The Practice (1997–2004): Season 6, Episode 4 - Vanished: Part 1 - full transcript

REBECCA: Previously
on The Practice:

I have a good portion
of the money.

You're two weeks late now.

I'm gonna borrow some money
from my retirement account.

My proposal is this--

you provide
some legal services,

and your debt goes away.

The guy's my bookie.
What do you owe?

Twenty-seven thousand.

His ex-wife is suing him
for fraud.

He won the lottery,



she's claiming he didn't
tell her.

I get 70,
and you get 30.

(camera shutter clicking)

You believe this?
They think I whacked her.

Did you?
Check my alibi,
you want peace of mind.

Did you have it done?

All right, just get me out.

Your wife's estate
can still make a claim.

Do you want me
to follow up on that?

No. Think I might engage
new counsel, just the same.

So I guess we're done, then.

You still owe me
the 27, Jimmy.

Didn't exactly
work that off.

What do you say you walk
out the door,



forget my debt,
and I'll forget

how you threatened
to kill your wife?

The truth is
I got more on you

than you got on me.

I'm asking you...

to get out of this office, now.

I need that money.
I'll give you a week.

I can't even believe
they're letting him out.

He's managed to convince
the shrinks

he's no longer a danger.

Remember, he was never
actually charged

in the kidnapping
of your son.

The police know he did it.
They just couldn't prove it.

Plus he's a convicted
child molester.

Don't these people
repeat their crimes?

What exactly are you
hiring me to do?

To try to keep him in jail?

We want to bury our son.

Only he knows
where the body is.

If there even
still is one.

We were wondering
if we could somehow

force him to tell us
where the remains are.

I really don't see how.

If he were to tell us
where the body is,

he'd effectively be
admitting to the murder.

We're told you have
a relationship

with the DA's office.

Could you--
We were thinking

if you could get them
to consider filing charges

against Pierce
for the kidnapping,

that would give you
some leverage, wouldn't it?

Maybe we could
make some deal.

I know you've been
to the DA's office,

and I know what
they've told you.

Because we're just two
anonymous people,

walking in off the street.
They know you.

If you asked--
Mr. Baldwin,

first of all,
this kidnapping happened

eighteen years ago.

If they couldn't
build a case then,
there's no way.

I think you have to
let it go now.

We can't let it go.

We need to bury our son.

(music playing)

Wrongful death?

For a murder that took place
18 years ago?

It's a long shot.
ELLENOR: What's the end game?

Even if you do win,
does he have any assets?

It's not about money.

Then what's it about?

The parents want
to bury their son.

They want closure.

If I can create the threat
of a lawsuit,

maybe we can get this guy
to reveal

where the remains are.

Forgive me. I don't mean
to be insensitive,

but suppose you do succeed--
what's our contingency?

Lindsay, try to get
the police records.

Find out whatever
the DA's office has, or had.

Ellenor, research the statute
of limitations issue.

That'll definitely
be challenged.

Rebecca, you and Jimmy
get started on the complaint.

Where is Jimmy?

Thanks.

Jimmy, jeez.
How long's it been?

Aunt Maria's funeral.

Oh, too long.
You put on weight.

Yeah, and you're like this
big fat cat yourself now.

Parking lot king.
Yeah, king.

I barely got
a one and a quarter percent
profit margin going here.

What's up, Jim?

Uh, well...

We're family.

Uh, I've gotten myself

into a little bit
of a financial jam.

Normal circumstances,

I would never hit you up
for a loan.

Normal circumstances,
I'd give it to you.

Problem is, Jimmy,

I just had to write
a sizeable check myself,

so it's gonna depend
on how big

your little bit of a jam is.

I'm feeling sick
to my stomach just asking.

You owe your book.

I keep tabs.
You're family.

Plus, I like the ponies myself.

How much?

It's more football than--
How much?

Twenty-seven grand.

Jimmy.

I wish I could help you,
but, uh,

the timing's just not good.

Hey, listen...

Listen, I got a tip on a horse

running at Suffolk
day after tomorrow.

He's a sure winner.

I've bet on too many
sure winners, Dom.

How I got in this mess.

Well, like I said,
I wish I could help.

I'm going to serve him
with the complaint myself.

Now, listen,
you'll have to sign

a confidentiality agreement.

Why?
Because there's no way

he's gonna tell us
where the body is

if he thinks you'll go
running to the police.

This isn't about that.
I understand.

But he'll obviously need
to be convinced.

We will give him
whatever he wants.

Just tell us
where Chad is.

You'll agree
not to pursue him

civilly or criminally.

We understand.

May I go with you?
To the prison?

I don't think
that's a great idea.

A mother's plea might--
This is not about a plea,
Mrs. Baldwin.

This is a threat.

Better it come
from a lawyer.

Are you serious?

I'm just asking you
to check it out.

Lindsay, a kidnapping
that happened 18 years ago,

I can promise you
it's inactive.

I'd just like you to review
the file if you could...

Assuming I can
even find it.

...and tell me
what you have.

Please.

I just want to make sure

you've truly considered
the ramifications

of closing out
your IRA.
I have.

Realizing that you'll
be liable

for taxes
on the entire amount.

Realizing that.

Also realizing you'll pay
a fairly onerous penalty

for early withdrawal.

Also realizing.

Do you own a house?
Because we offer
a wide variety

of home equity products--
Look.

Maybe I ought to be committed.

But this is what I want to do.

If you insist. It's just--

I'm a renter.

How much will I get
from the IRA?

(sighs)

Approximately $8,200.

Eighty-two hundred?

My retirement fund
is $8,200?

You're 23 years shy
of retirement age.

With your maximum
annual contribution,

if you left this
current amount intact--

just give me the money.

Look, I had nothing to do with
that Baldwin kid going missing.

It wasn't me.

You'll need a lawyer.

If the trial starts
before you're released,

you'll be transported
to and from court.

They never even arrested me.

You know why?
Because I didn't do it.

Like you never molested
those three little boys

who put you in here?

You married?

Is that a threat,
Mr. Pierce?

No, it's not a threat.

Look, she gotta be here
for this?
Yes, she does.

I need a witness.

I asked if you're married.
I see the ring on your finger.

You probably got
a nice wife.

You feel like getting it off,
she's who you probably think of.

You got fantasies
about other women,
that's cool.

Everybody understands,
am I right?

What are you
talking about?

I'm explaining something.

Nobody on the planet can help
who they're attracted to.

For me...

...it was always little boys.

I fooled myself
into thinking

it was okay,
it didn't hurt anybody,
not really.

I did some bad things.

I admit it.

And I got to live with that.

So do all the boys
you hurt.

Yeah, and I gotta
live with that, too.

But I had nothing to do
with your clients' kid,

and they got no right
to sue me.

I could probably get them
to drop the suit.

They just want to know
where their son is.

I don't know what happened
to that kid.

Have your attorney call me.

He denied it?
Yes.

Did he deny molesting
those other boys?

No.

But he said he didn't
kidnap your son.

So what happens now?

He retained a lawyer.
A good one.

She filed an immediate motion
for summary judgment.

We go and argue that next.

If we can get by that,

we can at least have
some leverage to make him talk.

BOBBY: So I'll meet you
at the courthouse at 10:00.

Okay.
Thank you.

Good night.

Hey, Jimmy.

Hi.

Everything squared away
with your bookie?

The last I heard,

cops haven't
arrested him yet.

I'm not really following it
since he fired me and all.

I'm talking about
the money you owe him.

Oh, that. Yeah.

We're in the past tense
on that.

Definitely.

Good.

Death would be presumed
after seven years, Your Honor.

Which means the statute
of limitations

for wrongful death
has long since run.

Unless there's fraud
that prevented the Baldwins

from finding out that he
caused the wrongful death.

HENRIETTA: There
wasn't any fraud.

ELLENOR: John Pierce disappeared
days after kidnapping--

HENRIETTA:
Allegedly kidnapping.

He also assumed
a false name and identity--

Alexander Wriat.

That's fraud? Mr. Pierce
wanted a fresh start,

to get out from
under the cloud

of unfounded,
unjust suspicion.

He was convicted of sex crimes
under this alias

in another state.

It took
the Baldwins' investigator

to figure out that Pierce
and Wriat were one and the same.

Why didn't your clients
at least file their lawsuit

within the prescribed period
to preserve their claim?

It would have been pointless

since they couldn't locate
the defendant.

You don't need to know
where a defendant is

in order to file
a lawsuit.

You do in order to serve him.

He was found
three years later.

They could have served him
in prison.

All right. I'm going
to let the claim survive

the statute of limitations
challenge,

but as to whether there's
a case here at all,

there wasn't even
enough evidence

for the police
to make an arrest.

Different standard of proof
in criminal cases.

This is civil.
Oh, who's kidding who?

If the police thought he had
kidnapped Chad Baldwin--

The police did
and do think that.

They're just unable
to prove it.

And you think you can?

I would like at least
to be allowed

to conduct discovery.

I'm going to grant you
a short evidentiary hearing.

If you can make a showing
that you have anything

worth submitting to a jury,
I'll let it stand.

Otherwise, I'm granting
the defendant's motion.

We'll see you back here
tomorrow, 10:00 a. m.

Tomorrow?

If you're not ready
to make a showing, counsel,

after 18 years,
that certainly gives me pause.

We'll be here.

Put the defendant
back into custody.

We just want
to give him a funeral.

I will forgive you
if you just tell us where he is.
Jenny.

Honey.
Mrs. Baldwin!

Jenny, please.
Don't, don't.

Please. Please.
Come on.

I'm sorry.
It's all right.

Okay, it's time to put up
or shut up.

Do we have the transcripts
from the previous trials?
Lucy ordered them.

Okay, Jenny,
you testify first.
Okay.

You might be attacked
on memory,

the fact that it happened
18 years ago.

I've been playing it back
for 18 years, Mr. Donnell.

I remember it
as if it was yesterday.

Good.

Hi, Jimmy.
How you doing?

I asked you
not to come back here.

Let's say I missed you.

Take a
walk with me.

Let's go.

Is this all of it?

I just gave you $14,800.

Which I appreciate,
but you owe me 33.

Twenty-seven.

Thirty-three with
the juice-- 8.25 percent.

This is every penny
I can get my hands on.

Morris.

What a surprise.
You know Jimmy Berluti?

Look, Jimmy, I know
what you're thinking.

Morris is a big guy.

I brought him here
to rough you up

just like in the movies,
right?

Kind of cliche,
if you ask me.

But... I tell you,

whatever words people
might use to describe me...

Uhh!

(choking)

..."original" isn't
one of them.

Thirty-six hours--
I'll have the rest.

You got till tomorrow.

We just caught a break.
What?

That was a guy
named Bud Reynolds.

He's a resident
at state prison.

He claims John Pierce
told him

he kidnapped
the Baldwin boy.

Becca, let's go.

John Pierce confessed to you
he kidnapped, abused,
and killed Chad Baldwin?

Yeah.

After 18 years
of denying it,

he suddenly tells
a stranger he did it?

We weren't strangers.
We were friends.

Which explains why
you're ratting on him.

Hey, you don't got to
believe me.

It's nothing to me.

Why?
Why what?

Why so public-spirited?
What's in it for you?

That warm glow
you get right here

when you squash a maggot.

I said we were friends.
We're not now.

When did this conversation
take place?

Six, eight months ago.

Why didn't you report it?

Tell you the truth,

I kept hoping somebody'd
stick a shank in his throat,

but nobody ever did,
and he's getting out soon.

How exactly did this
conversation come about?

I don't remember.

Just came up.

Jailhouse informants
lie all the time.

But to the police?
To cut a deal here?

What would be his motive?

Well, maybe just
to get a day in court,

break up the week.

Did he seem believable?

I couldn't really tell.

He's not asking
for anything,

which makes me suspect

he's probably
telling the truth.

So he is dead.

My son.

Part of me thought...

...he was really
still alive somewhere.

Hoped, I guess.

Did you arrange a transport?

All taken care of.

Okay, Jenny,
you're still up first.

Then we'll call
this Reynolds guy.

(sighs)

Jeez, Jimmy, I told you,
the timing--

Can you help me
with anything?

A couple of thousand?

It's killing me,
but I can't.

You okay?

You don't look good.

Tell me about
this horse.

We were at the park.

We used to go
every morning.

It was Chad's
favorite thing to do.

BOBBY: What would
your son do there?

JENNY: He loved constructing
things in the sandbox,

I guess like
any four-year-old.

This day he was playing
with his Legos.

And what
were you doing?

I was watching him,
as well as my daughter Susan,

who was on the swings.

Then what happened?

Susan fell off a swing
and hurt herself,

and she was crying.

I ran over
to see about her.

Maybe 30 or 40 seconds.

And when I looked back,
Chad was gone.

BOBBY: While your
son was playing,

did you see anybody else
in the area?

I saw that man.
John Pierce?

Yes. He was
at a water fountain

about 20 feet away
from where Chad was playing.

What was he doing?

Just standing there
watching the children.

Did that make you nervous?

I really didn't
think about it.

Um, I had seen him before.

And he always seemed
a little weird,

but none of us--
the mothers--

knew he was
a child molester.

Objection.

I'll ignore it.

After you noticed that
your son was gone,

did you see Mr. Pierce?

No. He was gone, too.

It all happened
in seconds.

Mrs. Baldwin, did you see
anyone else nearby

who could have disappeared
with Chad

in a matter of seconds?

No.
Thank you.

I'm very sorry about the loss
of your son, Mrs. Baldwin.

Yes, you told me that.

Mr. Pierce actually
worked at park, didn't he?

Evidently.

You said he seemed weird.

Had you ever complained
about him to anyone?

No.

To your knowledge,
did any of the mothers

ever complain about
Mr. Pierce's behavior

toward their children?

Not to my knowledge.

Did you ever see him behave

in a scary
or inappropriate manner

around the children?

He stared at them
sometimes.

You never did see him
abduct your son, did you?

I didn't see it, but--
So it could have been
somebody else.

Nobody else was near Chad.

How do you know?

If Mr. Pierce could
disappear into the trees,

someone else could've
been hiding in there,
couldn't they?

It was him.

It helps to have
somebody to blame,

doesn't it, Mrs. Baldwin,

to give the monster
a face,

even if it's the wrong face?
Objection.

Withdrawn.
That's all I have.

Are you authorized to make
withdrawals from this account?

I'm a lawyer
with the firm.

I'm James Berluti.

I should be
on record here.

The manager knows me.

Mr. Berluti, I'll just
have to get this approved.

Fifteen thousand?
Yes.

Okay, it'll just
take a second.

We found three Legos
in his apartment.

Did John Pierce tell you
how they got there?

Yes. He said he had them

for when his nephews
came over.

Three Legos?
Yes.

Three lone Legos?
That's correct.

Did you determine
how often his nephews,
in fact, came over?

We determined
he had no nephews.

Were you ever able
to determine that the Legos

you found in
Mr. Pierce's apartment

belonged to Chad Baldwin?

No, we were not.

Any evidence
of Chad Baldwin

ever being present
in my client's apartment?

No.

Any physical, testimonial,

or forensic evidence
to suggest

that Chad Baldwin ever came
in contact with John Pierce?

Only the testimony
of the mother,

who said she saw him
close to her son.

I wish I could be
more optimistic.

What about
the informant?

He's going up next,
but his credibility...

the only other thing
I can think of is
to call Pierce.

If he doesn't take
the Fifth,

maybe if I go at him
hard enough,

he'll say something
to incriminate himself.

Contrary to the myth,
not all child molesters
are rocket scientists.

ANNOUNCER: Race number
eight will begin

in approximately 15 minutes.

Please proceed to the betting
window to place your bet.

Twelve thousand
on number four--

Maddie's Charm to win.

A hundred dollar exacta wheel,
Maddie's Charm on top.

And $2,000 to show.

That's on number four.

ANNOUNCER: Your
attention please.

The photo results
of the last race
are now available.

Eugene, this just came
through the fax.

It's...

What?

A CTR form from the bank.

There's been a withdrawal
from the Peterson account.

Before we move on
to what Mr. Pierce said to you,

can you tell me
how you feel about him?

I can't stand him.

I make no bones there.

Why don't you like
Mr. Pierce?

He told the CO
I had contraband in my cell,

and I got put
in the hole for a few days.

What kind of contraband?

A hot plate.

Are you a vindictive person,
Mr. Reynolds?

Are you testifying
to get back at the defendant?

No. I just think
he deserves to go down

for what he did
to that Baldwin boy.

All right.

What, exactly,
did he tell you about that?

He said-- and this is
pretty much of a quote--

"I sure did enjoy
getting that boy out

from under
his mama's nose.

He was a real looker."

Did he say who
he was talking about?

He said that kid who was
snatched from the park--

Chad Baldwin,
the one on the news.

Did he tell you
he murdered Chad?

He didn't use that word.

He said he cleaned up
after himself,

and that he regretted not
keeping the kid around longer

'cause he was good.

What was his demeanor
as he was telling you this?

Sort of dreamy.

The same look a man gets
when he's remembering a woman.

ANNOUNCER: The horses
are at the gate.

It's post time
for the race.

(bell rings)

(announcer chattering)

(cheering)

HENRIETTA: Did he ever
give you any specific
details of this crime?

Just what I told you.

Just that he did it.
And enjoyed it.

Isn't it true
that you told Mr. Pierce

you were gonna
get even with him?

No, it's not.

What are you serving
a sentence for, Mr. Reynolds?

Embezzlement and assault.

So we can safely assume
you are both a dishonest

and a violent person,
can we not?

I am telling
the truth here.

You even have a reputation
in prison for being
a snitch, don't you?

Undeserved.

Makes sense that
Mr. Pierce would confess

to a known snitch, doesn't it?

Well, I find
pedophiles lack judgment.

(cheering)

Move it!

Move it, four!

Come on, four, move it!

Whip him, Jorge!

Come on, Jorge, whip him, baby!

Come on, baby!
Come on, four!

Make your move, four!

Run him, baby! Run him, baby!

Get inside! Get inside!

Go, baby, go! That's it!

Come on now!

Jorge, bring it around!
Bring it inside!

Go home, baby!
Bring it home, four!

Come on, four!
Come on, baby!

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Four! Four!

Come on! Come on! Go! Go!

Go! Go! Four!

Four! Four!
Oh, come on, baby!

Oh, come on, four!

(screaming)

(panting)

(crowd cheering)

I won.

I won.

Anything else, Mr. Donnell?

Yes, Your Honor.
We call John Pierce
to the stand.

Objection.
Mr. Donnell knows full well

I'm not about
to allow that to happen.

This is a civil proceeding.
I can call whoev--

And if criminal charges
could follow,

my client is allowed to assert
his Fifth Amendment right

not to testify,
and my advice for him

to do exactly that
won't be subtle.

Given that 18 years
have passed,

the likelihood that criminal
charges will be brought--

We're not talking likelihoods.
There's still a chance.

This man is a convicted
child molester.

He was seen
and identified

as being within 50 feet
of the victim

at the time
of the kidnapping.

Chad Baldwin was playing
with Legos at the time.

Legos were found
in that bastard's apartment.

Objection!
Mr. Donnell.

We all know
we can't get him criminally.

At least give us a chance
to get him civilly.

Counsel, step up.

First, Mr. Donnell,

as much as I admire
your passion,

you are not exactly known
as a champion of fair play,

so I would delete
the moral indignation

from your repertoire.

Now, Ms. Lightstone.

True, your client does not
have to testify here,

but if he doesn't,
you might not like my finding.

My client is judgment-proof.
I'm not terribly concerned--

I am not talking
about civil liability.

What are
you talking about?

You're a good lawyer, Henrietta.
Figure it out.

As a convicted pedophile,

your client
can be kept in jail

even after his sentence
has expired

if he's considered
to be a danger to society.

He has already satisfied
the psychiatrists that he's not.

Yes. They consider him
to be rehabilitated,

full of remorse.

Well, from where I sit--

and I tend to like
the view up here--

I'm not getting that picture.

If he refuses to testify,

that makes me concerned

as to whether
he has truly reformed.

What are you saying?

I want to hear from him.

Otherwise,

the District Attorney's office

might want to bring
civil commitment proceedings,

and your client
may never get out.

This is blackmail.

I'm just pointing
out risks, counsel.

So if my client
refuses to testify,

you can find him
uncooperative

and recommend
he stay locked up forever,

and if he testifies
and slips up,

he could stay
locked up forever.

Choose your poison.

Now we have our leverage.

He's got a strong incentive
to tell us where the body is

if it'll stop this train.

There's no way
they want to risk testifying.

If he did testify,
do you think you could get him?

I should be able to shake him
enough to give spindle doubts.

That's what they have to
be afraid of now.

He's not just risking
criminal prosecution.

If he plays dodgeball
with me,

the DA could argue
he's not rehabilitated

and seek involuntary
confinement.

It's civil,
but prison is prison.

We got him
in the crossfire now.

Our leverage is great.

Now's the time
to go back to them.

With what?

Well, if he tells us
where the remains are,

we drop our claim,
he gets his freedom...

...and you get to have
a funeral for your son.

No.

Why not?
Jenny?

What's wrong?

Bobby, you asked us
at the beginning
why we hired you.

And I gave you
an honest answer--

that we wanted closure.

BOBBY: And?

And sitting here
right now...

I don't know,
faced with the possibility
that he could go free,

I suddenly realize...

I want vengeance more.

Jenny.
If the choice is

get the body back
and he goes free

versus don't get the body
and he rots in jail,

I choose that he rots.

Are you sure?

I want him to rot.

EUGENE: Jimmy.

Can I see you
for a minute?

Shut the door.

What's up?

Yeah, it's a withdrawal slip.
What about it?

What do you need
$15,000 for?

I had some expenses
on the Peterson case.

You're not
a good liar, Jimmy.

What's going on?

Okay.

I had a personal
emergency, all right?

The money's already back.
I just came from the bank.

So you think that's that.

Look, Eugene,
I got in a jam with a bookie.

I borrowed money
for, like, seven hours.

You stole money.

You took
from a client's trust fund.

That's theft.

I'm sorry. I-It was
a one-time situation.

Can we just let it go?
No.

We can't.

This affects
the entire firm.

I got to bring it
to Bobby.

Please, just don't do that.
Please.

Eugene, please.

Oh, Jimmy.

Eugene wants to see you.

I paid it all back
within six hours,
plus interest.

By law, we're required
to notify the client
and the Bar.

You do that, I'm dead.

If I don't, this whole firm
could get disbarred!

Bobby, I could go to jail.

Whose fault is that?

Look, Bobby, I'm done.

You've said that before.

I'm done! You have my word.

I'm supposed to risk
everybody's reputation,

risk this firm,
on the word of an addict?

I'm not an addict!

I'm due in court.

What's gonna happen?
I don't know.

Thanks a lot.

This affects everybody,
Jimmy.

Try to get that.

Mr. Pierce,
if you didn't kidnap
Chad Baldwin,

who did?

I do not know.

Do you care?

Of course I care,
but it wasn't me.

You've already told a lie,
haven't you,

on my second question?

Objection.
Sustained.

You cared when Chad Baldwin
was kidnapped?

Mr. Donnell,
I had a sexual problem

for which I received both
treatment and medication,

but I have never been
a person without compassion.

BOBBY: So when
a four-year-old disappears,

you would feel compassion.

Yes.

Would you bother to help
if you could?

Because I'm curious.

You were there at the time,
seen less than 50 feet away,

you even knew the victim.

Why didn't you go forward
to the police

as a possible witness?

Because I didn't see
anything.

How do you know?

Maybe there was something you
saw seemingly irrelevant to you,

but it could've provided
a clue to them.

Why didn't you at least say,
"Hey, how can I help?"

Look, I was afraid
they'd suspect me.

Why?

At this point,
your record was clean.

Why would they suspect you?

You didn't molest those other
three boys till after.

Objection.
Sustained.

Your work shift
went to 4:00 p. m.,

but I see, on this day,
you left early.

I didn't feel well.
You didn't feel well.

Did you go to a supervisor
to say you were leaving?

No. I just went home.

Coincidentally, you left
within 30 to 40 seconds

of the time
Chad Baldwin disappeared.

Can you account
for such a coincidence?

A soon-to-be-convicted
child molester

is within 50 feet
of a child

at the exact time
he's kidnapped?

Objection!
Withdrawn.

Why did you leave
the state?

I cooperated completely
with the police

before I left the state.

Why did you leave, sir?

Because I expected
to get the same bias

from everybody
that I'm getting from you.

So you ran.
Yes.

Tell us about those Legos.
Why'd you tell the police

the Legos were for nephews
you didn't have?

I lied.
As I said, I knew they
thought that I was guilty.

So you lied.
Yes.

Why didn't you tell them
the truth?

Because I didn't remember
when I got the Legos.

So you decided to say
you had nephews.

Yes.

What happened
to Chad Baldwin?

I don't know.

Do you care?

I said, I care.

Because you have compassion.

Can you feel for his parents
sitting over there?

Yes!
Can you understand
how they would love

to get their son's remains

so they can get
some kind of closure?

Can you understand that?
Yes.

Would you be willing
to help them if you could?

Yes, but I can't.

Well, even peace of mind that
you didn't take their son--

would you be willing
to give them that?

I'm trying right now.
I appreciate that.

Would you be willing
to take a polygraph?

Objection.
I'm not talking about

using it for criminal purposes.

A private polygraph
just between parties,

just to satisfy my clients
that you didn't take their son.

Would you be willing to do that
so they can just move on?

Those things
aren't foolproof.

Understood.
Would you be willing?

I don't care if he's willing.
I won't allow it.

Whatever your lawyer advises
or recommends,

John, it's ultimately
your decision.

Will you take
that polygraph?

No.

Because I don't trust them
to be reliable.

And you insist
on reliability.

HENRIETTA: Objection!

Nothing further.

All right, Mr. Pierce,
you may step down.

Mr. Donnell,
any other witnesses?

No, Your Honor.
Ms. Lightstone?

No, but I'd like
to be heard.

I'm not interested.

All right.

If the defendant
was not involved

in the disappearance
of Chad Baldwin,

then we have to assume
there was another
skulking child molester

who happened to be hiding
behind a tree

in the same area
at the same time.

Mr. Pierce, you look
pretty guilty to me.

But as for evidence,
that's all there is.

You were there
at the time and place.

Admittedly, your job required
you to be there.

I'm gonna let this case
go forward,

but, Mr. Donnell,
if you don't come up with more,

I will be dismissing it
at a later date.

What about recommending

to the District Attorney's
Office

that they file
for civil commitment?

I can't recommend
a man's freedom

be taken away
based on suspicion alone.

We're adjourned.

I'm sorry.

Is it over?

No. If the wrongful death
action survives,

we can keep digging,

but there's no money
to be won.

And as for keeping him
in jail

or finding the whereabouts
of your son's remains...

...we struck out.

I'm very sorry.

You did your best.

Perhaps a wiser lawyer

would've steered you away
from all this.

We wouldn't let you.

You tried.

Mr. Donnell?

Yes.

I'm James Tucker,
and this is my mother.

How can I help you?

We've been following
the Pierce trial in the news,

and we need to talk
to somebody.

About what?

I think I may be
Chad Baldwin.

TV ANNOUNCER: Hakim is
back to receive

Hakim has had a problem
holding on to the ball.

Both last year and
in pre-season,

really one of the best
in the league.

Tremendous kick.

Hakim fields it back
at the 15 yard line...

Hakim and only
the punter to beat!

And knocked him down!

He'll go all the way
for a touchdown!

The punter was...

No way!

(crowd roaring)

(music playing)

You stinker!