Blue Bloods (2010–…): Season 8, Episode 9 - Pain Killers - full transcript

The answer's no, Eddie.

Fantasy football is a blast.

I'm second in my league.

I just need a little
help with the playoffs.

I don't gamble.

It's not gambling, exactly.

Look, I already have
a fantasy football team.

Okay? It's called the Jets.

Every year, I fantasize
they're not gonna suck.

What's that?

Kenneth Tripp. Child predator.



413 Third Avenue, Apartment 1B.

"Protect your kids."

Excuse me, sir.

Do you live here?

Michael Ruiz. I'm in 3G.

That's a tough situation.

Yeah. I got three little girls.

My wife and I
moved to this neighborhood

because it was supposed to be
safe for kids.

You sure about this guy Tripp?

Yeah, found his name online.

He's a Level 2 sex offender.

He spent 15 months in jail

for molesting a nineyearold kid.



You guys got to do something.

Wewe'll check him out,

but if he did his time
and he registered,

there's really
not much we can do.

You know, this guy
may have rights, but so do we.

Our kids live here,

they play here,
and we're scared.

Who do we see about that?

How much you think a school
like this costs a year?

Got to be, what,
50 grand a year.

Damn. Must be nice.

That's only
starting in kindergarten.

Wow.

What do we got?

Dylan Gardner, 17.

Looks like he O.D.'d.
This was found in his hand.

Doesn't look like milk
and cookies to me.

Kid had it made;
Why is he messing with drugs?

Why does any kid
mess with drugs?

I guess opioids are
everywhere these days.

Let's see who he spoke to last.

Maybe we'll come up
with something.

I'll get an emergency dump
on his phone.

We're gonna want to
speak to his parents.

They're probably on their way.

Poaching one of our cases again,
Detectives?

Special Agent Bell?

Fifth O.D. at a prep school
in the past six weeks.

I'm running the investigation

for the Drug Enforcement
Task Force.

You thinking all these
O.D.s are connected?

That's what we're trying
to find out.

You want some help with that?

Last time we worked together,

you two weren't exactly
team players.

That's true.

But then again, we did seize

the largest pile of drug cash
in the history of New York.

So there's that little tidbit.

Promise to behave yourselves?

- Yes.
- No.

Close enough. You're hired.

We need to nail whoever's
spreading this poison.

A van full of U.N.
delegates from West Africa

got pulled over
at the Midtown Tunnel

and detained for over an hour.

For?

We don't know, exactly.

Because of the delay,
they missed a vote.

We're expecting an
angry phone call

from the secretary
general's office.

And by "we," I mean me.

And how come we don't know
why they were detained?

'Cause it wasn't our guys
that pulled them over.

Was state troopers.

What?

Apparently the governor
assigned extra manpower

to all bridge and
tunnel crossings.

And yes, without informing
our office.

Did I miss a credible threat?

No.

These yoyos were
the only threat.

Pulling random checks.
Tunnel was jammed for hours.

Why weren't we notified?

Our state police liaison

said it came straight
from the governor's office

with strict orders
not to inform the NYPD.

That's a how, not a why.

My money's on our mayor.

The mayor's part of it?

No, I bet the mayor's
out of it, too, on purpose.

Purpose being?

Just conjecture here,

but Mayor Poole had
a lot of friends in Albany

that helped keep the governor's
bullying in check.

Mayor Dutton has no such pull.

And according to my sources,
when the guv denied her request

for backup when we had
the riots on Rikers,

she kind of went off on him.

She do her homework
on the governor?

No way of knowing.
Guy's got thinner skin

than a grape;
Who doesn't know that?

From what I've seen, she doesn't
always read a room real good.

What about Carter?

You mean Carlton?
What about Carlton?

What about Carlton?
That wasn't a question.

Right.

We got your number from
Dylan Gardner's phone.

Um, how do you and he
know each other?

Dylan is a student of mine.

You teach at Garson Academy?

Literature and composition.

And you're taking
the day off today?

I...

just trying to shake a cold.

So, you and Dylan, what'd
you guys talk about?

I really can't recall.

That's interesting.
It was just a few hours ago.

No recollection?

Is there, is there
a problem here?

Yeah, actually there is
a little bit of a problem.

Dylan overdosed. He's dead.

But thatthat can't be true.

No, it's true.

You know anything about that?

What the hell is this?

II, I can explain that.

You can explain down
at the squad room.

You're under arrest
for criminal possession

of a controlled substance.

Give me your hand.

Is that something
you do all the time?

You know, get high
with your students?

It wasn't a social thing.
I'm addicted to this stuff.

Yeah, kind of figured
out that part.

Danny.

No, I'm just saying, you know.

Is it something he does
for extra credit or what?

I don't know.

Does he grade him on it?

Danny.

Detective, something's wrong.

What?

Baez? Hey.
Hey, what's the matter?

She's overdosing.

She what?!
What are you talking about?!

The tray she picked up,
there was fentanyl on it.

We got to get her
to a hospital, now!

Hey, Baez!

Hang in there, okay? Hey!

Hang on, partner!

Code blue. Code blue.

I'm Dr. Khan.

Any idea what she came
in contact with?

Perp said she got fentanyl
on her hands.

Explains the extreme reaction.
Naloxone stat.

Prep cubicle 2.

What the hell's happening here?

She was fine one second,
the next minute,

she's not breathing.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid.

50 to 100 times
stronger than morphine.

The slightest exposure
can trigger an overdose.

What are you saying?

My partner's gonna
wake up, right?

Tell me she's gonna wake up!

Look, fentanyl has a profound
impact on respiratory function.

Hopefully, you got her
here in time.

Wait.

We'll do everything we can.

You mind telling me
what we're doing here, Reagan?

Just want to talk to the guy.

Tripp's been clean
since he got out.

His parole officer said
he's been a model citizen.

Tell that to the people
living in this building.

What if he, what if
he claims harassment?

You want to wait in the car?

No.

Can I help you?

Kenneth Tripp?

Yes.

I'm Officer Reagan.
This is Officer Janko.

We understand you're
new to the building.

That's right.

Nice place. Lot of families.

So we make sure to keep

a real close eye out on patrol.

I see.

We just want you to know you can
feel real safe living here.

I'm well aware that my neighbors
don't want me here, Officers.

So why choose
a family building like this?

Because my mother lives
a couple of blocks from here.

She isn't well;
I take care of her.

Well, why not move in with her?

Because she lives
in a school zone.

Which would violate your parole.

Yes.

Now, look, I haven't done
anything wrong.

I just want to be left alone.
Parents in this building

are saying the same thing
about their kids.

You need to respect that,
understand?

I made a mistake.

I paid the price,

and now I'd just like
to live my life in peace.

Excuse me.

You're in a boatload
of trouble, Mr. Stratton.

A teacher abusing
drugs is bad enough,

but sharing them with the
students is a disgrace.

I know I have a problem.
And you're gonna have

an even bigger problem
if you're not straight with us.

Did you sell Dylan the
drugs that killed him?

What? What? No.
Answer the question!

No, no. You've got,
you've got it all wrong.

So set us straight.

II wasn't Dylan's dealer.

I was his customer.

You want us to believe
that you bought

the drugs from the kid?

Is that what you're saying?

Look, I had kidney stone
surgery last year.

I left the hospital

addicted to hydrocodone.

When the doctors
finally wouldn't

prescribe me any more...

You turned to one
of your students.

Yeah, real pathetic.
Never heard of rehab?

Yeah. I tried it twice.

At least you're still breathing,
unlike Dylan Gardner.

He's in withdrawal.

Maybe his memory will improve
after he sees a doctor.

Good. Then I'll call him a bus.

Reagan.

She's gonna make it.

Yeah.

She isn't scheduled to leave
Bronx Botanical

for another half hour.

You are welcome to wait.

Carter... Carlton.

Sorry. Carlton.

We have a packed day ourselves.

Then why are you here
a half hour early

for someone who is always
a half hour late?

Must've been
a screwup on your end.

I had us down for 4:00 sharp.

I didn't screw up.

Doesn't matter.

Is the mayor aware

that the governor platooned
state troopers to her city?

Yes.

The incident with the U.N.
delegates was unfortunate.

She called
the secretary general's office

as soon as she heard.

So she didn't get
a headsup either.

The transportation hubs fall

within state police
jurisdiction.

The governor has
every right to act

independently of us and you.

You work for him now?

No, I work for the mayor.

Me, too.

Here we are, just
a couple of worker bees

shooting the breeze.

What do you want?

There has always been overlap
between city and state cops.

We've been able to manage it
through effective communication.

Until now.

This governor has
a tendency to overreach.

And our boss?

Has a tendency to,
shall we say...

Drag her feet. Backpedal.

Weigh each side
carefully before...

Flipflopping?

Coming to an informed decision.

As was her strength
as public advocate.

Look, she doesn't want to go up
against this governor.

Smart.

You think? I do.

You do?

It is a law enforcement issue

and one that is best left
to her police commissioner.

Easier said than done.

But easily said.
We'll take the done part.

You sound very confident.

Don't be fooled.
I'm just pretty confident.

So you'll see to this?

I will advise her, yes.

And what were we in
here talking about?

The tree lighting
and the ball drop.

Copy that.

Thanks.

Hey, partner.

Stopped by your place,

and figured you might,
want to see

some familiar faces
when you wake up.

Instead of my ugly mug.

Everyone at the squad's
pulling for you.

Told them they got
nothing to worry about.

And I am leaning in real hard
on, that teacher.

I probably don't
say it enough, but...

you're one hell of a cop.

And you're one
hell of a partner.

I really, really
need you to wake up.

I really can't afford
to lose you, too.

So...

I'm just gonna have a seat here
until you stop being stubborn...

and wake up.

This guy Tripp's
following the law, Jamie.

I don't care what he says
about being reformed.

Those parents have
a right to be worried.

You're right. So they need to
keep a closer eye on their kids.

And we need to do the same.

I'm just saying it's not fair,
that's all.

Sometimes fair's got
nothing to do with it.

12David, be advised,

you have a 1024
front of 413 Third Avenue.

That's Tripp's building.

Hey, police!

Step back. Step aside.

- Step aside. Police.
- Hey. Back up.

Back up.

- It's Tripp.
- I'm calling a bus.

Central, 12David, we need
a bus at this location.

Anybody see who did this?

Nobody saw anything?

Mr. Ruiz.

We need to talk to you.

I'll meet you guys at home.

What can I do for you?

Kenneth Tripp was assaulted

outside your building
last night.

Someone beat him up pretty bad.

What happened to your hand?

Look, I... I wasn't
looking for trouble, okay?

I'm not a violent person.

Tell us what happened.

I came home from work.

Tripp was headed
out of the building.

We started going back and forth
about him living there.

How did Tripp end up
on the ground?

I said what I had to say,
started to head inside.

The next thing I know,
he hits me.

You're saying Tripp threw
the first punch?

Yeah. I had no choice.

I had to defend myself.

Why would Tripp go after

someone twice his size?

Why would he go after
a kid half his size?

All right,

we're gonna need you
to come down

to the precinct,
talk with a detective.

Am I under arrest?

Not if you come voluntarily.

Right here?

Nigel Lewis.

Yes?

Detective Reagan.
Special Agent Bell.

Are you here about Dylan?

We hear you two were
really good friends.

Um, yeah. Dylan was the best.

II can't believe he's gone.

Yeah, he is gone,
and we'd like to make sure

no other kids go
the same way he did.

We know that Dylan
was selling drugs.

What can you tell us about that?

Nothing.

Nothing at all?
Well, that's interesting,

'cause one of
your teachers told us

that you and Dylan
used to party together

and we may want to take
a peek inside your locker.

Um, you can go ahead.
You're not gonna find anything.

We want to know

where Dylan got
the drugs he sold.

I have no idea
what you're talking about.

Can I go to class?

No. Actually,
you can't go, okay?

We're not playing
a game here, okay?

Now, you're not the guy
we're looking for,

but you very well could be,
you understand?

With all due respect,
based on what?

The word of a drug addict
teacher and a bunch of hearsay?

You seem like
a pretty smart kid, Nigel.

Trust me, I know
a lot of smart kids

who end up in prison for drugs.

She's right.

My mom's a criminal defense
attorney.

If you're gonna arrest me
without probable cause,

she'll be waiting
at the precinct.

Can I go to class now?

Get the hell out of here.

I used to play baseball
against prep school kids.

The fights were the best part.

Please don't do anything
I wouldn't do.

Great to see you, Frank.

Welcome to One PP.

Let's get a few shots. Billy?

Please,
right this way, Governor.

Right this way,
please, Governor.

Please, have a seat.

May I get you
some coffee? Water?

No, thanks.

I'll make sure the
governor's staff is comfortable

and that you're not disturbed.

Thank you, Baker.

Thank you for coming up here.

We're alone now,
so you don't need to...

Unless you record

conversations in here.

I don't.

Then we don't need
to waste time faking friendly.

I spoke to the secretary general

about the incident
with his people.

Smoothed things over for you.

For me?

For you and Dutton.

If you don't want
to thank me, fine.

You don't get to be the arsonist
and the firefighter.

What's that mean?

Means you don't get
a big thank you

for cleaning up a mess you made.

I didn't make a mess.

My troopers stopped
six foreigners in a van.

Your cops never did that?

Not a van with
diplomatic plates,

not the way your troopers did.

I also told them
to spread the word

that we want the million dollars
in parking tickets paid up.

So you can thank me for that.

What you're doing, mixing
state troopers in with the NYPD,

without any coordination...

Is my call.

You realize that it's my call
if I want to fire you?

Takes more than a job threat to
scare me off, all due respect.

Surely you'd rather leave here
on your own time

and your own steam,
with all the applause

and bagpipes,
than from a sudden eviction.

Be honest.

Why are you here?

A ceremony opening phase two of
the Second Avenue subway tunnel.

I meant here, in my house.

I want a state presence
in the security configuration

this week, and you're
gonna support that.

Bad idea.

You can't have a successful
political profile these days

without some handson involvement

in anti- and counterterrorism.

Which makes it a good idea.

Not like this.

Just like this.

The governor sensed that an
event publicizing a new tunnel

might call attention
to our most vulnerable targets.

Hence, increased presence

at all tunnels.

And that's all you need to know.

Although you have
not been charged,

you still have the right
to remain silent

or have a lawyer present.

I have nothing to hide.

I didn't do anything wrong.

Put a guy half your size
in the hospital.

I was defending myself.

You claim that
Kenneth Tripp struck you?

That's right.
Do you have any bruising

or defensive wounds?

No.

How many times you hit him?
I don't know.

I'm not used to being attacked.

Mr. Tripp is still unconscious

after receiving
a severe beating.

Well, maybe he should learn
to keep his hands to himself.

With everybody.

So you maintain that Mr. Tripp
posed a threat to you?

He poses a threat
to everyone in the building,

especially our kids.

Okay, but that kind of threat

does not give you the right
to assault him.

You guys have kids?

I have a daughter.

Two boys and a girl.

Okay.

So put yourself in our place.

This guy's a predator. Right?

You can't watch

your kids 24/7.

What would you do?

I would not resort
to vigilante violence.

Look, you have my statement.

I protected myself
and my family.

And I'd do it again.

What do we got?

17yearold male. Apparent O.D.

Where is he?

He's right over here.

Nigel Lewis.

Anybody with him?

The girlfriend's over there.

Excuse me.

Detective Reagan.

Special Agent Bell. Hi.

What's your name?

Eva Gold.

Can you tell us what happened?

It was that jerk Paul.

Who's Paul?

He's a dealer.

He partied with Nigel.

Showed up, like, an hour ago.

After what happened to Dylan,

I begged Nigel
to stay away from him.

His stuff's too strong.

Okay. We need to know everything

about this guy Paul.

It's hard to walk
in those shoes till you got

kids of your own
is all I'm saying.

- Seriously?
- Yes.

Look, you gamble
that a child molester

moving in next door to you has
been successfully rehabbed,

what you're actually gambling
with is your own kids' safety.

Not all sexual predators
repeat their crimes.

No, but many of them do,

and it's hard
to tell them apart.

So he deserved a beating?

For what? Something he might do?

I didn't say deserved,

but I understand the guy
who gave him the beating.

Man did his time, period.

Come on, Dad.

You know it's not that simple.

I do, but if you
selectively toss

the compact of
crime and punishment,

you're in
Lord of the Flies land.

And by your logic,

someone convicted
of that kind of crime

should just be
locked up forever.

Yes, they should.

And if a beatdown
serves as a warning

or a deterrent to some child
molester who beats the system,

well, then so be it.

Slippery slope

is mild with that logic.

More like an avalanche.

Well...

She's right.

On paper, she's right.

Well, that's where the laws
are written, on paper.

This guy Tripp
molested a little girl.

Okay, we do not need
to get into details.

Come on, Mom.

So we can defend the man,
but we can't name his crime?

I'm not saying that.

We know about predators.
This isn't new to us.

Yeah, remember
"stranger danger"?

Glad you know about it,
sorry you had to be taught.

Look, when I first met Tripp,
he made my skin crawl,

and it pissed me off
that he was living near kids.

Damn right.

But when I saw him
lying in the street,

beaten to a pulp,
it bothered me.

Because I can't just
look the other way.

Because I'm sworn and paid
to look straight at it,

to see it for what it is.

Come on.

He's right, Danny.

That guy Ruiz was
defending his family

from a predator.

Amen to that.

Well, actually, he wasn't.

Sounds like he just made
a preemptive strike

based on his own fears.

But those are real fears.

Exactly. I mean, let's just
say, when we were kids,

some animal like Tripp
moved in next door.

What would you do?

Everything I could
to protect my kids.

That's right. Look, I get it.

We are officers of
the law, and as such,

we can't do anything until
an actual crime happens.

That's the law.

Okay, but what if the crime

is going to happen,
and it's to your own child?

Are you just gonna
let it happen?

That's not
a fair question, Danny.

Well, that's the question
Ruiz was facing.

Wait, so given no choice,

would you put the welfare
of your family above the law?

Yes, I would.

Thank you.

But when the dust settled,

I would walk down to the local
precinct and turn myself in.

'Cause nobody's above the law.

And without the law,
nobody's safe.

It was here,
and then it was gone.

You can't keep...
I didn't do anything..

Wait, hold that thought.

See if he saved it.

Hey.

Hey.

Heading out?

Yeah. Got a lead
on the drug dealer.

- How's your partner?
- Same.

Doc says we just got to wait.

And how you doing with that?

Part of the job.

Yeah, the unbearable part.

Yeah. I should've known there
were drugs in the apartment.

He was an English teacher,
Danny.

Who was obviously off.

Which I should've
recognized quicker,

and I should've had
my partner's back.

Dad...

if bad things keep happening
around the same person,

are they still just accidents?

Don't make this about that.

It's easier said than done.

Shift your weight.

You look for trouble
for a living.

Sometimes trouble's
gonna find you.

More than most, maybe.

Okay.

I'll try to keep more,
what, positive?

You do a lot of good
in this world.

More than most, maybe.

Nigel's girlfriend gave us
the dealer's full name.

Paul Romano. He's lived in
this building for three years.

That's him. That's our guy.
Call it. Call it.

Black jacket, jeans.

Take your positions.
We're moving in.

Paul Romano.

Police.
Got a few questions for you.

Sure. Kill the engine.

Yeah, no problem.
Come on, turn it off.

You okay, Reagan?! Yeah.

Team 2, suspect is
heading your way!

Freeze! Don't move!

Out of the car!

Get out.

Get out of the car! Turn around!

Put your hands up there.

You got any weapons on you?

No. You sure about that?

What do we got here?

I thought you said you
didn't have any weapons.

That look like a weapon to you?

I'd say that qualifies.

Let's get this piece of crap
out of here.

Almost an hour I'm on the phone
with Dave Keenan.

We're both singing
the exact same song.

Who's Dave Keenan?

The superintendent
of state police.

He doesn't want his
people down here

any more than I do.

And that counts for nothing?

The governor sent down guys
who work border patrol.

Good cops I'm sure,

but he might as well have
dropped them on the moon.

Maybe we should get
the mayor involved.

Maybe it was a mistake.

That would be compounded
by dragging her in now.

Let me call my guy at the Times,
feed him what the governor's

up to, off the record.
It'll explode.

In my face.

He'll figure out the source
in two seconds.

Don't shoot the messenger.

What now?

Two plainclothes officers

assigned to the Transit Bureau

chasing an armed robbery suspect
through Penn Station.

One of them has her gun and her
shield out when a state trooper

appears out of nowhere
and takes a shot at her.

Was she hit?

No. Luckily the trooper
was reckless

and a bad shot.

Was the plainclothes wearing
the color of the day?

Orange, on her shooting hand.

Trooper know
the color of the day?

I'm not sure they even know
we have such a thing.

Says here you're a licensed
physical therapist, Mr. Romano.

That's right.

But you moonlight
as a drug dealer?

Or is it the other way around?

No comment.
How'd you get hooked up

with Nigel Lewis
and Dylan Gardner?

Dylan's dad was
a patient of mine.

He's a smart kid.

A real entrepreneur.

Yeah, he's so smart, he turned
a grown man into a drug dealer.

You have no proof
that I sold anything.

All you have is that bag
you took off me.

You had some serious
pharmaceuticals in there.

I mean,

that's why God created lawyers,
right?

Possession buys me
probation, six months.

Yeah. This guys really
knows his stuff.

Yeah. Except that thing.

Yeah, that thing.

You ever been up
near Buffalo, Paul?

Never had the pleasure.

Cattaraugus County?
Some nice skiing up there.

And why should I care?

Because that's where an opioid
dealer was just sentenced

for negligent homicide
for the first time.

For the O.D. of one
of her very, very

unfortunate customers.

What's that, Paul?

I don't hear you making
any smartass comments now.

Well, you're never gonna make
that stick.

As a matter of fact,

I spoke to a state prosecutor
who assured me

she'd make it stick.

You're responsible for two O.D.s
that we know of.

You sold heroin
that was laced with fentanyl,

which you knew to be deadly.

You put a New York City
detective in the hospital.

You're going to prison, Paul.

But you got a chance to score
points for cooperating.

I'm listening.

The stuff you're selling
is not from some

knockoff pill facility
in Mexico.

You're pushing
pharmaceuticalgrade opioids.

Topshelf stuff.
Where'd you get it?

Where'd you get it?

Every day I treat patients

fresh out of the hospital,
right?

Very wellmedicated patients.

- We're listening.
- These patients are prescribed

more pain meds than they could
possibly need,

and there's plenty
of folks out there

who will pay top dollar
for the surplus.

Rich prep school kids like
Nigel Lewis and Dylan Gardner.

Yeah, that's right.

It's called supply and demand.

It's what made this
country great, right?

You know, somehow, I don't think
the Founding Fathers

would be very proud.
Now give us the names

of whoever's
overprescribing this crap.

We arrested the dealer
who sold the drugs

that poisoned Detective Baez.

That's great news.

Maybe, but maybe not so great
for you.

You're one of three
supervising ER physicians

at this hospital, right?

That's right.

The man who sold the drugs
was a PT,

purchased the drugs

from patients
of local hospitals,

including this hospital.

- I don't understand.
- Your patients are selling

their extra pain meds
to drug dealers.

That's unfortunate,

but shouldn't you
take this up with them?

Well, we wouldn't have

to take it up with them
if docs like you

weren't throwing these drugs
around like candy on Halloween.

We prescribe opioids
to relieve pain.

When used correctly these drugs
are extremely effective.

And extremely addictive.

Well, we provide our patients
with guidelines.

We don't have the resources
to monitor compliance.

By putting so much of this junk
out on the street,

you're no better than the
drug dealers themselves, Doc.

WhWhy don't you spare me
the lecture?

We're on the front lines,
Detective.

We handle more trauma cases

than any hospital in this city,

with the highest survival rate.

You're creating drug addicts.

We're saving lives.

Prescribing pain meds
is a medical decision,

one which the NYPD

is not qualified to evaluate.

Maybe, but I work

for the DEA,
which controls the licensing

of doctors to prescribe

controlled substances.

And as of now this hospital
is under federal investigation.

You really think
that blaming doctors

for the opioid epidemic
is gonna solve the crisis?

No... but it's a start.

Hey.

You want to keep it down?

Welcome back.

What happened?

You, had an accidental O.D.

And you scared
the hell out of me.

How long was I out?

Almost a week.

You look like hell.

You been here every night?

Yeah.

I'm okay.

Go home.

To your boys.

The boys are with my old man.
They're fine.

I'll walk out of here
when you do, okay?

Yeah, okay.

No more snoring.

Sorry to keep you waiting,
Governor,

but I'm afraid
we have a problem.

We are picking up chatter
about potential terror activity

at the Second Avenue Subway
event.

How credible is the threat?

We're working on that now.

So what are you gonna do
about it?

Under the circumstances,

it might be wise
to cancel the event.

No. I'm not letting these people
dictate my agenda.

I want everything you've got
on this.

Pardon the interruption...
Sorry.

You know my DCPI Garrett Moore.

- Governor.
- And Carlton Miller

from the mayor's office.

Guys, where are we on this?

Governor, we need to talk.

Governor, we have a
complicated situation here.

I am pulling

all my officers from the area.

Why the hell would you do that?

You just said
it was a credible threat.

By pulling my officers,
it allows your officers

to handle the threat
on their own,

under your command.

Without interference

from the NYPD.

I see you.

Good.

It is my job, Governor,

to protect
law enforcement officers,

yours and mine.

Without command coordination,

I can't do that.

Fine.

You want to play hardball?

I can't tell you
where to put your people,

but what I can do
is put you out on the street.

You can fire me at your leisure,
but, right now,

we have less than an hour
to come up with a game plan.

What the hell do you want?

That state police apprise
the NYPD

of all future deployments
to this city

and coordinate it
with this office.

While remaining
under my control.

Well...

that's the law.

And the ceremony?

Fullcourt press
from the best cops in the world.

Ours.

Which the mayor also approves.

Deal.

But this ain't over.

What happens if he finds out
there was no terrorist threat?

Hey, I said "online chatter,"
which there always is.

What threat level
that chatter raises...

A known unknown.

What happens when the mayor

finds out she went toetotoe
with the governor?

She'll take the victory.

She had no appetite
for the battle.

Not gonna come up.

Why do you say that?
Because we won.

And he has no appetite
for conceding a loss.

This meeting, this whole
conflict never happened.

As of the moment
he walked out that door.

I bet you're right.

Kind of gives me a chill.

Me, too.

How you handling
the withdrawals?

Methadone helps.

Definitely felt better.

Well, we nailed the dealer

who supplied you
and Dylan and Nigel.

That's good to hear.

You're not the first person to
get hooked on this junk, Peter.

The school
fired me this morning.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Teaching's
all I ever wanted to do.

It's all I had left.

There's other schools.

None of which will hire me

with a drug conviction
on my record.

I don't blame 'em.

Speaking of,

I did happen
to have a conversation

with the prosecutor
assigned to your case,

and I may or may not have told
her how helpful you were.

YYouyou didn't have to do that.

I know I didn't have to do it.

Now stop feeling sorry
for yourself

and listen for a second.

You complete rehab...

And I mean go in there
and get clean...

She'll be willing to knock
the possession charge down

to a violation,
which means you could walk away

from this whole thing
without a record.

I don't know what to say.

Just say you're gonna get clean.

I will.

Thank you.

Look, you're a good guy, Peter,

but you got a bad problem.

It's time to fix it.

Hey.

Hey. What are you doing here?

I came to check in
on the Kenneth Tripp case.

On your day off?

It's been on my mind.

Well, we're still investigating,

but I'm not sure we have enough
to prosecute Ruiz.

But Ruiz was the one
leading the charges

against Tripp living
in that building.

Which proves nothing,
as you know.

Well, Ruiz admitted to putting
Tripp in the hospital.

He's claiming selfdefense.

Right now, I don't have enough

to prove guilt beyond
a reasonable doubt.

No jury's gonna buy selfdefense.

Tripp's half his size.

He's also a child molester.

So he deserved what he got?

I didn't say that.

And you know
I don't believe that.

Look, if Tripp testifies,

his record
could come out in court.

And if it does, the jury
will give Ruiz a pass.

You can't say that for sure.

They will see a dad

defending his family
from a predator.

Now, whether or not
his actions were justified,

Ruiz will walk.

Look, Tripp got released
from the hospital earlier this morning.

I think that we should at least
go and speak with him first.

The least we can do is
hear what he has to say.

How are you feeling?

I'll live.

Which I'm sure will disappoint
some people.

Mr. Ruiz claims that
you initiated the altercation.

We came to hear your side.

Whatever I say
isn't gonna matter.

You're entitled to make
a statement, Mr. Tripp.

I'd like to hear it.

I left the building about...

7:30.

On my way
to my mother's apartment.

I passed Mr. Ruiz

on the sidewalk.

He made a remark.

What did he say?

He said...

"Child rapists deserve to die."

And what did you do?

I said that, um,

he had a right to hate me

but that I wasn't gonna put up
with his threats.

And did he stop?

He called me an animal.

And then what happened?
The truth.

The truth is...

the truth is...

I hit him.

Why would you do that?
He could have killed you.

I didn't get that lucky.

Areare you saying
that you wanted him to hurt you?

I...

I don't know.

I just...

just wanted
to stand up for myself.

You could have come to us.

Come on, we both... know better.

I...

I did my time.

I'm still... guilty.

I'm still the enemy.

There's...

there's no absolution

for what I did.

== sync, corrected by elderman ==
@elderman