Bull (2016) s02e12 Episode Script
Grey Areas
1 I gave them my 20s.
I'm gonna be 30 next month.
What am I supposed to do now? Where am I supposed to go? Is there anything more pathetic than an unemployed 30-year-old white male? Okay.
They fired you.
Slamming your head into the wall isn't going to change that, is it? I hate them.
Your anger is overwhelming you, Lex.
I want to kill them, Doctor.
That's what I want to do.
I want them to dieie.
You're in a feeling place, Lex, not a thinking place.
We need to put reason back in charge.
I know you know that.
- Screw reason.
- âNo.
In moments of crisis, when life overwhelms us, all we have is reason.
Stand up.
You're okay.
You're going to be okay.
This is not the end of your life.
Y-You're here.
In this room with me.
It's just the two of us.
We're gonna talk this out and come up with a plan.
Okay? I'm sorry, sir.
The partners are in a meeting.
You can't go in there! - Thanks.
- âYeah.
- Jason.
- âHmm.
Donovan.
Good to see you.
I was surprised to hear from you.
How long has it been? Too long.
Coming over here, I kept remembering the two of us.
17 years ago, newly licensed, sharing that basement office on West End Avenue.
The dungeon.
One window and the faint smell of mildew.
Now here we are.
I need your help, Jace.
You read about Harper Milton Capital? Two or three months ago.
Disgruntled ex-employee walks in and shoots both partners.
He was a patient of mine.
The partners' widows are suing me.
On what grounds? Psychotherapy malpractice.
So was he dangerous? Hindsight not withstanding? He was troubled, depression.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
Some PTSD as a result of childhood trauma.
But I conducted the risk assessment, and he had no specific plans to commit violence.
Then legally I think you have a case.
Dr.
Donovan Benanti.
Award-winning psychologist and, according to our fearless leader, one of the nicest guys and most meticulous clinicians in the business.
Which I'm sure will be abundantly clear from the six months of session notes Benanti's turned over regarding Lex Becker.
Well, sorry to be a buzz kill here, but Bull's friend saw the killer on the same day he was fired and the same day he killed those men.
Now, he had to have been a mess in that session.
Why didn't Dr.
Benanti warn anyone? Because thoughts and actions are two different things.
That's why the professional standard in a case like this is for the psychologist to determine if there is a serious and imminent threat.
OKAY, I'LL ASK: What is "a serious and imminent threat"? As defined by law, a serious and imminent threat an identified victim, a specific plan to commit violence, and means.
- Means, like a weapon.
- Yes.
And without all three of those elements, the law does not require a clinician to break doctor-patient confidentiality.
But then you've got two grieving widows at the plaintiff's table.
That is our challenge.
Annabelle Harper and Sherryl Milton lost their husbands.
The jury will sympathize and want to compensate them for their suffering.
Okay, so how about we end this before it gets to a jury? I mean, why don't we try to talk settlement? Dr.
Benanti is in private practice.
He gets his clients through reputation and recommendations.
If he appears to admit liability in a double murder-suicide, his career is over.
You're right.
But I've got another idea.
The defense would like to argue a motion for summary judgment in this case.
Your Honor, to throw this lawsuit out before going to trial would be a gross miscarriage of justice.
On what grounds, Mr.
Colón? We understand why Mrs.
Harper and Mrs.
Milton filed suit.
When the perpetrator of a crime commits suicide, survivors want to hold someone else accountable.
But that doesn't change the fact that Dr.
Benanti did nothing wrong.
The case simply doesn't stand up on its own merits.
I beg to differ.
At best, the plaintiffs can argue that, given Lex's anger at being fired, he identified his bosses as potential victims to Dr.
Benanti.
That's one out of the three of the major elements needed to report.
How about three out of three? This video is time-stamped two days before Lex Becker killed Brady Harper and Tobias Milton killed them by shooting them in the head, just like he's practicing there, with the same type of gun that was used in the murders.
It might be the same gun, for all we know.
I don't know about you, Your Honor, but this certainly looks like evidence of planning and means to me.
Oh, that video could mean anything, Your Honor.
It certainly doesn't prove that Dr.
Benanti - had any knowledge of - I don't know what it proves, Mr.
Colón.
But we'll certainly have ample time to get to the bottom of that in front of a jury.
So, motion for summary judgment denied.
I am ordering this case to trial immediately.
I've got Chunk going to the gun range to confirm whose gun Lex was actually using there.
Excellent.
And since the gun used in the murder-suicide was actually left behind and taken into evidence, Danny was able to confirm that it was unregistered.
The serial numbers were scratched off.
So there's no record of its purchase.
Exactly.
Well, that is a great start, but I need someone to tell me what set this guy off.
From the moment he left Don's office to the moment he killed those men, what happened? Was there some incident that triggered this? There's no better way to prove that Don had nothing to do with this than to tell a jury who did.
- Ah.
- âWow, Jace.
- Don.
- This is quite something.
Don Benanti.
Finest clinical psychologist I've ever met.
I'd like you to meet Benny Colón, the finest in-house attorney I've ever worked with, and your current counsel of record.
Pleasure to meet you.
Thrilled you're willing to take this on.
Oh, I take on pretty much whatever he takes on.
He signs the checks.
Aha.
So, today we go and start, uh, w-what is that word? Voir dire.
Jury selection.
But before we get to that, Benny, would you give us a moment? Sure.
Tell me you didn't know he was going to the gun range.
Prosecution has security footage of your patient shooting human silhouettes right between the eyes for almost an hour, less than two days before he executed those men.
Tell me you didn't know about this.
I can't.
I knew.
Truth is it was my idea.
Come on, Donovan.
A gun range? For a patient with Intermittent Explosive Disorder? - Really? - âReally.
I felt he needed safe, controlled ways to release his aggression.
I was trying to introduce him to new coping mechanisms.
Shooting, fencing, Thai boxing.
A variety of activities I hoped would allow him to work out his anger in a socially appropriate way.
Don't judge me.
You know as well as I do, just because someone goes to a gun range doesn't mean they're planning to shoot someone.
A depressive with PTSD and impulse control issues isn't just "someone.
" Well, I don't know what to tell you.
It was working.
He was markedly calmer, showing great improvement.
Huh.
All right.
Come on.
Let's go.
Court awaits.
So let's talk narrative.
Narrative? A trial is a battle of two competing stories.
They tell their stories and we tell ours.
So what's our narrative? Simple.
Psychologists aren't mind police.
Holding them responsible for the actions of their patients after they leave the doctor's office is not only impossible, it's dangerous.
You know them? It's the widows of the men Lex killed.
Otherwise known as the people taking you to court.
And that's their lawyer, Mark Zimmer.
It's okay to feel for them and still know they're in the wrong here.
- Of course, I know that.
- In fact, that's what we'll be looking for in our jurors.
People that can make the distinction between logic and emotion.
The other side will try to play on the heartstrings.
To counter that, we need analytical thinkers.
People who can separate what happened in the hour you spent with Lex from everything that happened afterward.
Ms.
Larsen, what do you do for a living? For a living? Data entry.
Don't get too excited, Bull.
Her seemingly perfect analytical job is only temp work; she's trained as a dancer.
The defense would like to thank and excuse this juror, Your Honor.
When you go to a restaurant with a group of friends, who here takes control, splits the bill and calculates a tip? These three jurors are acceptable to the defense, Your Honor.
Happy dividing and compartmentalizing.
That's exactly what we want.
Martin Hamilton.
28 years old.
Software engineer.
His job requires both creative and analytical skills.
That's a tough call.
How many hot dog vendors would you say are in the borough of Manhattan? Uh, well, if Manhattan is about 250 blocks north to south and 12 avenues east to west A regimented thinker.
Perfect.
one cart for every nine square blocks, - I would say - âThank you.
Juror number two is acceptable to the defense, Your Honor.
Then we have our jury.
Okay.
Well, we got what we needed, didn't we? We did.
We got what we needed based on what we know today, but you're a smart guy, Don, so I need to prepare you.
A trial is a lot like an approaching storm.
You know it's coming.
You pull together appropriate provisions, you board up the house, but you still have to ride it out and hope it isn't any stronger than you thought, or lasts any longer than you expected.
Anything can happen.
What? Please.
I have weather insurance.
I have Jason Bull.
Entrez.
Entra.
Eniru.
Hmm.
See, that's French, Italian, and I have no idea.
Esperanto, just in case.
Nice.
When the Tower of Babel falls, I am sticking with you.
So you need to check this out.
It's Benanti's notes from a session with Lex.
His first session, actually.
And? And look at the upper right-hand corner.
"Referred by A.
Harper.
" A.
Harper.
You don't think Annabelle Harper, Brady Harper's widow, the plaintiff in this case, referred Lex to Benanti, do you? Hmm.
- Door-to-door service.
- âAh.
You guys really are a one-stop shop.
I have something to run by you.
I wanted to do it in private before we go to court.
Sounds serious.
Hmm.
Kind of a hypothetical.
Okay.
If, in some kind of alternate universe, a former patient of yours were to take the stand in a lawsuit mind you, I'm not asking you to reveal any privileged information but if, hypothetically, that were to happen, would your legal team have anything to worry about? I'd like to think I've been a great counselor to all of my patients.
Hmm.
I was still half asleep when Brady kissed me good-bye that morning.
If I'd known it was the last time I'd ever see him, I Just wish I'd put my glasses on, you know? So I could have really looked at him.
The crow's-feet around his eyes when he smiled, and the way he chewed on his lower lip when he pretended to be listening but his mind was somewhere else.
If I'd have known, I'd I'd have gotten up, put my arms around him.
Never let him walk out that door.
Objection, Your Honor.
With all due respect, relevance.
Sustained.
I'll tell you the relevance.
Analytical or not, the jurors are eating this up.
They really feel for this woman, Bull.
Of course they do.
She's a sympathy machine.
Benny'll get her back on cross.
I hope so, because I'm beginning to forget what the color green looks like.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Your witness, Counselor.
I'd like to begin by saying how profoundly sorry I am for your loss.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
You're welcome.
Um, but I have to ask.
In Dr.
Benanti's session notes, he mentions that Lex was referred to him by an A.
Harper.
Was that you? Brady had mentioned there was a bright but troubled young trader at the firm.
There'd been a few outbursts, and he said he thought he might have to let this kid, Lex, go.
And, um, I recommended he send him to Dr.
Benanti instead and try to get him help.
I wish to God now that I hadn't.
And how did you know Dr.
Benanti? Did you, uh, read about him? Did you hear about him from a friend? Why did you recommend? Objection, Your Honor.
Privileged.
It's all right.
Mark, I'll answer.
I have nothing to hide.
I recommended Dr.
Benanti because he was my therapist.
I had been going through a hard time, and I sought treatment from him.
That's interesting.
So, in the time that you went to Dr.
Benanti, did you find him to be a negligent practitioner, as your lawsuit suggests he was with Lex? No.
No.
In fact, he was actually very thorough, very attentive.
He-he helped me a great deal.
He'd even call between sessions to check up on me.
Wow.
Sounds like Dr.
Benanti was the opposite of negligent.
Sounds like he was downright solicitous.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Hey, you were right, Bull.
Benny is killing it.
I think we're out of the woods with Annabelle.
Oh, I'm not so sure about that.
Tell me you did not sleep with a patient.
Tell me you did not sleep with Annabelle Harper.
What are you talking about? Of course I didn't sleep with my patient.
When she was on the stand, you were leaning in, preening, mirroring her facial expressions.
It was like a freshman lecture on subconscious indicators of intimacy and attraction.
Bull, I promise you, I didn't sleep with her.
Okay, did you ever touch her? Kiss her? Were you in love with her? Was it an emotional affair? I mean, were there any e-mails, texts, gifts? How exposed are we on this?! Jason, slow down.
Okay.
I admired Annabelle.
Her thoughtfulness.
How gracefully she dealt with what she was going through.
But did I have feelings for her? Perhaps.
I've had feelings for a thousand people, some of them my patients.
You know how it is.
Our line of work.
But I swear to you, I broke no ethical boundaries.
Did she know about your feelings for her? I certainly hope not.
No, she couldn't have.
Well, she mentioned phone calls.
I mean, I worked clinical practice eight years, and I made follow-up calls maybe six times.
Why did you call her? What would you say? You know that's confidential.
- Well - âBut I swear to you, I did not make those calls often, but when I did, it was for an urgent reason.
Please.
Jason, you got to trust me here.
You're my lifeline.
You're all I've got.
Of course I trust you.
And I'm sorry.
I just, I just No, you don't have to be sorry.
You're right.
I understand.
It's like a giant storm.
And you're trying to read the weather.
Anybody home? Hey, just, uh, wanted to let you know.
We, uh, just wrapped up.
Wrapped up what? Mock trial.
Benny preparing Benanti for his testimony.
I stood up in the booth and watched.
Man, what a show.
You make it home last night? You get any sleep? Not that I'm aware of.
Now, why are you poring over Lex's patient records? Didn't Marissa prepare summaries of those for you? What'd you come in here to tell me? Well, just that Benny grilled Benanti six ways from Sunday, and he's rock solid.
The guy's a quick learner.
He was able to take everything that Benny threw at him and use it to pivot back to the talking points of our narrative.
And the mock jury found him extremely trustworthy.
Of course they did.
He's a student of human behavior.
He knows how to read it, he knows how to model it.
Strike that.
He's a master of human behavior.
Best I've ever seen.
What's wrong, Bull? I have no idea.
And it's driving me crazy.
The gun where did Lex get it? Uh, well, we haven't really had much luck running that down, Bull.
Why is that? It's a gun.
It had to come from somewhere.
This one's on me.
I figured with no serial number, it had to have been purchased illegally.
And given Lex's white collar background, I assumed he got it online.
But I've searched all of the arms trading sites, and there's no record of a Beretta being purchased from any of the I.
P.
addresses Lex has access to.
Wait a second.
What kind of gun was it? A Beretta.
A Beretta Tomcat.
No, it wasn't.
Jace.
Come in.
Want to have a seat? Or would you rather put your feet up? I'm not a patient.
This isn't a session.
Okay.
What is it? I want to tell you a story.
A story about a young, ambitious psychologist just starting out in private practice.
He wanted to make a difference, so naturally he chose tough, sometimes even dangerous patients.
And to protect himself, he kept a Beretta Tomcat in his desk.
Ring any bells? It was you and me against the world in that office, Don, so I showed you my gun, where I kept it, how to use it.
Didn't you tell me you got one of your own after I left? Didn't you tell me it was just like the one I had? I need to see it.
Aren't you gonna open it? What's the point? We both know it's empty.
Do you believe in destiny? Every night, when I put my head on the pillow, I'd dream of her.
I'd dream of us.
And I also knew, of course, that she was dreaming about me.
But I also knew, deep down, that she was un-have-able.
She was married to Brady Harper richer than God.
And he wasn't going anywhere, and she wasn't about to leave him, so I made my peace with it.
She was still mine on our afternoons.
We still had our phone calls.
She was my secret and I was her secret.
And then one day, Lex walked in here and said that her husband had fired him, that he wanted to kill him, wanted him dead.
I mean isn't that the definition of destiny? All I really had to do was put the gun in his hand and ask him nicely.
He trusted you to help him, to save him.
- And you used him - Used him, preyed on his shame, called him son, told him to make me proud.
I gave him what he craved: a few moments of tenderness, of understanding.
And in the end, I put him out of his misery.
What's so wrong with that? So what if I got something I wanted out of it, too? My God, you're certifiable.
I'm nothing of the kind, Jason, and you know it.
That's what's making you so angry.
The pragmatism of it all, the elegant simplicity of it.
Our job is to improve lives, Donovan, not destroy them.
Says who? That's a fairy tale, Jace.
Look around.
We swore no Hippocratic oath.
We psychologists created the CIA's enhanced torture program, for heaven's sake.
No, sir.
It's our job to listen to people, to know them, and to decode how it is they work.
And what we do with that information, well You know I can't let this stand.
I can't be a party to this.
I'm sorry, old friend.
It's not like you have a lot of choice.
You're a member of my defense team.
This entire conversation is protected under attorney-client privilege.
You can't call the police.
You can't tell the authorities.
You can't tell anyone.
Early birds.
Always been a couple of early birds.
I couldn't sleep.
How about you? You're the clinical psychologist, Don.
You tell me.
I can't lie.
I was having nightmares that you quit.
Doesn't work that way.
I can't quit just because a client is guilty.
You tell anyone? Like who? Attorney-client privilege, remember? How about Benny? I'd never say a word to him.
He's legally and ethically bound to provide a rigorous defense.
I don't want to make that any harder than it has to be.
Thank you.
Don't judge her.
You can't judge her.
What? You're a deeply disturbed man.
I'm just happy you found your other.
So, after you calmed Lex down, you did what's called a risk assessment.
Now, what does that entail, exactly? It's a series of questions to try to ascertain if Lex had any desires or plans to hurt himself or anyone else.
And did he? In your opinion.
No.
I spent about 25 minutes asking him about his intentions.
Not only did he not have any plans to commit violence, his anger at being fired dissipated throughout our time together.
Therefore, you determined that there was no need to warn anyone.
In my career, I've been concerned about patients' intentions enough to warn the authorities on more than one occasion, but this was not one of those times.
Despite what happened later that day, I can say without hesitation, when Lex left my office, he gave every indication that he had made his peace with being let go and was excited about exploring new employment possibilities.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Your witness.
Nothing but good news here.
Our jurors seem very sympathetic towards Dr.
Benanti, Bull.
They find him straightforward, honest.
If he keeps this up, I think we're home free.
Bull? Can you hear me? Is this working? I heard you, Marissa.
Thanks.
This thorough risk assessment of yours did you ask follow-up questions, clarifying questions? The risk assessment took as long as it did because I asked so many clarifying questions.
Did you specifically ask if Lex had a gun? Yes.
He said he did not.
How do you know he wasn't lying to you? Well, I'm not a mind reader, but I saw no indication that he was.
Hmm.
Are you sure? Objection.
Your Honor, asked and answered.
I'll rephrase.
You were seeing ten patients a day.
Is it possible you were overworked or overtired, that you missed something? Anything is possible, I suppose, but I certainly wasn't aware of being overtired or overworked.
Honestly, my focus at that point was on my patient.
Not engaging in speculation, keeping his cool, staying on message.
Benny did an incredible job here, Bull.
This guy's unflappable.
Benanti might have 12 new clients by the time this is over.
Can you really sit there, Dr.
Benanti, now that two good men are dead their widows without husbands, their children without fathers can you really sit there and say you made the right decision? There are thousands of young men in America with the same psychological profile as Lex Becker.
Most of them will never commit a crime.
A frustrating truth is that for all our progress in psychology and psychiatry, the human mind remains very much a mystery.
There's no surefire way to predict who can be reached and who can't, who will commit violence or who won't.
All anyone can do is make the best decision they can with the information they have.
The power of logic.
You put together the perfect jury for this argument.
Bu, it is a sea of green over here.
We the jury find the defendant, Dr.
Donovan Benanti, not liable.
Court would like to thank you for your service.
You are dismissed.
Congratulations, Doc.
Who is it? Dr.
Jason Bull.
I'd love a word.
I'm sorry.
The doorman didn't call and say you were on your way up.
And, uh, I'm not in the habit of opening my door for people who are unannounced.
Mm.
Well, if I go back down and have the doorman announce me, will you let me in? Step away from my door, Dr.
Bull, or I'm calling the police.
Okay.
I just I'm sure you'll think this is crazy.
I'm sure you'll think this is beside the point, but I just need to know.
If you wanted to be together so badly, and then went ahead and risked everything to make it happen and you love him, why did you take him to court? What are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Dr.
Benanti? Be together? Love him? The man I love is dead.
You just successfully defended the person responsible in court.
Now get away from my door.
Mrs.
Harper.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I thought that Doesn't matter what I thought.
I was wrong.
I've been wrong about everything.
But I want to fix it.
Let me make this right, please.
He fooled me, too.
But I know some things, things I can't legally share with you, but if you will trust me, if you'll give me a chance, I think that there is a way we can make sure that he's punished for what he did and a way to get you the truth.
Please.
Happy Saturday.
Does anybody know why we're here? That seems to be the million-dollar question.
Where's Benny? I told him to stay home.
Well, any particular reason? Because he is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
And that matters because? Because we're gonna engage in a little team-building activity.
And if all goes well, the outside world will be none the wiser; but if it doesn't, I don't want Benny to be censured by the bar.
I did what you asked.
I called Dr.
Benanti, asked if he'd meet me for dinner.
Said I wanted to try and make it up to him for the lawsuit.
You were right.
He, uh, he jumped at the chance.
Excellent.
I've got my whole team here.
They're all on board.
Are you? I miss my husband, Dr.
Bull.
What's the worst that happens? I join him? That's your plan? We are gonna send this poor woman on a dinner date with a killer? Let's keep our facts straight.
Don's never actually killed anyone, at least not by his own hand.
That's what makes what he did so evil.
I need him to confess, or he is gonna be free to take advantage of some poor damaged soul and do it again.
I am not asking about what you need, I'm asking is this woman gonna be safe.
Psychologically speaking, I have every reason to believe she will be.
Don harbors deep romantic delusions about Annabelle.
He believes they are meant to be together.
And now that her husband is dead, they will be.
As long as Annabelle plays into those delusions, she should be fine.
"Should be" doesn't inspire confidence.
Well, the former cornerback of the Georgia Bulldogs will be there one table away, prepared to take down the good doctor if things should get out of hand.
And former FBI field agent Danielle James will also be there.
They're having dinner together.
Didn't even know you two were a thing.
Well, I got to warn you, I'm not a cheap date.
Bull, look, seriously, how much jeopardy are we putting this woman in? I'll be in her ear telling her what to say, and you and Cable will be sitting right by my side.
And you really think this has a chance of working? Mm.
The more she flatters him, the more she puffs him up, the more likely he is to make a mistake.
His ego is his weakness.
We need to play on that, get him to confess to Annabelle.
If he does that confession is not protected.
She is not his lawyer.
She is not part of his legal team.
That is not what I'm asking.
Objects of delusion are usually only in danger if they challenge the delusion if she refuses his affection or humiliates him in some way.
Well, what if Annabelle can't handle it and does just that? That's why I have you and Chunk there.
You're not just muscle.
Benanti's never seen you before, so you will be my eyes and ears on the ground.
Okay, I'm not a lawyer yet, but I know enough to know that this plan relies on information obtained in the course of protected conversations between you and Dr.
Benanti.
I mean, conversations that are covered under attorney-client privilege.
Yeah? So? So is this legal? Legal? Oh.
Here's the thing.
It's not criminal.
And you won't go to jail.
And I will pay any fines or judgments.
Now, ask me if it's the right thing to do.
I don't have to.
I know it is.
Anyone want to opt out? Then turn off your cell phones, ladies and gentlemen.
Our feature attraction is about to begin.
Still no sign of her.
Relax, everybody.
The driver's just pulling up to the restaurant.
You've got the recorder? I do.
I do, and it's on.
And you still feel up to this? Yes, I do.
Just remember, I've got people there.
You don't need to know who they are.
You just need to know that they are close by.
And I am watching.
So if anything goes awry, don't worry, you're protected.
Do as I say, and say as I say.
Trust me.
I do.
I-I'm here, aren't I? Here she comes.
Thank you.
Bull, you'd be proud of her.
She's putting on quite a show.
My God, look at you.
You're glowing.
Wow.
He really is crazy, isn't he? Dr.
Benanti, I'm I'm in mourning.
Well, whatever you're in, it becomes you.
I know it's hard, but smile, seem flattered.
Call him "Don"" not "Doctor," and lean in when he talks.
He's an expert at picking up nonverbal cues.
Wow.
She's sitting on the edge of her seat.
Her eyes are glued to his.
I think I'm jealous.
Loosen him up.
Apologize for the trial.
I just, I just have to say again how sorry I am about everything that's happened.
You know, if it were up to me, I never would have sued, but Sherryl Milton, she she insisted.
Don't you think I sensed that? Now, I know this isn't something you want to do, but we need to build up his confidence and get him to let down his defenses.
Do you think you could reach across the table and touch his hand? Danny, Chunk, from where you are, can you tell if she's touching his hand? Not yet.
Oh, wait a second.
The answer to your question is yes.
Thank you.
To you.
To destiny.
Now, Annabelle, I need you to repeat what I'm about to say as if it's yours.
Okay? Here we go.
I know this isn't a session I know this isn't a session, and I know we're not here to talk about me and my problems, but can I tell you a deep, dark secret? You can tell me anything.
I know I'm supposed to be sad, and I know I'm I'm supposed to be grieving but deep down, what I've, what I've really felt since that man shot Brady is relief.
Does that make me a bad person? No.
It makes you someone who put up with a partner who made the business of living difficult.
He was a big, suffocating personality.
Of course it feels better now.
Would you think I was a horrible person if I told you I Sometimes I fantasize about thanking that fellow Lex the one who shot my husband Uh, we are at DEFCON 4, guys.
If something's gonna happen, it's gonna happen now.
For what he did.
for what he did, for giving me my life back.
For setting me free.
Is everything all right, Don? Did I, did I say something to upset you? I-I mean I just I just think it's so amazing.
If Lex hadn't done what he did we wouldn't be here tonight.
It wasn't Lex.
What are you talking about? What are you talking about? Thank me.
It was me.
I mean, I didn't pull the trigger, but I knew I could get Lex to.
I gave him my gun told him what to do.
I did this for you.
I did it for us.
Marissa something's going on.
I think Annabelle might lose it.
You-you need to talk Annabelle down.
Annabelle, I need you to breathe.
I need you to stay calm.
Excuse yourself if you have to.
Annabelle, I don't understand.
Why are you crying? No, don't order till I get back! Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry.
- What have you done? - âOh, my gosh.
- Let's get you cleaned up.
- Oh, honey, I know.
- I'm sorry.
- Belinda, look what you've done.
- Wait.
- âI'm so sorry.
This is terrible.
You have to let me pay for your dinner.
No, that's not necessary.
If I, if I could just But I insist.
How much Bob De Niro you think we're looking at here? - Huh? Oh.
- âI have no idea.
I'd say it's pretty significant.
Looks like we've done quite a bit of damage.
Yeah, we think you did, too.
Forgive me, Don.
I know it looks like I came empty-handed, but I actually brought a lovely '89 Haut-Brion.
Would have paired brilliantly with those chips out from the vending machine, but alas, the guards did not share my enthusiasm.
- What are you doing here? - I don't know.
I guess I'm just that kind of guy.
The kind of guy that goes out on a limb for a friend.
The kind of guy that shows up when a colleague calls and asks for help.
The kind of guy that visits you in jail when you've been denied bail.
But I guess it could be worse.
Lots of natural light.
And you look pretty good in khaki.
Go ahead, take your victory lap.
But I'm not an idiot.
I know you're the reason I'm in here, and I'll prove it.
- And when I do - â I'm sorry, prove what, exactly? That I suggested Annabelle ask you out and record the conversation? Even if you could prove that and it will be awfully hard to do that from prison and it still wouldn't change the fact that you confessed on tape to orchestrating murder.
And it still wouldn't change the fact that the police found the lockbox in your office and matched your fingerprint to the partial print they found on the gun from the crime scene.
No, all it would do is give you the opportunity to sue me.
Again, from prison.
And you'd lose.
And even if you didn't, I don't think my professional reputation would take too big a hit if I was found liable for protecting the world from a complete psychopath.
Well, I should get back to the office.
There.
Don't want you to think the visit was a total loss.
I'm gonna be 30 next month.
What am I supposed to do now? Where am I supposed to go? Is there anything more pathetic than an unemployed 30-year-old white male? Okay.
They fired you.
Slamming your head into the wall isn't going to change that, is it? I hate them.
Your anger is overwhelming you, Lex.
I want to kill them, Doctor.
That's what I want to do.
I want them to dieie.
You're in a feeling place, Lex, not a thinking place.
We need to put reason back in charge.
I know you know that.
- Screw reason.
- âNo.
In moments of crisis, when life overwhelms us, all we have is reason.
Stand up.
You're okay.
You're going to be okay.
This is not the end of your life.
Y-You're here.
In this room with me.
It's just the two of us.
We're gonna talk this out and come up with a plan.
Okay? I'm sorry, sir.
The partners are in a meeting.
You can't go in there! - Thanks.
- âYeah.
- Jason.
- âHmm.
Donovan.
Good to see you.
I was surprised to hear from you.
How long has it been? Too long.
Coming over here, I kept remembering the two of us.
17 years ago, newly licensed, sharing that basement office on West End Avenue.
The dungeon.
One window and the faint smell of mildew.
Now here we are.
I need your help, Jace.
You read about Harper Milton Capital? Two or three months ago.
Disgruntled ex-employee walks in and shoots both partners.
He was a patient of mine.
The partners' widows are suing me.
On what grounds? Psychotherapy malpractice.
So was he dangerous? Hindsight not withstanding? He was troubled, depression.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
Some PTSD as a result of childhood trauma.
But I conducted the risk assessment, and he had no specific plans to commit violence.
Then legally I think you have a case.
Dr.
Donovan Benanti.
Award-winning psychologist and, according to our fearless leader, one of the nicest guys and most meticulous clinicians in the business.
Which I'm sure will be abundantly clear from the six months of session notes Benanti's turned over regarding Lex Becker.
Well, sorry to be a buzz kill here, but Bull's friend saw the killer on the same day he was fired and the same day he killed those men.
Now, he had to have been a mess in that session.
Why didn't Dr.
Benanti warn anyone? Because thoughts and actions are two different things.
That's why the professional standard in a case like this is for the psychologist to determine if there is a serious and imminent threat.
OKAY, I'LL ASK: What is "a serious and imminent threat"? As defined by law, a serious and imminent threat an identified victim, a specific plan to commit violence, and means.
- Means, like a weapon.
- Yes.
And without all three of those elements, the law does not require a clinician to break doctor-patient confidentiality.
But then you've got two grieving widows at the plaintiff's table.
That is our challenge.
Annabelle Harper and Sherryl Milton lost their husbands.
The jury will sympathize and want to compensate them for their suffering.
Okay, so how about we end this before it gets to a jury? I mean, why don't we try to talk settlement? Dr.
Benanti is in private practice.
He gets his clients through reputation and recommendations.
If he appears to admit liability in a double murder-suicide, his career is over.
You're right.
But I've got another idea.
The defense would like to argue a motion for summary judgment in this case.
Your Honor, to throw this lawsuit out before going to trial would be a gross miscarriage of justice.
On what grounds, Mr.
Colón? We understand why Mrs.
Harper and Mrs.
Milton filed suit.
When the perpetrator of a crime commits suicide, survivors want to hold someone else accountable.
But that doesn't change the fact that Dr.
Benanti did nothing wrong.
The case simply doesn't stand up on its own merits.
I beg to differ.
At best, the plaintiffs can argue that, given Lex's anger at being fired, he identified his bosses as potential victims to Dr.
Benanti.
That's one out of the three of the major elements needed to report.
How about three out of three? This video is time-stamped two days before Lex Becker killed Brady Harper and Tobias Milton killed them by shooting them in the head, just like he's practicing there, with the same type of gun that was used in the murders.
It might be the same gun, for all we know.
I don't know about you, Your Honor, but this certainly looks like evidence of planning and means to me.
Oh, that video could mean anything, Your Honor.
It certainly doesn't prove that Dr.
Benanti - had any knowledge of - I don't know what it proves, Mr.
Colón.
But we'll certainly have ample time to get to the bottom of that in front of a jury.
So, motion for summary judgment denied.
I am ordering this case to trial immediately.
I've got Chunk going to the gun range to confirm whose gun Lex was actually using there.
Excellent.
And since the gun used in the murder-suicide was actually left behind and taken into evidence, Danny was able to confirm that it was unregistered.
The serial numbers were scratched off.
So there's no record of its purchase.
Exactly.
Well, that is a great start, but I need someone to tell me what set this guy off.
From the moment he left Don's office to the moment he killed those men, what happened? Was there some incident that triggered this? There's no better way to prove that Don had nothing to do with this than to tell a jury who did.
- Ah.
- âWow, Jace.
- Don.
- This is quite something.
Don Benanti.
Finest clinical psychologist I've ever met.
I'd like you to meet Benny Colón, the finest in-house attorney I've ever worked with, and your current counsel of record.
Pleasure to meet you.
Thrilled you're willing to take this on.
Oh, I take on pretty much whatever he takes on.
He signs the checks.
Aha.
So, today we go and start, uh, w-what is that word? Voir dire.
Jury selection.
But before we get to that, Benny, would you give us a moment? Sure.
Tell me you didn't know he was going to the gun range.
Prosecution has security footage of your patient shooting human silhouettes right between the eyes for almost an hour, less than two days before he executed those men.
Tell me you didn't know about this.
I can't.
I knew.
Truth is it was my idea.
Come on, Donovan.
A gun range? For a patient with Intermittent Explosive Disorder? - Really? - âReally.
I felt he needed safe, controlled ways to release his aggression.
I was trying to introduce him to new coping mechanisms.
Shooting, fencing, Thai boxing.
A variety of activities I hoped would allow him to work out his anger in a socially appropriate way.
Don't judge me.
You know as well as I do, just because someone goes to a gun range doesn't mean they're planning to shoot someone.
A depressive with PTSD and impulse control issues isn't just "someone.
" Well, I don't know what to tell you.
It was working.
He was markedly calmer, showing great improvement.
Huh.
All right.
Come on.
Let's go.
Court awaits.
So let's talk narrative.
Narrative? A trial is a battle of two competing stories.
They tell their stories and we tell ours.
So what's our narrative? Simple.
Psychologists aren't mind police.
Holding them responsible for the actions of their patients after they leave the doctor's office is not only impossible, it's dangerous.
You know them? It's the widows of the men Lex killed.
Otherwise known as the people taking you to court.
And that's their lawyer, Mark Zimmer.
It's okay to feel for them and still know they're in the wrong here.
- Of course, I know that.
- In fact, that's what we'll be looking for in our jurors.
People that can make the distinction between logic and emotion.
The other side will try to play on the heartstrings.
To counter that, we need analytical thinkers.
People who can separate what happened in the hour you spent with Lex from everything that happened afterward.
Ms.
Larsen, what do you do for a living? For a living? Data entry.
Don't get too excited, Bull.
Her seemingly perfect analytical job is only temp work; she's trained as a dancer.
The defense would like to thank and excuse this juror, Your Honor.
When you go to a restaurant with a group of friends, who here takes control, splits the bill and calculates a tip? These three jurors are acceptable to the defense, Your Honor.
Happy dividing and compartmentalizing.
That's exactly what we want.
Martin Hamilton.
28 years old.
Software engineer.
His job requires both creative and analytical skills.
That's a tough call.
How many hot dog vendors would you say are in the borough of Manhattan? Uh, well, if Manhattan is about 250 blocks north to south and 12 avenues east to west A regimented thinker.
Perfect.
one cart for every nine square blocks, - I would say - âThank you.
Juror number two is acceptable to the defense, Your Honor.
Then we have our jury.
Okay.
Well, we got what we needed, didn't we? We did.
We got what we needed based on what we know today, but you're a smart guy, Don, so I need to prepare you.
A trial is a lot like an approaching storm.
You know it's coming.
You pull together appropriate provisions, you board up the house, but you still have to ride it out and hope it isn't any stronger than you thought, or lasts any longer than you expected.
Anything can happen.
What? Please.
I have weather insurance.
I have Jason Bull.
Entrez.
Entra.
Eniru.
Hmm.
See, that's French, Italian, and I have no idea.
Esperanto, just in case.
Nice.
When the Tower of Babel falls, I am sticking with you.
So you need to check this out.
It's Benanti's notes from a session with Lex.
His first session, actually.
And? And look at the upper right-hand corner.
"Referred by A.
Harper.
" A.
Harper.
You don't think Annabelle Harper, Brady Harper's widow, the plaintiff in this case, referred Lex to Benanti, do you? Hmm.
- Door-to-door service.
- âAh.
You guys really are a one-stop shop.
I have something to run by you.
I wanted to do it in private before we go to court.
Sounds serious.
Hmm.
Kind of a hypothetical.
Okay.
If, in some kind of alternate universe, a former patient of yours were to take the stand in a lawsuit mind you, I'm not asking you to reveal any privileged information but if, hypothetically, that were to happen, would your legal team have anything to worry about? I'd like to think I've been a great counselor to all of my patients.
Hmm.
I was still half asleep when Brady kissed me good-bye that morning.
If I'd known it was the last time I'd ever see him, I Just wish I'd put my glasses on, you know? So I could have really looked at him.
The crow's-feet around his eyes when he smiled, and the way he chewed on his lower lip when he pretended to be listening but his mind was somewhere else.
If I'd have known, I'd I'd have gotten up, put my arms around him.
Never let him walk out that door.
Objection, Your Honor.
With all due respect, relevance.
Sustained.
I'll tell you the relevance.
Analytical or not, the jurors are eating this up.
They really feel for this woman, Bull.
Of course they do.
She's a sympathy machine.
Benny'll get her back on cross.
I hope so, because I'm beginning to forget what the color green looks like.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Your witness, Counselor.
I'd like to begin by saying how profoundly sorry I am for your loss.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
You're welcome.
Um, but I have to ask.
In Dr.
Benanti's session notes, he mentions that Lex was referred to him by an A.
Harper.
Was that you? Brady had mentioned there was a bright but troubled young trader at the firm.
There'd been a few outbursts, and he said he thought he might have to let this kid, Lex, go.
And, um, I recommended he send him to Dr.
Benanti instead and try to get him help.
I wish to God now that I hadn't.
And how did you know Dr.
Benanti? Did you, uh, read about him? Did you hear about him from a friend? Why did you recommend? Objection, Your Honor.
Privileged.
It's all right.
Mark, I'll answer.
I have nothing to hide.
I recommended Dr.
Benanti because he was my therapist.
I had been going through a hard time, and I sought treatment from him.
That's interesting.
So, in the time that you went to Dr.
Benanti, did you find him to be a negligent practitioner, as your lawsuit suggests he was with Lex? No.
No.
In fact, he was actually very thorough, very attentive.
He-he helped me a great deal.
He'd even call between sessions to check up on me.
Wow.
Sounds like Dr.
Benanti was the opposite of negligent.
Sounds like he was downright solicitous.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Hey, you were right, Bull.
Benny is killing it.
I think we're out of the woods with Annabelle.
Oh, I'm not so sure about that.
Tell me you did not sleep with a patient.
Tell me you did not sleep with Annabelle Harper.
What are you talking about? Of course I didn't sleep with my patient.
When she was on the stand, you were leaning in, preening, mirroring her facial expressions.
It was like a freshman lecture on subconscious indicators of intimacy and attraction.
Bull, I promise you, I didn't sleep with her.
Okay, did you ever touch her? Kiss her? Were you in love with her? Was it an emotional affair? I mean, were there any e-mails, texts, gifts? How exposed are we on this?! Jason, slow down.
Okay.
I admired Annabelle.
Her thoughtfulness.
How gracefully she dealt with what she was going through.
But did I have feelings for her? Perhaps.
I've had feelings for a thousand people, some of them my patients.
You know how it is.
Our line of work.
But I swear to you, I broke no ethical boundaries.
Did she know about your feelings for her? I certainly hope not.
No, she couldn't have.
Well, she mentioned phone calls.
I mean, I worked clinical practice eight years, and I made follow-up calls maybe six times.
Why did you call her? What would you say? You know that's confidential.
- Well - âBut I swear to you, I did not make those calls often, but when I did, it was for an urgent reason.
Please.
Jason, you got to trust me here.
You're my lifeline.
You're all I've got.
Of course I trust you.
And I'm sorry.
I just, I just No, you don't have to be sorry.
You're right.
I understand.
It's like a giant storm.
And you're trying to read the weather.
Anybody home? Hey, just, uh, wanted to let you know.
We, uh, just wrapped up.
Wrapped up what? Mock trial.
Benny preparing Benanti for his testimony.
I stood up in the booth and watched.
Man, what a show.
You make it home last night? You get any sleep? Not that I'm aware of.
Now, why are you poring over Lex's patient records? Didn't Marissa prepare summaries of those for you? What'd you come in here to tell me? Well, just that Benny grilled Benanti six ways from Sunday, and he's rock solid.
The guy's a quick learner.
He was able to take everything that Benny threw at him and use it to pivot back to the talking points of our narrative.
And the mock jury found him extremely trustworthy.
Of course they did.
He's a student of human behavior.
He knows how to read it, he knows how to model it.
Strike that.
He's a master of human behavior.
Best I've ever seen.
What's wrong, Bull? I have no idea.
And it's driving me crazy.
The gun where did Lex get it? Uh, well, we haven't really had much luck running that down, Bull.
Why is that? It's a gun.
It had to come from somewhere.
This one's on me.
I figured with no serial number, it had to have been purchased illegally.
And given Lex's white collar background, I assumed he got it online.
But I've searched all of the arms trading sites, and there's no record of a Beretta being purchased from any of the I.
P.
addresses Lex has access to.
Wait a second.
What kind of gun was it? A Beretta.
A Beretta Tomcat.
No, it wasn't.
Jace.
Come in.
Want to have a seat? Or would you rather put your feet up? I'm not a patient.
This isn't a session.
Okay.
What is it? I want to tell you a story.
A story about a young, ambitious psychologist just starting out in private practice.
He wanted to make a difference, so naturally he chose tough, sometimes even dangerous patients.
And to protect himself, he kept a Beretta Tomcat in his desk.
Ring any bells? It was you and me against the world in that office, Don, so I showed you my gun, where I kept it, how to use it.
Didn't you tell me you got one of your own after I left? Didn't you tell me it was just like the one I had? I need to see it.
Aren't you gonna open it? What's the point? We both know it's empty.
Do you believe in destiny? Every night, when I put my head on the pillow, I'd dream of her.
I'd dream of us.
And I also knew, of course, that she was dreaming about me.
But I also knew, deep down, that she was un-have-able.
She was married to Brady Harper richer than God.
And he wasn't going anywhere, and she wasn't about to leave him, so I made my peace with it.
She was still mine on our afternoons.
We still had our phone calls.
She was my secret and I was her secret.
And then one day, Lex walked in here and said that her husband had fired him, that he wanted to kill him, wanted him dead.
I mean isn't that the definition of destiny? All I really had to do was put the gun in his hand and ask him nicely.
He trusted you to help him, to save him.
- And you used him - Used him, preyed on his shame, called him son, told him to make me proud.
I gave him what he craved: a few moments of tenderness, of understanding.
And in the end, I put him out of his misery.
What's so wrong with that? So what if I got something I wanted out of it, too? My God, you're certifiable.
I'm nothing of the kind, Jason, and you know it.
That's what's making you so angry.
The pragmatism of it all, the elegant simplicity of it.
Our job is to improve lives, Donovan, not destroy them.
Says who? That's a fairy tale, Jace.
Look around.
We swore no Hippocratic oath.
We psychologists created the CIA's enhanced torture program, for heaven's sake.
No, sir.
It's our job to listen to people, to know them, and to decode how it is they work.
And what we do with that information, well You know I can't let this stand.
I can't be a party to this.
I'm sorry, old friend.
It's not like you have a lot of choice.
You're a member of my defense team.
This entire conversation is protected under attorney-client privilege.
You can't call the police.
You can't tell the authorities.
You can't tell anyone.
Early birds.
Always been a couple of early birds.
I couldn't sleep.
How about you? You're the clinical psychologist, Don.
You tell me.
I can't lie.
I was having nightmares that you quit.
Doesn't work that way.
I can't quit just because a client is guilty.
You tell anyone? Like who? Attorney-client privilege, remember? How about Benny? I'd never say a word to him.
He's legally and ethically bound to provide a rigorous defense.
I don't want to make that any harder than it has to be.
Thank you.
Don't judge her.
You can't judge her.
What? You're a deeply disturbed man.
I'm just happy you found your other.
So, after you calmed Lex down, you did what's called a risk assessment.
Now, what does that entail, exactly? It's a series of questions to try to ascertain if Lex had any desires or plans to hurt himself or anyone else.
And did he? In your opinion.
No.
I spent about 25 minutes asking him about his intentions.
Not only did he not have any plans to commit violence, his anger at being fired dissipated throughout our time together.
Therefore, you determined that there was no need to warn anyone.
In my career, I've been concerned about patients' intentions enough to warn the authorities on more than one occasion, but this was not one of those times.
Despite what happened later that day, I can say without hesitation, when Lex left my office, he gave every indication that he had made his peace with being let go and was excited about exploring new employment possibilities.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Your witness.
Nothing but good news here.
Our jurors seem very sympathetic towards Dr.
Benanti, Bull.
They find him straightforward, honest.
If he keeps this up, I think we're home free.
Bull? Can you hear me? Is this working? I heard you, Marissa.
Thanks.
This thorough risk assessment of yours did you ask follow-up questions, clarifying questions? The risk assessment took as long as it did because I asked so many clarifying questions.
Did you specifically ask if Lex had a gun? Yes.
He said he did not.
How do you know he wasn't lying to you? Well, I'm not a mind reader, but I saw no indication that he was.
Hmm.
Are you sure? Objection.
Your Honor, asked and answered.
I'll rephrase.
You were seeing ten patients a day.
Is it possible you were overworked or overtired, that you missed something? Anything is possible, I suppose, but I certainly wasn't aware of being overtired or overworked.
Honestly, my focus at that point was on my patient.
Not engaging in speculation, keeping his cool, staying on message.
Benny did an incredible job here, Bull.
This guy's unflappable.
Benanti might have 12 new clients by the time this is over.
Can you really sit there, Dr.
Benanti, now that two good men are dead their widows without husbands, their children without fathers can you really sit there and say you made the right decision? There are thousands of young men in America with the same psychological profile as Lex Becker.
Most of them will never commit a crime.
A frustrating truth is that for all our progress in psychology and psychiatry, the human mind remains very much a mystery.
There's no surefire way to predict who can be reached and who can't, who will commit violence or who won't.
All anyone can do is make the best decision they can with the information they have.
The power of logic.
You put together the perfect jury for this argument.
Bu, it is a sea of green over here.
We the jury find the defendant, Dr.
Donovan Benanti, not liable.
Court would like to thank you for your service.
You are dismissed.
Congratulations, Doc.
Who is it? Dr.
Jason Bull.
I'd love a word.
I'm sorry.
The doorman didn't call and say you were on your way up.
And, uh, I'm not in the habit of opening my door for people who are unannounced.
Mm.
Well, if I go back down and have the doorman announce me, will you let me in? Step away from my door, Dr.
Bull, or I'm calling the police.
Okay.
I just I'm sure you'll think this is crazy.
I'm sure you'll think this is beside the point, but I just need to know.
If you wanted to be together so badly, and then went ahead and risked everything to make it happen and you love him, why did you take him to court? What are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Dr.
Benanti? Be together? Love him? The man I love is dead.
You just successfully defended the person responsible in court.
Now get away from my door.
Mrs.
Harper.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I thought that Doesn't matter what I thought.
I was wrong.
I've been wrong about everything.
But I want to fix it.
Let me make this right, please.
He fooled me, too.
But I know some things, things I can't legally share with you, but if you will trust me, if you'll give me a chance, I think that there is a way we can make sure that he's punished for what he did and a way to get you the truth.
Please.
Happy Saturday.
Does anybody know why we're here? That seems to be the million-dollar question.
Where's Benny? I told him to stay home.
Well, any particular reason? Because he is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
And that matters because? Because we're gonna engage in a little team-building activity.
And if all goes well, the outside world will be none the wiser; but if it doesn't, I don't want Benny to be censured by the bar.
I did what you asked.
I called Dr.
Benanti, asked if he'd meet me for dinner.
Said I wanted to try and make it up to him for the lawsuit.
You were right.
He, uh, he jumped at the chance.
Excellent.
I've got my whole team here.
They're all on board.
Are you? I miss my husband, Dr.
Bull.
What's the worst that happens? I join him? That's your plan? We are gonna send this poor woman on a dinner date with a killer? Let's keep our facts straight.
Don's never actually killed anyone, at least not by his own hand.
That's what makes what he did so evil.
I need him to confess, or he is gonna be free to take advantage of some poor damaged soul and do it again.
I am not asking about what you need, I'm asking is this woman gonna be safe.
Psychologically speaking, I have every reason to believe she will be.
Don harbors deep romantic delusions about Annabelle.
He believes they are meant to be together.
And now that her husband is dead, they will be.
As long as Annabelle plays into those delusions, she should be fine.
"Should be" doesn't inspire confidence.
Well, the former cornerback of the Georgia Bulldogs will be there one table away, prepared to take down the good doctor if things should get out of hand.
And former FBI field agent Danielle James will also be there.
They're having dinner together.
Didn't even know you two were a thing.
Well, I got to warn you, I'm not a cheap date.
Bull, look, seriously, how much jeopardy are we putting this woman in? I'll be in her ear telling her what to say, and you and Cable will be sitting right by my side.
And you really think this has a chance of working? Mm.
The more she flatters him, the more she puffs him up, the more likely he is to make a mistake.
His ego is his weakness.
We need to play on that, get him to confess to Annabelle.
If he does that confession is not protected.
She is not his lawyer.
She is not part of his legal team.
That is not what I'm asking.
Objects of delusion are usually only in danger if they challenge the delusion if she refuses his affection or humiliates him in some way.
Well, what if Annabelle can't handle it and does just that? That's why I have you and Chunk there.
You're not just muscle.
Benanti's never seen you before, so you will be my eyes and ears on the ground.
Okay, I'm not a lawyer yet, but I know enough to know that this plan relies on information obtained in the course of protected conversations between you and Dr.
Benanti.
I mean, conversations that are covered under attorney-client privilege.
Yeah? So? So is this legal? Legal? Oh.
Here's the thing.
It's not criminal.
And you won't go to jail.
And I will pay any fines or judgments.
Now, ask me if it's the right thing to do.
I don't have to.
I know it is.
Anyone want to opt out? Then turn off your cell phones, ladies and gentlemen.
Our feature attraction is about to begin.
Still no sign of her.
Relax, everybody.
The driver's just pulling up to the restaurant.
You've got the recorder? I do.
I do, and it's on.
And you still feel up to this? Yes, I do.
Just remember, I've got people there.
You don't need to know who they are.
You just need to know that they are close by.
And I am watching.
So if anything goes awry, don't worry, you're protected.
Do as I say, and say as I say.
Trust me.
I do.
I-I'm here, aren't I? Here she comes.
Thank you.
Bull, you'd be proud of her.
She's putting on quite a show.
My God, look at you.
You're glowing.
Wow.
He really is crazy, isn't he? Dr.
Benanti, I'm I'm in mourning.
Well, whatever you're in, it becomes you.
I know it's hard, but smile, seem flattered.
Call him "Don"" not "Doctor," and lean in when he talks.
He's an expert at picking up nonverbal cues.
Wow.
She's sitting on the edge of her seat.
Her eyes are glued to his.
I think I'm jealous.
Loosen him up.
Apologize for the trial.
I just, I just have to say again how sorry I am about everything that's happened.
You know, if it were up to me, I never would have sued, but Sherryl Milton, she she insisted.
Don't you think I sensed that? Now, I know this isn't something you want to do, but we need to build up his confidence and get him to let down his defenses.
Do you think you could reach across the table and touch his hand? Danny, Chunk, from where you are, can you tell if she's touching his hand? Not yet.
Oh, wait a second.
The answer to your question is yes.
Thank you.
To you.
To destiny.
Now, Annabelle, I need you to repeat what I'm about to say as if it's yours.
Okay? Here we go.
I know this isn't a session I know this isn't a session, and I know we're not here to talk about me and my problems, but can I tell you a deep, dark secret? You can tell me anything.
I know I'm supposed to be sad, and I know I'm I'm supposed to be grieving but deep down, what I've, what I've really felt since that man shot Brady is relief.
Does that make me a bad person? No.
It makes you someone who put up with a partner who made the business of living difficult.
He was a big, suffocating personality.
Of course it feels better now.
Would you think I was a horrible person if I told you I Sometimes I fantasize about thanking that fellow Lex the one who shot my husband Uh, we are at DEFCON 4, guys.
If something's gonna happen, it's gonna happen now.
For what he did.
for what he did, for giving me my life back.
For setting me free.
Is everything all right, Don? Did I, did I say something to upset you? I-I mean I just I just think it's so amazing.
If Lex hadn't done what he did we wouldn't be here tonight.
It wasn't Lex.
What are you talking about? What are you talking about? Thank me.
It was me.
I mean, I didn't pull the trigger, but I knew I could get Lex to.
I gave him my gun told him what to do.
I did this for you.
I did it for us.
Marissa something's going on.
I think Annabelle might lose it.
You-you need to talk Annabelle down.
Annabelle, I need you to breathe.
I need you to stay calm.
Excuse yourself if you have to.
Annabelle, I don't understand.
Why are you crying? No, don't order till I get back! Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry.
- What have you done? - âOh, my gosh.
- Let's get you cleaned up.
- Oh, honey, I know.
- I'm sorry.
- Belinda, look what you've done.
- Wait.
- âI'm so sorry.
This is terrible.
You have to let me pay for your dinner.
No, that's not necessary.
If I, if I could just But I insist.
How much Bob De Niro you think we're looking at here? - Huh? Oh.
- âI have no idea.
I'd say it's pretty significant.
Looks like we've done quite a bit of damage.
Yeah, we think you did, too.
Forgive me, Don.
I know it looks like I came empty-handed, but I actually brought a lovely '89 Haut-Brion.
Would have paired brilliantly with those chips out from the vending machine, but alas, the guards did not share my enthusiasm.
- What are you doing here? - I don't know.
I guess I'm just that kind of guy.
The kind of guy that goes out on a limb for a friend.
The kind of guy that shows up when a colleague calls and asks for help.
The kind of guy that visits you in jail when you've been denied bail.
But I guess it could be worse.
Lots of natural light.
And you look pretty good in khaki.
Go ahead, take your victory lap.
But I'm not an idiot.
I know you're the reason I'm in here, and I'll prove it.
- And when I do - â I'm sorry, prove what, exactly? That I suggested Annabelle ask you out and record the conversation? Even if you could prove that and it will be awfully hard to do that from prison and it still wouldn't change the fact that you confessed on tape to orchestrating murder.
And it still wouldn't change the fact that the police found the lockbox in your office and matched your fingerprint to the partial print they found on the gun from the crime scene.
No, all it would do is give you the opportunity to sue me.
Again, from prison.
And you'd lose.
And even if you didn't, I don't think my professional reputation would take too big a hit if I was found liable for protecting the world from a complete psychopath.
Well, I should get back to the office.
There.
Don't want you to think the visit was a total loss.