Damages s05e01 Episode Script

Previously on Damages Bloody, half naked, wandering the streets at 7:00 a.
m.
Just your type.
All we found on her was this.
"Hollis M.
Nye, Attorney-at-Law.
" I want to help you, Ellen, 'cause I know you didn't do it.
I am Catherine's legal guardian.
To get custody, you're going to have to prove that I perpetrated fraud.
The fraud you perpetrated was convincing the state you were a fit mother.
We'll get you a list of our witnesses.
I thought about you when you were gone.
I'm not really in the best state of mind these days.
Whenever you feel like it-- if you ever feel like it and you're interested, I'm here.
She wants to get out from under my shadow, but she'll never be able to.
I've always wanted to find a woman who could step into my shoes.
I am offering you my hand, Ellen.
You chose winning over everything-- your husband, your son, me.
All you have in your life is your next case.
I'm not interested.
You are an ungrateful child and you are in for a rude awakening.
Our list of witnesses.
Little lamb When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you There won't be anything left When I am through with you I need that research, Bill.
Got it right here.
Good afternoon, Ms.
Hewes.
You're sitting in Grandma's chair.
Well, you can get off now.
Get off Mommy's chair.
You're not my mommy.
And you're not the one who's supposed to be there.
You're no one's mommy.
Get off.
You're no one's mommy.
Get off.
You're no one's mommy.
Get the fuck off! Patty.
Patty.
You all right? Yeah.
Oh, okay.
This real estate contact told me that Ellen has recently pulled the trigger on a new office, and word is that a few clients have approached her, and she turned them all down.
Of course she did.
She's waiting.
For what? For a case big enough to put her on the map.
Now, look, this obsession you have about this girl is a distraction.
All she's trying to do is get on with her life.
Now, you forget about her.
I can't.
Why not? Oh, because she's going to testify against you in Catherine's custody case? Ellen wants to hurt me.
Ah, come on, big deal, she can't hurt you.
What are you worried about? She knows things.
What do you mean, she knows things? Oh.
Well, that's a very different story.
So I just want to say congratulations to both of you, and especially you, Tony.
Come on, everyone here knows that Tony has been trying to date Cheryl for-- since tenth grade.
Somehow, after 15 years, you got her to marry you.
I don't know how you did it, man.
You-- you, my friend, you're a lucky man.
Yes.
Raise your glasses.
Here's to persistence.
Thanks, bro.
All right.
Thanks, man.
Hey, congratulations.
Thanks, Parsons.
That was so beautiful.
Another bourbon? No, I'm good.
Uh, I've got an early start, but, uh, the next round is on me.
It's already taken care of.
Congratulations again.
Hang on a second.
Hey, you're not sticking around? No, I should I should probably take off.
I, uh, I'm sorry we didn't really get to talk that much tonight.
That's all right.
Next time.
At some point we should get dinner, you know, sometime or something.
Yeah, okay.
No pressure.
Whenever-- totally up to you.
All right.
It was really good to see you.
Global trade has grown dramatically, but the Panama Canal, one of the most That is about to change.
The expansion of the Panama Canal is one of the largest construction projects in the world right now-- a multibillion-dollar effort that will add a third channel to the waterway allowing massive cargo ships from China Everything okay? Everything is significantly better than okay.
Can I ask you something? Yeah.
Where the hell are we? This is my new office.
You might want to invest in some walls.
Walls are overrated.
You hungry? What are you doing for breakfast? Oh, shit.
Sorry, I have to be in court this morning.
You trying a new case? No, I don't have any clients yet.
It's something else.
I'm a character witness.
For what? I'm testifying against Patty in a child custody case.
I don't get it.
Patty took her granddaughter away from her son.
Now he wants her back.
Were you subpoenaed? No.
I volunteered.
I'm looking forward to it.
The equity long/short guys have been the darling of your newspaper forever.
Well, hell, no, I'm not bashful about the Fund's successes, an-and you shouldn't be either.
All I'm asking for is a little positive press from you.
That's all I'm saying.
Thank you.
Can you think of anyone more useless than a financial reporter? Not off the top of my head.
You wanted to see me? Some more information is gonna be coming your way.
I see.
- So - Usual protocols.
It stays on this floor.
I do not want it going wide.
Of course.
Is there a problem, Naomi? No.
We're up 22% in a shitbag economy.
Our strategies are paying off.
Be happy.
I got to take this.
But I'm taking you to lunch today.
Steak, sushi, you think about it.
Bruce Davies.
Fuck GenCorp.
Wouldn't go near it.
I've been living abroad for some time now, which is natural for me.
I grew up all over the world.
But you are an American citizen.
Technically.
The American State Department said your web site is directly responsible for the deaths of three diplomats in Iraq.
Untrue.
Still, if you're leaking stolen information.
I don't leak anything.
I provide a safe haven for whistleblowers who want to get information to the public.
What about your personal life? It's difficult to have one when you live in shadow.
I receive a lot of threats.
Governments and CEOs throughout the world have Turn it off.
condemned my web site and its mission.
- Do you recognize - You haven't seen the whole cut.
I don't need to.
PBS wants to air it in the States.
Do you approve? No.
I don't like how I come off.
I think you come off great.
Channing? She called.
Did she make a decision? No.
She wants to have a conversation, face-to-face.
Fly her over here.
She won't come.
She doesn't want to cast suspicion on herself.
She said it's time-sensitive.
Make arrangements.
We're going to New York.
I don't think that's wise.
She'll come through for us, Rutger.
Trust me.
I'd prefer to be the one to talk to her.
And we're gonna need to find ourselves an attorney.
Whatever you think is best.
Just make arrangements.
I respectfully request that Ms.
Parsons be removed from the witness list and not be allowed to testify, Your Honor.
Ms.
Parsons is a legitimate character witness.
She can attest to Ms.
Hewes' fitness as a parent.
Ms.
Parsons is single and childless.
She doesn't know the first thing about motherhood.
That's irrelevant.
Ms.
Hewes regularly brought my client's daughter to the office.
Ellen Parsons was an associate in my law firm.
She signed a confidentiality agreement, Your Honor.
She can't testify to what she witnessed-- or claims she witnessed-- while working for me.
You have the discretion to decide that, Your Honor.
All right, look.
This weekend's Columbus Day, and I'm going apple picking.
I will take your briefs with me and think about it.
Thank you.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Sorry, Ms.
Parsons, I'm afraid you won't be testifying today.
You have the right to speak to an attorney.
You're aware of that? I don't need an attorney.
You make me come to you, and you're late? I was stuck in a meeting.
So, I have a proposal for you.
Hmm, what's that? One weekend every three months.
One weekend.
It's generous.
You haven't a legal leg to stand on, so just take it.
What happened? Until today, you've refused to move an inch; now suddenly you're making an offer? Michael, I have real cases to try.
I can't waste my time on this.
No.
You're afraid.
Of you? No.
You don't want Ellen to testify.
You're worried about what she's going to say.
What does she know about you anyway? One weekend every three months.
Not good enough.
It's better than you'll get in a trial.
Ms.
Hewes? Yeah? A Rutger Simon called for you.
In regard to what? Channing McClaren wants to meet with you.
I'm grateful you came, Ms.
Hewes.
I've been following your career.
Likewise.
So you know what I do? Of course.
What can I do for you? I'm going to be receiving some sensitive information soon.
I'll need a civil attorney.
What kind of information? I can't tell you that.
Can you give me the general area? I just said I can't tell you.
Don't waste my time.
It's about Wall Street.
A rather large investment bank has been misbehaving.
How large? The institution's over a century old.
Its assets are worth $500 billion.
And you think as soon as this information comes out, someone's going to sue you? It happens every time I post a leak.
I've been living in Europe for the past decade, but now I need an American attorney.
I appreciate some of your work, Mr.
McClaren, but I'm not sure I approve of your methods.
My methods? The hacking world's like the Wild West, and you're the self-appointed sheriff.
Who's policing you? I don't need policing.
I expose the truth.
By stealing secrets? I'm flattered by your interest, but you and I aren't a good fit.
Don't be stupid.
You need me.
Do I? More than I need you.
You're an old woman.
You have just a handful of productive years left until my generation unseats you.
You may dislike my methods, but with me, you'll stay relevant.
I'll take my chances without you.
But if you're looking for an attorney This is the best one I know.
Thank you for flying over, but I prefer to talk directly to Mr.
McClaren.
Channing thought it was best you deal with me.
They got another tip.
This one's gonna make them billions.
How high up the ladder does this go? I can't say.
I only know what happens in Fund 23.
My supervisor runs it as he sees fit.
You can stop him.
You have the evidence, right? Fund records, trades, account information? I have access to everything.
Good.
I do this, they're gonna shut the Fund down.
I won't have a job.
We can guarantee your anonymity.
Your name will be removed.
I have a daughter.
She's applying to college.
I don't know if I can be in the middle of all of this.
I understand.
Not everyone can handle the pressure.
But if you do want to move forward, use this to encrypt your data.
There's instructions in here, how to upload everything to our server.
If you decide you can help us, these codes are good for the next 48 hours.
So, why would you turn down McClaren as a client? I don't like him.
Well, what the hell does that got to do with anything? This kid's the new wave.
He's an international phenomenon.
He's arrogant and he's dangerous.
Huh.
What? What is it? The judge is going to let Ellen testify against me.
So, now you got to protect yourself.
You got to forget about your granddaughter.
Oh, come on, you don't want her anyway; she's just another distraction.
I sent my kids to boarding school; I gave them to someone who knew what to do with them.
Michael has no idea what it means to be a parent.
Do you? You tried it once.
It didn't work.
Now you got to move on.
You got to focus on your career.
Take McClaren as a client.
If you're so worried that Parsons gonna hang you in court, then you got to suck it up and give your son back his kid.
I was thinking about you.
Are you sure you want to get involved in Patty's custody battle? Seems a bit personal.
It's already personal between me and Patty.
Testifying against her is the least I could do.
What do you mean? Patty's done certain things.
Like what? It's probably better if I don't tell you.
Okay.
The woman belongs in prison.
So go to the police.
The things I know about her, I-I can't prove.
I don't have any hard evidence.
It would just be my word against hers.
Well all I'm saying is, you're trying to move your career forward.
Patty's very powerful.
She could hurt you.
I hear you.
You're not the first person to warn me about Patty.
Detectives.
Come in.
Hi.
It's been a while.
Yeah.
Thanks, uh, thanks so much for coming.
We have the evidence you asked for.
I appreciate it.
You were lucky.
Uh, usually when a case is solved, uh, this stuff gets shipped upstate.
You really didn't have to bring it down.
I was happy to come pick it up.
Well, we were glad to hear from you.
We were wondering how you were doing.
Oh, good.
Thanks.
Uh, Detective Ortiz and I talk about your fiancé's case all the time.
It's good to see you're well.
Thank you.
Anyway, this evidence, um, well, we bent the rules to get you this, so can you give us a heads-up when you're done? Yeah, of absolutely, of course.
You take care.
If you need anything, you let us know? I will.
You're special, Ellen, but that will only make the fall harder.
There won't be room for you and Patty.
With Patty Hewes, there's only Patty.
She'll see what I see, and she'll own you.
Ms.
Hewes Ellen Parsons is missing.
Oh.
Any idea where she's at? Mom? Hmm? I'm gonna go meet some friends downtown.
All right.
When do you think you'll be home? Not late.
I have my interview at City College in the morning.
All right.
Have fun.
Yeah.
Bye.
Bye.
I love you.
Princefield, one of the country's largest and oldest investment banks is the latest institution to find its secrets splashed across the Internet.
Company documents posted by cyber-hacker Channing McClaren, suggest that Princefield's Fund 23 reaped massive profits from a widespread program of insider trading.
Government agencies have already called for a full investigation.
Insider trading? How did this happen? I don't know.
But it fucking happened.
Channing McClaren got a hold of all of our records.
Did you have anything to do with this? Of course not.
Well, it seems like everything came out of your goddamn computer.
That's not possible.
I don't know what you fucking did, Naomi, but we're all dead.
You, me, every trader on this floor.
I suppose I should feel insulted.
What are you talking about? "Personal e-mails reveal trader's sex-capades.
" Apparently, you threw a hump to every Wall Street executive but me.
In an unusual turn for Mr.
McClaren's organization, however, the leak also contained graphic and sexually explicit content belonging to a Naomi Walling, a Princefield employee.
Hundreds of personal e-mail messages containing intimate details appear to romantically link Ms.
Walling to several high-level Wall Street executives.
The inclusion of this personal content calls into question Mr.
McClaren's ability to disseminate sensitive material and directly contradicts his principle of not identifying whistleblowers who contribute to his site.
Why would McClaren want to air this woman's dirty laundry? I told you I didn't like him.
What, do you think he did this on purpose? No.
It's got to be, um it's got to be a screwup.
Regardless, there is a very interesting case here.
You gonna want to sue McClaren? How the hell did this happen? And why won't you assholes call me back? Mom? I heard.
I can't talk about this right now, Rachel.
Mom Mom, are you okay? I can't.
Hello.
Hello.
This is Patty Hewes.
Channing.
So, why didn't you take credit for High Star? Why do you want to know? Howard Erickson's in prison.
You filed the case.
But Patty Hewes got the glory.
Why did you contact me, Mr.
McClaren? I assume you've seen the news.
Yeah.
This kind of thing has never happened to me before.
What kind of thing? Someone's personal information being posted on my site.
Naomi Walling was a whistleblower.
She came to me with revelations about Princefield.
I would never expose one of my sources.
And I have no interest in attacking her personal life.
Then how did Ms.
Walling's information get out there? I don't know, but it is very bad for my organization.
We're still trying to figure it out.
Do you think Walling will sue me? Quite possibly.
But do you think she'll have a case against me? It depends on the details of what actually happened.
Okay, stop.
Listen, what I'm asking you is, will she sue me? Mr.
McClaren, I don't know what she'll do.
You're not wrong to fear a lawsuit.
You need a lawyer.
Is that why I'm here? Yes.
I'd like to hire you.
Well I'm interested but I-I just went out on my own.
I doubt I have the resources that you'll need.
No, resources aren't a problem.
I have sponsors, donors with deep pockets.
I'm just curious, but why me? You came very highly recommended.
By whom? Patty Hewes.
Patty gave you my name? She thinks you're a very skilled attorney.
Well, um, Mr.
McClaren, I'm going to have to think about this.
Of course.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Uh, can you just wait here for a second? Of course.
Mom, Patty Hewes is here.
She wants to talk to you.
I don't want to talk to any lawyers.
She called.
She called.
She I asked her to come.
She said that she could help you.
Please leave.
I'm sorry you had to waste a trip up here, but I don't need an attorney.
Mom, listen to what she has to say.
I understand how you must be feeling right now, but you have a good case.
Channing McClaren violated your privacy.
The information that was leaked came from your files.
Either you provided it willingly, and he was supposed to leave out your personal information I asked you to leave.
Or he hacked in and stole everything from you.
We're through here.
What are you afraid of, the bank? McClaren? Don't make me call downstairs.
You are under tremendous scrutiny right now.
It seems as though there is nowhere to turn, but you are being very foolish.
I don't want any more media attention.
Suing him will only make it worse.
Everything is gonna get worse, no matter what.
The bank is gonna blame the fraud on you.
McClaren is gonna throw you under the bus.
And day after day, the vultures in the press are gonna have a a feeding frenzy over your reputation.
- Please - Mrs.
Walling, let me protect you.
Donald, there's a woman here that won't leave.
Yes, call the police.
Please think about what I'm saying.
I'm I am so sorry, Ms.
Hewes.
She's just upset.
- She didn't mean to - Your mother's not thinking clearly.
She needs help.
So, when she calms down, you talk to her.
I will.
Okay.
Channing McClaren? That's great.
He's exactly the kind of client you need.
Yeah, except Patty recommended me to him.
Oh.
Shit.
You think she's fucking with you? Somehow.
If I accept the job with McClaren, I'll be playing right into Patty's game.
So, what are you going to do? Any idea what she's up to? My mother won't listen.
I couldn't change her mind.
Do you know if the personal things that have been written about her are true? She had affairs, if that's what you mean.
My father left when I was seven.
She's had problems with men, but she didn't deserve this.
No, of course not.
But why are you here, Rachel? What do you want me to do? Punish McClaren.
I can't if your mother isn't willing to be a plaintiff.
Then I'll sue him.
Your mother is the one who was wronged.
Unfortunately, I can't bring a suit on your behalf.
So, McClaren destroys my mother's life, and he gets to just walk away? I'm afraid so.
Ms.
Hewes, I'm worried about my mom.
She's had problems before.
What kind of problems? Anxiety, depression.
She It's not good.
I've seen how dark she gets.
Well, I can give you the name of a good psychiatrist.
But if she doesn't want to file a suit, there's nothing else I can do for her.
Mm.
Rachel? If there are new developments, if your mother chang her mind, I promise you, I'll be here to help.
Yeah.
Yes, I have documents right here.
Yes, you can send a courier.
So much for that.
Thank you.
Have a good day.
The kid said her mother battled depression.
With any luck, she'll off herself.
Then you'll be back in business.
Tomorrow's the big day.
Ellen Parsons is going to testify.
She'll see what I see, and she'll own you.
It's done.
I could put this gun to your head and get you to say it, but I don't want it to be that way.
You know what I want to hear.
I told Pete to have you killed.
Am I correct that directly out of law school Patty Hewes hired you to work at her firm? Yes.
And you've worked with her on and off for a period of four years? Yes.
During that time, would you say that you got to know her well? Very well.
Broadly, how would you describe her character? Your Honor I respectfully request a stay in these proceedings.
Why? I believe neither Ms.
Parsons' state of mind nor her testimony can be considered impartial at this time.
What makes you say that? Ms.
Parsons and I will soon be engaged as opposing attorneys in what will be a highly publicized lawsuit.
What kind of lawsuit? Last night a woman named Naomi Walling tragically took her own life.
Shh This morning I was contracted by Naomi Walling's daughter to pursue a wrongful death suit on her behalf.
And who is this lawsuit against? Channing McClaren whom I believe is Ms.
Parsons' only client.
I'm not going to have another case tried in my courtroom.
If this is accurate, Ms.
Parsons, then it's one or the other.
You can either testify against Ms.
Hewes or try a case against her.
What's it going to be? I'd like ten minutes to consider.
Looks like you have a decision to make.
Whatever you're going to say on the stand won't help Michael win custody.
But I'll say it anyway.
It'll be on the record and the public will know the truth about you.
McClaren said you recommended me.
Do you think he would have hired you without my recommendation? I haven't accepted the job, Patty.
What are you waiting for? You can either get up on the stand and trumpet my secrets to the world or you can do what you really want to do.
And what is that? Come after me where it counts.
Prove yourself in a case against me.
You hate me? You want to end this once and for all? Now's your fucking chance.
Mr.
McClaren.
It's Ellen Parsons.
I want the job.
Detective, I don't know what you're hoping to learn from me, but I'm supposed to be in court right about now.
We know.
Ellen Parsons was scheduled to testify against you today.
Can't imagine you're too pleased about that.
Know what she was gonna say on the stand? No.
And if she's missing I guess we'll never get a chance to find out.