NARRATOR: Previously on Damages.
I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again.
What do you want from me?
Nothing.
You don't have to worry about me. I forgave you.
All your secrets are safe.
God knows she'd never say anything, but...
She'd love to have you back.
Where the hell is my mother?
She had Jill arrested.
You hurt my son. You had sex with him.
And when the baby's born in prison,
Michael will have sole custody.
Would you be willing to consider
giving us another shot?
You were a great father,
but I don't need you anymore.
And I certainly don't want you.
I want you to call off the deal with Winstone.
Why now? What's changed?
I convinced her to let me go through with it.
What are you talking about, Tom?
(GRUNTS)
HUNTLEY: I'm sorry for your loss.
PATTY: Tom was like family.
He admitted to the murder of Tom Shayes.
I did want to ask you one question.
What's that?
It's career advice, really.
Is it worth it?
(WHEN I AM THROUGH WITH YOU PLAYING)
♪ Little lamb ♪
♪ Smile ♪
♪ When I am through with you ♪
♪ There won't be anything left ♪
♪ When I am through with you ♪
♪ There won't be anything left ♪
♪ When I am through with you ♪
(SPEAKING ARABIC)
(BLUE CHRISTMAS PLAYING)
♪ I'll have a blue Christmas ♪
♪ Without you ♪
♪ I'll be so blue ♪
♪ Thinking about you ♪
PATTY: Sterling letters of recommendation.
Thank you.
I see that two of them are female partners at very prestigious firms.
We worked well together.
Why do you think that is?
Women trust me.
Well, I've been trying to replace someone for a while now.
She was smart, extremely capable...
But she couldn't hack it.
No, she couldn't.
The job was too brutal.
We both knew she couldn't cut it, so I had to let her go.
CONGRESSWOMAN: Mr. Erickson,
what would you say to those who call you a mercenary?
A war profiteer?
I would enlighten them.
I would tell them we provide an essential service
and we are paid accordingly.
CONGRESSWOMAN: This particular war has been your ticket to the fortune...
Party's starting.
(LOUD MUSIC PLAYING)
You're watching that again?
Yeah, you caught me.
I still have two more hours of testimony to review.
I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to leave early. I'm seeing my friend tonight.
The guy from high school?
Yeah, tonight's the only night he could meet up.
If you're not staying, I'm out of here.
Where are you off to?
Gonna go find your present.
I thought we weren't doing presents.
Come on, Ellen.
It's Christmas.
I'm not just looking for how you handle the day-to-day,
but I'm looking for how you handle yourself.
How you think, how you react.
I understand.
Good.
Maggie?
Yes, Ms. Hewes.
Holly will begin her trial period effective immediately.
Understood.
You'll have a short while to learn the routine
and then I'll review your performance.
HOLLY: Oh, my God,
she's absolutely gorgeous.
Meet my granddaughter.
Catherine, this is Holly,
your new nanny.
Mr. Erickson, it says here you were in the Marines
for the better part of three decades.
Yes, ma'am.
CONGRESSWOMAN: I applaud your service,
though you're no longer in the military, is that correct?
Affirmative, Congresswoman, I am not.
CONGRESSWOMAN: And yet you command thousands of men in Afghanistan.
Can you explain that?
I am the founder and CEO of the High Star Security Corporation.
We're a private security firm hired by the US Government
to protect dignitaries and other A-plus targets in war zones.
In other words, you run the world's largest private army.
And to date, the US taxpayer
has paid your company over a billion dollars for their services.
I don't have the exact figures,
but you can't fight a war on the cheap, Congresswoman.
CONGRESSWOMAN: There is a critical issue before this committee today.
ERICKSON: Yes, there is.
That's why I've got on my Sunday finest.
We're here to decide whether or not
Congress will renew High Star's contract with the US Government.
And I'm here to tell you, I will be voting no.
Well, that certainly is your right, Congresswoman.
(VIDEO REWINDING)
And to date, the US taxpayer
has paid your company over a billion dollars for their services.
I don't have the exact figures,
but you can't fight a war on the cheap, Congresswoman.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(GUNS FIRING)
SOLDIER: Sanchez.
Sanchez.
Sanchez. (YELLS)
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
MAN: What the fuck's going on in there? Come on.
I gotta take a leak.
Fuck!
(POP MUSIC PLAYING)
Another tomato juice.
Got any big holiday plans?
Sure, if staying home and watching porn counts.
It does if you watch it in a Santa suit. You from around here?
(DOOR OPENS)
Excuse me. Holy shit.
Ellen Parsons. You look fantastic.
You're looking pretty good yourself.
I like the beard. Very distinguished.
It's been a while. How you doing?
Good. I heard you own this place now.
Yeah. It's crazy. Half of our class still comes in here.
You should be glad you got out.
I kind of miss it actually.
Chris is in the back.
He said you two were meeting up.
Yeah. Thanks.
What are you drinking? Bourbon.
Cool.
SANCHEZ: You're kidding me.
You've come a long way
since sneaking wine coolers into prom.
It's good to see you.
I was happy to hear from you. You're someone I wondered about.
Likewise.
I always expected big things.
So you're a Manhattan lawyer.
It's weird, huh?
Must be intense.
Yeah, it can be.
Speaking of intense,
I read in the alumni paper that you were in Afghanistan.
Yeah, I was.
Said you were in the Marines.
Highly decorated. A real superstar.
My mom must've wrote that shit. Loves to see my name in print.
Then I heard you went to work for High Star Security.
Yeah. My mom's health hasn't been too good.
I'm sorry to hear that.
She's got a lot of medical bills,
and High Star offered six times the pay to go back
and do the same job I was doing, so...
Look, I'll be honest with you, Chris.
I'm here because I'm looking into High Star and Howard Erickson.
What for?
You looking to try a case against them or something?
If there's a case to be tried.
I was curious about your experience with them.
They get a bad rap, but...
You shouldn't believe the shit you see in the news.
They were always really good to me.
Then why did you leave?
You're not looking to sue me, are you?
'Cause, don't forget, I got all sorts of dirt on you.
You do. You definitely do.
I didn't leave because of the company.
They offered me a promotion, actually.
I was just burned out. It was time to come back home.
I can't even imagine.
Not that being home is some big prize.
The whole experience was surreal.
Surreal how?
The week after I get back, it's Halloween.
I'm on my mom's porch handing out candy.
Eight-year-old G.I. Joes with assault weapons
walking around.
Skeletons. Like it's all a big joke.
Fuck it. Maybe it's just me. Sorry to go on like that.
No, it must be difficult, like, I can't even imagine.
It's just strange walking through the neighborhood
when you feel like you gotta keep checking rooftops.
Did something happen to you over there,
while you were working for Erickson?
Look, Ellen, I'm really glad to see you...
But I don't want to talk about High Star any more.
Of course. I understand. I'm sorry.
All right. And I don't care what you say,
next round's on me.
Did he tell you why he left High Star?
No, but something happened before Halloween
that made him leave the company.
What'd he say?
He wouldn't explain it, but there's something wrong.
I mean, he was a different person in high school.
He was upbeat, outgoing.
What was your relationship with this guy, anyway?
I let him cheat off of me in geometry class.
That's hot. (BOTH LAUGHING)
It's kind of hot when you're 16.
But we ended up dating for, like, 15 minutes. He was a good guy.
Look, I know you feel pressure to bring in a case...
I've brought in plenty of cases.
They've just all been rejected.
Maybe because they were long shots.
I think if I could spend a little more time with him,
I could get him to open up.
What is it with you and High Star?
They're a private army, Killing for a profit. Making money off of death.
If he's a friend, maybe you don't want to push him.
(SPEAKING ARABIC)
Please eat.
Mr. Girotto's here.
Hello, James.
How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
Cut the shit, Patty.
Oh, I got seven. The most restful sleep I've had in months.
That's fantastic. Can we get on with this?
My client's been waiting a year to schedule this deposition.
Your client's deposition is part of discovery in a case
that involves the deaths of dozens of people.
I think a little patience isn't going to hurt anyone.
I'm late for my kid's science fair. What are your terms?
The deposition will be held in my offices.
That's fine.
Seven days.
He's flying in from Paris. You get one.
Your client didn't develop a deadly vaccine overnight. Six days.
Three.
Five. Or he can wait another year.
If you agree to limit your questions to the trial-to-market period.
What else?
I want a translator.
I saw your client on Charlie Rose.
His English is better than his French.
We haven't tried a case against each other in over a decade, James.
You still bitter?
I don't like to lose. (LAUGHS)
Well, get used to it.
Anything else I can get you for the deposition?
Croissants? A beret?
Fuck you, Patty.
Have a lovely day.
Hey.
She's beautiful.
Ghwarri.
Say hello to Ellen Parsons.
Hey. Ellen and I go way back.
You can trust her.
She's one of the good ones.
Hello.
Where did you get her?
She's a rescue.
Found her in a bombed-out apartment in Afghanistan.
"Ghwarri"?
It's Pashto. It means something like "fatso,"
even though she was practically starving when I found her.
What's this?
It's a medallion from my unit.
Why did you want to see me?
I was...
I was thinking about something you said.
What's that?
You came home a week before Halloween.
Yeah? So?
I read an article saying that that week three employees of High Star died.
Jay Rayburn, Robert Franks, and Thomas Lowry.
Did you work with any of them?
Rayburn, Franks and who?
Thomas Lowry.
No. I don't know them.
High Star has thousands of men on the ground over there.
In this article, Thomas Lowry's widow thinks that
High Star violated the terms of her husband's contract.
So I was wondering, would you mind
if I took a look at your contract?
I don't mind, but I don't have my contract.
I don't keep shit like that.
Hey, it's Jerry Boorman. Real good. How about you?
The Knicks?
No, I can't help you there.
Listen, I got a name I want you to run for me.
Parsons, Ellen Parsons.
And I'm going to need her phone tapped.
Yeah, sure.
♪ -A-R... Yeah.
(PHONE BEEPS)
Look, I won't ask about High Star any more.
But will you at least talk to me?
If you've been through something...
There's nothing I want to talk about.
I know from personal experience,
these kind of things, they can just eat away at you.
A few years ago, my fiance died.
I went to trauma counseling. I didn't want to go.
I didn't think I needed it, I thought I could handle it by myself.
But the truth is, I couldn't.
Talking to someone
really helped.
I understand if you don't want to talk to me,
but you should see someone.
(CLATTERING) (GHWARRI BARKING)
WOMAN: Shit.
Sorry. I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
(WHIMPERING)
I'm not... I'm not just here as an attorney, Chris.
I'm here as a friend.
S We wish you a merry Christmas
S And a happy new year...
ERICKSON: Nailed that cocksucker!
Whoo! Oh! Glory be, that feels good!
Not to the enemy, it don't.
Wow, Howard, you really know how to treat a lady.
Whoo! My daddy's hoopin' and hollerin' in heaven right now.
Now, tell me, what is it?
We're not authorized to give all the details.
I don't want all the details, just what the fuck is it?
Congresswoman, I'd like you to meet
my head of ops training, Anthony Carter.
Hey, Anthony.
It's a submachine gun, ma'am.
Similar to the KRISS Super V,
but we made some custom adjustments
to address our needs in the field.
Oh, it's a beauty.
Less than a dozen people in the world have fired one of these.
We like it 'cause it sits soft and supple in your arms,
like a sleeping baby.
Once she wakes up, she could lay out Optimus Prime.
Oh, yeah! Well, I thank you for the thrill.
Thanks, AC. Yes, sir.
But it's not going to change my vote.
What kind of a dog and pony show was that up at the hearing?
I'm sorry.
My constituents have turned against this war.
And they don't want to see me rolling over for a guy like you.
In the past, I was always able to count on your support.
Look, Afghanistan is the longest war in US history.
The people I represent don't know what the hell we're doing over there.
But we are there.
I am not your problem. Even if I vote to renew, you still lose.
It's Congressman Shipley that's calling the shots in that committee.
He's got all the votes against you lined up.
Can you get me a meeting with Shipley?
No. Shipley doesn't want to be caught dead with you.
That's why I need you and your Rocky Mountain charm.
I'm sure he owes you a favor or two.
All I want is a conversation with the man.
I'll see what I can do.
It will be most appreciated.
Hi, boy. Who's a good boy?
Did you have a good day? Good boy.
(SIGHS) I'm home!
HOLLY: We're over here.
On the floor.
What are you doing?
Grandma's home. You ready to do the cake and presents?
I got a cake. Catherine wanted to stay up and celebrate with you.
Celebrate what?
I'm sorry, Ms. Hewes. It's...
You forgot her birthday.
Oh, is it Wednesday already?
Well, I guess it must be.
It said on the calendar you gave me
that today was Catherine's birthday.
You're an incredibly busy woman. I understand.
Thank you for understanding, Holly.
Happy Birthday, sweetheart.
Let's have some cake, okay? What have you been drawing?
Blueberries.
They're blueberries.
Good girl.
(LOUD GUNFIRE)
SOLDIER: (GASPING) Sanchez. Sanchez.
(YELLS)
Sanchez.
Sanchez...
Come on!
Come on! Breathe!
(GUN COCKING)
(GROANING)
(GHWARRI WHIMPERING)
I'm sorry.
(PHONE BEEPS)
(RINGING)
CARTER: Hey, what's up?
Hey, it's Sanch.
What's going on?
I need to see you.
She's asleep. Should be good for the night.
Oh, thank you, Holly.
The party was sweet. Catherine loved it.
I'm glad.
And don't worry about forgetting her birthday.
You have a lot on your mind. The big deposition's coming up.
Yes, it is.
And I want you to know that I appreciate your effort
and the bond that you've tried to create with Catherine.
Sounds like there's a "but" coming.
This just isn't working out.
Why not?
Why isn't it working out?
I gave you Catherine's diet on the first day.
I have it right here.
Well, did you read it?
Of course.
It specifically stated that there was to be no high-fructose corn syrup.
Now, this cake is loaded with it.
Ms. Hewes, you made it very clear
that I had discretion over Catherine's diet, and...
I like you, Holly, I do. But you're careless.
Careless? Yes.
And I can't have that.
We're not a good fit, and you're not good for Catherine.
So pack your things.
There's a cheque waiting for you downstairs.
Good night.
I didn't exactly know how to bring it up or even that I should, but...
You're still in touch with Patty Hewes, right?
From time to time.
Well, I think you should know I heard the partners talking about Patty,
and, well, they're not all fans.
I got the feeling that it could create some waves if they knew.
Thanks for looking out for me.
You never really talk about her.
It's interesting that you still see her.
I thought you two didn't get along.
After her partner died...
Tom Shayes?
Yeah, yeah.
We didn't talk for over a year.
We just went our separate ways.
But then out of the blue, she got in touch with me again.
Wanted to meet up.
And at first I said no.
What changed your mind?
She was very persistent.
And I realized she could be useful to me.
You run legal strategy by her, pick her brain.
Sancho,
good to see you, man. You, too.
(GHWARRI WHIMPERING)
I'm sorry I cut out early.
I just couldn't stay over there anymore.
You don't got to explain anything to me, man.
That last shit you went through is about as hairy as it gets.
So, you really not coming back to High Star?
I'm done.
I understand.
I'm sorry.
You'd be the only reason I'd come back.
I hate leaving you a man down.
We got replacements.
Of course, it's not like anybody could really replace you.
But if you're done, you're done.
You gotta do what's best for you.
Chris, why did you want to see me?
I'm not good.
What's up?
I can't sleep, for one.
Yeah? Yeah.
Where's your head at?
Who knows.
Every fucking thing is out of whack.
I wake up,
I keep thinking I should be dead.
Takes me a few minutes to realize I'm not, then I get up, I walk the dog,
and the day just goes by.
You got nothing to be ashamed of.
I was thinking of going to the VA,
but...
I can't.
When I left the corps, my head was fine. It was clear as a bell.
It wasn't till this last mission with High Star that I...
Hey, we can help.
The company's got good people. I can get you a name.
That'd be good, I think.
You hang in there, Sancho.
I'll find you someone.
BOY: You guys break one of those, Dad's gonna kick your ass.
You men have about two seconds...
Shit!
...to stop doing anything I'm not supposed to see.
Let's strap on a feedbag. It's time for chow.
Amidst the turmoil, injustice and evil in this world,
we ask ourselves, "How can we persevere?"
In this season of joy and peace,
I believe we can find comfort in our commitments.
Commitments to our faith, to our family, to our country.
Jesus teaches us to love, to commit.
He teaches us moral strength in a world of weakness and cowardice.
To combat this weakness, what does he give us?
The gift of our convictions.
That's right. The gift of our convictions.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
BOYS: Amen. Amen.
Does it have garlic?
Very good, yes. Very fresh.
My son can't eat garlic.
(BOORMAN SPEAKING ARABIC)
The kid can't eat garlic. Can you make it without?
Yes, yes, of course. No problem.
You're all set. No garlic.
Thank you.
You grew up in the North didn't you?
Egypt, yes. You have a very good ear.
Congratulations, by the way. I'm happy for your people.
Yes, yes. It's wonderful.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Excuse me.
(LINE RINGING)
ELLEN: Patty, I just left my office.
Are we still on for coffee?
PATTY: Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Okay, great. See you there.
PATTY: Thanks for calling, Ellen.
See you soon.
What do you know about Howard Erickson and High Star Security?
High Star?
Yeah.
Be careful, Ellen.
You didn't answer my question.
High Star's a very dangerous target.
Dozens of lawyers have tried to build a case against them,
and it's never worked.
It's a company that's protected.
That's what interests me.
You've been working for Nye and Everett for two and a half years.
Are you bored?
I want to try cases that matter to me and I want to try them my way.
Sounds like you're thinking about going out on your own.
All the more reason to stay away from High Star.
If you want to build a name for yourself, start your own firm,
you need to find a case that you can win.
I have a friend who I went to high school with who worked for High Star.
He may know some things.
I'm worried about getting him involved.
You should be.
You know, you talk about wanting to do it your way,
but there's only one way to try a case, Ellen.
Whatever way allows you to win it.
But if you also want to have a life,
or balance or a family, or protect your friend...
You know, I never answered your question three years ago.
What question?
Right after Tom died, we were out at the beach house,
you asked me if it was all worth it.
And?
If you have to ask the question,
you already have your answer.
Stay away from High Star.
Good evening, Maggie. Hi, Ms. Hewes.
I want you to get me everything you can find
on Howard Erickson and the High Star Security Corporation.
Right away, Ms. Hewes.
Sorry to take you away from your home on family movie night.
I could have just told you this on the phone.
It's the one where they meet the mummy, I've seen it a hundred times.
Besides, I'd rather talk about this at the office.
You said you met with Sanchez.
Yes, sir.
After the last operation...
He's in bad shape.
He's having a hard time readjusting.
How wobbly is he?
It's hard to say, sir.
He asked for help.
He turned down the promotion.
I think his state of mind is partly why.
Are you concerned about his level of commitment?
Are you sure?
You're the one who recruited him.
He's stand-up. It's not an issue.
But I think he should be evaluated professionally.
All right, then, give him Dr Barrera's info.
He's the best headshrinker we have.
Here, I want you to have one of these for your tree, AC.
Happy holidays.
Thank you, sir.
Any word from Congresswoman Chase
on getting the meeting set up with the swing vote?
Will Shipley meet with you about renewing your contracts?
She's doing everything she can. We just gotta have faith.
Objection. He's already answered the question.
When you bring a new drug to market, Mr. Coupet,
does your company always conduct clinical trials?
(SPEAKS FRENCH)
English, please.
Excuse me.
Yes, we conduct clinical trials for every drug we develop.
Mr. Coupet, did you personally oversee
the development of a vaccine called Tranzec?
Objection.
Mr. Coupet is neither a scientist nor a physician.
As CEO, did you ever have occasion
to hear the term "adverse event"?
Yes.
In your industry, Mr. Coupet,
what is meant by an adverse event in the testing of a new drug?
It can mean many things. Rashes, fevers, many things.
In some cases, can it mean death?
This is very rare, but yes.
More specifically, an adverse event can mean
that a subject in a clinical trial has died. Is that correct?
Objection, he's already answered the question.
I want it on the record. Is that correct, Mr. Coupet?
Objection.
To what? To her.
I mean, whose fucking kid is this?
Maggie?
Whose fucking kid is this?
PATTY: Maggie!
So, have you ever talked to a therapist before, Chris?
No, sir.
You don't have to "sir'" me in here, Chris.
You're a lieutenant.
"Doctor" is fine.
(CLANKING)
Oh, that's just the radiator.
I'm not much of a talker.
I lost some of my unit.
How's that affecting you?
A lot of dreams.
Problems with jobs, with...
Friends.
If you said I was having a total fucking nervous breakdown,
I wouldn't argue.
All of the things that you're feeling,
the rage, depression, grief, the guilt,
that's normal.
What's abnormal was the situation you were in.
The trauma, the death in war.
You're having a normal response to a horribly abnormal situation.
I don't know about that.
You're feeling helpless.
But we can't go back and affect your memories
unless you start talking about those events.
(CLANGING)
Now, perhaps you can tell me a little bit
about your experiences in those last few weeks.
I led a unit...
...for a mission we should have never been on.
(GUNFIRE)
I mean, the whole fucking operation was illegal.
Go on.
If Sanchez is mentally unstable,
all the more reason to be concerned.
That's why I sent him to a psychiatrist.
It's that shrink's job to get the truth out of the boy,
and the truth just isn't our friend, Howard.
There's patient-doctor privilege.
Not good enough. I'll take care of Sanchez.
Fuck you, Jerry!
(CLATTERING)
You don't go near my men. You hear me?
Let's be clear.
If anyone finds out about that last mission, I'm fucked.
And you're out of work.
That incident is all buttoned up.
Then how come Chris Sanchez is chatting up an attorney?
You're worried about a lawsuit?
I know how to handle lawsuits.
I'm worried about what comes out in lawsuits.
I'm worried about what stories Sanchez might tell.
So we're going to proceed as I see fit.
No. You're going to consult me first.
Congress is turning against you, Howard.
You know that.
I'm your lifeline.
I'm the only one who can get your government contracts renewed.
Put the fucking shoe down!
You don't go near Sanchez, understood?
I'm sorry the little guy fell asleep.
I was hoping these two could play together.
No, it's okay. Catherine has to have her lunch, anyway.
Maggie?
Can you get Catherine her lunch, please?
Of course.
PATTY: Maggie's gonna get you some lunch.
You want Blueberry? Here, take Blueberry.
(CHUCKLES)
I thought you were hiring a new nanny.
I did. It didn't work out.
How many does that make now?
I don't know. They all were incompetent.
You don't want to tell me?
I don't know. Maybe seven, eight.
I don't have to worry about nannies.
I'm a stay-at-home dad. I love every minute of it.
That's because you're a man.
At your age, you can have a child and reinvent yourself.
Hmm.
Our pediatrician's wife runs an art-and-music-based day-care center.
Day-care doesn't cut it with my schedule.
So what are you gonna do?
You're just gonna keep rotating her
through housekeepers and assistants?
Till I find a good one, yes.
I don't want Catherine to get attached to someone
who isn't gonna be sticking around.
Catherine does have a father, you know.
It's been three years. Track Michael down.
No. I'm not gonna do that.
Your son just disappears.
You're telling me that you don't want to know where he is?
I tried to reach him in the beginning.
He made it very clear that he doesn't want me in his life.
Patty, you gotta find him, bring him home.
Make him accountable for his behavior.
Michael had a chance to be a father, and he ran away from it.
End of story.
ELLEN: I'm here, Mrs. Lowry, because
I believe that High Star may be covering up the truth about your husband's death.
What do you mean?
Do you know anything about the mission
your husband was on in October, when he was killed?
Not much.
Tommy was with High Star since 2005.
But I guess it was about a year ago
that they tapped him for some new unit.
All I know is that the pay was better,
but the assignment made him real nervous.
And what was the explanation they gave you for their deaths?
The company was so vague. "An ambush," they said.
Did your husband ever talk about the men that he worked with?
Yeah, nonstop. I mean, I heard all kinds of stories.
You want to see a picture? Yes, please.
That would be great.
This is his unit.
Look at them, just smiling.
That's Tommy on the left.
And you got Jay Rayburn here.
Jay could sometimes be a dick,
but he made Tommy laugh.
And the real tall one, that's Bob Franks.
Franko and Jay-Ray both passed same day as Tommy.
I'm so sorry, Mrs. Lowry.
And you see that guy?
That's Chris Sanchez.
You know how some guys are just naturally built to lead?
Tommy said that was Sancho.
Your husband knew him well?
Tommy loved him.
I mean, these guys, they would do anything for Sancho.
What?
(KNOCKING)
It's been a long time, Ms. Hewes.
I called because I have a proposition.
I'm looking to hire a private investigator,
and I heard you retired from the police force.
To do what?
To track down some information for me.
Who's this?
My son.
(SILENT NIGHT PLAYING)
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Happy holidays!
I received the Christmas present, Howard.
You know I can't accept gifts from you.
I know the congressional rules, Congresswoman.
It's just a little something for your tree.
Have you had a chance to talk with Shipley yet?
Yes, I did.
I did my best to persuade him, but he still refuses to meet with you.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Listen, there's really nothing else to do.
You just don't have the votes.
Those contracts aren't going to be renewed.
I'm sorry, Howard.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) (CAR DOOR OPENS)
You haven't been straight with me.
The men who died, Rayburn, Franks, Lowry...
You knew them. These were your men.
Something happened on that last mission,
and High Star is covering it up.
That's why you lied to me, isn't it?
It's not something I'm going to talk about, Ellen.
I'm trying to help you.
ERICKSON: I am the founder and CEO of the High Star Security Corporation.
We're a private security firm hired by the US Government
to protect dignitaries and other A-plus targets in war zones.
These men trusted you.
Their families want answers.
Look...
Technically, the mission was illegal.
Then why did you go? Did someone coerce you?
They didn't have to.
It was an issue of national security.
We went in, and we accomplished what we needed to.
I have a wrongful death suit against High Star,
but I can't file it without you.
Please don't ask me to do this.
I could subpoena you,
but I don't want to turn your life upside down
any more than it already is.
High Star's over there.
They're breaking the law for profit,
and they're accountable to no one.
They're taking care of me now.
Look, they got me a doctor.
The guy gave me medication, I'm seeing him again first thing tomorrow.
I'm feeling better.
It's not just about you.
These men and their families,
they're really struggling emotionally, financially...
They deserve better.
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
(PEOPLE GASPING)
(ALARM BLARING)
(CELL PHONE RINGING)
Jerry Boorman.
Jerry, it's Howard. I've hit a dead end with Congress.
I need your help securing those contracts.
Sorry. At the moment, my hands are full.
What the hell are you talking about?
Cleaning up your mess.
Jerry?
CONGRESSWOMAN: What would you say to those who call you a mercenary?
A war profiteer?
I would enlighten them.
I would tell them we provide an essential service,
and we are paid accordingly.
What would you need me to do?
You just have to tell the truth.
And everything will be okay.
(SOBBING)
(WHEN I AM THROUGH WITH YOU PLAYING)
♪ When I am through with you ♪
♪ There won't be anything left ♪
♪ When I am through with you ♪
♪ There won't be anything left ♪
♪ When I am through with you ♪