Taxicab Murders Cagney and Lacey

One way in 89th. Go through the park.

It's a gorgeous day, eh?

Is there a problem up there? Or do you just like my face?

The park'll be jammed. Mind if I go up Central Park West?

-I say, you mind if I cut up Central Park West 86th?

-I've been on to you from the start.

You sprinkle the place with perfume and think you're Queen of the Nile.

-Huh?

-You know what I'm talking about!

You sit in your throne swilling down MY LIQUOR.

-Look, mister, I...

-You want some rough? All right!

-Come on! Yeah! Are you crazy?

-HE SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY

-I'll kill this cab over. Sit back where you belong. Cut that out.

-THEY LAUGH

-Agnes!

Good imitation of Stanley Kowalski! He never breaks character.

-I hope he passed.

-You never saw A Streetcar Named Desire?

-Harvey used to do an imitation of Brando.

-Harvey?

-Yeah, like this...

-"Mary Beth. Hey, Mary Beth."

-Ladies!

-We've been waiting.

-Sorry. I had a screwball on my last run.

Me, too. I got this drunk offering me 20 bucks to drive in reverse. He barfed all over the seat...

Save the anecdotes for later. OK, this is where we are.

We got a report from the Medical Examiner on the third murder.

The fibre samples from the cab belong to the driver.

What about latents on one and two?

Do you know how many prints are on a New York cab? It'll take weeks to lift a print.

The MO on number three was identical to one and two.

Driver found outside the cab. Killed by a single blow to the head. No evidence of robbery.

What we have here is a pathological killer going after cab drivers.

-Keep driving?

-Yes. 8am tomorrow get out there. Any questions?

-No, sir.

-Let's check the maps.

-You are a detective, Cagney.

-I feel like a decoy. We ride around waiting for this guy to hit again.

-Why can't they let uniforms do it?

-Cos uniforms are not trained in undercover investigation - you are.

-There are 10,000 cabs in this city. We've got 100 cops in them, that's 100 to 1 odds.

-So?

-You got a better idea?

-Yeah.

-We could follow forensics, check psychiatric hospitals.

-Yeah. OK.

-I'm in the cab eight hours a day.

-Never heard of overtime?

All right, it's a lousy detail, OK. You've got my sympathy.

We've got at an ugly situation. 20% of the cabbies don't want to work.

We'll have a city without cabbies.

You find a way of nailing this crud without driving a cab, tell me.

This is the one I like. Keep it to yourself.

Taxi!

You can never get a cab when you want it.

-Any luck?

-You kidding?

-"Cagney, it's a lousy detail and you've got my sympathy, but..."

-8am tomorrow.

-Back in the cabs.

Well, join the police force and see the world(!)

How does a guy get a cab driver out of his cab? Has a cab driver ever opened the door for you?

Once, when miniskirts were in.

Maybe for an elderly person.

Wheelchair. A nun, maybe.

Hardly your homicidal killer types.

How about somebody with groceries?

I got it!

A nun...with groceries.

-I think it's time to go home.

-Me, too.

If I could just get a cab!

Don't you think Harv looks like a younger Marlon Brando?

-Definitely.

-STRONG NEW YORK ACCENT: Mary Bet. 'Ey, Mary Bet!

Seriously.

You know, when he was thinner.

CAR HORNS BEEP

You are a sitting duck out there.

-Chris is with me in a back-up car.

-This guy has killed three times. What is Chris going to do?

-The man's MO is he gets out the cab...

-Don't give me that. You are bait for a killer.

-It's my job.

-Your job is to protect people, not drive around waiting for somebody to kill you.

-It's dangerous and I don't like it.

-Who wanted to work in construction with inner ear problems?

Nobody was trying to kill me. I don't want them to shake my hand

and tell me about the ultimate sacrifice you made for New York. Neither does Harvey Jr or Michael.

Then don't show up. I don't need you.

The problem is I think he's losing interest in me. Physically.

Well, we've been married 22 years. I suppose that's to be expected.

He could be playing around on the side.

What do you think?

I really don't know.

Well, this is it. 23rd and 7th.

-HARVEY'S ACCENT:

-Hey, Mary Bet.

-Knock it off, Christine. Wanna take a break?

-I got a better idea. Follow me.

-Yes, ma'am.

Box the two, the six and the nine.

For a 20 dollar exact in the fourth race. And...

And 100 to win on the two.

Yeah. That's it.

-Nut?

-No. Betting's a waste of money. Nobody's lucky enough to win.

Luck has nothing to do with it. I'm a scientist. I study racing forms methodically.

-There's always a clue to the winner. Want a nut?

-What have you got?

-I found a fibre.

Fibres occasionally lead to information. It's a long shot.

-Don't hold your breath.

-What do you have that'll lead us to the killer?

Position of the body tells us the driver was bent over, turned away.

The depth of the wound indicates a strong man - 200 pounds. The angle of entry suggests tall.

6'1", 6'2", 6'5".

-What about the weapon?

-The wound is deep and long.

-Like a pick, but with more weight behind it.

-Do you have a hunch?

I don't play hunches. Not at the track, not here. I make educated guesses based on scientific fact.

-This is a specialised tool.

-You tell us what to look for, we'll find it.

Imagine a hammer, about 10 or 12 inches long, but a thin pointed tip.

No, don't hurt her. Please! Mommy.

Don't hurt her. Mommy!

-Mommy, Mommy.

-What's the matter?

-Stop hitting. Stop hitting her.

-It's OK. It's all right.

It's a nightmare. You wanna warm up some milk?

-You were bleeding. He hit you.

-No, I'm not...

-Momma's here. Look. See?

-But I saw it.

-Ssh!

(You'll wake your brother. Come here. Let's go. There we go.)

-You had a pretty nasty dream.

-Yeah.

I'll read you that book about the boy that built the tree house?

-I'm too old for stories.

-Sometimes when I've had a bad day, I get your daddy to read to me.

-Don't go to work tomorrow.

-Huh?

-I heard you fighting about the taxi driving last night. Daddy says it's like being a sitting duck.

-Oh, no...

it's not really dangerous. I got a back-up car, got a radio.

Can't you ask Mr Samuels to do something, like answer the phones?

-Lieutenant Samuels wouldn't order me to do anything dangerous.

-Yes, he would. You'll get killed.

-I know it.

-No, I won't, Michael.

-Please, don't go out in the cab again, please.

-OK, I won't.

-I'll ask Lieutenant Samuels to give me something else.

-Promise?

-Mm-hm.

-Cross your heart?

-Cross my heart.

Give me a hug.

You feel better? ..OK.

I never lied to him before.

-It wasn't a total lie. You promised him you'd ask Samuels. Samuels will say no. You asked.

-How can I lie?

-It's something we said we'd never do.

-It'll work itself out.

I researched the murder weapon. There are few jobs that use a tool like Max described.

-I levelled with him about Santa.

-Read that. Archaeologists,

bricklayers, geologists, gold prospectors...

We can forget the gold prospectors. These pants are cutting me in half!

-So, do you want to hit a couple of hardware stores?

-You're not listening to me.

I heard every word you said.

-You promised you'd never lie to him, you levelled about Santa.

-You heard, but you're not listening.

He had a bad dream. A nightmare. You made up a story to help him go back to sleep. What's so wrong?

-I have to make him understand the work.

-How can a nine-year-old understand the work we do?

-What are you - Dr Spock, all of a sudden?

-Hey.

You want to make yourself miserable? So be miserable.

For my money...

I think you're a terrific mother.

If you're not doing the job...

All right, we gotta hit the cabs. Samuels, you know...

Terrific mother.

Come on, gorgeous. Time to get your fingertips dirty.

You've outdone yourself.

I'm a mime. You're a pickpocket. A LOUSY pickpocket.

Watch this.

Man in a box.

What do you think, Marcus?

-I think his future isn't picking pockets.

-You're a philistine.

You've got no sense of the absurd. You ignore the existential statement inherent in the man in the park.

-You see, we're trapped.

-Arnie, please.

Sergeant, have you got a print pad?

-You're supposed to be driving a cab, not studying geology.

-We're on our way out.

-How you doing, Arnie?

Eight hours in a cab means eight hours in a cab.

What's this clown doing here again? Miming. Watch this.

Eucalyptus tree in the wind.

A mime is not supposed to talk.

Arnie, enough.

-It's the right angle. Where did you find it?

-In a hardware store.

-RADIO IS ON

-What are the chances that's it?

-Two to one. ..Get off the rail. Someone ought to kill that jock.

-Max...is that the right way?

-Oh.

22 ounces. In the ball park. Think rocks and you're on the right track.

-Geology.

-Three to two.

Can you beat that? Falls apart on the stretch like a cheap suit.

-Max, did you get anything on the fibre?

-Check with Connor.

Thank you, Max.

Bernie, I want to get down on the second...

"Out of the 1646 discrete fibre traces found in the vehicles,

"we are able to establish positive measure on 11 fibres.

-"Eight should be disregarded forensically due..."

-WORKMEN DRILL

-CHRIS IS MUFFLED

-Get to the point.

-"..Two are outside normal testing limits for admissible evidence."

-DRILLING CONTINUES

"Leaving a pure wool dye number 3346 blue,

-"found in US Navy issue clothing commonly called pea jackets."

-HORNS BEEP

"It's made especially for the US Navy and is not available..."

-Pea jackets. We got something!

-If you don't move, we got a riot!

HORNS CONTINUE TO BEEP MAN: Let's go!

WHISTLE BLOWS

Who else do you know, besides students, who wears pea jackets?

-I bet 85% of pea jackets are worn by students.

-Max would love that!

We got a peacoat, a geology pick, so suddenly it's a geology student?

-Beats riding around as a decoy.

-This is not the only college with a geology department.

-We'll got to NYU, City...

-Could be a sailor who likes rocks.

We'll go to the Seaman's Institute.

-Why would a cabbie get out of his cab for a student?

-I don't know!

Mary Beth, it's called police work. We run down leads.

19 out of 20 don't pay off. But it's the only way I know how.

One hour before we get off, and I can quit feeling guilty and you can quit telling me how to do my job.

Right. One hour.

And it's rush hour. You want to sit bumper to bumper? I don't, so come on. If you want...

Do you want to go with me?

I'm doing this for Michael, not for you.

Great.

Geology's stupid!

I don't understand these percents. Can you help me? TV IS ON

That's easy. Percents are like ratios, like a part out of 100.

4% just means 4 out of 100.

So, like a sales tax of 8%, means you pay 8 cents for each dollar.

I thought you said out of 100.

Don't be dense, it was an example. Don't call me dense.

I'm trying to help you. Forget it. Mom'll help me.

You know where Mom hid the marshmallow cookies? No.

What time's she coming home? I don't know.

'On October 9th, a cab driver was found murdered in Manhattan.

'John Frielick, 47, was found bludgeoned to death beside his cab,

'The police believe it is related to the brutal slayings that have terrorised the city's taxi drivers.

'Frielick, father of three, had 41 on him. The money was not taken.

'We have an exclusive interview with Frielick's widow. We go to Sandy Taylor in the Bronx...'

What are you doing? Kojak's on.

I'm calling Mom.

You're not supposed to call her at work unless it's important.

'I'm taking a look at a couple of cars we got here. How about this?

'Power steering, stereo...'

-PHONE RINGS

-La Guardia of 14th Squad.

-Is Detective Lacey there?

-Harvey Jr?

-No, Michael. Is my mother there?

-This is La Guardia. Anything up?

-No, I just wanna talk to her.

-She's not here at the moment.

-I thought she was supposed to be there.

-I beg your pardon?

-Never mind.

-I'll get her on the car radio.

Hold on. Just a moment. ..Anybody know Lacey's cab contact number?

Michael? Michael, are you still there? Michael.

That lady at Hunter was testy.

-It's not privileged information and I can always subpoena it.

-You know how long that takes?

-I know.

-But people in these registrar's offices don't.

-Swell.

-How will we get computer time?

-Hopper owes me. I got her tickets for a sold-out Vivaldi concert.

-Oh, opera.

-Chamber music. The cellist lives beneath me.

Here they are. What do you intend to do with this information?

-We want copies of names, addresses.

-We want to run it against our criminal records programme.

You don't think anybody in this department is a criminal?

-We hope not, ma'am.

-Do you have a copy machine?

-Down the hall in 202.

-Terrific. I'll bring these right back.

-5 minutes.

-Three possibles. Two misdemeanours - one with felony.

-What's the felony?

-Marijuana.

-No.

-And the third?

-I saved the best till last.

-It's her sense of the dramatic! Give me that.

-Uh-uh, Cagney.

Mitchell Cavanaugh, aged 28, first arrest 1979 - assault.

1980 - assault with intent to do harm. Remanded to the psychiatric hospital for observation.

1982 - possession of explosives.

Re-evaluated Spring Valley and released. 1983, June. Manslaughter. Extenuating circumstances.

3 year's probation and psychiatric treatment as an outpatient. Nice guy to have at large.

-Got an address?

-Yes. And blood type and religious persuasion.

-Thanks. We gotta run. Enjoy the Vivaldi.

-It's Schubert...

Peasants!

-We gotta be at the garage in 48 minutes.

-If we bring Cavanaugh in, we're out of those cabs.

We've got to prove if it is him.

-Sixth and Avenue B.

-We can make it if we move. ..We're on a roll.

TV IS ON

Number 4.

I don't think we've got a case.

We'll ask some questions to find out his whereabouts. Look for a pick and peacoat.

-We can't arrest him for owning a peacoat.

-If we get a positive fibre match we can.

-Yeah.

-Detectives Cagney and Lacey. NYPD. Mitchell Cavanaugh?

-Yes.

-We'd like to ask you some questions.

-About what?

-Can we come in?

-You got a warrant?

-No. But we can get one.

-Then get one.

-What do we do?

-We get one.

-You want a search warrant?

-That's what I want. 634 Avenue B, apartment 4. Mitchell Cavanaugh.

-Whatta you got?

-A geology student with a history of violent crimes.

-That's pretty weak, Cagney.

-I know. I've got a gut feeling.

-Suspect won't co-operate?

-No.

-Must be one of those law students.

-Geology.

-Oh, rocks, right.

You, two, leave no stone unturned, huh(?)

-I beg your pardon?

-It's wit, Cagney. Geology - stone?

Got it, Lieutenant.

I'll see if someone's got a judge who owes him one.

-Thank you. How fast can you get it?

-Tomorrow. You in the cab?

We're checking one out now. We're on the noon to eight shift.

-OK. You just keep driving.

-Yes.

-Paul.

-Joe.

You know someone in the DA's office who's got a favour coming to them?

-A warrant?

-Mm-hm. A long shot.

Try Ken Dickerson. He lost a murder last week on excluded evidence.

I think the judge was Roshenberg.

-What is it with this guy? Is he living here?

-They release him on recognisance.

Domino In Spiritus Sanctus.

I like it, I like it - but not enough to kiss it.

Pickpocketing's bad enough - but in St Patrick's cathedral?

Tacky, isn't it? Pride goes before the fall, Isbecki.

How much did you get this time?

Six wallets and a gold rosary.

Mmm, not bad. We may be able to bump you up to grand larceny.

The meek shall inherit the earth. Just remember that.

I'll keep it in mind. Do you still live with your mother?

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

'Control to car 11.'

Car 11.

'I have a message for Detective Lacey to 10-1 his precinct.'

Car 11, 10-4. HIS precinct.

Tried Freddy Selble's house?

Or what about the schoolyard?

It's not seven, Harv. Calm down. I'll be there as soon as I can.

-What happened?

-Michael didn't show home from school.

-Cover for me, will you?

-Yeah.

Give me the keys.

He's supposed to be home at four. We were going to buy sneakers.

-Did you try Judy Gabler?

-She's a girl. He wouldn't be there.

-They worked on a project.

-What's the number?

-5559...

-9 what?

-9658.

-Know how many kids are abducted?

-We get calls like this all the time.

Nine times out of ten they show up within an hour.

Hello. This is Harvey Lacey, Michael's father.

Yes, ma'am. Is my son at your house, by chance?

I see. No, there's nothing wrong. We're just waiting for him.

-Who else?

-Honey, do you know any place else he might be?

I already told Dad. We tried the video arcade, the movies...

-I'm going to call every kid in his class.

-There's 42 kids. I don't have all their numbers.

-It's only 8 o'clock.

-What about the precinct?

-I tried them before.

-They went to his school. That's the best they can do.

-Thank God for the police.

-Honey.

-Why don't we have something to eat?

-I'm going back out in the car.

-Want something to eat?

-No.

FUNK MUSIC PLAYS ON A RADIO

POP MUSIC PLAYS

KNOCK ON DOOR

ANOTHER KNOCK

-Who is it?

-Michael Lacey.

-Michael?

-Hi.

-You OK?

Wanna come in?

You sure live in a funny place. It's like a factory from the street.

-Do your parents know you're here?

-Uh-uh.

-Who are you calling?

-Your parents.

-Don't, please.

-Michael. I've got to.

-They'll come and get me.

Look, they'll be worried about you.

I'll call them and tell them you're here, you're OK and ask if you can stay till 10. Is that a good deal?

I guess so.

OK.

-How did you get here?

-The bus to Kew Gardens, E train to 53rd,

the IRT downtown, then walked. A man was throwing up on the subway.

Harvey, it's Chris.

I haven't got much. I usually eat out.

-Do you like veal pate?

-What's that?

Well...

It's kinda like meatloaf.

That's OK. I'm not really very hungry.

Who's that guy in the picture?

-James Cagney, the actor.

-Is he in your family?

-No.

We just have the same last name.

So, er... what do you think of the Jets?

I mean... Do you think they'll get their act together this year?

-Where do you keep your gun?

-Hidden.

-You ever shoot it?

-I've fired it.

-How many people did you kill?

-I've never killed anybody.

-How come?

Some cops can go their whole career without shooting anybody.

-Did my mom ever shoot anybody?

-You ought to ask her.

-She won't tell me the truth.

-Michael, is that why you're here?

She said she wouldn't drive the cabs, and she did.

Well... She didn't want you to worry about her.

But this taxicab man. I heard about him on TV. He killed three people.

-And we're going to get him.

-Yeah.

We are!

-Huh? We think we know who he is.

-So why don't you arrest him?

We need a warrant, we need evidence...

-Does he really use an ice pick?

-He uses a geology pick.

-Aren't you scared?

-Yeah. I'm scared sometimes.

You're pretty. You don't have to be a cop. You could be a movie star.

I like being a cop.

Thank you, though.

-Why did he go to Christine's?

-I'm glad she was home.

-She can't talk to kids.

-How do you know?

-I know.

-What is this? You jealous cos your son can talk to someone else?

-No.

I asked you not to drive the cab. Mikey asked you. You drove it...

-I'm not having this argument again.

-I understand things, Mikey is nine. You got to make him understand.

What do I tell him? About babies with burns on their belly?

Or how about dead junkies with the needle hanging out their arm?

Or a hooker that got beat up cos she didn't bring in enough money. How do I tell our kid that?

-Huh?

-I don't know.

I don't know.

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Hi.

-Hi, Chris.

Hey!

Like a light, you bum.

He was really wiped out.

-One bus, two subways and a six block walk.

-We better get him home.

Come on, baby. All right.

-Let's go.

-Keep the quilt. Mary Beth can bring it to me in the morning.

-Thank you very much, Chris.

-You're welcome.

-Why don't you go ahead and get the elevator. I'll be one minute.

-A minute.

-What did you tell him?

-Nothing he didn't know. He heard La Guardia trying to get the cab call number.

-He's a terrific kid.

-Yeah.

-He really is.

-He's just scared.

-Yeah.

-About the cab.

-Yeah.

Maybe you oughta talk to him. I don't know.

-Hey, what do I know about kids?

-Did he eat anything?

Hey, Mary Beth.

-Just like Brando.

-Yeah.

-Um...see you in the morning.

-Bye.

He wants a glass of water.

-He woke up?

-Soon as his head hit the pillow.

-Can I take it to him?

-Sure.

-How was that?

-Thanks.

Michael, I love you very much. You know that, don't you?

And I'm...

I'm so glad you're safe.

I did something wrong, Michael. I lied to you.

I'm sorry. I hope that you'll forgive me.

I did it because I don't want you to worry and you wound up worrying, so it was a bad idea.

I'll tell you what, though. I learned something very important.

If you want to know something, ask me. I'll tell you the truth.

If you don't understand it, I'll try to explain it to you.

Can we try it that way for a while, see how it works? What do you say?

Come on, Michael. Don't do this to me.

Don't hold out on me. If you don't give me a hug soon, I'll cry.

Come on, sweetheart. We both need it. Give me a hug.

SHE SIGHS

That's my boy.

That's my beautiful boy.

Kiss.

Give me a kiss. Give me a kiss.

You can have them back tomorrow. Bright and early. You got my word.

Thanks. I appreciate it, Captain.

-I got you sprung for today, but just today. This thing goes nowhere, you're back in the cab.

-Sir.

-What about the warrant?

-Pick it up at Roshenberg's office.

Top of the morning, Mr Cavanaugh.

-You two. You got a warrant...?

-Signed by Judge Roshenberg. May we come in, please?

Go ahead.

Am I under arrest, or something?

-Sit down, relax.

-Not yet. What do you think, Mary Beth?

-6'1", 190 pounds - fits our description.

-What you looking for?

What are you looking for?!

-Number two.

-What do you mean, number two?

You got a geology pick, Mr Cavanaugh?

-You might as well Miranda me. I don't have to say a word.

-You don't.

We can ask you questions. If you don't answer, that's your business.

-I'm calling my lawyer.

-Good idea.

-Felix, please.

-Mary Beth.

-Yeah?

-That's three. Put the phone down.

-Mr Cavanaugh, officially you have the right to remain silent...

Should you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can be held against you in court.

Tell us your whereabouts on Wednesday September 26th.

-My client has no memory of that day.

-How about Monday October 1st?

No memory.

The last one's only six days ago. Wednesday October 9th.

No memory.

Why do you play ball with us? We'll only have to hold your client, put him in front of a jury.

What are you going to hold him on? A pea jacket and a pick?

He fits the physical description.

What physical description? Come on.

We've established that the killer was 6'1", 180-220 pounds.

We're waiting for the fibre tests and latent fingerprints.

Those tests come up negative, and you're facing a false arrest charge.

I'm talking...

300 to 400 grand. Easy.

Out of court.

Lieutenant wants to see you both in his office. Right away.

Why don't you see if you can remember something?

We'll be back.

I think he's our man. His attorney won't let him talk, he fits the...

-He's not your man.

-Have the fibre tests come in?

-Has he got an alibi?

-Doesn't need one. They got the killer a half-hour ago. Caught him in the act.

-An undercover officer got him. Wanna know how he got 'em out of the cabs?

-Yes, sir.

Wheelchair. He used a wheelchair.

Cabbie picks the guy up, puts the wheelchair in the trunk, then drive to some out of the way place.

Then when the cabbie got the wheelchair out...

-You got the rest of it, right?

-Sir.

-Was he at least wearing a peacoat?

-Why don't you read the report?

I tell you one thing. You got one thing right. Geology pick. They found one on him. It was good work.

Thank you, sir.

What are you looking like a pair of drowned puppies for?

The guy's nailed. You two got the lead on the murder weapon.

Killer's off the streets. AND...you don't have to drive a cab any more.

Thank you, sir.

Wheelchair. Didn't I say wheelchair?

Nuts!

Victor.

Hi.

-Could you do me a favour?

-Sure.

There's this man over in the interrogation room, Mr Cavanaugh and he has his attorney,

and I was wondering if you could tell them they can go now.

-For me?

-Sure.

-How are you doing with the cabs?

-We got promoted. Thanks, Victor.

Sure.

It's good news. Michael Lacey, for one, will be delighted.

-How is the truant?

-You're better with kids than you think you are.

-Thank you.

-Thank YOU.

Hard to believe. With the pick and the peacoat, physical description, no alibi. It's hard to believe.

I'd like to get him on something. Or his lawyer. False arrest suit?!

Did you check the suit on him?

-29 bucks. 14th Street.

-Hand me that pending file, will you?

Take your pick.

OK, we got a burglary, grand loss on the auto, a bar armed robbery.

No witnesses there. 28 people in that bar. Nobody sees anything.

-How about a flasher on the BMT?

-Give it to the transit police.

-How about lunch?

-THAT'S a good idea.

-Some place outrageous.

-Name it.

I have this sudden urge for scampi.

-I have 16 dollars.

-My treat.

-Wait, I forgot the car keys.

-We'll take a cab.

-I'll get the keys.

-Yes.

Subtitles by Ailsa Macaulay BBC Broadcast 2003

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