Original subtitles

-Thanks. -Mm-hmm.

Wow, this can't be from the break room.

Eh, that's the least I can do for you helping me out.

Something tells me you're not getting that type of hospitality

from your partner anymore.

The only time I've seen Malone friendly,

let alone "offering me coffee" friendly,

is when he wants something.

And I got to admit, he's been pretty talkative tonight.

Volunteering information about his "inheritance"?

He's just stressing that you out here trying to win

- a Pulitzer at his expense. - Oof, that's me,

the bottom-feeder journalist spinning hype

about the poor innocent detective.

How nervous was he?

It's the first time that the untouchable

Detective Malone is absolutely shook.

Thank God.

Okay, I'm here. What couldn't wait?

It took you long enough.

Keesha and I were in the middle of a Wickedsing-along.

It would've been a major vibe killer

to leave before "Defying Gravity."

So you left me waiting and worried while you...

I called you and said, "Come straight home."

Yeah, with zero context.

- What's the emergency anyway? - There is no emergency.

Plans change. You're here tonight.

Uh, what? But you knew Keesha and I

had planned this sleepover for over a week.

Don't waste your breath.

Pop is just bugging because I had someone over for chess.

What's that got to do with me?

Nothing.

If you ask me, Pop's just overreacting.

What the hell? This ain't no arrest.

Randy.

Randy, Randy, Randy, Randy.

Do you remember when you first came in here?

I gave you a job when no one else would even look at you.

I remember, Joey. I can explain.

I started you counting chips in the back,

but that really wasn't good enough.

So, I moved you up because I thought you were smart.

And because I thought you believed

in what we were trying to build here.

I also thought you knew how to keep your eyes open

and your mouth shut.

So, Randy.

Just when did you start thinking you were smarter than me?

Boss, listen,

I just need a little something for a fresh start, okay?

I was gonna pay you back with interest.

You hear that, Marcel?

Our boy was gonna pay me back.

Where did you find him again?

International terminal with a ticket to Bali.

Bali. I hear Bali's nice.

Paradise on Earth.

Cliffside beaches. Nice jungle vibe.

And non-extradition laws.

The perfect place to spend someone else's ten grand.

So what was the plan, Randy?

You were gonna lay low in a cheap hotel

and then sneak back into the country

after I forgot about you?

As if I could do that.

After you'd lied to me.

Stolen from me.

- Boss, please. - I bet you only packed

for warm weather, didn't you?

Well, that's too bad.

Gets cold where you're going.

I don't mean to state the obvious,

but Dani Dupree's been burning a hole through you

for the past few minutes.

Just ignore her.

I'm sure she's fine.

- Okay. - Well, isn't this a surprise?

Yeah, you're telling me.

Uh... Dani, why don't you join us?

One step ahead of you as always, darling.

Although, I do appreciate the invitation.

I hope I'm not interrupting what seems to be

such wholesome entertainment.

Actually, um, we were kind of in the middle of something,

and we were having a wonderful time.

Weren't we, Andre?

I must admit, I am surprised to see you two together.

- Mm? - Is this a new development?

We've been cool since I got back. - Tonight's the first

- night out together. -Ooh...

Seems like there's some ambiguity

in what we're witnessing here.

No, there's nothing ambiguous about it.

Friends with benefits, then.

- Not exactly. - Definitely friends...

Forgive me.

I'm just trying to keep up.

You, you're newly single,

but you,

you are known as the king of the revolving door.

Famous for having a lady in every zip code.

So, does that mean that Ashley

is just another pit stop on your map?

Huh.

Keesha's mom just texted me

asking if everything's all right.

What am I supposed to say?

Sorry, my brother played chess with the wrong person,

- so now I'm on lockdown? - Yo, don't put this on me.

It's not my fault Pop is handing out punishments for nothing.

Listen, no one is on punishment. I'm just not taking any chances.

This is Keesha we're talking about here.

You've known her and her family since middle school.

Watch out, sis. They could be running a...

a underground chess ring on the low.

We might have to call the Feds for this one.

Enough. Look, there's some things you don't understand.

As a congressman, I have to push for funding and incentives

that people don't care for,

which makes me a target.

And add on the fact that I'm openly gay and Black,

and the numbers of threats increase.

Threats your dad and I don't want to share with you.

Is that what's happening? Is someone threatening you?

I'm just trying to explain why we have to be careful.

And why you shouldn't invite strangers into our home.

I told you, he wasn't just some rando from off the street.

I thought you and Dad was gonna be home...

Enough.

I don't have to explain myself.

How is any of this fair?

It's not. Dad's just being helicopter parent.

They grow up so fast.

One minute they're home safe, and then the next...

Hello. Earth to Pop. Are-are you even listening?

It's my job to keep you guys safe. Both of you.

There's no need for an explanation.

Man, talk about coming at you from all angles.

First, my pops is playing defense,

telling me to watch out for you.

Well, like you said, it could just be

the chief protecting his people.

Yeah, but then Marcel comes at me with the same exact play.

Make it make sense.

Yeah, they're running interference.

Thinking they're protecting you from the journalist

who's threatening the brotherhood.

But that's what got me heated the most.

It's like Marcel was-- is abusing

my dad's trust for his own gain.

- And when you say gain...? - What's a crooked cop going for these days?

And how dirty of a deed do you have to do

to stack that much paper?

That is the half-a-million-dollar question.

I got to admit, I wasn't expecting him to go there

when he said you hacked his accounts.

But, obviously, he felt that defense was the best offense.

But it's crazy because he knew the exact two deposits

that you were referring to,

and he admitted that it would make him look bad.

And he had a story for each that we couldn't verify.

See, that's the thing about corrupt cops.

They always underestimate us journalists.

Well, not anymore.

Not since you left those breadcrumbs in his accounts.

I knew that Marcel was gonna figure out he was hacked.

I wanted him to know it was me.

You played him like a fiddle. Damn, man.

Yeah. See, that's the thing.

When people feel like their secrets are slipping,

that's when their mask starts to crack.

That's how you know you're getting close.

But we can't forget one thing.

What's that?

That something big happened two years ago.

This isn't about some cop on the take.

Something so heavy happened

that someone paid a fortune to make everybody forget about it.

On my mama, Joey, I-I was gonna make this up to you, okay?

You know how I do. I just needed a little...

A fresh start. A stake. Blah, blah, blah.

Don't insult my intelligence.

Especially when we haven't even talked about your original sin.

There's a man walking around out there on borrowed time.

Time that you were supposed to make short.

I tried, okay? I shot him, he went down.

I was gonna make sure and shoot him again,

but the gun jammed.

The gun that you gave me, Joey, so I don't know what happened.

Next thing I know, he's up and running,

and I'm pretty sure I nicked him.

Anyway, he's in the wind.

So, you took the money.

Because I knew I blew it.

A-And I knew you'd be mad.

Even knowing that, I...

I came back to look you in your eye and tell you the truth.

Like that story about the witness.

Okay. I lied.

Because I was scared. I figured if you sent me out of town, I...

that would buy me enough time

to figure out how to make this right.

By running with my money?

$10K, Joey? You doing all this to me for $10K?

'Cause that's all I took from the bag.

Just enough to get away for a little while

until I figure out how to make it up to you.

Everything you have ever asked me to do,

I've handled.

No hesitation.

I didn't flinch. I didn't blink.

Until this.

I messed up.

So, you admit that you're useless to me.

Marcel, tell me again what we do with toys

that are no longer useful.

I swear. Okay? I can fix this.

I will find him. I will finish this. I promise.

Well, look who just grew a pair.

Sorry, Randy.

That ship has sailed.

You had your chance.

And you know you don't get another one.

My kid?

He and his mother have nothing to fear from me.

So what are you and...

Temu Shaft over here gonna do with me now?

Randy, you know I don't get my hands dirty.

That's what Detective Malone is for.

Time to go.

- You good? - Both of you need to get

the hell out of here right now.

Interesting hospitality, Joey.

Usually, when I find you entertaining after hours,

the guns stay holstered.

You both need to listen to the man. Walk away.

That's Detective Malone, right? Your poker buddy.

Funny, I, I don't see any poker chips anywhere.

Tell me something, Detective.

What does Internal Affairs have to say

- about your moonlighting gig? - You're gonna want to watch...

Malone. Give us the room.

You heard the man.

I know the house always wins,

but Randy's had my back since day one,

and I'm here to return the favor.

Unless the favor becomes more trouble than it's worth.

You two need to mind your own damn business.

You have no idea what you're stepping into.

Oh, we have enough.

We saw Randy spooked, so we tailed him to the airport.

Next thing we know, your enforcer

brings him back here at gunpoint.

That makes it our business.

We don't get to go anywhere.

Like, not even to kick it with friends that you already know.

We're grounded, but we didn't do anything wrong.

That's barbaric.

This is not about being grounded.

- That's not what this is. - It sure looks like it, though.

It's about being safe and you guys understanding

that, in this house, in this family,

we have to be more careful.

What else do I have to do to be more careful?

I always text you and Dad where I'm going,

who I'm with, and when I'll be back.

I text you if plans change. I even keep the family finder on.

Keesha and I were gonna, you know, do facials

and order in Ethiopian or wings with Mumbo sauce.

You can do all of that here,

and you can see your friends at school.

It's summer vacation. There is no school.

Are you straight, Pops? Because you're acting weird.

Of course I'm straight. I'm just making sure you both are.

I mean, you guys are on social media.

You see what's happening out there.

The world is getting harder and darker.

Wait, aren't you supposed to be the positive,

"anything is possible" guy?

And that goes for negative, too. That's why I want you home.

- For how long? - Until I let you know.

That's crazy. This is not like you and Dad at all.

You're really starting to scare us.

Yeah, like, is there something we need to be worried about?

All I'm saying is that I know you're good kids,

but sometimes being good is just...

It won't keep you safe.

Now please give your father some peace. Please.

I can't prove anything yet, but I am not gonna let this go.

That's what makes you a dangerous reporter.

Now that you've been warned by the chief and your partner,

are you still in this?

Let's break it down.

Okay.

All right. Um, well, we'll start

with that five grand that he claims are winnings

from the sting operation at Armstrong's casino.

Yeah, I would've bought that if I didn't actually see

Joey Armstrong hand Marcel an envelope full of cash.

Well, and the five grand alone could paint him as a dirty cop,

but then there's the half a million.

I mean, that is life-changing money.

Hence why he's got one foot out of the door

with his retirement plans.

And that brings up the timing, too,

because this all links back to the night that Martin came home

looking like he'd seen a ghost.

Well, have you tried just asking him straight up?

Every chance I get,

but I-I keep on hitting this wall.

He keeps on feeding me this story

about how he got a flat tire with Vernon.

And then you have Vernon defend Malone at his I.A. hearing?

It's not adding up, is it?

I wonder...

That night two years ago...

I mean, was Malone even here? Did anybody even see him?

Are you calling up Malone's personnel records?

Nah, he could've doctored his, so I'm calling up mine.

- Okay. - And looking at the calendar.

It's a long shot, but maybe...

You see anything that stands out?

Well, not the day that Malone made the deposits,

but the day before.

That's the day I took my detective exam.

And it was a work day, so I still had to work,

so I was here late.

Okay. Do you remember seeing Malone?

No, I...

Yo, hold up.

Well, I'd be lying if I said that I've been a monk

since I've been back.

But actually there was someone.

Yeah, uh, someone who I thought could be something real.

Or at least it could've been.

But this woman-- she kept her foot in the past

and she didn't know what she wanted.

She made me nothing more than

her little side plot in her story.

- Oh. - Yeah.

Well, paint us a picture.

What drew your wandering lens to this woman? What was she like?

Funny you should ask. She's a lot like you, actually.

Yeah, main character energy always.

She runs through people's lives

like she's the only one who matters.

Do I know her?

Who she is isn't important.

On the contrary.

I think she sounds absolutely riveting.

- Well, yes and no. - Excuse you.

Well, I just think that anyone

who had a shot with someone this genuine and...

let it slip through their fingers is crazy.

Valid point.

This woman clearly needs her head examined.

Calling this woman "crazy," I wouldn't go that far.

When someone's been burned before,

I can understand how certain feelings stay around.

- For a while, at least. - But don't you think that she just...

No, why don't you enlighten us, dear Andre?

What was this woman's cardinal sin?

How did she fail to meet

the exacting eye of Andre Richardson,

globe-trotting photographer to the stars?

I try not to judge anybody's journey,

- but consistency matters. -Does it now?

Yes, it does.

It helps you know where you stand.

And if someone is gonna hold out a torch for their ex,

at least be real about it, you know?

Especially since we all can see the smoke signals anyway.

That's an interesting perspective.

- Yeah. - Or there may be another angle.

Enlighten us.

Now, I don't know this woman personally,

- so I'm just theorizing. - Right.

But maybe the problem wasn't her torch.

Maybe you just weren't worth keeping it lit for.

As you've already pointed out,

I've got options, and my references are impeccable.

I never leave a lady unsatisfied.

Except for one, apparently.

Vanessa, take your husband and go.

You never seemed to mind my company before.

What happened to that charming man

who always had time for a drink?

Does potential homicide make you antisocial?

- Vanessa. - What?

I'm just calling the scene as I see it.

My husband's closest friend looks like death warmed over.

Your pet cop delivering him to you at gunpoint.

What's the next act?

A midnight swim in concrete shoes?

That's how it works in the movies, right?

Maybe you shouldn't antagonize the man.

Maybe you should listen to your husband and hear me.

This conversation is over.

You know what? You're right.

No more talk needed. We're leaving.

- Wise choice. - And we're taking Randy with us.

We're gonna head upstairs. Got some shows to catch up on.

- I'll check on you later. - Dang, Pop.

You act like we finna jump out the window or something.

He was just playing. Promise.

Read the room, bro.

You know,

for me,

this thing with Martin is everything.

My husband's in danger.

We don't know that for sure.

Really? He's walking around, having nightmares

that are eating at him,

and I can't even get him to admit they exist.

But if you want to pull back...

I didn't say that.

I need these answers, too. More than you know.

Okay.

Well, we should at least call it quits for tonight.

It's getting late, and I don't want Naomi to blame me

for you not being home at a reasonable time.

Yeah.

And...

Jacob, I just...

I want to say I appreciate you having my back on this.

I wouldn't be able to crack this without you.

The feeling's mutual.

But hang on.

Earlier, you said if Martin was mixed up in anything,

you'd keep quiet?

I know we're together on this, but yeah.

Protecting him would have to come first.

I just needed to hear it out loud.

- Night, partner. - Night.

You good, son?

Well, look at you strutting in here like you own the place,

playing lady protector.

Well, playtime is over.

It's time for you both to get back behind those gates

where you belong.

I hear the country club has a hell of a wine list.

It does, but you know it's not that simple anymore, Joey.

Doug, it's time for you to check your woman

before this gets ugly.

That's not how we operate.

Besides, there's no forcing my wife to do anything.

You're aware how focused and determined I can be.

Qualities I usually admire but not in this situation.

Then we'll get out of your way.

But Randy walks with us, or else things will get complicated.

Mm, that ship has sailed. Maybe even sunk.

Think carefully, Joey.

Our arrangement has been mutually beneficial.

It'd be a shame to throw it all away.

You are playing a dangerous game.

And you're not? You have a lot to gain,

but if you harm Randy, it not only could inconvenience you

in a number of ways, it could cost you.

Weighing the odds,

isn't it better for you if Randy disappears?

- Just what I had in mind. - In my mind,

he remains perfectly healthy but is removed from your domain.

You won't have him followed, tracked down,

or most importantly, harmed in any way.

And in exchange he'll promise to stay gone, won't you, Randy?

I swear it.

And Doug will make sure of it. Right, Doug?

You can count on it.

And what if I refuse?

Then I walk. Permanently.

Something eating at you, son?

Nah, nah, I'm just, I'm just beat.

You sure? You look more stressed

than that time you were playing ball in the house

and cracked your mama's Boyz II Men collection.

Yo, Chief, hold up.

I just crushed the detective exam.

Chief-- I mean, Dad.

About this whole Smitty investigating Malone thing.

Let me guess. Couldn't leave it be, could you?

You know how I move.

I can't take something like this lightly.

You're the standard I measure against.

You're the kind of cop I want to become.

Yeah, and you're already making me proud, son.

In ways I can't even explain.

Look, the thing is,

Smitty dug up proof of some crazy deposits

into Malone's account, and one was from two years ago.

I told you this reporter is on a witch hunt,

so why are we even talking about this?

Because I don't think he is.

Something major went down around the same time

that Malone deposited $500,000 cash into his account.

- Cash, Dad. - So are you saying there's no explanation for it?

Yeah, he said something about

his sister sharing an inheritance

from selling their family property.

Okay, well that's easy enough to confirm.

Yeah, but apparently his sister

was involved in some kind of untraceable cash deal.

And now the sister's dead,

so now the transaction can't even be verified.

So, then, what exactly are you asking me, son?

Look, I think Marcel thinks this thing will be buried forever.

But Smitty is like a pit bull with a bone.

So I guess what I'm really asking is,

do you know what he'll find?

SMITTY: Martin.

What do we got here?

Let's see what color's your money.

- Thank you, gentlemen. -Martin.

Get him the hell out of here.

Martin!

You're home. You're safe.

I've got you.

Okay?

Okay, as fascinating as this is to hear, I...

You think so, too?

Please, please, then regale us with your wide-eyed wisdom.

Which side of the fence do you fall on?

The side with my bed on it.

I don't mean to be rude, Dani, but we were here for a while

before you showed up, and I think

it's time to call it a night.

I've got an early shift tomorrow.

- Oh... - Yeah, I'm sorry. Um, my bad.

I shouldn't have let that drag on so long.

It's okay. I'm just gonna go freshen up, and then we can go?

-Yeah. Yeah. - Okay.

Okay.

She's absolutely precious, Andre.

Like a little baby deer finding its footing in the forest.

How nice of you. How charitable

to offer your mentorship

to someone so naive and impressionable.

Okay, can you drop the performance now, Dani?

- I'm not entertained. - Oh, you're not? Well, what, then?

- You're seething. - Me?

- Yeah. - Jealous? Of her?

No, no, no, no. If anything, I'm just experiencing

secondhand embarrassment from this narrative

that you're creating.

The anger isn't for me, Dani.

You're furious because you finally realized

what you so carelessly lost.

What you threw away.

Oh, my God. If only I had known.

If only someone explained to me the-the absolute privilege

of catching the eye of legendary lothario Andre Richardson,

well, I-I-I would have lit candles,

I would have been praying prayers of gratitude

that you even deigned to notice little old me.

Are you finished yet?

If-if not, I-I'd like to be done and move on.

Done? Oh, darling, you know me.

I'm just warming up.

Dani...

Look, I'm not saying that you have to be grateful.

All right? But you could at least be honest for once.

Honestly, this conversation is starting to bore me.

Like I apparently bored you.

You entice me. All right?

I give you that, and you challenge me.

- You confuse me, annoy me. - Hurt you?

- Avoiding that. - As am I.

What you don't do is bore me. All right?

That's not what this back-and-forth is about.

Then what?

It's about intention, Dani.

Either you want what we have or you don't.

Either you're defending us to Nicole,

or you're running every time Bill Hamilton snaps his fingers.

- Which one is it gonna be? - Both.

Or neither.

Life isn't that simple, Andre.

And maybe that's what you couldn't handle.

Maybe that's why you ran off to someone so basic,

she makes vanilla seem spicy.

I swear to God, I've never met someone like you in my life.

And you won't either. Not as long as you're chasing

after barely postpubescent nurses

who still get carded at happy hour.

Oh, I'm sorry. Are we talking about nurses now?

Randy.

I'm tired of seeing your face. Get the hell out of here.

Really?

I have a long memory when it comes to someone

who did me a solid.

You turned me on to my wife cheating with that dealer.

And that's gonna buy you your life.

For now.

Randy.

Wherever you end up,

count your blessings.

Every single one.

Vanessa.

Yes?

You stay.

Why do you think I know what Smitty might find?

I mean, two years is a long time, son,

and plus memories get fuzzy, especially at this age.

I'm talking about one specific night.

That memory is crystal clear to me

because I've just taken the detective's exam.

Oh, that night.

It was a proud day for us both.

Was it?

Because there's something else I remember that night.

Something that wasn't clear to me then

but is becoming clear to me tonight.

I wanted to get out of here that night.

Go home and celebrate with Naomi.

But I was stuck here working, doing grunt work, you know?

And then, all of a sudden,

that's when you came running through here

like the devil was on you.

Yo, Chief, hold up.

I tried calling out to you,

but it's like you didn't hear me.

Why would something that small stick with you?

Because you were in street clothes, Pops.

That was strange to me.

Not even the chief of police himself

would be caught dead at work not looking the part.

And, look, that was the same night that Smitty said Martin

came home in different clothes than he left the house with.

And then he started feeding him some BS about changing a tire.

These puzzle pieces are adding up to something ugly.

Something that's got a sitting U.S. congressman

having nightmares years after.

You're home, you're safe.

Where's that report?

- I-I know I put it somewhere. - Before you dozed off?

That wasn't dozing off, Martin. That was the nightmare.

Again, the same one that's been haunting you.

Please. I'm begging you, Smitty, please.

Not now.

No more smoke screens.

No more hiding behind paperwork or politics.

Something happened that night.

Something that is breaking the man I love apart piece by piece.

We don't have to do this tonight.

We should have done this months ago.

You want to tell me why you were laying down

with a weapon by your side?

I can't help you carry this burden

if you leave me in the dark.

Even if it turns out...

Even if what?

Everything this badge means to me,

every principle I stand on,

that's you.

You taught me that justice doesn't care about convenience.

That standing on what matters

has to mean more than standing by your people.

Even if it costs you.

So I'm-a ask you one more time, Pops.

What happened that night?

If this is worse than anything I imagined...

If you did something, you need to tell me.

Tell me.

I can't.

Yes, you can.

You have to.

Babe, tell me,

so we can face this.

Together.

Please.

You've got to trust me,

before whatever this is ruins us both.

As much as I hate to cut this conversation short,

are you ready to go?

Uh, yeah. Check's been taken care of.

Sorry. Let's bounce.

Dani, do you want us to drive you?

You need a ride?

Oh, no. Don't trouble yourself, darling.

I think I'll stay here and have a nightcap, huh?

Then I can toast my empty house.

My empty bed. My empty life.

- Well, that sounds dour. - No. It's fine, really.

When you've lived as long as I have, you get used to it.

Youth is fleeting, huh?

You kids have fun.

We will.

- Shall we? -Yeah.

Look, I'm sorry.

No, it's okay. You don't have to apologize.

Her, on the other hand...

It's okay, Doug. I'll see you at home.

Are you sure that's wise?

Joey's not exactly known for his forgiveness.

Then it's a good thing I'm not asking for any.

- Vanessa. - It's fine.

Really.

Come on, man. Let's go grab a beer.

Something tells me we might need one.

Or ten.

- Is there a problem between us? - Yes.

The problem is you.

The way you stick your nose into my business.

I thought we were in business together.

A business. Not this one.

Do you have any idea the risks you just took?

The lines you just crossed?

Maybe you should tell me and make it crystal clear.

Draw me a map of all these lines I shouldn't cross.

I think it's clear enough.

Would I be standing here if it was?

- Don't. - Don't what?

Or am I supposed to guess?

Don't ever do that again.

Sage advice, but you know I probably will anyway.

You drive me crazy, you know that?

How crazy exactly?

Dad.

Son, what I'm about to say...

Martin.

This isn't easy...

...because I think you're becoming a fine detective.

The way you chase justice

like it's the air you need to breathe.

But you want to know how all this adds up,

and the simple answer is...

...it doesn't.

I love you so much.

And I know I keep things locked away,

but, baby, you have to understand,

if I'm holding back,

it's not because I'm scared you might think less of me.

It's because I want to...

I need to protect our family.

Our future.

Your passion for justice is blinding you.

You're seeing conspiracies and coincidences.

I mean, patterns of chaos.

No proof, nothing concrete.

I'm sorry, Jacob.

I can't tell you anything

'cause there's simply nothing to tell.

You believe me, don't you?

I believe that you think you're protecting me.

And I'm telling you that's the wrong move.

You need to be honest with me.

My advice?

Let the ghosts rest.

Stick to your assigned cases that you can solve.

No more manufacturing crimes that don't exist.

You understand?

Whatever you say, Pops.

That's my boy.

It's been a day.

You have no idea how tired I am.

And I...

I just can't.

Yeah.

Yeah, it is late.

Maybe we can talk about it in the morning?

Yeah.

Maybe.

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