♪ ♪
Ava?
Ava? Ava?
Ava?
Ava?
Ava?
What's going on, mija?
- Have you seen my daughter?
- No, lo siento.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
- Have you seen Ava?
- No.
Has anyone seen my daughter? Ava?!
MATTHEWS: Okay, Janko,
if you had to choose,
what says "I'm sorry" more,
chocolate chip cookies or
chocolate-sprinkle doughnuts?
Well, that depends.
What are we apologizing for?
Not getting into your dream school.
Gracie didn't get into Shields Academy?
I know it's one of the top
K-12 schools in the city,
but she didn't even make it
past the first round.
How could anyone reject Gracie?
She's such a sweet kid.
Right? And according to her paperwork,
she is a perfect fit.
Excellent social skills,
a strong sight reader.
- Cute as a button.
- Exactly.
And during our calls,
the admissions director
said Gracie's interview
was "just a formality."
Until we met in person.
Well, what changed?
I think maybe they were expecting
someone else at the interview.
- Oh.
- Mm-hmm.
So...
chocolate chip cookies or doughnuts?
Neither.
I have a better idea.
OFFICER: Detectives.
Hey. What do we got?
We got a Christina
and Freddie Dominguez.
Christina left daughter Ava,
four years old, alone for a few minutes,
but when she returned, Ava was gone.
All right, you searched the premise?
Yeah, but there's no sign of the child.
Okay. We got it from here, thanks.
[CRYING]
Mr. and Mrs. Dominguez,
Detective Reagan, my
partner Detective Baez.
Can you tell us what's going on?
- My baby. Someone took my baby.
- Our angel.
Ava, right?
Can you tell us what happened?
I left for ten, maybe 15 minutes,
to do laundry across the street.
Do you often leave your daughter alone?
No, of course she doesn't.
CHRISTINA: I usually find a sitter,
but couldn't.
When I get home, the door
was open and she was gone.
Was the door locked?
Yes.
I mean,
I think it was.
DANNY: Is it possible
she may have gotten out by herself?
She would've never left Ellie behind.
Can you think of anybody who
might have wanted to take her?
What? No, of course not.
Where were you, Freddie?
I was at work, in-in Queens.
Anyone that can attest to that?
CHRISTINA: Why would you ask him that?
Our daughter is missing.
We're trying to find her.
Then do it.
Please, just...
bring our baby home.
We'll do our best.
I'll be honest, being a lawyer
is nothing like it is on TV.
Cases do not wrap up in a week,
or an hour... [CHUCKLES]
and, you know, it's quite often
that we don't get the bad guy.
Then why do you do it?
Well, because no matter how hard it is,
I know I'm doing my best to get justice
for the people who have been harmed.
And I love what I do.
Okay. Uh, team, let's thank
Ms. Reagan for coming
to speak with us.
ERIN: You guys were great.
[APPLAUSE]
Do you have time
for a few more questions?
Sure. Yeah.
TEACHER: Who wants to go first?
STUDENT: Me. [CHUCKLES]
Do judges wear pajamas
under their robes?
[LAUGHTER]
Uh, I don't know, personally,
but I would imagine a few do, yeah.
How about you?
Akeelah Stallings, 13,
Harlem native, future defense attorney.
Okay, great. What do you
got for me, Akeelah?
What would you do if an
was arrested for drug distribution?
Good question.
Okay, well, dr*gs are a felony.
So, first-time offender,
no prior arrests,
I would probably work
with their attorney
to get them to plea down
to a lower-level crime.
- And then?
- And then,
offer them a shorter sentence
or rehabilitation program.
That's a lie.
Because my brother Eli is
locked up for selling cocaine.
And you're the one who put him away.
[STUDENTS MURMURING]
[DOOR OPENS]
Your 11:00 is here.
[SIGHS] Remind me?
"Dominic Andrews"
from the Police Foundation.
Okay.
Except it's Garrett.
What, he used an alias?
Look, I'm sorry, but
the son of a bitch tricked me.
He said the Police Foundation
was doing some fundraiser
they wanted you to support,
to sign off on it,
- I don't know.
- You can have a seat right here.
I'm not here
in my official capacity as DCPI,
I am here as a concerned citizen.
And this is my neighbor Gerri Mazullo.
Hello.
Very pleased to meet you, sir.
And you wanted to see me because...?
The NYPD stole my car.
♪ ♪
So, a couple of months ago...
Gerri, maybe it's better if
you tell the commissioner.
Oh, uh... Six months ago,
I went into a restaurant
to pick up an order.
I'm a-a delivery driver, so sometimes
I got to double-park
'cause I'll be in and out.
Only this time, when I came
back, my car was stolen.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I reported it to the police,
and I was thrilled when I got the call
the day after saying it was found.
Yes, so, uh, you are here because...?
They found dr*gs under the seat.
Ah.
And they arrested the guy
who stole the car,
and now the car is tied
to a large drug case.
Yeah, and they're keeping
my car from me 'cause of it.
Yes, as evidence.
I tried to tell them I had
nothing to do with any dr*gs.
Why would I report my car missing
if I knew it had dr*gs inside?
Yes, well, if you didn't have
anything to do with the dr*gs,
the car will be returned to you
when the case is completed.
[SIGHS] Now you're sounding like them.
Like who?
Detectives Larkin and Johnson
at the 2-8.
I'm sure they're doing
the best they can.
By giving me the runaround
and telling me lie after lie?
Look, I worked
my butt off, and then the pandemic hit
and a 30-year career is lost
because of "downsizing."
I am sorry about that.
Meaning I don't chauffeur
people and their lunches
around the city for fun.
That car was my lifeline,
and now I'm drowning.
I mean,
I'm sorry about
what you're going through.
All due respect, I can't cash a "sorry."
I need answers, I-I need my car.
I tried talking to the detectives,
their captain, the D.A.'s office.
I'm coming to you
because I need your help.
Can you think of anybody who would want
to hurt the Dominguez family?
No, they're good people. But loud.
All day and night,
you hear that baby crying and screaming.
And that poor mother,
begging for it to stop.
They said Ava was an angel.
Lucifer was an angel, too.
NEIGHBOR: I told Christina
that Ava showed severe signs of autism
and other developmental delays.
And that's why you stopped babysitting?
No, I stopped because she bit me so bad
I needed a tetanus sh*t.
LANDLORD:
Man, I got more complaints
about that family
than I can count.
BAEZ: About Ava's behavior?
And Christina and Freddie's fighting.
Those two are like cats and dogs.
So, let me get this right.
You want to borrow Katie?
JANKO: We want her to help us
investigate something
at Shields Academy.
The Shields Academy?
- You've heard of it?
- Uh, who hasn't?
Well, my daughter
didn't even make it past
- the preliminary round.
- Well, you know,
these schools can be harder
to get into than Ivies.
That's true, but respectfully, Captain,
you should've seen the way
this admissions director...
Mary Ellen Duggar.
...looked at me and Gracie.
Because you're Black?
That's what my gut's saying.
[SIGHS]
If Shields Academy is employing
discriminatory practices, it's
something we should look into.
On our own time, of course.
Yeah, I'm in.
Well, you had me at "Shields Academy."
ABETEMARCO: You mind me asking
why you're digging up
a five-year-old case file?
I do.
I ran into Eli's sister Akeelah,
and I wanted a refresher on the case.
Was this before or after
your career day presentation?
During.
What could a little kid
have possibly said
to make The Great Erin Reagan
quake in her boots?
She called me a flop.
- What, like the shoe?
- A flip-flopper.
And she's not entirely wrong.
I mean, if he committed
this crime today,
he'd probably be in a treatment
program and not in prison.
Yeah, but you don't make
the laws, you just uphold them.
It's up to the judges
and the powers that be
to determine what the
punishments should look like.
- I know.
- So, then, you should know
that a conservative judge
equals a harsher sentence,
and vice versa.
I know that, too, but Akeelah does not.
So, is this file really for a refresher?
So, how well did you vet her?
GARRETT: I didn't.
She lives on my block.
And yours is the only block in this city
where nobody ever lies?
I know her, from around.
Why, did you dig up something on her?
She have a record?
No, just a couple
of double-parking incidents.
Then what is this?
Well, I was gonna ask you
the same thing.
As I'm sure you've noticed,
the department has come under fire
from all sorts of sides,
and I saw an opportunity
for maybe some counter PR,
and I took it.
Message: you care.
- I can't be that guy.
- I know you can't.
I mean, I'd love to,
but I-I can't be that guy.
You were just for show,
but I thought maybe
you could call the captain at the 2-8.
You really care
about this woman, don't you?
I do.
Hey, if you're too busy,
I'll get Sid to do it.
Well, there's no signs of forced entry.
And the landlord admitted that
- the cameras were just for show.
- Right.
And no reports of child
abductions in the area.
Maybe one of the neighbors took Ava
to teach the parents a lesson.
Sounds like it'd be more
punishment for them
than it would be for
Christina and Freddie.
Good point.
Maybe the not-so-happy couple
was planning a split.
Freddie took Ava
to avoid a custody battle.
Did his alibi check out?
No, not yet.
We can't get ahold of his boss.
Great.
You all right?
Do you remember seeing
that at their apartment?
Yeah. Shrines like that
are usually reserved for Elvis.
Altar.
Yeah, I've seen my fair
share of these growing up.
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Mm-hmm.
You think it may have something
to do with Ava's kidnapping?
I don't know what I think yet.
Reagan.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Talk to us.
OFFICER: She's over here, Detectives.
It's her.
- Any witnesses?
- None.
- Just wait for the M.E.
- Yes, sir.
CHRISTINA: My baby! Is that her?!
Is that my baby?!
No! My baby...
Oh, no...
Hey, it's okay. It's okay.
Stay right here.
[SOBBING]
♪ ♪
The bruises on Ava's wrists
are consistent with
her being restrained by metal chains.
BAEZ: And cause of death?
Drowning.
BAEZ: So she was bound
and drowned to death?
What kind of monster
does something like that?
DANNY: Only an extremely sick monster.
Ava smelled like she had been
doused in cheap perfume
and alcohol.
She was found in a formal white dress.
Well, maybe she's some
kind of child bride
who had been tortured to death.
And then carefully laid to rest?
I think there's someone
we should talk to.
AKEELAH: You really came all
this way for a crappy school lunch?
No, I came to explain Eli's case.
I already know about his case.
Well, I wanted to give you some space
to ask more questions.
Sounds more like you wanted
to give your side of the story.
- There aren't multiple sides.
- You're right.
You put my brother away
and now you feel bad
'cause you're face to face with a girl
who went to foster care because of it.
That part wasn't
in the case file, was it?
I just did my job.
I get it, Ms. Reagan.
You-you get what?
I've seen the movies.
Stuffy, rich white person... you...
meets charming and quirky
poor Black kid... me.
And they form some unlikely bond
where the stuffy person
becomes corny but cool
and the poor kid gets a home.
- That is not what is happening here.
- Oh, I know.
'Cause I'm not charity project
you can just pick up
to make yourself feel better.
I think you're misunderstanding.
Am I?
I'm sorry.
What you should be sorry for
is making me suffer through
this cafeteria food.
If you really wanted to impress me,
you would have splurged
on some McDonald's.
DANNY: You sure this guy can help?
Positive.
Almond milk latte with
a half pump of vanilla syrup
and another pump of lavender, right?
Just what I needed. Thank you.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Oh, I didn't know what you liked,
so I got you plain coffee.
Oh. Thank you.
Detective Danny Reagan,
this is Detective Wesley Pierre.
Heard a lot about you.
Likewise.
Hopefully, both of your experiences
will help us collar Ava's k*ller.
Wesley knows a lot about voodoo.
Vodou.
I worked a case a few years back.
Well, the NYPD sent me
to train with the Miami PD,
to learn all about vodou,
and handle investigations
just like this.
Although we're not exactly sure
that that's what we're
dealing with here.
From looking at the altar,
I think we are.
In the Dominican Republic,
where Christina and Freddie are from,
it's called 21 Divisions.
- Someone in that family is a follower.
- Yeah,
except none of the
neighbors mentioned that.
Maybe you weren't asking
the right questions.
How can I help you, Detectives?
How'd you guess?
It's my job to read people.
Who they are and what they need.
Oh, well, can you guess what we need?
Answers.
- Right.
- You work here?
More than that.
You're a brujo?
Papa Dios blessed me
with the ability to communicate
with the misterios.
Spirits who work on God's behalf.
Believers go to a brujo or priest
to get answers or blessings
from the misterios.
Like a middleman.
- I prefer "interpreter".
- Okay.
Do you know them?
I do.
It's a shame what happened
to their daughter.
How do you know them?
Freddie's a frequent visitor.
Always looking
for some healing or answer.
And what about Christina?
Christina believed, Freddie followed.
BAEZ: When was the
last time you saw him?
Last Sunday.
He said there was some trouble at home.
I gave him something like that
for his guidance and protection.
Mm.
- You okay?
- Uh, yeah.
Keep it.
The misterios are telling me
you'll need it.
GORMLEY: Why are we doing this?
It's the right thing to do.
No, it's not.
Well, it's gonna happen, Sid.
Detectives Johnson and Larkin.
Please, sit down.
Sit right here. You can take this chair.
Thanks for coming up.
I want you to know
that this is in no way
an official inquiry.
We just have some questions
we'd like some help with.
What can we help you with?
One Gerri Mazullo.
[SIGHS]
She got to you too.
She did.
We followed protocol to the T.
No one is saying you didn't.
Well, being somewhat familiar
with the patrol guide,
I know that after the initial toss,
photos of the car would suffice.
Respectfully, sir,
what's happing to Ms. Mazullo is wrong.
Well, did you ask the D.A.'s office
if they could use
the photos of the car instead?
LARKIN: We did.
They said no.
Because?
Their protocols.
LARKIN: Respectfully, sir,
if you want more answers, you should go
to the prosecutor handling the case.
And who might that be?
That would be Erin Reagan.
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING IN DISTANCE]
Are you ready, Katie?
Um, there's been a-a change in the plan.
Oh. What kind of change?
I will be going in with Katie.
JANKO: We agreed that I would be the one
infiltrating Shields Academy.
We agreed that we were
going to try and uncover
if they're discriminating
against their applicants.
- That's still happening.
- With you at the lead?
Look, Shields Academy
can change Katie's life.
If she gets accepted,
we're gonna enroll.
Captain...
But there was a script.
Yeah, it's the same one
that I'm gonna use. Just...
a few minor revisions.
Look, I've been paying attention.
I know exactly what to do.
- Come on.
- [SIGHS]
I just loved your application, Katie.
We have a great hockey program here
and we are always looking for
k*ller players to add to our roster.
I have to send you her highlight reel.
- She is amazing.
- [CHUCKLES]
I also really enjoyed your essay.
She's a fantastic writer.
You should read some of
her K-pop fan fiction.
Oh, well, then you would love
our creative writing elective.
Our scholars even go on
to publish their own books.
Where do we sign up?
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Well, here at Shields Academy,
we believe
that the parents are just as
much a part of the community
as our scholars.
So, Ms. McNichols, I would love
to learn more about you.
Uh... well, actually, it's captain.
Oh, you're in the m*llitary.
No, NYPD.
Oh.
I am so sorry.
I did not realize the time.
I have another meeting scheduled
in just a little bit.
So thank you so much for coming in,
and, um, you'll be hearing from us soon.
Goo-Good things, I hope.
Oh, well, we'll be in touch.
Okay.
DANNY: It's time you told us the truth,
Christina.
We spoke to your neighbors.
We know that you and Freddie fought.
A lot.
A lot of couples do.
Not frequently enough for their
landlords to plot their eviction.
No one is perfect.
DANNY: Like Ava. You wanted
everyone to believe
she was a perfect little angel,
but then she wasn't, was she?
Ava was different.
She would cry.
A lot.
There were days I thought
I was going a little crazy.
Did you ever seek help for it?
Everyone said she would outgrow it.
She never did.
Is that why you turned to 21 Divisions?
What do you know about that?
We saw the altar in your home.
We also know that Freddie
frequented Abner's Botanica.
When did it become
illegal to have faith?
It didn't.
But it is illegal to leave
your child unsupervised.
Leaving her alone is
something I'm going to regret
for the rest of my life.
Now you're gonna do right by her.
That's something I'll have
to sort through with God.
DANNY: Well...
you could sort through it
with us first down at the squad.
You're under arrest.
Come on.
Look, uh, I'm sorry
to just barge in like this.
You're not barging in.
Yeah, I sure am.
What's wrong?
I'd like to talk to you
about the Gerri Mazullo case.
The who case?
She's the Uber driver
whose car got stolen.
My cops retrieved it
but not before it was used
to transfer dr*gs.
Okay, and I fit in how?
Well, the detectives on the case
said that your office
has kept the car impounded.
Going on six months.
Did they?
They did.
Me personally?
Well, they used your name.
And you didn't think to yourself
that maybe it was someone
in Erin's bureau?
Someone fresh on the job,
a rookie who got caught up in protocols?
Someone under someone under Erin?
Well, when things
fall through the cracks,
isn't it ultimately
the boss's responsibility?
In newspaper editorials
and 60 Minutes pieces,
yeah, the buck stops here.
But in our lives, yours and mine,
sorry to say, things get lost
in the shuffling of the decks
and the stakes we play for.
Kinda cynical of you.
Kind of pragmatic of me.
But, yes, served with a side of regret.
[SIGHS]
You're probably right.
[EXHALES]
Well, that's never good coming from you.
[SIGHS]
What's that mean?
It means the person who said it
has lost some core values along the way.
No.
Yes.
[SIGHS]
Don't we owe it to ourselves
to at least try to remember
why we fought every fight
that got sent our way?
[SIGHS]
Yes.
Once I free up some time.
How do you spell her name?
Thank you.
Here you go. Appreciate you.
So...
Katie was also rejected
from Shields Academy.
[SIGHS] I'm sorry.
Yeah, tell that to my kid.
Thank you.
- Did you follow the script?
- Did I follow the script?
I gave an Oscar-worthy performance.
Then at least we know it didn't
have anything to do with race.
- Well, what do you think happened?
- Part of me just wants
to chalk it up to this is a very
difficult school to get into.
And the other part?
Well, things got tense
when I brought up work.
MATTHEWS: Same here.
I just figured it's 'cause I'm Black.
JANKO: Well, Matthews,
I think you were right.
I think Shields Academy
does discriminate.
Just not in the way that we all thought.
She hasn't requested an attorney
or to speak to her husband.
Maybe if we charge her
with child endangerment,
a night in a cell might get her to talk.
Let me try to talk to her first. Please?
Yeah, of course.
[DOOR OPENS]
Psalm 28.
It's a prayer my Tía Anna gave me.
She was a believer.
- Believer?
- Yeah.
There wasn't a big test,
uh, crush,
or a stomachache she didn't have
a prayer or a bath
or some concoction for.
- Like what?
- Like...
sour orange with garlic and honey.
Or a milk and rose bath
for good luck in the New Year or a
prayer on parchment for flights.
And this one
she gave me for protection
the day I became a cop.
There was a lot about my aunt
and her beliefs that
I didn't understand.
Like yours and Freddie's.
But I don't need to understand
them to respect them.
Do you have children, Detective?
Yeah, I do.
Then you know how hard it is.
You expect some trouble, but
no one tells you about the loneliness.
Or how not even your family wants
to be around a mom with a fussy baby.
- That sounds tough.
- It's hell.
Freddie and I started fighting
'cause the school I was looking into
was for kids with special needs.
He wanted to put his faith in God?
What kind of God would
take my baby away from me?
Christina,
could Freddie have done something
without your knowledge?
I can't believe he would
do anything to hurt her.
He loved Ava more than anything.
But... would he have done something
if he thought it would heal her?
We're gonna need your help to find him.
ABETEMARCO: I got you a gift.
Intel.
Is it about a case?
It's about Akeelah Stallings.
I'm not interested.
I have a full caseload
to focus on, and so do you.
- That doesn't sound like you at all.
- Anthony,
you're the one that told me there's
nothing to look into here.
Yeah, well, I changed my mind.
I wanted to know more about the kid
who riled up Erin Reagan twice.
I spoke to Akeelah's brother.
Turns out that he cut off
all communication
with Akeelah following his sentence.
Not a birthday card
or a "Merry Christmas."
Did he say why?
He figured that she would be better off
without her screwup
older brother holding her back.
And he thought she was just young enough
to forget about him.
Well, he was wrong.
She just ended up feeling abandoned.
Well, if I had to guess,
I would say that you were the receiver
of her misplaced hurt and anger.
And what am I supposed to do
with this information?
I don't know.
But I'm sure you'll figure it out.
Christina's story checks out.
Her phone records show
she never left the neighborhood.
And we got the security footage
from the Laundromat finally.
Wesley told me he tried
more neighborhood botanicas, but nobody
- recognized Freddie.
- Mm.
Hold on a second.
What was Freddie's alibi?
He was making deliveries in Queens.
These phone records show he
never left Washington Heights.
- He's been lying this whole time?
- Apparently so.
Let's connect with TARU,
see if we can track
his current location.
[DOOR OPENS]
ERIN: Oh.
I thought you'd still be at work.
Roast has been secured.
Delivered.
And you are welcome.
A grateful family thanks you.
And a stubborn father
apologizes to you.
Nah.
I took my frustrations out on you.
[SLIDES CHAIR OUT]
You were just trying to do
what you thought was right.
Is it a case
that has been b*ating you up?
A kid
whose brother I had
to put away a few years back.
Was it the right move?
Yeah, by protocols.
But like your lady and her car...
Hmm.
...protocols that serve the law
but maybe not necessarily justice.
[SIGHS]
The thing is, there isn't
an office in my building
or yours
that's called, you know,
the department of...
falling between the cracks.
Yeah.
And my plate is full.
And so is yours.
They told themselves and moved on.
Have you moved on?
[SIGHS]
No.
You?
No.
Okay, I'm off.
Safe home, sleep well.
Fat chance.
[CHUCKLES]
Safe home. Toss and turn well.
Will do.
Good night, Dad.
Bye.
[DOOR OPENS]
According to TARU,
this is Freddie's last known location.
Abner?
I'll call for backup.
Wesley.
I didn't clock this the other day.
Freddie.
Drop that Kn*fe, Freddie.
I said drop the Kn*fe right now!
- He k*lled Ava.
- No, I didn't.
FREDDIE: Yes, you did,
and I want you to bring her back.
She's gone, Freddie.
Yeah, and it's all his fault.
Let him go.
You said that she had an evil presence,
- that she's possessed.
- It was... [COUGHS]
what the misterios believed.
Yeah, and I believed you.
DANNY: Freddie.
Drop the Kn*fe!
You were supposed to make her better.
I spoke to Christina, Freddie.
We know you loved Ava
more than anything.
[WHIMPERING]
But now it's, it's my fault
that my baby's gone.
k*lling yourself
will not bring her back.
DANNY: Freddie,
drop the Kn*fe.
BAEZ: Freddie, we know
you weren't trying to hurt Ava,
but Christina still needs you.
Drop the Kn*fe, Freddie.
Don't let the demons win.
Okay?
Drop the Kn*fe.
DANNY: Step away.
Step away. Now.
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
I can't thank you enough
for accommodating me.
Well, I couldn't turn
down another member
of Sigma Delta Tau, or
these delicious scones.
Everyone I know raves about
the Shields Academy family.
Oh, I love to hear it.
We do work hard to make that happen.
By taking a holistic approach
to admissions, right?
Mm, you've done your research.
We make sure that the parents
are just as much of a
fit as their children.
Oh, that's so refreshing.
The parents at my son's school
drive me crazy.
- Mm. Too involved?
- Too intense.
"Don't go on this field trip,
don't go on that one."
Every meeting is them advocating
for safety officers in the building.
But isn't your son in kindergarten?
Exactly, and I get it.
You're cops, you want
your friends to have jobs.
But my son deserves to be in an
environment free of distractions.
Well, I can assure you
that you will not have
to worry about that here.
We take our promise
to admit the right types of families
very seriously.
Mm.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
You're not a prospective
parent, are you?
Nope. I'm a proud cop.
And?
And we know that you've been
discriminating against our kids.
[LAUGHS]: You've got
nothing to prove that.
JANKO: Well, that's the thing.
- Cops are family, too.
- And we talk.
Yeah, and it turns out,
we're not the only ones
your school rejected.
JANKO: And we-we have this,
too, it's a subpoena
for the application records
during your tenure
as director of admissions.
MCNICHOLS: We will be sending
each and every one of our findings
to the State's Education Department.
That's a promise.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[FRANK SIGHS]
Got a minute?
That really a question?
It's parked outside the 2-8.
She just has to sign for it.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Okay if I take off and go find her?
Of course.
You want to come?
Yeah, well, I'd love to,
but I got a day.
Okay.
Please give her my best.
- I will.
- Oh.
And I saw what you did there.
And I saw that it worked.
Yeah, you know,
you're pretty good at that.
Just don't get carried away.
Thanks for helping us out, Wes.
Yeah, I hate to say it, but, uh,
it's been actually really nice
having you work with us.
I hate that this was the situation
that brought us all together,
but I'm happy I could be of service.
Even though Abner is already claiming
insanity by way of possession?
- [LAUGHS]
- Good luck with that.
Yeah, even then.
So, Maria,
now that the case is done,
maybe you want to grab a drink?
Yeah, I think I'd like that.
Danny, do you want to come?
I'd love to hear about
the case you worked back then.
Wh-Why don't you guys go? I'll, uh...
I'll take care of the fives.
AKEELAH: I guess you didn't get my
message about McDonald's.
- I did.
- Yeah, right.
Did you bring me here to scare
me straight or something?
No. When I was your age, I was obsessed
with finding the truth
and seeking answers.
And like you, I was vice president
of the mock trial team.
- I'm president.
- Even still,
we do have a lot in common.
I hate to break it to you,
but what I said the other day
still stands.
I am not a charity case.
And I am not offering you charity.
I'm offering you the truth.
And the truth is,
I can be a bit self-righteous.
But you did remind me of why
I got into this line of work
in the first place.
Now, I am not the right person
to explain Eli's actions
or why he cut you off, but... he is.
Hey, Kee.
I'm so sorry, Kee.
I'll do whatever I can
to make it up to you, I promise.
Hard to do that behind bars.
Well, he won't be for long.
He's getting out?
ERIN: I was not aware that Eli
was your guardian
at the time of his arrest.
The public defender
failed to mention that to me,
so after discussing
with the D.A. and the judge,
it's been decided that he can
get out on time served.
And it also helped that Eli was willing
to share some insight
about his bunkmate.
I, I don't know what to say. Thank you.
Well, I'm sure you have
a lot of catching up to do,
so we'll give you some privacy.
Ms. Reagan?
You still owe me that burger.
[LAUGHS SOFTLY]
I'll see what I can do.
DANNY: So, to what
do we owe
the honor of your presence, sir?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Well, A, it is long overdue,
and B... Sean?
I told Grandpa how nervous I was
for my graphic arts final presentation.
DANNY: Graphic arts?
That's not what I sent you to college
- to study.
- It's an elective.
That's a funny way
of saying "basket weaving."
SEAN: I'm broadening my horizons.
- Oh.
- But...
back to the project.
Um...
DANNY: Wow.
Oh.
JANKO: Oh, wow.
- JAMIE: Wha...
- Oh, my goodness.
HENRY: Ah.
JANKO: Ah.
That's...
Something.
DANNY: It's definitely...
- something.
- I think the idea
of a cool family portrait
was a little on the nose?
- Uh-huh.
- Or dated.
- That, too.
- FRANK: So I told Sean
that I had the perfect guy
to give him all the tips he needed.
Oh, that's why I'm here.
Performance coaching.
- Think of it as mentoring.
- FRANK: And who better
to help than my ace deputy commissioner
of public information?
You see what I did there?
I'd like to be that guy but I can't?
SEAN: Oh, well, thanks anyway. I'll, uh,
tell my professor that I
have crippling stage fright.
[DANNY SIGHS] Oh.
Uh, you're up.
Sean, tell me more about the portrait.
It appears you've chosen
exaggeration as a way
to convey your intent.
What do you mean "exaggeration"?
That's the spitting image of me.
[LAUGHTER]
The assignment was
to tell my origin story.
And you're a descendent
of, uh, cartoons?
It looks like you're saying
y-you come from a family
- of superheroes.
- Mm.
Yeah.
Why do you think that?
He's always been a little off.
Let the man speak.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
Every day, my family goes out there
and they try to help people.
Mostly total strangers.
Strange total strangers.
Stranger-danger strangers, in fact.
I think that's your pitch right there.
The value in putting your doubts aside
and finding a selfless common good
in bringing people to your cause.
A speech or a press conference
really isn't much different.
Is that what he does in the office?
Apparently.
Sometimes I get to shed light
on something that moves me
and try to move the public to see it.
I'm very proud and grateful
to have that voice.
[SIGHS]
And for Sean?
Sean, uh, don't talk about the carving,
or whatever that is.
Speak from your heart about your family
and your place in it...
...and why they're your heroes.
And do check for boogers
and do check your fly
and don't try to imagine
the audience in their underwear.
That's what he does at the office.
[LAUGHTER]