Murder at the Presidio (2005) Movie Script
1
I said leave it.
-Come on.
-Guys, hands off.
-No.
-Come on, baby.
I said no.
-Please, come on.
-No.
She said no.
I thought I told you
the last time you were in here.
-You know, they started it.
-Yeah, well, I'm ending it.
Chandler.
Hold up. This is a restricted area.
Military Police personnel only.
-Warrant Officer Chandler.
-Criminal Investigation Division.
Is that supposed to impress me,
Chief Warrant Officer?
It'd be impressive
if I didn't have to freeze my ass off...
coming out to a crime scene
in the middle of the night.
-Gum?
-No, thank you, sir.
Corporal...
Jeffries. Tara Jeffries.
Cpl. Jeffries, could you take that light
away from my eyes now?
Sorry, sir.
I forgive you.
So, Corporal, where am I going to now?
Second floor. Ask for Capt. Donovan, sir.
Thank you, Corporal.
Officer.
Capt. Donovan.
We don't need CID here.
This isn't a Drunk and Disorderly.
Murder is our jurisdiction.
The victim was the wife
of a Military Police officer.
-The soldier on the stairs?
-Sgt. Barry Atkins.
-Where was he tonight?
-He's one of my men.
That's not what I asked you, sir.
Was he on duty?
He was off base.
But his whereabouts are accounted for,
Chief Warrant Officer.
Don't waste your time.
My men have it all under control.
Maj. Dawson wouldn't like it
if I didn't at least pretend...
to do what he ordered me to do.
What are we working with here?
You know we've had a string of burglaries
on base.
This one went bad.
Poor Franny surprised the perpetrators
and got a kitchen knife in her chest.
Your boys find her wedding band?
No, gone with the rest of the jewelry,
some cash, and silverware.
Strange they missed this.
This handle match the set in the kitchen?
Yes, we have done this before.
Yeah.
Door was wide open?
-She didn't have the dead bolt locked.
-Franny was the trusting type.
Yeah, I can see that.
Anybody talk to the neighbors?
There's only one on this floor,
a Mrs. Owens.
The building has been mostly vacated.
We questioned her. She didn't hear a thing.
Like I said, we have this investigation
well in hand, Chandler.
Can we take this outside, Captain?
If we must.
I'll get right down to it, Donovan.
I know your MP's can handle this,
but they shouldn't. Thanks.
And why is that?
Well, for one, Military Criminal Code
says that homicide is CID's responsibility.
No, screw jurisdiction.
This one is personal.
Can you understand that?
Noted. And the second reason
why your MP's shouldn't be involved.
Personal feelings
can get in the way of an investigation.
You know the prime suspect
in any spousal homicide is the husband.
In this case, your Sgt. Atkins.
We've eliminated Barry Atkins as a suspect.
-Already?
-Atkins checked out a car at 6:00 p.m.
He spent the evening
with his wife's brother's family in Modesto.
Fran's brother, Tom, confirmed that Atkins
was with him until midnight.
So unless you think...
her own brother would lie
to protect his sister's killer...
the Sergeant was 50 miles away
when she was attacked.
No. This was a burglary gone bad,
and we, not you...
are going to get the scum bags who did it.
Capisce?
That was quick.
Yeah.
It seems Capt. Donovan was even less
impressed by my badge than you were.
-Good night, Corporal.
-Good night, sir.
-I'm sorry for your loss.
-Thanks.
Barry... I mean, Sergeant.
I'm so very sorry.
Sorry for your loss.
-Such a nice girl.
-Yeah.
-Here, honey.
-I'm good, thanks.
You gotta eat.
Thanks for coming, Mom.
Where else would I be
when my boy needs me?
-I'm so sorry.
-Thanks.
-Did you hear from Dad at all?
-Left a message.
Screens his calls
in case I'm looking for alimony.
I'm sure he'll leave you
a nice warm telegram.
Sergeant.
-Warrant Officer.
-Terribly sorry for your loss.
If I can help in any way,
officially or otherwise, just name it.
I'm gonna get the guy
who did this to my wife.
I know you will.
Lt. Chandler, Criminal Investigations.
This is my mother.
-Mrs. Atkins.
-Call me Bunny.
Please, everyone does. It's nice to meet you.
-Attention.
-At ease.
As you were.
It's a wonderful service
the chaplain gave her.
Wonderful.
-Our prayers are with you.
-Thank you, sir.
Mother, you remember Maj. Dawson,
my commanding officer.
-Maj. Dawson.
-How nice to see you again.
Why don't you take a couple of days,
regroup, and when you feel like...
report to me at Headquarters.
Begging your pardon, sir,
I'd like to return to duty...
as soon as possible.
I understand.
I'll discuss it with Capt. Donovan.
-Thank you, sir.
-Bunny.
-Get your hands off me.
-Relax, Tom.
Relax? My sister is dead.
-She's dead.
-There's nothing you could have done.
There's nothing I could have done?
What's going on, Tom?
What's going on?
Any of these people actually know Fran?
Any of you people know Franny?
Did you know Franny?
Franny was nice to everyone she met.
People remember kindness.
A lot of good it did her.
What about you, Mr. Policeman?
Couldn't even protect your own wife.
-No one's sorrier than I am, Tom.
-No one's sorrier than I am.
And why wasn't she with you
the night you came over?
She wasn't feeling well.
Then why didn't you stay home
and take care of her?
You're her husband,
you're supposed to take care of her.
I don't think Franny would like you
acting like this, you know?
I think that we're all just trying
to do the best we can here.
Should have taken care
of those guys the first time.
Lock yourself out, Officer?
-Hello again, Corporal.
-It's Tara.
Cpl. Tara. No, I have my keys right here.
How are you liking your new post?
It's fine.
Just have to get to know San Francisco.
It's pretty good once you get to know it.
With the base closing in six months,
I don't think I'll have time...
to develop any strong feelings about it.
Yeah, we don't have much time.
Excuse me?
Can you come by the enlisted mess
on Friday night?
All the MP's get together for drinks
when we're done our shift.
And you want me to...
Drink. That's what we do there.
-Do you drink?
-When I have to.
Me, too.
I should get in there and pay my respects.
Friday night, remember.
The Presidio.
Sir?
This base has been a military fort
since 1776.
Back then the Spanish flag
flew over these walls.
U.S. Army took over in 1848.
The Presidio's been part
of every conflict we've had since then.
And soon it's going to be gone.
Damn base closings. Damn budget cuts.
Yes, sir, damn budget cuts.
I just finished the report
on the Deats-Able court martial.
Excellent work.
Thank you, sir, but the facts
were pretty straightforward.
I have your new case right here.
The Capobianco hearing?
But what about the Frances Atkins case?
The MP's are on that.
It's a homicide. It's supposed to be ours.
Capt. Donovan feels
it's part of the MP's ongoing investigation...
into the base burglaries.
I tend to agree with him.
Sgt. Atkins' squad was investigating
a series of robberies.
It's my theory he got too close.
Maybe the men who killed his wife
are sending him a message.
Maybe. Why do you want it?
It's my job.
I know you think you've got
something to prove here, Chandler.
But you don't.
That's why you're here.
That's why we're all here.
James, just start thinking of this base
like it's the Titanic...
and your only job is to stand on the deck...
and watch the grand old lady
disappear into history.
-Sir, the MP's--
-Are on it.
The MP's have got it covered.
Let them handle it. Don't make any waves.
Capobianco is your next case.
Do you understand that?
Of course, sir.
Captain, something I can do for you?
Since you're new here,
I want to make it clear to you...
how things work.
-And how is that?
-We run this base.
Does the General know that?
We can call over to his...
Shut up. You know what I mean.
Was that necessary?
And just because this base
is going all to hell...
me and my men are not going to go with it.
You understand?
You're confusing the hell out of me.
First you run the base, then you don't.
He's a general, you're a captain.
I'm fuzzy on this whole
chain of command thing.
Let me give you the Braille version.
Stay away from Fran Atkins.
Stay away from Sgt. Atkins.
And stay out of our affairs.
You left out the "or else," Captain.
Or else.
Okay.
Welcome to the Presidio.
I'm very sorry about your sister.
Thanks.
Why aren't we doing this at your office
on the base?
I thought this was nicer.
I was always the guy who asked the teacher
to take the lecture outside.
Me, too, but they never did,
that's why I became a teacher myself.
-Yeah? What do you teach?
-I teach Biology to eighth graders.
-Brave man.
-Yeah.
-You ever take the class outside?
-Sometimes.
You said on the phone
you wanted to talk to me.
I'm confused. I already gave a statement
to the Military Police.
I'm not with the Military Police.
I'm a Criminal Investigator.
It's like the difference between a detective
and the beat cop. I'm the brains, they're...
well, they're the brawn.
So what do you want from me, Lieutenant?
I wanted to ask you
about the previous incident.
You reported an attempted burglary
at your sister's apartment...
three weeks ago when you were visiting.
Can you tell me about that?
I was...
spending the night with Fran, on base.
Barry was at his mother's
and Fran was afraid to be alone that night.
Fran didn't go with him to his mother's?
Barry's mother wasn't a big fan of my sister.
You see, Fran's dream
was to be a wife and a mother...
and Thelma just didn't think
that was ambitious enough.
Fran ever say what she was afraid of?
She was like that ever since she was a kid.
Anyway, that night,
around midnight the doorbell rang.
I was staying in the living room,
so I got up and opened the door.
There were two guys standing there,
who looked very surprised to see me.
-Did you recognize them?
-No.
They weren't wearing military garb.
They were wearing jeans and windbreakers.
What did they say?
Nothing, I asked them what they wanted.
They took off.
-That was the end of it?
-Yeah.
I told Barry about it.
I gave him descriptions of the two guys.
They made drawings and everything.
He said they were probably
just looking for a new recruit's apartment.
I guess it happens all the time on the base.
All the housing looks the same.
Do you think it was those two men
who returned a few days ago?
God help me if it was.
Cpl. Phillips...
check these against Presidio personnel,
then run them through NCIC...
San Francisco P.D., FBI.
Match might turn up anywhere.
Is this about the Capobianco hearing?
Yes.
Okay.
Mrs. Owens?
Warrant Officer Chandler,
Criminal Investigations Division.
May I speak with you for a moment?
Certainly.
Let's take a walk.
-This is about Franny, isn't it?
-Yes.
I heard you were well-informed.
You mean you heard I was the base gossip.
It's okay.
Between you and me, with my husband
out on maneuvers as often as he is...
I have little else to do but keep track
of the petty crap that goes on around here.
What I heard was
that you were a friend of Fran Atkins.
We were the only people in the building.
We talked.
MP's report says you didn't hear a thing
the night of the attack.
No, I wish I had.
It was one of those rare nights
that Glen was home...
and he snores like a freight train.
-Where is your husband now?
-He just shipped out.
25th Postal Company, Camp Zama, Tokyo.
It's where I'm headed next week.
Camp Zama, mama.
-Japan, you must be excited.
-When I first met my husband...
he was stationed at Fort Bragg.
Promised to take me away
from North Carolina, and what have I seen?
Abilene, Texas. El Paso, Texas.
Fort Worth, Texas. Tampa, Florida...
now here.
San Francisco, the big time, right?
To a base that's closing.
Buildings empty, falling down.
And as if that wasn't bad enough,
now we have burglars and killers around...
I am afraid to leave my apartment.
So, yes, I can't wait to get away from here.
Japan does not matter.
Even Fort Bragg would look good right now.
What about Fran, how did she like it here?
Franny? She loved it.
She loved being an army wife.
Sgt. Ken and Barbie
is what we used to call them.
-No fights?
-The usual.
-Which would be?
-Fran wanted to start a family and...
-Atkins didn't want children?
-He wanted children. He just wanted to wait.
He was getting ready to muster out
at the end of the year.
Fran didn't want to wait.
Seemed like she was afraid.
Did she tell you what she was afraid of?
Same things that I was afraid of.
Afraid of being alone on the base at night.
Worrying if our husbands
were going to make it home in one piece.
Do you recognize either of these men?
-No, I've never seen them before.
-Think.
Maybe they were hanging around
or visiting the Atkinses.
They are so few people
that come through here these weeks.
I would definitely remember.
You're going to find the person
that killed Fran, right?
Yes. I am.
Hello. This is my friend Cpl. Tucker.
Kathy, this is Warrant Officer Chandler.
-Hi.
-It's nice to meet you.
He is the new man
in the Criminal Investigations Division.
You better watch your mouth.
I have to get these drinks back anyways.
It was nice meeting you.
It seems different...
-Where is she from?
-Utah, I think.
Interested?
I meant, on the base.
She is a records officer over at MP HQ.
Why?
Thought I saw her before, that's all.
CID. Always investigating.
So, have you investigated me yet?
-No.
-I'm investigating you.
-Really, why?
-I'm wondering.
They are transferring all the personnel
off the base...
but here you come, big as day,
transferring on for the last few months.
Just wondering what makes you so special.
Maybe they sent me here
because I'm not special.
Why don't we finish our drinks?
I'll introduce you around.
Cheers.
They seem like small-time operators.
Not like the guys we had to deal with
when we were in Germany.
See, those bastards, man.
They wouldn't think about ripping off
the base if it wasn't closing.
Everything's falling apart.
No order anymore.
Damn straight, not like it used to be.
What about the operation in Germany,
Sergeant?
Come on.
I'll tell her. All right, listen.
We knew there was this ring
selling crystal meth to enlisted men.
They were in with Berlin's organized crime
but we couldn't prove it.
We had to catch them in the act,
on the airfield. Remember?
Sarge here levels his M9...
and he says, "Military Police!"
And this kid right in front of him
drops his rifle...
and takes a dump in his pants.
-There's three of you against 10.
-Yeah, but...
we were only the backup.
Barry went in alone.
Brought them all out without firing a shot.
Got himself
a brand-new Heckler & Koch G36...
-a real beauty.
-They wouldn't let me take it back, though.
Sounds exciting.
If any of you don't know,
this is Officer James Chandler.
-We've met.
-Officer Chandler.
You slumming tonight?
They water down the drinks
at the Officer's Mess.
I thought you knew that.
Thanks.
How about we shoot at something
that can't shoot back?
You got a game, do you?
All right, rack them up.
How's it hanging, Tiny?
Thanks for the rescue.
I don't think I could have taken
any more cheering up.
-Well, they mean well.
-Yeah, I guess.
So, I heard that you were an MP
down in San Diego.
-How are you liking the promotion?
-CID?
Less action, more red tape.
At least, I don't have to deal
with rowdy sailors.
Spent too much time writing them D&D's.
How about you? How are you holding up?
I feel like I'm watching a movie
with the volume turned down.
I don't know.
It's like I'm seeing everything
but I'm only registering half of it, you know?
I sure do.
-Any leads on the burglaries?
-Yeah, they always happen on a Wednesday.
But not every Wednesday.
We doubled up patrols on that night,
but this is a big base, you know?
It's a big base
and I've only got a few men left.
Did you check the duty rosters?
Checked everyone on duty
and everyone off duty.
Come up empty.
I'm going crazy,
I just know this was an inside job.
That could be tricky business.
Investigating your fellow soldiers.
-Don't want to make any mistakes there.
-I guess you would know about that.
-Scratch.
-Yeah.
-You break.
-No, you won.
Go ahead, you break.
All right.
No leads on the thieves,
what about tracing the stolen property?
They took most of the jewelry,
they've got to fence it somewhere.
I put together a list
and gave it to our local pawn shops...
but there's like 50,000 pawn shops
in San Francisco, you know.
-I didn't know that.
-There are.
-So, no luck there.
-No, not yet.
These guys are smart.
They can't be that smart, they're soldiers.
Like you said...
they're not big-time drug dealers,
just petty thieves.
One of them's sure to screw up eventually.
And when they do, I'll be there.
Chandler.
Wait up.
Can I walk you home?
Shouldn't I be walking you home?
Normally you should...
but seeing as how you're afraid of women...
the thought of a murderer on the loose
must be paralyzing.
What makes you say I'm afraid of women?
Maybe just afraid of me.
I've been knocking myself out...
to let you know that I am interested...
-and you're not responding.
-I came out tonight, didn't I?
Was that to see me or to question Atkins?
-Pretty sharp.
-I am a good cop.
Maybe not good enough
to be a detective at CID yet.
-Thought you weren't working this case.
-I'm not officially. Just trying to help.
What do you think Atkins knows
about his wife's death...
that he hasn't told Capt. Donovan
and the rest of his officers?
I think he knows the people who did this
might have really been after him.
Maybe that makes him feel responsible.
And that's not a good feeling.
That kind of guilt.
Feeling you could have
prevented something like that.
I want to help.
-Do you really?
-Yeah.
I find the burglars, I find Fran Atkins' killer.
That's all I want.
You know, you're kind of sweet.
In a big, dumb, faithful dog kind of way.
Thanks, I guess.
This is me.
Look, if you need help, you wanna talk...
call me.
Okay.
Good night.
First robbery, Wednesday, February 1.
Mostly jewelry.
Third robbery, March 13.
Thanks.
Men's watches.
Fifth robbery, more men's watches.
Gold chronometer, north of the base.
Two weeks later,
the far south end of the base.
Enlisted men's apartments.
Enlisted men off base.
Officer's residence.
Lieutenant in San Francisco for a night out.
Where are you?
Where's the jewelry?
Men's gold chronometer watch.
Where are you?
Private.
-Got a little pawn action going on?
-This?
Just some interesting junk
that I sell on consignment, sir.
Guys usually to come in here
end of the month looking for cash.
Before the eagle craps
things get tight for the enlisted men.
I hear you. What about this watch here?
-Is this real gold?
-Couldn't be.
Comes from a buddy of mine.
Got his eye on that DVD player there.
-Who sold it to you?
-PFC on the motor pool I know.
-He is always got a lot of stuff for sale.
-Where did he get it?
Trades with other soldiers around payday.
-Tough making on a PFC's salary.
-Yeah. You got it.
If he's got any more like this
I'd like to meet him. What's his name?
-You MP, sir?
-Hell, no. Just a guy with good taste.
Pvt. Sulway.
Sulway. Thanks.
Pvt. Sulway?
You just missed him, sir.
Pvt. Sulway works graveyard.
Any idea where I might find him?
You might catch him over at Kitty's, sir.
That's usually where they go for breakfast.
Thank you.
I noticed you don't have any motors
in your motor pool.
No, sir. All the good stuff
has already been shipped to other bases.
All we got is a few cars, you know,
for officers who need to get into the city.
I'm going to need a copy of your vehicle log
for the last 12 weeks.
If you wish to clear that
with your commanding officer...
I'll wait.
When I got up this morning,
I come out of the room and I'm naked.
And there are kids
and they are all over the place.
-How many kids?
-There were five of them.
-Five kids.
-That's what I thought.
I'm going, "You're so hot.
How can you have five kids?"
She is only 19.
No. She's not 19.
She's like, 35, but she got five kids.
What are you going to do with five kids?
-Can you believe that? I really like her.
-Did you take off? I would have.
-You went home with her.
-You woke up in the morning...
Five kids crawling off the ceiling.
Coming out from under the bed,
from the closet...
Excuse me.
Mind if I join you gentlemen?
Are you Sulway?
Yeah.
PFC Dwyer and Brooks.
Do I know you?
No, but I bought this watch of yours
at the PX yesterday.
The clerk told me it was a knockoff.
-This watch.
-Yeah.
Was there a problem?
I don't do warranty work.
It's funny. No, there's no problem. I just...
cleaned this baby up and found
that it's worth much more than I paid.
Solid gold.
It's gold?
Looks like you took it in the shorts
on that one, Sulley.
So, what, did you come here
to make me feel worse?
No. It's just...
-He told me you might have more like this.
-No way.
That's a one-time thing. It's my dad's watch.
I needed the money.
Too bad he didn't tell you it was gold.
Maybe you wouldn't have sold it at the PX.
You're right, Arch.
That's too bad.
But, listen, since I made out so good
on the watch...
the least I can do is buy you boys breakfast.
So, you guys all in it together?
The graveyard shift.
Yeah, I pulled that once
down in San Diego, latrine duty.
Motor pool must be a dream at night.
Lots of free time, especially
since all the vehicles got shipped off.
Listen. I got to go.
Nice to have met you guys.
Thanks for the watch.
What are you doing?
I traded the watch to exchange it
for the DVD deck.
-He doesn't know anything. One watch.
-Shut up!
Sir, light and sweet, just like you asked.
Light and sweet, just like you, chica.
Thanks.
-I feel bad.
-Why, sir?
-Having you bring me coffee.
-I don't mind.
How's the Capobianco investigation going?
Check your car out on a Wednesday
and you get your quarters robbed.
-So that's why the motor pool.
-Yeah.
They are involved definitely.
They know when you're gonna be gone.
Yeah, but why Wednesday?
What's so special about Wednesday?
Why would they lock up the garbage?
When do they pick up garbage on the base?
We put it out on Wednesday night.
They pick it up on Thursday morning.
Maybe it is that simple.
Who hauls away the trash?
I don't know. The City?
No. We'd have to use private service.
Security issues and all that.
Base Operations.
This is Chief Warrant Officer Chandler.
I need the name of the sanitation company...
responsible for container pick up, please.
That would be Bayside Sanitation, sir.
And how often do they collect
on the Presidio?
Once a week, every Thursday morning,
0600 hours.
Thank you very much.
Now I got what I am looking for.
About Staff Surgeon Capobianco?
Exactly.
-Thanks, Phillips.
-No problem, sir.
-Officer Chandler.
-Corporal.
Is that for me?
Yeah,
I guessed I should have brought something.
Well, you guessed right.
Come on in. I'll get some glasses.
It's nice.
This is a lot of applications.
San Francisco P.D., LAPD.
I didn't study the code of military ethics
so I could check ID's at the front gate.
Really? Why did you?
Wanna be a good cop.
Not gonna be in the military forever.
What about you?
Me, I'm just trying to be a competent cop.
-Sedona, Arizona Sheriff's Department?
-That's the one I hope comes through.
Really? Why is that?
-You ever been there?
-No.
-Northern Arizona.
-Hot there?
No. They actually get a light snow
in the winter.
It is the most beautiful place
I have ever seen.
Red rocks, Indian ruins...
and at night you can see every star
in the galaxy, even the Milky Way.
You have to go there.
Well, If you make it into
the Sheriff's department, I'll come visit you.
To the Sedona, Arizona
Sheriff's department then.
Now, why are you here?
Well, you told me to call on you,
if I needed help.
I knew you needed help.
-I think that's why I like you.
-You like me?
-Why?
-Well, maybe it's my nurturing instincts.
I could tell the first time I saw you.
You looked a little lost.
Think you needed help.
-Psychiatric help?
-Maybe.
You get hurt a lot, don't you?
Every time I see you...
Car trouble this time.
Well, I think you need someone
to look out for you.
Make sure that you don't bang your head.
Sorry, it's been a long time.
Then I'll be gentle.
You know, I'm a warrant officer
and you're a corporal.
We shouldn't be doing this.
No, we shouldn't get caught.
I'm CID, they have to arrest us.
So do you wanna handcuff me,
or should I handcuff you?
Look, I shouldn't be doing this.
Please, Jimmy.
I said no.
What is your problem?
I'm sorry, I just don't like being called that.
Your name?
It's hard to...
I can't explain. Bad memories.
I'm not a very nice guy.
Well, then I won't be a very nice girl.
Was it so bad?
No, it was...
so good.
Then where are you going in such a hurry?
I gotta go.
I have to take out the garbage.
Really?
It's nothing. It's a case.
You don't trust me?
That's okay. You don't have to tell me.
Tara, there is something I have to tell you.
Something you need to know.
There's no need.
Everybody talks about the new guy on base.
I know you had some kind of problem
at your old post. But it doesn't matter.
Just be happy now...
at this moment.
Ghosts can't get you here.
I gotta go.
Boys from the motor pool.
Pvts. Sulway, Brooks, and Dwyer.
All in it together.
Well, at least they're punctual.
What's in the bags, boys?
Yeah, Phillips, it's Chandler.
I'm outside the Bayside Sanitation.
It's 105 River Road.
The three burglary suspects
are confirmed inside...
along with at least two other armed men.
I'm gonna need local police and MP backup.
Sgt. Atkins and the MP's. What the...
No.
-What have you got?
-Man, you know, good stuff.
You always say that. Open her up.
-What are you boys doing off base?
-Who the hell is that?
I certainly hope you signed out your vehicle
properly.
Military Police. Drop your weapon!
Freeze! Military Police.
Atkins.
Sulway.
He's still alive.
-What the hell happened here, Sergeant?
-I got the bastards who killed my wife.
He killed them.
Give it a rest, James.
I've already called the Board of Inquiry.
Atkins and his men will be restricted
to the base till it's complete.
One suspect's still breathing.
He may tell us what went on.
-What were you doing there?
-Following up a lead.
-It's not even your case.
-It was on my own time.
I think Atkins knew who these guys were
before last night.
Do me a favor, give up.
It's over. Do you understand?
Sulway opened fire first.
Atkins had no choice.
-Not his style.
-What does that mean?
Read the record of Atkins' famous drug bust
when he was in Germany.
Surrounded by armed suspects,
he brought them in alive.
That was different.
This was an execution.
He killed our only witnesses.
He killed the people who killed his wife...
who were trying to kill him.
What would you have done?
I'd wanna know.
I'd wanna make sure
I was shooting the right man...
unless I was damn sure
I was shooting the wrong one.
James.
Keep it quiet.
-Sir?
-Follow your nose on this.
But from now on, any move you make
has to be approved by me in advance.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Just pick it up, Mom.
It's ridiculous that we can't eat
in a decent restaurant.
My son's a hero.
He's being treated like a criminal.
It's standard operating procedure.
The inquiry will be over soon
and I'll be able to leave the base.
When you do, I'll cook you a divine dinner.
To my Barry, the bravest policeman
in the Presidio.
-To Fran.
-Of course. To Fran.
Kathy, sit by me.
-We are celebrating fine work of your team.
-Mom.
Thank you.
-It must have been hairy.
-It was a bit of a bang and clang.
All them garbage cans
made for ricochet hell, but you know...
-we made out all right.
-Funny, that's not the way I heard it.
Did any of them even get a shot off,
Sergeant?
What do you want?
I've had a rough enough week.
You got something you wanna say to me...
why don't you get it
off your self-righteous chest?
Okay.
I think you're a dangerous, egocentric,
trigger-happy cop.
How do you like them apples?
You know, I think you're making a mistake,
Officer Chandler.
I'm the victim here, remember? Victim.
Can't you leave my son alone? My Lord!
-Someone help him find the door.
-Baker, sit down.
You know, it's not my problem
that you don't have the balls...
to take down the killer.
Maybe if you did, your friend in San Diego
would still be breathing.
Officer.
What did you think
you were you doing in there?
Just trying to shake some trees. What?
Let Atkins be. He just wants some closure.
He did a good job
of closing this case, all right.
That's right, and you know what,
I'm gonna feel safer tonight.
Are you mad because you didn't break it?
This isn't about me.
This is about your friends in there.
I think maybe you're looking
for a little closure yourself.
You don't know what you're saying.
-They caught the burglars.
-But I didn't get my killer.
Not yet.
I don't understand.
I thought they got the guys that killed Fran.
I know. That's what they told you.
That she was just in the wrong place
at the wrong right time.
But I don't believe that anymore.
I think there is more to it than that.
You don't have to talk to me
if you don't want to.
-It's okay. What are you looking for?
-A reason.
Some reason why someone
would want your sister dead.
Someone, or Barry?
-I didn't say that.
-You didn't have to.
Was there?
No, there wasn't.
There was something.
What is it, Tom?
Was it about having children?
Fran wanted kids.
She did. She wanted Barry's kids. So did he.
They couldn't wait.
-I thought he wanted to wait.
-No, Barry wanted a family.
That's why Fran was so upset
when she found out...
she couldn't have children.
-What, your sister--
-Fran had a... She had a cyst...
in her uterus when she was about 16.
Doctors always told her
she'd probably be able to have kids.
Then her and Barry started trying...
and about six months ago,
doctors told her it wasn't going to happen.
I'm sorry.
-Did they think about adopting?
-Yeah.
Barry's hell-bent on having kids of his own.
It was around then that Fran got worried.
Paranoid that Barry would leave her.
Did she ever say anything...
that she was worried
there was someone else?
Yeah. That's when she started
to feel inadequate.
Fran was...
a beautiful, smart, talented...
wonderful woman.
Any man would have been lucky to have her,
and she didn't deserve...
to get pushed aside
over something she had no control over.
Was there someone else, Tom?
I don't know for sure...
but Fran thought
it was one of the female MP's.
Did she say which one?
No, but she said
she was always hanging around him.
You don't think that he...
I don't know what to think, Tom.
-Look, Tara, I wanted to--
-ID.
You're clear.
I need to talk to you.
So talk.
-Listen, I was a jerk.
-And?
And I wanted to try to explain.
Not apologize?
Yes, apologize and explain.
Well, there is nothing to explain.
Then I'm forgiven?
Can you drive through, please?
You're blocking traffic.
Cover me.
What?
Look, what is your relationship
with Sgt. Atkins?
-That's quite the apology.
-It's important. I need to know.
You need. What are you asking?
Are Sgt. Atkins and I lovers?
No, Chief Warrant Officer.
What are you trying to prove?
I think Barry Atkins hired someone
to kill his wife.
Why would Barry have Fran killed?
Barry wanted to have children
and Fran couldn't have any.
Then divorce her.
Fran's brother said
that Fran Atkins thought...
Barry was having an affair with a female MP.
And you thought it was me?
-I saw the picture of the two of you.
-He was my training officer.
I have never been involved with Sgt. Atkins.
Good.
So, are you through accusing me of stuff?
-Yes.
-Good.
Then who?
Are you asking me to find out?
You want me to spy on Sgt. Atkins?
Well, you are a police officer.
-You could be wrong about him.
-You're right, and if I am, I'll apologize.
'Cause you're real good at that.
-This is a murder.
-I know. I never said I wasn't gonna do it.
Thank you.
Can I call you later?
My shift's over at 4:00.
Chandler.
Officer Chandler, the third suspect just died
of his gunshot wounds.
I've got Det. Robert Sayer
on the phone from Houston.
Texas?
Yes. Says he's got a lead
from that bulletin we sent him.
-Put him on.
-Okay.
This is Warrant Officer Chandler.
This is Det. Sayer
of the Houston Police Department.
You posted a composite
of a home invasion suspect...
on the NCIC database
a couple of weeks ago?
Yes.
We got this boy down here.
Fits your description.
We got him on a rape charge.
Said he came down from your way.
Where is he now?
Got him on three hots and a cot.
Want to come down and talk to him?
We are faxing you his info
and his rap sheet now.
Thank you.
-Change of plans.
-Where are you going?
Texas.
Name is David Raymer.
Got two felony convictions here in Texas.
One in Houston.
The other one up in Abilene.
Figured he'd get off our radar,
go to San Francisco.
But I guess he got a little homesick,
came back down here...
roughed up a girl in a bar,
raped her and robbed her.
Nice guy.
If he gets convicted, it's life.
He'll cooperate. Come on.
Raymer, Warrant Officer Chandler
of the Army.
Behave yourself.
-I'll be outside.
-Thanks.
Mr. Raymer, Criminal Investigations Division
of the United States Army.
It's not that boring.
I'm here to charge you with murder.
Right.
I didn't kill anybody.
-Is that supposed to be me?
-Good answer.
It's a pretty bad picture.
I don't know these other people.
Chick's kind of cute.
That's all you have to say?
I got no reason to help you.
I'm dead to my rights here.
My lawyer is talking to the D.A...
and I don't see you giving me
a plea offer here...
unless you're here to enlist me
in the United States Army.
Nice to have met you, Mr. Raymer.
Do they still have the death sentence
in Texas, the electric chair, old Sparky...
or is that Florida?
-Wait a minute.
-I don't have to wait for anything.
I can place you at the scene of a homicide
on the Presidio.
That's at least accessory to Murder One.
I didn't do it and I can prove that.
Really?
-Tell me what you know.
-We never touched her.
-Who?
-I don't know her name.
-I wasn't there the night they did it.
-Who were you with?
This guy. My buddy.
You talk to him. He'll tell you I wasn't there
the night they did it.
Did what? What did they do?
Guy comes to us.
Wants us to toss this apartment, right?
Chick's supposed to be there alone.
But when we show up
there's some guy there. So we take off.
Couple of weeks later, same guy wants
to hire us for the same job.
Double the money.
But I was sick of 'Frisco.
It's too damp.
I don't need the weather. I need names.
Who hired you and your buddy?
I never talked to the money guy.
-My buddy did that.
-All right. What's your buddy's name?
See, that's the thing.
Are you gonna help me out here?
Give me your buddy's name.
I'll see what I can do.
Dude, I look like I'm new at this to you?
Look, I'm after who hired you.
If you don't help me...
I will have the Houston D.A.
slap an accessory to murder charge...
on the rap they have you on now.
You got that?
Steve Wilson.
There's probably 1,000 in San Francisco.
Where will I find yours?
North Beach.
Thanks for playing.
Easy.
So, where's Chandler?
I haven't seen him around
last couple of days.
How would I know? I'm not his keeper.
When you talk to him,
which I'm sure you will...
you tell him to wise up.
Stay out of my business.
And what business would that be,
Sergeant?
You see the uniform you're wearing?
-It's Military Police.
-Yeah.
Is there a threat that goes with that?
I could have you both brought up
with fraternizing charges.
And why exactly would you do that?
You should be more careful
when you sleep with a fellow soldier.
You would know.
"Kathy Tucker.
"Request for voluntary separation.
"Reason for separation: Expiration of act
of daily commitment and hardship.
"Family emergency retirement.
"Pregnancy."
Fran, you got in the way.
Chandler.
James, it's Tara. Call me ASAP.
I've got some important info.
Tara, are you there? Pick up.
I got your call and I'm on my way back
to town. I've got to see Maj. Dawson.
Listen, stay away from Sgt. Atkins
until I get there.
No kidding.
I think I got real evidence that links him
to the crime. Stay away from him.
I don't want you to get hurt.
-Who is it?
-It's Jimmy.
Jimmy?
I believe Sgt. Atkins hired someone
to kill his wife while he had an airtight alibi.
Until you come up with a name,
be careful of your accusations, Officer.
-Sir, what more do you need?
-I need some evidence, James. Jesus!
I've read this Raymer report.
You've got nothing.
You've got a convicted rapist
who's looking for a deal.
Now, I've cut you a lot of slack here.
But you have yet to produce any evidence
that links Atkins with the murder.
What about the general inquiry?
Is Atkins still restricted to base?
Sgt. Atkins and my two MP's
have been cleared.
How?
The Board of Inquiry just handed down
its ruling on the shootings.
The soldiers involved
were violent criminals.
Damn, man. Self defense. No further action.
Unbelievable.
What? There's something else, isn't there?
Sgt. Atkins' current tour of duty
expires in 72 hours.
He's chosen not to re-enlist.
So in three days he's gonna walk off
and we will never know who killed his wife?
-We know who killed his wife.
-And if you're wrong?
Once Atkins leaves military service,
he cannot be prosecuted by us.
He might be getting away with murder
and you're willing to look the other way.
James, I'm not looking the other way.
You've brought me nothing.
I can only go by facts.
Facts. Nothing more, nothing less.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
This is all my fault.
I should have trusted you.
You couldn't.
I will never make that mistake
with you again.
At least I might be able to get out of here
a little early.
Head to Sedona, Arizona.
-It wasn't your fault.
-It is.
Just like last time.
There's no record.
It's not because of something I did.
It's because of something I didn't do.
She was a corporal. Just like you.
She started living off base with this captain.
Only after she moved in
she found out he liked to beat her up...
when he drank too much.
-So she filed a report with my office.
-Jimmy.
With me.
But because her abusive boyfriend
was a superior officer...
my C.O. told me
to stay out of their personal lives.
I was a good M.P.
I obeyed orders.
And the next time that he beat her...
was the last.
I obeyed orders and she ended up dead.
-You did everything you could.
-Did I?
Fran Atkins is dead
and you could have been next.
You couldn't stop it.
No.
But I can make it right.
-Wilson?
-Yeah.
-You Chandler?
-Yeah.
You called me?
Yeah.
I got a little problem, you know.
Something to take care of, you know,
and I ask around and I hear you're the man.
-You're the man who's gonna fix me up.
-I might be. I know you?
No.
Get you a beer?
This ain't a date.
How did you get my number?
Good friend of yours, David Raymer.
-I thought he split.
-He did. He's in stir down in Texas.
Maybe he got fingered?
And he's singing a song
about you and him got hired...
to kill a woman on the Presidio Army Base.
We're done.
Get out of here! Move it!
Freeze! Police!
You shot me, you freaking bastard!
Think I hit the artery. You got five minutes
before you bleed out.
-You killed me?
-Not yet.
Tell me about the murder, Stevie.
I ain't killed no one. Now make a call.
Call a freaking ambulance.
See this? I got 911 on speed dial.
Just tell me first.
Focus, Stevie. Focus!
The hit at the Presidio.
Who hired you to kill her?
I didn't kill no one.
You're bleeding bad, man.
Okay, I was there
but I just busted the joint up.
I didn't do the slice and dice.
Look at this!
Is this the man who hired you?
For Christ's sake, it wasn't a man,
it was a chick.
Now make the call.
A woman? Describe her.
She was a real dish.
She was a real broad, I don't know.
That's all I remember. She looked good.
Make the call.
I can't tell you about that.
But it's here. And it is gorgeous.
Yes. Well, the colors are seductive.
Good morning. Can I help...
Oh, my God.
My son.
-Something's happened to Barry.
-Not yet.
For the eight millionth time,
I don't know what you are talking about.
I don't know the man in these pictures.
I didn't do anything wrong.
I have two witnesses who will testify...
you hired them to kill Fran Atkins...
and were present
the night of the actual killing.
Your witnesses? What are they?
Two known felons who are trying
to get their sentences reduced.
We're going to get you for it, Mrs. Atkins.
We might be able to take the death penalty
off the table if you tell us the whole story.
How did he do it?
Who? Do what?
Barry. How did he get you to do it?
Did he just have to ask you?
Did you hate Fran that much?
-Go screw yourself.
-Mrs. Atkins...
we know your son asked you
to hire the men to kill his wife.
Help yourself out here.
Maybe he intimidated you into it,
threatened you.
We're going to get Barry.
Barry had nothing to do with it.
It was all my idea.
I killed her.
I hired this man...
to rob the apartment while I killed Franny.
-I'm the one who did the stabbing.
-Where did you get the knife?
I took it from their apartment
when I was over a time before.
I killed her.
She was never good enough for my son.
And that's your elocution?
Yes.
It was all me. Barry knew nothing about it.
This is a death penalty state, Mrs. Atkins.
Are you prepared to die for your son?
-Do you have children, Officer Chandler?
-No.
Then you would never understand.
-...the murder of your daughter-in-law.
-Okay.
I've got this worked out. Yes, it's all right.
-Did you have some cockamamie idea?
-You might have told me why you did that.
I can't believe it.
If a reduced sentence
couldn't get her to budge...
I don't know what will.
Whether she gives her son up or not,
she dies behind bars.
She thinks she's given him his freedom.
-Crazy woman.
-Crazy like a fox.
With her elocution, I can't bring
any charges against Barry Atkins.
We have no other evidence
linking him to the crime.
What is it with this guy?
How does he get a woman like that
to lie for him?
To be willing to take the lethal injection
for him.
I don't know. Love?
I've never loved anybody that much.
Let's see if Atkins loves his mother
as much as she loves him.
Can I help you with that?
I got it.
Tara told me to come.
How is she?
She's hurt, but she'll live.
Honestly, it's you I'm worried about.
Barry didn't know anything about it.
How long have you been seeing
the Sergeant, Kathy?
Not until after...
his wife, you know...
Looks like it worked out
pretty good for you.
That's a hell of a bloodline
you chose to continue.
-It's none of your business.
-It is, if you're involved in any way.
Involved in what?
I trust Barry.
He didn't know anything about it.
Seems to me, with the insurance settlement
from Fran's murder...
he could have bought you a bigger house.
You tell me everything you know...
and I'll make sure
you raise the baby from this side of prison.
What the hell do you want from me?
Get off my property.
Relax, I just want to talk.
You want to talk? You ruined my family.
What else is there to talk about?
Come on, baby. I'll help you with the stuff.
Get out of here.
Your mother's going down for murder.
Are you going to let that happen?
She confessed, all right?
I never thought she could have done
something like that.
I mean, I'm sick about it.
It's a tragedy, but I can't help her now.
-You can help keep a needle out of her arm.
-How's that?
-By saying that I put her up to it? I didn't.
-So she just did this for you.
Look, she was a rotten mother, okay,
by anybody's standards.
After my old man left,
she just wanted to party all the time.
There was just one guy in the house
after another.
After about 10, I gave up on the fact that
any of those guys would be my new father.
Then I didn't have a father or a mother.
So, maybe somewhere in her sick mind,
she thought she was helping me.
All on her own?
Mother always did everything
all on her own.
She couldn't have cared less what I wanted,
or what was going on with me.
It was always all about her.
Are you really going to let your mother
die for you?
Look, she killed Fran. I loved her.
She can burn.
And you can get off my property.
Are you really going to let your mother
die for you?
Look, she killed Fran. I loved her.
She can burn...
He asked me to hire a hit man...
to kill Fran.
They failed miserably.
So I had to go along...
and do it myself.
Barry told me where...
when...
and even gave me a knife
from their kitchen...
so it would look
like she caught the robbers...
in the act.
-You just don't know when to quit, do you?
-I quit when I get justice.
You call harassing me justice?
You asked me to meet you here,
I'm here. Why?
You set up Sulway and the other burglars.
You used their M.O.
to make your wife's death...
look like a bungled robbery.
With your alibi, no one would suspect you.
-No one did.
-Except me.
-Are you gonna get to the point, Chandler?
-You followed me.
You knew I was going to track them down,
and if I arrested them...
it would become clear
they hadn't killed your wife.
You had to kill them first.
-That sounds risky.
-Yeah, but you had a lot at stake.
And it wasn't really that risky, was it?
You had done it before, in Germany...
when you took down that drug ring
single-handed.
I wasn't here alone.
My entire squad was with me.
Not at first. What did you tell them?
"Let me have a crack at them first"?
To not come in till they heard shooting?
Then you did what you did before.
Only this time, you started a firefight.
You even used the same assault weapon
you took off the Germans...
and then snuck back here illegally.
Don't even think about it. It's not loaded.
You've proven one thing.
That you have a very vivid imagination.
That is quite a story, Chandler.
It's just unfortunate
that in about four hours...
I will no longer be in the U.S. Army,
and you will never get anyone on the base...
to believe you.
I just need your men to believe me.
Do you?
-What the hell's going on, Donovan?
-You tell me, Sergeant.
Well, Captain?
Barry Atkins, you are under arrest
for the murder of your wife.
Based on what? That fairytale you just told.
You can't prove that. None of it.
No? Your mother had a change of heart.
She didn't realize
how much you appreciated her sacrifice.
She made a full confession.
A real confession this time. It's over.
-Don't do it, Sergeant.
-No, go for it.
Go for it. In cuffs or a body bag,
it makes no damn difference to me.
Put it down, Barry.
Don't go out like this.
Sgt. Barry Atkins.
Under the military code of criminal justice...
you're under arrest
for the murder of Fran Atkins.
Get him out.
Well?
He almost got away with it.
Almost.
I'm so sorry you got hurt.
I forgive you.
Thanks.
Do you forgive you?
Yeah.
I said leave it.
-Come on.
-Guys, hands off.
-No.
-Come on, baby.
I said no.
-Please, come on.
-No.
She said no.
I thought I told you
the last time you were in here.
-You know, they started it.
-Yeah, well, I'm ending it.
Chandler.
Hold up. This is a restricted area.
Military Police personnel only.
-Warrant Officer Chandler.
-Criminal Investigation Division.
Is that supposed to impress me,
Chief Warrant Officer?
It'd be impressive
if I didn't have to freeze my ass off...
coming out to a crime scene
in the middle of the night.
-Gum?
-No, thank you, sir.
Corporal...
Jeffries. Tara Jeffries.
Cpl. Jeffries, could you take that light
away from my eyes now?
Sorry, sir.
I forgive you.
So, Corporal, where am I going to now?
Second floor. Ask for Capt. Donovan, sir.
Thank you, Corporal.
Officer.
Capt. Donovan.
We don't need CID here.
This isn't a Drunk and Disorderly.
Murder is our jurisdiction.
The victim was the wife
of a Military Police officer.
-The soldier on the stairs?
-Sgt. Barry Atkins.
-Where was he tonight?
-He's one of my men.
That's not what I asked you, sir.
Was he on duty?
He was off base.
But his whereabouts are accounted for,
Chief Warrant Officer.
Don't waste your time.
My men have it all under control.
Maj. Dawson wouldn't like it
if I didn't at least pretend...
to do what he ordered me to do.
What are we working with here?
You know we've had a string of burglaries
on base.
This one went bad.
Poor Franny surprised the perpetrators
and got a kitchen knife in her chest.
Your boys find her wedding band?
No, gone with the rest of the jewelry,
some cash, and silverware.
Strange they missed this.
This handle match the set in the kitchen?
Yes, we have done this before.
Yeah.
Door was wide open?
-She didn't have the dead bolt locked.
-Franny was the trusting type.
Yeah, I can see that.
Anybody talk to the neighbors?
There's only one on this floor,
a Mrs. Owens.
The building has been mostly vacated.
We questioned her. She didn't hear a thing.
Like I said, we have this investigation
well in hand, Chandler.
Can we take this outside, Captain?
If we must.
I'll get right down to it, Donovan.
I know your MP's can handle this,
but they shouldn't. Thanks.
And why is that?
Well, for one, Military Criminal Code
says that homicide is CID's responsibility.
No, screw jurisdiction.
This one is personal.
Can you understand that?
Noted. And the second reason
why your MP's shouldn't be involved.
Personal feelings
can get in the way of an investigation.
You know the prime suspect
in any spousal homicide is the husband.
In this case, your Sgt. Atkins.
We've eliminated Barry Atkins as a suspect.
-Already?
-Atkins checked out a car at 6:00 p.m.
He spent the evening
with his wife's brother's family in Modesto.
Fran's brother, Tom, confirmed that Atkins
was with him until midnight.
So unless you think...
her own brother would lie
to protect his sister's killer...
the Sergeant was 50 miles away
when she was attacked.
No. This was a burglary gone bad,
and we, not you...
are going to get the scum bags who did it.
Capisce?
That was quick.
Yeah.
It seems Capt. Donovan was even less
impressed by my badge than you were.
-Good night, Corporal.
-Good night, sir.
-I'm sorry for your loss.
-Thanks.
Barry... I mean, Sergeant.
I'm so very sorry.
Sorry for your loss.
-Such a nice girl.
-Yeah.
-Here, honey.
-I'm good, thanks.
You gotta eat.
Thanks for coming, Mom.
Where else would I be
when my boy needs me?
-I'm so sorry.
-Thanks.
-Did you hear from Dad at all?
-Left a message.
Screens his calls
in case I'm looking for alimony.
I'm sure he'll leave you
a nice warm telegram.
Sergeant.
-Warrant Officer.
-Terribly sorry for your loss.
If I can help in any way,
officially or otherwise, just name it.
I'm gonna get the guy
who did this to my wife.
I know you will.
Lt. Chandler, Criminal Investigations.
This is my mother.
-Mrs. Atkins.
-Call me Bunny.
Please, everyone does. It's nice to meet you.
-Attention.
-At ease.
As you were.
It's a wonderful service
the chaplain gave her.
Wonderful.
-Our prayers are with you.
-Thank you, sir.
Mother, you remember Maj. Dawson,
my commanding officer.
-Maj. Dawson.
-How nice to see you again.
Why don't you take a couple of days,
regroup, and when you feel like...
report to me at Headquarters.
Begging your pardon, sir,
I'd like to return to duty...
as soon as possible.
I understand.
I'll discuss it with Capt. Donovan.
-Thank you, sir.
-Bunny.
-Get your hands off me.
-Relax, Tom.
Relax? My sister is dead.
-She's dead.
-There's nothing you could have done.
There's nothing I could have done?
What's going on, Tom?
What's going on?
Any of these people actually know Fran?
Any of you people know Franny?
Did you know Franny?
Franny was nice to everyone she met.
People remember kindness.
A lot of good it did her.
What about you, Mr. Policeman?
Couldn't even protect your own wife.
-No one's sorrier than I am, Tom.
-No one's sorrier than I am.
And why wasn't she with you
the night you came over?
She wasn't feeling well.
Then why didn't you stay home
and take care of her?
You're her husband,
you're supposed to take care of her.
I don't think Franny would like you
acting like this, you know?
I think that we're all just trying
to do the best we can here.
Should have taken care
of those guys the first time.
Lock yourself out, Officer?
-Hello again, Corporal.
-It's Tara.
Cpl. Tara. No, I have my keys right here.
How are you liking your new post?
It's fine.
Just have to get to know San Francisco.
It's pretty good once you get to know it.
With the base closing in six months,
I don't think I'll have time...
to develop any strong feelings about it.
Yeah, we don't have much time.
Excuse me?
Can you come by the enlisted mess
on Friday night?
All the MP's get together for drinks
when we're done our shift.
And you want me to...
Drink. That's what we do there.
-Do you drink?
-When I have to.
Me, too.
I should get in there and pay my respects.
Friday night, remember.
The Presidio.
Sir?
This base has been a military fort
since 1776.
Back then the Spanish flag
flew over these walls.
U.S. Army took over in 1848.
The Presidio's been part
of every conflict we've had since then.
And soon it's going to be gone.
Damn base closings. Damn budget cuts.
Yes, sir, damn budget cuts.
I just finished the report
on the Deats-Able court martial.
Excellent work.
Thank you, sir, but the facts
were pretty straightforward.
I have your new case right here.
The Capobianco hearing?
But what about the Frances Atkins case?
The MP's are on that.
It's a homicide. It's supposed to be ours.
Capt. Donovan feels
it's part of the MP's ongoing investigation...
into the base burglaries.
I tend to agree with him.
Sgt. Atkins' squad was investigating
a series of robberies.
It's my theory he got too close.
Maybe the men who killed his wife
are sending him a message.
Maybe. Why do you want it?
It's my job.
I know you think you've got
something to prove here, Chandler.
But you don't.
That's why you're here.
That's why we're all here.
James, just start thinking of this base
like it's the Titanic...
and your only job is to stand on the deck...
and watch the grand old lady
disappear into history.
-Sir, the MP's--
-Are on it.
The MP's have got it covered.
Let them handle it. Don't make any waves.
Capobianco is your next case.
Do you understand that?
Of course, sir.
Captain, something I can do for you?
Since you're new here,
I want to make it clear to you...
how things work.
-And how is that?
-We run this base.
Does the General know that?
We can call over to his...
Shut up. You know what I mean.
Was that necessary?
And just because this base
is going all to hell...
me and my men are not going to go with it.
You understand?
You're confusing the hell out of me.
First you run the base, then you don't.
He's a general, you're a captain.
I'm fuzzy on this whole
chain of command thing.
Let me give you the Braille version.
Stay away from Fran Atkins.
Stay away from Sgt. Atkins.
And stay out of our affairs.
You left out the "or else," Captain.
Or else.
Okay.
Welcome to the Presidio.
I'm very sorry about your sister.
Thanks.
Why aren't we doing this at your office
on the base?
I thought this was nicer.
I was always the guy who asked the teacher
to take the lecture outside.
Me, too, but they never did,
that's why I became a teacher myself.
-Yeah? What do you teach?
-I teach Biology to eighth graders.
-Brave man.
-Yeah.
-You ever take the class outside?
-Sometimes.
You said on the phone
you wanted to talk to me.
I'm confused. I already gave a statement
to the Military Police.
I'm not with the Military Police.
I'm a Criminal Investigator.
It's like the difference between a detective
and the beat cop. I'm the brains, they're...
well, they're the brawn.
So what do you want from me, Lieutenant?
I wanted to ask you
about the previous incident.
You reported an attempted burglary
at your sister's apartment...
three weeks ago when you were visiting.
Can you tell me about that?
I was...
spending the night with Fran, on base.
Barry was at his mother's
and Fran was afraid to be alone that night.
Fran didn't go with him to his mother's?
Barry's mother wasn't a big fan of my sister.
You see, Fran's dream
was to be a wife and a mother...
and Thelma just didn't think
that was ambitious enough.
Fran ever say what she was afraid of?
She was like that ever since she was a kid.
Anyway, that night,
around midnight the doorbell rang.
I was staying in the living room,
so I got up and opened the door.
There were two guys standing there,
who looked very surprised to see me.
-Did you recognize them?
-No.
They weren't wearing military garb.
They were wearing jeans and windbreakers.
What did they say?
Nothing, I asked them what they wanted.
They took off.
-That was the end of it?
-Yeah.
I told Barry about it.
I gave him descriptions of the two guys.
They made drawings and everything.
He said they were probably
just looking for a new recruit's apartment.
I guess it happens all the time on the base.
All the housing looks the same.
Do you think it was those two men
who returned a few days ago?
God help me if it was.
Cpl. Phillips...
check these against Presidio personnel,
then run them through NCIC...
San Francisco P.D., FBI.
Match might turn up anywhere.
Is this about the Capobianco hearing?
Yes.
Okay.
Mrs. Owens?
Warrant Officer Chandler,
Criminal Investigations Division.
May I speak with you for a moment?
Certainly.
Let's take a walk.
-This is about Franny, isn't it?
-Yes.
I heard you were well-informed.
You mean you heard I was the base gossip.
It's okay.
Between you and me, with my husband
out on maneuvers as often as he is...
I have little else to do but keep track
of the petty crap that goes on around here.
What I heard was
that you were a friend of Fran Atkins.
We were the only people in the building.
We talked.
MP's report says you didn't hear a thing
the night of the attack.
No, I wish I had.
It was one of those rare nights
that Glen was home...
and he snores like a freight train.
-Where is your husband now?
-He just shipped out.
25th Postal Company, Camp Zama, Tokyo.
It's where I'm headed next week.
Camp Zama, mama.
-Japan, you must be excited.
-When I first met my husband...
he was stationed at Fort Bragg.
Promised to take me away
from North Carolina, and what have I seen?
Abilene, Texas. El Paso, Texas.
Fort Worth, Texas. Tampa, Florida...
now here.
San Francisco, the big time, right?
To a base that's closing.
Buildings empty, falling down.
And as if that wasn't bad enough,
now we have burglars and killers around...
I am afraid to leave my apartment.
So, yes, I can't wait to get away from here.
Japan does not matter.
Even Fort Bragg would look good right now.
What about Fran, how did she like it here?
Franny? She loved it.
She loved being an army wife.
Sgt. Ken and Barbie
is what we used to call them.
-No fights?
-The usual.
-Which would be?
-Fran wanted to start a family and...
-Atkins didn't want children?
-He wanted children. He just wanted to wait.
He was getting ready to muster out
at the end of the year.
Fran didn't want to wait.
Seemed like she was afraid.
Did she tell you what she was afraid of?
Same things that I was afraid of.
Afraid of being alone on the base at night.
Worrying if our husbands
were going to make it home in one piece.
Do you recognize either of these men?
-No, I've never seen them before.
-Think.
Maybe they were hanging around
or visiting the Atkinses.
They are so few people
that come through here these weeks.
I would definitely remember.
You're going to find the person
that killed Fran, right?
Yes. I am.
Hello. This is my friend Cpl. Tucker.
Kathy, this is Warrant Officer Chandler.
-Hi.
-It's nice to meet you.
He is the new man
in the Criminal Investigations Division.
You better watch your mouth.
I have to get these drinks back anyways.
It was nice meeting you.
It seems different...
-Where is she from?
-Utah, I think.
Interested?
I meant, on the base.
She is a records officer over at MP HQ.
Why?
Thought I saw her before, that's all.
CID. Always investigating.
So, have you investigated me yet?
-No.
-I'm investigating you.
-Really, why?
-I'm wondering.
They are transferring all the personnel
off the base...
but here you come, big as day,
transferring on for the last few months.
Just wondering what makes you so special.
Maybe they sent me here
because I'm not special.
Why don't we finish our drinks?
I'll introduce you around.
Cheers.
They seem like small-time operators.
Not like the guys we had to deal with
when we were in Germany.
See, those bastards, man.
They wouldn't think about ripping off
the base if it wasn't closing.
Everything's falling apart.
No order anymore.
Damn straight, not like it used to be.
What about the operation in Germany,
Sergeant?
Come on.
I'll tell her. All right, listen.
We knew there was this ring
selling crystal meth to enlisted men.
They were in with Berlin's organized crime
but we couldn't prove it.
We had to catch them in the act,
on the airfield. Remember?
Sarge here levels his M9...
and he says, "Military Police!"
And this kid right in front of him
drops his rifle...
and takes a dump in his pants.
-There's three of you against 10.
-Yeah, but...
we were only the backup.
Barry went in alone.
Brought them all out without firing a shot.
Got himself
a brand-new Heckler & Koch G36...
-a real beauty.
-They wouldn't let me take it back, though.
Sounds exciting.
If any of you don't know,
this is Officer James Chandler.
-We've met.
-Officer Chandler.
You slumming tonight?
They water down the drinks
at the Officer's Mess.
I thought you knew that.
Thanks.
How about we shoot at something
that can't shoot back?
You got a game, do you?
All right, rack them up.
How's it hanging, Tiny?
Thanks for the rescue.
I don't think I could have taken
any more cheering up.
-Well, they mean well.
-Yeah, I guess.
So, I heard that you were an MP
down in San Diego.
-How are you liking the promotion?
-CID?
Less action, more red tape.
At least, I don't have to deal
with rowdy sailors.
Spent too much time writing them D&D's.
How about you? How are you holding up?
I feel like I'm watching a movie
with the volume turned down.
I don't know.
It's like I'm seeing everything
but I'm only registering half of it, you know?
I sure do.
-Any leads on the burglaries?
-Yeah, they always happen on a Wednesday.
But not every Wednesday.
We doubled up patrols on that night,
but this is a big base, you know?
It's a big base
and I've only got a few men left.
Did you check the duty rosters?
Checked everyone on duty
and everyone off duty.
Come up empty.
I'm going crazy,
I just know this was an inside job.
That could be tricky business.
Investigating your fellow soldiers.
-Don't want to make any mistakes there.
-I guess you would know about that.
-Scratch.
-Yeah.
-You break.
-No, you won.
Go ahead, you break.
All right.
No leads on the thieves,
what about tracing the stolen property?
They took most of the jewelry,
they've got to fence it somewhere.
I put together a list
and gave it to our local pawn shops...
but there's like 50,000 pawn shops
in San Francisco, you know.
-I didn't know that.
-There are.
-So, no luck there.
-No, not yet.
These guys are smart.
They can't be that smart, they're soldiers.
Like you said...
they're not big-time drug dealers,
just petty thieves.
One of them's sure to screw up eventually.
And when they do, I'll be there.
Chandler.
Wait up.
Can I walk you home?
Shouldn't I be walking you home?
Normally you should...
but seeing as how you're afraid of women...
the thought of a murderer on the loose
must be paralyzing.
What makes you say I'm afraid of women?
Maybe just afraid of me.
I've been knocking myself out...
to let you know that I am interested...
-and you're not responding.
-I came out tonight, didn't I?
Was that to see me or to question Atkins?
-Pretty sharp.
-I am a good cop.
Maybe not good enough
to be a detective at CID yet.
-Thought you weren't working this case.
-I'm not officially. Just trying to help.
What do you think Atkins knows
about his wife's death...
that he hasn't told Capt. Donovan
and the rest of his officers?
I think he knows the people who did this
might have really been after him.
Maybe that makes him feel responsible.
And that's not a good feeling.
That kind of guilt.
Feeling you could have
prevented something like that.
I want to help.
-Do you really?
-Yeah.
I find the burglars, I find Fran Atkins' killer.
That's all I want.
You know, you're kind of sweet.
In a big, dumb, faithful dog kind of way.
Thanks, I guess.
This is me.
Look, if you need help, you wanna talk...
call me.
Okay.
Good night.
First robbery, Wednesday, February 1.
Mostly jewelry.
Third robbery, March 13.
Thanks.
Men's watches.
Fifth robbery, more men's watches.
Gold chronometer, north of the base.
Two weeks later,
the far south end of the base.
Enlisted men's apartments.
Enlisted men off base.
Officer's residence.
Lieutenant in San Francisco for a night out.
Where are you?
Where's the jewelry?
Men's gold chronometer watch.
Where are you?
Private.
-Got a little pawn action going on?
-This?
Just some interesting junk
that I sell on consignment, sir.
Guys usually to come in here
end of the month looking for cash.
Before the eagle craps
things get tight for the enlisted men.
I hear you. What about this watch here?
-Is this real gold?
-Couldn't be.
Comes from a buddy of mine.
Got his eye on that DVD player there.
-Who sold it to you?
-PFC on the motor pool I know.
-He is always got a lot of stuff for sale.
-Where did he get it?
Trades with other soldiers around payday.
-Tough making on a PFC's salary.
-Yeah. You got it.
If he's got any more like this
I'd like to meet him. What's his name?
-You MP, sir?
-Hell, no. Just a guy with good taste.
Pvt. Sulway.
Sulway. Thanks.
Pvt. Sulway?
You just missed him, sir.
Pvt. Sulway works graveyard.
Any idea where I might find him?
You might catch him over at Kitty's, sir.
That's usually where they go for breakfast.
Thank you.
I noticed you don't have any motors
in your motor pool.
No, sir. All the good stuff
has already been shipped to other bases.
All we got is a few cars, you know,
for officers who need to get into the city.
I'm going to need a copy of your vehicle log
for the last 12 weeks.
If you wish to clear that
with your commanding officer...
I'll wait.
When I got up this morning,
I come out of the room and I'm naked.
And there are kids
and they are all over the place.
-How many kids?
-There were five of them.
-Five kids.
-That's what I thought.
I'm going, "You're so hot.
How can you have five kids?"
She is only 19.
No. She's not 19.
She's like, 35, but she got five kids.
What are you going to do with five kids?
-Can you believe that? I really like her.
-Did you take off? I would have.
-You went home with her.
-You woke up in the morning...
Five kids crawling off the ceiling.
Coming out from under the bed,
from the closet...
Excuse me.
Mind if I join you gentlemen?
Are you Sulway?
Yeah.
PFC Dwyer and Brooks.
Do I know you?
No, but I bought this watch of yours
at the PX yesterday.
The clerk told me it was a knockoff.
-This watch.
-Yeah.
Was there a problem?
I don't do warranty work.
It's funny. No, there's no problem. I just...
cleaned this baby up and found
that it's worth much more than I paid.
Solid gold.
It's gold?
Looks like you took it in the shorts
on that one, Sulley.
So, what, did you come here
to make me feel worse?
No. It's just...
-He told me you might have more like this.
-No way.
That's a one-time thing. It's my dad's watch.
I needed the money.
Too bad he didn't tell you it was gold.
Maybe you wouldn't have sold it at the PX.
You're right, Arch.
That's too bad.
But, listen, since I made out so good
on the watch...
the least I can do is buy you boys breakfast.
So, you guys all in it together?
The graveyard shift.
Yeah, I pulled that once
down in San Diego, latrine duty.
Motor pool must be a dream at night.
Lots of free time, especially
since all the vehicles got shipped off.
Listen. I got to go.
Nice to have met you guys.
Thanks for the watch.
What are you doing?
I traded the watch to exchange it
for the DVD deck.
-He doesn't know anything. One watch.
-Shut up!
Sir, light and sweet, just like you asked.
Light and sweet, just like you, chica.
Thanks.
-I feel bad.
-Why, sir?
-Having you bring me coffee.
-I don't mind.
How's the Capobianco investigation going?
Check your car out on a Wednesday
and you get your quarters robbed.
-So that's why the motor pool.
-Yeah.
They are involved definitely.
They know when you're gonna be gone.
Yeah, but why Wednesday?
What's so special about Wednesday?
Why would they lock up the garbage?
When do they pick up garbage on the base?
We put it out on Wednesday night.
They pick it up on Thursday morning.
Maybe it is that simple.
Who hauls away the trash?
I don't know. The City?
No. We'd have to use private service.
Security issues and all that.
Base Operations.
This is Chief Warrant Officer Chandler.
I need the name of the sanitation company...
responsible for container pick up, please.
That would be Bayside Sanitation, sir.
And how often do they collect
on the Presidio?
Once a week, every Thursday morning,
0600 hours.
Thank you very much.
Now I got what I am looking for.
About Staff Surgeon Capobianco?
Exactly.
-Thanks, Phillips.
-No problem, sir.
-Officer Chandler.
-Corporal.
Is that for me?
Yeah,
I guessed I should have brought something.
Well, you guessed right.
Come on in. I'll get some glasses.
It's nice.
This is a lot of applications.
San Francisco P.D., LAPD.
I didn't study the code of military ethics
so I could check ID's at the front gate.
Really? Why did you?
Wanna be a good cop.
Not gonna be in the military forever.
What about you?
Me, I'm just trying to be a competent cop.
-Sedona, Arizona Sheriff's Department?
-That's the one I hope comes through.
Really? Why is that?
-You ever been there?
-No.
-Northern Arizona.
-Hot there?
No. They actually get a light snow
in the winter.
It is the most beautiful place
I have ever seen.
Red rocks, Indian ruins...
and at night you can see every star
in the galaxy, even the Milky Way.
You have to go there.
Well, If you make it into
the Sheriff's department, I'll come visit you.
To the Sedona, Arizona
Sheriff's department then.
Now, why are you here?
Well, you told me to call on you,
if I needed help.
I knew you needed help.
-I think that's why I like you.
-You like me?
-Why?
-Well, maybe it's my nurturing instincts.
I could tell the first time I saw you.
You looked a little lost.
Think you needed help.
-Psychiatric help?
-Maybe.
You get hurt a lot, don't you?
Every time I see you...
Car trouble this time.
Well, I think you need someone
to look out for you.
Make sure that you don't bang your head.
Sorry, it's been a long time.
Then I'll be gentle.
You know, I'm a warrant officer
and you're a corporal.
We shouldn't be doing this.
No, we shouldn't get caught.
I'm CID, they have to arrest us.
So do you wanna handcuff me,
or should I handcuff you?
Look, I shouldn't be doing this.
Please, Jimmy.
I said no.
What is your problem?
I'm sorry, I just don't like being called that.
Your name?
It's hard to...
I can't explain. Bad memories.
I'm not a very nice guy.
Well, then I won't be a very nice girl.
Was it so bad?
No, it was...
so good.
Then where are you going in such a hurry?
I gotta go.
I have to take out the garbage.
Really?
It's nothing. It's a case.
You don't trust me?
That's okay. You don't have to tell me.
Tara, there is something I have to tell you.
Something you need to know.
There's no need.
Everybody talks about the new guy on base.
I know you had some kind of problem
at your old post. But it doesn't matter.
Just be happy now...
at this moment.
Ghosts can't get you here.
I gotta go.
Boys from the motor pool.
Pvts. Sulway, Brooks, and Dwyer.
All in it together.
Well, at least they're punctual.
What's in the bags, boys?
Yeah, Phillips, it's Chandler.
I'm outside the Bayside Sanitation.
It's 105 River Road.
The three burglary suspects
are confirmed inside...
along with at least two other armed men.
I'm gonna need local police and MP backup.
Sgt. Atkins and the MP's. What the...
No.
-What have you got?
-Man, you know, good stuff.
You always say that. Open her up.
-What are you boys doing off base?
-Who the hell is that?
I certainly hope you signed out your vehicle
properly.
Military Police. Drop your weapon!
Freeze! Military Police.
Atkins.
Sulway.
He's still alive.
-What the hell happened here, Sergeant?
-I got the bastards who killed my wife.
He killed them.
Give it a rest, James.
I've already called the Board of Inquiry.
Atkins and his men will be restricted
to the base till it's complete.
One suspect's still breathing.
He may tell us what went on.
-What were you doing there?
-Following up a lead.
-It's not even your case.
-It was on my own time.
I think Atkins knew who these guys were
before last night.
Do me a favor, give up.
It's over. Do you understand?
Sulway opened fire first.
Atkins had no choice.
-Not his style.
-What does that mean?
Read the record of Atkins' famous drug bust
when he was in Germany.
Surrounded by armed suspects,
he brought them in alive.
That was different.
This was an execution.
He killed our only witnesses.
He killed the people who killed his wife...
who were trying to kill him.
What would you have done?
I'd wanna know.
I'd wanna make sure
I was shooting the right man...
unless I was damn sure
I was shooting the wrong one.
James.
Keep it quiet.
-Sir?
-Follow your nose on this.
But from now on, any move you make
has to be approved by me in advance.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Just pick it up, Mom.
It's ridiculous that we can't eat
in a decent restaurant.
My son's a hero.
He's being treated like a criminal.
It's standard operating procedure.
The inquiry will be over soon
and I'll be able to leave the base.
When you do, I'll cook you a divine dinner.
To my Barry, the bravest policeman
in the Presidio.
-To Fran.
-Of course. To Fran.
Kathy, sit by me.
-We are celebrating fine work of your team.
-Mom.
Thank you.
-It must have been hairy.
-It was a bit of a bang and clang.
All them garbage cans
made for ricochet hell, but you know...
-we made out all right.
-Funny, that's not the way I heard it.
Did any of them even get a shot off,
Sergeant?
What do you want?
I've had a rough enough week.
You got something you wanna say to me...
why don't you get it
off your self-righteous chest?
Okay.
I think you're a dangerous, egocentric,
trigger-happy cop.
How do you like them apples?
You know, I think you're making a mistake,
Officer Chandler.
I'm the victim here, remember? Victim.
Can't you leave my son alone? My Lord!
-Someone help him find the door.
-Baker, sit down.
You know, it's not my problem
that you don't have the balls...
to take down the killer.
Maybe if you did, your friend in San Diego
would still be breathing.
Officer.
What did you think
you were you doing in there?
Just trying to shake some trees. What?
Let Atkins be. He just wants some closure.
He did a good job
of closing this case, all right.
That's right, and you know what,
I'm gonna feel safer tonight.
Are you mad because you didn't break it?
This isn't about me.
This is about your friends in there.
I think maybe you're looking
for a little closure yourself.
You don't know what you're saying.
-They caught the burglars.
-But I didn't get my killer.
Not yet.
I don't understand.
I thought they got the guys that killed Fran.
I know. That's what they told you.
That she was just in the wrong place
at the wrong right time.
But I don't believe that anymore.
I think there is more to it than that.
You don't have to talk to me
if you don't want to.
-It's okay. What are you looking for?
-A reason.
Some reason why someone
would want your sister dead.
Someone, or Barry?
-I didn't say that.
-You didn't have to.
Was there?
No, there wasn't.
There was something.
What is it, Tom?
Was it about having children?
Fran wanted kids.
She did. She wanted Barry's kids. So did he.
They couldn't wait.
-I thought he wanted to wait.
-No, Barry wanted a family.
That's why Fran was so upset
when she found out...
she couldn't have children.
-What, your sister--
-Fran had a... She had a cyst...
in her uterus when she was about 16.
Doctors always told her
she'd probably be able to have kids.
Then her and Barry started trying...
and about six months ago,
doctors told her it wasn't going to happen.
I'm sorry.
-Did they think about adopting?
-Yeah.
Barry's hell-bent on having kids of his own.
It was around then that Fran got worried.
Paranoid that Barry would leave her.
Did she ever say anything...
that she was worried
there was someone else?
Yeah. That's when she started
to feel inadequate.
Fran was...
a beautiful, smart, talented...
wonderful woman.
Any man would have been lucky to have her,
and she didn't deserve...
to get pushed aside
over something she had no control over.
Was there someone else, Tom?
I don't know for sure...
but Fran thought
it was one of the female MP's.
Did she say which one?
No, but she said
she was always hanging around him.
You don't think that he...
I don't know what to think, Tom.
-Look, Tara, I wanted to--
-ID.
You're clear.
I need to talk to you.
So talk.
-Listen, I was a jerk.
-And?
And I wanted to try to explain.
Not apologize?
Yes, apologize and explain.
Well, there is nothing to explain.
Then I'm forgiven?
Can you drive through, please?
You're blocking traffic.
Cover me.
What?
Look, what is your relationship
with Sgt. Atkins?
-That's quite the apology.
-It's important. I need to know.
You need. What are you asking?
Are Sgt. Atkins and I lovers?
No, Chief Warrant Officer.
What are you trying to prove?
I think Barry Atkins hired someone
to kill his wife.
Why would Barry have Fran killed?
Barry wanted to have children
and Fran couldn't have any.
Then divorce her.
Fran's brother said
that Fran Atkins thought...
Barry was having an affair with a female MP.
And you thought it was me?
-I saw the picture of the two of you.
-He was my training officer.
I have never been involved with Sgt. Atkins.
Good.
So, are you through accusing me of stuff?
-Yes.
-Good.
Then who?
Are you asking me to find out?
You want me to spy on Sgt. Atkins?
Well, you are a police officer.
-You could be wrong about him.
-You're right, and if I am, I'll apologize.
'Cause you're real good at that.
-This is a murder.
-I know. I never said I wasn't gonna do it.
Thank you.
Can I call you later?
My shift's over at 4:00.
Chandler.
Officer Chandler, the third suspect just died
of his gunshot wounds.
I've got Det. Robert Sayer
on the phone from Houston.
Texas?
Yes. Says he's got a lead
from that bulletin we sent him.
-Put him on.
-Okay.
This is Warrant Officer Chandler.
This is Det. Sayer
of the Houston Police Department.
You posted a composite
of a home invasion suspect...
on the NCIC database
a couple of weeks ago?
Yes.
We got this boy down here.
Fits your description.
We got him on a rape charge.
Said he came down from your way.
Where is he now?
Got him on three hots and a cot.
Want to come down and talk to him?
We are faxing you his info
and his rap sheet now.
Thank you.
-Change of plans.
-Where are you going?
Texas.
Name is David Raymer.
Got two felony convictions here in Texas.
One in Houston.
The other one up in Abilene.
Figured he'd get off our radar,
go to San Francisco.
But I guess he got a little homesick,
came back down here...
roughed up a girl in a bar,
raped her and robbed her.
Nice guy.
If he gets convicted, it's life.
He'll cooperate. Come on.
Raymer, Warrant Officer Chandler
of the Army.
Behave yourself.
-I'll be outside.
-Thanks.
Mr. Raymer, Criminal Investigations Division
of the United States Army.
It's not that boring.
I'm here to charge you with murder.
Right.
I didn't kill anybody.
-Is that supposed to be me?
-Good answer.
It's a pretty bad picture.
I don't know these other people.
Chick's kind of cute.
That's all you have to say?
I got no reason to help you.
I'm dead to my rights here.
My lawyer is talking to the D.A...
and I don't see you giving me
a plea offer here...
unless you're here to enlist me
in the United States Army.
Nice to have met you, Mr. Raymer.
Do they still have the death sentence
in Texas, the electric chair, old Sparky...
or is that Florida?
-Wait a minute.
-I don't have to wait for anything.
I can place you at the scene of a homicide
on the Presidio.
That's at least accessory to Murder One.
I didn't do it and I can prove that.
Really?
-Tell me what you know.
-We never touched her.
-Who?
-I don't know her name.
-I wasn't there the night they did it.
-Who were you with?
This guy. My buddy.
You talk to him. He'll tell you I wasn't there
the night they did it.
Did what? What did they do?
Guy comes to us.
Wants us to toss this apartment, right?
Chick's supposed to be there alone.
But when we show up
there's some guy there. So we take off.
Couple of weeks later, same guy wants
to hire us for the same job.
Double the money.
But I was sick of 'Frisco.
It's too damp.
I don't need the weather. I need names.
Who hired you and your buddy?
I never talked to the money guy.
-My buddy did that.
-All right. What's your buddy's name?
See, that's the thing.
Are you gonna help me out here?
Give me your buddy's name.
I'll see what I can do.
Dude, I look like I'm new at this to you?
Look, I'm after who hired you.
If you don't help me...
I will have the Houston D.A.
slap an accessory to murder charge...
on the rap they have you on now.
You got that?
Steve Wilson.
There's probably 1,000 in San Francisco.
Where will I find yours?
North Beach.
Thanks for playing.
Easy.
So, where's Chandler?
I haven't seen him around
last couple of days.
How would I know? I'm not his keeper.
When you talk to him,
which I'm sure you will...
you tell him to wise up.
Stay out of my business.
And what business would that be,
Sergeant?
You see the uniform you're wearing?
-It's Military Police.
-Yeah.
Is there a threat that goes with that?
I could have you both brought up
with fraternizing charges.
And why exactly would you do that?
You should be more careful
when you sleep with a fellow soldier.
You would know.
"Kathy Tucker.
"Request for voluntary separation.
"Reason for separation: Expiration of act
of daily commitment and hardship.
"Family emergency retirement.
"Pregnancy."
Fran, you got in the way.
Chandler.
James, it's Tara. Call me ASAP.
I've got some important info.
Tara, are you there? Pick up.
I got your call and I'm on my way back
to town. I've got to see Maj. Dawson.
Listen, stay away from Sgt. Atkins
until I get there.
No kidding.
I think I got real evidence that links him
to the crime. Stay away from him.
I don't want you to get hurt.
-Who is it?
-It's Jimmy.
Jimmy?
I believe Sgt. Atkins hired someone
to kill his wife while he had an airtight alibi.
Until you come up with a name,
be careful of your accusations, Officer.
-Sir, what more do you need?
-I need some evidence, James. Jesus!
I've read this Raymer report.
You've got nothing.
You've got a convicted rapist
who's looking for a deal.
Now, I've cut you a lot of slack here.
But you have yet to produce any evidence
that links Atkins with the murder.
What about the general inquiry?
Is Atkins still restricted to base?
Sgt. Atkins and my two MP's
have been cleared.
How?
The Board of Inquiry just handed down
its ruling on the shootings.
The soldiers involved
were violent criminals.
Damn, man. Self defense. No further action.
Unbelievable.
What? There's something else, isn't there?
Sgt. Atkins' current tour of duty
expires in 72 hours.
He's chosen not to re-enlist.
So in three days he's gonna walk off
and we will never know who killed his wife?
-We know who killed his wife.
-And if you're wrong?
Once Atkins leaves military service,
he cannot be prosecuted by us.
He might be getting away with murder
and you're willing to look the other way.
James, I'm not looking the other way.
You've brought me nothing.
I can only go by facts.
Facts. Nothing more, nothing less.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
This is all my fault.
I should have trusted you.
You couldn't.
I will never make that mistake
with you again.
At least I might be able to get out of here
a little early.
Head to Sedona, Arizona.
-It wasn't your fault.
-It is.
Just like last time.
There's no record.
It's not because of something I did.
It's because of something I didn't do.
She was a corporal. Just like you.
She started living off base with this captain.
Only after she moved in
she found out he liked to beat her up...
when he drank too much.
-So she filed a report with my office.
-Jimmy.
With me.
But because her abusive boyfriend
was a superior officer...
my C.O. told me
to stay out of their personal lives.
I was a good M.P.
I obeyed orders.
And the next time that he beat her...
was the last.
I obeyed orders and she ended up dead.
-You did everything you could.
-Did I?
Fran Atkins is dead
and you could have been next.
You couldn't stop it.
No.
But I can make it right.
-Wilson?
-Yeah.
-You Chandler?
-Yeah.
You called me?
Yeah.
I got a little problem, you know.
Something to take care of, you know,
and I ask around and I hear you're the man.
-You're the man who's gonna fix me up.
-I might be. I know you?
No.
Get you a beer?
This ain't a date.
How did you get my number?
Good friend of yours, David Raymer.
-I thought he split.
-He did. He's in stir down in Texas.
Maybe he got fingered?
And he's singing a song
about you and him got hired...
to kill a woman on the Presidio Army Base.
We're done.
Get out of here! Move it!
Freeze! Police!
You shot me, you freaking bastard!
Think I hit the artery. You got five minutes
before you bleed out.
-You killed me?
-Not yet.
Tell me about the murder, Stevie.
I ain't killed no one. Now make a call.
Call a freaking ambulance.
See this? I got 911 on speed dial.
Just tell me first.
Focus, Stevie. Focus!
The hit at the Presidio.
Who hired you to kill her?
I didn't kill no one.
You're bleeding bad, man.
Okay, I was there
but I just busted the joint up.
I didn't do the slice and dice.
Look at this!
Is this the man who hired you?
For Christ's sake, it wasn't a man,
it was a chick.
Now make the call.
A woman? Describe her.
She was a real dish.
She was a real broad, I don't know.
That's all I remember. She looked good.
Make the call.
I can't tell you about that.
But it's here. And it is gorgeous.
Yes. Well, the colors are seductive.
Good morning. Can I help...
Oh, my God.
My son.
-Something's happened to Barry.
-Not yet.
For the eight millionth time,
I don't know what you are talking about.
I don't know the man in these pictures.
I didn't do anything wrong.
I have two witnesses who will testify...
you hired them to kill Fran Atkins...
and were present
the night of the actual killing.
Your witnesses? What are they?
Two known felons who are trying
to get their sentences reduced.
We're going to get you for it, Mrs. Atkins.
We might be able to take the death penalty
off the table if you tell us the whole story.
How did he do it?
Who? Do what?
Barry. How did he get you to do it?
Did he just have to ask you?
Did you hate Fran that much?
-Go screw yourself.
-Mrs. Atkins...
we know your son asked you
to hire the men to kill his wife.
Help yourself out here.
Maybe he intimidated you into it,
threatened you.
We're going to get Barry.
Barry had nothing to do with it.
It was all my idea.
I killed her.
I hired this man...
to rob the apartment while I killed Franny.
-I'm the one who did the stabbing.
-Where did you get the knife?
I took it from their apartment
when I was over a time before.
I killed her.
She was never good enough for my son.
And that's your elocution?
Yes.
It was all me. Barry knew nothing about it.
This is a death penalty state, Mrs. Atkins.
Are you prepared to die for your son?
-Do you have children, Officer Chandler?
-No.
Then you would never understand.
-...the murder of your daughter-in-law.
-Okay.
I've got this worked out. Yes, it's all right.
-Did you have some cockamamie idea?
-You might have told me why you did that.
I can't believe it.
If a reduced sentence
couldn't get her to budge...
I don't know what will.
Whether she gives her son up or not,
she dies behind bars.
She thinks she's given him his freedom.
-Crazy woman.
-Crazy like a fox.
With her elocution, I can't bring
any charges against Barry Atkins.
We have no other evidence
linking him to the crime.
What is it with this guy?
How does he get a woman like that
to lie for him?
To be willing to take the lethal injection
for him.
I don't know. Love?
I've never loved anybody that much.
Let's see if Atkins loves his mother
as much as she loves him.
Can I help you with that?
I got it.
Tara told me to come.
How is she?
She's hurt, but she'll live.
Honestly, it's you I'm worried about.
Barry didn't know anything about it.
How long have you been seeing
the Sergeant, Kathy?
Not until after...
his wife, you know...
Looks like it worked out
pretty good for you.
That's a hell of a bloodline
you chose to continue.
-It's none of your business.
-It is, if you're involved in any way.
Involved in what?
I trust Barry.
He didn't know anything about it.
Seems to me, with the insurance settlement
from Fran's murder...
he could have bought you a bigger house.
You tell me everything you know...
and I'll make sure
you raise the baby from this side of prison.
What the hell do you want from me?
Get off my property.
Relax, I just want to talk.
You want to talk? You ruined my family.
What else is there to talk about?
Come on, baby. I'll help you with the stuff.
Get out of here.
Your mother's going down for murder.
Are you going to let that happen?
She confessed, all right?
I never thought she could have done
something like that.
I mean, I'm sick about it.
It's a tragedy, but I can't help her now.
-You can help keep a needle out of her arm.
-How's that?
-By saying that I put her up to it? I didn't.
-So she just did this for you.
Look, she was a rotten mother, okay,
by anybody's standards.
After my old man left,
she just wanted to party all the time.
There was just one guy in the house
after another.
After about 10, I gave up on the fact that
any of those guys would be my new father.
Then I didn't have a father or a mother.
So, maybe somewhere in her sick mind,
she thought she was helping me.
All on her own?
Mother always did everything
all on her own.
She couldn't have cared less what I wanted,
or what was going on with me.
It was always all about her.
Are you really going to let your mother
die for you?
Look, she killed Fran. I loved her.
She can burn.
And you can get off my property.
Are you really going to let your mother
die for you?
Look, she killed Fran. I loved her.
She can burn...
He asked me to hire a hit man...
to kill Fran.
They failed miserably.
So I had to go along...
and do it myself.
Barry told me where...
when...
and even gave me a knife
from their kitchen...
so it would look
like she caught the robbers...
in the act.
-You just don't know when to quit, do you?
-I quit when I get justice.
You call harassing me justice?
You asked me to meet you here,
I'm here. Why?
You set up Sulway and the other burglars.
You used their M.O.
to make your wife's death...
look like a bungled robbery.
With your alibi, no one would suspect you.
-No one did.
-Except me.
-Are you gonna get to the point, Chandler?
-You followed me.
You knew I was going to track them down,
and if I arrested them...
it would become clear
they hadn't killed your wife.
You had to kill them first.
-That sounds risky.
-Yeah, but you had a lot at stake.
And it wasn't really that risky, was it?
You had done it before, in Germany...
when you took down that drug ring
single-handed.
I wasn't here alone.
My entire squad was with me.
Not at first. What did you tell them?
"Let me have a crack at them first"?
To not come in till they heard shooting?
Then you did what you did before.
Only this time, you started a firefight.
You even used the same assault weapon
you took off the Germans...
and then snuck back here illegally.
Don't even think about it. It's not loaded.
You've proven one thing.
That you have a very vivid imagination.
That is quite a story, Chandler.
It's just unfortunate
that in about four hours...
I will no longer be in the U.S. Army,
and you will never get anyone on the base...
to believe you.
I just need your men to believe me.
Do you?
-What the hell's going on, Donovan?
-You tell me, Sergeant.
Well, Captain?
Barry Atkins, you are under arrest
for the murder of your wife.
Based on what? That fairytale you just told.
You can't prove that. None of it.
No? Your mother had a change of heart.
She didn't realize
how much you appreciated her sacrifice.
She made a full confession.
A real confession this time. It's over.
-Don't do it, Sergeant.
-No, go for it.
Go for it. In cuffs or a body bag,
it makes no damn difference to me.
Put it down, Barry.
Don't go out like this.
Sgt. Barry Atkins.
Under the military code of criminal justice...
you're under arrest
for the murder of Fran Atkins.
Get him out.
Well?
He almost got away with it.
Almost.
I'm so sorry you got hurt.
I forgive you.
Thanks.
Do you forgive you?
Yeah.