Previously on "Ambitions..."
- Professionalism is so overrated.
This is gonna be easier than I thought.
Just do what I tell you.
- Yeah, I got a situation. Get your ass over here now.
- The next time you sleep with my daughter,
it'll be me who puts a bullet in your head.
- You were smart to bet on Greg Peters.
Well, Stephanie Lancaster...
is an even smarter bet.
- I know all too well about Lancaster
selling out this community!
- Everything you touch turns to shit!
- Damian Collins with the US Attorney's Office.
I'm looking for Roderick Johnson.
- I'm here.
- Cut the shit, Herschel.
Peters paid you off, admit it.
- I've said all I wanna say.
- Herschel Cooper killed himself today.
- As much as I wanna be there for you right now, Amara--
I can't.
- Unless you wanna leave in a body bag,
I suggest you get out of here.
And make this the last time you threaten my daughter.
- Daddy!
Are you gonna let me explain?
- What is there to explain, Titus?
I saw you in the hotel room, okay?
And Stephanie's naked ass in your bathrobe.
- You saw Stephanie doing what she does best--manipulate
a situation to her advantage.
- You're just gonna stand there and lie to my face?
- Like you did every time you said you only made
one mistake with Damian.
- Start talking.
Ms. Lancaster,
given the fact your father's wallet,
watch, and the engagement ring you mentioned he was carrying
are missing, we're inclined to believe this was a robbery
that escalated.
- This ain't no damn robbery!
- Brother.
Greg Peters killed our father.
- Joaquin?
Joaquin? Where are you, baby?
- You know Mami doesn't like it when you play hide and seek
without me.
I'm not kidding, Joaquin!
Show yourself right now or you're in big trouble.
Joaquin!
Don't play with me like this! Where are you?
- No, no, no, no, no!
No!
- I just got off the phone with your boss.
She and I are in lock step.
Evan Lancaster Sr.'s murder is the top priority
for Atlanta PD until my father'skiller's is brought to justice.
Have I made myself clear?
- Yes, Mayor Lancaster.
So sorry for your loss.
- My daddy was-- - Hey.
It's gonna be okay, sis.
- How's it ever gonna be okay again?
I swear, Evan, if the law don't make Peters pay, I will.
- You let me worry about Pop's killer.
Alright, he is going down.
I--even if I have to see to it personally.
What--what is it?
They got Peters?
- I have to go.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Wait, what is it?
- Take care of my sister.
- So you're telling me...
that you went into the bathroom.
And while you were in there, that basket case stripped
off her clothes and put on your bathrobe?
- I'm telling you the truth.
- And why were you undressed?
- I thought she left.
I was gettin' ready to take a shower.
- And how did she get into your room in the first place?
- I invited her.
We were down in the hotel bar discussing the class action.
She suggested we go someplace more private.
- Of course she did.
Would you have had sex with her if I hadn't shown up?
- Thought crossed my mind.
- So, what stopped you from tearing her clothes off
when you made it to your room?
- You stopped me.
Remembering everything you've meant to me over the years.
Everything you still mean to me.
- You loved her.
So, who is to blame you for going back to her...
after what I did?
- Baby, I loved Stephanie.
But only as much as a 22-year-old college kid
knew how to love anyone.
I didn't experience the real thing
until you and I got together.
Titus, you are the only man that I have ever loved.
It says "urgent."
- Go ahead, take it.
Hey, Karen, what's up?
Dammit!
I've been afraid something like this would happen.
- This doesn't tell us much.
Just that the kidnappers will be in touch,
"don't bring in the cops or tell anyone else,
or they'll--they'll kill Joaquin."
- I can't believe this is happening.
- Me, neither.
I've gotta get Trey and Carly home.
This animal might be targeting them.
Unless-- - Unless what?
- When was the last time
you saw or heard from Roderick Johnson?
- Not since the night we double crossed him.
Wait. He sent me a cake with the word
"whore" spelled out in icing.
That's the worst he would do, Evan.
He may hate you and me both with good reason,
but he adores Joaquin.
- He adores him so much maybe he took him.
- He wouldn't.
Why do you keep staring?
- Tell me this isn't one of your dirty tricks, Bella.
Are you behind Joaquin's kidnapping?
- Are you serious right now?
How could you even accuse me of some shit like this?
- Blackmail, dirty tricks, cons, it's become M.O. lately.
- I would never use my son this way.
Maybe you took him.
You're always blustering and bellowing about how you will
see your son anytime you want.
Maybe I should call the cops on your ass!
- Okay, look, I'm sorry.
Alright, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone there.
Now is not the time for us to beturning on each other, okay?
- What are you not telling me?
- My father was killed tonight.
- What?
Senior?
- Shot multiple times in the street
and just left to die.
That dear, sweet man. I'm so sorry.
- Look, tell me everything that happened.
Joaquin was taken right out of his bed?
What were you doing?
How'd you miss it?
- Boss. - Is it about Joaquin?
- No, Ms. Trujillo.
Something else. - Seriously?
- It's--it's okay. It's okay,
nothing's more important than Joaquin right now.
But I need to talk to Alix.
- Daphne Manning's still alive.
- At least that's some good news tonight.
- Ambulance got her to Atlanta Mercy Memorial just in time.
I scrubbed the hotel room clean.
No one will ever know you were there.
- That's good work. I will deal with that later.
But right now, your sole priority is finding my son.
- Understood.
- Thank you for stopping by and offering your condolences,
Councilman Hamilton.
Ain't no need to hang around, though.
My family and real friends are here for me.
- I don't blame you for being upset.
I acted like an ass when I foundout you was thinking about
selling to Peters.
- Ass is right.
You walked out on my dinner party
without even thinking of my side of things.
- Rondell, I had plenty of thoughts about that night.
The truth is... you had every right to do
whatever you feel is best with Thelma's Place.
- Well, thank you for your permission.
- Can't you see that I am concerned about
you and your entire family?
Let me be here for you.
- Bella just won't answer her damn phone.
- I thought you were calling Luelene.
- I did. She's just as messed upas we are, Rondell.
I had to call one of her Mission Sisters from church
to go sit with her.
- I just wish I hadn't been so opposed to their relationship.
- You were only looking out for your dad.
- I came as fast as I could.
- Do you need me to stay?
- No, I got this.
Go on home and get some rest.
Kent, mind walking Inez home?
- Of course.
I'll be back.
- Are you all right?
Where's Evan?
When he called to tell me about Senior,
he said he was heading here to be with you.
- He ran out of here after gettin' some phone call.
Apparently, there are things more important
than the death of your father.
- Are you sure it didn't pertain to Senior?
- Who knows?
Did you tell Carly and Trey about Daddy?
- The hardest phone call I've ever had to make.
Is there anything you need?
Is there anything at all I can do?
- I think you've done enough, Stephanie, don't you?
- Are you insinuating that this tragedy
is somehow my fault?
- Ain't nobody insinuating nothing.
I'm saying it straight out.
Daddy is dead because of you
and that monster you call a client.
- I did everything I could to protect you...
to get you to see reason!
I loved Senior, Rondell, and you--you know that.
- Only thing I do know is that you would do anything
to make Greg Peters and your family even richer
than y'all already are.
- Get out of my restaurant.
- Hi.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amara Hughes.
I need to speak with Ms. Manning in private.
- Of course.
I'll be back to take your pressure.
- How are you feeling?
- Hurts to talk.
- Do you remember who did this to you?
I can help you if you let me.
You were found unconscious in your car.
If not for an anonymous 911 phone call, you'd be dead.
What more proof do you need that the people
you're doing business with see you as expendable?
Now, if you cooperate with the DOJ investigation,
I can guarantee you a plea bargain
and Witness Protection.
It is your only option, Daphne.
Lancaster and Peters, they are tying up loose ends.
Herschel is dead.
And I don't want you to be next.
- I'm sorry. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.
My patient needs to rest.
Let's see how your pressure's doing.
- Excuse me, Nurse? - Yes?
- The other nurse mentioned she would be back to take it.
- I'm her only nurse here today.
- This is A.U.S.A. Hughes.
Get some FBI agents to Atlanta Mercy Memorial immediately.
I want a 24/7 guard detail on Daphne Manning.
- My father was a decent and honorable man.
He didn't deserve to be shot down
in front of his home and place of business.
I am putting the criminal element in this city on notice:
I will not rest until whoever is responsible
for Senior Lancaster's death is arrested,
prosecuted, and convicted.
I would ask everyone to please respect our need
for privacy at this time.
- I know that had to bedifficult, but you were amazing.
- Thank you...
for standing with me.
- How are you holding up?
- I have to keep it together for Rondell and the kids.
I am the Lancaster patriarch now.
- Well, I have no doubt in my mind that you will make
your father proud.
- I stopped by Rondell's last night.
I was surprised you weren't there.
- I went to the morgue.
I needed to see him one last time.
- You didn't have to go through that alone.
You could have called me.
- I had to do it by myself.
And afterwards, I came back hereto the office
and crashed on the couch.
And this morning, I woke up and I personally lit a fire
under the Chief of Police.
The department's dismissing Pops' murder
as some robbery gone wrong.
But we both know better.
- I know that you and Rondell are devastated
over the loss of Senior, so am I.
But perhaps we should let the proper authorities--
- I am the proper authorities. Or have you forgotten that?
- Darling... you are
too emotionally involved-- - Just stop it.
If you're gearing up to defend Greg Peters,
I highly advise you to rethink that.
- I'll see you later tonight at home.
- Yes?
We know about you and Bella Tru,
but we're choosing to deal directly with you for now.
- Who is this?
All you need to know is we have your son.
- Let me speak to him.
When the time is right.
- I swear, if you hurt that boy,
I will hunt you down and kill you myself.
Don't threaten me.
The kid is fine, and you can have him back
for one million dollars.
Keep both of your phones on and await further instructions.
- I'm so sorry, Rondell.
Senior didn't deserve this.
Sweetie, what's with the shotgun?
- It was my daddy's.
He always kept it clean.
He said you never know when you might need to use it.
- Okay.
- Give it to me, babe, come on.
- Rondell... you going to prison is not gonna bring Senior back.
- Why'd they do that to my daddy?
Over a damn restaurant and some land?
Why didn't they just come--come for me like he had
been threatening to do?
- Greg Peters?
- My daddy was executed.
Punk-ass Peters probably had somebody do it.
- I'm gonna be in constant contact with my colleagues
at Atlanta PD Homicide Division.
I promise you, I'm gonna do everything in my power
to make sure that we find out who killed your dad.
Come here, come here.
- Rondell?
- Let me take my daddy's gun back upstairs
before I catch a case.
- Leaving so soon?
- Is there something I can do for you, Amara?
- Actually, I'm glad we ran into each other.
Saves me a trip to your law firm on DOJ business.
- I didn't realize what Titus and I did in his hotel room
was a federal crime.
Although, now that I think about it,
some of those positions
should be against the law.
- Titus told me every detail of what really happened.
When did you become so desperate?
Stripping down to your undies inthe hotel room of a married man
who obviously doesn't want you?
Is that what Titus told you?
I didn't have the key to his room, Amara...
which means... he invited me.
And of course he wants me.
He's always wanted me.
You were nothing more than rebound sex.
- Rebound sex that led to 25 years of marriage, but okay.
- Titus wanted to hurt me,
so he had sex with my best friend.
But you.
You used that baby you couldn't carry to term
to trap him into marriage.
He stuck around out of obligation.
Ooh, ooh.
The truth hurts, doesn't it, Amara?
- Not as much as the leg irons I'm gonna use
to shackle you and Greg Peters.
- Amara?
- What?
- Far greater women than you have tried
and failed to take me down.
The grave you're digging for Stephanie Lancaster
will be the one you rot in.
- You really are...
pathetic.
Hey, it's your girl Perla.
Hey, don't look so disappointed to see me.
Did you forget we scheduled a fitting today?
- What--what's wrong?
- Joaquin has been kidnapped.
- My God, how is that possible?
- It's my fault.
They must have jimmied the door while I was asleep,
I must have been really knocking out, I don't--
- My God.
- They want a million dollars.
They said in the note not to call the police,
but I really think I should call them.
- If the kidnappers said don't call the police, then don't.
You have to follow their orders.
- That's what Evan says, but--
- For once, Evan and I agree.
Look, whoever took Joaquin is calling the shots.
Do you wanna take the chance that they'll hurt your baby
or worse? - Don't say that.
- Look, you're not thinking rationally,
and it's understandable.
But if they're asking for money, then that's why they took him,
not to hurt him.
We'll get him back.
- Thanks, Perla.
You've always got my back.
- Of course.
You're my girl.
- You find it okay?
- Right there in his closet.
Dark suit, double-breasted.
With the canary yellow tie that Trey and Carly bought him
for Christmas back in 2010.
Senior's gonna be dapper as hell when he reaches
those pearly gates.
- I have never been more grateful
than I am to you right now.
There are things I just can't bring myself to do.
- Well, you don't have to do anything you don't wanna do.
You've got me for that.
- And for all the years Senior treated me like
I was his own daughter, there's nothing I won't do.
- I owe you an apology.
Everyone around here.
When I think back,
I can't believe I almost sold out to Peters.
And I know how disappointed you were in me--
- Stop.
You don't need to apologize for anything.
You've been carrying this neighborhood on your back
for so long, fighting every day to save it.
Taking on Peters.
And we all know how much you love this neighborhood.
And we all love you.
- That--if I'd just gone ahead and sold...
would Daddy still be here?
Is this my fault?
- Ain't nobody to blame except Greg Peters.
Alright?
Alright? Come here.
- House visits from the mayor.
Must be my lucky day.
See ya brought Salt 'N Peppa.
Must be important.
So... what's your poison?
I'm looking at him.
- I was beginning to think Rondell was the tough one
between you two.
- Another word out your mouth about my family,
I'll be topping off the next drink with your brain matter.
- You think I didn't see this coming?
There's any chance I'd let you through the door
if you had a reason to kill me?
You know I'm smarter than that.
- All I know is my Pops is dead.
Only a few days after he ran youout of Thelma's Place
with his shotgun.
- Making me the obvious suspect.
The Feds are already on my ass.
Think. Why would I want that type of heat?
For the record, I had nothing to do with Senior being killed,
but if there's some other reason you have to pull
that trigger...
do it.
- Boss?
There's no sign of him.
- Who?
- I figured he wouldn't have brought him here,
but I needed to be sure.
- Maybe, if you told me who you were looking for--
Deja!
I didn't see your car in the driveway.
- Pbfft! I was too pissed to drive.
I caught a ride.
- What are you doing home?
Don't you have finals?
- Not anymore.
I quit school.
- So, let me get this straight.
You're saying Excalibur isn't an option for you anymore?
- Because a boy broke up with you?
- Everyone on campus knows that Razr dumped me, Mom.
It's so humiliating.
I can never show my face at that hateful school again.
- You should be on campus right now
celebrating with your friends for dodging that bullet.
- Okay, that's not helping.
- You don't get it.
He blocked me on Snapchat,
took down all our pictures from Instagram.
It's like he's trying to erase us.
- Okay, Deja, it is normal to be upset when you go through
your first big breakup.
But you are not gonna throw awayyour academic future
over the likes of Razr.
- Your mother's right.
- It was so sudden.
What did I do wrong?
- Okay, that's enough.
Listen, Deja, I understand you're in your feelings
over this--this Razr?
But your mother and I did not pay all that money on tuition,
room and board for you to just up and quit school.
Now you can stay here a few days and get your mind right.
But you're going back to school.
- What he said.
I can't believe this.
- Thank you for taking the lead on this one.
- Yeah, no problem.
Thanks for giving me a call.
I'll stay here until she goes back to school.
She's not in the right headspaceto deal with us living apart.
- Is that what we're doing?
Living apart?
- To be honest, I don't know what we're doing.
But we can figure it once our kid is back at school.
- Agreed.
- Okay.
Guess I'll go upstairs
and change out of these work clothes.
- I'll get dinner started.
Yes, your husband is doing better...
How are you holding up?
- Been better.
I'm really sorry to hear about your dad.
- Thanks for that.
These Feds at your door a gift from Hughes?
- I would have preferred edible arrangements,
but ya know...
- When someone's trying to kill you--
Yeah. - --twice.
- What do you mean twice?
- The woman who strangled me was here when I woke up.
She came to finish the job.
If Hughes hadn't come in when she did, then I--
- Who is this woman that tried to kill you?
And what did she look like?
- I've never seen her before.
- Did you tell Hughes about her?
- Didn't have to.
She saw something was fishy,
that's when she ordered the guards.
- Well, I will look into it.
In the meantime, get your rest.
- I really appreciate you showing up.
- I always look out for my people.
Don't forget that.
- The infamous Stephanie Lancaster.
Please, make yourself at home.
- Obviously, Greg isn't here.
I will catch up with him another time.
- No, really.
I insist.
- I'd think twice about pulling out your little pee-shooter.
You'd be dead before you got off a single shot.
- Do you and I have business I'm unaware of?
- I've been wanting to meet the piece of black ass
that has my cousin so distracted.
He dropped the ball on English Rose because of you?
Frankly, I'm not impressed.
A little skinny for my taste.
But to each his or her own.
Tell me, does Gregor still do that little trick
where it feels like he's tying your clitoris
in a knot with his tongue?
- It's true.
I do pride myself on taking care of my physique.
Perhaps, if you spent a little more time in the gym,
you'd actually have suitors outside your family tree.
- I'm guessing the untimely death
of Senior Lancaster is going to put a damper
on your romance with Gregor.
Such a tragedy.
- Heard you were here.
You okay? - Never better.
Just getting to know your charming relative.
Does she always make a habit of staying with you
when she visits?
- Leave.
- Gregor.
Always the party pooper.
Lovely to finally meet you, Stephanie.
I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other.
- Not a good idea for you to come here unannounced anymore.
At least not until I get Natasha shipped back to Serbia.
Wouldn't want anything to happen to you.
- And what about my father in law?
Do you care about what happened to him?
- I had nothing to do with it.
- Don't you lie to me, dammit!
You killed my children's grandfather!
- Hey!
I don't deny what I'm capable ofor make excuses for who I am.
I have no reason to lie to you.
So I will say this once more.
I did not kill your husband's father.
- Then your lunatic cousin did.
- Steph-- - It had to be her.
- You are without a doubt, the most fearless woman
I've ever known, but do not makethe mistake of thinking
you can take on Natasha Petrovic.
I'll handle her.
- I love that old man, Greg.
And that Eurotrash bitch killed him.
I'm not the one whose safety you need to be worried about.
- Here, let me take this.
- It's been two days.
Everyone knows the first 48 hours are crucial,
and we've wasted them.
It's time to call the cops.
- You said the kidnappers jimmied the door.
Why didn't you hear 'em?
- I was with Ignacio.
- You said he left all of the sudden for Brazil.
Isn't that a pretty big coincidence to you?
He took Joaquin.
- It doesn't make sense.
His family owns a luxury goods empire.
Why would Ignacio need money?
- Some ulterior motive?
Regardless, Evan need to know.
He is the kid's father.
- I'm not telling Evan, and neither are you.
Ignacio is not involved.
- What the hell is she still doing here?
You know we're not supposed to be talking to anyone.
- She's keeping me sane! Someone has to.
Did you find Joaquin?
- Can we talk in private, please?
- Evan, just say it.
- The police found a dead boy about Joaquin's age.
- No! - Okay. Okay.
- What the hell have you been up to?
- Eliminating any and all threats to our operations.
Cleaning up your mess and your loose ends.
Clearing a path to raise English Rose from the ashes.
- Good job, now you got the whole damn city,
plus the U.S. Attorney's Office banging on my door.
- Too many people knew you were paying bribes.
- Ever heard of being discreet?
- Discretion was never a virtue I aspired to.
- This isn't Serbia, Nat.
You can't just mow down anyone who comes in your way
like a herd of goats blocking a dirt road.
You need to pull back!
- I will once my assignment is complete.
That little blonde government worker's
still breathing, after all.
Perhaps, once I've taken care of her,
I'll handle Stephanie Lancaster.
- Go near her...
and I will personally grind you up for stew.
- Cousin...
you still know how to turn a girl on.
Daddy.
My God.
- No. What is it?
What is it?
- Just one of Daddy's chess pieces.
I keep thinking I'm okay.
Then when I see something of his,
all I want to do is...
take that gun and separateGreg Peters' head from his neck.
- It'll get easier.
- You keep saying that, but I'm not so sure.
- Now is not the time, Kent.
- Time for what?
- Not the time to do anything but to check on my baby.
- Right.
I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.
- So, how's it going?
- Lord, if one more person asks me that...
- Everybody cares about you, Rondell.
- I know.
I've got a refrigerator full of casseroles
I'll never finish eating to prove it.
Whoo.
And don't get me started with the bereavement plants.
My living room look like a damn jungle.
There's that world-famous sense of humor returning.
- Every time I smile or laugh,
I feel like I'm mocking Daddy or something.
- Senior wants you to keep on smiling.
- I promise I will.
Now, what's that, Inez say it ain't time for?
- Nah--
- Now, you know I'm gonna march right in that kitchen
and drag it out of her if you don't tell me now,
I mean it. What is it?
- I--I was on the local TV today,
I guess you didn't see it.
- No, I've been a little preoccupied.
- The interviewer dragged out of me that maybe I had some
ideas about running for mayor.
- Against my brother?
Right after our daddy's been killed?
Whoo!
- It slipped out-- - I cannot believe you're
in my face acting like you care about my daddy's death
while you're plotting and scheming on my brother?
- I wasn't plotting.
- Evan was right about you... from jump.
And so was my daddy.
- Rondell, it was only-- - Goodbye, Kent. Goodbye.
Go on and go.
- Now you wanna be mayor?
- What the hell? You killed him?
- What are you talking about?
He's right here.
On the next "Ambitions..."
- I promised you I'd get our son home safe and sound,
and that is a promise I intend to keep.
- Why haven't they found him yet?
- I'm just gonna kill the kid now.
I'm not gonna wait!
- And why are you not responding to any of my texts?
Tarcia!
- I want you to stay with me.
I need you.
- I just sent you something we found
in the Purifoy discovery documents.
Thought you might wanna see it right away.
- Your father's not cheating on me, okay?
- Shit.
Is it mine?