It is quite the surprise
to have someone as beautiful as you
visiting me in jail.
I'm sorry this happened to you.
Heard you speak at your rally at the police station.
You know, it really hit home.
Thank you.
I started your book, too.
It's fantastic.
This is the type of work I've always wanted to get into.
For the people.
Yeah.
You sound a lot like your boss's mother.
"For the people."
My parents was friends with the McCulloughs,
and unfortunately the people don't have
the kind of money your firm requires for a retainer.
My firm is unavailable to represent you,
but I want to personally take your case on, pro bono.
Pro bono?
Oh...
yo, I've been protesting in the streets for years now.
And not once has Lacey offered free services.
- So what's the catch? - There is none.
You need a lawyer, and McCullough & Associates
could use some good press.
It's a win-win.
I suggest you finish reading that book first.
'Cause you should know what people like me
are all about before you get in bed with 'em.
- WOMAN: You are nothing. - [whip cracks]
- MAN: Oh! I am nothing. - You are less than nothing!
Oh! I'm less than nothing.
You are a piece... of... shit!
Oh! I'm a piece of shit!
[groaning, sighing]
Why can't I ever see what's under that mask?
You don't deserve it.
You're right, I don't.
I wanna try something new next time.
You what?!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, um...
may I... may I try something new next time?
What is it?
Waterboarding.
I've seen videos, but I've never done it myself.
I'll think about it.
Now get the fuck out.
LACEY: Sloan, I'm meeting with Barclay.
I'm gonna pin you the address.
Meet me there just in case.
SLOAN: For many, the Book of Job is a mystery.
How could such a righteous man suffer so much?
- [engine revving] - Barclay.
It was God who removed his hedge of protection from Satan.
Barclay...
Barclay did it.
But he had to call upon his strongest soldier
to pass this test.
♪ No more talking about it♪
♪ The way it is, the way it is♪
♪ It's no mystery♪
♪ There's no getting around it♪
♪ When you're here, when you're here♪
♪ We got chemistry♪
♪ We light up♪
♪ When we ignite♪
♪ We are stars♪
♪ In a darkened sky♪
♪ When you leave♪
♪ Don't forget to remember♪
♪ Don't forget to remember me♪
♪ When you leave♪
♪ Don't forget to remember♪
♪ Don't forget to remember me♪
♪ Remember me♪♪
I know what you did.
BARCLAY: I have no idea what you're talking about.
In exchange, I want a full pardon for my mother.
- You know I won't do that. - You have no other choice.
Lacey, come on, let's talk this through here,
if we...
It was Barclay.
- You know what? - What?
- I have a request. - A request?
Why the hell shouldn't I, Lacey?
Okay.
I guess you're right. You should get
something out of this, too.
Just let me know when all this is cleaned up,
and you're ready to get out of here.
- All right? - Yeah.
[sighing]
It is what it is.
[intense music]
Still no luck with Sousa?
- No. - This guy's all over the place.
One day he storms out of here, the next day he agrees to talk,
and... then he's a no-show.
I know, doesn't add up.
Any word from Ms. Deveaux yet?
I'm meeting with Britney tomorrow,
though I'm not sure exactly how much she knows.
I have an engagement, but keep digging
for potential witnesses.
It's gonna take an army if we wanna talk
with Lacey McCullough.
Director Larsen, do you get the sense
that someone's working behind the scenes here?
I mean, first we have the break-in,
and now Sousa's MIA?
We're the FBI, someone's always trying
- to pull a fast one on us. - Mm-hmm, yeah.
I'll circle back with you this evening.
Okay, sounds good.
[relaxed hip hop beat]
DENIM: Guess who's hanging out with the projected
number one overall pick Savoy Austin?
None other than Daniel McCullough.
Oh... shit.
Hey, Savoy, find some better friends.
This dude will get you canceled before Draft Night.
- Do you really wanna do this? - Absolutely.
But your press conference was masterful.
Nobody in their right mind would believe his--
That's not the point. Denim Jackson has been
a thorn in my side for far too long.
He's made this personal.
Any journalistic integrity he had has gone out the window.
As ridiculous as he is on camera,
people listen to him.
He fuels the accusations against me in the press.
I won't discuss the details of the case,
but I will shut him down, once and for all.
Set up the interview.
Denim and me, one on one,
in the Duke's Dirt studio.
I just wanna make sure you understand
that this could derail our entire efforts.
I get that, but it needs to be done.
We'll discuss the details of it later, okay?
- Hey, sis. - You wanted to talk?
Yep, so remember that business venture
- I was telling you about? - The sports agency?
- Yeah, well... - Mm-hmm?
it turns out... Savoy Austin really wants to be repped
by Randall Jarvis. He was a top agent
in the basketball world before he got arrested.
- And? - And...
Randall always maintained his innocence.
You think there's anything that you can dig up
or some evidence you could find to maybe get him out?
Oh, okay, so first you didn't need my permission,
- and now you want a favor? - Come on, look, man,
I'm sorry that I came at you so hard, Lace,
I really am, but, like, I'm trying.
I'm trying to carve something out
- for myself in this world. - Daniel,
what you're asking me is damn near impossible.
Even if I could get Randall out,
there's no way he would speak to me.
I'll talk to him.
Right, and then imagine the good press you'll get
if you can convince everybody a guy like that
was wrongfully convicted.
You really want this, don't you?
More than anything.
[sighing] Okay.
You know what, see if you can get Randall on our side,
and I'll see what I can do.
That's what I'm talkin' about.
Gettin' on my nerves.
♪ I'm 'bout to have an agency ♪
[soft chatter]
You both promised me more.
McCullough & Associates is on the ropes.
They're going down any minute.
The FBI's looking for witnesses,
yet the sheriff and the president
of the police union can't find one between the two of them?
Vonetta, these things take time.
Time?
I have been waiting over 20 years
for an opportunity like this.
Don't you preach to me about time.
Don't put this on us. What steps are you taking?
What's your master plan?
Don't ever ask me about what I got planned.
Bobbi, give us the room, please?
You weren't the only one that got fucked back in the day.
What the McCulloughs did to you
and to my police officers was unforgivable.
Then you show me something, Peter, because,
for the last decade, all you've done
is talked my goddamn ears off.
I'll wait for your call.
I know, I see him.
Yeah, I got you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Jackson.
I'm here to discuss your interview with Lacey McCullough.
I was told I was meeting with Lacey herself.
Well, you got me, I'm Benjamin.
I'm here to lay down her ground rules of engagement.
- And what are these rules? - Well, for starters,
there's no personal contact between you and Lacey
before or after the interview.
You will only deal with her associates.
Second, she's not discussing her family
under any circumstances due to safety concerns.
And finally, you got 30 minutes.
Thirty minutes? That's it?
- That's all you need. - Not livestreaming?
We wouldn't have it any other way.
Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Jackson.
- We'll see you in the studio. - Look forward to it.
[ominous music]
[car horn honking]
BRITNEY: That doesn't make any sense.
Randall Jarvis. The guy who kidnapped me
after he killed his wife.
That's where you wanna put your energy--
I'm just telling you so that you wouldn't be
blindsided by it later, okay?
Our friend will not be on the sidelines much longer,
and when we're back, I need you on top of your game.
You know, I'm so happy I took on Alphonso Triplett's case.
To do some work that's actually fulfilling
to balance out all this shit.
May I remind you that your position
at McCullough & Associates is a privilege
and not an entitlement.
It's also a position that could disappear at any moment.
And may I remind you that McCullough & Associates
doesn't physically exist at the moment?
Hey, Britney!
- Hey, Benjamin. - Y'all two catching up?
- Yep, mm-hmm. - Yeah.
Cool, your interview with Denim's
all set, by the way, and he agreed
- to all your ground rules. - Aw, he's probably
gonna break him anyway, but that's fine.
- I'll be ready... yeah. - Let's go.
You're doing a sit-down interview
with the people who's trying to ruin your life?
- Whose idea was that? - Mine.
You know what, forget I asked.
Thanks for the update.
Nice to see you, Benjamin.
It's good to see you too.
- Heh. - What's all that about?
Nothing. Britney's just maturing.
- These are her growing pains. - If you say so.
Hey, what you got going on tonight?
Me and Britney probably goin' on a date...
- What's up? - Nothin', I don't...
- it's nothing. - You sure?
Yeah, I don't wanna talk about it.
No, every time I say something about Britney,
it's an issue-- yo.
Britney is not Lacey McCullough.
You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me.
The more you attack the firm, the harder you make her life.
- You get that? - So, you get your dick wet,
and you decide to grow a conscience?
Fuck you, Denim. There's nothing there, okay?
If there were, the FBI would've found it already, right?
Oh, the same FBI whose office got broken into?
Oh, my God...
Listen.
What happened with you winning the Pulitzer
with this story? That's the Terrence I know.
Where did he go?
I'm not interested in sacrificing
a successful Black woman just to win an award, all right?
You saw how Lacey embarrassed Duke.
That could happen to any reporter.
Duke made an ass of himself, not her.
This whole thing is an ego trip for both of you.
How do you know you're not being played by Britney Deveaux?
A real journalist can tell the difference, all right?
We're done.
[distant voices]
Now listen, you know the drill.
All I can buy you is five minutes,
the cameras are off-- but you gotta be done
before the guards rotate.
The fuck are you doing here?
I'm trying to turn your life around
if you listen, motherfucker.
You think I would trust you after what you
- and your sister did? - That shit didn't have nothin'
to do with me or why I'm here, besides,
aren't you the one who confessed, dumbass?
Little nigga, what the fuck do you want, huh?
I'm in tight with Savoy Austin.
He wants to be a part of my new sports agency
that I'm putting together.
The fuck you know about being an agent?
Well, I know that relationships are important.
And I know that you and Savoy were building something
before you got locked up.
And for some dumb reason, he really, really,
really wants to work with you.
Yeah, didn't know that, did you?
What-the-fuck-ever, nigger, none of that shit matters--
as you can see, I'm doing life in prison.
Well, I may have your golden ticket, my boy.
Lacey's willing to revisit your case,
if... you work with me on this.
- What would be our split? - Fifty-fifty.
- Nigga, you ain't serious-- - Nigga, you a convicted felon.
- Fifty-fifty. - Seventy-five twenty-five.
That's my final offer, motherfucker,
take it or leave it.
Look, I do fifty-one forty-nine,
otherwise you can keep your OJ Simpson-ass
in this bitch. That's my final offer.
[chuckling] Ooh!
Goin' to the show!
Appreciate it.
[laughing]
[typing]
Look, is there anything else we can be doing?
Organizing the company's financials is important.
Yeah, then why isn't your brother here?
- He's busy. - Doing what?
I don't know.
But whatever it is, it doesn't concern you.
Come on, Nora, all I'm asking for
is a little bit of action.
I'm supposed to be learning from you two.
Okay, next time something physical
needs to be done, I'll be sure to delegate it to you.
- Thank you. - Just be ready.
I'm always ready.
Now, silence.
You had Daniel McCullough at our prison,
- and you didn't tell me? - He was on his way out.
We couldn't catch him before he left.
What else?
Well, you might as well say it.
We checked the cameras.
Somebody shut them off.
This reeks of Sloan.
Get the hell out of my face.
Armstrong...
One of Sheriff Olsen's dogs is out of control,
and I'm getting tired of 'em biting at my heels.
I need someone to train him for me.
- Yeah. - Yeah-- yes, sir.
I'll make it worth your while.
[engine revving]
Who the hell are you, banging on my door?
- You Derek? - Who's asking?
I'm not here to play games. I have evidence
that you had sex with Samantha Sousa
when she was a minor.
What the hell are you talking about?
You know what they do to guys like you
who mess with little girls when they go to jail, right?
Listen, lady, I don't know you from Adam.
Samantha was my girlfriend.
- That doesn't mean anything. - We were the same age.
She was my high school sweetheart.
I was crushed when her daddy had to send her away.
Look, I just want the truth.
In her diary, Samantha wrote about
a boyfriend who didn't go to her school.
They met at Big Bear for homecoming the year she died.
That was you.
You think I got Big Bear type of money?
Hold on.
You're her crazy roommate
she always talked about, aren't ya?
Heh, yeah, it is you.
What, you come here to clean her blood off your hands?
Shut up.
Must've been hard carrying that around all these years.
Shut the fuck up.
Ain't no perfect people in this world, sweetie.
I'll tell you what I know.
Samantha and I broke up
when she started seeing this older dude.
She lied to me about it for a while,
but eventually, she came clean.
Whoever he was, he had a ton of money.
Bought all kinds of jewelry.
She used to wear this little...
silly ladybug necklace
he got for her whenever I was around.
Made me jealous.
We tried to make it work, but we were just both too young.
I really hope you find what you're looking for, Miss.
Fuck.
[hip hop beat playing]
[jogging footsteps]
Hey, what's up, man?
- Aah! - [grunts]
Get the hell out of here.
[grunting]
Aaron, signal's clear, you can start recording.
- I appreciate you coming. - Thank you for inviting--
[laughter]
No, please, you go first.
I, um...
I'm sorry that we had to meet like this.
When I first got involved with Vincent,
my career was my only focus.
I guess I was too concerned about finding a man
that fit the optics of my life.
You don't have to tell me.
Vincent was very good at playing the role
of the ideal husband.
And of course my husband inspires me.
This is your husband?
I can see how he fooled you.
I felt like he was the type of man
I could be loved by-- you know, an equal.
You know the worst part about being lied to,
is that you can never believe that person again.
Who would've guessed we would've been
connecting over this?
DENIM: Come on, Lacey, be honest.
Why should the people believe your words against the FBI?
It's not like the FBI is going around, seizing people's assets.
Denim, really? They have nothing,
and you know it.
I thought you were a credible journalist.
Are you questioning my journalistic integrity,
- Ms. McCullough? - First of all, what journalist
doesn't verify his sources?
Since when do accusations rise to facts and evidence?
Just because one is accused of something
does not make one guilty.
Second, you alleged that the FBI have reasons for the seizure,
yet I haven't been charged with anything.
Why do you think that is, Denim?
This is a witch hunt.
[chuckling] Of the highest order.
From which outlets like yours benefit the most.
As far as the so-called case against me,
I welcome any opportunity to correct the record,
even if it means lowering myself to the dirt.
Duke's Dirt, if you like.
Hm.
So, if your business has no connection
- to any prostitution ring-- - Oh, my God, Denim.
How many times do I have to say this?
McCullough & Associates has never been involved...
- So, how's she doing, son? - ...with any prostitution ring.
She tearing his ass up.
Ever, okay? It's that simple.
Time's almost up, Denim.
Yes, it is.
And I must say, you have been
a really good sport, surprisingly.
But I have one more thing that I want to ask you about.
A verified source has provided that for us.
It's an ancestry test that questions the paternity
of your daughter, Zoe Ericcson.
It states that the uncle is Hannibal Charles.
The brother of your former employee,
Othello Charles.
Do you care to comment?
Dad, did you know this?
No.
But now the whole world does.
Don't answer that. We're done.
Fuck you! Fuck you!
- Real nice, Lacey-- - Fuck you!
- Real nice-- - You wanna come after
- my daughter? - Thank you for stopping by.
You think you can destroy my family?!
Britney, come here,
you have to see this.
- What? - Look at this.
Unbelievable.
- Good luck with the FBI. - I will destroy you,
you piece of shit! You think you can destroy my family?
I will fucking destroy you!
I will destroy you, you piece of shit!
- VOICE: Take her! - I'm coming after you.
VOICE: Real nice.
Fuck you!
Classy.
[sighing]
We need retribution, tonight.
- No. - What?
We'll wait until Lacey cools down.
The move is clear.
And so is Lacey's message.
We'll keep everything on the up-and-up
till the investigation is over, we stand down.
[car horn honking]
How could you let her do this?
Come no!
Lacey, how could you let this happen?
I was standing up for my family.
I am not gonna sit up here and let that man
- drag my name through the dirt. - Lacey, no, what you're doing
is being selfish like you always are.
And that's why I had to take Zoe.
I'm enrolling her out here in school.
What?! You cannot do that!
You can't stop me.
Lacey, you always play God...
until it backfires on you,
- like tonight. - Mark...
Mark!
[sobbing]
Make a left right here.
[sobbing]
It's all right.
Thank you.
This was a very good idea.
I'm not ready to deal with my father yet.
Plus, I like to drink as little as possible
in his house. [laughing]
No, I know the feeling. I was raised Catholic.
To judgmental Christians.
When I set up that interview, I felt untouchable.
I should've seen Denim's play coming.
Maybe Mark was right, maybe... maybe, um,
maybe I let my ego get the best of me.
No, honestly, I'm proud of you.
You stood up to someone who tried to attack
the ones you love, face-to-face, on his turf.
It's like people forget how to do that these days.
All right, I guess the good reverend's
probably fast asleep by now,
so we should probably get you home.
I guess now's as good a time as any--
The night doesn't have to end.
If we don't want it to.
[setting cup down]
♪ I think I'm 'bout to do it♪
♪ I know I shouldn't do it♪
♪ But it's hard, 'cause I love it♪
♪ Help me...♪
♪ I already got one foot in♪
♪ I know better, but I'm being pulled♪
♪ Right into the deep end, help me♪
♪ The sweetest part of this temptation is♪
♪ Nowhere close to your love...♪
♪ Or your power♪
♪ Remind me just how it feels♪
♪ To be right there♪
♪ 'Cause, to be honest♪
♪ I can't resist this♪
♪ I need your love, love...♪
♪ Save me from myself♪
- ♪ From myself, from myself♪ - ♪ Oh♪
♪ I need your love, love...♪
♪ Save me from myself♪
- ♪ From myself, from myself♪ - ♪ Myself♪
♪ Don't wanna fall...♪
♪ I don't wanna fall...♪
Take a look at this. Turns out Lacey McCullough's parents,
Barrington and Antoinette, were early supporters
of a young city councilman named James Barclay
during his mayoral campaign years ago.
Now, in that race,
he defeated an up-and-coming female politician
named Vonetta Sears.
That's interesting.
But do some more research first.
We need to make sure we're buttoned up
if we're gonna approach Judge Sears.
[soft music]
[monitors beeping]
[soft sniffle]
[dramatic chord]
[ominous music]
[whirring]
You're not getting ready?
- No, I'm not going. - Really?
The great Antoinette McCullough is finally getting released.
Don't you wanna be there for Lacey?
Unfortunately, I have legwork to do for Alphonso.
Suit yourself.
[sighing]
[birds tweeting]
[sighing] It's official.
All the hell my family's been
going through is finally over.
My mother will be walking out any second now.
That's interesting.
Excuse me?
I mean, you've been fighting for this for so long,
and it just happened suddenly?
Which is exactly why you should be happy for me.
I-I'm happy for you.
But I just don't know how it happened.
She just lost her final appeal.
What else were you able to do for her and when?
Somebody finally came through for me.
I'll see myself out.
[soft music]
Here are my conditions.
I'm not signing anything,
and if things get too dangerous at any point,
I walk.
Okay.
Now, Ms. Deveaux,
tell me the best way to take down your boss.
[dramatic music]
♪ I don't care if I'm perfect♪
♪ I know I'm sick of being complacent♪
♪ Why you still in my face when♪
♪ I can't hear what you're saying♪
♪ No, boy, you're not so persuasive♪
♪ Now it's giving invasion♪
♪ Usually, honey, I'm more chill♪
♪ And not so calculated♪
♪ When my cup is full, and somehow I'm still faded♪
♪ Moving to the rhythm, feeling blue♪
♪ I guess I'm jaded♪
♪ Suffocated by your energy♪
♪ And now I feel like I can barely breathe♪
♪ Choking on the clouds of the loud♪
♪ I can't even hear the sound♪
♪ Don't know what's come over me♪
♪ Walking through the cloud♪
♪ And I'm smothered by the smiles when I'm down♪
♪ Now I can barely breathe♪
♪ I'm suffocated by the smoke in here♪
♪ I gotta pray to make my vision clearer♪
♪ I wanna go, won't be surprised if you stay♪
♪ You don't get it, you don't understand the difference...♪♪