In New York City's war on crime
the worst criminal offenders are pursued
by the detectives of the Major Case Squad.
These are their stories.
This is the most stupid thing
you've ever done.
I told you, Lucas. I told you
not to get involved with those people.
If for once you stopped acting like a moron
and listened to...
Please, I just need your answer-- yes or no.
No. I won't do it.
Dad... please
just this one time.
Your mother actually thought
you'd amount to something.
Thank God she isn't here
to see what a disgrace you turned out to be.
Fifty-five's the best I can do.
I know it's not what you want to hear
but I'm carrying too much inventory.
I bought it from you guys just last year.
Look
why don't you hang on to the car?
Somebody comes in here wanting this exact color
maybe then I can do better.
No. It's got to be today.
Fifty-five's the best I can do today.
Okay. I'll need a cashier's check.
This looks like, what? A hundred grand?
A hundred and twelve.
Mr. Colter, I think I was pretty clear
about the terms of the loan.
I just need
three more days, five at the most.
You've known this day was coming for, what?
Six months?
If you're not good for the money, just tell me.
No, no. I'm-I'm good for it.
I just need a few more days.
Please.
Thanks for the drink.
I don't care
about the tax penalties, Phil.
This is an emergency.
Why do I need her signature?
What about the college fund?
Why do we have to tell the bank anything?
Dad, Liza's father can't coach Saturday's game.
Sorry.
I'll call you back.
What about Liza?
Uh, her dad's got the flu.
Can you coach on Saturday?
Sure. No problem.
I can't find your sweater.
I don't really need it.
I put your gloves out.
Thanks.
You all right, sweetie?
Yeah, just the usual work stuff.
I'm going to go for my run.
Oh. We won't be here when you get back.
Mom's coming over.
We're taking her to the Amish farmer's market.
Bye, sweeties.
You took the last yogurt.
Here. Stop whining.
You're not a baby anymore.
Joan?
What are you doing out here?
Where's Susan? Where are the girls?
What do you mean?
I've been ringing the bell for a half hour.
Nobody's home.
I tried Susan's cell phone; she doesn't answer.
Susan?
Maggie?
Sarah?
What's going on, Lucas?
Where are they?
Uh, everything's okay.
It's Maggie.
She was feeling sick when I left.
Susan said she might take her to the doctor's.
Probably didn't want to leave Sarah home alone.
Well, she would have left a note
or a message.
Maggie's sick, that's all.
They're fine, Joan.
I promise.
I'll make sure that Susan calls you.
Now, could you please... let me get ready for work?
Oh, God.
Oh, God, please don't hurt them.
I called Dr. Charter's office.
They haven't heard from Susan.
What about the hospitals? St. Luke's?
No. The officers called them.nct
Lennox Hill, Mount Sinai.
Lucas lied.
Maggie isn't sick.
The detective at the precinct said
you saw signs of a struggle.
Oh, no. I didn't say struggle.
The umbrella stand
was knocked over
and somebody dropped a carton of yogurt
on the floor.
Does your son-in-law jog the same time every morning?
Yes.
in their marriage?
No. No.
I just know
that Lucas has been very preoccupied with work lately.
But you sensed that he knew
something had happened to his family?
Yes.
Yes, he knew something.
--DEAKINS: -Does your son-in-law has money? -A lot of money?
Oh, I don't know about a lot.
He and Susan live very well.
We'll need information on your son-in-law.
Phone numbers, bank accounts, that sort of thing.
Did you tell anyone you were coming to the police?
No.
You think they've been kidnapped for ransom.
Yes, ma'am, it looks that way.
Hi. I'm Alexa.
This is Bobby.
We're conducting a ministry
in your neighborhood today.
We want to tell you aboutthe Good News and the Good Book.
I don't have time.
Oh, sure you do.
Just look at the pamphlet.
They might be watching the house, so just...
look at the pamphlet.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Mr. Colter, if you think you can
get your wife and kids back safewithout our help...
My wife and kids are safe.
We spoke with your mother-in-law.
They went to the doctor's.
Come on, now.
That's not true.
We know they're missing.
You want the truth.
We had a fight this morning.
My wife left with the girls.
I-I don't know where they went.
Mr. Colter, you have no choice here.
You have to let us handle this.
Everything's fine.
Just leave me alone.
You can keep this pamphlets to read.
And God bless you for talking to us.
Colter won't play ball.
He's scared.
Special Services just got the paperwork from the D.A.'s.
They're putting the taps on his phones.
Well, we're going to his bank.
Anything moves here, call us.
Done.
If there's any unusual activity
in Mr. Colter's account
you'll be notified immediately.
How much is in there?
$22,000.
What are all those over there?
Third-party checks
he cashed at the bank.
17, 32, 57.
$112,000, all in the last two weeks.
What's this check here
for $55,000?
A cashier's check from Midtown Porsche.
The other checks were payouts
from brokerage firms.
He sold his car. He sold stocks.
Looks like he knew he'd need the money.
Yeah.
Maybe the ransom isn't a ransom.
-He's the chief operating officerof this company.
If he's in trouble, I need to know.
Could you close the door?
Did he mention any threats lately?
No.
You notice any change in mood?
The guy's short-tempered?
You know, distracted?
No.
Luke's pretty intense anyway.
What about financial problems?
We're a hedge fund company.
There's always problems, and it's always about money.
I meant personal-- Does he owe money?
Does he gamble?
If we knew he had a gambling problem
we wouldn't be in business with him.
Anyway, his wife came into some family money last year.
She did?
Well, that's what he said.
He bought a Porsche
took his family to Sardinia last summer.
Cala di Volpe-- 1500 bucks a day.
Well, isn't that standard recreation
for you... hedge-fund guys?
Yeah. Well, there are no millionaires here.
Last summer might have been a different story.
One of the big firms made a buyout offer.
Everything was on track.
The examiners were happy...
So...
Colter might have been expecting a big payoff.
Three and a half million.
And then 9-11 happened.
Clients withdrew their offer.
And then with no bonuses last year...
Colter was living beyond his means.
He was tapped out at the bank.
Maybe he went to the street for a loan.
And now the loan's due.
Eames.
Okay. Call us back with the location.
We'll hook up with you.
Colter's on the move.
He's been waiting there about ten minutes.
Phone company's working on setting up a trace
on all four phones.
Hello.
Lucas Colter?
Yes, it's me.
Do you have all the money?
No. No, first I want to talk to my wife.
What are you talking about?
You want.
What you want, I don't care.
I care about the money.
Look, I told you people yesterday, I need five days.
Five days is going to bevery long time for your family.
Maybe you want to try harder to get the money.
I will. Just don't hurt them.
This is your choice.
You get the money. You don't tell the police.
I haven't told them.
And you never tell them-- they will put you in jail
and I will come back and kill your family.
I swear I won't say anything.
You love your wife?
Yes.
And you love your beautiful daughters?
Yes. Please...
Tell me, which one you like better?
Maggie or Sarah?
I don't know.
Oh.
Me-- I like Maggie.
Me and Maggie are going to have party.
And we are going to have party
until you deliver the money.
What? Wait!
Now, talk to your wife.
No!
Wait! What are you going to do?
I'll get you money, anything!
Please, don't hurt my family!
Lucas?
Susan! What's he doing?
I don't know, I can't see.
No more Britney.
Come on. Come on.
Maggie?
Leave her alone! You like to fight?
I like to fight, too.
You touch her, I'll kill you!
Maggie?!
What's going on?! What's he doing to her?!
Please... don't
touch her, please.
She's just a little girl. Please.
Please... leave her alone.
She's just a little girl.
Maggie, Mommy's here, baby.
Mommy's here. Susan!
Lucas, damn you!
Whatever they want, just give it to them.
Tell them I'll get the money today.
Just tell them to stop.
Susan?
Susan?!
They weren't able to get a trace.
Mr. Colter?
Get away from me.
We know you borrowed money from them.
If you give us a name, we can find them.
You can't help me.
Lucas has a mortgage that's the only loan on his books.
This loan wouldn't be on the books.
You mean from a loan shark?
I don't know anything about that.
You're his accountant.
Didn't you notice he paid off
a lot of overdue bills six months ago?
Excuse me, but why am I even talking to you?
You don't have a subpoena or a warrant.
We think the people he owes money to
kidnapped his family.
Oh, jeez.
Susan and the kids?
Now, you want to help us, right?
Um...
I knew Lucas was trying to raise cash
the last couple weeks, but he didn't tell me why.
I didn't even know he was having money problems.
Six months ago-- end of last summer.
How much cash did he have on hand?
Uh...
Not much.
That's when his company got the buyout offer.
The buyer would have had auditors going over the books.
If Lucas was dipping into company funds
he'd have to put the money back fast.
Yeah, so, he went to a loan shark.
Lucas is an embezzler?
Oh, jeez.
No wonder he doesn't want our help.
Dad, this time I really need that money.
No.
No, no, no.
I told you...!
They took Susan and the girls.
They kidnapped them.
I have to give them the money today.
You dummy.
Did you call the police?
No.
We have to call them.
The banks close in two hours.
We have to get the money now.
The police will know
how to stall. -Listen to me!
Just listen to me.
Meg talked on the phone to the man who took them.
This...
Then he put Susan on
and she heard him... raping Maggie.
He raped her.
Oh, my God, Lucas.
You have to help me get them back.
I'll call the bank.
I'll get the money.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'll take care of everything.
I'll get them back.
His accountant found almost a million bucks
of unexplained income over the last year and a half.
The guy was stealing with both hands.
All right, thank you.
The company found an account Colter set up
for a non-existent office supply house.
That's how he was embezzling.
We got to make this guy talk to us.
"Make" is a big word.
He's not moved by the spirit of cooperation.
He embezzled his company.
Pick him up for grand larceny, and step into him.
Enough!
I think you like it this time.
I think next time
you will like it better.
Don't move.
Don't get mad at me.
I just collect a little intereston your daddy's loan.
Get mad at him.
He is weak man.
Men like him, they are food for wolves.
Okay.
How much?
Oh.
Okay.
Yes, the same place, yes.
Okay.
Mr. Colter?
Mr. Colter, did you hear what I said?
Your secret's out.
The company knows you stole from them.
He's not admitting to any of this.
We don't care about his confession.
Look, you've got nothing to lose now.
Just give us the name of the loan shark.
If he cooperates
what consideration can he expecton the larceny charge?
I don't care about that.
I don't have anything to say to them.
Mr. Colter
if you don't help us, you are responsible
for what happens to your family.
No, we're wasting our time.
Aren't we?
You're not scared of going to prison.
You're scared of what they might do to your family
if you talk to us.
And you're scared to death... that you might make a mistake.
How many kidnappings have you handled?
Between us, Detective Eamesand I have done nearly a dozen.
That's not counting hostage situations.
And so far, knock on wood
we haven't lost anybody.
But, on your own, there are
a million ways a kidnap victim can end up dead.
Even if you catch a lucky break, Lucas--
you get them back safe and sound--
unless those people are in jail
it will never be over for you, your wife, and your kids.
I want to talk to my client.
We don't need to make any deals.
Detective...
They're out.
It was all a misunderstanding.
Lucas and I had a fight
and I left and took the kids with me.
But we're fine.
Now, please, we're very tired.
Where are your daughters?
Are they upstairs?
You leave them alone!
Hi.
You must be Sarah.
Hi, Maggie.
I'm Bobby Goren.
I'm a police detective.
They need to sleep.
Every bone in my body tells me she was raped. I could see it in her face.
I could see it in her mother's face.
Be that as it may
as long as her parents won't cooperate
I don't know of any judge who will sign an order
compelling a minor to submit
to a medical examination.
Forget the rape kit, then.
We just need to get a statementfrom her.
Same problem-- no judge will compel her to testify.
What if the girl wants to talk?
Her mother says she doesn't.
Even if she did want to talk
in light of her mental state
the judge would defer to her parents' wishes.
What about the embezzlement charge?
The idea of Colter going to jail
might convince the family to talk.
The company's backing away from filing a complaint.
Bad publicity.
I'm sorry.
We'll have to find another way.
I was mistaken.
There was no kidnapping.
You said there were signs of a struggle, right?
You told us that.
It was exactly what my daughter told you.
It was a stupid little spat.
We can't figure out where your son-in-law
got the money to pay off this loan shark.
Somebody must have given him the money.
And what puzzles us-- he had been trying to pay
this loan for weeks.
Why didn't he go to this personbefore the kidnapping?
Well, maybe he did
and he got turned down
which raises interesting possibilities.
For instance, your son-in-law
could have facilitated the kidnapping
to extort money from this unknown person.
I'm sure he didn't plan on...
on Maggie getting violated.
But if kidnapping was the only way to get money
out of whoever... It's his father.
Melvin Colter.
That old son of a bitch has never given Lucas a break.
They had a fight.
What's surprising about that?
My son would try any woman's patience.
Mr. Colter, you know how easy it is for us to find out
if you withdrew a large sum of money yesterday?
So what? I blew it on a pony.
Which race?
I forget; I don't dwell on my losses.
Look, I'm going to my barber
and if you geniuses follow me, I'll call my lawyer
and he'll call his friends at the mayor's office.
You don't care you were swindled by your son?
We hear you ride him pretty hard.
Nothing he does
is ever good enough.
You know, like when he, he got those courtside seats
for the playoffs last year just for the two of you.
You didn't even bother to show up.
And now he needed money--
he knows he could be lying in front of your doorstep starving
and you'd step over him
but your granddaughters, well...
that's the way to the old man's wallet.
He staged the kidnapping, Mr. Colter.
Nice try, Detective.
He didn't buy it for a minute.
He must know his son better than we thought.
Or he knows the loan shark.
A white-collar guy like Lucas Colter's
not going to have loan sharks in his Rolodex
but his dad's been in business for himself for 40 years.
Might have been a time
when he needed some short-term financing.
Could be how Lucas heard of these people.
Here, I got a U.C.C. filing from Melvin Colter's company--
Med Support Services-- from six years ago.
Looks like he applied to the court for temporary relief
from creditors.
You have an address on those creditors?
Uh-huh.
"B&C Fast Credit."
That sounds a little sketchy to make business loans.
Run the address through Central Records.
Six years ago, 1219 Pell was rented
to one Carl Pettijohn.
Priors for fraud, possession of stolen goods
and loan sharking.
Come on, fellas.
We're talking about a six-year-old loan.
Melvin Colter and I sorted that out eons ago.
Well, then, let's talk about
the loan you made to his son.
$650,000.
All I see here is a normal business transaction.
The interest's a little on the high side
but it's perfectly within the law.
What's remarkable
here isn't what Mr. Colter paid you
it's that he paid you so quickly.
That's not my client's concern.
Oh, yes it is.
He had Mr. Colter's family kidnapped.
That's a damn lie.
I would never hurt anybody,least of all somebody's family.
Then someone must have ignored your instructions
because Mr. Colter's daughter was raped while in captivity.
I looked at your record... a little arm-twisting
a little leg-bending, but nothing like this.
For now, I can be convinced
that things got a little out of your control.
The dominoes are falling, Mr. Pettijohn;
you want to get ahead of them before they fall on you.
I got this guy's number-- a collector.
I don't even know his name.
I've never used him before.
They told me he was good.
Who told you?
Nicky Torres.
The guy was just supposed
to get me the money.
I told him I didn't want anybody hurt.
Did you talk to this collector in person?
No, I just called him on his phone.
He's got an accent--
I don't know, East European.
As far as I know
not even Nicky Torres has seen this guy.
Nicky Torres is a bag man
for the Two Bridges drug gang.
Anybody they use to collect their drug debts
is not going to be a pussy cat.
You don't think for a minute I actually believe
Pettijohn's demurrals do you?
The number Pettijohn called--
it's for a prepaid cell phone.
No way to trace the owner.
Well, maybe Torres can lead us to him.
Can we get a tap on Torres' phone?
I'm sure we can.
Don't let this maricón slide too long, Nicky.
$87,00 and he thinks he can run a tab like on some bodega?
I got the man on the case.
He's going to get the money out of Benji for us.
Benji's got an excuse
for every day of the week.
His old lady's got to pay the doctor
his little girl's got to get braces...
He ain't gonna have no excuses now, man.
He's just going to have to pay.
The tape was made yesterday.
Nicky Torres and his boss, Carlito Santos.
Any idea who Benji is?
No.
Well, we better find out.
Some maniac's about to grab his wife and daughter.
His old lady's got to pay the doctor
his little girl's got to get braces.
He ain't gonna have no excuses now, man.
He's just going to have to pay.
It's just two businessmen
talking about a debt.
It doesn't mean anything.
It means Nicky here
is on the hook for kidnapping
rape, and a lot of other violations
that all add up to
"You can kiss the daylight
good-bye, Nicky."
The collector--
the one with the East European accent--
the one that's going to snatch Benji's wife and kid?
You're going to help us find him.
Any information he may provide
doesn't constitute
an admission of guilt or knowledge
before or after the fact.
Whatever.
All I got is his number.
I just call him up and tell him what the job is.
I never met the guy.
I don't even know his name.
Well, his number...
Well, when you talk to him
what do you call him?
"Hey you," or...
I call him "Little Joe," you know, like the cowboy?
What, the cowboy in Bonanza?
I was on the phone with him... Yeah, uh-huh?
...and I heard the music
you know, from the TV show.
And-and I heard the other phone ringing... Right.
...and he told me he programs his phone
to play the tune.
Bonanza, huh? Funny guy.
Yeah, yeah.
Now I want you to write Benji's name
and where he lives with his family.
Take him!
Police!
Let's go.
Uh!
You going to answer that?
Simon Matic.
Born in Belgrade, 1969.
Immigrated in 1995.
Naturalized 1998.
He's visa application says
he served four years in the Serbian army.
Where, Bosnia?
Yeah. And a bunch of places with no vowels.
Says he was wounded in action.
Let's stay focused on his activities here.
There was nothing in the van or in his home
to tie him to any kidnapping--
no hairs, no fibers.
Phone records.
He uses prepaid phones.
Changes them every week.
Eyewitnesses?
He's committed other kidnappings.
Nicky Torres can provide the names of other victims.
Torres wants a total walk-and-return
for his cooperation.
That's out of the question.
Give us a few days, we'll turn something up.
You don't have a few days.
You have 17 hours
by which time I have to bring him up for arraignment.
With the evidence I have in hand now
I'll be lucky to get a ten-cent bail for him.
And then, my friends
I'm afraid Mr. Simon Matic willdisappear into thin air.
I read the preliminary report.
It was a good shooting.
out of jail either.
I never saw their faces.
I opened the door...
they sprayed something in my eyes.
They did the same thing to Sarah and Maggie.
The place where they kept you...?
They took us down some stairs.
It was damp.
Where did they release you?
At a rest stop on the thruway.
They put us in the bathroom
blindfolded, tied up.
After a while, Melvin, Lucas' father
came and got us.
Maggie was alone with them
isn't that right?
Yes.
She talk to you about it?
No.
She won't talk to anyone.
Not even her sister.
We took her to a therapist.
He said that Maggie identifies with her captor.
It's what happens with hostages.
Stockholm Syndrome.
She just sits there.
She won't say a word.
She doesn't even cry.
She's just so full of rage.
We're going to have to talk to Maggie
with your permission, of course.
No. She doesn't want
to talk about it, I won't force her.
Lucas...
Susan, there'll be a trial.
She'll have to testify.
She'll have to face him; I won't put her through that.
It's not up to you, Lucas.
All you have to do is answer their questions.
It's important.
Not just for them
but for you and Sarah.
Please, sweetheart.
Just try.
I'm going to close the door.
I'm Alex.
What we need, Maggie
is to see if you can identify the men who kidnapped you.
We don't need to go intowhat happened or what they did.
I'll start by showing you photos
and you tell me if you recognize anybody.
I didn't see their faces.
Maybe you noticed a physical detail.
The color of their hair, a birthmark...
I don't know. I don't remember.
Maggie, I understand that you're angry.
You feel everybody abandoned you.
That they didn't take care of you.
You're right.
They didn't.
We can't make everything right for you.
You're the only one who can do that.
Oh, ooh, come on.
Same crap she hears from her therapist.
She's not a little girl.
Wants to talk, she'll talk.
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
You know, one of the men who kidnapped you...
well, he's dead.
Pulled a gun on Detective Eames,she shot him.
Poof!
This one.
Come on, you feel bad for him?
Well, anyway, he's not the boss.
Him, we have in custody.
You'd never think by looking at him
he's a sadistic monster.
A man with no soul.
He's just the worst kind of evil.
He was in the Serbian army during the war in Bosnia.
Probably read about that in school.
Him and his buddies...
they raped thousands of women and... girls.
Raped, raped
raped
raped...
Now he makes a living
kidnapping the families of people who owe money.
He was about to kidnap another girl
when we arrested him.
She's 14 years old.
He's a bad guy, Maggie.
A coward, he's a weakling.
Right?
Maybe they're the weaklings.
The victims?
No, no.
This guy's a sadist; he likes to hurt people.
Maybe he just knowswhat he wants and goes after it.
Maybe he's just stronger than everybody else.
Nobody pushes him around, right?
Yes.
- You like that about him? - Yes.
You want to be strong, too
so nobody pushes you around?
Yes.
You don't want to feel weak
like these girls
don't want to be a victim.
No.
Don't want to feel helpless
like you did when... he raped you.
When you couldn't defend yourself.
No.
You don't ever want
to feel that way again, do you, Maggie?
No.
Oh, my God...
He hurt me.
He hurt me so bad.
You're not weak.
You're strong.
You lived through it.
Sorry we're late.
Shouldn't you be getting him ready
for transport to the courthouse for arraignment?
We just have to dot some I's for the D.A.
First thing, does he want to make a statement?
No, he doesn't.
Your name is Simon Matic?
Naturalized U.S. citizen, 1998?
Yes.
And you served in the Serbian army from '89 to '93?
This is for identification purposes.
Yes, I serve.
Doing what?
Motor pool?
Infantry.
But what?
Stocking shelves in the PX?
Typing letters?
Well, I just don't see you goinganywhere near the shooting.
I fought for my country.
Well, there's fighting, and then there's fighting.
I was wounded.
Right.
Everybody wants to be a war hero.
You want to see?
Let's not get into
a pissing match.
I'll take your word for it.
You're a hero of the Serbian people.
No, no, no, no.
My friend, you think I am... coward?
I don't mind showing you.
I'm game. Let's see it.
That's quite a scar.
How'd you get it?
Shrapnel.
What do you have back there?
It is nothing.
You've got ink.
Can I see?
That's a tiger's head.
'89 to '93, your tour
in the Serbian army.
What are those initials?
"Serbian Infantry Regiment."
You're sure?
"S.D.G."?
Doesn't that stand for
Srpska Dobrovoljaca Garda?
The Serbian Volunteer Guard?
You weren't regular army, were you?
You were in a paramilitary group
under the command of an indicted war criminal.
That's it. You have gone
well beyond the scope of what you're even allowed to ask...
Relax, Counselor.
No one's after him for war crimes.
We checked.
You called yourselves "the Tigers"
because you were...
ferocious?
Especially with unarmed civilians?
That is not true.
Probably got that scar from some poor woman you raped
who stuck her paring knife into you.
That is lies.
Those... bitches, they are all liars.
You know how I know so much about your tattoo?
I've seen it before.
Somebody drew this from memory.
The dates, the letters.
All the way down to the tiger's stripes.
She got every detail right.
You see this?
It's her signature.
Read it.
Want me to help you?
It's signed "Maggie Colter."
And this, my friend, this is a positive I.D.
You raped her body, and you raped her... her mind.
You turned her head inside-out,but she got you.
She got you.
Didn't she?
Now, he's ready for arraignment.
That's a tough little girl.
Mr. Matic's rambling days are over.
Ten years too late.