08x19 - The Rolling Y

[bunniefuu]

Well, the rustlers tried it again last night.

Well, now, what's that got to do with my son?

Them thieves couldn't have gotten away with things
the way they have, unless they had some local help.

If you left right now, you'd get there much too early.

The patrol car just went by without lights.

You were mistaken.

Get back in your truck and get the hell off my land.

Police!

Police!

Who is it?

It's me, Porter.

Who were you expecting?

You, several hours ago.

Want some coffee?

Please.

How come you smell like you've been drinking?

You don't drink.

I had my first beer in three years tonight,
and my second, and my third, and my fourth.

Three?

Years.

Yeah, no drinking, no associating with the
wrong people, no leaving my father's ranch.

In terms of my parole, which ended
tonight, I should have told you.

What'd you do?

Get caught smoking?

Throwing a brick.

Had a cop.

Student riot.

And those weekly trips to San Francisco?

Parole officer?

Sort of.

He was there when I was busted.

He took an interest in me and arranged my
parole so I could report to him.

I thought it was another woman.

Chief Robert Ironside.

I changed my life around.

What are you doing?

I'm doing some paintings together.

Why?

Porter, why are you so antsy?

Is something wrong?

Wrong?

Nothing's wrong anymore.

I'm free.

Free to do what I want to do.

Free to leave the ranch to work.

To paint.

Veronica, what would you say if I told you
that Emil Victor is going to look at my paintings?

Emil Victor?

And maybe take me on as a student.

Chief Ironside set it up for me tomorrow
morning at his office at 10 O'clock.

Oh, Porter.



If you left right now, you'd get there much too early.

Bring your things and your money to my place tomorrow.

Money?

$1,200.

I got rooms at my house.

You're going to live and study with me one year.

I'll see you tomorrow morning at 8 O 'clock.

Chief?

Emil?

Sir?

Man, I feel like I wrote a letter to Santa
Claus, and I got it all.

A year with Emil Victor.

Live with him, work with him for only $1,200.

If Emil needed another fortune,
he could make it selling his autographs.

The money's only a token.

Still, $1,200 is a lot.

Maybe your father could help.

No.

I can't ask my father.

He doesn't think I'm any good.

Emil Victor thinks you're pretty good, or
he wouldn't have accepted you as a student.

There's no problem about the money, really.

I only have two problems.

One, how am I ever going to thank you?

And two, how am I ever going to thank you?

How am I going to tell my father that I'm
going to leave the ranch?

Allihan.

Morning, Clint.

I'd like to have a talk with Porter.

Is he around?

What's the trouble?

Well, the rustlers tried it again last night.

Paul Pacheco's place.

Well, now, what's that got to do with my son?

Now, Clint, we've all known for a long
time that them thieves couldn't have

gotten away with things the way they have
unless they had some local help.

You're trying to put the blame on Porter.

You better have some kind of reason.

Just enough, Clint.

Now, where is he?

Well, he rode out of here last evening.

I haven't seen him since.

Go ask that gypsy woman friend of his.

Well, now, according to Mr. Yarborough,
you'd know where Porter's at if anybody does.

Yarborough is such a flatterer.

You could twist a kid like that right
around your little finger.

Yeah, I'm so much older and wiser.

Jezebel from the city.

That could pass for a small joke.

If it wasn't that, some of the neighbors believe it.

That is a cross I have to bear.

All right, Veronica.

Porter's in deep trouble, and he ain't alone.

And if it happens to be on your account, you'd
better tell me before some of the neighbors find out.

I'll send you a candy gram.

Ironside?

No, no, he left here about ten minutes ago.

Who's calling?

Hello?

Yeah, I'm here.

I know about you from Porter.

I'm a friend of his.

Can you do anything for him over here in Medina County?

In what regard?

Cattle rustling.

They say a boy was hurt last night.

The sheriff has a warrant for Porter's arrest.

Ironside, Mr. Yarborough, it's about your son.

I...

No.

No, he's not here, but someone called to...

I beg your pardon.

Look, I know what he's running away from.

Talking isn't going to help a one-eyed old.

Okay?

So just ring off.

It's none of your concern.

Earl.

Do you have to hang around here?

I do.

The border shows up.

It's Callahan's orders.

Okay.

Do it outside.

Okay.

And that's right in Wendota?

I see.

Okay.

Thanks a lot.

The man in charge is Under Sheriff Callahan.

Somebody named Jody Peters is in the
hospital in bad shape, and the charge

against Porter is grand theft, rustling with as*ault.

Here it is.

Medina County, Wendota.

We can be there by 1 O'clock.

Muncie to Wendota Station.

Dad, I didn't do anything wrong.

We all had a bash down at the pit last night.

Water.

$2,000.

Where'd it come from?

I'd say someone went poking around in my
room and pilfered it.

Out of my desk is where it came from, Dad.

Porter, we've been losing livestock around
here, all of us, almost two years now.

Ever since I came home from prison, right?

Were you with Paul Pacheco's ranch last night?

Are you going to listen to my answer?

Who was with you?

No one.

You lie.

So I lie.

Now, don't suppose you fired a g*n at
Pacheco either, did you?

Don't suppose you rode off and left Jody Peters in a ditch.

What ditch?

What are you talking about?

Jody's in a hospital, boy.

He was shot last night.

He's busted up six different ways.

And you better thank God he's unconscious
so you can tell us straight before he does.

But pray that he doesn't remember how his pals wrote
off and left him alone there in a ditch to live or die.

Look, if you want any help from me... No, thank you.

What are you, under arrest?

What are you doing?

What.

Are you doing?

Take it easy.

Stop it!

Now, stop it!

Ed Brown, San Francisco Police.

Well, that's just wonderful, but this man is under arrest.

I'm sorry, but I've got to get to the
hospital and see Jody.

He's hurt.

You listen to me.

I'll just talk to Callahan at the hospital.

Jody Peters just died.

Ironside, huh?

Mr. Yarrow?

I told you on the phone, this is none of your concern.

You were mistaken.

Get back in your truck and get the hell off my land!

Your son is being handcuffed.

All right.

Why don't you get up and dance?

You win, I lose.

I didn't know there was a contest.

You're the one who made a jailbird out of him.

Let them have him.

There's one place he'll be damn sure to
stay out of trouble.

Mr. Yarborough?

You saw what you came to see.

The show's over.

Come on home.

I'm sure you don't really want to see me.

Do you want your son sent back to prison?

Listen, I busted my gut trying to straighten
that kid out all the time he was on parole.

That kid won't do an honest day's work
without sneaking off to draw pictures with

that gypsy in town or over to the city to show them to you.

Now, I'm here to find out what Porter is
supposed to have done.

There ain't no supposed to about it.

He flat lied.

Tell me what he lied about.

All right.

You tell me.

Where did he get $2,000 cash?

And why did he have to hide it away in this room?

Don't you pay him any wages?

Wages?

The whole spread's gonna be his when I'm gone.

It's what I spent my life on, building it up for him.

Nobody ever paid me wages.

He ever ask you for money for any specific reason?

Yeah.

To buy paint with, color crayons, trash.

So he made the money sneaking out and
selling stolen cattle.

Is that what you think?

There's more to it than the money.

For instance?

Callahan's got all the for instances.

Now, can you really turn your back on
Porter, even if he is guilty?

You got it backwards, mister.

He turned his back on me.

Well, I am sorry, Chief, but I got them
all locked up in the car.

Maybe they'll let you talk to them down at the county seat.

Sheriff.

Yes, sir?

You have written reports that cover the
attempted theft and Porter's arrest?

Yep, got them right here.

Wonder if I might have copies.

Oh, I'm sorry, Chief, but this is
addressed to the district attorney's

office, and I don't have the authority to
open the DA's mail.

Any chance of a verbal report, or did
your mother tell you not to talk to strangers?

No, my problem is time.

I got to get the boy down to the county
seat, but my deputy will help you.

I hate for him to show his ignorance to educated
folks, but he'll let you know everything that we know.

Courtesy to a brother officer.

Red, white, and blue.

Chief, any luck?

I found a wreck on wheels for 10 bucks a day.

I'll report on luck after I try to drive it.

How about you?

A few chuckles.

If we're patient, we may get a look at the
evidence in hand.

Well?

Well, a bunch of the boys went down to the
bar and got all beard up.

We know about Porter's celebration.

Okay.

We have four witnesses who say they saw
Porter and Jody leaving the bar at the same time.

And about an hour later, Callahan is
cruising along, and wham, he almost runs

into Porter, who's riding his bike without his lights.

And it's on the road leading from the box
diamond, which is Paul Pacheco's ranch.

Is that all?

Well, there was money found at his dad's
home, and he was looking for the handgun.

The handgun?

Yes, the one that was fired at Mr. Pacheco.

We've got two shells from it, establishing
that it was an automatic.

We've also taken pictures of the tire
tracks, establishing all three bought

their tires across the street at the auto repair.

And they were all the same kind of tires.

May I see the pictures?

Sheriff Callahan's got them.

He's working on it.

Someone said there was a truck.

Mm-hmm.

Callahan's working on it, too.

And the shells?

Callahan's working on it, also.

Did Mr. Pacheco make a statement and does
Callahan have that, too?

Yes, sir, he does.

You familiar with the Julietta Auto Court?

Yes, sir, yeah, it's right down the highway.

If there's anything more I can do for you,
I'll be there for a couple of days.

Okay, fine.

Mr. Pacheco, would you please?

How'd you happen to be out here, Mr. Pacheco?

Oh, yeah, I was just riding fence lines,
looking for what I found last night.

I hope I never find again.

You couldn't identify any of them?

No, they was too far away.

And the truck?

Well, it was a fair size, about three ton, I'd say.

It's closed in all around, you know, a panel-type Van.

It was yellow, all yellow.

A third fellow stopped over yonder.

You know, they only take one or two at a time, you know.

They run them right up inside.

Inside the truck, or off they go.

Then they slaughter them, butcher them,
dress them out inside.

Next time they open the doors, they're
miles away, and the meat's ready for sale.

A few little payoffs, and the rest is pure profit, huh?

Yeah.

Take about 200 head of cattle from Medina
County alone, every month.

They work this whole end of the state.

Oh, maybe four or five nights a week.

Who was firing at you?

Oh, one of the two that was down by the fence here.

One of them was Jody.

Well, I reckon so.

I was just firing in the direction of the truck,
you know, hoping they'd stop sh**ting at me.

Do you mind if I stay a while, look around?

No, take all the time you want.

Thank you.

Mr. Pacheco, the hospital is listing Jody
Peters dead of injuries.

Your b*llet wasn't fatal.

Thanks.

Chief Ironside's office.

Well, howdy, partner.

How are things in cow country?

I want to see that Porter has good legal advice.

Ask Nick Botelli to stand by for
consultation if he's needed.

Is Porter guilty or innocent?

At this point, I can only guess.

Well, what do I tell Nick Botelli?

Homicide, probably not a m*rder,
but with felony in progress.

Get over here to the Medina County seat.

Get details from the district attorney.

Pass them on to Botelli and to me.

Where will you be?

Okay, um, I'll be leaving here in about ten minutes.

Should be over there by five.

Right.

Find something you like, sir?

I was looking for something by Porter Yarborough.

He does come here and paint, does he?

He mentioned something about a wheelchair.

I'm Chief Ironside's associate, sir.

Sergeant Brown, you didn't mention your
name when you called.

Veronica.

Zradina.

Three.

Men on motorcycles.

One was Jody, one, they say, was Porter.

Who could the third have been?

There must be 30 bikes around here.

Porter's friends, Jody's friends?

I wouldn't know.

I really wouldn't.

I'm not accepted in this community.

Why do you stay?

Because.

Because I'm not accepted.

Funny thing is, it's the men.

The women bring their kids in for art lessons.

Did Porter pay you for his lessons?

His father thinks that artist is another
word for panty waste or bum.

Porter never had a Don for lessons or any of this.

Porter has some cash he hasn't explained.

The sheriff doesn't think it's honest money.

Neither does his father, right?

What do you think?

All right, he got the money from me.

I bought some of his paintings.

Why be evasive about it?

Because it's Porter's business.

The.

Guy in the beat-up Jeep.

Well, what's he doing there?

He must be on to something.

No, Warno, the minute I leave, I look guilty.

I am.

You bet your life I'm worried.

And listen, I mean your life.

Well, look who's suddenly interested in art.

What did the guy want that was just in here?

I was only kidding.

I know culture isn't your bag.

Don't get smart.

What did the cop want?

How'd you know he was a cop?

You kidding?

Everybody in town knows it.

Him and that guy in the wheelchair.

Then everybody in town ought to know what he wants.

Asking questions.

What do you care?

Buzz off.

Tell me what he said.

Hey, wait a minute.

What makes you so curious about...

Jody Peters was a friend of yours, wasn't he?

So what?

He used to come around here a lot.

At night, mostly.

Don't mean nothing.

It might.

If you add it up to a banged-up bike.

I saw you over there trying to straighten out that Fender.

In there.

And move.

Three ton.

Closed Van, metal box.

Fourteen to sixteen feet.

Yellow.

And there should be a b*llet hole, a
dent, probably high on the left rear corner.

Fran called from the county seat and
confirmed that Jody Peters was hit by a ricochet.

Okay, and Fran's bringing in casting of
the left rear tires.

Yeah, as soon as she checks in.

And Mark, start backtracking.

Meat packers, distributors, cut rate
markets, door-to-door sellers.

Get the state on it.

Every available unit.

Tonight.

Sure, but isn't the local sheriff doing
anything about this?

Maybe.

But I don't think you'll notice the competition.

Later.

You made better castings when you were a rookie.

Yeah, well, I had to take what was left.

I was lucky to find anything on the truck.

Which bike is which?

Well, this one was on the hillside, outside the fence.

And this is the one that turned around a
couple hundred feet away.

That was outside the fence, across from
where they cut the wires.

The sheriff's man missed it somehow, and
the shell casing was in a ditch a few yards away.

It should match the ones Callahan has.

Which tire impression is Jody Peter's?

I don't know, but that thing is not off his bike.

I checked at the garage.

Found the shell outside the fence,
so this is the one which did the sh**ting.

This is off his bike because number three turned around,
never got that close, so this must be Jody Peters' deceased.

Now, if Porter was there, is he two or three?

We've had a report of wild geese in this room.

Speaking of birds, you're early.

All so confused.

I didn't understand you were hiring a
lawyer for Porter Yarborough.

I hired no lawyer.

Well, he has one.

By the time I got to the county seat,
he was already out in bail.

I had nothing to do but drive him home.

You talked to his father?

Well, not that far home.

Uh, he's in town with somebody named Veronica.

Porter?

A woman like that was bound to get herself in trouble.

But not k*lled, and certainly not by Porter Yarborough.

You're sure of that?

No m*rder weapons.

His time was all accounted for until Officer
Belding dropped him off at the store tonight.

And Veronica was dead long before he was even released.

Well, I'm not one to try to outguess the medical examiner.

So while you're waiting for his call,
there's a m*rder*r loose.

One of the rustling g*ng, more than likely.

He's a blamed fool if he's still hanging around here.

What with Porter being able to talk.

If Porter knows him.

I'm sure he does.

Callahan.

Yeah.

All right, Harry.

Thank you.

Time of death was fixed at about 4 O'clock this afternoon.



Had to be right after I talked to her.

I wouldn't mention it to Callahan unless
you want to take Porter's place in there.

What about that piece of tailpipe, Chief?

Give it to the sheriff?

Not yet.

Bring it along when we take Porter home.

And check it against his bike?

And check it against his bike.

Jody said, come on, I'll show you some fun.

It seemed like a good night for fun, so I followed him.

We left the pit.

I thought I was just going to play chase with him.

The second I saw the truck, I knew what was going on.

Then what possessed you to follow it?

Did I say I followed it?

Well, you got there somehow, didn't you?

The truck was already there, Dad.

I followed Jody.

Now, maybe he and the other guy were
spotting for the wrestlers.

I don't know.

Nah, you were so blotto on B, you don't
know what you were doing.

Yeah, bro, do you ever listen to him?

I try to now.

Go ahead, Porter.

I swear, I don't know who was driving the truck.

I swear, I don't know who was driving the other bike.

I didn't know Jody was hurt.

I ran.

It was my first night off probation.

I didn't want to blow it.

Boy, did you ever stop to think.

Didn't you think there were people sh**ting g*ns out there?

Didn't I just say that I ran?

Was that any thought of reporting what you'd seen?

I thought I was going to tell Sheriff Callahan I wanted to.

Then the man almost ran me down.

Why?

Why?

Why didn't you come home instead
of... Because I didn't want to get hassled.

Veronica never hassled me, Dad.

Never.

The tailpipe is not off Porter's bike.

Porter.

Will you go over there, please?

Why?

Why not?

Everything your son has said exactly fits the evidence.

That can mean he's telling the truth, but
that he knows the evidence and how to use it.

I came here as a friend.

I'm going to stay as a friend until I'm sure.

I borrowed these two from Veronica's store.

The stylist copied from Cezanne, whose father wanted
him to go into business, didn't approve of his career.

Whether or not that means anything to you.

May interest you to know that Veronica
paid him $50 apiece for the canvases.

That's where the money came from.

If they're worth it.

Surely you know there's something else
about these portraits.

How do you think if he was so good,
he could draw a better likeness?

Every portrait he made, every one of them is you.

The love is there, it's always been there.

I never said I didn't love the boy.

Just tell him about the lawyer.

You hired a lawyer for him, arranged his
bail, go tell him, he needs it.

He lost a friend tonight.

Sure wouldn't hurt him to know he has another.

Might be wise to continue to keep this in
our custody and just forget to mention it.

Who are we zeroing in on?

I don't know.

But one of the honest suntan faces around
here sure belongs to a dangerous liar.

Hey, Carvey.

Oh, I'd love some.

I got a line on a truck.

The truck?

Well, we'll know sometime this morning.

It's making a delivery to Henson's Cut Rate Market.

Okay, we will stake it out.

That's where I've checked every motorcycle in town.

Been up and down every street,
through every parking lot, every garage.

But you couldn't match up the tailpipe.

I'm afraid not.

You must have missed one.

You might need a change of pace.

See what you can find in and around Veronica's place.

Ironside.

Yes, Mark.

Is he talking?

Well, he claims he's just a driver of the
truck and is no part of the rustling action.

But he's given us the name of their
contact man and spotter over there.

Well, let's have it.

You ain't gonna like it.

Porter Yarborough.

Bingo.

Chief, you still there?

Yes, Mark, we're still here.

Now I think I know why.

It's one of my problems, I guess.

I just never had the love for animals and soil.

You know, the things that really turn you on.

Yeah, but you draw pictures of them.

Yeah, and that way I love them.

I could just never get into which end of a
cow to punch, you know?

No, I don't know.

Well, you've seen me try.

Yes, I have.

I just figured you weren't trying hard enough.

Well.

It's gonna become a ranch.

It's my home, isn't it, Dad?

Yeah.

Well?

Say, uh, that woman never let you paint her naked.

No.

You lie.

All right, I lie.

Come in.

Well, I do like some of your pictures,
I'll say that for you.

Hi, it's him.

Something new turn up?

Yeah, Glenn, it has.

Did you find the other writer?

Nope.

Well, then, what's wrong?

Porter, you better come with me.

Hey, wait a minute.

He's not up there.

You leave him alone.

Bale's revoked.

He's being rearrested.

Now, look, he told me... Hey, wait a second.

Come on, come on.

What's going on?

You've been named.

By who?

You better come with me.

Porter, stay where you're at.

Now, wait a second, Dad.

It's okay.

Something's gone wrong.

We can work it out.

Just be cool.

Get out of here.

We'll meet you at the jailhouse.

All right, Chad.

Chief, gas station across from Veronica's.

Guy works here has a bike with one
brand-new muffler and a recently dented Fender.

Good.

Veronica have seen it?

And a lot more.

Enough to get her k*lled, maybe.

So the man who k*lled Veronica and shot at
Pacheco feels safe enough not to leave town.

Must be sure Porter won't talk,
or that Porter really doesn't know him.

In which case, who told that driver to give Porter's name?

How about your bare-faced, suntanned liar?

The ringleader in this area had Jody and
the k*ller working for him.

Jody's dead, and your man at the gas station can't
talk without admitting to felony manslaughter and m*rder.

Where does that leave Porter?

I'd say ready to be k*lled.

He's a jolly good fellow.

He's a jolly good fellow.

Hey, now, what do you think you're doing?

Gotta give me a little nap.

Yeah, well, I can readily understand it,
but why don't you pull your car right up

here on the curb, right up against the curb there?

All right, I will soon as I give you a little trip.

It's all right, I'll do it for you.

Come on outside.

All right.

Put your hands up on that car!

Put your hands on the car!

Spread your legs!

Spread them!

Stay right here!

It would help, of course, if we knew for sure who it is.

Great, just great.

Somebody's out to k*ll me and I'm locked up here in a cage.

Even a deer in hunting season has a chance to run.

Well, at least you'll be on guard.

Well, the...

What are you doing in there?

Just checking the accommodation.

You know, it's not very nice in here.

Not very nice at all.

Even so, I'd rather live in here than die in here.

All right, you tell McCormick I'll hold
him until you get a hold of him.

Yes, ma'am.

Tim?

You keep your hands off my boy until I
hear from his lawyer, yeah?

You touch him and I'll have you hide.

And don't be carting him off to the county
seat behind my back.

What?

What in thunder is this?

L.A.

Left his car down the street in the middle of the block.

Why don't you lock him up and I'll go move, all right?

Nah, we don't need him in here right now.

I've got enough folks bothering me already.

Come on.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you for your courtesy, Sheriff.

We'll be leaving now.

I'd appreciate it.

Come on.

Hello.

Hello.

Uh-oh.

Punch the red button to talk.

My boy's life depends on this.

I believe it's the man who told that
driver to give Porter his name.

It means for Porter to die before he can get to court.

That would close the case.

Our man would be in the clear.

But you don't know who it is.

No.

But you know it starts here.

If I knew which one it was, I'd nail him
before he drew another breath.

All right.

You say wait, we'll wait.

Hey, is this thing working?

Yes, go ahead.

A patrol car just went by without lights.

Police, hold it!

You.

And me are going to take a ride to the county seat.

So just turn over and take your belt off.

Sure.

Loop it around my neck so they can find me
hanging from these bars.

No way.

No way.

You're going to have to use your g*n.

Well, then I probably will.

Yes, I'm going to take you out there in
that black and white, and I'm going to off

you for busting out of here and trying to escape.

Suicide is better.

It's kind of a confession.

But if I have to, I'm going to blow your
head off for trying to escape.

It's going to have to do in a pinch.

Well, then.

All right, you're calling the shots.

Come on.

Police.

Porter, take his piece.

Take his piece.

Fire one shot at the ceiling.

The signal won't be necessary.

Don't prove a damn thing, except some fathead city
cop coming up here trying to trump up some wild ideas.

Now, number one, them rustlers always seem
to know where we ain't.

That ain't my fault.

Number two, I never authorized you to move the boy.

You listen to me.

I've got initiative.

You don't have anything.

I think the shells you picked up at
Pacheco's will fit this.

Earl, don't you say nothing.

Give me that.

Now let's get in here.

Hello, son.

Dad.

Hey.

Where you going with that?

Where's that junk?

Inside.

You told me to bring it and paint it home.

Porter, I never said in the house.

Come here.

Well, come on.

Come on.

Now, listen, Dad, I'm not... Do what I
asked you to do once, will you, please?

You mean I'm supposed to put these in the barn?

Now, that's where tools are kept.

And ain't they the tools of your trade?

A room.

You had it cleaned out.

Well, how the hell do you expect it to
work if you don't have any privacy?

Dad.

Don't get mushy on me.

Porter.

What do you want me to tell Amy and Victor?

I'd love to study with them, Chief,
but I'm not going to live over there.

I mean, this is a great place.

A great place to work and paint and... And it's home.

And it's home.