He finds his younger brother, Tyrell (23), a high school basketball star turned street pharmacist, dead in an alley behind their old stash spot. Stabbed, with a blue rag stuffed in his mouth (Ballas territory). LSPD rules it a gang dispute, no investigation.

Drake wants Cross’s investigation shut down. He offers Jamal a deal: help Drake kill Cross and make it look like a cartel hit, and Jamal gets a clean slate and $500k. Otherwise, Drake will kill Jamal’s mother and frame him for Cross’s murder anyway.

Jamal pretends to agree but secretly records Drake’s confession. Jamal sets a trap: he tells Drake the hit on Cross will happen at an abandoned warehouse in Willowfield. But he tips off Cross and hides her team inside.

One night, Drake recognizes Jamal at a warehouse meet. Instead of exposing him, Drake smirks: “Welcome home, convict. Remember: I put you away once. I can do it again. But maybe we can help each other.”