THE ROOKIE
Season 3, Episode 8
"Bad Blood"
NOLAN
Professor Ryan.
RYAN
Oh, Officer Nolan. Little late for class, don't you think?
NOLAN
My apologies for missing the exam. I got, uh, stuck at work, last-minute call. Armed robbery.
RYAN
Is everyone all right?
NOLAN
Yes, thank you, but about the exam, is there any way I could make that up?
RYAN
I made my policy clear on the first day -- a missed test is a failed test.
NOLAN
Yes. You also said in your first lecture that, uh, "Strict law is often great injustice." Cicero.
RYAN
Oh, okay. Well, if you want an exception, you'll need to earn it.
NOLAN
Tell me what I have to do.
RYAN
You have to answer one legal question.
NOLAN
Okay, that's easy. [ Chuckles ]
RYAN
Um... A woman witnesses a stabbing in a nightclub. She's pretty sure the assailant is Black and that he has a scar on his right arm.
NOLAN
Wait. She's sure that he has a scar on his right arm but not sure that he's African-American?
RYAN
Did I say African-American?
NOLAN
Right. Black. Sorry.
RYAN
Mm-hmm. Uh, there are over 400 club-goers so it's going to take a while to interview them all. And the longer you wait...
NOLAN
The more their memories will have a chance to degrade, and it would give the assailant a chance to destroy any evidence.
RYAN
And if you do not find the culprit tonight, you probably never will. So who do you round up to question? A, all the Black men, B, all the men regardless of color, or C, everyone?
NOLAN
Are there any more facts? This isn't really easy to answer based on what you've given me.
RYAN
Well, this is not an easy class. Get me the right answer by end of day tomorrow, and I will let you make up the exam.
NOLAN
Right. Thank you. I will.
[ Cellphone chimes ]
[ Groans ]
TEXT FROM EMMETT
Hey, sorry to do this by text, but it's just not working with us. I can get my stuff back from Bradford, next time I see him, sorry.
[ Sighs ]
WEST
Yeah. What's going on?
PERCY WEST
Well, I set up a-a lunch for you with the head of the Mayor's security detail. There's a driver position opening. Higher profile, better pay, and it'll get you to I.A. faster.
WEST
Look, thank you, but, um… I'm just not sure that's where I want to end up, you know?
PERCY WEST
Well, I thought after the Doug Stanton situation you'd be motivated to clean up the Department. You want to be where you can do the most good, right?
WEST
Yeah, yeah, of course, but --
PERCY WEST
Well, then it's settled.
[ Footsteps depart ]
CHEN
I can't believe him.
WEST
I know. Maneuvering me to I.A. like I have no say in it.
CHEN
No, not your dad. Emmett breaking up with me by text? What is he, 14? He doesn't have the guts to do it in person?
WEST
Most guys don't. Look, just be happy he didn't ghost you.
BRADFORD
Okay. Can we get back to work now?
CHEN
Did Emmett talk to you about this?
BRADFORD
No. Why would he?
CHEN
Because you're friends.
BRADFORD
We don't talk feelings. We drink and watch sports together.
CHEN
That's guy for "friends."
WEST
Well, straight guy for "friends."
BRADFORD
Look, you want my advice? Walk it off. He's clearly not the right guy for you.
CHEN
That is the same advice he would give me if I got hit by a pitch. What is wrong with men?
WEST
So much. Look, I am really sorry to hear that. But I will pick up some tequila and ice cream on the way home and we can listen to my breakup playlist on repeat and maybe throw a few little shady prank calls at Emmett.
CHEN
Thanks.
EVERS
Here. Here you go. Change of clothes, prenatal vitamins, antacid, anti-gas, ginger chews, and magnesium supplements.
LOPEZ
I have never loved you more.
[ Chuckles ]
EVERS
Have, uh, you heard anything from the kidnappers?
LOPEZ
Not since the last ransom demand. But I'm waiting on DNA results from the crime scene. Hopefully they come in before I get back to the Abassi house.
EVERS
Mm. How's Judge Abassi holding up?
LOPEZ
As well as can be, I suppose, considering his son was abducted. You've argued in front of him. You know anyone who'd want revenge?
EVERS
Every criminal who ever stepped foot in his court. Half the lawyers.
LOPEZ
I'm gonna need more clothes.
[ Cellphone chimes ]
EVERS
DNA results?
LOPEZ
No, it's your mom texting me again.
EVERS
Yeah, sorry. She wants to talk about the baby's trust fund.
LOPEZ
Whatever the question is, my answer is yes.
EVERS
That has been well established. But, believe me, there are complications to having money.
LOPEZ
Like always being able to pay the rent or buy food?
EVERS
Like having your child kidnapped for ransom.
[ Cellphone chimes ]
LOPEZ
Finally, my DNA results. Um...I gotta get changed. You can, um, handle your mom, right?
EVERS
Uh, yeah, Mom? You're breaking up. I'm gonna have to call you back.
LOPEZ
Perfect. Love you.
EVERS
I love you, too.
[ Knock on door ]
LOPEZ
I need a couple unis on my kidnapping case. Can you spare Harper and Nolan?
GREY
Sure thing. What do you need them for?
LOPEZ
I'm running down a lead. I have a conflict of interest.
GREY
Something I should know about?
LOPEZ
Not yet.
GREY
Okay. I'll call Harper and Nolan back in.
LOPEZ
Actually, have them meet me at the Abassi house.
GREY
Will do.
LOPEZ
Appreciate it. Looking good, Officer West.
WEST
Don't I always, Detective Lopez?
[ Chuckles ]
GREY
So, Officer West, I've decided who it is you'll be riding with today.
WEST
Great. Who's the lucky officer?
GREY
Me.
WEST
Sir?
GREY
Considering your upcoming graduation from the FTO program, I thought it'd be a good idea if we talked about your future in the department.
WEST
Funny. Just had a similar conversation with my dad. Did he enlist you to help steer me to I.A.?
GREY
No. I.A. is not the right path for you.
WEST
But you know what is.
GREY
Yes, I do. Now go set up our shop.
NOLAN
If you were to single out all the Black men for questioning it wouldn't be, technically, profiling, because the added element that they were all in the building when the crime was committed makes it legally okay, right?
HARPER
It's a dark, crowded bar. Are we sure the witness even saw a Black guy?
NOLAN
No, the witness wasn't definitive. So what's the answer?
HARPER
Well, you're going about this all wrong. It's not about finding the right answer. It's about finding the answer that she wants.
NOLAN
Or the one that she doesn't want. Can't imagine she'd think me worthy of retesting if all I said was Question all the Black men.
HARPER
Why? 'Cause she's Black?
NOLAN
Well, yeah. Right? What?
HARPER
She could just be testing you -- to see if you'd censor yourself with her to curry favor.
LOPEZ
Hey. Let me bring you up to speed. This is Austin Abassi, age 20, son of Judge William Abassi. Three days ago, Austin was kidnapped from his apartment in Hollywood. The kidnappers sent an untraceable e-mail demanding 100 grand in ransom. On Thursday night, a backpack full of cash was left at the designated drop-off spot, but Austin wasn't returned.
HARPER
Let me guess -- they came up with the 100K so fast, the kidnappers wanted more?
LOPEZ
A million. That's when the Judge finally called the police. We processed the crime scene. A female DNA sample was found on an empty beer bottle.
NOLAN
Did you get a match?
LOPEZ
She's not in our system, but a familial DNA test determined the sample comes from the offspring of someone we currently have behind bars. Someone I can't interview because of a conflict of interest.
NOLAN
Oscar?
HARPER
You have got to be kidding me.
NOLAN
I'm guessing your conflict of interest is that he stabbed your fiancé.
LOPEZ
Technically, my conflict is the desire to kill him for that.
NOLAN
But you wouldn't really.
LOPEZ
I'm pregnant. Don't try me.
HARPER
O-Okay. So, wait. Oscar has a daughter?
LOPEZ
Not according to any official records. In fact, I can't find any records of a relationship.
NOLAN
That doesn't surprise me. Oscar's too much of a narcissist to keep a girlfriend.
JUDGE ABASSI
What's going on?
MRS. ABASSI
Did something happen?
LOPEZ
Judge Abassi, Mrs. Abassi, this is Detective Harper and Officer Nolan. They're going to be running down a lead regarding this man -- Oscar Hutchinson. He's currently serving 40 years at Cal Correctional for multiple violent felonies. Harper and Nolan will be going to the prison to question him.
MRS. ABASSI
Whatever resources you need, you'll have them.
JUDGE ABASSI
Yes, and if there's a deal to be made, please, make it. We need Austin back safely.
NOLAN
Well, the good news is uh, with Oscar there's always a deal to be made.
BRADFORD
Sir, feel free to call us if his stereo gets that loud again.
CHEN
Have you ever been dumped out of the blue before?
BRADFORD
Let me think. One time, my wife left the house in the middle of the night and I didn't see her again for two years.
CHEN
Okay, I get it. In the grand scheme of things, this isn't that bad. I just wanna know why. Can you please ask?
Somebody tagged our shop?
BRADFORD
It can't be. It's been almost a decade.
CHEN
Since what?
BRADFORD
No, it's definitely him. The color palette, the angle of the letters.
CHEN
What is happening right now?
BRADFORD
Control to 7-Adam-19, I've got an on view felony, five-ninety-four. I'm setting the Command Post at Pico and La Brea. Start me enough units for a six-block perimeter, a canvass team, a forensic team, air support, notify the Press Information Officer.
NOLAN
Oscar has to be behind this kidnapping somehow, right?
HARPER
No record of any female visitors, and none of his mail has ever referenced a daughter.
NOLAN
So either Oscar's been keeping her a secret from us...
HARPER
And why do that?
NOLAN
...or he's unaware that she even exists.
HARPER
Which presents a clear argument for nature over nurture as a predicate for criminal behavior.
NOLAN
If she's involved in the kidnapping at all, and not just some kid who had a beer at Austin's apartment and went home before he got grabbed.
HARPER
There are so many unknowns, and I, for one, am confident that Oscar's gonna answer all of them.
[ Chuckles ]
HARPER
I'm kidding. He's gonna be a giant pain in the ass.
[ Buzzer ]
OSCAR
Hey, it's my two favorite police officers. As you can see, we've mostly cleaned up the place after the riot. It's really hard to get brains out of cinder block.
NOLAN
I guess you'd know.
HARPER
You don't get a lot of visitors, do you?
OSCAR
I'm not sure what the point would be. I'm not going out of here on my feet -- unless you come bearing a pardon.
NOLAN
No such luck.
OSCAR
Mm. Then what are you doing here, asking questions about visitors?
HARPER
DNA turned up at a crime scene that links directly to you. But you have been in here, so...
OSCAR
What are the matches in the polymorphic markers? You learn a lot about DNA in my line of work.
HARPER
6 out of 13.
OSCAR
That's a first-degree relative. Since both my folks are dead, and I'm an only child... ...I got a kid. What'd he do?
NOLAN
She is connected to a kidnapping.
OSCAR
Oh, way to go!
NOLAN
You really had no idea you were a father?
OSCAR
No. Wow.
NOLAN
It's a lot to process.
OSCAR
Well, all this time, I had an organ donor on the outside. I'm gonna really hit that prison hooch harder now.
NOLAN
Okay. I'm gonna need you to make a list of every woman that could be the mother.
OSCAR
Yeah. That's not gonna be that easy. I don't like to brag, but I was quite popular back in the day.
HARPER
All right. On to the next lead.
OSCAR
Uh, uh, now, hold up now. Hold. Um, a drive around my old haunts might really jog the memory.
HARPER
Forget it.
OSCAR
You gotta give to get, Detective. You want help? I want a day pass. You're gonna do it, because we both know you wouldn't have driven all the way out here if you had any other leads. Road trip.
HARPER
Judge Abassi must have friends in high places to get this approved so fast.
NOLAN
You know Oscar's gonna try to rabbit the first chance he gets, right?
HARPER
We're not gonna give him that chance.
OSCAR
They say fashion is cyclical. Think this is coming back in?
HARPER
Yeah. That's gonna take a few more cycles.
NOLAN
Hey, I'm happy to see they updated your look with some modern jewelry.
HARPER
All right. So, here's how this is gonna work. You stop cooperating, it's back to prison. You mislead us, it's back to prison. You say a joke that I don't really think is funny, it's back to prison.
OSCAR
I'm sensing a pattern.
NOLAN
You try to escape --
OSCAR
It's back to prison. Maybe by way of the emergency room.
HARPER
No. That's not how we roll. But Judge Abassi might not be as dispassionate. And I bet he can get you transferred to a super max just as easily as he got you out on furlough.
OSCAR
There's no reason to be like that. We're a team. So where's my stuff?
OSCAR
All the names and numbers of my conquests are right on here. You got a charger?
NOLAN
When was the last time someone went through this?
OSCAR
Can probably get a few bucks for this on eBay.
HARPER
Keep looking. For Lila.
OSCAR
Ah! This is the charger. We can juice this baby up in the car while we're getting an early lunch. It's cruel and unusual punishment to deprive a prisoner of nourishment.
NOLAN
Start moving.
BRADFORD
Look, 3Eyez was active from 2006 to 2010. Victims all over the city. Just when I thought I got close to catching him, he stopped. I thought maybe he died or got arrested on other charges. I still check VICAP every three months to see if he pops up in another city.
CHEN
Must've been a seriously hard-core guy for you to obsess like that. What was his main crime?
BRADFORD
This. He's a tagger. Cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
CHEN
In property damage. It doesn't explain why you were so obsessed with -- Wait. [Chuckling] Hold on. 3Eyez tagged your shop? Back when you were a rookie?
BRADFORD
My T.O. was chasing a suspect. I was guarding a vehicle full of evidence.
CHEN
A vehicle that was 10 feet away from your shop? It was right under your nose.
BRADFORD
I was ordered to keep my eyes on the car. [ Laughs ] I had just left the Army, where you follow orders to a "T."
CHEN
Oh, man, I could just imagine the relentless teasing. Did they give you a nickname? Please say yes.
BRADFORD
No.
CHEN
That's why you're so intent on catching this guy. It's personal.
BRADFORD
He's a criminal, and it's our job to stop him.
CHEN
I mean, the statute of limitations on these crimes ran out years ago. Even if we were to track him down for tagging our shop, it's a misdemeanor. Is that really the best use of our time? I will get us a fresh shop.
OSCAR
Colleen, this is Oscar. Hey. Listen. Is there any chance I knocked you up in the late '90s? [ Click]s Hello?
[ Dialing, line ringing ]
OSCAR
Sasha. Baby, it's Oscar.
SASHA
You ever call me again, I'll come down there and rip your throat out!
[ Cellphone beeps ]
OSCAR
Okay. I'm gonna take that one as a no.
[ Dialing, line ringing ]
BETTY
Hello?
OSCAR
Betty. You know, I was just thinking of you, too.
NOLAN
Okay. Put it on speaker.
[ Beep ]
BETTY
...much fun. We always tore it up, didn't we?
OSCAR
We sure as hell did. Listen. Um, is there any chance you and I had a kid together?
BETTY
[ Laughing ] No, but I'm down to try. I still have a few eggs left in me.
OSCAR
Well, listen, they give me conjugal visits --
HARPER
Okay! You know what? That's it.
[ Tires screeching ]
OSCAR
Are you there?
HARPER
This is not a dating service. If you are not helping, you are going back.
OSCAR
Baby, I'll call you back. Look, if it's not Betty, it's probably Margaret. She works at a diner like -- I don't know -- 10 blocks or so from here. Worth a shot, right?
HARPER
Fine.
[ Engine revs ]
GREY
I think you should teach at the Academy.
WEST
I mean, yeah, sure, when I'm Nolan's age.
GREY
They need you now. The good you can do as a teacher is exponential. I know it's not what you were picturing, but keep an open mind. Once you hit P2, I can steer you to assignments that will help prepare you to teach.
WEST
Look, I'm... obviously grateful for your faith in me --
GREY
Great. I'll set up a lunch with a few instructors on Tuesday.
WEST
Um, I'm actually supposed to be meeting with the Mayor's team on Tuesday. But I'm sure I could do both.
[ Spray-paint can hissing ]
WEST
Control, 7-Adam-07, I have an on view five-ninety-four tagging in progress at South Rimpau and Olympic.
GREY
Aah!
WEST
Sir, are you okay?
GREY
Aah! I'm good! Go! Aah! Damn it!
WEST
Officer down, South Rimpau and Olympic! Are you having a heart attack, sir?
GREY
No! No, it's my back.
WEST
Are you sure?
GREY
Yeah, I'm sure!
CHEN
Is he having a heart attack?
GREY
No! It's just my back.
BRADFORD
Where is the tagger?
WEST
He went left around the corner.
BRADFORD
Stay here and call an ambulance.
CHEN
Okay.
GREY
Aah!
west
Look, don't move.
CHEN
Sir, don't get up.
BRADFORD
Son of a...
[ Sighs ]
NOLAN
Questioning every man at the nightclub would be more palatable. That's not racial profiling. But it would take forever. What I should do is take a photo of everybody holding their IDs as they leave the club. That way I can circle back.
HARPER
Yeah, but that's not one of the options.
NOLAN
I know.
OSCAR
Whren vs. US Supreme Court says you can profile as much as you want, as long as there's at least some pretense.
NOLAN
I don't think that's what they meant.
OSCAR
That is what they meant. I got my law degree online two years ago. You know I'm licensed to practice in five states and the unincorporated territory of Guam?
NOLAN
Okay. What's your take on this? There's a stabbing at a nightclub. The victim says she's pretty sure the suspect is Black and he has a scar on his right arm.
OSCAR
Wait a minute, wait a minute. She's sure about the scar but only "pretty sure" that he's Black?
NOLAN
That's what I said.
OSCAR
Something's off. Obviously, she's creating a diversion while he's probably in the back robbing the place.
HARPER
That's what you get for asking a sociopath.
OSCAR
Mmm, I love the smell of a greasy spoon.
MARGARET
Sit wherever you want. Oscar? I thought you were in prison for the next 40 years.
OSCAR
Early release. Good behavior.
MARGARET
Seriously?
NOLAN
No. He's helping us with a case, and then he's going straight back.
OSCAR
Okay. You're no fun. Can I have some pie?
HARPER
Did you and Oscar have a kid?
MARGARET
[ Scoffs ] God, no.
[ Laughs ]
[ Dishes shattering ]
CINDY
Oscar?
OSCAR
I am sorry. Do I know you?
CINDY
You lousy little --
NOLAN
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am. Easy.
OSCAR
What is all this about?
CINDY
You knock me up and disappear, and then I find out you're in jail for murder?
MARGARET
Wait. Ashley is Oscar's kid? You cheated on me with Cindy?!
OSCAR
Hold on. I think it's coming back to me.
MARGARET
You son of a --
NOLAN
Ladies, ladies! L-Ladies! Please, I appreciate how difficult this must be for you, but right now we need to speak with your daughter.
CINDY
Is she in trouble?
NOLAN
I hope not. But the sooner we find her, the sooner this guy gets back behind bars.
CINDY
Let me get a pen.
CHEN
Sir, don't get up.
GREY
Officer Chen, remind me. Which one of us gives the orders?
CHEN
You do, sir.
GREY
Yeah. [ Groans ]
[ Birds chirping ]
CHEN
Dave? Oh, you work with Emmett, right?
DAVE TANNER
Yes and yes. [ Chuckles ] Did you lose consciousness at any point?
GREY
No.
TANNER
Any pain in your chest?
GREY
No, I threw my back out. It happens two times a year, like clockwork.
TANNER
Well, I still gotta take you in, make sure there's nothing else. So, you're going out with Emmett, right?
CHEN
Was.
TANNER
Oh. Sorry. Why the hell would he break up with you? You're gorgeous.
GREY
Uh, do I really need to be here for this?
CHEN
No, sir.
[ Clears throat ]
WEST
I, uh, finished canvassing. No one got a good look at the tagger.
TANNER
We're ready to transport him. You'll follow?
CHEN
No, I have to wait for my T.O. Officer West will take over from here.
TANNER
Too bad.
CHEN
Do you want to go out later? Tonight?
TANNER
God, yes.
CHEN
Okay. Great. Uh, Jackson will give you my number. Bye.
WEST
What are you doing?
CHEN
What? A girl can ask a guy out.
WEST
Yeah, a guy that works with your ex?
CHEN
That is not why I did that.
WEST
Mm-hmm.
CHEN
Uh --
WEST
No comment.
BRADFORD
Boot, let's go. Not a word about the shop.
CHEN
Give him my number.
WEST
I see you.
ASHLEY
So, you're my dad, huh? Mom told me you were a roadie for Matchbox 20.
OSCAR
[ Chuckles ] Better than telling you I was serving 20. It's more like 40.
HARPER
How do you know Austin Abassi?
ASHLEY
Uh, we were dating, a little.
NOLAN
When was the last time you saw him?
ASHLEY
I don't know. A week ago, maybe two. Is he okay?
HARPER
He's been kidnapped. And you're lying to us.
ASHLEY
I-I'm not.
NOLAN
Crime-scene techs found your DNA on a beer bottle in Austin's apartment. That DNA wouldn't have survived a week.
HARPER
You need to come clean. Right now.
OSCAR
As Ashley's lawyer, I'm going to advise her not to talk to you until we've conferred.
HARPER
Okay, that's not gonna happen, because you're not a real lawyer, and even if you were, there are rules against family representing family.
OSCAR
Wrong. I passed the bar. And as far as that being rules, it's more like guidelines. And even if they were rules, we're family by blood only.
NOLAN
You do not want him as your lawyer. He's a nine-time loser.
OSCAR
If you tell them anything without first getting advice of counsel, you're guaranteed to do jail time.
ASHLEY
Okay. He's my lawyer.
OSCAR
Could I have a moment alone with my client, please?
[ Sighs ]
[ Door closes ]
OSCAR
So, you're in on it.
ASHLEY
Maybe.
OSCAR
Come on, kid. Sniffing out cons is on the family crest.
ASHLEY
Okay. Austin's parents cut him off, so we figured if he was kidnapped his parents would have to pay up.
OSCAR
Okay. That's not the most original idea, but still, if you execute it properly, I guess... Where is he now?
ASHLEY
A friend's apartment in Culver City.
OSCAR
Okay. I'm gonna see you through this. But you have to insist that I'm with you every step of the way. They're going to try and separate us.
ASHLEY
Okay. You know, I really can't picture you and Mom together.
OSCAR
You kidding me? She was the love of my life. Officers? Yeah, what we have here is a victimless crime. Austin was having a disagreement with his parents about money --
NOLAN
So he faked his own kidnapping?
HARPER
Not the most original idea.
NOLAN
And not victimless, either. Austin's parents have been going through hell with worry.
ASHLEY
Whatever. Uh, they're loaded.
HARPER
Not a million dollars loaded. They have been frantically trying to pull money together.
ASHLEY
Who said anything about a million? Austin sent an e-mail asking for 100K.
NOLAN
That was delivered yesterday. And he didn't tell you.
ASHLEY
That snake's trying to cut me out. I'm gonna kill him.
OSCAR
That's my girl. And a-as your lawyer, I recommend that you refrain from making any kind of threats -- even in jest.
HARPER
Do you know where Austin is now?
ASHLEY
Yeah. I-I don't want to be in handcuffs.
OSCAR
Oh, no one does. You get used to it.
[ Hip-hop music plays ]
[ Indistinct rapping ]
ASHLEY
Austin? That bastard. He must have taken the money and split.
HARPER
Everybody freeze. Control, 7-Adam-15, update my call to a suspicious circumstance. I have blood at the location and the occupant is missing. Possible two-o-seven. And I need a unit to escort a prisoner back to Cal Correctional.
OSCAR
Uh, wait a minute.
NOLAN
Who else did you tell about your fake kidnapping plan?
OSCAR
Don't answer that.
HARPER
Your so-called lawyer does not have your best interest at heart. He is only looking to extend his time out of prison.
NOLAN
If you actually care about Austin, you'll help us find him.
OSCAR
The only way you're gonna stay out of prison is by moving your way up the food chain. Take us to your boss.
[ Knock on door ]
LOPEZ
You order takeout?
JUDGE ABASSI
No.
MAN BUN
W-Whoa! Don't hurt me. I'm --
LOPEZ
Police. What's in the bag?
MAN BUN
I don't know. It's a TaskFast gig. Pick it up from "A", drop it off at "B".
LOPEZ
And where was Point "A"?
MAN BUN
Car wash on Melrose.
LOPEZ
"I'll drain a pint of blood every two hours until I get my million bucks."
MRS. ABASSI
[ Crying ] Oh, my God.
[ Engine shuts off ]
[ Sighs ]
FBI AGENT
Angela. Don't know what to congratulate you on first -- detective or baby.
LOPEZ
Long as your presence is letting me keep this case, it doesn't matter.
FBI AGENT
Ooh, sorry. Judge Abassi already reached out to the SAC personally. My guys are en route. We'll take it from here. You should, uh -- You should go home. Get some rest, put your feet up.
[ Car door opens and closes ]
OSCAR
Angela, you're gonna be a mom. Congratulations. You know, I recently became a parent myself, if you want any tips.
FBI AGENT
Oscar Hutchinson. And you must be the daughter, girlfriend, co-conspirator?
OSCAR
And my client. You can't speak to her alone without me present.
FBI AGENT
[ Laughs ] You're a felon and a family member.
OSCAR
Well, we can stand here arguing about my standing or we can say goodbye to LAPD, go in, make a deal, catch the kidnapper, and have you home by dinner.
FBI AGENT
All right. Let's go. Both of you.
NOLAN
Sir, you can't trust him.
FBI AGENT
This is not my first day...Officer.
OSCAR
Listen, it was really nice seeing you two again. And, Nolan, because you're such a Good Samaritan, I'm gonna help you answer that law-class question. The answer is "A, detain all the Black guys. Because, well, that's what cops do. And -- And, A-Angela, listen, if -- if you need a birth coach, I just got my Doula certification, and, you know, we can negotiate a really good nice price.
FBI AGENT
All right, let's go, smart guy.
HARPER
Good job not killing him.
LOPEZ
Thanks. I'm gonna go pack up my stuff.
HARPER FBI AGENT
Mm.
[ Line ringing ]
[ Cellphone rings ]
RYAN
Yes?
NOLAN
Professor Ryan, it's, uh, John Nolan.
RYAN
Do you have an answer for me?
NOLAN
N-Not yet. Um, am I limited to the answers that you gave me?
RYAN
Yes.
NOLAN
The thing is, that description isn't reliable, so as an officer, I'd have to hone in on the other witnesses -- [ Clicks ] She hung up on me.
HARPER
[ Laughs ]
NOLAN
This isn't funny.
HARPER
I'm sorry.
NOLAN
I need this make-up test.
HARPER
I know. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
CHEN
Where should we go tonight? Do you think he likes sushi? Everybody likes sushi, right? What? You disapprove? You think I'm just dating him to make Emmett jealous? And, yeah, maybe I am, but he deserves it, and it's -- Will you say something, please?
BRADFORD
Look, today's the first time you've talked about Emmett in weeks.
CHEN
Well, you hate it when I talk about personal stuff.
BRADFORD
And yet you still do. But in all those conversations, you haven't said one word about your boyfriend.
CHEN
What are you saying?
BRADFORD
Look, maybe Emmett treated the relationship like it didn't matter because you treated it like it didn't matter. All right, focus up. You read the file. You think 3Eyez is done for the day?
CHEN
Um...no. He tagged two police cars, but they're already being repainted, and he got interrupted when he tagged that building. He'll want to throw up a full tag. Somewhere that makes a statement.
BRADFORD
Exactly. And we'll be there to catch him. "Eagle Eye."
CHEN
What?
BRADFORD
The nickname I got. Uh, after the shop got tagged under my nose.
CHEN
[ Laughs ]
BRADFORD
But it wasn't my T.O. who came up with it. It was Isabel. Kind of became her pet name for me.
CHEN
Aww. That's sweet.
BRADFORD
Yeah.
DISPATCH
7-Adam-19. Falling accident 8950 South Ridgley Drive. Injuries unknown.
CHEN
7-Adam-19, responding.
[ Engine revving ]
PERCY WEST
Where's Jackson? The CAD report said officer down. He's not answering his cell --
GREY
Percy. Jackson's fine. I got hurt. He's just getting us a cup of coffee.
[ Sighs ]
PERCY WEST
What happened?
GREY
Tried to chase down the tagger. I threw my back out.
PERCY WEST
You know you're too old for that. Follow my lead, take a desk job. Pay's better.
GREY
I hear you've been pushing Jackson toward I.A.
PERCY WEST
We need him. There's a lot more Dougs to weed out.
GREY
That's true. But Jackson's in a unique position to make a difference. So I think he'd have more of an impact at the Academy than I.A.
PERCY WEST
Well, he's my son. You don't think I know what's best for him?
GREY
I know he's your son. I'm not trying --
WEST
[ Clears throat ]
WEST
You can, uh, have mine, Dad. I'll come back once you guys are finished planning my career.
BRADFORD
Ma'am, don't move.
[ Woman groans ]
BRADFORD
All right? An ambulance is on its way.
3EYEZ
I think it's broken.
CHEN
Uh, Tim?
BRADFORD
Just one second. Ma'am, can you tell me exactly what happened?
CHEN
"Eagle Eyes", you should look up.
BRADFORD
You're 3Eyez?
3EYEZ
W-W-What? N-No.
BRADFORD
You tagged my shop. Twice.
CHEN
Technically, three times. Shutting up.
3EYEZ
It's not as easy as it used to be. I'm exhausted.
[ Groans ]
OSCAR
So I get to participate in the prison garden program. It's three times a week. Practically smell the fresh air. And a case of ginger ale a week. Name brand. Not the discount crap.
FBI AGENT
Fine. Just tell me who's got Austin. Where was the proof-of-life photo taken?
OSCAR
You know, speaking of ginger ale, I'm super dry. And I have an awful lot to tell you.
FBI AGENT
Fine. But you're giving it all up when I get back.
NOLAN
You know what we love about you, Oscar? It's that you're so damn predictable.
OSCAR
Well, you can't blame a lifer for trying.
NOLAN
Shouldn't we have told the FBI?
HARPER
I texted Lopez. She said we'd fill them in once Oscar took us to the kidnappers and we made the arrest.
OSCAR
I told you before, I can't betray my client's trust. Unless we get something in return.
HARPER
You've got no leverage here. The FBI is not gonna deal with you now.
NOLAN
And if we charge you with obstruction of justice, the warden's gonna take away all of your privileges.
OSCAR
Fine. But I want a cupcake. After.
NOLAN
A cupcake?
OSCAR
I heard they've gotten fancy since I went in.
NOLAN
Deal. Now what do you know?
OSCAR
Well, according to my daughter, the only other person that knew about the scam was Austin's drug dealer, Malcolm Green. He works out of a chop shop in Sylmar.
HARPER
All right, we're gonna do some recon, see if you're telling the truth.
OSCAR
No problem. I'll just hang out here by myself. Maybe I'll take a nap.
NOLAN
Oh, come on, Oscar. We've been through far too much for you to pretend like you're not just trying to escape the second we turn our back.
HARPER
So we got you a babysitter.
SMITTY
That's the guy you want me to watch?
HARPER
Yep. Give me your handcuff keys.
SMITTY
What?
NOLAN
So he doesn't trick you into letting him go.
SMITTY
Oh. Like that could happen. Fine.
[ Keys rattle ]
HARPER
If you hear gunshots, call in the cavalry. But do not leave him.
NOLAN
You should tell Oscar about your plans to become a DJ.
SMITTY
Happy to!
NOLAN
[ Laughs ] Too harsh?
HARPER
For Oscar? No.
MALCOLM
It's time to send the judge another package. Go get a pint of blood from the kid.
SLIM JIM
That's the same as a liter, right?
MALCOLM
How should I know? I don't speak metric.
SLIM JIM
But a pint's definitely less than a quart --
MALCOLM
Dude. Same amount as last time! Come on!
SLIM JIM
All right.
NOLAN
I don't see Austin, but I think we're running out of time. These two idiots are gonna kill him without meaning to.
HARPER
Control, 7-Adam-15, we have the two-o-seven suspects. We have exigent circumstances. We are making entry. I need Code 3 backup. And notify the supervisor.
SLIM JIM
Whoa. I've only seen that in movies. I'm gonna buy a Porsche. And a stripper -- two strippers. What are you gonna do with your money?
[ Gasps ]
MALCOLM
Dude! Quit it!
SLIM JIM
He doesn't look so good.
MALCOLM
Looks better than you. He's fine.
SLIM JIM
He doesn't look fine.
[ Car alarm blaring ]
[ Gun cocks ]
[ Car alarm stops ]
SLIM JIM
Must have been a ghost or something. My grandma told me this story about this, uh, ghost that was haunting toilets.
MALCOLM
Your grandma?
SLIM JIM
Really creepy stuff, man, like out-there type stuff.
HARPER
Police! Get on the ground.
NOLAN
Down! Get down on the ground. Drop it right now.
HARPER
Right now! Drop it! Get down on the ground!
NOLAN
Down on your knees. Down on your knees!
HARPER
Interlace your fingers.
[ Handcuffs click ]
NOLAN
You got them?
HARPER
Got 'em.
NOLAN
7-Adam-15, we got a Code 4. Scene's clear for EMTs. 25-year-old male, unconscious but breathing. Heavy blood loss. Okay, Austin, you're gonna be all right, buddy. We got help on the way.
ASHLEY
[ Sighs ] You said you were gonna make a deal that I wouldn't see the inside of a jail cell.
OSCAR
Yeah, I might've lied about that.
ASHLEY
You're the worst father ever.
OSCAR
Is there a mug for that? Oh, hello! I love a man of his word.
NOLAN
It's gonna take a little while to process you. You're gonna want to keep your blood sugar up.
ASHLEY
Ah, a cupcake. Thanks.
OSCAR
I didn't know you had that kind of cruelty in you.
NOLAN
Oh, it's not about that. See, as parents that's what we do. We sacrifice for our children. Sheriff's Department will be here shortly, take you back to prison.
OSCAR
I do feel something, you know. About having a kid, knowing the old Hutchinson bloodline isn't gonna die with me.
NOLAN
And yet you still put yourself first every step of the way.
OSCAR
It's all I know.
NOLAN
I know I'm wasting my breath on this, but... if you really want to improve yourself in prison, stop taking random degrees and just take a hard look inside. If you want to be more than just a cautionary tale to that girl, you got a lot of work to do.
[ Indistinct announcement over P.A. system ]
BRADFORD
So, I gotta know -- why'd you start up again after all these years?
3EYEZ
My husband dumped me for his massage therapist. And I realized I wasted the last seven years of my life.
BRADFORD
So what? You wanted to get back at him for leaving you?
3EYEZ
No. I just...wanted to feel young again.
[ Sighs ]
[ Keys jangling ]
[ Handcuffs click ]
BRADFORD
You're being charged with a misdemeanor. You'll have to pay a fine. Otherwise, you're free to go. And for what it's worth... ...you're still young. And your husband's an idiot.
3EYEZ
Thanks.
TANNER
Hey.
CHEN
Oh, hi.
TANNER
We still on for tonight?
CHEN
Um... I didn't have the purest motives when I asked you out earlier.
TANNER
You're trying to get back at Emmett. I get it.
CHEN
W-- [scoffs] Why did you say yes?
TANNER
Dude keeps beating me at Pictionary. I could use a win.
CHEN
S-So, we're being equally petty. Great.
[ Laughs ]
[ Inhales sharply ]
TANNER
Look, the guy broke up with you over text. He has this coming. But if you've changed your mind...
CHEN
Yeah, I have. I want to go out for the right reasons, not because I'm hurt and angry.
TANNER
I respect that. But mark your calendar. I'm gonna ask you out again in two weeks.
CHEN
Deal.
TANNER
Mm.
[ Sighs ]
PERCY WEST
What?
GREY
[ Groans ] What?
PERCY WEST
Well, you called me down here.
GREY
No, I didn't.
WEST
I did. Uh, look, I really appreciate you both for, um, having such an interest in my future. And I know I wouldn't have these career options if you hadn't opened the door. Look, I-I have to find my own path. And it's way too soon to know what that is. I just hope that you both are okay with me coming to you for advice as I figure things out.
GREY
Of course.
PERCY WEST
Yeah. But you better come to me first. I am your father.
GREY
He's right. But he is a little close to the situation, so you better check in with me after for a more balanced opinion.
WEST
[ Laughs ]
PERCY WEST
R-Right, yeah.
WEST
Yes, sirs.
LOPEZ
Kidnapping yourself to get your parent's money? That is messed up.
EVERS
Sadly, I knew more than a few Austin Abassis growing up.
LOPEZ
You know, I always heard money could ruin a kid. I just thought that was something rich people said to keep poor people in our place. I'm gonna call Patrice tomorrow, discuss how we structure the trust so our kid doesn't grow up to be an entitled jerk.
EVERS
That sounds like a plan. So, are we gonna talk about Oscar?
LOPEZ
When I found out Oscar was connected, I fantasized about tearing him apart with bearcats and then peeing on what was left. Then I realized that saving that kid's life was the only thing that mattered. Oscar just wasn't worth the effort.
EVERS
Amen to that. You know, your fantasies are a little gruesome.
LOPEZ
That's not what you said last night.
[ Both laugh ]
NOLAN
Professor Ryan.
RYAN
Oh, you almost missed your deadline.
NOLAN
Almost.
RYAN
So, do you have an answer to my question?
NOLAN
Yes. Uh, no, actually. Um, I spent the day trying to figure out the answer you were looking for. Clearly, the racial element to the question wasn't accidental, so was it all just a test to see what I would do to avoid a failing grade? And then I realized something that gave me the clarity that I needed -- the consequences of doing my job wrong are too extreme to just pick an answer to curry favor with you. I can't pick "A, question all the Black men, because that would just be wrong. I can't pick B" or "C", 'cause there's not enough information. We both know what damage a false arrest can do to a person's reputation, to their psyche. So if failing the answer to the question means I don't make up my exam and get an "F", so be it.
RYAN
Hmm. Okay. You have 45 minutes.
NOLAN
Yes! Thank you. Oh, do you mean right now, to be --
RYAN
Mm-hmm.
NOLAN
That -- Yeah, okay, that's fair. Unexpected. Didn't think that would work. "John Nolan."