A Killer's Dozen Cagney and Lacey

There are 20,000 uniforms in this city.

That's 80% of the Force.

And, if they walk, your contract binds you to fill in for them until they go back to work.

We go back on the beat? In uniform.

Failure to do so can result in the loss of your gold shield.

How are 5,000 detectives gonna cover the city?

Badly - but at least there'll be a police presence. That's why they want you in uniform.

Al, when the patrolmen went out in '70, a lot of detectives called in sick to support them.

Right. That's why they have this clause - calling in sick without due cause is dereliction of duty

and punishable by loss of rank and benefits.

Can we talk, sir? No. The strike vote is at midnight. They'll walk or they won't walk.

Now what about this Don Juan thing?

We're questioning florists and following leads. So you're nowhere.

We've been working on it three months. 11 murdered women and this guy's still on the loose.

City Hall's getting pressure to act.

So they're putting together a special homicide task force.

What exactly does that mean? It means a group of detectives will work exclusively on this case.

Their own HQ, budget and personnel. But we caught the first homicide. It should be our case.

It has been for three months.

Are Chris and I off it? These guys have nothing else to do but solve this case.

They got access to computers and plenty of manpower. They're pros.

What are we? Chopped liver? That is not what I meant, Cagney.

Now go down there and give them what you can. They want your case file.

And you can help in your spare time. What spare time?

You each get an hour for lunch.

Yes, sir.

Christine...

It's not our fault. Why call in the marines? Cos he's still out there.

They'll catch him with a computer?! We've followed up every lead and talked to every ditz and fruitcake.

Don't take it personally. Two more days a week and we'd nail this guy.

Where can I find Detective Crespi?

Thank you.

Detective Crespi? Yeah. What?

I'm Detective Cagney. This is Detective Lacey. We caught the first homicide. Is that it?

Yes, sir.

Wait. This is a photocopy. We keep the originals for our files, sir.

Is it all here? Yeah. Victims, witnesses, next of kin, forensics, leads, the works.

OK, good. Thank you.

OK. I'll be in touch if I need any clarification. Excuse me.

Hey, look, we've put a lot of time and legwork into this. We'd like to keep our hand in. Detective...

Cagney. Cagney. I've got six full-time detectives, three secretaries, ten phonelines,

24-hour coverage and computer time.

That should be enough manpower. Could you call us at least if you get a break? We... Yeah, will do.

What a charming man(!)

Honey, they've been working without a contract

since January 31st. I don't care. It goes with the territory. They've got rent, gas, electric.

Mary Beth, they take an oath to protect society. You think doctors should strike? They're different.

Yeah? Well, if those guys walk, this city will be a war zone.

Every lowlife will think he's Al Capone.

You wouldn't walk, would you? Depends. On what? The offer and how bad I was hurting.

You hurt, I give you a back rub.

Ohh...

Magic touch. Let's get into bed early tonight.

No, I'm gonna listen to the news. Why? So you can lose a night's sleep? Find out in the morning.

There's mint and chocolate chip ice cream. We'll have an orgy.

What kind of a girl do you think I am?

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

Christine?

Oh, no.

Yeah, all right. Tell them I'll be there in an hour.

What happened?

Uniforms are going out.

If I don't breathe today I should be all right. I swore I'd never wear this thing again.

Not even on Halloween.

I cannot do this lousy tie! Can you help? It's driving me nuts.

I keep in practice with Harvey. I never saw Harvey wear a tie.

Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, weddings, funerals and the track.

And the track?! Brings him luck.

I can't believe they're going out. They're setting up a picket line.

Terrific. That's all we need - police harassment.

Thanks.

Christine, I hate to cross a picket line. It's not your union.

It used to be. It's not any more.

That lettuce thing - I used to walk six blocks to go to another supermarket. Well, get ready.

You could lose your gold shield. They could lose their rent money.

You agreed not to strike. Your father went out.

What does he have to do with this? A lot.

Because he went out, we have better pay, better benefits... You paid your dues! Ten years in uniform.

Come on.

What if it was us going out?

I don't expect anyone else to fight my battles for me.

Let's look at us.

Well, it'll be an interesting roll call. Let's go.

Come on!

You're pretty good with that thing.

My first beat was Washington Heights. Tough neighbourhood then.

You had to be pretty good with this baby. Your uniform looks like it's from the Civil War. Korean War.

Not bad! Not bad at all! A little butch, maybe...

All right, everyone. Come here.

Until such time as they come back, this is the way it's gonna run.

12 hours on, 12 hours off. We'll set up a temporary dormitory so some of you can stay over.

You retain your rank as detective, but you will stay in uniform because the key word is visibility.

I want you out on the streets. Take only priority calls.

Deputy Inspector Knelman and myself will be here at the precinct at all times. Any questions?

What about our active caseloads? Stay with them if you can, but your priority is the streets.

Anything else? No, sir. Get yourself blue and whites.

Paul... Yeah?

Get fitted for a new uniform.

They don't make 'em like this now. No synthetic fabrics.

You look like the Keystone Cops.

What's funny? It looks like a suit of armour. You'll never get shot.

Wait a second. Where's Petrie?

He...called in sick, Lieutenant. What's wrong with him?

He's got a 103 fever.

CHANTING OUTSIDE

Come on. Wanna stay in uniform forever? No.

We're bound by a contract. Just keep walking.

BOOS AND CATCALLS

Scab! Scab!

Scabs!

Stow it, Mallory.

Get out of here! Traitors!

You get in trouble some day, don't bother radioing in for a back-up!

We got it over the radio. What time did it go down? Last night.

Time? I don't know that yet.

You get an ID on her? I'm very busy. Check with Detective Chan.

So does it look like number 12?

Don't give me an attitude, Crespi! We're both detectives. Looking good, Canfield. Cagney.

Cagney. So how is it you men are not in uniform?

We don't look as pretty as you do.

Patricia McConnell, age 32, 547 East 64.

Blonde, young, attractive. We've got the location, the red rose, strangulation...

Who the hell does he think he is? Huh?

Crespi. A detective, second grade. He can't pull rank on us.

Forget him, will you? I don't like his attitude. The key is figuring out how he knows where they live.

The... Like he's the only detective in the damn city! Give it a rest.

Oh, wait. Pull over here. Look, she's on fire.

You're on fire? No, he slammed right into me. It was his fault!

Lady, you didn't signal! She just stops!

Look what you did to my car! Lady, you could eat off that car!

Don't be impertinent. You know what you can do with "impertinent"! Button it up.

Licence and registration.

It's worth a shot. We gotta go through Crespi.

Why? He's got all the telephones. This is not even our case any more.

We're not even supposed to be here. You want ME to do it? No!

No.

Detective Crespi, please. Detective Cagney, 14th.

Probably forgot my name again.

Yeah, Crespi? This is Cagney.

Cagney!

Look, we have a theory you may want to follow up. We figure he got access to addresses through a bank.

A bank teller or loan officer. 9 out of the 12 women worked, they probably had bank accounts,

so we thought...if you wouldn't mind...calling their employers,

you could find out where they banked and it could be... You're welcome. What did he say?

"Thank you." That's what he said.

He won't do it, I'm telling you.

Come on, we gotta get back out. Wait, I'm calling Marcus.

TELEPHONE RINGS

I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, hi, Mary Beth.

He's in bed with the flu.

Yeah.

OK, OK. Yeah, thank you. Bye-bye.

I hate lying.

Then don't.

They'll find out sooner or later unless you know a doctor we can bribe.

Marcus, what if they take your gold shield away? Then I'll resign and you won't be married to a cop.

And you won't complain about... Don't pin this on me! Well, get off my case, Claudia!

BABY CRIES

Excuse me. Do you work here? Yeah. So how come you're not on strike?

Wrong union. If you ask me, it's criminal, cops going on strike...

Sir, has anyone been purchasing red long-stemmed roses frequently? The Don Juan killer, right?

I knew it. You knew what? Mr Taliafara. I never liked his face. He's your man.

You have an address on him? Lennox Hill Convalescent Home.

He gives flowers to the nurses. A real lech, even in a wheelchair.

He's in a wheelchair? He's 80 and half blind, but he's the type.

Little beady eyes. You wanna stake out my store, it's OK by me.

Uh-huh. Well, thank you.

Half hour, 40 minutes tops. Is Michael in bed? Did you give him his allergy medicine?

You're the best. ..Yeah, in a while. Bye-bye.

Christine, quitting time.

Crespi never called back. Forget Crespi. Go home, go to sleep.

9.15. It hardly pays.

What about this new man you're seeing? Anyone up for a friendly game of poker?

How friendly? Just bring your pay cheque. Since when do you play poker? I used to play.

Maybe I'll hang around a while. Yeah? OK. Night. Night, Mary Beth.

Isbecki! Deal me in!

All right, Seven Card Stud. Two down, four up, one down.

Ante up.

OK, here we go... OK, wait.

Three of a kind beats two pair, right? Every day. You know how to play? Yes. I played at Barnard.

I bet you had some wild games(!) You wanna just deal, Isbecki?

Train to Coleman. Cowboy to Fernandez.

A duck to the Keystone Cop. And a lady for the lady.

Can you look at your down cards?

I raise.

Oh, that's too rich for me.

Are you sure you wanna call? What you got?

Oh... Read 'em and weep.

I win. Ace, king, queen, jack, ten. A straight. Thank you very much.

Oh. A flush beats a straight. Since when? Since the beginning of time. Right, La Guardia?

Thank you, gentlemen(!)

It has been a pleasure.

Any time.

Be careful out there. There's no cops on the streets. It's dangerous for a lady!

Victor, we shouldn't take her money. How else is she gonna learn?

Hey, are you in, Cohen?

There have been reports of scattered looting. We gotta keep visible. Eat where there's lots of people,

a hot dog or pizza stand. Stay on the street.

We've got to keep it under control. The Mayor is considering sending in the National Guard,

which is just what the strikers want. Questions?

La Guardia, you've got to do something about that uniform.

I was measured for a new one. They promised I'd have it today.

All right, let's get out there. And remember - visible.

All right, that's it. Let's go.

Where's that black detective? What's his name?

Petrie. I didn't see him yesterday.

Bad case of the flu. What colour of flu, Bert?

Oh, no, it's kosher. Running a high temperature.

He send in a medical certificate?

Eh...yeah. On my desk somewhere.

You want some of this here? No, I hate relish. More for me.

It's too sweet. Whenever you're through with the mustard, it could work.

Today(?)

I'm telling you, he hasn't checked it out. But it's a good theory.

It wasn't his idea. There's no point giving ourselves indigestion.

We could make the calls ourselves. Chris! Why not?

We got the case file in the car. But that'll take a lot of time.

Making the calls, getting the right department... So?

So they're gonna have to call us back. So what?

So we don't have an office.

We sure do. Right there.

It's perfect.

Huh? You wanna make phone calls from a booth on Ninth Avenue?

Knelman wanted visibility. ..You got 20 dimes?

Great!

Whatever you say. Thank you. Whatever you say. Really.

Lauren...

Could I talk with your daddy? It's OK.

You're putting an awful lot on the line for this, Petrie.

I realise that, Lieutenant. I didn't know you felt as strongly.

It kinda runs in the family. My father worked in a steel mill.

He organised the first walk-out they ever had until they signed a union contract.

Your father still alive?

Well, times change, Petrie. This is not a steel mill and you've got union representation.

This isn't even your union. It's not the point. You've a kid to feed.

My father had four of us.

That gold shield you've got. You worked pretty hard for that, Petrie.

It would be a shame for you to lose that.

Petrie...

I can't cover for you much longer.

You don't have to.

And what if they bust you down?

I'll quit.

Go back to school. Law, computers, something. I don't know.

I can always boost cars. I know how it's done now.

Well...

Maybe they'll settle this thing.

Maybe.

Lieutenant... Mm-hm?

I appreciate you coming up here. Well, you're a good cop.

You're a damn good cop, Petrie.

Also, you're the only one on the squad who understands Isbecki.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Cagney, 14th.

Yes, that's right.

Can you repeat that again?

OK.

All right. Thank you very much.

Judy Carver. Madison Fidelity Savings and Loan. Five different banks already.

Screw it. Hey, we gave it a try.

I wonder what Crespi's doing.

Probably playing with his computer. Ha! Come on. We'll cruise Tenth Avenue.

Visible.

Six of hearts. Flushing.

Nice town. I spent a week there one night.

So, Cagney, bluff?

Raise.

I think she's running them up the flagpole.

And no-one saluted. Call and raise.

Call.

Sayonara.

Full boat. Sevens over Johnnies.

Does that beat a flush?

Even at Barnard. I'm going downstairs for a while.

Victor, this is criminal. Candy from a baby.

Did anyone twist her arm? She's dropping her whole pay. This is a man's world.

Poker's a man's game. It takes intestinal fortitude. Intestines?! A figure of speech. Whose deal?

TELEPHONE RINGS

Yeah? I think I got it!

What time is it? Birth control pills.

It's 1.21. Where are you? At the precinct. Wanna hear the link?

A doctor. A GYN. Chris, what?

Four of the women were carrying birth control pills. You read the profile of the killer.

Sexually repressed. High sense of morality. What? He resented women who are sexually liberated!

Only three of these women were married. Get it? See what I mean?

Chris, listen to me. It's late...

But it makes sense! What if they all went to the same doctor? Listen! Go home and get some sleep!

OK, OK, I will. Just... Just tell me what you think. Terrific(!)

We'll talk about it in the morning.

What's going on? Nothing. It was Chris. She OK?

Oh, certainly. One o'clock in the morning and she's still working.

She's terrific, terrific.

I'm sorry, honey. How sorry are you?

Harvey!

Hey, Chris?

Hey...

What time is it? 14 minutes of nine. I got here early to beat the picket line. You slept here?

Sorta. How come you didn't go home? When do doctors' offices open?

Doctors' offices? Yeah. Come with me.

I think that you should go home. The nurses will be in by now. They could look in the files.

What if he's a random killer?

Well, where would that leave us? I don't know.

I could be way off base here, but I'd rather be that than nowhere.

OK. So what? You think it's really birth control pills?

It fits the psych profile and explains access to their addresses.

The thing is, they'd all have to go to the same GYN. It's a longshot. It's like that bank theory. Yeah.

Why would they all have to go to the same doctor? The addresses.

Yeah, but say different doctors all wrote prescriptions and they were filled out... Whoo!

Oh! The pharmacist! That's what I was gonna say.

I know that. Mary Beth, you're brilliant.

So why aren't you changed? Come on. We have to go through the doctors.

Come on, Crespi. You've even got the Mayor's office behind you.

You can get answers we can't get.

I know it's a shot in the dark.

What, the banks?

Oh, you finally followed up on it.

Yeah, well, we did, too.

OK, look, what I need from you is the names of the gynaecologists. We'll take it from there.

I promise you, on my gold shield, I will never bother you again.

No, never. Not one word, not one phone call, not for the rest of my entire natural life.

555 2368.

OK.

Think he'll do it? I don't know. I made him a pretty good offer.

He doesn't like you. That's what I'm counting on. There'll be no crime on this corner today.

Your partner in this morning, Detective? No, sir. Still sick.

Must have a pretty nasty case of the flu. Yeah, he's sick as a dog.

How long you two been together as a team? About a year and a half.

You get along?

Sure.

You know, you get used to working together with a partner. It's like a marriage.

Yeah? You get somebody new, you gotta adjust all over again.

It just doesn't feel right.

You know how a guy likes to eat, how he handles a perp, whether he'll be behind you going through a door.

You know what I mean?

Sure.

So, if I were you, I'd help him get better real fast.

Real fast.

Like tomorrow.

I played your favourite song, Marcus. You're Driving A Nail Through The Centre Of My Heart.

You want a beer? No. Drinking on duty AND in uniform?

Sorry, I forgot. Must be tough being back in uniform. It's not that hard.

This thing fits me pretty good. And the looks from broads!

Women, Victor. You been hanging around with Cagney and Lacey?

So, how's the station? Great. Great.

Look...Victor, I hope you understand what I'm doing.

Sure. We talked. I understand. I don't feel very good about walking out on you. Don't worry.

So who have they got you working with? Cohen. He's a nice guy.

Yeah. We went for lunch down to that place we go. The greasy spoon on Mercer.

The one with the waitress in the see-through uniform. Gladys!

She asked about you. I told her you were undercover.

Marcus...

Uh, I'm gonna say this right now and I want you to know it's from the heart, not to influence you.

You're the best partner I ever had.

If they take away your shield, they'll have to take away mine.

They'll hear from Victor Isbecki loud and clear.

We reached ten of the doctors.

All prescribed birth control pills within the last three months.

Dates correspond to the murders. Seven were on the same night. OK.

But how do we know which drugstore?

Three doctors use a store at 44th and Park. Within walking distance of their offices or apartments.

All circumstantial, even if you link all 12.

We know that. We have a plan.

One doctor phones in a prescription and I'll go in. We lay a trap.

How do you know he'll strike tonight? We don't. But 7 out of 12 ain't bad odds. We'll keep going.

I think it's worth a shot.

Did you run this by Crespi?

No, sir. We're not exactly on speaking terms with Detective Crespi.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Excuse me?

Hi. Hi. May I help you?

My doctor phoned in a prescription. What's your name? Cagney.

Right. Christine Cagney. Dr Lewis.

I'll need an address on this.

Yeah. 743 Broome Street. That's with an E.

That's way downtown. You work around here? Yeah, over on 48th Street. I just started yesterday.

I haven't seen you before. I never forget a pretty face.

Thank you. How much do I owe you?

14.49, but you pay up front. Oh.

Have a nice day. Thank you.

If he sees anybody at all, he may not make a move. OK?

Paul, you'll be down the street like a wino. You'll be our eyes.

Isbecki, round here, out of sight.

Cagney and Lacey will be in this car round this corner. Walkie-talkie contact. Cagney wears a wire.

Why do I need a wire? I'll bring him down. Can the John Wayne stuff.

I want you to lead him down this street here and into the alley.

Dark, narrow, probably deserted. That's where he'll make his move.

Everybody straight?

Yes, sir. OK, let's get going.

Marcus!

How'd you like to spend the evening in an alley?

I don't have anything better to do.

Good. You roll in five minutes.

Hey, see you in the car.

Hey, Petrie, welcome back.

I'm not back. You're here. Victor told me what was going down tonight so I'm here. Tonight.

Just tonight.

I appreciate it.

Are you all right?

Yeah. A day at the beach, right? It's no big deal.

They say that patients who pretend they're not scared before surgery come out worse... I'm scared, OK?

You happy now?

It's easier if you talk about it.

It's easier for me if I don't.

Lacey?

Read you, Paul. A car just pulled up across from 752.

Is he getting out? Sitting there.

Let's give him a minute. Isbecki? Ready to move? 'Yo!'

Petrie, you ready? 'Right.'

You ready? Yeah.

He's staying put.

Let's do it.

Good evening.

Don't move. We're the police. You're surrounded. Get your hands up.

Higher!

Who's got the evidence bag?

When you didn't re-raise, Isbecki, I knew you were bluffing.

We've been had. We should have guessed when she tripled the stakes.

The Hustler. Great movie. I thought you learned how to play at Barnard.

Bridge. I learned to play poker at my old man's kitchen table. Every Friday night. He was a cop.

You played? Sure. When I was little, I stacked the chips.

Then I sat in. By 16, I was a regular.

You can get busted for hustling. Lousy collar.

Mr La Guardia, I'm sorry, but they tell me I can find you here.

EXCHANGE IN ITALIAN

Grazie. You like it? That's very nice.

Polyester? 40%. Wash and wear. Dry and drip.

Well, what do you think?

It's gorgeous! Are we playing poker here or is this some fashion show?

TELEPHONE RINGS 14th. Detectives in uniform.

Oh, yeah? Oh, that's wonderful.

Thank you. Hey, guys, the uniforms are going back on the next shift.

Get out of these monkey suits! I just got mine!

450 bucks.

Molto grazie. I'm sure I'll find some use for it.

Arrivederci. Arrivederci.

Anybody know a 42 short?

Come on. It's Cagney's deal. Wanna quit while you're ahead? Shut up and deal. Jacks or Backs.

It takes a pair of hooks to open. If you haven't got 'em, low ball. Ante, gentlemen?

Subtitles by Subtext for BBC Broadcast - 2003