The answer's no, Eddie.
Fantasy football is a blast.
I'm second in my league.
I just need a little help with the playoffs.
I don't gamble.
It's not gambling, exactly.
Look, I already have a fantasy football team.
Okay?
It's called the Jets.
Every year, I fantasize they're not gonna suck.
What's that?
Kenneth Tripp.
Child predator.
413 Third Avenue, Apartment 1B.
"Protect your kids." Excuse me, sir.
Do you live here?
Michael Ruiz.
I'm in 3G.
That's a tough situation.
Yeah.
I got three little girls.
My wife and I moved to this neighborhood because it was supposed to be safe for kids.
You sure about this guy Tripp?
Yeah, found his name online.
He's a Level 2 sex offender.
He spent 15 months in jail for molesting a nineyearold kid.
You guys got to do something.
Wewe'll check him out, but if he did his time and he registered, there's really not much we can do.
You know, this guy may have rights, but so do we.
Our kids live here, they play here, and we're scared.
Who do we see about that?
How much you think a school like this costs a year?
Got to be, what, 50 grand a year.
Damn.
Must be nice.
That's only starting in kindergarten.
Wow.
What do we got?
Dylan Gardner, 17. Looks like he O.D.'d.
This was found in his hand.
Doesn't look like milk and cookies to me.
Kid had it made; Why is he messing with dr*gs?
Why does any kid mess with dr*gs?
I guess opioids are everywhere these days.
Let's see who he spoke to last.
Maybe we'll come up with something.
I'll get an emergency dump on his phone.
We're gonna want to speak to his parents.
They're probably on their way.
Poaching one of our cases again, Detectives?
Special Agent Bell?
Fifth O.D.
at a prep school in the past six weeks.
I'm running the investigation for the Drug Enforcement Task Force.
You thinking all these O.D.s are connected?
That's what we're trying to find out.
You want some help with that?
Last time we worked together, you two weren't exactly team players.
That's true.
But then again, we did seize the largest pile of drug cash in the history of New York.
So there's that little tidbit.
Promise to behave yourselves?
- Yes.
- No.
Close enough.
You're hired.
We need to nail whoever's spreading this poison.
A van full of U.N.
delegates from West Africa got pulled over at the Midtown Tunnel and detained for over an hour.
For?
We don't know, exactly.
Because of the delay, they missed a vote.
We're expecting an angry phone call from the secretary general's office.
And by "we," I mean me.
And how come we don't know why they were detained?
'Cause it wasn't our guys that pulled them over.
Was state troopers.
What?
Apparently the governor assigned extra manpower to all bridge and tunnel crossings.
And yes, without informing our office.
Did I miss a credible thr*at?
No.
These yoyos were the only thr*at.
Pulling random checks.
Tunnel was jammed for hours.
Why weren't we notified?
Our state police liaison said it came straight from the governor's office with strict orders not to inform the NYPD.
That's a how, not a why.
My money's on our mayor.
The mayor's part of it?
No, I bet the mayor's out of it, too, on purpose.
Purpose being?
Just conjecture here, but Mayor Poole had a lot of friends in Albany that helped keep the governor's bullying in check.
Mayor Dutton has no such pull.
And according to my sources, when the guv denied her request for backup when we had the riots on Rikers, she kind of went off on him.
She do her homework on the governor?
No way of knowing.
Guy's got thinner skin than a grape; Who doesn't know that?
From what I've seen, she doesn't always read a room real good.
What about Carter?
You mean Carlton?
What about Carlton?
What about Carlton?
That wasn't a question.
Right.
We got your number from Dylan Gardner's phone.
Um, how do you and he know each other?
Dylan is a student of mine.
You teach at Garson Academy?
Literature and composition.
And you're taking the day off today?
I...
just trying to shake a cold.
So, you and Dylan, what'd you guys talk about?
I really can't recall.
That's interesting.
It was just a few hours ago.
No recollection?
Is there, is there a problem here?
Yeah, actually there is a little bit of a problem.
Dylan overdosed.
He's dead.
But thatthat can't be true.
No, it's true.
You know anything about that?
What the hell is this?
II, I can explain that.
You can explain down at the squad room.
You're under arrest for criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Give me your hand.
Is that something you do all the time?
You know, get high with your students?
It wasn't a social thing.
I'm addicted to this stuff.
Yeah, kind of figured out that part.
Danny.
No, I'm just saying, you know.
Is it something he does for extra credit or what?
I don't know.
Does he grade him on it?
Danny.
Detective, something's wrong.
What?
Baez?
Hey.
Hey, what's the matter?
She's overdosing.
She what?!
What are you talking about?!
The tray she picked up, there was fentanyl on it.
We got to get her to a hospital, now!
Hey, Baez!
Hang in there, okay?
Hey!
Hang on, partner!
Code blue.
Code blue.
I'm Dr.
Khan.
Any idea what she came in contact with?
Perp said she got fentanyl on her hands.
Explains the extreme reaction.
Naloxone stat.
Prep cubicle 2.
What the hell's happening here?
She was fine one second, the next minute, she's not breathing.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid.
50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
The slightest exposure can trigger an overdose.
What are you saying?
My partner's gonna wake up, right?
Tell me she's gonna wake up!
Look, fentanyl has a profound impact on respiratory function.
Hopefully, you got her here in time.
Wait.
We'll do everything we can.
You mind telling me what we're doing here, Reagan?
Just want to talk to the guy.
Tripp's been clean since he got out.
His parole officer said he's been a model citizen.
Tell that to the people living in this building.
What if he, what if he claims harassment?
You want to wait in the car?
No.
Can I help you?
Kenneth Tripp?
Yes.
I'm Officer Reagan.
This is Officer Janko.
We understand you're new to the building.
That's right.
Nice place.
Lot of families.
So we make sure to keep a real close eye out on patrol.
I see.
We just want you to know you can feel real safe living here.
I'm well aware that my neighbors don't want me here, Officers.
So why choose a family building like this?
Because my mother lives a couple of blocks from here.
She isn't well; I take care of her.
Well, why not move in with her?
Because she lives in a school zone.
Which would violate your parole.
Yes.
Now, look, I haven't done anything wrong.
I just want to be left alone.
Parents in this building are saying the same thing about their kids.
You need to respect that, understand?
I made a mistake.
I paid the price, and now I'd just like to live my life in peace.
Excuse me.
You're in a boatload of trouble, Mr.
Stratton.
A teacher abusing dr*gs is bad enough, but sharing them with the students is a disgrace.
I know I have a problem.
And you're gonna have an even bigger problem if you're not straight with us.
Did you sell Dylan the dr*gs that k*lled him?
What?
What?
No.
Answer the question!
No, no.
You've got, you've got it all wrong.
So set us straight.
II wasn't Dylan's dealer.
I was his customer.
You want us to believe that you bought the dr*gs from the kid?
Is that what you're saying?
Look, I had kidney stone surgery last year.
I left the hospital addicted to hydrocodone.
When the doctors finally wouldn't prescribe me any more...
You turned to one of your students.
Yeah, real pathetic.
Never heard of rehab?
Yeah.
I tried it twice.
At least you're still breathing, unlike Dylan Gardner.
He's in withdrawal.
Maybe his memory will improve after he sees a doctor.
Good.
Then I'll call him a bus.
Reagan.
She's gonna make it.
Yeah.
She isn't scheduled to leave Bronx Botanical for another half hour.
You are welcome to wait.
Carter...
Carlton.
Sorry.
Carlton.
We have a packed day ourselves.
Then why are you here a half hour early for someone who is always a half hour late?
Must've been a screwup on your end.
I had us down for 4:00 sharp.
I didn't screw up.
Doesn't matter.
Is the mayor aware that the governor platooned state troopers to her city?
Yes.
The incident with the U.N.
delegates was unfortunate.
She called the secretary general's office as soon as she heard.
So she didn't get a headsup either.
The transportation hubs fall within state police jurisdiction.
The governor has every right to act independently of us and you.
You work for him now?
No, I work for the mayor.
Me, too.
Here we are, just a couple of worker bees sh**ting the breeze.
What do you want?
There has always been overlap between city and state cops.
We've been able to manage it through effective communication.
Until now.
This governor has a tendency to overreach.
And our boss?
Has a tendency to, shall we say...
Drag her feet.
Backpedal.
Weigh each side carefully before...
Flipflopping?
Coming to an informed decision.
As was her strength as public advocate.
Look, she doesn't want to go up against this governor.
Smart.
You think?
I do.
You do?
It is a law enforcement issue and one that is best left to her police commissioner.
Easier said than done.
But easily said.
We'll take the done part.
You sound very confident.
Don't be fooled.
I'm just pretty confident.
So you'll see to this?
I will advise her, yes.
And what were we in here talking about?
The tree lighting and the ball drop.
Copy that.
Thanks.
Hey, partner.
Stopped by your place, and figured you might, want to see some familiar faces when you wake up.
Instead of my ugly mug.
Everyone at the squad's pulling for you.
Told them they got nothing to worry about.
And I am leaning in real hard on, that teacher.
I probably don't say it enough, but...
you're one hell of a cop.
And you're one hell of a partner.
I really, really need you to wake up.
I really can't afford to lose you, too.
So...
I'm just gonna have a seat here until you stop being stubborn...
and wake up.
This guy Tripp's following the law, Jamie.
I don't care what he says about being reformed.
Those parents have a right to be worried.
You're right.
So they need to keep a closer eye on their kids.
And we need to do the same.
I'm just saying it's not fair, that's all.
Sometimes fair's got nothing to do with it.
12David, be advised, you have a 1024 front of 413 Third Avenue.
That's Tripp's building.
Hey, police!
Step back.
Step aside.
- Step aside.
Police.
- Hey.
Back up.
Back up.
- It's Tripp.
- I'm calling a bus.
Central, 12David, we need a bus at this location.
Anybody see who did this?
Nobody saw anything?
Mr.
Ruiz.
We need to talk to you.
I'll meet you guys at home.
What can I do for you?
Kenneth Tripp was assaulted outside your building last night.
Someone b*at him up pretty bad.
What happened to your hand?
Look, I...
I wasn't looking for trouble, okay?
I'm not a violent person.
Tell us what happened.
I came home from work.
Tripp was headed out of the building.
We started going back and forth about him living there.
How did Tripp end up on the ground?
I said what I had to say, started to head inside.
The next thing I know, he hits me.
You're saying Tripp threw the first punch?
Yeah.
I had no choice.
I had to defend myself.
Why would Tripp go after someone twice his size?
Why would he go after a kid half his size?
All right, we're gonna need you to come down to the precinct, talk with a detective.
Am I under arrest?
Not if you come voluntarily.
Right here?
Nigel Lewis.
Yes?
Detective Reagan.
Special Agent Bell.
Are you here about Dylan?
We hear you two were really good friends.
Um, yeah.
Dylan was the best.
II can't believe he's gone.
Yeah, he is gone, and we'd like to make sure no other kids go the same way he did.
We know that Dylan was selling dr*gs.
What can you tell us about that?
Nothing.
Nothing at all?
Well, that's interesting, 'cause one of your teachers told us that you and Dylan used to party together and we may want to take a peek inside your locker.
Um, you can go ahead.
You're not gonna find anything.
We want to know where Dylan got the dr*gs he sold.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Can I go to class?
No.
Actually, you can't go, okay?
We're not playing a game here, okay?
Now, you're not the guy we're looking for, but you very well could be, you understand?
With all due respect, based on what?
The word of a drug addict teacher and a bunch of hearsay?
You seem like a pretty smart kid, Nigel.
Trust me, I know a lot of smart kids who end up in prison for dr*gs.
She's right.
My mom's a criminal defense attorney.
If you're gonna arrest me without probable cause, she'll be waiting at the precinct.
Can I go to class now?
Get the hell out of here.
I used to play baseball against prep school kids.
The fights were the best part.
Please don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Great to see you, Frank.
Welcome to One PP.
Let's get a few sh*ts.
Billy?
Please, right this way, Governor.
Right this way, please, Governor.
Please, have a seat.
May I get you some coffee?
Water?
No, thanks.
I'll make sure the governor's staff is comfortable and that you're not disturbed.
Thank you, Baker.
Thank you for coming up here.
We're alone now, so you don't need to...
Unless you record conversations in here.
I don't.
Then we don't need to waste time faking friendly.
I spoke to the secretary general about the incident with his people.
Smoothed things over for you.
For me?
For you and Dutton.
If you don't want to thank me, fine.
You don't get to be the arsonist and the firefighter.
What's that mean?
Means you don't get a big thank you for cleaning up a mess you made.
I didn't make a mess.
My troopers stopped six foreigners in a van.
Your cops never did that?
Not a van with diplomatic plates, not the way your troopers did.
I also told them to spread the word that we want the million dollars in parking tickets paid up.
So you can thank me for that.
What you're doing, mixing state troopers in with the NYPD, without any coordination...
Is my call.
You realize that it's my call if I want to fire you?
Takes more than a job thr*at to scare me off, all due respect.
Surely you'd rather leave here on your own time and your own steam, with all the applause and bagpipes, than from a sudden eviction.
Be honest.
Why are you here?
A ceremony opening phase two of the Second Avenue subway tunnel.
I meant here, in my house.
I want a state presence in the security configuration this week, and you're gonna support that.
Bad idea.
You can't have a successful political profile these days without some handson involvement in anti- and counterterrorism.
Which makes it a good idea.
Not like this.
Just like this.
The governor sensed that an event publicizing a new tunnel might call attention to our most vulnerable targets.
Hence, increased presence at all tunnels.
And that's all you need to know.
Although you have not been charged, you still have the right to remain silent or have a lawyer present.
I have nothing to hide.
I didn't do anything wrong.
Put a guy half your size in the hospital.
I was defending myself.
You claim that Kenneth Tripp struck you?
That's right.
Do you have any bruising or defensive wounds?
No.
How many times you hit him?
I don't know.
I'm not used to being att*cked.
Mr.
Tripp is still unconscious after receiving a severe b*ating.
Well, maybe he should learn to keep his hands to himself.
With everybody.
So you maintain that Mr.
Tripp posed a thr*at to you?
He poses a thr*at to everyone in the building, especially our kids.
Okay, but that kind of thr*at does not give you the right to as*ault him.
You guys have kids?
I have a daughter.
Two boys and a girl.
Okay.
So put yourself in our place.
This guy's a predator.
Right?
You can't watch your kids 24/7.
What would you do?
I would not resort to vigilante v*olence.
Look, you have my statement.
I protected myself and my family.
And I'd do it again.
What do we got?
17yearold male.
Apparent O.D.
Where is he?
He's right over here.
Nigel Lewis.
Anybody with him?
The girlfriend's over there.
Excuse me.
Detective Reagan.
Special Agent Bell.
Hi.
What's your name?
Eva Gold.
Can you tell us what happened?
It was that jerk Paul.
Who's Paul?
He's a dealer.
He partied with Nigel.
Showed up, like, an hour ago.
After what happened to Dylan, I begged Nigel to stay away from him.
His stuff's too strong.
Okay.
We need to know everything about this guy Paul.
It's hard to walk in those shoes till you got kids of your own is all I'm saying.
- Seriously?
- Yes.
Look, you gamble that a child molester moving in next door to you has been successfully rehabbed, what you're actually gambling with is your own kids' safety.
Not all sexual predators repeat their crimes.
No, but many of them do, and it's hard to tell them apart.
So he deserved a b*ating?
For what?
Something he might do?
I didn't say deserved, but I understand the guy who gave him the b*ating.
Man did his time, period.
Come on, Dad.
You know it's not that simple.
I do, but if you selectively toss the compact of crime and punishment, you're in Lord of the Flies land.
And by your logic, someone convicted of that kind of crime should just be locked up forever.
Yes, they should.
And if a beatdown serves as a warning or a deterrent to some child molester who beats the system, well, then so be it.
Slippery slope is mild with that logic.
More like an avalanche.
Well...
She's right.
On paper, she's right.
Well, that's where the laws are written, on paper.
This guy Tripp molested a little girl.
Okay, we do not need to get into details.
Come on, Mom.
So we can defend the man, but we can't name his crime?
I'm not saying that.
We know about predators.
This isn't new to us.
Yeah, remember "stranger danger"?
Glad you know about it, sorry you had to be taught.
Look, when I first met Tripp, he made my skin crawl, and it pissed me off that he was living near kids.
Damn right.
But when I saw him lying in the street, beaten to a pulp, it bothered me.
Because I can't just look the other way.
Because I'm sworn and paid to look straight at it, to see it for what it is.
Come on.
He's right, Danny.
That guy Ruiz was defending his family from a predator.
Amen to that.
Well, actually, he wasn't.
Sounds like he just made a preemptive strike based on his own fears.
But those are real fears.
Exactly.
I mean, let's just say, when we were kids, some animal like Tripp moved in next door.
What would you do?
Everything I could to protect my kids.
That's right.
Look, I get it.
We are officers of the law, and as such, we can't do anything until an actual crime happens.
That's the law.
Okay, but what if the crime is going to happen, and it's to your own child?
Are you just gonna let it happen?
That's not a fair question, Danny.
Well, that's the question Ruiz was facing.
Wait, so given no choice, would you put the welfare of your family above the law?
Yes, I would.
Thank you.
But when the dust settled, I would walk down to the local precinct and turn myself in.
'Cause nobody's above the law.
And without the law, nobody's safe.
It was here, and then it was gone.
You can't keep...
I didn't do anything..
Wait, hold that thought.
See if he saved it.
Hey.
Hey.
Heading out?
Yeah.
Got a lead on the drug dealer.
- How's your partner?
- Same.
Doc says we just got to wait.
And how you doing with that?
Part of the job.
Yeah, the unbearable part.
Yeah.
I should've known there were dr*gs in the apartment.
He was an English teacher, Danny.
Who was obviously off.
Which I should've recognized quicker, and I should've had my partner's back.
Dad...
if bad things keep happening around the same person, are they still just accidents?
Don't make this about that.
It's easier said than done.
Shift your weight.
You look for trouble for a living.
Sometimes trouble's gonna find you.
More than most, maybe.
Okay.
I'll try to keep more, what, positive?
You do a lot of good in this world.
More than most, maybe.
Nigel's girlfriend gave us the dealer's full name.
Paul Romano.
He's lived in this building for three years.
That's him.
That's our guy.
Call it.
Call it.
Black jacket, jeans.
Take your positions.
We're moving in.
Paul Romano.
Police.
Got a few questions for you.
Sure.
k*ll the engine.
Yeah, no problem.
Come on, turn it off.
You okay, Reagan?!
Yeah.
Team 2, suspect is heading your way!
Freeze!
Don't move!
Out of the car!
Get out.
Get out of the car!
Turn around!
Put your hands up there.
You got any weapons on you?
No.
You sure about that?
What do we got here?
I thought you said you didn't have any weapons.
That look like a w*apon to you?
I'd say that qualifies.
Let's get this piece of crap out of here.
Almost an hour I'm on the phone with Dave Keenan.
We're both singing the exact same song.
Who's Dave Keenan?
The superintendent of state police.
He doesn't want his people down here any more than I do.
And that counts for nothing?
The governor sent down guys who work border patrol.
Good cops I'm sure, but he might as well have dropped them on the moon.
Maybe we should get the mayor involved.
Maybe it was a mistake.
That would be compounded by dragging her in now.
Let me call my guy at the Times, feed him what the governor's up to, off the record.
It'll explode.
In my face.
He'll figure out the source in two seconds.
Don't sh**t the messenger.
What now?
Two plainclothes officers assigned to the Transit Bureau chasing an armed robbery suspect through Penn Station.
One of them has her g*n and her shield out when a state trooper appears out of nowhere and takes a sh*t at her.
Was she hit?
No.
Luckily the trooper was reckless and a bad sh*t.
Was the plainclothes wearing the color of the day?
Orange, on her sh**ting hand.
Trooper know the color of the day?
I'm not sure they even know we have such a thing.
Says here you're a licensed physical therapist, Mr.
Romano.
That's right.
But you moonlight as a drug dealer?
Or is it the other way around?
No comment.
How'd you get hooked up with Nigel Lewis and Dylan Gardner?
Dylan's dad was a patient of mine.
He's a smart kid.
A real entrepreneur.
Yeah, he's so smart, he turned a grown man into a drug dealer.
You have no proof that I sold anything.
All you have is that bag you took off me.
You had some serious pharmaceuticals in there.
I mean, that's why God created lawyers, right?
Possession buys me probation, six months.
Yeah.
This guys really knows his stuff.
Yeah.
Except that thing.
Yeah, that thing.
You ever been up near Buffalo, Paul?
Never had the pleasure.
Cattaraugus County?
Some nice skiing up there.
And why should I care?
Because that's where an opioid dealer was just sentenced for negligent homicide for the first time.
For the O.D.
of one of her very, very unfortunate customers.
What's that, Paul?
I don't hear you making any smartass comments now.
Well, you're never gonna make that stick.
As a matter of fact, I spoke to a state prosecutor who assured me she'd make it stick.
You're responsible for two O.D.s that we know of.
You sold heroin that was laced with fentanyl, which you knew to be deadly.
You put a New York City detective in the hospital.
You're going to prison, Paul.
But you got a chance to score points for cooperating.
I'm listening.
The stuff you're selling is not from some knockoff pill facility in Mexico.
You're pushing pharmaceuticalgrade opioids.
Topshelf stuff.
Where'd you get it?
Where'd you get it?
Every day I treat patients fresh out of the hospital, right?
Very wellmedicated patients.
- We're listening.
- These patients are prescribed more pain meds than they could possibly need, and there's plenty of folks out there who will pay top dollar for the surplus.
Rich prep school kids like Nigel Lewis and Dylan Gardner.
Yeah, that's right.
It's called supply and demand.
It's what made this country great, right?
You know, somehow, I don't think the Founding Fathers would be very proud.
Now give us the names of whoever's overprescribing this crap.
We arrested the dealer who sold the dr*gs that poisoned Detective Baez.
That's great news.
Maybe, but maybe not so great for you.
You're one of three supervising ER physicians at this hospital, right?
That's right.
The man who sold the dr*gs was a PT, purchased the dr*gs from patients of local hospitals, including this hospital.
- I don't understand.
- Your patients are selling their extra pain meds to drug dealers.
That's unfortunate, but shouldn't you take this up with them?
Well, we wouldn't have to take it up with them if docs like you weren't throwing these dr*gs around like candy on Halloween.
We prescribe opioids to relieve pain.
When used correctly these dr*gs are extremely effective.
And extremely addictive.
Well, we provide our patients with guidelines.
We don't have the resources to monitor compliance.
By putting so much of this junk out on the street, you're no better than the drug dealers themselves, Doc.
WhWhy don't you spare me the lecture?
We're on the front lines, Detective.
We handle more trauma cases than any hospital in this city, with the highest survival rate.
You're creating drug addicts.
We're saving lives.
Prescribing pain meds is a medical decision, one which the NYPD is not qualified to evaluate.
Maybe, but I work for the DEA, which controls the licensing of doctors to prescribe controlled substances.
And as of now this hospital is under federal investigation.
You really think that blaming doctors for the opioid epidemic is gonna solve the crisis?
No...
but it's a start.
Hey.
You want to keep it down?
Welcome back.
What happened?
You, had an accidental O.D.
And you scared the hell out of me.
How long was I out?
Almost a week.
You look like hell.
You been here every night?
Yeah.
I'm okay.
Go home.
To your boys.
The boys are with my old man.
They're fine.
I'll walk out of here when you do, okay?
Yeah, okay.
No more snoring.
Sorry to keep you waiting, Governor, but I'm afraid we have a problem.
We are picking up chatter about potential terror activity at the Second Avenue Subway event.
How credible is the thr*at?
We're working on that now.
So what are you gonna do about it?
Under the circumstances, it might be wise to cancel the event.
No.
I'm not letting these people dictate my agenda.
I want everything you've got on this.
Pardon the interruption...
Sorry.
You know my DCPI Garrett Moore.
- Governor.
- And Carlton Miller from the mayor's office.
Guys, where are we on this?
Governor, we need to talk.
Governor, we have a complicated situation here.
I am pulling all my officers from the area.
Why the hell would you do that?
You just said it was a credible thr*at.
By pulling my officers, it allows your officers to handle the thr*at on their own, under your command.
Without interference from the NYPD.
I see you.
Good.
It is my job, Governor, to protect law enforcement officers, yours and mine.
Without command coordination, I can't do that.
Fine.
You want to play hardball?
I can't tell you where to put your people, but what I can do is put you out on the street.
You can fire me at your leisure, but, right now, we have less than an hour to come up with a game plan.
What the hell do you want?
That state police apprise the NYPD of all future deployments to this city and coordinate it with this office.
While remaining under my control.
Well...
that's the law.
And the ceremony?
Fullcourt press from the best cops in the world.
Ours.
Which the mayor also approves.
Deal.
But this ain't over.
What happens if he finds out there was no t*rror1st thr*at?
Hey, I said "online chatter," which there always is.
What thr*at level that chatter raises...
A known unknown.
What happens when the mayor finds out she went toetotoe with the governor?
She'll take the victory.
She had no appetite for the battle.
Not gonna come up.
Why do you say that?
Because we won.
And he has no appetite for conceding a loss.
This meeting, this whole conflict never happened.
As of the moment he walked out that door.
I bet you're right.
Kind of gives me a chill.
Me, too.
How you handling the withdrawals?
Methadone helps.
Definitely felt better.
Well, we nailed the dealer who supplied you and Dylan and Nigel.
That's good to hear.
You're not the first person to get hooked on this junk, Peter.
The school fired me this morning.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Teaching's all I ever wanted to do.
It's all I had left.
There's other schools.
None of which will hire me with a drug conviction on my record.
I don't blame 'em.
Speaking of, I did happen to have a conversation with the prosecutor assigned to your case, and I may or may not have told her how helpful you were.
YYouyou didn't have to do that.
I know I didn't have to do it.
Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and listen for a second.
You complete rehab...
And I mean go in there and get clean...
She'll be willing to knock the possession charge down to a violation, which means you could walk away from this whole thing without a record.
I don't know what to say.
Just say you're gonna get clean.
I will.
Thank you.
Look, you're a good guy, Peter, but you got a bad problem.
It's time to fix it.
Hey.
Hey.
What are you doing here?
I came to check in on the Kenneth Tripp case.
On your day off?
It's been on my mind.
Well, we're still investigating, but I'm not sure we have enough to prosecute Ruiz.
But Ruiz was the one leading the charges against Tripp living in that building.
Which proves nothing, as you know.
Well, Ruiz admitted to putting Tripp in the hospital.
He's claiming selfdefense.
Right now, I don't have enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
No jury's gonna buy selfdefense.
Tripp's half his size.
He's also a child molester.
So he deserved what he got?
I didn't say that.
And you know I don't believe that.
Look, if Tripp testifies, his record could come out in court.
And if it does, the jury will give Ruiz a pass.
You can't say that for sure.
They will see a dad defending his family from a predator.
Now, whether or not his actions were justified, Ruiz will walk.
Look, Tripp got released from the hospital earlier this morning.
I think that we should at least go and speak with him first.
The least we can do is hear what he has to say.
How are you feeling?
I'll live.
Which I'm sure will disappoint some people.
Mr.
Ruiz claims that you initiated the altercation.
We came to hear your side.
Whatever I say isn't gonna matter.
You're entitled to make a statement, Mr.
Tripp.
I'd like to hear it.
I left the building about...
7:30.
On my way to my mother's apartment.
I passed Mr.
Ruiz on the sidewalk.
He made a remark.
What did he say?
He said...
"Child rapists deserve to die." And what did you do?
I said that, um, he had a right to hate me but that I wasn't gonna put up with his threats.
And did he stop?
He called me an animal.
And then what happened?
The truth.
The truth is...
the truth is...
I hit him.
Why would you do that?
He could have k*lled you.
I didn't get that lucky.
Areare you saying that you wanted him to hurt you?
I...
I don't know.
I just...
just wanted to stand up for myself.
You could have come to us.
Come on, we both...
know better.
I...
I did my time.
I'm still...
guilty.
I'm still the enemy.
There's...
there's no absolution for what I did.