Original subtitles

Wait. I love you. Why can't that be enough for now?

Because "not now" or "not yet"

-doesn't feel like love. -It's okay.

I'll be damned if I let Joey have his way with me.

You sure you haven't already?

My nephew Andre?

How could you do something like this?

You're trying to save our marriage.

But right now,

I'm working on trying to save me.

Let's see what color's your money.

You lost the man?!

You will pay the price.

[scoffs]

These people are really trying me.

Zach, draft a reminder for my fellow representatives

that I've already made it clear that I'm not voting

unless the funds for affordable housing

have been explicitly earmarked.

Please make sure that's understood.

Thanks.

[door closes]

Hello?

Someone in here?

[door closes]

Well, ain't you the vision of health today, Congressman?

-You. -[chuckles]

All these fancy workout toys

for you rich folk to play with.

Reckon a good old boy like me

could only dream of belonging to a place like this.

Unless, of course, someone like you

were to help me out with that.

[stranger chuckles]

Relax.

Why are we wasting time sitting around?

The lab better have come through with those DNA results.

Well, hello to you too, Kat.

Don't give me that face.

Jacob, please tell me

we have what we need to take that psychotic bitch down.

Are you lost?

Actually, I'm right where I need to be.

Now...

...just which bitch were we talking about?

♪ ♪

DANI: These model release forms need to be comprehensive.

Full protection for the talent, limited usage for the client.

Great. Handle it and get back to me.

[sighs] Just because I'm a pretty face doesn't mean

I don't know my business.

BILL: That's because I taught you well.

Mm-mmm. No, you are not here.

Well, I can be. To help you with the contracts

for your new modeling agency.

I don't need help.

You just saw that I'm--

-Miss me? -No.

Why can't I get you off my mind today?

Done. Over.

Gone.

[sighs]

-Dani? -Yeah.

Thanks for checking on me.

I appreciate it.

Oh, Bill.

PAMELA: Put that phone down right now.

Did I just hear you say "Bill"?

Dani, girl,

what are you doing?

Having fun with your new toy?

Uh...

you know, Vernon...

...I spent decades intimidating people

with my words in the courtroom.

But this?

This is power I can hold in my hand.

People see a man with a cane, they think...

...wisdom, authority,

danger.

Funny you say that.

You'll need all three to deal with this particular challenge.

Mm. You mean that blast from the past doling out threats?

You didn't think I summoned you so I could witness

your piss-poor attempt at a pimp walk?

[chuckles] Yeah, that was just me fooling around.

Save it.

We need to discuss the problem at hand

-and what we're gonna do about it. -Mm.

Careful, Vernon.

Last time I checked, we don't have a problem.

You do.

So, that covers what the physical layout

of the clinic's office will look like

after the current renovations.

But I want to be clear

regarding the responsibilities

of what you'll be doing at my office there and here.

Besides the standard duties of bookkeeping,

marketing and managing staff,

this role requires something special.

Whatever is needed, I'm ready.

Well, see, the thing is, Kat didn't just run the office.

Um, she had its heart.

The staff could come to her about anything

from professional challenges to personal crisis.

And she had this gift where she could alleviate tensions

and... lift spirits.

Of course she did.

Mm. So, essentially, you'll be a one-woman HR department.

And on top of your administrative duties,

the staff needs to feel like your door's always open.

Like Kat.

And you'll be the point person

on the renovation project as well.

Is there a problem?

Ted, I'm grateful for the opportunity.

But you need someone experienced and qualified,

and that is certainly not me.

Eva. [stammers]

Eva.

Okay.

All right.

So,

Kenneth,

if that's your real name...

You don't trust my credentials? [chuckles softly]

Shouldn't you set a better example than that, Congressman,

instead of doing what your kind usually does?

My kind?

Looking down on the help

from those ivory towers you've all built.

Enough of this... performance and all the side effects.

You're wasting my time.

What exactly do you want?

What I want is to watch you squirm

like a worm on a hook.

Especially after that night.

You do remember that night, don't you?

[chuckles] Would you look at that?

The man who never shuts his mouth in Congress

suddenly has nothing to say.

I didn't approach you in a locker room and threaten you.

[chuckles]

You're slick with it, Congressman.

Someone's being mighty cautious with his words.

[chuckles]

What's wrong--

are you afraid I might be wearing a wire?

Or I have a hidden camera set up somewhere?

Can we just get on with it?

There you go again,

trying to rush to the finish line.

But I like watching you strut around here,

wearing your fancy suits,

playing big-shot politician,

all the while wondering if today's the day

your house of cards comes tumbling down.

Speaking of perfect...

hmm, how are those adopted kids of yours?

What the hell did you just say?

I bet you have real nice plans for their futures, huh?

Especially little Samantha. Ooh.

My, oh, my, she is getting prettier by the day.

Keep my daughter's name out your mouth.

Oh, Congressman, you just added another ten grand to your tab.

[chuckles]

You're not in your courtroom, Bill,

so you may want to dial back that attitude.

[chuckles softly]

And why would I want to do that? Hmm?

Especially when it's the great Vernon Dupree,

the architect of Black excellence

coming to me yet again, hat in hand.

Have you forgotten who you are, Bill?

'Cause I sure as hell haven't forgotten who I am.

"Hat in hand."

Let's get to it.

We've got pressing matters that affect us both.

And yet I remain unaffected.

Maybe that stroke has taken a toll on your memory

and you've forgotten your role in all of this.

You were there from the beginning, Bill,

which means if we fall,

you fall, too.

My memory is intact.

In fact... [grunts]

I can remember every single request you've ever made of me.

But there is something I can't quite recall.

Name one moment when this family was in crisis

that the mighty Duprees didn't need me

to clean up their messes.

You can't.

I've always been your personal janitor.

If you're waiting for me to grovel,

-you'll be waiting a long time. -[chuckles]: Oh.

Oh, I'd pay good money to see Vernon Dupree on his knees.

But for now, I'll just settle for what I rightly deserve.

Oh. A swift kick in the keister?

[chuckles softly] A genuine apology

for how your family has treated me and my wife.

Stop lurking in my doorway like you're casing the place

and come inside.

That tone right there,

that irritated little snap--

that is my Bill Hamilton early warning system going off,

and it is ringing like a 5:00 a.m. alarm.

I hate that you can read me so well.

After decades of watching you ride

this particular emotional roller coaster,

I think I have a PhD in Dani Dupree's Bill issues.

So, what is prompting this sudden urge

to invite more rejection into your life?

I just want to make a simple phone call.

Mm-hmm. Which will be picked up

by his secretary or allowed to bounce to voicemail.

He will answer my call.

Only if he thinks it's something about the girls.

-You don't know that. -Okay,

let's replay the last six months, hmm?

Am I wrong?

Not exactly.

Dani.

Everything feels different since the stroke.

Watching him in that hospital bed, so vulnerable,

I don't know,

maybe mortality has a way of putting things into perspective.

So this call,

this is only about checking up on his health?

Of course.

Nothing more?

No lingering feelings?

No what-ifs floating around that lovesick head of yours?

Honestly...

...I'm not sure anymore.

Jacob and I were having a private conversation.

So, bye.

Go find another table to haunt.

[chuckles]

Well, I know that I'm the big bad Miss Bitch

that you both were running your big old mouths about.

And, quite frankly, I'm really getting tired

of you trying to frame me for crimes I didn't commit.

Frame you? Please.

We're just trying to put your trifling behind on blast

-for who you really are. -Kat, fall back.

Let's hear what she has to say.

You pulled up to our table for a reason. Talk or walk.

You heard the real detective, Kit Kat.

So go play with your baby dolls

and let the grown folk handle this.

The big badge,

bigger ego detective

and the brat with no impulse control.

Watching you both get all worked up

is better than Sunday brunch. [chuckles]

But, see, I know how this game works.

Yeah. You're gonna try to plant evidence--

more evidence-- on me and, uh,

fabricate a few witnesses, and...

and just keep pinning everything on me.

So spill--

what exactly is it that you're trying to prove I did this time?

Watching Bill struggle to lift his arm,

suddenly I wasn't the wronged ex-wife anymore.

I was just his Dani.

The same woman who knew exactly how he liked his coffee

during those long nights at the office.

Even with Hayley right there,

standing beside him,

playing the devoted wife?

Oh. Her.

That woman can take a whole stadium's worth of seats.

If I am being honest, which I guess I am today,

there was another part of me that would have...

considered making him flatline right then and there.

Excuse me, didn't you officially resign

being armed and dangerous?

Yes.

I didn't mean it.

I know you didn't.

But, Dani,

there's got to be some middle ground

between wanting Bill dead and wanting him back.

VERNON: You shattered

my baby girl's world.

Oh, not this tired song and dance.

-[scoffs] -And then you betrayed your own flesh and blood.

Naomi and Chelsea still carry the scars.

And you have the nerve,

the audacity to demand an apology from me?

It's a two-way street, Vernon.

Your family's warm welcome left scars of its own.

The way you all treated Hayley.

That woman you married deserved--

well, she earned-- all the disrespect

that she received from my daughter and granddaughters.

And in spite of that,

I've treated her with restraint

and will continue to do so.

But as for you, however,

I don't owe you jack.

Mm.

Now who's having a memory lapse?

You want me to lay it out chapter and verse?

All the deals I brokered,

the off-the-book meetings I've taken,

the palms I've greased.

Machinations that served you more than they did me.

Hmm. Even the ones that forced us to have this discussion?

Listen, things have changed, Vernon.

Right? Now, I answered your summons

because even though I'm no longer a member of your family,

my daughters are.

And in deference to them,

of course I was willing

to continue to offer my services to you,

but I will not abide your disrespect of my wife and me.

You don't want me at your table?

I'll be damned if I do your bidding.

And I will not regret you closing this door.

But you certainly will.

I asked you here because I'm trying to throw you a life raft.

Is that how you're framing this?

Hmm? As some generous offer to bring me back into the kingdom?

No, no, that ship has not just sailed--

it hit an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the sea.

Hmm. Okay.

Okay, so what then?

Hmm?

What, I go from family disgrace to savior

all because the great Vernon Dupree

needs another cleanup job?

And when this particular fire is out

and your precious dynasty is once again safe and sound

thanks to me,

then I, what,

hmm, go back to being a pariah?

I realize that someone so self-absorbed as you

would have trouble with this concept.

Okay, well, then please enlighten me.

Because between all your grandstanding and bluster,

what I'm hearing is there's no forest past these trees.

Or maybe I'm missing it.

So tell me, Vernon,

if you want me to save you and yours one more time...

what's in it for me?

Attaboy.

You want to play games? Fine.

But let's just call it what it is: blackmail.

Now, why do you have to make it sound so ugly?

Because you're ugly, and the whole situation is foul.

Some backwoods nobody trying to squeeze a sitting congressman.

The irony is hilarious

if it wasn't so damn pathetic.

I prefer to call it what it really is.

Justice.

The kind money can buy.

Name your price.

How much is it gonna cost to you to go ghost?

Hmm. Well, seeing as how I'm just a simple working man.

I'm thinking, uh...

hundred thou?

Figure that's not much for someone who was born and raised

all high and mighty behind these fancy gates.

Bet. I'll write the check now.

Hell, I'll write ten of them

to make sure we never cross paths again.

[chuckles]

It's funny you should say that.

What's funny?

Well, you didn't really think one payment

was gonna square away what happened, did you?

[chuckles]: No, Congressman.

That's just the start.

Mm-hmm.

You and me?

Oh, we're gonna have ourselves

a long and profitable partnership.

Look, if you're done with whatever this is,

there's actual work that needs to be done here.

And miss out on the twos of you plotting my downfall?

[chuckles]

I don't think so.

See, I've been thinking.

'Kay? And in order for me to protect myself

from this amateur, uh, hour investigation...

...how 'bout I just join the team?

Wow.

The delusion on this one

-is real. -Hmm.

Use the little fancy private school education

your pappy paid for, sweetie.

Now, Detective,

you know I'm making sense.

I mean, if we work together,

then we can actually find out

who has done these horrible things to poor little Laura.

Who said anything about Laura?

LESLIE: News flash.

Baby, I am more than just glam and charm.

And if I'm half as cunning as you actually claim I am,

then wouldn't you rather work with me

than against me?

And what if I tell you to take your blackmail and shove it?

There's that ugly word again.

Why don't we think of it as, um...

Oh, what's that stupid term you people use?

Right. Reparations.

Say what?

You want to be compensated for what you set in motion?

You no-good piece of--

Now, Congressman, don't get carried away.

I don't need you to respect me,

but I do need you to fear me.

Don't make things worse when all I'm trying to do

is get mine and watch you bleed green.

-I haven't agreed. -You miss

one payment, step one privileged little toe out of line

and you'll become headline news.

And it's not gonna be the kind

that gets you to the White House.

The Duprees built this community in a time where you and I

were drinking from separate water fountains.

We've handled more than just some crass, common thug

with delusions of grandeur.

Don't give me that civil right BS.

I'm the one that has right on my side.

You forgot how powerful my family is.

Oh, yeah.

Thanks for reminding me.

I've learned a lot since I've been here--

about how this town runs on favors.

So I'm gonna need some of those, too.

And you think you're gonna get away with this?

I have people that will make you disappear

without even a fingerprint.

[chuckles]: Oh.

Big talk from a man with big secrets.

But tell me something, Congressman.

If you have all this power...

...why haven't you used it yet?

Uh-huh.

That's what I figured.

Keep the cash flowing, pick up when I call,

and we can keep your secrets buried deep where they belong.

Oh, and, Congressman...

stay where I can see you.

You know better than most what happens in the dark.

[chuckles]

[shuddering]

[grunts]

What you stand to gain, Bill, is a promise.

If you don't make this right,

you'll wish you never came through those gates

in that rusted-out ride

thinking you were worthy of my daughter.

Oh, I already regret that.

Worst mistake of my life,

getting in bed with the Duprees.

You don't know what regret is.

Not yet.

But remind me again--

who introduced you to every power player in the city?

[chuckles softly] I earned my place.

You earned nothing.

Like it or not,

my influence is woven into your success--

stitched into every seam,

a thread you can't pull

without unraveling everything you've built.

There would be no Law Offices of Bill Hamilton, Esquire,

without the doors I opened.

That debt has been paid and then some.

A debt to the Duprees comes with interest.

You can...

help us rectify, correct this situation that you mishandled.

I mishandled nothing.

Or you can disavow any knowledge and walk away.

Oh. I choose the latter.

Is that wise?

Without prompt and definitive action,

this matter could escalate.

And when it does,

I may be called upon to make statements

regarding what transpired

and where the blame lies.

Statements that I'm prepared to dispute.

But who'd be believed?

The slick fixer

or the revered senator?

And when all the dust settles,

who will still hold power?

A lawyer left adrift by fleeing clients

or the ally of a family whose name will echo in history

long after both of us are nothing but memories?

What do you need?

Wait for my call.

Be prepared to move fast.

Remember...

discretion.

Don't I always?

The Dani I knew didn't sit around pining over some man.

She didn't do basic.

She didn't do boring.

Definitely didn't do begging.

And yet here you are, acting all brand-new

over Bill Hamilton, of all people.

It's different when you've lived a life with someone.

We created two beautiful daughters,

-built something lasting. -[sighs]

-Only it didn't last. -That's not fair.

No, it is not. Not to you.

Not after everything that he has done to you.

And yet you're thirsting over him

as if he's the last drop of water.

And meanwhile it's Andre who's keeping your bed warm.

The man does know how to make a woman feel special.

Okay. Then why are we even having this conversation?

Dani Dupree doesn't go backwards.

Especially when she's got better waiting for her in her future.

Eva.

My bad. I know you probably can't stand the sight of me,

-so I'll get out of here. -Hold on a minute.

Are you okay?

Not even close.

I... I just really need to ask you something.

And I know I have no right, not after what I did to you--

Eva, just ask.

When I worked for you,

was I actually good?

Or were you just being nice to me?

You weren't good.

You were brilliant.

Really?

You were organized, efficient,

intuitive where you needed to be.

Is this really what's bothering you?

Ted offered me Kat's position at his private practice.

Ah.

And it's for real got me shook.

You're worried about messing up?

Yes.

I just don't want to disappoint

the one parent I got who actually wants me.

KAT: After everything

this woman put my family through,

she waltzes in here

talking about joining forces?

Girl, bye.

Actually, not even bye.

Get out. Immediately.

LESLIE: Oh, sweetie.

It must be exhausting being you

and-and being this pressed.

You know,

Detective, I think maybe Baby Detective over here

needs some decaf before she blows a head gasket.

Hey, watch how you talk to her.

Kat's done more legitimate detective work in six months

-than you've done honest things your entire life. -[gasps]

Ooh, the persecution is real.

This witch hunt that you're running. Oh.

Yeah, I guess it's not giving what you think it's giving, huh?

That's why I called

a very powerful, very expensive old friend.

Okay.

LESLIE: Yeah, when I told him about your little case...

[chuckling] he laughed so hard

that I thought he was gonna need his, uh,

stroke medication again.

Ooh, goodie! Okay,

so it seems like you guys know exactly who I'm talking about.

Oh. This is perfect, honey,

'cause I don't have to waste time with introductions. Whoo!

[chuckles] Oh.

Right.

Especially when you both get served.

Ciao.

Did she just...

Yeah, she did.

Look, Eva, what happened between us...

...yes, there's a lot to unpack there.

Understatement.

But you ran my office flawlessly.

And that is why Ted offered you Kat's position.

He knows talent when he sees it.

But this is nothing like working for you.

I'm mad green to all of it,

and it's not like Kat's gonna show me the ropes,

consider she thinks I'm a curse upon humanity.

You're worried about filling Kat's shoes?

Girls like Kat grew up

knowing which fork to use at those fancy cotillions.

Me?

I was trying to learn how to stretch a dollar

at a grocery store.

I'm not prepared for any of this.

So I told Ted, "Yeah, thanks, but, no, thanks."

If you are genuinely not interested,

I respect that.

And Ted will, too.

But if this is just your anxiety talking,

scared of trying something new,

it's human.

But don't let your fear of failure

stop you from even trying.

But what if I crash and burn?

Then you learn

and you do better.

But from what I've seen,

you're not gonna have many problems.

You really believe that?

It doesn't matter what I believe.

Do you want to know a trick that they teach you

at those fancy cotillions?

What?

The hardest part isn't doing the thing.

It's believing that you deserve it.

My love,

Chicago may have your body,

but I know it doesn't have your soul.

That still lives right here with me.

Uh, the old manor...

[chuckles] seems so hollow without your laughter

echoing through these halls.

And no matter how many lights I turn on...

[sighs] everything is dimmer while you're away.

-[door opens, closes] -Uh, I'll call you back.

Love you.

He cornered me in the locker room.

-How much? -A hundred grand.

-That's it? -That's just the ante.

He wants regular payments and favors.

-Said he's gonna be around for a long, long time. -[scoffs]

That's what he thinks.

Maybe we should just come clean.

I'm tempted to call his bluff and go public.

-And then I can control the narrative. -Mm.

Martin!

Don't you dare.

I know.

[grunting]: We should've handled this years ago,

cleaned it up properly.

Well, now it's coming back around, all right?

We may need more...

more permanent measures.

Look, just be ready, all right?

Things could get messy.

Look, just do as I'm...

Look, I'll call you back.

Those files you wanted on the Roberson case.

Look, the next time you barge into my office

without knocking, Navarro,

you're fired.

Oh, I can't wait to get past this legal mess

so we can start finding our stars.

Remember, pretty faces are a dime a dozen.

I know, I know. We need a girl with that special something.

And the discipline to back it up,

no matter how gorgeous she is.

Mm-hmm.

Hmm. What? Did something capture your attention?

Yeah, there's something about this insurance clause

that isn't quite right.

Hmm.

DANI: What is

this phobia about doctors' visits and hospitals?

Does it have to do with your mother passing?

Not everything is a thing, Dani.

Okay?

Look, if a person tells you that they prefer,

I don't know, sparkling water over still water,

are you gonna demand that they get to the root of the aversion?

Okay, okay. But when I went into labor with Naomi,

-Dani. -it took every ounce

of your courage to stay in that hospital.

[sighs] Look, I was better by the time we had Chelsea.

Yes, but the discomfort was still all over you.

You kept saying, "This place makes you sicker by the day."

Is it really that bad?

Listen...

...I'm not here to make you talk about anything

that you don't want to address yet.

But I want to let you know that when you're ready,

-I'm here for you. -Mm-hmm.

-All right? -Okay.

-We're a team. -Yeah.

-Let me help you slay those dragons. -Yeah.

You help me slay those dragons.

-Big, bad Bill Hamilton. -[chuckling]

-Oh. Is that what it is? -Mm. Mm. Mm-hmm.

-Uh-huh? -Slaying dragons.

-[giggling] -[chuckles]

Dani?

Oh.

There.

Is that all there is?

Yes. I'll get these to the attorney

-so we can get the train rolling. -Yes.

And please confirm that they made those changes

I called about earlier.

Oh, absolutely.

Once we get this paperwork done,

we can kick things into high gear.

-Mm. -Now give me my pen.

-It's a good one. [laughs] -[laughs]

All right, go, go, go.

-Mwah. Mwah. -Love you.

-Love, love, love. -[chuckles]

Oh. Oh, goodness.

Bye. Bye.

[sighs]

Eyes forward, Dani.

Sorry, boss, but the door was open,

so I just figured I'd drop these on your desk real quick.

What, your fancy law school not teach you how to knock?

Or did you just sleep through Basic Manners 101?

Usually if the door's open, you're fine with us coming in.

Man, that must have been some serious business

on that phone call. Someone coming for you?

Hey, let me tell you something, all right?

I'll give you a bit of advice

that might save your life one day in this profession.

Sometimes knowing too much

is more dangerous than not knowing enough.

My bad.

Sometimes it's just hard to read you.

Well, you'll learn.

In the meantime...

[grunts]

...do as I say and not as I do.

What does that mean?

Figure it out.

Martin, we've been over this.

You cannot breathe a word about that night to anyone.

I can't keep living like this, Granddad.

Always looking over my shoulder,

wondering when things are just gonna fall apart.

You won't have to do that much longer.

We will handle this like we handle everything

that tries to tear us down.

There's too much at stake not to.

If you say so.

[scoffs]

Isn't it ironic?

-What? -Remember,

you were concerned that my secret would be blown

during my presidential vetting.

Ha. Little did I know that the true threat

was a bigoted busboy.

And when you say "play it out,"

what are you suggesting? We just continue to pay him

until he bleeds us dry?

That's not what I'm saying at all.

We wait,

we watch,

and we'll see what happens next.

Checking in to see if the Wicked Witch of D.C. pops back in?

Leslie feels like that villain in a horror film.

When you think you're safe and then, boom,

she jumps out of the lake grabbing your ankles.

Well, trust, she's actually gone this time.

Probably off harassing some other innocent victims.

Now stop stalling

and spill the tea you've been sitting on

since Miss Unhinged crashed our lunch.

The DNA test results came in.

There's a 97.5% positive match.

Yes! Finally!

Oh! Leslie's gonna get hers.

Hold up. Don't pop the champagne just yet.

If this isn't a cause for celebration, what is?

We've got her dead to rights.

Sorry, cuz, but this isn't the victory lap you're looking for.

Yes, I need a temp immediately. Yes.

Someone experienced in medical office management.

Yes, thank you.

I'm back for my job.

Uh, let me-let me call you back.

So, where were we before I had my little moment?

Eva, are you sure?

I don't want to pressure you.

I had a talk with someone who reminded me

that being scared of doing something new

just means it's worth doing.

And this practice-- by the time I'm done with it,

the people are gonna say,

"How did we ever run this place without Eva?"

Mm.

That's quite a mission statement.

Look, I know I have big shoes to fill,

but I also know what I can do when I put my mind to it.

If you're willing to trust me.

I wouldn't have hired you if I wasn't.

Okay.

Let's get to work.

Show me everything Kat did and watch me do it better.

Okay.

I don't understand what you're saying right now.

97.5% is practically a slam dunk. We got her.

We can prove Leslie wore the helmet at some point.

What we can't prove is that it was the same helmet

worn by whoever ran her off the road.

Are you for real right now?

Leslie ran her off the road.

We both know it.

It doesn't matter what we know, only what we can prove.

And the potassium poisoning?

Still not enough grounds to establish a charge.

I cannot believe what I'm hearing right now.

[scoffs]

So where do we go from here?

No.

Definitely not.

Possible.

Who told you that was your angle?

Too commercial.

Too edgy.

[groaning] Choose a lane.

BILL [on recording]: You've reached Bill Hamilton, esquire.

I'm currently unavailable, so leave your details

and I'll hit you back when my schedule allows.

But you will be.

Just you wait.

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