The Mentalist s07e09 Episode Script

Copper Bullet

Previously on The Mentalist: Lena's on a short list for a position in the Commerce Department in D.
C.
It's not a done deal yet.
I have to be confirmed.
This is Bill Peterson, San Antonio DEA.
What does Peterson have on you? When I was your boss at Rio Bravo, I had your back.
Telling me you don't have mine now? Jane, I'm on the 6th floor now.
Lisbon, he may be at the other end.
Keep going.
You took me off on purpose.
You have to let me do my job.
If you can't, how do we work together? Peterson can end my career.
I can go to prison.
Any mention of this could end things for Lena before it even starts.
You can't let him do it.
It's over for you and your wife, I'm gonna see to that.
Everything turned out exactly as we planned.
I know.
- No one was hurt.
- I know.
Well, except the bad guy, of course, but he was an assassin.
I understand.
Mission accomplished.
But you directed me to go somewhere that had nothing to do with the mission.
- I was concerned about your safety.
- You don't get it.
- I don't get what? - I'm an FBI agent.
- I think I do get that.
- No, I don't think you do.
Excuse me.
Wylie? You asked me to keep tabs on Peterson, let you know of any suspicious moves.
Yeah, what's he done? Two days ago, he bought a plane ticket to Mexico.
He flew there this morning.
He might've gone down there for work.
I checked.
His office said he's at a conference at Saint Paul.
Okay.
Well, could you look into Peterson's phone records for us? We'll be right in.
What am I looking for? - Well, something fishy.
- Fishy.
Got it.
- Was that about Abbott? - Sounds like it.
Well, what are we gonna do? Whatever we can.
Peterson's checked into a hotel just outside Rio Bravo.
- That's where he worked with Abbott, right? - Yeah, 10 years ago.
I checked his phone record.
The only call that stuck out was to a San Antonio congressman this afternoon.
Representative Jules Blatt.
I've heard of him.
He's a nobody trying to make a name for himself.
If he could block Lena Abbott's confirmation, it would buff his reputation in certain circles.
How would Peterson going to Rio Bravo help that? I don't know.
The hearings start in four days, so if Peterson wants to make trouble now is the time to do it.
- What are we gonna do? What are we gonna do about what? Why is everyone whispering? How do you know about all this? Wylie's keeping tabs on Peterson.
And you brought Wylie into it? Well, I mentioned that Peterson might be making some trouble, he volunteered.
Kid wouldn't take no for an answer.
You have any idea what Peterson is doing in Rio Bravo? Peterson's careful.
He wouldn't make any accusations if he didn't have the evidence to back it up.
I shot a man.
Bullet's in the body.
If Peterson found the corpse, dug out the bullet all he's gotta do is subpoena the gun, and that's game over.
I need to call Lena.
Hmm.
I'll let you do that.
- What does he think Peterson has on him? - The bullet.
If he does, then Abbott's toast.
- A little pessimistic.
- This isn't just about Lena's confirmation.
- Abbott could go to prison.
- I don't think that's gonna happen.
- Well, why not? - We'll prevent it.
In four days? How? I'm not quite sure yet.
- Jane, this is serious.
- I know.
Don't you love it when the stakes are high? I came as soon as I could.
Thanks for coming, baby.
Let's talk in my office.
Peterson? Yes.
- You're sure he has the evidence? - Sure enough.
Look, baby, I am so sorry.
I should've told you everything.
- Don't say that.
- No, no, no.
It's my fault.
- I really let you down.
- Do not say that.
You don't have to apologize, not to me.
Not to anyone.
That this person would try to bring you down makes me so angry.
- This is simple.
I'll withdraw my name.
- No.
I don't want the job if this is what it takes to get it.
I'm not gonna have you quit because of me.
Okay? Now, I'll tell Peterson I'll resign.
Absolutely not.
We can just go along with the same story that we're separated, and maybe - Excuse me.
- Jane, could you please give us a minute? I would, but time is short.
I'm guessing each of you is offering to fall on your sword which is admirable, but I don't think it'll work.
- Why not? - Peterson is ruthless and determined and he won't stop until he's destroyed both of you.
We knew he was gonna make a move like this sooner or later.
- Now it is time for us to make our move.
- Which is what, exactly? The hearings are in three days.
Well, I think I can come up with something if you both want me involved.
- No, no, this is not your problem.
- Wait a minute.
Dennis says you have one of the trickiest minds he's worked with.
He did, did he? Oh.
I didn't come here to be flattered, but go on.
He also says you're his friend, and that he would trust you with his life.
- Can you really help? - I think so.
Dennis? What do you have in mind? I can't tell you.
We need your hands to be clean.
Deniability and such.
Okay, we'll do it your way.
Excellent.
Hey, any updates? Peterson arrived back in San Antonio.
- Has he had contact with Congressman Blatt? - One phone call yesterday.
- Less than 30 seconds, probably a voicemail.
- I hear Abbott's in trouble.
I'm not very good at keeping secrets.
Good thing you're in the FBI.
- What are we doing about it? - Jane's coming up with a plan.
You might want to think twice before getting in on this one.
Both of you.
I feel we're gonna be pretty far outside the lines.
Jane had me pretend to kill a guy once, we're going further than that? - Probably not.
- Then I'm good.
- Me too.
- Let's take this out of the bull pen.
What did Abbott say? - All systems go.
- Great.
- So what do you got, Wylie? - Bill Peterson is 55 years old.
He's been a DEA agent for 27 years.
Married briefly in his 30s.
His ex-wife lives in Tacoma.
No kids, no living relatives.
- What does he like doing? - Work, mostly.
Plays a little tennis.
Goes scuba diving in the Caribbean.
Based on what he buys at the local liquor store, he's a wine snob.
- Hmm.
Interesting.
- Why? - Obviously, he's as corrupt as the day is long.
- Why obviously? Man that likes tennis, travel and Bordeaux isn't retiring on a government pension.
He has some loot stashed someplace.
We need to find it.
What about the evidence Peterson found in Mexico? The bullet? I'll take care of the bullet.
He's been a DEA agent for years.
There's a ton of ways he could be stealing.
He could be taking payoffs, he could be selling the drugs.
Yeah, look into stuff like that.
I have to go make some calls and catch up with an old friend.
- Hi.
- We catch a case? - Nope.
- What are you all working on? - Nothing.
- Sure looks like something.
- Anything I can do to help? - Yup.
You can hold down the fort out here.
- Did I do something wrong? - No.
Just stay out here, okay? Mr.
Barsocky.
- You crazy circus freak.
- Ah! Patrick Jane, you son of a bitch.
Looking good, Pete.
Very relaxed.
I'm as fat and wrinkled as Daisy the Amazing Elephant but thanks.
And thanks for paving the way to Austin.
First-class tickets and everything.
You should see that hotel room you paid for.
Well, that is my pleasure, Pete.
How's things? You know, looking for rubes to fleece.
And you? I'm seeing someone at the moment, actually.
You dog.
Wait, is it that pretty brunette that came around with you a couple years ago? The cop? As a matter of fact, it is.
- I knew it.
I could tell she was sweet on you.
- She's a little cranky with me right now.
Women, who gets them? But I'm happy to hear it.
You should have someone, Patrick.
You deserve to be happy.
Thank you.
Maybe it's time, you know? To take the ring off? No shame in moving on.
Angela would want you to.
Yeah, thanks, Pete.
I need a favor.
I have a friend who's in trouble with the law, and I wanna get him out of it.
- Sounds like fun to me.
- That's what I thought.
So here's the gag.
That's all fine, but I need those other files.
Yeah, get me the second quarter arrest figures on my desk in the morning.
- All right? Yeah, see you then.
- Sir? Excuse me.
This is a private club, you can't Sir.
- Sir? - Who let you in? - Just looking, thinking about membership.
- Is that supposed to be amusing? Mr.
Peterson, this man said that he was from your office.
It's fine, Stacey.
Mr.
Peterson and I go way back.
Thank you.
How was your little trip down to Rio Bravo? - You know about that? - Of course.
You think I'm gonna sit back and watch you destroy Abbott? I'm not trying to destroy anyone.
I'm after justice.
Dennis Abbott murdered a man in cold blood.
A commander of one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico.
Murdered him nonetheless.
Don't you have better things to do, Peterson? Like update your tennis gear.
What is this? Oh, it's velour.
Let me tell you something, Jane.
I don't give a rat's ass about Dennis Abbott.
I see an opportunity.
How do you figure? There's a new wave coming into D.
C.
If I can help a congressman do something opportune block an appointment that his party is desperate to kill, say he's in my debt.
It's money in the bank.
The future, Jane.
That's what I'm thinking about.
Screwing Dennis Abbott that's just icing on the cake.
- Won't work.
- We'll see.
- Yes, we will.
We shall see.
I am really sorry, Mr.
Peterson.
He was very persuasive.
Stacey have you seen my cell phone? Uh, no.
Morning.
Here.
- Ah.
Thanks.
- Did you get anything off the phone? I pulled all of Peterson's contacts and cross-referenced them with our database.
I checked his call history, his e-mails, his texts - And? - Nothing.
Nothing that looks like contact with a cartel member.
If Peterson's getting money under the table, I don't know who's giving it.
Cho and I couldn't find anything.
Looked into offshore corporations, third party's accounts.
There's no sign that money is being laundered.
He knows that's the first place someone would look.
Where is he putting the money? Got me.
Nothing about him really sticks out except that he's super diligent.
Works 60 hours a week.
Two to three times a month, he goes out with the teams on raids.
- What kind of raids? - E-mails mention low-level busts.
- Neighborhood labs, local dealers.
- That doesn't sound like Peterson.
He wouldn't get his hands dirty unless there was something in it for him.
He's skimming.
- By George, I think she's got it.
- Skimming what? When a raid goes down, the DEA agent arrests the dealers.
And then they process the cash and the drugs that have been seized.
The senior agent is supposed to record the amount of money and drugs from the scene before it's put into evidence.
Unless he's taken some for himself.
Nobody knows.
If the drug dealer complains, nobody believes him.
- It's kind of the perfect crime.
- Ten thousand here, 50,000 there.
- He could have millions by now.
- Yeah, but where is he hiding the money? Based on the security app on Peterson's phone it looks like his house has a crazy elaborate security system.
The money's in the house.
If we could prove that Peterson's stealing, we put an end to this right now.
I don't see how we get in the house.
It's like Fort Knox.
We only have 48 hours.
Don't be defeatist.
Can you pull up a plan of the security system? Yeah, I think so.
- Bill Peterson.
- Hello, Mr.
Peterson.
This is Missy Brammer, I'm Congressman Blatt's legislative director.
I'm following up on your call of a few days back.
Uh, as I mentioned I'd very much like to speak to Congressman Blatt about the nomination of Lena Abbott to the Commerce post.
Yes, the congressman was intrigued by your message.
He'd like to know more.
He's in D.
C.
Right now as the hearings are in two days.
Could you and I meet this evening to discuss it? - Yeah, that'd be fine.
- Good.
Eight p.
m.
At The Wagon Wheel on Alamo.
I'll make a reservation.
See you then.
The good news is Peterson's house is only one floor and is easily accessed from the street.
- What's the bad news? - There are 17 security cameras six motion sensors and one cat.
I hate cats.
They always try to jump on me.
What about the security system? I downloaded an app from his phone that monitors the cameras.
I can hack into the software, get at the root folders.
If he checks, it'll look like no one's in the house, but I'll need to do it from here.
Can you turn off the alarm? You'll need to do that at the house.
I can't do it with the phone.
- Hi.
- I'd like to speak to Cho, please.
Sure.
Cho.
- What's up? - Something's obviously going on.
I'm here to protest my exclusion.
- Vega.
- Jane is planning something.
- I'm pretty sure it has to do with Abbott.
- Don't worry about it.
I do, though.
If Abbott's in trouble, I wanna help.
No.
- You're letting Wylie help.
- He's different.
- I don't feel responsible for him.
- You're not responsible for me.
Vega, if this goes wrong, it's a career-killer.
You'll be finished at the FBI before you even get started.
I'll take that risk.
- This involves breaking about seven laws.
- As long as it's only seven.
Either I'm a part of this team or I'm not.
We need eyes on Bill Peterson.
Where he's going, what he's doing.
You think you can do that? - Absolutely.
- Go.
Thank you, sir.
Don't call me "sir.
" - Vega.
- Sir.
- Where are you going? - Just running an errand.
Jane, my office, please.
- Where's Lena? - I just dropped her off at the airport.
She's headed back to D.
C.
What's going on? Well, like I said, I can't really let you in on it.
Okay, I assume you're breaking every rule and regulation the FBI has.
Well, that's a little over-the-top.
I know I said we'd do it your way, but I've changed my mind.
I can't have my people taking risks like this on my behalf.
I'll take what comes.
And your wife? - I can keep her out of it.
- You know that's not true.
What you did at Rio Bravo you risked your life to take out a mass murderer that no one else could.
No one else would.
You did that because you're a good man.
Peterson is not a good man.
He's a greedy, corrupt bureaucrat with a very healthy sprinkling of sociopath on top.
- I can handle Peterson.
- You won't.
And if we stop, you'll go to prison your wife's gonna lose her career and Peterson's on his way to being the head of the DEA, that what you want? It's not what I want.
And for what it's worth everyone else feels the same way.
It's gonna be fine.
Chin up.
Trust.
Obviously, the hearings are this week and Dennis Abbott is very much in our sight.
The issue of what happened at Rio Bravo will be key to stopping Lena Abbott's confirmation.
I'm so glad we're on the same page.
Well, a hearing's a tricky thing.
Really, it's about showmanship.
You display a little theatrics, if you will.
It is D.
C.
, after all.
As it happens, Ms.
Brammer I have something you can use.
Would you be able to bring it to the office tomorrow? - I would.
- Good.
Cho, it's happening tomorrow.
Whatever you're planning, we have to do it now.
I'm connected to Peterson's security system.
Looks like he's getting ready to leave.
Wylie, it's your time.
Just give me a minute.
Okay, we're good to go.
If Peterson checks his cameras, he'll see a static image showing no activity.
- Great.
- But I can only hold it for an hour and a half.
Well, that should give us enough time.
So, what's your plan? Well, pick the lock, open the door, see what happens.
- What'll happen is the alarm will go off.
- Not right away.
Alarms give you a minute to 90 seconds before they alert anyone.
Enough time to figure out the passcode.
Figure it out how? The way I figure things out.
That's your plan? Yeah, pretty much.
Sixty seconds.
Nothing like a little adrenaline to get the mind fired up.
I'm gonna need some quiet.
- Cat alert, 9 o'clock.
- Yeah, I'm not touching that.
Time's running out.
Have a little faith.
- There, got it.
- How'd you do that? - Wylie texted it to him.
- No, he didn't.
When he hacked into the security system, he saw Peterson punch in the code.
- I saw you looking at your phone.
- Lisbon, you're killing the magic.
- Can we get moving? - Sure.
Remember, he's not gonna hide the money under his mattress.
- Hidden compartments, false drawers.
- All over it.
Ah.
We got guns, no money.
If the money's here someplace, we can't find it.
Jane.
Candlesticks seem a little odd, don't they? I don't understand.
I mean, for a thin strip of Texas leather like Peterson.
Doesn't strike me as a candlestick type.
Maybe he hired a designer.
Maybe.
China.
- Oh, this is a problem.
- Don't you know how to open a safe? Biometrics.
We need Peterson's thumbprint.
Well, what are we gonna do? Okay, so we go to the backup plan.
- What's that? - We have about 40 minutes left.
If we can't get Peterson's money, we use our own.
What money? Uh, Wylie, I need you to get into the evidence room and get us some cash.
How much? At least a million, two would be better.
That's big.
I'm not sure how I'd do that.
Do your best.
Yeah, it's very important.
I don't have clearance for that.
Let me, uh Let me think.
I'll get back to you.
Sir.
What is it? You know how Jane said he wouldn't need your help? He lied, didn't he? - What's up? WYLIE: Vega, is Peterson still at Blatt's office? - Yeah.
He just got there.
- Any chance he'll go to work? I called his office.
He's not expected in today.
Why? I'm going to San Antonio.
It's gonna take me about 40 minutes to get there.
If Peterson leaves in the next half an hour, stall him.
Stall him? Uh, okay.
Stall him.
Stall him.
Stall him.
Oh, my God, I am so sorry.
I'll get you my insurance.
Did you see that? - Could've been worse.
Did you stop short? - No, I didn't stop short.
- She ran right into me.
- I'm so sorry.
- Are you okay? - How do I know? You ran right into me.
Do you wanna fill out a report for your insurance? Oh, for God's sake.
Is there a problem? I know I just got them renewed.
I put them in here.
I took out the old ones, put the new ones in.
- Miss? - I just feel so terrible about this.
I know you.
You're one of Abbott's people.
Agent Peterson? Oh, now, I am really embarrassed.
I am so sorry, sir.
The sun was in my eyes, and I thought you were a lot further away Uh, just Just forget about it.
Oh, no, sir.
We could never do that.
- There is so much damage here.
- I'm not worried about it.
We really should fill out a report.
- Your car really looks terrible.
- I'm in a hurry.
- I tried, but he wouldn't stay.
- Which way is he heading? East.
He's headed your way.
- Well, how far are you? - About 15 minutes.
How far is Wylie? About 15 minutes.
- I got here as fast as I could.
- Thank you.
Good luck.
Bye.
The issue of protected zones is colored by money, but we're gonna have to Mrs.
Abbott.
Dennis.
- Heh.
- Linda, I'll catch up with you later.
Oh, baby.
- What are you doing in D.
C? - Well, I wanted to see you.
I know you're scared.
- More like terrified.
- Well, don't be.
I trust Jane.
- And he hasn't let me down so far.
- Dennis, we need a miracle.
Listen, you will be confirmed.
And we'll be together.
I have to go.
The hearing's about to start.
Okay, I'll walk you in.
I have something to do inside anyway.
- Abbott.
- Mm.
Funny meeting you here.
- Well, I could say the same thing, Bill.
- Well, I guess you haven't heard.
It's not official yet, but I'm gonna be a witness at your wife's hearing.
Oh.
Well, who did that? Blatt.
Representative Jules Blatt put your name on the list to be a witness? I have evidence he thinks people should hear about.
- I think you know what it is.
- Evidence, huh? - Evidence that you brought him? - What is this, Abbott? What are you doing? Well, you know, maybe I should talk to Blatt.
You see, I have evidence too.
Yeah, take a look.
Now, that's nice.
Okay, that's the best one right there.
What? Bill? Hey.
Bill.
It seems we both have secrets.
Cute kitty, by the way.
- Put your hands up.
- You think I'm wearing a wire? Up.
Come on, Bill.
This is just a conversation between two old friends, right? You broke into my home.
I have people that will account for every minute of my time.
If it wasn't you, then it was Jane or one of those other idiots.
That's a crime.
Not to mention, illegal search.
That'll be for the DA to sort out.
But it will get the attention of the inspector general.
There will be an internal investigation and they'll look into all of your old busts and realize that you have been a thief for 20 years.
I have you, Bill.
I have you by the short and curlies.
Okay.
Okay.
Fine.
Take half.
- We both walk away, and this is over.
- Wow, half.
Hmm.
- How much is half? - About 800.
So you're offering me $800,000 of the cash that you've been skimming.
- You're not getting a dime more.
- I don't want any more.
Hello again, Agent Peterson.
I have all I need.
It doesn't matter what you do to me.
- It can't help.
- Why not? Blatt has the bullet.
The bullet you shot into that Zeta's head.
Bullet.
Was that the evidence you were talking about? That's right.
And when Blatt gets done with it, your wife can kiss her new job goodbye.
And you're going to prison, my friend.
Abbott, Peterson, Vega.
- Hey.
- Uh, good to see you all.
Allow me to introduce Congressman Blatt's legislative director, Missy, um - Uh, I'm sorry, what is it? - Brammer.
I'm sorry.
Missy Brammer.
- Uh, you had a constituent who had to see me? - Yes, Ms.
Brammer.
This is Bill Peterson.
He is one of the congressman's most enthusiastic supporters.
- Oh.
How do you do? - Yeah, wait.
No.
This isn't right.
- I'm sorry? - There's been a mistake.
I met Missy Brammer two days ago in San Antonio.
Well, that's impossible because Ms.
Brammer's been here in D.
C.
All week preparing for the hearings.
- Which I'm gonna be late for.
- Okay.
Nice to meet you all.
Mr.
Peterson.
Wait No, no, no.
She returned my call from Blatt's office.
Hi, my cell phone just died.
Could I use one of yours? Sure.
Missy's out of town.
You can use hers.
- Thank you very much.
- You're welcome.
Bill Peterson.
Hello, Mr.
Peterson? This is Missy Brammer.
I'm Congressman Blatt's legislative director.
I met her in Blatt's office.
Sorry, everybody.
Pest control.
We need the office for 20 minutes.
All right.
Everybody out.
They gotta spray.
- Hey.
Hello.
- Come in.
- Got something for you.
- Thank you.
Here we go.
Bill.
I can't tell you how much it means to me to say this.
You're under arrest.
Wonderful to see the government at work.
- Guys, let me drive you to the airport.
- No, you've done enough already.
Well, thank you for everything.
You know what, that was some good, clean fun.
- Like old times.
- Just like old times.
Pete, hold the door a sec.
He tells me you got a sweetheart.
- That little brunette.
- That is true.
Mm-hm.
Don't screw it up, Patrick.
I'll try not to.
Life's too short.
- See you.
- Bye.
Careful, there.
Don't spill any.
Okay.
A toast.
To friends.
Thank you for all We are forever in your debt.
Yes, yes, we are forever in your debt.
- I make horrible speeches.
I'm so sorry.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Let's go check out that waffle truck.
- Oh, definitely.
So how fast were you going to San Antonio? Like, a hundred million miles an hour.
How fast were you going when you ran the back of Peterson's car? - Like 3 miles an hour.
Ha, ha.
- Still, I bet it was pretty cool.
It was.
It was really cool.
You know, I don't want a waffle.
You wanna dance? No.
No, I'm a terrible dancer.
Oh, come on.
What do you have to lose, Wylie? Come on, let's go.
Okay, but you can't laugh.
No promises.
Well, since everything is cleared up with Lena I'll be moving in a couple of months, work from the D.
C.
Office.
So you know what that means.
It's you.
- What is? - The unit.
It's yours.
You'll be in charge.
I talked to the regional office, I talked to the assistant director and everyone agrees.
You've earned it, Kimball.
And I think you're gonna do a great job at it.
Thank you, sir.
No.
Thank you.
Well, since that's settled, I think I am going to dance with the next undersecretary of the Department of Commerce.
Get on the dance floor, baby.
Come on.
- Congratulations, Cho.
- Thank you.
You deserve it.
I'm gonna need another taco.
Okay.
You know, we never finished our conversation.
No, it got busy.
- Life throws you curveballs.
- Are we talking about baseball now? I'm serious.
- I want us to be strong together.
- We are, aren't we? I love you.
And I also love what I do.
You can't be jealous of that.
No, it's not that.
What is it? What? I don't wanna lose you.
I don't know how I would react.
- You're not gonna lose me.
- You don't know that.
Nobody knows what's gonna happen.
You could die tomorrow, I could.
We need to focus on what's going on right now.
Right here, it's good.
It is very, very good.
Yeah.
Okay.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Do you wanna dance? - Here, in front of everyone? - Sure.
- Okay, one dance.
- Two.
Everything is a negotiation with you.
Come on.

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