Original subtitles

♪♪♪

[Thuds]

Where is your six-foot, three-inch assailant?

Tell me where he is! You're conducting the investigation!

You were set up the other day. Basterie suckered you out,

the last thing you need is to get in a hassle.

-[Car engine reviving] -[Thuds]

How much?

A grand. Why don't you start countin' it out.

Police officers! Nobody move!

♪♪♪

Crowley: I know it's sort of a mystery, to some of you,

we'd better get some uniforms into this act.

We don't want the citizenry here callin' the cops on us.

I'd hate to get blown away by our own people. Anyway, what we got here,

is a large scale receiver.

Hijacked truck loads are dropped and then repacked in this warehouse.

Tonight, there's a load of color tvs we got a search warrant.

Five minutes after the truck arrives, we move in.

Now, I'll coordinate with this thing.

When we hit em'. We hit em' hard.

We don't announce till we get inside. These people are all into something pretty heavy.

Our information says they're all armed.

Now, you've anything to add?

You covered it.

Let's go, let's go!

♪♪♪

Okay, pep everybody set?

He's in.

Alright, let's go.

♪♪♪

Police! Hold it! Don't move!

Alright. Hands on top of your heads!

Put em' up there!

Turn your face to truck. Let's go.

-Alright, let's check him out. -Search it!

Joe, gimme your hand.

It's a dry run.

Yup.

[Thuds]

I want to look around this joint, you're in charge.

Hey, you got no right here without a warrant.

Oh, read, but don't touch, alright?

Search him again.

♪♪♪

[Door opens]

[Door smashed]

♪♪♪

[Thuds]

He's only a kid.

Fifteen years old..

How could you know, basterie, had a nephew living with him.

You didn't know the boy was gonna be in the warehouse, right?

Fifteen years old, pep.

You didn't have a fight with a boy isn't that, right?

That's what you told me.

That's what you've gotta tell them.

[Telephone bell ringing]

Is that right?

-Hello. -Yeah, pep it's Joe.

How's he doing?

Uh, okay

you take care of him, you hear?

Now, look, let me talk to him for a minute.

Hold on.

It's Joe.

Yeah, Joe.

Hey, Billy, look, the guys in internal affairs want to talk with you.

When?

Now. And they're surprised you're not down here.

Joe you gotta help me. I can't do it tonight.

Listen, tell em', uh...

Tell em' I've been drinking tell em' I'm loaded.

I'm not in any condition to talk, okay?

Yeah, okay.

Tomorrow morning?

Yeah. Tomorrow, okay.

Hey, look bill... don't lose your cool with the guys, okay? Cause they can be pretty tough.

"-[Knocking] -Officer: Come here.

Bocine: Crowley.

Sit down.

I'm lieutenant bocine. This is lieutenant Sullivan.

There are questions we want to ask you about this

but first I want to tell your constitutional rights.

Why doesn't homicide handle this thing?

Not head hunters. They're street cops.

They know how these things can happen.

We also know, how these things happen

and we're going to get the facts

before we submit our report to the chief and/or the grand jury.

- Why would you submit it to the grand jury? - We may have a manslaughter.

Our investigation takes precedence over any other departmental investigation.

So, you will cooperate to the fullest.

Yeah.

Well, what if I don't feel like answering any of your questions?

Then we'll suspend you. You'd give us no choice.

So, why be foolish. Why make a tough job tougher?

Listen, crowley.

I don't think, there's going to be any problem, regarding a criminal prosecution.

- But you have to satisfy the department. - I don't believe that.

Isn't that one of those 'off the record' remarks to get me to loosen up?

I mean, what do I do now? Do I bare my soul? Pour my heart out?

This is on, isn't it?

Yes it's on, and you know the rules. Now, may we continue?

You know the story!

I laid it all out to the homicide officers.

There are gaps in it. Too many.

As an example, where is your six-foot, three-inch assailant?

Tell me where he is! You're conducting the investigation!

The victim was five-five and a hundred and thirty-two pounds. And fifteen years old.

None of the other police personnel reported any assault

and the civilians present tell different story. There were no civilians present.

Wait a minute. You talking about basterie and the rest of that garbage?

They're not civilians, they're hoods! They're criminals!

This was a fence operation we busted into it wasn't a convent!

Maybe, crowley, but you certainly didn't prove it!

You had a legal right to bust in there, but no contraband was recovered.

No crime was committed, and therefore no arrests were made. Right?

These people have to be considered as witnesses.

- Plain, ordinary, legitimate witnesses. - You've got to be kidding me?

It was midnight, what they were doing, if they weren't waiting for a load?

Basterie has a lease on the place. They say, they're friends.

I know it's all bull, but he comes off clean on this one.

And I'm the heavy. Right?

We're not here to judge you, sergeant, we only investigate.

[Door opens and closes]

You're off this week. What's the matter?

Sometimes I wonder Joe phoned me, and told me what happened.

I thought maybe I could help.

-Yeah. Like what? -I don't know maybe, uh,

maybe we could just talk a little bit.

The thing I will say, you feel a little better.

Thanks, Pete, you just said it.

[Indistinct chatter]

Here they are, folks these are on Clark and Lynn.

They said "good luck".

It's pretty interesting, isn't it?

I don't even get along with those two guys and they're wishin' me luck.

They're cops, pretty good ones too.

They know that something like this could happen to any one of us.

It sure happened to me.

By the time those six thieves get through testifying against me,

if I don't come out looking like an animal.

You reacted like anyone would.

It happened, bill. You can't change it. You can't do it over.

Of course, it happened, pep. Of course, I can't change it.

But it's hard to live like this

without having the whole department come down on my head.

Why the hell did they use a kid like that?

I don't know.

We have to find that man you saw.

There's lot of people willing to go to bat for you, bill.

Oh, will you knock it off!

Half my life is involved in this,

and you're sitting there giving me platitudes.

- It wasn't worth it, kid. - Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself.

What'd you expect when you took that badge?

Egg in your beer? Come on! Show em', bill.

Use your head, you big dumb cop.

Show em' you had a right to hit that warehouse.

And where it was a terrible tragedy, it was an accident.

You're starting to sound like me.

I've been called worse.

I'm going to start behaving like you and thinking like you.

We'll have to get that guy, and there's only one way to do it.

He has to be one of basterie's people so, we move in on basterie.

♪♪♪

Well, my information was good. You screwed it up!

Not me!

Now, I gotta sit here, for another three years.

Find time to think about that.

Berrigan...

You help us get basterie, you help us make a case.

Show that he really is a large scale receiver,

and you've got the same deal you had before same deal.

Look, I got my information from a friend.

He's like a brother. I can't involve him.

Look, I promised him.

I can't go back on my word.

Eddie we have to deal with your friend directly this time. You gotta trust us.

We've always been fair with you in the past,

we won't be any different now.

You have to give us a chance to talk to your friend.

No way!

Eddie we won't press him. I promise you.

And if he helps us,

you stand a very good chance of gettin' out of here.

And there's so much more now involved than just one good arrest.

Okay.

I sure hope that your word is better than mine.

Let's walk outside.

It's a lot quieter out here.

If Eddie sent you, he must think you're alright. I'll go along with it.

You two must have had quite a relationship?

Relationship?

I guess you can call it that.

We were partners we still are.

A lot of years behind us.

-We're close. -As con men?

That's right.

You want to talk to a Saint, go to church.

Are you, uh, are you willing to try again?

When I spotted the 'meet' and the 'switch'...

It was purely by accident.

I followed it up, because I had nothing better to do. Like a hobby.

Then we figured out how we could make it work for Eddie.

But I got no beef with these guys.

It's their hustle, it's none of my business.

So, you paid your debt to Eddie and now you want out. Is that it?

Maybe.

Just, uh,

just how far would you expect me to go?

You'd be helping us, too. Not just Eddie.

But I only owe Eddie.

But, uh, I'll make a deal with you.

If I go along with this move,

will you people put your weight behind Eddie's parole? Win or lose?

You got it.

I pulled a hustle once in Nevada worked out really good.

It'd be a hell of a move if I could make it work again...

Even if it was for the heat.

♪♪♪

I'm sorry about your nephew

but when that cop busted in, I-I panicked, hit him and ran.

And if you had been at the spot during a delivery before,

I can't afford to get busted, I'll lose my license.

If you had been in this spot before, you'd know the first truck is a dummy.

Just in case, the cops are planted on us.

Lou, I'm sorry about your nephew.

Oh, cut the garbage! I hardly knew him, and you didn't know him at all.

You know, if I didn't need you for the leases on that warehouse.

I'd lose you so fast for running scared.

Uh, what are we stopping for?

I hit the TV and the radio. Let's see what these newspapers have to say.

Well I've seen better pictures of you.

They're just not gonna let up, are they?

All I got going for me is a retired con man.

[Car engine reviving]

♪♪♪

[Door bell rinng]

Mr. Basterie? My name is Milton Brooks.

-Oh, come in. -Thank you.

Thank you for granting me this interview at such a trying time.

Pleasure. Sit down.

I'm more than anxious to get the truth out, before the polices try to cover it up.

Such a nice-looking boy.

What was he doing there?

-He was with me -i read that.

But what was he doing there?

What are you getting at?

I told you he was with me. Visiting.

Mr. Basterie, I know you're a fence.

A very good one, on a fairly large scale.

I commend your business abilities, I commend you also,

for having the ability not only to stay out of jail.

But to turn the tables on the cops.

What are you? Some kind of plant?

You out!

Hey, what is this?

It's a business proposition, Mr. Basterie.

The gun is only a pacifier while we talk business.

Now, would you please sit down.

Thank you.

I had an operation going in San Diego. A pretty good one.

Then my partner got busted and I had to pull out.

But I have a huge outlet for hot cigarettes

I understand you handle em' by the truckload.

What do you want from me?

Your street contacts.

Truckers that want to make a few bucks. Hijackers.

I don't know, what you're talkin' about.

Why don't you have me checked out, Mr. Basterie.

Surely a man of your stature has people who can do that?

Sure. I can do it but why should I?

Because we're gonna make a lot of money together.

I need those cigarettes.

I would be willing to finance the first load.

Why don't you have me checked out?

You'd put up ten grand?

You made your point.

My business card, where you can reach me.

Drop it on the table... on your way out

Take this number down. 555-1483. Name is Milton Brooks.

What do you want me to do with it?

I want him checked out as an investor.

A working investor?

Could be.

Could be a set-up.

Do something for your money, for a change.

I'll have him processed for a bondsman's license. Prints and all.

If he has a record, it'll show. Let the cops do our work for us.

Clever.

♪♪♪

[Whistling]

-[Car engine reviving] -[Thuds]

Why, sergeant crowley, now you're trying to kill me!

Hey, would one of you people call the policeman I want to file a report.

That was a dumb stunt, crowley. I thought, you were getting a rough deal before this.

And I could even understand your attitude to a point. But as of this moment

you are officially suspended as a police officer

pending a board of rights hearing by the department.

That's just beautiful, huh.

That's really beautiful.

I'll tell you what I should have done.

I should have driven that creep, into the ground!

That's exactly, why we're suspending you.

So, you'll stay away from him!

Lieutenant, I'm a civilian now and I'll do as I damn please.

No, you won't.

You're a suspended cop, and you'll do as your ordered!

There has been an injunction filed which prohibits you from any contact with basterie,

or to present yourself in his residence.

You violate this order, crowley, and you'll be arrested!

Now, wait a minute!

You've just tried him, found him guilty, and now you're sentencing him!

He's not being suspended for the incident,

but he won't let up on basterie before this settled.

And the department can't afford any embarrassment

- caused by sergeant crowley. - The department!

Doesn't he have any rights?

Nobody's let up on him the whole time since this happened.

Criminals get tried in court. Cops get tried in newspapers.

You might as well save your breath, pep.

I sure wouldn't want to embarrass the department.

I'll take your gun, your badge, and your ID card.

♪♪♪

As far as I'm concerned, you're the only real cop in this room right now.

You're the only one I'd give these to.

♪♪♪

Relax, pretty lady.

I made the contact with basterie.

Yeah?

He even had me checked out by a bail bond office Stanley Lawrence associates.

Who is he? What's his thing?

I don't know yet, I haven't met him, face-to-face.

He really went into my past, though.

You know, my record basterie loves me!

You think if we lean on him, we can try to get him to do something for us now?

No!

If we lean on him too hard, he could back out.

I realize that, but crowley's on the outside,

looking in and it's wiping him out.

Let me tell you something.

It's not too healthy for my partner either.

He's on the inside lookin' out.

You made your point.

Look.

I'm a selfish guy, I'm not in this to be charitable to crowley.

If anything I do for Eddie, helps him, good. If not?

You're an unusual crook, you're very honest.

I just want to set it straight.

I'll tell you what. A couple of years from now, I'll really make you happy.

I lie to you.

You're a good cop, but I'm a good con man.

And right now, you're in my ballpark.

Yeah?

So?

We wait.

Meanwhile, you've got your work cut out for you.

You've got to raise me a bankroll.

Ohh! You were saving the goodies for the last. You are a crook.

Basterie's got no money.

He put out all he had to buy this new location.

He lives pretty high on the hog. He's almost broke.

- That's good. He has to go back to work. - That's right.

And I got in because I promised to finance his new deal.

Ten thousand, minimum.

Are you stickin' it to me?

Yes, you don't think, I tap danced and smiled my way in, do you?

I'll keep it as low as I can, but this is the minimum. Make it ready.

This is the police department. You know what I gotta go through to get that kind of money?

That's your problem.

And by the way, tell your people to stay away from basterie's apartment.

-What people? -He's shaky.

There's any trouble he can duck out.

There's no one from our office sitting on basterie.

There was when I was there two hours ago.

♪♪♪

Huh, huh.

Turn on the air conditioning it's like a steam bath in here.

It's my steam bath. Okay?

You weren't invited.

What do you expect to accomplish hanging around here?

What am I going to accomplish hanging around my apartment?

You stick around here and you're going to do something dumb. You were set up the other day.

He suckered you out, the last thing you need is to get in a hassle.

Just can it, will you pepper! Now can it!

The last thing I need is big sister advice from you.

I'm on my own now, pep.

I'm a plain, private, ordinary citizen.

Not quite, bill.

You are a suspended cop with a set of double standards hanging over your head.

I don't care, about their rules anymore.

I mean that.

I can't defend, what they did to you.

Even if I agreed with them I'm too close to it.

But just sitting out here, is just adding to your grief.

There are people who care a great deal

about what happens to you even if you don't.

Well, what I've got might be contagious,

- so, you better tell them not to get involved. - No, you go tell them.

You go tell Joe not to walk around

and throw his files across his desk.

And tell, Pete, not to tell the lieutenant "he doesn't give a damn"

he's picked a fight with every superior in the building. For you.

Yeah.

Shit.

Royster?

- They ought to change his name to rooster. - They care, bill.

They may not know how to show it and neither one is very talkative,

so, they don't know, what to say, but they care and you know it.

I just gotta do something, pep.

Just wait.

That's what we're doing.

We're just waiting.

Listen...

I not a little mad money stashed away. You need any extra cash?

Have you been out workin' the streets again?

Heh-heh.

Enough for a couple of real good dinners.

♪♪♪

Look, I know I can swing a few hundred

maybe get everyone here to come up with the amount.

But that'll only be a couple of thousand. The whole thing.

I'd have to go all the way up to the top to get ten thousand dollars.

Then go to the top, lieutenant.

It'll look like, we're plotting to frame basterie or at least, get even with him.

Well, if we Don' get the money,

we won't have to answer to anybody about what we want to do.

We won't even have a chance to try.

It'd be leaving the department open to a lot of criticism.

I don't care! Do you really care?

I'm tired of worrying about the department!

It's not, it's not a human,

it's a big, clumsy, insensitive thing!

And bill crowley is a human.

And doesn't the department owe him something, too?

Like about eighteen years

of breaking his back and twenty-four hours a day

of giving when nobody else would.

You know.

It's not supposed to be a one way street.

He needs some support now, and he has a right to expect it.

You know whose neck is on the line if it doesn't work, don't you?

But, I'll try, pepper.

You've gotta do more than that.

You have to get it!

Even if it doesn't work, we owe bill the chance.

- You want a guarantee? - Are you giving me one?

Okay, you got it.

The money is waiting.

I'm waiting, crowley is waiting.

There should be some action within the next week.

You sure?

I Don' have a written guarantee, but that's the way it adds up.

Basterie's out of cash. He needs the action.

You know how important this is. You have to be sure.

Add it up!

9the funeral was expensive. He wanted to make a big show.

He's got that chrome palace he calls an apartment.

He's got two people on his payroll.

He even asked me for money for an advance on the new location.

How much?

A grand.

Why don't you start countin' it out.

It's worth it to know the exact location.

It's berth 154, empty terminal at the harbor.

When will you find out the time?

He has to come to me for the rest of the money.

Get your people set be careful this time.

The first truck doesn't mean anything. Let it pass.

Watch out for a spotter. He's got one!

While you're here, why don't you confess your sins.

In this application you say that the premises in question

is controlled by one James basterie

and is being used as a storehouse for stolen property.

On what do you base this?

Well your honor we have information from an informant

who's been well he's proved to be reliable in the past.

Did you people really think that I would sign this warrant?

Why, yes, your honor, I can see no reason why not.

It's been prepared correctly

and it plus the facts that we presented

should more than show a legal right to obtain a warrant.

Is that your legal opinion, lieutenant?

It's my opinion, sir based on twenty-four years' experience.

Well, it's not my opinion.

And I'm refusing this application.

On what basis?

Another warrant for this James basterie at this time, in light of the publicity,

would constitute poor judgment on my part, and possibly harassment.

I am not about to enter into any conspiracy

with the police department's that you can attempt.

To save the reputation of a suspended police officer.

No judge will sign this warrant.

And probably no other warrant for some time.

And now, if you'll excuse me.

"Old cut em' loose Bruce" has done it again.

That's the last thing in the world, I would of expected to happen.

There's no legal reason, why he shouldn't have signed this warrant.

We could try another judge.

Oh, come on, pepper you know, no other judge is gonna sign that thing now.

Bruce's put the hex on it.

Look, you know these judges they never override each other.

Talk about conspiracy.

Conspiracy's the least of my problems.

Now, I signed out for ten thousand bucks for a raid that's never going to take place.

Already spent a thousand bucks of it. How do I account for it?

What do I tell them? I-I backed, basterie, because he was broke?

Push that thing again, will ya?

Sure it is.

I haven't helped crowley one bit.

I haven't helped anyone, except basterie.

I have botched it I've blown it, Pete, I know that.

I've gotten the lieutenant involved,

Brooks is right in the middle of it. But he could get himself killed.

I even gave berrigan the false hope, he might get out of jail.

Why do I always think. I know more than everybody else?

I know what you mean.

Listen, why don't you go home and get some rest, pep.

Forget about all this for awhile.

I'll give bill a call and tell him what's happening.

I mean, he's pretty involved in this too you know?

♪♪♪

And since, William, you are the most devious in our select group, huh,

we decided to bring the problem here.

You should have brought that judge here. I'd like to get my hands on him.

Uh huh, a lot of good that'd do. He'd just slither through your fingers.

It's obvious the only way to do it,

is to Duke somebody into the operation.

Place one of our people on the inside. An undercover cop.

Anyone working on finding out who our six-foot-three mystery man is?

Well, make it, pepper.

He knows pepper.

He knows Joe, too.

Huh.

Pete.

No, he doesn't know Pete, Pete was on suspension that week.

Well, that's one decision made.

Absolutely.

Yeah, that's easy. Now, who's going to try to sell this new deal to Brooks?

The only way we're going to pull it off now

is for you to introduce an undercover man into it.

No way!

What do you think, Eddie?

Huh, I think you're a real cute broad.

What am I supposed to say to him?

Go do it!

And maybe he gets blown away.

While I sit here nice and safe or do I say no good!

And I sit here for the next three years

and milt has to carry that around on his back.

You know, figuring that he might have been able to help me get out.

Who's conning whom?

I'm not sure I could pull it off even if I wanted to.

Why, you think you could get away with it?

I don't know.

I've been pulling the string in real slow.

Maybe I could just give it a yank.

Why don't we get em' greedy? Up the ante?

There's a ten gee limit on the bank.

Then get hard with him.

If he's ready to bite. Pull the string.

Give him rules.

What if he don't bite?

So what do we lose? We're no better off than we were before.

Except for your three years and my one body.

You could pressure him from both sides of his head.

More money and a new deal.

Charm him milty. You're the best in the business.

The charm I got,

but there's still a ten gee limit on the bank.

- Are you still holding my money from the last score? - About eight grand.

Then throw that in the pot too.

That's all the stash you got.

It might just make the deal.

Okay, ay it's in,

but that's still not enough for a top-grade truckload of goods.

Gentlemen.

I have a couple of thousand dollars in the bank. I'll throw it in.

How can we miss!

It's just like the old days. We just made a two g score!

Ha, ha, ha.

It's all set for tomorrow night.

I'll get you a half a load of cigarettes.

Eleven grand. It's a good deal.

Alright. I'll get my man ready.

What man? You don't need any man. I got my own people.

You rotta be kidding?

I got a right to have my own man. Somebody to cover my back.

I'll cover your back. I got a look-out outside.

Too many people in this thing already.

I don't like workin' with strange faces. I haven't broken bread with.

He's been with me for years. He's covered my back plenty of times.

I'll vouch for him, who' gonna vouch for you?

Who's gonna vouch for me?

- No way Brooks, no strangers. - Hold it! Hold it.

The guy's my partner. He's the money man.

We need those cigarettes.

- How much would it cost us for the whole load? - For the whole load?

Oh, well.

I could probably bring it in for eighteen eighteen-five.

Alright, I'll take the whole load.

I'll raise the money. But my man stays in.

Well, that's different.

We could use him for the extra unloading.

[Car engine reviving]

♪♪♪

Doesn't he look six-three to you?

Sure does.

-Hey, bill. -Yeah, Pete.

Pigeons have arrived, you spotted the look-out?

Yeah, I think it's our boy.

-You have any problems? -No problems.

We left the driver tied up on the side of the highway.

Be a couple of hours before he can call the cops.

-How many? -Fifty thousand cartons.

Get the upload truck in here. Tell em' we're ready.

Open it up.

Could I take a look at the merchandise?

It's all here.

Satisfied?

The money and hurry it up. I got a date.

You don't have to count it. It's all there. Every nickel.

Put it in a safe place. I don't want it around here.

I think we better start loadin' up the truck.

Mr. Basterie. It's a pleasure doin' business with you.

Anytime.

Hey, you guys, want to give me a little muscle?

Police officers! Nobody move! Check it.

I sent in the black and whites. Code 3.

[Gun shots]

You set me up! Why!

Because, Mr. Basterie, you're gonna take my partner's place in jail.

[Police syren wails]

[Phone ringing]

- Yeah? - Hey, get out of there. There's an army of cops.

We're on our way, you'd better split, too.

No this way! This way!

What're you doin' here, crowley?

- You just couldn't stay out of it, could you? - Who's this one?

Any good street cop should be able to figure that out.

This is the guy that came at me in the warehouse that night.

Big guy, six three.

- Isn't that right? - Look, it was an accident.

I was scared, man, I was scared.

- Have you got any more questions? - Yeah, I got one.

What's wrong with him?

I think he's got a belly ache.

Up punk!

Sullivan: Yeah, we'll take him in. Right.

Okay, fellas fresh from the delicatessen, uh.

Here you go. Dig in!

Here's a little something for you.

What's this?

That's your two grand.

I gave them a packed roll, but I didn't want to rip you off.

How much did you beat em' for?

Heh, heh, heh.

Uhh, tell em' about the one who got away.

Ha, ha, ha.

Hey, who likes Turkey?

I'm gonna lay a little truth on you, pep

a few days ago. I killed a fifteen year old kid.

And it seemed pretty tragic to me at the time.

But it wasn't long till I forgot about him.

It seemed even more tragic that my career was slidin' down the drain.

I mean, they actually took my little badge away from me.

I got very caught up in survival.

Now, with everybody's help.

I got my little badge back.

And everything's okay.

They say everything's the same.

But it's not, pepper.

And it won't ever be again.

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