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Blowback (2000)
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( Woman crying ) no, please. Don't hurt me. I'll do anything you want. No! - ( Nail gun fires ) - ( screams, crying ) His will be done. The engine's still warm. Maybe we should call for backup. And say what? All right, this is a tricky fucker. Now, I want you to watch my back. And I want you to watch yours. You got it. ( Whimpering ) No. - ( Nail gun fires ) - ( screams ) ( Screams ) ( Door creaks ) Shit. Jesus, god almighty. ( Cocks gun ) - St. Andrew. - What? He was crucified upside down. Stay sharp, watch my back. Look around, all around. Oh, god. Proverb 11:22. What the hell does that mean? "As a Jewel in a swine's mouth, so is a beautiful woman without discretion." ( Door closes ) ( Whispering ) go, go, go. Come on. ( Grunts, body thuds ) Oh, shit. - ( Grunts ) - oh! - ( Fires ) - ( groans ) - ( Fires ) - ( groans ) Now, you know something of the suffering of the lord! Sick motherfucker. ( Grunting ) Tell me-- tell me, how does it feel to be so lucky to be blessed like the Christ?! Huh? ( Grunts ) ( Groaning ) - ( Crunching ) - ( screams ) ( Spits ) ( Panting ) ( Water stops ) ( Grunting ) ( Screams ) ( Breathing heavily ) ( Cocks gun ) Okay. Nothing there. You're really awake now, man. Okay. ( Chuckles ) okay. Damn. Woman: detective morrell, could you please describe to us what you saw on the night in question when you arrived? Don: yes... We arrived at the ranch at about 9:00 P.M.. We entered cautiously. I saw that man right there, John Matthew Whitman. I saw him clearly. Judge: proceed with the questioning. Man: did you clearly see his face from across the street? ...exactly what she's talking about? - Judge: rephrase, counselor. - Man: Is it true the street- light on the corner was out? ...was incapable of this kind of behavior. Judge: sustained. Rephrase, counselor. Man: clearly we understand Whitman was not capable of doing... Judge: sustained, next question. Ladies and gentlemen of this jury, the evidence presented here today has proven without reasonable doubt that John Matthew Whitman deserves to die in the gas chamber for his crimes. Judge: have you arrived at a verdict? The defendant will now rise and face the court. John Matthew Whitman, you are found guilty of all nine counts of murder in the first degree. The state of California hereby sentences you to die in the gas chamber. Do you have anything you wish to say to the court? "What then shall I do when god riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?" Those who stay the hand of divine vengeance... Will themselves be damned. - Hi. - hi. You're here early. It's been a tough two years, one appeal after another. - I'm ready to put this behind me. - Yeah. - How's your hand? - ( Man coughs ) Baby, maybe I need to do this in my own rhythm. And at this point, maybe you don't need to check up on me. We're not-- married anymore? I know that. But I still care about you, Don. Go. ( Clears throat ) Man: John Matthew Whitman, you have been found guilty of the murders of nine people and have been sentenced to be put to death by lethal gas at San Quentin prison as prescribed by the penal code of the state of California on this night of June 8th, at midnight. Do you have anything to say before sentence is carried out? His will be done. ( Gas hissing ) ( Gagging ) ( Groans ) ( Gurgles ) ( Prays in Spanish ) Amen. ( Heart monitor beeping ) ( Beeping rapidly ) Man: John Matthew Whitman is dead. Relax now. No harm can come to you. Relax. You will have no memories before these. Relax. Know that you are Steven Lloyd schmidt. ( Electricity crackles ) Steven Lloyd schmidt, you were born January 21st... ( Overlapping voices ) your father was shop foreman at Bethlehem steel until his accident. Your mother worked 14 years... You graduated class of 1975, 19th in your class. You attended lehigh university, r.O.T.C. Stationed ramstein, Germany. Second lieutenant Steven Lloyd schmidt, bravo company, 177th. Your code word is, "the unicorn is in the garden." Your code is... "The unicorn is in the garden." - ( Basketball bouncing ) - player: Come on, man, d up. Player #2: I'm taking him. D up on him. Player: if you ain't gonna take it, pass it! Player #2: Here! I'm open! Player: come on, you gotta play some d. -Player #3: 'Sup, come on! - ( Horn honks ) - I got him. - I'm open. I'm open. - ( Players whistling ) - hello. ( Laughing ) Be right back, fellas. Player: right, right. All right, come on. - What's happening? - Hey, you. Even on your day off, you're still working with the gang kids. Well, it helps... Keep them and me off the streets. And I need the exercise. I was going to say, you're looking a little out of shape there. - Oh, thank you. - ( Laughs ) Um... ( clears throat ) I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me Friday night. - You gonna cook? - Yes, I'm gonna cook. Do you want to have dinner with me on Friday night or not? Hey, definitely. It's cool. - 8:00. - let's make it 7:00, I need to get up early for a deposition. You... You sure you want to? I mean... Aren't you? You seem kinda like you're busy, you know. You know that used to be my line. Okay, Friday night. - 7:00. - okay. - ( Players laughing ) -see ya. Player: bye, gorgeous. Hey! what y'all looking at? ( Crowd chattering over TV ) - Four more years. - Perry! The senator from this state. Two more minutes till the senator arrives. Do you copy that, schmidt? ( Cheering ) Copy. Tilt the camera a few degrees. Senator should be there in one more minute. Man: he's coming up. He's pulling up. ( Cheering ) Man: you go get 'em, senator. You go get 'em. Get 'em, Sam. Go get 'em. - Oh! - ( screaming ) Man: get that man! Somebody, do something! Schmidt, neutralize the target, now. The unicorn is in the garden. Hit him now! Shit. ( Tires screech ) Sorry, norwood. Your mumbo jumbo never really worked. But I did enjoy killing his bodyguards. ( Laughs ) I quit. ( Engine starts ) ( Radiator hissing ) ( Footsteps running ) ( Sirens wailing ) ( Chattering ) - Thank you. - You're welcome. Man: attention, please. The San Diego county court of records division is now closing. Please conclude your business immediately. Thank you. - See you tomorrow. - All right, take care. ( Country music playing over radio ) ( Door closes ) I'm from the "tribune." - My name is-- - hang on, let me get that radio. ( Turns off ) - Mr. Edward ackers? - Yeah? It's quite a place you have here. I'm from the "tribune." - My name is Jonathan Saltzman. - I already subscribe to the "tribune." ( Laughs ) Oh, no, sir. You don't understand. I'm a reporter... And I'm doing a piece on the criminal justice system. And no one's experience typifies what I'm writing about more than yours. You were the jury foreman at the Whitman trial. How do you know that? That was never supposed to be made public. ( Chuckles ) Do you mind if I close this - so we can have a bit more privacy? - Yeah, I do mind. Hey, I don't want to talk to you. Especially about that trial. I put that son of a bitch where he belongs, that's all there is to it. ( Yells ) Not quite all. Never eat spinach quiche after 9:00 at night. ( Chuckles ) Oh. Anyway, I want to welcome you to the division. I requested you from oceanside because of your academic background in psychology. I'm assigning you to inspector morrell. Oh, I'd be honored to work with inspector morrell. He's been behind a desk for a while, but I want to put him back in the saddle with you. I'm warning you, he has these muscle spasms occasionally, but don't let that freak you out because he's still one of my best detectives. Sir, I'm well aware of his reputation. ( Chuckles ) I'm a little concerned about him and, - see, we look after our own here, ricci. - Yes, sir. So go pick him up, and the next case up is yours. Thank you, sir. ( Knocking ) Hello? Inspector morrell? Inspector morrell? ( Cocks gun ) No! don't do it! What the fuck? ( Breathing heavily ) your gun. I thought you were going to shoot yourself. - Who the hell are you? - Detective sergeant ricci. Your door was open. My door is open because the lock is busted and the super's going to fix it. What were you doing with that? I was cleaning my weapon. Is there a law against that? - In here? - In here, the light is good-- look, lady, how can I help you? Sorry, sir. I'm your new partner. ( Laughing, chattering ) ( Banging ) God damn it. Fuck. Hey! don't play around here! Stupid-ass kids. What, you never heard of knocking? Who the fuck are you? Who the fuck you think you are coming in-- ( grunting ) Come here, sit down. Easy, man. If you want my stash, you can have it. It's right there. - Take it, it's right there. - Shut up. You're still the sniveling little weasel, I see. Good to see ya. I need a place to operate from for a few weeks. This'll do. Who are you? Ricci: excuse me, sir, but... The guys at the precinct must've been jerking me around. They said you caught Whitman by biting his nose off. Didn't do any good, doctors set it right back on. Why'd he do that to his victims? I mean, kill them the way saints were martyred? Whitman was a biblical scholar. Very respected, very psychotic. His father was a minister and he beat his wife for having imagined affairs, he didn't believe his kids were his own kids, and he made their lives a living hell, okay? The mother did nothing to help? No, she was too afraid. So Whitman killed all those women because he hated his mother for not saving him. It's called displacement rage. Sounds like we been reading the same books. ( Laughs ) I'm interested in people. They're like puzzles. I mean, you for instance. They say you studied to be a priest, memorized the Bible word for word. That's how you decoded the chapter and verse quotes Whitman left on the bodies, how you found his hideout. Ricci, where's this going? Nowhere, sir. I just-- I just wanted you to know I was honored to be your new partner. You'll get over that real soon. ( Chuckles ) ( Radio chatter ) Officer: i got plates on all of these. Hello, ricci. - How ya feel? - Got my new suit on, I'm ready. Good. After you take a look inside, let me know if you really want this case. I need your mind on this one, but if you have the slightest doubt I'll put you on something else and bring in wisher and Miller. All right? - Yeah, I'm ready. - Okay. Did someone move the body? Yeah, the killer. Oh. Elmo. Elmo? His name is Edward ackers, retired tool-die worker. St. elmo. What the hell are you talking about? Don: he was the patron Saint of sailors. He was martyred. They... Found his intestines around the windlass. I've never heard of him. Someone want to get me a ladder, please? What's it say? Corinthians... - 15:21. - what does it mean? "Since by man came death. By man came also the resurrection of the dead." ( Beeps ) ( Water boiling ) Don't worry, it'll be over in one second. ( Phone rings ) Hello? - Miss Sandra carlow? - Yes? Hi, my name's John Saltzman. I'm a reporter from the "tribune." Um... Yeah, that would be fine. In a few minutes. John Saltzman? ( Doorbell rings ) Hi, John Saltzman. Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. I won't take more than a few minutes out of your life. - Please come in. - Thank you. You said something about a story about me. Oh, yes. Well, actually, it's a story about the flaws in our criminal justice system. You were a member of the jury in the Whitman trial and-- oh, my god. No, I don't want to talk about that. All the members of the jury agreed never to go public. It was just such a... Awful experience. We just wanted to forget. Hmm, I understand. Well, sometimes these things do come back to haunt you. ( Water hissing ) Excuse me, I have a lobster on the stove. Would you like a cup of coff-- no, thanks, caffeine makes me edgy. ( Screams ) ( Grunts ) ( Whimpering ) No, no. ( Whimpering ) Please don't kill me. I'll do anything. Yes, yes. I know you'll do anything. So, let's start with this. ( Dialing ) If I knew what this was gonna be, I never would've called you in on it. You don't think i can handle it? Look, all I'm saying is a Whitman copycat should not be your next case. Personally, I think you're wrong. I mean, Whitman never killed a man, and I don't-- I don't think it's a copycat, i think it's something different. He arranged a body to look like a martyred Saint, didn't he? Yeah, but that's m.O. M.O. Can change depending on the circumstances. Signature remains static. Whitman's signature was to punish women. You need me on this. Let me do it. You don't sound like you really want it. Maybe that's why I need it. Okay, it's all yours. But things start to fall apart, you come talk to me, all right? Yeah. ( Crying ) no. It's me, baby bear. Sandra? What? ( chuckles ) Honey, looks like our dinner's making a break for it. Sandra? Jesus, Sandra. What'd you spill? We just cleaned the carpets. Oh, my god. Sandra-- ( grunts ) ( Body thuds ) ( Chattering ) What about the eyebrows? ( Scoffs ) eyebrows. Look, I told you I only saw the guy through my window and his back was turned and he was all the way on the other side of the street. - You got a computer? - Yeah, sure. Good. you know those programs where you can digitize - and enhance an image? - Yeah, I got one of those. Tell you what i want you to do. I want you to close your eyes, in your mind, I want you to zoom in, add a little light, tell me what you get. Yeah, right. Hey, work with me. It's a lot easier to concentrate here than it is down at the station. - Are you serious? - Take a long time there. All day, all night. It's dirty, funky... Okay, fine. What do I gotta do? - Ricci: amazing technique. - Don: Yeah, well, it rarely ever works. Yeah, but the way you did it, you really know how to do that. Come on, ricci. Give me a break. Will ya? I'm a regular guy. No better than you. Okay? Okay. If it's okay with you, I'd like to get back to the station now, okay? We'll put this psychopath on the f.B.I. Computer, - see if he's wanted for anything anywhere else. - Okay. - I'll get it. - Hey, I can do it myself. I didn't mean to yell at you. I know, sir. Officer over radio: Attention, fugitive retrieval. We have a possible suspect match that has just been posted to the FBI databank. Check it out. ( Beeping ) ( Beeping ) San Diego. Shit. danger waits for you again... - ( Both breathing heavily ) - someone takes the fall you cannot be this is the end I cannot think at all... You must be back on a case. Brilliant deduction, counselor. Well, you don't live with a man for four years and not get to know him. Honey, what are you working on? Believe me, you don't want to know. - I do. - No, you don't. - Yes. - okay, I... I plead the fifth. ( Laughs ) sorry, that does not work here. Only in the courtroom. Some fool is copycatting Whitman. ( Speaks Spanish ) I can't. Because I'm on call. Because I'm on a case. ( Sighs ) don't start that again, Eddie. This is what I want to do with my life. I can't believe you just said that. ( Phone rings ) Listen, you son of a bitch. You can't call me a cold bitch... Captain barnett. ( Chuckles ) I'm sorry-- yes, sir, I didn't-- yes, sir. ( Hangs up ) I can handle it. Don, don't stay on this. - Why? - because it will break you. I'm not going to break this time. I'm gonna bend, I'm gonna be flexible. You'll see. You're gonna be stubborn is what you're gonna be. Sweetie, you can't go through this alone. I'm not alone. I got a-- I have a caring boss. I have a new partner, a little blonde lady from Texas. I have this fine ex-wife who invites me to dinner and I get to be the dinner. ( Laughs ) Maybe we ought to get married again. ( Phone ringing ) Maybe not. Morning. there's no forced entry. This way. Hang on to your breakfast, it ain't pretty. The husband. This guy's an afterthought. What else you got? Oh, god. He took her breasts. - St. Agatha. - Who? Martyred Saint. Romans cut off her breasts because she was a Christian. Miraculously, she survived. Carried them around before her on a platter - praising god. - How do you know this? I'm a catholic, I never even heard of that. For years, scholars thought that early depictions showed Agatha carrying bells on a platter. So they made her the patron Saint of bell ringers. John 20:9. "For as yet, they did not know the scripture, that he had risen again from the dead." John Matthew Whitman's m.O. Oh, there you are. This is agent norwood, f.B.I. The local office offered us his services as a profiler. I figured we need all the help we can get. This is inspector morrell and detective sergeant ricci. Welcome to the team. Whitman used any method possible to subdue his victim and then stage the crime scene to mirror another martyred Saint's death. Hmm. so his method of operation was variable, but his signature was static. You two guys are going to get along great. - Norwood: anything? - Nope. Why don't you... Check the garbage for discarded papers? - Norwood, I don't work for you. - Hey, hey. We got something here. "Saltzman, 'tribune.'" "jury interview." You check Saltzman's alibi? Backwards and forwards, he's cool. So the killer poses as a reporter to gain entry. But what about Whitman's jury reference? We talked to the courthouse. Sandra carlow was a member of the jury, and guess who else was on the list? - Ackers? - you got it. Right, so the copycat knocked them off because they convicted his hero. He might be going after the other jurors. Their identities have never been made public, - how could somebody get their names? - We'll check that. I don't get this. Why wait until now to start offing jurors? Whitman's younger brother, Noah, he always felt like he grew up in his older brother's shadow. He just got paroled a month ago. Maybe this is his own sick way of stepping into the light. Bring the son of a bitch in. - Hey, where did norwood go? - I don't know. We're definitely not gonna wait for his ass. - Okay. - go. Child: give me the ball. I want the ball. Better let me go first. He doesn't know me. I don't think that's a good idea. - You know best, right? - Right, put this on. ( Children laughing ) Hey, come here. Come here. Come here, little lady. Come here, son. - I want you guys to take this money. - Both: Thank you. And go over there and play. Don't make any noise, okay? Go on. Child: he gave us real money. What's he doing? ( Grunts ) - Move in! Move in! -Ricci: Morrell, watch out! He's getting out the window. Stay with norwood. - Are you hit? - No, the vest caught it. Go! Down! Down. ( Grunts ) ( Grunting ) ( Grunts ) what the? Down! Go on. Noah! ( Gasping ) Noah, you're not going to make it, man. You got no reason to lie, tell me the truth-- did you kill those jurors? Fuck you. Your time'll come. Your time is right now, man. Make your peace. Do it clean now. Did you kill those jurors? This time... ( Laughs ) You won't catch him. ( Laughs ) ( Gasps ) ( Sirens wailing ) ( Radio chatter ) He didn't give you a choice, you know. Yeah, I know. - You saved my life. - And you owe me dinner. ( Laughs ) shouldn't we be celebrating? - We got him. - Tell you something about Noah. Noah's one taco short of a combo plate. That boy's damaged goods. He's not the one we should be looking for. Why did he run? Look at all this drug shit. He's like nino brown as trailer park trash. He gets busted with this, he goes to jail for life, and he knows it. Maybe he figures by running, he's got nothing to lose. Then who else could it be? Well, the other bed's been slept in. Noah had company. Maybe we should be looking for them. You may be right. Give me the prints on this place, I'll run them through the bureau's computer. We'll see who comes out. Let me ask you a question. Why didn't you wait for us? - I didn't want to lose him. - You didn't want to lose him? Seems to me like you wanted the man dead. He went for his shotgun. Same as you, i didn't have a choice. ( Siren blaring, radio chatter ) ( Grunting ) Very good, Julie. Oh, your time's up. Good job, Julie. See you next week. Bye-bye. - Henry dang. - Yes. I remember you. You were the one who always scowled at me. - I never saw you before in my life. - ( Chuckles ) Do you think you can teach me that throw? ( Chuckles ) look, we're closed. Why don't you make an appointment? ( Laughs ) come on, you're pretty good at throwing girls around. - How about a man? - Don't do that. Come on, Henry. Show me what you got. ( Yells ) You asked for that! ( Groans ) that was pretty good. Ow. ( Chuckling ) you think you could show me that again? ( Yells ) ( Grunting ) I lost someone real close to me today. I need to let off a little steam. ( Screams ) ( Grunting ) Come on. - ( Bone cracks ) - ( screams ) ( Whimpering ) Oh, god. God, no. God, no. - Do you believe in god? - Yes. Tell him I said hello. ( Gurgles ) - ( Answering machine beeps ) - you have two calls. First call, 10:30 am. Charlotte: what a night we had. I'm having trouble concentrating on work. We need to talk about it. Maybe this time we can make it work? Call me. Answering machine: Second call, 5:43 pm. ( Sandra weeping ) hello? Please... I'm very angry with you. You stopped me from doing the lord's calling, and you will be punished for that. ( Sobbing ) as will all the others. His will be done. Don: i got a call from Sandra carlow yesterday. Around the time she was killed. I don't understand. Did she know you? No. I got a feeling her murderer did, though. Well, you were all over the front pages when you caught Whitman. If the copycat is after the jurors, sooner or later he's going to go after the arresting detective. - "Your time will come." - What? "Your time will come," Noah's last words, remember? And then he said something about... What was it? Oh, "this time you won't catch him." ( Phone rings ) Ricci? Yes, sir. We are. Oh. Okay, sir. Yes, sir. We'll be right there. ( Beeps ) You were right. It wasn't Noah. They just found another Whitman juror, Henry dang. He had his eyes, lips and tongue cut out. St. leger. They found a biblical quote. Revelations 14:3. Do you know it? "I am... I am he that liveth and was dead. And behold, I am alive forevermore and have the keys to hell and death." This psychopath is trying to tell us something. He's resurrecting Whitman's crimes? - Turn the car around. - But the crime scene's this way. Yeah, we're not going to go to the crime scene. Turn around. - Where are we going? - We're going to go to the hall of records. Okay. Did you find anything? No, are you sure the jury list is supposed to be in here? - Should be in there. - Well, it's not. He must have stolen it. Excuse me, miss? I need a printout of the jury list and anyone affiliated with the case including attorneys, lawyers. I need addresses, phone numbers, place of business, please. Fax it to this number. It's very important. Thank you very much. This is from the original Whitman case, this is from acker's body. Is it a forgery? I had a specialist look at it. He said if it's a forgery, it's the best he's ever seen. Check this out. Sandra: you stopped me from doing the lord's calling, and you will be punished for that. ( Sobbing ) as will all the others. His will be done. All right, all right. So what are we saying here? Are we saying that-- that the murderer is not a copycat? That he is John Matthew Whitman? These are the best forgeries I've ever seen. Hell, maybe that's why it took so long for this guy to get started. He was perfecting his hand. And this call, well, the sick fuck knows who you are, Don. That's all. We can use that to draw this copycat out. I don't know why, but... I think this is more than a copycat. I know what you're going to think, but I want to exhume Whitman's body. I want to see it. I want to see it with my own eyes. I want to know. As soon as I knew the Whitman connection, I should have transferred you off this case. But I can correct my mistake. I'm putting you back on desk duty. Ricci will be transferred. - She'll be reassigned to wisher and Miller. - No, no. - They'll carry on-- - you need me on this case. You need me on it. Don, i can't do it. Your career, your mental health is at risk. I want you to go home. Don't worry about this. We'll get the son of a bitch. It'll all be over and done with. It was supposed to be over and done with a year ago. A year ago. - I thought you're supposed to be watching him. - I was. Then why didn't you come to me sooner and tell me that he's cracking up? Because he wasn't, sir. ( Sighs ) I'll keep you updated about the case, sir. You won't miss a thing. Let me give you a ride home, inspector morrell. Inspector morrell? Don! Ricci: I'm a pretty good detective, you know. I know you've been married before. Now how do you know i haven't been a bachelor all my life? I read your personal file. All right, but deductive logic is only going to get you so far. You got any good corroborating evidence to support your theory? Yeah, but it's only anecdotal. Okay, go ahead and drop it. We're all friends here. Well, I know how hard it is to do this job right and still have a personal life. Now you sound like a smart lady speaking from experience. Thank you. The only thing i don't understand is why you decided to become a cop instead of a priest. Hmm. - Sorry. - no, that's okay. When I was a kid, i saw a lot of good people getting-- getting hurt. And I thought maybe by being a cop I could sort of take up arms against the sea of trouble, so to speak. What about you? I like to knock down doors. ( Both chuckle ) What? All these Whitman jurors, right? This guy's going after them one by one. He's trying to copycat Whitman. He'd be as methodical and as obsessive-compulsive as Whitman was, - wouldn't he? - What do you mean? I mean Whitman used to kill his victims in alphabetical order. So then next on the list would be greer. Denise greer. I'm going to stake her out. You can't. You're off the case. Listen, I'll get ahold of Miller and wisher, - and we'll get on it right away. - You don't understand. Those guys, they're by the book. It would take you all day to convince them of your theory, and even if you do, all night to set up surveillance. This guy's killing, what, a victim a day? Right? So someone's going to die right about now. We got her address, we got her phone number, we got her place of work. I'm going to do this. Hey! you can't do this without me! Come on! - Okay, thank you very much. - ( Phone beeps ) Her boss says she's off today and tomorrow. Want me to try her machine again? No, she would have answered by now. Maybe she's out with friends. Or making love to her boyfriend. Yeah, or laying in a pool of her own blood. Wait, wait! - Great. - ( engine starts ) The athletic type. There she goes. Where is she? Should we take him? No, no, no. She knows this guy. This is not going to be easy. She went left. What are you doing? I think she saw us. I'm going to give the lady a little distance. Ricci over radio: There she goes. Don't lose her. - You see him? - Yeah. Ricci over radio: He is definitely following her. ( Brakes screech ) ( Screams ) - ( Grunts ) - oh, my god! - Oh, my god! Don't hurt him! - I'm a cop. - Who the fuck are you? - He's my boyfriend. I couldn't hear him. He was trying to catch up with me. I couldn't hear him. No, no! Norwood. Norwood! Put the gun down, man, put it down! He's the wrong guy, okay? Put the gun down. All right, lady, I'm sorry. Okay, big mistake. Big fucking mistake, man. I'm sorry. Very sorry. Very sorry. Can I see you for a minute, please? I got a guy-- I got a fucking guy in police custody, right? - And you try to pop him. What's with that? - I'm sorry. I couldn't tell whether or not you had the situation under control. Under control? You wouldn't even know about the situation unless you were what? Tailing us, man? I told them it was mistaken identity. They're shaken up, but they're buying it. They won't file a complaint. Her boyfriend's going to take her home. No, we gotta keep her under surveillance. This is bullshit, man. We'll call captain barnett, we'll put our own people on it. Thank you very much. Wait, wait a minute. Now look. This killer can easily evade normal police protection. - Norwood, who is this guy? - Look, I can't tell you that. If I did, I'd be opening myself up to prosecution-- if you don't fucking talk to me now, I'll rip out your fucking spine! - Hey! hey! - How's that? How's that? Hey! We all want this guy. Whatever you tell us stays with us. The man we think is replicating Whitman's crimes is Steven Lloyd schmidt. He's an f.B.I. Field man. He's gone rogue. It's what c.I.A. Calls blowback, and it's their worst nightmare. ( Sighs ) once he enters into the civilian population, it becomes the bureau's responsibility to cover up the mess. And so they assigned me to head up the search team. Why would schmidt copycat Whitman? Well, evidently schmidt was a big fan of serial killers. And before he was recruited, the c.I.A. Seems to think he may have acted as a kind of avenging angel - for the few he was particularly fond of. - Jesus! So what you're telling us is they turned some serial killer into some super assassin and let him loose on the world? No, I am telling you i want this guy just as badly as you want him. But it's not going to be easy. He is an expert in low-cover operations. Now, we do have one advantage. - The jogging girl. - I think he's going to go for her sometime tonight. But if he shows up and the police are watching her, he's going to go under deep cover and we'll never see him again. He'll resurface and kill somewhere else. - So what are we gonna do? - Well... I can stay here tonight and watch her house. If nothing happens, I'll call you tomorrow. You can relieve me. Either way, one of us is going to get him. Don: you know what? I don't buy it. I think this schmidt knows way damn too much about Whitman. I think norwood is shoveling a new grade of manure. For all we know, schmidt could be hitting another juror right now. He's going in alphabetical order, right? But what if the list didn't just include jurors? What if it had court personnel? Then... - Then judge-- - Paul gant. Okay, alphabetically, gant is before greer. Shouldn't we call norwood? Hell, no! Let norwood stay with the jogging babe. - Is gant answering? - No, it's just the machine. ( Dance music playing ) you turn me on, baby, you lead me on, baby... ( laughing ) ( Chattering ) Thank you. Man: how ya doin'? Over here, Bobby! ( Dialing ) - Who you calling now? -My ex-wife. - ( Phone ringing ) - hola, Nina. It's me. Listen, I need a little favor. You know anything about a judge gant? Paul gant? Where he might hang out? Where I could find him? Any habits, anything? Really? Okay. you're serious? - Okay, sweetie, thank you. - ( Phone beeps ) You're going to love this. Gant frequents the gay clubs on the West Side of town. ( Dance music playing ) I'm just saying why don't we get a bottle of wine and go home? - Oh, let's get a bottle at mo's. - Oh, all right. you set my soul on fire you set my soul on fire you set my soul on fire you set my soul on fire... man: this place is yummy. - Hi. - hey. Can I buy you another? Sure, if I can return the favor. What are you drinking? I'll have a bloody Mary. Inspector morrell here. I want you to run all vehicles registered to a Paul gant, San Diego. - Don't I know you? - Yes, you do. I would of remembered you. ( Chuckles ) - I never forgot you. - Really? That makes me very happy. What do you say we get out of here? All these fags make me nervous. ( Laughs ) I'm with you. Man: i got it here. License: 4-c-g-e-413. 1999 green Lincoln town car. - Roger that, thanks. - Great, where do we start? All right, turn up this street right here. - Where do I know you from? - Guess. - A nightclub. - ( Laughs ) you'll have to do better than that. Come on, give me a hint. - What are we playing, hide and seek? - I can do that. ( Chuckles ) Hello? Yeah, hey, Mark. It's me, morrell. Listen, I need a favor. No, it's important. I need to locate a vehicle. It's a 1999 green Lincoln town car, license plate: Four, Charlie, Gulf, echo, 4-1-3. Who you talking to? A buddy of mine at lojack central. If gant has a tracker in his car, he might be able to pinpoint him for us. Come on, give me another hint. - ( Laughs ) - I'll get it. You'll get it, all right. Oh, beautiful. Great, man, great. West on university. I appreciate it, bro. Great, man. Ricci: okay, we're almost there. What's next? We're gonna make a left on 10th. Left on 10th. You know, i really like you. But you gotta tell me who you are. ( Chuckles ) Guess. What are you doing? You want to hurt somebody, is that it? You want money? Take the car. I don't want your car. You like to play rough, is that it? You'd probably like that, wouldn't you? How'd they ever let a sick, god-cursed sodomite like you judge anybody? Were you up before me? Is that it? That's right, your honor. His will be done. ( Gags ) Yeah, in the alley, okay. Somewhere around here. That's him. That's him right there. Back up. ( Tires squealing ) Shit. ( Mumbling ) No, no. Go back down. Wait for backup. - I'll track this guy. - Yes, sir. ( Gunshot ) Police! Put your weapon down! I know who you are. Question is, do you know who I am? I know all about you, schmidt. I think you know by now that's not my real name. You're forcing me to change the order of kill, morrell. Your name's further down the list. Morrell! Come out of there and drop that weapon or I'll blow her head off. Ricci: don't do it, Don. I'll kill this bitch. You fucking do that, i swear I'll shoot you, man. Something wrong with your hand, morrell? Come on! Fuck it. Fuck it, okay. Fuck it. Fuck it. All right. Take me instead, man. I'm on your list. She's not on your list. Let the lady go. Let her go. You're right. She's not on the list. I'll let her go. - No! - ( screams ) Ricci! No! ( grunts ) God damn it! He had this escape route planned out. You still tailing us? This fun for you? You're still tailing us, huh? ( Radio chatter ) They've gotta take her now, Don. You're supposed to be riding a desk. - Where the hell were you? - Norwood is involved in this. Fuck norwood! I don't give a shit about norwood! You got ricci involved and now she's dead. First thing tomorrow morning, i want you in my office. First thing! ( Siren blaring ) I'd like to see agent norwood, please. - One moment, I'll see if he's in. - Thank you. Hello. can I help you? Well, I asked to see agent norwood. Yes, I'm norwood. Can I see some I.D., please? What's this all about? Thanks. - I saw his badge. - Well, obviously it was a fake. - Then who the hell was he? - He's all part of this operation. - What operation? - The operation to revive Whitman. Oh, come on. Don't start with that again. Look, I made calls. After Whitman's death, his body was cremated. There's no damn way to confirm his death. Were you not a witness at his execution? Did you not see him die? - I saw him appear to die, but it could've been faked. - By who? Whitman's executioner was a doctor brought in from the outside to replace the one the prison usually uses at the very last minute. In all these biblical references, they all refer to rebirth and resurrection. These jurors will be properly protected. We'll get this copycat by the book. Man, you're not listening to me. - The handwriting, it matches-- - enough! You and I, we came up from the same streets. I mean, you're like a son to me. But I'm officially suspending you as of now. And I'll be asking for a medical leave for you. - My arm's fine. - It's not your shoulder I'm talking about. I've never been saner in my life. Then you'll hand over your gun and your badge without making a scene. ( Groans ) Greer, greer. She should've been next. ( Phone dialing ) ( Phone ringing ) - Hello? - baby, thank god you're home. Hey, baby, i just walked in. Okay, did you lock your doors? - They are locked. - Check them out, all right? - And check the windows, too. - What's going on? Just do it, okay? Do it. Listen to me, check those windows. I'm checking. Did you check the windows, honey? Can you tell me what this is about? Listen, I don't mean to scare you, but... I think someone might be coming after you tonight. After me? Who? Listen, you still got that gun I gave you? Okay, you are scaring me. What is going on? Remember when we got divorced? You went back to-- you went back to using your maiden name? - Whitman knows that. - Whitman? - Whitman is dead. - No, no, honey. It's too complicated to explain over the phone. I'm on my way. ( Grunting ) Don? what's going on? Don? Hello? Don? ( Groans ) ( Gasping ) - Oh, fuck. - Don? - Hi. - ( screams ) - Whitman is schmidt, isn't he? - Call a goddamn ambulance! - He's schmidt, isn't he? - Yes. - You faked his death. - Yes. - But his face, what-- - it's plastic surgery. And who are you? When the agency can't get something legally, i provide it. You provide killers? No, I build assassins. I strip their personalities, then I give them a new one. And Whitman was a perfect candidate. He had the perfect psychotic basis, - but he faked his way through the reorientation. -You lost control, huh? I don't know who's a sicker motherfucker, you or Whitman. You used us to get to him, didn't you? You had to eliminate him and everyone who knew the truth, right? Right? - Yeah, something like that. - Good. ( Dialing ) Yeah. Yeah, emergency? I'm going to need an ambulance. ( Body thuds ) Don't sweat the ambulance. You've reached Charlotte hart, please leave a message after the beep. ( Beeps ) Charlotte, baby, it's me. Pick up, honey. I can't reach you on your cell phone. Charlotte, pick up. Charlotte. ( Phone beeps ) Charlotte. Charlotte? Charlotte! Charlotte! Charlotte! ( Phone ringing ) -Yeah? - Donnie. Baby, where are you? I told you to stay here. ( Crying ) Donnie, I'm sorry. He was already in the house. Shit, put him on the phone. Let me talk to him. - Hello, morrell. - Give me an address. Come on, no games. It's me you want. Okay, it's your world. You're running the show. There's nothing I can do. Okay, I'm ready to receive your punishment. It is not my punishment, morrell. You stayed the hand of vengeance. You smote my brother. Your ex-wife took my life. Is it not heavenly retribution that I should take both of yours? Look, you want this to end? I want it to end, man. - Give me an address. - ( Chuckles ) Luke, 15:11. Uh, prodigal son-- prodigal son returns home. Home! you're at the ranch! Give the altar boy a plastic Saint. Whitman, it's not her you want. It's me. All right? Come alone and I might let her live. ( Beeps ) Whitman! damn! Listen, i-I'm sure god-- god will forgive you for this. ( Crying ) No. No, please. ( Nail clanks ) ( Crying ) Charlotte! Charlotte! ( Both grunting ) - ( Screams ) - slide that gun over here now or I'll nail her head to the cross. Do it now! You better not fucking touch her. How do you like my new face? You know, I was sorry that they removed that scar on my nose you gave me. It had character. - Let her go. - ( Sobbing ) She must face her retribution. - As you will. - Fuck that! What about your retribution, Whitman? I punish those who sought to end my divine mission. Those women and those people you killed were innocent. They were sinners! Temptresses! Fornicators! Just like your mother. That's it, right? ( Charlotte sobbing ) Like all women. Your mother was innocent, too. You know nothing about it. I know a lot more than you think. Your father was beating her, wasn't he? Because she was an adulteress. Because she was trying to protect you from him, right? My father was a holy man. We were sinners. Unworthy. He was trying to save our immortal souls. Wrong! Your father was the sinner, Whitman! - You're too traumatized to remember. - Remember what? Leviticus 18:22. My father never had sex with a man! No, he didn't. With you. With a little boy. No! ( Screams ) Liar! You could've laid me low. Like tarsus. I am invincible in the lord. His will be done. ( Grunts ) Whore of Babylon! Prepare to meet thy maker! Whitman! Whitman! ( Grunts ) ( Groans ) Okay, Princess, get this on. You okay? You okay? Huh? This time... - You ain't coming back. - No. ( Sirens wailing ) - Are you okay? - Yeah. - You did it. - No. He gave himself up to me. He reminded me of tarsus. Who's tarsus? A martyr, they impaled him on a cross. Patron Saint of abused children. "His will be done." ( Instrumental music playing ) |
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