Episode 4

FADE IN:

INT. TWINSBURG INN SUITE -- THURSDAY MORNING

Extreme close-up pan along Janet's clothing crumpled on the floor, up and across dresser to mirror showing ALAN straightening his tie. Behind him, JANET can be seen lounging in bed.

JANET

You haven't lost your touch, Alan.

ALAN

I'm happy to say that you haven't either.

Alan walks over to the bed and takes her hand.

ALAN

Last night was truly magical.

Janet pulls him close.

JANET

Take me again. Right now...

ALAN

I have to go. Unfortunately, I'm going to lose a lot of time this afternoon attending the funeral of my attorney's daughter, so I need to get to the office.

JANET

You're sure it can't wait just a little while? Long enough for a kiss?

ALAN

I hadn't intended to spend the night to begin with. I was going to have a talk with my son about his behavior recently.

JANET

Is he a bad boy, Alan?

ALAN

It was good to see you again.

Alan leaves the room. Janet squints at him.

CUT TO:

INT. TWINSBURG INN HALLWAY -- MORNING

ALAN presses the elevator call button. After a moment, the doors slide open, revealing GALE making an audio recording.

GALE

There followed another burst of flame, Roseanne, and the warrior vanished, laughing in a most evil manner. I noticed the beautiful woman of light cringe in pain before she told me that time was of the essence...

Alan enters the elevator, looks at Gale, and rolls his eyes as the doors close.

CUT TO:

EXT. TWINSBURG LIBRARY -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. TWINSBURG LIBRARY -- MORNING

TUPPENCE is rubber-stamping the morning's newspapers when LEIGH enters.

LEIGH

Mrs. Collins!

TUPPENCE

Good morning, Leigh, dear. How are you?

LEIGH

Mrs. Collins, I can't believe you came in to work today! Isn't your daughter's funeral this afternoon?

TUPPENCE

I just couldn't stay at the funeral home all morning. I needed to get my mind off it for a while. And I know I'm needed here.

LEIGH

I understand, Mrs. Collins. I couldn't help but notice your argument with Mr. Collins yesterday. Is everything all right? I mean...

TUPPENCE

Can I confide in you, Leigh?

LEIGH

Of course, Mrs. Collins. Please.

TUPPENCE

I'm not sure that Albert is... well, quite right in the head. I'm not saying he's crazy, mind you, but he does have some problems, you know, coping. I'm sure I've seen him late at night, watching my house.

LEIGH

Creepy!

TUPPENCE

Yes, well, it was all of Albert's strange notions that led to our separation. He was always accusing me of simply the most extraordinary things. Horrible things. He was always suspicious that I was betraying him. I think he was suspicious of poor Millicent in the same way.

LEIGH

I'm so sorry. It must have been terrible for you.

TUPPENCE

Yes, but I learned to be strong.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- MORNING

NICHOLAS is seated at the plain gray table and the SHERIFF sits opposite.

SHERIFF

Nicholas, I hate seeing you in here like this. Maybe you don't care, but I'm very disappointed in you. I mean, I remember the good times we had when you were in the Scouts. What happened, Nicholas? Did I say or do something that led you to fall in with people like Duane Cartwright?

NICHOLAS

It's really not what you think, Sheriff. I can explain everything.

SHERIFF

Well, I'm all ears.

GALE enters.

SHERIFF

Morning, Agent Gale. Nicholas was just about to tell us what he knows.

GALE

You're ahead of me, Bob. Good work. Now, Nicholas, tell us the truth about Millicent Collins.

NICHOLAS

I'll tell you what I know. It was Millicent who fell in with Duane, originally. They were planning on setting up an organized drug dealing operation at the high school.

SHERIFF

Why?

NICHOLAS

She needed money. That's what she said. As for Duane, I think he just got his kicks that way.

GALE

How did you get involved?

NICHOLAS

Millicent tried to pressure Penny into helping her. They'd been best friends for years, and Penny didn't know what to do. She wanted to try to help Millicent get out of the drug dealing and get cleaned up, and since Penny was my girlfriend, I wanted to do what I could. I thought if we played along with them, we could keep Millicent out of trouble, and also gather evidence against Duane, which we were going to turn in to you.

SHERIFF

Don't you think it might have been better to leave the police work to the police?

NICHOLAS

Come on, Sheriff. Duane's father is the most powerful man in town. If we turned Duane in too soon, his dad would just get him off the hook, and that wouldn't help Millicent at all. We had to make sure we had a solid case against him and that he got caught red-handed. Duane always seemed to have some kind of weird influence over Millicent, and we figured we had to get him out of the picture before we could get her to go straight.

GALE

But things didn't go as you anticipated, did they, Nicholas?

NICHOLAS

Things started going wrong when Millicent started dating Bradley Thomas. She acted like a different person around him, and I'm sure he didn't know about her habit. It's like she was leading a double life. But then, all of a sudden, she started coming on to me. She said she wanted to have a secret love affair with me. I told Penny about it, and we decided to pretend to break up, so I could build a relationship with Millicent. We hoped we could break Duane's influence on her that way. It seemed to be working for a while, but then Millicent decided she wanted to break up with Bradley and just go out with me openly. At least, that what she said she wanted.

GALE

Nicholas, what really happened at the winter formal last Saturday?

NICHOLAS

Well, since Millicent hadn't broken up with Bradley yet, they went together and I took Penny. But Millicent flirted with me the whole time anyway, and Bradley got mad. We all got into a big argument and Bradley accused Millicent of two-timing him. I denied anything was going on between us. I mean, I thought that was what Millicent wanted me to do. Bradley said I only said that because Penny was right there, and then he stormed off. Duane was there, too, and he said things were getting out of hand, so he told Millicent to break up with Bradley right then. She promised to do it after the dance, which seemed to satisfy Duane. I wasn't too sure that she would, though.

GALE

So you've told us.

NICHOLAS

Right. Anyway, then Millicent died and everything just sort of got out of hand.

SHERIFF

I think things were out of hand right from the beginning. You should have come to me first thing, Nicholas, instead of trying to play the hero.

NICHOLAS

Yeah.

SHERIFF

Come on, we'll talk some more later.

Sheriff escorts Nicholas from the room. Gale pauses to think.

CUT TO:

INT. KENT'S HOME -- MORNING

JANET lets herself in the back door and enters the kitchen. The house seems empty as she walks through the dining room and stops at the stairs. After a pause, she goes up the stairs and walks toward the closed door to Aunt Elspeth's room. She reaches for the door handle.

KENT (O.S.)

Have a good night?

KENT comes up behind her.

JANET

Oh! Kent! Oh, I'm so terribly sorry. I can see what you're thinking and you must believe me, it isn't true. It's not at all what you think!

KENT

Oh, yeah?

JANET

Will you let me explain? Please?

KENT

Okay.

JANET

I had dinner with some old girlfriends, but I didn't want your mum to know because she gets so frightfully jealous. You must know that. We just got to talking and I didn't realize the time until it was four in the morning. I didn't think you all would have waited up, so I decided not to call but to just sleep at my friend's. That's all it was, honestly. I'm so sorry. Do you believe me?

KENT

All night, all I could do was picture you being with another man.

JANET

Oh, dearest, you must never think that. I couldn't ever do that to you. When we made love yesterday, I discovered new depths of joy and passion I never knew I had. No one has ever touched me as you have, my darling. What we've found means so much to me. I would never do anything to jeopardize it.

They kiss passionately.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- MORNING

PENNY is seated at the table with SHERIFF sitting opposite. GALE stands behind Sheriff.

PENNY

Then, a little while after the argument, Bradley and Millicent left, and Nicholas took me home.

SHERIFF

That’s pretty much what Nicholas told us.

GALE

(produces the diary pages)

Penny, can you tell us about these?

PENNY

Yes. I’d always known that Millicent kept a diary. She even showed me where she kept it hidden, once. Duane knew about it, too, and after Millicent died, he demanded that I get it before you found it. So I went there on Monday and took it from her bedroom. I felt so awful. Poor Mrs. Collins. Anyway, I gave it to Duane and he ripped out these pages. He gave the book back to me, and I meant to return it to Millicent’s room, but I never got the chance.

GALE

Where is the diary now?

PENNY

In my room at home.

GALE

Penny, I’m going to need to see that diary. It may be very important.

PENNY

Well, I can tell you where to find it...

SHERIFF

That may not be necessary, Penny. Agent Gale and I have some things to discuss, then we’re going to have another talk with you and Nicholas.

CUT TO:

EXT. TWINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- MORNING

MEGAN is at her locker. JAMES comes up to her.

JAMES

Hello.

MEGAN

Hi, James. How are you?

JAMES

I'm just fine. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?

MEGAN

Of course.

JAMES

Great. I'll pick you up at seven. How's that?

MEGAN

That will be great.

JAMES

Good. I have something very important to tell you.

MEGAN

What?

JAMES

I'll tell you tomorrow night. See you at seven, then.

MEGAN

Okay.

James walks down the hall and goes around a corner, where he meets BRADLEY.

BRADLEY

There you are. I've been looking for you.

JAMES

Well, it just so happens that I was talking to your sister.

BRADLEY

Yeah? Well, listen here, weirdo. I don't know why my sister even talks to you, but you better just watch your step around her, because if you try anything, I swear I'll rip your geeky head off.

Bradley gives James a shove and walks off. James smiles confidently to himself.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- MORNING

Both NICHOLAS and PENNY are seated at the table. SHERIFF and GALE are as before.

SHERIFF

All right, Agent Gale and I have discussed the situation, and I believe your story to be true. Therefore, I'm not going to press charges. You'll be released right away.

Nicholas and Penny are relieved.

PENNY

Thank the Lord.

SHERIFF

But listen, I don't want either of you playing undercover cop again, is that understood? There's no telling what kind of danger you could get into. Consider yourselves lucky this time. If you run into any kind of illegal activities in the future, report it to the police, and let us handle it.

PENNY

We will. Thank you.

NICHOLAS

I'm sorry if I let you down. I really just wanted to help, and to do some good.

SHERIFF

I realize that, Nicholas. That's why I'm letting you go.

PENNY

I'm sorry that we ever got mixed up in the whole thing. I can’t believe it's really over. I feel so much better. Agent Gale, I'll bring you Millicent's diary as soon as I can.

GALE

Thank you, Penny.

SHERIFF

If you two hurry home and get cleaned up, you should be able to make Millicent's funeral, if you like.

PENNY

Of course. No matter what she got mixed up in, she was always my best friend. Thank you, Sheriff. Thank you so much.

SHERIFF

Sure thing. Just remember what I told you.

Sheriff opens the door. LYNDON comes in.

SHERIFF

Deputy Pfiffer will take you upstairs.

NICHOLAS

Thanks, Sheriff.

Sheriff and Nicholas shake hands. Lyndon escorts Nicholas and Penny out.

GALE

It must be moments like this that make it all worthwhile.

SHERIFF

You can say that again. But we still have Duane himself to deal with. If we're lucky, he might be able to lead us to the suppliers of Twinsburg's drug trade.

GALE

I'm sorry to see the shadow of drug abuse hangs over even this peaceful town.

SHERIFF

It's sure not as peaceful as it used to be. By the way, how did your meeting go with Professor Saltares yesterday? Was he any help?

GALE

More than I thought he could be. But I have something even bigger to tell you about, Bob.

SHERIFF

What is it? Did you get another lead?

GALE

Not just a lead, but very probably the key to the entire mystery.

SHERIFF

Tell me!

GALE

In my sleep last night, I had a vision.

SHERIFF

A vision? You mean, like a dream?

GALE

No, a dream is only the mind sorting through the random images and stimuli of the day. A vision is a very different thing, a specific set of images that carry a definite message.

SHERIFF

What did it say?

GALE

First things first, Bob. I learned from Professor Saltares that the poem we found on Millicent's school folder was in fact part of an ancient ballad about a rogue killer known as Llewellyn the Marauder. Now, in my vision, I found myself in a forest. It was summer. I met a being of pure light, in the shape of a beautiful woman. She recited the poem to me, and then, in a burst of flame, a man I believe to have been Llewellyn appeared and spoke to me. I saw Millicent briefly, and another man--

SHERIFF

Whoa, wait. You saw Millicent alive or dead?

GALE

She was alive, wearing a formal gown and running through the forest, only now it was winter.

SHERIFF

Last Saturday night.

GALE

Exactly. Then another man appeared and introduced himself as the Sheriff Gruffydd, Llewellyn's legendary nemesis. He handed me a cardboard box.

SHERIFF

The Box Lady.

GALE

Very similar, yes. There must be some connection. Then I saw Millicent again, only this time I followed her to a rock formation. She climbed through a small tunnel. I followed her and emerged on a street here in Twinsburg, in front of a house I believe to be the house of the killer.

SHERIFF

What did it look like?

GALE

I don't remember. But -- when I woke up, I found a number of green leaves scattered across my bed.

SHERIFF

Really?

GALE

Now, if we can unlock the clues in this vision, we will solve the crime. It's that simple.

SHERIFF

I see. But how is this Llewellyn connected to Millicent's murder?

GALE

That's what we have to find out. But I'm sure the connection is a real one.

SHERIFF

Well, I don't know, Agent Gale. This is way out of my league. But you know, there is an old rock formation where Wayne saw the cult ritual Tuesday night.

GALE

Bingo! Bob, I think it's high time we had a look at that spot.

SHERIFF

I'll have Wayne take you there right after the funeral.

GALE

Perfect!

CUT TO:

INT. JAIL -- MORNING

DUANE sits in his cell. ALAN enters the corridor to talk to him.

ALAN

Well. So you've come to this.

DUANE

It's about time you showed up.

ALAN

Don't you talk to me like that, mister. I can't believe what you've gotten into. Drug dealing, Duane? What's the matter with you? You're eighteen now. You're not a kid anymore, and you'll be tried as an adult. Do you realize that?

DUANE

Yes, I realize it! I'm not stupid! I know what I've gotten into. You're the one who never knows. I've been dealing for years! Where were you then? Save me your speeches, man. You don't give a damn about me!

ALAN

How much is your bail?

DUANE

Five thousand.

Alan raises his eyebrows.

DUANE

Hey, man, that's pocket change!

ALAN

You think so? Well, then you had better start digging into your pockets. I'll be back to see you... tomorrow.

Alan leaves.

DUANE

Wait! Come back here, man! Don't leave me in here! You bastard! Come back...

Duane breaks down crying.

CUT TO:

EXT. TWINSBURG CEMETERY -- THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Millicent's coffin is ready to be lowered into her grave. A group of mourners stands around the grave, listening to the MINISTER. Among them are GALE, SHERIFF, BRADLEY, ALAN, PENNY, TERRENCE, NICHOLAS, ELLIOTT, TUPPENCE, LYNDON, SALTARES, ALBERT, KIMMY, LEIGH, and the two ELDERLY LIBRARIANS, who are crying loudly.

MINISTER

As we say our final farewell to our dear friend, perhaps we should take a moment to reflect on the shortness of our own lives, and the uncertainty that all our futures hold. I knew Millicent from the time she was a tiny baby. I watched her grow into a beautiful, intelligent young woman. A young woman who loved life and loved God.

Tuppence keeps her eyes fixed on the coffin. Leigh holds her hand supportively.

MINISTER (O.S.)

She was always willing to give of herself, her time and talents. I worked with Millicent on several of our senior-high fellowship fundraisers.

Gale notices Albert, who, standing beside Tuppence, keeps shifting his gaze between her and the coffin. Albert is growing more distraught.

MINISTER (O.S.)

Millicent seemed to have a bright future. Who would have imagined that such a wonderful life could end in such tragedy? That a heart so full of love could leave us so young?

Bradley scowls at Nicholas, who furrows his brow and looks down at the coffin.

MINISTER

But the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away according to his design, and though we may not understand--

Albert puts his hands on his head and cries out suddenly in grief. He collapses to his knees and sobs, gesturing at the coffin. Everyone is stunned into silence. Gale and Dr. Terrence help Albert up. Tuppence bursts out laughing, but it quickly turns to sobs as Leigh embraces her. Agent Gale notices Saltares staring strangely at Tuppence and squints at him.

CUT TO:

INT. ROSEMARY'S PASTRY SHOP -- AFTERNOON

ROSEMARY is frosting a cake when JANET and KENT enter.

ROSEMARY

Oh, hello. It's a bit early for you to be home, Kent. Did you get out early today?

KENT

I didn't go to school today.

ROSEMARY

Oh? And why not?

JANET

My fault, actually.

ROSEMARY

What do you mean? And where were you all night, anyway?

JANET

Look, I'm sorry if you worried, but I was just up with a friend until it was too late to call.

KENT

Look, never mind all that. We have something more important to tell you, if you would listen for a minute.

ROSEMARY

Well, pooh on you. What's the big deal, then?

KENT

Janet and I are in love.

ROSEMARY

What? This is a joke? Well, it's pretty sick.

KENT

It's no joke.

JANET

It's true. I love him. He's like no one I've ever known.

ROSEMARY

Just a damn minute! May I remind you of a slight age difference here? Like twenty years?

KENT

What difference does that make?

JANET

Our love transcends things like that.

ROSEMARY

That's a load of crap! I don't know what your game is, you... you hussy, coming back after all this time to corrupt my son! I know! You’re jealous! You whore, you're jealous that I have a son and a family and a business when you've got nothing! You want to take him away from me! And you, you fool, you believe her? Did I raise you to be a blind idiot?

KENT

Shut up! I don't care what you call me, you hateful old witch, but you won't talk about Janet like that!

ROSEMARY

What a stupid idiot!

KENT

You can't tell me how to live my life! I can make my own decisions!

ROSEMARY

Listen, you deceitful little harlot, you get your things and get the hell out of my house!

KENT

It's not your house, and she's not going anywhere!

JANET

Darling, it's all right. It will be better if I leave. I shouldn't like to be under the same roof with her in any case.

ROSEMARY

I'm still your mother, mister, and you better listen to me!

KENT

I've had it. Let's go.

JANET

Yes, let's.

Kent and Janet leave.

ROSEMARY

Damn it! Damn it! What have I done to deserve this? The blind fool! And why didn't I listen to Kimmy? She was right! Stupid, stupid -- why didn't I listen?!

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS -- AFTERNOON

WAYNE leads GALE to the spot of the cult ritual.

WAYNE

This is where it was. By all the big rocks.

They come upon the remains of the fire.

GALE

Something definitely was going on here.

Gale kneels down to examine a piece of burnt meat lying on the ground. Wayne looks around the area.

GALE

Burnt meat...

WAYNE (O.S.)

Hey, Mister Agent, look at this!

CU -- GALE turns around as is very surprised.

WAYNE

This rock's all stained!

Wayne is standing on the same rock formation from Gale's vision. Gale goes over to him and looks the rock formation over. He finds the small tunnel and looks into it, but only sees the other end.

WAYNE

See this rock?

GALE

Yes. Those stains are blood. This stone must have been used as an altar for a sacrifice. That may be what the cats were for.

WAYNE

Sick.

Wayne goes back over to the fire and digs into the ashes.

GALE

Yes, it is.

WAYNE

Hey, what's this?

Gale goes over to him. Wayne hands Gale the remains of a photograph he has found. Gale is shocked. The photo shows Millicent and Saltares dressed in medieval garb.

GALE

Saltares!

Gale digs through the ashes and finds more photographic remains.

WAYNE

What are they doing?

GALE

I don't think you should be looking at these, Wayne. You've done good work. These photos are the kind of evidence I've been looking for.

Wayne smiles.

BOX LADY (O.S.)

I've waited for you.

Gale turns around to see the BOX LADY standing on the path.

BOX LADY

Come with me.

CUT TO:

INT. GREY'S BIKE SHOP -- AFTERNOON

Extreme close-up pan along a tool-covered workbench.

NICHOLAS (O.S.)

We just got in over our head. When Duane lost the diary pages, Penny told me that we should go to the sheriff right away, but I thought we'd still have time to really nail Duane. We even went to see the sheriff yesterday afternoon, but he was out, and I wasn't going to talk to anybody else about it.

Pull back to reveal NICHOLAS, PENNY, ELLIOTT, and KIMMY sitting together.

NICHOLAS

I'm sorry about having to be so secretive and acting so distant lately. I was just trying to do some good.

ELLIOTT

Well, your heart was in the right place, Nicholas, but you shouldn't have tried going outside the law. That's being a vigilante, and that's a dangerous thing to be.

KIMMY

There's no telling what kind of trouble you could have run into. You might have gotten hurt, or worse.

PENNY

That's what we were most afraid of.

ELLIOTT

Well, I'm glad you were able to come through it all right.

NICHOLAS

We really owe it to the sheriff.

ELLIOTT

Sheriff Armstrong is a good man.

ROSEMARY enters.

KIMMY

Rosemary...

ROSEMARY

Hello, Kimmy. Hello. Um... could we talk?

KIMMY

Sure. What's wrong?

Rosemary and Kimmy go to the front of the store.

ROSEMARY

It's Kent... You were so right, I can't believe how blind I was. That Janet has got her hooks into him for some reason, and she's got him convinced that they're in love.

KIMMY

What? But she's twenty years older than he is!

ROSEMARY

I know! I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to do! I'm sorry I was so bitchy to you...

KIMMY

Forget it.

ROSEMARY

What am I going to do?

They embrace.

CUT TO:

INT. BOX LADY'S HOME -- AFTERNOON

WAYNE and GALE are seated at the BOX LADY's table. She brings in a tray of milk and cookies for Wayne. He eats them greedily.

BOX LADY

The tea will be ready soon.

GALE

Thank you, ma'am. You said you've been waiting for me?

BOX LADY

I've lived on the edge of these woods for such a long time. Every morning I look at the trees. These trees have excellent sap, you know.

GALE

Oh?

BOX LADY

Most definitely. They're maple trees, you see. Nothing like a little maple sugar in your tea.

GALE

Or real maple syrup.

BOX LADY

Yes. You know.

GALE

Do I?

BOX LADY

There's the tea.

She gets up and goes into the kitchen. Gale looks at Wayne, who is still eating.

GALE

Maple syrup...

Box Lady returns and pours Gale a cup of tea.

BOX LADY

There you are. My box knows about you. It has seen many things.

GALE

Another message?

BOX LADY

There were strong vibrations the night before last. Evil was thick in the air, then. Very strong, very close to here. It resonated in the maple trees.

GALE

Did you see anything that night, ma'am?

BOX LADY

There were also very strong resonances last night. This was the connection, you see. My box knew you would be coming.

GALE

My dream-vision. Do you know about that?

BOX LADY

My box has become attuned to your resonances. Ever since you came to this place. We know about you.

GALE

Can you tell me what it means?

BOX LADY

That tea will cool down on you, and leave a ring on the napkin. An amber circle. The answers you seek are already within you.

GALE

It is the key, then. I knew it.

WAYNE

May I have more milk?

CUT TO:

INT. DANI'S HOME -- THURSDAY EVENING

Extreme close-up of earphone in PATRICK CLAPSADDLE's ear. Pull back to reveal him listening with his eyes closed, seated on the living room couch. He gets up and removes the compact disc from the stereo across the room and puts it on the shelf, revealing a collection of several hundred CDs. The doorbell rings.

DANI (O.S.)

Patrick, would you get the door? I'm washing the dishes.

PATRICK

Yeah, yeah.

Patrick goes to the front door and opens it. JANET is standing outside.

PATRICK

Yes?

JANET

Excuse me, I'm looking for Dani. I'm Janet.

PATRICK

Come on in. She's in the kitchen.

Janet comes in. DANI enters from the kitchen.

DANI

Hello, Janet. What's wrong? You look awful!

JANET

I'm so confused, I need to talk to someone. Something terrible has happened, but something wonderful has happened, too.

DANI

Of course we can talk. Come in here and sit down.

Dani and Janet go into the family room. Patrick can be seen through the room divider selecting another disc and putting it on. Then he sits back down.

DANI

What's happened?

JANET

Everything just seems to be happening so fast. I meant to spend a week in Twinsburg, but in the few days I've been here, my whole life has changed. There's really no other way to say this, but I've fallen in love with Kent.

DANI

Kent? Our Kent?

JANET

Yes, I know it sounds crazy, and I know he's so much younger, but he's so wonderful. I mean, he really is so tender and passionate.

DANI

Our Kent?

JANET

He feels the same for me, as well. But when we tried to tell Rosemary, she nearly lost her mind. She said the most wicked, spiteful things, and called us such terrible names. I'd never seen her so irrational. Well, she threw me out of the house. I'm just at my wit's end. I've been crying all afternoon.

DANI

Don't worry. You're welcome to stay here until you get back on your feet. We have the spare bedroom...

JANET

Oh, Dani, you're too kind. I hate to impose...

DANI

It's no problem. I know what it's like to be alone in a foreign land.

JANET

I know I can trust you, Dani. You see, my troubles really go somewhat deeper. I haven't told Kent about this, or anyone, really. You see, before I left for England all those years ago, I had a brief affair with Alan Cartwright. It was just a crazy, adolescent thing, but he's terribly possessive. And now that I've returned, he wants me back. I'm afraid, Dani. He's already threatened me if I don't give in to his advances. He frightens me! I don't know what to do!

Janet starts to cry. Dani embraces her.

DANI

It's going to be all right. It's okay.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- EVENING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE -- EVENING

SHERIFF is at his desk when GALE enters.

GALE

Bob, this is it. The solid lead I've been looking for.

SHERIFF

What did you find?

GALE

Take a look at this.

Gale produces the burnt photographs. Sheriff looks them over.

SHERIFF

Professor Saltares...!

GALE

Clearly having sexual intercourse with Millicent Collins.

SHERIFF

Unbelievable!

GALE

It would appear from this photo that the Professor was not being honest when he told us Millicent was not involved with the Medieval Re-creation Society.

SHERIFF

Why would he lie about that?

GALE

Bob, I believe Professor Saltares is involved in far more than just medieval literature, and that he is, in fact, involved in a sinister cult operating under cover of the MRS. I believe that Millicent may have been involved in the cult's activities, or perhaps was offered a chance to join and when she refused, was made a sacrifice.

SHERIFF

To keep her from talking.

GALE

Precisely. The ritual Tuesday night may have been some sort of purification rite.

SHERIFF

That would account for all the burned photos. Well, there was definitely something more going on between the two of them than tutoring in medieval folklore. Do you think he was her abuser?

GALE

It's a definite possibility.

SHERIFF

But why wouldn't she just report him? I mean, why would she take it?

GALE

Fear, or perhaps he knew of her involvement in Duane's drug ring and was blackmailing her. There's something else. I did some checking and learned that there was an MRS event being held in the same vicinity and at the same time that Theresa Chavez was killed last year.

SHERIFF

There's the connection. Are you going to arrest Saltares?

GALE

I'm afraid the evidence linking him to Millicent's murder is highly circumstantial. We need something much more concrete before we can act. There is something that bothers me, though.

SHERIFF

What?

GALE

This afternoon, I had another encounter with the Box Lady. There's something about her that leads me to believe she somehow has some knowledge about the events surrounding Millicent's death, some paranormal perception. Our conversation left me convinced that my vision last night holds the answers to all our questions, but somehow, the Saltares scenario just doesn't quite fit.

SHERIFF

Well, I don't know what to tell you, Agent Gale. The MRS angle seems to make sense, but you've got to trust your instincts. I was just going over to talk to Albert about Millicent and the autopsy. We go way back, and I want to see if there's anything more he can tell us.

GALE

Good luck.

CUT TO:

INT. LEIGH'S APARTMENT -- THURSDAY NIGHT

The phone rings. LEIGH answers it.

LEIGH

Hello? Oh, hello -- what? Yes, of course. Yes. I understand. Yes, I'll be there as soon as I can.

She hangs up, pauses for a moment, puts on her coat, and leaves.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY -- NIGHT

A cloud rolls in, obscuring the stars.

CUT TO:

INT. ALBERT'S APARTMENT -- NIGHT

SHERIFF talks to ALBERT over a couple of drinks.

ALBERT

I'm sorry about the way I acted at the funeral, Bob. I just couldn't help myself. Sometimes, it all just seems like too much.

SHERIFF

I know what you're saying.

ALBERT

You wanted to talk about Millicent?

SHERIFF

Albert, the FBI forensics man examined Millicent's body yesterday, and he came up with some pretty disturbing findings.

ALBERT

Go on.

SHERIFF

It appears that she was addicted to cocaine.

ALBERT

What? Are you sure?

SHERIFF

I'm afraid there's no mistake.

ALBERT

I never knew. I can't believe it. My Millicent was on drugs?

SHERIFF

I'm afraid it gets worse...

ALBERT

Go ahead, Bob. I want to know the truth.

SHERIFF

There was evidence that Millicent was the victim of prolonged abuse...

ALBERT

(hangs his head)

Damn. You know, I suspected for years that Tuppence was abusing Millicent. I even asked Millicent about it, but she'd never admit it. Not even to me. When we separated, I tried to get custody of Millicent. I wanted to get her away from Tuppence, but I failed. I couldn't prove anything, and without having any evidence to back me up, I couldn't stop Tuppence from claiming I just made it up in order to win custody. The judge believed her...

SHERIFF

Albert...

ALBERT

For years, it almost drove me crazy! Thinking that my daughter was being hurt, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do to help her! Not one damn thing! I even tried spying on Tuppence, to catch her in the act, but I never could.

SHERIFF

Albert, I don’t know what to say. We had no idea. This puts things in a different light than we had thought. But Agent Gale thinks he's close to finding the killer.

ALBERT

Is he? Thank goodness! I can't tell you how devastated I've felt. I think seeing her killer brought to justice will be the first step toward healing.

SHERIFF

Well, take it easy, Albert. Thanks for talking.

ALBERT

Of course. Thank you, Bob, for all you're doing.

SHERIFF

I'll let myself out.

ALBERT

Thank you. I'll be all right.

Sheriff leaves. After a moment, Albert goes to the window and watches the Sheriff pull out of the driveway. Then, Albert turns and quickly leaves the room.

CUT TO:

EXT. VALLEY -- NIGHT

Long shot of the valley. A dog barks in the distance.

CUT TO:

INT. GALE'S ROOM -- NIGHT

GALE, not yet ready for bed, is making an audio recording.

GALE

Roseanne, although my investigation has thus far led me to suspect Professor Saltares, I cannot remove the doubts in my mind. I feel as though I am moving quickly down the wrong path. The apparent connection between the Medieval Re-creation Society and the killings of both Theresa Chavez and Millicent Collins may be coincidental. I must unlock the clues in my dream-vision--

There is a knock on the door. Gale puts his tape recorder down and opens the door. The BOX LADY enters.

BOX LADY

(distraught)

History is repeating itself!

CU -- GALE is shocked.

FADE OUT

 

Special Agent Martin Gale, 34. FBI agent.

Sheriff Robert Armstrong, 36. Sheriff of Twinsburg.

Megan Thomas, 16. High school sophomore.

Bradley Thomas, 18. High school senior, Megan’s brother.

Alan Cartwright, 50. Real estate developer, mall owner.

Penny Gardner, 17. High school senior.

Duane Cartwright, 18. High school senior, Alan’s son.

Lyle Terrence, 62. Local doctor.

Rosemary Clapsaddle, 40. Owns pastry shop/catering service.

Nicholas Grey, 17. High school senior.

Elliott Grey, 42. Owns bike shop, uncle of Nicholas.

Kent Clapsaddle, 16. High school sophomore, Rosemary’s son.

Tuppence Collins, 46. Librarian.

Dani Clapsaddle, 29. Rosemary’s sister-in-law.

Janet Flynn, 39. Twinsburg native returned from England.

James Clapsaddle, 18. High school senior, Rosemary’s brother.

Wayne Corbett, 9. Local boy.

Lyndon Pfiffer, 26. Deputy.

Gabriel Saltares, 44. College professor.

Albert Collins, 48. Lawyer.

Patrick Clapsaddle, 33. Brother of Rosemary, husband of Dani.

Box Lady, 53. Local eccentric.

Kimmy Clapsaddle, 38. Sister of Rosemary.

Leigh Pfiffer, 23. Library aide, sister of Lyndon.

Elderly Librarians

Minister

Mourners

High School Students


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