The Closer (2005–2012): Season 7, Episode 16 - Hostile Witness - full transcript

Do you swear to tell the truth
and nothing but the truth...

- ...so help you God?
- I do.

Would you please state and
spell your name and give your occupation?

Brenda Leigh Johnson.

B-R-E-N-D-A I-E-I-G-H J-Jo.-H-N-S-Jo.-N.

Deputy chief, L.A.P.D.,
Major Crimes Division.

Miss Baldwin, direct?

Thank you, Your Honor.
Good morning, Chief Johnson.

BRENDA:
You think you're walking away a free man.

You're in more trouble
than you can imagine.

- I hope that's not a threat.
- The women you raped... n



I don't know what you're talking about.

- What is it you hope to accomplish?
BRENDA: To see you on trial, Mr. Stroh.

BALDWIN: Chief Johnson?
- Yes, good morning.

Chief Johnson, on the morning of
February 15th of this year...

while Major Crimes was covering
for Hollywood Homicide...

were you called to Room 116
of the Crystal Motel...

- ...on Sunset Boulevard?
- I was.

BALDWIN: Can you tell the court
what you discovered In the room...

registered to George Harris?

I found the dead body of Gwyneth Adler.

People's exhibit 34-B.

That's a nasty bruise above her eye.

- Not nasty enough to kill her.
- How did she die?

Not sure, but it didn't happen
very long ago. Maybe five, six hours.



Chief, the housekeeper started her shift
at 6 a. m...

noticed the front door
was slightly opened.

When she went to close it,
she saw the body and called 911.

BRENDA: I don't see luggage.
She isn't planning on the long stay.

Well, Crystal Motel clientèle typically
don't need a room more than an hour.

GABRIEL: Yeah, but her blouse
is ripped, her jeans are torn.

Wouldn't a prostitute take better care
of her clothes?

Well, if she was a hooker,
she wasn't a pro.

There's a wallet, driver's license,
credit cards, some cash...

and a work ID. “Gwyneth Adler.”

She was a nurse
at St. Leo's Children's Hospital.

She's got a receipt here
from Stella's Nightclub...

over in Culver City
from 10:32 p.m. last night.

One drink on her tab.

That's kind of sad.

Yesterday was Valentine's,
and she went out alone.

- Looking for Mr. Good Buck.
- Maybe she found him.

I did too, chief.
His name is George Harris.

Manager said he signed in
last night around 10 p. m...

requesting two room keys.

- Two keys?
TAO: Two.

Using his driver's license
and a $100 cash deposit...

which he hasn't come back to claim,
and we have his driver's license.

But he got the room at 10 p.m.,
Gwyneth was still at the club after that.

BRENDA:
So Harris books the room...

planning, or hoping,
maybe to bring someone back here.

Did the manager remember seeing Gwyneth
and Mr. Harris together?

No, but I ran Harris up.

Twelve months ago,
he was arrested for rape.

DA dropped the charges,
never went to trial.

Oh, and the manager said,
Harris was driving a cab.

Oh, convenient.

Book a room, then troll the neighborhood
looking for drunk girls...

- ...coming out of bars.
- But he asked for two keys. Why two?

It was his partner
who raped those women.

Maybe he had a partner.

Oh, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

Detective Sanchez,
I want a warrant out on Mr. Harris.

Find out everything
about his previous arrest.

Detective Gabriel, please speak to the
employees on duty at Stellas last night.

See if anyone remembers Gwyneth
or saw her with Mr. Harris.

Maybe he's the type
who liked to drink and drive.

- Kendall-
- You want a rape kit.

- I do. I also wanna know how she died.
MORALES: That's a good question.

Twenty-six-year-old female
In otherwise perfect health.

No severe trauma. It screams overdose.

I won't be able to tell you for certain
until I look at the tox screen.

What about this bruise'
on her arms and head?

Don't look like signs of assault.

More like... I don't know,
she was handled maybe.

Like she passed out
and someone helped her up?

- More like dragged her into position.
- Shoes look fine.

They could have been pulled off
along with her clothes.

I also found semen
on her neck and stomach.

So I'm guessing she was drugged
and raped.

Objection. Miss Baldwin has not presented
any evidence of rape.

My client admitted to consensual sex.

At the time,
coroner found no proof of drugs...

The pathologist's report has already been
entered Into evidence without objection

And Dr. Morales found Rohypnol
in Miss Adler's blood.

He could not testify as to how the drug was
administered and neither can anyone else

Rohypnol is called the date-rape drug
for a reason.

- Objection, Your Honor, please.
JUDGE: Sustained.

Side bar, up here.

This is the sixth time I've had to object
to the manner...

in which Claire strays
from the boundaries.

I'm trying to establish that Miss Adler
was unable to give consent...

in her drugged state,
which is the pre-condition for rape.

And I am warning you, Claire,
stick to the evidence.

- What is the name of your partner?
- It's my lawyer. It's Mr. Stroh.

I promise you, my objections
will end up much worse than his.

BRENDA: 1 will hunt relentlessly to tie you
to these crimes until the day you die.

Chief Johnson,
I'm rephrasing the question.

Based on your years of experience...

the evidence collected at the motel,
and the preliminary autopsy report...

.what kind of investigation
were you conducting?

The circumstances led me to believe
Gwyneth Adler had been murdered.

And why were you so interested
In talking to the defendant?

He seemed to be the last person
to have seen her alive.

He'd run of
and left his driver's license behind.

I didn't want him driving without it.

[PHONE RINGS]

- Yes, Lieutenant Provenza, any progress
PROVENZA: Well, no luck finding Harris.

Sanchez, uh, parked two uniforms
outside his house...

but he hasn't shown up.

- Well, he can't disappear forever.
- Well, he may want to.

[PHONE RINGS]

- Uh, remember Harris' previous arrest...
- Hello.

For rape? Well, exact same scenario.

PROVENZA [OVER PHONE]: Woman woke up and
realized she'd been sexually assaulted.

Rape kit came back with DNA
matched to Harris...

and a second unidentified assailant.

That's why he asked for two keys,
he had a partner.

Yeah. Now, the previous victim, 1
uh, her name Is Natalie Gilbert.

Claimed that she came to
during the second assault

Identified Harris, said she might be able
to do the same for his partner In a lineup.

- So why was he let go?
FLYNN: Okay, chief...

just got off the phone
'with the DA's office...

Before they could get to court,
Miss Gilbert disappeared.

FLYNN [OVER PHONE]: They couldn't
prosecute without the victim.

All charges against Harris were dropped
along with the search for his partner.

Oh, and get this, chief, guess who
represented Harris in his first rape case?

- Who?
- Hold on to your hat.

[IN UNISON] Phillip Stroh.

- What?
- Why did you tell her?

- Don't tell her things like that on the phone?
- What?

Chief. Chief.

Phillip Stroh defended Harris?

Now, chief, uh, there is absolutely no
proof that Stroh Is the second rapist.

You know that, uh, he was always
very careful not to leave any DNA behind.

Plus the fact...

- he specializes in representing
sex-crime defendants.

Yes, I know. I remember.

- Said it gave purpose to his life.
- It gives purpose to my life.

If he defended Harris in his first case,
he probably knows where he Is now.

And I know how to find Stroh.

Huh? Hmm.

Damn it, chief. How long have you bee
tracking Stroh's car with the GPS marker?

Since the day after the Johnson rule went in to effect.
Don't worry, I have a warrant.

And look, there's Stroh's car
and the suspect's taxi.

They're here, together.

Pope know about this? Hmm?

I'll take that as a no.

STROH: Very good.
- Yeah.

George Harris, I'd like you to meet
Deputy Chief Johnson of the L.A.P.D.

- Don't run, George.
GABRIEL: Hey. Get him.

[WOMAN GRUNTS]

WOMAN: Hey. GABRIEL: Get up.

Sorry. He's not the brightest guy
on Earth.

Mr. Stroh, consorting with rape suspects,
as usual.

Your suspects are my clients.

- And sex isn't always rape.
- Murder ups the stakes a little.

And DNA can be very helpful in court.

If you have a sample, yes.
Here. Let me help you with that.

RAYDOR: Chief Johnson.
- Yes, captain. I'm sorry.

I understand you apprehended
your suspect with Phillip Stroh.

Yes, and now Mr. Harris, the raping
taxi driver, won't even talk to us.

Phillip Stroh is part of the
federal lawsuit against you.

I am still unable to prove who the leak is
In your division. Tread lightly.

The federal lawsuit is settled.
Goldman is ancient history.

Who's the leak gonna have
left to Inform? You?

Wouldn't that be great?

[CHUCKLES]

GABRIEL:
Chief.

Uh, this is Tommy, the doorman at Stella's,
where our victim went out last night.

- And this is Charlie, he tended bar.
- Gentlemen.

They both identified Mr. Harris
as a taxicab driver...

who picked up Gwyneth Adler
from the club.

- Y'all are certain?
- I helped get the girl Inside the cab.

- How was she?
- Hmm, she was too drunk to drive...

- ...but I've seen worse.
- And who called for her ride?

Probably no one. It's pretty common
for cabs to line up outside the bar.

Did either of you see Mr. Harris and
Gwyneth Inside the bar together last night?

Girl went in, I don't remember
the driver going Inside.

Uh, it was a busy night, ladies got in free.
It was Valentine's Day and all.

Okay. How about any of these men here?
Anyone's face ring a bell?

CHARLIE: Uh, this guy, I know.
- He was inside the bar last night?

No, no. Uh, early this afternoon.
That's how we found out about Gwyneth.

Yeah, he left right before
you guys came In looking for us.

What the hell is Phillip Stroh
doing In a six-pack?

He's a suspect in a rape and murder.

- No, he's representing the suspect.
- That too.

- It is his MO.
- Do you hear yourself, Johnson?

Stroh likes blonds.

And he works in tandem with a weaker
partner who helps plan the rapes.

He also acts as their attorney
after they're caught.

And then runs around afterward...

.introducing himself to possible witnesses
as the lawyer.

We just settled a federal lawsuit in which
Stroh accused you of harassment.

Yes, I remember the creation
of the Johnson rule very well.

I don't know what kind of beef you have
with Phillip Stroh and I don't care.

You have no evidence
that he was George Harris' partner.

In fact, your little GPS marker proves
that his car was at home during the attack.

- He was in the cab.
- You Intend to mention Stroh as a suspect...

I will not proceed to arraignment.
The case Is spotty as It Is,

- Harris asked for two keys to that room.
POPE: All right, excuse me.

Claire, what charges is the state prepared to
file against this taxi driver right now? I

If the DNA confirms it, I
can make a case for rape.

Based on the fact that Gwyneth Adler
might have been drugged...

and was unable to give her consent.

But unless I can prove Harris or a partner
administered that drug and It killed her...

there's no murder here.

You can charge him with homicide,
use that to make him give up Stroh.

Let me be clear with you on this.

I don't file murder charges
as some kind of bargaining chip.

Maybe other prosecutors do that,
but I stick with the evidence...

.because that's what gets admitted
Into court.

Harris has lawyered up.
He was never Inside Stella's.

He won't admit to anything now...

so how you can call him a murderer,
I don't know.

He left his driver's license as a deposit on
a room where we found a dead rape victim.

Prove he left her there
knowing she was dead.

Prove she was unable to give her consent
because that's what I have to do.

Anything else, Chief Johnson?

Harris' last victim reported waking up
during her rape.

- She may be able to identify her attacker.
- Terrific. Where is she? The last victim?

You have no idea, so nothing that
happened to her can be Introduced at trial.

TAYLOR:
Correct me if I'm wrong...

but this case won't see the inside
of a courtroom for, what, maybe a year?

Surely, Chief Johnson
can find Harris' previous victim...

before you get to court
on this new one.

I guarantee it,
and if Gwyneth Adler was drugged...

even if Harris didn't
drug her himself...

he was part of the plan
and that's felony murder.

I only go to court with cases I can win.

If it turns out she was overdosed
and the DNA hit comes back to Harris...

it improves my odds.

But I will need you to find me the first
victim If this Is what you really want to do.

I said I'd do it. And I will.

And in the meantime, unless there
Is convincing evidence to the contrary...

you will treat Stroh as a defense
attorney and not as a suspect.

- Is that clear?
- Oh, yes, sir. You're always clear.

So, what's her name? The first victim?

- Marilyn Monroe. I
- Marilyn Monroe?

You sure? Not according to my rec...

It's the name she gave
when they picked her up and put her...

- ...on a 72-hour mental health hold.
- Oh, no. She's mentally impaired?

- No, diagnosed manic depressive.
- Ugh.

But the officers did find an expired L.A.
driver's license on her person.

It matches the name of Harris' first victim,
Natalie Gilbert, so it could be her.

- They got her back on her meds.
- Explains why they dropped the charges...

in her first case.

DA5 like Baldwin here won't prosecute
rapists if their victims...

won't hold up on the stand.

Win, win, win, that's all she cares about.
So competitive.

[SCOFFS]

[DOOR OPENS]

You gotta give Stroh credit
for rushing you to trial.

Want me to see
If Marilyn Monroe's lucid?

Find out if Natalie, or Marilyn,
or whatever she's calling herself...

can make a presentable witness.

- Give me a signal when you come back.
- Jo.

Thanks.

What are you doing? It's time.

I found Harris' victim
like I told you I would.

So timely too, where is she?

I don't know.
But you need to ask for a continuance.

I need something approaching evidence
to get His Honor to grant us more time.

Hope you're ready for your cross.
It's going to be tough.

BAILIFF: All rise.
JUDGE: Okay, we're back.

Chief Johnson, you are still under oath.

- Mr. Stroh, your witness.
STROH: Thank you, Your Honor.

Chief Johnson, the DNA sample
you offered as evidence...

suggests that Mr. Harris and Miss Adler
had sexual relations, is that true?

Does more than that.
Suggests that your client raped her.

Could the court ask that Chief Johnson
refrain from editorial commentary?

It's not an opinion if Harris
Had sex with Gwyneth Adler...

when she was unconscious and unable
to give consent. She was drugged.

STROH:
Sorry, did I miss something?

Were your pathologists able to pinpoint
exactly when that drug was taken?

- Your Honor?
- Chief Johnson.

I believe the question before you is,
did the pathologist determine...

-..when the drug was taken?

It's possible Miss Adler took the drug after
having sexual relations with Mr. Harris.

0.
- Why not? Miss Adler was a nurse.

She had access to all sort of medications.
Isn't It an assumption she was drugged?

R o.
- Why not?

The doorman and the bartender remember
putting her in a cab. She was...

She was conscious, was she not?

- Yes, but-
- And she was at a club.

It was Valentine's Day. Isn't it possible
that somebody bought her a few drinks?

- Maybe.
- Yes or no?

- Is it possible that somebody...?
- Yes. Yes.

- Permission to approach the witness.
- Go ahead.

This is the autopsy report
for Gwyneth Adler.

Can you read what it says here
under cause of death?

- “Overdose.”
- Overdose.

And how about here under manner of death?

- This is an incomplete report.
- Can you read what it says?

Under manner of death.

- “Undetermined”
- Undetermined.

Not murder. Undetermined.

And at the time of his arrest, you
suspected that Mr. Harris had a partner.

Was this because when he checked in...

- ...he asked for two keys?
- In part, yes.

I have two keys to my car.

Two keys to my house.

Tell me, Chief Johnson,
does that make me a rapist?

BALDWIN: Objection.
JUDGE: Sustained.

Withdrawn.

The autopsy report for Gwyneth Adler
says that she died of an overdose.

Not sexual relations with Mr. Harris.

So doesn't this murder charge against
my client hinge entirely...

on this imaginary partner...

-..you created for him? o.

So you've identified a second suspect
in the case?

Chief Johnson?

- Your Honor?
- Chief Johnson...

have you identified a second suspect?

Yes.

- And who would that be?
- Objection.

Overruled. The witness will answer.
Do you have a second suspect.

You. My second suspect is you.
And for the record, I mean Phillip Stroh.

That's it. Bailiff, clear the court.

All right, Mr. Stroh, over here.
.Miss Baldwin, get up here.

- You just guaranteed us a mistrial.
- You're welcome.

Chief Johnson, is Mr. Stroh really
a suspect In your Investigation?

Yes, sir, he is.

Your Honor, this is a desperate move,
unsubstantiated...

by rules of evidence
to reset these proceedings.

- They have no physical evidence of murder.
- Other than the body.

The issue of Adler's lack of consent
to sexual relations is conjecture.

Not true. We have toxicology reports
that she overdosed on a drug...

that she would have known
would have killed her.

Given to her
by an Imaginary second suspect.

Now, Chief Johnson
pointed the finger at me...

but it could just as well have been
anybody in her vicinity.

Miss Baldwin, did I miss some mention
of Mr. Stroh In discovery?

Murder suspects aren't always told
.that they're under investigation.

[CHUCKLES]

I'm declaring a mistrial
and we will reconvene In a month.

Miss Baldwin, that gives you four weeks
to get your act together.

- I understand.
- Yes, sir.

In light of DDA Baldwin's failure
to provide my client with a speedy trial...

- ...I ask he'd be allowed to present bail.
- What does defense request?

Seventy-five thousand.

Miss Baldwin, what does the state say
to 75000?

Your Honor, the state would be satisfied
with a bail set at $25,000.

Miss Baldwin, you confuse me.

But whatever.

Twenty-five thousand it is,
and I will see you in a month.

BRENDA:
Uh, excuse me, Your Honor.

Uh, I have another witness, but she's
on a 72-hour mental health hold.

I need a removal order.

And there's no one else in the building
you could ask?

Well, you're here, Your Honor,
and your schedule just freed up.

Yes, it did.

- Lieutenant.
PROVENZA: Ah!

Harris' mom paid for his bail, I
Just like you hoped she would.

Uh, he left, uh, Mid Central
about an hour ago.

He got about 10 feet from the front door
before we rearrested him...

for raping Natalie Gilbert.

He's set up in Interview 1,
but he's already Invoked, chief.

Chief, we got Natalie Gilbert
.In your conference room.

- Okay, how is she?
- Well, she knows her real name.

- That's a start.
- I'll go talk to her...

Excuse me?

- Natalie Gilbert is a victim.
- No, she's not. She's a witness.

- We are not trying-
- We could add to the charges.

She's a manic depressive-No,
you wait a minute.

I intend to win this case.

And let me be clear about this,
it is my case.

You wanted the suspect free, he's here.
I can't talk to him. You can.

But this witness, she's mine.

RAYDOR: Chief Johnson with Mr. Harris
under arrest...

Mr. Stroh will be here.

You won't have much time to speak
with the suspect.

Excuse me, captain. Look, you can't
Interview Natalie by yourself.

You need a witness
for when you go back to court.

111 take Detective Gabriel
and Lieutenant Tao.

They're terrific on the stand.

Oh, uh...

Thank you. I, uh, learned from the best.

You heard the captain.
.Stroh is on his way..

If that young lady indicates
she can Identify him...

- You got it.
- Thank you.

HARRIS:
You let me out of jail just to arrest me?

Then you need to give my mom back
her $2500 bond...

because this is harassment.
You can't do this.

Mr. Harris,
we're not here to question you.

Just to make you aware of the new charges
brought against you.

You might recognize this woman,
Natalie Gilbert.

She looks different
than the first time you met her.

This photo was taken after you raped her.

Last year, you and your partner
drugged Natalie...

took her to a motel
and had your way with her.

- That case was dropped.
- Don't speak unless you're invoking, sir.

That case was dropped
because Natalie went missing.

But she's back. We found her.

You know, in fact, she's here right now
with DDA Baldwin.

You wanna know what she's saying?

NATALIE.
I don't wanna talk about it.

I don't even wanna think about it.

I spend a lot of time
trying not to think about It.

I understand, Natalie.
I would feel the same way.

But the man who did this terrible thing
to you has done It to someone else.,

And this time, he killed her.

So I'm lucky I only lost my mind.

[CHUCKLES]

- Is that what you mean?
BRENDA: Things got out of hand.

These things happen.

Pretty girl drops in your cab,
feeling no pain.

Up for anything,
you only wanted a little fun. We get It.

BRENDA: Maybe you thought
she agreed to everything in advance.

Because we know you're not the one
who drugged her.

That's the real crime here.

Because the next time
your partner found a girl for you...

Gwyneth Adler, he screwed up
and overdosed her.

That's murder.

You really wanna be on the hook
for that?

Now, we have this new witness
who can explain everything.

I don't remember the bar where I was.

I don't remember how I got to...

That filthy hotel room...

with someone on top of me.

And there was a second man.

So both of them...

Both of them...

GABRIEL:
Natalie...

I'm very sorry
about what you've been through.

I understand
why you would wanna disappear.

But now that you're back,
we can put these men away.

I did not disappear.
The prosecutor freaked out...

when he found out I was bipolar.

He said, when the jury heard
I was taking Klonopin...

they might not believe me.

Excuse me, Natalie,
did you say you were taking Klonopin?

And I was totally managing.

But, you know, after that night...

I lost my job.

And then my health insurance. And then
without my medicine, I don't, urn...

I don't even know what happened next.

That's not disappearing.

That's having your life destroyed.

- And now you wanna do it again?
- I don't.

Your case was mishandled, Natalie.
There's no excuse for that.

- But we can make it right.
- How?

How? I'm still a bipolar, okay?
But now I'm homeless and I'm broke.

- Does that improve my credibility?
- The state sets aside money...

for witness assistance.
We can help you.

- I can't go through it again. I won't!
- You won't go to court as a victim.

You go as a witness.

All you have to do is say that you had sex
without your consent.

The DNA results will tie your case
with mine...

and put the man away
who hurt you so badly.

Not just one of them.
We can get both of them, Natalie...

if you just wanna look at some pictures,
see some faces.

- They might jog your memory.
- She doesn't need to Identify anyone.

We have a DNA match to our suspect.

Who do you want her to
point out, detective?

My lawyer. I want my lawyer.

I'm not saying another word to you people
without Stroh.

You don't have to say a word.
Your DNA puts you at both crime scenes.

With this new witness,
we have more evidence...

to convict you of a rape and murder.

But look, Mr. Harris...

before your attorney gets here,
know the DA is prepared to offer you...

a greatly reduced sentence...

.in exchange for the name of the person
who drugged those women.

But if you refuse to cooperate,
you'll be taking the fall, all by yourself.

In prison, rape goes both ways.

BREN DA:
And Stroh walks out of here a free man.

You better hurry up
and make your decision...

because the meter is running.

- I'm sorry.
- Okay. Bye.

Uh...

Chief Johnson, hope you weren't
questioning my client without me.

Of course not. Just advising Mr. Harris
of the new charges brought against him.

Or should I say the old charges.
We found the victim in his first rape.

Oh, really.

Tell me, how is Natalie Gilbert feeling?
Is she back on her meds?

She'll be ready for court in a month.

So that's why you provoked a mistrial.

I hate to say this, chief, but you
are the worst loser I have ever met.

And you are a loser.

Hello, guys.

Always a pleasure.

Harris didn't drug those women.

He had a partner.

And I intent to find him.

Not with this.

I was wondering how you're able to track
my client to the restaurant...

where you arrested him.

Today, in court, when you accused me
of being his partner...

I finally figured it out.

You hadn't been following him,
you'd been following me.

Arrogant.

Considering you just settled
a federal lawsuit...

in which I sued you for harassment.

You may think she walks on water.

But you're following her
across some very thin Ice.

Very, very thin.

Chief, I think I know why Natalie Gilbert
woke up early during her rape...

- ...and why Gwyneth Adler didn't wake up.
- Uh, I'm listening.

Natalie was taking Klonopin,
a benzodiazepine.

It creates an enzyme
that blocks the Rohypnol...

the assailants used to knock her out.
Result: She woke up too quickly.

So Harris and his partner upped the dose
of Rohypnol on the next victim...

- ...to make sure she stayed sedated.
- And that's how they killed her, yeah.

Okay. Uh, detective, urn,
where's Natalie gone?

Uh, well, DDA Baldwin wants her
In protective custody.

- So Provenza's processing her now.
- But Stroh's In the building.

- All I need is for her to look at him.
- Chief, Natalie refuses.

Uh, was she able to pick Stroh's picture
out of a six-pack?

- Baldwin wouldn't let me show her. I tried.
- That's why I had you In the room.

- We've ended up having a good day so far.
- So you could guide...

This is the thanks I get
for getting Baldwin four more weeks?

She wants to use Natalie to get
a conviction against Harris.

And when she does,
for a more than a lenient sentence...

he may very well give up his partner.

Chief, it's a bird-in-the-hand type
of situation.

We take the rape conviction
and we beat him over the head.

- It does not get me Stroh,
- Baldwin isn't going to blow her case.

Over what?
Unsubstantiated accusations?

Chief, ahem, I'm trying to find a place
to park Natalie Gilbert...

.but it's turning out to be a lot tougher
than it should.

She's homeless,
she has no place to go.

And, uh, I think putting her back
Into a motel room...

might turn out
to be counterproductive.

We can't just let her walk out of here.

Goodness, no. Captain, there's
a Johnson rule to consider.

We can't let people leave if they're gonna
be facing hostile situations.

Natalie needs some protection,
don't you agree?

I wanna tell you...

I wanna say how sorry I am
about that other woman. I just...

I can't do any more than I already have.

[DOOR CLOSES]

That's okay.

I'm only worried that one of your attackers
is out there.

You got a good look at him.
We have his DNA and he knows all that.

FRITZ: Brenda.
- Fritzy.

- We have a guest. You remember Natalie?
- Sure. Good to see you again.

Uh, I'm gonna steal Brenda for a second,
Natalie, if you don't mind.

I'll be right there. Just one second.

Anyway, you're perfectly safe
here tonight.

I'm only concerned
about what happens later...

when you're out on your own
and the L.A.P.D. is not around.

Of course, if you could identify the guy,
we could pick him up.

End this ongoing threat
against your life.

But as it stands now,
he's gonna come after you again.

Only this time, he'll
try to silence to you.

Keep you from ever telling us...

what you don't remember.

FRITZ: Brenda.
- Yes?

Excuse me.

Can I get you anything else?
More bread? More water?

- What are you doing?
- She's homeless, Fritz.

Is she staying the night?

Well, I was hoping...

- ...she'd end up taking me to a bar.
- Think It's fair to drag that girl...

through a rape
she doesn't wanna think about?

You think it's fair that the guy
who did that Is running around free?

- I'm trying to find him, put him in prison.
- You're not. You're trying to nail Stroh.

- Same thing.
- Is it?

Did your GPS show Stroh at either of
the motels were your victims were raped?

Did it show him at the bar
where your second victim was?

Harris has a cab, and he asked for
two keys to that motel room...

.the night he raped Gwyneth.
And Harris didn't drug her

How do you know Stroh did? He's using
your fascination to get his client off.

- You want Harris to walk?
- I want them both.

Harris and Stroh.
I won't give up one to get the other.

- And Baldwin will. NATALIE: I...

I remember something.

Stella's Nightclub.
That's what It was called.

It's where I went.

MAN: Here you are, sir.
- Lieutenants.

Can you explain why I had to learn
that Mr. Harris was being removed...

.and brought to a club
from a voice-mail?

Your secretary left work early.
Just guessing.

- Relax, counselor. You'll love this place.
- Yeah, it's ladles' night.

As long as I don't have to talk to them.

Mr. Stroh, welcome to Stella's.

We have a table waiting for you.
Just follow me.

Where's my client?

Uh, he'll be here in a minute.

Ah! Ahem, here we are. Ah,
have a seat, counselor.

Uh, if you don't mind, would you ask
the bartender to get Mr. Stroh a cocktail?

- None for me, thanks.

Well, urn, I could use another club soda.

- With a lime.
- Mm-hm.

Why do I get the feeling
you guys have gone...

out of your way to see me tonight?

[CHUCKLES]

- This is definitely the place.
BRENDA: Sure?

NATALIE:
Yeah, I remember that guy.

- What do you remember about him?
- He carded me at the door.

He said he couldn't believe
I was over 21.

Anything else?

I don't think so.

You're doing great, Natalie.
Just take it all in.

Tell us what else you remember, okay?

It's okay.

Chief Johnson, you come here often?

[GASPS THEN PANTS]

That's him.

- That's him.
BRENDA: What?

- That's him. That's him. That's him!
- Hey. Hey.

[NATALIE SCREAMING]

GABRIEL: Get up.
- That's him. It's him.

That's him. That's him. That...

It's all right. It's all right.
He's under arrest now

You're okay. You're safe. You're safe.
You're with us.

So assuming
the DNA evidence confirms...

.that you just found George Harris'
mystery partner...

I might be willing to make a deal
In exchange for my client's cooperation.

Great. Wonderful.

Drugging women to have sex
with them...

I don't understand it.

It's just so unsporting.

Not to let them even have a fighting chance,
should you talk to Baldwin or should I?

I can't make deals with murderers.

You just love calling it murder,
don't you?

All right. I'll attend
to the gory details...

and, uh, lighten up.

You got your man, as always.

Right?

Charlie knew how to talk to women. Yeah.
Working In a bar, he met all kinds of girls.

[HARRIS CHUCKLES]

And he said that if I just did
what he said, he'd hook me up too.

So I got the room and he got the babe.

By the time I showed up in my cab,
he had them all loosened up.

After that, it was just easy.
Just like he said it would be.

Except for that last girl.

Gwyneth.

Gwyneth. After we, urn...

After I...

She started making these noises.

You know, like choking.

And I shook her just a little,
just to wake her.

And she just stopped breathing.

And Charlie showed up
and he was pissed.

He put too much of that stuff
in her drink.

He didn't wanna kill her. He just-The
other girl from the time before...

she, urn, woke up too soon.

Now, write it all down
and hope It checks out.

Chief Johnson.

No apology?

Well, then I guess this is goodbye.

Finally.

[WHISPERS] You'll see me again.

Count on it.

[DOOR OPENS]

Don't soft-pedal this.

I want it said to her just the way
Chief Pope told me it would be done.

Uh, don't soft-pedal what?

I'm not ungrateful
for the results we achieved...

but you behaved toward me with
what I consider to be a condescending...

dismissive and secretive attitude.

And whether you're aware of it or not,
you harmed the prosecution of my case.

- Your case?
- That's right, my case.

Captain.

- Maybe we should go into your office.
- No, no, here's fine.

- Chief Pope believes that-
- Chief Pope believes?

- Oh, sorry, go on.
- Chief Pope believes...

that you should start bringing
prosecutors on earlier In your cases.

He and the district attorney agree
that provoking a mistrial...

I didn't provoke a mistrial.

I answered the questions as
truthfully as I could...I

in keeping with the oath I took.

I know. I understand.

The chief of police would like the
district attorney's office...

to have a more open access
to Major Crimes.

Okay, we'll talk. Anything else?

You're no longer
to investigate Phillip Stroh...

monitor his movements,
or In any way, shape or form...

interfere with the conduct of his
activities, either personal or legal...

without prior approval of Chief Pope.

Good. Thank you, Sharon.

Chief. I'm sorry about this.

I'm speaking to you now...

not only as a representative
of the Professional Standards Bureau...

but also as a colleague and a friend.

If I were you, I would take these orders
very seriously.

Trust me. I am.

Sync & Corrected by Shadowmoon