Motive (2013) s04e12 Episode Script

1 [Flynn.]
: I was 21 years old, and I was juggling two jobs, I had a toddler, and I was going to night school, and it felt like I was drowning.
Listen to you.
You're still using excuses.
[laughter.]
And the truth is, I wanted to quit.
I thought that was my only option.
And Judge Rodman, I remember, she took me into her office, and she gave me one of the more unique motivational speeches - that I've ever received.
- Go ahead, say it.
I was a bitch.
No, I won't say that.
She wasn't, but she did make my life miserable in a really great way.
She taught me something really important, and that is that the harder something is, the more it's worth doing, if you want it badly enough.
But I wouldn't be a detective if Judge Rodman hadn't held me accountable and made my life hard.
And I'm a good detective.
I'm proud of that.
[Rodman.]
: Does anyone have any questions for Detective Flynn? - Go ahead.
- Did it get easier juggling everything - after you finished your degree? - No, it got worse, because after graduation, I had academy, and then I had my rookie year, and if you want to be a homicide detective, you have to be willing to give up your personal life.
A career in law is just like that, there are no boundaries, and you take that job with you everywhere you go.
Less than five minutes until they post the list.
You're not curious? Like you said, less than five minutes.
Doesn't seem like there's much point in stressing now.
Because you're a shoo-in.
Maybe you'll finally let me take you out for that drink to celebrate? [multiple cell phones chiming.]
Yes! - Who'd you get? - Judge Rodman.
Me too.
Seriously? Rodman? I guess we'll be spending a lot of time together at the courthouse.
So how about that drink? - Start without me.
- Come on, Lexi.
- You work too hard.
- No, I work smart.
- Mom.
- What? - I said dice the peppers.
- Yeah, that's what I'm doing, see? A little smaller.
Okay.
So, Staff Sergeant, eh? No, acting Staff Sergeant.
Is this going in there? Yeah.
What, you don't want the job, or God, no.
The politics of that position are terrible.
It could be an opportunity, though, right? Hmm There is another opportunity I wanted to talk to you about, though.
Uh, Interpol.
They asked me to apply for a secondment.
- Interpol? - It'd be three years away, in Paris, though, and I just moved in here, so Why are you trying to talk yourself out of it? Is that what it sounds like? You think I should do it? Mom, it's Paris.
It's only three years.
I could take this place over for you.
You just want my apartment.
Hey, I heard this was an Arson call.
Why are we here? Because of who's house it is.
Judge Rodman's.
- Natalie Rodman? - Yeah, you know her? Yeah, she was one of my profs.
I just talked to her class at the university last week.
Is she okay? She's lucky to be alive.
I wanted to get the steaks grilled before it rained, so I turned on the barbecue to preheat it.
I went outside, and I wasn't five feet away, and the damn thing exploded.
When was the last time you used it? Three days ago.
It was fine.
Honey, no.
Honey really.
Everyone is making such a fuss over nothing.
Judge Rodman? Are you okay? Yes.
May I have a moment with my clerk, Detective? Yeah, sure.
I need you to go to the office to get my case files.
I'm going to work at the house tomorrow.
Anything you need.
I'm just so glad you're all right.
So, go.
Excuse me, are you with Arson? - Ah.
- Detective Flynn.
Hey, Kennecki, nice to see you.
I thought you were with Telephone Response.
No, they switched me over to Arson a couple weeks back.
How did you escape TRD? With a lot of double shifts and free overtime.
It's not like I could really sit on my ass.
- You kicked it too hard.
- [chuckles.]
Thank you.
I wasn't ready for Homicide.
A little too much talking, not enough listening.
Well, you're welcome.
What do we got? Well, we found the remains of three small butane tanks, hidden by a layer of black foil.
So when she lifted the lid, she wouldn't have seen them? No.
When she lit the element, the caps melted, released the gas, - and the whole thing blew.
- Well, it could be a firebug.
I mean, in terms of a plan for murder, it's the equivalent of cutting someone's brake lines and then hoping that they drive.
Well, depending on how much research they did.
There's no gate, no cameras.
The whole burglar alarm system just covers the house.
It's pretty easy to keep an eye on the Rodmans.
Okay, so anyone could have come back here in the last three days, and hidden the tanks? They'd be in and out fast.
It only takes about five minutes.
Sorry I couldn't narrow down your timeline.
That's okay.
We need to canvass the neighbors I've already got uniforms on it.
I'll get them to report to you.
All right.
That's some good work, Mitch.
- It's good seeing you.
- Nice to see you.
Natalie, I'd be a lot happier if you would go to the hospital and get checked out.
I'm fine.
It would take a lot more than that to rattle my cage.
Can you think of anyone who'd want to hurt either of you? Don't sugar coat this, Detective.
We all know that Natalie was the target.
- We do? - Brent, you're making yourself look very suspicious.
And everyone knows Natalie loves to cook, thanks to the profile in the alumni magazine last month.
See, that's the problem with being married to a writer.
They're prone to hyperbole.
So you think an angry ex-con did this.
Haven't you heard? - I'm soft on crime.
- [chuckles.]
Nat, don't be so nonchalant about this.
You have pissed off your share of criminals, and victims, and we have the hate mail to prove it.
Don't forget the car, Brent.
- Yeah, right, the car.
- What car? I am kidding! I saw a car parked out on the street a couple of days ago.
I wrote down the plate.
Natalie thought I was over-reacting.
Because you were over-reacting.
Here it is.
Tell me about this hate mail you mentioned.
We keep it all on file at Judge Rodman's office.
I'll need access to it, as well as the Judge's schedule for the past week.
Of course.
If you want to give me a ride to the courthouse, I can get that for you now.
You don't mind? You kidding? Some scumbag just tried to blow up my boss.
Whatever you need.
Hey.
So far, all of the prisoners who sent Judge Rodman hate mail are still in prison, and all of the victims have alibis.
Hmm, well, I may have found the next great motivational slogan.
Picture it, "You dumb bitch, I'm going to rip out your eyeballs and feed them to you.
" - Charming.
- Mm-hmm.
It's too bad the author of that note is wearing his ankle monitor.
He was nowhere near Natalie's house.
I ran that plate that Brent Rodman gave you.
It belongs to Craig Sugimoto.
I know that name.
Yeah, his daughter was murdered last year? Judge Rodman just handed down the sentence.
How many years they get? Judge Rodman only gave the guy 12 years.
I know how it works.
He'll be up for parole in eight.
My daughter was only 22 years old.
- I'm sorry for your loss.
- Yeah.
Everyone's sorry.
No one wants to do anything.
Is that why you went over to Judge Rodman's house? To get her to do something? All right, yes, I went by her house, but just to talk.
Make her understand my daughter deserved more than the justice she got.
Do you really think that there's any kind of sentence that can make up for what you've lost? That's what she asked me.
She was right.
You spoke to the Judge? Isn't that why I'm here? Did this conversation take place at her house? No.
It was yesterday.
On Nicola Street.
Tell me everything.
I, uh, followed her after she left the courthouse, and bumped into her on Nicola.
I gave her a piece of my mind.
But that's it.
Nothing got physical.
I mean, if she's saying it did, she's lying.
I'm going to need your movements for the past three days, Craig.
How am I supposed to remember all that? With as much detail as possible.
[cell phone rings.]
Oh, is it 5:00 already? Actually, it's 7:00.
I was going to head out, unless you need me to stay? No.
No, no, no, no, that's fine.
Do whatever you need to do.
[text message chimes.]
[quietly.]
Meredith? What's wrong? Don't do anything.
I'm on my way.
I am so sorry.
I know that you're really busy.
It's fine.
Don't worry about that.
What happened? What's wrong? You were doing so well.
I thought I saw him on the street again.
Oh, Meredith Sweetie, I'm so sorry.
I don't think I can be alone.
It's okay.
I'm here.
Move, Loopy.
[Loopy meows.]
Sit down.
It's stupid.
I'm stupid.
You are not.
You have a big heart.
People take advantage.
I wish I was more like you.
A peon to a dictator? You're going to be a lawyer, just like you always wanted.
You're doing it, Lex.
I'm going to be a cat lady.
Oh, sweetie You already are a cat lady.
[chuckling.]
Are you sure you don't need anything else? Yeah, I'm sure.
Just leave your notes on the table.
Okay.
Well, I'll be back first thing tomorrow.
I've told Justin to be here at 8:00.
He's gonna do the day shift.
[knock on door.]
Oh, get that for me, would you? And just lock the door on the way out? Thanks.
Lexi, right? Detective Flynn.
She's got you working late.
I just have some questions for the judge.
Of course.
Hey.
I have some follow up questions if you have time.
Fine.
- Won't take long.
- No, that's okay.
Listen, my colleague interviewed Craig Sugimoto - this afternoon.
- Mm.
I remember him.
He lost a daughter.
He says the two of you argued and it became quite heated.
Is there a reason why you didn't share that with me? - It simply wasn't pertinent.
- Well, with all due respect, Natalie, you can't hide information like that from me.
You know, I've seen it a thousand times, and I'm gonna see it another thousand times.
He was a grieving father.
Okay.
Anything else you want to share with me? Is there something else? [breathing weakly, stammering.]
I I just [moans in pain.]
Hey.
- I have to sit down.
- You okay? - [gasping for air.]
- Natalie? - I I can't - Natalie? Breathe.
Are you okay? [heartbeat thudding and echoing.]
Natalie? [echoing heartbeat falls silent.]
The concussive force of the explosion caused Judge Rodman's lungs to slowly fill with fluid.
They overinflated until her alveoli ruptured.
If only she'd gone to the hospital.
She would have felt fine, presented no symptoms, and she would have been released.
It wouldn't have been until hours later that the shortness of breath - would have caught up with her.
- So, it was too late? There's nothing you could have done.
Hmm, it's not an attempted homicide anymore, is it? Mm-mm.
I gotta tell you, if you'd told me back in the day when I was sitting in that lecture hall that I would be investigating the murder of my prof? Please.
And if you told I was gonna be there when it happened? I wouldn't have believed you.
Know what bugs me most, though? She lied to us.
Not just about Craig Sugimoto.
There's something else, there's something else she didn't tell me.
[voicemail beeps.]
If you're satisfied with your message, press one.
[dialing.]
Hi.
You've reached Oscar Vega.
Please leave a message.
Anyway, as I was saying, Natalie was holding back.
You know, your life's in danger, and you're lying to me? Come on, that's a little weird.
Don't you think? I don't understand.
She was fine.
How does that happen? We're still piecing that together.
Did you run that license plate that I gave you? I can't discuss that.
That bastard killed my wife, and you can't discuss it? This is an ongoing investigation, and we're pursuing all avenues.
Well, what can you discuss? We have reason to believe that Natalie was on Nicola Street yesterday afternoon.
Do you have any idea why? Nicola Street? Oh, um she would have been going to Finch's Market.
Only place in town that had her favorite prosecco.
Okay.
I'm also going to need a detailed account of your schedule for the three days prior to the explosion.
I've given you several good leads to pursue, and instead, you're wasting your time worrying about what my schedule is? I need to build a complete picture of the house, who had access to it, when, why.
I live here.
Of course, I had access.
Do you honestly believe that I would try to kill my own wife? Brent, I know this is difficult for you, but I know you want me to investigate thoroughly, for Natalie, and this is part of that.
[sighs heavily.]
Well, I I have nothing to hide.
I will have my assistant e-mail you the schedule.
Thank you.
[elevator dings.]
Detective Lucas.
Sergeant Saunders.
I was just talking about you.
Really? About what? You look busy.
- Let's talk in person.
- Why don't you come by my office? We just caught a homicide on a judge, so I'm going to have to get back to you.
As soon as possible then.
I can't believe she's dead.
You saw her yesterday.
How was she? Fine.
Like normal.
I was shocked when I heard she died.
This is so messed up.
What are we supposed to do now? Well, I start clerking for Judge Singh in 10 minutes.
- Seriously? - How did you line that up so fast? I started making calls after the explosion.
It's what Judge Rodman would have done.
I am out of here.
Already? I still have three hours of work.
Like you said.
Work smart.
[Rodman.]
: Lexi! Did you need something? Sit down.
I wanted to ask you about your plans.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Mediation.
I have my eye on Newman and Associates, actually.
That's quite prestigious.
Newman's an old friend.
I know.
You articled together.
You've done your research.
Your notes on the Whalley case were good.
Thank you.
Justin's were good, too.
If you want to make a firm like Newman's, you're going to have to be twice as good to be taken half as seriously.
I want to be a lawyer to help people.
Justin only wants to help Justin.
[scoffs.]
I want to help people, too, which is why I'm taking the time to talk to you now.
You can't just rest on your laurels.
You may have been a star in your own school, but this is the real world.
I expect your revised notes on my desk tomorrow morning.
I didn't see any confrontation in the street, but that's Ms.
Rodman.
She was here two days ago? Yeah, probably.
I mean, she's a regular.
She lives in a townhouse down the street.
Are you sure about that? Who else have I been delivering to? Could we get that address, please? [typing.]
Why would Judge Rodman own a townhouse in the West End? I don't know, pied-a-terre? When she didn't want to commute in from Point Grey? [knocking.]
We're looking for Judge Rodman's place? I hate to have to tell you this, - Natalie's dead.
- Yeah, we know.
[Flynn.]
: So, you want to get some clothes, or? Anything? I'm good.
You're not going to kick me out, are you? I just let my apartment go.
How long have you been living here? A couple months.
Okay, so this is Judge Rodman's place? Yeah, she's had it for years.
Uh, you're her hmm, her tenant? Or her roommate? Uh, we decided not to define it.
How long have you and Judge Rodman been seeing each other? Since I started clerking for her at the courthouse.
Nat was smart, sexy Loaded? - It's not like that.
- No? You sleep with all of your bosses? Nat believed in me, She saw my potential.
Did Mr.
Rodman know about you and his wife? He must have.
She spent three nights a week here.
I can't believe she's dead.
What am I going to do now? Get your own place, probably.
Brent, we have a few more questions about Natalie.
About Natalie or about Justin? You knew your wife was having an affair? We had an open marriage.
Monogamy and partnership are two different concepts, Detectives.
You never worried that one of these affairs might turn into something more serious? I know you have to look into this, but I would appreciate discretion.
Yeah, we'll be as respectful as we can.
We do need a list of Natalie's lovers, though.
And the names of yours as well.
Did you ever bring your lovers home? No, I have an affinity for my office.
What about Natalie? She preferred hotels.
Usually the Sutton.
She'd stay downtown a couple of nights a week, after court.
You know, this reminds me of the time that I saw Mrs.
Higgins buying condoms at the grocery store.
Gross.
Justin had nothing to gain from her death, only a lot to lose.
She was his sugar mama, and that's his career.
Yeah, I know we can't hit the affair jar because it was an open marriage, but Open is one thing, but maybe Brent didn't like that she was playing house with Justin.
I don't think he knew about the townhouse.
No? How do you buy a townhouse without your partner knowing? Good point.
What do you want, finances or lovers? Finances.
Less leg work.
It was non-monogamous, completely consensual, and a lot of fun while it lasted.
I'm surprised the judge would risk the scandal.
Oh, trust me.
Natalie was highly cognizant of anything that would risk a future on the high bench.
She was sleeping with a defense attorney.
We called it quits as soon as I passed the bar.
Our relationship ended well before I ever started arguing before her.
And you don't think that your past relationship gave you any preferential treatment? You knew the judge.
You ever know her to go easy on anyone? Look, Natalie liked to have a good time, but not at the expense of her career.
And things ended amicably? Like I said, fun while it lasted.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a weenie-wagger cooling his heels in holding.
Thank you.
Lexi! Hi.
No time off, huh? No.
Judge Singh was willing to take me, after Judge Rodman.
What was she like to work for, as a boss? I decided to become a lawyer because of judges like her.
Did she ever let her personal life, uh, come in to the office? You mean like her charity work? A little more personal than that.
Oh, no.
I never saw anything like that.
Judge Rodman was always so professional.
Well, I'm glad.
I'm glad you had a positive experience with her.
Thanks.
Finally finished the ex-lover gauntlet? - Anyone hold a grudge? - No, no, all of Brent and Natalie's lovers say the same thing, it was fun while it lasted, and that the Rodmans ended all their affairs on good terms.
- Civilized.
- Yeah.
So, Natalie paid for that townhouse through a personal bank account, and all the money that was deposited into that account came from a numbered company.
Enough to cover the mortgage? More than enough.
But the payments stopped about five years ago.
You track down the numbered company? It's a holding company for Nature Bound.
It's an eight-week boot camp for young offenders.
Judge Rodman sent a lot of juveniles there.
[sighs.]
And the numbers peaked when she was receiving payments.
Great.
Kickbacks.
The number of civil suits and overturned rulings that could result from this Damn it, Natalie.
Not exactly the legacy I'm sure she'd like to leave behind.
No.
We don't like the phrase "scared straight".
Nature Bound is an alternative correctional program designed to give the most difficult young offenders a chance to change their lives.
- Juvie doesn't do that? - Not like us.
We teach kids discipline, self-reliance, life skills.
When they finish their sentence, they leave feeling good about themselves and their futures.
I was hoping you could walk me through some payments that Nature Bound made to that account.
Oh, this is before my time.
I didn't start working there until 2011.
Who ran it before you? Mark Duff.
I took over when he left, but I never met him.
Judge Rodman used to send a lot of offenders to your program.
Do you know anything about that? If she did, it was also before my time.
[sighing restlessly.]
Something wrong with your chair? Hmm, it doesn't really feel right, you know? - How long are you subbing in? - I don't know.
I keep calling HR and asking them, and they keep saying they're considering their options, and that I should stop calling them.
- You get the rundown on Mark Duff? - Yeah, Mark Duff, 37.
He did a couple stints in Juvie for stealing cars, until he was 18, when he enlisted.
Must have worked for him, because he really turned his life around, and he started running Nature Bound when he got out.
Hmm.
Where is he now? According to his last tax return, he's a mechanic in a garage in Abbotsford.
[taps on hood.]
[curtly.]
What? [Lexi.]
: I have a feeling you're just the man I'm looking for.
Mark Duff? What can I do for you? I need some work done.
What seems to be the problem? I was driving along and my muffler fell off.
I'm supposed to head out of town on Tuesday.
Is there any way you can help me? I think we can work something out.
You're a lifesaver.
Nature Bound is a great program.
It changes lives.
Yeah, so I've heard.
That must have been rewarding.
Yeah, best thing I ever did.
Yeah? Why did you leave? Shoulder injury.
Couldn't keep up with the field work, and a program like Nature Bound, they couldn't afford the dead weight.
Hmm.
So, I went through the financials during your tenure there.
I'm not sure what I'm looking at here.
Oh, that's an indictable offense, probably.
You put money into a numbered company that gave payments to Judge Rodman? Yeah, I wasn't bribing her.
- She was trying to extort me.
- [chuckles.]
Wow, can you walk me through that back flip? Yeah.
The program works.
In order to prove it, we had to get kids to go through it.
You know, it was the only way we could keep the doors open.
So, what, Judge Rodman wouldn't send kids there without incentive? Oh, yeah, she made it very clear.
Look, I helped a bunch of troubled youth stay out of a broken system.
Mm-hmm.
Going to your program was in their best interests? I'd be more than happy to get you a list of all the kids that got a second chance thanks to Nature Bound.
What I did, I did for the kids.
You're a hard man to track down.
Yeah, I'm still tied up with the case.
I've got a lot of witnesses to interview.
Well, I was hoping to spend more time discussing this with you, but there is a position coming up in Internal.
You're the kind of candidate I'm looking for.
I'm flattered.
But I can't apply.
It's a great opportunity.
You play your cards right, when you leave, you'll have your stripes.
I just don't think I'm the right fit.
I hope you reconsider.
- Detective.
- Saunders.
What was that all about? Saunders wants me to apply for a position in Internal.
Oh.
Well, congratulations.
- I'm not going to do it.
- What? Why not? It's the right move up the career ladder.
You should do it.
Uh Oh, please, just because I don't want to be Staff Sergeant doesn't mean you shouldn't do this.
You and Internal is a good fit.
I finished interviewing the Nature Bound graduates from Duff.
They've all turned their lives around, and they all credit Duff.
Well, those are the ones he wanted us to talk to.
That's what I thought.
So I dug into some of Natalie's old cases.
She sent a lot of kids to an intense program on some pretty light charges.
Yeah, she did.
Vandalism, shoplifting, mischief.
These kids didn't belong at Nature Bound.
I'm sure they weren't very happy about this.
Your boss sure keeps you long hours.
And you still haven't told me anything about him.
I work at a courthouse.
There's not much I'm allowed to tell you.
Oh, my God, Lex.
Do you have something going on with your boss? Meredith, what happened with work today? I just had a bad day.
I couldn't face going in.
Again? Yeah.
The donut shop people weren't too happy about it, either.
Oh, sweetie.
I can't keep it together to sell donuts, how pathetic is that? I can't keep a job, I can't pay my rent, You had to buy me a disposable cell phone.
You are not pathetic.
I'm sorry I'm so screwed up, and you keep having to take care of me.
- And my - Meredith, you took care of me when my mom died.
You practically raised me.
You were seven, I was eight.
Teaching you to rollerblade isn't exactly parenting.
You've pulled yourself out of this before.
Come on, I'll help you with your resume.
You'll get another job.
Thanks for coming in, Greg.
This won't take long.
So, you going to tell me what this is about? I just have a few questions first.
Where were you between the 14th and the 17th? My sister's place in Lethbridge.
Now, I have to ask you what this is about.
Why's that? So I can decide if I want to continue without a lawyer present.
I'm investigating Judge Natalie Rodman.
Do you remember her? Does anyone forget the person that ruined their life? Do you want to tell me about that? It was just a stupid prank.
You got a few eggs being thrown off an overpass.
They said I would get probation and a lecture, but instead, I got sent to Hell.
You mean Nature Bound.
Yeah.
When I first got there, I was branded a "troublemaker.
" They said that I needed "special attention.
" So, the guy who ran the place Duff He dragged me out of my bunk one night and he forced me to walk through the woods for six hours with a 50-pound pack.
And I said, I can't go any farther What did he do? He smashed my knee with his walking stick I had to drag myself back to camp.
- Did you report him? - To who? It was my word against his, and guess who won? Why do you think that he singled you out? I don't know.
There was always someone in every group - he would make an example of.
- How do you know that? I'm trying to start a class action against the place, and I found a bunch of Duff's "special projects.
" Like, there was this one girl I met a few weeks ago? She was actually pretty messed up.
I was worried she was going to do something stupid.
Okay, I'm going to need her name.
Keppler? Yeah, he, uh, he fell down a ravine.
Mm-hmm, what about Tanya Johnson, fell down during an obstacle course, broke her arm? Accidents happen.
So all of these kids made up their allegations of abuse? Typical victim mentality.
They don't want to change, so they convince themselves that it's someone else's fault, and they don't have to.
Then you won't mind if we interview every single kid who was in your care.
Knock yourself out.
Are we done here? I got some oil to change.
Yeah, there's just one other name that came up.
Meredith? I think? Wondered if she's one of the problem kids? Meredith, yeah, yeah doesn't ring a bell.
I'm sure we'll be chatting soon.
Looking forward to it.
- What a scumbag.
- Mm-hmm.
Do you think Judge Rodman knew what he was up to? [sighs wearily.]
Usually, I'm the one conducting these.
[chuckles awkwardly.]
I wanted to follow up with you about the job.
Well, I hope it means you're reconsidering.
No.
But I wanted you to know why.
I crossed the line recently, and lucky for me, someone pulled it back before anyone got hurt.
But what I did Someone like me doesn't belong in Internal.
Actually, I think that kind of candor is why Vega recommended you for the position.
- Oscar suggested me? - After he retired.
He thinks you're the right candidate for the job.
And in light of what you've just told me, I would agree.
Well then you can expect to see my application soon.
I'm looking forward to it.
Natalie liked to give people a second chance, especially kids, and Nature Bound had a very low rate of recidivism.
What about Mark Duff? Did she ever mention him? I was hoping that she didn't know.
Whatever that creep did, Natalie had nothing to do with it.
But she knew about the abuse.
When she heard what he had been up to, she was devastated.
Well, I'm sure Greg Keppler and Tanya Johnson will be happy to know that.
Something tells me that Danny Bertram would rather have the full use of his hand back, though.
If you have to blame someone, blame me.
I told Natalie not to go public.
Her career, everything she'd built would go down with that program.
- So just turn a blind eye.
- She had Mark Duff fired.
She should have reported him.
On one hand, she accepts bribes.
On the other hand, she has Mark Duff fired the minute she finds out what he's doing to the kids.
Those things, they don't match up.
I mean, this whole thing, it's just, it's not the Natalie I thought I knew.
Well, as far as I can tell from her financials, the only time that she took money was from Mark Duff.
But why do it at all? Sometimes, good people make bad choices.
Maybe she felt that she'd been a judge so long, she could get away with it.
Complacency breeds corruption? If you're not careful.
We've got to interview every single kid that went through Nature Bound.
- We're talking hundreds of cases.
- Where do you want to start? Well, I went through Rodman's old cases, and there's only one "Meredith.
" Oh, right, the one that Greg Keppler said he thought might do something stupid? She was sentenced to Nature Bound in 2006.
- She was 14 years old.
- For stealing a lipstick.
And it was her first offense.
As far as I can tell, she's been a mess ever since.
She can't hold down a job.
She's been on and off of employment insurance, welfare.
She applied for disability.
Depression.
Her application was denied.
There's a lot of reasons to hold a grudge.
- [Flynn.]
: Is that the address? - Yeah, Meredith Wright, 518 Canal.
[knocking on door.]
Meredith Wright? This is the police.
We have a few questions for you.
[persistent knocking.]
[Flynn.]
: Let's go around back.
[knocking on door.]
Meredith! I don't think she's here.
Let's go see if we can find the landlord.
What can you tell us about your tenant, Meredith Wright? She's late on her rent.
Again.
That's it? Yeah, she's quiet.
Never complains.
She minds her business.
I mind mine.
When was the last time that you saw Meredith? Three weeks ago.
It sounds like you're concerned about her.
No.
But if you were, concerned about her well-being, that would give us a reason to go into the apartment, take a look around.
Make sure she's okay.
Or we could get a warrant, and just break down the door.
Although it might end up costing you a couple hundred bucks to install a new one? At least.
And then if the city finds out it's an illegal suite, well, then, you've got all the costs involved in getting that up to code.
You know, I, um I think I have my spare keys with me.
We could, uh, go check now.
Good.
Want to go? [landlord.]
: Meredith? [Lucas.]
: Power's out.
Sir, please wait outside.
Butane tanks.
Yup.
[sniffing.]
What is that smell? It's like aromatherapy on steroids, on top of something really gross.
It's worse back here.
In there.
[sighing.]
[knocking on door.]
I know I wasn't supposed to come back until Tuesday.
- Couldn't wait to see me? - I had an emergency.
I need my car tonight.
I don't suppose it's ready.
Yeah, uh, I haven't really been able to get to it.
You know, I'm just closing up.
I don't suppose there's anything you can do? Uh yeah, I guess I could make it more drivable, if, you know, you're willing to wait.
I'm great at killing time.
Come on in.
I'm ruling it a suicide.
She slit her own wrists.
Any idea how long she's been dead? No, because of the rock salt.
It's a desiccant.
It not only hid the smell, it also slows decomposition.
But I'd say at least a few weeks.
So she couldn't have killed Natalie Rodman.
No.
She wasn't wearing those clothes when she killed herself.
There's no blood on them.
So whoever found her placed her on a layer of rock salt, bathed her, and dressed her in fresh clothes.
- Plus flowers.
- Yeah.
They treated her with respect.
They loved her.
Natalie Rodman's death was about revenge.
Yeah.
We need to get to Mark Duff.
How does it look? Your muffler didn't fall off.
Looks like it was torn off and Wow, you did a lot of damage.
[roaring.]
[pipe clatters.]
- [hydraulics whine.]
- [Mark Duff screams.]
Meredith? I brought your favorite.
[cat meows plaintively.]
Meredith? Meredith? Oh, God.
[gasping and crying.]
No It's too late.
Why? Why would you do this? Meredith, please.
I found out who your boss is.
How could you do that to me, Lex? Judge Rodman sent me to that camp.
It's not what you think.
I took that job for you.
I was looking for proof You know what Duff did to me there.
Meredith Please just hold on.
- [wheezing.]
- Please Meredith Meredith! No No! [siren wailing.]
[banging on door.]
Mark Duff! It's the police.
Mark Duff! You see that? - So much for scoping out the crowd.
- Yeah.
No friends or family.
Meredith Wright was all alone.
Yeah, except for one really good friend.
Who was willing to kill for her, and based on what we found at the apartment, I think that friend's already said goodbye.
The apartment was a dead end.
No fingerprints, the place was wiped clean, just like the car at Duff's garage.
Stolen, wiped clean.
There has to be something, we just can't see it.
Well, we've hit a dead end with Meredith, no family, no friends, no cell, no computer.
Just a couple of cat hairs on the underside of the couch.
So, where's the cat? A few cat hairs? Seriously, that's it? That is it.
- How are you doing? - I'm loving retirement.
Still trying to wrap my head around what comes next.
Well, I hear that golf is a very invigorating game.
You get out, you move your body, you're in the fresh air.
Take it easy now.
Hey, how about H.
R.
? They find a permanent replacement yet? Hmm I got that call today.
- You can't be surprised.
- No, but hello? - It's a terrible fit.
- Oh, believe me, I know.
So, where does that leave you? [sighing heavily.]
I think I'm leaving on a jet plane.
Je m'appelle Angie, and you are under "l'arrest.
" Wow.
That and "soufflé," that's all I got.
Feels weird, though, 'cause I've never walked away from a case before.
Hey.
Don't beat yourself up.
You're not walking away, you're going to Paris, you know, and the last time I checked, there wasn't a statute of limitations on homicide.
Well, that's a good point.
Yeah, I get 'em, you know, from time to time.
[laughing.]
Shut up.
Yeah, I get 'em, you know, from time to time.