Original subtitles

♪ ♪

[exhales sharply]

I needed that.

How are you holding up?

Right.

That was a stupid question.

Do you maybe want to take a shower?

It made me feel better, even if it was just for a moment.

Or maybe a bite? I could make you a sandwich with some soup.

I'm not hungry.

Ashley, you have to take care of yourself.

What's the point?

It all ends the same way.

Well, I'll just, I'll make you some tea,

-so you're at least hydrated. -Do what you want.

I just can't stop thinking about last night.

And how Derek is...

Derek is dead and...

I'm never gonna see him again.

[sniffles]

It all happened so fast.

But then there were gunshots.

Two shots.

And then what happened?

Um...

this pallet came flying through, and...

...Ren's guy came in with the gun.

I-I jumped him. I was able to take him down.

And then the cops came rushing in...

And I figured the...

the guy had the gun aimed at you.

But when I turned and...

saw Derek bleeding, I...

It didn't make sense that he was even there. Um...

He must have jumped directly in the line of fire.

Uh...

I saw your dad helping you.

And I was trying to help Derek, um, stop the bleed, but...

I couldn't, um, and I got that, uh,

that-that detective. Um...

-Malone. -Yeah, yeah.

I-I talked him into letting Lia help.

And she did what she could.

And then the EMTs came in and they, uh...

They got Derek out of there. Um...

they took Lia to the hospital.

She was bleeding. A-A graze, I think.

I-I don't know. It's...

It's all pretty much a blur.

Thanks, Grayson. We got everything we need.

[sniffles]

I'm really sorry for what happened.

Again.

Yeah, I'm still processing everything myself.

Even if I didn't have immunity, I would still give my statement.

I feel awful.

If Derek hadn't caught me at the clinic,

-he would have... -Nah, it-it's not your fault, man.

Ren demanding that I kill you?

We walked headfirst into a trap.

Is there anything else I can do?

Nah.

You've already spoken to the chief,

and now I have your official statement.

The only thing left is using the information you provided

to arrest Lia.

Ooh, how the mighty have fallen.

Being chained to a bed in the hospital I run

is a special brand of humiliation.

Stealing from that hospital's blood bank

and selling it to a criminal organization?

That was your choice.

Tell me...

...was it worth losing your medical license over?

I considered you a friend.

And a friend to the department.

I don't know how you got yourself wrapped up in this.

Be thankful you've never been pushed to the brink.

Who knows what situations you may have found yourself in?

I got a...

pretty solid idea where my boundaries lie.

Brown sugar latte with oat milk.

Decided to treat myself after such a major bust.

If you haven't noticed,

I'm trying to help you here, Lia.

If you'd only come to me,

I could have done something.

Like what?

Level with me.

We'll figure it out.

It's not too late.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Jan, hi.

JAN [over phone]: Hey, Vanessa.

I was calling to tell you Jimmy will be able to finish

-the landscaping tomorrow. -Thanks for the update,

but I didn't expect to hear from you today.

Uh, aren't you with Ashley?

Well, she asked me to give her some space,

and Naomi's with her, so I'm keeping myself busy.

Sometimes work can be a welcome distraction

from worrying about our children.

If you need to leave, go.

Just text me.

Sure thing.

Hey. How are you feeling today?

Um, happy about Samantha.

[grunts softly]

I'm sorry I didn't get to have ice cream

with you and your sister.

I was hoping she'd come with you.

Oh, no, it all worked out.

After you left, a bunch of us spent the night

dancing and celebrating until Samantha's dads took her home.

Thank you again for agreeing to be her escort.

Hey, happy to keep the tradition alive.

It just, uh... it sucks

that while so much good was going on here,

all hell broke loose outside the gates.

It's all over social about that shooting.

What are people saying?

Uh, apparently, Dad's old boss from the hospital was involved.

They're calling it a plasma ring.

I mean, I've heard of stolen organs, but plasma?

It's a totally foreign concept to me as well.

Come on, Mom.

Are you sure about that?

Card room isn't open.

You might want to try your luck at the slots.

You know damn well I'm not here to gamble.

And I assume you talked to your employee

who fled police custody.

I understand things got pretty chaotic

at that warehouse last night.

If anyone fled, it was probably to save their own life.

Did any of your officers get hurt?

Cut the crap, Armstrong.

Now, we caught Randy staking the place out last night.

Why would he do that if you weren't involved?

I'm not involved.

You must take me for an idiot.

Yeah, I believed you before when you said

you had nothing to do with this ring,

but now the circumstances have changed.

An innocent civilian lost their life last night.

Chief Hawthorne, I have told you nothing but the truth

since you approached me about this whole thing

before your son even went undercover.

Okay.

But then you'll have no problems answering some questions for me.

Where were you last night between the hours

of 9:00 and 10:30 p.m.?

At home, enjoying a peaceful evening.

Alone?

Unless you want to count the glass of wine

that was keeping me company.

So, in other words,

you don't have a verifiable alibi.

That was some mess last night.

Yeah, tell me about it.

My daughter almost lost her husband.

Yeah, and I'm shocked that Elon would even assign Jacob

to such a dangerous case.

-They don't mention Jacob's name. -Mm.

Yeah, they're shielding him. He was working undercover.

Well, the only silver lining

is that the entire operation has been disbanded.

Says here that as of today,

the blood ring no longer exists in the DMV.

Had you ever heard of them?

Any of your contacts or golf buddies

ever mention anything?

No, never.

But for Lia to steal from her own inventory?

She must have found herself in an impossible situation.

[exhales] Well, the charges that they're drumming up,

she's gonna have to find herself one hell of a lawyer.

That's the only way she avoids doing real time.

Please tell me you're not planning

for that lawyer to be you.

I don't know why you think I'd know anything

about a smuggling ring.

I was just as caught off guard as you.

Seems pretty obvious to me.

Then what's this about?

Joey.

This has his name written all over it.

You can't even tell me it doesn't.

I don't need an alibi, Chief.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Well, that's still being determined.

Well, then, check with my security.

They can vouch for me if you really need verification.

Your security is on your payroll and would do and say

-whatever you tell them to do. -I understand

that you've been through a harrowing night,

and it's got you worked up.

Your son could have been seriously hurt, or worse.

It's enough to mess with anyone's logic.

If I find out that you're lying,

and you had anything-- and I mean anything--

to do with what happened last night,

I will personally see to it

that you never see the light of day again.

Are you threatening me now?

Just know I'm not closing this investigation

until we bring down every single bastard involved,

and if that includes you,

well, the hell with whatever shared past

that we have together that makes you think you untouchable.

Derek was my past.

We've been over for months.

So why does it feel like I just lost the love of my life?

Well, just because you weren't together anymore

doesn't mean he wasn't important to you.

What you shared was real.

And deep and meaningful.

There was a time I thought I'd spend

the rest of my life with him.

And you have every right to mourn Derek however you need.

Some of my best memories were with him.

All those double dates we used to go on with you and Jacob.

[laughs softly]

I miss those nights, too.

It was just us, enjoying each other's company.

I just don't know how Derek and I went from that...

...to secrets and lies and...

...anger.

Well, that doesn't negate how he felt about you.

Derek loved you.

Thank you.

I keep thinking about the last time we were together.

[sniffles] It's like...

...somewhere deep in Derek's psyche, he knew...

...we needed to end things on good terms.

I understand it, why I'm not the shoulder

you want to lean on right now.

I'm... I'm sure Naomi's stepping up in all kinds of ways.

[scoffs] You have no idea.

No, that's 'cause she's the best.

And that's what you deserve, Ashley.

I'm so sorry you're hurting right now.

I know there's nothing I can do for you, but...

...I'll always be around if you need me.

Our last conversation, um...

...it really seemed like

we would be friends again one day, like...

You know, like, real friends?

You know?

That could lean on one another?

Yeah.

I'm sure he was looking forward to that, too.

Oh, he was so excited about the work

he was doing at the clinic, it...

It gave him this, like...

...renewed sense of purpose.

Like...

his life had meaning again

because he was serving his community, you know?

-Yeah. -And just like that...

[sniffles]

...it's over.

God, do you remember

when we first started living together...

...we got in this huge argument

over Derek leaving a towel on the bathroom floor.

[laughs]: I mean, how stupid does that sound?

I mean, we got into a full-blown argument...

[sniffles]

...over a towel.

[sighs]: Well,

I'm sure it didn't feel trivial then.

No, I mean, I...

How could I have flipped out over something

as insignificant as-as a towel on the floor

or-or scratches on the fridge?

I mean, Derek was just trying to make this place

his home, too.

Going down the rabbit hole of regret

is not gonna do you any good, Ash.

Try to remember the positive moments...

No, Naomi, don't you get it?

All of the moments-- the good, the bad,

everything in between, all of it--

it just makes me think of Derek and...

...and now he's gone and...

...I was this awful person to him.

[sniffles] I mean, all the back-and-forth and...

All he wanted to do was surprise me

on the day of our wedding standing on his own two feet.

I-I didn't even try to let him explain himself.

I just completely judged him.

Ashley...

You cannot go rewriting history

because you feel like this is your fault.

And you're trying to punish yourself.

That is the opposite of what Derek would want.

You're right.

How about you go take a hot shower?

I left a lavender candle and a body scrub in the bathroom.

You could give it a try.

Of course you did.

[both chuckle]

That does sound nice.

Yeah.

I love you, Naomi.

I love you, too.

[line ringing]

Hey. Um...

Could you come over to Ashley's?

She really needs you right now.

Do you really think you can lessen my charges?

Let's see.

You were a direct victim of Lynette Wise's embezzlement.

Because of circumstances beyond your control,

you weren't able to afford retirement...

...which pushed you to seek help from a place

you would have never otherwise considered.

Sound about right?

Sounds good enough to persuade a jury.

What about the oath you took, Doc?

And counting the fact that...

one of our very own cops was almost shot.

And a firefighter died.

[scoffs]

I don't know, it doesn't look great.

I had nothing to do with Derek's death.

I tried to save him. You saw that with your own eyes.

I did.

Which is partly why I'm throwing you this save.

Tell me everything you know,

maybe we could salvage what's left of your life.

I'm not saying another word without my attorney present.

Okay, then.

When you get discharged,

you'll be released in police custody.

I'll see you in lockup.

So, one of the conditions of your immunity deal

was that you'll have to testify against those

involved in the ring, but you'll be anonymous,

so there's some protection there.

Okay, so, nobody at the hospital

is gonna find out that I did this?

I'll be able to keep my job?

The records will be sealed tight.

No one at the job should suspect

that you had anything to do with it.

Thank God.

I'm ready to put this behind me and get back

-to taking care of my mom. -Yeah.

But Jacob...

you got to know that I only worked for Lia.

My knowledge of the business is limited.

Is that gonna hurt us?

You have something you want to say?

Yeah. You may have me now,

but the org runs deep.

[scoffs] I'm just a peon compared to the real big dogs.

Rashad, you might want to watch your back.

Next time, the bullet might not hit the wrong person.

It's real smart of you to threaten me

in the middle of a police station.

We have an airtight case against you.

You'll be spending decades in prison.

I wouldn't be so sure about that, Detective.

I have something you want.

And what's that?

The identity of the Impaler.

This fool gives you somebody as low-level as Lia?

I'm-a be out eating Wagyu with a baddie before you know it.

Get him out of here.

Is he right?

Could Ren find a way out of this?

We know Lynette's the reason her accounts were wiped.

-Allegedly. -But what if

the answer's been in our face all along?

All right, connect the dots for me.

If Lynette, at some point,

caught wind that Lia was part of this violent crime ring,

that gives her motive to run.

Are you saying Lia might have sent goons to threaten Lynette?

One of them did kill Derek.

He could have scared her straight to the highway.

Which we can trace.

I-I'm sure Jacob has a list of everyone involved in the ring.

Uh, no-- hey, hey, hey, no.

Didn't we just have a conversation about this?

About you overstepping?

Listen...

we may never get a definitive answer to why Lynette left.

All right? So don't go getting ideas in your head.

I thought you were acknowledging our mutual respect

by promising not to interfere with this case.

I told you the truth.

I'd be foolish to mess with the rapport we have.

I know how this relationship works.

Then you would understand that I would never knowingly

put Jacob or any member of your family in harm's way.

It's not my style.

Yeah, up until now.

Elon, for better or worse, we're all tied together.

Now, can I fix you a drink...

...or are we gonna take a trip downtown?

[sighs]

Joey may not be a saint,

but blood smuggling and shoot-outs?

How about selling to the highest bidder?

Being involved in all the black market stuff?

W-With all the things that people say about him,

I mean, it's not a reach.

Forget what people say.

What do you think?

It would explain why, out of nowhere,

he was so into financing a free clinic.

Joey helped finance the clinic in part to honor your father.

It was dedicated in his memory. Or have you forgotten?

I'm not the one who's forgotten Dad.

And really? You expect me to believe that Joey poured

all that cash into the clinic

out of the goodness of his heart?

Where is this coming from?

Has your sister gotten to you?

You were wearing his cuff links just last night.

Well, Deanna has a good point.

Let me tell you something about Joey.

He picks on people his own size.

He would never go after the underprivileged

who have to sell their plasma to afford groceries.

-That's just low. -Maybe he doesn't do the deeds himself, okay,

but I'm willing to bet

he has an entire team of guys who do whatever he wants.

Uh, when you ran out of here to see him last night, I...

He was calm, relaxed and nowhere near the shooting.

Well, the article I read said the shooting happened

before the cotillion was even over.

You could have caught him basking

in the success of his last play.

Donnell,

don't let your sister poison your mind against Joey.

You know him, and you know better.

Yeah, whatever, Mom.

I have some errands to run.

I'll see you later.

-I refreshed that for you. -Mm.

Thank you.

For everything.

[knocking on door]

Oh, I'll-I'll get it.

Mom, what are you doing here?

I know what you said about me not coming over,

but you are overruled.

-Naomi called. -Oh.

You're hurting, and...

...your mom loved Derek, too.

-I didn't even think about that. I... -It's-- it's okay.

It's okay.

-[sniffles] -Jan, do you want some tea?

Hey.

I think you need to take your own advice.

[laughs softly]

Stop pushing my parents away?

[sighs]

You lost him, too,

and you've been totally focused on me.

You're a really good friend, Naomi.

[laughs softly]

Call me if you need anything at all.

Promise?

I promise.

-Bye, Jan. -Bye.

-What can I do? -[exhales]

Just hold me.

[sniffles]

[scoffs] Who's next?

The traffic cop from Chinatown?

Come again?

Oh, I'm just wondering if the entire police force

is going to make a surprise visit today.

Your boss was here earlier.

MARCEL: Mm.

No doubt making sure you're not a part of this bloody mess.

I'm here unofficially.

I could use a drink.

Feel like a damn fool.

I've known Lia Whitmore for years.

I never would have placed her anywhere near this.

Any one of us can get knocked off our game.

Not me.

In my prime,

I could spot if someone was on the take

in a single conversation.

But I missed this.

And I couldn't get her to talk.

It's a sign.

Do tell.

It's a sign to retire for real this time.

Claim my pension and spend my days on the water.

Oh, Detective, you'll get to enjoy your retirement.

-Yeah? -In due time.

But for now, you're still an essential part

of my enterprise.

So...

drink up.

You worked hard today.

You think Ren really has a chance

of walking away from this?

I mean, giving up the Impaler's a huge bargaining chip.

Yeah, sure, but he's still responsible for murdering Derek,

as well as a list of other charges,

including attempted murder for stabbing you.

Yeah, but the Impaler is still out there.

What if Ren is his only chance of bringing him down?

He's just one way in.

But if we've got you and Lia...

W... Wait, wait, wait.

You're saying Lia has a chance of getting off, too?

Maybe. With a plea deal, she can get a reduced sentence,

especially since her crimes are nonviolent.

Lia's not the victim you think she is.

All right? She threatened me. She followed Ashley.

She refused to let me walk away from this.

Look, I'm not saying she's innocent,

but the reality is, if she tells us things we need to hear,

she can avoid spending the next few years behind bars.

I-I feel like I have a concussion

and my heart's been beating irregularly.

Can you check it, please?

Your heart rhythm is normal and you show no signs

of a concussion, but I'm pretty sure

the prison infirmary can help you out with anything else.

I know you're upset, Shanice.

Would you please...

let me try to explain myself, please?

Not long ago, the-the bank

that held my retirement fund was completely...

Well, it was defrauded, and my accounts

were completely wiped out, to the penny.

I just, I needed a way to-to rebuild.

Please.

There is no excuse for trading your soul

for a quick buck. You make good money.

I-I was desperate and confused and, quite frankly,

pissed off that it had happened in the first place.

So you take your frustrations out on innocent people?

I'm sorry

that my actions spread shame upon this hospital.

But I...

I know you

were always someone that I could count on,

that we could count on, and I know...

...you will restore the morale, and...

...you'll help people be proud again

of being a part of Garland Memorial.

You know what? You're right.

I will pick up the pieces,

and I will make sure our nurses know that they are valuable,

despite what the media will report.

I will make sure that they prioritize patient care

to the best of their ability,

despite the mess you left us in.

And more importantly,

I will make sure that they know that your tarnished...

...despicable legacy

casts no reflection on them.

Shanice...

As far as you and me,

you set off a chain of events

that got my friend... killed.

You can rot in hell.

[door opens]

[door closes]

-[knock on door] -Hey, Naomi.

I'm surprised to see you.

I thought you'd be with Jacob or Ashley today.

And, um...

I'm sorry to hear about Derek.

-Yeah, me, too. -Yeah.

Well, can I get you anything? I can have Caroline run out.

Oh, no, nothing. I'm fine.

Jacob's not home, and he probably won't be

for a while, so...

I figured I'd put in some hours, too.

How's Ashley?

I called Jan to go sit with her.

She just needed to be with family.

Mm.

Seems like you did, too.

And you happen to be my co-counsel

on a very important suit, and, um,

oh, I need to work. So...

Oh, is-is that okay?

Uh, were you in the middle of something?

It's perfectly fine, sweetheart.

If you need to distract yourself with work, we can do that.

And...

if you need to cry on my shoulder,

we can do that, too.

-Thanks, Dad. -Yeah.

Derek always loved when you brought food by for him.

That man could eat you out of house and home.

He loved you, Mom.

And I loved him back.

Even though I was so upset with him

for ruining your engagement, I still had a soft spot for him.

He was just a simple, sweet guy.

Was...

It feels so strange thinking about him in past tense.

Oh, I know.

Do you remember...

...when we first moved in together,

he brought that

atrocious chair.

I-I... I could never understand, why was he

so hung up on that thing.

It was the underdog of furniture.

And he fought for the vulnerable.

He really did.

Derek never hesitated to risk his own safety to help others.

That's what you'll need to remember about him

going forward.

Derek was a good man.

He was an honorable man.

All he ever wanted was to be a hero.

And in the end...

...he was.

Detective Hawthorne.

Lia. I have a few questions for you, if you're up for it.

Detective Malone tried this already.

I've got nothing to say until my attorney is present.

Okay.

Don't talk. Listen.

Grayson has an immunity deal,

which means he'll be required to testify against you.

And we both know the mountain of evidence he can provide.

You'd be facing serious jail time.

And your point?

You may be able to cut a deal of your own.

You interested?

My heart breaks for Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin.

-Yeah. -Have you spoken with them?

I did. I, um...

I actually called them last night.

I-I thought they would want to hear from

someone they know.

-That was brave of you. -No.

Derek was the brave one.

I... I didn't appreciate it the way that I should have. I...

I didn't appreciate anything about him

the way that I should have.

That isn't fair to yourself, okay?

Who cares about fairness?

Mom...

...if I wasn't such a complete control freak

when we moved in together, then we would never have broken up,

and then he wouldn't have entered that stupid triathlon,

and he'd still be a firefighter today, alive,

and-and doing what he loved.

There's no way anyone could've predicted this.

Oh, Mom, it's all there.

No injury, no job loss. No job loss, no clinic.

No clinic, he doesn't follow Grayson

into that damned warehouse.

I mean, everything that happened

-is because of what I did. -[knock on door]

God.

What?

The boys in blue have paid multiple visits to me today.

No, they're not looking for you,

but lay low and don't come in.

And, Randy,

I want you to get word to this Impaler.

Enough is enough.

He's getting too close to my turf.

[knock on door]

Donnell.

How was the cotillion?

It was nice.

My date won the title.

Thanks for letting me borrow these.

I'm honored you wore them.

Means a lot to me.

Yeah, well, don't let it get to your head.

I'm having second thoughts now that

I found out Jacob Hawthorne was almost killed last night.

What does one have to do with the other?

My mom swore up and down that you had nothing to do

with that shoot-out.

That you aren't involved in this blood thing.

Are you gonna feed me those same lines?

Your mother wouldn't lie to you, and neither would I.

No, I think she genuinely believes

you're as innocent as you pretend to be.

I never pretended to be innocent.

Your mother knows my every imperfection.

Is that what we're calling what you do these days?

No, you're good.

The whole bit

where you got all vulnerable about your family...

You really almost had me.

You should back up a little bit.

Oh, I don't have to do a damn thing.

But you need to get real, because I'm starting to think

my sister was right all along.

You've been playing both of us.

When it comes to things like this,

information is power, and we've got loads to share.

There's a real possibility

Lynette didn't just suddenly change her mind

about living here.

And if she was disappeared

because one of her victims

decided to get a little revenge,

Jacob should know.

If it wasn't Lia, it could've been someone else.

You listen to too much true crime.

This is a hunch, at best.

It's my intuition, and it hasn't failed me yet.

Good luck putting intuition on the stand.

All I need is for Jacob to ask Lia

one simple question.

Did she or did she not have Lynette killed?

What would I have to do?

Help us shut this thing down.

We need the very top of the ladder, the Impaler.

I see.

Anything you have.

His real name, his phone number,

any known affiliates who might have his location

would be amazing.

I wish I could help you, but...

Look, if you're worried about your safety,

we can provide you with security or even get you into WITSEC.

Your life won't be in danger.

Witness protection, some armed cop,

none of that matters.

Lia, we know this guy's intimidating,

but don't underestimate the power of the MPD.

We have connections with local and federal government,

which means more manpower and resources.

You don't have to be afraid.

It's not that.

I...

I'd help you if I could.

Do you think somebody like you will fare well in prison?

I know I wouldn't.

I can't help you because I don't know who he is.

I wouldn't be able to identify the Impaler

if you put a gun to my head.

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