Reacher (2022) s01e03 Episode Script
Spoonful
1
I know you're scared,
- but I'm
- Scared?
It's natural.
When someone has an attempt made on their life You know I was recruited by the FBI and Central Intelligence? Scored a 99th percentile in IQ, but only an 80% on the psych eval.
You want to know why, you condescending asshole? Interpersonal skills? I lack the ability to tolerate horseshit.
And this and this is horseshit! You think I'm some poor, scared, little girl? I'm not scared.
I am pissed.
They came into my house that I fixed up with my money in the town that my family founded because they think they are untouchable.
You want a gun? Uh-huh.
Fine by me.
Gray gave this to me a couple of years ago.
Wanted to keep it in the family, and I was the only family he had.
Not what you'd call a subtle weapon.
[ROSCOE.]
People round here know I have this thing.
Use it wrong, and it gets back to me.
So don't use it wrong.
I won't let anything happen to it.
Your house isn't safe anymore; pack your bags.
[PHONE VIBRATES.]
Finlay? Got an ID on the body that was found with Joe.
We gotta get to the morgue.
[BIRDS SQUAWKING.]
Are you kiddin' me? I just told you to be careful with that thing.
Never trust a weapon you haven't personally test-fired.
[THUNDER CRASHES.]
[THUNDER ROLLING.]
[CICADAS BUZZING.]
- [ENGINE TURNS OFF.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
You two were already working the case? First thing in the morning? We were just getting back into town.
From where? Alabama.
Bar closed late, storm flooded the road.
- You took him out drinking? - [ROSCOE CLEARS THROAT.]
Isn't that the exact opposite of what I told you to do? Good thing I did.
Whoever killed the Morrisons came after us last night.
Broke into my house, carved a threat into my door; who knows what they would've done if I'd been there alone.
They came into your house? I'm fine.
Let's just see what Jasper has for us.
It's okay.
I had my eye on her.
Here you go.
Here you go.
Sorry; I didn't know you were coming.
Once the prints came back, we got a full run on the man.
Victim's name is Pete Jobling.
Trucker for Southfreight Shipping, which makes sense, 'cause the test results I got back showed a little too much hydrogen sulfide in his blood gases and tissue; he spent his whole life on the road, sniffing other people's catalytic converters.
43, married, resides in Atlanta Record's clean except for a 2018 arrest for a Jacksonville traffic violation that turned into a disorderly conduct.
Defended by Zacarias Perez LLP.
No conviction.
Zacarias Perez.
Here he is.
Oh.
Looks fancy.
Not the kind of firm that defends truck drivers.
Thanks, Jasper.
Hopefully we don't need to see you again any time soon.
Yeah.
- [PHONE VIBRATING.]
- It's a D.
C.
number.
- Secret Service.
- Hello? Officer Conklin? This is Molly Beth Gordon, Specialized Administrative Officer with the Secret Service.
I got your message regarding Joe Reacher.
- I work with him.
- Uh, hi, Molly Beth.
Oh, Joe! Oh, thank God.
Why haven't you returned my calls? I was so worried.
Ms.
Gordon, this is Jack Reacher.
Joe's brother.
Joe's dead.
No.
No, you're wrong.
I'm not.
How? He was murdered.
We think his death may be related to his work.
Do you know what Joe was doing in Margrave, Georgia? Uh I don't know.
He was, um [SNIFFLES.]
He was running a classified investigation, I just don't know the details God.
[INHALES.]
[SOBBING.]
I know it's not the best time to answer questions, but we really need your help.
What position did Joe hold in the Secret Service? What? He was Uh, he was, he was the, he was the director, he was the director of the Office of Investigations.
You you didn't know that? No.
We hadn't spoken in a while.
Was anyone working under him? No.
No, um [SNIFFLES.]
No, he assigned his current case to himself.
Nobody knew about it.
You did.
We were close.
Molly Beth, um, this is Officer Conklin.
I'm-I'm sorry, we're almost done, I promise.
Was there a specific division of O.
I.
that Joe was heading up? Uh, yeah, he-he runs he ran our anti-counterfeiting department.
Agent Gordon? Captain Finlay, Chief Detective, Margrave PD.
Had there been reports of counterfeiting in the Margrave area? I I really don't feel like Can we just talk about this another time, please? I know it's hard, and I hate doing this, considering what we just told you, but you're our only lead.
On a case it appears Joe died for.
Um Okay.
[SNIFFLES.]
[EXHALES.]
Joe told me that he put a stop to all domestic counterfeiting a while ago.
Um He put all these procedures in place; made it basically impossible to make anything here without getting caught.
He was chasing international stuff.
Like South America? I don't know.
Um I can try to get his files for you.
[REACHER.]
Thank you.
But hard copies only; we don't want a digital trail.
Why? Seems whatever Joe was into, people were killed over it.
We don't want anything leading back to you.
We need to keep this quiet.
Shouldn't I tell his superiors? Absolutely not.
We can't trust the Secret Service? Joe kept this top secret for a reason.
I believe in my brother's instincts.
Do you? - Yes.
- [REACHER.]
Okay, good.
So we tell no one until we have a better understanding of what we're dealing with.
Okay.
Um it'll take me a day or so to copy it all.
That's okay.
[SNIFFLES.]
You sound just like him.
We'll talk soon.
[PHONE BEEPS OFF.]
Your counterfeiting guess was right, Reacher.
My bet was guns or sex trafficking.
Well, like you said, everything comes down to cash.
Counterfeiters just cut out the middle man.
But multiple murders over Monopoly money? People kill over 20 bucks in a wallet.
Imagine what they'd do to protect a limitless supply.
We don't have to imagine; we've been to the Morrisons' house.
No way it's a coincidence Hubble was a currency manager for Axis Financial's Atlanta branch.
Okay, so we check out where he worked.
I go there midday flashing a badge, people clam up and lawyer up.
I'll track down some of the suits after hours.
- Mm.
- But right now, I need you back in uniform and at the station house.
Pretend to look for the ex-cons who killed the Morrisons.
I'm sorry, what? Teale doesn't know we suspect him, so we play his game for now.
I'll tell him you found your house broken into and you're determined to find out who's responsible.
So I get to watch Teale waving his cane like a scepter, playin' boss; what do you get to do? I'm going to pay a visit to that jail guard, Spivey.
Got his address this morning.
Next county over.
I'll come.
'Cause it went so well the last time? No, you're gonna to go see Zacarias Perez LLP.
See what you can find out about Jobling's arrest.
An assignment? I thought I was not by employment, appearance, or lifestyle choice a cop anymore.
Well, shows you how desperate I am.
So be smart, don't break the law, and promise me you won't end up in another holding cell.
No.
[CHUCKLES.]
Can't wait till this is over and that guy's out of our town.
Officer Conklin.
Keeping banker's hours? I was at the morgue, getting intel on the second highway victim.
I made my directive clear.
Those bodies take a backseat to those of our departed colleague and his wife.
A cop is dead, and from what I've heard, we could've had another.
You holdin' up all right? Yes, sir.
Though if I had been home, I would've taken at least a couple of those bastards with me.
That's the spirit, kid.
If someone wants to come after Margrave's finest, they better be ready for a fight.
Now, I want you focused on these boys up on the board: some of the more violent perps Morrison helped incarcerate.
Aggravated battery, domestic assault, armed robbery.
Bad men.
Copy that.
I'm in the process of running down stolen car reports for the whole county.
Figure if an ex-con was gonna go to a cop's house, he wouldn't risk using his own ride.
Well, that's good thinkin'.
You keep me posted.
Hmm.
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[QUIETLY.]
Roscoe? You were with Finlay this morning? I was.
And, uh someone came after you? [SCOFFS.]
Appears that way.
Could be related to Morrison, could be teens with a fucked-up sense of humor.
Yeah.
Um My cousin Charlie's not picking up her phone.
Paul, either.
The whole family's disappeared.
Just wondering if you know something I don't.
No.
Do you? Nope.
I'm just trying to figure out what the hell's going on around here .
Yeah.
Me, too.
I haven't had any luck, so I'm just gonna focus on the ex-cons, like Teale said.
You really think that's the way to go on this? Good a road as any.
Teale's boss now.
What about Finlay? Think he might know something he ain't sharing? I doubt it.
Everybody in Margrave still treats him like the new guy.
Yeah.
Well, whole town's wound tighter than jungle gym screws.
I don't know what to tell my wife.
This Reacher guy's running all over everybody - like it's - [TEALE.]
Stevenson? A moment.
Yes, sir.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- [CICADAS BUZZING.]
- [DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE.]
Mr.
Spivey? Tanner Spivey? Mr.
Spivey? [DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE.]
[SIGHS.]
[BEEPS.]
[BOTH GRUNTING.]
Alton police! - You picked the wrong town to rob in.
- Wait! Those bruises look pretty fresh.
You still feelin' 'em? A bit.
The accident was just a few days ago.
Well, truth be told, Mr.
Doyle I'm sorry, what was your first name again? Uh, Brian.
Truth be told, Brian, we don't normally handle auto claims here.
Usually leave that to the bus bench crowd.
But The Home Depot's got deep pockets and I intend to get my hands all the way in 'em, get you the recovery you deserve.
So, let's start at the beginning.
What was the date that delivery truck hit you? There was no truck.
I made up a story so you'd see me.
Now get me your file on Pete Jobling.
Excuse me? A client you represented for a traffic violation and disorderly conduct charge.
His file.
Get it.
I don't know what game you're playing at here, but get out of my office.
No.
Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are? A pissed-off drifter with nothing to lose.
Oh, you want to get arrested for trespassing? Pull up Jobling's file.
Now.
I will ruin your life with one phone call.
I'll end your life with one phone.
[GRUNTS.]
[CHOKES.]
Pull up Jobling's file.
Print it.
Staple.
[GROANS.]
Little further.
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- [COUGHING.]
Oh.
Don't bother trying to find out my real name.
Cause any problems, you'll wish I'd finished strangling you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[COUGHING.]
- [EXHALES.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
- [INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
[KEYS JANGLING.]
[SIGHS.]
Listen, man, you should've told us you were a cop.
Hard to do with a boot in your mouth.
[SNIFFLES.]
And it shouldn't make a difference.
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
Jesus.
Which one of you assholes did this? Thought he was a burglar.
How many burglars you know wear suits? He didn't look like he lived there.
- Are you fuckin' kidding me right now? - Hey.
Let it go.
We have bigger fights.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
You know, cursing is a sign of a weak mind and a weaker character.
But I appreciate you having my back.
Of course.
You hear from Reacher? We're meeting him at Jolene's.
Said he found something.
Good.
'Cause so did I.
[BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS: "PTP".]
I been doing everything for you Even took up all day Well, I guess that Cops or civilians? Just Southern hospitality.
How'd it go at the law firm? Got everything I needed.
How? Just used the phone.
Two fried chicken thighs, fried okra, ribs, collard greens, pole beans, rice with giblet gravy, cottage cheese and peaches.
Buttermilk chicken sandwich with coleslaw.
And for you, spinach salad.
Dressing on the side.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
I was embarrassed ordering that.
How do you eat like that and still look like you do? Like this.
So, Roscoe says you found something.
Our dead trucker's employer, Southfreight Shipping? They were contracted to Kliner Industries.
When our trucker got into legal trouble, Kliner paid his legal fees.
That makes what I came across even more interesting.
- [REACHER.]
What's that? - I searched Spivey's house.
Looks like he left town.
But his landline showed multiple calls to Kliner Industries.
So, roads are leading to Kliner.
The patron saint of Margrave? You really think that he could be counterfeiting? Who knows? He certainly has the financial resources to pull off something of this scale.
Maybe he has those resources - because he's counterfeiting.
- Mm.
Well, how does Hubble's bank fit into all this? Not sure.
But I'm gonna break into Kliner's tonight and see if I can find something that connects them.
You can't just sit there and say you're gonna violate the Fourth Amendment while you eat okra.
Yes, I can.
- Wanna see me do it again? - Reacher I don't know what we'll find or not find.
Things maybe lead to Kliner.
We're flying blind here, so somebody's gotta kick the hornet's nest.
You jeopardize this investigation if you get evidence that's inadmissible because it was unlawfully obtained.
You get that busted nose filling out a warrant to search Spivey's house? A man who may have information regarding a murder had disappeared.
He didn't return my calls, so I went to his house.
No answer there, despite it being mid-afternoon, and he not reporting to work that day.
I had a reasonable belief that Spivey could be in danger.
- Mm.
- Exigent circumstances are exceptions to the warrant requirement.
Exigent circumstances? That's bullshit.
Maybe.
But it's legal.
Okay, fine.
I won't break into Kliner's office.
I'll walk in and talk to him.
Now.
I'm coming.
A man that powerful, someone's gotta keep a cool head.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Okay, I think I know what's going on here, but if you two can't play nice, I'm gonna do what Meemaw used to and make you sit on the ground and hold hands.
Okay eat it or clean it up.
Jolene's not your mama.
I gotta go keep tracking down those rental cars.
Bye.
I'm taking those ribs to go.
You hungry? [QUIETLY.]
Good boy.
Reacher, what are you doin'? Owner's been leaving him out, not giving him water.
What the hell's goin' on here? This your dog, sir? It was my uncle's.
He died a few weeks ago.
I didn't want the mutt, but now I got it.
"It"? What's his name? It was a barn dog.
Got no name.
Now, I told you the other day to stay the hell out of my yard.
Negligent care of an animal's a misdemeanor in Margrave.
$500 fine, up to ten days in jail.
Everything going on in this town, and you're worried about a dog? This how they policed up in Boston? Don't make me come back and cite you, sir.
Reacher, come on.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Not a single security camera.
Maybe Kliner doesn't want a record of what's going on here.
Captain Finlay, over here.
Right this way.
Mr.
Kliner's expecting you.
That was a hell of a lot of animal feed back there.
It's the South.
They all have got cows.
I'll do the talking.
Good.
I don't like talking.
A family of skilled marksmen.
Uh, just up here, gentlemen.
I'm not sure I can help you.
I wish I could, but all I know about these killings is the gossip from the diner, which we both know is far from reliable.
Tanner Spivey, and has himself disappeared, called your company multiple times in the last three days.
Pete Jobling, also deceased, is a former truck driver for Kliner Industries.
For a company we contracted with.
Be that as it may, you paid his legal fees for a minor traffic violation that escalated into disorderly conduct.
We're just looking for some clarification as to your relationship with these men, if you wouldn't mind.
No.
Um regarding Mr.
Jobling, I ship product all over the country.
Truck drivers drive too fast.
They get all amped up on energy drinks.
It behooves me to keep lawyers on retainer to get my drivers back on the road and keep the wheels of business literally in motion.
And as for Mr.
Spivey, you said he called my company? We have a general number with over a dozen departments.
Perhaps Mr.
Spivey has a buddy on the loading docks? Maybe they were just making plans to grab a beer after work.
Perhaps.
Or perhaps he was calling for another reason.
I know you're only doing your job, and I know you're just trying to get answers about your brother's death.
But, if I may speak frankly, after all I've done for this town, after all I've invested into it, I'm a little insulted to be under suspicion.
More than a little.
My intention was never to insult you, Mr.
Kliner.
That's okay.
I know you've been under a lot of stress with all that's been happening.
My intention is to conduct my investigation in any manner I see fit.
And right now, that means finding out what you may or may not know.
I know you've had some trouble settling in here, Captain.
I wonder why that is.
[CHUCKLES.]
Maybe it's because you're a Northerner.
Or maybe it's your fancy education.
Or maybe it's another reason.
Hmm? Anyway, you haven't exactly ingratiated yourself to the good folks of Margrave.
I mean, the people of this town, the other members of the police department want to help you; they want to work with you.
They've told me so themselves.
We all want justice to be done.
But not if you're chasing down theories without any basis in fact.
Some friendly advice? This evidence trail you're following? It's a waste of time for you and for me.
Leave it.
Horatio Finlay.
Excuse me? My father's name.
Horatio Finlay.
You might think you're everybody's daddy in this town, but you're not mine.
You don't tell me what leads to chase and how to chase them.
So if I may give you some friendly advice: if you keep talking to the cops on my force, hinder this investigation in any way, I will put my fucking foot up your fucking ass until your heart fucking stops.
I think it's time for you gentlemen to leave.
[BUTTON BUZZES.]
[EXHALES.]
You know, cursing is a sign of weak mind and weaker character.
Shut up.
"You're not my daddy.
Horatio Finlay's my daddy.
" [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, loosen up.
You did the right thing.
Kliner's a bully.
Bullies need to know they can be punished, too.
[YOUNG JOE.]
Don't cry, no matter what.
Don't cry.
I don't care how scared or upset you get, don't you dare let 'em see you cry.
Boys I'm gonna get right to it.
We just came from the hospital.
Curtis Bishop had his face bashed in with this.
His cheekbone was fractured.
He had to have surgery, sutures.
This is a very serious crime.
There were bicycle tracks leaving Curtis's house.
You know where they led? Right there.
To your bike, Joe.
Joe, did you do this? "All signs indicate yes.
" You're not safe at home anymore.
You need to pack a bag and bounce around motels - outside Margrave for a while.
- I'm chief detective.
And Morrison was chief of police, and his balls are in his stomach now.
Kliner knows you suspect him.
We don't know who to trust at the station.
Motels.
Cash.
Fake names.
Travel light.
You mean live like you? You get used to it.
He's in the back.
What's he doing, packing his tweed pajamas? - Probably.
- Jesus.
I don't know what's more depressing, this or Morrison's place.
You said your family used to be in farming, right? Yeah.
How many head of cattle can a moving truck full of animal feed take care of? A lot.
Why? How many head of cattle does Kliner have on his compound? I don't know.
Uh, I see 'em when I drive by his north acreage; call it a hundred.
Nothing for the size of the land.
I'm gonna ask you again.
Why? I don't know.
He was getting a ton of feed delivered today.
Organized operation.
Didn't seem like the first time they were doing it.
It's not like he's running a commercial farm.
It's Georgia.
Lot of folks have cows.
That's what I hear.
Hey.
You been here a year? Who's your decorator, this guy? Haven't had time to furniture shop.
- We good to go? - Yeah.
There's a motel right outside Hickory where we can stay under the radar; third exit off 85.
Reacher.
I just want to make sure we're on the same page because your punch-to-syllable ratio is about 1:1.
I'm gonna go get a snack.
Just because it looks like Kliner might be a part of all this does not mean you can just go take him out.
No problem.
- Really? - A federal agent, a cop and multiple civilians are dead.
We're not dealing with a small-scale operation, this thing's a hydra; I cut off one head, two more grow in its place.
There's no justice for Joe in that.
I'm gonna uncover this whole operation, and then burn it to the ground.
That takes time, which is something I have in great quantity.
Taking Kliner out's the last move, not the first.
I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
Pretend whatever you want.
Okay.
So, we have three viable leads right now: Hubble, Jobling and Spivey.
Spivey's in the wind, Hubble's wife doesn't know anything.
But maybe Jobling's wife does.
It's late, but I can question her tomorrow.
Do whatever you want, but Spivey's the answer.
I get him to rat on whoever paid him to kill Hubble, we know everything.
I'm finding him.
Now? He could've told me to meet him anywhere.
He picked the Blue Cat.
A place he was comfortable, was probably a regular.
Maybe some of the other regulars know where he's hiding.
And neither of you are coming with me.
You'll be made instantly.
You both reek of cop.
I'll meet you in Hickory.
All right, I'll meet you there, too.
I gotta go get some toothpaste and deodorant and stuff.
I don't know how he lives like this.
Yeah, I gotta make a stop, too.
Roscoe? Be safe.
Oh, watch out.
Keep bein' nice like that and you're gonna be making friends around here in no time.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[EXHALES.]
[ENTRY BELL CHIMES.]
Get off my truck.
You been with that Reacher guy a lot lately.
Did he tell you all about himself? Or is there not much talking going on? Your mama teach you the way to a girl's heart is stalking her? I wouldn't have to resort to this if you would ever go out with me.
But some outlier strolls in, next thing I hear, you guys are best pals.
Five years ago the Kliners were outliers.
Now move.
If you guys are so close, he must've told you about Baghdad, right? 'Bout those civilians that he killed.
And how his connections got him off? The charges disappeared, but nothing goes away completely, not these days.
Jack Reacher's a murderer.
If you don't let me into my truck right now, I'm gonna have you facedown on the hood in handcuffs.
[QUIETLY.]
Maybe I'd like that.
- Hey.
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
I'm looking out for you, Roscoe.
I care about you.
[BOZ SCAGGS: "LOWDOWN".]
Baby's into runnin' around [EXHALES.]
Whoa.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- [GUNSHOT IN DISTANCE.]
[DEBBIE.]
Pull! [GUNSHOT.]
Yow! There she is.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Nice shot.
Damn right.
I'm bustin' up more clay than a Tuscan earthquake.
- [CHUCKLES.]
I'm Steve Williams.
- Oh.
And I gotta tell you, you guys put on a better party than the Charleston branch.
Debbie Shane.
- You're from Charleston? - Mm-hmm.
How's that son of a gun Tom Sloane doin'? Still a son of a gun, in every way possible.
- [GUNSHOT.]
- [LAUGHS.]
Yeah, that doesn't surprise me.
Pull! That is how you do it.
Remind me to never get on your bad side.
[LAUGHS.]
So, what're you doing in Atlanta, Steve? - [GUNSHOT.]
- Uh, grandmother passed.
Oh.
In between wakes I still need to get some work done, so I was gonna use your office; but when I called - Excuse me, sir, care for a drink? - they said you closed shop - early for this event, so here I am.
- [MAN.]
Pull! I'm sorry about your grandma, but you know what helps clear your head? - Shooting things.
- Ah.
Guns make me nervous.
But you know what you could do for me? Is tell me a bit about Axis in Atlanta.
Past few days has me thinking how life's short, maybe it's time I shake things up a bit, transfer offices.
Well, it's a great place to work.
Nice people.
What division are you in? Account services.
But truth be told, I started out wanting to work in currency management.
Was hoping to make a run at that again.
Well, that's gonna be tough to do at our branch, Stevie.
We had a guy handling that for us, but he picked up and left about a year ago and we discontinued the department.
It's kind of niche, you know? Not that many people do it so - [GUNSHOT.]
- I'm confused.
Your currency manager, what did you say his name was again? I didn't.
But it was Paul Hubble.
So this Hubble guy quit the bank a year ago? Yep.
Up and left without so much as two weeks' notice.
Kind of a dick move if you ask me.
Bottom line, we don't really do the currency thing anymore.
Pull! [GUNSHOT.]
Be careful.
A wedding ring falls on the ground, it's up for grabs.
Really? Says who? The law.
Famous case of Finders v.
Keepers.
Never heard of it? No, ma'am, I haven't.
[CHUCKLES.]
You're not from around here.
That "ma'am" sounds way north of the Mason-Dixon.
Boston.
Oh, no.
Well, I'll stay if you promise not to bring up the Patriots.
Still don't know how the Falcons blew that Super Bowl.
At 28-20, you kick the field goal.
- I said don't bring it up.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
My bad.
So, what do you do? Uh, nothing important.
Not recently, anyway.
Cryptic.
Cryptic is good.
Sorry.
I work in law enforcement.
Wow.
And that brought you here? I'm on a case I can't seem to untangle.
With a rookie I can trust, and a veteran who I'm not sure I can.
At least not to do the smart thing.
What's your gut say? Get the hell out of Dodge.
So why are you staying? Because we're the only ones who want to make things right.
Seems like a good reason.
Are my questions bothering you? No.
I'm just, uh, not great at conversation.
But here goes.
Where are you from? I'm from Marietta, work in cosmetics, and my instincts are impeccable.
And my instincts tell me you're a nice guy.
So why don't we find another bar around here? One with pool tables and cheaper drinks.
Maybe even a dark corner somewhere and see where the night takes us? I'm married, remember? Me, too.
But when a fella's marriage is going well, he doesn't take his ring off for the world to see in a motel bar.
I'm flattered.
And you're nice, too.
And lovely.
But I'm not your guy.
Okay.
Can't blame a girl for trying.
Good luck, Officer.
[JADE JACKSON: "GOOD TIME GONE".]
Met him at the back of the bar on Saturday I said, "I don't drink," he bought me one anyway Sometimes I don't wanna act myself That night I longed for something else Held it in my hands, I took a sip Two drinks down, cold whiskey on my lips He was nothing but a good time gone He handed me a cue To keep me stable Colors of the rainbow spinning on the table Two-dollar bill? Huh? [REACHER.]
Mailmen have 'em 'cause the Treasury pawns 'em off on the Post Office.
Public doesn't like 'em.
Gambling addicts get 'em in change at the race track on account of the standard two-dollar bet.
I don't see a mailbag.
Something tells me you wager more than you make and you could use some extra cash.
Guilty as charged.
You know Tanner Spivey? He was a regular here.
He's not gonna tell you anything.
Spivey's a friend.
And he don't need anyone asking about his business.
Find yourself another bar.
Boxer.
Southpaw.
Golden Gloves.
You know, the thing about BOXING: too many rules.
[CHUCKLES, GROANS.]
[GRUNTING.]
Where's Spivey? He left town with some Spanish guys.
Real fast.
That's all I know.
Yeah, he came on strong 'cause he knew all along That we'd never have our first fight, we'd never have a song He'd be nothing but a good time gone [CRICKETS CHIRPING.]
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
[HOWLIN' WOLF: "SPOONFUL".]
[DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
It could be a spoonful of diamond It could be a spoonful of gold Just a little spoon of your precious love Satisfy my soul Men lies about little Some of 'em cries about little Some of 'em dies about littles Everything fight about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that spoon [DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
It could be a spoonful of coffee Could be a spoonful of tea [THUNDER CRASHES.]
But a little spoon of your precious love Good enough for me Here we go.
- [THUNDER RUMBLING.]
- Come on.
Some of 'em dies about that Some of 'em cries about that [ENGINE REVVING.]
But everything fight about a spoonful There you go, stay close.
But not too close.
There you go.
Stay with me, boys.
[ENGINE REVVING.]
[THUNDER RUMBLES.]
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
He went off-road.
To the right.
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
It could be a spoonful of water Save you from the desert sand But one spoon of lead from forty-five Save you from another man A men lies about that Some of 'em cries about that Some of 'em dies about that Up ahead, to the right.
Everybody fightin' about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon That spoon [DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
[THUNDER CRASHING.]
[REACHER GRUNTING.]
[THUNDER RUMBLING.]
[GRUNTS.]
[BEEPS.]
[THUNDER CRASHES.]
Hello, Spivey.
Shit.
[RICHARD ROSE: "RED TELEPHONE".]
Check into Charlie's, said, "I wanna escape the heat" I got problems drip-dripping off me Don't want a reason to leave Off the road, I got needs and needs And I need them met for free In the room, got a friend named Juice And he only knows one speed So feed me Feed me My red telephone Both eyes closed Down at Charlie's, they got cages Wanna stick me in and leave In the room, got a friend named Juice And he only knows one speed
When someone has an attempt made on their life You know I was recruited by the FBI and Central Intelligence? Scored a 99th percentile in IQ, but only an 80% on the psych eval.
You want to know why, you condescending asshole? Interpersonal skills? I lack the ability to tolerate horseshit.
And this and this is horseshit! You think I'm some poor, scared, little girl? I'm not scared.
I am pissed.
They came into my house that I fixed up with my money in the town that my family founded because they think they are untouchable.
You want a gun? Uh-huh.
Fine by me.
Gray gave this to me a couple of years ago.
Wanted to keep it in the family, and I was the only family he had.
Not what you'd call a subtle weapon.
[ROSCOE.]
People round here know I have this thing.
Use it wrong, and it gets back to me.
So don't use it wrong.
I won't let anything happen to it.
Your house isn't safe anymore; pack your bags.
[PHONE VIBRATES.]
Finlay? Got an ID on the body that was found with Joe.
We gotta get to the morgue.
[BIRDS SQUAWKING.]
Are you kiddin' me? I just told you to be careful with that thing.
Never trust a weapon you haven't personally test-fired.
[THUNDER CRASHES.]
[THUNDER ROLLING.]
[CICADAS BUZZING.]
- [ENGINE TURNS OFF.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
You two were already working the case? First thing in the morning? We were just getting back into town.
From where? Alabama.
Bar closed late, storm flooded the road.
- You took him out drinking? - [ROSCOE CLEARS THROAT.]
Isn't that the exact opposite of what I told you to do? Good thing I did.
Whoever killed the Morrisons came after us last night.
Broke into my house, carved a threat into my door; who knows what they would've done if I'd been there alone.
They came into your house? I'm fine.
Let's just see what Jasper has for us.
It's okay.
I had my eye on her.
Here you go.
Here you go.
Sorry; I didn't know you were coming.
Once the prints came back, we got a full run on the man.
Victim's name is Pete Jobling.
Trucker for Southfreight Shipping, which makes sense, 'cause the test results I got back showed a little too much hydrogen sulfide in his blood gases and tissue; he spent his whole life on the road, sniffing other people's catalytic converters.
43, married, resides in Atlanta Record's clean except for a 2018 arrest for a Jacksonville traffic violation that turned into a disorderly conduct.
Defended by Zacarias Perez LLP.
No conviction.
Zacarias Perez.
Here he is.
Oh.
Looks fancy.
Not the kind of firm that defends truck drivers.
Thanks, Jasper.
Hopefully we don't need to see you again any time soon.
Yeah.
- [PHONE VIBRATING.]
- It's a D.
C.
number.
- Secret Service.
- Hello? Officer Conklin? This is Molly Beth Gordon, Specialized Administrative Officer with the Secret Service.
I got your message regarding Joe Reacher.
- I work with him.
- Uh, hi, Molly Beth.
Oh, Joe! Oh, thank God.
Why haven't you returned my calls? I was so worried.
Ms.
Gordon, this is Jack Reacher.
Joe's brother.
Joe's dead.
No.
No, you're wrong.
I'm not.
How? He was murdered.
We think his death may be related to his work.
Do you know what Joe was doing in Margrave, Georgia? Uh I don't know.
He was, um [SNIFFLES.]
He was running a classified investigation, I just don't know the details God.
[INHALES.]
[SOBBING.]
I know it's not the best time to answer questions, but we really need your help.
What position did Joe hold in the Secret Service? What? He was Uh, he was, he was the, he was the director, he was the director of the Office of Investigations.
You you didn't know that? No.
We hadn't spoken in a while.
Was anyone working under him? No.
No, um [SNIFFLES.]
No, he assigned his current case to himself.
Nobody knew about it.
You did.
We were close.
Molly Beth, um, this is Officer Conklin.
I'm-I'm sorry, we're almost done, I promise.
Was there a specific division of O.
I.
that Joe was heading up? Uh, yeah, he-he runs he ran our anti-counterfeiting department.
Agent Gordon? Captain Finlay, Chief Detective, Margrave PD.
Had there been reports of counterfeiting in the Margrave area? I I really don't feel like Can we just talk about this another time, please? I know it's hard, and I hate doing this, considering what we just told you, but you're our only lead.
On a case it appears Joe died for.
Um Okay.
[SNIFFLES.]
[EXHALES.]
Joe told me that he put a stop to all domestic counterfeiting a while ago.
Um He put all these procedures in place; made it basically impossible to make anything here without getting caught.
He was chasing international stuff.
Like South America? I don't know.
Um I can try to get his files for you.
[REACHER.]
Thank you.
But hard copies only; we don't want a digital trail.
Why? Seems whatever Joe was into, people were killed over it.
We don't want anything leading back to you.
We need to keep this quiet.
Shouldn't I tell his superiors? Absolutely not.
We can't trust the Secret Service? Joe kept this top secret for a reason.
I believe in my brother's instincts.
Do you? - Yes.
- [REACHER.]
Okay, good.
So we tell no one until we have a better understanding of what we're dealing with.
Okay.
Um it'll take me a day or so to copy it all.
That's okay.
[SNIFFLES.]
You sound just like him.
We'll talk soon.
[PHONE BEEPS OFF.]
Your counterfeiting guess was right, Reacher.
My bet was guns or sex trafficking.
Well, like you said, everything comes down to cash.
Counterfeiters just cut out the middle man.
But multiple murders over Monopoly money? People kill over 20 bucks in a wallet.
Imagine what they'd do to protect a limitless supply.
We don't have to imagine; we've been to the Morrisons' house.
No way it's a coincidence Hubble was a currency manager for Axis Financial's Atlanta branch.
Okay, so we check out where he worked.
I go there midday flashing a badge, people clam up and lawyer up.
I'll track down some of the suits after hours.
- Mm.
- But right now, I need you back in uniform and at the station house.
Pretend to look for the ex-cons who killed the Morrisons.
I'm sorry, what? Teale doesn't know we suspect him, so we play his game for now.
I'll tell him you found your house broken into and you're determined to find out who's responsible.
So I get to watch Teale waving his cane like a scepter, playin' boss; what do you get to do? I'm going to pay a visit to that jail guard, Spivey.
Got his address this morning.
Next county over.
I'll come.
'Cause it went so well the last time? No, you're gonna to go see Zacarias Perez LLP.
See what you can find out about Jobling's arrest.
An assignment? I thought I was not by employment, appearance, or lifestyle choice a cop anymore.
Well, shows you how desperate I am.
So be smart, don't break the law, and promise me you won't end up in another holding cell.
No.
[CHUCKLES.]
Can't wait till this is over and that guy's out of our town.
Officer Conklin.
Keeping banker's hours? I was at the morgue, getting intel on the second highway victim.
I made my directive clear.
Those bodies take a backseat to those of our departed colleague and his wife.
A cop is dead, and from what I've heard, we could've had another.
You holdin' up all right? Yes, sir.
Though if I had been home, I would've taken at least a couple of those bastards with me.
That's the spirit, kid.
If someone wants to come after Margrave's finest, they better be ready for a fight.
Now, I want you focused on these boys up on the board: some of the more violent perps Morrison helped incarcerate.
Aggravated battery, domestic assault, armed robbery.
Bad men.
Copy that.
I'm in the process of running down stolen car reports for the whole county.
Figure if an ex-con was gonna go to a cop's house, he wouldn't risk using his own ride.
Well, that's good thinkin'.
You keep me posted.
Hmm.
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
[QUIETLY.]
Roscoe? You were with Finlay this morning? I was.
And, uh someone came after you? [SCOFFS.]
Appears that way.
Could be related to Morrison, could be teens with a fucked-up sense of humor.
Yeah.
Um My cousin Charlie's not picking up her phone.
Paul, either.
The whole family's disappeared.
Just wondering if you know something I don't.
No.
Do you? Nope.
I'm just trying to figure out what the hell's going on around here .
Yeah.
Me, too.
I haven't had any luck, so I'm just gonna focus on the ex-cons, like Teale said.
You really think that's the way to go on this? Good a road as any.
Teale's boss now.
What about Finlay? Think he might know something he ain't sharing? I doubt it.
Everybody in Margrave still treats him like the new guy.
Yeah.
Well, whole town's wound tighter than jungle gym screws.
I don't know what to tell my wife.
This Reacher guy's running all over everybody - like it's - [TEALE.]
Stevenson? A moment.
Yes, sir.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
- [CICADAS BUZZING.]
- [DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE.]
Mr.
Spivey? Tanner Spivey? Mr.
Spivey? [DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE.]
[SIGHS.]
[BEEPS.]
[BOTH GRUNTING.]
Alton police! - You picked the wrong town to rob in.
- Wait! Those bruises look pretty fresh.
You still feelin' 'em? A bit.
The accident was just a few days ago.
Well, truth be told, Mr.
Doyle I'm sorry, what was your first name again? Uh, Brian.
Truth be told, Brian, we don't normally handle auto claims here.
Usually leave that to the bus bench crowd.
But The Home Depot's got deep pockets and I intend to get my hands all the way in 'em, get you the recovery you deserve.
So, let's start at the beginning.
What was the date that delivery truck hit you? There was no truck.
I made up a story so you'd see me.
Now get me your file on Pete Jobling.
Excuse me? A client you represented for a traffic violation and disorderly conduct charge.
His file.
Get it.
I don't know what game you're playing at here, but get out of my office.
No.
Excuse me? Who the hell do you think you are? A pissed-off drifter with nothing to lose.
Oh, you want to get arrested for trespassing? Pull up Jobling's file.
Now.
I will ruin your life with one phone call.
I'll end your life with one phone.
[GRUNTS.]
[CHOKES.]
Pull up Jobling's file.
Print it.
Staple.
[GROANS.]
Little further.
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- [COUGHING.]
Oh.
Don't bother trying to find out my real name.
Cause any problems, you'll wish I'd finished strangling you.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[COUGHING.]
- [EXHALES.]
- [DOOR OPENS.]
[SNIFFLES.]
- [INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
[KEYS JANGLING.]
[SIGHS.]
Listen, man, you should've told us you were a cop.
Hard to do with a boot in your mouth.
[SNIFFLES.]
And it shouldn't make a difference.
[GROANS SOFTLY.]
Jesus.
Which one of you assholes did this? Thought he was a burglar.
How many burglars you know wear suits? He didn't look like he lived there.
- Are you fuckin' kidding me right now? - Hey.
Let it go.
We have bigger fights.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
You know, cursing is a sign of a weak mind and a weaker character.
But I appreciate you having my back.
Of course.
You hear from Reacher? We're meeting him at Jolene's.
Said he found something.
Good.
'Cause so did I.
[BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS: "PTP".]
I been doing everything for you Even took up all day Well, I guess that Cops or civilians? Just Southern hospitality.
How'd it go at the law firm? Got everything I needed.
How? Just used the phone.
Two fried chicken thighs, fried okra, ribs, collard greens, pole beans, rice with giblet gravy, cottage cheese and peaches.
Buttermilk chicken sandwich with coleslaw.
And for you, spinach salad.
Dressing on the side.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
I was embarrassed ordering that.
How do you eat like that and still look like you do? Like this.
So, Roscoe says you found something.
Our dead trucker's employer, Southfreight Shipping? They were contracted to Kliner Industries.
When our trucker got into legal trouble, Kliner paid his legal fees.
That makes what I came across even more interesting.
- [REACHER.]
What's that? - I searched Spivey's house.
Looks like he left town.
But his landline showed multiple calls to Kliner Industries.
So, roads are leading to Kliner.
The patron saint of Margrave? You really think that he could be counterfeiting? Who knows? He certainly has the financial resources to pull off something of this scale.
Maybe he has those resources - because he's counterfeiting.
- Mm.
Well, how does Hubble's bank fit into all this? Not sure.
But I'm gonna break into Kliner's tonight and see if I can find something that connects them.
You can't just sit there and say you're gonna violate the Fourth Amendment while you eat okra.
Yes, I can.
- Wanna see me do it again? - Reacher I don't know what we'll find or not find.
Things maybe lead to Kliner.
We're flying blind here, so somebody's gotta kick the hornet's nest.
You jeopardize this investigation if you get evidence that's inadmissible because it was unlawfully obtained.
You get that busted nose filling out a warrant to search Spivey's house? A man who may have information regarding a murder had disappeared.
He didn't return my calls, so I went to his house.
No answer there, despite it being mid-afternoon, and he not reporting to work that day.
I had a reasonable belief that Spivey could be in danger.
- Mm.
- Exigent circumstances are exceptions to the warrant requirement.
Exigent circumstances? That's bullshit.
Maybe.
But it's legal.
Okay, fine.
I won't break into Kliner's office.
I'll walk in and talk to him.
Now.
I'm coming.
A man that powerful, someone's gotta keep a cool head.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Okay, I think I know what's going on here, but if you two can't play nice, I'm gonna do what Meemaw used to and make you sit on the ground and hold hands.
Okay eat it or clean it up.
Jolene's not your mama.
I gotta go keep tracking down those rental cars.
Bye.
I'm taking those ribs to go.
You hungry? [QUIETLY.]
Good boy.
Reacher, what are you doin'? Owner's been leaving him out, not giving him water.
What the hell's goin' on here? This your dog, sir? It was my uncle's.
He died a few weeks ago.
I didn't want the mutt, but now I got it.
"It"? What's his name? It was a barn dog.
Got no name.
Now, I told you the other day to stay the hell out of my yard.
Negligent care of an animal's a misdemeanor in Margrave.
$500 fine, up to ten days in jail.
Everything going on in this town, and you're worried about a dog? This how they policed up in Boston? Don't make me come back and cite you, sir.
Reacher, come on.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Not a single security camera.
Maybe Kliner doesn't want a record of what's going on here.
Captain Finlay, over here.
Right this way.
Mr.
Kliner's expecting you.
That was a hell of a lot of animal feed back there.
It's the South.
They all have got cows.
I'll do the talking.
Good.
I don't like talking.
A family of skilled marksmen.
Uh, just up here, gentlemen.
I'm not sure I can help you.
I wish I could, but all I know about these killings is the gossip from the diner, which we both know is far from reliable.
Tanner Spivey, and has himself disappeared, called your company multiple times in the last three days.
Pete Jobling, also deceased, is a former truck driver for Kliner Industries.
For a company we contracted with.
Be that as it may, you paid his legal fees for a minor traffic violation that escalated into disorderly conduct.
We're just looking for some clarification as to your relationship with these men, if you wouldn't mind.
No.
Um regarding Mr.
Jobling, I ship product all over the country.
Truck drivers drive too fast.
They get all amped up on energy drinks.
It behooves me to keep lawyers on retainer to get my drivers back on the road and keep the wheels of business literally in motion.
And as for Mr.
Spivey, you said he called my company? We have a general number with over a dozen departments.
Perhaps Mr.
Spivey has a buddy on the loading docks? Maybe they were just making plans to grab a beer after work.
Perhaps.
Or perhaps he was calling for another reason.
I know you're only doing your job, and I know you're just trying to get answers about your brother's death.
But, if I may speak frankly, after all I've done for this town, after all I've invested into it, I'm a little insulted to be under suspicion.
More than a little.
My intention was never to insult you, Mr.
Kliner.
That's okay.
I know you've been under a lot of stress with all that's been happening.
My intention is to conduct my investigation in any manner I see fit.
And right now, that means finding out what you may or may not know.
I know you've had some trouble settling in here, Captain.
I wonder why that is.
[CHUCKLES.]
Maybe it's because you're a Northerner.
Or maybe it's your fancy education.
Or maybe it's another reason.
Hmm? Anyway, you haven't exactly ingratiated yourself to the good folks of Margrave.
I mean, the people of this town, the other members of the police department want to help you; they want to work with you.
They've told me so themselves.
We all want justice to be done.
But not if you're chasing down theories without any basis in fact.
Some friendly advice? This evidence trail you're following? It's a waste of time for you and for me.
Leave it.
Horatio Finlay.
Excuse me? My father's name.
Horatio Finlay.
You might think you're everybody's daddy in this town, but you're not mine.
You don't tell me what leads to chase and how to chase them.
So if I may give you some friendly advice: if you keep talking to the cops on my force, hinder this investigation in any way, I will put my fucking foot up your fucking ass until your heart fucking stops.
I think it's time for you gentlemen to leave.
[BUTTON BUZZES.]
[EXHALES.]
You know, cursing is a sign of weak mind and weaker character.
Shut up.
"You're not my daddy.
Horatio Finlay's my daddy.
" [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, loosen up.
You did the right thing.
Kliner's a bully.
Bullies need to know they can be punished, too.
[YOUNG JOE.]
Don't cry, no matter what.
Don't cry.
I don't care how scared or upset you get, don't you dare let 'em see you cry.
Boys I'm gonna get right to it.
We just came from the hospital.
Curtis Bishop had his face bashed in with this.
His cheekbone was fractured.
He had to have surgery, sutures.
This is a very serious crime.
There were bicycle tracks leaving Curtis's house.
You know where they led? Right there.
To your bike, Joe.
Joe, did you do this? "All signs indicate yes.
" You're not safe at home anymore.
You need to pack a bag and bounce around motels - outside Margrave for a while.
- I'm chief detective.
And Morrison was chief of police, and his balls are in his stomach now.
Kliner knows you suspect him.
We don't know who to trust at the station.
Motels.
Cash.
Fake names.
Travel light.
You mean live like you? You get used to it.
He's in the back.
What's he doing, packing his tweed pajamas? - Probably.
- Jesus.
I don't know what's more depressing, this or Morrison's place.
You said your family used to be in farming, right? Yeah.
How many head of cattle can a moving truck full of animal feed take care of? A lot.
Why? How many head of cattle does Kliner have on his compound? I don't know.
Uh, I see 'em when I drive by his north acreage; call it a hundred.
Nothing for the size of the land.
I'm gonna ask you again.
Why? I don't know.
He was getting a ton of feed delivered today.
Organized operation.
Didn't seem like the first time they were doing it.
It's not like he's running a commercial farm.
It's Georgia.
Lot of folks have cows.
That's what I hear.
Hey.
You been here a year? Who's your decorator, this guy? Haven't had time to furniture shop.
- We good to go? - Yeah.
There's a motel right outside Hickory where we can stay under the radar; third exit off 85.
Reacher.
I just want to make sure we're on the same page because your punch-to-syllable ratio is about 1:1.
I'm gonna go get a snack.
Just because it looks like Kliner might be a part of all this does not mean you can just go take him out.
No problem.
- Really? - A federal agent, a cop and multiple civilians are dead.
We're not dealing with a small-scale operation, this thing's a hydra; I cut off one head, two more grow in its place.
There's no justice for Joe in that.
I'm gonna uncover this whole operation, and then burn it to the ground.
That takes time, which is something I have in great quantity.
Taking Kliner out's the last move, not the first.
I'll pretend I didn't hear that.
Pretend whatever you want.
Okay.
So, we have three viable leads right now: Hubble, Jobling and Spivey.
Spivey's in the wind, Hubble's wife doesn't know anything.
But maybe Jobling's wife does.
It's late, but I can question her tomorrow.
Do whatever you want, but Spivey's the answer.
I get him to rat on whoever paid him to kill Hubble, we know everything.
I'm finding him.
Now? He could've told me to meet him anywhere.
He picked the Blue Cat.
A place he was comfortable, was probably a regular.
Maybe some of the other regulars know where he's hiding.
And neither of you are coming with me.
You'll be made instantly.
You both reek of cop.
I'll meet you in Hickory.
All right, I'll meet you there, too.
I gotta go get some toothpaste and deodorant and stuff.
I don't know how he lives like this.
Yeah, I gotta make a stop, too.
Roscoe? Be safe.
Oh, watch out.
Keep bein' nice like that and you're gonna be making friends around here in no time.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[EXHALES.]
[ENTRY BELL CHIMES.]
Get off my truck.
You been with that Reacher guy a lot lately.
Did he tell you all about himself? Or is there not much talking going on? Your mama teach you the way to a girl's heart is stalking her? I wouldn't have to resort to this if you would ever go out with me.
But some outlier strolls in, next thing I hear, you guys are best pals.
Five years ago the Kliners were outliers.
Now move.
If you guys are so close, he must've told you about Baghdad, right? 'Bout those civilians that he killed.
And how his connections got him off? The charges disappeared, but nothing goes away completely, not these days.
Jack Reacher's a murderer.
If you don't let me into my truck right now, I'm gonna have you facedown on the hood in handcuffs.
[QUIETLY.]
Maybe I'd like that.
- Hey.
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
I'm looking out for you, Roscoe.
I care about you.
[BOZ SCAGGS: "LOWDOWN".]
Baby's into runnin' around [EXHALES.]
Whoa.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- [GUNSHOT IN DISTANCE.]
[DEBBIE.]
Pull! [GUNSHOT.]
Yow! There she is.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- Nice shot.
Damn right.
I'm bustin' up more clay than a Tuscan earthquake.
- [CHUCKLES.]
I'm Steve Williams.
- Oh.
And I gotta tell you, you guys put on a better party than the Charleston branch.
Debbie Shane.
- You're from Charleston? - Mm-hmm.
How's that son of a gun Tom Sloane doin'? Still a son of a gun, in every way possible.
- [GUNSHOT.]
- [LAUGHS.]
Yeah, that doesn't surprise me.
Pull! That is how you do it.
Remind me to never get on your bad side.
[LAUGHS.]
So, what're you doing in Atlanta, Steve? - [GUNSHOT.]
- Uh, grandmother passed.
Oh.
In between wakes I still need to get some work done, so I was gonna use your office; but when I called - Excuse me, sir, care for a drink? - they said you closed shop - early for this event, so here I am.
- [MAN.]
Pull! I'm sorry about your grandma, but you know what helps clear your head? - Shooting things.
- Ah.
Guns make me nervous.
But you know what you could do for me? Is tell me a bit about Axis in Atlanta.
Past few days has me thinking how life's short, maybe it's time I shake things up a bit, transfer offices.
Well, it's a great place to work.
Nice people.
What division are you in? Account services.
But truth be told, I started out wanting to work in currency management.
Was hoping to make a run at that again.
Well, that's gonna be tough to do at our branch, Stevie.
We had a guy handling that for us, but he picked up and left about a year ago and we discontinued the department.
It's kind of niche, you know? Not that many people do it so - [GUNSHOT.]
- I'm confused.
Your currency manager, what did you say his name was again? I didn't.
But it was Paul Hubble.
So this Hubble guy quit the bank a year ago? Yep.
Up and left without so much as two weeks' notice.
Kind of a dick move if you ask me.
Bottom line, we don't really do the currency thing anymore.
Pull! [GUNSHOT.]
Be careful.
A wedding ring falls on the ground, it's up for grabs.
Really? Says who? The law.
Famous case of Finders v.
Keepers.
Never heard of it? No, ma'am, I haven't.
[CHUCKLES.]
You're not from around here.
That "ma'am" sounds way north of the Mason-Dixon.
Boston.
Oh, no.
Well, I'll stay if you promise not to bring up the Patriots.
Still don't know how the Falcons blew that Super Bowl.
At 28-20, you kick the field goal.
- I said don't bring it up.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Okay.
My bad.
So, what do you do? Uh, nothing important.
Not recently, anyway.
Cryptic.
Cryptic is good.
Sorry.
I work in law enforcement.
Wow.
And that brought you here? I'm on a case I can't seem to untangle.
With a rookie I can trust, and a veteran who I'm not sure I can.
At least not to do the smart thing.
What's your gut say? Get the hell out of Dodge.
So why are you staying? Because we're the only ones who want to make things right.
Seems like a good reason.
Are my questions bothering you? No.
I'm just, uh, not great at conversation.
But here goes.
Where are you from? I'm from Marietta, work in cosmetics, and my instincts are impeccable.
And my instincts tell me you're a nice guy.
So why don't we find another bar around here? One with pool tables and cheaper drinks.
Maybe even a dark corner somewhere and see where the night takes us? I'm married, remember? Me, too.
But when a fella's marriage is going well, he doesn't take his ring off for the world to see in a motel bar.
I'm flattered.
And you're nice, too.
And lovely.
But I'm not your guy.
Okay.
Can't blame a girl for trying.
Good luck, Officer.
[JADE JACKSON: "GOOD TIME GONE".]
Met him at the back of the bar on Saturday I said, "I don't drink," he bought me one anyway Sometimes I don't wanna act myself That night I longed for something else Held it in my hands, I took a sip Two drinks down, cold whiskey on my lips He was nothing but a good time gone He handed me a cue To keep me stable Colors of the rainbow spinning on the table Two-dollar bill? Huh? [REACHER.]
Mailmen have 'em 'cause the Treasury pawns 'em off on the Post Office.
Public doesn't like 'em.
Gambling addicts get 'em in change at the race track on account of the standard two-dollar bet.
I don't see a mailbag.
Something tells me you wager more than you make and you could use some extra cash.
Guilty as charged.
You know Tanner Spivey? He was a regular here.
He's not gonna tell you anything.
Spivey's a friend.
And he don't need anyone asking about his business.
Find yourself another bar.
Boxer.
Southpaw.
Golden Gloves.
You know, the thing about BOXING: too many rules.
[CHUCKLES, GROANS.]
[GRUNTING.]
Where's Spivey? He left town with some Spanish guys.
Real fast.
That's all I know.
Yeah, he came on strong 'cause he knew all along That we'd never have our first fight, we'd never have a song He'd be nothing but a good time gone [CRICKETS CHIRPING.]
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
- [ENGINE STARTS.]
[HOWLIN' WOLF: "SPOONFUL".]
[DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
It could be a spoonful of diamond It could be a spoonful of gold Just a little spoon of your precious love Satisfy my soul Men lies about little Some of 'em cries about little Some of 'em dies about littles Everything fight about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that spoon [DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
It could be a spoonful of coffee Could be a spoonful of tea [THUNDER CRASHES.]
But a little spoon of your precious love Good enough for me Here we go.
- [THUNDER RUMBLING.]
- Come on.
Some of 'em dies about that Some of 'em cries about that [ENGINE REVVING.]
But everything fight about a spoonful There you go, stay close.
But not too close.
There you go.
Stay with me, boys.
[ENGINE REVVING.]
[THUNDER RUMBLES.]
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
He went off-road.
To the right.
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
It could be a spoonful of water Save you from the desert sand But one spoon of lead from forty-five Save you from another man A men lies about that Some of 'em cries about that Some of 'em dies about that Up ahead, to the right.
Everybody fightin' about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon That spoon [DOOR ALERT BEEPING.]
[THUNDER CRASHING.]
[REACHER GRUNTING.]
[THUNDER RUMBLING.]
[GRUNTS.]
[BEEPS.]
[THUNDER CRASHES.]
Hello, Spivey.
Shit.
[RICHARD ROSE: "RED TELEPHONE".]
Check into Charlie's, said, "I wanna escape the heat" I got problems drip-dripping off me Don't want a reason to leave Off the road, I got needs and needs And I need them met for free In the room, got a friend named Juice And he only knows one speed So feed me Feed me My red telephone Both eyes closed Down at Charlie's, they got cages Wanna stick me in and leave In the room, got a friend named Juice And he only knows one speed