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 ♪

WELL, HERE WE GO, MISS BRIDGES.

MARY, WE FOUND MR. NATHAN

TAKING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL OUT ALONG ROUTE 19 THIS TIME.

CONSTITUTIONAL? I WAS RUNNING FOR MY LIFE,

TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM THAT WOMAN.

DADDY, PLEASE. DON'T FIGHT WITH MOM.

YOU JUST WAIT TILL I GET YOU HOME.

SERGEANT, I'M HERE FOR CHIEF FORBES, IF YOU PLEASE.

JUST A MINUTE, MR. COLMER.

MARY, CAN YOU TAKE YOUR FOLKS OUTSIDE AND SETTLE THIS?

BYE-BYE.

I'VE BEEN WAITING LONG ENOUGH.

OH, YES, SIR.

WHY DON'T WE SEE IF CHIEF FORBES

IS READY TO SEE YOU NOW?

COME ON, BILLY. I TELL YOU WHAT.

I'LL GIVE YOU YOUR REGULAR CELL.

CHIEF WILL BE JUST A MOMENT.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

SPARTA POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAY WE HELP YOU?

[LAUGHTER]

AND NOW I HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS?

I'LL SEE YOU THEN.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, CORY.

BYE.BYE.

I ONLY NEED A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME, CHIEF.

COME ON IN, MR. COLMER. COME ON IN.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

VIRGIL TIBBS HASN'T WORKED HERE FOR MONTHS,

BUT HE'S STILL ON THE BOOKS.

WELL, HE'S OFFICIALLY ABSENT-WITHOUT-PAY.

THAT'S THE WAY CHIEF GILLESPIE LEFT IT.

EXACTLY.

WELL...

IT'S FOULING UP THE CITY COMPUTER,

SO I'D BE OBLIGED IF YOU'D GET HIS SIGNATURE ON A SEPARATION NOTICE.

I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THE MATTER.

I HOPE YOU CAN DO MORE THAN THAT.

IN FACT, I'M DEPENDING ON IT,

AND I INSIST ON IT.

GOOD DAY, CHIEF.

AND WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, PARKER?

IS THIS YOUR CAR, MR. COLMER?

YOU KNOW IT IS.

WELL, SIR, YOU SEE THAT SIGN RIGHT THERE?

I'M HERE ON OFFICIAL POLICE BUSINESS.

WELL, SIR, "POLICE PARKING ONLY" MEANS

POLICE PARKING ONLY.

I'LL REMEMBER THIS, PARKER.

BELIEVE ME, I'LL REMEMBER IT.

HAVE A NICE DAY.

O.K...

NOW, HOW DO I LOOK?

FOR AN EX-POLICEMAN, YOU LOOK FINE.

FOR A LAWYER, LET ME SEE NOW.

MM-MM.

YOU'LL HAVE TO BUY SOME NEW SHOES.

LAWYERS ARE KNOWN FOR FINE SHOES.

MAYBE IF I KEEP THESE UNDER THE TABLE,

NO ONE WOULD NOTICE THEM.

VIRGIL, THERE'S SOMETHING

I'VE BEEN MEANING TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

SURE, ETTA. ANYTHING.

REMEMBER I TOLD YOU I GOT A TICKET?

ANOTHER TICKET?

REMEMBER I TOLD YOU THE DEPUTY WAS RIDICULOUS,

SAYING I WAS DRIVING TOO SLOW ON THE HIGHWAY?

MM-HMM. WERE YOU?

I SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE HE WAS FOLLOWING ME

AND MAKING ME NERVOUS.

THAT'S A NOVEL DEFENSE. YOU TRY IT.

YOU TRY IT! YOU'RE THE LAWYER!

PLEASE?

ETTA, WHY DON'T YOU JUST PAY THE TICKET?

BECAUSE IT WAS JUST PLAIN HARASSMENT,

AND IT'LL SEND MY INSURANCE

SOMEWHERE OVER THE MOON.

VIRGIL, I'M ASKING FOR HELP.

O.K., WHEN IS THE HEARING?

TOMORROW.

11 A.M.

WELL...

O.K., LOOK, I BETTER GET GOING

BEFORE ALL THOSE LITTLE WEENIES IN JACKETS ARE GONE.

LOVE YOU. LOVE YOU.

NOW YOU DRIVE CAREFULLY.

AND HAVE SOME FUN FOR A CHANGE.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TRY! BYE!

PLEASURE.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?

NO, I'M NOT TOO HOT ON THESE AFFAIRS.

HELLO, CORY.

WANT ME TO FIND YOU A PRETTY LADY?

NO, I CAN FIND ONE, BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO ONE.

SHE'LL KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

LET IT HAPPEN.

SHALL WE?

YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO SNEAK ON OUT OF HERE.

LUCKY YOU.

SEE YOU LATER, VIRGIL.

O.K.

COME ON, VIRGIL. MINGLE.

THESE FOLKS ARE CLIENTS.

EVENING, PAT, VIRGIL.

JAKE, PATTY.

HI, BEN.

NOW, BEN,

FUNDAMENTALLY, HE'S A PROSECUTOR.

WELL... YEAH, MAYBE SO.

WE PUT A FEW AWAY, DIDN'T WE, GERARD?

WELL, FORGET ABOUT THAT.

THINK ABOUT PUTTING AWAY A BETTER INCOME.

OH, ABBY, THAT'S ENOUGH.

I'LL HAVE ANOTHER DAMN DRINK

IF I WANT ONE.

OH, DEAR.

Y'ALL EXCUSE ME.

ABBY, PLEASE, NOW,

NOT ANOTHER BLOWOUT, COME ON.

NOT TONIGHT.

CHUCKIE, PLEASE.

YOU ARE TRULY A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A MAN.

WELL, HEY, ABBY.

IS YOUR HUSBAND GIVING YOU A HARD TIME, DARLING?

HE CAN'T...

AND I WOULDN'T LET HIM IF HE COULD.

NOW, ABBY,

YOU'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT MAD WITH OLD CHUCK.

I'M AFRAID SHE'S A LOT MAD AT ME, BEN,

AND SOME OF IT IS MY FAULT.

I MAY TAKE YOUR LEGAL ADVICE, BEN,

BUT LET'S LEAVE IT AT THAT.

I WANNA GO.

SUITS ME FINE.

HAD A FABULOUS TIME.

SHE'S JUST A LITTLE BIT TEMPERAMENTAL TONIGHT.

IF SHE WASN'T YOUR CLIENT,

YOU MIGHT CALL HER SOMETHING ELSE.

SHE'S OUR CLIENT?

OH, BIG TIME, VIRGIL.

ABBY BOOKER.

HER DADDY WAS JACK MAYSELL,

BIG BANKER.

AND...WHAT'S HE?

CHUCK?

HE'S A TALL DOG ON A SHORT LEASH.

[ABBY] EXCUSE ME!

WOULD THE PERSON WHO PARKED THEIR BLUE THING IN FRONT OF MY CAR

KINDLY MOVE IT?

THANK YOU.

EXCUSE ME.

I THINK I'M THE ONE WITH THE LITTLE BLUE THING.

BE BACK IN A MINUTE.

OH, MAN.

HOW DOES CHUCK BOOKER PUT UP WITH THAT?

HE AIN'T NO SAINT.

BELIEVE ME.

WELL...

NO SERMON?

WHAT'S THE POINT?

BEN TAYLOR IS A JERK.

I WANNA DUMP HIM.

O.K., WE'LL DUMP HIM.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

AND WHAT ARE YOU SWEATING ABOUT?

I DON'T KNOW.

I FEEL FINE.

WELL, YOU LOOK JUST TERRIBLE.

PUT THAT OUT.

I WILL NOT.

AAH!

[HONKING]

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU, MORON?

YOU GOT SUDDEN DELUSIONS

OF BEING A MAN?

YOU KNOW, ABBY,

I REALLY TRIED TO WORK WITH YOU.

I REALLY DID,

BUT YOU ARE A MEAN PERSON...

AND A LOW PERSON...

AND A PERSON

I'VE TRULY COME TO DESPISE.

OH, PLEASE.

REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATION

WHEN WE GET HOME.

WE AIN'T GOING HOME, ABBY.

AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?

STOP THE CAR!

OH, LORD, HAVE MERCY!

ARE YOU O.K., FELLA?

MY WIFE.

TURN THE IGNITION OFF.

AND DON'T YOU MOVE.

I'LL CALL 911.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

SPARTA POLICE EMERGENCY.

YES, MA'AM. LISTEN, THERE'S BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT

ABOUT A MILE OUT ELM, JUST PAST WILSON.

THE WOMAN'S DEAD. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GUY.

WILSON ROAD, A FATALITY.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE VEHICLE?

NO, MA'AM. I GOTTA GO.

SIR, CAN I HAVE YOUR NAME?

UH, NO'M. Y'ALL JUST HURRY, HEAR?

FATAL T.A., ELM PAST WILSON.

UNKNOWN CASUALTIES.

REPORT BY PASSERBY.

HEY, PARKER...

THAT ISN'T CHUCK BOOKER'S CAR, IS IT?

UH, YES, SIR.

SURE IS.

UH, REAL BAD, I'M AFRAID.

WHERE CAN I PARK?

JUST PULL OFF OVER THERE

AND TURN ON YOUR FLASHERS.

O.K., I GOT IT.

LONNIE, WHAT HAPPENED?

MR. BOOKER SAYS HE WAS TRYING TO MISS A DEER.

DAMN DEER CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN, SIR.

I WENT OFF THE ROAD.

MRS. BOOKER IS DEAD.

GO ON AHEAD, BRIAN.

MAN, THIS IS JUST TERRIBLE.

I WONDER...

WHY SHE HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD.

WELL, SHE WASN'T WEARING A SEAT BELT.

NO, SHE TOOK IT OFF...

'CAUSE I SAW HER PUT IT ON.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOMETHING?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I THINK.

I KNOW WHAT I SAW.

HI. YOU GOING TO COURT TODAY?

NO, I CAME HERE ACTUALLY TO SEE YOU.

OH.

IS IT BUSINESS OR PERSONAL?

WELL, KIND OF A MIXTURE OF BOTH.

OH, THAT SOUNDS INTRIGUING.

THE BUSINESS PART IS DEPRESSING.

OH. OH, WELL, I CAN HANDLE THAT.

COME ON.

NOW, COULD YOU BRING VIRGIL TIBBS' SERVICE RECORD UP ON THAT COMPUTER?

SURE.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I WANT TO SEE WHAT HE'S ENTITLED TO

UNDER THE CITY PENSION PLAN.

CHIEF FORBES HAD A VISIT FROM HOLLY COLMER

WHO'S PUSHING TO HAVE VIRGIL

SIGN HIS SEPARATION PAPERS.

I NEVER DID THAT WHEN I WAS CHIEF

'CAUSE I FIGURED VIRGIL MIGHT CHANGE HIS MIND.

WELL, NO CHANCE OF THAT NOW THAT HE'S LAWYERING WITH BEN TAYLOR.

I THOUGHT THESE THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FAST.

[BEEP]

I GOT IT.

WELL, WHAT DOES IT SAY?

WELL, LET'S SEE.

"6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS OF SERVICE."

QUALIFYING PERIOD IS SEVEN.

IF VIRGIL SIGNS OFF NOW,

HE'S GOING TO LOSE HIS PENSION BY TWO MONTHS.

WELL, I'M GLAD I DIDN'T GET HIM TO SIGN.

HE'S STILL GOING TO HAVE TO SIGN OFF.

IF HE DOESN'T, THE COUNTY CLERK WILL SIGN FOR HIM

AND NOTE HIS REFUSAL.

WHY DIDN'T COLMER GET THE CLERK TO DO THAT?

WELL, MAYBE HE DID,

BUT YOU KNOW DAVID BARD IS THE ACTING CLERK,

AND HE'S A GOOD FRIEND OF VIRGIL'S.

UH-HUH.

I REALLY HATE THIS KIND OF THING.

WHILE SOME MAY VIEW THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR

AS HARMLESS, EVEN RIDICULOUS,

I DO NOT.

THE FACT IS WE CANNOT TOLERATE

REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW.

MR. PATRICK,

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME

YOU'VE APPEARED BEFORE THIS COURT,

AND I FEAR IT WILL NOT BE YOUR LAST.

MY PATIENCE WITH YOU...

YOU'RE LATE.

HAVE THEY CALLED YOU YET?

NO.

WELL, THEN I'M NOT LATE.

SO I HAVE NO COMPUNCTION

IN SENTENCING YOU TO 90 DAYS

IN SHERIFF GILLESPIE'S HOME

FOR MEN WHO CAN'T KEEP THEIR PANTS ON

IN PUBLIC PLACES.

[BANGS GAVEL]

NEXT!

SHE'S A TOUGH BABY.

SHH!

MS. ETTA KIBBY.

UH, YOUR HONOR,

MAY I APPROACH THE BENCH?

YOU MAY.

UH, VIRGIL TIBBS, YOUR HONOR,

ATTORNEY FOR MS. KIBBY.

CHARGED UNDER TITLE 63,

SECTION 509--

"DRIVING AT LESS THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR

ON A DESIGNATED HIGHWAY."

AND HOW DOES YOUR CLIENT PLEAD, MR. TIBBS?

NOT GUILTY, YOUR HONOR.

I SEE.

WELL, NOW,

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE THIS CASE

UNTIL TOMORROW AT 11:30.

EXCUSE ME, YOUR HONOR,

BUT WHY ARE YOU CONTINUING THIS CASE?

BECAUSE THE DEPUTY WHO CITED MS. KIBBY IS NOT PRESENT.

THEN SURELY THE CHARGES SHOULD BE DISMISSED.

I MEAN, IF THE DEPUTY IS SUCH A FLAKE

THAT HE CAN'T EVEN APPEAR IN COURT,

HOW CAN HIS EVIDENCE BE CONSIDERED RELIABLE?

DEPUTY WALKER IS NOT A FLAKE.

WELL, WHERE IS HE?

HE'S ON A PERSONAL MATTER FOR ME.

HE IS MY SON.

OH.

WELL...

11:30 SOUNDS JUST FINE, YOUR HONOR.

[BANG]

NEXT!

I GUESS I'M JUST GOIN' TO HANG.

I'M REAL SORRY TO HAVE TO PUT YOU THROUGH THIS, MR. BOOKER.

POOR ABBY.

IF ONLY SHE'D JUST PUT ON THE DAMN BELT

LIKE I ASKED HER.

TERRIBLY... TERRIBLY SORRY, CHUCK.

YOU MIND IF I LEAVE NOW?

IT'S JUST TOO MUCH.

'COURSE.

PLEASE.

THAT POOR MAN.

HMM...

ANY FINDINGS, DOC?

WELL, HER BLOOD ALCOHOL WAS HIGH.

YEAH, BUT SHE WASN'T DRIVING,

SO THAT MEANS NOTHING.

HUSBAND CAME THROUGH IT JUST FINE.

COMBINATION OF AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT DID THE JOB.

TOO BAD SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROTECTION.

DEATH CERTIFICATE

AND MY FULL REPORT.

THANKS A LOT, DOC.

DR. ANDERSON, EXTENSION 23.

DEER?

THERE'S A FEW OF THEM AROUND HERE, I GUESS.

NOT TOO MANY OUT THERE.

ONE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

SOME PEOPLE PUT DEER WHISTLES ON THEIR PICKUPS

TO SCARE THEM OUT OF THE ROAD.

LONNIE, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY,

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT CHUCK BOOKER

THAT JUST STARTS AN ALARM BELL RINGING.

IT'S THE FUNNIEST THING. I HEAR IT, TOO.

VIRGIL...

YEAH?

CAN YOU HANDLE ABBY BOOKER'S PROBATE?

I'M UP TO MY NECK IN DEPOSITIONS.

SURE, BUT I SHOULD WARN YOU,

THIS WILL BE MY FIRST.

WELL, IT'S ALL THERE IN THE WILL.

ANYTHING MYSTERIOUS, JUST GIVE ME A HOLLER.

UH, YEAH.

[BUZZ]

UH, YEAH?

OH, SURE.

PUT HIM ON.

LONNIE!

YEAH.

YEAH, SURE.

UH...

GIVE ME 10 MINUTES, HUH?

O.K.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, VIRGIL?

NOT BAD, LONNIE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. YEAH, SAME HERE.

SO, YOU'RE DOING MY OLD JOB, HUH?

YEAH, AT THE MOMENT.

NO SKID MARKS.

YEAH, I KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU, RIGHT?

WELL, I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND

WHY THE GUY DIDN'T HIT HIS BRAKES.

WELL, SOMETIMES PEOPLE PANIC.

FREEZE UP.

YEAH, IT CAN HAPPEN.

YOU GOT AN ESTIMATE OF THE IMPACT SPEED?

YEAH, IT WAS ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR.

LET'S SAY THERE WAS NO DEER.

YEAH.

CHUCK PLANS THIS WRECK.

HE DRIVES INTO A TREE,

AND HE RELEASES ABBY'S SEAT BELT

JUST BEFORE IMPACT.

YEAH, BUT HOW DO YOU PROVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

OH, I CAN'T TOUCH IT.

HE'S A CLIENT.

WELL, THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, VIRGIL?

HOLLY COLMER, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

WHY ARE YOU CHEATING VIRGIL TIBBS OUT OF HIS PENSION?

EXCUSE ME?

THAT'S A WILD, UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION.

WHY ELSE WOULD YOU PERSONALLY BE DEALING

WITH A CLERICAL MATTER?

WELL, I'D CALL IT CLEANING UP AFTER GILLESPIE.

VIRGIL TIBBS STILL HAS A WIFE AND KIDS TO SUPPORT.

DOESN'T THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

HARRIET, YOU FAVOR TIBBS,

SO YOU WANT TO BEND THE RULES.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING A LOT OF MONEY HERE,

AND YOU--YOU'RE ALWAYS LECTURING US ABOUT ETHICS.

YOU KNOW, IF I WASN'T A GENTLEMAN,

I'D CALL YOU A BAD NAME, LIKE HYPOCRITE.

NO. YOU'RE KIDDING ME.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS.

UH, LONNIE.

YEAH.

FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOOKERS' CAR.

THEY TOWED IT OUT TO RUPERT'S GARAGE,

AND THE ADJUSTER CAME OUT AND WROTE IT OFF.

FINE, BUT I STILL WANT TO SEE IT.

THEN THEY SENT IT TO THE WRECKERS FOR SALVAGE.

DID THAT CAR GO TO THE CRUSHER?

I'M AFRAID SO.

THAT'S A REAL FOUL-UP.

THAT CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HELD.

HEY, SHERIFF.

CHIEF'S WAITING FOR YOU.

HEY, BILL.

GOOD MORNING.

THE MAN WHO MADE THIS CALL ABOUT THE BOOKER WRECK,

HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS NAME,

BUT HE DID LEAVE HIS VOICE

ON THIS EMERGENCY LINE TAPE.

THERE'S BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT

ABOUT A MILE OUT JUST PAST WILSON.

THE WOMAN'S DEAD. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GUY.

DID YOU GET THAT?

YOU GOT ANY IDEA WHO THAT IS?

SURE, I DO.

IT'S A FELLA NAMED GOODY TATE.

I KNOW HIM WELL.

WHY WOULDN'T HE IDENTIFY HIMSELF?

'CAUSE HE'S A MOONSHINER.

HE AVOIDS ALL CONTACT WITH THE POLICE.

HE'S PROBABLY GOT A STILL

RIGHT UP THERE NEAR THAT CRASH SITE.

COULD YOU TALK TO HIM?

SURE I CAN. YES.

OH.

UH, YOU HEAR ANYMORE

ABOUT VIRGIL TIBBS'S PAPERS?

NO. YOU GOT ANY IDEAS

WHAT WE SHOULD DO ABOUT IT?

NOT YET.

HEY, BILL. LONNIE.

LIEUTENANT, BOOKER'S CAR GOT CRUSHED.

GREAT.

I STILL WANT TO SEE THAT BUCKLE.

ME, TOO.

HERE'S THE EQUIPMENT REQUISITION.

WE'LL HAVE TO CUT IT OUT.

CAN WE GET RIGHT ON IT?

THAT'S THE PLAN.

THANK YOU.

YES, SIR.

THAT'S HIM.

MS. ETTA KIBBY.

MR. TIBBS, YOU WISH TO ENTER A PLEA FOR YOUR CLIENT?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

MS. KIBBY PLEADS NOT GUILTY.

WHY? DOES SHE DENY TRAVELING TOO SLOWLY?

UH, YOUR HONOR,

IF I MAY CITE SOME RECENT CASES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS,

IN PARTICULAR,

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE VS. AMBURGER,

NO, COUNSELOR, PLEASE. NO CITATIONS.

CAN I SAY SOMETHING?

PLEASE GO AHEAD.

I KNOW THAT'S YOUR BOY,

AND VIRGIL HERE IS MINE, OR CLOSE TO IT.

PROBABLY I WAS GOING TOO SLOW,

BUT THE DEPUTY SCARED ME FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE BEHIND,

AND ALL THE TIME BIG SEMI-TRUCKS GOING AT 75.

NOW, I'M SURE THE DEPUTY IS A FINE OFFICER

AND A FINE SON,

BUT THIS TICKET WAS JUST PLAIN WRONG,

AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT.

I AGREE.

YOU'D GIVE ME A TICKET TO MEET YOUR QUOTA, WOULDN'T YOU?

NO, MOM.

CASE DISMISSED.

NEXT!

THANK YOU.

I'M SORRY FOR JUMPING IN LIKE THAT, VIRGIL,

BUT I JUST HAD TO SPEAK MY MIND.

SURE YOU DID. YOU SPOKE WELL.

WELL, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

YOU GOT SOMETHING ELSE ON YOUR MIND?

I THINK BOOKER CAUSED THAT CRASH DELIBERATELY

TO KILL ABBY.

WELL, MAYBE HE DID.

THE PROBLEM IS...

HE'S BEN'S CLIENT,

SO THAT MAKES HIM MY CLIENT, TOO.

THEN YOU BETTER DECIDE

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A LAWYER

OR A DETECTIVE...

'CAUSE BEING THEM BOTH

GOING TO PUT YOU IN A WHOLE LOT OF TROUBLE.

THANK YOU.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS]

[BUZZER]

HEY THERE!

UH, SORRY TO DISTURB YOU, MR. BOOKER,

IN YOUR MOMENT OF, UH...

GRIEF.

YEAH. IT'S A CELEBRATION OF ABBY'S LIFE, OFFICER.

IT'S A WAKE.

IT'S A TRADITION IN OUR FAMILY,

AN IRISH TRADITION.

IT IS?

MM-HMM.

I'M SORRY.

WELL, SIR, WHATEVER.

UM, WELL, THE TRUTH IS,

WE GOT A LITTLE PROBLEM.

YOUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE WRECKERS

BEFORE IT WAS PROPERLY INSPECTED.

INSPECTED?

INSPECTED FOR WHAT?

UH, I DON'T KNOW.

DO YOU KNOW, CORBIN?

JUST TO COMPLETE THE REPORT, I GUESS.

SO IF YOU'D, UH, SIGN THIS, UH, RELEASE,

WE CAN PROPERLY INSPECT IT.

IF THAT'S ALL,

I'M INVITING YOU TO LEAVE.

WE ACCEPT.

THANK YOU, SIR.

HEY, VIRGIL.

I THOUGHT YOU'D BE INTERESTED IN THIS.

YEAH. THANKS FOR THE CALL.

JUST LIKE OPENING A CAN OF SARDINES.

THERE'S NO DEFECT HERE.

THIS BELT.

WELL, ANYTHING THERE, PARKER?

NO, SIR. IT'S CLEAN.

KIND OF LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN WIPED CLEAN.

WELL, CHUCK IS DIRTY.

WHAT A SURPRISE.

IT'S JUST OUTRAGEOUS.

BAD ENOUGH TO LOSE ABBY,

BUT TO HAVE ONE OF YOUR OWN PEOPLE

CASTING ASPERSIONS ON ME--

LOOK, CHUCK, I SAID I'D GET INTO IT.

GET INTO IT? I WANT YOU TO GET ME OUT OF IT.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT. DON'T WORRY.

AIN'T THAT THE SAME GUY

HANDLING MY PROBATE, TIBBS THE COP?

NO, NOT ANYMORE.

I'M GOING TO HANDLE THAT PERSONALLY.

YOU KNOW, I GOT TO WONDER IF ABBY WASN'T RIGHT.

SHE WANTED TO DUMP YOU, BEN.

I WAS SAYING HOW GREAT YOU ARE.

CHUCK, PLEASE.

NOW, ARE WE GOING TO GET BACK ON TRACK?

I'LL FIND MY OWN WAY OUT, THANK YOU.

VIRGIL, YOU IN THERE?

SURE. WHAT'S UP?

EXCUSE ME, VIRGIL.

MM-HMM.

I JUST HAD A DISTURBING CONVERSATION

WITH CHUCK BOOKER.

HE SAID YOU ENCOURAGED THE SPARTA POLICE

TO GO OVER THAT WRECK WITH A FINE-TOOTH COMB.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THEY HAD THEIR OWN SUSPICIONS ABOUT THAT WRECK

FROM THE BEGINNING.

ARE YOU HELPING THEM WITH THEIR INVESTIGATION?

I GUESS YOU COULD SAY SO, YEAH.

I GUESS YOU COULD SAY SO?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

WHAT A BAD POSITION YOU'VE PUT THIS FIRM IN?

I'M SORRY, BEN, I REALLY AM.

WELL, SO AM I,

AND I'VE GOT SOME THINKING TO DO

ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT THINGS.

BEN...

YOU CAN HAVE MY RESIGNATION RIGHT NOW.

I DIDN'T BECOME A LAWYER

TO DEFEND SOMEONE I KNOW PERSONALLY

WHO'S A MURDERER,

AND ABBY WAS YOUR CLIENT, TOO.

WELL, SHE WAS A PAIN,

BUT SHE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE,

AND I'M SORRY, BUT I GUESS I JUST WASN'T MADE

TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY AT...

OHH.

ALL YOUR EVIDENCE WILL BE KNOCKED TO PIECES IN COURT.

IT'S VERY SIMPLE. THERE IS NO CASE.

GERARD, WE JUST LAID IT OUT FOR YOU.

HOW ABOUT THE FACT HE NEVER HIT HIS BRAKES?

HE PANICKED.

PUSHED THE GAS INSTEAD. IT HAPPENS.

WHAT ABOUT THE BUCKLE BEING WIPED CLEAN?

AHH, INTRIGUING, BUT NOT COMPELLING.

AND FOLKS WILL BUY THIS DEER STORY.

MOST EVERYBODY'S SEEN THEM RUNNING IN THE ROAD,

PROBABLY SWERVED THEMSELVES.

WHAT IF SOMEONE SAID THERE WERE NO DEER AT ALL?

LIKE A WITNESS?

THEN YOU'D HAVE A CASE.

DO YOU HAVE A WITNESS?

WE DON'T KNOW YET.

HIYA, GOODY. HOW YOU DOING?

WELL, IF IT AIN'T THE HIGH SHERIFF.

I AIN'T SURE IF THIS IS AN HONOR OR NOT.

WELL, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

THIS YOUR MEXICAN DEPUTY I HEARD ABOUT?

AMERICAN.

YOU?

SURE ENOUGH.

FROM PUERTO RICO.

OH, I KEEP FORGETTING ABOUT PUERTO RICO.

UH, GOODY, ABOUT THAT PHONE CALL YOU MADE

TO THE SPARTA POLICE.

I DIDN'T MAKE NO PHONE CALL.

REPORTING THAT ACCIDENT.

I NEVER REPORTED NO ACCIDENT, SHERIFF.

GOODY, YOUR VOICE WAS RECORDED,

AND I IDENTIFIED IT.

NOW, UH, I CAME OUT HERE

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION.

UH, I WOULDN'T WANT TO START LOOKING FOR A STILL.

WELL, I AIN'T SAID I GOT NO STILL.

WELL, NEITHER HAVE I, YET.

UH-HUH.

WELL, IT WAS ME THAT TURNED THAT CALL IN.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

NOW WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE CAUSED THAT WRECK?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

NONE AT ALL.

DID YOU SEE ANY DEER RUN IN THE ROAD?

NOT A ONE.

THERE WEREN'T NOTHING ON THAT ROAD.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE DRIVER JUST SWERVED OFF

FOR NO GOOD REASON AT ALL.

WELL, THANK YOU, GOODY. THANK YOU.

YES, SIR.

UH, I--I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE TO, UH, ASK YOU

TO TELL THAT STORY AGAIN, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

NO, BILL, I'LL TELL IT AGAIN.

YOU KNOW I'D DO ANYTHING FOR YOU.

FINE, GOODY. FINE.

"ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST,

"EARTH TO EARTH.

"THE PEACE OF GOD,

"WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING

"SHALL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR THOUGHTS

"IN CHRIST JESUS.

"NOW UNTO OUR GOD AND FATHER,

"BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER.

AMEN."

SO SORRY.

SO VERY SORRY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, ROBERT.

MR. BOOKER, CAN WE TALK TO YOU?

LEAVE ME ALONE.

GOT NO RESPECT FOR A BEREAVED PERSON?

NOT WHEN THEY CAUSE THE BEREAVING.

WHAT THE HELL YOU SAYING?

CHIEF, IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?

I'M CHARGING YOU WITH THE MURDER OF YOUR WIFE.

BEN, THIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

THIS IS TIBBS'S FAULT.

NOW I WANT YOU TO HANDLE IT.

TURN AROUND.

ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GOING TO CUFF ME?

SERIOUSLY. BOTH HANDS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO WITH MURDER SUSPECTS.

HOLD ON, LONNIE.

CHIEF, I GOT TO PROTEST.

MY CLIENT'S A HIGHLY RESPECTED MAN IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I KNOW YOU GOT A PROTEST, BEN.

DULY NOTED,

BUT BOOKER'S GOING TO JAIL.

BEN.

BEN!

BE SURE TO READ HIM HIS RIGHTS.

BEN, YOU TAKE CARE OF THIS.

AND YOU GET ME OUT OF THIS!

AND IN CONCLUSION, YOUR HONOR,

DUE THE THE HEINOUS NATURE OF THIS CRIME,

AND OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE ACCUSED TAKING FLIGHT,

WE ARE REQUESTING THAT BAIL BE DENIED.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, MR. DARNELL.

YOUR OBJECTIONS ARE CLEAR ENOUGH.

COUNSELOR, YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO THAT?

UH, I DO, JUDGE.

FIRSTLY, MY CLIENT ABSOLUTELY DENIES

THE PROSECUTION'S ALLEGATIONS,

AND SECONDLY,

SINCE HE IS A SUBSTANTIAL PERSON

WITH SIGNIFICANT ASSETS IN THIS COUNTY,

IF HE'S NOT TO BE RELEASED ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE,

THEN WE ARE REQUESTING THAT BAIL BE SET

AT NO MORE THAN $1,000.

CHIEF FORBES, YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY?

YES, YOUR HONOR.

MR. BOOKER HERE MAY HAVE ASSETS IN THE COUNTY

AND ELSEWHERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO OPPOSE BAIL

ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE IS A FLIGHT RISK.

THANK YOU, CHIEF.

THIS COURT VIEWS THE CHARGES AGAINST MR. BOOKER

AS VERY SERIOUS.

BAIL WILL BE SET AT $100,000.

MY CLIENT WILL MAKE THAT BAIL.

FINE.

NEXT!

[GAVEL POUNDS]

EXCUSE ME, JUDGE, BUT, UH, THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

GO AHEAD, COUNSELOR.

FOR VARIOUS REASONS,

I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPRESENT MR. BOOKER

IN THIS CASE.

I WILL REMAIN AS ATTORNEY OF RECORD

ONLY UNTIL MR. BOOKER CAN FIND SATISFACTORY COUNSEL.

SO IF IT PLEASE THE COURT, UH,

MAY I BE EXCUSED?

YOU ARE EXCUSED, MR. TAYLOR.

THE DEFENDANT WILL BE HELD

UNTIL BAIL IS ARRANGED.

[GAVEL POUNDS]

BAILIFF.

HEY, VIRGIL.

HELLO, BEN.

I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT ABBY.

SHE WAS A TERRIBLE PERSON AT TIMES,

BUT I WAS QUITE FOND OF HER.

AND CHUCK, WHAT ABOUT HIM?

DO YOU THINK HE DID IT?

OH, YEAH.

ABBY'D REALLY CRACKED DOWN ON HIS SPENDING,

AND, IT JUST WOULDN'T BE QUITE DECENT OF ME

TO DEFEND A MAN I KNEW WAS GUILTY OF MURDER.

GLAD TO SEE YOU FEEL THAT WAY.

DECENCY'S A FINE THING IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT,

AND RIGHT NOW, I CAN AFFORD IT.

BUY YOU LUNCH, COUNSELOR?

ACCEPTED.

NOW I--YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING?

OH, I'M JUST LOOKING, MS. ETTA,

BUT THE FRAGRANCE ALONE TELLS ME

THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD.

BILL, YOU'LL PARDON ME FOR ASKING SO,

BUT WHY YOU STILL LIVE ALONE?

SEEM LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

I'M WAITING FOR WORD FROM THE SECOND PARTY.

YOU BETTER SAY THE WORD FOR YOURSELF.

I HAVE.

BUT YOUR VOICE WAS WEAK WHEN YOU SAID IT, I HEAR.

YOUR VOICE GOT TO BE STRONG AND TRUE.

[DOOR OPENS]

WHO'S THAT?

THAT'S VIRGIL. NOW, WHERE'S HARRIET?

HERE.

SORRY I'M LATE, BILL.

I HAD STUFF TO GO OVER WITH BEN.

I HEAR HE GAVE UP BOOKER AS A CLIENT.

HE'S O.K.

I LIKE WORKING WITH HIM.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[ETTA] THAT'S HARRIET.

I'LL GET IT.

CAN I GET YOU A DRINK?

NO, THANKS. THAT STORE-BOUGHT LIQUOR

GETS ME UP AT NIGHT.

I--I THINK FORBES VERY MUCH APPRECIATES YOUR HELP ON THIS.

I KNOW, BUT I KIND OF FELT FUNNY GIVING IT.

WELL, THERE SHE IS.HI.

WELCOME. WELCOME.

WHAT IS THIS?

OPEN IT AND SEE.

"MR. TIBBS, THIS IS TO INFORM YOU

"THAT BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL,

"WE ARE EXTENDING YOU A WAIVER

"THIS WAIVER CONFIRMS

"THAT YOUR CITY PENSION IS FULLY VESTED

AND WILL BEGIN PAYMENT AT AGE 65."

OH, HARRIET! THANK YOU!

SURE. YOU'RE WELCOME.

BUT I DIDN'T PUT IN ENOUGH TIME.

HOW'D YOU DO IT?

PURE INTIMIDATION.

OH, THANK YOU.

I REALLY AM BLESSED.

WELL, NOW THAT YOU FEEL BLESSED,

MAYBE YOU CAN BLESS THE STEW.