Law & Order: Criminal Intent - First Season

Narrator: In the New York City 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 you stopped acting like a moron and listened to me--

Please, I just need your answer.

- Yes or no? - No, I won't do it.

Dad, please.

- Just this one time. - Your mother thought you'd amount to something.

Thank God she isn't here to see what a disgrace

you turned out to be.

$55'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.

- It's got to be today. - $55's the best I can do today.

Okay, I'll need a cashier's check.

This looks like, what, $100 grand?

$112,000

Mr. Colter, I think I was pretty clear about the terms of the loan.

I just need 3 more days. 5 at the most.

You've known this day was coming for, what, 6 months?

- If you're not good for the money, just tell me. - No, 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? - Her dad's got the flu.

- Can you coach on Saturday? - Sure, no problem.

Maggie, I can't find your sweater.

Maggie: I don't really need it.

I put your gloves out.

- You all right, sweetie? - Just the usual work stuff.

- I'm gonna go for my run. - 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?!

Joan: What's going on, Lucas? Where are they?

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.

She would've 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 at the precinct called them.

Lennox Hill, Mt. Sinai.

Lucas lied. Maggie isn't sick.

The detective at the precinct said you saw signs of a struggle.

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 this same time every morning?

- Yes. - Eames: Any problems in their marriage?

No, I just know 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 have money? A lot of money?

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 about the good news in the Good Book.

- I don't have time. - 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.

If you think you can get your wife and kids back safe without 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 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 these pamphlet 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 DA's.

They're putting the taps on his phones.

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 these over there? - Third-party checks he cashed at the bank.

$17,000, $32,000, $57,000--

$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 are payouts from brokerage inns.

He sold his car, he sold stocks. Looks like he knew he'd need the money.

Maybe the ransom isn't a ransom.

He's the Chief Operating Officer of 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?

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, 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? - That's what he said.

He bought a Porsche. Took his family to Sardinia last summer.

Cali Di Volpe-- $1,500 bucks a day.

Isn't that standard recreation for you hedge fund guys?

Yeah, well, there are no millionaires here.

Last summer might've been a different story.

One of the big firms made a buyout offer.

Everything was on track, their examiners were happy.

So Colter might've been expecting a big payoff.

$3.5 million. Then 9/11 happened.

The buyers 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. - ( cell phone ringing )

Eames.

Okay, call us back with a location.

We'll hook up with you. Colter's on the move.

He's been waiting there about 10 minutes.

Phone company's working on setting up a trace on all four phones.

-( phone rings) - Hello?

- Man: 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. - I told you people yesterday I need 5 days.

5 days is going to be

a very long time for your family.

Maybe you want to try harder to get the money.

Colter: 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’ll 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?

Colter: Yes. Please.

Man: 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 the 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!

- ( sobbing ) - What are you doing? Maggie?

- Maggie! - You like to fight?!

- Leave her alone! - 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! - ( screaming )

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 him to stop!

Susan?

Susan?!

They weren't able to get a trace.

- Mr. Colter. - Get away from me.