The Closer s06e10 Episode Script
Executive Order
That is the last time, I let you talk me into a burrito grande.
You've got such a delicate stomach.
Well, you're the one who has to live with the consequences.
Gross.
Great.
Update on man in distress.
We found the patient on Stadium Way and Elysian Park.
Copy that, 35.
Sir? How you doing tonight, sir? - Sir? - I don't know where I am.
- Okay.
What's your name? - Where am I? - Can you tell me how old you are? - 47.
Alert and oriented times one, good radial pulse, profusing normally.
Am I gonna be okay? You're gonna be fine, sir.
Just relax.
You wanna G.
S.
him? - I'm dizzy.
- On three.
One, two, three.
Respiration 12, decreased tidal volume - Am I having a stroke? - I don't think so but the doctors will know exactly what's going on after they examine you.
What's that noise? Where are we? Just getting off the freeway.
We're really close to the hospital.
Sir.
Silva.
Sir, you need to calm down.
Silva, this guy's out of control.
Pull over.
I need your help.
Rescue 35, we need backup.
Silva! Sir! Sir, you need to calm down.
Calm down, sir.
Sir, relax.
Relax.
Evening, chief.
Paramedics responding to a 911 call were on their way to the hospital when the guy became combative.
Four minutes later, backup arrives and found them both dead.
- Multiple gunshot wounds.
- Any witnesses? None.
Air support was overhead in five minutes didn't see anyone.
The guy just disappeared.
Fire battalion chief told me the paramedics use only one route from Elysian Park to the ER.
If the killer wasn't some transient and he planned this out it's possible he had an accomplice here waiting to drive him.
- Accomplice might've been our 911 caller.
- We're looking.
- Anything taken from the ambulance? - No, victims had their wallets.
I inventoried the vehicle with an EMT, the only thing missing were towels that the killer used to wipe down the scene.
Someone posing as a homeless man, kills two paramedics takes nothing, cleans up and vanishes? - Chief.
SID couldn't pick up any good prints, but I found six casings.
- Would you run those over to NIBIN? - Yes.
This is a run sheet the paramedics used to record everything before they pulled over.
It says here they performed a G.
S.
A Georgia Street lift.
A what? Please? - David, could you get her legs? - Her legs.
Turn around and just lean back on me.
Go.
- Oh.
- Oh! Oh, for heaven sakes.
Okay, thank you.
Chief, there's something I need to tell you.
Chief? Before you Ugh.
Who removed the bodies? That's what I was trying to tell you.
The fire department took them before we arrived.
L.
A.
F.
D.
won't let their people lie out dead, same as us, out of respect.
That may have cost us the investigation.
Okay.
Bodies are at Good Samaritan.
Where do you want them? Taken immediately to our morgue.
And I'll let you know exactly how I want them brought in.
Detective.
Just as you asked.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Anna Vargas.
You knew her? We're friends.
- Good friends.
- Oh, I'm so sorry, doctor.
- Who did this? - I don't know.
You don't need to do the autopsy now.
I'm only interested in fingerprints.
- Should I take the gloves off? - No, no, no.
I want the gloves left exactly as they are, please, thank you.
Lieutenant? Thank you.
See? The killer's fingerprints were on her glove.
This is why we don't move bodies.
Killer's name is Kevin Mason and those are the prints he submitted when he applied to the L.
A.
F.
D.
- I hope he was rejected.
- He was.
Four times.
The last time in 2007, which is when he seems to have fallen off the map.
Okay.
Thank you, detective.
Run down all of Mr.
Mason's known addresses.
Let's see if we can find him.
Chief.
The 911 cell phone? Turns out it's a prepaid job, used for the first time tonight.
It's got an FBI flag on it.
It was purchased with another phone that was used in an unsolved bombing attempt here in L.
A.
two years back.
A few years ago, a bomb was left outside an IRS office on Olympic.
L.
A.
P.
D.
Counter Terrorism investigated, Tommy Delk turned it over to the FBI.
Chief? 911, what's your emergency? I'm in Elysian Park and this guy's having an epileptic fit or something.
You should send somebody right away.
He's up on Stadium Way.
He's having trouble catching his breath.
Like the guy the paramedics picked up.
The 911 caller could be our killer.
So how are these murders connected to an attempted bombing of an IRS building? Brenda, if these were typical homicides, I'd be happy to have you pursue them.
You're not suggesting I hand this case over.
These murders are now connected to an ongoing investigation between the FBI and our own Counter Terrorism Bureau led by Delk.
Please note the use of the words "terrorism" and "Tommy Delk.
" What kind of a middle-aged man calls himself "Tommy"? Oh.
He's on the short list for chief.
That's why you want me to deal with him.
No, this is good police work.
The FBI's already flagged that number, which means they're showing up here.
My advice, is to put out the welcome mat.
I'd rather wait until I have something to trade.
You have prints and a name.
I'll arrange a sit-down with Delk and he's got a bit of an ego, but he's not unreasonable.
Only if he understands that until I talk to him, he is not to speak with the FBI.
Believe me, if these cases are connected, he's gonna be a huge help.
If I find this 911 caller, I won't need anyone's help.
I've been trying to triangulate the cell phone, chief.
It's not pinging.
Once the 911 caller gets back online, it will show up right here.
I get how someone pretends to be disoriented or mimics a seizure.
But everything else recorded, accelerated heartbeat dilated pupils, how do you fake those? - You can't.
- According to the run sheet these are the symptoms he presented.
While I'm waiting, I'll look into it.
An exciting day yesterday for a group of children with cancer How is it you're half my age and spend twice as much time as me in the bathroom? I guess I'm just a slower reader than you.
Eh.
- Ready? - Yeah.
Here we go.
Okay.
Ready? One, two, three.
Here's my question: Where is Kevin Mason hiding for three years without being noticed? - Let's go.
- And we're off.
I don't know, lieutenant.
But we better find him before he disappears again.
- Oh.
Good morning, commander.
- Morning.
Just thought you should know because the paramedics' memorial is now scheduled for Monday, the announcement for chief, heh will be delayed until Tuesday.
- Also I got it.
- Oh, thank you.
- Chief Pope has Delk in his office waiting for you and - Very good.
Thank you.
- Yes, uh, yes.
- What is it, commander? - Well.
Ahem.
Look, Delk will probably have his own ideas for investigating the deaths of Silva and Vargas.
And you might wanna keep that in mind when collaborating with him.
You want me to play nicely with Delk in case he becomes chief of police.
All I'm saying is that in addition to your two victims there are several still living.
People counting on you.
Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, commander.
- Good morning.
Chief Johnson.
- Morning.
Come in.
Chief Johnson, I believe you've met.
- Tommy Delk.
Good to see you again.
- And you.
Let's get started, shall we? Okay.
Two years ago today, September 24th a stolen pickup was left outside a federal office on West Olympic.
Its flatbed contained a small explosive and a barrel filled with fertilizer and diesel fuel.
The explosive ignited, but failed to set off the larger bomb.
And a phone wired to the barrel as a backup detonator also failed because the battery lost its charge.
- That's lucky.
Yeah.
For everyone.
If that had exploded, it would've taken down half the IRS building.
Unfortunately, as far as evidence went everything was untraceable including the truck.
We did recover footage of the suspect buying two prepaid phones one was the backup detonator but the video's poor quality made it impossible for us or the FBI to identify him.
- I'd very much like to view that footage.
The FBI has made it available to you, along with the rest of its findings.
I'm sorry, you've already contacted the FBI? I specifically requested that you not discuss anything with them until we had spoken.
- Chief Pope mentioned that.
I'm in constant communication with the feds and couldn't consider doing anything that would make me less trustworthy.
As you know, I'm somewhat connected to the FBI myself.
- Yeah, if I could - I don't know what you've shared, but I need to examine the materials connected to that previous bombing.
- Sure.
I'll tell you what you'll find: jack.
We had three months and we found jack.
The FBI had it for 21 months and they found jack.
You and the FBI may not have found jack, but I did.
And his name isn't Jack.
Really? You've found him? Which means that I've had this case for less than eight hours and I'm farther along than you and the FBI.
To be fair, you did have the benefit of new prints.
I'd be curious how much farther you get in three hours.
- Three hours? That's how long the FBI has agreed to share before they take over.
- That's what's been arranged.
- I did not agree to that.
Good thing I'm not taking orders from you.
Yeah, believe it or not, I'm actually in charge here.
At least for the next few days.
And since this case seems to be more serious than we first imagined I'm sure you would like the FBI to have the benefit of your analysis.
And I would like the two of you to work together amicably.
You'll inform the FBI about Kevin Mason and we will proceed as arranged with Chief Delk present while Major Crimes examines the files.
Three hours from now it's the FBI's ball game.
Is that clear? - Sir.
- Yes.
Thank you.
And why'd I buy some fancy damn electric wheelchair if it's always out for repair? Told you I'd have your chair in three days.
- Yeah.
- You should be enjoying the world's most overqualified chauffeur.
- Yeah.
- Here, hold this.
- All right.
- Ready? - Yeah.
Here we go.
- One, two, three.
All right, easy now.
- This - Whew.
- Give me the remote.
- I got it.
Given the recent budget cuts, it's expected that the programs will be phased out over the next three months unless emergency funding is approved in Sacramento.
The entire Southern California community is in mourning as two paramedics lay dead.
Anna Vargas, 35, and Anthony Silva, 39, father of three You wanted to work for the fire department.
Park area at approximately 1 a.
m That could've been you.
believed to be a man in his 40s, allegedly pulled a firearm and shot both paramedics several times, killing them instantly.
You said when the small explosive ignited in front of the IRS building the responding firemen came from a nearby station? Firehouse number 59.
It's right there.
That's not nearby.
That's practically across the street.
Which is why the fire was extinguished so quickly.
Okay, and this happened at 6:33 a.
m? Okay, so the FBI thinks some guy is smart enough to build a bomb from untraceable parts, but then sloppy enough to leave it across the street from a fire house? - Maybe he didn't notice that.
- I'm thinking he notices everything.
All L.
A.
F.
D.
stations change shifts at 6:30 a.
m.
Thirty firefighters.
Two full crews could've responded to that first explosive.
Whoa.
Well, wait a minute.
Are you suggesting that whoever left the truck wasn't aiming at the IRS? No, he wasn't.
I don't believe that the small explosion was a detonator for a larger bomb.
It was bait to attract first responders.
So you think the failed cell phone was the primary, not the backup.
This person was looking to kill as many firemen as possible.
So assuming that Kevin Mason engineered the first September 24th attack, why would he resurface to kill only two firemen when he previously aimed to kill dozens? Maybe shooting Silva and Vargas was the inciting incident the small explosion leading to a larger one.
Brenda, Chief Delk.
Good to see you both.
And you, Agent Howard.
As agreed, our people are here to take this investigation off your hands.
Chief Delk and I have been re-evaluating the case and we both think that That we should keep our arrangement with the FBI and our end of the bargain.
Your files.
There were bullet casings.
NIBIN's got them, but it's taking six hours for every year they go back in their database.
As soon as they record a hit I'll forward the findings.
- Thank you.
Yes.
I'm sorry, I thought we were on the same page.
Two years the FBI has been investigating a federal attack on an IRS office.
Even if you're right and Mason was aiming at the firemen they'd be too embarrassed to admit they were on the wrong track for so long.
So we give the case back to them? We couldn't have said anything to change what happened.
But now the FBI can do what they do best: find a missing fugitive while we use the resources of our combined divisions to investigate your crazy idea that the murdered paramedics were just the first casualties of a larger assault.
So you don't wanna tell the FBI that Mason was aiming for the fire department? It's an untested hypothesis.
It would just confuse them.
I don't think we'd wanna send the FBI on a wild goose chase, now? Oh, no, we wouldn't wanna do that.
I think we should consider that this Mason guy is going underground for a while.
But Tao, or someone, has been staring at that grid since Friday.
Just waiting for our 911 caller to show up online.
If someone had been given this assignment after the first incident they'd been sitting there now for two years.
Chief, the shrink who performed Mason's last evaluation is in Interview 2.
Mind if I join you? Of course.
It's right this way.
Do me a favor, will you, huh? Explain why it's been three days and I still don't have my damn wheelchair.
You have a wheelchair, Russ.
- It works fine.
- I want my electric wheelchair.
If you're not gonna give it back, I'll do something about it.
Mrs.
Whitley will get to the bottom of this.
And if not, I'll call the police.
You're just crazy enough to do it, aren't you? Forgive this child of darkness, we beseech Did you just call me crazy? - What are you doing? What? - Just relax.
Only what I have to.
- Just relax.
Relax.
- What? Relax.
- Thank you.
- What? Dr.
Wexler, I understand you performed a psychiatric evaluation for a Mr.
Kevin Mason when he applied to the L.
A.
F.
D.
in 2005 and 2007.
Does this picture jog your memory any? I remember my sessions with him, yes.
As you realize, public safety trumps confidentiality.
What do you need to know? Anything that could help us understand his psyche.
Let your light shine upon and console this, our departed sister.
There's a standard set of questions that we ask all applicants and the inappropriateness of Mason's responses was immediately apparent.
- Can you be more specific? When I ask someone, "What's your idea of the perfect day?" Most people say going to the beach with their girlfriend, that sort of thing.
And Mr.
Mason's perfect day? It involved discovering a threat to a local suspension bridge and his showing up to save thousands of lives.
No doubt the state-controlled media are proclaiming that the thousands of dead police officers and firemen are innocent victims.
My diagnosis was narcissistic personality disorder.
But they are not blameless.
But they are not blameless.
The pathology is determined by numerous criteria.
Does this person have excessive feelings of entitlement? They embodied the perversion of the natural order.
Are they preoccupied with fantasies of power? They were defenders of a corrupt system.
I was merely an object in a system he felt was stacked against him because he's white.
Mr.
Mason was convinced that's why he was repeatedly rejected by the fire department.
And how would you handle someone with this pathology? Carefully.
This is a man who doesn't think he makes mistakes.
They embodied the And contradiction can trigger a violent reaction.
He imagines himself top of the food chain.
- I am the first wave.
- Without peer.
- I am the first wave.
- Delusions of grandeur.
I am the first wave.
I am the first wave.
First wave of the new flood that washes it all away.
Meaning, whatever you're thinking Mason might do think bigger.
Chief, I just did an Internet search and on September 24th was the day in 1965 when President Johnson signed his executive order directing government contractors to enforce affirmative action.
September 24th, affirmative action day.
So Mr.
Mason is a man with a gripe.
Chief, we got a hit on the casings.
Fourteen years ago, a Russell Owens took a shot at an intruder with his.
45.
- Where is Mr.
Owens today? - He was 71 years old then.
We don't even know if he's still alive.
Neighbors said he was kind of a crank, moved away 10 years ago.
If Owens collects social security, we can find where he's getting his checks.
Good idea.
Excuse me, who are you calling? We have to let the FBI know about the casings.
I happen to know the FBI is asleep now and there's no point in calling until we verify this.
Remember, you said you didn't wanna send them on a wild goose chase.
Mr.
Owens? Mr.
Owens? All right, open it up.
Mr.
Owens, it's time for breakfast.
Are you up? Mr.
Owens? Tao? Dead.
- And cold.
- How convenient.
Okay, there's an attendant that spends most of his time with Mr.
Owens and he was here last night.
Bob Gill.
Look familiar? Lieutenant Flynn.
Chief, we're at the assisted living center and we found Russell Owens.
He's dead.
And you'll never guess who the attendant taking care of him was.
Kevin Mason.
Have you found him yet? Did you make an arrest? No, not yet.
But we have a recent ID photo of him.
Yeah.
Hold on.
Chief? Yeah.
I've got an M1911, Colt.
45, semi-automatic.
Pretty sure it was used to shoot the paramedics.
And tell her I found an anticholinergic, oxybutynin.
Tao says he's got some, well, he's got some He's got cholera.
- What'd you say? - Anticholinergic Tch-tch-tch! Tut-tut.
Chief, I found about 20 bottles of oxybutynin.
- It's a bladder control medication.
- And that's important because? In high doses, the side affects of oxybutynin are increased heart rate depressed respiration, dilated pupils.
All the symptoms Mason had when our victims picked him up.
Why would Mason need 20 bottles of oxy-whatever to fool the paramedics? Don't know.
Seems like he stole a bottle from every patient.
And you know what? There seems to be a couple of missing oxygen tanks.
Wait.
Is Kevin Mason there or not? Chief, Kevin Mason, a.
k.
a.
Bob Gill clocked out of work about two hours before we got here.
Yeah, chief, but Mason has access to a van that's currently missing.
Scan and release his ID.
Run the plates on the vehicle he stole and let's get everyone we can looking for that van.
Kevin Mason's up to something.
Chief, the nurses are asking if we have any idea when we'll be done with this guy's body.
I guess they're already thinking about his funeral.
His funeral? The memorial for the paramedics.
When is it? It's about four hours from now.
Why? That's the bigger event.
He killed the paramedics in order to bomb the funeral.
Chief, we've got flyers of the van and Mason in every patrol car.
The status of the road blocks? Well, they're already up on Jefferson, Figueroa and West Adams.
They're going up now on Hoover and Flower.
What about the bomb sweeps? Techs just finished inside the cathedral.
Nothing.
- That ought to ease your mind a little.
- The fact that we can't find Mason or his van or the bomb makes me wanna cancel this memorial altogether.
You're overreacting.
When Mason shot those two paramedics, he wiped the ambulance clean despite knowing that police backup was seconds away.
Chief, we all know how methodical Mason is No, how methodical he was.
This morning he left out everything including the gun he used to kill Vargas and Silva.
He no longer cares about what evidence we have.
He is on a suicide mission and he is out to bomb that church.
All right, and how would he accomplish that? Even if he has turned his van into a car bomb there's a perimeter of primary barriers covering more than an eight square No doubt Mason has already found some way around that.
And then he will be stopped by our road blocks.
And if he's not stopped there we'll get his van in a grid search.
- We can defend ourselves.
- There's no metal detectors in church.
We don't need metal detectors.
Besides, we can't use them not with thousands of armed officers in attendance Thousands of potential victims.
Not only are there 3000 fire department employees on that line but we've got hundreds of police, the mayor and the governor.
Chief Johnson, the memorial begins in 40 minutes.
If you really wanna call this off, it's now or never.
Can I have a moment? Two years ago, Mason failed because of a dead cell phone.
This time he's better prepared and it's going to be a catastrophe.
If you cancel this funeral and no bomb is found you will embarrass the department and you will never be chief.
I'll risk it.
No, you won't.
I'm canceling this memorial until further notice.
My decision.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but Flynn's with the grid search.
He's found something you need to know.
Lieutenant Flynn? Chief, you can nix the idea that Mason was using the van as a bomb.
- I'm looking at it, it's empty.
- Nothing in it at all? There's an envelope on the front seat with the words "To The Media" and a DVD inside.
What? I can't hear you.
You're breaking up.
We're on our way down.
Thank you.
Detective Sanchez, Detective Gabriel, with me, please.
Go ahead.
Morning.
This way, please.
This way, please.
This way.
- Excuse me, sir, what's going on? - The memorial's been canceled.
You okay? Can I give you a hand? Oh, man.
P5, please.
- God bless you for your service.
- Thank you very much.
You're very welcome.
Here you go, chief.
"Beyond Wrath and Tears.
" Oh, my.
They're sending a laptop so we can watch it.
Should be here in a minute.
Yes, and detain anyone traveling in a wheelchair.
Hang on.
Chief Johnson.
Chief, I think I know why Mason kept the stockpile of oxybutynin.
Quickly, I'm underground, could lose you any second.
Oxybutynin works like atropine.
It's an antidote to nerve poison.
Mason used the bladder meds to protect himself while making nerve gas.
Oxygen I'm guessing he filled them with something like sarin.
You're breaking up.
The tanks are filled with what? I think the tanks are filled with sarin.
Nerve gas.
The Nazis invented it.
Do I need to say anything more? A tiny amount in an enclosed space Chief? Lieutenant, I can't hear you.
Lieutenant? - Get up.
- Oh, stay back.
- He's got a bomb.
Wearing a bomb.
- Know what a dead-man switch is? - I let go, we all die.
- Mason? Kevin Mason? - You know who I am? - Of course I do.
You're the fugitive who's outsmarted the L.
A.
P.
D the FBI and God knows who else over the last two years.
Now you're the most wanted man in the world.
I seen you on TV? Yeah.
That's it.
You're up to be the next chief of police.
I've been offered the job.
So here we are: The next chief of the country's largest police force face to face with America's leading dissident.
N.
Y.
P.
D.
is America's largest police force.
Maybe we should keep our egos in check.
No, no, no, don't shoot.
Don't shoot.
I want him alive.
Why do you want me alive? Law enforcement has so much to learn from a mind like yours.
And judging from this.
- You watched my manifesto? - I did.
What part did you like the most? Specifically? The articulate way you described how the events of September 24th affect our everyday lives.
And I agree entirely about how badly the quota system has undermined our values.
But what I don't understand is why you felt the need to kill those paramedics.
If you'd have been paying attention, you'd have heard they were part of a corrupt structure.
- Oh, right.
Right.
But what about Russell Owens? He was an invalid.
- He threatened my mission.
- And all the people at the memorial? - Is it really necessary to kill them? - Well, I'm sorry if it seems so brutal.
But I'm holding our society's hand to the stove.
Sometimes violence is the only way to teach people how wrong they are.
What, you don't think I see you running? There goes another one of your cowardly Hispanic quota hires.
It's okay, don't worry about him.
As for the record, I am not racist.
The system is racist.
A system I will change as chief.
You saying that to save yourself? Because you're expendable.
Hey, you know what? Why don't you just let them go.
All right? Just let them go.
You can hold onto me.
Okay? No, what about your manifesto? If you kill us, you destroy your manifesto.
If you let these men deactivate your bomb not only will your powerful speech survive, but you can give it yourself.
You've already accomplished your mission.
People are listening.
Journalists will be begging for interviews.
You'll be studied in history classes and the quota system will change.
I will end it.
You really gonna be the next chief of police? Yes, I am.
And you're telling me that you're gonna be against quotas.
Give me that! Give it! Give me.
Give me.
Ow! Holy crap! Does someone wanna give me a hand with this, please? - What did you do? - He's right.
Sometimes violence is the only way to teach people how wrong they are.
- I ain't mad.
- On the day before they announce who's gonna be next chief of police you should've let me take the shot.
- Can we get a bomb tech here? Maybe two.
Or three.
Or as many as you wanna bring.
Just hurry.
In the scheme of things, this isn't so important, but we inventoried evidence gathered at the parking structure yesterday and Mason's manifesto seems to be missing.
Well, I know in all the confusion that led to Mason's death I accidentally dropped it.
I'm sure it'll turn up eventually.
Might be just as well that it's missing.
Otherwise it'd be running 24/7, giving that maniac credibility.
No joke.
According to our guys, those tanks filled with sarin could've killed thousands of people.
Yes, commander? Excuse me, chief? The mayor would like to see you.
I'm sorry, Chief Johnson.
It's Chief Delk the mayor requested.
Nice.
Yet another example, as if we needed one, that life is not fair.
Chief.
I like the way that sounds.
Los Angeles chief of police, Thomas Delk.
Well done.
- You all right? - Yeah, I think so.
You know, if you hadn't shot that guy and you weren't facing an FIB investigation and a Behavioral Sciences inquiry, the mayor might've appointed you.
Wasn't worth the risk.
You mind if I have a moment to myself? - Sure.
- Thanks.
As mayor of Los Angeles I have made reform the cornerstone of my agenda and choosing from among the qualified candidates who have offered themselves for this position I was determined to choose an individual who would carry the momentum that outgoing Chief Thompson established.
- Choosing the leader - Here you go.
- of L.
A.
P.
D.
's Counter Terrorism Bureau to be the next chief of police, was a decision that quite frankly made itself.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I can think of no better way to convey this city's appreciation and no finer person to choose for this job than Chief Thomas Delk.
Well, the old bastard's out and the new bastard's in.
Thank you, mayor.
I'm honored, humbled and deeply grateful to be standing with you.
You'd think killing one of the most wanted criminals would be a good thing.
You'd think.
But you don't get ahead by shooting dirt bags.
I, for one, am glad she took the shot.
Although my ears are still ringing.
- You okay, chief? - Me? Well, maybe I'm a little disappointed.
Maybe I'm a little relieved.
I never know.
And I'll be announcing the head of that team in a few days.
Well, whatever else happens, yesterday was a hell of a day.
And if anybody needs me after this, I'll be in my office typing up my résumé.
And I will say now Think they're gonna shut down Major Crimes? After what you guys did for him yesterday? - We'll have to see, won't we.
- evaluate the strength and weaknesses of our department.
And make the changes necessary to this vital agency.
You've got such a delicate stomach.
Well, you're the one who has to live with the consequences.
Gross.
Great.
Update on man in distress.
We found the patient on Stadium Way and Elysian Park.
Copy that, 35.
Sir? How you doing tonight, sir? - Sir? - I don't know where I am.
- Okay.
What's your name? - Where am I? - Can you tell me how old you are? - 47.
Alert and oriented times one, good radial pulse, profusing normally.
Am I gonna be okay? You're gonna be fine, sir.
Just relax.
You wanna G.
S.
him? - I'm dizzy.
- On three.
One, two, three.
Respiration 12, decreased tidal volume - Am I having a stroke? - I don't think so but the doctors will know exactly what's going on after they examine you.
What's that noise? Where are we? Just getting off the freeway.
We're really close to the hospital.
Sir.
Silva.
Sir, you need to calm down.
Silva, this guy's out of control.
Pull over.
I need your help.
Rescue 35, we need backup.
Silva! Sir! Sir, you need to calm down.
Calm down, sir.
Sir, relax.
Relax.
Evening, chief.
Paramedics responding to a 911 call were on their way to the hospital when the guy became combative.
Four minutes later, backup arrives and found them both dead.
- Multiple gunshot wounds.
- Any witnesses? None.
Air support was overhead in five minutes didn't see anyone.
The guy just disappeared.
Fire battalion chief told me the paramedics use only one route from Elysian Park to the ER.
If the killer wasn't some transient and he planned this out it's possible he had an accomplice here waiting to drive him.
- Accomplice might've been our 911 caller.
- We're looking.
- Anything taken from the ambulance? - No, victims had their wallets.
I inventoried the vehicle with an EMT, the only thing missing were towels that the killer used to wipe down the scene.
Someone posing as a homeless man, kills two paramedics takes nothing, cleans up and vanishes? - Chief.
SID couldn't pick up any good prints, but I found six casings.
- Would you run those over to NIBIN? - Yes.
This is a run sheet the paramedics used to record everything before they pulled over.
It says here they performed a G.
S.
A Georgia Street lift.
A what? Please? - David, could you get her legs? - Her legs.
Turn around and just lean back on me.
Go.
- Oh.
- Oh! Oh, for heaven sakes.
Okay, thank you.
Chief, there's something I need to tell you.
Chief? Before you Ugh.
Who removed the bodies? That's what I was trying to tell you.
The fire department took them before we arrived.
L.
A.
F.
D.
won't let their people lie out dead, same as us, out of respect.
That may have cost us the investigation.
Okay.
Bodies are at Good Samaritan.
Where do you want them? Taken immediately to our morgue.
And I'll let you know exactly how I want them brought in.
Detective.
Just as you asked.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Anna Vargas.
You knew her? We're friends.
- Good friends.
- Oh, I'm so sorry, doctor.
- Who did this? - I don't know.
You don't need to do the autopsy now.
I'm only interested in fingerprints.
- Should I take the gloves off? - No, no, no.
I want the gloves left exactly as they are, please, thank you.
Lieutenant? Thank you.
See? The killer's fingerprints were on her glove.
This is why we don't move bodies.
Killer's name is Kevin Mason and those are the prints he submitted when he applied to the L.
A.
F.
D.
- I hope he was rejected.
- He was.
Four times.
The last time in 2007, which is when he seems to have fallen off the map.
Okay.
Thank you, detective.
Run down all of Mr.
Mason's known addresses.
Let's see if we can find him.
Chief.
The 911 cell phone? Turns out it's a prepaid job, used for the first time tonight.
It's got an FBI flag on it.
It was purchased with another phone that was used in an unsolved bombing attempt here in L.
A.
two years back.
A few years ago, a bomb was left outside an IRS office on Olympic.
L.
A.
P.
D.
Counter Terrorism investigated, Tommy Delk turned it over to the FBI.
Chief? 911, what's your emergency? I'm in Elysian Park and this guy's having an epileptic fit or something.
You should send somebody right away.
He's up on Stadium Way.
He's having trouble catching his breath.
Like the guy the paramedics picked up.
The 911 caller could be our killer.
So how are these murders connected to an attempted bombing of an IRS building? Brenda, if these were typical homicides, I'd be happy to have you pursue them.
You're not suggesting I hand this case over.
These murders are now connected to an ongoing investigation between the FBI and our own Counter Terrorism Bureau led by Delk.
Please note the use of the words "terrorism" and "Tommy Delk.
" What kind of a middle-aged man calls himself "Tommy"? Oh.
He's on the short list for chief.
That's why you want me to deal with him.
No, this is good police work.
The FBI's already flagged that number, which means they're showing up here.
My advice, is to put out the welcome mat.
I'd rather wait until I have something to trade.
You have prints and a name.
I'll arrange a sit-down with Delk and he's got a bit of an ego, but he's not unreasonable.
Only if he understands that until I talk to him, he is not to speak with the FBI.
Believe me, if these cases are connected, he's gonna be a huge help.
If I find this 911 caller, I won't need anyone's help.
I've been trying to triangulate the cell phone, chief.
It's not pinging.
Once the 911 caller gets back online, it will show up right here.
I get how someone pretends to be disoriented or mimics a seizure.
But everything else recorded, accelerated heartbeat dilated pupils, how do you fake those? - You can't.
- According to the run sheet these are the symptoms he presented.
While I'm waiting, I'll look into it.
An exciting day yesterday for a group of children with cancer How is it you're half my age and spend twice as much time as me in the bathroom? I guess I'm just a slower reader than you.
Eh.
- Ready? - Yeah.
Here we go.
Okay.
Ready? One, two, three.
Here's my question: Where is Kevin Mason hiding for three years without being noticed? - Let's go.
- And we're off.
I don't know, lieutenant.
But we better find him before he disappears again.
- Oh.
Good morning, commander.
- Morning.
Just thought you should know because the paramedics' memorial is now scheduled for Monday, the announcement for chief, heh will be delayed until Tuesday.
- Also I got it.
- Oh, thank you.
- Chief Pope has Delk in his office waiting for you and - Very good.
Thank you.
- Yes, uh, yes.
- What is it, commander? - Well.
Ahem.
Look, Delk will probably have his own ideas for investigating the deaths of Silva and Vargas.
And you might wanna keep that in mind when collaborating with him.
You want me to play nicely with Delk in case he becomes chief of police.
All I'm saying is that in addition to your two victims there are several still living.
People counting on you.
Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, commander.
- Good morning.
Chief Johnson.
- Morning.
Come in.
Chief Johnson, I believe you've met.
- Tommy Delk.
Good to see you again.
- And you.
Let's get started, shall we? Okay.
Two years ago today, September 24th a stolen pickup was left outside a federal office on West Olympic.
Its flatbed contained a small explosive and a barrel filled with fertilizer and diesel fuel.
The explosive ignited, but failed to set off the larger bomb.
And a phone wired to the barrel as a backup detonator also failed because the battery lost its charge.
- That's lucky.
Yeah.
For everyone.
If that had exploded, it would've taken down half the IRS building.
Unfortunately, as far as evidence went everything was untraceable including the truck.
We did recover footage of the suspect buying two prepaid phones one was the backup detonator but the video's poor quality made it impossible for us or the FBI to identify him.
- I'd very much like to view that footage.
The FBI has made it available to you, along with the rest of its findings.
I'm sorry, you've already contacted the FBI? I specifically requested that you not discuss anything with them until we had spoken.
- Chief Pope mentioned that.
I'm in constant communication with the feds and couldn't consider doing anything that would make me less trustworthy.
As you know, I'm somewhat connected to the FBI myself.
- Yeah, if I could - I don't know what you've shared, but I need to examine the materials connected to that previous bombing.
- Sure.
I'll tell you what you'll find: jack.
We had three months and we found jack.
The FBI had it for 21 months and they found jack.
You and the FBI may not have found jack, but I did.
And his name isn't Jack.
Really? You've found him? Which means that I've had this case for less than eight hours and I'm farther along than you and the FBI.
To be fair, you did have the benefit of new prints.
I'd be curious how much farther you get in three hours.
- Three hours? That's how long the FBI has agreed to share before they take over.
- That's what's been arranged.
- I did not agree to that.
Good thing I'm not taking orders from you.
Yeah, believe it or not, I'm actually in charge here.
At least for the next few days.
And since this case seems to be more serious than we first imagined I'm sure you would like the FBI to have the benefit of your analysis.
And I would like the two of you to work together amicably.
You'll inform the FBI about Kevin Mason and we will proceed as arranged with Chief Delk present while Major Crimes examines the files.
Three hours from now it's the FBI's ball game.
Is that clear? - Sir.
- Yes.
Thank you.
And why'd I buy some fancy damn electric wheelchair if it's always out for repair? Told you I'd have your chair in three days.
- Yeah.
- You should be enjoying the world's most overqualified chauffeur.
- Yeah.
- Here, hold this.
- All right.
- Ready? - Yeah.
Here we go.
- One, two, three.
All right, easy now.
- This - Whew.
- Give me the remote.
- I got it.
Given the recent budget cuts, it's expected that the programs will be phased out over the next three months unless emergency funding is approved in Sacramento.
The entire Southern California community is in mourning as two paramedics lay dead.
Anna Vargas, 35, and Anthony Silva, 39, father of three You wanted to work for the fire department.
Park area at approximately 1 a.
m That could've been you.
believed to be a man in his 40s, allegedly pulled a firearm and shot both paramedics several times, killing them instantly.
You said when the small explosive ignited in front of the IRS building the responding firemen came from a nearby station? Firehouse number 59.
It's right there.
That's not nearby.
That's practically across the street.
Which is why the fire was extinguished so quickly.
Okay, and this happened at 6:33 a.
m? Okay, so the FBI thinks some guy is smart enough to build a bomb from untraceable parts, but then sloppy enough to leave it across the street from a fire house? - Maybe he didn't notice that.
- I'm thinking he notices everything.
All L.
A.
F.
D.
stations change shifts at 6:30 a.
m.
Thirty firefighters.
Two full crews could've responded to that first explosive.
Whoa.
Well, wait a minute.
Are you suggesting that whoever left the truck wasn't aiming at the IRS? No, he wasn't.
I don't believe that the small explosion was a detonator for a larger bomb.
It was bait to attract first responders.
So you think the failed cell phone was the primary, not the backup.
This person was looking to kill as many firemen as possible.
So assuming that Kevin Mason engineered the first September 24th attack, why would he resurface to kill only two firemen when he previously aimed to kill dozens? Maybe shooting Silva and Vargas was the inciting incident the small explosion leading to a larger one.
Brenda, Chief Delk.
Good to see you both.
And you, Agent Howard.
As agreed, our people are here to take this investigation off your hands.
Chief Delk and I have been re-evaluating the case and we both think that That we should keep our arrangement with the FBI and our end of the bargain.
Your files.
There were bullet casings.
NIBIN's got them, but it's taking six hours for every year they go back in their database.
As soon as they record a hit I'll forward the findings.
- Thank you.
Yes.
I'm sorry, I thought we were on the same page.
Two years the FBI has been investigating a federal attack on an IRS office.
Even if you're right and Mason was aiming at the firemen they'd be too embarrassed to admit they were on the wrong track for so long.
So we give the case back to them? We couldn't have said anything to change what happened.
But now the FBI can do what they do best: find a missing fugitive while we use the resources of our combined divisions to investigate your crazy idea that the murdered paramedics were just the first casualties of a larger assault.
So you don't wanna tell the FBI that Mason was aiming for the fire department? It's an untested hypothesis.
It would just confuse them.
I don't think we'd wanna send the FBI on a wild goose chase, now? Oh, no, we wouldn't wanna do that.
I think we should consider that this Mason guy is going underground for a while.
But Tao, or someone, has been staring at that grid since Friday.
Just waiting for our 911 caller to show up online.
If someone had been given this assignment after the first incident they'd been sitting there now for two years.
Chief, the shrink who performed Mason's last evaluation is in Interview 2.
Mind if I join you? Of course.
It's right this way.
Do me a favor, will you, huh? Explain why it's been three days and I still don't have my damn wheelchair.
You have a wheelchair, Russ.
- It works fine.
- I want my electric wheelchair.
If you're not gonna give it back, I'll do something about it.
Mrs.
Whitley will get to the bottom of this.
And if not, I'll call the police.
You're just crazy enough to do it, aren't you? Forgive this child of darkness, we beseech Did you just call me crazy? - What are you doing? What? - Just relax.
Only what I have to.
- Just relax.
Relax.
- What? Relax.
- Thank you.
- What? Dr.
Wexler, I understand you performed a psychiatric evaluation for a Mr.
Kevin Mason when he applied to the L.
A.
F.
D.
in 2005 and 2007.
Does this picture jog your memory any? I remember my sessions with him, yes.
As you realize, public safety trumps confidentiality.
What do you need to know? Anything that could help us understand his psyche.
Let your light shine upon and console this, our departed sister.
There's a standard set of questions that we ask all applicants and the inappropriateness of Mason's responses was immediately apparent.
- Can you be more specific? When I ask someone, "What's your idea of the perfect day?" Most people say going to the beach with their girlfriend, that sort of thing.
And Mr.
Mason's perfect day? It involved discovering a threat to a local suspension bridge and his showing up to save thousands of lives.
No doubt the state-controlled media are proclaiming that the thousands of dead police officers and firemen are innocent victims.
My diagnosis was narcissistic personality disorder.
But they are not blameless.
But they are not blameless.
The pathology is determined by numerous criteria.
Does this person have excessive feelings of entitlement? They embodied the perversion of the natural order.
Are they preoccupied with fantasies of power? They were defenders of a corrupt system.
I was merely an object in a system he felt was stacked against him because he's white.
Mr.
Mason was convinced that's why he was repeatedly rejected by the fire department.
And how would you handle someone with this pathology? Carefully.
This is a man who doesn't think he makes mistakes.
They embodied the And contradiction can trigger a violent reaction.
He imagines himself top of the food chain.
- I am the first wave.
- Without peer.
- I am the first wave.
- Delusions of grandeur.
I am the first wave.
I am the first wave.
First wave of the new flood that washes it all away.
Meaning, whatever you're thinking Mason might do think bigger.
Chief, I just did an Internet search and on September 24th was the day in 1965 when President Johnson signed his executive order directing government contractors to enforce affirmative action.
September 24th, affirmative action day.
So Mr.
Mason is a man with a gripe.
Chief, we got a hit on the casings.
Fourteen years ago, a Russell Owens took a shot at an intruder with his.
45.
- Where is Mr.
Owens today? - He was 71 years old then.
We don't even know if he's still alive.
Neighbors said he was kind of a crank, moved away 10 years ago.
If Owens collects social security, we can find where he's getting his checks.
Good idea.
Excuse me, who are you calling? We have to let the FBI know about the casings.
I happen to know the FBI is asleep now and there's no point in calling until we verify this.
Remember, you said you didn't wanna send them on a wild goose chase.
Mr.
Owens? Mr.
Owens? All right, open it up.
Mr.
Owens, it's time for breakfast.
Are you up? Mr.
Owens? Tao? Dead.
- And cold.
- How convenient.
Okay, there's an attendant that spends most of his time with Mr.
Owens and he was here last night.
Bob Gill.
Look familiar? Lieutenant Flynn.
Chief, we're at the assisted living center and we found Russell Owens.
He's dead.
And you'll never guess who the attendant taking care of him was.
Kevin Mason.
Have you found him yet? Did you make an arrest? No, not yet.
But we have a recent ID photo of him.
Yeah.
Hold on.
Chief? Yeah.
I've got an M1911, Colt.
45, semi-automatic.
Pretty sure it was used to shoot the paramedics.
And tell her I found an anticholinergic, oxybutynin.
Tao says he's got some, well, he's got some He's got cholera.
- What'd you say? - Anticholinergic Tch-tch-tch! Tut-tut.
Chief, I found about 20 bottles of oxybutynin.
- It's a bladder control medication.
- And that's important because? In high doses, the side affects of oxybutynin are increased heart rate depressed respiration, dilated pupils.
All the symptoms Mason had when our victims picked him up.
Why would Mason need 20 bottles of oxy-whatever to fool the paramedics? Don't know.
Seems like he stole a bottle from every patient.
And you know what? There seems to be a couple of missing oxygen tanks.
Wait.
Is Kevin Mason there or not? Chief, Kevin Mason, a.
k.
a.
Bob Gill clocked out of work about two hours before we got here.
Yeah, chief, but Mason has access to a van that's currently missing.
Scan and release his ID.
Run the plates on the vehicle he stole and let's get everyone we can looking for that van.
Kevin Mason's up to something.
Chief, the nurses are asking if we have any idea when we'll be done with this guy's body.
I guess they're already thinking about his funeral.
His funeral? The memorial for the paramedics.
When is it? It's about four hours from now.
Why? That's the bigger event.
He killed the paramedics in order to bomb the funeral.
Chief, we've got flyers of the van and Mason in every patrol car.
The status of the road blocks? Well, they're already up on Jefferson, Figueroa and West Adams.
They're going up now on Hoover and Flower.
What about the bomb sweeps? Techs just finished inside the cathedral.
Nothing.
- That ought to ease your mind a little.
- The fact that we can't find Mason or his van or the bomb makes me wanna cancel this memorial altogether.
You're overreacting.
When Mason shot those two paramedics, he wiped the ambulance clean despite knowing that police backup was seconds away.
Chief, we all know how methodical Mason is No, how methodical he was.
This morning he left out everything including the gun he used to kill Vargas and Silva.
He no longer cares about what evidence we have.
He is on a suicide mission and he is out to bomb that church.
All right, and how would he accomplish that? Even if he has turned his van into a car bomb there's a perimeter of primary barriers covering more than an eight square No doubt Mason has already found some way around that.
And then he will be stopped by our road blocks.
And if he's not stopped there we'll get his van in a grid search.
- We can defend ourselves.
- There's no metal detectors in church.
We don't need metal detectors.
Besides, we can't use them not with thousands of armed officers in attendance Thousands of potential victims.
Not only are there 3000 fire department employees on that line but we've got hundreds of police, the mayor and the governor.
Chief Johnson, the memorial begins in 40 minutes.
If you really wanna call this off, it's now or never.
Can I have a moment? Two years ago, Mason failed because of a dead cell phone.
This time he's better prepared and it's going to be a catastrophe.
If you cancel this funeral and no bomb is found you will embarrass the department and you will never be chief.
I'll risk it.
No, you won't.
I'm canceling this memorial until further notice.
My decision.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but Flynn's with the grid search.
He's found something you need to know.
Lieutenant Flynn? Chief, you can nix the idea that Mason was using the van as a bomb.
- I'm looking at it, it's empty.
- Nothing in it at all? There's an envelope on the front seat with the words "To The Media" and a DVD inside.
What? I can't hear you.
You're breaking up.
We're on our way down.
Thank you.
Detective Sanchez, Detective Gabriel, with me, please.
Go ahead.
Morning.
This way, please.
This way, please.
This way.
- Excuse me, sir, what's going on? - The memorial's been canceled.
You okay? Can I give you a hand? Oh, man.
P5, please.
- God bless you for your service.
- Thank you very much.
You're very welcome.
Here you go, chief.
"Beyond Wrath and Tears.
" Oh, my.
They're sending a laptop so we can watch it.
Should be here in a minute.
Yes, and detain anyone traveling in a wheelchair.
Hang on.
Chief Johnson.
Chief, I think I know why Mason kept the stockpile of oxybutynin.
Quickly, I'm underground, could lose you any second.
Oxybutynin works like atropine.
It's an antidote to nerve poison.
Mason used the bladder meds to protect himself while making nerve gas.
Oxygen I'm guessing he filled them with something like sarin.
You're breaking up.
The tanks are filled with what? I think the tanks are filled with sarin.
Nerve gas.
The Nazis invented it.
Do I need to say anything more? A tiny amount in an enclosed space Chief? Lieutenant, I can't hear you.
Lieutenant? - Get up.
- Oh, stay back.
- He's got a bomb.
Wearing a bomb.
- Know what a dead-man switch is? - I let go, we all die.
- Mason? Kevin Mason? - You know who I am? - Of course I do.
You're the fugitive who's outsmarted the L.
A.
P.
D the FBI and God knows who else over the last two years.
Now you're the most wanted man in the world.
I seen you on TV? Yeah.
That's it.
You're up to be the next chief of police.
I've been offered the job.
So here we are: The next chief of the country's largest police force face to face with America's leading dissident.
N.
Y.
P.
D.
is America's largest police force.
Maybe we should keep our egos in check.
No, no, no, don't shoot.
Don't shoot.
I want him alive.
Why do you want me alive? Law enforcement has so much to learn from a mind like yours.
And judging from this.
- You watched my manifesto? - I did.
What part did you like the most? Specifically? The articulate way you described how the events of September 24th affect our everyday lives.
And I agree entirely about how badly the quota system has undermined our values.
But what I don't understand is why you felt the need to kill those paramedics.
If you'd have been paying attention, you'd have heard they were part of a corrupt structure.
- Oh, right.
Right.
But what about Russell Owens? He was an invalid.
- He threatened my mission.
- And all the people at the memorial? - Is it really necessary to kill them? - Well, I'm sorry if it seems so brutal.
But I'm holding our society's hand to the stove.
Sometimes violence is the only way to teach people how wrong they are.
What, you don't think I see you running? There goes another one of your cowardly Hispanic quota hires.
It's okay, don't worry about him.
As for the record, I am not racist.
The system is racist.
A system I will change as chief.
You saying that to save yourself? Because you're expendable.
Hey, you know what? Why don't you just let them go.
All right? Just let them go.
You can hold onto me.
Okay? No, what about your manifesto? If you kill us, you destroy your manifesto.
If you let these men deactivate your bomb not only will your powerful speech survive, but you can give it yourself.
You've already accomplished your mission.
People are listening.
Journalists will be begging for interviews.
You'll be studied in history classes and the quota system will change.
I will end it.
You really gonna be the next chief of police? Yes, I am.
And you're telling me that you're gonna be against quotas.
Give me that! Give it! Give me.
Give me.
Ow! Holy crap! Does someone wanna give me a hand with this, please? - What did you do? - He's right.
Sometimes violence is the only way to teach people how wrong they are.
- I ain't mad.
- On the day before they announce who's gonna be next chief of police you should've let me take the shot.
- Can we get a bomb tech here? Maybe two.
Or three.
Or as many as you wanna bring.
Just hurry.
In the scheme of things, this isn't so important, but we inventoried evidence gathered at the parking structure yesterday and Mason's manifesto seems to be missing.
Well, I know in all the confusion that led to Mason's death I accidentally dropped it.
I'm sure it'll turn up eventually.
Might be just as well that it's missing.
Otherwise it'd be running 24/7, giving that maniac credibility.
No joke.
According to our guys, those tanks filled with sarin could've killed thousands of people.
Yes, commander? Excuse me, chief? The mayor would like to see you.
I'm sorry, Chief Johnson.
It's Chief Delk the mayor requested.
Nice.
Yet another example, as if we needed one, that life is not fair.
Chief.
I like the way that sounds.
Los Angeles chief of police, Thomas Delk.
Well done.
- You all right? - Yeah, I think so.
You know, if you hadn't shot that guy and you weren't facing an FIB investigation and a Behavioral Sciences inquiry, the mayor might've appointed you.
Wasn't worth the risk.
You mind if I have a moment to myself? - Sure.
- Thanks.
As mayor of Los Angeles I have made reform the cornerstone of my agenda and choosing from among the qualified candidates who have offered themselves for this position I was determined to choose an individual who would carry the momentum that outgoing Chief Thompson established.
- Choosing the leader - Here you go.
- of L.
A.
P.
D.
's Counter Terrorism Bureau to be the next chief of police, was a decision that quite frankly made itself.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I can think of no better way to convey this city's appreciation and no finer person to choose for this job than Chief Thomas Delk.
Well, the old bastard's out and the new bastard's in.
Thank you, mayor.
I'm honored, humbled and deeply grateful to be standing with you.
You'd think killing one of the most wanted criminals would be a good thing.
You'd think.
But you don't get ahead by shooting dirt bags.
I, for one, am glad she took the shot.
Although my ears are still ringing.
- You okay, chief? - Me? Well, maybe I'm a little disappointed.
Maybe I'm a little relieved.
I never know.
And I'll be announcing the head of that team in a few days.
Well, whatever else happens, yesterday was a hell of a day.
And if anybody needs me after this, I'll be in my office typing up my résumé.
And I will say now Think they're gonna shut down Major Crimes? After what you guys did for him yesterday? - We'll have to see, won't we.
- evaluate the strength and weaknesses of our department.
And make the changes necessary to this vital agency.