Original subtitles

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

I'VE GOT TROUBLES WALL TO WALL

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

YEAH

MUST BE AN ENDING TO IT ALL

OH

BUT HOLD ON

IT WON'T BE LONG

JUST YOU BE STRONG

AND IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

[BOTH WHISPERING]

TALK AT THE STATION.

DO NOT WHISPER IN MY DINING ROOM.

I'M SORRY. I HADN'T REALIZED--

NOT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HIDE ANYTHING.

NO, YOU DON'T WANT TO HIDE ANYTHING.

YOU JUST DON'T WANT ME TO HEAR ANYTHING.

TELL ME ABOUT V.J. TRUNDEL.

THAT'S WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

HE'S AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY, THE EPITOME.

I KNOW. I WATCH TELEVISION. I READ MAGAZINES.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW.

CONFIDENTIALLY?

OF COURSE.

HE'S THE FATHER OF NATALIE DELONG'S CHILD.

DID HE KILL NATALIE DELONG?

WELL, UH...

UM, HE MAY HAVE HAD HER KILLED.

BUT IT CAN'T BE PROVED.

IT'S BEYOND PROOF.

WHY?

UH, MS. TIBBS, IF THE MAN HIMSELF

CAME FORWARD AND CONFESSED THE CRIME,

NOBODY WOULD BELIEVE HIM.

"POOR MAN," THEY'D ALL SAY,

AND KINDLY HANDS WOULD LEAD HIM TO A QUIET PLACE.

TO GO AFTER V.J. TRUNDEL

WOULD BE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUICIDE,

BESIDES BEING USELESS.

HOW CAN YOU TALK LIKE THIS

AND LIVE WITH YOURSELVES?

YOU KNOW... THAT WOMAN ASKS

THE MOST PAINFUL QUESTIONS, ALWAYS HAS.

SHE WOULDN'T GIVE ME A CUP OF COFFEE EITHER.

[RING]

[RING]

YEAH?

IT'S MR. LUFT.

I WAS GOING TO DRIVE OVER THERE.

DON'T EVER DO THAT UNLESS WE SAY SO.

THEN DON'T KEEP ME WAITING!

TAKE IT EASY, TURKUS.

WE EXPECT YOU TO HANDLE THIS LIKE A PROFESSIONAL.

WELL, SPEAKING AS A PROFESSIONAL,

I NEED SOME HELP FAST.

YOU'VE GOT A FINE ATTORNEY.

BUT WE GOT TO GET RID OF THAT BLACK MECHANIC.

CALM DOWN.

I TOOK CARE OF V.J.'S WHORE, NOW TAKE CARE OF ME.

V.J. WOULD BE UPSET IF HE HEARD SUCH LANGUAGE.

HE'D BE MORE UPSET IF WE DON'T GET THAT GUY.

HOW WAS THE LITTLE BOY?

HE DIDN'T EVEN WAKE UP.

THE PICTURE?

I GOT THE PICTURE!

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WITNESS.

WE'LL HANDLE IT.

IF YOU DON'T, I'LL HANDLE IT MYSELF.

WE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

REMEMBER, THEY'RE WATCHING YOU.

DON'T BE STUPID. I'VE GOT TO GO. WE'LL CALL YOU LATER.

HE'S GOING TO BE TROUBLE.

WE WON'T LET HIM BE,

BUT WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE.

STEP BY STEP. LET'S BE VERY CAREFUL.

HARRIET DELONG TO SEE THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE'LL BE A MOMENT.

I WAS TOLD I COULD SEE HIM IMMEDIATELY.

I'VE BEEN TO THREE OFFICES.

I'M SORRY, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE LONG.

MS. DELONG, I'M SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING.

WON'T YOU COME IN?

I CAME TO SEE THE GOVERNOR.

I DIDN'T KNOW I'D BE PASSED

TO THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

MAYBE I CAN HELP YOU. HAVE A SEAT.

NO, THANK YOU.

MY SISTER WAS MURDERED LAST WEEK IN SPARTA.

I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

SHE WAS INVOLVED WITH A MARRIED MAN,

A VERY IMPORTANT MAN.

THAT MAN HAD HER KILLED.

HAD HER KILLED?

BY SOMEBODY THAT WORKS FOR HIM.

THE POLICE ARRESTED HIM.

THEN IT'S BEING HANDLED.

NO, IT ISN'T.

YOU SEE, JUDGE COLTER, THAT JUDICIAL TRAVESTY,

RELEASED HIM ON BAIL.

I WANT THE STATE POLICE

TO TAKE OVER THIS INVESTIGATION.

THE MAN MY SISTER WAS INVOLVED WITH

IS V.J. TRUNDEL.

NOW, I CAN'T TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

WHO TOLD YOU THIS STORY?

NOBODY HAS TO TELL ME MY SISTER'S LIFE STORY!

V.J. TRUNDEL'S ONE OF THE GREATEST MEN IN AMERICA,

AND NO DOUBT, THE GREATEST IN MISSISSIPPI.

JUST THE WEALTHIEST.

WHY SHOULD TRUNDEL BE INTERESTED IN YOUR SISTER?

HE WASN'T JUST INTERESTED,

HE WAS CRAZY ABOUT HER,

BECAUSE SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL!

THEN WHY WOULD HE KILL HER?

SHE WAS PUTTING PRESSURE ON HIM.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND.

SHE HAD HIS BABY.

WHAT DID THE SPARTA POLICE SAY?

CHIEF GILLESPIE SAYS HE HAS HIS MAN.

HE WON'T GO AFTER TRUNDEL.

YOU'VE GIVEN ME NO REASON

TO INTERVENE IN THIS SITUATION.

I'M SURE CHIEF GILLESPIE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING.

ASK YOURSELF IF THIS STORY YOUR SISTER TOLD YOU

WASN'T A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE HERSELF SEEM MORE IMPORTANT.

SHE WAS IMPORTANT! SHE WAS IMPORTANT TO ME!

SHE WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH

FOR V.J. TRUNDEL TO GET RID OF HER!

THIS IS GETTING OLD.

WHENEVER Y'ALL COME UP SHORT, YOU LOOK FOR BURT.

WE NEED HELP, MR. WILLINS.

OH. MR. WILLINS, IS IT?

V.J. TRUNDEL IS THE FATHER OF ERIC DELONG, ISN'T HE?

HOW WOULD I KNOW?

SAME WAY WE KNOW. IT'S WHAT WE HEARD.

WE CAN'T FIGURE WHY HE WAITED NINE YEARS

TO KILL THE MOTHER OF THAT LITTLE BOY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?

WHAT YOU KNOW.

COME ON, BURT, HOW MUCH MONEY HE GIVE NATALIE?

NOT ENOUGH, THOUGH I NEVER SAW ANY CHECKS.

HOW WAS IT DELIVERED?

MONEY WAS SENT TO AN ACCOUNT IN TRI-CITY TRUST.

IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO LIVE ON?

NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP PROTECTING TRUNDEL.

HOLD IT. THAT'S YOUR OPINION.

HELL, BURT, SHE WAS SATISFIED FOR NINE YEARS.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CHANGE ALL THAT?

I TOLD HER SHE WAS STUPID.

SO WHAT DID SHE DO, THREATEN TO REVEAL

THAT TRUNDEL HAD A BLACK KID RUNNING AROUND SPARTA?

SHE ASKED FOR A $5 MILLION ONE-TIME PAYOFF...

OR FORGET ABOUT SEEING THE BOY ANYMORE.

SHE ASKED? MAYBE YOU ASKED.

NOW, WHO DID YOU ASK? NOT TRUNDEL.

NO, SOMEBODY NEXT TO TRUNDEL.

WE TALKED TO A MAN AND A WOMAN.

YOU GOING TO GET SOMEBODY?

YEP, WHOEVER THE EVIDENCE LANDS ON, BURT.

YEAH, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, I WILL.

CHILL OUT, BURT.

YOU BETTER CRAWL OUT

AND ACT LIKE YOU'RE AFRAID OF GETTING KILLED.

GOOD MORNING. WOULD YOU POUR A CUP OF THAT FOR ME?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YES, SIR.

CHIEF! PARKER.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING. WHERE'S VIRGIL?

IN THE BACK ROOM WITH THAT SNIPER FROM THE FUNERAL HOME.

HIS NAME'S STEVEN M. ROMERO.

IT'S JUST RATTLED IN.

DID YOU MAKE THIS?

THIS MORNING, I DID.

ONCE, IN ITALY, I GOT SO DESPERATE FOR COFFEE,

I MADE SOME IN MY HELMET,

USING A SOCK AS A FILTER.

YOU DIDN'T. I DID.

IT WAS BETTER THAN THIS.

VIRGIL.

VIRGIL.

WELL, YOU LOOK AS NERVOUS AS A MARE IN A STUD FARM.

I'VE HAD IT.

YOU'VE HAD IT. WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

EVERYTHING.

YOU BETTER GO HOME AND REST.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS,

NOT WHERE THE REST IS.

TROUBLE?

CERTAIN THINGS WITH ALTHEA...

THIS CASE--

OH, SHE'S BLAMING ME AND HERSELF

FOR US NOT HAVING A BABY.

OH!

WELL, WHO IS YOUR DOCTOR?

MAGGIE PERRY.

WELL, PUT THE BLAME ON MAGGIE.

THEN YOU BOTH WILL FEEL BETTER.

WHAT DID YOU GET OUT OF ROMERO?

NOTHING. HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL.

UH-HUH. WELL, THIS JUST CAME THROUGH

FROM THE HOUSTON POLICE.

THEY ARRESTED HIM ABOUT A YEAR AGO

IN A SHOOTING ACCIDENT

THEY DON'T BELIEVE WAS AN ACCIDENT,

AND HE GOT BAIL THROUGH MR. NORMAN LUFT

OF THE TRUNDEL ORGANIZATION.

HMM.

"STEVE ROMERO... SPECIAL FORCES...

"QUESTIONABLE DISCHARGE.

"SHOT DOWN AND ARRESTED IN NICARAGUA IN 1987.

"HE WAS EXCHANGED FOR NATIVE PRISONERS HELD BY UNITED STATES."

HE'LL TALK TO YOU EVENTUALLY.

QUESTIONABLE DISCHARGE.

HE'S A PAID HERO.

PAID HEROES ALWAYS COME APART.

TRUNDEL MUST BE VERY WORRIED.

NO, TRUNDEL DOESN'T WORRY.

HE HIRES PEOPLE TO DO THE WORRYING FOR HIM.

HE LOVES ALL LIVING THINGS-- I THINK PLANTS, ESPECIALLY.

HE'S SURE PLANTS KNOW EVERYTHING.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD STAY TOO LONG THIS TRIP.

Y'ALL ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS SPARTA MURDER CASE.

YOU DON'T SAY, BUT I CAN TELL.

GOOD MORNING, EMILY. YOU'RE LOOKING ESPECIALLY LOVELY TODAY.

THANK YOU, DEAR. SO ARE YOU.

IT'S THIS CLEAN AIR AND SUNSHINE.

EVERY PLACE WE GO IS POISONED,

EXCEPT MY DARLING MISSISSIPPI.

PHONE. AYKENS. HE'S GOT A NEW CLIENT.

EXCUSE ME, EMILY.

GO AHEAD, AYKENS.

HE WAS CAUGHT.

BEFORE OR AFTER?

TROUBLE? WHAT CAN I SAY?

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ANYBODY?

HARRIET DELONG? DON'T WORRY ABOUT HER.

YEAH, JUST HANG IN THERE.

BYE.

SOMETHING WRONG?

NOTHING FOR YOU TO WORRY ABOUT.

IT'S TURKUS. THAT'S THE MAN YOU SAID WORKS FOR VIDGE.

OR IS IT YOU HE WORKS FOR?

USED TO WORK FOR US, FOR ALL OF US.

HE KILLED THAT WOMAN?

THE POLICE HAVE OTHER SUSPECTS, EMILY.

AND WHO'S HARRIET DELONG?

EMILY, PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WORRYING ABOUT THIS.

EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF.

V.J. WOULDN'T LIKE US BOTHERING YOU WITH THIS.

WELL...

I HAVE CALLS TO MAKE.

DOESN'T THIS LOOK BAD FOR US,

AYKENS HANDLING ROMERO'S ARREST?

SURE, LOUSY. GOT ANY OTHER IDEAS?

THIS IS BECOMING A MESS.

THAT IS NOT AN IDEA.

THAT IS TELLING ME WHAT I KNOW.

TURKUS IS OUR PROBLEM.

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING]

EXCUSE ME.

I HOPE I'M NOT DISTURBING YOU.

NO.

JUDGE COLTER SEND YOU OVER HERE TO ARREST ME?

NO, HE'S NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST PERSON

TO CALL HIM A DAMN FOOL IN COURT.

SO WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE BOY.

NO.

I'M GOING TO NEED TO, HARRIET.

WELL, I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU GET A COURT ORDER.

WELL...

UH, HOW DID EVERYTHING GO IN JACKSON?

THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY.

UH...

WE CAUGHT A TRAINED ASSASSIN HERE.

HE WAS TRYING TO KILL OUR STAR WITNESS,

THAT MECHANIC THAT SAW EVERYTHING,

SO WE'RE GOING AFTER TRUNDEL'S PEOPLE,

UH, IF NOT THE-- THE MAN.

DON'T PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK.

YOU WOULDN'T TOUCH THIS CASE

IF I HADN'T MADE YOU FEEL GUILTY.

THAT'S TRUE, HARRIET.

IT'S TRUE.

BILL?

THAT WAS MEAN.

I FEEL SO ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED,

I HAD TO HURT SOMEBODY.

AT LEAST WHEN I WAS MARRIED,

I HAD SOMEBODY TO TALK TO, GET MAD AT.

I...

I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST BEING SILLY.

OH, NO, YOU-- ANYTHING BUT SILLY.

ANYWAY, I UNDERSTAND ALL THAT, AND--

I'M ALONE MYSELF.

THAT'S RIGHT. I FORGOT.

NOW, YOU AND I, WE, UH...

I MEAN...

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I MEAN...

I'M THE ONE THAT'S GETTING SILLY.

I'LL CALL YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

IT'S A MESS IN THERE.

WERE YOU IN THERE?

DOOR WAS OPEN, BUT I DIDN'T GO IN.

OK, THAT'S COOL.

[SHOWER RUNNING]

HE WAS SHOT IN THE BACK.

BULLET WENT IN UNDER HIS LEFT SHOULDER BLADE.

I'LL CALL THE CRIME VAN.

YOU KNOW, OUR STAR WITNESS WON'T BE MUCH GOOD

UNLESS WE HAVE SOMEBODY TO TESTIFY AGAINST.

I KNOW THAT FARAWAY LOOK IN THE EYE OVER THERE.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

I SAY THAT THE BULLET THAT KILLED JAY TURKUS

WILL BELONG TO A GUN REGISTERED TO BURT WILLINS.

I DON'T BELIEVE BURT DONE IT.

ME, NEITHER, BUT HE SWORE TO GET EVEN.

BUBBA, I THINK WE BETTER PICK UP BURT WILLINS.

AGAIN?

IT ISN'T AS THOUGH

HE HAS A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS TO DO.

WHAT YOU WANT ME TO TELL HIM THIS TIME?

WELL, TELL HIM SOMETHING DEFINITE,

LIKE, "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR MURDER."

COME ON, MAN, YOU SAY YOU'RE GETTING SOMEBODY.

TURKUS IS SHOT WITH A BULLET

FROM THIS GUN, FOUND IN YOUR ROOM.

BALLISTICS SAYS THIS IS YOUR GUN.

BUT I TOLD YOU,

I WAS WITH HARRIET.

SOMEONE TOOK THAT GUN, KILLED HIM,

AND PUT IT BACK.

WHO? YOU KNOW WHO!

IF YOU MEAN V.J. TRUNDEL,

HE HASN'T LEFT HIS HOME SINCE HE ARRIVED.

TRUNDEL DON'T HAVE TO DO NOTHING.

HE'S GOT PEOPLE. DON'T YOU GET IT, MAN?

HE'S CLEANING UP HIS MESS.

HE KILLED HIS OWN HIRED KILLER.

GO AFTER HIS MAN LUFT.

WELL, HARRIET, THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE IN ME.

I NEVER INTENDED GRILLING THAT BOY.

I JUST WANTED TO GET HIS REACTIONS TO CERTAIN THINGS.

YEAH... WELL, SHALL WE SAY,

IN THE NEXT HALF-HOUR OR SO?

THANK YOU.

CHIEF!

YEAH. WHAT?

WELL, SIR, I'VE BEEN DOING SOME THINKING,

AND THAT GUN WE FOUND

AT THE WILLINS PLACE IS A RED SNAPPER.

A RED SNAPPER?

TO THROW US OFF THE TRACK.

OH...

WHY WOULD A GUY SHOOT SOMEBODY

THEN PUT THE GUN BACK IN HIS OWN CHEST OF DRAWERS?

WELL, PARKER--

I'M WRONG AGAIN, RIGHT, CHIEF?

NO. JUST THE OPPOSITE.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT THIS TIME.

I THINK WE HAVE A RED SNAPPER.

CHIEF, WE HAVE TO CHECK OUT

WILLINS' ALIBI WITH HARRIET.

WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING OVER THERE.

I JUST HAD A PHONE CALL FROM HER,

TELLING ME I CAN COME QUESTION THE BOY.

OH...

I THINK SHE'LL BACK WILLINS.

I THINK HE WAS FRAMED.

JUST A STRONG FEELING, DETECTIVE.

I DON'T LIKE WILLINS,

BUT I DON'T BELIEVE HE'S A KILLER.

YOU DON'T LIKE HIM, AND YOU HARASS HIM.

THERE'S NOTHING PERSONAL IN THIS,

BUT HE OWNS THE GUN THAT KILLED TURKUS.

BURT WILLINS SAYS HE WAS WITH YOU. TRUE?

IT IS.

I GAVE HIM DINNER.

HE STAYED A WHILE, TALKING ABOUT MY SISTER.

THEY LET TURKUS OUT OF JAIL TO PROTECT HIS RIGHTS,

IT COST HIM HIS LIFE.

WHOEVER KILLED THE MAN TORE HIS PLACE APART.

WHY? LOOKING FOR WHAT?

TURKUS STOLE THE PICTURE.

WHO WAS IT OF?

TRUNDEL AND MY SISTER.

WOULDN'T HE GIVE IT TO TRUNDEL?

IF HE DIDN'T, THAT EXPLAINS WHY HIS PLACE WAS SEARCHED.

I DON'T GET IT, BUT IT LOOKS FUN.

UNCLE VIDGE GAVE IT TO ME.

HE'S NOT REALLY MY UNCLE.

OH, I KNOW.

YOUR AUNT HARRIET TELLS ME YOU FLEW IN HIS PLANE.

YEAH. WE FLEW TO THE SUPER BOWL ONCE.

OH.

DID YOUR MAMA GO ALONG?

NO. SHE NEVER WENT.

WE WENT TO BUFFALO, TOO.

VIDGE SAYS HE'S GOING TO STEAL THEIR FOOTBALL TEAM

AND BRING IT TO MISSISSIPPI.

WHERE'S HE GOING TO PUT IT? SPARTA?

NO. HE'S BUYING A STADIUM, ON THE RIVER BY NATCHEZ.

I WONDER IF HE, UH...

KNOWS ABOUT YOUR MAMA.

I GUESS SO. I'LL ASK HIM.

EVER HEARD ABOUT PRINCETON?

OH, YEAH. THAT'S A COLLEGE IN NEW JERSEY.

VIDGE IS GOING TO SEND ME THERE.

IS HE?

IT'S A SMALL COMFORT, HARRIET,

BUT A MAN LIKE CITIZEN TRUNDEL WILL GET HIS.

HE MAY BE SMILING AT US FROM XANADU,

BUT SOMEBODY WILL BRING HIM DOWN.

SURE LIKE TO SEE HIM BROUGHT DOWN.

GILLEPSIE SAYS HE CAN'T BE CAUGHT.

NO, I SAID HE CAN'T BE TRIED.

HE CAN BE CAUGHT...

AND BEING CAUGHT BRINGS ITS OWN PUNISHMENT.

THE BOY SEEMS TO THINK

HE'S GOING TO SEE HIS DADDY-- OR UNCLE VIDGE--

WHATEVER HE CALLS HIM.

ARE YOU GOING TO LET HIM?

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?

IT MIGHT HELP US.

HARRIET... HARRIET.

WILL YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

NO.

THEA!

I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN.

YOU LOOK HAPPY.

I AM.

I'M VERY HAPPY.

YOU LOOK TIRED.

I AM.

VIRGIL...

I...

WHAT?

IS IT TIME?

HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING YOUR TEMPERATURE AGAIN?

LOOK WHO'S JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS AGAIN.

WELL, NO...

I MEAN, IT'S JUST THAT WE'VE BEEN

FOLLOWING YOUR FERTILITY CHART,

AND, UH...

TEMPERATURE SCHEDULE FOR MONTHS NOW.

NOTHING SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING.

WELL, I MEAN...

THINGS ARE HAPPENING, BUT...

I JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN PREGNANT YET.

I DON'T MEAN IT THE WAY IT SOUNDED,

IT'S JUST THIS TRUNDEL CASE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY,

ALTHEA, AND I'M EXHAUSTED.

HAVING A BABY

IS COMPLETELY OFF YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW.

OH, NO, NO, NO.

I MEAN...

IT'LL HAPPEN...

WHEN IT HAPPENS.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING BABIES A LONG TIME

BEFORE FERTILITY CHARTS AND, UH...

I MEAN, WHEN TWO PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE A BABY

AS MUCH AS WE DO--

VIRGIL...

I DIDN'T BOTHER TAKING MY TEMPERATURE TODAY

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK

WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT ANYMORE.

YOU DON'T MEAN--

I'M NOT SURE,

BUT I THINK SO.

OH, THEA!

OHHH, THEA!

WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT.

WAIT. ARE YOU SURE? I MEAN, HOW CAN YOU EVEN TELL?

WAIT, VIRGIL. NOW...

I'M NOT SURE, BUT I'M SEEING THE DOCTOR TOMORROW.

TOMORROW?

WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW?

VIRGIL, REMEMBER?

IT'LL HAPPEN WHEN IT HAPPENS.

OH, YOU...

WHOEVER GOT HERE FIRST

DIDN'T LEAVE MUCH FOR US TO DO.

I THINK THE THING TO DO IS LOOK

WHERE THE ORDINARY PERSON WOULD NEVER HIDE ANYTHING.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING.

YOU FIND ANYTHING?

JUST SOME CHECK STUBS, DEPOSIT SLIPS, AND OLD TAX FORMS.

HMMM.

NOW, I'M THINKING,

ABOUT WHERE MY COUSIN JAMES WOULD HIDE HIS DRUGS.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A PICTURE, SWEET.

YEAH. I KNOW.

THE CRAZIER JAMES GOT ABOUT DRUGS,

THE SMARTER HE GOT ABOUT HIDING PLACES.

YOU LOOKING FOR PICTURES IN THE TOILET?

UH-HUH...

WEIRD, HUH?

LOSING HIS REPUTATION,

RUINING HIS GREAT AMERICAN IMAGE,

HIS SPOTLESS SOUTHERN IMAGE,

THAT'S WHAT SCARES TRUNDEL.

THE LAW DOESN'T WORRY HIM.

WAS TURKUS GOING TO BLACKMAIL HIM?

NO. THIS PICTURE WAS JUST HIS ACE IN THE HOLE.

HEY, CHIEF, YOU LISTENING?

YEAH. GO AHEAD.

IT'S HAPPENING. THE BOY JUST GOT HERE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TAKING

A LONG WALK THROUGH THE PARK.

WHO ELSE IS THERE?

GOOD-LOOKING WOMAN. AVERAGE-LOOKING GUY.

I EXPECT THAT'S JESSICA FRANKS AND NORMAN LUFT.

WHAT'D THE COMPUTER SAY ABOUT THEM?

THIS SHOULD DO IT.

WELL, TO START WITH, MS. JESSICA FRANKS IS THE FORMER MANAGING EDITOR

OF THAT BOLD MAGAZINE YOU GOT,

OWNED BY MR. V.J. TRUNDEL.

UH-HUH. GO AHEAD.

ALSO, MR. V.J. TRUNDEL

JUST ACQUIRED IN THE PAST WEEK

THE TABLOID INFORMABOUT,

TRES-RIOS AIRLINES IN SOUTH AMERICA,

AND INFANT-FIX DISPOSABLE DIAPERS.

NORMAN LUFT

IS A RESERVE BRIGADIER GENERAL

AND ALSO THE CEO OF THE AIRLINES.

WHAT DID WE DO BEFORE VIRGIL GOT THAT COMPUTER FOR US?

[LAUGHING]

I'LL CALL YOU LATER.

MS. TRUNDEL?

THAT'S RIGHT.

I'M CHIEF GILLESPIE.

THIS IS MY CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, DETECTIVE VIRGIL TIBBS.

HOW DO YOU DO?

WELL, I DECLARE.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

HAVE YOU HEARD OF A WOMAN NAMED NATALIE DELONG?

NO.

SHE USED TO SING

AT A NIGHTCLUB YOUR HUSBAND OWNED.

MR. LUFT AND OTHER PEOPLE OWNED NIGHTCLUBS,

BUT NOT VIDGE.

THIS IS NATALIE DELONG,

10 YEARS AGO IN NEW ORLEANS.

FORGIVE ME, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO HEAR THIS.

YOUR HUSBAND AND THAT YOUNG WOMAN

TOGETHER PRODUCED A SON.

HE'S NOW 9 YEARS OLD.

AND YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT

FROM ONE LITTLE PHOTOGRAPH?

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT OF IT.

A DNA TEST WOULD PROVE IT CONCLUSIVELY.

WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO PROCEED IN THAT DIRECTION.

WHY WOULD MY HUSBAND'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS GIRL,

EVEN IF HE HAD A RELATIONSHIP,

EXCITE YOUR ATTENTION THIS WAY?

BECAUSE THE GIRL WAS MURDERED.

YOU THINK MY HUSBAND DID IT?

A MAN WHO WORKED FOR YOUR HUSBAND DID IT.

OTHERS IN YOUR HUSBAND'S EMPLOY MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THEM.

HER NAME WAS WHAT?

NATALIE DELONG.

LOOKS LIKE HE LOVES HIM.

NEVER SAID A BAD GUY CAN'T LOVE SOMEBODY.

CHIEF, YOU READ ME?

YEAH. WHAT?

WHAT A MINUTE...

YEAH. WHAT?

FRANKS IS TAKING THE BOY HOME.

SOON AS SHE DROPS HIM OFF,

YOU PICK HER UP, HEAR?

YES, SIR.

THE SPARTA POLICE WERE HERE.

THEY SHOWED ME THIS PHOTO

THEY FOUND IN A TOILET SOMEWHERE.

THEY TOLD ME THE STORY OF THE PHOTO.

SO I NEED NOT EXPLAIN MY LEAVING.

I KNEW YOU WHEN I MARRIED YOU, VIDGE,

BUT I WAS SO...

SO FOND OF YOU.

MY DADDY WARNED ME.

HE SAID,

"V.J.'S MONEY WILL NOT ENHANCE HIS QUALITY

"ANYMORE THAN SUNLIGHT WILL SWEETEN TRASH."

HE WAS RIGHT.

TRASH IS WHAT YOU WERE,

AND TRASH IS WHAT YOU ARE.

I TALKED FRANKLY TO THE POLICE.

AND I INTEND TO TALK FRANKLY AGAIN.

AND AGAIN.

WHAT A COWARD YOU ARE.

TO KEEP THAT GIRL AND THE CHILD SHE BORE YOU

BURIED HERE ALL THESE YEARS.

THE WORST THING THAT CAN POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO YOU

WILL HAPPEN.

THE WORLD WILL KNOW YOU.

I WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT.

AND YOU, NORMAN...

THE AUTHORITIES WILL KNOW YOU.

EXCUSE ME.

NOW...

THIS LAWYER OF TRUNDEL,

HE SAYS IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE

OF HIM TO REPRESENT YOU

SINCE HE'S A TRUNDEL CORPORATION LAWYER.

THAT TELLS YOU WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THESE PEOPLE.

I'LL CALL NEW ORLEANS.

I'M NOT ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS.

I DON'T INTEND TO ASK YOU ANY.

MS. TRUNDEL TOLD ME ALL I NEED ABOUT YOU.

SHE'S REPEATING IT TO THE FBI IN ATLANTA.

WE'RE HOLDING YOU BECAUSE A HIT MAN

SAYS HE WAS PAID BY YOU.

ME?

YEAH. HERE'S A CHECK WE FOUND.

MY, MY, MY.

FOR $5,000.

MADE OUT TO A STEVEN ROMERO,

SIGNED BY JESSICA FRANKS,

TREASURER OF TRUND-OIL PETROLEUM CORPORATION OF HOUSTON.

WE ALSO HAVE DUPLICATE DEPOSIT SLIPS

FOR CHECKS MADE OUT TO A JAY TURKUS,

SAME COMPANY, SAME TREASURER.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

NEITHER DO YOU.

ALL RIGHT. GET THIS.

TRUND-OIL, THROUGH YOU,

PAID FOR DIRTY WORK ORDERED BY NORMAN LUFT.

NOW, WHEN WE ARREST MR. LUFT,

HE'LL PROBABLY SAY THE DIRTY WORK WAS ALL YOUR IDEA,

AND IF MURDER WAS PAID FOR,

YOU WERE THE BUYER.

YOUR NAME IS THE ONLY ONE WRITTEN DOWN ANYWHERE.

NOW, I KNOW YOU CAN'T GIVE US TRUNDEL,

BUT, UH... YOU BETTER GIVE US LUFT...

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T,

YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALL ALONE HERE.

PUT THIS ON.

VIDGE, WE'RE AT THE AIRPORT.

WE SHOULDN'T WAIT FOR JESSICA.

COME ON. WE'VE GOT TO LEAVE.

YOU'RE UNDER ARREST.

ON WHAT CHARGE?

MURDER.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.

V.J., GET AYKENS.

DON'T LEAVE. STAY HERE. HELP ME HANDLE THIS.

V.J.

YOU CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN!

V.J.!

V.J., DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!

HE AIN'T GOING TO HELP YOU.

MR. TRUNDEL.

DON'T WORRY. I'M NOT GOING TO ARREST YOU.

WE'VE ALREADY CAUGHT THE MAN

WHO'S TAKING THE FALL IF WE CAN CONVICT HIM.

YOU'RE FREE TO GO.

YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOURSELF

ON THAT PLANE WITH YOU.

AND WHO IS THAT SELF?

IT'S THE MAN THAT KILLED THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILD.

OF COURSE, THE LITTLE FELLA DOESN'T KNOW THAT YET,

BUT AS THE YEARS PASS,

THE WORLD WILL KEEP SAYING IT.

AND FINALLY, HE'LL COME TO YOU AND SAY, "UNCLE VIDGE"--

UNLESS HE'S CALLING YOU DADDY--

"IS IT TRUE? DID YOU DO THAT?

"DID YOU KILL MY MAMA?

"IS IT TRUE?"

HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT.

MR. TRUNDEL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

HE CAN'T FLY THAT PLANE ALONE.

IT'S AGAINST REGULATIONS.

YOU'RE TELLING ME.

V.J. JUST TOOK OFF IN TRUNDEL-BIRD 3.

ALONE.

WHEN TRUNDEL SHOWS UP IN NEW ORLEANS,

THEY'LL ASK WHY I'M NOT ON THAT PLANE.

TELL THE F.A.A. I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

CHIEF, HE RAN THAT NOSE RIGHT INTO THE GROUND.

SEEMS AS THOUGH.

HONEY, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT DOES MAKE SENSE. I AGREE.

WHAT ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT?

I WAS SAYING I AGREE WITH A POINT YOU MADE,

THAT BEING CAUGHT CAN BE ITS OWN PUNISHMENT.

SO TRUNDEL WAS CAUGHT?

WELL, MAYBE NOT CAUGHT AS WE SEE IT,

BUT I THINK AS HE SAW IT, YEAH,

CAUGHT BEYOND REDEMPTION.

I AM SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

THIS IS FOR YOU.

WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IS THIS AN OCCASION?

IN HONOR OF YOU BEING A PROSPECTIVE GODFATHER

TO VIRGIL JUNIOR,

AND I DO FEEL IT'LL BE VIRGIL JUNIOR,

WHO'LL BE MAKING HIS DEBUT ON THIS PLANET

IN ABOUT 8 1/2 MONTHS.

WELL, ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL NEWS?

AND NOW VIRGIL CAN GET SOME REST AT HOME ONCE AGAIN.

FOR A WHILE, ANYWAY.

[LAUGHS]

YEAH. I ACCEPT THE HONOR WITH GREAT PLEASURE.

I'M GOING TO BE THE GODMOTHER.

I GOT THESE.

SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN SHARE.

SURE ENOUGH.

SURE ENOUGH.