Back at the Philadelphia police department, the entire Cold Case squad was assembled and going over records from Darnell's precinct in 1981, hoping to find some evidence of someone receiving bribes from Gerald Allen. After several hours, Stillman came to check on their progress.

"I just got off the phone with the crime lab," Stillman said as he entered the area. "Marcus Rothman's fingerprints do not match the prints on Darnell's revolver. So we know he's not our shooter."

"That doesn't mean he wasn't involved," Lilly pointed out. "He could have been the one who made the phone call to the police."

"True, but right now we don't have a shred of evidence to support that. So until we get some, we have to move on. Meanwhile, I'd like to know what you guys have found from the records of Darnell's precinct."

"Not much," Responded Lilly. "Quite a few people in the station back then were investigated for receiving bribes and there were a few convictions. Also we've found some employees with very questionable financial records. But we haven't found anything specific to link anyone to Gerald Allen."

"Okay, refresh my memory here. Are we even sure there actually was someone in the department on Allen's payroll?" Stillman asked.

"Boss, other then the self-serving statement from an incarcerated felon, we still don't even have any evidence the shootout in 81' wasn't a botched robbery," Scotty replied. "As for the department, we've been over these records again and again, and links to Allen just aren't showing up. If Allen was bribing someone, he was very good at covering his tracks."

"What we really need is to talk with someone who was in the department back then," said Kat. "But it would have to be someone we're sure wasn't involved in any of the corruption themselves. Someone with an excellent service record."

"Yeah, also it says here Allen's arrest and conviction was the result of a special team of officers put together specifically to crush his Drug trafficking operations. Jeffries added. "I think we should talk with someone on that task force. They spent months investigating his operations from every angle, so there's a chance they might have found some evidence of his bribery, even if no one was officially charged."

Stillman thought about the recommendations from his detectives for a minute, then he smiled. "I think I know someone who perfectly fits both descriptions."

"Hello Mrs. Stanton, I'm Lt. John Stillman," said Stillman as he welcomed Laura into the precinct. "I'd like to thank you for coming down here on such a short notice."

"Oh don't mention it Lieutenant; like I told your detectives earlier, I'd do anything to help solve Darnell's case." Then she laughed. "And to think, when I put in my retirement papers, I assured my husband that I was done with police work for good. But I'm sure he'll understand. So anyway, what can I help with?"

"Well, we think there is a chance that whoever killed Darnell in 81' may have been involved with Gerald Allen," Kat explained. "And since you were on the force that eventually took down Allen's trafficking operation, we think you might be able to help us identify him."

Upon hearing this, Laura's cheerful attitude changed to bitter anger. "So that scumbag Allen may have gotten Darnell killed? Well in that case I'd be more then happy to point you in the right direction. You know, the only reason I requested to be assigned to the task force building a case against him was because of Darnell. Putting Allen out of business was something he talked about all the time. After he was killed, I felt I owed it to him to help carry it out myself. I wanted it to be his legacy."

"You certainly pulled it off," said Stillman. "I've looked over the files. Your contribution to the case was pretty impressive, especially considering the fact that you were the youngest officer assigned to the task force against him. All the others in it had at least 10 years on the job. How'd you get such a high profile assignment with only a few years of experience anyway?"

"Well, after the 81' shootout, I sort of became a celebrity in the department, and they were pretty much willing to grant any assignment I asked for." Laura closed her eyes and turned away. "They made it seem like I was some sort of hero. But it was total bullshit. Darnell was the real hero of the Super Bowl shootout. All I did was save my own ass."

"And take down one of Philly's most brutal and elusive killers." Jeffries pointed out. "The D. A. had a spent a lot of time looking for a way to convict Eddie Ransen of something. Then in one night, you took him off the streets for good."

"You ever lost a partner, detective?" Laura asked in a slightly hostile tone. "Putting away a dangerous criminal didn't give me much comfort when I was standing over Darnell's body. I never should have left him alone. I should have disobeyed his order to chase Ransen down. If I had, I'm sure he'd still be alive. After the shootout, I spent the next several months hoping that the D. A. could find some way to cut a deal and make Ransen talk, that my actions that night would at the very least lead to the arrest of Darnell's killer. But neither the prosecutor nor Eddie was willing to give an inch."

Stillman realized now would be a good time to change the subject. "Anyway Mrs. Stanton, we're thinking Darnell may have been killed by someone in the department who was being bribed by Allen. But we haven't been able to find any link to him by looking through old records. So we were wondering if you found any evidence of bribery in the department during your original investigation of Allen's activities."

Laura paused for a moment in deep thought, then she answered. "Yeah, I think I might be able to help you. Back in the day we figured there was a good chance Allen had an inside man. It would certainly explain why our raids on his offices and stores rarely turned up any evidence."

"So did you find any suspects?" asked Lilly.

"Yes. A cop named Byron Wilford," Laura explained. "He worked in the evidence room and he handled a some of the evidence we collected against Allen. Evidence that had an unusual habit of turning out to be "inconclusive" by the time it reached the crime lab. He was also involved in several of the raids and we conducted against Allen's offices and businesses. Raids that we were based on solid probable cause and we were sure would give us some valuable evidence, but ended up giving us nothing. We had a feeling Wilford was tipping Allen off and letting him know to move or hide his goods before the searches took place. Wilford's finances also raised a lot of red flags. From what we could tell, he was living well beyond the means of a cop's salary."

"So what happened?" asked Vera.

"Before we could get enough evidence to make a case against Byron, he quit the force and moved away. We kept tabs on him after he left. For a short time, we hoped that he was still on Allen's payroll and we could still use Wilford to build a case against him, but we came up with nothing. I think he cut off all contact with Allen after he left the force. After Wilford left, our investigation took a turn for the better. Our searches starting turning up some real good leads and before too long, Allen was in prison and his drug trafficking operation was finished." Then Laura smiled. "That was one of my proudest moments as a cop. Sitting in the courtroom when the jury foreman read the guilty verdict. All I could think was 'We did it Darnell, we did it for you'."

"You said you kept track of Wilford after he quit," said Stillman. What did he do after he left?"

"He got a job working for the Brinks security company right here in Philly." Laura laughed. "Kind of ironic isn't it? A guy like that got a job protecting cash and valuables. Anyway he's the only guy in our precinct who we suspected was being bribed by Allen, so if you think Allen was involved in Darnell's death, Wilford might be a good person to talk to."

"Hello gentleman, how may I help you?" a middle aged man behind the desk asked as Vera and Jeffries walked into the Brinks Corporation building.

"Detectives Vera and Jeffries," said Vera as the two detectives showed their badges. "Are you Byron Wilford?"

Now the man seemed a bit nervous, but he maintained his friendly demeanor. "Yes I am, how may I help you?"

"We need to have a word with you about Gerald Allen. Your old activities with him have surfaced in one of our investigations." Said Jefferies.

Now Wilford's friendly attitude was gone. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said coldly. "I had nothing to do with Allen."

"That's not what we heard," said Jeffries. "We talked to some old cops in your precinct and we hear you were on his payroll."

Wilford laughed. "So what if they did? Those guys couldn't prove anything against me back in the 80's. So I'm pretty sure you can't prove anything over 20 years later. Stop wasting my time and go home."

"Well they may not have been able to make a criminal case against you. But they did take note of your suspicious activities and finances," explained Vera. "Maybe your bosses here at Brinks would like to hear about them. It might make them re-think weather or not you can be trusted to handle other people's money."

That comment caused Wilford to re-think his position. "Okay, okay. I get it," he said in fearful voice. "There's an office in back where we can talk in private."

"Now let's start over," said Vera as soon as the men were in the private office. "And you better be honest with us or your supervisor is going to find a report of your questionable police activities in his suggestion box."

Wilford sighed. "Okay, yeah I was being bribed by Allen. It was real good money, and since I was just a low level guy in the evidence room, it was several years before my activities drew any attention. But when the department formed that task force to take down Allen, it wasn't long before they were onto me. I figured it was time to cash in my chips and get out of the game while I was still ahead...and alive. Why do you guys care about this anyway?"

"We don't," answered Jeffries. "If all you did was take bribes over 25 years ago, then you have nothing to worry about. But we have a feeling you did a hell of a lot more."

"Like what?"

"Like get involved in the death of Darnell Prince," said Vera. "We heard he was onto to you. Maybe he got a little too close and you decided you had to take him out. Or maybe Allen ordered you to do it."

"Now wait a minute!" said Wilford defensively. "First of all, I was greedy, but I wasn't a killer. I'd never kill another cop. And second of all, Prince may have suspected someone in the department was being bribed, but he had no idea it was me."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because if he had found out what I was doing, chances are I'd be the one who ended up dead, not him." Wilford answered. "I didn't know Darnell too well, but I knew he was the straightest arrow on the force. A real boy scout. He no tolerance for dirty cops."

"Really? From what we heard, Darnell had a habit of giving people a second chance," Vera pointed out. "Maybe he caught you in the act and gave you a chance to change your ways. But you figured it would be more profitable to just take him out."

"Not a chance." Wilford insisted. "Prince would never have done that. If he had the slightest suspicion I was taking bribes, he would have taken me down in an instant. He may have been willing to help out low level thugs on the street, but not corrupt cops like me."

Vera decided it was time to try another approach. "You know Byron; we checked the duty roster from the night Darnell was killed. You were not on duty that night, and there is no accounting for where you were. And of course you know we still have your finger prints on file. We've already sent them to the crime lab to compare them with the prints we found on Darnell's revolver, so if there is anything you want to say before we get the report from the lab, now's the time to do it."

"I got nothing to hide. You won't find my prints on that gun because I didn't kill Darnell. And so what if I wasn't on duty that night? I didn't even work the same shift as Darnell and I worked in the evidence room, not on the streets. I had no idea where Darnell was going to be. Even if I did want him dead, I wouldn't know where to find him when he was on patrol, much less kill him. Why are you guys even concerned with personal motives anyway? From what I remember, the shootout that killed Darnell was nothing but a robbery."

"Because we found new evidence that suggests it wasn't," answered Vera.

"Well if that's the case, I can think of someone you might look at. But it's not me. You guys check out someone Darnell knew really well. A guy named Rodney Landis."

Jeffries laughed. "That's the best you can do? Nice try Byron, but we already know about Rodney Landis, and from what we heard, Rodney and Darnell were the best of friends."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too," said Wilford. But when I saw them together outside the police station, they didn't seem to be on friendly terms at all."

("Southern Cross" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash)

Wilford stood in a dark corner of the police station parking lot, puffing away on a cigarette. There was still about 15 minutes left before he had to check in for work and he figured he had time to enjoy a few smokes. Suddenly he noticed officer Darnell Prince and his partner, Laura Stanton, exit the station. They were engaged in conversation and did not notice him.

"...Well I gotta hurry up and get home," said Laura as she headed for her car. "See you tomorrow Darnell."

"Hey wait a minute!" shouted Darnell as he went after her. "You're not going anywhere until you agree to come to the Super Bowl party at my house on Sunday. I'm telling you Laura, weather or not you're a football fan, you're going to love it."

Laura stopped and sighed. "I don't know. I told you, my husband has to work that night. It just doesn't seem right to go out to a party without him."

Darnell laughed. "Oh come on Laura, who cares? Half the guys from our shift are going to be there, and most of them aren't bringing their wives. It's not some formal occasion. Besides, what else would you be doing that night? Sitting at home alone playing Space Invaders?"

"Hey! If blasting away at alien ships is my idea of a good time, then so be it. Who are you to judge?" Laura sarcastically replied.

Darnell rolled his eyes "Look, just think of it as a chance to hang out with your co-workers and enjoy some good food and free beer. Your Atari will still be there when you get back."

Laura finally gave in. "Okay fine, I'll be there. Now I gotta get out of here, it's been a long day."

Laura got into her car and drove away, while Darnell walked toward his own vehicle. But before he reached it, he was suddenly confronted by a man who exited a car parked nearby.

Darnell seemed happy to see the man. "Hey Rodney. Nice to see you, what are you doing here?" he asked in a friendly voice.

"I need to talk to you about David," Rodney replied bluntly. "He told me everything. About his debts, the drug dealing, and how you caught him."

"That's great," Said Darnell. "I was hoping he would tell you about it and save me the trouble. I knew deep down he's a good kid and he won't make the mistake of getting involved in crime again."

Now Rodney seemed concerned. "He also said you were going to confront Gerald Allen and force him to let David go. Please tell me you haven't done that yet."

"Relax Rod; I already took care of the problem. David will not be working for Allen anymore. I made sure Allen saw the logic of letting him go and got my point across using language he would clearly understand."

Now Rodney was furious. "I can't believe you did that! Are you trying to get David killed?! What if Allen decides putting a bullet in David's head would be better then risking the possibility of him telling someone about his drug operations?"

"That's not going to happen," Darnell assured him. "Allen wouldn't dare harm David after our confrontation. He's knows that if he did, I'd bring the wrath of the police down on him like a ton of bricks. Trust me Rodney, David is perfectly safe."

"You don't know that for sure," Rodney replied. Then he started to pace back and fourth angrily. "Dammit Darnell, I'm glad you found out David was dealing drugs and stopped him, but you shouldn't have confronted Allen about it. You should have come to me and we could have worked out a solution together."

Now Darnell was angry. "Don't tell me what I should have done, you ungrateful bastard! I'm a cop and I caught your son red handed dealing drugs! What I should have done was throw his ass in prison! But I gave him another chance because I know he's a good kid and it isn't too late for him to turn his life around."

"Oh spare me your self-righteous nonsense." Rodney shot back. "Your 'noble' quest to save David from a life of crime sure as hell won't mean much when you and your pals are pulling his battered corpse out of a dumpster. Your little meeting with Allen was way too reckless and you should have known better."

"Allen won't do anything to harm David." Darnell repeated. "You just have to trust me."

"Listen to me Darnell. You know I consider you a family member, but David is my own flesh and blood. He's all I've got. You're taking a major gamble with his life and I'm not going to stand for it. If you keep putting his life in jeopardy, I'll do anything it takes to protect my son!!"

With that, Rodney angrily stormed back to his car and drove away.

"I never told anyone about the incident." Wilford explained. "It would implicate Allen and I wasn't about to do that while I was taking his bribes. Besides, the investigators said Darnell's death was caused by a botched robbery, so I didn't think it was relevant."

"Well it seems relevant to us," Said Vera. "Rodney really said he'd do 'anything' huh?"

"Yep, those were his exact words," Wilford replied

"I wonder if that includes murder."