Original subtitles

[distant alarm blares]

[muffled shouts and grunting]

[heavy grunting]

[both grunting]

[Mickey] I know what you're thinking. "The parking garage? Again?"

[rock music playing]

[photographer] Turn a little this way. A little more serious. Nice.

- Ooh, fantastic. Yeah. - Give me one second.

- Looks straight. - Yeah.

[camera clicks]

♪ Pretty soon now ♪

♪ You know I'm gonna make a comeback... ♪

[photographer] This is the tie. No. Just smile.

[cell phone vibrates]

Uh, sorry, guys. I gotta take this.

Hey, Lorna. What's going on?

[Lorna] How much longer are you gonna be?

Uh, I don't know. I think we're almost done. Why?

Because you have a jam-packed day.

They're finishing that renovation you spent a fortune on.

And the phone here has been ringing off the hook.

- [phone ringing] - Hold on.

Hi. Law offices. Please hold.

[Mickey] The price of success.

Tell me where I need to be.

[Lorna] Okay, you have the Ortiz sentencing.

Status conference on Darrell Pickens.

That one's with Judge Boyle, so bring doughnuts.

- Yep. - And then pretrial motion...

Oh, never mind. That got rescheduled.

Oh, you have a new client, Russell Lawson.

He was arrested for burglary and indecent exposure.

- They booked him. He's at MDC. - Sounds like a tweaker on a bender.

[Lorna] He may not be a franchise, but the guy's got some money.

I gave him the fee schedule. He didn't bat an eye.

Paid it all on a credit card.

Okay. Was he a referral?

He heard about you from the Trevor Elliott case,

like all your new clients.

When that guy got shot,

I thought it would be a disaster, but it turned out to be a gold mine.

There is no such thing as bad publicity.

I did get him an acquittal.

All right, I'll stop by the jail after my hearings. What else?

The Jesús Menendez file.

Can you please tell me I can send them back to storage?

They won't bring charges again, will they?

I don't know. I have to be ready if they do.

- Stack the files in the conference room... - [line beeps]

All right, Lorna. I gotta go.

No, no... Ugh!

- [phone rings] - [Lorna tuts]

Law offices. Please hold.

Hey, Mags.

- I'm calling about tonight. - [Mickey] I made the reservation for 7:00.

- We need a reservation? - For this place, yeah.

They made a "Best of LA list," so...

You know I'd be happy with pizza. Anyway, text me the address.

[Mickey] All right. Maggie, thanks for doing this.

I think we owe it to Hayley to try and clear the air.

Plus, I hear they have the best flan in the city.

Well, I do love a good flan. Uh, see you tonight.

All right.

Hey. This is for the Reyes case, and I'm gonna need his jail calls.

♪ Right now ♪

♪ I think I'm gonna plan a new trend... ♪

To the Emerald City?

You know which road to follow.

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ The one that gave you the Hula-Hoop ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ The one that gave you the yo-yo ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ I'm the man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man... ♪

[Mickey sniffs]

Did I leave my gym clothes in the car again?

[Izzy] No, it's my dance bag.

I've been picking up classes after work. You know, the gig economy.

Know it? I'm... I'm living it, Izzy.

[Izzy chuckles]

There's something I've been meaning to mention, actually.

[Mickey] Oh, yeah?

The teaching. I'm not doing it alone. It's with Ray.

Ray?

You mean, your ex?

That's who I was on the phone with, but it's different.

She's six months sober. She goes to meetings with me.

She gave up touring.

Look, Izzy, it's your life. All right?

You, of all people, should understand. Nobody changes unless they need to.

I just want you to be careful, that's all.

Well, that goes both ways, boss.

Meaning what?

In the last week, how many interviews have I driven you to?

I've got some publicity from Trevor's case.

- [Izzy] Mm. - You know, you...

- You gotta strike while the iron's hot. - [rock music playing]

Maybe. But in my experience, fame is like crack.

Not that I've ever tried crack.

I'm fine. I'm not gonna let a little press go to my head.

On The Lead With Jake Tapper,

we'll be talking with The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller, about...

- [clears throat] - [cell phone vibrates]

- What is it, Lorna? - You never called me back.

I'm up to my eyeballs here, Mickey.

Not to mention I have a wedding to plan if I can get Cisco to focus.

And I have exams.

I have Legal Ethics. I have to memorize the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Those are easy.

- Says an expert on bending them. - [phone rings]

[Lorna] Law offices. Please hold.

Okay, Mickey, I need help. I know you don't wanna hire somebody new...

What about Cisco? Can he help?

He said he's running down records for you on a case.

- What case? - I don't know! Mickey...

Look, we're almost at the courthouse,

so Izzy can help you after she drops me off, all right?

[quietly] I'll pay you overtime.

[Lorna] Okay, fine.

All right. Gotta go, Lorna. Bye.

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

- ♪ M-m-m-man ♪ - ♪ I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man ♪

[Mickey] Lawson? Russell Lawson?

Hey.

- [guard] Opening one. - [door buzzes]

[Mickey] Thanks, Mike.

- Are you the lawyer? - I'm Mickey Haller. Yes.

Oh, thank God.

Okay, you can get me out of here, right? I didn't do anything. I mean...

I need you to calm down and listen to me.

- Can you do that? - I'll try.

It says here you work in finance?

Bankruptcy consulting. I...

I advise on debt restructuring for companies. It's boring.

But there's a lot of money at stake, right?

I imagine you gotta wear a poker face, manage your emotions.

Yeah, I... I guess.

Good. I need you to put on that poker face right now.

Yeah, sure. Sorry. Yeah, of course. I just...

They, um... They took my inhaler.

They said I could use it as a weapon. I mean...

Oh. Right. I'll see if I can get that returned.

In the meantime, maybe you can tell me what happened.

Okay. So the thing is, I... I don't remember.

I was supposed to meet a friend in Santa Monica for some drinks afterward,

and then he canceled.

My friend. But I had a few drinks anyway and ordered an Uber to go home.

And then the next thing that I know,

I'm in the back of a police car.

It says you broke a window to get into a house,

made yourself a sandwich, took...

Took off your pants.

The woman who lives there found you passed out on her couch.

Look, I don't really remember anything after I got in that Uber.

Right.

Is it the kind of thing where I can just say I'm sorry and pay for the window?

It's a little more than that. They're charging you with felony burglary.

If you get convicted, it can mean six years.

Six years?

All right, one step at a time. Okay?

The house you were arrested in

seems it's down the street from yours.

Have you ever been there?

No. I don't even...

I'm renting the house that I'm in while I have my kitchen renovated.

I've only been in this dumb complex for like a couple of weeks.

I need you to get me out of here.

They said they're transferring me to county tonight.

I'll ask for bail at your arraignment. That's in two days.

Wait. No. Two days? I ca...

Russell. Poker face. Remember?

All right.

Look, I have an idea, but I have to check some things first.

In the meantime, keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.

Maybe stay away from the mac and cheese in the mess hall at county.

I'll be in touch.

[phone line rings]

- [Cisco] Leave me a message. - [beeps]

Hey, where are you? I need you on something. Call me back.

Long time no see. Starting to think you forgot all about me.

That's tough to do lately.

You're everywhere,

which is funny, since your last big client got shot.

Yeah, people keep bringing that up.

I've got a schedule to keep. What's this about?

Your other client, Jesús Menendez.

What about him?

You pretty much humiliated the department and the DA's office

when you got him released.

No, I think they did a pretty good job of that themselves.

They're not taking it lying down. They're formally reopening the case.

Oh shit. I knew it.

It's not enough to convict the wrong guy once.

They've gotta double down?

They needed somebody from LAPD to head up the reinvestigation.

Somebody with a clean rep, wasn't part of the original case.

You.

I don't love this either, but I don't give the orders.

What you need to do is find the real guy.

The guy with the tattoo my witness talked about.

Tattooed man your witness has no name for, who may not even exist.

He exists! My investigator has been looking for him, but...

You can put all your resources on it. Come on. At least talk to Glory Days.

I'll talk to her. I'll talk to whoever I need to.

But I need to start with your client, Menendez.

You want me to voluntarily bring my client to the Glass House?

[scoffs] No way.

I told you, I don't like this either.

So bring your guy in tomorrow.

If the story adds up, maybe I can short-circuit this thing

before they bring charges.

[pensive music playing]

Okay.

[ballad playing over speakers softly]

[Mickey] So, anything, uh, interesting at work?

I've got a double homicide. Might be gang-related.

Well, sounds right up your alley.

Unless downtown decides to poach it.

That's what they did with the string of carjackings I had.

They used to do it when I was there. Now I'm on the receiving end.

They can't hold your back forever, right? If there's anything I can do to help, I...

No. Please.

I appreciate it, but there's not.

[cell phone chimes]

Sorry, it's time-sensitive. Just take a second. I promise.

What?

"The hottest defense attorney in LA," hard at work.

[chuckles] You mean that stupid magazine?

- You know I don't care about that stuff. - No?

Called your office. Lorna said you were doing an interview.

The Times wanted to do a profile. What was I supposed to say? No?

[cell phone chimes]

Sorry.

That's the reporter, isn't it?

[Mickey] Yeah, they wanna get it out as soon as possible.

I'm sorry. There. Send. Done.

So, uh, how's Hayley liking her new school?

Um, okay so far. Her class had a trip to Big Bear.

When we dropped her off, I was worried, but she had fun.

"We"?

I told you I was seeing someone, Mickey.

Who?

Oh, you mean, uh, what's-his-name? Tim?

Uh, it's Jim, but you knew that.

Yeah, fine. Jim.

Jim the accountant?

A forensic auditor for the Justice Department.

Whatever.

You told me you went on a couple dates. I didn't know it was serious.

- Mickey... - [cell phone chimes]

Maybe you'd be dating someone, too,

if it weren't for your busy press calendar.

Look, I'm happy she had fun. Is she making friends?

Seems to be. She wants to quit soccer though.

Oh, yeah?

She has this one new friend, Taylor, who does equestrian.

So, now, of course, she wants to do horseback riding.

I used to ride when I was a kid in Mexico.

Oh, I'm aware.

Things are just more expensive now, though, so...

Maggie, if it's about the money, I'm happy to cover it.

We agreed we would split things down the middle.

I know, but that was...

Before your career took off, and I got demoted?

Come on. That's not what I meant.

[cell phone chimes]

Don't even think about it.

[sighs] Look, I'm sorry things took a turn for both of us.

Took a turn? No. You drove them, Mickey.

You know, I heard about Jesús Menendez.

That's what you're upset about? That's not going anywhere.

Everything that happened losing my case, downtown, all of it?

It might be for nothing.

It's not going anywhere. I beat them once. I'll do it again.

For your sake and your client's, I hope that's true.

Sorry to interrupt, but we have some treats for you.

This is our asado spring rolls, some hoisin duck arepas,

bibimbap saltado, and a sample of our pozole rojo.

Thank you. It looks fantastic. We didn't order any of this, sir.

Compliments of the kitchen for the Lincoln Lawyer. Enjoy.

[somber music playing]

[sighs]

You know what? I've got an early start tomorrow, so...

- Maggie. - Hayley will be ready at 6:00.

Enjoy your food.

Come on, Maggie.

[sighs]

[suspenseful music playing]

[music fades]

Look who I found at the groomer's.

[Lorna gasps] Oh, look!

Oh my God. Look, you're all clean.

Maybe now you'll shed a little bit less.

[Cisco] And I got takeout from your favorite sushi place

'cause I figured you'd forget to eat otherwise.

[moans happily] You are amazing.

Well, I try my best.

Thank you.

[Winston whines]

No spicy tuna for you. You'll make the office smell for a week.

- "The Rule Against Perpetuities." - Hmm.

I know this one.

An interest in property must vest, if at all, within 21 years

after the death of a life in being when the interest was created.

And what does that mean?

I have no idea, but nobody else does either. Who cares?

[Cisco chuckles]

- What? Do I have something in my teeth? - No.

Just

you.

Goofball.

Oh, did you get those files?

Which files?

The ones for Mickey? I texted you about it.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, right. I got those.

Uh, sorry, I didn't...

I didn't have any reception.

Okay.

- [romantic music playing over speakers] - Do you need some help?

Oh, no. I'm good. Thanks.

Can you please tell the chef that pozole was better than my mother's?

Just don't tell my mother. She'll kill the chef.

Well, I'm the chef, so thank you.

Of course you are.

Lisa.

Mickey Haller.

Wow, the food was amazing.

Sorry I couldn't finish it.

On the plus side, I'll have dinner for a week.

I'm so sorry about that. My hostess is a true-crime junkie.

She saw your name on the reservation list, so...

You know, here. Let me...

Let's put the ceviche in this one. It'll keep it cold.

So, what happened to your date?

Ah, that's my ex-wife, actually.

Say no more.

Seriously, the food was amazing.

How long have you been here?

Well, 11 years ago, I opened a take-out counter.

Latin-Asian street food.

Think I finally got it right.

Yeah, you did.

You in a hurry?

No, not really.

Give me five minutes.

I'll throw this stuff in the fridge and give you the 50-cent tour?

Really?

[vibrant chatter]

[Mickey] Oh wow!

- [upbeat music playing] - It smells incredible here.

Thank you.

I grow all my own herbs.

- Oh, yeah? - Mm-hmm.

Oh.

[Lisa sniffs] Mm!

- That cilantro? - Mm-hmm.

Ooh, I love cilantro.

- Really? - Yeah.

My ex hated it. Maybe that's why I like it so much.

[Mickey chuckles]

You guys still talk?

[Lisa] Not really.

We were going to have kids and start this place together.

One day, he couldn't take it anymore. Responsibility. Or the fear of it.

Last I heard, he was living in Ensenada, working at a surf shop.

- In Baja? - Mm-hmm.

Is that where you learned to make pozole like that?

Well, now, that's like asking a magician their secrets.

[Mickey chuckles softly]

Listen, I had an amazing dinner, and it's been great getting to know you,

but, uh, I should probably go.

Yeah, you probably should.

Or I can leave my sous chef in charge and open a bottle of wine.

That's my place right there.

You... [chuckles]

A chef that lives right next to the kitchen.

Well, what can I say?

When I want something, I'm very focused.

[romantic music playing]

[both breathing heavily]

I think we can skip the wine, don't you?

I don't even drink.

Good to know.

Anything else you don't do?

[opening theme music playing]

[jackhammering outside]

[man shouts]

[machinery whirring]

- [repeated banging] - [vehicle beeping]

[jackhammering continues]

[ethereal music playing]

[speaks Spanish]

Morning.

There's some coffee there.

And pan dulce if you like. Help yourself.

[in Spanish] House eggs.

With house-made chorizo.

If this keeps up, I'm not gonna fit into my clothes anymore.

Come on.

Try it. I need to know I have a future in this.

Oh my God.

- Love a man who loves breakfast. - Mm.

[Lisa chuckles]

Well, listen, I...

[clears throat] ...I don't usually do this, you know.

I mean, not in... [exhales] I don't even know how long.

Yeah, that's what they all say.

[Lisa chuckles]

I'm kidding.

I don't do this either.

Trust me. Running a restaurant is a 24/7 job.

It's nice though.

Really nice.

Really nice.

Dig in before it gets cold.

[jackhammering resumes]

- What the hell is that? - That's what I deal with every day.

Didn't you notice the giant hole in the ground next door?

No, the construction site? They're not allowed to start this early.

You think he cares?

"He"?

The building developer, Mitchell Bondurant.

[Mickey] Oh, that guy.

Let me guess.

He wants to tear the whole block down and put up high-rises?

Yeah, pretty much, and I'm the last holdout.

Well, it is LA. This city's always been in love with whatever's next.

Maybe.

I just wish they wouldn't throw away what's already there.

Before all the foodies found us, this was just a neighborhood place.

Now the people who actually live in this neighborhood

won't be able to afford it anymore.

- Yeah. - So, where do they go?

I don't know, but you should be able to put a stop to all that.

I tried calling the building department. They don't do anything.

You need a lawyer.

Oh!

Oh, not me. I don't do real estate law, but I know some good ones.

If they're good, they're expensive.

I'm overextended as it is.

Let me see if I can get somebody to cut you a break.

Listen, I really need to go now, but, uh...

Is it...

is it okay if I call you?

You know where to find me.

And you gave me your business card, so...

I really am out of practice, huh?

- [Lisa chuckles] - All right.

Okay.

Thank you for breakfast.

[Lisa] Anytime.

Okay. [chuckles]

I'll, uh, call you.

Oh, Mickey, wait.

- Don't forget your food. - Yeah.

- [drilling] - [raised voices]

[indistinct shouting]

[upbeat music playing]

[construction workers shouting in distance]

[jackhammering continues]

[upbeat music continues]

[engine revs]

[keys jangle]

[engine stops]

I guess dinner with Maggie went well.

Yes, uh, I'll be out in ten minutes, Izzy.

Uh-huh.

[scoffs]

[Lorna] I don't need all the gory details. Just a credit card number for the fee.

Can you hold on, please? Thank you.

Please tell me Izzy's coming in. Today's worse than yesterday.

[Mickey] As soon as she parks the car.

Did you find anything more about Jesús Menendez?

[Cisco] Griggs is too smart for leaks.

I've talked to a dozen escorts, at least.

None of them can ID any tattoo man. Guy's a ghost.

We need to find him. Might be the only way to keep Jesús from being charged again.

I don't get how that works. Isn't it double jeopardy?

Nope. His first conviction was vacated like it never happened.

They can charge him again.

Somebody's been paying attention in school.

- Mm-hmm. - All right.

Forget about the other guy. What about Glory Days? Is she back?

Yes, but don't know where. We think she's changed her number.

Just find her, will you? We need her to talk to Griggs.

What's this?

That's your arraignment tomorrow. A Russell Lawson.

I spoke to his Uber driver,

who said he took him to the address that Lawson gave him.

That's the place he lives, and that's the place he broke into.

Allegedly.

- Allegedly. - All right.

Good work. I'll be in the office if you need me.

- Ha! - [phone rings]

Law offices. Please hold.

I got him on a jail call setting up the deal. I can make a case.

Yeah. Hey, hang on a second. I'm gonna need the Reyes files again.

- Ah. We don't have them anymore. - What?

Downtown requisitioned them. Major Crimes.

Sorry. I thought you knew.

You're kidding.

You're not kidding.

Hey, Andy. I need some advice. You have time for a drink after yoga?

[door opens]

- [door closes] - [Mickey sighs]

[woman] I know. I'm sorry. I don't have an appointment.

Can you just tell him it's Lisa Trammell?

Crammell?

No. Trammell.

Lorna. Lorna, it's okay. Come on back.

- Thank you. - [Lorna] You're welcome.

Please.

- I promise I am not stalking you. - [phones ringing]

Oh.

So this is where the Lincoln Lawyer works.

Hmm.

Funny.

Thought it'd be, I don't know, a Lincoln.

[chuckles] Well, it's a long story.

Um...

Look, Lisa, I had such a great time last night, but...

No, I swear. That is not why I'm here.

I mean, last night was good, but it wasn't that good.

[Lisa chuckles]

No, but seriously, I'm not stalking you. But, apparently, I am stalking someone.

What, a temporary restraining order?

An hour after you left, some guy showed up and handed me that.

To stop you from harassing Bondurant at his place of work.

What, have you gone to his office?

Well...

[Lisa sighs]

Okay. You know those protesters you saw?

Mm-hmm.

Maybe they started showing up because I talked about it on social media.

Like, a lot.

And maybe I've led some protests outside of his office, too,

but I've never harassed the guy.

There's still free speech in this country?

Last time I checked.

The protests only draw attention to what's happening.

Like... Look.

This was on the news.

[man] We talked to one of the leaders of the movement,

neighborhood restaurant owner Lisa Trammell.

Gentrification is violence to our communities.

These developers move into our neighborhoods

and displace people.

And we won't stand for it anymore.

[man] Mitchell Bondurant had no comment, but his company issued a statement saying,

"We are committed to developing fair and equitable housing

for all Angelenos."

I mean, can he really get a restraining order because of that?

Not as long as you're not threatening him or trespassing on his property.

- But you're in luck. - How so?

I told you I don't do real estate law, but a TRO? That's right in my wheelhouse.

Wait, so you'll represent me?

Why not?

I can pay you. It might take a while, but I...

Just make me some more of that pozole. All right? We're good.

[heartfelt music playing]

Thank you, Mickey.

I should go.

- [Mickey speaks quietly] - [Lisa chuckles]

- [Lisa] Talk soon. - Bye.

[Mickey exhales]

Who's that woman? Why are you sleeping with her?

Wh... what are you talking about?

Do not do this. I was married to you, remember?

You put your hands in your pockets when you're trying to be disarming,

and you start scratching your head.

Okay, okay.

I know every move in your repertoire, and you just pulled out every single one.

She's a chef I met. That's all. She's got some legal problems.

So now you're representing her.

Let me guess. Pro bono. Because you're frosting her cake.

You're basting her turkey.

She's battering your brisket?

Okay, I don't have time for this.

I gotta meet Jesús, and please, order a tox screen for the new client.

- I'll explain later. - So, we'll talk about this then?

I don't think so, Lorna. Goodbye.

- [sighs] - [phone rings]

This is no way to run a law practice.

- [gate buzzes] - [guard] Gate opened for inmate release.

[gate buzzes]

[indistinct chatter, laughter]

[man] You take care of yourself.

You didn't have to come all the way out here.

Yeah.

I did.

Figured you'd be up for a ride.

Yeah.

Yeah, I am.

[engines rev]

[Mickey] Jesús.

- Hey. - Hey.

[both speak Spanish]

[in Spanish] Just tell the truth, and everything will be fine.

Okay. Yeah.

Okay.

[Griggs] So, you left the club with Martha Renteria around 10:30?

That's right.

Did you negotiate a price?

600. I paid up front.

[Griggs] You told police you won the lottery.

Only there was no drawing on the lottery that day.

It's all in the record.

Mr. Menendez admitted he got the money from his brother, who was a drug dealer.

Fine.

What happened when you got to her place?

[Jesús] We...

we had sex.

She had condoms. I used one.

After, I flushed it.

I used a towel that was hanging in the bathroom.

That's how your DNA got on the towel.

I guess so.

And then... And then I left.

She was fine when I left.

- Come on, Detective. You... - So, you didn't kill Martha Renteria?

- No. - You didn't stab her over 50 times?

No! I never killed anyone.

The ME says the murder weapon was a knife with no more than a five-inch blade,

maybe half an inch wide.

Probably a folding knife.

Do you own a knife like that?

No.

Have you ever owned one?

No.

Two days ago, I spoke with your roommate at the time, Luis Castillo.

You remember him.

[on video] Can you describe the knife?

It was a hunting knife. You know, like the folding kind.

Black metal.

[Griggs] How long?

Maybe...

[Griggs] Did this belong to Jesús Menendez?

Yeah. He said it was in case anybody "ever got out of line."

What the fuck is this?

Your roommate says you threw that knife into the LA River after the murder.

He saw you do it.

Are you arresting my client?

I... Okay, maybe I own the...

[in Spanish] Not a word.

Are you arresting my client?

Not right at this moment. No.

Then this interview is over. Let's go.

Now!

[ominous music playing]

Why didn't you tell me about this?

I knew how guilty it made me look.

I figured if the cops didn't know, it didn't matter.

It always matters, Jesús.

Well, I needed you to believe me.

[exhales heavily]

[cell phone vibrates]

[Jesús, in Spanish] You know what?

[in Spanish] Just walk away.

[in Spanish] Just like before.

I'm not walking away from you, Jesús. I told you I wouldn't do that again.

All right?

I need to figure this thing out

'cause they'll come after you with everything they've got.

Now just go home and talk to no one. I'll call you.

[ominous music continues]

Look, it is bullshit that downtown keeps taking your best cases,

- but I don't know what to tell you. - [music fades]

Bob brought in a bunch of sharks, and they're all looking to cut teeth.

I remember when that was you with your undefeated record.

Got you moved to Major Crimes.

Not quite undefeated. Lost a few.

- Never lost to your ex though. - Hmm.

[laughs] I beat that fool every time.

[chuckles] I knew there was a reason I liked you right off the bat.

You ever think about going private?

Who hasn't?

Just can't see actually doing it. I'm not built for the dark side.

What about another office?

I've got a friend up in San Fran. They are desperate for good people.

Hayley's at a new school, making friends. I couldn't do that to her. Or Mickey.

You gotta do something.

Yeah.

[pensive music playing]

This is really good.

What did I tell you?

Mom's missing out.

She came home, and she made herself soup from a can.

I'm sorry about that, hija. Your mom and I are...

You okay?

Yeah.

It's not the stuff with Mom, is it?

No, no. It's just a case.

I made the dumbest mistake a defense attorney can make.

I trusted a cop.

- Dude. - Yeah.

Remember that one I told you about? The thing I had to make right?

The one that started all the trouble with Mom in the first place?

Mm.

[crickets chirping]

Do you remember when I was in, like, fourth grade,

and I got super freaked out about school?

I remember a nine-year-old worrying if she was gonna get into Yale.

You said, "Just worry about what's right in front of you."

"This math test. This reading assignment."

- I said that? - Yeah.

I was a good dad, huh?

So take your own advice.

Focus on what's right in front of you. You'll figure the rest out.

I mean, you are the hottest defense attorney in LA, aren't you?

Oh, I see. She showed you that, huh?

Oh yeah.

- Did you at least read the article? - No.

- All right. Good. - Yeah.

[upbeat music playing]

[elevator dings]

[music fades]

[bailiff] 57003. People versus Russell Lawson.

[inhaler puffs]

Hey.

Can you get me out of here now?

Hold on while I try something.

Does counsel wish to be heard?

If you can give us just one moment, Your Honor?

Wow. You still get a physical newspaper.

That's old-school.

Uh-huh. Yeah.

So are these. Actual paper photographs.

Judge Lyons will love these. He doesn't do technology.

So that is my client's house. 18001 Remington Place.

And that is the house where he was arrested. 18010.

As you can see, they're almost identical, even the numbers.

So?

So burglary requires a specific intent to commit a crime.

This was just a mistake.

My client was under the influence. He thought it was his house.

His key didn't work, so he broke what he thought was his own window.

You'd still have to prove he was too drunk to know where he was,

which could be tough because, according to his credit card receipts,

he only had three drinks.

You'd think someone who got his picture in the paper would know that.

[Mickey chuckles softly]

- Six months, final offer. - [suspenseful music playing]

Or I could wait for the tox screen I ordered yesterday.

What would that prove?

Even if he had more than that, it wouldn't still be in his system.

Rohypnol would.

Rohyp... You think your client was roofied?

Well, the bar he was at, a dozen different people have complained

about getting drugged.

And lots more all over the city, most of them unsolved.

Kind of a black eye for the cops and the DA, don't you think?

So I'm thinking misdemeanor trespass, time served,

plus my client would generously agree to pay for the window.

Or you can roll the dice at trial,

but then the story would be that someone's drugging people,

and the DA's too busy going after innocent victims to do anything about it.

I happen to know a reporter or two.

[she sighs]

Your Honor, I don't think we need to waste any more of the court's time today.

Okay.

They're gonna take you to Processing now. You'll be home by lunchtime.

I don't know how to thank you.

Uh...

Hey, if you ever have to declare bankruptcy...

Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Poker face, Russell.

- Haller. - [music ends]

Hey, what are you doing downtown?

I went to see Bob. Tried to see whether I could get another one of my cases back.

He offered me second chair as a courtesy.

Felt more like a "fuck you," but who's counting?

What are you gonna do?

Oh, I don't know yet. I'll think of something.

[Maggie sighs]

Listen.

I'm sorry about the other night.

It was a bad day all round, and I took it out on you.

I get it. I'm sorry too.

Look, Maggie, I'm happy you're seeing someone.

- Okay, not happy happy, maybe, but... - [Maggie chuckles]

I understand.

Just hope he's a good guy.

You deserve it, Maggie.

So do you.

[elevator dings]

Well, I better head back to Van Nuys before the 101 turns into a parking lot.

[sighs] See you, Mickey.

[phone rings]

[distant] Registrar's office. May I help?

Hi. I need the form for the Criminal Practice Clinic.

I work for a defense lawyer. He's gonna mentor me.

Although, if you saw the way he does things,

you would think it's the exact opposite of the way things should be done.

When's this due?

By Friday, but you need to get the Academic Dean's signature

if you're not using one of our approved mentors.

- Dean Wheaton. - Okay. Great.

Wheaton? Um...

The Wheaton who teaches torts?

Yes. He's serving as interim dean until they find someone permanent.

He's here for 30 minutes. You could do it now.

Oh, uh, no. No, I'm actually... Huge hurry.

Uh, maybe I'll do it tomorrow or the next day.

[cell phone vibrates]

- Hey. - [Cisco] Hey, babe. How's school tonight?

Fine. Um, you know, the usual.

- How are things with you? - Everything's great.

I'm just, uh, running down some leads on Glory Days.

So, I'll see you later, then?

[Cisco] Hey, um, don't wait up. Could be a late one.

Okay.

- [indistinct chatter] - [engine revs]

You sure you're down with this?

Yeah, yeah.

Let's go.

[man] Kaz!

You son of a bitch.

[ominous music playing]

Welcome home, brother.

Get this man a beer.

- [cheering] - [man] Hell yeah!

[Izzy] Feels weird not driving you home.

I think I can handle it.

Just appreciate you filling in around the office.

Oh! Listen, before I forget. That guy stopped by a few hours ago.

- Which guy? - [Izzy] Your client, Russell Lawson.

Gave me a credit card number for 5K.

I thought he'd paid up front?

He said it was for a retainer in case he needed anything else.

Okay, well. Look, I'm gonna lose you when I go up in the Hills, so...

- [Izzy] There's one more thing. - Which is?

Yesterday morning, when I was giving you a hard time,

you let me think you were with Maggie.

[sighs] I didn't let you think anything, Izzy.

- I just didn't wanna deal with it. - I know.

Either way, it's none of my business.

I just know that long-term,

staying on this path is about being honest.

Especially with yourself.

[Izzy] Good night.

Good night, Izzy.

[line beeps]

[ethereal music playing]

[sighs]

[man] Nice view.

I mean, the picture in the paper made it look good,

but at night, it really comes alive, don't you think?

Russell?

What the fuck are you doing here?

I didn't wanna break another window, so I hopped the fence.

I gotta say, today was amazing.

I mean, I know you're good, but that was...

[kisses]...something else.

I don't know what you want, exactly, but...

Okay. You should probably hear me out.

After all, you are my attorney.

Paid an extra retainer to make sure of that,

so I think that I probably want what any client wants, Mickey.

I want your expert legal help.

Being a lawyer, it comes with all sorts of duties and responsibilities,

doesn't it?

Like, the duty of confidentiality.

That's the big one, right?

The one where anything I say becomes our little secret,

and you can't tell anybody,

especially not the police.

[ominous music playing]

So,

here's our little secret.

Martha Renteria had it coming.

That bitch got exactly what she deserved.

And then someone else went down for it, and he's about to go down for it again.

But the best part is, now,

there's nothing you can do about it.

You broke into that house to trick me into representing you?

I did a hell of a lot more than that, Counselor.

When your tox screen comes back, it's gonna show Rohypnol, all right.

Roofied myself just to make it look really good.

Come on. You gotta give me an A for effort for that.

I had to get you to stop looking for me, and then it hit me.

Why not kill two birds with one stone?

You thought that if you found me,

you could save, uh...

What's the guy's name?

Menendez?

Well, congrats. You found me.

But you can't ever tell a soul about it,

or I'll see that you're disbarred.

And that's just for starters.

- Are you threatening me, Russell? - Threatening you?

Oh, no. No, no, no.

I would never threaten you,

even though I know where you live and that you have a family.

I'd never threaten you because a threat would be the one circumstance

where maybe you might be able to tell our little secret.

So, no, you can rest assured that you and your family are safe with me.

Just like our little secret is safe with you.

[Russell grunts]

Well...

I... [chuckles]

I'll see you around, Counselor.

[tense music playing]

[closing theme music playing]