Damages s03e10 Episode Script

Tell Me I'm Not Racist

Previously on Damages.
- You need to see this arrest report.
- Who got busted? You know, I was just gonna give it to a friend.
- She's your sister.
- Mom, she committed a felony.
Talk to someone, make it go away! Don't get involved.
And I can't intervene.
- What is it? - My sister.
I need a favour.
You're going to keep those cheques coming.
- Why would I possibly do that, Dad? - Because I got a big mouth, Mr Winstone.
What's that family going to do when they find out you've been lying to them all these years? Patty Hewes contacted me.
She wanted to know whether or not I spent last Thanksgiving with my mom.
Did you spend Thanksgiving with her? My mom made me promise to never talk about it.
I still don't understand about Thanksgiving.
Why would that lead you to the money? Well, we think we know where the Tobins are hiding it.
Antigua.
And Thanksgiving was Louis Tobin's last chance to move the money before he confessed.
Patty knows the money's in Antigua.
There's nothing to worry about, as long as you don't get greedy and start spending the money anytime soon.
I don't see how this could have anything to do with the Tobins' money.
Why is she lying to us? Patty? - What's for dinner? - Your favourite.
How was school today, sweetheart? - Fine.
- Did you pick those for me? - Yeah.
- They're so beautiful.
Let's put them in water.
You must be so hungry after all that time playing.
You want to help me make dinner? - Can I stir the sauce? - Of course you can.
Here, use your stool.
Be careful now.
It's a big spoon and it's really hot.
Go slow.
- Like this? - Look at you.
You're such a big girl.
Nice and easy.
What's the matter, Ellen? What's this? That's you, sweetheart.
I just want to help.
So, tell me exactly what happened leading up to the arrest.
I should have told you the truth in the first place.
I'm sorry.
You remember my friend Becky? From high school? - Yeah, I remember.
- Well, she's in a real bad place, you know? She's on some shit and she wanted meth.
So you gave her some? I have no money, Ellen.
I couldn't give it to her, so I sold her a little.
- Have you ever sold before? - God, no.
Never.
You know, I was just I was just trying to help a friend.
- And she gave you up? - Yeah.
Next thing I know, the cops show up and they find more shit, and I get arrested for intent to distribute.
- Is there anything else I should know? - No.
Nothing.
Okay.
Well, I'll look at the situation and see what I can do.
I thought you said you couldn't have anything to do with this case.
I can't, but I've found someone who can help.
I think I may know why Tessa Marchetti lied to us about Thanksgiving.
You got her employment records from the airline? Take a look at her November flight plan.
On Thanksgiving night, Tessa flew to Antigua.
That was her first trip down.
- And she's flown there every week since.
- How do you make sense of that? Louis Tobin had to start moving the money down there before he confessed, but Tessa didn't start making those flights until after.
Maybe the money was already down there.
And on Thanksgiving night, Tessa started moving it out.
Come in.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid it's urgent.
- Yes? - The Tobin plaintiffs have demanded a meeting.
Patty Hewes approached Tessa Marchetti.
- How do you know that? - Tessa told your mother.
They've become friendly.
Been having lunch together.
What did Tessa tell Patty Hewes? Apparently, she kept her mouth shut and protected the family.
I'll talk to my mother.
I don't want her having any more contact with Tessa.
I agree.
The girl lied for us.
I should thank her.
Miss Hewes, this isn't personal, but you people are not getting the job done.
I'm aware of the hardships each of you is facing every day, - and I sympathise with the fact that - We don't need your sympathy.
We need money.
You've already sold the Tobins' assets and holdings.
Why don't you just give us what you were able to recover? Our goal is to make you financially whole again.
If we stop pursuing the Tobins now, we won't be able to do that.
Miss Benjamin.
If the money were to be distributed today, each of the thousands of victims would receive less than 3% of your individual losses.
As I've said from the start, we believe there is more money out there.
A lot more.
Well, maybe another attorney would have better luck finding it.
We have asked the court to replace you.
- That's a mistake.
- We want a new lawyer taking over.
I'm sorry.
I wish it didn't have to be like this.
This passenger was totally hammered, so she orders piña coladas for everybody on the plane.
- Everybody loves a party.
- Yeah, but we don't even have piña coladas.
So then she starts freaking out and yelling at everyone Tessa? - I don't mean to interrupt.
I'm Joe.
- You're Louis Tobin's son.
Yeah, I don't mean to bother you.
I was hoping we could talk.
- Hey, I'm gonna meet you inside, okay? - Yeah, sure.
You okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
I thought I wasn't supposed to talk to you.
I know, but things are different now.
I wanted us to meet.
Your father was always wonderful to me and my mom.
None of that's gonna change.
My family's still here for you.
- Okay.
Thank you.
- I know you've been seeing my mother.
She told me Patty Hewes asked you about Thanksgiving night.
I appreciated you not talking to her about it.
Sure.
- Was that your boyfriend? - Yeah.
You guys go and have dinner somewhere special.
Enjoy yourself.
Thanks.
And if you need anything else, just let me know.
My number's in there, okay? So I guess this makes you my half-brother.
I guess so.
Take care of yourself, Tessa.
You think Tessa Marchetti's been moving money out of Antigua? - Yeah.
- So what are we gonna do next? We pursue her.
Nothing.
Why? Tobin's victims have filed a petition to remove me from the case.
Yeah, all the more reason to keep going, to put pressure on Tessa, find out why she lied to us about Thanksgiving.
It's not the right time.
- What are you talking about? - We've got no leverage.
So, what, we're gonna sit around and wait for them to kick us off the case? This could be our last chance.
- It's my decision.
- But it's the wrong decision! - Calm down, Tom.
- Don't tell me to calm down.
We are not going to approach Tessa Marchetti now.
The victims have filed a petition.
We need to write a brief to defend ourselves.
- That's our priority.
- Paperwork is not gonna solve this.
- Did you get in touch with Malcolm? - I did.
I set up a meeting.
He should be able to help you with your sister.
Thank you.
I'll see you, Patty.
They sent it back, Lenny.
The charity actually sent it back to me.
- What is that, sweetheart? - My cheque, to the Fund for Africa's Future.
Read it.
They won't let me go to Tanzania.
I've been going on that annual trip for over a decade.
I know how much this foundation means to you.
I'm sorry.
Yes, look at this.
Kamil and Abaju and Imara.
I want to see my children, Lenny.
I understand, but if the board doesn't want you to go Screw the goddamn board.
I've been sponsoring these kids their whole lives.
They're my only purpose now.
All right, I'll see what I can do.
There's someone on the board I think will be sympathetic.
- Who's that? - Stuart Zedeck.
He's an old friend of Louis'.
I don't know if you've ever met him.
- I haven't.
But I'll track him down.
- After all I've done for that charity.
They cannot do this to me.
We'll sue them.
Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Marilyn.
I'm sure there's something I can do.
The victims from the Tobin fraud want to remove Patty from the case.
- Why? - Because we're not making enough progress.
I thought you found that account in Antigua.
We did, but we can't touch it.
If we're removed from this case, we'll never recover the money.
- So what are you saying? - I'm saying that we have to sell.
- Sell what? - Everything.
Anything that we don't absolutely need.
I took an offer on the lake house.
Did you want to ask me first? Jesus.
We're taking care of your parents' mortgage, my parents' mortgage, your mother's chemotherapy.
We may be supporting our families for years until they can get out from under this, and it's all my fault.
I understand.
I just think we need to make these decisions together.
- There's nothing you and Patty can do? - There's one possible witness, but Patty doesn't think we have enough leverage to approach her.
What do you think? You guys go right in.
Why don't you get to work? Maybe you'll accomplish something today.
Can I get you some coffee? - What was that about? - He's pissed because I haven't been able to link the Tobins to Danielle Marchetti's death.
- Those guys looked like detectives.
- Gates is re-interviewing them.
He thinks I must have missed something the first time around.
- For your sake, I hope he's wrong.
- He is wrong.
The case stalled out.
We have no leads.
It's Leonard Winstone.
I need to talk to you about Marilyn.
- How's the girl holding up? - She's fine.
But she's upset about the charitable foundation.
What happened? Marilyn wrote a cheque and it was sent back.
So what does she want? She's passionate about this charity, Mr Zedeck.
She's desperate to go on this trip to Tanzania, and she wants to approach the board herself.
- I told her I'd handle it.
- I see.
I need your help.
Let me see what I could do.
- How old is your sister? - Thirty-four.
- Any priors? - No.
Her husband just left her with a newborn, so she's desperate and broke, but she's never done anything like this before.
This is her arrest report.
She sold narcotics to a friend? Carrie's friend got busted, then she copped a plea and gave up Carrie.
If this woman testifies in court to save her own ass, - your sister could be looking at jail time.
- Yeah, I know.
Patty said I should do everything possible to make sure that doesn't happen.
You understand what that means? Yes, but I don't want you doing anything without talking to me first.
Understood.
Let me do some legwork, see what I can find on the friend.
- Hopefully, she won't hold up as a witness.
- Thank you.
I'm sorry for your sister.
And for you.
I'll be in touch.
Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.
I'm really not sure what you want.
I already told you everything that I know.
No, you lied to us.
We know you spent Thanksgiving with your mother.
- Sit down.
- Lf you want to arrest me, you can go ahead.
Just sit down.
Listen, I'm not interested in having you arrested.
I want you to know the truth about the Tobin family.
Yeah, what's that? - They had your mother killed.
- My mother was in a car accident.
When she was released from the hospital, the doctors said she'd make a full recovery.
She had brain surgery.
There were complications.
She died of heart failure.
That's not why she died.
It was only made to look that way.
The Tobins murdered her to protect their money.
You don't know those people.
You don't understand who you're dealing with.
My mother died because the doctors screwed up.
- It had nothing to do with the Tobins.
- Just tell me the truth about Thanksgiving.
- I can protect you.
- I don't need you or your protection.
How many rocks? Neat.
You are so goddamn beautiful.
Look at you.
- Yes.
- Tell me I'm not racist.
- I told you never to phone here.
- I said, tell me I'm not a racist.
Just give me a second, will you, sweetheart? - Thanks.
- Sure.
- What are you talking about? - I got a mailman, name of Chung.
Now either I'm a racist, or he's been stealing those cheques you've been sending me.
You have been sending me cheques, haven't you? - No.
- I thought I made myself clear.
I got a big mouth.
I'd hate to accidentally open it to the Tobins.
Don't threaten me.
You're not getting shit.
I honestly thought you were smarter than that.
Listen to me.
I do not know what the hell you think you're doing.
- I'm disappointed in you.
- Dad.
Dad! Thanks, Johnny.
- You want to get lunch? - No, I can't.
I'm too busy.
Sorry.
Next time.
- That's what you said the last time.
- Did I? You run a pretty good racket, but I think I'm on to you.
- Excuse me? Sir? - Can I help you? I'd like to speak to someone about an investigation you're conducting.
- Okay, and you are? - Tessa Marchetti.
Was my mother's death a homicide? The medical examiner's results were inconclusive.
Are the Tobins being investigated for her death? The investigation is ongoing, Miss Marchetti.
I'm sorry.
We're not at liberty to discuss the details.
Because I was approached by an attorney who said the Tobins killed her.
An attorney? Did you get a name? His name is Tom Shayes.
He works with Patty Hewes.
I'm very sorry he approached you, Miss Marchetti, but those allegations are entirely unfounded.
I promise you.
- Okay.
- Why don't we get your contact information and we'll be in touch if there's any new developments.
Sure.
Here.
Thank you for coming in.
I'm sorry you had to go through all of this.
Thank you.
Tom Shayes? Is that the guy you had me do a favour for awhile back? - Nick - Don't answer that.
Actually, I have a better question.
Why is Patty Hewes tampering with our investigation? I've no idea.
I Is Patty Hewes the reason we've stalled out? No, it's because of Patty that I'm making progress.
I told Gates to follow her lead.
He wouldn't listen to me.
- What are you doing? - Please don't go to Gates about this.
Well, you're not leaving me much of a choice.
You're working with Patty Hewes behind our backs.
I'm not working with her.
I'm using her.
She's better than Gates.
Patty will find what she needs to bring down the Tobins, trust me.
And when she does, I will have access to it.
And we will have enough to make an arrest.
If you don't go to Gates with this, I can share the credit with you.
We both know a bust like this can make a career.
Do what you have to.
I'm in.
I can't believe we're even considering letting Marilyn Tobin go on the trip.
There's no evidence that Mrs Tobin knew about the fraud.
And Mrs Tobin was always a dedicated member of this foundation.
Come on.
Our public relations would be a disaster.
- Let's put it to a vote, okay? - I'm fine with that.
Who doesn't want Marilyn Tobin to go to Africa? That's five against.
Okay.
And who thinks she should be allowed to go? And five in favour.
Stu, you can't abstain.
You're the deciding vote.
I'm sorry to say it, but I think she should stay home.
I don't want her anywhere near this charity.
If I hadn't been there, Tessa would have talked to Gates! - I took a risk.
- Patty was very clear Look, Patty has not lost her life savings.
Her family's not falling apart because of these assholes.
I'm sorry, Tom.
No, I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have pushed Tessa.
It backfired, and I screwed up.
- I'll tell Patty.
- No.
Don't.
And if she finds out, blame it on me.
- I'm not gonna do that.
- What is she gonna do, fire me? Thank you.
And don't worry about Tessa.
I'll take care of her.
I gotta get back to work.
So you think the Tobins are using this Tessa Marchetti to move their money out of Antigua.
Yes.
And we're working on securing her cooperation.
I'm sorry, this doesn't cut it.
I already warned you once, and you haven't made any more progress.
Your job is to recoup the money and distribute it.
That's just not happening.
And I'm sorry to say, the plaintiffs' arguments to replace you are damn persuasive.
I can't distribute the money fairly until I know how much is there.
What if you're wrong about this Tobin account? Many of these victims are in dire financial straits.
They need whatever they can get, and they need it now.
I could always use my own resources to go after the Tobins.
Operate outside the bounds of my courtroom, Patty, I'll have you disbarred.
Your Honour, when I find the Tobins' money, nobody is gonna care about how I did it.
Consider yourself warned.
You have one week.
Tessa Marchetti doesn't pan out, you're off the case.
Did you pick those for me? Did you pick those for me? Did you pick those for me? For me? For me? I'm sorry, Marilyn.
You can't go to Tanzania.
I don't understand.
Did you talk to Mr Zedeck? Yes.
He said he did everything he could to convince the board, but he couldn't change their minds.
Yes? There's an Albert Wiggins here to see you.
Says he's an old friend.
Tell him I'm with a client.
I'll have to get back to him.
Who was that? No one important.
I'm sorry, Lenny.
I know I'm being rude, but I just got into town and I had to say hello.
- This is not a good time.
- You must be Marilyn Tobin.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person.
Your lawyer has told me such lovely things about you over the years.
I'm sorry, I don't recall Lenny mentioning you.
Leonard was my student at law school.
The finest brain I ever had the pleasure to teach.
Really? And are you just in town visiting? The truth of the matter is, my lovely wife passed away recently, so I'm thinking of retiring to the city.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife, but Mrs Tobin and I are in the middle of something here.
Of course, of course.
I'll get out of your hair.
I just wanted you to know I'll be around.
I'm looking forward to a chat sometime.
Soon.
- Hi, Mom.
- Hi, sweetie.
- Where's Dad? - He's downstairs double-parked.
I'm just gonna grab my coat.
How you doing? I can't lie, we're both worried sick.
We have so many questions for you.
Your father went online to find out about drug charges and court proceedings and everything, but it's just so confusing.
Please be patient with us.
Of course, Mom.
Hey, do you know who that is? - Oh, my goodness, where'd you find this? - In some old stuff.
Who is she? She babysat for you and Carrie years ago.
You were very young.
Let's go, your father's waiting.
- What was her name? - I don't know.
Anne Something.
I don't remember.
It was so long ago, sweetheart.
- I've been having dreams about her.
- Really? - Did I ever sleep at her house? - What? No, of course not.
Because I think I remember sleeping there.
Well, I don't remember.
Now, come on, before your father gets angry.
- Could I talk to you for a second? - Yeah, about what? - Ellen Parsons.
- Go on.
She's been talking to Patty Hewes.
So, what did you find out? Your sister's lying to you.
She's knee-deep in this shit.
How so? This isn't a onetime thing.
She's been selling for a while.
So, this witness is telling the truth? Well, she's no saint, either, but it looks like she's on the level.
Unbelievable.
There are still things you can do to apply pressure, make this witness think twice about testifying.
Unless you've had a change of heart.
You know what? I think I'll just handle it myself.
And that other thing? Her name's Anne Connel.
- What were you able to find? - Not much.
All I could get was an address.
It's about a hundred miles out of the city.
Thank you.
- Thank you for handling Marilyn's situation.
- How'd she take it? Not well.
I feel bad about it, but it's for her own good.
We got to keep her away from the charity.
The less scrutiny, the better.
- Understood.
- I always liked her.
She means well.
But she talks too much.
- You got my lunch? - Egg salad on rye.
They were all out of pumpernickel.
- You hungry? You want half a sandwich? - No, no, no, thank you.
Here you go, Mr Winstone.
For now, we're going to have to keep doing this a little at a time.
Of course.
The Tobins will be grateful.
- So, Malcolm came through for me.
- And? - My sister was lying about everything.
- I'm sorry.
Maybe she deserves to go to jail.
I don't know, help straighten her out.
But she has a baby, and my parents would be devastated.
What would you do? Ellen, my husband is gone, and my unemployed teenage son is about to be a father.
I think you might want to ask someone else for family advice.
- At least Corey stuck by you.
- It's because I feed him.
How do you think Tom is doing? - Do you speak to him much? - No, not really.
He's been so tense lately.
It's just not like him.
I see you still have a hole over there.
So, are you going ahead with the renovation? I haven't made a decision yet.
I wanted to ask you something.
Do you know who this woman is? - Where did you find that? - That's what Mom wanted to know.
You showed this to Mom? Shouldn't have done that.
Why? - Do you know who she is? - What did Mom tell you about her? - She said that she used to baby-sit for me.
- Then I guess she did.
I only remember seeing her once or twice, and Mom never liked talking about her.
You know, when we were kids, you used to tell me I was adopted.
I was just screwing with you.
Jesus, Ellen, you weren't adopted.
You have the same stupid parents I do, okay? You're a Parsons.
Forget about that woman and deal with it.
Can you help me with my case or not? Yes, I can.
But I'm not going to.
- Why not? - You did this to yourself.
So don't blame me.
Or Mom or Dad or anyone else, for that matter.
You put yourself in here.
Deal with the consequences.
- This city's a shithole.
- What do you care? You're leaving.
Finish your drink, then I'm putting you on a bus back home.
Thanks.
But I ain't leaving, kid.
Listen to me.
I have connections.
I know people who can hurt you.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I just have to pick up a phone.
- Another round? - Just keep them coming.
You know, when you left, I thought you were getting out of the business.
Just turning your back on your dear old dad, but hell, - you're pulling the biggest con of all.
- No, this is my job, Dad.
I'm an attorney.
- And the Tobins aren't marks, they're clients.
- Right.
- They're more than clients, they're - What, family? Damn.
You want to open a tab? My son's buying.
He's a big-shot lawyer.
Long and short, a con's a con.
This may come as a surprise, but I didn't come here to spoil your game.
- There is no game.
- Shit.
Louis Tobin, what he got away with, the guy's better than both of us.
There's no way he wasn't gonna stash away something before he kicked.
- He didn't.
- Horseshit! There's money.
And I want in.
- Miss Parsons? - Tessa.
- Why are we not meeting in your office? - I could lose my job.
- So this meeting never took place, okay? - I understand.
The truth is, we do believe the Tobins were involved in your mother's death.
- Why do you think that? - I can't give you specifics, but I'm concerned for your safety.
What should I do? Call this number.
Thank you, Miss Parsons.
So we have one week, then the judge is just gonna dump us? Yes, it seems that Judge Reilly and the victims - have lost their confidence in us.
- That is bullshit.
Hello.
This is Tessa Marchetti.
I want to talk to you again.
Okay, Tessa.
I'd be happy to see you.
I'm just a couple blocks away from your office.
Why don't you come on over? I'll be waiting.
- All right.
- Tessa.
Everything's going to be fine.
I'm on my way.
- I wonder why she decided to talk.
- I have no idea.
- OnStar ready.
- Call office.
Dialling.
- District attorney.
- Hi, it's Ellen Parsons.
Could you tell Curtis Gates I won't be coming in tomorrow? Sure, Ms Parsons.
Can I tell him why? Tell him I'm out of town on an investigation.
Certainly.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Tessa Marchetti? - Yes.
Come with us, please.
- Where is she? - Call her.
You're under arrest.
Don't answer that.

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