Crossing Jordan Virtual Season 7
“Holy Water”
Written by
Mecedeme
Art by
BigCJFan
“Crossing Jordan Virtual Season 7” is a
fan-based effort not intended to infringe on the rights of Tailwind Productions,
NBC/Universal or any of the other copyright holders of “Crossing Jordan.”
No money was made from the writing or posting of any content.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Jordan Cavanaugh
Detective Woodrow “Woody” Hoyt
Nigel Townsend
Uniformed Police Officer
Detective Roz Framus
Detective Annie Capra
Detective Matt Seely
Father Paul
Mrs. Cameron
Catherine Cameron
The Captain
Male Lawyer
Mrs. Ling
Mr. Cameron
Bob
Greyson
SET LIST
INTERIORS
MORGUE
TRACE
AUTOPSY ONE
BREAK ROOM
CONFERENCE ROOM
LILY’S OFFICE
LOBBY
JORDAN’S OFFICE
HALLWAY
NIGEL’S LAB
PRECINCT
SQUAD CAR
HALLWAY
BULLPEN
INTERROGATION ROOM
LOCK-UP
OBSERVATION ROOM
APARTMENT BUILDING
HALLWAY
CAMERON’S APARTMENT
CATHERINE’S ROOM
CATHOLIC CHURCH
EXTERIORS
OUTSIDE PRECINCT
TEASER
While the screen is still black, music begins: “Holy Water” by Big and Rich.
1. EXT. BOSTON – AFTERNOON
There is an establishing shot of the Boston skyline in flyover. The music continues
to play:
Somewhere there’s a broken halo, I used to
watch her wear it well…
Take me away and take me farther, surround me
now, and hold me like Holy Water…
2. INT. UNKNOWN – CONTINUING
All we see is a close up of MALE HANDS. We watch as they are cuffed. The person
belonging to the hands walks through a door, and downstairs.
3. EXT. SIDEWALK – CONTINUING
The person with the cuffed hands crosses a sidewalk and stops beside a police
car. Another man opens the door and the hand-cuffed man climbs in. The door
slams.
4. INT. SQUAD CAR – CONTINUING
The door is opened from outside. ‘The hands’ get out.
5. EXT. BUILDING STEPS – CONTINUING
The handcuffed man jogs up stairs
6. INT. BUILDING – CONTINUING
The handcuffed man goes into a building. He walks through swinging doors, across
the hall , and into another room.
7. INT. ROOM – CONTINUING
The handcuffed man sits at a table. The door closes. Behind the door, a disruption
is heard. The door jerks open and Jordan enters, looking frazzled. She freezes.
The camera pans back to see PAUL is the man in cuffs.
8. AUTOPSY ONE – EARLIER THAT MORNING
A ten year old girl is on the table in autopsy, the incision hasn’t been made
yet. JORDAN and NIGEL are preparing to autopsy. WOODY’S pacing with his notebook
open.
| WOODY |
| Marie Finnegan. Ten years old, parents in Jamaica on vacation. Babysitter called 911 this morning. Marie had an obstructed airway, didn’t survive long after the paramedics arrived. |
He takes a breath, walks over to the body; JORDAN and NIGEL are on other side of table.
| WOODY(cont’d) |
| Please tell me this one’s accidental. I was hoping we could get in a quiet romantic dinner, just you, me and a few thousand fans at Boston Gardens… |
NIGEL
(sly smile) |
| Sorry, Luv, but I have plans tonight |
| WOODY |
| Ha, ha. Just do your thing and find out what happened. |
| JORDAN |
| Nigel, what do you see here? |
NIGEL
(with sad eyes) |
| Vaginal tearing… bruising. |
He continues his exam for a moment.
| NIGEL |
| Oh lord, there are scars, (sadly) I’ll get the rape kit. |
He takes a few swabs and leaves.
| JORDAN |
| Marie was raped in the past 24 hours and repeatedly in the past few months. |
She walks around the body, then looks in her mouth.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| The paramedics were right. Her airway’s completely blocked… Preliminary COD – anaphylactic shock. |
WOODY
(writing in his notebook) |
| Anaphylactic shock; caused by allergies, right? |
JORDAN
(nods) |
| The babysitter – was it a boy? |
| WOODY |
| No, (checks his notes) Seventeen year old girl. Catherine Cameron. (pause, small sigh) There was a priest there, too… |
| JORDAN |
| Did you talk to him? This… isn’t necessarily a homicide. But with the vaginal tearing… We need to talk to the last man with her. |
She glances at WOODY sadly.
WOODY
(nervous) |
| Uh, yeah - we’ll… get on that. I think I… I’m going to do some interviews,
call me when you confirm COD. |
JORDAN looks a little confused that he’s leaving.
| JORDAN |
| Sure. Hey! If that priest gave her communion, we should get Nigel to go over the utensils for trace. |
WOODY
(brief pause) |
| Jordan… |
He nods as he changes his mind about whatever he was going to say.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| OK, I’ll… take care of that. |
JORDAN
(confused) |
| You’re acting kinda weird. Something up? |
| WOODY |
| Not really… I’ll call. |
As he leaves, he passes NIGEL on the way back in.
| NIGEL |
| Leaving so soon, Woodrow? |
| WOODY |
| Uh, yeah, I’ve got some interviews… You guys don’t need me here. |
He nods to them and really leaves this time.
NIGEL
(confused) |
| Well, that’s the first time I’ve seen him leave at this stage. He’s usually breathing down our necks until we’ve completed our magic. |
JORDAN
(shakes her head, knit eyebrows) |
| After we’ve done the rape kit, we need a full tox screen. Search for common allergens, too. COD is probably anaphylactic shock… I need to see… |
NIGEL gives one more glance through the glass at retreating WOODY.
He walks toward her.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
9. INT. PRECINCT HALL - MORNING
We see a janitor in the hall of the precinct. We follow him in through a door.
10. INT. PRECINCT BULLPEN – CONTINUING
We see SEELY and FRAMUS sitting at their desks. There are several other empty
desks around. The camera swings back to the door and we see CAPRA come in with
a huge smile. As she sees the others, she forces the smile off her face as she
sits down, starting to type.
| FRAMUS |
| Annie! Did you finish that rape/murder case? |
CAPRA
(distracted) |
| Uh-huh. |
She looks confused at ANNIE’S lack of response.
| FRAMUS |
| You poured your lifeblood into that case! Didn’t you get the bad guy? |
CAPRA
(tries to focus) |
| Oh, yeah, we got him. It was the neighbour. We picked him up this morning. |
She goes back to her email.
FRAMUS
(eyebrow arch) |
| And this is it? Look, honey, I know you’ve got this whole ice-queen image
to protect, but a little emotion is healthy. Like the kind of emotion that
prompts a person to, say, buy a round after work? |
SEELY
(absently) |
| Huh, with you it’s always about booze. |
FRAMUS
(lowers voice, to SEELY) |
| Look at her. She’s up to something. |
SEELY
(looks at CAPRA) |
| You’re right. (eyes narrow) Gimme a minute…. He gets up and takes cup
over to coffee pot. |
He ‘casually’ reads over CAPRA’S shoulder.
| SEELY (cont’d) |
| Holy Crap! Carver retired? |
CAPRA
(dry tone, without her usual smirk) |
| Glad to see you aren’t above reading other people’s mail. |
SEELY
(thought dawns on him) |
| I know what you’re doing! You’re gunning for her office, aren’t you? No
way, lady, I’m senior. You’re not pulling an end-run around me! |
| FRAMUS |
| That’s some choice real estate! (stands, arms folded) My conviction rate’s way higher than yours, Seely. Besides, I’ve got more stuff! |
| CAPRA |
| Don’t you mean you’ve got more shoes? |
| FRAMUS |
| I keep telling you, Annie, life’s about men and shoes; not necessrily
in that order. |
CAPRA
(finishes email with a flourish) |
| Sorry guys. (smiling again) I’m operating under the premise… (hits send)
…“First come, first served.” |
| SEELY |
| That’s what you think! |
He starts to leave.
| FRAMUS |
| Don’t bother, Captain’s not in ‘til this afternoon. |
They look at each other, then race back to their desks and madly start to type
emails.
11. INT. JORDAN’S OFFICE - LATE MORNING
Music in background - Charlotte Church – Ave Maria –
JORDAN is seated at her desk, looking at a beautiful rosary.
UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER
(opens the door) |
| Parcel for you, Doctor, from Detective Hoyt. |
He hands bulky briefcase enclosed in huge plastic bag to JORDAN. She signs a paper and he leaves.
12. INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUING
JORDAN takes the case into the hall, sees NIGEL up ahead and calls out to him
and jogs up to him as he turns.
| JORDAN |
| Nigel! Nige, we just got the communion set. Can you run trace? |
| NIGEL |
| What, specifically, are we looking for? |
He takes the briefcase and looks at it closely through the plastic.
| JORDAN |
| The usual suspects: prints, saliva, DNA. Also look for traces of allergens, like seafood or nuts. |
NIGEL
(smiles) |
| I’m on it. He heads off down the hallway. |
13. AUTOPSY ONE - CONTINUING
JORDAN walks into autopsy where MARIE is lying peacefully. JORDAN looks at her
face with sad eyes).
| JORDAN |
| Good Irish Catholic girl. |
JORDAN wraps the rosary around MARIE’S hand.
SLOW FADE
14. INT. AUTOPSY ONE – AFTERNOON
The scene fades back in. JORDAN is closing up MARIE. WOODY returns.
| WOODY |
| Hey, Jordan, I spoke to Marie’s parents. She’s their only child. |
He pauses to look sadly at her.
| WOODY |
| Losing your parents, I get. This, I don’t know if I’d survive. |
JORDAN sidles up and takes his hand. She removes the rosary from MARIE’S hand and hands it to WOODY.
| JORDAN |
| Marie was holding this when she died. |
WOODY looks at her questioningly.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| There’s no trace on it. (sigh) Her parents will want it. |
| WOODY |
| I’ll make sure they get it. (puts it in his pocket) |
| JORDAN |
| Did they know anything else? |
WOODY
(blinking, shakes head) |
| Yeah, Marie was sick for the past couple of days. Catherine, the sitter,
she called them in Jamaica. |
JORDAN
(shakes her head) |
| These people aren’t rich. Must have been a dream vacation. |
| WOODY |
| When I talked to the father, he felt guilty for leaving her. First time they’d ever done anything like this. |
There is a pause while WOODY sits on a nearby stool. JORDAN stands behind him, hands on his shoulders in a supportive gesture.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| They thought it was just a stomach virus. This morning when the sitter called again, they phoned their priest to give Marie communion before the ambulance arrived. A half hour later, they got the call that she’d died. |
JORDAN
(shakes head yet again) |
| Do they know about the sexual abuse yet? |
| WOODY |
| No. They’ve been through a lot. I’ll save that for the personal meeting. |
He grimaces – not a meeting he’s looking forward to.
NIGEL enters.
| NIGEL |
| That communion set had peanut oil everywhere! Welcome back, Woodrow. It was in the wine, the water, the plate and the cup… |
WOODY
(look of comprehension) |
| Marie’s parents said she’s severely allergic to peanuts. |
| JORDAN |
| Did Catherine know that? |
| WOODY |
| Yeah, and she had the emergency needle. |
| NIGEL |
| But did she know how to use it? |
| WOODY |
| A nurse trained her. (pause) So, what happened? |
| JORDAN |
| Maybe she panicked. (beat) Let me check…. |
She checks the girl’s thigh and sees the needle mark.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Hey, Nige, look at this. |
He peeks at what JORDAN’S doing.
| JORDAN |
| There’s a needle mark in the right place. If Catherine injected her here, it should have worked. (thoughtful pause) Nige, is the tox screen ready? |
NIGEL
(serious expression) |
| I’ll check…. |
NIGEL exits.
JORDAN
(slowly) |
| It looks like someone knew about her allergy. (sad head shake) Looks
more like a homicide. That priest, Woody. Did you talk to him yet? |
WOODY
(suddenly looking away) |
| Uh… not yet. |
| JORDAN |
| But you plan to, right? |
WOODY
(reluctant) |
| They’re picking him up… |
| JORDAN |
| … so, you’re canceling our intimate dinner at Boston Gardens. |
She smirks – this happens regularly.
WOODY
(sigh) |
| About this priest… |
| JORDAN |
| You’re going to nail him, right? |
| WOODY |
| Yeah. I mean… No, we’re going to talk to him. (another pause) It’s Father Paul. |
He reluctantly looks at her..
JORDAN
(disbelieving laugh) |
| Paul? We dated for two years, and he never even… (meets WOODY’S eyes)
Oh my God, you’re serious. Paul? |
She looks at MARIE in disbelief.
| WOODY |
| I know you were close to him… |
| JORDAN |
| How long have you known… Woody! (it dawns on her) You knew! And you didn’t tell me… |
WOODY looks guilty.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| What the hell were you thinking? |
| WOODY |
| At first I thought it wouldn’t be an issue… |
| JORDAN |
| Not an issue? I just built your whole case…! |
She turns away from WOODY for a moment.
WOODY
(hesitant) |
| He… he’s probably at the precinct by now…. |
JORDAN turns to face him, getting more angry.
| JORDAN |
| You watched me do all this… |
She gestures around MARIE’S body and the trace evidence.
| JORDAN (cont'd) |
| … not knowing… |
There is another tense pause, until JORDAN speaks slowly and pointedly.
| JORDAN (cont'd) |
| You know he didn’t do it. |
WOODY
(tense) |
| This is why I didn’t tell you. A minute ago you want to nail him, and now you’re convinced he didn’t do it. |
JORDAN ignores him, pulling the ponytail out of her hair as she leaves.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Where are you going? |
15. INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUING
WOODY follows JORDAN out into the hall.
| WOODY |
| Oh, no! No way, Jordan! You can’t go over there, you’re too close… |
| JORDAN |
| Paul did not do this. He’s no more a pervert than you are. (beat) Are you coming? |
His mouth hangs open for a moment.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| You expect me to tag along – to watch you go running to your first love? |
JORDAN
(meets his anger) |
| Is that what this is about? Childish jealousy? The man’s a priest, for God’s sake! |
WOODY tries to grab her arm; she yanks away and won’t let him touch her.
| WOODY |
| What am I supposed to think? You heard who he is and suddenly you’re charging
to his rescue! Not that there’s anything you can do… |
| JORDAN |
| I’m going to be there! |
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
16. INT. PRECINCT HALLWAY - AFTERNOON
SEELY is walking down the precinct hall, reading a file. He watches FRAMUS come
out of the Captain’s office, holding a file.
| FRAMUS |
| You’re welcome, sir… Really, it’s no problem! |
She closes the door.
| SEELY |
| Sucking up, Framus? (no response) You are, aren’t you! |
| FRAMUS |
| Detective Seely! I’m deeply offended you think I’m capable of stooping that low for a mere office… |
SEELY
(swiftly grabs file, opens it) |
| What? You’re booking his family’s trip to Disneyland? |
FRAMUS
(snatches the file back) |
| Fine. You caught me. |
She takes a step closer and speaks in a warning voice.
| FRAMUS (cont’d) |
| It’s open season, every man and well-dressed woman for herself. |
There is a brief pause and then SEELY gives a conciliatory, but slightly evil smile.
| SEELY |
| We need a strategy here. I mean, if the three of us fight over it, we wreck our own chances and the Captain’ll pick some punk like Santana. |
He pauses to step even closer and lowers his voice.
| SEELY (cont’d) |
| What if you and I work together? |
FRAMUS
(sarcasm) |
| Oh, great, then we vote Annie off the island? |
| SEELY |
| No! But… yeah. Think about it, right now we’ve each got about a 33% chance of getting that office. If we eliminate Capra, we both jump to 50%. What do you say? |
FRAMUS
(even more sarcastic) |
| When do I get to tell our loyal viewers what I really
think of you? |
They both watch as Capra comes down the hall with dry-cleaning, knocks on Captain’s door and enters.
They bump knuckles.
17. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - AFTERNOON
We see JORDAN hugging PAUL . From over his shoulder, we see WOODY standing in
the open doorway, tired of Jordan’s antics. JORDAN and PAUL sit side by side.
We see JORDAN’S hands covering PAUL’S in gesture of concern. The camera pulls
back.
| WOODY |
| OK, Father. Please; help me understand what you were doing in an apartment with a dead girl. |
PAUL sighs and rubs his collar as if it’s too tight.
| PAUL |
| In my line of work, I visit the sick regularly. Death is an unfortunate part of my duty. |
| WOODY |
| I get your duty, I do, but Marie is dead. (puts down picture) Three weeks ago. Beautiful, ten year old girl. Now, look at her. |
WOODY slaps a picture of MARIE’S dead body on the table.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| And you were right there when this happened. Can you see why I have a problem here, Father? |
JORDAN
(peeved) |
| He was doing his job, Woody! |
WOODY
(to JORDAN) |
| Let me do my job... |
PAUL
(tired-sounding but confident) |
| I’ll be fine, Jordan. We’ll get it figured out… You know, I could really use a coffee… |
JORDAN takes a deep breath, looks PAUL in the eyes, glances at WOODY and back to PAUL.
| JORDAN |
| I don’t want to leave you alone. Have you even called your lawyer? |
WOODY
(explodes) |
| Jordan! (short sigh) You know what… coffee would be good. (just a little sarcasm) There’s that new Tim Horton’s around the corner… |
As he speaks, WOODY walks around to her side of the table, takes her arm and tries to escort her to the door. JORDAN shakes her arm from WOODY with an angry look. She turns back to PAUL.
PAUL
(apologetic grimace) |
| To be honest, it’ll probably go faster if you aren’t here…. |
JORDAN sighs and considers this a moment.
Now she speaks to WOODY, tone still irritated.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Just keep an open mind. |
| WOODY |
| You mean like yours? |
JORDAN
(one last look at PAUL) |
| I’ll be on the other side of that window. And I’m sure as hell not getting coffee. |
She storms out. With his back to PAUL, WOODY closes his eyes, fingers squeezing
the bridge of his nose. In a moment he opens his eyes, sighs and turns around.
| WOODY |
| Alright, Father, what’s going on? |
PAUL
(looking at table) |
| Detective… may I explain? Then I’ll answer any questions you still have. |
He makes eye contact with WOODY now.
WOODY settles into a chair and leans back a little.
PAUL
(cleansing breath) |
| Marie’s parents are in Jamaica for two weeks. Catherine and Marie are
both members of my church. Marie’s father called me this morning, asked
me to give her Holy Communion because she was really sick. I live in the
same building – the diocese rents the third floor as a parsonage. Ten minutes
later, I was giving the girls communion. |
He is interested, leans forward and folds hands on table.
| PAUL |
| Marie was pale, but… She seemed OK. I – served the elements: the host and the wine. We were praying – then Marie started coughing. It was so bad that Catherine ran to get Marie’s needle. I… I thought she did it right, but…. |
He holds hands up in gesture of futility.
| WOODY |
| Cause of death was anaphylactic shock due to ingestion of peanuts. Tell me, Father, do you have any idea how the peanuts got into her? |
PAUL
(confused) |
| No! The… the wafers, are 100% allergen-free! And, the holy water is pure distilled water. I always wash my hands with soap …. |
| WOODY |
| Father, just please stop. (obviously thinks he’s lying) We found peanut oil all over the communion set you used. It was on the plate, in the cup, mixed in the wine and water, even in the wafers. |
PAUL
(looks shocked) |
| What? Th- That’s impossible! We… we’re extremely careful to keep the set clean… |
WOODY’S cell rings; he checks and see it’s NIGEL.
He chats in the corner. WOODY snaps his phone closed.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| We just found out why Marie didn’t get any epinephrine from the needle.
(speaking extremely clearly) It had water in it. And your
fingerprint is on the syringe. Would you care to explain that little detail? |
PAUL
(eyes wide open, jaw slackens a bit) |
| I picked it up when Catherine dropped it, but I have no idea why… |
| WOODY |
| I have an idea, Father, I have a couple of ideas in fact. We’re going to need to test your DNA, but with this evidence, I don’t really need- |
JORDAN has been watching through the window. At this point, she bursts in.
| JORDAN |
| Why wasn’t I told about that syringe? |
WOODY
(meeting her anger head-on) |
| You blew out of there before the forensic guys gave it to Nigel. Right now, I’m going to get a BPD medical tech. to get the Father’s DNA, with his permission… (looks to PAUL) |
PAUL
(quiet, stricken) |
| Take – whatever you need. |
JORDAN
(tries to step forward) |
| I’ll do it. |
WOODY speaks under his breath as he tries to herd her to the door.
| WOODY |
| No, you can’t take a DNA sample from a former lover! |
JORDAN
(whispering) |
| Former lover? (pause, really ticked off) Do you hear yourself? |
WOODY
(intense whisper) |
| Get back behind the glass. Don’t make me have you escorted out of here! |
| JORDAN |
| You can’t kick me out… |
WOODY
(with determination) |
| Just watch me. |
JORDAN
(mouth open for a moment) |
| I’ll save you the trouble! |
She storms away.
WOODY slumps, returns to the room and closes the door behind him.
18. INT. PRECINCT BULLPEN – AFTERNOON
Beside the coffee machine, FRAMUS and SEELY are chatting with coffee cups in hand.
CAPRA storms into the scene.
FRAMUS
(frowny face) |
| Annie, what’s wrong? |
| CAPRA |
| I got stuck in a stake-out over at the 12th Precinct. One of their detectives is out with the flu and they need assistance. |
FRAMUS and SEELY smile at each other when CAPRA’S not looking, then fake concern.
| FRAMUS |
| That’s a tough break, kiddo. Who’re you going with? |
CAPRA
(looks disgusted) |
| Moreville. |
SEELY snorts a laugh, then tries to cover.
| SEELY |
| Aw, gee, Capra, that is a tough break. Make sure you
got lots of Twinkies! |
CAPRA
(shudders, closes eyes) |
| And all those stories about his perfect children…. It’s going to be a long four days…. |
| FRAMUS |
| Four days alone with Moreville the Boreville? Ouch. |
CAPRA
(eyes narrow) |
| Did you two have anything to do…? |
| FRAMUS |
| Annie! How could you even think such a thing? |
She’s a good actress.
| CAPRA |
| Yeah, you’re right. Sorry, I’m just pissed off. See you in four days. If I die of boredom I’ll be the one buried under the Twinkie wrappers. |
She resignedly grabs purse and leaves.
FRAMUS and SEELY, not smiling, bump knuckles as they did before.
| FRAMUS |
| I knew Francine could pull it off, but Boreville? I just wanted her out of the way. This is cruel and unusual punishment! |
SEELY
(makes a face) |
| What happened to every man for herself? Thanks to me, Cap’ thinks we’re both way too busy for that assignment. With Capra out of the way, we get way more face-time. |
FRAMUS
(narrowing eyes) |
| I don’t have to like it. At Carver’s farewell party tonight – the deal
is mutual promotion, we’re boosting each other. Don’t forget!
|
| SEELY |
| What, don’t trust me? |
FRAMUS
(incredulous face) |
| Of course not! |
SEELY nods with a slightly proud look.
19. INT. NIGEL’S LAB – LATE AFTERNOON
JORDAN and NIGEL are at his desk, in front of his computer.
NIGEL
(gently) |
| Here’s the full tox screen, Luv. Nothing like the levels of adrenaline she’d have with an epinephrine shot. |
| JORDAN |
| So. Here’s what we’ve got. |
She starts to pace in a small circle behind NIGEL.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| She’s allergic to peanuts. She’s got a stomach virus. Parents are away. |
NIGEL
(lists points on his fingers) |
| Seventeen year old babysitter. Water in the rescue syringe, peanut residue in Paul’s communion set. |
| JORDAN |
| Are we sure it was her syringe? |
| NIGEL |
| I dunno. You should ask Woody. |
JORDAN
(slumps a little) |
| Could… you maybe do that? |
NIGEL
(irksome little smile) |
| Trouble in paradise, Luv? |
| JORDAN |
| When you love someone you tell them everything, right? Like when an old friend is a murder suspect? |
NIGEL is still looking at computer, but empathetic to JORDAN.
| NIGEL |
| I dunno, jealousy is one sign of a healthy new attachment. It’s a normal part of the relationship process – Hey ho, what’s this? |
JORDAN shakes her head to try and focus.
NIGEL
(points to the screen) |
| Look at this. |
| JORDAN |
| What… (looks confused) Lycorin? |
| NIGEL |
| Yeah. A toxic alkaloid found in Narcissus Tazetta. Commonly known as the daffodil. |
A picture of daffodils appears on screen beside the molecular structure.
| JORDAN |
| People eat daffodils? |
| NIGEL |
| Not on purpose. Lycorin is found in the bulbs. It causes stomach upset, diarrhea… |
He looks up at JORDAN, comprehension in his eyes.
JORDAN stops pacing and meets NIGEL’S gaze.
| NIGEL |
| Marie’s symptoms. (turns back to the computer) How in Hades did that get into a ten year-old city-girl? |
| JORDAN |
| I don’t know, but I need to talk to the babysitter. |
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
20. INT. APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY – LATE AFTERNOON
JORDAN stands at the door of an apartment. She knocks. A thirty-something woman
answers.
JORDAN
(shows badge) |
| My name is Jordan Cavanaugh, medical examiner’s office. May I come in? |
| MRS. CAMERON |
| I – um - What do you want? |
| JORDAN |
| I’m investigating the death of Marie Finnegan. I’m so sorry to disturb you, but I need to ask your daughter a few questions, if that’s alright? |
| MRS. CAMERON |
| But she already spoke with the police… |
| JORDAN |
| I know, but the M.E.’s office needs to conduct its own investigation into… Marie’s… death. (compassionate pause) Catherine may be able to help us. |
MRS. CAMERON
(crosses herself) |
| I thought she choked on the Holy Host. |
JORDAN
(looks surprised) |
| Oh – no. There still are some… unanswered questions, though. Please, may I come in? |
| MRS. CAMERON |
| Catherine’s very upset. |
| JORDAN |
| I completely understand. This is very important though…. |
MRS. CAMERON
(still hesitant) |
| …well, if you keep it short…. |
| JORDAN |
| Don’t worry, I’ll be as quick as possible. |
21. CAMERON APARTMENT - CONTINUING
MRS. CAMERON calls into the apartment as JORDAN comes in and is seated at kitchen
table. Catherine comes in, a bleach blonde kid with dark eyebrows, lots of piercings
and baggy, black shirt. She’s hugging herself.
| MRS. CAMERON |
| Cathy, this lady wants to ask you a few more questions. She’s from the coroner’s office. |
CATHERINE seems less than cooperative.
| JORDAN |
| Hey, Catherine. I’m Jordan. |
CATHERINE looks up at JORDAN for an instant, then her eyes fall back to the floor.
JORDAN (cont’d)
(soft, compassionate voice) |
| I know you’ve had a really hard day, but I need to figure out exactly what killed Marie. I think you can help me. |
CATHERINE gives a ‘Whatever’ shrug.
JORDAN (cont’d)
(caring smile) |
| Thanks. |
JORDAN says CATHERINE’S name tenderly, gestures to a chair with a nod.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Catherine. (beat) Want to sit down? |
MRS. CAMERON
(seems to like JORDAN) |
| I’ll make some tea. Would that be OK, Sweetheart? |
CATHERINE nods again and sits, drawing her feet up to her chair seat and hugging her knees.
MRS. CAMERON busies herself with the tea, but is always listening.
JORDAN continues in her most empathetic tone.
| JORDAN |
| Who taught you to use the epinephrine syringe? |
CATHERINE’S soft voice contrasts with her harsh appearance.
| CATHERINE |
| Mrs. Finnegan got a nurse to teach me. |
| JORDAN |
| Have you had to use it before? |
| JORDAN |
| Did you babysit Marie a lot? |
CATHERINE
(shrugs) |
| Yeah, sometimes |
| JORDAN |
| OK. You’re doing fine. Did you do the cooking when you were at Marie’s? |
CATHERINE
(eyes drop even lower) |
| Yeah. |
| JORDAN |
| You used the food in their apartment? |
Her eyes come up. She looks deeply sad but she’s not crying.
| CATHERINE (cont’d) |
| Marie’s so aller… I mean, was so allergic… (catch in her breath) …and they have safe stuff for her…. |
She looks at CATHERINE intensely as silence fills the room. The tea kettle whistles and MRS. CAMERON prepares the tea.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Catherine, Marie had daffodil bulb poison in her system. |
CATHERINE’S eyes get huge, her face is terrified as she looks to JORDAN and then her mother.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Do you know how it got there? |
CATHERINE shakes her head, covers mouth to keep from crying, gets up and runs to room. The chair falls to the floor behind her
| MRS. CAMERON |
| Cathy! Catherine! (looks to Jordan) I don’t… Please, excuse me, please… Wait here. |
JORDAN takes the tea, and takes a sniff, makes a face and sets it down again. She waits a few seconds, then stands and heads in the direction they left.
22. INT. CATHERINE’S ROOM – CONTINUING
JORDAN opens a door tentatively, sees CATHERINE in a hysterical tears in her mother’s
arms. MRS. CAMERON is crying as well. She sees JORDAN.
| MRS. CAMERON (cont’d) |
| Please leave! We aren’t speaking to anyone else without a lawyer! |
She sees a backpack open on the floor, with daffodil bulbs in a plastic bag. She looks at the two on the bed.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Where did these come from? |
MRS. CAMERON is barely holding it together.
| MRS. CAMERON |
| No! Not… Not without a lawyer! |
JORDAN
(putting on gloves) |
| I have to take this in as evidence. |
| MRS. CAMERON |
| Fine! Then just - just leave! |
JORDAN turns as she’s leaving the room and looks at the two in confusion. She doesn’t know what to say, so she leaves with the backpack.
23. INT. PRECINCT BULLPEN - NIGHT
LOIS CARVER’S retirement party is in full swing. FRAMUS is already speaking to
the CAPTAIN.
| FRAMUS |
| You know, I’ve been noticing how much Seely has on his plate. He’s really working hard right now. |
| CAPTAIN |
| Seely. Matthew Seely? |
| FRAMUS |
| He loves being a detective. It took some time, but the kid’s really getting there. |
CAPTAIN
(seems marginally impressed) |
| Well, it’s good to hear he’s got the support of his peers. |
FRAMUS sees Seely off to the side and winks at him.
| FRAMUS |
| Oh, look at that – Santana is wearing the cutest boots…. Talk to you later, Captain. |
CAPTAIN
(eye-roll) |
| Yes, Detective Framus. |
We cut to a view over SEELY’S shoulder as he makes his way through the crowd. He passes FRAMUS; they bump knuckles as he passes, but don’t look at each other. FRAMUS stays close, listening.
| SEELY |
| Hey, Captain, can I buy you a drink? |
The CAPTAIN looks at him with an eyebrow raised.
| CAPTAIN |
| I don’t think so, Seely. You know I was just talking to Framus about you. |
| SEELY |
| Yeah? (feigning surprise) All good, I hope? |
| CAPTAIN |
| Strangely enough, it was good. Does she owe you money or something? |
SEELY laughs and then assumes a sad tone.
| SEELY |
| No, no, she’s… well, she’s… been a great colleague…. |
| SEELY |
| You mean she hasn’t told you? (looks ‘horrified’) Oh, I probably shouldn’t have mentioned anything… No, damnit, it’s for her own good. (looks around, lowers voice) Framus has been going to the doctor for ‘tests’. The rest of us have been covering... but she won’t talk to us about it. |
| CAPTAIN |
| Really? And you’re telling me this out of the goodness of your heart? |
SEELY worries he’s laid it on too thick and takes a second to think.
| SEELY |
| Uh, well, you caught me! Frankly…, (lowers voice again) I’m getting tired of covering. But you didn’t hear this from me. |
He raises his glass to the CAPTAIN and wanders away. The CAPTAIN shakes his head a little and turns toward the bar. SEELY makes it five or six steps before FRAMUS grabs him and yanks him into a corner.
FRAMUS
(fierce whisper) |
| What the hell was that? You do not want me as an enemy, Little
Man! |
SEELY is predictably cocky; he brushes fabric off his arm where she grabbed him.
| SEELY |
| Hey, hey! I got the sympathy thing going for you. |
| FRAMUS |
| Bull… (stops in sheer frustration) I heard every word, you snake. Half the scumbags I’ve put away have more integrity than you! All of them have more brains. (Her voice drops.) This is war. |
SEELY looks a bit intimidated now, but puts up a show of bravado.
| SEELY |
| There’s nothin’ you can do to me, Sister. |
FRAMUS
(in his face) |
| ‘Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned; Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.’ |
She turns and marches off, her stilettos ominously clacking. SEELY looks thoroughly confused, and a bit scared.
24. INT. PRECINCT LOCKUP - NIGHT
JORDAN is sitting in the cell with PAUL.
| JORDAN |
| … she told me to leave. They were both off-the-wall hysterical. I just don’t get it, the daffodil didn’t even kill Marie. |
She pauses and leans head back.
| PAUL |
| I wish there was something I could do for them. |
| JORDAN |
| What? That kid was poisoning Marie! Why the hell- |
She blushes, shaking head as she rolls her eyes at Paul.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| -heck - would you feel the need to help them? |
| PAUL |
| I’m responsible for my congregation, no matter what. It doesn’t matter why they’re hurting, I need to be there. It’s my duty… |
JORDAN
(slowly nods) |
| So, when you were dating me in high school…? |
PAUL
(wry smirk) |
| That had nothing to do with duty. |
| JORDAN |
| So – you just thought I was… a good person…? |
| PAUL |
| No. (chuckles) You were… hot. |
JORDAN
(mock offense) |
| Were? |
She playfully swats his shoulder. PAUL smiles affectionately at her. They sit peacefully for a moment.
PAUL
(looks down) |
| I almost left the priesthood…. |
JORDAN
(not surprised) |
| I kind of figured…. |
PAUL takes a few breaths, looks up at JORDAN.
| PAUL |
| I couldn’t get it out of my head. I told a woman to speak
to her husband. He killed her. I told a fellow priest to
break off a relationship. He committed suicide. (beat, looks down again)
My congregation has over 500 souls. So many people… So many problems… I
didn’t know if the church was the place for me – or anyone – to help them.
|
| JORDAN |
| So your problem wasn’t with God, it was with the institution… |
| PAUL |
| No, I had a big problem with God. |
He smiles wryly, stands up, sighs and walks over to lean on the wall, with his back to JORDAN for a moment.
| PAUL (cont’d) |
| Why wouldn’t He just help people? Why would He need me to pray for them, to offer them absolution – How was I supposed to solve people’s life problems – a single, celibate man with no family? (heavy pause) The price of failure was so high. |
| JORDAN |
| But, you’re still a priest…. |
PAUL
(turns back to face JORDAN) |
| There was this old priest. We talked, I told him I’d decided to set aside my vows. (gentle smile) He told me we’re all starving men; no better than anyone else – just starving men telling other starving men where to find food. |
JORDAN
(quiet for a beat) |
| That’s a great job description. (beat) My job – my job is to help the innocent. That, and give voice to the dead. |
She bows her head for another moment and gives a small laugh.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| I… I don’t know what else to do right now. You need help and Marie deserves justice. Where’s God? You’re on his team, you think he’d help out. |
| PAUL |
| ‘Why’ doesn’t really matter in my line of work. What you do with your circumstances – that’s what matters. |
PAUL returns to sit beside her. She holds out a hand, he grasps it.
JORDAN
(guilty smile) |
| If my priest had talked to me like this…. |
PAUL
(smiles) |
| You and God might still be on speaking terms? (pause) Everyone deals with responsibility differently, Jordan. Not many doctors talk the way you do. |
JORDAN
(eyebrow arching) |
| Touché. (pause) But - it’s… It’s not right that a ten year old has to suffer like that. Why do these things even happen? |
She pauses and looks down again.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| And why can’t I figure out what Catherine was doing, – or who put peanut oil all over your communion set? |
| PAUL |
| But that wasn’t my communion set. It’s one we keep on the third
floor, for emergencies. |
JORDAN
(eyes light up) |
| No? But… then who had access to it? |
| PAUL |
| All of us. There’re six priests who live on the third floor. Well, five and the Bishop. |
| JORDAN |
| Five men besides you…? |
PAUL
(looks skeptical) |
| They’re my friends, Jordan. They aren’t capable.... |
| JORDAN |
| I know – you trust them. But at least we’ve got a place to start. |
She stands to leave. PAUL stands as well but doesn’t let go of her hand.
| JORDAN |
| Paul. You have a duty to your congregation, no matter what. I’ve got a duty to examine every suspect, no matter who. |
PAUL takes her other hand.
JORDAN (cont’d)
(softly) |
| I’ve got to go. Hang in there, OK? |
PAUL reluctantly nods and smiles a sad little smile.
| PAUL |
| I’m doing OK, really. Get some resolution for the Finnegans. And Catherine. |
JORDAN hugs him and turns to leave. Then, at the door, she turns again.
| JORDAN |
| Where do I find food? |
| PAUL |
| You have a bible, right? |
| PAUL |
| That’s where you find food, Jordan. Drop by the church sometime, I’ll show you. Bring Woody. (wry grin) Might not make it this Sunday…. |
JORDAN
(smiling) |
| I’ll see you when you get back. |
25. INT. PRECINCT BULLPEN - MORNING
FRAMUS is the only one at her desk. SEELY walks in slowly, hot and tired, stops,
stands still for a moment with hand on hip and looks at FRAMUS.
| SEELY |
| How the hell did you manage that? |
FRAMUS is falsely innocent, maintaining her dry demeanour.
| FRAMUS |
| Why, whatever do you mean, Detective? |
SEELY
(eyes unfocused) |
| I clawed my way up through the ranks. I was kicked backward sometimes,
but I never gave up! And then, finally, I got it – my life goal, the parking
space of my dreams… How the hell did you manage it? |
| FRAMUS |
| The likes of you could not possibly understand the intricate workings of a mastermind. You’ll find you’re on call more than normal. And your desk has been relocated to that drafty corner by the window… |
SEELY
(puffs up like a little kid) |
| You think you’re so good? You think you have power? Well you’re wrong – I’ve got connections…. |
| FRAMUS |
| Stop it, you’ll only hurt yourself. |
The door swings open. CAPRA comes in looking exhausted and totally ticked off.
| FRAMUS |
| Annie? Where’s Moreland? I thought you were stuck in a car with him for four days? |
CAPRA
(dry, quiet) |
| We got the perp. I got a commendation. |
She walks to her desk, puts down her purse, deliberately removes a Twinkie from her pocket and places it carefully on her desk. She pastes on a bright smile and turns to the others.
| CAPRA (cont’d) |
| By the way, I’m so amused how you got me out of the building. I’d expect this out of Seely, but you, Framus? |
She shakes her head.
| SEELY |
| It was Framus’ idea! |
| FRAMUS |
| Oh, puh-leeze! This scum not only came up with the idea to screw you over, he double-crossed me in the process. I am going to fry his- |
CAPRA
(to Framus) |
| Of course, I don’t believe Seely. But, you are
the one who got me stuck in a car with Moreland… |
| FRAMUS |
| That part wasn’t my fault, I just- |
| SEELY |
| Hey, wait… how come you don’t believe me? |
FRAMUS
(to SEELY) |
| Nobody ever believes you! (to CAPRA) Capra – Annie, I truly regret my actions, I will never again place my relationship with you in jeopardy… |
| CAPRA |
| It’s a little too late for that now, Framus, and no, (turns to SEELY) nobody ever believes you. I’m amazed you’re surprised by that. Now if you both will excuse me, I’m going to talk to the Captain about your little plan. |
| SEELY |
| No! You can’t squeal- |
| FRAMUS |
| So what the hell were you doing with his dry cleaning, then? You touched the man’s suits, for crying out loud! |
All three start talking at the same time.
| CAPRA |
| Me? What the hell were you doing- |
| SEELY |
| Hey, hey, hey, she- what do you mean nobody believes me? |
| FRAMUS |
| You both were pretty underhanded. I can’t believe the depths you sank to- |
WOODY walks in, holding a file, looks at the argument, and is annoyed.
| WOODY |
| What are you guys yelling about? |
They all stop and look at WOODY. The three of them all try to explain at once.
| FRAMUS |
| Carver retired, right? So, we thought - |
| SEELY |
| These two are out to get me! I lost my parking space, my desk got moved- |
| CAPRA |
| Someone’s getting Carver’s old office. It’s war- |
They’re silent at Woody’s angry shout. WOODY’S face is incredulous and angry. He holds up the file folder.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Do you have any idea what I have to do right now? Do you?
|
They all stare, stunned.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| I am holding a file with the details of a murder. (his voice raises) A murder, remember that? It’s what we do here – catch murderers! This pervert raped a ten year old. For months. Then he managed to kill her and frame a priest. I’m going to interview five more priests in connection with this rape/murder. (glares) An office. |
There is a pause and his eyes crinkle as he looks at each of them.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Good luck with that. |
He turns and leaves. CAPRA, FRAMUS and SEELY look at each other for a moment.
| CAPRA |
| He’s right, of course. |
FRAMUS
(shakes head) |
| Merde. |
| SEELY |
| So, then, there’s only one mature thing to do. |
He looks up at the others.
He holds out his fist.
FRAMUS looks for a moment, then puts her fist against his, sad.
CAPRA looks at each one and silently bumps her fist into the others.
They all hit their palm with their fists three times.
FRAMUS
(makes a ‘darn-it’ face) |
| Scissors. |
SEELY
(looks at his scissors fingers) |
| Two out of three! |
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
26. INT. JORDAN’S OFFICE – MORNING
JORDAN is doing her Yoga, a radio station quietly playing “Holy Water”. WOODY
comes up and leans on the door frame.
| WOODY |
| Tell me that doesn’t hurt. |
| JORDAN |
| Oh, it hurts, but only at first. |
| WOODY |
| So, you got anything new on the Finnegan case? |
| JORDAN |
| You know the communion set wasn’t Paul’s. |
| JORDAN |
| Him and at least five other men! Nigel called you about the Lycorin. |
WOODY
(sarcastic, peeved) |
| Yeah. Thanks for interviewing a suspect without me present, by the way. She lawyered up and I can’t even meet with her without jumping through twelve hoops. |
| JORDAN |
| I was just trying to figure out what happened to Marie! It’s my job to determine cause of death. |
| WOODY |
| But it’s my job to… |
He rubs hand through his hair.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| You knew about that daffodil stuff; you should have called me! |
| JORDAN |
| Why, because I can’t do my job? |
She unfolds from her yoga position as WOODY sits on the couch in front of her.
| WOODY |
| No, because you’re biased. |
JORDAN
(challenge) |
| You still think I’m wrong. |
WOODY
(intense) |
| This time, I think the truth doesn’t matter; you’re on a mission to save your old boyfriend! |
JORDAN
(angry) |
| I’m on a mission to find out what happened! The evidence points to someone with a key for the communion set. Paul isn’t the only one with a key! |
WOODY
(meets her anger) |
| But he was the one a- |
He is trying to calm down.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| OK… OK… Let’s just take a moment. Calm down… That’s why you were doing yoga, isn’t it? |
JORDAN
(agreeing) |
| You’re… right. (cleansing breath) We are adults. |
| JORDAN |
| So, how about… we go through the evidence together? All of it, piece by piece. |
| WOODY |
| I have to interview those other priests; you have to finish your stuff here. Let’s meet up later today, when we’re done. |
He pauses and looks at her for a moment intently.
JORDAN
(looks at herself) |
| What? Did I spill coffee…? |
WOODY
(dimpled smile) |
| No. It’s just that, you’re hot when you’re angry. |
He drops from couch to his knees in front of her. JORDAN leans closer to him, arching an eyebrow.
WOODY closes the gap between them, leaning in, but keeping his hands to himself. His smile deepens.
| WOODY |
| You. Well, world peace and you. |
| JORDAN |
| How the hell are we supposed to fight when you do this? |
She inches closer to his face. WOODY kisses her. Their arms encircle each other with easy familiarity.
JORDAN
(murmuring against his lips) |
| What were we talking about anyway? |
WOODY
(sexy smile) |
| How wrong I am. |
JORDAN
(pulls back a little, playful) |
| Oh, you are good. |
| WOODY |
| You have no idea. C’mon. Let’s save making up for later. We’ve got a crime to solve. |
JORDAN kisses him again.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Well, maybe… (kiss)… in a minute (kiss). |
They laugh as they not-so-elegantly fall over sideways, their arms circle each
other as the camera raises up off the floor to the radio. We still hear their
laughter, while Captain and Tenille come on the radio singing “Love will Keep
us Together”.
27. EXT. PRECINCT – AFTERNOON
CAPRA and FRAMUS get out of their respective cars simultaneously. SEELY comes
walking from down the road. They all pause for a second to regard each other.
CAPRA, SEELY, FRAMUS Hey… CAPRA shakes her head. She’s still peeved. FRAMUS just
puts her hand up – she’s above it all now. SEELY puts his hands on his hips.
| SEELY |
| So, how’d the Captain find out about our little disagreement? |
| CAPRA |
| Easy. I told him the truth. |
SEELY
(eyes bugging out) |
| You what? |
| FRAMUS |
| She told the truth, Seely. Truth. Verite, verdad, wahrheit. |
SEELY shoots an “I hate your guts” look at FRAMUS.
| FRAMUS (cont’d) |
| I had an unpleasant visit to his office this afternoon. Thanks to you two, I’m on the blacklist! |
| CAPRA |
| That’s what you get for listening to one of Seely’s dumb-ass ideas. |
| FRAMUS |
| You’re right, but, I wouldn’t want to really suck-up and, say, get the man’s laundry! |
CAPRA
(makes a face like a bad smell) |
| But you listened to Seely! |
| SEELY |
| And again, hey! All I did was level the playing field. |
| FRAMUS |
| Oh, shove it. Look what Captain has to choose from, now... You’re senior, I have the best arrest record – and the most shoes, and Annie’s the goody-goody. But remember, Seely, you’re the one who lied to him about me being sick, and you’re only senior to me by a couple of months. |
| CAPRA |
| I’m not a goody-goody, and it’s not my fault you people aren’t professional! If you’re in trouble, you caused it yourselves! |
Their cell phones all ring for text messages at the same time. They look at them, look at each other, and race up the steps – the decision has been made.
28. INT. TRACE - AFTERNOON
NIGEL is at work. JORDAN comes in, walks over to mass spectrometer humming the
Mary Tyler Moore song to herself, smiling. NIGEL looks at her dubiously.
| NIGEL |
| I was wondering if you’d met this lovely girl I know, her name’s Jordan, about your height, hair colour, but she’s really pissed off at her fiancée. |
| JORDAN |
| Ha, ha. Oddly enough… |
She pauses to punch a few keys at a computer.
JORDAN
(“so there” in her smirk) |
| … we made up. |
| NIGEL |
| What?! You and Woodrow? Bury the hatchet? Forgive and forget? Kiss and make up? Live and let live… |
JORDAN
(grits her teeth) |
| A minute ago I was in a really great mood, Nige. |
| NIGEL |
| Well, Luv, in another minute you will be in an even greater mood. Guess what I found out from the rape kit? |
JORDAN
(tense) |
| It wasn’t Paul… |
NIGEL
(happy) |
| It wasn’t Paul. |
WOODY
(leaning against door frame) |
| Yep, Woody knows. |
JORDAN looks at him in surprise.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Nigel called. |
| JORDAN |
| Hey. I, uh…, (gloating a little) I was right |
WOODY
(smirk) |
| Doesn’t mean I was wrong! |
| JORDAN |
| Of course it does! Nige, tell the man he was wrong! |
NIGEL
(looks at them one at a time) |
| Rrr-ight. I believe discretion is the better part of valour at the moment. |
| WOODY |
| So he’s cleared of the sexual assault, but not necessarily the
murder. |
| NIGEL |
| Well, we’re working on that one, see- |
JORDAN
(hand to forehead, weary look) |
| Woody! You can’t possibly think there are two perps? |
WOODY
(slowly, like it’s difficult) |
| I’m willing to admit that it’s probably the same person. That’s as far
as I’ll go for now. |
JORDAN
(rolls her eyes) |
| Fine… Just – did you interview the other five suspects or did you give
the murderer more time to cover his tracks? |
WOODY, exasperated, walks over to her and points to himself.
| WOODY |
| You know what this is, Jordan? This is me trying to get past that… disagreement.
I’m trying. |
He looks at her pointedly.
JORDAN
(getting impatient) |
| Just tell me, did you interview the other men or not? |
WOODY
(glance to Nigel) |
| Do you see what I put up with? I deserve sainthood… Yes, Jordan, I did interview the other priests. I’ve got people looking into their stories right now. I’m also meeting with Catherine and her entourage… (looks at watch) … um, in twenty minutes so I’ve got to go. |
He turns around to leave, stops half way through the door and sticks his head back in and speaks wearily to JORDAN.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| What? You’re not coming? |
JORDAN
(looks frustrated) |
| I’d love to, but I have to wait until I get a result from the mass spec. |
| NIGEL |
| Tell you what? Why don’t you two crazy kids run off and catch a perverted murderer, I’ll stay home and babysit the mass spectrometer, OK? Run along! Don’t be late, now. |
JORDAN
(tense glance at WOODY) |
| Thanks, Nige. I’m confirming the lycorin in Marie and the bulbs Catherine had are from the same source. |
She blows past WOODY. He exchanges a glance with Nigel, who shakes his head sadly and shrugs. WOODY looks to Heaven and follows.
29. INT. PRECINCT OBSERVATION ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
JORDAN and WOODY are in the observation room, looking at CATHERINE, MRS. CAMERON, MR. CAMERON and two LAWYERS on the other side of the glass. One lawyer is a man and the other is a woman.
| JORDAN |
| Looks like the Camerons have a rich uncle. |
WOODY
(cynical tone) |
| Grandfather, actually. The best justice money can buy. I’d like you to stay here- |
JORDAN
(interrupting) |
| What? Why the hell did you ask me to come if you were just- |
| WOODY |
| Whoa! Just… I… You talked to her. You know her better than I do – I thought you could get a sense of whether she’s telling the truth. (beat) I need your help, Jordan. |
| JORDAN |
| Sure you’re not getting rid of me? |
WOODY
(sarcastic) |
| I tried to get rid of you. Not only was it futile, I regret it. |
He glances down, and his tone softens.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| In lots of ways. I just need you in here this time. |
| JORDAN |
| OK, OK. Go do your thing. I’ll stay here and watch. (pause) I promise. |
WOODY looks dubious, but leaves.
30. INT. PRECINCT INTERROGATION - CONTINUING
MR. CAMERON, a MALE LAWYER and MRS. LING, the female lawyer, CATHERINE and MRS.
CAMERON are all seated on one side of the table. WOODY opens the door to the Interrogation
Room and enters.
| WOODY |
| Well, well, well! Catherine! I am so glad to finally get to meet you. Love the tat, by the way, Spiders on the neck. Very attractive. |
| LAWYER |
| Detective, if you are here to insult our client – who, may I remind you, is here voluntarily – then this interview is over. |
| WOODY |
| No, no, let’s just calm down. |
He sits quietly down, looks at everyone, glances down, then back at CATHERINE.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| I’m going to lay it all on the table. You strike me as the kind of person who appreciates people being up front. |
CATHERINE glances at MRS. LING, who gently nods.
| WOODY |
| See, that’s good. Because I want to know what people are thinking, even if it’s bad. Then we can work together to make things good again. |
He lets this sink in.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Catherine, we know that … (checks notes) … Lycorin didn’t kill
Marie. That’s the poison in the daffodil bulbs. The medical examiners didn’t
find enough of it in her body... |
CATHERINE
(relief floods her face) |
| Oh, thank God! (starts to get weepy) I mean… I thought I was the- |
| MRS. LING |
| Catherine, stop! |
MR. & MRS. CAMERON speak at the same time.
MR. CAMERON
(sharp look at her) |
MRS. CAMERON |
| What did you think, Catherine? |
Cathy, listen to the lawyer! |
| MR. CAMERON |
| Did you lie to us? If you know how those bulbs got in your backpack, you’d better tell us right now, young lady! |
Tears pour down her cheeks.
She throws her head down on the table and cries hard.
WOODY
(knows he’s close) |
| Why don’t I give you folks a few minutes? |
He hands her a tissue box.
| WOODY (cont’d) |
| Can I get you some water? |
CATHERINE
(nods, then looks up) |
| I want to speak to the lady. |
MRS. CAMERON
(barely keeping it together) |
| What lady, honey? |
| CATHERINE |
| The… coroner lady that came to our place. (looks around) Just her! Nobody else. |
MALE LAWYER.
(looks to PARENTS) |
| Absolutely not. |
MR. CAMERON
(looks at his wife and daughter) |
| What if Mrs. Ling stays? The detective could get… that lady…. |
CATHERINE looks reluctant and shoots a glance at MRS. LING, her female lawyer.
MRS. LING
(gentle, but firm) |
| I need to stay, or it won’t happen. |
| MRS. CAMERON |
| Joseph! No! I won’t leave my baby. |
MR. CAMERON
(stern) |
| Felicia. |
MRS. CAMERON quiets, but is still upset.
CATHERINE is still upset, but seems to have come to a decision.
| CATHERINE |
| OK. Just that lady and Mrs. Ling. |
| WOODY |
| Jordan’s right down the hall. |
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
31. INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – CONTINUING
JORDAN passes WOODY at the door, exchanging a look with him, and sitting down
opposite CATHERINE and MRS. LING.
| JORDAN |
| Hey. Detective Hoyt said you wanted to talk. |
She hands CATHERINE a water bottle.
CATHERINE accepts the bottle and nods. She fusses with the bottle but doesn’t open it.
CATHERINE
(tiny voice) |
| I… I had to… I had the bulbs in my backpack. I had to grind them up and put it in Marie’s food. |
| JORDAN |
| Why did you ‘have to’? |
She wipes her tears and her nose; her voice drops even further.
| CATHERINE (cont’d) |
| He said I had to or he’d hurt us both. |
She extends a hand, but doesn’t touch CATHERINE.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Your lawyers, your parents, and I (beat) we can help you. |
She touches CATHERINE’S chin gently to lift her face. She looks at JORDAN, reluctantly.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Catherine. Who was hurting you? |
CATHERINE
(soft waif-like voice) |
| I didn’t know about Marie. I thought it was just me. I thought if I changed… the way I look, he’d stop… but – he didn’t – stop… doing… doing what he did. I was scared – always… scared. |
JORDAN opens the bottle for her.
She exchanges a very disturbed glance with MRS. LING as CATHERINE takes a drink.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| You did not kill Marie. |
CATHERINE nods jerkily.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| You used the epinephrine correctly. I saw the needle mark on Marie’s leg. |
The girl’s eyes lift a little more, a glimmer of hope.
| JORDAN (cont’d) |
| Marie died from her peanut allergy, because the syringe had been filled with water. |
CATHERINE’S tears are still coming, but she’s visibly improving.
