Deadly Estate (2023)

[bunniefuu]

Ah.

I need your help.

What's the matter with you?
You're gonna hurt someone.

Here, come with me. Hey,
I got a surprise for you.

This is our mascot, the magpie.

It's one of the world's
smartest animals.

Do you know, it can make
tools, even copy people.

So if you see one today, you
make sure you're extra nice,

because they'll remember how
you treated them for years.

Be right with you, Mr. Brant.

You're Ronald Brant. CEO of...

I know who I am. I need my room.
And you need to watch your kid.

-Sir, have a wonderful stay.
-Thank you.

I see we have the pleasure of
your company for three nights.

-Will anyone be joining you?
-My wife.

Thank you.

Darling.

Welcome back, Ms. Novak.

-Or is it Brant now? -Hm.

We met at a gala I
hosted here last spring.

That's why Ron's buying the
place. He's a sentimentalist.

I wasn't aware we were joining
the Brant Hotel family.

Well, it's not public
yet, but I like it here.

Plenty of history.
Impressive roster clientele.

Mm-hmm. Celebrities,
CEOs, senators.

It's fortunate walls
can't talk, hm?

Congratulations to you both.

Congrats to you. The Brant name
will bring in new business.

Oh. There's another reservation.

I'll take the key
for that as well.

Ah, yes, I saw you
have two rooms.

I'm happy to hold on to that
key until your guest arrives.

No, just give me the key.

State law requires that we keep

an accurate record of
all guests check-ins.

- A technicality.
- I do apologize, Mr. Brant.

But there will be a
beautiful bottle of champagne

waiting for you in your
room, and I can guarantee

that your guest will receive
the same upon arrival.

Wouldn't want that ice to melt.

Come on, your son's a big boy.

Let's enjoy that
champagne. Come on.

We have
a situation in 206.

On my way.

I do not get paid
enough to handle puke!

Jennifer?

Jen should be doing that.
It's below your new pay grade.

Hm.

She freaked when
she saw the mess.

Guests in 206 got
sick, and she quit.

Gotta stomach a little
puke in our line of work.

-Among other things. -Hm. Ah.

Ron Brant checked in
with his new wife.

You'll never guess who.

-Who is it? -Valeria Novak.

What, the model who
throws all those banquets?

-Uh-huh. Oh, great tipper.
-Good tipper?

Don't know what she's doing with
Ron. He's 20 years her senior.

Well, yachts make
men look younger.

-Ah, right. Botox of the seas.
-Hm.

I knew she wasn't throwing
those parties for charity.

They're millionaire
meet-and-greets.

Oh, he's buying
the hotel for her.

Oh, he'll probably
want upgrades.

Crystal chandeliers,
gold-plated toilets.

Speaking of toilets,

you remember the one
giving us trouble in 310?

-Rust, right? -Not rust.

-Oh, no, come... No. -Mm-hmm.

Some fool took a
dump in the tank.

Upper decker. Made the water
brown with every flush.

It must be nice
being in management,

not having to deal with
all that mess anymore.

Mn-mn. Same crap,
different shovel.

She's down there, George.

Looks like it's been a while.

Who called it in?

Local guy out for
his morning walk.

Says his dog caught a scent.
He thought it was a skunk.

The Magnate's not far from here.

Twenty... Twenty-five miles?

Mm...

It looks like she
was dumped here.

She was strangled
somewhere else.

-Ah. -Welcome to The Magnate.

Ah, reservation's
under Ron Brant.

Yes, I see it
here. And your name?

I'd like the name on the
room to be first name Cash.

- Last name Money. -

-Cash Money? -That's me.

And may I see your ID?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Brant. I
mean, thank you, Mr. Money.

-And Mrs... -Ah, she's my guest.

We don't need to put
her on the reservation.

-Ah.
-I'll still need to see an ID.

Thank you.

You have a birthday coming
up soon. Turning 19.

We're celebrating early.

-You're all set. -Ah.

Let me hold on to those.

Send up my bags?

Hm. Found her contract.

Two weeks' notice. Required.

You really wanna
start a law suit

with this place
being bought? Um...

Ron Brant's in the presidential
suite. His new wife let it slip.

Ah, um, have the floor
managers pick up the slack.

And I'm gonna need you on the
concierge desk in the morning.

- Nancy's kid is sick.
- I just worked a double.

Well, uh, room 305 is vacant.

- You stay there tonight.
- I need to go home first.

Why? Who do you
have to check in on?

-I need fresh clothes. -Uh-uh.

You keep your spare
suit in your locker.

Dry-cleaning's on me.

And room service, within reason.

Feeling thirsty?

Um, I noticed you needed ice.

Really? 'Cause it looks
like you're off-duty.

I promised your father
it would arrive cold.

Can't upset the
boss. Or his son.

Enjoy your champagne.

California!

I thought you'd adjusted
to East Coast time.

I just
didn't sleep too well.

It's these doubles
Steve has you working.

I'll talk to him.

Harry, thank you.

But I think I should wait a
year before I start complaining.

- Folks still need to sleep, now.
- You don't.

-Mm. -Up at dawn to run.

And I never see you sit down.

The good furniture
is for the guest.

I learned that in my Dubai days.

Can't park my behind in the
same chair as the crown prince.

Well, you a prince in my book.
So sit wherever you like.

No need. My job's easier than
yours. It's only one room.

How are our soon-to-be-bosses?

Oh! You heard.

Mm, Mrs. Valeria mentioned
her engagement present

while flashing her new ring.

Good morning. The Magnate.

Not a problem. I'll send...

I see. I'll be right up.

Yeah, come in.

Put them on the bureau.

Dirties
are in the corner.

Hi. I thought we
were going to breakfast.

I'm not
bringing you out.

Ah, my father is
entertaining this evening.

-Hm. -If you'd deliver the food.

We have designated
staff for that.

You already know we're here.

And we'd like to keep
it under the radar.

Hm?

Welcome to The Magnate.
How may I help you?

Detective George
Finn. Rupert PD.

Have you seen this
woman recently?

Yeah, a-a month ago.

May I ask what this is about?

Nothing concerning guest safety.

If you know her name, I could
look her up in our direc...

Detective. Uh, let's
speak in my office.

Um, Zakiya,
the restaurant called.

An order for the
presidential suite.

Hm.

What's the matter?

Mm, maybe it's nothing.

I've been here a long time.

I can tell the difference
between nothing and something.

I think a guest might be
abusing his girlfriend.

Did you see him do it?

No. But I, I think
I saw bruising.

And he seems off.
Very controlling.

If you didn't witness the crime,
you gotta keep your head down.

The guests don't get
in trouble. We do.

Do you think
this is a vacation?

We are at
a resort hotel.

It's business.
Not pleasure.

Look, you're a married man.

If anybody sees you
with that escort...

Hey! Out.

Not you.

Are there any rooms?

Like, if I wanted to get
my own for the night?

Let me find something.
Give me a moment.

Charging items to
the card on file?

No, I-I was about to come up.

-So what were you doing, then?
-Um...

You were right about that
complimentary champagne, miss.

I will send another bottle
right up. My apologies.

We'll enjoy it upstairs.

- Do you think I'm stupid?
- Please! I'm sorry.

-I'll be good, I promise.
-Do you?

I'll stay here.

Do you have
any idea who I am?

Uh, security to 303. We have
an armed guest. Mr. Brant?

A maid just burst in.
She's calling security...

Mr. Brant.

Put down the g*n.

- Miss, are you okay?
- She burst into my room.

He was threatening
her with this.

That's mine. It's licensed.

We were just role-playing.

Put Mr. Brant's property down.

Steve, she was screaming.
We should call the police.

- No, don't. I'm fine.
- We can discuss this outside.

Yeah.

What's going on?

Uh, just a misunderstanding.

- He was threatening her.
- She burst in. The sign was on.

My apologies. I'll handle it.

Come, darling. Let's
not add to the scene.

Jesus.

We never violate
a do-not-disturb.

Zakiya, you know that.

You owe
Mr. Brant an apology.

Our job is to serve our guests,

to anticipate their every need.

I consider myself very
good at what I do.

We hide affairs.

We clean up people's messes.

But I will not be
complicit to sexual abuse!

- That's enough...
- I quit!

You'll have my resignation
by the end of the day.

Detective George Finn.
We met at The Magnate.

I'm here about what
happened last night.

Look, I stand by
everything I said.

Astor Brant isn't a nice guy.

He uses his father's
power and money...

Astor Brant was found
dead this morning.

You were one of the last
people to have see him alive.

Wait, well, what about the
young girl that was with him?

- Mr. Brant was found alone.
- No, that's not right.

I, I checked them both in.

He didn't want her
on the reservation.

- But she was in that room.
- I spoke to your boss.

He says you broke
into Mr. Brant's room.

-No, I-I heard...
-You two argued.

You took his g*n.
Astor was shot.

Do you know the penalty
for m*rder in this state,

Ms. Carter?

How are
those days vacant?

That's when Ron was in
the presidential suite.

Where is Ron
Brant's reservation?

Hey.

-Hey.
-I'm surprised to see you here.

Steve said something
about you quitting,

needing me to cover the desk.

-Long story. Where is Steve?
-Well...

Emergency off-site. Something to
do with the sh**ting, I'm sure.

Hey, uh, you had the third
floor yesterday, right?

Did you see the guests in 303?

The m*rder room? Oh, no. I
didn't even change the towels.

There was always
a DND on the door.

Maybe you saw them
in the hallway. Um...

White guy, 30s. Young
woman. Very young.

Doesn't ring a bell.

You haven't seen a red
cell phone, have you?

-Hm? -Ah. Some guest lost phone.

Steve has us tearing
the place apart looking for it.

-Everything alright?
-I don't know.

Um, I'm gonna catch you later.

-Harry! -Zakiya. What's wrong?

I think I'm being
framed for m*rder.

Steve told the police that
I went into Astor's room

and took the g*n. But
he didn't say why.

He lied. He said that
Astor was alone in there.

The cops told you that?

A detective came to my place.

I-I explained Ron
Brant buying the hotel

and telling Steve
to hide the affair.

But he didn't believe me.

Someone must have
seen this woman.

Ron Brant knew she was in there.

But there's no
record of their stay.

He probably told Steve
to delete that, too.

Don't worry. I'll tell the
cops I waited on the Brants.

I'll let them know
Mr. Brant scolded his son

for cheating on his wife.

I'll make it clear
Steve is lying.

No, I can't, I can't ask
you to do that, Harry.

You've been here 20 years.
You put career in jeopardy.

With my experience,

it seems someone
might snap me up. No?

You've done too much.

Showed me the ropes,

convinced Alexis to get behind
me when I took her promotion.

You give me too much credit.

You're smart. You're a
hardworking young lady.

Reminds me of my daughter.

You're not authorized
to be here, Zakiya.

Steve, why-why are you telling
the police Astor was alone?

You know that she... Hey! Hey!

Hey, there's-here's no
reason to be rough, now.

Stay out of this, Harry, if
you know what's good for you.

I know what's right.

She quit. She's not authorized
to be in the hotel any...

Harry, it's all right.

I'll go.

I didn't do anything
wrong. Okay. Okay.

Hey, let go!

Why are you lying to
the police, Steve?

I don't know what you mean.

You know there was a woman in
Astor's room. She got the g*n...

You were the one waving the g*n
around. I made you return it!

And then I left.

I don't know what you did after.

For your sake, I hope someone
does. Don't come back here.

You know she was
in there, Steve.

Her blood is all
over the towels!

Uh, towels.

Alexis, um, did the
laundry trucks come today?

You're sure the laundry
trucks didn't come today?

-What are you looking for?
-Evidence.

-Of what? -I'd rather not say.

Hey, I'm sneaking you in
because you're not allowed

through the front door.
At least tell me why.

The police think I was the
last person to see Astor alive.

But there was a young girl with
him, she was still with him

when I went up to
clean the room.

Her blood was on
all of the towels.

- And you think she k*lled him?
- I don't know.

But as long as she remains
a ghost, I look guilty.

Um, finding one towel
is not gonna be easy

with the pounds of dirty linens.

I have to try,
Alexis, everything

else about her has been erased.

I'd offer to help, but I
need this job. My kids...

It's, it's okay. You've
helped enough. Thank you.

Help me! Help me! Ah...

Detective, thank God.
There's a man chasing me.

I found the woman. She is in
the basement, and she's dead.

Zakiya Carter, you
are under arrest

for the m*rder of Astor Brant.

You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say or do

will be held against
you in a court of law.

You have the right
to an attorney.

If you cannot
afford an attorney,

one will be provided.

Did you find her?

Sit down, Ms. Carter.

We checked the laundry. No body.

Then he must have moved her.

Check the security cameras.

We're waiting on The Magnate

to provide security footage.

You can't... You can't wait.

By the time you get them,
they would have erased him.

-Who?
-People working for Ron Brant.

You're accusing a billionaire
of what? k*lling his only son?

The girl in Astor's room...

she must have shot him,
probably in self-defense.

And Ron had her k*lled.

And yet no one has seen
this mystery woman.

But I spoke to the hotel porter

and he spotted you
outside Astor's room,

barely dressed.

I-I was in my robe. I...

I was refilling the
ice in his champagne.

Or... you slept with him

and didn't like the way it went.

Maybe he got rough.

Maybe he only wanted one thing,
and you felt disrespected.

I work for a hotel, detective.

Sleeping with the guests
isn't part of my job.

Someone opened Astor's
door before he was k*lled.

You have a master key.

So does Steve, and probably Ron.

You're accusing a man who
wasn't even at the hotel.

Harry. Harry Belfort.

He's the presidential
suite's chief of staff.

He saw Ron Brant.
He'll tell you.

I checked you out.

Pulled your file from
Child Protective Services.

Mentally-ill dad.

Overwhelmed mom. In and
out of the foster system.

That has nothing
to do with this.

Ah...

Bad things happen to kids
without parents to protect them.

That's all a jury needs
to see to convict.

I want a lawyer.

-I'm trying to help you.
-Lawyer!

Okay. I'll see what I can do.

How about some stale coffee?

-Hm. -They're out of sugar.

Hm.

I'm not really an Aviator man,
but what do you think, Goose?

I think you should be careful,
I don't want your greasy

fingerprints getting
on the camera lens.

What?

Ah! I should have known you'd
have some inspector gadget sh*t.

You geek.

Well, not much else
to spend my money on.

How'd the interview go?

Well...

She says Astor was k*lled
by some mystery woman,

and then his dad k*lled her.

She's pinning this on Ron Brant?

The jury will think she's crazy.

She swears her
colleague, Harry Belfort,

will vouch for Brant being
in the presidential suite.

All it takes is one conspiracy
theorist, and, poof,

reasonable doubt,
and it's all over.

Hm.

It's cool glasses.

Thanks for the coffee.

You made bail. No
need to go to county.

That bond was $300,000. I
don't... I don't have that.

Someone paid.

You're released until
your preliminary hearing.

Come on.

So... how you holding
up, California?

Harry, how did you know I'm...

You posted my bail?

I couldn't stand the
thought of you in jail

over this damn foolishness.

-Mn-mn.
-How could you afford that?

The nice thing about working in
the hotel business for 40 years

is you end up with
quite the 401K.

Harry, that's your retirement.
I can't ask you to do that.

Hush. I'll get it back when
these charges are dropped.

I called the detectives.

I'm giving a statement tomorrow.

Thank you.

Come on now. Let's get you home.

So you want some
Southern fried chicken?

-Are you cooking? -I am cooking?

Girl, if
I cook, you die.

Heard you made bail.

We should talk.

- I have to get home.
- I know you're innocent.

I know all about the girl.

Can't have our
chat live-streamed.

So, as you know, my stepson
was a disturbed man.

He shot himself.

The police wouldn't have
arrested me for a suicide.

Well, Ron had some
friends look into it.

They think the police
misread evidence.

And once they
review what we've found,

the charges will be dropped.

What about this girl?

Isn't it possible
Ron had her k*lled,

thinking that she shot Astor?

Ron is a grieving father.

He doesn't want everyone
knowing that his baby boy

got off choking women.

You're saying Astor k*lled her?

I'm not saying so
much as speculating.

It would explain why he
k*lled himself, wouldn't it?

Her family should be
told that she's dead.

In an ideal world,
but that would put Ron

in a very difficult position.

He can't have his son
labeled a monster.

So this woman is carted
out with the dirty laundry

so you can keep the
Brant name clean?

Look, I don't like it
anymore than you do. I don't.

But that is the
world we live in.

Some people are guests, some
are staff. The difference?

Money.

That doesn't change the truth.

The truth is the version
pushed by the better PR team.

Look, if you insist on
bringing this woman to light,

Ron will pay to discredit you.

- It's his business at stake.
- And your new hotel.

Mm-hmm.

But I want what's
best for everyone.

Think of what's best for you.

Ah.

Ah! -

Good morning. Have
you checked in?

Detective Denton. Rupert PD.

I am working on the
Astor Brant case.

-You wanted to give a statement?
-Yes.

I'd like to clear up confusion
about who's been in the hotel.

Ron Brant and his wife
stayed here two nights ago.

- I waited on them.
- It's funny. There's no record.

Well, the Brants
could have requested

that their booking be removed.

Steve would have done
that for a grieving family

trying to avoid the press.

-And you'd testify to that?
-Oh, certainly.

I also saw Ron and Astor here

the night he died.

-They argued. -Hm.

It was clear to me
that Ron was unhappy

about his son seeing
a lady friend.

And why is that relevant?

Astor was shot. If there
was a woman with him...

A woman? Interesting.

I think we should do
this at the station.

Nah. Ah.

I have
everything I need.

Easy. Easy.

Who is it?

Ms. Carter,
it's Detective Finn.

My attorney isn't present. I
don't have to speak to you.

Wait, wait. I want to apologize.

We're dropping all the
charges, I thought I should

deliver the news
face-to-face or face-to-door.

Why the change?

Do you mind if we talk inside?

g*nsh*t residue was found
on Mr. Brant's hands.

I don't know how we
missed it the first time.

-You think he shot himself.
-Looks like.

His wife said their
marriage was on the rocks.

And I re-interviewed your boss.

He now admits that Astor had
a female companion with him.

Steve happened to mention why
he lied in the first place?

He said that he was trying
to protect the hotel.

Astor's guest may
have been a call girl.

He didn't want the
press finding out.

Especially with
the sale coming up.

So that's it. I'm
no longer a suspect.

You're cleared of all charges,
with the department's apologies.

You know...

Steve could
be in serious trouble

for withholding information.

Might be time to
renegotiate your employment.

I don't work at The
Magnate Hotel anymore.

Well, for what it's worth,
I'm sure he'd happily forget

that you resigned. Unemployment
won't cover quitting.

Guess someone has to pick
up the dirty towels. Hm?

Clean up other's messes.
That sounds like my job.

If you need me for anything.

Oh, come here. Come here.

It's right through here. Yeah.

Steve. Who's hurt?
Another guest?

Uh, um...

Harry Belfort had
a heart attack.

-What? -He-he was in his 70s.

All the, the stress
from the sh**ting.

I should have made
him take the day off.

No. No. I-I just, I
just saw him. He...

He doesn't have heart problems.
He runs every morning.

Old age. Sneaks up on us.

It's good you're back. Um...

What happened over the past few
days... Life's too short, right?

Hey, you're welcome back.

This hotel is a family.
We need each other now.

Who found him?

I think it was Alexis.

Well, can't say
how long he'd been there.

Did you notice anything unusual?

No. He was slumped over a chair.

-Which chair?
-The one next to the desk.

No, Harry was old-school.

The good furniture's
for the guests.

That man never sat
down on the job.

Well, he was having
a heart attack.

Probably fell into it.

At least he got
to sit in it once.

What about his clothes? Did...
Were they messed up or...

Maybe there was some
strange bruising.

What are you getting at?
Wait, do you know something?

Um, okay, come with me.

You think people are
bugging the hotel rooms?

Talk, girl. Let me help.

I don't want to involve you.

Harry tried. And look,
you got young kids.

The more reason to explain
why people are dropping dead

here daily. I need to
know where I'm working.

Astor Brant k*lled a young
girl he was with that night

and then k*lled himself.

His father's worried that
it's gonna leak to the press

and it's gonna ruin
his prestigious brand.

Ron Brant's shutting folks up?

If I stop talking about
the girl Astor k*lled,

he'll admit that his
son committed suicide.

And I was gonna do it, too.

But not after what
they did to Harry.

That man was the closest
thing to family I had.

You know how folks
become saints? Martyrdom.

We can't go around carrying
other people's crosses.

It's my fault, Alexis.
I got Harry k*lled.

And for what?

There's no proof that
girl ever existed.

Yeah, like that red phone
Steve has us all looking for.

Oh, my God, the red phone.

-What?
-I think that might be hers.

- If I can find it, I can prove...
- I've looked everywhere.

Then there's only
one place left.

Anything?

Uh, no.

It wouldn't be anywhere obvious.

Maybe the cops already have it.

They don't even
think she exists.

Ah.

Oh, yes.

Did you find it?

Um, there wasn't
anything in the cabinets.

Oh. Then it can't be in here.

-Yeah. Maybe we should go. -Hm.

Ah!

I, I don't
know. I'm freaking out.

What if someone heard?
What if someone comes in?

What am I supposed to do?

You need to get up here now.

That's how you said this
morning. Don't lie to me.

What do you want me
to do? I'm a maid!

No, I'm not doing that.
Who do you think I am?

No, wait! We can split it.

-Split what?
-The hundred-grand reward.

Even at half, that's more than
a year's pay. At least for me.

That's blood money, Alexis.

Well, don't be so high and
mighty, you think now because

you're the operations manager,
you're better than me?

You don't know who
you're dealing with.

Ron Brant is dangerous.

He's a rich jerk who doesn't
want his dead son humiliated

by whatever's on
this girl's phone!

He had Harry k*lled!

Harry was too old to run

every morning. That's all.

Don't you think it's suspicious

that Harry dies right after
bailing me out of jail?

After going to the
cops, telling them

about Ron and Astor's guest?

Zakiya, this is a lot of money.

You're crazy if you think

you're gonna see a dime of it.

We don't matter to
people like them!

He had me framed for
his son's m*rder.

They make people
like us disappear.

No, he just, he just
wants the phone.

Oh. You really believe that?

-How long do we have? -Minutes.

Then I hope you can run.

She has it. She took it from me.

Zakiya! She's back here!

Shush.

- A woman come in here?
- I didn't see anyone.

-Wait, um... Here. -Oh.

- Where's that coming from?
- Back door of the kitchen.

Damn it.

-Oh. Damn it! Ah.
-We'll find her.

-If the press gets that phone...
-Just calm down.

Hey, if it gets out that your
hotel's a high-priced brothel,

it's over. Ron Brant
definitely isn't buying it.

His son's death didn't k*ll
the deal. Why should this?

Because he thinks his
kid k*lled himself.

And no one's gonna tell him
what really happened. Right?

Hey, I'm not the problem.

No. Astor was. And he
got what he deserved.

-Hello? -George.

George, I need help.
They k*lled Harry.

Wait, y-your friend from
the presidential suite?

Yes, who could ID Ron Brant.

They tried to get me
at the hotel, but I escaped.

-Who? Who's after you?
-Steve. And I...

I think the man from
the laundry room.

Wait, th-that
doesn't make any sense.

I-if Astor k*lled himself, who
cares if Ron's at the hotel?

I found evidence
of the dead girl.

There is no dead girl.

George, I have her phone.

So can
you break into it?

What are you
hoping is on here?

Whatever Steve doesn't
want me to find.

Whatever Ron Brant
wants hidden so bad

that he's willing
to k*ll for it.

I'll put it into evidence.

And Harry?

Listen...

Astor was obviously a scumbag.

So I'll buy your
BDSM-gone-wrong theory.

And I can see his dad paying
to dispose of a dead body.

But having someone k*lled?

Look, Harry deserves
justice. So does that girl.

I'll call the medical examiner.

Thank you.

I can't believe you found
this inside of a toilet tank.

You'd make a hell of a
detective, you know that?

Can I drive you home?

Steve knows where I live.

You could stay with me.

No, I-I mean, y-you can
stay in my daughter's room.

-And she wouldn't mind?
-No, no. She...

She's doesn't live
with me anymore.

And I figure I owe you
for the third-degree.

And there's no one you
need to check with first?

Just me.

Okay. I'll be right back, okay?

Yeah.

You have
a beautiful house.

Ah, thanks.

Hey, check this out.
This is the best part.

Controls everything.

-Shades. -Oh.

Air. Lights.

-Oh, high-tech. -Yeah.

Guys at work tease me for
geeking out with this stuff.

But you gotta spend your
money on something, right?

Who's that?

That's my daughter.

-You two look close.
-Yeah, we were.

Not anymore?

When I was called
to Afghanistan,

my ex started drinking.

My daughter thinks I abandoned
her with an alcoholic.

-Does she live close by?
-I don't know.

I send money when she reaches
out. But she hasn't in a while.

And my calls go to voicemail.

-I'm sorry. -Thanks.

Anyway, uh, pasta for dinner?

I'm not the best cook, but
I can boil a mean water.

An underrated culinary
skill. That sounds great.

Can I get you
anything, sweetheart?

I'm fine.

It's okay not to be fine.

Your son is gone.

Why don't you go
back to New York?

I will...

as soon as they
release his body.

He had everything.

Every advantage.

What does he do?

Punish me for my success.

Burn it all down.

- Suicide isn't an act of spite.
- It's cowardice.

He couldn't face
the consequences.

What couldn't he face?

It doesn't matter.

It mattered to him.

God, I hope that's true.

What did he do, darling?

Astor strangled a prost*tute.

Happened a few months ago.
He said it was a mistake.

How do you know this?

I helped him
dispose of the body.

We dumped it in the woods.

God!

I tried to forget it,

block it from my memory.

But the night he died...

Astor called me and
said he'd done it again.

Wanted help.

I said no.

He needed consequences. He
needed to know that money...

Money can't fix everything.

And then he k*lled himself.

Law-enforcement
made sense after Afghanistan.

I knew how to search places,

interview locals.

-How is your other case going?
-What case?

Well, when we met, you
were looking for a girl.

Did you find her?

Yeah. Yeah, we found her body.

How long was she missing?

Not sure. Uh, no one
reported her missing.

No one? Not a-a
parent, a-a friend?

An employer?

No.

-That would be me. -You?

People will be lined up outside
the station, demanding action.

No, as a foster kid,

I never stayed one place
long enough to make friends.

After a while, I just
gave up. Focused on work.

Listen.

That girl was a prost*tute.

Her friends probably thought
she was with some John

or... or ran away.

Nothing's gonna happen to you.

I won't let it.

Do you need to get that?

No.

I don't.

♪ When I look into ♪

♪ Your eyes ♪

That girl on your other
case, was she strangled?

I can't really
discuss an open case.

If she was strangled, her
death could be related.

Look, you don't want my job.
Let me worry about that.

But if Astor has a history
of this kind of behavior,

there could be others.

Why is this so important to you?

I can't let this go.

Not after what
they did to Harry.

This can't only be about Harry.

Maybe I feel guilty.

That girl was still
in that room...

and I didn't push. I...

I quit.

Classic me.

You know, my father
was on the streets.

You probably didn't
read that in your file.

He had this favorite place.

And one night I
wanted to see him.

But he overdosed.

And I think about...

I could have... I should have...

I should have got him
into programs, I...

Hey. Hey, hey.

You can't save everyone.

Sometimes it's enough
just to save yourself.

Both those m*rder*d
women were call girls.

And Steve acts like prostitution
never touched The Magnate.

Not with its fine reputation
and complimentary champagne...

French wine doesn't
make for fancy.

Strip clubs have
champagne rooms.

Wait.

All this time I've been thinking
it's Ron Brant pushing Steve.

-But what if it's only Steve?
-Yeah.

But Steve is afraid that the
hotel's sale will fall through.

Bad publicity, sure, but
not enough to k*ll the deal,

not enough to k*ll Harry.

But if Steve is running
an escort service...

Why would he do that?
He-he-he runs a hotel.

Think about it, I've always
wondered why so many rich people

came to a hotel in a tiny town.

It explains the clientele.

Uh, yeah.

I'll check with my sources
first thing tomorrow.

You might be better on my
job than I am, you know that?

No, it's just hospitality.

Knowing what people want.

And what do you want?

You know what, no one's
ever asked me that.

I'm asking you.

♪ I see everything I wanna be ♪

♪ All I ever need ♪

♪ This moment means
everything to me ♪

♪ This moment means
everything to me ♪

♪ Means everything to me ♪

It's the
middle of the night.

You've been a
bad boy, eh, Georgie?

I will see you
in the morning, all right?

You gotta go.

You're not getting off
that easy. Unless you are...

Listen, ah,
in here somewhere.

- Who said she's here?
- I saw you with her.

My partner wants to discuss
something. Go wait in my room.

I'll be back in a second.

Damn it.

-Nothing wrong.
-Collateral damage, man.

Due to your actions.

Oh. Where is the
key to the g*n box?

You were just supposed
to check on Phoenix.

Astor k*lled Phoenix.
He k*lled Morgan.

It's not our problem!

Oh, come on. Come on. Damn it!

We have a code.

We k*ll the bad
guys. That's Astor.

Not some old man. And not her.

We're supposed to
protect people like her.

Yeah, that is one of our
rules that we live by.

But you forgot about
the, the other one.

We always have each other's six.

Damn it.

Come out. Come out, pretty lady.

And I'll make it quick.

You behave.

Where are you?

Come out. Come out.

Don't make this hard for
me. I'm looking for you.

Don't be too scare...

George. George?

That's the man who's
been chasing after me.

We served together.

Afghanistan.

The academy here.

He was gonna k*ll me.

I know.

You had no choice.

We gotta go. Steve
will send more.

Daniel isn't the only
muscle for hire in the area.

We have to expose them.

That's the only way he
will stop coming after me.

I, I need my g*n.

No, no, no, no.
I'll get it, right?

- Just tell me where the key is.
- Upstairs. Behind the cabinet.

All right.

Where are you going?
Wait, it's not safe.

With you!

Not safe with you!

You kept her phone. You
haven't put it in evidence.

No, no, just look,
le-let me explain.

No. Was this always
the plan, George?

Right? Take me to bed,
make me trust you?

And have your
friend take me out?

No, no, I-I, look, I-I didn't
tell him you were here, I swear.

I, I thought I could handle
him. I tried to stop him.

But I stopped him. And
I'm gonna finish this.

Zakiya. Zakiya!

Oh, thank God you're here.

We're so understaffed,
I'm on the desk.

-Where's Alexis? -Quit.

If you did anything to hurt
her, I will make sure you...

Whoa, whoa, she
took another job.

Said something about
better benefits.

Her language was more
colorful, of course.

Call her and check. I can't
see why you'd care, though.

-She wanted your job.
-Harry cared.

What? Did he become an
inconvenience for you, Steve?

So you had to help
get rid of him?

What are you talking about?

Harry's passing was
a great loss for us.

Twenty years of loyal service,
and so sad for his family.

Performing for a
future audience?

Oh. You've got to know by now
that those cameras are for show.

Here at The Magnate we pride
ourselves on discretion.

Speaking of, come
into my office.

You're lying.

You really think
I ran an escort service

out of the hotel and
Harry didn't know?

- That man saw everything.
- Harry wouldn't remain silent.

Harry knew better than
anyone how much a maid earns.

That's why Jen was with the
other guest. The older dad.

You think
I'm the mastermind,

but all I want is
to sell my hotel

and live comfortably in someone
else's five-star resort.

Have people finally
cater to me for a change.

- You tried to frame me.
- Just following orders.

-Whose orders? -Come on, Zakiya.

You worked for me for six

months. I'm not a k*ller.

Face it, I'm not even
a great hotel owner.

I'm middle management.

Valeria.

She's running the
prostitution ring.

Just give me the dead
girl's phone, and I can swing

a nice, quiet life for
you back in California.

Far away from all of this. Safe.

Phoenix had pictures of
Valeria on her phone.

That's why she hid it.

She wanted someone to find
it to figure things out.

- And you did. Congratulations.
- Who k*lled Astor?

Ah, you put all the pieces
together except for that.

God, he's more charming
than I thought.

G-George?

Just give me the phone,
and I'll try to help.

Or you can wait for them.

I downloaded everything
and sent it to a friend.

If anything happens
to me, it's emailed

to a dozen newspapers
and the police.

I'll pass along that message.

That's mine.

Did you really k*ll Astor?

And you were gonna
let me take the fault?

-Just let me explain. -No!

I'm done with your lies.

Wait. Just wait, wait, wait.

-Wait, wait. -Ah. Let me go.

Ah, see, she's got
dozens of guys.

They'll be watching
for your car.

I-I'm trying to help.

I'm trying to help.

Okay? Please, just, just
let me explain everything.

Here.

Just take it.

You try anything, I'll k*ll you.

My truck's this way. Come on.

This is where he dumped her.

Morgan.

She's one of the new girls.

God, she's so young.

I was supposed to protect
her, that was my job,

keeping women safe doing work
they were gonna do anyway.

I normally just wait
in the parking lot.

They are supposed to call at
the first sign of trouble.

-Morgan didn't?
-When she didn't show...

I just thought she
decided one job and done,

that she got out of dodge.

Then her body turned
up. Did Phoenix call?

Well, Daniel was on duty.

So you came because of Valeria.

When she calls, you answer.

Astor had... already
dumped the body

down the laundry sh**t.

He thought I was
there to take it away.

When I asked him
what happened...

he smiled.

And all he said were two words.

"My bad."

Those girls are the
same age as my daughter.

I don't know, I wasn't
thinking, next thing I knew,

my g*n was in my
hand and he was dead.

I-I don't understand. Why
is Valeria covering for you?

Phoenix liked taking photos.

That cell had pics of
clients, other girls, Valeria.

I promised her I'd get it back.

So Harry is k*lled
so you all can

keep selling girls to rich men.

I didn't know about Harry.

I didn't know about you. I...

I thought if I got her the
phone, this could be over.

But it won't.

She'll never let me
go back to California.

- Not with everything I know.
- I'll turn myself in.

I'll tell the Feds what I
told you, with everything

out in the open, you'll be safe.

Safe?

With all of her access to
Ron's money, she will find me.

Oh, no, she won't do
that. That's not her.

You really believe that?

You framed me for a
m*rder you committed.

I'm sorry.

-You wanna make it up to me?
-Yes.

Then help me take down Valeria.

She won't believe it.

I've spent nearly a
decade in the hotel business.

Putting on a smile for everyone.

I can be very convincing.

Yeah, you look, um, wow.

I'm going for high-end escort.

You know, this is a bad idea.
I can't let you do this.

I won't be doing anything.

You'll be doing
all the talking...

because you need to convince her

that I'm so desperate that
I'm willing to sell myself.

You already got her
to agree to meet me.

She does have a huge ego.
She will not see this coming.

Hey, we got this.

We gotta go.

Darling, come on.
You'll be late.

I don't need
a grief counselor.

Of course you do.

I can't tell her anything
important about Astor.

It's pointless.

You don't have to discuss Astor.

You have to discuss mourning.

Men don't discuss mourning.

That's why they die
of heart attacks.

Please? I made this
appointment because I care.

I'll be disappointed if
you don't give it a try.

And maybe, after,

you might feel a bit
more up for things.

Mm-hmm.

- I'm up for things.
- Ah. After the counseling.

The driver has the address.

-Love you. -You, too.

-Please make sure he gets this.
-Hm.

Come in.

Darling!

You always bring the best gifts.

Hiding something?

Ss... Oh, poor baby.

Isn't that why you
sent him to my house?

I wanted him to talk
some sense into you,

explain what had to be done.

But he had other ideas.

Some partner.

I brought you the phone
and a new recruit.

She's playing you, darling.

Saying anything and everything

so you won't do
what you have to do.

You really think I'm that dumb?

No. I think you
have a big heart.

And in this line of
business, that's a weakness.

She's desperate. Jobless,
no family to fall back on.

This won't be the first time
she's traded sex for money.

She's not
smart enough to play us.

Hm...

That's where you're
wrong, George.

This one is brilliant.

It's a trap.

Get rid of her.

Oh.

Unless you've fallen for her

and you're working together.

-Wait. -Zakiya.

- You've said enough, George.
- Ooh, feisty, too.

You're right. I
don't wanna do this.

I wanna manage this hotel.

You told me once we don't
live in an ideal world.

I accept that now.

I'm done.

Struggling to pay my rent
working for idiots like Steve.

I'm done playing fair.

Let me run it.

You need someone smart
handling this hotel.

Ambitious.

I like that in a woman.

Reminds me of myself.

But I don't need a partner.

Nor do I need muscle
that doesn't know

how to follow orders.

Right again.

You don't need him.

I don't need him.

We don't need men at all.

Did you know

he told me everything you
do, down to the last detail?

What are you doing?

You need a smart woman
managing this hotel

so you can focus
on your business,

so you don't lose girls
to bad clients like Astor.

Oh, please. Astor
was my ticket to Ron.

I let him in so Ron
could come to my events.

But he got greedy, said
I had to give him girls

or else he'd tell
on me to daddy.

You knew he was a k*ller?

You sacrificed
Morgan and Phoenix?

Oh, don't be so shocked.

In business, as in w*r,

people are expendable.

Obviously, I didn't
intend for Astor

to keep getting away with it.

I was always going
to get rid of him.

Darling?

I was always
going to get rid of him.

Social-media glasses.
Three-hundred bucks.

Bought 'em with my last bonus.

You're responsible
for my son's death.

-No, that is not...
-I watched the whole thing.

Well, he m*rder*d my girls!

And if everything is not
deleted in one second,

everyone will know
that! Everybody!

I want you out of here, Valeria.

I'm shutting you down. I
run a respectable business.

You would really throw your
reputation under the bus

for these two? Honey...

Right now I'm George's
only follower.

But I can quickly add the
cops and the local news.

Honey...

Oh.

Wait.

I'm an old fool.

Do you know who k*lled Astor?

- Who she hired?
- Uh, sir, it...

It-it was his partner, Daniel.

He was also after me.

He's dead.

And so are those
girls, Mr. Brant.

I'll see that their families are

told about their
daughters' deaths

and receive an anonymous
sympathy donation

for their funerals.

Something substantial.

Good.

And you deserve a promotion.

You're a problem-solver.

You know, I own hotels,
but I don't run them.

We'll need a general manager.

That'll be a big
salary increase.

I think I'm done cleaning
up rich people's messes.

Find someone else.

I quit.

Me, too.

So what's next?

I don't know.

Ah, you would make a great cop.

And I could use a new partner.

I'll consider it.

First...

I think we deserve a vacation.