Forever Knight (1992) s01e13 Episode Script
Father Figure
Hey! Hey, get back here! You little punk.
[GRUNTS.]
Watch where you're going, you little brat.
No, please! No! [GUNSHOTS.]
You should have checked your arithmetic, Marty.
You should've checked your arithmetic.
[GUNSHOT.]
[BANGING.]
She saw us.
Let's get out of here.
Come on! [SCREECHING TIRES.]
[ .]
NARRATOR: He was brought across in 1228, Preyed on humans for their blood.
Now he wants to be mortal again To repay society for his sins To emerge from his world of darkness From his endless forever night.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
Hey, Del.
Nick.
Where's Schanke? School concert.
His daughter is singing tonight, so he'll be back later.
Ah, you family guys stick together, huh? So what have we got? Looks like a textbook rubout, a contract hit.
Ah, wise guys.
Yeah, they're bad to the bean counter.
Mr.
Marty Angelo, CPA.
Also known to his shady friends As Marty Spreadsheets.
Maybe they didn't like the way he crunched his numbers.
Swim with the sharks and sleep with the fishes.
You know the deal, Marty's skimming off the top.
The Don finds eraser crumbs on his bottom line.
Breaks his heart to do it, because Marty's like a son, but business being business.
so we're dealing with a professional.
Messy but traditional.
Two in the chest, one in the head.
Large caliber, hollow points, judging by the exit wounds.
Whoa, two-car garage.
Huh, in like a sports car, out like a semi.
Leave any casings? No.
No witnesses either.
Another one for the unsolved dumpster.
Detective? [FAST HEARTBEAT.]
He's all yours.
It's okay, you're safe.
Don't be scared.
It's the police.
It's all right, sweetheart, you can come out now.
I didn't do it.
Lousy deal for a little kid to have to face all this murder crap.
Yeah.
Children are resilient, but there's a limit, huh? It ain't easy bringing up kids, Nick.
You should try it.
I want to.
[LAUGHS.]
I do think about it sometimes.
Here, this is for you [AIR RAID SIREN.]
Cor! [WHISPERING AND LAUGHING.]
[GASPS.]
Oh! Put me down.
Let go.
Let me down! Please, miss, make him let go.
Certainly, as soon as we find a policeman.
Air raid warning, miss.
No bobbies out tonight.
Why don't we just call it quits, and I'll be on my way? He's a cheeky little tyke, isn't he? I say we should roast him over a fire.
Hmm, how does that sound, dear boy? Me name's Daniel.
What's yours? Princess something? That's worth at least a shilling.
Here you are, Daniel of the silver tongue.
And that's worth more than money to me, miss, thanks.
You go away now, boy, while you still can.
Daniel Where do you live? Wherever I lay me head.
The gutter, most nights.
Couldn't we at least take him for a meal? Are you listening, Knight? I'm sorry, what? The kid, Lisa Cooper, she's your baby till the father comes home.
Oh, wait a second.
I mean, what about her relatives? None in town.
Father's an oil worker, works the platforms offshore.
Gone away for a month at a time.
We'll get him here as soon as we can.
Meanwhile-- I think Nat's the best choice for the job.
She's, uh-- Not a cop.
You do it.
The Prime Minister's in town, and I'm jammed up all day.
Schanke brought the babysitter in, Mrs.
Demarco.
Talk to her.
And keep the kid under wraps.
I don't got eyes in the back of my head.
What could I do? It's okay, Mrs.
Demarco No one thinks it's your fault.
This is Detective Knight.
Thanks for coming down, Mrs.
Demarco.
Carmella takes care of Lisa when her dad works.
She can be a real handful, that kid.
A good girl, don't misunderstand me, but when Lisa goes her own way Only one she ever listen to was her mama, God rest her.
What happened to her mom? Drunk driver.
Lisa went out on the road, and her mom went after her to pull her back, you know? Lisa has suffered ever since.
She blames herself for her mama's death.
That's too much guilt for a little girl to carry.
Mrs.
Demarco, we've contacted Lisa's dad.
Now, he's coming in on the next available chopper.
Until we're certain that she's out of danger, Lisa will be our responsibility.
He's going to think I couldn't take care of his daughter.
I try my best,but I can't keep up with a kid that age.
You've got to watch Lisa every minute.
She's always sneaking off, getting into trouble.
It's all them comics she reads.
Believe me, Ms.
Demarco, nobody blames you.
I mean, kids are tough.
She's a full time job.
I'm not so young any more.
We'll make sure you get home safely, Ms.
Demarco, and I'll assume protective custody of Lisa.
Whatever you think is best.
Good luck to you, Mr.
Knight.
You'll need it.
This was Stonetree's idea.
I'm not the right guy for this assignment.
You don't like kids, Nick? Yeah, I like-- Your instincts will kick in.
Don't sweat it.
After a few hours with that little angel, you'll probably get the biological urge to have some of your own.
How old are you, anyway? I'm a lot older than I was five minutes ago.
The right age.
You are ripe, man.
You are ready.
Come on, Pops, this is an easy gig.
[SIGHS.]
You'll rent some Disney classics, you'll sit around, you'll play Barbie until your mind turns to mush.
So, the Pope says "No thanks, Sister.
I don't want to pick up any bad habits.
" [LAUGHTER.]
See, Nick? The kid's a real charmer.
Got anything you can use? Let's have a look.
Okay, have these copied and circulated.
Carey, get me an unmarked precinct car? Mm-hmm.
Don't want to take her in the Caddy.
It's too open.
I want her safe and snug.
Okay, you're with me.
Let's go.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Show him the other suspect.
Oh.
Oh, that's real funny.
Is this supposed to be me? You think this looks like me? No.
No, you're right.
You've got much more prominent, um um, nose hair.
That's quite a sense of humor you've got there, Lisa.
Let's hear the siren.
Okay.
[SIREN BLARES.]
Hey, bullets! Hey, Lisa, don't play with those, okay? Ever kill anybody? Well, police work isn't like what you see on TV.
Nothing's like what you see on TV.
Or like you read in the comic books.
Read a lot of those? Many as I can.
Well, maybe you should change your literary diet a little.
I don't eat them.
They keep me company.
You know, when my dad's gone.
You miss him, huh? I wish he didn't have to go away so much.
Well, he has to work.
Maybe he likes his job.
Maybe he hates his daughter.
No.
Man, is he going to kill me for this.
I doubt that.
You don't know me.
II mess up sometimes.
Ever read Janey Jinx? No.
True-blue crimefighter.
She's majorly unlucky.
Trouble follows Janey like a grim shadow.
What do you think? Sounds like a lousy role model to me.
She's not real.
Anyway, some people are born like that.
Jinxed and stuff.
Yeah, I suppose so.
Lisa? What? Get down on the floor.
Now! [TIRES SCREECHING.]
You okay? Wow.
Can I come up for air? Yeah, sure.
They get you? They must have got you, right? I mean, you were right there.
Ah, I'm okay.
Someone doesn't like me very much.
Is that Janey Jinx talking? It's a 10.
33.
Delta, one five, six six.
Yeah, shots fired, Wellington Ave.
Is this your fortress of solitude? Yeah, solitude's a good word.
Can I keep this on? Absolutely.
Hey, Lisa You break it, you bought it, okay? [TELEPHONE RINGING.]
Natalie's bed and breakfast.
Hi, Nat, it's me.
Look, I caught one.
How bad? Oh, you know, I'll live.
Could you? On my way.
Just got a few more customers to tuck in.
Okay, thanks.
What's to eat? Weird.
Are you Italian or something? [GLISSANDO.]
Hey, Lisa, do you mind? Do you got a drinking problem? You know, you ask a lot of questions.
You should be a detective.
I am a detective.
Oh, Schanke Knight? What's shaking? Is diaper duty getting you down already? Listen up, we've been made.
Two perps.
I've already called it in.
Someone took a little target practice at my head.
Oh, they shot at your head, huh? Well, I guess it's got to be our boys.
["I DREAM OF JEANNIE" THEME PLAYING.]
I'll check it out.
Tomorrow.
Now, Schanke.
Dammit, Nick, I'm watching my favorite TV show.
Come on.
Yeah, well, tape it.
Get over here.
I might have a little ballistic evidence for you.
Oh, come on, Knight.
Schanke, bring some food.
Mmm, you're a real pain in the 'roids.
[WHISPERING.]
: What do you like? Pizza, and bring some other stuff, um, you know, stuff kids like.
What? Should I bring a bib and spoon-feed her, too? Huh.
Make yourself at home.
Sure, okay.
[TV TURNS ON.]
You're not married.
No.
Are you straight? Yeah.
And there's nothing in your refrigerator.
Well, I'm not home a lot.
Can I call you Nick? I'd like it if you did.
I'm really sorry about everything, but I'm I'm glad you found me.
Maybe you found me.
Isn't it refreshing to have a little one about the house? Almost as if we were a real family.
It's a strange but sweet sensation.
I think I rather like it.
Now, don't finish it in one bite.
Where are your parents, Daniel? Me mum copped it in an air raid last year.
Don't know where me dad is.
He ran away when I was small.
You have no family to go to? Only an auntie, up north, Sheffield way.
Never met her, but she might take me in.
Course I'd need, uh, train fare.
Couple of quid would do me nice, Nicholas.
We'll see.
Daniel, you are a very lucky boy.
Nick practically flew all over London to find a special treat for you.
Close your eyes.
[LACROIX SNARLS.]
Ta-da! Thanks, princess.
You're a real mate.
Well, go on, play with it.
Where's our supper? I'm starved.
Schanke'll be here any minute.
Where's your girlfriend? Girlfriend? The lady doctor.
You should marry her.
She's got it bad for you, I can tell.
You're nuts, Lisa.
My mom used to say that.
Life's a beach, but it goes on, right? That's what they say.
And on and on and on.
[DOORBELL BUZZES.]
Pizza cop, pizza cop.
Buzz me in, Knight.
[BUZZES DOOR.]
Hey, how you doing? Boy, you are looking mighty, mighty fine.
How are you, Lisa? Spill something on your tie? Where? Got you.
[LAUGHS.]
Kids.
Gotta love 'em, huh? Anything on the shooters? Yeah, located the car.
It's a rental.
Guys used bogus ID.
It's clean as a whistle.
It's already in the shop.
We do not need no stinking dishes.
No dishes.
Pizza time.
Come on, kids, let's wolf it.
Ah, garlic.
This guy has got the weirdest taste of any cop I've ever known.
He doesn't like donuts, he doesn't like burgers Anything else? Of course.
Popcorn.
Cookies.
I mean the case.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, the case.
I'm working on it, working on it.
I faxed a ballistic report and the MO's to the feds for a cross-check.
What else? Ta-da! Well, what else? Got APB's coming out the wazoo.
Also located a mountain of paperwork at Angelo's pad.
Hmm, you think I should leave him any pepperoni? Better him than the floor.
[LAUGHS.]
Isn't she cute? I'm out of practice.
Anyone even remotely resembling Lisa's ID will be sleepwalking through a lineup tomorrow morning.
I rest assured.
Ah, that's great.
How would you like Cincinnati Schanke to show you the fine art of poker? Poker? That's kind of hard, isn't it? Yeah, we tracked her down.
So now the kid's holed up with a cop.
You still want her done, we'll have to whack him also.
Yeah, well, that's not so simple anymore, Vincent.
Whacking a cop ups the ante and our fee.
Okay, sounds good to me, Vin.
Listen, you get the ID and address on a '62 Caddy, plate number three-five-happy, mother-victor-six.
Soon as we get that, your troubles are over.
I call.
Three kings.
Read 'em and weep.
[SIGHS.]
Ante up, pigeon.
Lisa needs new shoes.
New shoes? I just bought your college education.
She's way out of your league, Schanke.
She's just a kid, for Um, do you have ten bucks you can spot me till payday? I'm all tapped out.
You should quit while you still got your shirt.
Lisa, honey You wouldn't borrow money off a little kid, would you? It's happy hour.
Hi, Lisa.
You okay? [SNIFFING.]
Mmm, you do smell nice tonight, doctor.
What are you wearing, eau de formaldehyde? Have you been corrupting this child? Hardly.
You know, it's awfully late.
Shouldn't you be asleep? I'm cool, honest.
I didn't know you made housecalls.
Only for deadbeats.
Come on, Nick, let's go take a look at that shoulder.
Why, what happened to it? Uh, just pulled a muscle.
The perps riddled him with bullets.
Oh, yeah, right.
Nick was wicked.
You should have seen him.
He's not afraid of anything.
Well, except marriage, maybe.
Right, Nick? And children-- Uh, Nick, shall we? I've got places to go, people to dissect All night? [WHISPERING.]
: Quiet, quiet.
You guys are terrible.
After you.
After you.
Get in.
[SIGHS DEEPLY.]
[DOOR SHUTS.]
You know, I have to really stop getting shot.
Sometime someone's going to notice for good.
Have you tried ducking? Okay, I'll try.
[LAUGHS.]
[SIGHS.]
Let me see.
Thanks.
Well, that's strange.
The wound is still open.
It can't be.
I wonder What? Well, this must mean your metabolism's changing.
I mean, this thing should have been healed and sealed within minutes, right? Well, usually bullets go right through me.
An open wound is a definite improvement.
Means you're not healing as fast as you did.
I don't know, but we might be seeing shades of mortality here.
Program must be working.
I mean, look, you can see yourself in the mirror.
Yeah Only sometimes.
Have you tried that artificial blood I gave you? Oh, you mean the low-fat zero cholesterol, no sodium, absolutely No flavor? Yeah, well, don't knock it, tiger.
It's obviously working.
Okay, let's go.
Ow! Wow.
You felt pain.
Uhnot much, but But some.
I hit a little teeny-tiny human nerve ending there.
Hold still.
Take it easy.
Okay, just There, I got it.
It's a .
357.
Oh, that's nasty.
Um, ow.
Well, you are still a medical marvel, but I think we are getting just a little bit closer.
How's the babysitting detail going? I'm enjoying it and I'm afraid of it.
Who knows? If mortality is my future, maybe a family of my own is possible too.
It must be strange for you having a kid around the house.
There was another once.
Keep him.
You can't be serious.
What our Janette wants, she must have.
The boy would discover too much.
There's danger for us if he stays.
He would never betray his own.
Lacroix, he's a child.
His name was Daniel.
Tell me about it.
It's the same old story.
He looked to me for help.
Didn't get it.
Can you imagine what it would be like? Think of it, Nicholas.
His body arrested at such a precious age.
Youth eternal.
It would be an interesting experiment, don't you think? He's too young to choose.
Choose? My dear Nicholas, we offer him the rarest of gifts.
We choose for him.
You are deranged.
Yes, I know.
I want no part of this.
Do you think that Janette's motives are entirely maternal? Ask her yourself.
She has plans for the boy.
So you'll talk to her? I'll talk to her.
She needs to talk, you know.
Sometimes there's a delayed stress syndrome, a period of denial.
She might be suppressing her feelings.
Nat, I'm not a professional.
No, I know, but you're a sympathetic ear, and see that she gets some rest.
Yeah, and I'll bring her dad by in the morning, okay? Okay.
Oh, Schanke, here.
[LAUGHS.]
And here, ballistic evidence.
I dug it out of the upholstery.
You're a lucky cop, Knight.
Bye, Lisa! Good night, guys.
Is my dad here? Soon, Lisa.
I guess you love him a lot, huh? Yeah, but I'm glad you're here.
Thanks.
So tell me about him.
What's your dad like? He should be a cop.
He's made out of the stuff of heroes.
Something out of Janey Jinx? Nah, Silver Surfer issue 26, but he did get a medal in the war.
Once a guy fell off an oil platform, and sharks were all circling around him, and my dad dived in with his scuba knife, and he saved him.
Wow.
And another time, he swam 50 miles in a hurricane because it was my birthday, and he didn't want to miss it.
Wow, you're a lucky girl to have a dad like that.
[SIGHS.]
But why does he go away so much? It wasn't so bad when my mom was here, but after It was all my fault.
My mom got killed because of me.
That guy tonight, if I hadn't have bumped into him or slowed him down, maybe he would have got away.
Shh.
Listen, Lisa.
You can't blame yourself for what happened tonight any more than you should blame yourself for what happened to your mother.
I'm really scared, Nick.
Those killers are going to get me, aren't they? No, they won't get you.
I won't let that happen.
I promise.
Will you stay here with me till I fall asleep? Yeah, sure.
Close your eyes.
I'll be right here.
[PLAYING PIANO.]
Daniel.
You're usually asleep now.
You and I have to talk, Daniel.
You must leave this house.
Why? What have I done wrong? I thought you liked me.
I do like you, Daniel.
Another time and place, another life, you'd be welcome as a son to me, but I can't stand by and see you hurt.
You have to go.
Don't put me out, Nicky, please.
Your life is in danger, Daniel.
You will leave this house, Daniel.
You will leave us now.
I don't want I must leave.
Yes, leave.
You want to leave this house, Daniel.
You want to run.
You want to run for your life.
Daniel! Daniel! Where is he? He's gone.
Nick Gross.
Come on, Nick, up and at 'em.
Come on, officer, wake up and smell the donuts.
[SIGHS.]
Jeez, you sleep like a stone.
[SCREAMS.]
Sorry, Nick.
I didn't mean to.
The light! Close the blinds! [SNARLING.]
I was only playing.
Are you okay? How was I to know? Do you need any help? [GROANING.]
I didn't mean to hurt you.
[MOANING.]
I screwed up! All right? I'm sorry.
Nick, open the door, please? I'm blind! I'm blind! [CRYING.]
Where's Lacroix? [CLATTERING.]
Toys at your age, Lacroix.
Really.
[GROWLING.]
Hello, Nicky! Welcome home.
[LACROIX LAUGHING.]
Lisa! Lisa, where are you? She's, uh She's a live wire, your Lisa.
Did you know she plays poker? Sure, I taught her.
You didn't, uh Oh yeah, I did.
Twenty-three bucks she clipped me for.
You know, I-- I know this is, uh none of my business, Mr.
Cooper, but that is not good stuff to be teaching your kid.
Sorry, uh Cards was just something me and Lisa could do together.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand.
Lisa, where are you? Lisa I'm sorry, Lisa.
So, uh, when you'reaway working every other month, what else does Lisa do? Ah, but How would you know, right? I thought Carmella could handle her.
You are missing out on the best years, believe me.
I got a daughter.
I do know.
Lisa! We need help.
Someone's trying to break in.
[WHISPERING.]
: Lisa? Nick? Don't be scared, Lisa.
Just be quiet and stay absolutely still.
[GUNSHOT.]
[SNARLS.]
Lisa has a big hole in her life, and so do you.
You can teach her never to draw on an inside straight, but that's no substitute for having a father there, telling a bedtime story, being right there, rock solid when she needs him.
You're not telling me anything I don't already know.
Can we go get her now? Yeah.
Absolutely.
She's with one of my best men.
[SNARLING.]
All right! [GROWLING.]
[SCREAMING.]
Touchdown! Lisa Am I dreaming this? I'll explain later.
There's another one of them out there somewhere.
Lock yourself in the bedroom.
Now! Schanke.
What? We just got an all-units, code three.
There was an explosion at 101 Gateway Lane.
It's Nick's place.
What's wrong? Is it Lisa? Uh, no, no, no, no problem.
Give him a cup of coffee.
[SCREAMS.]
No! [GRUNTS.]
[YELLS.]
[GRUNTS.]
Wow.
Lisa.
Lisa, you will listen to me.
Can't wait till I tell.
No.
Oh, come on, Nick.
Hey, at least tell me.
How can you fly like that? I didn't fly.
You did not see me fly.
Yes, I did.
No, you didn't.
Do you understand? Yes I understand.
Good.
[SIRENS BLARING.]
Steve, Joe, go around the side.
Well, we did it together, huh? You were brave and strong.
Without Lisa Cooper, we couldn't have won.
Without me, those guys wouldn't have come here.
You could've been killed because of me.
It was all my fault.
Stop beating yourself up, Lisa.
It's not your fault that those guys are killers, and you are here because you were doing the right thing.
Nick, I stole those comics.
That's why I was running and bumped into that Marty guy.
I started all of it.
Marty Angelo died because he was a thief stealing from thieves.
His life killed him, Lisa, not you.
Like the drunk driver who killed your mom? His fault, not yours.
You can't go on hurting because of what adults dump on you, Lisa.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
Nick! Lisa! You all right? Well? Yeah! Yeah Yeah.
Lisa! Daddy! [SIGHS.]
Hmm, kids gotta love 'em.
Got any kids? Get some.
That's an order.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, you, come and sit down here.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, you know I don't need this stuff, Nat.
Yes, I do, but they don't, so just sit still and suffer.
Baby, are you okay? Yeah, I'm okay.
Listen, I'm sorry.
I should've been here for you.
You didn't know.
That's no excuse.
You're in the way.
Oh, honestly, you kids get yourselves into all kinds of trouble.
Me and Lisa? Yeah, but don't worry, she'll bounce back better than you have over Daniel.
Well, it's too late to change what happened to Daniel, isn't it? What did happen to Daniel? Nick, Natalie, this is my dad.
Mr.
Cooper, I've heard a lot about you.
How do you do? Me and Nick solved the case together.
[CHUCKLES.]
I'll go say goodbye to Schanke.
All right.
She's right, you know.
We couldn't have done it without her.
She's a great kid.
Who deserves better than she gets.
I'm never around when I should be.
My job Well, it's not too late.
She's still here.
She loves you.
Come on, meet my dad.
Yeah.
Have you ever thought of finding work in town? You ready, Dad? Well, detective Let's get together and fight the forces of evil again sometime.
You take care of yourself, okay? Goodbye, sweetie.
Do you have to go back to work soon? I think you and I should have a serious talk about that.
Uh, Lisa you forgot these.
Nah, Janey Jinx is a dweeb, but you know what I did forget? To pay for them.
Let's go do that now.
I got my own money.
This nice detective was teaching me how to play some poker.
[LAUGHS.]
I've got to teach you not to take advantage of your elders.
Okay, here, I get Janey Jinx.
Mm-hm, this one's mine.
[ .]
[GRUNTS.]
Watch where you're going, you little brat.
No, please! No! [GUNSHOTS.]
You should have checked your arithmetic, Marty.
You should've checked your arithmetic.
[GUNSHOT.]
[BANGING.]
She saw us.
Let's get out of here.
Come on! [SCREECHING TIRES.]
[ .]
NARRATOR: He was brought across in 1228, Preyed on humans for their blood.
Now he wants to be mortal again To repay society for his sins To emerge from his world of darkness From his endless forever night.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
Hey, Del.
Nick.
Where's Schanke? School concert.
His daughter is singing tonight, so he'll be back later.
Ah, you family guys stick together, huh? So what have we got? Looks like a textbook rubout, a contract hit.
Ah, wise guys.
Yeah, they're bad to the bean counter.
Mr.
Marty Angelo, CPA.
Also known to his shady friends As Marty Spreadsheets.
Maybe they didn't like the way he crunched his numbers.
Swim with the sharks and sleep with the fishes.
You know the deal, Marty's skimming off the top.
The Don finds eraser crumbs on his bottom line.
Breaks his heart to do it, because Marty's like a son, but business being business.
so we're dealing with a professional.
Messy but traditional.
Two in the chest, one in the head.
Large caliber, hollow points, judging by the exit wounds.
Whoa, two-car garage.
Huh, in like a sports car, out like a semi.
Leave any casings? No.
No witnesses either.
Another one for the unsolved dumpster.
Detective? [FAST HEARTBEAT.]
He's all yours.
It's okay, you're safe.
Don't be scared.
It's the police.
It's all right, sweetheart, you can come out now.
I didn't do it.
Lousy deal for a little kid to have to face all this murder crap.
Yeah.
Children are resilient, but there's a limit, huh? It ain't easy bringing up kids, Nick.
You should try it.
I want to.
[LAUGHS.]
I do think about it sometimes.
Here, this is for you [AIR RAID SIREN.]
Cor! [WHISPERING AND LAUGHING.]
[GASPS.]
Oh! Put me down.
Let go.
Let me down! Please, miss, make him let go.
Certainly, as soon as we find a policeman.
Air raid warning, miss.
No bobbies out tonight.
Why don't we just call it quits, and I'll be on my way? He's a cheeky little tyke, isn't he? I say we should roast him over a fire.
Hmm, how does that sound, dear boy? Me name's Daniel.
What's yours? Princess something? That's worth at least a shilling.
Here you are, Daniel of the silver tongue.
And that's worth more than money to me, miss, thanks.
You go away now, boy, while you still can.
Daniel Where do you live? Wherever I lay me head.
The gutter, most nights.
Couldn't we at least take him for a meal? Are you listening, Knight? I'm sorry, what? The kid, Lisa Cooper, she's your baby till the father comes home.
Oh, wait a second.
I mean, what about her relatives? None in town.
Father's an oil worker, works the platforms offshore.
Gone away for a month at a time.
We'll get him here as soon as we can.
Meanwhile-- I think Nat's the best choice for the job.
She's, uh-- Not a cop.
You do it.
The Prime Minister's in town, and I'm jammed up all day.
Schanke brought the babysitter in, Mrs.
Demarco.
Talk to her.
And keep the kid under wraps.
I don't got eyes in the back of my head.
What could I do? It's okay, Mrs.
Demarco No one thinks it's your fault.
This is Detective Knight.
Thanks for coming down, Mrs.
Demarco.
Carmella takes care of Lisa when her dad works.
She can be a real handful, that kid.
A good girl, don't misunderstand me, but when Lisa goes her own way Only one she ever listen to was her mama, God rest her.
What happened to her mom? Drunk driver.
Lisa went out on the road, and her mom went after her to pull her back, you know? Lisa has suffered ever since.
She blames herself for her mama's death.
That's too much guilt for a little girl to carry.
Mrs.
Demarco, we've contacted Lisa's dad.
Now, he's coming in on the next available chopper.
Until we're certain that she's out of danger, Lisa will be our responsibility.
He's going to think I couldn't take care of his daughter.
I try my best,but I can't keep up with a kid that age.
You've got to watch Lisa every minute.
She's always sneaking off, getting into trouble.
It's all them comics she reads.
Believe me, Ms.
Demarco, nobody blames you.
I mean, kids are tough.
She's a full time job.
I'm not so young any more.
We'll make sure you get home safely, Ms.
Demarco, and I'll assume protective custody of Lisa.
Whatever you think is best.
Good luck to you, Mr.
Knight.
You'll need it.
This was Stonetree's idea.
I'm not the right guy for this assignment.
You don't like kids, Nick? Yeah, I like-- Your instincts will kick in.
Don't sweat it.
After a few hours with that little angel, you'll probably get the biological urge to have some of your own.
How old are you, anyway? I'm a lot older than I was five minutes ago.
The right age.
You are ripe, man.
You are ready.
Come on, Pops, this is an easy gig.
[SIGHS.]
You'll rent some Disney classics, you'll sit around, you'll play Barbie until your mind turns to mush.
So, the Pope says "No thanks, Sister.
I don't want to pick up any bad habits.
" [LAUGHTER.]
See, Nick? The kid's a real charmer.
Got anything you can use? Let's have a look.
Okay, have these copied and circulated.
Carey, get me an unmarked precinct car? Mm-hmm.
Don't want to take her in the Caddy.
It's too open.
I want her safe and snug.
Okay, you're with me.
Let's go.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Show him the other suspect.
Oh.
Oh, that's real funny.
Is this supposed to be me? You think this looks like me? No.
No, you're right.
You've got much more prominent, um um, nose hair.
That's quite a sense of humor you've got there, Lisa.
Let's hear the siren.
Okay.
[SIREN BLARES.]
Hey, bullets! Hey, Lisa, don't play with those, okay? Ever kill anybody? Well, police work isn't like what you see on TV.
Nothing's like what you see on TV.
Or like you read in the comic books.
Read a lot of those? Many as I can.
Well, maybe you should change your literary diet a little.
I don't eat them.
They keep me company.
You know, when my dad's gone.
You miss him, huh? I wish he didn't have to go away so much.
Well, he has to work.
Maybe he likes his job.
Maybe he hates his daughter.
No.
Man, is he going to kill me for this.
I doubt that.
You don't know me.
II mess up sometimes.
Ever read Janey Jinx? No.
True-blue crimefighter.
She's majorly unlucky.
Trouble follows Janey like a grim shadow.
What do you think? Sounds like a lousy role model to me.
She's not real.
Anyway, some people are born like that.
Jinxed and stuff.
Yeah, I suppose so.
Lisa? What? Get down on the floor.
Now! [TIRES SCREECHING.]
You okay? Wow.
Can I come up for air? Yeah, sure.
They get you? They must have got you, right? I mean, you were right there.
Ah, I'm okay.
Someone doesn't like me very much.
Is that Janey Jinx talking? It's a 10.
33.
Delta, one five, six six.
Yeah, shots fired, Wellington Ave.
Is this your fortress of solitude? Yeah, solitude's a good word.
Can I keep this on? Absolutely.
Hey, Lisa You break it, you bought it, okay? [TELEPHONE RINGING.]
Natalie's bed and breakfast.
Hi, Nat, it's me.
Look, I caught one.
How bad? Oh, you know, I'll live.
Could you? On my way.
Just got a few more customers to tuck in.
Okay, thanks.
What's to eat? Weird.
Are you Italian or something? [GLISSANDO.]
Hey, Lisa, do you mind? Do you got a drinking problem? You know, you ask a lot of questions.
You should be a detective.
I am a detective.
Oh, Schanke Knight? What's shaking? Is diaper duty getting you down already? Listen up, we've been made.
Two perps.
I've already called it in.
Someone took a little target practice at my head.
Oh, they shot at your head, huh? Well, I guess it's got to be our boys.
["I DREAM OF JEANNIE" THEME PLAYING.]
I'll check it out.
Tomorrow.
Now, Schanke.
Dammit, Nick, I'm watching my favorite TV show.
Come on.
Yeah, well, tape it.
Get over here.
I might have a little ballistic evidence for you.
Oh, come on, Knight.
Schanke, bring some food.
Mmm, you're a real pain in the 'roids.
[WHISPERING.]
: What do you like? Pizza, and bring some other stuff, um, you know, stuff kids like.
What? Should I bring a bib and spoon-feed her, too? Huh.
Make yourself at home.
Sure, okay.
[TV TURNS ON.]
You're not married.
No.
Are you straight? Yeah.
And there's nothing in your refrigerator.
Well, I'm not home a lot.
Can I call you Nick? I'd like it if you did.
I'm really sorry about everything, but I'm I'm glad you found me.
Maybe you found me.
Isn't it refreshing to have a little one about the house? Almost as if we were a real family.
It's a strange but sweet sensation.
I think I rather like it.
Now, don't finish it in one bite.
Where are your parents, Daniel? Me mum copped it in an air raid last year.
Don't know where me dad is.
He ran away when I was small.
You have no family to go to? Only an auntie, up north, Sheffield way.
Never met her, but she might take me in.
Course I'd need, uh, train fare.
Couple of quid would do me nice, Nicholas.
We'll see.
Daniel, you are a very lucky boy.
Nick practically flew all over London to find a special treat for you.
Close your eyes.
[LACROIX SNARLS.]
Ta-da! Thanks, princess.
You're a real mate.
Well, go on, play with it.
Where's our supper? I'm starved.
Schanke'll be here any minute.
Where's your girlfriend? Girlfriend? The lady doctor.
You should marry her.
She's got it bad for you, I can tell.
You're nuts, Lisa.
My mom used to say that.
Life's a beach, but it goes on, right? That's what they say.
And on and on and on.
[DOORBELL BUZZES.]
Pizza cop, pizza cop.
Buzz me in, Knight.
[BUZZES DOOR.]
Hey, how you doing? Boy, you are looking mighty, mighty fine.
How are you, Lisa? Spill something on your tie? Where? Got you.
[LAUGHS.]
Kids.
Gotta love 'em, huh? Anything on the shooters? Yeah, located the car.
It's a rental.
Guys used bogus ID.
It's clean as a whistle.
It's already in the shop.
We do not need no stinking dishes.
No dishes.
Pizza time.
Come on, kids, let's wolf it.
Ah, garlic.
This guy has got the weirdest taste of any cop I've ever known.
He doesn't like donuts, he doesn't like burgers Anything else? Of course.
Popcorn.
Cookies.
I mean the case.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, the case.
I'm working on it, working on it.
I faxed a ballistic report and the MO's to the feds for a cross-check.
What else? Ta-da! Well, what else? Got APB's coming out the wazoo.
Also located a mountain of paperwork at Angelo's pad.
Hmm, you think I should leave him any pepperoni? Better him than the floor.
[LAUGHS.]
Isn't she cute? I'm out of practice.
Anyone even remotely resembling Lisa's ID will be sleepwalking through a lineup tomorrow morning.
I rest assured.
Ah, that's great.
How would you like Cincinnati Schanke to show you the fine art of poker? Poker? That's kind of hard, isn't it? Yeah, we tracked her down.
So now the kid's holed up with a cop.
You still want her done, we'll have to whack him also.
Yeah, well, that's not so simple anymore, Vincent.
Whacking a cop ups the ante and our fee.
Okay, sounds good to me, Vin.
Listen, you get the ID and address on a '62 Caddy, plate number three-five-happy, mother-victor-six.
Soon as we get that, your troubles are over.
I call.
Three kings.
Read 'em and weep.
[SIGHS.]
Ante up, pigeon.
Lisa needs new shoes.
New shoes? I just bought your college education.
She's way out of your league, Schanke.
She's just a kid, for Um, do you have ten bucks you can spot me till payday? I'm all tapped out.
You should quit while you still got your shirt.
Lisa, honey You wouldn't borrow money off a little kid, would you? It's happy hour.
Hi, Lisa.
You okay? [SNIFFING.]
Mmm, you do smell nice tonight, doctor.
What are you wearing, eau de formaldehyde? Have you been corrupting this child? Hardly.
You know, it's awfully late.
Shouldn't you be asleep? I'm cool, honest.
I didn't know you made housecalls.
Only for deadbeats.
Come on, Nick, let's go take a look at that shoulder.
Why, what happened to it? Uh, just pulled a muscle.
The perps riddled him with bullets.
Oh, yeah, right.
Nick was wicked.
You should have seen him.
He's not afraid of anything.
Well, except marriage, maybe.
Right, Nick? And children-- Uh, Nick, shall we? I've got places to go, people to dissect All night? [WHISPERING.]
: Quiet, quiet.
You guys are terrible.
After you.
After you.
Get in.
[SIGHS DEEPLY.]
[DOOR SHUTS.]
You know, I have to really stop getting shot.
Sometime someone's going to notice for good.
Have you tried ducking? Okay, I'll try.
[LAUGHS.]
[SIGHS.]
Let me see.
Thanks.
Well, that's strange.
The wound is still open.
It can't be.
I wonder What? Well, this must mean your metabolism's changing.
I mean, this thing should have been healed and sealed within minutes, right? Well, usually bullets go right through me.
An open wound is a definite improvement.
Means you're not healing as fast as you did.
I don't know, but we might be seeing shades of mortality here.
Program must be working.
I mean, look, you can see yourself in the mirror.
Yeah Only sometimes.
Have you tried that artificial blood I gave you? Oh, you mean the low-fat zero cholesterol, no sodium, absolutely No flavor? Yeah, well, don't knock it, tiger.
It's obviously working.
Okay, let's go.
Ow! Wow.
You felt pain.
Uhnot much, but But some.
I hit a little teeny-tiny human nerve ending there.
Hold still.
Take it easy.
Okay, just There, I got it.
It's a .
357.
Oh, that's nasty.
Um, ow.
Well, you are still a medical marvel, but I think we are getting just a little bit closer.
How's the babysitting detail going? I'm enjoying it and I'm afraid of it.
Who knows? If mortality is my future, maybe a family of my own is possible too.
It must be strange for you having a kid around the house.
There was another once.
Keep him.
You can't be serious.
What our Janette wants, she must have.
The boy would discover too much.
There's danger for us if he stays.
He would never betray his own.
Lacroix, he's a child.
His name was Daniel.
Tell me about it.
It's the same old story.
He looked to me for help.
Didn't get it.
Can you imagine what it would be like? Think of it, Nicholas.
His body arrested at such a precious age.
Youth eternal.
It would be an interesting experiment, don't you think? He's too young to choose.
Choose? My dear Nicholas, we offer him the rarest of gifts.
We choose for him.
You are deranged.
Yes, I know.
I want no part of this.
Do you think that Janette's motives are entirely maternal? Ask her yourself.
She has plans for the boy.
So you'll talk to her? I'll talk to her.
She needs to talk, you know.
Sometimes there's a delayed stress syndrome, a period of denial.
She might be suppressing her feelings.
Nat, I'm not a professional.
No, I know, but you're a sympathetic ear, and see that she gets some rest.
Yeah, and I'll bring her dad by in the morning, okay? Okay.
Oh, Schanke, here.
[LAUGHS.]
And here, ballistic evidence.
I dug it out of the upholstery.
You're a lucky cop, Knight.
Bye, Lisa! Good night, guys.
Is my dad here? Soon, Lisa.
I guess you love him a lot, huh? Yeah, but I'm glad you're here.
Thanks.
So tell me about him.
What's your dad like? He should be a cop.
He's made out of the stuff of heroes.
Something out of Janey Jinx? Nah, Silver Surfer issue 26, but he did get a medal in the war.
Once a guy fell off an oil platform, and sharks were all circling around him, and my dad dived in with his scuba knife, and he saved him.
Wow.
And another time, he swam 50 miles in a hurricane because it was my birthday, and he didn't want to miss it.
Wow, you're a lucky girl to have a dad like that.
[SIGHS.]
But why does he go away so much? It wasn't so bad when my mom was here, but after It was all my fault.
My mom got killed because of me.
That guy tonight, if I hadn't have bumped into him or slowed him down, maybe he would have got away.
Shh.
Listen, Lisa.
You can't blame yourself for what happened tonight any more than you should blame yourself for what happened to your mother.
I'm really scared, Nick.
Those killers are going to get me, aren't they? No, they won't get you.
I won't let that happen.
I promise.
Will you stay here with me till I fall asleep? Yeah, sure.
Close your eyes.
I'll be right here.
[PLAYING PIANO.]
Daniel.
You're usually asleep now.
You and I have to talk, Daniel.
You must leave this house.
Why? What have I done wrong? I thought you liked me.
I do like you, Daniel.
Another time and place, another life, you'd be welcome as a son to me, but I can't stand by and see you hurt.
You have to go.
Don't put me out, Nicky, please.
Your life is in danger, Daniel.
You will leave this house, Daniel.
You will leave us now.
I don't want I must leave.
Yes, leave.
You want to leave this house, Daniel.
You want to run.
You want to run for your life.
Daniel! Daniel! Where is he? He's gone.
Nick Gross.
Come on, Nick, up and at 'em.
Come on, officer, wake up and smell the donuts.
[SIGHS.]
Jeez, you sleep like a stone.
[SCREAMS.]
Sorry, Nick.
I didn't mean to.
The light! Close the blinds! [SNARLING.]
I was only playing.
Are you okay? How was I to know? Do you need any help? [GROANING.]
I didn't mean to hurt you.
[MOANING.]
I screwed up! All right? I'm sorry.
Nick, open the door, please? I'm blind! I'm blind! [CRYING.]
Where's Lacroix? [CLATTERING.]
Toys at your age, Lacroix.
Really.
[GROWLING.]
Hello, Nicky! Welcome home.
[LACROIX LAUGHING.]
Lisa! Lisa, where are you? She's, uh She's a live wire, your Lisa.
Did you know she plays poker? Sure, I taught her.
You didn't, uh Oh yeah, I did.
Twenty-three bucks she clipped me for.
You know, I-- I know this is, uh none of my business, Mr.
Cooper, but that is not good stuff to be teaching your kid.
Sorry, uh Cards was just something me and Lisa could do together.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand.
Lisa, where are you? Lisa I'm sorry, Lisa.
So, uh, when you'reaway working every other month, what else does Lisa do? Ah, but How would you know, right? I thought Carmella could handle her.
You are missing out on the best years, believe me.
I got a daughter.
I do know.
Lisa! We need help.
Someone's trying to break in.
[WHISPERING.]
: Lisa? Nick? Don't be scared, Lisa.
Just be quiet and stay absolutely still.
[GUNSHOT.]
[SNARLS.]
Lisa has a big hole in her life, and so do you.
You can teach her never to draw on an inside straight, but that's no substitute for having a father there, telling a bedtime story, being right there, rock solid when she needs him.
You're not telling me anything I don't already know.
Can we go get her now? Yeah.
Absolutely.
She's with one of my best men.
[SNARLING.]
All right! [GROWLING.]
[SCREAMING.]
Touchdown! Lisa Am I dreaming this? I'll explain later.
There's another one of them out there somewhere.
Lock yourself in the bedroom.
Now! Schanke.
What? We just got an all-units, code three.
There was an explosion at 101 Gateway Lane.
It's Nick's place.
What's wrong? Is it Lisa? Uh, no, no, no, no problem.
Give him a cup of coffee.
[SCREAMS.]
No! [GRUNTS.]
[YELLS.]
[GRUNTS.]
Wow.
Lisa.
Lisa, you will listen to me.
Can't wait till I tell.
No.
Oh, come on, Nick.
Hey, at least tell me.
How can you fly like that? I didn't fly.
You did not see me fly.
Yes, I did.
No, you didn't.
Do you understand? Yes I understand.
Good.
[SIRENS BLARING.]
Steve, Joe, go around the side.
Well, we did it together, huh? You were brave and strong.
Without Lisa Cooper, we couldn't have won.
Without me, those guys wouldn't have come here.
You could've been killed because of me.
It was all my fault.
Stop beating yourself up, Lisa.
It's not your fault that those guys are killers, and you are here because you were doing the right thing.
Nick, I stole those comics.
That's why I was running and bumped into that Marty guy.
I started all of it.
Marty Angelo died because he was a thief stealing from thieves.
His life killed him, Lisa, not you.
Like the drunk driver who killed your mom? His fault, not yours.
You can't go on hurting because of what adults dump on you, Lisa.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
Nick! Lisa! You all right? Well? Yeah! Yeah Yeah.
Lisa! Daddy! [SIGHS.]
Hmm, kids gotta love 'em.
Got any kids? Get some.
That's an order.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, you, come and sit down here.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, you know I don't need this stuff, Nat.
Yes, I do, but they don't, so just sit still and suffer.
Baby, are you okay? Yeah, I'm okay.
Listen, I'm sorry.
I should've been here for you.
You didn't know.
That's no excuse.
You're in the way.
Oh, honestly, you kids get yourselves into all kinds of trouble.
Me and Lisa? Yeah, but don't worry, she'll bounce back better than you have over Daniel.
Well, it's too late to change what happened to Daniel, isn't it? What did happen to Daniel? Nick, Natalie, this is my dad.
Mr.
Cooper, I've heard a lot about you.
How do you do? Me and Nick solved the case together.
[CHUCKLES.]
I'll go say goodbye to Schanke.
All right.
She's right, you know.
We couldn't have done it without her.
She's a great kid.
Who deserves better than she gets.
I'm never around when I should be.
My job Well, it's not too late.
She's still here.
She loves you.
Come on, meet my dad.
Yeah.
Have you ever thought of finding work in town? You ready, Dad? Well, detective Let's get together and fight the forces of evil again sometime.
You take care of yourself, okay? Goodbye, sweetie.
Do you have to go back to work soon? I think you and I should have a serious talk about that.
Uh, Lisa you forgot these.
Nah, Janey Jinx is a dweeb, but you know what I did forget? To pay for them.
Let's go do that now.
I got my own money.
This nice detective was teaching me how to play some poker.
[LAUGHS.]
I've got to teach you not to take advantage of your elders.
Okay, here, I get Janey Jinx.
Mm-hm, this one's mine.
[ .]