Original subtitles

Hi, I'm Viola January. I would like to

discuss my wrongfully convicted client.

Um, Mr. Prosecutor, I'm here today in

hopes that I can...

Viola January, corporate

attorney at Thomas Fairby Spate, but I'm

not here on behalf of the firm. Renaldo

Lee Jones is a pro bono client of mine

who you prosecuted for the kidnapping of

Trisha Norfleet. And you don't have an

appointment?That is correct, but I was

hoping that we could discuss some

possible options for my client since he's

been incarcerated for the past three

months. And a body of a black woman was

found cuffed at Peachdale Lake with

police-issued handcuffs. A white van was

seen leaving the area and Trisha Norfleet

was also abducted at Peachdale Lake bound

with police-issued handcuffs. You can't

possibly be serious. There was several

issues with the original conviction, the

main one being there was no DNA tying my

client to the victim or the crime scene.

I mean, we're talking a violent

abduction, a struggle, and there was

no DNA deposited by my client. I mean,

how is that even possible?He was

identified in a police lineup and he

confessed. Case closed.

Sit.

Your spark is notable, but you are way

out of line here. And you barely look

like you're old enough to drink. I'm 27.

I've been out of law school for two

years, and I like my whiskey neat. Sir.

Well, at least we have that in common.

And what firm did you say that you work

with again?Thomas Fairby and Spate, but

I'm not here on behalf of the firm. I

understand that. And at the same time, I

know Letitia Thomas, and I can guarantee

you she doesn't know that you're here

ambushing the prosecutor about a criminal

case. She does not. Right. So here's how

this conversation ends. Even if I was

inclined to negotiate, which I am not. I

would reject your request on procedural

grounds, because unless you have any new

evidence-- I'm working on that.

Without any new evidence that you have

presented through the courts, there is

nothing to negotiate because you didn't

file an appeal or motion for a new trial

within 90 days of the conviction. But,

sir, this is the 91st day.

Hey. What are you drinking?Brain broth,

jitter juice. How much long are you gonna

be up there?Not too much longer.

So why are you drinking coffee and it's

dark?Because I don't like cream. You know

what I'm talking about. You still at the

office, and I'm at home with my bathrobe

and slippers. And you have probably been

in that all day. The

trappings of having your own firm in the

crib. And you're getting that fat

corporate check while I'm getting

dumbasses offered to totally conduct. No,

she didn't say dumbassesYes, I really

did. Had one today who'd been missing for

two weeks and nobody knew where he was,

so he posted on TikTok that he was hiding

at his house from the police. Stayed on

time, though. Girl, bye. Text me when you

may go home, OK?I will.

Oh, fuck you scared the shit out of me.

I mean, I'm sorry, Letitia. I thought

everybody was gone. I was, but I had

to come back to get some files. Right.

Um, I did just want to go on

record saying my volunteer work is

strictly after business hours. I've seen

many a good lawyer never reach their

potential because they allow their heart

to get in the way of the work. Billable

hours. That's how you make partner. And

that should be every attorney's goal. And

that's why I hired you, because I expect

you to be here for a while. Thank you.

Well, I'm gonna wrap up soon, but I will

see you bright and early in the morning.

Okay.

Missed you.

Look behind you.

Are you stalking me, Detective?On the

contrary. I'm just keeping an eye on you,

making sure you're safe. It is not your

responsibility to keep me safe. You're

still carrying, right?I am. Good. You

gotta upgrade from that little cap gun,

though. It's cute. I like it. That's all

that matters. Besides, you said being

comfortable was more important than

stopping power. touché.

And can I get some credit for teaching

you how to shoot?I'm not stroking your

ego tonight, Will. It's been a long day.

How about dinner, then?On me. And we are

not a couple anymore, so we're not going

to be acting like one. We're exes for a

reason. Okay, but know this. What you're

looking for is often hiding in plain

sight. And talking cute will get you

nowhere, Will. It's the thought that

counts. Good night, Will.

Viola?Not to be

confused with violin.

How are things?

How are things?I don't know

how I'm gonna do no 10 years. Barely

made it these last three months.

Reminds me of me at that age.

Ronaldo, open this goddamn door! I'll

never forget what it feels like to be

passed around.

I don't know how a mother...

can do something like that.

I'm sorry that happened to you, and I'm

sorry you're in here. But something you

can't do is give up hope. 'Cause without

hope, all you got left is despair.

So you a philosopher now, huhMm, a little

something. I've been called worse.

Look, we're too early in this fight for

you to give up. I haven't given up.

'Cause I know I ain't do what they got me

in here for.

Just sorry that I said I did. And I'm

gonna move to have that confession

tossed. It still baffles me your previous

counsel didn't challenge it on the merits

in the first place. You slinging hope.

Well, I hope you can deliver on these

promises. I don't make promises, but I

wouldn't be in here if I didn't think I

could help you. Can I

be real with you?Of course.

Your brother... getting

locked up for something he ain't do, and

then getting murked before he gets up.

It terrifies me.

And that's why I'm gonna do everything in

my power to make sure that doesn't happen

to you. Visitation time is up.

Keep your head up.

Viola January. You know it.

Ain't the perfect man, all your problems

go away. And since the perfect man

doesn't exist, all of our problems

invariably stay. Ooh

Okay, boys. See, you didn't know I was a

rapper. I'm a rapper, huhA rapper.

So what's your strategy?Get Mr. Pro

Bono off. The prosecutor says I need new

evidence, so I am waiting on

a forensic report for his phone and a

selfie he took.

I'm just looking at everything again,

making sure I'm not missing anything

hiding in plain sight.

You must be Viola January?What a

lovely name. It's actually pronounced

like the instrument.

Viola. I'm sorry,

go on in. It happens all the time.

So, you must be here to discuss

a small business loan. Actually... I'm

an attorney. I'm not

sure if you know that the police found

the body of a black woman at Peachdale

Lake. And Renato Lee

Jones has been incarcerated for the past

three months. I'm not sure who sent you

here, but you need to leave. Tricia, I--

You don't know me, so don't

say my name. I'm

sorry. No one sent me.

I'm here because I believe the person who

abducted you is still out there. You got

some nerve coming to my job

saying this. How did you

find me, anyway?Renaldo Jones is my

client, so I have access to the case

files. If you don't

leave, I am calling security. I'll

leave. But the body that was found was

bound with police-issued handcuffs, just

like you were.

Hello?Meet me at the egg panel on

Peachtree tomorrow morning at 7:00, if

you want to talk.

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.

I'm sure this is a lot for you to deal

with emotionally. I felt violated when

you showed up at my job like that. I'm

sorry. Really. And

I'm only here because I felt some kind of

way after you said that woman was picked

up from the same park I was and

handcuffed. There's no way that wasn't

him. I picked that man out of a police

lineup. I'm not crazy.

Sometimes police lineups are unreliable,

and that has nothing to do with you. You

survived a life-threatening, highly

emotional situation,

and the policemen take advantage of that.

The truth is, if I'm right,

more black women are going to end up

missing or dead.

Did the detective point out anyone in the

lineup or tell you to take your time when

you lingered on someone or anything like

that?

That makes it easy to pick an innocent

person out of a lineup. I saw

the evil in his eyes.

What's wrong?I constantly feel the

cuffs. And I will

never forget the smell.

What smell?The van. It smelled

like paint, chemicals, and death.

Pretty woman like you shouldn't be out

here alone.

Who's going to get you?Hey, man, shut

your bitch ass up and leave that woman

alone.

You all right?I'm fine. I'm fine. I gotta

get going. Right, and you just got

rolled up on by a complete stranger.

Everybody out here ain't crazy like that.

Well, that was kind of you to step in and

help. No doubt. Gotta protect black

women. You is black, right?

I didn't mean no disrespect. Here, take

my card. Your card?I

run an auto shop around the corner, in

case you need some body work done.

Big Bones Auto?Yup. Get in the wreck, and

I'll treat your body with maximum

respect. And I'm the agent I see,

so just ask for me. Got it.

I gotta get going. It's all love. Take

care.

That is so crazy, that man trying to get

in your car. Guess you never know what

people will do for real. Like

my grandma says, Jesus, be a fence.

I'm good on all that. Didn't save my

brother. Wish you an atheist now?I

just don't think I'm convinced that some

cosmic being that exists outside of time

and space is concerned about us. I

think we're alone. That sounds like a

pretty lonely place, V. That's how I

feel. Well, to

quote on the George from ETL, Gotta know

the difference between what you feel and

what's real. What's real is I'm doing my

best to make sure people don't feel

alone. with no one to look out for their

interests or protect them.

That's why I became a lawyer.

Look at you sounding like a t-shirt.

Don't forget getting that bag. You

already know that. I'm also trying to get

the veggies for the gravy, so, you know,

maybe just hurry up

a little bit. Did you put in on this here

roast?Uh, uh, no. When you

eating for free?You don't rush me. Okay.

You on the same page?HmmLittle rapper,

baby.

But it was your client's actions that

resulted in significant financial

exposure and liabilities for the company,

so we can settle, or we can go to trial,

which no one wants to do, because that

will be way more expensive to resolve.

Hold on one second. Hello?

Hello?Are you

there?Hello you, but I

can't hear you.

Counsel.

Your Honor, today I present a petition

for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of

Renaldo Lee Jones on the grounds that his

previous counsel failed to present

crucial evidence and defense arguments

leading to an unjust verdict. In addition

to the writ, I am requesting that my

client's confession be tossed because he

was tag teamed by different combinations

of detectives drilling him over the

course of 18 hours with no lawyer

present. And the Supreme Court ruled in

Jackson versus Dinno that a confession

obtained under such high pressure tactics

is inadmissible. Further, to this date,

the prosecution has yet to produce a

single nanodrop of DNA linking my client

to the victim or the crime scene. So, I

implore this court to intervene to

correct this gross miscarriage of justice

and release Renaldo Lee Jones

immediately. This is not only critical to

ensure justice in this individual case,

but just verdicts uphold the integrity of

our legal system and form the

bedrock of a nation of laws.

It is clear that during the original

trial, a significant piece of

evidencethat could have been beneficial

to the defense was not included.

So unless Mr. Jones was able to hook a

pass at 6:47 p.m. and

four minutes later abduct a woman a half

mile away without leaving a trace of his

DNA on the victim or at the scene,

he could not have committed the crime

that he was charged with.

Your Honor, if I may. Counsel.

Rather than an immediate release, the

state requested the defendant be released

without prejudice. Request granted.

But the burden of proof now lies with the

state to prove that the defendant

is guilty of kidnapping in the first

degree. This

court is adjourned.

What's the hell that mean?That means

you're walking out of here. But they can

charge me again?We're not worried about

all of that right now. For now, you're

free.

Decorum, we're still in court. Come on,

come onCome on, here.

Decorum my ass you feel me?We free.

Mind you, this is in broad daylight. The

van had my car blocked in, so I'm

wondering if whoever's in this van is

gonna try to snatch me. Never draw

your weapon unless you're prepared to

shoot. How'd

you know I drew my weapon?

Didn't you?

So you did?Yes. And did you fire after

you pulled out?No. That's not how I

taught you, baby. You don't get to call

me baby anymore, Will. Viola.

You just need to stay with me, at least

until we get this killer off the street.

After everything I just told you, you

asked me to move into your house. Since

when did it become a crime to want to

protect you?Stop making all of this about

you.

You know what?Forget it.

V. Flex my

life, me no sender You only chill with my

girls They mind there Back down, we just

sender Let me know, no lock down Theywanna

know So one of the smartest lawyers that

I know, and all those circumstances

occurred after you left court that tried

to steal your joy, this moment is way too

big for us not to celebrate. Cheers,

sister. Thank

you. Umm

The way that van pulled up on me earlier

is super weird.

But Will's reaction before I even said

anything about me drawing my weapon, I

mean... how did he even know

that?So, what are you seeing?I don't

know.

You got your win. Now leave shit alone.

And I like your gold dress.

Did you have anything to do with this?Is

that a tracking device?It didn't answer

my question. I would never do anything to

hurt you. Well, if you do not answer my

question, I'm going to go inside and tell

every person in sight that their prize

detective has been following me after

work. Are you out of your mind?Let me see

it. Why?Don't you want to know who

planted it?Let

me see it.

You can't trace this. It's a passive

tracker with no serial number. If it had

a serial number, I could get a warrant,

call the manufacturer, get the name,

credit card info, whoever purchased it

and bagged their assIf it makes you feel

any better, I could submit it for

testing, but I'm telling you right now,

you're not gonna find anything on a

device like this.

Maybe I'll get a second opinion.

When the water pressure's up that high,

the pipes shake. Despite it being a

secure place in the wall,Now, if the

knock can continue, you might want to

consider adding the heat expansion tape.

It'll absorb some of the pressure and

save your pipes. Are you

okay?Yeah,

I'm fine. Be safe. There's a lot going

on around here. Thank you.

This is Viola January. Keep digging,

and you'll end up in the hole. Who is

this?How'd you get my

numbers?You're not that hard to find,bitch

The articles of incorporation for the

Breakeridge account

I'm so sorry.

Are you okay?Yeah, I'm fine. So, what was

that I just witnessed?It's the second

call I've gotten, like the... Like what?

Voice. Like a monster. Were

you threatened?

You need to call the police. A lot of

good that will do. But it creates a paper

trail for when something worse happens.

We have to do what we have to do to keep

ourselves safe, even when it's imperfect.

Come on in.

What do I owe the pleasure of this visit

today?Thank you for meeting with me,

first of all. You're quite welcome. What

can I do for you?As I'm sure you're

aware, Renaldo Jones was released without

prejudice for the kidnapping of Tricia

Norfleet. I am aware. Does that mean you

reopened the case, since the person who

abducted Tricia is still on the loose?

It's January. You got your guy off. Why

are you still involved?I happen to

believe that there is a connection

between the woman whose body was found in

Trisha's and the three black women who

went missing over a year ago who still.

haven't been found. Now I'm receiving

strange calls at work, on my cell phone,

and I just found a tracking device on my

car. Thank you for the tips, Miss

January. Fill out a police report and

leave the investigative work to law

enforcement, okay?Leaving the

investigative work to law enforcement

resulted in Renaldo spending four months

behind bars. Do I need to end up dead

on the side of the road with

police-issued handcuffs before you take

me seriously?Until there's evidence of a

credible threat. Do you realize how

profoundly disrespectful that is for you

to say I'm not credible?

In this moment with everything going on.

That is not what I meant.

Don't sneak up on people like that.

Sorry. I came out because I recognized

you from the other week. I found your

card in my car. I'm an attorney

investigating an abduction that took

place in the neighborhood five months

ago. And I wanted to see if you had any

security footage around the date and the

time of the abduction. Sure. I remember

when it happened. Detectives came by

asking for footage in, but, um, these

outside cameras, they haven't worked in

months. But, uh, come on inside. I'll

show you what I do happen.

This is the only angle I

have. Has business been negatively

affected since the abduction?That's good

days, bad days. Life, right?

Yeah. Full of irritants

and central nervous system depressants.

I'm not following. That's what you work

with, right?All the pain and chemicals

associated with your work. Ma'am, I'm

legit. We do source capture and proper

disposal here.

When do you plan on getting the other

cameras fixed?Um, I

guess whenever I can afford it.

Let me hold something. Got that Lexus.

You gonna help out with the cameras?

Hello?Viola. Not to be confused with

violin. I'm outside. What are you doing

over this way?Best food truck in

Atlanta's around the corner. Keep it

shrimpin'. Heard of it?I have not. Well,

I want to take you out to lunch for

getting me out. You down?Sure.

Come on,

Dan. Let's

go.

What the?Mmm. Wait till you taste it.

So what you been doing with yourself?I've

been cutting hair at this barbershop on

MLK. Okay. I'm renting a chair right now.

I'm stacking my chips, getting my own

spot. I'll be cutting hair, get somebody

to some weed installs. See, that's where

the real money's at, about $300, $400 a

pop. You know what I'm saying?What'd

you slide through?I love the support.

Wait till you try these screw. Once you

have them, you gonna want to come back.

All right.

So you think we can do this again

sometime?Are you trying to hit on

me?Is that all right?

Renato, you know good and well you in the

zone. You friends over my ass

Your ass and every other part of your

body. I mean, you know I am a high-dollar

chick, so you can spin the block once you

start stacking them coins from the weeds.

You dead assOf course not, Ronaldo.

Look, you've always reminded me of my

brother. So as much as I am flattered

that you're shooting your shot, it's a

note for me.

Curving me with the zone defense.

And where were we when I got you off?

The court. You see what I did there?I'm

dang crazy. Do I see?

Court, shoot my shot.

mind if I pray?Go ahead. Dear

Lord Jesus, our brother, thank you for

this day, and thank you for this food,

we pray. Where'd you

get that?The hand sanitizer?The

fuck am I know. Now, how do you not know

where you'vegot something that's on your

key ring. I was thinking about hot sauce,

'cause it's like colored people salad

dressing. 'Cause you see, the friends got

the fringe on her home. Sally's got the--

Ronaldo, I'm not joking around.

I mean, I don't know. Maybe the place

I'm staying. And where's that at?Do I

need a lawyer?'Cause, uh, I

feel like I'm being interrogated right

now.

Thank you for lunch, but I gotta head

back.

Take care of yourself, okay?

What about this crown?

You ain't even touch it yet.

Fuck

Maybe you should take some time off, you

knowTake a trip. Be safer for you that

way, you knowI can't just up and leave.

My whole life is here. And even if I

was to leave, how long am I supposed to

stay going?It's creeping me out.

I'm sorry for pulling you into all of

this. How many, 'cause you're in it.

Have you been recording all of this?Of

course, in my head. Can't

stop thinking about it. Document a

counselor and go to the police. I've

already been to the chief. Did you file a

police report?No. HmmAll

right, listen. Tonight,

I'm gonna stay here with you, but in the

morning, you are going to go file a

police report, okay?

Okay

You doing okay?Yeah.

Everything okay?Yep.

Can you give us a minute?Sure. No, you

don't have to go. 60 seconds. I

just told him you didn't have to leave,

but you do whatever you want, don't you?

How does it look when my ex-girl's

showing up to the police station?Filing

police reports and demanding that the

chief reopen investigations. Y'all were

talking about me?I don't show up to your

job and talk to your boss. But you do

show up. Look,

let me tell you what's gonna happen with

this. The moment it goes on file, it's

gonna be marked resolved. Not because we

did anything, but because we took the

report and we have a record of it. Yeah,

because nobody does anything until a

woman's dead. Don't say things like that.

The only reason I'm here is because

Makina told me to come. I don't make the

rules.

But you don't trust me anymore. I

don't know if I trust anyone anymore. Oh

Hello. I've been waiting for those files

for over a week. This is unacceptable.

That That was an oversight on my part,

Mr. Breckenridge. I need an attorney who

values my business as much as I do. I

will get that over to you as soon as we

hang up. Just do it.

Hello?Come see me.

You haven't been yourself lately. I'm

sorry. I'm not looking for an apology.

I'm looking for a change. Because your

ability to perform at a high level,

despite challenges in your personal life,

will determine if you're able to be

successful here. And that's what me and

the other partners are all hoping for.

But know that my door is always open if

you ever want to talk.

Detective Gatlin. Hey. Let

me guess. You need something. Since when

did it become a crime to need a favor?

It's not a crime. And even if it was,

I would break the law for you. But if I'm

gonna help you, it's got to be some clear

pro quo. Dinner. All right.

Well, I don't know if I should be excited

or nervous about what this dinner is

gonna cost me.

Hey. I'm sorry I'm late.

You been waiting long?Not too long. This

is a nice spot. Every time I pass it, I

say I'm gonna try it out. I just never

made the time. So, how you doing?

Not too good. Of course.

Remember our first date?I'm

gonna almost shit on myself.

I can't believe I thought it was a good

idea to walk from New York to New Jersey

across the George Washington Bridge. What?

It was a tre romantique,

especially because I'd never been to New

York before. I didn't want to tell you

about my inner rumblings, though.

I mean, you kind of had to say something,

you started walking so fast. I'm not

gonna lie to you, I was in so much pain.

Remember when we saw those old dirty

pants on the side of the road?Mm-hmmUh-huh

I almost told you to hold your nose. Drop

a hot and steamy right there on the side

of the road. Use the pants to wipe.

Something in me made me keep going,

though. Yeah, you were full of shit

Wait, waitWe're at the meal table. We

can't be talking about this kind of shitI

mean, that's a pretty shitty pun.

We will start withTwo

waters with women?No ice in his, please.

Here.

Why did you need me to pull a rapid DNA

report?This is odd.

What?You got

this guy off, and now you have

questions. V, in my 13 years of law

enforcement, I've never seen an angel

behind bars, they're usually guilty as

some-- Things like that. why we can never

be together as a couple. You're more

concerned with closing cases instead of

making sure you have the right guy.

People like you are the reason my

brother's dead.

Okay. Since we're

talking about your brother, what makes

you so sure he was innocent?And I'm not

saying he's guilty, that's not what I

mean. You were 20, VSN, like you had

access to his case file. Like I said

before, I was with him.

You asshole

That was his alibi.

Vee, I'm sorry for what I said.

Can we start over?I'm serious.

Viola. Sit down. My stringed instrument.

May I join you?

You are so corny and people are looking.

Sit down.

All right, hit me. What is the

significance of Ronaldo having a brother?

He's cutting hair at this shop, owned by

this guy, Frank. Frank owns a body shop

around the corner from where Trisha was

picked up when she escaped. I talked to

him. Who, Frank?Yeah, while we were

canvassing the neighborhood for security

footage, so what am I missing?

Trisha said the van she was in smelled

like paint and chemicals. You know how

many places in that area use paint and

chemicals?I need some kind of link. You

gotta stop this. This is dangerous.

Okay, let me help you. How?

By me staying with you?For starters,

yeah. I'm not ready for that. I'm not

saying move in so we can be together.

I'll stay in the guest room. With

everything going on, you shouldn't be by

yourself.

Grace cracks in, you outta there. It's

either me or you, and it's very clear.

So, uh, you invited me this time.

So I make this a date?Can't I just keep

in touch?Make sure you're keeping your

nose clean?I don't need a babysitter.

I got a PO for that. You got a brother?

Frank?

Open this damn door before I beat both of

y'all back. Mommy, I knew what to do in

this door!

I'm confused.

When I was locked up, you was mad cool.

Doing all the work to get me out. 'Cause

you know I'm a good guy.

And now you asking all these questions

about where I live, who my family is, and

where I get my hand sanitizer from?You

don't want to date me?What are you really

after?Just trying to get to know you

better outside of...

I'm out of here.

What's up, Ronaldo?You still picking lots

on vending machines?Why you bringing up

old shitMaybe 'cause you a piece of old

shitI know you a cop and everything, bro.

You is tripping. So what you gonna do?

Easy to talk tough we got on the badge.

No badge. Do something. If I wasn't on

parole right now, I'll ball your ass up

right now. Do it, pussy

Yeah. I'm watching you, brother. Watch

these nuts. Yeah, all right.

What?Look, if you showing up

unannounced and embarrassing me is your

way of helping me, I'm not interested. D.

How did you even know where I was at?I

followed you. You are unbelievable.

So, we'll show this ass today, and you

don't want to talk about it.

Okay.

Why do you have to call it soul food

sushi?Why can't you just call it sushi?

'Cause of what we're putting in it.

This is textbook cultural

appropriations. Objection, hearsay.

Because from a consequentialist ethical

position, it could be argued that

appropriating the cuisine of another

culture is beneficial umm because of the

different perspectives. Ribs, chicken,

it adds a new soulful

insight into the sushi lexicon.

Overruled. 'Cause

from a deontological ethical perspective,

it's not the consequences of the action

that make it right or wrong, rather, it's

the motive behind the one carrying out

the action. So I ask you, counselor,

what's your motive for making you a

little black and bougie sushi?

What's going on, V?

I've started to question my judgment.

And I know the stereotype is women do

that a lot, but you know I've never had a

problem with that. And you stake your

entire professional reputation on

something, and you sincerely think you're

right. But what if you're

sincerely wrong?

Frank!

Frank!

Why you yelling?

'Cause you tell me to come up here and

I'll see your dumb assWhat's

going on?Y has many

definitions. One

says, For what cause,

reason, or purpose?

Two, a premise in support of an argument.

It's even a song by Sabrina Carpenter.

But despite all of that, I can't figure

out why I saw a

cop parked down the street tonight

watching my shit

I almost forgot one. A consequential

relationship between two events.

So, is it a stretch to think that

you got something to do with this?

You calling me a snitch?I'm calling you a

bitch'Cause as soon as you don't want to

work, no more 12 show up.

You need counseling. Let me find out.

Don't touch me.

Let me find out.

Do you mind if we switch sides?Sure.

I mean, no, not at all.

Can't have my back to the door. I have to

be able to see. It's okay. Can I

get you something?No.

So,Here's why

I asked you to meet me here. Okay.

I started getting calls. What

kind of calls?Like a video game or

something, saying things like, The

clock is ticking on your existence.

Maybe I should get some coffee. Yeah, um,

excuse me. For her,

please.

And this is -- It's getting worse. It's

like I can't control it.

What?I totally

forgot I had a meeting. Okay. Are

you gonna be good to get back to work?

It's not like you drove me here.

Right. Okay.

I've been getting calls, too.

How about we meet later and we finish

this conversation?Well, I can't. It's too

much revisiting all of this.

I trust you're doing the right thing, OK?

I'll

be in touch. No. Don't.

Sit down.

I had you assist on the Breaking Ridge

account because I regarded you as a

rising star at this firm. I realize

now that I place too much faith in you,

you likely cost us that account. Leticia,

I'm late because...

I have no excuse. I founded this firm 12

years ago and built it into the

third-largest boutique law firm in

Atlanta. And I did that by working hard

and hiring the right people. And I'm

disappointed because I hired you because

of your fierce intellect and outsized

promise, neither of which mean anything

if you're missing meetings and not able

to focus on what you're paid to do.

So I'm gonna have to let you go, Viola.

Latisha, please. I'm sorry I

let you down. I'm disappointed I couldn't

live up to everything that I know I can

accomplish here.

Please just give me an opportunity to

make this right. You were already on your

second chance and didn't know it. You

approached the prosecutor. The

prosecutor, which is wrong no matter the

reason. But you didn't do it on behalf of

this firm. But for your pro bono client,

clean out your debts and return yourkeys.

I'm good.

Thank you.

First time I've been fired from anything.

I mean, I know my performance has fallen

off, but I had no idea she'd let me

go. You never wanted to wear a corporate

law anyway. And I know you always say it

as a joke, but I low-key think you're

jealous about the freedom I have with my

own firm. So

the silver lining is, you get to be like

me.

Hey, you can start your own firm.

and only take cases that you're

passionate about. I'll

leave it to you to make it seem like

getting fired is something good. I never

said it was a good thing, just not the

end of the world.

I know you're on the outswell guy right

now, but this situation really reminds me

of the story of Esther. Do you know it?

Such a time as this?Exactly. And

do you know what that story shows you?

It shows youThat even when God seems

totally absent, he's

always working behind the scenes, using

us even when we don't know it. God using

people. That's rich?You know what I'm

talking about. But

seriously, what if God is using you for

such a time as this to find the truth?It

just seems hard to believe, especially

right now.

Metro police have found another woman's

body on the city's west side. Authorities

suspect that the discovery of this body

may be connected to another woman's body

found on the city's west side earlier

this year. Amber Noel, reporting fornews.

Detective Gatlin. Was the one man

handcuffed?Yeah.

It's Trisha.

You're gonna be okay. I wish I could be

here with you, but... nobody

could take off Saturday overnights. It's

okay. You didn't know I was gonna call.

I'm off at seven, so I'll see you bright

and early. You know where I keep the

heat. I mean, but nobody's coming up in

here. And even if they do, it'll

be the worst mistake they ever made.

V. Yeah?I

feel so much better with you being here.

All right.

And it smells good in here.

You found that?Why is my brother's case

filed in your house?V. If you so much

as touch me, I'm gonna scream. V, listen.

I don't know what you're up to, but I

don't trust you. I was checking to see

what the facts are, okay?I'm a fucking

detective. You just couldn't let my

brother rest in peace. I thought if I

could get a posthumous exoneration, it

would get me back in your good graces.

You are fucking lying.

I am leaving, and you better not follow

me. I'm getting my shitDon't

call me. Don't text me. Just leave me

alone. V.

These outside cameras, they haven't

worked in months. I feel like I'm being

interrogated right now. The van, it

smells like pink chemicals and...

What are you doing?Minding my business.

Excuse me.

Catch anything?I'll

fish the trail. Bitch ass fish the lake.

Bro, cut that shit off, bro. Cut that

shit off, stupid.

I'll fish the trail. Bitch ass fish the

lake. Cut that shit off, bro.

Cut that shit off, stupid!

You just couldn't stop digging.

It's the lawyer, bitch

You about to cry?Stop being

pussyJust don't call me fucking

pussy

She got me at a jam, man. I was in there

'cause of you!What you want, a cookie?

I told you we should have stopped while

we was ahead. But no, we got to do things

your way, and now we about to get caught

because of it, man. Fuck you. Since you

like her so much, you cut her up, and

I'll put her in the soup. I'm not doing

this shitI'm done.

It's funny how you want to protect her so

much, but you never protected me. I

went to jail for you.

Where you going?Get over

here. Oh, hell yeah.

Damn, motherfucker

Get out of here. 911, what's your

emergency?Detective Will Gatlin's been

shot. Big Bose Auto. You have to send

help, please. Who is the person involved

in the recent-- Will Gatlin. He is a

detective. And what was the address?Big

Bose Auto, 44147 Beaufort Highway. Send

help, please.

They shot him. They shot him. It's OK.

It'll be OK. You told me to leave, and I

I just left. I didn't come-- I didn't

turn back. It's OK. Get her home. Clear

the house. Stay out the front until I

tell you, OK?Let's go. Move, move, move.

Get in route now. K-9 on your car. Let's

go. You with him?Go. Ohh Police?

I got on the ground. In the area. On the

ground.

Everything is clear, so you're safe. And

I'll be parked in the driveway, so

there's nothing for you to worry about.

And if I get any updates on Will, I'll

let you know. Thank you.

Now you can see what was hotter. You

couldn't complain?Sorry.

What's that you say?I can't understand

you. You're not gonna shit if you don't

have it in you. You didn't shoot in the

parking lot. Hey, you ain't gonna shoot

me down.

Me!

Counsel.

Your Honor, I'll be in the second chair

today. The newest member of our office,

Viola January, will argue this case. She

is well-equipped and equally prepared.

Thank you.

Your Honor, this case is about getting

justice for the women whose lives were

taken by Renaldo Jones and his brother

Frank, who is now deceased. These

men preyed on women going about their

day, minding their business, just trying

to enjoy a day at Peachdale Lake.

They targeted black women in their 20s,

which was the same age their mother was

when she disappeared, which catapulted

the boys from a life of abuse into a life

of abuse. But when they grew up,

they took pleasure in abusing others. A

live one should be to you in fourminutes.

They executed their diabolical plan on a

part of the lake trail where no one could

hear a woman scream, even if she had the

opportunity to.

Frank deviated from that carefully

crafted plan once Ronaldo went to

jail, leading police to find

bodies. Authorities discovered bone

fragments in the shop at the bottom of

two 55-gallon barrels of a

sodium dichromate and a sulfuric acid

mix, which can dissolve the human body

within 24 hours. Those

fragments belong to Natasha Brathwaite,

Tiffany Long,and Chentrice Winslow,

the three black women who went missing

last year from Peachdale Lake Trail.

And I owe this court an apology,

because foolishly, I believed Ronaldo

was innocent, not knowing he

was as guilty as sin the entire time.

So I am sorry for releasing the wrong

man, but we have the opportunity to make

this right by ensuring Renaldo Lee

Jones never has the opportunity to

threaten the life of a woman ever again.

The defendant would like to address the

court.

I didn't kill any of those women,

but I did set them up and help dispose of

their bodies, which is just as evil

And also wrong, but I did it to protect

my brother because I could not protect

him when we were young.

He held that against me.

He was damaged. I'm

damaged, too. So I covered

for him. Even went to prison for him.

Because exposing him would have-- would

have exposed everything. So

I apologized to this court. I apologize

to the jury. But most

importantly, Viola, I... I

apologize to you.

Based on the seriousness of these crimes,

I sentenced Reynaldo Lee Jones to

life in prison without the possibility of

parole.

Oh. You did it. Yeah. Congratulations.

I'm so proud of you. Thank you. Oh.

Congratulations for winning the case

and for your new job at the prosecutor's

office. I mean, it took you a while, but

you finally came around to the dark side.

I actually joined to bring some light,

but thank you.

What are you doing?Oh, God.

Something I want to say.

Viola, I'm sorry. For

everything. Okay?For being an

ass when we were together. And being an

ass since we've been apart.

Can you at least let me finish?

Okay. For being an ass when we were

apart. I followed you because I

was terrified that something bad would

happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live

with myself if it did. But despite how I

felt, it was wrong.

No justification. And low-key

creepy. Hi. Hi, Key. It's creepy. Okay.

Okaytouché. You're right. Mm-hmmBut I

want to take this opportunity to ask you

for a chance for us to at least be

friends. But that's not all you want. We

got to start somewhere, right?

Can you at least tell me that you'll be

his friend so he can get up off the floor?

Now help me up. I'm still recovering.

Self-defense. Of course

my brother's DNA was on the weapon. It

was his gun. Legally purchased.

He shot in self-defense. I know this.

That's why I had the file.

You gonna help me up or what?Come on.

So how did it feel to be used?Not

good. I mean, Ronaldo was--

Not-- Not by Ronaldo. By God. Let's

find the truth. I think it

feels pretty good. Mm-hmm

Told you so. Now get me up, 'cause I'm

hungry.