Written in 60 minutes.

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Monday, September 16, 2024

Warehouse: Jason’s Office

Diane held up a hand before Jason could continue speaking. “I don’t know if I should hear anything about this,” she said. “You know how I feel about plausible deniability—”

“Nothing is ongoing,” Jason assured her, and Diane pressed her lips together. “And if it’s true that the FBI is holding a grudge over the Pikeman investigation, then it would be unfair to keep you in the dark. Either of you,” he said, looking at Elizabeth. “You already know most of it,” he added.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know they’re angry about Valentin fleeing town just as the FBI closed in.” Diane pursed her lips. “Did you have something to do with that?”

“I did, yes.” Jason paused. “Anna and I started to work together almost as soon as I came home. She didn’t trust Cates to tell her the whole story. We were trying to identify Pikeman — or at least who was at the top after Brennan went to jail.”

“But I thought they cleared him,” Elizabeth said. She folded her arms. “They released him, didn’t they?”

“They did. Another reason not to trust the FBI. Or WSB. We didn’t suspect Valentin — there was no reason to. As far as Anna knew, he was out of all of that. But he got involved after Brennan’s arrest last year — and he hired the shooter that came after me in June. That’s how we found Valentin. He picked up the shooter’s phone call. Still—” Jason grimaced. “Anna wasn’t certain, and I thought we’d probably need more. She decided to go undercover to get more evidence against him.”

“I’ll bet she did,” Diane muttered. “I can’t believe you trusted her to investigate him—”

“I didn’t have a lot of options,” Jason cut in, and his lawyer fell silent. “And I didn’t know how close they were. They weren’t exactly together when I…when I left,” he finished awkwardly. “But she spent the night with him, and I didn’t really know what to do then. She had access to his house, and whatever else you think about her, she brought me the evidence that confirmed his identity as Pikeman.”

“But she told Valentin you were going to tell Cates,” Elizabeth said, and Jason exhaled slowly. “Did you know she was going to do that?”

“I—yes. She wanted to give him a chance to take Charlotte and run. I let her convince me. All I did was delay turning over the phone and name,” Jason added when Diane just rolled her eyes. “I regret it, Diane, but I can’t do anything to change it.”

“My life would be a lot easier if someone would put that woman in jail or stop giving her access to commit crimes,” Diane muttered. She huffed. “So Anna is the accessory. She’s the reason the FBI is pissed at you. Great. Tell them, and make a deal—”

“They’re never going to dismiss the charges against me,” Elizabeth said with a shake of her head. “And it’s Jason’s word against Anna. Maybe if we find out who did this—who really killed Cates—”

“You’re not finding out anything,” Diane said when Jason straightened. “Either of you,” she added. “We’re not dealing with the locals who might drop the charges. The FBI hates you,” she told Jason. “Going after Elizabeth is their best revenge. Because now—now we know why they didn’t arrest you after finding that voicemail. They must have suspected it was fake. So they went after someone close to you. For the same reason whoever killed Cates put that gun in Elizabeth’s car. Everything we do has to be above board. Spinelli has to be the one to find the evidence. Or me. You can’t even question anyone — or it might be seen as witness intimidation.” She lifted her brow.

“I don’t like sitting on my hands—” Jason began.

“You’re not. You have an important role to play in all of this. The FBI is going to be watching you both closely. Your job is be innocent. Luckily for you, this time, you actually are. We’re on the side of the angels, Jason. Trust me to let you down.”

“I trust you, Diane.”

“So do I,” Elizabeth added, and Diane released a sigh. “It’s hard to accept that the best thing we can do is live our life when my freedom, when our futures are tied to this. But if that’s all we can do—”

“It is. You didn’t do this. Either of you. And somewhere, somehow, we’ll find the evidence that proves it,” Diane said firmly. “I won’t stop until we do.”

PCPD: Squad Room

Molly set her briefcase down, and sat down next to the desk where Dex was tapping at the computer keyboard. “Hey, did you have a minute?”

“Sure. I hate this part of the job anyway.” He turned towards her. “What’s up? I’m good on the Kramer case. That’s on the docket next week, right?”

“Right. And I’m still hoping we get that to plead out. I talked to Dante a little while ago,” she continued and Dex’s smile remained fixed on his face, but his eyes went a bit wary. “He figured I should be in the loop since it involves the murder case. And I guess I just wanted to get your take on it.”

“Nothing to say, not really. Two teens messing around with alcohol, and got picked up. We brought them in, released them to their parents, and didn’t write up the citation.” He paused. “We’re not required to, and if anyone needs it, we’ve got half a dozen kids we’ve brought it on similar charges and released that way. None of whom are cops’ kids.”

“So there is some paperwork with Danny and Rocco’s name on it?” Molly asked.

“Yeah. I thought that be the safest—most accurate way to handle it. We were called out on a disturbance, found two clearly intoxicated teenagers.” Dex paused. “I just didn’t mention the third teenager. He wasn’t under the influence and we only brought him in for questioning. We were satisfied he wasn’t involved, and his mother picked him up. And the address is the dispatch address.”

“That…that is actually really good. Thank you.”

“It was the right thing to do. Graber and I both agree—she’s my partner and was there that night,” Dex added. “So you don’t have to worry. There’s a paper trail that’s accurate. It has all the facts. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyone who asks questions can do that. I don’t see the point in dragging innocent people into more trouble. We’re covered, Molly. Don’t worry.”

Webber House: Living Room

“I know this is a little awkward,” Dante said as Elizabeth stepped back, allowing he and Chase to enter the house. “I didn’t know if you wanted Diane or anyone here.”

“I talked to her earlier,” Elizabeth said. “And we agreed that the best thing for the case is if you talk to the boys on their own. Just the way they gave their original statements. Um, I had them wait upstairs in their rooms. I can bring them down, I can send you up —”

“Why don’t we start with Aiden and Danny?” Chase wanted to know. “I’ll talk to them, and we’ll switch.” He gestured towards the stairs. “Aiden’s still in the same room, right?”

“Yeah, and Danny’s staying in Cam’s room.” Elizabeth watched him head towards the stairs, before turning back to Dante. “Jason’s at the warehouse, finishing up a few things. I don’t know if you were going to talk to him again—”

“I don’t really need to at this point. And we’d probably get a third detective in. Chase is related to him, and I, ah—” Dante flashed an uneasy smile. “I think it’s awkward enough.  How’s…how’s Danny? I wanted to call him, but—” he sighed. “I didn’t really know if that was a good idea.”

“He’d probably like to hear from you. He woke up the next morning feeling embarrassed.” Elizabeth gestured at the sofa. “I wanted to ask you to pass something on to Sam. About Danny. I talked to him on Sunday – he seems to do better with someone he doesn’t see as an authority figure in his life,” she added when Dante winced. “He was getting into the same arguments with Jason that he was with Sam, and I just—I wanted to help.”

“No, I don’t—I don’t doubt Danny’s had enough all of us. I just wish I could figure out where we went wrong. Or how this got so messed up. He’s such a good kid, Elizabeth. He and Rocco. I don’t know they got Aiden mixed up—”

“Aiden got himself mixed up. They were three kids who just fell into some stupid decisions, Dante. I don’t hold Danny or Rocco any more responsible than I hold Aiden. We can look back and see there were signs that they weren’t being honest with us, but I don’t blame any of us for not seeing it. Not you, not Sam and not myself.”

“It’s good to hear that. Rocco’s an idiot, and I’m trying to navigate this, but it’s not easy. I don’t know what to do with him.” Dante blew out an irritated huff. “He’s putting in hours at the Quartermaines, working with the landscapers, and I’ll find something else to exhaust him. There’s room for Danny or Aiden if you want in.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I think — and Danny has expressed some interest in — talking to a therapist. I’m worried — ” Elizabeth paused. “Aiden’s told me he was drinking and smoking weed to fit in so no one would go after him for being gay—” Dante scowled. “Not Rocco or Danny. Other kids at school,” she added quickly. “They were all given a beer at a party — and they drank to fit in. And they kept going. Aiden said Rocco thought it was like a game. What could they get away with? And they kept escalating until—”

“Until they were drunken, high morons wandering the streets.” Dante made a face. “Yeah, I think that’s a good description of my idiot. But Danny—”

“I think he liked the way it made him feel. That it would make everything go away for a while. And so he kept going to get that feeling.”

“You think Danny’s addicted?”

“I think he’s in the early stages. I have nothing but my own experience to go by,” Elizabeth said. “Maybe Sam might be able to say differently. She saw her mother go through this, but I—I saw Lucky with the pills. And addiction runs in the Quartermaine line just like it does with the Spencers. Alan, Jason’s father, had a serious drug addiction. You know about AJ. I’m worried if we don’t do something now—”

“Danny’s starting down a dark road.” Dante nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I think you’re right. Talking to someone who specializes in this—how do we do it? Where do we start?”

“I have an appointment for Danny on Friday. Jason’s going to a pre-session Thursday afternoon. But we need Sam to sign for the treatment, and the therapist wanted to meet with her on Thursday as well. I know things are difficult with them, but I know Sam loves Danny as much as Jason does. I was hoping you could talk to her, start the conversation.”

“Absolutely. And maybe this will be exactly what Jason and Sam need to help them communicate. I don’t love the idea of talking about their son without them.”

“Neither do I,” Elizabeth admitted. “But after this weekend — I just want to help Danny, Dante. He’s not just Jason’s son or Jake’s brother.  He’s part of my family, too. And if we just remember that, I know we can get through it.”

Miller & Davis: Spinelli’s Office

“We need to add another layer to this investigation,” Diane declared, jerking Spinelli from the paperwork on his desk. “Sorry. Were you in the middle of something?”

“Finishing my affidavit for the subpoena on the hospital footage. And for the neighbors’ cameras.” Spinelli pushed it aside. “I got into Elizabeth’s Ring account, but the view is limited.”

“We knew that was a long shot. The neighbors are more promising. I can’t see this happening in the hospital garage.” Diane sat across from him. “We’ll come back to that. Valentin Cassadin. I don’t suppose you know where he is.”

Spinelli furrowed his brow. “No. Was I supposed to?”

“No. But he just might be the key to this investigation. I know you have a lot on your plate, and we can bring on more eyes, but knowing where Valentin is might be useful later on.”

Spinelli made some notes. “Do I get to know why?”

“Let’s just say Jason has a card he can play when the timing is right. Beyond that, I can’t get into it. Confidentiality,” she added and Spinelli nodded. “Did you see anything on the Ring Camera?”

“Nothing that we didn’t already know.” Spinelli shuffled the documents on his computer, found his notes. “We have the night after the murder — Jake comes in the house with Jason and Elizabeth, and Jason stays a while. Leaves later.”

“Alone?” Diane said.

“Yeah.” Spinelli sighed. “That’s a window of opportunity for him to put the gun in Elizabeth’s car. She didn’t take it with her, so it was parked outside, and we wouldn’t have that view yet. That’s what the FBI would say — and until we have the techstream back telling us when the trunk opened—”

“Which won’t be for at least a month,” Diane said with a sigh. “All right, what about after that?”

“Next morning. Jake and Aiden leave in the morning. Kristina comes over, which we knew about. She stays a little bit, but then she leaves. Elizabeth follows shortly after — we know she was meeting Jason. And then — this was weird at first. Kristina came back to the door.”

“She did?” Diane said. “Why?”

“I called her, and she said she’d completely forgotten. She went back to see if she could get Elizabeth not to mention her visit to Sam, but she was too late.” Spinelli hesitated, and Diane leaned forward.

“What is it?”

“I think Kristina’s lying,” Spinelli said carefully, and Diane blinked. “I think she went back for another reason. I just didn’t…I didn’t believe her. Maybe she didn’t want to get into it with me.”

“Maybe. I’ll check in with her. I know the conversation with Elizabeth was very upsetting. Kristina—” Diane paused, searched for the right word. “Kristina isn’t calling the baby by the name Molly and TJ chose. She’s…chosen her own name. And I think she used it during her argument with Elizabeth. I wouldn’t be surprised if she went back to ask Elizabeth not to mention that fact. And she’s certainly not going to admit that to you. Or maybe even to me. But I’ll try.”

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t think it’s anything important,” Spinelli said, scrolling to his next set of notes. “I don’t think she planted the gun.”

“No, of course not. Now, if we’d found Cates with his head bashed in with a baseball bat,” Diane said dryly, “that’d I believe. Kristina has a temper just like her father. But everything else? Planting the gun? Creating an AI tip? No. This is someone who is cold and calculating. Kristina would have already fallen apart and tipped someone else. Let’s move on to the rest of the Ring footage.”

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