Episode 2 of *The Rainmaker* opens with a somber scene as Melvin Pritcher stands solemnly before his late mother's grave. With a heavy heart and steely resolve, Melvin vows to her silent presence that he will not rest until he uncovers the identity of the individual responsible for burning down their home and causing her untimely death. The narrative then swiftly transitions, following Rudy and Deck as they discreetly trail Melvin. Through their pursuit, the two astute lawyers uncover that the nurse in question has been residing at a local motel.
They promptly relay this information to Jocelyn, affectionately known as Bruiser, who shares a complicated past with Nunley, the attorney representing Melvin in the arson case. With a sense of urgency, Bruiser instructs Rudy and Deck to shift their focus to the other nurse who was on duty during the fateful night when Mrs. Black's son, Donny Ray, tragically passed away.
As night falls, two stealthy private detectives position themselves on a stakeout, their eyes peeled for any sign of Melvin. Their vigilance is rewarded when they observe Rudy and Deck surreptitiously entering Melvin's motel room. Inside, Rudy and Deck's search yields a crucial lead: Melvin has scribbled the address of the other nurse on a notepad. However, their discovery is abruptly interrupted when Melvin, alerted by their clandestine activities, commandeers a car and crashes it into the motel room, leaving Rudy and Deck injured in the aftermath.
Melvin, catching sight of Rudy and Deck amidst the chaos, manages to elude capture as the commotion outside draws nearer. The detectives, spotting Melvin's escape, spring into action. One of them, a male detective, is in his vehicle when Melvin, ever resourceful, incapacitates him in a manner reminiscent of his previous encounter with the female detective from the night before.
Meanwhile, Bruiser's frustration boils over as she chastises Rudy and Deck for disregarding her directives, demanding they refocus their efforts on locating the other nurse. That same evening, Sarah arrives at Rudy's doorstep, her apology for their recent altercation genuine and heartfelt. In a moment of reconciliation, they agree to set aside their professional differences and maintain their personal relationship.
The following morning, tension escalates as Melvin, cornered and desperate, threatens the male detective with a firearm, demanding to know the identity of his employer. In stark contrast, Rudy and Deck pay a visit to the other nurse who was on shift that fateful night. Their inquiry unearths a chilling revelation: the nurse's neighbor has also met a violent end, fueling suspicions that Melvin may be the culprit.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Bruiser instructs Rudy and Deck to arrange for Donny's body to be exhumed and subjected to a second autopsy, hoping to uncover any overlooked clues that might shed light on the tangled web of deceit and violence.
The autopsy report unveiled a shocking revelation: Donny had traces of heroin in his system at the time of his demise. Bruiser informed Rudy that they didn't have a solid case, but Rudy, determined to uncover the truth, decided to pay a visit to Donny's apartment. Once there, Rudy and Deck pieced together the likely scenario—Donny had passed out while urinating, as evidenced by his position on the bathroom floor when the paramedics arrived.
Rudy's eyes caught sight of an unflushed toilet, its contents a silent testament to Donny's final moments. The two attorneys had the urine sample analyzed, only to discover that Donny had no drugs in his system at that time. Meanwhile, Bruiser, in a move of cunning, seduced Nunley and persuaded him to arrange for Melvin to have a chat with Rudy and Deck. She also dropped a bombshell on Rudy—Donny's toxicology report was inadmissible in court.
Days later, the courtroom became a battleground as Drummond and Bruiser faced off. Drummond vehemently argued that Donny was a habitual drug user and that his death was the result of a fatal overdose. Bruiser, however, countered with a compelling theory: the drugs detected in Donny's autopsy could have been administered at the hospital.
The judge, seeking concrete evidence to back Bruiser's claim, was interrupted by Rudy, who, without Bruiser's consent, brought up the toxicology report. Rudy recounted how they had personally collected the urine sample and insisted that, given the circumstances surrounding Donny's death, the report should be taken into account.
Despite Drummond's vehement objections, the judge sided with Bruiser and Rudy, instructing them to gather more evidence before the next hearing. Following the court session, Drummond approached Bruiser with a tantalizing offer: $150,000 for Mrs. Black. Mr. Keeley, the hospital's owner, was furious with Tinnley Britt for allowing the situation to spiral out of control. In a desperate bid to resolve the matter swiftly, he agreed to pay Mrs. Black $250,000 to settle the case immediately.
Mr. Keeley then uncovered a startling piece of information: Sarah was romantically involved with Rudy, the opposing lawyer. Drummond, sensing an opportunity, pressed Sarah to divulge something about Rudy that could be used against him. After much hesitation, Sarah revealed the tragic story of Rudy's brother's death. That evening, Sarah met Rudy at a bar, her demeanor noticeably jittery in his presence. She managed to muster a congratulatory remark on his performance at the hearing, but her unease was palpable.
That fateful night, Rudy returns to his humble abode only to find himself unexpectedly crossing paths with his neighbor. The woman, who is romantically involved with a police officer, appears to be enduring an abusive relationship at the hands of her partner. From his vantage point at the window, Rudy observes as the woman carefully examines the bruises on her ribs, a silent testament to her ordeal. Suddenly, the officer catches sight of Rudy's watchful gaze fixed upon his partner and, with a swift motion, draws the curtains shut, cutting off the outside world from the private torment within.
The following day, Bruiser, Deck, and Rudy escort Mrs. Black to the prestigious Tinnley Britt office. There, they find themselves in a tense meeting with Drummond, Brad, and Sarah, who are engrossed in discussing a settlement deal. Drummond, attempting to sweeten the pot, ups the ante by offering a staggering $250,000, a significant leap from the initially proposed $50,000. However, Mrs. Black's resolve remains unshaken, and she firmly declines the offer upon discovering that Mr. Keeley and the hospital are unwilling to accept responsibility for the medical malpractice that tragically claimed her son's life.
Seizing the opportunity for a private conversation, Rudy approaches Mrs. Black and, with persuasive eloquence, manages to convince her to reconsider accepting the settlement. Yet, just as Mrs. Black is poised to sign the papers, Brad interjects with a sarcastic remark that throws a wrench into the proceedings. Rudy, ever vigilant, quickly intervenes, preventing Mrs. Black from making a hasty decision. In a display of unity and defiance, Bruiser informs Drummond that they will not settle and will instead take their case to court.
Drummond, seething with anger, directs his ire at Brad but ultimately shifts the blame onto Sarah. In an attempt to deflect attention, he instructs Brad to introduce Sarah to Jane Allen, the seasoned private investigator who had been tailing Melvin. On their journey back home, Bruiser confides in Rudy and Deck, revealing that there were alarming discrepancies in the case that had prompted the opposition to offer such a substantial sum.
The episode draws to a close with Bruiser posing a pointed question to Rudy, inquiring whether he is prepared to go head-to-head with the formidable Drummond.
