Damages s04e09 Episode Script

There's A Whole Slew Of Ladies With Bad Things To Say About The Taliban

Previously on Damages He's my only child.
He left me with his baby daughter to take care of.
Michael's suing me for custody of Catherine.
If I'm going to find your friend Sanchez, I need to know there's actually a story worth writing about.
They were conducting offensive operations for the CIA, and High Star knew about it.
I need this thing with Sanchez wrapped up quickly.
You keep Carter out of this.
Those two go back a long ways.
I need it to look just like that.
You understand? Mr Erickson, can you identify the person in this photograph? No, I cannot.
Well, that's surprising, because on the day that your men were killed, Mr Boorman instructed your men to seize this boy.
That last mission, was the asset a child? You have very important information.
I want to know the truth about what happened to your mother.
You are the devil.
You still interested in what I know about Howard Erickson? That depends on what you know.
I can serve him up to you, Ms Hewes.
On a platter.
# Little lamb # Smile # When I am through with you # There won't be anything left # When I am through with you # There won't be anything left # When I am through with you # - Clear.
- Clear.
Wait out here.
I told you I would come.
So what have you got for me.
I figure we might as well start from the beginning.
- And when was that? - Late '80s.
Afghanistan.
The Marines sent over a Special Forces unit to help the Agency train the mujahideen against the Soviets.
Erickson led the team.
So you and Erickson hit it off, I gather.
I realised that he could be useful.
Howard was a rare breed, a true believer.
So how did Dust Devil come about? After Abu Ghraib, it suddenly seemed like a bad idea to have the United States military handling terror suspects.
So you recruited Erickson.
High Star was a perfect fit.
Howard was ready to pitch in.
There was only one thing he wanted from us.
His government contracts guaranteed.
He was risking his whole company by doing something illegal.
He just needed to ensure an upside.
So I used my influence to make sure the contracts kept going his way.
We started snatching low-level Taliban and al-Qaeda types.
Used some enhanced interrogation techniques.
You mean torture.
Did any innocent civilians get caught in the net? In my line of work, you never bat a thousand.
Tell me about the last mission.
Well, you were right.
The Agency shut down Dust Devil way before then, but Howard decided to be a hero.
He went in after a target on his own.
Turned out what made him useful also made him unreliable.
And now, we can't control him anymore.
So that's why you're willing to give him up? We would be very happy if you took him off our hands.
What about the boy? Now, that piece You got that all wrong.
I'm protecting the boy.
And it's not connected with Dust Devil at all.
He's a political refugee.
Afghanistan's no longer safe for him.
Who is he? I had an asset in the region.
That asset provided information, in return, I'm protecting her son.
So why do you want to make a deal with me? Because you know about the boy.
And if you pursue him, you could put the kid in danger.
So you'll give me Erickson, if I keep away from the boy? Seems reasonable.
I'll be in touch, then.
You and Ms Parsons will have everything you need to topple Erickson's empire.
He can't be more than 11 or 12.
We know where Boorman is holding him, right? Yes.
The Frenchwoman gave an address along with the photograph.
Probable cause for a search warrant is going to be a challenge.
I don't see how we can contact the police on this.
No, we can't.
Boorman will just claim that he's seeking asylum on the child's behalf.
The woman who gave you the information, what did she think? She thought Boorman was interrogating him.
But she wasn't certain that the boy was the target for Chris' mission.
Ellen, we both saw Erickson's reaction to this at the deposition.
I know, I'm just saying, we can't be sure Chris knew about this.
Well, there's only one way to find out.
We have to somehow talk to the boy.
If you don't eat today, Sancho Drink, Mr Sanchez.
We have a long way to go yet.
I'm sorry, sir, but this is unacceptable.
- I just had Sanchez moved, that's all.
- Why? It's precautionary, I don't like that reporter hanging around.
Bullshit, sir.
Excuse me? You didn't just have him moved.
I know what's going on.
I don't like what you're implying, AC.
Sir, I don't think you understand why I'm upset.
Now if Sanchez has to go, he has to go, but what pisses me off is you keeping me out of the loop.
- Have I not proven my loyalty to you, sir? - Yes, you have.
I'm here to serve you.
And the mission of this company.
But I can't do my job if I'm kept in the dark.
AC, whatever's going on I'm trying to protect you.
Do you understand? And if I'm going to keep working for this company, I need to know.
I understand.
Who's running point for you on this? Bartkowski.
With your permission, sir, I'd like to talk to him.
I'll see that he brings you up to speed ASAP.
Thank you, sir.
Now, the judge has looked over both of your custody claims, and she's ordered mediation as a means of resolving this dispute.
Yes, sir.
Now, experience has shown that we tend to get a better result if we just have a conversation and keep it casual.
Sounds good.
Now, I would like to get a feel of how far apart we really are, so what custody arrangements would seem fair to you, Ms Hewes? Well, my son abandoned his child, I legally adopted her, and I will never let him see Catherine.
Okay.
So we have some distance to bridge here.
May I say something? Of course.
For as long as I can remember, my mother and I have been at war, and it's gotten to the point where, honestly I don't even know what we're fighting about anymore, but it's not about Catherine.
All right, I'm not sure I follow you.
There's a reason I ran away when my daughter was born.
I wasn't ready to be a father.
See, I've made a lot of mistakes.
There's a lot about myself I don't respect.
I probably don't even like myself.
But It's time I stopped blaming you.
Since I was a kid, I knew if I made my mom the enemy, my life had a purpose.
As long as I could label her the bully, I could maintain a self-righteous fury that justified whatever bad behaviour I needed it to.
But it's a lie.
She's not the enemy.
My mom has shown me love the best way she could.
I see that now.
And I know she'll be a better parent than I ever will.
What exactly are you trying to achieve here today? I want to withdraw my claim.
I want to make peace with my mother.
I want her to know that I love her and I'm grateful she loves Catherine enough to give her everything that I can't.
Mom, will you please stand up? You okay? You don't want to eat? You miss your daddy, don't you? So do I.
Talking to dogs now? Hey.
Ghwarri won't eat.
Something's off.
Patty lets you bring her to work? She likes dogs.
She didn't mind.
I was going to leave her home, but the idea of her in the apartment by herself.
I just didn't have the heart.
What? Nothing.
It's sweet how you take care of her.
I was wondering, though What? I can't think of a restaurant that seats dogs.
Oh, shit.
I'm sorry, I didn't Don't worry about it.
Let's just go to my place and order takeout.
Sounds good.
Okay.
Come on.
Come on! And where should I go? America? You know I can't leave my homeland.
Why not? It is not possible.
It is my blood.
You will be found out.
My life is here.
Your life will be over once they learn what you've been doing.
Why wasn't she there? Your mother was supposed to be there when I came for you.
Was she taken? Was she killed? I can make you tell me.
I could do things to you.
I don't want to.
You are the Devil.
Yeah, that's right, kid.
I'm the devil.
What do you want me to say? What do you want me to say? Please tell me what to say.
It's okay.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Go talk to that guy.
What? Money for cigarettes.
It sounds like they were here.
Three men driving yellow car.
Did they say where they were going? North to Waygal district.
You cannot go there.
Too dangerous.
- I've heard.
- Taliban-controlled.
Very religious.
Very anti-American.
You will not last three minutes.
You know what? That cabdriver overcharged me.
I know because the fucking metre was rigged.
I mean, because the numbers kept going up and up and up.
- You know what I mean? - Hey.
- Come on.
- Hey! What? What? What do you want from me now? Come on.
Come on inside.
Let me make you a cup of coffee.
Right in here.
Okay, Boorman has got this boy locked up, and he wants you to believe he's protecting the kid? That's bullshit.
- Yeah, it is.
- Yeah, that's bullshit.
We just wanted to update you on the case.
"We"? Gidget's still on this thing with you? - Yes.
- That's nice.
We know we never would've gotten this far without you, Bill.
And your friend.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- I am just so sorry.
Yeah.
Julius, he was loyal.
He was one of the good guys.
Yeah, Julius.
He fed me information for over 20 years.
Bill, please.
Please! Let me get you some help.
- You want to help me? - Yes.
You really want to help me? Then you get the son of a bitch.
You do not let Boorman off the hook.
- I don't intend to.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You mean, you're not going to make a deal with him to get to Erickson? Of course not.
I want them both.
Sure is sitting nice and pretty up there.
Next week, we'll go to Arthur Kill Park across from Staten Island.
You'll like it there.
Sorry I haven't been able to get you outside as often as I'd like.
Circumstances really haven't allowed for it.
I told you I would come.
Where is she? Where is your mother? She said she would be here! I don't know where she is.
Was she here? Did somebody take her? Where is she? Please! I don't know where she is! God damn it! You don't know, do you? You never knew what happened to your mother.
I'm not sure what to do with you.
First time in my life I haven't got a plan.
That's how it'll look.
No tracks, no traces.
Sanchez was captured and killed for terrorist propaganda.
Where they taking him? Waygal district.
Smart.
If it happens there, nobody can question it.
That was the idea.
I'm putting you up for promotion, Bartkowski.
Let me get this straight.
You want me to kidnap this child? I just want to know how we can get to him.
I need to ask him some questions.
And in order to do that, I've got to kidnap the kid? Or break into a CIA safe house.
Well, I believe this boy is being held against his will.
Right, but you have no evidence for that.
I mean, you do realise you're speaking to a former police officer? Let me explain to you exactly what the stakes are here, then you decide whether or not you want to be involved.
Oh, I'm listening.
Sorry.
I was just texting you.
For once, I'm not late.
Actually, I wasn't going to come, but I figured we should talk in person.
Oh, what is it? Us.
What? It's not working for me.
I need to move on.
I'm sorry, I just did not expect you to say that.
You've been thinking about your friend in Afghanistan.
I've been focusing on his case, yeah.
I understand that.
Anyway, that's not what I really wanted to say.
Look, I know we agreed that this thing between us would be casual, but I realised it's too casual for me.
I know my head has been buried in work.
I'm sorry Don't apologise.
I'm not blaming you for being yourself.
And who is that? I don't want to psychoanalyse you or anything.
No, it's okay.
I want to hear it.
You have no idea how ambitious you really are.
Your whole identity is wrapped up in success.
It's like you're on the career carousel, and if you got off, you'd be lost.
I should probably stop talking.
It's okay.
I'm interested.
It's fine.
I've seen a lot of brilliant lawyers come through the firm.
They all start out hungry, they all put in the hours and kick ass.
But there are really two types.
Half of them, especially the women, they realise they want something more than just a career.
They want kids, a family.
They start looking for ways to create a balance, they scale back or quit.
And the other type? They never stop.
They can't.
They just keep driving, because success is what makes them feel good about themselves.
Most of the men are too dumb to realise it, but some of the women, as they get older, an emptiness creeps in.
And by the time they're ready for something else, it's too late.
They try to fill that emptiness with more success, but they can't.
I see their loneliness, their regret.
You say you want a life.
You've told me you don't want to end up like Patty.
I hope you're not headed in that direction.
Please understand I'm telling you all this because I care about you.
I'm sorry.
I should go.
Jerry! Good to see you.
Never heard of a rain check? Kid had his heart set on a barbeque.
- I brought him a little something.
- You didn't have to do that.
You don't turn 13 every day, now, do you? I got something for you, too.
It's all there.
Social Security card, birth certificate, and the adoption papers.
He's an American citizen now.
He's officially yours.
- Thank you for your help.
- Good luck with this, Jerry.
Hope it all works out.
Do you have any sparkling? Thank you.
Sorry I'm late.
Ms Hewes, Mr Hewes.
Good to see you both again.
So, Ms Hewes, you were going to start today.
What's that? It's a panda.
Okay.
I instructed my son that he was not to go near Catherine.
He approached her in the street and he gave her this.
What's the problem? It's a choking hazard, not suitable for children under four.
Are you serious? Now, either Mr Hewes didn't read the label or he doesn't care.
In either case, I don't want him near my daughter, and I will not amend the terms of Catherine's custody.
You don't remember this, do you? You gave it to Catherine.
No, you gave it to me.
When I was a kid, my mother was working a case round the clock.
Which was nothing new.
But on this particular morning, there was a mix-up at the nanny service and no one showed up to take care of me.
My mother had a court appearance.
Instead of rescheduling, she handed me this stuffed animal.
She told me he would be my friend and would watch over me.
I didn't see her again for a few hours.
I couldn't have been more than five.
That never happened.
Yeah, Mom, it did.
He just made up that entire story.
Every word of it is true.
I know you think you can convince this guy that you'll be a better parent for Catherine, but you're a fraud and you'll never convince me.
Well, I can see the court is going to have to settle this.
I'm sorry the two of you can't find some middle ground.
I've been thinking about the kid.
Oh, Howard, you don't have to worry about that.
Why not? I told you the lawyers know about him.
Doesn't matter.
They can't prove he was the target of the mission.
They can't touch you.
Hey, did you draw this? Just something I was fucking around with.
You got a little talent.
Very little.
You know who this reminds me of? That asset of yours in Charikar.
Which asset? Oh, come on, Jerry.
How many women were supplying you with information in Charikar? Plenty.
Turns out there's a whole slew of ladies with bad things to say about the Taliban.
I only met the one, and this sure looks like her.
Anyway, Howard, you don't have to worry about the boy.
Long as you take care of Sanchez, you're in the clear.
That's good to know.
Just out of curiosity, what exactly does the kid know? You know I can't tell you that.
But if he gives us any information that'll help you do your job over there, you'll be the first to know.
Thank you, Jerry.
Have a good night.
You've known Erickson for 25 years.
All of a sudden, you're willing to sell him out? Erickson was an asset, nothing more.
So this is just about you protecting the Agency? Just as I've always done.
The man went rogue.
He ordered an unauthorised mission to pull out an unauthorised target, and he did it using the Agency for cover! You seem pretty worked up about this.
- He did it on my watch.
- I don't believe you're telling me the truth.
You tell me Erickson went rogue.
I just don't see what would be in it for him.
That's my point exactly.
Man acts without reason.
If you want Erickson, I need proof.
I want to know who he pulled out and why.
I want details, specifics.
Fuck you! Excuse me? You don't believe me? Fuck you! You aren't helping your cause.
You're right.
I'm lying to you.
It was me.
I ordered that last mission.
Not Erickson, I did it.
Why? Don't matter.
You're going to back me anyway.
You are going to burn Erickson for me.
No, I'm not.
You want me to blow the whistle? Leak the whole fucking operation? When Dust Devil goes public, heads will roll, and sure as shit, yours is going to be one of them.
Then yours.
I don't give a fuck what happens to me! I don't have a wife! I don't have kids! I don't have a hard-on to be director someday.
But you do.
So I suggest you give me what I want, Bob.
Welcome home, soldier.
Good to be home, sir.
I brought in that container for you.
Got a few more if you need them.
I only need the one.
It's temporary office space for the construction.
New property's impressive.
Oh, it's a shithole right now, but she'll clean up fine, just you wait.
Listen.
You did a hell of a job over there.
A hell of a job.
- I know it was a tough assignment.
- Some tours are easier than others.
Nature of the beast.
Carter put in papers nominating you for a promotion.
I couldn't agree with him more.
I signed them as soon as they hit my desk.
I'm honoured, sir.
Nobody deserves it more.
Why don't you take a break? Come back to the office.
Sign the documents and have a drink to celebrate.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Ghwarri.
Ghwarri.
Remember me? Good girl.
I met her over in Afghanistan.
Last time I saw her, she was skin and bones.
What do you want, Mr Boorman? I assume you heard I spoke with Patty Hewes.
She told me.
Do you have information for me? Well, I'm not a messenger service.
You'll have to subpoena the CIA to get what you need.
Well, we both know they're not going to give me anything.
I made arrangements to sidestep any clearance issues.
Trust me.
You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Have you made any arrangements for Chris Sanchez? Afraid you got the wrong guy.
Howard Erickson is responsible for Mr Sanchez.
I don't even know where your friend is right now.
Subpoena that file, Ms Parsons.
Any demand you have, Erickson will have to oblige.
Traffic.
Lincoln Tunnel's a fucking shit show.
Here's the address.
They're holding a young boy, - You want to get him out? - Yeah, ideally.
Assume the place is wired, cameras, the whole bit.
When would you want this done? As soon as possible.
And we just want to take him long enough to ask some questions.
Won't be easy.
But I'll see what I can do.
Thanks.
I don't have good news.
What's going on? They've taken him to a region I don't have access to.
It's Taliban central.
There's no one else you can go to? I've contacted the military, the US embassy, you know, none of them have influence there.
I'm sorry, Ellen.
I don't know what to do next.
It's okay.
I do.
This is a nice little spot.
My wife would've liked it.
Get a scotch over here, please? Nice job at my deposition.
You handled yourself very well.
You really got my guff.
I'm not here to banter, Mr Erickson.
You're a murderer, and Chris Sanchez is next on your list.
Mr Sanchez is one of my most valued employees.
He's also a witness to your crimes.
He's not the only one, of course.
There's also Gerald Boorman.
You really screwed up, Mr Erickson.
You should've thought twice before you got into bed with the CIA.
Why is that? Because Boorman has hung you out to dry.
He's willing to give me everything I need, so I can win my case.
He has proof that you sent your men on an unauthorised operation.
The mission that killed Rayburn, Franks and Lowry wasn't officially sanctioned.
If he told you that, then he's lying.
I assume that he is.
And I don't care.
Because those redacted documents that you sent over to us, Boorman is getting them unredacted.
And once he's through, you'll publicly be declared a traitor, High Star will be dissolved, and the CIA will skate through unscathed.
But your life does not have to end in prison.
I'll throw away everything Boorman gives me.
Everything.
I'll drop the case altogether.
In exchange for what? Bring Christopher Sanchez home, alive.
This is quite a little fairy tale you've concocted.
But suppose, for the sake of argument, that I were unhappy with one of my employees.
If you were to drop the case, wouldn't Patty Hewes just pick it up and keep coming right after me? I won't let her.
You won't let her? No, Mr Erickson.
This is my case.
Deliver me Sanchez, and I'll make it all go away.
We could both use a happy ending, Ms Parsons.
So you talk to Patty Hewes, make sure she's on board and maybe you and I will have something to talk about.
Where have you been? I'm hungry.
- I couldn't get to the kid.
- What happened? Someone beat us to it.
It's okay.
I've got boys of my own.
One of them is about your age.
I would never hurt you.
Let's you and I go have some fun.
- Hey, there, Jerry.
- You took him.
Yeah, I did.
Got him right here next to me.
Imagine he's getting hungry.
What the fuck are you doing? You're selling me out to the lawyers, Jerry.
Who the hell put that in your mind? No, no, no, no, no.
- Don't pull that shit.
- Howard! I know who the kid is.
Your asset was his mother.
He's not a terrorist.
You didn't take him out of there for information.
You got three of my men killed carrying out your personal business.
You don't know what you're talking about.
And if you ever want to see the kid again, you're going to take the fall for Dust Devil.
This is a very big decision.
I know.
A case like this doesn't come along every day.
I'm aware of that, but Chris' life is in danger.
How do you know? I've been in contact with Dean Gulickson.
He found out that High Star is going to have Chris killed.
It's my fault.
Dropping the case is the only way to stop it.
And I've spoken to Howard Erickson.
I told him the CIA was willing to give him up, Boorman was turning against him, so I offered him a deal.
I said I'd drop the case if he brings Chris home safely.
Did he agree to that? No.
Why not? Because of you.
He's worried that you'll pick up the cause, pursue High Star without me.
He needs assurance from you that you won't, Patty.
I need assurance from you.
We have reached our destination, Mr Sanchez.
Tell Howard Erickson it was a pleasure working for him.
Take him.
Are you sure that you want Howard Erickson to go unpunished? I don't have a choice.
Chris' life is in my hands.
All right.
I'll stay away from the case.
Thank you.

Previous EpisodeNext Episode