Original subtitles

Now make your presentations work for you up there.

Pick your best asset and take that to the room with you. And boom, your

are going to soar.

To go, make money, and prosper.

I think you're getting ready for Wall Street.

Well, everybody needs to feel special.

I totally agree.

Which is why, Jessica Nash, I think you should come to dinner with me tonight.

That's sweet, God, but... But what? I'm too young and we work together.

No, it's just that you deserve somebody so much better than me. You know,

besides, I'm thinking of quitting all of this.

Getting far, far away from here. Oh, yeah, to that tropical island you've

fantasizing about.

A couple weeks from now, I'm going to be sitting under a palm tree.

Alone.

Okay, Jess.

It's the usual drop location, and, uh, if you decide that you're hungry,

my offer still stands.

You're dull, Scotty.

Whoa.

Wayne, what's with the hard web?

Jessica's been ripping me off, and that is just about to end.

This is the 911 operator.

What is your emergency?

I'm calling from the playpen.

I think someone's about to be killed.

You need some help?

God, Wayne. You scared me.

Well, I couldn't let you leave without a goodnight kiss.

What's the matter, darling?

You seem nervous.

Everything all right?

Yeah, of course.

Tell me something, Jessica.

You would never betray me, would you? Come on, Wayne.

You know, I'm your... Go -to gal, remember? Just reassure me, okay? I need

able to sleep at night.

Look, I can explain, okay?

What the hell are you doing? Stay out of this, Stone!

You can't just shoot her. She's already dead, man.

She was dead the second she stuck her hand in that cookie jar.

Oh, my God.

Put her in the trunk.

Do it.

You can join her.

All right, now get rid of her and get rid of the car. Wayne, this is crazy.

Look, Scott, you know you want to live, right?

Kay, Kay. Right.

officers no we just got a 911 call regarding some possible incident would

put in the trunk nothing oh is that right well

then i suppose this is nothing too huh yeah well i guess somebody must have

dropped it look man there's no dead body in there all right so if it's all the

same to you how'd you know we were looking for a murder all we said was

incidents would you mind opening the trunk

Yeah, what am I, man? Unless you got a warrant. You ever heard of probable

cause? Means we don't need a warrant.

I don't even think we need probable cause. This thing's not even latched.

And what did you find in the trunk, Officer Cruz?

Money. With the girl's blood all over it.

Objection, Your Honor. The blood evidence has not been linked to the

graffiti. Yet.

Yet, Mr. Blake?

Well, of course not yet. You don't even have a body to match it to.

Come on, let's move this along. I got a family to get home to.

What else did you find in the trunk, Officer Cruz? A 9mm Beretta.

Objection, Your Honor. I move that both the gun and the money be excluded as

evidence because the search was illegal.

We've already been through this in the preliminary hearing. Hello.

Are you in Judge Taylor's courtroom now, Mr. Blake?

No. No.

You're in my courtroom. And in my courtroom, I make the decisions.

Now, both of you, sit down and shut up.

It's the opinion of this court.

that Officer Granger and Officer Cruz didn't have anything even remotely

resembling probable cause for the search of the defendant's car.

Therefore, defense motion is granted.

Contents of the trunk are ruled inadmissible.

How the hell could a judge do that?

Why do you think he got the name Hangman Halloran? From stringing up criminals,

not cops.

Well, he's an equal opportunity fascist. Okay, so where do we stand now?

Either we find our missing witness, Scott Stone, or Wayne Stiles walks.

Man, this is all personal.

Halloran thinks I've got to get out of jail free card and Father Damien

confessed at my trial.

Well, I hate to tell you this, partner, but a lot of people think that.

A lot of people are judging this murder case, right?

Hey, Cruz, where are you going?

Bobby, don't do this.

Judge Halloran, I know this is highly irregular.

Well, uh, I try to stop him, but...

Maybe I should go.

Yeah, that's a pretty good idea.

And that's me.

It was for me.

Take a look around.

Just another day in LA.

Anybody sees more than me.

Anybody.

Pinky is free.

Stop it.

One is down. Just another day.

Oh. Oh.

Highly irregular.

You guys come storming into my chambers without knocking, and that's the best

you can come up with? With all due respect, Judge, highly irregular

what you were just doing in here.

And whatever you guys think you saw in here, this is private.

What we think we saw?

Um, Judge, you know, you're absolutely right. We probably didn't get a good

look, and it's none of our business anyway. Whoa, none of our business?

The hell it isn't. A married judge doing some broad in his chambers? The same

judge who just ruled our search improper?

She happens to be a student of mine.

A law clerk, very bright, with a very big future. So then it's okay.

Who I happen to see with the full knowledge and permission of my wife.

She's been in a wheelchair since her accident.

Wheelchair? Yeah, we were skiing in Aspen two years ago, our 25th wedding

anniversary. We were outside the boundary lines. You must have read about

the newspaper.

Jeez, Judge.

I'm really sorry to hear that.

We had no idea.

Well, it's not something I discuss for obvious reasons.

And as far as those insinuations about my ruling on evidence, hey, you guys

my reputation.

If it was halfway to a decent search, I would have allowed it.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry.

I had no right to bust in here.

Well, we all make mistakes.

I'll forget it if you will.

I think that's our cue. Now let's get out of here.

About your wife, Judge.

Again, I'm really sorry.

Go out and find that witness.

You'll go a long ways toward making your case, officers.

No body, no weapon.

Out of stone, man. They got nothing.

Trust me.

Whatever rock you hang under, he's not going to want to come out and get

with an accessory wrap.

And if the cops find him, they're going to offer him immunity to testify against

me. I can't risk that. Risk management.

My specialty.

How much am I looking at?

50 grand.

Money bag guarantee.

I had half up front, the rest on delivery.

Even talked to my lawyer, he knows where my cash is buried.

Consider it done.

Now, what about the girl?

The girl is a problem.

Well, does she understand everything that I want her to do?

And that she doesn't have a choice?

I'm just about to remind her of that.

A woman is missing. We find money with blood on it, a gun that was recently

fired, and all that is meaningless?

Guys. The law is the law.

Yeah, but what about what is right, Lieutenant? Where does that fit in?

You heard what Halloran said. Our best bet is finding Scott Stone.

Yeah, but every lead we've gotten on him has turned up cold.

Then put Jamie and Monica inside the club.

It's the only thing our players have in common.

They're going to love that.

You know, normally I wouldn't suggest this because I think it's beneath us,

maybe we could use what we saw in Halloran's chamber. Stop.

I am not going to be a part of trying to influence the ruling of a judge. The

guy is going to walk.

So you two would just like to ruin Halloran's life to get a conviction?

No, no, it would never go that far. We'd just threaten a little leak, put the

idea in his head. Forget about it. It's not going to happen. I don't care how

you try and soft -pedal this, it is still blackmailing a judge.

Okay. I just thought maybe I should bring it up.

Don't bring it up again.

In fact, if I were you, I'd forget about what I saw.

Easy for you to say.

So I guess this brings us back to Scott Stone.

How the hell are we going to find this guy?

I have to be a stripper again?

No way, Sarge. This is not what I signed up at the academy for. Look, I know

I've demeaned myself in the past, but... Working undercover is not demeaning

yourself. What if you were Jessica Nash's sister? What if doing this made

difference between a killer getting the punishment he deserves or going free?

That is not fair.

We're caught.

There has nothing to do with it.

Shut down, Patty.

Nobody's gonna hurt you. At least not yet.

There.

Isn't that better?

What do you want?

I got a message from Wayne Stiles.

He wants the judge in the bag by tonight.

Or you in a steel drawer by tomorrow.

Guess again.

What the hell?

I got the girl.

It is you.

Damn!

Show me you got the plate number.

No plate. How's the girl?

Yeah, she's okay, but she's split. I got one for you.

That guy in the black Navigator?

I think I saw him in Halloran's courtroom today.

Yeah, well, I got a better one.

The girl he was chasing was Halloran's law student.

No doubt about it, the woman was definitely Halloran's law clerk.

We'll get to judge Halloran through the girl.

Then why did she stick around to talk to us?

Unless there's some connection between Halloran and Wayne Stiles. Maybe a

connection that she didn't want us to know about.

If you're implying judicial misconduct, you're going to have to give me more

than maybe.

Like what? Probable cause?

This is personal with you, isn't it?

No, it's not.

Yes, it is.

You want to get back at Halloran for throwing out your evidence.

Hey, that was a righteous search we made, okay?

It doesn't matter how we get there as long as Stiles ends up on death row. You

know, that's the kind of thinking that got your evidence thrown out in the

place. Corey's right.

Halloran may have made our lives tough here, but he's a damn good judge who's

backed us up more often than not. So if we're going to get to Stiles, we're

going to do it without dragging Halloran through the mud.

We need to talk. The girl may be a bigger problem than we thought.

You explained her options?

And no uncertain terms.

We're back in court tomorrow. She has to come through by then. What if she

doesn't? My client's life is on the line. He's depending on you.

Don't let him down.

Hey, how's it going, Counselor?

I got a message you wanted to see me.

Yeah, I thought maybe we could go over your testimony again. See if there's any

pieces of evidence we could still use.

Yes, absolutely.

Will Blake?

Well, you're looking terrific as always.

How's that killer forehand?

Still being neutralized by a worthless backhand, I'm afraid.

Good to see you, Liz. Oh, um, Bobby Cruz, Santa Monica's finest. Meet Liz

Halloran.

Halloran?

As in Judge Jay Gunner, Halloran?

That's right.

Wait. You mean you're his wife?

Unless there's another one I don't know about.

Do you ski?

Only when it snows.

Listen, it was nice to meet you, Officer Cruz.

Will, I'll see you at the club. Sure. Bye -bye.

Why, that thick, no -good -lying pervert.

Who?

Three guesses.

So you both worked in Honolulu?

That's right. Rock star and golden doll.

But we hear the tip star better here, especially for the little extras, if you

know what I mean.

Okay. Show me what you got.

Dream on.

We'll audition, but only on the clock.

All right.

You passed the first test.

You can dance.

You can wait tables.

That's not fair.

This is a strip club. It bears nothing to do with it.

Well, then, maybe you'll change your mind later.

Maybe.

Still can't believe it. Which part? That Halloran would life it with teeth or

that someone would actually marry the bastard?

You think his wife has any clue?

She will soon.

Along with the rest of the world. Once that two -faced son of a bitch agrees to

dismiss himself in the case.

Granger.

Yeah, we'll be right there.

Silent alarm just went off at 1100 4th Street.

Isn't that the criminal courts building?

Yeah. Let's go.

You've been found guilty.

He needs to be punished.

You're getting a very difficult sentence.

I throw myself on the mercy of the court.

You better.

Do exactly as I say.

What the hell?

I thought I'd seen it all.

Wait till you see what happens when I get you guys for stalking me.

Correction, your honor. We're investigating a silent alarm that went

didn't set off any alarm.

Well, then whoever did may still be in the building.

Maybe it's the same clown that chased your girlfriend on the beach this

afternoon.

Go ahead judge ask her So

what happened on the beach The

guy

from the beach all right great, so what do I win?

Her name is Patty Wilson.

And no, she's not my law clerk.

What a surprise.

Look, you think this is easy for me? Do I care?

Why don't we cut to the bottom line, Your Honor?

Okay.

I have an addiction.

To sex.

I gotta have it.

And I have it a lot.

And since my wife doesn't... Doesn't what?

This wouldn't be the same...

Crippled for life accident victim I met bounding into the courthouse now, would

it? Don't you see?

The lying, the covering up, that's all part of it. So this Patty Wolfson is

what? Your sex therapist?

Who I see with a full knowledge and consent of my wife. That part is true, I

swear. Look, I'll take you to her office. I'll show you her certification.

She's got her master's from UCLA.

Now, let's just say that we even bought that. Who's the guy in the black

Navigator?

Patty says it's an ex -boyfriend who still hung up on her. What if we told

he knows Wayne Stiles and that he may be using Patty to get to you?

No, Patty would have told me.

Then why'd she run from us this afternoon?

She was trying to protect me.

Come on, look, we're all guys here. I'm asking for your help.

From the same cops whose evidence you bounced?

Helping a guy we all know is guilty?

Look, that was the courtroom, Officer Cruz.

This is my personal life. I never connected to it. I suggest you don't

Your Honor.

If you would like for us to keep this as our secret and get back to business as

normal, it's going to cost you.

Cost me what? I believe your judgment is clouded, not only off the bench, but on

it as well.

I suppose that has something to do with your love life.

I'm listening.

Get help.

Stay focused on the trial, and we will leave your personal affairs alone.

Well? Congratulations.

You're no longer unemployed.

Who's that?

Oh, her name's Patty Wolfson. She works here on the weekend.

Patty Wolfson. Isn't that the name of Halloran's sex therapist?

Yeah.

See her degree hanging in here anywhere?

Call your next witness, Mr. Tiburon.

Defense calls Lieutenant Susan Jessup, Santa Monica Police Department Internal

Affairs.

Objection, Your Honor. I fail to see what relevance this witness has to these

proceedings. Mr. Tiburon? Quite simple.

I plan to show a pattern of criminal misconduct in the police duties of

Granger and Cruz. If it please the court... Sit down, Mr. Blake.

You'll have all the time you need to cross -examine. You're not going to let

this in. Is he telling you how to run your court, Your Honor? Don't push it,

Tiburon. Lieutenant, aren't you on the stand yet?

What the hell is Halloran doing?

I'd say feeding you to the wolves.

After that tap dance last night?

That's it. I'm blowing the whistle.

Lieutenant Jessup, in your capacity as an internal affairs investigator, you

have had contact with officers Granger and Cruz?

Multiple contacts, yes.

In my department, we refer to these two as the Teflon cops.

Objection. Sustained.

You're on a real short chain here, Counselor. Don't test me and make me

Of course, Your Honor.

Lieutenant Jessup, these multiple contacts you described, have they all

common thread?

Yes, they've all concerned allegations of misconduct in the handling of

evidence.

Specifically, the planting of evidence.

Objection! Is the court forgetting that the key evidence in this case has

already been disallowed? This is a blatant ambush by the defense intended

undermine the credibility of officers Cruz and Granger. Yeah, like that's even

possible.

Objection! Your Honor is making overtly prejudicial statements.

And you're very close to a contempt citation, Mr. Blake.

Okay, look. In lieu of the lateness of the hour, I'm going to hold Lieutenant

Jessup's testimony over until the morning. This court is in recess until 9

Better get your beauty rest, gentlemen.

You're gonna need it.

Nothing yet. We're keeping an eye on Paddy.

We'll keep the other one on his team.

What are you doing?

I was just looking for someone to party with. You know, someone who'll let me

dance.

The customers are thirsty.

Okay, we'll talk later, yeah?

It's me.

I know you said not to call, but something's happened.

Yeah, something bad.

I need to see you. You know where.

You happy?

Hey, why'd you call?

I'm sorry I called. I'm scared. I didn't know what to do.

Lowlife pig.

Hey, I'm not the one on my knees.

Throw the gun down, now!

You okay?

I don't believe this.

Why did you tell us you were getting blackmailed? Well, you'll probably find

this hard to believe, but I don't know what the hell you're talking about.

Yeah, well, it's hard to believe your therapist is a stripper, but I got a

hundred witnesses at a club called The Playpen. We had a deal.

My personal life and the case stay separate.

If you want to help, stay the hell away.

And in that criminal case, the people versus Robert Cruz, what crime was the

defendant charged with? Objection, Your Honor. Mr. Cruz was acquitted.

Overruled. He's just trying to establish a pattern.

Intentional destruction of evidence in a murder case.

Officer Cruz was acquitted based on questionable testimony by Father Damien

Crane. And there were allegations specific to Officer Granger as well?

Granger went undercover in a college betting sting.

Over $100 ,000 in evidence money disappeared.

I lost that money. That's how we made our case.

Put a lid on it, Granger.

And there's a more recent case involving the removal of three pounds of heroin

from the XMPD evidence lockup?

I can't comment on an ongoing investigation.

But she can dredge up irrelevant material from cases she's lost?

Proceed, Mr. Tiburon, but come on, let's bring it on home, okay?

Lieutenant Jessup, can you describe what your office recently learned regarding

a missing gun?

Officers Granger and Cruz allegedly confiscated a weapon in an assault case

which was never logged into evidence.

A weapon which, by total coincidence...

matches the gun they claim to have found in the trunk of Wayne Stiles' car.

This is totally outrageous, Your Honor. Not only is counsel cross -examining his

own witness, he's referring to evidence you yourself eliminated at his request.

I am not addressing the evidentiary issue. I am merely trying to establish a

pattern of behavior by these officers as it pertains to my client.

Hello, Howard.

It's on a noose around her neck.

Can you describe the missing gun, Lieutenant?

A Beretta.

Nine millimeter.

And yet, it was the same type gun they allegedly found in the car belonging to

Wayne Stiles.

Thank you for adding that. No further questions.

Oh, come on! This is a circuit!

I'm warning you, Cruz.

Why don't you just admit it, Judge?

They've got you in the back.

That's it. You're under arrest for contempt.

Granger, too. Me?

What did I do? Get him the hell out of here.

We're adjourned.

Good news is that Holleran dropped the contempt charges against you.

Forget that. What was that B .S. about a missing 9mm?

Well, for the record, a gun like that did slip past our paperwork a year ago

a Toys for Gun exchange, so technically you could have taken it.

It was so could have fit the other people.

Well, then the only plausible explanation for Holleran's behavior is

still acting under duress.

Yeah. So Patty Wolfson's working at the club.

Stiles has his muscle put to screws to her.

to get her to take dirty pictures with the judge and blackmail them to top the

murder case to save his own thick ass.

You know, if Stiles walks and there's even a perception that you guys blew

you'll be in front of the review board before Stiles even gets into a cab.

Look, we can't beat Halloran if we don't win the case, and we can't win the case

if we don't have a witness.

So it all comes down to the same thing.

Find Scott Stone or Stiles goes free.

The judge has given the cops 48 hours.

If Scott Stone isn't in court by then, you're a free man.

Look, the guys that ought to know where he is don't. Or they're being paid not

to tell.

Which means he's getting a lot of money from somewhere.

No, from the club.

We checked with the county.

The place has been packed, but receipts are down 20%. Yeah, because the cash

drops are made by the club manager, this dude named Tebow.

He's got to be Scotty's guy.

You want to talk about it?

Is it that obvious?

Yeah. Oh, judging.

It'd be a real handful.

Who are you?

Relax, Patty.

I'm on your side.

You're a cop.

You and that friend of yours, Monica.

Level with me.

Are you blackmailing Judge Halloran?

Yes.

No. I mean, I was supposed to. Don't tell me you actually care for the guy.

I'm in love with him.

And now they're forcing me to... The playpen is really excited now to bring

Miss Patty Wilson.

I get it. Put your hands together, guys.

I think the money's on the move.

You've been a bad boy, Tebow.

Who the hell are you?

A friend of Mr. Stiles.

He seems to think you might be running cash to Scott Stone.

I wouldn't do that.

You got a choice.

Either I kill you right now, or you take me to him and live.

Another man is leading our suspect out of here. We're going to follow him and

we'll call him.

Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here last...

Long time, Scott.

Remember me?

Yeah.

I can handle him. Go get Stone.

Right.

I can see them.

Don't shoot.

Don't shoot.

And you are?

My name is Scott Stone.

Been a lot of people looking for you, Mr. Stone.

Found them in Tebow's car.

Oh, my God.

Stop it.

Patty, it's Jamie.

Listen, we just arrested Scott Stone.

Really? That's great.

The bad news is Trigg got... I said stay put.

Hello?

Damn.

What do you mean she's missing?

We sent a car over to the club last night to pick up Scott's son, but she

there. If something's happened to her, I'll never forgive myself.

Well, I guess you should have thought of that before you let her get this far.

Halloran.

Gunner, please.

Patty, where are you?

If you ever want to see her alive again, you'll do what I say.

What do you want?

Tomorrow you walk in the court.

You dropped the charges against Wayne Stiles.

I can do that, but I'm going to need more time.

You don't have any more time.

What have I done?

It's not what you've done.

It's what you're going to do.

What is it?

Mr. Tiburon is here to see you.

Jack Tiburon? What?

Okay.

Send him in.

You better know what you're doing.

Just follow our lead.

You wanted to see me, Your Honor?

Actually, Counselor, we called this meeting.

Anything you have to say to me, you can say in court.

Sit down, Jack, or the next time you're in court, you'll be the defendant.

Will you state your name for the record?

My name is Scott Stone.

Mr. Stone, you've been a very hard man to find for a couple of months.

Can you tell the court why?

I knew the police were looking for me, that I was also a suspect in Jessica

Nash's murder.

Mr. Stone, can you tell the court if the district attorney's office has offered

you any sort of deal?

Objection. Not today, Mr. Blake.

Answer the question.

I was offered immunity in exchange for my testimony against Wayne Thiles.

So... you'll walk away from here a free man if you testify against my client,

and you'll be subject to criminal prosecution if you don't.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

Proceed, Mr. Timmerman. Get to the point.

Of course, Your Honor.

All right, Mr. Stone.

On the night of the alleged homicide, tell the jury what you saw.

I didn't see anything. I don't know why they think I did. I wasn't even there.

Objection. Clearly established.

Give it up, Mr. Blake.

Bad search, rogue cops, a corrupted witness. The only thing missing here is

bloody glove.

Your Honor, please, if I may. No, you may not.

And if you ever bring a mess like this into my courtroom again, I'm going to

have you disbarred.

I take it the defense would like to have a dismissal of all charges.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Motion granted.

Case dismissed. Mr. Stiles is released from custody.

I owe you one, Scotty.

This one's on the house, partner.

Never thought L .A. air could smell so good.

After county jail, a sewer smells good.

You might be right about that.

Do you mind driving?

No problem.

Where are we going, by the way?

You'll see.

Hey, you made it.

You want to get away with murder?

Do it in L .A.

Right, Counselor? Sure, Wayne. Whatever you say.

See you inside.

As promised.

Damn straight what you do to her making too much noise I had to quiet her down

All right, let's finish it

You're not gonna kill her in cold blood

don't worry counselor you won't have to get me off to this point

Please go for it.

It's okay.

You're all right now.

In view of the fact that the case of the people versus Wayne Stiles was tried

under direct judicial duress, personalized blackmail plot against the

judge, all decisions in the above titled action are overturned. The case is

reinstated.

Oh, yeah, I can do that.

Further, the allegations of police misconduct against Officer Cruz and

Granger withdrawn.

The community owes a debt of gratitude to these two.

In view of the fact that the case of the people versus Wayne Stiles was tried

under direct judicial duress, personalized blackmail plot against the

judge, all decisions in the above titled action are overturned and the case is

reinstated.

Oh, yeah, I can do that.

Further, the allegations of police misconduct against Officer Cruz and

Granger withdrawn.

The community owes a debt of gratitude to these two fine officers and the

Pacific Blue Division.

One more thing.

Despite my cantankerous reputation, I've thoroughly enjoyed my 22 years on the

bench.

But in light of recent events, I think it's time for me to finally step down.

I know this is going to come as bad news to all the attorneys that I've badgered

and harassed over the years, but I think you're going to learn to live with it.

It's been a blast, guys.

So don't just stand there like a bunch of sheep, ladies and gentlemen.

Court's adjourned.

Hey, that was some speech in there, Judge.

Yeah, you ever think about running for politics?

What, have some federal equivalent of YouTube pawned through my personal life?

No, thanks.

Just a minute, honey.

My hands are in on your parade, Your Honor, but is this still a witness?

Who cares?

I'm not a judge anymore, remember?

I'll send you guys a postcard from Kabul.

Don't try to talk it down Why everyone wags on

my town Look, stand and speak It works for me

Take a look around It's just another day in L .A.

She's holding me.

Anybody thinks he is free.

Someday.

What is it now?