Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) s09e09 Episode Script
Traffic
In new york city's war on crime, the worst criminal offenders are pursued by the detectives of the major case squad.
These are their stories.
- That was riveting.
- Yeah, but I'm still a fact-checker.
- Hey, that was your mother's idea.
- To torture me.
- [chuckles.]
- You've read my latest, but you haven't said anything.
- Mm.
Culture of youtube.
- And? - You write far too well for such a crappy title.
- I want to know everything about you.
- Uh-oh.
Everything? - Yeah, um, your first job.
- Shining shoes.
- Um, first thing you ever got published.
- Uh, a penthouse letter? Well, now I have some rotten business Waiting for me at the office, But we'll see each other later at the party.
You are coming.
- I can't.
- Oh.
Come on.
- And spend the whole night staring at you? She'll see and she'll know.
- Puerile? - Frankie, it's a cover.
- The c-- a photo montage is puerile? Are we looking at the same thing here? - Frank, your covers win awards.
You don't want that out there.
- Uh-huh.
Okay.
So--so tell me what do you want to do? You want to-- you want to just chuck it? Just--just throw it away? - You can do better.
- Is that fabulous? - You're late.
I have to go.
You're gonna have to call for another car.
- I'm not going.
- I told you we had to leave by 8:00.
- I'm not going.
- Stuck at the office? Not quite the glamorous line of work you thought, huh? - I don't feel well.
- Do you want me to call dr.
Harris? - Showing yourself to the boys.
What were you being? - I was being bad.
- Show me what you did.
- Oh.
That's so naughty.
You want a spanking, don't you? - Uh-huh.
I deserve it.
- He likes you, the doctor.
- Yes, he'll be a regular.
- That's good.
- Sofia, paulina, this is dmitry.
- Look at these sweet girls.
Mm.
When they see you, all the men will want to marry you.
[soft jazz music.]
- I read your blog.
You're expanding your single Into a seven-parter on the russian mob.
That's daunting.
- Yeah, like trying to decide what to wear with a flak vest.
[laughter.]
- Time to make up, amigo.
Frankie, hey, I'm your biggest supporter.
- Right.
Oh, um, I'm gonna pass On my party plans for tomorrow night.
Trisha I've considered your serialized piece.
Won't happen.
- Not funny, connor.
- It's not a joke.
I'm sorry.
One and done.
- One and done? It's--it's the russian mob.
It's gonna be hot.
- Serialized isn't working.
Ad pages are down.
- Not for my stuff.
Don't shut me down Because no one in the checkout line Bought your 9,000 words on the art of myanmar.
- Look, patricia When you're running things, Publish whatever the hell you want.
Until then, suck it up.
[applause.]
- Whoo! - Thank you.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, and thank you.
Please, everybody come in.
Come on, come on, come on.
You beautiful people, you.
Thank you alfor coming.
[cell phone rings.]
You look absolutely fabulous, Every single one of you.
I couldn't be happier that you're all here To share in this amazing celebration.
Now, over the last year, We've lost some brethren-- Gourmet, vibe, pc, jane, Playgirl went bottoms up.
Come on.
Everyone, raise a glass.
Take a look around you.
After 50 years, inset lives.
We're still here.
Huh? [applause.]
we're still here.
- Oh.
Mm.
Okay.
Connor? I'm sorry, okay? Oh, my god.
Connor? Subtitle Provided by Adri_CSI Episode: Traffic // 9x09 - I had a lot to drink, okay? I must have blacked out.
I don't--I don't remember anything after the party.
Just seeing him.
- Master bedroom's clean.
- Well, I assume the maids Came and cleaned up before the party.
- So you woke up in - In the guest bedroom upstairs.
- And was there anybody else in the house? - I don't know.
No.
- SoYou woke up, And then you found him, And you called 911.
Mr.
Bollinger, what is that on your shirt? Is that blood? - I hugged him.
But he was dead.
- "I was drunk.
I blacked out.
I have blood on my shirt.
" Gee, I could have done much better than that.
- You're not an amateur.
- Uh, dead maybe 5 1/2 hours.
Two blows to the head.
Probably struck first by a blunt, heavy object On the left temple.
- Mm-hmm.
- Then - Oh, second blow's different.
- Yeah.
Blunt force trauma to the back of the head.
Possibly a fall after the first blow, or - Or the killer smashed his head into the floor.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wow.
Ooh, what are these? - Minor lacerations.
Something he grabbed and held.
- Yeah.
Let's get photos of that.
- Csu should check this for prints.
It's out of place.
The awards are all on that shelf.
The scott ison award for publishing.
This might be dried blood at the base.
- Hmm.
- Mom, have you seen my phone? Dad, what are you doing here? What's going on? - Hey, sweetheart.
- What? - Honey, connor was murdered last night.
- What? - We are all in shock.
- No! - Honey, I know-- - No! - Lousy time for magazines.
- My father read inset.
I remember this picture of ursula andress.
She had this brassiere that shot bullets.
- Your father read it.
- It was, uh, shared.
We fought over the crossword puzzles.
- Connor james' final editorial-- Everything must die.
No kidding.
- His art director's a guy named frank bollinger.
Discovered the body just after 5:00 a.
M.
, Called 911.
- Bollinger spent the night? Can we take something from that? - My take is that frank's gay.
- Hmm.
Well, he didn't tell us that, but, uh - But women know these things.
- So maybe it was a lover's spat.
- Well, bollinger seemed sincerely distraught, And he didn't try to hide the blood on his shirt, And hung around, called 911, so - People never murder and then feel bad about it.
Anyway, the king is dead.
So who's moving on the throne? - The stockholders asked me e toak Edi r pro tem.
I couldn't refuse.
- No, no, sure you couldn't.
Continuity of leadership is, uh--it's crucial, huh? - Still, it's hard to walk past connor's empty office.
- We need to get in there before anything's packed up.
- You're gonna hear that I wanted this position, And I did, but not like this.
- So, um, your-- your working relationship Was, uh, pretty good? - Connor was cautious and I lead with my chin, But every month, We got the book to the printers without a hitch.
- Book? - Oh, in the trade, we never say "magazine.
" - What about connor and frank bollinger? - Oh, connor was frank's mentor.
- Hmm.
Sleepovers usually imply something more.
- Oh, of course.
No, connor was straight.
He was fond of frank, and frank worshipped connor.
But - But what? - Frank was sensitive about his work.
But so am I, so-- - So when they argued, you understood.
What'd they argue about? - Connor trashed frank's cover design For the next issue.
He said frank lost it.
He ranted.
He threw all of his work in his face.
- Rage issues.
- I have a lot on my plate.
Grieving staff.
- Sure.
Frank bollinger has an assault record.
He was arrested at a bar.
- So he drinks and gets violent.
- And when connor james nixed his cover design - Doesn't seem like a reason to kill him.
- Oh, this qualifies him.
His prints match those found on the murder weapon.
- I'm here because connor and I had an argument? I could have been here a lot During the past seven years.
- Except connor hadn't been murdered.
Was kicking and throwing your work in his face your trademark? - Come on.
I, uh, acted out.
- Along with a d.
U.
I.
, you have a past assault charge.
- Detectives.
- No, wait, I want them to hear this.
I was out with my boyfriend And some redneck was hassling us.
I don't take that crap.
- But, see, frank, this is our problem.
Your prints are on--on this murder weapon.
- I don't know.
I was recovering from being really drunk, And I--I might have picked - Don't speculate.
- Frank, look, you know, Nothing about this seems premeditated.
What happened? A quarrel accelerated beyond words, And, you know, got physical? Tell us what happened.
Maybe we can talk about a deal.
- We don't talk based on rampant speculation.
- Don't you get it? I have no future without connor.
I'm not easy, and, um, And he put up with me.
I loved him.
- We hear that a lot.
- Really? Okay.
I'm destroyed.
I'm as dead as he is? - You look pretty alive to me.
- Yeah, well, patricia caruso hates me.
And my work.
She'll replace me with some stefan sagmeister wannabe.
I'm gone.
Okay? I'm a ghost.
While that bitch goddess prevails.
[laughter.]
- [speaking russian.]
[speaking russian.]
- Frank is arrested.
Not just person of interest.
- Frank bollinger? Not good.
- If he talks, disturbs business, He upsets people who must not be upset.
- Nobody wants this.
- "vile, snouted faces, "pig-like, with tiny, porcine eyes, Dead to mercy or consideration.
" Patricia hits hard in this article on the russian mob.
- Hmm, pig-like and porcine? That's the same thing.
That's kind of cheesy writing.
- Oh, there's a note at the end.
Says she planned six more.
The mob's role in drugs, extortion, shylocking.
- Well, he hated that, but look at this.
He--he liked this.
Nothing but accolades.
"original voice.
"fresh take.
Great work, mia.
" Huh.
Wonder who's mia.
- Connor had some additional files in storage, So I sent for them.
Uh, that was my first pass.
- Yeah, oh, russian gangsters? Gee, that's, uh-- that's strong stuff.
- Connor didn't quite share your enthusiasm.
He reduced that series to a one and done.
I think connor was afraid of the russians.
- Hmm.
But not you.
Not writing stuff like that.
- My ex-husband is forrest caruso.
- Great, great defense attorney.
Uh, he "caruso-fied" the prosecution witnesses For the italians.
Oh, wait.
Did he-- did he defend the russians? Gee, that could get, uh - No.
Forrest said that is a line he won't cross.
- So your work was cut from seven to one? Must've hurt.
- Well, luckily, I just started.
So I picked myself up, and I partied.
I got home around 1:00.
That is what you wanted to ask me, right? - Forrest must have warned you.
Nobody's immune.
- My daughter mia and forrest were both at home.
- Mia, yeah.
Hey, what, uh What's mia-- does she work here? - She interns two days a week.
Fact checking.
The rest of the time she's at nyu majoring in journalism.
- Wants to be like mom.
- We'll see.
- Uh-huh.
You know, it's so funny.
My father, he's a psychiatrist.
He wanted me, you know, Taking notes while other people were relaxed on a couch.
But, what do you know, here I am a cop.
- Observing behavior? It's not that far off the mark.
- This youtube essay by mia, A very distinctive voice.
- She's developing quite a fan base.
- No, connor's praise was well deserved.
- Mm-hmm.
Not just the kinder, gentler treatment Of a young journalism intern? Who might be very attractive? - You think so? - Well, it's obvious you think her mother, patricia, Is a bit of a knockout.
- Was I that obvious? - So if mia's looks were in the genes, Along with a superior talent - You have a wicked imagination.
I like that in a partner.
- The dominant, older man coddles a young intern? Not without precedent.
I'd like to meet this mia.
- At connor's memorial service, We can see all of 'em.
[church bells ringing.]
- Wow.
Looking at patricia and forrest, You'd never know it was a bitter divorce.
- Yeah, cozy.
- Well, I'll bet it was tough for him Walking out on her.
- I'm guessing she gave the marching orders, And now, as is often the case, heants back in.
- Mm-hmm.
And how about mia? I think you were right.
She got the mom's good looks.
Mr.
Caruso.
Detective nichols.
This is my partner, detective stevens.
- This is hardly the time.
- We have a murder.
You know how it works.
- Oh, patty said you stopped by t office.
- Yeah, really? She was, uh, busy.
I'm surprised she noticed.
Hey, did you happen to read that stuff She wrote about the russian mob? - I hate reading about crime.
- You two seem very close.
- Meaning? - Acrimonious tabloid divorce.
Seeing you together, Looks like you're working things out.
- Well, patty and I have a daughter, So above all else, we're mindful of that.
- You, uh, were with patricia The night of the murder, But you didn't go to the party.
Is that right? - Well, it's her scene, not mine.
But, yeah, we spent the night at her place.
- So being so close to patricia, Did she happen to confide in you About connor cutting back her article? - What she confided is irrelevant, detective.
I have corroborated patty's alibi, And that's all you need.
So have a nice day.
- He's good.
Very slick.
- Yeah.
Mob didn't pay him - I know who you are.
I've seen your face in magazines.
- Yeah, okay.
We're coming out.
That was rikers.
Frank bollinger was stabbed to death.
He lived long enough to I.
D.
His killer.
- We know that you followed frank bollinger Into the bathing area.
Video surveillance picked you up.
- But no cameras in showers.
You have nothing.
- We have frank's description.
Plus the cos found this under your bunk.
- Everyone has shank.
Protection.
- Why did you kill frank bollinger? - It was somebody who hates queers, not me.
I don't hate anybody.
- In russia, you're wanted on multiple murder charges, Ivankov.
You're a hired gun.
- No, you're mistaken.
I'm a pest exterminator.
- So the murder of connor james Made frank bollinger a pest? - Who? - You expect us to believe You didn't know frank was a suspect In connor james' murder? - I only know I went to shower to get clean.
To not smell.
- [sniffs.]
Doesn't always work.
- Ivankov You tell us who ordered the hit on frank bollinger, You might not end up in the supermax.
- You have just suspicion.
No evidence.
I've been extradited, And you cannot stop it.
- He's right.
- Mr.
Ivankov does have some frequent flyer miles Coming his way.
State department is honoring moscow's petition to extradite.
So let's run this thing again from the top.
We have a professional hit Possibly related to patricia's piece on the russian mob.
- Well, she said that connor was afraid of the russians.
- I don't think he was that afraid.
I noticed he only edited things That related to the mob's sex rings.
The rest, the names of mobsters, their connections, It's all in here.
- So all we really know about frank bollinger Is that he designed a lousy cover And ended up dead.
- No, obviously he did more.
I got to get o.
C.
C.
B.
In on this.
Bollinger and connor's murder are somehow connected.
And are we agreed? Connor was straight? - Women know about these things.
- I say we go talk to another woman who's close to him.
- No, mr.
Connor? No, not gay.
At all.
- You sound pretty sure.
- Mr.
Connor was always with the girls.
Always.
- Say, this chest This was not here when we searched.
- Mr.
Connor put all this in the basement, Make room for the party.
- He definitely wasn't into guys.
"love, laura.
" They autographed the backs.
- Hmm.
Zen yoga.
The art of fly fishing.
Ten ways to a stronger marriage.
Oh.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Home sex videos? - More girls.
All young.
- Yeah, they look like prostitutes.
How'd he find 'em? - Maybe by taking risks.
- More people with a motive to kill him.
- Here's connor playing the aging lothario.
- And he tapes all this.
Sleaze bag.
- Wait, how old are you? - What? - I'm paying top dollar for youth.
Sorry, sweetheart.
You don't qualify.
- Please, my boss will be mad.
- Mm-hmm.
What do you get? - This guy was all heart.
- Come on, come on.
Come on, I'm a busy man.
Let's go, get out.
Get out! Right, bye-bye.
[door slams.]
Frankie! Frankie, you just cost me five grand! Yeah, I need another girl.
Frank--frank, not now with the art layout.
[beep.]
- Frank bollinger was his conduit to hookers.
- Girls with accents.
Probably victims of human trafficking Brought in by the russian mob.
Maybe he did the heavy edit on patricia's piece 'cause he was afraid his name would show up.
- So did the mob, though, do the heavy edit on him, Or was it enough just to kill frank bollinger Who hooked connor up? - I think he hooked up with this one on his own.
- Mia.
I wonder if mom knows that her daughter Was doing more than just fact checking.
- Yes? - Mrs.
Caruso, can we come in? It's about your daughter.
We want to speak to her.
- It's important.
- I was just about to leave.
I have a pen dinner in midtown, And mia is still struggling with connor's death.
- So are we.
You're aware your daughter Was sexually involved with connor? - What? How dare you? - Patricia, come on.
Connor james, also a big fan of young prostitutes.
Gonna tell me that that was a big secret? Yeah.
And the russian mob was supplying 'em.
You didn't uncover that in your journalistic endeavors? Hi, counselor.
- Well, maybe that explains why he butchered your piece, Patricia.
- He also recorded his exploits on dvds.
Quite a collection.
- That sick son of a bitch.
Don't tell me our daughter - You're really saying that you weren't aware Of mia's involvement with him? - We're not answering anymore questions.
- Okay.
So we should talk to mia.
- Is she under arrest? - No.
- Then you know the drill.
This is a family thing.
Leave us alone.
- Not an arrest.
I can't endorse that.
You want forrest caruso brought in, You do it on a material witness warrant.
- But an arrest is the only way We isolate him from patricia and mia While we question them.
- Probable cause? - These phone records cover us on that.
- Mia's phone is in her father's name.
- Ergo her records are his records.
Here's a text we downloaded from connor's phone, Sent to mia during the party.
- That's interesting, But it doesn't prove forrest knew about the affair.
Unless he scanned his daughter's phone.
- Not something I haven't done.
- Your kid's eight.
By the time she's 18, you might want to back off on that.
- There's more.
- Oh, yeah, this.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mia called her father.
That's the same time connor was murdered.
- Time when patricia and forrest Claim they were home with mia.
- In the same house, so why call? - What if they weren't in the same house? What if mia went to connor's after the party, Finds out about the other girls Completely loses it.
- Panics and calls her dad? - Forrest comes to cover it up.
Frames frank bollinger, who's there, passed out.
[cell phone rings.]
- oh, I don't know.
Oh.
Rogers has something.
- Remember the lacerations on his hands? They form a radiating pattern, Something he clenched at the instant of death.
- Oh, look at that.
Do you have any idea what that is? - Oh, it's something square and sharp.
The cuts are clean.
And he had it in his hand For 25 to 30 minutes after he died.
- You sure about that? - Sometimes the victim's hand Has to be literally pried open.
- Why kill him and wait 25 minutes Before removing whatever it was? What are you doing? - I'm, uh, seeing what this looks like.
Trying to connect the dots.
- Odd shape.
Distinctive.
- Yeah, what do you think? Warrants for forrest, patricia, and mia? - Mia? This better be good.
Forrest caruso eats red meat.
You arrest his daughter, he'll be out to eat us.
- No, no, no, we'll be okay.
Serena lit a candle.
- Why can't my dad be here? - We're saying nothing until he gets here.
- Your father is, uh, in custody.
- Forrest has been arrested? What the hell is this about? - Possible accessory after the fact.
- What? - We believe he helped your daughter Cover up the murder of connor james.
- Uh, no.
I didn't kill connor.
- You called your father from connor's At 2:00 a.
M.
On the night of the murder.
- No, I wasn't there.
- She was at home with her father and myself.
- Mrs.
Caruso, mia's cell phone records and gps Tracks her to connor's.
- It's not true.
How can they have this? - Sweetheart, we will-- - No! I want my father.
I don't want you handling anything.
He was murdered because of that crap that you wrote.
- What? - She made him a target for mobsters.
- Mia, we're going to hold you pending arraignment.
[door opens.]
- W--what's going on? I'm telling the truth.
- Hands behind your back.
- Please! [handcuffs clinking.]
- Don't do this.
- But I didn't hurt anyone.
Please.
This is all wrong.
Mom.
Mom! - Miss caruso.
- You know my feelings about this.
- Uh, yes, but-- - It verges on breaking rules, So whether it works or doesn't work, You make it fast.
- My husband is gonna tear your throat out.
Treating our baby like a criminal.
- We're aware of the mitigating factors.
Connor's age, her age, It could qualify as voluntary manslaughter.
- And, um, you know, It could even plead down to negligent homicide.
You know, she does a suspended sentence.
No time at all.
- I suppose you have proof beyond My poor baby.
- Well, you know, she's only 17 years old, And she comes from a good home And responsible, loving parents.
- That bastard, connor! I tried to warn her away from him, And she just wouldn't listen.
- You weren't aware of the actual affair.
- Of course not.
I saw a crush developing, But I never thought it would come to this.
- To mia's killing him.
- When I heard about his death, And she wasn't in our home that night, I thought, "oh, god, please don't let it be true.
" Whatever she did, she is really not to blame.
- You've been veryHelpful.
- Detectives, they've brought mr.
Caruso.
- This is to verify that he got the call from mia.
- He won't accept it.
He is not ready.
- We're gonna have to cue patricia's testimony To the exact right spot.
If forrest gets even a whiff-- - Of how we worked her, worked her daughter.
We've destroyed a relationship between a mother and daughter.
This isn't easy for me.
- Okay.
I can go it alone.
- You're being noble, which means even you think This could really go wrong.
- Like a possible career-ender? - Tell her.
It's only fair.
- The captain's right.
- L-let's talk.
- You heard patricia's testimony.
We follow through on that, this can all be put to rest.
- Not so long ago, I heard testimony Possibly involving the russian mob.
- But that's gone away.
Now we have an absolute admission.
- No, don't call it an admission.
It's an accusation.
- In the d.
A.
's hands, What patricia just said in there Could get an innocent girl convicted of murder.
- But we're not bringing in the d.
A.
- That's not our choice.
If patricia suddenly decides to lawyer up, She'll be in the grand jury indicting her daughter, And you'll both be transit cops.
- But we have no choice, none.
I meant what I said about going it alone.
But the only way is forward.
- He has a terrible way of being right.
- When you spoke to her, did she sound high? - My daughter's too smart to do drugs, And I've not said I spoke to her.
- Uh, you do realize That every cell phone has a gps, which-- - Which can be tracked from various towers.
It's not infallible.
I've got experts who can and will refute that evidence.
- Okay, I suppose our next question Is gonna be whether or not You'll refute the testimony of your ex-wife? - What? - I understand a father being protective of his daughter, But your ex-wife is being more realistic about it.
- You weren't aware of an actual affair? - Of course not.
I--I could see a crush developing, But I never thought it would come to this.
- To mia killing him? - When I heard about his death, And she wasn't in our home that night - Ah! - I thought, "oh, god, please, Don't let it be true.
" - Okay, stop this.
Mia is innocent.
- Patricia says-- - stop! - Counselor, we've got, uh-- I'm not gonna try to explain evidence To you of all people, but look.
I've got mia's phone records right here.
It's on your account.
Here in this highlighted part Is the call itself from connor to you.
- You don't know who made it.
- Well, uh, what jury would believe that it wasn't mia, What with the testimony of her own mother? - My daughter can't go down for something she didn't do.
Patty was frantic.
She'd fought with connor.
She hit him with something during a struggle.
She panicked.
Naturally, she called me.
- And you went to help her.
- Understand, it was patty's reaction To finding out the man violated our daughter.
- There was more than one blow.
- No.
Not patty.
Me.
- You? - When I got there, Patty's earring was in his hand, And he wouldn't let go.
Suddenly, he moved.
I reacted.
I slammed his head against the floor.
- Finished him off.
- I checked his heart.
And he was dead.
Patty didn't kill him.
I did.
- We'll be processing your release.
- So you know I'm innocent? - Your father gave us a statement.
He killed connor.
HeAnd your mother.
She reacted to the news you were sleeping with him, And acted out of rage, and - It's my fault for being with connor, anyway.
- No, it's not your fault.
Don't believe that.
- Why should I believe you about anything? - Detective.
We're not letting her go until we're all finished.
- She's a 17-year-old girl.
We accused her of murder.
She's alone in a holding cell.
- Yeah, where she's gonna stay Until the voided arrest process.
That's what we do.
- If frank's statement will get it to trial, There's nothing left for us to do.
- Understand her intent.
- Patricia's intent? As a mother, I can almost get my head around her intent.
- No, you can't.
She's not you.
- You know, you should have been a shrink Like your father wanted.
- Serena, I don't care about complaining husbands And cheating wives And treating people with nervous acne.
But I am driven to understand Why some people are so different That they disrupt our sense Of all behavior and logic.
- And you'll do whatever it takes.
- I don't buy that patricia Killed to protect her child.
- Why not? - It's not who she is.
- And who is she? - We don't know.
Ms.
Caruso, Your husband has told us everything-- How you called him from connor's On mia's phone.
- Don't blame him for lying.
He is desperate to save mia.
I mean, maybe he's right.
Maybe we should sacrifice ourselves For the sake of our child.
- Miss caruso, this tells us That you were present when connor died.
He cut his hand Clutching At this earring.
Observe, if you will.
You see that? See that? Same - I've noticed since then you've worn clip-ons.
Would you remove them? So when you struggled, Connor pulled this earring out of your ear.
- Okay, so what-- what happened that night? You, um, somehow wound up with mia's cell phone, And you intercepted a text message From connor that was meant for mia.
- Filth.
He bragged.
He described mia's first orgasm In lugubrious detail.
- But we have the text right here, Ms.
Caruso.
This is what he wrote.
"your words, style, and structure, mia, "are gifts touched by god's wand.
"nothing is owed to a mother Who has suppressed and denied your talent.
" Filth? - Considering the purpose, I'll stick with "filth.
" - Even I would have to admit That mia's writing is not only superior to yours, but-- - You're a cop.
You can't judge what I create.
I don't care what you think.
But you did care What connor thought, didn't you? - Connor wanted le mot juste.
Flaubert.
Sylvia plath.
I write tough.
Not the sop you see on oprah.
It sells.
That is why I'm running the place.
- Don't you feel that mia has a special gift? - Connor said what he said to get laid.
A decade ago, I learned exactly how he works.
Okay, you want the whole story? I didn't kill connor.
Forrest did.
- But you struck him before forrest got there.
- Yeah, but when forrest got there, Connor moved.
Forrest and I both saw it.
So forrest took his head, And he slammed it into the floor.
And he never moved again.
- That was a muscle contraction.
That's a function of rigor mortis.
Your blow actually did kill connor james.
And for reasons that are far less noble Than you'd like us to think.
- You've gone from a mother trying to frame her daughter To accusing the ex-husband who still loves you.
- I think patricia Is finally starting to arrive at reality.
It's time she heard her rights.
- You're a stickler for behavioral theory.
Listen to this.
"these individuals can have "a grandiose view of themselves, "and demand excessive admiration.
"they maneuver well in difficult situations, "but their self-esteem is fragile.
"any threat to their self-image Might agitate or even enrage them.
" - Oh, that's right out of the psych textbook.
Yeah, narcissistic personality disorder.
It's a psychopathology That fits our patricia to a "t".
- Or a sign of the zodiac.
She's a scorpio.
- Yeah.
Well, you know, my father would kill me for saying this, But, uh Equally valid.
These are their stories.
- That was riveting.
- Yeah, but I'm still a fact-checker.
- Hey, that was your mother's idea.
- To torture me.
- [chuckles.]
- You've read my latest, but you haven't said anything.
- Mm.
Culture of youtube.
- And? - You write far too well for such a crappy title.
- I want to know everything about you.
- Uh-oh.
Everything? - Yeah, um, your first job.
- Shining shoes.
- Um, first thing you ever got published.
- Uh, a penthouse letter? Well, now I have some rotten business Waiting for me at the office, But we'll see each other later at the party.
You are coming.
- I can't.
- Oh.
Come on.
- And spend the whole night staring at you? She'll see and she'll know.
- Puerile? - Frankie, it's a cover.
- The c-- a photo montage is puerile? Are we looking at the same thing here? - Frank, your covers win awards.
You don't want that out there.
- Uh-huh.
Okay.
So--so tell me what do you want to do? You want to-- you want to just chuck it? Just--just throw it away? - You can do better.
- Is that fabulous? - You're late.
I have to go.
You're gonna have to call for another car.
- I'm not going.
- I told you we had to leave by 8:00.
- I'm not going.
- Stuck at the office? Not quite the glamorous line of work you thought, huh? - I don't feel well.
- Do you want me to call dr.
Harris? - Showing yourself to the boys.
What were you being? - I was being bad.
- Show me what you did.
- Oh.
That's so naughty.
You want a spanking, don't you? - Uh-huh.
I deserve it.
- He likes you, the doctor.
- Yes, he'll be a regular.
- That's good.
- Sofia, paulina, this is dmitry.
- Look at these sweet girls.
Mm.
When they see you, all the men will want to marry you.
[soft jazz music.]
- I read your blog.
You're expanding your single Into a seven-parter on the russian mob.
That's daunting.
- Yeah, like trying to decide what to wear with a flak vest.
[laughter.]
- Time to make up, amigo.
Frankie, hey, I'm your biggest supporter.
- Right.
Oh, um, I'm gonna pass On my party plans for tomorrow night.
Trisha I've considered your serialized piece.
Won't happen.
- Not funny, connor.
- It's not a joke.
I'm sorry.
One and done.
- One and done? It's--it's the russian mob.
It's gonna be hot.
- Serialized isn't working.
Ad pages are down.
- Not for my stuff.
Don't shut me down Because no one in the checkout line Bought your 9,000 words on the art of myanmar.
- Look, patricia When you're running things, Publish whatever the hell you want.
Until then, suck it up.
[applause.]
- Whoo! - Thank you.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, and thank you.
Please, everybody come in.
Come on, come on, come on.
You beautiful people, you.
Thank you alfor coming.
[cell phone rings.]
You look absolutely fabulous, Every single one of you.
I couldn't be happier that you're all here To share in this amazing celebration.
Now, over the last year, We've lost some brethren-- Gourmet, vibe, pc, jane, Playgirl went bottoms up.
Come on.
Everyone, raise a glass.
Take a look around you.
After 50 years, inset lives.
We're still here.
Huh? [applause.]
we're still here.
- Oh.
Mm.
Okay.
Connor? I'm sorry, okay? Oh, my god.
Connor? Subtitle Provided by Adri_CSI Episode: Traffic // 9x09 - I had a lot to drink, okay? I must have blacked out.
I don't--I don't remember anything after the party.
Just seeing him.
- Master bedroom's clean.
- Well, I assume the maids Came and cleaned up before the party.
- So you woke up in - In the guest bedroom upstairs.
- And was there anybody else in the house? - I don't know.
No.
- SoYou woke up, And then you found him, And you called 911.
Mr.
Bollinger, what is that on your shirt? Is that blood? - I hugged him.
But he was dead.
- "I was drunk.
I blacked out.
I have blood on my shirt.
" Gee, I could have done much better than that.
- You're not an amateur.
- Uh, dead maybe 5 1/2 hours.
Two blows to the head.
Probably struck first by a blunt, heavy object On the left temple.
- Mm-hmm.
- Then - Oh, second blow's different.
- Yeah.
Blunt force trauma to the back of the head.
Possibly a fall after the first blow, or - Or the killer smashed his head into the floor.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wow.
Ooh, what are these? - Minor lacerations.
Something he grabbed and held.
- Yeah.
Let's get photos of that.
- Csu should check this for prints.
It's out of place.
The awards are all on that shelf.
The scott ison award for publishing.
This might be dried blood at the base.
- Hmm.
- Mom, have you seen my phone? Dad, what are you doing here? What's going on? - Hey, sweetheart.
- What? - Honey, connor was murdered last night.
- What? - We are all in shock.
- No! - Honey, I know-- - No! - Lousy time for magazines.
- My father read inset.
I remember this picture of ursula andress.
She had this brassiere that shot bullets.
- Your father read it.
- It was, uh, shared.
We fought over the crossword puzzles.
- Connor james' final editorial-- Everything must die.
No kidding.
- His art director's a guy named frank bollinger.
Discovered the body just after 5:00 a.
M.
, Called 911.
- Bollinger spent the night? Can we take something from that? - My take is that frank's gay.
- Hmm.
Well, he didn't tell us that, but, uh - But women know these things.
- So maybe it was a lover's spat.
- Well, bollinger seemed sincerely distraught, And he didn't try to hide the blood on his shirt, And hung around, called 911, so - People never murder and then feel bad about it.
Anyway, the king is dead.
So who's moving on the throne? - The stockholders asked me e toak Edi r pro tem.
I couldn't refuse.
- No, no, sure you couldn't.
Continuity of leadership is, uh--it's crucial, huh? - Still, it's hard to walk past connor's empty office.
- We need to get in there before anything's packed up.
- You're gonna hear that I wanted this position, And I did, but not like this.
- So, um, your-- your working relationship Was, uh, pretty good? - Connor was cautious and I lead with my chin, But every month, We got the book to the printers without a hitch.
- Book? - Oh, in the trade, we never say "magazine.
" - What about connor and frank bollinger? - Oh, connor was frank's mentor.
- Hmm.
Sleepovers usually imply something more.
- Oh, of course.
No, connor was straight.
He was fond of frank, and frank worshipped connor.
But - But what? - Frank was sensitive about his work.
But so am I, so-- - So when they argued, you understood.
What'd they argue about? - Connor trashed frank's cover design For the next issue.
He said frank lost it.
He ranted.
He threw all of his work in his face.
- Rage issues.
- I have a lot on my plate.
Grieving staff.
- Sure.
Frank bollinger has an assault record.
He was arrested at a bar.
- So he drinks and gets violent.
- And when connor james nixed his cover design - Doesn't seem like a reason to kill him.
- Oh, this qualifies him.
His prints match those found on the murder weapon.
- I'm here because connor and I had an argument? I could have been here a lot During the past seven years.
- Except connor hadn't been murdered.
Was kicking and throwing your work in his face your trademark? - Come on.
I, uh, acted out.
- Along with a d.
U.
I.
, you have a past assault charge.
- Detectives.
- No, wait, I want them to hear this.
I was out with my boyfriend And some redneck was hassling us.
I don't take that crap.
- But, see, frank, this is our problem.
Your prints are on--on this murder weapon.
- I don't know.
I was recovering from being really drunk, And I--I might have picked - Don't speculate.
- Frank, look, you know, Nothing about this seems premeditated.
What happened? A quarrel accelerated beyond words, And, you know, got physical? Tell us what happened.
Maybe we can talk about a deal.
- We don't talk based on rampant speculation.
- Don't you get it? I have no future without connor.
I'm not easy, and, um, And he put up with me.
I loved him.
- We hear that a lot.
- Really? Okay.
I'm destroyed.
I'm as dead as he is? - You look pretty alive to me.
- Yeah, well, patricia caruso hates me.
And my work.
She'll replace me with some stefan sagmeister wannabe.
I'm gone.
Okay? I'm a ghost.
While that bitch goddess prevails.
[laughter.]
- [speaking russian.]
[speaking russian.]
- Frank is arrested.
Not just person of interest.
- Frank bollinger? Not good.
- If he talks, disturbs business, He upsets people who must not be upset.
- Nobody wants this.
- "vile, snouted faces, "pig-like, with tiny, porcine eyes, Dead to mercy or consideration.
" Patricia hits hard in this article on the russian mob.
- Hmm, pig-like and porcine? That's the same thing.
That's kind of cheesy writing.
- Oh, there's a note at the end.
Says she planned six more.
The mob's role in drugs, extortion, shylocking.
- Well, he hated that, but look at this.
He--he liked this.
Nothing but accolades.
"original voice.
"fresh take.
Great work, mia.
" Huh.
Wonder who's mia.
- Connor had some additional files in storage, So I sent for them.
Uh, that was my first pass.
- Yeah, oh, russian gangsters? Gee, that's, uh-- that's strong stuff.
- Connor didn't quite share your enthusiasm.
He reduced that series to a one and done.
I think connor was afraid of the russians.
- Hmm.
But not you.
Not writing stuff like that.
- My ex-husband is forrest caruso.
- Great, great defense attorney.
Uh, he "caruso-fied" the prosecution witnesses For the italians.
Oh, wait.
Did he-- did he defend the russians? Gee, that could get, uh - No.
Forrest said that is a line he won't cross.
- So your work was cut from seven to one? Must've hurt.
- Well, luckily, I just started.
So I picked myself up, and I partied.
I got home around 1:00.
That is what you wanted to ask me, right? - Forrest must have warned you.
Nobody's immune.
- My daughter mia and forrest were both at home.
- Mia, yeah.
Hey, what, uh What's mia-- does she work here? - She interns two days a week.
Fact checking.
The rest of the time she's at nyu majoring in journalism.
- Wants to be like mom.
- We'll see.
- Uh-huh.
You know, it's so funny.
My father, he's a psychiatrist.
He wanted me, you know, Taking notes while other people were relaxed on a couch.
But, what do you know, here I am a cop.
- Observing behavior? It's not that far off the mark.
- This youtube essay by mia, A very distinctive voice.
- She's developing quite a fan base.
- No, connor's praise was well deserved.
- Mm-hmm.
Not just the kinder, gentler treatment Of a young journalism intern? Who might be very attractive? - You think so? - Well, it's obvious you think her mother, patricia, Is a bit of a knockout.
- Was I that obvious? - So if mia's looks were in the genes, Along with a superior talent - You have a wicked imagination.
I like that in a partner.
- The dominant, older man coddles a young intern? Not without precedent.
I'd like to meet this mia.
- At connor's memorial service, We can see all of 'em.
[church bells ringing.]
- Wow.
Looking at patricia and forrest, You'd never know it was a bitter divorce.
- Yeah, cozy.
- Well, I'll bet it was tough for him Walking out on her.
- I'm guessing she gave the marching orders, And now, as is often the case, heants back in.
- Mm-hmm.
And how about mia? I think you were right.
She got the mom's good looks.
Mr.
Caruso.
Detective nichols.
This is my partner, detective stevens.
- This is hardly the time.
- We have a murder.
You know how it works.
- Oh, patty said you stopped by t office.
- Yeah, really? She was, uh, busy.
I'm surprised she noticed.
Hey, did you happen to read that stuff She wrote about the russian mob? - I hate reading about crime.
- You two seem very close.
- Meaning? - Acrimonious tabloid divorce.
Seeing you together, Looks like you're working things out.
- Well, patty and I have a daughter, So above all else, we're mindful of that.
- You, uh, were with patricia The night of the murder, But you didn't go to the party.
Is that right? - Well, it's her scene, not mine.
But, yeah, we spent the night at her place.
- So being so close to patricia, Did she happen to confide in you About connor cutting back her article? - What she confided is irrelevant, detective.
I have corroborated patty's alibi, And that's all you need.
So have a nice day.
- He's good.
Very slick.
- Yeah.
Mob didn't pay him - I know who you are.
I've seen your face in magazines.
- Yeah, okay.
We're coming out.
That was rikers.
Frank bollinger was stabbed to death.
He lived long enough to I.
D.
His killer.
- We know that you followed frank bollinger Into the bathing area.
Video surveillance picked you up.
- But no cameras in showers.
You have nothing.
- We have frank's description.
Plus the cos found this under your bunk.
- Everyone has shank.
Protection.
- Why did you kill frank bollinger? - It was somebody who hates queers, not me.
I don't hate anybody.
- In russia, you're wanted on multiple murder charges, Ivankov.
You're a hired gun.
- No, you're mistaken.
I'm a pest exterminator.
- So the murder of connor james Made frank bollinger a pest? - Who? - You expect us to believe You didn't know frank was a suspect In connor james' murder? - I only know I went to shower to get clean.
To not smell.
- [sniffs.]
Doesn't always work.
- Ivankov You tell us who ordered the hit on frank bollinger, You might not end up in the supermax.
- You have just suspicion.
No evidence.
I've been extradited, And you cannot stop it.
- He's right.
- Mr.
Ivankov does have some frequent flyer miles Coming his way.
State department is honoring moscow's petition to extradite.
So let's run this thing again from the top.
We have a professional hit Possibly related to patricia's piece on the russian mob.
- Well, she said that connor was afraid of the russians.
- I don't think he was that afraid.
I noticed he only edited things That related to the mob's sex rings.
The rest, the names of mobsters, their connections, It's all in here.
- So all we really know about frank bollinger Is that he designed a lousy cover And ended up dead.
- No, obviously he did more.
I got to get o.
C.
C.
B.
In on this.
Bollinger and connor's murder are somehow connected.
And are we agreed? Connor was straight? - Women know about these things.
- I say we go talk to another woman who's close to him.
- No, mr.
Connor? No, not gay.
At all.
- You sound pretty sure.
- Mr.
Connor was always with the girls.
Always.
- Say, this chest This was not here when we searched.
- Mr.
Connor put all this in the basement, Make room for the party.
- He definitely wasn't into guys.
"love, laura.
" They autographed the backs.
- Hmm.
Zen yoga.
The art of fly fishing.
Ten ways to a stronger marriage.
Oh.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Home sex videos? - More girls.
All young.
- Yeah, they look like prostitutes.
How'd he find 'em? - Maybe by taking risks.
- More people with a motive to kill him.
- Here's connor playing the aging lothario.
- And he tapes all this.
Sleaze bag.
- Wait, how old are you? - What? - I'm paying top dollar for youth.
Sorry, sweetheart.
You don't qualify.
- Please, my boss will be mad.
- Mm-hmm.
What do you get? - This guy was all heart.
- Come on, come on.
Come on, I'm a busy man.
Let's go, get out.
Get out! Right, bye-bye.
[door slams.]
Frankie! Frankie, you just cost me five grand! Yeah, I need another girl.
Frank--frank, not now with the art layout.
[beep.]
- Frank bollinger was his conduit to hookers.
- Girls with accents.
Probably victims of human trafficking Brought in by the russian mob.
Maybe he did the heavy edit on patricia's piece 'cause he was afraid his name would show up.
- So did the mob, though, do the heavy edit on him, Or was it enough just to kill frank bollinger Who hooked connor up? - I think he hooked up with this one on his own.
- Mia.
I wonder if mom knows that her daughter Was doing more than just fact checking.
- Yes? - Mrs.
Caruso, can we come in? It's about your daughter.
We want to speak to her.
- It's important.
- I was just about to leave.
I have a pen dinner in midtown, And mia is still struggling with connor's death.
- So are we.
You're aware your daughter Was sexually involved with connor? - What? How dare you? - Patricia, come on.
Connor james, also a big fan of young prostitutes.
Gonna tell me that that was a big secret? Yeah.
And the russian mob was supplying 'em.
You didn't uncover that in your journalistic endeavors? Hi, counselor.
- Well, maybe that explains why he butchered your piece, Patricia.
- He also recorded his exploits on dvds.
Quite a collection.
- That sick son of a bitch.
Don't tell me our daughter - You're really saying that you weren't aware Of mia's involvement with him? - We're not answering anymore questions.
- Okay.
So we should talk to mia.
- Is she under arrest? - No.
- Then you know the drill.
This is a family thing.
Leave us alone.
- Not an arrest.
I can't endorse that.
You want forrest caruso brought in, You do it on a material witness warrant.
- But an arrest is the only way We isolate him from patricia and mia While we question them.
- Probable cause? - These phone records cover us on that.
- Mia's phone is in her father's name.
- Ergo her records are his records.
Here's a text we downloaded from connor's phone, Sent to mia during the party.
- That's interesting, But it doesn't prove forrest knew about the affair.
Unless he scanned his daughter's phone.
- Not something I haven't done.
- Your kid's eight.
By the time she's 18, you might want to back off on that.
- There's more.
- Oh, yeah, this.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mia called her father.
That's the same time connor was murdered.
- Time when patricia and forrest Claim they were home with mia.
- In the same house, so why call? - What if they weren't in the same house? What if mia went to connor's after the party, Finds out about the other girls Completely loses it.
- Panics and calls her dad? - Forrest comes to cover it up.
Frames frank bollinger, who's there, passed out.
[cell phone rings.]
- oh, I don't know.
Oh.
Rogers has something.
- Remember the lacerations on his hands? They form a radiating pattern, Something he clenched at the instant of death.
- Oh, look at that.
Do you have any idea what that is? - Oh, it's something square and sharp.
The cuts are clean.
And he had it in his hand For 25 to 30 minutes after he died.
- You sure about that? - Sometimes the victim's hand Has to be literally pried open.
- Why kill him and wait 25 minutes Before removing whatever it was? What are you doing? - I'm, uh, seeing what this looks like.
Trying to connect the dots.
- Odd shape.
Distinctive.
- Yeah, what do you think? Warrants for forrest, patricia, and mia? - Mia? This better be good.
Forrest caruso eats red meat.
You arrest his daughter, he'll be out to eat us.
- No, no, no, we'll be okay.
Serena lit a candle.
- Why can't my dad be here? - We're saying nothing until he gets here.
- Your father is, uh, in custody.
- Forrest has been arrested? What the hell is this about? - Possible accessory after the fact.
- What? - We believe he helped your daughter Cover up the murder of connor james.
- Uh, no.
I didn't kill connor.
- You called your father from connor's At 2:00 a.
M.
On the night of the murder.
- No, I wasn't there.
- She was at home with her father and myself.
- Mrs.
Caruso, mia's cell phone records and gps Tracks her to connor's.
- It's not true.
How can they have this? - Sweetheart, we will-- - No! I want my father.
I don't want you handling anything.
He was murdered because of that crap that you wrote.
- What? - She made him a target for mobsters.
- Mia, we're going to hold you pending arraignment.
[door opens.]
- W--what's going on? I'm telling the truth.
- Hands behind your back.
- Please! [handcuffs clinking.]
- Don't do this.
- But I didn't hurt anyone.
Please.
This is all wrong.
Mom.
Mom! - Miss caruso.
- You know my feelings about this.
- Uh, yes, but-- - It verges on breaking rules, So whether it works or doesn't work, You make it fast.
- My husband is gonna tear your throat out.
Treating our baby like a criminal.
- We're aware of the mitigating factors.
Connor's age, her age, It could qualify as voluntary manslaughter.
- And, um, you know, It could even plead down to negligent homicide.
You know, she does a suspended sentence.
No time at all.
- I suppose you have proof beyond My poor baby.
- Well, you know, she's only 17 years old, And she comes from a good home And responsible, loving parents.
- That bastard, connor! I tried to warn her away from him, And she just wouldn't listen.
- You weren't aware of the actual affair.
- Of course not.
I saw a crush developing, But I never thought it would come to this.
- To mia's killing him.
- When I heard about his death, And she wasn't in our home that night, I thought, "oh, god, please don't let it be true.
" Whatever she did, she is really not to blame.
- You've been veryHelpful.
- Detectives, they've brought mr.
Caruso.
- This is to verify that he got the call from mia.
- He won't accept it.
He is not ready.
- We're gonna have to cue patricia's testimony To the exact right spot.
If forrest gets even a whiff-- - Of how we worked her, worked her daughter.
We've destroyed a relationship between a mother and daughter.
This isn't easy for me.
- Okay.
I can go it alone.
- You're being noble, which means even you think This could really go wrong.
- Like a possible career-ender? - Tell her.
It's only fair.
- The captain's right.
- L-let's talk.
- You heard patricia's testimony.
We follow through on that, this can all be put to rest.
- Not so long ago, I heard testimony Possibly involving the russian mob.
- But that's gone away.
Now we have an absolute admission.
- No, don't call it an admission.
It's an accusation.
- In the d.
A.
's hands, What patricia just said in there Could get an innocent girl convicted of murder.
- But we're not bringing in the d.
A.
- That's not our choice.
If patricia suddenly decides to lawyer up, She'll be in the grand jury indicting her daughter, And you'll both be transit cops.
- But we have no choice, none.
I meant what I said about going it alone.
But the only way is forward.
- He has a terrible way of being right.
- When you spoke to her, did she sound high? - My daughter's too smart to do drugs, And I've not said I spoke to her.
- Uh, you do realize That every cell phone has a gps, which-- - Which can be tracked from various towers.
It's not infallible.
I've got experts who can and will refute that evidence.
- Okay, I suppose our next question Is gonna be whether or not You'll refute the testimony of your ex-wife? - What? - I understand a father being protective of his daughter, But your ex-wife is being more realistic about it.
- You weren't aware of an actual affair? - Of course not.
I--I could see a crush developing, But I never thought it would come to this.
- To mia killing him? - When I heard about his death, And she wasn't in our home that night - Ah! - I thought, "oh, god, please, Don't let it be true.
" - Okay, stop this.
Mia is innocent.
- Patricia says-- - stop! - Counselor, we've got, uh-- I'm not gonna try to explain evidence To you of all people, but look.
I've got mia's phone records right here.
It's on your account.
Here in this highlighted part Is the call itself from connor to you.
- You don't know who made it.
- Well, uh, what jury would believe that it wasn't mia, What with the testimony of her own mother? - My daughter can't go down for something she didn't do.
Patty was frantic.
She'd fought with connor.
She hit him with something during a struggle.
She panicked.
Naturally, she called me.
- And you went to help her.
- Understand, it was patty's reaction To finding out the man violated our daughter.
- There was more than one blow.
- No.
Not patty.
Me.
- You? - When I got there, Patty's earring was in his hand, And he wouldn't let go.
Suddenly, he moved.
I reacted.
I slammed his head against the floor.
- Finished him off.
- I checked his heart.
And he was dead.
Patty didn't kill him.
I did.
- We'll be processing your release.
- So you know I'm innocent? - Your father gave us a statement.
He killed connor.
HeAnd your mother.
She reacted to the news you were sleeping with him, And acted out of rage, and - It's my fault for being with connor, anyway.
- No, it's not your fault.
Don't believe that.
- Why should I believe you about anything? - Detective.
We're not letting her go until we're all finished.
- She's a 17-year-old girl.
We accused her of murder.
She's alone in a holding cell.
- Yeah, where she's gonna stay Until the voided arrest process.
That's what we do.
- If frank's statement will get it to trial, There's nothing left for us to do.
- Understand her intent.
- Patricia's intent? As a mother, I can almost get my head around her intent.
- No, you can't.
She's not you.
- You know, you should have been a shrink Like your father wanted.
- Serena, I don't care about complaining husbands And cheating wives And treating people with nervous acne.
But I am driven to understand Why some people are so different That they disrupt our sense Of all behavior and logic.
- And you'll do whatever it takes.
- I don't buy that patricia Killed to protect her child.
- Why not? - It's not who she is.
- And who is she? - We don't know.
Ms.
Caruso, Your husband has told us everything-- How you called him from connor's On mia's phone.
- Don't blame him for lying.
He is desperate to save mia.
I mean, maybe he's right.
Maybe we should sacrifice ourselves For the sake of our child.
- Miss caruso, this tells us That you were present when connor died.
He cut his hand Clutching At this earring.
Observe, if you will.
You see that? See that? Same - I've noticed since then you've worn clip-ons.
Would you remove them? So when you struggled, Connor pulled this earring out of your ear.
- Okay, so what-- what happened that night? You, um, somehow wound up with mia's cell phone, And you intercepted a text message From connor that was meant for mia.
- Filth.
He bragged.
He described mia's first orgasm In lugubrious detail.
- But we have the text right here, Ms.
Caruso.
This is what he wrote.
"your words, style, and structure, mia, "are gifts touched by god's wand.
"nothing is owed to a mother Who has suppressed and denied your talent.
" Filth? - Considering the purpose, I'll stick with "filth.
" - Even I would have to admit That mia's writing is not only superior to yours, but-- - You're a cop.
You can't judge what I create.
I don't care what you think.
But you did care What connor thought, didn't you? - Connor wanted le mot juste.
Flaubert.
Sylvia plath.
I write tough.
Not the sop you see on oprah.
It sells.
That is why I'm running the place.
- Don't you feel that mia has a special gift? - Connor said what he said to get laid.
A decade ago, I learned exactly how he works.
Okay, you want the whole story? I didn't kill connor.
Forrest did.
- But you struck him before forrest got there.
- Yeah, but when forrest got there, Connor moved.
Forrest and I both saw it.
So forrest took his head, And he slammed it into the floor.
And he never moved again.
- That was a muscle contraction.
That's a function of rigor mortis.
Your blow actually did kill connor james.
And for reasons that are far less noble Than you'd like us to think.
- You've gone from a mother trying to frame her daughter To accusing the ex-husband who still loves you.
- I think patricia Is finally starting to arrive at reality.
It's time she heard her rights.
- You're a stickler for behavioral theory.
Listen to this.
"these individuals can have "a grandiose view of themselves, "and demand excessive admiration.
"they maneuver well in difficult situations, "but their self-esteem is fragile.
"any threat to their self-image Might agitate or even enrage them.
" - Oh, that's right out of the psych textbook.
Yeah, narcissistic personality disorder.
It's a psychopathology That fits our patricia to a "t".
- Or a sign of the zodiac.
She's a scorpio.
- Yeah.
Well, you know, my father would kill me for saying this, But, uh Equally valid.