Code of Silence Page #20

Diana is caught by two Comachos.

INT. HEARING ROOM - DAY

Eddie is on the witness stand.

EDDIE:

I can't comment on that. It was over

before I got there.

PARTIDA:

You are his superior officer, are

you not?

EDDIE:

Cragie's in my unit, yes.

PARTIDA:

Did you give the men their various

assignments?

EDDIE:

I did.

PARTIDA:

Did you request that officer Cragie

be on your TAC team?

EDDIE:

No, I didn't.

Partida lifts a document from the table.

PARTIDA:

Sergeant... I have here a department

document dated 24 September, of last

year. It is a request by you, to

your superiors, to have Officer Cragie

transferred to another unit. Are you

familiar with this document?

EDDIE:

Yes.

The room listens to every word.

PARTIDA:

Why did you request his transfer?

EDDIE:

Maybe 30 years is too long for anyone

to look at the city's guts, Mr.

Partida.

PARTIDA:

What happened to this request?

EDDIE:

It was denied.

Partida lifts another document.

PARTIDA:

This is a letter of support for

Officer Cragie.

(hands it to him)

Everyone in his unit signed it but

you.

(pause)

Why?

Eddie glances over the letter and hands it back.

EDDIE:

I don't agree with what it says.

PARTIDA:

Are you saying you do not believe

Officer Cragie is fit to work the

streets of Chicago?

EDDIE:

That's what I'm saying.

INT. OPS HALL - DAY

The reporters are clustered around Eddie as he emerges but

he walks past them back to the pay phone. He puts in a quarter

and dials. Frowns.

The cops in the corridor are passing the word about Eddie's

testimony, discussing it in little clusters. Their appearance

is frightening. Eddie dials another number.

EDDIE:

(to phone)

I just dialed 348-6610, and I get

this funny buzz. Check the line for

me? Thanks.

Cragie, backed up by a couple of buddies, comes up to him.

BRENNAN:

Seems to me the man's got his tongue

stuck to his a**hole, Cragie.

CRAGIE:

Hey, that don't bother him. He's the

f***in White Knight.

(to Eddie)

You wanna take on the whole world by

yourself? Now you're gonna get your

chance, Sarge.

They walk down the hall.

OPERATOR (V.O.)

(from phone)

Sorry, sir, that number seems to be

out of service. I've reported it.

Eddie drops the phone.

INT. OPS HALL - DAY

Eddie races down the hallway past hostile clusters of former

friends.

EXT. EDDIE'S CAR - DAY

Roaring north on the boulevard without regard to traffic,

Eddie speeds toward his house in his rattling Chevy.

INT. EDDIE'S CAR - DAY

Eddie rockets through the red lights LEANING on his HORN.

INT. EDDIE'S HALL - DAY

Eddie runs up the stairs, and slows when he sees Odell. The

boy is sitting on the floor, head in his hands, crying.

Just past Odell, several uniformed policemen are standing

over Pirelli's body. They step back as Eddie approaches.

COP:

He was a friend of yours wasn't he?

EDDIE:

Yeah.

INT. PIRELLI'S APARTMENT - DAY

Eddie hurries to the bedroom and back. He rushes out of the

apartment.

EXT. EDDIE'S STREET - DAY

Eddie runs for the Chevy and peels away from the curb.

INT. EDDIE'S CAR - DAY

Eddie is on the radio, speeding west on Diversey Parkway.

EDDIE:

(to mike)

Squad, this is 1462. I need a backup.

Have 64 and 63 from TAC 4 meet me at

the billiard parlor on 18th near

Halsted. Questioning suspects.

EXT. BRENNAN'S CAR - DAY

Music is standing on a streetcorner talking to a couple of

hookers.

Down the street, Brennan waits in their unmarked car.

INT. BRENNAN'S CAR - DAY

DISPATCH (V.O.)

(from speaker)

1463 and 1464, Unit 1462 requesting

assistance at the poolroom on 18th

Street near Halsted. Questioning a

suspect.

Brennan picks up the mike.

BRENNAN:

(to mike)

Ten-four, Dispatch. Unit 1463

responding.

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