Witness to an Incident Cagney and Lacey

We're being invaded. Mara's a little off her beat.

Hello!

Sorry. No sisters.

A comedienne! Wanna try pushing back down to the Twenties? What's it to you?

You wanna move it or what?

I'm supposed to be impressed?

Anyone can buy a shield for a buck. Believe this? Let's make it clear.

Be cool. I'm just gonna reach into my bag and get my ID.

OK?

Mara Frost. Anti-crime Unit.

Just having a little fun, guys!

Terrific!

What are you doing? Gotta be careful, right? Any creep can buy a shield, right?

Come on, guys.

Clarence and Bassili, you got 38 between 1st and Lex. Strimmer, Rotollo, same blocks as Wednesday.

Keep an eye on my shop. I got a new supply of cameras. I can get a good price!

FRIENDLY ARGUMENT Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Please! We're wasting time, here.

Concern for this neighbourhood's giving me stomach cramps! What about the permits?

- We're not cops, Jack.

- We're doing the same job. The bad guys have all the fire power.

M16s we don't have. Use this.

Oliver, you and Hauser are from here to 34th. Let's do it.

Let 'em remember that the Murrayhill Street Team is on the job.

Gentemic. All you have.

I don't know what that is. I'll have to look it up. Hurry.

Gentemic. It's never been approved in this country. You can't get it here.

Something else, then.

Schlep in from Great Neck every day? Come on, Jack. I love Murrayhill.

So do I. But it's getting crazy. But we're winning.

You never know who's hiding in the doorways.

What? Look.

Call in. I got this guy.

This is Oliver. Hyken's Pharmacy.

So far it's been a pretty good night. Tell me about it! Any difference in the class of proposition up here?

RADIO: '..shots fired.' We got a 10-30 two blocks away.

'Maintain visual contact.' I'm trying!

Chris, down the alley. OK, go! I'm right behind you!

GUNFIRE

We got you! Hold it right there!

Police!

No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Hold back that crowd.

The inspector's on his way.

What happened to the other guy? I caught a glimpse of him.

Officer Mead followed. He got away. They were two perps. We shouted. Neither of them stopped.

Nobody knew that Hauser was a member of the Sidewalk Team.

My God, we shot a civilian!

Take it easy. We'll live through this. Get that light outta my eyes!

Who found the guy? I did, sir. We sent the gun to Ballistics.

You'll sign the "Witness To An Incident" forms. They understand that.

How many shots were fired? Two, possibly three. I heard two bangs.

Must have been echoes. Could have been. All these walls.

Were you with Mead? Yes. When did you see the gun in the victim's hand?

I saw the first guy on the fence.

The victim had fallen down. As he got up, he came around like this.

That's when we saw the gun.

Is that right?

I was back there when Hauser fell. I don't really know. That's a different angle.

Did you see Cagney and Mead approach? No. But I distinctly heard them identify themselves.

The shots came after that? Yes.

They were yelling. Hauser and the perp kept moving.

Let's wrap this up back at the precinct. I'll give you guys a lift.

Let them ride in together.

Talk it over. I'm sure you'll find that you both saw the same thing.

The reports won't be typed up until tomorrow.

We're free.

Well, Mary Beth, did we see the same thing?

We saw what we saw.

He had a gun.

Did you see the shadows in the alley? Black as ink.

Mead saw the gun. That's why he fired. What are you saying?

Come on! You had a view! It was dark.

Yeah. But he had a gun. I saw it.

ell, if you saw it, it must have been there.

Loosen up, will you?

Let's go home.

We'll put you on clerical, let 'em cool off.

You guys did first-rate work here tonight. How are you doing, kid?

I'm hanging in. Yeah? Yeah.

I just got word from the hospital. Hauser died.

I tried not to wake you up. You didn't wake me.

Careful, that's wet. I just thought I'd grab a little milk.

Thank you.

This shooting thing's got you, huh? Yeah. It got me.

It's tough with that guy... what's his name? ..dying. Hauser.

Back away from it, babe. Just back away. A man is dead, Harv.

He was a civilian and he's dead.

Now Jerry Mead's life is on the line. He'a a young guy.

You and Chris saw what happened, right?

Mead could lose everything. They could bring charges.

You told them what you saw. That's all you can do. What's the problem? I saw Hauser.

I didn't see any gun.

Oh, babe.

Les Miserables. Required at the academy.

You empathised with the gentleman.

He didn't rip-off $2,000-worth of video equipment! We all got needs!

Sorry! No vision!

Read this.

Jerks. How's Jerry Mead?

I don't know.

We'll sign the statements. He'll be fine.

Did you ever shoot anybody?

No.

Cagney.

Good morning. Good morning. Where's Lacey? She should be here any minute.

You two straightened everything out? Absolutely. We had to consider the vantage point.

It was simply a matter of reconstructing the details.

I've been aware of your work for some time. Have you? Morning. You're late.

Forget it. These are the forms.

Read them to determine that they reflect what you saw. Sign them.

Then what happens? The Firearms Review Board will question Mead and make a finding.

Then he'll go back on patrol? Whenever he's ready. Great.

What's the problem?

I can't sign this. This is not what I saw.

No? I thought that was your statement last night.

I'm changing my statement, sir.

I've tried to reconstruct the incident. When I saw Mr Hauser, he was not holding a gun.

If this form does not represent an accurate account of what you witnessed, you shouldn't sign.

I know that, sir.

Detective Cagney, do you stand by your statement?

Yes. We'll be in contact with you both.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

OK. So it's back to work. Cagney.

See if Oliver can tell you anything about the perp.

And ask Narcotics about the stuff he tried to steal.

Gentemic. You got it? Yes, sir.

I'm sorry, Chris. For what?

What is that? Donuts. You eat 'em(!)

I figured it was just as easy to buy a dozen. Maybe later, huh?

What can I tell you? I'm a nice guy.

What are you running for? Things to do. Can we talk about this?

About what? What are you so mad about? I'm not. If you've something to say, say it!

I want to get to work. You apologised. That wasn't an apology. Good. There's no reason to.

You'll be fine. Just don't let any more puppies scratch you. Bye.

I'll be right with you.

Step in here.

I've been through this a thousand times. Just once more.

He was a little taller than me, blond hair, wearing a blue jacket.

What about before it happened?

Hauser was chasing the man, he turned, saw the officer...

Next thing I knew, he was down.

He never fired at the officer? He didn't HAVE a gun.

We don't carry guns on patrol. I don't know where it came from.

Some cops carry guns for that reason. What do they call it? A throwaway?

No. I saw Hauser with a pistol.

Is that the official version?

Not yet.

Listen, ladies...

we, in medicine, know that, under stress, different people perceive events in different ways.

It has to do with hormones... We know all about them, thanks.

What you saw, or remembered you saw, could be the result of a physiological event.

It seemed real to you, but it wasn't.

We appreciate your time, Doctor.

Detective Lacey?

Yeah. My name is Milton Burns. I represent the widow and children of Jack Hauser.

That was fast(!) I've been legal counsel

to the Murrayhill Sidewalk Team since its inception.

Is there somewhere we can talk? Why?

The family plans to file a wrongful death suit against the NYPD and Mead.

Your testimony will be vital.

This is not the right time.

Eventually you'll have to face this. Send me a subpoena.

I got Narcotics. How much?

Chris? I heard you.

On two.

Gentemic. G...E...N...T...E...M...I...C.

A morphine-derived analgesic.

It's only sold in Sweden. That's what he was asking for. What time?

All right. Thanks.

This stuff going upstairs? Yeah.

Let me keep that one.

"Murrayhill Sidewalk Team."

Do you want it? No. I'm through with it. Thanks for trying to protect me. I wasn't.

Jerry, it's gonna be OK. Sure. It could have happened to anybody.

We both saw the gun, you and me. Just chance that I was the one who killed him.

That wasn't fair. He was right. I was ready to shoot. He just happened to fire first.

Come on, Chris. Mary Beth, it could happen to anybody, even you.

Except you didn't see the gun.

No. I did NOT.

Sure?

Are we finally gonna do this? What? I'm just asking you a question.

What did you want me to do? Tell them I saw a gun I did NOT see?

No...

Why don't we just forget it? Why don't we just finish it?

You made me look like an idiot in there.

I'm saying, "Lacey and I have talked..." That's the problem?

I made you look bad? That's part of it. Give me ALL of it.

I didn't go after this job because I couldn't find anything else.

This MEANS something to me.

What are we talking about?

Our butts are on the line every day. You didn't see that gun.

If you missed it this time, you're gonna miss it next time, too.

Hold it. Here's the Ballistics report. So?

The bullet that they took out of the pharmacist's wrist matched the pistol found by the body.

The perp dropped it getting away. Hauser never had a gun.

You're wrong. The man was unarmed.

Bad shoot. I saw that gun.

Lacey.

'Night. See you tomorrow.

PHONE BUZZES Yes?

Would you come in here, please?

Sure.

Eh...you and Cagney have a problem? No, sir. She's working, I'm working.

But you ain't working together. We don't always work together, sir.

Go ahead. Ventilate. You want me to open a window? What?

Ventilate. Let it all out.

Let me be a sounding board. I don't think so. Don't worry. It's part of my job.

Well, sir, uh...what's going on between Chris and me is really just

a difference of opinion. It needn't concern you. Really.

Good.

Yeah.

Feel better? Sure. Let me know when you want to talk to me again.

I'll have the press here, TV...

I'll have every politician asking why this is being covered up!

SHOUTING

What's going on? Did they arrest the Mayor?

No whitewash! An unarmed man was killed!

The Captain is not gonna listen to you now.

You bet he's gonna listen! We got an eye-witness right here! An eye-witness!

You're not talking to nobody tonight.

Come on. Get 'em outta here!

Why don't you two leave through the garage?

Just a question of breaking the ice.

If you're pros, you work together. They'll work it out.

I disagreed with my partner once. We settled it in a professional way.

How? We stepped into the ring!

And I cleaned his clock for him!

You don't know where, though?

No. It's terrific, Willie. Thanks a lot.

Hey, Petrie, seen Chris?

She called in. She's checking out that pharmacy again. Oh. Look.

Got a break? Narcotics knows all about gentemic.

Never heard of it. It's only available in Sweden.

PHONE RINGS Detective Lacey.

'Just checking in.' We got a break. Two ODs reported from gentemic.

'The stuff the perp asked for?' Yeah. They found the DOAs at the docks.

'The perp may work at the docks. Check the ship...' Easy. We're out of it.

What do you mean? 'We'll have to turn it over to Narcotics.' Yeah. Right.

Uh...OK... Thanks. I'll talk to you later.

How are you doing? It'll be OK.

Hope so. It's been kinda chilly. Narcotics will be taking this off our hands.

They snort it, shoot it, pop it, whatever.

Is it as strong as heroin? Yeah. It's a barbiturate. Sure you don't want some?

Mostly the kids get off on the pills.

GTs. I thought it wasn't available in this country. Neither is heroin!

Comes from somewhere. Europe?

We think.

Willie...

do you have anybody working on this?

We've got undercover guys at the docks all the time.

That's how we know about the ODs.

Who were they? Junkies who probably didn't know what they were dealing with.

This is out of your jurisdiction.

Did you hear about Officer Mead?

Over at Murrayhill? Yeah. Friend of yours?

He's gonna get crucified.

I want the hold-up guy. He was looking for the gentemic.

Tell you what, check out the Queen Mary bar.

We got a bartender down there. Officer Leon Wilson. Black guy.

Contact him.

Thanks!

PHONE RINGS

Hey!

Hello?

Hi, babe. Did I wake you up?

'I was just resting my eyes.' Early day? 'I'm glad you called.'

What's up? I just want to hear a friendly voice.

What do you want it to say?

"I love you. You're terrific." Chris still giving you a tough time? Pretends she never said anything.

It'll blow over. DOOR OPENS

I think that's Michael. Hang on. 'No. You go ahead.'

Hey, I love you. You're terrific.

PHONE RINGS Detective Lacey. 'Willie, here.'

Is Chris there? No. Can I take a message?

Oh, I thought she might check back first. She said she might go to the docks.

'Tell her the undercover guy isn't on today.' Let me check her at home..

PHONE RINGS

'Hello. I can't come to the phone, but if you leave a message...' Willie, where are you now?

Yeah. You got the right idea.

Meet me at Greenwich Street in an hour and we'll talk. I don't wanna be talking here.

Tough to get a drink around here.

He'll be back in a minute. Good. That's good.

You're not from around here, are you? No. Not usually.

How about a little...eh...

Hey! Huh?

Why? It's not my thing, thanks.

What IS your thing? Whatever. Ludes, GTs.

White wine!

You holding?

Yeah. Are you interested?

I gotta score for my old man. If you could give him a price...

We can get together on anything.

I'm sure Chris can take care of herself, but after what happened with Leon...

What?

Some guy fractured his jaw. Last night. That's why he's off.

How did that happen? PCP, probably.

Some crazy. They were all dusted down there.

Let's go. I'm dying for a drink, I got to tell you.

That's not the regular guy, is it?

How the hell do I know? You want those GTs or what? Come on.

OK, yeah.

Come on!

This dude works on a luxury boat. Yeah? Not a bad way to go.

You buy from him? Listen, lady.

My stuff is pure. That's all you got to worry about, OK? OK.

Not where I score or nothing. OK.

Hi. Wanna talk? What about?

I know you're cops. Like your friend, the blonde. Where is she?

I don't know, but I could guess.

Guess!

I got a friend on Rikers Island for soliciting.

If you could get him out... What's his name?

Swear? We'll talk to the DA. Now where is she?

Hey! I don't wanna be trouble. Just gimme the bread.

You gotta be kidding. Come on!

My old man's really gonna... Yeah.

What's the problem? No problem.

Hey!

POLICE!

Spread 'em!

Nice!

Hi! Oh, no!

They know who's bringing in the stuff. You nearly got wasted finding out. I was in control. Huh!

What are YOU so mad about? Who's mad? Don't say thank you.

What are YOU so mad about? Who's mad? Don't say thank you.

Thank you.

We want a man named Gunnar. Sure you have the right ship? Sure.

We could come back with a warrant. It would be easier to see your crew list. This way.

We could come back with a warrant. It would be easier to see your crew list. This way.

This is the entire crew list.

This is the entire crew list.

Here. Oscar Gunnar. When does he get back from leave?

He's here now. Works in the engine room. Where's that? I'll take you there.

Where's Gunnar?

He's working on the catwalk, over there.

Thank you. We'll find him.

There.

That's our guy.

GUNNAR! POLICE!

WE'RE POLICE!

Gunnar, we're gonna get you!

Watch your step here.

There's no place to go, Gunnar!

Hold it there!

Sorry!

Right there! Don't move!

The river's filthy. You'd get hepatitis at least. It's a long drop.

All right, get over here! Speak English?

Not very good. You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent,

if you give up this right, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law...

This is the gun you shot the druggist with? It was an accident. But is this the gun? Yes.

Why did you throw it down? When he shot at me, I had to climb the fence.

When WHO shot at you? The man with the armband.

The man with the armband shot at you? Yes. He had a gun?

Could I have a cigarette?

You were right. Thanks.

OK.

When I saw Jack Hauser, he was not holding a gun.

Maybe he dropped it or it was in his pocket.

I am a good police officer.

I know you are.

Don't ever talk to me like that again, and don't ever question my motives.

OK. So, is this over now?

Not that easy, Chris.

I knew it!

Yeah, uh... So, there was another gun in that alley and it disappeared.

Not by itself, it didn't.

We know Hauser had a gun.

Why are you talking to me? Because you removed it. That's not true.

We arrested the man who robbed the pharmacy. He says that Hauser fired at him.

Six officers are looking for that bullet, when they find it... And they will. ..we'll arrest you.

Let's say someone DID remove the gun from the alley.

He could be prosecuted, correct?

It's a felony. I looked it up.

He could also be charged with possession of a weapon.

All this is negotiable.

Jerry Mead is a good policeman. His life's going down the sewer.

I got to him first...in the alley. The gun was next to him.

I slipped it under my jacket.

Would you take it out? Please?

If you'd found the gun in the alley,

all our work would have been destroyed. One round fired.

I have a child. I didn't want to keep it at home. Don't blame you. You'll have to make a statement.

If you people were doing your job, none of this would have happened.

Mead! I heard about the Board's decision. Congratulations. Thanks.

When are you going back on patrol? Not sure. Gonna take more time off?

I'm not sure I'll go back on patrol. You can't know what it's like. I do.

You shot someone? Yeah.

It's a bitch, ain't it?

How you doin'? I'm a little tired. I think I'm gonna pack it in.

Can I buy you a drink? They'll be waiting for me. Can I just buy you a drink?

You think one is gonna do it? It's a start.

Subtitles by Janice Hamilton BBC Scotland, 1994