INT. ELLIS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
ALYSSA ELLIS (40s, perky, intelligent) walks into the living
room and is about to sit down with a crossword puzzle when a
RINGING sound from the guest room startles her.
ALYSSA
Tom, is that you?
Alyssa walks to the guest room, turns the knob, and reaches
for the light switch when A PERSON, indistinguishable in the
dark, steps toward her. She gasps and steps back.
Alyssa relaxes as the figure comes into focus.
ALYSSA (CONT’D)
What in God’s name are you sneaking
around for? You scared me.
The person steps forward and hits her in the head with a tire
iron. She falls to the floor, blood pooling under her as the
person steps away from the body and goes up the steps.
She crawls toward the phone lying on the floor. Her eyes are
covered with blood and her vision is blurry, but she makes it
to the phone and dials 9-1-1, blood smearing on the keypad.
ALYSSA (CONT’D)
Help! Need . . . help.
The person returns and hits her two more times on the head.
Genres:
["Thriller","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
A Dark Discovery
EXT. ELLIS HOUSE — NIGHT — LATER
Detectives CARL HITCHENS (40s, slim, somber and focused) and
DAVE ABBOTT (40, tall, intense, all business) pull to the
curb and exit the car.
The front door is locked but Hitchens finds the back door
open. He and Abbott go inside.
INT. ELLIS HOUSE — NIGHT
A woman’s body lies on the floor, and blood pools underneath
her. Hitchens kneels to check for a pulse.
HITCHENS
No vitals. But she's still warm.
Abbott scrolls through Alyssa’s contact list.
ABBOTT
Husband’s number is first on her
‘Favorites’ list: Tom Ellis. And in
the ‘notes’ section, it says, poker
on Thursday nights at Ed’s.
HITCHENS
I guess we need to see Ed.
FLASHBACK — TWO HOURS EARLIER
Genres:
["Crime","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Tension at the Dinner Table
INT. ELLIS HOUSE — KITCHEN — NIGHT
TOM ELLIS (40s, friendly, family man) opens a bottle of wine,
grabs two glasses, and sits at the table. He pours drinks,
sets the bottle down, then raises his head and sniffs.
TOM
Is that roast I smell?
Alyssa brings the roast to the table.
ALYSSA
The roast is for me. You can eat at
the game.
Tom clenches his jaw.
TOM
What the hell does that mean?
Alyssa sips her wine and stares.
ALYSSA
I met with the accountant today,
and he asked me about several
unexplained withdrawals.
TOM
(gulps)
Sorry.
ALYSSA
Sorry doesn't cut it. Straighten
up, or you'll be on your own. I
don’t work my ass off so you can
lose it gambling.
Tom reaches for her hand, but Alyssa yanks back.
ALYSSA (CONT’D)
You can’t sweet-talk me this time.
TOM
I wasn’t trying to. I just ...
ALYSSA
If you want to play cards, go! But
if you lose, you better find a way
to pay for it on your own.
TOM
Don’t worry. I'll win tonight.
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Poker Night and Passionate Goodbyes
INT. RICHARDS’ HOUSE — NIGHT
ED RICHARDS (45, bald, serious) shows Tom to the kitchen.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
An octagonal table sits in the eating area. It has eight
chairs surrounding it, but only four have chips.
TOM
Where the hell is everybody?
Ed gestures to Owen (50, heavy, opinionated, grumpy) and R.V.
SKELTON (50, heavy, always smiling), both already seated.
ED
Just you, me, Owen, and R.V. We can
play four-handed and hope others
show. And y'all better be hungry
because Mary bought a Honey-baked
ham and three dozen rolls. And
Shawna made her special sauce.
Tom pushes his chair back and looks at the clock as he heads
to the island.
Owen swigs his drink and wipes his mouth with a napkin.
OWEN
I hope Mary got different rolls;
last time they were too fresh.
R.V. squeezes past Owen’s chair on his way to get coffee.
R.V.
Shit, if all I had to worry about
was fresh rolls, I’d be pissin’
with the big dogs; besides, all I
had for dinner were hot dogs.
(a beat)
Being laid off sucks.
Owen pats his belly and laughs.
OWEN
I'm not one to talk, RV, but from
the looks of it, you ain't missed
many meals in your life.
R.V.
Of course, I ain't, dumb shit.
You're not supposed to miss meals.
Ed counts the chips and puts $500 at each seat.
ED
Cough up your buy-ins. The game is
Texas Hold 'em: Pot limit, with $5
and $10 blinds.
Owen hands the deck to Tom, then tosses five dollars in. Tom
deals the cards, picks his two up, and squeezes them open. He
smiles and waits for his turn.
TOM
Raise a hundred.
Owen tosses his cards face down and curses.
LATER:
The doorbell rings, and Ed starts to get up, but the sound of
footsteps bounding down the stairs along with SHAWNA’s (20,
thin, clever and conniving) voice stops him.
SHAWNA
I got it, Dad.
FOYER — CONTINUOUS
She answers the door, and RON (22, optimistic, energetic)
steps inside. They move to the corner of the foyer, and Ron
kisses her passionately.
SHAWNA
God, I missed you. It's been weeks!
RON
(laughing)
Weeks isn't long. I'll probably be
gone that long on business trips;
besides, I'll figure out a way to
get you into a school near me, then
we can get a house.
Shawna grabs both of his hands with hers.
SHAWNA
Did you come by to see me, or to
talk to your mom about helping us
with the house?
RON
Mom thinks we’ll squander the
money, but I’ll figure it out.
SHAWNA
My dad's the same way. He says all
I know how to do is shop, but when
we're married, we'll show them.
Ron pulls her closer and kisses her again.
RON
It won’t be long. Count on it.
Shawna hugs him tightly and offers a sexy smile.
SHAWNA
I’m not worried. You can’t resist
my charms.
RON
You’ve got that right, but hey,
gotta go, babe.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
Ron rushes into the kitchen and hugs Tom.
RON
Sorry for the rush, Dad. I’ve gotta
prepare for a meeting. We’re
working on a big deal. But don’t
worry, I’ll stop by on my way home.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Late Night Conversations
INT. RICHARDS’ HOUSE — KITCHEN — NIGHT
Tom shuffles the deck, then yawns and stretches.
OWEN
Late night?
Tom nods.
TOM
We had a wellhead blow.
OWEN
You lose much oil?
TOM
About 50,000 barrels before we
capped it.
R.V.’s phone rings, and he steps onto the patio to talk.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Desperate Measures
EXT. RICHARDS’ PATIO — NIGHT
R.V.
Hey, darlin’. What’s up?
MRS. SKELTON
Ritchie got arrested for drugs.
R.V.
Shit! Where is he?
MRS. SKELTON
The cops are holding him; they said
he’s going to rehab or jail.
R.V.
Then let’s get him in rehab.
MRS. SKELTON
(defeated voice)
That’ll cost ten thousand dollars.
R.V. walks in circles while talking.
R.V.
I’ll think of something. I’m not
letting him go to jail.
R.V. taps on the window and yells to Tom.
R.V. (CONT’D)
Before you deal, join me on the
porch. I need a smoke.
Tom walks out with R.V., who looks at the guys in the kitchen
before speaking.
R.V. (CONT’D)
I need that money you owe me. I was
laid off, and I'm in dire straits.
TOM
I heard you say that earlier.
When did you get laid off?
R.V. paces the deck and jiggles the change in his pocket. He
stares at Tom and shakes his head.
R.V.
Christ, it's been two months.
Didn't Alyssa tell you?
TOM
Why would she know anything?
R.V.
Because it was her goddamn
consulting firm that made the
recommendations. Now I'm screwed.
I'm two months late on my mortgage,
I can't pay my kid's tuition, and
I've got no company car.
Tom looks everywhere but at R.V.
TOM
Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't know.
R.V.
I hear you, but sorry doesn’t pay
my mortgage. Tell that to Alyssa.
TOM
Don’t worry. I’ll get your money.
R.V.
You said that before, Tom, but I
need it now.
TOM
If I had it, I’d pay you back. And
I can’t get it from Alyssa.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
Tom and R.V. step into the kitchen just as Shawna enters.
SHAWNA
Any of y’all need anything while
I’m here? Want a sandwich, Owen?
OWEN
Thanks, but don’t trouble yourself.
SHAWNA
It’s no trouble. It’ll only take me
a minute.
OWEN
It’s all right. I’ll get it later.
Ed laughs.
ED
Don’t take offense. Owen's not
worried about causing you trouble;
he's worried you might have germs
on your hands.
Shawna laughs as she walks out of the kitchen and heads up
the stairs.
R.V.
Kids that age scare me. When mine
was that young, I used to keep
track of everywhere he went.
ED
I've got it covered, R.V. Got one
of those GPS tracking apps that
tells me where she is and where
she's been.
R.V.
My kid would’ve been pissed if I
did that to him.
ED
Shawna's only twenty. I told her
about this when I got it, but it's
been a while. She probably forgot.
Tom yawns twice in a row.
TOM
Ed, I’m gonna take a quick nap.
Wake me in forty minutes.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
R.V. checks his pocket and comes up empty.
R.V.
Shit, I'm out of chaw. Guess I need
to run and get some. Can't play
cards without it.
ED
That's a nasty habit, R.V.
R.V. grabs a coat from the closet and heads out the door.
R.V.
I’ll be back shortly. Probably
before Tom gets up.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Game Interrupted
INT. RICHARDS’ HOUSE — KITCHEN — LATER
Tom walks in from the bedroom and takes his seat. He riffles
his chips and smiles while Ed shuffles the cards.
TOM
I’m back, and ready to win.
Tom squeezes his cards and looks at a pair of tens.
TOM (CONT’D)
Bet fifty.
Everyone folds but R.V. Owen turns over three cards, a seven,
five, and ten. Tom stares at his pair of tens and bets one
hundred. R.V. folds, and Tom rakes in the pot.
Ed’s shuffling the deck when flashing lights appear outside.
Then the front doorbell rings.
ED
Damn, what the hell is it now?
END OF FLASHBACK
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Unexpected Visitors
INT. RICHARDS’ HOUSE — FOYER — NIGHT
Ed opens the front door to see two men in suits and wearing
stoic expressions. The taller one reaches out his hand.
HITCHENS
I'm Detective Carl Hitchens, and
this is Detective Dave Abbott.
Ed takes a step back to block their view of the kitchen.
ED
Detectives, how can I help you?
Abbott grins.
ABBOTT
We're not here about the game, sir.
We'd like to speak with Mr. Ellis.
R.V. leans over and looks toward the front door, then he
whispers to Tom and Owen.
R.V
Cops
Tom slouches in his seat.
TOM
Just when I was winning for once.
Ed opens the door wider, steps aside, and smiles.
ED
Come on in. Tom's at the table.
KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Ed leads the detectives into the kitchen. He gestures to Tom,
and nods to the detectives.
ABBOTT
Mr. Ellis, would you step outside
with us for a moment?
Tom looks quizzically at him, then sets his cards face-down.
TOM
I'll only be a minute.
He goes outside with the detectives.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Shattered Night
EXT. ED'S HOUSE — NIGHT
They step outside, and Hitchens lights a smoke.
TOM
What’s this is about?
ABBOTT
Sir, someone broke into your house
and attacked your wife.
Tom grabs Hitchens’ shoulders, then runs for his car, but
Hitchens grabs him.
HITCHENS
We can’t go there right now, sir.
CSU is processing the scene.
TOM
Processing the scene? Is Alyssa —
Hitchens places his arm on Tom’s shoulder.
HITCHENS
I’m sorry to say, Mr. Ellis, but
your wife is gone.
Tom staggers back and grabs hold of the detective’s arm. He
buries his head in his hands and cries.
TOM
It can’t! How could it happen?
Dave Abbott turns to Tom and speaks softly.
ABBOTT
Mr. Ellis, she was brutally
attacked. Do you know —?
Tom shakes his head.
TOM
Hell no! Why would anyone hurt her?
Tom punches the brick wall, drawing blood on his knuckles.
TOM (CONT’D)
God damn!
Hitchens takes hold of Tom’s arm, then leads him inside.
HITCHENS
Dave, how about you go back to the
scene? I’ll stay with Mr. Ellis.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Devastating News
INT. ED'S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — NIGHT
Hitchens leads Tom to the living room, wraps up his hand, and
then sits next to him on the sofa.
HITCHENS
Mr. Ellis, Let’s go to the kitchen.
I need to speak with the others.
Tom pulls out his phone and calls Ron.
TOM
Ron, it’s Dad. I've got bad news.
RON (V.O.)
Something happen?
TOM
There was a break-in at the house.
Tom holds the phone away from his mouth. His hands tremble
and his voice chokes up.
TOM (CONT’D)
Oh Christ, Ron. Somebody killed
your mom. She's dead.
RON (V.O.)
Oh my God. Oh my God! I'm coming
right up, Dad.
TOM
I’m at Ed's house.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Unraveling Secrets
INT. ED'S HOUSE — KITCHEN — NIGHT
Hitchens is leaning against the kitchen wall when Abbott
enters. Tom sits in the back, his head buried in his hands.
HITCHENS
(to all the players)
In case Mr. Ellis didn’t tell you,
Mrs. Ellis was murdered tonight,
and we have to ask a few questions.
We’ll start in the living room but
may have to take it to the station.
Ed puts his arms around Tom and pats his back.
TOM
(to Ed)
I didn’t even get to patch things
up. We argued, and I left angry.
ED
Don’t worry, Tom. And don’t say
anything. Wait for your lawyer.
Hitchens points to Owen and crooks his finger.
HITCHENS
You first.
LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Owen walks into the living room, shaking his head.
OWEN
Can't goddamn believe it. She
wasn’t a saint, but damn, she
didn’t deserve this.
The living room has a fireplace, a sofa, and two stiff-backed
chairs. The light from two lamps reflect off the tables.
Hitchens sits on the sofa, facing the fireplace, and Owen
sits in a chair. He leans close and whispers.
OWEN (CONT’D)
What happened to Alyssa?
HITCHENS
We can’t discuss the case, but do
you know anyone who wished her
harm?
OWEN
No one I can think of, but she ran
a tight ship — at work and home.
HITCHENS
Tough, huh?
OWEN
Don’t get me wrong; she didn’t
deserve this, but she kept Tom on a
tight leash — a damn tight leash.
HITCHENS
How about work?
OWEN
I don’t know a lot of people she
worked with, but one time we were
bidding on the same job and she
wormed her way into the winning
bid. And not quite legally.
Hitchens casts a sideways glance at Owen.
HITCHENS
I’d say that gives you motive.
OWEN
It’s money, Detective. Not
something you’d kill for.
Hitchens jots down notes.
HITCHENS
Has everyone been here all night?
OWEN
(pause)
I think ... yeah.
Owen sits up and snaps his fingers.
OWEN (CONT’D)
No, wait. R.V. ran to get some dip,
but he was only gone a few minutes.
HITCHENS
But Mr. Ellis was here?
OWEN
Yeah, Tom took a short nap;
otherwise, he was in the kitchen.
Hitchens jots down a few more notes.
HITCHENS
Okay, that's all for now.
(a beat)
Would you ask R.V. to come in?
LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hitchens leans back on the sofa.
HITCHENS
When I asked Owen if everyone had
been here all night, he hesitated.
R.V.
Christ’s sake, maybe he just
hesitated. Nobody went anywhere but
me. I ran to get dip.
HITCHENS
So nobody was gone for more than a
minute or two?
R.V. pauses.
R.V.
Tom took a quick nap, but he wasn't
more than twenty or thirty minutes,
and I doubt I was more than
fifteen. Maybe twenty.
Hitchens looks at R.V. quizzically.
HITCHENS
Owen said Tom was on a tight leash?
R.V. laughs sarcastically.
R.V.
He’s being nice. Alyssa has all the
money, and she controls it. There’s
not much Tom can do without her OK.
HITCHENS
Did he have reason to harm her?
R.V. brushes his hand in the air.
R.V.
Oh, hell no! Tom wouldn’t hurt a
soul; besides, he worshipped her.
HITCHENS
And he never left the house?
R.V. shakes his head.
R.V.
I wasn't here the whole time he
napped, but the others would have
seen him if he left.
HITCHENS
Where’s the bedroom?
R.V. points to a door about ten feet away, then gets up and
leads Hitchens to it.
MASTER BEDROOM AND BATHROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hitchens enters the bedroom and then walks into the bathroom.
It has two vanities, a shower, and a Jacuzzi. At the end of
the bathroom is a door.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Tensions Rise at the Ellis House
EXT. RICHARDS’ HOUSE — CONTINUOUS
Hitchens opens the door and he and R.V. step onto a small
porch with a few steps leading to the yard. A large weeping
willow sits on the left, inside a six-foot picket fence.
Hitchens points to a house across the bayou.
HITCHENS
Isn't that the Ellis house?
R.V. looks over and nods.
R.V.
It is, but I told you earlier;
there's no way Tom did this.
HITCHENS
We never know what a person is, or
isn't, capable of.
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
One more thing. How do we know you
didn't stop by the Ellis house when
you went to get dip?
R.V.
Because, scumbag, you can ask the
clerk at the nearest bodega or the
one down the road. I went to get
dip. Period.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
R.V. takes his seat, and Hitchens looks around the table and
points to Tom.
HITCHENS
Mr. Ellis, would you come with me?
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Tom takes a seat in a stiff-backed chair by the fireplace.
TOM
What do you need?
Hitchens holds his notepad in front of him.
HITCHENS
A few of the men said you were gone
for half an hour or more.
TOM
I was tired, so I napped. Now I
wish I'd just gone home.
HITCHENS
Did you leave the house?
Tom looks at him as if he were nuts.
TOM
You fuckin' prick. Are you asking
me if I killed Alyssa?
HITCHENS
My apologies, sir, but somebody
did, and we have to eliminate every
possible suspect.
FOYER — CONTINUOUS
Ed opens the front door just as Ron dries his eyes. Ed hugs
him and pats his back.
ED
I'm so sorry, Ron. I can't believe
it. Your mom was a special woman.
RON
I need to see Dad.
Tom races into the foyer, followed by Hitchens. Tom wraps his
arms around Ron and both of them cry. They are still hugging
when Abbott pulls Ron aside.
ABBOTT
Would you mind coming into the
living room with me?
LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Ron sits on the couch and rests his arm on the side.
ABBOTT
Are you up for a few questions? I
understand if you’re not.
Ron nods, then Abbott pulls out his notepad.
ABBOTT (CONT’D)
We found a few blades of wet grass
on the floor next to your mom. Any
idea —?
RON
Then whoever killed her, came in
the back door.
ABBOTT
Why do you say that?
RON
The back sprinklers go on at seven,
but the front ones don't go on
until midnight. And Mom didn’t
usually lock the back door.
KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS
Detective Hitchens steps into the kitchen and gestures to Ed.
HITCHENS
I'm going to check on a few things
outside the bathroom door, so if
you see anyone there, it's me.
ED
Call me if you need anything.
HITCHENS
Do we have your permission to
search the house?
ED
Of course. No problem.
Hitchens walks to the outside door, flips the light switch
on, then opens it.
Genres:
["Crime","Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Tensions Unraveled
EXT. ED'S HOUSE — NIGHT
Hitchens walks onto the porch and inspects the railings and
stairs but sees no signs of recent usage. He then walks
underneath the large weeping willow tree inside the corner of
the fence. It's a big tree with thick branches.
He looks up and sees a window above, one with easy access to
the tree limbs.
INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hitchens calls Tom and Ron to the living room. He stands when
they enter, and gestures for them to sit in the chairs.
HITCHENS
I don't want to upset either of
you, but we need a suspect. Most
murders are committed by people the
victim knows, so if it's not either
of you, who's left?
(MORE)
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
Who do you know that meant her harm
or who would benefit from her
death?
Hitchens looks to Tom, but his head is buried in his hands.
Ron pats Tom's back and turns to Hitchens.
RON
My mom has money, but only Dad and
I are in her will, and she promised
to give Shawna and I money for a
house.
HITCHENS
So it's just coincidence that
you're in town and your mother is
killed when you stand to inherit a
lot of money?
Ron grits his teeth and balls his hands into fists.
RON
You can shove coincidence up your
ass sideways, Detective. Stop
trying to find an easy suspect and
do some real investigating.
Tom nods. He looks as if he'll say something, but then just
nods again. Hitchens ignores Ron and turns to Tom.
HITCHENS
What about you, Mr. Ellis? What are
your thoughts on the matter?
TOM
I've got nothing. Alyssa and I had
arguments over the years, but
nothing that mattered.
(a pause)
One thing ... Never mind.
HITCHENS
What were you going to say?
TOM
It's just that ...
Tom leans forward and whispers.
TOM (CONT’D)
I owe R.V. a good deal of money,
and he asked about it tonight.
HITCHENS
How much do you owe him?
TOM
It's a sizable chunk — $20,000.
Abbott enters the room, and Hitchens stands and greets him.
Abbott whispers something, and Hitchens whispers back.
HITCHENS
Mr. Ellis, how about you and Ron
stay here while I go with Dave?
FOYER — CONTINUOUS
Hitchens and Abbott confer in the foyer, keeping their voices
low. Hitchens walks toward the kitchen and calls Ed.
HITCHENS
Mr. Richards, I've talked to almost
everyone. The only ones left are
your wife and daughter. Can you ask
them to join us in the living room,
please? And one at a time.
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Hitchens walks into the living room and tells Tom and Ron
they can leave. As they exit the room, MARY (40, glasses,
hair in bun) and Shawna come down the stairs.
Shawna stops and hugs Ron as they pass in the hall, and Mary
continues to the living room.
SHAWNA
I'm so sorry, Ron. Your mom was
sweet. I still can't believe it.
LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Mary sits with her hands folded on her lap.
MARY
Detective, how may I help?
HITCHENS
Ma’am, do you know any reason why
anyone would harm Mrs. Ellis?
Mary shakes her head vehemently.
MARY
I’ve heard Alyssa could be a tough
boss, but all I’ve ever seen is her
kindness, and I know everyone at
the tennis club feels the same way.
HITCHENS
I’ve heard she kept Mr. Ellis on a
tight leash.
MARY
And he needed to be, but it wasn’t
tight enough to choke him.
HITCHENS
Did they have infidelity problems?
MARY
(laughing)
Heavens, no. They loved each other,
and as far as I know, Tom’s
gambling was their only problem.
HITCHENS
Okay, Mrs. Richards, thank you.
As Mary stands, Hitchens calls Shawna.
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
Shawna, would you mind taking a
seat? I have a few questions.
Shawna kisses Ron on the cheek and then takes a seat on the
cushion next to Hitchens.
Hitchens smiles, then shifts to face Shawna.
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
I was chatting with my Dave about
how the willow tree must have been
great when you were growing up.
(A beat)
You know, like when teenagers want
to sneak out.
Shawna snorts.
SHAWNA
Are you kidding me? My dad probably
had sensors on the limbs.
HITCHENS
So he was a stickler for the rules?
SHAWNA
Still is. I need to tell him where
I am at all times and call if I'm
going to be somewhere else.
HITCHENS
Can't say that I blame him. I'm
almost as bad with my son. If I had
a daughter, I'd do the same.
Shawna turns her head to the side.
SHAWNA
I don’t like it, but I understand.
HITCHENS
Have you been home all night?
Shawna sits up straight and folds her hands on her lap.
SHAWNA
I fixed food for the game, then I
went upstairs. After that, I fell
asleep until you came.
HITCHENS
And you didn't go out?
Shawna shakes her head.
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
What were you doing between 8:30
and 9:00?
SHAWNA
I guess I was sleeping.
Abbott looks at his notepad.
HITCHENS
Ron called at 8:45. Did you call
him back to see what he wanted?
Shawna searches her pocket.
SHAWNA
I don't know where my phone is.
Maybe I left it in my room.
She gets up to leave, but Hitchens stops her.
HITCHENS
We can check later; besides, we’re
about done for now. Would you mind
asking your dad to come in?
Ed walks in and sits down across from Hitchens.
ED
Shawna said you wanted to talk.
HITCHENS
We do, Mr. Richards, but you're not
going to like what we say.
ED
What the hell does that mean?
HITCHENS
We have reason to believe Shawna
had something to do with Mrs.
Ellis's murder. There are other
suspects, but none with motive and
opportunity as strong as Shawna's.
Ed laughs.
ED
Detective, if you knew Shawna,
you'd know how ridiculous that is;
She's engaged to Alyssa's son.
HITCHENS
Being engaged isn't an alibi, and
we already know that she didn't
answer a call from Ron at 8:45, the
time of the murder, and —
Ed scoffs and brushes his hand in the air.
ED
She's a suspect because she didn't
answer a call? That's bullshit, and
I can prove it.
Ed pulls out his cell phone and navigates to the app used for
tracking by GPS. He types in Shawna's name and waits.
ED (CONT’D)
This is a tracking app that shows
where her phone is in real-time. It
also shows where she's been.
(a beat)
I just requested her tracking
information for the night.
HITCHENS
How accurate is it?
ED
Down to about 50 or 60 feet.
Within seconds, the app pulls up a map showing her at Ed's
location. But the history of where she's been shows her at
the Ellis house at 8:45, the approximate time of the murder.
HITCHENS
Explain that.
Ed shakes his head and furrows his brow. His cheeks turn red
as if he's embarrassed.
ED
Let me reboot the app.
Ed quits the app, restarts the phone, and opens the app
again. After entering her name, the same stats appear.
ED (CONT’D)
That can't be. It can't! Shawna
would never do anything to Alyssa.
We'll get this straightened out.
Ed steps into the hallway and calls Shawna.
ED (CONT’D)
Shawna! Get down here.
Shawna sits and smiles. Ed sits across from her, trembling.
ED (CONT’D)
What the hell were you doing at
Ron's house tonight?
Shawna shakes her head.
SHAWNA
I wasn't at Ron's house.
ED
Don't lie to me, girl. I have you
on a GPS tracking app, and it shows
you there when Alyssa was killed.
SHAWNA
I can't believe you're tracking me!
ED
And I can't believe you're worried
about me tracking you when you're
likely facing murder charges.
SHAWNA
Murder? What are you talking about?
HITCHENS
What your father is trying to say,
is that the GPS data makes you the
primary suspect.
Abbott walks in and whispers to Hitchens, then shows him a
piece of evidence in a plastic bag.
HITCHENS (CONT’D)
R.V. can you come in here?
R.V. walks into the living room and sits.
R.V.
What do y’all need?
ABBOTT
We checked with the clerk at the
bodegas you mentioned.
R.V.
And if you checked, I’m sure he
told you I was there, buying dip.
ABBOTT
We also looked at the videotape.
Abbott holds up the evidence bag.
ABBOTT (CONT’D)
When we zoomed in, we saw this
piece of evidence coming off your
shoe. I bet when we get it
analyzed, it will show it to be the
grass from Ellis’s backyard.
R.V.
That’s bullshit!
HITCHENS
Mr. Richards, would you dial
Shawna’s phone, please?
A ringing sound is heard in the foyer.
SHAWNA
I must have left it in my jacket.
Abbott returns smirking.
ABBOTT
You did, Shawna. You must have
forgotten to take it out when you
came back from the Ellis house.
SHAWNA
I wasn’t at the Ellis house.
Abbott pats her back.
ABBOTT
I know you weren't — now, I do. It
seems as if R.V. grabbed your
jacket by mistake, or on purpose,
so he could frame you.
R.V.
Are you crazy?
ABBOTT
Not a bit R.V. We examined the
store’s videotape. It clearly shows
you wearing Shawna's jacket.
Abbott points to a logo on the back of the jacket.
ABBOTT (CONT’D)
See that? You can see the high
school logo on the back. Why did
you wear her hoodie to the store?
Abbott holds up the evidence bag when R.V. doesn’t answer.
ABBOTT (CONT’D)
You can also see this crucial piece
of evidence left on the floor from
your shoe.
R.V. scrunches his eyebrows.
R.V.
Maybe I grabbed the wrong jacket.
They’re both black.
ABBOTT
Yes, you did, R.V. And you wore it
when you killed Mrs. Ellis, which
is why Mr. Richard’s app shows
Shawna’s phone at the Ellis house
at the time of her murder.
Hitchens leans forward.
HITCHENS
You want to tell us about it?
Tom bursts into the room and grabs R.V. by the neck. He
squeezes while banging his head against the back of the
chair. Ron rushes over and punches R.V. in the face
repeatedly.
Abbott and Hitchens pull Tom off R.V., and while Hitchens
restrains him, Abbott grabs Ron.
R.V. wipes blood from his face, and Tom glares.
TOM
You killed her for money! For
goddamn money? You son of a bitch!
R.V.
I didn’t do anything.
Abbott looks at his notes.
ABBOTT
We timed it out, R.V. You had
plenty of time to stop at the Ellis
house and then get to the bodegas
and back.
(a beat)
(MORE)
ABBOTT (CONT’D)
If it weren’t for the clerk
noticing the high school logo, you
might have gotten away with it.
R.V.
Good luck proving that.
ABBOTT
I don’t think we’ll have a problem.
Between the tape showing you
wearing the jacket and showing the
evidence coming from your shoe, not
to mention Ed’s tracking app, we’ve
got you nailed.
Ron rushes over and punches R.V. in the face again.
RON
You son of a bitch!
Hitchens stands, puts cuffs on R.V, and leads him toward the
front door. Tom struggles to restrain Ron as he passes.
HITCHENS
You have the right to remain ...
FADE OUT.