(male narrator) Tonight on "Spenser, for Hire.."
Runaway from Indiana.
Her father hired me to find her.
I want the man responsible for this.
We're gonna find him.
Spenser, help me!
I might be more inclined to help you
if I got your testimony in court.
Has Mr. Wexler ever beaten you?
This guy is lower than sludge.
But we gotta make it stick.
Men like Wexler needs to do time
whether he's guilty or not.
You think this isn't eating my guts out?
You k*lled my daughter!
He k*lled my daughter!
[theme music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) All big cities have a place like the Combat Zone
but not all of them give it a name.
It's not my favorite part of the town.
But a worried father had shown me a letter
written by his runaway daughter.
He had to read between the lines, but once he did
it became obvious that she was in trouble
and ready to come home.
But first I had to find her.
[instrumental music]
[music on stereo]
Janie?
'Anybody home?'
[music stops]
[intense music]
Every time I see this
it doesn't get easier, Spenser.
What the hell was she anyway, ?
Eighteen.
Runaway from Indiana.
This is her place?
Uh, friends.
Girl in the street says she was trying to hide from her pimp.
- Lieutenant. - Vogel.
Meet Spenser, he found the body.
Terry Vogel. Vice.
What's your interest in this?
Her father hired me to find her.
He was afraid she got involved with the wrong people.
Looks like he was right.
- What do we have so far? - She got pretty well b*at up.
d*ed from a g*nsh*t wound to the heart.
- 'Any prints?' - 'Lots. Forensic is on it.'
[sighs] It's too bad.
Janie was new at the game.
I had hoped she could get out before she got in too deep.
That's hard to do when you're part of Arnie Wexler's stable.
- Her pimp. - 'Yeah.'
(Terry) Real slime bag.
Likes to knock his girls around.
- Don't they all. - Not the way Wexler enjoyed it.
He sent more than a few of them to the hospital.
- He ever k*lled one? - 'Never proven.'
There were even a couple who just disappeared.
No, this is my apartment. Wha..
Would somebody please tell me what's going on?
You don't wanna go in there.
Is it Janie?
- Sit down, miss. - What happened?
(Spenser) I could only hear part of what
Detective Vogel was saying to Janie's friend
and I didn't realize the thought the sooner
I'd have to say the same things to Janie's father.
(Spenser) 'Oh, God, I hate this part of the job.'
(Frank) Yeah.
Picked up Wexler yet?
Guy's walked on everything he's ever been busted on
now we can't even find him.
He's still the prime suspect, huh?
Yeah, it's not gonna be easy
we got no witnesses, we got no m*rder w*apon.
- Quirk got the search teams on? - Yeah.
Yours truly is on sewer detail first thing in the morning.
I'll tell you something, Spenser.
Wexler's smart
we're probably not even gonna find that g*n.
May I give you ride somewhere?
Dancing.
Is that why she came to Boston?
She read about a ballet school
here when she was or .
Since then that's all she thought about.
And she was good.
I got three other kids I couldn't affor..
I couldn't afford to help her
so I told her to be practical
realistic.
And I guess that's just made her more determined.
She ran away.
Don't blame yourself.
I'm sure you did the best you could.
[sniffles]
You hear about this..
You know?
You knew this sort of thing happen
but not to my own daughter.
My baby girl.
I want..
[panting]
I want the man responsible for this.
We're gonna find him.
I promise you that.
(Spenser) It's been said that ballet is the ideal marriage
of music and movement.
It was easy to see even in a practice room
how its beauty and grace might capture a young girl's heart.
Linda, you're not concentrating.
- I'm sorry, it's just-- - Yes, I understand.
You shouldn't be here.
Now why don't you go home, take a couple of days off.
You can rejoin us when you're ready.
Continue.
[music on stereo]
Linda.
My name is Spenser I'm a private cop
I'm working for Janie's father.
I'm sorry about your friend.
Did they find that man yet?
Wexler? Not yet.
I was hoping maybe you could tell me
how's she got mixed up with him in the first place?
Money.
She was working two jobs
and her dancing suffered.
And Wexler showed her a
another way to make a tuition?
Janie was real independent.
Real private, I mean..
She was my friend and I didn't even know
what she was doing for maybe two months?
When she missed class few days
because Wexler b*at her up
that's when she told me about it.
Did you ever happen to overhear talking
to Wexler about meeting him in some place in particular?
No, I just hope they find him.
I met him once at a party, he's really sick.
Cops will find him sooner or later.
Do you know how she met him in the first place?
Yeah, a girl named
Crystal, she's the one who introduced the man.
Thanks.
(Spenser) The cops weren't having a lot of luck finding Wexler.
So, I thought I give Crystal a try.
Easier said than done.
In the two block radius they called the Combat Zone
I interviewed Crystals before I found the right one
and that it included your Candy's
your Amber's, and your Bambi's.
But when I did find her, she pointed me
in exactly the right direction.
It was nice to see that Wexler had such
loyal and protective friends.
First time in one of these?
No, I guess not.
[elevator dings]
Look, honey, this ain't open for debate.
You make a nice living off this little innocent face of yours.
But it could be rearranged.
You could be eating your own meals through a straw.
You understand?
Now you get back in there
and you show that man a good time.
Sure, Arnie, whatever you say.
Hey.
- I don't know you. - You don't know me?
I came in with him.
So I still don't know you.
I'd like to lead when I dance.
Besides you know
how often does a guy get to say hello to girls like this?
You know what I'm saying?
Still gonna have to talk to the host.
Well, get him over here.
- Mr. Wexler. - 'What is it, Teddy?'
A man says he wants to join in on the fun.
Why not?
Cost you two bills, pal.
I got a better idea.
Why don't we talk about Janie Clemens?
- Well what about her? - She's dead.
Couple of cop friends of mine figure you
for the prime suspect.
So why don't we just go downtown
and straighten this whole thing out, alright?
[laughing] I don't know what you've been smoking, buddy.
The last time I saw Janie she was alive and in good form.
Yeah, well, you shouldn't mind going down
to the station with me.
Why don't you come back when you got a badge?
Help him out, will you, Teddy?
[grunting]
[groaning]
Anyone to call, Wexler?
You can go down on my car
or you can go down on an ambulance.
Hey, I got nothing to hide.
Good, that's good.
What do you mean he's gonna walk?
His fingerprints are all over the apartment.
I mean, we could nail him for breaking and entering, Spenser
but it's not first degree m*rder.
You didn't find any witnesses?
Just one, a woman she thinks that she saw Wexler
enter the apartment at :.
Three hours before Janie was k*lled.
What about the m*rder w*apon?
Zilch! I've had search teams out since last night
and now we've got that.
'And that is Wexler's alibi.'
One of his hookers.
- Mm-hmm. - So tell me.
She says they were together at the time of the m*rder.
At the Paradise Motel.
Now with her testimony and a good lawyer
I mean, we got nothing.
Lieutenant! Government exhibit A.
One pearl handled . caliber a*t*matic.
Pimp g*n, if I ever saw one.
That's Wexler's?
Wouldn't surprise me.
Found it in a dumpster, two blocks from a crime scene.
Well, let's get it to the lab.
This will be it, Lieutenant.
This could be the one Wexler doesn't walk away from.
- See you in court. - Yeah.
Mr. Spenser, why did Mr. Clemens hire you?
He'd received a letter from his daughter
and was worried she might be in trouble.
Was she?
While I was searching for her I learned that
she had gotten involved in prostitution.
'And that she was hiding from her pimp.'
- 'Why was that?' - She was afraid of him.
He had threatened her.
And did you learn the identity of this pimp
in the course of your investigation?
Yes, I did.
His name is Arnie Wexler.
And do you see that man in this court room today?
He's the defendant in the case.
Could you please describe to us the condition of the victim
when you found her?
She was lying on the floor
'she'd cut some bruises on her face and body.'
Her blouse was soaked with blood
caused by a b*llet wound to the chest.
Miss Arpel, did you ever meet the defendant, Arnold Wexler?
Once. Janie took me to a party and I met him there.
And was it at this party that you encouraged
Janie to confront Wexler about quitting?
Yes, and when Janie told him that
she wanted out, Wexler took her outside
but I was watching.
What did you see?
He was calm
very polite you could say
'he didn't say anything until Janie finished talking.'
Then he smiled at her
and he pulled out his g*n
'he put it up to her head'
then he pulled the trigger.
The g*n was empty.
But he said, if she ever mentioned quitting again
he would k*ll her.
(Rita) 'I call your attention to prosecution exhibit A.'
A . caliber p*stol
previously verified by ballistics
as the m*rder w*apon.
Detective Vogel
tell us how you found this g*n?
I volunteered to help in the search for the m*rder w*apon
it's not unusual for a fleeing suspect to ditch the w*apon
near the crime scene.
My shift started about noon
and at :, I located the w*apon
'in a trash bin behind Corine's grocery.'
Please compare the serial numbers
on this handgun registration
and on the p*stol.
They're the same.
And to whom is the g*n registered?
Arnold Wexler.
[dramatic music]
[grunts]
Damn, Spenser, you look good!
You gonna be ready for Tyson
in another maybe
years.
Not lookin' so bad yourself there, dude.
Who told you? Anyway..
I heard you been doin' some court time.
You ever run into a con man
petty thief named Ned Lloyd?
No. What am I missin'?
Not a thing.
I just happened to engage him in conversation
while I was makin' certain enquiries for a client of mine.
'Damn, Ned Lloyd's a hard man to make talk'
he's even harder to stop.
Anyhow, this loquacious man
seems that he can verify Wexler's alibi.
- You believe him? - Negative.
Then why you tellin' me all this?
Well, maybe Ned Lloyd
has been snared in his web of lies
and let the truth slip out.
Which means, that your horse has been scratched
in the fifth, maybe.
[dramatic music]
[instrumental music]
Miss Burton, in your statement
you said that the defendant was with you
at the Paradise Motel
'for at least one hour before'
and several hours after the time of Janie Clemens' death.
But you didn't say what you were doing.
[chuckles] Guess?
- Were you taking dr*gs? - Uh..
I'm not sure.
You're not sure?
I'm on probation.
(Rita) 'Oh, I see. A drug related offence?'
Yes.
Miss Burton, how many times have you been arrested for prostitu--
Objection. Irrelevant.
Objection overruled. You may proceed Miss Fiore.
How many times again, Miss Burton
were you arrested for prostitution?
I don't know. Two or three.
(Rita) The record indicates
that you've been arrested five times.
And how many times have you been arrested
'for possession of dr*gs?'
Twice.
The records say three times.
You know, you seem to be unsure
about a lot of things
yet you're quite certain
about the exact time you were
with Mr. Wexler at that motel, is that correct?
Yeah, I'm real sure about that.
Are you real sure because Mr. Wexler threatened
to use physical v*olence--
Objection, Your Honor!
Sustained.
Has Mr. Wexler ever beaten you?
No.
Your Honor, these hospital records show
that Miss Burton was admitted twice last year.
The first time she filed criminal charges of as*ault
against Mr. Wexler and later dropped them.
Objection, we are not trying the defendant for past crimes.
I know what we're trying the defendant for, counselor.
Objection overruled, go ahead, please.
Now I just wanna get this straight so far.
You're not sure you were taking dr*gs
with Arnie Wexler the night of the m*rder.
- Is that correct? - Yes.
(Rita) 'You're not even sure how many times you've been arrested'
'for dr*gs or prostitution for that matter.'
'And you also seem to have forgotten'
'how many times Mr. Wexler'
has beaten you up, is that right?
Yet you want us to believe
you can remember precisely
how much time you and he spent together
doing whatever it is you were doing--
Objecti.. Objection, Your Honor.
- 'Please--' - No further questions.
[indistinct chatter]
Miss Fiore, I-I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am
with your handling the case so far.
Well, thanks, but we still got a long way to go yet.
But that girl, that testimony, that was a real important part--
She was the alibi and--
And you did a great job of discrediting it.
I know I did. What's wrong?
Look, just because you discredited her testimony
doesn't mean she wasn't telling the truth.
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) While hearing the arguments
of the prosecuting and defense attorneys
I was also listening to an argument
going on inside of me, one little voice said
"Forget about this Lloyd character
"he's probably lying.
"And if he is, then why rock the boat?
"The world's a better place
without the likes of Arnie Wexler."
But then there was that other little voice
that kept saying
"What if Wexler didn't do it?
And Janie's real k*ller was still out there?"
Little voices can drive you crazy.
[instrumental music]
[phone ringing]
- Spenser. - This is Ned Lloyd.
Hawk sort of requested that I call.
Yeah, Ned. You're minutes late.
Hey, so I don't own a watch, okay?
It ain't easy tellin' time by the sun.
[chuckles] Yeah, I'm gonna tell Hawk
what a terrific sense of humor you've got.
Look, you don't have to tell him I was late, okay?
'So why did you wanna talk to me?'
Is Arnie Wexler paying you off?
Paying me for what, Spenser?
Ask me a question I can understand.
I wanna know why you're saying you can alibi him?
Listen, Spenser, Wexler can get French fried
and that'd be too good for him.
That creep cut my face.
I'd never do anything to help him, you understand?
Never!
Lloyd? Who's Lloyd?
You know, little guy with a scar on his cheek.
He usually works with the hookers.
They were in the motel room with the John
and Lloyd's in the John's car.
Lloyd and Wexler have a history together?
Could be. Why?
Would somebody tell me what's goin' on here?
Hey, what's the big deal about a small time punk like Lloyd?
He told somebody he could verify Wexler's alibi.
[chuckles] Big deal, Lloyd and the truth
don't even have the same zip code.
'He'd lie in his mother's grave.'
Belson's right. Rita would cut his testimony to ribbons.
You saw what she did to the hooker.
But Lloyd is a nobody, he's tryin' to lie himself
into bein' a somebody.
Ask him about that scar on his cheek, right?
He'll tell you he got in the Marines.
- Where did he get it? - Wexler.
Lloyd was pimp for a day.
Tryin' to wedge it on Wexler's turf.
Wexler cut his face good.
'Convinced him to go into another line of work.'
So he's got no good reason to give him an alibi.
So what? I'm telling you, Spenser.
Lloyd wouldn't know the truth if it jumped up
bit him on the nose.
He told me the truth about where he got his scar.
Hey, Spenser, wait up.
Are you serious? You really believe Lloyd?
No, not yet.
Look, I don't know what kinda game Lloyd's playin'.
By the time you figure it out
you'll have muddied the water so much
the DA will plea bargain Wexler down to jaywalking.
But this our chance to get Wexler.
- We gotta make it stick. - Even if he's not guilty?
Big if. Big.
This guy is lower than sludge. You understand?
Sludge.
[indistinct chatter]
Marty, come on.
Marty, come on.
[grunting]
[grunting]
[laughs]
[grunts]
Maybe you ought to pick out somebody
your own size next time.
Yeah, come on, step on in the ring time is paid for.
Oh, I don't wanna take advantage of you
when you're all tuckered out.
Oh, yeah, I know you down here on business then.
I need a face to face with Lloyd.
What's the matter? You think he can confirm Wexler's alibi?
It needs checkin' out.
Uh-huh, maybe a man like Wexler
needs to do time whether he's guilty or not.
Maybe so, but if Wexler's alibi is good
that means Janie Clemens k*ller's still out there.
Hm. You got a point.
- I'll make some calls. - Thanks.
Lookie here, Spenser!
Man who opened the can of worms
he shouldn't be surprised when one slithers out.
Uh! Uh-huh!
Yeah.
Now where we we?
A carat gold-plated gold jewelry, yeah.
- For your girlfriend? - Maybe.
So how much are they?
- Talking discount here. - Hm-hm.
Hey, you got any deal on sundials?
- Are you Spenser? - Yeah.
Sure. Give me a minute.
Hey.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
[intense music]
Come on out, Lloyd!
'I'm gonna find you sooner than later.'
Why are you working for Wexler, man?
He's a sleazebag.
I'm not workin' for him.
But I hear you could verify his alibi.
Why should I tell you?
(Spenser) 'Because I found you once.'
'I can find you again.'
And I can make your life so miserable
you won't wanna get up in the morning.
That could hurt business.
Okay, s.. Me..
I saw him at the Paradise.
Like his whore said, I was workin' the cars.
You sure about the time?
Damn right, I'm sure.
It got me a nice Rolex out of a Mercedes.
Well, why don't you be a good guy and tell that in court?
I think I'd rather see him fry.
[instrumental music]
[glass shatters]
[wood cracking]
Spenser, help me!
Well, well, what do we have here?
Spenser, help me.
You know, Lloyd, I might be more inclined to help you
if I got somethin' in return.
Like what?
Your testimony in court.
No way. Wexler can hang.
Oh, you might wanna reconsider.
Unless you think you can fly.
[grunting] You're not gonna let me drop.
Well, no, not on purpose.
But a slimy guy like you, you know I could lose my grip.
Okay, okay, just pull me up!
[grunting]
Spenser! Oh-ho, Spenser, I am gettin' worried about you.
You are definitely hangin' out
with a lower class of guys these days.
Talkin' about Lloyd here
or the guys down in robbery?
Both. What'd you get him on?
Nothin', we just had a little chat
'about him doing his civic duty.'
We're goin' over now to give a deposition.
You're wasting your time, Spenser.
Wexler's gonna hang on this one.
Let's go.
[g*nsh*t]
[dramatic music]
What the hell was that? Are you alright?
I'm fine.
But he's dead.
(Spenser) John Donne wrote that death comes equally to us all.
That makes us all equal when it comes.
Ned Lloyd, a nobody, tryin' to lie himself into a somebody
was now equal to saints and sinners..
...with no need to lie anymore.
Spenser, I'm sorry about Lloyd's m*rder
but that still doesn't make me believe his story.
I checked the files.
I mean, the guy had a talent for making enemies.
He cheated and double-crossed almost
every single person he ever came in contact--
Look there was one sh*t
it hit him right in the heart.
Dead center, pardon the expression.
That's not some hood on the street lookin' for revenge.
That's a professional.
Someone did not want Lloyd to testify.
Are you saying that someone's trying to frame Wexler?
It's exactly what I'm sayin'.
And I'm willing to say it in court.
Well, you can say whatever you want
and I must admit, a prosecution witness taking the stand
for the defense would certainly be, uh, entertaining
'but your version of Lloyd's story is hearsay'
'and inadmissible in court'
and I'll do everything I can to keep it out.
You're obliged to notify
the defense of this piece of information.
I'm aware of that, thank you very much.
Spenser, I'm not out to railroad Arnie Wexler.
I just don't believe he's innocent.
I believe my evidence, not the alibi.
Now you're about to make me late to court.
Wouldn't want that to happen, would we now? Mnm-mnm.
(Spenser) Spenser's rule number -B
when you don't know where to go with an investigation
sometimes it's best to stay in one place
and see where others have already gone
hoping they will point the way.
You ought to think about rejoining the force.
You know that you could get paid for this?
[sighs] Someone likes too much paperwork.
Yeah. What is that? The Wexler file?
I checked the theft report
the night Janie Clemens was m*rder*d.
A salesman reported that his gold Rolex watch
was taken from his car
which was in the parking lot at the Paradise Motel
'just like Lloyd said.'
Proving what?
Well, proving that at least
some of the times, Lloyd tells the truth.
And that Wexler was in the motel at the time of the m*rder.
Why do you even care about this Arnie Wexle--
I don't care about Arnie Wexler!
Hard time in a Turkish prison will be too good for him.
But somebody's tryin' to frame him and I wanna know why.
It really doesn't make any difference.
A scum like that, he ought to be put in jail
whether he's guilty or not.
Do you really mean that?
[sighs] No. No.
I didn't think so.
You'd be doing the same thing if you were in my place
and hating it just as much.
Who do you think was tryin' to frame him?
The same person that k*lled Lloyd.
Probably the same person that k*lled Janie Clemens.
You got any ideas?
Still got some things to check.
- I'll keep in touch. - Yeah, do that.
(Spenser) Almost every police station has a diner nearby
where cops go in for a quick lunch
and come out with indigestion.
I had already had a gnawing in my gut going in.
Murry, can I have a regular coffee, please?
[clears throat]
- You, Simms? - Yeah.
- The name is Spenser. - Oh!
You're the one everyone's talking about.
Rumors goin' around the station
that you're trying to clear Arnie Wexler.
That true?
Just wanna check a couple of facts.
So why are you lookin' for me?
I checked the assignment roster.
You worked the alley where the g*n was found.
I worked the dumpster where the g*n was found.
So how come you didn't find it?
Don't know, guess that's what separates
the rookies from the pros. I missed it.
- Vogel didn't. - Hm.
- How thorough was your search? - Listen.
I searched that dumpster like I was lookin' for gold.
By the book.
All that work in the academy, all those classes
and I can't even find a damn g*n in a trash bin.
Don't worry about it. We all have our off days.
Thanks, Murry.
Spenser, I wanna talk to you outside.
[indistinct chatter]
Look, I heard what you were saying to Simms, Spenser.
What's with you anyway? First, you try to clear a major sleaze.
And now you're trying to smear a good cop.
Which good cop is that, Frank?
Maybe Simms didn't get it, but I can read between the lines.
You're saying Terry Vogel
planted Wexler's g*n in that dumpster.
It's starting to look that way.
Well, I'm here to tell you that Vogel is a good cop!
I've known the guy for ten years, Spenser!
Ten years! Three of 'em as my partner for crying out loud.
'You get to know a guy pretty good when you live'
'with him eight hours a day and I'll tell you something else'
'he is a good cop. He always gives a percent.'
If anything, he gives too much of himself.
Cost him his wife and his kids.
Even good cops burn out, Frank. We both know that.
That's bull and you know it.
You so sure of yourself, let's take it to Marty.
- See what he thinks. - Yeah, let's do that.
Yeah, let's do it.
Eight arrests in eight months.
That's quite a lot, wouldn't you say?
So, I don't like Wexler. Big secret.
That doesn't mean, I've got some kind of vendetta against him.
Four felony arrests, four times he got off.
Once on an excessive force charge by you.
[sighs] Look, I'm a vice cop. He's a pimp.
Of course, we share an arrest history.
As for the brutality..
...okay, I made a mistake.
'But I paid for that with a suspension.'
I learned my lesson.
And I learned that to get Wexler
I gotta nail him righteous.
Like this time. Righteous.
You were on the search team from noon
until you found the g*n at in the dumpster.
- Is that right? - 'Hey, Spenser.'
Who made you captain?
Just answer the question, Vogel.
I answered it in court.
It's in the file you got in front of you.
Why ask me?
According to the report
you were booking a dealer until :.
That means you couldn't have joined the search team
till at least o'clock.
- What is this? - We're asking you that.
[sighs]
Alright.
I lied on my report, so I had to lie in court.
Why did you lie in the first place?
Because the truth looked hinky, damn it.
I found the g*n just like I said.
But right away, in the first place I looked.
You think anybody would've bought that story?
[scoffs] 'Judge would've thrown out the evidence'
then thrown the book at me for such a phoney frame job.
So, I lied.
How did you find the g*n so easily?
Because it was in plain sight.
- Anyone would've seen it. - Simms didn't.
Who's Simms?
Just a good cop doing his job.
He searched the dumpster about an hour before you did.
He didn't find any g*n. You know why?
'Cause it wasn't there yet.
Well?
I'm notifying internal affairs and recommending
to your department to put you on suspension as of now.
Suspension? For what?
I didn't plant the damn g*n! It's Wexler's!
It's the m*rder w*apon and I found it!
God! Oh, this is crazy!
Next, you'll be saying I k*lled Janie Clemens.
I spent the last years of my life
trying to save girls like her.
[scoffs] Come on, guys!
I'm a cop.
A good cop.
You honestly think I'd try to frame somebody?
[instrumental music]
Frank.
(male #) 'Your Honor, the defense would like to recall'
a prosecution witness, Mr. Spenser.
Spenser?
Mr. Spenser, be advised that you're still under oath.
Yes, Your Honor.
Since your testimony for the state, Mr. Spenser
did you have any conversations with a Mr. Ned Lloyd
'recently deceased, which changed your mind'
'concerning the defendant's guilt?'
Objection! The opinion of a witness is inadmissible.
- And irrelevant. - Sustained.
(male #) 'Let me rephrase.'
Did Mr. Lloyd's evidence
prompt your reinvestigation
and result in the meeting this afternoon
'at police headquarters?'
- Yes, it did. - How did that meeting conclude?
In Detective Terry Vogel's suspension.
- 'Why?' - He falsified police reports.
Regarding the finding of the m*rder w*apon.
- And he lied in court. - Your Honor.
May we approach the bench?
In light of this alleged
perjured testimony of Officer Vogel
of which I was unaware
I'd like to move for a recess so that I can--
Your Honor, I would like to move for dismissal at this time.
Ms. Fiore, if I'm forced to rule
that the m*rder w*apon is inadmissible
does the government have a sufficient case without it?
I'm afraid not, Your Honor.
Mr. Spenser, will you step down please?
The court grants the motion. All charges dismissed.
'The defendant will be released from custody forthwith.'
This court is now adjourned.
No! You can't let him go free!
You can't! You k*lled my daughter!
- He k*lled my daughter! - You got that?
- You'll be back. - You can't let him go free.
- You k*lled my daughter! - Hey, Spenser.
Who would've thought? You and me on the same side.
If you ever need a young chick..
[grunts]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) Being right was not much consolation.
I had told the truth.
And now an innocent, but evil man was free.
There would be consequences for my actions.
And the responsibility would be mine.
[intense music]
[instrumental music]
[knock on door]
- 'Who is it?' - 'It's Spenser.'
The instructor said you were sick.
I hate to bother you, but I'd like to ask you
a few more questions about Janie.
(Linda) 'I'm not sick.'
Who did this?
He warned me this would happen if I testified against him.
- Wexler? - I don't wanna talk about it.
You should talk about it.
You should tell the police, press charges.
Why? So you can get him off again?
Linda, I don't know if I can make you understand
why I did what I did.
Wexler is a lower lifeform, but he didn't k*ll Janie.
Maybe he didn't pull the trigger
but he k*lled her just the same.
He made her feel like she was dirt.
She was so afraid of him all the time
that's why she took his g*n.
- Took his g*n? - Yes.
She-she stole it from him in one of those parties
a couple of days before she was k*lled.
Did she have the g*n the day she d*ed?
[sighs] As far as I know.
She said it was the only way
she was ever going to be free of him.
[instrumental music]
Linda, did..
...Janie ever talk about su1c1de?
She took many sleeping pills once.
She swore it was a mistake.
Why didn't you tell this to the police?
I did. I told everything to Detective Vogel.
So you think that Wexler b*at her up
then Janie k*lled herself. That correct?
She must have been really close to the edge.
That last b*ating just pushed her over.
Thank you very much, Ms. Arpel.
Tom. This officer will give you a ride home.
Vogel must have gotten there before I did.
Recognized Wexler's g*n.
And he wiped off the prints.
Threw it in the dumpster.
Everything was going along smooth until Lloyd showed up.
So what's wrong?
That's wrong.
That girl wouldn't have gotten beaten up
if I hadn't gotten Wexler off.
What did you think was gonna happen, Spenser?
You think Wexler was gonna go straight
be born again as a good guy?
I'm just wondering where the justice is in criminal justice?
I mean, where's her rights? Where's the victim's rights?
What kind of system is this anyway?
- It's the only one we got. - Great!
So I do the right thing.
We protect Wexler's rights.
He's out there walkin' on the street
and he's responsible for two bodies.
No, he didn't pull the trigger, but they're dead because of him
just the same.
Maybe now you know how Vogel feels.
I know how Vogel feels!
You think this isn't eatin' my guts out?
But that doesn't give him the right to frame somebody.
- To k*ll Ned Lloyd. - You don't know that, Spenser!
Who else, Frank? Check the arrest records.
He was obsessed with nailing him.
- He was a good cop! - Yeah, he was.
What's he now?
Judge, jury and executioner.
It gotta get personal, Frank.
It happens.
[indistinct chatter]
You're gonna have to bring him in, Frank.
I don't know where he is, lieutenant.
He didn't show up at internal affairs this morning.
Then you're gonna have to find him.
[instrumental music]
Saw your classic chariot, Spenser.
Been waitin' on you.
Station's warmer. Why didn't you come inside?
Too much heat inside. Do you know what I mean?
Besides I came to talk about bad cops.
- Vogel? - 'Yeah.'
Wexler called me for the hire me on his bodyguard.
Said Vogel threatened him. Said he was a walkin' dead man.
- Did you take the job? - 'No.'
I told him I had something more important to do.
I had to clean my boots.
You know where Wexler is now?
Still on his phone looking for help.
He must be pretty low in the barrel about now.
Gotta go by there.
Maybe Vogel will show up.
(Hawk) 'Could let the drummer play himself out.'
Two evil men killin' each other.
Planet Earth be much better off.
Too many dead bodies already.
Hey, I knew you'd say that. Now, you know my next question.
I'll take this one on my own. Thanks.
[instrumental music]
[engine starts]
[instrumental music]
Your car's in the garage, Mr. Wexler.
[doors sliding]
[intense music]
Ah!
Put down the g*n.
Put down the g*n!
- What, are you gonna sh**t me? - Maybe I should.
You let Wexler go, well, I'm here now
and I swear to God, if you try to stop me, I will sh**t you.
Clemens, listen.
He's gotta pay for what he's done.
- He didn't k*ll Janie. - He did!
He hurt her.
He got her involved in prostitution.
He used her.
'But he didn't k*ll her.'
What are you talking about?
She k*lled herself. It was su1c1de.
She tried before, but this time she..
...made it.
[shudders]
Oh, Jesus!
[cries] Oh, God!
Go home.
Go home to your family.
[g*nsh*t]
[intense music]
[g*nf*re]
[man groans]
[g*n cocks]
(Wexler) 'No. Please.'
[Wexler groans]
Say goodbye, Arnie.
Don't.
'Please.'
Vogel!
You're not gonna sh**t me to save this scum!
[g*n cocks]
[intense music]
[g*nsh*t]
[thuds]
[instrumental music]
[pants]
[tires screeching]
[indistinct radio chatter]
- Better call an ambulance. - You heard him.
Spenser?
(male #) 'We need an ambulance at --..'
Sorry, Frank.
[indistinct chatter]
[music continues]
(female #) 'Hey, baby. Want a date?'
Yeah, come on, let's party!
Hey, honey. You just arrive in town?
Beautiful Boston is a great city.
Look, I got a job for you. You need to make some money?
You just get here? Look, you must need a place to sleep.
We'll, look, let me show you where you can sleep. Come on.
Go on. Take off.
- You from around here? - Yeah.
Not anymore.
Don't you ever let me catch you
hustlin' a girl around here again, you understand?
Now, get outta here!
You crazy!
What the hell, you can't touch a man like that
out here in the street.
You better look, man!
I'm gonna find you!
I'm gonna come back here and I'm gonna find you!
You better watch out!
You better watch out!
[instrumental music]
[theme music]
[music continues]