Will Trent

Previously on Will Trent ...

-Ava Green? -It wasn't me. I promise.

I had nothing to do with this.

Well, that's too bad. I thought those Deux Peches photos were pretty great.

-Um, thanks. -This is exactly what I need.

All right, let's go. Whoa.

-I can't put you back in jail like this. -So don't, then.

Can we talk about your scan? Unfortunately, this dark area is a tumor.

-How's chemo? -Well, my urine smells like gasoline.

Hold on a second.

Hey, are you okay? Dad.

Ava, I gotta be honest with you.

-I'm not ready to jump into something new. -Bad breakup?

She's still around. She might always be around.

It's never too late to decide you're ready to jump into something new.

I'm Will. This is Betty.

It's Betty Maria White Trent.

I know you're only five pounds, but you really feel like six.

I think she's self-conscious about the cone.

Betty, you take care of Nico, okay? You're gonna be all right.

Betty. Betty?

What is it, girl, huh?

Drop a little shoulder.

Should I, like, keep my chin down?

I think it's giving too much neck. Yeah?

Little growl.

Cool?

Hey, what's that?

Put that down. That's-That's not funny.

Look, I'm not kidding.

- Move. Get... Get off of me! - Stop!

- Get a close-up of her chest.

She has three or four stab wounds.

-See? -Mm-hmm.

But the first couple look shallow. Like maybe they were hesitating--

First-timer, must be.

Hmm...

Will, where are you?

Oh, you know, just trying to solve the mystery

of how to get to the damn crime scene.

Studio 4B, fourth floor.

Thank you, Amanda. So helpful.

I know it's on the fourth floor. I'm on the fourth floor.

Will Trent?

-Ava. -Hi.

Hi.

How long has it been?

Oh, uh... A long time.

You still have that suit.

-I've missed that suit. -Oh. Yeah. I've, uh, missed you.

No, um, I mean, I forgot all about you.

-Well, thanks so much. -No. I mean, I forgot this.

And now, here you are, um, which is...

Yeah, nice surprise.

-Are you here about Chloe? -Yes.

Um. Wow, word gets around fast.

The whole building's talking about it.

-I work on six. -Photography?

Actually, I'm doing the archives for this building. Got a grant.

That's great.

-Congrats. -Yeah, thanks.

So, you, uh... Did you know Chloe?

Not personally, but I had a couple of friends who photographed her.

They all said she was really sweet. It's so sad.

Call from Amanda.

Call from Amanda.

-Amanda calling. - Call from Amanda.

I should, um... Hey, uh, where is Studio 4B in this labyrinth of torment?

Yes, it's down the hall. The last one on the left.

It's not your fault. The building is a nightmare. Is, um...

Is that a new phone?

Yes.

That's my number.

New contact: Ava.

In case you didn't have it or need it or...

whatever.

Bye, Will.

Bye.

This is so tragic, and I'm not trying to be insensitive,

but if we could please try and keep this out of the press.

We don't have any plans to speak to the press, Ms. Talvesco.

Oh. Okay.

Because the rental market right now is hell, and if they find out

-that there was a murder in the building-- -Mom. Just let her do her job.

Will, this is Ms. Valentina Talvesco. She owns the building.

And her son, Alex, who manages the studios.

Special Agent Will Trent. Nice to meet you.

Uh, can you tell me who's renting the unit now?

Oh. Nobody. It's been vacant for three months.

So, the door was locked and no one had access but you two?

We got scammed.

Someone emailed my mom's account claiming to be Hans Kessler.

-He's a fashion photographer. -He's an icon and an old friend.

I used to let him shoot here in the '80s.

So, what did the email say?

Said he needed a place for last minute, so we left the door unlocked for him.

Did you give him the code to the front door as well?

I haven't changed the code in 40 years.

Kessler's been in Venice for the past month. Someone hacked his account.

We traced the login to a throwaway device on public Wi-Fi. Dead end.

They also emailed Chloe inviting her here for a shoot.

She was an up-and-coming model. Probably thought this was her big break.

Hmm.

-Any signs of sexual assault? -Not that I can see.

Why kill her here? This place isn't private.

Is, uh... Was this black light?

Holy moly.

Yeah, so, she thought she was meeting Kessler.

But instead, someone else showed up.

Three symmetrical voids.

There was a tripod here. They were taking pictures of her.

She realized what was happening,

and then she tried to run.

Yeah, and they kept shooting.

Vintage film, hard to find.

This was a special occasion.

They didn't just want her dead.

They wanted a photo of her dying.

Never say "walk" unless you mean it.

If your dog is as cute as Betty, be ready to talk to everyone.

Oh, and if they look at you while they poop, that's a sign of trust.

Don't look away or you'll damage your bond.

Having a dog is a big responsibility, Coop. You sure you're up for it?

Well, yeah, that's why I wanted to hang out with Nico and Betty today.

For research.

Ah.

Great.

You guys go ahead. I'll catch up.

-Can I tell you a secret? -I'm a steel trap!

Well, I don't really want a dog.

Look, Betty's cute and all, but I'm much more of a cat person.

I just wanted to get my dad out of the house.

The doctor said gentle exercise, but if he can't lift weights,

then he acts like there's no point in doing anything at all.

Betty and I are here any time your old man needs a stroll. Undercover dog duty.

Betty, no. What did I say last time?

What's she barking at?

That's Viggo's house. We hang out sometimes.

He gives Betty C-O-O-K-I-E-S, the junky kind,

but Will gets upset when he smells them on her breath.

Betty. No.

I dropped the leash. What if I killed Betty?

Deep breath. We'll get her back.

There's a dog door around back she goes through.

Viggo's the best. Come on, it's not a problem.

Hi, um, sorry to bother you, but our dog just ran through the dog door.

-If-- -I'll get.

Okay, great. I'll just wait here.

We haven't met. I'm Nico.

-You a friend of Viggo's? -Niece.

Hey, there you are.

All right. Hey, thanks, you guys. I really appreciate the help--

They seem nice.

That's weird. Viggo never mentioned he had a niece.

He said he was an only child.

-Dad. -Yeah?

-Dad, look. Betty's bleeding on her paw. -What?

Let me see. It's okay, Betty.

I don't see any cuts. Her paws are fine.

I don't think it's her blood.

Guys... Guys, go around the corner. I'll be right there.

The knife fits the profile of the one used to kill her.

Yeah, but why take these photos if you plan on doing it for real?

Practice?

Fetish?

Hey, um... Hi. Thanks for coming. Um...

-You remember my partner, Faith? -Hi.

Ava, hi.

So, this is the expert you mentioned.

I'd hardly call myself an expert.

Oh, Ava's a photographer, if you remember.

Oh, I do remember. Mmm.

So, these are the photographs.

We found them when we searched Chloe's apartment,

but we have no way to find out who took them.

Thought you might be able to help us out.

-Crispin Ratner. -That was quick.

All his work is the same. Naked women covered in fluid.

Is he single?

He's part of the Indie Sleaze revival scene.

You know, dude photographers passing off their sex fetishes as art.

He was big a while back, but he barely works now.

-Why's that? -He was assaulting models for years.

Finally, someone said something.

He used to have a studio in the building where Chloe was killed.

I remember Valentina mentioning it.

He'd know the code to the front door.

He'd know everything about that place.

Do you know any reason why he would wanna hurt Chloe?

Yeah. He hated her. She's the one who Me Too'ed him.

See? See that expression? She never makes that face.

So, you think Betty was traumatized by what she saw at the house?

And you're cosigning this?

The blood on her fur was human. She may have witnessed violence.

Yeah. Or someone had a nosebleed

or cut themselves shaving, and that's just before breakfast.

Why is there a dog here?

What are you doing?

Nothing. You want something from the vending machine? I'll get it for you.

-Move. -This is my office.