Oh... (quivering wail) (screaming) (distorted male voice): Bring $2 million in hundreds to Charleston and Third in three hours or your wife dies. Stop me from taking the money-- she still dies. This guy thinks it's some kind of joke using a voice like that. He's altering his voice, sir, electronically. He's altering his voice, sir, electronically. We don't consider it a joke at all. Bring $2 million in hundreds... You guys have listened to that tape like, 20 times. Will somebody please go out and find my wife? Mr. Garris, please. Sometimes, if you listen closely you can hear a lot. (rewinds tape) (low frequency buzz) I don't hear anything. Right. Where do you hear nothing in Las Vegas? The desert. And, judging by what sounds like a low frequency buzz in the background possibly near power lines. How'd you hear all that? I listen. Brass: Right, okay, all right, got it. I just spoke with the FBI. They'll back us up if we need it but we have to handle it. Garris: Uh, Detective, wait. What are my chances here... ...of-of Laura... f-for Laura? It's a three -hour window.
Will somebody just tell me the truth? A ransom message with a short fuse means that the victim's situation will cause her to expire by or before the deadline regardless of what we do. In a car trunk-- that kind of thing. It's a form of passive murder if you want to be, uh... honest about it. Then you guys have got to move. GRISSOM: Mr. Garris it's my experience that, in situations like this if you want to go fast, go slow. Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
♪ Who... are you? ♪ Who, who, who, who?
♪ Who... are you? ♪ Who, who, who, who? ♪ I really wanna know ♪ Who... are you? ♪ Oh-oh- oh ♪ Who... ♪ Come on, tell me who are you, you, you ♪ ♪ Oh, you!
Get a picture of the security pad. Someone touches it before it's dusted I break their fingers. Shoot the mirror, point of disturbance the lamp, point of disturbance... You're standing in my crime scene. No. You're in mine. You're doing audio? I wanted that. I outrank you. Technicality. Who did Grissom handpick to work here? (chuckles) Keep telling yourself that.
Get the lights, will you? Got it.
Shady friends? No. Laura surrounds herself with quality people-- people of real substance. Has her behavior changed recently-- drug use, alcohol, things like that? No, no, no, nothing like that. She's a health nut-- we both are. Uh -huh.
Look, I'm a rich man. How do we let this guy know I'll pay? We don't want to go there yet.
(sighing) Nick, tell lab to do a reverse algorithm on that tape and then get it into enhancement. I know what to tell the audio guy. You've been a Level Three for what, two weeks? I got it under control. Swear.
Later.
Cursory call-- looks like a professional job. Our guy bypasses the security system surprises the wife in the back hall drags her in here. She grabs onto the doorway-- sign of struggle. No sign of sexual assault. He's in, they're out. Probably... egress through those doors. Excuse me, is my evaluation interrupting you? No, no, no. I barely heard you. Glad I have a healthy ego. You find something interesting there? Dirt. You're so technical I can hardly keep up, but... Oh, sorry, but, uh... out of context, it's... just dirt. (siren in background)
(sniffing) Did you just slap on bad cologne? I never wear it. It interferes with the job. It's almost sweet.
Hmm.
(sniffing)
(sniffing) Can't be chloroform. Halothane, maybe. We'll confirm it in GC mass spec. "Looks like a professional job," I think you said. Care to amend your evaluation? I mean, if the guy forgets the rag he used to knock her out, he can't be much of a pro. I keep trying to be your star pupil. Sara, that was a seminar. This is real.
Pebbles, tile-- the front is all concrete. No dirt. Context-- there is dirt on the carpeting inside. In an otherwise spotless house. You're saying kidnapper tracked the dirt in. Possible. As of now, that's about all we have, so... I guess we follow the dirt.
(bag being zipped) (siren blaring) WILLOWS: How many hit-and- runs we had this year? BROWN: Too many. One thing I can't stand is a punk coward.
My daughter wants one of these scooters. Says she's the only kid in the world who doesn't have one.
You want me to take this case alone? You feeling all right, Warrick? Oh, I'm fine. I'm... I'm looking after you.
It's that thing with Holly Gribbs. It's made me think of who I am to my partners, you know? So this is what-- your new leaf? You keep on busting on me, you won't see any kind of leaf. Hey, relax. I'll play nice. Thank you for the offer. I'm okay. I can handle this one. It'd be nice if this paint transfer had just one special property.
You want to call it?
Vehicle's humming down Rochester. The vic was on her scooter, heading eastbound. Car brakes here impact here. The vic was thrown-- what-- 20 meters?
And all we've got is some paint that's going to match up to about 20 million other vehicles. Yeah. Bastard. Are you ordering me not to pay the ransom? It's a very strong suggestion, yes. After you told me she could already be dead? I don't believe you guys. This is my wife. I'm paying the ransom. Look, if you give up the cash the kidnapper has no reason to communicate with us. Does anyone on your team know where Laura is right now? We have an entire forensics lab working on this. Yeah? Something tells me I'll see her before you do. Well, your job just got harder. Yeah. I'll stay close to the money.
GRISSOM: This dirt has interesting properties. The gold flecks-- that's easy-- it's gold. The little gray squiggles? Cyanide. Cyanide? He poisoned her? No. Did you know that Nevada produces 80% of the country's gold? Miners drop cyanide powder into the dirt and it draws the gold to the surface. And how does a bug specialist know so much about dirt? I had a case five years ago. We found a skeleton in an abandoned gold mine. I thought it was a murder. Turned out the guy passed out drunk and the cyanide leached into his system. Gruesome, Grissom.
You know, it's funny but every case teaches me something about the next. So when you said, "Follow the dirt"...? Gold mine-- it's possible that's where he's got her. Great. There's got to be 100 gold mines in Nevada. True, but how many are near power lines within range of the drop zone? Three. One, two three.
This is your hit -and-run victim. Bad thing about this job is you stop asking yourself why.
Here's the bruise I was telling you about.
You see it?
(girl screams) Oh, my God. Plate numbers. From the license plate when it impacted her skin. Looks like a "four" and a "J." Yeah. Not like he left us any evidence. Call DMV. I'll get them to cross -check this partial within a five-mile radius see how many hits they come up with. You'll have those pictures for me? Yep. I'll meet you out front. All right.
Freaky. Is that what I think it is? It's a pack of coyotes. The sensor picks up any form of body heat, two-legged or four -legged.
Captain Brass. Hey. Geez, you scared me. Sorry. Sorry. Grissom told me to hook up with you. He says the drop place will be a crime scene. We hope.
Come on, give us something two -legged.
Last mine-- we've circled it twice. Yeah, well, we'll circle it again.
Why don't they move in on the guy? Why? 'Cause he's probably just walking his dog. STOKES: Well, he's been there five minutes.
Dogs take their time. What, do you want to be rushed? MAN ON RADIO: Male in a ball cap, 10 :00.
Here, kitty, kitty... Nobody moves. You got that? Rock solid till my order. Copy.
What was that? Go back. Where? GRISSOM: There. Swing around!
My God, she's below the surface. Okay, let's land! Take her down! Down!
Ground team is right behind us. I'll guide them in.
She's got to be right up here. Mrs. Garris! Mrs. Garris! Can you hear us? Mrs. Garris! We're with the Las Vegas Police Department! (muffled screaming) Here! She's here!
Got something here. (sirens approaching)
Come on! Get that end! Yeah, come over!
Got to get her air! Give me a pick-- an ax-- something. Get away. Let me get in there.
Pull it!
Oh, my God.
Pick it up behind her.
Okay, we're going to pull her up.
Sara, get me something to cut this tape. You okay?
You're going to be okay now. Get this off.
Okay.
You okay? Never ceases to amaze me what people do to each other. Transport the box to the lab for latents. Hair fibers, get soil... Victor-18. Brass, do you hear me? Copy. We got the package, and she's still alive. Brass, are you reading me? Over. Victor-9, affirmative. Way to go. Major player is in our sight. Will update. Out. You think that's him? You think that's our guy right there?
Move on ball cap! Move, move, move! (siren blasts) Police officers! Freeze! Hey, no, I wasn't stealing the bag, all right? Hands on your head. Down on your knees! Hold still. SUSPECT: Hey, look at the bag. It's not even leather. Why would I want it? I can think of about two million reasons, Tiger.
(distant siren wailing)
(doorbell rings)
Hello. Can I help you folks? Mr. Charles Moore? We're with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. We'd like to talk to you about your car. We believe it may have been involved in a traffic collision earlier this evening. I told the police when they called, my car was stolen. That's why we have a search warrant, sir... so that we can look in your garage.
It-It was an accident. I saw the girl and I tried to brake but I accelerated by mistake. I get confused. I-I shouldn't have left. I was wrong. Is she okay? She died at the scene. Oh, my God. BROWN: You're going to be charged with manslaughter, Mr. Moore. Felony hit -and-run. Do you have a lawyer?
Catherine, I just got off the phone with the traffic guys. They've impounded Moore's car. Should be here any minute. WILLOWS: Is it me or did he give it up too easy? Old guy was scared. GRISSOM: You have to see the birthday present I got for your daughter. What's the rule? How long do I have to be here before I start kicking in for gifts? When the spirit moves you, Sara. So, in your case, I guess, never. I got one of these chem labs when I was six. I almost blew up the whole house. I hope you can return it 'cause, uh, Lindsey doesn't want a party. Yeah, what kid doesn't want a party? STOKES: Hey, Catherine My kid. what time's your little girl coming by? She isn't. Yeah, but I got her a chem set.
You keep that; might learn something. Stop flirting with me. Cath, really, when's the party? What do I have to do-- put it on the bulletin board? There is no party. My daughter doesn't want a party. Is everybody clear on that?
(several pagers beeping) Our car's here. The burial box is in. The victim's ready at Desert Palm.
We'll play with these later. (chuckles insincerely)
Thanks, guys. No problem.
"Garris Winery." And you never saw the person, huh? He... grabbed me from behind.
There was something clamped over my mouth. That's the last thing that I remember. You know how you got the bruising around your eye? I have no idea. I'm sorry. I was knocked out. (shuddering breath) I just don't think I can help you. She's been through enough. Can we cut this short? Sure. I'd like to get a blood sample from you, though, if I could. What for? You've got scratches on your arm. If we can find traces of your blood in Rundle's truck we can match the DNA-- make our case against him that much stronger. Come on, Grissom, you have the guy. Isn't that enough? Yeah, well, we didn't get any prints off the duct tape. Our audio guys are working on stuff. Right now, we need something more concrete if we want to prove that he did it. I want to help, Jack. Okay, all right.
Whatever it takes to put this guy behind bars I'll do.
So you want to talk to us, no lawyer? Why would I need a lawyer? Look, I told you I didn't know there was any money in that bag. Hit balls at that park twice a week. Ask around. And the fact that you're Jack Garris' trainer? How does that mean I kidnapped his wife? I know the dude. Yeah.
And the layout of the guy's house. He pays extra for me to come to him. You want to explain why we found your fingerprints all over the crate Laura Garris was buried in? Look, unless it was from Jack's vineyard, I don't know. Helped him move some crates couple weeks ago up to his garage. I can't believe... Y-y-you got nothing to hold me on. Going once, going twice... sold... to the man walking out the front door. Don't go too far, pal. My lawyer's number. In case you'd like to communicate with me again. Hey, didn't I see you on the news tonight-- the chopper-- you were digging up Jack's wife? It's amazing. Hope you catch the guy. Me, too.
So? Aw, kid didn't give up a thing... except the tape that'll break the case open. Did you let him know you were recording him? Yeah. The guy has no idea what you science types can do with a little audiotape. Thank you.
How tall you do you think Mr. Moore is? (sighs) Six feet, I'd say. Well, old people must love hugging that steering wheel 'cause this seat is pushed all the way forward.
Oh! Oh... Well, I'm six feet and this mirror isn't helping me at all. Start the car. Why? Just do it.
(engine starts) (loud rap music plays) Mr. Moore was not the last person to drive this car. (music continues) Uh, turn the music off. This? Yeah. It's good stuff. Nobody over 19 was the last person to drive this car. (sighs) Yeah. Hey, just in time. We're giving it a final run. Man (garbled, over computer): Bring $2 million in hundreds to Charleston and Third in three hours or your wife dies. Stop me from taking the money-- she still dies. This is the end of the same tape after a reverse algorithmic. Man (clearly, over computer): Stop me from taking the money-- she still dies. Sounds like our guy to me. It is. Now, ransom tape against your exemplar. You got it loaded up, T.H. D.? Right here. RUNDLE: Look, unless it was from Jack's vineyard, I don't know. Helped him move some crates couple weeks ago up to his garage. Survey says... perfect match to the naked ear. Now, where's my spectrograph, so the defense attorneys can't claim that our alterations were altered? Right here. Uh, yellow lines are the ransom message blue's the interview. (beeping) STOKES: There's something wrong. There's just a green line. That's 'cause the blue line is directly on top of the yellow line which makes it green. It's a perfect match. We got our kidnapper. What do you do now, Nick? I'll call Brass, tell him to go pick the guy up. But you tell Brass to drag his heels 'cause you still got work to do. Grissom, can you look at something out back? Could be big. Yeah. Come see me after you raise Brass.
What did I do wrong? I'm not going to spoil Grissom's fun. This is how he teaches all you guys. Does anybody else drive your car, Mr. Moore? I was driving yesterday. Sir, that doesn't answer our question.
BOY: Pops... Hey, you okay? What's he doing here? Your grandson is an approved driver on your insurance. We had him pulled out of school. So, James you like Mos Def?
Did you hit that girl with your grandfather's car?
No. Pops, let me explain to them. They should hear what happened. They're going to... from me.
I asked James to drive with me. I don't do so good, night driving. When I hit that girl I got knocked woozy, and James switched seats and took over the wheel... got me home. He was worried about me, not the girl. One more moving violation and they take away my keys.
I'm not saying good judgment was used but that's what happened. James you want to add anything to that?
No. That's how it was.
(sighs) Will you please escort Mr. Moore back to his cell?
Sir.
I'll come see you with a lawyer. Just not during school hours. I won't.
James. You have family? Someone you can call? There's just the two of us. We can give you a lift home. Thanks, no. I'll take the bus.
You know that James was riding solo that night. Like I know my middle name. Well, let's go back to the car and find the proof.
What? It's just that we've got so much power in this job which we use to get the bad guys. Once in a while, I'd like to use it to help the good guys like Mr. Moore and his grandson. And what-- forget about little Renda Harris? No... What I'm saying is that... putting James away isn't going to bring her back. Mr. Moore is willing to do the time. And the victim's family gets closure. Hey, you don't think I'm feeling this? But we got to follow the evidence even if we don't like where it takes us.
It's the job.
Yeah. I know it.
Hey, we start making deals with the Devil and you don't get to walk away. You understand what I'm saying? Yeah. Momentary lapse.
GRISSOM: I want you to find something new on that tape. Like what? We already matched the guy's voice. You know what the defense attorneys will do with that? That's who you're up against, in the end. You think I don't know that? Aw, you been second- guessing me ever since I got on this case. People leave us clues, Nick. They speak to us in thousands of different ways. It's our job to make sure that we've heard everything they've said. Anything less is reasonable doubt. I'll go back to the tape.
You any better? What are you talking about? Your little major-minor blowup about Lindsey not wanting a party. Oh, that. Yeah. (sighs) I'm just afraid that I'm making her weird, you know? No. I work 24/7. I have no time for my friends. My daughter rarely sees me having any fun. And, all of a sudden, she doesn't want a party. And that's because of you? Yes. I'm her mother. She mimics me. Well, then she'll be fine. I mean, look at you.
You're just saying that to make me feel better. Yeah. Hey, Grissom... could you come tape me up?
I love my work. It shows.
(tape rips)
So, you found Laura's hairs here... passenger side, front seat? Right. Not in the back. Which made me ask, what kind of a kidnapper puts a woman bound and unconscious in the front seat? The back of my arm isn't touching the sheepskin, see? Yeah. So? But, there is sheepskin fiber on the back of Laura's sleeve. That tells us Laura sat back like a normal person would. Cut me, Mack.
Like this. So she wasn't bound at all? Correct. But, would a kidnapper risk putting an unconscious woman in the front seat of his car, even unbound? Answer is usually in the question-- you taught me that. So, was she unconscious? We found halothane on the patio. Halothane knocks you out, if you take it. So, you're saying she never inhaled the halothane? Proof would be in her blood. Halothane stays in the system up to 48 hours. How pleased am I that I got a sample of her blood? So you can go check at the lab, see how it turned out. Damn it, I wanted to carry the ball over the line. I know. We just picked up our kidnapper-- Chip. What's up? His lawyer was at his house-- wants to make a deal. No deals. We know what Chip has to offer. Oh, yeah, Kreskin? What's that? Laura Garris. The victim.
The accomplice.
Hey! You got something that can't wait, Nick? Yeah, the ransom tape enhanced-- mega -enhanced. Good. I'll listen to it right now. All right. Hey, I just... I didn't know there was more to look for, you know? You did it. It doesn't matter how we got here. Just remember this.
(sighs)
When you want evidence, you can't find it. When you don't want it, it's as big as Dallas. What you got? Can you tell what that is? My Aunt Bertha could tell, and she's legally blind. You want to look at my teeth? What kind of investigation is this? A forensic investigation, sir. Fine. You look at my teeth.
Give them back when you're done. (clears throat) James... we found a tooth chip embedded in the steering wheel of your grandfather's car. It doesn't appear to be, uh, from your grandfather's teeth.
BROWN: James... you have a chipped tooth?
Must be an incisor, or we would have noticed. Pops, I'm sorry, but I got to.
He's a good boy. It was an accident. I make him call... let me know where he is especially when he's out after dark. (rap music playing) Hey, Pops, it's me. Tips were good.
Hey, I thought I'd go check out a movie over at the Plex.
Okay. See you later.
(brakes screeching) (screams)
He drove straight home and wanted me to go to the police station with him. I didn't know that little girl was dead. I swear. I didn't know what to do.
I knew Pops would know. I wouldn't let him turn himself in. That was my decision. Boy's going places-- college... He's got a real future. I'm very sorry, Mr. Moore. James, I'm afraid you're going to have to be taken into custody. Miss, please, now, I'm willing to serve his time. I know you are, Mr. Moore. We can't let you do that. I made him cover it up. That was my decision. He can explain all that to court. I'll be a witness.
We both will.
Hey... why don't you run on home? I'll handle this. Is this more of your new leaf? Your daughter gets out of school in a half hour, right? On her birthday. Why do you want to pick a fight with me now?
I owe you. Don't think I won't collect.
Grateful Dead CD? Who's dead? No halothane in Laura Garris' blood which proves she was never knocked out. She went willingly. She and Chip faked her kidnapping-- which, of course, makes no sense at all. Because she ended up underground in a box. With a black eye. Any theories?
Greed. That's ridiculous. I don't even know Chip Rundle except that he's Jack's trainer. But you became pretty good friends, didn't you? No. Jack... no. I believe my wife. Thing is, Jack, I tend not to believe people. People lie. The evidence doesn't lie. SIDLE: You and Chip made a plan to run away together with your hard-earned millions, Jack. Divorce is just too long and messy. Anyway, the plan was surprisingly well thought -out. Don't move. Ooh... (both chuckling) Go on, say it. No, no! Say it! CHET:: What? Say the words. I love you.
Put this on. A lot of it.
You were in, you were out. Oh, and you dropped that halothane rag to make sure we'd find it and know you were unconscious-- a real victim. Jack, all due respect-- she's anything but. Oh, really? Then how did I end up buried alive, scared to death? We're getting to that. You and Chip drove out of town. She sat in the front seat, unbound, fully conscious. They stopped at a roadside phone. Chipper called in the ransom message and I think you were still in the truck then, right, Laura? Whatever. This is your thing. Pay attention. It's about to become yours. GRISSOM: Then you both drove east towards Sandfill Mine. He probably told you about some little line shack or something where you could stay while he picked up the ransom money. But then, all of a sudden, he pulled over-- probably made some excuse.
Chip... what are we doing? Switching cars-- covering our tracks.
I got a Jeep up over this hill. Where? I bet, right away, in your gut, you knew something was up. And then, just a few minutes later you knew for sure.
(grunts) That's when, I believe, you got your black eye. I, uh... I don't remember. And then, finally, you were unconscious. He duct-taped your hands and he buried you. Guess he figured why split $2 million when he can dump you and have it all. Laura? Jack, it's not true. I had no part in it. Audio downloaded everything. Dubs are cued up. GRISSOM: Let's listen to Chip's message, okay? Remember, Jack when I told you you could hear a lot if you listened? Yeah. CHIP: Bring $2 million in hundreds to Charleston and Third in three hours or your wife dies. Stop me from taking the money, she still dies. I'm sure you all recognize Chip's voice unaltered. Now, one more time with a slight variation. GRISSOM: It's amazing what we can do with the new forensic audio programs. Enhance sounds isolate them. STOKES: Heck, we can lift entire speeches just to see what's underneath.
(whooshing) GRISSOM: A car went by when Chip was on the phone to you, Jack. Scared you, didn't it, Laura? Thought it might be the police?
Chip: Bring $2 million in hundreds to Charleston and Third in three hours or your wife dies.
(muffled audio) Let's hear it once more without that annoying car. LAURA: Chip, hurry up. (gasps)
You're my whole life. Please, Jack. Your work is your life. How else do you think I started sleeping with Chip right under your nose?
All right, let's go, Laura. Officer has a car waiting out front. Just wait. Just wait a second. Grissom, I can help you. I can get you Chip not just on this. He was into a lot of things. Steroids. He was into credit cards. He was... We already have you both for about 25 years, minimum.
There's one thing you didn't explain in there. As soon as you dug Laura up why didn't she turn Chip in? Self -preservation. She rats on him, she rats on herself.
So, did you have a good day at school? Yeah. Three friends made be birthday cards. They did?! Well, you have got some great friends. So, Lindsey... how come you didn't want to have a party with them? I see my friends every day at school. I never get to be alone with you. Oh... wow... Well, I'm really glad to be alone with you, too. I like this more than you will ever know. BOY: Come on, man.
GIRL: I'm coming! Are you going to get me one of those for my birthday? Uh, maybe when you're older. Like 40. Mommy! Whatee? That's not fair. I know it's not fair. Life isn't fair.
Don't worry, Pops. I'll be okay. (sighs) My grandson going to jail is never okay.
You stay alive in there. You hear me?
You, too. Don't be going downhill. (metal door thuds)
Hold on. James... The first couple days are going to be the toughest. Here. Here's my cell number. If you run into any problems you call me. I'll be right there. All right? Keep your head up.
You didn't have to do that-- give James your number.
I've seen other law enforcement people in my day... "My day." Reminds me of my grandmother. Yeah, I gave her a lot of rough nights, too. She used to call me her "work in progress." Yeah. Well... she did something right.
Maybe.
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