Forever Knight (1992) s02e18 Episode Script
Partners of the Month
[.]
Damn it, Jonathan, come on.
[KEYBOARD CLICKING.]
Jonathan? Vick, I'm working.
Just give me a few minutes more.
I gave you a minute an hour ago.
You could at least look.
Very pretty.
[SIGHS.]
You're a jerk, Jonathan.
Vicki, I love you.
Just give me a few more minutes.
Please.
Would you want a few more minutes if she were standing here? Vick! [SIGHS.]
[.]
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.
[GROWLS.]
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
[EXHALING SLOWLY.]
The maid found him she heard the shot, and then the wife came in.
"My darling Victoria--" I guess that would be the blushing bride.
Suicide note? Yeah, computer-generated, the personal touch.
Didn't even sign it.
What are you suggesting? Well, that Levy had a lot to live for, and somebody else had a lot to gain.
I mean, look at this place.
Mm.
One shot, extremely close range.
Yeah.
It's low velocity, low caliber.
Not a lot of firepower.
Might be why there's no exit wound.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Dr.
Lambert, but doesn't a contact wound leave a starburst pattern? How very astute of you, detective.
Yes, in most suicides, the muzzle of the gun is pressed against the skin, thereby creating a gunpowder starburst when fired.
Any idea who the gun belonged to? VICTORIA: He gave it to me I don't know, several years ago.
Jonathan wanted me to learn how to protect myself.
And you usually keep it? Here, at the bedside table.
I probably haven't opened the drawer in a year.
Is this your private suite? Excuse me? Well, there's no sign of a man here.
You weren't sleeping together? I don't know what that has to do with this investigation.
Schank.
I'm just trying to establish the nature of their relationship.
It sounds like they weren't-- I loved my husband very much.
Jonathan worked 20-hour days.
He didn't want to disturb me, so we slept apart.
Where were you when you heard the shot? I was in bed, asleep.
I didn't really know what the sound was.
Maybe a door slam and then I heard Maria scream.
I ran down the hall and there he was.
Just I went over to him.
He was There was so much blood.
I picked up the gun and I started-- Started to scream.
Scream his name.
Over and over again, I was screaming his name.
SCHANKE: This one's a short chapter.
She did it.
Come on, she was tested.
There was no powder residue on her hands.
She wore gloves.
She washed up.
The maid said it was a couple of minutes before the missus came into the room.
What's really bothering you? Who said I'm bothered? Well, I thought you could have been a little bit more tactful about their sleeping arrangements.
Sex is the cornerstone of a sound marriage.
Come on.
Just because they slept apart doesn't mean-- They weren't doing it? Oh, trust me, Nick, the idea that married people make hot monkey love while sleeping in separate beds went out with Lucy and Ricky.
It's impossible to generate any heat from the living room couch.
[YAWNS.]
Pretty damn difficult to get any sleep too.
SCHANKE: There you have it.
Jonathan Levy, deceased.
Just about as thorough a report as I've ever seen.
I think the two cops who wrote that up are definitely worthy of partners of the month.
That's Knight and Schanke.
S-C-H-A-N-K-E, the "C" is hard, the "H" is silent.
And you are not.
Put a sock in it, Schanke.
You didn't get the plaque this month.
Get over it.
What's your take on this? I'm fine without the plaque.
[SIGHS.]
Jonathan Levy? Well, it's too early to rule out murder.
The suicide note? Form letter.
Any suspects? The wife.
Not really.
Okay.
Open it up.
Go for it.
And, gentlemen, stay in sync on this one.
[MIMICKING.]
Stay in sync on this one.
Get off my desk.
Feeling a little underappreciated, are we? Who's got a better record than us, anyway, huh? Nobody.
Rosen and Franklin, oh, yeah, they deserved it again.
Those guys saw more wood on the job than most carpenters.
It's only a plaque on a wall.
I got a wall.
I want a plaque, okay? You should be behind me on this.
A partners-of- the-month citation can be very valuable during promotion review.
You gotta get a handle on the big picture.
Speaking of which, point of entry is consistent with suicide, but I can't confirm until I get inside his head.
Also, I have to wait for Forensics to say they're his prints on the gun.
Or hers.
She said she picked it up when she found him.
Oh, nice story.
Very entertaining.
I give it three stars.
What about the absence of a starburst pattern? He held it away from his head.
You're thinking suicide? All I'm saying is it's possible.
You can't understand someone else's life unless you're living it.
People have demons.
People have enemies.
People have spouses.
She said she tried to revive him.
LAMBERT: Fits with what I see here.
Were we at the same house? Separate bedrooms because he works late? Give me a break.
Their sex life had gone south, and you know why? He probably came home late after a hard night's work and, oh, she was just waiting to go off.
Like he bought the wrong cream cheese, the regular, not the low-fat, and she flips.
It's not like he forgot.
It's not like he didn't make the effort.
It's just whatever he did wasn't good enough.
Cream cheese wrong.
Oops! Bang, dead.
Whether you pull the trigger or they do, in this grand B-movie we call life, there is always a girl.
Cherchez la femme.
Hey, Schank-- Hey, you guys finish, all right? I'm gonna find out about this guy's life before they throw dirt in his coffin.
Uh, is he okay? I don't know.
Like you said, Nat, do you ever really understand anybody else's life? He is your partner.
SCHANKE: Whether you pull the trigger or they do, in this grand B-movie we call life, there is always a girl.
Cherchez la femme.
What are you doing? I had hoped to be gone by now.
Did you really think that we could share all of eternity? I thought we were building something.
We have been building, Nicholas, longer than the Medicis.
Ninety-seven years is longer than any mortal marriage.
You But we are not mortals.
Does that mean we cannot change, cannot grow, cannot want something different? Do not think that this is easy, Nicholas, or that I am without pain, but it is enough.
It's time for me to go.
LACROIX: Does everyone you see, everything you taste and smell remind you of her? I know what it is.
You cannot accept what you must.
That love is not eternal.
It's not even long-lived.
Let it die when it's exhausted.
[OVER RADIO.]
Don't try to resuscitate it.
Let it go.
MAN: You're not helping me much, Night Crawler.
In time, you'll see that I am.
I'm cleansing your wound, waking you from a stupor.
Because of your grief, you cannot see that I'm an ally but in my way, I love you all and I want your love back.
[FRANTIC KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[SIGHS.]
Hello.
How nice to find you at home.
I hope you love pizza, nature's perfect food.
[CHUCKLES.]
It is hell to find at 5 in the morning, but I managed to find some for my partner.
Oh, let's fire up the oven because the cheese, it is coagulating.
You could have called.
Uhgreat place.
You've got so much room here, and a great fridge! So much room in here too.
Come on! Down a frosty.
Let's party in this party crib! Let's get dazed and confused.
Schank, I don't want to be inhospitable, but, uh, why are you here? Well, you know, I thought we could shoot the breeze, talk about the case, do guy stuff.
Besides, I want to celebrate with my partner.
We're friends, right? What are we celebrating? Only the single most wonderful moment of my entire life.
What happened? I did it.
I really did it.
I pink-slipped the ball and chain.
A life without a wife Is a life without strife Myra Is history.
Partners always come through in a pinch.
I knew I didn't have to ask.
Here are a couple of items rescued from the wrath of Hurricane Myra.
She was throwing things.
Would you do me the honors and, uh park my duck? This isn't a joke, is it? No, no, no, no, no.
The joke is, I went this long being suffocated in the name of love.
From now on, I live by Schanke's new creed.
Which is? Life is a salad bar, and most poor slobs only grab one helping.
Ah-ah-ah.
I am swinging single.
The governor called.
I got my reprieve.
Unbelievable.
They didn't put any garlic on the pizza.
Unbelievable.
You got some, right? No, no, I don't have any garlic, no.
You bachelors.
Never any food.
Hey! Now I'm one too.
[SIGHS.]
Look, this This doesn't make any sense.
What happened? I came to my senses.
Yeah.
I don't understand her emotional needs.
Is she kidding? After what I go through every night on the street, she's lucky I don't come home, shoot off the doorknob, and burst in yelling, "Freeze! Drop the gun!" Schank, every couple has their ups and downs.
I mean, I'm sure if you took all this stuff away and went home right now, all would be well.
You don't want me to stay here.
Is that it? It's not that.
It's okay.
Just because I don't have anywhere else to go doesn't mean I have to stay here.
I understand how it is.
It's not that.
It's just that-- Well, you know, I This is one room.
And you're used to that big, beautiful house that you and Myra have shared together all these years.
Just call me an incurable romantic, but I'm sure if you went home right now and gave it another chance It's over, Nick.
I wanted to come here and tell you first because you're my best friend.
You're my partner.
Schank, look.
No, hey, it's okay.
Don't sweat it.
I'll take a room at the Y.
They're used to guys asleep, clutching a weapon.
Look, Schank, Schank, Schank.
Wait, wait.
You can stay as long as you like.
You mean that? Man, you are a pal.
You are a buddy.
We will talk.
We will party.
We will have some heart-to-hearts.
We will party some more, and then we'll work, we'll party and we'll eat some pizza.
We will cram this place with stewardesses.
or better still, meter maids.
Hey, Rita! Look at me.
I'm giddy, feckless, and fancy-free.
I'm a bachelor, my friend, a bachelor.
Free at last.
Thank God almighty, I am free at last! KNIGHT: Just what is freedom? Only the essence of what we are, the ability to go anywhere and do anything.
To love anyone.
Within our limits, yes.
Nicholas, we cannot define our lives by mortal mores.
What we buy when we give up the daylight is a new set of rules.
Rules that ignore love.
Rules that broaden it.
This does not mean that I don't love you, that our time together hasn't been wonderful.
Then why do you have to leave? Because I am bored.
Because I feel the need to move on.
Because you probably feel it as well but cannot admit it.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, mon cheri.
Maybe one day, our eyes will meet and we will fall in love all over again.
Hmm? What makes you think that I would take you back? That.
SCHANKE: Whoa, hold on here.
Are you her mother or her attorney? Yeah? Well, you're not my idea of the perfect son-in-law either.
[TURNS PHONE OFF.]
Women, women, women.
Hey, buenas noches, compadre.
Sleep okay? Come and get it! I took the liberty of doing some food shopping.
Ah.
[CHUCKLES.]
What's wrong? You don't like your yolks broken? I, myself, like them loose and easy, kind of like my women.
[LAUGHS.]
Actually, it's better that way because you get all the cholesterol.
Cream is on the table.
I'll take mine black.
Great java, huh? I love to cook, love it, love it, love it.
As a matter of fact, after work, I'm gonna whip up a little bit of my manicotti with my creamy Alfredo sauce.
It's okay, Schanke.
Why don't you try some bacon.
It's that free-range stuff.
They let the little piggies wander around on the farm, and they get relaxed, happy, and carefree, and then boom! They slaughter them.
Schanke! You get a better pork product that way.
Please? [UTENSILS CLANG ON PLATE.]
You're not gonna eat, are you? No.
You're not gonna eat.
I'm not going to eat.
No eat.
No eat.
After everything I do.
From the bottom of my heart.
After everything I've done, you do not appreciate a thing that I do for you, do you? Here or at work.
You know, between you and Myra, I feel very undervalued.
Mmm.
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
I've got it.
Knight.
LAMBERT: Sorry if I woke you up, but Schanke's phone's been busy.
He's been on the phone to Myra's mother.
Something wrong? He left Myra.
No.
Yeah, and moved into my place.
Get out of town! I might just have to.
He made me eggs and bacon for breakfast.
Oh, come on, you're almost 800 years old.
What's an egg? Thank you.
And you called because? Well, I managed to get inside Levy's head this morning, and I got a fix on the angle of entry.
And? The shot came from a 55-degree angle above his head, Nick.
I'd have to say it looks like murder.
Who else could it be? A business associate, a close friend.
At that time of night, in his den? Not a chance.
She whacked him, and I'm gonna tell you why.
He was getting some on the side.
Ooh, that's a pretty big jump.
Come on.
Wake up and smell the corpses, my friend.
Fifty million-plus in the kitty? Tell me he wasn't beating honeys off with a stick.
Tell you something else.
Like your partner here, he realized a deep-seeded need to assert his independence.
and she couldn't handle it.
Maybe she was having the affair.
You nuts? Myra wouldn't dare.
Myra? I didn't say, "Myra.
" I said, "Victoria.
" Now, whether she killed him to get rid of him or killed him for revenge, Victoria killed him.
Here it is.
Snob Hill.
[GLASSES CLINKING, PEOPLE CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY.]
You coming in? His lawyer's a guy named Jay Coulter.
I'm gonna stay out here and nose around for him.
How are you, how are you? Jay Coulter? Yes.
Nick Knight, Metro Homicide.
Homicide? Could I have a word with you, outside, please? Uh, yeah, sure.
Excuse me.
Was he suicidal? I'd say no, but you never really know people, do you, detective? You only think you do.
Did he have any enemies? Jonathan? Well, let's just say he took no prisoners when it came to business.
A lot of people resented him.
Well, we'll have to see the provisions of his estate.
My office.
I'll open the books.
Okay, just one more thing.
Jonathan and his wife.
Their marriage, was it falling apart? Was there another woman? [SIGHS.]
That, detective, is what we lawyers call "a gross understatement.
" Uh, excuse me, ma'am.
Nice service, huh? Detective Schanke, Metro Homicide.
[SCOFFS.]
And you want to question me here? They train you to be tasteless? No, that's genetic.
They trained me to be persistent.
Now, it might help if I knew your name.
Might help what? We're investigating the possibility that Jonathan Levy's death wasn't a suicide, Miss Winwood.
Julia Winwood.
What relationship were you to the deceased? Why didn't you just pass out questionnaires? I'm a friend.
Everybody here is a friend.
Close friend? Close enough.
Did you work with him? I'm I was his personal assistant.
In your opinion, was he suicidal? He had troubles, like everyone, things in his life he wasn't happy about.
Like maybe his marriage? I wouldn't know that.
Would I? Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving.
Oh, by all means, Miss Winwood.
Her name is Julia Winwood.
She was Jonathan's personal assistant.
Very personal, if he had her written into his will.
Did Victoria know? About Julia? I'm not sure.
I don't think she knew Jonathan had written her into the estate.
How much was he going to give her? In the present will, half of everything, the other half going to Victoria.
Frankly, I advised him against it until after the divorce.
Why give Victoria admission of adultery? And there was gonna be enough trouble dividing the property.
There always is.
KNIGHT: You had it painted for me.
Leonardo would want me to keep it.
The painting is mine.
It was a gift.
To enjoy when we were together.
So am I to take back everything I've given you? It's not the same.
It is exactly the same.
Just because it's your portrait doesn't make it any more significant to you.
It is as much a part of my life as yours.
You're being very petty.
And you are tearing my life apart.
[SPEAKS ITALIAN.]
The painting is mine.
Very well.
As a memento.
When I see Leonardo, I will commission another.
Had he legally set the divorce in motion? I think he was about to, but Jonathan Jonathan had this annoying habit of rethinking decisions, of changing his mind.
I got a message from him the night he died.
He wanted to meet with me the next morning to legally change the entire estate.
He said he finally figured out what he wanted in life.
Yeah, but when he died, the will he left split the estate between the two women.
Yeah, and personally, I think Victoria should consider herself lucky.
Because chances are, I mean, he was about to leave it all to Julia Winwood.
Something wrong? No.
What is it? [SCOFFS.]
You've done it again.
Done what? That was gonna be my news.
I wanted to tell you that Julia Winwood's the other woman.
So we both found out.
Yeah, but you had to beat me to it, and then you scooped me with this news about the will.
It doesn't matter.
Of course it matters.
We're partners.
Oh, no, no, no.
With you, it's always a competition.
You always, always have to be first.
Would you slow down so we can talk? Why? Does it bother you when I'm ahead? Would you prefer that I follow two steps behind? Schank, don't do this.
I think it's time for a little off-loading here, time for a little truth.
Why is it that you always have to top me, huh? Does it make you feel good when I look bad? We are in this together.
We are partners.
So why'd you talk to Coulter alone? He was there.
I grabbed the opportunity.
To grab the glory for yourself, like always.
Nick Knight, first one in.
Five minutes ahead of all the troops.
No one knows exactly how he does it, but he's always there to make the collar while his Boston-baked-beans- for-brains partner brings up the rear.
Schanke, you're being irrational.
No, I'm not.
For the first time in my life, I am seeing things absolutely clearly.
I don't have a partner.
I don't have a wife.
I'm everybody's doormat.
Do we have a problem here? Ask my partner.
I'm asking you, detective.
We're having a constructive debate.
About Levy, I hope.
He was having an affair with his former assistant, one Julia Winwood.
His lawyer said that Levy was already preparing for his divorce.
He was altering his will.
Victoria found out, boom.
Goodbye, Jonathan.
Now, I vote that we arrest her before she it-splays.
Knight? I don't know.
I'm having trouble seeing her kill him.
I think Victoria was still in love.
It's a gut call.
Come on, Nick, she was being dumped! He was cutting her out of the estate.
His lawyer only said that Levy had found what he wanted in life.
He was changing his will, but he didn't say how.
It's hearsay, anyway, not grounds for an arrest.
Stay on it, both of you, and stop acting like you're married.
Happy now? You want me to lie? No, I want you to back me.
Trust that I'm onto something, that I've got instincts, a little bit of talent.
But obviously, that's a little bit too much to ask, isn't it, partner? MAN: Levy's computer was password protected like Madonna's home phone number, sentries at all the gates.
Figure out one password, you're in, but try to cross-reference the files, and boom! "Who goes there?" all over again.
There's 12 tiers of passwords in all.
Looked up the whole Levy family tree for half of them, and since he wrote his own programs, you gotta learn the language before the damn things will give you the time of day, butread it and weep.
The will.
That's affirmative.
What about the kiss-off note, Harry? It was on the machine, but this struck me as funny.
Each file is dated time and day, as usual.
And? The suicide note was written two days before Levy died.
KNIGHT: All someone would have to do is call up the file and hit the print button.
The shooter could easily have done that before the maid arrived.
SCHANKE: My money's still on the wife.
The assistant would have better access to the machine and to the passwords.
Than someone who lives in the house with him? Oh, please.
What's the will say? Same as before, 50-50.
After you.
No, no, no.
Snakes and traitors first.
After you.
I had access to everything except that computer.
It was Jonathan's private domain.
But he trusted you.
He loved me, as I'm sure you already know.
The fact is, we were talking about marriage.
Did you know that he made provisions for you in the will? It doesn't surprise me.
He was a very generous man.
Did Victoria know that Jonathan wanted a divorce? I assume they discussed it, yes.
Look, I'm not a home wrecker.
Jonathan assured me his marriage troubles had begun long before we fell in love.
It's painful when long relationships end.
I know.
I've been through it.
But we were in love.
I never doubted for a moment that Jonathan loved me.
SCHANKE: Did you know about your husband's affairs? Business as well as personal? We never discussed his work or money.
We had separate accounts.
His fortune was his own.
I do know that most of what he had was kept in investments.
Any liquid assets he had, he kept in a numbered Swiss account that even I can't access.
Did you have the passwords to his computer? They asked me that before they took it away.
Of course not.
As for his indiscretions, yes, I knew that Jonathan had extra-marital liaisons.
Did you know about Julia Winwood? Yes.
Schank.
Did you know that your husband was gonna leave everything to her in his will? My God.
No, I did not.
You had no right to ask her that.
It's speculation.
We don't know how he was gonna change the will.
It was worth it, just for her reaction.
It looked to me like she didn't know.
So she's a good actress.
Now, why can't we loosen it up, do things my way for a change? Because you're allowing your personal crisis to interfere with your job.
Crisis? What crisis? Schank, your marriage is falling apart.
You're transferring your frustration with Myra onto Victoria Levy.
Oh, please, spare me the whip, Dr.
Freud.
You know, my personal life is in no way affecting my objectivity in this case.
That's a lie, and you know it.
So I'm a liar now.
Is that it? Well, let me tell you something and you can take this to the bank.
We're through.
As of first thing tomorrow morning, I am requesting immediate reassignment.
No argument here.
You know, I might as well resign and move up to the Yukon.
I'll get a warmer reception from the Eskimos.
Inuit Aboriginals.
Oh, how insensitive of me.
How can you work with such a politically-incorrect boor? I don't know.
Well, after tomorrow, you won't have to.
You won't have Don Schanke to kick around anymore.
You won't be able to use me for a doormat, you and Myra.
LACROIX: Did you really expect that she would stay with you forever? I want you to be painfully honest.
I loved her.
This has nothing to do with love.
This has to do with moving on.
Immortals cannot cling like lichen to the stone.
It is our nature, our imperative to wander throughout the world, throughout time.
We either change and grow, or we wither and die inside.
And wouldn't that be eternal hell? Let her go, Nicholas.
There's plenty more love left in the world.
[RINGING.]
[TELEPHONE RINGING.]
KNIGHT: Knight.
Nicholas.
Your friend is here.
Schanke.
What's he doing at the Raven? He's scaring away my customers.
[SIGHS.]
Keep an eye on him till I get there.
And, Janette Go easy on him.
He's going through a rough time.
[SIGHS.]
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
Janette? Detective Knight, it's Jay Coulter, Jonathan Levy's attorney.
You asked me to keep an eye out.
I just found something, well, weird.
A very large transfer of funds from Jonathan's Swiss account to another in the Caymans.
That's unusual? It was done after he died, just a few hours ago.
Victoria Levy doesn't have access to the account? As far as I know.
Whoo! [INSTRUMENTAL DANCE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hey, hey, hey, barkeep, do not be stingy with these little umbrellas, because tonight I am partying.
An off-duty cop! It's getting very late, isn't it? Later than you think.
Hey, did you know that friendship was dead? Along with loyalty, love, and Elvis.
All dead.
Muerte.
What is this thing? Oh, yeah, it's a gift from the light of my life.
She gave it to me the day I graduated from the police academy.
It's a duck.
As in, remember to when the bullets start flying.
Get it? Sweet.
Myra let me down.
Nick let me down.
Just once, somebody let me up? What if I let you out? Hey, drinky, drinky, drinky.
[HICCUPS.]
Ah You know, I can really see you two together.
You must have been really something, once.
It was a very long time ago.
I know when.
In college, right? No, actually, it was closer to the Renaissance.
You know, I can't believe how a guy like Nick let a beautiful woman like you slip through his net.
Unbelievable.
If he was here, I would hit him upside the head! Thank you.
But, in fact, it was me who walked out on him.
Oh, you and me both.
I walked out on Myra.
Why'd you leave? I had my reasons.
She's always singing show tunes around the house.
Show tunes, show tunes, show tunes.
It drives me crazy.
He was smothering me.
I love her so much it scares me.
I couldn't accept the depth of his feeling for me.
I wasn't used to that.
So, what choice do we have? It's an act of self-preservation.
Yeah, exactly.
We did the right thing, you know? It's not like I miss her.
It's just a habit, really.
Yeah, well, maybe sometimes I I think I hear her voice.
Or I see his face in a crowd.
Or call her name out loud.
Or remember the softness of his kiss.
Is it me, or did we just walk into a Sinatra song? Well, in that case, it's time to go home, isn't it? [LAUGHS.]
You don't understand.
I do not have a home to go to because I've been a five-star, major league, Olympic-sized-- Jerk? No, man.
Hombre! Why do we do it? We find a fantastic woman like Myra, we We marry her, kicking and screaming all the way to the altar, and we think, "Uh-oh.
We lost all our options.
" We convince ourselves that we're missing something, that there's something better out there, and then we, one day, leave.
We reclaim our independence.
What a joke.
What happens to a person when they leave the love of their lives looking for cheap, quick thrills? In my case, usually homicide.
Exactly! We ruin our lives throwing away the one decent thing we've ever had.
And what can we do then? I'll tell you what you can do.
You realize your mistake, you beg for forgiveness, and you give her everything that you've got, and then you-- Wait a minute.
Everything that you've got like the entire estate.
Oh, my God.
That's what happened.
That's what he was gonna do.
Listen-- Oh I need some coffee.
Are you gonna see Nick? He's supposed to come down.
Okay, all right.
Tell him I solved this one all by myself.
I figured out what Levy wanted in his life.
He wanted to stay married to his wife.
Oh, yes.
Yes, yes.
Out of my way! [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
SCHANKE: Police, Miss Winwood.
Oh, damn it.
JANETTE: That's all he told me.
He said that you'd know what it means.
It means he thinks Julia Winwood's a killer.
She's already killed one man for money.
She's not gonna let a cop stand in her way.
Do me a favor, will you? Call dispatch.
I want backup units sent to this address.
Tell them code three.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Good evening, detective.
Hello.
You, uh spare a minute? Actually, I'm traveling tonight.
Really? Little vacation? Business.
Ah.
You know, I, uh I have some pictures of some suspects I'd like you to take a look at.
Get your hand off the gun.
Get in here.
Move! WINWOOD: Put your hands up.
You think I won't shoot you? No.
No, uh I'm very frightened.
Believe me, lady, I am.
You, uh, shot Jonathan Levy, and you were sleeping with him.
We hardly know each other.
That makes me completely disposable.
Don't screw around with me.
Nice going, Schank.
SCHANKE: Nick Knight, always the first one in.
No one knows how he does it.
Grabbing all the glory.
[SIGHS.]
[ELECTRICITY ZAPPING.]
[GRUNTING.]
[PANTING.]
Third floor.
Ladies' lingerie, shoes, handbags, and police custody.
KNIGHT: Are you okay? For an interesting change of routine, you're late.
[SIREN WAILING.]
SCHANKE: Come on, we all got troubles.
Who does not have troubles, huh? That is part of a relationship.
Ups and downs, ups and downs, that is all part of the cycle.
The cycle of life, mon amis but you gotta see through that.
You gotta just catch your stride so that the grass on the other side of the fence doesn't look so green and believe me, beneath that grass there is a lot of pungent fertilizer.
Sometimes it's even AstroTurf.
Phony, unreal.
So in closing Well, so, in closing, I would just like to say thanks for this honor.
I mean [INHALES DEEPLY.]
It's really, really nice to be appreciated, and it's even nicer to know that my partner is Nick Knight.
[TEPID APPLAUSE.]
Oh, you're too kind.
Thanks, Schank.
Hey, I meant it.
So are you gonna celebrate? Yeah, I'm taking Myra to the Trattoria Roma for some puttanesca Gorgonzola, and I'm gonna get down on my hands and knees and beg her to sing tunes from West Side Story.
You know, if you're not busy, you are welcome.
No, I'd just get in the way.
Besides, I've got my own making up to do.
Isn't it great? "In recognition of meritorious service and outstanding achievement" Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
"This award is hereby presented to the investigative team of Nicholas Knight and DonaldShanke?" Shanke? S-H-A-N-K-E? Oh, man.
Captain! Eternal friends? Maybe more.
[.]
Damn it, Jonathan, come on.
[KEYBOARD CLICKING.]
Jonathan? Vick, I'm working.
Just give me a few minutes more.
I gave you a minute an hour ago.
You could at least look.
Very pretty.
[SIGHS.]
You're a jerk, Jonathan.
Vicki, I love you.
Just give me a few more minutes.
Please.
Would you want a few more minutes if she were standing here? Vick! [SIGHS.]
[.]
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.
[GROWLS.]
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
[EXHALING SLOWLY.]
The maid found him she heard the shot, and then the wife came in.
"My darling Victoria--" I guess that would be the blushing bride.
Suicide note? Yeah, computer-generated, the personal touch.
Didn't even sign it.
What are you suggesting? Well, that Levy had a lot to live for, and somebody else had a lot to gain.
I mean, look at this place.
Mm.
One shot, extremely close range.
Yeah.
It's low velocity, low caliber.
Not a lot of firepower.
Might be why there's no exit wound.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Dr.
Lambert, but doesn't a contact wound leave a starburst pattern? How very astute of you, detective.
Yes, in most suicides, the muzzle of the gun is pressed against the skin, thereby creating a gunpowder starburst when fired.
Any idea who the gun belonged to? VICTORIA: He gave it to me I don't know, several years ago.
Jonathan wanted me to learn how to protect myself.
And you usually keep it? Here, at the bedside table.
I probably haven't opened the drawer in a year.
Is this your private suite? Excuse me? Well, there's no sign of a man here.
You weren't sleeping together? I don't know what that has to do with this investigation.
Schank.
I'm just trying to establish the nature of their relationship.
It sounds like they weren't-- I loved my husband very much.
Jonathan worked 20-hour days.
He didn't want to disturb me, so we slept apart.
Where were you when you heard the shot? I was in bed, asleep.
I didn't really know what the sound was.
Maybe a door slam and then I heard Maria scream.
I ran down the hall and there he was.
Just I went over to him.
He was There was so much blood.
I picked up the gun and I started-- Started to scream.
Scream his name.
Over and over again, I was screaming his name.
SCHANKE: This one's a short chapter.
She did it.
Come on, she was tested.
There was no powder residue on her hands.
She wore gloves.
She washed up.
The maid said it was a couple of minutes before the missus came into the room.
What's really bothering you? Who said I'm bothered? Well, I thought you could have been a little bit more tactful about their sleeping arrangements.
Sex is the cornerstone of a sound marriage.
Come on.
Just because they slept apart doesn't mean-- They weren't doing it? Oh, trust me, Nick, the idea that married people make hot monkey love while sleeping in separate beds went out with Lucy and Ricky.
It's impossible to generate any heat from the living room couch.
[YAWNS.]
Pretty damn difficult to get any sleep too.
SCHANKE: There you have it.
Jonathan Levy, deceased.
Just about as thorough a report as I've ever seen.
I think the two cops who wrote that up are definitely worthy of partners of the month.
That's Knight and Schanke.
S-C-H-A-N-K-E, the "C" is hard, the "H" is silent.
And you are not.
Put a sock in it, Schanke.
You didn't get the plaque this month.
Get over it.
What's your take on this? I'm fine without the plaque.
[SIGHS.]
Jonathan Levy? Well, it's too early to rule out murder.
The suicide note? Form letter.
Any suspects? The wife.
Not really.
Okay.
Open it up.
Go for it.
And, gentlemen, stay in sync on this one.
[MIMICKING.]
Stay in sync on this one.
Get off my desk.
Feeling a little underappreciated, are we? Who's got a better record than us, anyway, huh? Nobody.
Rosen and Franklin, oh, yeah, they deserved it again.
Those guys saw more wood on the job than most carpenters.
It's only a plaque on a wall.
I got a wall.
I want a plaque, okay? You should be behind me on this.
A partners-of- the-month citation can be very valuable during promotion review.
You gotta get a handle on the big picture.
Speaking of which, point of entry is consistent with suicide, but I can't confirm until I get inside his head.
Also, I have to wait for Forensics to say they're his prints on the gun.
Or hers.
She said she picked it up when she found him.
Oh, nice story.
Very entertaining.
I give it three stars.
What about the absence of a starburst pattern? He held it away from his head.
You're thinking suicide? All I'm saying is it's possible.
You can't understand someone else's life unless you're living it.
People have demons.
People have enemies.
People have spouses.
She said she tried to revive him.
LAMBERT: Fits with what I see here.
Were we at the same house? Separate bedrooms because he works late? Give me a break.
Their sex life had gone south, and you know why? He probably came home late after a hard night's work and, oh, she was just waiting to go off.
Like he bought the wrong cream cheese, the regular, not the low-fat, and she flips.
It's not like he forgot.
It's not like he didn't make the effort.
It's just whatever he did wasn't good enough.
Cream cheese wrong.
Oops! Bang, dead.
Whether you pull the trigger or they do, in this grand B-movie we call life, there is always a girl.
Cherchez la femme.
Hey, Schank-- Hey, you guys finish, all right? I'm gonna find out about this guy's life before they throw dirt in his coffin.
Uh, is he okay? I don't know.
Like you said, Nat, do you ever really understand anybody else's life? He is your partner.
SCHANKE: Whether you pull the trigger or they do, in this grand B-movie we call life, there is always a girl.
Cherchez la femme.
What are you doing? I had hoped to be gone by now.
Did you really think that we could share all of eternity? I thought we were building something.
We have been building, Nicholas, longer than the Medicis.
Ninety-seven years is longer than any mortal marriage.
You But we are not mortals.
Does that mean we cannot change, cannot grow, cannot want something different? Do not think that this is easy, Nicholas, or that I am without pain, but it is enough.
It's time for me to go.
LACROIX: Does everyone you see, everything you taste and smell remind you of her? I know what it is.
You cannot accept what you must.
That love is not eternal.
It's not even long-lived.
Let it die when it's exhausted.
[OVER RADIO.]
Don't try to resuscitate it.
Let it go.
MAN: You're not helping me much, Night Crawler.
In time, you'll see that I am.
I'm cleansing your wound, waking you from a stupor.
Because of your grief, you cannot see that I'm an ally but in my way, I love you all and I want your love back.
[FRANTIC KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
[SIGHS.]
Hello.
How nice to find you at home.
I hope you love pizza, nature's perfect food.
[CHUCKLES.]
It is hell to find at 5 in the morning, but I managed to find some for my partner.
Oh, let's fire up the oven because the cheese, it is coagulating.
You could have called.
Uhgreat place.
You've got so much room here, and a great fridge! So much room in here too.
Come on! Down a frosty.
Let's party in this party crib! Let's get dazed and confused.
Schank, I don't want to be inhospitable, but, uh, why are you here? Well, you know, I thought we could shoot the breeze, talk about the case, do guy stuff.
Besides, I want to celebrate with my partner.
We're friends, right? What are we celebrating? Only the single most wonderful moment of my entire life.
What happened? I did it.
I really did it.
I pink-slipped the ball and chain.
A life without a wife Is a life without strife Myra Is history.
Partners always come through in a pinch.
I knew I didn't have to ask.
Here are a couple of items rescued from the wrath of Hurricane Myra.
She was throwing things.
Would you do me the honors and, uh park my duck? This isn't a joke, is it? No, no, no, no, no.
The joke is, I went this long being suffocated in the name of love.
From now on, I live by Schanke's new creed.
Which is? Life is a salad bar, and most poor slobs only grab one helping.
Ah-ah-ah.
I am swinging single.
The governor called.
I got my reprieve.
Unbelievable.
They didn't put any garlic on the pizza.
Unbelievable.
You got some, right? No, no, I don't have any garlic, no.
You bachelors.
Never any food.
Hey! Now I'm one too.
[SIGHS.]
Look, this This doesn't make any sense.
What happened? I came to my senses.
Yeah.
I don't understand her emotional needs.
Is she kidding? After what I go through every night on the street, she's lucky I don't come home, shoot off the doorknob, and burst in yelling, "Freeze! Drop the gun!" Schank, every couple has their ups and downs.
I mean, I'm sure if you took all this stuff away and went home right now, all would be well.
You don't want me to stay here.
Is that it? It's not that.
It's okay.
Just because I don't have anywhere else to go doesn't mean I have to stay here.
I understand how it is.
It's not that.
It's just that-- Well, you know, I This is one room.
And you're used to that big, beautiful house that you and Myra have shared together all these years.
Just call me an incurable romantic, but I'm sure if you went home right now and gave it another chance It's over, Nick.
I wanted to come here and tell you first because you're my best friend.
You're my partner.
Schank, look.
No, hey, it's okay.
Don't sweat it.
I'll take a room at the Y.
They're used to guys asleep, clutching a weapon.
Look, Schank, Schank, Schank.
Wait, wait.
You can stay as long as you like.
You mean that? Man, you are a pal.
You are a buddy.
We will talk.
We will party.
We will have some heart-to-hearts.
We will party some more, and then we'll work, we'll party and we'll eat some pizza.
We will cram this place with stewardesses.
or better still, meter maids.
Hey, Rita! Look at me.
I'm giddy, feckless, and fancy-free.
I'm a bachelor, my friend, a bachelor.
Free at last.
Thank God almighty, I am free at last! KNIGHT: Just what is freedom? Only the essence of what we are, the ability to go anywhere and do anything.
To love anyone.
Within our limits, yes.
Nicholas, we cannot define our lives by mortal mores.
What we buy when we give up the daylight is a new set of rules.
Rules that ignore love.
Rules that broaden it.
This does not mean that I don't love you, that our time together hasn't been wonderful.
Then why do you have to leave? Because I am bored.
Because I feel the need to move on.
Because you probably feel it as well but cannot admit it.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, mon cheri.
Maybe one day, our eyes will meet and we will fall in love all over again.
Hmm? What makes you think that I would take you back? That.
SCHANKE: Whoa, hold on here.
Are you her mother or her attorney? Yeah? Well, you're not my idea of the perfect son-in-law either.
[TURNS PHONE OFF.]
Women, women, women.
Hey, buenas noches, compadre.
Sleep okay? Come and get it! I took the liberty of doing some food shopping.
Ah.
[CHUCKLES.]
What's wrong? You don't like your yolks broken? I, myself, like them loose and easy, kind of like my women.
[LAUGHS.]
Actually, it's better that way because you get all the cholesterol.
Cream is on the table.
I'll take mine black.
Great java, huh? I love to cook, love it, love it, love it.
As a matter of fact, after work, I'm gonna whip up a little bit of my manicotti with my creamy Alfredo sauce.
It's okay, Schanke.
Why don't you try some bacon.
It's that free-range stuff.
They let the little piggies wander around on the farm, and they get relaxed, happy, and carefree, and then boom! They slaughter them.
Schanke! You get a better pork product that way.
Please? [UTENSILS CLANG ON PLATE.]
You're not gonna eat, are you? No.
You're not gonna eat.
I'm not going to eat.
No eat.
No eat.
After everything I do.
From the bottom of my heart.
After everything I've done, you do not appreciate a thing that I do for you, do you? Here or at work.
You know, between you and Myra, I feel very undervalued.
Mmm.
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
I've got it.
Knight.
LAMBERT: Sorry if I woke you up, but Schanke's phone's been busy.
He's been on the phone to Myra's mother.
Something wrong? He left Myra.
No.
Yeah, and moved into my place.
Get out of town! I might just have to.
He made me eggs and bacon for breakfast.
Oh, come on, you're almost 800 years old.
What's an egg? Thank you.
And you called because? Well, I managed to get inside Levy's head this morning, and I got a fix on the angle of entry.
And? The shot came from a 55-degree angle above his head, Nick.
I'd have to say it looks like murder.
Who else could it be? A business associate, a close friend.
At that time of night, in his den? Not a chance.
She whacked him, and I'm gonna tell you why.
He was getting some on the side.
Ooh, that's a pretty big jump.
Come on.
Wake up and smell the corpses, my friend.
Fifty million-plus in the kitty? Tell me he wasn't beating honeys off with a stick.
Tell you something else.
Like your partner here, he realized a deep-seeded need to assert his independence.
and she couldn't handle it.
Maybe she was having the affair.
You nuts? Myra wouldn't dare.
Myra? I didn't say, "Myra.
" I said, "Victoria.
" Now, whether she killed him to get rid of him or killed him for revenge, Victoria killed him.
Here it is.
Snob Hill.
[GLASSES CLINKING, PEOPLE CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY.]
You coming in? His lawyer's a guy named Jay Coulter.
I'm gonna stay out here and nose around for him.
How are you, how are you? Jay Coulter? Yes.
Nick Knight, Metro Homicide.
Homicide? Could I have a word with you, outside, please? Uh, yeah, sure.
Excuse me.
Was he suicidal? I'd say no, but you never really know people, do you, detective? You only think you do.
Did he have any enemies? Jonathan? Well, let's just say he took no prisoners when it came to business.
A lot of people resented him.
Well, we'll have to see the provisions of his estate.
My office.
I'll open the books.
Okay, just one more thing.
Jonathan and his wife.
Their marriage, was it falling apart? Was there another woman? [SIGHS.]
That, detective, is what we lawyers call "a gross understatement.
" Uh, excuse me, ma'am.
Nice service, huh? Detective Schanke, Metro Homicide.
[SCOFFS.]
And you want to question me here? They train you to be tasteless? No, that's genetic.
They trained me to be persistent.
Now, it might help if I knew your name.
Might help what? We're investigating the possibility that Jonathan Levy's death wasn't a suicide, Miss Winwood.
Julia Winwood.
What relationship were you to the deceased? Why didn't you just pass out questionnaires? I'm a friend.
Everybody here is a friend.
Close friend? Close enough.
Did you work with him? I'm I was his personal assistant.
In your opinion, was he suicidal? He had troubles, like everyone, things in his life he wasn't happy about.
Like maybe his marriage? I wouldn't know that.
Would I? Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving.
Oh, by all means, Miss Winwood.
Her name is Julia Winwood.
She was Jonathan's personal assistant.
Very personal, if he had her written into his will.
Did Victoria know? About Julia? I'm not sure.
I don't think she knew Jonathan had written her into the estate.
How much was he going to give her? In the present will, half of everything, the other half going to Victoria.
Frankly, I advised him against it until after the divorce.
Why give Victoria admission of adultery? And there was gonna be enough trouble dividing the property.
There always is.
KNIGHT: You had it painted for me.
Leonardo would want me to keep it.
The painting is mine.
It was a gift.
To enjoy when we were together.
So am I to take back everything I've given you? It's not the same.
It is exactly the same.
Just because it's your portrait doesn't make it any more significant to you.
It is as much a part of my life as yours.
You're being very petty.
And you are tearing my life apart.
[SPEAKS ITALIAN.]
The painting is mine.
Very well.
As a memento.
When I see Leonardo, I will commission another.
Had he legally set the divorce in motion? I think he was about to, but Jonathan Jonathan had this annoying habit of rethinking decisions, of changing his mind.
I got a message from him the night he died.
He wanted to meet with me the next morning to legally change the entire estate.
He said he finally figured out what he wanted in life.
Yeah, but when he died, the will he left split the estate between the two women.
Yeah, and personally, I think Victoria should consider herself lucky.
Because chances are, I mean, he was about to leave it all to Julia Winwood.
Something wrong? No.
What is it? [SCOFFS.]
You've done it again.
Done what? That was gonna be my news.
I wanted to tell you that Julia Winwood's the other woman.
So we both found out.
Yeah, but you had to beat me to it, and then you scooped me with this news about the will.
It doesn't matter.
Of course it matters.
We're partners.
Oh, no, no, no.
With you, it's always a competition.
You always, always have to be first.
Would you slow down so we can talk? Why? Does it bother you when I'm ahead? Would you prefer that I follow two steps behind? Schank, don't do this.
I think it's time for a little off-loading here, time for a little truth.
Why is it that you always have to top me, huh? Does it make you feel good when I look bad? We are in this together.
We are partners.
So why'd you talk to Coulter alone? He was there.
I grabbed the opportunity.
To grab the glory for yourself, like always.
Nick Knight, first one in.
Five minutes ahead of all the troops.
No one knows exactly how he does it, but he's always there to make the collar while his Boston-baked-beans- for-brains partner brings up the rear.
Schanke, you're being irrational.
No, I'm not.
For the first time in my life, I am seeing things absolutely clearly.
I don't have a partner.
I don't have a wife.
I'm everybody's doormat.
Do we have a problem here? Ask my partner.
I'm asking you, detective.
We're having a constructive debate.
About Levy, I hope.
He was having an affair with his former assistant, one Julia Winwood.
His lawyer said that Levy was already preparing for his divorce.
He was altering his will.
Victoria found out, boom.
Goodbye, Jonathan.
Now, I vote that we arrest her before she it-splays.
Knight? I don't know.
I'm having trouble seeing her kill him.
I think Victoria was still in love.
It's a gut call.
Come on, Nick, she was being dumped! He was cutting her out of the estate.
His lawyer only said that Levy had found what he wanted in life.
He was changing his will, but he didn't say how.
It's hearsay, anyway, not grounds for an arrest.
Stay on it, both of you, and stop acting like you're married.
Happy now? You want me to lie? No, I want you to back me.
Trust that I'm onto something, that I've got instincts, a little bit of talent.
But obviously, that's a little bit too much to ask, isn't it, partner? MAN: Levy's computer was password protected like Madonna's home phone number, sentries at all the gates.
Figure out one password, you're in, but try to cross-reference the files, and boom! "Who goes there?" all over again.
There's 12 tiers of passwords in all.
Looked up the whole Levy family tree for half of them, and since he wrote his own programs, you gotta learn the language before the damn things will give you the time of day, butread it and weep.
The will.
That's affirmative.
What about the kiss-off note, Harry? It was on the machine, but this struck me as funny.
Each file is dated time and day, as usual.
And? The suicide note was written two days before Levy died.
KNIGHT: All someone would have to do is call up the file and hit the print button.
The shooter could easily have done that before the maid arrived.
SCHANKE: My money's still on the wife.
The assistant would have better access to the machine and to the passwords.
Than someone who lives in the house with him? Oh, please.
What's the will say? Same as before, 50-50.
After you.
No, no, no.
Snakes and traitors first.
After you.
I had access to everything except that computer.
It was Jonathan's private domain.
But he trusted you.
He loved me, as I'm sure you already know.
The fact is, we were talking about marriage.
Did you know that he made provisions for you in the will? It doesn't surprise me.
He was a very generous man.
Did Victoria know that Jonathan wanted a divorce? I assume they discussed it, yes.
Look, I'm not a home wrecker.
Jonathan assured me his marriage troubles had begun long before we fell in love.
It's painful when long relationships end.
I know.
I've been through it.
But we were in love.
I never doubted for a moment that Jonathan loved me.
SCHANKE: Did you know about your husband's affairs? Business as well as personal? We never discussed his work or money.
We had separate accounts.
His fortune was his own.
I do know that most of what he had was kept in investments.
Any liquid assets he had, he kept in a numbered Swiss account that even I can't access.
Did you have the passwords to his computer? They asked me that before they took it away.
Of course not.
As for his indiscretions, yes, I knew that Jonathan had extra-marital liaisons.
Did you know about Julia Winwood? Yes.
Schank.
Did you know that your husband was gonna leave everything to her in his will? My God.
No, I did not.
You had no right to ask her that.
It's speculation.
We don't know how he was gonna change the will.
It was worth it, just for her reaction.
It looked to me like she didn't know.
So she's a good actress.
Now, why can't we loosen it up, do things my way for a change? Because you're allowing your personal crisis to interfere with your job.
Crisis? What crisis? Schank, your marriage is falling apart.
You're transferring your frustration with Myra onto Victoria Levy.
Oh, please, spare me the whip, Dr.
Freud.
You know, my personal life is in no way affecting my objectivity in this case.
That's a lie, and you know it.
So I'm a liar now.
Is that it? Well, let me tell you something and you can take this to the bank.
We're through.
As of first thing tomorrow morning, I am requesting immediate reassignment.
No argument here.
You know, I might as well resign and move up to the Yukon.
I'll get a warmer reception from the Eskimos.
Inuit Aboriginals.
Oh, how insensitive of me.
How can you work with such a politically-incorrect boor? I don't know.
Well, after tomorrow, you won't have to.
You won't have Don Schanke to kick around anymore.
You won't be able to use me for a doormat, you and Myra.
LACROIX: Did you really expect that she would stay with you forever? I want you to be painfully honest.
I loved her.
This has nothing to do with love.
This has to do with moving on.
Immortals cannot cling like lichen to the stone.
It is our nature, our imperative to wander throughout the world, throughout time.
We either change and grow, or we wither and die inside.
And wouldn't that be eternal hell? Let her go, Nicholas.
There's plenty more love left in the world.
[RINGING.]
[TELEPHONE RINGING.]
KNIGHT: Knight.
Nicholas.
Your friend is here.
Schanke.
What's he doing at the Raven? He's scaring away my customers.
[SIGHS.]
Keep an eye on him till I get there.
And, Janette Go easy on him.
He's going through a rough time.
[SIGHS.]
[TELEPHONE RINGS.]
Janette? Detective Knight, it's Jay Coulter, Jonathan Levy's attorney.
You asked me to keep an eye out.
I just found something, well, weird.
A very large transfer of funds from Jonathan's Swiss account to another in the Caymans.
That's unusual? It was done after he died, just a few hours ago.
Victoria Levy doesn't have access to the account? As far as I know.
Whoo! [INSTRUMENTAL DANCE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Hey, hey, hey, barkeep, do not be stingy with these little umbrellas, because tonight I am partying.
An off-duty cop! It's getting very late, isn't it? Later than you think.
Hey, did you know that friendship was dead? Along with loyalty, love, and Elvis.
All dead.
Muerte.
What is this thing? Oh, yeah, it's a gift from the light of my life.
She gave it to me the day I graduated from the police academy.
It's a duck.
As in, remember to when the bullets start flying.
Get it? Sweet.
Myra let me down.
Nick let me down.
Just once, somebody let me up? What if I let you out? Hey, drinky, drinky, drinky.
[HICCUPS.]
Ah You know, I can really see you two together.
You must have been really something, once.
It was a very long time ago.
I know when.
In college, right? No, actually, it was closer to the Renaissance.
You know, I can't believe how a guy like Nick let a beautiful woman like you slip through his net.
Unbelievable.
If he was here, I would hit him upside the head! Thank you.
But, in fact, it was me who walked out on him.
Oh, you and me both.
I walked out on Myra.
Why'd you leave? I had my reasons.
She's always singing show tunes around the house.
Show tunes, show tunes, show tunes.
It drives me crazy.
He was smothering me.
I love her so much it scares me.
I couldn't accept the depth of his feeling for me.
I wasn't used to that.
So, what choice do we have? It's an act of self-preservation.
Yeah, exactly.
We did the right thing, you know? It's not like I miss her.
It's just a habit, really.
Yeah, well, maybe sometimes I I think I hear her voice.
Or I see his face in a crowd.
Or call her name out loud.
Or remember the softness of his kiss.
Is it me, or did we just walk into a Sinatra song? Well, in that case, it's time to go home, isn't it? [LAUGHS.]
You don't understand.
I do not have a home to go to because I've been a five-star, major league, Olympic-sized-- Jerk? No, man.
Hombre! Why do we do it? We find a fantastic woman like Myra, we We marry her, kicking and screaming all the way to the altar, and we think, "Uh-oh.
We lost all our options.
" We convince ourselves that we're missing something, that there's something better out there, and then we, one day, leave.
We reclaim our independence.
What a joke.
What happens to a person when they leave the love of their lives looking for cheap, quick thrills? In my case, usually homicide.
Exactly! We ruin our lives throwing away the one decent thing we've ever had.
And what can we do then? I'll tell you what you can do.
You realize your mistake, you beg for forgiveness, and you give her everything that you've got, and then you-- Wait a minute.
Everything that you've got like the entire estate.
Oh, my God.
That's what happened.
That's what he was gonna do.
Listen-- Oh I need some coffee.
Are you gonna see Nick? He's supposed to come down.
Okay, all right.
Tell him I solved this one all by myself.
I figured out what Levy wanted in his life.
He wanted to stay married to his wife.
Oh, yes.
Yes, yes.
Out of my way! [KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
SCHANKE: Police, Miss Winwood.
Oh, damn it.
JANETTE: That's all he told me.
He said that you'd know what it means.
It means he thinks Julia Winwood's a killer.
She's already killed one man for money.
She's not gonna let a cop stand in her way.
Do me a favor, will you? Call dispatch.
I want backup units sent to this address.
Tell them code three.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Good evening, detective.
Hello.
You, uh spare a minute? Actually, I'm traveling tonight.
Really? Little vacation? Business.
Ah.
You know, I, uh I have some pictures of some suspects I'd like you to take a look at.
Get your hand off the gun.
Get in here.
Move! WINWOOD: Put your hands up.
You think I won't shoot you? No.
No, uh I'm very frightened.
Believe me, lady, I am.
You, uh, shot Jonathan Levy, and you were sleeping with him.
We hardly know each other.
That makes me completely disposable.
Don't screw around with me.
Nice going, Schank.
SCHANKE: Nick Knight, always the first one in.
No one knows how he does it.
Grabbing all the glory.
[SIGHS.]
[ELECTRICITY ZAPPING.]
[GRUNTING.]
[PANTING.]
Third floor.
Ladies' lingerie, shoes, handbags, and police custody.
KNIGHT: Are you okay? For an interesting change of routine, you're late.
[SIREN WAILING.]
SCHANKE: Come on, we all got troubles.
Who does not have troubles, huh? That is part of a relationship.
Ups and downs, ups and downs, that is all part of the cycle.
The cycle of life, mon amis but you gotta see through that.
You gotta just catch your stride so that the grass on the other side of the fence doesn't look so green and believe me, beneath that grass there is a lot of pungent fertilizer.
Sometimes it's even AstroTurf.
Phony, unreal.
So in closing Well, so, in closing, I would just like to say thanks for this honor.
I mean [INHALES DEEPLY.]
It's really, really nice to be appreciated, and it's even nicer to know that my partner is Nick Knight.
[TEPID APPLAUSE.]
Oh, you're too kind.
Thanks, Schank.
Hey, I meant it.
So are you gonna celebrate? Yeah, I'm taking Myra to the Trattoria Roma for some puttanesca Gorgonzola, and I'm gonna get down on my hands and knees and beg her to sing tunes from West Side Story.
You know, if you're not busy, you are welcome.
No, I'd just get in the way.
Besides, I've got my own making up to do.
Isn't it great? "In recognition of meritorious service and outstanding achievement" Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
"This award is hereby presented to the investigative team of Nicholas Knight and DonaldShanke?" Shanke? S-H-A-N-K-E? Oh, man.
Captain! Eternal friends? Maybe more.
[.]