Original subtitles

Just make sure you send somebody.

Fast.

It's okay.

You're safe.

- ...tell us anything? - How long...

- How long were you up there? - Are you in any pain?

Do you know what happened to you?

Do you know your assailant?

Just lie back for me, honey.

Can you point to where it hurts?

- Do you remember... - ...any others...

How do you feel?

Just relax.

Have you or your family been threatened?

Take this, honey.

Can you identify the person who assaulted you?

...but we can only get the bastards with your help.

Can you remember anyone's face?

In here is all I got in this world right now.

I never unpack my bag. You?

So you a neo at this. Okay.

Low-key, they be stealing in these foster homes.

I had this halter top from Macy's once that just vanished.

An older girl in the home used to jack everybody for they shit.

Plus, we move around so much, it's like why bother unpacking?

Oh, God, no.

They gave us candy corn in our treat boxes.

Yo. I know these taste like wax, but they remind me of my mom.

At Easter, she would fill my whole basket with it,

and we'd eat it till we threw up.

Today was crazy, right?

We're lucky.

If we was 18, we'd be in jail right now.

Although this all kind of feels like jail anyway,

being kept away from our families.

Next month is gonna be two years for me.

How long you been in the life?

What? You don't talk?

I miss my mom.

I know she's gonna flip out when she sees how much taller I've gotten.

What about you? Did you miss your family too?

- Does Trini have a curfew? - Yeah.

It's ten o'clock on school nights

- and midnight on weekends. - Yeah.

Has she missed curfew? Hung out with friends you haven't met?

No. We know all of her friends.

We thought we knew her boyfriend.

We're good parents, all right?

We just...

What about your finances? Any debt?

What does that have to do--

She's trying to figure out if we were involved in trafficking Trini.

If we used her to pay off a debt.

Oh, my God. We would never.

I can't believe you'd think that we would do something like that to our child.

Anything is possible of anyone. And, unfortunately, I've seen it all.

What's next?

No alcohol on the premises. No indications of illegal drug use.

One registered firearm in a lockbox located in detached garage.

Premises clear of food waste, dust and debris.

So far, so good.

That means she's coming home now?

I still can't say.

Your daughter was trafficked.

The state needs to be sure that Trini's homelife neither contributed to

nor will further affect her mental and physical health.

Now, I'll be in touch.

Following Rachel McKegney's announcement that she is dropping out

of Oakland's mayoral race,

front-runner Andrew Finney's lead has increased by seven points.

Right now, he looks unstoppable. Now--

He isn't.

His political career will be over once he's arrested.

From your lips.

There's nothing concrete linking Finney to the mixers yet,

but almost all of the johns were on the donor list that we got from Alicia.

One of these guys has to have more to do with Finney

than just campaign donations.

Maybe it's quid pro quo.

So we just pinpoint which john helped Finney the most

and who has the most to lose.

Maybe we get him to flip.

A john's testimony,

coupled with the chains from the Gilded Karat,

might be enough to open a grand jury.

We're close. I can feel it.

Unfortunately, we're no closer to Emily than we were.

The intel that we've received, it didn't lead to Emily

or to any evidence of her whereabouts.

How do you know she wasn't at that mansion?

Could they have moved Emily before OPD arrived?

Maybe you just got there too late.

I know you wanted us to find your daughter,

but in a way, it is a very good thing she was not there.

Poppy Scoville's podcast gave us hope. A sign that Emily was alive.

She's just a podcaster.

But one you work closely with.

Look. If there is anything there, we will find it.

Believe me. We're kicking over every rock, every pebble, every stone.

We should up the reward.

- No, I don't recommend you up the reward. - I'm calling our accountant.

There is one rock I kicked over that I wanna speak to you about.

- Me? - Yeah.

We found cocaine at Victor's cabin, hidden in deodorant bottles.

Large amounts of cocaine, Peter.

Victor says it's yours.

Of course he said it belongs to me.

He's trying to cover his own ass.

Talk to me about your offshore bank accounts.

The ones that are being managed by Victor

in exchange for felony-sized cocaine that isn't yours.

You think I had something to do with Emily's disappearance?

I get it.

I'm your scapegoat now that your solid lead turned out to be bullshit.

- Admit it. You fucked up. - Hey.

I told you, we investigate every lead no matter how uncomfortable.

The only thing you should feel uncomfortable about

is your job security, Detective.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

- Des, my diamond. - Hey.

I thought our falafel run was next week.

Yeah, my father told me about the raid.

I thought the girls could use some clothes

and maybe some toiletries.

I adore you for this.

But most of the girls have been processed out of this facility,

either to their families or a foster home.

That's Melanie Sanchez.

I've been trying to contact her family, but I don't think anyone's coming.

Unfortunately, she's been in and out of our system before.

So where will she go?

An emergency placement.

Between her age and trafficking history, it's gonna be tough.

We are so low on homes right now.

Your numbers are unreal. l-- a live podcast.

I had to stop my racquetball game right then and there just to listen.

Thanks.

There is still a harrowing journey ahead for those girls.

It's not over until I take down the head of the trafficking ring.

Your investigative prowess never ceases to amaze.

There is one thing, though. Emily Mills.

Her parents reached out to me.

Apparently, they contacted you about your source.

The one who claimed Emily was at that house?

But they haven't heard back.

Ezra, I can't compromise my sources,

even for worried parents.

If you were back at The New York Times,

you'd be disclosing your sources to your editor.

No disrespect, but The New York Times has 132 Pulitzers.

How many does Boisterous have?

I will handle Emily's parents.

But moving forward,

Boisterous will have editorial oversight of Reconsidered,

and that's including fact-checking.

That wasn't our deal.

Our deal is your contract has a morals clause

that you agreed to with your signature.

Hey, sweetheart.

Come on in.

Honey, you're home.

- Baby. - You're home, baby.

She's experienced heavy trauma, Mr. Killebrew.

- She'll need a gentle approach. - All right.

Her exam showed signs of sexual assault.

She's also been tattooed.

Probably a result of her trafficker branding her.

Did she say who raped her?

She identified her assailant as Bill Ochoa.

He's in custody.

Best believe that motherfucker's gonna be prosecuted.

What else can you tell us?

I'm sorry, that's all I know.

And I have 19 more cases today, so I have to get going.

Just know it's gonna take Trini some time to adjust to being out of the life.

Trini was kidnapped and raped. She was never in the life.

The life for Trini began the moment they started grooming her.

And here's the thing you both need to understand.

Mentally, she's still in it.

Call me with any questions.

Thank you.

Hey, I just got a phone alert about a press conference.

What's going on?

Aames.

You lied.

I trusted you, and you lied.

I thought you were above that.

I thought if it meant saving them, we needed to.

We or you?

That wasn't a victimless lie.

I had to look Joana Reynolds in the eye

and tell her that her missing daughter wasn't there.

Do you want me to tell her that Emily was just a chess piece

in your larger social fight?

I hate to say it,

but I'd do it again if it meant saving Trini.

In a heartbeat.

I'm glad Trini's home.

But now she is, we're done.

I'm putting everything into finding Emily.

Aames. Aames.

Excuse me.

Good day.

I want to start by saying congratulations and thank you to the officers

involved in the rescue of 15 underage victims

from what appeared to be a sex party.

Unfortunately, one young girl remains missing.

She was not at the raid,

nor have we recovered evidence that she was there.

That girl is Emily Mills.

Additionally, because of the rogue actions

of a criminal gang known as the Capstones, our investigation is facing challenges.

But OPD's investigators will work tirelessly

to pursue justice for the girls who were rescued.

Until that time,

the persons arrested in connection with the alleged crimes at the sex party

have been released on bail.

We won't be taking any questions right now. Thank you.

They've all lawyered up.

Without a john's testimony, the DA will be reluctant to bring charges.

What about evidence from the house?

I heard the cops say something about finding a hidden security camera,

but they haven't been able to trace where the feed went.

- What about the rape kits? - Not enough DNA.

The johns must have worn condoms.

So Finney wins.

You know,

these paths to Finney

all focus on the victimizers.

But nothing...

is as powerful as a victim's voice.

But making the girls testify retraumatizes them,

- so we can't do anyth-- - No. I agree.

They need time to heal.

That's why I'm hoping you might tell your story on air.

- Me? - Yes.

You're strong. Smart.

An admired force for good in Oakland.

Coming forward might help open up an official investigation.

No, honestly, Poppy, I hoped it wouldn't come to this.

I'm still processing. I'm raw. I'm numb.

So much still doesn't even make any sense to me.

Have you written about what happened to you?

Putting it all down on paper might offer you some clarity.

Think about it.

Hey. I got your message. You all right?

How in the fuck is Bill Ochoa released?

I need to know what that sick bastard did to my daughter.

I want to see his statement. I want to see his interrogation.

There's nothing to see. He denied everything.

Then give me his arrest file then.

- For what? - The fucking guy is a predator, a monster.

And he needs to be dealt with accordingly. Right the fuck now.

Markus, just go home. Go home. Be with your family, please--

If you don't have a problem with these fuckers

who rape kids and just get to make bail,

then OPD really is the place for you.

I don't even know where to start.

What am I supposed to say?

"Once upon a time, there was a dumbass who gave the best BJs in the Bay."

This only works if you take it seriously.

I just don't think that recording my messy life is the answer.

Okay, so why don't you start with a success story?

Do I have one from back then?

Debate Club.

I watched you kick the living shit

out of some skinny white boy's pro-death penalty platform.

Spencer Loeb.

His argument was unfounded. The death penalty is not a deterrent.

Point is you slayed him and every other smug-ass boy in the Bay.

God. That was so long ago.

You are still the same strong girl that I met back in the day.

But we both know that some memories,

some mistakes are better left in the rearview.

- But Finney i-- - All that I'm saying

is that if you are gonna do this, it's gotta be about you, Eva.

Nobody else.

The agency is reaching out to your mom.

But I thought until then, we'd make you comfortable.

All yours. I want you to feel at home, Melanie.

This ain't my home.

- You're right. - Yeah. I just--

I wanna keep my stuff in my bag, in case my mom comes.

Absolutely.

I love and miss my mom too.

She passed when I was younger than you.

And if I sit still long enough and close my eyes,

I can smell her perfume.

Gives me comfort.

There's nothing like the love between a mother and a daughter.

Can I get ready for bed?

- Let me know if you need anything. - Yep.

God!

God!

Trini. Baby.

- No. Hey! - No!

Baby.

It's me, okay? It's Daddy. I'm here.

Please. Let me help you. Okay? Please.

Lennon, I don't have time for this.

Make some time.

Your vice principal filed an official complaint

with me because of your absences.

Can you blame her?

She's had to pick up the slack every time you run away from campus.

I'm not running away. I'm trying to help our students.

You mean you're not running away with Poppy Scoville all this time?

Her podcast is making the school look bad.

What do you want, Lennon? Why are you here?

Distance yourself from Poppy.

If not, I may not be able to protect your job.

Hey, sweetheart. It's Dad.

You don't have to let me in or anything like that.

But I just want you to know how much I love you.

And I would do anything for you.

Anything in this world.

I just want you to be okay.

All right.

Come here.

Come here. I know.

I can't do it. I'm sorry.

I have worked so hard to get where I am.

No. I gotta protect that.

If I talk to the police, lawyers,

anybody about Finney, I could lose everything.

I already got the superintendent threatening my job.

You don't have to explain yourself.

My students.

God, my faculty.

All the world will see is a dirty ho.

Eva, don't worry.

Look at all we've done.

If there's another way to get Finney, we'll find it.

It's like he's always one step ahead of us.

I come from a long line of fighters. It's in my blood.

We're a long way from being done.

A long way.

So how's Trini?

Tell you the truth, I got no clue. You know?

She hasn't said a word to either one of us.

It's like she's still trapped in that house,

and I just can't get to her.

I'm so sorry.

Look...

This is Chheng Sok.

She's a social worker

who specializes in trafficking survivors.

Maybe she can help.

- Thanks, Pop. Really. - Of course.

Of course.

Can I ask you something?

Andrew Finney?

How is it that that man ran a whole trafficking ring

and there's never even been a whisper of a charge against him?

It's corruption.

These cats, they create these foundations,

and they funnel money to the police department.

And in return?

They get to do whatever they want.

Some of the cops, they tamper with evidence.

They manipulate witnesses.

It's damn near impossible to prosecute a case

if the cops are working against you.

We need to find someone who can get into OPD.

Someone trustworthy,

but someone they'd underestimate.

It's a gray sweater with a flower on the right shoulder.

It's my daughter's.

I was told I could retrieve it now that her case is closed.

Okay, here we go. Drea Spivey. Case number 0071721.

Sign there.

You got beets on your salad?

Excuse you, it's healthy.

Whatever. I hope you don't force Melanie to eat that too.

I might.

And how is she? Since, you know?

I can't tell yet.

It's tough, but I think she's just sussing me out.

And I couldn't sleep at all last night.

I kept sneaking in to check on her.

- Is that crazy? - No.

I just want her to like me.

Okay. But those beets not gonna help.

- Hey, Mel. You can get anything you want. - Anything?

Avoid the wings. You'll thank me later.

- By the way, Lillian called me. - Yeah.

- Okay. - She said Daddy's not taking his meds.

He'll take them if he needs to.

He's fine.

He does things his way. That's why he's a leader.

Yeah and that's why his CTE is getting worse.

Trust me. I got him.

You just worry about that new child.

I know.

You still got my number?

What the fuck?

- Is-- - Oh, my God.

- Excuse me? Hey! Get away from her. - I--

- She's just a kid, you bitch-ass pervert. - Yo, yo--

- Are you okay? - In the food court?

- Really? Where's security? - I'm so sorry, Melanie.

I took my eyes off you for one second and this guy came--

He was gonna pay me double. Okay? You know what that means, right?

Listen to me. That dude does not determine your worth.

That's right. You have so much more to offer.

Just stop. Okay? You're not my mom.

The needle and floss from the motel was signed in as evidence,

checked out two hours later, but it was never checked back in.

OPD has a dirty cop. Maybe more than one.

Drea always said she didn't trust the police.

Now I know why.

Is everything okay?

I may have to do something I didn't want to do.

I need to talk to one of the girls from the mixer.

Look at what he's done to her!

You have got to stop obsessing over him!

He needs to pay for what he did!

Honey.

Hey, sweetheart.

- I'm sorry for yelling like that. - Got all your favorites for dinner.

- A little bit more in the oven. - Yeah.

What do you think? You hungry?

I don't know what you just heard.

I just don't want you to be scared.

And I want you to trust me.

We're gonna get the guy that did this to you,

and we're gonna put him away.

- Sweetheart. Baby. - Hey.

You really shouldn't have done that.

- She doesn't wanna hear about that man. - Z,

the best shot we have at moving on begins

with Bill behind bars, and that's it, period.

You're doing it again. You're going into action mode.

The caseworker told us that we need to approach Trini gently.

That is how we get her to connect with her emotions.

But how do we get her to connect with us?

I don't know what to do. She's not answering her phone.

Okay, calm down. What happened?

We went to bed, and then I woke up.

When I went to check on Melanie, she was gone.

- So she snuck out? - Cy,

what if she's with that guy? The dude from the food court?

Let's not assume shit right now.

Maybe she went to hang with some friends.

But you heard her.

She was proud of how much he was offering her!

Yeah, I know.

It's just gonna take some time for her to stop thinking of herself like that.

Time and therapy.

I couldn't even keep her safe for one day.

Oh, my God! Where have you been?

Des, chill. Just give her a minute.

I wasn't with that dude if that's what you thought.

She did. I thought you were with some friends.

I told you. Before foster care, I lived with my mom and her boyfriend.

So I went home, back to our house, but wasn't nobody there.

It was all boarded up.

I'm so sorry, Melanie.

Where'd she go? Where's my mom at?

I don't know.

But you don't have to worry about that right now.

Okay? We'll figure that out.

I ain't never had someone step up for me the way you guys did.

My mom's boyfriend the one who got me into the life.

And when I told her...

she didn't even believe me.

My mom's not coming back for me, is she?

I can't answer that.

I don't got no-fucking-body.

No. You got me.

And I'm not going anywhere. Okay? I promise.

You got me too. And I'm a damn good auntie.

I have seen tremendous recovery results

for trafficking survivors through inpatient residential treatment.

Wait. She'd have to leave us again?

How long would she have to stay?

That would depend on Trini.

But I can tell you that the primary benefit

is removing the survivor from active triggers.

Social media, her trafficker.

Being away from all that would give her distance and space to heal.

Where is this recovery program?

Personally, I think the best treatment center

for Trini is in Jackson, Wyoming.

- Is there a website we can look at? - Yeah.

Pop, I don't want you questioning her.

I'm just trying to create a safe space for Mel here.

I wanna talk.

I feel bad I didn't help before.

After the raid, the police asked me questions.

And I kept saying I didn't know. But I do know.

I was afraid that if I said anything,

they would tell their friends.

Their friends? You mean other cops?

How do you know cops were involved in the mixers?

I would hear my man-- my pimp,

talking on the phone with some dude about the mixers.

He said he was a cop.

Did you get a name?

They called him Cubo.

One time, I asked him why they called him that,

and he told me the dude was a dirty cop.

I thought that term sounded familiar.

"Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer." That's what CUBO means.

Can you tell us anything else?

Trains.

Trains? What do you mean, honey?

Cubo lived by a BART station.

I could hear it sometimes on speaker.

That probably doesn't help you, though. So...

No, it could, Melanie. Thank you.

- You are so brave. Truly. - She's right.

I've interviewed firefighters, Marines and others,

and they didn't have half your courage.

I'm trying.

It's been really hard, you know?

But Desiree's been helping me.

I'm just so sick of being scared.

Hey. Beignets?

You're trying to bribe me with fried dough?

Cold fried dough?

I know you hate me right now, but I really need to tell you something.

Please.

I think OPD may be involved with this new trafficking ring.

Unbelievable.

Evidence went missing. From Drea's case.

The needle and floss we found at the motel, it's gone.

I'm sure there is a simple explanation

that doesn't involve multi-level conspiracy theories.

Melanie said cops--

Melanie said the cops knew about the mixers.

At least one did. You know what CUBO means?

Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer.

That was her pimp's nickname for a guy he used to talk to.

He may live near a BART station?

You okay?

No, I'm not okay. I got that sick feeling in my gut.

That same one I had at SFPD.

God, I'm sorry.

I really am. I will make this up to you.

And Emily's family. I promise.

We okay?

These are a pretty decent start.

Thank you all for coming.

The Golden State Originals

and the PCH Riders are all feeling the squeeze

from this anti-gang initiative Finney's running on,

giving OPD reason to lock us down.

Now, his grip is only gonna get tighter if he wins.

Now what can we do?

I need y'all to dip into your pockets.

We gotta post bail, get our brothers back on the streets.

OPD holding them on some trumped-up bullshit.

- Can we help you with something? - I'm with Building and Safety.

- What is this? - It's a notice of noncompliance

on your ramp and handrails.

If your building isn't ADA certified in 45 days,

- we'll shut it down. - Is this a joke?

You can't do that!

There's been a squad car out front all day.

Y'all are harassing us.

You can take this bullshit fine and get the hell out of our bar!

Bye-bye.

Greedy motherfucker.

Daddy? Daddy?

Yeah.

Y'all see that? Finney's coming for The Knock.

Our business. The heartbeat of the Capstones.

And he'll come for all of us. So let's go, dip into them pockets!

Your father and I contacted

the treatment center recommended by Ms. Sok.

We bought tickets for a flight out tomorrow.

It's called Bloom House. It's a ten-week program.

We get two visitation weekends. And as soon as we're allowed,

we'll be on the first flight out to see you in Wyoming.

This'll be good.

I looked online, and the pictures... beautiful.

Right on a lake.

The time will fly by, you'll see.

You'll be feeling better in no time.

Are you ashamed of me? Is that why you're sending me away?

What? No. No!

You don't trust me now.

You look at me differently. I can tell.

You think that I'm... dirty.

Hey. I don't think that at all.

But I do look at you differently.

Because you are different.

When somebody goes through what you went through, it changes them.

It has to.

But you know what doesn't change?

What will never change is my love for you.

Okay, you don't know what happened.

No. No, I don't.

But here's what I do know.

God gave you to me and your dad,

and I am forever grateful.

Then why all of the locks and sensors?

Honey, we don't know how to help you.

But I wanna help. Tell me how.

Don't send me away.

I want to stay home with you, please.

Okay. That's what we'll do.

We're gonna do this together, as a family.

Okay? Okay. Come here.

Come here, honey. Yeah.

I got you, baby.

I got you.

Admit it. The peanut butter bomb

added to the pomegranate-oat dream is on point.

I really missed these insightful conversations

when you were on leave.

It's definitely suss Peter has time

to hit the weights while his stepdaughter's missing.

- Hey, Peter. What the fuck, man? - What the hell?

- I want my money. I mean it. - Yeah, you'll get your money.

- I mean it. Don't walk away from me. - Get out of my way.

Don't fuck with me.

Who the fuck was that?

No idea.

Asshole.

Did you get the make of the car?

Silver Hyundai. First letters, 8XW.

Let's run it through the system. May get lucky.

- Can we swing by my place first? - Yeah, sure. Where is it?

Mandela and Seventh.

- Is that near a BART station? - Yeah.

Horns blaring and wheels squealing all the damn time.

But I got a sweet deal on my condo, so I ain't movin' anytime soon.

Fucking trains, huh?

After the storm. From darkness to light. Post trauma.

All of these could describe the period following rescue from sex trafficking.

The girls recently rescued

from sex traffickers in Claremont Hills are victims.

They are also survivors.

But in order to heal, they'll need support

from family, friends, teachers-- from all of us.

We need to do our part

in ensuring that these children not only survive but thrive.

That means comforting, encouraging, listening to and believing in them.

It's said, "The truth is like a lion.

Let it loose, and it will defend itself."

I say, except when it can't.

As you've learned in the news, 15 young girls were rescued

from an underage sex party here in Oakland.

Powerful men, leaders even, are the victimizers involved.

And as of this moment, not a single one remains in jail.

Daddy!

There may be no lion here.

Only young girls who, in addition to support, deserve justice.

And the only way they're going to get it is if the truth is defended.

The question remains, if it's not all of us,

who will defend the truth in the wake

of the atrocities inflicted on these young girls?

Aames and I are working to uncover who at OPD is in Finney's pocket.

We got a case if we can get them to talk.

I'm ready to talk.

The ones who go before us make us brave.

Oprah, Michelle Obama, Kamala.

They all talk about standing on the shoulders of their ancestors.

I guess I never expected to be standing on the shoulders of children.

Drea and Melanie.

There's no way in hell I could ask them to speak up

if I couldn't.

What about the school? Your job?

It's worth it if I can get him to stop hurting

any other girl the way that he hurt me.

I do have to warn you, Poppy...

I'm not the perfect victim.