01x07 - Hunting Grounds

[bunniefuu]

DANTE: This equalizing you're doing, if you don't stop, I have to come after you.

I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

Previously on The Equalizer...

You like me?

How can I like you when I hardly know you?

DANTE: I'm not too keen on private citizens opening their own branch of law enforcement.

- How's your aim these days?

- (g*nsh*t)

HARRY: You're gonna set a trade with the guy who's hunting you?

Who's to say he doesn't draw you in, and then arrest you when your guard is down?

Why would I do that?

District Attorney Grafton.

I still wonder how you managed to unravel a decade-old conspiracy single-handedly.

Guess I owe you one.

So, then, at least the files have to...

Uh, Madam D.A.

The answer's "no comment," Harv.

I haven't even asked my question yet.

Well, see?

I saved us both some time.

Now, if it's about the Mendoza case, the press will get a statement tomorrow.

Not here about Mendoza.

Just wondering if you had anything to say about the rumors.

Which rumors?

About the vigilante helping people.

Doing what the cops can't.

WOMAN: Not only is it true but whispers are growing louder.

NYPD has a file on her.

Still no ID.

If word of this goes wide...

It'll undermine public confidence in our police.

Not to mention your image.

It'll be an issue for your reelection.

My mother said, "Every problem holds the key to its own solution." I don't follow.

What better way to demonstrate the firm hand of law and order than bringing a vigilante to justice?

Get me everything the NYPD has on her.

(DELILAH AND VI LAUGHING)

Aunt Vi!

Not sure what's going on here, but it looks like trouble.

Oh, it's good trouble.

I decided to try one of these online dating sites.

DELILAH: I'm helping her with her profile.

Okay, how's this?

"Artistic, free-spirited woman "who loves good conversation, a nice glass of wine, travel "and spontaneity looking for a partner in fun."

Oh, your daughter's nothing less than brilliant.

You sure you want to do this?

I mean, you can't trust what people say about themselves on those sites.

You don't know who they really are.

Oh, and people at singles bars are so honest.

(SCOFFS)

Gender.

Looking for a man.

Oh, no, no.

Why limit it?

Baby, I was at Berkeley in the ' s.

You kids didn't invent free love.

Ah!

(LAUGHS)

You know what?

Go, Aunt Vi.

Okay, how serious are you thinking?

True love or a hit it and quit it

- kind of deal?

- Hey.

You gonna be the one getting hit if you don't quit talking like that.

- And not too much info, Berkeley.

- (VI CHUCKLES)

There's no such thing as privacy online.

We don't want some creep knowing our phone number and address.

VI: You're such a cynic.

You know, you could use a little bit of that free love

- yourself.

- I'm late for a meeting.

- VI: Uh-huh.

- I love you all.

- Bye.

- Bye.

(CHUCKLES)

WOMAN: Her name is Nia.

She's been missing for days.

- You two are roommates?

- And best friends.

We met at a bus stop in the rain.

Just started yapping.

She's different.

She's one of those people who wears their soul on the outside, you know?

- When's the last time you saw her?

- Five days ago.

She left for work but never got there.

She work most days?

Two or three jobs at a time.

She's saving up for nursing school.

You file a missing persons report?

I tried.

But people like us, we're invisible until we break a law.

In my neighborhood, folks don't call the cops.

- We just know it won't do any good.

- Yeah, I know what it's like not to have the police take you seriously.

Been through that, myself.

But you are not invisible here.

So, can you think of anyone who might have a grudge against Nia?

Anyone who might want to hurt her?

Yeah.

She told me about some Latino guy that was following her who she owed some money to.

She ducked off into a store and lost him, but she was still pretty freaked.

Did you get a name?

Benny.

He was tall with blue eyes.

(VOICE BREAKING): And I think he might've hurt her.

Getting real tired of having this conversation, Mike.

Where's my money?

(GRUNTS)

What the hell is your problem?

(GRUNTS, GROANING)

ROBYN: This is not the talking part.

People don't really like you, Benny.

Made you real easy to find.

- (COUGHS)

- Nia Edwards.

You were following her.

Why?

- Now talk.

- It's...

It's my job.

To hurt people?

No, I work for a payday loan company.

Eastway Pay.

They hire me to pressure delinquents.

Oh, that's funny.

I have a similar skill set.

- (GRUNTS)

- When's the last time

- you saw her?

- Uh, Tuesday.

No, no, no, no, Wednesday.

Wednesday.

- (PANTING)

- Same day she went missing.

Missing?

I don't know nothing about that.

Look, I never even spoke to her.

She bounced.

I went after her, but she jumped into some dude's car.

- Where?

- It was over there on, um, Herkimer.

HARRY: Come on, Nia.

Where are you?

(PHONE CHIMING)

MEL: Never thought I'd see the day

- you were swiping right.

- And you won't.

Dee's got my aunt on this dating app.

Can you believe that?

Yeah.

If I was single, I'd be on, like, ten of them.

Dating is a numbers game, girlfriend.

- It is.

- (SCOFFS)

And my number is one.

It's-it's just you, my Harry McBeary.

Okay, that's not a name we agreed upon.

I mean, Aunt Vi doesn't need this.

Heck, I could set her up with a nice guy.

I set you two up, and it was love at first sight.

- Well, for him.

- For her.

Oh.

(CHUCKLES)

Don't listen to this man.

He pursued me like his hair was on fire.

(SCOFFS)

You sent me flowers every day for a month.

- It was a credit card snafu.

- Oh.

No, alpha guys don't need to chase.

We just put out our pheromones and wait.

Okay, alpha.

Well, your pheromones were Axe body spray and printer toner before I got a hold of you.

HARRY: Yeah, I think you mean denim and sweat.

Okay, I got it.

Looks like a gray Camry.

ROBYN: That's Nia.

MEL: She got in willingly.

Check the plate.

It's blank.

HARRY: Must have a PhotoBlocker coating on it.

- It prevents cameras from reading it.

- ROBYN: Hmm.

That's one creepy red flag.

(PHONE CHIMES)

Darn.

_ I got to pick Dee up from school.

She's having one of those inexplicable half-days.

Hey, McBeary, can you poke around the NYPD database and see if you can find any crimes involving a gray Camry with unreadable plates?

Not a name we agreed upon.

Guess who drove through the drive-through without hitting a pole!

(CHUCKLES)

You know, that's supposed to be the norm.

(CHUCKLES)

Guess who got a date.

DELILAH: Ooh!

Let me see.

Mm-hmm.

DELILAH: I told you he was the one.

Looks totally distinguished,

- right?

- Right?

ROBYN: Chase Lammens?

Aunt Vi, you can't really want to date a guy who has a boat.

Plays his cards right, he can be "O Captain!

My Captain!"

(CHUCKLES)

We need to get into your closet and see what you're working with.

- (CHUCKLING): Yeah, let's go.

- Nothing too...

frisky.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hey, Harry.

What's up?

HARRY: Hey.

You need to get back here.

Right now.

So, what'd you find?

Nothing good.

Search triggered a second missing persons case.

Another woman got into a car with an unreadable license plate.

Only one week after, she was found dead.

HARRY: And whoever m*rder*d her caused facial trauma and then used makeup to cover up her bruises.

It was such an odd detail, we crossed-referenced it through the whole tristate area, and...

Ten more murders popped up.

Rob, this isn't just a missing persons case.

We're dealing with a serial k*ller.

How are we the first people to see this?

HARRY: Crimes happen all over the place.

You know, various jurisdictions don't centralize their cases.

Same age, same race.

Somebody should've put this together.

Yeah, the k*ller knew what he was doing.

Choosing victims from marginalized communities.

Places where turning a blind eye gets you a promotion.

HARRY: Aside from being found beaten and choked, bruises covered up with makeup, coroner's times of death indicate that their murders occurred exactly one week after their respective abductions.

If this pattern holds true...

We have less than hours to save Nia.

Yeah.

That's not enough time.

We need help on this one.

Your cop friend?

Are you sure?

Well, he's a proven asset.

One we need.

Hey, Harry, run a name for me.

Chase Lammens.

L-A-M-M-E-N-S.

All right.

What's he have to do with this?

Rob?

Rob!

DANTE: You're right.

We should've seen this sooner.

Yeah, you should've.

But we both know these neighborhoods.

Cops don't look too close.

What matters is what we do now.

Nia's still out there, but the window to save her is shutting fast.

We need the full weight of the NYPD behind this.

I'll take it to my captain.

See if we can get some resources.

I'll also pull cold cases from all the jurisdictions.

Maybe there's something else we missed.

Well, move fast.

Clock's ticking.

Where are you going?

Talk to the families of the other vics.

Try to get some answers.

Well, I should come with you.

No.

Not here.

You show up at their door, the only color they'll see is blue.

They won't talk to you the way they'll talk to me.

DANTE: Captain, there's a clear pattern here.

And a potential minefield.

Do you really want me to announce the department overlooked a serial k*ller in communities of color over circumstantial evidence?

In this political climate?

We'd be crucified.

You don't even know if this case is connected

- to these others.

- What if it is?

Sir, we have a responsibility.

Right now, there's a man serving time for one of these murders.

What if he didn't do it?

What if the real k*ller's out there, and what if he doesn't stop?

How's that story gonna look when it comes out and they find out we did nothing?

All right, you want a task force?

I need more than a PhotoBlocked plate.

Now, you find something, anything that links this girl to those murders, I'll get you whatever you need.

Oh.

And, uh, one more thing.

That project of yours, the vigilante?

The D.A's making her a priority.

You're gonna have to share all your notes with their office.

WOMAN: I know she's gone, but I still feel her every time I walk past her room.

Like she's watching over me.

MAN: Thank you for that.

They say grief is the final expression of love that we have to offer.

Thank you all for coming today.

(SOFT CHATTER)

ROBYN: Mrs.

Howard?

- Yes?

- I was hoping I could talk to you.

About your daughter.

I said about all I'm gonna say.

It's been a year since they found her body.

I'm sick of y'all cops acting like you're gonna help but never do.

I'm not a cop.

And I am here to help.

MRS.

HOWARD: The date she disappeared was her birthday.

Did you know that?

, right?

(SCOFFS)

Told her to take the day off, but she didn't listen.

Never did.

I know the type.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Did she drive to work that day?

No, she didn't have a car.

She was saving up, but I doubt she would've used it.

She rode her bike everywhere.

The last text she sent said someone had punctured her tires.

Said she was gonna walk.

Did you tell the police that?

Because I didn't read that in the report.

I told 'em.

They didn't think much of it.

Well, that points to the abductor knowing her schedule.

Even which bike was hers.

I knew that was important.

Mrs.

Howard,

- I know what you've been through.

- (SNIFFLES)

And I'm gonna do everything in my power to catch the person who k*lled your daughter.

So if there's anything you think of...

...here's my contact info.

It's completely confidential.

Just leave a message, and I'll call you right back.

Okay.

But...

but you never told me your name.

It's better that way.

Hey, Harry.

The k*ller was definitely watching the vics.

Probably got to know 'em first.

Right.

Which is why Nia was so ready to get into the car.

(SIGHS)

You know, one of the first things I did when cultivating an asset at the CIA was to rent a place near them.

I could watch them, arrange bumps.

Yeah, okay.

I'll get a list of property managers with month-to-month apartments in close proximity to Nia and Kayla's place.

See if you can narrow it to vacancies in the last three months.

Yeah.

You got it.

(BEEPING)

I got to go.

Let me know what you find.

- How'd it go?

- I ran into some politics.

If I can't connect Nia to these others, we're on our own.

And you wonder why I do what I do.

Speaking of which, you're on the D.A.'s radar.

She's made you a priority.

Am I a priority to you, too?

Right now, all I want to do is find who's k*lling these girls.

There's a man, Deshawn Sanders, serving time for one of the murders.

The victim was his fiancée.

If he's not our doer, he may have something to say.

Ask him if there was anyone new in his fiancée's life.

I think our victims knew their k*ller.

(CHATTER IN DISTANCE)

(LOCK BUZZES)

You come around now?

Ask me about my fiancée?

Maybe you haven't looked around, but the case seems pretty closed to me.

Did you k*ll her?

Sure.

Ask any of the guards.

Not a single innocent man up in here.

- I'm asking you.

- No.

I didn't k*ll her.

Then tell me what happened.

I was supposed to take her to work, but I was sick, so she decided to walk.

A week later, she's dead and I'm a Black man with no alibi.

- That's what happened.

- Witness said she got into a sedan with an unidentified man.

Could a friend have been giving her a ride?

She was a homebody.

- She didn't have any guy friends.

- So you'd say it's unlikely she got into a car with someone she didn't know?

No way.

Which is exactly what the prosecutor said when he pointed at me in court.

(EXHALES)

Look, I understand...

You understand.

Do you?

What it's like to have your fiancée m*rder*d?

Your dreams shattered?

And to be told that you're the one that k*lled her.

My family, her family all thinkin' that I m*rder*d the only woman that I love.

Tell me again you understand.

- Thank you.

- Uh-huh.

- (PHONE RINGS)

- Anything?

DANTE: Just that your theory might be right.

The k*ller may have had a passing acquaintance with the victims.

I think he went even further, embedding himself into their lives.

Someone took a short-term rental across the street from Nia's place.

Paid cash in advance.

Landlord never saw him.

I'm here now.

Whoa.

Hold up.

If the guy's there, we need to do this right and get him in cuffs.

Well, then, I guess you better get here quick.

(BEEPING)

(LOCK BUZZES IN DISTANCE)

♪ ♪ (SHUTS OFF ENGINE)

You waited.

You made a convincing argument.

Look, we both want Nia back safe, so...

best chance at that is to work together.

Whoa.

Hold up.

What are you doing?

What's it look like I'm doing?

We don't have a warrant.

Good thing I'm not a cop.

I can't legally enter the premises.

Sure, you can.

You're witnessing a break-in.

- (LOCK CLICKS)

- And look at that.

The intruder's armed, too.

Better see what's going on.

(DOOR CREAKS)

(HORN HONKS IN DISTANCE)

ROBYN: Nia.

(DOOR CREAKS)

Wha...

(SHOUTS)

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

♪ ♪ (DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

♪ ♪ (GRUNTS SOFTLY)

He got away.

What's worse is I didn't get a good look at him.

You used me.

As a shield.

I was controlling the target area so neither one of us got k*lled.

I knew you were wearing a vest.

(EXHALES)

You're unbelievable, you know that?

You gonna keep bitching at me about getting sh*t

- or you gonna help me?

- (SIGHS)

Nia's not here.

Got to be keeping her somewhere else, but this is definitely where he stalked her from.

He was packing up, clearing out.

(CLICKS)

Look at these.

Now look at those.

Out of all the pictures on this laptop, those are the ones the k*ller thought of to print.

So...?

ROBYN: So he chose ones that are conservative, flattering.

As if...

His feelings toward women are conflicted.

He's hurting them, but at the same time, reveres them.

Jibes with the fact that none of the vics were sexually assaulted.

And the postmortem makeup points to guilt and shame about what he's done.

All these items are vegan.

Detox pills, probiotic shake.

It's almost as if he's trying to purify himself.

So not only is he conflicted about what he's doing but who he is.

Who are you?

You're proficient in profiling.

You with one of the alphabets?

Ex-FBI?

Intelligence?

I just like reading a lot of crime novels.

How long we gonna play this game?

(SIREN WAILING)

I guess somebody called in those g*nshots.

You need to go.

- Now.

- Nia's still out there, so I'm gonna need to know everything your team finds.

And you're gonna need to put some ice on that later.

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

HARRY: I tried to pick your k*ller up on camera, but there aren't any around the apartment.

Not very many in the neighborhood, either.

Makes areas like that good hunting grounds.

I also ran that name you gave me.

Chase Lammens.

Guy's vanilla.

No priors?

No red flags?

Uh-uh.

Owns a boat.

Divorced twice.

I mean, other than buying cat sweaters on Etsy, guys seems pretty harmless.

Why...

why we looking for him?

Rob, tell me you didn't run Vi's date.

I didn't run him.

Harry did.

Oh, wow.

Just ran a simple background check.

(LAUGHS)

- Thought I was paranoid.

- Hey.

Sometimes the bogeyman is real.

You think it'll never come to your doorstep until someone you love is dead and you're the only one who cares to find out why.

♪ ♪ (BUZZING)

Don't forget my lineup.

Keep moving.

I'm gonna put a part down the back of your head.

(LAPTOP RINGING)

Who you?

(CHUCKLES)

A friend of your father's.

Who you?

I'm Stefon, his favorite son.

Oh, yeah?

- (CHUCKLES)

He tell you that?

- No.

But if you met my brother, you'd understand.

You and Kyle go get your backpacks ready.

Okay.

How'd you get my personal num...

You know what?

Never mind.

Your boy's beyond cute.

Give him time, he'll wear on you.

But thanks.

You look tired.

Eh.

I was up until about : a.m.

processing the scene.

But I never miss the hour before school with my boys.

How do you do it?

(EXHALES)

Separate home from work?

When I come in at night, before I hang up my keys, I look at them, feel the weight in my hand to remind myself I am home, to remind myself to be present.

When I hang them on that peg, I put away whatever I dealt with that day.

And until I pick them up again, I am here...

and only here.

You have kids?

(CHUCKLES)

Nice try.

Tell me you found something.

Anything that'll get us to Nia.

Forensics from the laptop belonged to some elderly man with a proclivity for stuffed animals.

So the k*ller either stole it or bought it from a pawnshop?

There's something else.

The computer's camera light was disabled, but there's evidence the camera was active.

- He was watching us.

- Maybe.

The rest of the place was scrubbed clean, but I had my guys look through the dumpsters.

Found this.

More of his deep dive into Nia.

That's credit data.

I'll be right back.

What?

Wait.

Daddy, Kyle won't let me play on his VR!

He's been on it all morning!

Go to your rooms and work it out.

Don't come out until you do.

- (GRUNTS)

- What?

I didn't say anything!

I just talked to Mrs. Howard.

Her daughter also had a payday loan from Eastway Pay.

Just like Nia.

That's how the k*ller's targeting victims.

He'd have their picture, all that personal client data.

He'd know their habits, where they spend their time and money.

He could do a deep dive and find specific women who trigger him.

But the victims were from different jurisdictions.

Info couldn't have come from local branch computers.

The k*ller'd need to access the corporate system.

So either he hacked in, or more likely, he works there.

I'm headed to the corporate office.

- I'll meet you.

- No.

Not this time.

If we're right, we need to do this by the book.

It's our best sh*t at finding Nia.

Hey, sweetness.

Oh, Mom, you mind giving me a ride to school?

I thought Aunt Vi was taking you.

She didn't come back home from her date last night.

- Wait.

What?

- Yup.

Guess they must have really hit it off.

And she hasn't called?

Whoa.

Okay, what's the big deal?

- That's not like her.

- Something must be wrong.

Voice mail.

You have access to her dating profile.

Pull it up now.

Okay.

I think you're tripping.

- I'm sure she's fine.

- You don't know that.

Something could've happened to her.

She could have got into an accident or abducted, anything.

- (DOOR CLOSES)

- VI: Ugh.

I'm sorry I'm late.

You ready, Dee?

See?

Mom thought you'd been abducted.

Abducted?

Really?

Oh, sweetheart, you need to have more faith in people, or else you're never gonna have any fun.

So, good date?

Was he nice?

He was charming, actually.

We had a lot of really good wine.

- Talked all night and...

- (HIGH-PITCHED TONE)

I fell asleep on the couch.

Fell asleep.

Huh.

You know what?

Your imagination is just as lively as your mom's.

Get out of here.

Dish with you on the way to school.

(DOOR OPENS)

Are you okay?

(DOOR CLOSES)

Yeah, I'm fine.

Just work things.

Glad you had a good time last night.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

You're right.

All ten had loans with us.

Who would have access to their private data?

Accounts are assigned by geographic district.

Only a few people would have access to all of these.

Does the system log who's been in them?

Only one person accessed all ten.

Jay Ackerman, one of our business VPs.

Are employee cars registered?

Maybe for garage security?

Yes.

What kind does Mr. Ackerman drive?

Looks like a Toyota Camry.

Don't move!

Hands up!

Show me your hands!

Don't move!

DANTE: We got him.

He had pics of all the vics on his computer.

Any sign of Nia?

Searched his house, she wasn't there.

This guy have any priors?

A domestic as*ault charge by his wife that was dropped, although we did find a few grams of coke in the trunk of his car.

You still there?

It's not him.

What?

Our k*ller would never use dr*gs.

And he would never marry because no woman would measure up to his ideal.

Yeah, slow down.

I haven't even questioned the guy.

And I need to be there when you do.

Absolutely not.

Come on.

This is no time for bureaucracy.

Nia is still out there.

We're running out of time.

Then let me do my job.

(PHONE BEEPS OFF)

You're in a lot of trouble, Mr. Ackerman.

Come on.

You think I don't own a TV?

I know how this works.

You want to charge me for the coke, have at it.

I'll get probation and a drug diversion program.

(LAUGHS)

Hmm.

Possession of cocaine is the least of your problems.

I'm not stupid, and you don't scare me.

Then we've both misjudged each other.

Let's talk about the girl you abducted.

What girl?

I didn't abduct any girl.

Yet you had pictures of her on your computer.

As well as ten other women who were abducted and m*rder*d.

No.

Wait.

I don't know anything about any of this.

I think you do.

Where's the girl?

No, wait.

I'm-I'm telling you the truth.

If you're telling me the truth, then why does your car have PhotoBlock on the license plate?

- PhotoBlock?

- Where's the girl?!

No.

I...

I...

I am not saying anything else.

I want to speak to a lawyer.

(PHONE BUZZES)

Dante.

ROBYN: Swing and a miss, huh?

- You were watching me?

- Well, yeah.

You wouldn't allow me in the room.

I need you to ask him something.

Well, maybe you didn't hear, but legally, I can't ask him any more questions.

You can ask him if he's hungry.

Play good cop, offer him something to eat.

Sell him on that burger joint across the street.

Got good burgers across the street.

Can I get you one?

Yeah.

Sure.

Are you convinced now?

Because the k*ller had vegan food in his apartment?

All the evidence points to this guy.

An orgy of evidence.

When does that ever happen?

Someone is trying to set him up to take the fall.

We had the right place, just the wrong guy.

We need to go back there, see who had access to his computer, who could've set him up.

I just arrested a guy.

And if you don't listen to me, you're gonna have another autopsy for your file.

We have six hours left.

I can't ditch my arrest based on tea leaves and your gut.

I'm sorry.

(PHONE BEEPS OFF)

(SIGHS)

Which vendor did you say you're with?

Vonner-tech.

Can I just say, I love your brooch.

Oh, thank you.

It was my mother's.

Oh, beautiful.

I don't think people wear brooches nearly enough anymore.

Totally agree.

What passes for fashion these days, right?

So, you were saying, with your current system, only the user can access their hard drive?

Yes.

I mean, no.

Upper-level IT managers have administrative access.

Would they be able to access the drive remotely?

Yes, they would be able to as long as they have their company laptops and...

(WOMAN GASPS)

Hey!

Security!

(BEEPS)

(DRONES)

(DOOR RATTLING)

HARRY: Just sent you the lone address, for Carter Jacobs.

House belonged to his father.

I'm guessing there was trouble at home?

You'd be right.

Carter had a child services file.

Give me the Cliff Notes.

Dad...

no surprise...

Was abusive, which explains why his mom left when he was ten years old.

Case psychologist points to severe abandonment issues as cause for his acting out.

Animal abuse, setting several fires.

But by age , he drops off the state's radar.

There's no records or arrests as an adult.

Any pics of the parents?

- (PHONE CHIMES)

- HARRY: You should have them.

Who does the mom remind you of?

This is all about the mom.

Abandonment triggers the v*olence, but the love for his mother fuels reverence for the victims, and shame for ending their lives.

Hence the postmortem makeover.

Exactly.

Thanks, Harry.

(PHONE BEEPS OFF)

(LINE RINGING)

Detective Dante.

I found him.

The real k*ller.

(TIRES SQUEALING)

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

I didn't think you'd come.

Had to.

If you're right, Nia only has hours to live.

Or less.

Carter knows we're coming now.

- We do this my way.

- No time.

Nia might be in there.

DANTE: Damn it.

Cover me.

I'll check upstairs.

- Who the hell are you?

- NYPD.

Where's your warrant?

We have reason to suspect your son's a serial k*ller.

You really want to talk warrant?

I don't know nothing about that.

He's not here.

Where's Carter?

- Where's the girl?

- None of your damn business.

You need to control this bitch.

- (GROANS)

- Where is Carter?

- (GROANS)

- What are you doing?

I'm speaking the only language an abuser understands.

Let him go.

Put down your w*apon now.

Where is he?

(GROANS)

What is this place?

If you don't tell me and a girl dies, I will come back here and bury you in a hole so deep, nobody will never find you.

It's a playground, by his old school.

But it's been closed for years.

Why would he be here?

He's been obsessed with the place ever since his mom didn't show to pick him up.

She left him, she promised to come back and get him?

He waited there every day for a week like a stooge.

One week.

Damn it.

Wait!

(GROANS)

Come on.

This is Detective Dante.

I've got someone I need you to pick up.

(TIRES SQUEALING)

(MUFFLED CRYING)

Nia.

It's okay.

Kayla sent me to find you.

I'm gonna sh**t the lock open and get you out of here.

(g*nsh*t)

Okay.

You're all right.

- Get this off of you.

Let's get it off.

- (PANTING)

You're all right.

You're okay.

- You're okay.

You're okay.

- (WHIMPERING)

You're all right.

You're all right.

You're okay.

It's okay.

It's okay.

- It's okay.

You're fine.

- (CRYING)

Don't worry.

You're safe.

It's okay, baby.

(SIREN BLARING, GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSION)

DANTE: Nia, I know the last thing you want to do right now is answer my questions, but we need to get that man off the streets so he can't hurt anyone ever again.

ROBYN: I know it's painful, but think back.

Is there anything he did or said that could help us find him?

He... he barely talked at all.

And when he did, he just kept saying the same thing over and over.

"Look me in the eyes" He'd say it.

And then he'd hurt me.

We'll talk more tomorrow, Nia.

(CAR DOOR OPENS)

ROBYN: Right now, just be with your family.

Nia!

(CRYING)

God...

(CRYING)

(CRYING CONTINUES)

(SNIFFLES)

Thank you.

Thank you for seeing us.

(DISTANT SIREN WAILS)

Hold up.

We need to talk next moves.

We disrupted Carter's pattern, his methodology.

That's gonna have dire consequences on his psyche.

Yeah.

And now he's out there, unmoored, looking to k*ll again.

And thanks to you, none of the evidence on him is admissible.

If he was standing right here, and I put cuffs on him, charges still wouldn't stick.

All because you lead with your chin.

You're pissed.

I get it.

But we have to...

"We"?

There is no "we." Not after what you did back there.

Putting a g*n to that man's head.

That girl is the only reason I'm not arresting you right now.

This was a mistake.

No more cooperation, no more quid pro quo.

Whatever this partnership was...

it's over.

(ENGINE STARTS)

So awful what happened to Nia.

How's she doing?

She's got a road ahead of her, and knowing Carter's still out there doesn't help.

We'll find him.

(SIGHS)

There's something else going on.

What is it?

Things ended bad with Dante.

He says I compromised the case.

But what was I supposed to do?

Wait for the cops and let her die?

I mean, this whole case reminds me of when my dad was k*lled.

How I waited, helpless, for somebody, anybody to lift a finger.

But to them, he was just another Black man, carjacked in a bad neighborhood.

Just like these girls.

- Not worth looking into.

- Old wounds.

I get it.

That's why this case hits so close home.

And you know what?

Dante wouldn't even know about this case if you didn't bring it to him.

So he doesn't approve of your methods?

So what?

When was the last time you cared about what anyone thought of you?

(SIGHS)

But you do care.

Rob, this guy's more than just an asset to you, isn't he?

He's a good man...

but he's too busy being good to be great.

Don't tell him, but it wasn't until my first big blowup with Harry that I realized how much I cared about him.

HARRY: (CACKLES)

That's when you knew?

(HARRY LAUGHS)

I knew you fell for me first.

(LAUGHS)

It's not the time, babe.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

(PHONES BUZZ, CHIME)

It's the encrypted app.

It's Carter.

"You've taken something of mine, now I'm going to take something of yours."

How did he get your info?

ROBYN: Carter ran that grief group that Mrs. Howard attended.

He saw us talking.

He must have gotten my number from her somehow.

Rob, your family.

They are totally firewalled.

There's no way he knows my real identity.

Okay.

Then who is he talking about?

The apartment.

He was watching us.

He saw us together.

Dante.

A vest won't save you this time.

(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

CARTER: I knew you'd come.

Drop the g*n, or I will k*ll him.

Okay.

I'm putting the g*n down.

No need for anybody to get hurt.

Kick it here.

The boys?

At their mom's.

I don't hurt kids.

Kids need to be protected.

You're right.

They do.

We wouldn't even be here if someone had protected you.

The hell do you know?

I know your father was abusive to your mother, and she left.

She told you she was coming back for you, but for whatever reason, she couldn't.

Didn't.

Not couldn't.

Didn't!

And that makes you angry.

Makes you hurt people.

I also know there's a reason you had that group.

Because you needed to listen to their pain 'cause it's your pain, too.

So I'm asking you, please, let him go, put down the g*n, and I will get you the help that you need, that you deserve.

Get me help?

What, do you think I'm stupid?

You're lying!

Just like her!

Look me in the eyes.

- Look at me!

- No.

Do it, or I will waste him.

I know you care about him.

You're not gonna k*ll him.

Not while I'm not watching.

That's why you made them look you in the eye.

You need to see their pain when you inflict it.

Otherwise, it's meaningless.

Turn around and look at me!

Last chance, Carter.

Let him go.

- (YELLING): Look at me!

- No!

(g*nsh*t)

What did you do?

I gave him a chance.

He didn't take it.

You okay?

Leave.

Okay...

(YELLING): Leave!

(INHALES)

(KNOCKING)

District Attorney Grafton.

You wanted to see me?

I wanted to congratulate you on the Carter Jacobs case.

I also wanted you to know that, in light of all the new facts, Deshawn Sanders will have the opportunity for a retrial.

Good to hear.

Did have a few questions, though, about what happened...

Specifically, why the b*llet that k*lled him wasn't from your g*n.

I also found the statement given by the k*ller's father concerning.

The woman who was accused of assaulting him sounds an awful lot like the vigilante you've been chasing.

It was.

She also helped save the girl.

- Detective, I don't have to tell you...

- No.

You don't.

I've seen her methods.

She's a danger, to herself and the people she thinks she's helping.

She needs to be stopped.

So we agree.

It would appear that she has a connection with you.

That gives you an edge.

If you'd be willing to use it to bring her in, this office would happily look past any previous cooperation you may have given her.

And with our support, a collar like that...

could make a person's career.

Do we understand each other?

Yes, ma'am.

I believe we do.

♪ My mother used to take my hand ♪

♪ Put my fingers on the keys ♪

♪ She said, you got to use your voice ♪

♪ Be the melody... ♪

DANTE: Before I hang up my keys, I look at them, feel the weight in my hand to remind myself I am home, to remind myself to be present.

♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

- ♪ Sing a song for tomorrow ♪

- (LAUGHTER, INDISTINCT CHATTER)

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Let the song that I'm singing ♪

- ♪ Let it carry through ♪

- ♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Let the words be a way to give strength to you ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ah-ah, ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Sing a song for tomorrow... ♪

I'm home!

Hey!

Hey, Mom.

What's up?

♪ Let the song that I'm singing ♪

♪ Let it carry you through... ♪

Man, something smells good.

(QUIET CHATTER)

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh. ♪