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[door unlatching]
[insects chirping]
[siren wailing in the distance]
[door shutting]
[siren growing closer]
[whooshing sound]
[dramatic music]
[siren continues]
[gentle knocking on door]
[Woman] Mayor Johnson, are you okay?
We received word of a disturbance at your residence.
We're going to need you to open the door.
[rapid knocking on door]
[insects chirping]
Uh, hi officer, um...
...is, is everything okay?
We received a tip that there was some sort
of physical altercation in your home.
Are you okay ma'am?
Oh, I'm fine.
Yeah, I'm fine.
But, um, well, thanks for checking,
but there's no problem.
Would you mind if we came in just to confirm
that you're okay?
You know, I was just heading to bed,
so that's really not necessary but thank you.
[hand thudding on door]
[tense music]
Uh, I'm--
[Officer] Ma'am I'm going to need you to step aside.
It's not necessary, really, I was just--
[Mayor stammering]
Mayor Johnson, are you here alone?
Yes, yes I am.
Why is there blood on your hand?
[Mayor stammering nervously]
I was cooking and a knife slipped.
Can you show me the knife?
You know what?
I want you out of here, this is very unprofessional.
[male officer] There's blood!
Take a look.
There's a body in the pool, Mayor Ella Johnson,
you were under arrest.
No, I don't know how that body got there,
I didn't do anything,
I don't know how that body got in there.
[telephone ringing]
We've got another missing girl, twenty-two,
African-American.
Another one, here in Cyprus?
Yeah, just trying to determine if there's any connection
to the girl who went missing in Macon last week.
The one in Atlanta, homeless and black girl,
-no one's talking. -[door slamming]
Right and it's hard to--
[woman panting]
I have something I want to report.
Is it regarding the missing young woman?
No, it's regarding my mother.
[Mayor] Let me go! I'm the Mayor let me go.
Get your hands off of me.
Get these handcuffs off of me, I did not kill Malik.
I was set up. I'm gonna have everybody in here fired!
Christie, Christie baby, I didn't do it.
I swear to God I didn't do it Christie.
I didn't do it, baby I didn't do it.
Help me!
Malik?
[whooshing sound]
There's something I gotta tell you.
What's up?
I'm pregnant.
That's great news.
[tense music]
It's yours.
[whooshing sound]
[somber piano music]
Babe, we need to talk.
Sure, you okay baby?
Kendrick, there's something I need to tell you.
-Oh-- -[cell phone ringing]
No, this is just my dad, I can call him back. What's up?
No, it's okay.
You sure?
Of course.
All right.
Pop what's up, man?
Wait, what?
Mom's been arrested? For what?
[scoffing] For killing Malik Thompson?
[tense music]
What?
Yeah, Malik Thompson is dead.
I got to get down to that police station ASAP, yeah Dad.
Dad I got to call you back, Stacia,
Stacia wake up, Stacia wake up, Stacia.
So they found his body in her pool?
Ma'am I'm really sorry
but I can't say more about an ongoing investigation,
but you may need to see about getting your mother a lawyer.
Leona, what are you doing here?
I just heard that they were bringing your mother in.
What are the police saying about the murders?
Christie where are you going?
I've got to get out of here. Just get her a lawyer.
[handcuffs clanking]
Give me your name, now!
[camera shutter clicking]
Detective Vivera.
You can't keep me here if you're not going to charge me.
Do you want to be charged?
I'm the mayor, do you really believe
that I would murder someone
and then leave their body in my damn pool?
I mean, you've got the victim's blood on your hands.
Because I was trying to help.
You know what?
No, never mind, I'm not doing this, I want my lawyer.
I'm not answering any more of your questions,
Now, if you are not going to charge me
you need to let me go.
Mayor Johnson, you are the primary suspect.
So, I'm sure you're aware that we can hold you
for up to 48 hours before pressing charges.
You are not going to hold me for 48 minutes.
I will have your damn badge.
We'll see about that.
I want my phone call. I said I want my damn phone call!
I want my phone call.
Careful, careful now, working hand
won't serve you in prison.
Mother what are you doing here?
I came to help.
Well what, bury me?
Ella, you don't exactly have allies lining up
outside the door.
Christie practically sprinted out of here.
Is she the one who turned you in?
I guess I could call Kendrick,
I believe he's out of the hospital
but he's not exactly known for being useful is he?
You put him inthe hospital.
I have no idea what you're talking about dear.
Do you want me to call Rex?
Oh, you two are usually Bonnie and Clyde.
What's wrong?
You know exactly what's wrong with me and Rex.
He killed my father under your orders.
Lower your voice.
We're not going to discuss things you don't understand.
Why are you here?
To help you, no matter what's happened between us,
we are still family and I am not gonna let you go to prison.
Now, this document gives me power of attorney,
I can hire you a lawyer and make sure you get
out of this without destroying what's left of our legacy.
Oh no, no, no. Oh, I am not signing anything from you.
Ella Mae, you don't have any other options.
What do you want, a public defender?
Look, you have burned all your bridges.
Let me help you. We both know I've cleaned up
your messes before.
Beside, there is blood on your hands.
[dramatic music]
Sign.
[light jazz music playing]
[doorbell ringing]
-Hey, what's going on? -[woman sobbing]
Hey, hey it's okay. It's okay.
Come on in, tell me all about it. Come on.
[sobbing]
I went to the police.
You turned your mom in for St. Charles and the others?
No. I was going to and then...there she was.
Ella?
Yes, she was arrested, for Malik Thompson's murder.
Malik's dead?
Apparently they found him in her pool.
So she killed him too.
It just doesn't make any sense, I was just over there.
She confessed, why would she then go and kill Malik
and leave a body for the police to find?
Why does your mother do anything?
There's no reason she wanted Malik dead.
Ella hated Malik,
he's the reason she lost the church.
The church isn't worth killing for.
And what was worth killing St. Charles
and Sherry Tucker and Payne?
-Stop. -You stop.
Stop making excuses.
Your mom is not the victim here.
She needs to pay for what she did to Malik
and those other people.
This was a mistake, I shouldn't have come here.
No, not if you're looking for an excuse
to give Ella a free pass.
No, I was looking for some understanding.
Maybe that's just too much to ask for.
[cell phone ringing]
Kendrick?
Okay, I'll be right over. Just...okay--
Good night Levi.
Good night.
Burning the midnight oil, I see.
Leona, it's been a long time.
What are you doing here so late?
Don't act so surprised, Kimberly.
You know, we were overdue for a visit.
Well, you could have scheduled an appointment.
I don't need one.
I'm sure you've heard about my daughter's unfortunate
run-in with the law.
Yes, that's why I'm here.
Someone needs to step in while Ella is indisposed
and since I'm city council, president, I'm clearly--
In a position to appoint me, as acting mayor of Cyprus.
Leona, I don't have time for your games.
Trust me, this is no game.
Cyprus is in chaos. An embattled mayor,
young black women going missing, CEO's getting murdered.
The city needs a firm hand to guide it.
And you think that's you?
Aren't you fresh out of the psych ward?
We both know I have always been in control of my faculties
but let's talk about you.
You have always had such talent,
especially when it comes to cooking the city's books.
You need to leave.
Oh, don't be so dramatic.
I'm grateful, you've always provided assistance
when I needed you to facilitate some of my more
sensitive business endeavors.
Yeah, that's because you blackmailed me.
No, it was always a mutually beneficial transaction.
I scratched your back.
With a hacksaw.
And now you are going to scratch my mine.
You are going to secure the necessary council votes for me
to be placed as acting mayor, effective immediately.
And I will make sure that my decades
of documentation tracking your financial creativity,
don't see the light of day.
Okay, well your pulse is steady.
Are you having any pain or trouble breathing?
No. I just got a little lightheaded.
You didn't have to come all the way over here,
you look so nice.
Are you crazy?
Of course I did, that's my little niece or nephew in there.
I gotta make sure they're straight,
can't be fainting on us like that, scaring us.
But seriously, you should consider going to the hospital.
I can call your O.B.
No, honestly, I just got light headed.
See, now you being stubborn.
Now listen, I'm worried about the baby,
but my main concern is you.
You never fainted like that before Stacia.
Well, I've never been pregnant before babe.
I'm not playing, that's not funny.
Seriously, I got overwhelmed by the news of Malik's death.
Listen, I get it, Malik was your boss, your friend,
and I know you're gonna miss him,
that's understandable.
Yeah. Listen,
I'm...I'm just tired.
I wanna go to sleep.
I'll call my doctor in the morning.
-Stacia-- -I will.
All right, get you some rest,
I'm gonna step out for a minute and talk to Christie okay?
Okay.
Christie I mean it, thank you for coming all the way
over here to check on me.
Of course.
Stop fussing.
Well, stop fainting.
You get yourself some rest, you understand me?
I'll be back.
Can you please stay the night?
Listen, I know I'm probably being paranoid
but I am very worried about her and our baby.
That's not paranoia, that's just you being a good dad.
And of course I'll stay.
Thank you so much,
and look, you don't have to stay late.
I just need someone here when she wakes up.
And where are you going to be?
I'm going to the jail to see mom as soon as
visiting hours start, my dad said that she being held,
she ain't even been charged yet.
I think this whole thing is just crazy,
there's no way she killed Malik.
Why you looking like that?
You know, she ain't do it right?
Come on now, she's the mayor.
Our mother is not capable of murder, you know that.
Yeah, you're right Kendrick.
[chuckling]
All right, I'm going to go set that guest room up for you.
[dramatic music]
[reporter on TV] This just in, and we have breaking news
here at WQKCL, following mayor Ella Johnson
being taken in for questioning as the primary suspect
in the murder of Upsurge CEO, Malik Thompson.
It has now been confirmed that the Cyprus city council
has placed Leona Bird in the role of acting mayor
[screaming] What?
Effective immediately.
Oh, hell no. Officer!
Officer, guard, I need to make my phone call.
You know you hear me. I need to make my phone call.
I'm here to see my mother Mayor Ella Johnson.
She's not the mayor anymore.
Man just let me see my mother.
Your name?
Kendrick Murphy.
Sign in and take a seat.
Come with me.
About time.
[door buzzing]
-Kendrick. -Mom.
[Policeman] Hands off the prisoner.
Prisoner?
She hasn't even been charged.
Y'all shouldn't even be holding her in here anyway.
Do you wanna visit or do you want your mom
to go back to her cell?
We good, man.
Oh Kendrick, baby thanks for coming.
Of course, Mom, you know I'm gonna get you out of here.
Baby I need a lawyer, I need one right now.
What about Stacia do you think she'll come down
and represent me?
What you don't think she'll do it ?
It's not that mom, it was a incident last night.
Stacia fainted.
Is the baby okay?
The baby's okay, she's okay,
but I just don't want her running around right now.
Really Kendrick?
I mean, this is kind of important.
I know Ma, and we're going to handle it,
if not Stacia, I'll find you somebody else.
I know you didn't kill Malik.
Thank you, baby, I needed to hear that,
you are the only person that I have in my corner right now.
But Ma, you got Christie and dad too.
No, I can't deal with them.
Look you gotta get me out of here
because Leona is already making moves.
I don't know what she's going to pull,
while I'm locked away in here.
Don't worry, we gonna handle it.
Just keep your head down and don't make any waves.
I'm gonna talk to Stacia, we're going to get you out of here.
I promise you that, all right?
Why thank you baby.
-I promise. -Okay thank you.
-I love you, Mom. -[Ella] I love you too.
Don't worry about nothing, I got you.
[Ella] Oh, get me out of here Kendrick.
-Okay. -[Ella] Please.
I got you, don't worry.
-[Ella] What are you doing? -What the hell?
What are you doing? -[indistinct arguing]
[Policeman] You're under arrest.
[Kendrick] For what?
[Ella] What did he do?
What are the charges?
Not staying dead.
[Kendrick] What are you talking about?
What the hell is wrong with you?
Why are you doing that?
I'm the mayor.
I'm bringing law and order to Cyprus.
My law, my order.
I should have never trusted you.
Well, to be fair, you're the one
who got yourself locked up.
I'm just making the best of a messy situation.
You can't keep me locked up in here.
I didn't kill Malik, I haven't even been charged.
Maybe, maybe not,
but I'm pretty sure I still have you for at least 48 hours.
I could do so, so much in that time.
This was always your plan. Oh, you set me up.
You killed Malik.
You set me up, you killed Malik,
you put his body in my pool, you set me up!
You dirty bitch, you're not gonna get away with this!
Dirty bitch, she's the one, she killed him. Arrest her,
she's the murderer, she's the murderer!
You're not gonna get away with this!
[chattering]
-Cell already. -Don't touch me.
Look, I demand my call.
No more phone calls.
I have rights.
[Policeman] Not anymore.
Folic acid, vitamin C.
Oh I know, Kendrick made a spreadsheet
along with every recommended prenatal vitamin.
He's just excited.
I know.
You didn't have to stay the night.
I don't mind, it feels good to be needed,
to be taking care of someone.
I thought Kendrick would be back by now though.
I'm sure he'll be back soon.
Go get your day started.
Okay,
I promise that I have met my fainting quota
for this pregnancy.
All right, girl, I'll take the hint and I'll go.
But listen, I am so happy for you and Kendrick.
You're going to be a great mother
and I might be being biased,
but I think your baby's got the best dad.
Me too.
All right, I'll talk to you later?
Yes.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
[suspenseful music]
Levi Stirling. Just the man I want to see.
Lady bird.
Well I haven't been called that in quite some time.
I appreciate it. Others should follow your example
and show me the proper respect.
Well, from what I hear, you're not exactly the most
popular member of the New Hope Church, family.
Well, Jesus wasn't always popular either.
What can I do for you?
As I'm sure you've heard,
I'm the new mayor of Cyprus.
Acting mayor, right?
Well that's semantics,
with my daughter out of the picture,
I'll be making some changes, one of which involves you.
How so?
I'd like to buy New Hope from you.
Not looking to sell.
What if I had something to sweeten the offer, beyond money?
No disrespect, but I have had more than enough dealings
with the bird women to last a lifetime.
You have nothing I want.
What about your mobility?
Hmm?
You're still a young virile man Levi,
you have your whole life ahead of you.
Wouldn't you want to have your full range of motion back?
I have been to specialists,
spent months in extremely painful physical therapy,
you can't deliver that.
Oh Levi, if I make a promise,
I always deliver.
You make it so I don't need this anymore?
Maybe we have something to talk about.
[mysterious music]
[Rex] How are you my friend?
Rex, just in time to join me for a drink.
Sounds like fun, I didn't come here for a nightcap Leona.
Suit yourself.
I see you didn't waste much time
getting comfortable in Ella's place.
Well, Ella sold my home,
so I might as well make good use of hers,
since she's not using it.
This place is a crime scene Leona.
Well, I told the police forensic team to
put a rush on gathering their evidence.
Besides, I'm not planning on taking a dip in the pool.
[chuckling]
Cold blooded Leona.
What do you want, Rex?
Well, I came by to talk about a little business,
madam mayor.
Oh?
I want you to green light my transportation company...
[sinister music]
...and I'm not asking.
There's no need for threats.
You and I hold more secrets than my husband's silly journal
could ever contain.
Really?
I'm more than happy to approve your little business.
In fact, I'll put a rush on it.
Why are you doing that, Leona?
Because I want to hire you.
I have a special piece of cargo,
I need you to deliver to me.
You're something else Leona.
Stacia, what are you doing here this time of night?
I was actually looking for Kendrick.
Have you seen him?
No, but he said he's going over to the jail earlier.
That was this morning,
I've been calling his phone all day,
it's going straight to voicemail.
Have you checked the hospital?
Yes, he hasn't been admitted.
It's not like him to go M.I.A.
You're right, especially with you being pregnant.
Right.
Where do you think he could be?
[dramatic music]
Yes, Rex.
Thank you.
Philomena, welcome home dear.
Forgive me, Willie,
I can't remember how you like your tea.
I prefer mine piping hot.
I hope you slept well.
What am I doing here, Leona?
Well, I missed your company.
You never came to visit me when I was locked
away in that sanitarium.
-Leona-- -Surprisingly,
since you were so instrumental in me being sent there.
I'm sorry, I had no choice.
Don't apologize, I kept myself very well occupied.
And I managed to keep tabs on you.
You have been very busy, dear,
but we'll talk about that later.
Right now, I need something from you.
What?
Anything.
You always had your finger on the pulse,
always knew the latest experimental treatments,
made connections with those breaking ground
in various fields, especially those who weren't concerned
with pesky little things like regulations, or FDA approval.
What are you getting at Leona?
I need for you to connect me with someone.
A physician. Someone who specializes
in the field of mobility.
Yes pastor, whatever Jabar needs
for Malik's funeral, let's make sure we provide it,
Tamra as well.
[knocking]
Bye, thank you, I need to run, but I'll talk soon, bye.
Lady bird, you're back.
Well, I come bearing gifts.
Never say I don't deliver on my promises.
And what is this?
That is the direct line of the physician,
that's going to heal you.
Who is this?
Some voodoo priestess or some shady back alley doctor
you're going to have paralyze me?
I assure you, it's all perfectly legitimate.
Leona, I've already spoken with
the best specialist in New York.
Which makes it even more fortunate,
that you are currently here at Cyprus.
That particular physician
works out of a private medical facility, here.
I think you're playing me.
I assure you, I'm not.
What do you have to lose?
Go meet the doctor, if you don't feel comfortable,
don't let the doctor treat you,
but think about all you have to gain, oh.
You can even coach your little girl,
at one of her soccer games,
I hear she's a wonderful athlete.
Don't talk about my daughter.
As you wish.
I took the Liberty of having this drawn up.
If it works, I secure half of New Hope.
Do we have a deal?
Only if it works.
Oh it will.
[door slamming]
[woman] You better not lose my jewelry.
Hey, hey, let me out of here,
I still want my lawyer, I want my call.
-What? -You hear me.
Damn it.
How long have you been in here?
I don't know. I don't have a watch or a damn phone.
Aren't you the mayor?
Yes.
Yeah saw on the news, you killed someone, that CEO.
No, I did not.
All right, no judgment.
He probably had it coming.
I'm Jalisa.
Hello.
I know. Why are you in holding?
They don't got you in a suite?
I haven't been charged for your information.
And also, they haven't given me a lawyer or a damn phone call.
Well they like to hold out on that
for as long as possible.
I can tell you this ain't your first time.
No, they like to harass girls like me.
Oh, so what does that mean?
Meaning they call you Madam Mayor,
and they just call me Madam.
What, you run women like a pimp or something?
I don't run girls, I protect them.
At least I did, no one's protecting them now.
Why, 'cause you're in here?
No, because young black women are being snatched up
all over the state, this is your city,
don't you watch the news?
So wait a minute,
you're telling me that all of those women,
they weren't working girls?
No, but does that matter?
They're still missing,
they're still being treated the same.
People think black girls can just disappear
and it won't matter. We matter.
Damn, I agree with you.
So, why are you in here?
Cause one of my girls, Candy, she went missing.
Candy?
[whooshing sound]
I have a little treat for you.
You don't have to get me anything Ella,
just being here with you is good enough for me.
Ella Mae,
you're really beautiful.
You know Candy?
That doesn't surprise me, she's very sweet.
We just started working together.
So, she's missing?
Yeah, and I've been asking around,
started asking questions to the wrong cop,
turns out he was undercover.
That's why he arrested you?
That's how they like to keep us in line.
I know the routine by now.
Candy, she's a good girl.
It's funny how that line gets blurred though, huh?
I mean, look at you, you're a good girl.
Madam Mayor probably came from a good family,
now you're looking at a murder charge.
Yeah well, I don't think anybody thinks I'm good anymore.
I have definitely made some mistakes.
So you did murder that guy, does he know?
No, I did not.
[cell phone ringing]
Wait a minute,
you got a phone.
All that thinking you're doing ain't gonna help you,
just throw down.
Good afternoon, I'm Anita Robinson
with WQCL TV, we interrupt our scheduled programming
to bring you a press conference from acting mayor
Leona Bird, live from Cyprus City Hall.
You watching this?
Leona, what the hell are you doing?
[Leona] Good afternoon, I wanted to take this opportunity
to formally introduce myself.
-I am mayor Leona Bird, -[camera shutters clicking]
[reporters shouting]
Calm down, there will be plenty of time for us
to get to know each other better.
Due to my daughter, Ella Johnson's unfortunate
entanglement with the legal system,
it was my duty at the request of the Cyprus City Council
to step in as acting mayor. Council woman Davis,
I am always happy to do whatever it takes
for the city of Cyprus
and I am honored that you and the council
have asked me to take on this role.
Citizens of Cyprus,
the murder of Malik Thompson was a tragedy,
but it is not the only one.
Cyprus has lost its moral compass.
Moral compass,
you lucky your ass don't get struck by lightning.
[laughing]
And as you well know, young black women
are disappearing at an alarming rate.
As mayor I will do whatever it takes to protect our girls.
[lite applause]
Cyprus is in a state of emergency.
That's why effective immediately,
I am instituting a citywide curfew.
All citizens of Cyprus must be in their homes by 7:00 p.m,
-unless otherwise authorized. -Curfew. Please.
Ain't nobody gonna listen to no damn curfew.
To ensure that this is properly enforced,
and that Cypress citizens remain safe,
I have designated a special unit
of police officers, to enforce the curfew
and other necessary regulations.
Heretofore they will be known
as the squadron of faith officers.
[boots thumping on ground]
They'll be adorned with this elegant bird pin.
Citizens of Cyprus,
know that the faith officers are here for you.
You are wild, you crazy bitch.
They're people you can trust.
Thank you and have a blessed day.
[softly singing]
[Pastor] You okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
Just searching for some guidance.
I've always been able to find that here,
even in a new church.
Spirit can make any building a home.
Look, sorry to hear about your mother.
Thank you.
I'm not sure the women in my family
have always deserved that compassion.
Hey, God's grace is for everyone.
They just have to want it.
Pastor, have you ever had to make the decision
to turn away from someone who may be beyond grace?
No, I think that we all only have so much capacity
for love and forgiveness,
but it's up to each and every one of us to decide
what our limits are.
But hey, it's kind of meaning for new hope,
if you think about,
that hopefully we'll be able to show each other
the same empathy and grace that we all want God to show us.
[officer] May we have your attention, please?
It's six o'clock.
We'd like to encourage y'all to head home,
in order to abide by the seven o'clock curfew.
Excuse me, they're still having choir practice.
And the curfew is seven o'clock.
And how do you plan on enforcing that?
This is a church plus it's private property.
Well, private property, that's partially owned
by mayor Bird.
-What? -That's crazy.
Levi owns his church and he would have told me about that.
Sir, I don't actually care.
Now, the curfew will be enforced all over the city.
You could abide by it.
You mean obey it.
Or you can face the consequences.
Okay, let's just send everyone home,
while we get things sorted out.
You should listen to the lady.
[Pastor] Hmm.
All of a sudden I've gone deaf.
Have a blessed day.
Let's go, man.
You forget something Charlie?
Leona.
What is this all about?
Good evening Rex.
Leona, what are you doing here?
My faith officers are here to execute the curfew.
It's after seven, you should be home by now.
Really?
You're crazy Leona.
Am I?
You seem to be confused about the rules that have been set,
or maybe you think they don't apply to you.
I don't know what you're trying to pull Leona,
but you and your little birds
need to get off my damn property.
As mayor, I've instituted a new tithing structure.
All businesses of Cyprus will need to tithe a portion
of their profits to New Hope Baptist Church.
Well, I'm not tithing a cent,
'cause you're a crazy-ass bitch.
Careful Rex.
What's in it for you, Leona, huh?
'Cause Levi owns New Hope.
He's your new little boy toy,
are you lining his pockets?
I own half of New Hope.
See that's it right there.
This little shakedown you're doing is all about you
lining your pockets.
Well as owner of New Hope,
I will be ensuring that the tithes go to godly pursuits
that will help the people of Cyprus.
Now, it's time for you to pay up.
You're so full of it,
don't put your hands on me.
Thank you Rex.
Leona, I swear to God.
I'm going to take your ass down.
I still got the journals Leona
and I'm gonna tell the whole world all your secrets,
you hear me?
You can try, I won't lose any sleep over it.
Hmm, but Kendrick might.
Kendrick?
Where's Kendrick Leona?
Get home safe Rex.
Leona you know where Kendrick is.
-[cell phone ringing] -Crazy bitch.
Hello?
[whispering] Rex, Rex it's me, don't hang up.
Ella?
I need your help, Leona she set me up
for Malik's murder, she got me locked away in here.
No, lawyers, no phone calls, no nothing.
Did Kendrick get out yet?
Kendrick?
She arrested Kendrick?
Yeah, right in front of me.
Oh you didn't know?
No.
Look, Rex I need you to get me out of here,
there's no telling what Leona will do.
Don't worry, trust me all right?
Rex, Rex don't hang up, wait.
-[phone shutting] -Damn it.
Stacia, I know where Kendrick is.
I'm Stacia Cunningham
and I demand to see my client Kendrick Murphy.
[computer keys clacking]
Oh, there's no record of a Kendrick Murphy here, ma'am.
Also it's after curfew, you're suppose to be home, so.
Timmins?
That's my name.
Timmins, you are denying my client due process.
Now I know he's here, you will bring him to me now
or I will sue this entire department, beginning with you.
Let me see what I can do ma'am, follow me.
Finally, Kendrick-
Stacia, it's good to see you.
Where's Kendrick?
I know you have him locked away somewhere in here,
you haven't even charged him with anything.
This? This is an abuse of power. You will release Kendrick
into my custody right now.
My goodness, I never realized Kendrick
inspired such passion.
Now Leona.
Kendrick will be released when I see fit
and not one moment before.
You can't do that.
Oh I can and I can do so much more.
Then you will be facing a lawsuit
and when I'm done, Kendrick will own this entire city.
Well, I don't know about that.
I'm sure Kendrick would appreciate all this fierce
loyalty you're exhibiting,
but I wonder how grateful he would be,
when he finds out you've been lying to him,
about him being the father of your unborn child.
-What? -[Leona chuckling]
Stacia, you should know by now
I always do my due diligence.
You and Kendrick were both recently hospitalized,
it didn't take much poking around
for me to get my hands on your medical records.
Just take me to him and I will tell him the truth.
Well you could, if you had any proof, he was even here.
[laughing]
Kendrick is off the books.
I will file a complaint, Leona.
Oh, filing your nails would be a better use of your time.
By the time you get through all of that legal red tape,
who knows where Kendrick will be,
or what condition he'll be in.
I'm not going to let you hurt him.
Well, that's entirely up to you.
Here's how this is going to work.
You're going to leave Kendrick right where he is for now,
safe and sound and, in the meantime,
you're going to do me a very personal favor.
Hey Stacia, what's going on?
Were you able to get him?
I couldn't get him out.
I couldn't even get in to him to see him,
I can't even confirm that he's being held in custody.
Damn, all right listen, sit tight.
I'm gonna have to handle this myself.
Okay.
[cell door buzzing and slamming]
Johnson, get up.
What is my lawyer here?
Am I getting out?
Come on, follow me.
What's going on?
Where are you taking me?
Do I have a visitor, what's going on?
When I say go, you're going straight for that door.
Don't stop, you understand?
Who sent you?
Go.
[siren whirring]
Ella Mae, get in.
Come on.
Rex, you came.
You sold the church to Leona.
I'm not getting into this with you, Christie.
You are such a hypocrite.
You wanted me to send my own mother to prison
and here you are doing deals with that monster, like Leona?
How much did she pay you Levi?
Was it worth it?
It might be.
Leona promised to make me fully mobile again,
if I sold her the church, so no more of this,
full use of my body.
She can't promise you that Levi.
She's not a doctor.
Maybe she can and maybe it's worth it for me to try.
So I can try to be whole again.
Levi, you are not broken,
you are whole.
You can't say that.
You don't know what it's like,
you don't know what I lost,
did you know I had to learn how to walk again
after they shot me?
Or did you know that I'm always in pain?
I'm so sorry, I didn't know that.
Then you can't say it's not worth it.
Levi, I get it,
I understand why you want to do this,
but you can't trust Leona.
Please, Levi.
So why don't you break me out huh?
I mean, why are you trying to help me?
It's not about you, Ella.
It's about Leona.
We got to shut her down.
I guess I didn't realize just how twisted she is,
to set your own daughter up for murder. She's sick,
and to think that you were with her,
don't try to act like you didn't sleep with her.
That was a long time ago, Ella
and after I laid eyes on you,
I never touched her again, I swear.
Now listen, Kendrick is still locked up,
he's off the grid, there's no telling what Leona did to him.
You know what's sad?
He's still paying for our mistakes.
Yeah Rex, we gotta stop her.
[gun clacks]
[telephone ringing]
[mysterious music]
[call silenced]
-[door opening] -Mr. Sterling,
I'm excited to meet you.
You sure this is safe?
It is experimental.
There are always risks, but I've had major successes.
Now, Mr. Sterling, it's imperative
that our interaction remains discreet.
Full disclosure, only met with you
based on who referred you,
but I will say you're an extremely promising candidate
for this drug protocol.
What if it doesn't work?
Every patient's different,
but focus on what could happen if it does.
I'll see you soon.
Leona?
You've gotten what you wanted, you need to let me go now.
Willie, I'm so disappointed
that you seem so anxious to leave,
it was starting to feel like old times.
Leona please, I've got important work to do.
I need to get back now.
Oh, I know exactly what work you're doing.
I can explain.
Oh, it's all very interesting, actually,
but you didn't really think I was going to just let you
waltz back into your new life,
after the way you betrayed me?
Please, you have to understand,
I was just--
Saving yourself at what cost to me?
My freedom, my reputation.
Leona please, I've given you all I can, please,
please I'm sorry.
Forgive me?
No.
Take her.
No Leona. Leona, please.
Leona! Leona, please. Please, Leona!
Please! Leona, please!
As the curfew continues, some citizens have concerns
that the mayor may be capitalizing on her authority.
Good evening, citizens of Cyprus.
What? Rex get in here.
As the mayor of our great city,
I know your fears.
That's why I offer a strong hand, guided by God
to lead us through them.
It will take the collective sacrifice,
of Cypress' citizens to lead us to the promised land.
It gives me no pleasure to announce that my daughter,
Ella Johnson, has escaped from police custody.
The long and merciful arm of justice requires,
that she face the consequences of her alleged crimes.
Ella Mae, I as a righteous servant of Cyprus,
implore you to turn yourself in.
That bitch is crazy.
I would also like to announce,
that we are intensifying the search
for our missing girls. As such I have instituted
a new protocol of random search and seizure.
What in the hell?
I encourage all citizens of Cyprus to cooperate
with our committed and gracious faith officers,
as they do the work of finding our girls.
We will find our girls.
Have faith in the process,
have faith in me.
Thank you and have a blessed day.
[playing off-key]
[slams keys]
[groaning in pain]
[thumping cane on floor]
[sniffles]
[cane clacks on piano]
[sighing]
[breathing deeply]
[thudding]
[rapid knocking]
[groaning loudly]
[rapid, tense music]
[rapid knocking]
Levi.
[loud groaning]
Levi, Levi, oh my God.
Levi, Levi!
[yelling in pain]
[Levi yelling in pain]
[Levi] Oh God!
Yes, I need an ambulance.
[loud groaning]
Yeah.
So what did he say?
He said Leona has Kendrick on deep lockdown.
We can't get to him?
No, we can't break him out.
But he hasn't been charged for anything,
I mean, she can't hold him indefinitely.
Station said he's not even in the system.
So basically Leona has created her own shadow prison.
Yeah, she's locking up all her enemies
and throwing away the key.
Rex the only way we're gonna get him out,
is we gotta take her down.
I agree and that's why you're here.
What?
Listen to me, you're the real mayor.
You know the system inside and out.
So what's your next move?
'Cause if it was up to me, I'd handle it
the old fashioned way.
Nurse, are there any updates with his status?
He's stable, the seizures have stopped.
He should regain consciousness soon.
Thank God.
It's good you got him in when he did,
you may have just saved his life.
And Leona almost ended it.
You gotta lay low, Ella, be cool.
They looking for you.
Yeah well, maybe you should just take
some of the side streets,
you know it's past curfew.
The last thing we need is for you to be pulled over
by one of them damn bird men.
[chuckling]
Yeah well, you ain't gotta worry about them,
because they're gonna be distracted now.
Mother, what have you done?
[Rex] Damn.
[rapid knocking]
Ella, what are you doing here?
You know, there's a warrant out for your arrest.
I know, that's why I'm here, now let us in
we gotta talk.
No, if Leona finds out, there's no telling
what she'll do.
Kimberly look around, she's already doing it.
Cypress is in chaos and you gave her the power,
which we both know that means she has something on you.
Listen to me, Kimberly, this has got to stop now,
now I don't know what it is that Leona has on you,
but it can't be worth this, now let us in.
Move.
[footsteps approaching]
Move out of my way, I need to speak to my grandmother.
Let her in, she's harmless.
You can go.
You could have killed him.
Who?
Levi.
With whatever that drug was
you had that whack job doctor prescribe.
I assure you that, while he's somewhat unorthodox,
he's no whack job.
Levi's in the hospital.
And what does that have to do with me?
You lied to him.
You made him believe that you could fix him,
that you could somehow heal him.
Nope, I offered Levi an opportunity.
He chose to take it.
You are disgusting.
And you are such a disappointment.
You had so much potential.
Every opportunity. Daughter of a pastor,
beautiful education, a doctor
and you squandered all of it.
Now, you're an ex-convict following your brother,
and now your mother, straight into the gutter.
[tense music]
You'll never make anything of yourself.
All that talent just wasted.
Now get out of here.
Be lucky I don't have you thrown back
in a cell where you belong.
You're dismissed.
Nurse, where's the patient Levi Sterling?
He was stable when I left.
Yes, as far as I know that hasn't changed.
So where is he?
Ma'am he was transferred.
Where?
Listen, I'm his friend and I'm a doctor,
I used to work here.
Then, you know the rules on patient care.
Please, I need to know where my friend was transferred.
It's a private medical facility.
So then it's settled?
Great, send me the confirmation
and it's important that this remains confidential.
Thank you.
Please forgive me Kendrick.
[door buzzing]
You think God hears you?
I know he does, that's why I'm still alive.
You might say that's because I allowed it.
I could have smothered you
in your hospital bed the last time we spoke.
But you didn't.
And I think about that often.
Why do I keep letting you live?
It's not you.
Oh?
God has a plan for me and I truly believe that.
Well he has an interesting way
of showing his benevolence,
because here you are at mymercy.
Listen Leona, if you wanted to kill me up in here
you would have done it already.
Perhaps.
I keep thinking about that.
Maybe I do get some pleasure out of keeping you around.
[laughing] It's comical really.
You're like a cartoon character that won't stay dead.
I bury you alive, poison you. Oh,
and there's a car crash.
And yet, here you are.
Like I said, it's not you.
Godhas a purpose for me.
[Leona laughing] What? To entertain me?
Read the room, Kendrick,
I have all the power here.
What do you want Leona?
Well, you had the right idea for once Kendrick.
It's time for us to pray.
It's time for us to go to God.
Hi, I'm looking for Levi Sterling.
I'm sorry, we don't have anyone by that name here.
He's here, he was just transferred from Cyprus General.
But we don't have him on record sorry ma'am.
Listen, I don't need your apology,
I need you to tell me where Levi is, okay?
The told me he was transferred here.
-Hey, hey calm down please. -I know he's here.
Miss, pardon me. Excuse me, ma'am I'm Dr. Ross.
I can take you to see Mr. Sterling, miss...
Christie, Johnson,
Dr. Ross?
Are you the one that's been treating him?
Did you give him those drugs?
Ma'am listen, I understand your concern.
Let me take you to see Levi.
No, no, no, you could've killed him.
He believed in you after you made him all those promises.
Hold on now, I never promised Levi anything.
Listen, you're a doctor, you understand
that patients take informed risks
when it comes to the treatment.
Wait, how did you know I was a doctor?
Mr. Sterling mentioned it.
Come on, come with me.
How is he?
What's his status?
How's he responding to treatment?
See for yourself?
Levi?
I'm back, I'm back.
Oh my God.
I'm back!
Oh my God.
You're okay.
I'm okay, I'm okay.
[gentle music]
I'm okay.
You're okay.
[gentle music]
You got a miracle, Levi.
Yeah, kind of feels like a second chance.
[siren wailing]
Is that for you?
I guess so, but I wasn't speeding.
[knocking on window]
[window whirring down]
Is there a problem officer?
It's after curfew.
What are you doing on the road?
We just came from the hospital.
Can I see your ID ma'am?
Sure.
Yeah, pulled over a driver
by the name of Christie Johnson.
Got it.
Ms. Johnson,
I'm gonna need you and your passenger to come with me.
Excuse me?
Why?
Is that going to be a problem?
No, no, there's no problem,
but can you just tell us why?
By order of the mayor.
Let's not keep her waiting.
Wait, what are we doing here?
Yeah I own this church.
-Kendrick. -Sis.
Christie, Levi, it's good of you to join us.
It's time for church to begin.
Good evening, church.
I said, good evening church.
[Group] Good evening.
Members of the church board,
the last time I stood at this pulpit,
it was very different.
I was asked to apologize,
to repent,
to be compliant.
I am not interested in being compliant.
For decades, I watched my husband
give sermon after sermon,
after sermon and I watched as all of you,
and generations before you, heeded his words,
his message, as if it were ordained.
But what does that mean for me?
What was asked of me?
You wanted silence.
You wanted the dutiful wife and mother
and first lady that would kneel
and supplicate and subjugate herself and her ambitions.
I'm not interested.
Leona.
Don't interrupt me.
I know what power looks like in the hands
of the weak, men generally,
who were too foolish
and easily distracted to execute their vision.
But that does not absolve the women, of course,
as Christie you veered far from the path of anything
that was ever envisioned for you.
And we don't have to go into all of the reasons for that.
I am not weak.
I won't falter.
I will not kneel,
pastor Green, please approach the pulpit.
Leona, this is not okay.
You must stop this.
Pastor Green, approach the pulpit.
It's okay.
The last time I stood here, the congregation,
your congregation, they laughed at me.
A congregation built over generations, by me.
They ostracized me.
They just wanted some introspection from you,
a little humility.
Humility?
Don't you mean humiliation?
You want me to be humble?
Tell me pastor, the cornerstone that you added
to New Hope when you rebuilt it,
whose name is on it?
Pastor Daniel Burke.
Right. Not me.
No mention of my sacrifice, my work,
my contribution.
Leona.
First lady.
That's how you will address me in my church.
I built this church, I built this city.
You will all give me the respect that I am due,
starting with you. Kneel.
What?
I said kneel.
I don't kneel to anybody but God.
Oh, but there's a first time for everything.
Bring him to his knees.
Hold on! Wait, no. No!
Leona, stop, just stop it.
Ella Mae. Are you here to repent for your sins,
or to turn yourself in?
It's over mother, let Kendrick go
and let these people go.
This is over, when I say it's over,
after all, I'm the mayor.
Not anymore, you've been impeached as acting mayor,
by a unanimous vote of the city council of Cyprus.
You need to step down Leona,
effective immediately.
Does this look like a democracy to you?
You know Leona,
I thought you would say something like that.
Now!
[dramatic music]
Leona, by order of the state of Georgia,
you need to step down.
[dramatic music]
[door buzzing]
I managed to rescind your power of attorney,
you no longer have any control over my assets.
Well, thankfully I got what I needed when I had them.
Well maybe, but you're going to need a hell
of an attorney after all you've done.
What did I do exactly?
You terrorized the citizens of Cyprus, for one.
I was the acting mayor.
I made executive orders in a state of emergency.
You had the police break into the citizens' homes.
You looted them, you stole from them.
No, that was asset forfeiture,
necessary search and seizure to find the girls
that went missing on your watch.
Yeah well, good luck proving that to a judge,
but you know what?
You're going to go away for a very long time
and don't expect to get out of this one alive.
[laughing]
Think Ella Mae, do you really believe
that I thought I would have
a definite reign over the city of Cyprus?
I was the actingmayor.
Of course I understood
I had a certain window to accomplish my goals.
Goals?
Your goals?
What were your goals, Leona? Huh?
To hurt me?
Well congratulations, you did that, you hurt me.
I should have never trusted you.
I should have never believed that my mother,
would actually try to help me.
You killed Malik, you set me up for murder,
you put him in my pool,
and then you called the police, for what?
For what?
For them to arrest me?
What? Sentence me to life in prison?
Or kill me, for what?
[pounding] What were your goals Leona, huh?
Do you really hate me that much, your own daughter?
Ella Mae, I'm--
[door buzzing]
Stacia, what are you doing here?
I am Leona's attorney.
What?
Why would you represent her after all she's done?
She threw Kendrick in jail, he couldn't even get to you.
I don't know anything about that, I'm sorry.
But prior to all of the alleged occurrences,
Leona retained me as her legal counsel.
For what?
I obtained Leona's immunity deal.
All of her actions as acting mayor
have been deemed inadmissible in court.
No, no that's not possible,
because the entire city council,
they are ready to testify against her.
This deal goes up
before the Georgia State Supreme Court Justice
and Leona is being vouched for by state Senator Hayes,
who I believe you're familiar with.
Stacia, you know what she's done,
you know what she is capable of doing.
She tried to kill Kendrick,
your baby's father, more than once
and you choose to defend her, I mean please, tell me why.
Everyone's entitled to a defense.
Oh hell no, no I am not buying that.
She got something on you, I know better.
I was just trying-
Trying to what?
Trying what Stacia huh?
You're trying to help?
Help this sociopath?
Cause you sure as hell ain't helping me or Kendrick.
Oh God. I can't believe that you are carrying his child,
that man loves you, he will never leave you.
This? This is what you do?
I am sorry, Ella.
Yeah just go, just get out of here.
[Leona laughing]
Well that was entertaining.
Did you really think I wouldn't have an exit plan?
I really taught you nothing.
You know what?
This is the thing Leona,
you may be getting out of a prison sentence,
but there's no exit for you.
Really?
Yeah, because you are a pariah,
you have destroyed anything that's left of your name
and your reputation here in Cyprus
and that's what matters to you.
That's what you lost.
Maybe,
but I learned a lesson when I was quite young.
It is better to be feared than loved
and every citizen in Cyprus is afraid of me.
Well enjoy it mother dear,
because that's a very lonely existence.
Ella, one more thing before you go.
I didn't kill Malik Thompson.
I didn't put his body in your pool,
but you might want to think long and hard
about who did, Madam Mayor.
[knocking]
Come in.
Ms. Johnson, good to see you again.
Please have a seat.
Yes, it's good to see you too.
Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Dr. Ross.
Of course, it's my pleasure.
What can I do for you?
I want to apologize.
I was so scared about everything involving Levi
and I know I wasn't the most composed person
when I came in here before.
I understand. When you're closely connected to a patient,
it can be hard to separate your personal feelings.
I was worried, so worried about him,
especially when he ended up in the hospital.
Thankfully it all worked out.
Yes, thanks to you.
That's actually why I'm here.
You know, I'm a doctor.
Yes, Levi spoke very highly of you.
But what you may not know is
that I don't currently have my medical license.
Hmm.
That's unfortunate.
But I'm going to do something about that.
More importantly, I want to do something about that,
because I would love to work with you.
I want to learn from you.
Well...
...that could be very interesting.
Pastor Green.
My lawyers have assured me that Leona has absolutely no
further claim on the church.
I didn't realize she had a claim in the first place.
Sometimes you got to make a deal with the devil
on the path to salvation.
Is that what you got, salvation?
I call it a new chapter, a fresh start.
Well here's to that.
[laughing]
By the way, everything's set on Malik Thompson's funeral,
I think Jabari will be very proud of the sendoff
that we're giving to his brother.
Good to hear, pastor and thank you.
Just want to make sure Jabari gets everything he deserves.
Me too.
Me too. [patting]
Everything he deserves.
Hey babe.
Hey sweetheart, you were gone when I woke up.
Yeah I had to handle some business at UpSurge.
[scoffing] Yeah.
You were so cute, I didn't to wake you up.
You need your sleep.
Trust me, I got what I need right here. [chuckling]
I gotta tell you something.
What?
It's complicated.
Listen, is this about Leona not being charged?
I saw it on the news already.
It's no surprise, that woman always escapes, you know that.
That's part of it.
I helped her, I got Leona her immunity deal.
What?
She was threatening you.
I didn't know where she was holding you,
I didn't know if you were dead or alive.
So she made you help her.
Yes.
So you were protecting me.
I was,
I wanted to, I'm so sorry.
Listen, you don't have nothing to be sorry about.
-But- -Wait.
You did what you had to do to keep me safe,
to protect our family.
How could I be mad at you for something like that?
Sweetheart, you're going to be a great mother to our baby.
Can't wait, I love you.
[gentle, dramatic music]
I love you.
Get in Jaleesa.
I don't want that.
It was a job well done, you earned it.
I just want to find Candy.
You said you were going to help me.
And a will, I keep my promises.
You did exactly as I asked you.
Now continue to keep your mouth shut.
Can I go?
Of course, aren't you forgetting something?
I knew this little burner phone would come in handy.
[Leona chuckling]
Be careful out there Jaleesa, the streets can be dangerous.
[knocking on door]
Can I come in?
When have you ever asked for permission, Ella Mae?
So, I guess you already heard about Leona?
No charges.
Yeah, no charges.
No charges for terrorizing Kendrick,
no charges for terrorizing the citizens of Cyprus,
and no charges for setting me up for murder.
Wow, she got immunity for all that stuff.
Well, you see, they couldn't charge her
for setting me up for murder,
because she didn't do it, Rex.
You did.
You put Malik's body in my pool,
you set me up.
You know what Ella?
I sure as hell did.
Why, Rex?
Do you hate me that much?
You got it all wrong Ella.
I loved you that much.
You see Ella, you threw it all away.
You killed my father.
So what?
You killed St .Jones,
Sheri Tucker, Ford, Paige.
You killed all of them Ella, yeah.
Your body count is sky high.
The only difference is you called me
and I was the one who buried all the bodies.
But, see, where you made the mistake Ella,
you got too comfortable.
You don't think I've felt it?
As much as I love you, the way you were stringing me along,
playing me like a little bitch.
You got used to living in a world
where I was your whipping boy and your greatest ally.
But you should get used to living in the world
where Rex Fisher is your biggest enemy.
So no, you didn't kill Malik,
but your ass is going down for it.
-So here's to you Ella. -[dramatic music]
Game over. I'm gonna be your worst nightmare.
[shattering glass]
[dramatic music builds]