Previously on Saints and Sinners.
Who's calling the shots?
I only know who's tryin' to take me down.
A picture is worth 1,000 words.
Don't ever bring your crazy ass around me again.
Being the CEO of a major corporation and being the mayor
of Cypress is a conflict of interest.
I have decided to resign as mayor of Cypress.
The next CEO will be
Levi Sterling.
[smack]
This is who he is.
Everything you touch dies.
I hate you!
[dramatic music closes]
[sigh]
[papers shuffling]
[muffled giggling]
[knocking]
[muffled exhale]
[footsteps clacking]
[deep sigh]
- Victor. - May I come in?
No, I don't think so.
Mm, bad blood runs deep I see.
You fired me!
And your daughter ambushed my baby shower.
[scoffs] I've learned that no good can come from the Thompsons.
- [laughs] I'm not sure that's accurate.
I come in peace, Stacia. More than that, I come with an opportunity.
You are carrying my grandson, after all.
Hm?
[deep sigh]
Thank you.
I would offer you a drink, but I don't really want you to stay.
Mm, feisty. I see why my
son was attracted to you.
You said you have an opportunity?
Okay, I think that you should go now?
What's your price?
My price?
For my grandson.
[scoffs] I don't need your child support, Victor.
I don't need your money, your help,
your charity.
We'll be just fine on our own.
- I don't think I'm making myself clear, Stacia.
You're carrying not just my grandson, you're carrying
my legacy-
the last male Thompson.
My only son's flesh and blood.
He belongs with me.
What do you want, Victor?
I already told you.
[shoes clacking]
How much will it cost...
[theme music]
to buy my grandson?
* Go on, lift your hands, give god the praise.
- * I fell so hard - * Hey
- * Lost my faith in god - * Hey
- * I couldn't even pray - * Hey
* So I say
* We're just sinners
* Saved by grace
[female TV announcer] Mayor Johnson is expected to formerly
step down as mayor by the end of the week.
after publicly announcing her resignation.
Ella Mae,
will you stop torturin' yourself and turn that crap off.
Would you excuse us, please.
There was a time you would a gave ma an earful for strollin'
into your office like this.
- Yeah well, what does it matter anyway.
That don't sound like the Ella Mae I know.
Rex, what do you want?
I can't fast track any more of your businesses,
I can't make somethin' from your record disappear, or secure you a bid.
So either tell me what you want
or get the hell outta here.
I came here for you.
He destroyed me, Rex.
He took everything away from me.
But you've seen worse.
And you always land on your feet.
In fact, these walls ain't never been big enough for you, Ella.
He humiliated me.
He made me believe that
he was on my side.
That he believed in me.
[scoffs] That I was loved.
You are loved, Ella.
I don't need your pity, Rex.
Look at me.
I have always believed in you, Ella Mae.
Now you gotta trust me.
We gonna get him.
I promise you.
[laughs] We?
We? Wasn't this you and your wife's plan all along?
No, my plan was to get her up there.
And then that sick son of a bitch turned the tables on her.
Well he needs to be stopped.
There she is.
See that's why I'm here.
Now he's been ahead of every move.
We've been playin' checkers
while he's been runnin' the table playin' chess.
But you know what?
Oh we were warned.
[reaches for phone receiver]
[pressing buttons]
[sighs] Bring my car around, please.
Thank you.
[receiver rests] Where are you going?
To see the one person
that knows Victor the best.
Good morning.
Are you serious right now?
[cabinet clacks shut] Just doin' my job.
How long did you know?
[Coffee pot clatters] Jabari right now is not
- ...the right-- - No, it's the time. When were you gonna tell me
that my wife was still alive?
Did you know when you slept with me?
When were you gonna tell me Paige tried to kill Levi?
- What for? What business is it of yours? - [Indistinct yelling]
- Definitely my business. - Everyone...
can hear you. What is going on?
Look, I've been workin' with a liar. That's what's goin' on.
No, only attempted murderer.
- It's better than a liar! - Enough. Enough!
You don't understand, Anita.
[scoffs] No, you don't understand.
our ratings, ad revenues,
and focus groups-
all since you took over.
You'll notice that they're all in the red.
If we don't do something fast,
we're gonna have to start laying people off.
But I think I have an idea.
What is it?
[Sighs] You know how we've been covering all those recent abductions?
And according to these focus groups, that is the only area where
we have been over-performing in.
- Wow, yeah.
Women are watching. Really big numbers too.
Our female demos outpaced our male ones by 2 to 1.
And we're sitting on a story about a woman who survived an incredible situation.
She literally came back from the dead.
Woa, Paige?
No, look...I don't think that's a good idea.
She can, she can barely talk about it right now.
- Jabari, I understand that she is probably still processing
everything, I get it.
And I'm sorry,
but if we don't do something about those numbers,
we won't bounce back.
So make it happen.
[footsteps receding]
[slurping]
Austin, Mommy's home [chuckles].
Nancy, how was he today?
Nancy?
And his mother gave him a squeeze
and said
I'll eat you up.
[suspenseful music builds]
[music stings out]
Victor...
what are you doing here?
I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I happened to stop by
Your nanny had an emergency.
Nancy didn't call me and-- [sighs]
You have a beautiful boy.
And so smart. Before you know it, he'll be reading to me.
Thank you.
[deep sigh]
And Tamara, you haven't been returning my calls.
That's not like you.
I've just been busy with a few things.
- I was gonna call you back. - I have been very..
kind to you, wouldn't you agree?
- Yes. - Made the transfer- Malik's assets- as smooth as possible.
Expedited your petition for full custody
at no cost to you.
You have been wonderful. Thank you,
- ...really. - Good, good.
The terms of your upsurge shares and board seat.
I want you to sell them to me in their entirety.
What?!
[sighs]
I'll be happy to look this over
another time...with my attorney.
Look, it's time for Austin's lunch.
A I'll have my lawyer call your office and set up a time this week.
Thank you, Victor. Please...
Tamara...
did you know that Stacia had submitted your husband's alibi
into discovery?
Ah....
you knew.
- Very disappointing. So many lies. - Victor.
Lies from Miles. Lies from you.
I only, just to--
I must admit I, I too have lied.
When you asked me if I had anything to do with Miles' attack,
I supposed I should
thank you. Whatever argument you two were having so drained him,
my men were able to take him down without much of a fight.
He almost died, Victor!
Oh I only left him alive as a warning, what would
happen to you and to your family
if you crossed me.
But, I trust it won't come to that.
I need you to sign by 8 pm.
Please don't disappoint me again, Tamara.
[footsteps receding]
Thank you.
[door shuts] [scoffs]
Hey...I've been tryin' to reach you. You got a minute?
I'm busy.
[insects chirping]
Kendrick, I know you must be--
Stacia...
I have nothing to say to you.
I don't have anywhere else to go.
Victor came to me.
Said he wants me to
sell him my baby.
What?
He said he wants to raise him as his own.
As his heir.
Nah, that's crazy. That couldn't a been what he meant.
He drafted adoption papers.
He said he wouldn't take no for an answer.
[papers rustling]
Listen...
I got you.
Meet me at your house in a hour.
Stacia...
I'm not gonna let anybody hurt you. You understand?
[chirping intensifies]
Ah...I a...
I gotta finish up here.
I'll catch you later, okay?
Great...yeah.
Thank you.
[sighs]
I was gonna...give this back to you.
I'm sorry...
for everything.
[ignition starts]
[door beeping]
[door shuts]
Okay, we talkin' bout 30 minutes, 1 on 1, you and Anita.
You'll get all the questions in advance, right.
Won't be any gotcha angle, or anything like that.
[silverware clangs] - Listen...
this is just a story of survival, baby.
Somehow...she's behind this.
No, look...this is all Anita.
But she'll sneak in a question to embarrass me.
Babe, don't worry about Angela. I'll handle Angela!
See, that's the problem.
It's always gonna be like this.
She's your business partner.
You're always gonna have to handle Angela.
[silverware clangs]
Alright, I'll do it.
I'll do it. I'll sit down with Anita
[sighs]
[silverware clangs loudly]
What's this crap?
[hip-hop Music]
Where the hell you been, man?
I've been lookin' all over for you since this whole Stacia business.
This whole Stacia business...
you knew the whole time, didn't you?
I tried to warn ya.
Tried to tell you to slow down with her ass.
You ain't listen.
Then why couldn't you just tell me then?
You made me look like a complete idiot!
Yeah well it wasn't my truth to tell, man.
Now you stand there and look me in my eyes
and tell me if I'd a told you, you wouldn't believe me.
Yeah.
Heh, see you're just like your old man.
Nothin' bring a Fisher man to his knees faster than a beautiful woman.
[laughter]
Man, stop playin' with me, man. Look...
I came here because I need a gun.
What chu need a gun for?
For Stacia, just in case.
Just in case, what?
That's none of your business.
My gun, then my business.
Come on, man. You know you don't like people all up in your business.
Plus I'm just tryin' to look out for her.
So you gonna help me out or not?
You better be glad you're my son, boy.
[door squeaks]
- Yeah. - Go on, protect your woman.
Hey look here, let me ask you a question.
When you was drivin' for me,
- Yeah, the organs? - Yeah, the organs.
I want you to go back and write down every location
that Richard had you go to.
Can you do that for me?
Yeah, I got you.
- Appreciate it.
And be careful out there, man.
- Alright.
- Thank you Nancy. A I'll come by to pick him up later, okay?
[blinds rustle] [sighs]
[rustling]
[sinister music]
Ah, okay, yes. Oah...mm
ooh, oah [indistinct]
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
Oah.
[suspenseful music]
[slam]
Oah.
Mother.
You found me.
[ominous music]
[sighs]
Tell me...
what has that monster done now?
[dramatic music builds and stings out]
[breathing heavily]
["Dancin With You" by Nic Jackson plays] * Dancin' with you
* I forget tomorrow's comin'
* forgot that I was runnin'
[music grows louder] * when I'm with you
* when I'm dancin' with you
* I get lost in the moment
* don't stop till the moment
* comes through
* when I'm dancin'
Yes, I'm Tamara. Please just drive [breathing heavily]
* Oh oah
* when I'm dancin' with you
* Oh oah
[knocking]
Hey, you wanted to see me.
Let me just start by saying
about earlier,
I didn't mean to come at you like I did.
Truce?
And Anita told me that Paige is doin' the interview.
I think that's very brave of her.
- Angela-- - It's like you said,
our personal lives shouldn't affect what we do in here.
We'll get past this.
Good job today, partner.
That's just it.
We're not partners anymore.
Eh, what do you mean?
What is that?
Just take the buyout,
get the hell outta here.
You're firing me?!
Make sure you're gone
before Paige's interview.
I want you to check in with me every hour on the hour, you understand?
Look, don't be nervous.
I don't deserve your kindness.
You're a good man, Kendrick.
[sighs]
Stacia...
why couldn't you just tell me?
[emotional instrumental music]
[deep inhale] I was goin' to...
and then you were in the hospital,
and then your mother got arrested.
- [Kendrick sighs] - And I was waiting for the
right time to tell you so it wouldn't hurt you so bad.
[inhale] The more I waited, the more excited you got.
I'm sorry, Kendrick.
I still would a loved him.
I still do.
[crying]
- Listen...
no one's perfect, right?
[crying laughter]
Not me,
not you,
but I understand that we don't have to be perfect to be a family.
A family?
- Yes...we are a family.
And I'm willin' to do whatever it takes to protect my family.
Stacia...
I forgive you.
[sniffle]
And I wanna work this out. Alright, baby?
- Come here. - Me too!
[inhales] Me too.
[exhales] I'm sorry.
[laughter]
Your mayorship?
After everything, how profoundly foolish can you be? [laughs]
Not foolish, vulnerable.
Oh he played you [laughter]
- Yes, he did.
But I want him to pay.
Oh, so you came to see me.
For once you did something right.
How do I get Victor?
[sighs]
- So how long are you gonna stay here?
- As long as necessary.
Though I will say the staff here
isn't quite up to my standards,
or your father's for that matter.
I'm referring to Victor.
Mama and I worked in Victor's parents' home.
We cooked and cleaned for them.
[deep inhale] Oh I see, he didn't quite fill you in.
No, he didn't.
[exhales]
[deep inhale]
It didn't take long for Victor to notice mama.
She was
very charismatic.
very regal.
She was the one who taught me how to properly
make and pour tea.
She had a way of making everything seem-
even pouring tea-
more dignified,
which was a tall order in that house of horrors we lived in.
He beat her.
mugged her,
insulted her,
[teacup rattles] all because he could.
His parents
traveled often,
[snickers] probably to escape him.
They always looked the other way.
Except mama and I never had that luxury.
But he wasn't
just abusive, he was
sadistic.
manipulative [teacup rattles]
[cup rests]
What?
He wouldn't pay her
unless she humiliated herself, like
eating something spoiled or
placing her hand over an open flame.
It made him laugh.
But some days he, oh he could be so kind,
so loving, and the moment you felt safe,
he would turn
viciously.
I thought mama bein' pregnant with you
would at least stop the beatings but
it only got worse.
She mustered
every ounce of strength she could to give birth to you.
[sniffles] But her body just couldn't handle
any more stress.
Not after,
not after what that man did to her.
[traffic noise]
[silverware clanging]
[Tamara] Thank you.
[overlapping voices]
[door creaks]
[background conversation]
[ominous instrumental music]
[sighs]
[breathing heavily]
Pick up the pace.
Get out my office.
It's only your office for the next 30 minutes.
What do you want, Paige? Hm...you won, okay.
You got everything you wanted.
Oh trust me, if I really got what I wanted...
Don't touch me.
Get out or I'm callin' security.
- Oh they'll be here soon.
They're the ones escortin' your ass out of the building.
[loud shuffling]
[laughter] Try me.
I see my husband was very generous.
Stop.
But he forgot a little somethin' for severance.
This is how you used to make your money, wasn't it?
Listen very closely,
Angela.
You come near me or my family again,
I will hurt you.
[ominous instrumental music]
Good luck in all your endeavors.
[chuckles]
[sinister music]
[thrilling, suspenseful music]
[dramatic music stings out]
You know the day mama was buried,
Victor called me into his room,
and he slapped me.
Blamed me for her death.
He said my insolence and selfishness had
weakened her spirit.
So
[shallow inhale] to teach me a lesson,
What? Wha wa what? What happened, mama? What?
He branded me, Ella.
Oah!
[sniffles]
- Oh...
oh god.
- My punishment.
I can still feel the rod burning my flesh.
[inhales] But that wasn't the worst of it.
[choking up] He said he would do it to you
if I ever disobeyed him.
[sniffles]
And in that moment
[deep inhale] I decided that enough was enough.
- [male voice] Leona!
[breathing heavily]
[glass shatters] Where's Ella?
[suspenseful music]
[breathing heavily]
[door slams] Get back here!
[baby crying]
Leona!
[hurried footsteps]
[dramatic music tapers off]
And I didn't see that man again for
for 16 years.
He found me just as Greater Hope was
beginning to thrive.
What did he want?
You.
[sniffles] He wanted you back.
He threatened to involve the police,
and that would've just blown up our whole world,
and after I worked so hard to build it, I wasn't gonna let that happen.
So I made him a deal.
[sniffles]
A trade.
A beautiful, newborn, baby boy.
Oh my god!
Malik?!
Gloria Stewart's son?
- Yes.
A dark bargain for sure,
but I would do it again.
Because like I always said,
everything I have done, I have done
to survive.
Oh...
Leona...
mother...
thank you.
I had no idea.
Now tell me,
how do I get Victor?
[deep inhale]
Remember the sin
your father preached most about in his sermons?
Wrath?
- Now that is Victor's weakness.
Beneath all that velvety smooth demeanor,
is a man with uncontrollable rage.
If you can get him to lose control,
you can control him.
[ominous music intensifies]
[crickets chirping]
[door shuts quietly]
[gravel rustling]
[suspenseful music]
[distant train horn sounds]
Who in the hell you workin' for, boy?
[thrilling music]
Oh my god.
Damn.
[deep sigh]
- Excuse me.
[sighs] Sorry I'm late. I've got a lot goin' on.
- It's okay. Thanks for meeting me.
Of course. Listen,
a I know that there are still some things that we need to talk ab--
- All that can wait, okay. I just
I need you to look at this.
Oh my god.
- Right. It's bad.
It's felony tax fraud.
Up, can you do anything with it?
Malik gave this to you with his will.
It was under seal so it's binding.
I mean it's right here in black and white.
- Malik, Levi and-- - Victor.
[crickets chirping]
[suspenseful music]
Clear the set. We're live in 2.
Okay. Alright, baby.
- Jabari. - You gonna be fire, rah!
Hey Anita, please go easy on me.
- Anita got sick.
- And we're live in 3, 2--
[dramatic music stings out]
Good evening. I'm Angela Parks in for Anita Robinson.
Thank you for watching.
- What is she doin' here? - -[Angela] Thank you Paige for...
- Where's Anita? - stopping by to talk about...
your incredible experience.
Happy to be here.
Hm. We just saw your package on your mind-blowing story,
and I think I speak for everyone here when I say
how are you?
How are you feeling right now in this very moment?
I've been better,
- but I'm doin' my best. - Mm.
- I'm sure reuniting with your family has been amazing.
Your beautiful daughter, Jada,
and your handsome husband, Jabari.
Yeah.
It has been.
I would do anything for my family.
I would kill for them.
Oh no. I feel you, Paige.
I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to be separated from the people
that I love for that long.
Has there been
an adjustment period?
None. I'm just eager to make up for lost time.
- Well what about your family?
What about Jabari?
Have there been any changes in his life
that you've had to adjust to?
Nothing we can't handle.
- [exuberant laughter] Paige, girl, come on.
You can be honest.
Truth comes first here.
We should disclose to our viewers that your husband Jabari and I
were in a romantic, sexual relationship this past year.
I'm sor-- I think there's been some mistake.
- Oh no, it's okay.
It's okay, Paige. I support his decision to
honor his commitment to you.
Till death do us part.
Jabari is a great man,
and will be an amazing father.
Yes, Paige. Jabari and I are expecting.
[maniacal laughter]
[gasp] Uh, ah, oh!
- [yelping] Someone help me. - Oh, oh, oh, um cut, got into...
commercial!
[Angela] Oh, what? Uah!
[overlapping chatter]
[cup rests]
[papers rustling]
I know you wanna ask, so just ask.
- Were you and Malik sleeping together when I was with him?
[cup rests] [sighs]
No.
Malik was fun for a while.
By the time you two got together, we had already fizzled out.
I swear, Tamara.
I just, I have a habit of picking a man who hurt me.
I mean other men maybe, but not Malik.
He left you
everything.
I mean if, if that isn't love, what is?
Money isn't love.
Malik's money doesn't help me sleep at night.
- You know this is about more than money.
Because of him,
Austin will have the best education.
[sentimental music]
Because of him, you will have the ability to pursue
whatever dream you want.
But he wanted you at upsurge.
[smirks] He gave you that board seat because he trusted you.
He believed in your skills and the way you got things done.
That you were a fighter.
Malik loved you, Tamara.
And he loved your child.
I mean, isn't that all that really matters in the end?
What about you?
My child is loved.
We're gonna be just fine.
- Hm.
[blows]
He's gotta go, Rex!
That man has gotta go!
- What happened? - No, Victor, Victor is a monster.
He physically and mentally abused my mother and
and Leona. Look, listen, Rex...
he branded her. He branded her with a V.
She still has a scar!
Victor is a psychopath!
- Calm down.
Listen, what are we gonna do?
No, we. We? I'm gonna kill that bastard!
Don't get crazy, Ella Mae.
- Now let's talk-- - You are not hearin' me, Rex!
He is crazy!
I'm listenin' to you. Okay, listen. Let's just talk through it.
Okay? Now calm down, relax.
We gonna take care of it.
[pours drink]
I just found out that Victor isn't--
[low R&B music]
Ella Mae!
[door slams]
Oh my god.
[sighs]
hew, this baby's kickin'.
You know Austin was a kicker. He kicked so much.
- Aww. - [laughter]
Stacia?
[laughs] You didn't have to check up on me.
[chuckles] I'm actually here for Tamara.
Victor sent me here to take you to upsurge.
[scoffs] I'm not goin' there.
- No, of course not.
Give me these.
I will call Victor, and I will tell him
as Tamara Austin's ,
we will not be selling your shares of upsurge.
[muffled sigh]
[phone vibrates]
Hello?
- [Victor] Eyes on Tamara?
Yes, sir.
Kendrick's pickin' her up just like you ordered.
Come on, ladies.
- [laughs] - Thank you.
Hey Tammy, why don't you let me take you home?
- That'd be great. Thank you.
[laughter]
- Absolutely. - Hey, babe...
- Yes. - I was thinkin',
- What? - maybe you could come over after work...
and we could order in and snuggle up and watch a movie.
Um, I don't know about that, Stacia.
[beeping]
[beeping stops]
[sighs]
I mean you snore quite a bit in bed,
you know what I'm sayin'?
- Snore? [laughter] - I'm just kidding.
Hey, you know what? I think I'm gonna stay and get dinner here.
I can find a ride back.
- Really, you sure? I mean-- - Yeah.
Yeah, go ahead and get a head start on your romantic evening.
- Aw, thank you. - Tssh [laughs]
Yep.
Let's get him.
[smirks]
Chuh...
alright, see ya.
Come on.
- Babe, I don't snore. - I was just kidding. [laughs]
- What do you wanna watch?
Ah...
hey, you know what?
Give me a second. Let me take care of somethin'.
Take the key,
- start the car, because I know how you like... - [deep sigh]
to control the music. Let me get you in here.
Come on.
I'm a be a second.
[Stacia sighs]
- You in? You good? - [Stacia groans]
- Yeah, I'm in. Babe, hurry up.
- The baby good? - Yep, uh huh.
- [deep exhale] Okay. - Right back. Give me second.
[door shuts]
Hey, how you doin'? Um [clicks tongue] let me see,
that one. Right there.
[dark ominous music]
["Take Me Away" by Andrew Murray, Pascal Magdinier & Taylor plays]
* Take me away
*...for my brothers...
*
* I put it downtown...
- [Victor] Are we clear?
- Yes, sir. - Finish it.
[suspenseful music]
[sinister music]
[dramatic music builds]
[blast]
[collective gasps]
- [Tamara yelps] - No!
[screaming]
Stacia!
[dramatic music escalates]