Detective Harry Denby clues - Brothers Under Arms transcription

Transcript

Brothers Under Arms

Weekly plot:
A teenaged boy is brought in on a murder charge, since his gun has been used in a murder. However, after investigation, it's discovered that it was his younger brother, and not him, that fired the gun, and who had the gun without his consent. A go-between friend had "rented" the gun from him on behalf of the little brother, who only wanted it to protect his girlfriend. He actually fired it in self-defense, but this isn't evident since, because he knew he'd have to replace the gun as it was fired but didn't have the money to buy a new one, he took the DOA's gun instead for that purpose. Unfortunately, in his nervousness, he discarded the wrong gun.

The morning after Diane's meeting with Denby. Diane is making coffee in the break room as Jill comes in to see how the previous night went.

Diane: So you don't have to have anything to do with that task force guy, Jill. Don't give him anything.

Jill: Okay.

Diane: (expansively) How about this? They've already got all the evidence they need. The Federal prosecutor's just afraid to go to bat. This task force guy couldn't even believe they gave Don a deal.

Jill: (surprised) Sounds like you got him to open up pretty good.

Diane: Oh, yeah. So you making drops for Don not knowing what was going on? You just keep that to yourself. That's not comin up in a million years.

Jill: (worried about Diane) You didn't drink with him.

Diane: No. (pauses) No. I told him I, uh, I told him I got off watching him drink. It got a little messy at the end, was all, but nothing 50 gallons of Lavoris won't cure.

Jill: Sorry, Diane.

Diane: (smiling) Don't be. I was glad to find out where he stood. (beaming) I just haven't been out that late in awhile.

end of scene

Diane comes down from upstairs to find Denby seated, apparently waiting for her, his head in his hands. He looks awful. As they talk he does not meet her eyes.

Denby: Hi.

Diane: (in an 'oh, it figures' tone) Uh huh.

Denby: I need some help.

Diane: A lot.

Denby: I don't remember what happened last night.

Diane: Is that right? You were an asshole.

Denby: Did you...come to the motel with me?

Diane: (in disbelief) Is this another sick game?

Denby: Got a black out.

Diane: (continuing) 'Cause I got what I needed to know from you.

Denby: He's in the wind.

Diane: (confused and irritated) What are you talking about?

Denby: Your partner's ex-husband is in the wind.

Diane: (suddenly taking him seriously) Come here, Denby. (she leads him into a small office where they can talk privately)

Denby: (still not looking at her) I had watch on him last night at the motel. Woke up like five o'clock on the morning and he was gone. Him loose...can screw your partner up bad.

Diane: Yeah. Otherwise I'd sure like to spend some time thinkin' about you blowing your career.

Denby: (ignoring her last statement) No way he doesn't reach out to her?

Diane: (nastily) That's you lockin' in on how a prick'll behave, right Denby?

Denby: (objectively) Can I just say...I don't get this guy back, I'm looking at losing my job. Obviously I don't have to ask how you and me hit it off, but it's in your girlfriend's interest letting me know when he reaches out.

Diane: If I decide that's true, I know how to get in touch.

Denby: (sincerely, finally looking at her at the end of the apology) For what it's worth I apologize.

Diane: (disgusted) Nothing. Guess how much that's worth.

end of scene

Back upstairs, Diane finds Jill already talking on the phone

Jill: (Into phone, trying to keep her voice hushed) I'm not meeting you cause you're talkin to the wrong person. (pause) I'm tellin you, you got me confused with somebody else. (she hangs up, then addresses Diane) You're not going to believe this.

Diane: (quietly, as is their whole conversation)I know Don's in the wind. Where is he?

Jill: I told him I didn't want to know.

Diane: Good for you, Jill.

Jill: I can't get involved with him.

Diane: The only smart thing he can do is turn himself in.

Jill: That's right. I can't give him money to get away.

Diane: That's right.

Jill: I'm sure they're watching my house.

Diane: You can't get involved with him, Jill.

Jill: I guess that task force guy must have shown up at the motel drunk.

Diane: He can't remember what happened, thinks he must have left the door unguarded.

Jill: Did he put an alarm out?

Diane: Not yet. He's hoping Don'll use his head the way you said.

Jill: Yeah, not to mention that if Don does, it'll save his ass.

Diane: That'd be the bonus for Denby.

John: (interrupting, to Jill) That same person who called before and didn't identify himself is calling again.

Diane: Do you want to find out where Don is, Jill? Let Denby know so they can pick him up?

Jill: (to John) I don't want the call, John. Tell him I'm not around, whoever it is is calling. (to Diane) I can't give him up though, either, Diane.

Diane: You'd just get on his bad side in terms of what he might tell the DA.

Jill: I can't give him up.

Diane: Okay. Okay.

A little while later - Diane and Jill have gone out and are just now returning.

John: (answering phone) Fifteenth squad. I'm sorry she's still not available.

Jill: No wait I'll take it. Yes, hello? All right listen to me. Listen. 555-0146. In 45 minutes I want you to call that number. (pause) No, 0146. Say it again. (pause) Call there in 45 minutes.

Diane: That number sounds familiar.

Jill: Please, Diane?

Diane: What? You want me to go to my place and talk to Don?

Jill: I need to see him. You know if Denby's any kind of cop, he's got my place up.

Diane: Jill.

Jill: Please.

Diane: Tell me what your plan is. (pause) Right now he's a material witness. If he runs, they'll reinstate the charges and then he'll be a fugitive. Are you gonna talk him through to understanding that?

Jill: (not really listening) That's right. That's right. That makes sense.

Diane: He's got a deal in place if he cooperates and he may not even need to testify.

Jill: (just focused on the keys) Okay, I understand.

Diane: (giving Jill the keys) Jill don't hurt yourself.

Jill: I won't.

end of scene

Don arrives to meet Jill at Diane's apartment

Don: (entering) Whose place is this? Who's Bobby Simone?

Jill: Oh, never mind, Don.

Don: Who's this guy to you?

Jill: You think maybe we got a few other things to talk about?

Don: Yeah, I guess you gotta live your life.

Jill: You need to go back to that motel.

Don: (sarcastically) Do I need to?

Jill: Why does the guy who guards you getting drunk mean you blow the deal keeping you outta jail?

Don: I'm out now. And you aren't here to make me go back to that motel.

Jill: Why am I here Don? To stake you hittin the road, living a skel's life til they collar you for this or something else?

Don: Like that's the only choice.

Jill: It's the one you made here with boys who wanted to look up to you and me hoping you'd make good.

Don: (angrily) Yeah, well maybe I'd do better without the holy trinity keeping score. (he sees Bobby's ring in a dish on the mantel, and his tone changes; he becomes supplicating) You think I wanta be bitter like this, Jill? I wouldn't rather stay where I can see the boys? But I go back, and I'm looking at months in that rat trap till I testify, and then God knows what relocation someplace away from here anyway. Isn't a clean break better now?

Jill: Some clean break.

Don: Hey, believe me, I'm thinkin about making a few other stops. Let some people pay for having me set up.

Jill: Oh, Don.

Don: D'you bring money for me? (pause) I didn't have time to wrap that question up pretty. Find a nice card.

Jill: I've got 780 dollars.

Don: Okay. Great. (he looks longingly at the ring while she gets the money out; then tries to get affectionate) Hey look babe, we're not laying someplace?

Jill: Get in touch with me again and I'll tell them where to pick you up.

Don: (backs off) All right I understand.

Jill: Maybe we found each other too young. Maybe I didn't put enough pressure on you so you could become what you needed to. (gives him the money)

Don: Hey, tell the boys I love em. (he leans forward to kiss her and takes the ring from behind her back)

end of scene

That evening, Diane answers a page from Denby, calling her to the scene of a crime in an alleyway out of her jurisdiction.

Denby: (walking up to Diane as she arrives, but said loudly to Rudy) Look at this Rudy. Look what I gave up for this mess! Diane, Diane I'm sorry. Honey-

Diane: (mildly incredulous) Honey? Are you drunk?

Denby: (quietly to Diane alone) I wish I was drunk.

Diane: Why'd you page me?

Denby: (still privately to her) This has gotta be your partner's ex. (louder, to Rudy, introducing them) Diane Russell from the 15th; Rudy Russo.

Diane: (to Rudy) How you doing?

Rudy: (referring to the crime victim) Better than this guy.

Denby: (to Rudy) Are you at least gonna get me off the hot seat for standing her up?

Rudy: Denby discovered our mystery man. Hands and feet cut off, head cut off so we can't check dental records, best this guy gives me for a lead is two unidentified male Hispanics beating feet down the street out there. (he shows Diane what's left of the victim)

Denby: (defensively) Excuse me for my first curiosity being 'what mischief might the unidentified male Hispanics be up to in the alley'?

Diane: (to Rudy) Thanks.

Rudy: You're a good influence. Latest I've seen Denby upright.

Diane: (privately to Denby) What am I doin' here Denby?

Denby: I gave up on your partner's place like two hours ago, start sitting on one of the Dominicans her ex-husband mulled for like two blocks from here. One of his crews was outside washing down the inside of a van. I start checking some dumpsters, I find that.

Diane: You didn't tell your buddy Russo about sitting on the Dominican's place?

Denby: (brushing the idea off) Hey, these Dominicans are going away anyhow. If that body is your partner's ex, my life's a lot simpler if he's never identified. The only thing...is this his ring do you know? (shows her Bobby's ring)

Diane: (in shock) You found that on the body?

Denby: (describing it) Some kind of interlocked hearts on the inside. I mean do you know if it's his? 'Cause he didn't have a ring when I was guarding him.

Diane: (not really even having heard him) I want that.

Denby: You wanna give it to your partner?

Diane: (still not really answering the question he asked) Yeah.

Denby: You understand about my life being simpler?

Diane: Give me the ring, Denby.

Denby: (confirming) So it is his ring.

Diane: Yeah. It's his. (Denby gives her the ring and she walks away in a daze)

end of scene