Truth Be Told (2015) s02e04 Episode Script
In Another Life
You lied.
Every word you have ever
said to me has been a lie.
[CHUCKLES]
You're kicking me back to
the street where you found me.
That's not true.
If I were a dog, you'd get a fine.
But who cares about me, hmm?
[CHUCKLES]
Why don't we sit?
And let's just talk about
it. I know you're angry.
You betrayed me.
Aames told me things only
you could have told him.
- Ramon
- Don't say a word.
There is nothing you can say.
Let's just talk.
You're safe with me.
[SCOFFS] That's a fucking joke!
You told me
You told those kids that worship
you that you're a safe place.
You're a liar.
You need to let go of me.
You would've been a terrible mother.
Don't say that.
Joshua hated you.
That's not true.
Yes, it is.
I can see it on your
face that you know it is.
[GRUNTS]
[MICAH] Oh! Oh, my God.
- [ALARM BEEPING]
- Get out! Get out of my house!
Get out!
[BEEPING CONTINUES]
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
- Oh, God.
Ingram, she texted me freaked-out
about Ramon, so I drove out here.
[INGRAM ON SPEAKERPHONE]
That's not your job.
Joshua's not here to do it.
- I know that.
- Do you?
'Cause right now, you're dogging me
about making sure my friend is safe.
Look, don't put that on me, Poppy.
This is the same silly shit that
- Silly shit?
- Yes.
You're being sued because
of this recklessness.
Wow. Wow. Okay.
You know what, I can't
deal with this right now.
Look, you need to deal with it.
Alana Cave is trying to
take everything we have.
Not just what you have. What we have.
This puts the house, our
savings, all that in jeopardy.
- And you're gonna hand it right to her.
- [SIREN BLARES]
[SCOFFS] I I gotta go.
Poppy, what's going on?
- [SIREN CONTINUES]
- Call
[ALARM BEEPING]
[BEEPING, CHIMES]
Like I said, he just got fired
today. So I saw him earlier.
- He's her ex-assistant, so
- I'm not pressing charges.
Ramon's in pain. He didn't
know what he was doing.
So you can go now.
All right, fellas, I will
I'll give you a call if I get
any more information, all right?
- You got it. Have a good night.
- Thanks. Be safe.
Look, you have to change your
security codes, all right?
He has all your information.
He knows me too well.
He'll figure it out.
This is why you need a security detail.
- Security is not gonna fix this.
- [SCOFFS]
It's personal.
[SIGHS] Can I holler
at you for a second?
Sure.
[METAL CLANKS]
[POPPY] What's going on?
She's a problem, okay?
Her whole steelo pisses me off.
[POPPY] She's scared, okay?
What if Ramon killed Joshua and Drew,
thinking they were having an affair?
Well, if he did do
it, then we really need
to take precautions right now.
- Right now.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES]
Hold on one second.
- [SCOFFS, CHUCKLES]
- What?
[SIGHS]
- You need to let the police handle that.
- I will. I w I will.
You know, I just
I feel kinda responsible for the kid.
I had to fire him and serve
him with an eviction notice.
Just be careful.
- Yeah.
- [IVY] Micah?
[SIGHS] What the hell happened?
Ramon.
He's furious with me,
and then, I mean, things just got weird.
Micah, he broke into your
house, okay? He threatened you.
That's not weird. That's dangerous.
What did the police say?
The police didn't say anything. I
mean, she's not pressing any charges.
- Markus.
- No, I'm [GRUNTS]
Look, they can't do any
good and neither can I,
if she doesn't take
this thing seriously.
Now, I don't know if you
can talk some sense into her.
I don't know, but, uh, look,
I I gotta go, all right?
I'll call you later.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[INHALES SHAKILY] Oh.
[SIGHS] Stupid. Stupid.
[GROANS] Okay.
- [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
- [MUTTERS]
[FLOORBOARD CREAKS]
[GASPS, GRUNTS]
- Aames.
- This is Aames. Yeah?
- What's up, man? It's Markus.
- Who's this?
- Markus?
- Killebrew.
Listen, I'm here at
Ramon Tomas's apartment.
- What are you doing there?
- Yeah. Yeah, something's up.
- What's happening?
- Can you come meet me here?
- What's happening?
- Yeah, I'll fill you in.
[THUDS]
- [WOMAN SCREAMS]
- Markus?
- Markus, what's happening?
- Holy shit.
Markus.
Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Ramon. Hey, hey, stay
with me, all right?
I'm gonna get you some
help. Just hang in there.
[BREATHES SHAKILY] I don't wanna go.
Oh, shit.
Just hang on, all right?
Come on, I got you.
I got you. Come on.
[SIGHS]
[MURMURING]
Motherfuckers, stop recording
and call 911, goddamn it.
Hey. Hey.
Call 911.
Hey, you in the hat,
stop! Get back here.
Hey!
- [SHRIEKS, GASPS]
- [PANTS, GRUNTS] Oh!
- Hey, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
You all right? You sure?
I'm sorry about that.
Oh, shit!
[PANTING]
[SHREVE] Thanks, Herbie. I'll lock up.
- Good night.
- Night.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]
[MAN] If the bottom beat
in New Orleans is jazz,
then Oakland is '70s funk.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Beautiful women, good food,
but nothing beats that wide-open road.
Cane field on one side,
bayou on the other.
Moss?
Uncle.
Oh, son.
Man, I ain't seen you in how long?
- You wasn't at your father's funeral.
- No, sir.
I ain't wanna remember him that way.
I saw him at the hospital.
He recognized me. That
was good enough for me.
Come on. Sit down.
Man, I've been praying
every day since he passed.
You know, he used to
have to drag me to novena.
Now every city I pass
through, I end up in one.
Lighting a candle for him.
Came by straight from there.
Show up the way you know how.
Appreciate you saying that, Uncle.
Man, your respect, that
meant the world to him.
I miss my brother.
So where you stayin'?
- Oh, just just here and there.
- Nah, nah.
No "here and there" when you got
family. We got plenty of room.
- Yeah?
- Oh, yeah.
It's good to see you, son.
- [POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
- [SIREN BLARES]
Tell me about the guy you chased.
You get a look at his face?
No. Profile.
He had a hat on. I didn't
get to see his eyes.
But he was tall as
fuck. I'll tell you that.
Could you pick him in a lineup?
I think so.
See, the thing is, I felt like
I recognized the dude, you know?
I just can't place him.
Well, it could be a boyfriend or an ex.
Could be.
Someone turned over the whole
place looking for something.
Hmm.
I'll leave you to it.
Hey, before you go, can
I ask a question about,
um, about Poppy Parnell?
She's not the killer.
Do you trust her?
More than almost anyone. But
don't tell her I said that.
Right.
'Cause I don't work with civilians,
but I am finding her very hard to, uh
- [SIGHS] to avoid.
- [CHUCKLES]
Well, how can I put this?
You know how a, uh
a pit bull locks their jaw when
they get ahold of something?
- That's her.
- Right.
You got some history there?
Oh, so deep I think I
knew her in another life.
Look, my advice is this.
If you don't work with Poppy,
she'll work against you.
Trust me, that you don't want.
You still there?
[POPPY] Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry, Markus.
- You all right?
- No.
What can I do?
Nothing.
Look, I'm here if you wanna talk.
Listen, he didn't fall out of
the window, Poppy. He was pushed.
Most likely by the same guy I chased.
Innocent people, they don't run.
Well, has Aames said anything else?
Yeah, he said someone ransacked
Ramon's apartment looking for something.
Look, I gotta go.
You good?
Micah dismissed my guys, and I don't
have the fucking energy right now,
so just tell her to lock up.
- Will do.
- Cool.
I was horrible to him.
I mean, did I do this?
Did I push him to jump?
[POPPY] Don't do that to yourself.
And besides, Markus saw
someone running away.
You were You were scared.
You were protecting yourself.
And Ramon was unraveling. We
don't know what he was up to.
Maybe he let someone
dangerous into his apartment.
Yeah.
[SIGHS] So afraid.
I just let it erase
everything he meant to me.
[SIGHS]
["JUST ASKING" PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[WOMAN ON TV] The Shelter
family is heartbroken
by the loss of one of
our own, Ramon Tomas.
Ramon came to Shelter after
running away from his broken home.
He was a gifted student
who prospered under the
care of the Shelter family.
In this time of grief
and loss, Shelter is here.
Coping resources are
available at our website.
- [KNOCKS]
- Yeah.
Here's that list of tenants
from the Shelter apartments.
- Thanks.
- Ramon's neighbors.
Maybe they heard something.
How you holding up?
Yeah. Is that Ramon's watch?
- Yeah. And his cardigan.
- Mmm.
We used to trade clothes sometimes.
This one still smelled like
him, so I felt like wearing it.
[CHUCKLES] Is that weird?
You know, it's only human to
wanna be close to your friend.
You know, you look a little worn-out.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off? Relax.
Sitting in his energy is
part of the grief protocol.
Plus, Lachlan wants
me here at all times.
Lachlan's an asshole.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Look, if he's not being decent to
you, you know you can just quit?
I can't quit.
Come on. Walk with me.
- [POPPY] Yoo-hoo?
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
- Hey.
- [MICAH] Hi.
I just can't look at this stuff anymore.
It's like it's suffocating me.
I'm, um, so sorry I made you
come all the way out here,
but I can't do this interview right now.
Oh, we're not in a hurry. We can wait.
I'm gonna check the
room tone in the back.
What is this one? This
one doesn't belong here.
Talk to me, Micah.
Someone I loved died hating me.
It's the old me. I
It's like I feel her creeping back in.
Like she wants to
take this life from me.
Mmm, I understand that.
I, uh
know what it's like to
feel like two people.
Well, you never let the
trappings of success change you.
What? Ingram?
Poppy, if you love him
fight for it.
Protect it, because once it's gone
What if it's not strong
enough to fight for anymore?
Do you think we're toxic? The two of us?
[CHUCKLES] That's dangerous.
You didn't say no.
Hmm, I'm not giving in to that,
and I don't think you should either.
What makes us think that it's up to us,
like, the two of us, to save the world?
What other choice do we have, honey?
Let it all burn down?
Look, just talk to me, okay? I
can help you if you're afraid.
It's not that. It
It's not like he's
stalking or harassing me.
But?
I'm in a lot of debt.
[CHUCKLES] So, Lachlan
was your loan shark?
I stole from Shelter.
The face cream goes for $600,
and I was in charge of inventory,
so I'd take jars here and there
and sell them and pay bills.
And he caught you.
But how?
He has cameras all over the office.
Probably uses whatever he finds
or hears to keep people in line.
He wants to control everything.
Well, do you have any
idea where the cameras are?
Do you know where the footage is?
He doesn't know that I know, but yes.
It's all on hard drives in his office.
I don't wanna go to jail.
What if I gave them to you?
Come on in. Yeah, I thought
it'd be better for us
to do this thing together here,
you know, rather than at the office.
Hidden cameras? Why the
heck was Lachlan spying?
- I don't know.
- Ooh.
- What the hell?
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[GASPS]
[SCOFFS] What are you doing home?
Um, I-I had a free period,
so I came home for a snack.
No, no, no, no.
The school bus doesn't run
in the middle of the day.
- I didn't take the bus.
- So ho
Um, Dad, this is Aubrey.
Hey, Mr. Killbrew, Mrs. Killbrew.
- Killebrew. It's Killebrew.
- [AUBREY] Oh, Killebrew.
- No, my name is Poppy Parnell.
- Hey.
Look, I would've told
you I was coming home,
- but I didn't think you'd be here.
- Mm-hmm.
Well, we ought to get going anyway,
'cause free period's almost over, so.
Hold on.
You crazy? Let me see some ID.
Aubrey Siddons, huh?
Let me holler at you for a minute.
It doesn't matter what my daughter says.
The bottom-line rule here
is no boys in an empty house.
Ever. You understand that?
So that means that either me
or her mother has to be here.
So, just in case that she forgets,
you have all the information you need.
You understand that, right?
Yes, sir. I understand.
You broke the rules.
After school, I want you straight home.
You understand me?
Yes, sir.
So, uh since when
did Trini start dating?
Man, listen. I don't even
wanna think about that.
And I damn sure don't
wanna talk about it.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
All right. Let's see what we got here.
"Jenna Buccatello. Gary Nguyen.
Maleeka Long." These are
all employees at Shelter.
Please don't tell me we did all
this to find personnel files.
Why would Lachlan need
to hide personnel files?
Huh.
See this.
- Ooh.
- Oh. Oh.
Okay. Whatever you do, do
not hit that rewind button.
Well, whatever they are up to,
I'm sure I've seen
worse shit in my life.
Mmm. This is so invasive.
There must be files on
everyone at Shelter here.
- Mm-hmm.
- He is one creepy motherfucker.
What if Ramon found out
about the surveillance?
Uh-huh?
Ramon finds out about the surveillance,
threatens to expose him,
and Lachlan killed him.
Uh, well, the dude I saw
was tall, but I don't know.
Lachlan doesn't seem
like the killer type.
So he hired somebody
to keep his hands clean.
Maybe so. Look at this.
What's this asshole
think he's got on me?
But they say it's common
with geriatric pregnancies.
[MARKUS LAUGHING ON VIDEO]
Hey, don't blame me. I
didn't make up the term.
Look, it's gonna be fine. Don't worry.
[SIGHS]
You're having another baby?
Well, that was meant to
be private. [CHUCKLES]
We're not really telling
anyone yet, you know.
Folks tend to get way too involved
in other people's pregnancies.
Look, how about I just, um,
finish up on this on my own,
and then I give you a
call if I find anything?
Okay.
[SIGHS]
- [DOORBELL RINGS]
- Knock, knock!
[POPPY] Why are you laying
on my doorbell like that?
'Cause I want to.
Ugh, I'm starving. I hope you cooked.
Um, I ordered from my
favorite restaurant.
Oh, that's
But we can use my good china if
that'll make you feel any better.
- You're trifling.
- I accept that about myself. [CHUCKLES]
Come on. I wanna show y'all
something before we eat.
[GIGGLES]
- Y'all both look so cute today.
- [DESIREE] Thank you, Poppy.
[CYDIE] Thank you, sis.
[SHREVE ON VIDEO] First time out
in California when I was a kid,
my father was taking us to
the beach out in Alameda.
We were driving through the
tube when a car almost hit us.
My father almost crashed into a wall.
It was a white man driving.
And it nearly scared the
hell out of my mother.
When my father caught up
to his car, the man shouted,
"Boy, watch what the fuck
you doing. Know your place."
So my father motioned for the man
to pull over at an empty field.
My father got out, walked to the car.
Hat in hand, head bowed, subservient.
But when he got to the car,
all I could see was his hands
reaching into the driver's window.
Now, my father, he had
thick workingman's hands.
Hard-days'-work hands.
So he snatched that white man
straight through that window.
His shoes came off.
Dragged him in his
socks back to our car,
forced him to look at me
and Noble in the back seat.
Had him by the tie, turned his
head, pointed to us, and told him
And I'll never forget
it as long as I live.
"Those are my sons.
That one's nine, and he is seven.
Those are boys. I am
a motherfucking man!"
That's the righteous anger I knew.
That's what I grew into.
It's also what led me
away from my daughters
when they needed me the most.
[JOSHUA] You mean when you were
locked up after your wife's death?
[SHREVE] Nothing like prison
to make you face your demons.
When Elinor died, I I went grief mad
and left my babies to deal
with their mother's death alone.
I'll never forgive myself for that.
By the time I got out of prison,
I realized there was more to
being a man than being hard.
But for my girls
Sometimes I think it
was already too late.
I'm stunned. I cannot
stop rewatching this.
I did the same.
When did he do this?
And how did he do this?
Well, he was working with Josh.
He wanted to leave behind
a legacy. Just in case.
Yeah, well, he's dealing with a lot.
His brother's death hit him hard,
and now he's sick and scared.
Lillian tell y'all one of
Noble's sons is staying with them?
What? Who? Cornelius?
No. The illegitimate.
- Moss? You're lying.
- [DESIREE] Mm-hmm.
No, he came in the bar
completely out of the blue,
acting like the long-lost nephew
and asking all kinds of questions.
Oh.
- What did Lillian say about him?
- He getting on her nerves.
She said he has a million opinions,
and he keeps egging
Daddy on about grandkids.
- Stop it.
- Uh, that is not his business.
Thank you.
You know, I beat the shit
outta him when we were kids.
- [LAUGHING]
- I remember.
I might have to do it again if
he doesn't stop running his mouth.
[ALL LAUGHING]
So, has Daddy ever asked
y'all about grandbabies?
Hmm.
I told him that as long
as I'm short a partner,
- I will be short a baby.
- Mmm.
And he knows that I am way too
fly, so he don't even ask me.
- [CHUCKLES]
- And we all know you too fancy.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
- Got them fancy curls right now.
- She always fancy.
[CYDIE] She got a perm
before anybody else.
Oh, yeah.
["DO TO YOU" PLAYING]
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS, SIGHS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES]
[FUNK MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, hey, sorry.
Hey. So we need to do more depo
prep. Can I come over later?
Uh, sure.
[INGRAM] You good?
Yeah, just, uh, something Cydie
said yesterday got me thinking
about when we decided not to have kids.
[SIGHS] Yeah?
No, no. I'm
You know, I'm, uh
just, uh
just thinking about it.
We decided that.
[POPPY] I know. I'm
not saying we didn't.
- See you later?
- Yeah.
You get that valve fixed yet?
- Happy to do it if you want.
- Finding somebody.
Let him fix it if he want.
Good to see you, Moss.
- Settling in?
- [MOSS] Trying to.
- How you doing, Hollywood?
- Mmm. Don't call me that.
Still sensitive.
You in town long?
Well, I don't know.
Sure hope to be.
You got a visitor.
Fuck.
I like the music here. And the okra.
Lukather Shreveport Scoville.
My government name. You must be a cop.
The word on the street is you lost
a step, but I'm not sure I buy it.
Let me, uh, have a
moment alone with him.
Please, Daddy. I'm fine.
You investigating the
murders or the Capstones?
Well, just because I don't
work Intelligence anymore
doesn't mean I don't
like to have information.
Your, uh, your podcast
is causing some chaos.
That all you came to say?
I can't stop you from doing your story.
- That we can agree on.
- But I am not the enemy.
Mmm.
You want my help, but you
don't wanna ask me for it.
That about right?
[CHUCKLES]
All right. What's your
theory on the case?
- Which one?
- Both.
My gut's telling me
it's the same killer.
The guy Markus saw with the
baseball cap leaving Ramon's.
- So you think we got a serial killer?
- I can't tell you.
Okay.
Did you find DNA at Ramon's,
and are you testing it
against what you found
at Joshua's studio?
- I can't tell you.
- Okay, then this isn't gonna work.
Hey, I don't want the distraction
while I'm trying to do my job, okay.
You're a podcaster
Journalist.
Neither one of those is a
qualified homicide detective.
What are you gonna do
if you find the killer?
- The right thing.
- Yeah.
Like you did with the Cave case?
Lawsuits are expensive, and
they're also public record.
Good night, Inspector.
Leave a fat-ass tip now.
Herbie, set me up.
Why are we meeting out here?
Lachlan has surveillance
cameras all over Shelter.
The annex, the lobby.
And all the offices.
Did you
Did you see me in my office?
Yeah.
That's illegal, right? He
can't he can't do that.
Well, it's complicated.
What do you mean, "It's complicated"?
Look, if he didn't record in the
bathrooms or the locker rooms,
then technically it's legal.
Now if he were to post it or
to extort you or anyone else,
then it would become illegal.
Look, I asked you to come out here
because I need allies, all right?
Micah's been rejecting my ideas,
and we need open lines of communication,
or more people could get hurt.
Can I trust you?
I used to have a lot of, uh
unhealthy habits growing up.
I'm not gonna bore you with my
sob story. It's just life was hard.
Indeed. Indeed.
I introduced Lachlan to Micah.
Then when he invested,
we gave him an office.
He was always flirting with me.
But when Josh died,
I just I acted out.
- I made a mistake
- Yeah.
but I love my husband.
I'm just really
disappointed with myself.
I never thought I would be that person.
It's just that I'm supposed
to be her rock, you know,
and I lied to her.
You have to tell her.
I know.
I know. I'm I'm in charge
of the second chance workers.
Owning mistakes is the
baseline of the program.
I have to take my own advice.
[SIGHS]
[SCOFFS]
You motherfucker.
[SOUL MUSIC PLAYING]
[SHREVE] Bam. Give me 20.
- You know I'm letting you win, right?
- Bullshit.
[MARKUS] Scovilles, what's happening?
[SHREVE] Hey, what's going on, Markus?
- [DESIREE] What's up, Markus?
- Poppy?
I'll be right back.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Here, have a seat. I
think you were right.
I think this could be the guy
that Lachlan hired to kill Ramon.
- Are you serious?
- Yeah, I'm serious.
That's the guy I saw running
out of Ramon's building.
His name is Holt Rollins.
He works at Shelter.
That's how he was able to
get into Ramon's apartment.
- I think I've seen him before.
- What?
Cydie? Cydie, come here.
Wait, what are you talking
about you've seen him before?
Just hold on a minute.
- Cydie, come here. Hurry.
- Yeah.
Does he look familiar?
You found him.
Found who? What's going on?
Uh, that's the dude who scared
me on my bus the other day.
- I had to file a complaint.
- Hold on.
So you're saying you've
seen this guy before?
What is she talking about?
Yeah, he scared the shit outta
me. Knew my routes and everything.
This isn't a coincidence.
[SHREVE] Your sister
got hurt once already.
No, this isn't the same thing, Daddy.
Listen, I'ma go see
if I can find this guy.
- Call Aames. And be careful.
- Will do.
Let me call Micah.
Sweetheart, what's going on?
Listen. Look at this. Him right there.
- This is the cat that
- Yes.
You've reached Micah Keith. The
world is waiting for your vision.
Hey. Hey, it's me.
I think Markus figured out
who might've killed Ramon.
His name is Holt Rollins.
He's a Shelter employee.
I don't think you need
to be out there alone.
Okay, call me. Call
me when you get this.
I'll call you later.
[MARKUS] Watch your heads.
Watch your step.
Yeah.
Here it is.
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[AAMES] Whoa.
[MARKUS] What you got?
- Holy shit.
- [AAMES] Yeah.
We still working tonight?
Hey.
Aames found some creepy
shit at Holt's workshop,
but the guy's not here.
- Have you talked to Micah?
- Uh, she's not answering her phone.
All right. I'll head out there as
soon as I get, uh, Trini situated.
- Okay, I'll meet you there.
- Okay.
Poppy. Call the police.
Do not drive out there.
I have to, Ingram.
You walk out that door, and I
will not be here when you get back.
You know it's over, Poppy.
Neither one of us has been
brave enough to say it.
Don't say that.
Wait, you're gonna leave
if I go help my friend?
You know that's not it.
I I don't know how. I
don't even really know why.
[SIGHS] But we lost something.
I'll move back to New York with you.
- Come on, baby.
- I love you, Ingram.
And I love you too.
I love you with all my heart.
But have you been happy?
Tell the truth.
No.
Why?
Because I know that what
you don't like is me.
This me.
And that's what I love. This me.
[SIGHS] I knew it.
I knew it.
I knew it. I could feel it.
And I tried to fold myself in and
all that did was make me angry.
And the river got wider.
I can't be that woman you want back.
Not even for you.
I know.
I know.
I'm going back to New York.
- When?
- Soon.
Poppy, uh
Poppy.
- [DOOR SLAMS]
- [SIGHS]
[ELECTRONIC VOICE] If
this is an emergency,
- please stay on the line.
- Oh, come on, come on, come on.
[OPERATOR] 911, what's your emergency?
Yes. I need to report an assault.
[THUDS]
Every word you have ever
said to me has been a lie.
[CHUCKLES]
You're kicking me back to
the street where you found me.
That's not true.
If I were a dog, you'd get a fine.
But who cares about me, hmm?
[CHUCKLES]
Why don't we sit?
And let's just talk about
it. I know you're angry.
You betrayed me.
Aames told me things only
you could have told him.
- Ramon
- Don't say a word.
There is nothing you can say.
Let's just talk.
You're safe with me.
[SCOFFS] That's a fucking joke!
You told me
You told those kids that worship
you that you're a safe place.
You're a liar.
You need to let go of me.
You would've been a terrible mother.
Don't say that.
Joshua hated you.
That's not true.
Yes, it is.
I can see it on your
face that you know it is.
[GRUNTS]
[MICAH] Oh! Oh, my God.
- [ALARM BEEPING]
- Get out! Get out of my house!
Get out!
[BEEPING CONTINUES]
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
- Oh, God.
Ingram, she texted me freaked-out
about Ramon, so I drove out here.
[INGRAM ON SPEAKERPHONE]
That's not your job.
Joshua's not here to do it.
- I know that.
- Do you?
'Cause right now, you're dogging me
about making sure my friend is safe.
Look, don't put that on me, Poppy.
This is the same silly shit that
- Silly shit?
- Yes.
You're being sued because
of this recklessness.
Wow. Wow. Okay.
You know what, I can't
deal with this right now.
Look, you need to deal with it.
Alana Cave is trying to
take everything we have.
Not just what you have. What we have.
This puts the house, our
savings, all that in jeopardy.
- And you're gonna hand it right to her.
- [SIREN BLARES]
[SCOFFS] I I gotta go.
Poppy, what's going on?
- [SIREN CONTINUES]
- Call
[ALARM BEEPING]
[BEEPING, CHIMES]
Like I said, he just got fired
today. So I saw him earlier.
- He's her ex-assistant, so
- I'm not pressing charges.
Ramon's in pain. He didn't
know what he was doing.
So you can go now.
All right, fellas, I will
I'll give you a call if I get
any more information, all right?
- You got it. Have a good night.
- Thanks. Be safe.
Look, you have to change your
security codes, all right?
He has all your information.
He knows me too well.
He'll figure it out.
This is why you need a security detail.
- Security is not gonna fix this.
- [SCOFFS]
It's personal.
[SIGHS] Can I holler
at you for a second?
Sure.
[METAL CLANKS]
[POPPY] What's going on?
She's a problem, okay?
Her whole steelo pisses me off.
[POPPY] She's scared, okay?
What if Ramon killed Joshua and Drew,
thinking they were having an affair?
Well, if he did do
it, then we really need
to take precautions right now.
- Right now.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES]
Hold on one second.
- [SCOFFS, CHUCKLES]
- What?
[SIGHS]
- You need to let the police handle that.
- I will. I w I will.
You know, I just
I feel kinda responsible for the kid.
I had to fire him and serve
him with an eviction notice.
Just be careful.
- Yeah.
- [IVY] Micah?
[SIGHS] What the hell happened?
Ramon.
He's furious with me,
and then, I mean, things just got weird.
Micah, he broke into your
house, okay? He threatened you.
That's not weird. That's dangerous.
What did the police say?
The police didn't say anything. I
mean, she's not pressing any charges.
- Markus.
- No, I'm [GRUNTS]
Look, they can't do any
good and neither can I,
if she doesn't take
this thing seriously.
Now, I don't know if you
can talk some sense into her.
I don't know, but, uh, look,
I I gotta go, all right?
I'll call you later.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[INHALES SHAKILY] Oh.
[SIGHS] Stupid. Stupid.
[GROANS] Okay.
- [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
- [MUTTERS]
[FLOORBOARD CREAKS]
[GASPS, GRUNTS]
- Aames.
- This is Aames. Yeah?
- What's up, man? It's Markus.
- Who's this?
- Markus?
- Killebrew.
Listen, I'm here at
Ramon Tomas's apartment.
- What are you doing there?
- Yeah. Yeah, something's up.
- What's happening?
- Can you come meet me here?
- What's happening?
- Yeah, I'll fill you in.
[THUDS]
- [WOMAN SCREAMS]
- Markus?
- Markus, what's happening?
- Holy shit.
Markus.
Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Ramon. Hey, hey, stay
with me, all right?
I'm gonna get you some
help. Just hang in there.
[BREATHES SHAKILY] I don't wanna go.
Oh, shit.
Just hang on, all right?
Come on, I got you.
I got you. Come on.
[SIGHS]
[MURMURING]
Motherfuckers, stop recording
and call 911, goddamn it.
Hey. Hey.
Call 911.
Hey, you in the hat,
stop! Get back here.
Hey!
- [SHRIEKS, GASPS]
- [PANTS, GRUNTS] Oh!
- Hey, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
You all right? You sure?
I'm sorry about that.
Oh, shit!
[PANTING]
[SHREVE] Thanks, Herbie. I'll lock up.
- Good night.
- Night.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]
[MAN] If the bottom beat
in New Orleans is jazz,
then Oakland is '70s funk.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Beautiful women, good food,
but nothing beats that wide-open road.
Cane field on one side,
bayou on the other.
Moss?
Uncle.
Oh, son.
Man, I ain't seen you in how long?
- You wasn't at your father's funeral.
- No, sir.
I ain't wanna remember him that way.
I saw him at the hospital.
He recognized me. That
was good enough for me.
Come on. Sit down.
Man, I've been praying
every day since he passed.
You know, he used to
have to drag me to novena.
Now every city I pass
through, I end up in one.
Lighting a candle for him.
Came by straight from there.
Show up the way you know how.
Appreciate you saying that, Uncle.
Man, your respect, that
meant the world to him.
I miss my brother.
So where you stayin'?
- Oh, just just here and there.
- Nah, nah.
No "here and there" when you got
family. We got plenty of room.
- Yeah?
- Oh, yeah.
It's good to see you, son.
- [POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
- [SIREN BLARES]
Tell me about the guy you chased.
You get a look at his face?
No. Profile.
He had a hat on. I didn't
get to see his eyes.
But he was tall as
fuck. I'll tell you that.
Could you pick him in a lineup?
I think so.
See, the thing is, I felt like
I recognized the dude, you know?
I just can't place him.
Well, it could be a boyfriend or an ex.
Could be.
Someone turned over the whole
place looking for something.
Hmm.
I'll leave you to it.
Hey, before you go, can
I ask a question about,
um, about Poppy Parnell?
She's not the killer.
Do you trust her?
More than almost anyone. But
don't tell her I said that.
Right.
'Cause I don't work with civilians,
but I am finding her very hard to, uh
- [SIGHS] to avoid.
- [CHUCKLES]
Well, how can I put this?
You know how a, uh
a pit bull locks their jaw when
they get ahold of something?
- That's her.
- Right.
You got some history there?
Oh, so deep I think I
knew her in another life.
Look, my advice is this.
If you don't work with Poppy,
she'll work against you.
Trust me, that you don't want.
You still there?
[POPPY] Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry, Markus.
- You all right?
- No.
What can I do?
Nothing.
Look, I'm here if you wanna talk.
Listen, he didn't fall out of
the window, Poppy. He was pushed.
Most likely by the same guy I chased.
Innocent people, they don't run.
Well, has Aames said anything else?
Yeah, he said someone ransacked
Ramon's apartment looking for something.
Look, I gotta go.
You good?
Micah dismissed my guys, and I don't
have the fucking energy right now,
so just tell her to lock up.
- Will do.
- Cool.
I was horrible to him.
I mean, did I do this?
Did I push him to jump?
[POPPY] Don't do that to yourself.
And besides, Markus saw
someone running away.
You were You were scared.
You were protecting yourself.
And Ramon was unraveling. We
don't know what he was up to.
Maybe he let someone
dangerous into his apartment.
Yeah.
[SIGHS] So afraid.
I just let it erase
everything he meant to me.
[SIGHS]
["JUST ASKING" PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[WOMAN ON TV] The Shelter
family is heartbroken
by the loss of one of
our own, Ramon Tomas.
Ramon came to Shelter after
running away from his broken home.
He was a gifted student
who prospered under the
care of the Shelter family.
In this time of grief
and loss, Shelter is here.
Coping resources are
available at our website.
- [KNOCKS]
- Yeah.
Here's that list of tenants
from the Shelter apartments.
- Thanks.
- Ramon's neighbors.
Maybe they heard something.
How you holding up?
Yeah. Is that Ramon's watch?
- Yeah. And his cardigan.
- Mmm.
We used to trade clothes sometimes.
This one still smelled like
him, so I felt like wearing it.
[CHUCKLES] Is that weird?
You know, it's only human to
wanna be close to your friend.
You know, you look a little worn-out.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off? Relax.
Sitting in his energy is
part of the grief protocol.
Plus, Lachlan wants
me here at all times.
Lachlan's an asshole.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Look, if he's not being decent to
you, you know you can just quit?
I can't quit.
Come on. Walk with me.
- [POPPY] Yoo-hoo?
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
- Hey.
- [MICAH] Hi.
I just can't look at this stuff anymore.
It's like it's suffocating me.
I'm, um, so sorry I made you
come all the way out here,
but I can't do this interview right now.
Oh, we're not in a hurry. We can wait.
I'm gonna check the
room tone in the back.
What is this one? This
one doesn't belong here.
Talk to me, Micah.
Someone I loved died hating me.
It's the old me. I
It's like I feel her creeping back in.
Like she wants to
take this life from me.
Mmm, I understand that.
I, uh
know what it's like to
feel like two people.
Well, you never let the
trappings of success change you.
What? Ingram?
Poppy, if you love him
fight for it.
Protect it, because once it's gone
What if it's not strong
enough to fight for anymore?
Do you think we're toxic? The two of us?
[CHUCKLES] That's dangerous.
You didn't say no.
Hmm, I'm not giving in to that,
and I don't think you should either.
What makes us think that it's up to us,
like, the two of us, to save the world?
What other choice do we have, honey?
Let it all burn down?
Look, just talk to me, okay? I
can help you if you're afraid.
It's not that. It
It's not like he's
stalking or harassing me.
But?
I'm in a lot of debt.
[CHUCKLES] So, Lachlan
was your loan shark?
I stole from Shelter.
The face cream goes for $600,
and I was in charge of inventory,
so I'd take jars here and there
and sell them and pay bills.
And he caught you.
But how?
He has cameras all over the office.
Probably uses whatever he finds
or hears to keep people in line.
He wants to control everything.
Well, do you have any
idea where the cameras are?
Do you know where the footage is?
He doesn't know that I know, but yes.
It's all on hard drives in his office.
I don't wanna go to jail.
What if I gave them to you?
Come on in. Yeah, I thought
it'd be better for us
to do this thing together here,
you know, rather than at the office.
Hidden cameras? Why the
heck was Lachlan spying?
- I don't know.
- Ooh.
- What the hell?
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[GASPS]
[SCOFFS] What are you doing home?
Um, I-I had a free period,
so I came home for a snack.
No, no, no, no.
The school bus doesn't run
in the middle of the day.
- I didn't take the bus.
- So ho
Um, Dad, this is Aubrey.
Hey, Mr. Killbrew, Mrs. Killbrew.
- Killebrew. It's Killebrew.
- [AUBREY] Oh, Killebrew.
- No, my name is Poppy Parnell.
- Hey.
Look, I would've told
you I was coming home,
- but I didn't think you'd be here.
- Mm-hmm.
Well, we ought to get going anyway,
'cause free period's almost over, so.
Hold on.
You crazy? Let me see some ID.
Aubrey Siddons, huh?
Let me holler at you for a minute.
It doesn't matter what my daughter says.
The bottom-line rule here
is no boys in an empty house.
Ever. You understand that?
So that means that either me
or her mother has to be here.
So, just in case that she forgets,
you have all the information you need.
You understand that, right?
Yes, sir. I understand.
You broke the rules.
After school, I want you straight home.
You understand me?
Yes, sir.
So, uh since when
did Trini start dating?
Man, listen. I don't even
wanna think about that.
And I damn sure don't
wanna talk about it.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
All right. Let's see what we got here.
"Jenna Buccatello. Gary Nguyen.
Maleeka Long." These are
all employees at Shelter.
Please don't tell me we did all
this to find personnel files.
Why would Lachlan need
to hide personnel files?
Huh.
See this.
- Ooh.
- Oh. Oh.
Okay. Whatever you do, do
not hit that rewind button.
Well, whatever they are up to,
I'm sure I've seen
worse shit in my life.
Mmm. This is so invasive.
There must be files on
everyone at Shelter here.
- Mm-hmm.
- He is one creepy motherfucker.
What if Ramon found out
about the surveillance?
Uh-huh?
Ramon finds out about the surveillance,
threatens to expose him,
and Lachlan killed him.
Uh, well, the dude I saw
was tall, but I don't know.
Lachlan doesn't seem
like the killer type.
So he hired somebody
to keep his hands clean.
Maybe so. Look at this.
What's this asshole
think he's got on me?
But they say it's common
with geriatric pregnancies.
[MARKUS LAUGHING ON VIDEO]
Hey, don't blame me. I
didn't make up the term.
Look, it's gonna be fine. Don't worry.
[SIGHS]
You're having another baby?
Well, that was meant to
be private. [CHUCKLES]
We're not really telling
anyone yet, you know.
Folks tend to get way too involved
in other people's pregnancies.
Look, how about I just, um,
finish up on this on my own,
and then I give you a
call if I find anything?
Okay.
[SIGHS]
- [DOORBELL RINGS]
- Knock, knock!
[POPPY] Why are you laying
on my doorbell like that?
'Cause I want to.
Ugh, I'm starving. I hope you cooked.
Um, I ordered from my
favorite restaurant.
Oh, that's
But we can use my good china if
that'll make you feel any better.
- You're trifling.
- I accept that about myself. [CHUCKLES]
Come on. I wanna show y'all
something before we eat.
[GIGGLES]
- Y'all both look so cute today.
- [DESIREE] Thank you, Poppy.
[CYDIE] Thank you, sis.
[SHREVE ON VIDEO] First time out
in California when I was a kid,
my father was taking us to
the beach out in Alameda.
We were driving through the
tube when a car almost hit us.
My father almost crashed into a wall.
It was a white man driving.
And it nearly scared the
hell out of my mother.
When my father caught up
to his car, the man shouted,
"Boy, watch what the fuck
you doing. Know your place."
So my father motioned for the man
to pull over at an empty field.
My father got out, walked to the car.
Hat in hand, head bowed, subservient.
But when he got to the car,
all I could see was his hands
reaching into the driver's window.
Now, my father, he had
thick workingman's hands.
Hard-days'-work hands.
So he snatched that white man
straight through that window.
His shoes came off.
Dragged him in his
socks back to our car,
forced him to look at me
and Noble in the back seat.
Had him by the tie, turned his
head, pointed to us, and told him
And I'll never forget
it as long as I live.
"Those are my sons.
That one's nine, and he is seven.
Those are boys. I am
a motherfucking man!"
That's the righteous anger I knew.
That's what I grew into.
It's also what led me
away from my daughters
when they needed me the most.
[JOSHUA] You mean when you were
locked up after your wife's death?
[SHREVE] Nothing like prison
to make you face your demons.
When Elinor died, I I went grief mad
and left my babies to deal
with their mother's death alone.
I'll never forgive myself for that.
By the time I got out of prison,
I realized there was more to
being a man than being hard.
But for my girls
Sometimes I think it
was already too late.
I'm stunned. I cannot
stop rewatching this.
I did the same.
When did he do this?
And how did he do this?
Well, he was working with Josh.
He wanted to leave behind
a legacy. Just in case.
Yeah, well, he's dealing with a lot.
His brother's death hit him hard,
and now he's sick and scared.
Lillian tell y'all one of
Noble's sons is staying with them?
What? Who? Cornelius?
No. The illegitimate.
- Moss? You're lying.
- [DESIREE] Mm-hmm.
No, he came in the bar
completely out of the blue,
acting like the long-lost nephew
and asking all kinds of questions.
Oh.
- What did Lillian say about him?
- He getting on her nerves.
She said he has a million opinions,
and he keeps egging
Daddy on about grandkids.
- Stop it.
- Uh, that is not his business.
Thank you.
You know, I beat the shit
outta him when we were kids.
- [LAUGHING]
- I remember.
I might have to do it again if
he doesn't stop running his mouth.
[ALL LAUGHING]
So, has Daddy ever asked
y'all about grandbabies?
Hmm.
I told him that as long
as I'm short a partner,
- I will be short a baby.
- Mmm.
And he knows that I am way too
fly, so he don't even ask me.
- [CHUCKLES]
- And we all know you too fancy.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
- Got them fancy curls right now.
- She always fancy.
[CYDIE] She got a perm
before anybody else.
Oh, yeah.
["DO TO YOU" PLAYING]
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTS, SIGHS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES]
[FUNK MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, hey, sorry.
Hey. So we need to do more depo
prep. Can I come over later?
Uh, sure.
[INGRAM] You good?
Yeah, just, uh, something Cydie
said yesterday got me thinking
about when we decided not to have kids.
[SIGHS] Yeah?
No, no. I'm
You know, I'm, uh
just, uh
just thinking about it.
We decided that.
[POPPY] I know. I'm
not saying we didn't.
- See you later?
- Yeah.
You get that valve fixed yet?
- Happy to do it if you want.
- Finding somebody.
Let him fix it if he want.
Good to see you, Moss.
- Settling in?
- [MOSS] Trying to.
- How you doing, Hollywood?
- Mmm. Don't call me that.
Still sensitive.
You in town long?
Well, I don't know.
Sure hope to be.
You got a visitor.
Fuck.
I like the music here. And the okra.
Lukather Shreveport Scoville.
My government name. You must be a cop.
The word on the street is you lost
a step, but I'm not sure I buy it.
Let me, uh, have a
moment alone with him.
Please, Daddy. I'm fine.
You investigating the
murders or the Capstones?
Well, just because I don't
work Intelligence anymore
doesn't mean I don't
like to have information.
Your, uh, your podcast
is causing some chaos.
That all you came to say?
I can't stop you from doing your story.
- That we can agree on.
- But I am not the enemy.
Mmm.
You want my help, but you
don't wanna ask me for it.
That about right?
[CHUCKLES]
All right. What's your
theory on the case?
- Which one?
- Both.
My gut's telling me
it's the same killer.
The guy Markus saw with the
baseball cap leaving Ramon's.
- So you think we got a serial killer?
- I can't tell you.
Okay.
Did you find DNA at Ramon's,
and are you testing it
against what you found
at Joshua's studio?
- I can't tell you.
- Okay, then this isn't gonna work.
Hey, I don't want the distraction
while I'm trying to do my job, okay.
You're a podcaster
Journalist.
Neither one of those is a
qualified homicide detective.
What are you gonna do
if you find the killer?
- The right thing.
- Yeah.
Like you did with the Cave case?
Lawsuits are expensive, and
they're also public record.
Good night, Inspector.
Leave a fat-ass tip now.
Herbie, set me up.
Why are we meeting out here?
Lachlan has surveillance
cameras all over Shelter.
The annex, the lobby.
And all the offices.
Did you
Did you see me in my office?
Yeah.
That's illegal, right? He
can't he can't do that.
Well, it's complicated.
What do you mean, "It's complicated"?
Look, if he didn't record in the
bathrooms or the locker rooms,
then technically it's legal.
Now if he were to post it or
to extort you or anyone else,
then it would become illegal.
Look, I asked you to come out here
because I need allies, all right?
Micah's been rejecting my ideas,
and we need open lines of communication,
or more people could get hurt.
Can I trust you?
I used to have a lot of, uh
unhealthy habits growing up.
I'm not gonna bore you with my
sob story. It's just life was hard.
Indeed. Indeed.
I introduced Lachlan to Micah.
Then when he invested,
we gave him an office.
He was always flirting with me.
But when Josh died,
I just I acted out.
- I made a mistake
- Yeah.
but I love my husband.
I'm just really
disappointed with myself.
I never thought I would be that person.
It's just that I'm supposed
to be her rock, you know,
and I lied to her.
You have to tell her.
I know.
I know. I'm I'm in charge
of the second chance workers.
Owning mistakes is the
baseline of the program.
I have to take my own advice.
[SIGHS]
[SCOFFS]
You motherfucker.
[SOUL MUSIC PLAYING]
[SHREVE] Bam. Give me 20.
- You know I'm letting you win, right?
- Bullshit.
[MARKUS] Scovilles, what's happening?
[SHREVE] Hey, what's going on, Markus?
- [DESIREE] What's up, Markus?
- Poppy?
I'll be right back.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
Here, have a seat. I
think you were right.
I think this could be the guy
that Lachlan hired to kill Ramon.
- Are you serious?
- Yeah, I'm serious.
That's the guy I saw running
out of Ramon's building.
His name is Holt Rollins.
He works at Shelter.
That's how he was able to
get into Ramon's apartment.
- I think I've seen him before.
- What?
Cydie? Cydie, come here.
Wait, what are you talking
about you've seen him before?
Just hold on a minute.
- Cydie, come here. Hurry.
- Yeah.
Does he look familiar?
You found him.
Found who? What's going on?
Uh, that's the dude who scared
me on my bus the other day.
- I had to file a complaint.
- Hold on.
So you're saying you've
seen this guy before?
What is she talking about?
Yeah, he scared the shit outta
me. Knew my routes and everything.
This isn't a coincidence.
[SHREVE] Your sister
got hurt once already.
No, this isn't the same thing, Daddy.
Listen, I'ma go see
if I can find this guy.
- Call Aames. And be careful.
- Will do.
Let me call Micah.
Sweetheart, what's going on?
Listen. Look at this. Him right there.
- This is the cat that
- Yes.
You've reached Micah Keith. The
world is waiting for your vision.
Hey. Hey, it's me.
I think Markus figured out
who might've killed Ramon.
His name is Holt Rollins.
He's a Shelter employee.
I don't think you need
to be out there alone.
Okay, call me. Call
me when you get this.
I'll call you later.
[MARKUS] Watch your heads.
Watch your step.
Yeah.
Here it is.
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[AAMES] Whoa.
[MARKUS] What you got?
- Holy shit.
- [AAMES] Yeah.
We still working tonight?
Hey.
Aames found some creepy
shit at Holt's workshop,
but the guy's not here.
- Have you talked to Micah?
- Uh, she's not answering her phone.
All right. I'll head out there as
soon as I get, uh, Trini situated.
- Okay, I'll meet you there.
- Okay.
Poppy. Call the police.
Do not drive out there.
I have to, Ingram.
You walk out that door, and I
will not be here when you get back.
You know it's over, Poppy.
Neither one of us has been
brave enough to say it.
Don't say that.
Wait, you're gonna leave
if I go help my friend?
You know that's not it.
I I don't know how. I
don't even really know why.
[SIGHS] But we lost something.
I'll move back to New York with you.
- Come on, baby.
- I love you, Ingram.
And I love you too.
I love you with all my heart.
But have you been happy?
Tell the truth.
No.
Why?
Because I know that what
you don't like is me.
This me.
And that's what I love. This me.
[SIGHS] I knew it.
I knew it.
I knew it. I could feel it.
And I tried to fold myself in and
all that did was make me angry.
And the river got wider.
I can't be that woman you want back.
Not even for you.
I know.
I know.
I'm going back to New York.
- When?
- Soon.
Poppy, uh
Poppy.
- [DOOR SLAMS]
- [SIGHS]
[ELECTRONIC VOICE] If
this is an emergency,
- please stay on the line.
- Oh, come on, come on, come on.
[OPERATOR] 911, what's your emergency?
Yes. I need to report an assault.
[THUDS]