Blood & Treasure (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Code of the Hawaladar - full transcript

My name is Danny McNamara.

When I left the FBI, I thought

my crime-fighting days were
over, but then I learned

that terrorist Karim Farouk
was on the hunt for Cleopatra,

one of the world's
most valuable treasures,

lost for over 2,000 years,

to use her as part
of a massive terror attack.

To find him, I needed some help,

so I went to Lexi Vaziri,
a thief.

Excuse me, a master thief.

And my father
was killed by Farouk.



Lexi and I have
a complicated past.

He wants to bring Farouk
to justice, I want revenge.

Also, there's a mysterious group

who want Cleopatra
as much as we do.

We're not sure
whether they're good or bad,

but the one thing
we all agree on...

Is that we need
to find Cleopatra...

Before Farouk does.

Previously on
Blood & Treasure...

My old friend Father Chuck

works at the Vatican's
Foreign Ministry.

Oh, my God, you're Lexi.

It looks like
you're getting mixed up

with a criminal who's already
broken your heart once.



Omar, I need you
to find the girl,

the American, and Aiden Shaw,
then kill them all.

Aiden Shaw was Farouk's fence.

He is our only thread
to finding him.

Agent Karlsson. Captain Fabi.

Why is the Carabinieri
following Danny McNamara?

The Nazis took Cleopatra
in the 1940s.

I am just trying

to figure out why.
What if they were trying

to turn an artifact into
a weapon of mass destruction?

Maybe that's what
Farouk wants to do.

Fabi, if anyone gets in our way,

it will be up to you

to deal with them all.

Welcome to La casa di Chuck.

I promise it's only temporary.

Yeah, yeah, I know, sure.

It's all right.
I don't mind if you

squat here, but, um...
Ooh, yes, nice sword.

You know...

You know what? Wha...? Hey-hey.

Do you mind?

That is the sword
of St. Ignatius of Loyola,

the founder of the Jesuits.

No kidding?
I mean, it's a replica.

Well, it's a 300-year-old
replica.

Maybe it's not such a good idea
if you guys both stay here.

You know, there's
not a lot of room...

We just need some place
to get our feet under us

until we find Farouk.
No worries.

"Jesuit chic" isn't
exactly my style.

I'll stay at my ex's place.
He's got plenty of room.

Is he in town, or...?

Guess we'll find out.

All right, while you
two figure this out,

I got a class to go teach.

Oh, one more thing.

Bedroom's off limits.

What do you mean?
I mean, under no circumstances

are you two
to have sex in my bed.

Chuck... Dude, I'm serious.

It's not like that.
We're not back together.

I know, but you haven't
seen each other in a while.

Things are fraught,
you're here in Rome,

the adrenaline's pumping. Chuck.

Nothing inappropriate's
gonna happen here.

Chuck, sweetheart,

where do you keep your towels?

Oh, wow! Uh, you've
been here five minutes

and you're already naked.

Excuse me, I haven't
showered in days.

Does Chuck have any

fluffier towels?

Gwen wants us
at the Carabinieri.

Pass, unless she's changed
her mind about arresting me.

Yeah, pretty sure
Interpol doesn't send

arrest warrants by text. Fine.

She can wait
until I've showered.

You must be Detective Fabi.

You certainly took your time
getting here.

I just wanted
to look presentable

in case there's
a mug shot involved.

Hey, Quint, long time no see.

Best wheelman in the business
right there.

Lexi, come on. Allegedly.

Thanks for coming in,

finally.

There's been a break
in the Farouk investigation.

From where?
Egyptian intelligence.

This is Asim Masood
from Egypt's G.I.D.,

General Intelligence
Directorate. He's leading

the Egyptian task force on the
pyramid attack. We have met.

Asim.

Agent Gwen Karlsson, Interpol.

Normally, I would've been
informed of your arrival,

but I wasn't, so

you have me at a disadvantage.

They worked together

to bring Farouk down
while Danny was still FBI.

Danny wanted to capture Farouk,
Asim wanted to take him out

with a missile
in a crowded marketplace.

They both lost him.
Now you're all caught up.

Farouk has killed
thousands of people.

The attack on the pyramids
was a slap in the face

to Egypt, to me. To you?

You were the one
who let him get away,

so spare us the macha hara

and tell us what you want.

Yesterday afternoon,
a secure filing box

was taken from
a deep storage facility

in Cyprus when it was raided.

Who did the box belong to?

We'll find out.

We did retrieve some
surveillance footage

from the storage facility

showing an associate
of Karim Farouk.

Can you I.D. him?

Yeah, that's the guy.

Didn't get his name before
he knocked me out of the truck.

What did he take? We can't tell.

Let me see the footage.

Look, Shaw is the key
to finding Farouk.

He's currently recovering
in a medical unit,

wants a deal to talk.

Which is taking some convincing
with my bosses.

I'm about to make a case
to the general himself.

I read the report.
This Shaw person is a complete

waste of time.

We should be focusing on
this guy, Farouk's lieutenant.

I literally punched that jerk

in the face less
than 72 hours ago.

This grainy-ass picture
is as close

as you've gotten,
so how about we go

with our plan?
Feel free to pursue your investigation

however you like.
I will pursue things my way.

Okay, that's your prerogative.

Bear in mind,
you're a guest in this country.

You are all guests
in this country.

Lexi,

look.

The picture he's holding.

That's Cleopatra.

There's something written on it.
I can't make it out.

Asim,

the only success
we've ever had finding Farouk

is by tracking
his blood antiquity network.

Now, like it or not,

this is a treasure hunt.

Two days ago, we caught Shaw

fencing the loot Farouk took
from the pyramid.

Farouk was planning
to pay Shaw somehow.

Let's follow the money
back to Farouk.

I'm here to see the prisoner.

Right in here, sir.

It's all over for the Reich,
Herr Colonel.

Only thing standing
between the Allies

and Berlin are a couple of

Von Runstedt's Panzer Divisions
on the other side of the Marne.

Now...

you tell me where,

maybe we can all be home
in time for Christmas.

Von Runstedt's Panzers

are not your problem, Captain.

What is my problem, Colonel?

She is.

Cleopatra.

The last queen of Egypt,

and perhaps the greatest
archaeological find in history.

She is in our hands now.

But I can tell you where she is.

Well, how about that?

She's fascinating,

but I don't see
how she's my problem.

Because of what they're
going to do with her.

They?

The S.S.

You're right that the war
will soon be over,

but it is you
who will be defeated

by a power the world
has never seen,

unless you secure my release.

Well, I don't know
about all that,

but she's definitely
worth looking into.

I'll run it up the chain.

You sit tight, I'll be back.

Keep an eye on him.

Light?

Aw.

Look at him. He's adorable.

Maybe we should let Shaw rest.

No time, but I saw this
in a movie once.

They stabbed this woman
in the heart with adrenaline,

she woke up fast. I don't know.

Shaw's pretty big.
You might need two.

Good point.

Okay, here goes nothing.

Stop! I'm awake, damn it.

Are you insane?
I'm supposed to be resting.

Then I'll cut straight
to the point.

Karim Farouk is on the run
and you're our only link to him.

Pulp Fiction. What?

That's the movie where the girl
gets stabbed in the heart

with adrenaline. Maybe.

No, it-it definitely is.

Yeah, he's right.
But what's the point?

The point is,
that's the only information

you're getting out of me
until I get immunity.

Oh, I can still stab you with these.
No, you won't.

I've seen your deal.
He's good cop, you're bad cop.

He won't let you hurt me.

You see what you've done?

Now I have to stab him
to keep my cred.

Shaw, we're not the ones
you need to worry about.

Farouk's already tried
to kill you twice.

You want the third time to be the charm?
Uh, yeah,

and how is he supposed
to do that with all

those cops out there
protecting me?

They did just let me almost
stab you in the heart

with adrenaline.

That is a fair point.

The only way you survive

is working with us.

Farouk was paying Shaw

through a hawala transaction
in Paris.

So it's a dead end.

Hawala's an ancient system
of undocumented money transfers,

based on honor code.

There is no transaction record,

no paper trail
to follow to Farouk.

Shaw goes to a hawaladar
with the right password,

and a predetermined amount
changes hands.

The banker and the sender
settle up after, right?

Yes. So here's the plan.

We go to the hawaladar,
use Shaw's password.

Now, Farouk wants Shaw dead,
so trying to claim the money

should trigger a call to him.

Will they think Shaw is dumb
enough to collect the money

after Farouk shot him?

Oh, I think we're good
on that front.

Yeah, let's trace a call,
get Farouk's location.

It's a great plan.

Did you get the password? I did.

What is it? Wa enta Malak.

That means
"None of your business."

Does it? Hmm.

Lexi got Shaw
to give the password

just to her, uh,
he's got kind of a crush.

Hmm.

Guess we're all going to Paris.

Farouk, as requested.

Well done, Omar.

Hmm.

Cleopatra was taken to Germany.

Soon we will have
everything we need.

Can Shaw see us?

He can see.

I cannot see. Hand over

them giant-ass binoculars
you got,

and maybe I can I.D. the man.

Hey, don't touch.
They're very expensive.

Just so you know, the way
you're treating me right now

isn't good for team morale.

You're not on the team.
Just I.D. the banker.

Uh, could you adjust the focus?

Hmm...

He had a beard.

Can you be a little bit

more specific?

Old guy,

wears dark glasses, even inside.

Copy that.

Heading inside.

Inside, 15 paces south,
turning west.

Let me handle him.

Are you the man
selling Skinjbeer?

Skinjbeer.

That would make you
Mr. Shaw, then, yes?

That's me. Mr. Shaw.

And that would make you...

Eager to get on with it.

Mr. Shaw,

seeking remittance for
a transaction dating back to...

One moment.

You ready to start the trace?

Agent Danny from FBI.

Ooh...

Agent Danny, it's me, Marwan.
You remember? From Iraq.

You saved my life.

This is not good.

I was interpreter for his FBI.

Best one they had.

Danny secured exit visas
for my family.

I think you have the wrong person.
Yeah, you're mistaken, friend.

I-I guess I just have

: One of those faces. Mistaken?

I named my youngest child
after you.

Th-This is...

not what it looks like.

This is why

you should never
be nice to people.

My nephews.

With apologies,

Agent Danny.

I think we kind of got off
on the wrong food.

Ooh.

Where's the banker?

Has anyone seen Lexi?

Get off me!

: He's surprisingly spry.

Bloody hell.

Any luck? He got away.

You all right?

Things got out of hand fast.

Your plan almost worked.

Hey, thanks for having
my back in there.

Well, we would both be dead
if it wasn't for Agent Karlsson.

Well, I'd feel better if we
got more for our efforts.

: You are so Swedish.

Well, we didn't get
the phone trace,

but maybe one of these nephews
will give something up.

Already started
the extradition paperwork.

We'll bring them back to Rome
as part

of the Farouk investigation?

Uh, where's Shaw?

In there.

He stole my binoculars.

You have to admire
the man's consistency.

"Admire" is a strong word.

All right, let's wrap this up
and get back to Rome.

Asim, I'm still waiting

for your special assignment
paperwork from G.I.D.?

I need it if you are
going to continue

to work on this investigation.

I'll see what the holdup is.

So that old guy
really outran you?

He was surprisingly spry.

Huh. But I got his ledger.

All the hawaladar transactions
in one place.

What kind of code is this?

No idea.

But it'll be worth
its weight in gold

as soon as we figure it out.

Interpol can help us crack it.

Let's keep it between us
for now.

Look, I've just...
I've been thinking.

The Egyptians have now
been involved

in two separate
failed operations on Farouk.

You think Farouk has a mole
inside Egyptian intelligence?

Remember that capture mission,

when Farouk's car
suddenly changed course

and veered
into some populated area?

Yeah. Asim was there.

Yeah, exactly.

And now he showed up
in some brand-new investigation

with no official paperwork?

When it comes to Farouk,

there's no one I trust
outside of you and me.

And definitely not Asim.

So none of you
are going to talk, huh?

Want to speak, or no?

Every one of them
is silent as the grave.

They could teach
the mafia about omertà.

None of these guys
are going to talk.

They're not going
to betray family

unless properly leveraged.

I'm hoping "properly leveraged"

doesn't mean
what I think it means.

My point is, they should
be questioned in Egypt.

Anything we get
out of them under torture

is inadmissible in court.

Look, I'd, I'd like to try
talking with them.

You can observe only.

Geez. Ah, oh...

Father Chuck.

I've made some tea if you'd
like some. You look tired.

I distinctly recall telling
Danny to use good judgment,

and that does not include
giving you my key.

You did.

And he didn't. So you broke in.

The lock is so flimsy, I would
barely consider it breaking in.

You finding everything you need?

Snack selection
was underwhelming.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, next time you plan on
breaking in, let me know

and I'll set out
a charcuterie plate.

What is that?

This is a ledger we got
from a hawaladar in Paris

that has encoded transactions
with Farouk.

I'm gonna need, like,
five minutes

to process that sentence.

Simple

I crack this code,

we get a step closer to Farouk.

FATHER
Looks like a dead language.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Thus, I broke into
your place to access

your extensive collection
of old-timey books.

All right, just so
I'm keeping track.

Breaking into my bad.

Trying to stop good.

I guess, in this case, the
good outweighs the bad.

So you're helping?

Yeah, I mean,
I'm no Magnum P.I.,

but if it's just comparing
things, I can do that.

Well, I appreciate it.

It's strange to me that Danny's
never mentioned you,

considering how close
you two are.

Well, Danny's a complicated guy.

He follows rules and does
the right thing unfailingly.

He's the furthest thing
from complicated.

Okay.

: What? Am I wrong?

You and Danny have a lot more
in common than you think.

How do you figure?

Something tells me you're not
ready to wade into these waters.

No, I don't want to talk
about me, I want dirt on Danny.

Somebody here could use a drink.

I think I can handle it.

I wasn't talking about you.

Where is Karim Farouk?

I'm telling you, I don't know
who you're talking about.

You do realize you're
facing assault charges

on law enforcement,
as well as terrorism charges,

yeah?

I'm not a terrorist.

You are involved in
the financing of terrorists,

which means there are different
rules for how we can charge you,

where we can send you,
and I don't mean France.

You're afraid of him, huh?

You should be afraid of him.

He's here because
of the pyramid attack.

I can turn you over to G.I.D.

Tell me, Khalid,

what do you think they will
do to you in Egypt, huh?

What do you think
he will do to you?

I've got an idea. Be right back.

Danny and I find a case
of sacramental wine.

So the next morning, we wake up
on the floor of the sacristy,

and Sister Charlene
is screaming so loud.

I swear my ears
are still ringing.

I can't picture Danny doing any of this.
Yeah, well,

we got all the stupid
out of us early.

Ugh, I got to lay
off this hooch.

I can't tell whether this
is some ancient language

or English at this point.

That is Coptic.
My mom had a bible like that.

Your mom was a Coptic Christian?

Dad was Muslim. I was, um,
you know, caught in the middle.

That couldn't have been easy.

After my mom died,
I didn't believe in any of it,

so that cleared
everything right up.

Out of curiosity, how old
were you when your ma died?

I was eight.

Is that when you
started stealing?

Why?

Childhood abandonment

leaves a person feeling unsafe,

so they assert control
however they can.

You know, they see a-a thing
they want, they take it.

They see a door that's
locked, they open it.

It's their way of saying to the
world, "You don't control me."

Doesn't sound familiar.

Oh.

Wait a minute, these two
languages are the same.

We may have a winner.

The ledger's in Sumerian.

Huh. Oh, and with that,

confession is over.

What, no penance?

You want penance?

Don't break Danny's heart...

again.

Gwen, can I have
a minute with him?

Think it's worth a try.

I'm fascinated
by the hawala system.

It's been in place
for over a thousand years,

enabling trade
along the Silk Road,

outlasting empires,

helping give birth to the
modern financial system...

Based on nothing more
than an ironclad honor code.

It's still in place,

even today.

Hawala means "exchange"
in Arabic,

but its original meaning
is "trust" in Hindi.

The whole hawala system is built

on that one trust.

So I get

why you don't want
to give us any information.

I understand that we're
asking you to violate

your most deeply held beliefs...

your most sacred code.

Except I'm not the one asking
you to violate anything.

Karim Farouk is.

Karim Farouk.

The oil pipeline in Dakar.

Office tower in Malaysia.
Airbus over the Atlantic.

Countless villages
raided and ransacked.

Pyramids destroyed.
Thousands of men,

women, and children murdered

by a butcher who you
are now protecting.

My uncle says...

He says dealing
with undesirable customers

is a part of doing business.

Karim Farouk

is demonstrably evil.

How honorable is it
to protect a man without honor?

What kind of code
shields a man like Farouk

while leaving his future victims
without any protection?

I have nothing but contempt
for men like Farouk.

Men who kill and maim innocents
in the name of the Prophet.

They tar us one and
all with these acts.

I will give you
the information you need

to help you in your search.

An honorable transaction

with an honorable man.

Khalid said
there have been a number

of transactions.

Antiquities in exchange for cash

right here in Rome.
You think that's Farouk?

Think he might have
a safe house here, yeah.

Unfortunately,
Khalid doesn't have the address.

Control issues?

Oh, Lexi.

What is it?

She got the address.

From where?

It's a long story, but
she's headed there now.

Well, it's too late to get
a warrant. We'll check it out

in the morning, no?
I'm gonna meet her there

just to be safe.
Don't do anything stupid.

Or, more likely, don't let her
do anything stupid.

Just observe.

Of course.

I'm coming with you.

Yeah, I'm okay on my own.
Thanks. I'm not asking.

I insist.

Lexi says this pyramid
is the location

of the dead drop site.

The tomb of Caius
Cestius, 12 B.C.

Rome conquered Egypt,

and suddenly everything Egyptian

got really fashionable in Rome.

And thus began the
Western appropriation

of our cultural heritage.

Well, if the exchanges
happened here,

the safe house would be
nearby to monitor them.

Lots of decent options,

all with a clear view
of this square.

That's too obvious.

There's no clear line of sight.

It should be one of those.

Hey, maybe you could,
uh, wait here

in case Lexi shows up.

Why are you always
trying to lose me?

I know you well enough
not to suspect you

of working for Farouk...

which means you suspect me.

Just being cautious.

Spotting a pair
of strangers below.

Looks like they're trying
to make our location.

Orders?

Describe them.

One Arab, one Yankee.
Both reek of cop.

If they make a move,

take them out.

Copy that.

Your special assignment
paperwork ever come through?

Are you even supposed
to be here?

No. I'm not.

That day we had Farouk
in our sights...

he veered off course so quickly.

I think someone warned him.

You think someone in
the Egyptian government?

Yes.

Look, as angry as you might be
about what happened then

and what happened
at the pyramids,

imagine how I feel

when it's happening
in my own country.

I know what you're thinking.

If I am the mole,

it's a good play for me
to accuse someone else.

I know why
you wouldn't trust me.

But every time
I get close to him...

I hit a wall.

There's no way
I can do this on my own.

And there's no one I trust more
to have my back.

All right.

Let's go in, get
the lay of the land.

Maybe ask some questions.

In case we don't like
the answers.

Farouk's safe house!

Fourth floor!

Meet you inside!

Cover me! I'm going in!

Do you see Lexi?

Let's get out of here!
Follow me!

Lexi!

Asim.

Asim!

Asim. Hey.

Asim! I'll call in.

Hold on.

Please stay with us.

: You...

finish this.

Promise.

I promise.

For our country.

I will.

Thought I'd find you here.

Last time I saw you like this,

Mrs. Kowalski's Impala
got the window smashed in.

Come on, batter up.

'Less you don't think you
can hit my slider anymore.

You mean that garbage fastball

you cover with hair gel? Hey.

My technique was the only thing

that could stop those
cheaters from St. Luke's.

God, I've never seen so many
12-year-olds with mustaches.

Hey, kiss off, A-Rod.

Oh! Oh!

Ouch!

Oh, that hurts
on so many levels.

Well,
they're leaving me no choice.

Yeah. You even asked nicely.

I almost feel bad for them.

FATHER God loves you.

Are you ready for the pain?

Just try to get it remotely
over the plate, Wild Thing.

Ah...

Boom!

All right, all right.

Maybe this one'll shut you up.

Boom!

It goes deep over
the Green Monster!

Hey, listen, um...

Listen, I was thinking.

Why don't you stay with me
in Rome a little while longer?

Yeah? Yeah.

I'll even let your
grifter girlfriend visit.

Ah...

She's not...
she's not my girlfriend.

Shut up.

Look,

I don't know what she is.

All I know is...

somebody's got to stop this guy,
and I can't do it alone.

And she's gonna try
and do it herself anyway,

and she's gonna get hurt.

And if anything happened
to her, I don't know, I...

Wait. What?

Not cool. Not cool.

I'm going to, uh...

I'm gonna go shag balls.

Bye.

How are you?

Well, I got to remember
to keep my elbow up.

You know, swing through the ball
a little bit more.

I meant about today.

I know.

I was wrong.

I feel...

terrible about suspecting Asim.

He was just trying to
stop Farouk, same as us.

He didn't die in vain.

I mean, finding one of Farouk's
safe houses is a big deal.

It'll force him
to alter his plans.

He'll start making mistakes.
How do you know?

That's how I found him
the first time.

This should also help.

Where did you get this?

Farouk's safe house.

Grabbed it at the firefight.

"Bavaria, 1944."

The Nazis got Cleopatra
to Germany.

Look, I've been thinking.

Asim said something before
we breached the safe house

about Egyptian culture
being appropriated by the West.

Now the same goes
for Cleopatra and Antony.

They were a symbol for both.

But their union led to a war
between East and West,

and ultimately brought down
the Egyptian dynasty.

Now, Farouk's attacks always
have an element of symbolism.

Maybe reuniting them is all part
of a plan to drive East and West

into an all-out war.

Farouk went to a lot of effort

to get that photograph.

He's gonna go to wherever
it was taken. Yeah.

Narrowing it down will take
some work, but we'll find it.

We'll find him.

Danny, don't worry about me.

This time I'll be ready.

Yeah.

Wh-When you texted me before,

you said something about...

not having control issues?

What-what was that?

Stupid Chuck.

He's all in my head now.

He says we have control issues.

Both of us.

Chuck thinks a lot of things.

Did he tell you
his theory on Amelia Earhart?

Fabi, was it Asim Masood?

Masood was not
the mole in Egypt.

There's only one option left.

They're on their way to Germany,
as is Farouk.

We'll be ready,
whoever finds her.

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