The Shield

Previously on The Shield.

I do nothing wrong!

Drop the gun now!

No, I need it now to get back my kids.

- What are you talking about? - They're gone, Shane!

Corrine took 'em and disappeared.

I had some cash and my records in the safe.

Like payments to me? My name is in that goddamn ledger?

It's in code, man. I call you "Landlord."

He was making monthly payments to a landlord when he owns the building.

Maybe this is the guy Armadillo's trying to squeeze out.

Pack up your shit and get on the next donkey back to home.

I want to be staying for a while?

You gonna watch my back.

How do I know I can trust you?

I guess we have a deal.

What happened here today was bullshit!

I'm gonna find the truth.

And if I have to go through both of you... I'll get it.

- Mackey! Mackey! - Tio?

I asked you to leave.

I don't have to leave.

Vic! Come on, dude!

- Tell me you're leaving! - That which doesn't kill me...

Come on! Come on! Let go!

Vic!

Hi.

David Aceveda. Vote for me. Appreciate it.

Hi. David Aceveda. Vote for me.

That's an arm.

Went to Armadillo's place to talk to him about Tio's murder.

- What'd he say? - He wasn't there.

Signs of a struggle though.

Bloodstains, seared flesh on the stove.

Pretty ugly stuff.

That sounds like Armadillo's M.O.

Checked Tio's phone records.

You were the last call he made last night...

...on his cell before he died.

Yes. He sounded kind of agitated.

- We got cut off. - Too bad.

What are you asking me?

Look, I don't like these questions any more than you do.

I was with my guys all last night while Tio was being killed.

Feel free to ask 'em.

Okay, then.

Single blow, a heavy blade.

An ax, maybe a machete.

How long ago?

Based on core temp, I'd say recently.

Three to four hours.

So she's been dead since around 6:00.

Didn't say she was dead.

Skin lividity and clotting indicate she was alive...

...when this happened.

Sadomasochistic torture ritual.

Okay.

If someone were trying to keep her alive, how long could she survive?

With a tourniquet and basic medical knowledge, indefinitely.

Until he tired of his domination...

...and control Dr. Mengele experiments...

...and decided to squeeze the last breath...

...out of her so he could watch.

See, this is why you and me can't date.

Run these prints. Get me an I.D. Now.

I spoke to Shane.

He said you weren't with him for about an hour last night.

Yes. That's right.

I was with a private eye named, Gordie Liman.

What's he got to do with Tio and Armadillo?

Nothing. It's a private matter. I'd rather it stay that way.

I'm happy to help you if you're helping me.

- Are you? - I have been.

But I'm just about through.

I guess I'll have to figure this out on my own.

What the hell was that all about?

Nothing.

Why didn't you just leave it here and call 911?

- This dog was sniffing around it. - So?

It's a bone.

The arm probably fell out of the Dumpster...

...when the truck picked it up.

Call city services. Remand the truck.

Have some unis search it.

The rest of her might still be in that truck. Alive, even.

Lowe, did we I.D. the fingerprints yet?

There's a backlog.

Backlog? I cant find her if I can't I.D. her.

Give me that.

Have your guys do door knocks. Talk to every neighbor.

Tell everyone if they find anything, give me a call.

This is Detective Wagenbach.

I told you I needed a rush on those prints.

We don't know she's dead. She could still be alive.

And if she is, I'd hate to see your backlog cost her her life.

You told Claudette I was gone for an hour?

You were gone for an hour.

Jesus! She's all over my ass about this Tio connection.

She said she'd talk to you. The truth was the safest bet.

- Now it looks like I'm lying to her. - You are lying to her.

What, are you trying to be a wiseass?

- No, I'm just... - Just shut the hell up!

- Christ! - Where are we headed?

I got things to do. I gave you guys to Aceveda for the day.

- What? - A group of male hustlers...

...is hangin' out on the same block as Aceveda's campaign headquarters.

He's setting up a sting operation. I volunteered you guys.

You can't be serious.

Your shirt's gay enough for the job.

What do you mean you gave us to Aceveda? What...

Great. I've got your assignments. Briefing room, five minutes.

Is everything okay with Kayla?

When was the last time you saw your roommate?

Last night around 6:00.

She didn't come home all night?

I don't know. I slept at my boyfriend's.

Any idea where she might have gone?

There's two million single men in L.A. Take your pick.

We found her car in the garage, but not her purse or keys.

Is there someone close?

Somewhere she might have walked to?

Wait a minute.

Is Kayla dead?

We have every reason to believe that she's still alive.

'Cause I don't want to be a bitch...

...but our rent's due next week.

- Vic. I got great news. - What?

Just be glad you hired me and not the brain-dead idiot your wife did.

Jerk off privately. What do you got?

Corrine's P.I., they're making nonsecure calls from his cell phone.

I caught one. Found where she's at.

- Beauty. You got the address? - Yes, sure.

Corrine... Don't run away.

Just hear me out for two seconds.

Look, this running has to stop.

How much time could you possibly need?

This isn't about me, Vic. It's about our kids, about them being safe.

Do you honestly think I'd put my children in danger?

Not intentionally, but the things going on in your life...

Something told me to run.

School's back in session.

Matthew needs to be at Glenridge.

He needs his routine. Cassidy needs to see her friends.

This isn't going to change things between us.

Don't punish them because of me.

I'll move out if I have to, if that's what it takes.

But I need to know that they're at home where they can be safe.

I don't... I don't know, okay? I'll think about it.

How'd your meeting with I.A.D. go last night?

Good. Good.

You ran out of here so quick.

They told me not to discuss it with anyone.

But it went fine.

Anything yet?

- Hi. I'm Detective Wagenbach. - All right. Just a second.

- Bob, the police are here. - Police? Open it.

I saw you all coming in. What's going on?

I'm investigating your neighbor's disappearance.

You hear or see anything suspicious last night?

- Which neighbor? - Kayla LeSeur.

Man. We heard her arguing last night out on the balcony.

Yes, around midnight. I saw her through the window with a guy.

You recognize him?

Yes. Marcy had me come take a look.

I've seen him around a few times.

Come down, give a description?

Sure. Let me just grab my jacket.

Great.

- Alvarez? - All right. Let's take Union.

How's my favorite hillbilly?

Joe, what in the hell you doin' here?

I'm here to meet the big guy for lunch.

- You still crackin' skulls? - Yes, man. How's retirement?

I'm shavin' a few strokes off my golf game.

You look good.

- You I don't know. - Ronnie Gardocki.

Joe Clarke. Taught your boss everything he knows.

Yes, but you didn't teach me everything you know, right?

That's right. I'm saving some.

We're going to grab a bite. Want to go?

They're busy.

When I miss tee time at Riviera for this, you better be buying.

Riviera? Since when do they let hacks like you play at Riviera?

You guys still here? Come on!

Who was that with Vic?

Joe Clarke, his old partner.

They kicked him off the force.

Why is that?

Some punk took a swing at his last partner.

Joe knocked out like half of his teeth in front of this crowd.

Total railroad job.

Don't worry. It's nothing like what you're going through.

So it's been a year since you called me up.

You drag my ass down here. What's going on?

Can't I buy you lunch?

Vic, come on.

It's...

...been a pretty rough ride lately...

Enough I'm thinking about gettin' off the train.

You want to give up your badge?