The Night Agent
Season 3 – Episode 3
Episode title: Dark Matters
Original release date: February 19, 2026
Plot: Monroe tells Freya Myers, head of Walcott Capital where the SARs came from, that Batra is dead. He says if she introduces him to one of her clients, he will re-open his accounts. Peter suspects Monroe has cancer. He and Mosley brief President Hagan on Batra’s intel and that Monroe is behind the Pima 12 attack. Hagan tells them to continue as planned and update him. Peter privately questions Mosley about who they report to if they prove the suspected link between Monroe and the President. Hagan tells his wife, First Lady Jenny Hagan, that Monroe provided the Foxglove intel that got him elected. Arrington, now on the presidential protection detail, shoots an intruder in the residence who Jenny says has a gun, but he is revealed to be unarmed. Isabel finds Vernon dead at his house, and Peter saves her from being killed by The Father. The two agree to work together to find Batra. Reviewing Mike’s notes they link Heroes In Healing to funding Senator George Lansing. Peter meets Adam Corrigan, his new Night Action partner.
Transcript
Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.
[ominous music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
[crow cawing]
SIX YEARS AGO
[pensive music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[hydraulics whirring]
Team two, in position.
[officer] All units on my command.
Breach, breach, breach!
[Peter] FBI!
Hey, don’t move.
[Cisco] Clear!
[Peter] Show me your hands. Get on the ground.
[officer 2] Upstairs clear!
Get on the fucking ground! Don’t! Get on the ground!
Get down, now!
Clear!
[zip tie zipping]
Oh shit.
[music fades]
[quietly] Fuck.
Shit.
[officer] Okay.
Call it in, Jenkins.
Officer down. Officer down. [sighing]
Damn it!
Could’ve sworn I checked that door.
Fuller’s been trying to throw us off all week. Just don’t let it get to you.
Nah, man, that was on me.
That’s why we do these things, Cisco, to leave our mistakes behind us. Just forget about it.
And to weed out the weakest link.
Cisco, you’re not a weak link.
Nah, Pete, you’re dead, and that’s all my fault.
No, I’m not dead. I’m fine, okay? Look at me. I’m good. I’m– This isn’t real. Man, this is a training exercise. This is why we have them, so we can run them over and over again. So we never have to learn what it feels like to actually lose somebody when we’re on this job. Okay? I mean, you good?
Yeah, yeah. I’m good.
[Peter] Good. We’re gonna run this till we get it right, I promise you.
[dramatic music playing]
[sighing heavily]
[Peter] Okay?
Okay.
Come on. Let’s go. Come on.
[opening theme music playing]
[Mosley] She was a great agent.
She was a great person.
I should’ve talked Jay out of going. Should’ve talked Catherine out of going.
This is on me, all of it. Peter…
Look, this Broker has taken Catherine from me.
He’s taken Alice. He took Rose.
Sit down. No.
I gotta do something about this. I gotta fix it, make it right.
It’s the White House. That carpet’s expensive. Sit down.
[music fades] [Peter sighing]
Did you notify her family?
Her sister, yes.
What about the other agents she oversaw?
What about Sami? I know they were close.
We’re working on it. Some agents are more reachable than others.
And for the moment, let’s control what we can control.
This Broker, forget about the crime. Just tell me about the man.
What’s he like?
Corporate type? Finance guy? Military? What?
He’s definitely made of money.
But, uh…
What?
He was thinner than I remember him.
[tense music playing]
Something about the way he wore his hat. It was, uh…
Reminded me of when my mom was going through chemo.
My dad had bought her this really expensive wig, but I could tell she hated it.
She’d always wear this blue cap to cover it up.
But, uh…
I don’t know, it’s like she was embarrassed by the cancer.
So the bastard’s sick.
The bastard’s human.
[door opening]
Mr. President. [Hagan] So…
I read the brief.
And while I think I followed most of it, I still have a few questions.
Like, how does an investigation into a low-level federal accountant turn into a very public abduction on foreign soil, and a sting-operation-slash-explosion leaving a senior intelligence officer dead in New Jersey?
Mr. President, we’ve been following the intel where it leads.
The Batra kid ran to Istanbul because he was scared, but insisted he wanted to help us.
But now Catherine Weaver is dead, and your analyst is missing.
Whose idea was the sting operation? I authorized it.
Sutherland has been running point. And we still like that idea?
I’m just asking. This is my first car bomb.
I understand.
So I hope you don’t take it personally when I question whether he’s the right man for the job.
I’m the only option, uh… sir.
Did he tell you not to speak? He did, yes.
You were answering phones in the basement here just a couple years ago, is that right?
Yes, that’s right.
Start from the beginning.
Jay Batra claims that the missing SARs contain evidence that the attack on Flight Pima 12 was funded by an American source.
Uh, Wallace, his boss, tried to stop the investigation and attacked Jay, who killed him in self-defense and fled the country.
Batra has now become a asset in a separate investigation.
Whoa, okay. What separate investigation? Is this another Night Action?
Former President Travers initiated it before your term began, sir.
There’s a man.
We haven’t verified his ID yet, but he’s an information broker that’s compromised our intelligence agencies.
And we believe he might be the one who financed the attack on Flight Pima 12.
Batra uncovered this, he found the evidence, and we believe that’s why The Broker targeted him to cover his tracks.
And Travers initiated it.
But the Pima 12 attack hadn’t happened yet.
What’d this man do before that?
We think that he was behind the UN leak on Foxglove.
The leak that caused my opponent to drop out of the race at the last minute.
Yes, sir.
And no one thought to loop me in on that. [Mosley] It had gone dormant.
This is the first activity since Travers gave the order.
You said you’re the only option. Why is that?
I’m the only one who’s seen The Broker face-to-face.
I’m the only one who’s talked to him.
And when he realized that, he threatened somebody that I cared about, and then he tried to co-opt me.
So he killed Catherine Weaver, but he let you live. Why?
He thinks he can control me.
[Hagan] Can he? No, sir.
Okay.
Stay the course.
If this Broker is as bad as you say, there’s no telling what he has his hands in, so let’s find out.
But I want regular updates, and be discreet.
Yes, sir.
Now, I need to go have my wife tie this for me.
But thank you for coming in on such short notice, and, Mosley, send me the contact info for Weaver’s family.
I wanna call them. Will do, Mr. President.
[tense music playing]
Did you see that?
He didn’t even blink when I mentioned the UN leak.
Keep your voice down. Like it didn’t get him elected.
It’s possible he didn’t know who it came from.
Just reaped the benefits. What happens?
If we find a connection between The Broker and POTUS, we report it? To who?
Tomorrow’s problem.
I have the bureau working on subpoenas for the companies.
That could take weeks. Let me try the journalist.
Because reporters just love to help government officials without getting anything in return.
I think I can convince her to do what’s in Jay’s best interest.
Fine. In the meantime, if The Broker calls again…
I’ll let you know. I got some guys on the hunt.
Chances are it’ll come down to you, me, and that phone he gave you.
Got it.
And what happened to Catherine is on all of us.
Let’s make this right for her.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Mosley sighing]
[Peter sighing]
Peter.
[dramatic music playing]
Chelsea. Long time.
Saw your name on the security list. Thought I’d say hi.
You look nice. [music fades]
Is that a, uh, standard-issue thing?
Governor’s ball. Trying to blend in.
For the most part, at least.
Nice.
Last I heard from Rose, you were in New York?
I’m still there.
FBI?
Yeah.
Yeah, how long you been on the, uh, White House detail?
Been with Hagan since the campaign.
So you spend a lot of time around him? Well, I’m in his vicinity a lot.
What’s, uh… What’s he like when no one else is around?
Between us, he’s… he’s kind of great.
The whole family is.
What, are you disappointed? [chuckling]
No.
Just, uh… Sorry, I’m just curious.
But I gotta go.
[Chelsea] Yeah.
Good seeing you. Go.
Call me next time you’re in town. It’d be good to catch up.
Yeah, of course.
[lively orchestral music playing]
Oh, kids!
[woman] Aww.
Precious!
[man] Oh, look over there! [woman 2] So cute!
[Hagan] How you guys doin’? Who let the gremlins out?
I thought we already said good night to you guys.
Clearly, it didn’t take. [chuckling]
How was school today? Okay, let’s get a picture.
[man 2] Mr. President, a photo? Let’s take a picture.
Ready? Are you gonna smile?
Cheese! [boy whining]
[camera shutter clicking]
I couldn’t have staged that better if I tried.
You staged that?
Oh please, I’m not a magician. That there is USDA certified organic.
[sighing]
You good?
You seem a little… Me? No, I’m–
I’ll be able to relax once he finishes the speech.
Just want this all to go off without a hitch, you know?
You’ll tell the team? [Chelsea] Mm-hmm.
[softly] Okay.
Emmett, I’m glad to have your support. I am.
But this bill, it’s just the right move for the country.
The focus now isn’t on approvals.
It’s on getting the bastards who took down Pima 12.
Raúl Zapata? [Hagan] Yes.
Our guys got a lead on him? I’ll just say we’re working on it.
Exfiltrating Sycamore.
Mr. President, if you could Seal Team Six that asshole to kingdom come, you’d buy yourself a ticket to a second term.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
It’s a win-win, for you and America.
I understand that, but we gotta stay focused on what’s at hand right now.
I’m so sorry, gentlemen.
It was lovely to see you, Governor. Lydia.
[Hagan breathing deeply]
How’s your son?
My hero. That was brutal.
As in boring? As in halitosis.
Hi.
I feel like I’m abusing our little signal.
You think people are starting to notice? No.
But we should shift back to the necklace at some point.
Oh, yes, smart.
Campbell Porter. You look gorgeous.
[knocking on door]
[Peter] Excuse me. I was wondering if I could talk to you about assigning beneficiaries for my, uh… my death benefits.
[woman breathing deeply, sighing]
[Peter] I… I know it’s late. Please.
Name?
Peter Sutherland Jr.
[keyboard clacking]
Okay, and how many beneficiaries?
Just one. Just her.
[woman] And how long have you been married?
We’re not, uh… We’re not married.
[woman] I’m sorry, death benefits are only available to a surviving spouse married to the employee at least nine months prior to death.
You might be entitled to a survivor annuity for any children over the age of 18.
I… I don’t have kids or… or anything.
I’m sorry. The policy’s underwritten by a third party.
Do you have any surviving parents you could name?
[keyboard clacking]
No.
[woman] Siblings?
You know… Forget it.
Um, sorry to take up your time. Have a good night.
[somber music playing]
[Peter sighing heavily]
Jenny and I are deeply honored and proud to be hosting you all tonight, and, uh, I hope you’re having a good time. Yes?
[inaudible]
As partners and as thought leaders on the front lines…
What’s happening?
…it’s not lost on me how much we ask of each one of you…
Sycamore just left the East Room. Someone talk to me.
[agent] We have a situation. Arrington to the Blue Room.
Moving.
[Hagan] I just want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do for me and for our country.
The fact that we get to do it together, breaking bread with our better halves…
Sometimes much better halves. Looking at you, Bill.
In a strange way, this evening represents the ideal…
[sighing] Blue Room clear. Where are you?
[agent] Shit, the Vermeil Room. Go, go!
[suspenseful music playing]
[music fades]
[Theo] Chelsea Arrington…
Agent Arrington… [chuckling]
…love of my life and hogger of my blankets…
[all chuckling]
I don’t wanna go another day without you by my side.
You are my rock, my joy, my entire–
Yes! Let him finish, Chelsea.
Oh, sorry. Finish.
Shit, where was I?
Uh… [all chuckling]
“Will you marry me?”
[Chelsea chuckling]
Yes.
[Chelsea laughing] [onlookers applauding]
[uplifting music playing]
Oh my God.
Oh, you couldn’t have staged it better if you tried.
Certified organic.
[both chuckling]
Woo-hoo! [all cheering]
Thank you. Thank you, guys.
Thank you, ma’am. Appreciate your help.
[Jenny] So cute, I’m dying. You had me.
Poor guy looks nervous as hell.
Oh, like you weren’t.
I knew you’d say yes. [Jenny chuckling]
You were beyond nervous. Your hands were all sweaty.
[Hagan chuckling]
That made it easier to get the ring on my pregnant finger.
[shushing] We were saving ourselves for marriage, remember?
[laughing] Whatever.
Your voters wouldn’t care at this point, and you know it.
Yeah. Maybe. [grunting]
What’s up? Nothing, just tired.
No, you’ve been off all night. Let’s talk this through.
Do you remember Jacob Monroe?
Yeah, I do. Why?
[sighing] Two months before the election, he came by the campaign and gave me a piece of oppo research.
The UN leak?
Yeah.
You told me that was an anonymous source. I know. I know.
I… I wasn’t sure how he got it. Maybe I didn’t wanna know.
But now he’s under federal investigation.
For that? No, just financial stuff right now.
Not sure how serious it is, but…
Did we pay for this intel?
No. No, no, no. There’s no exposure, but… even though I tried to disabuse him of the notion, it’s possible that he thinks he’s entitled to something from me.
Well, he’s not.
No.
Why didn’t you tell me?
[tense music playing]
Why didn’t you tell me? I’m sorry. I…
I didn’t want you to think less of me.
You promised when we went into politics– I know.
Lockstep.
Always.
So, what do you think we should do?
Fuck him.
[Hagan chuckling softly]
[music fades]
Yeah, fuck him.
[both chuckling]
[train screeching, rattling]
[Peter panting]
[tense music playing]
[breathing heavily]
[music fades]
Hey. I was hoping you’d drop by.
Please tell me he gave you his bag.
Yeah.
Right here. [groaning]
Thank you, Fran. This is a really big help.
It’s nothing. I just stashed it for him back here like always.
[sighing heavily]
It’s hard to process, really. One minute he’s chatting up some guy, the next he’s on the floor.
I know.
What guy?
[Fran] There he is.
[Isabel] Did he say anything to you?
Um, he ordered an IPA.
I remember, because he ordered the same kind that Mike did.
He talked a bunch. Nice guy too. He tipped like a champ.
[pensive music playing]
Yeah.
[both sighing heavily]
So sad.
I’m really sorry. [softly] Yeah.
May I? Yeah, sure.
[keyboard clacking]
[camera shutter clicking]
[suspenseful music swelling]
[indistinct chatter]
Hey. Uh, I tried you at your desk. There’s a guy here to see you.
Who? Kevin. Says you two met in Istanbul.
[tense music playing]
[phone ringing]
Hi. Oh, hey, Kevin, was it?
No, because you don’t look like a Kevin. You look more like a Peter.
Peter Sutherland Jr.
You may not have kidnapped Maddie Redfield, but you definitely abducted my source in Turkey.
No, I didn’t. I was trying to help him. Okay?
Now, can we please just go talk about this in your office?
No.
[sighing]
Listen, Jay Batra was a suspect in a murder investigation, and I was sent to track him down.
Now, it would help me to know what he told you, and it would help me to know who you work for and where you took him.
Can you at least tell me if you’ve heard from him?
If I’ve heard from him?
[Peter] Yes.
You don’t know where he is, do you?
You kidnapped him and then lost him? I didn’t kidnap him.
Okay? I didn’t.
Now you and I, we both want the same thing here.
Clearly, which is why you don’t answer any of my questions and lie about your name.
Jay is in trouble. Now, that’s all I can tell you, but this investigation is more dangerous than you realize.
You have no idea what I realize.
Do you still work for the FBI?
Because I can’t find any current records on you.
I work for the American government, yes.
Now, we both want what’s best for Jay, and we both wanna find the truth.
With one small distinction, being what we do with that truth when we find it.
Please.
You can help me.
And you could leave. Now, before I call security.
Great, thank you for your time.
[pensive music playing]
[shower running] [music fades]
[Father singing indistinctly]
[Father singing loudly]
[shower turning off]
[water dripping]
Put that away. It’s time for schoolwork now.
Can I come with you today?
[Father] What do you mean, come with me?
To work. Just to, like… watch what you do.
Watch?
I’m all caught up on my essays.
You gave me A’s on my last two tests.
[Father] If you miss a day, you’re gonna fall behind.
I’ll finish it on the weekend.
Weekends are for play.
You gotta stick to your schedule.
But I always finish early, and I get bored.
[Father] Bored?
What about all your Legos?
I’ve built them already. So build something new.
That’s the point. Same toys, new adventure.
[Father sighing]
How about when I get home, we continue our campaign?
We’re about to enter the Ice Palace of Garon.
I know, but…
I can’t play by myself.
[sighing] Okay, so, what do you suggest?
[Son] Maybe… we can put a game on the iPad.
[Father] We have talked about that.
The iPad is a learning tool.
Listen…
I have my work, and you have your work.
And when we’ve finished our work, then we can enjoy ourselves.
But one thing I am absolutely certain of is that you will not enjoy my work.
So why don’t you read me today’s lesson plan?
Okay.
New unit on Emily Dickinson.
Oh, you’re gonna love that.
Then the first three chapters of the Cosmos book.
Wow, that is a full day.
Frankly, I’m a little jealous.
I would love to relearn all of those things again.
But I shouldn’t be late today.
Okay? Okay.
[Father] All right.
[tense music playing]
[door opening]
[door closing]
[Theo] What’s all this?
Breakfast. I’ve never even seen you make toast.
[chuckling] And now you have.
Color me impressed.
[chuckling] Good, because last night was very impressive.
Oh yeah? [Chelsea] Mm-hmm.
[both moaning softly]
[plate sliding, clattering]
[Theo moaning]
Seriously, how’d you time that toaster thing?
Oh, a lady never tells.
[alarm beeping]
Oh shit.
[Theo groaning] I gotta go.
What about breakfast?
It’s for you.
Chew carefully. There might be some pieces of shell I missed.
Right. [Chelsea chuckling]
[uplifting music playing]
Love you. Love you.
[indistinct chatter] [car horns honking]
[siren wailing in distance]
[suspenseful music playing]
[suspenseful music continues]
[engine whirring]
[doorbell ringing]
Hello?
[rock music playing loudly over radio]
[“Young Men Dead” by The Black Angels playing over radio]
[Isabel] Hello?
Vernon?
It’s Isabel De Leon from The Financial Register.
We spoke a couple days ago.
♪ Fire at the breeze that blows These thoughts through our minds ♪
♪ Hire only thieves To steal the thoughts from our heads ♪
[Isabel] Oh my gosh.
Vernon?
[ominous music playing]
[music stops]
[switch clicks]
[line ringing]
[door opening]
[suspenseful music playing]
[line continues ringing]
[receiver clicks]
[dispatcher] 911, what’s your emergency?
[door opening]
[softly] Isabel. Hey, it’s me, Peter. [Isabel gasping]
Get behind me.
[suspenseful music continues]
Are you good?
[Isabel] Yeah.
[door creaking open]
Stay with me.
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
Couldn’t make the plate. [panting]
Let’s get out of here. I’ll call this in on the way.
[sinister music playing]
We weren’t followed. I checked.
How can you know that? Just trust me.
What does it make you, an expert on stalking?
Surveillance. What’s the difference?
Intent.
Look, trust me, all I wanna do is to help you and to find Jay, that’s it.
Thank you. For back there.
The guy on the floor, who was he?
Vernon Tyvek.
A former compliance officer for Walcott Capital.
My partner had left a message to go see him.
Did your partner say why? [Isabel] No.
You should ask him. I can’t.
Isabel, you’ve got– No, don’t say my name like you know me.
You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. [Peter scoffing]
I’m an intelligence officer.
[Isabel] For who?
That doesn’t tell me if you’re CIA, FBI, or some Capitol bike cop.
[Peter] It tells you enough.
I was assigned to track Jay down and to bring him in for questioning.
Jay told me about the money trail leading to the airliner attack.
I tried to help him, but he was taken from me by another suspect.
What other suspect? I don’t know his name.
But he killed my boss.
If I find this guy, I find Jay.
But right now, I have nothing.
I have no leads, I have no evidence.
All I have is a reporter who has no reason to trust me.
The truth is, I need your help and so does Jay.
And if you give me a chance, I think I can help you too.
My partner, Mike, died two days ago.
He just dropped dead at a bar out of nowhere.
Someone’s trying to kill this story and anyone who knows anything about it, but what are they hiding?
That’s what I’m trying to figure out.
And I’m sorry about Mike.
Guy who killed him is probably the same one that killed Catherine.
Is that your boss?
And friend, yeah.
What about the killer back there?
Professional. I’m assuming probably sent by the same guy.
But he’ll be back.
And you don’t wanna be alone again like that.
I’ll work with you on this, on one condition.
When we get to the bottom of everything, I’m publishing all of it.
No redactions, no national security review bullshit.
That’s not my call. Yes, it is.
You’re making it right now.
This, whatever this is, will be published, including your involvement.
You want my help, that’s the price. Take it or leave it.
[Peter chuckling]
[tense music playing]
[elevator chiming]
I’m so sorry, we’re closed.
[Monroe] Oh, she’s fine, Margo.
[softly] Okay.
[Monroe] An in-person visit.
You sure know how to make a boy feel special.
You’ve been my client for more than a decade.
You think I’m gonna let you go that easily?
[music fades]
Look at this.
I already have a copy, but this one is inscribed by old Charles himself.
Well, that’s incredible.
Yeah. [Freya] You know what?
Why don’t I treat you to it?
Oh no. I couldn’t.
[Freya] Yeah. Oh, it’s nothing.
Consider it incentive for when you reopen all your accounts.
Uh, see, that’s the problem.
Your bank is no longer secure.
Why would you say that?
Well, I had a chance run-in with a young FinCEN analyst on his way back from Istanbul.
Bright kid.
Had some very disturbing things to say.
I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.
And I’m sure you do.
That’s why you were looking for him.
He was able to draw a clear and distinct line between you and some very bad actors.
I don’t know– Know what I’m talking about.
Yes, you said that already.
We’ll take care of it. We always do.
Those SARs should never have existed, let alone been released to the wild.
So I’m sorry, Freya, but I’ve lost all faith in your institution.
[tense music playing]
Is there anything I can do to restore that faith?
Possibly.
How would you feel about making an introduction between me and one of your other clients?
You know I can’t do that.
Confidentiality is why people come to me.
It’s why you came to me.
Well, I was hoping you’d make an exception.
[Freya] I’m sorry.
I wish you the best of luck with all your endeavors.
The analyst…
Where is he now?
In the Hudson.
But given the tide schedule, I’m sure he’ll be entering the Atlantic by morning.
[ominous music swelling]
[Son] We know it’s out there in space because of how it affects things we can see.
It’s like the invisible glue that holds galaxies together.
And we know all this how?
Because scientists measure mass, and they monitor the way things move.
And there’s not enough things with mass or gravity to make space behave the way it does.
[Son panting]
I don’t understand how they measure it, but maybe when I learn physics?
I don’t know, but dark matter is real.
We just can’t see it.
Do we know why? No.
No? Not yet.
What else can you think of that people can’t see but they know exists?
Ultraviolet rays, Wi-Fi, farts.
[chuckling] Interesting.
Now dig deeper.
What else can’t we see but people are certain is there?
Love.
Love.
What else?
Evil?
[Father breathing deeply, sighing]
Did something happen at work today?
Yes.
[Son] What?
Something out of the ordinary.
[Son] With a client?
[Father chuckling]
Always so full of questions.
In a good way?
I think so.
[dramatic music playing]
[Father inhaling deeply]
Did you touch my work bag this morning?
No.
The zipper had been moved.
You touched it, despite my very clear instructions.
I just wanted to know more about what you do.
It’s my own fault.
I set strict rules and yet I expect you to be curious to answer every question.
And question every answer?
I won’t do it again.
I think you will.
[Son] I promise I won’t.
Go get the bag.
[ominous music playing]
[bag rustling]
[footsteps approaching]
[bag clattering]
Open it.
[music fades]
I don’t want to.
Yes, you do.
You wanted to look inside, so look.
Open it.
Now.
[bag zipper zipping]
[Velcro tearing]
[Son] What is that?
A PlayStation?
[Son gasping]
Well, don’t just stand there. Fire it up.
Yes!
[uplifting music playing]
[Father chuckling]
Okay, let’s go through the movements. POTUS landed in Charlotte ten minutes ago, so it’s us and White House security for the next three days.
Gary, I’m putting you and your guys back on school duty starting tomorrow.
There’s a new security lead at Sidwell Friends you should talk to.
Oh, that guy’s such a dick. Such a dick.
You’re Secret Service. Be a bigger dick. Copy that.
“Be a bigger…”
All right, guys, nice work at the ball last night.
All in all, a successful evening.
Right, Arrington?
Went off without a hitch.
But if any of you assholes ever keep me out of the loop on something again…
Loud and clear. Hey.
[objects clattering]
[Father] That should do it.
Amazing.
Who is The Vernonator?
Uh, he’s a… He’s an old client.
Why don’t we go ahead and create a new profile?
Okay.
This is everything that was in Jay’s folder.
Vernon was a compliance officer who filed all the SARs.
And when Mike and I went to see him, he told us to look into a nonprofit for injured vets called Heroes In Healing.
Think this is a dark money thing?
Mike had a contact who knew about it, a source he went to go see that day, but he didn’t tell me who.
These are his notes from the interview.
He called me afterwards and told me to meet him at a bar, but he was dead by the time that I got there.
“FL”? “FL,” what does that mean?
It means whoever he was talking to, he thought they were a “fucking liar.”
What’s that? Why is that underlined?
I have no idea. I can’t find anything finance-related.
It could be a town, a location, a company, maybe.
Do you think it’s possible there’s a political angle to this?
Of course there is. Why?
The guy who took Jay, he blackmails and extorts people with access.
Do you think he buys politicians?
I think he’s bought at least one, which might explain why Mike was being so secretive about all this.
[mouse clicking] [keyboard clacking]
Oh shit.
There’s a super PAC.
Presidential?
No, congressmen and senators.
Maybe an issues-based operation?
There’s liberals and conservatives and everything in between.
But what could they have in common?
[gasping] Wait.
When Mike told me to meet him, he told me to bring a file, the Anderson file.
Here’s a list of people he interviewed for the story.
Maybe his source is one of them.
[scroll wheel clicking]
There it is. George Lansing. Mike’s secret source.
What was the name of the nonprofit? Heroes In Healing.
[keyboard clacking]
Let’s see if there’s a financial connection between Heroes In Healing and Senator Lansing.
[suspenseful music playing]
Can… can I adjust this?
No, the chair doesn’t work.
Mike set it to the perfect height and screwed it in place so no one would mess with it.
[Peter chuckling]
Sounds like my kind of guy.
[Isabel] He was…
He was great, man.
Took me under his wing. He mentored me.
He put up with my bullshit. I could be stubborn.
More stubborn than a guy who screws his chair into place?
Yeah.
[mouse clicking]
What was Catherine like?
She was tough. Um…
It took us a while to connect, but… we got there.
What did it take?
Time.
I don’t know. Um…
Trust is just a leap of faith, right?
[dramatic music playing]
There.
Heroes In Healing donates millions of dollars to Senator George Lansing’s super PAC each year.
Sounds like the senator was lying to Mike about it. But why?
Let’s ask him.
[elevator bell dinging]
I got it.
Anything good?
Tea sandwiches. Want one?
All set.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey. Hey.
You get my text? Finn called in sick, so I raised my hand.
Yeah, it’s all good.
Uh, can we talk?
What’s up?
Um, you left this at home.
I know. I didn’t wanna lose it.
That’s where the finger comes in handy.
[chuckling] It’s against policy.
I’d have to take it off and put it somewhere.
You know I’d lose it. I lose everything. Yeah.
Wait, you think I didn’t wanna wear it?
I love it. I love you.
I’ll put it on the second I get home.
All right, well, I may be slightly embarrassed, so I’m gonna leave now.
Wake me when you get home. Mm-hmm.
[uplifting music playing]
So, why, um… Why journalism?
I never wanted to be anything else. That’s why I came here to study.
[indistinct chatter] Came here from…
Mexico City.
I didn’t have much money, and I always loved to read, so I would read the newspapers.
And they were always a day old by the time that I got them.
And there was one reporter, Manuel Jimenez, and he was so good.
He covered local politics.
And his stories, they read like thrillers about drug kingpins and bribery and corruption.
And it was all so exciting to me.
Until one day, I read the newspaper and Manuel Jimenez’s name was in the headline.
Found stabbed to death in his apartment.
And that’s when the stories, they stopped being stories.
They were the truth. They mattered.
They ever find out who killed him?
If they ever even looked.
I came here to New York at 18 years old, thinking journalism mattered just as much here, but at least it would be safer.
I guess I was wrong.
So why financial reporting?
Instead of something important?
[Peter chuckling] No. No.
Think of anything terrible that happens in the world.
Drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking, arms dealing.
None of it would be possible without people at financial institutions willing to wash their money and keep their secrets for a price.
And while the people committing the crimes sometimes get caught, the people hiding their money never seem to get justice.
I wanna change that.
Look, I’m gonna, uh, make some calls, see if we can get access to Lansing, okay?
Do you think a sitting senator had something to do with what happened to Mike?
We’ll see.
[sighing heavily]
I still can’t believe he’s gone.
When do I wake up and realize that none of this really happened?
I’m right there with you.
That’s me, across the street.
Sure you don’t want me to find you a new place, get you a guard, a safe house?
No, I have a doorman. Okay.
At least let me give you my number.
Ready?
Ready.
[tense music playing]
Hey, Kathy, did you see the butler come by this way?
No, ma’am.
Mrs. Hagan?
Mrs. Hagan? Everything all right?
[Jenny] Get out!
[Mott] Please. I’m not–
[Jenny] Help, please!
Code red.
Sycamore in the presidential suite. [Jenny] I said leave now!
Get out of here!
Somebody help!
He’s got a gun!
[Mott grunting]
[Jenny shrieking]
[agent] Arrington? She’s okay.
Check him. He’s armed.
[Jenny breathing heavily]
Jenny? Okay.
Jenny, match my breathing, okay?
[breathing deeply]
Good, you’re okay. The kids.
Who’s on the kids? They’re fine.
[Chelsea] They’re all fine. Everyone’s okay.
Arrington. Where’s the weapon?
Mine? His.
There’s no gun on the guy. What?
Did you look everywhere?
We looked. He’s unarmed.
He’s gone.
[ominous music playing]
[sighing]
[keys jangling]
[objects clattering]
[Peter] Hands.
Who are you?
The name’s Adam.
What are you doing here?
The president sent me.
I’m your new partner.
[suspenseful music swelling]
[music fades]
[ending theme music playing]
[music fades]
