...for the murders of two young women.
Cullum later escaped and attacked Dr. Hudson, killing a police officer.
Meanwhile, schoolyards are empty, college campuses are deserted...
...and a terrified city locks its doors.
Oh, hi. Sorry.
I'm a little lost. Can you help me out?
Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
We have a white female, early 20s, found deceased in Vehicle.
Gunshot trauma to head. Request CSU forensics and coroner.
Backup is requested.
Got you.
It's a beauty.
Great.
I'll look at it soon.
You thought you heard a backfire? Where were you?
I was just waiting to cross the street, going east.
Excuse me.
Hi, it's me, Helen.
Look, this isn't a good time.
It's a woman shot in a car, right?
No, it looks like a drive-by.
She's in a parked car, shot in the head, no sexual assault.
Which side is she on?
-Look, I really got to-- -Was it the passenger's side?
Yeah.
Was the tape player on?
I don't know. Was the tape player on when you got here?
Yeah, it was. It was driving me crazy, so I shut it off.
Okay. Switch it on, would you?
It's still warm.
Don't laugh, but I think it might be the Partridge Family.
Put the tape player on.
Helen thinks it might be the Partridge Family.
Don't hang up.
Is a gas station nearby?
With a phone booth?
Go look for a note.
Here. I got to go check the pay phone.
It's Berkowitz, isn't it?
He's doing Son of Sam.
She was sitting in a parked car when she was shot.
Look in the crowd.
Berkowitz liked to watch cops work.
Helen, we found a note.
It says, "Police, let me haunt you with these words: I'll be back."
It's to Helen.
I'm going over there.
I know it's kind of late, but Ruben's going to drop by with a few questions.
Look, I've got to go, so I'll see you later.
Inspector Monahan, Homicide.
I need a 1 0-25 to Pier One, Fort Mason.
Approach Code 2. Wait for instructions.
Alert the officer on security duty there.
Just steal the car and go.
Burt?
I'll deal with you later, asshole.
You must think I'm a complete moron!
Until we know better, I say the guy's just a junkie.
A junkie?
In a full-on SWAT suit? Ruben, you're such a lousy liar.
Are you sure nothing's missing?
Yes, there is! The cop who was supposed to be at my door!
Where was he?
He screwed up. That's not the point.
It is! You dragged me into this, you're supposed to protect me.
What're you doing?
I'm checking the bed!
That man is in and out when he feels like it!
We got here as quickly as we could, okay?
Fortunately--
Why is that? Why did you come to my rescue so fortuitously, huh?
There was a note, wasn't there? At the gas station.
I was right. What'd it say?
You think the guy's been in here before? You said that.
I don't know.
Someone came and messed with my clothes.
And they put this red suit of mine on the bed.
Anything special about it?
It was the one I was wearing...
...at the lecture hall.
Why didn't you report it?
I didn't know.
I thought it was me, you know....
I had taken a lot of pills and I had been drinking.
I just didn't know. I wasn't sure then, but I am now!
So stop pretending to me that it's a burglar!
Stop treating me like I'm some fucking idiot! Tell me the truth!
I think the man who has killed five women in this city...
...was just in your apartment.
I don't know why.
But I do know he has a plan, and you seem to be a part of it.
The truth is he's very smart, and he's way ahead of us.
And I take it your moving is out of the question?
So, all I know to do...
...is run the usual checks, change your locks, tighten security...
...and pray.
Feel better?
No.
But I appreciate your candor.
When do I get to see this note?
"Once that you've decided on a killing
"First you make a stone of your heart
"And if you find that your hands are still willing
"Then you can turn a murder into art
"There really isn't any need for bloodshed
"Just do it with a little more finesse
"lf you can slip that tablet into someone's coffee
"Then it avoids an awful lot of mess
"Because it's murder by numbers
"One, two, three
"It's as easy to learn
"As your A-B-Cs
"It's murder by numbers "
Good morning, Commissioner.
Good morning.
Murder By Numbers, by The Police.
Obviously, the killer wants us to hear this song for reasons other than...
...music appreciation.
Familiarize yourselves with the lyrics.
We need to figure out what he's trying to tell us.
I think that about covers it. Anything else?
Yes, lnspector?
We're set up on Helen's phone line so we can monitor calls...
...and anything coming to her modem.
Questions?
He is not a happy camper.
-The Hudson broad. -What about her?
The commissioner thinks, and I agree, that she's leaking like a rusty bucket.
Maybe she's trying to hype her new book. I don't know.
She's just not reliable. Especially after lunch.
She has been really useful to us on this case.
I don't want you discussing this case with her...
...in any shape, way or form.
Do I make myself clear?
Crystal, sir.
Did that help any?
You don't feel fear, do you?
One of those people who thinks everything happens for a reason.
And we're all "God's chillun."
How nice.
I put my ass on the line to bring you that letter.
Are you gonna help me or not?
"Helen, don't lose your head."
So, we're on a first-name basis.
Is it a threat? Does he want to cut off my head?
Dahmer cut off heads.
Kemper.
I think Rifkin did.
I'm sorry. It's difficult.
It's okay. Take your time.
"First you make a stone of your heart."
That's the first step: dissociation.
He's saying he's suffered. Now it's our turn.
What made a stone of his heart?
Usually it's rejection or humiliation by a parent.
Gacy's father beat him for fun.
Kemper's mother locked him in a cellar when he reached puberty.
Something happened to this one.
Are these his first killings?
I think they are.
He's thought about them.
This guy's copycatting.
He wants what those killers got.
Fame, the power to terrify us....
To take whoever, whatever he wants without saying, "Please. "
"And if you find that your hands are still willing, you can turn murder...
"...into art."
He wants us to think what he's doing is art.
We're looking for someone desperate for acceptance.
Probably has a fair academic record.
And I think has a technical job.
Something that demands a certain precision.
"Flushed with your very first success...
"...you must try a twosome or a threesome...
"...and you'll find your conscience bothers you much less."
A gruesome twosome.
Kemper did two in one day.
Bundy did three.
Boston Strangler, Hillside Strangler.... Does the order mean anything?
It's not chronological. Son of Sam was before Hillside.
He's sending you letters like he's daring us to nail him.
If he wants to be famous, he must be caught.
So you can write a book about him.
Good grief.
Thanks. Stick around.
It's lousy, but it's hot.
Thanks.
Are you all right?
He burnt the print off the finger.
What a surprise.
He used it as a bookmark.
The chapter where Daryll attacks the doctor.
We know that Mr. Cullum was safe in San Quentin last night, so...
...why did this book show up under the mattress?
I'll call you one better.
It's autographed.
"Hey Doc, hope you like the book.
"Love and sloppy kisses, Daryll Lee Cullum."
What a cuddly!
I know what you'll say.
I'll do the talking.
How you doing?
I want you to look into this little camera here....
Now I want you to speak into this microphone.
She'll see me through that?
-How she gonna hear me? -Speak into the microphone.
Hello.
Hey, Doc.
I'm lnspector Monahan. I'll be speaking for Dr. Hudson.
I'm hanging up.
I ain't talking to a cop.
Dr. Hudson just got your book. Do you know anything about it?
I surely do, but...
...that's all I'll say till that foxy lady gets on the horn.
Put her on.
Hello, Mr. Cullum.
Doc!
I've been expecting your call.
From one author to another, how'd you like my book?
What do you know about the man who delivered it?
Peter Kurten?
What about him?
Peter Kurten?
Peter Kurten is the name of a serial killer from the 30s in Germany.
Damn, he took that man's name.
Is he bothering you?
He broke into my apartment to leave your book.
Kind of a hand-delivery?
Did you put him up to it?
This guy, he's written me all these letters.
I figured he owed me a couple of favors.
So I sent a book with him to your house. I didn't think he'd break in.
Steer clear of him. He's a freak.
He told me he's going to send me $500 for some of my...spirit.
He said that he can make me immortal if he had some of my spirit.
You know what I'm saying?
This is embarrassing.
I don't want to say it right out in front of a lady.
I think I know what you're referring to. What did you do about it?
I took some liquid soap, put it in a sandwich baggie...
...with a message from Jesus to mend his ways.
How will you contact Kurten?
Buddy of mine got paroled. I'll send the baggie with him.
Kurten will hook up with him.
Do you know when and where?
All depends.
Depends on what?
It gets awful lonesome in here, Doc.
I think about you all the time.
A personal token would be nice.
Let's see...
...something...
...feminine...
...something lacy, something frilly, something pretty.
I got it.
Send me some of your squirrel covers.
I beg your pardon?
"l beg your pardon?"
Your panties.
You wear them, don't you? That's what I want.
I want them autographed to me personally:
Daryll Lee Cullum. Deal?
That's a promise.
My buddy's meeting Peter tonight at 10:00 at the Danver Meat Packing Company.
How's life?
How'd you like to get off the Chinatown detail?
We have a lead. I think we can get this guy.
Yeah, I'll be right down.
You've got to come talk to me, because Jesus kept you alive for a reason.
He knew Satan was in my heart, raising my hand to kill you.
And Satan knew I had a good six, seven years of appeals...
...before they'd drop the cyanide tablets.
And I'm just like Jesus.
I got disciples, too.
They're dying to do whatever I ask them, as long as I just say the word, Doc.
I'm death and life to you, Doc.
Death and life.
-I speak Mandarin. They're Cantonese. -How can I get a statement?
I wish I could help.
I'll do anything you want.
You speak English?
You speak any English?
Let's go. Get up.
Fuck you.
Get your hands off me!
We're out of here, babe. Say good night to Hal.
Good night.
You're going out in public like that?
Festival of Love. Power to the people.
-Hang loose. -Heavy. Far out.
Like, psychedelic.
Doughnut?
Behave.
I'll send you to your room.
There's only glazed. You can't have the chocolate.
Everybody take it easy.
Hold the gun down so it doesn't go off.
Put up your weapons!
Weapons up.
Easy, easy. Put the gun down.
Tell him to put the gun down.
I don't know how to say that.
Take it easy.
Nobody out that door!
Freeze!
-I'm a juvenile! -Don't move!
It's weird, you know....
You think you're going to crash your car...
...or go out in a blaze of glory with some big bad guy.
And what happens?
Some jerk...
...forgets to lock his stupid drawer.
I can't tell you how many times I saw the two of you together....
I'd see you with your heads together. He'd be making some kind of dumb joke.
I wished....
I wished him dead.
Every time.
You know what?
The strange thing is, I'd really give my life right now...
...to bring him back.
You're in terrible trouble, Nikko.
Terrible trouble.
Who gives a fuck?
I give a fuck.
You know that in all the years I've known you...
...I've never seen you cry.
He's on paid leave. I managed to talk the commissioner out of no pay.
You take his, you take mine.
Now I'm supposed to lose three good cops in one day?
Sir...
...I tried to control the situation.
I tried to control it. I made a choice.
It didn't work out.
An officer got killed.
You made a decision, and it was the right decision.
You just got the wrong result. That's all.
You go out and you get drunk.
I am.
We missed him.
Jesus Christ! How'd that happen?
It was my fault.
I was so stupid.
We had a problem with....
Ruben's dead.
-Come in. -No, really. I'm okay.
I thought you should hear it from somebody...
...instead of seeing it on the news, because...
...I know that you and he had...
...a thing.
No, we didn't.
He was a...
...sweet man.
I thought of him as a boy.
-Come in. -No, I'm okay.
Come in for just a sec.
Answer the phone.
Let me tell you something.
Nine out of ten serial killers are white males...
...aged 20 to 35, just like these.
The FBl estimates that there could be as many as 35 serial killers...
...cruising for victims even as I speak.
Peter Kurten?
Bitch!
Get the tap on Hudson's phone and see if it traced a call two minutes ago.
There's a tap on my phone?
Yeah, just this second.
Don't argue. Just do it.
Is it possible this guy was a student of mine?
Where'd you give this lecture?
All over the country. Dozens of times. It was my stock lecture.
When was the last time you gave it here?
Would have been last year, just before....
I'm getting it.
That's it. That's the order I gave it.
"DeSalvo, Bianchi and Buono, Berkowitz, Dahmer." Dahmer's next.
Which means he'll kill a man and after that--
He'll do Ted Bundy.
The Sound Factory? Perfect.
I know where it is. I'm going now. Give me some backup.
Just maybe....
Maybe.
He's going to do Ted Bundy next.
That was the last name on the list.
He'll pick the most extravagant murder.
The song talked about a threesome.
Bundy killed three girls in one night at that sorority house...
...Chi Omega.
He faked injuries.
He wore a cast on one arm, and he used crutches...
...and he asked the girls for help.
He drove...
...a very distinctive car. It was a....
Gold VW Bug.
We need to get on the DMV.
We want records on all gold or tan-colored VW Bugs, any year.
I want an in-person check on every registered owner.
Anyone who's registered a gold, yellow, tan or any light-colored VW Bug.
Contact campus security at every college within 50 miles.
They need to warn all female students, especially those with long hair...
...to avoid any contact with males they don't know.
Report any man with an injury or a handicap.
DMV printouts of all Bug owners.
Beautiful.
That's him.
He gave him the drink, they went onto the dance floor and....
You're absolutely sure?
Yeah, that's him.
Peter Foley, Daly City.
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.
We've got him.
Call the SWAT team. I'm not taking any chances with this fuck.
Kind of defeats the purpose of my Miracle Bra but...
...who's looking?
You're onto him.
Good work.
Just horseshit luck.
I don't think so.
You take care out there. Okay?
Don't I always?
I love you.
You know?
I know.
You're looking good, Team leader.
This is a status "David."
Go, Team leader.
Peter Foley, this is the police.
Come to the front door.
Come out with your hands above your head.
Team leader, we have a fire in the basement window.
This is status "George." This is go.
Lieutenant, can you tell us what happened here tonight?
San Francisco Police developed evidence that identified the killer...
...known in the media as "The Copycat Killer"...
...as one Peter Foley, who lived at this address.
When Mr. Foley was asked to step outside to be interviewed...
...it's believed that he set fire to the residence.
Don't tell me you both want to use the men's room.
Hiya, Helen.
I got your invitation...
...and I accept.
Helen, it's MJ.
I'm sure you heard on your scanner it was a mess.
I know it's late, but I'm coming over.
That's perfect.
That is perfect, Helen.
Sounds like we have company coming.
I'm not going to lie to you.
This is gonna hurt.
This is lnspector Monahan, Homicide.
I'm at Pier One, Fort Mason. I've got an officer down. I need assistance.
Copy, Monahan.
Up we go.
Oh, hi there.
We join our program already in progress.
Inspector Monahan...
...don't you ever get tired...
...being a day late and $1 short?
You probably think I'm going to slit her throat right now.
Cut my losses, so to speak.
Wrong-o!
Do you really think I'd get her all dressed up, so pretty...
...with no place to go?
If you're a smart cop...
...you'll know where to find us.
And if you're a really smart cop...
...you'll come alone.
Otherwise...
...it 's "bye-bye Helen. "
See you.
No, this is wrong.
Here we go, Helen.
There we go.
Much better.
What about him?
Did I get the pose right?
Did the best I could from the photos. Come on, help me out.
Which way was his head? This way, or this way?
This way.
Good. Excellent.
Everything has to be just so.
God, Helen, I remember...
...watching you on the big screen.
In your red dress.
God, you looked huge.
Look at you now.
So sad.
But, look on the bright side.
I'm going to make you the world's most famous victim.
Guess what that makes me?
Did you know that more books have been written about Jack the Ripper...
...than Abraham Lincoln?
It's a sick world...
...isn't it, Helen?
You are not to go in there alone.
You wait for proper backup.
And you acknowledge my order!
You stay out of that building until backup arrives! You copy?
Absolutely, sir.
Careful, Helen.
See?
Now you've cut yourself, haven't you?
See, I've been practicing.
Want to know the trick?
Small...
...incisions...
...with a fine...
...instrument.
That way...
...I can make it last...
...for hours.
You will not believe how long a minute can feel.
Fuck you.
What?
You heard me, you little twerp.
You think I'm afraid of you?
I know you are.
I know all about you.
You're just a sad...
...second-rate...
...boring, impotent little copycat.
Watch it, bitch!
Or I will slice that smile off your face, do you hear me?
-Daryll Lee couldn't get it up, either. -Do you hear me?
I see, Helen. Nice try.
Want to know a secret?
I'm onto your trick.
I won't kill you fast.
No matter how much...
...you're gonna want me to.
Excellent.
Here's where Daryll Lee got sloppy.
He wasn't expecting a second cop.
-But I am. -I'm in here!
Helen, relax.
The other cop's collecting his pension. So will she.
But if you warn her, I'll kill her.
This is lnspector Monahan. I have a message for Quinn.
Go ahead.
Tell him...
...I'm sorry, I blew it.
Now, that's my gun, isn't it?
What in the world are you doing...
...with my gun?
Get your ass over here.
Come on, Doc, help me out in this situation.
What do I do? Do I stick her or shoot her?
Shoot her or stick her, huh?
Come on, help me.
You watch this, Helen. You watching?
Perfect symmetry here.
Get up here. You watching?
You watching this?
Helen, what are you doing? No!
Feet on here!
Damn it!
Good try, Helen. But you don't get off that easy.
Come on, get up. Let's go.
Get up, bitch.
Shit!
Help us! Somebody!
Somebody!
Help us!
Looks like I cured the agoraphobia.
Help us! Help!
Forget it!
Too late!
Too late for you, Helen!
Put up your dukes!
What the fuck are you laughing at, bitch?
What are you laughing at?
What're you waiting for?
Go ahead.
Dear Conrad:
Thank you for your letter.
Praise the Lord.
I know you must be so happy that He chose to spare Dr. Hudson.
The Big Guy moves in mysterious ways, don't He?
It just so happens I'm awaiting the arrival...
...of a pair of genuine Helen Hudson undies...
...signed personal to me.
A real collector's item, I'm sure you'll know.
They're yours.
But don't forget, a disciple must be strong...
...if he is to succeed where others fail.
Peter strayed from the path and the Lord smote him good.
So keep it simple.
Then glory is yours...
...and "vengeance is mine "...
...as the Good Book says.
I know you'll get my meaning.
Happy hunting, partner.
Daryll Lee Cullum.