[knocks]
Thanks again for letting me take the lead
in this class action.
You're running point during the few times
I'll be occupied with Madison's malpractice suit.
It's very different from taking the lead.
Of course.
Uh, I didn't mean to imply you weren't involved.
You need to focus, Tomas. You hear me?
A ruling in our favor on a class action of this magnitude
will keep us in the black for years to come.
Hmm? Can't afford any slipups.
Understood.
I'm pulling testimony now, and Pauline is
helping me verify members.
So my junior partner is passing off work yet again.
I've apologized for involving Kat
in the Lynette investigation.
Yeah? Oh, yeah?
Does that mean you're done playing Hercule Poirot
to Kat's wannabe Miss Marple?
Why don't you ask me that directly, Bill?
Hayley, I'm glad I ran into you.
You are?
Oh, try not to sound so surprised.
I know we've had our differences in the past.
Mostly due to your unyielding loyalty
to my husband's ex-wife.
Which is still very much intact.
But I've managed to put personal feelings aside
so we can handle business, haven't I?
If you're talking about the house that you sold Bill,
I mean, let's not forget you did receive
a handsome commission.
Oh, there's no need to go tit for tat.
I come in peace.
I actually wanted to see if you were
interested in repeat business.
Such as?
The penthouse you were planning to lease to Lynette.
How do you know about that?
Well, I understood you were buying the condo
as an investment and that Lynette would live there.
Was that a secret?
Why are you asking about it?
The penthouse is still available,
so I wanted to follow up and see if you
and your deep-pocketed husband remain interested.
[phone vibrating]
Hello?
It's me.
About time you hit me back.
I have updates.
So do I. Meet at the motel?
Yeah, I'm on my way.
No security detail, right?
I am in the clear. Nobody's following me.
I'll see you soon.
♪ ♪
[door opens]
What you, uh, what you got there, boss?
Just some receipts that need to be filed.
How's it going with that special assignment?
Oh, you mean the one where you wanted me to keep
a watchful eye on a certain investigative reporter?
That'd be it.
I got somebody watching him like you asked,
but nothing important has turned up yet.
I want you to step up your game.
This guy's eager for something.
I want to make sure he isn't locked into
any of our enterprises.
I'll check in.
[line ringing]
Yeah, it's me. What you got?
Good.
All right, I'll hit you right back.
It seems
Smitty just left Uptown.
I got Vinnie watching him.
Trade off.
I want you to handle this personally.
Whatever that reporter's looking for,
I want to know about it.
I'm on it.
[door opens and closes]
[phone vibrating]
-[door closes] -Yeah?
Eyes on us?
You're sure?
No. No, let me handle this.
I'll see what I can find out.
[knocking at door]
Someone's early. Come in.
[door opens]
Is that invitation to enter still open?
From the look on your face, I'm not who you were expecting.
Forgive me, I was deep in reviewing patient notes.
-What can I do for you? -I thought you'd like
to know I spoke with Detective Malone earlier today.
Did he find out who broke into my computer?
Not yet. But trust me,
he and his team will get this resolved.
I'm sure they will.
Have you thought of anything I can
pass along to the detective?
Anyone who you forgot had access to your office that day?
Unusual appointments?
And if I had known that you were planning
on stopping by my office yesterday,
I would have made it a point to be there.
Could have saved us both the trouble.
Uh... no.
Nobody comes to mind.
If you do remember, please let me know.
I want to find who compromised this hospital
as much as you do.
[knocking at door]
Hope I'm not interrupting.
Nicole?
Hi. [chuckles]
Well, that's a warm reaction.
Carlton, please come in. I am almost ready.
Well, I'll get out of your hair and leave you to it.
Good to see you, Lia.
Well, that was refreshing.
Not too many people can say they're friends with their boss.
Things have gotten a little tense since the hack,
but I know she's working hard to get the answers.
Have you made any progress on figuring out who was behind it?
No, not yet, but I can see it's really stressing Lia out.
Chief of staff is a demanding job.
It wouldn't be fair if something this minor
and isolated reflected poorly on her.
After talking with you, I am rethinking everything.
I am the common denominator, right?
I keep choosing men that think it's acceptable to lie to me.
Don't do that. Don't be so hard on yourself.
It sounds like Grayson was trying to protect you.
By showing up to my place bleeding from a stab wound,
and refusing to tell me how it happened?
If your instincts are right
and he somehow got himself wrapped up in something shady...
Then it would be irresponsible to drag me in, too.
No, not just irresponsible, Ash-- dangerous.
Clearly extremely dangerous.
I have to do something, Naomi.
I-I really do care about him.
But, um, you know, look,
I know I brought up Smitty before, and...
I-I just don't see how he could be involved in any of this.
Yeah, forget I asked.
Hey.
You've stood by my side since Jacob took that new case.
You've responded to every panicked call,
every hopeless text.
You're my best friend.
And you are mine.
So let me return the favor.
I know you must be worried out of your mind.
And whether you want to trash-talk Grayson or
sit in silence with our teas, we will do it together.
Excuse me?
Unless you want a broken appendage,
I suggest you calm down.
What the hell do you think you're doing?
I am not playing your games, Lia.
Sending that pic, was it some kind of threat?
Was the message received?
You hear me, and you hear me good.
You leave Ashley out of this,
or I'm going to blow your whole operation sky high.
You think I'm bluffing? Try me.
So where are we headed?
Well, considering it would have been your
and Ted's anniversary, I figured we could do something vigorous
to get your mind off of it.
Okay, well, if I have to save my strength reserves,
then yes, you can handle the bags.
Nothing that taxing.
I was thinking of something along the lines of... this.
Go-Kart Land DMV.
We can blow off some steam,
practice our drift. What do you think?
Aw, Carlton, the last time I did something like that,
Daddy took us go-karting in Tokyo.
You were in college.
Dani was walking a show in Kyoto.
Anita was missing both of her girls,
so Vernon arranged a surprise trip
so the family could reunite.
You remember that?
I remember everything you tell me.
Well, don't think
I'm going to take it easy on you,
because once I am in that driver's seat,
-I have full control. -Oh, I know.
Then maybe afterwards,
we can get into some other adrenaline-pumping activities.
Let's see how you handle that drift first.
Okay.
I know the photo was upsetting, but it had to be done.
Upsetting?
You have spent the last few weeks
making passive comments about Ashley,
but this was a step too far.
Did you take that photo of her yourself,
or are you having her followed?
I have warned you what would happen
if you continued to step out of line.
You think that was a simple threat?
It was a guarantee on the back of that lovely nurse
you chose to involve yourself with.
How foolish of me to think you were different.
But you're not-- you're a monster.
[chuckles] You think I'm the monster?
You have no idea the depths
which our employers will go
to keep their business afloat.
What if I want out?
Oh...
You should be aware by now
there is no out.
Ever.
So then Lia was told that Lynette
was fired from the bank.
So she knows she's shady.
What are you getting at, Kat?
There's no way Lia was the reason
Lynette skipped town.
My mother has been working for Lia for forever.
She would never compromise her career
for someone she knows to be a criminal.
Don't you see?
What I see is you have entirely too much time on your hands.
I should talk to Chelsea about giving you
more to do with that purse company.
Excuse me?
I have Tomas looking into Lynette, okay?
And to be frank, this investigation is
none of your business.
First of all, you don't need to talk to Chelsea about anything,
because your daughter is not my boss.
We're partners--
hence the "Kat" in "ChelseaKat."
And second of all, Tomas and I are also partners,
so what concerns him also concerns me.
No the hell it doesn't.
Not when it has anything to do with my firm.
I think what Kat was trying to say was...
I cannot be worried that every time
I give my junior partner a task,
he's going to let his girlfriend get involved.
Trust me, Bill, that doesn't happen.
It shouldn't have happened this time.
Kat, sweetheart, I love you,
but this isn't your place.
But I'm giving you solid intel here.
I'm planning to talk to Lia again, and hopefully I'll be...
This isn't an episode
of Only Murders in the Damn Building.
This is a reputable law firm with policies to abide by.
Now hear me, both of you.
When it comes to investigating Lynette or anything else
that has to do with my firm, your sleuthing days are over.
Kat, do you understand?
She understands. We both do.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention,
but my husband and I are going to pass on the penthouse.
I just thought Bill would see the value in adding
a luxe penthouse to his portfolio.
You know, I-I thought so, too,
which is why I proposed the idea.
But the truth is,
Bill and I just bought a beach home in Saint Bart's.
We're not looking to expand our real estate holdings right now.
That's unfortunate.
A place like this has so many possibilities.
Is that really all this is?
You getting another hefty commission at our expense?
[chuckles] It's a great opportunity,
and I take pride in matching my clients
with properties that fit their individual lifestyles.
Well, I'm sorry we couldn't be more helpful,
but we're not interested.
You know, I was only considering the penthouse
in the first place because I felt obligated.
Right.
Lynette did save you from that awful mugging.
Yeah, she presented herself as someone who genuinely
needed a leg up, and I just wanted to help her.
But turns out that Bill was right, and she was simply
taking advantage of whatever I was willing to give her.
[sighs] That's too bad.
Well, let me know if you or Bill change your mind.
I sure will.
Hey.
JOEY: "Joey, I have to go.
"I'm suffocating here.
"If I need you, I'll find you. But please don't look for me.
"This has to be a clean break,
"or I'll never become the woman I'm destined to be.
Until we meet again. I love you."
VANESSA: Joey?
-Hey. -Hey.
I was calling your name. Didn't you hear me?
-Sorry, I was... -In your own world.
What's wrong? You seem upset.
I was reading something I hadn't
looked at in a long time. [clears throat]
So what-what can I get you? Gin martini?
Sure, but what'd you just put away?
Should I be concerned?
It was a letter.
From Heather.
Your sister?
What does it say?
[phone chimes]
[sighs]
I'm telling you, Smitty,
Grayson was this close
to giving up the name of his contact.
-What stopped him? -I don't know.
He... he got a text and ran off.
Something must have scared him.
Maybe it was his mother.
Listen, I've been keeping an eye on
the mobile donation trucks, and there's been a major uptick.
What do you mean?
There's more foot traffic than usual.
And the trucks are hitting more than their usual hot spots.
Like The Impaler is gearing up for something big?
Possibly.
And with Malone actively looking into
Nicole's computer hack, they could be scrambling
because the hospital's gotten too hot.
Yeah.
These new faces might be scouting new locations.
Or maybe they're trying to sell off
their remaining inventory before a big play.
Have you been able to get a read on Ren?
Nah.
No orders for drops or pickups in the last few days.
[phone chimes]
Speak of the devil.
Lynette is into some seriously sketchy stuff-- I can prove it.
I just need a little bit more time.
Do you hear yourself? Hmm?
That's all the more reason
for you to drop this today, right now.
No one in this room knows what she's really capable of.
I'd never forgive myself if something
happened to you while you were trying to help me.
Me either. Not to mention, the family would
kill me if I allowed my niece
to get...
My former niece to get involved.
I'm telling you, let sleeping dogs lie, for your own good.
Now, I have to get to a meeting.
Can I walk out of here
knowing that you've heard my position
and that it comes from a place of care and protection?
I hear you.
I hear you, and I don't agree.
But Bill is right.
If Lynette is some career criminal,
this is beyond inappropriate.
It's potentially dangerous.
I'm not scared of her.
Kat, you need to stop for real.
Or my time as junior partner
will be the shortest stint for any attorney in history.
Oh, my God, Naomi, how did I get here?
You know, if the hospital finds out I stole those meds,
I could lose my job.
And I-I don't even know what's going on.
Do you really think that Smitty
could be the key to unlocking all of this?
It isn't just that he visited the guy.
That stabbing victim listed Smitty
as his emergency contact, and-and that guy Max
had practically the same wounds as Grayson.
I mean, don't you think that there could be a tie?
-What are you doing? -Calling Smitty.
If he knows something, I'm sure he'd be more
-than happy to tell us. -Okay.
[banging on door]
What the hell?
NAOMI: Going somewhere?
Pack what you can. Hurry.
What?
Just what's necessary for the next few days.
We can always buy more later.
Grayson, what are you talking about?
I don't have time to explain right now.
I need you to pack what's necessary
so we can grab my mom and leave.
They could be on their way.
I know you don't think she's running away with you.
Ashley, please.
[grunts]
Looks like that's a no.
You never talk about her.
I don't need the daily reminder
that I'm estranged from my own blood.
Now, gin martini.
Oh.
I'm out of your favorite gin. I'll have to get it
from the stock room.
You're not coming along?
You love to parade through the casino
and covertly hand out chips.
Notice that?
Your good heart is now part of my "miscellaneous" budget.
Come on, let's go make some lucky guy's night.
Joey, I want to talk about Heather.
What made you read her letter today of all days?
She was on my mind.
It's been years since I heard her voice.
Seen her smile.
Or had the pleasure of witnessing her correct
anyone who dared declare what she wasn't capable of.
She sounds delightfully dynamic.
I guess I have a soft spot for qualities like that.
So no contact but that letter? She hasn't tried to call you?
Heather disappeared without a trace.
I have no idea where she is now.
But with your resources, surely you can...
She explicitly asked in her letter not to be found.
I've honored that.
I pray she's taking care of herself.
[chuckles]
Wherever Heather is, I know for damn sure she's fine.
That woman is whip-smart,
and she is tougher than nails.
So you think you've done the right thing
by not seeking her out?
Every year on this day, I wake up
and I ask myself the same question.
Not that it matters to you, but I was working.
This is more important.
Well, you need to tell that to Joey.
He had me on something special.
And because of you, I had to call in a sub.
Okay, okay. Guess what?
What? Bill drop dead all of a sudden?
No, that fool has proven harder to kill than Thanos.
But we are making progress elsewhere.
So I ran into Vanessa,
and she was trying to sell me the penthouse
that Lynette wanted.
So? She wants to offload that palace in the sky,
collect a check. Why do I care?
You are not hearing me, okay?
She was only trying to sell the property.
She wasn't questioning me about Lynette
or where the funds were coming from or even why Lynette left.
She is past the point of doubt.
It was those texts I sent. You're welcome, by the way.
They seal the deal for our runaway friend.
It's like I can finally breathe.
Everything is lining up.
Okay, Bill bought the story about me
moving his savings around, and now Vanessa
has completely let go of Lynette.
We're getting close, coz.
Before long, we'll be on an island,
living lavish off of Bill's life insurance.
And that college fund,
and his maxed-out cards,
and all the cash that I can discreetly withdraw.
Yeah, I can definitely
drink to that.
Ashley, please, you have to trust me.
-That's rich. -Naomi, please.
You have to tell me what's going on.
Someone's been watching you, and they sent this photo
to me as a threat.
Who are these people? Why are they threatening you?
I will explain everything when I can,
but right now I have to get you and my mom to safety first.
Ashley, please, just pack your things and come with me.
You mean before the people who put a blade
in your gut show up?
You told her?
I had to. I have been freaking out
and you won't talk to me.
You should be thankful she told me and didn't call the police.
The police? Like your straightlaced husband?
What is that supposed to mean?
No, I asked you a question.
Forget this. It's a waste of time.
-We'll just grab what we need... -No, no, no.
I am not going anywhere with you.
You heard her.
Newsflash, Naomi.
I'm not the only person keeping secrets
from the woman in his life.
You don't know what your husband's up to.
Jacob is training.
Jacob goes by Rashad on the streets.
He's working for the same low-life criminals as I am.
That's right! Your husband's a dirty cop.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
You don't look surprised.
Of course I am.
I've been nothing but surprised
since you showed up at my door bleeding.
No, no, no, no. It would make sense that she would
cover for him, but you?
You didn't blink when I mentioned
a person you've known for years was corrupt.
You need to message him back before he gets suspicious.
Yeah, you're right. Okay.
Yo, I've been wondering where you been. You good?
-We'll see. -[phone chimes]
He says his services were needed elsewhere,
but he's got a new assignment for me.
That could be helpful.
Maybe you'll meet new people who can
help connect the dots on who's actually running this thing.
Or it could be a trap.
What you need me to do?
[phone chimes]
"Details when everything's in place."
What are you thinking?
That this doesn't feel right.
-I am so embarrassed. -You should be.
A trained surgeon should have quicker reflexes than that.
Oh, wow. Okay.
A brother hydroplanes and hits one little wall
and now my OR capabilities are up for debate?
The ground was barely wet
and the nearest car was a whole curve around from you.
That's true.
[laughs]
You were not lying about your skills.
The way you gripped that road was pretty impressive.
Told you, when I get locked in, fully focused.
Mother made sure Dani and I knew exactly
how to handle a vehicle.
Oh, I need to hear more about this.
When she was growing up in Chicago,
she would hot-wire her daddy's Mustang.
-No way. Nope! -Yep.
Yep, it would be her, Tracy, Sharon, Barbara.
They would go for joyrides, pick up boys.
And then she perfected Granddaddy's park so well
that he never found out.
Even now, I'm learning new things about you.
I mean, you and your family have stories for days.
I could fill a book with Dani's shenanigans alone.
[laughs]
I'm happy we did this.
It really did help
to get my mind off of the anniversary that wasn't.
Have you talked to Ted?
I did.
And I think we finally got to that magical place where
"we're not friends, but we're not enemies either" zone.
He even confessed something to me.
Oh, yeah? What's that?
Remember that conference in Maui
where Ted came upon me on the beach at sunset?
Oh, yeah, when he gave me the good old misdirect.
-You knew? -Well, I figured it out
when I finally made my way back to the other side
of the resort and I saw him in full-on mack mode.
Should have known he couldn't handle a little competition.
Well, look at us now. Together anyway.
The nerve of Bill trying to stifle me.
I'm good at what I do.
If it weren't for me, this family would...
Be just fine, apparently.
Yeah, yeah, but, Keegan, listen.
Why am I paying you when my niece
is the one finding the leads?
Oh, okay.
Save your excuses and just find out how
and why Lynette left D.C., fast.
Ooh!
[slurring]: Look at my hexy susband.
[laughs]
I mean, I mean, my sexy husband.
Someone had a good evening.
Ah, and she's here to make yours even better.
[coughs]
Oopsies! Last call for alcohol.
-Ashley, please. Please. -No, I'm done.
-What? -Until you trust me enough
to tell me the truth, I don't want to see you again.
-I told you everything I... -No, and it's not enough.
I will not stand
for the man in my life lying to me, never again.
The people I work for are dangerous.
Then why did you get involved with them in the first place?
I told you, because of my mother.
No, you haven't given me any real information.
You show up at my door bleeding.
You want me to just blindly follow you?
Because there's someone watching you!
No, I can handle myself!
And besides, they're only watching me
to use it as leverage over you, and as of this moment,
we are no longer together.
You be careful.
That's all I ask.
She'll be fine.
[door opens]
Are you okay?
No.
But I will be.
Either someone's planning the next phase
of the operation, or it's a setup because I went off script.
But he already dealt with you for that.
What did Elon say about you getting attacked?
I didn't tell him.
He would have pulled me off the case immediately.
Especially with how concerned my mom and Izaiah have been.
[phone vibrating]
It's Naomi.
Babe, you okay?
Are you investigating Grayson?
Wait, what?
NAOMI: I know you can't tell me much,
but if Grayson is involved, we have a problem.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. What happened?
Someone is watching Ashley.
They sent a photo of her to Grayson as a warning.
How do you know?
He just showed it to us.
He was just here at Ashley's apartment.
What exactly did Grayson say about what he's involved in?
NAOMI: Not much of anything.
He was trying to convince Ashley to run away with him.
But whatever this is, it has seriously got him spooked.
And he said you are in just as deep,
and I do not like that, Jacob.
Naomi, I'm handling it.
There's more.
The photo they sent of Ashley--
I'm not in it, but I was there with her.
Which means they could be watching you, too.
Okay, hang on. I'm calling my dad.
He'll make sure you're protected. Stay there.
Okay.
They're watching Naomi.
Kat! I didn't see you and Tomas come in.
How could you, Mom? You were very preoccupied.
Keep it cute, Katherine.
I'm just kidding.
I'm happy to see you in good spirits.
Would you care to join?
We've got some more appetizers coming.
Please do, there'll be plenty.
We wouldn't want to impose, but thank you.
-Are you sure? -KAT: We are.
We just came to grab a quick drink anyway.
Okay, well, enjoy your evening.
You, too.
One second.
This makes my heart smile.
After everything you went through this past year,
you deserve this happiness.
Thank you, honey.
Having a man that looks at you like that
and appreciates you the way he does,
it's just the sweetest cherry on top.
VANESSA: I just can't believe
Heather hasn't tried to contact you.
At first, I thought she just needed
to cool off, get past
the mental hurdles that drove her away.
What I thought would be a couple of months
turned into years.
Do you miss her?
Yes, I do miss her.
But I can't live in that headspace.
I've found that what works is to remember her
on this day.
The day she left.
And then release it.
Maybe you can put out some feelers and just see how
she is without disturbing whatever she's doing.
[sighs]
I don't know.
Maybe.
Tell me a story about her.
Or we can go get that gin.
You can tell me more about her whenever you're ready.
Not that I don't like seeing you
in such a good mood, but you couldn't have downed
that entire bottle all by yourself.
Who were you with?
It's calling pacing, sweetheart.
It's not like I chugged it.
Now, that'd hurt. [chuckles]
It's just champagne, Bill.
Yeah, I know, but you've been drinking a lot more than usual.
At the club, at Uptown.
Okay, well, I'm sorry.
I didn't realize you were policing my alcohol intake.
Now, hey. Hey, hey, okay, wait, listen.
I'm not judging, sweetheart. I'm just making an observation.
If you're struggling with something, let me help.
Oh, I see.
So because drinking and lying in your first marriage
was your M.O.,
well, you think you spotted similar behavior?
Oh, please.
Look, I know you're not having an affair,
but I do think that you're overcompensating
for something,
and I think it has something to do with Lynette.
[scoffs] This again?
Babe, we've been freed from that woman
and her manipulation.
Listen, because of you,
I can finally see the truth.
Now, if that doesn't deserve a celebratory drink,
then I don't know what does.
Matter of fact,
I'm going to pour you one, too,
so you can meet me right here
and stop bringing down the vibe.
What are you saying, woman? I'm a buzzkill?
Huh. Not if I can help it.
[giggles]
[phone chimes]
[drink pouring]
You cannot go to the hospital. Jacob said to stay here.
Jacob also said that the police will be watching, right?
-Ashley... -I will not let
Grayson distract me from what's important, okay?
I'm gonna work my shift,
and I'll come right back here after.
And you'll watch your surroundings?
Like a hawk.
Well, text me if you need anything.
-I'll be here. -I will.
[door closes]
If whoever is monitoring Ashley is also monitoring Naomi,
then it could mean your cover's blown.
I don't care about that right now.
All I care about is that Naomi is safe.
My dad said he'd put somebody on Ashley's apartment,
so as long as they stay there, they'll be safe.
Honestly, I... I feel like maybe I should just publish
what I have so we can all move on from this.
No, we can't do that.
That'll just push Ren and the others underground,
and then we'll never expose The Impaler.
At least that'll stop them for now.
As long as those donation trucks are on the street,
they're a threat.
Yeah, but selling plasma for next to nothing to people
who are already struggling?
That's only half of the story.
We can't stop until we bring these guys all the way down.
We may not have the time.
We can't drop this right now, and you know it.
If this is just about stealing from the poor,
why hurt Max when he wanted out?
Why stab Grayson? And why kick me in the ribs?
Whatever's actually happening inside this plasma ring,
it goes further than just a few dollars per donation.
Okay, but what are our options?
The longer we wait for this to play out,
the more dangerous it becomes.
I'm risking my life for this.
I won't stop until I put these bastards under the jail.
[banging on door]
[banging continues]
Now's not a good time, man. Come back later.
Or what? You'll arrest me, Detective?
I told you.
Damn what you told me!
You've been playing me this whole time.
I know you're undercover.
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