Original subtitles

Right there. It's a big one. Sure.

Hey, Ray. Ray Leonard.

Hello, Ed.

Excuse me, sir, but the driver's an old friend of mine. Would you mind if we

took this cab?

I would see it first.

I know I'm asking you for a favor.

Holly, what?

It was your first, Ed.

Ray, I haven't seen you in 800 years.

Look, now you're in a big hurry.

Yeah, kind of.

Hey, there's another cab, okay?

Okay?

Thanks a million.

March, it's an old friend of mine, Ray Leonard. Ray March -Wells. Hi, Ray. Hi,

March. Listen, you look mean as ever. How are Helen and the kids?

They're just fine, thanks. How about yourself?

Never better.

How long you been hacking?

Oh, about six months. No more than 16 hours a week is for regulations.

Yeah. I didn't even know the department approved driving a cab.

Well, I don't.

Beautiful.

What's the matter?

Oh, somebody must have put a package on the floor and I put my heel right

through it. Oh, nice move, lady.

Cray, when you get back, you better turn this.

Did your last fare bring a package into the cab?

I didn't notice.

Well, we better go back and ask him.

Why?

Dex, Benny, the whole bit.

When we get there, you stay put and hang on to this. Okay.

I'll go around the other way.

I had to. He pulled a gun.

He pulled a gun on me.

There's no gun, Ray.

I could see the alley tuck to the right.

So I drove around and got out of the car, and then the man came running

with his hand held out. I thought it was a gun.

So you shot him.

Susan?

That Michael Joe story, pretty good.

You don't like the story, Lieutenant?

Me?

What's the like or not like?

I'm in the complaint division. I just look into irregularities.

And I want to tell you we've got plenty here.

Officer Leonard, unauthorized additional employment, the two of you involved in

shooting an unarmed civilian, and maybe even mixed up in the drug drop.

If we were mixed up in it, why would the passenger have run? And we have a

witness that he did run.

We'll talk to the witness.

Maybe that passenger was delivering a package to Officer Leonard to pass on to

you. You gave Jake to cover up what the witness saw.

Or maybe the passenger left it on the floor for another passenger to pick up.

There was one waiting. Only I took the cab and interrupted the drop.

And it all could have happened without my knowing anything about it, couldn't

it? I mean, isn't that true?

It's true.

Absolutely true.

Only you killed the only witness who could have cleared you.

If he would have cleared you.

Lieutenant, I've known Ray for years. He's no more involved in any...

drug racket than I am.

It could be, Sergeant, that after this investigation, that will be a damaging

admission. What?

Now, you're both suspended, pending the outcome.

Now, if there's nothing else, leave your badges and your guns with the Sergeant.

Well,

thanks a lot for backing me up in there.

In there was one thing. Out here's another.

You better be clean.

I am.

Good. Because the quicker you're out of this, the quicker I am, too.

Well, that's a mess.

Practically the whole department gets a share.

My people, homicide squad, narcotic squad.

Cabs should have run a red light that I could have called in a traffic division,

too.

You don't think the taxi company is involved?

Oh, of course not.

They just use the cabs for drops.

Any way I can help?

The case involves a man in your own office.

Man? I know.

Brown is on it.

Officer Leonard is on it.

But what I've got to find out...

Are they good cops?

Yes, all right. You have the number just in case?

Okay, thank you.

Cab company says that no one has shown up. Looking for a parcel in the

description.

That was a long shot. If that second passenger didn't know about the

he could have tried to pick up the package.

Catching him would have cleared it up.

Thank you for the vote of the Congress.

Mug shots.

No narco pushers. They said use them as long as you want. Thank you. The artist

wants to know if this is close enough.

Pretty close.

What we have to do now is find out who he is and where.

Hey, Mark, would you get this down to the print shop? I want a lot of copies.

Copies of what?

What is this?

Down the torpedoes, full speed ahead time? We're trying to move as fast as we

can on this, Chief. We? Exactly what do you mean by we?

Well, you two have a short memory.

It's been less than two hours since you were suspended.

All right, that doesn't mean we can't try to clear ourselves, does it?

Lieutenant Simon is an extremely competent man. He's been conducting

investigations for a long time.

He's a book of numbers, man. He'll take forever. We can't just sit around

sucking our thumbs. A book of numbers spell out what you can and cannot do.

departmental function or police duty is forbidden.

Never knew you to pay such close attention to regulations.

This office may be unorthodox, but it's still part of the police department.

Now, you're welcome here, very welcome.

But for the time being, you're just Mr.

Ed Brown.

Thank you.

But I think I feel a little out of place.

Look, Chief, this...

This is my mess, you know. I mean, Ed had nothing to do with it, honestly. He

just happened to... I understand.

But I suggest you each worry about your own problems.

Yes, sir.

All right. Let me see that copy of the sketch.

I suggest you follow through on these copies. Ed needs help.

I thought you said it was against regulation.

It is, unless we're assigned.

How is the case that none of our business is going to be assigned to us?

Murray Simon has called me twice today.

Says Sergeant Brown is interfering with his investigation.

You've got to keep him out of this.

Then tell him. You're his boss.

Not while he's suspended.

Oh, no.

Oh, no, you don't.

That's a trick for me to reinstate him.

Would I ask you to reverse the decision made by the complaint division?

Why, of course you would. I am not.

Just what is it you are asking?

Authorization to look into the additional employment situation.

Moonlighting? I believe it's under control.

Except that at least one officer has violated regulations. Now, it seems to

me... It seems to me such an investigation is broad enough to include

into the whole case.

One never knows which direction an investigation will take.

I'm sorry, Bob.

Request dignified.

Well, in that case, I'll be leaving town for a while.

Fishing, maybe.

In the mountain.

I can't spare you for a vacation right now. It's the only way I'll be able to

keep Ed Brown out of Murray's hair. Get him out of town for a while.

Nicest piece of blackmail I've ever seen.

All right, take your vacation.

But before you leave, would you mind terribly looking into this moon running

thing?

Yeah, I think I'll be able to work it in.

Well, we couldn't find a thing.

Nothing that remotely resembled a weapon. All I know is it looked to me

was coming at me with a gun. But you didn't see it.

No, I was around the corner. He had his hand inside of his coat. He pulled his

hand out. Like simple gesture, maybe asking you not to shoot.

It's too dark to see anything.

So you pulled the trigger. What was I supposed to do, wait for him to fire? If

he'd had a gun, I'd be dead by now. Aren't we trained to defend ourselves?

You're here at the request of the investigating officer, Sergeant, not to

defense attorney.

I am trying to help. All right, then. Help by explaining why Officer Leonard

shot the man three times.

Three times!

All he had to do was ask permission for additional employment.

Would it have been granted?

Oh, come on.

It wasn't that long ago that I was sweating to keep a wife and kids fed on

patrolman's salary.

But you know that we don't want our men to drive cabs. And Ray knew that, too.

He drove one before he joined the department.

Then he was driving for his old boss.

Illegally, I might add. He never applied for a renewal of his hack license.

He probably knew we'd spot it.

Or he didn't want it on his record.

Meaning his cover, I suppose.

That is, if he was in on the sale of those pills.

What about his record?

Any trouble?

None. Oh, he isn't a great police officer, but, well, he's not a bad one,

either.

Has he been known to throw money around lately?

Like he had a lot of it?

Not that I've heard.

He could have pumped gas, been a bank teller, almost anything.

You know, there's no law that says a plain, ordinary, civilian -type citizen

can't have two jobs.

But if one of our men has trouble, it counts against him.

I know.

It's a little like having more than one girlfriend.

The first one finds out, she figures she's not getting your undivided

his picture.

I'll leave you enough copies to pass along to your buddies on the other

If you see him, call me right away.

Is this guy dangerous?

I mean, like, uh, I wouldn't want to get a hole blown in me or anything. No,

just call me, that's all. Don't do anything on your own.

What's he done, anyway?

I just want to talk to him.

Yeah, I bet.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Simon's up there. He's already told us to keep you away. Oh.

What do you have so far?

Homicide says the dead man's name is Pat Arnold.

He lived up there alone.

Any kind of narcotics?

Only enough for his own use.

He was a user as well as a pusher.

Why don't you come with me and check out the car?

I'd just assume you weren't blocking the sidewalk when Lieutenant Simon comes

out. The explosion would be enough that the neighborhood couldn't take it.

Where'd you get the keys?

Found on the body.

That's funny.

What?

Three keys.

One for the ignition, two for the trunk.

So he had two trunk keys. So what?

They're different.

Only one of them opens the trunk.

Let me see.

Business slow?

I've been talking with a cop.

That supposed to be a joke?

It's no joke.

He gave me this.

You know him?

Yeah, he's a customer.

He's hot.

You're better off in Florida or someplace.

I'll be sure and let him know.

He might know how the drop works.

You mean because of Pat Arnold?

Well, yeah, he could have figured it out. I mean, Pat dropped the package.

guy was supposed to pick it up.

Cops ain't dumb.

No, they're not.

Come by to make a buy?

No, not today.

Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not for a long time.

I just dropped by to tell you. I figured I owe you, you know.

Thank you very much for the information, but you still owe me for last week's

buy.

Money, not just information.

I forgot.

Sure you did.

You know, about this cop, I'd kind of like to know how close he's getting.

Maybe you better follow him around.

Hey, man, I don't want to get more involved.

Mickey, if they get me, they get you.

All righty.

Drop that angle and follow through on Pat Arnold.

And Mark is checking his own sources.

All right.

Talk to you later.

Well... You change your mind?

Feel like a homing pigeon.

Only one place to roost.

You know where your perch is.

Couldn't help overhearing.

Even Mark are checking out Pat Arnold?

Part of our moonlighting investigation.

Yeah, I heard about that.

Wish I could lend a hand.

I know.

By the book and by the numbers.

Came across something you might be able to use, though.

It's a trunk key.

Pat Arnold had it, but it doesn't fit his car.

Graphite. Been used recently.

In a rusty lock.

Probably an old car.

53 or 52 model, I'd say.

Of course, you'd have to check it on the lab charts to be sure.

Me? Me.

Um, what about that number stamped on it? That should be some kind of a lead.

Good one.

To my knowledge, only foreign car manufacturers put numbers on the keys.

The number would relate to the serial number of the car itself.

So the Department of Motor Vehicles could tell me... you, who the last known

registrant is, right?

You know, it would be very interesting to me to find out just how you did come

across this key.

Well, let's say it's like this office, a little unorthodox.

Do you mind if I use the phone?

You're suspended, not barred.

You work long hours.

The worst part is defeat.

You find that?

Yes, I do.

You know, you do so much and get around so fast, a man tends to forget. No

offense.

Coffee? No, thanks. I just want to ask a couple of questions.

Go ahead.

You are investigating moonlighting, right?

Mm -hmm.

So how come an important piece of evidence that has to do with the

Comes into your possession.

Exactly what evidence, Murray?

An automobile key.

Somehow on its way from narcotics squad to homicide, it stopped off here.

I brought it here, Lieutenant.

I'll assume that the chief asked you to pick it up for him because you were just

passing by.

No, that's not how it happened.

I prefer that to be how it happened.

Obviously, all parties concerned agree that you may keep the key as long as you

like in your personal custody. Meaning I'm to keep my hands off. Exactly.

You've been stretching matters, Sergeant.

I'll let you do as you please so far, like giving photos to the cab drivers,

which could blow it for the narco squad.

I got permission from narco. I know that.

That's the only reason you're still walking around.

Wish I could say the same for your friend Ray Leonard.

What are you talking about?

A $15 ,000 lump sum cash deposit.

I don't believe it.

What are you, a rookie?

A man who's connected with a knock -drop, and so far he not only doesn't

himself out, but gets in deeper?

Maybe you think I should give him the Boy Scout oath.

I'd have faked my life he was clean.

Sure.

Maybe someday when you're an old pro like me and your boss, your head will be

two parts.

One cup.

One plain human citizen.

They'll both work at the same time, but they won't get in each other's way.

Yeah, thanks.

I'll try to remember that.

Excuse me, Chief.

Well, you dropped that on him pretty fast.

It'll get to Ray Leonard fast.

You're not so sure about him anymore.

I remember I got a note once, years back.

Dear Murray, when in doubt, put the pressure on.

Sincerely, Robert T. Ironside.

Pressure makes a good cop.

Or breaks a bad one.

Which is precisely why we're here, right?

Get me down.

Are you hungry?

You've got to have something to eat. I can't eat.

Want a drink?

No.

You blame me, don't you?

Why would I blame you?

Because I was pushing you so hard, asking for things, wanting things.

Wanting things that everybody else wants.

I wanted them too.

Come on in. Hi, Helen.

Ray?

Sit down.

Are you hungry? I was just gonna... No, no, thanks. I just wanted to talk to Ray

for a minute.

Well, I'll leave you alone. No, no, no.

Helen knows all about it. Anything break?

It's not good.

I bust my back for the department, and the first time I step out of line, they

protect me of everything, up to and including murder.

Ray, you, uh... You made a statement to me a while back. Yes, I did.

Make it again.

You ask me again.

Say the words right here in front of Helen.

All right, Ray, if you're mixed up in this, I want you to tell me now. Don't

wait till it gets worse.

He's your friend. How can you ask him a thing like that? Too many things are

pointing to it. Believe me, I'm trying to help. What things?

You didn't want me in the cab.

I was embarrassed.

You shot that man three times.

Well, call that instinct or call it fear. I thought he was going to shoot

What was I supposed to do? You deposited $15 ,000 in your bank account.

Well, they sure do a thorough job, don't they?

Nobody with $15 ,000 needs to moonlight for extra money.

I do. I can't touch that money.

It's in your name.

That money was given to Ray by his father for the children's education. He

promised his father he wouldn't touch it.

Well, will he swear to that?

He's dead.

Well, then it's in the will.

No. No will.

He knew he was going to die. He gave him the money a couple of months before he

passed away.

It'll show up in the estate tax return, won't it? Nope.

The money was in cash.

He kept it in a cigar box underneath his bed.

He didn't even have a bank account.

Well, Sergeant, am I in custody or what?

Oh, Ray, I don't know what to do.

Well, I know what to do. I'm getting out of here. You great pure ones never step

out of line. I leave it up to you guys. You'll investigate me right into the gas

chamber. Where are you going? Where I can do myself some good. Ray!

And that doesn't look good either, does it, Sergeant Brown?

At least you've had the grace to search the garage at night and only half the

neighborhood will know.

Lieutenant Simon has a job to do. How can you do this to Ray? He's an honest

man. He wouldn't be involved in something like this.

That's what we're trying to prove, Mrs. Leonard.

We'd rather find a police officer innocent, you know that.

I don't know anything.

The money did come from your father -in -law, as you say.

Then why was Ray moonlighting?

Did you have money problems?

Doesn't everybody?

Was there anything especially acute?

I mean, was there some large debt that had to be paid?

You're not fooling me.

You're not asking why Ray was driving a cab. You're asking why he might have

been selling narcotics.

That's right.

Well, there were no special debts, only bills.

You live well, but not outlandishly, Mrs. Leonard.

An offhand guess is that your husband's salary could support a home like this.

How would you know?

You're an important man in the department.

You have everything.

If you do, I'd like to get that dollar back you borrowed from me last week.

I'm sorry.

We're really trying to help you.

Why would he run away?

He's not involved in this. I know he isn't.

Tell us why you needed extra money, Mrs. Leonard.

You think that Ray liked grabbing that cab, dying of shame every time he ran

into somebody he knew?

You think we live well?

That carpet isn't paid for, and neither is half the furniture in this house.

And every time we get even another baby, I suppose I'm as much to blame as

anybody else.

Everybody else has a new color TV. Why don't we?

Everybody else has a new car. Why don't we? And why am I still wearing the same

clothes I was wearing in high school?

What is it, Mrs. Leonard?

Need or luxury?

Both, I suppose.

I know it sounds terrible, but... We want to be like everybody else. Why

we have the good things in life?

But Ray is not involved in this.

That money came from his father for the children's education, and that's all

there is. If he were selling pills, there'd be more, wouldn't there?

Mrs. Leonard.

Did Ray's father mention the money to you?

No, he told Ray.

Did you see him give it to Ray?

No, he came home with it one night.

You're putting words in my mouth.

We're trying to get to the truth, that's all.

The truth is we're in a trap.

No matter how much money we make, there's never really quite enough.

My mother and dad used to tell me about the old days.

Working long hours, two jobs just to survive, and now we're doing it for a

that'll run summer camp for the kids.

The reasons are different, but the hours are the same.

Very happy to say the garage is clean.

I suppose now you want to search the house.

Please, Mrs. Lennon, this is not a vendetta.

I don't enjoy finding people in trouble. I do what I have to do.

May I bring in the men?

Your warrant already says you can.

You'll excuse me if I don't watch.

Nothing she could add, Murray.

I didn't think there would be.

So it's still circumstantial.

After $15 ,000 and now you ran away?

What would you do, Bob?

What are you going to do?

I already have.

My man out picking him up.

Any call about Ray?

Nobody spotted him yet.

Telex, on the desk over there, came in last night from Mona Vickles'

Peaked out early.

No wonder my ears are burning.

Chief know about this?

Mm -hmm.

John Danione, junk dealer.

Ed, no Danny owners listed under junk dealers.

Here's a private address.

I'm a civilian. Don't have to worry about regulations.

Thanks. Give him my regards.

I will.

Where's the trunk key? That key is in the top drawer of that desk in Chief

Ironside's custody, not to be removed from this office.

Mr. Danione?

I'm Sergeant Brown.

I'd like to talk to you.

It's a long time since cops come to me.

What'd I do now?

Oh, sit down.

I'll get coffee.

You like coffee, Ray? Well, thanks. No, Mr. Danione, I won't be here that long.

Oh.

Give me the third degree.

The Department of Motor Vehicles says that you once owned...

A car wrecking yard.

Junk. Well, there was a car you bought some time ago.

You sent the department the registration and the place.

That's right. Everything according to law. I'm looking for that car.

It could be any place.

Maybe a fender of your own car.

Part of your badge.

A piece of your television set.

Chop them up, melt them down.

Make something else. Who knows?

It's possible that this car was never destroyed.

Now, wait just one minute.

When I send in papers, I chop up the car.

Yes, sir.

I have a key to that car, and the key is still being used.

I don't know.

I'd like to look over your junkyard.

I'm retired four years ago now. I sold the place.

Could you, uh... Could you have sent in the papers but made the sale before the

car was chopped up?

Hey, come on.

Four years is a long time ago.

It's possible.

Who'd you sell to?

Big company.

They put in lots of money. Big machine.

Is the yard still there?

Yeah.

Oak Avenue and Coast Street. Still there. Only big business now.

Oak and Coast. All right. Thank you, Mr. Daniani. I'll drop by. That's all

right. Hey, are you sure you don't want some coffee? I'm sure.

Yard boss.

His name is Dameron.

Dameron. Thank you, sir.

Who's this?

This is Damione.

Listen, you.

Are you going to get me into trouble?

What are you talking about, Mr. Damione? What trouble?

That cop that was here just now.

He told me.

You're sending papers away and then don't chop up the cars.

They're going to blame me for that.

All right, take it easy, Mr. Damione.

I chop up all the cars.

He says no.

He says he's got the key to one still used.

You... Better chop up that car or you're going to get arrested.

I am not going to take no blame and that's final.

What cop?

Hey, what key?

Can't it wait?

All right, call her. Tell her I'm on my way. Thanks.

Don't lose him.

Are you kidding?

After what Dameron just told me?

Coffee? No, thanks. The call said it was important.

I heard from Ray.

Where is he?

He wants to see you.

Well, where is he?

I can't tell you that until I get some assurances.

What kind of assurances?

That you go alone and that you won't try to bring him in. Oh, it's only for

questioning, Helen. He's making himself look bad. He's not guilty of anything,

I'm sure of it.

He's not even hiding out.

He said he's working on the case.

Exactly how?

I don't know.

He said he's gone to something and he needs your help.

But you gotta promise not to try to bring him in.

I can't promise that.

Well, then I can't tell you.

That could make you an accessory.

That makes me a wife.

Where is he?

You'll go alone?

Yes.

That new hotel that they're building near Quake Tower.

By this mean pool.

What time?

Right now. He said he'd call me back in a few minutes to see if you agreed.

All right, take it.

We'll follow to the hospital.

Anything missing? That car key we had out alone.

Ed had it.

It's gone.

Sure. And to make a buy.

Yeah? Buy when?

Don't put me out. You know what I'm talking about.

Look, I'm hot. I need to make a buy so I can get out of town.

Yeah, I know you're hot.

I've been stopped by cops. I want to know if I've seen you.

Help me.

You got cash?

I got it right here in my pocket.

As soon as I can turn some of this stuff over, I'll have enough money if I can

split.

Where should I wait for a cab?

I don't want to use the cab drop anymore. The heat's on all of us.

I've got to get some stuff. Now, you're my only chance. Give me a break, huh?

Wait here.

The cop that was pushing the cab.

Yeah.

He just told me that he wants to make a buy.

Yeah.

It's okay. Get in the cab.

I have my own car. I'll follow you.

No, leave it. That's all right. I'll take you.

It's on the house.

Not yet. Who says? The doctor.

Where is he? Telling the chief you're to be killed.

A bump the size of a doorknob under that bandage and a possible concussion. It

feels like it.

The doctor says you're not to talk, but if you mumble in the midst of your

painful groaning, we might be able to get some information.

Man never saw him before he faked me out.

He did more than that, that key.

It's gone.

The doctor says... I never heard him.

That's a good headache.

Who knew you had the key?

I don't know, but I know who got me down to that building and I want him.

Ray?

Helen called me with a message from him. He wanted to talk.

He's got a loud voice.

Louder than that.

He called us to tell us where to find you.

With great protestations of innocence, of course.

Of course.

Where were you going when Helen got in touch with you?

To a... To a junkyard. I thought I could get a lead on the car we're after.

I still think we can.

We don't need the key. We have the serial number of the car.

We'll get the men and check it out. Where is the place?

It's my case.

And you'll be duly credited if we find anything.

I'm going.

There's a date I need to keep.

Do you want a lecture on objectivity?

No, sir.

Just my clothes.

Hi. What can I do for you?

Tell him.

I'd like to make a pie.

Sure. How much do you want?

$5 ,000 worth.

That's a lot of cash you carry around. Ever think about that?

Yeah, it's a good thing I had him guarded.

What did you think you were going to do?

Walk in here and bust us and be a hero? That's only in the movies.

You talk to anybody before you left?

No, he didn't have a chance.

You sure you weren't followed?

Nope.

Good.

You know what's going to happen to you?

You and a certain car, both, are going to fill out a contract.

A contract we've got for our shipments to Japan.

Hold him here.

You know, Ray, you did me a favor.

I'll probably get cut rate prices on my stuff from now on.

I might even become a partner.

model we're looking for.

What are you doing here?

Trying to get myself killed.

Where's he?

Where's Mickey? He's in on this.

That gentleman?

Our departments may sometimes be slow.

But as you can see, we get the job done.

Thanks for letting me know, Murray.

Yes, he's here.

I'll tell him.

Lieutenant Simon says Dameron and Mickey both cracked wide open.

You're clean, Ray.

How clean?

Well, there's the violation of regulations.

Driving a cab without a permit.

And you'll have to face the board of inquiry about the death of Pat Arnold.

Criminal running, a threatening move. If that doesn't add up to justifiable

homicide... Undoubtedly... You'll get off.

It won't come to that. I'm quitting.

Quitting? I just can't... I just can't see it anymore.

That's all.

Because the department gave you a hard time?

There was no other choice.

I know that.

Then why quit?

I think you know.

Not driving a cab. That's just one of those things. No, it has to do with the

fact that under pressure, I blew it.

I blew everything I learned.

I dragged you into a mess. I ran out when things began to go sour for me.

I, um...

Walked into a trap like a rookie.

Worst thing of all was gunning that man.

You see, Ed, I'm... I'm not sure anymore, and if I'm any kind of a cop,

to be sure.

You do understand, don't you, Chief?

Just not my bag, that's all.

Thank you.

Both of you.

He doesn't know what he's saying.

Dad, where are you going?

Well, he's made a couple of mistakes, sure, haven't we all?

That's no reason to... He's not making any mistake now.

You want him to quit?

It's bad in the long run.

You set this up.

You and Lieutenant Simon, you were testing us.

Just Ray Leonard.

Look, friendship and emotion aside, what do you think?

Friendship and emotion aside, I... I think you should quit.

That's what it's all about.