Truth Be Told (2019) s02e08 Episode Script

There was once a gifted Black girl
who nobody could see or hear.
No matter how loud she yelled,
she was always a girl without a voice.
When Rose Gil was a teenager,
scraping by on the streets of LA,
her talents as a writer
and a visual artist
blossomed into undeniable genius.
But nobody noticed.
Was it because of her gender? Her race?
Was it the mental illness
that was beginning to grip her mind?
Whatever the reason, Rose was invisible.
But the truth is, she did have a voice.
But that voice was stolen
by someone she loved like a sister.
Micah Keith stole Rose Gil's painful
but powerful story of survival
and repackaged it as her own,
knowing that even if Rose tried
to call her out,
she would just be an angry, unhoused,
mentally ill Black woman
that no one would believe.
The audacity is profound.
The damage… lifelong.
Besides Rose, there was one other person
who knew of Micah's long con.
Holt Rollins.
He was also privy to the secret
that launched her into the stratosphere,
and it was his job
to protect it at all costs.
Two days ago, Rollins attempted
to silence Rose for good.
Did he act alone to protect the secret
of a woman to whom he's devoted his life?
Or did he operate on orders from Micah?
One thing seems clear.
The mere possibility
of Rose's story coming to light
was a threat to a woman
whose identity is built on a lie.
On this episode of Reconsidered,
we'll trace two stolen lives.
Rose Gil and Joshua Keith.
This is a tidal wave. I mean…
People shouldn't hear
Rose's story from me.
How am I any different if I speak for her?
You have to. 'Cause right now
she can't speak for herself.
I'd be on firmer ground
if I hadn't lost the damn recorder.
You're a journalist, Poppy.
You are the recorder.
She didn't tell me
what happened after Josh heard the truth.
Okay. What do you wanna do?
Josh, Ramon, Rose were all targeted
because they knew a side of Micah
she hid from the public.
And we know
Holt was behind all those attacks.
Except maybe Joshua.
Holt was just the weapon.
Micah pulled the trigger.
If Rose can't talk, maybe Holt will.
I'll see if I can get you into the jail.
Hey. Mitri's here.
He said if you keep him waiting,
he's gonna take it out of your retainer.
Hey.
Hello.
I need your signature on that.
Tell me I will not have to think about
the lawsuit after this hearing.
-Best-case scenario?
-Please.
The judge grants us a continuance
on the mediation you bailed on.
Markus got shot.
You and Alana get in a room, make nice.
An apology wouldn't hurt.
A lot of times
that's all people want out of a lawsuit.
I'm not apologizing for doing my job.
That ain't best-case scenario.
The judge calling us into the courtroom
for a routine motion to reschedule.
That's not a good sign.
Well, I know you'll work your magic.
You save that sugar for the judge.
-You go wash that bowl.
-Okay. All right.
-He give you anything?
-Not really.
I got press calling me
day and night asking for comment.
-I understand.
-I don't think you do.
I want her in custody. Today.
The DA is ready to bring charges.
This isn't righteous.
Righteous?
You wanna use that word with me?
-I'm not ashamed of anything I've done.
-You should be.
You shouldn't even be a cop.
But here we are.
I told you what would happen
if you let that reporter get involved.
The media is having a field day.
This whole thing is becoming
an embarrassment to the department.
Now, you've had enough time.
Wrap this by the end of the week.
No, I know what it looks like. I do.
Please trust--
-Hang up.
-Excuse me. I'm gonna call you back.
-I need to talk to you.
-What is it? I'm busy.
Listen.
For the millions who think they know her,
Micah Keith's life is an inspiration.
But the visionary artist
celebrated as a beacon of self-empowerment
is not the woman she pretends to be.
On the next Reconsidered:
"Unmasking an Ic"--
I know, I heard it.
What do you think I've been doing?
Some of the board members are asking
if they need legal protection.
Because of a podcast?
Holt's arrest is still playing
on the news.
Ramon and Josh's deaths have
the staff concerned for their safety.
Poppy's turning everyone
against each other. This is all her fault.
Are you all right?
'Cause I need you focused right now.
Maybe I need to slap her
with another lawsuit.
-A cease and desist. Libel.
-No, Micah? Micah.
There is a meeting
with the board in a few days.
They're questioning your ability to lead.
You listening to me?
-Just need to find out how much she knows.
-What she knows about what?
Markus?
Hi, Markus. Zarina. I heard what happened.
I thought you'd still be in the hospital.
He should be.
It's not like the bullet's
gonna get any smaller laying in a bed.
They left it in?
Yeah, it's done its damage.
There's no use risking surgery
at this point.
And don't even bother telling me
you didn't mean for this to happen.
I didn't ask you to go with Poppy.
Markus, what is she planning?
-Are you fucking kidding me right now?
-Let's go. Let's go.
Is municipal architecture your jam, or is
there another reason we're meeting here?
Ah, no. I have a deposition in 15 minutes.
Look…
I'm afraid something bad's
gonna happen to Rose.
-I don't think Holt's done with her.
-He's locked up.
But Micah could bail him out.
Rose's story is the reason
Josh and Drew were killed.
Micah would do whatever it takes
to keep that quiet.
What?
I'm placing Rose in custody
for the murder of Joshua and Drew.
-Why?
-Rose was in touch with Josh.
We found a deleted email
on Joshua's account, threatening his life.
She was also cited for stalking Micah.
It got violent.
Micah had to take out a restraining order.
We believe Rose told Josh her story.
And when Josh stopped her
from going public with her accusations,
she killed him.
Drew was in the wrong place, wrong time.
She panicked. She ran.
-You're making a mistake.
-Well, it's a mistake, or it's my job.
You can get another job.
Haven't seen Aaron
around the shop lately. He still riding?
He broke his leg cleaning the rain gutter.
Weekend warrior.
I mean, tell him to come play poker
with us at The Knock.
-Okay, I will.
-My client knows her way around a bike.
Don't you, Ms. Parnell?
Can't remember the last time I rode,
but yes.
Nothing beats that rush.
Oh, shit.
What?
Julia Frank. Big gun.
They call her Ms. Desert Eagle.
Usually only represents
high-profile cases, but it's okay.
Your Honor, my client, Alana Cave.
Alana, this is Judge Sandy Marshall.
Good afternoon, Your Honor.
Thank you.
Shall we begin?
Your Honor, if you will.
The plaintiff has hired new counsel.
Request to postpone today's motion
so that I may speak
to her new representation.
We proceed as scheduled, Mr. Roche.
Ms. Parnell, I've reviewed your motion.
I appreciate the extenuating circumstances
of your absence last week.
But the fact that you missed a court date
to engage in a dangerous activity,
risking the safety of those around you,
and without regard
for your obligation to this court
where your professional conduct is
in question…
that indicates
an egregious lapse in judgment.
-But Your Honor, I-- I--
-You requested the mediation, did you not?
I am denying your request for continuance.
The discovery phase of this suit
will proceed to deposition as scheduled.
-Don't.
-Alana?
Alana, please. What is this?
It's what I have to do. For my family.
I care about what happened to you.
Believe me, I'm doing everything I can
to do things differently,
so people don't get hurt.
What's my son's name?
You haven't changed.
That's why I'm doing this.
And I'll take all the help I can get.
What was that?
I know her son's name. Henry.
She just caught me off guard, that's all.
Henry Cave.
They're gonna use that exchange
against us.
Now, during your little parley,
did you figure out
how the heck Alana Cave
can afford someone like Julia Frank?
-Hello?
-You hired lawyers in the Cave lawsuit?
-Good evening, Pop-Tart.
-This isn't a game, Micah.
No.
It's survival.
If you let the world know
what I did to Rose, I lose everything.
But you have it coming.
Then why haven't you released
the podcast yet? Why wait?
-I'm working on it.
-You're stalling.
You're trying to punish me.
But what I did to Rose is nothing
compared to what you did.
That's a threat.
It doesn't have to happen like this.
I just wanna find out
who Josh's killer is.
Well, they arrested Rose.
-They think she did it.
-What?
-When?
-Call off the lawyers.
I can't do that.
Then it's survival. As you say.
Should you be driving?
You got a sec?
Yeah.
So…
I think I'ma try to press charges
against the cop that shot me.
Okay, a former cop going after
the department?
That could be a serious mistake.
-And when this happens again?
-I get it.
But you wanna put your life on display?
'Cause when that machine starts rolling,
it will crush you.
And what about you?
Poppy told me that y'all arrested Rose.
And I'm guessing that you're under fire
for not solving the case fast enough.
Look, we either let the machine crush us…
or we do something about it.
-Hey, Herbie.
-Hey, Poppy.
Moss.
Already putting your stamp on things?
Unc took me down to the bike shop.
Y'all have some treasures gathering dust.
This is a bar, not a museum.
I like it. We got a long history,
and some folks got short memories.
Nobody's forgetting the Capstones.
How you feeling, Daddy?
Same as when I started
that clinical trial.
That means you're not getting any worse.
Not that we can tell.
-Can we talk?
-Speak your mind.
Micah knows something
that might blow up my life.
All our lives.
What?
I don't want anybody else to get hurt.
It's bad enough with
what everyone close to me is going through
with this damn lawsuit.
Are you asking my permission to quit?
You need to finish this.
We are strong. We will survive.
She knows so much about all of us.
Which is why she wrapped you
into all of this.
She had a trump card.
Could always keep me in line
with the secrets that she holds.
How does that make you feel?
Like burning it down.
How long is she even staying with us?
Are you girls okay?
What--
What happened?
What are you doing out here?
Go. Go call the police.
Okay. Okay. You're okay.
Are you out here with any adults?
-Her babysitter.
-Where's your babysitter?
It's okay, you can tell me. What's wrong?
This investigation has put
a vulnerable woman
in a precarious legal position.
She's under suspicion for a crime
I don't believe she committed.
But the truth is,
I can't say for sure
that Rose isn't Josh's killer.
And I can relate to the desperation
she might have felt after being…
robbed of her voice.
You have a lot of nerve.
You know you were wrong about Rose.
I know.
Then why are you going after her?
Aames.
Three years ago, I--
I got called to a house
out in the Excelsior.
There was a kidnapping suspect
rumored to be there.
The whole thing felt off
the moment I got there, but I--
I wanted him.
So I just buried my instincts,
and I dove into the case.
And it went bad. It went real bad.
There was a lot of scrambling,
a lot of ass-covering
after the suspect got away
and a young girl died.
I remember this. It was all over the news.
That was you?
From the outside, yeah.
I was the fall guy.
I took the blame
for department-wide mistakes.
I was fired without ceremony,
so I fought it.
Took the department to court for
wrongful dismissal, and I won.
They all expected me
to take the settlement,
ride off into the sunset
with my ill-gotten gains.
But you went back to work.
To rub their faces in it every day.
Sounds like something I would do.
Rose is awake.
You wanna speak to her, be at the hospital
first thing in the morning.
I will stall her transfer
to incarceration.
The department wants
this whole thing wrapped up.
For Christ's sake, Poppy,
just say thank you.
Thanks.
Poppy Parnell, press.
How you feeling?
I wanna finish our conversation.
Can I get you anything? Water?
It's okay.
Take your time.
I had never been in such a good place,
finally getting my life back together,
when Joshua invited me to that party.
He invited you to Micah's benefit?
I could see inside the building
where they were having it.
Everyone looked so beautiful.
I saw my work. My art.
Hanging everywhere.
It was perfect.
I felt like I was going to a premiere.
Only it was gonna be
the premiere of my life.
My life was gonna be mine again.
He promised that Micah would tell
everybody who I was.
In front of all the cameras and reporters,
she was gonna admit what she did.
Micah must've got in his head.
He changed his mind.
What do you mean?
After, I waited for him.
He said he needed more time to get
his life in order before we did anything.
That must've been
when he reconnected with his son.
I think he was getting ready to leave her,
but somehow she changed his mind.
When I got to the party,
they had security escort me out
like a criminal.
He got what he deserved.
He betrayed me, just like Micah.
Rose, did you see Joshua
after you left the party?
The police said you sent him emails.
Threatened him.
He always got threats.
Because of his documentary.
He was my last hope
of someone speaking up for me.
Excuse me, Officer.
My name is Micah Keith.
I'm an old friend of Rose Gil.
And I was wondering if I could go in and--
-Let her in.
-Rose, I…
Let her in.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
I didn't want this.
I want you to know that.
I wanted to help people…
like you and me.
I will never forget what you did to me.
Hey, you okay?
Poppy Parnell had her eyes on Owen
as the suspect from day one.
It's plain as day.
She wanted to bury him, and she did.
He killed himself
because Poppy told the world
he was a villain.
She slandered his name,
his reputation, with no consequence.
Why should she get a pass?
I was arrested and searched,
but Poppy didn't order the arrest.
That was all Owen Cave and his department,
and I'm not gonna sit here
and let you pin it on Poppy.
The fans of Reconsidered dug up
every detail of my life.
You know, I can withstand
the scrutiny of having our private lives
replayed for the public.
But my daughter?
She doesn't deserve that scrutiny.
Okay, thank you for your testimony.
-No touching, ma'am.
-'Kay.
Is she dead?
No.
But she was arrested
for Joshua and Drew's murder.
-But she didn't--
-I know.
I guess it's just what it is.
What will happen to her?
That's not our problem.
You need to make sure
you have people around you you can trust.
Why are--
Why are you saying that?
I can't always be by your side.
Don't say that.
-It's the truth.
-But--
Do you remember
when I gave you one of these?
You were having those panic attacks,
and we just couldn't calm you down?
And I put this on your wrist,
and I'd snap,
just to remind you you were alive.
That you mattered.
Did you love me
when you were married to him?
I will handle this.
Holt.
Please trust me, okay?
Holt. Holt.
Don't say anything.
I need you. Okay?
Let's go.
Holt.
You said Micah would be here.
-Where is she?
-She's coming, I promise.
Is she fit to lead or not?
That's all any of us wanna know.
I can assure you--
Or is there someone else
who can take the reins at Shelter?
Me.
If you're asking me if I can do this job,
then the answer is yes.
Yes, I can.
Then let's move on that.
Has the department issued an apology?
Have you spoken
to the officer that shot you?
Were you investigating on your own?
Good afternoon.
First and foremost, I wanna thank everyone
for being here in support.
Last week, while in pursuit of a killer,
I was shot by a police officer.
The bullet is still lodged in my leg.
Now, in light of his negligent actions,
I'm here to say that I'm demanding…
that this officer involved be accountable
for his criminal behavior.
As a former officer myself,
this is not something I take lightly.
But… my duty is not just to the badge,
it's to my community.
It's to my family.
My wife and my daughter.
It's…
Come here, sweetheart.
It's my responsibility to restore
her trust in an institution
I was once willing
to lay my life down for.
I thank you for your time.
Hey, Poppy. You got a minute?
What's going on?
Holt's ready to talk. To you.
So I guess
whatever I say to you becomes evidence?
You called me in.
I'm just here to listen to your story.
You've been prosecuting me
ever since you said my name on your show.
You really think there's any chance
I'm gonna get an unbiased jury
after the things that you said?
That wasn't you fleeing
the scene of Ramon's murder?
Wasn't you sleeping with Micah?
Wasn't you who attacked me?
Wasn't you who tried to kill Rose,
got my friend shot?
Exactly what did I get wrong?
Now, you wanted to talk.
So talk.
You have to understand that everything
I did, I did of my own choosing.
No one put me up to it.
Okay.
Rose didn't kill Josh and that kid.
How do you know that?
'Cause I did.
Why?
Josh was angry.
Rose told him Micah was just a fraud.
She was scared of what he was gonna do,
so I stepped in.
Finding Micah when I did was like…
finding a lifeline.
She could see the brokenness in me,
and she pieced me back together.
Is that what tied you to her?
Is that what tied you?
Micah invented Rose.
And then she set out to change the world,
which she did.
And Josh got jealous.
Josh had his own success.
But he was married to a woman
who was more successful.
The way he shit-talked her,
I had to shut him up.
So you shot him?
Micah used to complain that he kept
a gun hidden in that blue trunk.
So I went in, and I got it.
I'm sorry the kid came in.
I'm sorry what I did to him.
So you regret that?
You're using what happened to Micah
to prove what a righteous reporter
you are.
She told me about you.
What you did.
Drew. That's the kid's name, right?
Prison's where I belong,
if for no other reason
than I took that kid's life away.
I just can't get Holt's words
out of my head.
There's something about it
that just wasn't right.
-Talk to me.
-Well, he was off.
The whole thing was.
I mean, why confess now?
He didn't want Rose
to take the fall for it.
He felt guilty about what he did.
What they did.
Yeah, and he's already going down
for Ramon's murder.
So he confesses to save Rose.
The trunk was locked.
He was even detailed enough
to put it in his dollhouse version.
Holt said he took the gun
in the heat of the moment, right?
But there is no way
he would have the combination to the lock
unless the murder was premeditated.
It's easy enough to find out
if he knows the combination. Ask him.
I'm calling Aames.
So Holt confessed to the murders.
Take the win
before the SFPD takes the credit.
It's not about the case, is it?
I set the table to reveal
something ugly about Micah.
But now it doesn't seem fair to air it.
If Micah's living a lie, she got
all those other people living a lie too.
It's time for her to come clean.
Folks want the truth
from the people they look up to.
Wasn't it your contention
that my client's late husband, Owen Cave,
killed Chuck Buhrman
and framed his son for the murder?
If you listen to my podcast,
you'd know my theories evolve
as the facts of a case come to light.
But your theory was wrong, wasn't it?
You falsely and publicly accused
an innocent man of murder.
-I drew a logical conclusion.
-It's called character assassination,
which apparently you have no problem doing
even to your best friend, Micah Keith.
Micah has nothing to do with this case.
We'll be entering your current season
of Reconsidered into evidence
to show a pattern
of damaging characterizations
with no evidence to support it.
My client's podcast is reported
from a first-person perspective.
No different than the talking heads
on those cable news networks.
Ms. Parnell shows a willful disregard
for the consequences
of her disturbing allegations.
We all understand
that your show has a personal slant,
but can you honestly say that
you always report the story that's there
and not the story you and your fans
want to believe?
The only story that matters is the truth.
Owen Cave had demons no one knew about.
Not even his wife.
In the end, there's no hiding
from the sins of our past.
They come back in broken relationships,
compromised integrity…
emotional blind spots.
And for Owen Cave…
self-destruction.
I am sorry for your loss…
but I am not responsible for it.
Alana.
Can I please just have
a moment of your time?
I truly am sorry
for what happened to Owen.
To you. And your son, Henry.
I wanted to blame you for everything.
For destroying the Owen that I knew.
That Owen was a great dad.
It's hard to reconcile I might not
have known who he really was at all.
I know you didn't mean for it to happen.
But he's still gone.
You were compelling in there.
We can build on that.
When do we go to trial?
That depends on the judge's docket.
It's gonna be nasty, but we can win this.
Poppy.
We did good in there.
Let's go get a drink.
-Talk about the next steps.
-Thanks, Mitri.
I'm… in the middle of a story.
Rain check?
I'll hold you to it. Good job.
Micah Keith was a friend of mine.
During the course
of this season of Reconsidered,
I discovered things about her
that I never would have imagined.
I believe it's been integral
to my investigation
of Joshua Keith's murder.
But I can't continue to hold my subjects
to a higher standard…
than I hold myself.
There was once a gifted Black girl who…
nobody could see or hear.
No matter how loud she yelled,
she was always a girl without a voice.
Her name…
was Poppy Parnell.
Micah and I survived
some terrible things together.
That's why I trusted her longer
than I should've.
She was there
for the most horrifying day of my life.
I've come to terms
with what happened, but…
I should've spoken my truth
a long time ago.
Take you down here.
I'm gonna show you. Come on.
Get this damn boat.
See, y'all been testing me.
Sit here. Stay right here!
Oh, why is this damn boat so far?
A woman died because of me.
I called her Miss Shirley.
She was my foster mother.
This damn thing is so far.
Shit. I almost got it now. Come here.
Help!
Help! I can't swim!
Poppy.
Poppy, come help now!
Help!
I need help!
The oar! I need that oar.
Poppy.
Poppy, help. Come help me now!
Poppy!
Come help!
Poppy! Poppy!
Help me!
Where's your babysitter?
It's okay, you can tell me. What's wrong?
She's dead.
Miss Shirley was a…
a cruel woman.
She abused me.
She neglected me. She hated me.
A child.
But she was a human being,
worthy of life, nonetheless.
And I was just a little girl,
too scared and traumatized to save her.
I've carried that guilt my whole life.
That is my truth, ugly as it is.
I know that God has grace for me.
You, my listeners… may be another story.
But I refuse to compromise
my journalistic integrity
because of my past.
I know I'm putting my family
through that same crucible…
by laying myself bare.
But…
does revealing the ugly side
of human nature have a purpose…
beyond higher ratings?
Beyond vengeance?
When it comes to Micah Keith,
the answer is yes.
She stole the life of Rose Gil.
Covering that up got Joshua Keith killed.
Yesterday, Holt Rollins confessed to
the murders of Joshua and Drew.
He thinks his confession
will spare Micah the ordeal
of having her past exposed
by my investigation.
It won't.
But why?
Why would a man sabotage
his own murder trial
and sacrifice any hope of freedom?
All for a woman
he'll never be able to have.
Is he being played to hide a darker truth?
The killer may have come forward…
but the murder has not been solved.
My name is Poppy Parnell,
and I'd like you to reconsider.
I'm proud of you.
That was worth the wait.
-Hey.
-He didn't know the combination.
You were right. Holt lied, Poppy.
He didn't kill Josh.
Then who the hell did?