(male narrator) Tonight on "Spenser, For Hire.."
[g*nsh*t]
(Rita) He was sentenced to three to five years.
He seemed to hold me personally responsible.
I'm going after him.
[g*nsh*t]
I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to save my son.
He's broken laws. He's gonna come with me.
[g*n cocks]
[g*nsh*t]
This might take us into time and a half.
You in a union now?
(Paul) You can't take him back to prison.
[g*nf*re]
[expl*si*n]
[theme music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) Being blessed with devastating charm
a razor-sharp mind, and boyish good looks
isn't always enough.
To keep my well-toned body in perfect shape
demanded daily exercise.
But when Rita Fiore had suggested
I join her for a morning bicycle ride
I figured, "Why not?"
I got a good deal on a rented bike and besides
I can do my real workout later.
Hey, Rita.
Joining the Tour de France later today?
Spenser, this is supposed to be a workout.
- Well, I'm ready. Sure. - On that thing?
Looks like you just finished your paper route.
[bell rings]
Cute bell.
- I'll do just fine. - 'We'll see.'
You're gonna just sit here and chat or we gonna ride?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
Come on, Martine. Let's go.
- Where we goin'? - A little resort.
A place they call Walpole.
Come on, pal, while the sun's still shinin'.
Don't push me.
Look, buddy, this g*n lets me do whatever I want.
[intense music]
In the back, now.
Ha!
Admit it.
I reached the park bench first.
Alright. Alright. You b*at me by a nose.
'But you wouldn't have stood a chance'
'if I hadn't slipped on that gear change.'
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
You did pretty well on that Erector set there.
Superior ability will always triumph over high technology.
- The race was a piece of cake. - 'Oh, yeah.'
You hardly broke into a sweat.
But that's okay. I'm a good loser.
And I'll pay by picking up an early dinner tonight.
- Restaurant of my choice? - 'No. No restaurants.'
- I'm cooking. Chicken Rosaline. - 'Huh, sounds good.'
I just bought everything yesterday
and I can't wait to try it.
Uh, you think you should try a first-time recipe on a guest?
Well, no. That's the point.
You see, I've got an important dinner party next weekend
and I really need to try it out.
- So, I thought you could-- - Be your taster.
Well, now don't put it that way.
I don't mind even though I know
I won't be invited to this important dinner party
I'd love to be your guinea pig.
If you want dinner, it'll be at :.
Your lab rat.
'Your experimental victim!'
I won! Don't ever forget that!
[instrumental music]
[mellow music]
(Rita) Okay.
Here you go.
- I'm impressed. - Wait until you taste it.
- It's interesting. - It's bad?
- I didn't say that. - You didn't have to.
Oh, this is awful.
[laughs]
Hm! Oh!
So much for Chicken Rosaline.
[laughs]
Hereafter known as Chicken Listerine.
Well, look at the bright side of things.
It's not your recipe.
And your choice of wine was, well, exemplary.
Are you suggesting we drown our taste buds
with a bottle of Margaux?
[g*nsh*t]
[clattering]
[g*nshots]
[intense music]
[g*nf*re]
It's alright. He's gone.
It's alright. You're alright.
He's gone.
[instrumental music]
Name's Martine. He's from Maine.
Lives with his father in the woods.
And deep in the woods. He's been there too long, if you ask me.
I prosecuted the boy and during the trial
it was shown that he was slow.
Marginal IQ, but not Ret*rded.
You got a positive ID?
They found some carbide shells on the roof.
They match the r*fle the kid was using during his escape.
'Now, the janitor also identified the kid's picture'
'as the guy he saw running away from the building.'
What was the original charge?
Well, he'd come down from Maine on the bus to visit his mother.
And apparently, some man at the bus station insulted him
and Martine att*cked him, brutally.
I say he would've k*lled the guy if he wasn't pulled off.
The guy's still in a hospital in a coma.
He was sentenced to three to five years.
(Spenser) And why did he blame you?
Why not the judge and the jurors?
(Rita) 'I don't know.'
He seemed to hold me personally responsible.
He screamed threats at me during the sentencing.
Any leads?
We got a stakeout on the mother's place here.
No other family in town.
My guess is he went back up north.
We have police alerted in three states
plus the sheriff in his hometown.
What's the sheriff's name?
There's no need for you to get involved.
He destroyed a perfectly good bottle of Margaux.
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) Normally, there would be nothing I would enjoy more
than a drive through the woods of Maine.
But this trip had me unsettled.
Maybe because I knew I was hunting a simple-minded boy
who was only vaguely aware of the harm he had done.
I called ahead and talked to Sheriff Bayer
who told me that Don Martine had just been spotted
in a barn in the outskirts of town.
Martin was right. The boy was headed home.
Need an extra hand?
Lieutenant Quirk says you're an ex-cop.
- Yeah. - Okay, you can tag along.
[instrumental music]
[engines revving]
[birds chirping]
[g*nsh*t]
We're gonna move in.
Fan out and come in from the sides.
I'll come in from the front.
Sorry, Spenser, you're gonna have to wait back in your car.
Hey, I drove all the way up from Boston chasing this--
Sorry, Spenser. My jurisdiction, my collar.
I can't be responsible for private citizens getting hurt.
[g*nf*re]
[g*nf*re]
Get to the other side.
[g*nf*re]
[rattles]
[intense music]
[engine revving]
[dramatic music]
[g*nf*re]
[engine revving]
[expl*si*n]
[grunts]
[expl*si*n]
[fire roaring]
[music continues]
(Spenser) 'Oh, no.'
Bayer tells me it's a good thing your car insurance is paid up.
Yeah, it was kinda grim.
Kinda like watching an old friend have a horrible accident.
Why don't you just save your money?
- Marty, it's a classic. - Oh, yeah. I forgot. I'm sorry.
- I heard you got your man. - Yeah, listen.
Can you arrange for me escort Martine back to Boston?
'That way I can catch a ride back on the prison bus.'
That's fine with me. Listen, put Bayer back on the line.
I'll talk to him about arranging it.
Yeah.
No problem.
I'll do the paperwork.
You can accompany Martine back in the morning.
- But I'll have to deputize you. - I appreciate it.
Now, listen, you got a decent motel around here?
Well, you got a choice.
You have the Dormaset Motel
or the Dormaset Motel.
But I can't remember anyone ever calling it decent.
Thanks.
[rain pattering]
[thunder rumbling]
Good evening.
You're Mr. Spenser, aren't you?
My name is Paul Martine.
Mr. Martine.
I want my son back.
He's not mine to give you.
I've enquired around.
You'll be escorting him to Boston tomorrow.
Before he gets in the bus, just turn your back for a moment.
[rain pattering]
He'll be gone.
I'll see to it he never harms anyone again.
I can't do that.
You're not a policeman.
What brought you up here after my son?
He tried to k*ll a friend of mine.
'A woman named Rita Fiore.'
I was there when he tried to sh**t her.
And he wasn't trying to k*ll anyone.
Donny's a fine marksman. I know, I taught him to sh**t.
Just trying to frighten.
Like he was trying to frighten the man
he b*at up at the bus station?
You don't understand.
Donny's not a bad person.
Donny..
I think I know.
Some people told me about your son.
Then you must know you can't take him back to prison.
He'll die.
The boy shouldn't be caged.
He's broken laws.
He's hurt people.
He needs special help.
[rain pattering]
I'm the one to blame, I..
...should have never allowed him to go alone.
His mother and I were splitting up.
Had a mind to make my life here.
I thought if I brought Donny to the woods
away from people..
...it'd be alright.
Nature would heal him.
But it didn't.
It's far from easy to determine
whether she has proved a man a kind parent.
Or a merciless stepmother.
You didn't learn Latin quotes in the woods.
Dartmouth.
I studied classics.
I suppose it's an odd background for my life now.
I'm truly sorry about your son.
But he's gotta come with me.
[instrumental music]
You're unarmed.
I have a r*fle. I could k*ll you here and now.
Yes, you could.
But it wouldn't help you or your son.
Remember this moment.
Remember your decision.
For I surely will.
[rain pattering]
[music continues]
[thunder rumbles]
[engine whirring]
(Spenser) The bright sunlight of the morning
finally dispelled the eerie feeling I had.
I started to understand the barest concern
about dealing with the Martines on their home turf.
I knew I'd feel a lot better after I'd gotten Don Martine
back to Boston. Back to the city.
You must be the PI from Boston, Spenser.
You must be Bob Hagen.
It's Deputy Hagen.
Is that a big D or little D?
If you've got a g*n, I'll take it now.
Crebbs and me, we run a tight bus.
- Don't we, Crebbs? - Absolutely.
Did the sheriff tell you about me meeting the boy's father?
Yeah. He told me he tried to bluff you.
- I don't think he was bluffing. - Hey, no sweat.
We've been making this run once a month for the last two years
with no serious incidents.
I intend to keep it that way.
- Any further questions? - Yeah.
How do you keep those shoes shining so brightly?
Take your prisoner on the bus and lock him down to his seat
Mr. PI.
[instrumental music]
[engine whirring]
(Don) Mister.
Yeah, Don.
I just wanna say I'm..
I'm real sorry about sh**t' at the lady.
You know, you could've k*lled her.
Yes, sir.
I guess I just got mad at her putting me in jail and all.
But I'm real sorry.
So am I, Don.
So am I.
[birds chirping]
[engine whirring]
[g*nsh*t]
[tires screeching]
[g*nf*re]
[men screaming]
[intense music]
[instrumental music]
[woman coughing]
What the hell is going on?
- That was r*fle fire. - Extremely accurate r*fle fire.
Now, put some pressure on that. I warned you about Paul Martine.
That crazy son of a..
He'd drop you before you got five yards.
We've got injured people to care for.
You alright, kid?
Hey! How about opening these cuffs?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
When I'm good and ready.
I'm taking care of Crebbs first.
(Paul) 'Spenser!'
Send my son out!
You know the answer to that, Martine.
The same one I gave you last night.
Now, give this up before it gets worse.
[g*nf*re]
[screaming]
[g*nf*re]
I hit every window I aimed for!
Those could've been people! Next time, they will be!
'Unless you send my boy out!'
[g*n cocks]
[g*nf*re]
[people groaning]
Throw me those keys.
- Yeah. - Oh, alright.
[birds chirping]
- Hurry. - Hey!
You sit down!
[groaning]
Get up! Come on, move!
(male #) Yeah.
Say, you went for a long wait.
We're not waitin'. We're gonna move.
We'll use the woods as cover.
Martine's a tracker.
He belongs in these woods.
We stay here, and that madman will pick us apart.
I say we're movin'.
'Next town is only ten miles away'
less through these woods.
If we stick together, we'll make it.
Do what you want, but I'm staying here with my prisoner.
Wait for help. That wreck will attract attention soon enough.
Get this, PI. These are my prisoners.
And you're gonna play by my rules.
You got that?
Your partner ready for a ten-mile hike?
I'll be alright.
I don't see him.
If you don't see him, doesn't mean he won't be with us.
Okay, people. We're movin'.
I'll cover the rear.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
(Spenser) Shakespeare said that one touch of nature
makes the whole world kin.
If that I'll bet Old Bill I'd never run into this bunch.
Two kids whose only sin had been stealing a car
for a joy run.
A hooker who may be had a heart of gold
but definitely had the feet of clay.
A k*ller with no heart at all.
And a young man who just wanted to go home.
All we were missing were the Tin Man and Toto.
[music continues]
Hey, what do you say we hold up here for a while?
My head is throbbing. My feet are killin' me.
- Yeah, he's got a good idea. - Okay, five minutes.
[breathing heavily]
Hey, big boy. You know how much these cost me?
Not as much as a broken ankle would.
Not to mention the pain those blisters are causing.
At least we lost that maniac. Or else he's given up.
I wouldn't bet on it.
Hey, Sherwin!
Where do you think you're goin'?
You want me to draw you a diagram?
Just don't get any ideas about runnin' off.
With these feet? Are you kiddin' me?
[g*nsh*t]
[woman screams]
- Are you hurt? - No, I just slipped.
I think I twisted my ankle.
Don't worry. If he wanted to hit you, you'd be dead.
- 'That trail leads off south.' - 'In the direction of Medford.'
(Bayer) 'Tell 'em to fan out. They couldn't have gotten too far.'
Think it was Martine coming after his son?
Yeah. Looks like they fought him off.
But...they're in the woods.
It's gonna get dark soon and we won't be able to help them.
(woman on radio) 'Alpha , ..'
Sherwin's twisted her ankle
Crebbs is getting worse.
I think it's time to talk about some alternatives.
I already got one We'll stay here till nightfall.
Then we'll make our run. We'll use the dark for cover.
You ever stop to think that nightfall
is what Martine might be waiting for?
Look, pal, it's not Superman out there.
You keep takin' about him as if he's some sort of invincible.
If he's so good, how come he hasn't hit any of us yet?
[chuckles]
Now what the hell are you laughin' at?
Watch.
[g*nsh*t]
Alright, city boy.
Why don't you tell me some of your great ideas?
It's time to negotiate.
Martine!
I wanna talk!
[birds chirping]
(Paul) 'Fifty yards to your left.'
'Leave the g*n behind.'
[leaves rustling]
I don't wanna hurt anyone.
I just want my son.
We've gone through this already.
Nothing's changed.
Then why do you wanna talk?
Because there are two trigger-happy guards up there.
And all this sh**ting's makin' 'em real jumpy.
They get any more nervous and somebody will get hurt.
'Maybe even your son. I know you don't want that.'
Spenser..
...I wasn't lying about my boy dying in prison.
I spent three years there myself and I almost didn't make it.
And I'm a lot stronger than my boy.
Maybe he's stronger than you give him credit for.
Martine, if you don't give this up..
...he might not get to prison.
I can't.
(Spenser) 'Yes, you can.'
Just go back into the woods.
I promise you I will see to it
that he gets to Boston safely.
Why should I trust you?
Because we're alike.
We both do what we say.
I'll hold you to that, Spenser.
You be responsible for my son's life.
No more sh**ting?
We'll see what the night brings.
[leaves rustling]
You can jump Hagen. And I can take out the other guy.
- 'It'll be absolutely..' - Hey!
What are you whisperin' about?
Why so jumpy, Hagen?
Get away from him, Tanner.
Either one of you makes a sudden move
I swear I will blow your brains out.
[leaves rustling]
We have until nightfall. Let's move.
- You trust that lunatic? - What choice do we have?
[intense music]
Hagen!
[music continues]
[grunts]
Halt, damn it!
No!
[g*nshots]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) The sheriff's search party caught up with us
right after they heard the g*nf*re.
We went back to warm blankets and hot coffee.
That took care of the chill of the night.
But it didn't do much for the chill I'd felt
when I saw Don Martine sh*t down.
Suddenly, I was tired. I wanted to go home.
No luck on finding the body, sheriff.
Alright. Call it off for the night.
I don't want them people stumbling around the dark
getting hurt. We'll start again in the morning.
Yup.
- You sure Don Martine is dead? - Yes.
Then where is the body?
My people have been all over that place.
Nothin'!
'What the hell could've happened to him?'
[instrumental music]
And Laban said..
..."This heap of stones
is witness between me and thee this day."
And Mizpah, for he said..
"The Lord watch between me and thee
when we are absent from one another."
[sniffles]
[owl hoots]
Look, I know how you feel, but you can't blame yourself.
Just consider what happened.
A man endangered the lives of eight people
by sh**ting up a bus causing it to crash
and then terrorizes them on a trek through the woods.
And you think he's justified--
That's not what I'm saying, I just know
the boy didn't have to die.
He was trying to escape.
The deputy was within his legal rights.
The deputy was an idiot.
I should have followed my instincts
stayed at the bus and waited for help.
You had no choice, Spenser.
I had a choice, I just made the wrong one.
All I'm saying is if I had to do it again
I would've taken on Hagen myself
before I'd let that boy go into the wood with him.
And get yourself sh*t. Oh, that make a lot of sense.
The kid was my responsibility.
I promised his father I would keep him safe and I didn't.
And don't talk to me about the law.
Maybe here in this city, the law says it's okay to k*ll a kid
because he's running away and you don't know
how else to stop him.
But out in the wood there's another kind of law.
Kind of like the law of nature, that says it's natural
for a father to try to protect his son.
I respect that. I believe in that.
You also respect justice.
You couldn't give the boy back to his father.
- No, I couldn't. - You didn't k*ll Don Martine.
[sighs] No, but I didn't manage to protect him.
If I had, it could've ended differently.
Well, at least it's ended.
[dramatic music]
- Enjoy Boston. - Thanks for the lift.
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) I knew my car was hurt but I felt sure
it wasn't anywhere near past hope
past cure, past help. As Shakespeare put it.
'You can see for yourself it's not a total wreck.'
- 'And?' - Well, I mean, uh..
The bumper it's, uh, not too far out of shape
and some of the engine probably survived
and I-I I just put a new clutch in it.
You should've put in a sprinkler system.
Sid, I did not come to bury this car. She is not dead.
Well, she sure is circling the drain.
Okay, she was in a wreck.
Not the first one.
It won't be the last time.
I-I know that there are parts available for this car
so why don't you fix it up, like you always have.
Spenser, I used to fix your car.
What you got here is an ashtray.
A very ugly ashtray.
Sid, come on, this car is a part of me.
We go together, we fit, you know.
Like an old pair of jeans, you get a hole in the pocket
you don't toss 'em out, you sew 'em up again.
Not enough needle and thread made to fix that.
Sid.
Sid, listen to me, this is my car.
Spenser, you listen to me, that was your car.
Now, it's pop art.
We can handle the burial later
right now, you need something to drive.
- Try number . - I'm not ready for another car.
How about the same one, only a new generation?
Same soul, new body.
It's a Mustang, custom made drive.
I don't wanna hear about it.
'Oh, it's a sweetheart of a car.'
Fast, pearl grey and get this..
It's got seven miles on it.
- Seven miles? - 'Yeah.'
That's how far the guy got after he stole it
and drove it through the showroom window.
'The insurance fixed it up perfect.'
You'll probably get a great deal on it.
Just take a look.
[machine whirring]
You see her?
[instrumental music]
Yeah.
It's not bad.
Not bad at all.
[music continues]
(Spenser) I really didn't want a new car
but I thought I oughta give her a chance.
New leather did smell good and she was peppy.
I had to admit.
Maybe Sid was right, I'd grow to love her.
But I'll never forget my old one.
[dramatic music]
(Martin) 'Ever see that before?'
(Spenser) 'Looks like the one Paul Martine carried.'
- Where'd you get it? - From the coroner.
It was pulled out of Bob Hagen's chest this morning.
It looks like your mountain man is back in town, Spenser.
Back to avenge his son's death.
You think you're on his list?
I wouldn't be surprised.
He probably holds me partially responsible for Don's death.
You want some protection?
No, this man's a stalker. Like a lion.
Thought I'd get a big cat of my own.
[instrumental music]
(Hawk) 'How much?'
(female #) 'That particular piece is $.'
- Yowza! - Spenser.
$ for a five inch piece of carved wood..
Makes a statement.
I thought a man of poetry would appreciate work
whose spiritual dimension is never diminished by its utility.
Oh, I do, just so it's not my grocery money
paying for that spiritual dimension.
Man does not live by bread alone
it's how he slices it that counts. I'll take it.
[clears throat] Listen, uh..
You real busy for the next couple of days?
Very. How badly are you in need?
Very badly.
Hmm, I told you I was busy.
This might take us into time and a half.
- You in a union now? - 'Absolutely.'
United Defenders of International Goodwill.
United Defenders of International.. U-D-I-G?
UDIG?
Has a wonderful sound, doesn't it? Ha-ha.
[both laugh]
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) Rita had said Don Martine had come down
from Maine to visit his mother.
The police had given up their stakeout
but I thought if the father paid his respects to anyone
it might be to Mrs. Martine, his ex-wife.
[music continues]
You better save your pennies for your car.
(Mrs. Martine) 'Paul and I never had enough money for doctors for Donny.'
We figured if we loved him.. I guess it just wasn't enough.
Mrs. Martine, did your husband try to contact you?
Paul won't have anything to do with the city if he can help it.
You know, he didn't even come to Donny's trial.
Well, we happen to think he's in town now.
He k*lled a man.
The guard who sh*t Donny.
Oh, my God. I'm sorry.
Is there any place he would stay while in town
old friends, relatives?
No. Paul was always a loner.
It was prison that changed him.
Before that, well, things were never great between us
but we managed to get by.
[sighs] He loved his woods and then, uh..
One day he got into an argument with a deer hunter
who was sh**ting out of season.
Man tried to sh**t Paul and, well..
When he got out, he was cut off from people, even me.
Mr. Spenser...be careful.
Paul never did like k*lling, but he was good at it.
I'll remember.
- Contact. - Where?
Building across the street.
I think it's time to re-introduce
Mr. Martine to city life.
- Well? - I'll take the back.
[dramatic music]
[siren blaring]
[alarm blaring]
[siren wailing]
Hey, what's that dude doing up there?
Oh, my God! He's got a g*n.
[indistinct chatter]
Martine!
[g*nsh*t]
[dramatic music]
[g*nsh*t]
[music continues]
Martine.
sh**t. sh**t him, man.
[dramatic music]
I hope you don't later regret that, babe.
Damn.
(Spenser) I kept telling myself I couldn't
sh**t a man on the back.
I was hoping Hawk's words wouldn't come back to haunt me.
You want me to order a house-to-house?
We wasted time.
Maybe Tarzan went back to the jungle.
I don't buy Martine for a quitter.
Since he missed you, you think he might go for Rita?
Why? She didn't have anything to do with his son's death.
It all started with her, babe.
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter]
(Spenser) I know it was a long sh*t that Paul Martine
would give up his grudge and go back to the woods.
But optimist that I am, that's what I was hoping.
[telephone rings]
She should be home.
[tires screeching]
[dramatic music]
Rita!
(Rita) 'It's alright he's gone.'
- You okay? What happened? - He didn't hurt me.
He was waiting inside when I got home with this.
"Who so shed of man's blood
by man shall his blood be shed."
- What did he say? - Spenser, stop.
Two people have d*ed already. Now, let the police handle--
Don't you want this to end?
- Yes, but not with your life. - What did he say?
He wants to meet you. Alone.
In the woods east of Lexington.
He says he'll be there at dusk.
At least take someone with you.
If I don't show up alone, he'll disappear.
Come back later.
[instrumental music]
(Spenser) It was a short trip from Boston to the woods
and I wanted to make sure I was there on time.
Once it turned dark, the odds already on Martine's side
would weigh even heavier in his favor.
Hawk argued long and hard on the futility
of fighting a man who had the territorial advantage.
A lesson hard learned by Hawk
and his fellow warriors in Southeast Asia.
We did agree on one thing.
The best way to fight someone like this
was with the element of surprise.
[dramatic music]
'Martine.'
Drop the r*fle.
Couldn't sh**t me in the back before.
What makes you think you can now?
I can't take any chances out here.
My son is dead.
And you k*lled the man responsible.
I k*lled one of the men responsible.
Drop the r*fle.
[g*nshots]
[dramatic music]
Small rock, Spenser.
You'll have to do better than that.
[g*n cocks]
[g*nshots]
[grunts]
[dramatic music]
[groans]
It's over, Martine.
[groans]
You're hurt bad. We need an ambulance.
It's not so easy with one hand.
Got to. You're loosing a lot of blood.
[pants]
[grunts]
- Let it be. - No.
Now, stay put. I'm going for help.
[g*nsh*t]
[dramatic music]
"The woods are made for the hunters of dreams
"the brooks for the fishers of song.
"To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game.
The streams and the woods belong."
Paul Martine was such a man.
He had chosen death over returning to prison.
And had d*ed as he lived, in his beloved forest.
Even though vengeance had destroyed him
the sorrow I felt for Paul was one of loss.
For we are all diminished when a simple man of honor
passes from our ranks.
[instrumental music]
[theme music]