Original subtitles

It's me, Rick. Your avenging angel.

I'm the guy who's been taking over for you.

He's walking in what he thinks

are hunter's footsteps.

So he's committing murder for me.

I'll just have to find a way to make it up to him.

I didn't realize you were so photogenic.

I don't like being followed, Arnold.

I need someone to watch my back for me.

I don't know where this guy's gonna pop up next.

Works for me.

♪ It's when I started doing handstands ♪

♪ and you didn't stop and think ♪

♪ so I raised my arms and started screaming ♪

♪ but you didn't even blink ♪

♪ it's so sad you don't know ♪

♪ how I got this low ♪

♪ I forgot to lose you ♪

♪ it's so sad you can't tell ♪

♪ when I'm starving in your hell ♪

♪ for a little attention ♪

♪ I could light myself on fire ♪

♪ but I'm pretty sure I'd run to the ground ♪

♪ just shave myself bald and get naked ♪

♪ but I'm not that profound ♪

♪ it's so sad you don't know ♪

♪ how I got this low ♪

♪ I forgot to mention ♪

♪ so sad you can't tell ♪

♪ when I'm starving in your hell ♪

♪ for a little attention ♪

So I mirandized Dr. Pierpont a second time

when I got him to the station.

A second time, sergeant.

You mirandized the defendant twice?

Yes, I did.

You mirandized the defendant for the second time

because he was unconscious the first time,

isn't that right?

Well, I don't know if I'd describe it

as being unconscious.

How would you describe a man that you had hurled

through a plate glass window

and down 2 flights of stairs?

Your honor, I must object to that last question.

It's wholly irrelevant.

If counsel is trying to intimidate the witness...

Look, the man came at me with a tooth drill.

What was I supposed to do?

Stand there, let him fix my overbite?

Woman: Your honor, I'll withdraw the question.

Just one more question.

You would have never had any cause

to investigate this case at all

were it not for an anonymous phone tip

received at the police station, isn't that right?

That's correct.

Thank you, sergeant.

Judge: You may step down, sergeant.

State calls William Wakefield.

Bailiff: Raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Thanks for showing up, McCall.

What'd you do, forget to set your alarm?

This is your bust, hunter.

I'm just here as an observer.

What I heard when I came in the door,

I can't say I'm sorry I missed your performance.

That's defense attorney Nell Armstrong.

She's like an octopus. She twists everything.

Mr. Wakefield, would you tell us, please,

about the conversation you overheard

in the martelli restaurant

on the night of November 16 of this year?

Which conversation are you referring to?

The conversation between the defendant

and Ken "the rat" weintroff.

Mr. D.A., I know how

when I was in your office

I told you about, uh, how, um,

Dr. Pierpont was,

um, was trying to hire, uh,

the rat to kill his wife and all,

but, uh, you know, now that I'm here,

i'm... I'm under oath and all.

I gotta tell you the truth.

It was real dark in martelli's that night

and, uh, noisy, too.

So... so I just can't be sure exactly what I heard

or who was actually doing the, uh, talking.

I'm real sorry.

Your honor, I have a statement from this witness.

Your honor, it's obvious that the state's case

is nothing more than blind,

unfounded faith in an anonymous tip,

and I must move for dismissal

of all charges with prejudice.

Both counsel will approach the bench.

How about that? They got to Willie.

Yeah, well, one way or another,

Armstrong always seems to come out on top,

doesn't she?

Male lawyer: Your honor, give us a recess

so I can have a little chat with Mr. Wakefield.

Armstrong: You mean so you can intimidate him

into changing his tune.

I resent the implication...

Judge: Now, listen, both of you,

Mr. Wakefield has no more credibility

with this court.

However, since this is only a preliminary hearing,

and since sergeant hunter has convinced me

that the state does have the makings of a case,

I'm going to dismiss without prejudice.

If the state wishes to continue

its investigation,

bring the same charges again

when the case is stronger,

this court will not stand in the way.

And that's how I'm going to rule.

Thank you, your honor.

Thank you, your honor.

Hunter, it's not your fault.

The bust was justified.

Look, the guy tried to take a contract

out on his wife,

then he decided to kill her himself,

so he jammed her up full of Insulin.

Yeah, now she's in a coma.

All you gotta do is prove your case, hunter.

Is that too much to ask?

Hunter: I just want things to be equal, counselor.

Yeah, you get to buy a witness,

we get to buy one. You know, like that.

Wait a minute.

I'm getting really tired of your accu...

Armstrong: Look, I don't buy off witnesses.

Well, then you tell me what happened here.

I had an open and shut case on this guy.

Believe it or not, the case isn't closed

once you decide who's guilty.

Not unless you're planning on being judge, jury,

and executioner as well as cop.

Let's go.

See you later.

Who's that?

None of your business.

All right. Ok.

His name is Ted hawk.

Ted hawk.

The forgetful U.S. attorney?

Forgetful, what do you mean?

Well, he forgot his briefcase.

He left it over at your house last night, didn't he?

Hey, you're not too lovesick

to keep from helping me nail pierpont, are you?

What do you need me for?

Well, when I talked to him last week,

the rat denied everything.

Oh, you think I'm going to have better luck, huh?

Feminine wiles triumphing over brute force?

No. I thought more along the lines

of you take the back door, I take the front door,

in case he tries to make a getaway.

All right, you can count me in.

I just hope the rat is as obliging.

Yeah, well, if he's not, it's dead-end time.

My only hope then is that the whole bunch of them

get hit by a bus.

Starting with that lying scumball Willie Wakefield.

Come on. Let's go pick up the rat.

Hunter: Give it up, weintroff!

He decided to cooperate.

Get him out of here, Dave.

Radio: L-56, this is dispatch, over.

This is l-56, over.

Radio: Just got word of a t-a

you and hunter might be interested in, McCall.

A hit and run. A '73 yellow Ford pinto

just took out a pedestrian.

Deceased is I.D.'d as William Wakefield.

Yeah, thanks.

When you wish upon a star.

Got it there right on the curb.

Hardly a traffic Lane.

Hardly an accident.

Well, what brings you here, counselor?

Well, for reasons known only to me

and my psychiatrist,

I listen to the police bands.

What happened?

McCall: Well, just an experiment to see which was tougher...

The human body or a '73 pinto.

I'd say the '73 pinto won out, wouldn't you?

Listen, for the record,

I don't like winning cases this way.

Well, for the record, you haven't won it yet.

Man: That's right, Rick. She hasn't.

Hunter: I don't think Mr. Wakefield

will mind us dropping in.

Wait a minute.

All right, what are we looking for?

Money. The kind you pay to somebody

when you want them to lie in court for you.

Man on tape: Hey, Willie, it's the rat.

Just wanted to remind you to rise and shine,

have a good time in court this morning,

and I'll talk to you later.

Rat: Heard you put on quite a show, Willie boy.

Well, we're all real pleased.

It's about 11 A.M. I'll catch you later.

You lie low now. Bye.

Hey, Willie, it's the rat.

It's about 11:30 A.M.

Listen, meet me at the corner

of eastbrook and alayno.

There's an empty lot there.

You'll be real pleased. Bye.

Hey, hunter.

Yeah.

Come here.

All right. Good girl.

You know, I don't understand one thing.

How could the rat have called Willie

at exactly 11:30

when we were having a shootout with the guy

at exactly the same time?

I don't know. Maybe his watch was off or something.

And why wasn't there music in the background

of this third call?

Yeah, well, don't worry about it. We got the bribe money.

You got the tape that lured Willie to his death.

That should be more than enough

to convince the rat to give up Dr. Pierpont.

We'll tie up the loose ends later, hunter.

I think we ought to bring in the doc.

Well, you bring the doc in.

I have to go to the market.

The market? McCall, you're on a case here.

You're on a case.

Because I promised Ted

I'd make veal marsala tonight.

It's his favorite.

It's his favorite.

Oh, no, not you.

We just finished cleaning up

the broken glass from your last visit.

What? Hey, doc.

Quick recovery.

Yeah. It's incredible how being released

has made my arm all better.

Hey, listen, you're under arrest again.

Didn't you listen to the judge this morning,

sergeant hunter?

He dropped the charges.

Uh, but you're under arrest again

for the murder of Willie Wakefield.

Uh, yes, Nell just called to tell me

about Willie's unfortunate demise.

But I assure you that I had nothing to do with it.

Why should I? Willie was on my side, remember?

Yeah, we also have the money

you paid to Willie to lie for you.

And I'm afraid we're going to have

to reschedule you for a later date,

say, right around the year 2010. Come on.

But I have patients in there.

Doc: You were right, hunter. There is something odd

about that last phone message from the rat.

Tape: Hey, Willie, it's the rat.

It's about 11:30 A.M.

Listen, meet me at the corner

of eastbrook and alayno.

There's an empty lot there.

You'll be real pleased. Bye.

Uh, watch how the lie low message plays out.

Hey, this is the rat.

Heard you put on quite a show, Willie boy.

Well, we're all real pleased.

It's about 11 A.M.

Now see how you got your highest spikes

on the words you give the most stress to?

First word in a sentence,

the important words, punch lines.

Rat: About 11 A.M.

I'll catch you later.

You lie low now.

Now watch the very last message.

Hey, Willie, it's the rat.

It's about 11:30 A.M.

Listen, meet me at the corner

of eastbrook and alayno.

There's an empty lot...

Almost all the words spike high.

So what you're saying is

that the last message was not the rat's voice.

It was an impostor's.

No, no, no, it's the rat's voice all right,

but he never said those words in that order.

Hey, Willie, it's the rat.

It's about 11:30 A.M.

Listen, meet me at the corner

- of eastbrook and alayno. - There's

an empty lot there. You'll be real pleased.

Now, do you hear those clicks? Yeah.

I re-recorded the message

and pushed up the volume.

Now those clicks are what edits sounds like.

It seems like someone was taping the rat's voice

and took the words out of context,

edited them into a new message,

which was played over the phone

and into Willie's answering machine.

That would account

for both the excessive stress on so many words

and the absence of background music.

You mind if I borrow this machine, doc?

Hunter, your reputation with breakable objects

is hardly exemplary.

Rick hunter...

Consider yourself served.

Malicious prosecution, false imprisonment,

intentional infliction of emotional distress,

violation of civil rights.

Oh, did you leave anything out?

I can always amend later.

Right now, I've got to go pick up the good doctor.

He made bail.

He's really becoming a career with you, isn't he?

Look, someone out there wants him worse than I do.

Somebody did kill Willie,

and somebody did plant the money

and the message about pierpont.

Now somebody wants to nail him,

so I think it's best if he just stayed in custody.

What evidence do you have for that?

I'm sure he'll be fine.

I'm representing Ken weintroff, too.

The rat?

How do you sleep at night, counselor?

On balance I believe in the system.

And on those far too frequent occasions

when the system breaks down, then I take sleeping pills.

What about you? Are you really as cocky as you act,

or do you just hate it when somebody doubts you?

Let me just tell you something, ok?

When you're staring down some shotgun-toting punk

who's just blown away his partner

for 2 lines of cocaine,

there's no room for doubt.

And under those circumstances,

anything you do is right.

Yes.

Oh, I don't envy you your job.

I wouldn't want yours, either.

Guess we have something in common then after all, huh?

Perhaps.

See? I told you she likes you.

Oh, I hope the market wasn't out of veal.

I'd hate to have Ted settle for anything

that wasn't his favorite.

Hunter.

It's me, Rick.

Who's me?

Just think of me as your... avenging angel.

I'm the guy who's been taking over for you

while you've had your hands tied

by this ridiculous legal system of ours.

I'm the guy who's made sure that lying slime

Willie Wakefield doesn't tell any more lies.

I'm just sorry I wasn't able to, you know,

run him over with a bus the way you wanted,

but the end result is the same, Rick.

Hey, this isn't funny. Who is this?

Is this some kind of a joke?

No. I... I never joke.

I don't think I know how to.

But I do know how to take care of my friends,

so don't you worry

about that silly lawsuit she just handed you

because, uh, you can't have a lawsuit

if you haven't got a plaintiff,

isn't that right, Rick?

I'll say good-bye now.

Wait a minute.

What is it?

What are you doing?

Someone's been listening in on me

for the last week.

I've been bugged through this whole pierpont trial.

I know I've heard that voice before.

And I think I know where.

What voice?

Yeah, what voice?

What the hell's going on here?

Some guy was just in here yesterday fixing that phone.

This is the tape of the anonymous tip

I got on the pierpont case.

Woman on tape: Police crime tips.

Please leave any length message after the beep tone

and do not leave your name or phone number

unless you wish to be contacted by us.

Man: Dr. Anthony pierpont's wife is in the hospital.

She's probably going to die. This isn't any accident.

He's been trying to find a way to kill her

for quite a while now,

and now he's finally gone ahead and done it.

That was my avenging angel.

He just told me he's going after pierpont.

What are you talking about?

Hey, hunter, McCall.

Hunter, I swear I'm going to take this broken phone

out of your paycheck!

Pierpont!

Don't!

This is l-56. We need a coroner's wagon

and a black and white at 847 tower place.

A yellow pinto. The same model that ran down Wakefield.

McCall: There was no driver.

Doc: Well, when you lost sight of him around the truck,

he jammed the gas pedal and jumped.

It's the only explanation.

McCall: Well, I don't think that that kind of explanation

pertains to this avenging angel guy.

Sure, it does. He admires hunter so much

that he's trying to define himself

by the qualities he sees in hunter.

Like some kid seeking his father's approval,

he's walking

in what he thinks are hunter's footsteps.

So he's committing murder for me.

And he must be damn confused because you're not grateful,

which explains why he made that phone call,

why he felt the need to explain himself.

We got a real nut case here.

Captain: Yeager.

Did you actually write this drivel?

Hunter a father figure? Couldn't this guy

have chosen a more well-rounded image

like maybe idi amin or genghis Khan?

Captain, we know 2 things about this guy.

One... he's a surveillance expert.

Two... he overheard pierpont planning to kill his wife,

so he decided to leave that anonymous phone tip.

There's a good chance that this avenging angel guy

put a legitimate tap on pierpont's phone

about the same time

that he was trying to snuff out his old lady.

Oh, wonderful. Let's just call up

the FBI, the CIA, the treasury department.

No reason they would object

to jeopardizing all their undercover operations

just to give us a list of their wiretap experts, huh?

One of these guys is a homicidal maniac, captain.

You want to know why we got a mad bomber, hunter?

I'll tell you why we got a mad bomber.

Because every time the system lets you down,

you want to cut corners, you want to break procedure,

then you want to go in the corner and moan and groan

and demand divine intervention.

As far as I'm concerned, this avenging angel

got all his bright ideas from you.

Hey, doc, you think you could wire my phone

to record all incoming messages?

You still got that stuff I gave you?

Yeah, sure do.

Fine.

Well, it's late.

Time to get going.

See you later.

See you.

Hunter!

Oh, I'm sorry.

I guess dizzy'll have to go to bed hungry, huh?

I'll just have to find a way to make it up to him.

Well, what brings you

into the low rent district, counselor?

I called the station. They said you'd just left.

You were on your way home.

Well, thanks for seeing me to the door.

Look, for the record,

pierpont told me he was innocent.

And I believed him.

Well, aren't you violating some sort of, uh,

attorney's code by telling me that?

Good night, hunter.

Want some coffee?

No, but I wouldn't mind a chat.

Well, personally,

I make better coffee than I do conversation.

Hunter: I hope you don't mind instant.

That's all I've got.

No. No, this is the first time since I've been a lawyer

that I've felt this way.

Yeah? What way's that?

Just off-balance.

There's too many things happening I can't explain.

Yeah, me, too.

I thought you had this whole case pegged.

Well, I did up until this morning.

Yeah?

Man: What are you doing, Rick?

What's she doing there?

Well, we're just having some coffee.

She's one of the enemy. She's one of them.

She doesn't understand what we're trying to do here,

what has to be done.

She's the one who's trying to stop us

from stopping the others.

You of all people should understand that, Rick.

Well, that's what I'm trying to explain.

You can't ex...

You can't explain it to them. Not to them.

They only understand one thing.

We gotta get out of here. Come on.

Why? What's wrong?

Where are we going?

Hunter: Just get in the car and drive.

Drive that way.

What the hell is happening here?

Hunter: No, don't turn it down. We're being bugged.

Now there's a guy that's been casing me.

He's the one who just called.

He's tailing us now?

I don't know.

Look, there's a wooded area up ahead,

where the road bends.

Now you just keep driving as if nothing has happened.

I'm gonna jump out.

Yeah. Just what do you intend to do?

Have a chat with this guy.

He's got to be the guy that's killed Willie and pierpont.

Look, hunter. Be careful.

I just meant don't fall on this guy

like a gorilla comin' out of a tree.

You've got no witnesses, no proof, nothing.

If you roust him, you'll wind up right where I had you...

Squirming on a witness stand without a net to catch you.

That's hardly the way I saw it go down.

But I get your point.

I just want to give this guy some heat, that's all.

Now look, when you get home, lock up tight, all right?

I'll call you.

Ok, I'm in the phone book. In palms.

Now when I get out,

at the stop sign right up here,

stop there for a minute, then go. Got it?

Yeah.

Hey! What's the matter? What's wrong?

Rick hunter, police.

Well, have I done something wrong?

I think I'm being followed.

Followed? No kidding?

Yeah, no kidding. You got some I.D.?

Well, sure, I do.

Is something the matter?

Arnold Morton. Is this your current address, Arnold?

No, i'm, uh... in the process of moving.

I'm staying with friends.

Why would anybody want to follow a police officer?

I thought it was usually the other way around.

Yeah, it usually is.

Maybe it has something to do with Dr. Anthony pierpont?

You know who he is, don't you, Arnold?

You watch the news.

Oh, yeah.

He, uh, he killed his wife.

He was murdered before that could be proven.

And Willie Wakefield.

He's dead also. Hit and run.

I don't believe I've ever heard of him.

That's good, Arnold.

You shouldn't hear things that don't concern you.

You know, it's kind of scary when...

You don't know who's looking at you or watching you.

You like looking over your shoulder?

You like looking underneath your bed or in the closet

before you go to sleep?

I don't like being followed, Arnold!

I wasn't following you.

Sure, you weren't.

All right.

All right.

How you doin' there, McCall?

Hunter? What are you do...

What are you doing?

Are you nuts? What are you doing?

I just met my avenging angel.

Now I don't know how he's doing this, McCall,

but he's got me bugged, and he's got me watched

every single second of the day.

Dee, is... everything all right here? Uh...

What's going on?

Yeah, Ted, everything's fine. It'll just be a second.

In the bathroom?

Hiya, Ted. Rick hunter. How ya doin'?

I'll just be a minute, Ted.

It is important. It's police business.

Yeah. Yeah. Sure.

Ok, so what's with this avenging angel?

I got a name on the guy. Arnold Morton.

I don't know if it's legit.

I don't know if it's an alias or what.

But he's driving a white dodge Van.

I just spoke to the guy.

And I suppose you want me

to help you check him out tonight?

Well, I'd appreciate it.

I need someone to watch my back for me.

I don't know when this guy's gonna pop up next.

Well, it's great timing.

Uh, want to get the water?

Police radio: I copy, l-56.

An apb on Arnold Morton.

I'll get it on the wire immediately.

Yeah, thanks a lot. I appreciate that.

L-56 clear.

Ok, which way do we go?

Federal building.

Why? Did you get a way to get that wire tap list?

U.S. attorney ought to have a copy, don't you think?

Oh, hunter, I don't believe you!

Where did you find out how to use these things?

Oh, Ted made me get into it. He swears by computers.

You really like him, don't you?

Yeah, well, after tonight,

I don't think it's gonna matter too much.

Hunter: Bingo. There he is.

Arnold Morton.

Yeah, why was an independent operator

doing a tap for the c.I.D. At martelli's restaurant

about the same time that pierpont

was trying to take a contract out on his wife?

Yeah.

Interesting address for an angel, huh?

Hunter: Hey, McCall.

I didn't realize you were so photogenic.

My god, McCall. This guy's been following me for weeks,

and I never knew it.

Yeah, well, it's his job not to be noticed.

I'll check with smitty and see if he got lucky

on any of these photographs we got at the roller rink.

Yeah, this Morton guy did some piecework for the c.I.D.,

so he's probably got a military background,

maybe a traceable record.

Sergeant hunter's desk.

Hi, Ted.

Listen, about your keys...

That sounds so good.

I am starving.

Ok. I'll be over in a sec.

Bye.

Hey, any of you guys see where McCall went?

McCall: Sergeant hunter's desk.

Man: I was looking for Dee Dee McCall.

Hi, Ted.

Listen, about your keys...

Ted: Meet me at that coffee shop

just around the corner from here.

The country cafe, in 10 minutes.

What do you say?

My god!

McCall: Hi, Ted.

Listen, about your keys...

Ted: Meet me at that coffee shop

just around the corner from here,

the country cafe, in 10 minutes.

All the spikes are high.

This message is a fake.

Hunter.

For the life of me, I haven't been able

to figure out why you haven't been more...

Appreciative of everything I've done for you

and then last night when you were violating my home,

I overheard you say to McCall,

how much you needed her, depended on her, and...

Arnold, where's McCall? What have you done with her?

There's just no place for McCall,

and I know she understands that now.

Arnold! Where's McCall?

Well, good-bye, Rick.

Dispatch, this is l-56.

Dispatcher: Go, l-56.

Get me the home address of a Nell Armstrong.

She's in palms. And hurry, would ya?

We could have been great together...

Rick and I.

We could have made a real improvement

in the law enforcement in this city.

The plots...

The conspiracies...

All the dirty little secrets

the scum of this city whispers.

See, I can hear.

I can bug any place in town.

Boardrooms.

Limousines.

Airplanes, bars, beds.

There isn't a criminal in this town

that can keep a secret from me.

That's what I was trying to prove

to Rick with this case. With my information,

he could have cleaned up this city.

He could have rid the rats of this town,

he could have been anything he wanted to be.

I could have done that for him, see?

I would have, too.

If it hadn't been for you.

You and that... woman lawyer

and the rest of this whole corrupt, filthy city

that's turning this place into a sewer.

I'm gonna make you pay for that, McCall.

You and all the rest of you.

You and her and him!

Him, too!

I thought he was strong enough

to do what had to be done,

but he's just like the rest of you.

He's got to pay, too.

Good morning.

I hate to barge in like this,

no, it's fine. Are you ok?

Wha-what happened last night?

It was a false alarm.

You're kidding?

That's what you came here to tell me?

Well, actually, I came in here to do this.

Now play along with me, ok?

He's watching me.

Nell: Mmm, Rick.

So is this your way

of placing me under arrest, sergeant?

I was so worried

that something might have happened to you, counselor.

You're very special to me.

You're not half-bad yourself.

Hunter: I think you and I

are going to make a hell of a team.

Hold that pose.

Oh, my gosh!

Arnold: I can see you.

I can see right through you.

I see what you're trying to do to Rick,

but I'm not gonna let you do it.

It's all over with, Arnold!

Now be a good boy, raise your hands

and get away from McCall. Come on, move!

Hunter: You all right, McCall?

I'm just ducky,

although I am a little overdressed

for the occasion.

What the hell is that?

Arnold: It's eternity, Rick,

and we're gonna share it together.

Shut it off, Arnold.

Shut it off and I'll talk to you!

Arnold: It can't be shut off!

Now I don't want to talk anymore.

I'm tired of listening to people talk.

They just talk and they talk and they talk,

but now, see, you even have to listen to me.

Well, today was your day all right,

but I'll get you tomorrow in court.

Ha ha ha. Ok.

Talk to you then. Bye.

She did it to you again, didn't she?

She turned you inside out on that stand.

Well, believe me, McCall,

when I take her to dinner tonight,

I'll return the favor.

Hey, you and Ted ought to join us.

Oh, thanks, but I promised Ted

I'd make him that home-cooked meal tonight.

You and Nell can come over to my place if you want.

Well, that's a good idea.

Dress casual, take my shoes off,

put my feet up. I'll bring the wine.

Yeah, sure.

You got any money on you?

Yeah.

Good. Give me, um... 60.

60 bucks?! What for?

Veal is $14 a pound.

60 bucks will cover what went bad, and, uh...

It'll buy for tonight.

All of India could live on 60 bucks.

Not on veal marsala.

I don't even like veal.

Ok, then don't come over.

Hey, wait a second. Wait a second here.

You took all my money.

Does that mean you're gonna come over?

Well, I don't have any choice.

I don't even have enough money to buy wine.

Red wine goes with veal. You owe me 10.