Original subtitles

[ominous music]

[flies buzzing]

[woman screaming]

[upbeat music]

[siren wailing in distance]

[music continues]

Hi, I'm Viola January.

I'd like to discuss my wrongfully convicted client.

Um...

Mr. Prosecutor, I'm here today in the hopes that...

-Okay. -[door opens]

[sighs]

Viola January.

Corporate attorney at Thomas, Ferebee, and Spate.

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

Reynaldo Jones is a pro bono client of mine,

who you prosecuted

for the kidnapping of Tricia Norfleet.

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 Tricia Norfleet was also abducted at Peachdale Lake

bound with police-issue handcuffs.

You can't possibly be serious.

There are 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-a struggle.

And there was no DNA deposited by my client.

I mean... how's that even possible?

He was identified in the police line-up

and he confessed.

Case closed.

Sit.

[Sampson clears throat]

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, uh, what firm did you say you work with again?

Thomas, Ferebee, and Spate.

But I'm not here on behalf of--

[Sampson] I understand that.

And at the same time, I know Latisha Thomas.

And I'm can guarantee you

she doesn't know that you're here

ambushing the prosecutor about a criminal case.

She does not.

[Sampson] Right, so here's how this conversation ends.

Even if I was inclined to negotiate,

which I'm not,

I would reject your request on procedural grounds.

Because unless you have new evidence--

I'm working on that.

[Sampson] Without new evidence that you've presented

through the courts,

there's nothing to negotiate.

Because you didn't file an appeal

or a motion for a new trial

within 90 days of the conviction.

But, sir, this is the 91st day.

[door shuts]

[sighs]

[pensive music]

[thundering]

[phone ringing]

-[Viola] Hey. -What are you drinking?

Brain broth. Jitter juice.

[Makeena]How much longer you gonna be there?

Not too much longer.

[Makeena]So why 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 in my bathrobe in 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 dumb asses off

for disorderly conduct.

No, she didn't say "dumb asses."

[Makeena] Yes, I really did.

Had one today who'd been missing for two weeks.

And nobody knew where he was till he posted on TikTok

that he was at hiding at his house from the police.

-Paid on time, though. -Girl, bye.

[Makeena]Text me when you make it home, okay?

I will.

[line disconnects]

[sighs]

Oh, fuck! You scared the shit out of me.

Uh, I mean, I'm sorry, Latisha.

I thought everybody was gone.

I was. But I had to come back to get some files.

[Viola] 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. -Hm.

Well, I'm gonna wrap up soon.

But I will see you bright and early in the morning.

Okay.

-[footsteps receding] -[pensive music]

[mouse clicks]

Miss you.

[sighs]

[elevator bell dings]

[door slides opens]

-[door slides shut] -[ominous music]

[breathing shakily]

[car door opens]

[car door shuts]

[car engine starts]

[engine rumbling]

[phone ringing]

[Will] Look behind you.

Are you stalking me, detective?

[Will] 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 still carrying, right?

[Viola] I am.

Good.

You got to upgrade from that little cap gun though.

It's cute. I like it. That's all that matters.

Besides, you said being comfortable

is more important than stopping power.

Touche.

And can I get some credit for teaching you how to shoot?

Not stroking your ego tonight, Will.

It's been a long day.

How about dinner then? On me.

[Viola]And we are not a couple anymore,

so we're not going to be acting like one.

We're ex's for a reason.

[Will] 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.

[Viola] Good night, Will.

[laughs]

[scoffs]

[gate rattling]

[buzzer rings]

[ominous music]

[door shuts]

Viola.

Not to be confused with violin.

[chuckles]

[clapping]

How are things?

"How are things?"

I don't know how I'm gonna do no ten years.

Barely made it these last three months.

Reminds me of me at that age.

[mellow music]

[thudding on door]

[woman 1] Reynaldo, 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, huh?

Mm. Oh...

[both laugh]

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 slangin' hope.

Well, I hope you can deliver on these promises.

[Viola] 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.

Then he gets murked before he gets out.

That terrifies me.

[eerie music]

And that's why I'm going to do everything in my power

to make sure that doesn't happen to you.

[man 1] Visitation time is up!

Keep your head up.

Viola January.

You know it.

♪ Yeah a diamond make you go.. ♪

[indistinct chatter]

Paint the perfect man, all your problems go away.

And since the perfect man doesn't exist,

all of our problems invariably stay.

Ooh, okay, bars.

See, you didn't know I was a rapper.

-A rapper, huh? -A rapper.

[both laughing]

So, what's your strategy?

Getting 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.

-[camera clicks] -[ominous music]

[muffled screaming]

[exhales]

I'm just looking at everything again,

making sure I'm not missing

anything hiding in plain sight.

[keyboard clacking]

[knocking on door]

You must be Viola January? What a lovely name.

It's actually pronounced like the instrument.

-Ve-ola. -Ve-ola, yeah.

[both laugh]

I'm sorry, come 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 Reynaldo Jones has been incarcerated

for the past three months.

I'm not sure who sent you here, but you need to leave.

-Tricia-- -You don't know me,

so don't say my name.

[suspenseful music]

I'm sorry. Uh...

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?

Reynaldo Jones is my client

so I have access to the case files.

[Tricia] If you don't leave,

I'm calling security.

I'll leave.

But the body that was found

was bound with police-issued handcuffs

just like you were.

[flies buzzing]

[birds chirping]

[spray hissing]

[plastic rustling]

[scissor snips]

[birds chirping]

[ominous music]

[engine revving]

[tires screeching]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Tricia]Meet me at the Egg Pan on Peachtree

tomorrow morning at 7:00 if you want to talk.

[Viola] 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 line-up.

I'm not crazy.

Sometimes police line-ups are unreliable.

And that has nothing to do with you.

You survived a life threatening,

highly-emotional situation.

And the police can take advantage of that.

The truth is, if I'm right...

more Black woman are gonna end up missing or dead.

Did the detective

point out anyone in the line-up,

or tell you to take your time when you lingered on someone?

Anything like that?

That makes it easy to pick

an innocent person out of a lineup.

I saw the evil in his eyes.

[eerie music]

[thudding]

[door thudding]

[door opens]

[panting]

[tires screeching]

[Tricia screams]

What's wrong?

I constantly feel the cuffs.

And I will never forget the smell.

What smell?

[Tricia] The van...

it smelled like paint, chemicals and death.

[eerie music]

[rustling]

[gasps]

Pretty woman like you shouldn't be out here alone.

Fella's gonna get you.

Hey, man, shut your bitch ass up and leave that woman alone.

[siren wailing in distance]

You a'ight?

-I'm fine. -I'm fine.

-I gotta get going. -[Frank] Right.

And you just got rolled up on by a complete stranger.

Everybody out here ain't crazy like that.

Oh, that was...

kind of you to step in a 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 a auto shop around the corner.

In case you need some body work done.

[Viola] "Big Bones Auto."

Yep. Get in a wreck,

and I'll treat your body with maximum respect.

And I'm the HNIC,

so just ask for me.

Got it. I gotta get going.

It's all love. You take care.

[paper rustling]

♪ Baby ♪

♪ I know that nothing's gonna change my mind ♪

That is so crazy, that man trying to get in your car.

Guess you never know what people would do for real.

Like my grandma says,

"Jesus be a fence."

I'm good on all that.

Didn't save my brother.

What, you an atheist now?

I just don't think I'm convinced

there's 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.

Well, to quote Uncle George from ATL,

"You 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.

[chuckles]

Look at you sounding like a T-shirt.

[both chuckle]

-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... -Mm-hmm.

-You don't rush me. -Okay.

-We on the same page? -Mm. [indistinct]

[both laugh]

[siren wailing in distance]

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.

[mellow music]

[woman on phone] Hello?

Hello?

Are you there?

Hello?

We must have lost our connection.

I don't know if it's me or you,

but I can't hear you.

[receiver clatters]

Counsel.

Your Honor,

today I present a petition for a writ of habeas corpus

on behalf of Reynaldo 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'm 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 Denno

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 Reynaldo 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.

[man 2] It is clear that during the original trial,

a significant piece of evidence

that could have been beneficial to the defense

was not included.

So unless Mr. Jones was able to hook a bass

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.

[Sampson] Your Honor, if I may?

[man 2] Counsel.

[clears throat]

Rather than an immediate release,

the state requests that 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.

[gavel bangs]

This court is adjourned.

What does that even 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 on.

Don't leave me. Come on, yeah.

Decorum, my ass. Do you feel me?

We free.

-[engine rumbling -[suspenseful music]

[engine revving]

[gun clicks]

[engine revs]

[tires screeching]

[Viola]Mind you, this is in broad daylight.

The van had my car blocked in,

so I'm... wondering if whoever is in this van

is gonna try to snatch me.

Never draw your weapon unless you're prepared to shoot.

How did you know I drew my weapon?

Didn't you?

-So you did. -Yes.

And did you fire after you pulled out?

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 ask 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... ♪

♪ I'm gonna let you when my goons demand them ♪

♪ Back down with this and them... ♪

To one of the smartest lawyers that I know.

And although circumstances that occurred

after you left court that tried to steal your joy,

this moment is way too big for us not to celebrate.

-Cheers, sister. -Cheers.

Thank you.

Mmm.

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 saying?

I don't know.

[phone ringing]

[man on phone] You got your win.

Now leave shit alone.

[tires screeching]

And I like your gold dress.

-Who is it? -[tense music]

[machine beeping]

[rapid beeping]

[door opens]

Did you have anything to do with this?

Is that a tracking device?

You didn't answer my question.

I would never do anything to hurt you.

Will, if you do not answer my question,

I'm going to go inside and tell every person inside

that their prized detective has been following me after work.

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

[Viola] 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 of whoever purchased it

and bag their ass.

If 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.

[sighs]

[suspenseful music]

[clanging]

[dog barking in distance]

[door shuts]

[insects chirping]

[music continues]

When the water pressure is up that high, the pipes shake.

Despite there being secured place in the wall.

Now if the knocking continues,

you might want to consider adding a heat expansion tank

to 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.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[phone ringing]

This is Viola January.

[man on phone] Keep digging

and you'll end up in a hole.

Who is this?

How'd you get my numbers?

[man on phone] You're not that hard to find.

Bitch.

[Latisha] The articles of incorporation

for the Breckenridge account...

I-I'm so sorry.

-Are you okay? -Yeah, I'm fine.

So what was that I just witnessed?

It's a second call I've gotten like that.

Like what?

[Viola] A 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.

[footsteps receding]

Come on in.

To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit today?

Thank you for meeting with me, first of all.

Oh, you're quite welcome.

What can I do for you?

As I sure you're aware,

Reynaldo Jones was released without prejudice

for the kidnapping of Tricia Norfleet.

I am aware.

Does that mean you reopen the case?

Since the person who abducted Tricia is still on the loose?

Ms. 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 and Tricia's.

And the three Black woman 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, Ms. January.

Fill out a police report

and leave the investigative work to law enforcement, okay?

Leaving the investigative work to law enforcement

resulted in Reynaldo 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.

[sighs]

[ominous music]

[car door opens]

[birds chirping]

[pensive music]

[car door shuts]

[engine rumbling]

-[car door shuts] -[sighs]

Don't sneak up on people like that!

[Frank] 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 time of the abduction.

[Frank] Sure, I remember when it happened.

Detectives came by asking for footage then.

But, um, these outside cameras, they haven't worked in months.

But, come on inside, I'll show you what I do have.

This is the only angle I have.

[whirring]

Has business been negatively affected

since the abduction?

There's good day, bad days.

Life, right?

Yeah.

Full of irritants

and central nervous system depressants.

I'm not following.

[Viola] That's what you work with, right?

All the paints and chemicals associated with your work?

[Frank] Yeah, I'm a jig.

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 holler something. Got their Lexus.

You gonna help out with the cameras.

[chuckles]

[birds chirping]

-[engine revving] -[dog barking in distance]

[door opens]

[suspenseful music]

[door shuts]

[music continues]

[door creaks]

[intense music]

[phone ringing]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

[Reynaldo]Viola, not to be confused with violin.

I'm outside.

What are you doing over this way?

[Reynaldo]Best food truck in Atlanta's around the corner.

Keep It Shrimpin'. Heard of it?

I have not.

I wanna take you out to lunch for getting me out.

-You down? -Sure.

[Reynaldo] Come on, then.

Let's go.

[receiver clatters]

[mellow music]

[instrumental music]

-Here you go. -Thank you.

Yeah.

[indistinct chatter]

You wanna sit right here?

Yeah.

[Reynaldo sighs]

Look good.

Mm-hmm! Wait till you taste it.

So what have you been doing with yourself?

Been cutting hair at this barbershop on MLK.

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

But I'm stacking my chips to get my own spot.

I'll be cutting hair,

get somebody to do some weaving in stores.

See that's where the real money's at.

About three, four hundred a pop.

You know what I'm saying?

[Viola laughs]

Would you slide through?

I'd love to support.

Wait till you try these skrimps.

[Viola] Mmm.

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?

Reynaldo, you know good and well you in the zone.

You friend zoning my ass?

Your ass and every other part of your body.

I mean, you know, I'm a high dollar chick.

So you can spend the block

once you start stacking them coins

from the weaves.

You dead ass?

Of course not, Reynaldo.

Look...

you've always reminded me of my brother.

So as much as I am flattered

that your shooting your shot,

it's a no 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?

Playing game. Crazy.

I see you. Court. Shoot my shot.

-You 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?

Fuck if I know.

Now, how do you not know where you've...

got something that's on your key ring?

I was thinking about hot sauce.

'Cause it's like colored people's salad dressing.

'Cause you see, the French got the French.

[chuckles] Italians got Italian.

Reynaldo, 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...

feel like I'm being interrogated right now.

[sighs]

Thank you for lunch, but I gotta head back.

Take care of yourself, okay?

What about your skrimps?

You ain't even touch it yet.

♪ You put me on airplane mode ♪

♪ Do you want someone to pull... ♪

[engine whirring]

[tense music]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

[engine whirring]

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

Fuck!

[breathing heavily]

[ominous music]

Maybe you should take some time off.

You know, take a trip.

Be safer for you that way, you know?

I 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 gone?

It's creeping me out.

I'm sorry for pulling you into all of this.

I'm in it 'cause you're in it.

Have you been recording all this?

Of course, in my head.

Can't stop thinking about it.

Document it, counselor.

-And go to the police. -I already been to the chief.

-Did you file a police report? -No.

Hm.

All 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?

[mellow music]

[sighs]

You doing okay?

Yeah.

Everything okay?

Yep.

Can you give us a minute?

Sure.

No, you don't have to go.

Sixty seconds.

I just told him he didn't have to leave.

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

How does it look with my ex-girl

showing up to the police station?

Filing police reports

and demanding that the chief reopen investigations?

So 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 Makeena told me to come.

I don't make the rules.

What, you don't trust me anymore?

[mellow music]

I don't know if I trust anyone any more.

[engine rumbling]

[Reynaldo laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Breckenridge]I've been waiting for these files

for over a week, this is unacceptable.

Th-that was an oversight on my part, Mr. Breckenridge.

[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.

[Breckenridge] Just do it.

[receiver clatters]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Latisha] Come see me.

[receiver clatters]

[phone ringing]

You haven't been yourself lately.

I'm sorry.

[Latisha] I'm not looking for an apology.

I'm looking for 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.

[phone ringing in distance]

[tense music]

[clacking]

[mouse clicks]

[phone ringing]

Detective Gatlin.

[Viola]Hey.

Let me guess, you need something.

Since when did it become a crime to need a favor?

[Will]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 gotta be

some quid pro quo.

Dinner.

[Will] All right.

Wait. I don't know if I should get excited or nervous about

what this dinner is gonna cost me.

[ominous music]

[muffled groaning]

[screams]

[heavy breathing]

[instrumental music]

Hey, 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...

when I almost shit on myself?

[laughs]

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 wastres romantique.

Especially because I've never been to New York before.

I didn't want to tell you about my inner rumblings, though.

[laughs] 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? Uh-huh.

I almost told you to hold your nose.

Drop a hot and steamy right there on the side of the road.

Used the pants to wipe.

Something in me made me keep going, though.

Yeah, you were full of shit.

[laughter]

Wait, wait.

We at the meal table, we can't be talking

about this kind of shit.

I mean, that's a pretty shitty pun.

-Ah. -Ah.

[laughter]

[clears throat]

We will start with two waters with lemon.

No ice in his, please.

[instrumental music]

Here.

[Will] 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 never seen an angel behind bars.

They're usually guilty of something--

Things like that

are 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,

V, it's not like you had access to his case file.

Like I said before,

I was with him, you asshole.

[tense music]

I was his alibi.

[sighs]

V, I'm sorry for what I said.

Can we start over? I'm serious.

[clears throat]

-Viola. -Sit down.

My stringed instrument.

May I join you?

You are so corny.

And people are looking. Sit down.

[Will chuckles]

[Will] All right. Hit me.

What is the significance of Reynaldo 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 Tricia was picked up when she escaped.

-I talked to him. -Who? Frank?

[Will] Yeah. While we were canvassing the neighborhood

for security footage. So what am I missing?

Tricia 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 could be together.

I'll stay in the guest room.

With everything going on, you shouldn't be by yourself.

♪ Beast drags in you out of there ♪

♪ It's either me or you and he's very clear... ♪

[Reynaldo] So, uh, you invited me this time.

Does that 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?

[knocking on door]

[woman 1] Open the damn door

before I beat both of y'all bad.

[tense music]

[door opens]

[Reynaldo] Mummy! I don't wanna do this no more!

I'm confused.

When I was locked up, you were mad cool

doing all that work to get me out.

'Cause you know I'm a good guy.

And now, you asking me 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.

That's cap.

I'm out of here.

[ominous music]

What's up, Reynaldo?

You still picking locks on vending machines?

Why you bringing up old shit?

Maybe 'cause you're a piece of old shit.

I know you cop and everything, bro.

-You was tripping. -So what you gonna do?

Easy to talk tough when you got a badge.

No badge. Do something.

If I wasn't on parole right now,

I'd ball yo ass up right here.

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. -V!

How did you even know where I was at?

I followed you.

You are unbelievable.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

So, Will showed his 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?

[Viola] 'Cause of what we're putting in it.

[Makeena laughs]

This is textbook cultural appropriation.

Objection.

Hearsay.

Because from a consequentialist ethical position,

it could be argued

that appropriating the cuisine of another culture

-is beneficial. -Mm.

Because of the different perspectives.

Ribs, chicken. It adds a new

soulful insight into the sushi lexicon.

Overruled.

[chuckles] '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 your little black and bougie sushi?

[laughter]

[instrumental music]

What's going on, V?

I've started to question my judgement.

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?

♪ I know you'll never see me like I see you ♪

[suspenseful music]

Frank!

Frank!

[Frank] Why you yelling?

'Cause you tell me to come up here

and I don't see your dumb ass.

What's going on?

"Why"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 wanna work no more, 12 show up.

You need counseling.

Let me find out.

Don't touch me.

[chuckles]

Let me find out.

[music continues]

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?

So... here's why I-I asked you to meet me here.

Okay.

[Tricia] 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.

[eerie music]

-Fuck! -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?

I can't. It's too much revisiting all of this.

But I trust you're doing the right thing. Okay?

-I'll be in touch. -No... don't.

[suspenseful music]

[inaudible chatter]

Sit down.

I had you assist on the Breckenridge account

because I regarded you as a rising star in this firm.

I realize now that I placed too much faith in you.

You likely cost us that account.

Latisha, 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 you're not able to focus on what you're paid to do.

So I'm going to 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. Just...

Please, just give me 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 desk and return your keys.

[exhales]

[birds chirping]

I'm good.

-Thank you. -[chuckles]

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 work corporate law anyway.

And I know you always say it as a joke,

but I low-key think you're jealous

of all 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.

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 outs right now,

but this situation really reminds me

of the story of Esther.

Do you know it?

-Such a time as this. -Exactly!

And you know what that story shows you?

It shows you that 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.

[chuckles]

But seriously,

what if God is using you for such a time as this

to find the truth?

Just seems hard to believe. Especially right now.

[eerie music]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[woman on TV]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 west side earlier this year.

Amber Noel reporting for news Channel Three.

[phone ringing]

Detective Gatlin.

Was the woman handcuffed?

Yeah.

It's Tricia.

[dramatic music]

[Will] You 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 7:00, so I'll see you bright and early.

You know where I keep the heat.

But nobody's coming up in here.

And even if they do,

it'd be the worst mistake they ever make.

-Yeah.

I feel so much better with you being here.

Right.

[sighs]

[pensive music]

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music]

[gun cocking]

[gun clicks]

[sizzling]

[intense music]

Damn, it smells good in here!

You found that.

Why is my brother's case file 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 just 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 shit.

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

V?

Fuck.

[car lock chirps]

Fuck!

[breathing heavily]

These outside cameras, they haven't worked in months.

I feel like I'm being interrogated right now.

The van, it smells like paint, chemicals and death.

[engine revving]

[suspenseful music]

[breathing heavily]

[music continues]

[sighs]

What are you doing?

Minding my business. Excuse me.

[grunting]

[suspenseful music]

[Frank]Catching anything?

I fish the trail. Bitch ass fishes the lake.

Bro, cut that shit off. Bro.

Cut that shit off. Stupid.

I fish the trail. Bitch ass fishes the lake.

Bro, cut that shit off. Bro.

Cut that shit off. Stupid.

[ominous music]

[breathing heavily]

[clattering]

[intense music]

[Frank] You just couldn't stop digging.

[grunts]

It's the lawyer bitch.

You about to cry?

Stop being a pussy.

Don't call me a fucking pussy!

She got me out of jail, man. I was in there because of you!

What do you want, a cookie?

I told you, we should have stopped while we was ahead.

But no, we gotta 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 shit.

I'm done.

It's funny how you wanna protect her so much,

but you never protected me.

-I went to jail for you. -[spits]

[grunts]

Where you going? Get over here.

[both grunting]

-[gunshot] -Ah!

[groaning]

Oh, hell, yeah.

Play on, motherfucker.

-Get out of here. -[gunshot]

[Will] Fuck!

[woman 2]911. What's your emergency?

Detective Will Gatlin's been shot.

Big Bones Auto. You have to send help, please.

[woman 2]Who is the person involved--

Will Gatlin. He's a detective.

[woman 2] And what was the address?

Big Bones Auto. 44147 Buford Highway.

Send help, please.

-They shot him. They shot him. -What?

It's okay. It's gonna be okay.

He told me to leave, and I-I-I just left.

I didn't... I didn't turn back.

[Ledger] Okay, get her home. Clear the house.

Stay out front until I tell you. Okay?

Let's go. Move, move, move.

Get en route now. K9, in your car. Let's go.

You, with him. Go.

[tires screeching]

[siren wailing]

Clear the area. On the ground.

We got a body...

[tense music]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music]

[music continues]

[door creaks]

[man 3] 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.

[birds chirping]

[intense music]

[shower running]

[ominous music]

[squeaking]

[muffled groaning]

Now you can see what was hiding in plain sight.

[groans]

[groans]

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

[groaning]

You're not gonna shoot.

You don't have it in you.

You didn't shoot in the parking lot.

And you ain't gonna shoot now.

-[intense music] -[gunshot]

[body thuds]

[Will] V!

[breathing heavily]

Counsel.

Your Honor, I will 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 Reynaldo 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.

[ominous music]

[Viola]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 four minutes.

[Viola]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.

[music continues]

[machine whirring]

Frank deviated from that carefully-crafted plan

once Reynaldo went to jail,

leading police to find bodies.

Authorities discovered bone fragments in the shop

at the bottom of 255 gallon barrels

of a sodium dichromate and sulfuric acid mix

which can dissolve the human body within 24 hours.

Those fragments belonged to Natasha Brathwaite,

Tiffany Long, and Shantreice Winslow.

The three Black women who went missing last year

from Peachdale Lake trail.

[mellow music]

[sighs]

And I owe this court an apology.

Because foolishly, I believed Reynaldo was innocent,

not knowing he was as guilty as sin the entire time.

So I'm sorry for releasing the wrong man.

But we have the opportunity to make this right

by ensuring Reynaldo 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.

And 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 apologize to this court.

I apologize to the jury,

and most importantly, Viola. I...

I apologize to you.

[tense music]

[man 2] Based on the seriousness of these crimes,

I sentence Reynaldo Lee Jones

to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

[gavel thuds]

-You did it. -Yeah.

Congratulations. I'm so proud of you.

Thank you.

Oh. [clears throat]

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? -[Makeena] 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.

And 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--

High, high key creepy.

[Will] Okay, okay. Touche. You're right.

But 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 gotta start somewhere, right?

Uh, can you at least tell the man

that you'll be his friend so he can get up off the floor?

Now help me up. I'm still recovering.

[Viola] 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. -[groans]

So, how did it feel to be used?

[Viola] Not good.

I mean, Reynaldo was--

[Makeena] Not, not by Reynaldo.

By God.

To find the truth.

[mellow music]

I think it feels pretty good.

[chuckles]

Told you so.

I came here 'cause I'm hungry.

Mm-hmm.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[suspenseful music]

[music continues]

[music continues]