Two unlikely partners. One unstoppable killer.
Watch the original version of 48 Hrs.
Prologue:
The city was on edge. A killer was on the loose, and no one was safe. Detective Jack Cates knew that he needed to act fast before the killer struck again. But he was running out of leads and options. It seemed like the killer was always one step ahead.
That’s when Jack got the call. Reggie Hammond, a notorious criminal that Jack had put behind bars years ago, had been temporarily paroled to him. Reluctantly, Jack sat down with Reggie in a dingy interrogation room.
Reggie sat across from Jack with a smirk on his face. “What’s the matter, Jack? Can’t solve the case on your own?”
Chapter 1:
Jack glared at Reggie. He couldn’t believe that he was actually considering teaming up with a criminal like him. But he didn’t have a choice. It was either work with Reggie or let the killer continue to roam the streets.
“Listen, Reggie,” Jack began, trying to keep his temper in check. “I need your help on this case. There’s a killer out there, and he’s targeting innocent people. We need to catch him before he strikes again.”
Reggie leaned back in his chair, a grin on his face. “And how do you think I can help you?” he asked.
Jack took a deep breath. He knew that he needed to tread carefully. Reggie was a wildcard, and he could easily upset the delicate balance of the case.
“Well, for starters, you know this city like the back of your hand. You know all the people and places that the police might not be aware of. Plus, you have connections that we don’t. You might be able to get some information that could help us.”
Reggie laughed. “Oh yeah, I have connections all right. But why should I help you? What’s in it for me?”
Jack leaned forward. “I’ll make you a deal. You help me catch this killer, and I’ll arrange to have your sentence reduced. You could be out of jail in no time.”
Reggie raised an eyebrow. “And how do I know you’re telling the truth?”
Jack pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across the table to Reggie. “This is a letter of recommendation from the DA. If you help me catch this killer, I’ll make sure that the letter is delivered to the right people.”
Reggie picked up the paper and read it over carefully. “Hm. I don’t know, Jack. It seems too good to be true.”
Jack leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Reggie. “Listen, Reggie. I’m not asking you to be my friend. I’m not even asking you to like me. But we both want the same thing. We want this killer off the streets. And if we work together, we might be able to make it happen.”
Reggie sat back, tapping his fingers on the table. “All right, Jack. I’ll do it. But you better hold up your end of the bargain. And if we catch this killer, I want my freedom.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll make sure that happens. But we have to catch him first.”
And with that, the unlikely duo had formed an uneasy alliance. But they both knew that they had a long road ahead of them. Catching a killer was never easy, and it would take all their skill and cunning to bring him to justice.
Chapter 2: The Search Begins
The sun was setting over San Francisco as Detective Jack Cates pulled up to the curbside in his unmarked police car. He spotted Reggie Hammond, his unwelcome partner, leaning casually against the wall of the parole office. Jack took a deep breath and opened the car door, trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the task ahead.
Reggie greeted Jack with a smirk. “You’re late, man. What took you so long?”
“I had to wrap up some paperwork,” Jack replied, ignoring the dig. “Are you ready to get to work?”
Reggie shrugged. “I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
Jack sighed, knowing that their forced partnership was going to be a challenge. But they had a killer to catch, so he decided to put his personal feelings aside and focus on the task at hand.
The two men got into the car and headed downtown, with Jack filling Reggie in on the case details. A wealthy businessman had been found murdered in his office, and there were few leads to go on. The only piece of evidence was a single fingerprint found at the scene, which had been matched to a career criminal on parole – Reggie.
As they drove through the city, Jack and Reggie scanned the streets for any sign of the killer. They stopped at a few known criminal hangouts and questioned some of Reggie’s contacts, but they didn’t turn up anything useful.
After a few hours of fruitless searching, Jack suggested they take a break and grab some food. They pulled into a diner on the outskirts of town and sat down at a booth.
As they perused the menu, Reggie leaned over to Jack. “Hey, man. You ever hear the one about the cop and the criminal who team up to catch a killer?”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Real original, Reggie.”
Reggie chuckled. “I’m just saying, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Jack snorted. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. We’re just partners for this case.”
Reggie raised an eyebrow. “Right. Just partners.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. They dug in, discussing the case in between bites of greasy burgers and fries. As they talked, Jack noticed something strange about Reggie’s behavior – he kept looking over his shoulder and checking his phone.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked, suspicious.
Reggie looked up, startled. “Yeah, why do you ask?”
“You seem a little jumpy. What’s going on?”
Reggie hesitated, then sighed. “Look, man. I owe some people money. I was hoping to lay low for a while and figure out how to pay them back, but this case is putting me in the spotlight. I don’t need any more trouble than I already have.”
Jack sighed, rubbing his forehead. “You couldn’t have mentioned this before?”
Reggie shrugged. “I didn’t think it was relevant. But if I’m going to be your partner, you should know the situation.”
Jack shook his head in disbelief. “This just gets better and better.”
They finished their meal in tense silence, both men lost in thought. As they got up to leave, Jack decided to take a chance.
“Listen, Reggie. Why don’t we split up and cover more ground? You take the east side of town, and I’ll take the west. We’ll meet back at the parole office in a few hours.”
Reggie looked surprised. “You’re trusting me to wander off on my own?”
Jack shrugged. “We need all the help we can get. And I trust you to do your job.”
Reggie nodded, looking grateful. “Okay, man. You got it.”
They left the diner and split up, each heading in opposite directions. Jack drove around for a while, checking out the usual hot spots for criminal activity. But he came up empty-handed, frustrated and tired.
As the hours ticked by, Jack grew more and more anxious. He wondered if Reggie had found anything useful, or if he had gotten himself into trouble with his debtors.
Finally, it was time to meet up with Reggie back at the parole office. Jack pulled up, relieved to see Reggie waiting outside, unharmed.
“Anything to report?” Jack asked, getting out of the car.
Reggie shook his head. “Nothing. You?”
Jack sighed. “Same here. We’re running out of time.”
Reggie nodded, looking serious. “I know. But we can’t give up yet. We have to keep trying.”
Jack nodded, feeling a twinge of respect for Reggie’s determination. “You’re right. Let’s get back to it.”
As they got back into the car, Jack thought about their partnership. Maybe Reggie wasn’t such a bad guy after all. Maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.
Chapter 3: The Suspects
Jack and Reggie had been working tirelessly on the case, following up on every lead, but they had hit a wall. They were getting nowhere and were starting to feel the pressure. They knew that time was running out, the killer had already claimed two victims, and they didn’t want any more blood on their hands.
Reggie tapped his foot impatiently as he looked at Jack, “Man, when are we gonna catch this guy? I can’t keep living like this, I need to know that I’m safe.”
“Believe me, Reggie, I feel the same way,” Jack replied, “But we have to be patient, we don’t want to jump the gun and make things worse.”
Reggie just shook his head, “You and your damn patience, Jack, sometimes you gotta take risks if you wanna get results.”
Jack understood Reggie’s frustration, but he also knew that rushing in without a concrete plan was a recipe for disaster. They both took a deep breath and decided to go over the evidence once more.
They went back to the station and poured over the files, looking for any detail that they may have missed. As they sifted through the information, a pattern began to emerge. All the victims had something in common – they had been involved in a high-profile lawsuit against a well-known corporation.
Jack’s eyes narrowed as he looked over the evidence, “This could be our break, Reggie. If we can connect the killer to the corporation, we may have a motive.”
Reggie was already on his phone, “I know someone who can help us with this. He’s a private investigator, he’s helped me out before.”
Jack raised an eyebrow, “You mean a guy who’s helped you break the law before?”
Reggie chuckled, “Hey, let’s just say he’s got his own set of skills. Trust me, Jack, he can help us out.”
Jack reluctantly agreed, and they met up with the private investigator, a gruff and seasoned veteran named Frank. Frank listened to their theory and went to work, digging through his own sources and connections.
A few hours later, Frank came back with some interesting information. He had uncovered a link between the corporation and a shady criminal outfit operating in the city. It seemed that the corporation had been using the criminal outfit to carry out illegal activities, and some of the victims may have had information that could have brought them down.
Jack and Reggie were stunned, this was a major breakthrough. They now had a motive, and they had a lead to follow.
They decided to pay the criminal outfit a visit to see if they could get any more information. Jack and Reggie put on their toughest expressions and walked into the rundown building where the outfit was based.
The head of the outfit, a burly man named Vito, eyed them suspiciously, “What do you guys want?”
“We’re investigating a series of murders that may be connected to your organization,” Jack said, in his best cop voice.
Vito just laughed, “Murders? We ain’t killed nobody, what are you talking about?”
Reggie stepped forward, “Look, we know you guys have been working with the corporation, and we know they’re involved in some shady stuff. If you help us out, we can make it worth your while.”
Vito’s expression changed, he was clearly intrigued, “Okay, what do you need?”
“We need access to any information you may have about the corporation, and we need to know who they’ve been working with,” Jack said, feeling a glimmer of hope.
Vito nodded thoughtfully, “Okay, I can get you that information, but it’s gonna cost you.”
Jack and Reggie exchanged a glance, they were willing to do whatever it took to catch the killer, even if it meant making deals with criminals.
They struck a bargain with Vito, promising him immunity in exchange for the information they needed. Vito agreed, and soon they had access to a treasure trove of data.
As they sifted through the data, they were able to piece together a clearer picture of what had happened. It seemed that the corporation had been using the criminal outfit to carry out illegal activities, and when the victims got too close to the truth, the corporation had ordered their deaths.
Jack and Reggie were horrified, but they were also energized. They now had a clear motive and a list of suspects to investigate. They knew that they had to act fast, the killer was still out there, and they were getting closer.
As they left the building, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. They had made progress, and they were one step closer to catching the killer. But they also knew that they were in dangerous territory, and that the stakes were higher than ever.
Chapter 4: The Chase
The streets of San Francisco blur by as Detective Jack Cates and ex-con Reggie Hammond race after their suspect. They’re in Jack’s beat-up old car, careening through alleys and dodging traffic at breakneck speed. Reggie’s in the passenger seat, clutching the handle above the door with white knuckles.
“You call this chasing?” Reggie yells over the roar of the engine. “I’ve seen snails move faster than this!”
Jack grits his teeth and slams on the gas, swerving around a delivery truck and nearly taking out a mailbox. “Shut up and hold on!” he barks.
Reggie slams back against his seat as Jack hits a pothole and the car bounces. Up ahead, their suspect’s car swerves into an intersection, nearly causing a pile-up. Jack floors it, his tires screeching as he follows.
As they turn onto a long, straight road, Jack reaches for his radio. “This is Detective Cates, I’m in pursuit of a red sedan heading west on Montgomery. Requesting backup.”
He doesn’t get a response. The radio crackles with static, but no one answers. Jack curses under his breath and tosses the radio back onto the seat.
“We’re on our own,” he says to Reggie.
Reggie’s eyes widen in alarm. “What do you mean, ‘on our own’? You can’t chase a killer without backup!”
“We don’t have a choice,” Jack says grimly. “We’re too close to let him get away.”
Reggie looks out the window at the passing buildings, his mind racing. He’s never been in a high-speed chase like this before, and he’s starting to feel queasy. But he’s also exhilarated, the rush of adrenaline coursing through him.
He’s starting to see why Jack loves this job so much.
Up ahead, the red sedan takes a sharp turn onto a side street. Jack follows, his tires squealing as they slide around the corner. They’re getting closer, but so is the danger.
As they race through the narrow streets, Jack and Reggie catch glimpses of their suspect’s car up ahead. He’s weaving in and out of traffic, his speed increasing with each passing second.
“We’re gonna lose him,” Jack mutters, his jaw tight.
Reggie looks over at him. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gun. Jack glances over, surprised.
“Where the hell did you get that?” he yells.
Reggie grins. “I’m a criminal, remember? I know how to get my hands on things.”
Without warning, he leans out the window and starts firing at the suspect’s car. Jack swerves to avoid the bullets, his heart racing.
“What the hell are you doing?” he yells.
“We gotta stop him somehow!” Reggie shouts back.
As they approach a busy intersection, Jack sees his chance. He accelerates and rams the back of the suspect’s car, sending it careening into a bus stop. The car flips over and skids to a stop in a shower of sparks.
Jack spins his car around and skids to a stop alongside the wreckage. He and Reggie jump out and run to the overturned car, guns drawn.
The suspect is dazed but still conscious, pinned inside the car. Jack and Reggie cautiously approach, their guns trained on him.
“Get out of the car!” Jack shouts.
The suspect groans in pain and tries to move, but he’s stuck. Jack leans in closer, his eyes narrowed.
“You’re under arrest for the murder of Officer Johnathan Davis,” he says.
The suspect doesn’t respond, but Jack sees the fear in his eyes. They’ve got him, and he knows it.
As backup finally arrives, Jack and Reggie look at each other and grin. They may not have expected to form a partnership like this, but damn, they make a pretty good team.
Chapter 5: The Betrayal
Jack and Reggie were on their way to meet with one of their key suspects when they received a call from their superior, Captain Haden. He sounded agitated and wanted to speak with them immediately. Jack and Reggie exchanged a worried glance as they pulled over to the side of the road to take the call.
“What’s going on, Captain?” Jack asked, his heart pounding.
“We have a problem,” Haden said, his voice low and urgent. “I just received a call from Internal Affairs. They’ve been investigating one of our own, and they have reason to believe that this officer has been leaking information to the suspects in the case.”
Jack’s mind reeled as the implications of the captain’s words sunk in. “Who is it?” he demanded.
“I can’t say,” Haden responded. “But I need you and Reggie to come back to headquarters immediately. We need to talk.”
Jack and Reggie exchanged another worried glance as they ended the call and headed back to the station. As they walked through the bustling corridors, Jack’s mind was racing. Who could be the traitor in their midst? Was it someone on the task force? Someone they had trusted and confided in?
Their fears were confirmed when they entered the captain’s office and found a group of Internal Affairs detectives waiting for them with grim expressions on their faces. Haden gestured for them to take a seat, but Jack and Reggie remained standing, their eyes fixed on the detectives.
“What’s going on?” Jack demanded.
The lead investigator, a gruff-looking man with deep-set eyes, cleared his throat. “We’ve been investigating Officer Frank Stevens for several months now,” he said.
Jack felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. Frank had been one of their key players in the task force, a seasoned detective with a solid reputation. He couldn’t believe that he could be the traitor they were looking for.
“What evidence do you have?” Reggie asked, his voice low and dangerous.
The lead investigator nodded, pulling out a folder from his briefcase. “We have surveillance footage of Stevens meeting with one of the suspects in the case, exchanging information on the investigation,” he said, handing the folder to Jack.
As Jack and Reggie pored over the damning evidence, the room fell silent. Jack’s heart sank as he realized that they had been played for fools by someone they had trusted. He looked up at the detectives with a furious glare.
“What happens now?” he demanded.
“We’re bringing Stevens in for questioning,” the lead investigator said. “But we need your help. We need you to confirm what he told the suspects about the investigation.”
Jack and Reggie exchanged a wary glance. They knew the risks of being involved in an Internal Affairs investigation. If they were seen as too close to Stevens, they could be implicated in the leak.
But they also knew that they had to do whatever it took to catch the killer.
“We’ll help,” Jack said firmly.
With that, they launched into a grueling round of interviews, answering questions about their investigation and confirming what Stevens had told the suspects. The process was long and grueling, and Jack could feel his nerves fraying with every passing minute.
But as the interviews dragged on, Jack and Reggie began to realize that something was off. The investigators seemed more interested in pinning the blame on them than on Stevens. They were asked repeatedly about their motivations, their relationships with the suspects, and their actions during the investigation.
It wasn’t until a young detective mentioned offhandedly about how the department looked down on Jack’s methods that Jack and Reggie realized what was happening. They were being set up to take the fall for Stevens’ betrayal.
Jack’s heart raced as he realized that it was all a trap. They had been led into a false sense of security by the investigators, who had used their trust in Frank to implicate them in the leak.
As they left the station, Jack and Reggie felt nauseous with anger and betrayal. They had been used and played for fools, and they didn’t know who they could trust anymore.
But as they walked out onto the dark and lonely streets of the city, they knew one thing for sure. They would not rest until they brought the killer to justice and cleared their names.
Chapter 6: The Showdown
Jack and Reggie stood at the entrance of an abandoned warehouse, their guns drawn and their hearts pounding. Inside, they knew, the killer was waiting for them. They had traced him there after a long and grueling chase through the city streets, and now they were ready to confront him once and for all.
The warehouse was dark and silent, except for the sound of dripping water and the occasional creak of a rusty metal beam. Jack and Reggie moved cautiously, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. They knew that the killer was smart, cunning, and dangerous, and they couldn’t afford to let their guard down for a second.
As they rounded a corner, they saw a figure step out from behind a stack of crates. It was the killer, and he had a gun in his hand. Without hesitation, Reggie fired a shot, but it missed the killer by inches.
The killer returned fire, and a hail of bullets filled the air. Jack and Reggie dove for cover, their hearts pounding with fear and adrenaline.
“Stay here!” Jack yelled to Reggie. “I’ll draw him out!”
With that, Jack leaped out of cover and fired several shots in the direction of the killer. The killer responded with a burst of gunfire that sent Jack scrambling for cover once more.
Reggie watched as the two men exchanged fire, his heart in his throat. He knew that this was it – the moment of truth. He had to help Jack, no matter what it took.
With a deep breath, Reggie emerged from his hiding spot and fired his gun at the killer. The killer turned his attention to Reggie, and Jack used the distraction to his advantage. He lunged out from behind cover and tackled the killer to the ground.
As the killer struggled beneath him, Jack grappled with him, trying to gain control of the gun. Reggie moved in to help, but the killer was too strong. He managed to break free from Jack’s grip and aimed the gun at Reggie.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Jack lunged forward and knocked the killer’s hand, causing the gun to go off harmlessly into the air. The killer lunged at Jack, and the two men began to grapple once more.
Reggie watched helplessly as the two men fought with all their might. He knew that he had to do something, or they would all end up dead.
As the killer gained the upper hand, Reggie reached for a nearby metal pipe and swung it at the killer’s head. The killer slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Jack and Reggie looked at each other, panting and covered in sweat. It was over. They had caught the killer.
As they emerged from the warehouse, Jack and Reggie were greeted by a sea of flashing lights and shouting crowds. The news had spread, and everyone wanted to know what had happened.
Jack and Reggie told their story to the reporters, recounting their harrowing adventure and the challenges they had faced along the way. They knew that they had been lucky to come out alive, and they were grateful to each other for their help and support.
As the sun began to rise over the city, Jack and Reggie shook hands and parted ways, each heading off into the dawn with a newfound respect and admiration for the other. They knew that they had made a great team, and that they had accomplished something truly incredible.
As Jack drove off into the morning light, he knew that he would never forget his time with Reggie, and the amazing adventure they had shared. They had proven that even the unlikeliest of partnerships could yield truly remarkable results – and that sometimes, the best way to catch a killer was to work with the most unexpected of allies.
Chapter 7: The Aftermath
As Jack and Reggie walked away from the crime scene, they both knew that their partnership was over. They had solved the case, but at what cost? Jack was exhausted, emotionally and physically drained. Reggie was quiet, deep in thought.
It had been a long seven days, filled with danger, drama, and unexpected twists. The two men had started out as enemies, but now, as the dust settled, they found themselves feeling something else entirely. They had formed a bond, an unlikely friendship that had brought them closer together than either of them had expected.
Jack broke the silence. “I never thought I’d be able to work with a guy like you, Reggie. But you surprised me. You’re a good man, despite everything you’ve done.”
Reggie nodded. “I could say the same about you, Jack. You’re a stubborn bastard, but you know how to get the job done.”
They walked in silence for a few more minutes, their thoughts racing. What would happen now that the case was over? Would they go back to their old lives, or would they find a way to keep working together?
Finally, Reggie spoke up. “You know, Jack, I was thinking… Maybe we could do this again sometime. Not necessarily a case like this, but… I don’t know. I think we make a pretty good team.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”
Reggie shrugged. “Yeah, why not? Think about it. We could take on some smaller cases, be our own bosses. We’d make a good team, you and me.”
Jack thought about it for a moment. The idea was tempting, but also terrifying. Working with a criminal was a risk, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for it.
But then he thought about the past week, the way he and Reggie had worked together, the way they had put aside their differences to solve the case. And he realized that maybe, just maybe, Reggie was right.
“Okay,” he said finally. “Let’s do it. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“No more breaking the law. We’re going to do this the right way, Reggie. We’re going to be the good guys.”
Reggie grinned. “I can do that, Jack. I’m a changed man, remember?”
They shook hands, sealing the deal. As they parted ways, Jack felt a sense of optimism he hadn’t felt in years. Maybe this was the start of something new, something better. And maybe, just maybe, he had found a true partner in crime… or rather, partner in justice.
Some scenes from the movie 48 Hrs. written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
DETECTIVE JACK CATES is rushing down the busy street, yelling at pedestrians to get out of his way. He quickly jumps into his car and speeds off.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – DAY
Jack storms into the captain’s office, slamming the door behind him.
JACK: (angered) Captain, I need your help. We’ve got a killer on the loose, and I need to catch him before he strikes again.
CAPTAIN: (calmly) Jack, I know you’re one of our top detectives, but we both know that you can’t do this alone. What do you need?
JACK: (hesitantly) Well…there’s this guy…
CAPTAIN: (interrupting) No, Jack. We’re not going to let you work with Reggie Hammond again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
JACK: (pleadingly) Captain, I know he’s a criminal, but he’s also the only one who can help me catch this guy. Please, just give me a chance.
CAPTAIN: (sighing) Fine. I’ll sign off on his temporary release to work with you. But I’m warning you, Jack. If anything goes wrong, it’s on your head.
CUT TO:
EXT. PRISON – DAY
Reggie Hammond is released into Jack’s custody. He’s wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
JACK: (sarcastically) Lookin’ good, Reggie.
REGGIE: (smiling) Cut the crap, Jack. You know you missed me.
JACK: (rolling his eyes) Let’s just get to work.
FADE OUT.
Scene 2
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
Detective Jack Cates and Reggie Hammond are walking down a bustling city street. Jack is dressed in his typical suit and tie, while Reggie is looking sharp in a leather jacket and shades.
REGGIE
So, how do you wanna play this, Jack? We gonna hit the streets, start knocking on doors?
JACK
Nah, that’s not how we do things. We gotta be smart about this. Start with the evidence, see where it leads us.
REGGIE
And what evidence do we have?
JACK
Not much. But we do have the victim’s cell phone. Maybe we can get something off that.
REGGIE
Alright, I’m with you, Jack. Lead the way.
As they continue walking, Jack notices a suspicious-looking man in a hoodie walking in their direction. He nudges Reggie and subtly points him out.
JACK
(whispers)
That guy over there. He’s been watching us since we got off the subway.
REGGIE
(whispers)
Think he’s the killer?
JACK
(whispers)
Could be. Let’s tail him, see where he goes.
The two men start following the suspect, trying to blend in with the crowd. They trail him through the busy streets, weaving in and out of pedestrians and narrowly avoiding collisions.
As they turn a corner, they see the suspect slip into an alleyway. Jack and Reggie quicken their pace and cautiously approach.
Suddenly, the suspect jumps out from behind a dumpster, brandishing a knife. Jack and Reggie quickly draw their guns and point them at him.
JACK
Freeze, police!
The suspect hesitates for a moment, then lunges at the two men. A struggle ensues, and after a few tense moments, they manage to subdue the suspect and handcuff him.
REGGIE
(smirks)
Looks like we found our killer.
JACK
(panting)
Let’s hope it’s that easy.
They lead the suspect away as a small crowd gathers, murmuring in surprise and fear. The camera zooms in on the suspect’s face, which is filled with a mix of rage and fear.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 3
INT. DETECTIVE OFFICE – DAY
Jack and Reggie sit across from each other at a cluttered desk, surrounded by piles of evidence and case files.
JACK
So, who do you think did it?
REGGIE
(smirking)
You really want my opinion, Jack?
JACK
(sighing)
Not particularly, but I’m open to ideas.
REGGIE
Well, there’s your ex-partner who has it out for you. And then there’s that shady businessman who had a beef with the victim.
JACK
(frowning)
What about the victim’s family? Don’t you think they would have a motive?
REGGIE
(shrugging)
Could be. But something about this whole thing seems off to me.
JACK
(hesitantly)
What do you mean?
REGGIE
(leaning forward)
I don’t think we’re seeing the whole picture here. There’s something missing.
JACK
(skeptical)
And what makes you so sure of that?
REGGIE
(grinning)
Because I’m always right, Jack.
JACK
(shaking his head)
I don’t know how you ever became a criminal mastermind.
REGGIE
(laughing)
It’s all in the charm, baby.
JACK
(leaning back in his chair)
Well, charm or not, we’ve got to start somewhere. Let’s pull all the records on the victim’s family and see if we can find a connection.
REGGIE
(nodding)
Sounds like a plan.
Jack and Reggie turn back to the mountain of paperwork in front of them, their minds racing with theories and possibilities.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
FADE IN:
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
The camera follows a black SUV as it speeds through the city streets. Inside, Detective Jack Cates and Reggie Hammond are in hot pursuit of the killer’s vehicle.
JACK
(to Reggie)
You ready for this?
REGGIE
(smiling)
Born ready.
The two exchange a look of determination as they push their vehicle to the limit.
CUT TO:
INT. KILLER’S VEHICLE – NIGHT
The killer looks in the rearview mirror and sees the detectives closing in. He reaches for a gun under his seat.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
The killer’s vehicle suddenly swerves, trying to shake off the detectives. But Jack and Reggie are right on his tail.
INT. JACK’S VEHICLE – NIGHT
Jack reaches for the radio.
JACK
(to dispatch)
We need backup, now!
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
The killer’s vehicle crashes into a parked car, sending debris flying in all directions.
CUT TO:
INT. KILLER’S VEHICLE – NIGHT
The killer is injured, but he’s not giving up yet. He grabs his gun and exits the vehicle.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
Jack and Reggie exit their vehicle and take cover behind a nearby building. They draw their weapons and prepare for the killer’s next move.
CUT TO:
INT. KILLER’S VEHICLE – NIGHT
The killer limps towards the detectives, gun in hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
A tense standoff ensues as the detectives and the killer face off.
JACK
(to the killer)
It’s over. Put down your weapon and surrender.
KILLER
(laughing)
You think you’ve won? You have no idea what you’re up against.
With lightning fast reflexes, the killer takes aim and fires his weapon. The camera pans to reveal that he’s firing at a nearby gas station.
CUT TO:
EXT. GAS STATION – NIGHT
The gas station explodes in a massive fireball, sending Jack, Reggie and the killer flying back.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. POLICE STATION – INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
Jack and Reggie sit across from a man named JOEL, a former friend of Reggie’s who they believed was trustworthy.
JACK: Joel, we need to know why you betrayed us.
JOEL: (nervously) I didn’t have a choice, man. They were going to kill me.
REGGIE: Who’s “they”?
JOEL: I can’t say. They’ll come after me.
JACK: (frustrated) We’re trying to catch a killer here, Joel. You need to give us something to work with.
JOEL: Okay, okay. All I know is that they’re a group of guys who owe money to some dangerous people. They needed someone to help pull off a heist, and they said they’d kill me if I didn’t do it.
REGGIE: (skeptical) And you expect us to believe that?
JOEL: It’s the truth, man. I swear.
Jack looks at Reggie, sensing that Joel is hiding something.
JACK: Reggie, can you step outside for a moment? I need to talk to Joel alone.
Reggie hesitates for a moment before nodding and leaving the room. Jack leans in closer to Joel, his voice low and menacing.
JACK: (whispering) We both know you’re not telling us everything, Joel. And if you don’t start talking, you’re going to find yourself in a lot of trouble.
Joel looks terrified as Jack stands up and prepares to leave.
JACK: Think about what I said, Joel.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – HALLWAY – DAY
Reggie paces nervously as he waits for Jack to return. When Jack emerges from the interrogation room, Reggie can sense that something is off.
REGGIE: What did he say?
JACK: (grimly) He’s not telling us everything. But I have a feeling I know where to find the rest of the answers we need.
Reggie nods, knowing that Jack is about to lead them into dangerous territory.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
FADE IN:
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Jack and Reggie approach the warehouse with their guns drawn. They hear movement inside.
JACK
(whispers)
You ready for this?
REGGIE
(nods)
Let’s do this.
They enter the warehouse, their footsteps echoing in the empty space. Suddenly, shots are fired and they dive for cover.
JACK
(to Reggie)
Cover me!
Jack runs to the side of the warehouse, while Reggie provides cover fire. Jack manages to flank the killer, and they engage in a brutal hand-to-hand fight.
Finally, Jack gains the upper hand and pins the killer to the ground.
JACK
(grabs killer by collar)
Who hired you?!
KILLER
(smirks)
You’ll never know.
Reggie approaches.
REGGIE
(to Jack)
Let me handle this.
Reggie steps forward.
REGGIE
(to killer)
I have ways of making you talk.
Reggie delivers a swift punch to the killer’s jaw, knocking him out cold.
JACK
(surprised)
Where did you learn to do that?
REGGIE
(smiling)
I have my secrets.
They apprehend the killer and exit the warehouse.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – DAY
Jack and Reggie hand the killer over to the police. Jack turns to Reggie.
JACK
(smiling)
You know, you’re not so bad for a criminal.
REGGIE
(smiling back)
You’re not so bad for a cop.
They shake hands.
JACK
(to Reggie)
Maybe we should team up again sometime.
REGGIE
(nods)
You know how to get in touch with me.
They exit the station, walking off into the distance.
FADE OUT.
