Hangman: The Case of the Computer Affair

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.



HANGMAN
"The Case of the Computer Affair"



FADE IN:
INT. FANCY RESTAURANT NIGHT
DET. HENRY DAVID and his ex-wife, MARGARET, are having dinner. The restaurant is busy, but quiet and candlelight and flowers top each table. Across the room, MARTIN RIDGELAWN and CASSIDY CLAYTON are having dinner.

MARGARET
(laughs) Oh, Henry, I think it’s kind of sweet that we’ve been divorced for almost fifteen years and we still have dinner to celebrate our wedding day and the day the divorce was final.

HENRY DAVID
(raises his glass) Well, Margaret. To friendship. May everyone be as lucky.

MARGARET
(taps her glass with his) Here, here.

HENRY DAVID
So, how’s everything going at the university?

MARGARET
Well, the English department is as it usually is. I feel so lucky to be able to talk about the greatest writers of all time all day long.

HENRY DAVID
And, the students just want a passing grade.

MARGARET
Oh, Henry, you always were too sarcastic. Yes, some of the students just want a passing grade. But, some of them really understand the meaning behind the words. You can see it in their eyes when they’re able to make comparisons between the works or the authors and their own lives. That’s what keeps me going. That, and knowing that some of them won’t get it now, but in time, when they least expect it, they’ll be going through something in their lives and Shakespeare will pop up from their memory—and then, they’ll understand it and appreciate it.

Margaret pauses as Henry looks across the room.

MARGARET
(continuing)
Henry?

HENRY DAVID
(whispers) Isn’t that Martin Ridgelawn over there?

Margaret turns her head.

HENRY DAVID
(continuing)
(whispering urgently) Don’t look!

MARGARET
(to Henry) You know, I never have understood why people say ‘Hey, isn’t that’ or ‘see what they’re wearing’ and then tell you not to look.

HENRY DAVID
Well, we don’t want them to know we’re looking!

MARGARET
(turns to look quickly again) And, yes, I think you’re right. That is Martin Ridgelawn. But, that sure doesn’t look like his wife with him. Much too young.

Margaret pulls a small compact out of her purse and begins blotting her nose. When she lays her purse on the table, a traffic ticket falls out of her purse. The corner of the ticket has a rough black and white photo of Margaret driving.

HENRY DAVID
(pulls at the ticket to look at it) What’s this?

MARGARET
Nothing. It’s just another ticket I got in the mail from those ticket cameras they’re trying out. They always catch me jumping the green light over on Elm. (looks back to Ridgelawn, puts her compact and the ticket back in her purse) Now, about Ridgelawn’s little filly.

HENRY DAVID
I wonder who it is?

MARGARET
(begins to stand) Let’s go ask!

Henry tugs Margaret’s arm, pulling her back into her seat.

HENRY DAVID
What are you doing? We can’t just waltz over there and say ‘Hey, Martin, nice to see you again. We were just wondering who’s the pretty little filly with you tonight and where’s your wife? That’s Martin Ridgelawn, owner of the most successful computer programming company in the city. Besides, it’d, well, it’d be rude. Why would he be here anyway?

MARGARET
Henry, it’s a nice restaurant.

HENRY DAVID
Yes, it’s nice on my private investigator’s salary but it’s not Martin Ridgelawn nice. He probably dines at the country club a few times a week. He’s probably there so much that he knows the waitresses by their first name and when he says that he wants his usual, they know what he means. No, something’s up. I doubt that anyone in this place recognizes him.

MARGARET
Hum. You mean anyone except for us, anyone who’s seen his commercial on TV, and anyone who may attend any one of the numerous charitable functions that he’s always having his picture taken at? (looks to Ridgelawn and back again) She’s awful young.

HENRY DAVID
Now, Margaret, don’t jump to conclusions.

MARGARET
You don’t know Vera, do you? Vera and I sit on the arts committee at the university. It’d be a shame.

HENRY DAVID
Don’t jump to conclusions, Margaret. Just because a married man brings a beautiful young woman to a restaurant where he’s not recognized and his wife is nowhere around and… (he glances at Ridgelawn and back again) they’re drinking champagne…

A WAITRESS takes the bill in a folder to the Ridgelawn table. Martin removes his wallet, and slips cash into the folder carrying the bill.

HENRY DAVID
(continuing)
…and paying in cash? Well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re having an affair.

MARGARET
And, you’re the private investigator? Henry! (stands) Come on, before they leave.

Margaret begins walking toward the Ridgelawn table. Henry grimaces, but then, worried, quickly tries to catch up with Margaret as she approaches the table.

MARGARET
(extends her hand to Martin) Mr. Ridgelawn. Hello, I’m Professor Margaret David from the arts committee at the university. We’ve met a few times at the conferences.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
(first an expression of concern, then courtesy) Well, of course, Professor, my wife, Vera, also sits on that board.

Henry arrives at the table, standing behind Margaret.

MARGARET
Yes, I know. How is she doing? The last time I saw her she was experiencing horrible headaches.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Yes, migraines. She’s on medication for them now, but she is doing better and planning on attending the meeting next week. (extends his hand to Henry) You’re Henry David, aren’t you, that private investigator?

HENRY DAVID
(takes his hand) Yes, sir. Nice to see you again. Well, (takes Margaret’s arm) we were just leaving.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
(motions to Cassidy) Oh, yes, so were we. Margaret, Henry, have you met Cassidy Clayton?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Hello.

MARGARET
How do you do?

HENRY
(uncomfortable) Hi.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Cassidy has been with Ridgelawn Products for a year now, and she’s been our leading programmer.

HENRY DAVID
How nice.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
She’s done such a good job, I even had her reprogram my home computer a few months ago. But, now, she’s leaving us for bigger and better things.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
(to Margaret) I’ve decided to go back home to Arizona and start my own company.

MARGARET
(teasing) Sounds like competition, Mr. Ridgelawn. Sure you can’t convince her to stay?

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
I’ve tried. Even brought her here. But, nothing has worked. I just hope that she doesn’t build a company than opens offices in Boston.

MARGARET
Well, good luck to you, Cassidy.

HENRY DAVID
(to Cassidy) Yes, much luck. (to Margaret) We really should be going.

MARGARET
(to Cassidy) It was nice to meet you. (to Martin) Mr. Ridgelawn, hope to see you at the meeting.

HENRY DAVID
Good evening.

Margaret and Henry walk away from the table. Cassidy leans in toward Martin.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
No one will recognize us here, huh?

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
(angry) How was I to know those two would show up here? That Margaret lady sits on a panel with Vera. They arrange for art to be exhibited at the university and, when there’s controversy, they sit around and decide whether it’s art or porn. How was I to know she and that crazy ex-husband of hers would come to a place like this?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Guess you don’t know everything after all. Well, now that they’ve seen us, it’ll take a little extra to get rid of me.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
You’re getting a hundred thousand. That’s more than enough. You can go back to Arizona or whatever rock it is you crawled out from under and start your own business or, or, do whatever you damn well please as long as you leave me and my family alone.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Nope. Now it’s two hundred thousand.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
One. One hundred thousand. Cash. Just like we agreed. I’ve got it ready now. We just have to go get it.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
No, two. Two hundred thousand cash. Tonight. And, then I’ll leave and you’ll never see or hear from me again. But, if not, well, then, I guess I’ll just drop by your house and tell that wife of yours what a dirty little boy her husband can really be. Or, maybe I’ll go to the newspaper and tell them all about how that wholesome family image of yours is nothing but a sham.(gulps down the rest of her wine)

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
I wish I’d never seen the likes of you.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Watch it, Martin, before the price goes up to three.

Martin leaves the table. Cassidy looks at him angrily.

INT. INSIDE OF HENRY’S CAR NIGHT
Henry and Margaret sit talking in the car. Margaret is holding up his keys, keeping them away from Henry.

MARGARET
In a minute. Let’s just wait and see.

HENRY DAVID
(exhales) Now, I remember why we got divorced.

MARGARET
It’s just too good of a front. A woman knows these things, Henry. Company celebratory dinners are held with co-workers, not alone with the boss.

HENRY DAVID
What does it matter? She’s leaving town. Give me the keys.

Margaret gasps with excitement as she sees Martin and Cassidy exiting the restaurant

INT. PARKING LOT NIGHT
Cassidy Clayton and Martin Ridgelawn exit the restaurant, walk across the parking lot, and get in to Martin’s vehicle.

INT. INSIDE OF HENRY’S CAR NIGHT
Henry and Margaret watch Cassidy and Martin.

MARGARET
See? They only brought one vehicle.

INT. PARKING LOT NIGHT
Martin Ridgelawn (driving) and Cassidy Clayton drive away.

INT. INSIDE OF HENRY’S CAR NIGHT
Margaret gives Henry the keys.

HENRY DAVID
You’re not going to ask me to follow them, are you?

MARGARET
Are you kidding? That would be tacky.

INT. CITY STREET MORNING
Henry walks down the street toward his office wearing his usual black long overcoat and fedora. A TEENAGE BOY skates by on a skateboard.

TEENAGE BOY
Mornin’ Hangman!

HENRY DAVID
Good morning.

INT. INSIDE DET. HENRY DAVID’S OFF. ENTRY RM MORNING
Henry walks in, closes the door behind him, removes his coat and hat and places them on the coat rack by the door as usual. DEJANIRA SIPHER, his aunt and secretary, rises from her chair as he walks in. Deja goes toward Henry to speak to him as he hangs up his coat and hat. She hands him a cup of coffee and then follows him into his personal office. Deja also has the paper with her.

DEJA SIPHER
There you are. Right on time. I should have known. Have you read this? (she waves the newspaper) That Weber kid that you helped put in jail for all those armed robberies a couple years ago just got out. Parole. Good behavior they say.

HENRY DAVID
He’ll probably be watched closely.

DEJA SIPHER
I just don’t understand how he served less than two years.

HENRY DAVID
Well, he was a minor at the time.

DEJA SIPHER
That is true. But, just the same, keep an eye out for him, Henry. I suspect that it won’t be long before he’s up to his old tricks again.

Henry begins walking toward his personal office. Deja follows.

HENRY DAVID
Maybe he’s learned his lesson.

DEJA SIPHER
Hum. I’m not so sure. As I recall, it wasn’t the money that kept him robbing all those people; it was the thrill of the game. Not to change the subject..

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE MORNING
Deja Sipher and Henry David walk into Henry’s personal office.

HENRY DAVID
Oh, of course not.

DEJA SIPHER
But, how did your anniversary dinner with Margaret go last night?

Henry sits at his desk. The mail is sorted in front of him. Deja stands beside him.

HENRY DAVID
What’s all this?

DEJA SIPHER
Mail, dear. You didn’t answer my question.

HENRY DAVID
Dinner was fine, as usual, Aunt Deja. We actually ran into Martin Ridgelawn. Why is the mail in piles?

DEJA SIPHER
It’s sorted into (she points to each pile) thank you letters, congratulations on solving another case letters, incoming checks, and junk mail. Re-ignite any old flames?

HENRY DAVID
No, Aunt Deja. Now, stop playing matchmaker.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, somebody has to do it. Wasn’t Ridgelawn where the Weber kid actually got caught? Oh, and this pile is phone messages.

HENRY DAVID
(remembering) Yes, it was. Old Ridgelawn testified against him. Probably responsible for putting him away. (holds up a message) What is this?

DEJA SIPHER
Frank has a new secretary. She said that the message to leave for you was that (stresses) Chief Frank Lennox of the city police department wants to talk to you as soon as you reach your office. Can you believe that? (she begins to leave) You know the number. (she shuts the door behind her)

Henry picks up the phone and dials. CHIEF FRANK LENNOX answers.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX (V.O.)
Yeah?

HENRY DAVID
I hear you’re training a new secretary.

INT. CHIEF FRANK LENNOX’S PERSONAL OFFICE MORNING
Chief is watering his flowers while talking on the phone.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum. Last one left on maternity leave ‘bout the time I had her trained to take care of things the way I like them. Hell, she had even learned to make good coffee. Now, I’ve got to start all over again.

HENRY DAVID (V.O.)
(laughs) Is the other one coming back?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
It’s not funny. A secretary can either make my life a lot simpler or a lot harder.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE MORNING
Henry sits at his desk, talking on the phone.

HENRY DAVID
So, what? You want me to fill in?

INT. CHIEF FRANK LENNOX’S OFFICE MORNING
Chief sits down at his desk.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hardly. But all this stress makes me need a drink. So, how about this afternoon you come through on that round of golf that you owe me? Loser buys the drinks. Which means you’ll be buying me some strong drinks.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE MORNING
Henry sits at his desk, talking on the phone.

HENRY DAVID
Will do. I’ll see around noon. And, maybe I’ll give you some tips on how to keep a secretary.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
I already know your advice: hire my aunt!

INT. INSIDE RIDGELAWN’S OFFICE BUILDING-HALLWAY DAY
Martin Ridgelawn walks quickly down a hallway carrying a file, calling out an instruction to the secretary (LOLA) as he goes.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Lola, hold all my calls for the next thirty minutes or so, will you? I’ve got some urgent business I have to take care of.

LOLA
Yes, sir, Mr. Ridgelawn.

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Martin walks in, closes the door behind him, then walks to his desk and sits. He places the file on his desk and opens it, then flips through his rolodex, and then dials the phone.

MARTNIN RIDGELAWN
Martin Ridgelawn calling for Barbara Alexander. (pause) Yes, I’ll hold. (pause as he begins punching keys on the computer) Barbara, it’s Martin. I’m going to need that cash today, before close of business. (pause) It’s personal. Does the bank really need to know why I want to withdraw from my own account? (pause)

Martin pulls up and reads an e-mail on his computer. It is from his wife, VERA RIDGELAWN, and says only:

“Martin, Meet me at the church on Old Mountain Crossroads this evening at 7 pm. I have a surprise for you.”

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
(continuing)
Yes, Barbara, that will be fine. Just have it delivered here to my office. Thanks. (hangs up the phone and dials again)

VERA RIDGELAWN (V.O.) (filtered)
Hi, this is Vera. Sorry I’ve missed your call. Please leave a voice mail and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Uh… (considering, but shakes his head no and hangs up the phone) I’ll see you this evening. (looks at the e-mail again)

INT. GOLF COURSE DAY
Henry David is preparing to hit the ball. Chief Lennox stands near him talking. Henry appears frustrated by the distraction.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(laughing) So, anyway, the guy is standing there, holding the clerk and the customers at gunpoint and he gets spooked and ends up shooting a random shot that breaks the glass in the milk cooler. Then, when he leaves, he leaves the clerk his name and address and tells her to send him the bill for replacing the glass. When we got there to arrest him, he actually asked us how we found out where he lived.

HENRY DAVID
Frank, I’m trying to take this shot.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(chuckling) Oh, sure, sorry.

Henry begins to lift the golf club, preparing to hit the ball. His downward swing towards the ball begins as Frank continues.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(continuing)
Talk about a dumb crook.

Henry misses the ball.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(continuing)
(sees the miss) Henry, you really need to work on your aim.

HENRY DAVID
(frowns as he stands up straight) Do I?

Chief goes up to the ball.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Now, let’s see. (prepares to hit the ball) That looks about right. Yeah. (strikes the ball, ball sails) Now, that’s how it’s done.

HENRY DAVID
Feeling better, Frank?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(thinks for a second, smiles) Yes, yes I am.

HENRY DAVID
Good.

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Martin Ridgelawn stands beside his desk, his hand sorting through a briefcase that sits atop another briefcase. Cassidy Clayton shuts the door behind her and nears Martin.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Is it all there?

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Two hundred thousand cash. Just like you wanted.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Well, then (she moves the briefcase towards her) you shouldn’t mind if I count it to be sure. (she sorts through stacks of cash, then opens the second briefcase, does the same, picking up a small metal round object and keeping it in her hand)

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
It’s all there. Trust me. I want you out of my life.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Trust you? You’re a liar and a cheat. Why would I trust you? (closes the case) Looks about right.

MARTIN RIDGELAWN
Just remember the rest of our deal. You stay away from me and my family.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Don’t worry ‘bout it, baby. No one will ever know. Why am I surprised that you put a tracking device in here. Now, you better remember this…

(shows him the round metal object (tracking device), then throws it on the desk, puts her finger against his chest as she angers)

CASSIDY CLAYTON
(continuing)
…don’t try and cross me. I’ll make sure little Vera and every newspaper this side of the Atlantic knows what kind of man you really are. (she picks up the cases and walks out, slamming the door behind her)

INT. UNIVERSITY WALKING PATH DAY
Margaret and VERA RIDGELAWN are walking on connecting paths, meeting up.

MARGARET
Vera! You made it. I was afraid you might miss the meeting because of your headaches.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(looking for something in her purse) Not this meeting. The Native American Photography series is too important. We need that exhibit here at the university.

MARGARET
Still looks like it’ll be a struggle to get it here, but we have the history and anthropology departments on our side.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(smiling) That board of directors won’t know what hit them.

MARGARET
How are your headaches?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Oh, much, much better. (finds her glasses and puts them on) (laughs) Now, finally I can see.

MARGARET
Martin mentioned that you were on meds now.

VERA RIDGELAWN
And, they work wonders, too. The headaches don’t seem to come as often anymore and the pain is more bearable. (straightening her glasses) When did you see Martin?

MARGARET
The other night. Henry and I were having dinner and Martin… (stops in mid-sentence, uncertain)

VERA RIDGELAWN
(closing her purse) Yes.

MARGARET
Oh, lost my train of thought. Uh, Martin was there to help one of his employees celebrate starting their own company.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(frowns quickly, then smiles) Oh, Martin’s like that, you know. He likes to encourage his employees to take risks, make their own way like he did. Martin, he works so hard. And, he’s been under so much stress lately. I’ve decided to make this a special evening for him. (she smiles) Something quiet at home. Just the two of us.

MARGARET
Do tell!

VERA RIDGELAWN
Now, now, Margaret. A wife has to have her secrets.

Vera and Margaret laugh. It thunders. Vera looks up toward the sky.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Oh, let’s do get inside before it rains. I hate getting my shoes dirty.

Vera and Margaret begin walking more quickly.

INT. SMALL GRASSY AREA NEAR SOME TREES NIGHT
A tire is seen coming to a stop on a dirt road. Black slacks that hang over black pumps are seen stepping onto the dirt road and then onto wet grass. It’s raining. The pumps are then seen running through the grassy area in the rain until they reach the Ridgelawn garage.

INT. RIDGELAWN GARAGE NIGHT
The garage is dark except for a security light outside that only sheds a bit of light through the window. The pumps leave wet, muddy prints on the concrete. A white compact car is seen dimly in the dark amongst many other cars. Gloved hands are seen moving the gearshift to neutral. Gloved hands, are then seen pushing the car out of the garage. The motor is then heard starting from a distance.

INT. COUNTER AT A BAR NIGHT
Chief Lennox and Henry David sit at the bar, drinking beer from bottles.

HENRY DAVID
But, that’s what Margaret believes contributed to the divorce.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hum. Well, it’s hard for anyone who doesn’t do this job to really understand it. (his cell rings) Oh, here we go. (to the phone) Hello. (pause) Where? (pause) Old Mountain Crossroads? That’s the county. That’s out of my jurisdiction. (pause) I’m on my way. (swallows the rest of his beer quickly) (to Henry) So much for being off duty. We’ve got a hit and run. Wanna come?

Henry shrugs his shoulders and gulps down the rest of his beer before following Chief out the door.

INT. OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD CROSSROADS NIGHT
It has been raining. Henry and Chief walk up toward a crime scene on a dark county road. Police lights are flashing. SIX DEPUTIES are combing the area for clues. A church sits at the crossroads. CORONOER WEBSTER is zipping a black body bag up over a body that lies in the middle of the road.

CORONOER WEBSTER
Chief. Heard you were handling this one. (greeting Henry with a nod) Henry. Sheriff’s distantly related to the victim. They were afraid it’d be a conflict.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
I was told this was a basic hit and run.

CORONER WEBSTER
That’s what they thought before I got here and examined the body. This wasn’t a hit and run; this was a hit and run over five separate times.

HENRY DAVID
That would make it murder.

CORONER WEBSTER
Exactly. He’s virtually unrecognizable. Tire tracks, skid marks are pretty small. Deputies are thinking this was a small car, compact size.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Any way to ID the victim?

CORONER WEBSTER
(picks up a bag with a wallet in it that was laying beside the body bag; gives it to Chief) Guy had a couple hundred in cash in his wallet. This doesn’t seem to have anything to do with robbery. And, (she points to a car near the church) the deputies ran the plates on the car over there. It matches the ID in the wallet. Apparently, he drove way out here.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(looking at the license) Martin Ridgelawn. Where do I know that name?

Henry has an expression of remembering and concern.

CORONER WEBSTER
Ridgelawn Products. They do computer programming, things like that. Rich guy. Did a lot of charity work. I know that. Sheriff says that he and his wife got married in the little church here at the Crossroads.

HENRY DAVID
Margaret and I saw him the other night. He was having dinner with a young woman, an employee. He said they were celebrating her moving back to Arizona to start up her own computer business.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum. That’s interesting. And, now the guy gets crushed to death by the church where he got married. Hum. (looks around) (takes out his cell, dials) Yeah, Robertson. Get a search warrant for Ridgelawn Products. I want that office sealed and searched before morning comes and employees arrive.

Henry walks over to the car by the church.

HENRY DAVID
(to a deputy) Find anything in the car?

DEPUTY #1
No, sir. We’ve gone over it several times. Clean as a whistle. Not even any cookie crumbs in there.

HENRY DAVID
Thank you. (looks about the area)

Chief walks to Henry.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
This looks like it’s gonna be worked by the city police and the sheriff.

HENRY DAVID
Frank, there’s nothing out here but this church and some trees. No one just happens to find someone out here. This was planned. And, somehow, (turns to the church) this church is a clue.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, let’s get a warrant to search it. (takes out his phone) Sometimes, I’m amazed how easy it is to get warrants from a judge when the victim is a rich businessman.

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE NIGHT
FOUR CITY OFFICERS search the office. OFFICER ROBERTSON sits at Martin’s desk, punching keys on the keyboard and searching the computer. OFFICER #2 is on a cell phone. All officers are wearing gloves.

OFFICER #2
(picks up the small round metal tracking device and studies it) Yes, ma’am. We have a warrant. (pause) Well, we need a copy of all the phone calls going in and out of the land phone as well as his cell phone.(pause) (begins walking out of the room) Yeah, I can get that for you…

INT. OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD CROSSROADS NIGHT
The coroner’s office van is driving away as Chief and Henry stand in the road talking. Lights are still flashing as officers continue taking measurements and photographs. The road is chalked where the body was lying. Chief’s phone rings.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Yeah. Go ahead. (pause) Patch them through. (he covers the mouthpiece with is hand)(to Henry) The judge signing the warrants was at a party with Ridgelawn’s accountant. What are the odds? They’re patching her.. (to phone) Yes, this is Chief Frank Lennox. And, who am I speaking to? (pause) Ms. Alexander, well, what can I do for you?

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE NIGHT
Officer Robertson is at the computer. Officer #2 walks in the office so that he stands behind Officer Robertson and reads the e-mail as well. Both officers are wearing gloves.

OFFICER #2
We’ll have the call list in a few minutes.

OFFICER ROBERTSON
(pulls up the e-mail from Vera) What do you know. Vera Ridgelawn. (pulls out his cell phone, dials) Chief. Robertson, here. Guess what we found.

INT. OUTSIDE RIDGELAWN MANSION NIGHT
Four police cars with lights flashing and one private vehicle with a single flashing light sat upon the dashboard arrive. Henry and Chief exit from the Chief’s private vehicle while SIX DEPUTIES exit from the squad cars.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(quietly to Deputy #1 and #2) Go around back and cover the door. (to the other deputies) The rest of you check around. You know the drill. See what you can find. Henry, you’re with me.

The deputies disperse. Henry and Frank walk up to the front door, then knock three times on the door.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(looking around) So, this is what computer programs will get you?

HENRY DAVID
Guess so.

The door opens. Vera Ridgelawn answers the door appearing as though she’s been crying.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Yes?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Vera Ridgelawn?

VERA RIDGELAWN
I’m Vera Ridgelawn.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(shows his badge) Ma’am, I’m Chief Frank Lennox, Boston Police Department. (nods to Henry) This gentleman is private investigator Henry David. Ma’am, we need to talk to you.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(sees the squad cars) Oh, my God, Martin. Has something happened to Martin?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
If we could speak inside, ma’am.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Of course. (she opens the door wider) Come on in.

INT. INSIDE RIDGELAWN MANSION ENTRY ROOM NIGHT
Henry and Chief walk in to the home and look about the entry room. Henry removes his hat as he enters the home.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Is anyone else home with you, Mrs. Ridgelawn?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Not at the moment. The staff was given the day off and my husband is working late again. Is something wrong?

Henry walks to the sides of the room, looking through entranceways to other rooms.

INT. RIDGELAWN MANSION KITCHEN NIGHT
One door leads to an empty kitchen, a bottle of wine (with condensation on it) and a glass sitting upon an island. The kitchen windows have blinds pulled down and closed. A slightly steaming covered oven pan sits on the stove.

INT. RIDGELAWN MANSION DINING ROOM NIGHT
A second door leads to a dining room, beautifully set for a candlelight dinner for two, but missing a wine glass at one setting. Henry then returns to Frank and Vera.

INT. RIDGELAWN MANION ENTRY ROOM NIGHT
Vera Ridgelawn speaks with Chief Lennox and Henry David.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
You might want to sit down, Mrs. Ridgelawn.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(sits on the couch) Please, just tell me what it is.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Mrs. Ridgelawn, can you tell us where you’ve been today?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Well, I had a meeting at the university this afternoon, an art committee meeting. Then, I came home. I’ve been here all afternoon.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
And, the servants have had the day off?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Yes, why? What’s going on?

Deputies #1 and #3 walk into the room from the back. Deputy #3 is carrying a plastic bag filled with something unidentifiable (remnants of hair, skin). He holds the bag up so Chief can see it. Chief nods at him in response.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Ma’am, have you made any phone calls, talked to anyone this afternoon?

VERA RIDGELAWN
No. I’ve been preparing dinner, a special dinner for my husband, Martin.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Is there anyone who can confirm that you’ve been here?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Do I need someone to?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Just one moment, ma’am. (walks to deputies) (whispers) What is that?

Henry David sits beside Vera Ridgelawn on the couch.

DEPUTY #3
(whispering) Hair, fabric, maybe part of Mr. Ridgelawn. We found it between the tread of a small car parked in back. They’re making a cast of the tread now. Plate is registered to Martin Ridgelawn.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(whispering) Hum. They have a compact?

DEPUTY #1
(whispering) They have a small car lot back there in the garage. Everything from economic compacts to a Mercedes and one black limo. Every one has the key in the ignition. We’ve bagged the key to this particular vehicle.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hum. Interesting. Good work. Let’s keep searching; see what else we can find. (he turns, but then turns back to the deputies) Oh, and be sure to take every computer in this house into evidence.

DEPUTY #1 AND #2
Yes, Chief.

Chief walks back to Henry and Vera who are talking on the couch. Vera is quite upset now, crying. Henry is holding his hat, but slowly twirling it in his hands.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Just a couple of glasses. I had gone to all this trouble and then he called to say he was working late again. Baked turkey with vegetables was always his favorite. I guess I should be more grateful that he works so hard. And, now…

HENRY DAVID
Well, I’m sure he would have appreciated all the trouble.

VERA RIDGELAWN
I just can’t believe he’s dead. He’s supposed to walk through that door like he always does. You don’t know how it happened?

HENRY DAVID
Well, I think that’s something Chief Lennox needs to speak with you about.

Vera looks up to the chief.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Mrs. Ridgelawn, have you ever heard of Old Mountain Road?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Oh, sure, Henry and I were married at a little church there at the crossroads. We purchased plots there in the cemetery for our final resting place because we thought it was beautiful out there, peaceful.

HENRY DAVID
Does anyone else know that?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Only everybody. The newspapers covered the wedding back then. And, it’s in our will that we be buried there. We’ve talked about it with friends. We were never shy about it. But, how did you know about it?

HENRY DAVID
That’s where your husband died, ma’am.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(sits) Mrs. Ridgelawn, do you have any idea what your husband would be doing at night out on that road?

VERA RIDGELAWN
No. When he called he said he was working late. (pause) We did used to drive up there during the summer to watch the sunset, though. Detective David said that you know how Martin died.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Yes, ma’am, we sure do.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(anxiously) Well?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Your husband was murdered.

Vera begins to mouth the word ‘what’ but stands, unsteadily, and then passes out back onto the couch. Henry catches her, then leans her back comfortably against the back of the couch.

INT. DET. HENRY DAVID’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Henry David, Margaret, and Deja Sipher sit around Henry’s desk drinking coffee.

MARGARET
Well, the white compact was the car Vera always drove. She said she could handle it better than the others and she didn’t like driving one car and then another. She said she needed to be used to the car she was driving. Do you know what room she’s in?

HENRY DAVID
No, but she’s not allowed visitors. Except, of course, for her doctor and her attorney whom I’m sure has told her to keep quiet by now. Police have a guard by her hospital door with strict orders about who gets in and out.

MARGARET
How long do you think she’ll be there?

HENRY DAVID
(shakes his head) They’re running tests. Doctor thinks that the news might have given her a slight heart attack. Last time I spoke to Frank, they didn’t know anything for certain. But, one thing’s for sure: As soon as she’s able to leave the hospital she’ll be transported to jail.

MARGARET
That is a lot of evidence against her, but Vera? I never would have thought she had it in her. I mean, she can fight in those meetings at the university, but murder? What do you think, Aunt Deja?

DEJA SIPHER
Well, dear, I think there is information missing that will clear up this entire mess.

HENRY DAVID
What do you mean?

DEJA SIPHER
I mean, dear, I don’t know for sure who murdered Martin Ridgelawn, but I think it is highly unlikely that it was his wife Vera.

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
The secretary (Lola) is on her way out of the office. Chief Lennox, Officer Robertson, and Officer #2 are in the office, standing between the door and the desk. Cassidy Clayton then comes in to the office and is quite surprised at their presence.

LOLA
Vera was rarely ever here. She’d just call and leave a message, saying that she didn’t want to bother Martin when he was working.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Okay, Lola, thank you.

Lola leaves, closing the door behind her.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
So, Robertson, where exactly did you find that tracking device?

OFFICER ROBERTSON
On the middle of the desk. (sorts through photos) Uh, here, right here.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum. Let’s see if we can figure… (turns as door opens)

CASSIDY CLAYTON
(entering, but stops in mid-step) Oh, I’m sorry. I thought the office was empty. Lola wasn’t at her desk.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Can we help you?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I, uh,(searching for words)(pause) a box. I was looking for a box that I was told might be in this office.

OFFICER ROBERTSON
We haven’t come across any boxes.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I’m sorry. I must have been mistaken. (turns to go, but turns back when Chief speaks to her)

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
What was supposed to be in the box, Ms…

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Clayton. Miss. Clayton. Just some personal items. I worked here until a couple of days ago and I forgot a box of items. Nothing important, really, just sentimental trinkets. I was told that it might have been placed in here.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Oh, sorry, haven’t seen anything like that.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Okay, thanks anyway. (turns to go, but turns back when Chief speaks to her)

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
You said you used to work here?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Yes, yes I did.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
How well did you know Mr. Ridgelawn?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
(pause) Not very well. And, I had hoped to keep it that way. That’s why I had quit my position.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Are you aware that Mr. Ridgelawn was murdered?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
No, I hadn’t heard that. But, I can’t say I’m surprised.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Why’s that?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
(pause) Look, I just want to go away and forget the whole thing ever happened. Mr. Ridgelawn wasn’t exactly the kind of boss a lady hopes for. He hit on me several times, asked me out on dates, tried to put his hands where they didn’t belong. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’ve heard rumors around the office. I kept him at bay. But, I got out of here as soon as I found another position.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Did you ever make a complaint?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
No. I was afraid it’d just make working here even harder until I found another job.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Uh-huh. Did you ever meet his wife, Vera?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Oh, sure, sweet, sweet lady. She liked to drop by and surprise Martin. Always drove the cutest little white compact. Had a couple of close calls when she’d drop in unexpectedly. I felt so sorry for her, Martin acting the way he did toward other women. I just knew she’d find out someday. Then again, maybe she already knew.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
What would make you say that?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Martin had me go to his house once and reprogram his computers. I agreed because I couldn’t afford to lose my job. But, while I was working Martin and his wife were arguing (pause) loudly. I even heard a couple of things crash against a wall. She kept accusing him of never being home. He was yelling back that she didn’t appreciate everything his money bought for her. I guess money really doesn’t buy happiness.

INT. HOSPITAL ELEVATOR DAY
Chief Lennox, Henry David, and Deja Sipher board a hospital elevator. They are the only parties on board. Henry removes his hat just before boarding, and then the doors close behind them.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
We tested every car, including the one at the scene. And, we found what we’d expect to find on any vehicle: fingerprints everywhere, from the dashboard to the seats. All of them checked out to belong to Vera, Martin, or the house staff. They employ two drivers. Can you believe that?

DEJA SIPHER
But, no one else’s?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Nope. Ridgelawn fingerprints all of his employees. So, we even have the prints of former employees. But, right now, everything points to Vera.

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY DAY
The elevator doors open and Chief, Henry, and Deja walk into a hospital hallway.

HENRY DAVID
(motions to the left) This way.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Good thing we got all those search warrants before the judge found out the primary suspect was the wife. It’s harder to get warrants for the home and offices of influential campaign supporters.

They walk up to a GUARD beside room 334. The door is closed. A chair is beside the guard, and on it is laying a chart and pen.

GUARD
Afternoon, Chief. No one’s been in or out except for her attorney since around nine this morning when the doctor made his rounds.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hum. (to Henry) Well, I have a feeling she’s done lawyered up and won’t say a word to us. But, we’ll give it a try. (to the guard) This is Henry David and Dejanira Sipher. Log us in.

Guard reaches for the chart and pen as Henry, Chief, and Deja enter room 334, closing the door behind them.

INT. INSIDE VERA RIDGELAWN’S HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Henry and Chief stand to one side of the bed while Deja stands to the other, steno pad in hand, taking periodic notes. Vera’s bed is situated so she can sit up.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Chief Lennox.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(clears his throat) Yes, ma’am. How are you feeling today?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Better, thanks. Turns out that it was an anxiety attack, not a heart attack after all. (to Henry) I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name.

HENRY DAVID
Henry David, Mrs. Ridgelawn. I’m a private investigator. This is my aunt, Dejanira Sipher.

DEJA SIPHER
But, you can call me Deja, dear. I’m just here to take a few notes while these gentleman talk to you.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
That is if you’ll talk to us. We’d like to ask you a few more questions.

VERA RIDGELAWN
My attorney advised me not to say anything more to anyone about the matter, Chief Lennox. But, I did not murder my husband so I see no reason not to answer your questions. What would you like to know?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(a bit surprised) I have to admit you’ve caught me a bit off guard, ma’am.

VERA RIDGELAWN
I suppose you have a lot of people plead the fifth. Isn’t that what they call it? But, I have nothing to hide, Chief Lennox. Ask anything you’d like.

DEJA SIPHER
Are you comfortable, dear? Do you need anything?

VERA RIDGELAWN
No, I’m fine. They’ve taken very good care of me here. I guess it pays to be a contributor.

HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Ridgelawn, the vehicles you and your husband own. Why are all the keys in them? Aren’t you afraid they’ll be stolen?

VERA RIDGELAWN
A thief would have to travel quite a distance out into the country to get to those cars to steal them. They seemed safe enough. We kept the keys in them so that the house staff had access to them. The maid and the housekeeper sometimes use the vehicles to do the shopping. The drivers, of course, had access in case they drove Martin or me somewhere. Even the gardeners were allowed to use the vehicles, although they usually used the old truck. It was just easier to leave the keys in the vehicles so that everyone knew where the keys were. (raises her finger) And, before you ask if we were concerned about the staff stealing them, sir, we work on the honor system. We believe that if you put your trust in someone, even if they’re not trustworthy at the time, they’ll rise to the occasion and be worthy of that trust.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, that’s so true, dear.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(to Deja) In all of the years that we’ve employed people at and in our home, we’ve never had one problem. Not one.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(clears his throat) Um-hum. Are you sure you didn’t speak to someone, see someone, anyone who could prove your whereabouts the night of the murder?

VERA RIDGELAWN
(shakes her head no) The house staff was off. The last time I left the house that day was when I attended the art board meeting at the university. After that I came home and, stayed inside preparing dinner. I didn’t speak to anyone.

HENRY DAVID
You do realize computer messages, e-mails and such can be traced? They each carry a time and date of when they were sent and when they were opened.

VERA RIDGELAWN
Martin would sometimes mention the time that was noted on an e-mail, but he was the computer expert. I didn’t much care for the things, although I do know how to use one.

HENRY DAVID
(pause) Did you send any computer correspondence that day? It would be something that could place you at a certain place at a certain time.

VERA RIDGELAWN
No. I jotted down some notes on a pad of paper near the computer, reactions, thoughts about the art board meeting that I was hoping to share with the other members, but I didn’t actually write anything on the computer that day. The notepad should still be there by the computer now.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum. Are you sure? Ma’am this could be very important.

VERA RIDGELAWN
I’m certain of it. I’m rather old-fashioned, Chief. I’ve learned to use and appreciate those electronic gadgets, but I tend to prefer the old paper and pen correspondence. I send e-mails when there are several people I need to send the same information to, but that’s not a daily activity as it is with the younger crowd.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Actually, that I do understand. Mrs. Ridgelawn, were you and Martin having any problems? You know, marital problems.

VERA RIDGELAWN
We had a good marriage. Martin was a good husband, he worked hard. He always made sure I was taken care of. Of course, we had our squabbles now and again, like all couples do.

Henry and Chief look at each other uncomfortably.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(continuing)
(pause) You’re referring to the rumors that he’s been having an affair.

Henry looks to Vera and slowly shakes his head yes.

VERA RIDGELAWN
(continuing)
(pause) I thought so. Martin was a very kind person. He’d do anything for anybody. Maybe that’s why the rumor started. It’s hard to say. I had confronted him about it several times. He always denied it, and I believed him. I still do.

Henry and Chief look to each other uncomfortably again.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(clears his throat again) Did anyone ever drive the white compact other than you?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Not that I can recall. I preferred just driving one vehicle, so I didn’t usually drive the others. The white car was sort of known as my car. The board members at the university should know that; they’ve seen me drive it every time I’ve come to a meeting. And, if Martin and I decided to be driven somewhere, we took one of the larger vehicles.

HENRY DAVID
What about the other staff members?

VERA RIDGELAWN
No, the gardeners drove the old truck, and the maid and housekeeper usually drove the minivan. It was easier to get the bags in and out of. No one drove the white car, except for me. Even Martin didn’t care for it; he thought it was too small.

HENRY DAVID
Is there any chance anyone else drove it lately?

VERA RIDGELAWN
I don’t think so.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Do the staff live on the property?

VERA RIDGELAWN
Some of them. Martin purchased a piece of property adjacent to ours years ago, built some nice brick ranch style houses. Some of the families that worked for us lived in those. Others had their own homes elsewhere. Why?

HENRY DAVID
Would any of them have come and gone that night, possibly used one of the house vehicles? Would you have seen any of them come or go?

VERA RIDGELAWN
I have no idea if they went somewhere, Mr. David. They are due their privacy, you know. Besides, I can’t see their houses from our house.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Did you see anyone, anybody at all, come or go that night?

VERA RIDGELAWN
(struggles to remember) I don’t remember seeing anyone. (pause, pause) I’m sorry. I wish there was more I could tell you.

INT. INSIDE A PARKED CAR DAY
Cassidy Clayton sits in the car talking on a cell phone. She nervously smokes a cigarette.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Look, I thought I’d be out of town by now, but I can’t exactly get through baggage check with two-hundred thousand cash. It’s just gonna take me a little longer. (pause) No, you idiot. Don’t you think a bank would find someone opening an account with this kind of cash a little odd? (pause) I’ve spent some of it, plane tickets and stuff. I’m putting the rest in safe deposit boxes until I can figure out what to do with it.

INT. CHIEF FRANK LENNOX’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Chief, Henry, and Deja walk into Chief Lennox’s personal office. Chief is talking on his cell phone as they enter. Chief sits behind his desk, Henry sits in a chair near the desk, but Deja goes to study the flowers near the window.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(to phone) I understand that, sir. (pause) Yes, she is still in the hospital but she’s supposed to be released in the next day or two. (pause) Are you sure, sir? (short pause) Yes, yes, sir, will do. (shuts off phone) Well, that’s the word from the D.A.’s office. As soon as Vera Ridgelawn is released from the hospital, she’s arrested and escorted straight to a cell.

HENRY DAVID
She won’t survive a jail cell, Frank.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
I know.

DEJA SIPHER
And, she has no reason to be in one.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
I don’t know what else to do, Deja. Your hunches are usually right on the money, but I don’t know about it this time. You were there. We gave her every possible out and she didn’t take one of them.

DEJA SIPHER
That’s because she doesn’t need one, Frank. Dear, your flowers need coffee, regular. It will do them good.

Officer Robertson enters the room holding a sheet of paper.

OFFICER ROBERTSON
Chief.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(frustrated) Yeah, what is it, Robertson?

Officer ROBERTSON
We’ve gone over every computer from the Ridgelawn house with a fine tooth comb. The e-mail that was sent to the victim didn’t come from any of those computers. We’re still trying to locate where it came from. But, sir, look at the time the e-mail was sent. (hands Chief the paper)

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(looks at the paper then to Henry, then hands paper to Henry) It was sent when she was in the art board meeting.

HENRY DAVID
Can’t e-mails be arranged to be sent at a certain time. Like a time delay of some type.

DEJA SIPHER
(looks out the window) Do you really think Vera Ridgelawn would know how to do that?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Hum? Did you find anything about that tracking device?

OFFICER ROBERTSON
It was purchased from a security company here in town. They usually attach them to expensive vehicles so they find them if they’ve been stolen. It’s an insurance break for the rich. They’ve also been sewn a few times into the clothing of people thought to be at risk of being kidnapped or whatever, real public people, you know. Ridgelawn kept receipts for everything, and I mean everything. His accountant has the purchase order for the tracking device.

HENRY DAVID
Did the accountant have any idea where the two hundred K went?

OFFICER ROBERTSON
No. She just said that Ridgelawn had been acting a little strange the last few days. Wouldn’t tell her what he wanted the money for, but gave her very specific instructions about what to do with it. Just said it was personal.

DEJA SIPHER
Frank, do you think we might be able to try something?

INT. POLICE YARD DAY
Henry, Chief, and Deja stand beside Officer Robertson who is leaning into the white compact, wearing gloves and pulling something off of the gas pedal.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
What is it?

OFFICER ROBERTSON
Mud.

DEJA SIPHER
Now, Frank, can you find out where that came from?

INT. OUTSIDE HENRY DAVID’S PI OFFICE DAY
Henry David is walking along the sidewalk toward his office. A small compact car pulls up and parks in front of the office door. ALBERT WEBER gets out of the car and speaks to Henry.

ALBERT WEBER
Detective? Detective David?

HENRY DAVID
Yes?

ALBERT WEBER
Albert Webber, sir. I don’t know if you remember me, but…

HENRY DAVID
I remember you. Heard about your parole. How you doing kid?

ALBERT WEBER
Better. It’s nice to be out, but it’s kind of scary too.

HENRY DAVID
Temptation not getting the better of you, is it?

ALBERT WEBER
No sir. I’m working now. Vera Ridgelawn helped me get a job out there at the cemetery on Old Mountain Road. And, she’s loaning me this car. Can you believe that? She’s a real nice lady. I can’t believe she’s helping me after what I did and her husband testifying against me and all.

HENRY DAVID
(surprised) Well, Albert, there are still nice people in the world.

ALBERT WEBER
Yeah. Well, I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for all you did for me. Being on the inside was hard, but I learned a lot. You won’t be having no more trouble out of me.

HENRY DAVID
Glad to hear it, Albert. Good luck to you.

ALBERT WEBER
Thanks, Detective. Uh, I heard about Mr. Ridgelawn on the radio. You got any leads, figured out who did it yet?

HENRY DAVID
No, Albert. Not yet.

ALBERT WEBER
Oh, well, good luck to you Detective.

Albert returns to the car and drives away. Henry watches with concern.

INT. MARTIN RIDGELAWN’S PERSONAL OFFICE NIGHT
Cassidy Clayton walks into Martin’s personal office, turns on the light, but leaves the door open. She goes to his desk and begins searching through some papers on top of the desk. Deja then walks in, the door remains open behind her.

DEJA SIPHER
Looking for this, Ms. Clayton? (holds up the tracking device)

Cassidy turns around and suspiciously views the device.

DEJA SIPHER
(continuing)
It was purchased by Martin Ridgelawn on the same day he told his accountant to withdraw a hundred thousand dollars from his personal account. An amount that quickly changed to two hundred thousand. The police found it in here after Martin Ridgelawn was found murdered. It has your thumbprint on one side and the fingerprint of your index finger on the other.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
You’re lying.

DEJA SIPHER
Am I? No, I think that Martin Ridgelawn placed this tracking device in the briefcase that held all that money. The very same case that he gave to you.

Cassidy looks surprised.

DEJA SIPHER
Ridgelawn had a video surveillance system installed after a burglary a couple years ago and it recorded you leaving here with two briefcases on the day the money was withdrawn.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Why on earth would Ridgelawn give me that kind of money?

DEJA SIPHER
I think it was to keep you quiet. You told the police that Martin was sexually harassing you, making inappropriate advances, and yet the police interviewed all the other employees and found no one else with any complaint of that type of behavior. And, my guess is that he didn’t have that type of behavior toward you either. It was all a lie. A threat so you could black mail him.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
You don’t know what you’re talking about.

DEJA SIPHER
You weren’t very careful, Ms. Clayton. Don’t you think that if Martin Ridgelawn thought to put a tracking device inside the briefcase that he would use other tracking measures as well? The accountant was suspicious about that kind of cash being withdrawn so the serial numbers were documented. And, some of the cash has been spent on two airline tickets to France and a local hotel room. Sound familiar?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
You’re accusing the wrong person. It wasn’t me.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, you’re right that it might be hard to prove. Cash purchases can’t be traced to any particular individual. And, I’m not entirely certain where the rest of it is, but I’d guess that perhaps you’ve divided it up and hidden it, maybe in safe deposit boxes. But, safe deposit boxes require names and identification.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
Look, I don’t know who you are, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.

DEJA SIPHER
And, these days, there are other types of identification as well. Something you should know a thing or two about, Ms. Clayton. For instance, the day he was murdered, Martin Ridgelawn received an e-mail to meet Vera at Old Mountain Crossroads. But, it didn’t come from Vera, it came from you, from your desk, here in this office, from a computer program you created. I don’t claim to understand how such things work, but I’m sure the police will.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
You can’t prove a thing.

DEJA SIPHER
You did a good job of trying to pin Martin’s murder on Vera Ridgelawn, sending the e-mail, telling the police Martin had had a case of roaming fingers around you, but you even risked using Vera’s car—-now that took some planning and some guts. You must have parked on the other side of the trees, near the staff houses and walked to the garage.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I don’t have to listen to this. (begins to leave)

Henry David walks in and stops Cassidy from leaving.

HENRY DAVID
Ms. Clayton, it’s people like you that give criminals a bad name.

DEJA SIPHER
You see, dear. You also forgot to clean the mud off the gas pedal. It had been raining that day. The grass was wet, the soil was muddy. And, you left wet, muddy shoeprints from the edge of the garage to the white compact. Shoeprints that were also found on the side of the dirt road leading to the employee residences.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you’ll never be able to prove a thing.

Chief Lennox walks in, removing an ear piece.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Maybe not. But, we certainly have enough to continue investigating this matter. And, we certainly have enough to continue looking for that money.

DEJA SIPHER
You know, Cassidy, you’ve caused so much harm. It seems like the least you could do is save Mrs. Ridgelawn the pain of believing her husband was an adulterer.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I have nothing else to say until I speak with an attorney.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Deja, Henry, and Frank are in the office talking. Deja is sitting by Henry’s desk. Henry is searching for a book on one of the shelves and Frank is playing with a kaleidoscope near Henry’s desk.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, we still need evidence to get Vera Ridgelawn off the hook.

DEJA SIPHER
At least Vera was able to make bail. I hated thinking of her being in a jail cell. But, we’ll get the evidence we need. Cassidy has gotten nervous.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Yeah, we’ve got our eye on her.

DEJA SIPHER
Good. And, what will come of Cassidy Clayton? Henry, what are you looking for?

HENRY DAVID
A book.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(puts the kaleidoscope down) Well, the D.A. said that we don’t have enough to charge Ms. Clayton. Even if we could prove that she was in the car, we can’t prove that she was the one that drove over Martin Ridgelawn. Besides, he’s not very happy with out little show at Ridgelawn’s office. He says it rings of entrapment.

HENRY DAVID
(stands and exhales loudly) Something keeps nagging at me. I could have sworn I remembered some law that we could use to nail the Clayton woman.

DEJA SIPHER
Frank, what about the money? Doesn’t that mean anything?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
D.A. says that all it means so far is that Ridgelawn gave Cassidy Clayton a bunch of money, in cash, and that he intended to trace the money. It looks bad, but we can’t prove that there was any blackmail going on, can’t prove that there was anything illegal going on for that matter. Mostly, it looks like Ridgelawn was giving his mistress a bunch of hush money. In cash. Not good, but not illegal.

HENRY DAVID
So, Clayton’s standing by her affair story now?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, first she claimed that she was sexually harassed. Then, she claimed that it was a consensual affair but that she didn’t want to say so because she was embarrassed and because she didn’t want to hurt Mrs. Ridgelawn.

DEJA SIPHER
Cassidy Clayton doesn’t strike me as the type of woman to care who gets hurt as long as it’s not her.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Yeah.

HENRY DAVID
(sits down, exhales again) I know it’s there. I just can’t recall what it is.

DEJA SIPHER
So, where is she now? Clayton, that is.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, with nothing but circumstantial evidence against her, we weren’t able to court order her not to leave the jurisdiction. She could be anywhere. She could be in France or Arizona or wherever she was headed to by now.

DEJA SIPHER
No, I don’t think she’d go that far just yet. She still has the problem of dealing with all that cash.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
If she goes near the money, we’ll know it. Those briefcases had tracking devices sewn inside of them, too. Martin Ridgelawn never passed on insurance. But, even if she gets it, we’ll have no reason to charge her with anything. By the way, Deja, I’ve been wondering how you knew that Vera didn’t commit the murder.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, dear Frank, it’s not that hard. When you get to be as old as I am (she laughs) you start to notice a few things about people. Margaret had told me about Vera, particularly about the conversations they’d shared the day of the murder. Vera hardly sounded like someone planning to run over her husband that evening. Then, there was the order of the house and the way Vera reacted when the police arrived at her home. If you’ll recall, the window shades were drawn. Drawing the shades is hardly something I’d remember to do if I was about to murder my husband. And, the turkey still warm from the oven. Why, even the wine glass had condensation on it as if it had been chilled for a while before it sat upon the kitchen island. Why bother going to all that trouble if the primary goal is to leave the house and murder your husband? It just didn’t make sense. No, I think Vera Ridgelawn was upset when you arrived because she had been crying the same way any housewife would when she plans an evening for her husband and he calls saying he’s working late. And, then, of course, she suffered an anxiety attack so severe that she needed hospitalization after she heard the news. It just didn’t add up.

HENRY DAVID
Clayton’s print on the tracking device won’t get us anywhere?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Nope.

DEJA SIPHER
But, why not? What about the mud on the gas pedal? The e-mail?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Nope. It only proves she was in the car at some point and that she held on to the tracking device at some point, but not necessarily the night of the murder.. The e-mail still doesn’t place her at the scene of the crime. Anyone could have sent that e-mail. (grabs the kaleidoscope again) You see this, Deja? As long as no one smudges over the fingerprints I’ve put on this thing by holding it, years from now my prints could be lifted from it and you’d have trouble proving when they were left there because fingerprints don’t fade or disappear after a period of time. At, least, not that we know of. No, on this case, without any witnesses, we need nothing short of an actual confession. And, Cassidy Clayton has lawyered up tighter than a fist in a heavyweight bout.

INT. OUTSIDE BANK PARKING LOT #1 DAY
Cassidy Clayton walks across a parking lot carrying one of the briefcases.

INT. INSIDE CLAYTON’S CAR DAY
Cassidy Clayton then gets into her car, opens the case to see the money, and then backs out.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Deja is now pouring coffee for the three of them. Henry and Chief sit around Henry’s desk.

DEJA SIPHER
Can we even offer Vera a little relief by proving that Martin wasn’t having an affair?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Not as far as Cassidy Clayton goes. We’ve interviewed everyone else in that office, male and female, and we found nobody who had any complaints about Martin Ridgelawn’s behavior. Everyone pretty much described it as a good place to work. A few even said it was the best place they’d ever worked. And, Lola, his secretary, worked for him for years. Never had a problem and never heard of anyone who did. Lola didn’t know he was having an affair, and usually the secretary always knows. But…

HENRY DAVID
An affair would be a good reason for a payoff. It could be, Aunt Deja, that Martin did have an affair.

DEJA SIPHER
(sits) I suppose you’re right. I just hate to think about Vera sitting in that big house all alone, her last memory of her husband being that he was murdered and that he was cheating.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Um-hum. Well, the good news is that there is enough circumstantial evidence that we can keep looking in to it. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky, and get Vera Ridgelawn off the hook.

INT. OUTSIDE BANK PARKING LOT #2 DAY
Cassidy Clayton walks toward her car carrying a box.

INT. INSIDE CLAYTON’S CAR DAY
Cassidy Clayton gets in her car and sets the box in the floorboard of the passenger side. She opens the box to see the money inside, takes out a handful of money, then closes it again. She then opens her purse, puts the cash in, pulls out a plane ticket, then puts the plane ticket back in her purse, closes her purse, and starts the car.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Deja, Henry, and Chief sit talking. Margaret walks in.

MARGARET
Everyone welcome to this little party?

HENRY DAVID
Come on in.

Henry stands briefly as Margaret walks in and takes a seat near Deja. Margaret pours herself a cup of coffee.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
We were just talking about the Ridgelawn case.

MARGARET
Isn’t that something? Isn’t there anything you can do?

HENRY DAVID
Police and the Sheriff’s Department are still working on it. They’re trying to get warrants for Clayton’s phones.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Actually, (looks at his watch) now that you mention it. (grabs Henry’s phone and begins to dial)

INT. OUTSIDE BANK PARKING LOT#3 DAY
Cassidy Clayton opens the trunk of the car and places a small box inside. She opens the lid to see the money, then closes it again. Beside this small box in the trunk are two other boxes and three large, stuffed envelopes. Cassidy closes the trunk, puts on her sunglasses with a big smile and heads toward the driver’s door.

INT. RIDGELAWN MANSION ENTRY ROOM DAY
Vera Ridgelawn heads toward the front door but turns her head to speak toward someone in the kitchen.

VERA RIDGELAWN
No, that’s all right. The walk to the mailbox will do me good. (walks through the front door)

INT. OUTSIDE RIDGELAWN MANSION DAY
Vera begins walking down the drive.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Deja, Henry, Chief, and Margaret sit talking. Chief hangs up the phone.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
A bunch of calls to the same number in Phoenix, some guy named Mark Clayton. They’re tracing the address to see if we can the local police to go talk to him. (leans back in his chair) No way to rush it; it’s just a waiting game.

MARGARET
(takes a sip of coffee) Speaking of which, Frank, there was something I was hoping to talk to you about.

INT. INSIDE CASSIDY CLAYTON’S CAR DAY
Cassidy is driving. She runs a red light. A siren begins to sound and Cassidy sees in the side mirror a squad car. Officer Robertson begins to follow her with lights flashing. Cassidy looks toward the rearview mirror with frustration and pulls off to the side of the road.

INT. OUTSIDE RIDGELAWN MANSION DAY
Vera Ridgelawn gets the mail out of the box at the end of the drive. She sorts through the envelopes as she begins walking back up the drive. She finds one from the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION and opens it. It is a traffic ticket. In one box it says 6:45 pm and in another box marked OFFENSE, it says SPEEDING. In the corner is a rough black and white photo of Cassidy Clayton.

INT. HENRY’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Margaret, Henry, Chief, and Deja sit around Henry’s desk.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(to phone, urgently) Uh-huh. (jots down a note on a tablet on Henry’s desk) Yeah. Got it. (closes his phone) (to others) We’ve got her.

INT. OUTSIDE CASSIDY CLAYTON’S CAR DAY
Officer Robertson stands beside Cassidy in front of her car. He closes his cell phone.

OFFICER ROBERTSON
Cassidy Clayton, you’re under arrest for the murder of Martin Ridgelawn.

Cassidy shakes her head ‘no’ with frustration as Officer Robertson turns her around and handcuffs her, then begins leading her toward his squad car.

INT. VIEWING ROOM DAY
Henry David and Officer Robertson watch from the viewing room.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM DAY
Chief Frank Lennox interviews Cassidy Clayton. Cassidy sits, her hands no longer cuffed as Chief sits atop an empty desk facing her.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Do you know what this is, Ms. Clayton?

Chief holds up a photo of her driving the white compact at evening time. Then, he hands it to Clayton who holds it.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
No.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Boston’s been trying a new way to cut down on some of the traffic accidents about town by placing these cameras at certain intersections. They not only use radar to determine the driving speed but they snap a photo of the driver. They also catch a picture of the license plate. Then, a bunch of computers trace the plate of the speeding car and they mail the ticket to whomever the vehicle is registered to. The time the camera took the picture, the date, location, everything; it’s all automatic and captured on tape and on computer. And, that, (he points to the photo) was taken of you speeding just before the murder, at the last intersection in town before heading down Old Mountain Road in Vera Ridgelawn’s car.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
So, doesn’t prove I murdered anybody. (tosses the photo on the desk) My attorney will have me out of here in no time.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Well, you see, this picture along with all the other evidence we have makes you look very guilty. But, what really sewed up the case is that while you were waiting in here for me to come and talk to you, Phoenix Police talked to Mark Clayton, also known as Mark Clay, also known as Mark Cleese and it seems the two of you have quite a little history together. You see, Cassidy, Martin Ridgelawn had an interesting way of looking at things. He always made sure to get insurance---that’s why he had every employee fingerprinted. But, he also believed in trust and the honor system, so he never actually ran the fingerprints through any computer. Too bad. He might still be alive if he had.

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I’m gonna sue the entire city of Boston for you treating me like this.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(laughs) I don’t think the city of Boston looks too fondly on blackmailers and murderers, Cassidy. Now, why don’t you just give the court a reason to be as lenient as they can by telling us your side of the story. Or, would you prefer we just use Mark’s side of the story?

CASSIDY CLAYTON
I’m not saying a word to you until I talk with my attorney.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Okay. Have it your way. (pushes an intercom button near the door) Yeah, Robertson, can you take Cassidy Clayton or Cleese or whatever her name is back to her cell. She can wait for her attorney there.

INT. CHIEF’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Chief removes some newspapers and trash from a couch and lays down. Henry throws his hat and coat over one chair, sits in a second chair near Frank’s desk and puts his feet up on third chair.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Just another day at the office.

HENRY DAVID
(looking at the mess) New secretary not working out for you, Frank?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
I’m on the fifth new one this week.

HENRY DAVID
So, what did this Mark Clay or Cleese have to say?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(laughs) Seems he was at risk of having his parole revoked, so he took a deal and then started talking and didn’t stop. Of course, he said that Cassidy had heard about Ridgelawn, thought he was an easy target, and that she planned the whole thing. (exhales as if tired and puts his arm over his forehead) And, it looks like she did lure Ridgelawn into bed. Or, at least that’s what Mark said Cassidy told him. He wasn’t too happy about it either. Either way, we’ve got enough to put Ms. Cassidy away for a long time and clear Vera Ridgelawn. Now, we can turn our attention to other things.

NEW SECRETARY walks in. It is a young male cadet carrying files in one hand and a watering can in the other. He walks toward the desk, but sees how messy it is.

NEW SECRETARY
Chief, where would you like these files that need to be reviewed?

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
(his arm still over his forehead) Um, just put them on my desk.

HENRY DAVID
(to New Secretary) Somehow, he manages to find them when he wants them.

NEW SECRETARY
Okay.

New Secretary puts the watering can on the desk, then puts the files neatly on the desk, then picks up the watering can and walks out of the office. From inside Frank’s office a loud, sudden clatter is heard as if metal trays are falling to the floor. Henry looks toward the commotion but Chief doesn’t move.

NEW SECRETARY (V.O.)(from afar)
(faded somewhat) Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.

CHIEF FRANK LENNOX
Just another day at the office.

THE END



written by Debra Phillips


This is a work of fiction.

Hangman: The Anniversary Case

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to situations or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.



HANGMAN
"The Anniversary Case"



FADE IN:
INT. BOSTON CITY STREET DAY
DEJA SIPHER is driving down the street amongst traffic. Then, she turns right onto a residential street.

INT. BOSTON RESIDENTIAL STREET DAY
Deja Sipher drives down a quiet residential street, pulling into the drive of a lower-middle-class home. She parks the car and exits the car.

INT. OUTSIDE THURSTON HOME DAY
Deja Sipher then retrieves a large, glass punch bowl from the back seat of the driver’s side. After shutting the back door by pushing it with her hip, she then walks up to the front door where she hears an argument from inside the home. She begins to push the doorbell, but thinks twice and doesn’t, uncertain about what to do. MAGGIE THURSTON AND JOHN THURSTON are inside the house.

GLEN THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) No!

MAGGIE THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) Why won’t you help me with this?

GLEN THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

MAGGIE THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) Why can’t you just talk to me?

Deja begins to step away from the door, but then looks at the punch bowl and then steps back towards the door.

GLEN THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) I don’t want to hear anymore about it. Now, drop it!

MAGGIE THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling, in tears) Glen! I thought I could count on you!

GLEN THURSTON (V.O.)
(yelling) We’re not going to talk about this again. Do you hear me?

Deja rings the doorbell, grimacing. The house quiets and Maggie Thurston opens the door to greet Deja. Maggie appears to have been crying. Maggie is pale, weak, and a scarf covers a bald head.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Deja, hi. Come on in. (takes the bowl) Here, let me take that.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, dear Maggie, thank you. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to hold on to it much longer.

INT. INSIDE OF THURSTON LIVING ROOM DAY
Deja Sipher follows Maggie Thurston inside. Deja closes the door. Maggie takes the bowl to another room, but then returns without it. Glen Thurston comes from another room to greet Deja as she enters.

GLEN THURSTON
Deja, you found it. (gives Deja quick peck on the cheek)

DEJA SIPHER
Yes, it was hidden away in the attic. Henry had to come over and help me get it down. All the cups that go with it are in the trunk. I’m hoping none of them broke on the way over here. You know, this punch bowl has seen many celebrations over the years. I’m so glad you asked for it to be the centerpiece of your anniversary party this weekend.

MAGGIE THURSTON
After everything we’ve been through in these five years, we just wanted it to be special. We thought maybe recreating our wedding reception might be a nice idea.

GLEN THURSTON
Yeah, band and all. The woman who made our wedding cake is even making a new one. She used one of our wedding pix to remember what the original looked like. Here, Deja, sit down.

Deja and Glen sit down on the couch.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Would you like something to drink, Deja?

DEJA SIPHER
Actually, I’d love a cup of coffee if you have one. I haven’t been past the office yet and that’s where I usually get my daily dose of caffeine.

Maggie goes toward the kitchen. Deja leans toward Glen.

DEJA SIPHER
(continuing)
(quietly) So, how are the two of you doing? I couldn’t help but overhear. (she points to the door)

GLEN THURSTON
(runs his hand through his hair)(quietly) It’s okay. (reassuringly) Really, Deja. We’ve just been under a lot of stress. it blows up from time to time but everything really is okay.

DEJA SIPHER
(quietly) How’s her treatment coming along?

GLEN THURSTON
(shakes his head)(quietly) It’s not going so well. The doctors were disappointed with this last round of chemo. They say Maggie didn’t respond like they had hoped. They’ve got her on more meds than ever, pills and injections. Some of them are to fight the cancer and some of them are for the side effects that come from the meds that fight the cancer. It’s like a big circle.

DEJA SIPHER
(puts her arm around Glen)(quietly) You are the grandson of my oldest and dearest friend, Glen. You know, if you need anything, I’m here for you.

GLEN THURSTON
(smiles gratefully) (quietly) Thanks, Deja. But, unless you have a magic wand, I’m not sure there’s anything you can do.

Maggie brings a tray with three cups of coffee, sits down in a chair near the couch, and distributes the coffee. Glen takes a quick sip.

GLEN THURSTON
Oh, Deja, if you’ll give me your trunk key, I’ll go get those punch bowl cups before I forget about it.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, my purse and the key are still in the car. I didn’t know about tying to balance my purse and the punch bowl. (pats Glen on the knee) Trunk latch is just above the parking break.


GLEN THURSTON
Okay. (stands, goes outside)

DEJA SIPHER
So, Maggie, dear, I’ll ask you what I asked Glen. How are things between the two of you? You’re both so young to be in a situation like this.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(sips her coffee) Glen’s worried. He stays that way. He tries not to let me know just how worried he really is, but I can tell. I’ve known him too long not to. But, we married for better or for worse.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, you’ve certainly seen the worst.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(smiles) Yes, we have, and Glen’s been my rock through it all. He’s amazing. He’s held on to his job and still managed to take care of me, be with me at all those appointments. Good news or bad news, when we hear it, we hear it together.

DEJA SIPHER
Is he still working in the lab at that little zoo at the edge of Boston? What’s it called?

MAGGIE THURSTON
Habitats. He sure is. And, he’s getting some internship credits and lab credits for his work there. He’s only considered an assistant, but he’s really earned the trust of the vet so he’s been helping out with all sorts of clinical studies with the animals. I never knew there was so much involved in becoming a vet.

DEJA SIPHER
It’s said to be the toughest medical profession because there are so many different species and the patients can’t tell you what’s wrong! (laughs)

MAGGIE THURSTON
Well, I hope you’ll come out next week and help us. We’re setting up a booth just outside the gates to hand out some literature. The zoo is at risk of being shut down; it’s so small it doesn’t get enough customers I guess. We’d like it to stay open.

DEJA SIPHER
What would happen to the animals if it closed?

Glen walks in with a large box, takes them to another room and then returns to sit on the couch.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Oh, the animals would be transferred to a larger zoo, maybe even the one here in Boston. But, being a small, independent zoo, it’s been able to really concentrate on some areas of research that would probably just get lost in a larger zoo.

GLEN THURSTON
It’s true. For the past few years, we’ve been able to collect and study the venom of African snakes. We’ve not only been able to help create the serum to counteract the poisons but we’ve been able to study parts of the venom, see if it could actually be used for other medical purposes.

MAGGIE THURSTON
We’re hoping to raise enough money that Habitats could receive another grant, at least try and keep it open another year or two. If the zoo is closed, Glen would have to travel a lot farther to work or find another job.

GLEN THURSTON
The staff isn’t really that large. We’d either be transferred or be at risk of losing our jobs. But, the city’s at risk of losing a great asset. We’re trying to get the newspaper to write an article, maybe even get the TV to do a piece.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, I’ll certainly be there to do what I can. But, first things first, we have an anniversary party to finish planning.

Maggie and Glen smile at each other.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S DETECTIVE OFFICE ENTRY RM DAY
Deja Sipher walks in and removes her coat. PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR HENRY DAVID is sitting at Deja’s desk, sorting through the mail.

HENRY DAVID
Everything okay over at Glen’s?

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, yes. They were arguing when I arrived, but I suppose it was nothing more than a lover’s spat; they were fine when I left. Maggie does not look good though. She’s so pale.

Henry stands and holds the seat for Deja as she sits.

DEJA SIPHER
(continuing)
Thank you, Henry. Glen told me privately that the doctors have given Maggie six months. Maggie seems to be at peace with it, but Glen just looks worried out of his mind.

HENRY DAVID
(sitting on the corner of the desk) It must be hard on him, seeing her go through this, knowing she’ll die soon.

DEJA SIPHER
Yes, it is. That’s why it’s so important that we all be at that anniversary party this weekend; we need to let them both know that they have all of our support.

HENRY DAVID
(kisses her on the cheek) Don’t ever die on me, Aunt, Deja. I just don’t know what I’d do. (begins to walk away)

DEJA SIPHER
(looks at two envelopes) Well, you certainly wouldn’t know how to open and sort the mail! Junk mail just goes straight to the recycling bin. (tosses away an envelope)

HENRY DAVID
(smiles) Yes, ma’am. Should have known that. (puts on his overcoat and fedora) I need to go do some work on that Peterson divorce case.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, the one where the husband hired you to follow his wife, the heiress, that he had declared legally insane. Well, that’s nice, dear. Maybe while you’re out you can figure out how to get a better class of clientele. (winks at him)

HENRY DAVID
(smiles) I’ll be back in a bit, Aunt Deja.

DEJA SIPHER
Alright, dear.

Henry leaves.

INT. CITY STREET DAY
Henry David sits in his car watching traffic and RANDOM PEOPLE as he twists his hat and exhales three times in boredom. Finally, he sees MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON carry bags out of a store and he watches her, taking a camera from the passenger seat and snapping photos of her as she walks to her car. She puts the bags in the trunk, turns around and sees him, and then walks to his car. Henry’s window is up.

HENRY DAVID
(seeing her coming) (quietly) Oh, no.

Mrs. Peterson arrives at Henry’s car, knocking three times on the window with her knuckle. Henry responds by rolling down the window and tipping his hat uncomfortably towards her. Mrs. Peterson squats near the car and speaks to Henry through the open window.

MRS. PETERSON
(calmly) Hi. I don’t know who you are, but you seem to know me. So, I assume my husband hired you for one thing or another.

HENRY DAVID
(uncomfortable) How are you, Mrs. Peterson?

MRS. PETERSON
(calmly) I won’t ask you to break any confidentiality. I’m sure you have rules about those kinds of things. But, just to make it a bit easier on us both, I’m headed to that little café (she points to THE SWEET STUFF café near her car) there for a coffee and muffin. I may be a few minutes. After that, I have to go pay the electric bill. I use the drive-thru at that branch office over at the corner of Main and Clover so I can miss the downtown traffic. And, unless I have to stop to fill up on gas, I’ll be going home after that.

HENRY DAVID
(uncomfortably) Thank you for that, uh, agenda.

MRS. PETERSON
Yeah, well, no reason not to cooperate.

Henry watches Mrs. Peterson walk back towards her car, but turn and enter the café. Henry puts the camera back into the passenger seat, grabs a steno pad from the seat, and jots down some notes.

INT. LARGE RECEPTION ROOM DAY
RANDOM WORKERS are setting up band instruments on a small stage, placing tablecloths over tables, arranging floral centerpieces, and pulling wine glasses and fancy china out of boxes. The punch bowl sits on a long table. Maggie carries in a box and places it beside the punch bowl. She then puts her hand to her head, weak. Maggie’s mother, PENNY MILLS sees Maggie weaken, sets down the enlarged framed wedding photograph of Maggie and Glen amongst several others, and goes to Maggie.

PENNY MILLS
Maggie! (leads her to a chair, helps her sit) I knew all this wedding business was too much for you right now.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Mom, I’m okay. I just got a little winded.

PENNY MILLS
You should be taking it easy. Getting some rest.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(exhales slowly, getting her breath back) It’s okay, really. I’m alright now. The box was just a little too heavy for me. That’s all. I just want this party to be perfect.

PENNY MILLS
Well, it sure is shaping up to look just like the reception you had at your wedding. (pats Maggie on the shoulder) If I can’t talk you in to going home, at least just sit here a bit. I’ll work on the punch setting. You were going to put them to the left of the cake weren’t you?

Penny goes toward the table with the boxes and punch bowl and begins removing the cups from the box. Maggie Thurston swallows hard, weakening again.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(weak, softly) Yeah, Mom, that’s right.

INT. CITY STREET DAY
Henry David sits in the car, watching as Mrs. Sophie Peterson comes out of the café. She waves to him. He lowers his head, embarrassed, as he raises his index finger toward her over the steering wheel. Mrs. Peterson gets into her car. When she pulls away, Henry follows.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S DETECTIVE OFFICE DAY
Deja sits at her desk, talking on the phone.

DEJA SIPHER
That’s right. (pause) Yes, two hours before the reception should be fine. Then, the cake will be sitting pretty when all the guests arrive. (pause, laughs) She’s so excited. I’m sure it will be perfect, just like the first time. Thank you so much. (hangs up the phone)

Deja makes a mark on a steno pad.

DEJA SIPHER
(continuing)
Cake confirmed. (dials phone) Let’s double-check the drinks.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON WALKS IN TO THE OFFICE.

DEJA SIPHER
(continuing)
Oh, Mr. Peterson. (hangs up the phone) (unconvincing) I hope you’re doing alright today.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(angry) Where is that so-called detective Henry?

DEJA SIPHER
It’s David. Detective David. Henry’s his first name.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Whatever. Where is he?

DEJA SIPHER
I believe he’s out following your wife as you asked him to do, sir.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
My wife just called me and told me she spotted Detective Henry or David or whatever his name is, actually talked to him. I thought detectives were supposed to be inconspicuous? I’m paying good money for his services.

DEJA SIPHER
I’m sure you are, Mr. Peterson. But, having someone followed as often as you’ve asked for Detective David to follow Mrs. Peterson, well, that’s like sending her a sign from a lighthouse. Even in a city this size, someone is bound to notice being followed that much.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Listen, you tell that good-for-nothing detective that he better do his job a little better and get some information on my wife for my divorce case or he can find another case to work on. (walks out, slams the door behind him)

DEJA SIPHER
I’d prefer the latter. (returns to her notes)

INT. OUTSIDE THURSTON HOUSE SUNSET
Glen Thurston helps Maggie Thurston walk up to the porch.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Just let me sit for a minute.

Glen helps Maggie sit on the porch, then sits beside her.

GLEN THURSTON
(sadly, softly) It’s just a party. You don’t need all this right now.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(quietly) Don’t you understand why I want this party, Glen? I’ll never have a chance at another one. I want this to be really special, for you, for me, for everybody we know.

GLEN THURSTON
(calmly) You can’t just give up like that, Mag. Anything could happen. The meds might work this time. You never know. We just have to keep your health up and keep fighting. I’ll be here by your side the whole time. I swear. Just don’t give up.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(takes his hand) I know that if love could conquer cancer, it would have been gone as soon as it came. (pause, leans her head on his shoulder) Glen, there’s something I still need you to help me with.

INT. PETERSON MANSION NIGHT
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are in the kitchen, arguing.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(yelling) You just remember, your days are numbered! When this divorce is over, this city will know you for the trash that you are and I’ll be the one with the house and all the bank accounts.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(yelling) I can’t believe how stupid I was. How could I not have seen you for what you are? Everybody I knew warned me about you, said you were just after the money. But, oh, no, I couldn’t listen to them. You had me convinced that they were just out to sabotage us. God, I was so stupid. But, no more. I know exactly what you are now and I won’t let you get away with it.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Oh, please. Just sit back and wait. You’re gonna get what you’ve got coming to you.

Mr. Robert Peterson leaves the kitchen in an angry rush as HOUSEKEEPER enters the room, concerned about the argument.

INT. CITY STREET MORNING
Mrs. Sophie Peterson gets out of her car near The Sweet Stuff cafe and walks back towards Henry’s car. Henry rolls down his window as she comes.

HENRY DAVID
Morning, Mrs. Peterson.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Morning, Detective Henry.

HENRY DAVID
Uh, David. It’s Detective David. Henry is my first name.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
My mistake. Um, would you mind terribly coming and having a cup of coffee with me? My treat. I have a lot to do today; it’d be easier for me to tell you over coffee than here by your car. Besides, I might have some information that may interest you.

INT. INSIDE THE SWEET STUFF CAFÉ MORNING
Mrs. Sophie Peterson and Henry David sit at a small table. Henry’s hat sits off to the side of the table.

HENRY DAVID
Quite a story.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Certainly one I never thought I’d be telling. At least, not about my own life. Detective David, I realize that you have no reason to believe me. After all, you do work for my husband. Besides, how many people are going to believe anything said by someone described as seeing people who aren’t there and hearing voices that don’t exist.

HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Peterson, how do I know you’re telling the truth when you say that you’ve not found any proof of these, well, apparitions? It is a bit, well, far-fetched. You don’t even have any proof that your husband was bringing women into the house.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
I guess you really can’t prove it. Maybe it’s too much of me to even ask you to try. But, it’s true. That’s all I can say. It’s true. But as crazy as this story is, and I do realize how crazy it sounds, I’m not insane, Detective David.

HENRY DAVID
Did you ever find any physical signs of these women? Shoe, scarf, anything? No matter how small it might have seemed.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
No. A couple of times, I saw the housekeeper carrying sheets from the room, and it’s always the same room, Detective, but she’d never say if she ever saw anyone in there. My husband can be very persuasive, Detective. He’s probably convinced her that I’m crazy or something. I don’t know. But, if there’s any way for you to check in to it, well, then, you may finally see my husband for the monster he really is. And, if you don’t, well eventually I may go insane after all.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S DETECTIVE OFFICE ENTRY RM MORNING
Henry David is completing hanging up his fedora and coat as Deja Sipher stands nearby waiting to give him his cup of coffee.

DEJA SIPHER
You’re lucky I didn’t tell that Mr. Peterson what I really think of him. But, I’m too much of a professional and too much of a lady to speak like that.

HENRY DAVID
(takes the coffee) He can be a handful.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, I, for one, think you should follow up on Mrs. Peterson’s offer. There’s something that just doesn’t sit well with me about that Mr. Peterson.

HENRY DAVID
But, Aunt Deja, Mr. Peterson is our client. I can’t just go out hunting for information to damage the client. That’s not what I’m being paid for.

DEJA SIPHER
No, it’s not. But, sometimes, Henry, you have to forget about the money and concentrate on doing the right thing.

Henry takes the cup of coffee and considers Deja’s words.

INT. RECEPTION ROOM DAY
Deja Sipher enters the reception room. It is empty except for Glen Thurston and a COUPLE WORKERS placing floral centerpieces on each table. The room is completely decorated now except for the cake, drinks, and food. photographs of the wedding day line the walls. Glen is standing near the door.

DEJA SIPHER
Would you look at this place! Oh, Maggie will be so pleased.

GLEN THURSTON
She really did a great job. The few details that are left are last minute types of things. Or, so I’m told. (smiles) Maggie’s better at planning things than I am.

DEJA SIPHER
It may sound a bit sexist, but women tend to be a bit better at such things. Anything else I can do?

GLEN THURSTON
I think it’s all taken care of.

DEJA SIPHER
You know, I could swear that I saw the priest who performed your ceremony pass me when I was coming in.

GLEN THURSTON
You did. But, it’s a secret, Deja. Okay? Maggie went to so much trouble planning this anniversary party to be exactly like our wedding reception, that I thought I’d surprise her by inviting the priest that married us and asking Maggie to marry me again, right here, at the party. If she’ll have me, that is.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, Glen, that’s a wonderful idea. (takes his arm) I’m sure Maggie will say yes all over again.

INT. THURSTON LIVING ROOM DAY
Maggie enters the room, supporting herself by holding on to the wall, but bending over in pain. She sits down in the chair and pulls her knees in toward her chest. She rubs her brow with her hand and wipes away a single tear from her cheek. She then leans her head back against the chair in exhaustion and closes her eyes.

INT. OUTSIDE PETERSON MANSION EVENING
Henry David sits in the bushes with a zoom lens camera, looking toward the Peterson home. Mr. Robert Peterson walks into the house with a WOMAN. Henry grabs his hat back when a limb moves it. Henry watches curiously and with concern.
Henry looks through the lens again. Mrs. Sophie Peterson then arrives home, parks, walks to the door, and enters. Then, Henry’s cell phone rings.

HENRY
Hello. (pause) Following up on some of your advice. (pause) Yes, I remember. I’ll be there. Nice to know at least one marriage in this town is lasting.

INT. RECEPTION ROOM DAY
The sun is shining in through the windows as a LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE mingle about the reception room. WAITERS are carrying trays about the crowd. The wedding cake is placed near the punch bowl that is now filled with red punch. Henry David and Deja Sipher walk in to the room. Glen and Maggie Thurston are mingling amongst the guests. Maggie appears weak, but smiling and happy. Glen keeps his arm about Maggie, supporting her. Hats and coats are taken by a WAITER as Henry and Deja enter the room. The band is playing classic love songs.

HENRY DAVID
Five years. Wow. Longer than any of my marriages. They really went all out for this party.

DEJA SIPHER
Well, consider the circumstances, dear.

HENRY DAVID
Sorry, didn’t mean to be inconsiderate, Aunt Deja.

DEJA SIPHER
(pats his arm) Let’s go say hello to the happy couple.

Henry and Deja make their way through part of the crowd until they meet up with CHIEF FRANK LENNOX.

DEJA SIPHER
Frank (kisses him on the cheek), you made it!

CHIEF LENNOX
Deja! Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Henry, how are you? (shakes hands with Henry) You know, my cousin’s mother went to school with Glen’s mother. Or, something like that. Anyway, I’ve known Glen since he was just a baby.

DEJA SIPHER
Have you had a chance to talk to the couple yet?

CHIEF LENNOX
I have, I have. (quiets, leans in to Deja) Deja,
Maggie’s not looking too good. Glen’s been holding her up and helping her stand ever since I got here. They’ve been trying to hide it, but I guess these old cops eyes can see right through it.

DEJA SIPHER
Yes, well, I’ll explain all of that later. For now, let’s just help them celebrate. Excuse me. (she pats Chief on the arm and walks toward Glen)

CHIEF LENNOX
(nods in agreement) Henry, how did we manage to both get some time off today?

HENRY DAVID
(jokingly) I work for myself. But, as soon as this party’s over, it’s back to surveillance duty for me.

CHIEF LENNOX
Anybody I know?

HENRY DAVID
Peterson case.

CHIEF LENNOX
Mrs. Peterson, the heiress?

Henry nods in agreement.

CHIEF LENNOX
(continuing)
(laughs) The crazy heiress?

Henry frowns at Chief.

CHIEF LENNOX
(continuing)
(pats Henry on the back) Hate to tell you, buddy, but you can stay as long as you like. That nut finally got herself involuntarily committed last night.

HENRY DAVID
(surprised) What?

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. Police got called out to the house around midnight. Woman’s crazy as a loon. Kept saying that she saw another woman in the house, said she was just walking down the hallway and the woman just came out of a room, looked toward her, and then walked away. Her old man called the doctor and Mrs. Peterson held to her story. Even the doctor didn’t find any evidence of somebody else in the house, but the Peterson wife still stuck to her story. Doctor had her committed, called us to transport. Peterson had a cut on his arm Superficial one if you ask me. He said the wife did it.

Henry appears confused and concerned.

Deja makes her way to Glen and Maggie Thurston, hugging them both as she greets them.

DEJA SIPHER
Don’t you two look wonderful! It certainly turned into a beautiful party. (waves to Penny Mills a few people away) And, your mother was able to make it. How nice! I haven’t seen her in ages.

GLEN THURSTON
Where’s your drink?

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, I’ll get one in a minute.

MAGGIE THURSTON
Oh, and you have to try the wedding cookies. They’re to die for, they just melt in your mouth.

DEJA SIPHER
I will certainly do that. (pulls a card from her purse and gives it to Maggie) Even though you requested that donations be made for cancer research in lieu of gifts, I just had to at least get you a card. Five years is serious business these days. (smiles)

Maggie reads the card and begins to cry, then hands the card to Glen and hugs Deja.

MAGGIE THURSTON
It’s beautiful. Thank you, Deja. (whispers in her ear) I hope you know how much you’ve meant to me.

Glen then hugs Deja as Maggie wipes her eyes.

GLEN THURSTON
Thanks so much, Deja.


Henry and Chief stand before the bar.

CHIEF LENNOX
(to Henry) Hum. That is interesting. (to the bartender) Beer, please. (takes the beer) Thanks. (to Henry) So, you think it might be a setup?

HENRY DAVID
Jury’s still out. I’m gonna keep checking on it.

CHIEF LENNOX
Well, if you need some help, give me a call. It sounds more interesting than anything I’m working on right now.

INT. PADDED HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Mrs. Sophie Peterson paces about the white padded cell.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(quietly, to herself) How? How is he doing this? (paces across the room twice, then goes to the door and knocks four times)

INT. OUTSIDE PADDED HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
A NURSE walks up to the door, moves a small metal plate to reveal a small face-size opening in the door, and speaks to Mrs. Sophie Peterson through the hole.

NURSE
What do you need, Mrs. Peterson?

INT. INSIDE PADDED HOSPTIAL ROOM DAY
Mrs. Sophie Peterson is inside the padded cell, speaking through the small hole in the door.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(calmly) Am I allowed to make phone calls?

NURSE
Not until the doctor examines you and says that he’ll allow it.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Are you allowed to make phone calls for me?

NURSE
No, ma’am. Is there anything else?

MRS. SOHPIE PETERSON
I need to speak to Detective David, Henry David. If you could just get a message to him.

NURSE
I’m not allowed to do that ma’am. (shuts the small metal plate)

Mrs. Sophie Peterson watches the plate close, turns her back to the door, and slides down the door until she’s sitting on the floor.

INT. RECEPTION ROOM DAY
Deja Sipher approaches Penny Mills at the Thurston anniversary party. They both drink from the punch cups.

DEJA SIPHER
So, what do you think, Penny?

PENNY MILLS
Even better than the first one.

Glen Thurston goes up to the microphone, the band stops playing. Maggie Thurston stands with the crowd just in front of Glen.

GLEN THURSTON
Excuse me, everyone. If I could have your attention, please. (the crowd quiets) First, Maggie and I would like to thank you all for coming to help us celebrate our fifth anniversary.

The people applaud.

GLEN THURSTON
(continuing)
Thank you. Maggie has spent a lot of time planning this party. ‘Bout as much time as she spent planning our wedding. So, it hasn’t been easy to plan a surprise, but I wanted to do something special for her after everything she’s done for me. (to Maggie) Mag, you’ve given me the five best years I could have asked for. But, I’m asking you now, before all our family and friends, and Father Clayton…

FATHER CLAYTON winks to Maggie from the corner of the crowd. Maggie looks to him with surprise.

GLEN THURSTON
(continuing)
…will you’ll marry me again today.

The crowd ahhs and applauds. Maggie begins to cry as she goes to Glen and embraces him.

GLEN THURSTON
(continuing)
(whispers to Maggie) So, whadda ya say?

MAGGIE THURSTON
(whispers) The answer will always be yes.

The crowd cheers.

INT. PETERSON MANSION KITCHEN DAY
Mr. Robert Peterson sings to himself as he enters the room.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
I’m in the money. I’m in the money.

He reaches the sink and looks at the slight cut on his arm. He then picks up a knife from the sink and sees the blood.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(to himself) That’s disgusting. Hum. (rinses it off and puts it in the dishwasher) a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. (begins singing as he leaves the room) I’m in the money. I’m in the money. Won’t be long and I’ll have all the money, all the money, honey.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM DAY
Mr. Robert Peterson walks into the living room. The woman Henry David saw going into the house with Mr. Peterson walks into the living room from another room.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(continuing)
Oh, there you are. Good performance last night.

Takes three hundred dollar bills from his wallet and gives them to her.

WOMAN
Thank you. (takes the money) Anytime you need some help, just give me a call.

Mr. Robert Peterson walks her to the door.

WOMAN
(continuing)
So, tell me again what all this spook stuff is about?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Oh, just a little practical joke on my wife. She’s in to all that supernatural stuff, you know. Well, thanks again.

The woman turns around as the door opens.

WOMAN
Uh, you drove me here. How do you expect me to get back home?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
The housekeeper will drive you. Oh, and, uh, she’s not in on the joke. She thinks you’re a nurse that was checking in on my wife’s health. So, stick to the role. (hands her another hundred dollar bill)

The woman walks out the door. Mr. Peterson closes it.

INT. RECEPTION ROOM DAY
Maggie and Glen Thurston stand on the bandstand. Father Clayton is with them as the crowd looks on. Deja Sipher smiles and leans her head on Henry’s shoulder.

FATHER CLAYTON
…for better and for worse, through sickness and in health…

INT. PADDED HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Mrs. Sophie Peterson sits on the floor in the middle of the room, quietly looking around with tears in her eyes.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM DAY
Mr. Robert Peterson sits down in a chair in the living room, lights a cigar, an expression of pride on his face.

INT. RECEPTION ROOM DAY
Glen and Maggie Thurston are being remarried by Father Clayton.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(to Glen) …till death do us part…

INT. BOSTON SKYLINE SUNSET
The sun sets over Boston.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S DETECTIVE OFFICE-ENTRY RM MORNING
Mr. Robert Peterson walks in and speaks to Deja Sipher who is sitting at her desk.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Is he in?

DEJA SIPHER
If you’re referring to Detective David, no, he’s not in just yet.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Figures. Well, when he gets in (hands her a check from his jacket pocket) give him this. It should cover his payment for my case. Then, tell him I’ll no longer be in need of his services. The matter had been handled. (he turns and leaves)

DEJA SIPHER
(after he’s gone, looks at the check) It could never be enough. (she drops it on the desk as if it’s dirty)

INT. THURSTON HOME LIVING ROOM MORNING
Maggie Thurston walks into the living room, bending over in pain, supporting herself by holding on to an end table.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(yelling for him) Glen!

Glen runs to her, coming from the kitchen.

GLEN THURSTON
I’ve got you. (helps her to a chair) I’ll call the doctor.

MAGGIE THURSTON
(crying) No, no more doctors. I’m tired of doctors. (pause) Help me.

GLEN THURSTON
What do you want me to do?

MAGGIE THURSTON
Just hold me.

Glen, near tears, puts his arms around Maggie as they both sit in the chair.

INT. PADDED HOSPITAL ROOM MORNING
The Nurse opens the door and Henry David walks in. Mrs. Sophie Peterson stands from a seated position on the floor to greet Henry.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
I’m sorry I can’t offer you better conditions, Detective. How about the floor?

They both sit on the floor. Henry removes his hat.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(continuing)
I’m surprised they’d even let you in here.

HENRY DAVID
Well, I have to admit it’s a new experience. But, I was hoping you might be able to give me some more information. I’ve been thinking about what you told me, about why you’re in here.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(cautiously) I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but..

HENRY DAVID
But, you’re certain you saw a real woman, not a phantom.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Yes. And, I did not cut my husband’s arm. I swear it. He did it himself. Can’t you check for fingerprints or something?

HENRY DAVID
Well, you both live in the household. It would be expected that the knife would have either or both of your fingerprints. What can you tell me about the woman you saw?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Just that she was as real as you or me. She came out the room, that same bedroom as always, and then she just walked away.

HENRY DAVID
Walked away?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Walked down the hall. Just like all of them have. It’s not like they disappear into a wall or something. Although sometimes…

HENRY DAVID
Have you seen this woman before?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
A few times. It’s not always the same woman, but some of them I’ve seen multiple times.

HENRY DAVID
If they just walk away, why don’t you follow them?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
The first few times, I was too spooked. I ran in the opposite direction. A couple times, started to follow them but I just couldn’t. I can’t explain it. A few times, I did work up the nerve, but they were gone by the time I got to the stairs.

HENRY DAVID
Mrs. Peterson, I need you to be honest with me. This isn’t the first time you’ve seen, uh, people, is it?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
No. I had a few problems in my teens after my mother died. I thought I saw her spirit around the house. They called it post-traumatic. I was treated, hospitalized actually, but after some therapy I got past it. It never happened again until this past year. But, I can tell the difference, Detective David. What I’ve been seeing at the house are real women. They’re real. I think they spooked me because I saw someone unexpected in my house and, well, because I remembered what happened after my mom died.

HENRY DAVID
Your current doctor, your husband, they know all this?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Sure. The doctor has all my medical records. And my husband, well, he’s known since before we were married. He was a psychiatric intern when I was hospitalized. It was where we met. He gave up medicine because of the conflict of interest. At least, that’s what he said. I know better now. He went to work for my father after we got married.

HENRY DAVID
Your father, huh?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Yeah, they invent computer software that can do just about anything, but they specialize in special effects for movies. He started in sales, but worked his way up to executive. When my father died, we inherited it all. (pause) If I had only known it would all come to this…

INT. OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL DAY
The Nurse and Henry David escort Mrs. Peterson to a cab.

HENRY DAVID
I’d be happy to give you a ride now that your husband has fired me.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Thanks, but I feel like I need to do this on my own. All of this has just made me feel incapable of everything.

Henry opens the cab door. Mrs. Sophie Peterson gets in.

HENRY DAVID
Where you headed?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Home. Now that Robert’s gotten power of attorney over me, I don’t have any place else to go. But, don’t worry. I’ll be alright. (smiles slightly and closes the cab door)

The cab drives away. Henry adjusts his hat with unease.

INT. THURSTON BEDROOM DAY
Glen Thurston helps Maggie Thurston lie on the bed. Maggie is gripping at her stomach. Glen pulls a light blanket over Maggie and strokes her hair with his hand. Maggie closes her eyes in pain and Glen swallows hard as tears fill his eyes. A small, clear glass sits at the edge of the bedside table along with a syringe.

INT. HENRY DAVID’S PERSONAL OFFICE DAY
Henry David and Deja Sipher are dusting his book shelves.

HENRY DAVID
Have you ever had this feeling like there was something you were supposed to do, but you had no idea what it was? I guess it’s those detective instincts.

DEJA SIPHER
No, dear, it’s those human instincts. No good can come from this situation. Something’s about to happen. And, you can sense it.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM DAY
Mrs. Sophie Peterson walks in the door. Mr. Robert Peterson is sitting at a desk, placing the telephone back in the base.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Robert, you’ve outdone yourself this time.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Well, well, Sophie, how’d you like your little padded room? (laughs) I tried to get them to decorate it in your favorite color, but I didn’t think they’d be able to find pink padding on such short notice.

Mrs. Sophie Peterson drapes her coat over the couch and begins to walk from the room but turns around toward Mr. Robert Peterson. Mr. Peterson picks up a drink in a small, clear glass from near the phone.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Does it mean anything to you at all that I trusted you? That I loved you?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(rattles the cubes in the glass) No. (takes a sip)

Mrs. Peterson’s expression saddens more as she leaves the room. Mr. Peterson chuckles as he takes another drink.

INT. A KITCHEN COUNTR DAY
Two bottles of pills are poured into a plastic baggie. Then, the baggie is crushed into a powder with a rolling pin. The powdered contents of the bag is then poured into a clear, small glass.

INT. THURSTON BEDROOM EVENING
EMT#1 pulls a sheet over Maggie Thurston’s face. EMT#2 stands near with a chart. Glen Thurston stands, upset, at the side of the room with Chief Lennox who tries to comfort Glen. Chief’s arm is around Glen. The clear, small glass is missing as is the syringe.

INT. OUTSIDE THURSTON HOME EVENING
The ambulance drives away. Penny Mills and Glen Thurston walk away from Chief Lennox and are on their way inside the house when Deja Sipher and Henry David pull up into the drive. Deja goes to Chief.

DEJA SIPHER
Frank, we just heard.

CHIEF LENNOX
Yeah, Glen’s not holding up too well.

DEJA SIPHER
What about Penny?

CHIEF LENNOX
(shakes his head no) She just got here. We all knew Maggie wasn’t doing well. We just didn’t think it’d be this soon.

DEJA SIPHER
There never seems like there’s enough time.

HENRY DAVID
Had they made any arrangements beforehand?

CHIEF LENNOX
I don’t know. It may be postponed anyway. Death at home means an autopsy. Penny was really upset about that.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, Frank, no.

CHIEF LENNOX
Standard procedure, Deja. Nothing I can do.

INT. PETERSON MANSION BATHROOM EVENING
A bathroom counter is cluttered with make-up and bottles of facial products and hair styling items. Amongst the mess is a small, clear glass filled with cubes and liquid. Mrs. Sophie Peterson locks the bathroom door. The tub is running as water is filling the tub. Mrs. Peterson removes her house shoes and places them neatly by the wall. She places the drink on the side of the tub, removes her robe, and gets in to the bath. She exhales and lifts the drink to her lips, but before drinking she hears footsteps and the door knob turning but found to be locked. She looks toward the door, hears distant female laughter, and then looks again toward her drink with confusion. Mrs. Peterson sets the drink back on the side of the tub, watching it carefully as she hears footsteps walking away. She sinks further into the tub as if afraid.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM DAY
Mrs. Sophie Peterson is pacing in the living room as Henry David walks in from a back room.

HENRY DAVID
Well, I didn’t find anyone in the house.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(relieved) Oh, good. I just couldn’t bring myself to check. Thanks for coming over. I thought it’d be better if you came when Robert was at the office.

HENRY DAVID
You’re probably right. Which room was it that you saw the women coming from?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Upstairs. Third bedroom on the right, right beside mine. I can show you.

HENRY DAVID
Uh, no, I’d really like to check it alone, if that’s alright.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Sure.

Henry walks upstairs.

INT. PETERSON MANSION UPSTAIRS HALLWAY DAY
Henry David studies the bedroom door before opening it, fingering the sides of the door and testing the knob. He then turns the knob and goes inside.

INT. INSIDE PETERSON UPSTAIRS BEDROOM DAY
Henry David looks about a bedroom decorated with antiques. He opens the dresser drawers, but nothing is inside. He tests the lamps by the bedside, turning on the light then off again. He opens the bedside table drawer, and finds a matchbook to the OLD BOSTON HOTEL, opens it, closes it, and puts it back in the drawer. Henry moves his hand along the back of a painting near the bed, but finds nothing. He then smiles as he sees an old style radio sitting atop a cabinet. Henry tries to turn it on, but when he does, distant female laughter emerges instead of music. He turns it off with an expression of surprise on his face. He turns it on again, but distant laughter emerges again, and then he turns it off again. He studies the back of the radio and finds wires that go into the cabinet on which the radio sits. He opens the cabinet doors, kneeling so that he can reach upward toward the top of the inside of the cabinet. Henry finds a small tape player taped to the top of the cabinet with wires that go through the back of the cabinet and into the wall outlet behind the cabinet. Henry then closes the cabinet doors and looks about the room again, but then goes into the hallway. He leaves the tape player and wires where they are.

INT. PETERSON MANSION HALLWAY DAY
Henry David looks at the painting at one end of the hall and goes toward it. He moves his hand along the top of the painting and pulls out a tiny penlight camera attached to a wire that goes into the wall. He returns it to where he found it. He looks to the other end of the hall at a large mirror in a golden frame.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM DAY
Henry David walks in to the room. Mrs. Sophe Peterson is still pacing.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Find anything?

HENRY DAVID
I’m not entirely certain. Are you sure there’s nowhere else you have to stay? Even if it’s a different part of the house.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
There’s the guesthouse. I could stay there. But, why?

HENRY DAVID
Just try it. It’ll buy some time; I need to check on some things.

INT. OUTSIDE OLD BOSTON HOTEL EVENING
Henry David sits in his car beneath the Old Boston Hotel sign, looking through his camera lens toward the hotel lobby. Mr. Peterson walks out with the Woman who had previously been at the house. Henry snaps several pictures before lowering his camera.

INT. OUTSIDE THE PETERSON MANSION NIGHT
Four squad cars are in the parking area, their lights flashing. THREE OFFICERS are walking from around the right side of the house to the parking area to speak to Chief Lennox and Henry David. As Mr. Robert Peterson drives toward the house, an ambulance drives casually past him towards the road. Mr. Robert Peterson then parks, gets out, and goes toward Henry.

HENRY DAVID
(toward Chief, quietly) I’m not sure I want to do this. (adjusts his hat)

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(yelling as he approaches) Detective Henry!

CHIEF LENNOX
(quietly, to Henry) Hum. Too late now.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Henry! (arriving) What is all this commotion? And, why are the police here? What’s going on?

HENRY DAVID
(calmly, quietly) If you’ll just give me a moment, Mr. Peterson. I’m here, the police are here, because we received a call from your wife.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
What now? Seeing things again, is she? You know she moved out to the guest house, don’t you? It’s not good for her to be alone out there where her mind can just run wild.

CHIEF LENNOX
(clears his throat) Mr. Peterson, we received a 911 call from your wife.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
So, what did she say?

CHIEF LENNOX
Well, her speech was quite blurred, sir. We’re not sure what she was trying to say. But, that’s enough of a reason for a 911 call to be responded to. I called Detective David because you had mentioned the last time we were out here that you had hired him.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
For all the good it did.

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. Mr. Peterson, the responders found your wife unconscious and called for the ambulance.

HENRY DAVID
Your wife is dead. She was barely breathing by the time the police got here. They did all they could until the ambulance arrived, but it was too late.

Mr. Peterson looks away, then down, shuffles his feet, and feigns being sad.

CHIEF LENNOX
We found a small glass near her hand, quite a bit of residue in it, and some empty pill bottles that shouldn’t have been empty. We’ve sent the glass to the lab, but we think she may have either swallowed a bunch of pills or tried to dissolve them in the liquor or maybe crushed them or something. The lab will tell us more. And, of course, there’ll have to be an autopsy.

Mr. Peterson looks away again, without emotion.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
The guest house, huh?

HENRY DAVID
That’s where she was found. For now, the police have taped off the house until they finish the official investigation.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(looks toward the front door) Oh, so you haven’t gone in the main house? Uh, I have more of her prescriptions in there. Some of them were so potent I kept them locked up. Guess I should have kept them all locked up. She was crazy, but I didn’t think she (pause) well... I mean, this was rather unexpected.

HENRY DAVID
Well, no one ever does.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Uh, Chief, do you need me for anything. I’d like to go inside and just sit a bit if that’s okay.

CHIEF LENNOX
That’s fine, Mr. Peterson. If we need you, we’ll contact you.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Thank you. (walks slowly towards the door, shuts the door)

HENRY DAVID
(quietly) He doesn’t seem too traumatized.

CHIEF LENNOX
(quietly) Uh-uh. Nope, he sure doesn’t.

INT. THURSTON HOME LIVING ROOM DAY
Deja Sipher embraces Glen Thurston. The room is filled with floral arrangements, ceramic angels, and cards. After embracing, Glen, appearing quite tired, moves some flowers off the couch, then he and Deja sit.

DEJA SIPHER
How you holding up, dear?

GLEN THURSTON
(tearfully) I’m okay, hanging in there. Can you believe all this (motions to the room)? I guess you don’t realize how much you’ll be missed until you’re gone. And, Maggie deserved every one of these.

DEJA SIPHER
People are just trying to help you through this, Glen. But, you’re right; it’s too bad more people didn’t think to send her flowers when she was alive.

GLEN THURSTON
Brings a whole new meaning to sympathy flowers, I guess. I don’t know. The flowers, the cards, they’ve not stopped coming since Maggie died. Penny’s house looks about the same, lots of people sending cards and flowers there too.

DEJA SIPHER
Have you talked to Penny lately?

GLEN THURSTON
Yeah. I don’t think an hour goes by that one of us doesn’t check on the other, a phone call or something. Penny doesn’t seem to be doing well. She keeps saying that a parent expects to go first, that the parent is always supposed to go first. I don’t know what to say to help her.

DEJA SIPHER
By the time you reach my age, you finally begin to realize that it’s not always about saying the right thing or the wrong thing; sometimes it’s just about listening, about being there. Penny knows that and I’m certain that she’s as worried about you as you are about her. (pats Glen’s hand) Actually, I plan on going to see her after our little visit. I’ll call you afterwards with an update.

GLEN THURSTON
Thanks, Deja.

DEJA SIPHER
Have you made any arrangements yet?

GLEN THURSTON
The basics, I guess. Penny picked out a dress for Maggie to be buried in. And, Maggie always wanted to be buried out on Old Mountain Road. She said it was real peaceful out there. So, I bought a couple of plots. And, uh, (rubs his forehead) oh, the St. Angelique Funeral Home for the service. That’s about all I can remember right now. Sunday, she’ll be buried on Sunday.

DEJA SIPHER
Did the police finish their autopsy?

GLEN THURSTON
(shakes his head yes) They just said her death was caused by cancer, even took her prescriptions to make sure they hadn’t been overused, caused a heart attack or something. I don’t know if you know, but the cancer had pretty much taken over her whole body. But, she fought it, Deja. (becoming more upset) She fought through that horrible pain everyday. She tried to never let on how bad it really was, but I could tell. And, there towards the end, it was to the point where she just couldn’t hide it anymore.

DEJA SIPHER
(tearfully, puts her arm around Glen) She fought because she wanted to live, Glen. She wanted to be here with you.

GLEN THURSTON
She asked me, before the anniversary party, to help her. She kept saying she couldn’t stand the pain anymore. And, she had been through so much, the chemo, surgery. She hated needles, so I was giving her morphine injections and vitamin injections and she was taking so many prescriptions every day. Nothing seemed to be helping. Even the morphine wasn’t helping the pain anymore. She wanted me to up the amount in the morphine injections until it was too much.

DEJA SIPHER
She wanted you to help her commit suicide?

GLEN THURSTON
(shakes his head yes) I just couldn’t do it. I wanted her here with me. I couldn’t bring myself to help her die. But, seeing how much pain she was in at the end, I wonder if I made the right decision. Maybe if I hadn’t been so selfish, she wouldn’t have suffered so much.

DEJA SIPHER
(rubs Glen’s back) Glen, Maggie knows how much you loved her. I think she understood.

INT. PETERSON MANSION--HALLWAY DAY
Mr. Robert Peterson removes the painting at the end of the hall, then removes the penlight camera.

INT. PETERSON MANSION—BEDROOM DAY
Mr. Robert Peterson reaches in to the top of the cabinet above the antique radio and pulls the tape player and the wires out. He then reaches behind the cabinet, removes a switchboard plate, and then hides the remaining wires in the small compartment before returning the switchboard plate.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM EVENING
Mr. Robert Peterson sits at the phone desk, talking on the phone with a drink in his hands.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Doing quite well, actually. We bury the bitch tomorrow. (pause) Well, it really doesn’t matter anymore, now does it? (pause) (laughs) Suicide? Can you believe it? Who knew she had it in her? It was nice of her to help me out like this, though. Now I won’t have to fork out money for hospital expenses for the rest of her days. And, I won’t have to keep coming up with ways to convince that doctor to declare her insane. (pause) Yes, but I didn’t expect her to wait that long to drink it. I was all ready to call the police all upset that I’d found my wife dead in the tub. Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo. (pause) Well, darlin’, we did get away with it, and Sophie even helped us! By the way, keep those wigs, will you. Never know when we might need them again. But, for now, just don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Just pack that bag for the Bahamas and as soon as this funeral is over, we’re on a plane headed south. And, those bumbling detectives won’t suspect a thing. (hangs up the phone, rubs his head, looks toward his drink, stands, and puts his hand to his stomach as he grimaces)

Mr. Robert Peterson goes to the liquor cabinet and refills his drink, then he sits on the sofa reading the Boston Herald and drinking from a small, clear glass.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON (V.O.)
(soft whisper) Robert.

Mr. Robert Peterson looks about the room, but returns to his paper.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON (V.O.)
(soft whisper) Robert.

Mr. Robert Peterson walks to the window, moves the curtain, and looks about the property through the window. He shakes off the experience, finishes his drink, and goes into the kitchen.

INT. PETERSON MANSION KITCHEN EVENING
Mr. Robert Peterson walks into the kitchen. On the counter, he sees a pair of gloves and an empty clear, small glass with pill residue in it. He grabs them and throws them into the trash beneath the sink. He then leaves the room.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM EVENING
Mr. Robert Peterson picks up the phone and dials.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(to phone) Uh, nothing. I just dialed the wrong number is all. Talk to you later. (hangs up phone)

INT. PETERSON MANSION KITCHEN EVENING
Mr. Peterson walks back into the kitchen. He sees the gloves and the glass sitting on the counter where they had been before. He goes to pick up the glass, but stops, pours his drink down the drain, and returns to the liquor cabinet.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM EVENING
Mr. Peterson takes each bottle of liquor and carries it to the kitchen.

INT. PETERSON MANSION KITCHEN EVENING
Mr. Peterson takes each bottle, places it on the side of the sink, and then begins pouring the liquid down the drain.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Sophie, were you playing around with my liquor? Well, you won’t win this round either.

INT. OUTSIDE PETERSON HOME EVENING
Henry David and Chief Lennox sit in a car outside the property looking toward the house with cameras and binoculars.

CHIEF LENNOX
What exactly are we waiting on, Henry?

HENRY DAVID
I’m not sure.

INT. PETERSON MANSION UPSTAIRS HALLWAY EVENING
Mr. Peterson begins walking down the hallway. Mrs. Sophie Peterson walks out of the guest room, ignoring Mr. Peterson, then she walks down the hall, and disappears into the mirror at the end of the hall.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(angry) Sophie! I knew you were behind… I know you can hear me. How you’ve done

Mr. Peterson sees Mrs. Sophie Peterson disappear into the mirror and goes pale. He then appears angry again, goes to the painting and finds nothing behind it. He then goes to the mirror and finds nothing behind it.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
What’s going on here?

Mr. Peterson puts his hand to his stomach again and grimaces.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Damn you, Sophie. What did you do?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON (V.O.)
(soft whisper) Robert.

Mr. Peterson pulls at his collar as if he needs air. He then turns around and sees Mrs. Peterson walking toward him, but then disappearing.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON (V.O.)
(soft whisper) Robert.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
What do you want!

MRS. SPHIE PETERSON (V.O.)
(soft whisper) Robert.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(to himself in the mirror) I took out all the wires. She drugged my liquor. That’s the only explanation.

INT. PETERSON MANSION LIVING ROOM EVENING
Mr. Robert Peterson walks in the room, rubbing his forehead with his hand. Mrs. Sophie Peterson is sitting in a chair facing the sofa. Mr. Peterson paces behind the sofa.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(as he enters) What could she have put in there? (sees Sophie) You’re not there.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Yet, here I am.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
You’re dead. I know it.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Because you killed me.

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
(angry) You deserved it, you crazy bitch. Now, tell me what you put in my drink.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Does it hurt yet, Robert? Do you feel those warm flashes and cold chills?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Tell me what you put in there!

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Tell me why, Robert. Was it just the money? Was that all I was to you?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
Well, it sure wasn’t love! Do you think anyone could love you! You’re nothing! (goes to her, pulls her up from the chair, shakes by her jacket, realizes she’s real and gasps)

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Now who’s insane?

MR. ROBERT PETERSON
You’re not dead. How? (puts his hand to his heart again) What did you do to me! (falls to the floor)

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
(smiles) Nothing. (leans and whispers in his ear) Nothing that an insanity plea won’t get me out of. How’s that for your final thought, Robert. A little dose of your own medicine.

Mr. Robert Peterson gasps for air. The front door opens suddenly, Henry David, Chief Lennox, and two officers come in. The two officers go to Robert Peterson who is on the floor.

OFFICER # 1
(to radio) We need an ambulance here, stat.

Mrs. Sophie Peterson walks to Henry David and Chief Lennox. Mr. Robert Peterson is helped to a sitting position by Officer #2. When Robert Peterson sits, the woman who had come to the house and the hotel walks in the door.

WOMAN
Give it up, Robert. They know everything.

INT. OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD CEMETARY DAY
A CROWD has gathered, surrounding Glen Thurston, Deja Sipher, Penny Mills, Henry David, and Chief Lennox. Father Clayton is holding a bible while speaking over a casket in the cemetery. The cemetery is beside a small country church at a crossroads.

FATHER CLAYTON
We’ll all remember Maggie fondly. She would have wanted us to look at this not as time of death and sorrow but as a celebration of life, of love, of laughter and the smiles she always shared with us. (pause)

Members of the crowd shake their head in agreement and wipe tears from their eyes.

FATHER CLAYTON
There is a time to live, a time to die, a time for every event under Heaven.(pause)

Penny Mills takes Glen Thurston’s arm as she begins to cry.

FATHER CLAYTON
Ashes to Ashes and dust to dust. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The plot is surrounded by flowers. Father Clayton signs the cross and people throughout the crowd do the same. The casket then lowers into the ground. Glen takes a handful of dirt and gently tosses it onto the casket. Penny then does the same. Father Clayton then goes to Glen, embraces him, and then embraces Penny. Some members of the crowd wipe tears from their eyes. The crowd then slowly disperses, but Glen continues to look on to the casket. Deja goes to Glen and puts her arm around him.

DEJA SIPHER
(whispers to Glen) A time to live and a time to die. Maggie would want you to live, Glen, live.

INT. CITY STREET NOON
Deja Sipher, Chief Lennox, and Henry David are eating at a small table outside THE SWEET STUFF café.

DEJA SIPHER
So, he rigged the entire house with special effects?

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. And, thanks to Henry here, we found them before he removed them.

HENRY DAVID
This has got to be the craziest case I’ve ever been a part of. But, I knew once Peterson thought the police might find those wires he’d remove them. So, we went in with a few effects of our own from Peterson’s company, rigged the house when he was at work so he could find out what it was like. Not to mention record him the entire time.

DEJA SIPHER
And the woman?

CHIEF LENNOX
Goes by the alias of Angel Wings. (snickers) And, once Henry saw her with Peterson at the house and at the Old Boston Hotel too, we put the pressure on her to tell us what was going on. We cut her a deal. She’ll get a much lighter sentence for cooperating with us, something I’m sure she appreciates after several priors for prostitution over the last few years. Peterson met her at a bar. Guess she was easy prey. Had her dress up in different outfits and wigs to fool Sophie into thinking there were several women she was seeing in the house.

DEJA SIPHER
So, there really was a woman. A real woman.

CHIEF LENNOX
Um-hum. Well, part of the time. Part of the time it was a like a hologram or something. But, part of the time, yeah, it was the real thing.

DEJA SIPHER
I knew there was something wrong with that man.

Mrs. Sophie Peterson walks up to the table.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Hi, mind if I join you?

DEJA SIPHER
Sophie, please, sit down. These gentlemen were just telling me about your case.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
It was a mess! (smiles) But, I’m really glad it’s over. When Henry told me about the wiring and asked me to pretend I was dead for a few days, I thought I really was going crazy. But, it worked.

CHIEF LENNOX
We found the gloves and the baggie. Pill residue, Peterson’s fingerprints on the inside of the gloves. We got the confession of Ms. Angel Wings (snickers) and the housekeeper. We’ve got Robert Peterson’s partial confession via the wire Sophie was wearing, and the video recording of him removing the tape player and the wires. So, Robert Peterson will be spending quite a bit of time behind bars and I’m pretty sure he’ll lose everything in the divorce.

DEJA SIPHER
So, he’s okay?

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Perfectly healthy, physically anyway. He’s undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. But, he only suffered an anxiety attack that night. Apparently he had tried to kill me by putting some of the medication in the liquor.

Deja’s expression is one of disbelief, concern, and cautiousness.

MRS. SOPIE PETERSON
But, I reappeared under the watchful eyes of these two. I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

DEJA SIPHER
Bad behavior breeds paranoia. But, now, you can concentrate on getting on with the divorce and getting on with your life, Sophie. And, I have no doubts that the future will hold much better things for you. I think things are going to get better for all of us.

MRS. SOPHIE PETERSON
Thank you, Ms. Sipher. I hope you’re right.

DEJA SIPHER
Oh, please, everyone calls me Deja. Now (summons the waiter) let’s get you something to eat.

THE END



written by Debra Phillips

This is a work of fiction.