A Father's Choice

Time.

8.8.

It's not dark yet.

Let's run a couple more.

How's that knee holding up?

Uh, it's pretty good.

It's a young man's game.

George, I'm looking for a sponsor...

Someone who will pay my dues and entry fees

and some of my expenses.

If you do, I'll wear your name on my shirt.

I'll make appearances at the car dealerships

and, uh, in your restaurants.

What do you say?

You look real good with that rope out there, Mac

but this here's your backyard.

It ain't no P.R.C.A. Rodeo.

I know.

I'll tell you what--

you get yourself into the pacheco at the end of the summer--

ranch hands' rodeo--

you do well there and we'll talk business.

Deal?

Deal.

Thanks, George. That a boy.

Mom, how about this one?

Let's see.

"This film contains scenes

of violence, nudity and strong language."

Not for children under 18, especially Chris McClain.

Good-bye, Brad Pitt.

Mom,species.

Isn't that where she turns into that...?

Yeah.

And kills those...?

Yeah.

Mom.

Oh, here we are,sound of music.

Don't you like us anymore?

You have a strange sense of humor, mom.

Very strange.

I was kidding.

I was kidding.

Someone forgot to let Leo out.

I let him out before we left.

You must have dreamed you did.

Can you get him, Kel?

I got him before we left.

You know, I swear I changed that light...

Saturday or Sunday.

I know I changed it.

I'm sure I did.

Woman: Chris, read it in the house.

Don't move.

Mom?!

Help!

Help!

Man 1: You hear from the hospital?

Man 2: Mother died in front of the house.

Fiance's still alive.

They took two bullets out.

Witnesses?

Just the girl.

Is there a motive here?

Cash, credit cards, jewelry--

shooter left it all.

The girls know about their mother?

They know.

C.P.S. is on the way.

The shooter spoke to her.

She told me after it happened.

We were waiting for the police.

What did he say?

He said, "don't move."

Chris.

We want to catch whoever did this.

So if there's anything you can tell us.

If he was white or black.

How tall he was.

What he was wearing.

It would really help.

That's okay.

You don't have to answer right now.

All right.

For now, you're going to stay

with Child Protective Services

but we contacted your family in Chicago.

Uh, Miller.

Gayle Miller?

Aunt Gayle.

And your father in Beckett.

We're tracking him down.

He doesn't have a phone.

Yeah.

He moves around a lot.

What's he do?

He's a cowboy.

Any time you want to have another go

just call me.

Yeah, okay.

Now, I'd be interested in maybe some other players.

That's got to be him.

Charlie McClain?

Detective Ross.

This is detective Cortez.

Thanks for coming down.

Glad you found it okay.

Where are the children?

They're with child protective services--

probably on their way to court by now.

You can't just have them, Charlie.

They're in protective custody.

You have to go before the judge.

Charlie: Who did this?

That's what we're trying to find out.

How'd you get along with the ex-wife?

We didn't talk the last couple of years.

Did you know she was

getting married again?

Yeah, I heard.

You didn't get to see your kids much, did you?

I mean, even before she got hooked up with kallen.

No.

Only going to get worse

after she married him.

I was 400 miles from here when this happened...

Shooting pool in a bar with some friends.

Now, I know you boys are just doing your job...

But do it on someone else, will you?

Okay, I know he's printing the front door.

All right.

I got everything on the second floor.

I'll head out.

Okay.

You're Charlie?

I'm Anna--

Mr. Kallen's housekeeper.

I'm very sorry.

Jesse was so kind--

such a good mother.

You recognize that necklace?

I gave it to her.

Take it.

No, I don't think I should.

Oh, she would've wanted you

to have it.

Please.

I won't tell anyone.

Charlie McClain.

I'm their father.

Lisa everson.

Child Protective Services.

I'll see if we're on schedule.

Hey.

Hi.

I can't believe how much you've grown.

I'm so sorry about what happened.

Aunt Gayle's coming, too.

All right, Ms. Everson.

There's been no arrest, your honor

and it's important to get the girls out of town

for their own safety.

Thank you.

All right.

Girls...

Listen up, please.

This court looks after your safety

and welfare.

If we can

we try to keep the family together

because we believe it's in your best interest.

So, Mr. McClain

I am going to give you your girls

but in light of Mrs. Miller's petition

I'm granting you temporary custody.

Now, you'll be assigned

a counselor from the Department of Family Services in Beckett.

And in three months' time, you'll appear

before the Beckett County Superior Court.

Now, if the counselor's reports are positive

and, of course, if the girls

wantto stay with you, they will.

If not...

The court will make other arrangements.

Now, is that clear, sir?

Uh, yes, ma'am.

All right. Next case, please.

Okay.

This is your truck?

Yep.

She's got 400,000 miles on her.

Okay.

Come on.

What are you doing, Charlie?

You never wanted to be a father

to those kids.

You wouldn't even know how to go about it.

It's just not fair to the girls.

I'm not going to let you have them.

Second-hand smoke kills, you know.