| The Duel
Summary from official site, www.duesouth.com via Wayback Machine Fraser and Ray play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a brilliant and resourceful adversary when a parolee seeks revenge on the cop who busted him -- Ray. Charles Carver has been a model prisoner. He earned a PhD in Chemistry while incarcerated. Ray's passionate claim that Carver is a vicious predator doesn't square with the intelligent, amiable prisoner who presents himself at the parole hearing. Ray has no proof that he committed the heinous acts he accuses him of. He was convicted on only one count of arson. Parole Granted. The next day the Assistant States Attorney from the parole hearing steps into her shower and is scared out of her mind when something grabs her shoulder. It turns out to be a frozen turkey. Ray, out with Fraser, is called to her apartment. Inside the turkey giblets package is a small toy bus, with the writing on the front -- Line 28. Fraser and Ray rush to the Line 28 bus. It is a runaway. They manage to stop the bus, but the toy bus turns out to be only the first in a series of taunting clues to disasters-in-progress which force Fraser and Ray to scramble to each scene in the nick of time. Carver is adamant that he is innocent of the crime for which he went to prison and that Ray framed him. As information about the old case comes to light, it indeed starts to appear that Carver may well have been framed. Meanwhile Carver's targets circle ever closer to Ray -- former co-workers, then his family, finally Fraser. With each hair-raising encounter, Ray increasingly has to doubt his ability to succeed in a battle of wits with such a clever opponent. At the same time the authorities are increasingly finding Ray's actions in the old arrest suspect. Finally, Fraser is threatened and Ray is all alone when he has to try outsmart the diabolically cunning Carver. Written by Seth Freeman
Regular Cast
Guest Stars
LAURIE ZAYLOR - Christina Rouner
Unofficial Transcript
The Duel [Fraser and Vecchio enter a government building] Vecchio: This won't take long. The guy will tell the parole board he wants out. The arresting officer - that's me - will tell them he's an animal. Then they'll put him back in for another year. Fraser: Well, if it's a foregone conclusion, why go through the exercise? Vecchio: Cause this is a democracy. [Sign in at a security checkpoint] Fraser: What's making you so edgy today? Vecchio: What are you talking about, edgy? That's me. I always got edge. Fraser: It's not every day you check your cell phone instead of your gun. . . [to guard] Thank you kindly. [Hearing room.] Lawyer: While incarcerated, my client, Mr. Carver, earned a Ph.D. in chemistry - oh, and a masters in mechanical engineering - from Northwestern University. Vecchio [to Fraser]: This is one sick dude. Fraser: I'm sure he is. Vecchio: You can tell he's bad news just by looking at him. Fraser: Well, actually, Ray, I think he seems presentable. Vecchio: Then how do you know he's bad news? Fraser: Because you said he was bad news. Lawyer: Mr. Carver also helped to reorganize the prison library. Now he gets full marks at every evaluation as a well-behaved, model prisoner. Now, if the word rehabilitation does not apply to my client, then I think maybe we should just remove it from the dictionary. Vecchio: Charles Carver is a vicious predator who should not be put
back on the street.
Vecchio: He's lived with a series of women - Lawyer: Hardly a crime. Vecchio: One of whom is missing and the other who is dead. Now, we never nailed this turkey for any of those but - Lawyer: Excuse me, but Detective Vecchio is completely out of line. My client has never been accused of, never mind arrested for, any other crime. Assistant States Attorney Madeline Carnes: Detective Vecchio, as the arresting officer, has spent time with the prisoner - Lawyer: Which produced no further charges. Look, are we going to start incarcerating people based on groundless accusations? Carver: I would like a chance to show Detective Vecchio that I've learned a great deal while in prison, and that he greatly underestimates this - turkey. [Parole is granted] [Maddie takes a shower; something falls down, startling her.] [Fraser and Vecchio pull up at a curb beside construction sign]] Fraser: Thanks for driving me by here, Ray. Apparently, there was a special request that someone from the Canadian Consulate pay a visit. Vecchio: To a building that hasn't been built yet? Fraser: That wasn't mentioned, no. Vecchio: Who made the request? Fraser: I don't know. Perhaps it was some kind of miscommunication.
Vecchio: Vecchio. . . Yeah, right. I'm all over it. [to Fraser] Well, I just got a call. Building up the street. [At Maddie's apartment.] Housekeeper: Inside. I'll make more tea. Fraser: Thank you kindly. Vecchio: Hey, Maddie, what's going on? Maddie: Hey. Vecchio: We got a call from this address on a 634 point 2. Maddie: Yeah, in the bathroom. [to Fraser as Ray leaves] Hi.
Vecchio: Turkey in the shower? Maddie: I didn't see it. It seemed like it sort of grabbed me and I sort of freaked. Fraser: Understandably. [Ray puts turkey on table] Vecchio: All right, Maddie. If you don't mind, we're going to have to ask you a few questions. Is there anybody in your life who's a practical joker? Maddie: No. Vecchio: Any weirdoes or creeps that have a crush on you? Maddie: The hours that I work, it's pretty much no guys. Vecchio: Well, Benny, I guess you're going to want to lick it. Fraser: Why is that, Ray? Vecchio: To see where it came from. Fraser: Well, it's obvious it came from a supermarket. It's a standard frozen turkey, self-basting. Vecchio: Yeah. Looks like we're not going to get any fingerprints off it. Fraser: I think that's unlikely. Vecchio [checks front door]: No obvious signs of forced entry. You know, Maddie, I'm going to have a team come down to take a look around, if you don't mind. Maddie: Yeah. Fraser [checks inside turkey]: I get sent to this neighborhood by an inauthentic call. Coincidentally, you receive a call that sends you to a nearby apartment, which coincidentally belongs to an assistant states attorney who attended a parole hearing during which, coincidentally, you called the prisoner a turkey. Vecchio: Carver. Fraser: Mmm. Maddie: So we can arrest him. Vecchio: For what? Assault with poultry? Fraser [pulls out packet from turkey]: Very heavy giblets. [opens packet] Vecchio: Toy bus. Fraser: Line 28. Vecchio: That's the Kenwood bus. . . Maddie, don't be alone today. Fraser: Thank you kindly. [In Riv] Vecchio: It started with a young woman named Katie Banks. We found her body under a bridge. She'd been living with Carver. She bought him a car, a stereo, and a computer with her family money. And then he shacked up with a woman 15 years older. She ended up dead, but after putting Carver in her will. Fraser: What was the cause of death? Vecchio: Accidental. At least that's all we could show. This guy is cruel, gets inside their heads. Fraser: So you think it's possible that he drove her to kill herself, then made it look like an accident? Vecchio: It's possible. Then within weeks he found Helen Harris. Now, Miss Harris was willing to talk to us about the physical and psychological abuse, but she disappeared. And then we got lucky. A building burned down that he had an interest in. When I scoured the scene, I found the heel of a shoe that matched one that I found at his townhouse. Fraser: So he slipped up? Vecchio: The only time. Now, we couldn't get him for what he did to those women, but we were able to put him away for a few years. He was furious, screaming that it was a bum rap. It made him nuts that he got caught. . . Here's our bus. [On bus] Fraser: Kenwood? Driver: You got it. Fraser: Good. Carver [watching through field glasses]: Nice move. [flips a switch on a dual-switch remote; the brake line on the bus breaks] Driver: What the - ? [Flips second switch and bus accelerates] Driver: Hey - ! Vecchio: No brakes? Driver: No! The accelerator - it's stuck. Everybody, hang on! Fraser: All right. Ray, do you know this area? Vecchio: Yeah. Fraser: Okay. We need to find somewhere nice and soft to land in. Vecchio: In the middle of the city? Fraser: Think goose down or shaving cream. Vecchio: Shaving cream? You think someone's going to have a pile of shaving cream piled up somewhere in the middle of a city? Fraser: No, Ray, we're brainstorming. [to driver] Do you have a city map? Driver: There. Fraser: I've got it here. E-4. Vecchio: Okay, we're going to be coming up to some serious traffic and then a dead end. Fraser: Yeah, I see it. Grandin Road. Think - ah - think - Vecchio: Sawdust. Fraser: Water. Lake Michigan. Driver: Hold on! [Bus dodges traffic, makes a hard left] Fraser: Well done, sir. Driver: Thank you. Now what are we going to do when we get to the lake? Fraser: Keep going. [Bus goes into lake] Vecchio [assisting passengers]: Okay, take your time. Easy. Watch the water. . . Easy. . . That's it. . . Laurie? Laurie: Ray? Vecchio: How are you? Laurie: I'm all right, I'm all right. Vecchio: Hey, Benny, I'd like you to meet my first partner, Laurie Zaylor. Laurie: Hi. Vecchio: I haven't seen you since you quit the force. Laurie: Yeah, well, I pretty much stayed away from all the old places. The point was a calmer lifestyle, less excitement. Fraser: Do you ride this bus every day? Laurie: Every day. Fraser: At the same time? Laurie: Yeah. [phone rings.] Vecchio: Vecchio. Carver: How did you do, Detective? Did you figure it out by yourself, or did you get help? Vecchio: You've blown it this time. Carver: Blown it? No, Detective. Blowing it is for next time. [Hallway in apartment building] Fraser: Well, I'm not saying I won't accompany you, Ray. Obviously, I am accompanying you. I'm just suggesting that you act with restraint, not out of pure emotion. Vecchio: If I was acting out of pure emotion, I would just kill the guy. So anything you see short of that is a model of restraint. Fraser: I'll remember that. [Ray knocks, door opens] Carver: Detective Vecchio. Well - Vecchio: Violating your parole within hours of being let out - how smart is that?! Endangering the lives of 30 individuals and then calling up to take credit for it - how smart is that?! And since you have to register with the parole officer and we're going to know where you are every minute of every day - how smart is that? Fraser: Ray? [indicates teenaged girl in room] Vecchio: What's he done to you? Shannon: He's tutoring me in chemistry. Carver: Pure torture for some. Fraser: It's Avogadro's number, Ray. It's standard in any high school chemistry class. Carver: I don't believe I've had the pleasure. . . Fraser: Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. . . Carver: . . .Canadian Mounted Police. Yes, I know. I love the Mounties. Fraser: Well, thank you. Vecchio: Don't be thanking him. Fraser: Sorry. Carver: There must be some logical explanation for you going around on duty with a Chicago policeman. Fraser: Curious, possibly. But logical? No. Carver: A refreshing openness. A quality local law enforcement is sorely lacking. I was arrested and convicted for a crime I didn't commit. Fraser: There was physical evidence. Carver: False evidence. Could I have been as stupid as they suggest? Fraser: You know, Mr. Carver, even the brightest light bulbs burn out. Carver: Indeed. But is it not possible that your friend here crossed the line and framed an innocent man? Vecchio: That's enough, Carver. Carver: I hope so. Unless the Chicago Police Department has a problem with the teaching of high school science, Shannon and I have a great deal of material to get through. Vecchio: Save it for someone who cares. [Hallway at station] Welsh: So we're raiding chemistry classes now, eh, Vecchio? Trying to combat this vicious epidemic of people trying to improve their minds in the city of Chicago? Vecchio: That wasn't the purpose, sir. Welsh: Well, good. So there was a reason for you to upset this law-abiding, north-side student? Vecchio: This guy's dirty, Lieutenant. He's out of control. He's gonna hurt somebody. Welsh: I think it is time to check around, see who is out of control. Vecchio: All right. Fine. Let's put a watch on him. Welsh: All right. I'll put a team on it. But - you've got to nail him for something a little more serious than giving too much homework. [Huey and another cop keep watch on Carver's place; Ray and Fraser in Riv; phone rings] Fraser: Detective Vecchio's mobile office. Carver: He available? Vecchio [takes phone]: Yeah? Carver: A full bore Carver stakeout. I'm impressed, Detective. Vecchio: Don't be. Carver: This will make for a very solid Carver alibi, now, won't it? Vecchio: It depends on what you're planning. Carver: You're in your car, aren't you, Detective? I'm surprised you'd let your timing get out of adjustment like that. Vecchio: Make your move, pal. Let's get this over with tonight. Carver: Good night socks, good night clocks, good night room, and good night moon. . . [Vecchio's bedroom; morning; phone rings] Vecchio: Yeah? Carver: When you drive your car this morning, you'll find the timing improved. Oh, and a couple of those belts and hoses were shot, so it just made sense to replace them. Basic stuff. Simple maintenance. You should keep on top of this, Detective. [Vecchio checks car; returns inside; phone rings] Vecchio: What? Carver: You aren't even going to say thank you? Did you notice also the car had been detailed? Vecchio: You can kiss your parole goodbye, Carver. Carver: Is it against the law to do something nice for someone? Do you want the old hoses put back? The timing made bad again? Do you like dirt on a car? [Interrogation room] Maddie: Constable Fraser, Frank Greco is visiting us from the States Attorney's Office. He specializes in police officer-related misconduct. So he'd like to ask you a couple of questions about Detective Vecchio. Fraser: Detective Vecchio is a fine officer. I have never worked with better. [to Maddie] You know how committed he is. Greco: We all know how committed he is. That's what I need to learn more about. Fraser: Is that a problem? Greco: He seems to be taking the Carver case very personally. Fraser: Well, Carver has made it very personal. Greco: What's your assessment of Detective Vechio's current frame of mind? Fraser: I'm sorry, I, um. . . Detective Vecchio is my colleague and my friend. Greco: Yes? Fraser: As a consequence, I really can't participate in this. Greco: That's your election. Fraser: Yes, I know. And I elect not to participate. Thank you. [Squad room] Fraser [to Huey]: Have you seen Detective Vecchio? Huey: Nope. Haven't seen him, but feel free to have a seat at his desk. Fraser: Thank you. [Fraser sees a paper cup filled with water with a toy boat in it on Ray's desk] Vecchio: What is it with you guys? You let that bozo slip right by you. [sees toy in Fraser's hand] What's that? Fraser: It was on your desk. Vecchio: Put it down. [smashes the toy] Vecchio: No more games. Fraser: Ray, do you know anyone with a boat called the Bookem? Vecchio: Yeah. Will Kelly. He was here before Welsh. Retired to fish up on the river. He was my first supervisor. . . Huey, call the sheriff up there. Let's go. [In Riv] Vecchio: Will Kelly was - he was the best. Everybody looked up to him. He was like - I don't know - I imagine, your dad. Fraser: I understand. Vecchio: For some reason, he thought I could do this job and that I could be really good at it. It was because of him I made detective when I did. Fraser: I've heard his name mentioned. Vecchio: They still quote him today. A good cop is never wet and never hungry. Interrogation is a contact sport. And all suspects are guilty of something. Carver [listening]: Let me write that down. [At Kelly's trailer] Sheriff: Detective Vecchio, Vince Corey. Vecchio: Yeah, how you doing? Benton Fraser. Sheriff: Hey, that's a smart color for hunting season. I wish I could get everybody else to take the same precautions. Fraser: Thank you. Vecchio: Where's Kelly? Sheriff: Look, I have walked all around this area and everything seems to be in order. Fraser: Where's the boat? It's a rough day to be on the water. Sheriff: Sure is. [Find debris] Vecchio: Kelly's boat! Call for help! Fraser: If the current brought this in, then. . . upstream. [Find Kelly] Vecchio: Will! [In Kelly's trailer] Sheriff: You got here at the right time, Constable. Fraser: Thank you. Sheriff: It's a good thing you brought this fellow along, Ray. He knew right where to look. Fraser: I'm sure Detective Vecchio would have made the same determination. Kelly: The engine just blew. Must have been a spark in the fuel system, or - Vecchio: Or a bomb. Kelly: A bomb? Vecchio: Yeah. You remember Charles Carver? We took him down when you were my supervisor. Kelly: Yeah, we sent him up for. . .? Vecchio: Arson. But we could have had him on those other charges, too. Fraud, possibly homicide. Kelly: Well, I certainly remember you felt that way, Ray. Vecchio: Well, he's out on parole. He's going after anybody who had anything to do with his case. It seems he wants the world to think he was framed. Kelly: You had him, didn't you, Ray? [Vecchio house; doorbell rings] Frannie: Hello. Carver [holding large floral arrangement]: Francesca Vecchio? Frannie: Oh, they're beautiful! Carver: From Ray. Frannie: Ray remembered my birthday? You've gotta be kidding! Carver: Is there somewhere you'd like me to put these? Frannie: Uh, sure. [Leads him into house; moves to table] Carver: Here? Frannie: No. Let me just grab a trivet. [Carver observes Maria's baby sitting in stroller] Frannie: God, they're fabulous. Carver: Well he must know how lucky he is to have such a pretty girl. Frannie: Ah, no. Ray - Ray's my brother. Carver: Then the flowers from your husband can't be far behind. Frannie: I'm not married. Carver: So the little one's . . .? Frannie: My sister's. I don't have kids. Carver: Ahh. What a darling face. You take her out for a breath of air? Frannie: Yeah, well, her mom's gonna take her down to see the clown by the lake if it doesn't get too cold. Carver: Well, let's hope the weather holds. Bye now. Frannie: Say 'bye. . . bye'. [Ray and Fraser leave Kelly's trailer] Fraser [sees ribbon on mailbox]: Ray, stop. [Pulls out toy baby stroller from the mailbox] Vecchio: You gotta be kidding me. There's gotta be a hundred thousand of these in Chicago. [phone rings] Vecchio: Vecchio. Frannie: Ray, what got into you? That was so incredibly sweet. Vecchio: What are you talking about? Frannie: The flowers you sent. Vecchio: Frannie, get everybody in. Ma, Maria, the kids. We're on our way. Frannie: Well, Maria's out with the baby. . . Vecchio [to Fraser]: It's not people related to the bust that he's after. It's people related to me. [Ray and Fraser search for Maria and the baby at the park; Dief nuzzles a particular stroller; Fraser tosses it into the lake just before it explodes] [Ray and Francesca bid goodbye to the rest of the family, who are leaving in the car] Vecchio: All right. Good. The phone works. Now listen, don't call me, all right? Ma, don't call me. I'll check in with you every hour, all right? All right? Be careful. Frannie: Bye. Vecchio: You should be with them. Frannie: I can't leave work, Ray. Vecchio: Well, you can't stay here, either.
Frannie: Welcome home, Benton. I hope you like lasagna. . . So, how was your day? Fraser: Fine, thank you. Frannie: Why don't you come over here and wash up. . .? Go ahead. [Vecchio watches Carver at a diner; when Ray's burger arrives, a small toy fire truck is also on his plate] [Fraser and Francesca sit down to eat] Frannie: You know, it's going to take me a while to get it just how you like it. Fraser: It's delicious. Frannie: You haven't tried it yet. Fraser: Oh. [takes bite] Mmmm. Frannie: Really? Fraser: Mm. Frannie: Cause you know, I just think it's very important that we be honest with each other right from the start. Fraser: It's perfect. Frannie: Oh, good. You know, you're always honest, I know that. But you're always polite too, so sometimes I can't know if you're being honest or, you know, you're being polite - if I babble too much you have to tell me. Fraser: No, no, no. No, I mean, yes, yes, I will. But no. . . Keep talking. Frannie: Okay. . . so, um, what are we gonna talk about tonight? [turns the cell phone off] Fraser: Anything you'd like. Frannie: When I'm with my friends - my girlfriends - we talk about, you know, skin care products and things like that, but, uh - Fraser: That sounds interesting. Frannie: No. I read enough magazines to know that, you know, with each guy you talk about what he's interested in. Fraser: I see. Frannie: So, umm, what about that Iditarod, huh? Fraser: Which Iditarod? [Building electrical panel begins to spark] Vecchio [from Riv, phone to ear]: Come on, Frannie, pick up. Fraser, why don't you have a phone? Frannie: This is so nice. So different from home. I mean, we're halfway through dinner and you haven't even yelled once yet. Fraser: Well, no. . . Frannie: I could really get used to this politeness stuff. You know, sometimes I think it would actually be better if married people treated each other like strangers. Fraser: Well, that may be. But it doesn't follow, therefore, that strangers would be better off if they treated each other as if they were married. Frannie: I love it when you're logical. Fraser: You're pretty much going to like anything that I say, aren't you? Frannie: Anything. [More sparks, small flame] Frannie: You know, Frase, since skin care products are an area that I'm familiar with, I did manage to get rid of that harsh Mountie issue soap you were using. Fraser: I didn't realize it was harsh. Frannie: Oh, yeah. In our climate, that really dries out your skin. Fraser: Really? Frannie: Yeah. I mean, you have to end up buying like two different kinds of moisturizers to compensate for the dryness and the pollution in the air, and then you - Fraser: I smell something burning. Frannie: Oh my God, the parzeline. Fraser: No, it's not that. . . [lights go out]. . . Downstairs. Man in elevator: The elevator's stuck. Fraser: I'll have you out in a second. [Uses fire extinguisher on fire; Ray meets them] Vecchio: I called it in. Frannie: Hey. [picks up a pair of small sneakers] Vecchio: You're leaving town. [Squad room.] Vecchio: Excuse me, lieutenant. Welsh [to other person he's speaking with]: Thank you. Vecchio: Okay, we found these and this - a sophisticated incendiary device. Welsh: Vecchio, it was a fire. Let arson handle it. [Welsh's office] Welsh: What did you find? Elaine: Everything you asked for. Welsh: And? Elaine: Well, when you read these old Carver files, it really seems that the prosecution's case was pretty thin. [Maddie's apartment] Maddie: There was no record of any previous criminal activity. It was a very tenuous motive. Fraser: And yet, the jury found him guilty. Maddie: Well, it all came down to that missing heel from Carver's shoe that Ray found at the scene. I mean, that and the intensity of Ray's testimony. Fraser: And Ray found the heel after the arson investigators had been over the scene? Maddie: Yes. But we were able to explain that because the investigators had been called away. I mean, they hadn't really completed their investigation. So it was possible that they could have missed it. Fraser: You don't sound entirely convinced. Maddie: He's your friend. . . Fraser: Yes. Maddie: You work with him. . . Fraser: Yes. Maddie: Well, did you ever see him knock down a door without a warrant, rough up a suspect a little too much? Fraser: Are you suggesting he stepped over the line? Maddie: I don't know, Benton. I just remember that he was so worked up over this case. At the time it just seemed like a situation with someone going the extra mile, you know, real cracker jack police work. [Squad room] Elaine: Hey, Angie! Angie: Hi, Elaine. Elaine: Are you here to see Ray? Angie: No. [Restaurant] Laurie: Is this place all right? I wasn't sure when you said you wanted to talk. Fraser: It seems perfectly fine. Laurie: Good. You know, we could have a drink. It doesn't have to be just business. . . Fraser: No, no, ah, yes, I mean, well, actually, the fact of the matter is, I do have some questions I'd like to ask you. Laurie: About Ray. Fraser: Yes, about Ray. You were Ray's partner when you left the force, weren't you? Laurie: I was sick of police work. The lousy hours, bad food, the scuzzy people that you meet. Fraser: Such as Charles Carver? Laurie: Yeah, he was one of the scuzziest. Fraser: And you left shortly after the Carver case, didn't you? Now, was that because of Carver or was it because of Ray? Laurie: Ray was pretty intense back then. That put a lot of people off, but I liked him. He really cared. Fraser: You cared as well, obviously. You were partners. You went back to the crime scene and found the heel that matched Carver's shoe. Laurie: Actually, I didn't. We had put in an 18-hour day. We were off the clock and Kelly sent me home to crash. Ray went back to have one last look around. Fraser: So Ray was all alone when he found the heel? [In the Riv] Vecchio: Carver didn't just study chemistry when he was in stir. As a condition of his parole, we have access to his living quarters. The guys found that. Fraser: Clippings of the cases you worked on, a page from your high school yearbook. Most Likely To Wind Up Behind Bars. Oh, that's not you, that's Vincenzo. Vecchio: Yeah. He's got a book on me. That still doesn't explain why he's always one step ahead of us. He seems to know just what we're thinking and where we're going. Fraser: And yet we haven't revealed anything to him. [Look around suspiciously; Ray pulls small disk with two wires from under dashboard] Vecchio: The night he took my car . . . [phone rings] Vecchio: Vecchio. Carver: I would have thought you would have figured out there was a bug in your car before this. Vecchio: Carver. Carver: Don't get off your game, Detective. You'll make this too easy. And that won't be any fun at all. Fraser: Ask him how the heel on his shoe came loose. Vecchio: How - ? Carver: The heel on my shoe wasn't loose. Vecchio: He says it wasn't loose. Fraser: He heard the question. Vecchio: There's another bug. [At Kelly's trailer] Huey: Will Kelly? Detective Huey. Elaine Besbriss. Elaine: Hi. We'd like to ask you a few questions. Kelly: Come on inside. [Vecchio and Fraser check the Riv] Fraser: It has to have been close enough to the passenger compartment so he could have heard us. Vecchio: Without being drowned out by the engine noise. [Vecchio pulls out a small red car from underneath the dashboard] Fraser: What is this? Another toy? Vecchio: No. Not just a toy. It's a 1971 Buick Riviera. It's my car. Fraser: It's not your car, Ray. Your car's green. Vecchio: Yeah, well maybe he couldn't find a green one. It's still obvious. He's saying I'm going to have an accident. Fraser: Well, possibly. But look at the way this has been crushed, flattened almost, as though someone had stepped on it. Vecchio: Right. Fraser: Well very few accidents cause this, where a vehicle is flattened from the top. I mean, a lot of accidents you could cause, but to cause this would be extremely difficult. Vecchio: So what are you saying? He's not threatening an accident? Fraser: I don't know. . . Vecchio: You know, Benny, puzzles and riddles - I was never very good at any of this stuff. Fraser: What are you saying, Ray? You solve puzzles all the time. Vecchio: Yeah, but not like this. This is like those problems in school. You know, those logic problems where a train leaves Dayton at 2 p.m. travelling 60 miles an hour and another train leaves Akron at 1 p.m. travelling at 40 miles an hour and at what time do they intersect. The only answer I could come up with was I don't care. Fraser: It's a fine answer. . . You're doing fine, Ray. Vecchio: No, I'm not doing fine. You know, he's - he's wreaking havoc, he's blowing up bombs, he's lighting fires, and I'm not even this close to stopping him. Fraser: Ray, no one has been hurt. Vecchio: Not yet. . . You know, it's like I'm playing this weird game and I don't even know the rules. Fraser: You're figuring them out. Vecchio: Yeah, but he's got me completely figured out. . . I'm not up to this, Benny. [Squad room] Welsh: Vecchio, I need to see you. Alone. . . [in his office]. . . You know Frank Graco from the States Attorney's Office. Graco: How do you do? Welsh: And of course you know our friends from Internal Affairs. Frank investigates officer malfeasance. Vecchio: I don't believe this. Welsh: Ray, this isn't easy for me. Graco: This isn't about now, Detective. This is about 8 years ago. The original Charles Carver bust. Vecchio: What about it? Graco: It's looking bad, Vecchio. The shoe with the missing heel hadn't been worn without the heel as it would have been if someone were running from the scene of a crime. So the heel was removed from the shoe when it was indoors. The evidence was planted. Vecchio: You just discovering this now? Graco: We've been asking some questions that should have been asked then but weren't in the rush to judgment. And we've been talking to some people that should have been talked to then but weren't. Vecchio: Like who? Graco: Other investigators. Attorneys. Vecchio: My ex-wife. Look, don't you guys see what's happening here? He's doing this. He's got you focusing on the old case so that you're distracted and you slow down. We gotta move on this thing now. Graco: This time, Detective, we're not going to be rushed into making a mistake. [At Kelly's trailer] Kelly: You see, Constable, when you're angling for the big one, you need determination and you need patience. Ray had determination. Fraser: What about patience? Kelly: Patience wasn't his long suit. Look, you got to understand, Carver was dirty. Fraser: Dirty enough so a policeman would want to plant evidence? The arson investigators had combed that scene. Kelly: They didn't look under every charred timber. Fraser: So the heel was hidden? Kelly: It wasn't that well hidden. Ray found it. And we sent away a very bad guy. More than that, nobody needs to know. [Welsh's office] Graco: Detective Vecchio, you were still with your ex-wife at the time of Carver's arrest, huh? Vecchio: Yeah. Graco: She said she saw the heel - what turned out to be the heel of Carver's shoe - at your home. Vecchio: She might have. Graco: You had it at your home? Vecchio: Look, I had it on my possession from the time I left that crime scene until the time I booked it in at the station. Welsh: And you stopped there right about lunchtime, right? Vecchio: Yeah. Welsh: Something that you were in a habit of doing? Vecchio: No. Graco: Would you say you had done it often, occasionally, rarely -- ? Vecchio: I never done it before. Look, me and my wife, we were having some problems, okay? Our marriage wasn't going too well. We had a fight that morning, and I just stopped home around lunchtime just to smooth things over. Graco: So is it fair to say, Detective Vecchio, that you were emotionally upset at the time? [Squad room] Angie: Hey. Vecchio: Hey. Angie: Listen, is it going to be okay? Vecchio: Well, at this point, we don't know. Angie: I'm sorry, Ray. They were asking me questions. I had to tell them. Vecchio: You did right. Angie: Oh, man. Listen, I told them that I thought you were more committed to catching bad guys than anyone I know on the force. Vecchio: You told them that? Angie: Yeah, I did. Shouldn't I have? Vecchio: It's not that. It's - uh - they think that maybe I was too committed. They think I planted evidence. Angie: Yeah. The heel of the shoe. Vecchio: Yeah. Angie: Listen, Ray, every cop in the district wanted that squirrel off the streets. I mean, he was creepy. He was doing weird things. But you know, it seemed like, you know, if you could do something that would get him off that street that wasn't going to hurt anyone, that wouldn't be a bad thing. Vecchio: What are you saying, Ange? That I planted that heel? Angie: Well, it's kinda weird, Ray. A guy that careful leaving a heel like that, and your coming home carrying it in your pocket? Vecchio: You really think I would do something like that? Angie: I think you wanted him off the streets. I think you were right. Vecchio: Take it easy, Ange. Angie: Oh, great. [Fraser's apartment] Fraser: Dief? [Follows trail of dog hair back out into hall; finds twine; sniffs, tastes, sniffs, and falls over] [Ray's desk; finds hearse and Mountie figurine] Huey: Another one? I'll call the Consulate. Vecchio: He won't be there. Huey: Then I'll go by his place. Vecchio: He won't be there either. Huey: You know where he is? Vecchio: No. I'm supposed to figure it out. [Examines the clues, absently puts hearse on top of crushed Riv] [Auto junkyard; crane operator puts a car into crusher; Ray drives up] Vecchio: Hey, Fraser! [Muffled response; dog barking; Ray climbs up stack of cars to red Riviera on top] Vecchio: Hang in there, Benny. I'll have you untied in a second. [Removes Fraser's gag but cannot free Fraser; the car is picked up] Vecchio: We're stuck. Fraser: Good assessment. Vecchio: This sucks. Fraser: That's valid. . . Listen, Ray, I've come to the conclusion that the heel was planted. Vecchio: Not you, too. Fraser: Yes. The arson investigators had been all over that scene. Vecchio: Yeah, but not thoroughly. Fraser: Still, they would have seen it since it wasn't entirely hidden in the debris. Vecchio: How do you know it wasn't entirely hidden? Fraser: Well, I was told. All suspects are guilty of something. Vecchio: Kelly. Fraser: That's right. He was the one who sent your partner Laurie home early. He was also the one who told you to go back for one last look around. Vecchio: He wanted Carver so bad I didn't question. I could have nailed him clean. Fraser: There was no evidence, Ray. Vecchio: There's always evidence. I was new, Benny. I hadn't made detective. But I can nail him now. I found Helen Harris. Fraser: The woman Carver lived with? The one who disappeared? Vecchio: Yeah. Fraser: I see. [Car is lowered to the ground; Carver appears] Carver: You didn't find Helen Harris. Vecchio: I found Helen Harris living in Maryland. She's ready to tell the whole crummy story about how you treated her and those other women. Carver: She's lying. Vecchio: I don't think so. Carver: Whoever you spoke to wasn't Helen Harris. Vecchio: Five-six, brown hair, walks with a limp, says you're a reptile. Carver: This is a setup. It's Kelly again, or Welsh, or. . . Fraser here. Vecchio: Sorry, pal. You shouldn't have let this one get away. Carver: I did not let her get away. Vecchio: You should have killed her. Carver: I did kill her. Vecchio: You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. Carver: Okay, well, you've heard it. So what? Fraser: What if he wasn't the only one to hear it? Vecchio: What if Lieutenant Welsh heard it? [Welsh and police appear] Fraser: What if Assistant States Attorneys Carnes and Greco heard it? [They appear] Fraser: Very good, Ray. Vecchio: You're not the only one who knows how to plant a bug, Charlie. You really didn't expect me to play this game by your rules, did you? [Carver is taken away] Fraser: You knew Carver wanted to hear you panic? Vecchio: Yeah. Fraser: So you knew the car was bugged. Vecchio: Absolutely. Fraser: Very clever, Ray. Vecchio: Ah, thank you, Benny. Fraser: I just have one question. . . Vecchio: What's that? Fraser: Well, I have to meet the trade minister who's coming in by train from Waukegan tonight. Now, if the train is traveling at, say, an average of a hundred kilometers an hour - Vecchio: 62 miles per hour - Fraser: Point one-four - and if I'm traveling at a hundred kilometers an hour, where would the most logical place for us to intersect be? Vecchio: Who cares? Fraser: A fine answer. End |