The Closer (2005–2012): Season 6, Episode 3 - In Custody - full transcript
Major Crimes investigates a woman shot dead in the passenger seat of her boyfriend's car. Some feel it's a suicide, but Brenda quickly sets them straight that they have a murder. The immediate suspect is the dead woman's boyfriend, who lives nearby and took a shower before police arrived. Both the dead woman and her boyfriend were meth addicts and the case seems to be wrapping up quickly until Brenda learns that the dead woman was in a custody dispute with her cancer-stricken ex-husband. Det. Sanchez, meanwhile, is trying to foster the young orphan he came into contact with the previous week, which interferes with his duties. Brenda is also distracted: she hasn't decided whether or not to apply for the vacant Chief of Police position.
Oh, honey. Uh, you're home.
I called your cell. Where were you?
Uh, I sort of ate.
- I could pull out the menus if you want.
- No, thanks. I lost my appetite.
About an hour ago.
Around the time your friend
Captain Raydor showed up at my office.
Oh?
Apparently my wife is being vetted
for chief of police.
I didn't even know she was running.
I'm not.
Look. See?
I haven't even turned in my application.
- How long have you known?
- About a week.
A week? Do you have any idea
how humiliating it is...
...being blindsided with questions
about my DUl's...
...and how many AA meetings
I attend each week?
I had no idea she'd talk to you.
This is one of the most powerful
positions in the city.
People make sure your husband
isn't a liability.
The only reason Raydor
is pushing me for this is I'm a woman...
...and to make trouble between
me and Pope.
Besides, you were up for promotion
last year and never said a word about it.
- I never considered it seriously.
- I'm not considering this seriously, either.
- Really?
- Really.
Why not?
Getting some emotional distance
from your cases would be good for you.
It would be safer.
This job comes with bodyguards.
What about your career?
Chief is a commitment.
Don't make this about me.
You couldn't take another job
for five years.
There's those events
and dinners to go to.
As opposed to the crime scenes
you go to now.
And what about Pope?
He's had his heart set on this.
What about Pope?
Who cares about Pope?
Who would...?
Who would take over Major Crimes?
Ah. Okay, now we're getting to it.
For starters, you got three lieutenants.
Promote one of them.
Oh, right, like it's that easy.
Who would I choose?
And there's civil service issues.
It requires bureaucratic rigmarole...
- Do not answer that phone.
...that you don't even know about.
Yes, detective, hello. What is it?
Evening, chief. We got rolled out
to cover for Hollywood tonight.
They're all at a retirement party.
Brenda, we have to finish this discussion.
I am serious. This is important.
Anyway, it's a, uh, probable suicide.
We still have to establish
a time of death...
We're talking about a job I don't want.
Why? This could be an amazing
opportunity for you.
- That's what I'm saying.
- Chief, are you there?
Shh! They know nothing about this chief
business, okay? Just one second.
Yes, detective.
Just start knocking on doors...
...and let's confirm suicide before
we jump to any conclusions, okay?
- I will be there in...
- Provenza can handle a suicide.
- This is an important conversation.
- Ha, ha. They're fighting.
We are not fighting.
- Now they think we're fighting.
- We are.
- Evening, chief.
- Delegate and hang up.
Chief. Really, uh, we're almost done here.
There's no need to ruin your evening.
Apparently the victim's boyfriend
called it in.
He just so happens to live
in the second floor of that building.
- Just bring him down, huh?
- What?
- What's that, lieutenant? I can't hear you.
- Uh, nothing. Nothing, chief.
Listen, I have this, okay?
- So why don't you just...
- Hang up.
...go do whatever you're doing?
- Hang up. Hang up.
- Um, if it's anything serious, I'll call you.
- No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait.
- Hang up.
- Don't hang up.
- He hung up.
- Good.
I'm gonna be a few minutes.
Keep the doors locked.
- You want anything?
- No, I'm good. But it's cold.
Here you go.
Gina Decker. Age 27.
- Is this her car?
- No. The car's registered to Wayne West.
- Her boyfriend's name is Wayne.
- Yeah. Flynn's bringing him down.
Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
I was at the movies.
- Ah. Yeah? Got a hot date or something?
- Uh, no, sir.
Looking at the blood, there's
an absence of high-velocity misting...
...inconsistent with a self-inflicted
gunshot wound.
Shorter words, Tao.
If she pulled the trigger,
there'd be blowback on her hand.
Buzz, you getting this? Huh? Huh?
Yes, sir.
Wait. So you're saying you think
the driver shot her and left the gun?
Look at the spatter here, huh?
Nobody was sitting here.
Uh, excuse me, sir. Step back.
Maybe the driver got out of the car...
...and then shot her
through the open window.
- Well, where is this boyfriend, huh?
- Wayne West, meet my pals.
Ah. Thank you for joining us, Mr. West.
You look damp.
- Do you need a towel?
- Uh, no, man. No.
- Is this your car?
- Yeah, it is.
Yeah, you discovered your girlfriend's
body in it earlier this evening?
I did. Right.
- And then you called the police.
- Mm-hm.
Then you thought
you would freshen up a bit...
...uh, maybe take a shower before
we got here?
Was that a mistake?
Mr. West, uh, we need you to come
downtown, make a statement.
Really? Why? You know,
I can make a statement right here.
I was out with a friend. I came home.
I found Gina dead in my car. That's it.
See, we hate to leave the victim's
loved ones behind at the scene...
...especially when they're upset.
- Right.
- Or are you just on edge?
- Or on something.
You told me she killed herself. You act
like I had something to do with it.
Oh, the thought never crossed
my mind.
Although she is
in front of your apartment.
- She lives here.
- In the passenger seat of your car.
That's her seat.
Julio, I gotta go to the bathroom.
- Lieutenants?
- Hey!
I got him. I got him. Damn it.
Detective.
Are you telling me that you have been
holding on to this kid for a week?
- Yes, sir.
- Hey. Hey.
Keep it down!
People are trying to sleep around here.
Thought I made it clear
that you were to turn Ruben over...
...to the Department of Children's
Services.
I got approved
for emergency foster care instead.
When you were supposed to search
for his mother in Mexico.
This boy is intimately involved
in a case that is officially still open.
And we are responsible
for his father's death.
The FBI shot Ruben's father, not us.
I know your intentions are good,
Julio...
...and I'm not unsympathetic
to Ruben's situation...
This isn't the proper environment
for a child.
- Worked out okay for your niece.
- Watch it.
It is 2:00 in the morning, detective.
I hardly think that the scene of a murder
or a suicide...
...is any place for a child
who just attended his father's funeral.
We were at the movies.
I had no time to drop him at my mom's.
I don't think you understand
what you're getting into, Julio.
That boy deserves more than you can...
Sir, you think he's better off
in the system instead of with me?
My whole family is helping out.
What might happen if Ruben
grows attached to you?
If you're unable to find his mother,
he ends up in the system.
- I will find her.
- I certainly hope so.
Excuse me.
As the gun moves closer to
the head, say, between to 6 to 18 inches...
...there's a slight gun-powder stippling
at the point of entry.
When that stippling is more concentrated,
as in the case of the deceased...
...the gun was fired
1 to 6 inches from the skull...
...which is consistent
with a self-inflicted wound.
Do you believe this? The good doctor
wants to call our victim's death a suicide.
And why shouldn't I?
The body had no signs of a struggle
and she clearly didn't duck.
The boyfriend, Wayne West,
has a healthy criminal record...
...that consists of a history of abuse.
- And he tried to flee the crime scene.
- Ditching this meth along the way.
- Oh, what happened to your head?
- Oh, it's nothing.
I kissed the pavement when
I tackled that guy.
"Kissed the pavement." Listen to him.
Don't you think it's a little awkward that
she held the gun away from her head?
It's not uncommon for someone
to reconsider at the last moment.
Would you mind doing
a tox screen for meth...
...before your determination?
- Looking for an overdose?
I'm pretty certain it was the hole
in her head that killed her.
I'd like more time to figure out
how she got that hole to begin with.
That's all.
You. Stay.
Chief, Mr. West has been read his rights
and he's dying to talk to you.
Thank you, commander.
- I can't believe she blew her brains out.
- Don't look at that.
Right this way.
That's just very upsetting.
Detective?
It's a tragedy, man. But I guess
Gina was going through some things.
Gentlemen, this way.
Just have a seat.
Thank you.
So, uh, Mr. West, you were saying that
Gina was going through a lot recently.
Uh, yeah, yeah.
Stuff with her kid, you know.
Her asshole ex-husband was suing
for permanent custody.
Said that Gina wasn't fit to be a mom,
because she was a druggie.
So the judge told her,
"Clean up, or else."
- And did she?
- Hell, yeah.
Just got back from rehab last week.
Mr. West, earlier this evening,
you told my detectives...
...that you were out
during the time of Gina's death.
Is there someone we can talk to
that can confirm?
Still not buying
the whole suicide angle?
We're exploring all possibilities,
Mr. West.
Okay, talk to my buddy, Paul.
Um, Paul Olson.
I was with him until I called you guys.
I can give you his number.
I didn't do this. I love Gina.
Uh-huh.
Uh, you know what else?
Now that I think of it...
...you should talk to, um,
her ex-husband too.
The last thing that dude wanted
was for her to get visitation ever again...
...let alone custody to their daughter,
you know?
I mean, that's what you're looking for,
right? Motive?
I mean, I didn't have any motive,
you know?
And why would I leave her body
outside of our place?
Me, I would take it out to the desert,
pour gravy on it, let coyotes do the rest.
You know, that way: "Pfft!"
You know? Just gone.
Wow. Wow.
- Uh, you've got your plan figured out.
- No, I think things through.
I can see that, yes.
Uh, so that cop told me
that I had the right to remain silent.
- So when does that start?
- Oh, any time now.
You also have the right to an attorney,
because you are under arrest.
What? Why?
For possession of methamphetamine.
Sleep tight, Mr. West.
- Detective, would you?
- Come on.
Put your hands behind your back, please.
- Ow. Be gentle.
- Just don't get junkie on me, okay?
- Come on, man.
- This is a new suit.
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
Morning, Chief Johnson.
Everything all right?
Just missing the old building.
Parking three blocks away does
take getting used to.
Ah, man.
Pretty exciting about Pope,
don't you think?
I mean, he is the closest thing to a lock
for chief of police I can think of.
Oh, I don't know. The commission has
a lot of candidates they're considering.
It's Pope. Trust me.
- You know what that means?
- What?
Musical chairs.
Everybody changes jobs.
In fact, you could become
the new assistant chief...
...especially with L.A.P.D.'s emphasis
on diversity.
Pope's number two.
- That would be a nice position for you.
- Would it?
And should you be promoted, I would
be honored to take over Major Crimes.
Oh. Ha, ha.
That would be... That would be
something to consider.
I have been, um, thinking about
who would replace me...
...if I were to become unavailable.
The more seamless
we make these transitions, the better.
I mean, who's closer to Major Crimes
than me?
Oh. Excuse me.
Well, thank you, commander,
for thinking ahead.
- Uh, yes, lieutenant. What is it?
- I got an address on the ex-husband.
- I can send Gabriel if you want.
- Oh, yes. Tell the detective I'll be right...
You got three lieutenants in your squad.
Promote one of them.
Actually, no. Lieutenant, I'd like you
to join me for this notification.
- I'll meet you at your car. Okay?
- Sure.
As assistant chief, you get your own
parking space right here in the building.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I'm Lieutenant Flynn, this is
Deputy Chief Johnson from the L.A.P.D.
Is, uh, Darren Tatem here?
Here you go, my girl.
My dad's making his music.
When I dance to it, he cracks up.
Ha, ha.
You must have some great moves.
- What's your name?
- Cody.
May I ask what this is regarding?
Yes. Uh, we have some information
for Mr. Tatem, ma'am.
Well, his doctor wants him
to take it easy...
...but I suppose a few minutes
wouldn't hurt, huh?
He's just down the hall.
- Is he sick?
- Um, you could say that, yes.
Daddy.
Daddy, police officers.
Hello, Mr. Tatem. I'm Deputy Chief
Brenda Leigh Johnson of the L.A.P.D.
And this is Lieutenant Flynn.
We're so sorry to bother you
this morning.
We're hoping you'd answer
a few questions.
- Sure. I guess.
- Anything I can get you?
No, I'm fine, Mom. Thanks.
- You go with Grandma, okay?
- Okay.
Come on, my sweet girl.
- Bye, Daddy.
- Bye.
Lymphoma. Mom and Dad
help me fight the good fight.
- You play beautifully.
- Thank you.
It's part of a score
I'm rushing to finish.
- Do all your work here?
- Yeah, I don't get out much now.
I imagine these are not the questions
that you came here to ask.
How are things between you
and your ex-wife, Mr. Tatem?
- Strained. Why?
- When was the last time you saw her?
I don't know. About a week ago,
when she got out of rehab.
Why? What happened?
I'm afraid we have some bad news
for you and your daughter, Mr. Tatem.
Gina was found dead last night.
And the bad news is?
Sorry. Just a lot of water
under the bridge.
- Did she OD?
- Yeah, on lead.
Your ex-wife died of a gunshot
to the head.
- She shot herself?
- That's unclear at this point.
But, um, to your knowledge,
did your ex-wife Gina own a gun?
Like this one, perhaps?
Uh, no. Not that I ever knew of.
Sir?
If you're here wondering whether
I shot her, the answer is no.
Like I said, I don't get out much lately.
Gina's boyfriend, Mr. West, told us
that there were some custody issues...
...that you were dealing with.
I just wanted her to get clean,
that's all.
Now, I had the courts
force her into rehab...
...in order to give Cody the best
possible chance at a healthy home.
I mean, I even gave Gina $25,000
when she got out...
...just to get her
back on her feet again.
I'm just...
I'm trying to make the best...
...of a truly terrible situation,
you know?
For Cody.
When did you say you gave
your ex-wife this $25,000?
The money is not in her account.
But, uh, if you look here,
the boyfriend, Wayne West...
It says he deposited $25,000
into his bank account four days ago.
Two days after Gina got out of rehab.
Detective Sanchez, where are we
on Wayne West's alibi?
Julio.
Detective Sanchez, have you been able
to confirm Mr. West's alibi...
...at the time of the shooting?
- Oh, right.
Um, I called the number he gave us.
This guy, Paul Olson.
I had to leave a message.
He hasn't called me back yet.
- Have you tried paying him a visit?
- Not yet, chief.
Well, is that something
that you could possibly do?
Say, now?
Chief. Ahem. Chief.
Uh, clearly, Wayne West
stole money from Gina.
He owned the car she died in.
He reported her dead.
He went and took a shower,
cleaned himself up.
And then he fled the scene.
What are we waiting on Sanchez for?
All right, lieutenant, you want
another crack at Mr. West yourself?
Tell us about the money.
Oh, man.
This looks bad, I know.
But, um, did you talk to my friend?
- Because I was with him...
- Your friend is avoiding us.
What?
Okay, look.
- Gina's ex gave me that money.
- Really?
- Because he told us he gave it to her.
- No.
No way. No.
Okay, okay. Uh, he gave me that money.
He wanted me to convince Gina
to sign away her parental rights.
- That's the truth.
- He also want you to put a bullet in her?
Man, please. He was her ex.
Mr. Tatem was probably dying,
Mr. West.
I don't think sole custody
was an issue for him.
Look, I know, okay? But he's loaded.
So I guess the thing is, when he kicks it,
that money goes into a trust for the girl.
A trust Gina would control...
...unless someone could convince her
to sign away her rights.
Well, did you convince her
like Tatem paid you to?
You know,
it was never the right moment.
You had far more to gain
if Gina got custody of her daughter.
And yet you want us to believe that you
agreed to sell yourself short for $25,000?
Who's to say she wouldn't skip
as soon as things went her way?
Besides, you think I want
that whiny little brat around?
No, man. Just give me the 25 upfront.
At least I know what's in it for me,
you know?
Uh, chief, can I talk to you two
for a second?
Yes, detective.
Just a moment, Mr. West.
I didn't do it.
Darren Tatem just wired another
$25,000 into Wayne's account.
Beginning to look less and less
like a suicide.
And more like a murder for hire.
- Yeah.
- More?
Uh, yeah, a little bit more.
Good?
Chief, I'm sorry.
My mother had to go to work,
my sister's sick.
- He had no place...
- Have you found Mr. West's alibi yet?
Not yet, no. But...
- You are holding up my investigation.
- I went by Olson's apartment.
A neighbor said he skipped to Vegas.
I have police there looking for him.
But I have no other way
to verify West's alibi.
Chief. Good news.
Sanchez found someone else
who can verify Wayne West's alibi.
Detective, a choice needs to be made
regarding your situation.
And Lieutenant Provenza
is going to help you make it.
Lieutenant, with me. With me.
Chief, I'm sorry. He's just new to
this taking-care-of-kids thing.
- I was trying to help.
- Then stop covering for him.
- Tell me about this new alibi.
- Going through Tatem's accounts...
...we found payments he made
to a private investigator.
- Gabriel's bringing the guy in right now.
- Good.
- Here, let me get the door for you.
- Thank you.
West didn't kill anyone.
I was following him the whole night.
Got it all written down.
- May I?
- Yeah.
You were hired by Mr. Tatem, correct?
Yeah, there were some custody issues.
Tatem wanted me to find out
if his ex-wife was still on drugs.
It tore him up thinking
she was gonna raise their little girl.
- I felt for the guy.
- Okay, here we go.
"Thursday night, 6:27 p.m.
West is picked up by a friend.
- Gina remains at the apartment."
- Yeah, that's why I stayed on West.
- Figured I'd see if he was buying for her.
- Was he?
Couldn't prove it.
But he was definitely using though.
He scored meth that night
with his friend.
It says here West got home
at 10:15 p. m?
Right. When he discovered her body.
He freaked and called 911 on his cell,
and I left, got some sleep. Sorry.
How often were you reporting
to Mr. Tatem?
- Every day at some point.
- By phone?
Mostly. He came by the office
a few times...
...when he was up to it.
- So he's still able to get around.
And that night, the night that Gina died.
Did you talk to him then?
I did.
I told him West was getting high.
So Mr. Tatem knew Gina
was by herself.
Investigator said she was dead
by 10 p.m.
But why would he pay me
to prove his ex-wife was using...
...if he was gonna kill her anyway?
I promise that is the first question
I'm gonna ask him.
- We're here to speak with Darren.
- He's busy. Unless you have a warrant...
If you'll excuse us.
Lieutenant Tao, upstairs.
Lieutenant Provenza?
Sir, is Mr. Tatem
in his recording studio?
I'll take that as a yes.
- And his daughter?
- Cody went shopping with my wife.
Look, showing up with all these people
is completely unnecessary.
- Darren will cooperate in any way.
- Good.
- Detective.
- He's very sick. Don't you understand?
Don't...
He hasn't done anything wrong.
Why don't you just tell me
what you want?
- Mr. Tatem.
- My son didn't do anything.
Mr. Tatem.
- Mr. Tatem, open this door.
- Wait. Wait.
- Sir. Sir.
- Darren, please.
- Sir, stay back, okay?
- Mr. Tatem, we need to talk.
- Open this door now.
- Please, let me just...
- Stay back. Stay back!
- This is ridiculous.
- Want it open?
- Yes.
Tatem, we know you hired
a private investigator.
- He told you Gina was by herself.
- Leave him alone.
- Will you shut up? Shut up!
- That woman shot herself!
We know Wayne West didn't kill her.
You just transferred another
$25,000 to frame him.
- Leave my family alone.
- No.
- Please leave them alone?
- That's up to you, Mr. Tatem.
Open this door. We need to talk.
- Dad, I love you.
- Darren?
- Hurry, detective.
- I'm trying.
And I love Mom, too, okay?
And tell Cody...
Tell her that she was everything to me.
Never doubt it.
- Open the door. Get it open now.
- I'm trying.
Darren. Darren, no!
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
- Chief, you all right?
- What did you do?
- King 62.
- Oh, Darren.
I got a male, 30s. Need paramedics,
two units and a supervisor.
- Do you copy?
- No. What did you do? What did you do?
Look at this.
"I killed her. For Cody. I'm sorry."
- Now, this was definitely a suicide.
- No argument here.
When people shoot themselves
in the mouth like this...
...they always press their tongue against
the barrel at the moment of truth.
Interesting, no?
How sick was he?
Uh, about as sick as you can be.
Uh, the cancer was everywhere.
- He had a few weeks left, max.
- Would he have known that for sure?
No responsible physician would have
told him anything else.
So why not just turn himself in?
I don't know.
In his condition, judge grants bail.
- He spends whatever time left at home.
- With his daughter.
And his morphine drip. Hmm.
But to each his own.
Let's just go back over everything,
just to be safe.
The timeline, the finances.
Just recheck everyone's story.
Thank you so much, doctor.
Oh, um...
The tox results for Gina Decker.
Even though I'm still pretty certain
it was the bullet that killed her...
...she was pretty jacked up on meth
at the time of death.
So she would've lost custody
regardless.
Wow.
- If Tatem had only known.
- That's what bothers me.
He did know. I mean, he had to.
- His PI told him Wayne was using.
- Wait a minute.
I'm sorry. Are you questioning
the confession now?
You mean the seven words
he typed on his computer?
Just because he didn't say them
doesn't make it less real.
Anyway, uh, speaking of custody issues,
I've been thinking.
If I make chief,
I might move you into my job.
In which case...
...we would need to begin to consider
who might take over your division.
Wow.
Uh, okay, yes,
I'II, um, start thinking about that.
How do I look? Seriously.
Fine. Nice.
Where you going, anyway?
This event-slash-dinner thing
with a bunch of, uh, city council members.
Blah. You don't know how lucky you are
you don't have to do this stuff.
What about Taylor?
- What about him?
- You know, for Major Crimes.
Well, think about it.
He's been very supportive.
So send him a basket of muffins.
Have a nice dinner.
You're talking in the realm
of ifs and maybes.
I'm talking in the realm of facts.
It's not as simple as you're
making it out. It's not that simple.
Lieutenant.
You need to handle this.
- Chief, this isn't about Sanchez.
- Gabriel, come on.
- What's it about?
- Nothing, chief.
Everything's fine. Nothing.
- Tatem did not kill his ex-wife.
- Why do you say that?
We were going back through everything
and took a look at Tatem's computer.
We were looking at the score
that he was finishing up.
Lieutenant, the score.
The program he works on
is automatically set up...
...to save changes every five minutes.
Could you open the list of changes,
please, lieutenant?
Oh, boy, here we go.
Right. Okay.
If you notice the dates and times
of these saves...
...they occurred during the evening
of Gina's murder...
...starting at 6 p.m.
and continuing past 11.
That doesn't mean he was there.
The program saves automatically.
Only if changes are made.
So he had to have been working
on the score during that time...
...or it wouldn't have changed anything?
- Exactly.
Chief. Please.
Chief, we've already solved
this case once.
It's wrapped up with a bow on top.
Now, if you untie that bow,
you know what will happen.
This isn't the kind of decision
we make on our own.
Detective Gabriel,
since this is still a custody case...
...I'd like to see Cody Tatem.
Have her grandparents bring her in,
please. Thank you.
Yes, ma'am.
We'II, uh, head down here.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Thank you, commander.
- Oh. No job too small.
Mr. and Mrs. Tatem, thank you so much
for coming down here tonight.
Right this way.
Seems like we're running our own
little daycare here lately.
Um, Detective Sanchez here would be
happy to watch Cody while we talk.
If you don't mind.
- Cody? Okay?
- Okay.
- It's okay.
- Lieutenant.
Thank you.
Come on, sweetheart.
- This...
- Excuse me. Excuse me.
You said that you had some questions
about Darren's death.
Yes. I have what I hope will be
comforting news for you both.
That is that we've been able
to establish...
...that your son was not responsible
for the death of Gina Decker.
What?
I fail to see how
that's comforting news.
It was your investigation
that forced Darren to commit suicide.
Our investigation
did not force him to confess.
Which of you was he trying to protect
by killing himself?
- What?
- No one. That's ridiculous.
We're not answering anything else.
You will if you want to retain custody
of your granddaughter.
- You wouldn't dare try to keep her here.
- I've done worse things.
I'm beginning to think
that you have too.
Let's find out.
- You first.
- Albert?
Sir. Sir, I need you to
come with me down the hall, please.
I'd like
you to have a seat right here, please.
It'll just be a few minutes.
All right. Now, Mrs. Tatem,
I've gone around and around on this case...
...and frankly,
I'm tired of being lied to.
So I'm gonna make this simple.
Detective Gabriel has read you your rights.
I'm gonna talk to you,
then I'm gonna talk to your husband.
If I believe the two of you conspired
to kill your ex-daughter-in-law...
- No. That never happened.
- Then Cody...
...who's lost her mother and father...
...will also lose you when
the Department of Children's Services...
...puts her into foster care.
- Oh, God. No, please...
However, if I believe
that one of you acted on your own...
...the remaining grandparent
will be awarded full custody...
...and be able to take Cody
home tonight.
Are we done yet?
Mrs. Tatem?
Darren was our only child.
And when it became clear that he wasn't
going to beat the cancer...
...the only thing we had
to hold onto...
...was that he would live on with us
through Cody.
And Thursday morning when Darren
told us that Gina had tested clean...
...and that after he was gone,
we were going to lose Cody too...
Had you tried to arrange it so you would
retain custody of your granddaughter?
Of course. We hired lawyers.
But in California,
when the mother is deemed fit...
...the grandparents have
no custodial rights.
Let's get to Thursday night, shall we?
My husband...
...he called Gina
and told her he wanted to meet.
And that there would be
a lot of money in it for her...
...if she would just sign away
her parental rights.
But she refused to meet Albert.
So I went instead.
Wait. You did?
I brought our checkbook,
hoping I could pay her enough money...
...to get her to sign the papers.
- And you also brought a gun.
Yes.
I did.
Mrs. Tatem, let me warn you,
if your husband's story does not match...
...I'll think you planned it together.
- My husband didn't do it. Listen. I did it.
I did it.
Tell me how you planned it.
I didn't plan it.
I just knew it had to be done.
Gina was surprised to see me...
...but I told her I just wanted to talk.
She was hungry,
so I offered to buy her dinner.
I was low on gas
and Gina's license had been revoked.
So we got in Wayne's car.
But before we drove away, I asked Gina
where she was comfortable going...
...considering how she was dressed.
And she took that entirely
the wrong way.
She ended up screaming at me.
That's when she said that
after Darren died...
...we would never see Cody again.
There was nothing left to discuss.
I got out of the car.
She was so mad,
she wouldn't even look at me.
I reached into my purse for the gun...
...I leaned into the car...
...and I shot her in the head.
Where did you get the gun?
It was Darren's.
I'd hidden it from him...
...afraid he might do something stupid.
I guess he replaced it.
Did he know you killed Gina?
Not until you showed him
a picture of his gun.
What about your husband?
He doesn't know anything.
I had decided to let Darren go...
...with the knowledge that
Cody would be safe.
But you took away all the time
Darren had left.
With Cody,
with your husband, with you.
Your son killed himself to protect you.
And worst of all, Mrs. Tatem...
...blood work from our morgue shows
that Gina was still using.
So she would have lost custody
anyway.
You only know that
because I put a bullet in her brain.
And what would have happened to Cody
if I hadn't?
We all know. Don't we?
I had to do it.
I had to.
I'm gonna bring your husband in now
so you can tell him yourself what you did.
Good luck to you, Mrs. Tatem.
- Bringing the husband.
- Thank you.
Chief, you know,
we could write this up as manslaughter.
- She brought a gun with her, lieutenant.
- And good intentions.
Is this how you want
custody battles decided?
By knocking off everyone
unqualified to be a parent?
We'd have a world full of orphans.
Write it up as a murder.
We'll let the jury decide.
Yeah, chief.
- You want me to turn this off, chief?
- Uh, no.
- Can I borrow your headphones, please?
- Sure.
Oh, God.
You're sure she's not lying to you?
I am now.
Rough day?
Ah. You could say that.
Thanks.
You decide to turn in your application
for chief?
No. Because the only person
in my division...
...who's begun to share my priorities
is Gabriel.
And he'd never even be considered,
because of his rank.
And maybe his record.
You know, Pope went outside
the department to find you.
You could do the same. Of course,
you'd have to be chief to do it.
I don't know.
We'll see.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe getting a little emotional distance
wouldn't be such a terrible thing.
Hmm.
I called your cell. Where were you?
Uh, I sort of ate.
- I could pull out the menus if you want.
- No, thanks. I lost my appetite.
About an hour ago.
Around the time your friend
Captain Raydor showed up at my office.
Oh?
Apparently my wife is being vetted
for chief of police.
I didn't even know she was running.
I'm not.
Look. See?
I haven't even turned in my application.
- How long have you known?
- About a week.
A week? Do you have any idea
how humiliating it is...
...being blindsided with questions
about my DUl's...
...and how many AA meetings
I attend each week?
I had no idea she'd talk to you.
This is one of the most powerful
positions in the city.
People make sure your husband
isn't a liability.
The only reason Raydor
is pushing me for this is I'm a woman...
...and to make trouble between
me and Pope.
Besides, you were up for promotion
last year and never said a word about it.
- I never considered it seriously.
- I'm not considering this seriously, either.
- Really?
- Really.
Why not?
Getting some emotional distance
from your cases would be good for you.
It would be safer.
This job comes with bodyguards.
What about your career?
Chief is a commitment.
Don't make this about me.
You couldn't take another job
for five years.
There's those events
and dinners to go to.
As opposed to the crime scenes
you go to now.
And what about Pope?
He's had his heart set on this.
What about Pope?
Who cares about Pope?
Who would...?
Who would take over Major Crimes?
Ah. Okay, now we're getting to it.
For starters, you got three lieutenants.
Promote one of them.
Oh, right, like it's that easy.
Who would I choose?
And there's civil service issues.
It requires bureaucratic rigmarole...
- Do not answer that phone.
...that you don't even know about.
Yes, detective, hello. What is it?
Evening, chief. We got rolled out
to cover for Hollywood tonight.
They're all at a retirement party.
Brenda, we have to finish this discussion.
I am serious. This is important.
Anyway, it's a, uh, probable suicide.
We still have to establish
a time of death...
We're talking about a job I don't want.
Why? This could be an amazing
opportunity for you.
- That's what I'm saying.
- Chief, are you there?
Shh! They know nothing about this chief
business, okay? Just one second.
Yes, detective.
Just start knocking on doors...
...and let's confirm suicide before
we jump to any conclusions, okay?
- I will be there in...
- Provenza can handle a suicide.
- This is an important conversation.
- Ha, ha. They're fighting.
We are not fighting.
- Now they think we're fighting.
- We are.
- Evening, chief.
- Delegate and hang up.
Chief. Really, uh, we're almost done here.
There's no need to ruin your evening.
Apparently the victim's boyfriend
called it in.
He just so happens to live
in the second floor of that building.
- Just bring him down, huh?
- What?
- What's that, lieutenant? I can't hear you.
- Uh, nothing. Nothing, chief.
Listen, I have this, okay?
- So why don't you just...
- Hang up.
...go do whatever you're doing?
- Hang up. Hang up.
- Um, if it's anything serious, I'll call you.
- No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait.
- Hang up.
- Don't hang up.
- He hung up.
- Good.
I'm gonna be a few minutes.
Keep the doors locked.
- You want anything?
- No, I'm good. But it's cold.
Here you go.
Gina Decker. Age 27.
- Is this her car?
- No. The car's registered to Wayne West.
- Her boyfriend's name is Wayne.
- Yeah. Flynn's bringing him down.
Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
I was at the movies.
- Ah. Yeah? Got a hot date or something?
- Uh, no, sir.
Looking at the blood, there's
an absence of high-velocity misting...
...inconsistent with a self-inflicted
gunshot wound.
Shorter words, Tao.
If she pulled the trigger,
there'd be blowback on her hand.
Buzz, you getting this? Huh? Huh?
Yes, sir.
Wait. So you're saying you think
the driver shot her and left the gun?
Look at the spatter here, huh?
Nobody was sitting here.
Uh, excuse me, sir. Step back.
Maybe the driver got out of the car...
...and then shot her
through the open window.
- Well, where is this boyfriend, huh?
- Wayne West, meet my pals.
Ah. Thank you for joining us, Mr. West.
You look damp.
- Do you need a towel?
- Uh, no, man. No.
- Is this your car?
- Yeah, it is.
Yeah, you discovered your girlfriend's
body in it earlier this evening?
I did. Right.
- And then you called the police.
- Mm-hm.
Then you thought
you would freshen up a bit...
...uh, maybe take a shower before
we got here?
Was that a mistake?
Mr. West, uh, we need you to come
downtown, make a statement.
Really? Why? You know,
I can make a statement right here.
I was out with a friend. I came home.
I found Gina dead in my car. That's it.
See, we hate to leave the victim's
loved ones behind at the scene...
...especially when they're upset.
- Right.
- Or are you just on edge?
- Or on something.
You told me she killed herself. You act
like I had something to do with it.
Oh, the thought never crossed
my mind.
Although she is
in front of your apartment.
- She lives here.
- In the passenger seat of your car.
That's her seat.
Julio, I gotta go to the bathroom.
- Lieutenants?
- Hey!
I got him. I got him. Damn it.
Detective.
Are you telling me that you have been
holding on to this kid for a week?
- Yes, sir.
- Hey. Hey.
Keep it down!
People are trying to sleep around here.
Thought I made it clear
that you were to turn Ruben over...
...to the Department of Children's
Services.
I got approved
for emergency foster care instead.
When you were supposed to search
for his mother in Mexico.
This boy is intimately involved
in a case that is officially still open.
And we are responsible
for his father's death.
The FBI shot Ruben's father, not us.
I know your intentions are good,
Julio...
...and I'm not unsympathetic
to Ruben's situation...
This isn't the proper environment
for a child.
- Worked out okay for your niece.
- Watch it.
It is 2:00 in the morning, detective.
I hardly think that the scene of a murder
or a suicide...
...is any place for a child
who just attended his father's funeral.
We were at the movies.
I had no time to drop him at my mom's.
I don't think you understand
what you're getting into, Julio.
That boy deserves more than you can...
Sir, you think he's better off
in the system instead of with me?
My whole family is helping out.
What might happen if Ruben
grows attached to you?
If you're unable to find his mother,
he ends up in the system.
- I will find her.
- I certainly hope so.
Excuse me.
As the gun moves closer to
the head, say, between to 6 to 18 inches...
...there's a slight gun-powder stippling
at the point of entry.
When that stippling is more concentrated,
as in the case of the deceased...
...the gun was fired
1 to 6 inches from the skull...
...which is consistent
with a self-inflicted wound.
Do you believe this? The good doctor
wants to call our victim's death a suicide.
And why shouldn't I?
The body had no signs of a struggle
and she clearly didn't duck.
The boyfriend, Wayne West,
has a healthy criminal record...
...that consists of a history of abuse.
- And he tried to flee the crime scene.
- Ditching this meth along the way.
- Oh, what happened to your head?
- Oh, it's nothing.
I kissed the pavement when
I tackled that guy.
"Kissed the pavement." Listen to him.
Don't you think it's a little awkward that
she held the gun away from her head?
It's not uncommon for someone
to reconsider at the last moment.
Would you mind doing
a tox screen for meth...
...before your determination?
- Looking for an overdose?
I'm pretty certain it was the hole
in her head that killed her.
I'd like more time to figure out
how she got that hole to begin with.
That's all.
You. Stay.
Chief, Mr. West has been read his rights
and he's dying to talk to you.
Thank you, commander.
- I can't believe she blew her brains out.
- Don't look at that.
Right this way.
That's just very upsetting.
Detective?
It's a tragedy, man. But I guess
Gina was going through some things.
Gentlemen, this way.
Just have a seat.
Thank you.
So, uh, Mr. West, you were saying that
Gina was going through a lot recently.
Uh, yeah, yeah.
Stuff with her kid, you know.
Her asshole ex-husband was suing
for permanent custody.
Said that Gina wasn't fit to be a mom,
because she was a druggie.
So the judge told her,
"Clean up, or else."
- And did she?
- Hell, yeah.
Just got back from rehab last week.
Mr. West, earlier this evening,
you told my detectives...
...that you were out
during the time of Gina's death.
Is there someone we can talk to
that can confirm?
Still not buying
the whole suicide angle?
We're exploring all possibilities,
Mr. West.
Okay, talk to my buddy, Paul.
Um, Paul Olson.
I was with him until I called you guys.
I can give you his number.
I didn't do this. I love Gina.
Uh-huh.
Uh, you know what else?
Now that I think of it...
...you should talk to, um,
her ex-husband too.
The last thing that dude wanted
was for her to get visitation ever again...
...let alone custody to their daughter,
you know?
I mean, that's what you're looking for,
right? Motive?
I mean, I didn't have any motive,
you know?
And why would I leave her body
outside of our place?
Me, I would take it out to the desert,
pour gravy on it, let coyotes do the rest.
You know, that way: "Pfft!"
You know? Just gone.
Wow. Wow.
- Uh, you've got your plan figured out.
- No, I think things through.
I can see that, yes.
Uh, so that cop told me
that I had the right to remain silent.
- So when does that start?
- Oh, any time now.
You also have the right to an attorney,
because you are under arrest.
What? Why?
For possession of methamphetamine.
Sleep tight, Mr. West.
- Detective, would you?
- Come on.
Put your hands behind your back, please.
- Ow. Be gentle.
- Just don't get junkie on me, okay?
- Come on, man.
- This is a new suit.
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
Morning, Chief Johnson.
Everything all right?
Just missing the old building.
Parking three blocks away does
take getting used to.
Ah, man.
Pretty exciting about Pope,
don't you think?
I mean, he is the closest thing to a lock
for chief of police I can think of.
Oh, I don't know. The commission has
a lot of candidates they're considering.
It's Pope. Trust me.
- You know what that means?
- What?
Musical chairs.
Everybody changes jobs.
In fact, you could become
the new assistant chief...
...especially with L.A.P.D.'s emphasis
on diversity.
Pope's number two.
- That would be a nice position for you.
- Would it?
And should you be promoted, I would
be honored to take over Major Crimes.
Oh. Ha, ha.
That would be... That would be
something to consider.
I have been, um, thinking about
who would replace me...
...if I were to become unavailable.
The more seamless
we make these transitions, the better.
I mean, who's closer to Major Crimes
than me?
Oh. Excuse me.
Well, thank you, commander,
for thinking ahead.
- Uh, yes, lieutenant. What is it?
- I got an address on the ex-husband.
- I can send Gabriel if you want.
- Oh, yes. Tell the detective I'll be right...
You got three lieutenants in your squad.
Promote one of them.
Actually, no. Lieutenant, I'd like you
to join me for this notification.
- I'll meet you at your car. Okay?
- Sure.
As assistant chief, you get your own
parking space right here in the building.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I'm Lieutenant Flynn, this is
Deputy Chief Johnson from the L.A.P.D.
Is, uh, Darren Tatem here?
Here you go, my girl.
My dad's making his music.
When I dance to it, he cracks up.
Ha, ha.
You must have some great moves.
- What's your name?
- Cody.
May I ask what this is regarding?
Yes. Uh, we have some information
for Mr. Tatem, ma'am.
Well, his doctor wants him
to take it easy...
...but I suppose a few minutes
wouldn't hurt, huh?
He's just down the hall.
- Is he sick?
- Um, you could say that, yes.
Daddy.
Daddy, police officers.
Hello, Mr. Tatem. I'm Deputy Chief
Brenda Leigh Johnson of the L.A.P.D.
And this is Lieutenant Flynn.
We're so sorry to bother you
this morning.
We're hoping you'd answer
a few questions.
- Sure. I guess.
- Anything I can get you?
No, I'm fine, Mom. Thanks.
- You go with Grandma, okay?
- Okay.
Come on, my sweet girl.
- Bye, Daddy.
- Bye.
Lymphoma. Mom and Dad
help me fight the good fight.
- You play beautifully.
- Thank you.
It's part of a score
I'm rushing to finish.
- Do all your work here?
- Yeah, I don't get out much now.
I imagine these are not the questions
that you came here to ask.
How are things between you
and your ex-wife, Mr. Tatem?
- Strained. Why?
- When was the last time you saw her?
I don't know. About a week ago,
when she got out of rehab.
Why? What happened?
I'm afraid we have some bad news
for you and your daughter, Mr. Tatem.
Gina was found dead last night.
And the bad news is?
Sorry. Just a lot of water
under the bridge.
- Did she OD?
- Yeah, on lead.
Your ex-wife died of a gunshot
to the head.
- She shot herself?
- That's unclear at this point.
But, um, to your knowledge,
did your ex-wife Gina own a gun?
Like this one, perhaps?
Uh, no. Not that I ever knew of.
Sir?
If you're here wondering whether
I shot her, the answer is no.
Like I said, I don't get out much lately.
Gina's boyfriend, Mr. West, told us
that there were some custody issues...
...that you were dealing with.
I just wanted her to get clean,
that's all.
Now, I had the courts
force her into rehab...
...in order to give Cody the best
possible chance at a healthy home.
I mean, I even gave Gina $25,000
when she got out...
...just to get her
back on her feet again.
I'm just...
I'm trying to make the best...
...of a truly terrible situation,
you know?
For Cody.
When did you say you gave
your ex-wife this $25,000?
The money is not in her account.
But, uh, if you look here,
the boyfriend, Wayne West...
It says he deposited $25,000
into his bank account four days ago.
Two days after Gina got out of rehab.
Detective Sanchez, where are we
on Wayne West's alibi?
Julio.
Detective Sanchez, have you been able
to confirm Mr. West's alibi...
...at the time of the shooting?
- Oh, right.
Um, I called the number he gave us.
This guy, Paul Olson.
I had to leave a message.
He hasn't called me back yet.
- Have you tried paying him a visit?
- Not yet, chief.
Well, is that something
that you could possibly do?
Say, now?
Chief. Ahem. Chief.
Uh, clearly, Wayne West
stole money from Gina.
He owned the car she died in.
He reported her dead.
He went and took a shower,
cleaned himself up.
And then he fled the scene.
What are we waiting on Sanchez for?
All right, lieutenant, you want
another crack at Mr. West yourself?
Tell us about the money.
Oh, man.
This looks bad, I know.
But, um, did you talk to my friend?
- Because I was with him...
- Your friend is avoiding us.
What?
Okay, look.
- Gina's ex gave me that money.
- Really?
- Because he told us he gave it to her.
- No.
No way. No.
Okay, okay. Uh, he gave me that money.
He wanted me to convince Gina
to sign away her parental rights.
- That's the truth.
- He also want you to put a bullet in her?
Man, please. He was her ex.
Mr. Tatem was probably dying,
Mr. West.
I don't think sole custody
was an issue for him.
Look, I know, okay? But he's loaded.
So I guess the thing is, when he kicks it,
that money goes into a trust for the girl.
A trust Gina would control...
...unless someone could convince her
to sign away her rights.
Well, did you convince her
like Tatem paid you to?
You know,
it was never the right moment.
You had far more to gain
if Gina got custody of her daughter.
And yet you want us to believe that you
agreed to sell yourself short for $25,000?
Who's to say she wouldn't skip
as soon as things went her way?
Besides, you think I want
that whiny little brat around?
No, man. Just give me the 25 upfront.
At least I know what's in it for me,
you know?
Uh, chief, can I talk to you two
for a second?
Yes, detective.
Just a moment, Mr. West.
I didn't do it.
Darren Tatem just wired another
$25,000 into Wayne's account.
Beginning to look less and less
like a suicide.
And more like a murder for hire.
- Yeah.
- More?
Uh, yeah, a little bit more.
Good?
Chief, I'm sorry.
My mother had to go to work,
my sister's sick.
- He had no place...
- Have you found Mr. West's alibi yet?
Not yet, no. But...
- You are holding up my investigation.
- I went by Olson's apartment.
A neighbor said he skipped to Vegas.
I have police there looking for him.
But I have no other way
to verify West's alibi.
Chief. Good news.
Sanchez found someone else
who can verify Wayne West's alibi.
Detective, a choice needs to be made
regarding your situation.
And Lieutenant Provenza
is going to help you make it.
Lieutenant, with me. With me.
Chief, I'm sorry. He's just new to
this taking-care-of-kids thing.
- I was trying to help.
- Then stop covering for him.
- Tell me about this new alibi.
- Going through Tatem's accounts...
...we found payments he made
to a private investigator.
- Gabriel's bringing the guy in right now.
- Good.
- Here, let me get the door for you.
- Thank you.
West didn't kill anyone.
I was following him the whole night.
Got it all written down.
- May I?
- Yeah.
You were hired by Mr. Tatem, correct?
Yeah, there were some custody issues.
Tatem wanted me to find out
if his ex-wife was still on drugs.
It tore him up thinking
she was gonna raise their little girl.
- I felt for the guy.
- Okay, here we go.
"Thursday night, 6:27 p.m.
West is picked up by a friend.
- Gina remains at the apartment."
- Yeah, that's why I stayed on West.
- Figured I'd see if he was buying for her.
- Was he?
Couldn't prove it.
But he was definitely using though.
He scored meth that night
with his friend.
It says here West got home
at 10:15 p. m?
Right. When he discovered her body.
He freaked and called 911 on his cell,
and I left, got some sleep. Sorry.
How often were you reporting
to Mr. Tatem?
- Every day at some point.
- By phone?
Mostly. He came by the office
a few times...
...when he was up to it.
- So he's still able to get around.
And that night, the night that Gina died.
Did you talk to him then?
I did.
I told him West was getting high.
So Mr. Tatem knew Gina
was by herself.
Investigator said she was dead
by 10 p.m.
But why would he pay me
to prove his ex-wife was using...
...if he was gonna kill her anyway?
I promise that is the first question
I'm gonna ask him.
- We're here to speak with Darren.
- He's busy. Unless you have a warrant...
If you'll excuse us.
Lieutenant Tao, upstairs.
Lieutenant Provenza?
Sir, is Mr. Tatem
in his recording studio?
I'll take that as a yes.
- And his daughter?
- Cody went shopping with my wife.
Look, showing up with all these people
is completely unnecessary.
- Darren will cooperate in any way.
- Good.
- Detective.
- He's very sick. Don't you understand?
Don't...
He hasn't done anything wrong.
Why don't you just tell me
what you want?
- Mr. Tatem.
- My son didn't do anything.
Mr. Tatem.
- Mr. Tatem, open this door.
- Wait. Wait.
- Sir. Sir.
- Darren, please.
- Sir, stay back, okay?
- Mr. Tatem, we need to talk.
- Open this door now.
- Please, let me just...
- Stay back. Stay back!
- This is ridiculous.
- Want it open?
- Yes.
Tatem, we know you hired
a private investigator.
- He told you Gina was by herself.
- Leave him alone.
- Will you shut up? Shut up!
- That woman shot herself!
We know Wayne West didn't kill her.
You just transferred another
$25,000 to frame him.
- Leave my family alone.
- No.
- Please leave them alone?
- That's up to you, Mr. Tatem.
Open this door. We need to talk.
- Dad, I love you.
- Darren?
- Hurry, detective.
- I'm trying.
And I love Mom, too, okay?
And tell Cody...
Tell her that she was everything to me.
Never doubt it.
- Open the door. Get it open now.
- I'm trying.
Darren. Darren, no!
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
- Chief, you all right?
- What did you do?
- King 62.
- Oh, Darren.
I got a male, 30s. Need paramedics,
two units and a supervisor.
- Do you copy?
- No. What did you do? What did you do?
Look at this.
"I killed her. For Cody. I'm sorry."
- Now, this was definitely a suicide.
- No argument here.
When people shoot themselves
in the mouth like this...
...they always press their tongue against
the barrel at the moment of truth.
Interesting, no?
How sick was he?
Uh, about as sick as you can be.
Uh, the cancer was everywhere.
- He had a few weeks left, max.
- Would he have known that for sure?
No responsible physician would have
told him anything else.
So why not just turn himself in?
I don't know.
In his condition, judge grants bail.
- He spends whatever time left at home.
- With his daughter.
And his morphine drip. Hmm.
But to each his own.
Let's just go back over everything,
just to be safe.
The timeline, the finances.
Just recheck everyone's story.
Thank you so much, doctor.
Oh, um...
The tox results for Gina Decker.
Even though I'm still pretty certain
it was the bullet that killed her...
...she was pretty jacked up on meth
at the time of death.
So she would've lost custody
regardless.
Wow.
- If Tatem had only known.
- That's what bothers me.
He did know. I mean, he had to.
- His PI told him Wayne was using.
- Wait a minute.
I'm sorry. Are you questioning
the confession now?
You mean the seven words
he typed on his computer?
Just because he didn't say them
doesn't make it less real.
Anyway, uh, speaking of custody issues,
I've been thinking.
If I make chief,
I might move you into my job.
In which case...
...we would need to begin to consider
who might take over your division.
Wow.
Uh, okay, yes,
I'II, um, start thinking about that.
How do I look? Seriously.
Fine. Nice.
Where you going, anyway?
This event-slash-dinner thing
with a bunch of, uh, city council members.
Blah. You don't know how lucky you are
you don't have to do this stuff.
What about Taylor?
- What about him?
- You know, for Major Crimes.
Well, think about it.
He's been very supportive.
So send him a basket of muffins.
Have a nice dinner.
You're talking in the realm
of ifs and maybes.
I'm talking in the realm of facts.
It's not as simple as you're
making it out. It's not that simple.
Lieutenant.
You need to handle this.
- Chief, this isn't about Sanchez.
- Gabriel, come on.
- What's it about?
- Nothing, chief.
Everything's fine. Nothing.
- Tatem did not kill his ex-wife.
- Why do you say that?
We were going back through everything
and took a look at Tatem's computer.
We were looking at the score
that he was finishing up.
Lieutenant, the score.
The program he works on
is automatically set up...
...to save changes every five minutes.
Could you open the list of changes,
please, lieutenant?
Oh, boy, here we go.
Right. Okay.
If you notice the dates and times
of these saves...
...they occurred during the evening
of Gina's murder...
...starting at 6 p.m.
and continuing past 11.
That doesn't mean he was there.
The program saves automatically.
Only if changes are made.
So he had to have been working
on the score during that time...
...or it wouldn't have changed anything?
- Exactly.
Chief. Please.
Chief, we've already solved
this case once.
It's wrapped up with a bow on top.
Now, if you untie that bow,
you know what will happen.
This isn't the kind of decision
we make on our own.
Detective Gabriel,
since this is still a custody case...
...I'd like to see Cody Tatem.
Have her grandparents bring her in,
please. Thank you.
Yes, ma'am.
We'II, uh, head down here.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Thank you, commander.
- Oh. No job too small.
Mr. and Mrs. Tatem, thank you so much
for coming down here tonight.
Right this way.
Seems like we're running our own
little daycare here lately.
Um, Detective Sanchez here would be
happy to watch Cody while we talk.
If you don't mind.
- Cody? Okay?
- Okay.
- It's okay.
- Lieutenant.
Thank you.
Come on, sweetheart.
- This...
- Excuse me. Excuse me.
You said that you had some questions
about Darren's death.
Yes. I have what I hope will be
comforting news for you both.
That is that we've been able
to establish...
...that your son was not responsible
for the death of Gina Decker.
What?
I fail to see how
that's comforting news.
It was your investigation
that forced Darren to commit suicide.
Our investigation
did not force him to confess.
Which of you was he trying to protect
by killing himself?
- What?
- No one. That's ridiculous.
We're not answering anything else.
You will if you want to retain custody
of your granddaughter.
- You wouldn't dare try to keep her here.
- I've done worse things.
I'm beginning to think
that you have too.
Let's find out.
- You first.
- Albert?
Sir. Sir, I need you to
come with me down the hall, please.
I'd like
you to have a seat right here, please.
It'll just be a few minutes.
All right. Now, Mrs. Tatem,
I've gone around and around on this case...
...and frankly,
I'm tired of being lied to.
So I'm gonna make this simple.
Detective Gabriel has read you your rights.
I'm gonna talk to you,
then I'm gonna talk to your husband.
If I believe the two of you conspired
to kill your ex-daughter-in-law...
- No. That never happened.
- Then Cody...
...who's lost her mother and father...
...will also lose you when
the Department of Children's Services...
...puts her into foster care.
- Oh, God. No, please...
However, if I believe
that one of you acted on your own...
...the remaining grandparent
will be awarded full custody...
...and be able to take Cody
home tonight.
Are we done yet?
Mrs. Tatem?
Darren was our only child.
And when it became clear that he wasn't
going to beat the cancer...
...the only thing we had
to hold onto...
...was that he would live on with us
through Cody.
And Thursday morning when Darren
told us that Gina had tested clean...
...and that after he was gone,
we were going to lose Cody too...
Had you tried to arrange it so you would
retain custody of your granddaughter?
Of course. We hired lawyers.
But in California,
when the mother is deemed fit...
...the grandparents have
no custodial rights.
Let's get to Thursday night, shall we?
My husband...
...he called Gina
and told her he wanted to meet.
And that there would be
a lot of money in it for her...
...if she would just sign away
her parental rights.
But she refused to meet Albert.
So I went instead.
Wait. You did?
I brought our checkbook,
hoping I could pay her enough money...
...to get her to sign the papers.
- And you also brought a gun.
Yes.
I did.
Mrs. Tatem, let me warn you,
if your husband's story does not match...
...I'll think you planned it together.
- My husband didn't do it. Listen. I did it.
I did it.
Tell me how you planned it.
I didn't plan it.
I just knew it had to be done.
Gina was surprised to see me...
...but I told her I just wanted to talk.
She was hungry,
so I offered to buy her dinner.
I was low on gas
and Gina's license had been revoked.
So we got in Wayne's car.
But before we drove away, I asked Gina
where she was comfortable going...
...considering how she was dressed.
And she took that entirely
the wrong way.
She ended up screaming at me.
That's when she said that
after Darren died...
...we would never see Cody again.
There was nothing left to discuss.
I got out of the car.
She was so mad,
she wouldn't even look at me.
I reached into my purse for the gun...
...I leaned into the car...
...and I shot her in the head.
Where did you get the gun?
It was Darren's.
I'd hidden it from him...
...afraid he might do something stupid.
I guess he replaced it.
Did he know you killed Gina?
Not until you showed him
a picture of his gun.
What about your husband?
He doesn't know anything.
I had decided to let Darren go...
...with the knowledge that
Cody would be safe.
But you took away all the time
Darren had left.
With Cody,
with your husband, with you.
Your son killed himself to protect you.
And worst of all, Mrs. Tatem...
...blood work from our morgue shows
that Gina was still using.
So she would have lost custody
anyway.
You only know that
because I put a bullet in her brain.
And what would have happened to Cody
if I hadn't?
We all know. Don't we?
I had to do it.
I had to.
I'm gonna bring your husband in now
so you can tell him yourself what you did.
Good luck to you, Mrs. Tatem.
- Bringing the husband.
- Thank you.
Chief, you know,
we could write this up as manslaughter.
- She brought a gun with her, lieutenant.
- And good intentions.
Is this how you want
custody battles decided?
By knocking off everyone
unqualified to be a parent?
We'd have a world full of orphans.
Write it up as a murder.
We'll let the jury decide.
Yeah, chief.
- You want me to turn this off, chief?
- Uh, no.
- Can I borrow your headphones, please?
- Sure.
Oh, God.
You're sure she's not lying to you?
I am now.
Rough day?
Ah. You could say that.
Thanks.
You decide to turn in your application
for chief?
No. Because the only person
in my division...
...who's begun to share my priorities
is Gabriel.
And he'd never even be considered,
because of his rank.
And maybe his record.
You know, Pope went outside
the department to find you.
You could do the same. Of course,
you'd have to be chief to do it.
I don't know.
We'll see.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe getting a little emotional distance
wouldn't be such a terrible thing.
Hmm.