All language subtitles for The.Perfect.Student.2011.1080p.WEBRip.x264-RARBG

Hi.

Hi, Jake.

What's up with your friend?

Looks like she's talking
to a couple frat guys.

Are you sure she's all right
all by herself?

No, she's a big girl.

It's nothing
she can't handle.

Well, in that case,
how about a lift
back to campus?

So soon?

It's still
pretty early.

Yeah, well,
I'm over this place.

I hear your parents
have a beach house.

Yeah.

And they're out of town.

Well, that's too bad.

My car's right out back.

♪ I'm in a black web ♪

♪ I'm frail ♪

♪ Far away in the darkness ♪

♪ Is pain ♪

♪ A dark rage is stabbing ♪

♪ My heart ♪

♪ I'm riding shadows ♪

♪ On a part-time hold ♪

♪ I dream of nothing ♪

♪ Anymore ♪

♪ The shallow hells
are breathing for me now ♪

[grunts]

[whimpering]

What do you want?
Go away!

Go away!

[crying]

Somebody help me!

Stop!

Go away! Go away!

[woman]
Classical criminology,

born in the period
of Enlightenment,

is responsible for the entire
concept of preventing crime

by enforcing rational
forms of punishment.

By administering discipline
in a uniform fashion,

the courts found that
the punishment itself

could actually be used
as an effective deterrent.

Italian politician
Cesare Beccaria,

the leader of this movement,

wrote a book in 1767 called
On Crimes and Punishment.

This text used
a set of guidelines

that are actually
still in use today.

Does anyone know
what any of these are?

Jordan.

The importance
of civil liberties,

um, that criminal law should
be separate from moral law,

that punishment
should be quick,

and only as strong enough
to deter crime and...

And that a suspect
should be innocent until
they are proven guilty.

Right.
That is the only way

that the criminal justice system
can truly ever be perfect.

That's it, everybody.
Don't forget, your case study
papers are due on Monday.

And Josie has
your graded midterms,

so don't forget to pick them up
before you leave.

Professor...

there's something that I want
to tell you about the midterm.

[clears throat]

Never mind.

Professor.
Jordan.

You look tired.

Oh, I had to work
last night,

and then I went
to the library.

Do you ever stop?

I did finally get in
that application
to the D.O.J.

Oh, my goodness. I owe you
a letter of recommendation,
don't I?

That's okay. No rush.

They just said as long
as it's in by the first.

Well, someone's
certainly on the ball.

I'll make sure I'll get to it
to you by next week, okay?

Okay, and before I forget,

just wanted
to get it in early.

[chuckles]
Thanks.

See you later, Professor.
Bye.

Hi, Professor.

Hi.

Wow.

I wish my lit students
cared that much.

Maybe a little too smart
for her own good.

Hmm. Sound like
anyone we know?

Ouch.

I hear the tenure review
committee is meeting soon.

Really? I had no idea.

Yes. A little birdie
told me Dr. Williams
submitted your name.

Yeah, I-I don't wanna
get my hopes up, you know.

Oops. Pardon me.
Hey, no, no.
Wait a minute.

It's been seven years.
You deserve it.

"Nicole Johnson,
tenured professor."
[laughing]

Sounds good,
doesn't it?

Come on, don't jinx it.
Heck, no, no, no, no.

Hey, what did John say?

Well, he's keeping
his fingers crossed.
And the big move?

Yep.
Moving in together,
that's a big step.

Next you're gonna be
popping out babies.

Maybe.
Never gonna
see you again.

Come on!
Why don't you come
work out with me?

I can't, I can't.
I gotta go home.

I'm gonna try and
get some work done
before the party tonight.

You know what?
You're trying
to do too much, miss.

Yeah, you're telling me.

Bye.
All right.
See ya later.

You have one new message.
[beep]

Hi, Nicole, it's Max.

I know I promised to call you
as soon as I heard.

Well, I wish I had better news,
but the appeal's been denied.

I know you worked
really hard on this.

I'm sorry.
We'll get 'em next time.

[beep]

Ohh...

I'm sorry.

I know how important
it was to you.

I don't know what else to do.

I've done everything I can.

It's gonna be okay.

♪ You shoot love
like a weapon ♪

Are you sure you don't
want to talk about it?

Oh, I'm sure.

♪♪ [piano]

Is anyone from
the tenure committee
here tonight?

I don't know.

I know you're upset,
but try and have
a good time, okay?

You look beautiful.

Nicole!

Dr. Williams,
good to see you.

John, good to see you.

Good to see you.

You know my wife Cyndi,
of course.

Yes! Yeah.
Hi. Nice to see you.

You, too.
Patrick showed me
your new book,

Unbecoming...

Oh, Justice Unbecoming.
Yes.

Wrongful convictions.
That's fascinating stuff.

Yeah.

How is he anyway?

Your brother.

Oh, um, yeah, we're working on
a-- an appeal right now, so...

[Dr. Williams]
Nicole is one of the leading
advocates of just verdicts.

That's when she's not
too busy teaching here at
the university, of course.

You know, and it just
occurred to me that I'd
better watch my back.

You might have
my job someday.

The tenure committee told me
that they would be reviewing
your case next week.

Wonderful.

Oh, gosh, honey,
there's Professor Dunbar.

We'd better go say hi.

Of course.
John, always a pleasure.

Yeah. It's good to see you.
Take care of her.

She's a real treasure
to this university.

Indeed I will.

Bye, Nicole.
Bye.

Well, that's good news
about the committee.

Do you think
they have drinks here?

So where's Trent tonight?

Do I care?

Are you done with him?

Yeah, I'm so done with him.

If he wants to hook up
with that uptight bitch
so bad, let him.

I can't believe
they put me with her.

Ask for a new roommate.
I was going to,

but they said I can't switch
in the middle of a semester.

What about your dad?
Can't he do anything
about it?

Yeah. I mean, he's calling
the dean tomorrow.

God, I can't wait
to be out of there.

To off-campus living.

To freedom.

Come on now.
What you want?
Tequila.

Hi.

Hi, Jake.

[distant helicopter approaches]

[siren blaring]

Hello.

Finally! I've been trying to
get ahold of you all morning.

I was just out for a run.
Why? What's going on?

You mean you don't know?

Know what?

[sighs]
Turn on the news.

What channel?
All of them.

Police are not commenting
on possible motives
for this murder,

the first of a student
at this university
in over 15 years.

Again, we are hearing that
Los Angeles University junior

Jordan White,
Laura Wilson's roommate,

is currently in police custody

and being questioned
in connection
with the murder.

Oh, my God.

[Male Reporter #1]
Friends of 20-year-old
Laura Wilson

describe her as an outgoing,
popular student...

[Male Reporter #2]
A junior editor of
the Campus Book Review,

member of
the Model United Nations

and Choral Fellow from
the University Choir...

[Female Reporter #1]
Laura Wilson, a daughter
from a prominent family

with no known enemies.

[Male Reporter #3]
Laura Wilson's body was
found early this morning,

washed up on a Malibu beach.

Fellow students reported
last seeing her at a local bar
not far from campus.

The cause of death
of the 20-year-old student
has not been released,

except that foul play
is suspected.

At this point, police are only
saying that Laura's roommate...

[Male Reporter #4]
Jordan White is
a person of interest

and has not been charged
wiht her murder.

Everybody is
terrorized over here.

Everybody is scared to death.
Did you hear what happened?

I heard Laura Wilson drowned.

Apparently
she was wasted drunk

and decides
to go swimming.

I just can't believe
this happened here.

It's normally so safe.

Tell me again.

Where were you
last night?

I was at the library,
and then I went to get a coffee,

and then I went to
the student lounge to study.

You were gonna study
all night?

I had a test.

Uh-huh.

Now, what about Laura?
Where was she?

Look, I'm tired.

We're all tired!

Answer the question!

She went out.

She went out.

She go alone?

I don't know.

She didn't tell you
where she was going?

No.

Why not?

I thought you two were
really good friends.

Yeah.

Yeah, and then
what did you do?

[Jordan]
I already told you.
I fell asleep.

I woke up around seven.
In the lounge.

You didn't see
anybody else in there,

around, say, five, six?

No.

Are you sure?

Please. I--

I don't want to do this anymore.

I-I didn't do anything.

I know. I understand.

But it's very important.

I already told you everything.

I don't believe you!

Please, I just need a break.

You're gonna get a break,
but you need to tell me
the truth, Jordan.

You need to tell me
the truth.

I already did!

I'll be right back.

Hey, Walker.
Hey, Peter, how are ya?
[coughs]

What'd you think?

This girl ever sleep?

You see the way
her hand was shaking
the whole time?

She must drink ten
cups of coffee every day.

She has no alibi
for the time of death.

And apparently the two
had some kind of argument.

I didn't see
any real remorse.

I mean, it just--
It seemed like an act to me.

Did we ever do a, uh,
a rape test on the victim?

No. There was no sign
of forced intercourse,
so we didn't run one.

Yeah.

Charge her.

Okay.

Humenick writes that
statistics indicate
within a society

in which the certainty
of criminal sanctions
are well known,

the crime rates will what?

Anyone?

Okay.

Anyone wanna talk
about what happened?

You know what? Pack up.
We'll pick this up tomorrow.

Hi.

I'm Detective David Walker
with Homicide.

What can I do for you,
Detective?

I was hoping you might
have a moment.

I'd like to ask you
a couple questions.

So I'm assuming you're here
about Jordan and Laura.

They were
students of yours?

Yes.

Were they good students?

Uh, Laura did
what she needed to get by.

Jordan was definitely
the stronger of the two.

In what way?

Uh, perfect attendance,

completed all
of her assignments,

usually early.

Um, excelled on her tests.

Did she ever explain to you
why she was interested
in your class?

She was a sociology major.
Criminology was
a prerequisite.

But you could say
that her performance
went above and beyond

that of a normal student,
right?

I'm not really sure where
you're going with this.

I'm just trying to get
an understanding of the girl.

You mean, you're trying
to profile your suspect.

No. As of this moment,
she's only a person of interest.

But I hear that you gave her
a letter of recommendation.

Well, I've written letters
for plenty of my students.

I mean, she was--
she was a good student.
What do you want me to say?

Hmm. Okay.

Tell me, would you say
that they were they were
close with one another?

I didn't make my students'
personal lives my business.

Sure, but if there was some sort
of a disagreement or a a fight,

you know, you might have
seen something in class.

I hadn't noticed.
I never saw them much
outside of class.

Why? Was there
something going on?

Well, I talked to a friend
of Laura's, uh...

excuse me...

Hadley.

And she seems
to think so, yeah.

What exactly happened
that night?

Well, according to Hadley,
she and Laura went to this bar,
Doyle's, down by the water.

To freedom. To freedom.

[Nicole]
Yeah. I know a lot of
the students go up there.

Well, apparently Hadley
met a couple of guys,

and Laura wasn't interested.

My car's right out back.

[Walker]
So she left.

And that was it.

No one saw her again
till her body washed up
on shore this morning.

That's just horrible.

If there's anything I can
do to help, really...

I understand.

Well, thank you
so much for your time.
I appreciate it.

Here's my card.

Call me if you think
of anything else, would you?

Nice talkin' to you.

Detective.

Yeah.

I'm sure I'm not
the first person
to say this,

but when I heard
what happened,

heard who you
suspected,

I was shocked.

Jordan is smart, you know.
She's pleasant. She's...

She's not a violent girl,
Detective.

But they never are,
are they, Professor?

[car door closes]

[engine starts]

[sighs]

[TV Reporter]
But despite her reputation,

a double life has begun
to emerge in this light.

A onetime straight-A
scholarship student

whose private, personal
web page is filled with
provocative photos,

chronicles
of promiscuous escapades,

and a fascination
with violent imagery.

The exact motive for
the murder is still uncertain.

However, sources tell us
that investigators are
focusing closely

on Jordan's relationship
with her roommate.

[gasps]
You scared me.

You've hardly said
a word all night.

Sorry.

What's wrong?
Meanwhile
a candlelight vigil--

Did you hear that?

They're already treating her
like she's been found guilty.

...followed by a procession
at the campus student center.

You sure this is about her?

What's that supposed to mean?

Don't you think I recognize
what's going on?

[sighs]
It's not what you think.

Really?
Really.

No. It's about
what's right.

[news report continues]

You have a lot
of students, Nicole.

How well do you
really know her?

Well enough, and I really
can't see her doing
something like this.

You need a break.

[TV turns off]

Come here.

Night.

Love you.

Well, someone didn't get
a lot of sleep last night.

I'm fine.

You're not fine.

You've got enough bags under
your eyes for a family vacation.

Kinda got a lot going on
right now.

You know, with the move
and everything.

Yeah.

Hey, did you read her blog?

Whose?

Jordan. It was all over
the radio on the way in today.

Listen, just because someone
writes a few risque things
doesn't make her a killer.

Wait a minute. You really
don't think she did it?

Look, I don't know,
but I'm willing to give her
the benefit of the doubt.

They can't prove
she was at that bar or
anywhere near the beach.

Just because you're exposed
to somebody in class every day,

you read their writings,
you see their work,

doesn't mean that you know
everything about them.

Exactly, which is why
we should leave these
things up to the courts.

Innocent until
proven guilty, remember?

Yeah, you know that's
not gonna happen.

[cell phone ringing]

[ring]
Hello?

Please hold for a call from the
Los Angeles Metropolitan Jail.

I need to take this.
Just give me a sec.
Okay.

Professor?

Jordan?

I'm sorry. I-I didn't know
who else to call.

It's okay.
Are you okay?

I just need someone to talk to.

I'm not sure
I'm really the right one.

Can you come down here?

What about your parents?

My mom's trying
to catch a bus.

Or your attorney?

I don't think he believes me.

His job isn't to believe you.
His job is protect you.

Please.

I feel so alone here.

Okay. Okay.

Thank you.

Hey, can you sub for me
this afternoon?

I've got something
I need to do.

Only if you tell me
what it is.

I will later, okay?
I promise.

All right.
Better be good.

I owe you.

Better be expensive, too.

Hi.
Hey.

Thank you so much
for coming.

I just-- I needed to see
a friendly face, you know?

They treating you okay?

Yeah, guess so.

Get a chair.

Um, some of the girls in here,

they said that
all the TV stations
are saying that I did it.

Is that true?

I think people are just
trying to make sense

of what's going on,
you know?

Everybody hates me.

No. It's not like that.

What does your lawyer
have to say?

He thinks it's going
to be a tough case,

that there's lots of evidence.

He wants me to make a deal.

Can you believe that?

I'm sure he just doing
what he thinks is in
your best interests.

I'm not going to say
I did something I didn't do
just to make some stupid deal.

Police are saying
they don't believe
your story, Jordan.

Yeah, well, I bet
they left out the part

where they interrogated me
for ten hours.

Straight.

Nothing to eat,
nothing to drink.

They just locked me
in this tiny dark room
and yelled questions at me.

Where was I that night,
and why did I kill Laura.

The same questions
over and over again.

You should've had
a lawyer present.

I know, I know.

You're smarter
than that, Jordan.

I just-- I didn't have
anything to hide.

It's like you always say,
"innocent until proven guilty,"
right?

You don't think
I killed her.

You have to believe me,
I didn't do anything to Laura.

Okay, look, you need to be
honest with me about this.

Was there anything
that came between you two?

What do you mean?
Anything.
An argument, a fight.

Anything that could be
thought of as a motive.

No, I-- Nothing big.
Just roommate stuff.

Look, I read
that book you wrote.

I know you know about
this kind of thing.

I can't legally defend you,
Jordan.

I don't have anyone else
to turn to, okay?

I'm scared.
I need your help.

You know, if you ask me,
they should be looking into
this secret admirer of hers

instead of wasting
their time with me.

What are you talking about?

There was this guy.
He was obsessed with her.

What do you mean, obsessed?

You know, sending flowers,
writing letters,

calling her all the time.

Well, did you tell
the cops about it?

Yeah, of course I did,
but they didn't think
it was such a big deal.

I believe you.

[door opens]

Excuse me.
Who the hell are you?

I'm Nicole Johnson.
I'm her professor.

Can I speak to you
in private, please?

You are not allowed
to interview my client
without my permission.

I wasn't interviewing her.
She just wanted someone
to talk to.

Not when it compromises
the integrity of my defense.

The integrity of your defense?

She says that
you want to cut a deal.

You have no idea what
you're talking about.

No, I know exactly
what I'm talking about.

You don't wanna lose this case.
You think she's guilty.

How dare you.
They practically tortured
the poor girl.

Jordan is not to answer
any more questions
unless I'm present.

Do I make myself clear?

Crystal.

And if I find out
you're talking to my client

without my being present,

I will file
a restraining order.

Yo, Professor!

Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

[John]
Dinner's ready!

Coming!

"In secret we met.
In silence I grieve.

That thy heart could forget.
Thy spirit deceive.

Now that you're single, perhaps
we can finally be together."

A secret admirer, huh?

Nicole,
come downstairs!

You're not hungry?
It's your favorite.

Late lunch.

Hmm.

How was your day?

Found a new method to identify
genes in eukaryotic genomes.

And then I came home to make
my fiance her favorite dinner,

which, apparently,
she no longer likes.

I'm sorry.

I called your office today.
They said you left early.

Is everything okay?

I went to see Jordan.

Why?

She called me.

She called you?

She's scared. She wanted
someone to talk to.

She's a murderer, Nicole.

Alleged.

You really think
she's innocent.

I don't know.

I don't know,
but she was frightened.
Just overwhelmed.

The police sounded
pretty certain they have
the right person.

What if they're wrong?

Look, I know
this is your issue--

Wha-- My issue?

It's not an issue.

Helping Jordan isn't going
to help your brother.

If you really want
to be there for him,
you should visit him

instead of wasting your time
defending some girl
you barely know.

I'm sorry.

[door closes]

[Minister]
And I saw a new heaven
and a new earth.

The first heaven and
the first earth disappeared
and the sea vanished.

He will live with them,
and they shall be his people.

God himself will be with them,
and He will be their God.

He will wipe away all tears
from their eyes.

There will no longer be death

nor grief nor sorrow nor pain,

for the old order of things
has passed away.

Surely we find comfort
in these words

as surely God would have us
find comfort in each other.

What is it?
And as we leave here,

we remember
that there is a god,

and there is a heaven,

and it waits for us all.

[no audible dialogue]

[no audible dialogue]

You okay?

Yeah.

Let's just go.

Hey, Professor Johnson.

Hi.

Thank you.
You're welcome.

Rick.
Yes.

Did you see who sent this?

No.

[line ringing]

[man]
Central Precinct.

Detective Walker, please.

Well?
Well, what?

What do you think?

Don't you think
someone's worried that
I'm looking into this?

Well, I heard her lawyer
wasn't too happy.
[chuckles]

Then there's Laura.
I'm sure she's got
a few friends

that would prefer the killer
stay in prison.

I don't know how you can be
so cavalier about this.

Cavalier?
[laughs]

You do know about
California penal code,
section 422, right?

Yes. Yes. We take threats
very seriously.

But I-I'm not sure what
you're trying to prove here.

We already have a suspect.

Well, what if you're wrong?

What if the real killer
is still out there,

and he's worried
that I'm going to ID him?

We have a case.

I can't just drop it like that.

At least find out
who sent it.

Okay. I'll have the lab

check for prints.

Did you touch it at all,
besides taking it out
of the envelope?

No.
Okay.

Listen, Jordan told me that
she thought Laura had some
mysterious secret admirer.

I saw this guy
at the funeral.

Look, Nicole, I-I really
appreciate your help, I do,

but like I said,
we already have a suspect

in custody.

I don't know how
you can accuse Jordan

without even looking
into the fact

that Laura might have
had a stalker.

Hey, you know what?

I don't have to divulge
anything to you.

You understand?

Believe it or not, you and I,
we both have the same goal.

We both want justice
for the victim.

Look, let me email you
this photo.

Just show it around campus,
see if anyone knows who it is.

Okay. All right.
Sounds like a great idea.

I'll see what I can do.

Yeah. That means no.

No. It means
I'll see what I can do.

Bye. See ya.

Hadley.

Can I talk to you
for a moment?

Hi.
Hi.

Just wondering if I could talk
to you a little bit about
Laura and Jordan.

Uh, I'm late for lit.
That's okay.

I'll walk with you.
Okay.

So what did you
want to know?

Just wondering if you know
anything about Laura
having a secret admirer.

She had lots of admirers.
What difference does it make?

This one seemed
particularly determined,

especially after the breakup
with her boyfriend.

Look. Here's this guy.

I don't know if
there's anything to it.
He's strange.

I saw him at the funeral.
I've seen him again
at the vigil.

I'm just wondering
if he's familiar to you.

Half the junior class
was there.

Look, she was hot.
Guys gave her stuff.
It happens.

Yeah.

You don't think
Jordan did it.

Why are you so sure she did?

Like I told
that Detective Walker,
they hated each other.

Why?

Doesn't matter.

Wait.

Does this have anything
to do with the guy I saw you
fighting with at the funeral?

Hadley, look, I'm just trying
to find out if anyone other than
Jordan might have killed Laura.

Who was he?

Trent.

Laura's ex-boyfriend?

Why were you fighting?
Hadley, please.

She broke up with him
because he slept with
Jordan, all right?

What?

I'm late for class.

Nicole!

What's going on?
You're missing classes,

you're not
checking your messages
or reading your mail.

Dr. Williams has been
looking for you.

I know. I've been busy.

Hey. I know you
better than that.

Ever since I went to see
Jordan, I think someone's
been stalking me.

What?
Yeah.

First at the police station,
then earlier today and--

Nicole...

Did you know Laura
had a secret admirer?

No.

Look at this.

"In secret we met.
In silence I grieve.

That thy heart could forget,
thy spirit deceive."

That mean anything to you?

Yeah. It's a Byron poem.

I teach it in my third year
Romantic Lit course.

Could you find out
who wrote this?

I've had hundreds
of students.
It could be anyone.

Nicole,
I'm worried about you.

Think about
what you're doing here.

Now, I have your
best interests at heart,

and I'm urging you
to let this go.

You have the tenure
coming up.

You have to think about
yourself.

You have to think
about your future.

[sighs]
Oh, all right.

I'll see what I can do.
Ohh...

I owe you one.

You keep saying that.

Trent?

Yeah?

You got a sec?
I'd like to ask you
some questions.

I already talked to the cops for
like eight hours the other day.

I'm not a cop.
I'm a friend of Jordan's.

You know this is
a private beach, right?

What do you want to know?

Do you go to LAU?

I did.

I was wondering if I could
ask you a little bit

about Jordan and Laura.

You mean you want to know
if she killed her.

Apparently you were
pretty friendly
with both of them.

Like I told the cops,
me and Laura, that was over.

Because you slept
with Jordan.

How did Laura find out?

She walked in on us.

Said she was going up
the coast for the weekend,
and we thought we were safe.

Oops.

Someone as popular as Laura,
it must've been tough for you

when she broke up
with you.

Yeah, whatever.

I don't think she stayed up
at night thinking about it.

She had tons of guys,
like this one dude who was...

sending her emails,
writing her letters.

What about you?

You got an alibi
for that night?

Like I told the police,
I was on Catalina.

Moored at Avalon.

You can check the records.

Thanks.

Hey.

You're gonna help her, right?

[car alarm chirps]

[seat belt clicks]

[engine starts]

Hi.

Did you sleep with Trent?

What?

Did you sleep with
Laura's boyfriend?

That's ridiculous.

Well, that's not
what he told me.

You went to see him?

You told me
you two were friends,

that there was nothing
going on between you,

that everything was fine.

I asked you for one thing:
for you to be honest with me.

What else
are you lying about?

Professor, I--
What else?

Do you know what it's like
to have nothing

and to see someone
who has everything?

Money, popularity, friends.

She could have
anything she wanted,

be with anyone she wanted.

Do you think
I wanted to be a nerd?

I worked my butt off
so I could get that scholarship
and get that internship

because I know
that's my only chance
at a real future.

'Cause my dad isn't some,
some Beverly Hills doctor

or investment banker.

He's a manager
at a grocery store.

So there I was,

day after day,
stuck studying

while she's going out
with all these guys.

And one day
she brings home Trent.

And he's rich and cute and--

I just think I could never
get a guy like that.

Never.

But one day he shows
some interest and...

I think maybe this is
my chance, you know?

Maybe for once,
I get the guy.

Me.

I know what it's like
to be lonely,

but can you imagine
how she must've felt?

I know.

And I tried to apologize,
but she wouldn't listen,

and that's the reason
she broke up with Trent.

Were you still seeing him
when she was killed?

I guess.

Did you think this was
going to stay a secret?

It's gonna come out.

And when it does,
they're gonna put Trent
up there on the stand,

and he's gonna talk
all about the nights
you two spent together.

You get it?
'Cause this isn't a game.

This isn't one of
your fantasy blogs that
you put up on the net.

You're smart enough
to know better, Jordan.

Wait, so you're
just gonna leave?

Just like that?

I know what I did was wrong.
I'm sorry, but...

I know I should've told you.

But I knew how this would look.

Me sleeping
with her ex-boyfriend?

I swear to you,
I did not kill Laura.

I worked really hard
to get where I am,
and I'm not just gonna quit.

I-I just need a chance
to prove that I didn't do it,

and you're the only person who
can give me that opportunity.

Ever since I started
taking your class,

you've been more than
a mentor to me.

You've been an inspiration.

Please.

Don't turn your back on me.

I need you.

[alarm blaring]

[alarm turns off]

Okay, Miss Johnson!
I'll send you the bill!

Okay! Thank you!

Tara?

Yes, it's me.

Did you forget
it's girls' night?

I did.

[chuckles]
Sorry.

What's with the alarm?
Oh, nothing.

We're just being cautious.
No big deal.

Hi.
Is everything okay?

Yeah.

Okay. It's your favorite.

Thank you.
Yes.

Come in.

Hey, did you ever find out
anything about that poem?

Oh. This is-- This is
just not healthy.

You know, everybody's
worried about you.
I'm worried about you.

There is a young girl
sitting in jail right now
who very well might be innocent.

Might be.
Right.

But if she is,
then she deserves my help.

I know you think
that helping Jordan

is somehow going
to help make up
for what happened.

Look, I'm cannot sit back
and watch another person's
life be destroyed

for something they didn't do.

Do you know what?
I think I'm just gonna
bow out tonight.

I just want to be alone.

You sure?

All right.

I'm kidding.

Oh, feel better.

Call me later.
Okay.

[door closes]

[alarm blaring]

[Nicole]
John, is that you?

[alarm blaring continues]

[beeping]

[alarm turns off]
Hey, babe.

[gasps]

[beeping]

What's going on?
Oh, my God.
You scared me.

We have an alarm?

Well, I figured
you're not just, you know,
living alone anymore,

and I just felt better
with it. Sorry.
All right.

What happened to Tara?
I thought you guys had
girls' night out.

No. She went home early.

Is everything okay?

Yeah. The noise,
it startled me.

Wha--

Oh, my God.

[horn honks]

Oh, my God.

[tires screeching]

[yelps]

[John]
Look, honey, I can come
right down there.

John, I'm fine. I promise.
The doctor says
it's just a sprain.

Why won't you let me
be there for you?

It's not that.
It's just-- I'm okay.

Really, I am.

I gotta go.

Look, baby,
if you need anything,

please, just let me know.

I know. I love you.

I love you, too.

Am I interrupting?

No, no, no, of course not.

I was just grading
some papers.

Are you okay?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.

I was talking to some
members of the committee,

and they're very eager to
approve your application.

Well, that's great news.

But there's something
we need to talk about.

This business
with Jordan White.

Business?
She's a student here.

Was. As of this morning,

the university has
placed her status
on indefinite hold

and her scholarship's
been rescinded.

She hasn't even had a trial.

The university has
a reputation to consider.

That being said,

it's been brought to
my attention that you've
missed several classes

during the past week,

and that you went
to visit her in the jail.

I'm just, um,
I'm doing some research,

thinking about
writing another book.

Nicole,
I would hate to think

that one of my very best
professors is caught up
on the wrong side

of a particularly
sensitive issue.

I understand.

And given
your current status,

I think it would be
in your best interests

to be a little more
cautious.

Of what?

Your behavior.

Your performance
during the past week

has been disturbing.

Yes, sir.

I expect
you won't be missing
any more classes.

No, I won't.

Then we understand
each other.

[jail door sliding]

[jail door closes]

Hey, Nikki.

It's been awhile.

Yeah, it has.

My appeal was
denied... again.

Max called me.

Look, I want you to know
I don't blame you.

You tried.

Not enough.

Don't be so hard
on yourself.

I just keep thinking
there was someone else
I could have called,

something else I could do.

Nobody's perfect.

Not even you.

Is that why
you stopped visiting?

Stopped writing?

I just feel like
I let you down.

Nicky, listen.

You did everything
you possibly could.

I'm okay with it, really.

The man upstairs,
He's the final judge
on this anyway, okay?

Something else
is bothering you.

There was a murder
at the school.

One of my students was drowned.

The police, they're convinced
that her roommate did it.

This wouldn't have anything
to do with your arm,
now, would it?

Yeah.

I think the real killer
is trying to keep me
from finding the truth.

You know, when you were little,
it was stray dogs and cats.

Now it's felons and murderers.

That's what I always
liked about you, Nikki.

You never judged anyone.

Just the facts.

I wish I could have
been more like you.

Yeah? Well, look at
what good it's doing me.

Here I am in my thirties,

about to lose everything
I've ever worked for,
and for what?

You're still here.

Nikki, listen,
no matter what happened,

no matter what they wrote
about me in the papers,

you always had faith.

Faith in the system,

faith in me.

And it didn't matter
what they did to me here

because I knew in my heart
that you believed in me.

That was always enough
to keep me going.

Now, if this girl
is innocent,

then she's gonna need you
just like I needed you.

You've got to be
strong for her.

Hey.

You cannot give up.

Okay?

[alarm blaring]

John--
Shh.

Someone's in the house.

Call the police.

John, be careful.

[alarm blaring continues]

John!

Baby!

Hey!

Tell the professor
to leave it alone!

Baby! Are you okay?

Yeah. I'm okay.
Oh, my God.

[alarm blaring continues]

[John]
And we heard a noise
downstairs that woke us up.

Who heard
the noise first?

We both did.

And I grabbed a golf club,
went downstairs--
What happened?

Someone broke in.

Were you hurt?

No, no, I'm fine.

Did you get an ID
on this guy?

No. He was too fast.

So you know it was a he.

I heard his voice.

What did he say?

Something about telling
the professor something...

to leave it alone.

So you don't know
what he said exactly?

It just happened too fast.

Okay, we need you to think.

Think about his height,
think about his weight.

I don't know.
Maybe, uh, 6'0", 6'1".

Kinda lanky.

Is there anything
you can do?

Listen, the last thing we need

is you using yourself as bait.

You need to lay low,
you understand?

Yeah.

Meantime, Detective Handey
will be outside in a patrol car

for the rest of the night,
so you're gonna be safe.

Okay.

I'm gonna give you my card.

It's got my cell number on it.

It's on. I'm gonna be up.

Don't hesitate.

Okay.
All right?

You guys try
to take it easy.

Thank you.

Let's go.
Okay.

You're okay, right?
I'm fine, yeah.

Hi.
Hey.

Thanks for the lift.

Sure. Are you okay?

Yeah. The cops were parked
down at the end of the street
all night.

Well, yeah, but I mean
are you okay to teach?
Yeah, I'll be fine.

I just gotta make
a couple of stops real quick.
Okay? Real quick.

A couple? Aw, Nick!

Let me guess.
"I owe you one," right?

I know I owe you
way more than one.

I know.

[squawking]

[Tara] No.
[Nicole]
Yes.

[Tara]
What are we doing here?

I have a theory.
Excuse me!

Sorry, ladies. Bar's closed.

Just a couple of questions.
Real quick, I promise.

Last time a beautiful woman
made me a promise, guess what.

I ended up in this bar.

Listen, were you
working here the night
Laura Wilson was killed?

Oh, God.

Yeah, I was. What about it?

I'm just
one of her professors.

I'm doing a little digging
of my own, that's it.

Professor, huh?

Well, like I told
the cops already,

she, Laura, was here
with her friend.

She'd come in
almost every week.

And like I told them
and now I'm telling you,

that roommate of hers
was not here.

Yeah. No, I've got a bit
of a different theory, though.

What about guys?
Was she with any guys?

Uh, yeah, her boyfriend.
What the hell was his name?

Uh, Travis.
Trent.

Trent, yeah.
But he wasn't here that night.

He's been a ghost lately.
I haven't seen him at all.

Anyone else?
Anyone that would be odd

or stand out or was in here
when she was here or--

Hey, you know,
there was this guy.

He'd come in sometimes
when she was here,

kind of like he was
watching her, yeah.

What'd he look like?

Creepy. Big eyes.

Big hair, messy.

Is that him?

Pretty accurate
description, right?

That's him?

That is him, yeah.

You got a name?

Name? No.

Tips really big, though.

You have a receipt from
that night, anything?

Yeah, I'll find it for you.
Hold on.

Uh, hello, miss.

Do you remember what
that cop said last night,
to lay low?

Don't you see?
If he was here,

that puts them both here
together before the murder.

Right, and while you're
running around investigating,

who's gonna make sure
he doesn't come after you?
That's what you're here for.

Oh! Okay. Okay, well,
I didn't know why
I didn't think of that.

I'm officially involved now.

Here you go, girls.

Jake Harris.

Jake Harris?

Do you know him?

Yeah, he was in my lit class.

Then he knows the poem.
This has got to be him!

But what was he doing
during the time of the murder?

I told the cops none of our
surveillance cameras caught
Jordan White that night.

No, I know.
I'm looking for
someone else.

Okay. What time?

Uh, between
five and seven a.m.

Wait. What's that?

That your guy?

That's him.

Looks like he had
a late night.

What do you think
he was doing all night?

Can you get me
a class schedule
for Jake Harris?

Yeah.

[phone ringing]

Detective Walker.

[Nicole]
Detective,
I know who killed Laura,

and I know
where he is right now.

[male professor]
And so Shakespeare
uses the symbolism

of the green-eyed monster,

which struck he upon himself,

hence the demise of Othello,

predicated on Iago's
destructive jealousy.

All right, class.
Your essay is due
in two weeks.

I expect MLA formatting,
at least three cited sources.

Any questions?

Good luck.
My office hours,

I'm available Tuesday,
but not Thursday.

Please make a note of it.

Excuse me.

See you.

Got a second, Jake?

I know you?

I want to ask you some questions
about Laura Wilson.

Who?

Come on. I know you were
at the bar with her that night.

So I had a drink.
Big deal.

You did more than that,
and you know it.

They have you on the dorm
surveillance coming home.

Like I said,
I was having a drink.

Before 7 a.m.?
Before Laura got killed?

Okay. I knew her.

Okay? We had civics
together last year.

And that night, yeah,
I saw her outside Doyle's.

She wanted to leave,
so I brought her back
to my parents' house.

It's not far from the bar.

And then what happened?

We had sex,
then I passed out.

When I woke up,
the sun was up,
she was gone.

She was gone.

Look, when I found out
what happened that night,
I freaked.

But if it got out
that I was with her,
you know how it'd look.

I know exactly
how it looks.

I know I should've
said something,
but it was just sex.

That's it.

[scoffs]
That's quite a big cut
you've got there.

Yeah, I cut myself
at the gym.

You sure you didn't cut it
breaking into my house?

What?

What really happened,
huh, Jake?

Things didn't go your way?

Be honest with me.
Be straight.
Look!

I would never
do anything to hurt her.

Hey!

Get your hands up!

Is there a problem,
Officer?

Put your hands on your head.

I didn't do anything.

Well, you got nothing
to worry about then, do you?

Jake Harris, you have
the right to remain silent,

Anything you say can and
will be used against you
in a court of law.

You have the right
to an attorney.

If you cannot
afford an attorney,
one will be provided.

I didn't touch her!

[Jake]
Come on!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to thank you all

for coming down here
this afternoon.

I stand before you because some
new evidence has come to light

in the Laura Wilson
murder case.

Without giving
the specific details,

Jordan White is no longer
our primary suspect.

Hey.

Hey.
Hey.

Thank you again
for everything.

You're welcome.

I really meant
what I said.

You've been
an inspiration to me.

Well, I'm glad I could help.

What about Jake?

He's been arrested for
the murder of Laura Wilson.

Did you ever find out
anything about the car?

Could've been stolen.
Who knows?

We haven't found it yet,
but we'll keep looking.

What about school?

Don't worry. I'm gonna talk
to Dr. Williams for you, okay?

Thanks.
[chuckles]

All right, bye.

Wasn't hard.
Yeah.

Bye.
Thanks for the lift.

Hey, Nick.

I just have to say one thing.

You know what I admire
about you?

What?

Your persistence.

You gave that girl a chance

when everybody else was willing
to just throw her away.

Your brother
would be so proud.

You won.

Justice won.

Justice? What's that?
[chuckles]

Hey, promise me that
you're gonna do something
to really relax.

Ohh! All I can think about
right now is a hot bath
and a glass of Pinot.

Ohh! Now you're talking!

Wait a minute.
Why am I not coming with you?

I should be inside.

Good night.

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

Professor.

There's something
that I wanna tell you
about the midterm.

[clears throat]

Never mind.

Oh, my God.

[phone rings]

Detective Walker.
It's Nicole.

I was wrong. She's guilty.
Yeah.

I got the computer
forensics report.

Remember those messages
Jake sent?

We traced the IP address
back to Jordan.

She faked the timestamp
so it looked like he'd been
setting them for weeks.

God! This entire time
she's been playing me.

I'm heading over there now.

I'm on my way there, too.
I'll meet you there.

Nicole,
let us handle this.

Look, I need to do this.

Professor.

We need to talk.
Um...

Can you come back tomorrow?
I'm kinda busy.

No. Now.

Fine.

What's going on,
Professor?

In class, Laura said there
was something she wanted
to talk to me about.

What was it?

What?

Said she wanted to tell me
something about the midterm.

I don't know.

[yawns]
You know, it's late.

Maybe, uh, she wanted
to retake it.

She said she wanted
to tell me something,
not ask me something.

You slept with her boyfriend.

She wanted to get back at you
and get revenge by turning
you in for cheating.

Isn't that right?

If I had failed that test,
they would have pulled
my scholarship,

and then I would have lost
everything I worked for.

You think she
cared about that?

All she cared about
was that her boyfriend
chose me over her.

You honestly thought
you'd get away with it,
didn't you?

Get away with what?

Why are you even here?

The case is closed.

The killer's in custody.

You mean Jake.

You saw his emails.
He was crazy about her.

Except there's
one little problem.

What?

Computer forensics
said they didn't come
from Jake's computer.

You really thought
you were clever enough
to outsmart the system.

But you know what?
You got sloppy.

'Cause those messages
were sent from right there.

You have no idea
what you're talking about.

You faked those messages.

You knew they were
together that night,

and you waited for her
to leave Jake's parents' house,

and then you had
the perfect opportunity
to kill her.

You even had Trent follow me
to make me think the real
killer was still out there.

Hey, baby.

Tell me, would you
have thought of it?

It's like you always say:

The criminal justice system
can never be perfect.

Right?

[scoffs]

You should have more faith.

Freeze!

Trent!
Stop right there!

Hands behind your head!

[Trent]
I didn't kill her!
It was Jordan!

[car door closes]

[engine starts]

She looked me in the eye,
and I believed everything
she told me.

I mean, what she did...

I don't want to believe
people can do something
like that, you know?

Ah, don't worry.
Everything will
get sorted out.

Yeah. Innocent kid
almost went to prison.

Let me tell you something.

You know, when I first
started this job,

I was disgusted by what
someone could actually do

to another
living human being.

There's too many people
out there that need someone
like you looking after them.

Thank you.

Detective, there's a guy
sitting up at Corcoran.

He's innocent.

If you get a minute sometime,
maybe we could discuss his case.

You come down the office
and, uh...

I'll see what I can do.

[chuckles]

Thanks.

Take care.

You're fidgeting.

I'm nervous.

Don't worry.

[laughs]

Oh!

Congratulations, Professor.

Thank you.

Hi, John.

Hi.
Hey.

I heard the judge granted
your brother another appeal.
Yeah.

And I think this time,
it's going to happen.

That's because
he's so lucky to have
a sister like you.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen,
good afternoon, everyone.

I'm extremely pleased
to see that we could
all gather here today

to acknowledge
one of the most tenacious

and bravest members
of our faculty...

tenured professor
Nicole Johnson.

Whoo!
Yeah!

Professor Johnson,
we salute you.

[Cyndi]
Cheers!

Thank you.
Congratulations.

Thank you so much.

Oh, my God.

I don't even know what to say.
Thank you so much.

Thank you, Cyndi.

[laughter]