01x03 - I Shall Be Released

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "sh**t the Messenger"...

No way we can stop this now or I'm dead! You understand?

[g*nsh*t pops]

We're initiating an independent commission to investigate instances of suspected police misconduct and corruption.

I didn't touch anything!

Tell me you don't believe her.

Anthony, it's Daisy.

I think I'm in trouble.

Isn't that Eric Lawson?

There was a photo... a girl and this pro ball player.

I think it's his girlfriend.

You wouldn't know where I could find Avril, would you?

I dropped her off at a nail salon in the Jane Street area.

I know where that is.

[Knocking]

[Dog barks in the distance]

Hassan, it's Daisy! Open up!

Baby, the reporter is here.

[Knocking]

[Chain jingles]

Miss Daisy...

How did you get here so fast?

I'd say I'm late... by a week or so.

You all right?

I've been better.

What did you tell the cops?

I don't know anything to tell.

You could be wearing a wire.

Check me then.

[Approaching footsteps]

[Car honks outside]

♪

She's good.

[Sighs]

Okay...

So why am I here?

Hassan, why was Khaalid k*lled?

Khaalid got his own self k*lled... If he listened...

[Door bangs open] [Frightened gasps]

Where is it?! Where. Is. It?

I-I-I don't have it.

[g*nsh*t pops] [Daisy scream]

Hassan: Oh God! You sh*t her!

You f*cking k*lled her!

Sh-sh*t. No!

You f*cking k*lled her.

You f*cking k*lled her! Are you kidding me!

You're gonna tell me where you put the phone!

Hassan!

Get up!

Hassan! Please! Get up!

Get Up! Up!

Get up!!

On your feet!

Bind his hand... Now!

Okay...

[Scared whimpering]

I'm not gonna ask you again...

Where is it?

[Rummaging through suitcase]

Hurry up!

Where did you put it?!

Look... No one has to die.

I'll...

I'll do whatever you want but I don't know anything.

Freeze! Police!

[g*nshots pop]

[Hassan grunting]

[g*nshots pop]

[g*nshots pop, glass shatters]

Agh! Agh!

[g*nshots pop]

[g*nshots pop]

Agh!

[g*nsh*t pops]

[Siren wails in the distance]

[g*nshots pings]

sh*t. Agh!

[Breathing heavily]

[Hassan sobbing]

♪ ♪

[Low hum of chatter]

[Phone buzzes]

[Keys tap]

Anthony... Thank you.

I need um...

I need to see you.

Detective Ortiz was processing the vehicle abandoned by Ali...

And you left that scene?!

I didn't want to miss an opportunity to...

I need-I need to see you.

And you ended up in a sh**t out with an armed suspect who you let escape after he m*rder*d a young woman!

All right. Sorry.

Right?

We have procedures for a reason!

Okay... Yeah, okay...

I have to go.

Your lawyer is here.

You're free to go.

Mr. Ali, what did you want to show Miss Channing.

Look, you're understandably upset.

But I need you to help me where to find the person who m*rder*d your girlfriend.

All right. All right, let's ah...

[Clicks pen]

Let's backtrack a little.

Out of all the journalists in the city, why Miss Channing?

She's fine. You've seen her picture?

The night you called Miss Channing, your friend Khaalid was sh*t dead right in front of you.

Tonight when you called Miss Channing, your girlfriend, Avril, was sh*t dead right in front of you.

What's the connection here?

You know who k*lled them, don't you?

He had a mask.

Okay, so was there anything about him that you recognize?

His voice, movement, smell...

Nothing... Nothing.

What the hell are you doin' that's got the attention of a professional k*ller?

[Small laugh] Wow!

Wow, one thing's for sure. I'm glad we're not friends, Mr. Ali.

You're in a lot of sh*t, aren't you?

You know, my guess is that you wanted Miss Channing to help you.

Now what did you wanna show her?!

This just isn't some, some deal that just went... went wrong, is it?

Your boss, Eric Lawson, already told us that you were fired because you were dealing dr*gs.

[Scoffs]

But that's not why you got blood on your hands.

You're the target... You're the target!

You are the target and your friends... your friends they were just collateral damage.

What is it that you're doing that's getting your friends k*lled, Mr. Ali?

Huh?

That got your beautiful girlfriend k*lled...

[Emotional breathing]

♪

[Dirt crunches underfoot]

♪

[Panting]

♪ ♪

[Heaving panting]

[Heaving panting]

[Heavy breathing, moaning]

♪

[Heavy exhales]

[Heavy breathing, moaning]

[Calming exhales]

[Heavy breathing]

Whoo.

Whoa.

Hmm...

Hmmm...

Hm-hm-hm-hm.

[Chuckles]

Thanks.

No. No-no.

No. No!

Come on, come on.

I can do without being found half naked.

I happen to like you half naked.

Screwing the boss isn't your problem, is it?

You still okay with this?

Non-exclusivity and the occasional booty call...

Hmmm...

Those are your terms, not mine.

Oh... I had a choice?

[Door opens]

Good morning. I ah...

I want to go over today's agenda.

You know what, give us 20 minutes.

We're just um... talking about today's policy meeting.

Cancel that.

The justice minister wants lunch.

[Leaves rustle in the wind]

[Playful laughter in the distance]

The story I'm following... two people were m*rder*d... in front of me.

I can't get their faces... the blood out of my head.

I didn't realize.

That's some serious sh*t to be dealing with.

Anthony, I...

[Exhales]

I almost... took a drink.

Yeah.

Well, at least you called me.

That would have set the recovery back.

Yeah. Sure, but I can drink.

You know, isn't my problem.

Okay, I know, it's an easy misstep... but I'm fine.

Okay, well you called for help.

Were you hoping for permission to drink?

No... I mean, you're right.

Yeah, so what does Chloe say about this?

We haven't talked.

What? She wouldn't understand.

But you chose her as your sponsor.

Yeah, well...

I'm tired of being the family screw-up.

Yeah, well you can't do this alone.

I'm not! I have you.

[Sighs]

What about meetings?

I haven't been going.

That's because of work.

Look, the program is in place for a reason.

All right? It doesn't work if you piss it off.

Okay. I'll do better!

I promise!

I have-I have to get back to it.

Check in with my editor so...

Okay, well you reached out to me because you thought you might do something foolish.

All right, so I just wanna be clear.

Going back to work is not a good idea.

I can't take time off.

You can't or you won't?

I am investigating the biggest story of my career.

For the first time what I do matters!

And you don't matter.

Of course!

This is me reclaiming my life!

You know, I, I used to get wasted every single day.

I'm finally good!

I'm not giving that up, Anthony.

Okay, well I'm not asking you to.

I'm just saying, take some time.

I'm sorry. I have to go. I have to go, okay?

[Sighs]

[Cars whir and honk]

She was delivered safely to her sister's place around 4 a.m.

Oh, it must be youth.

She filed the story an hour later.

It's a good story.

Mhm... So all this, these murders, it's about a phone.

Something that's on a phone.

We might want Daisy to walk away from this with the sh**t still out there.

[Knock at door]

Oh my Go... Daisy!?

How are you holding up?

Everything feels ah... surreal.

As you know.

We have a therapist on retainer, if you need to speak with someone.

Um... no.

No-no, I just ah...

I just want to get back to work.

Right... Um... you've been through a lot and we feel that ah, you should have a few days official leave with full pay.

No but... there's so much going on.

Yes.

Like Avril, I want to interview her grandmother.

Look, her grandmother is not going anywhere.

Well, what about Hassan's interview. We really have to jump on that!

You're not his lawyer or a family member.

It's very, very unlikely the police will let you anywhere near him right now.

He'll want to talk to me!

[Phone chimes]

And we could offer to bail him out, you know... as a... sorry um, as a ah... [yawns] goodwill gesture.

And um, Marty, you could represent him.

That's if he doesn't have a lawyer.

What you're suggesting is not only unethical, it's illegal.

It's also a moot point, Channing.

The kid's just been released.

What? Why would they do that?

Well, we'll find that out.

But for you, I need to know that there will be someone at home with you.

Oh...

Channing...

[Sighs]

My sister.

I know you're hot for this story.

But I don't want to have to write your obituary.

Do you understand?

Yup... [Sighs]

[Door buzzes]

We need to get this thing done so let's figure it out.

Dig up whatever you can.

[Pen rasps]

You sure about this?

We've got him on possession and living with the proceeds of a crime.

Nothing charges. If we had him on trafficking, we'd have bargaining room, but we don't.

Yeah, I get it.

And the inspector agreed, it's our best sh*t.

[Muted sound of phones ringing, low hum of chatter]

[Phone buzzes]

♪

[Phone ringing]

[Elevator dings]

♪

[Sirens wail in the distance]

♪

[Tires screech]

[Engine roars]

[Car honks]

[Tires screech]

Black car is government issue...

Some politician judging by the plate.

Ali is skittish I suppose.

♪

What do you mean he's gone?

You find him.

[Beeps phone off]

[Deep exhale] He knows.

He'll keep it confidential.

Why is this bothering you so much.

I have Hardcastle's loyalty.

I mean, he barely tolerates me.

It's just more reason for his disdain.

[Clears throat] The minister is waiting... unless there's something more important you'd like to discuss?

We were waiting for you.

I'm here now.

What the f*ck is Lawson doing here?

I wasn't invited. I'll deal with it.

Sam, it's good to see you and congratulations.

That was a great speech the other night.

And I have to commend you, you have some big balls proposing a commission like that in this town.

Thank you. It's great to see you too, Eric.

Sir.

Sam, that was very shrewd in this climate.

Thank you, sir.

We feel like we're on the right path.

So now ah, I know you know this guy.

This is my senior policy, Chloe Channing.

This is Minister Richardson.

Hello, Chloe.

Hello.

Well, I think lunch has got a little more engaging now that I won't have to be staring at his mug.

[Small chuckles]

I know exactly how you feel.

Minister Richardson, I understand you've extended your time with us.

We really appreciate you fitting us into your agenda.

Ah Eric, what about those plans for your youth fundraiser?

Why don't we discuss our sponsorship while we have the time.

Well, I thought it was worth staying to share some news.

Sam... we think you've got what it takes to run this country and we are willing to put in the time, and most importantly, the money to get you there.

Well, I'm ah, extremely glad you decided to extend your stay.

Okay, we both know you don't give a sh*t about this fundraiser.

So what's goin' on here?

We just had a perfect opportunity to close this deal.

I just need five minutes with the guy.

Don't be obtuse.

You know Sam is philosophically opposed to the project.

That's bullshit! What's going on?

Why has he suddenly stopped returning my calls?

What do you think?

I have no idea!

But I do know that I have a deadline coming up right around the corner.

And I can't postpone these partners much longer.

I thought they were perfectly reasonable gentlemen.

Oh man. Sam should know better than to f*ck with this particular deal.

Let's get this straight.

I want this deal as much as you do.

It bounces out the commission, allows us to play both sides of the law and order issue.

Okay.

But do not thr*aten my guy.

I'm not threatening your guy. I wouldn't do that!

We want the same thing.

You know what else?

What?!

If I find out you're involved in this thing with the Somali kid...

Soma... what the hell are you talking about?!

Forget it.

I'll get back to you once Sam is on board.

Until then, stay the f*ck away from him.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lunch to attend.

Enjoy yourself.

[Sighs]

[Liquid sloshes]

[Bottle clanks]

[Sighs]

♪

[Slurps]

Hmm.

[Winces]

[Liquid pours]

[Exhales]

♪ ♪

[Sips]

♪ ♪ ♪

[Coughs]

♪ ♪

[Low hum of praying]

[Prayer chants]

♪

[Prayer chants]

[Wailing]

[Prayer chants]

[Knock on door]

[Sleepy moans]

[Knock on door]

[Awake startle]

[Sighs] Hmm...

[Knock on door]

Who is it?!

It's me.

Oh sh...

[Running footsteps thud]

Ah, I'm coming!

[Water runs, gulping]

[Gargles, spits]

[Door creaks open]

Hey.

Hey.

How are you feelin'?

Fine.

[Door shuts]

You didn't call me back.

Yeah, ah sorry.

I've just been... distracted.

Are you able to talk now?

Yeah.

I'm guessing you don't want a drink?

We can't do this anymore.

Ahaah... funny...

[Small laugh]

I was thinking we hardly ever do it anymore. Hm?

[Clears his throat]

Oh... you're mad at me.

I get it.

Look, my job is dangerous. But so is yours.

You don't get it.

You really don't get it.

You're personally involved in two murders that I'm investigating. Okay?

We're on opposite sides of this.

It's not ideal but... it's not like we're enemies.

[Sighs]

I don't believe you're being totally honest with what you know.

What did Jo say? She hates me.

She doesn't hate you! She thinks you're a liar.

Everyone lies, Lutz.

Everyone holds back, bends the truth. Even you.

[Sighs]

I don't want to wake up beside someone who I care about and think she's everyone.

[Retreating footsteps]

Wait!

There is something.

Look, all I know is the sh**t, he wants this... phone.

What's on the phone?

I honestly don't know.

Thank you.

But... can't we just talk?

Look, I know you think you may be able to handle all this.

But you're way out of your depth, Daisy.

You need to leave this alone.

Thank you for stopping by, detective.

[Door opens then shuts]

In the name of Allah, [Camera clicks] the most merciful, the most compassionate.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the entire universe.

The most merciful, the most compassionate.

The master of the day of judgment. Ameen.

♪

Still no activity from 5PM?

Nothin'.

[Yawns]

I guess we should consider ourselves lucky.

Hold on, something's brewing.

What?

I'm very sorry. I know you loved Khaalid. I did too.

Then why is he dead, Hassan?

What did you do to get him k*lled?

You gotta believe me, Khaalid made his own decisions.

I saw you that night. You took his phone.

There's something on it that my boss wants.

That's why they k*lled him.

If that's true, then just go to the cops.

My brother is dead because of this coward.

Do you think men like Lawson don't have connections with the police?

But maybe you want me dead too!

Did he just say Eric Lawson is responsible for a m*rder?

What the hell is going on?

We should bring him in for questioning.

No, no, let's hear more.

This could be the break we're after.

Don't worry, 'cause he hid the phone.

We'll make them pay on that.

[Door opens, then shuts]

[Approaching footsteps]

Shhh...

Oh, oh, okay.

We'll just let her sleep, okay?

Dad, um, What?

Why don't you go up to my room and watch some TV and we'll just let Daisy rest.

Chloe, I know that Daisy is not supposed to be like that.

Dad... please... please.

[Loud thump]

Get up...

Get up.

Hm...

What are you doing here?

I live here.

What... I'm ah...

Oh...

I had a bad day, okay?

No, not okay. Not okay!

Do you know Dad's here?

He knows you've been drinking too.

You promised. You promised both of us!

Don't get so dramatic. [Snorts]

Look, I had a couple of drinks.

There's a lot going on.

Besides, you're not supposed to have alcohol here to help my recovery.

Oh, so being drunk is my fault, seriously?

First of all I'm not an alcoholic.

I like coke.

No, I love coke and this isn't that so stop... being so concerned...

[Gags]

Oh!

[Running footsteps thud]

[Vomits]

Are you done?

[Retches]

[Forceful exhale]

[Toilet flushes]

[Grunts]

[Water runs]

[Spits]

You need to go.

[Laughs in disbelief]

Right.

You're supposed to be my sponsor.

Help me when crap gets tough.

Well, you haven't.

You're barely home.

Do you even care why I'm messed up?

Oh no, no-no.

You don't get to do that.

I work long hours.

[Sighs]

And I am the one dealing with Dad most of the time.

I've given you the space to get settled in your new job, your new life.

Well, you know what?

There was no change.

You don't get to be drunk or stoned or whatever around me.

Fine! Fine.

Okay. I don't need this crap.

You're perfect... I'm the screw-up.

And now I'm gone.

[Truck rumbles by]

Jo: Hey, check this out.

The john is all tricked out too but looky here what I found.

Yeah? What's it say?

Don't know. Must be in Korean.

But Avril Trong is written on the inside cover.

Well, figures.

We've been working the Suleman case for over a week and we still ain't got a solid working theory.

What's wrong with Ali as dealer?

Something else is goin' on.

They're in here, sir.

Thank you so much, ma'am.

Truly sorry about your granddaughter.

Hey, whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa.

You Lutz?

Who's askin'?

Detective Sergeant Randy Markwell.

We're runnin' a project out of g*ns and gangs.

I understand you just interviewed Hassan Ali.

You've got to be kidding me.

I'm working on a case, sir, with all due respect.

Yes sir.

Yeah, understood.

So... ready to help now?

Hassan Ali, he's out.

But we've got a tail on him.

We believe that someone wants what he has very, very badly.

Oh yeah? Something like a phone?

How do you know about that?

We got it on a wire. That's why I'm here.

[Approaching footsteps]

My apologies.

I wanted to see if you needed anything for the night.

I'm good.

Thank you, Imam.

I deeply appreciate staying here.

You're our brother.

[Retreating footsteps]

[Door closes]

[Cover clinks]

[Sighs]

[Door opens]

♪

[Door shuts]

♪ ♪ ♪

Oh sh*t!

♪

You knew Avril.

When you first came in I thought you might have been one of her girls. But ah...

He met the whore at the strip club where she worked.

♪

[Anxious breathing]

[Phone buzzes]

Daisy? How's purgatory.

I've been thinking.

What if it's about sex?

What?

The phone. It's about sex.

I think Hassan was blackmailing Orlandio Spence.

How do you figure?

Avril... what if she was some sort of prost*tute.

Or maybe she ran the call girls.

Bobby talked about Avril's girls.

Look anyways, what if the thing on Hassan's phone is something a guy like Spence doesn't want to go public.

So Avril plus ball player plus call girl...

Interesting.

But would a baller really commit m*rder over sexual indiscretion?

It's-it's a stretch.

But there must be something else we don't know.

Greggor said that Spence just went through a rough divorce.

Could be it's something he doesn't want his ex to know.

Something that could cost him millions.

So I'll talk to the wife.

Hey, I want to do this.

I figured it out and I...

I just... I need to work.

All right. Ah, unless Mary incinerates me in a ball of dragon fire, I will see you tomorrow.

[Relieved sigh]

Thank you. I'll be at ah...

I'll be at my Dad's.

[Beeps phone off]

[Sirens wail in the distance, cars horn]

Oh, you are sweet.

Is that Mario Shree?

Went across town for that puppy.

And ah... ahem, I got you an entire box.

Okay... I am well past the days of bribery... however delicious.

So before you offer up a kidney, I'm agreeing to two weeks of security, nights only.

You're the best.

This is strictly professional... on your part that is.

It's Daisy's story.

Mhm...

There's that hungry look about you.

Meaning?

Oh come on, Simon. I know when you're interested.

Isn't that why you dumped me because I became... interested?

Oh... Deflecting.

Hmm.

Our days are well in the past. And I happen to like Cassie.

So do I. I love her...

I'm not going to screw it up...

What?

I'm just having a moment.

Go on.

Go get Daisy. I'm sure she's waiting.

[Retreating footsteps]

Thank you for the tea.

Yeah, a request came in from the chief last night, to step up our timeline.

He says it's because of the Trottman m*rder.

Right, right. It's got nothing to do with the attorney general investigating cops.

Yeah I know. No, nothin' at all.

And this... is a warrant targeting Eric Lawson.

Lawson? I thought this was about Hassan Ali.

Yeah, well... hold on.

[Knock on door]

There's something on the wire that could affect our schedule tonight.

Okay. Give me a couple of minutes.

We've been running wires on 5PM and the Mogadishu boys for months...

Just to keep track of the criminal activity.

And mostly, besides trying to m*rder each other, it's the usual... g*ns, dr*gs, theft, piddly sh*t.

It's a pain in the ass.

But guess whose name keeps popping up?

Lawson.

Right. So... we figure he's been supplying the boys with dope.

But that man is very smart and he's very careful.

Now I need to get him on something solid, so I can flip him.

That way that will get me closer to my target.

So why do you need me?

Well, the wire we're using is about to conclude.

I need a new one on Lawson and... and this, this is a little weak.

Okay, so you want me to flesh out your warrant.

Write up what I've got about Ali's connections.

Yeah, that's right. Just make it stronger.

I can do that.

Thank you. Oh, and you've got three hours to do this.

Mrs. Spence, thanks for seeing us.

This is beautiful.

How do you keep it so clean?

Oh, that's the help... who I totally can't afford anymore now that I've been so screwed over.

Cucumber is anti-inflammatory.

So good after a busy night.

Thank you.

Thanks.

So, you're writing a story about the bastard.

Ah... it's about your ex-husband, yes.

Good. I totally want to expose him.

Oh, your divorce didn't go so well.

The bastard proved his addiction was a pre-existing condition.

His addiction?

Orlandio's sex addiction.

A word of advice... avoid orgies at least before you're married.

They can totally work against you in court.

I think I can manage that.

So, Orlandio's sex addiction was deemed a pre-existing condition by the courts.

Yes. The judge ruled in his favor because I had partaked in his lifestyle before we were married.

Wait. So... you disapproved of your husband's sexual inclinations only... after your marriage.

No, not at all. It just... got a bit weird.

And I'm not the kind of girl.

Define weird.

I'll just have to show you.

Do you know what cuckolding is?

Men who enjoy watching another guy have sex with their wives?

Right.

Is that what Orlandio wanted?

It's much worse.

Look. Look!

That old hag is in her 60s.

My mother is 56. Uch!

[g*n cocks]

Here you go.

Did what I could with the warrant.

Finished it ahead of schedule; That's amazing.

What do you want done with it?

What do I want done with it?

Come on, dude, you're killin' me.

Get it signed!

[Door shuts]

[Approaching footsteps]

[Knock on door]

[Door clicks open]

Detective?

Cat got your tongue, Detective Lutz?

Sorry to interrupt your evening, Your Honour.

It happens more than you think.

May I have the warrant?

My schedule is monstrous, but I understand there's some urgency to it.

That's right, Your Honour.

Now I trust that you've accommodated my particularities?

Flagged and highlighted, ma'am.

Tomorrow then. Good night, Detective.

Yes, thank you.

[Low hum of chatter]

Susan, I thought we were celebrating.

You said no work tonight.

I'm just putting this in my office.

Pour me another vodka.

Good idea.

Hey, did you, uh, bring the...?

Right. Yup.

Good news.

Hm?

My prick of a cousin found out we talked to the ex and now we've got an interview with Orlandio Spence.

Nice.

Mhm.

Okay.

[Small laugh]

What?

Hm. Here we are.

Me eating your last spring roll and it's perfectly nice.

I could eat some of your food.

Don't you even think about it.

Seriously though I ah, I really appreciate you getting Mary to relent.

And to be honest, I'll feel better with the night security.

Happy to do it.

I do actually have one question.

Um, Sophie Spence's marriage advice... thoughts?

Definitely...

Mhm?

Never...

No.

[Both laugh]

[Phone buzzes]

Ah...

Blade, did you do it?

Took some doin'. But I got it un-swirled.

Oh, awesome!

You are the most awesome.

Um, can you send it please?

It's already sent. Do with them as you please.

[Small chuckle, beeps phone off]

So when do I get to meet your friend Blade?

He's definitely a cut above.

Ugh...

No?

No!

Should I take another s*ab at it?

What?! It's just swirled.

[Hits a key]

Oh my God!

Is that Judge Reeves?

[Gasps in disbelieve]