Damages (2007–2012): Season 4, Episode 1 - There's Only One Way to Try a Case - full transcript

Previously onDamages.

I wasn't sure I'd
ever see you again.

What do you want from me?

Nothing.

You don't have to worry
about me. I forgave you.

All your secrets are safe.

God knows she'd never
say anything, but...

She'd love to have you back.

Where the hell is my mother?

She had Jill arrested.

You hurt my son. You
had sex with him.



And when the baby's
born in prison,

Michael will have sole custody.

Would you be willing to consider

giving us another shot?

You were a great father,

but I don't need you anymore.

And I certainly don't want you.

I want you to call off
the deal with Winstone.

Why now? What's changed?

I convinced her to let
me go through with it.

What are you talking about, Tom?

I'm sorry for your loss.

Tom was like family.

He admitted to the
murder of Tom Shayes.



I did want to ask
you one question.

What's that?

It's career advice, really.

Is it worth it?

Little lamb

Smile

When I am through with you

There won't be anything left

When I am through with you

There won't be anything left

I brought you this.

I'll have a blue Christmas

Without you

I'll be so blue

Sterling letters
of recommendation.

Thank you.

I see that two of them are female
partners at very prestigious firms.

We worked well together.

Why do you think that is?

Women trust me.

Well, I've been trying to
replace someone for a while now.

She was smart,
extremely capable...

But she couldn't hack it.

No, she couldn't.

The job was too brutal.

We both knew she couldn't cut
it, so I had to let her go.

Mr. Erickson,

what would you say to those
who call you a mercenary?

A war profiteer?

I would enlighten them.

I would tell them we
provide an essential service

and we are paid accordingly.

This particular war has been
your ticket to the fortune...

Party's starting.

You're watching that again?

Yeah, you caught me.

I still have two more hours
of testimony to review.

I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to leave
early. I'm seeing my friend tonight.

The guy from high school?

Yeah, tonight's the only
night he could meet up.

If you're not staying,
I'm out of here.

Where are you off to?

Gonna go find your present.

I thought we weren't
doing presents.

Come on, Ellen.

It's Christmas.

I'm not just looking for how
you handle the day-to-day,

but I'm looking for how
you handle yourself.

How you think, how you react.

I understand.

Good.

Maggie?

Yes, Ms. Hewes.

Holly will begin her trial
period effective immediately.

Understood.

You'll have a short while
to learn the routine,

and then I'll review
your performance.

Oh, my God.

She's absolutely gorgeous.

Meet my granddaughter.

Catherine, this is Holly,

your new nanny.

Mr. Erickson, it says here
you were in the Marines

for the better part
of three decades.

Yes, ma'am.

I applaud your service,

though you're no longer in
the military, is that correct?

Affirmative,
Congresswoman, I am not.

And yet you command thousands
of men in Afghanistan.

Can you explain that?

I am the founder and CEO of the
High Star Security Corporation.

We're a private security firm
hired by the US Government

to protect dignitaries and other
A-plus targets in war zones.

In other words, you run the
world's largest private army.

And to date, the US taxpayer

has paid your company over a
billion dollars for their services.

I don't have the exact figures,

but you can't fight a war
on the cheap, Congresswoman.

There is a critical issue
before this committee today.

Yes, there is.

That's why I've got
on my Sunday finest.

We're here to decide
whether or not

Congress will renew High Star's
contract with the US Government.

And I'm here to tell
you, I will be voting no.

Well, that certainly is
your right, Congresswoman.

And to date, the US taxpayer

has paid your company over a
billion dollars for their services.

I don't have the exact figures,

but you can't fight a war
on the cheap, Congresswoman.

Sanchez.

Sanchez.

Sanchez.

Sanchez.

What the fuck's going
on in there? Come on.

I gotta take a leak.

Fuck!

Another tomato juice.

Got any big holiday plans?

Sure, if staying home
and watching porn counts.

It does if you watch it in a
Santa suit. You from around here?

Excuse me. Holy shit.

Ellen Parsons. You
look fantastic.

You're looking
pretty good yourself.

I like the beard.
Very distinguished.

It's been a while.
How you doing?

Good. I heard you
own this place now.

Yeah. It's crazy. Half of our
class still comes in here.

You should be glad you got out.

I kind of miss it actually.

Chris is in the back.

He said you two were meeting up.

Yeah. Thanks.

What are you
drinking? Bourbon.

Cool.

You're kidding me.

You've come a long way

since sneaking wine
coolers into prom.

It's good to see you.

I was happy to hear from you.
You're someone I wondered about.

Likewise.

I always expected big things.

So you're a Manhattan lawyer.

It's weird, huh?

Must be intense.

Yeah, it can be.

Speaking of intense,

I read in the alumni paper
that you were in Afghanistan.

Yeah, I was.

Said you were in the Marines.

Highly decorated.
A real superstar.

My mom must've wrote that shit.
Loves to see my name in print.

Then I heard you went to
work for High Star Security.

Yeah. My mom's health
hasn't been too good.

I'm sorry to hear that.

She's got a lot
of medical bills,

and High Star offered six
times the pay to go back

and do the same job
I was doing, so...

Look, I'll be honest
with you, Chris.

I'm here because I'm looking into
High Star and Howard Erickson.

What for?

You looking to try a case
against them or something?

If there's a case to be tried.

I was curious about your
experience with them.

They get a bad rap, but...

You shouldn't believe the
shit you see in the news.

They were always
really good to me.

Then why did you leave?

You're not looking
to sue me, are you?

'Cause, don't forget, I got
all sorts of dirt on you.

You do. You definitely do.

I didn't leave because
of the company.

They offered me a
promotion, actually.

I was just burned out. It
was time to come back home.

I can't even imagine.

Not that being home
is some big prize.

The whole experience
was surreal.

Surreal how?

The week after I get
back, it's Halloween.

I'm on my mom's porch
handing out candy.

Eight-year-old G.I. Joes
with assault weapons

walking around.

Skeletons. Like
it's all a big joke.

Fuck it. Maybe it's just me.
Sorry to go on like that.

No, it must be difficult,
like, I can't even imagine.

It's just strange walking
through the neighborhood

when you feel like you gotta
keep checking rooftops.

Did something happen
to you over there,

while you were
working for Erickson?

Look, Ellen, I'm
really glad to see you,

but I don't want to talk
about High Star anymore.

Of course. I
understand. I'm sorry.

All right. And I don't
care what you say,

next round's on me.

Did he tell you why
he left High Star?

No, but something
happened before Halloween

that made him leave the company.

What'd he say?

He wouldn't explain it, but
there's something wrong.

I mean, he was a different
person in high school.

He was upbeat, outgoing.

What was your relationship
with this guy, anyway?

I let him cheat off of
me in geometry class.

That's hot.

It's kind of hot when you're 16.

But we ended up dating for, like,
15 minutes. He was a good guy.

Look, I know you feel
pressure to bring in a case...

I've brought in plenty of cases.

They've just all been rejected.

Maybe because they
were long shots.

I think if I could spend a
little more time with him,

I could get him to open up.

What is it with
you and High Star?

They're a private army, killing for
a profit. Making money off of death.

If he's a friend, maybe
you don't want to push him.

Please eat.

Mr. Girotto's here.

Hello, James.

How many hours of sleep
did you get last night?

Cut the shit, Patty.

Oh, I got seven. The most
restful sleep I've had in months.

That's fantastic. Can
we get on with this?

My client's been waiting a year
to schedule this deposition.

Your client's deposition is
part of discovery in a case

that involves the deaths
of dozens of people.

I think a little patience
isn't going to hurt anyone.

I'm late for my kid's science
fair. What are your terms?

The deposition will
be held in my offices.

That's fine.

Seven days.

He's flying in from
Paris. You get one.

Your client didn't develop a
deadly vaccine overnight. Six days.

Three.

Five. Or he can
wait another year.

If you agree to limit your questions
to the trial-to-market period.

What else?

I want a translator.

I saw your client
on Charlie Rose.

His English is better
than his French.

We haven't tried a case against
each other in over a decade, James.

You still bitter?

I don't like to lose.

Well, get used to it.

Anything else I can get
you for the deposition?

Croissants? A beret?

Fuck you, Patty.

Have a lovely day.

Hey.

Hey.

She's beautiful.

Ghwarri.

Say hello to Ellen Parsons.

Hey. Ellen and I go way back.

You can trust her.

She's one of the good ones.

Hello.

Where did you get her?

She's a rescue.

Found her in a bombed-out
apartment in Afghanistan.

"Ghwarri"?

It's Pashto. It means
something like "fatso,"

even though she was practically
starving when I found her.

What's this?

It's a medallion from my unit.

Why did you want to see me?

I was, um...

I was thinking about
something you said.

What's that?

You came home a week
before Halloween.

Yeah? So?

I read an article saying that that
week three employees of High Star died.

Jay Rayburn, Robert
Franks, and Thomas Lowry.

Did you work with any of them?

Rayburn, Franks and who?

Thomas Lowry.

No. I don't know them.

High Star has thousands of
men on the ground over there.

In this article, Thomas
Lowry's widow thinks that

High Star violated the terms
of her husband's contract.

So I was wondering,
would you mind

if I took a look
at your contract?

I don't mind, but I
don't have my contract.

I don't keep shit like that.

Hey, it's Jerry Boorman.
Real good. How about you?

The Knicks?

No, I can't help you there.

Listen, I got a name I
want you to run for me.

Parsons, Ellen Parsons.

And I'm going to need
her phone tapped.

Yeah, sure.

P-A-R... Yeah.

Look, I won't ask about
High Star anymore.

But will you at
least talk to me?

If you've been
through something...

There's nothing I
want to talk about.

I know from personal experience,

these kind of things, they
can just eat away at you.

A few years ago, my fiance died.

I went to trauma counselling.
I didn't want to go.

I didn't think I needed it, I
thought I could handle it by myself.

But the truth is, I couldn't.

Talking to someone

really helped.

I understand if you
don't want to talk to me,

but you should see someone.

Shit.

Sorry. I'm so sorry.

It's okay.

I'm not... I'm not just
here as an attorney, Chris.

I'm here as a friend.

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

Nailed that cocksucker!

Whoo! Oh! Glory be,
that feels good!

Not to the enemy, it don't.

Wow, Howard, you really
know how to treat a lady.

Whoo! My daddy's hoopin' and
hollerin' in heaven right now.

Now, tell me, what is it?

We're not authorized to
give all the details.

I don't want all the details,
just what the fuck is it?

Congresswoman, I'd
like you to meet

my head of ops training,
Anthony Carter.

Hey, Anthony.

It's a submachine gun, ma'am.

Similar to the KRISS Super V,

but we made some
custom adjustments

to address our
needs in the field.

Oh, it's a beauty.

Less than a dozen people in the
world have fired one of these.

We like it 'cause it sits
soft and supple in your arms,

like a sleeping baby.

Once she wakes up, she
could lay out Optimus Prime.

Oh, yeah! Well, I thank
you for the thrill.

Thanks, AC. Yes, sir.

But it's not going
to change my vote.

What kind of a dog and pony
show was that up at the hearing?

Ah! I'm sorry.

My constituents have
turned against this war.

And they don't want to see me
rolling over for a guy like you.

In the past, I was always
able to count on your support.

Look, Afghanistan is the
longest war in US history.

The people I represent don't know
what the hell we're doing over there.

But we are there.

I am not your problem. Even if
I vote to renew, you still lose.

It's Congressman Shipley that's
calling the shots in that committee.

He's got all the votes
against you lined up.

Can you get me a
meeting with Shipley?

No. Shipley doesn't want
to be caught dead with you.

That's why I need you and
your Rocky Mountain charm.

I'm sure he owes
you a favor or two.

All I want is a
conversation with the man.

I'll see what I can do.

It will be most appreciated.

Hi, boy. Who's a good boy?

Did you have a
good day? Good boy.

I'm home!

We're over here.

On the floor.

What are you doing?

Grandma's home. You ready
to do the cake and presents?

I got a cake. Catherine wanted to
stay up and celebrate with you.

Celebrate what?

I'm sorry, Ms. Hewes. It's...

You forgot her birthday.

Oh, is it Wednesday already?

Well, I guess it must be.

It said on the
calendar you gave me

that today was
Catherine's birthday.

You're an incredibly
busy woman. I understand.

Thank you for
understanding, Holly.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

Let's have some cake, okay?
What have you been drawing?

Blueberries.

They're blueberries.

Good girl.

Sanchez. Sanchez.

Sanchez.

Sanchez.

Sanchez...

Come on!

Come on! Breathe!

I'm sorry.

Hey, what's up?

Hey, it's Sanch.

What's going on?

I need to see you.

She's asleep. Should
be good for the night.

Oh, thank you, Holly.

The party was sweet.
Catherine loved it.

I'm glad.

And don't worry about
forgetting her birthday.

You have a lot on your mind.
The big deposition's coming up.

Yes, it is.

And I want you to know that
I appreciate your effort

and the bond that you've tried
to create with Catherine.

Sounds like there's
a "but" coming.

This just isn't working out.

Why not?

Why isn't it working out?

I gave you Catherine's
diet on the first day.

I have it right here.

Well, did you read it?

Of course.

It specifically stated that there was
to be no high-fructose corn syrup.

Now, this cake is
loaded with it.

Ms. Hewes, you
made it very clear

that I had discretion over
Catherine's diet, and...

I like you, Holly, I
do. But you're careless.

Careless? Yes.

And I can't have that.

We're not a good fit, and
you're not good for Catherine.

So pack your things.

There's a cheque waiting
for you downstairs.

Good night.

I didn't exactly know how to bring
it up or even that I should, but...

You're still in touch
with Patty Hewes, right?

From time to time.

Well, I think you should know I heard
the partners talking about Patty,

and, well, they're not all fans.

I got the feeling that it could
create some waves if they knew.

Thanks for looking out for me.

You never really talk about her.

It's interesting that
you still see her.

I thought you two
didn't get along.

After her partner died...

Tom Shayes?

Yeah, yeah.

Um...

We didn't talk for over a year.

We just went our separate ways.

But then out of the blue, she
got in touch with me again.

Wanted to meet up.

And at first I said no.

What changed your mind?

She was very persistent.

And I realized she
could be useful to me.

You run legal strategy
by her, pick her brain.

Sancho,

good to see you,
man. You, too.

I'm sorry I cut out early.

I just couldn't stay
over there anymore.

You don't got to explain
anything to me, man.

That last shit you went through
is about as hairy as it gets.

So, you really not
coming back to High Star?

I'm done.

I understand.

I'm sorry.

You'd be the only
reason I'd come back.

I hate leaving you a man down.

We got replacements.

Of course, it's not like anybody
could really replace you.

But if you're done, you're done.

You gotta do what's
best for you.

Chris, why did you
want to see me?

I'm not good.

What's up?

I can't sleep, for one.

Yeah? Yeah.

Where's your head at?

Who knows.

Every fucking thing
is out of whack.

I wake up,

I keep thinking
I should be dead.

Takes me a few minutes
to realize I'm not,

then I get up, I walk the dog,

and the day just goes by.

You got nothing
to be ashamed of.

I was thinking of
going to the VA,

but...

I can't.

When I left the corps, my head
was fine. It was clear as a bell.

It wasn't till this last
mission with High Star that I...

Hey, we can help.

The company's got good
people. I can get you a name.

That'd be good, I think.

You hang in there, Sancho.

I'll find you someone.

You guys break one of those,
Dad's gonna kick your ass.

You men have about
two seconds...

Shit! to stop doing anything
I'm not supposed to see.

Let's strap on a feedbag.
It's time for chow.

Amidst the turmoil, injustice
and evil in this world,

we ask ourselves, "How
can we persevere?"

In this season of joy and peace,

I believe we can find
comfort in our commitments.

Commitments to our faith, to
our family, to our country.

Jesus teaches us
to love, to commit.

He teaches us moral strength in a
world of weakness and cowardice.

To combat this weakness,
what does he give us?

The gift of our convictions.

That's right. The gift
of our convictions.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen. Amen.

Does it have garlic?

Very good, yes. Very fresh.

My son can't eat garlic.

The kid can't eat garlic.
Can you make it without?

Yes, yes, of
course. No problem.

You're all set. No garlic.

Thank you.

You grew up in the
North didn't you?

Egypt, yes. You have
a very good ear.

Congratulations, by the way.
I'm happy for your people.

Yes, yes. It's wonderful.

Excuse me.

Patty, I just left my office.

Are we still on for coffee?

Yes, I'm looking
forward to seeing you.

Okay, great. See you there.

Thanks for calling, Ellen.

See you soon.

What do you know about Howard
Erickson and High Star Security?

High Star?

Yeah.

Be careful, Ellen.

You didn't answer my question.

High Star's a very
dangerous target.

Dozens of lawyers have tried
to build a case against them,

and it's never worked.

It's a company that's protected.

That's what interests me.

You've been working for Nye and
Everett for two and a half years.

Are you bored?

I want to try cases that matter to
me and I want to try them my way.

Sounds like you're thinking
about going out on your own.

All the more reason to
stay away from High Star.

If you want to build a name for
yourself, start your own firm,

you need to find a
case that you can win.

I have a friend who I went to high
school with who worked for High Star.

He may know some things.

I'm worried about
getting him involved.

You should be.

You know, you talk about
wanting to do it your way,

but there's only one way
to try a case, Ellen.

Whatever way allows
you to win it.

But if you also
want to have a life,

or balance or a family,
or protect your friend...

You know, I never answered
your question three years ago.

What question?

Right after Tom died, we
were out at the beach house,

you asked me if it
was all worth it.

And?

If you have to ask the question,

you already have your answer.

Stay away from High Star.

Good evening, Maggie.
Hi, Ms. Hewes.

I want you to get me
everything you can find

on Howard Erickson and the
High Star Security Corporation.

Right away, Ms. Hewes.

Sorry to take you away from
your home on family movie night.

I could have just told
you this on the phone.

It's the one where they meet the
mummy, I've seen it a hundred times.

Besides, I'd rather talk
about this at the office.

You said you met with Sanchez.

Yes, sir.

After the last operation...

He's in bad shape.

He's having a hard
time readjusting.

How wobbly is he?

It's hard to say, sir.

He asked for help.

He turned down the promotion.

I think his state of
mind is partly why.

Are you concerned about
his level of commitment?

No. Are you sure?

You're the one
who recruited him.

He's stand-up.
It's not an issue.

But I think he should be
evaluated professionally.

All right, then, give
him Dr. Barrera's info.

He's the best
headshrinker we have.

Here, I want you to have one
of these for your tree, AC.

Happy holidays.

Thank you, sir.

Any word from
Congresswoman Chase

on getting the meeting set
up with the swing vote?

Will Shipley meet with you
about renewing your contracts?

She's doing everything she
can. We just gotta have faith.

Objection. He's already
answered the question.

When you bring a new drug
to market, Mr. Coupet,

does your company always
conduct clinical trials?

English, please.

Excuse me.

Yes, we conduct clinical trials
for every drug we develop.

Mr. Coupet, did you
personally oversee

the development of a
vaccine called Tranzec?

Objection.

Mr. Coupet is neither a
scientist nor a physician.

As CEO, did you
ever have occasion

to hear the term
"adverse event"?

Yes.

In your industry, Mr. Coupet,

what is meant by an adverse event
in the testing of a new drug?

It can mean many things.
Rashes, fevers, many things.

In some cases,
can it mean death?

This is very rare, but yes.

More specifically, an
adverse event can mean

that a subject in a clinical
trial has died. Is that correct?

Objection, he's already
answered the question.

I want it on the record. Is
that correct, Mr. Coupet?

Objection.

To what? To her.

I mean, whose
fucking kid is this?

Maggie?

Whose fucking kid is this?

Maggie!

So, have you ever talked to
a therapist before, Chris?

No, sir.

You don't have to "sir"
me in here, Chris.

You're a lieutenant.

"Doctor" is fine.

Oh, that's just the radiator.

I'm not much of a talker.

I lost some of my unit.

How's that affecting you?

A lot of dreams.

Problems with jobs, with...

Friends.

If you said I was having a
total fucking nervous breakdown,

I wouldn't argue.

All of the things
that you're feeling,

the rage, depression,
grief, the guilt,

that's normal.

What's abnormal was the
situation you were in.

The trauma, the death in war.

You're having a normal response
to a horribly abnormal situation.

I don't know about that.

You're feeling helpless.

But we can't go back
and affect your memories

unless you start talking
about those events.

Now, perhaps you can
tell me a little bit

about your experiences
in those last few weeks.

I led a unit

for a mission we should
have never been on.

I mean, the whole fucking
operation was illegal.

Go on.

If Sanchez is mentally unstable,

all the more reason
to be concerned.

That's why I sent him
to a psychiatrist.

It's that shrink's job to
get the truth out of the boy,

and the truth just isn't
our friend, Howard.

There's patient-doctor
privilege.

Not good enough. I'll
take care of Sanchez.

Fuck you, Jerry!

You don't go near
my men. You hear me?

Let's be clear.

If anyone finds out about
that last mission, I'm fucked.

And you're out of work.

That incident is
all buttoned up.

Then how come Chris Sanchez
is chatting up an attorney?

You're worried about a lawsuit?

I know how to handle lawsuits.

I'm worried about what
comes out in lawsuits.

I'm worried about what
stories Sanchez might tell.

So we're going to
proceed as I see fit.

No. You're going to
consult me first.

Congress is turning
against you, Howard.

You know that.

I'm your lifeline.

I'm the only one who can get your
government contracts renewed.

Put the fucking shoe down!

You don't go near
Sanchez, understood?

I'm sorry the little
guy fell asleep.

I was hoping these two
could play together.

No, it's okay. Catherine has
to have her lunch, anyway.

Maggie?

Can you get Catherine
her lunch, please?

Of course.

Maggie's gonna get
you some lunch.

You want Blueberry?
Here, take Blueberry.

I thought you were
hiring a new nanny.

I did. It didn't work out.

How many does that make now?

I don't know. They
all were incompetent.

You don't want to tell me?

I don't know.
Maybe seven, eight.

I don't have to
worry about nannies.

I'm a stay-at-home dad. I
love every minute of it.

That's because you're a man.

At your age, you can have a
child and reinvent yourself.

Hmm.

Our pediatrician's wife runs an
art-and-music-based day-care center.

Day-care doesn't cut
it with my schedule.

So what are you gonna do?

You're just gonna
keep rotating her

through housekeepers
and assistants?

Till I find a good one, yes.

I don't want Catherine to
get attached to someone

who isn't gonna be
sticking around.

Catherine does have
a father, you know.

It's been three years.
Track Michael down.

No. I'm not gonna do that.

Your son just disappears.

You're telling me that you
don't want to know where he is?

I tried to reach him
in the beginning.

He made it very clear that he
doesn't want me in his life.

Patty, you gotta find
him, bring him home.

Make him accountable
for his behavior.

Michael had a chance to be a
father, and he ran away from it.

End of story.

I'm here, Mrs. Lowry,
because I believe

I believe that High Star may be covering
up the truth about your husband's death.

What do you mean?

Do you know anything
about the mission

your husband was on in
October, when he was killed?

Not much.

Tommy was with High
Star since 2005.

But I guess it was
about a year ago

that they tapped him
for some new unit.

All I know is that
the pay was better,

but the assignment
made him real nervous.

And what was the explanation
they gave you for their deaths?

The company was so vague.
"An ambush," they said.

Did your husband ever talk about
the men that he worked with?

Yeah, nonstop.

I mean, I heard all
kinds of stories.

You want to see a
picture? Yes, please.

That would be great.

This is his unit.

Look at them, just smiling.

That's Tommy on the left.

And you got Jay Rayburn here.

Jay could sometimes be a
dick, but he made Tommy laugh.

And the real tall one,
that's Bob Franks.

Franko and Jay-Ray both
passed same day as Tommy.

I'm so sorry, Mrs. Lowry.

And you see that guy?

That's Chris Sanchez.

You know how some guys are
just naturally built to lead?

Tommy said that was Sancho.

Your husband knew him well?

Tommy loved him.

I mean, these guys, they
would do anything for Sancho.

What?

What?

It's been a long
time, Ms. Hewes.

I called because I
have a proposition.

I'm looking to hire a
private investigator,

and I heard you retired
from the police force.

To do what?

To track down some
information for me.

Who's this?

My son.

Happy holidays!

I received the Christmas
present, Howard.

You know I can't
accept gifts from you.

I know the congressional
rules, Congresswoman.

It's just a little
something for your tree.

Have you had a chance to
talk with Shipley yet?

Yes, I did.

I did my best to persuade him, but
he still refuses to meet with you.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Listen, there's really
nothing else to do.

You just don't have the votes.

Those contracts aren't
going to be renewed.

I'm sorry, Howard.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you.

You haven't been
straight with me.

The men who died,
Rayburn, Franks, Lowry...

You knew them.
These were your men.

Something happened
on that last mission,

and High Star is covering it up.

That's why you lied
to me, isn't it?

It's not something I'm
going to talk about, Ellen.

I'm trying to help you.

I am the founder and CEO of the
High Star Security Corporation.

We're a private security firm
hired by the US Government

to protect dignitaries and other
A-plus targets in war zones.

These men trusted you.

Their families want answers.

Look...

Technically, the
mission was illegal.

Then why did you go?
Did someone coerce you?

They didn't have to.

It was an issue of
national security.

We went in, and we
accomplished what we needed to.

I have a wrongful death
suit against High Star,

but I can't file it without you.

Please don't ask me to do this.

I could subpoena you,

but I don't want to turn
your life upside down

any more than it already is.

High Star's over there.

They're breaking
the law for profit,

and they're
accountable to no one.

They're taking care of me now.

Look, they got me a doctor.

The guy gave me medication, I'm
seeing him again first thing tomorrow.

I'm feeling better.

It's not just about you.

These men and their families,

they're really struggling
emotionally, financially...

They deserve better.

Jerry Boorman.

Jerry, it's Howard. I've hit
a dead end with Congress.

I need your help
securing those contracts.

Sorry. At the moment,
my hands are full.

What the hell are
you talking about?

Cleaning up your mess.

Jerry?

What would you say to those
who call you a mercenary?

A war profiteer?

I would enlighten them.

I would tell them we provide
an essential service,

and we are paid accordingly.

What would you need me to do?

You just have to tell the truth.

And everything will be okay.

When I am through with you

There won't be anything left

When I am through with you

There won't be anything left