(music playing faintly over speakers)
♪ ♪
(shopping cart approaching)
I'll be okay.
(groans)
(footsteps approaching)
Hey, man, you all right?
(creaking)
(cries out)
(crashing)
TODD: Susan!
Hey, Susan.
Whoa, where's the fire?
I've been yelling to you for the last block.
Oh. Sorry. Hi. Hi.
Uh, lost in my thoughts. Important meeting this morning.
I-I think it's just a formality, but, you know me,
I'm still stressing out over it anyway.
Well, as the owner of Portland's future
number one private investigation firm,
I know a thing or two about important meetings.
I mean, when I have them, I will know them.
And I will have meetings. It is certainly in my future.
Someday. Things still slow?
Uh... You know, I prefer to think of it
as a larval stage. you know, before-- ...your business transforms
into Portland's number one P.I. butterfly?
Exactly.
Ugh... Her.
Did a few jobs for that woman once.
Total sleazeball. Ambulance chasing...
You wouldn't believe the stories if I told you.
Honestly, thank God that's behind me.
Oh, my God. There she is.
Todd Wright! Don't move.
Think she saw me. Susan... BELINDA: Todd Wright! Todd Wright!
Don't you move. Susan, do not leave me alone with her.
Please. Susan, Susan. I got to get to that meeting.
But, uh, good luck. No, no, no, no, no.
Hey. My favorite private dick.
Just who I was looking for.
Uh, really? Why?
Can't old friends reconnect?
Okay, well.
I'm in a little bit of a legal dustup.
Don't worry your pretty little head about it.
Belinda's gonna land on her feet, as always.
But I need a lawyer.
You are a lawyer.
A different lawyer.
What say you introduce me to your mom?
Oh, um, she's busy.
That's why I need you to grease the wheels.
Charm her.
Charm her? She's my mom.
And seriously, she's, like, extra busy.
Guess who wasn't "extra busy" when I first met him?
You.
I helped you out.
I scratched your back.
And mine's getting real itchy.
I think there's a cream for that.
I-I don't understand why I'm being fired.
What did I do wrong?
Absolutely nothing.
We've just discovered a... redundancy at your position.
And because you were the last one hired...
(sniffles)
Lisa...
if you need a-a recommendation
or anything, just ask.
A recommendation isn't going to pay my rent.
(sniffles)
(breathes deeply)
(clears throat)
Dear God.
♪ ♪
Uh-huh...
Hmm.
Hey, you let Lisa go?
So, do you want resumes for a new office manager or...?
Oh, wow. Okay.
So we're in that situation.
Wait, should I be worried?
Oh, no. (chuckles softly)
We're just, uh, experiencing a temporary cash flow issue.
Nothing more.
I've had to cancel the office pastries
and the good coffee, and, of course, Lisa.
But... (inhales) ...it's under control.
It is.
Oh, um, I almost forgot.
You have that meeting with Susan.
What? Now?
Uh. Oh. Can we reschedule it until--
Morning. You ready for me?
(chuckles) Yes. Come in.
So, I know that you know this,
but six months ago, you and I spoke about me
being promoted to senior associate.
We picked a date in the future to talk,
and this is it.
Yep. Okay.
Um, I've brought in four smaller clients,
was lead in three trials, five settlement negotiations
and-and a probate hearing.
More-more importantly, I'm ready.
Susan, I am so proud of you.
And there's no question that you deserve it.
But... I've also been
the highest billing associate for the past two years.
But I think we're gonna have to put a-a pin in it,
just for a bit.
Okay, so when?
Next month? Um...
I mean, you're a name partner now.
You can make this happen, right?
Well, it's more complicated than that. I...
Mom. Belinda Tuttle is on her way up.
What? The ambulance chaser? Why?
Maybe I'll just reschedule. I'll talk to Francey.
No, wait, Susan. Wa-- Just wait. Listen.
Okay, so after I lost my license
and before I started here, I did a few tiny jobs
for Belinda Tuttle, like, nothing jobs.
Found a couple witnesses. Tracked down a missing ear.
Long story. A missing ear? Oh, Todd.
I was desperate back then,
but now I'm rebuilding my public persona.
Todd 2.0.
2.1? I honestly can't remember what point I'm at.
And I don't want Belinda and her sleazy reputation
dragging me back down.
However, she has asked me
to make a professional intro to you,
and just to be nice
and to avoid her and to get her to go away, I--
but you do not have to work with her or rep her,
or even talk to her. Rep her? Ha! No.
Todd, lawyers like Belinda Tuttle
are what give the entire profession a bad name.
She's only in it for the money.
And how would that look
to our A-list clients? Like we were selling out?
No, I will absolutely not represent Belinda Tuttle.
Belinda Tuttle. Esquire. Nice to meet you.
I'm here to see Margaret Wright.
Okay, I'll just let her know that you're here.
Oh, it's okay, don't worry about it.
She's expecting me.
Love your blouse, by the way.
Belinda Tuttle.
Hello.
Belinda Tuttle. Ta-da.
Make sure this is sturdy.
My average recovery for a ladder fall is 125K.
Hello.
Enchantée.
Uh, loose wires are the devil's playground.
Look out, people!
This setup is not ergonomic.
When you develop carpal tunnel,
and you will,
call me.
You must be Margaret.
Yes. Mom, this is Belinda Tuttle.
Belinda Tuttle. You might know me from my ads.
"Trouble? Call Tuttle."
Yes, I know who you are.
Your jingle just burrows right into the brain.
Come in.
(sighs)
So, uh,
Todd tells me that you're having
some sort of legal trouble, or...
Well, you heard about Leon Dinks?
The man that fell at the grocery store?
Not my area.
Well, he used to be a client of mine, years ago,
a loose railing accident.
But this time he fell, and he died.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
His sister went to the police.
Leon told her he had been recruited
for a fake slip-and-fall scam, and that I was behind it.
Oh, and were you? Behind it?
Of course not.
I know what people say,
but I'm not an ambulance chaser.
Oh, I hadn't heard that.
Well, I don't care. I know who I am.
I'm a good lawyer
and a successful one.
Okay, maybe some of my clients that I represent
exaggerate their injuries,
but I would never ask anyone to injure themselves.
Why would I risk everything for a stupid scam?
I see your point, but, uh, my docket is full.
I need a great lawyer.
Well, the right attorney is out there somewhere.
They charged me with manslaughter.
(sighs)
I've been to 12 firms, they've all turned me down.
Margaret, I need your help.
I understand. I do. Mm...
Listen, it's not just me. If I fail,
all of my employees are out of jobs.
MARGARET: I, uh...
I appreciate your dilemma, but-- Listen,
I'll double your normal rate.
In cash. Up front.
♪ ♪
Welcome to Crest, Folding & Wright.
♪ ♪
Mom, working with Belinda is a huge mistake.
We got to get out of this.
Maybe we should bump her off.
Have you ever done that?
MARGARET: You are overreacting.
Belinda a client who needs help.
You don't actually think she's part of this scam, do you?
Mom, you said it yourself.
You think your A-list clients are gonna be
giving us referrals when they see Belinda in our lobby?
No. We're not like her.
Mom, you and I-- not him--
we are top-shelf people.
Belinda's down here. Us. Belinda.
Us. Belinda. Lyle.
You know what I mean?
Todd, it has already been decided.
And Belinda's arraignment is this afternoon,
so we need to get moving.
Oh, my God.
Now, the evidence against Belinda seems very thin to me.
So I will be arguing that because of her reputation,
the prosecution is blinded by their own bias.
And if this is a scam,
and if Belinda is not a part of it...
The best way to prove her innocence
is to find the real mastermind.
Exactly. Good, Lyle.
Yeah, excellent work, Inspector Clouseau.
But if I know anything about Belinda,
and I do, she's stepped on a lot of toes.
It's Toe-mageddon.
And if forced to work this case, I guess I could do some digging
and see if someone's trying to get back at her.
Good, Todd. Revenge is certainly a possibility,
but the one thing that we know for certain
about scams like these is
that it's all about the settlement payments.
So, Lyle, you will be on the money trail.
Unfortunately, we don't have a lot to go on,
so we'll need to bring in that, um,
that, uh, forensic accountant. Alex!
Uh, I mean, uh,
Alex Parker...
is a...
solid candidate.
This is a big mistake. She's making a big mistake.
Wait, we don't even have any pastries?
Great. Great day. It was supposed to be a great day.
Hey, guys.
Margaret has more responsibility now,
and she's got a-a lot on her plate, and you...
Yeah, but I feel like she's not even listening to me.
She can't see what's right under her nose.
Right? Right. Exactly.
I mean, it's hard enough getting
my business off the ground. Belinda is a mistake.
I deserve to be senior associate.
I'm not gonna just move on. Wait.
You think I should show Margaret what a big mistake...
So, you're saying, to protect my reputation...
...by finding something to help with your case?
...and get Belinda out of my life as quick as possible
and move on? That could work.
I'm so glad we had this talk.
Yeah, thanks, Francey.
What?
What happened to the coffee? Ugh!
I'm going downstairs.
Have a nice day.
("Be My Baby" by The Ronettes playing)
♪ The night we met... ♪
(sighs)
Medium coffee. Black.
Oh.
Yeah. I mean, a "please" wouldn't hurt,
and a little eye contact wouldn't kill you, either.
Please. (chuckles)
And what's the name I should put on that?
Um... Todd.
Todd.
Nice to meet you, Todd. I'm Judy.
Where's Millicent?
Oh, actually, she had to...
So, in South Africa,
they-- Ah! Oh, are you okay?
Oh, my God. Ow. Okay, you're okay. Okay.
You know, if you're interested in suing,
got the perfect lawyer for you.
Mm. Yeah, not for me. Not litigious.
Don't really believe in it.
You know that 80% of Americans
can't afford legal help when they're in trouble?
Then who's hiring all the lawyers?
Well, I think I'm more into personal responsibility.
You know, be kind, clean up after yourself,
try not to burn down the planet.
I actually have my master's in philosophy
and one in environmental sustainability,
so I'm kind of like an expert.
Wait, you have two master's?
Five, actually.
And a partial master's from Mid-Atlantic online University.
Six. I always forget astrobiology.
All right, so...
Um, I have a Todd.
Yeah, thank you.
(sighs)
Oh. Wow. Okay.
Yeah, let's just kill all the sea turtles.
Hey, I love sea turtles.
Sure you do.
Thank you.
Welcome.
Weirdo.
(squeals)
As soon as we get through the arraignment,
we'll start witness prep.
Ah, good morning, Margaret.
Morning. Belinda.
Uh...
Ah, Gary, you're looking well.
Thank you, Margaret.
My man! Oh. Hey, hey.
Hey, are you still, uh, scalping those playoff tickets?
Guilty as charged. I need three.
Will do. All right. (clicks tongue)
Mm.
Ugh, that guy?
MARGARET: Who? A.D.A. Russo? BELINDA: He hates me.
I whupped him in court a bunch.
Okay.
You!
My brother trusted you, and now he's dead!
Leon is dead.
Ma'am, this way, please.
When you ride with an ambulance chaser,
somebody always ends up in the morgue.
Enjoy.
For the Tuttle case,
are you using offset or index function for the data?
I found the offset function is best as it's calculated
from a single cell reference point.
Cleaner results.
Well, aren't you full of surprises?
(chuckles)
You know, if you're free Friday,
maybe we could, uh, have dinner at my condo.
Yeah, I can finally see your place.
Also, um, there's a great farmers market
in the morning, if you wanted to maybe, um, stay.
Are you asking me
to sleep over?
It is our fifth date.
Are you counting the hotdog cart?
Lyle, I need you to...
Oh. Hey, Alex.
What? You're just cute.
Okay, so, I made some calls,
and, no surprise, Belinda's got a lot of enemies.
Insurance companies, lawyers, even old clients.
So, I put together this "Nemesis List"--
trademark pending on that name--
of potential suspects, but there's a bunch,
and I need you to take half.
Can't, because we found a lead.
We got access to the insurance settlement databases,
and we found something strange.
So, in the last 18 months,
there have been five slip-and-fall cases
all involving former clients of Belinda.
Yes, and these cases were never filed with the courts.
Everything was off-book.
So, you'd only want to be off-book
if you didn't want a public record.
Exactly, and we traced the settlement payments,
and they all went to the same account at...
Western Gateway Bank. So, whose account is it?
The bank refuses to release this information,
but we did find something.
So, the slip-and-falls all happened
at five different grocery stores, and, strangely,
they all had the same employee witness, Cory Hill.
So, either Cory is extremely unlucky...
Or he's part of the scam.
LYLE and ALEX: Precisely.
Subject consuming his third bag of Chuffs cheese puffs.
(sighs) (knock on window)
Mom, I am on a stakeout.
Well, obviously.
I tried calling, but...
Yeah, well, my phone's on silent. Why?
Uh, stealth.
Oh, God, you really need to clean this car.
When I drove it, it was sparkling and fresh.
Yeah, and Enrique Iglesias was still top on the charts.
Why are you here?
Well, I brought you an early dinner.
Some leftover chicken piccata.
You work much better and faster when you're well-fed.
No, no, no! Don't-don't eat it here.
It's already stinky enough as it is. Oh.
Okay. And I would love an update.
Well, I think it's safe to say that Cory is not the mastermind,
unless masterminding means
smoking two joints and going to town on
another bag of cheese puffs?
Uh-huh. Well, we'll have to bring him in for questioning.
No, we can't do that.
Once the higher-ups in the scam know we're sniffing,
the trail will disappear. No, no, no, no.
Patience is our ally. Given enough time,
Cory will lead us to the mastermind,
who, I am sure, is on my Nemasissalist.
Still working on that name.
How much time are we talking?
Uh, 72 hours,
give or take. 72 hours?
Todd, we don't have 72 hours.
The A.D.A.'s already calling witnesses.
Hey, no one wants to finish this case more than me,
trust me, but these things take time.
Which we have none of,
so you will just have to stake out quicker.
"Stake out quicker"? Yes.
That's not how this works, thank you.
Well, then what do you propose?
Apparently, I will have to--
under protest-- move on to Plan B.
Oh. What is Plan B?
I guess we'll find out.
Are you gonna open my door... for me?
(sighs)
Okay. Ooh.
I need something sharp.
No, I don't have anything like that in there.
Seriously? You could fix a blimp
with what you carry in that bag.
Okay, I have this.
And I have this.
I have... Ah.
I have this.
Oh, would you look at that, something sharp.
Okay, now, get down low.
Lower. Lower.
Okay.
Just kidding, you don't actually have to get down low.
Todd!
Okay, listen, we are gonna fake
our own fake slip-and-fall,
and I will be the bait to draw Cory out.
I got it, you're the worm.
I prefer decoy, thank you very much.
So, just go over there,
puncture a container of milk,
and then I will slip in the puddle.
Uh, wait, is that a good idea? No.
Yes. Go.
Okay.
(sighs) Today would be better.
Stab it. Stab it! I'm stabbing it.
I'm stabbing. Stab it.
MARGARET: (screams) Oh, it's curdled.
Just get another one. Any other one, please. Okay.
(screams) Okay.
All right. Great. Perfect.
This is a disaster. Um...
Okay, Mom, just grab anything at this point. I'll get this.
Honey, it's soy. Maybe I shouldn't.
Oh, it's soy? All right, well, then
maybe we should just go home. Just do it, please.
God, stop yelling at me.
You know what? Fine.
I'm doing it. Just... I'm coming.
(screams) Oh!
(groans) Ow. I'm really...
I'm really injured.
I love your commitment to the role,
but maybe take it down just a hair.
What? Just-just get out of here
before Cory sees you. All right, all right.
Just call me, let me know what happens.
And less arms,
less face. Just go.
All right, just do not saw the air so much
with your hands, Todd.
Bro, wait. What's happening? Is this today?
I thought... Yeah, yeah. Uh... They sent me.
So you're saying now is now?
That's exactly what I'm saying,
but I-I think I hit my head or something.
I-I don't remember what to do next.
Uh... see the doctor?
Right, right, right. Dr., um... Kevorkian.
No, dude, Dr. Batten.
(sighs) Good morning, good morning.
Money troubles?
No, just a timing issue.
Nothing to be embarrassed about.
You know, you can always buy yourself a little extra time.
For instance, on this invoice,
you see it says, "Due March fourth."
Add a one, March 14. Presto.
Ten extra days.
And what vendor's gonna argue something so small
with a valued customer like yourself?
Yes, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have it handled.
(clears throat) Shall we discuss
trial strategy?
Absolutely.
Right out of the gate,
the key to winning are three little words:
delay, delay, delay.
Oh, and exactly what sort of delay did you have in mind?
Throw some useless motions at Russo,
then add names to the witness list
that we never intend to call,
and-- this is the most important--
pile on the continuances
because the more of their time we waste,
the less time they have to prepare.
No. That is not how I operate.
We will stick to winning by facts and the law.
Oh, Margaret. You know,
you're one of the last people who still follows the rules.
(scoffs) You hired me to drive this boat.
Let me do my job.
(scoffs) You know, you think we're so different.
The only difference is that you had the good luck
of starting at a white-shoe firm instead of a strip mall.
(inhales) No frivolous delays, Belinda.
I am not you. And, for the record,
I was shining those shoes before I was wearing them.
(indistinct chatter)
WOMAN: Belinda Tuttle?
Ugh. No, no, no.
Hi.
Oh, hi. Are you hiding?
From what?
You're scared of her?
No. I just don't want to deal with her.
And, in my defense,
she's the worst. She basically
shamed me into working on her case,
and I just want to get away from her.
Ah, so she gave you a job? What a monster.
Wh-- No. You don't understand.
She has a terrible reputation,
and I am currently starting a new business. So...
Oh, so her bad reputation is going to ruin
your good one?
Okay, my reputation is apparently
not stellar right now, but I am...
And how is that her fault?
No, it's not-- Look.
I am top-shelf, and she's just... ALLISON: What's going on?
He's hiding from some lady.
She's gone, by the way. (clears throat) Oh.
And you are?
This is my roommate from hell.
From hell. Okay, good to know.
Are we getting lunch with Mom or...?
TODD: Oh. Ah.
Mom. So, you are guys, like, brother and sister?
TODD: Got your lunch right here.
We are going somewhere else. Wait, what? No, Todd.
This is not lunch. This is, like, an appetizer for lunch.
Bye.
RUSSO: Could you please state your name
and relationship with Ms. Tuttle?
DEBBIE: Debbie Richards.
And I was Ms. Tuttle's assistant.
And how long did you work
as Ms. Tuttle's assistant?
A little over two years, and then I resigned.
RUSSO: You quit on the "Queen of Courts"?
Why?
DEBBIE: Oh, no. (stammers)
Belinda was wonderful. I just, I...
I wanted to work for a more upscale law firm.
RUSSO: In your time with Ms. Tuttle,
did she ever ask you to lie for her?
BOTH: Objection.
(crowd murmuring)
(whispers): I'm sorry. You go. You go.
Uh, Your Honor, the prosecution is asking the witness
to testify about prior bad acts, which is clearly forbidden.
This speaks to her modus operandi.
The prejudicial effect outweighs...
I'm going to allow it.
You can answer the question.
I guess, but just little lies, like,
whether we had received a motion or if someone had called.
And did Ms. Tuttle ever suspect her clients
were exaggerating injuries? Your Honor.
Overruled.
I will remind you, you are under oath.
I'm so sorry.
(crying)
Yes. She did. (crowd murmuring)
RUSSO: No further questions
at this time.
We have a problem.
The jury doesn't trust you.
It's worse than that. They hate me.
This is totally bizarre. I shouldn't even be here.
My shift starts in an hour.
And I can see your butt.
What? Oh.
Ugh! These are barbecue.
Can you stop? Just help me figure out
if this guy's a real doctor or maybe the mastermind.
He wasn't on my original Nemesiss-eliss-ellist.
I'm sorry, what?
It's not working.
Also, what is in this for me?
I don't know.
Maybe a roof above your head and free food?
Mm, no. I shower first for a week.
What? That is outrageous.
Okay, two weeks. Ah, here we go. (knock on door)
Hello, good afternoon.
Hi. What seems to be the problem?
Uh, it's my back.
I-I fell, and, uh, I was injured,
and-and Cory sent me.
Oh... Cory.
Well, then, just between the three of us.
How about your ankle? That hurt, too?
Uh, no, just my back. Oh. Oh. Uh...
Probably hit your head as well.
Minor concussion. Neck sprain.
You're diagnosing him without touching him or examining him?
And you can barely get out of bed.
You may need spinal surgery.
(scoffs) Is... are you joking?
Is this a prank? Al.
You know, if we really want to up the damages,
we should consider fusing some vertebrate.
Maybe replacing a rib or two.
What? What is this, the Middle Ages?
Who are you again?
My wife. His sister.
My sister-wife. How about you also-- I don't know--
take off the top of his head
and scrape out all the dead brain cells.
Well, we might be able to make a case for something like that.
What?
But, usually, Belinda weighs in
on the severity of the injuries.
What? A-A-Are you sure?
You must deal with a ton of lawyers.
No, just Belinda.
She keeps me pretty busy with stuff like this.
I would seriously, honestly love to know
where you went to medical school.
Okay, uh-uh, Belinda, she's tall?
Brown-ish, reddish curly hair?
Big googly eyes?
You know, I've never actually met her in person,
but I've got her card here somewhere.
TODD: Oh.
Ah.
TODD: Hm, yup, that's the one.
And say, if you want to lose a pinky toe or two,
she could easily get you another 60 grand.
Th... This is fantastic.
Are you single? Seriously.
Well, we can't put this Dr. Batten on the stand
if he genuinely thinks that you
are the lawyer with whom he's working.
Agreed. The jury already thinks the worst of me.
I'm best one-on-one.
Better with a beer. LYLE: What?
You're cute, by the way.
Okay, can we just... Dr. Batten also
gave me this.
BELINDA: Well, this looks like my card,
but this isn't my number.
Here.
Okay, I'll just record. MARGARET: Yeah.
(line rings)
WOMAN (over phone): Hello, this is Belinda Tuttle.
We set up a meeting with the woman impersonating my client,
but, unfortunately, she never showed.
And this, uh, Cory Hill?
Oh, well, uh, he must've gotten wind of our investigation
because he skipped, uh, his shift,
and-and then he never returned to his apartment.
But I do have this.
The chain of custody on this card is highly suspect.
Let me guess,
you're going to need more time to complete your investigation.
Yes, yes. We're requesting a two-week continuance.
No. But, uh, Your Honor,
I need to be able to show you... ROBERTS: Counselor,
this may be your first case with Ms. Tuttle,
but it's not mine.
I've presided over 12 of them, and do you know
how many times she's asked for continuance
because of dire need? 27.
Well, I assure you this is not a frivolous...
Mm-mm. I will not be made a fool again.
No more delays.
This trial will continue whether or not
your investigation is complete.
Hey, listen, I-I made some calls.
I got two of the vendors to extend,
but it does not look good.
Yeah, I know.
I know. Thank you, Francey.
Mm-hmm.
What?
Well, also,
I overheard Beverly on the phone,
and she's concerned
about you taking on Belinda Tuttle.
Says it feels desperate. Image, optics, whatever. Oh...
Let's just wrap this up quick and move on, huh?
(exhales) Okay, okay, okay.
(sighs)
Please tell me you have good news.
Sort of.
We were able to get the phone records for the number
from the fake business card.
It's a burner, but we have the
tower locations where it was used.
Yeah, we've been trying to find some link
between the tower locations and the suspects
on my Neh-Sih-Lih. No luck so far, but...
Guys, we don't have time.
We need results now
before the reputation of the firm goes up in flames
and Belinda ends up in prison.
Hey, I warned you not to take her on.
You think I want to be searching for a needle in a haystack
right now? Todd, you want off the case so badly?
Fine. You're off.
Fine.
Uh...
We'll keep working.
Hi.
I know you didn't ask for it,
but I did a deep dive into Belinda's trial history
to see if anything suspicious jumped out.
I just... (sighs) I didn't want you to be caught off guard
in court in case the A.D.A. dug it up first.
Oh.
Thank you, Susan. That's a tremendous amount of work.
Yeah, yeah, it was.
And, while I didn't find anything to suggest
that Belinda was involved in the scams,
I did...
find... this.
It's one of her cases
from three years ago.
Belinda was certain to win,
and then she asked her client on the stand
about an unrelated past injury.
But that would expose her client's entire medical history
to examination.
Exactly, and he was a fraud.
So, when the jury heard about his other "falls,"
it was over.
It was an error that even a law student could avoid.
So, you think Belinda threw the case?
Nothing else makes sense.
Thank you, Susan. That's amazing work.
Yeah. No, I know.
Which is why I'm deserving of senior associate.
Susan. I know.
Do you? Because I do this extra... The timing is just not...
When, Margaret?
When will be the right time?
Susan.
I would like nothing more than to give you that promotion.
Trust me. But now is not the time.
(sighs)
(humming)
Hey, you.
Yo, Belinda boy.
Hey, do not call me that.
That woman has been nothing but trouble,
and I don't want people to think that I would work
for someone like her.
All you do is complain about her.
Well, you have no idea who she is.
You have no idea who I am.
Okay, fair, but-- I don't know--
you seem kind of obsessed with her.
I don't know, in this, like, really weird way.
I mean, yeah, okay, maybe she has a crappy reputation,
but she came to you for help,
didn't she? So, I don't know,
maybe just, like, relax.
(scoffs) If you look to someone
expecting the worst, that's all you're gonna see.
WOMAN: Hi, Judy.
JUDY: Hi.
Are you asking me if I'd throw a case?
No, no, no, no. No, that's obvious.
The only question is why.
Was it money, was it... was the insurance company
gonna pay you off to betray your client?
Because if that is the reason,
then maybe you would be open to
faking a slip-and-fall, too.
We don't get many chances to decide who we are.
Not really.
Okay.
What happened?
Well, in this case,
my client was despicable. A liar.
I finally discovered he was faking everything.
But we were already in trial.
The payout was gonna be huge,
and I'm good at my job.
So why throw a case?
The defendant was a family-owned restaurant on Burnside,
been around since the '60s,
supporting generation
after generation of family members.
The owner's wife was battling cancer, for God's sake.
And they were going to lose...
Everything.
What, for my contingency fee?
No, I was at a crossroads.
Was I going to protect these innocent people?
Ruining them was a line
I could not cross.
Well, that is, um...
admirable, Belinda.
But, unfortunately, we-we are out of time.
The judge is pressing for closing arguments,
and your reputation has poisoned the jury.
We need to pull a rabbit out of a hat fast.
Oh, God. If only you could just
take the stand and-and-and speak like you did just now,
I mean, they would believe you about everything,
but, obviously, that's off the table.
Put me on the stand.
Wha... Are you serious?
No, no, you will be disbarred for throwing the case.
Better than serving six years in prison.
We both know where this is headed.
No.
No, no, Belinda. We-we will come up with something.
We have to keep on fighting.
Margaret, I'm gonna do it.
If committing career suicide means my freedom,
so be it.
What's this?
A map.
Of all the best overnight parking spots by my condo.
You laminated it.
Yeah, in case you wanted to keep it handy.
Um, and in case you decided to,
you know, the farmer's market.
You never quite answered.
And I was wondering if, you know...
You know what, Lyle?
I, um...
...um, I can't.
Oh, if Saturday is better, I have another one...
No, I can't. I'm sorry.
You know, just taking, um,
our relationship to the next level is,
um...
I've been burned by office romances before
and I just...
I'm not ready to cross that line.
Not yet.
I'm sorry.
Lyle, excuse me. I need you to help me...
I found something.
BOTH: You are off this case.
Oh, fine. Whatever. I'm working "bo prono."
But that's not important. And this is:
Because of Belinda's terrible reputation,
I was convinced the mastermind had to be
someone with a grudge against her.
But I was looking at the evidence all wrong.
What do you mean? Well, instead of adversaries,
I should've been looking at allies.
Someone with the knowledge and access to pull this off.
So... (clears throat)
...the burner phone from the fake business card
pinged right here
at a tower near Debbie Richards' apartment.
Debbie, Belinda's old assistant?
Yep, and it pinged here at court...
On the day of her testimony.
LYLE: It looks like after leaving
Belinda's firm,
she was on and off unemployment for months.
Yeah, she also filed for bankruptcy
two years ago and then withdrew it.
So, she would've not only had access to
all of Belinda's agreements,
she would've known which of her old clients
was open to the scam.
This isn't about revenge.
It's about desperation.
So, what if we made her
a little more desperate?
You don't have to do this.
I have Todd working on a plan right now.
Margaret, I hate to break the news to you,
but your son's an idiot.
That's not true.
He is not the same person he was when he worked with you.
It's too late.
Let's-let's just get it over with.
(sighs)
(phone buzzing)
Oh. Hey, Mom.
Todd, where are we at?
We have a trap set for Debbie.
Hey, I was going to tell her.
We have a trap set for Debbie.
Since we knew that the settlement payments
for the fake slip-and-falls
were going to an account at Western Gateway...
You should really clean this car.
Oh, he's not wrong, Todd.
Okay. Well, we sent phony alerts
saying that her funds were frozen to
her real phone and the burner.
Excellent. And I've already spoken to the police.
I will have them meet you at the bank.
No, no, no, no, no. It'll be too late.
She'll be gone before they get here.
And, once she knows we're after her,
she'll disappear like Cory. You have to delay her.
Todd, don't fail me.
Hey, I will handle this end.
Your job is to stall that trial.
BAILIFF: All rise.
Be seated.
ROBERTS: Ms. Wright,
are you ready to call your witness?
(clears throat)
Yes, Your Honor, yes.
Oh!
Oh, I am so sorry, Your Honor.
I... Oh!
Oh, no. Sorry. Wait.
Just so sorry...
What are you doing?
Delay. Delay.
Delay.
Oh.
Oh, no, my mother's necklace!
Oh, no!
(Belinda crying): Oh, God...
Oh...
You carry a name tag with you?
Octavius?
Of course. You don't?
Uh, yeah.
It's just in my other car.
LYLE: She's here.
(clears throat)
Oh. Just a second, please.
Uh, excuse me, Your Honor, I've just gotta...
I've, somewhere, misplaced my reading glasses.
Can't see a thing. (chuckles)
Just, uh...
Okay. Hmm...
Oh. No. (chuckles) That's not it.
Okay. No.
Oh, God.
No. (chuckles)
They must be in here somewhere. (chuckles)
ROBERTS: Counselor.
Today.
Ah. There it is.
Reading glasses.
Okay. Ahem.
(clears throat)
Okay, Ms. Tuttle,
uh, what is it, exactly,
that you do for a living?
Well, I suppose that depends on
what your definition of what "is" is?
Oh, yes. I completely
understand your confusion.
In this context,
it is a verb of
the present tense
"to be." (pen clatters)
MAN: Thank you, Ms. Tuttle. I'm not sure what happened.
If you'll just wait here a moment,
I'll go find out who sent you those alerts.
Ms. Belinda Tuttle?
Yes, I'm Belinda Tuttle.
Oh. Fantastic. Would you say that again?
And smile?
Wait, what is this?
Are you...
Oh...
(gasps) (patrons exclaim)
Trouble?
Call Tuttle.
Where is... Oh. (pearl clatters)
ROBERTS: Counselor,
if you don't speed up this questioning,
I'm gonna hold you in contempt.
Do you understand? Uh, yes, Your Honor.
(cell phone buzzes)
Oh.
Oh! Your Honor,
I think you are going to give us that continuance now.
H.R. form 545,
to be used for inter-office relationships
whenever you are ready.
I want you to understand
that I am all in on you,
and I will do whatever is necessary
to help you feel comfortable.
You know what?
Let's go.
Right now.
To your place.
But the farmer's market is
only open on Saturdays.
If we get there before...
(gasps) Oh.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. That's a plan. It's a plan.
I-I-I-I am on board. Yes. Let me, uh,
let me just go grab some files from Susan.
She just sent me an email.
And she's-- I've just gotta go...
And I'll be right back. I will be right back.
Right back.
♪ ♪
You will be happy to know
that Debbie is in custody,
Dr. Batten has been reported to the board
and that all charges against you have been dropped.
Oh, Margaret. Oh...
I can never thank you enough.
But I'd like to think that you learned
a thing or two from me along the way.
Oh, I don't know about that.
You're welcome. (laughs)
Hi. There he is.
Okay. We're hugging? Okay. Oh...
Thank you.
I knew you were the right person to come to
for help. And remember, if you're ever in trouble...
I know. Call Tuttle.
(chuckles)
Belinda Tuttle.
Is your neck all right? Your posture's off.
Work stress? Yeah.
Go see a doctor and call me.
ALLISON: (gasps) Is this a butterscotch?
Hey, what are you doing? You're sitting? Did you forget?
ALLISON: Yeah, we're getting dinner, right? You're paying.
Or he's paying. I'm not. Mm-mm.
We're getting dinner, right?
Allison, I thought you were getting your roots done today.
Mom, do not.
Well, okay. Okay, okay.
Mom, I cannot sit in my apartment
for another night, watching her eat cereal.
You're also eating cereal.
Yeah, all the more reason.
Todd and Allison, I would love nothing more
than to take you both to dinner,
but I can't, I'm too busy.
This is the second fake meal with Mom
this week that you have dragooned me into.
You are buying me dinner, and I'm not eating clam chowder.
What? I can't afford to feed two people
anything but clam chowder.
Just lop off another pinky toe.
Should be more than enough.
TODD: Ha-ha-ha-ha.
Hey, Mom? Hmm?
Maybe all my worrying about Belinda was for nothing.
I mean, we're still top-shelf, right?
Top-est of the top.
Yeah, like where you keep all the good stuff.
(exhales)
Captioning sponsored by CBS
and TOYOTA.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org