Without a Trace s03e22 Episode Script
John Michaels
SNew studies conducted by the city indicated an increase in the city's homeless community.
It is estimated that over 50 percent Malone.
Okay.
I'll be right there.
Just hang on.
What are you doing here? My doctor cleared me.
I'm good.
I thought you needed surgery.
I do, but I'm good to work until then.
Don't worry.
I can't help it, I do.
Yeah, it's all you do.
You gotta take up a new hobby.
Who's the kid? He's the one that called in the report.
His name's Robert Lemecent.
He lives downstairs in 2 A.
Apparently, he was the last one to see John Michaels before he disappeared.
Actually, you might wanna talk to him yourself.
Okay.
Hey, how you doing? Hi.
My name's Jack.
My partner tells me that you saw something.
Yeah, the man you're looking for.
Yeah, he came up here to kill himself.
What makes you say that? Because he went over that ledge there, and he was about to jump.
But he didn't? No.
He saw something on the street.
What'd he see? Two men just standing by a car.
What kind of car? It was a dark sedan, four doors.
I think maybe he knew them.
He changed his mind, and he stepped off the ledge.
He never even looked at me.
Just dropped his groceries and went back downstairs.
Well, did you see the men? Yeah.
They talked for, like, a minute or two, and then he got in the car.
Did he get in voluntarily, or did they force him in? I couldn't tell.
Morning.
Hey.
I figured you could use one of these.
No.
Thanks.
I'm good.
Are you sure? Yeah.
No, I'm great.
Okay.
So who's the guy? His name's John Michaels, He recently retired from a company called Farber Billings Insurance.
He was a claims investigator.
Worked in the same place for 38 years.
Company man.
Did two campaigns in Korea.
Got a couple of Silver Stars.
So he's a war hero too? Yeah.
Any family? Divorced.
Couple of grown daughters.
What's with the music? I don't know.
It's been playing since I got here.
End of his life, and this is all the guy's got.
It's sad.
Lot of boxes.
Are these his old files? I guess he didn't know what to do with them.
Well, if he was a claims investigator, I'm sure he made enemies.
I'm gonna start here.
Yeah, okay.
Okay.
Nothing so far.
It's weird.
The guy's lived in that apartment for 12 years yet nobody recognizes him at all let alone remembers him getting into the car.
Yeah, well, keep looking.
Somebody's gotta know him.
Where's that bag of groceries? Forensics.
Why? Check for prints.
The usual.
But we do have photos right here.
Great.
You know what I don't understand? Why would a guy go shopping just before he was gonna kill himself? Maybe he didn't know he was gonna kill himself.
Maybe something happened on the way home from the market.
Did we find the daughters? We're not showing any contact in the phone records.
But we did find his ex wife.
Martha Scoggins.
She lives out in Larchmont.
Called her twice last week on consecutive days.
One minute calls.
Probably messages.
Got in the car with two men? According to an eyewitness.
You don't know who they are? We were hoping that you could help us.
I wouldn't know anything.
He called you a couple times last week.
What was that about? He left a couple of messages.
Which you didn't return? That's right.
How long have you been divorced? Twenty one years.
If you don't mind me saying it seems like a long time for you to hold a grudge.
He's a very selfish man.
Well, come on.
It's gotta be more than that.
What'd he do? Cheat on you? That's just the tip of the iceberg, but, yes.
With his secretary, no less.
Mrs.
Scoggins, what exactly did he say on his messages? That he wanted to see me, to talk, which I had no interest in.
And then he showed up here.
John? It's been a long time.
You look like you haven't been taking very good care of yourself.
I came here because there were some things that I wanted to say to you.
I'm not sure I'm interested in them.
Martha, I'm trying to apologize.
Could you just listen? What do you have to apologize for? I wasn't much of a husband.
I don't know why.
I just couldn't do it.
Well, if you're expecting me to forgive you now, it's not gonna happen.
I wanna contact Helen.
How do I do that? I can't help you there.
Last I heard from her was two years ago.
She was living with some drugged up boyfriend in Newark.
Do you have a number? It's out of service.
What about Katherine? Does she know? She knows as much as I do.
You did well for yourself, Martha.
It's no great love affair, but at least he's around.
Yeah.
You take care.
I hadn't seen him in 16 years and he comes all the way over here to say he wasn't much of a husband.
And Helen is your daughter? Helen and Katherine.
And where's Katherine? She's a lawyer in Philadelphia.
Doubt she has any idea where John is.
All the same, I'd like her number.
All right.
Thank you.
You were really hard on her.
She was really hard on him.
Well, sounds like he deserved it.
Do I wish the old bastard was dead? You bet.
Did I do something to him? No, I didn't.
Where were you about two days ago, at 4:00? His name's Barry Mashburn.
His wife died about a year ago.
She burned to death.
John Michaels was the one investigating the claim.
He denied payment.
Why? An electrician went to their house before the fire and told Mashburn the house had problems.
Unfortunately, Mashburn didn't do anything.
Did he confront Michaels? Yeah.
Three weeks ago, he went to Farber Billings.
Almost came to blows.
What kind of car does Mashburn drive? He doesn't own one.
He's bankrupt.
He had to sell everything.
I'm checking to see if he rented a car or one of his friends drives a sedan.
Okay? Okay.
Hi.
Hey.
I may have a lead on Michaels.
Oh, yeah? What's that? He's been hanging out at a strip club in Jersey.
Spent thousands on his credit card.
Sam and I are gonna go check it out.
I want you to stay here, see if you can find his daughters.
I'll take Sam to the strip club.
Welcome to Déjà Vu.
Would you like a table? Yeah, sure.
Right this way.
Can I get you something to drink? Yeah.
Scotch on the rocks.
I'll just have a club soda, please.
What are you doing? Just getting the lay of the land.
Yeah.
Hi there.
Hey.
Are you interested in a dance? No, not just yet.
Thank you.
We could go upstairs to a private room.
I've got a special rate for couples.
What do you think, hon? Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever seen this man before? You're cops? FBI.
Have you seen this man? I'm sorry, I don't know anything, and I shouldn't be talking to you.
I'm just getting the lay of the land.
Yeah, well, whoever that guy is over there, she seemed pretty scared of him.
Think I know why John Michaels comes here all the time.
Why? That's his daughter.
Let's hear it for Hope.
The hot, the sexy, Hope! Next up, Destiny.
Look, I really don't care where the hell he is, okay? I didn't ask if you cared.
I asked what he was doing here.
He wanted to talk.
He wanted to talk? He dropped a couple grand here last week.
Well, my time's expensive.
How'd he find you? He's an investigator.
I think it's his job.
According to his credit card, he was here the day he disappeared.
What did he want? We was trying to save me.
Now, I'm begging you.
This is no life.
I don't think that's your business.
It is my business.
I'm your father.
Little late for that, don't you think? Helen, please, come on.
You're smart.
You've always been smart, okay? You don't need to do this.
Hey, what's going on over there? Hey, I paid my time, all right? Just back off.
That guy's got a leash around you? Yeah, he's my boyfriend.
He's your boyfriend? Yeah, he is.
He's your pimp.
Please.
Helen, listen to me.
I've changed everything.
I've set it up for you, okay? I've set up so that you can do whatever you want.
You don't have to stay here.
Hey, buddy, get your hands off her.
I can get you out of here.
Back off.
What the hell are you doing? Back off.
Get out! Just get out, okay? Listen to me.
Look at me.
I want you out of my life.
There is nothing here.
So just go.
I don't wanna see you.
Get out of my life.
I just want you to I'm not coming.
Get out! Get out! There's nothing here! Stupid So Hope told you that? Never mind who told us.
Just answer the question.
Look, I don't know what happened, all right? Crazy old bat's walking around waving a gun.
No wonder he got into trouble.
According to the parking attendant you followed him out and had words with him.
Wanna share? Wanted to have a little chat with him.
Tell him what's what.
Hey.
Old man.
You got a problem? Let's deal with it now, not later.
That's my daughter you're screwing around with in there.
Now I get it.
You think what she's all about, you think that's on me? Yeah.
Well, let me tell you something.
Every single girl I got in there major daddy complex.
It all comes back to that.
So look, I don't know if you banged her or if you beat her, or if you just left her but whatever she's got going on, that's on you, my friend.
Yeah, then three hours later, two guys show up to his apartment and shove him into a car that looks suspiciously like this one.
You know, the world's made up of coincidences.
Well, then I guess you wouldn't mind if we processed your car for prints.
Be my guest.
I am gonna nail your ass to the wall.
Is somebody here? Nope.
I just keep it on so that nobody breaks in.
You're not gonna arrest me, are you? What is this crap? Do you think that little of yourself? Don't go psychoanalyzing me, pops.
What the hell are you doing? Taking a shower.
Wanna join me? You think this is some kind of game? Isn't it? So you think Freddy's little speech about daddy complexes sent my father over the edge? I don't think kicking him out of the club helped.
What, are you blaming me now? I didn't say that.
One saved message Hey, hey, what are you doing? Hey.
It's your father.
I just called to tell you that I'm sorry for everything I ever did to you.
I should have been there for you.
I changed my life insurance policy so that if anything happens to me you get half.
I want you to use that money to clean yourself up.
I'm begging you, honey.
Clean yourself up.
Don't waste the rest of your life trying to punish me.
It's not worth it.
I know it's hard to believe but I love you.
Why didn't you tell me any of this? Look, I don't know what the hell you want from me.
But if Freddy sent a couple guys to hurt my dad I don't know what I could've done.
What the hell is going on here? Are you Katherine? Yeah.
Helen, what is this? I don't know.
I'm Jack.
I called you.
I asked you to come.
Why was she half naked? That's how she spends most of her life.
Look at this place.
It's a dump.
Your sister is in serious trouble.
Tell me about it.
You can get help.
There are programs, therapy.
I've done everything.
She will not be happy until she kills herself.
Did your father ever do anything to her? No.
Never.
Never? You want the whole story? Yeah.
It's a cliché.
Emotionally unavailable father.
Uptight, frigid mother.
Divorce.
Lousy stepfathers.
Younger one survives, older one takes on all the crap.
Apparently, he's been trying to make amends.
Oh, yeah? He visited your mom and Hope.
Helen.
Her name's Helen.
Right.
Helen.
And I was just wondering if he'd contacted you.
I haven't heard from him in six months, since June.
Birthday call.
Christmas card.
It's pretty much what you get from him.
Well, I gotta get back to work.
Keep an eye on your sister.
Here's my card.
If you need me, just give me a call.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Doris? Your girls are beautiful.
Yes, they are.
I heard your wife took them to Chicago, that you're getting divorced.
Yeah.
I'm sorry to hear that.
What are you doing here? There are some people who are concerned about you.
Who's that? I don't think it's important that I name names but we all know that this job can take a lot out of you.
With everything that's going on in your life Why don't you just let me take care of my own personal life, okay? Is that any way to talk to your boss? No, I guess not.
Look, all I'm saying is you're not alone, Jack.
You should know that.
Jack, you're not gonna believe this.
I've been doing this for 14 years.
I bet I will.
John Michaels and your father know each other.
As a matter of fact, they've been talking over the past couple weeks.
Those are John Michaels' phone records.
Come in.
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Jack.
Come in.
You want something to eat? No, do you know a guy named John Michaels? Yeah.
Who is he? An old Army buddy of mine.
You never told me you were friends.
I know a lot of guys.
You didn't know everyone I knew.
What? Seen him recently? What's this about? Well, he's missing.
Something serious may have happened.
Oh, jeez, I You know, he just retired.
He was having a tough time with that.
Was he here? Yeah.
He was here just a few days ago.
What did you guys talk about? His daughters, mostly.
Boy, do they have it in for him.
What do you mean, "have it in"? They blame him for everything that's gone wrong with their lives, you know? I mean, what else is new? What's that supposed to mean? Well, you know.
I mean, no matter what you do, your kids end up hating you.
Is that what you told him? Is that what you think? You think I hate you? I don't know.
You want something to drink? Dad.
What do you want? Beer? Scotch? I don't hate you.
What do you want? I never hated you.
I got soda too.
Malone.
She's dead.
What? Who is this? Katherine Michaels.
My sister's dead.
Okay, just stay where you are, okay? Don't move.
I'll be right there.
I gotta go.
I'll talk to you later.
I went to the store to get some groceries.
I was only gone 20 minutes.
When I got back, this is how I found her.
Where were you? Hey.
Hey.
Door was open.
Was it? Yeah.
Are you all right? Yeah.
I just came back to change my shirt and freshen up a little.
Right.
Well, preliminary forensics show that Michaels wasn't in Freddy's car.
And Freddy was at the club when Helen was killed.
Or he could have sent someone.
I don't see why he would.
With us breathing down his neck? There's something else going on.
I should never have left them there.
I should have sent protection.
You didn't know, Jack.
Can I just say you don't seem like yourself lately? I don't really feel like myself lately.
Did Dr.
Harris prescribe these for you? Pretty strong stuff.
Are you one of the people who's concerned for me? We're all concerned for you.
Jack.
Jack! Jack, Jack! Jack, what are you doing? Sorry, okay? God! I don't know what I was doing.
I was just Yeah, Spade.
Hey, it's me.
How is he? He's okay.
What's up? Well, it turns out that John Michaels had two life insurance policies.
He split one between his daughters.
The other went to a Susan Smithwick.
Who's she? I don 't know.
But she did work at a company called Kenosha Securities.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Since when? Couple days ago.
Two men were seen shoving him into the back of a car.
Oh, my God.
Any idea who they might be? Well, no.
Are you aware that you stand to inherit about a half a million dollars if he dies? How's that? He changed his life insurance policy.
You are now one of the recipients.
Why would he leave anything to me? I hoped you'd be able to answer that.
Well, no, I can't.
About a week ago, he was here, and you were talking.
What were you talking about? We were talking about old times, really.
I never understood what you saw in me in the first place.
Well, you were smart, and charismatic, and the boss.
And, of course, that was sexy.
And I was married.
That was sexy too.
I'll admit it.
You know, if I ever hurt you I'm sorry.
I was young and stupid and didn't know much about how to take care of myself.
But I moved on.
I married a wonderful man and had children.
And I am going to be a grandmother soon.
Really? You got pictures? My son.
And his wife's expecting twins, actually.
Did you ever get remarried? No, no.
Never had the stomach for it.
I'm sorry.
For what? You seem sad.
Do you remember that case we worked on together when we first started out? Sure.
I never solved it.
That was almost 30 years ago.
Yeah, I know.
But I can't get it out of my head.
I never could.
That's how we got involved in the first place.
You know, long hours working on that case.
What was the case? It was a life insurance claim.
A woman gassed herself in her car.
What was her name? I don't remember.
But John was always convinced that the woman's husband had killed her and made it look like a suicide.
He could just never prove it.
What are you doing? You lied to me.
What? You lied to me.
What are you talking about? I know why John Michaels came here.
He was the investigator on mom's life insurance claim.
He came here to confront you.
Yeah, that's right.
You've got it.
What does he got on you? He's got nothing on me.
Look, I told him he was crazy.
He's crazy! He's crazy? I got the whole file here.
It's all here.
Everything! Your affairs with other women.
The police report from when you broke her arm.
An accident.
Not what he thinks.
You can't give it up.
You're trying to pin this on me.
There's a notation.
There's a notation here, okay? And it's new, okay? He found something new.
You got all the answers! He came to expose you.
That's why you sent men to get him.
That's why you sent men to kill Hope.
What did she do? What did she know? I don't know any Hope! Who were the two guys? Who were the two guys you sent? Was it your Army spook buddies? I didn't do a damn thing! You're both crazy! You didn't want her, did you? You didn't want her here.
She was sick, and you couldn't deal with it, and you wanted her gone! Did I ever think life would be better without her? Sure.
Did I ever think about leaving her? Yeah.
But did I? No.
You know why? Because I loved her, you son of a bitch! You are a liar! You never loved her! You think I'd have that picture if I didn't love her? My life ended the day she died.
What are you doing? I'm arresting you.
Jack, I'm your father.
Shut up.
I need to talk to you.
Look, I'm sorry, okay? Jack, it's not about that.
We've been canvassing John Michaels' neighborhood to see if anyone saw him being pushed into that car, right? Right.
There's a kid who works across the street at the deli.
He took a picture of the car that day.
It's a government plate.
Jack, that's your car.
Who took my car? What are you talking about? Somebody here stole my car, and they took him.
Took who? John Michaels.
Jack.
Where is he? Where'd you take him? You're asking the wrong questions.
Really? What questions should I be asking? What questions? Jack! Stop it, now.
What the hell's going on? The case is closed.
What you mean it's closed? It's closed.
Did you find him? I'm afraid he's a lost cause.
It's not too late for you, though.
What the hell are you talking about? What the hell is wrong with all of you? You're tired, Jack.
Go home.
You're late.
I've been looking for you.
Well, here I am.
I thought they took you away.
Not yet.
Well, I don't understand.
You will.
What did you find out about my mother? I found her suicide note.
What did it say? This is not about her, Jack.
This is about you.
What did it say? It said to let go.
Let go? Let go of what? Just let go.
Reach out to the people close to you.
I don't need anyone.
You're happy with the way your life's turned out? Who the hell are you to judge? You know damn well who I am.
I have no idea who you are.
For the record, I want you to state your full name.
What? Come on, state your full name.
No! Are you afraid? Afraid of what? Let's have it.
What the hell do you want? Just your name.
Drop the weapon.
Vivian, what are you doing here? Get out of here! Why? Because this is my business! Your business is my business! Drop the weapon! Sooner or later, you're gonna have to face the truth, Jack.
Get out of here! This is who you are.
This is who you're gonna be.
I said now! Vivian! Viv.
He just caught you in the side.
I think you're gonna be okay.
No, my heart.
Why didn't you just let me help you? You're the one who's dying.
I should be helping you.
Vivian.
What'd you do to her, Jack? I didn't do anything.
There was nothing I could do.
Put the gun down, Jack.
It was him.
Danny, I'm telling you.
It wasn't me, it was him.
Put the gun down.
Danny.
Put the gun down.
I had nothing to do with this.
All you have to do is say your name.
No.
Please put the gun down.
Shut up! This isn't what you think it is.
I'm gonna kill you.
Did you really think you were gonna get rid of me that easily? For the record, state your full name, please.
Just admit to who you are or this is what happens.
Say it.
Just say your name.
John Michael Malone.
Yeah.
Was that so hard? No.
But now I am alone.
No, you're not.
Like I said all you have to do is let go.
They're waiting for you.
You are a liar.
Why don't you just admit who you are? Why didn't you just let me help you? This isn't what you think it is.
You're not alone, Jack.
Doris? Adapted by:
It is estimated that over 50 percent Malone.
Okay.
I'll be right there.
Just hang on.
What are you doing here? My doctor cleared me.
I'm good.
I thought you needed surgery.
I do, but I'm good to work until then.
Don't worry.
I can't help it, I do.
Yeah, it's all you do.
You gotta take up a new hobby.
Who's the kid? He's the one that called in the report.
His name's Robert Lemecent.
He lives downstairs in 2 A.
Apparently, he was the last one to see John Michaels before he disappeared.
Actually, you might wanna talk to him yourself.
Okay.
Hey, how you doing? Hi.
My name's Jack.
My partner tells me that you saw something.
Yeah, the man you're looking for.
Yeah, he came up here to kill himself.
What makes you say that? Because he went over that ledge there, and he was about to jump.
But he didn't? No.
He saw something on the street.
What'd he see? Two men just standing by a car.
What kind of car? It was a dark sedan, four doors.
I think maybe he knew them.
He changed his mind, and he stepped off the ledge.
He never even looked at me.
Just dropped his groceries and went back downstairs.
Well, did you see the men? Yeah.
They talked for, like, a minute or two, and then he got in the car.
Did he get in voluntarily, or did they force him in? I couldn't tell.
Morning.
Hey.
I figured you could use one of these.
No.
Thanks.
I'm good.
Are you sure? Yeah.
No, I'm great.
Okay.
So who's the guy? His name's John Michaels, He recently retired from a company called Farber Billings Insurance.
He was a claims investigator.
Worked in the same place for 38 years.
Company man.
Did two campaigns in Korea.
Got a couple of Silver Stars.
So he's a war hero too? Yeah.
Any family? Divorced.
Couple of grown daughters.
What's with the music? I don't know.
It's been playing since I got here.
End of his life, and this is all the guy's got.
It's sad.
Lot of boxes.
Are these his old files? I guess he didn't know what to do with them.
Well, if he was a claims investigator, I'm sure he made enemies.
I'm gonna start here.
Yeah, okay.
Okay.
Nothing so far.
It's weird.
The guy's lived in that apartment for 12 years yet nobody recognizes him at all let alone remembers him getting into the car.
Yeah, well, keep looking.
Somebody's gotta know him.
Where's that bag of groceries? Forensics.
Why? Check for prints.
The usual.
But we do have photos right here.
Great.
You know what I don't understand? Why would a guy go shopping just before he was gonna kill himself? Maybe he didn't know he was gonna kill himself.
Maybe something happened on the way home from the market.
Did we find the daughters? We're not showing any contact in the phone records.
But we did find his ex wife.
Martha Scoggins.
She lives out in Larchmont.
Called her twice last week on consecutive days.
One minute calls.
Probably messages.
Got in the car with two men? According to an eyewitness.
You don't know who they are? We were hoping that you could help us.
I wouldn't know anything.
He called you a couple times last week.
What was that about? He left a couple of messages.
Which you didn't return? That's right.
How long have you been divorced? Twenty one years.
If you don't mind me saying it seems like a long time for you to hold a grudge.
He's a very selfish man.
Well, come on.
It's gotta be more than that.
What'd he do? Cheat on you? That's just the tip of the iceberg, but, yes.
With his secretary, no less.
Mrs.
Scoggins, what exactly did he say on his messages? That he wanted to see me, to talk, which I had no interest in.
And then he showed up here.
John? It's been a long time.
You look like you haven't been taking very good care of yourself.
I came here because there were some things that I wanted to say to you.
I'm not sure I'm interested in them.
Martha, I'm trying to apologize.
Could you just listen? What do you have to apologize for? I wasn't much of a husband.
I don't know why.
I just couldn't do it.
Well, if you're expecting me to forgive you now, it's not gonna happen.
I wanna contact Helen.
How do I do that? I can't help you there.
Last I heard from her was two years ago.
She was living with some drugged up boyfriend in Newark.
Do you have a number? It's out of service.
What about Katherine? Does she know? She knows as much as I do.
You did well for yourself, Martha.
It's no great love affair, but at least he's around.
Yeah.
You take care.
I hadn't seen him in 16 years and he comes all the way over here to say he wasn't much of a husband.
And Helen is your daughter? Helen and Katherine.
And where's Katherine? She's a lawyer in Philadelphia.
Doubt she has any idea where John is.
All the same, I'd like her number.
All right.
Thank you.
You were really hard on her.
She was really hard on him.
Well, sounds like he deserved it.
Do I wish the old bastard was dead? You bet.
Did I do something to him? No, I didn't.
Where were you about two days ago, at 4:00? His name's Barry Mashburn.
His wife died about a year ago.
She burned to death.
John Michaels was the one investigating the claim.
He denied payment.
Why? An electrician went to their house before the fire and told Mashburn the house had problems.
Unfortunately, Mashburn didn't do anything.
Did he confront Michaels? Yeah.
Three weeks ago, he went to Farber Billings.
Almost came to blows.
What kind of car does Mashburn drive? He doesn't own one.
He's bankrupt.
He had to sell everything.
I'm checking to see if he rented a car or one of his friends drives a sedan.
Okay? Okay.
Hi.
Hey.
I may have a lead on Michaels.
Oh, yeah? What's that? He's been hanging out at a strip club in Jersey.
Spent thousands on his credit card.
Sam and I are gonna go check it out.
I want you to stay here, see if you can find his daughters.
I'll take Sam to the strip club.
Welcome to Déjà Vu.
Would you like a table? Yeah, sure.
Right this way.
Can I get you something to drink? Yeah.
Scotch on the rocks.
I'll just have a club soda, please.
What are you doing? Just getting the lay of the land.
Yeah.
Hi there.
Hey.
Are you interested in a dance? No, not just yet.
Thank you.
We could go upstairs to a private room.
I've got a special rate for couples.
What do you think, hon? Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever seen this man before? You're cops? FBI.
Have you seen this man? I'm sorry, I don't know anything, and I shouldn't be talking to you.
I'm just getting the lay of the land.
Yeah, well, whoever that guy is over there, she seemed pretty scared of him.
Think I know why John Michaels comes here all the time.
Why? That's his daughter.
Let's hear it for Hope.
The hot, the sexy, Hope! Next up, Destiny.
Look, I really don't care where the hell he is, okay? I didn't ask if you cared.
I asked what he was doing here.
He wanted to talk.
He wanted to talk? He dropped a couple grand here last week.
Well, my time's expensive.
How'd he find you? He's an investigator.
I think it's his job.
According to his credit card, he was here the day he disappeared.
What did he want? We was trying to save me.
Now, I'm begging you.
This is no life.
I don't think that's your business.
It is my business.
I'm your father.
Little late for that, don't you think? Helen, please, come on.
You're smart.
You've always been smart, okay? You don't need to do this.
Hey, what's going on over there? Hey, I paid my time, all right? Just back off.
That guy's got a leash around you? Yeah, he's my boyfriend.
He's your boyfriend? Yeah, he is.
He's your pimp.
Please.
Helen, listen to me.
I've changed everything.
I've set it up for you, okay? I've set up so that you can do whatever you want.
You don't have to stay here.
Hey, buddy, get your hands off her.
I can get you out of here.
Back off.
What the hell are you doing? Back off.
Get out! Just get out, okay? Listen to me.
Look at me.
I want you out of my life.
There is nothing here.
So just go.
I don't wanna see you.
Get out of my life.
I just want you to I'm not coming.
Get out! Get out! There's nothing here! Stupid So Hope told you that? Never mind who told us.
Just answer the question.
Look, I don't know what happened, all right? Crazy old bat's walking around waving a gun.
No wonder he got into trouble.
According to the parking attendant you followed him out and had words with him.
Wanna share? Wanted to have a little chat with him.
Tell him what's what.
Hey.
Old man.
You got a problem? Let's deal with it now, not later.
That's my daughter you're screwing around with in there.
Now I get it.
You think what she's all about, you think that's on me? Yeah.
Well, let me tell you something.
Every single girl I got in there major daddy complex.
It all comes back to that.
So look, I don't know if you banged her or if you beat her, or if you just left her but whatever she's got going on, that's on you, my friend.
Yeah, then three hours later, two guys show up to his apartment and shove him into a car that looks suspiciously like this one.
You know, the world's made up of coincidences.
Well, then I guess you wouldn't mind if we processed your car for prints.
Be my guest.
I am gonna nail your ass to the wall.
Is somebody here? Nope.
I just keep it on so that nobody breaks in.
You're not gonna arrest me, are you? What is this crap? Do you think that little of yourself? Don't go psychoanalyzing me, pops.
What the hell are you doing? Taking a shower.
Wanna join me? You think this is some kind of game? Isn't it? So you think Freddy's little speech about daddy complexes sent my father over the edge? I don't think kicking him out of the club helped.
What, are you blaming me now? I didn't say that.
One saved message Hey, hey, what are you doing? Hey.
It's your father.
I just called to tell you that I'm sorry for everything I ever did to you.
I should have been there for you.
I changed my life insurance policy so that if anything happens to me you get half.
I want you to use that money to clean yourself up.
I'm begging you, honey.
Clean yourself up.
Don't waste the rest of your life trying to punish me.
It's not worth it.
I know it's hard to believe but I love you.
Why didn't you tell me any of this? Look, I don't know what the hell you want from me.
But if Freddy sent a couple guys to hurt my dad I don't know what I could've done.
What the hell is going on here? Are you Katherine? Yeah.
Helen, what is this? I don't know.
I'm Jack.
I called you.
I asked you to come.
Why was she half naked? That's how she spends most of her life.
Look at this place.
It's a dump.
Your sister is in serious trouble.
Tell me about it.
You can get help.
There are programs, therapy.
I've done everything.
She will not be happy until she kills herself.
Did your father ever do anything to her? No.
Never.
Never? You want the whole story? Yeah.
It's a cliché.
Emotionally unavailable father.
Uptight, frigid mother.
Divorce.
Lousy stepfathers.
Younger one survives, older one takes on all the crap.
Apparently, he's been trying to make amends.
Oh, yeah? He visited your mom and Hope.
Helen.
Her name's Helen.
Right.
Helen.
And I was just wondering if he'd contacted you.
I haven't heard from him in six months, since June.
Birthday call.
Christmas card.
It's pretty much what you get from him.
Well, I gotta get back to work.
Keep an eye on your sister.
Here's my card.
If you need me, just give me a call.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Doris? Your girls are beautiful.
Yes, they are.
I heard your wife took them to Chicago, that you're getting divorced.
Yeah.
I'm sorry to hear that.
What are you doing here? There are some people who are concerned about you.
Who's that? I don't think it's important that I name names but we all know that this job can take a lot out of you.
With everything that's going on in your life Why don't you just let me take care of my own personal life, okay? Is that any way to talk to your boss? No, I guess not.
Look, all I'm saying is you're not alone, Jack.
You should know that.
Jack, you're not gonna believe this.
I've been doing this for 14 years.
I bet I will.
John Michaels and your father know each other.
As a matter of fact, they've been talking over the past couple weeks.
Those are John Michaels' phone records.
Come in.
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Jack.
Come in.
You want something to eat? No, do you know a guy named John Michaels? Yeah.
Who is he? An old Army buddy of mine.
You never told me you were friends.
I know a lot of guys.
You didn't know everyone I knew.
What? Seen him recently? What's this about? Well, he's missing.
Something serious may have happened.
Oh, jeez, I You know, he just retired.
He was having a tough time with that.
Was he here? Yeah.
He was here just a few days ago.
What did you guys talk about? His daughters, mostly.
Boy, do they have it in for him.
What do you mean, "have it in"? They blame him for everything that's gone wrong with their lives, you know? I mean, what else is new? What's that supposed to mean? Well, you know.
I mean, no matter what you do, your kids end up hating you.
Is that what you told him? Is that what you think? You think I hate you? I don't know.
You want something to drink? Dad.
What do you want? Beer? Scotch? I don't hate you.
What do you want? I never hated you.
I got soda too.
Malone.
She's dead.
What? Who is this? Katherine Michaels.
My sister's dead.
Okay, just stay where you are, okay? Don't move.
I'll be right there.
I gotta go.
I'll talk to you later.
I went to the store to get some groceries.
I was only gone 20 minutes.
When I got back, this is how I found her.
Where were you? Hey.
Hey.
Door was open.
Was it? Yeah.
Are you all right? Yeah.
I just came back to change my shirt and freshen up a little.
Right.
Well, preliminary forensics show that Michaels wasn't in Freddy's car.
And Freddy was at the club when Helen was killed.
Or he could have sent someone.
I don't see why he would.
With us breathing down his neck? There's something else going on.
I should never have left them there.
I should have sent protection.
You didn't know, Jack.
Can I just say you don't seem like yourself lately? I don't really feel like myself lately.
Did Dr.
Harris prescribe these for you? Pretty strong stuff.
Are you one of the people who's concerned for me? We're all concerned for you.
Jack.
Jack! Jack, Jack! Jack, what are you doing? Sorry, okay? God! I don't know what I was doing.
I was just Yeah, Spade.
Hey, it's me.
How is he? He's okay.
What's up? Well, it turns out that John Michaels had two life insurance policies.
He split one between his daughters.
The other went to a Susan Smithwick.
Who's she? I don 't know.
But she did work at a company called Kenosha Securities.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Since when? Couple days ago.
Two men were seen shoving him into the back of a car.
Oh, my God.
Any idea who they might be? Well, no.
Are you aware that you stand to inherit about a half a million dollars if he dies? How's that? He changed his life insurance policy.
You are now one of the recipients.
Why would he leave anything to me? I hoped you'd be able to answer that.
Well, no, I can't.
About a week ago, he was here, and you were talking.
What were you talking about? We were talking about old times, really.
I never understood what you saw in me in the first place.
Well, you were smart, and charismatic, and the boss.
And, of course, that was sexy.
And I was married.
That was sexy too.
I'll admit it.
You know, if I ever hurt you I'm sorry.
I was young and stupid and didn't know much about how to take care of myself.
But I moved on.
I married a wonderful man and had children.
And I am going to be a grandmother soon.
Really? You got pictures? My son.
And his wife's expecting twins, actually.
Did you ever get remarried? No, no.
Never had the stomach for it.
I'm sorry.
For what? You seem sad.
Do you remember that case we worked on together when we first started out? Sure.
I never solved it.
That was almost 30 years ago.
Yeah, I know.
But I can't get it out of my head.
I never could.
That's how we got involved in the first place.
You know, long hours working on that case.
What was the case? It was a life insurance claim.
A woman gassed herself in her car.
What was her name? I don't remember.
But John was always convinced that the woman's husband had killed her and made it look like a suicide.
He could just never prove it.
What are you doing? You lied to me.
What? You lied to me.
What are you talking about? I know why John Michaels came here.
He was the investigator on mom's life insurance claim.
He came here to confront you.
Yeah, that's right.
You've got it.
What does he got on you? He's got nothing on me.
Look, I told him he was crazy.
He's crazy! He's crazy? I got the whole file here.
It's all here.
Everything! Your affairs with other women.
The police report from when you broke her arm.
An accident.
Not what he thinks.
You can't give it up.
You're trying to pin this on me.
There's a notation.
There's a notation here, okay? And it's new, okay? He found something new.
You got all the answers! He came to expose you.
That's why you sent men to get him.
That's why you sent men to kill Hope.
What did she do? What did she know? I don't know any Hope! Who were the two guys? Who were the two guys you sent? Was it your Army spook buddies? I didn't do a damn thing! You're both crazy! You didn't want her, did you? You didn't want her here.
She was sick, and you couldn't deal with it, and you wanted her gone! Did I ever think life would be better without her? Sure.
Did I ever think about leaving her? Yeah.
But did I? No.
You know why? Because I loved her, you son of a bitch! You are a liar! You never loved her! You think I'd have that picture if I didn't love her? My life ended the day she died.
What are you doing? I'm arresting you.
Jack, I'm your father.
Shut up.
I need to talk to you.
Look, I'm sorry, okay? Jack, it's not about that.
We've been canvassing John Michaels' neighborhood to see if anyone saw him being pushed into that car, right? Right.
There's a kid who works across the street at the deli.
He took a picture of the car that day.
It's a government plate.
Jack, that's your car.
Who took my car? What are you talking about? Somebody here stole my car, and they took him.
Took who? John Michaels.
Jack.
Where is he? Where'd you take him? You're asking the wrong questions.
Really? What questions should I be asking? What questions? Jack! Stop it, now.
What the hell's going on? The case is closed.
What you mean it's closed? It's closed.
Did you find him? I'm afraid he's a lost cause.
It's not too late for you, though.
What the hell are you talking about? What the hell is wrong with all of you? You're tired, Jack.
Go home.
You're late.
I've been looking for you.
Well, here I am.
I thought they took you away.
Not yet.
Well, I don't understand.
You will.
What did you find out about my mother? I found her suicide note.
What did it say? This is not about her, Jack.
This is about you.
What did it say? It said to let go.
Let go? Let go of what? Just let go.
Reach out to the people close to you.
I don't need anyone.
You're happy with the way your life's turned out? Who the hell are you to judge? You know damn well who I am.
I have no idea who you are.
For the record, I want you to state your full name.
What? Come on, state your full name.
No! Are you afraid? Afraid of what? Let's have it.
What the hell do you want? Just your name.
Drop the weapon.
Vivian, what are you doing here? Get out of here! Why? Because this is my business! Your business is my business! Drop the weapon! Sooner or later, you're gonna have to face the truth, Jack.
Get out of here! This is who you are.
This is who you're gonna be.
I said now! Vivian! Viv.
He just caught you in the side.
I think you're gonna be okay.
No, my heart.
Why didn't you just let me help you? You're the one who's dying.
I should be helping you.
Vivian.
What'd you do to her, Jack? I didn't do anything.
There was nothing I could do.
Put the gun down, Jack.
It was him.
Danny, I'm telling you.
It wasn't me, it was him.
Put the gun down.
Danny.
Put the gun down.
I had nothing to do with this.
All you have to do is say your name.
No.
Please put the gun down.
Shut up! This isn't what you think it is.
I'm gonna kill you.
Did you really think you were gonna get rid of me that easily? For the record, state your full name, please.
Just admit to who you are or this is what happens.
Say it.
Just say your name.
John Michael Malone.
Yeah.
Was that so hard? No.
But now I am alone.
No, you're not.
Like I said all you have to do is let go.
They're waiting for you.
You are a liar.
Why don't you just admit who you are? Why didn't you just let me help you? This isn't what you think it is.
You're not alone, Jack.
Doris? Adapted by: