Peter, this is Alice.
She'll oversee your training on this assignment, so follow her lead.
You're a night agent now. Relationships are dangerous.
Alice!
Alice is dead.
- What? - She's gone.
The file I sold was from early development.
It was called Foxglove.
We took the whole thing.
Trust me, cousin, it's better this way.
Seems the Iranians may have come into possession of classified information.
POTUS wants to bring Night Action in on it.
I saw Javad noticing you.
- I don't know him. - So get to know him.
It's an obituary for a deceased Marine named Solomon Vega.
Says he's survived by his sister, Celeste.
Abbas Mansuri, Iranian ambassador to the United Nations.
Solomon Vega.
- They exchanged something. - Who took the picture?
Noor Taheri. We're taking over her case.
I think it's great.
- It's evocative. - But?
It's dangerous to print such things.
Of course it's dangerous. Anything worth a damn is dangerous.
Shaukat, even if these accusations are true,
you're picking a fight with the Revolutionary Guard.
That's the purpose of the newsletter. "To poke the eye of power."
I know, but... if the mullahs read this, they'll go crazy.
You're assuming they know how to read. Besides, what do you care?
You'll be just another cog in their machine soon enough.
Not everyone gets to be a pirate journalist.
I know you don't approve of the Foreign Ministry.
But it's where I can make a real difference.
It's important to me.
Just as this newsletter is to you.
You should think about your brother.
He'll be of conscription age next year, won't he?
These fanatics will push their propaganda all over him.
It's nonsense, of course, but the biggest lies are wrapped in candy.
Do you want him to suffer like your father?
Open the door! Now!
You can't be here. Go!
- What's happening? - It's the police. Come.
- What about you? - I'll be fine. Hurry!
We know you're in there. Open the door or we'll break it.
You were warned about publishing treasonous lies.
Make way. Give us room!
What happened? Why did they take her?
They were afraid of her.
Edward?
Hello?
Hey.
Sorry. Please.
Who are you?
I'm Peter, this is Rose.
I'm gonna say a few things.
If you don't like what you hear, you are free to leave. Okay?
I don't work for the CIA, but I've been briefed on your case.
And it's my understanding you wanna get your family out of Iran,
bring them here to live in the U.S. Is that right?
Okay.
Look, I'm taking over for Edward. You understand?
This is one of the photos you took
of the man that met with your ambassador, yes?
- Yes. - What can you tell me about him?
The meeting was secret.
He scheduled it himself.
I don't know what they talked about,
but the ambassador was given a briefcase before he left.
- I tried to tell Edward-- - Forget Edward. Okay?
You're talking to me.
- What was in the briefcase? - I don't know. But he still has it.
It's locked up in his study.
Does that help?
It'd help me more if I knew what was inside it.
You're asking me to get what's in the briefcase?
Long enough to make copies of what's in there.
You do that, we will get your family out of Iran,
bring them here so you can all live together,
under our protection, with our financial assistance.
- That's the offer. - He can make that happen.
- And what if I don't do it? - Then you'll never hear from me again.
And you can go back to the Mission and try to live with the choice you've made.
My brother is due to be conscripted into the army next week.
If he is, he will be shipped off to die
in some pointless proxy war just like our father was.
I don't want that for him.
But I have UN prep all week,
a party tomorrow at the ambassador's residence,
and then a three-day water conference.
I cannot neglect all of that without being suspected.
Tell me about this party.
Wait, wait. I don't understand. What exactly are you telling me?
He doesn't know anything about it.
An American spy sold intel
about an experimental CIA weapon called Foxglove,
and you're saying that his boss's boss at the CIA
doesn't know anything about it?
And that's not strange to you?
No, because Gedney's not a spook, he's a bureaucrat.
That's why they put him in the big chair.
He doesn't know shit,
but he's good at pushing a pencil from A to B.
So you don't mind if I take a run at him? You know, ask him a few follow-ups?
- My word's not good enough? - It's not your word I'm doubting.
Not everything is a conspiracy.
Political appointees are just as likely to be dumb and feckless
as anyone else.
Are you calling the director of the CIA dumb?
And feckless. Keep up, will you?
Aiden, Warren was our best lead.
You'll find others.
Just keep pounding the pavement. I'll do the same on my end.
And leave Gedney alone.
Miss Vega? Hello?
Celeste?
Excuse me? Ma'am?
Do you know the woman who lives here?
- Is she in some kind of trouble? - Oh no.
I'm with the ADRC.
It's a federally funded P&A system
that provides financial assistance for people with disabilities.
Oh, the government. Problem solved then.
I was hoping to talk to Miss Vega, but her house looks completely empty.
It was the strangest thing.
Phil and I didn't even hear the moving trucks
until they rolled on down the street this morning.
She moved? In the middle of the night?
Yeah.
We'd help her with her groceries from time to time, because, well...
Poor thing. I mean, she didn't have many folks to help her.
Really? I was under the impression she had a brother.
No. No, not that I've ever seen.
Yeah. I'm sorry.
Thank you.
There are guards, security cameras,
and absolutely no phones or electronics allowed,
except for pre-approved Mission staff, like me.
What's this on the third floor?
That is Abbas's study, where his briefcase is.
- Sorry, I'm not very good at drawing. - You're doing fine.
- This the only staircase up? - No.
There is a services stairwell in the butler's pantry.
- Is the study locked? - Yes.
Key card access only. He keeps it on him.
That's not the only thing you have to worry about.
Javad, our head of security, is former Quds Force.
What's that?
It's an elite branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
He will be overseeing every detail tomorrow night.
What about the cameras?
They record to a server in the boiler room, I think.
But as far as I know, they are not monitored.
Okay, so all I have to do
is get in, steal the key card, take the service stairwell to the study,
find the briefcase, document what's inside,
and get out, all without being detected?
Well, when you put it that way...
I am quite sure I can get you the key card. It's just...
It's just what?
Abbas keeps it in his jacket pocket.
If... if there was a distraction, something to take his attention away...
Or someone?
I could...
- No. - Well, it was just an idea.
- Well, we'll think of another one. - Will we? We don't have time.
Just give me a minute.
Uh, Peter, I can do it. It's okay.
It's not okay. This is not why I let you stay here.
It's just a party, right?
I mean, if I get caught, I get kicked out.
If you get caught, it's an international incident.
Noor's already putting herself at risk.
- No. - Can you do this by yourself?
What happens if you don't find what's in that briefcase?
Something really bad, right?
I can do it.
I'm gonna make some calls.
- You're upset. - A regular fucking Sherlock Holmes.
- Is this about the casualties? - More like executions, don't you think?
But yeah. Yeah, that was a bit concerning.
Not half as much as the robbery itself. I thought the plan was clear.
Situations change, so plans change.
Besides, this puts us in a stronger position.
Forces them to take us seriously. Which is what you want, no?
What I want, Markus,
is for you to understand the delicate nature of this endeavor,
the fucking global politics involved, and how it's taken months to plan.
What about your father? His sentencing approaches.
I'm working on it.
I am.
But he's in the mess he's in because he let militants like you stir him up.
If he'd just listened to me, he wouldn't be imprisoned in The Hague
while interlopers dismantle our entire family legacy.
- Am I interrupting something? - No.
No. No, please.
I take my invitation here
as a signal you'd like to continue with our arrangement.
- Do I have that right? - Yes.
Yes, but thing is, I've got this lingering question in the back of my mind.
You see, I know why I'm doing this.
Country, family, heritage.
But what I can't quite put my finger on is what's in it for you.
Can I offer you some advice?
Never ask a question you don't already know the answer to.
It's a confession of ignorance.
Are you suggesting I'm ignorant?
No.
It's just that you're asking the wrong person.
- Good night, gentlemen. - Good night.
Why are you still working?
You know how Abbas gets a week before General Assembly.
"Haleh, this is serious business."
"Haleh, this is important work."
"Haleh, give me this. Haleh, give me that. Haleh, Haleh, Haleh."
He can be demanding.
I'm just looking forward to going home
so Bijan and I can have more time to ourselves.
Speaking of romance...
Here it comes.
What? I can't be invested in my friend's love life?
Noor, look around. We don't have much for entertainment.
It was just lunch, Haleh. It's not like we're planning to run away.
But you like Javad, no?
He's really very sweet.
I knew it! Didn't I tell you? I have a sixth sense about these things.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I've heard all about your sixth sense... And your seventh... And your eighth...
Go.
I'll finish for you.
Really?
Yeah.
I have "serious business" to finish.
How's it going out here?
Swell, huh?
I just-- I can't figure out these angles.
Don't let perfection stand in the way of progress.
This has to be perfect, Rose.
You know the thing that I love about my work
is that if you can code it, you can build it.
Of course, sometimes,
my abilities don't always match up with the ideas in my head.
But on those super rare occasions, you know what helps the most?
Troubleshooting.
I don't have the time or the energy for this. Thank you, though.
Okay, just think of the stupidest version of the plan and start there.
It's not about finding answers,
it's about building up to them in a way that makes sense to you.
Just try it.
Start stupid.
You can do that, right?
Just... just go to sleep.
Hey.
Um...
I'm not sure how this will all go tomorrow,
but I need you to promise me something, okay?
If something goes wrong at this party, like, at all,
you just turn around and walk out.
Right then and there, no risks.
Okay? Not... not even for me.
I understand.
That's not good enough.
I need you to promise me, or I'll call this off.
I promise.
Night.
Oh, we close at nine, sorry.
Two minutes, I'll be in and out.
Read the sign.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, how did you...
Well, the sign says open.
You don't mind, right?
I just need my mail.
Okay, what's the name?
Okay, one sec.
Here you go.
Something wrong?
Got a knife?
May wanna take a couple steps back.
Seriously.
There must be some mistake.
I shouldn't be getting this.
Oh.
Yeah...
Well, that's your name.
Hey. You're up.
Hey. You know that "start stupid" idea you had?
I think it worked.
So the security server they're using probably runs on a relay,
so if I can trip it, it'll give us about 15 minutes before the cameras reboot.
More than enough time to get in and out of the ambassador's office
without raising any red flags once I get the key card.
Noor will come through. I'll make sure she gets it.
And, uh, you'll actually have some help.
It's your date. He's a Swiss attaché for special affairs.
He'll make sure you get into the party, get out clean.
You have friends in Switzerland?
He's Catherine's guy. But he'll make sure you're safe.
Yeah, for sure.
But wait, how will you get into the party? I'm guessing you're not on the guest list.
What's a party without catering?
- What? - No, I... I think it's a... it's a good look.
You're totally gonna pull off that hideous vest.
You're more than welcome to return your dress and join me.
Uh, no thanks. I waited enough tables in college.
I'll stick with the Swiss dude.
Chasing fucking ghosts.
No offense.
Sir? Pardon me?
Are you Isaac Leeds?
Uh, girls, go in the house. I'll be right in.
Yeah, I'm Isaac.
Isaac, hi.
I'm Catherine.
I worked with your late cousin, Alice,
and I just wanted to extend my personal condolences,
as well as an apology.
Apology for what?
Well, it seems there was some kind of shipping mishap,
but this should have gotten to her loved ones much sooner.
You know, I barely knew Alice.
My uncle, her dad, he talked about her all the time.
He was really proud too.
Especially when she joined the FBI.
But then she got some promotion, I guess,
and she came around less and less,
until one day, everyone just stopped hearing from her.
I don't know if it was the job, or something about us,
but... I know that it broke her dad's heart.
You sent it back.
Something like that,
it should be with someone that really knew her.
Cared about her.
- Noor. - Come in.
Let's go. We have work to do before the guests arrive.
I'm coming.
Okay.
- You good? - Yeah.
Is it too much?
Uh, no. No, you look... you look great.
Could you give me a hand? I couldn't get the clasps to hook.
Yeah.
- There you go. - Thanks.
Okay, now, remember, if there's any problem or trouble, make sure--
Walk out the front door, forget you ever existed.
"Peter who?" Got it.
- Rose, this is serious. - I understand.
Okay, well, see you at the party.
Okay. Be careful.
- Good luck. - You too.
What's your name, dear?
Uh, Rose.
Rose?
Yeah.
So for the purposes of this evening, I'm going to, um, introduce you
as... Bettina.
- Bettina? - Is that satisfactory?
Whatever you think works.
Grand.
So, uh, how long have you worked with Catherine?
Not "with." For.
She's more of a captor than a colleague.
- A captor? - Mmm.
A few years back, I made an error, particulars of which I'd like to forget.
And she caught me,
red-handed.
So this is my penance.
My way of making up for her silence.
How many more favors does she have on that punch card?
Let's just focus on tonight, shall we?
Mm-hmm.
All right.
Iran welcomes our friends from Switzerland.
- Enjoy your evening. - Thank you.
Uh...
Ma'am.
- Your phone. - Oh, I didn't bring one.
Oh.
Thank you, darling.
Don't worry. They're not gonna see...
Uh, we're at a party, dear. It's rude not to mingle.
I just don't wanna lose track of him.
We'll find him when the time is right. Till then, patience.
- I'm gonna grab some more empties, okay? - Okay.
Ambassador. Your reception for the foreign minister's a triumph.
Emil!
I wasn't expecting a visit from our Swiss friends this evening.
And yet here I am, materializing nonetheless.
Always welcome.
Please. Allow me to introduce my companion.
Her name is Bettina.
Welcome. Pleasure to meet you.
What happened to the last one?
Alas, they come and they go, don't they?
How old is she?
Bettina, tell me, are you American?
I hope that's not a problem.
No, not for me, but for you.
- November, big decision... - Oh.
Knox or Hagan for president. Which one will you choose?
Seems like an easy decision to me.
Ah.
Emil, you've got a politician on your hands.
Watch out.
Yeah.
I'll watch out for a great number of things with her.
Oh, what are those?
Oh, pomegranate crostinis. Delicious.
- Please, help yourself. - I'm gonna take two, if that's okay.
Bettina.
I think she's choking.
- Are you choking? - Darling.
- She is choking. - Do something.
- Are you choking? - Do something.
Do something, ambassador.
Please.
I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine.
I'm fine.
You gave us an awful fright.
You. Come help me with something. Now.
I... I just need to get some water.
- What happened? - Javad just took him somewhere.
Who, Peter? Where?
I... I don't know but we don't have much time left. What should we do?
I, um...
I... I just need some air.
What? No, where are you going?
- Do you still have the key card? - Yes.
Give it to me. And your phone. I need it to take pictures.
Hurry, before I change my mind.
Okay, uh, find Peter and make sure he's okay, all right?
It's a shame, you know? You couldn't have just re-gifted these?
These are cherished gifts from trusted allies.
We would never just give them away.
But of course for us, alcohol is forbidden.
So why would they gift you wine?
Our last ambassador, he was a little loose with the rules.
But he was made to learn.
Tell me, Matt, how long have you worked at this catering company?
A few months. Why?
You walk different than the others.
How do I walk?
With purpose.
- Just trying to do a good job. - I see.
And what were you doing before? For work?
Uh, retail mostly, but that's when I was living Upstate.
Now I'm just trying to pay some bills, feed my dog.
He won't go for any of the canned stuff. He only eats the premium boiled chicken.
What, uh... what breed?
He's a yellow Lab.
- You a dog guy? - No.
I was under the impression that Labradors had a natural allergy to chicken.
Not Scout. He, uh... he loves it. Can't get enough of it.
Well, I think I'm done.
Can I get back to work?
Otherwise, they'll stick me on the van.
Um, no.
Not quite yet.
I spent a career in counterintelligence.
I find it extremely rewarding.
But like most jobs, it tends to come home with you.
Little habits you pick up along the way.
For instance, every single time I enter a room,
my eyes unavoidably plot out the escapes.
Every door, every window.
I couldn't stop doing it if I tried.
That's great, man.
I don't know what this has to do with me.
I was wondering the same thing
when I noticed that you share my compulsion.
Counting windows and doors with your eyes.
Such a strange habit for a waiter, wouldn't you say...
Matt?
It's been great talking to you, but I gotta get back to work.
No, I don't believe you do.
Shit.
Is Javad in there?
Abbas needs to speak with him.
He's busy. Go away.
I don't know who you think I am, man. I...
Whoever it is, yeah, trust me, I'm a lot less interesting.
No. Don't sell yourself short. We're just getting to know one another.
Just a little bit.
Oh my God!
This is a bespoke designer suit!
You spilled all over it!
I'm sorry.
Check your logs. Okay? I was cleared to work here just like everybody else.
Oh, so you're saying if I ask the other waiters, they would vouch for you?
- Yeah, that's what I'm saying. - And what name should I give them?
Matt. My name's Matt.
Look, this is ridiculous. I don't have to put up with this. Okay?
I'm an American citizen. This is New York fucking City.
- You can't hold me prisoner. - Can't I?
This is a diplomatic residence, which means this very room
is sovereign territory of the Islamic Republic.
- Great. Does that make you mayor? - No.
It makes me God.
What?
We have an issue with one of our staff.
- Who? - Noor.
Take him to the basement.
Put a scare into him.
Then we'll find out who he really is.
You careless idiot!
How do you expect me to continue this evening drenched in--
What's the problem here?
- I'm covered in it no thanks to her! - Sir. Lower your voice.
You're right, of course.
Perhaps I got carried away.
My apologies.
I'll go in search of some club soda.
Are you okay? Nothing happened to you, right?
I'm sorry. It was all my fault.
It's all right.
Go get yourself cleaned up.
Excuse me?
What are you doing up here? How did you get that through?
Everyone's supposed to hand in their phone at the entrance.
Oh, the line in the bathroom was so long, and I thought there was one up here.
And I found this on the banister.
Any idea whose it is?
Yes. She works with me. I'll make sure she gets it.
Now, if you please.
I just gotta run to the catering van. I'm running out of silverware.
Hey.
Could you get me more of those mini bread things?
Sure.
Rose.
Hey.
Shit.
What happened to you?
Took one for the team.
Shall we?
I just need to...
Oh, here, let me. You've done enough for one evening.
Just put in a good word with Catherine for me, will you?
All right.
Ah, my friend.
Wonderful evening. Fantastic.
Of course. That's the only reason he ever calls me.
Well, I know that he would like to text. It would be easier--
Catherine.
Four years in foreign operations,
five years at the bureau before that.
The woman never worked a load she couldn't clear,
and if she did, she dug in,
made it her life, because that's what the job demanded.
Okay, I don't know what all this is about,
but tonight's hardly the time or place for this.
Yeah, you're right.
But that's the thing about sacrifice, Director Gedney.
It's fucking inconvenient.
Are those someone's ashes?
For Christ's sake, Catherine. At dinner?
Her name was Alice Leeds.
She was my best, knew what it took.
And all she expected in return was for the institution to have her back.
So you better get comfortable with the sight of me, Byron,
because I'm not leaving until you tell me what she died for.
I'll just use the restroom.
Excuse me.
Foxglove.
What is it?
Where've you been?
I'm sorry. It took longer than I thought to get back.
You left, right? When they took me in the back, you left?
Well, I... I was going to, but--
Rose, we agreed that if something were to happen--
I know. But, Peter, I did it.
I got the key card, I found the briefcase,
I... I took the photos, and I snuck out in time.
I did it.
What do you mean? Where are they?
On Noor's phone. We're gonna get them tomorrow.
- Uh, please don't be mad. - I'm not--
I'm not mad.
You shouldn't have been there.
Okay? You... you should've left. You promised me.
Rose, if something were to happen to you, I--
I'm okay.
You're okay.
We did it.
You did it.
Hey.
- How was the party? - It was messy.
- Emil helped us out a lot though. - Yes, I heard.
- Who knew Rose had it in her? - I did.
Find any more ties between Solomon Vega and Foxglove?
I had an illuminating dinner conversation last night,
the details of which are still incoming,
but the tenor of it left me feeling unsettled.
This is the part of the job they leave off the brochure.
Yeah.
You lose anybody like this before?
Once. A while back.
I'm sorry.
I used to meet Alice here every other week for our debriefs.
The pier was her preference.
I always thought the choice was tactical.
It's public, it's flat, only one way in.
But then I realized...
she just loved the water.
Back in, uh, Bangkok,
she had me running this all-night surveillance exercise.
Uh, it turns out, we were just following her favorite food truck.
And that's the secret.
The thing that makes any good agent great.
Appreciating the little things?
Yeah.
Alice did that better than any of us.
Oh, you're not meeting with that eel again, are you?
You were in such a rotten mood after last time.
- He's my cousin, Sloane. - Well, that's barely related.
They let cousins marry, after all.
Besides, he's off-putting.
He's like an outside dog.
Weasel's more like it.
He's making moves behind my back.
It's time he's reminded of the proper pecking order.
Here.
Wear this one. It's more regal.
It's not a tad loud?
Loud colors project strength.
Go on.
Whew.
Hmm.
Sagrados.
Imported from Havana.
- Mind if I help myself? - No, of course not.
After all, it's what you're best at.
I don't understand.
Our plan is moving ahead. Are we not to celebrate?
Our plan?
No. My plan.
Which, if you don't recall, was quite simple.
Document the mobile lab for blackmail,
not steal it entirely, leaving American bodies in your fucking wake.
- How much did that cost? - What?
Your hands. Your nails.
- This is manicure, yes? - So?
Hard hands reveal hard work.
Soft hands reveal a... soft touch.
It's not your fault.
You were saddled with more genteel expectations.
You're forgetting your place in all this.
And I think you're in over your head, little duck.
Perhaps it's time you showed a little loyalty.
To who?
You know who.
I wouldn't keep him waiting.
Your father grows impatient these days.
- Is she here yet? - She's on her way.
You sure she has the pictures? You saw the documents?
Yes. I mean, they were all in French, but I scanned them all to Noor's phone.
- French? - Mmm.
Okay.
Okay. Give her a few minutes.
What's going on?
Will you excuse us?
Seriously?
Okay.
Is this the intel on Foxglove?
What's left of it. The rest likely vanished in a burn barrel.
I don't understand. It's a bunch of loose names and chemical agents.
It's thin, but all of the pieces fit.
Clandestine R&D program, theoretical chemists.
The idea was to conceive of new synthetic weapons
the U.S. could get ahead of,
then create antidotes, solvents, to counter their effects.
The only problem with that was,
well, they had to manufacture the chemicals to know how to stop them.
The CIA, in conjunction with the U.S. military,
secretly developed nine novel chemical agents in a mobile lab,
which, as of Friday,
has gone missing.
What do you mean it went missing? Like it's stolen?
They came in heavy. Killed two Marines in the process.
Holy shit.
Can we come down?
Uh, yeah.
- Hey. Were you followed? - No.
But the Mission is on alert after what happened last night.
They're saying you broke one of the guards' collarbones.
Who is she?
She's with us.
I was told you played a major part in getting us some much-needed intel.
Is that right?
It is.
That kind of cooperation goes a long way with me.
The photos of the documents Rose took, you have them?
Hey, it's okay. Give her the photos.
I... I didn't bring them.
But they are safe.
Noor.
I gave you my word, and I will honor that,
but first I need to know that you will honor yours.
We have to know what's in those documents. Now.
We'll get your family out, but it'll take some time.
How long?
Javad is combing through every second of our security footage,
and soon he will start asking questions, interrogate the whole Mission.
I... I cannot wait any longer.
Peter, she's not wrong.
Extractions take time to plan, especially in hostile countries.
Miss Taheri, the people that gave Abbas that intelligence
stole something extremely dangerous.
Those documents could tell us who they are, what they're plan--
No!
You people ask more and more
while you have held my family over my head like a carrot.
And I've delivered now.
I've put myself at risk.
I've betrayed my country.
Now it is your turn to do one thing for me.
Noor, please.
Where's your phone?
I told you.
Peter.
I transferred the photos to a drive.
Where?
If those documents are as important as you say,
get my family out of Iran. Now.
Then you will have your photos, not before.