeah, I mean Traci.
- Isn't it just so sad?
- Spare me the routine.
I know your history with her.
- Yeah, that's all
it is, history.
Or didn't you know, she
got a restraining order.
- Yeah, I heard.
But somethin' tells me
that you're not over your
fascination with her yet.
- (chuckles) Hey, man,
ain't no erotic fixation
worth goin' to jail over.
- You've been pegged, Petey Boy,
flappin' your wings
in the no-fly zone.
And with Traci's recent demise,
I'm gonna be frank with you,
that puts you right in
the lineup for murder.
- I was at a dance
club that whole night.
Lots of people saw me.
- So you don't deny
that you were circling
where you shouldn't have been?
- Hell yes, I deny everything.
Who told you that?
I bet it was that little
bitch, Lauren Richards.
- Since you opened the door,
she says you've been
sniffin' around her, too.
- Figures.
I wouldn't let my
dog sniff around her.
Even if you had a dog.
Look, for all her
lovey-dovey bit with Traci,
that girl's got a
jealous streak in her
makes Lady Macbeth look
like Mother Teresa.
- What makes you such an expert?
- It's my hobby, remember.
- (clicks tongue) Put that on.
You got a doctor's appointment.
- Since when?
- Since I need a
sample of your blood.
- What for?
- To prove that
you're not a killer.
You can volunteer, or we can
do this the old fashioned way.
- What's that?
- I can bust your ass
and get a subpoena.
- Okay.
- You're sure?
Okay, thanks, Jimmy.
- You okay?
(Rita sighs)
You wanna talk about it?
- I just found out Traci Winter
had a million-dollar
life insurance policy
and the beneficiary
is Paul Clifton.
(Chris whistles)
Yeah, and there is more.
Comparison just came back
on the blood on the knife,
and Paul's sample
was a positive match.
- Hmm
Well, if you wanna sit this
one out, I'll take care of it.
- No. (chuckles)
Come on, let's go.
(tense music)
If you would like an attorney
but cannot afford one,
one will be appointed to you.
Do you understand these rights?
- I understand, but
you're making a mistake.
- Remember your right
to remain silent?
Use it.
(curious music)
- Don't get any ideas,
kid, I know the mileage.
- Excuse me.
- Eddie, you got a minute.
- Not really.
- Take one anyway.
- What's up, how'd you find me?
- Your secretary.
- Yeah, I eat here
almost every day.
You should try this place.
- I couldn't afford
the water here.
Look, we hate to interrupt
your power lunch,
but we got a matter of a felony
that we'd like to book you for.
- Come again?
- Yeah, see, we have evidence
that puts Paul Clifton
at the murder scene.
That means either you or
the evidence is lying.
- Look, I told you, we were
at the club that night.
That is a fact.
- Uh-huh.
- But you also said
that you were with him
'til after 2:00 a.m.
You still wanna
stick to that story?
- Well, I was kind
of busy that night.
I mean, it could have been two.
It could have been before that.
I mean, you know, I kind
of looks track of time.
- Right, so you're
saying you don't know
what time Mr. Clifton
left the club then.
- Hey, don't put
words in my mouth.
- I'm not sayin' another thing
until I contact my lawyer.
- That's probably a good idea.
- Yeah.
- Have a good lunch.
- Do you understand that
you've waved your right
to have an attorney present
during this interrogation,
any statements you make can be
used as evidence against you?
- I have nothing to
hide, nothing to fear.
- Just wanna make sure
we understand each other.
You can stop at any point
and request a lawyer.
Is that clear?
- Crystal clear, Sergeant.
- Why don't you
start by telling us
about the insurance policy?
- The policy was
bought and paid for
when Traci and got married.
And if you check into it,
you'll find that there's
an identical policy on me
with Traci as the beneficiary.
- And if the situations
were reversed,
we'd be talkin'
to her right now.
- The point is I'd forgotten
all about it until yesterday
when I got a call from
the insurance company.
I mean, it's not like I
need the money anyway.
- Yeah, but you'll
take it, right?
- No.
As a matter of fact, I won't.
I've already made arrangements
to have it donated
to a charity that benefits
the victims of violent crimes.
- What about the blood,
your blood that was found
on the murder weapon?
- I cut my hand on a
kitchen knife earlier,
when I was helping with dinner.
(Chris chuckles)
- You didn't find it necessary
to tell us about this before?
- I didn't think
it was significant.
- Give me a break, please.
- How was I to know that that
was the knife in question?
- Because, Paul, you
killed Traci Winter.
(recorder clicks)
- I'd like to
speak to my lawyer.
- Can do.
- Sgt. Lorenzo,
call on line six.
She says it's urgent.
- Hold that thought.
(faint chattering)
- (sighs) Rita, do you
believe, I mean, in your heart,
that I killed Traci, and
then I manipulated you
just to throw off
this investigation?
- Yeah.
That's what I believe.
(tense music)
- Rita, we gotta go now.
(crestfallen music)
- What's up?
- Just got a panicked
call from Lauren Richards.
She'd holed up in a
motel over on West Palm.
She said Peter Wicker
followed her over there
and he's hangin' out.
- This whole thing just keeps
getting weirder and weirder.
Do you think there's any chance
Paul's telling the truth?
- Not a hail storm's
chance in hell.
(tense music)
(car horns honking)
(brisk suspenseful music)
All right, there he is.
(tires squealing)
- Police!
- (grunts) Ow.
Ow.
- You got him?
- I got him.
- What's goin' on?
- [Chris] How you doin', Pete?
- Lauren, open up,
it's Sgt. Lance.
Hi, I'm a police officer.
Can you open this
door for me, please?
Lauren?
- Yeah, 10-4 that.
Well, transportation
is on the way.
Where's Lauren?
- She's gone.
I think she went
out bathroom window.
- Easy, dude.
You ever hear of
police brutality?
- Did you ever hear of reality?
Now, we can do this here, or
we can go downtown and talk.
Your choice.
- Got nothin' to say.
- Really?
You know, actually, he
looks a lot like that guy
that tried to run me
over the other day.
- What?
I don't even know what
you're talking about.
- Maybe, but I could make
your life a living hell
just by saying that you do.
- Attempted murder
on a peace officer.
No bail pending trial with that.
You ready to be
somebody's girlfriend?
- (sighs) What do
you want from me?
- The truth, my friend,
from genesis to revelations.
- You want the truth?
I'm an actor, just tryin'
to earn a lousy buck.
- You wanna come
again with that?
- I was hired, okay,
to stir up publicity
for Lauren Richards,
just like I did for
Traci a few years back.
- Hired by whom?
- Who do you think?
Super agent to the stars.
- Susan Strong.
- Susan Strong.
- She told me if I helped her
out, she'd get me a series.
Get it?
I'm not a stalker,
but I play one on TV.
- It's a sick world.
(siren wailing)
Your limo has arrived.
Let's go.
(radio chattering)
(uneasy music)
- Yeah.
Aw, come on, that's crazy.
What are you talkin' about?
What, do you guys got
nothin' better to do
than to make our lives
miserable here, huh?
No, no, I'm not
mad at you, George.
(groans)
I'm just killin' the messenger.
- That Lorenzo, L-O-R-E-N-Z-O.
Homicide, H-O-M-I-C-I-D-E.
Yeah, yeah, thank you.
When she checks in, would you
please tell her that I called.
Appreciate it.
Susan Strong hasn't
been to the office
or checked in all day long.
- You think a little bird
told her about our pigeon?
- You think she flew the coop?
- To beat a metaphor
to death, yeah.
- I just got a call
from George Donovan.
He's got a problem.
- You just figured that out?
- What's his beef, Cap?
- Unfortunately, you are.
- Let me guess.
The county attorney's
office is all in an uproar
about my so-called
involvement with Mr. Clifton.
They would like me to step aside
and let someone else
take over the case.
- She's good, isn't she?
- Not bad, I just wish
it was that simple.
He's turned the whole
thing over to IAD,
requesting a full-scale
departmental investigation.
And he's recommended that
be placed on restricted duty
pending the outcome.
- This is ridiculous.
- No, that's crazy.
- My words exactly.
- So what am I supposed to do?
What, can I make you
guys some coffee?
- Come on, come on.
We all know this
is a load of BS.
You take a couple of days off.
You let Lorenzo bat cleanup.
Give me a chance to make
the whole thing go away.
- Is this an order, Captain?
- Do I need to make it one?
(papers whooshing)
(chair crashing)
- (sighs) Not her fault, Cap.
- I know it isn't, but she
put herself in this position.
(telephone ringing)
- Yeah, Lorenzo.
Hey, where, I've been tryin'
to call you all day long.
Susan Strong.
You what?
Yeah, hello, Susan?
(dial tone droning)
Got disconnected.
- Well, what'd she say?
- She said she knows
who killed Traci Winter.
(tense music)
Susan?
(suspenseful music)
Susan?
(Chris sighs)
(dispirited music)
(tense music)
- [Dispatch] L41, dispatch.
- L41, copy.
- [Dispatch] I've got
a 10-21 call for you
from a Lauren Richards.
Shall I connect?
- That's affirmative.
- [Dispatch] Go ahead.
- Lauren?
- Sgt. Lance, you've
gotta come right away.
- What is it?
- I can't talk.
I think somebody's following me.
- Where are you?
- I'm at the marina,
Sea Basin Drive.
Please hurry.
- Okay, Lauren, I'm
on my way, stay put.
Lauren?
(siren wailing)
(tires squealing)
- Hold it, hold it.
(curious music)
(tense music)
(siren wailing)
- Lauren?
(metal thuds)
(Rita groans)
- You're busted, bitch.
- The evidence
justified the warrant.
You got no grounds
for false arrest.
Aw, oh, lawyers. (laughs dryly)
Shakespeare was right.
Yeah, with all due
respect, George.
Yeah, okay, okay,
I'll turn the key,
but I want you to know that
this is your responsibility.
Uh-huh.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
I just call 'em
the way I see 'em.
Yeah, buh-bye to you, too.
Paul Clifton's gettin'
sprung on a writ. (sighs)
Donovan's got his
shorts in a bunch.
- Yeah, well, when
doesn't George
have his shorts in a bunch?
- You've got a point.
- I put an APB out
on Lauren Richards.
I've got surveillance
at her building.
She never showed up for
her photo shoot today.
- No sign of her?
- No, but the DMV check
turned up a '75 Firebird,
burgundy, registered
in her name.
- Well, I'll be damned.
(telephone ringing)
Yeah, what?
- [Dispatch] This is dispatch.
We just picked up an
APB on Lauren Richards.
- Yeah?
- [Dispatch] About
a half an hour ago,
we patched an urgent
call through to Sgt.
Lance's car phone.
It was Lauren Richards.
- Thanks. (sighs)
(telephone ringing)
(cellphone ringing)
- [Operator] The cellular
customer you are trying to reach
is away from the phone
or has traveled outside
the service area.
- Wait a minute,
something's wrong.
- Well, what's wrong?
She's just out of
range, that's all.
- No, not with Rita's system.
If she's out of range, it
goes right to the recording.
It doesn't ring first.
- Wait a minute.
You're tellin' me that
somebody cut off that call?
- We gotta find her.
- Well, yeah, but
where do we start?
- She's got the
Zone Track system.
Yeah, this is Lorenzo.
I got a code three
priority search
on Zone Track subscriber
number 10-7551.
Okay, I'm gonna be
10-6 on tac two.
You copy that?
(tense eerie music)
- Ow, my head.
What happened?
- I didn't hit you had enough.
- What the hell do you
think you're doin'?
- Borrowing Susan's boat.
She won't be needing it anymore.
- Why, did you kill
her, too, Lauren?
- (scoffs) She knew
I killed Traci.
She was gonna make me pay
for the rest of my life.
- Which you'll be doing anyway.
- Shut up.
- Why?
If you were gonna kill me,
you would have already
done it anyway.
Right?
- You're my insurance policy.
And we're goin' on
a little cruise.
As soon as we hit
international waters,
you're goin' for a swim
in those handcuffs.
(siren wailing)
- Look, Lauren, you
still have a chance.
I know Traci stole
Paul from you.
She pushed you out
of the spotlight.
And you couldn't
stand it anymore.
- I was at Susan's having a
drink and doin' some lines.
And when Traci
called, I don't know.
I just...
- You snapped.
I know you didn't
mean to kill her.
- I didn't.
I just blacked out,
and then there was
the knife, the blood.
- This is a classic case
of diminished capacity.
I think I could get you off.
- Don't try and con me.
(gun clicks)
- Look, I'm not.
But even with Susan,
she was extorting you.
It was a crime of passion.
This, this is premeditation.
You called me.
You set the whole thing up.
You handcuffed me.
Lauren, you are getting
ready to cross a line,
and you're not gonna be
able to turn back around.
- Look, 12 miles out
and they can't touch me.
- Yeah, well, you can't
float around for forever.
- What do you think, I'm stupid?
I've been hiding money in
offshore accounts for years.
- Okay, you've got the
whole thing figured out.
(engine sputtering)
So what are you
waiting for, hmm?
- Engine won't start.
- (laughs) Oh, yeah,
we're dealing with a real
master criminal here.
- That is enough outta you.
- Look, Lauren, you still have
a chance to turn yourself in.
(siren wailing)
I called for backup
on the way down here.
They're gonna be
here any minute.
You're not gonna
make it 12 miles out.
You're not even gonna make
it to the break water.
Or you could wait here like
a sitting duck, if you want.
(engine revving)
- Guess again.
(tense music)
(suspenseful music)
(siren wailing)
- Freeze!
Drop it.
- Don't come any closer.
- I don't have to.
I could put you down from here.
Drop the gun.
- Back off!
I mean it.
- All right.
All right, Lauren,
you're in the majors now.
I'm not gonna tell you again.
You put the gun down, or
you take your best shot.
(guns banging)
(tense eerie music)
- Good career move.
- That's easy for you.
I almost missed.
(Lauren coughing)
(hopeful music)
- Paul?
- Hi, Rita.
- Hi.
- What's on your mind?
- Well.
Just wanted to, you know,
apologize for ever doubting you.
- Just doin' your job, right?
- Yeah.
But I kind of felt like,
at moments, you know,
there was more going on.
- Maybe there was.
For moments.
- Maybe there can be again.
- I've thought about that.
As a matter of fact,
it's practically all
I've thought about.
I'm just afraid
everything that's happened
would always be there, you know,
sort of like the
elephant in the room.
No one acknowledges it.
No one even wants to see it.
But it's always
there, just the same.
I'm afraid it might crush us.
- Well, I would rather
face that elephant head on
than kick myself
for never trying.
- Can I think about
that for a moment?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
While you are thinking about it,
I would like to
introduce you to someone.
Her name is Rita.
And she's a pretty great person.
She likes to cook.
She'd like to have
you over lunch.
No, nothing fancy, just
lasagna or somethin'.
Maybe we could just
meet for the first time.
- I think I'd like that.
- Yeah?
(gentle music)
Yeah, me, too.
(clock ticking)
(animalistic tones)
(gritty stirring music)
(lighthearted music)
(bright music)
(effervescent music)
(dramatic music)