Virtual American Gothic - Second Season Episode Nine Bloodhound by Rosebuck ********************************************* NOT TO BE ARCHIVED TO A WEB PAGE WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S PRIOR CONSENT. Special Guest Stars: Lily Samson...............Claire Danes Jonathan Kane............Brent Spiner Deborah Reed............Tracy Wells Francine Kravitz...........Ellen Wheeler Jim, the Bailiff..............Ron Canada ********************************************* Teaser Deputy Ben Healy is driving in his car, talking to himself. "Rita, I know it's been a while, but I had a really good time and I hope that you did, too, when we went out before, and I wonderin' if you'd like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night? No. No. No. I sound like an idiot." More firmly, "Rita, come out to dinner with me, tomorrow." Sighs, "Now, I sound like a caveman." He pulls into the hospital parking lot. Stopping the car, he sits there. "Rita, will you have dinner with me tomorrow night? Ugh! Boring." He bangs his head against the wheel. "If I could only figure out how Lucas would say it. Who are you kidding, Ben Healy?" Shrugging, he gets out of the car. "Just go in there and ask her." He walks around the front of the car and trips over something. A crow swoops up at him, and he covers his eyes for protection. Then he looks down. "What the... Oh, my God. Billy Peele?" Billy Peele's body is at his feet. Billy is staring up into the darkness, his hands tied behind his back. Flecks of blood stain his cheek where the crow had started pecking. Ben kneels down beside him. "Dear God in heaven." Scene I Lucas Buck rolls down the passenger window of Ben's squad car. Ben glances over at him. "I can't get that crow out of my head," Ben admits. "Obviously, not a picky-eater." Ben grimaces. "I still can't believe you think Selena would do this, Lucas," he says. "A crime of passion? Sounds right up Selena's alley to me," Lucas claims. "Not to mention a dozen witnesses that will testify that the good Doc publicly humiliated Selena not two hours before you, quite literally, stumbled over his body. As far as I'm concerned there is no other suspect." Ben, looking carefully ahead, ventures, "You had a reason to hate Billy." "Hell, no," Lucas scoffs, "I respected Billy Peele, in a way. Until he caved, that is. Then he became a disappointment." Smirking, "I guess Selena felt the same way." Ben pulls into Selena's drive. Lucas gets out of the car. "Are you comin', Deputy?" Ben takes a breath. "Yeah, I'm comin'" They walk up to the front door. Ben knocks. Selena comes to the door. "We're here to search the premises," Lucas informs her, with pleasure. He pauses, then adds disgustedly, "Ben, the warrant." "Uh, sure, Lucas," a flustered Ben replies. He pulls the warrant out of his pocket. Selena waves it away without looking at it. "If Sheriff Buck wants to search my home, he wouldn't let a little thing like legality stand in his way," she says coolly. Selena's eyes travel up Lucas' tall frame. "You know your way around." Lucas heads straight for Selena's bedroom. Ben doggedly follows. "Anything in particular you're looking for, boys?" "As a matter of fact, yes," replies Lucas, approaching her dresser. On top, proudly stands an armless nutcracker, a cut-glass bowl of walnuts beside him. Lucas opens the top drawer and starts digging through Selena's unmentionables. She watches with cool detachment. "Looking for a souvenir?" she inquires, her voice low, and sultry. Lucas ignores her. "What's this?" Ben asks, referring to the nutcracker. In full sex kitten mode, Selena answers, "A lady needs some form of protection." Ben swallows. He picks up the nutcracker. "He seems to be missing something." "You will be, too, if you don't put him down," warm and soft. Hastily, Ben complies. Selena picks up the bowl and offers, "Nuts, Sheriff?" Lucas, still intent on his search, brusquely replies, "I have plenty of my own." "If you say so." Lucas throws her a dagger look, before removing a stocking from Selena's drawer. "Please note, Deputy, that this is the only stocking that's missing a mate." He waits. "Your NOTEBOOK, Ben." Ben pulls out his notebook, and dutifully writes. Lucas puts the stocking in an evidence bag. Selena's tone indicates she is finished playing games. "What is this all about, Lucas?" "You mean, you haven't heard?" Ben asks with real sympathy. "I'll do the honors, Ben," Lucas states. With relish, he continues, "Last night, that poor sap you call a boyfriend met his maker. Hell hath no fury, eh, Selena?" "Kane is dead?" shocked. "The other one." Selena's breath catches in her throat, her knees give out, and she sits on the edge of the bed. "Nice performance." "Lucas! Is that necessary?" Ben kneels down beside Selena. "I'm real sorry." She looks a question at him, and he nods. "It's true. I found Billy's body by the hospital." Seeing Lucas' pleasure, she composes herself. "What has this got to do with my stocking?" As if to a child, Lucas says, "You're a suspect Selena, we're collecting evidence." "You know I didn't do this." "I know nothing of the sort. I'll take these strands of hair from your brush. This your lipstick? 'Course it is. Look familiar, Ben? I think that'll be enough." Smiling cheerfully, he adds, "Miss Coombs, you are under arrest. Read her rights, Ben, and cuff her." He leans near Selena, up close and personal, his face suddenly cold. "I've been there, done that, and, frankly, it's lost its charm." Scene II Caleb Temple and Lily Samson are picnicking at the park, near the river. They are sitting on a big striped blanket in front of the gazebo. "So, how'd it go?" Caleb asks, splitting open a bag of chips and passes some to Lily. "I cleaned the bathrooms, Caleb, and did the dishes and stuff. No biggie. I'm used to it." "But you got along with Ms. Holt, right?" Lily smiles, understanding his worry. "Yeah, we got along. She's not gonna kick me out." Caleb smiles back. "Good." She sits back on her heels. "Brought your homework?" Caleb looks disgusted, but nods. "You know the deal. I'm supposed to be tutoring you." With false sternness, she adds, "I expect your grades to come up, young man, so I can stick around for a while." "Don't you want to see your aunt?" "I don't even know my aunt. I left New York more to get away from the cold than to see my aunt. If I get there, I get there. If I don't, I end up in Florida, where it's warm," Lily explains. "You could stay here," he offers. "Maybe, if no one finds out I'm not eighteen." "You lied?" Her eyes twinkle. "Did you here me say I was eighteen?" He shakes his head. "I let them think I was eighteen, I didn't say I was." "Same thing as lying." Instantly serious, she looks him straight in the eye. "I won't tell a direct lie, Caleb. There are people who consider misleading lying, but I doubt any of them ever lived on the street. It would be great if life was so rosy that I didn't have to watch everything I said, but it's not like that." Her manner eases, "I play a shell game." "A what?" "Ever see that game with a pebble and three cups? Guys in New York do it on the street all the time. They get some sucker to bet on it. Like, when Dr. Peele said I didn't look old enough to graduate, I diverted his attention by talking about my mom looking young. I didn't lie, heck, I didn't even answer his question. But he got the idea that I was older than I am," she laughs. Caleb smiles. "I get ya. I got to try that sometime." Lily sighs, "I don't think you really do get me, Caleb. Come on, show me what you got to do." Caleb pulls a notebook out of his backpack. They look at it together. The sound of a void being filled, and Lucas Buck is crouched between them. "Aren't you two a picture?" Lucas turns to Lily. "Don't you think he's a little young for you?" She raises her eyebrows. "The same could be said about you." A stillness comes over Lucas. "Watch what you say, he's an impressionable young boy." He turns his back on her, giving his full attention to Caleb. "A boy in your position needs to be careful about the influences he allows into his life." "I couldn't agree more," Lily notes. He ignores her. As he speaks to Caleb, Lily makes funny faces behind his back. "I fixed up the room for you, the way you said you wanted. Got rid of some of that stuff you said was too gloomy. I even had it painted a nice blue. You could come on over and see it. Maybe stay the night again, just to make sure you feel comfortable in it. No more nightmares." "I got no nightmares at the boarding house, not these days." Caleb starts to giggle at a particularly stupid face Lily has made. Without turning around, Lucas dryly states to her, "That display of maturity isn't winning you any points." Lily stops. "You got eyes in the back of your head?" "Maybe." Lucas turns to face her. "I expect you'll be moving on, missy." Lily shrugs. "That wasn't a suggestion." He stands up. "Caleb, I'll be seeing you later." He leaves. "You best watch out for him," Caleb advises Lily. "I'm not afraid of him, Caleb," she insists. Grimly, "You should be." Scene III Selena is locked in jail, but despite her surroundings, or perhaps because of them, she looks irresistible. Lucas saunters down the corridor and stops beside her cell. He surveys her smugly.. "Making yourself at home?" Stressed, but making an effort to stay detached, she replies, "What do you want from me?" Coldly, "The time for deals is long past. You betrayed me." "You're the one that went sniffing around Gail's tail." "Since when were we goin' steady?" he asks sarcastically. "Selena, you brought this upon yourself." "Did you enjoy watching him die?" The question is torn out of her. "I wasn't there. You were." He cocks his head slightly to the side. "Now, seeing you behind bars is definitely worth the price of admission. Of course, I'm not so sure Billy would agree." Something dies in Selena's eyes. She slinks over to the bars. Attempting to be as alluring as possible, she says, "I've learned my lesson, Lucas. I'll never do it, again." Lucas grabs her wrist, rage twisting his face. "Not good enough. You had my son kill his brother. Now we've both lost someone we wanted." He calms down. "I wonder how a woman like you will survive prison?" He releases her. She stumbles back. "You will write, won't you?" He leaves, whistling the theme to "The Love Boat." "You bastard!" she screams after him. Scene IV Ben collects food on a tray, and carries it to Selena's cell. She is standing in the light cast by the window, the rays clear and bright on her face, the shadows of the bars in stark contrast. Ben clears his throat, "Lunch." No answer. "You gotta eat, Selena," exasperated, "you're a fighter, don't stop now." She slowly turns and walks towards him. She stops at the bars, and with dignity, lifts her cheek to him. "You never took your turn slapping me. Do you want it now?" Anger crosses his face. "You would have deserved it then, you were as guilty as sin. Using Caleb Temple that way. But it's different now. I don' t think you killed Billy." He passes the tray to her. She takes it, and deliberately lets go of it. It hits the floor with a thunderous clatter. "Ah, damn, why'd you have to go and do that? You'll have to clean it up, yourself." "It doesn't make a difference what you think. Lucas has spoken." He leans in toward her and speaks softly, "Most of the evidence is circumstantial, but in Trinity it'll be enough. The killer hit him over the head and tied him up, before injecting him with an overdose of some sort, we haven't gotten that back from the lab, yet. The thing is, everything indicates someone who was afraid of being overpowered if they took a more direct approach. Like a woman. It looks real bad for you, Selena." "You know who's responsible." "Not DIRECTLY," Ben emphasizes. "Which means, the killer could have slipped up, on HER own." Selena looks up at him with startled eyes. "Now, I call that living up to your potential, Ben." With uneasiness, "I doubt Lucas will." Scene V Lucas swoops into his office. The phone rings. Lucas looks at it. Deborah Reed is on the other end. He picks up the receiver and drops it back down in its cradle. "Wrong number." Ben trails Lucas. "Like I was saying, Kane is a lawyer, Lucas," Ben explains. "Kane is a politician. That equals coward. He'll drop her like a hot potato. Wouldn't want to be associated with a scandal like this one. Could muck up his image." Lucas laughs, "Our little schoolmarm is going up the river without a paddle, or a politician." Kane is at the door with a familiar suddenness. "I couldn't help overhearing your comments, Sheriff, and you'll pardon me if I tell you, you couldn't be more wrong. I am a southern gentleman first, before anything else. And a true gentleman protects and supports his womenfolk. But, I guess you wouldn't know that." "Ben, I do believe I was just insulted." "It sounded like that to me, Lucas," Ben admits. "I am here to inform you, Sheriff Buck, that I will be handling Miss Coombs case, myself. And as her lawyer, I'd like to speak to my client now." "Floyd will take you back, Mayor." Sarcastically, "I believe that, being the true southern LADY she is, Selena is preparing for afternoon tea." He leans out his door. "Floyd," he shouts, "show the mayor back to his betrothed." With dapper style, Kane follows Floyd back into the bowels of the county jail. Lucas watches with amusement. "Well, that seals it. Selena doesn't have a prayer." "I wouldn't be so sure, Lucas," Ben cautiously offers. Lucas throws Ben an incredulous look, but before he can speak, the sound of a clearing throat interrupts them. Lucas looks out towards the reception desk. "Jim. Good to see you." Lucas beckons the short, burly man to come on through. "What can I do for you, today?" Lucas sits at his desk. Beginning hesitantly, and then continuing with more determination, Jim says, "Well, it's like this, Lucas. It's about Miss Coombs. We are actually going to get her over at the courthouse, aren't we? The thing is, it's getting kind of embarrassing." "I'm not sure I follow you, Jim." Lucas leans back in his chair, with a look of cheerful disregard. "Well, this past year, especially. You know, all the prisoners that aren't making it from lock-up to the courthouse. I've been a bailiff for ten years, Lucas, and I know how it is, but these last two years have had a record number, and, well, the state's asking questions. And, to be blunt, do you have any idea how much paperwork I have to fill out every time one of the prisoners don't make it to their hearings? Frankly, I'm getting tired of it. So, please, I'm just asking that Miss Coombs survives her stay with you people, and manages to make it to the courthouse." Lucas stretches and yawns, "I ain't got no problem with that. Miss Coombs is headed for the state pen." He stands and claps a hand around Jim's shoulder. "See, I'm here for you. You got any other problems, Jim, you feel free to come to me. We're all in this together. And I'll do my best to reduce some of that paperwork for you." Jim breaths a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Lucas." Scene VI Outside Selena's cell, Kane taps on the bars with a pen to get her attention. "I can't tell you what a pleasure it was this morning to get the news that my fiancee was arrested for the murder of her lover," he says, affably. "As your lawyer, there is one thing I need to know, did you do it?" Selena picks up the cup from the lunch that is still on the floor and throws it at him. He easily ducks it, and it clatters against the bars to the floor. "I'll take that as a 'no'," he says. "Get me out of here, Kane." "That is the plan, my dear. Look at all this," he waves his hand, "as an opportunity." "An opportunity?" caustically. Kane smiles. "The good sheriff has overstepped his bounds, putting an innocent woman in jail out of jealousy. How is that going to look for the Great Benefactor of Trinity? The damage to his reputation could very well be permanent. And that, my dear, is worth the price of a few days in jail." "It's not worth Billy's life." "Yes, well that is unfortunate," Kane drawls, "and, no doubt, you will miss him, but at some juncture you would have had to get rid of him. The point, Selena, is to take advantage of what you have to work with. I thought you understood that." Selena's eyes are awash with despair. "I can't take much more of this, Kane." Kane gently strokes her cheek. "You won't have to. A bargain is a bargain." Scene VII Caleb and Lily enter the boarding house kitchen via the back door. Ms. Holt stands by the table; sorrow clouding the clear goodness of her face. She turns as the kids enter, and gathers herself. "Ms. Holt, can Lily go fishing with me, tomorrow?" "Caleb," Ms. Holt begins softly, "I have to tell you something." Caleb knows this expression; he's seen it too many times. "Who died?" he flatly asks. A thought occurs to him, "Is it Miss Coombs? She wasn't in class today. We had a sub." Ms. Holt looks down. "No." She looks straight into Caleb's eyes. "Dr. Peele was found murdered last night. The sheriff arrested Miss Coombs this morning." Caleb scowls. "Why, Miss Holt? Why does everybody have to die?" Loris Holt grabs her young charge by the shoulders. "Everybody dies at some point, Caleb. That's a truth we all have to face sometime. But you're not going to be left all alone, I promise you." "You're right there, I'll always have my daddy, won't I? Lucky me." Caleb pulls away. "Lucas Buck did this. Miss Coombs, she didn't kill nobody. He just blamed it on her. He did it himself." Ms. Holt swallows, "We don't know that, Caleb. But I admit, the thought crossed my mind." "Course it did, anybody with sense'll think that. I ain't goin' to the funeral. You been to one, you've been to them all." Caleb runs up the stairs. Lily says, "Ms. Holt, what IS it with this town?" Ms. Holt sighs, "I don't know how to answer you, Lily," she admits. "And I thought I was messed up," Lily comments. "Pity about Dr. Peele. I didn't know him, but he made good scenery." She shrugs. "I'll look after Caleb." She follows him upstairs. Scene VIII Ben ducks under the yellow tape surrounding the crime scene, and looks down at the chalk outline on the ground. Under his breath, "Selena didn't do this to you." He hunts around for several moments, spotting something by a bush, at the edge of the tape. He crouches down to examine the soft impression of a woman's foot. Smiling, he takes a picture. "I can't imagine Selena wearing sensible shoes." Finished, he enters the hospital. He goes over to Rita at the nurse's station. "Afternoon, Rita." She looks him over sympathetically, "I would guess that you've got your hands full." "You could say that," he agrees. "Rita, I need to know somethin', and I don't want Lucas knowin' I asked any questions." "Ben, I'm not sure it's wise of you to try to hide something from Lucas Buck." "You let me worry about that. Was there any other woman Billy was involved with?" "Dr. Peele didn't have eyes for anyone once he saw Selena Coombs," Rita replies. Ben nods and sighs, "I didn't think so. It couldn't be so easy." Rita stops him as he turns away. "Deborah Reed has a real thing for him, does that count?" "Does she work here?" Rita nods, "She's a nurse. She knit Doc Peele sweaters, but she never gave them to him." Ben leans over the desk to catch a glimpse of Rita's shoes. "Thank you, Rita, you've been a big help." "You ever going to ask me out to dinner again, Ben Healy?" "Well, I owe you a dinner now, I guess," Ben says, slightly flustered. "You free tomorrow?" "Pick me up at eight." Ben leaves, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, I'll be," he mutters when he gets outside. A crow watches him from a bush, its black eye blinking. Scene IX Lily and Caleb are sitting on a dock, poles in hand, the dark water of the river flowing gently beneath them. Lily looks over at Caleb. "I'm glad Ms. Holt said we could go fishing this evening. My dad used to take me fishing, but that was a long time ago." Caleb doesn't answer. "When my dad died, I couldn't understand why the world didn't just stop. I kept thinking, how dare you keep turning. But the world doesn't stop turning and people keep dying, and you keep living, and somehow you learn to accept that. Lots of folks don't need to face that 'til they're old. We get to learn it young. So live, Caleb. Take every moment and make it worthwhile and enjoy it, 'cause it's not worth anything if you don't." "Don't you hate it?" "Life is a gift, Caleb, and if you're lucky you get to keep it for a long time. Now help me with this hook, again. That stupid worm wriggled right off. I've lost the knack of this fishing thing." Caleb stares at her with a deep gaze, as if to look into her soul. "You ever afraid of anything?" "Sure. But my daddy taught me, that no matter what happens to your body and your heart, you are the master of your mind and your soul. And no one can take that away from you unless you let them. Shoot, I hate worms. Don't you have any flies?" "Worms are better." Strangely, the sky darkens with an abruptness that has nothing to do with the setting sun. Caleb's eyes are drawn like a magnet to the shore. Lucas Buck stands at the end of the dock, his coat billowing out in the wind that has risen as mysteriously as the sky has darkened. Buck's eyes bear down on Lily with a savage intensity. Lily's chin rises slightly, and then, with deliberate cheekiness, she blows him a kiss. Making a show of ignoring him, she opens her thermos. She starts to take a sip, but stops. "Eeeww!" She turns the thermos over and pours blood out onto the weathered boards of the dock. "You see, he's a devil," Caleb cries. "He's an amateur magician with a chemistry set." "That's blood!" Caleb protests. "It's been altered to look like blood," Lily replies with firmness. Caleb puts out his finger and touches it. The sky slowly lightens again. "It sure smells like blood." He goes to put his finger in his mouth. Lily grabs his hand. "Haven't you heard of AIDS?" "I thought you said it wasn't blood." "Never take that kind of chance. I can be wrong, Caleb. Everyone can. Including your Lucas Buck. He's not a devil, but he may be better at parlor tricks than I give him credit for." Caleb turns his head back to the shore. Lucas Buck is gone. "I'm afraid of him, even if he is my daddy." "He's your daddy? That goes a long way to explaining things." Scene X Ben stares at the files for Selena's case that rest on his desk. "I don't have to go any farther," he reasons. "Lucas would never know." "Know what, Ben?" Lucas says over his shoulder. Ben gets a scared rabbit look. "Um...uh..." he stutters, "about the surprise party," he finishes lamely. "It ain't my birthday," notes Lucas, "and you just spoiled the surprise." "I guess I'll have to cancel then," Ben suggests with a croak. Lucas leans over and pulls a long tawny and curled lock of fur out of Ben's breast pocket. "I must have Toto tucked in a basket; between you, Floyd and Miss Emory, I'm just skippin' through OZ." "That ain't fair," protests Ben. Lucas raises his eyebrows and gently swings his mane trophy. "Gail loved you," the deputy adds weakly. "Oh yeah, she proved her undying love by killing herself. The ice princess was all heart." Lucas passes into his office. "Back to the grindstone, king of the beasts, we've got the wicked witch to melt, back in her cell," he concludes. A look of pure stubbornness crosses Ben's face. Scene XI Lily begins to pack up their stuff. She picks up her backpack, pulls something out, and flings it at Caleb. It lands in his lap, and he screeches. Lily giggles. It's a rubber spider. "I got that for you, when we stopped to get the worms." Caleb picks it up by one leg. "Why? And where'd you get the money?" "I spent less than a dollar. And I got it because I wanted you to have it. I knew this girl in New York, we slept in this empty warehouse, her and me and half a dozen other kids. She had this rubber spider that she always put next to her head at night. Tammy was convinced it would keep the bugs away. I don't know if it worked, but she always swore it did. So, I got one for you. To keep away the cockroaches," Lily adds with a smile, tilting her head to where Lucas had appeared. Caleb laughs. "I don't think Sheriff Buck will mind a rubber spider, but he sure will mind being called a cockroach." He looks up at Lily. "My sister, Merlyn, she used to try to protect me from him. She'd like your spider." Lily shakes her head, "I wish I could have met her. But someone like Lucas Buck, I can't protect you from him, not really. You have to protect yourself. In your mind and your soul, you have to keep true to yourself. Buck will always be able to do things to you, but he can't take anything you don't give him. He can't take your soul, or your strength, unless you hand them over. My daddy told me that, when I asked him what would happen to him if he got captured by the enemy. I'd remember it when my mom would get drunk and tell me she should've gotten the abortion instead of marrying my dad. And I'd remember it when she'd sober up and apologize." Caleb cringes, "That's a horrible thing to say!" Lily shrugs, "She's a nasty drunk," it's a fact of life. A look of fierce determination crosses her face. "I'm not gonna be like her, I'm going to make something of myself, just as soon as I can find someplace to settle, and work my way through school. I'm going to be someone my daddy would be proud of." Her attitude softens, "I can see him, looking down from heaven, saying 'Gabriel, see that one, that's my girl. She's done me proud.' And then he'll put his arm around Gabriel's shoulder, only that won't be easy, because of the wings." Lily puts her arm around Caleb's shoulders, leaning in close to him. "And Gabriel will say, 'You raised her right, Tim,' and my daddy'll say, 'Damn straight..' Then, "Uh, sorry, no matter how long I'm up here, I can't seem to remember to watch my mouth.'" Caleb laughs. "I bet he will." They walk home, the rosy haze of the sun's final bow glowing warmly on their skin. Scene XII In the long corridor of a modern apartment building, Ben stops in front of a door. He checks his watch. It's ten a.m. He takes out a tool and picks the lock. It takes him several tries. Pushing the door open slowly, he enters Deborah Reed's apartment. He takes a look around. "My Lord, she had my granny decorate for her," he mutters. "Better make this fast, before Lucas gets back from that meeting." Getting his bearings, he heads for the bedroom. Before touching anything, he puts on rubber gloves. He pulls out a large evidence bag from a case he's carrying. He collects evidence in the bedroom and bathroom. Entering the living room once more, he stops by the dainty lady's desk. On a hunch, he starts rifling through the drawers. There is the sound of footsteps in the corridor. Two people, but one louder than the other. Ben knows that step. His breath catches in his throat, his heart beats so loud he swears it can be heard in the next county. The footsteps slow and stop in front of the apartment door. Sweat beads on Ben's forehead. "This is a fine piece of property here, Mr. King, you needn't feel any qualms about purchasing it," a familiar drawl declares. "And as far as your concerns about security goes, this here ain't Miami. Here in Trinity, a break-in is almost unheard of. As sheriff, you have my personal guarantee on that. You have any more questions, you feel free to give me a call. Your agent knows I'll do right by you. Trinity is a wonderful place to live and work. Yep, this building would be a good investment for you." The footsteps resume, receding down the hall. Ben breathes a sigh of relief and wipes his forehead. He goes to close the drawer, but a red ribbon peeking from under some papers catches his attention. He takes out a stack of pink stationary. A glance at the first letter tells him everything he needs to know. His head bows and his eyes close. Scene XIII The Mayor's Office is being redecorated, and Ben must step around a pile of painting equipment in order to get to the door. He knocks and enters. "Mayor Kane?" Kane smiles widely, "Deputy Healy, isn't it?" "That's right," Ben nervously clears his throat. "There was no one at the desk." "My secretary took an early lunch. Can't stand the smell of all that paint, but what can you do, it was so dreary in here. What can I help you with, today." "It's about Miss Coombs' case. I have proof that another person murdered Billy Peele." Kane leans back in his chair, his eyebrows rising. "Do you, now?" Ben places his case on the Mayor's desk. "I've got physical evidence, and then there's this..." He pulls out the letters, now safely confined in a plastic bag, and places them in front of the politician. Through the plastic, Kane easily reads the top one. "Well, well, looks like you struck gold, Deputy." Kane leans forward, smiling. "What did the sheriff say? No, wait, the sheriff hasn't seen this, yet, or you wouldn't be here." Thoughtfully, he taps the bag. "Sheriff Buck obtained this warrant?" He catches the look on Ben' s face. "No warrant. I don't need to tell you, that without a warrant this isn't admissible in court." Ben turns red. "I thought...." "You've been workin' for Lucas Buck too long, Deputy Healy. I do things by the book." He picks up the phone and places a call. "Judge Rice? Yes, It's good to hear from you, too. Dinner sometime sounds wonderful. I have a favor to ask. I need a warrant for a Deputy Healy to search the apartment of one Deborah Reed, that's R-E-E-D. It's a murder investigation here in Trinity. I would have asked a local judge, but there is some question about the objectivity of certain local officials in this case. Splendid. I knew I could count on you, Your Honor. If you can just messenger that on over to my office. Next time I'm in Ascension. I'll give you a call." He hangs up. Standing, he hands the evidence back to Ben. "An hour." He crosses in front of his desk to stand at Ben's side, his voice low and seductive in Ben's ear, "This is no reason for anyone to know you obtained the evidence before the warrant, Deputy," he smiles, "Ben. It'll be our little secret. For the sake of an innocent woman." Ben looks away, swallows, "I thought you would take care of this." "You were just doin' you're job, Ben. That's all. Trust me." Ben shoots a swift, incredulous look at Kane, before shaking his head. "I'm not that much of a fool. I'll trust you only so far as Selena gets free, after that I'm on my own. But I guess I'm in over my head, already. We'll do it your way. As if I have a choice." He picks up the case. "I'll be back in an hour for that warrant. I've got a lab report to pick up. One o'clock, at the jail." "I'll make sure I'm there for the show." Ben says grimly, "You'd better be." Scene XIV The Sheriff's Department is as quiet as a tomb. Floyd sits at his desk, picking his teeth. Ben enters, hugging the evidence case to his side, the warrant clutched in his other hand. He glances at the wall clock, which reads exactly one. He licks his lips. "Floyd." Floyd jumps, "No need to shout, Ben, I'm right here." Lowering his voice, and steadying it, "Lucas here?" "He wanted to bring Miss Coombs her lunch, himself." Floyd leans forward and lowers his voice to a whisper, "You don't suppose he's, you know, with her, in the cell?" Ben looks at him like he's crazy, "He just arrested her for murder, Floyd," he says, exasperated. "I don't know," Floyd defends himself, "Selena might just get a kick out of it." Shaking his head in disgust, Ben grabs Floyd's arm. "I need you to come with me." The outer door opens, and Kane enters. Catching sight of Ben, he says, "Curtain's up." Ben takes a long breath, and then gives a little nod. With a firm step, he leads the other two back into the lock-up. Lucas has Selena's wrist in a tight grip, slightly twisting her arm, as he leans close to her ear, whispering. He is at his most physically intimidating. "Tsk, tsk, Sheriff," Kane wags his finger, "is that any way to treat a prisoner? As her lawyer, and fiancee, I must protest." Lucas turns, a feral look on his face. "What the hell are you doin' here? Ben, get him out of here." Ben clears his throat, "There's somethin' I gotta show you, Lucas." Lucas releases Selena's arm, and steps towards Ben. "I said, get him out of here." Ben hands Lucas the warrant. Lucas glances at it. Dangerously, "What have you been up to?" Ben starts taking out the evidence bags and placing them on a nearby table. "Lipstick, it's a match. Shoes match a footprint found at the scene, here's the photo. Mud traces match, too. The poison, it's a drug used for heart patients, I can't even begin to pronounce it. But the overdose was lethal, and this bottle has the exact amount taken from it that would be necessary to produce the effects in Billy. Here's the lab report. And these." He takes out the letters and begins to read. "Darling Billy, I have waited patiently for you to reveal your true feelings for me, but now I know that will never be. Our love was doomed from the start, for you have been bewitched by an evil I cannot remove. You are not the man I have believed you to be. I must look elsewhere for my happiness, for you cannot provide it. My path is a hard one to take, but it is necessary. Your soul must be set free." Ben puts the letter down. "I think that speaks for itself. There's a dozen letters here, most of the others are simply love letters she never sent." "Who?" Selena demands. "Nurse Reed, up at the hospital. It's possible she stalked Billy, and he never even knew it." Selena takes a step backward. "I want out of here, Lucas!" Kane steps forward. "You will release my fiancee. Now." Lucas lets out a little laugh, "I don't have to do anything." "Don't make me go over your head, Lucas Buck. I can, and I will. And in the meantime, I'll post a guard here to protect Selena from any unfortunate ACCIDENTS." Kane smiles. For a long moment their eyes lock. Lucas takes the keys from Floyd and opens the cell, never looking away from his opponent. "Miss Coombs," tightly, "you are free to go. Without a pardon." Kane winks at Lucas and takes Selena's arm to lead her out. She stops to give Ben a brief hug. "I owe you," she whispers in his ear. Floyd, mouth still hanging open, starts to collect the evidence. Lucas waves him away. He doesn't even look at Ben as he leaves. Ben hangs his head, sorrow replacing his former look of apprehension. Scene XV Kane and Selena are leaving, as Ben knocks on Lucas' door. He waits, like a schoolchild outside the principal's office. The door slams open with explosive force, no human hand touching it. "I don't recall asking for a damn bloodhound, Ben. Who is Sheriff in this town?" Lucas stands like a force of nature in the middle of the room. Ben clears his throat, "You are, Lucas." Lucas walks up to Ben, his face inches from his deputy's. Softly, "I owned her." Ben's eyes fall to the floor. "Letting that conscience of yours get to you again, Ben? I guess I got my surprise party, after all." Lucas brushes past Ben and goes to Floyd's desk. Towering over his hapless deputy, he barks, "Get Francine Kravitz of Child Welfare on the phone for me, Floyd." Floyd scrambles to obey. "It's nice to know I have at least one deputy that knows his place," coldly. There is a sadness to Ben, as if he has lost something, and he isn't even sure what it is. Lucas takes the phone from Floyd. His manner is immediately smooth and friendly, "Francine? Lucas Buck. There's a little matter I think needs attention. A young girl has shown up here in Trinity, over at the boarding house. Poor thing, I think she ran away from home. Her name's Lily Samson, born in New York state, I believe. Yes, I think you'd best get over there as soon as possible. She needs us to take care of her. You have a heart of gold, Francine." He hangs up and returns to his office. "No one is to disturb me." The door slams behind him. He crosses to his desk and pulls out a sheet of pink stationary from a drawer. He looks it over, hearing Deborah's voice read it to him. "Oh, for Lucas I will do the unthinkable. I have never known such happiness, I cannot afford to lose it. Not even for Billy. Billy will understand. He has always understood. He will make the sacrifice for me." "Good thing I had the foresight to remove this." He drops it on the desk. It bursts into flames. The flames die, and the pile of ash blows lightly across the desk to fall over the edge and drift into the wastebasket. The surface of the desk, including the blotter, has remained unharmed in any way. "Not too shabby, Sherlock, breaking the law to get what you want. But you should have at least served cake." Tag Lily is beating rugs in the backyard of the boardinghouse. "I cannot believe people actually do this," she complains, coughing slightly. "It looks hard," observes Caleb, tossing a baseball up in the air. "You can come over here and find out for yourself," suggests Lily with a grin. Loris Holt sticks her head out the backdoor. "Lily, someone's at the door." Caleb's head pops up, a look of fear on his face. Lily looks wary. "Who'd be calling on me?" "She didn't say," Loris admits. "OK. Just got to take this down," Lily says. Loris goes back inside. Lily lays the rug across a chair. Caleb takes her arm and leads her around the side. They peer at Francine Kravitz standing on the doorstep. Lily jerks back and whispers, "That's a social worker for sure. I gotta get out of here." She pulls Caleb to the back. "I'm sorry, Caleb, I can't stay." Caleb nods with understanding. "Where's your backpack?" "There's a reason I always take it with me," she admits, picking it up from behind the chair. "I hope I get a chance to see you again, Caleb. I'm going to miss you. I'll send a postcard, someday." "Don't leave Trinity yet," Caleb protests. "Promise. Not yet." Lily bites her lip, then leans over and kisses his cheek. "I'll do my best to find someplace to hole up for a couple of days. I promise. Give me a day or two, then I'll get in touch with you. I can't do more than that, and it probably won't do any good, anyway. If social services is after me, I can't stick around." She hightails it out of there. Caleb blinks back tears. Lucas faces Deborah Reed in her apartment. Deborah reaches for him, but he steps away from her. "I have a deputy waiting outside to arrest you for the murder of Billy Peele," he says, unemotionally. Deborah blinks. "Lucas?" "You murdered Doc Peele. We have the evidence." Deborah's face begins to crumble, "I did it for you, Lucas. To show you that Billy would never come between us. I did it for you. I did it for us." Bored, "You've been looking for love in all the wrong places." For perhaps the first time in her life, Deborah receives a flash of inspiration, and realizes that she has been betrayed, and in turn, has betrayed the man she loved, and herself. This kind of information is beyond her abilities to assimilate. She cracks. It is a relatively peaceful occurrence, and Lucas leaves her standing alone in the middle of her living room, unaware of her surroundings. Lucas opens the door. "Ben, read her rights," he commands. Ben enters and takes one look at Deborah's blank expression. "What did you do?" he accuses. Lucas is all innocence, "You have a psychopathic killer, Ben, wrapped up in a nice neat little package, what are you complaining about?" Ben, unhappily, pulls out his cuffs. Deborah remains unresponsive. Lucas chuckles, "Looks like Harvard's about to get a new girl friend." Lily is hiking through some woods and comes to a drive. She turns and follows it. She approaches a brick wall with a large locked gate. By the gate, a granite sign informs her that she has found Juniper House Sanitarium. Roll Credits