Stranger Beside You

**Written by** | Lauriel Harte Marger
 **\* GALLERY**

## Synopsis

The NYPD dives into a case surrounding a famous mommy blogger, whose husband was mysteriously stabbed just days after their baby was born. Meanwhile, Bright finds his way back to Eve, but can't shake his paranoia that there's more to her than meets the eye. To help ease his nerves, Ainsley helps him do some investigating and uncovers a secret she has been keeping.

## Plot

Malcolm was standing in his kitchen with a curious look on his, when Eve all of a sudden stands beside him holding a tray of fresh baked muffins. She told him they were blueberries and they embraced before he ate one. He noticed they were cherries and asked why she said they were blueberries. She continued to smile as if nothing was wrong and said they were indeed *blueberries*. Malcolm woke up from his dream and soon Eve comes over to comfort him.

Before work, Malcolm met up with his sister Ainsley and confided he thought Eve might be hiding something based off his dream. She insisted he was doing this to push her away as he had trust issues. Though they both agreed to do some light digging into her and find out what they could. Ainsley only agreed to declare herself the better journalist, as she wasn't overly cautious of Eve.

At work, Malcolm arrived to a *"Sip n See"* the house of a mommy blogger, *Alessa* who was a famous influencers. Her husband had been murdered only a few weeks after the birth of their child. Edrisa was there and cautioned them against removing the champagne bottle that had been used to stab the victim in the jugular. Malcolm was able to determine that the killer was quick to anger, but his objective was not to kill the victim. A possible accident or unexpected consequence. While Malcolm took a phone call from his father, the body was being removed from the ballpitt, and when the quark launched from the champagne bottle, Edrisa ran to tackle him to the ground, protect them from harm. Though, it never came close to striking him, he thanked her for her efforts.

At the NYPD they set up a profile of everyone who had been in and out of the house, with their best suspect as the nanny, *Christine Chartrand*. As it soon became clear her ID did not register. Before setting out to find the nanny and interview her, Malcolm asked Dani if she could do a quick background check on Eve. She didn't want to be involved in any potential drauma they might had, and declined.

Gil and Malcolm went to interview Alessa’s friends. This soon led them to interviewing their own nannies for information on the mommy and her nanny. Wondering if there was a possible affair going between the husband and nanny. Back at the precinct, the rest of the team shared their information. And became very curious to find out Christine's identity wasn't intentionally real. They made a late-night stop to Alessa's house, knowing she would be awake. While questioning her they heard footsteps coming from upstairs and saw on the baby monitor the nanny picking up the child. They immediately ran to the room to find no nanny and the child had been moved to a different bassinet. Upon further investigation into Christine they found out that was her real name is *Christine Chartrand* and she had left her husband, *Lucas Gerard* over a year ago without explanation. Upon talking to him he insisted he didn't know why she left, and believed she was possibly depressed. Using her real name they were able to find she had a criminal record.

Jessica was having lunch with Eve when Ainsley shows up. After inappropriately prying into Eve's life, Eve made a polite exit and Jessica schooled her daughter. Later that night, Malcolm went to visit his dad as part of their scheduled father-son time. Mr. David walked him in and his father presented him with hospital pasta. Curious Malcolm asked his dad how he was able to pretend to be such a loving and caring father while juggling his alter ego. Martin insisted it was *not* an act, he really did love his family.

While Dani and JT were staking Alessa's house, they saw her leave very late at night for a midnight stroll with her daughter towards the park. They followed her on foot and when she came to a bridge, she peered over the edge. They yelled at her to stop, as she tossed a bundled up blankets into the water believing it was the child. However when they got closer, they saw the baby was still in the buggy. Back at the police station they determined she had tossed away her fake baby bump. She admitted the nanny, Christine had really been there surrogate, but the baby was *hers* as it had been her fertilized egg.

Malcolm went home and was surprised to find his mother and sister there. They confronted him about information they had discovered about Eve. That she had been adopted and her real last name was *Sanders*. Believing she had a possible connection to Sophie Sanders. There were all very surprised to find Eve in the doorway who confirmed their suspicions. She admitted the only reason she had gotten involved with The Whitly Family was because she believed the Girl in the Box was really her older sister that had gone missing 20 years ago. She apologized for using the family but insisted her feelings and relationship with Malcolm were real. She was crying as she apologized again, as both her and Malcolm said a tearful goodbye, both angry and hurt. Upon her exit, his mother and sister tried to comfort him, but he smashed his phone against the wall before composing himself. Having been betrayed by someone he loved yet again. He ignored their advances to help him and left to go to work.

They received information Christine was staying at some random house, so Malcolm and Dani went to pick her up. Dani decided to use that inappropriate time to ask Malcolm what was bothering him, and he rushed over his end of relationship with Eve. Christine came down beaten and bruised. She explained she was indeed the surrogate but had lied about her identity because her husband was extremely abusive to her. That's why she ran away. And when *they* gave him her location, he had beat her up again. She admitted the baby was *biologically* hers, and now her husband wanted it.

While out shopping, Alessa could feel someone watching her. She was surprised to run into Malcolm who informed her, he knew the baby's real identity and er parents. They made their exit into the expensive store's basement, knowing he would follow. When he approached her, Malcolm physically attacked but surprisingly lost. As the other man overpowered him. Seeing Malcolm in danger, and knowing this man would take her child, the mother physically attacked him using a glass ball to smash his face. Malcolm called her off, physically restraining her. She was breathless and didn't know what came over her. Back at the precincts Christine signed over all legal rights to the mother, Alessa much to her enjoyment. Before leaving, Malcolm congratulated JT on his wife, Tally's pregnancy. Having been able to read the subtle clues he had noticed. JT swore him to secrecy and Malcolm agreed.

Having finished up the case, Malcolm returned home and was surprised to find Eve there, leaving him a letter and his keys. She, once again apologized for everything but was desperate to find out what happened to her sister. She had a photo of her sister, but was scared to show Malcolm. Deciding she didn't want to know what happened to her sister, because that way, she might still be alive. Malcolm talked her into showing him the photo as they both needed to know. Upon seeing the girl, Malcolm instantly recognized her as the *Girl in the Box*. Eve cried over the confirmed death of her sister.

## Notes

* Tally Tarmel was mentioned, but does not appear.
* Malcolm Bright and Eve Blanchard have been in a committed relationship for two weeks.
* Eve was adopted and originally from *South Carolina*
* JT Tarmel and Tally Tarmel are expecting their first child together.
* Sophie Sanders and Eve Blanchard are sisters.

## Cast

* Tom Payne as Malcolm Bright
* Michael Sheen as Dr. Martin Whitly
* Bellamy Young as Jessica Whitly
* Lou Diamond Phillips as Gil Arroyo
* Halston Sage as Ainsley Whitly
* Aurora Perrineau as Dani Powell
* Frank Harts as JT Tarmel
* Keiko Agena as Dr. Edrisa Tanaka
* Kasjan Wilson as Young Malcolm
* Esau Pritchett as Mr. David
* Molly Griggs as Eve Blanchard
* Anna Eilinsfeld as Sophie Sanders

**Others**
* Cameron Scoggins as Lucas Gerard
* Heather Lind as Alessa
* Evelyn Giovine as Christine Chartrand
* Rebecca S'Manga Frank as Deirdre
* Shamika Cotton as Joanne
* Socorro Santiago as Lydia