Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021) s02e05 Episode Script

1 In the nation's largest city, the vicious and violent members of the underworld are hunted by the detectives of the Organized Crime Control Bureau.
These are their stories.
Real power is in making the law.
I'm not after power, and I am not a politician.
Not yet, but it wouldn't take much to turn you into one.
- Give me that! - Hey! [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
I think I had an episode.
Mama, you been taking your medication? Stay with us and we'll figure it out.
Did you get the Albi Briscu pictures that I sent from the house? Travel consent forms for minors, Albanian passports.
There's a girl named Rita.
She's a waitress at the diner that we go to.
One of her passports was in there.
We're looking at trafficking here? We need to bring SVU in on this? That's what I'm thinking.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- That's Albi Briscu.
- [CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING.]
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING.]
Jon Costa.
That's Reggie Bogdani.
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING.]
I recognize one of the girls.
It's Amelia.
She's a waitress at the Little Albania diner.
- I don't see Rita.
- Neither do I.
- Who's that? - Flutura.
She's Albi Briscu's wife.
She handles the girls for the K-O? Well, if she does, it's news to me.
So you're saying that she's not involved in the sex trafficking operation? I'm saying that she calls herself a party planner.
What she really does, I I just don't know.
Stabler took photos of the receipts when he was at her house.
I saw it and from what it looks like, it's a legitimate business.
But if you're already working her, then you must've suspected her of something.
I was working her to find anything I could on her husband; I found the documents and the passports.
Which all points to sex trafficking, which obviously is why we're here.
And the intel that SVU brought to us, the shipment of girls? If it's part of the K-O, I just haven't been let in on it, so.
[SIGHS.]
I'm in the same place as you guys.
- Who are these guys? - Senior management.
The guy right behind Costa, that's Erlon Prifti.
Basically the CFO.
Anything having to do with money laundering operations or tax evasion schemes, he's in charge of it.
And the other guy, his name is Dardan.
Who's the man sitting on the other side of Costa? The one in the suit? I don't recognize him.
I'm gonna say that he's the client.
- The buyer.
- Yup.
Well, he's reviewing the merchandise.
And I'd say that your friend, Flutura is that how you say her name? She's much more than a party planner.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Just stop and talk to me, Grandma.
Let me help you.
What are you looking for? You know what I'm looking for.
He knows what I'm looking for.
My pills.
I saw you go into my bathroom and take them.
I saw you.
Grandma, there is only one bathroom in the entire apartment.
There were 25 pills in here.
There are now three.
- I don't know - Hey, everyone! - What's going on? - Ah! The prodigal son returns.
Not a moment too soon.
- That's good.
- She having an episode? - [INAUDIBLE.]
- What? "Is she having an episode?" She would not be having an episode if your son didn't steal my pills.
Okay, okay.
Let's calm down.
Hey, what pills are we talking about? Benzos.
They gave me Valium this time.
I hate Valium.
I liked Xanax much better.
They didn't take the lithium, of course, because there's no fun in that, is there? Eli? You think I stole her Valium? I'm not accusing.
I'm asking.
Didn't take her pills, Dad.
- Yeah, he's lying.
- Okay, hold on one second.
Everyone do what they need to do.
Work, school.
I'm gonna stay here.
Mama go.
Mama.
Let me fix you up some tea.
- You're gonna make tea? - Yeah.
- Oh, this is good.
- Mm, yeah.
You don't know how to make tea.
That's true.
[BIRDS SINGING.]
These tomatoes you planted are doing real good.
Yeah.
It's very impressive.
Thank you.
What's this stuff? Oh, oregano, thyme, rosemary.
The basil sprouted, you know.
I'm gonna try again when the weather's better.
I don't remember you having a green thumb.
Oh, are you kidding me? I had a vegetable garden for you when you were a kid.
You used to eat the peas right off the vine.
I don't remember that.
Are you sure it was me? [SCOFFS.]
Yeah.
The blackbirds here are a problem, I'll tell you.
- They want to eat all the herbs.
- Mm.
You're gonna have to get yourself a scarecrow.
Yeah, or you could just move back home.
Ha, ha.
Elliot, I'm worried about Eli.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
You let me worry about him.
He's a good kid, Mama.
How would you know? You're never here.
I check in every day.
- Oh.
- Almost every day.
And as soon as we wrap up the investigation, I'll be home.
You know how it is.
Yeah.
I know how it is, unfortunately.
And I remember it very well.
I've gotta get back to work.
Kathleen is gonna come by with your new prescription.
She's gonna drop it off and I'm gonna try to be here this weekend.
Do me a favor.
Don't try.
Just be here.
I love you more than banana cream pie.
What? Just something I heard.
Okay.
CPD has verified that the visas are valid.
These girls came to the U.
S.
under the pretext of legitimate jobs waiting for them.
Has Europol tracked down their families? They're working on it.
And we spoke with the mothers of Dorin, Bardhi, and Ali Dervishi.
Both have pretty much the same story.
Scout approached them from a company called Kesmet Model Management.
Offered to cover the cost of their daughter's travel to the U.
S.
Those poor people thought they were giving their daughters a chance at a better life.
Why would they believe that? It's not like it's a well-kept secret.
It is in their home country.
A lot of these traffickers know the girl's family.
Maybe wishful thinking, but they thought they could trust them.
Well, we know the Albanians have massage parlors and strip clubs.
Some of the girls are working at those places, but not any of the ones from last night.
The unknown person from the gathering at the restaurant last night we've identified as Edmund Ross, hedge fund billionaire and CEO of Ushas Capital.
What's his story? Well, he's not a flashy guy, apparently.
Even though he handles the accounts of some very high rollers.
Apolitical, but very big in the nonprofit world, especially women's rights organizations.
He donates to NOW, the Feminist Majority, Planned Parenthood.
- Just a regular ally.
- Mm.
Does he have a record? There's been one sexual misconduct charge brought against him by a former employee - and settled out-of-court.
- [SIGHS.]
Otherwise, he's clean as a whistle.
How did whistles ever get a reputation for being clean? [SHOPKEEPER'S BELL RINGS.]
Amelia, what's good today? - Everything good.
- Everything good, yeah.
So you're gonna tell me the Albanian matzo ball soup's good? Everything good.
All right, well, don't we just start with a coffee as usual, then? What happened to you? Amelia, look at me.
Look at me.
Who did this to you? It was my fault.
I didn't have a happy smile and friendly attitude.
Can I get you anything else? My shift is finished.
No.
It's good.
Go ahead.
[DOG BARKING.]
Amelia.
Amelia, I'm Sergeant Bell.
I'm a police officer.
- Can I talk to you for - I can't.
I have to go.
Look, we don't have a lot of time.
Just hear me out.
The people who are hurting you, I can take you away from them, but I need your cooperation.
[SOFTLY.]
I can't.
Are you afraid they'll do something bad to your family back home? I can protect them, too.
But you have to come with me.
Right now.
Right now.
I knew she wouldn't go for it.
I mean, Amelia has no reason to trust anyone at this point.
There's at least five other girls in that van.
Look, I know the driver, Armend.
You just cut him off, I can take him.
Are you sure we want to do that? I [SIGHS.]
Captain Benson said this kind of thing is a little difficult for you.
I did it for over 12 years.
[SIGHS.]
It's hard to let it go sometimes.
I get it.
But if we save those girls and we don't take down the K-O They'll just bring another shipment of girls.
- [PHONE RINGING.]
- Bell.
Justin Howard.
The would-be president that you busted who's also a pedophile? So we have a warrant to collect his mail and he's been invited to a party tomorrow night at Edmund Ross's house.
What kind of party are we talking about? Well, it claims to be a charity auction.
And we need to get inside.
And we're working all of our connections to get a hold of that guest list.
Captain, he's on the move.
More soon, guys.
Gotta go.
Keep going.
- You been here before? - Never.
Rita's not with them.
But look who is.
Well, I take it this isn't her house.
The Briscus live out in Bedminster, New Jersey in a mansion.
We need a way inside that house so we can find out what goes on in there.
Nice hairdo.
Stabler.
[KNOCKS AT DOOR.]
[MUTTERS IN ALBANIAN.]
Hey, I'm sorry.
I followed you here.
I just can't stop thinking about you.
- Followed me from where? - Beauty parlor.
Between your hair and that car of yours, you're kind of hard to miss.
I need to talk to you.
Oh, I parked around the corner so your husband didn't see.
- Can we - Get inside.
You smell good.
Not now.
What are you doing? I swear nobody saw me come in here.
But look, I got a favor to ask of you.
- Go on.
- [SIGHS.]
I'm short on cash.
And I heard that you were throwing a party [LAUGHTER.]
From Reggie? That idiot has no filters.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
I'm just thinking that I could do security.
I am very careful about who I hire to do security for my parties.
I'm careful.
You know you can trust me.
I've done it before.
So what, you owe someone money? Yeah, something like that.
- I can lend you money.
- No, no, no.
I don't do that.
- No.
- [CHATTER AND LAUGHTER.]
- They work for me.
- Yeah, I figured.
I know some of their parents.
We help bring them from Albania, we help them get jobs.
Some of them work my parties.
And they all live in the house? Oh, until they get settled and find their own homes.
Oh, that's nice.
Kind of like a safe house? We're Albanians.
We take care of our own.
That's even nicer.
- I'll tell Reggie.
- Yeah, no, no, no.
Don't do that.
No.
I mean, my financial situation, that's a little embarrassing.
No, no.
I don't want him thinking that I'm running around - begging for - I'll tell him it was my idea.
[CHUCKLING.]
You have got nerve following me around.
- Hell, yeah.
- Yeah, you do.
- Now out.
- Hey can I use your bathroom? [SIGHS.]
Upstairs.
First door on the right.
Need help with that, too? No.
I can manage.
Oh.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- [SIGHS.]
- [SPEAKING ALBANIAN.]
Let's practice our English.
Let's work on our song.
Okay.
TOGETHER: You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy - Come on, Stabler.
- [PHONE RINGS.]
Hey, what's up? Just sent you a file.
It's the guest list.
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC.]
Mm, lot of bigwigs.
Very exclusive list.
Yeah.
Congressman Kilbride? [SIGHS.]
TOGETHER: You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy When skies are gray You'll never know, dear How much I love you [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make happy No, no, no, no! No! No, no, no! Okay, let's sing again.
[CRYING.]
You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy When skies are gray [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
"Take care of my cries are not heard".
[SIGHS.]
- Sergeant.
- Congressman.
To what do I owe the pleasure? Edmund Ross.
You know him? - My reputation, mostly.
- Oh.
You were invited to a party at his house tomorrow night.
Charity auction.
I get invited to a lot of parties, Sergeant.
This one didn't make it onto my schedule.
That's too bad.
Rich, influential.
I'd think he'd be the exact person a politician like yourself would want to know.
You're aware Congressman Howard was charged with raping a 15-year-old? - Awful.
- He's taken a plea deal.
I'm aware.
He's getting off easy, but it's not gonna stop there.
He's gonna give up names, too I know how a plea deal works, Sergeant.
I have nothing to be concerned about.
I'm not threatening you, Congressman.
You told me that I could call on you if I needed help with anything.
I need to get into that party.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
So why didn't you just say that? Will you help me? Thank you.
I'm told Ross keeps a little black book of everyone who attends his parties.
I don't want to wind up in that book.
Take me to the party as your date and I'll make sure your name stays out of it.
[SIGHS.]
What's good, man? - How's your batty, old grandma? - [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, don't hate.
Hey, if it weren't for her, we wouldn't have these.
[CHUCKLES.]
Dude.
We're gonna have people lining up to buy.
Justin and Kim already fronted for six.
Cool.
Hey, but this is it for now.
Dude, she tried to narc on me the other day.
So what? She's nuts.
Nobody will believe a word she says.
She's not nuts, man.
She's bipolar.
Whatever.
It's not whatever.
It's a medical condition.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Okay, dude.
I apologize.
All right, let's take these for a test drive.
Thought we were just selling.
- What's fun about that? - I I don't know.
These are for old ladies.
No offense to old ladies.
Let's just take the edge off.
You gotta relax, man.
You could use it.
[BIRDS SINGING.]
- Listen.
- Yeah.
My mother's sick, all right? I don't think I'm gonna do the job tonight.
Really? My mother needs me.
What am I gonna do, leave her? No, no, no.
I didn't mean it that way.
Yeah, no, I get it.
So yeah.
Flutura said just attitude.
Fall in with you, do what you say.
But I feel pretty confident I can do it on my own.
What? It's okay, Ma.
Look, I'm gonna stay here with you.
- Eddie's gonna do the job.
- No, no.
[COUGHS.]
Calm down.
- I'm fine.
Go to work.
- Uh-huh.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
All right.
[SIGHS.]
I got my phone with me.
Text me if you need anything, all right? I love you more than banana cream pie.
[CHUCKLES.]
[SOFTLY.]
Let's go.
I thought I told you to stay away from her.
- Stay away from who? - "Who".
Flutura.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
Look, Reg.
Things have been tight for me.
I just need some cash, that's all.
Eddie, if you need cash, you come to me.
- You're supposed to work for me.
- I do work for you.
Well, I didn't hire you for this job.
Right.
Why didn't you hire me? Why didn't you hire me? I'm your guy.
Yeah? Well, my guy don't go behind my back.
It ain't like that, man.
Do you know how this makes me look to Albi, to Costa, if I don't have control over you? - I mean no disrespect, Reg.
- Mm.
And I would never do nothing to cause you any trouble.
I put my ass on the line for you, Eddie.
I vouched for you.
[TENSE NOTES.]
Don't make me regret it.
[SOFT OMINOUS MUSIC.]
Take it easy.
They're not for you.
That it? There any more? Well, that's everyone here.
There's a couple over there already.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING.]
Looks like some repeat offenders.
All the money in the world's not gonna be able to buy them a deal.
Congressman Leon Kilbride and Ayanna Bell.
Holy crap.
Is that Bell? Is this your first time realizing how beautiful she is? I got bad news for you, man.
She's married.
[CHUCKLES.]
And here she is.
Madame Defarge herself.
Who's Madame Defarge? Charles Dickens, "Tale of Two Cities"? She's one of the main villains.
Good evening, Mrs.
Briscu.
You clean up nice.
[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING.]
Congressman Leon Kilbride and Ayanna Bell, please.
- For the auction.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
I count at least ten girls working this room tonight.
The tablets are numbered.
There's a specific one for each guest.
What do you think that's about? A system for track of who buys what.
Hey, Bell, see if you can get a look at what's on those other tablets.
That's Jennifer Berlanski Ross, the host's wife.
Daughter of the real estate developer.
Supposedly, Daddy helped Ross get into business.
Hey.
Would you like to meet Edmund Ross? Absolutely.
Congressman, it's an honor to have you here.
It's an honor to be invited.
Edmund, this is my friend, Ayanna Bell.
Sergeant Ayanna Bell.
Thank you so much for having me.
My wife and I are major supporters of the Police Foundation.
Leon, are you bidding on any art tonight? There's a Jacob Lawrence, Kerry James Marshall No, no, no.
It's a little dear for me.
I'm just a humble public servant.
[ALL CHUCKLING.]
Is the auction benefiting any particular organizations? Uh, one of the girls should have a list.
Liza? Come here.
Can you help Ms.
Bell? Excuse me.
I'm afraid I need to steal Liza for a moment.
This way.
Girls are being taken somewhere.
Flutura's with one of them now Liza.
They're headed up the back stairs.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
Eyes on them.
There are auction items I'm not getting.
The men seem to have different lots.
What items? - Jewelry.
- Copy.
They're taking Liza across the study on the fourth floor.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
[DOOR LATCH CLICKS.]
Miss Liza.
[SIGHS.]
I am going to make my exit now.
- Are you going to be okay? - Yeah.
Thanks.
I owe you for this.
I'm gonna be bidding on the little, green number.
I'd appreciate it if you'd sit that one out.
How high are you authorized to go? Three mil.
The sheikh wants it delivered to his yacht in Sag Harbor tonight.
Right this way, gentlemen.
[OMINOUS NOTES.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
They're bidding on the girls.
The jewelry is an ID, like a ticket.
Liza just got sold to some dirtbag.
And it looks like she's been drugged.
Tranquilizers.
They don't want her fighting off her buyer.
He has salt-and-pepper hair, beard, glasses.
They're heading down the back staircase.
Copy.
Human trafficking.
Elliot, we're moving in.
Get out of there now.
All right, Rita.
Just remember, keep your eyes down and don't forget to smile.
[PHONE RINGING.]
Oh, crap.
Listen, stay here.
Somebody will come for you.
Ma.
Ma, hold on.
I gotta go someplace quiet.
Rita, Rita.
Rita, hi.
Hey.
- Mr.
Monte Christo.
- Yeah, yeah.
- What what's the matter? - What are you doing here? I'm here for you, but I'm here to get you out.
No, no.
Rita.
Rita, Rita, look at me.
You can trust me.
Hey, what are you doing? Help! This man is trying to take me! - Help! - No, it's not true [KEYBOARD TAPPING.]
Sergeant, Ross's security guys just grabbed Stabler.
Let's go.
Everyone, if I could get your attention, there's no need for alarm.
I'm Captain Benson with the NYPD.
We have an active investigation right now.
I'm gonna ask everybody to stay calm.
We just need to get your information and you'll be on your way.
Why are you here? Where's the girl? Why are you here? Police.
Don't move.
Put the gun down.
Everybody on the ground.
Hands on your head.
Now.
Who are you? Just security for the party planner.
I was talking to a girl.
These guys jumped me.
Do not move.
[WHISPERING.]
Don't arrest Reggie Bogdani.
- I need him.
- Get out of here.
Brewster? Bogdani? Let him go.
- Where's Stabler? - He's good.
[CRYING.]
Hey, sweetheart.
It's okay.
You didn't do anything wrong.
We're just gonna take you to someplace that's safe, okay? [AGITATED INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Eddie! Help us! The police are everywhere! - What happened? - I'll explain later.
All right, we gotta get out of here.
- Put your arms around my neck.
- What? Put your arms around my neck now.
Tight.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
All right, go.
Run.
- What about you? - It's better if we separate.
I'm gonna go this way.
Go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! - [ENGINE REVVING.]
[MOTORCYCLE ENGINE REVVING.]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC.]
It's Stabler! I'm with Rita! I'm at 77th-Terrace Drive, but I need a bus immediately.
Rita, Rita, Rita, Rita! Come here, come here, come here! I won't hurt you, I won't hurt you.
You're fine.
You're okay.
Why do you do this? This is bad! Don't you know? No, it's okay.
It's going to be okay.
It's not okay.
They'll kill my son! No, Gabriel is safe.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
How do you know his name? Rita, I'm a police officer.
- No, no - Yes.
No, Eddie Wagner works for Mr.
Costa.
I had Gabriel picked up by Interpol.
International Police.
Now watch.
- [SPEAKING ALBANIAN.]
- [CRYING.]
They're waiting for you in London, okay? - [CRYING.]
- Okay? He's in London.
He's in London and he's safe.
And you're gonna be with him soon.
With two British passports, one for each of you.
Okay? - Is it real? - Yes, I promise you it's real.
It's very okay.
- [CRYING.]
- You're safe now.
You're safe.
Gabriel is safe and I have gotta go.
The police will take care of you.
Don't be afraid.
Officer Monte Christo.
- [SOFTLY.]
That's right.
- [SIRENS WAILING.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Drop the weapon, Ross.
Wanna step closer? I'll pull the trigger.
Put the gun down and let's talk.
- Talk about what? - Jon Costa.
We are way more interested in him than we are in you.
Don't don't touch that! - Stop! I'll do it! - Listen to me.
- Think about your family.
- The cops got the girls, boss is in custody.
There's no way he doesn't talk.
How did this happen? How did this happen? I know how.
There's a rat in this organization.
Someone betrayed us! - Mama? - Hi, honey.
- Hey, you're still awake.
- Yeah.
- What do you got on your forehead? - Nothing.
It's not nothing.
You're cut.
What have you been up to? I cut myself shaving.
Oh, yeah.
Well, your partner came to check on you.
- Hey, partner.
- Howdy.
- This place looks amazing.
- Thank you.
Yeah, he had nothing to do with it.
- I had nothing to do with it.
- Right.
- Everything all right? - Yeah.
- Where's Ross? - He's at the three-six for processing.
Ayanna wants to move him over to your place for a chat.
You know, that cut looks bad.
Yeah.
You have any hydrogen peroxide? I don't need hydrogen peroxide.
It's in the bathroom under the sink.
Does this mean you can come home now? No, not quite yet, not quite yet.
Just give me a little more time.
Yeah.
What's all that for? You working for the phone company? Ha, ha.
I stole them.
- Ha, ha.
- Ha, ha.
- [KNOCK AT DOOR.]
- Hold on.
- Oh, sorry.
- [PILL BOTTLE RATTLES.]
- Eli, hey.
- Hey.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Hey, where did Eli go? He I think the was going to a movie with a friend.
Yeah, Elliot, can I talk to you for a second? Yeah.
So the door was locked and Eli was in the bathroom and then I heard something spill.
I, uh I found these.
Eli? Eli! - I'm so sorry.
- It's okay.
Yeah, he took my pills, didn't he? What movie did he go to? I don't know.
He's not talking to me these days.
Do you track his phone? No, but that's about to change.
Elliot, is there anything that I can do to help you? No, everything is fine.
I'm gonna stay the night and I'll talk to him when he gets home.
- Okay.
- I'll walk ya out.
Okay.
- Take care, Bernie.
- Yeah, thanks.
Hey, Liv.
Hey.
This way.
It's shorter.
I'll be right back.
I agree with Bernie, Elliot.
I want you to come home.
- I intend to.
- Before it's too late.
Liv, I'm being careful.
I mean before Eddie Wagner takes over and Elliot Stabler is nowhere to be found.
I'm sorry I doubted you, Mama.
You were right.
You don't have to reassure me, honey.
I know I'm right.
[SIGHS.]
You know, this is normal.
I mean, Eli's a teenager, he's lost his mother, he's mad at his father.
He's acting out.
You know what this is called.
No, what? Life.
[WOLF HOWLS.]