The Debt

Episode 104 (#004) - April 10 1996

When the space next to Blair’s warehouse apartment blows up, it may be the beginning of a gang war in Cascade. Unbeknownst to Blair, a gang called the 357’s is using the space for a drug lab. While Blair, Jim and Blair’s study subject Larry, a Barbary ape, are watching a movie, the lab next door is torched and all the gang members inside are killed.

Fearing a possible gang threat, Simon Banks calls in the Anti-Gang Unit for help with the case. Lt. Williams and Detective Earl Gaines are sent to help with the investigation. Gaines identifies several of the dead gang members and confirms the lab was run by the 357’s. After the investigation ends for the night, Blair convinces Jim to take him and the ape in for one week until Blair finishes his project and can find another place to live.

The next day after being interrogated by Ellison and Gaines, Antoine Hollis the leader of The Deuces, a rival of the 357’s, and Gaines best friend, is gunned down in an apparent retaliation by the 357’s for the destroyed drug lab.

While following up leads in the case, Lt. Williams discovers the weapon used at the drug lab was removed from evidence lock up. He also points out Earl Gaines is the only officer who may be suspect in the theft. Williams gets a search warrant for Gaines’ apartment where the gun and some of the drug are found inside. Gaines finds out about the search and goes to ground.

Jim does not believe Gaines is involved in the crimes and tries to convince Gaines to come in and talk. Gaines refuses but says he will help Ellison if someone will take care of Gaines’ elderly grandmother. Ellison sends Sandburg to keep an eye on the woman while he digs further into the case.

Through the duel efforts of Ellison and Earl Gaines, it is discovered Lt. Williams is behind the whole thing.

Canon Tidbits:

  • We get our one and only look at Blair’s warehouse digs
  • Blair’s half of the warehouse was 10,000 square feet at $850 per month
  • Blair drives a late model Corvair license 743-FSU
  • Blair’s paper with Larry was on short-term effects of concentrated television violence on primates
  • Blair has at least a bare bones security system at the warehouse, as Jim must be buzzed through the door.
  • Earl Gaines drives a late model brown Ford pick-up license 850-FMC

Main Cast:

  • Detective Jim Ellison: Richard Burgi
  • Blair Sandburg: Garett Maggart
  • Captain Simon Banks: Bruce A. Young

Semi regular Cast:

  • Bomb Squad Captain Joel Taggart: Ken Earl

Guest Stars:
  • Sherman Augustus ...Earl Gaines
  • Robert Wisdom ...Lt. Williams
  • Montrose Hagins ...Grandma Lacroix
  • Reno Wilson ...Tyrell Lang
  • James Black ...Antoine Hollis
  • Christopher M. Brown ...LaRon Maxwell

Thanks to Shelley Knepley for information provided

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