THE ROOKIE
Season 3, Episode 3
"La Fiera"
Previously on "The Rookie"...
GREY
Officer Stanton will be taking over the training of Officer West.
WEST
Someone broke into your home?
STANTON
So, who are you claiming these days, D?
WEST
He did something that really bothered me. The way he treated this one family. Black family.
STANTON
It's my job to teach you the right way to think on the street.
BRADFORD
I hear he's a solid cop. Learn what's useful and ignore the rest.
GREY
Officer Nolan, you will be held over the FTO program for an additional month.
EVERS
Why didn't you tell me?
LOPEZ
Why do you think?
GREY
Congratulations, Detective.
LOPEZ
If I show up pregnant on day one, that's all they'll ever see me as.
INT. JOHN NOLAN'S HOUSE, DAY
OFFICER JOHN NOLAN is getting ready to leave to go to work when his cell phone rings. It's his mom on FaceTime.
NOLAN
Hey! Mom! Actually, I'm so sorry. I'm just running out the door.
EVELYN
Oh, you're always busy. You haven't been home in over a year.
NOLAN
Uh, yes, well, rookies still don't get vacation time, Mom. You know this.
NOLAN suddenly notices the background in his mother's video. It looks like... his front door.
EVELYN
How about I come for a visit? Huh?
NOLAN
Uh, well, that would be...lovely, Mother. I really don't think I have the... (opens front door to find Mom on his doorstep) time.
EVELYN NOLAN rushes into the house, pulling a small wheeled suitcase and waving her hands.
EVELYN
Danny had an affair with his ex, so I dumped him. (flings her arms wide) I need emotional support.
NOLAN
(echoes) Emotional support. (hugs EVELYN) Mom, I am so sorry. He just proposed to you, though. I sent flowers. They're getting delivered today.
EVELYN
Oh, that's so thoughtful of you. But I should have known this was not gonna last. I told him I wanted three carats, and apparently, I'm only worth one and a quarter. A quarter!
She shows him the ring on her finger. He doesn't seem surprised.
NOLAN
Mother. [ Sighs ] You're supposed to give the ring back when you break up.
EVELYN
[ Scoffs ] Nonsense! It's damages. Compensation for pain and suffering. And, now, weren't you in trouble recently? 'Cause Cousin Carol sent me an article from Facebook or som-- I did not read it.
NOLAN
Your concern is touching. Um, it's -- Everything's okay. I am back on track. At least I think I am. But to that end, I really -- I can't be late, so I'm – (gestures toward the door)
EVELYN
Okay, go, go, go. I'll settle myself in.
She smiles cheerfully and heads for NOLAN's bedroom.
NOLAN
Okay. U-Uh, actually, that's my bedroom.
EVELYN
And I'm sure you want your mama to have it.
EXT. SHADOW HILLS SHOOTING RANGE, DAY - PARKING LOT
NOLAN and his fellow rookies, OFFICER JACKSON WEST and OFFICER LUCY CHEN, are walking to the range together.
WEST
Wanna crash on our couch?
NOLAN
No. Maybe. I ju-- She's such an emotional vampire, and I've got that 30-day extension hanging over my head. I cannot afford to lose focus right now.
OFFICER DOUG STANTON pretends to ambush NOLAN with finger guns.
STANTON
On your six! Oh! If I'd have been a banger, you'd be dead.
He walks on ahead.
NOLAN
I'm not gonna lie. I'm not fond of him.
WEST
Yeah. Join the club.
OFFICER TIM BRADFORD and DETECTIVE NYLA HARPER walk together.
BRADFORD
I hate training with the public. I feel like we're sharing trade secrets.
HARPER
Is it possible Tim Bradford is having performance anxiety? There are pills for that, you know.
BRADFORD
Look, I've come in second behind Lopez the last four years. Now that Annie Oakley's with the detectives, I got the patrol crown in the bag.
HARPER
Oh, there's only one problem with that. Me.
EXT. SHADOW HILLS SHOOTING RANGE - OUTDOOR TARGET SETUP
The entire shift of officers is present as SERGEANT WADE GREY gives them their assignment.
GREY
Firearm requalification day. And, yes, I said "day" because even though the department allows a month for you to requalify, I expect every officer here to leave with a passing score. As police officers, we can never lose sight of the power we carry on our hip. There are only three circumstances where an officer should discharge his or her weapon. What are they? Rookies?
CHEN
To defend their own life.
WEST
To defend another person's life.
NOLAN
To prevent the escape of an individual who's committed a felony involving the use or threat of deadly force and poses an imminent danger to the public if he or she were allowed to escape.
GREY
Very good.
He steps back to give the floor to OFFICER DIXON.
DIXON
I'm Officer Dixon, your Range Master. Each target has two sides -- the civilian and the suspect. When you see the suspect, you have three seconds to get shots off. If you fire on the civilian side, it is an automatic fail. You have 36 shots, two magazine changes. 30 hits is a pass, 29 a fail.
As she speaks, we see the targets and the officers firing at them.
STANTON
Whoops. Almost made somebody an orphan.
GREY
Rookies, you're up.
STANTON
(to BRADFORD) Care to make it interesting? 20 bucks if your Boot makes it out on top?
BRADFORD
I'll take that bet.
HARPER
Me, too.
The three rookies take their positions and prepare to fire.
DIXON
Officers ready? Begin.
All three start firing at the targets, but NOLAN is distracted by something in his peripheral vision: a man in another shooting alley in full scuba gear, crawling along the ground shooting a handgun. NOLAN stops shooting to stare at the sight and GREY barks at him.
GREY
Officer Nolan!
Later, GREY reads out the results to the watch patrol as they stand in the enclosure.
GREY
So, finishing first with the most hits, fastest time, and tightest grouping... Officer Chen. Congrats. You are the new Mid-Wilshire champ.
[ Cheers and applause ]
CHEN
Thank you! Thank you.
BRADFORD
(taking his winnings from STANTON and HARPER) Thank you very much.
GREY
Uh, Bradford, Harper, you both tied for second.
HARPER
I don't know what I hate more -- tying for second with you or losing to a rookie.
GREY
And in last place, my only fail in three years --
NOLAN
Uh, sir, when --
GREY
Officer Nolan, if I hear one more word about a guy in scuba gear... [ Laughter ] If you don't pass requalification within 30 days, you will be put on desk duty and be given remedial firearm training. Is that really the way you want to end your rookie experience?
NOLAN
No, sir.
GREY
Then I suggest you put in some range time before your next test. All right, see you all back at the station.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - RECEPTION AREA
TAMARA COLINS is waiting in a seat and bounces up to meet CHEN as CHEN enters the area.
COLINS
Hey, I need you to sign this.
CHEN
Tamara. Good morning.
COLINS
Good morning. Can you sign the title to the car? Cops keep eyeballing it, and they're not gonna believe you gave it to me.
CHEN
You know, you still haven't confirmed our Tuesday morning appointment with the social worker. We need to find you a real place to live.
COLINS
I'll be there. I promise.
CHEN
All right. (noticing psych textbook in COLINS's bag) Oh, hey. I was a psychology major.
COLINS
Cool, but it's just a class that I have to take.
CHEN
Well, you might want to pay a little extra attention to it. I found that it really helped me understand what motivates people.
COLINS
So does living on the street.
CHEN
Fair enough. (signing the form) The car is officially yours. Drive safe.
COLINS
Thanks.
CHEN
You're welcome.
COLINS goes out as BRADFORD comes up to CHEN.
BRADFORD
How's the puppy?
CHEN
She's doing really great. Oh, she told me to tell you, uh, better luck next time at the range.
BRADFORD
(annoyed) Get changed.
CHEN
Yes, sir.
EXT. ALLEY, DAY
STANTON and WEST get out of their shop at a crime scene.
DISPATCH
7-Adam-07, attach to event 1426... ...to assist Homicide on their 187.
STANTON
Did you take a look at that gang book I gave you?
WEST
Yes, sir. It was very informative. But I don't want to get to a place where all I see is gangs.
STANTON
Who's telling you to do that? (approaching the cop minding the crime scene) What's the deal?
CRIME SCENE COP
Homicide. And, guys, I gotta run to court. Detective's en route.
STANTON
Yeah, no problem. We'll take over. Give me some quality teaching time with the Boot.
CRIME SCENE COP
Thanks.
He departs and STANTON scrutinizes the body of a man lying dead in the alley.
STANTON
Ooh-ee! A cholo piñata. Definitely a gangbanger. Looks like he got dressed using the thug life handbook. What do the tats tell us?
WEST
Spider web shows us that he was caught up in the life.
STANTON
And the three dots by his eye?
WEST
Stands for "mi vida loca". That and the clock tattoo shows us that he's done time, and based on the yellow belt and the bandana, he probably banged with Malos Dorados.
STANTON
Officer West, I taught you well.
Newly minted DETECTIVE ANGELA LOPEZ arrives on the scene.
LOPEZ
Sorry for making you wait.
STANTON
Nah, that's a first. Didn't know detectives knew the word "sorry."
LOPEZ
Well, it wasn't too long ago I was the one babysitting the crime scene. So, what do we got?
STANTON
Hispanic male, tortured, shot execution-style. Probably killed by another gangbanger whose body we'll find in an alley next week. Classic case of "No Victims Involved", if you ask me.
LOPEZ
Well, I didn't. Go start a canvass.
STANTON
Yes, ma'am.
WEST
Mm-hmm.
They start to walk away; STANTON continues walking but LOPEZ calls WEST back.
LOPEZ
Jackson. Don't let that guy turn you into a hater. It's easy to judge, but this was someone's kid.
WEST
I just really miss riding with you.
LOPEZ
Everything okay?
WEST
Yeah. You?
LOPEZ
Yeah.
INT. PATROL CAR, DAY - BRADFORD/CHEN
CHEN
Mid-Wilshire shooting champ! I like the sound of that. Wait, do I get a trophy? I love trophies.
BRADFORD
Relax. You had a few good shots.
CHEN
Come on! I rocked it! Don't be salty just because you got second place. Plus, you won 40 bucks. I should get a cut of that.
BRADFORD
Not happening. But as your T.O., your successes are my successes. So you should be thanking me for training you so well.
CHEN
[ Chuckling ] Wow.
They see a man trying to open the door of a parked car, an orange Datsun 280Z that looks familiar.
BRADFORD
Isn't that your car?
CHEN
Yeah, it is. And he's trying to steal it.
They pull up behind the man and get out of the shop.
BRADFORD
Sir, step away from the vehicle.
EUGENE
It's mine. I just bought it. But I can't get this stupid door to open.
CHEN
What do you mean you just bought it?
EUGENE
This girl -- she sold it to me for 4 grand.
CHEN
$4,000?! It's worth at least $10,000! Okay, $8,000.
EUGENE
Am I in trouble?
BRADFORD
No, sir. Nope. Sorry to bother you.
BRADFORD is obviously amused; he and CHEN start back toward their shop, but CHEN turns back to speak to EUGENE.
CHEN
You -- You have to push all the way down before pulling up.
EUGENE
Hey! [ Chuckles ] Thanks.
INT. PATROL CAR, DAY - HARPER/NOLAN
HARPER is doing some paperwork while NOLAN drives.
NOLAN
I should get a do-over. I mean, a guy running around in a scuba suit and an air tank at a gun range? That's weird, right?
HARPER
Have you never been to a public range in L.A. before? It's weird when someone's not cosplaying. But you shouldn't have let it distract you. You had a gun in your hand.
NOLAN
N-- I know. It was just --
HARPER
No, no, no, no! No excuses. The streets are full of distractions. You lose focus, someone gets killed.
NOLAN
I was really hoping I could impress Sergeant Grey today.
HARPER
Yeah, well, you didn't. (seeing an incoming call on NOLAN's phone) "Momster"?
NOLAN
I-I'm sorry. Do you mind if I...?
HARPER
Sure. Go ahead.
NOLAN
(answering the phone and pulling over) Hey, Mom, what's up?
EVELYN
I need directions downtown.
NOLAN
Well, didn't Henry download that driving app on your phone?
EVELYN
Yes, but it has a very weird robot voice.
NOLAN
And I've got impatient son voice. Use the driving app, Mom. Bye. (to HARPER) I'm sorry. That's --
HARPER
That's all right. Look, when I first joined, my mom used to call all the time during shifts. But eventually, I just realized that that was her way of making sure I was okay.
NOLAN
That's very nice. This is not that.
A woman comes running down the sidewalk, waving her arms and yelling.
KAREN
Help! Police! Help! Police! Police, help! There's a woman destroying my house!
She leads them into a house, into a bedroom where an obviously pregnant woman is lying on the bed, another woman checking her blood pressure.
INT. KAREN'S HOUSE, DAY - BEDROOM
KAREN
I ShareBnB the place, and when I came by to get my mail, I caught her like this.
MONICA
You can't make me leave.
HARPER
Okay, no, w-we're just checking to make sure that everything is okay.
KAREN
(outraged) Clearly it's not. Do something!
LEEANN
(to the cops) Could you get her out of here, please? She's ruining Monica's birth experience.
NOLAN
(to KAREN) Um, ma'am, technically, the young lady -- She's well within her temporary tenant rights to be here.
HARPER
And giving birth really isn't a crime.
KAREN
It is when it's on my white European goose downs!
HARPER
(to NOLAN) You need to get her out of here, please.
NOLAN
Yep.
KAREN
No!
NOLAN
Ma'am, come with me. This way. Come on.
NOLAN escorts KAREN out of the room. HARPER goes over to the bed, where MONICA is moaning.
HARPER
Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Easy. Easy. You okay?
MONICA
I'm okay.
HARPER
Okay.
MONICA
I'm okay.
LEEANN
(to HARPER) I don't like how high her blood pressure is.
HARPER
Okay. Um, uh, Monica, my name is Nyla. We need to get you to a hospital.
MONICA
No, please. No, no, I don't want to have my baby at the hospital, not after what happened last time. Please, I don't want to have my baby at the hospital.
HARPER
Okay. It's okay. Listen, I will be with you the whole way. ...Monica?
MONICA has passed out.
INT. SHAW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DAY - EXAM ROOM
A doctor enters the room where MONICA is lying and a nurse, HARPER, and NOLAN are standing by. The doctor doesn't make eye contact with the patient but looks over her chart and speaks dismissively.
DR. KANG
I'm Dr. Kang. You brought her in?
NOLAN
Yes, sir. She passed out earlier, but she came to in the ambulance.
DR. KANG
Who's her OB?
MONICA
I'm not using one. I have a doula.
DR. KANG
Well, that's not very smart.
MONICA
No, it's just that I had a really bad experience with my first. The -- The cord got twisted, and the doctor -- he wouldn't even check to see --
DR. KANG
Would you please calm down? Your blood pressure's sky-high, and getting hysterical just makes things worse.
He's being patronizing and HARPER won't stand for it.
HARPER
Hey, Doc, this is your patient. Don't talk down to her. Just listen.
DR. KANG
(to NOLAN) Can you calm your partner down?
NOLAN
She's not my partner. She's my boss.
HARPER
And she is firing you. We would like a new doctor, please.
DR. KANG
I'm the head of obstetrics, and this is not a police matter.
HARPER exchanges a look with MONICA, who takes the hint.
MONICA
I want a new doctor.
DR. KANG
(to the nurse) Page me when she comes to her senses. (he leaves)
MONICA
I can't do this -- fighting with doctors again. T-They don't want to listen. They just don't want to listen.
HARPER
Hey. We will make them listen. You got it? Okay? Me and you. Together. (to the nurse) Who's the doctor she wants?
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION - GREY'S OFFICE
GREY is getting ready to leave when his wife, LUNA GREY, comes into his office.
GREY
Sorry I'm running late.
LUNA
Just think, once you retire, no more schedules, no more --
GREY
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Just keep it down about those retirement talks. I haven't told anyone yet.
LUNA
You having second thoughts?
GREY
No. As soon as I send this rookie class on their way, I am all yours.
LUNA
Oh, well, I like the sound of that.
GREY
You like that? All right.
LUNA
But I-I was hoping that we could look at these together at lunch.
She hands GREY some brochures.
GREY
"Taking Off the Badge: Retirement Strategies for Law Enforcement."
LUNA
Don't laugh. [ Laughs ] We both know the statistics. Most cops die within seven years of retirement.
GREY
That's not gonna happen. I know it's not because I'm not gonna let it.
LOPEZ taps on the door and enters.
LOPEZ
Luna, how are you?
LUNA
I'm good, Detective Lopez. How you liking the promotion?
LOPEZ
Love it. Hey, Sarge, I'm working a weird homicide. M.E. pulled out silicone-coated, armor-piercing slugs out of my vic.
GREY
Armor-piercing? Damn. Who'd he piss off?
LOPEZ
But the guy had ties to Malos Dorados. You have a C.I. in still with them?
GREY
Felix Minosa. But I passed him over to Wysocki when I became Watch Commander. He'll hook you up.
LOPEZ
Thanks. Nice seeing you, Luna.
She departs.
LUNA
You, too. You're gonna have to tell them soon, Wade. They love you around here. They're gonna want a chance to say goodbye.
INT. SHAW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DAY - HALLWAY
NOLAN and HARPER are looking for the doctor whom the nurse recommended.
NOLAN
Still can't believe how that doctor talked to her.
HARPER
Oh, there's plenty more where he came from.
NOLAN
Sounds like you're talking from experience.
HARPER
[ Sighs ] Well, after Lila was born, I-I-I knew something was wrong, but the doctor just said I was being dramatic. But honestly, if it wasn't for that nurse... I-I will never forget the look on Donovan's face when I was being wheeled into surgery. He was holding Lila, and she was just so small and -- and fragile and I just -- I thought I'd never see them again.
NOLAN
I'm sorry. You deserved better than that.
HARPER
Yeah. I did. Uh, excuse me. Hi.
DR. LAURA PETERSON
Yes?
HARPER
Are you Dr. Peterson?
DR. PETERSON
Yes.
HARPER
We have a woman who is in labor, and she's showing signs of pre-eclampsia.
PETERSON
I'm sorry. I already have a patient in labor.
HARPER
Now you have two.
PETERSON
Dr. Kang is the doctor on call.
HARPER
Would you let Dr. Kang deliver your baby?
A beat. PETERSON looks like she gets what HARPER's trying to say.
PETERSON
He's my boss. What room is she in?
HARPER
She's in 309. I will introduce you to her.
NOLAN
[ Cellphone ringing ] Ah. Sorry. Mom, this isn't a good time.
EVELYN
John, help! Get away from me!
NOLAN
Mom, what's going on? Who are you speaking to?
EVELYN
I said get away! [ Glass breaks ]
NOLAN
Mom? (to HARPER) Something's wrong at my house. My mom's in trouble.
HARPER
Take the shop. Radio for backup.
NOLAN
Right.
INT. NOLAN'S HOUSE, DAY - LIVING ROOM
NOLAN comes charging in, to find his mother, OFFICER SMITTY, and a strange man standing in the dining area.
NOLAN
Hey. What's going on? Is my mom okay?
SMITTY
She's a feisty one. Knows more curse words than my old drill instructor.
NOLAN
(to the stranger) Uh, who the hell are you?
DANNY HILL
I'm Danny Hill. I'm your mom's fiance.
EVELYN
Ex-fiance! You cheater!
HILL
I'm not a cheater. Evelyn!
EVELYN
Liar!
HILL
I had coffee with Pamela to tell her about our engagement. We were married 30 years. It was the decent thing to do.
EVELYN
I don't believe you. I don't believe anything you say. Will you please leave?
HILL
Okay. Can I just, um, get the ring back?
EVELYN
I don't have it.
NOLAN draws her aside to speak quietly.
NOLAN
Mom, you showed it to me this morning.
EVELYN
I know, but it -- it -- it was so big it kept slipping off my finger. Maybe it's around here somewhere.
NOLAN
Mom, just give him back the ring.
EVELYN
[ Whispering ] I don't have it.
NOLAN
Is that why you went downtown today, so you could sell it in the diamond district?
EVELYN
Of course not.
NOLAN
Mom.
HILL has overheard some of this and interrupts their tete-a-tete.
HILL
You barely had it 48 hours. You never actually intended to marry me, did you? You scammed me for the ring! Oh, you gold-digging --
NOLAN
(to HILL) Yeah, d-- Still my mom.
HILL
I want to file a police report.
EVELYN
[ Chuckles ] Good luck with that.
NOLAN
That is your right, sir.
EVELYN
W-What? Why are you taking his side?
NOLAN
I'm not. This is not a costume. I am a police officer. Filing a report is his right.
EVELYN
Betrayed by my own son.
She storms off into the bedroom and HILL and NOLAN eye each other.
HILL
I'm beginning to think I dodged a bullet.
INT. PATROL CAR, DAY - BRADFORD/CHEN
TAMARA COLINS is walking down the sidewalk, wearing new clothes, makeup, and jewelry, when CHEN spots her.
CHEN
You gotta be kidding me.
BRADFORD
Bad puppy.
CHEN gets out of the shop to confront COLINS.
CHEN
You sold my car to buy new clothes?
BRADFORD
And earrings.
TAMARA
It's my car. You gave it to me.
CHEN
To sleep in, not to sell.
TAMARA
Do you have any idea what it's like to go to school every day with greasy hair and dirty clothes? So, yeah, I sold your janky-ass ticket magnet and bought a few nice things. I just want to feel normal for once.
BRADFORD
And so where's the rest of the money?
TAMARA
It's in my college fund.
CHEN
Look, why didn't you say something earlier? You came by this morning. You clearly already had a buyer.
TAMARA
I knew you wouldn't understand. You would have just said no.
CHEN
No. Wait. Where are you staying?
TAMARA
With my cousin.
She walks away.
CHEN
Is it safe? Well...hell!
DISPATCH
All units B.O.L. 211-armed just occurred. Suspect is male, Black, 6-foot, black pants, blue hoodie. Weapon a handgun.
BRADFORD
Come on. Let's get to work.
INT. PATROL CAR, DAY - STANTON/WEST
STANTON and WEST have heard the BOLO, and STANTON thinks he's spotted the suspect.
STANTON
Hey. There's our guy.
WEST
I don't think so. Uh, the hoodie's green, not blue. The suspect is 6 feet. That guy's too short.
STANTON
'Cause some scared RP with a gun in their face is gonna tell the difference between green and blue? 6 feet and 5'6"? Come on. Control, 7-Adam-07, 8th and Bronson, got a possible 211 suspect. Code 6. (gets out of the shop) Here we go. --
STANTON walks up behind the man he spotted, KYLE, who is walking, eating a snack, and listening to music on headphones with his hoodie pulled up.
Hey. LAPD. Show me your hands. (KYLE doesn't hear him, doesn't respond) I said show me your hands now!
He tackles KYLE to the ground, holding him down and yelling at him.
KYLE
What the hell?!
STANTON
Roll over!
KYLE
I didn't do anything! I didn't do anything!
STANTON
Roll over, dumbass! On your belly!
KYLE
Aah! I live right here!
STANTON
Hands behind your back.
KYLE
Why are you cuffing me?! Ow!
STANTON
For your safety and ours.
KYLE
My -- Your -- My safety?! Aah! You're hurting me!
[ Handcuffs click ]
WEST
(trying to de-escalate) Look, sir, please, it's gonna be okay. We just have to check you out.
KYLE
Check me out?! I live right here!
WEST
Okay.
A woman, RONDA, bursts out of the house and confronts STANTON.
RONDA
What are you doing?! That's my son!
WEST
Ma'am. Ma'am.
KYLE
Mama, I didn't --
WEST
It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.
STANTON
(to RONDA) Hey! Back up!
KYLE
I didn't do nothing.
RONDA
Let my baby go! Get off of me!
STANTON
Lady, I will knock your ass out!
SHAWN comes out of the house and dives into the shouting match.
SHAWN
Get your hands off my wife!
RONDA
Are you crazy?!
STANTON
Control, 7-Adam-07, I got a house emptying out on me.
SHAWN
Son, it's okay.
STANTON
Send backup.
RONDA
Let him go!
SHAWN
It's all right, son.
STANTON
Everybody on the ground!
WEST
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Control, 7-Adam-07, we need a supervisor out here. Code 3. Everybody, just stay where you are. Just -- Just give us a minute to explain.
STANTON
Everybody on the ground now!
He has his weapon out and is pointing it in the direction of the family who have gathered on the lawn.
RONDA
(to KYLE) I know, I know, baby. It's okay.
Another shop rolls up; it's BRADFORD and CHEN, who get out and come over to the scene.
SHAWN
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
RONDA
Baby, you're okay.
STANTON
Everyone down on the ground!
RONDA
Let him go!
BRADFORD
What do you need?
STANTON
Help Jackson hook these idiots up.
WEST
We're arresting the whole family?
STANTON
What the hell did I just say?
WEST
Wait, even the grandmother? Are you serious?
BRADFORD
All right, West, Chen, you stay here. Stanton, come here. Let's go sort this out.
He and STANTON step aside and leave CHEN and WEST to face the outraged family.
WOMAN
Hey, I'm recording this. I see you.
MAN
It's always the same with you guys.
RONDA
Get those cuffs off my boy!
CHEN
We can't, ma'am. Not yet, anyways. It's protocol. I'm sorry.
SHAWN
Not as sorry as this fake-ass brother. Uncle Tom sellout.
STANTON
We spotted the 211 suspect, ordered him to stop.
BRADFORD
H-Hold up, hold up. They just pinched that guy half a mile from here two minutes ago. You didn't hear that on the radio?
STANTON
I'm arresting all of them. Attempted assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, criminal threats.
BRADFORD
What are you doing here? There are cameras all around. You nabbed an innocent man. The D.A. won't file.
STANTON
These people don't respect authority.
BRADFORD
You grabbed the wrong guy.
STANTON
(grudgingly) You're senior officer. It's your call.
BRADFORD
Control, 7-Adam-19, Code 4. Shut down Code 3 units and cancel the supervisor. Jackson, come here. Uncuff that gentleman with an apology. Talk to the family, explain the situation. See if you can dust them off, okay?
WEST
Okay.
BRADFORD
I'll join you in a minute.
STANTON
And now you're gonna kiss their ass?
BRADFORD
It's called the least we can do.
WOMAN
It's not right. That's not right.
MAN
He should lock him up.
KYLE
(as WEST uncuffs him) Finally.
WEST
Uh, sir, I am -- I'm truly sorry for the, uh, confusion.
MELBA
Confusion? You just cuffed my grandbaby and pointed guns at my entire family.
CHEN
And we're very sorry, ma'am.
WEST
Look, ma'am, we were looking for a suspect that fit the description of your grandson.
MELBA
Oh!
JASON
Yeah. Young and Black.
RONDA
We need to speak to your Sergeant.
BRADFORD
Of course. Ma'am, here's my business card in case you want to file a complaint.
SHAWN
You bet your ass we do.
INT. SHAW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DAY - WAITING AREA
NOLAN has returned to the hospital and is waiting for HARPER, who joins him in the waiting area.
HARPER
Hey. It's a girl. [ Chuckles ] Mother and daughter are doing just fine.
NOLAN
That's great.
HARPER
What happened with your mom?
NOLAN
Oh, it's just a hot mess, which is normal. Fiance flew in to win her back. She'd already hocked the engagement ring, so he filed a police report, with me, which I'll hear about. I just wish I could say this was new behavior, but she's been pulling this love-'em-and-leave-'em stuff since my dad split.
HARPER
Well, not like I'm trying to defend her or anything, but a single mom raising a kid alone in the '60s --
NOLAN
'80s. Late '70s, early '80s.
HARPER
Women couldn't even get their own credit cards back then. I mean, society was designed to make them depend on men. So maybe that made your mom a little...mercenary.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - GREY'S OFFICE
LOPEZ enters; GREY is at his desk.
LOPEZ
Your old C.I. came through.
GREY
What did Felix tell you?
LOPEZ
That my murder victim was recruited to be local muscle for a Guatemalan cartel, specifically for La Fiera.
GREY
La Fiera? It's a woman?
LOPEZ
Her real name's Sandra de la Cruz. She's a big-time drug runner from Guatemala. Legend goes that when she was only 15, she was walking home from the hospital with her newborn son when she got caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs. To protect her baby, she picks up a semiautomatic off a dead narco and kills everyone. The cartel was so impressed, they recruited her and named her La Fiera.
GREY
And you believe that?
LOPEZ
There's songs written about it and a kick-ass telenovela. So, whether her origin story is true or not, La Fiera is very real and very dangerous.
GREY
And you think she's connected to your homicide?
LOPEZ
I don't know. (sees the brochures on his desk) What are these? You're putting in your papers? When?
GREY
I don't know.
LOPEZ
Were you gonna say something?
GREY
Like you share all your personal decisions?
LOPEZ
Eventually.
GREY
Exactly. I'll tell everyone when I'm ready.
LOPEZ
Yes, sir. I'm happy for you. I just... It won't be the same without you.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, END OF SHIFT - BULLPEN
NOLAN and CHEN are walking and talking.
NOLAN
Well, I'm either going to the range or home to my mother.
CHEN
So, you're going to the range?
NOLAN
100%. Maybe even a late dinner?
CHEN
You know, you could always ask her to get a hotel.
NOLAN
You know, you'd think that'd be the case.
They stop in their tracks when they see STANTON browbeating WEST.
STANTON
You broke the first rule of being a cop -- have your fellow officer's back.
WEST
I did.
STANTON
You questioned every move I made, all before the suspects were even in cuffs. But what really pissed me off -- calling for a supervisor. The whole city hears that and thinks we're in over our heads.
WEST
We were in over our heads!
STANTON
No, you were! Don't let it happen again.
He stalks off. WEST sees NOLAN and CHEN and comes over to them.
CHEN
Hey. Was he actually giving you a hard time about today?
WEST
Yeah, it's whatever. I just have to hold it down for a few more weeks then I'll be free of him.
NOLAN
What happened?
WEST
He jacked up the wrong suspect, then threatened the family.
CHEN
A Black family, and it's not the first time.
NOLAN
You should tell Grey.
CHEN
Or at least talk to Tim about it.
WEST
I did already. Tim said that he heard Doug was "a solid cop," and that I should "learn what's useful from him and ignore the rest."
CHEN
He said that?
WEST
Yeah. And, look, as horrible as today was, technically, Stanton didn't break any laws. Plus, he's an 11-year vet and I'm just a rookie. No one's gonna listen to me.
CHEN
We're listening. And we're here if you ever want to talk about it.
WEST
Thank you.
EXT. SHADOW HILLS SHOOTING RANGE, NIGHT - PARKING LOT
NOLAN is getting out of his truck when he sees a man putting his weapon away in his own trunk. It's the guy he saw earlier wearing the scuba suit.
NOLAN
Excuse me. Hate to bother you. I saw you on the range earlier. I'm with the LAPD.
The man opens fire at NOLAN; NOLAN takes cover as the man gets in his car and speeds away.
INT. MID-WILSHIRE STATION, DAY - BULLPEN
LOPEZ
Hey. I just heard. You all right?
NOLAN
Yeah, yeah. My truck, not so much.
LOPEZ
Any idea who the shooter is?
NOLAN
No, not yet. I did get a look at him, though. He was at the firing range during our qualifications, wearing a full scuba suit.
LOPEZ
Who's the investigating detective?
NOLAN
Uh, actually, it looks like it's you. Crime scene techs identified the shooter's ammunition -- silicone-covered, armor-piercing.
LOPEZ
Same as my homicide.
NOLAN
And then the suspect got away in a white sedan, but I only got a partial plate.
HARPER comes up with a folder.
HARPER
Luckily, that was all we needed. So, we've got five possibles. Only one was a white sedan. It's a rental out of Pico-Union.
LOPEZ
You get a name?
HARPER
Yes, they e-mailed us a copy of his driver's license. Guillermo Sandoval.
NOLAN
(looking at the driver's license) That's him. This is the guy.
LOPEZ
He's definitely connected to my murder. Victim worked for a Guatemalan cartel. Any idea where this guy is now?
HARPER
Actually, yeah. We got a hit off of his credit card that he used for the rent-a-car. It's, uh, one of those no-tell motels on Ventura.
LOPEZ
I'll call for a warrant.
LOPEZ
(in Spanish) Police! We have a warrant for your arrest. [ Banging on door ] Hands up!
NOLAN
I got him! Got him! [ Cellphone chimes ] Out here. Nice and slow. Out here. On your knees. Give me that. Hands on your head. He just sent a text.
LOPEZ
"Policia. Plan B." (in Spanish) Who'd you send that to? He's a cop.
LOPEZ
Guillermo Sandoval, Guatemalan National. Sheriff of Antigua Leon. At first, it didn't make sense to me how a cop with a good reputation could do this. Then I did a little research. You survived the Massacre of Antiguo Leon. Your village stood up to the cartel, and they were slaughtered. Men, women, children... your children. But this man that you tortured and killed had nothing to do with that.
SANDOVAL
He worked for the one who ordered it done.
LOPEZ
La Fiera. And you want revenge, but she's a hard one to catch. Smart and very cautious. Rumor is she only travels by yacht to avoid ambush. So...that explains the scuba gear. You needed to practice shooting with all that equipment on. Clearly, that was Plan "A." But you sent someone a text ordering Plan "B." So, what is that?
SANDOVAL
You'll find out... soon enough.
HARPER
Yeah, well, thanks for nothing. My guy at the DEA didn't even know La Fiera was in town.
NOLAN
That's more than a little scary. And it's so strange to think that if I hadn't been distracted by a guy in a scuba suit at a gun range, there would be a bloodbath on a yacht right now.
HARPER
Yeah, that was a good spot.
NOLAN
Not what you said yesterday. But who's keeping score?
HARPER
Clearly, you.
NOLAN
Clearly. I hope Grey is, too, though. You think there's any way he would be so impressed by this, he might, you know, let me off the hook for that 30-day extension?
HARPER
Officer Nolan, why were you given an official letter of reprimand and extended in the FTO program?
NOLAN
Because I ignored an LAPD regulation.
HARPER
Among other things. And do you feel that that was a fitting punishment, considering your violation?
NOLAN
Yes.
HARPER
And yet you want special treatment. When we pinch someone breaking the law, they are punished. If those rules apply to them, then they absolutely apply to us, as well.
LOPEZ
[ Door opens ] La Fiera's in town with her son for a college tour.
LOPEZ
They're gonna kill her on campus.
STANTON
So, now we have to protect a drug lord? Can't we just take an early lunch and let nature take its course?
LOPEZ
Any real questions?
BRADFORD
Anyone have a case on her? DEA? FBI?
LOPEZ
She's on everyone's radars, but there's no open warrants in the US. So as far as we're concerned, she's clean.
NOLAN
Think she has private security?
Definitely. And they'll be packing. Let's pray we get there before the trouble starts.
GUY
Mom, wait up.
CHEN
Can you believe Stanton? "Can't we just let nature run its natural course?" Really? No comment? None at all?
BRADFORD
Look, he's not my favorite cop, either, especially after he handled that family.
CHEN
You mean the way he terrorized them?
BRADFORD
Look, I've been around guys like Doug my entire career, military and police. They're rough around the edges.
CHEN
"Rough around the edges," "old school," "hard-charging." Come on, man. Stanton is a racist.
BRADFORD
You don't know that for sure.
CHEN
Uh, yeah, actually, I do. But you're right. Let's just make excuses for him.
STANTON
Phew! This place is something else. A lot nicer than where I went. Chico State. Where'd you go?
WEST
UCLA.
STANTON
Ah! Too short for basketball. So football? Come on, you played, didn't you? Knew it.
WEST
What is that supposed to mean? I also had a 4.4 GPA, and I was valedictorian of my class, if you were wondering how I got in.
STANTON
I wasn't.
HANNAH
It's the perfect combo of hard work and fun.
LOPEZ
All units. Found them. Lopez, Humanities building, east entrance.
HANNAH
This campus is mad lit. [ Chuckles ]
LOPEZ
(in Spanish) Remain calm. I'm Detective Lopez with the Los Angeles Police Department. Mrs. de la Cruz?
DE LA CRUZ
Yes, what can I do for you, Detective? You may speak freely in front of my son. I hide nothing from him.
LOPEZ
There's a credible threat against your life. I have officers ready to escort you to a safe location.
DE LA CRUZ
It's okay. [ Velcro ripping ]
LOPEZ
Just as a precaution.
DE LA CRUZ
(in Spanish) Thank you.
SHOOTER
La Fiera!
LOPEZ
Get down! [ Gunfire ] Go! Run! [ People screaming ] Look out! Go! Go! Run![ Gunfire ] [ People screaming ] All units, I'm taking rifle rounds. Humanities building, third floor.
[ Gunfire ]
HARPER
Diamond formation when we get inside, got it?
BRADFORD
I'll provide cover fire. All right, time to run like hell. Ready? Three, two, one, go.
[ Gunfire ]
[ Gunfire in distance ]
DE LA CRUZ
(in Spanish) Be calm. Trust God and stay strong, Diego.
DIEGO
(in Spanish)But how did they find us?
DE LA CRUZ
Who is it? Who's after me?
LOPEZ
I can't tell you that.
DE LA CRUZ
He's arrested, no? There'll be a record. I'll find out anyway. So why not just give me his name?
LOPEZ
'Cause of what you might do to him.
DE LA CRUZ
(in Spanish) My son, wait for me a moment.
LOPEZ
I thought that you didn't hide anything from your son, "La Fiera."
DE LA CRUZ
I like you. A strong hermana. But I am just a businesswoman.
LOPEZ
Businesswomen don't have narcocorridos written about them. DE LA CRUZ
Please. People in my country, they like to tell stories, create legends. Doesn't make them all true.
NOLAN
Lopez, 7-Adam-15. Shots fired. West stairwell. Pursuing suspect towards roof.
LOPEZ
Copy that.
DE LA CRUZ
It's killing you, eh? That you can't be out there in the action?
LOPEZ
I'm protecting you.
DE LA CRUZ
No. You're protecting your criatura. You're pregnant, no? I can tell. Diego gave me awful heartburn, too.
LOPEZ
What? No.
DE LA CRUZ
Hey, come on, hermana.
LOPEZ
We're not sisters.
DE LA CRUZ
Do you know why they call me "La Fiera"?
LOPEZ
You were caught in a narco gunfight with baby Diego. You grabbed a gun and laid everyone to waste. [ Scoffs ] Sounds more legend than truth.
DE LA CRUZ
No. That story is all truth. We're survivors, Diego and me. When it comes to your child, there is nothing you won't do, nothing you won't become to protect them. You'll see.
[ Sirens wailing ]
[ Loud whirring ]
[ Whirring continues ]
[ Gunfire ]
SHOOTER
Aah! Ohh! Ohh!
NOLAN
Get down on the ground now!
CHEN
Ponte en el suelo!
[ Body thuds ]
LOPEZ
The State Department's satisfied with your statement. You can go.
DE LA CRUZ
Ay, muchas gracias, Detective. Diego, he likes this school. So, who knows? Maybe we'll see you around.
[ Velcro rips ]
LOPEZ
Don't mistake the professionalism I showed you today for weakness. Loving your son doesn't excuse you You come back to L.A. when there's a charge on your head, I'll put the cuffs on myself.
DE LA CRUZ
I would expect nothing less, hermana.
GREY
Officer West. I'm on my way out. Can this wait till the morning?
WEST
Uh, no, sir. This -- This can't.
GREY
[ Sighs ] All right, come on.
WEST
It's, um -- It's Officer Stanton. He, um -- He's a bad cop, sir.
GREY
In what way?
WEST
To be honest, every way. Who he chooses to pull over, how he -- how he treats suspects of color, the things he says.
GREY
Give me specifics.
WEST
Saying that a crime has "no victims involved" just because the deceased was affiliated.
GREY
Look, a lot of cops feel that way. It's an attitude I don't agree with, but it doesn't violate any rules.
WEST
I-It's not just that, sir. Y-Yesterday we felony-stopped a man who did not fit the suspect description. He was outside of his own home.
GREY
I know about that. I read the report.
WEST
Did you check the body cams? Beca-- Stanton wanted to arrest this guy's entire family, sir.
GREY
Last I checked, it's within cops' discretion to make arrests.
WEST
It was unwarranted, sir! Look, Stanton escalated the entire situation to the point where it became dangerous for both us and that man's family. [ Door opens ]
GREY
Bradford, we're in the middle of something, so --
BRADFORD
I-I think I know what it's about. Look, whatever Officer West is telling you, I stand with him.
GREY
Fine. I'll put Stanton on the desk till we figure it out.
WEST
With all due respect, sir, that is not good enough.
BRADFORD
Jackson.
GREY
Excuse me, son? You've been on the job for five minutes. I've got 25 years. You don't know what I had to put up with, what your father had to put up with to get this far. You stand on our shoulders.
WEST
And yet the water is still above my head. So, tell me this, sir. What were all your sacrifices for?
GREY
Get the hell out of my office, West.
BRADFORD
Look, I know you're pissed.
WEST
Why aren't you?
BRADFORD
I am. It's just... I've been making excuses for pricks like Stanton my entire life, figured there was no changing them, so I'd let it go, I gave them a pass.
WEST
It wasn't a pass. You gave them permission. Silence is complicity, sir.
BRADFORD
Yeah. I get that now. But Sarge is right. Benching Stanton is the only recourse he has.
WEST
It's not good enough.
TAMARA
Can you page Officer Chen?
CHEN
Tamara. Hey.
TAMARA
Hey! Look. I don't trust people who are nice to me.
CHEN
Yeah, I get it. Look, predators are everywhere, especially on the street. Trust is something that needs to be earned, not bought. So, how can I earn trust with you?
TAMARA
Well, according to my psychology textbook, there are seven different ways to build trust in a relationship.
CHEN
And if memory serves, I believe they boil down to doing what you say you're going to.
TAMARA
Exactly. Um, I need a safe place to keep this at night. [ Bag unzips ] It's the first computer I've ever owned. Uh, I used to do all my school work on the one at the library, but it's like a hundred years old.
CHEN
And your cousin's is not a safe place?
TAMARA
It's safe-adjacent. I mean, I won't get attacked while I'm asleep, but this will get pawned in five seconds.
CHEN
You can pick this up here every morning before school. Uh, excuse me. Could you leave this at the desk under Tamara Colins? Thanks.
TAMARA
Thanks. Yeah.
CHEN
Hey, have you ever been to the SCLA campus? I was there today, and it is beautiful. You should check it out.
TAMARA
Yeah, right. I can't afford that.
CHEN
They have scholarships. I could help you apply for one.
TAMARA
I don't know. Maybe.
CHEN
Well, why don't you grab your stuff, and we can talk about it over dinner? And then after that, I can drop you at your cousin's house and see if "safe-adjacent" is safe enough.
HARPER
Hi! ... Oh! Aww, she's beautiful.
[ Keys rattle ]
[ Ringing ]
LOPEZ
Thanks for the gift. On the table with the red bow. Then who did? I'll call you back.
[ Cellphone beeps ]
DE LA CRUZ
"Querida Angela. In my country, we tie a red ribbon around a baby's wrist to ward off evil. Thank you for protecting my child today. Consider this a gift of protection for yours. Con carino, La Fiera."
EVELYN
[ Door closes ] Don't worry. I'm giving you exactly what you want. I'm leaving.
NOLAN
If you were leaving, you'd already be gone. You're waiting. Waiting for your audience to appear so you can put on another show.
EVELYN
You think that little of me? After everything I've done for you, you hate me.
NOLAN
Mom, I don't hate you. I'm just so tired of playing the games. Aren't you?
EVELYN
Yes.
NOLAN
Well, then, maybe we could try not playing them and just be real with each other.
EVELYN
I don't know if you could handle the real me. [ Both laugh ] But I'll give it a shot.
NOLAN
Okay.
EVELYN
How would you like me to make a little supper? Unless you still want me to leave?
NOLAN
Mom. Supper would be great.
EVELYN
Okay.
NOLAN
And the guest ro-- That's my...
GREY
[ Door opens ] Luna.
LUNA
Hey. You were supposed to meet me outside 15 minutes ago.
GREY
[ Sighs ] I'm sorry. My bad.
LUNA
What happened? Wade. Talk to me.
GREY
[ Sighs ] It's just... [ Sighs ] Percy's son came to see me. His T.O.'s a problem.
LUNA
What kind of problem?
GREY
You know what kind. When I joined the Department, I told myself, "Do whatever you need to do to survive, get a promotion, then you can make some real change."
LUNA
And now you're about to retire.
GREY
And I haven't changed a damn thing.
LUNA
Okay. Well, what you gonna do about it?