Original subtitles

You know I'm always happy to open up for you, Stanley.

I just got this in from Swarczak.

He wants a small fortune for it, but it's well worth it.

Of course, unless you see it in daylight, you can't... I didn't come

tonight, Carol.

It's about the Lyle Paulson.

I had dinner with Arnold Stivers in New York last week.

He implied that he had had the opportunity to purchase Slow Suicide.

You can imagine my amusement since I was under the impression that that canvas

was in my vault.

So I found an appraiser, one that can be trusted.

You can take back your paint -by -the -numbers version, Hallrich. I want what

paid for, if you do have it. If you don't, you'll wish you never laid eyes

me.

Little man.

You're nothing but a bad -tempered nouveau riche with far too active an

imagination. I'm $300 ,000 less riche. Stanley, I'm sure something can be

arranged. If you ever try something like this again, I'll burn you.

Dolph, why don't you see Mr.

Morfolk into his car?

You know this can be a dangerous neighborhood.

that did not dump me. We decided that we'd given our relationship as much of a

chance as it deserved. That's all.

Rick, she called you, quite accurately I might add, an overgrown adolescent with

no romance in his soul. What do I need a romantic soul for?

Our wagon's got bench seats.

There. Where?

You see? That's your problem. You don't take this seriously.

Women like... To be taken seriously, Rick, it's a funny little quirk they

I have tried, A .J. Believe me, I've tried.

I swear there are days that I think if the right woman were to just walk

that door, a nice lady with a good head on her shoulders, easy on the eyes, I

would be on my knees with a ring in my hand faster than you could say... Hi,

Rick and A .J. Simon?

I'm looking for a boyfriend.

Oh. Oh, I don't need one. I have one. I mean, I'm even getting married and

everything. I just need to find one.

Nice.

Easy on the eyes.

Two out of three ain't bad.

Huh? Nothing, just a private joke. Won't you please have a seat, Miss...

Briarley, Elise Briarley.

Abby said you two could be a little weird sometimes.

I like it, it's cute.

Abby? A friend of mine, Abby Marsh, she recommended you.

Ah.

Uh, so, you're getting married, but you need to find a boyfriend.

An old boyfriend, Terry, Terry Adamson, before I... before the wedding, just

to... You know, see him one last time and say goodbye.

You're kidding, right?

What my brother means is... Well, it's, uh... Does your fiancé

know about this?

I knew you'd think I was horrible.

No, no, no. Nobody's trying to make you feel bad or anything. It's just, uh...

We have to know this sort of thing. It's, uh... It's part of the job.

Well... Okay, yes, Jeff.

That's my fiancé, Jeff Mosley. He does know. He agrees with me. We have to give

each other the space to make sure we really want to be married.

Uh -huh.

What doesn't he know?

How much it means to me.

How far I'm willing to go to find Terry.

So, in other words, you're sneaking in here to hire us. Rick.

I thought you weren't trying to make me feel bad. I know how it looks. I just

thought hiring a PI was, I don't know, the most discreet way to do this. I

I don't want to throw this in Jeff's face. If Jeff knew my feelings for

even just my memory of my feelings for Terry, it would hurt him so much.

And marrying him while you're feeling this way wouldn't.

Why do you think I'm here? For months I've been making excuses.

It's been hard to find the time, you know, to set the date and all, what with

work and, well, work.

But now I know that if I marry Jeff, if I make that promise, I have to be sure I

can keep it.

Um, are you absolutely sure you want to go through with it? I mean, some people

just don't want to be found.

I have to try.

Will you help me or not?

Sure, why not? Things are slow around here anyway.

Great.

I've written out the last contact information I have on him and my phone

here. Oh, and your retainer. Call me if you need anything else.

Yeah, right. Well, we'll do our best. Oh, God. I've got to get back to work.

Well, it was nice... Well, she's a piece of

work, isn't she?

I don't know, AJ. There's just something that doesn't feel right about this. I

mean, really. Sorry.

I think I left my... Bye.

Well,

I guess we're on the case.

God help us. Yeah, well, you've had stranger requests from women before.

Yeah, but I never took money for them.

And don't even think about leaving town.

We may have further questions.

No problem, Lieutenant. I'm not going anywhere.

I won't have any more answers.

Out.

Next. Next.

Lucky me.

Today headaches come in pairs.

Sweets. For the sweet.

And flowers for the, uh... I don't know, here.

My mother had a saying, beware of geeks bearing gifts.

Why are you here?

We just wanted to thank you for the referral. That's all honest.

Yeah, and this name that we want you to run for her, she's in no particular

hurry for it.

Hand her hand.

I'm only doing this because she's my friend.

Yeah,

just got sprung.

Heard something you ought to know about.

Couple guys downtown.

P .I. is by the name of Simon. They were asking around about a Terry Adamson.

Find out who they're working for and what they want.

Whatever it takes.

Absolutely nothing.

Not even a car registered in his name.

I tell you, there's something not quite normal about this, AJ.

I hate to say it, but maybe we can't trust her. Oh, lighten up, Rick.

You're just down on love and lovers in general. Ever since Belinda... No, no,

no, that's not true. I'm just trying to cover up blanks here.

Hey, what about all that stuff about her boyfriend going along with all this?

Don't you think that strains the credibility just a little bit?

Rick, this is a very simple case.

Why are you always trying to make everything so complicated?

Somebody's up to something.

Thank you, Inspector Crusoe.

Well, if it's not her, then it's him.

What else do you make of a guy like that?

I don't know.

Either he's very secure or he's crazier than she is.

Happy birthday, Mom.

Oh, thank you.

Should we cut the cake, or shall I finish my story first?

Cake looks pretty good to me.

Rick, so, uh, you and Dad were both going out with other people the night

met? Exactly. I was practically engaged, and then Jack walked into the party,

and, well, I couldn't help it. Could only look at him.

Your eyes met?

Well, I could barely remember. And you could barely remember your real date's

name. We know. Can we have some champagne now?

Don't mind him, Mom.

He's just sour on romance.

What's the matter, honey?

Nothing. Belinda dumped him. She did not. A .J., that reminds me. Did you see

the paper where Leslie Buxton is getting married?

Leslie Buxton?

Mm -hmm.

No kidding.

Isn't she the one that you had that special phone line installed in your

for so you wouldn't miss any of her calls?

Such a lovely girl.

Come on.

You two are inseparable.

I really want some cake now. If you insist.

Oh, well, boys, don't worry. You'll both find a wonderful girl who'll make you

very happy.

That sounds great, Mom. I'll take Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Mom, there is absolutely nothing wrong with our lives now.

We have everything.

Yeah. I got my boat. I got my house.

Business is great.

We've got our freedom.

We are perfectly happy being single.

I've never seen a night so

long when time...

Candy.

Excuse me, sir. Is this 555 -4219?

Could I speak to Leslie, please?

Hi, Candy.

Rick.

Rick Simon.

No, no.

Simon.

Yeah.

Yeah, it has been a long time.

I did what?

No, no, no, no, no, no, I didn't.

Come on, no.

No, I didn't do that. That wasn't me. That was my dog, and it was an accident.

Leslie.

It's A .J.

Yes, I know it's late. I just, I wanted... No, I...

I just wanted to say hi.

Okay.

All right, yeah, fine.

I'll tear the page right out of my phone book.

Okay,

Belinda.

You want romance?

You're going to get romance.

Eight o 'clock.

Friday night.

Be there. And wear something slinky.

No, Belinda, this is not Chester. This is Rick.

You will?

All right.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Friday.

But you're professionals. I thought you'd have something by now.

Well, it's like I just said. Some people just don't want to be found.

Maybe this Adamson's one of them. Why don't we just drop it, at least?

Get married, live happily ever after. I mean, you love Jeff, don't you? He loves

you. Yes, very much.

Sometimes I look at him and I feel so cozy, so safe, but I can always swallow.

Well, I beg your pardon?

Oh, I know it sounds silly.

Terry probably doesn't remember any of it, but I fell down to every single

every little thing we did together. I guess it was because he was just so

different. Terry, I don't know. It was like I couldn't swallow, couldn't

breathe. If you ask me, it sounds more like a reaction to shellfish.

Look, Dad used to chase his Harley out of the driveway. They knew I'd sneak out

after dark to ride with him. With me, he'd be careful and take it slow. But

he was riding alone, I'd see him fly by, and I swear I'd never seen anything so

gorgeous. You know, he was a little rough around the edges, but sometimes

can be good, you know?

When I was on his bike, with my arms around him, that engine underneath me,

the wind in my face.

Elise, you know what they say? Hey, Jay, for God's sakes, don't stop her now. I

usually have to dial a 976 number for this kind of thing. Go ahead.

And he was so open to everything.

I'd take him to art galleries and museums, and he'd make me swear I'd

his friends, but I saw how much he loved it.

Everything. He felt with me for the first time.

Elise, the point is, we've been digging for two days now, and we've come up with

nothing. Not a zip.

Yeah, he's right, Elise.

I mean, seriously, if you're going to spend this kind of money, why don't you

just buy Jeff a motorcycle and stop wasting it on us? What do you guys know?

didn't see any pictures of wives or kids in your office.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

That's right.

Riley.

She hired them?

That's right.

So?

So.

So, you know what to do.

Okay. So we keep looking, we find them wildly, and you go back to your

swallowless existence.

They treat you like old news, and in the meantime, you lose Jeff.

What then?

You know, sometimes even if you don't make the right choice, just choosing is

what counts.

I need to know I tried.

Elise.

I thought you said you couldn't make much.

Oh, sorry, honey. Something came up. I had to talk to these guys.

Jeff Mosley, Rick and A .J. Simon.

It's about a new photographer I'm trying to find. These are his agents.

Actually, I think we better get back to the office and look at that portfolio.

I'll see you later, sweetheart.

I'm sorry.

Bye.

We better hurry.

Take care.

So, there's nothing else on him besides that bust in Seattle?

Nope. Nothing after 1978, which is when the leak's known.

I think he must have left the state.

There's no death certificate.

There's no missing persons report.

How about you?

Well, he didn't do any time. He got probation.

So I had Hanrahan put in a call to his caseworker for me. I'm still waiting to

hear back from him.

Besides that, I checked out every biker club and weird cult hangout in town.

Nobody's ever heard of it, Terry Adamson.

Did he get invited to a human sacrifice, though? You want to go?

Why not?

At least we could tell Mom we made it to the altar.

Rick, you going to turn the light on anytime soon, please?

Did you get the license number of the tornado?

All I know is it was very...

Very. He?

There had to be three of them at least.

Not one.

Oh. But I won't tell if you won't tell. Deal.

He had the element of surprise going for him, all right. Yeah. Yeah, that's

right. He did.

Hey,

I'd talk fast if I were you, because I really can't control him when he gets

like this. Now, what the hell are you doing here?

Just wanted to find out about the case.

He leaves the case.

So? You sent over a couple of advance men to soften us up so we'd talk, huh?

Are you crazy?

I can't even find an accountant I can trust.

Where would I get a goon to work you guys over? Well, then maybe you'd like

explain to us why you've been tailing us for the past three days.

Obviously, he's taken one too many blows to the head.

Late model BMW, license number two.

Look, I had to do something.

I mean...

I want to be supportive of Elise and her... You know, her... Whatever the

her damn problem is, she won't tell me anything.

This thing's making me crazy. I mean, just the thought of her with another

All you wanted was news of the progress of the investigation?

I thought you and Elise had about... an understanding.

Yeah, sure.

I can imagine the way she made me sound, too.

Like some henpecked wimp who jumped...

jumps through hoops when she snaps her fingers?

No, no, no.

Well, I mean, that hoop part's probably going a little overboard.

Look, all I understand is that she's got to be nuts to do something like this.

Look, if you want us off the case, you got to talk to the police, okay? Because

she's the client.

Okay.

Hey, do me a favor, will you?

Don't tell her that I followed you guys, okay?

Don't push it.

Come on, Rick.

We can't prove he had anything to do with this.

And we can't even identify the assailant. Simon.

Say hi.

It's a moment.

Hold on.

Simon. Who?

Excuse me. Hold on.

You know, uh, Howard Farkas?

Farkas. Oh, yeah, he's Adamson's old caseworker. Hello?

Yes, Mr. Farkas.

Uh -huh. Hang on just a second, please.

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Okay. Let's go.

Huh? Hey, what are you doing? Whoa, whoa, whoa. We got to clean this up.

Well, I'll help you clean it up later. Now, come on. We got to go get changed.

We got work to do.

Would you relax?

We're closing in on it here. Let me explain something to you, all right?

Adamson left California the first time, he went to live in Utah. But then he

changed his name and he came back to California about five years ago, and now

he's an art dealer named Carol Holdridge living in La Jolla and operating a

gallery.

Derivative garbage, all of it. Derivative garbage.

Is there something I can help you with?

Yes, yes, there is. How you do?

Ernie Boyer. I'm just in from Houston.

Perhaps you need directions, then.

The Western Art Gallery is just four doors down.

No, no, no, that's all right. Actually, I see a friend of mine told me about

your little art store here.

Personally, I got a hankering for oils of a different kind to catch my drift.

See, the wife and I, we got this great big space over the couch in the living

room. She's gone and done the whole dang thing in pinks and oranges.

I was just wondering if you had anything pretty in them colors.

I'm afraid not, Mr. Boyang.

Boyer. Boyer.

Of course. How stupid of me. Well... Most of what I represent is in this

Uh -huh. It's a moroshek. It's entitled Sunset.

Sunset.

Don't that beat all?

Modern art is an acquired taste.

It's not something that I would recommend dabbling in.

Art can be deadly serious, you know. So I've heard, so I've heard.

You know this little yuppie -type filly I met at the bar at the airport, Elise

something or other, name was, uh, Elise... Briarley, that's it, you know

No. No. Name sounds familiar, but I don't really know her.

She's a publicist, isn't she?

Handles promotion for the Modern Art Museum.

I reckon.

She did say some mighty fine things about you, though, come to think of it.

Yes, sir, she spoke mighty highly of you, Mr. Holder. Mighty highly, indeed.

How nice.

I am proud of my reputation for dealing in very special works.

But a reputation, I fear, is often misunderstood.

I do hope you'll forgive me, Mr. Boyd.

There. There you go.

But I am quite busy today. If there's nothing specific I can interest you

Well, I'll tell you what my problem is right now. See, I just see so dang many

things alike.

I just... I can't make up my mind.

So I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I'll pop in a little later. Just bring the

little woman with me, all right? I can't wait.

You have a good day now, you hear?

Sunset.

I'll tell you, that takes guts, don't it?

You sure, Tim?

Absolutely.

No two guys would want to look like that.

They must have spent years practicing that smile.

Reptile house.

Listen, A .J., I know it's none of our business anymore, but

when you tell her, tell her to be careful.

When I tell her?

Well, where are you going to be?

Linda!

You want some friendly advice, though?

Don't ever do it. No.

No, I won't.

I can't get over it. A gallery?

I knew I'd made a difference in his life, but who'd have thought I'd given

the inspiration for his entire career?

How'd he look?

Is he gorgeous?

Uh, well, I didn't actually see him. Oh, I just knew he'd be successful.

This is just so...

I don't know, romantic comes to mind, but I guess that's expecting too much,

right? Are you going to tell Jeff?

Of course.

Eventually.

You know, Haley, Rick, would you like some coffee? Oh, no, thanks.

Rick said that Adamson didn't seem to remember you at all.

Well, how do you know this is the kind of guy you want to get involved with? I

mean, you know.

After all, he's assumed a whole new identity.

Maybe he's still a little rough around the edges.

Why wouldn't he change his name?

He's probably ashamed of his past. He just wants to make a clean start of it.

May I?

Yeah, Bob. Well, look, are you sure you want to do this? Why don't you think

about it? Take a day.

Look, I just know he'll be glad I called. I appreciate your concern, but

come...

You're calling him.

Hello?

Am I speaking to... I mean, Carol Holridge?

Carol, this is Elise Briarley.

I know this is a bit out of the blue, but I'd love to get together with you. I

mean, see you.

Maybe that's too pushy. How about... Maybe... We could meet somewhere for a

of coffee or something, like maybe tomorrow.

Look, I'm not usually this... I don't know, is forward the word?

Oh, hell, I don't know. Maybe you want to have dinner sometime?

Well, that's a splendid idea, actually.

Why don't you come here to the gallery?

I'll arrange for dinner here.

Tonight.

So we can mix old business with new pleasure, if you're so inclined.

I'd love to.

Eight o 'clock.

Great.

Bye.

Oh, my God.

He wants me to come right over. He can't wait to see me.

It's sad to see your hopes dash like this.

How do I look? Oh, look what I'm wearing. I look like one of the hippos

Fantasia. I don't have time to change. You look very pretty.

Wish me luck. I do.

Oh, hey, hey. Oh.

Crazy broad must know.

How, I have no idea, but... Dolph, my man, we've been fingered.

What else can this mean?

What do you think she's going to do?

Threaten to expose us? Try to shake us down? Who knows?

All I am sure of is... she's got to end up keeping our Mr.

Morphigan company.

Carol?

Elise.

At last.

Carol.

This place is incredible.

I never dreamed...

I mean, sometimes I'd try to imagine the kind of surroundings you'd be in, but

this.

I'm so glad you like it.

I will give you the grand tour, of course.

But first... To...

An understanding.

I just can't believe we're here.

Together, finally.

And to think all this time we were in the same city.

I must admit I was intrigued when I learned you were looking for me.

I have to give you credit, Elise.

Very few people are capable of putting me in this position.

Oh, Carol, please.

I never would have taken this thing this far if I thought it would hurt you.

I mean, I never intended to get in the way of... of anything you had going. I

just thought if we could see each other...

But I'm curious. I'm sure you had many good reasons, but why didn't you ever

to contact me?

That would have been highly inappropriate.

Oh, I see.

Then you are involved.

Very.

But then we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Doll.

I thought we were alone.

Dolph is quite an accomplished chef.

Now that you and I are face -to -face, Elise, I'm sure we can work everything

out to our mutual satisfaction.

Yes.

Your phone's been busy for hours.

I just can't... Come on in. Come on in.

What's all this?

Look at you.

I said you wanted romance.

Rick, this is very sweet of you, but when I said I wanted a man with romance

his soul, it didn't mean you should try to change.

Great. I blow 500 bucks on a date, now she tells me she'd be happy with a pizza

and beer.

I didn't say that.

I do want a certain kind of man in my life, but there's no sense in you trying

to become him.

I just came to say I need a rain check.

Wait a minute. Just come on.

One little glass of champagne, okay?

Come on.

Save it for the right girl.

I was kind of hoping you'd be the right girl.

I almost wish I were.

So, did you make it to the Warhol auction?

I wanted to go, but my schedule... All right, Elise.

I'll concede you're a master at gamesmanship.

But let's stop playing, shall we?

Lay out your terms.

Tell me what you want.

Terms?

I just wanted to see you.

I'm making you uncomfortable.

Why don't I just go?

Not now!

at this.

What do you want?

Honestly, Terry, I don't know what you're talking about.

I just wanted to see you again before I got married.

I know now it was silly, but I just... I...

You don't really remember me at all, do you?

Damn it, lady, what do you want?

The Paulson? It can't be that. You'd have gone to the cops by now. I'm the

who introduced you to art, Terry.

You must remember that. You've got to remember that.

If not, then why, Terry? Stop calling me Terry!

Called you Liz then.

Tick with the crazy father.

You're telling the truth, aren't you?

I don't believe it.

You only wanted to see me, but you hired those PIs.

You hired them just to find me?

I never stopped thinking about you.

I thought maybe you might feel the same way. Having another crack at you

wouldn't be the worst thing that could possibly happen.

Unfortunately, I've got too much to lose to keep you around.

You stole the pulse.

personal, kid.

AJ, why didn't you tell me you guys were working on the Lyle Paulson theft?

The what?

That painting that was boosted from the modern... Slow Suicide?

Elise hired you to investigate, didn't she?

Uh, what makes you think that?

From the rap sheet Hanrahan pulled for you.

AJ, I know Adamson is Holridge, the art dealer.

And Morphogan, the murder victim?

Yeah, guess what his family found? Hidden among his personal effects.

Slow suicide?

Mm -mm. A very convincing forgery of same.

Huh.

And you figure that Morphogan realized he had a fake on his hands?

You got it.

Well, why do you think Holridge is involved?

Morphogan was found in a parking garage just two doors away from Holridge's

gallery. But it's still not enough for a warrant, AJ.

I swear to you, I had no idea.

Look, I don't care about the painting.

No.

Of course you don't.

I can't imagine what you'd do with the story of what happened to Slow Suicide.

I'm sorry, we're closed.

Yeah, right.

I'm afraid you've got the wrong address, friend.

Don't give me that, Ulrich. I know she's here.

Check that out.

Jeff,

what are you doing here? I thought I asked... Stop it.

This may be the last chance I have to get a word in edgewise. So please,

darling, shut up.

You think I don't know how you got into this mess?

It's because most of the time you think I'm dull and boring. Because I'm

consistent.

Predictable. So you wanted some excitement. Okay.

Of course you're going to think of a guy like Harrison.

Of course he's exciting to you because he's dangerous.

I'm not.

Geez, don't you get it, honey?

I can't compete with a guy like him. I'm never going to be exciting to you like

that. Because I love you. And I'll never hurt you.

God damn it, that's not predictable.

That's dependable. And if that bores you, well...

I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do about that.

But whatever happens here, I want you to know that I'm never going to regret a

moment I've spent loving you.

Not one single second.

Because loving you is all the excitement that I'll ever need.

I just wish there was enough excitement for the both of us.

Thank you.

Buxton family fetid Leslie and new husband Mark at the Coronado.

Well, I guess you've lost her forever, huh?

Come on.

Drown your sorrows.

I'm buying.

Oh, better circle this day on my calendar. Come on, come on, come on.

All right.

As long as it's not that place where you have to specifically request they don't

put the salt in the beer.

No, medical theory shows that you can drink more beer if you reduce the

carbonation. Medical theory shows if you wear a hat, it reduces the flow of

blood to your brain.

Nothing in there about Lisa's wedding, huh?

No. Think they're going to make it?

It's a good way to go broke betting on the lifespan of a marriage.

Yeah. Not like a brother.

Unfortunately, that lasts forever.

You know, A .J., there's something that Mom made me promise that I would never

tell you.

You're adopted.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.

You're the one that's adopted, and she made me promise not to tell you because

she knew you couldn't handle it. She didn't say that. She did not. She did,