Burden of Truth (2018–…): Season 3, Episode 4 - Desperate Measures - full transcript

- Hey, Lucky!
- My father.

That social worker lady seemed worried

that something would
happen to those kids.

- Is that her?
- Yeah, that's her.

- How much did she pay you?
- You better leave.

I just found proof that Marlene

tried to buy one of her granddaughters.

And I don't think your father
would approve of you harassing me.

And does your wife approve,

of you harassing sex workers, Geoff?

Come near my family... and you're dead.



Above all, the Court must put
the safety of the children first.

- No.
- This Court orders

that the minors Madison
and True Chartrand

be placed in protective care
in the Millwood foster system.

- You OK?
- Billy, we have to get these kids back.

Beckbie!

- What's going on?
- Madison and True.

Foster family came to pick
them up from after-school care,

- and they were gone.
- No!

Treating it as a possible
parental child abduction.

Hey, it's Kodie. Leave a message.

- Still nothing?
- Phone's off.

We have been busting our asses,

to prove she's a stable mother.



- And now this?
- We don't know for sure

she's the one who took them.

I just... I can't believe
that she would do something so...

Irrational?

Dangerous?

If she's out of control
around those girls...

Billy, she would never hurt them.

Before today, would you have
thought she'd ever kidnap them?

[SIRENS]

Kodie didn't show up for work.

And the VP spoke to the other students;

one of them saw
Madison get into a blue car.

Kodie's family has a blue car.

I need to get an Amber Alert out.

Amber Alerts are for
kids at serious risk.

Wherever those kids are, they are safe.

You know what an Amber Alert's gonna do

to her chances of getting them back.

Please, she is just scared.

Give me some time to find her.

I'll hold off as long as I can,

keep it to a quiet
BOLO for a car for now.

Thank you.

- What now?
- We find her before they do.

♪ ♪

Kodie, if you get this,
please call me back.

I know you're scared,
but we can work it out.

Please.

How are we gonna
explain this to a judge,

when we find her?

If we find her.

OK, I'm Kodie.

Where do I take my kids?

I don't have a lot of money.

Not many close friends, except you.

She fell off the map for a long time,

when she was using.

There's nothing much here, just...

bills and pizza coupons.

Closet's empty.

Wherever she went, she isn't planning

on coming back anytime soon.

I shouldn't have fought with her.

Now she doesn't think
I'm on her side anymore.

You've done nothing
but go to the mat for her.

When Kodie needs to think,
she goes to the land.

Yeah, she went somewhere
after that first drug test.

The Chartrands have a camp.

Kodie took me there
once when we were kids.

Could make sense that she'd
bring her kids there now.

Yeah, especially 'cause no one
else knows where it is.

The Chartrands wanna protect it.

Yeah, or their criminal enterprise.

Keep people away from whatever
it is they do up there.

Or life is complicated and it's both.

But you've been there.

Yeah, it was a long time ago.

Um... I'm gonna check her computer.

Alright. I'll start knocking on doors.

Check gas stations,
bus stations, and the marina.

I wanna be in touch with
Winnipeg on this one, too.

- You're campaigning late.
- I'd rather not be.

What's going on with those
missing Chartrand children?

Their grandma called me.
She's beside herself.

There's no need to panic.

I'm not panicked, I'm annoyed.

And I'm embarrassed,

that I had to learn
about this from a civilian

instead of my chief of police.

You have to tell me when
you're issuing an Amber Alert.

I'm not issuing one.

I don't think it's necessary here.

OK, what's your strategy?

I've got a BOLO out on Kodie's car.

- If anything happens to...
- It's not going to.

Kodie's just... afraid.

I know there's a relationship here.

Are you sure you can make this call?

I have it under control.

You better,

because if this goes sideways,
it will be very bad for me,

and those kids.

[SIGHING]

- Hi.
- Where have you been?

Sorry, I just... I had my phone off.

Kodie took her kids and ran.

What? Where?

I don't know. Billy and I
have been working all night.

I-I need you to go to the office,

in case she shows up there.

And keep this quiet.

OK, uh, I'm almost there.

We need to talk.

[BANGING ON DOOR]

Hey, Lucky!

I was hoping you'd swing by.

Barney Gargle's
hosting a poker tourney.

It's gonna be big you know.

The buy-in's only 25 bucks
and you can come home.

Kodie Chartrand.

You seen her or the kids?

Sorry, champ, not with
my new lady friend Mercina.

[CHUCKLING]

Did you get those kids back, then?

Not exactly.

You know...

the little one's a little wound up.

How do you mean?

Well, the way her big sister's
always looking out for her.

Like you and Shane...
it's hero worship.

That wasn't worship. That was survival.

Kids are resilient.

As long as they have each other,
they'll be OK.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

- Did you find her?
- Not yet.

But I talked to a security guard

at the green silos north of town.

He saw a blue Toyota
come through last night,

but he didn't get a good look

at the plate or the driver.

- Beckbie.
- Yeah?

The green silos?

Yeah, the ones north, on Road 13 West.

Used to be the Sinclairs' place
before it got bought out.

- You there?
- Um, yeah. Thanks.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Dead end.

I remember where the camp is.

Sort of, I think.

- I'll know it when I see it.
- OK, let's go.

- No, I'm going alone.
- No.

No, even if you can find it,

chances are the people
up there won't be too happy.

Kodie needs a friend
right now, not a lawyer.

And as a friend, you've got a plan

to convince her to turn herself in?

That's what the drive up is for.

Hey, Kodie had mentioned
she was worried

True might have an anxiety disorder.

Hank said she's pretty attached
to Madison, so maybe...

we could lay the groundwork,

that Kodie was afraid
for True's well-being

if the kids were to be separated.

That could convince a judge

that she needed to take them.
That's good.

- It's what we got.
- Run with it,

and I'll find Kodie and...

It's gonna be OK.

License plate: PIL 147.

We had a non-confirmed
sighting north of town;

so let's keep sharp.

Hear you got some missing kids.

Where would you have heard that?

No need to get all riled up.

We all just want what's best
for those children.

I don't wanna overstep here, but...

Kodie Chartrand, she's a bad seed.

Is that your professional opinion, or

just going off of years of bias?

Come on, Owen.

Just 'cause I'm not a cop anymore
doesn't mean I don't wanna help,

especially when there's
innocent kids involved.

Well, thank you for your concern.

If you wanna volunteer,

there's a clothing drive
at the senior centre.

[CHUCKLING]

My friends and I, we wanna go out,

and start a search for those kids

'cause you're so busy with your BOLO.

No. This is an official police matter.

- And none of you are on duty.
- No.

No, uh, they're not, so...

they don't need to take orders,
do they?

Sorry, Chief, can't sit by
and do nothing on this one.

Time's ticking. [CLICKS TONGUE]

[LOUD ALERT SIGNAL]

Oh no...

[LOUD ALERT SIGNAL]

Why won't you answer it, Mom?

Let's go.

[JOURNALISTS REPORTING]

Any information on the whereabouts

of Madison or True Chartrand

should be directed to...

Right there, cut them off.

I thought we agreed
an Amber Alert is overkill.

We did.

But that changed things.

They were going after her
whether I called the alert or not.

- How did they even find out?
- Pff!

If Millwood PD was a boat,
it wouldn't float.

Kodie being who she is

is all the excuse Mercer
needs to do something crazy.

Aren't those your guys?

No, they just work for me.

At least this way
there's a better chance

of somebody else finding her first.

But Joanna, with all this,

it would be a lot safer if Kodie
turned herself in to me.

Are you sure you don't have
any idea where she might be?

If I hear anything, you'll know.

Alright.

He threatened your life?

Yeah. I was tailing him.

Why were you following him?

Well, I was hoping to catch
him doing something else,

something people would
actually care about.

- That's not a plan!
- Maybe call the cops.

You can't just disappear like that, OK?

I was worried.

I can handle myself, Luna.

You know what? Forget it.

I needed your help, not a parent.

Taylor, wait. Taylor!

- [CELL PHONE RINGING]
- Taylor!

Kodie, thank God! Where have you been?

I need to talk to Joanna.

She's out looking for you.

I messed up. I made everything worse.

- It was stupid. I'm so stupid.
- It's OK.

It's OK. I wanted to run too.

God, what do I do? Turn myself in?

No.

Keep running.

[SIGHING]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

- [DRAMATIC MUSIC]
- [GASPING]

I'm not a trespasser! I'm a lawyer.

And friend.

I'm here to... I'm here
to help my friend.

Not really sure
we're friends right now.

Where are the cops, parked in the car?

No one else knows where you are.

I'm just here to help.

You know, for a big-shot lawyer,

all your help has done
is make things a lot worse.

Kodie, I only wanna talk, please.

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

[EXHALING SHARPLY]

Ah, what brings you in today?

I'm a lawyer. For the Chartrands.

Oh, this must be about the Amber Alert.

Are Madison and True OK?

That's why I'm here.

Dr. Huxland, I need a letter,

stating that True has
an anxiety disorder.

Well, then you need
to see a child psychiatrist.

She hasn't seen one.

I'm not qualified
to make that decision.

You saw True last month.

Yeah, for strep.

And you mentioned to Kodie

you were concerned
about her levels of anxiety.

It's a far cry from a diagnosis.

How many patients do you see in a year?

If you're concerned that
she's suffering from anxiety,

then she probably is.

I just need a letter
from a medical professional.

And I need to avoid peer review,

malpractice, and losing my license.

I'm sorry Billy...

the only people more skittish
than lawyers are doctors.

How familiar are you with MFS?

I have a few patients in the system.

True and Madison,
they have a special bond.

And MFS isn't looking for a home
that'll keep them together.

[SCOFFS] Even in the worst of it,

Kodie made sure those kids
never missed an appointment.

I can write a backdated letter

referring True to a child psychiatrist.

- It's the best I can do.
- I'll take it.

So this is the famous
Chartrand camp, huh?

Or infamous.

Seemed different when we were kids.

Listen, Kodie, I know things
didn't go well last time we spoke.

You accused me of not trusting you,

and lying to you about the case.

- Can I see the kids?
- Absolutely not.

They're safe.

They've been through enough already.

Look, I know that things
seem out of control right now

and I know how desperately
you wanna be with your kids,

but we have to do this the right way.

The right way... for you.

It's easy to follow the law

when it isn't constantly
trying to crush you.

I talked to Luna.

She listened to you.

Turned herself in,

try to do the legal thing,

and what'd that get her?

Exonerated.

After months rotting in jail.

Do you have any idea what months

in foster care does to kids?

Luna told me not to turn myself in.

She told me to run.

Luna's not a lawyer.

That would be very bad advice to take.

And where's yours gotten me?

The system isn't perfect.

It was designed to protect children.

I'm trying to protect them.

I haven't always been the best mom,

but they don't deserve this.

I went through the foster care system.

I won't let that happen to them.

Caffeine for the weary.

- Thank you.
- How's it going out here?

Hmm.

- Is it a double?
- Quad.

I don't want you falling
asleep at the helm.

- Anything on the tip line?
- Crackpots and busybodies.

Thanks for coming out.

We got a shot of these two angels.

Madison's 12.

True is 7.

We just want everybody
to keep their eyes peeled.

Anything you can tell
us about the mother?

Well, uh, I'm officially retired.

But there is an ongoing history of

drug abuse, I can tell you that.

I just hope this woman
comes to her senses,

turns herself in peacefully,

but in my experience,
that's very unlikely

with this kind of element.

But rest assured,
my crew and myself are

prepared to do whatever it takes

to bring these children home safely.

Alright? Thank you.

Owen... find her first.

Heath, what do you got?

- What does he want?
- Let's call the police.

And say what?

Hey, Officer, he's out there

'cause you've been stalking him?

We'll just tell them what he did.

And he'll deny it and know it was us.

Taylor, he knows where we live.

It's not a big deal.

That's why you didn't come home.

Look...

I don't really wanna
be killed by some guy

so you can prove a point.

He's after me, he's not after you.

You don't know that.

Why are you being so stupid?

Don't call me stupid.

I don't mean you're stupid, it's just

- you're making stupid decisions.
- [CELL PHONE RINGING]

- It's the same thing.
- No, it's not.

Unknown caller.

Don't answer it.

It's less scary now.

Maybe in the daylight.

Maybe you're just less scary now.

I have, um...

I've thought about you

a lot over the years.

- I never actually meant...
- You don't need to convince me.

I never thought I'd see you ever again.

I'm here.

Kodie, you know I trust you.

Wow...

My own lawyer and former bestie...
finally.

All I have been doing
is fighting for you.

Even when you weren't honest with me.

Even when it hurt my own
relationship and my reputation.

Someone's trying to make sure
I lose my kids forever.

That... that sounds paranoid.

- Joanna!
- OK.

OK, let's assume that's true.

I get why you can't turn yourself in,
but...

what if you get caught?

If someone is framing you, is...

is this really the best
place to be found?

How deep would the police have to dig

before they found evidence of anything?

And you could bet they would
use your presence here

as probable cause to turn
this entire place upside-down.

I don't have anything
to do with any of that stuff.

Maybe not,

but we would have a hell
of a time trying to prove that

if they find you here.

You could go to jail for years,

lose your children permanently.

Nobody knows where this camp is.

Kodie, I found you.

How long before someone else does?

Even if you don't turn yourself in,

you cannot stay here.

I don't have anywhere else to go.

What about Blood River?
Do you still have family there?

My cousin.

He'd help me,

at least until I figured it out.

OK, well, that's something.

[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

Who's that? Did you bring someone?

No.

Let's go.

There's no need for that, ma'am.

We know Kodie Chartrand is here.

We just need to check the premises.

I know...

I know she's probably family, but...

Oh, she's in a lot of trouble.

Mom, where...

You're just out here by yourself?

I'd hate for you to get hurt.

[GUNSHOT]

Okay, go.

They're gone.

Forget it, they're gone.

Taylor, you're copying my life.

You move into my apartment,

a-and you walk with Bear Clan...

I'm just trying to make a difference.

You don't have any other friends.

You don't have a job...

I was supposed to be the lawyer, Luna.

Remember?

And then I lost my family

and I got poisoned and I got leukemia.

Look, I don't have anybody else.

But it's kind of hard sitting around,

watching your best friend live the life

that you were supposed to have.

I went to prison, Taylor.

And now you're playing lawyer,

and you're saving lives
like it never even happened.

You want my job? Take it.

Because right now, our only client

just stole her children.

Hi, I heard about that Amber Alert?

Yeah, I saw this super sketchy vehicle,

idling down on Bannatyne.

Thought I saw some kids
in the back seat.

Thanks.

Look, you've had two years
of clear tests.

Maybe it's time you move on.

Here we go.

Got it?

Alright, just a little further.

Come on, baby, we gotta hurry.

But I'm tired.

And I'm hungry.

- Me too.
- Cousin Joel can cook.

Don't you worry about that.

We'll have a proper fry up

when we get there, I promise.

Mom?

What's happening?

Did you screw up again?

[SIGHS]

Um... You know what?

I think I have a... yes, here.

This'll tide you over.

- [WOODPECKER PECKING]

You're doing your best.

It's what moms do.

Doesn't always work out.

Didn't for your mom.

Well, that was different.

You're fighting for your kids.

I'm pretty sure she fought for you too,

but she got stuck.

- Right.
- Seriously.

Once MFS was involved,
her hands were tied.

Joanna, when we ran,

your dad called MFS on your mom.

Once they were in,
she couldn't do anything.

No...

- No, he never called child services.
- He did.

My mom told me. I wanted to tell you,

but by the time
I wasn't grounded anymore,

you were gone.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have said anything.

- It doesn't matter.
- No, it's OK. Um...

[CLEARS THROAT]

How much farther?

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Heard about your Amber Alert.

I always really liked Kodie.

Someone in the area
called the tip line.

Saw her and another woman,

on foot in the bush with her children,

headed in this direction.

Well, she's got family here.

I know I don't have jurisdiction,
but...

Yeah, I like you too, Owen,

but I can't have the
Millwood police chief

coming in here searching homes.

I don't want that.

I just wanna help those kids.

Let me knock on some doors,

and I'll see if anybody knows anything.

Friends of yours?

Not exactly.

Bastard must have a police scanner.

You know, it's not good
when you show up here.

It's really bad if they do.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Hi.

Good news. I got a letter

from True's doctor on file with MFS.

That's great.

Do you have Kodie?

I found her at the camp, but

she refuses to turn herself in.

Why does it sound like you're walking?

New plan.

Please don't tell me you're

helping our client evade arrest.

I'm doing everything I can
to protect both of us.

I don't like this, Joanna.

You're flirting with the line.

I, um...

I need you to do
something for me at MFS.

Bring me a case file.

[SIGHING]

Alright, what name?

Hanley.

Thanks.

Please,
you have to let me see him, please!

Get your hands off of me!

Billy?

You OK?

So, she's in there or not?

Couldn't say.

Gonna let Officer Fisher
do his job, and you are too.

Oh, of course, of course.

It's what it's all about...

helping out the law
enforcement any way we can.

You know, just 'cause
you can't go in there...

There's nothing stopping us,
I could do you a solid,

and go in there and check it out.

You really think anyone's
gonna be any happier to see you?

Us, or me in particular?

Ah...

I'm just trying to balance
the scales, Owen.

Do some good, make up for my mistakes.

Pack it up.

You're leaving.

You really trust the locals are just
gonna hand over Kodie Chartrand to ya?

Yes, I do.

Well, maybe we'll just go
and take a look around anyway.

[CLEARS THROAT]

[CHUCKLING]

You have no authority here,

and we're not doing anything illegal.

They're my officers.

No, they're just a group of

concerned citizens on their day off.

Well, maybe today,

but tomorrow you answer
to me at the station.

So that's it, huh?

You'd rather protect a junkie,

who kidnaps her own
kids than do your job?

Ah, it's 'cause she's
one of you, isn't it?

You got a group of
upstanding people here

who care about the law and
the safety of their community,

but you'll always side
with them, won't ya?

[TENSE MUSIC]

Oh, there it is.

There it is.

You got nothing to say to that, huh?

'Cause you're not one of us, are you?

You can pretend to be
a police chief all you want,

but we know what kind
of chief you really are.

What I am is the man who took you down.

I put you in jail.

I took your job.

You don't call the shots anymore.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Joel!

I know it's been a while, but...

Don't tell me anything
you don't want me to know.

You must be hungry.

[TENSE MUSIC]

Fisher gave me 15 minutes.

I don't want to abuse his goodwill.

That's all I need. Thank you.

Don't thank me yet.

I'd do anything for Kodie,

but with Mercer whipping everyone up,

I have to follow the law
letter perfect here.

I understand, but
the kids are unharmed.

She's still facing parental abduction.

- She could get a 10-year sentence.
- She takes a plea.

Then Kodie never sees her kids again.

Or...

She turns herself in,

hands over the kids,

and you charge her with violating
a custody order.

- Contempt to court.
- Summary conviction,

two years' probation, and those kids,

may get to know their mother.

If she turns herself in peacefully.

Alright.

Kodie...

- How the hell could you do this to me?
- Kodie...

You are lucky my kids
are here right now.

Just listen to me.

When you are inside it,

it is hard to see a way out.

I get that.

When...

When you helped me,

I didn't want it.

I didn't even understand
that I needed it.

I know that it looks bad right now,

but there's still hope.

I am still fighting,

and I am not gonna leave you.

[CRASH]

It's OK. It's OK.

Kodie...

They haven't looked at me
like that since I was using.

I promised myself,

they'd never be scared of me again.

Hey...

Jesus, Jojo, what do I do?

♪ Someone told me ♪

♪ That love ♪

♪ Love has no limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Love has no limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Someone told me ♪

♪ That love ♪

♪ Love has no limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Love has no limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ No limits ♪

♪ Someone told me ♪

♪ Right, clear and true ♪

♪ About what hurts ♪

♪ I write my story ♪

♪ With more than words ♪

Have we already reached
that stage in the case?

As requested.

- Did you read it?
- Yeah.

Oh God...

Your father called MFS on your mother.

Claimed he was afraid for your safety.

This is right about
the time she would've

found out about his
affair with Gerrilynn.

She kicked him out of the house.

You think he was just doing it
to try and get custody?

Get custody, discredit her,

establish grounds to have her
committed, take your pick.

This was my fault.

What are you talking about?

He used what I did against her.

No, don't go there, Joanna.

You were a kid.

There's nothing you could've done,

that would've been that bad.

- Hey...
- I think I'm gonna be sick.

Do you trust me, Luna?

Of course.

As your boss or as your sister?

Mhm, both.

Because as your sister,

who moved heaven and earth,

to clear you of murder charges,

I am pretty hurt

that you told Kodie
that I didn't protect you.

That's not what I said.

And as your boss, I am furious,

that you discredited me to our client

and gave her illegal
and unethical advice.

You have no idea what
Kodie's going through right now.

It is not our job to empathise,

it is our job to get her out of it.

It's not exactly something
I can just turn off,

OK? I've tried.

Well, try harder.

Because as your sister,

maybe I'll get over the fact

that you went behind
my back with Kodie.

But as your boss,

if you aren't with me,

then you are against me

and there's no room for
that at Crawford Chang.

Joanna...

Here to congratulate me for
resolving an Amber Alert peacefully?

Didn't sound too peaceful to me.

Mercer's filing a complaint
against me because I yelled at him?

No, because you threw him
against a car and assaulted him.

That's not what happened.

It's what Sam's saying happened.

Yeah, well, you still think
I'm paranoid about him?

You know, it's been a busy few days.

Thanks for your concern, everyone.

Looks worse than it is,

although I have filed
an official complaint.

Doesn't matter, though,
a little shiner like this.

What's important...

I didn't do that. I didn't hit him.

How integral was your search
party in locating Kodie Chartrand?

You know,
as an experienced police officer,

what I saw yesterday troubled me.

It troubles me that an Amber
Alert almost wasn't issued at all.

We all know in child abduction
cases, every second counts,

and Millwood PD wasted hours.

Frankly, it's left me concerned

about the competence and integrity

of the leadership.

Thank you, that's all.

You're right, he's gunning for you.

And you gave him the ammo.

You're gonna be charged
with contempt to the court order.

We'll get you bail and get you home.

And we're already working
on a plan to get your kids back.

We have, before the Court,
a show cause hearing

from Mushkode Chartrand.

Ms. Cohen?

On or about August 12th of this year,

Mushkode Chartrand removed her children

from their lawful guardian

in violation of a court
sanction agreement.

We have received from
the Millwood police force,

a charging document for a

summary conviction
contempt of court charge.

Your Honour, my client
surrendered peacefully

with the agreement
of a contempt charge.

The Crown is exercising its discretion

to increase the charge to two
charges of parental abduction.

We will be seeking a 10-year sentence.

Joanna, that's not what Beckbie said.

We had a good faith agreement,
Your Honour.

The agreement was made with
the arresting officer, Ms. Chang.

The accused is a
demonstrated flight risk

and has shown a willful
disregard for this court's orders.

We are asking that bail be denied.

Given the chronology and the
opinion presented by the Crown,

bail does not seem appropriate
in this situation.

Your Honour, my client
is a loving mother

whose recent actions were driven

by a hardwired protection instinct.

She is a parent.

Mushkode Chartrand isn't a flight risk,

because the only
things she cares about,

are her children.

Wherever they are,
that is where she will be.

The accused shall be placed
under house arrest

with an electronic monitoring device.

She may love her children,
but any attempt

to make contact with them,

and I will revoke this bail agreement

and place her in remand.

You've been warned, Ms. Chartrand.

Hang tight, OK?

We'll meet you at your house.

What the hell was that?

The bags, the kids, Kodie,

it's all connected.

If they're wrong about Kodie,
they're wrong about all of them.