Good Friday

I am so sorry for your loss, Mr. Cole.

On the charge of vehicular homicide,

we find the defendant, Phillip Arrington, not guilty.

People can change, find their better angels,

but I've done quite well betting that they won't.

My name is Leland Hardt and I met Lucas Cole, a young prosecutor

on the afternoon of Good Friday.

Lucas became involved in a case concerning my wife Anna.

An unexpected result...

-Hey. - ... as I suspect for the other cases

Lucas handled this day.

Eye on the ball.

- - You're not focusing, Johnny.

Sorry to bother you so early, Mr. Cole.

-If we could just talk a minute. -My office.

I was hoping you might speak to Mr. Sensabaugh away from...

Just for a minute, please.

-If you could just explain. -Come on, Johnny! Eye on the ball.

Yeah, I didn't hurt him.

You know that bank guy is not being honest, Sir.

- Pick those up. -I got him off the property. That's a fact.

-Put your hands on him? -We're not conceding that.

Yes, I did. Walked him off the property.

-Threw him to the ground? - No.

His mom called him. Some stranger in her yard, taking photos.

They were trying to foreclose on her, Mr. Cole. She was upset.

Sounds like motive.

That man wasn't even allowed to be on the grounds.

That man's in a neck brace.

I didn't hit him.

-Sworn statement. -I'm telling the truth.

The truth, Mr. Sensabaugh,

if this case goes to trial, you will lose.

Something your new attorney seems reluctant to tell you.

I'm just a working guy, Mr. Cole.

I'm not looking for any trouble.

You have until this afternoon to accept the plea deal or I have to take this to trial.

So, you're asking me to lie.

I didn't harm that man, so help me God.

- Come on, let's go. - Okay.

Let's clean up.

If you asked me what sort of man is this Lucas Cole,

well, at first I would have said a lost soul,

no shortage of those, and I'm glad for it...

They can be led in any direction.

Later in the day I would have told you,

"No, this is an ambitious man, a scheming man."

Then, later still, I would've said,

"No, this is an honorable person."

But now, looking back on this Good Friday, I wonder.

Lucas, what sort of man are you?

No. No, no, no, it's perfectly legal.

Home base of the company becomes the Cayman Islands,

they treat your income as passive, half the tax rate as the average Joe.

Just a sec, I need to call my wife.

Hey. You both making home safely?

Yeah. Grandpa was so proud of him.

We're, we're almost home.

- -

[police siren wailing in distance]

I sent my wife and bodyguard on a simple task,

a gesture of respect to the District Attorney.

Lucas, Lucas! Over here.

I'd like you to meet Leland Hardt's wife, Anna.

Lucas, hi. Eliot speaks so highly.

Mr. Hardt said you were only supposed to speak to Mr. Brennar, ma'am.

So controlling, my husband.

But take away his money and power,

and all that's left is just... more.

Ma'am, you dropped something.

I should've been there myself.

Before the matter got out of hand.

Listen, I need you to help me make things right.

Hit-and-run. Still under the radar.

Driver was Mrs. Hardt.

Lawyers?

Leland Hardt asked for a private word with her as a courtesy, doesn't want a media circus.

This from a man who owns a television network.

We live in a world of irony, don't we, Lucas? It's our one true religion.

I won't leak to the press, you know that.

Not where I'm going with this.

Alright, give me the file and I'll just take a look.

There's nothing to study. It was just an accident.

Drugs? Alcohol?

She'd had a drink or two, but blood levels were okay.

Any damage?

Some kid crossing against the light.

He'll be alright. Just got released from the hospital.

I'll work up a plea bargain, see how much time she needs to serve.

She thought she hit a garbage can. Bad neighborhood.

-Says she was being followed. -She left a kid on the road.

And she turned herself in, 30 minutes later.

-Still means jail time. -No, this one we're dropping.

They won't take a plea. The case won't hold in court.

-Eyewitnesses? - No.

I'll figure out something, put her away.

Well, that's very kind of you, but, no.

I'm not risking our track record on a lost cause.

Lucas, I need you to break the news to the boy's mother.

-Absolutely not. -I'd send someone else,

but they don't have that Lucas Cole touch.

The ability to alienate everyone and still get whatever you want.

It's a gift.

-What now? -Your 10 A.M. is here.

A Mr. Jackie Sendell Simms to see you.

Ah. Send him in, Helene.

In from the city, back for a visit? Do you mind if I sit in?

Have a seat, Jackie.

I'd love your client's autograph for my youngest. Huge fan.

First of all, my client accepts full responsibility.

-Oh, that's good to know. -For any misperceptions.

My client is a role model,

one who can make a meaningful contribution to educating the public on the...

Your client is going to jail for a very long time.

Lucas, if I might-- Okay.

Can I speak frankly, just among the three of us?

Eliot and I worked here together before you arrived, Lucas.

I actually sat right at this table.

And we both understood which battles were worth fighting and which weren't.

Eliot's gone on to be District Attorney for forever.

And I've gone on to enjoy my share of success as a defense attorney.

Point is, my client is a highly respected man,

and this isn't a battle you want to fight, don't you think, Eliot?

Well, that is a good point.

And I'm not up to speed on the case, so, you know,

but, as I understand it, your highly respected client took advantage of two teenage girls.

-It's not true. - Yeah, I kinda think it is.

And you may think of this as a battle, Jackie,

but, uh, I have a feeling Lucas here considers this a crusade.

I mean, you're the reason he stepped away from the fat money of corporate law. Hmm?

What does this have to do with me?

Nothing.

Then what are we talking about? There isn't even a case here.

The girls withdrew their complaint.

Yes, your client paid them off, well done. Not the first time, is it?

But it is the first time he's done it in my jurisdiction.

The women won't testify.

-Yes, they will. -You're going to bully them?

-No. - They won't tell you anything.

So, what do you hope to gain? Explain that to me.

You're not kidding anyone, Lucas. You just want the headlines.

If all he wanted was publicity, Jackie, you wouldn't be having this meeting.

He'd just take this case to trial, put your guy away till the end of days.

-I know you. - Believe me, you don't.

A corporate lawyer playing as prosecutor.

Cherry-picking the easy cases so you never lose.

But you don't have a winner here.

You know, I'm very fond of you, Jackie,

despite the manner in which you... took your leave.

-The offer was too good, Eliot. -Of course.

But your departure left open a position filled by Lucas, a godsend, as it were.

So, I would hate to have you go down the path of those who've underestimated him.

It's the punch which you don't see that knocks you out, Jackie.

And I'd prefer that you didn't spend all that taxpayer money.

Could you at least please give him a plea offer? Out of respect.

-Two felonies. -What?

Minimum seven years.

You must be joking.

Chance for parole in half that.

Offer expires at 4 P.M.

This is insanity.

-Eliot, help me out here. - Okay, Jackie, here's the thing.

Your client is rich enough to afford you and your team and that's peaches for him.

But your client is also a degenerate sociopath

and if you bring him into court, my guy here is going to mop the floor with you.

And that's really not good for business, is it?

Could I interest you in a coffee, Eliot?

That would be wonderful.

Just give me a moment to confer with my associate, would you?

-I'll be right outside. -Excellent.

Honestly, I don't think you can win this one in court.

But I guess it only matters what he thinks.

You don't take this case from me, Eliot.

I still think you don't understand me, Lucas.

I have priorities and my first one is to settle the hit-and-run, nice and quiet.

Why?

Because it's a rare thing when someone powerful is actually innocent.

There's no moral dilemmas.

In our time together I've stuck you with cases you didn't want

and taken away some you did, but have I ever lied to you?

No.

To a hammer, the whole world's a nail, Lucas.

Put the hit-and-run to bed

and put Jackie's client where he belongs, okay?

Not that I'm tying the two together.

Oh, and, um, handle the hit-and-run in person.

It's much more compassionate.

Alright, just get it done. But keep the media out of this.

I'll bring you back a coffee.

You're looking a little under the weather.

Be with you in a second, Eliot.

A quick word, counselor.

You better come back with a reasonable offer.

Or I will put your career in a very dark place.

You need me to validate your parking, Jackie?