BLACKSCREEN.
Loud noises of constantly working printers and fax machines.
From a distance, a small crowd of people slowly fade in too,
they're discussing something whith each other.
FADE IN:
BOSTON, 2002.
INT. - BOSTON - EASTERN POLICE STATION - DAY
There's a chaotic ensemble of Police Officers standing at the
big whiteboard of the office. They're discussing the large
case that is pinned onto it.
In the next moment, the Police Chief, ERNEST WHITE (57),
makes his way to a meeting. A tall man with white hair in a
fancy suit. He casually passes by them with a nod.
CHIEF
Afternoon, Men.
POLICE OFFICERS
Afternoon, Chief.
The Officers hold on to their conversation until the Chief
passed by. Before the Chief opens the door to the meeting
room, he shares a short look with a detective sitting a few
tables away on a small desk. This is DETECTIVE WYATT (38).
He's sitting on a desk opposite to an empty one. The Chief
closes the door behind him and Wyatt dedicates himself back
to his work. He's wearing a tie with a white shirt. His
jacket wrapped around his chair. The desk full loaded with
mountains of documents and files.
The Officers in front of the whiteboard slowly leave the
whiteboard and head to their own desks. Wyatt notices that
and then looks to the case on the whiteboard. While they're
going away, Wyatt can't take his eyes off this whiteboard.
Mainly there are a lot of pictures pinned onto it, connected
with each other through drawn lines.
All of the lines are somehow connected with each other but
every single one leads to one spot - an empty square on the
top of the whole structure of the whiteboard. A big "?" drawn
into it.
Wyatt's eyes wander from picture to picture, then to the
empty square. And all over again, he tries to catch a detail
he hasn't noticed yet. After a few seconds his eyes let go
off the case. He goes back to his documents.- MINUTES LATER
2.
The Chief sticks his head out of the meeting room, aiming his
look directly to Wyatt again. Wyatt catches the look and
nods. He quickly grabs some files from his table, puts on his
jacket and heads to the meeting room.
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
As he enters, Wyatt stands right in front of three unfamiliar
faces, all sitting straight on the big ovale table. TERESA
TAYLOR (55), head of Police Force in the western district.
Next to her ANNE MAYFIELD (39), an experienced FBI agent.
The two women and Wyatt greet quickly and then go right to
the topic. Wyatt and the Chief stand in front of them to
start a presentation. But before that, the Chief slightly
whispers into Wyatt's ear:
CHIEF (WHISPERING)
Goddamn Wyatt, where's your
partner?
WYATT (WHISPERING)
He didn't show up to work today. I
already tried to reach him.
CHIEF (WHISPERING)
Forget it, we can't wait for him.
They then turn back to their guests.
CHIEF
Thank you for being here today, we
appreciate your help on this case.
I'm going to be straight forward
with you and let you know that we
have done everything in our power
trying to catch this guy. Wyatt
here is our best investigaor and
has been on this case since the
start. The case has been going on
for...
Teresa Taylor cuts his phrase off.
TERESA
Tell us something about him. I mean
the suspect. I heard you have him
under arrest right now. What
evidence do you have?
CHIEF
Of yourse. We found at least one
hair or a finger prints on all of
the seven bodies. It's just...
TERESA
Just what?
CHIEF
3.
You could say that it's pretty
convenient.
(beat)
What I mean is...his story and
motive doesn't seem to make 100%
sense.
ANNE
Does he have an alibi?
CHIEF
No, he doesn't. But it's a bit more
complicated than that. See, this
guy lives alone. He's divorced and
has a kid that lives with his
mother. While quiestioning him, we
got the impression that...he's
alone often. He goes to work, gets
some groceries and goes right back
home. Almost every day of the week.
He is mentally not in the best
shape too. He got depressed a long
time ago. The point is that we
couldn't possibly ask a lot of
people for an alibi.
ANNE
And his personality?
CHIEF
That's where I'm headed to. He
doesn't seem to fit in our profile
of the serial killer. Our best
investigators, including Detective
Wyatt, confirmed this...
WYATT
...And after all, we found the
undeniable evidence.
TERESA
So you're going to tell me that you
and you team have 100% clear
evidence for the biggest serial
killer case in 10 years...and
you're assuming to know FOR SURE
that he's not the killer you're
looking for.
WYATT
That's right.
Teresa and Ann change looks as Wyatt proceeds:
4.
WYATT (CONT'D)
This is exactly why we can't afford
to lose more time. I...
WE, strongly beleve that the killer
fooled us all and transported the
evidence onto his bodies.
As Wyatt is about to continue...
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
It's raining.
CUT TO:
Single steps heading in a certain direction. The steps are
walking over a small river and through mud.
Now the steps walk different, the shoes are different. The
steps keep walking.
The face of JAMESON REED (43) is seen for a split second. One
man walking right in front of another one. Both hold a light
in their hand to guide the path. The light of the one man
hits the belt of Jameson - on it, a golden police badge.
WYATT (V.O.)
Whoever this guy is...
A closer look reveals that the man walking in the back holds
a gun in his right hand. Through a quick flashing of his
light, we get to see his eyes for a second.
A loud thunderbolt hits.
WYATT (V.O.)(CONT'D)
...he's dangerous.
They keep walking through the rainy night, without any word.
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
WYATT (CONT'D)
And we don't have a clue who he is
or how to find him.
CUT TO:
The Chief looking from Wyatt now over to Susan and Anne.
CHIEF
That's were you come in to the
game.
5.
Anne and Susan look at the Chief skeptical. They then proceed
to open up some of their files and start discussing it, the
Chief joining them. While the Chief heads over to them, Wyatt
takes a quick moment to check his phone. No messages.
WYATT (TO HIMSELF)
Where are you, Reed?
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
Another Thunderbolt hits. Louder than before.
CUT TO:
The rain makes it even harder to walk the path in this
darkness. Still, the one with the gun forces him to continue.
Moments later, they arrive at a small road. The one with the
gun makes him stop right under a small lantern. He grabs the
Officer by his shirt and pulls him right in front of him, out
of nothing. Eye to eye now. Jameson now sees his face for the
fisrt time...he's shocked to death. Wallace (19), stares
right back into Jameson's eyes, analyzing him.
The gun is still tight in his right hand but he doesn't hold
it against him right now, Jameson knows the threat, though.
They keep staring at each other. Wallace dominates Jameson by
just looking at him. Jameson is backing up a little, it's
uncomfortably close for him.
JAMESON
What? Why are you looking at me?
Suddenly, Wallace lets go of his shirt and goes on to grab
something in the bushes behind him. He still stays close to
Jameson.
At the same time--
INT. POLICE STATION - MEETING ROOM - DAY
CUT TO:
Wyatt packs away his phone and takes his beeper from his
belt. He stares at it. No messages there either.
CUT TO:
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
Jameson doesn't move an inch, while Wallace is still looking
for something in the bushes.
Wallace still has the gun but he's not focused on Jameson
right now.
6.
Jameson's right hand suddenly feels something in his pocket.
Can it be?
He takes the opportunity and moves his right hand onto his
pocket and presses a button of his beeper.
He shuts his eyes as the beeper shouts a widely hearable
"BEEP-BEEP"
Wallace turns around immediately.
INT. MEETING ROOM - DAY
CUT TO:
Wyatt is still staring at his beeper and then packs it away
since nothing is coming. He heads over to join the other as
"BEEP-BEEP"
Wyatt takes out his beeper again as he reads: "new message
from J. Reed - location sent"
As he looks at the location, he's wondering what that means.
Two seconds pass and suddenly he realizes. He yells straight
over the whole meeting room.
WYATT
Sir, I think we got something.
The Chief instantly looks at him curiously.
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
Jameson looks down to the floor, his eyes still shut.
Waiting.
CUT TO:
In front of him stands Wallace, as close as before. The gun
now directed on his head. He sticks the shovel from the
bushes into the mud. He takes the beeper in his hands and
looks at it for a few seconds...then - he breaks it.
WALLACE
Who received this message?
(beat)
LOOK AT ME.
Jameson slowly opens his eyes and slowly moves his head up.
Before he gets to look at him again, Wallace HITS him right
on the head with his gun out of nothing.
7.
CROSS CUT TO:
EXT. POLICE STATION - PARKING SPOT - NIGHT-- "Outro" by M83 starts playing --
Wyatt and the Chief don't waste any time and hop right into
the Chief's car. A 1997 Jeep Cherokee with flashing blue neon
lights. Wyatt gets into the driver's seat and turns on the
car. The Chief pulls out the police sirene and puts it onto
the roof of the car, right above him. He then grabs the
police scanner as he announces:
THE CHIEF
To the entire eastern police
department of Boston,
Massachusets...This is Chief Ernest
White speaking. All available
police officers are ordered to the
following location immediately.-- sending message... --
"42.6162291, -78.7828708"-- message sent --
THE CHIEF
I repeat: All available police
officers are ordered to the
following location immediately.
At the same time--
EXT. - FREEEWAY - EXIT - NIGHT
CROSS CUT TO:
Pulled over to the exit of a freeway, a civilian gets
questioned by a Police Officer, while the other one is
sitting in the car, writing the report. -- As he hears through his car radio:
THE CHIEF (CONT'D)
Detective Jameson Reed gave us the
information needed to arrest the
serial killer responsible for seven
murders in the last year.
The Officer in the car takes the information and instantly
sticks out his head off the car window and yells.
8.
OFFICER 1
Hey man, call the central for
another car for the "speedo" here.
The Chief called us in. THEY
LOCATED THE SERIAL KILLER.
The other Officer nods and so he drives off and disappears
into the rainy freeway.
CROSS CUT TO:
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
Jameson is laying on the cold and wet mud of the woods.
Holding his wound with both hands. Wallace stands right over
him, his gun directing to his head. He hesistates.
CROSS CUT TO:
EXT. - FREEWAY - NIGHT
Wyatt is driving as fast as he can through the traffic on the
freeway. Even more difficult with all the rain. The beauty is
undeniable, though. The golden street lights and lanterns of
the freeway shine right through the rain, lighting them the
way through the traffic. -- "Outro" by M83 intensifies --
The Chief is still on the police scanner, shouting out
information.
THE CHIEF (CONT'D)
We don't know if they're still on
this location and...
The Chief slightly looks over to Wyatt.
THE CHIEF (CONT'D)
...we don't know if Detective Reed
is still alive. But we have to try.
INT. - OTHER POLICE STATION - NIGHT
CROSS CUT TO:
All Officers and Detectives in the office are on their way to
to the exit with determination.
EXT. - OTHER POLICE STATION - PARKING AREA - NIGHT
CUT TO:
They all head into their cars and drive off.
9.
At the same time--
EXT. - ROAD - POLICE CAR - NIGHT
Two Officers are sitting in the car, listening to the Chief.
As they hear the call for help, the one Officer on the wheel
turns around right away. His partner activating the car
sirene.
He then turns up the car radio as the Chief continues to
speak.
THE CHIEF (CONT'D)
Let's get this piece of shit...
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - NIGHT
CROSS CUT TO:
Wallace forces Jameson again to keep walking. The shovel
still in his hands. They pass some lanterns and now arrived
off-road, right in the middle of the woods.
Wallace hands over the shovel to Jameson and points on the
floor he's standing on.
WALLACE
Here.
Reed looks at him, still shocked. He then starts digging
right where he stands, knowing what will follow.
As Jameson is digging, he notices that Wallace is looking
around. As if he's expecting someone already.
Wallace then takes a few steps back, very slowly. He looks at
Jameson again, regret in his eyes. Jameson looks right back.
He still holds his wound with one hand.
EXT. - WOODS - NIGHT-- "Outro" by M83 (2:05) --
CROSS CUT TO:
Wyatt and the Chief arrived in the woods, still looking for
the exact location. Behind them, almost the entire Police
Force of eastern Bosten assembled, including Teresa and Anne.
The flashing colors of 20 police sirenes reflecting in the
eyes of the deers that are watching them pass by. TRULY AN
INVASION OF LIGHTS.
The Chief slightly looks behind their car to witness it all,
then turns back to Wyatt.
10.
THE CHIEF
We're gonna get him.
WYATT
Goddamn right, Chief.
All the cars head into one direction. Far away, at the end of
the road, there is a weak shining light recognisable. They
keep goint.-- "Outro" by M83 -> (2:25) --
All the Police cars arrive on the scene, they're parking
around it in a circle. In the middle of it all is a hole in
the floor, more like a grave. The shovel is sticking straight
in the mud.
And Wallace...is sitting on the edge of the grave. He
carefully throws his gun away and then holds up both hands.
About 12 Officers slowly approach in his direction, guns
directed on him.
As Wyatt parks 15 meters away from Wallace, they both get out
of the car and run to the scene. Wyatt sees that the Officers
are arresting Wallace and is now looking around. Screaming
with his full strength:
WYATT
REED, WHERE ARE YOU?
Wyatt then heads right to Wallace, now standing in front of
him with anger.
WYATT
Where is he?
Wallace doesn't answer. He just looks at him.
WYATT(CONT'D)
Where is my partner, you piece of
shit? Huh?
Wyatt is furious. He starts grabing Wallace on his shirt. A
Officer has to drag Wyatt away from him.
WYATT
You tell me...
THE CHIEF
Wyatt, you gotta see this.
The Chief stays right next to a tree 10 meters away from the
grave. Wyatt turns around and slowly heads to The Chief. Next
to him on the floor...sits Jameson. Holding his wound, still
under shock.
As soon as Wyatt sees him, he runs. He approaches him and
they take care of his wound.
11.
WYATT
You gotta tell me what happened?
Jameson isn't in a good condition. He's still shocked.
JAMESON
Wyatt, he's...not older than my
son.
EXT. - IN THE FOREST - POLICE CAR
Wallace sits inside the car with handcuffs on. Two Officers
on the front seats. He looks outside of the window and
observes everything thats happening. Then he approaches the
officers.
WALLACE
Uhm, excuse me.
They turn around and look at him.
WALLACE (CONT'D)
I have a question.
They just stare at him, also slightly shocked.
POLICE OFFICER 1
Ex...Excuse me but...how old are
you again?
WALLACE (CONT'D)
Can you release my father. I
believe he's under arrest because
of me.
Officer 2 looks over to Officer 1.
POLICE OFFICER 2
I'll get the Chief.
The Police Officer gets out of the car and walks to the
Chief. The whole scene around the grave is surrounden by
Police Men. Making photos, collecting evidence and guarding
Wallace.
The Officer approaches the Chief directly.
POLICE OFFICER 2
Hey Chief.
THE CHIEF
Yes?
POLICE OFFICER 2
I think there's something more to
the case.
(MORE)
12.
POLICE OFFICER 2 (CONT'D)
The prisoner asked if his dad can
be relesased, that it was his fault
he got arrested. Would that
mean...he placed the evidence of
his dad on his victims.
THE CHIEF
His father, huh?
From the distance, Wallace is looking straight over to the
Chief, Wyatt and Jameson. No expression in his eyes.
POLICE OFFICER 2 (V.O.)
Chief, the description we had for
the seven victim serial killer
would be him? Do you really think
he did all this?
The Chief takes it all in and thinks about it for a moment.
THE CHIEF (V.O.)(CONT'D)
Yes, I do. I'm only wondering how
someone can turn out to be like
him.
(beat)
What in the bloody hell happened to
this kid?
THE END.