Person of Interest (2011–2016): Season 1, Episode 3 - Mission Creep - full transcript
Joey Durban, a just returned veteran of Afghanistan conflict, is the next case for Reese and Finch. On the surface, Joey seems to be just another vet trying to adjust to civilian life, which includes reuniting with his long time girlfriend Pia Moresco and trying to eke out a living working as a doorman at an upscale residential complex. As Reese begins to follow him, Joey seems to have a secret life, which includes a relationship with a single mother. But the larger issue is that Joey works within a band of robbers, who rob a bank while on Reese's watch. Finch is initially confused as the machine only identifies violent crimes, and the robberies Joey has committed has had no violence associated. Reese, however, believes that Joey is the father of the young child and is committing the robberies to support the child and mother. He also believes that one of Joey's associates is the one who is planning on killing Joey. The only way Reese can find out for sure is to infiltrate the gang as one of their own, which may entail him joining in on their crimes. A further problem for Reese is that Carter has been notified by the robbery division that Reese's fingerprints were discovered at the latest bank robbery, which could be the break she is looking for in tracking Reese. Meanwhile, this case makes Reese reminisce about his own past relationship with Jessica, specifically after his return to the US from an extended overseas deployment.
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 that 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'll never find us.
But victim or perpetrator,
if your number's up,
we'll find you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Season 01 Episode 03
~Mission Creep~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning, Finch.
Don't you knock?
Not if I can help it.
I felt bad about blowing
your cover identity.
Been looking for a new job
for you.
Dog walker, maybe.
Or concert pianist?
I have a job, Mr. Reese,
and so do you.
The machine has sent us
a new number.
His name's Joey Durban,
a soldier
in the 107th infantry,
just back from Afghanistan.
Army commendation medal,
purple heart--
Guy was a fighter.
Just like you.
I fought beside the 107th
in Iraq.
Most of them were just kids.
Joined up because
they lost family or friends
when the towers came down.
Over there, they grew up fast.
Or they died.
Well, at least
Joey came home alive.
And now you can help him
stay that way.
He works as a doorman
at a building in midtown.
I'm on it.
Standard operating procedure--
I'll clone his phone
for voice and texts.
I'll start following him.
And, uh, Finch...
If you're going
to work all night,
you should try
getting some exercise.
You look fabulous, Mrs. J.
I'd ask you out myself,
but I'd have to
fight off Larry Segel.
Thank you.
Hello.
Robbie, I got
to take off early.
Joey's engaged to a girl
named Pia Moresco.
She waited six years for him
while he was deployed.
Yeah, come here.
I love you, Joey.
Hey, Finch.
Finch, are you there?
Yes. Is there a problem?
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Thought you said
you'd never lie to me.
What's the problem,
Mr. Reese?
Our guy, Joe Durban...
I've been on him for eight
hours, and all he's done
is open doors for old ladies,
and now he's
going window shopping.
If the machine's
given us his number,
he must be caught up
in something.
He got a text,
it's a bit garbled.
Sending it over.
"Anchor D-0."
This supposed
to mean something?
I don't know.
You're the genius.
Get down, get down.
You, open the door now!
Go! Go!
- Get down!
- Get on the ground!
Down, down to the ground!
You, open the door. Now.
I said, "get down."
Head down.
50 seconds!
Head down.
Don't look at me.
40 seconds!
Not a good idea, pal.
30 seconds!
Wrap it up!
10 seconds, Sierra. Move!
Sierra, move!
Enough!
I'm back, Mr. Reese.
I've deciphered that text--
It's a street address...
For a bank.
No kidding, Finch.
What I said about
our guy being boring--
I take it back.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please do not
leave bags unattended.
Unattended bags will be...
John.
I didn't know you were back
from over there.
Jessica.
I'm not.
I'm just...
Heading back, actually.
- Where's your uniform?
- Uh...
I got a new job.
One of those jobs
you can't talk about?
So our friend Joey's
a bank robber.
Is that why the machine
gave us Joey's number?
I built the machine
to look for lethal intent.
Armed robbery wouldn't
normally make the cut.
Either way, I say we gift wrap
him and give him to the NYPD
before someone winds up dead.
Finch, the guy
was a good soldier.
Let me at least find out
how he got into this mess.
Okay, but don't
let your personal feelings
warp your judgment.
No one forced him
to go robbing banks.
Hang on, hang on.
He's meeting someone.
He's giving her something.
Looks like money--
A lot of money.
So...
Who's the other woman?
I don't know her name yet.
Bank robber and a cheet.
Unlikely to have
a happy ending.
- Do you think he's targeting
one of the women? - Could be.
Only way I'm going to find out
is to get closer to Joey,
and that won't be easy.
These guys are organized
and ultra-cautious.
No unnecessary contact.
Thanks.
Hang on.
That cabbie was at the bank.
Just made their courier.
Finch, run a check
on cab medallion number
5-Victor-80.
- Driver's name is Willis,
also an ex-soldier
in the 107th infantry.
Same unit as Joey.
And also a bank robber.
I hacked
the taxi company website.
Before he dropped the cash
off with Joey,
Willis stopped at a bar
in Coney Island
called the Green Zone.
Bar's owned by former
master Sergeant Sam Latimer,
veteran of the First Gulf War.
I think you just found
the gang's ringleader.
I want to get close to Latimer.
And I'll need a cover story.
I'll get on that.
And I need you
to create a vacancy for me...
With the gang.
I'll get on that too.
Anything else?
No, that'll do for now.
You Sam Latimer?
Name's Tony Miller.
Marine buddy down in San Diego,
told me a while back,
if I was ever in New York,
I should look you up.
What's your buddy's name?
Hector Mu?oz.
Mu?oz, yeah,
I remember him from Mogadishu.
Good shooter.
How's he doing?
Not good.
Ran over an IED in Hellmans.
Lasted a whole week before
he hit room temperature.
Rest in peace.
Tough son of a bitch.
So...
What kind of work are you
looking for? Security?
I'm not looking for wages.
I'm only interested
in lump sums.
You in trouble?
That's my business.
You're making it mine.
I was working freelance
in Tijuana.
Job went South.
People's feelings got hurt.
I need to put some distance
between me and them.
I've got some experience
you could use-- Skills.
What kind of skills?
You have a .45
under the counter,
a shotgun next to the register,
and I can get to them both
before you.
So if you're such a hotshot,
what do you need me for?
I prefer to work with people
who know the area.
I heard you're good
at what you do--
You make a lot of money...
You're still alive.
And that's because
I prefer not to work with a man
whose only reference
is a dead marine.
Well...
There's no job openings
at the moment.
But I'll call around.
Thanks.
You won't regret it.
I know.
Hey, uh, keep the change.
Let me get my case
out of the trunk.
Yellow cab driver,
get out of your vehicle!
Get out of your vehicle!
Now!
We got weapons here--
Shotgun, submachine guns.
I don't know anything
about those.
Those are not mine!
You Carter?
- Yeah.
- Molina-- Robbery.
I hear you're chasing after some
mysterious special forces guy.
Yeah, what is it to you?
Come here.
I may have something for you.
His prints showed up
on a bank job yesterday.
On a bank job?
Yeah. Four armed guys knocked
over a bank on Houston.
See that guard there?
Tries to be a hero.
Someone stops him
from getting
his head blown off.
When CSU did elimination prints
they printed
the guard's holster.
It was your mystery man.
Well, did they stop him?
Interview him?
No, he slipped away before
the first units got there.
Of course.
See the way
these guys are moving?
Yeah, and I'm pretty sure
that's a milspec radio.
They're soldiers.
So your special forces guy
fits right in.
I mean, he--
He could be their inside man.
Mind if I keep this?
Looks like your taxi ride
paid off, Finch.
Latimer just called me.
He wants me to meet
the team...Tonight.
Come on.
Move, move.
What we got, Straub?
- ID checks out.
Pay-as-you-go cell phone
bought two days ago.
Ran the calls--
Mainly take-out,
couple to some jarheads
in San Diego.
Last call's from Latimer.
What the hell is this about?
I thought Latimer
wanted you to meet me.
He also told us to put
a bullet in your head
if we didn't like you.
And right now, we don't.
- I'm just an ex-soldier,
needs some money fast.
You don't trust me?
Fine.
But the 107 trusted me
back in '05,
in Tikrit, and I trusted them.
How the hell
do you know our unit?
Big fella's got it tattooed
all over his arm.
You don't call us.
We call you.
When we do...
You lose that phone.
Killing in battle,
in combat, is one thing.
Killing someone up close...
Someone who can't fight back,
that takes a different
sort of killer.
And Joey's not one of them.
So you think Joey's the target.
Then who's gunning for him?
One of the gang?
One of the women?
Do we even know why
he's such a mess?
He's got a job,
pretty girlfriend,
good service record--
He's throwing it all away.
He's going to end up in prison.
- Or dead.
- You're right, but,
not every ex-soldier meets
a reclusive billionaire.
Okay.
But if Joey's bad choices
mean he's about
to walk into a bullet,
we have to find out
who's firing it.
Excuse me.
- Hey.
- I'm looking for my girlfriend.
What are you doing here?
Just wanted to say hello
to the most beautiful girl
in the world.
You're gonna get me in trouble.
Good tips today?
Not bad.
Julie's out sick,
so I got her tables.
It's been busy.
You better
get back to your shift.
Okay.
Oh, before you go,
Realtor says she can shome
some apartments tonight.
I'd really like it
if you can see them with me.
Things are kind of difficult
at work right now.
I know, baby,
but this is important too.
I just want us
to do stuff together again.
Like have fun.
Remember that?
I'm trying, P.
I really am.
John, I didn't know
you were back from over there.
- Where's your uniform?
- Uh...
I got a new job.
One of those jobs
you can't talk about?
Oh, yeah, I got engaged.
I'm-- I'm moving
back east next month.
His name's Peter.
Peter.
He's a lucky guy.
I waited for you.
- I didn't ask you to.
- No.
No, you didn't.
You just...Left.
Because you thought
you'd get killed over there,
and that that would hurt me.
But I think the truth is that
it was easier for you
to be alone.
That's one of the things
you learn over there--
In the end, we're all alone.
And no one's coming
to save you.
Be happy with Peter.
Oh, Molina, I want to know
more about this gang.
They pulled about
a dozen robberies.
They hit banks, jewelry stores,
money exchanges, casinos.
It's always four armed men.
They haven't killed anyone.
They haven't even hurt anyone.
In and out in 60 seconds,
every time.
- Dozen robberies. They're good.
- Oh, yeah.
A gang like this, they usually
implode after four or five.
You know how
they start dropping money,
they have a falling out
with each other?
Not these guys.
Maybe this will help.
It's a 148 radio--
Painted black,
aerial cut down
to look more like a phone.
It uses frequency-hopping
spread spectrum.
Which means zero chance
of interception.
You know this how?
I used them...
In Iraq and Afghanistan.
Where do I get one of these?
You can't.
Got to steal them
from the military.
I checked with every base
on the east coast.
Fort drum reported the theft
of a radio package
six months ago.
Do they got any idea
who stole them?
Army CID investigated--
No joy.
I'll tell you what you can do.
Cross-check guys
resident in New York,
who left the service
out of Fort Drum
in the last six months.
12 robberies--
Must have
some physical descriptions.
How was school?
Thanks.
Hi, sweetie.
Hey, Finch.
I'm sending you a photo.
Looks like Joey's other woman's
got a little girl.
Think she's Joey's?
Sure looks like that.
You should be able to find
the girl's name,
if Sunny Days Kindergarten's
firewalls
aren't too tough for you.
- And why don't you arrange
a little face-time with Joey,
Mr. Reese?
I thought you said no contact.
What are you doing?
Following me?
I live here, pal.
What's your excuse?
I'm staying in a fleapit
on Colby.
This one's on me...
But I'm, uh, running
a little low on funds.
How long before
we get some action?
That's up to Latimer.
We just follow orders.
Orders-- Don't you ever
get sick of them?
Maybe.
But they make life simple.
Told to go down that road,
you go down that road.
Yeah, you're told
to go into that bank,
you go into that bank, right?
I don't know, man.
Six years,
all I thought about--
Dreamed about--
was coming home.
Finally I come home
and there's nothing.
There's no money,
no jobs--
Bankers gone and lost it all.
Robbed the country blind.
I mean, it's like,
what the hell
are we fighting for, you know?
Joke's on us.
Hey!
You guys were soldiers, right?
What like Iraq, Afghanistan?
Some serious stuff.
Yeah, but you volunteered.
Nobody asked you to go.
It's not like
the country owes you a living.
- We got it, pal.
- No.
You don't "got it"--
Talking about bankers,
like you know anything.
It's not been easy
for us either.
Really sorry about that,
but we're talking here.
Hey, so are we.
Guys like you got to adapt.
It's the knowledge economy now.
Time to use this, my friend.
Okay.
Hey!
All right, come on.
Let's go.
Sorry, Bill.
What made you start
on the banks?
Realized the job that I had
wasn't going to allow me
to do the things that I wanted.
I had a debt to pay.
- Money?
- More like an obligation.
Oh.
You got kids?
No.
Why do you say that?
I was just asking.
What about the rest
of the guys?
They got debts too?
Straub does.
Gambling.
Is that why Straub's so jumpy?
You'd be jumpy too,
you got blown up twice.
Listen, man,
I got to get to work.
Wait for the call.
Any luck ID'ing that woman?
Kindergarten records say
the girl is Amy Myles,
daughter of Stacey Myles.
Father's name not given.
I'm checking hospital records.
What about you?
I'm going to check
on someone else--
A guy named Straub.
Strauby, what gives?
We made you nearly 80 grand
last job.
I got five--
It's not enough.
Well, you know how it is.
I had to clean the money.
That's a big, heavy discount
right there.
Now, you guys made 20 grand--
I made less than than that.
People I owe, they're going to
take away my mom's apartment.
They said one of the paper's
I signed,
- it gives them the right.
- Man, I told you
- to stay away from the sharks.
- Yeah, well,
I didn't have
much choice then, did I?
I need more money.
Listen, I got a job for you...
Tonight.
Now, if you do this right,
there's a big score
coming down--
- 400 grand big.
- You're kidding.
Big client, big job.
200 for me and 200 for you.
Yeah, 200 divided four ways.
Come here.
Come on.
My friend, how you divvy up
is your business.
With this job,
you can pay off all your debt...
Join Manny and Danny
in the land of tequila
and grateful se?oritas.
You remember Danny Platt?
Manny Santos? Guys worked hard--
Did what they were told.
And now they're enjoying
their retirement.
Say we don't make it out
of one of these jobs.
Say we take casualties.
Still the same split, right?
50/50 with you?
Sure.
But you guys are going
to make it out.
You're a unit--
Team.
Hey, Carter. I followed up
on your radio lead.
Teddy Dalloway--
6'2",
220 pounds, discharged
from the army five months ago.
A big guy, but that's not
what gave him away.
He's left-handed.
Yep, we've got
a GPS lock on his phone.
See if he leads us
to the rest of the gang.
Uh, look, if, uh,
Teddy makes a move,
you call me.
I don't care what time.
Hey, Finch, just got the call.
Gang's picking me up.
Get told the target en route.
You're not going in with them?
Got to watch Joey's back.
Don't trust his friend Straub
one bit.
I did not understand
"infiltrate the gang" to mean
- join them in their robberies.
- No choice.
I'll keep the line open.
Monitor the police band for me.
Here.
Why the heavy artillery?
Target's a mob gambling joint,
445 Mulvaney.
People inside
guaranteed to be packing.
ETA, 60 seconds.
Phones off,
batteries out,
radio comms only.
- Hey.
- Tracked Teddy Dalloway's GPS.
He left Brooklyn 20 minutes ago,
in some kind of vehicle.
He did three pick-ups.
It's the gang.
Know where they're heading?
Somewhere around here.
Get back against the wall!
Against the wall!
Put the money down!
Back against the wall!
Back! Back! Go! Go!
- Gonna call back up.
- Do that.
Back! Back! Back! Back!
Put it down!
- Put the money down! Down!
- Reese, NYPD dispatch.
Just received a back up call
for that address.
John, NYPD is on route.
- Do you hear me?
- We got to move out!
- Cops are coming!
- How the hell do you know?
Police band.
They have our address.
We gotta move.
Leave the money.
- I'm not going.
- Leave the money,
- we gotta move!
- No way! I'm not leaving.
That's it. Move! Now!
Move! Move!
- Everyone over!
- Move across!
I don't hear any damn cops!
We left like 100 grand
up there!
Hear 'em now, Straub?
Damn lucky for us
he was listening in.
Come on, let's go.
This way.
Let's move.
Nobody move!
I don't know what happened--
We hardly got in there
before the cops were on us.
Joey and the new guy,
they said to leave the money.
Yeah, how thoughtful of them.
You guys let me down, Straub.
Well, I'll make it up to you.
You got to give us
another chance, all right?
Okay, one more--
The big one.
Can you tell me what it is?
In good time.
And keep an eye on the new guy.
You might need him
going in--
Not sure you're going
to need him coming out.
Now how can we wrap this up?
It can't go on, John.
Somebody's going to get killed.
Let me talk to Joey first.
To what end?
I want to find out
what his guilt trip is.
Try to cure him of it.
Might be more complicated
than you think.
I got
into Joey's bank accounts--
Last four months, he's paid
nearly $10,000
into a 529 savings plan
for the little girl, Amy Myles.
It'll pay for her
to go to college.
Amy has to be Joey's kid.
But she's not.
Hospital records show
that her daddy was called
Frank Stephens.
"Was."
Killed in Afghanistan.
He was a soldier in the 107th.
Same unit as Joey.
We're going to meet
in five hours.
It's a new job.
You're going
to risk it all again?
You know Straub's
going off the rails.
Well, yeah. That's why
I gotta have his back.
He needs the money.
Uh, Straub might.
But you don't.
Yeah, I do.
That's right...
Your "obligation."
What is that?
You leave someone behind?
Who was it, Joey?
A friend.
Took my place on patrol.
Got killed.
Why'd he take your place?
LT puts me on honor guard
for this visiting politician...
So I'm scrubbing my boots,
and Frank-- That was his
name-- Frank goes out.
His wife had just had a baby.
This little girl called Amy.
He was so happy,
he said nothing could hurt him.
IED rips him to pieces
in the seat
I should have been sitting in.
So that's your debt?
Yeah. He used to show me
her picture, you know?
He was going to lay the world
at her feet, man.
Was going to give her money
for college, everything.
And he would have
done that too.
He would have done it.
And that's what
you're going to do.
You tell anyone else?
No, not even my girlfriend.
So you're still
fighting the war.
She's still waiting.
When this is done...
I'm with her completely.
Be with her now.
Don't do the job.
My friend got killed.
Got to take care of his kid.
It's Pia, right?
Yeah.
You're even prettier
than Joey said.
You're a friend of Joey's?
Army. Just in New York
for a few days.
He's crazy about you,
you know that?
It's funny how his friends
know more
about what he's feeling
than I do.
Well, you know, Joey's a...
Bit of a closed book.
You're telling me.
Starting to wonder
if he's ever going to let me in.
Waited six years for him
to come home,
and it's like
he's still over there.
Sorry.
Shouldn't go crying
all over the customers.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
It's all right.
Look, you're a beautiful woman.
If Joey doesn't come
to his senses,
plenty more fish in the sea.
No, I'm stuck with him.
Loved him since I was so high.
That's the way it is.
Are you there, Mr. Reese?
Get anywhere
with your friend, Joey?
No. Can't cure someone
of guilt.
Soon as I find out
what the next job is,
go ahead and call the cops.
They can pull
the whole gang in.
You did what you could.
Yep.
I got something for you.
Ex-soldiers--
Manny Santos, Danny Platt.
Both murdered.
Shot in the head.
This is from three months ago.
What made you look at it?
I cross-checked CSU reports
for the last six months--
military hardware items.
And look what came up--
148 radio.
Serial number still legible.
One of the radios
stolen from Fort Drum.
It means Santos and Platt
were robbers too.
It explains why
your gang keeps going,
why they don't fall out.
Once they've done four or five
jobs, someone bumps them off,
recruits some new suckers.
Yeah, but who?
They have the target, sir.
Long-term evidence lockup
under Centre Street.
Police headquarters.
They have the cage number,
precise orders
to recover the item.
Security's light--
Four semi-retired cops.
Bad news--
It's right on Centre Street.
It's crawling
with cops and feds.
What are we stealing?
One item only.
Easily concealed,
so even you boy scouts
won't make me leave it behind.
Yeah, but what is it?
Bonds? Jewelry?
Don't know, don't care,
but it's worth 400 grand.
What about exit strategy?
Uh, that's in hand, sir.
Boss says no loose ends.
- Understood?
- Understood.
The team was cracking up anyway.
It's time to refresh.
Latimer gave us clean weapons.
I want cell phones,
pagers, in here.
Come on.
Yeah, even your sneaky
little earwig.
Hey, it's not a problem, is it?
Get up! Get up!
Right now! Get up!
Put your hands
behind your back!
Move! Move! Move!
Move.
I called
from Marmostein Ribner--
Some probate issues
on the Ulman Estate.
Have you got a case number?
Hands in the air!
This is a robbery!
Get out here, now!
Move!
Move it! You too.
Go! Move!
Move! Move!
Move! Get on the ground!
Watch the entrance.
Watch the door.
8-2-5-7-6.
5-7-5.
- You... stop staring at me.
- Leave him.
Not a problem.
I said stop looking at me.
Latimer set you up.
It's a trap.
Sit down. Wait here.
7, 5-7-5.
- 8-2-5-7-7-3, this is it.
- All right, pull it.
Pull it.
Pull it.
Latimer screwed us.
We got to get out of here.
Won't let you pull
that crap again.
Got it!
8-7-3-3-6.
Now move.
This is a trap.
How do you know,
maybe you're the trap.
Point that thing at me again,
and I'll shoot you with it.
Let's move.
We got it.
Let's move.
Let's go.
Keep moving Teddy, I got you.
Carter, I just got a call
of a shooting at Centre Street,
evidence lock.
Who called it in?
Street cleaners saw four guys
go into the lockup,
five minutes later,
shooting started.
Same four guys
came running out.
Getting you to the van, Teddy.
Come on.
Take him in the van.
I'll cover you.
There you go.
Did you get it?
You're a good soldier, Strauby.
Run!
Damn weapon won't fire.
Why didn't my weapon fire?
Latimer must have ground down
the firing pins.
Come on.
Let's go.
The lockup's secured.
As soon as the police ID
Straub or Teddy,
they'll be on to you.
You got to get out of the city.
Go South or west.
Here's a couple of grand
to keep you going.
With your skills,
you'll find work.
But go now.
And don't look back.
I can't.
I can't, man.
I have someone here.
You stay here,
and you'll be looking at her
from behind bars for 20 years.
Call her and ask her
to go with you.
She loves you, Joey.
Just tell her it's gonna be
you and her now.
Just you and her.
Can you hear me?
I think you can.
Guess you're out there,
hiding in plain sight.
I keep looking for you.
I keep finding myself
in some bad situations.
You could always stop
looking for me.
Not an option.
Now I've got two more bodies.
I don't think
you killed those guys.
But I think you know who did.
I'll take care of it.
Playing a dangerous game.
And I'm not sure
I understand why.
I've got my reasons.
Maybe you do.
But every killer I locked up
thought they had a good reason.
And that is how this ends.
Sooner or later,
I'll lock you up.
Or find you bleeding out
somewhere.
I will take my chances.
I think I've told you
everything that I can remember.
Detective, over here.
Looks like this is all
they took.
So you let
our bank robber get away.
He paid his dues,
deserved a second chance.
Then are we done?
Not quite.
I hope that's what you wanted.
So we better talk money.
Someone got here first.
He's dead.
Any idea who did it?
The name on the evidence box
was Elias.
That mean anything to you?
No.
I'd better look into it.
Hey.
The truth is that, it was
easier for you to be alone.
That's one of the things
you learn over there.
In the end, we're all alone.
And no one's
coming to save you.
Be happy with Peter.
You don't believe that.
Not really.
You wanna be brave?
Take a risk.
Tell me to wait for you and...
Say those words and I will.
It would take real courage,
wouldn't it?
Wait for me.
Please.
Stay tuned for scenes
from our next episode.
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 that 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'll never find us.
But victim or perpetrator,
if your number's up,
we'll find you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Season 01 Episode 03
~Mission Creep~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning, Finch.
Don't you knock?
Not if I can help it.
I felt bad about blowing
your cover identity.
Been looking for a new job
for you.
Dog walker, maybe.
Or concert pianist?
I have a job, Mr. Reese,
and so do you.
The machine has sent us
a new number.
His name's Joey Durban,
a soldier
in the 107th infantry,
just back from Afghanistan.
Army commendation medal,
purple heart--
Guy was a fighter.
Just like you.
I fought beside the 107th
in Iraq.
Most of them were just kids.
Joined up because
they lost family or friends
when the towers came down.
Over there, they grew up fast.
Or they died.
Well, at least
Joey came home alive.
And now you can help him
stay that way.
He works as a doorman
at a building in midtown.
I'm on it.
Standard operating procedure--
I'll clone his phone
for voice and texts.
I'll start following him.
And, uh, Finch...
If you're going
to work all night,
you should try
getting some exercise.
You look fabulous, Mrs. J.
I'd ask you out myself,
but I'd have to
fight off Larry Segel.
Thank you.
Hello.
Robbie, I got
to take off early.
Joey's engaged to a girl
named Pia Moresco.
She waited six years for him
while he was deployed.
Yeah, come here.
I love you, Joey.
Hey, Finch.
Finch, are you there?
Yes. Is there a problem?
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Thought you said
you'd never lie to me.
What's the problem,
Mr. Reese?
Our guy, Joe Durban...
I've been on him for eight
hours, and all he's done
is open doors for old ladies,
and now he's
going window shopping.
If the machine's
given us his number,
he must be caught up
in something.
He got a text,
it's a bit garbled.
Sending it over.
"Anchor D-0."
This supposed
to mean something?
I don't know.
You're the genius.
Get down, get down.
You, open the door now!
Go! Go!
- Get down!
- Get on the ground!
Down, down to the ground!
You, open the door. Now.
I said, "get down."
Head down.
50 seconds!
Head down.
Don't look at me.
40 seconds!
Not a good idea, pal.
30 seconds!
Wrap it up!
10 seconds, Sierra. Move!
Sierra, move!
Enough!
I'm back, Mr. Reese.
I've deciphered that text--
It's a street address...
For a bank.
No kidding, Finch.
What I said about
our guy being boring--
I take it back.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please do not
leave bags unattended.
Unattended bags will be...
John.
I didn't know you were back
from over there.
Jessica.
I'm not.
I'm just...
Heading back, actually.
- Where's your uniform?
- Uh...
I got a new job.
One of those jobs
you can't talk about?
So our friend Joey's
a bank robber.
Is that why the machine
gave us Joey's number?
I built the machine
to look for lethal intent.
Armed robbery wouldn't
normally make the cut.
Either way, I say we gift wrap
him and give him to the NYPD
before someone winds up dead.
Finch, the guy
was a good soldier.
Let me at least find out
how he got into this mess.
Okay, but don't
let your personal feelings
warp your judgment.
No one forced him
to go robbing banks.
Hang on, hang on.
He's meeting someone.
He's giving her something.
Looks like money--
A lot of money.
So...
Who's the other woman?
I don't know her name yet.
Bank robber and a cheet.
Unlikely to have
a happy ending.
- Do you think he's targeting
one of the women? - Could be.
Only way I'm going to find out
is to get closer to Joey,
and that won't be easy.
These guys are organized
and ultra-cautious.
No unnecessary contact.
Thanks.
Hang on.
That cabbie was at the bank.
Just made their courier.
Finch, run a check
on cab medallion number
5-Victor-80.
- Driver's name is Willis,
also an ex-soldier
in the 107th infantry.
Same unit as Joey.
And also a bank robber.
I hacked
the taxi company website.
Before he dropped the cash
off with Joey,
Willis stopped at a bar
in Coney Island
called the Green Zone.
Bar's owned by former
master Sergeant Sam Latimer,
veteran of the First Gulf War.
I think you just found
the gang's ringleader.
I want to get close to Latimer.
And I'll need a cover story.
I'll get on that.
And I need you
to create a vacancy for me...
With the gang.
I'll get on that too.
Anything else?
No, that'll do for now.
You Sam Latimer?
Name's Tony Miller.
Marine buddy down in San Diego,
told me a while back,
if I was ever in New York,
I should look you up.
What's your buddy's name?
Hector Mu?oz.
Mu?oz, yeah,
I remember him from Mogadishu.
Good shooter.
How's he doing?
Not good.
Ran over an IED in Hellmans.
Lasted a whole week before
he hit room temperature.
Rest in peace.
Tough son of a bitch.
So...
What kind of work are you
looking for? Security?
I'm not looking for wages.
I'm only interested
in lump sums.
You in trouble?
That's my business.
You're making it mine.
I was working freelance
in Tijuana.
Job went South.
People's feelings got hurt.
I need to put some distance
between me and them.
I've got some experience
you could use-- Skills.
What kind of skills?
You have a .45
under the counter,
a shotgun next to the register,
and I can get to them both
before you.
So if you're such a hotshot,
what do you need me for?
I prefer to work with people
who know the area.
I heard you're good
at what you do--
You make a lot of money...
You're still alive.
And that's because
I prefer not to work with a man
whose only reference
is a dead marine.
Well...
There's no job openings
at the moment.
But I'll call around.
Thanks.
You won't regret it.
I know.
Hey, uh, keep the change.
Let me get my case
out of the trunk.
Yellow cab driver,
get out of your vehicle!
Get out of your vehicle!
Now!
We got weapons here--
Shotgun, submachine guns.
I don't know anything
about those.
Those are not mine!
You Carter?
- Yeah.
- Molina-- Robbery.
I hear you're chasing after some
mysterious special forces guy.
Yeah, what is it to you?
Come here.
I may have something for you.
His prints showed up
on a bank job yesterday.
On a bank job?
Yeah. Four armed guys knocked
over a bank on Houston.
See that guard there?
Tries to be a hero.
Someone stops him
from getting
his head blown off.
When CSU did elimination prints
they printed
the guard's holster.
It was your mystery man.
Well, did they stop him?
Interview him?
No, he slipped away before
the first units got there.
Of course.
See the way
these guys are moving?
Yeah, and I'm pretty sure
that's a milspec radio.
They're soldiers.
So your special forces guy
fits right in.
I mean, he--
He could be their inside man.
Mind if I keep this?
Looks like your taxi ride
paid off, Finch.
Latimer just called me.
He wants me to meet
the team...Tonight.
Come on.
Move, move.
What we got, Straub?
- ID checks out.
Pay-as-you-go cell phone
bought two days ago.
Ran the calls--
Mainly take-out,
couple to some jarheads
in San Diego.
Last call's from Latimer.
What the hell is this about?
I thought Latimer
wanted you to meet me.
He also told us to put
a bullet in your head
if we didn't like you.
And right now, we don't.
- I'm just an ex-soldier,
needs some money fast.
You don't trust me?
Fine.
But the 107 trusted me
back in '05,
in Tikrit, and I trusted them.
How the hell
do you know our unit?
Big fella's got it tattooed
all over his arm.
You don't call us.
We call you.
When we do...
You lose that phone.
Killing in battle,
in combat, is one thing.
Killing someone up close...
Someone who can't fight back,
that takes a different
sort of killer.
And Joey's not one of them.
So you think Joey's the target.
Then who's gunning for him?
One of the gang?
One of the women?
Do we even know why
he's such a mess?
He's got a job,
pretty girlfriend,
good service record--
He's throwing it all away.
He's going to end up in prison.
- Or dead.
- You're right, but,
not every ex-soldier meets
a reclusive billionaire.
Okay.
But if Joey's bad choices
mean he's about
to walk into a bullet,
we have to find out
who's firing it.
Excuse me.
- Hey.
- I'm looking for my girlfriend.
What are you doing here?
Just wanted to say hello
to the most beautiful girl
in the world.
You're gonna get me in trouble.
Good tips today?
Not bad.
Julie's out sick,
so I got her tables.
It's been busy.
You better
get back to your shift.
Okay.
Oh, before you go,
Realtor says she can shome
some apartments tonight.
I'd really like it
if you can see them with me.
Things are kind of difficult
at work right now.
I know, baby,
but this is important too.
I just want us
to do stuff together again.
Like have fun.
Remember that?
I'm trying, P.
I really am.
John, I didn't know
you were back from over there.
- Where's your uniform?
- Uh...
I got a new job.
One of those jobs
you can't talk about?
Oh, yeah, I got engaged.
I'm-- I'm moving
back east next month.
His name's Peter.
Peter.
He's a lucky guy.
I waited for you.
- I didn't ask you to.
- No.
No, you didn't.
You just...Left.
Because you thought
you'd get killed over there,
and that that would hurt me.
But I think the truth is that
it was easier for you
to be alone.
That's one of the things
you learn over there--
In the end, we're all alone.
And no one's coming
to save you.
Be happy with Peter.
Oh, Molina, I want to know
more about this gang.
They pulled about
a dozen robberies.
They hit banks, jewelry stores,
money exchanges, casinos.
It's always four armed men.
They haven't killed anyone.
They haven't even hurt anyone.
In and out in 60 seconds,
every time.
- Dozen robberies. They're good.
- Oh, yeah.
A gang like this, they usually
implode after four or five.
You know how
they start dropping money,
they have a falling out
with each other?
Not these guys.
Maybe this will help.
It's a 148 radio--
Painted black,
aerial cut down
to look more like a phone.
It uses frequency-hopping
spread spectrum.
Which means zero chance
of interception.
You know this how?
I used them...
In Iraq and Afghanistan.
Where do I get one of these?
You can't.
Got to steal them
from the military.
I checked with every base
on the east coast.
Fort drum reported the theft
of a radio package
six months ago.
Do they got any idea
who stole them?
Army CID investigated--
No joy.
I'll tell you what you can do.
Cross-check guys
resident in New York,
who left the service
out of Fort Drum
in the last six months.
12 robberies--
Must have
some physical descriptions.
How was school?
Thanks.
Hi, sweetie.
Hey, Finch.
I'm sending you a photo.
Looks like Joey's other woman's
got a little girl.
Think she's Joey's?
Sure looks like that.
You should be able to find
the girl's name,
if Sunny Days Kindergarten's
firewalls
aren't too tough for you.
- And why don't you arrange
a little face-time with Joey,
Mr. Reese?
I thought you said no contact.
What are you doing?
Following me?
I live here, pal.
What's your excuse?
I'm staying in a fleapit
on Colby.
This one's on me...
But I'm, uh, running
a little low on funds.
How long before
we get some action?
That's up to Latimer.
We just follow orders.
Orders-- Don't you ever
get sick of them?
Maybe.
But they make life simple.
Told to go down that road,
you go down that road.
Yeah, you're told
to go into that bank,
you go into that bank, right?
I don't know, man.
Six years,
all I thought about--
Dreamed about--
was coming home.
Finally I come home
and there's nothing.
There's no money,
no jobs--
Bankers gone and lost it all.
Robbed the country blind.
I mean, it's like,
what the hell
are we fighting for, you know?
Joke's on us.
Hey!
You guys were soldiers, right?
What like Iraq, Afghanistan?
Some serious stuff.
Yeah, but you volunteered.
Nobody asked you to go.
It's not like
the country owes you a living.
- We got it, pal.
- No.
You don't "got it"--
Talking about bankers,
like you know anything.
It's not been easy
for us either.
Really sorry about that,
but we're talking here.
Hey, so are we.
Guys like you got to adapt.
It's the knowledge economy now.
Time to use this, my friend.
Okay.
Hey!
All right, come on.
Let's go.
Sorry, Bill.
What made you start
on the banks?
Realized the job that I had
wasn't going to allow me
to do the things that I wanted.
I had a debt to pay.
- Money?
- More like an obligation.
Oh.
You got kids?
No.
Why do you say that?
I was just asking.
What about the rest
of the guys?
They got debts too?
Straub does.
Gambling.
Is that why Straub's so jumpy?
You'd be jumpy too,
you got blown up twice.
Listen, man,
I got to get to work.
Wait for the call.
Any luck ID'ing that woman?
Kindergarten records say
the girl is Amy Myles,
daughter of Stacey Myles.
Father's name not given.
I'm checking hospital records.
What about you?
I'm going to check
on someone else--
A guy named Straub.
Strauby, what gives?
We made you nearly 80 grand
last job.
I got five--
It's not enough.
Well, you know how it is.
I had to clean the money.
That's a big, heavy discount
right there.
Now, you guys made 20 grand--
I made less than than that.
People I owe, they're going to
take away my mom's apartment.
They said one of the paper's
I signed,
- it gives them the right.
- Man, I told you
- to stay away from the sharks.
- Yeah, well,
I didn't have
much choice then, did I?
I need more money.
Listen, I got a job for you...
Tonight.
Now, if you do this right,
there's a big score
coming down--
- 400 grand big.
- You're kidding.
Big client, big job.
200 for me and 200 for you.
Yeah, 200 divided four ways.
Come here.
Come on.
My friend, how you divvy up
is your business.
With this job,
you can pay off all your debt...
Join Manny and Danny
in the land of tequila
and grateful se?oritas.
You remember Danny Platt?
Manny Santos? Guys worked hard--
Did what they were told.
And now they're enjoying
their retirement.
Say we don't make it out
of one of these jobs.
Say we take casualties.
Still the same split, right?
50/50 with you?
Sure.
But you guys are going
to make it out.
You're a unit--
Team.
Hey, Carter. I followed up
on your radio lead.
Teddy Dalloway--
6'2",
220 pounds, discharged
from the army five months ago.
A big guy, but that's not
what gave him away.
He's left-handed.
Yep, we've got
a GPS lock on his phone.
See if he leads us
to the rest of the gang.
Uh, look, if, uh,
Teddy makes a move,
you call me.
I don't care what time.
Hey, Finch, just got the call.
Gang's picking me up.
Get told the target en route.
You're not going in with them?
Got to watch Joey's back.
Don't trust his friend Straub
one bit.
I did not understand
"infiltrate the gang" to mean
- join them in their robberies.
- No choice.
I'll keep the line open.
Monitor the police band for me.
Here.
Why the heavy artillery?
Target's a mob gambling joint,
445 Mulvaney.
People inside
guaranteed to be packing.
ETA, 60 seconds.
Phones off,
batteries out,
radio comms only.
- Hey.
- Tracked Teddy Dalloway's GPS.
He left Brooklyn 20 minutes ago,
in some kind of vehicle.
He did three pick-ups.
It's the gang.
Know where they're heading?
Somewhere around here.
Get back against the wall!
Against the wall!
Put the money down!
Back against the wall!
Back! Back! Go! Go!
- Gonna call back up.
- Do that.
Back! Back! Back! Back!
Put it down!
- Put the money down! Down!
- Reese, NYPD dispatch.
Just received a back up call
for that address.
John, NYPD is on route.
- Do you hear me?
- We got to move out!
- Cops are coming!
- How the hell do you know?
Police band.
They have our address.
We gotta move.
Leave the money.
- I'm not going.
- Leave the money,
- we gotta move!
- No way! I'm not leaving.
That's it. Move! Now!
Move! Move!
- Everyone over!
- Move across!
I don't hear any damn cops!
We left like 100 grand
up there!
Hear 'em now, Straub?
Damn lucky for us
he was listening in.
Come on, let's go.
This way.
Let's move.
Nobody move!
I don't know what happened--
We hardly got in there
before the cops were on us.
Joey and the new guy,
they said to leave the money.
Yeah, how thoughtful of them.
You guys let me down, Straub.
Well, I'll make it up to you.
You got to give us
another chance, all right?
Okay, one more--
The big one.
Can you tell me what it is?
In good time.
And keep an eye on the new guy.
You might need him
going in--
Not sure you're going
to need him coming out.
Now how can we wrap this up?
It can't go on, John.
Somebody's going to get killed.
Let me talk to Joey first.
To what end?
I want to find out
what his guilt trip is.
Try to cure him of it.
Might be more complicated
than you think.
I got
into Joey's bank accounts--
Last four months, he's paid
nearly $10,000
into a 529 savings plan
for the little girl, Amy Myles.
It'll pay for her
to go to college.
Amy has to be Joey's kid.
But she's not.
Hospital records show
that her daddy was called
Frank Stephens.
"Was."
Killed in Afghanistan.
He was a soldier in the 107th.
Same unit as Joey.
We're going to meet
in five hours.
It's a new job.
You're going
to risk it all again?
You know Straub's
going off the rails.
Well, yeah. That's why
I gotta have his back.
He needs the money.
Uh, Straub might.
But you don't.
Yeah, I do.
That's right...
Your "obligation."
What is that?
You leave someone behind?
Who was it, Joey?
A friend.
Took my place on patrol.
Got killed.
Why'd he take your place?
LT puts me on honor guard
for this visiting politician...
So I'm scrubbing my boots,
and Frank-- That was his
name-- Frank goes out.
His wife had just had a baby.
This little girl called Amy.
He was so happy,
he said nothing could hurt him.
IED rips him to pieces
in the seat
I should have been sitting in.
So that's your debt?
Yeah. He used to show me
her picture, you know?
He was going to lay the world
at her feet, man.
Was going to give her money
for college, everything.
And he would have
done that too.
He would have done it.
And that's what
you're going to do.
You tell anyone else?
No, not even my girlfriend.
So you're still
fighting the war.
She's still waiting.
When this is done...
I'm with her completely.
Be with her now.
Don't do the job.
My friend got killed.
Got to take care of his kid.
It's Pia, right?
Yeah.
You're even prettier
than Joey said.
You're a friend of Joey's?
Army. Just in New York
for a few days.
He's crazy about you,
you know that?
It's funny how his friends
know more
about what he's feeling
than I do.
Well, you know, Joey's a...
Bit of a closed book.
You're telling me.
Starting to wonder
if he's ever going to let me in.
Waited six years for him
to come home,
and it's like
he's still over there.
Sorry.
Shouldn't go crying
all over the customers.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
It's all right.
Look, you're a beautiful woman.
If Joey doesn't come
to his senses,
plenty more fish in the sea.
No, I'm stuck with him.
Loved him since I was so high.
That's the way it is.
Are you there, Mr. Reese?
Get anywhere
with your friend, Joey?
No. Can't cure someone
of guilt.
Soon as I find out
what the next job is,
go ahead and call the cops.
They can pull
the whole gang in.
You did what you could.
Yep.
I got something for you.
Ex-soldiers--
Manny Santos, Danny Platt.
Both murdered.
Shot in the head.
This is from three months ago.
What made you look at it?
I cross-checked CSU reports
for the last six months--
military hardware items.
And look what came up--
148 radio.
Serial number still legible.
One of the radios
stolen from Fort Drum.
It means Santos and Platt
were robbers too.
It explains why
your gang keeps going,
why they don't fall out.
Once they've done four or five
jobs, someone bumps them off,
recruits some new suckers.
Yeah, but who?
They have the target, sir.
Long-term evidence lockup
under Centre Street.
Police headquarters.
They have the cage number,
precise orders
to recover the item.
Security's light--
Four semi-retired cops.
Bad news--
It's right on Centre Street.
It's crawling
with cops and feds.
What are we stealing?
One item only.
Easily concealed,
so even you boy scouts
won't make me leave it behind.
Yeah, but what is it?
Bonds? Jewelry?
Don't know, don't care,
but it's worth 400 grand.
What about exit strategy?
Uh, that's in hand, sir.
Boss says no loose ends.
- Understood?
- Understood.
The team was cracking up anyway.
It's time to refresh.
Latimer gave us clean weapons.
I want cell phones,
pagers, in here.
Come on.
Yeah, even your sneaky
little earwig.
Hey, it's not a problem, is it?
Get up! Get up!
Right now! Get up!
Put your hands
behind your back!
Move! Move! Move!
Move.
I called
from Marmostein Ribner--
Some probate issues
on the Ulman Estate.
Have you got a case number?
Hands in the air!
This is a robbery!
Get out here, now!
Move!
Move it! You too.
Go! Move!
Move! Move!
Move! Get on the ground!
Watch the entrance.
Watch the door.
8-2-5-7-6.
5-7-5.
- You... stop staring at me.
- Leave him.
Not a problem.
I said stop looking at me.
Latimer set you up.
It's a trap.
Sit down. Wait here.
7, 5-7-5.
- 8-2-5-7-7-3, this is it.
- All right, pull it.
Pull it.
Pull it.
Latimer screwed us.
We got to get out of here.
Won't let you pull
that crap again.
Got it!
8-7-3-3-6.
Now move.
This is a trap.
How do you know,
maybe you're the trap.
Point that thing at me again,
and I'll shoot you with it.
Let's move.
We got it.
Let's move.
Let's go.
Keep moving Teddy, I got you.
Carter, I just got a call
of a shooting at Centre Street,
evidence lock.
Who called it in?
Street cleaners saw four guys
go into the lockup,
five minutes later,
shooting started.
Same four guys
came running out.
Getting you to the van, Teddy.
Come on.
Take him in the van.
I'll cover you.
There you go.
Did you get it?
You're a good soldier, Strauby.
Run!
Damn weapon won't fire.
Why didn't my weapon fire?
Latimer must have ground down
the firing pins.
Come on.
Let's go.
The lockup's secured.
As soon as the police ID
Straub or Teddy,
they'll be on to you.
You got to get out of the city.
Go South or west.
Here's a couple of grand
to keep you going.
With your skills,
you'll find work.
But go now.
And don't look back.
I can't.
I can't, man.
I have someone here.
You stay here,
and you'll be looking at her
from behind bars for 20 years.
Call her and ask her
to go with you.
She loves you, Joey.
Just tell her it's gonna be
you and her now.
Just you and her.
Can you hear me?
I think you can.
Guess you're out there,
hiding in plain sight.
I keep looking for you.
I keep finding myself
in some bad situations.
You could always stop
looking for me.
Not an option.
Now I've got two more bodies.
I don't think
you killed those guys.
But I think you know who did.
I'll take care of it.
Playing a dangerous game.
And I'm not sure
I understand why.
I've got my reasons.
Maybe you do.
But every killer I locked up
thought they had a good reason.
And that is how this ends.
Sooner or later,
I'll lock you up.
Or find you bleeding out
somewhere.
I will take my chances.
I think I've told you
everything that I can remember.
Detective, over here.
Looks like this is all
they took.
So you let
our bank robber get away.
He paid his dues,
deserved a second chance.
Then are we done?
Not quite.
I hope that's what you wanted.
So we better talk money.
Someone got here first.
He's dead.
Any idea who did it?
The name on the evidence box
was Elias.
That mean anything to you?
No.
I'd better look into it.
Hey.
The truth is that, it was
easier for you to be alone.
That's one of the things
you learn over there.
In the end, we're all alone.
And no one's
coming to save you.
Be happy with Peter.
You don't believe that.
Not really.
You wanna be brave?
Take a risk.
Tell me to wait for you and...
Say those words and I will.
It would take real courage,
wouldn't it?
Wait for me.
Please.
Stay tuned for scenes
from our next episode.