[signature theme plays]
[signature theme plays; applause]
[insects chirruping faintly]
[soft wind stirring]
[distant bird chirrups]
[twangy country music playing]
[song continues on car radio]
♪ The lights are on again In Jackson ♪
♪ Wish I'd gone home ♪
♪ You can buy Anything you want ♪
♪ At a neon sign ♪
♪ The lights are on again In Jackson ♪
♪ Wish I'd gone home ♪
♪ But I can't find A single bad tune ♪
♪ And by this time She'd be gone ♪
♪ Jackson With its bright lights ♪
♪ Pale scarlet wine ♪
♪ The lure Of something better ♪
♪ Than I have ♪
♪ I went there With my eyes wide open ♪
♪ To find her... ♪
Uh, everything okay?
Yeah, my truck broke down.
I wonder if you could give me a lift.
Sure. Uh, I could do that.
Here.
Bad place to break down.
- Is there a good place? - [driver chuckles]
I guess not.
It's a good thing I was passing by.
Kind of seemed like you were just gonna keep on going.
[laughs]
No.
Of course now. How--
Well...
can't be too careful.
You worried I was some sort of deranged maniac?
I...
I-I-I...
I didn't mean anything like that.
How did you mean it?
[driver] What?
How did you mean it?
Well...
guess I didn't-- Didn't mean anything.
Maybe you should.
Should what?
Mean something.
Maybe you're right.
[chuckles]
[gentle laughter] Oh, me, I'm...
I'm just messing with you, buddy.
[laughing]
Oh, man.
You should see your face right now.
- [turns music off] - Oh, man.
Of course, the same goes for you.
What's that?
I could be the dangerous one, bro, you know?
[laughs] Yeah, okay.
Maybe I punched a hole in your radiator
back at that gas station.
Well, why'd you do that?
I wouldn't.
Of course.
Just for example.
Maybe so you'd break down.
What?
Maybe so you'd break down
and I'd have to pick you up.
Why would you want to pick me up?
I don't know. No reason.
Maybe so I could kill you.
[scoffs]
So you could kill me?
[driver] Not really.
Just saying, you never know.
Maybe someone paid me to kill you.
Who'd hire you to kill me?
No one. No one.
Just for example, maybe your wife.
- My wife? - Or ex-wife. I don't know.
Maybe she wants you dead.
Don't listen to me.
I'm just making small talk.
Maybe there's a custody battle.
Maybe she doesn't want you anywhere near her kids.
Maybe it's cheaper to have you killed
than to hire a lawyer.
They're very expensive. You'd be surprised.
Just... for example.
[inhales deeply and sighs]
You, uh...
You need to-- You need to stop this car.
What?
You need to stop this fucking car.
[chuckles]
Your face.
[laughs]
- [cell phone rings] - [grunts]
[sighs]
[cell phone rings]
Yeah?
When?
Where's LaRoy?
[ominous acoustic guitar music playing]
[birds tweeting]
[indistinct chatter]
[man] Ray!
Ray, over here!
Skip?
Have a seat, amigo.
I didn't know if you'd recognize me.
I used to hang with your brother some.
Oh, yeah, right.
We played pool together.
Eight ball, corner pocket, cutthroat.
Uh, mostly eight ball,
but good times.
[chuckles]
He ever mention me?
I don't think so.
Hmm.
Did you send me this?
I did, yes.
Um...
I thought-- I thought it would be best
if we met somewhere discreet.
Do you want something to eat?
- Hey, come on. - Meet about what?
Um, okay, we can just dive right in if you want.
Um...
I don't know if you've heard...
but I'm a private detective now.
- No, I hadn't heard. - Yeah.
You know, I do big cases, small cases, medium-sized cases.
And, uh, I was on a stakeout the other day
at the, uh, Velvet Saddle.
You know it?
Can't say I do.
A little motel out there past Brillo.
- Hmm. - Basically a dump.
Um, but people use it
for illicit activities, including, um...
how should I say it?
Intimate...
rendezvous...
rendezvous of the sexual nature, if you know what I mean.
Okay, well, anyway, so I'm on this case.
Divorce case. Can't tell you who it is.
But...
Unless you want to know.
- No, that's okay. - Okay.
Well, I'm on this case, and...
I saw something that, uh, I think...
you might find interesting.
What is this?
[Skip] Yeah, I was like,
"Is that Stacy-Lynn Wright?
Wait, I know that girl."
And then I was like,
"Hey, isn't she married to Ray Jepson?"
I'm not quite sure,
because I wasn't invited to the wedding,
but, yeah, yeah, no, I know her.
I know what you're going through, amigo.
I just got out of a, you know, real serious relationship.
It's tough. At least you--
Goddamn it!
Hey! Hey!
Wait!
Oh...
[men laughing]
What the hell, Brett?
Oh, I guess you shouldn't have parked in a handicapped spot.
I wasn't parked in a handicapped spot.
They don't even have a handicapped spot!
[both babbling and laughing]
Dick!
Assholes.
You know, just because I don't have a badge, they think that...
I'm not a real detective.
Who was she with?
Who?
Oh, I don't know.
I don't know. I had to leave before she--
She came out.
She was in there a while.
Why did you take these?
[Skip] What do you mean?
Why did you take these pictures?
I told you, because I'm a private detective.
- Did I hire you to take them? - No.
Did she hire you to take them?
Did she hire me to take pictures of herself?
[laughs] No.
Did anyone hire you to take these pictures?
No. Like I said, I was on a stakeout.
Right. Well, maybe next time you'll mind your own business.
[sighs]
[mumbling] ♪ And I shall hear ♪
♪ Though soft You tread above me ♪
♪ And all my grave Will warmer, sweeter be ♪
♪ And you should bend And tell me that you love me ♪
♪ And I shall sleep in peace ♪
♪ Until you come to me ♪
[distant large vehicle passes]
How'd it go?
Uh, good.
Yeah, good.
So you think she's got a shot?
Oh, absolutely.
Does she have any other talents?
Why? You don't think she's good?
No, mnh-mnh. It's not that.
Um, it's just...
a lot of the girls sing for their talent.
Sometimes it's good to stand out.
Well, none of them can sing as good as she can.
I'm sure of that.
Uh-huh.
Oh, um, we'll work on some interview questions next week.
Where the hell you been?
Sorry.
[sighs] We're gonna be late.
What are you waiting for?
Go!
A beauty salon?
[Stacy-Lynn] Yes, sir.
It's a lot of money.
Well, it's gonna be cutting edge.
All the latest styles and techniques.
We won't just be cutting hair.
We'll be changing lives.
Is that extra?
- What? - Changing lives?
No, uh, that's included in the price.
Do you have any experience running a salon?
Not exactly, but I coach young beauty contestants.
I'm a former winner myself.
Beaux County, 2008.
Huh. Is that so?
So I know a thing or two about beauty.
- [chuckles] - Well, sure.
It's just...
It's a lot of money,
and you don't have any business experience.
No, but Ray does.
He and his brother run his family's store,
Jepson's Home and Hardware.
And they've been open how long now?
What?
How long's the store been open?
- Forty-three years. - Forty-three years.
Now, that's got to count for something.
Sure. Sure.
I'll never forget the day I won my crown.
Up on that stage.
Lights all shining.
The audience cheering as they placed it on my head.
It was the happiest moment of my whole life.
I want to share that feeling.
I want every woman who leaves my salon
feeling like she was just crowned
the beauty queen of LaRoy.
That's sweet.
I like that.
You're a lot of goddamn help back there.
Sorry.
Guess my professional ambitions don't interest you.
- We'll get the money. - How?
I don't know, but we'll find a way.
What the hell's that?
- Hmm. - Hmm.
[Junior] Not bad, huh?
Twelve-inch touch display.
Electric wind block.
The wave is ridiculous.
Jeez, how much you spend on this?
Nah, I got a deal.
Come on, everyone's out back.
Now, Ray couldn't talk to girls.
I mean, like, not at all.
He couldn't say "boo" if there were a pair of panties
within a hundred feet.
[laughter]
But he had this huge crush on Sara Fixler.
She was this, uh, this gothy vampire chick.
So we're at this party,
and Ray asks if I wouldn't mind talking to her for him.
So I say, "Sure."
I mean, I want to help my baby bro out, right?
[laughing] And I swear to God,
that's all I was planning on doing.
But this girl, she is a total freak.
And she's so grateful that I'm just, like, talking to her.
[stammers]
She starts coming on to me.
[all laugh]
Big-time. I mean, she's all over me.
Oh, what-- What was I gonna do?
Right?
[chuckles]
Poor Ray comes in, catches us.
And lo and behold, suddenly he can speak!
He shouts...
You remember what you said, Ray?
It was a long time ago, Junior.
[Junior] He shouts, "You were supposed to talk to her,
not finger-bang her!"
[all laugh]
God, Junior!
What's finger-bang?
Oh, sweetie, um...
it's kind of like a high five.
[all laugh]
Sara wasn't a vampire.
She just liked to dye her hair sometimes.
[crickets chirping]
I'm going to bed.
Stacy-Lynn.
I'm gonna get that money.
I promise.
You know, everyone thought Kelly Capshaw
was gonna win that crown.
She was the runner-up the year before.
Had all the judges tied around her finger.
But then I played "American Girl" on the flute,
and it brought down the goddamn house.
I knew right then I was going places.
Chad?
I thought we were putting the display by the register.
Junior said it looks better here.
But I told you to put it by the register.
Then Junior said to put it here.
I told Chad to put the display by the register.
Hmm, I think it's better by the doors.
Can I talk to you about something?
[Junior] Can it wait? I got a call.
I need money.
For what?
Stacy-Lynn wants to open a salon.
She's got it all worked out. It's gonna be real nice.
Well, uh, what can I do about it?
Tell me, when was the last time we gave ourselves a raise?
A raise?
Well, we can't go around giving ourselves raises
whenever we feel like it.
Well...
how much do you make?
I make the same as you, Ray.
We're partners, remember?
How come your house is so much bigger than mine?
How come you can afford a boat?
I told you, I got a deal.
I'm what they call business savvy.
That's why I work behind the scenes
and you manage the floor.
But you're always contradicting me.
How's anyone supposed to respect me?
You're right.
You know, I'll go tell Chad
to move the display.
No, no, you go tell him.
Tell him I said it was okay.
It's not about the display.
I need money.
Stacy-Lynn is not happy.
I think she's...
You think she what?
She's just not happy.
[door slams]
Stacy-Lynn?
- [Stacy-Lynn] Yeah? - Brought dinner.
Where are you going?
To see a movie.
With who?
Becky.
Why are you all dressed up?
Because I want to look nice.
Is there something wrong with that?
Do you know when you'll be back?
Probably late.
[keys rattle]
Just...
eat your pizza.
Oh, I talked to Junior about borrowing money from the store.
What'd he say?
It's not a good time.
[sighs]
Jesus.
I'm gonna be late.
[footsteps recede]
[wistful music playing]
[Ray] I'd like to buy a gun.
Sure. What kind?
I don't know.
This is a popular one, depending what you need it for.
Uh, excuse me.
[indistinct chattering]
So, what do you think?
I think I need something shorter.
[turns engine off]
[inhales deeply and sighs]
[truck engine shuts off]
You're early.
- I am? - So, uh...
how do we do this, man? Do we like--
Hey, what's with the fucking gun, man?
Oh, I was just, um...
I don't-- Excuse me.
Here.
- [man] All right. - [Ray] Sorry.
[man sniffs]
That's half, all right?
- Half? - You can count it if you want,
but it's all there.
Well, half of it's there.
Like I said, it's half.
Listen, man, this thing is time-sensitive.
That's the main thing.
It's got to be done tomorrow,
or the whole thing gets thrown off.
I don't care how you do it.
It's just got to be done tomorrow.
How are you gonna do it?
Hmm? Are you gonna shoot him?
Hmm? Are you gonna poison his coffee,
or are you gonna blow up his car?
Obviously, you're not gonna blow up his car.
Shit, man. Maybe you are, huh?
I don't know. You're the expert.
Oh, God.
You know what? I don't fucking want to know.
Just get it done, and get it done tomorrow.
- All right? - Wait, wait, wait.
I can't do it tomorrow.
What?
I'm busy tomorrow.
What are you talking about?
Look, I-I... I'm...
I'm sorry.
Are you serious? Huh?
Hey, man, we had a fucking deal.
This is time-sensitive.
I'm sorry.
[sighs]
Jesus fucking Christ!
They said you were some kind of fucking badass!
They did?
Said you were this scary fucking killer.
You don't look like a scary killer to me.
You look like a goddamn pushover!
I'm not.
Not what?
A pushover.
Well, which is it, then?
Which is what?
Are you a...
scary fucking badass?
Or aren't you?
Yeah.
Excuse me?
Yeah.
I am.
Good.
It's got to be done,
and it's got to be done tomorrow.
All right?
Jesus fucking Christ.
- [vehicle door slams] - [engine starts]
[vehicle drives away]
[dramatic music playing]
[engine starts]
- How was the movie? - Jesus!
You scared the shit out of me.
What'd you see?
What?
What did you see?
I forgot the name.
I'm going to bed.
[Harry] He didn't show.
Give a name?
What number did he call from?
All right.
[indistinct police chatter over radio]
Hi.
I'm here to pick up my car.
It's an '87 Crown Vic.
[papers ruffle]
Two-eighteen.
Two dollars and eighteen cents,
or $218?
The second.
Are you kidding me?
You were parked in a handicapped spot.
- That was a joke. - Handicaps use those spots.
I...
Yes, I know that they use those spots.
I wasn't parked in a handicapped spot.
That's what I'm trying to tell you.
The cops, they were just messing with me.
They don't even have a handicapped spot,
so how could I be parked in one?
It's 218.
[sighs]
What...
Sign here.
Where are the tires?
Doesn't have any.
I know it doesn't have any!
I can see it doesn't have any tires!
I'm wondering why it doesn't have any tires!
[officer whoops and laughs]
Hey, we got ya!
- Suck a dick! - Whoo!
[car doors slam]
[car drives away]
[birds tweeting]
[dramatic music playing]
[dance music thudding]
[phone rings]
[ring]
[flip phone snaps shut]
[dramatic music playing]
[tires screech]
[indistinct chatter]
[billiard balls clack]
I don't see what's so important about a badge.
You know who else wears badges?
Girl Scouts.
You see them out solving crimes?
I seriously doubt it.
Hey, what'd you say your name was again?
Hey, you made it.
Oh. Yeah. Okay, cool.
See you later!
Damn.
Hey.
Hey, amigo!
Never seen you in here before.
I felt like a drink.
Drink my ass!
You're in here for some action after breaking up
with that cheating bitch wife of yours.
Well, you know what?
You're in luck, because I just happen to be
an excellent wingman.
So, let's see what we got going on here.
We didn't break up.
And she's not a bitch.
Oh, wait. Let me guess. she, uh, started to cry,
and then she said,
"It didn't mean anything, I swear.
Never happen again. Blah, blah, blah."
Actually, we haven't talked about it yet.
Why not?
It wasn't a good time.
Well, I would argue that it wasn't a good time for her
to go screw some other guy.
But that didn't seem to stop her.
You know, this is none of your business.
Factually speaking, it is my business.
Um, although, honestly, not partial to divorce cases.
Damn it. I gotta go.
[sighs]
Hey, I got you a beer!
[keys jingle]
[man] Hey.
[groans softly]
Who are you?
No one.
Why are you following me?
- I wasn't. - Bullshit.
Who's she?
Give me those!
[groans and whimpers]
Why are you following me?
[Ray] I wasn't.
Did somebody hire you?
No. No! Ah!
I wasn't gonna do it!
- Do what? - Nothing.
What are you gonna do? Huh?
What are you gonna do?
Why are you following me?
Who hired you? Who fucking hired you?
[gunshot]
[gasps]
[patrons chattering indistinctly]
[dramatic acoustic guitar music playing]
[knocking on door]
What the hell, Ray?
I'm sorry, Kayla. I need to talk to Junior.
Okay, well, he's not home.
Do you know where he is?
Well, it's the middle of the night,
so if I had to guess, he's probably out
fucking his girlfriend.
[Ray] How'd you find out?
I suspected for a while.
[Ray] Have you talked to him?
What's the point? He'd just lie.
Well, how do you know that?
Because he's a fucking liar, Ray.
Who's the girl?
Jesus. Do you really not know?
[Ray] What?
It's Stacy-Lynn.
What?
My husband and your wife are having an affair.
No. No way.
He's probably got his dick up her ass right now.
Stacy-Lynn wouldn't do that.
What, anal?
Hmm, don't be so sure.
Junior can be very persuasive.
I mean, she wouldn't cheat on me with my own brother.
Oh, okay, so you're saying she's home right now?
Want to give her a call, find out?
He used to be so much more discreet.
Now he's just getting lazy.
- You know... - [opens drawer]
[clears throat]
...I found this in his laundry.
[dispatcher] 4311.
You're assigned to a vandalism case.
835 Hatter, do you copy?
[officer] 10-4.
- [cutlery clatters] - [waitress] No.
[man] Why are you being so difficult?
- [waitress] I'm not. - [man] Just sit with us.
- I said no. - Come on.
[waitress] I can't. I have to go.
Just come here. What?
Come on. Where are you going?
- How are we doing? - Fine.
What you got there?
Ah.
It's a police scanner.
[chuckles]
Just a little hobby.
It's good to have hobbies.
Keeps your mind active.
I, um...
I noticed those men were bothering you.
Oh, they get a little rowdy sometimes.
It's just part of the job.
Why is it part of the job?
I...
I don't know. It just is.
People only see what we let them.
Excuse me?
If we want people to respect us,
we need to give them a reason.
[chuckles]
Maybe you could teach them some manners.
- You want me to hurt them? - What?
Do you want me to hurt those men for you?
[waitress chuckles]
Are you serious?
[Harry] Isn't that what you're asking?
People only get away with what we let them.
But you have to be sure.
There's no changing your mind on this.
Once you ask me to hurt them, that's what I'm gonna do.
It's important to finish things once we start them,
don't you think?
I...
I'd better get back to the kitchen.
[police dispatcher] 45 to 41, we got a call about a body
out on Swift Creek Road.
Unidentified male, late 40s, early 50s.
[officer] What's the address?
[dispatcher] Unclear. Witness is no longer at scene.
[officer] 10-4, we're on our way.
Everything okay?
Yes, sir. You can't stop here.
It's a crime scene.
Gosh. What-- What kind of crime?
- Homicide. - Sir, you gotta keep moving.
Okay. Okay.
Who's the victim?
[officer 1] James Barlow. You know him?
- No. How did he die? - [officer 2] Sir!
Lady hit him with her car.
But most likely, he was already dead.
- Gunshot. - Shut the fuck up, Potter.
Sir, you gotta keep moving, all right?
Uh, sure.
You officers have a-- Have a good night.
What the fuck's wrong with you?
What?
[ominous music playing]
[soft, pained moan]
[sniffles]
[indistinct chatter]
[man] ...about your height.
He's kind of like a gentle-looking guy.
[Chad] Oh, okay, yeah.
Ray, right? Yeah, that sounds like Ray.
Oh, yeah, that's--
- He's probably over there. - Is that the guy?
Where's the money?
- What money? - The money from the safe.
I don't know what you're talking about.
How did you find me here?
The name of this place is on your shirt, Ray.
Oh, God.
- God! - Don't fuck with me, Ray.
[sobs]
Do not fuck with me.
Okay! Okay, okay.
Tell me where the money is.
What money?
Barlow had money in the safe.
Nobody else knew about it, Ray.
I don't know about it.
I said don't fuck with me, Ray.
- Ah! - Don't do it!
God!
[Chad] Uh, Ray?
Can I take my break now?
Yeah, Chad, that's fine.
Okay.
You've got 24 hours to give me that money,
or I make an anonymous phone call to the police
and I tell them who killed James Barlow.
All right, Ray?
[whimpers]
[breathing heavily]
[grunts and stomps feet]
[sighs]
- [keys rattle] - [door lock tumbles]
Miss Jepson?
Yeah?
I'm Officer Stevens.
This is Officer Potter.
Okay?
Hey. Hey, what are you doing? Get away from there.
Hey, did you hear the news?
What news?
Somebody killed James Barlow.
Who's that?
He's a lawyer.
He was actually at the bar last night.
- Oh, really? - Yeah.
I thought you might find that interesting.
And why is that?
Because I saw you follow him out.
Here she comes.
[chuckles] Thank you.
- I didn't mean to kill him. - You shot him in the head.
What'd you think was gonna happen?
No, no, no. He was attacking me. So that was self-defense.
You were hired to kill him.
[indistinct chatter]
That was a mistake.
- How much did they pay you? - Nothing.
A few thousand dollars. I didn't do it for the money.
I wasn't even gonna go through with it.
I just wanted to know what it felt like.
What?
I don't know.
To not be a pushover.
That's a weird reason to want to kill someone, Ray.
Look, this is a conundrum, a real conundrum.
- [Ray sighs] - [sucks teeth]
On the one hand,
the police would love to know what I know.
They might even give me a badge,
make me an honorary member of the force,
I don't know.
On the other hand...
I still don't know all the facts.
- Right. - Right.
Guess there's only one thing left to do.
What?
I'm taking the case.
What case? There is no case.
Excuse me, Ray, I think I know a case when I see one.
This guy hired you to kill Barlow, did he not?
[whispers] Can you please be quiet?
And Barlow had some money that he thinks you stole.
- Sure. - But somebody else must have.
I guess.
Now you have to find the said money,
or this guy is gonna turn you in to the police.
Right.
Um, sounds like a case to me, Ray.
Look, I appreciate it,
but I don't think I need any help.
Yes, you do.
Skip, please, just--
You need a professional in this.
You're not even a real detective.
That's what you think?
I didn't mean it like that.
You know what?
The way I see it, you got two options.
You let me solve this.
And when I go down to the police
and convince those assholes that I'm a real detective,
maybe I'll leave your name out of it.
Or...
I go down to the station right now.
Tell them everything I know
about the last known whereabouts of James Barlow.
Your call, amigo.
[despairing Western music playing]
[Harry] I'm looking for a guy.
He drives a rusty brown pickup truck.
You know him?
Why you looking for him?
It's a private matter.
Sorry, can't help you.
It's important that I find him.
We don't give out customers' personal information.
[country music playing over speakers]
I...
Sorry.
Uh... God, this is so embarrassing.
I was here the other night,
and I think I hit his truck.
No.
I did hit his truck.
I don't usually go to places like this.
I... I...
I was embarrassed, and I didn't want to have to explain.
You know, and I just kept driving.
I felt terrible about it the next day.
I didn't know how to get a hold of him.
I'm just trying to do the right thing.
Can you help me?
Name, phone number, something?
Talk to Angie.
Which one is Angie?
[ominous music playing]
[keys rattle]
[engine starts]
So, this is where he works, huh?
Yeah, I think so.
His name's on the sign.
All right, just follow my lead.
Look, I think it's better if I just do the talking.
I'm sorry, uh, my secretary went home for the day.
I'm afraid we had some bad news.
What can I do for you?
- Well, sir... - Well, you see...
That's actually why we're here.
Do you mind if we ask you some questions about James Barlow?
[sighs]
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thank you. The whole thing's been quite a shock.
[whispering] Ask him where he was last night.
Did your partner have any enemies that you know of?
Enemies? No, I-- I don't think so.
- Ask him where he was-- - Shh!
Uh, did you notice anything unusual?
In what way?
I don't know. In any way?
Not really, no.
[quietly] Ask him where he was last night.
Just let me do this. I can talk.
I-I-I'm sorry, did you say you're from the police?
Uh, no, sir.
We're not really here in any official capacity.
- Yes, we are. We are official. - No, we are not.
- Why are you here? - Where were you last night?
[sighs]
Okay, I'm gonna ask you to leave.
I'm afraid we can't do that.
I'm afraid I'm gonna have to insist,
unless you'd like me to call the police.
[Skip] Um, I understand.
But before we go,
is it okay if I use your bathroom?
Make it quick.
What are you doing? Get off me! Get your hands--
- Where's the money, asshole? - What are you doing?
This guy knows something. I can see it in his eyes.
Are you saying something? I can't quite hear you!
- You're gonna drown him. - I'm not gonna drown him.
It takes two minutes for the brain to lose any...
- [body thuds] - Do you know CPR?
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
nine, ten, eleven, twelve.
[Ray exhaling]
- [spits and coughs] - [Ray] Ah!
You okay? You're okay.
- What was Barlow up to? - I don't know.
Huh? Who is he mixed up with, huh?
I have no idea!
[grunts]
- [water bubbling] - [muffled screams]
He doesn't know anything.
We'll see. We'll see.
Where'd the money come from, huh? Huh?
How did Barlow get the money?
You're gonna drown him again!
Will you relax? I've got this, okay?
Goddamn it!
[Ray grunting and exhaling]
- [spits and coughs] - [Ray] Oh, there you go.
Yeah. Yeah. There you go. Get it out. You're okay.
- [groaning] - You're okay. He's okay.
Thanks, amigo.
- [Ben panting] - [Skip] Who wanted Barlow dead?
[sobbing] I don't know.
No, no, no! Okay, okay, okay!
I know-- I know one thing.
I-I-I-- I heard him talking to a client.
Uh, uh, something about-- about blackmail.
[Skip] Okay, who was the client?
[Ben] It's attorney-client privilege--
Okay! Okay!
Adam. Adam LeDoux!
The car guy?
Goddamn, we make a good team!
We should think about partnering up full time.
What the hell was that?
What?
You can't just go around drowning people.
I'm not "going around drowning people."
That was one guy.
You could have killed that man.
Well, technically, I did. Twice.
But come on, man. Everything's fine.
He's gonna be okay. We just got our first lead.
How can you not be excited about this?
[cell phone rings]
Hello?
[eerie music playing]
Excuse me, I'm here to see my wife, Stacy-Lynn Jepson.
Come with me.
And you stay here.
[door opens]
[scoffs]
Have a seat right there.
Right there.
What are you doing here?
Working the James Barlow case.
- Oh, yeah? - That's right.
Huh.
I already got a couple leads.
Maybe sometime we could exchange notes.
Yeah, sure.
I got a note for you. How about you, uh, fuck off.
Leave the detective work to the real detectives.
Hmm.
[door opens]
[Stevens] Mr. Jepson?
Where is my wife?
She's down the hall. She's fine.
Why is she here?
Do you know a James Barlow?
No.
- Does your wife know him? - [scoffs] Of course not.
Why "of course not"?
I mean, I don't know him, so I'm sure she doesn't either.
Why? Who is he?
He's a lawyer.
He was found dead this morning.
Run over and shot in the head.
Run over?
And shot in the head.
Well...
I don't understand.
What does this have to do with Stacy-Lynn?
That's what we're trying to figure out.
Mr. Barlow had a photograph of your wife
when he was found dead.
Can you think of any reason why this man
might have a photograph of your wife?
No.
Hmm.
What's he doing here?
Um, last I checked, uh,
I was picking your ass up from the police station.
My car broke down. He gave me a ride.
- Why is he dressed like that? - You know, I'm right here.
Um, this is my uniform,
and my clients expect a certain par excellence, so...
You look like you're going to cowboy prom.
[Skip] Am I dropping you at home,
or is there a motel that you'd like to go to?
I'll see you later, honey.
Damn, man.
I gotta hand it to you.
Leaving your wife's photo at the crime scene,
that is some cold-blooded shit, man!
I didn't leave it there.
[laughs] Okay, Whatever you say.
- Must have fallen out. - Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Well, either way, it's nice for you.
Police think she killed Barlow.
All you got to do is let her take the blame now.
That's my wife.
Yeah.
Your lying, cheating wife.
And she didn't kill anyone.
No, but she broke your heart.
And in a lot of ways, that's a lot worse.
I'm not framing my wife!
Okay, fine! It's just a thought.
God, you want to look a gift horse in the mouth?
Be my guest.
[engine starts]
[brakes squeal]
[Skip sighs]
- Do you like camping? - What?
You know, like tents and shit?
'Cause I know this great fishing place
down by Shafter,
and I was thinking after we solve this thing,
we should, you know, go down there for a few days.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about camping.
You realize my wife just got questioned by the police?
Yeah, I know, that's why I'm saying.
You seem very stressed,
and I think you should take a little time to yourself.
With a friend.
Just stay here, okay?
I'm not staying here. You stay here.
This is my life. Do you understand that?
- Yes, I understand. - And I don't need you
screwing it up any more than it already is.
Oh, you think you can do this all by yourself? Go ahead!
- Fishing trip off! - [door slams]
Oh, welcome to LeDoux Family Auto.
How can we help you today?
I need to speak to Mr. LeDoux.
Well, he's busy at the moment.
Would you like to speak with one of our associates?
I'll wait.
What the fuck did you do?
What are you talking about?
Who are you?
Sit.
[sighs]
What do you want?
You asked me to come.
What are you talking about?
The killing doesn't take too long.
Most of the job is driving around,
sleeping in dirty motels, eating bad food.
So how I see it, by the time I got here,
most of the job was done.
It was discourteous of you not to respect that.
Who the fuck are you?
I'm gonna ask some questions now.
Put your hand on the table.
Fuck you.
Why did you want James Barlow killed?
I didn't...
[groans]
You piece of shit!
You killed him?
No!
I swear to God!
[groaning and panting]
I paid-- I paid someone to do it.
What the fuck were you thinking?
Put it back.
Fuck you!
[cocks gun hammer]
[breathing heavily]
Who killed James Barlow?
Who the fuck are you?
- [hammer thuds] - [whimpers]
[LeDoux] Thing of beauty, ain't she?
450 horsepower.
Premium leather interior.
Ultra premium sound system.
I might be able to get you a deal.
I know the boss.
Adam LeDoux.
I'm not buying a car.
[LeDoux] Excuse me?
I'm not here to buy a car.
Okay, then, uh, what can I do for you?
I'm here about the blackmail.
Get out before I break your goddamn neck.
- No, no, no, sir, please-- - Get out!
How'd it go?
He said to come back later.
Later? When later?
Can we just go talk to someone else?
Who? We don't have any other leads.
I don't know. You're the detective.
Oh, now I'm the detective.
- [car door opens] - Oh, shit...
Where's my goddamn money?
Nice work, Ray.
[Junior] Where the hell you been?
I've been sitting around in my underwear like an asshole.
The police just brought me in for questioning.
About what?
[Stacy-Lynn] Some guy got shot last night.
- Who? - Some lawyer.
Never met him in my life.
Someone killed him and broke into his safe.
Well, how much did they get?
How do I know?
Whoa, what's this got to do with you?
He was carrying around a picture of me
when he died.
What kind of picture?
A picture me walking into this shithole.
What? Why?
Hell if I know!
Well, what'd you tell the police?
I didn't tell them anything. What could I tell them?
Well, you didn't say anything about me, did you?
[laughs]
A dead man is carrying around a photograph of me,
and you're worried about yourself?
N-No, of course not.
[laughs] Come on.
[scoffs]
Does Ray know?
[Stacy-Lynn] I don't know.
He was acting all weird.
He didn't say nothing.
[LeDoux] You think you can threaten me?
No, no, no, sir, I wasn't trying to threaten you.
You think you can come in my place of business
and threaten me?
You said not to talk.
- Where's my money? - We don't have it.
- [LeDoux] Well, who does? - We don't know.
The hell you don't.
You got about three seconds before I-I start...
Oh, goddamn it!
Is everything all right?
[chuckles]
Everything's fine, sweetie.
We're just having a little meeting.
- You want some coffee? - No, no, no.
We're fine. Just go inside now.
I'll be right in.
All right.
Who are you?
And don't bullshit me.
Am I allowed to talk?
Easy!
I'm just getting my cards.
- Private detective? - [Skip] That's right.
You need security, executive protection.
You give me a call. [clicks tongue]
You spelled "detective" wrong.
Son of a bitch.
Who do you work for?
We don't work for anyone.
Well, then, what's your interest in this?
The police think that my wife
had something to do with James Barlow's death.
- Did she? - [Ray] No!
She never even met him.
Look, we just want to get to the bottom of this, that's all.
How much do you know?
We know that you were being blackmailed,
and that James Barlow got killed because of it.
Hell, I didn't have anything to do with that!
Now, I've got plenty of witnesses that can tell...
- [footsteps] - Goddamn it!
- I said no coffee. - Well, it's for them.
[Skip] Okay.
[Ray] Thank you.
Mm! Thank you, ma'am.
[LeDoux] Go back inside now, sweetie.
Let us finish our meeting.
Well, now, do you need anything else?
We're just fine. I'll be in in a minute.
[sighs]
My wife.
This whole thing's been damn hard on her.
Look, anything you could tell us will be helpful.
[sighs]
[dramatic music playing]
[LeDoux] A few months ago,
I had an affair.
There was this...
woman.
She was young and attractive,
and I was stupid.
Well, I felt guilty as hell.
But when I tried to call it off, she decided to blackmail me.
Said if I didn't pay her $250,000,
she was gonna tell about the affair.
- So, what'd you do? - [LeDoux] Well, what could I do?
I told my wife.
we thought it would be better just to pay the money.
But if she knew about the affair,
then why did you pay her?
People know me. I'm a family man.
Hell, it says so on the damn sign.
"LeDoux Family Autos."
That matters to people.
Folks come here because they trust me.
I mean, what are they gonna say
if they think I'm some kind of goddamn philanderer?
Well, when did the lawyer come in?
He was supposed to give the girl the money.
But before he could, some asshole murdered him
and broke open his safe.
Well, who else has the combination?
How do I know?
Hell, you're the goddamn professionals.
You tell me.
Do you think you, uh...
You think you can find the money?
I guess we should talk to this girl first.
What's her name?
Angie.
At least that's what she said her name was.
She's an exotic dancer over at the, uh, Sunset Lounge.
Goddamn it!
Redhead? Great ass?
Yeah. You know her?
Yeah, I know her.
[Ray] This is the serious relationship?
Yep.
What happened?
Um...
I just needed to focus on my career.
Kind of broke her heart, I think.
And, uh, I just...
I just hope she's over it, that's all.
[gunshot]
- [gunshot] - [glass shatters]
Hey! What the hell, Angie?
- [Angie] Who's that? - It's me!
- Skip? - Yes!
Don't mind the mess.
Who the hell is that?
[Angie] That's Brian.
[door closes]
[whispers] That's the guy who hired me.
Wait. "Brian" Brian?
The guy you dumped me for?
Wait, I thought you said you broke up with her.
Ha! I went out with him one time because I felt sorry for him.
I can't believe you ditched me for this guy.
- He looks like an asshole. - He was an asshole.
But at least he didn't dress like Howdy fucking Doody.
[Skip] What happened to him?
[Angie] He got shot.
- I can see that. Who shot him? - [Angie] I don't know.
I was too busy getting the shit kicked out of me.
God, I need a cigarette.
Angie, where's the money?
What money?
Cut the bullshit. We talked to LeDoux.
He told us all about your little blackmail scheme.
You don't know a damn thing.
Oh, I do. I think I know a lot.
Oh, yeah?
Well, how about this?
I didn't blackmail LeDoux. He hired me.
[laughs] Hired you for what?
He was a regular at the club.
I used to give him private dances.
You were sleeping with LeDoux while we were together?
We were never together, first of all.
Second, I never slept with LeDoux.
What do you mean?
Who the fuck is that?
Wait, what do you mean you never slept with LeDoux?
I mean I never slept with him.
He had this plan to get $250,000.
Said he'd give me 10% if I pretended to blackmail him.
Wait, blackmail himself? That doesn't make any sense.
It does if it's not his money.
Which it wasn't.
He likes to pretend he's all important,
but his wife's the rich one.
Some kind of heiress or something.
I was supposed to pretend like I was blackmailing him,
and when she paid, I was supposed to give it to him.
So, what happened?
Dipshit over there is what happened.
He decided 10% wasn't enough,
so he found someone to kill the dude's lawyer,
take the whole damn thing for himself.
But then he goes and hires the wrong guy.
Gives the payment to some fucking imbecile
from the hardware store.
Next thing I know,
real killer shows up at my door.
Guy's some kind of goddamn maniac.
What did he want?
He wants the money. All of it.
Says he's owed for his troubles.
Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Wait, where are you going?
- To find Stacy-Lynn. - What? Now?
Did you not see inside there? This guy's a maniac.
Yeah, who cares? All we have to do is find the money first.
I don't care about the money. I only care about my wife.
[mellow acoustic music playing]
[Junior] What do you think it means?
I think Ray had something to do with him getting killed.
[scoffs] Come on. Ray?
He's got the man's name and address
along with a pile of cash shoved in his underwear drawer.
You got a better explanation?
Maybe he's holding it for a friend.
No, Ray doesn't have any friends.
Well, yeah.
But how much is it?
[Stacy-Lynn] A few thousand.
You think it's the money from the safe?
Maybe some of it.
It just doesn't seem like enough to kill somebody over.
Well, where's the rest?
[Ray] Stacy-Lynn!
Stacy-Lynn!
- [door opens] - Stacy!
[door closes]
She's not here.
- I'm sure she's fine! - [Ray] I have to find her.
I have to get her out of town before something happens to her.
How do you know she'll go with you?
- What? - [Skip] You're leaving town?
How do you know that Stacy-Lynn will go with you?
She's my wife.
Exactly.
She hasn't been the most loyal person.
What are you gonna do?
You just tell her what happened,
she's gonna drop everything and run away with you?
[indistinct chatter]
[billiard balls clack]
[country music playing on jukebox]
I should have just killed myself.
Man, you got to stop it with these sad mopey routine.
Chicks don't like it.
How do you know what they like?
Well, I know they like a man who's assertive.
I know they don't like some sad sack
who goes around talking about his ex-wife all the time.
She's not my ex-wife.
Whatever. Look, you know what?
I think this is the best thing to ever happen to you.
Mm-hmm. Okay, did you accidentally shoot a man?
Yes. Did you do a terrible job at trying to hide the body?
Also, yes.
But if you hadn't,
we wouldn't have teamed up
and had this kick-ass adventure together.
Come on, man!
We're, like, finding clues and solving crimes
and making memories.
Why does Junior get whatever he wants?
Why can't I just get one thing?
Let me tell you something about your brother.
He's an asshole.
He's always been an asshole.
You're twice the man he is.
- [scoffs] - Yeah!
Look, I know what it's like to not be taken seriously, okay?
I know people laugh at me.
Don't respect what I do.
But that's about to change for the both of us.
When we find that money,
we're gonna be heroes.
LeDoux might even throw in a reward.
Stacy-Lynn, she's gonna crawl back to you
and beg for forgiveness.
Trust me, man.
Now I'm gonna go take a piss.
And when I'm done,
we're gonna go out and solve this thing
because we're this close.
I can feel it! Come on! Yeah!
Yes!
[country music playing on jukebox continuous]
[ominous music playing]
[panting]
[grunts]
What'd you do?
I don't know!
Wait, who are they?
They work for Mrs. LeDoux.
She wants to talk to us.
Okay. Sorry. My bad.
Sorry.
[owl hooting]
Sit.
Oh, do you have anything to drink?
- Sit the fuck down. - Right.
Oh, thank you for coming.
Can I get you something to drink?
Yeah, I would, actually...
They're fine.
Elijah, what happened to your head?
Oh, um, there was a slight misunderstanding.
Oh! Well, what kind of misunderstanding?
[Skip] Well, ma'am,
Elijah here thought
that he wasn't a little bitch,
and I thought he was.
I understand you're working with my husband.
We... have similar interests.
And have you found anything interesting?
[Skip] We haven't found your money,
if that's what you're asking.
We're still trying to figure out who broke into Barlow's safe.
[Midge] That was me.
Excuse me?
I'm the one that broke into the safe.
That's why I asked you here, 'cause I thought
that might help with your investigation.
Oh, so you have the money?
[chuckles] Oh, no.
Uh, the safe was empty, unfortunately.
Well-- Well, I don't understand.
My husband has certain...
weaknesses.
In his case, it's women and, uh, gambling.
I've, uh--
I've paid off his debt more times than I can count.
My daddy left me a large inheritance.
But there's a limit, and...
well, finally, I...
I had to cut him off.
So he concocted this ridiculous blackmailing scheme.
[Midge laughs]
So you knew he wasn't having an affair?
[Midge] Well, not at first,
but eventually.
And I didn't want another fight, so...
I tried to take the money back myself.
I-I asked Elijah and Felix
to break into Mr. Barlow's house.
But like I said before, the money wasn't there.
Well, where was it?
[Midge] I wish I knew.
I-- I would appreciate it
if you could keep this all discreet.
Oh, ma'am, we-- We're known for our discretion.
Why do you put up with it?
[Midge] I beg your pardon?
Why do you let him make you look like a fool?
Don't you get sick of that?
[Elijah] Hey, mind your own business!
No, it's okay.
[sighs] Of course I do.
But he's my husband.
Eventually, he's gonna tire himself out
and come back to me like he always does.
And I'll be here.
Don't you ever think that you deserve better?
What's deserve got to do with it?
I'm just trying to get whatever scrap of happiness I can
in this life.
I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago.
[Skip] So LeDoux hires Angie
to fake like she's blackmailing him.
But Angie's asshole boyfriend,
he wants to keep the ransom all to himself.
So he hires you to kill Barlow so he can keep the money.
Meanwhile, Mrs. LeDoux
has already broken into Barlow's safe,
and the money isn't there, so...
who has the money?
Maybe no one.
[tires screech]
I know where the money is.
This is where he parked.
[Skip Yeah, so what?
[Ray] So he had a briefcase,
but he didn't take it into the bar.
[Skip] What, you're telling me he had, like, $250,000
he just left in his car?
[Ray] I'm telling you, I think that he knew
I was following him.
[Skip] Yeah, okay, well,
it's not here now, so...
I got to take a leak.
Oh, shit!
What?
[bluesy music playing]
Coming?
[glovebox clatters]
[whispers] That's it.
You got it?
[whispering] Yeah, I got it.
- Do you got it? - Yeah, I got it.
Ass!
What are you doing?
[grunting]
Where are you going?
[stammers] No!
Yeah!
[laughs]
Hoo!
[loudly] Are you kidding me?
Who's the detective now, Brett, huh?
Who's the goddamn detective now?
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Yeah!
[laughs]
What are you doing?
We can't turn it in.
Yeah, of course we can.
We found it first.
It's the only way.
[Skip] Way for what?
That she'll go with me.
Stacy-Lynn?
Wait, you're gonna screw me over for that bitch?
- Don't call her that! - Hey, you know what?
It's time you heard the hard truth, amigo.
Stacy-Lynn doesn't love you.
She probably never did.
And 250,000 cash is not gonna change that.
- You don't even know her. - Oh, I do.
I-I see people like her every day.
I'm probably an expert.
And you know what?
You're better off without her.
You don't know anything.
You only date strippers,
and even that you have to lie about.
You wouldn't even be out here if it wasn't for me.
You think you could have found this all by yourself?
Huh? You're not even a detective.
Neither are you!
You take dirty pictures!
You think that makes you a detective?
It doesn't. It makes you a joke.
[panting]
Well...
Man...
I thought we were friends.
We're not.
I never asked you for your help.
She was a beauty queen.
She could've had anyone, but she chose me.
Why? Hmm?
Ever ask yourself that?
Why'd she choose you?
[vibrating]
Ray?
[Ray, on phone] Where are you?
I got the money.
[Stacy-Lynn] What?
For the salon. I got the money.
I told you I'd get it, didn't I?
Ray, where are you?
Baby, I have so much I have to tell you,
but I can't do it over the phone.
Where can we meet?
At the house.
Yeah.
All right.
I'm heading there now.
I'll see you soon.
I love you.
[car door slams]
Why is he here?
I was worried about you, baby bro.
I don't need you to worry about me.
Ray, we're both worried.
I found this.
I was gonna tell you about that.
- [Junior] We just want to help. - No, I don't need your help!
Stay out of this!
I got the money for us. I got the money.
I love you. I love you, Stacy-Lynn.
I love you too.
Okay? And...
We did this for you.
Did what?
[distant police sirens]
Did what, Stacy-Lynn?
[sirens approaching]
[car doors close]
[dramatic music playing]
[indistinct police radio chatter]
Stay strong, honey!
[door closes]
- [radio static crackling] - [indistinct radio chatter]
[officer 1] 41 to 45.
[officer 2] Go ahead.
[officer 1] Got the suspect in custody.
We're on our way in.
[somber music playing]
I know who killed James Barlow.
Have a seat. Someone will be with you to take your statement.
I don't want to make a statement.
I solved the case.
What is this guy doing?
Like, is he serious?
- [loud crash] - Oh, come on! Jesus!
Are you kidding me?
[tires squeal]
- You got this? - Yeah, I got this.
[seat belt unsnaps]
[car door opens]
[car door closes]
[gunshot]
[car speeding away]
[tires squeal, loud crash]
[steam hissing]
[panting]
[acoustic music playing]
[officer, over radio] I got an officer down.
Hey, what's going on?
Driving a white sedan with Nebraska plates.
[radio dispatcher] 14-11, 14-11.
Road needs to be closed at 264...
Oh, hell, yeah.
There's some goddamn detective work right there.
[gun cocks]
Junior!
Junior! Where is he, Kayla?
He's gone.
- Gone? Gone where? -"Gone" Gone.
He left me.
- What? - Didn't you hear?
He and Stacy-Lynn, they're in love.
They're running away together.
Running? Running where?
I mean, what about Olive? What about you guys?
What about-- What about the store?
Store's done.
What are you talking about?
Jesus, Ray, how stupid are you?
Junior's been stealing from the store for years.
How do you think he can afford this house, huh?
How do you think he bought a goddamn boat?
[cell phone rings]
Skip?
[Harry] Do you have the money?
Where's Skip?
He's here.
Do you have the money?
I can get it.
[dramatic acoustic music playing]
[shower running]
[Junior, faintly] All right.
That's right.
[muffled chatter and laughter]
How's that? Yeah!
[Stacy-Lynn] Whoo!
[Junior laughs]
[Junior] You like that?
- [Junior laughs] - [Stacy-Lynn] Yeah!
[Junior] There's more where that came from.
- [Stacy-Lynn] Whoo! - [Junior] Yeah, there is.
[Stacy-Lynn] Whoo!
[both laughing]
- [gasps] Jesus! - Ah!
- Ray? - Ray? How'd you--
Hey, take a deep breath, okay?
You sure you know how to use that thing?
[screams]
[sobbing] Ray!
Ray, please, no.
I want a divorce.
[Stacy-Lynn whimpering]
[Ray] Can I ask you something?
Okay.
Why'd you marry me?
I don't know.
I think I just stopped believing in myself.
[melancholic music playing]
Yeah, stop the car.
[cell phone rings]
Is that it?
Yep.
[Harry] Bring it over.
Let him go first.
[sighs]
Go on.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm great.
Sorry.
Whatever.
Bring it over.
No.
Give it to me.
What are you doing?
Give it to him.
No.
He's not leaving here with this money.
You are.
- Ah! - Ray!
Ray, come on, come on, come on.
[groaning]
Climb out.
[Ray groans]
[Skip grunts]
- [breathing heavily] - You go.
No. We got to get you to a hospital.
I'll be fine.
I'm not going without you.
You're bleeding out.
I'm sorry I said we weren't friends.
[laughs]
I don't care about that.
You're a great detective.
Give the money to the police.
Tell them everything.
Ray.
I'll be okay.
I'm okay.
[dramatic music playing]
[shower curtains rattle]
[door opens]
He's still breathing.
Where's the cowboy?
Gone.
Does he have the money?
[suspenseful music playing]
If I let you go,
will you leave town?
Why?
[gunshot]
Because it's important to finish things once we start them.
[gunshots]
[car driving away]
["Cowpoke" by Colter Wall playing]
[grunts]
[engine starts]
[groans]
♪ I'm lonesome but happy ♪
♪ Rich, but I'm broke ♪
♪ And the Good Lord knows The reason ♪
♪ I'm just a cowpoke ♪
♪ From Cheyenne to Douglas ♪
♪ The ranges I know ♪
♪ 'Cause I drift With the wind ♪
♪ No one cares where I go ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Hee, hee ♪
♪ Ooh, hee ♪
♪ I ain't got a dime ♪
♪ In these old worn-out jeans ♪
♪ So I'll stop eating steak ♪
It's all right.
♪ And I'll go back to beans ♪
♪ I'll pick up a ten-spot ♪
♪ In Prescott I know ♪
♪ Ridin' the broncs ♪
♪ In the big rodeo ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Hee, hee ♪
♪ Ooh, hee ♪
♪ Some evening In the springtime ♪
♪ A filly I'll find ♪
♪ I might spend all summer ♪
♪ With her on my mind ♪
♪ But I'll never be branded ♪
♪ And never be broke ♪
♪ I'm a carefree Range-riding ♪
♪ Drifting cowpoke ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, hoo ♪
♪ Ooh, hee ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, hee ♪
♪ Hee, hee ♪
[mellow acoustic guitar music playing]
[percussive bluesy music playing]