Original subtitles

Previously on R.J. Decker...

I'm Emi Ochoa. Lucas is my stepbrother.

And that's the man who almost killed him.

I can't go a hundred feet

without someone asking me for an interview about my murdered father.

The task force that will try to find your dad's killer,

have you heard anything from them?

My father and the DA were close.

Whoever killed him will not get away with it.

I know I told you I needed some time,

- but I think what I really needed was... - A friend.

The state police have a file on your Emi Ochoa.

Ms. Ochoa?

I'm gonna need you to give me your hands.

They've got her dead to rights. She killed her father.

If you could just let me know anything you find out, I would really appreciate it.

Hey, Mel. You arrested Emi?

No, not me and not my guys. State police.

- Yeah, but it's-- - Part of the task force.

The-The charge is bull. She didn't kill her father.

- I know. - Yeah, well, we were with her that night.

I said, I know.

I was just talking to my captain, giving him the same earful

you're giving me, but the situation's worse than you think.

They have evidence.

What kind of evidence could they have if she didn't do it?

Task force executed a no-knock search on her condo two days ago.

I didn't know until just now.

They found a nine-millimeter Beretta compact hidden in a wall vent.

Ballistics from the gun match the slugs they pulled from the victim.

It's the gun that killed Victor Ochoa.

Emi, Richard, you both know ADA Coto.

- We assume you want to discuss a plea? - You assume wrong.

Then why did you ask to talk?

So that you and I could talk, Janis. This whole thing is ridiculous.

How long have we known each other?

- A long time. - A long time.

My dad backed your first campaign when I was still in college.

You're the one who convinced me to go to law school. And I was--

You can't possibly believe I did this.

I wouldn't have, but the facts are hard to ignore.

What facts? The gun the police found?

For starters.

Somebody planted it there.

I've been staying at my brother's place the last two months.

My-My place has been empty.

Something the police are clearly aware of, given their surveillance of Ms. Ochoa.

- We think it's obvious she's being framed. - It's not obvious to us.

With her father gone, your client inherits his real estate empire.

I didn't want his real estate empire.

Even if I had, I didn't have to kill him to get it.

He'd always planned for me to take over.

Your father's guards saw the two of you

fighting outside his house the day he was murdered.

From their statements, it sounded pretty heated.

You know we had our disagreements. I'm not denying that.

You're also forgetting my client has an alibi.

She was at a party with half a dozen witnesses,

including one of your own homicide detectives.

By my count, that party also included two ex-cons,

so maybe don't lean on the company she kept.

Besides, it turns out that alibi is not so strong.

What are you talking about?

The pool where the state senator was found was heated.

Kept his body at a steady temperature,

meaning the ME had no way to narrow down time of death.

Meaning your client could have killed him.

Party or no party.

Emi, I know your father had a temper.

I know the rumors he had criminal connections.

I can imagine all sorts of scenarios that would change things.

If you didn't have a choice that night, if you felt threatened,

I can knock this down to a lesser charge, but I can only help you if you talk to me.

I didn't do it.

I would never have done it.

That's all I can say.

Then I'll see you both at the arraignment.

Yeah, I... No, I get it.

I know it's a big ask.

She's calling friends in the department,

seeing if anyone will slip us the case file on Emi.

Maybe the task force was circling other suspects.

Maybe there's leads they dropped, someone else I can look into, but...

- Thanks for hearing me out. - So far no luck?

I'll see you tomorrow.

I'm being shut out. I work with jellyfish. There's not a spine in the bunch.

To be fair, you are a witness in the case. We all are.

How was the press conference? Did you learn anything new?

Bail was set at a number Emi could meet.

She's being processed and released now.

But other than that, nothing good.

Apparently, the no-knock warrant that led the state police to the gun

was the result of an anonymous tip.

Whoever made that call was lying their face off.

That night at the party, no way did Emi just show up

from murdering her own father,

and she wasn't heading out to murder him either.

I think I've been a cop long enough to know.

Do you think there's any way we could identify the tipster?

Odds are, it's the same person who planted the gun, right?

I mean, do you know anybody in the state police?

Oh, I can dig up some digits, but don't get your hopes up.

My own lunch buddies aren't talking. Staties aren't gonna be much warmer.

Uh, hey, buddy.

I'm not sure if you heard, but now's not really a good--

It's gone right to voicemail. I'll just leave a message.

- No, Wish. I'm here. - Yo, Arj.

- Can you hear me? I can hear you. - Well, guess I missed you.

Anyway, there's a fella at the bar asking for you. Friendly sort.

Asked me to give you a ring.

Well, what you gonna do?

I'll just tell him he should try you another time.

All right, talk soon, buddy.

- What? - No, it's Wish.

I'm pretty sure he was only pretending like he couldn't hear me.

It was like he was performing for someone.

And he used the term "friendly sort."

Back at Apalachee, it was our code for certain guys to avoid.

Like sometimes you'd meet someone and you could just tell they'd killed people.

It didn't matter how they acted or what they'd say.

It was in their eyes.

You think he's trying to tell you someone like that is at the bar?

Not just at the bar. He's looking for me.

Yeah, Wish was warning me to stay away.

So naturally, your first response is to head right over.

If it's a problem with my name on it, I can't just leave it to Wish.

Will you at least lie to me that you'll be careful?

Hey.

- Oh. Why do I even bother? - What?

Do you have some kind of death wish or something? Or you just not listening?

Well, maybe I worry about you just as much as you worry about me.

- You ever think about that? - Lord help us both.

Okay. The guy you called about, the friendly sort, he still here?

All right.

Should you get a sense that he's gonna put holes in you,

do me a favor and kindly step outside.

- Okay, yeah. - I just mopped.

I'm R.J. Heard you were looking for me.

Ah, Mr. Decker. My name is Augustine.

Didn't heed your friend's warning, I see.

Yeah, well...

You could tell I was on that call,

and yet you don't seem very surprised I showed up.

I've looked into you, Mr. Decker.

I have a sense of your character.

It's why I'd like to hire you.

I'm sorry, Mr. Augustine, was it? I appreciate the interest. I do.

But as it turns out, I'm not taking on any new clients right now.

My dance card, it's kinda full.

I'm aware. At least, I believe I am.

A friend of yours, Emilia Ochoa, has been arrested for murder.

You have strong feelings for this woman.

You believe she's been framed.

And so, unless I've misjudged you, you're going to try very hard to prove it.

You know all this how?

As I said, I've had a chance to observe you.

- Aha. - I also suspect you're not being paid.

Even if Ms. Ochoa offered, you would not accept,

but perhaps you'll take my money instead?

Sorry, I'm gonna need you to back up for a second.

You want to pay me to do a job you already know I'm doing for free?

- I do. - Because?

Because while you believe Ms. Ochoa's being framed, I myself am certain of it,

and my employers would very much like to know who her father's real killer is.

Would $50,000 be enough?

♪ You can't fall, brother ♪

So, he give you any sense of who these employers of his are?

No, but, uh, I think we could venture a guess. Gang or cartel.

Yeah, unsavory types that Victor was doing business with before he died.

Yeah.

You remember where I keep my slim jim?

Toolbox in the back of your jeep?

Yeah, exactly. I saw some keys on the table.

It's a rented Ford Escape. I assume it's in the lot.

All right. If I break into his car, what am I looking for?

Anything.

Where he's staying, who he works for, what he had for breakfast.

This guy obviously knows more about Victor's dirty laundry than we do.

That makes him a new lead.

You keep him busy till I get back.

- That's the plan. - All right.

There you go.

Your friend thinks I'm dangerous.

Yeah, is he wrong?

You haven't said much about your friends.

Do you mind if I ask what their interest in the Ochoas is?

I'm here as their representative. That's all you need to know.

Okay.

Okay, different question.

I know why I'm sure Emi Ochoa is being framed,

but what makes you so sure?

I arrived in Fort Lauderdale three weeks ago.

The Victor Ochoa case had been moving slowly.

My employers were growing restless.

I searched Ms. Ochoa's residence well before the police did.

The gun was not in the vent where they found it when I looked.

So you were in Emi's house?

- Mine too? - Why would I?

Are you also a suspect in Victor Ochoa's murder?

Can't say I didn't have motive.

If I searched the homes of everyone with motive to kill Victor Ochoa,

- I'd be a busy man indeed. - That's true.

Which reminds me, I have other places to be this evening.

For the $50,000 I mentioned, I have one request:

that you share everything that you discover with me

before taking it to the police.

- Do we have a deal? - No. I mean...

Sorry. No, not yet.

- Is the money not enough? - No, it's not that.

I'm still working through all the things you're not telling me.

I mean, it's no secret Victor was in bed with organized criminals.

Makes me think you're a fixer for some bad people.

Some bad people who had a lot of money invested in Victor.

Can't be cheap owning a state senator, after all.

Whoever killed them, that cost them an asset,

you're supposed to find this person.

Once you do, it's your job to serve justice.

A version of justice, anyway.

How am I doing so far?

As I said, I'll be a client, and my money is good.

All these other matters are immaterial.

Well, I guess I have to decide if they're immaterial to me.

Can I think about it?

Of course. Just don't think too long.

- I'll be in touch. - Okay.

Hey. How'd it go?

Broke my slim jim.

No, the car did, when it refused to unlock.

Bruised my ego too, if I'm being honest.

However, I did notice something when I looked through the window:

a tag hanging off the mirror, and there was an emblem on it,

like a rabbit's head facing one direction and a flamingo facing the other.

Yeah?

- This what you saw? - That's it.

It's a resort. The Lucky Bird Inn.

I've tailed a few cheating spouses there.

The tag tells the valet you're a guest.

Uh-huh. Well, I'd say that's worth the price of a slim jim.

- Hey. - Hey.

How you holding up?

- Uh, not great, actually. - Yeah.

I take it the media is all over Lucas's place now too?

- Like flies on you know what. - Yeah.

I get you checking in under a false name, but Elizabeth Borden, as in Lizzie Borden?

You really think famous parent-killer is the best way to go for an alias?

Gotta keep a sense of humor somehow.

- Also, Lizzie was acquitted. - That's true.

I've been thinking of you a lot today.

Oh.

- Yeah? - How you've been where I am.

Someone you don't even know telling a lie...

that could get you sent to prison.

It's a pretty terrible place to be.

It is.

I know you want to help me.

I appreciate it.

I just don't know if I deserve it.

Why don't you let me be the judge of that?

- R.J... - Hey, the help's coming,

whether you like it or not, from all of us.

But we're gonna need your help too.

Starting with this.

What do you think? You seen this guy before?

Maybe he and your dad met at some point, or...

Not that I recall, no. I...

You said he tried to hire you?

Yeah, he did. He did, but there's no way I'm taking the job.

I just said I'd think about it to stay on his good side.

What's with the armadillo?

I don't know. It felt out of place with this guy.

The, uh, name on the tag was World of Hope.

It turns out it's a charity that sends toys to child refugees.

I checked their address against Augustine's receipts.

A few days ago, he pumped gas about a half mile away from their headquarters.

You're thinking he paid them a visit.

Don't ask me why.

Could be he's just into plushies. I... I don't know.

I've heard the name before.

World of Hope. I...

I remember my dad saying once

that the people behind it were contributors.

To what? His pocket or his campaign?

Why would a charity need to bribe a state senator?

I don't know, but it's the first connection I've been able to make

between this guy and your dad.

Gonna pay them a visit in the morning.

If they were bribing my father,

do you really think they'll just come out and tell you?

Who can say no to me?

Your friends at the station know you're helping me out?

What's it to you?

Well, Ochoa was a pretty loaded name even before Emi got arrested.

I'm guessing they wouldn't appreciate you pitching in.

Since when do I give a crap about what anyone thinks?

Besides, I like me just fine when I'm right about everything.

Hello!

FLPD.

Hello?

It's empty.

This was going to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Stuff in this crate isn't so cute.

- Those are AR-15s. - Uh-huh.

And this one's full of rocket launchers.

I hear you say you're police?

Yep, now that's too bad.

Both of you, hands up where I can see 'em, please.

- Okay. Yeah. - Hey, take it easy with that thing.

I'm fine. Two of you just do as I say, and no one has to get--

Call from Mama.

Oh, hell.

- Of all the dang-- - Call from Mama.

I mean, I don't know. Maybe just call her back?

I'm not sending my mama to voicemail.

- Really? - Call from Mama.

Hold on.

Whoa!

Your truck?

That thing holds one round, right?

'Cause mine holds 16.

Crap.

You're in a heap of trouble, Doyle.

Firing rocket launchers at police is taken kind of seriously.

Plus, the feds are gonna have lots of questions about you

smuggling weapons out of the country in crates that say "toys."

I'm gonna save y'all some time. I... I got one word for ya.

Protective custody.

Yeah, that's...

that's two words, but please, go ahead.

The folks that paid for those guns?

They already sent the guy to bust my fingers

just 'cause I hung on to a few keepsakes.

Keepsakes? As in, you were skimming weapons off the shipment?

I don't even want to think about what they'll do to me

for losing the whole bunch.

Let me ask you something.

Guy that did that to your hand, what was his name?

Yeah. I just know him as Mr. Augustine.

Never got a first name.

That's the guy I was telling you about, who tried to hire me.

And you're worried that the group he works for,

- they'd be able to get to you in prison. - Like that.

Only the DA's office can offer you a deal,

but I can tee it up for you, assuming you tell us what we want to know.

- Anything. - Who are those weapons going to?

A group called Nan la Selle in Haiti.

Augustine works for 'em too.

I don't really follow politics,

but some kind of civil war going on down there.

The Haitian government's basically in collapse.

Armed gangs are fighting for control of the country.

I assume Nan la Selle is one of those gangs.

The charity.

It's basically a front for shipping guns, right?

Couple of crates that go out are filled with toys, so they pass inspection.

Next couple of crates that don't have to pass inspection

are filled with assault rifles and RPGs.

Where did all those weapons come from?

Now, that part, you got nothing on me. I bought 'em all perfectly legal.

So you can turn around and sell 'em to people that can't buy 'em legal.

- Pretty sure that part's a crime. - Yeah.

Victor Ochoa. You heard of him?

Florida state senator?

Like I said, I don't follow politics.

Well, he was murdered.

We're trying to figure out who did it.

Were you... you thinking I'd know who did it?

'Cause if there's someone you want me to say killed him, just tell me the name.

I'll say whatever you want.

Not really how we do things, Doyle, but...

...thanks.

Mr. Decker, perfect timing.

- For? - Shrimp creole. A family recipe.

I assume you prefer it less spicy.

That's...

thoughtful.

If I was here to kill you, you'd already know it.

The knife is... is a trophy of peace.

Ah.

Please. Sit.

How can I refuse?

Thank you.

You've done an impressive job investigating me.

I'm guessing you're here because you heard about Doyle Koven's arrest?

As a result of you looking into me, obviously.

Don't worry. I'm not angry.

You did what I would have done.

- Viognier? - No, thank you.

You're not convinced.

I saw what you did to Doyle, and that was just for skimming.

You're worried that for costing us an entire shipment of weapons,

I do more than break fingers.

Doyle stole from us. You have not.

However, you are supposed to have been looking for Mr. Ochoa's killer.

I have been. And maybe I'm closer now that I understand a few things.

Your employer, Nan la Selle, they had Victor in their pocket, didn't they?

They needed smuggled American weapons to fight their war,

and a well-greased state senator could help keep those weapons coming.

Say a bill was introduced to tighten up the ports,

Victor would be in a position to make sure that bill failed.

Now you see why my employers need answers.

Suppose a rival group was behind the murder

as part of a plan to cut off our arms supply, hmm?

If that were the case, we'd need to respond.

And what if that wasn't the case?

What if the murder was unrelated?

Do I still break fingers?

Or do I do worse?

This would be at my discretion.

You won't be accepting my offer, will you?

I can't just hand someone over to you, no matter what they did.

To be honest, I'm more insulted you're not eating.

Oh.

- It's actually very good. - Hmm.

Can I ask you a favor?

You decline my request and then ask one of your own?

I still need to find the real killer, and that helps us both.

Proceed.

I have a feeling you have someone inside the investigation...

...a task force member, maybe.

You knew the gun was hidden inside a vent. That wasn't made public.

Now, I'm not asking for your source, but if I'm right,

it-it sure would help a lot to take a look at that case file.

I'll see what I can do.

Okay.

I have to make a call.

You, uh... Well, uh, you just make yourself at home.

Oh, before I forget, I have to ask.

What's with the armadillo?

Ah.

A present for my daughter. She's five.

So you break a few fingers, you stop by the gift shop.

Just another business trip.

Hey, I got your text.

I just heard you were shot at today.

Technically, yes.

With a rocket launcher.

Well, it missed.

I've been thinking.

I've been thinking I can't do this anymore.

You can't do what anymore?

Any of it.

That's why I asked you to call me back-- so I could tell you I made a decision.

Okay.

I'm gonna call my lawyer in the morning.

I'm gonna tell him to take the deal I was offered.

- I told you not to come. - Well, you said some crazy things.

I'm here to make sure you don't do crazy things.

Taking the deal I was offered isn't crazy.

Actually, it is. You know why? 'Cause you're innocent.

- Am I? - Yes, you are.

I may not have killed my father, but he is dead because of me.

I mean, after he threatened to have you sent back to prison, that was it.

I decided he was the one who needed to go to prison.

What I didn't understand, what I failed to understand,

is that he couldn't go to prison,

because if he did, it would make someone else vulnerable.

Someone dangerous.

Someone with secrets they knew he would spill.

- I never saw it coming. - Emi, it's not--

I should've... I should've known how much danger I was putting him in.

Victor made his own bed. You know he did.

- What about you? - I can--

What's gonna happen to you that I don't see coming?

Nothing is gonna happen to us.

You were almost killed today.

If... If you had died... ...or Mel, that would've been on me too.

I would've had to live with it for the rest of my life.

The case they have against me,

it may be a frame, but it's-it's a good one.

I fight it, I could go to prison for the rest of my life.

I take the deal, I make things easier on everyone, including myself.

Okay. What about the person that actually did kill your father?

They're still out there. You do this, they go free. They walk.

I'm making progress here.

I am. Something is gonna shake loose.

It is. Just give me one more day.

Don't call your lawyer tomorrow. Give me one more day.

I'm sorry. Yeah.

- Where are you? - I'm with Emi. Everything okay?

It most definitely is not.

Both of you need to come to the house. Now.

Couple hours after we dropped Doyle Koven in holding,

he asked to speak to the lead in the Victor Ochoa case.

I had to pull in a huge favor to get a copy of this.

Yes, sir, a Beretta Px4 compact carry.

Small profile, reduced recoil. Looks just like the one I sold her.

Her being Emilia Ochoa?

Yeah, that was her name.

Mentioned her daddy was some big-shot politician.

Victor Ochoa.

When we talked to this guy, he'd never even heard of Victor.

It gets worse.

- What did this woman look like? - Pretty.

About your height. Long brown hair, big brown eyes.

We're gonna show you some photos.

If you see the woman you sold the gun to, let us know.

That's her, right there.

Lady like that, she leaves an impression.

When did you sell her the gun?

- I've never even seen this guy before. - Couple of years ago.

- I certainly never bought a gun from him. - We know.

She said there'd been some break-ins in her building. Made her nervous.

Said she wanted to be able to defend herself.

So someone got to him after he talked to us.

Yeah, he said he'd do anything for a deal.

Obviously, somebody put him in a position to get one, coached him on what to say.

No, not somebody.

I know who's framing me now.

Emi, what are you doing here? Who let you in?

Oh, uh, your assistant was away from his desk,

so we decided to make ourselves at home.

Hi, I'm R.J. Decker.

Your office prosecuted me once,

but I don't believe we've had the pleasure.

Emi, what the hell is this?

I heard a story yesterday.

A man named Doyle Koven told the police I bought a gun from him.

He said it was because I was worried about some break-ins

in my building two years ago.

The part about me buying a gun, that was a lie,

but the part about me being worried about some break-ins, that was true.

And I did go to see someone about it.

Only it wasn't Doyle Koven.

It was you.

You said you would talk to someone, get some more patrol cars in the area.

But because I knew, I-I was asking for a special treatment,

I never shared my concerns with anyone else.

Just you.

Did the break-ins stop? I don't think I ever asked.

You told Doyle Koven what to say.

Because you killed my father.

Emi, why would I do that?

Probably because you're just as dirty as he was.

After all, he put you in this office.

No way he does that if he thought you were above a bribe.

I recently found out that one of the pockets he was in

belonged to a Haitian military group.

Nan la Selle. You've heard of them.

I assume it's because you're in their pocket too.

And knowing my father, he... he probably made the introductions.

Told them it would be a good idea to have a DA on the payroll

in case one of their people gets arrested.

Yeah, all this to say we think you knew enough of each other's dirty laundry

to assure mutual destruction.

The last time I saw Victor, he reminded me you were one of his oldest friends.

He called you to his house that night, didn't he?

Pressured you to drop the case against him.

But that put you in a tough spot, didn't it?

Because if you didn't do what he wanted, he would have taken you down with him,

but letting him walk, that would have been career suicide.

Case was too high-profile, so you thought of a third option.

You shot him.

Can you prove any of this?

Because if all you have to suggest that I killed Victor is a gun dealer

who knew a story I also knew, well, there's a much simpler explanation.

The gun dealer is telling the truth, not to mention,

if I was in possession of the murder weapon this whole time,

why would I have waited so long to frame you?

I have to say, if your plan is to try

and sell any of this to a jury, I like my odds.

You're both gonna get out of here now,

before I add trespassing to the charges against you.

Emi?

I told you I was willing to plead this down.

Take the deal before I change my mind.

Hey, I don't know if you saw my text.

Sofia's having dinner at Charlotte's, so I just dropped her off.

Oh.

- R.J. told you what happened? - Oh, yeah.

The district attorney of Fort Lauderdale is a murderer,

and Emi is still on the fast track to prison.

How was your day?

Compared to Emi's, a walk in the park, but at least her head's back in the game.

There's no way she'll take the plea now.

Mm-mmm.

What am I smelling?

Oh, a frozen pizza. I wasn't exactly in the mood to cook.

How long have you been heating it?

- Oh. - I'll make some Bolognese.

Oh, God. Oh, God.

Did someone from the squad finally come through and get you the case file?

No. R.J.'s new friend, Augustine, the one who works for the Haitian gang.

R.J. has a copy too.

What if he paid Lake a visit?

- Who? - Augustine.

Maybe it puts the fear of God in her, she confesses.

The way R.J. described him, I don't think he's in the "fear of God" business.

More like the meeting God business.

We sic him on Lake, we have no control over how he handles her.

He could just make her disappear. She doesn't show up for work tomorrow.

And then Emi's still on the hook for murder.

- Mm-hmm. - Is there anything helpful in there?

I mean, most of what's here we already knew.

The only exception is this.

Forensics found some weird residue on the gun.

Lake did a good job cleaning it. There were no prints, no DNA,

but I guess she missed some gunk in the crevices.

"Acrylic, sand, blue pigment."

Task force hasn't identified it yet,

but they know it's not from Victor's house, not from Emi's condo.

But I'm wondering if it could help us track where the gun has been.

Do you remember when the HOA was talking about

putting a pickleball court in up the street?

Of course I do, babe.

I did a deep dive, wanted to make sure

the materials they were using weren't toxic.

Respectfully, the hell does it have to do with anything?

I'll give you three hints: acrylic, sand, blue pigment.

The blue residue the task force found, chemical makeup is the same

- as the stuff in that bucket. - Okay.

So it makes up the playing surface on a pickleball court.

Me and Cath are HOA.

They wouldn't sign off on one going up in our neighborhood,

not because the chemicals were bad, but the noise.

Other communities, they were tearing themselves apart over pickleball.

It's the racquets. They don't have strings.

- Hit a ball with one... - You get a pop.

- A loud one, over and over and over. - Mm-hmm.

People who live near courts, they get angry.

And sometimes, they get violent.

Okay, so what's the theory?

The same gun that was used to kill Victor was used in some pickleball fight?

Okay. Here.

Multiple incidents the past year of people vandalizing courts.

Mm-hmm. Not seeing any mention of guns.

No, but look at this one.

What if the gun was never on a pickleball court?

What if it was in a pickleball court?

Now, it's not that I don't appreciate the police coming to take another look,

especially not with such a handsome officer.

He's not police.

- He's still handsome. - You're very kind.

Like I said on the phone, we decided not to pursue charges.

Whichever one of our residents is the vandal, we'll just handle it internally.

Okay. Well, the thing is, Pearl,

Detective Abreu and I, we don't think this is vandalism.

Other incidents, we saw people, they splashed paint on the courts,

others tore up the nets.

I mean, this, to me, looks like someone took a jackhammer to it.

Almost like someone was trying to dig something up.

All right, say we're right, and Lake did bury the gun here.

We don't find a way to connect it to her, it means nada.

Think I just did. Hey, Pearl?

Yes, gorgeous?

The cart there, that's the community logo on it?

- That's us, Coconut Harbor. - Coconut Harbor.

- And that's on all the carts? - Yes.

Okay, this thing you're obviously onto but not sharing with me,

you think it'll be enough to convince a jury Emi's innocent?

Definitely not.

But it's not a jury I gotta convince.

Because we need to know that Derek understands the terms. And, um...

I'll catch up with you later.

Detective Abreu, Mr. Decker.

Has Emi had a change of heart?

Now that you mention it, she did seem more cheerful today,

but I'm guessing that's not what you meant.

Yeah, we were hoping to have a little talk with you,

but we think this is one you're gonna want to have in private.

Please.

You know, you asked us a good question the other day.

If you had the murder weapon all along,

why'd you wait almost three months to use it to frame Emi?

My friends didn't have an answer for you then, but we think we do now.

It's because, originally, you never planned to frame anyone.

You were okay with the murder going unsolved.

That's why you buried a gun under a pickleball court that was being built.

Took us a minute to figure out why you picked that spot.

Then my handsome colleague here remembered something.

Yeah, when I was in your office the other day,

I-I saw a photo of you with an elderly couple.

Your parents, right?

Dominic and Roseanne Lake.

In the shot, there was a golf cart with a logo for a seniors living community on it.

- Coconut Harbor, yeah? - We were there this morning.

We confirmed your parents are residents.

They're the reason you knew that pickleball court was going up.

You know, I gotta give credit where it's due.

Burying a gun under all that, that was... it was a good plan.

I mean, good chance nobody would have ever found it.

- If you just left it there. - But you didn't.

Probably, if we had to guess, because word reached you

that a representative of a group that was bribing you had come to town.

Mr. Augustine.

Suddenly it was dangerous to leave Victor's murder unsolved.

You need a patsy.

You needed Emi.

So you dug up the gun, you planted it, you called in the tip about it yourself.

Do you plan to take all of this to court? Be my guest.

No, the last place we'd take it... ...is court.

We'd take it to Mr. Augustine.

Or at least I would.

See, there are lines you don't cross when you work in the justice system.

News to you, I'm sure, but I-I'm offering you a chance to confess.

Because by the time Augustine finds out you're the one that killed Victor,

you'll already be in protective custody.

Take the deal.

Take the deal before I change my mind.

Fort Lauderdale is reeling tonight over reports that District Attorney Janis Lake

has confessed to the murder of State Senator Victor Ochoa.

The state senator's daughter, Emilia Ochoa,

was arrested for the murder earlier this week,

but with today's stunning development,

all charges against Ms. Ochoa have been dropped.

In other news, invasive potatoes are wreaking havoc

- on plant life in the Orlando-- - Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

They never said your name.

Now, how in the hell did they never say your name?

Well, considering I only got a confession by saying I'd give the DA up

to a Haitian military group, probably for the best.

Reminds me. Your buddy Augustine dropped something off for you today.

Huh.

Now, if this is a threat for turning the DA over to the cops instead of him,

- don't tell me. - Okay.

- Unless I'm being threatened too. - Right.

No, don't want to know.

You actually like this guy, don't you?

Speaking of strange, ineffable friendships.

Hey, all charges dropped. Just heard it on the news. Incredible.

You say it like you had nothing to do with it.

Hey, come on.

- Thank you. - Anytime, anytime.

Um...

Can I talk to you for a second outside, though?

This sounds serious.

Ah, well, I mean, it kind of is. It's just...

The other night, you were saying

you blame yourself for what happened to your dad.

And I-I was just kind of hoping,

I mean, now that we know who's really responsible, that...

- That I'll cut myself a little slack? - I mean, you know, maybe this much.

I'll admit, knowing the truth helps, but I...

I... I still have a lot of work to do.

If you asked me 15 years ago what I wanted to do with my life,

I would have told you I wanted to help people.

I'm just taking everything that's happened to me as a wake-up call.

I just need to, I don't know...

try to find that version of myself again.

Like a missing person's case.

- Right. Like a... a missing person's case. - I mean...

I mean, if only I knew a good PI.

I'll have to check my calendar. I'm very in demand these days.

Check it inside over a beer.

Let's do it. But honestly, I don't think you can afford me.

No, I'm serious. My rates are going up.

- You don't say. - Oh, I do say.

♪ You ain't alone ♪

♪ Just let me be your ticket home ♪