Original subtitles

Here's how.

You sure you can do this?

I go to the brokers, deliver the check, right?

That's it.

I'd feel better if you were going with me.

I've got to take care of Woody.

He hears about this, he may wimp out, leave us to twist in the wind.

You better get going before I get there. I am here.

Hi, Woody.

We'll see you later, Mark.

If I hear about what?

Another investment. We're pyramiding our profits.

You're going to find us another sure thing.

Not in your life.

What are you being so difficult?

If you chicken out now... Get out of your mind, you know that?

I mean, you're turning into such a... A rich guy is what I am turning into, as

are you.

Remember? No, you're out of control.

Just this once, that's what we agreed on.

Now, I want my share of the money. I'm pulling out.

You need a drink.

I want my money!

The couple at table number five suggested that it might perhaps be a

to pay the fire god.

You've got to cook pork very thoroughly, try to notice it, you know.

Rick, more bacteria on the moon than there is on that.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think our days in the food service industry are

numbered.

Don't move, gentlemen.

Mahalo. Book him, Dano.

Always wanted to say that.

Freeze, immigration!

AJ.

You're...

Matthew.

You look at your watch one more time, I'm going to steal it from you.

I'm sorry, Doug.

It's just that I... I know. Being the mother of private investigators, you

probably don't know when to worry and when to be cross.

Too psychic.

No. Lawyers are supposed to know the answers to questions before they ask

right? Well, it's my fault. I raised them to stick with their principles and

finish what they start.

Probably a tough case.

God knows you could feed a cast of thousands with the dinners that I've

You have principles, don't you? Try not to have.

Part of my boyish charm.

True. Their being late gives me a chance to...

Maybe to ask a question that I don't know the answer to.

Joe, Mom, we made it.

Timing is everything.

Total strangers. I've never seen them in my life. I'm sorry. If we'd stopped to

change, it would have been even later. Hi, Doug. Hi. Nice to see you. How are

you? Sit.

Yes, ma 'am.

So,

Counselor, how's life in the shark tank?

Oh, not too bad. I haven't had to...

Chase any ambulances lately, I'll know how much St. Luke's is all you have.

Yeah, whatever the job's called for.

That old Polynesian restaurant, the insurance company that holds the policy,

thought they were having a problem with the employee theft.

In fact, when we looked at the record, it turned out that there were some

disproportionate orders for sugar.

Looked at the records?

They open their books for you just like that?

Well, no, not exactly like that.

You mean you broke in?

Well, broke is a pretty strong word.

Besides, that's illegal.

Yeah, not to mention inadmissible.

We merely persuaded them to show us the records.

And how did you manage to do that?

Secret Dakota ring come with those things?

Yeah.

I could have used you boys on a case I had last year. What are you up to next?

Um, missing persons case.

A first -year law student went out joyriding two days ago, disappeared.

We generally find him down in Ensenada, you know, with a bottle of tequila in

one hand and Chiquita Bonita in the other.

Sounds like a trip we could all enjoy.

Take my boat, hanker off Baja, do a little fishing.

Have a few margaritas?

Just as long as you don't start with any chiquitas.

Students live here.

You can operate in this place.

They probably do.

What is wrong with this generation? I want to see some beer cans and dirty

and panties. Wake up, Rick. Smell the 90s.

I don't know who you are, but you got one minute to get the hell out.

Oh.

I'm A .J. Simon.

This is my brother, Rick Simon.

We're private investigators who were hired by your roommate's father to

investigate his disappearance.

Great. Look, I'm sorry. John Channing.

Please, go on.

I've been over the place at least a dozen times myself.

And I take it Woody doesn't usually just drop out of thought like this?

Well, sometimes after finals, I go out and have a few drinks. We're rolling a

day later.

You know, we've all got to let off a little steam now and then.

I know how that is. I was pre -law myself.

Personally, I've never needed breaks like that.

Sobriety would be a nice break.

This your buddy?

Yeah.

Who's the girl?

The girlfriend, Judy.

A picture we've taken up by the... Senator Cliff.

Gee, you guys are good.

They go up there a lot on weekends, Woody's parents' cabin.

Any chance he's up there now?

No. No, I already checked there.

I also called Judy and she said she hadn't seen him. Told the police as

I guess they used to go up there to be alone together, huh?

Yeah, you know how that is.

Yeah. Who took the picture?

I did.

So it wasn't always just the two of them.

Couldn't he have just been drunk and alive in Ensenada?

Roommate said he was a drinker.

Occasional binges, yeah.

He seemed rather anxious to park with that information.

What's this?

It's a traffic ticket. Old or new?

Uh, 22nd. They disappeared.

I'll find the officer who issued it.

Damn.

I guess we better call his dad.

Uh, Rick.

My people can handle it from here.

Mr.

Grant, I'm sorry to put you through this.

Our autopsy shows he died of a blow to the head.

I don't want to hear this, please.

I'm afraid you have to, sir. There was a great deal of alcohol in his system.

That's so senseless.

Maybe.

The M .E. found something puzzling.

The blood sequestered in the head bruise itself did not have a high blood

alcohol content.

I'm a lawyer, not a doctor, Lieutenant.

In other words, someone might have introduced alcohol into your son's

while he was dying.

Are you suggesting someone murdered him?

Were you aware, Mr. Grant, that your son was under investigation by the SEC for

insider trading?

Your firm does specialize in arbitrage, corporate buyouts.

God.

I don't believe this.

I mean, yes.

He visited me at the firm.

I suppose he could have picked up some information from one of our... The SEC,

you sure?

Was your son the kind of person who might become panicky or depressed?

You're implying suicide? No.

Might he have had partners, someone with a stake in killing him?

I don't know.

I'm sorry. I wish I could... Thank

you, sir.

That'll be all for now.

Mr. Grant, her deepest sympathies.

There won't be a fee. Lieutenant Marsh can handle this. No, no, you're still on

the case, Mr. Simon.

I want you to find out who killed my boy. But, sir... No, I insist now.

No offense to you personally, Lieutenant, but I have witnessed police

firsthand for years in the courtroom.

His mother died when he was 12.

I thought I had done a pretty respectable job bringing him up on my

How much more wrong could I have been?

Abby, let's nail this one.

It's going to be a fair.

Cause of death is cloudy.

Motive is shaky.

We got no suspect.

Yeah, I can help you on the suspect.

Remember the citation you found?

Yeah. Check out the time it was written.

538.

Coroner's estimated time of death?

Between 6 and 7 p .m.

The officer remembered the citation quite well.

He also remembered that Grant was carrying a passenger.

Did he give you a description?

He did better than that.

This is crazy. He was my friend, my roommate.

Then why didn't you tell anyone that you were with your friend less than an hour

before he died?

Were you involved in any financial partnerships with your friend, Mr.

I'm not going to answer any more of your questions.

Not until after my turn arrives.

You shouldn't be answering any questions at all.

But, Tenet, may I see my client alone?

I suggest if we get together again, I didn't think it would be so soon.

Well... This is awkward as hell.

How did you wind up defending Channing?

He's the son of an old friend.

Class of 44.

Another lawyer, right?

Legal community in this town is like an inbred family.

Doug.

The evidence isn't exactly stacked in your client's favor. Are you sure you

to do this?

Might hardly call what I've seen so far evidence.

Well, we all have our jobs to do, and I'm sure we'll do them.

I just hope we can keep our personal feelings out of this.

I can handle that.

Well, looks pretty damn good for trial to me.

Pretty good is not airtight.

Oh, come on, AJ. The traffic ticket puts Channing at the scene. It's classic

circumstantial. Oh, save it, will you? You're beginning to sound like McKenna.

Doesn't your gut tell you this guy is guilty?

I wonder how Mom's going to handle all this.

What's to handle?

I don't know.

I think she's in love with him.

I've noticed.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

We were just talking about you.

Yeah.

Are you in love with him?

Oh, would that be so terrible?

Well, you know, we are going up against him in court.

Yes.

Does that bother you?

Well, you're all pros.

It's a hazard, but I believe Doug when he says he can divorce his personal

feelings from the case.

You two better do the same or else.

Woody was in your study group.

Yeah, pulled his own weight.

Good, solid man.

Did you know he played the market?

Never talked about it to me.

Do you play the market?

Ah, too risky.

I'm into real property.

Yeah, I can see that.

Listen, did Woody have any enemies you know anybody might have a grudge against

him? Heck no.

Nicest guy you'd ever want to meet.

Ah, well, I can see you're all grief -stricken.

The hell do you know about how I'm feeling, huh?

About the times we stayed up together cramming for finals, the times we got

drunk together, the things we're going to do after we graduate. I mean, what

hell do you know about anything?

Nothing, pal. That's why I'm asking you a question. Rick, now if this guy was

such a great friend of yours, why don't you want to help us catch his killer?

Hey, that dragnet crap doesn't work with me, buddy.

What my brother means is we want what you want.

We want some justice for Woody.

I can't help you.

Well, listen, I apologize.

I thought before you were just unfeeling. I can see now you were just

Hey, go to hell.

My father coughed up $50 ,000 for the best criminal lawyer in San Diego.

Some dad.

Thinks the world of me. What really happened to Woody?

Ah.

His dad's PIs pay you a call?

You sure they're working for him, not the SEC?

When the feds come knocking, you'll know.

But they won't.

Not as long as we hang tough.

As far as they're concerned, it was Woody who was using insider information.

Just Woody.

Which brings me back to that question.

What happened to Woody, really? He died.

Would you tell the court what connection you discovered between Mr. Channing and

the deceased?

They both held securities accounts at the same brokerage firms.

Firms?

How many firms?

So far, eight.

They held small blocks to avoid attracting attention.

Objection.

Conjecture. Simply trying to establish motive, Your Honor.

Overruled. You may continue.

Mr. Simon, would you tell the court?

What the existence of these interests suggested to you?

Illegal stock trading based on inside information.

The deceased, Mr. Grant, was under investigation by the SEC.

And Mr.

Channing was afraid that the scrutiny might turn to him.

Your witness, Counselor?

Mr. Simon.

Exactly how did you go about obtaining this account information?

I spoke to the brokers at each house and requested their help.

And you told them that you were working for the victim's father, Mr. Grant?

Oh, no, sir. Our client's names are confidential information.

You did tell them that you were a private investigator?

Not precisely.

Well, you showed them your investigator's license.

Oh, yes, absolutely.

And how long did they have to examine it?

One minute?

Well, maybe less than that.

30 seconds?

A little less.

10 seconds? 5?

Yeah, somewhere right in there, yeah.

Something like this, Mr. Simon?

How much were you able to get out of that, Mr. Simon?

I got this from a cereal box.

And so it would be fair to say that you were operating under color of authority

that you didn't possess.

I never claimed to be anything other than what I am.

But in the past, you have used aliases to obtain similar information. True?

Only information used to further our own investigations, never intended for

submission in court. Isn't it true, Mr. Simon, that in 1984, you and your

brother gained access to a high -security aerospace firm?

posing as military personnel.

Our lives were in danger. It was the only way we could get in. In other

the end justifies the means.

No further questions.

So in your position, you had good opportunity to observe the Simons'

Yes. Is it true that in 1987 you had them jailed on federal wiretap charges?

Those charges were later dropped. Answer the question, Lieutenant.

Yes.

Louder, please.

For the court.

Yes.

Did the Simon brothers ever try to pry information from you about your

Mr. Pinkston? Yes, sir, they have.

Men who have served their prison time and are trying to make a go of it in

society.

Well, they aren't exactly saints.

The ex -convicts or the Simons?

Objection.

Withdrawn.

No further questions.

At this time, the defense would like to call Mr.

Richard Simon to the stand.

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole

truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I am.

Let me sit down.

Mr. Simon, last year you were diagnosed as suffering from post -Vietnam stress

syndrome. Is that right?

Objection. Irrelevant.

That's all right. I'd like to answer this question.

Yes, sir, that's correct.

Me and about a million other vets, I was treated and I recovered.

Good for you, Mr. Simon.

Was Jimmy Kirkland a...

Beneficiary of your recovery?

Tell the court about Jimmy Kirkland.

I had just lost a very close friend to a drive -by shooting. That was what

triggered my stress -related episode.

Jimmy Kirkland.

Jimmy Kirkland was a young boy who witnessed the incident.

And when he refused to answer your questions, what did you do?

What did you do, Mr. Simon?

I pushed him around a bit. I was emotional.

You attacked him viciously, so much so that your brother had to pull you off

him. Is that right?

It was an isolated incident.

I see.

And another isolated incident took place last year.

It involved the shooting of a South Vietnamese man. He died of gunshot

Not for me. I didn't shoot him. He was my friend.

But your friend was about to be indicted for racketeering charges at the time of

his death. Isn't that right?

Need I recall, Lieutenant Marsh?

You really are something, you know that?

Mr. Simon.

Your Honor, this is deplorable.

What is the defense's point?

Simply this.

The prosecution has presented one traffic ticket.

one composite record as circumstantial evidence against the defendant who has

criminal record and was in fact the best friend of the deceased.

The prosecution is trying to convince the court to infer motive from financial

records obtained under false pretenses and without warrants.

These men have a record of bringing personal prejudice to bear in

work. In fact, if need be, my client...

can testify that he heard the witness make derogatory remarks about men of his

youth, wealth, and social station.

Your Honor, this hearing is a travesty.

You may step down, Mr. Simon.

It is the judgment of this court that there is insufficient evidence to bind

defendant over for trial.

The court further orders that a transcript of this hearing be forwarded

State Licensing Bureau to determine whether the private investigator's

issued to Richard and Andrew Simon should be reviewed.

He's dismissed.

Rick, you have every right to be upset. You don't give me my rights, Counselor,

and you don't tell me what they are.

You have the right to have your career stripped away from you, the right to be

called a psychopath in court, the right to see a murderer go free.

Alleged murderer.

Well, that kid's a killer as sure as I'm standing here. Look at his eyes.

There's nothing there. There's a black hole.

Your opinion is not evidence.

And you weren't interested in evidence. You were only interested in getting rid

of it if it went against you.

Okay, okay.

I can hear it.

I can hear it coming, the big speech about the rights of victims. Your mom

have a soapbox around here somewhere. I thought that you were professionals.

You're out of line, Doug.

See, the air is thick with bromides about the rights of victims, forgetting

fundamental American right that the accused must be presumed innocent until

proven guilty.

And tomorrow, the accused could be you or me or...

Any of us. Yeah, does that give you the right to do anything to get your client

off? Just about. In other words, the ends justify the means.

I would like to speak with Doug alone.

How the hell can you have done that to my sons? Honey, I can see I'm in trouble

here. But believe me, there was nothing personal.

Parading Rick's psychological problems in front of the world isn't personal?

I may have come on a little strong.

May have? I'll apologize. The last thing I want is to hurt you or your family.

But I do have real responsibility to give my client the best possible

Even at the cost of another's livelihood?

Or his integrity?

See, 40 years ago, I was a young lawyer, fledgling, practicing

law in another state.

And I had a case where I was defending a man accused of murder.

The evidence was really circumstantial. But the prosecutor was larger than life.

A local hero.

I revered him when I was still in law school.

So, I didn't press.

I didn't use all the weapons I could have.

Intimidated, maybe? I don't know. But I held back.

My client went to the gas chamber.

Oh, now, Doug, what does that have to do with this particular case?

Two years later, new evidence came to light.

Evidence proving him innocent.

I cost that man his life.

Well, you couldn't feel responsible for that.

I cost that man his life.

Doctors lose patients.

Lawyers lose clients.

True. And I've lost more than a few since then.

But not through inaction, indecision, or holding back.

I can't do it, Cecilia.

Not for you, Rick.

Anyone.

1 ,500 as agreed.

Mr. Grant, there's no reason to give up hope. There isn't.

You're talking about what happened in court.

What do you think I'm talking about? I've seen botches in my time, but

Mr. Grant.

With enough extra evidence against Channing, we can go back to these

with subpoenas. We can reopen this thing properly.

Not on my nickel, you won't. Goodbye.

One more question.

We did a little follow -up on the brokerage information.

I don't hear a question.

The stock that was traded was Wincott International.

So? Their buyout last year was handled by your firm.

Goodbye.

Were you tempted to profit by the inevitable rise in those stocks?

I make my profit by the practice of law.

I've resisted similar temptations a dozen times.

Unfortunately, your son didn't have your principles.

The gain on his buy and sell order was over $2 million.

Now, what are you suggesting?

That you knew exactly what he was up to.

Oh, you may not have helped him specifically, but don't play stupid with

did know what was going on.

You can't prove any of this.

Prove?

Prove? Your son is dead, Mr. Grant.

Your own flesh and blood, man.

And... This thing, Channing and this deal are what killed him. What are you

thinking about?

It is an outrage.

You loved Woody. We can see that.

Maybe you were overindulgent with him. Maybe you were short -sighted.

The hell does it matter?

What matters now is his murder.

Give us a chance.

I didn't know it at first.

I discovered it.

My son and a junior associate

were meeting covertly.

And Channing was there with him, always.

Moving him.

Manipulating him like a marionette.

And my concern was for myself.

that none of the money be traceable back to me.

Are you willing to tell a grand jury what you're telling us?

You know, when Channing was released, I thought nothing will bring my son back.

Maybe I can do one thing right.

I was in the hall. I overheard and I didn't want to interrupt.

Thank you.

So how did your little tete -a -tete with your friend go?

His name is Doug.

And Rick, he wants to apologize.

Oh, good. I feel so much better.

Rick, he feels very bad.

He should.

He should take an ad out from the paper.

Listen to me.

I can't undo what's been done.

But I want you to remember that I feel...

Very strongly about this man.

He had reasons for what he did.

They might not make sense to you, but they do to him.

And they do to me.

Oh, great. Our own mother.

Rick, when the wounds are healed, you might see that Doug is just totally

committed to his clients.

Like some other people I know.

Don't you see how much alike you are?

We'll get over it.

Just do what you have to do.

Thanks to Mr. Grant, we found over two dozen securities accounts.

Not only in Channing's name, but in Fordham's as well. Does that give us

anything?

Well, sure, if you're looking for securities fraud. Yeah, but what if

looking for murder?

We are not looking for anything.

Frankly, guys, if you brought me the smoking gun right now, I think the DA

be reluctant to take it in.

We're not going to roll over on this, Abby. We're not walking away.

Guys. Don't, guys. That's why I'm going to lose my license. I'm going out with a

bang.

Can you stop him?

Sure.

But who's going to stop me?

God's sakes, John, they found Woody's account. They found yours.

It's only a matter of time before they're going to find mine.

So what do you suggest we do?

Cop a plea. We cut our losses. Pull an Ivan Boesky, just get it over with. And

risk being indicted for murder? Hey, I don't know a damn thing about that.

That's strictly your doing.

Most they can get me for is accessory after the fact.

Maybe not even that if I cooperate.

Okay.

I can't force you.

Cop a plea of security, Sproggs, but if you keep quiet about Woody's death...

I promise not to try to implicate you.

Deal?

Deal.

Okay. Come on.

I'll introduce you to my lawyer. He's a nice guy. I think you'll win.

I even tried the phone on Rick's boat before I came over here.

And?

Answer machine.

I know, he's there, he's there. He's just brooding.

Oh, if he were there, he wouldn't miss a chance in giving you hell.

He gets that from me.

Hello?

Oh, Rick, we were just talking about you.

Well, yes, he's here.

Sure.

I've been trying to reach you.

You have every reason in the world to be angry at me. And I'd like to... Save

it, Counselor.

Just thought you'd like to know we got a call from Lieutenant Marsh.

Mark Fordham turned up dead.

Seems he took a 40 -foot fall about an hour and a half ago, broke his neck,

instantly.

I hope you're satisfied.

Autopsy place at the time of death at around 10 p .m., shortly before the

library closed.

You aren't studying?

There were no books, notebooks, not so much as a pen found anywhere near the

body. It's a little break.

Far from anybody on campus, much less in the library.

What was Channing doing all this?

Having dinner with his broker.

Already got a statement.

That's one. Well, he's probably in on the scam.

You know who we need, don't you?

Oh, no.

No.

Come on, guys. I just wrote a letter to the board begging them not to pull your

ticket. Okay, all right, fine.

Fine. You're on your own.

What else is new?

The same as before.

Everything is circumstantial.

Did you ever get tired of saying that?

Rick, none of what you have will stick.

It's not what I want. It's what will happen.

Wasn't there anything in your conferences with Channing that... Stop

You know better, A .J.

I wonder how Mark Fordham feels about attorney -client privilege right now.

Lay off me, Rick.

I haven't had so much blood on my hands for years.

Anything I know about Channing and the death of Woody Grant is inadmissible.

So let's go after this one.

Hello? Hello, John. Doug McKenna. How are you?

Just fine, thanks. I trust you received my check.

Yes, but that's not why I'm calling. I heard about your friend Mark. I'm sorry.

I hoped you'd be spared any further unpleasantness.

Thanks. Came as a real shock.

After all you've been through, I don't want to alarm you, but it's come to my

attention there are some people who saw you near the university library last

night. That's impossible.

The back of the library.

Not far from where your friend's body was found.

I'm afraid they've given sworn statements to that effect.

And just how has this come to your attention, Counselor?

Well, you probably recall my mentioning this woman I've been seeing, the Simon's

mother.

One statement, huh?

What exactly is it you want from me, McKenna?

Nothing, John, just to help you.

Maybe a slight lapse of professionalism, but you've come to seem like a son to

me.

Then prove it.

Give me those papers.

The papers?

Well, you know, there is a matter of ethics there.

How does an extra hundred thousand sound?

To cover your expenses, of course.

Do you think that can get me those documents by tonight, say, around ten?

I suppose there's no harm in being well -prepared in court.

Meet me on the campus tonight.

Parking structure three, level two.

I'll be there.

And, John, be careful.

You sure you've never done this before?

Abby.

Rick.

Guess what?

You know, if I had to do this all over again, including stiffing you guys in

court the way I did, I'd think twice about it.

And then I'd go ahead and do it.

You think that I'm the right guy for this job?

No.

But the ends justify the means.

Just think of it as a closing argument.

Counselor? John.

Let's see what you've got.

What are you worried about? This is nothing.

According to one of these witnesses, I was seen leaving the university library

with Fordham at 8 .35 p .m.

Exactly.

Were you there?

Take a walk, McKenna.

You go peddle your paper somewhere else. John, please, think about this.

What do you suppose are the odds that another assailant would have encountered

your Mr.

Fordham? I believe the counsel is leading the witness. Within minutes of

meeting that the eyewitnesses described.

You know, maybe you need your eyes checked. You can't read your own

Your so -called witness saw me leave the library at 8 .35 p .m. Now, that's at

least an hour and a half before Fordham died.

They saw you heading for the stairwell. North stairwell.

That's clear on the other side of the library from where the body was found,

isn't it?

That's a pretty shoddy attempt, Dad.

Wait a minute.

All this concern?

Now these phony documents?

Damn.

Yo, why?

I'll call an ambulance.

I can't believe you took that risk.

Of course I have, Mom.

The time and place supportive of death weren't released by the media.

But Channing had it cold.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Instead of two of you to worry about, now I have three.

No, no, no, no. I leave the rough and tumble stuff to you, gentlemen.

Oh, thank you very much. My days of private detection work are over.

Back to defending the scum of the earth, are we, Counselor? Yeah.

How much longer are we going to have to put up with this guy, Mom?

Oh, a while, if he behaves.

I must tell you all, you know, this whole Channing business...

It's made me wonder if the next time, perhaps... Well, let me put it to you

way.

The accused always has the right to a good defense.

But I'm not the only lawyer in San Diego.

I'll tell you, if I ever get busted, I know who I'm calling.

You can expect daily calls.

You're here.