Show: The Closer - 5x4
Brenda: fritzy, is that you?
Oh.
[ keys drop ] You cooked dinner.
Yes.
Things were slow at work, So i -- i went to the grocery store And thought i'd cook dinner.
[ chuckles ] What's in the box you just put in the cupboard?
Meatloaf and -- and mashed potatoes?
yes.
I thought you might be tired of clam linguini.
What's in the box?
Uh, the vet called.
He wanted to know if i'd stop by and pick up...
Kitty's ashes.
You know what, honey?
Since the food is hot, why don't we just sit down and -- Oh, you know what?
this will just take a second.
Now, i just want to take a -- a quick look, And -- and i see dead bodies all the time.
It's not like...
Kitty was cremated, so...
[ whimpering ] ohh.
Fritz: it's okay.
[ sniffles ] It's all right.
They put him in a plastic bag.
her.
they put her in a plastic bag.
This is not ashes, it's chunks!
And this should say "kitty johnson," Not "kitty howard."
Hey, you know, the vet gave me a brochure.
See?
yeah, they have all these, you know, decorative -- What do you call them?
no, i don't want to be one of those women who puts her cat in an urn On the mantel with a [sniffles] Picture and a ribbon and a bell.
I want to find some other way to properly honor kitty.
[ coughs ] [ voice breaking ] like spreading her ashes around someplace That was important to her.
Where?
she was never allowed to go outside.
[ sniffles ] [ exhales ] [ sighs ] How is everything?
this meal could not have been better if we'd eaten it hot.
Well, thank you.
[ chuckles ] If nothing happens at work tomorrow, I'll open the grill that my brother sent.
Actually, you know, if things are really that slow at work, Maybe you could do me a little favor.
[ inhales ] Mm.
No, no, never mind.
you're right.
We're keeping our professional lives separate.
Well, how little is it?
The -- the favor.
Small.
We, um...
Well, the fbi needs to talk to this guy, austin blair, And, uh, we can't locate him, That would be -- you know, quietly.
Just quietly.
Very quietly.
Why quietly?
Well, we don't want to tip off the whole world We're looking for him.
Hmm.
you're right.
that really is a small favor.
[ chuckles ] What's his name again?
Who is austin blair?
A 26-year-old single white male.
I found missing persons had a month-old file on him.
And you want major crimes To take over a missing-persons case?
Why would you do that?
Look, will, you're the one who's always preaching That we're one department.
[ exhales ] Uh...
Look, i-i've been asked to...
Keep austin's name under the radar.
It's a special request.
Special request?
what are we, a karaoke bar?
special request from whom, regarding what?
What's wrong?
[ voice breaking ] i just, um...
I just forgot to take kitty out of my purse this morning.
Out of...
Where is she?
[ whimpers ] she's...
She's here.
Oh.
I gather she took a turn for the worse.
Look, i-if you -- If you don't want me to take this missing-persons case -- No.
no, no, no.
look.
[ clears throat ] Tell you what.
Why don't you just go back to your office, And i'll have commander taylor go down to missing persons -- No, i'm perfectly capable of going down to missing -- no, no, no, no.
No.
you're too, you know -- you're a little too...
High-ranking.
Oh.
And, uh, you said you want to keep this quiet.
I did.
Okay, thanks.
[ sniffles ] Uh, don't, uh...
Oh.
[ chuckles ] Sorry.
Thanks.
Mm-hmm.
[ door closes ] And this is where it all happens.
Uh, this is the -- This is major crimes.
My desk, right here.
lauren: very nice.
Ah, look.
[ chuckles ] There he is.
He looks exactly like you.
[ chuckles ] Um...ah, here.
[ clears throat ] Lauren, i would like you to meet sergeant gabriel, soon to be detective sergeant gabriel.
Well, i've got to pass the test first, But, wow, it is a pleasure to meet you, lauren.
[ chuckles ] oh, and this is my go-to guy.
This is andy flynn.
andy, i have heard so much about you.
really?
Because, to me, you're a complete surprise.
[ chuckles ] Uh, lauren, would you just excuse me For one second, please?
Ah, commander taylor, please meet Miss lauren hines.
Chief.
oh.
Taylor's here with the file you wanted.
Uh, lieutenant flynn, Who is that woman with lieutenant provenza?
His girlfriend.
You are kidding me.
Mnh-mnh.
her name is lauren.
She's a buyer for men's clothes For a high-end department store.
So ends the mystery of the new suits.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, commander taylor, Thank you so much for going down to missing persons.
They were anxious To know why the sudden interest In austin blair.
i hope not too anxious.
what'd you tell them?
I played dumb, which was easy, Seeing as how i don't know anything.
Apparently, neither does missing persons.
All they have here are dental records And vehicle registrations.
Where are the follow-up reports?
Uh, there wasn't any need.
If you look, austin was reported missing by his boyfriend.
[ chuckles ] Travis myers, 22, Who last saw austin leaving -- Gosh -- a month ago For an after-hours dance party.
What does that have to do With the absence of a follow-up report, exactly?
Well, gay boy austin goes out for the night, Doesn't come back.
His boyfriend, this travis kid, Comes in mad And wants us to find out who austin is sleeping with.
It's a familiar pattern, chief.
Well, gentlemen, let's see if this convenient stereotype Y'all have cooked up to avoid actual police work Holds up under closer scrutiny.
Lieutenant flynn, Uh, would you please run a master inquiry On austin blair?
But, uh, do it quietly.
Just...offline, off the radar, off the grid.
Like it never haened, chief.
Thank you.
anybody know why we are looking for this austin blair?
Because the chief asked us to?
[ telephone ringing ] O-oh, chief.
Chief, uh, this is, uh...
My...
Lauren hines.
I'm so pleased to meet you.
I'm so glad to meet you, too.
Since things were slow, Lauren came by to see how our division works Before...
i take her to lunch.
Oh, good.
how nice.
[ chuckles ] [ chuckles weakly ] So, lauren...
How old are you?
Detective sanchez!
You never ask a lady how -- Oh, excuse us, lauren.
[ chuckles ] We kid a lot around here.
You know, always teasing each other.
You know, cops.
Uh, detective sanchez, What can you tell me about austin blair?
Uh, i ran the registration on his mercedes s.u.v., And his name pops up with dope.
Brought in twice for questioning but never arrested.
Yeah, well, his credit card's been active All over the place -- new york city, miami, New orleans, fort lauderdale -- all within the last year.
But since he went missing a month ago, nothing.
Checked his address.
nice place in silver lake.
No liens, Current on his mortgage.
Okay.
all right, well, good news -- I mean, depending on how you look at it.
That was dr.
morales.
He says he has four matches in the morgue.
Oh, good.
all right, then.
Uh, sergeant gabriel, why don't you and i Pop over to the burrito room, And the rest of y'all keep poking around About austin blair, But on tippy-toe, please.
Thank you.
Shall we?
It's funny you're here.
Missing persons called earlier looking for bodies dating back -- Missing persons called?
Bye-bye tippy-toe.
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
What was that date again?
uh, 25th of last month.
According to his boyfriend, He went out to a dance club and never came back.
Boyfriend?
Wait.
26 years old, 25th of last month.
he wasn't just going to a club.
he was going to hell-a.
Say what?
Hell-a.
Get it? "
hell-a," as in "l.a."?
Big circuit party!
Circuit party?
Ah.
okay.
Gay culture 101.
Circuit parties are kind of like gay raves.
They go on for three or four days.
There's like one a month all over the place -- A white party here, a black party there.
Hell-a in los angeles.
Uh, anyway, every year during hell-a week, We get a spike in o.d.s.
Most of them get claimed right away, But every once in a while, We have an out-of-towner that hangs out for a while.
Yep.
i think we've got your john doe here.
[ door opens ] Oh.
fritz!
Uh, i mean, special agent howard.
Uh, what a surprise.
Deputy chief brenda leigh johnson, This is special agent jerry moore.
What are you people doing?
Apparently, someone in your missing-persons division Called around to find out Why your sudden interest in austin blair.
I tried to keep it quiet.
Dr.
morales: hey, hey, guys, guys.
That's him.
that's austin.
Damn it.
Oh, man.
damn it.
[ sighs ] Well, look at the bright side.
At least he's not missing anymore.
Let's see.
The guy was spotted in an alley.
Aspirated vomit in the lungs.
Typical in an o.d.
I ordered a tox screen Of the common trail mix of drugs -- "x", ghb, meth.
What'd you say, trail mix?
A lot of circuit party boys like to deejay their own high. "
x" for dancing, ghb and meth for sex, "k" for the comedown.
In this case, though, It was only ghb and alcohol in the vomit.
Hmm.
Most likely died in the alley where he was found.
Why do you say that?
Hell-a has a medical staff on site.
First thing they prevent Is someone drowning in their own vomit.
they plan on treating overdoses?
thank you so much for the, uh, background here.
Much appreciated.
the fbi looks forward to your full report.
well, hold on.
is the doctor working for us, or is he working for you?
i work for the county.
This morgue is neutral territory-- Like switzerland, without the money.
Well, the l.a.p.d.
found austin blair.
We deserve to know why we were looking for him.
All right, but we need to keep this inside the fbi.
how do you intend to do that?
Pope: so, due to a recent crossover with a federal investigation, The bad news is we have to sign these forms And be deputized into the fbi.
And, uh, once we're formally included, They have to tell us what happened to this austin blair And why it's apparently our problem.
What's this?
Flynn: we're joining the fbi.
But it's only temporary, like love.
Sanchez: do we get badges?
They have really cool badges.
Lauren, this is, uh -- This is some really top-secret stuff.
Very hush-hush.
Um, uh, buzz, would you mind, uh, escorting lauren Into the electronics room while we have our briefing?
Buzz: not at all.
thanks.
Oh!
oh, and, buzz...
[clears throat] why don't you, um -- Why don't you show her one of my old interviews?
Sure.
how about the one with you and john wilkes booth?
Uh, was austin's death a murder or an overdose?
Sign, and we'll tell you everything we know.
Moore: this agreement is binding And shall remain in effect for 48 hours, During which time we expect you all to behave like fbi agents.
i solemnly swear to act as stupid as possible.
Fritz: okay.
Are there any questions?
Brenda: well, yeah.
How did austin blair end up dead?
we don't know.
Gabriel: wait a minute.
wait a minute, wait.
we track this guy down, we find the body, And you guys tell us nothing?
I mean, this -- this -- this is our big briefing?
Yeah.
welcome to the fbi, everyone.
Fritz: right hand in the air, We do not know if austin's death was a murder or not.
But let's say it was a homicide.
what would you guys do next?
Notify his next of kin.
His father's already on his way down here.
sounds good.
Hmm.
thank you for your, uh, cooperation.
Uh, hold on.
hold on, hold on, hold on.
Hold -- Am i working with my husband or the fbi?
yes.
On an overdose or a murder?
maybe both.
the second we know more, we'll let you know.
So far, i find being an fbi agent very...frustrating.
[ sighs ] Oh, lauren.
Lauren, i -- i am so sorry, sweetheart, But, uh, it looks like i am back on duty.
Mm, i understand.
It was great to meet your friends.
Really?
[ chuckles ] [ grunts ] Okay, you be careful out there.
Oh, tell that to the bad guys.
[ chuckles ] [ exhales sharply ] Isn't she beautiful?
Yeah, you should watch how you kiss her.
Your gun almost went off.
You have no idea.
Dr.
blair, thank you so much for coming down.
we would have been happy to come to you.
No, i'd rather not have police in my waiting room.
And just so you know, i'm -- I'm not getting austin another attorney.
If he's still involved with drugs, That's his problem.
All right, then.
why don't you have a seat?
We have a couple questions we'd like to ask you About your son.
My stepson.
I adopted austin when i married his mother.
One good thing about losing my wife -- She didn't live to see what became of him.
Why was he arrested?
Oh, we haven't arrested him, sir.
Can you tell me the last time you saw or spoke to austin?
Yeah, about a month ago.
Little longer.
I spoke with him on the phone.
My god.
what happened?
Sir, can you tell us why it's been so long since -- Did you not hear what i asked you?
What happened to austin?
Sir, i-i'm sorry to inform you That your stepson passed away over a month ago.
[ exhales ] Austin's dead?
How?
Well, uh, it appears to have been an overdose.
[ breathes deeply ] You people.
Gabriel: wait.
can he just -- Uh...sir?!
doctor?!
sir?!
Dr.
blair, please wait!
I have surgery across town in an hour.
Just call me with how i should go about Arranging for his funeral.
You may be in shock.
not even warning me what this was about.
Don't talk to me about shock!
you don't think i know about shock?
Sir, we need to know if austin had any enemies Or anyone who might have had a reason to -- You're looking for a why?
My god.
drugs don't give you a why.
[ elevator bell dings ] You want to know about austin's life?
Try talking to that kid That's answering the phone at his house.
[ sighs ] You mean his boyfriend?
How should i know who he is?
[ exhales ] Sit down!
now, what's your name?
Travis.
travis myers.
what's going on?
W-what's going on here?
Did you find austin?
Hey, w-will you put that down?
i don't have permission to -- Flynn: we don't need permission, okay?
We have a search warrant.
Is there anyone else in this house?
No.
do you know where austin is?
H-have you found him?
is he in jail or something?
When's the last time you saw him?
I reported him gone a month ago.
Hey, will you stay away from there?!
Hey, get out of there.
y-you can't -- Sit down.
Hey, buzz, up here!
Lieutenant!
Oh.
Party time!
The fridge is full of these.
i brought my test kit.
My guess is ghb.
Provenza: all right, so we know your boyfriend is doing drugs.
Is he selling them, as well?
Will you get out?
get out of my house!
first off, this is not your house, So you're the one who's getting out.
I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where austin is.
Yeah?
okay.
You want to know where he is?
We found your boyfriend in the morgue.
He died a month ago.
What?
provenza: all right, all right.
That's how you tell people?
We're arresting you for possession...
you bastards!
...of a schedule-1 substance...
let go of me!
...and the murder of austin blair.
[ travis crying ] [ cellphone rings ] Uh, yes, chief.
Let go of me!
Did you find anything?
Uh, yeah.
We -- we found the boyfriend with lots of loose cash And a fridge full of, uh, ghb.
Chief, i-i-i don't think this was just some guy That the fbi wanted to talk to.
Why do you say that?
Well, sanchez found a business card.
Whose business card?
Special Agent Fritz Howard, with the FBI.
Hi.
oh, my goodness!
so, the fbi asks you to find this austin blair, Who turns out to be a dead drug dealer Who has your husband's business card.
So, your fellow fbi agents, [clears throat] i.e.
your squad and me, Are wondering if he might have been A government informant, maybe.
If you're asking me if i knew that going in, i did not.
Okay?
So...
We'll discuss it later.
So, the fbi has an operation that goes south, and they expect us to fix it for them.
[ cellphone rings ] You know, maybe you should just not bring Your dead pets to work.
[ exhales ] hello?
Fritz: are you alone?
[ sharply ] no.
What do you want?
Step into the back hallway.
Look, i-i'm gonna figure this out.
i promise.
I just have to...
Excuse me.
Hi.
what?
Why did -- Why didn't you just tell me you were missing an informant?!
First of all, we didn't know austin was missing.
He could have just run away.
And looking for him ourselves Could have jeopardized a major drug investigation.
Look, your team finding him makes it look more...ordinary.
Oh, wonderful.
my wildest dreams achieved.
We're ordinary.
Hey, look, look, the good news is Everything is going very well.
What is "everything"?
and how's it going well?
Look, ju-- this is what i can tell you.
We caught austin dealing ghb at a circuit party.
We offered to let him go If he would help us with an investigation I can't talk about.
But then he disappeared.
Disap-- he didn't disappear!
He died!
Well, granted.
It's not ideal, but you have retrieved vital evidence From his house for us.
You have a potential suspect in custody.
Suspect in what?
Dr.
morales assumed it was an o.d.
His stepfather assumed it was an o.d.
why shouldn't i?
Okay, but let's just pretend austin's death Looks just a little more like murder.
And you found some boy living in his house With lots of drugs and money.
What would you do then?
I would treat the boy like a murder suspect.
Well, if that's your instinct...
Tao: we found $30,000 worth of ghb, Plus another $80,000 in cash.
And when missing persons asked you If austin had a drug or alcohol problem, What did he say, lieutenant?
he said, "not that i know of."
all those drugs, all that money, and you still didn't know that austin was a drug dealer?
he wasn't a user.
That's not what the autopsy said.
What else, lieutenant?
He said he last saw austin going out at night.
When asked where, travis answered, "i'm not sure."
Look [sighs] i was afraid That if you guys knew where he'd gone, Then you'd just think he'd been partying and you wouldn't look for him.
But he would have called if he wasn't coming home.
home.
his home, Where you sure made yourself comfortable.
Living his life, selling his drugs, maybe, Spending his money.
I only use it to pay his bills for him.
I have a job of my own, okay?
I'm saving up to go to college out here, Establishing my residency.
Oh, i'm not sure i see college in your future.
I-i might be able to find a permanent spot for you In a california facility, though.
Look, i was afraid to throw the drugs out be-- Because i didn't know who might come looking for them Or -- or who might show up asking for the money.
Did you fill out this useless missing-persons report So that you'd look more innocent When we found austin's dead body?
no!
In fact, you look guiltier by the second.
what do you want?!
what i want is for you to tell me Exactly what happened the last night you saw austin!
Start cooperating!
[ bangs table ] i am cooperating!
I'm cooperating!
i'm cooperating!
What do you think that i'm doing?!
God!
So, travis...
...would you describe yourself as the jealous type?
did you call the police because you thought that austin was cheating on you?
[ scoffs ] in fact, come to think of it, how do we even know that the two of you were a couple?
we were!
Then why did he go to an after-hours dance party and leave you at home?
[ sighs ] Austin...
Austin didn't want me with him because...
He said that he had this big meeting With his boss at hell-a, and that just sounded lame.
So, yeah, When he drove off and left me at home, i was jealous.
And when he didn't come home that morning, And when he didn't pick up his cell...
I called to see if there really had been a meeting.
And his boss told me that austin left the party With somebody else.
So i just didn't know what to believe anymore.
Hang on, hang on.
So you're telling me that austin was an employee of hell-a?
He wasn't just dealing drugs?
dealing drugs was his job.
Austin flew all over the country -- Everywhere that his boss held a party.
Now we're getting somewhere.
tao: now, at all these different parties, austin flew in with a supply Of ghb to sell?
No.
you can't take all that "g" on a plane.
Those are the rules.
whose rules?
Peter benjamin's rules.
he was austin's boss.
Stop the interview.
stop it.
But she's not done yet.
Buzz, pull the plug.
i don't work for you.
Chief johnson, stop.
we have what we need.
Fbi rules.
you signed an agreement.
Travis: wait.
Is -- is that what you needed to know?
That's all for now, travis.
thank you.
Can i see him, please?
Austin.
can i see him?
E-excuse me.
If peter benjamin had something to do with austin's death, i should be conducting the interview.
We've invited you to observe.
[ exhales sharply ] And do everything the stupid fbi way, Without any recorders or cameras.
Can i at least take notes?
You know we only have one person taking notes during an interview.
Well, i'm perfectly happy with that person being me.
[ sighs ] look, do you want noodles or rice?
Are you gonna let me ask peter benjamin questions or not?
You can participate with follow-ups!
[ exhales ] Look, this is our very first crack at this guy!
[ sighs ] which, which, which?
rice!
[ container thuds ] Okay.
Now, while we eat...
i am moving kitty over here.
No, no, no, no!
i hate this feeling of not knowing everything you know.
[ crying ] and on top of everything That happened to poor kitty...
that is so not gonna work.
Fine.
One fbi agent to another...
[ sighs ] ...are you using this investigation To get back at me for some reason?
No.
my first loyalty is to you, just like i am sure your first loyalty is to me.
Right?
Right?
Of course it is, yes.
Okay, then.
Thank you.
[ sighs ] okay, i'm gonna show you something, Which later, you are gonna have to pretend you are watching For the very first time, okay?
Okay.
The night we lost him, austin blair...
Was wearing a wire.
[ dance music plays ] This is where the party is just getting started.
Now, there's austin handing off the ghb.
That's the recovery room with the medical staff.
Goes on like this until...
...austin wanders into the bathroom.
Looks like he's not doing well.
man: hey, man.
hey, man, you all right?
man #2: you all right?
[ thud ] whoa, whoa, come on!
And he just passes out.
[ indistinct talking ] So, mr.
benjamin, that's the end.
Now let's start with the beginning.
Can you describe your relationship With the deceased -- austin blair?
Austin worked for me at different venues Across the country, And from what you said earlier, [ chuckling ] it now seems obvious He was going off dealing drugs on the side.
M-may i follow up?
Did you actually see austin blair Leave the hell-a party on the night he disappeared?
Uh, no.
That's odd, Because you told travis myers When i told the kid you saw Austin leave with another man.
Travis...
When I told the kid Austin left with someone I was speaking more about a...historical pattern.
You know, austin [chuckles] He never left by himself.
Mr.
benjamin, returning to the party itself...
[ clears throat ] Can -- can you tell us...
[ rustling ] Did, um...
Did -- did any...
[ clears throat ] Individuals receive medical attention During hell-a?
Of course.
We have two recovery rooms Staffed specifically for people who, you know, overdo it.
Would one of those have been austin blair?
Okay.
Now, not to stomp on a dead kid's reputation, But, as we all saw the footage, Obviously, austin was dipping heavily into his own supply.
He crashed in a bathroom.
He was brought to our doctor, Put in a recovery position, on his side, To prevent him from choking on whatever might come up, And rehydrated with a saline i.v.
And when he got to feeling better, I fired him.
So austin recovered.
Yes.
And i assume, at some point, He got in his car, and he drove home.
Really?
follow-up, please?
I have three witnesses who state that they saw employees of hell-a drag austin blair, Unconscious, out into an alleyway.
Okay, really, this -- we never agreed to take questions Implicating my client in criminal activities here.
Okay, okay, i think we need a break, okay?
agent johnson?
Can we, uh...
Convene in the hallway?
Oh, absolutely.
Enjoy your bagel, mr.
benjamin.
Hey.
hey!
do you really have three witnesses Who saw austin blair being dragged out?
No, of course not.
how could i?
Brenda, if the fbi lies in an interview, Our case can get thrown out of federal court.
I'm not going to federal court.
yeah, but technically, you are in the fbi!
You're willing to just sit there And let this guy eat bagels and lie up a storm?
Well, what would you do differently?
When suspects lie to us, we have to lie back.
For heaven's sakes, fritzy, If we all stop lying to each other, how will we ever get to the truth?
[ recorder beeps, tape rewinds ] If you think you can remember some of the stuff Peter benjamin said in this interview.
I'm pretty sure i can.
well, then say austin didn't die of an overdose.
What would you do then?
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
you want to know what i'd do?
Ohh!
Here.
i quit the stupid fbi.
And from now on, The l.a.p.d.
regards the death of austin blair as a murder!
Well, that's what we wanted anyway.
Well, then you better just hush up, then, and be grateful!
Dr.
morales found no puncture wounds on austin's body, So no i.v.
was given to rehydrate.
Peter benjamin lied.
And according to the tox screen, Austin took 4 grams of ghb over the usual recreational dose.
Maybe someone spiked his drink, Because they knew that austin came to hell-a wearing a wire.
And look.
look here.
This pocket's been ripped, And the camera lens appears to have been located here Where this missing faux pearl button was.
faux what?
faux.
it's french for "fake."
You know, like a faux relationship.
[ chuckling ] yeah.
Yeah, l-lieutenant, How many more new suits are you going to buy, sir?
One a day, if that's what it takes.
God, what a bunch of cynical bastards.
All right, everyone, please focus!
Oh, here are the rest of his effects -- A belt, wrist band, a watch, Set of car keys.
No wire anywhere.
And you know, just looking at this stuff, With the ripped shirt pocket, the missing wallet, the o.d.
-- I mean, on the surface, this looks like a guy Who got mugged because he was too bombed To find his car and drive home.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Too bombed to drive home.
Peter benjamin said something about austin driving off, Except he was found in an alley.
So where's his car?
We haven't found his vehicle anywhere.
Maybe someone has another set of keys.
Travis, do these look familiar?
Yeah, i think they're austin's.
Do you happen to have a spare set?
No, i drove my own jeep out here.
And austin was nervous about anyone else driving his dad's car.
[ car alarm beeping ] [ sighs ] Don't worry, doctor.
i'll get it.
[ car alarm deactivates ] Whoo!
there.
that's better.
Dr.
blair, this is a warrant to search the premises.
[ scoffs ] Uh, sir, perhaps you can explain why your dead son's -- i'm sorry -- stepson's car is in your garage.
Why are you doing this? "
why?"
Don't you know, doctor?
Drugs don't give you a why.
i can explain why i have his car.
i would love to hear that, sir.
because it's mine.
i registered it to austin for insurance reasons.
he was supposed to send me the payments.
when he stopped doing that, I took the car back.
How'd you know where to find it?
I went to his house.
But here's the confusing part, sir.
Austin never made it home From hell-a, and neither did his car, so how did you pick it up at his house?
I don't know.
Maybe his "friend" -- what's his name?
Travis.
he didn't have the keys.
[ sighs ] Look, i-i know you're just doing your job, But -- but honestly, I've got to be at cedars by 4:00, so if we can -- They know you're not coming.
We called ahead.
Because we've also searched your office.
you what?
where my colleagues found supplies for a professional-grade drug lab.
no, no, no.
whatever you think you've found there Has a medical application.
50 liters of gamma butyrolactone?
The main precursor in making ghb?
What exactly is the application for that, Medically speaking?
this may be obvious.
I -- i care a great deal about my cars.
Gamma butyrolactone -- It cleans the chrome wheels and such.
Did you know that your wheel cleaner comes from china?
it's chock-full of unique impurities.
we could match the ghb that we found at austin's house to that which we found in austin's body and connect it all to what we found at your office.
Moore: can you do any of that at the county crime lab?
Uh, probably not.
Actually, you can't do it anywhere.
She always lie like this?
I hope not.
gabriel: you ever hear of a man by the name of Peter benjamin, doc?
Let's see if this jogs your memory.
you were in the drug business with your stepson.
The fbi caught austin dealing.
They promised they'd go easy on him If he gave them his supplier.
They didn't realize that they were asking him To turn on the man he thought of as his father.
No, no.
hold on, hold-- Hold on a second.
just hold on here.
You are jumping to all sorts of conclusions!
All right, all right, let me make this easy on you, doctor.
The l.a.p.d.
doesn't care about the ghb.
We won't be arresting you for that.
All i care about is finding the person Who murdered your stepson.
And then you and i are done.
All right.
[ sighs ] All right.
Listen, you have to understand just -- Just how much money i lost in the crash.
And you see, austin, He introduced me to this peter benjamin.
First, things went very well, And then the fbi caught austin dealing.
Austin thought that i-i-i could just stop making the ghb, Get rid of the equipment, he would feed the feds peter, we would both go free.
[ sighs ] that was very naive.
How?
Because peter benjamin was in much the same place that i was.
His portfolio was in ruins, attendance was down, The party revenue was nothing Compared to what he made sell
Oh.
[ keys drop ] You cooked dinner.
Yes.
Things were slow at work, So i -- i went to the grocery store And thought i'd cook dinner.
[ chuckles ] What's in the box you just put in the cupboard?
Meatloaf and -- and mashed potatoes?
yes.
I thought you might be tired of clam linguini.
What's in the box?
Uh, the vet called.
He wanted to know if i'd stop by and pick up...
Kitty's ashes.
You know what, honey?
Since the food is hot, why don't we just sit down and -- Oh, you know what?
this will just take a second.
Now, i just want to take a -- a quick look, And -- and i see dead bodies all the time.
It's not like...
Kitty was cremated, so...
[ whimpering ] ohh.
Fritz: it's okay.
[ sniffles ] It's all right.
They put him in a plastic bag.
her.
they put her in a plastic bag.
This is not ashes, it's chunks!
And this should say "kitty johnson," Not "kitty howard."
Hey, you know, the vet gave me a brochure.
See?
yeah, they have all these, you know, decorative -- What do you call them?
no, i don't want to be one of those women who puts her cat in an urn On the mantel with a [sniffles] Picture and a ribbon and a bell.
I want to find some other way to properly honor kitty.
[ coughs ] [ voice breaking ] like spreading her ashes around someplace That was important to her.
Where?
she was never allowed to go outside.
[ sniffles ] [ exhales ] [ sighs ] How is everything?
this meal could not have been better if we'd eaten it hot.
Well, thank you.
[ chuckles ] If nothing happens at work tomorrow, I'll open the grill that my brother sent.
Actually, you know, if things are really that slow at work, Maybe you could do me a little favor.
[ inhales ] Mm.
No, no, never mind.
you're right.
We're keeping our professional lives separate.
Well, how little is it?
The -- the favor.
Small.
We, um...
Well, the fbi needs to talk to this guy, austin blair, And, uh, we can't locate him, That would be -- you know, quietly.
Just quietly.
Very quietly.
Why quietly?
Well, we don't want to tip off the whole world We're looking for him.
Hmm.
you're right.
that really is a small favor.
[ chuckles ] What's his name again?
Who is austin blair?
A 26-year-old single white male.
I found missing persons had a month-old file on him.
And you want major crimes To take over a missing-persons case?
Why would you do that?
Look, will, you're the one who's always preaching That we're one department.
[ exhales ] Uh...
Look, i-i've been asked to...
Keep austin's name under the radar.
It's a special request.
Special request?
what are we, a karaoke bar?
special request from whom, regarding what?
What's wrong?
[ voice breaking ] i just, um...
I just forgot to take kitty out of my purse this morning.
Out of...
Where is she?
[ whimpers ] she's...
She's here.
Oh.
I gather she took a turn for the worse.
Look, i-if you -- If you don't want me to take this missing-persons case -- No.
no, no, no.
look.
[ clears throat ] Tell you what.
Why don't you just go back to your office, And i'll have commander taylor go down to missing persons -- No, i'm perfectly capable of going down to missing -- no, no, no, no.
No.
you're too, you know -- you're a little too...
High-ranking.
Oh.
And, uh, you said you want to keep this quiet.
I did.
Okay, thanks.
[ sniffles ] Uh, don't, uh...
Oh.
[ chuckles ] Sorry.
Thanks.
Mm-hmm.
[ door closes ] And this is where it all happens.
Uh, this is the -- This is major crimes.
My desk, right here.
lauren: very nice.
Ah, look.
[ chuckles ] There he is.
He looks exactly like you.
[ chuckles ] Um...ah, here.
[ clears throat ] Lauren, i would like you to meet sergeant gabriel, soon to be detective sergeant gabriel.
Well, i've got to pass the test first, But, wow, it is a pleasure to meet you, lauren.
[ chuckles ] oh, and this is my go-to guy.
This is andy flynn.
andy, i have heard so much about you.
really?
Because, to me, you're a complete surprise.
[ chuckles ] Uh, lauren, would you just excuse me For one second, please?
Ah, commander taylor, please meet Miss lauren hines.
Chief.
oh.
Taylor's here with the file you wanted.
Uh, lieutenant flynn, Who is that woman with lieutenant provenza?
His girlfriend.
You are kidding me.
Mnh-mnh.
her name is lauren.
She's a buyer for men's clothes For a high-end department store.
So ends the mystery of the new suits.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, commander taylor, Thank you so much for going down to missing persons.
They were anxious To know why the sudden interest In austin blair.
i hope not too anxious.
what'd you tell them?
I played dumb, which was easy, Seeing as how i don't know anything.
Apparently, neither does missing persons.
All they have here are dental records And vehicle registrations.
Where are the follow-up reports?
Uh, there wasn't any need.
If you look, austin was reported missing by his boyfriend.
[ chuckles ] Travis myers, 22, Who last saw austin leaving -- Gosh -- a month ago For an after-hours dance party.
What does that have to do With the absence of a follow-up report, exactly?
Well, gay boy austin goes out for the night, Doesn't come back.
His boyfriend, this travis kid, Comes in mad And wants us to find out who austin is sleeping with.
It's a familiar pattern, chief.
Well, gentlemen, let's see if this convenient stereotype Y'all have cooked up to avoid actual police work Holds up under closer scrutiny.
Lieutenant flynn, Uh, would you please run a master inquiry On austin blair?
But, uh, do it quietly.
Just...offline, off the radar, off the grid.
Like it never haened, chief.
Thank you.
anybody know why we are looking for this austin blair?
Because the chief asked us to?
[ telephone ringing ] O-oh, chief.
Chief, uh, this is, uh...
My...
Lauren hines.
I'm so pleased to meet you.
I'm so glad to meet you, too.
Since things were slow, Lauren came by to see how our division works Before...
i take her to lunch.
Oh, good.
how nice.
[ chuckles ] [ chuckles weakly ] So, lauren...
How old are you?
Detective sanchez!
You never ask a lady how -- Oh, excuse us, lauren.
[ chuckles ] We kid a lot around here.
You know, always teasing each other.
You know, cops.
Uh, detective sanchez, What can you tell me about austin blair?
Uh, i ran the registration on his mercedes s.u.v., And his name pops up with dope.
Brought in twice for questioning but never arrested.
Yeah, well, his credit card's been active All over the place -- new york city, miami, New orleans, fort lauderdale -- all within the last year.
But since he went missing a month ago, nothing.
Checked his address.
nice place in silver lake.
No liens, Current on his mortgage.
Okay.
all right, well, good news -- I mean, depending on how you look at it.
That was dr.
morales.
He says he has four matches in the morgue.
Oh, good.
all right, then.
Uh, sergeant gabriel, why don't you and i Pop over to the burrito room, And the rest of y'all keep poking around About austin blair, But on tippy-toe, please.
Thank you.
Shall we?
It's funny you're here.
Missing persons called earlier looking for bodies dating back -- Missing persons called?
Bye-bye tippy-toe.
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
What was that date again?
uh, 25th of last month.
According to his boyfriend, He went out to a dance club and never came back.
Boyfriend?
Wait.
26 years old, 25th of last month.
he wasn't just going to a club.
he was going to hell-a.
Say what?
Hell-a.
Get it? "
hell-a," as in "l.a."?
Big circuit party!
Circuit party?
Ah.
okay.
Gay culture 101.
Circuit parties are kind of like gay raves.
They go on for three or four days.
There's like one a month all over the place -- A white party here, a black party there.
Hell-a in los angeles.
Uh, anyway, every year during hell-a week, We get a spike in o.d.s.
Most of them get claimed right away, But every once in a while, We have an out-of-towner that hangs out for a while.
Yep.
i think we've got your john doe here.
[ door opens ] Oh.
fritz!
Uh, i mean, special agent howard.
Uh, what a surprise.
Deputy chief brenda leigh johnson, This is special agent jerry moore.
What are you people doing?
Apparently, someone in your missing-persons division Called around to find out Why your sudden interest in austin blair.
I tried to keep it quiet.
Dr.
morales: hey, hey, guys, guys.
That's him.
that's austin.
Damn it.
Oh, man.
damn it.
[ sighs ] Well, look at the bright side.
At least he's not missing anymore.
Let's see.
The guy was spotted in an alley.
Aspirated vomit in the lungs.
Typical in an o.d.
I ordered a tox screen Of the common trail mix of drugs -- "x", ghb, meth.
What'd you say, trail mix?
A lot of circuit party boys like to deejay their own high. "
x" for dancing, ghb and meth for sex, "k" for the comedown.
In this case, though, It was only ghb and alcohol in the vomit.
Hmm.
Most likely died in the alley where he was found.
Why do you say that?
Hell-a has a medical staff on site.
First thing they prevent Is someone drowning in their own vomit.
they plan on treating overdoses?
thank you so much for the, uh, background here.
Much appreciated.
the fbi looks forward to your full report.
well, hold on.
is the doctor working for us, or is he working for you?
i work for the county.
This morgue is neutral territory-- Like switzerland, without the money.
Well, the l.a.p.d.
found austin blair.
We deserve to know why we were looking for him.
All right, but we need to keep this inside the fbi.
how do you intend to do that?
Pope: so, due to a recent crossover with a federal investigation, The bad news is we have to sign these forms And be deputized into the fbi.
And, uh, once we're formally included, They have to tell us what happened to this austin blair And why it's apparently our problem.
What's this?
Flynn: we're joining the fbi.
But it's only temporary, like love.
Sanchez: do we get badges?
They have really cool badges.
Lauren, this is, uh -- This is some really top-secret stuff.
Very hush-hush.
Um, uh, buzz, would you mind, uh, escorting lauren Into the electronics room while we have our briefing?
Buzz: not at all.
thanks.
Oh!
oh, and, buzz...
[clears throat] why don't you, um -- Why don't you show her one of my old interviews?
Sure.
how about the one with you and john wilkes booth?
Uh, was austin's death a murder or an overdose?
Sign, and we'll tell you everything we know.
Moore: this agreement is binding And shall remain in effect for 48 hours, During which time we expect you all to behave like fbi agents.
i solemnly swear to act as stupid as possible.
Fritz: okay.
Are there any questions?
Brenda: well, yeah.
How did austin blair end up dead?
we don't know.
Gabriel: wait a minute.
wait a minute, wait.
we track this guy down, we find the body, And you guys tell us nothing?
I mean, this -- this -- this is our big briefing?
Yeah.
welcome to the fbi, everyone.
Fritz: right hand in the air, We do not know if austin's death was a murder or not.
But let's say it was a homicide.
what would you guys do next?
Notify his next of kin.
His father's already on his way down here.
sounds good.
Hmm.
thank you for your, uh, cooperation.
Uh, hold on.
hold on, hold on, hold on.
Hold -- Am i working with my husband or the fbi?
yes.
On an overdose or a murder?
maybe both.
the second we know more, we'll let you know.
So far, i find being an fbi agent very...frustrating.
[ sighs ] Oh, lauren.
Lauren, i -- i am so sorry, sweetheart, But, uh, it looks like i am back on duty.
Mm, i understand.
It was great to meet your friends.
Really?
[ chuckles ] [ grunts ] Okay, you be careful out there.
Oh, tell that to the bad guys.
[ chuckles ] [ exhales sharply ] Isn't she beautiful?
Yeah, you should watch how you kiss her.
Your gun almost went off.
You have no idea.
Dr.
blair, thank you so much for coming down.
we would have been happy to come to you.
No, i'd rather not have police in my waiting room.
And just so you know, i'm -- I'm not getting austin another attorney.
If he's still involved with drugs, That's his problem.
All right, then.
why don't you have a seat?
We have a couple questions we'd like to ask you About your son.
My stepson.
I adopted austin when i married his mother.
One good thing about losing my wife -- She didn't live to see what became of him.
Why was he arrested?
Oh, we haven't arrested him, sir.
Can you tell me the last time you saw or spoke to austin?
Yeah, about a month ago.
Little longer.
I spoke with him on the phone.
My god.
what happened?
Sir, can you tell us why it's been so long since -- Did you not hear what i asked you?
What happened to austin?
Sir, i-i'm sorry to inform you That your stepson passed away over a month ago.
[ exhales ] Austin's dead?
How?
Well, uh, it appears to have been an overdose.
[ breathes deeply ] You people.
Gabriel: wait.
can he just -- Uh...sir?!
doctor?!
sir?!
Dr.
blair, please wait!
I have surgery across town in an hour.
Just call me with how i should go about Arranging for his funeral.
You may be in shock.
not even warning me what this was about.
Don't talk to me about shock!
you don't think i know about shock?
Sir, we need to know if austin had any enemies Or anyone who might have had a reason to -- You're looking for a why?
My god.
drugs don't give you a why.
[ elevator bell dings ] You want to know about austin's life?
Try talking to that kid That's answering the phone at his house.
[ sighs ] You mean his boyfriend?
How should i know who he is?
[ exhales ] Sit down!
now, what's your name?
Travis.
travis myers.
what's going on?
W-what's going on here?
Did you find austin?
Hey, w-will you put that down?
i don't have permission to -- Flynn: we don't need permission, okay?
We have a search warrant.
Is there anyone else in this house?
No.
do you know where austin is?
H-have you found him?
is he in jail or something?
When's the last time you saw him?
I reported him gone a month ago.
Hey, will you stay away from there?!
Hey, get out of there.
y-you can't -- Sit down.
Hey, buzz, up here!
Lieutenant!
Oh.
Party time!
The fridge is full of these.
i brought my test kit.
My guess is ghb.
Provenza: all right, so we know your boyfriend is doing drugs.
Is he selling them, as well?
Will you get out?
get out of my house!
first off, this is not your house, So you're the one who's getting out.
I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where austin is.
Yeah?
okay.
You want to know where he is?
We found your boyfriend in the morgue.
He died a month ago.
What?
provenza: all right, all right.
That's how you tell people?
We're arresting you for possession...
you bastards!
...of a schedule-1 substance...
let go of me!
...and the murder of austin blair.
[ travis crying ] [ cellphone rings ] Uh, yes, chief.
Let go of me!
Did you find anything?
Uh, yeah.
We -- we found the boyfriend with lots of loose cash And a fridge full of, uh, ghb.
Chief, i-i-i don't think this was just some guy That the fbi wanted to talk to.
Why do you say that?
Well, sanchez found a business card.
Whose business card?
Special Agent Fritz Howard, with the FBI.
Hi.
oh, my goodness!
so, the fbi asks you to find this austin blair, Who turns out to be a dead drug dealer Who has your husband's business card.
So, your fellow fbi agents, [clears throat] i.e.
your squad and me, Are wondering if he might have been A government informant, maybe.
If you're asking me if i knew that going in, i did not.
Okay?
So...
We'll discuss it later.
So, the fbi has an operation that goes south, and they expect us to fix it for them.
[ cellphone rings ] You know, maybe you should just not bring Your dead pets to work.
[ exhales ] hello?
Fritz: are you alone?
[ sharply ] no.
What do you want?
Step into the back hallway.
Look, i-i'm gonna figure this out.
i promise.
I just have to...
Excuse me.
Hi.
what?
Why did -- Why didn't you just tell me you were missing an informant?!
First of all, we didn't know austin was missing.
He could have just run away.
And looking for him ourselves Could have jeopardized a major drug investigation.
Look, your team finding him makes it look more...ordinary.
Oh, wonderful.
my wildest dreams achieved.
We're ordinary.
Hey, look, look, the good news is Everything is going very well.
What is "everything"?
and how's it going well?
Look, ju-- this is what i can tell you.
We caught austin dealing ghb at a circuit party.
We offered to let him go If he would help us with an investigation I can't talk about.
But then he disappeared.
Disap-- he didn't disappear!
He died!
Well, granted.
It's not ideal, but you have retrieved vital evidence From his house for us.
You have a potential suspect in custody.
Suspect in what?
Dr.
morales assumed it was an o.d.
His stepfather assumed it was an o.d.
why shouldn't i?
Okay, but let's just pretend austin's death Looks just a little more like murder.
And you found some boy living in his house With lots of drugs and money.
What would you do then?
I would treat the boy like a murder suspect.
Well, if that's your instinct...
Tao: we found $30,000 worth of ghb, Plus another $80,000 in cash.
And when missing persons asked you If austin had a drug or alcohol problem, What did he say, lieutenant?
he said, "not that i know of."
all those drugs, all that money, and you still didn't know that austin was a drug dealer?
he wasn't a user.
That's not what the autopsy said.
What else, lieutenant?
He said he last saw austin going out at night.
When asked where, travis answered, "i'm not sure."
Look [sighs] i was afraid That if you guys knew where he'd gone, Then you'd just think he'd been partying and you wouldn't look for him.
But he would have called if he wasn't coming home.
home.
his home, Where you sure made yourself comfortable.
Living his life, selling his drugs, maybe, Spending his money.
I only use it to pay his bills for him.
I have a job of my own, okay?
I'm saving up to go to college out here, Establishing my residency.
Oh, i'm not sure i see college in your future.
I-i might be able to find a permanent spot for you In a california facility, though.
Look, i was afraid to throw the drugs out be-- Because i didn't know who might come looking for them Or -- or who might show up asking for the money.
Did you fill out this useless missing-persons report So that you'd look more innocent When we found austin's dead body?
no!
In fact, you look guiltier by the second.
what do you want?!
what i want is for you to tell me Exactly what happened the last night you saw austin!
Start cooperating!
[ bangs table ] i am cooperating!
I'm cooperating!
i'm cooperating!
What do you think that i'm doing?!
God!
So, travis...
...would you describe yourself as the jealous type?
did you call the police because you thought that austin was cheating on you?
[ scoffs ] in fact, come to think of it, how do we even know that the two of you were a couple?
we were!
Then why did he go to an after-hours dance party and leave you at home?
[ sighs ] Austin...
Austin didn't want me with him because...
He said that he had this big meeting With his boss at hell-a, and that just sounded lame.
So, yeah, When he drove off and left me at home, i was jealous.
And when he didn't come home that morning, And when he didn't pick up his cell...
I called to see if there really had been a meeting.
And his boss told me that austin left the party With somebody else.
So i just didn't know what to believe anymore.
Hang on, hang on.
So you're telling me that austin was an employee of hell-a?
He wasn't just dealing drugs?
dealing drugs was his job.
Austin flew all over the country -- Everywhere that his boss held a party.
Now we're getting somewhere.
tao: now, at all these different parties, austin flew in with a supply Of ghb to sell?
No.
you can't take all that "g" on a plane.
Those are the rules.
whose rules?
Peter benjamin's rules.
he was austin's boss.
Stop the interview.
stop it.
But she's not done yet.
Buzz, pull the plug.
i don't work for you.
Chief johnson, stop.
we have what we need.
Fbi rules.
you signed an agreement.
Travis: wait.
Is -- is that what you needed to know?
That's all for now, travis.
thank you.
Can i see him, please?
Austin.
can i see him?
E-excuse me.
If peter benjamin had something to do with austin's death, i should be conducting the interview.
We've invited you to observe.
[ exhales sharply ] And do everything the stupid fbi way, Without any recorders or cameras.
Can i at least take notes?
You know we only have one person taking notes during an interview.
Well, i'm perfectly happy with that person being me.
[ sighs ] look, do you want noodles or rice?
Are you gonna let me ask peter benjamin questions or not?
You can participate with follow-ups!
[ exhales ] Look, this is our very first crack at this guy!
[ sighs ] which, which, which?
rice!
[ container thuds ] Okay.
Now, while we eat...
i am moving kitty over here.
No, no, no, no!
i hate this feeling of not knowing everything you know.
[ crying ] and on top of everything That happened to poor kitty...
that is so not gonna work.
Fine.
One fbi agent to another...
[ sighs ] ...are you using this investigation To get back at me for some reason?
No.
my first loyalty is to you, just like i am sure your first loyalty is to me.
Right?
Right?
Of course it is, yes.
Okay, then.
Thank you.
[ sighs ] okay, i'm gonna show you something, Which later, you are gonna have to pretend you are watching For the very first time, okay?
Okay.
The night we lost him, austin blair...
Was wearing a wire.
[ dance music plays ] This is where the party is just getting started.
Now, there's austin handing off the ghb.
That's the recovery room with the medical staff.
Goes on like this until...
...austin wanders into the bathroom.
Looks like he's not doing well.
man: hey, man.
hey, man, you all right?
man #2: you all right?
[ thud ] whoa, whoa, come on!
And he just passes out.
[ indistinct talking ] So, mr.
benjamin, that's the end.
Now let's start with the beginning.
Can you describe your relationship With the deceased -- austin blair?
Austin worked for me at different venues Across the country, And from what you said earlier, [ chuckling ] it now seems obvious He was going off dealing drugs on the side.
M-may i follow up?
Did you actually see austin blair Leave the hell-a party on the night he disappeared?
Uh, no.
That's odd, Because you told travis myers When i told the kid you saw Austin leave with another man.
Travis...
When I told the kid Austin left with someone I was speaking more about a...historical pattern.
You know, austin [chuckles] He never left by himself.
Mr.
benjamin, returning to the party itself...
[ clears throat ] Can -- can you tell us...
[ rustling ] Did, um...
Did -- did any...
[ clears throat ] Individuals receive medical attention During hell-a?
Of course.
We have two recovery rooms Staffed specifically for people who, you know, overdo it.
Would one of those have been austin blair?
Okay.
Now, not to stomp on a dead kid's reputation, But, as we all saw the footage, Obviously, austin was dipping heavily into his own supply.
He crashed in a bathroom.
He was brought to our doctor, Put in a recovery position, on his side, To prevent him from choking on whatever might come up, And rehydrated with a saline i.v.
And when he got to feeling better, I fired him.
So austin recovered.
Yes.
And i assume, at some point, He got in his car, and he drove home.
Really?
follow-up, please?
I have three witnesses who state that they saw employees of hell-a drag austin blair, Unconscious, out into an alleyway.
Okay, really, this -- we never agreed to take questions Implicating my client in criminal activities here.
Okay, okay, i think we need a break, okay?
agent johnson?
Can we, uh...
Convene in the hallway?
Oh, absolutely.
Enjoy your bagel, mr.
benjamin.
Hey.
hey!
do you really have three witnesses Who saw austin blair being dragged out?
No, of course not.
how could i?
Brenda, if the fbi lies in an interview, Our case can get thrown out of federal court.
I'm not going to federal court.
yeah, but technically, you are in the fbi!
You're willing to just sit there And let this guy eat bagels and lie up a storm?
Well, what would you do differently?
When suspects lie to us, we have to lie back.
For heaven's sakes, fritzy, If we all stop lying to each other, how will we ever get to the truth?
[ recorder beeps, tape rewinds ] If you think you can remember some of the stuff Peter benjamin said in this interview.
I'm pretty sure i can.
well, then say austin didn't die of an overdose.
What would you do then?
Oh, for heaven's sakes.
you want to know what i'd do?
Ohh!
Here.
i quit the stupid fbi.
And from now on, The l.a.p.d.
regards the death of austin blair as a murder!
Well, that's what we wanted anyway.
Well, then you better just hush up, then, and be grateful!
Dr.
morales found no puncture wounds on austin's body, So no i.v.
was given to rehydrate.
Peter benjamin lied.
And according to the tox screen, Austin took 4 grams of ghb over the usual recreational dose.
Maybe someone spiked his drink, Because they knew that austin came to hell-a wearing a wire.
And look.
look here.
This pocket's been ripped, And the camera lens appears to have been located here Where this missing faux pearl button was.
faux what?
faux.
it's french for "fake."
You know, like a faux relationship.
[ chuckling ] yeah.
Yeah, l-lieutenant, How many more new suits are you going to buy, sir?
One a day, if that's what it takes.
God, what a bunch of cynical bastards.
All right, everyone, please focus!
Oh, here are the rest of his effects -- A belt, wrist band, a watch, Set of car keys.
No wire anywhere.
And you know, just looking at this stuff, With the ripped shirt pocket, the missing wallet, the o.d.
-- I mean, on the surface, this looks like a guy Who got mugged because he was too bombed To find his car and drive home.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Too bombed to drive home.
Peter benjamin said something about austin driving off, Except he was found in an alley.
So where's his car?
We haven't found his vehicle anywhere.
Maybe someone has another set of keys.
Travis, do these look familiar?
Yeah, i think they're austin's.
Do you happen to have a spare set?
No, i drove my own jeep out here.
And austin was nervous about anyone else driving his dad's car.
[ car alarm beeping ] [ sighs ] Don't worry, doctor.
i'll get it.
[ car alarm deactivates ] Whoo!
there.
that's better.
Dr.
blair, this is a warrant to search the premises.
[ scoffs ] Uh, sir, perhaps you can explain why your dead son's -- i'm sorry -- stepson's car is in your garage.
Why are you doing this? "
why?"
Don't you know, doctor?
Drugs don't give you a why.
i can explain why i have his car.
i would love to hear that, sir.
because it's mine.
i registered it to austin for insurance reasons.
he was supposed to send me the payments.
when he stopped doing that, I took the car back.
How'd you know where to find it?
I went to his house.
But here's the confusing part, sir.
Austin never made it home From hell-a, and neither did his car, so how did you pick it up at his house?
I don't know.
Maybe his "friend" -- what's his name?
Travis.
he didn't have the keys.
[ sighs ] Look, i-i know you're just doing your job, But -- but honestly, I've got to be at cedars by 4:00, so if we can -- They know you're not coming.
We called ahead.
Because we've also searched your office.
you what?
where my colleagues found supplies for a professional-grade drug lab.
no, no, no.
whatever you think you've found there Has a medical application.
50 liters of gamma butyrolactone?
The main precursor in making ghb?
What exactly is the application for that, Medically speaking?
this may be obvious.
I -- i care a great deal about my cars.
Gamma butyrolactone -- It cleans the chrome wheels and such.
Did you know that your wheel cleaner comes from china?
it's chock-full of unique impurities.
we could match the ghb that we found at austin's house to that which we found in austin's body and connect it all to what we found at your office.
Moore: can you do any of that at the county crime lab?
Uh, probably not.
Actually, you can't do it anywhere.
She always lie like this?
I hope not.
gabriel: you ever hear of a man by the name of Peter benjamin, doc?
Let's see if this jogs your memory.
you were in the drug business with your stepson.
The fbi caught austin dealing.
They promised they'd go easy on him If he gave them his supplier.
They didn't realize that they were asking him To turn on the man he thought of as his father.
No, no.
hold on, hold-- Hold on a second.
just hold on here.
You are jumping to all sorts of conclusions!
All right, all right, let me make this easy on you, doctor.
The l.a.p.d.
doesn't care about the ghb.
We won't be arresting you for that.
All i care about is finding the person Who murdered your stepson.
And then you and i are done.
All right.
[ sighs ] All right.
Listen, you have to understand just -- Just how much money i lost in the crash.
And you see, austin, He introduced me to this peter benjamin.
First, things went very well, And then the fbi caught austin dealing.
Austin thought that i-i-i could just stop making the ghb, Get rid of the equipment, he would feed the feds peter, we would both go free.
[ sighs ] that was very naive.
How?
Because peter benjamin was in much the same place that i was.
His portfolio was in ruins, attendance was down, The party revenue was nothing Compared to what he made sell