Harry's Law Episode 2.06 The Rematch

Harry and her team, along with former adversary turned client Josh "Puck" Peyton, watch monitors in Harry's office of news reports about an incendiary upcoming trial. Peyton is being tried for kidnapping for his role in negotiating the release of a young child from abduction. Puck sees his action as heroic, but Adam's concerned that the D.A. - and the law - seem to see it differently. Puck's old boss, Roseanna Remmick, will prosecute the case personally.

Tommy greets an older couple as they enter the office. It's his dear friends Gloria and Abe Gold, his first two clients. Gloria explains that Abe's Alzheimer's has gotten worse and that he really needs to be in full-time care. But they can't afford it without selling their house, she tells Tommy. She's come to Tommy with a desperate request for a divorce. If she and Able legally split and transfer their assets to her, she tells Tommy, Abe's reduced net worth would enable him to get his care covered through Medicaid. Tommy tells them it would be fraud; that's why they're here, Gloria replies to Tommy. Abe flashes to life and tells an off-color joke at Gloria's expense, then quietly sinks back into his distant world.

Harry and Puck sit down with Remmick in her office. The D.A. is in no mood to talk about a deal. She spars with Harry, hurling epithets as she salivates at the chance for a rematch against the woman who knocked her off her perch. Puck can't resist and goes at it with his old boss; the two of them ignore Harry's plea for reasonableness.

The parents of the kidnapped girl testify for the prosecution, recounting the abduction of their daughter, Caitlyn. The day after she was snatched, they were approached by a private investigator who'd been retained by a lawyer representing the man who took Caitlyn. The father identifies Josh Peyton as that lawyer. Apparently, he testifies, Peyton was holding the girl as part of a deal that would allow the kidnapper to flee the country. Remmick drives the point home: even though they have no evidence he was part of the plot itself, Peyton served as a broker for the kidnapper and his victim. Harry cross-examines and Caitlyn's father expresses his belief: that Josh Peyton saved his daughter's life.

Tommy approaches Cassie. He'd like her to represent either Abe or Gloria in their divorce proceeding; Cassie wants no part of the fraud. But Gloria and Tommy make a special appeal, and against her better judgment, Cassie agrees to meet with Abe.

Remmick calls an FBI special agent to the stand who testifies that Peyton got lucky. Kidnappers are exceptionally dangerous; letting him off the hook would send the message to the next would-be hero that it's alright to insert oneself into a kidnapping. Harry cross-examines and introduces the notion that there are many private firms specializing in kidnap resolution - and their success rate is much higher than that of the local police and FBI.

Cassie argues with Tommy: Abe's not lucid enough to sign any divorce papers. Tommy explains that Abe has flashes of his old self; she simply needs to catch him in one of those moments. As Cassie, Gloria and Tommy look on, Abe bursts into a spirited version of "Heart of My Heart," singing with a full voice as he pounds flawlessly on a keyboard. He's confused and thinks that Cassie's his granddaughter. But then his eyes pull into focus. "I'm dying, Tommy," he says. "I have Alzheimer's."

Harry takes Cassie to task for abetting a fraud. Cassie appeals to the greater good: shouldn't society take care of its elderly, she asks. Ollie vehemently disagrees. Too many old people who didn't plan for their later years are bankrupting the country, he argues. Cassie and Harry are incredulous at his cold heart.

Cassie explains to Tommy that the plan has pitfalls. A settlement that leaves all the assets to Gloria may look too transparent to any Medicare investigator. But the home and car are all they have, Gloria explains, and Abe can't drive. Cassie raises another potential problem: Abe's Alzheimer's means he may say something that would tip off an investigator - or worse, he may believe that his wife actually wants to divorce him. That would kill him, Gloria gasps.

Josh takes the stand to tell his side of the story. He explains that an old client came to him, expressing cold feet for the crime he'd just committed: abducting a child. Josh testifies that he explained that attorney-client privilege did not apply if the attorney is aware of a crime in progress. The kidnapper warned Josh that he would need to negotiate a way out of the country for him - with two million dollars - or the child would surely die. So Josh brokered the deal: retrieving the cash from the parents, exchanging it for the girl and waiting a full day for the kidnapper to get away. Remmick cross-examines, questioning Peyton's judgment in assuring the girl's safety. She asks him for the kidnapper's name; Peyton won't reveal it, citing attorney-client privilege.

Remmick switches gears. She asks Josh whether in his role as a prosecutor he ever chose to negotiate with kidnappers. No, he tells the court. The D.A. quotes Josh from a kidnapping seven years earlier in which he was adamant: negotiating with kidnappers only incentivizes them - and must be avoided. Harry returns, asking Josh what happened to the young boy in the kidnapping case of seven years earlier. He was murdered, a tearful Puck tells the courtroom.

Caitlyn takes the stand and describes her ordeal. She confirms that after she was released to Mr. Peyton, he didn't immediately call the police, explaining that he had struck a deal with the kidnapper. Later, in Remmick's office, Harry negotiates for a deal for Peyton. The D.A. offers two years. Harry's unimpressed; she explains that Josh is the toast of Ohio for rescuing a six-year-old girl. Roseanna sticks to her guns, repeating to Harry that when it comes to verdicts, she doesn't lose. Harry mockingly questions her sanity. Remmick is surprised at Harry's contempt; she recites a litany of questionable clients and cases that Harry's taken on in the last year.

Cassie, Tommy and Gloria meet with Abe to try to explain the situation to him. He's not all there, but some of the message apparently sinks in. "Please don't make me go," he tells them. The next day, Tommy summons Gloria to his office with good news. He will personally pick up the costs of any care, including 24-hour care so she and Abe can remain together. But Gloria doesn't see it as good news. She confesses that she really does want a divorce from Abe. After 40 years, his lame jokes at her expense have worn her down - and besides, there's now another man she's interested in. Tommy's crushed.

D.A. Remmick begins her closing arguments. She tells the jury that acquitting Peyton will make it easier for kidnappers to commit crimes. Peyton should have contacted the police, but he willfully failed to do so, even after he had custody of the girl. She asks for compassion on behalf of the future families whose children will be kidnapped. She rests.

Harry's up next, with a simple counterargument: Josh Peyton saved a little girl's life. She asks the jury to put themselves in Caitlyn's parents' shoes: wouldn't you want someone who can negotiate to get your child back? Then, she asks the jury to put themselves in Josh's shoes. And she's got a revelation. Peyton refused to negotiate with a kidnapper seven years ago - and the little boy was murdered, setting off a spiral for Josh. She tells the jury of how Josh's life began to unravel, how he lost his effectiveness and eventually broke down in court. His life was ruined by his decision not to intercede and negotiate in a kidnapping.

Harry, Cassie, Ollie and Adam are out for drinks. They discuss the sad story of Gloria and Abe when Harry notices Roseanna Remmick at a table by herself. She goes over to chat. Harry questions Roseanna as to why she's got it out for Josh, someone who was loyal to her. She evades the question, but explains that she and her husband basically have no life and that she lives for prosecution. Remmick then gives her take on Josh: he wants the jury to find him guilty. She explains that it's the only thing that will validate his earlier decision to follow the rules - even if that decision did get a little boy killed.

Cassie has the unenviable task of explaining to Abe that his wife of 40 years wants a divorce. He laughs it off at first, but when Cassie finally gets through to him, he's shocked, hurt and heartbroken. Tommy arrives and tells Abe it'll be alright. He lovingly explains to Abe that there are lots of people who love him – including Gloria – and Tommy promises that he'll take care of him.

Harry counsels a distraught Cassie. Harry explains to her that the biggest difference between her old D.A. job and the one she has now is that her job now will sometimes bring her clients who will rip her heart out. It's the toughest and most rewarding part of the work, she tells Cassie. Hang on to it.

The jury returns with a verdict: not guilty on all counts. Harry makes Josh promise to never do such a thing again. He agrees - and goes off to talk to the TV cameras. Harry spots a shocked Remmick sitting motionless by herself at the prosecutor's table. She thinks about approaching her, but ultimately turns and walks away.