Original subtitles

Who do you look for?

What are you planning?

No, no, no, no, no, no! Please, please, please, please, no! No, no, no!

Cash or credit?

Cash or credit?

My people perish for a lack of knowledge.

At least, that's what the Bible says.

When it comes to revealing hidden secrets, however, timing is everything.

Protecting truths that can make you vulnerable to your enemies?

is never easy. The only thing more difficult?

Keeping those same truths from the ones you love.

That is, until the moment is right.

Because as painful as it may be, we all gotta learn someday.

No more talking about it The way it is, the way it

is It's no mystery

There's no getting around it.

When you're here, when you're here, we got chemistry.

Don't forget to remember Don't forget to remember me

When you leave Don't forget to

remember Don't forget to remember me

Remember

Drama!

Denim Jackson here, sitting in for Duke Salters, who's on sabbatical. No thanks

to the great and powerful Lacey McCullough.

Speaking of which, the walls have finally come tumbling down on her.

And the FBI has frozen most of her company's assets as part of an

on money laundering, tax evasion, and extortion on an illicit third -party

business, in which I'm hearing is a high -priced escort service.

Now, if you didn't know,

McCullough's mother, Antoinette, is serving time for embezzlement.

Meanwhile, her younger brother, Daniel, is accused of raping Elena Marzilli, the

wife of the Los Angeles Cheetah owner, Frank Marzilli.

Now the charges were dropped.

Was it role play? Who knows?

Morning, beautiful.

Hey, do you ever stop watching the news?

Gotta stay current.

Although, I could take a break.

You don't want coffee or breakfast?

I'm staring at the breakfast of champions right now.

Yeah.

Oh, really?

Really. Yeah.

Yes. Sorry

ass

mother that you are.

Lacey, you got the fucking fade exactly.

Powerful Lacey McCollum.

Speaking of which, the walls have finally come tumbling down on her.

Warden Reed is making me full partner.

I'm leaving the firm.

And the FBI has frozen most of her company's assets as part of an

on her.

You must have mistaken me for one of your basic bootleg chicks. Oh, fucking

lace. It is my judgment that the defendant's embezzlement conviction be

upheld.

I thought you kissed him, Othello.

It's not what it looks like it is. I love you.

Lacey, I'm tired of this shit.

I have had your back from day one.

I already knew that I wasn't her dad.

Othello, that sorry -ass, low -down motherfucker, you didn't tell me it was

Lacey, I am so tired of this shit. Mark, I love you. I love you. Lacey. You have

to forgive me, Mark.

I love you. I swear to God. Lacey, get your hands off of me. I don't love you.

Please, Mark. Please, please, Mark.

Please, please. Don't listen to me now.

Don't listen to me now, Mark.

Lacey, I'm taking her. You're all that I have. I'm taking her. No. And I'm

going. No, what? What? You're not taking her. No. So help me God.

I'm her mother. And you're a sorry ass mother.

Lacey, you got the feds after you.

The feds? Do you know what that means?

Open your fucking eyes!

You're talking about not to mention anybody else, you un -fucked -up!

So, run! Why can't we just talk about this some more?

Please.

Lacey, let me go.

Mommy? Daddy?

Baby, baby, baby. Hey, hey, hey. Let's go. Mark, stop it! Stop!

Lacey, Lacey.

It's okay.

Mark, please.

Please. Please.

Baby, let's go in the house. No.

I'll be back in the morning, okay?

Get your shit and get the fuck out of here.

How could you do this to us?

Maybe you...

Price Escort Service.

Mark, I'm not able to answer your call right now.

Please leave a message after the tone.

Mark, this has to stop.

I know you're upset.

But we have to talk about all this as a family.

I deserve to see my daughter and be with her.

You ready for breakfast?

No, not now.

Mark's not answering the phone. He's trying to keep Zoe away from me.

Sweetheart, I know you're angry, but she is safe with him.

Mark's her father.

Still doesn't make it right what he's doing.

Lacey, come on, sweetheart. You need to eat. Come on, let's go. Sit down. Come

on.

Big D should be here soon.

We need to figure out a way to minimize all this damage.

So do you think Duke's Dirt knows your business?

You don't know Duke's Dirt. They won't let this go.

Daddy, I don't think you're hearing me.

I am not losing.

I lost everything, including my appetite, and this pork plate is not

I need time to think.

Sweetheart, you don't think I know anything about losing?

Businesses? Your mother?

How do you think I had to deal with the whole church when your mother got

sentenced to prison?

It's different.

They're primed to love and forgive.

You believe that?

Yeah.

Church folks are the most judgmental people on this earth.

But forgiveness is key to their faith.

Once you forgive yourself, you'll find it better to navigate everything.

Does that theory apply to all family members?

Oh, good morning.

Glad you're awake.

We know how you like to sleep in.

I can't with you two today.

I was just trying to check on my sister before I got my day started.

Bye.

Son, I want you to leave your sister alone. Don't ask for money. Don't ask

gifts. Don't ask for nothing.

She doesn't need any of that drama right now.

So when I make the tabloids, I get the cold shoulder.

But when she fucks up, she gets a warm meal and a lullaby.

Let me tell you something, boy.

You better watch your mouth with me.

You avoiding 20 years in prison, that was your lullaby.

And what the hell were you doing in the dungeon anyway?

I was high.

I wasn't in my right state of mind.

Absolutely you weren't.

You know...

Your mother created that godforsaken place for them to do deals.

As a matter of fact, your little entanglement was the first thing they

happen there.

You're just not going to let that go.

Son, I have forgiven you.

But in order for you to get the same amount of grace I'm giving Lacey, you've

got to start taking care of yourself.

You've got to clean yourself up.

I love you boy.

Big D inside.

The cavalry is finally here. Hello, my darling. How you doing, girl?

How is she?

She's pissed.

Denim Jackson's just one reporter.

Lacey can fight this.

Yeah, just waiting till the paparazzi show up.

So what's the contingency plan?

Barrington, you're looking at her.

Come on, girl.

You know how I do.

Come on, now.

What the hell?

Dee, I'm glad you're here.

Um, what's the latest?

The new spot for the team is almost ready.

Ben did a sweep for Bugs and he's over there now setting up counter

surveillance.

I'll text you the address.

Good.

Oh, and Sloan is looking for the FBI task force location.

Seems they've moved somewhere special to handle our case.

Find out where and get it to the twins.

We have to know everything they know.

Will do.

Have you heard from Chelsea about the governor?

Not yet. Let's hope she can still get her dad to meet with me.

Uh, baby, are you all right?

Well, Mark hasn't returned my calls since, uh...

We fought about Zoe last week.

And, um, don't even get me started on Othello.

Mm, Othello.

I was wondering what happened to pretty boy Romeo.

I blew him off the day he received the offer from Walden and Reeves.

There's a lot going on. Tony's appeal.

Anyway, we got into an argument in my office that, um, that ended with a kiss.

A kiss Mark happened to see.

Wait. What do you mean you kissed Othello?

It was nothing. It just happened, okay? There was nothing behind it.

I told Othello I love Mark.

But now Mark is acting as if I am an unfit parent.

No.

I can't believe he called me a horrible mother.

And Othello is not returning my calls.

Do you think I'm a bad mother?

Lacey, are you serious?

You hold it down for that little girl, all while keeping your other baby, that

damn firm, alive.

Thank you.

Um, sweetie pie?

Yeah.

Now.

I know you don't think nobody's going to be taking orders from you looking and

smelling like you just crawled out of a crack house.

Like I just crawled out of a crack house? Oh, yeah.

Okay. All right. Good point. Good point. Yeah.

It's going to be a bloodbath.

Mm -hmm.

Then let's party.

Like the motherfucking red sea.

I don't know

about tomorrow, but I know about today.

All I need is you and me and everything's okay.

I don't know about yesterday.

Doesn't matter anyway.

Because the past just fades away.

Girl,

you belong to me.

My touch is all I need.

Your love is all I see.

These banks ain't got no money.

Politics is fun and war in every country.

I don't know if I'm a B.

Big D.

Oh, dead man.

Hey.

What's going on with you, man?

Good that you came.

Thank you for coming.

You know how Auntie D is.

Besides, right now is the time for us to be here for one another.

Well, I'm glad that you said that because I actually want to ask for your

on something.

Okay.

All right.

I want to start my own company.

A sports agency.

All right? It would be a fresh start for me. It would be a way for me to start

making my own money.

And you remember, I was highly recruited before I got hurt, right? So I still

have some contact, but I need, like,

a big client to pull this off.

Baby, you know, ordinarily, I would pull all kinds of strings for you.

But right now, I'm just preoccupied with your sister and the firm.

And look, Dean, are you even sure that you are ready for that kind of

responsibility?

Well, I'll never be able to prove it if I'm never given the chance, right?

I'm sorry, baby.

Don't worry about it.

Now that McCullough and the Associates have shut down, what are you going to

You know I was approached by Walden and Reed.

I didn't accept.

Why didn't you take their offer?

Because when you invest in something long enough, you expect a return.

I'm still waiting on mine.

It's more than that, isn't it?

Lacey is my hero.

Was my hero.

Maybe she still is, I don't know.

I just always admired how she built her firm from the ground up.

How she made the firm feel like a family.

I first learned about the incomparable Lacey McCullough when she won an award

the National Black Lawyers Association.

Here is this young superstar attorney just making waves in Los Angeles power

circles.

It was inevitable that she became my idol, and I took the chance to work for

her.

A black firm, paying me well.

She spoke a lot about loyalty.

And you don't feel like you're part of the family anymore?

She has a reason.

I just can't tell if it's because she's trying to protect me or she doesn't

trust me.

Either way, I'm helping.

God knows she could use your help.

The last thing I want to do is write another story about a high -profile

person behind bars.

Period.

I don't know why Lacey's worried about Britney.

She's not a threat.

Lacey wanted us to make sure that no one was being followed by the FBI.

The question is, who the hell is this guy with his tongue down her throat?

So, what has Lacey said about the mutilator?

I don't know, nothing.

Even before the FBI raid, I tried to talk to the twins about it, and they

telling me I'm on a need -to -know basis.

Believe me, anybody as smart as Lacey McCullough knows how valuable you are to

the business.

Just be patient, eh?

Okay.

I can't apologize enough for how this whole scandal has affected you. No.

I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when I came to your firm.

I'm just happy that you're doing okay.

Me? I thought the FBI would have gotten to you by now.

Oh, they did.

They're just going to keep me after their questioning.

They don't have anything concrete.

I can't express what your loyalty means to me.

It's hard to come by in this town.

But we need to find somebody to turn.

Maybe go back to the dungeon and see if her knows anyone in the FBI.

Which her?

Oh.

Her, her.

Yeah. You sure?

We've never needed her help before.

But if we're getting through this, we're getting through it together.

Now, I have some ideas on how we can spin this in the media. But first, a

something to help you stay up.

You sure have.

There you

go.

Got it?

It's just a reminder to hold your head high no matter what comes your way.

It's beautiful, Sasha.

Thank you.

I just want you to know how proud I am of you, honey.

Honor roll in your senior year. That is a major accomplishment. You really are

shaping up to be the woman I always thought you'd be.

Dad, who's that?

Just one of the millions of concerned citizens in our state knowing you need

remember, sweetheart.

Have a great day at the school, Ladybug.

Ladybug?

I see you brought your security.

Just returning the favor.

You're killing me, Chelsea.

All I'm asking for is one measly meeting.

For now, that is. I told you, no more.

This is my last request.

Trust me, I don't want to be here any more than you do.

Boy, you must have really done it this time, Chelsea.

I mean, Lacey McAuliffe's name is all over the news, and here you are begging

to do her a favor. What do you get out of this? It's none of your business.

Sounds like you're being used.

Again. You are the only person I've ever had to worry about using me.

Oh, please.

I could have just walked away from you and your mother. Happens in my business

all the time. Did I?

No. Did she ever tell you how much money I was sending her each month?

Parochial school. The whole nine.

And you, you've been ungrateful ever since that stuff happened at that

So that's how you think of it?

Stuff. Hey, it was a traumatic experience for everyone, not just you.

doesn't owe you anything.

Don't do that.

Don't act like you cared about me or Samantha.

All you do is use people. I love Samantha!

She was like a daughter to me. I loved Sousa, too. He was my chief of staff,

Christ's sake. And you and your bad habits had to go and ruin all that. It

miracle I was able to stay in office.

Listen, if you want me and any painful memories that I may bring up out of your

life forever, this is the only way.

You need to meet with Lacey about Antoinette McCullough.

When they said I had a visitor.

Hey, mama.

Sorry, I didn't come visit sooner.

No, I get it.

So what happened this time?

Why everybody always think I'm in trouble?

I made some mistakes, but it's real hard to change when nobody believes you can.

You're right.

I'm part of the reason why people feel that way.

If I thought my own child would find himself in a mess like you did because

something I was a part of, I wouldn't have exposed you in the first place.

It wasn't intentional, Daniel.

You shouldn't have been eavesdropping. Like I could help it over here with y

'all weekly loud -ass phase games.

Yeah, we were loud, weren't we? Yeah.

Now, why are you here?

Because I got an idea to get back on my feet.

But I don't have the resources to do it.

I feel stuck.

Join the club.

Right.

And I was exposed to a little more than the dungeon, too.

I know about her.

What business would you have with her?

The kind of business that would kickstart my sports agency.

I'm looking to find a top -notch athlete for my roster.

The boy Alston, he's a lot to be the number one pick in this draft.

He can be my first client.

I can use the dungeon to get him excited about signing with me. Then I can talk

to her to get the boy exclusive access so he can take care of whatever

proclivities he may have without being exposed.

No paparazzi.

I'm glad to see you're taking initiative.

You talked to Lacey about this?

Not yet.

I did talk to Big B, though.

I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

Good to see you. Who doing your nails in here?

Your mama got connections, boy.

This case should be finished. I gave you everything I know.

Yes, you have been very helpful.

But unfortunately, investigations such as these take time.

What about the girl who worked for Lacey?

You know the assistant?

Sasha Dickerson?

She wouldn't talk. We had to let her go.

Who else you got?

I'll testify.

I'll do it.

I appreciate your willingness to testify, but even if you did, we'd still

more for an arrest.

I understand cases like these can be frustrating.

Frustrating? Let me tell you about frustration, Agent Dix.

My daughter, Samantha, died in high school because of Chelsea Gamble.

When I finally tracked her down and contacted the authorities, they asked me

help them with a larger case involving her boss.

When I agreed to do so, they forgot about me.

Call me when you're ready.

I'll set it up.

How are things going on the outside?

Probably as chaotic as things look on the inside.

You know better than me.

Look, have you talked to her?

Nope. Not lately.

Daniel needs a meeting.

I'll make a call.

Do you remember that old jewelry box you had?

Yeah. I used to keep it at the church.

It's been so long since I've seen it.

It's an original piece.

I'd love to see it again.

I used to keep it in the reverend's desk.

My husband always kept it safe for me.

Praise God.

The

one

and only Lacey McCullough.

Big Ben.

It has been a while. Look at you.

Thanks for coming.

Oh, come on. Now, you're family.

Family. I wouldn't miss this.

But this place is a fortress.

No one can bug this place without us knowing.

Come on. Take a look.

Now, with this system, we can see anyone coming from a mile away.

Where are those cameras set up? I didn't even see them on the way in. Exactly.

Hey, babe.

Hey. There she is.

Or is this giving Lacey a rundown of the system? This place is above and beyond.

I appreciate you. Girl, please.

We're family.

Oh, and baby, don't worry.

I brought reinforcement.

And I only invited the home team.

Let's get to work.

So Othello ain't here.

Great at figuring out what to do when it got tough.

Maybe you can be that person.

Maybe, but what would he do in this situation?

Othello would say, Wonder Twins, to my office.

Run the fucking audit.

I'm sure Othello would use all his skills to help Lacey get the job done.

You got your own special set of talents, Benji.

Time to tap into them.

Okay, I know it's bad. I just need to know how bad is it.

We've lost two -thirds of our business.

What about surveillance?

Diggs almost became an issue, but she stopped trailing Sasha as soon as she

she wasn't going to slip up.

Brittany's closing up to some guy.

I'm on it.

She's only giving him information that's already public.

See, this is why we need to keep her at arm's length.

Stay on her.

Okay, let me know when you find out who he is.

Copy.

And... Big D has supplied us with the new address to Director Larson's

headquarters. How do you want us to proceed?

Quickly and quietly.

Tonight. I know there's a smoking gun in that office. I need you two to find it.

Understood.

Hey, boss lady.

Hey, Benji.

Hey.

Listen, I know with the firm closed down and everything, we need to figure out

the whole thing about your school credit. Don't worry about it. I know you

it.

Besides, anybody seen Brittany?

She's not the type of person to usually miss something like this.

But we decided to keep her at bay, you know, after everything that's happened.

That's a first.

Just trust Lacey. She knows what she's doing.

All right, if you say so.

Hello?

Are you busy?

I'm just, you know, working on my laptop.

Where are you?

Friend of mine's.

Have you heard from Lacey?

No.

Not today.

See the gang's all here.

Good to see you, Sloan.

Any news on Larson?

Haven't found out his location, but as soon as I do, I'll let you know, okay?

Any other news?

Apparently Randall Jarvis has been bitching in prison about how you set him

Where are you headed?

To put out some fires.

I know you got this.

Thanks. See you later.

It's neither the time nor the place.

I need to get Lacey's office up.

Don't you think you're buying off a bit more than you can chew? I mean, a press

conference?

I've been Lacey's executive assistant for years.

Times like these are when you need to show added value.

When you was putting in all that work, I was the one making sure nobody was

asking any questions downtown.

But this FBI investigation?

This shit is above my pay grade.

Then you need an upgrade.

I can offer you a lifeline.

Are you talking about cooperating with the FBI?

Oh, no.

I'm talking about cooperating with me.

I need you to do something for me.

I need... I need you... Trust me.

Okay?

Hi, I'm Lacey McCullough, looking for Othello Charles.

I'm sorry, Mr. Charles isn't available. Maybe there's something I can help you

with. Oh, you must be his new assistant.

Not exactly. I report to Liz.

Okay, well, can you tell Liz that Lacey McCullough... Liz isn't available

either.

She and Othello are actually on an international work trip.

Together.

Okay.

Do you need parking validation?

Lacey. Lacey McCullough. Is that you?

Wow, you have an age of the day.

Gideon Stone.

It's so good to see you.

You too.

Oh, my gosh.

Wait, are you with Walden and Reeves now?

No, I just wrapped the depth edition with a client.

I was going to let my partner take it, but I'm glad I didn't. Otherwise, I

wouldn't get a chance to see you.

Wait, you were going to let your partner take it? That does not sound like the

competitive Gideon that I remember.

You would know, wouldn't you?

I'm sorry?

The mock trials to see who would be Judge Floyd's clerk.

Clerking. That was forever ago.

It is what it is, right?

Yeah, not for me.

That clerkship was the most thought -out clerkship in the country.

And after I lost to you, it took me years to get back to the L .A. market.

I had no idea.

I'm so sorry about that. It's OK. It's all right.

Let bygones be bygones, right?

Yeah. I heard everything that you're going through.

If you need anything or need help, let me know.

Are you sure you want to get involved in my mess?

Let's just say it wouldn't be the first time I went to war with the FBI.

I just finished a case with the Rizzo Cartel. The Rizzo Cartel? The Rizzo

Cartel.

I know how great of a lawyer you are.

And if you and I work on the same side, we'll be pretty much unbeatable.

I could use someone with your experience.

Just whatever you need.

And whenever you need it.

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Good seeing you, Lacey. Good seeing you, too.

Gideon.

Please come in.

Thank you, sir.

Community Policing Medal, numerous accommodations and ribbons.

Captain Stone, I'm just trying to understand why someone like yourself

even get mixed up with a Lacey McCullough.

Well, to me, sir, she's just another concerned citizen looking to do her part

serve the greater Los Angeles area.

But you're a family friend, right? That is correct.

Let's see here.

I knew her family back whenever I was just a younger beat cop and I served in

her parents' congregation.

But, sir, I want to assure you that neither Lacey or anybody else under her

received any kind of special treatment from me.

Those are some pretty serious allegations from Sheriff Olson and Peter

mean, they accused you of everything from accepting bribes to solicitation.

But there's no evidence to support it, and your men speak very highly of you.

That's because success breeds contempt, sir.

Even more so when you're black.

Well, we here at the FBI don't have time to waste on contempt.

Just promise me that you'll steer clear of Lacey for the duration of this case.

That's not a problem.

Glad to hear that.

Thank you, sir.

Take care.

Agent Diggs.

Director Larson.

I really want to thank you for being patient.

No.

Whatever you need, Lacey.

Thank you for meeting me.

So what's been happening with the farm and the investigation?

Well, I can't say much, but everything's at a standstill right now.

They have tried to question a few people, but everyone from our side is

strong.

Has the FBI tried to reach out to you?

No, no one has.

So, what have you been doing?

Just staying busy.

Trying to find more pro bono work.

Have you heard from Odella?

On a case overseas.

Where's the rest of the team been meeting?

They've just been isolating.

Just like you've been doing. I just feel like that's best right now.

When we get up and running again, I'm going to need a senior partner to help

run things.

Wow.

Really? Yeah, really.

The truth is, Othello is gone, and I'm going to need a right -hand woman to

his place.

But it will require a certain level of loyalty.

We need to vote on Agent Diggs, not like a word. I have nothing to say to you.

I won't take long. I just have a few questions about your firm's temporary

office location.

Yeah.

Surprised me, too.

After Dr.

Dickerson shut me down, figured I'd trail it, you know, see what a day in

life of a dominatrix is like.

I see what you're trying to do.

It's not going to work.

Have you heard that Randall Jarvis has been complaining about his murder

being mismanaged? A lot of prisoners claim ineffective counsel.

Yeah, word is he's also saying there may have been evidence that could prove it

was self -defense.

He was your client, wasn't he?

I handled his divorce, not his murder case.

Look, there's a way out of this for you, Brittany.

But it will require a commitment.

Yes, but you can walk away clean.

Or go down with all of them.

Your choice Are you done for now?

Be in touch Brittany

Keeping the truth from those you love is risky.

Not only can you lose their trust, but you could lose a part of yourself in the

process.

Now there's something inside you that you cannot account for.

A lost space in your past where everything you thought you knew doesn't

The real challenge?

Having enough courage to jump inside this abyss.

Because the truth you seek is always at the bottom.

But there's no guarantee that you'll make it out alive.

Moving through the rhythm, feeling blue. I guess I'm chained.

Suffocated by your energy. And now I feel like I can barely breathe.

Choking on the clouds up and down. I can't even hear the sound. Don't know

what's come over me.

Walking through the crowd.

And I'm covered by the smiles when I'm down.

No, I can barely breathe.

I'm suffocated by the smoke and mirrors.

I gotta pray. to make my vision clearer i wanna go won't be surprised if you

stay you don't get