Person of Interest (2011–2016): Season 1, Episode 13 - Root Cause - full transcript
Finch and Reese run surveillance on a man who's been unemployed for eight months without his family knowing. Angry that he's been fired, he may pose a threat to society.
FINCH:
You are being watched.
The government has a secret system.
A machine that spies on you
every hour of every day.
I know because I built it.
I designed the machine to detect
acts of terror, but it sees everything.
Violent crimes involving
ordinary people.
People like you.
Crimes the government
considered irrelevant.
They wouldn't act,
so I decided I would.
But I needed a partner.
Someone with the skills to intervene.
Hunted by the authorities,
we work in secret.
You will never find us.
But victim or perpetrator,
if your number's up, we'll find you.
Good morning, Mr. Reese.
[GRUNTING]
FINCH [OVER FEED]:
Mr. Reese?
[GRUNTING OVER FEED]
Bit of a bad connection.
Were you able to convince Mr. Billick
to abandon his plan to kill his ex-wife?
REESE:
I'm working on it, Finch.
Yeah, Finch, what is it?
[GRUNTING CONTINUES]
[REESE PANTING]
I'm pretty sure that's
a parole violation, Teddy.
Hello, Finch. Billick and I just came
to an understanding.
Good, because we have a new number.
I had a feeling you
were gonna say that.
I'm sending an address.
Call me when you get there.
MAN: You're sure he's the right guy?
WOMAN: He's perfect.
So, what's this guy's story, Finch?
FINCH:
Scott Powell, 38...
...he's a construction
project manager for the city.
Seems like a family man.
His wife's name is Leslie,
son is Owen, daughter Mia.
My goodness. What are you working
on there, a doggy?
- A horse.
- It's a horse. Of course it's a...
I knew it was a horse.
I was just testing you.
LESLIE: Hey, did you lose your watch?
- Uh, no, it's around here somewhere.
All right, guys, Daddy's gotta go to work.
POWELL: Love you, baby.
- Bye. Love you too. Be good.
Are you still there, Mr. Reese?
You ever crave a more
conventional life, Finch?
If by "conventional" you mean a life
without the numbers...
...it has crossed my mind.
It looks like Powell has
a pretty normal one.
FINCH: If there's one thing our venture
has proven, Mr. Reese...
...it's that people are rarely
what they seem.
Finch, it looks like Powell's playing
hooky. He's heading into a park.
Could be meeting somebody.
Are you up on his phone?
REESE:
I'm about to be.
[CELL PHONE BEEPS]
POWELL: Hi, yeah.
Uh, I'm calling about the installer job...
...you have listed in the paper here.
MAN [OVER PHONE]:
I'm sorry. That position's been filled.
Oh, um, well, do you have any other
positions available at this time or?
[DIAL TONE]
Finch, Powell's not skipping work,
he's out of work.
Yes. I'm just discovering
that the city's employee directory...
...is grossly out of date.
A casualty of employee cutbacks.
Cutbacks that put Powell out of a job...
...eight months ago.
Judging by the way he was acting
with his family, they have no idea.
That's a long time to go
without a paycheck.
[PHONE DIALING]
- Uh, well, these flutes are silver plated.
PAWNBROKER: And engraved.
I ain't expecting another
Leslie and Scott to come in.
Look, I can't use any of this stuff.
Now, if you have another watch,
like you had last time...
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
All of it for a hundred bucks.
- Sorry.
- Fifty.
Look, pal, take your junk
and clear out, all right?
- Don't you call my stuff junk.
- Hey, you want I should call the cops?
No, man.
Guy's ready to hit rock bottom.
I ran Powell's credit,
he's maxed out on his cards.
With the exception of the one he shares
with his wife, that's almost at its limit.
Suspect he might be a threat?
He just about took a pawn broker's
head off for a few bucks.
See if Carter can run
a background check on this guy.
- What about Detective Fusco?
- He's handling another matter.
I'll keep a close eye on Powell.
Good. And I'm gonna wanna
get a look at his home computer...
...so I'll be joining you tonight.
REESE: Really?
- Ever been on a stakeout?
- No, should I bring anything?
Warm clothes, something to read
and an empty water bottle.
- Empty?
- There are no bathrooms on a stakeout.
REESE:
He's gotten good at leading two lives.
Unfortunately, they're
on a collision course.
- Hungry already, Finch?
- No.
And if I was, it wouldn't be
for something with...
...disodium inosinate.
The can is made of aluminum.
Its dimensions are perfect...
...for capturing Wi-Fi radio waves.
Okay.
Point this at the house.
His home Wi-Fi network has
a WPA password protection.
REESE: Can you crack it?
FINCH: Just did.
Spends a lot of time on political websites...
...blogging about a congressman,
Michael Delancey.
Not a big fan of the congressman.
This is interesting.
Here's a big file, encrypted.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
I'm gonna have to take this.
I'll be right back.
- Hello?
MAN [OVER PHONE]: Mr. Powell?
This is Work Time Temp Agency.
You called us
about an event staff position.
POWELL:
Uh-huh.
MAN: We have a two-day job placement
if you're still available.
Absolutely, yes.
MAN:
They need you there at 12:30.
That sounds great.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Looks like Powell's fortunes
may be turning around.
I hope so. But we still don't know why
the machine gave us his number.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
- Detective.
- I looked up your guy.
Nothing but a couple
of traffic tickets...
...and an application
for a firearms license for a rifle.
- Otherwise, he's clean.
- I see. Okay, thank you.
CARTER:
Should I be worried about this guy?
That's what we're
trying to determine, detective.
That file from Powell's computer...
...it was a PGP-encrypted
anonymous e-mail account.
All these e-mails are addressed
to Congressman Delancey's office.
REESE: The same congressman
that Powell had a beef with.
Delancey pushed for the budgetary
cutbacks that prompted city layoffs.
He cost Powell his job.
So why would Powell be working
a fundraiser for Delancey?
Does he own any registered weapons?
Carter said he applied
for a firearms license, a rifle.
These are death threats, Mr. Reese.
- Powell's not here for a job.
- He's going to assassinate Delancey.
[KNOCKS]
FINCH [OVER FEED]:
Did you find Powell?
We need to get to him
before he gets to the congressman.
Sir? You need to come
through the main line. Thanks.
REESE: We've got a problem, Finch,
Powell's already inside.
GUARD: Pens, mobile phones,
anything like that goes in the tray.
Thank you, sir.
Step through, please.
We should get in there, then.
[CHATTERING]
You stay close to the congressman.
Keep your eyes open
and be ready to move.
Move? If somebody starts shooting,
what exactly do you expect me to do?
You'll think of something, Finch.
- Polls look good, Mike.
- Thanks to your endorsement, senator.
Do you remember Pete Matheson,
my campaign manager?
- Sure, you're doing a hell of a job.
- Thank you, senator.
REESE:
Powell must be downstairs with the staff.
- Are you with Delancey?
- Close by.
Listen, Mike, uh, as long as I've got you,
let me ask you a favor.
Back off the rhetoric, understand?
Calling out large donors
makes for great stumping...
...but it also makes
people uncomfortable.
By "people" you mean you?
Just keep it mind, congressman.
We want you to have a long, long career.
Listen, this is odd. Those threatening
e-mails Powell sent the congressman...
...they're being flagged by my system.
HOST: Ladies and gentlemen,
we'd like you to please take your seats.
Thank you for joining us this afternoon.
I'm Pete Matheson.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDS]
You know, a few years back,
my friend and business partner...
...came to me and said,
"I'm thinking of running for office."
[CHATTERING]
- Popular, I think we can all agree
they have always been...
The IP addresses match, but there are
big discrepancies in the TTL values.
- The headers are failing to authenticate.
- What are you getting at?
Those anonymous e-mails didn't
originate in Powell's laptop.
They were copied on to it
from a remote location.
REESE: I'm more interested in finding the
guy with the gun than fixing his computer.
Congressman Michael Delancey.
[CHEERING]
DELANCEY:
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for coming. And thank you.
The system's being hacked.
Mr. Reese?
DELANCEY:
You know...
- Mr. Reese?
REESE: Confetti.
Powell's being set up.
[GUNSHOT]
[AUDIENCE SCREAMING]
WOMAN:
There he is! There!
MAN:
In the balcony!
[SIRENS WAILING]
I can't tell how badly the
congressman is wounded.
Yeah, I lost the real shooter.
The e-mails, the job.
- Powell was set up.
POWELL: Listen to me.
It wasn't me. I didn't do anything.
- Why won't you listen to me?
- The question is, by who?
OFFICER:
Put him in four.
Follow me.
ATKINS [ON TV]:
This is a shocking and a tragic day.
We're all just praying
that he'll pull through, that's all.
Whoever shot Delancey and framed
Powell went through a lot of trouble.
They had to hack his computer, spoofed
his Internet search history and e-mails.
They knew what information
to manipulate...
...so that he looked guilty to the police.
- Fooled us.
And your machine.
No. The machine doesn't get fooled.
If Powell isn't the threat,
then he must be in danger.
Well, he's the patsy, then.
Maybe he wasn't supposed
to make it out of the fundraiser alive.
FINCH:
Did you get a look at the shooter?
Not a good one. But he was a pro.
Deadeye shot
with a pre-planned escape route.
Different skill set than our hacker,
so different people?
We're looking at a team.
First thing to determine
is how the hacker got into his computer.
This may take me a little time.
I'll check on Powell.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
You. I thought I could trust you.
Your partner said I shouldn't
worry about Powell.
Then he shoots a congressman?
The feds brought him into my precinct.
He didn't do it. I was there.
We got a banquet hall full
of witnesses saying otherwise.
- Right. Well, he was set up.
- Set up? By who?
We don't know yet,
but we could use some help.
There's not much I can do.
The feds are running this show.
They're taking him
into interrogation now.
REESE: I need to know what they're saying.
- There's nothing I can do.
Carter, it could help save
an innocent man.
I didn't shoot anyone.
- It was your rifle found at the scene.
POWELL: I don't own a rifle.
ELLIS:
It's registered in your name.
POWELL: It must've been the guy...
ELLIS: Uh, which guy, exactly?
The one you say attacked you
or the one who worked there?
POWELL: No. The guy who worked there,
who took me up to the balcony...
...to rig the confetti cannon.
No one on the staff saw this guy
and he's not in any security footage.
He was right there. I saw him.
He must've known
where the cameras were.
This whole thing is a setup.
Did you call the staffing agency?
ELLIS: There's no company named
Work Time in the tristate area.
POWELL:
That's impossible. They called me.
What about your gloves? Why'd they
test positive for gunshot residue?
- I don't know. I got them from the guy.
- Right, right, the guy.
[CELL PHONES RINGING]
- You still there?
- Yeah. What happened?
Hospital just called.
Congressman Delancey didn't make it.
Powell's looking at murder one.
- Les, it's me.
- Oh, my God, Scott, where are you?
- It's all a big mistake.
- The FBI is searching the house.
The news says you shot someone.
No, listen, these things they're saying,
Leslie, they're all lies.
- Now, are the kids with you?
LESLIE: Yes.
Take them next door, okay?
- Okay.
POWELL: Now, listen.
They're probably gonna ask you
to go with them and answer questions.
Now, Leslie... Leslie, listen to me,
you do what they ask, okay?
Okay.
- You have another computer?
- No, what computer?
- What's going on, Scott?
POWELL: I don't know.
I need you to trust me, okay?
Everything's gonna be all right.
- I love you.
- I love you too.
What is it?
I think Powell could still be in danger.
- How so?
- In frame jobs, the decoy doesn't make it.
If they're not taken out at the scene,
they're eliminated soon after.
Staged to look like
a suicide or accident.
Are you speaking
from experience, Mr. Reese?
The point is, it ties up the loose ends.
[COMPUTER BEEPS]
Here. I think I may have
found a way to our hacker.
- How?
- A Trojan horse.
- Hidden in one of Powell's e-mails.
REESE: An invitation to a job fair?
Powell RSVP'd,
the Trojan was installed.
It opened a port on his computer
that allowed access.
- I'm now installing that same Trojan.
- You purposely infected your computer.
No, I created a virtual system.
The Trojan can still run
and we can see where it leads.
- Back to the hacker.
FINCH: Yes.
Wow. The coding is so complex,
it's really clever.
- But not clever enough. We're connected.
- Can you get their location?
No, the IP address is masked.
But we can see what they're looking at.
- Looks like a floor plan.
- It's the federal courthouse downtown.
Carter said the FBI was now running
the Powell investigation.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
If Powell is innocent,
you need to come up with evidence, fast.
- Is he still in your custody?
- He was. The feds have him.
REESE: Where are they taking him?
- The courthouse for arraignment.
- Why? What are you thinking?
- Thanks.
FBI's got Powell, but they have no idea
they're dropping him off...
...into the hands of the assassins.
FINCH:
What can I do?
Send me the most direct route from
the 8th Precinct to the courthouse.
Doing it now.
[ENGINE REVVING]
Watch out, watch out!
[POWELL COUGHING]
You're the guy who tackled me.
Who are you?
One of the only people
who know you're innocent.
- What do you want?
- Right now, get you some place safe.
Safe? You just kidnapped me
from the FBI.
Go ahead, Finch. I've got Powell.
I haven't been able
to unmask the hacker's IP...
...but here's a vulnerability
in the firewall.
Yes.
Okay, now we're in.
Never doubted you.
Now let's see
who's behind the curtain.
- Wait, something's wrong.
- What is it?
We didn't hack in, we were let in.
It's a honeypot.
The program is sophisticated.
They're using a worm
to infect any devices connected...
...to our private network.
Including our phones.
- They're listening. Destroy your phone.
- Wait.
You know how to find me.
FINCH:
Who are you?
I'll take this one.
Keep the change.
212-555-0159.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome. Here.
Put these on. You're the most wanted man
in New York.
FINCH [ON RECORDING]:
212-555-0159.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
FINCH: Mr. Reese.
REESE: Finch, what the hell happened?
FINCH:
Afraid I underestimated our hacker.
My equipment at the library
is compromised.
- So for the time being, I'm mobile.
- Shh.
Listen.
I felt we might need extra help...
...looking for Congressman Delancey's
killer so I've called in a specialist.
Someone with an intimate knowledge
of the political arena.
- Oh, here she is. I have to go.
REESE: Wait a minute. "Specialist"? "She"?
Finch?
[FINCH CLEARS THROAT]
- Hey, I reserved the room.
- Take a study break.
MAN:
Nice work, dude.
[GIRL CHUCKLES]
Please.
Thank you for meeting me
on such short notice, Ms. Morgan.
- I work when I'm needed, mister...
- Harold, please.
- I am curious how you got my number.
- A mutual friend.
He assisted you
on a delicate negotiation...
...with a certain
pharmaceutical company.
So you're the guy
on the other end of the phone.
- How is John?
- On the run, as usual.
He's actually helping another one
of our clients even as we speak.
And in the same way
that he was able to assist you...
...we were hoping that you might be able
to return the favor.
I don't understand.
One man took my husband away
from all of you?
We believe he's part of an armed group,
possibly terrorists.
Did your husband have
any radical political views, Mrs. Powell?
Terrorists? No.
Scott would never be involved
in anything like that.
If you don't believe me,
ask friends, co-workers.
You know that your husband's
been out of work for eight months?
No. Scott goes to work every day.
Have you taken a look
at your finances recently?
It seems pretty clear
that you don't know your husband...
...as well as you think, Mrs. Powell.
Our client was
at Congressman Delancey's fundraiser.
- As a guest?
- The shooter.
He was framed.
We're looking for the actual shooter.
You boys certainly do like a challenge,
don't you?
I've come up with alternative suspects
who wanted the congressman dead.
Well, all of these people have been
at each other's throats at some point.
No, whoever killed Delancey,
goes way beyond politics.
Prior to running for office,
Delancey owned a contracting company.
DA's office has quietly
been preparing an investigation...
...into the company for several months.
How do you know that?
- Never mind.
- The allegations were corner-cutting...
...and payoffs to city inspectors.
Strange for Delancey,
considering his anti-corruption platform.
It is.
But he wasn't running the business.
FINCH:
Matheson.
- Delancey's campaign manager.
- And business partner.
For two years,
Delancey is in full-time campaign mode.
Not really running
the day-to-day of his business.
So the bribes and the corner-cutting...
...they must've happened
under Matheson's watch.
Unless he could say Delancey
was really running things.
Which he could, if Delancey
wasn't around to defend himself.
Even if this was true, we have no proof
that Matheson had Delancey killed.
Let's go get some.
Excuse me. I'm sorry. No. Please.
I'm sorry. Please.
REPORTER: Is it true your husband
killed him? Did he really kill him?
I don't get it.
Why would anyone
wanna do this to me?
They needed a patsy
and you fit the role.
They?
Who's "they"?
[FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE]
[YELLS]
[GRUNTING]
Come on. Let's go.
MATHESON:
We're all feeling terrible.
Just make sure that everybody
can stay as long as they want.
I just gotta get back to the office, okay?
Excuse me.
- Mr. Matheson.
- Look, I'm sorry. I've said everything...
I'm not a reporter.
My name is Zoe Morgan.
I helped a friend of yours,
Jay Tanner, last year.
Little matter of a paternity suit.
Yes. I'm sure we don't need
those services right now.
Paternity suits aren't my specialty.
Crisis management is.
And right now I think
that's exactly what you need.
All right.
All right, Ms. Morgan,
why don't you tell me why I need you?
One, your pending investigation
with the DA's office.
- I have lawyers.
- The killing of your business partner.
Congressman Delancey.
- Excuse me?
- Delancey would've testified...
...that you were the one
behind the shortcuts. Payoffs.
Now that he's dead,
you can lay the blame on him.
Who do you think you are?
Your partner was gonna burn you,
so you burned him. I get it.
But your vendor?
Your vendor dropped the ball.
The man that you set up
is missing in action.
You know, if you're gonna
do something wrong, do it right.
I can find Powell.
Bring him to you, whomever you like.
- For a price, of course.
- I don't know what you're referring to.
And I think it's time that you leave.
Keep the card. Might come in handy.
WOMAN:
I thought I was clear on how this works.
I call you, not the other way around.
I hired you because I thought
you could handle this.
WOMAN:
And I am.
Then why is Powell still alive?
You assured me of your abilities...
...and right now I am not seeing
any of them.
WOMAN: I could have every e-mail
you've sent contact called...
...and password you've used.
I can empty your bank accounts,
liquidate your stocks...
...and even send your ex-wife
the location of your house in Bermuda.
All right. Stop it. Stop it.
You've made your point.
WOMAN:
Powell and his friend will be taken care of.
You just make sure
to have my final payment ready.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
WOMAN: Where are you?
MAN: I'm headed downtown.
WOMAN:
The client's getting nervous.
They just dropped into the subway
at 23rd and 8th.
Got it.
REESE: It's a transmitter.
- That's how the guy found us.
Could've planted it today,
maybe sometime earlier.
Probably at your house.
They've been to my house?
Whoever is behind this
left little to chance.
But I need you to stay focused, Scott,
so I can get you back to your family.
I doubt I've got a family
to go back to right now.
I know about your job.
I know about the money, the lies.
I know what it's like
to live inside a lie.
Live there for so long
it feels like there's no way out.
But there always is.
I just needed a little more time,
you know?
To get a job, to get on my feet.
I was gonna tell Leslie.
- But now it's too late.
- No, it's not.
We're gonna get you out of this.
These people...
...they killed a congressman.
Are you gonna promise me
that they won't kill us too?
I didn't think so.
I need to talk to my wife.
- Now.
- That's not possible. Not right now.
- We need to keep our heads down.
- I could die.
And the person who I love most
in life...
...would think that I'm nothing more
than a killer.
Do you have any idea
what that feels like?
Actually, I do.
Of course, in my case...
...it was true.
Now, come on. Let's go.
[BEEPING]
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
- Carter.
- Hello, detective.
What the hell were you thinking,
taking down a prisoner transfer?
It worked.
Listen, I need a favor.
Powell needs to talk to his wife. Now.
Are you crazy? You know
the feds are up on her phone.
He needs this, Carter.
Mrs. Powell? Did you leave your kids
with your neighbor?
- Yes, is something wrong?
- No, uh, they're just calling to check in.
Follow me.
LESLIE [OVER PHONE]: Hello?
- Hi, Leslie. Hi, it's me.
Scott? Where are you?
I'm okay. Listen, Leslie.
I'm really, really sorry.
Oh, my God.
Scott, did you shoot that man?
No. No, of course not.
You gotta believe me, Les.
Do I? You've been out of work
for eight months.
Scott, what have you been doing
every morning?
Looking for work anywhere
and everywhere.
And our credit cards?
- Our savings?
- I know, babe. I know.
Why, Scott?
Because I couldn't...
I couldn't tell you that I was fired.
- I thought we told each other everything.
- I know.
Listen, Leslie.
I'm gonna make this right, I promise.
- Tell her the rest in person. Need to move.
- I gotta go. I love you.
Scott?
[BEEPING]
[BEEPING FASTER]
[GRUNTING AND YELLING]
- Excuse me. My name is Scott Powell.
- Stay where you are.
Do not turn around. Raise your hands.
OFFICER 1: That's him. Let's go.
Transport's waiting outside.
OFFICER 2:
Got it.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
WOMAN:
Is it finished?
Not quite,
but I suspect it will be soon.
[PAGER BEEPS]
MATHESON [ON COMPUTER]: I hired you
because I thought you could handle this.
WOMAN: And I am.
MATHESON: Why is Powell still alive?
You assured me of your abilities...
...and right now
I'm not seeing any of them.
There.
All right, folks, keep it back, please.
REPORTER 1: Sir! Glad to be home, sir?
REPORTER 2: How'd you do it?
REPORTER 3:
Police say you're guilty of murder.
REPORTER 1:
Glad to be home?
REPORTER 4:
What will you do in reaction to this?
Zoe.
John.
I hear we have you to thank
for catching Matheson.
Glad I could help.
Although, there is a matter of payment.
Buy me a drink?
REPORTER 3:
- Did you get out?
REPORTER 5: Did you miss your wife?
- I did miss my wife.
You once told me about a guy
who could say two words...
...that would make the reporters
go away.
Ever figure out what he said?
POWELL: That's all I have to say.
REPORTER 6: Do you know who that is?
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
I see that Mr. Powell
has been released.
- Still has a long road ahead of him.
FINCH: Indeed.
But I suspect that soon
he'll be on his way back.
I control a company that's decided
to build a new facility in New York.
They could use a man like Powell
overseeing things.
- That's noble of you, Finch.
- Hardly.
I just value good people, Mr. Reese.
REESE:
You follow up on the hacker?
She seems to cover her tracks
as efficiently as you do.
I was able to trace the signal
to an address...
...which the FBI received
by way of an anonymous tip.
Sadly they were too late. It seems the
hacker was using the dorm room...
...of an unsuspecting college student
who had been on winter break.
I need to determine the damage
to my system.
I'll contact you
when another number comes up.
Take care, Finch.
Next time.
[English - US - SDH]
You are being watched.
The government has a secret system.
A machine that spies on you
every hour of every day.
I know because I built it.
I designed the machine to detect
acts of terror, but it sees everything.
Violent crimes involving
ordinary people.
People like you.
Crimes the government
considered irrelevant.
They wouldn't act,
so I decided I would.
But I needed a partner.
Someone with the skills to intervene.
Hunted by the authorities,
we work in secret.
You will never find us.
But victim or perpetrator,
if your number's up, we'll find you.
Good morning, Mr. Reese.
[GRUNTING]
FINCH [OVER FEED]:
Mr. Reese?
[GRUNTING OVER FEED]
Bit of a bad connection.
Were you able to convince Mr. Billick
to abandon his plan to kill his ex-wife?
REESE:
I'm working on it, Finch.
Yeah, Finch, what is it?
[GRUNTING CONTINUES]
[REESE PANTING]
I'm pretty sure that's
a parole violation, Teddy.
Hello, Finch. Billick and I just came
to an understanding.
Good, because we have a new number.
I had a feeling you
were gonna say that.
I'm sending an address.
Call me when you get there.
MAN: You're sure he's the right guy?
WOMAN: He's perfect.
So, what's this guy's story, Finch?
FINCH:
Scott Powell, 38...
...he's a construction
project manager for the city.
Seems like a family man.
His wife's name is Leslie,
son is Owen, daughter Mia.
My goodness. What are you working
on there, a doggy?
- A horse.
- It's a horse. Of course it's a...
I knew it was a horse.
I was just testing you.
LESLIE: Hey, did you lose your watch?
- Uh, no, it's around here somewhere.
All right, guys, Daddy's gotta go to work.
POWELL: Love you, baby.
- Bye. Love you too. Be good.
Are you still there, Mr. Reese?
You ever crave a more
conventional life, Finch?
If by "conventional" you mean a life
without the numbers...
...it has crossed my mind.
It looks like Powell has
a pretty normal one.
FINCH: If there's one thing our venture
has proven, Mr. Reese...
...it's that people are rarely
what they seem.
Finch, it looks like Powell's playing
hooky. He's heading into a park.
Could be meeting somebody.
Are you up on his phone?
REESE:
I'm about to be.
[CELL PHONE BEEPS]
POWELL: Hi, yeah.
Uh, I'm calling about the installer job...
...you have listed in the paper here.
MAN [OVER PHONE]:
I'm sorry. That position's been filled.
Oh, um, well, do you have any other
positions available at this time or?
[DIAL TONE]
Finch, Powell's not skipping work,
he's out of work.
Yes. I'm just discovering
that the city's employee directory...
...is grossly out of date.
A casualty of employee cutbacks.
Cutbacks that put Powell out of a job...
...eight months ago.
Judging by the way he was acting
with his family, they have no idea.
That's a long time to go
without a paycheck.
[PHONE DIALING]
- Uh, well, these flutes are silver plated.
PAWNBROKER: And engraved.
I ain't expecting another
Leslie and Scott to come in.
Look, I can't use any of this stuff.
Now, if you have another watch,
like you had last time...
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
All of it for a hundred bucks.
- Sorry.
- Fifty.
Look, pal, take your junk
and clear out, all right?
- Don't you call my stuff junk.
- Hey, you want I should call the cops?
No, man.
Guy's ready to hit rock bottom.
I ran Powell's credit,
he's maxed out on his cards.
With the exception of the one he shares
with his wife, that's almost at its limit.
Suspect he might be a threat?
He just about took a pawn broker's
head off for a few bucks.
See if Carter can run
a background check on this guy.
- What about Detective Fusco?
- He's handling another matter.
I'll keep a close eye on Powell.
Good. And I'm gonna wanna
get a look at his home computer...
...so I'll be joining you tonight.
REESE: Really?
- Ever been on a stakeout?
- No, should I bring anything?
Warm clothes, something to read
and an empty water bottle.
- Empty?
- There are no bathrooms on a stakeout.
REESE:
He's gotten good at leading two lives.
Unfortunately, they're
on a collision course.
- Hungry already, Finch?
- No.
And if I was, it wouldn't be
for something with...
...disodium inosinate.
The can is made of aluminum.
Its dimensions are perfect...
...for capturing Wi-Fi radio waves.
Okay.
Point this at the house.
His home Wi-Fi network has
a WPA password protection.
REESE: Can you crack it?
FINCH: Just did.
Spends a lot of time on political websites...
...blogging about a congressman,
Michael Delancey.
Not a big fan of the congressman.
This is interesting.
Here's a big file, encrypted.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
I'm gonna have to take this.
I'll be right back.
- Hello?
MAN [OVER PHONE]: Mr. Powell?
This is Work Time Temp Agency.
You called us
about an event staff position.
POWELL:
Uh-huh.
MAN: We have a two-day job placement
if you're still available.
Absolutely, yes.
MAN:
They need you there at 12:30.
That sounds great.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Looks like Powell's fortunes
may be turning around.
I hope so. But we still don't know why
the machine gave us his number.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
- Detective.
- I looked up your guy.
Nothing but a couple
of traffic tickets...
...and an application
for a firearms license for a rifle.
- Otherwise, he's clean.
- I see. Okay, thank you.
CARTER:
Should I be worried about this guy?
That's what we're
trying to determine, detective.
That file from Powell's computer...
...it was a PGP-encrypted
anonymous e-mail account.
All these e-mails are addressed
to Congressman Delancey's office.
REESE: The same congressman
that Powell had a beef with.
Delancey pushed for the budgetary
cutbacks that prompted city layoffs.
He cost Powell his job.
So why would Powell be working
a fundraiser for Delancey?
Does he own any registered weapons?
Carter said he applied
for a firearms license, a rifle.
These are death threats, Mr. Reese.
- Powell's not here for a job.
- He's going to assassinate Delancey.
[KNOCKS]
FINCH [OVER FEED]:
Did you find Powell?
We need to get to him
before he gets to the congressman.
Sir? You need to come
through the main line. Thanks.
REESE: We've got a problem, Finch,
Powell's already inside.
GUARD: Pens, mobile phones,
anything like that goes in the tray.
Thank you, sir.
Step through, please.
We should get in there, then.
[CHATTERING]
You stay close to the congressman.
Keep your eyes open
and be ready to move.
Move? If somebody starts shooting,
what exactly do you expect me to do?
You'll think of something, Finch.
- Polls look good, Mike.
- Thanks to your endorsement, senator.
Do you remember Pete Matheson,
my campaign manager?
- Sure, you're doing a hell of a job.
- Thank you, senator.
REESE:
Powell must be downstairs with the staff.
- Are you with Delancey?
- Close by.
Listen, Mike, uh, as long as I've got you,
let me ask you a favor.
Back off the rhetoric, understand?
Calling out large donors
makes for great stumping...
...but it also makes
people uncomfortable.
By "people" you mean you?
Just keep it mind, congressman.
We want you to have a long, long career.
Listen, this is odd. Those threatening
e-mails Powell sent the congressman...
...they're being flagged by my system.
HOST: Ladies and gentlemen,
we'd like you to please take your seats.
Thank you for joining us this afternoon.
I'm Pete Matheson.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDS]
You know, a few years back,
my friend and business partner...
...came to me and said,
"I'm thinking of running for office."
[CHATTERING]
- Popular, I think we can all agree
they have always been...
The IP addresses match, but there are
big discrepancies in the TTL values.
- The headers are failing to authenticate.
- What are you getting at?
Those anonymous e-mails didn't
originate in Powell's laptop.
They were copied on to it
from a remote location.
REESE: I'm more interested in finding the
guy with the gun than fixing his computer.
Congressman Michael Delancey.
[CHEERING]
DELANCEY:
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for coming. And thank you.
The system's being hacked.
Mr. Reese?
DELANCEY:
You know...
- Mr. Reese?
REESE: Confetti.
Powell's being set up.
[GUNSHOT]
[AUDIENCE SCREAMING]
WOMAN:
There he is! There!
MAN:
In the balcony!
[SIRENS WAILING]
I can't tell how badly the
congressman is wounded.
Yeah, I lost the real shooter.
The e-mails, the job.
- Powell was set up.
POWELL: Listen to me.
It wasn't me. I didn't do anything.
- Why won't you listen to me?
- The question is, by who?
OFFICER:
Put him in four.
Follow me.
ATKINS [ON TV]:
This is a shocking and a tragic day.
We're all just praying
that he'll pull through, that's all.
Whoever shot Delancey and framed
Powell went through a lot of trouble.
They had to hack his computer, spoofed
his Internet search history and e-mails.
They knew what information
to manipulate...
...so that he looked guilty to the police.
- Fooled us.
And your machine.
No. The machine doesn't get fooled.
If Powell isn't the threat,
then he must be in danger.
Well, he's the patsy, then.
Maybe he wasn't supposed
to make it out of the fundraiser alive.
FINCH:
Did you get a look at the shooter?
Not a good one. But he was a pro.
Deadeye shot
with a pre-planned escape route.
Different skill set than our hacker,
so different people?
We're looking at a team.
First thing to determine
is how the hacker got into his computer.
This may take me a little time.
I'll check on Powell.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
You. I thought I could trust you.
Your partner said I shouldn't
worry about Powell.
Then he shoots a congressman?
The feds brought him into my precinct.
He didn't do it. I was there.
We got a banquet hall full
of witnesses saying otherwise.
- Right. Well, he was set up.
- Set up? By who?
We don't know yet,
but we could use some help.
There's not much I can do.
The feds are running this show.
They're taking him
into interrogation now.
REESE: I need to know what they're saying.
- There's nothing I can do.
Carter, it could help save
an innocent man.
I didn't shoot anyone.
- It was your rifle found at the scene.
POWELL: I don't own a rifle.
ELLIS:
It's registered in your name.
POWELL: It must've been the guy...
ELLIS: Uh, which guy, exactly?
The one you say attacked you
or the one who worked there?
POWELL: No. The guy who worked there,
who took me up to the balcony...
...to rig the confetti cannon.
No one on the staff saw this guy
and he's not in any security footage.
He was right there. I saw him.
He must've known
where the cameras were.
This whole thing is a setup.
Did you call the staffing agency?
ELLIS: There's no company named
Work Time in the tristate area.
POWELL:
That's impossible. They called me.
What about your gloves? Why'd they
test positive for gunshot residue?
- I don't know. I got them from the guy.
- Right, right, the guy.
[CELL PHONES RINGING]
- You still there?
- Yeah. What happened?
Hospital just called.
Congressman Delancey didn't make it.
Powell's looking at murder one.
- Les, it's me.
- Oh, my God, Scott, where are you?
- It's all a big mistake.
- The FBI is searching the house.
The news says you shot someone.
No, listen, these things they're saying,
Leslie, they're all lies.
- Now, are the kids with you?
LESLIE: Yes.
Take them next door, okay?
- Okay.
POWELL: Now, listen.
They're probably gonna ask you
to go with them and answer questions.
Now, Leslie... Leslie, listen to me,
you do what they ask, okay?
Okay.
- You have another computer?
- No, what computer?
- What's going on, Scott?
POWELL: I don't know.
I need you to trust me, okay?
Everything's gonna be all right.
- I love you.
- I love you too.
What is it?
I think Powell could still be in danger.
- How so?
- In frame jobs, the decoy doesn't make it.
If they're not taken out at the scene,
they're eliminated soon after.
Staged to look like
a suicide or accident.
Are you speaking
from experience, Mr. Reese?
The point is, it ties up the loose ends.
[COMPUTER BEEPS]
Here. I think I may have
found a way to our hacker.
- How?
- A Trojan horse.
- Hidden in one of Powell's e-mails.
REESE: An invitation to a job fair?
Powell RSVP'd,
the Trojan was installed.
It opened a port on his computer
that allowed access.
- I'm now installing that same Trojan.
- You purposely infected your computer.
No, I created a virtual system.
The Trojan can still run
and we can see where it leads.
- Back to the hacker.
FINCH: Yes.
Wow. The coding is so complex,
it's really clever.
- But not clever enough. We're connected.
- Can you get their location?
No, the IP address is masked.
But we can see what they're looking at.
- Looks like a floor plan.
- It's the federal courthouse downtown.
Carter said the FBI was now running
the Powell investigation.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
If Powell is innocent,
you need to come up with evidence, fast.
- Is he still in your custody?
- He was. The feds have him.
REESE: Where are they taking him?
- The courthouse for arraignment.
- Why? What are you thinking?
- Thanks.
FBI's got Powell, but they have no idea
they're dropping him off...
...into the hands of the assassins.
FINCH:
What can I do?
Send me the most direct route from
the 8th Precinct to the courthouse.
Doing it now.
[ENGINE REVVING]
Watch out, watch out!
[POWELL COUGHING]
You're the guy who tackled me.
Who are you?
One of the only people
who know you're innocent.
- What do you want?
- Right now, get you some place safe.
Safe? You just kidnapped me
from the FBI.
Go ahead, Finch. I've got Powell.
I haven't been able
to unmask the hacker's IP...
...but here's a vulnerability
in the firewall.
Yes.
Okay, now we're in.
Never doubted you.
Now let's see
who's behind the curtain.
- Wait, something's wrong.
- What is it?
We didn't hack in, we were let in.
It's a honeypot.
The program is sophisticated.
They're using a worm
to infect any devices connected...
...to our private network.
Including our phones.
- They're listening. Destroy your phone.
- Wait.
You know how to find me.
FINCH:
Who are you?
I'll take this one.
Keep the change.
212-555-0159.
- Thanks.
- You're welcome. Here.
Put these on. You're the most wanted man
in New York.
FINCH [ON RECORDING]:
212-555-0159.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
FINCH: Mr. Reese.
REESE: Finch, what the hell happened?
FINCH:
Afraid I underestimated our hacker.
My equipment at the library
is compromised.
- So for the time being, I'm mobile.
- Shh.
Listen.
I felt we might need extra help...
...looking for Congressman Delancey's
killer so I've called in a specialist.
Someone with an intimate knowledge
of the political arena.
- Oh, here she is. I have to go.
REESE: Wait a minute. "Specialist"? "She"?
Finch?
[FINCH CLEARS THROAT]
- Hey, I reserved the room.
- Take a study break.
MAN:
Nice work, dude.
[GIRL CHUCKLES]
Please.
Thank you for meeting me
on such short notice, Ms. Morgan.
- I work when I'm needed, mister...
- Harold, please.
- I am curious how you got my number.
- A mutual friend.
He assisted you
on a delicate negotiation...
...with a certain
pharmaceutical company.
So you're the guy
on the other end of the phone.
- How is John?
- On the run, as usual.
He's actually helping another one
of our clients even as we speak.
And in the same way
that he was able to assist you...
...we were hoping that you might be able
to return the favor.
I don't understand.
One man took my husband away
from all of you?
We believe he's part of an armed group,
possibly terrorists.
Did your husband have
any radical political views, Mrs. Powell?
Terrorists? No.
Scott would never be involved
in anything like that.
If you don't believe me,
ask friends, co-workers.
You know that your husband's
been out of work for eight months?
No. Scott goes to work every day.
Have you taken a look
at your finances recently?
It seems pretty clear
that you don't know your husband...
...as well as you think, Mrs. Powell.
Our client was
at Congressman Delancey's fundraiser.
- As a guest?
- The shooter.
He was framed.
We're looking for the actual shooter.
You boys certainly do like a challenge,
don't you?
I've come up with alternative suspects
who wanted the congressman dead.
Well, all of these people have been
at each other's throats at some point.
No, whoever killed Delancey,
goes way beyond politics.
Prior to running for office,
Delancey owned a contracting company.
DA's office has quietly
been preparing an investigation...
...into the company for several months.
How do you know that?
- Never mind.
- The allegations were corner-cutting...
...and payoffs to city inspectors.
Strange for Delancey,
considering his anti-corruption platform.
It is.
But he wasn't running the business.
FINCH:
Matheson.
- Delancey's campaign manager.
- And business partner.
For two years,
Delancey is in full-time campaign mode.
Not really running
the day-to-day of his business.
So the bribes and the corner-cutting...
...they must've happened
under Matheson's watch.
Unless he could say Delancey
was really running things.
Which he could, if Delancey
wasn't around to defend himself.
Even if this was true, we have no proof
that Matheson had Delancey killed.
Let's go get some.
Excuse me. I'm sorry. No. Please.
I'm sorry. Please.
REPORTER: Is it true your husband
killed him? Did he really kill him?
I don't get it.
Why would anyone
wanna do this to me?
They needed a patsy
and you fit the role.
They?
Who's "they"?
[FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE]
[YELLS]
[GRUNTING]
Come on. Let's go.
MATHESON:
We're all feeling terrible.
Just make sure that everybody
can stay as long as they want.
I just gotta get back to the office, okay?
Excuse me.
- Mr. Matheson.
- Look, I'm sorry. I've said everything...
I'm not a reporter.
My name is Zoe Morgan.
I helped a friend of yours,
Jay Tanner, last year.
Little matter of a paternity suit.
Yes. I'm sure we don't need
those services right now.
Paternity suits aren't my specialty.
Crisis management is.
And right now I think
that's exactly what you need.
All right.
All right, Ms. Morgan,
why don't you tell me why I need you?
One, your pending investigation
with the DA's office.
- I have lawyers.
- The killing of your business partner.
Congressman Delancey.
- Excuse me?
- Delancey would've testified...
...that you were the one
behind the shortcuts. Payoffs.
Now that he's dead,
you can lay the blame on him.
Who do you think you are?
Your partner was gonna burn you,
so you burned him. I get it.
But your vendor?
Your vendor dropped the ball.
The man that you set up
is missing in action.
You know, if you're gonna
do something wrong, do it right.
I can find Powell.
Bring him to you, whomever you like.
- For a price, of course.
- I don't know what you're referring to.
And I think it's time that you leave.
Keep the card. Might come in handy.
WOMAN:
I thought I was clear on how this works.
I call you, not the other way around.
I hired you because I thought
you could handle this.
WOMAN:
And I am.
Then why is Powell still alive?
You assured me of your abilities...
...and right now I am not seeing
any of them.
WOMAN: I could have every e-mail
you've sent contact called...
...and password you've used.
I can empty your bank accounts,
liquidate your stocks...
...and even send your ex-wife
the location of your house in Bermuda.
All right. Stop it. Stop it.
You've made your point.
WOMAN:
Powell and his friend will be taken care of.
You just make sure
to have my final payment ready.
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
WOMAN: Where are you?
MAN: I'm headed downtown.
WOMAN:
The client's getting nervous.
They just dropped into the subway
at 23rd and 8th.
Got it.
REESE: It's a transmitter.
- That's how the guy found us.
Could've planted it today,
maybe sometime earlier.
Probably at your house.
They've been to my house?
Whoever is behind this
left little to chance.
But I need you to stay focused, Scott,
so I can get you back to your family.
I doubt I've got a family
to go back to right now.
I know about your job.
I know about the money, the lies.
I know what it's like
to live inside a lie.
Live there for so long
it feels like there's no way out.
But there always is.
I just needed a little more time,
you know?
To get a job, to get on my feet.
I was gonna tell Leslie.
- But now it's too late.
- No, it's not.
We're gonna get you out of this.
These people...
...they killed a congressman.
Are you gonna promise me
that they won't kill us too?
I didn't think so.
I need to talk to my wife.
- Now.
- That's not possible. Not right now.
- We need to keep our heads down.
- I could die.
And the person who I love most
in life...
...would think that I'm nothing more
than a killer.
Do you have any idea
what that feels like?
Actually, I do.
Of course, in my case...
...it was true.
Now, come on. Let's go.
[BEEPING]
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
- Carter.
- Hello, detective.
What the hell were you thinking,
taking down a prisoner transfer?
It worked.
Listen, I need a favor.
Powell needs to talk to his wife. Now.
Are you crazy? You know
the feds are up on her phone.
He needs this, Carter.
Mrs. Powell? Did you leave your kids
with your neighbor?
- Yes, is something wrong?
- No, uh, they're just calling to check in.
Follow me.
LESLIE [OVER PHONE]: Hello?
- Hi, Leslie. Hi, it's me.
Scott? Where are you?
I'm okay. Listen, Leslie.
I'm really, really sorry.
Oh, my God.
Scott, did you shoot that man?
No. No, of course not.
You gotta believe me, Les.
Do I? You've been out of work
for eight months.
Scott, what have you been doing
every morning?
Looking for work anywhere
and everywhere.
And our credit cards?
- Our savings?
- I know, babe. I know.
Why, Scott?
Because I couldn't...
I couldn't tell you that I was fired.
- I thought we told each other everything.
- I know.
Listen, Leslie.
I'm gonna make this right, I promise.
- Tell her the rest in person. Need to move.
- I gotta go. I love you.
Scott?
[BEEPING]
[BEEPING FASTER]
[GRUNTING AND YELLING]
- Excuse me. My name is Scott Powell.
- Stay where you are.
Do not turn around. Raise your hands.
OFFICER 1: That's him. Let's go.
Transport's waiting outside.
OFFICER 2:
Got it.
[CELL PHONE RINGING]
WOMAN:
Is it finished?
Not quite,
but I suspect it will be soon.
[PAGER BEEPS]
MATHESON [ON COMPUTER]: I hired you
because I thought you could handle this.
WOMAN: And I am.
MATHESON: Why is Powell still alive?
You assured me of your abilities...
...and right now
I'm not seeing any of them.
There.
All right, folks, keep it back, please.
REPORTER 1: Sir! Glad to be home, sir?
REPORTER 2: How'd you do it?
REPORTER 3:
Police say you're guilty of murder.
REPORTER 1:
Glad to be home?
REPORTER 4:
What will you do in reaction to this?
Zoe.
John.
I hear we have you to thank
for catching Matheson.
Glad I could help.
Although, there is a matter of payment.
Buy me a drink?
REPORTER 3:
- Did you get out?
REPORTER 5: Did you miss your wife?
- I did miss my wife.
You once told me about a guy
who could say two words...
...that would make the reporters
go away.
Ever figure out what he said?
POWELL: That's all I have to say.
REPORTER 6: Do you know who that is?
[CELL PHONE RINGS]
I see that Mr. Powell
has been released.
- Still has a long road ahead of him.
FINCH: Indeed.
But I suspect that soon
he'll be on his way back.
I control a company that's decided
to build a new facility in New York.
They could use a man like Powell
overseeing things.
- That's noble of you, Finch.
- Hardly.
I just value good people, Mr. Reese.
REESE:
You follow up on the hacker?
She seems to cover her tracks
as efficiently as you do.
I was able to trace the signal
to an address...
...which the FBI received
by way of an anonymous tip.
Sadly they were too late. It seems the
hacker was using the dorm room...
...of an unsuspecting college student
who had been on winter break.
I need to determine the damage
to my system.
I'll contact you
when another number comes up.
Take care, Finch.
Next time.
[English - US - SDH]