Burn Notice (TV Series)

Square One (2011)

Lauren Stamile: Agent Pearce

Quotes 

• Agent Pearce : *You* must be Michael Westen. I'm Agent Pearce. Thanks for coming.

  Michael Westen : No place I'd rather be. Max was...

  Agent Pearce : A friend? I know. I'd, uh, offer my condolences, but I'm much better at catching bad guys than shedding tears. We'll find whoever did this.

  ["Pearce" / "CIA bloodhound"] 

  Michael Westen : What can I do?

  Agent Pearce : Let me walk you through the scene. You be the killer. We found two bullets out in the hallway, so if you're the killer, you fire on Max out there, miss, then chase him in here. Blood spatter says Max was... where I'm standing. You bust in, put two shots in his back. He bleeds out here. Now Max is dead. What do you do?

  Michael Westen : Run to the exit.

  Agent Pearce : I think you head for the key log.

  [key log room] 

  Agent Pearce : So, you rip the hard drive out of the wall. Now there's no record of your entry. But how do you get out clean?

  Michael Westen : Elevator.

  Agent Pearce : No trace. Try again.

  Michael Westen : [on roof]  I hope you're not asking me to jump.

  Agent Pearce : Oh, you're the killer in this little exercise. Is that how you escaped?

  Michael Westen : Not unless I could fly.

  Agent Pearce : [chuckles]  We found rope fibers, and I got friction marks right here. The killer rappelled down. Probably had help. How are your climbing skills?

  Michael Westen : Not bad. Why? Am I a suspect?

  Agent Pearce : To be honest, when I heard a burned spy was mixed up with Max, my first instinct was to fit you for a head bag.

  Michael Westen : I appreciate your restraint.

  Agent Pearce : Well, you *did* show up today. And as your new Agency contact, a head bag wouldn't have started us off on the right foot.

  Michael Westen : You're Max's replacement?

  Agent Pearce : We worked on some operations together. I have some investigations experience. I asked for this assignment.

  Michael Westen : Max was one of the good guys. I want to find out who did this just as much as you do.

  Agent Pearce : I'd love to have you on the team. You should know this about me, though: I've got a pit bull at home, and I learned how to run an investigation from her. She sinks her teeth in,

  [teeth clenched] 

  Agent Pearce : she doesn't let go.

  [laughs] 

  Agent Pearce : Ever.

  Michael Westen : [smiles]  She sounds like a nice dog.

  Agent Pearce : She can be. But she is a very, very determined bitch when she wants something. I need to know I can count on you.

  Michael Westen : I'm your man.

• [last lines] 

  Agent Pearce : [sighs]  Langley's all over my ass, Michael, and my leads are evaporating left and right. Max's financial records, nothing. Traffic cams, nothing. You better have brought me something to chew on.

  Agent Pearce : [accepts coffee]  Thank you.

  Michael Westen : Could be something. Found a burner cell in the records you gave me. Phone was purchased at a bodega on 6th.

  Agent Pearce : They have a security camera?

  [Michael gives a look while pouring coffee] 

  Agent Pearce : You already got the footage. I don't want to know how. I just want answers.

  Michael Westen : [sits]  Already sifting through the tapes. I'll have something to report soon.

  Agent Pearce : You'll have a report for me tomorrow.

  Michael Westen : Isn't that what I just said?

  [Michael gets up and starts to leave] 

  Agent Pearce : Uh, Michael?

  [he stops] 

  Agent Pearce : I'm counting on you here. So is Max's family.

  [Michael leaves. Later, at Madeline's home...] 

  Michael Westen : [comes in]  Mom? I got your call. Did you find something on the tape?

  Madeline Westen : Michael, you need to tell me what this is all about right now.

  Michael Westen : I already told you. My friend...

  Madeline Westen : You told me that the security tape would lead to the man who killed your friend. And I know you've spared me some details. I need them now.

  Michael Westen : The person who killed my friend went to a lot of trouble to make it look like *I* did it. I'm hoping the real killer is on that tape.

  Madeline Westen : You need to see this.

  [They go to the monitor and play the tape already cued at 05:34:56. On the tape is someone with the size, build, dress, and mannerisms like Michael buying a phone, but no good image of his face] 

  Madeline Westen : He has your posture, your- your walk. He's got you down, Michael. Good luck convincing anybody else it isn't you.