Two Can Keep a Secret

The next morning, Nana is nosy about homecoming, and Ellery slips away to talk to Ezra. They see Officer Rodriguez heading to his house, and Ezra convinces Ellery to give him a chance. She takes that as initiative to bring some moving boxes over to him. Officer Rodriguez accepts the boxes and explains that the house is too much for him now that his dad has died. Ellery asks about Brooke, and Rodriguez says he can’t share anything. While they talk about Brooke’s family, Ellery’s curiosity takes over, and she asks about a photo she sees in the living room.

Officer Rodriguez tries to stop her, but it’s too late: She sees a photo of a young man in a military uniform who looks almost exactly like Ezra. She confronts Rodriguez, and he admits that it’s his father, and he has been struggling with how and when to broach the topic. This is why he’s been acting suspiciously, and it’s also probably why Sadie told the false story about his behavior at Lacey’s funeral. Ellery shows the photo to Ezra, and Rodriguez tells them that he doesn’t think his father ever knew. It’s all too much for Ellery, and even though she’s angry at the deception, she desperately wants her mother right then.