FF - "April's Secrets"

[TVFan]

I decided to try this script writing thing again. This one is longer, so I might have to break it up a bit more. Thanks to everyone for all your helpful comments last time.

"April's Secret"

SCENE 1
July 1985. The song "Never" by Heart plays in the background. Interior of a department store. A young woman in her mid 20s browses the perfume counter, smelling each scent. An over head announcement is heard announcing that the store is closing in five minutes. The girl takes her purchases to the sales clerk.

CLERK - (friendly) Didn't find a scent you liked, huh?

GIRL - No (pauses) as usual (she smiles).

CLERK - We're supposed to get a new shipment in next week. Maybe you'll find one then.

GIRL - Maybe.

CLERK hands the girl her change. Cut to a remote area off an interstate. The body of the same young girl is seen lying in the woods. The case box is filed in the vault under "MINTON, APRIL - July 1985."

SCENE 2
Present day. LILLY enters the lobby of the police station carrying her bag on her shoulder. She looks a little ragged. DET. GIL SHERMAN approaches her.

SHERMAN - (relieved) There you are! Late night?

RUSH - (tired) Family stuff. What'd you need?

SHERMAN - I've got a suspect in custody. We ran his DNA, turns out it's a match for an unsolved rape and murder from '85.

RUSH - You pull the file?

SHERMAN - They're going through it right now.

SCENE 3
Interior of the police station main office. LILLY, SCOTTY, and STILLMAN are browsing through the old file.

RUSH - (reading from the file) April Minton - strangled in July of '85. Body was found by a stranded motorist along a remote part of 95 outside the city.

VALENS - Police found her car in a parking lot at a local mall. Says here the last person to see her alive was a sales clerk at a department store.

RUSH - Sherman said she was raped. I don't see anything about it in here.

VALENS - Looks like they only suspected it back then. Now, this guy Kitner matches the stuff they got on file from the autopsy.

STILLMAN - I remember this case. She was on her way home from work. It really shook a lot of people. Every cop in homicide was on alert. April's mother used to stop in here every few months hoping we had something for her.

RUSH - Looks like we've got good news for her. (smiles)

Cut to opening song and commercial

[TVFan]

SCENE 4
Interrogation room. WILL KITNER is sitting in the chair at the end of the table. LILLY and SCOTTY enter.

KITNER - (annoyed) Finally! I've been sitting in here forever.

RUSH - (tough) You better get used to it. You're going to be locked up like this for a long time.

KITNER - Look, I already told that other cop I didn't know she was 15, and I had nothing to do with her overdose.

VALENS - Boy today really isn't your day Will. Seems you matched an old murder as well.

KITNER - What old murder?

RUSH - (leaning onto the table) April Minton. Remember her? (puts the pictures of April's dead body in front of him). You picked her up at the mall, went for a joy ride, then raped and murdered her.

KITNER - (confused) April's dead?

VALENS - You can cut the act Kitner. She's been dead since '85. It's nice, though, you took the time to learn her name before you killed her.

KITNER - (annoyed) Of course I knew her name. She was my girlfriend.

RUSH - But you didn't know she was dead. What, you just miss that detail?

KITNER - We hadn't been together all that long. When she stopped calling, I figured she wasn't interested any more.

RUSH - (sarcastic) And you just happened to miss all of the news reports on the case.

KITNER - Don't watch the news. Don't remember hearing about the case. I told you, I thought she wasn't interested.

VALENS - So, you decided to rape and kill her.

RUSH - After all, she deserved it. Right Will?

KITNER - Look, I didn't have to rape her if you know what I mean. In fact, the last time I saw her, we were "together."

VALENS - When was that?

KITNER - After she got off work. We were in my car. You know one thing leads to another. Then I dropped her back off at her office. We said goodbye and she left. I never heard from her again.

RUSH - There's no mention of a "boyfriend" in the file.

KITNER - I told you. We weren't together very long. Besides, I wasn't exactly her type. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out she didn't tell anybody about us.

VALENS - (sarcastic) You got an answer for everything smart guy. Where were you the night she was murdered?

KITNER - At home. With my roommate. We were watching the Phillies.

VALENS - Yeah, well we'll see about that.

SCENE 5
Interior of the main police office. LILLY, SCOTTY, VERA, and STILLMAN are sitting around discussing the case.

RUSH - (hangs up phone) That was Will's old roommate. Looks like he might have an alibi.

STILLMAN - (confused) Might have?

RUSH - (walks over to where everybody is) Yeah, roommate says he remembers watching the Phillies with Kitner, but he can't be sure he was there that night.

VERA - That makes Kitner's alibi shaky at best.

VALENS - I like him for this. His "we were together that day" is too convenient. I say we still focus on him.

STILLMAN - Let's not rule him out, but I think we need to look elsewhere too. What about this store clerk?

VERA - I checked on her. Looks like she's still working at the same department store. She moved up to manager though.

JEFFRIES walks in from court.

STILLMAN - (to JEFFRIES) Hey, you remember the April Minton case from '85?

JEFFRIES - Yeah, the young girl taken from the mall and dumped along the highway. I worked the case for a little while. Her mother almost broke my heart. Hard to forget.

RUSH - We've got new direction. DNA hit from a current case. Only problem is the perp's claiming to be April's boyfriend.

STILLMAN - Lil, you and Jeffries go talk to April's mother. Let her know what's going on. Maybe she'll remember something new.

RUSH - We'll see if she knew anything about this "boyfriend."

STILLMAN - Scotty, you and Vera go talk to the store clerk. (looks at file) Says here she wasn't too forth coming the first time around. See if she's more willing to talk now.

VALENS - Alright. We're out boss.

SCENE 6
Interior of a nice, suburban house. LILLY and JEFFRIES are sitting in chairs around a kitchen table across from MRS. MINTON.

MRS. MINTON - (emotional)(to JEFFRIES) I stopped coming to the police station to ask you about five years ago. I just couldn't stand to hear those two words anymore (pauses) "nothing new." April was my only child. (pauses) You know, I've been alone for almost twenty years now, and I'm still not used to it.

JEFFRIES - (delicate) We don't want to get your hopes up Ma'am. But we might have a new lead in the case.

RUSH - Do you you remember April telling you about a new boyfriend she was seeing?

MRS. MINTON - (surprised) No. She never mentioned anything to me about having a boyfriend.

JEFFRIES - Did you know a Will Kitner?

MRS. MINTON - (concerned) Is he the one who murdered my daughter?

RUSH - We don't know anything yet. But we think your daughter might have been seeing him.

MRS. MINTON - If she was, she never said a word to me about it. The day she was murdered, we had lunch together. She gets an hour for lunch, but she took extra time for me. That's what she was like. So thoughtful.

RUSH - Did you notice anything unusual with her at lunch?

MRS. MINTON - (thinking) No, not really. Although, she did seem to recognize someone.

FLASHBACK to 1985. The song "Careless Whisper" by Wham! plays in the background. Interior of a restaurant around lunch time. APRIL and MRS. MINTON are sitting at a table having lunch.

APRIL - I can't believe Kate's getting married. (reflecting) My best friend is going to be a married woman.

MRS. MINTON - Don't forget to get her a gift. The wedding's this weekend.

APRIL - I'm stopping at the mall on my way home from work today. (she notices a young man entering the restaurant).

MRS. MINTON - While you're there, maybe you could do me a favor. (waits for her answer, but APRIL is very distracted by the man. APRIL smiles at him) April?

APRIL - What? Sorry.

MRS. MINTON - (turning around to see what she was lookng at) Who is that?

APRIL - (defensive) Who is who?

MRS. MINTON - That man you were smiling at?

APRIL - Oh, he's just some guy from work. I was just being polite.

BACK TO PRESENT.

MRS. MINTON - It seemed like more than polite to me, but I didn't push it. She seemed uncomfortable with the whole situation.

JEFFRIES - I know we already asked you this back in 1985, but is there anyone April had a problem with?

MRS. MINTON - No. Everyone loved April. She wasn't too fond of her boss, Mr. Heights, but he didn't seem to mind her.

RUSH - She mention why she didn't like him?

MRS. MINTON - Just typical stuff. Made her work long hours, never gave her a raise, you know the usual.

JEFFRIES - Thank you Mrs. Minton. We'll let you know if we get anything.

MRS. MINTON - Please, just find whoever did this. I have to know what happened to April.

RUSH - (reassuring) We're gonna do everything we can.

[TVFan]

SCENE 7
Interior of a department store. Valens and Vera walk over to a store clerk who is folding clothes on the display.

VERA - (holding up his badge) Excuse me. Do you know where we can find a Marilyn Russell?

CLERK - Yeah, she's right over there (points to a woman standing at a register talking to an employee. We see the young Marilyn from the opening scene and then it flashes to current Marilyn)

VALENS - Marilyn Russell? (she nods) (holding up their badges) Detectives Valens, Vera, homicide. Can we have a word with you.

MARILYN - What is this about? I'm very busy.

VERA - Yeah we heard. You've made your way all the way up from perfume counter clerk to manager.

MARILYN - (annoyed) Excuse me?

VALENS - We're here about April Minton.

MARILYN - (to employee) We'll fix this later (employee walks off) Why are you asking about April. That was years ago.

VERA - Yeah, but we might be able to solve it now. According to the report, you were the last one to see April the night she died.

MARILYN - Look, I told the other cops back then, I don't know what happened to April. I still didn't see anything.

VERA - (sarcastic) Yeah we heard that you were real cooperative the first time around.

VALENS - Anything you can give us would help. Trust me.

MARILYN - (defeated) April used to come in here a lot. She was always so nice. (smiling) She was on this great search for the perfect perfume. She had very particular tastes. I used to suggest different scents to her, but nothing worked. The night she died, she was so excited. Her best friend was getting married.

FLASHBACK to 1985. Scene picks up where opening scene left off. The song "Never" by Heart plays in the background. APRIL takes the money MARILYN hands her and starts to put it back in her wallet.

MARILYN - I'll let you know when that shipment comes in. It might come in this weekend.

APRIL - Well, I won't be around this weekend. (smiling) My best friend's getting married.

MARILYN - That's wonderful. Have a nice time.

APRIL - (smiling) Thanks.

APRIL walks off and heads out the door into the dark parking lot. MARILYN watches her walk out and notices a man nearby. The man stops APRIL and they seem to argue. APRIL walks off and heads over to her car.

BACK to present.

MARILYN - The store was closing. That's all I saw and that's what I told the original cops too.

VALENS - Maybe you remember now what the guy looked like?

MARILYN - No, I didn't see his face.

VERA - You watched them argue, but you didn't see his face? Explain that to me.

MARILYN - It was dark and he had his back to me. I wish I could tell you more, but that's all I saw.

VALENS - What time was this?

MARILYN - It must have been almost 10. I remember hearing the announcement that we were closing in five minutes.

SCENE 8
Exterior of the police station -night. Interior of police station. RUSH and JEFFRIES are making calls. VERA and VALENS enter. STILLMAN enters from his office.

STILLMAN - Get anything from the clerk?

VALENS - Claims she saw a guy approach April in the parking lot, but she doesn't know who.

VERA - And she conveniently didn't see his face either. (exits to his desk to do more research)

STILLMAN - Sounds like the same story she told 20 years ago.

RUSH - (approaching the group) We found April's old boss, Vince Heights.

JEFFRIES - (walks up) Yeah, he's some big wig administrator at the hospital now.

STILLMAN - Any priors?

RUSH - No, he's clean.

STILLMAN - Well, let's start from the beginning. April was last seen a little before 10 that night.

VALENS - Yeah, Marilyn remembers hearing the overhead announcement about the store closing in five minutes.

RUSH - According to the ME's report, time of death was 11 that night.

STILLMAN - Let's assume April was approached around 10. That leaves an hour before her death.

JEFFRIES - It can't be more than 20-25 minute drive from the mall to the dump site.

STILLMAN - Which leaves plenty of time for the doer to rape her.

VALENS - That brings up back to Kitner.

VERA - (walking over) Maybe not. Looks like Marilyn left out a few details. She and Kitner used to go together.

RUSH - Where'd you find that?

VERA - Old police report. Seems they were picked up for public indecency one month before April's murder.

Fade to black/commercial.

[TVFan]

SCENE 9
Next day. Interior of police station. RUSH and VALENS enter the interrogation room. MARILYN is sitting at the table confused.

VALENS - Seems you left a few things out when we talked to you yesterday.

MARILYN - I told you everything I remember.

RUSH - Well then I guess you forgot you and Will Kitner dated.

MARILYN - I didn't see how that mattered.

RUSH - It doesn't. Unless you consider the fact that he and April dated.

MARILYN - That was after Will and I broke up.

VALENS - Are you sure? Because we have this report that says you were still together a month before April died. (places report in front of her).

RUSH - What, did you find out he was cheating on you with April? And after you'd been so nice to her. So you decided to do her one better and punish him at the same time.

MARILYN - Will didn't cheat on me. In fact, I introduced them

FLASHBACK to 1985. The song "Voices Carry" by 'Til Tuesday plays in the background. Same department store as earlier, but different day. MARILYN and WILL are talking at the register. APRIL walks up to pay.

MARILYN - All set?

APRIL - (nervous and avoiding KITNER's glance) Yeah.

KITNER - Aren't you going to introduce me?

MARILYN - (confused) Sure. This is April. This is my ex-boyfriend Will.

APRIL - (more nervous) Nice to meet you. (she signs her receipt and leaves)

BACK to present

RUSH - When was this?

MARILYN - Not too long after we broke up. I don't know...a couple weeks before she died I guess. Next thing I knew they were dating.

RUSH - That piss you off?

MARILYN - (annoyed) No, Will's a loser. I was glad to be rid of him.

VALENS - Where were you the night April died.

MARILYN - I was closing that night so I didn't get off until after 11.

SCENE 10
WILL KITNER's jail cell. RUSH approaches the door. A guard lets her in. The door closes behind her.

KITNER - (annoyed) You again. I've got nothing else to say.

RUSH - We've been talking to Marilyn Russell. Strange how you and April and Marilyn are all connected.

KITNER - There was no connection.

RUSH - So you never dated Marilyn?

KITNER - Yeah, I dated her. So what? She kill April?

RUSH - She told us you and April started dating after you broke up with her. Is that true?

KITNER - (laughing) Maybe for her. April was the reason I dumped Marilyn. I met April while I was waiting for Marilyn to get off work one day.

FLASHBACK to 1985. The song "Don't Lose My Number" by Phil Collins plays in the background. KITNER is sitting in his car pulled up to the curb outside the mall department store. It's daylight. APRIL comes out. She reaches for her purse and starts rummaging through it to find her keys.

KITNER - You seem lost.

APRIL - Oh no, I'm just looking for my keys. (pulls them out of her purse) And here they are.

KITNER - That's a shame. I would of given you a ride.

APRIL - (smiles) Are you waiting on someone?

KITNER - Just a friend. He ran in to get his paycheck. (pauses) Hey, maybe we could hang out another time. You got a number?

APRIL - (hesitates) Sure. (she takes out a piece of paper, writes her number down, and leans in and hands it to him).

BACK to present.

RUSH - Marilyn know about this?

KITNER - Not in the beginning, but I think she found out.

RUSH - (intrigued) What makes you think that?

KITNER - She didn't seem surprised when I dumped her. Look, Marilyn was nice, but April was wild. Once we started together, I wasn't interested in Marilyn anymore.

RUSH - Did you see April the day she died? Maybe around lunch time in a restaurant downtown?

KITNER - Oh yeah. She bailed on me. We were supposed to have lunch, but she ditched me for her mother.

RUSH - So, you showed up to teach her a lesson?

KITNER - Exactly.

RUSH - Even though it was to have lunch with her mother. (Guard lets her out)

KITNER - I don't care who it was.

RUSH - (sarcastic) (through the door) You're a catch, Will.

SCENE 11
Interior of VINCE HEIGHTS' office. It's a nice, posh office with a view. Awards and accolades hang on the walls. JEFFRIES/VERA are looking around the office. HEIGHTS pours drinks and starts to walk over to them.

HEIGHTS - You said you're with homicide? (Offers drinks to VERA and JEFFRIES, but both decline).

JEFFRIES - Yeah, we're lookin into the murder of April Minton.

VERA - (looking at the wall with plaques) She worked for you, only a few awards back.

HEIGHTS - I remember April. She was a sweet girl. Great employee.

VERA - Funny, she didn't have the same nice things to say about you. In fact she told her mother she had a problem with you.

HEIGHTS - I'm sure it was just the normal stuff. If she had a real problem, she never told me about it.

JEFFRIES - Was there any reason for her to have one, Mr. Heights?

HEIGHTS - No, and call me Vince. (pauses) The day she died, she and I were joking as she left for the day.

FLASHBACK to 1985. The song "Smooth Operator" by Sade plays in the background. It's late in the day. Interior of a large room with cubicles. APRIL gathers up her things and starts to head to the door. She seems uneasy and ready to get out of there. She looks at the clock, and it reads 7:02pm. As she approaches the end of the row, HEIGHTS comes out of his office.

HEIGHTS - (surprised) April, I didn't know you were still here.

APRIL - Yeah, well I'm out the door now.

HEIGHTS - That's what I like to see - working hard, working late.

APRIL - Right (fake smiles). I gotta go. I'm running late.

HEIGHTS - (half jokingly) Don't think this is an excuse to come in late tomorrow (smiles).

APRIL - Oh, I wouldn't.

BACK to present

HEIGHTS - I don't know why she was in such a rush.

VERA - Where were you later that night?

HEIGHTS - I stayed at the office until late. I had a lot of catching up to do.

JEFFRIES - How late?

HEIGHTS - It must have been after midnight before I left.

VERA - Anyone there with you?

HEIGHTS - No, I was alone.

SCENE 12
Interior of STILLMAN's, later that day. LILLY knocks on the open door and enters.

STILLMAN - How did it go with Kitner.

RUSH - (shrugs) Claims he and April started dating before he broke up with Marilyn.

STILLMAN - (interested) Gives Marilyn motive.

RUSH - Yeah. (then) If she knew about it. Will doesn't know for sure, but he thinks she might have.

STILLMAN - I guess we're kind of at an impasse. She says she didn't know, he doesn't know either way.

RUSH - Right. (realizes) Did we ever find out if her alibi checked out?

STILLMAN - Scotty spoke with her old boss. If she was closing that night she would have been there after 11. He's checking his old logs to see if there's anything concrete.

VALENS enters from the main office. He seems eager.

VALENS - I stopped by the ME's office on a hunch. Turns out they have a hair in storage that CSU lifted off the body in '85.

STILLMAN - They compare it to Kitner?

VALENS - Yeah. (disappointed) It's not a match.

Fade to black/commercial.

[TVFan]

SCENE 13
Interior of main police office. A little later than last scene. VALENS is on the phone. RUSH is reading through the case file again.

VALENS - (hangs up phone) That was the ME's office. CSU ran the hair through the system, it doesn't match anyone.

RUSH - (frustrated) So we're back at square one.

VALENS - At least we got something to link the doer to the crime.

RUSH - (frustrated) If we find the doer. I know why this case went cold.

VERA and JEFFRIES enter from the main entrance. They just got back from their interview with April's boss.

VALENS - Heights have anything?

VERA - Nothing we're interested in, but he's got plenty of shiny awards.

JEFFRIES - Said April worked late that night. Till around 7. Apparently, she was in a rush to leave.

RUSH - She must have been running to meet Kitner.

VERA - We still liking him for this?

VALENS - No, we ruled him out. Found a hair in storage. DNA doesn't match him.

RUSH - We still have Marilyn. Her alibi is shaky and she might have known about April and Will.

STILLMAN enters from his office

STILLMAN - I just got a call from the hospital. Marilyn Russell was just admitted. Apparently she's suffering from the stress.

RUSH - Or a guilty conscience.

VALENS - We'll go talk to her. (he and RUSH exit).

SCENE 14
Interior of a hospital room. MARILYN is lying in the bed, awake. She looks distressed. RUSH and VALENS enter through the open door to her room.

MARILYN - Please, leave me alone. Can't you see what you've done to me?

RUSH - Marilyn, all we want is the truth. Did you know about Will and April?

MARILYN - (thinking)(reluctant) Yes, but not until after April died. I swear.

RUSH - Why did you lie to us? It makes you look guilty.

MARILYN - Because you wouldn't believe me. I didn't kill April. I could never.

VALENS - The doctor says you're suffering from a lot of stress.

MARILYN - I am. You're making me relive things I chose to forget. I had a hard enough time dealing with all of this the first time around.

RUSH - What do you mean?

MARILYN - (upset) Do you know how hard it is to think you could have stopped what happened to April? I didn't know she was in trouble. I thought she knew the guy. It's my fault she's not here anymore.

RUSH - (intrigued) What do you mean you thought she knew the guy?

MARILYN - I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it just looked like she knew the guy in the parking lot. She didn't seem startled, just, I don't know (then) angry.

RUSH and VALENS look at each other.

SCENE 15
Interior of main police station. MRS. MINTON enters. She is pointed toward JEFFRIES. She walks over to his desk. He stops what he's doing.

JEFFRIES - Mrs. Minton.

MRS. MINTON - I know you're busy. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought...

JEFFRIES - Of course. Unfortunately though, I don't have any news for you.

MRS. MINTON - What happened to the man April was seeing?

JEFFRIES - DNA evidence cleared him. But we're looking at other suspects.

MRS. MINTON - Well, if it's any help to you (reaches into her purse and pulls out a piece of paper with writing on it) here's Kate Whitehurst's address and phone number. She and April were very close. It was her wedding that April was shopping for the day she died. April used to tell her everything. Maybe she can give you some information I can't.

JEFFRIES - Thank you. We'll talk to her.

MRS. MINTON - (turns to leave, but stops and turns toward JEFFRIES) I really appreciate all your hard work detective.

She exits just as RUSH and VALENS enter. STILLMAN enters from his office.

STILLMAN - You lean on Marilyn?

RUSH - Yeah, she didn't kill April though. She says she found out about Will and April after April died.

STILLMAN - You believe her?

RUSH - Yeah. She's suffering from the guilt that she didn't stop it.

VALENS - She did say something interesting though. April seemed to know the guy in the parking lot.

STILLMAN - Well, we ruled out Kitner. That leaves her boss. Vera, what was Vince Heights' alibi?

VERA - (approaching the group) Claims he was working late that night alone.

VALENS - Yeah, but what motive would Heights have?

JEFFRIES - (walks up) None that we found, but maybe she can shed some light on it (hands paper that MRS. MINTON gave him to STILLMAN).

STILLMAN - Who's Kate Whitehurst?

JEFFRIES - April's best friend. She used to be Kate Collins. (looks through the file) Looks like she was pretty hysterical 20 years ago. She wasn't able to give us much.

STILLMAN - Will, you and Lil go talk to Kate. Maybe she knows something about April and Vince Heights.

SCENE 16
Interior of a house in the suburbs. RUSH and JEFFRIES are sitting on the couch in the living room. KATE WHITEHURST is sitting across from them in a chair.

KATE - I can't believe you guys are looking into April's murder again.

RUSH - Well, we might have some new direction.

JEFFRIES - April's mom mentioned that that you might've known more about Kate's private life than she does.

KATE - I'm sure I did. But I thought this was a stranger murder? The other detectives said she was taken from the mall and dumped along the highway.

RUSH - It's pointing somewhere else now. Did April ever talk to you about her boss, Vince Heights?

KATE - Oh yeah. She and I had many conversations about that pig.

JEFFRIES - (interested) What do you mean?

KATE - He wouldn't stop hitting on her. He asked her out, but she wasn't interested. April told him so, thinking it was end of story. But he wouldn't let it go. He had the nerve to tell her she would never get promoted with that attitude. The guy was totally obsessed with her.

RUSH - She say if he ever acted violently toward her?

KATE - (shocked at the notion) He was persistent, but not violent.

JEFFRIES - What did April do about it?

KATE - I'd been telling her to report it, but we hadn't talked about it a lot right before she died. I was so busy with wedding plans. But a few nights before her murder, she seemed determine to stop Vince.

FLASHBACK to 1985. The song "Shout" by Tears for Fears plays in the background. Interior of an apartment in the city. APRIL and KATE are sitting around a kitchen table making wedding favors. APRIL looks concerned.

KATE - What's bothering you? You don't seem like yourself.

APRIL - I don't want to ruin your excitement.

KATE - Excitement? Yeah right. I'm so incredibly stressed out right now. Believe me, you're not going to ruin anything. Now what is it?

APRIL - It's Vince again. He called me in his office today. He started going on an on about how beautiful he thought I was and how my skirt really made my legs look good.

KATE - What did you say?

APRIL - I pushed him away as usual, but this time (she holds up a cassette tape) I got it all on tape.

KATE - You finally listened to me! Let me here it.

APRIL puts the tape into a player and pushes play.

HEIGHTS - (on tape) You could really go far here. I can make it happen for you.

APRIL - (on tape) I've already told you I'm not interested.

HEIGHTS - (on tape) Don't be stupid April. It's just a little fun.

APRIL - (on tape) Take your hands off me!

HEIGHTS - (on tape) Look, play hard to get all you want, but I know what you really want.

APRIL stops the tape.

KATE - That should nail him. Now all you have to do is report it. You have proof.

APRIL - I'm gonna give it a little more time.

KATE - Don't wait too long. You don't want that ship to sail.

BACK to present

RUSH - There's no report on file.

KATE - She never got the chance to report him. (pauses) You know I don't even know what happened to her tape.

JEFFRIES - Did Vince know about this tape?

KATE - Not that I know of. I guess April could have gone to him thinking it would make him stop.

RUSH - Thank you for your help. (walking out the front door) (to JEFFRIES) Or maybe he stopped her.

Fade to black/commercial

[TVFan]

SCENE 17
Interior of STILLMAN's office. Night time. RUSH, JEFFRIES, and STILLMAN are looking through employment files.

RUSH - Here's another one (holds up a sheet of paper).

STILLMAN - What's this one?

RUSH - (reading) Female employee reported that Vince Heights groped her as she passed him in the hallway.

JEFFRIES - Got another (reading) female employee reported that Vince Heights purposefully blocked her from getting through the hall. Female employee said she was forced to squeeze between the wall and Mr. Heights. As she did this, Mr. Heights touched her inappropriately.

RUSH - (looking at reports) Man, this just goes on and on. And we thought that Kitner was a prize.

STILLMAN - Looks like all the accusations were dropped though.

RUSH - Yeah, after Heights threatened them with their jobs I'm sure.

STILLMAN - Well, we'll bring Heights in in the morning. It's late. Why don't we call it a night?

JEFFRIES - Alright. See you all bright and early.

RUSH - (still going through the files) Goodnight. (smiles)

JEFFRIES exits STILLMAN's office.

STILLMAN - (concerned) Is everything alright with your family, Lil? Because Sherman mentioned something to me.

RUSH - (packing up files) (surprised) Oh, it's nothing. (embarrassed) My mother's in the hospital.

STILLMAN - (more concerned) Is she alright?

RUSH - Yeah. It's just more of her usual antics. My sister's with her. She calls me at night and gives me updates.

STILLMAN - Have you been to see her?

RUSH - No. I've been busy.

STILLMAN - If I'd known, I would have let you go.

RUSH - It's no big deal. She's fine.

STILLMAN - (reflecting) I know old habits die hard Lil, but maybe it's time.

RUSH - (uncomfortable) Maybe. (then) But not tonight.

SCENE 18
Next day. Interior of interrogation room. The door opens and RUSH and JEFFRIES enter. We see 1985 VINCE sitting in the chair at the end of the table. It quickly flashes to present day VINCE.

HEIGHTS - Can somebody tell me why I'm here? (notices JEFFRIES) I've already told you everything I know.

RUSH - Yeah, but you left out a few details.

HEIGHTS - (interested) Who are you?

RUSH - (holds up badge) Detective Rush.

HEIGHTS - (to JEFFRIES) Why didn't you bring her last time?

JEFFRIES - (annoyed) I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you.

RUSH - You like women, don't you Vince?

HEIGHTS - As much as the next guy I suppose.

RUSH - Oh, I beg to differ. You see, "the next guy" doesn't have trouble keeping his hands to himself.

HEIGHTS - Whoa! What are you talking about.

JEFFRIES - We're talking about how you sexually harassed April Minton before you killed her.

HEIGHTS - (annoyed) I didn't kill or sexually harass anyone.

RUSH - Oh, but you did. (slams the various reports down in front of him)

HEIGHTS - (angry) Where did you get these?

JEFFRIES - (reading a report) Heights repeatedly asked me out. I told him I wasn't interested, but he couldn't take no for an answer.

HEIGHTS - That's an exaggeration.

RUSH - (reading) Heights told me that I could only wear skirts when I come to the office. If he caught me wearing pants, he said he'd fire me.

HEIGHTS - I expect a certain professional appearance in my workplace.

RUSH - They go on and on Heights. One complaint, maybe we dismiss it. But there are boxes of them.

HEIGHTS - (nervous) I was never charged. Those women dropped their complaints because they made them up. They were mad at me for making them work late or not giving them a raise.

RUSH - Those women dropped their complaints because you threatened them. Just like you did April.

JEFFRIES - Except April wouldn't drop it. So you killed her.

HEIGHTS - (angry) I didn't kill April.

RUSH - I've got one, (takes hair off of HEIGHTS' shoulder) make that two hairs that say you did.

JEFFRIES - See, we got a hair from April's body that the killer transferred to her. I'm guessing by the look on your face, the hairs are going to match the one we just took from you.

HEIGHTS - (startled) (1985 VINCE) She wouldn't drop it. She had a tape! That conniving witch taped our private conversations. (Present VINCE) She was taking it to the police.

FLASHBACK to 1985. Night time. APRIL gets dropped off back at work by KITNER. He drives off. She starts to walk to her car. HEIGHTS walks out of the building and into the parking lot. He sees APRIL.

HEIGHTS - You decided to come back.

APRIL - I was out with a friend. He dropped me off.

HEIGHTS - He huh? Now I know why you're not interested in me.

APRIL - (annoyed) I wouldn't be interested anyway.

HEIGHTS - (grabs her arm) Listen here you ungrateful witch, I'm the reason you have this job and I can take it away too.

APRIL - (pulls her arm away) (angry) I guess that makes us even.

HEIGHTS - What are you talking about?

APRIL - (reaches into her purse and grabs the tape) I've been recording the things you say to me. Tomorrow, I'm going to the police.

HEIGHTS - (nervous) You're bluffing.

APRIL - (shrugs) I guess you'll find out tomorrow. (she gets into her car and drives off).

BACK to present

HEIGHTS - I didn't have a choice. I followed her to the mall and waited outside until she came out.

RUSH - Keep going

HEIGHTS - (1985 VINCE) She finally walked toward the door.

FLASHBACK to 1985. Later on that night. Outside the mall. APRIL walks out with her bags. HEIGHTS approaches her.

HEIGHTS - Give me the tape, April.

APRIL - (startled) God, you're following me now?!

HEIGHTS - (very angry) Just give me the tape!

APRIL - (defiant) You're not getting the tape. Please just leave me alone. (she walks over to her car. HEIGHTS grabs her and shoves her into his car. They drive off).

BACK to present

JEFFRIES - Is that when you decided to kill her?

HEIGHTS - I was just going to take the tape. I drove around for a while trying to knock some sense into her, but she was too determined. I finally stopped the car at a rest area.

FLASHBACK to 1985. APRIL and HEIGHTS are stopped at a rest area along the highway. APRIL is crying.

HEIGHTS - Give me the tape, and I'll let you go.

APRIL - (crying) Take the tape! (she leans over picks the tape up from her purse and throws it at him). It doesn't matter anyway. I'm going to the police tomorrow. And don't think I'm not going to tell them how you kidnapped me too.

HEIGHTS is enraged. He leans over and starts strangling APRIL.

HEIGHTS - If you won't shut up, I'll shut you up myself! (he suddenly realizes that APRIL has gone limp. She is no longer breathing) Oh my God, oh my God.

CUT to APRIL's body being dumped along the highway. We see the rear of the car. The bright red brake lights dim to the red tail lights as the car drives off. Close up of APRIL's lifeless body on the side of the road.

CLOSING SCENES. The song "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister plays in the background. (Lyrics courtesy letssingit.com)

"Baby, don't understand
Why we can't just hold on to each other's hands"

JEFFRIES handcuffs 1985 HEIGHTS.

"This time might be the last I fear
Unless I make it all too clear
I need you so (oh)"

JEFFRIES and RUSH escort HEIGHTS out of the interrogation room and into the main police station office. Present day HEIGHTS is walked through the main office. They pass by MRS. MINTON and 1985 KATE standing next to each other.

"Take these Broken Wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live so free"

As they pass, 1985 KATE flashes into Present day KATE. MRS. MINTON and KATE both look relieved and happy.


"When we hear the voices sing"

JEFFRIES turns around and nods at them.

"The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these Broken Wings"

VALENS and VERA file the closed case box down in the vault.

"Baby, I think tonight
We can take what was wrong and make it right (mmm)"

JEFFRIES visits MARILYN who is back at work. She smiles as he tells her they solved the case.

"Baby, it's all I know
That you're half of the flesh and blood makes me whole
I need you so"

JEFFRIES walks outside the mall and turns around. He "sees" APRIL.

"So take these Broken Wings
And learn to fly again"

RUSH stands outside a hospital room hesitating.

"Learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing"

She starts to walk toward the closed door, but stops. She thinks for a moment and then walks in.


"The book of love will open up and let us in (ya ya, let us in, let us in)"

The door closes and we see the words "Room 219" and a file in the door that says "RUSH, ELLEN." Fade to black

[Trublu]

Great fic TV.... i especially liked how you incorperated a little of Lilly's family life into it... thats something we dont really see enough of... :clap:

[Tati]

This is great !!! You even added music. It really felt like a CC episode.
I loved the part about Lilly's mom (but you left me so curious to know what happened in that hospital room!).

[TVFan]

Thanks guys.

Tatiana - I'm curious as well. I hope the real show explores this back story with Lilly this season. I'm dying to know what happened with her mother.