(The Bluff)

Richard Haywood: Should we say the words for the last time?

One cannot live fully without embracing suicide and crime... say it.

Justin Pendleton: A pact made with relentless fire that requires that while some live... others die.

Richard: On three.

Justin/Richard: ...one... two... three! (gunshot)

*** (Classroom)

Justin: Each of us has within us a weak aspect, eager to give up the freedom for the comfort of being dominated. But we also have a will to power, that desires freedom, that insists on deciding for ourselves, each of us individually... what is good... and what is evil...

Are there any questions?

Mr Chechi: Doesn't anyone want to challenge Justin's thesis?

Are you all willing to submit to this Darwinian struggle of competing egos?

Richard: I got a question.

Mr. Chechi: Ah, Mr. Haywood, you're awake! Let's hear it.

Richard: Uh... yeah, what's a dork like you know about power?

Justin: What would an ignoramus like you know about philosophy?

Mr. Chechi: Keep it civil please.

Richard: What are you talking about? Are you talking about... crime?

Mr. Chechi: Good question, you should wake up more often Haywood.

What about it Justin?

Justin: All real freedom risks crime. Indeed freedom is crime because it thinks first of itself and not of a group.

Mr. Chechi: Thank you Justin. Very daring.

Justin: Thank you.

Mr. Chechi: For those of you who are interested in the source of Mr. Pendleton's report, you might want to take a look at the work of Frederick Nietzsche...

Lisa Mills: You really need to get laid Bonaparte.

*** (The Bluff)

Richard: Hey Justin. Remember me?

Justin: What do you want?

Richard: I wanna blow your brains out. And I'm gonna make it look like a suicide. Everyone will believe it. Because if they were you, they'd kill themselves too.

Justin: Mmm... you won't get away with it. Your shoe prints first of all, are a very unique pattern and they'd be traced back to you in a matter of days. The fibers on your shirt, are all over me now... and your hair too. It's called transference. More importantly, your fingerprints, on my neck, where you touched me.

Richard: You can't get fingerprints off of skin.

Justin: Yeah you can. With a Magna-Brush or a fingerprint cam... or an iodine gun and silver transfer sheets. Believe me Richard, you don't have the discipline to commit a murder and get away with it.

Richard: Is that right? Let's see... BANG! You're dead.

Justin: What took you so long? Do you know how long i've been waiting?

(Richard offers Justin a joint) No. I have something better.

Richard: What is it?

Justin: Absinthe. Wormwood-infused alcohol.

The molecular structure is almost identical to tetrahedral chlorine.

Richard: Tetra-tetra-wah?

Justin: It's the-uh, active ingrediaent in marijuana.

Richard: Oh! Where'd you get it?

Justin: Poets used to drink it. They used it for inspiration. It's been illegal since the turn of the century.

Richard: Even better.

Justin: To the systematic derangement of our senses.

Richard: Aww... forget the senses. Let's derange the world.

Justin: We will.

Richard: When?

Justin: Soon.

Richard: What about tonight? What about right now?

Justin: Actually... I have, umm... a biology expirement in the morning.

Richard: Fuck your biology! You always have excuses you know that? Let's just forget it.

Justin: Forget what? We've been planning this for months.

Richard: I'm sick of planning. That's all it is with you, is talk and plans and dreams. You're a jerk-off. So jerk-off.

Justin: Richard, wait. Just... be patient.

*** (Crime scene)

Cop: Here comes the hyena.

Sam Kennedy: Hey, why did you tell them not to let me inside the perimeter?

Cassie Mayweather: Don't get pissy on me, I told them not to let anybody in. It's your first homicide. I didn't want you stepping on your tongue. Here take this.

Sam: What is it?

Cassie: A very important crime scene tool.

Hey, boys! Snack time!

Get one of the uniforms to set up a staging area. This place is going to be crawling with people that have absolutely no business being here. Including our revered chief.

Sam: Rod?

Cassie: Yeah, Rod. Rod is not a cop.

Hey Darnell, get the hell outta my crime scene! C'mon!

Darnell: Sorry Cassie.

Cassie: Alright, there's only one way into a crime scene. I want you to put your foot where mine goes and nowhere else okay?

Sam: Okay.

Cassie: Ready? You never did this in vice did you?

Sam: Uh... no.

Cassie: Right there... looks like some kind of boot.

What's this smell like to you?

Sam: Smells like vomit.

Cassie: That's what I thought. Bag some up for the lab.

...ohhh...

Sam: What's the matter?

Cassie: Nothing.

Notice the petechial hemorrhaging?

Sam: She was strangled.

Cassie: Finger shaped marks around the neck.

Oh, look at this. Clean cut.

Sam: Trophy?

Cassie: That'd be my guess.

Defensive wounds. She put up a fight. Good for you.

We're dealing with a secondary crime scene here. Why?

Sam: Well, this head wound would produce extensive amounts of thick blood but there's very little here.

Cassie: What do make of these?

Sam: Piquerism?

Cassie: Pre or postmortem?

Sam: Post. No blood.

Cassie: Not bad vice. You probably did really well on your detectives exam. Alright, the wind is picking up and we're going to start losing evidence. We better hold on to everything we can get. Any idea who she is?

Sam: Nope. No car, nobody found any I.D.

Cassie: Jane Doe.

*** (Classroom)

Lisa: Hey, Bonaparte. Bonaparte, what's the matter?

Mr. Chechi: Ms. Mills.

Alright. Times up. Put your pens down. Exchange your test with a neighbor.

...Number 20 is "C"... Burnt Norton.

Justin: I suppose you find it funny.

Lisa: What?

Justin: Me, flunking a pop quiz.

Lisa: You didn't flunk. You got 19 out of 20.

Mr. Chechi: Please pass the tests forward.

*** (Outside the school)

Justin: Wait up! Why did you do that?

Lisa: I have alterier motives.

Justin: Like what?

Lisa: I want you to help me prep for my physics mid-term.

Justin: Why me?

Lisa: Because you're a genius, okay?

Justin: Oh.

Lisa: I live at 1108 Chandler. Can you remember that? Around 5?

Justin: well... uhh...

Richard: Hi Lisa.

(Lisa gives Richard "the finger".)

*** (Cassies houseboat)

Sam: ...So this friend of mine...

Cassie: This is it, turn right. It's right here.

Sam: You live in a houseboat! That's Neat.

Cassie: Neat indeed. I like it out here. Not too many people. Thanks for the ride, see ya tomorrow.

What, are you gonna see me to the door?

Sam: Of course.

Cassie: So you made detective in four years?

Sam: Mm-hum.

Cassie: You must be smarter than you look.

Sam: Thank you very much.

Cassie: It's only gonna get worse. I warn you. You been talkin' to the boys?

Sam: I heard a few things.

Cassie: Yeah? They tell you why I was called "The Hyena"?

Sam: No. Why?

Cassie: Female hyenas have kind of a mock penis. Draw your own conclusions.

Sam: Does that bother you?

Cassie: No I just wear loose fitting slacks. It's really not a problem.

Sam: See you later.

*** (Police station)

Cassie: No prints off the girl's skin. The killer must have been wearing gloves.

Sam: So it's not a husband or boyfriend.

Cassie: Why not?

Sam: Well, when you kill your wife, you don't stop to put on gloves.

Cassie: Unless you put a lot of thought into it.

Sam: Missing ring finger. What's that ritual? Serial Killer?

Cassie: Maybe a comment on matrimony.

Sam: Probably a negative comment.

Cassie: Think? Maybe we should investigate every bad marriage in the county. Why don't you get on that.

Sam: Let's start with you. You ever been married?

Cassie: Nope.

Sam: What's this? Cassie: That's an old murder case I was involved in. The guy's up for parole and they want me to testify at the board.

So what do we have on our Jane Doe?

Sam: I'm checking Missing Persons nationwide, nothing yet.

Cassie: Alright, run her prints, get an artist to start her sketch.

*** (Lisa's apartment)

(dorbell rings)

Lisa: Got it mom.

Hey, Bonaparte. I didn't think you'd show. Come in.

Justin: (looking at the paintings on the walls) Who did these? They're actually quite good.

Lisa: Thank you.

Justin: You did them?

Lisa: Don't look so suprised. I modeled for them too.

Bonaparte you're blushing.

Justin: Why do you call me that?

Lisa: You ever take one of those career aptitude tests?

Justin: No.

Lisa: Well, if you ever did, I guarantee they'd recommend that you persue a career as a dictator.

Justin: Why? Who would listen to me?

Where's your physics book?

*** (Raymond Lee Feathers' house)

Richard: You're over feeding that thing. It's gonna get as fat as you are.

I sure hope this is better than that other stuff you sold me.

Ray: It's KGB Richard.

Richard: Yeah, well for $400 bucks and ounce it better put me on the moon, Ray.

Ray: You'll be totally satisfied, I guarantee it.

Richard: Money Back? Come on. Can't we cut a deal?

Ray: If you don't want it, don't take it Richie.

Richard: No, I want it.

Ray: Richie Rich.

Richard: I hate it when you call me that.

Ray: I'm cuttin' off money already man. Bring me a couple of those pigtailed cheerleaders over here, and then i'll give it to you for free.

Richard: Well, how can I trust that?

Ray: (watching a porno) Ahh.. ahh I love this part! Look at that!

Richard: So can I just get the product and get outta here?

Ray: Check this out... check this out.

Richard: C'mon!

Ray: I'm gettin' the product, hang on. Listen to her, she loves it.

*** (Cassie's housboat)

No Dialog. Cassie looks over photos of "Jane Doe" and then at her ex-husbands files. She falls asleep while in the middle of typing a letter to the parole board stating she won't be there.

*** (Crime Scene #2 - Oliva Lake's house)

Cassie: We got our Jane Doe. Her name was Oliva Lake. She didn't show up for work Friday, Saturday or today. Her supervisor found the place like this.

Sam: So, what do we know about the supervisor?

Cassie: Married, 2 kids, solid alibi.

Sam: Maybe... maybe she caught somebody in the middle of a 459 and he panicked?

Cassie: Yeah, and what? Took the body with him?

Where did these mud prints come from?

Sam: There's a planting bed out here.

Cassie: Looks dry as a bone.

Sam: Maybe she watered her lawn?

We got a time of death from the corner yet?

Cassie: Based on stomach content and rigor, somewhere between 9 and 10 Thursday night.

Sam: How about 9:27?

Cassie: Hmm...?

Capt. Rod Cody: Can we come in?

Cassie: Let the games begin...

Rod: Sam Kennedy. Al Swanson. New assistant D.A. and former member of our department.

Al Swanson: Nice to meet you Sam. Miss Mayweather, always a pleasure.

Cassie: So I heard you finally passed the bar Al. What'd they do, change it to true or false?

Al: I see the scorpion hasn't lost her sting.

Cassie: What are you doing here?

Al: I just want to stay informed.

Cassie: Really? Sam please keep him informed.

Thank You.

Rod: So what do we got here?

(A Tech knocks the stereo remote off the entertainment center and music is cued... same song that Cassie was listening to while looking at the files.)

Fingerprint Technician: Sorry.

Cop: Can I have your sign off.

Cassie: Yep.

*** (Cassie driving)

(calling Sam on her cell) Sam, it's me. I'll be a little late. Why don't you get started okay?

FLASHBACK

Female Officer: Looks like a body dump.

(voice over of Carl Hudson) You are not going out that door, Jess! You are not going out that door!

Male Officer: Jesus, She's alive.

*** (A Bar near Cassie's houseboat)

Cassie: Nice detective work. How'd you find me?

Sam: Rule #1. Talk to the neighbors. You said a little late, it's been more than 3 hours. Is this about that D.A.? What's his name? Swanson?

Cassie: That asshole? No.

Sam: He seemed okay.

Cassie: Yeah? Well try dating him. He got a little rough with me once so I broke his nose with a cat.

Sam: A cat?

Cassie: Well, a ceramic cat.

(slides over a drink to Sam.)

Sam: No thanks.

Cassie: Good. Then you can walk me home.

Sam: Sure.

*** (Cassie's houseboat)

(Cassie hands a cup of coffee to Sam)

Sam: Thank you.

Cassie: Sit down.

Sam: I should get going.

Cassie: What's the rush?

Sam: Can I ask you a personal question?

Cassie: I can hardly wait.

Sam: How'd you get into this work? Why homicide?

Cassie: Because somebody I knew was murdered and I got interested in the process.

Sam: Really?

Cassie: No. I'm just bullshitting you. That's just the kind of crap people like to hear.

(Cassie starts to kiss Sam)

Sam: Wait... what are you doing?

Cassie: It's called sex. It's fun you should try it.

Sam: Wait. We're partners, we gotta work together. This is not a good idea.

Cassie: Don't worry I won't get possessive.

Sam: Wait... wait... why are you doing this?

Cassie: Because I want to.

Sam: What about what I want?

Cassie: What do you want?

Sam: Right now?

Cassie: Yeah.

Sam: This. (Kisses Cassie)

Wait, slow down.

(Sam begins to lift up Cassie's shirt)

Cassie: No, no leave that on. Just that. Please.

Sam: Sure.

*** (Cassie's bed)

Sam: What's the matter?

Cassie: Get up, you gotta go.

Sam: Why?

Cassie: Because I gotta get some sleep. We got a lot of work to do tomorrow.

Sam: Why can't we sleep together?

Cassie: Because the bed's too small.

Sam: No it's not.

Cassie: Come on, you gotta go.

(Cassie pushes Sam off of the bed, he falls to the floor)

Sam: Jesus!

Cassie: I'll see you tomorrow. Good night.

*** (The bluff)

(Richard and Justin are burning evidence.)

Justin: The evidence is so tiny, you wouldn't know it if you held it in your hand. A few common yellow carpet fibers, some red carpet fibers and some hair. That's it. The fibers will be subjected to infrared spectrophotometry to detemine their generic and sub-genaric classes, then compared against a database to determine the manufacturer... but that won't be much help.

*** (Police Station)

Cassie: Yellow fibers consistant with a mass-produced line of the triacetate variety, manufactured out of Denver, distributed all over the western united states under several different brand names. No help.

(Inset) Justin: Same with the red fibers. Several lustrious trilobal nylon fibers, along with several other red delustered fibers will be examined and matched for the brand.

Sam: It's sold by Hanover Sampson for several wholesale discount stores.

Cassie: That narrows it down.

Sam: They sold 50,000 of them in that color last year.

Justin: Microscopic examination of the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla of the hair will reveal them to be human.

Cassie: Two brown human head hairs. Definitely not the victim's.

Justin: All but one... this one will baffle them, but it will all make sense later.

Cassie: One hair of non-human origin, scale patter of the hair matches that of Cynocephalus Maimon. It's a freakin' baboon hair.

Justin: No fingerprints, no murder weapon. They'll have their work cut out for them. That's what they're paid for, right?

Sam: Here it is, coroner said strangulation was slow. Perhaps the victim was being tortured. The postmortem stab wounds barely broke the surface, they were tentative.

Richard: Okay, that's it.

Justin: Once they put it all together, they'll decide that given the sloppy nature of the crime scene, the postmortem mutilation... the profile will lead to that of a disorganized offender.

Sam: Poor social skills.

Justin: Nocturnal by nature.

Sam: Probably into pornography.

Justin: Above avrage intelligence but uneducated.

Sam: Lives alone. Limited relations with women.

Justin: Attack was spontaneous. Unplanned.

Cassie: Except he didn't drive down close to the dump spot. That is planning.

Sam: But he left the footprints.

Justin: None of the physical evidence will lead to the suspect but they will damn him when he is discovered.

Richard: When will they have suspect?

Justin: They should be eating out of our hands right about now.

Richard: Poor Ray. He'll never see it coming.

*** (Police Station)

Sam: Cassie, look at this.

Cassie: Vigi boots. What the hell are Vigi boots?

*** (Jefferson High School)

Mrs. Elder: There he is in the black coat. Don't let him charm you too much.

Cassie: Richard Haywood? Cassie Mayweather, Sam Kennedy, San Benito Police, can we talk to you for a minute?

Richard: Yeah, sure.

Cassie: So you're willing to speak to us without an attorney present?

Richard: Sure.

Cassie: Where were you last Thursday night?

Richard: You think you could tell me what this is about?

Sam: We'll get to that, just answer the question.

Richard: I was cramming for this calculus midterm. It was with a study group.

Cassie: How long?

Richard: From about 7 until 3 Friday morning.

Sam: That's quite a cram session.

Richard: Yeah, well I got kind of a spotty record. I gotta keep my grades up for college.

Sam: Can you give us the names of the people there?

Richard: Yeah, sure. Am I in some kind of trouble?

Cassie: You seem very particular about your appearance, Richard.

Richard: Thanks. I like your outfit too. She looks good. It's like ah, kinda like a feminine... but still manages to be professional. What is that like a... like a pleather?

Cassie: K-mart.

Sam: What we're interested in is your shoes Richard.

Cassie: Let's talk about these.

Richard: Vigi's?

Sam: You own a pair of these?

Richard: Uhh...

Cassie: You bought them at Scarlatti's downtown Santa Barbra, for $637.50.... on your platinum bankcard. Size 12D.

Richard: This can't be about my shoes.

Cassie: Why not.

Richard: This is about my shoes? You got me freaked out like I did something, jeez. Did you find 'em or what? I reported them stolen from my locker like 3 weeks ago. I even filed a report with the front office. Well did you find the shoes or not?

Alright, you know what? I think you should tell me what's going on... because i'm spinning out here.

Sam: Shoe prints matching these were found at a scene of a murder last week.

Richard: What? The Covington woman?

Sam: That's right.

Richard: So you think the person who stole my shoes committed this murder? Well, I want you to know that I will cooperate in any way that I can.

Sam: You have any idea who might have stolen your boots?

Richard: No, I don't. I wish I did now though.

Sam: Any enemies at school?

Richard: Oh, well, it's high school.

Cassie: What does that mean?

Richard: Come on, I don't want to sound arrogant but there's people at this school who envy me.

Cassie: Really?

Richard: Yeah.

Cassie: And why would they do that?

Richard: Well, let's just say that i'm very fortunate, and i've been blessed in many ways. Cassie: Must be nice being you Richard.

Richard: I got no complaints.

*** (Police Station)

Sam: It all checked out. He filed a report about the boots just like he said. And made a pretty big fuss about it according to the principal.

Cassie: Yeah, I bet he was a pain in the ass.

Sam: Well, she didn't say anything like that.

Cassie: No, believe me. I hate kids like that.

Sam: Like what? ...Cassie?

Cassie: What about the study session?

Sam: Six kids, six kids were with him from approximately 7-7:30 Thursday evening until 3am Friday. I talked to all of them, they all said he was there the whole time except for 15 minutes when he went to the local ATM to get cash for some pizza that they ordered.

Cassie: Did you check that out?

Sam: Yeah, he withdrew $40 at 9:19.

Cassie: Get that enhanced.

Sam: Why?

Cassie: Because I can't see his face.

Sam: It's him.

Cassie: I can't see his face.

Sam: You really think he had anything to do with this?

Cassie: I don't know. But something's not right with that kid.

Sam: Well look, 15 minutes, doesn't give him enough time. He's got to drive up to Covington, kill the woman, dump her body in Maraposes(?) woods and get back. He'd need at least an hour.

*** (The Park)

Richard: They questioned me.

Justin: And?

Richard: And it was so cool!

Justin: Did they go for the shoes?

Richard: They grabbed it! I was SO good. I really was, listen.

(Tape recorder) -This can't be about my shoes.

-Why not?

-Did you find 'em or what?

Justin: You sure they didn't suspect anything. I mean you didn't overdo it?

Richard: A little bit. I overdid it a little bit.

(Tape recorder)

-So you think the person that stole my shoes committed this murder? I want you to know that i'm going to cooperate in any way that I can.

Richard: Meet me at the bluff tonight I want to tell you all about it.

Justin: Oh, I can't.

Richard: Why not?

Justin: I have something to do.

Richard: Like what?

Justin: I'll tell you later. I should...

*** (Capt. Rod's Office)

Rod: Do you know who this kid's father is?

Cassie: I don't give a shit, I wanna search the house.

Rod: Lawrence Haywood. He built the Hillsdale mall.

Cassie: Big campaign contributor Rod?

Rod: That's right Cassie. And i'm not about to fuck with a guy like that on something as flimsy as this. I've grown much to fond of my own ass to do anything that goddamned stupid.

Cassie: And what is your problem?

Al: *shrugs*

Rod: Where are you on this Sam?

Sam: I don't care who his father is either.

Rod: That's not what i'm asking. Do you think we have enough to go after this kid?

Sam: No. And if we go in to soon I think we could burn the whole case.

Cassie: Oh really? And why is that vice?

Al: I don't think there's a judge in the county that'll sign a warrant based on what you have. The evidence...

Cassie: Oh shut up Swanson! Look Rod, I'm telling you, this kid, with his dickhead attitude and everything else...

Sam: Attitude isn't a crime.

Cassie: It's an indicator. It's a personality type that's very capable of...

Sam: Yeah but he doesn't fit the profile.

Cassie: The profile doesn't fit the profile! The killer has enough smarts not to drive the car down to the dump site but has the foresight to steal Richrds boots and use them instead of his own but the attack was spontaneous and unplanned?

Sam: Ok but if you're right and we push too soon...

Cassie: Okay Rod, who's case is this? Who's case is this?

Rod: Just calm down Cassie.

Cassie: No! I've been trying to find Olivia's killer, I'm busting my ass night and day I just want to know, am I running the investigation? I just wanna know...

Rod: Who the hell is Olivia?

Sam: The victim.

Cassie: Is this still my investigation? I'm just wondering...

Al: It's a coordinated effort!

Rod: You're getting way too involved in this, Cassie. Cassie!

Cassie: What?!

Rod: You called her by her first name.

Cassie: I'm sorry, what?!

Rod: You said, "I've been trying to find Olivia's killer."

Cassie: No I didn't. Did I?

Al: Yeah you did.

Rod: You're supposed to be identifying with the killer, not the victim. Remember that?

*** (Cassie's houseboat)

Sam: Can I come in? Listen, I'm sorry I didn't back you up in there.

Cassie: I'm a big girl. You said what you thought, right?

Sam: Yes, but...

Cassie: Then you did the right thing.

Sam: You know, we can't just bust in there...

Cassie: I know. I heard you with Rod. So can you get outta the way?

Sam: Look, you know what your problem is?

Cassie: Yeah, it's that you're blocking Matlock. Can you get out of the way? Please.

Sam: I'm trying to apologize here.

Cassie: Alright. Apology accepted. You wanna sit down? You wanna have a cookie?

Hi.

Sam: Hi.

What's going on?

Cassie: We're making up. We're still friends right?

Sam: What's this?

Cassie: I don't know, let's find out.

Sam: So what happens? We do this and you throw me out again?

Cassie: Or you stay. Or this time you leave. I don't know it's really hard to tell in advance. What do you want? You want promises? You want a ring? Is that what you want? You want a ring?

Sam: Don't.

Cassie: Look, it's not just about sex, okay? I really respect you as a person. *laughs* Is that what you...

Sam: Why do you always want to hurt people?

Cassie: I wouldn't say always. It just kind of happens sometimes.

Sam: You're so good at breaking other people down. But you never stop and take a look at yourself.

*** (Justin's greenhouse)

Justin: You'll be fine.

Lisa: Where are you taking me?

Justin: No peeking, we're almost there. Step up... okay, open your eyes.

Lisa: Oh my God, Justin this is beautiful! Did you grow these?

(Justin shakes his head, "yes", then grabs Lisa and kisses her)

Lisa: What happend? You're different.

Justin: Yeah, I am different.

(Richard peers through at them from behind a bush outside the greenhouse)

*** (Cassie's houseboat)

(Phone rings)

Cassie: Mayweather... hello? (voice recording) You have a collect call from and inmate at the California department of corrections facility. The name of the inmate is:

Carl Hudson: Carl Hudson.

(voice recording) If you wish to accept press...

(Cassie hangs up just as the phone rings again)

Cassie: I do not wish to accept any calls from...

Sam: Cassie?

Cassie: What?!

Sam: It's Sam.

Cassie: Hey, hi. I'm sorry, what can I do for you?

Sam: Remember the puke at the body dump?

Cassie: Yeah.

Sam: Well, most of it was unidentifiable but Kevin managed to isolate some partially digested eggs. Fish eggs.

Cassie: Oh, you mean caviar?

Sam: Yeah, apparently so. Anyway, I've compiled a list of all the local restaurants and vendors that sell caviar.

*** (Cassie's Car)

Cassie: (to herself) Maison Saint Croix.

*** (Maison Saint Croix)

Restaurant Owner: What was his name again?

Cassie: Richard Haywood.

Restaurant Owner: Miles Haywood's kid? He came in here once around Christmas with his parents.

Cassie: Not last week? Wedensday? Thursday?

Restaurant Owner: We hardly ever see any high school kids in here during the week. Except Justin Pendleton.

Cassie: Who's Justin Pendleton?

Restaurant Owner: He used to come in with his father. I think his parents split up. Now he comes in by himself. He's a senior over at Jefferson.

Cassie: Richard Haywood's a senior over at Jefferson. Justin eats here alone?

Restaurant Owner: He's always brings a book. He's a bit of a loner I'd say, but a brilliant kid. You should hear him talk.

Cassie: When was he in here last?

Restaurant Owner: The 5th. 7:30pm

Cassie: And what time did he leave?

Restaurant Owner: I'd say about 9.

Cassie: Do you know what he ate? Do you have computer records?

*** (The Park)

Cassie: Justin? Hi. Cassie Mayweather with the San Benito Police.

Justin: You're a police officer?

Cassie: I'm a homicide investigator. They said at the school that I might find you here. Can I ask you a couple of questions?

Justin: Sure.

Cassie: You had dinner at the Maison Saint Croix on the 5th of this month?

Justin: Maison Saint Croix.

Cassie: Oh, thank you.

The 5th was a Thursday, and they had a caviar appetizer. Did you have it?

Justin: Uh... yeah, I might have. Can you tell me what happened?

Cassie: Do you know Richard Haywood?

Justin: Everyone knows him. Is he involved in this?

Cassie: Is he a friend of yours?

Justin: No. I mean, I tutored him for his bio SAT last year but we're not... We don't have much in common.

Cassie: Are you in his study group?

Justin: No. What study group?

Cassie: When you left the restaurant on Thursday did you take leftovers with you?

Justin: No.

Cassie: You didn't take leftovers to your friends at the study group, give them something to eat?

Justin: Look, I told you, I barely know him. He makes fun of me in class.

Cassie: Why would he do that?

Justin: Because, umm... that's what he's like. I mean, he makes fun of everyone. He's one of the "cool kids".

Cassie: What makes him cool?

Justin: You know, he's smart, rich. He's witty and everyone likes him.

Cassie: And you don't. Yeah I knew kids like that. The superstars of high school. Trust me 5 years from now nobody will care who they are.

Justin: Yeah, well Richard will always be... cool. I mean his daddy's rich, and I hate to admit it but he's actually pretty smart. I mean, he's lazy and he didn't study but he still got like a 710 on that bio SAT. It kinda spun me out.

Cassie: Spinning out huh? You seem to know him quite well actually.

Justin: Well, you can tell just by his behavior in class.

(Cassie's cell rings)

Cassie: Sorry.

Yeah?

Al: Cassie where've you been? Everybody's been looking for you. Sam IDed the suspect.

Cassie: Who is it? Is he in custody?

Al: I don't know, ask Sam. He's in charge of the investigation now. S.I.D. is over there now collecting evidence.

*** (Ray's house)

Criminalist #1: Hi Cass.

Look at this sir. That could be a match.

Sam: Good. Log that. I want samples of fabrics, soils, any molds, plants in here and outside okay?

Criminalist #1: Yes sir.

Sam: Good.

Criminalist #2: Hey, John's found a significant stash of marijuana buds. You mind if we smoke up while we work?

Sam: Yes I do.

Cassie: So, who is he?

Sam: Raymond Lee Feathers. He's a janitor over at Jefferson high. See, I compiled a list of everyone at the school, students and staff who might have stolen Richard Haywood's boots. Then I cross-indexed that against carpet purchases and out came this. Apparently he sold grass to the kids at school.

Cassie: Good work.

Sam: Thank you.

Cassie: Where is he?

Sam: I don't know. Seems like he took off.

Cassie: Did you run him for priors?

Sam: Yeah, a couple DUI's one minor pot bust. He hasn't shown up for work since the day we talked to Richard Haywood over there.

Cassie: Did you find the boots?

Sam: Not yet. But we may have a match on the yellow carpet fibers. We won't get anything on the vehicle fibers you know, until we find his car. He's got a big-big collection of porno films, mostly bondage. Just like the profile.

Cassie: Just like the profile.

Sam: What?

Cassie: Well, he's not a neatness freak.

Sam: What are you saying?

Cassie: He's sloppy enough to leave behind footprints of stolen shoes but he's smart enough to steal them in advance?

Sam: Oh, come on Cassie, this is our guy. There's no question.

Cassie: Yeah, that's great. You find any caviar jars?

Sam: Oh, come on. Wait a minute. You know what, you're ticked that I got him aren't you?

Cassie: No, if you got him, i'm happy for you.

Sam: Cassie, you know i've been thinking after we close this case, maybe we should look for different partners. Might be better.

Cassie: Whatever you want.

Sam: Good.

Rod: Nice work guys.

Cassie: I gotta take a piss. Don't worry, I won't contaminate any evidence.

Al: She pee's standing up, that one.

Rod: AL...

Sam: She's my partner. Don't talk about her like that, please.

Al: You're not sleeping with her alredy are you?

Sam: What?

Al: You will. That's Cassie's M.O. She let's you get close, then she pushes you away. You ask her what's wrong, she picks a fight. Why do you think you're working with her? No one else will.

*** (Ray's shed)

(Cassie is attacked by a baboon)

Sam: Now we know where that baboon hair came from.

Cassie: Yeah.

*** (Near Jefferson high)

(Richard sings along with Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" from inside his car to Lisa walking home from school)

Richard: ...for it is a human number, its number is Six hundred and sixty six.

Hey Lisa. You want a ride?

Lisa: We already did that Richard.

Richard: Awww, come on. That's not what i'm talkin' about. I want to talk to you. You want me to beg? Please.

Lisa: You're going to get in an accident.

Richard: No... please... I-I-I don't care. You make me sad. Come on. Come on! It's fun in here!

*** (Justin's room)

(Richard is laying on Justin's bed)

Richard: Hello Justin. How ya doin'?

Justin: What are you... what are you doing here?

(Richard slams Justin up against the wall by his throat in a rage)

Richard: You stood me up for that slut?!

Justin: Lisa? She's not a slut.

Richard: Did you tell her anything about us?

Justin: Of course not. Of course not!

Richard: Did you fuck her?

Justin: I was helping her with her physics.

Richard: You fucked her, I saw you fuck her!

Justin: We kissed.

Richard: You kissed?

Justin: That was it, I swear.

Richard: Oh, Justin. You helped Lisa and you didn't even get laid? What a schmuck.

Justin: She's not like that.

Richard: Bullshit. That chick spreads like peanut butter.

I think you'll be surprised what a girl without a daddy will do for a little male attention.

(Now calling from his cell outside Justin's house)

Do you hate me? I had to do it. The last thing I want to do is hurt you but I had to show you what she's really like. And that's what she's like. She's not good enough for you. She doesn't appreciate you. She's just like your mother and your father and everyone else. I'm the only person who really cares about you. You know, I think i'm like the only one who sees how incredible you really are. Don't-Don't go away Justin. Come on. What we did... together. I mean how many people have done that? We proved something to each other. We showed what we're capable of. There's no limits for men like us.

Did you hear about Ray? They're on to him. Just one last thing to do and then we're home free right?

Justin: Do we have to?

Richard: You tell me. Do we have to?

*** (Ray's Trailer)

Ray: Richard? Is that you? Did you bring the pom-pom's?

Richard: I brought something to help you sleep.

Ray: What the fuck?! (gunshot)

*** (Jefferson high - Justin's locker)

Lisa: My physics test. I got a B+. You're a genius!

Justin: Don't... here I have something for you.

Lisa: What is this?

Justin: You're quite the slut.

Lisa: What? ...hey!

Justin: What!?

(Lisa slaps Justin across the face.)

*** (Hosptial)

Cassie: How long has he been here?

Nurse: The nuse on the night shift said he came in about four.

Sam: How are you feeling?

Cassie: I'm okay. I'm a little sore, but... What are you doing here?

Sam: Y'know, I figured you'd want an immediate report.

Cassie: Oh, yeah I do. So?

Sam: We got everything.

Cassie: Excellent. The boots?

Sam: That's an affirmative. And a pair of tin snips, and a phillips head, all the traces of blood.

Cassie: And a finger right? Was it in a jar behind a stack of magazines or was it in the freezer under the frozen turkey thigh?

Sam: Uh... behind the vanilla fudge ice cream.

Cassie: Good work. All you need now is a confession.

Sam: There won't be one. Raymond Feathers committed suicide last night.

Cassie: Suicide?

Sam: Yeah. It was a gun to the head. Powder burns, GSR on his right hand.

Cassie: When was the last time you heard of a ritual mutilator, an impulsive serial-type killer, committing suicide?

Sam: What are you doing? Don't do that!

Cassie: I can't think of one. Psychos want to get caught.

Sam: Wait, you-you gotta lie down.

Cassie: You know what? I'm actually feeling a lot better, thank you.

I think these kids did this, and I think they're not even hiding it, and I think they want us to know. So, let's get to know them a little better.

Turn around, I want to get dressed.

Sam: Oh, c'mon, we got Ray all over this. Plus he ran. Why did he run if he didn't do it?

Cassie: I don't know, but there's a reason.

Sam: Is this jealousy because I got him and you didn't? Or are you so obsessed with Richard Haywood that you can't even think straight?

Look, i'm sorry...

Cassie: Get off of me! You've been angling for this the whole time, push me out and take over the case.

Sam: Push you out? I tried to turn it down. They made me take it because they think you're losing it.

Cassie: Who thinks i'm losing it? Who? Rod? You know what? I don't care if i'm losing it. I'm right.

*** (Richard's house)

No dialog. Cassie is driving by syping on Richard.

Richard is walking up to his house from his car kissing a girl he's brought home.

*** (Justin's house)

No dialog. Cassie is driving by Justin's house. She stops and gathers some trash from the foot of his drivway. She put's it in her trunk.

*** (Lab)

Lab Technician: How did you come by this?

Cassie: It was the weirdest thing... I was driving by the house, and the trash can got knocked over and all this stuff was blowing over on the street.

Lab Technician: What a break... Some of this will be mother's and some will be from the boy.

Cassie: What is this? Is this...?

Lab Technician: Don't ask. Don't tell. We won't know until we get the report back to see what, if anything matches the DNA of the puke. Lucky your kid was so squimish, he gave us some blood with his dinner. Just make sure you get a signed purchase order.

Cassie: How long before we see if it's a match?

Lab Technician: Depends on the lab.

Cassie: You want me to call 'em for you?

Lab Technician: Nooooo! Last time you called it took me a half an hour to calm the guy down.

Cassie: Okay, just make it fast.

Lab Technician: I'll take care of it.

Cassie: Thanks.

Lab Technician: Okay, see ya.

*** (Police station - Cassie's desk)

Rod: What's this?

Cassie: It's a purchase order for the DNA of...

Rod: I know what it is! This case is closed. Closed! Now if you can't understand that, then maybe we- You need some time off?

Cassie: Nope, i'm fine.

Rod: You're not fine. You're brilliant sometimes, but you're never really fine are you Cass? You want to see Doc Sluzer again?

Cassie: No.

Rod: Then no more on this case. Not another minute, not another penny. I've about had it with you. You hear me?

Cassie: Yep.

(on the phone as Rod listens from the door) Hey, Greta? Listen it's Cass, i'm going to need another day or two... So you'll go ahead and run an anaylais on that puke for me?

Rod, look i'm sorry... I shouln't have done it! I'm sorry...

Rod: C'mon!

*** (The Bluff)

Richard: You threw up? Why didn't you tell me?

Justin: I don't even remember doing it.

Richard: (mumbling) He doesn't remember...

What if they ID you? With the DNA or something. Can they do that?

Justin: I doubt it. I mean the stomach acids usually eat away or whatever-

Richard: You doubt it?!

Justin: I doubt it.

Richard: This could put us in the fucking electric chair and you doubt it?!

Justin: Gas chamber.

Richard: What?

Justin: California uses the gas chamber.

Richard: Oh, that's very informative.

Justin: It doesn't matter.

Richard: No, thanks. Thank you. And you told her that you tutored me too? God, what are you thinking?

Justin: I was thinking, that if she found out on her own and I hadn't mentioned it, it would look even worse.

They have nothing.

Richard: They have nothing on me.

Justin: Don't worry, i'm not a backstabber like you Richard.

Richard: Oh, I'm the backstabber? How am I a back- (flicks his lit cigarette at Justin) I'm not the one talking, Justin. I'm not the one giving away all the information. I'm not the one trying to get us caught, because i'm a scared little bitch who feels guilty!

Justin: Don't talk to me like that, okay?

Richard: I'll talk to you anyway I want to.

I trust you. I depend on you for all this forensic stuff and you have no idea what you're talking about. You're supposed to be the smart one!

Justin: Stop.

Richard: No! You're supposed to be smart, you're dumb!

Justin: Stop! (Justin hits Richard across the face)

I'm sorry.

Richard: Come here. (Richard pulls Justin close to him) That's a good boy. You're not still mad about that girl, are you? Huh?

Justin: Let's just stick together and stay calm until this is over, okay?

Richard: And then what?

(Justin shrugs and walks off)

And then what? Justin? Where are you going?

*** (Outside the Kilobyte Cafe)

(Cassie snaps pictures of Justin and Richard together)

Richard: Heeey!

Justin: We're not supposed to be seen together! Do you think this is some kind of game or what!

(Cassie on her cell in her car)

Cassie: Come on, come on.

(Sam's voicemail answers) This is Sam Kennedy, I'm not here to take your call- I'll call you back as soon as I can-

Cassie: Richard, what are you doing here?

Richard: What are you doing here? Do you want something?

Cassie: Like what?

Richard: I don't know. Everybody wants something, don't they?

Cassie: Do they?

Richard: They just don't know how to ask for it.

Cassie: What do you want?

Richard, get out of my way.

Richard: You think i'm too young don't you?

Cassie: There was a killer at your school. The whole time, somebody you were close to.

Richard: What do you mean?

Cassie: Raymond Feathers. You guys were friends, right?

Richard: With that degenerate? No, he didn't really have many friends. He just... I don't know. Even his old lady left him.

Cassie: So you were friends with his old lady too, huh?

Richard: You're a tease. I think you lead guys on and then you push them away. But I think, you like to fight. You really want it, but you just need to fight about it.

Cassie: No.

Richard: You don't have to do anything. You have no choice.

So now you can't handle it so you're leaving, right? This is part of it! This is all part of it!

(Cassie hits Richard with the car door while opening it)

Cassie: Damn it.

Richard: No. Thank you, detective. I bet you did this with every guy you ever dated. Tell me i'm wrong.

*** (Sam's house)

Cassie: What if I can link Richard to Raymond Feathers?

Sam: You can't stop, can you?

Cassie: No, Sam-Sam... Look i'm really sorry about what I said to you. I'm just a little messed up right now, but if you could really hear me out, as a friend. Just as a friend, okay?

Thank you. I saw Richard and Justin tonight. They lied, Sam. They know each other.

Sam: Really?

Cassie: These kids barely have parents. They're like orphans with credit cards. School's too easy, they don't have jobs, they don't have chores. Nothing's expected of them. Nothing they do matters, to them or anybody else. So they figure, why not kill somebody, maybe that will matter. Maybe i'm wrong, maybe Ray did do it, but call Rod. Tell him that you're not sure and that you want to keep the case open.

Sam: What happend between you and Richard Haywood tonight? Did you hit him? In the face?

Cassie: No. No, it wasn't like that. It was-- It was an acci--

Rod knows?

Sam: He got a call from Richard's father. He's going to make you see the department shrink about this.

Cassie: No. No shrink. It's not gonna work. I know what I am, i'm just not--

Okay, so nobody want's to work with me? That's okay. But i'm a good cop. And if what I say is right, and we let these kids go, and they do it again... so please, just talk to Rod. You're the only one that he'll listen to.

Sam: I'll call him in the morning.

Cassie: Well, you know what, call him now. Becasue he's still up-- he stays awake, he stays up late!

Sam: Back off!

Cassie: If Rod says yes, maybe you could even hang around the school and make them nervous, y'know.

*** (Classroom)

Mr. Chechi: Remember we have papers due tomorrow. No excuses. You have to support your conclusions. Having your thesis is not enough. I want arguments with quotations and sources.

Sam: Mr. Chechi, Sam Kennedy, San Benito police. Nice to meet you.

*** (Outside the school) Lisa! Sam Kennedy, from the San Benito police.

*** (Cassie's housboat)

No dialog. Cassie looks over the coroner's report, the time of death.

*** (Oliva Lake's house)

(Cassie looks at the sprinkler timer)

Cassie: (on her cell) Hey, it's me. I know how they did it. Now we need to know why.

Sam: I think I can help with that. I've got someone here I think you ought to talk to.

(Lisa is in Sam's car crying.)

*** (Rod's office)

Cassie: Rod, look at the DNA. The vomit is a perfect match with Justin.

Rod: Who paid for this?

Sam: Cassie. Out of her own pocket.

Rod: If you get a jury with 12 forensic experts, you'll be fine.

Cassie: That's why we want to bring them in. If we don't get a confession out of at least one of these kids they both could walk.

Rod: You think they'll keep talking without an attorney present?

Sam: That's the whole idea. They want to prove they're smarter than we are.

Rod: Okay.

*** (Holding room #1)

Richard: So where's the other one?

Sam: Who?

Richard: The hot one.

Sam: Not here.

Richard: You get to work with her everyday?

Sam: Yeah.

Richard: I should become a cop. So what's up with Ray? I hear he's like a serial killer or something.

Sam: Well, actually we have a theory on that, it involves you and Justin. It's just a theory. Can I lay it out for you?

Richard: Yeah.

*** (Holding room #2)

Cassie: ...therefore every truly free act is a crime, for crime sets one apart from the herd and from the machinery of mass society. It cannot be a crime of profit or passsion, it must be a gratuitous, random crime. Crime as philosophy, as freedom.

Interesting. Do you believe it?

Justin: Well, it's a school paper, you have to write something. I enjoy taking indefensible positions and creating an argument for them.

Cassie: But, do you believe it?

*** (Holding room #1)

Sam: So then the question is, how'd you pick the victim? Was it random? I mean, that's the way I'd do it.

*** (Parking lot)

(Justin and Richard are driving through a parking lot trying to pick a victim)

Justin: That one right there, the one with the flowers. She's perfect.

Richard: No-no-no, she's too skinny.

Justin: Do you understand what random means? Random means we don't decide who we're choosing.

Richard: I understand. Don't talk to me like I'm a moron.

Justin: We have to follow the plan. If we don't follow the plan, there's room--

Richard: This one, what about this one?

Justin: Don't get impatient.

Wait a second. Pull up here, where the girl is loading the groceries.

Justin: Okay.

*** (Holding room #2)

Cassie: But you lose the point of a philosophical crime if you feel guilty, right?

Justin: How do you mean?

Cassie: If you kill somebody to prove you're free, and then throw up you dinner because you're upset about what you did--

Justin: I didn't... What are you talking about?

Cassie: Richard didn't throw up his dinner because he didn't feel guilty. He's free Justin, you're not.

*** (monitoring room)

Cassie: Relax, let them wonder what we're up to.

Now go in. Hey, don't forget your coffee.

*** (Holding room #1)

Sam: You can't smoke in here.

Richard: Come on. Are we almost done here?

Sam: Take a seat.

So, Ray was an inspired choice. But the great thing, the really great thing was how subtly you planted the fibers and hairs and stuff.

*** (flashback to Ray's house)

Ray: I got your product.

(Richard gathers carpet fibers)

*** (Holding room #1)

Sam: You did Ray, right? Wasn't he your friend? You told him to hide in his trailer, didn't you?

Richard: I don't know what you're talking about.

*** (Holding room #2)

(flashback while Cassie recreates the events of the night of the murder)

Cassie: You went home. You said hello to your mother. It had only taken you 10 minutes for you to walk home from the restaurant.

Justin: Mother, i'm home.

Cassie: You told her you were going up to do school work. You felt confident she wouldn't look in, and she didn't. She never did, did she?

*** (Holding room #1)

Richard: I was with 6 friends. All night. You know that. You talked to them.

Sam: The night sure, but not the day Richard. That's the secret you weren't there at night.

*** (Holding room #2)

Cassie: The thing that always confused me was the muddy footprints in the house. You know? The soil in the planting bed was dry, so where'd they come from?

(flashback to Richard walking through the wet planting beds)

*** (Holding room #1)

Sam: See, I figured it was you at the house because Justin would have known better than to walk through the wet beds. That was exactly 3:30pm How long did you have to wait for her to come home?

(flashback to Richard hitting Oliva and stuffing her in his trunk)

Sam: You didn't really kill her at the house. I gotta say that was a stroke of genius. Did you think it up or was it Justin?

Richard: I don't know what you're talking about.

Sam: That helped us figure out the real timetable.

(flashback to Richard setting the clock to 9:27pm then breaking it)

That gave you penty of time to get home to the study group.

(flashback to the study group)

Richard: I'll go get the cash for the pizza.

Sam: You told them you were going to the ATM to get cash for the pizza. And you did.

Richard: Yes. And I did.

Sam: Then you hurried back. That took 5 minutes.

Richard: It took 5 minutes. Now we're talkin'.

Sam: But you were gone for 15.

(flashback to Richard going down to the basement where he's keeping Oliva tied up)

Richard: What are you looking at?

*** (Holding room #2)

Cassie: Richard killed her. Didn't he Justin?

*** (Holding room #1)

Sam: I think it was Justin.

*** (Holding room #2)

Cassie: Let me tell you something. And it's going to be the most important thing you'll ever hear. More important than all the instructions on the SAT's and AP's. The person who actually killed Oliva Lake, is going to be executed. Or at best go to jail for the rest of his life and in your case that would be about 60 years. But the other one, who didn't actually kill her, if he cooperates, will have a chance at a real life.

(flashback to Justin and Richard carrying Olivia's body to the car... then Justin dumping her body)

Richard was back in the sudy group by 9:25pm. So you must have been the one who dumped the body. The planning was easy but now, you had to actually do it.

And that is why the postmortem wounds were so tentative. Because you were trying to be like Richard but you couldn't. You weren't that free. Thank God.

Justin: Go to hell.

*** (Monitoring room)

Cassie: My guy's not gonna roll.

Sam: Really? I figured he'd be the one.

Cassie: No. Let's talk about Goldilocks for a minute.

Sam: Lisa?

Cassie: Yeah, you said that she went out with Richard?

Sam: Yeah, briefly but she felt taken advantage of then she got interested in Justin.

Cassie: Let's use that.

*** (Holding room #1)

Richard: That's an interesting theory. But I can't admit to something I didn't do.

Sam: Looks like you won't have to. Because Justin's talking in there.

Richard: Justin's here?

Sam: Mm-hum. He told us about you. About you and Lisa.

Richard: Which Lisa?

Sam: So you really need to tell me what happened. Just think of it as a game. Whoever talks first is the winner. Justin's saying you betrayed him. He told us about Lisa and the tape you made. Justin's talking. He's gonna win this thing, Richard. Unless you have something to tell me. Okay, i'm going to go see.

Richard: Wait-wait-wait-wait. Sit down. Come on, sit down.

Sam: I have to advise you of certain rights.

Lawyer: The interview is over.

Cassie: Richard's father sent his lawyer.

Lawyer: Charge them, or let them go.

*** (Outside the Police station)

No dialog. Justin and Richard watch each other intensely as Richard drives away.

*** (Cassie's houseboat)

Cassie: (on the phone) Another 10 minutes, 5 and we would have had those kids. Both of them. Man, if I ever find out who leaked to the parents, I swear to God...

(Sam comes to the door and Cassie waves for him to come in)

No, that's alright. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

You know the only thing that's stopping him, Justin, from talking? Is that he needs to prove he's as tough as his buddy.

Sam: That he's tougher.

Cassie: Yeah, maybe. But that Richard, I tell you, I can't wait until we nail him.

Sam: Look, one of them the do-er and he's going down, but there's something deeper...

Cassie: It happens. You get a narcissistic prick like Richard Haywood, he doesn't care about anybody but himself... I'm telling you, he uses Justin soley to feed his ego. Push him around, make him feel like a man. Five years from now, no one will care if he was homecoming king or funny in the lunch room or state pole-vaulting champ. I pity anybody who gets in his way. Anybody.

Sam: Is Richard a pole-vaulter?

Cassie: No-I don't know. I mean I was just using it as an example, y'know.

Sam: Look, I know about Carl Hudson.

Cassie: Where'd you get that? This is none of your God- This is my matter, mine!

(Cassie walks outside, Sam follows)

I knew this girl in high school. Smart enough, but she really didn't come from anything. And to everyone's amazement, the most popular boy in school liked her. State pole-vaulting champ. You'd watch him go over that bar in the sunlight, that golden body, it was like life couldn't get anymore beautiful than that. And it didn't.

She was 16 when she married him. 17 when he knocked out her upper-bicuspid. 18 when she said she was leaving, he put her in the hospital with a pretty serious concussion. A week later when she got out, she started packing and he was drunk. He pointed his finger at her, he said, "you try that again, and i'll kill you." He took another drink, and she headed for the door.

Sam: Why didn't she wait until he was out. Left for work?

Cassie: She couldn't she had to go right then.

Sam: Why then?

Cassie: I don't know. It was because... because she... It wasn't about getting away from him, it was about standing up to him.

Sam: Even if it killed her.

Cassie: I guess so.

Sam: So he stabbed her 17 times with a kitchen knife, and dumped her body on a country road.

Cassie: Yeah, ruined my favorite dress. Carl Hudson. The cutest boy I ever saw... until Richard Haywood.

Sam: And you're supposed to testify at Carl's parole hearing? What are you gonna say?

Cassie: Nothing. I'm not going. I'm not.

Sam: You've gotta go up there. You have to.

Cassie: No. I don't have to. The girl with the dress, that was Jessica Marie Hudson. I have nothing to say about her.

Sam: You just inherited her scars.

Cassie: Look, I made a deal. The deal was, that she died back there. She's in the ground and I can go on with my life.

Sam: Except you can't, can you? All you can think about is Carl Hudson. He's every case, he's every guy you date. You whole life is Carl Hudson. Is that the kind of life you're going on with?

Did you ever get help for any of this?

Cassie: Yeah. I became a cop.

Sam: You can't just pretend it didn't happen. It's not that simple Cass.

Cassie: No. It has to be. Because if it gets anymore complicated, I can't make it.

*** (A phonebooth)

voice: Richard Haywood is on line one

Al: Swanson.

Richard: So you want to talk to me about this Covington woman or what?

Al: Yes, I know all about it, what can I do for you?

Richard: Well, I know Justin already talked to you, I just thought you might want to know what really happened. I thought it was a game. How do you pick the victim? How do you get away with it? Y'know, we were bored. I never took it seriously until I walk into the room, and she's laying there.

*** (Al Swanson's office)

Cassie: Did you make a deal with that bastard?

Al: He says he wasn't there when it went down.

Cassie: Al, did you make a deal?

Al: I don't make deals over the phone Cassie. But if what this kid's saying checks out then it's the only way we can convict either one of them, then maybe I will.

Cassie: Fine, then lets get warrants on both of them right now.

*** (Richard's house)

(Richard goes to his room and gets a box)

Mrs. Haywood: Richard where are you going? You're not supposed to leave without telling me. It's a condition of your... Richard, will you be back for dinner?

*** (Justin's house)

(Sam and Cassie speak via cell phones)

Sam: No, Justin's not here. His mother thought he was in his room. She doesn't even know when he left.

Cassie: Simlar story here. What about Goldilocks?

Sam: Lisa?

Cassie: Yeah, Lisa. Why don't you get over there and see what she knows.

Officer: You might want to take a look downstairs.

Cassie: Okay.

I gotta go. Bye.

*** (Lisa's apartment)

Justin: I didn't know where else to go.

Lisa: Will you tell me what's going on? The cops are asking me questions about you and Richard and don't know what to say.

Justin: We killed a woman.

Lisa: No you didn't.

Justin: Yes, we did.

Lisa: Justin... he made you do it.

Justin: It wasn't just Richard.

Lisa: But he drove it. It was his idea. You would have never done anything like this by yourself. He seduced you... just like he seduced me. You know what you have to do. You have to tell them everything.

Justin: I will.

I don't have any feelings left. Except for you.

(Richard calls Justin's cell)

Justin: That's him.

Lisa: Don't answer it.

Richard: Where are you? Are you with her?

Justin: No.

Richard: Yes, you are. And you told her about us didn't you? Did you tell her everything? Justin: Where are you?

Richard: I left home... alright, I'm gone. I'm never going back. It's over.

Justin: I know it's over, we have to turn ouselves in.

Richard: And go to prison? And be punks and eat shit for the rest of our lives?? Do you remember what we talked about?

Justin: Yes.

Richard: Meet me at the bluff in an hour. Okay? ...Justin?

Justin: Okay.

I have to meet him.

Lisa: To do what?

Justin: I just have to.

I wish I met you first.

*** (The Bluff)

Richard: Hey. (Richard hugs Justin tight)

Have a seat. So this is what we talked about. Glory or nothing.

(Richard hands Justin a gun)

Should we say the words for the last time?

One cannot live fully without embracing suicide and crime... say it.

Justin: A pact made with relentless fire that requires that while some live... others die.

Richard: On three.

Justin/Richard: ...one... two...

three!

(Justin fires his gun into the air)

Richard: What are you doing?

Justin: Well, I have the bullets right? What about you? Open your chamber.

Richard: Justin look...

Justin: Open it!!

(Richard opens his chamber proving it is indeed empty)

You were going to watch me kill myself?

(Cassie in her car right outside)

Cassie: They're here at the old Wintu Lodge.

Voice: Roger that Cass. That's up off Highland Road?

Justin: So here's what's going to happen, since I have the bullets and the guts to use them... I'll shoot you, and then i'll shoot myself okay?

Richard: No.

Justin: No?

Richard: No.

Justin: No?

Richard: No!

Justin: Why? Would you rather go to prison and be a punk hmm? Or you think you'll beat prison? Because you made a deal. You talked, you talked!

Richard: Shoot me! Shoot me, shoot me in head, shoot me in the heart. Whatever you want. Do it! It doesn't matter anymore. Pull the fuckin' trigger! Pull it, pull it, pull it! Come on!

(Justin put's the gun to his head)

Cassie: Justin, don't.

Justin: We have to pay for what we did.

Cassie: Not like that, that's just more killing, put the gun down. Put the gun down. Justin, put it down. Justin.

Richard: Please don't. Justin, listen to me. For me?

(Justin drops the gun)

Cassie: Come over here next to me, come on.

Richard: Don't listen to her.

Cassie: No, don't!

Richard: Get your fucking hands off!

Justin: NO!

(Richard shoots Justin in an attempt to shoot Cassie)

(Cassie drags Justin to a corner) Cassie: Stay put, people are on the way.

Hey, Richard!

Richard: You think you're so smart huh? Justin's smarter than you, remember that.

I got one left. Aw, to hell with it.

(gunshot)

(Richard and Cassie fight all the way out to a deck. Richard screams as he strangles cassie)

Voice over of Carl Hudson: Listen to me, you are not going out that door, Jess. You are not going out that door!

(Cassie gathers her strength and throws Richard off the deck where he falls to his death as Cassie hangs on to the now broken deck, for dear life)

Cassie: Justin, please! Justin, please! No! Don't Justin! Justin, Justin, Justin, don't! No-no-no-no, Justin don't!

(Justin holds a pice of wood out for Cassie to grab and pull herself up) Justin: Grab it!

Cassie: Thank you-thank you-thank you.

Justin: What's gonna happen to me?

Cassie: Well, given that you weren't the actual killer. And what you down there for me. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of you.

*** (Back inside the lodge)

Sam: You alright?

Cassie: Mm-hum. Do me a favor, lean in and wisper something into my ear.

Sam: What?

Cassie: Anything. Just anything.

Sam: Remember what I said about looking for different partners?

Cassie: Are you serious? Where was it?

Sam: I wanna take that back.

Cassie: Did they find the video tape?

Sam: Yes.

Cassie: How's he doing?

Paramedic: He looks okay, but we're going to transfer him for treatment.

Cassie: Why did you let Richard video tape the killing? I mean that was really stupid. It was like you guys wanted to get caught.

Justin: What are you talking about?

Cassie: Oh, you don't know? My partner just told me they found a hidden camera in Richard's basement. It seems that's how he filmed himself with Lisa and apparently he filmed the killing too. the D.A.'s looking at it now.

Justin: Look, whatever's on that tape...

Cassie: Whatever's on that tape what?

Justin: Is there really a tape?

Maybe I should talk to a lawyer.

Cassie: Absolutely, talk to a lawyer.

Justin: No, wait a second, wait!

Cassie: You know what? I thought you were the one being manipulated by Richard but it was the other way around, wasn't it.

Justin: No!

Cassie: Do you see these marks on my neck? There from Richard's ring when he tried to strangle me. There are none of these marks on Olivia's neck.

Justin: Look, Richard could have taken off that ring at any point to make it look like- to make it look like Ray did it.

Cassie: The ring has nothing to do with it, Justin. You'd better tell me right now, what really happend...

Justin: I am!

Cassie: ...and i'll do my best to get you tried as a juvenile.

Justin: You have to believe me. When I went over there, I had no idea. I never thought i'd...

(flashback to the actual murder)

Justin: Oh, God.

Richard: Are you gonna do it or what?

Justin: I-I can't.

Richard: Fuck... So, what I have to do it? You don't do anything, you have ideas. That's it. And you're so full of shit too. You're always telling me: "Crime is not an idea Richard, it's an act. Anybody can think it, only free men can do it."

I'm free.

Justin: Give me the gloves. Give them to me.

Richard: Thank you.

(back to the present)

Justin: I had to show him. I could have let you die up there but I didn't. I didn't do that.

Cassie: Thank you.

Justin: Wait! I just want a chance! I want to start over! I wanna--

Cassie: It doesn't work that way, Justin. You get one life. And whatever you do with it, and whatever's done to you, you gotta face that. You can't pretend it didn't happen.

*** (Courthouse)

Parole Board Marshall: Jessica Marie Hudson. Jessica Marie Hudson. For the Carl Hudson parole hearing? Jessica Marie Hudson.

Cassie: That's me.