BURN SITE

Written By
Doug Simon

Verve
(310) 558-2424
Generate
Chris Pollack
(310) 255-0460

DAWN...
A BLACK HORSE sprints through frozen neck high grass in the
dead of winter, breath shooting out like steam.
The tall greenery thwacks the steed in the snout as it
charges out of the field and onto...
A residential street dominated by foreclosed, boarded up
homes on one side and a vacant lot of overgrown grass that
the horse just exited on the other side.
SERIES OF SHOTS of the loose animal as it continues a journey
through a picturesque wasteland of economic meltdown...
Past vacant auto plant after vacant auto plant... past a
burnt out and abandoned Elementary School...
Welcome to present day DETROIT.
As the sun rises, the exhausted animal finds itself on the
shoulder of 8 mile road where it wanders into the street...
A casino bus PLOWS into the horse -- Head meets windshield
with a BLOOD SPLATTERING CRACK as we -CUT TO BLACK:
The SOUND of metal SCREECHING against metal takes us to...
EXT. WALKER SCRAP METAL/THE YARD - MORNING
A MAN drags a metal pasture gate off the bed of his rusted
pickup. Painted on one of the bars is, Bloomfield Ranch.
The Man, hoodie underneath a tattered winter jacket, bad
skin, worse teeth, places the gate on a scale to be weighed.
REMY HARRIS (30s), a beast of a man, shaved head, and Yard
Foreman of this colossal scrap metal yard -- one of Detroits
few thriving industries -- inspects the gate.
One look at this Man and Remy knows its stolen. But that
doesnt make a bit of difference. Remy scribbles the weight
on a receipt, rips it off, and shoves it in the mans hand.
ACROSS THE YARD -JACOB RILEY (late 30s), his lean and solid frame the product
of relentless self-discipline. He wields a blowtorch, slices
a fifty foot metal beam in half with speed and precision.
His walkie talkie CRACKLES. He unhooks it from his belt.

2.
INT. WALKER SCRAP METAL/BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob splashes water on his face. Removes the grime. Combs
his hair. Dusts off his coveralls. He looks in the mirror. A
spider web tattoo on his neck peaks out above his collar.
WALKER (V.O.)
A man who gives others hope, no
matter how desperate the situation,
is a true leader.
Jacob adjusts his collar to hide the remnants of a past life.
INT. WALKER SCRAP METAL/WALKERS OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
SYDNEY WALKER (mid 40s), hefty, denim button-down, worn
jeans. He may not dress like a millionaire, but he is. He
sits behind a vast metal desk, exuding power and authority.
WALKER
Jacob? Do you agree?
Jacob nods.
WALKER (CONTD)
Then be a leader. For your family.
Jacob looks at a framed photo on Walkers desk: A FAMILY
PORTRAIT of Walker and his beautiful wife and daughter.
JACOB
Mr. Walker... My family cant take
nother pay cut.
WALKER
I know you werent expecting this.
Jacob attempts to remain calm and measured.
JACOB
With respect... this aint right. I
show up early, I leave late-WALKER
You certainly act like you give a
shit, which is more than I can say
for much of my staff.
JACOB
Not an act, sir.

3.
WALKER
Which is why much of my staff wont
be here on Monday... and you will.
Try complaining to them about a pay
cut.
JACOB
Not complaining. Jus-WALKER
Youve been here a long while,
which is why Im allowing you this
conversation. But think carefully
before saying another word.
(beat)
Youre one of the lucky ones. You
still got a job. Dont you agree?
Seething inside, Jacob wants to protest, but instead finds
himself nodding in agreement.
EXT. WALKER SCRAP METAL/PARKING LOT - LATER
Jacob sits in his Ford Pickup Truck scrolling through his
phone, stopping at: DIANA. His thumb hovers over the TALK
button... He cant press it. He PUNCHES the steering wheel.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT
DIANA RILEY (late 30s) delicate and beautiful, works the
register at the 10 ITEMS OR LESS CHECKOUT LANE.
She rubs her aching shoulder. Looks at the conveyor belt. A
case of BUD LIGHT. The customer, a pimply teenage KID.
KID
Oh. Almost forgot.
He hands her an ID. Diana doesnt even give it a glance.
DIANA
Whats your name?
St--

KID

(remembers his fake ID)

Eric.
DIANA
Well, Steric, do you know how many
drunk driving accidents there are a
year involving minors?

4.
KID
Cmon. Its New Years Eve. Cant
you just help me out?
Diana snatches the fake ID out of the kids hand.
DIANA
Leave now and I wont call your
parents. That enough help?
EXT. GROCERY STORE/PARKING LOT - LATER
Diana jogs through the lot, taking off her apron as she goes.
She gets in a rundown Ford Taurus.
EXT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/PARKING LOT - LATER
Dianas car pulls into a STAFF ONLY parking spot.
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/LOCKER ROOM- LATER
Physically worn-out, Diana changes into scrubs.
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/EMERGENCY ROOM - LATER
Diana yawns as she takes her seat at the Admissions Desk. The
moment her butt hits the chair -- SCREAMING
A MAN in a gas station attendants uniform frantically
hobbles into the ER. His right foot is MANGLED and BLOODY.
MAN
ONE OF THOSE FUCKIN DOGS!
ER WORKERS usher the Man back into the ER.
MAN (CONTD)
THERES A WHOLE PACK OF EM ACROSS
THE STREET!
OUTSIDE, a pack of feral dogs roam around a gas station.
Horrified, Diana eyes the dogs as we PRELAP:
LEON (V.O.)
A man who gives others hope, no
matter how desperate the situation,
is a true leader.

5.
INT. COSTELLOS BAR - NIGHT
Detroit sports memorabilia haphazardly decorate this dump. A
handful of regulars toss back whatever is cheapest on tap.
At the bar, Jacob sits with his heavily intoxicated and
bellicose friend from work, LEON ARCHER (40s).
LEON
...then he fuckin fired me.
Leon takes a long sip of beer. Jacob eyes Leons drink with a
combination of desire and disgust. He looks to the bartender.
JACOB
Nother diet here.
ESPN plays on a mounted TV. A shot of the Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson dropping a pass.
LEON
Dude gets 134 mil for catchin -no -- droppin a fuckin ball while
the rest of us take it in the ass
for 9.25 an hour. Fuck im.
Jacobs cell RINGS. CALLER ID: DIANA. He stares at the phone.
EXT. COSTELLOS BAR - MOMENTS LATER
A desolate stretch of road. Jacob paces back and forth, on
his cell. Light SOBS are heard on the other end.
As Jacob thinks of what to say, he clocks a couple of DEALERS
(18) peddling CRANK in front of a convenience store.
JACOB/PHONE
Baby, it could be worse.
DIANA/PHONE
I dont see how.
Jacob looks inside the bar at Leon who is now drunkenly
MUMBLING to himself.
I do.

JACOB/PHONE

DIANA/PHONE
500 bucks a month just vanished.
Gone. How do we live like that? I
mean, did you even put up a fight?

6.
JACOB/PHONE
Stuff like this happens. We deal
with it, alright?
DIANA/PHONE
Stuff like this keeps happening.
He eats the jab. Decides whether or not to fire back. Then -JACOB/PHONE
Whats Sandra doin tonight?
INT. BMW (MOVING) - THAT MOMENT
The RADIO BLASTS. SANDRA RILEY (18), cute, rides passenger.
CHRISTINA WALKER (18), sassy, drives. We recognize Christina
as Sydney Walkers daughter from the photo on his desk.
SANDRA
This car is sick.
CHRISTINA
Speakers were just put in.
Sandra feels her cell phone VIBRATING. CALLER ID: MOM.
CHRISTINA (CONTD)
Dont do it. Not if you wanna have
fun tonight.
SANDRA
Shes just gonna keep calling.
Sandra lowers the music and answers.
Hey mom.

SANDRA/PHONE

DIANA/PHONE
Honey, where are you?
SANDRA/PHONE
Just driving around with Christina.
Her new car is awesome.
DIANA/PHONE
Do me a favor? Tell Christina that
her fathers a real asshole.
Mortified, Sandra cups the phone and looks over at Christina.
Did she hear? But Christinas eyes are dead set on the road.

7.
JACOB/PHONE
Diana. Leave it alone.
EXT. COSTELLOS BAR

- THAT MOMENT

Phone to ear, Jacob hugs himself against the cold. He has

been on the line the whole time.
SANDRA/PHONE
Dad? Whats going on?
JACOB/PHONE
Nothin. Whats your deal tonight?
SANDRA/PHONE
The deal is Christina and I were
planning on going to this party-DIANA/PHONE
You know how I feel about parties.
SANDRA/PHONE
Mom! Its New Years Eve!
CHRISTINA
Told you not to pick up.
Sandra shoots Christina a look.
DIANA/PHONE
Last year you came home so drunk. I
wont have it. Spend tonight with
your parents.
SANDRA/PHONE
This is so unfair.
DIANA/PHONE
I know, your mothers so unfair to
wanna celebrate New Years with her
daughter.
SANDRA/PHONE
You know thats not what I meant.
JACOB/PHONE
Sandra, please, listen to mom.
SANDRA/PHONE
...Whatever. Fine. Bye.
Diana and Sandra hang up on each other at the same time.
Jacob exhales, rubs his forehead.

8.
INT. BMW (MOVING) - THAT MOMENT
Sandra sulks in the passenger seat. Her phone VIBRATES. She
sees its her dad and picks up.
SANDRA/PHONE
Why am I never allowed out?
JACOB/PHONE
Im lettin you go, alright? Jus
give mom a break.
SANDRA/PHONE
Whys she so pissed off this time?
JACOB/PHONE
Nothin. Everythings fine.
SANDRA/PHONE
Youre such a bad liar, dad. What
happened?
When Jacob wont answer, Sandra starts to piece it together.
She turns away from Christina and cups the phone.
SANDRA/PHONE (CONTD)
Im sorry... Ill come home.
JACOB/PHONE
No. This aint your problem.
SANDRA/PHONE
You sure? I dont wanna add to the
insanity.
Jacob eyes the two Drug Dealers across the street.
JACOB/PHONE
Trust me. If theres one thing that
keeps me sane, its you.
No words have been more true. Sandra smiles, touched.
JACOB/PHONE (CONTD)
Love ya, sweetie.
You too.

DIANA/PHONE

Sandra hangs up, sits quietly, her sadness lingering.

CHRISTINA
What happened with your dad?

9.
SANDRA
(beat)
Nothing. Everythings fine.
CHRISTINA
And you think your dads a bad
liar?
Christina smirks, turns up the music and SPEEDS off.
EXT. COSTELLOS BAR - NIGHT
Jacob pockets his phone just as Leon comes barrelling out of
the bar. He runs past Jacob, into an alley, and VOMITS.
Leon starts to cry. Jacob rubs his friends back, trying to
console him. Leon spits, wipes his mouth, and stands.
Im sorry.

JACOB

LEON
Right. Im sure you are. You still
got a job.
JACOB
...Im drivin you home.
Jacob puts his arm around Leon and guides him towards the
parking lot. Leon violently swings Jacobs arm off.
LEON
FUCK YOU! I aint goin home yet!
Leon stumbles back from Jacob and wobbles down the street.
JACOB
Leon! Dont be like this!
Leon doesnt respond as he disappears down a dark alley.
Jacob opens his hand revealing a SET OF CAR KEYS. Leons car
keys that he lifted from Leons pocket before being pushed.
He goes back into the bar, tosses the keys to the bartender.
JACOB (CONTD)
Make sure he dont drive.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - LATER
A working class neighborhood hanging on by a thread. Diana
drives pass boarded up homes. She pulls into their driveway.

10.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Diana enters, drags herself to the finish line. She flips the
light switch. No light, but -A light flickering from the kitchen. She rounds the corner to
see Jacob, holding flowers, and a candlelit dinner prepared.
JACOB
(re: the light switch)
There was some confusion with the
payment. I took care of it. Well
be back on soon.
Jacob helps Diana out of her coat as she realizes -DIANA
Wheres Sandra?
JACOB
Its you and me tonight.
DIANA
Jacob -- Whatd I say?
Diana...

JACOB

DIANA
You always gotta be the good one,
dont ya? Its not right.
Diana takes out her cell. Jacob swipes it, holds it out of
reach from Diana. He looks her in the eye, very serious.
JACOB
Baby... ygot no idea how
embarrassin it is standin in line
with only candles and flowers.
Diana laughs, softens. Jacob pulls a chair out for her. She
looks at the dinner, then back at her husband.
INT. HOUSE PARTY/LIVING ROOM - LATER
HIP HOP MUSIC BLARES. The house is packed with out of
control, drunk teenagers. Somewhere, SOME KID SHOUTS -SOME KID
10 MINUTES TILL NEW YEARS!

11.
INT. HOUSE PARTY/BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
An extremely drunk Sandra vomits into the toilet while kids
BANG on the door.
PARTIER (O.S.)
You takin a shit in there?!
Sandra flushes the toilet. She goes to the sink, splashes
water on her face, rinses her mouth out. She looks in the
mirror, eyes barely able to focus, anger suddenly creeps in.
BANG-BANG-BANG -- Sandra swings the door open, BUMPS into the
PARTIER as she brushes past him.
She wobbles downstairs. Scans the room. Finds Christina
making out with a BOY (18, skateboarder type). Sandra pulls
the Boy off. Christina looks at Sandra, What the fuck?
Sandra SHOUTS something into Christinas ear. The MUSIC is
LOUD and we couldnt HEAR what Sandra just said. But from the
look on Christinas face, it wasnt something pleasant.
Sandra backs up and stares down a now pissed off Christina.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob and Diana eat by candle light.
JACOB
Howre you gonna feed a dog when
you cant put food on the table?
DIANA
Its cruel, abandoning a dog like
that. Now theyre running around,
breeding, attacking people.
Diana stops eating, lays down her fork.
DIANA (CONTD)
I want out of here.
JACOB
I wanna get us outta here.
DIANA
Sandra deserves better.
JACOB
Ill get us outta here.
Jacob gets up, kneels in front of her, looks her in the eye.

12.
JACOB (CONTD)
You and Sandra changed my life. I
owe it to you... You took a chance
on me and Im gonna show you that
you didnt make the wrong choice.
DIANA
I dont ever think I made the wrong
choice.
Diana kisses him as Jacobs watch starts to BEEP repeatedly.
JACOB
Happy new year. I promise.
Jacob picks up Diana and carries her into the bedroom.
OUTSIDE, its beginning to snow. We look up at the pitch
black sky as specks of white fall directly at us.
FADE TO WHITE:
EXT. RIVER ROUGE - NEW YEARS DAY - MORNING
The ground is blanketed in 3 feet of glistening snow. A small
abandoned shack sits along the bank of the frozen river.
A YOUNG GIRL (10) in a pink snowsuit runs into FRAME and
takes cover behind the shack. An OLDER GIRL (13) chases her
with a snowball.
The Older Girl creeps up alongside the shack as the Young
Girl hears the footsteps and slowly backs away.
The Young Girl packs a snowball of her own when she catches a
glimpse of something odd on the shoreline of the river. She
squints, trying to make out what it is.
The Older Girl is right at the edge of the shack.
The Young Girl steps closer and thats when it becomes clear.
Along the shoreline, caught on a low hanging tree branch,
motionless and protruding halfway out of the iced over river
is a dead female body.
Paralyzed by fear, the Young Girl simply stares at the body.
INT. CADENS APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM - MORNING
A quaint upper-middle class apartment. Moving boxes line the
walls. Some have been unpacked. Most have not.

13.
Sitting on the couch, straining to hear something, is ROSS
CADEN (mid 30s). Athletic build, wears a sweat-stained
Detroit Tigers baseball cap, T-shirt and pajama pants.
ANNE CADEN (mid 30s, Hispanic) walks in tying on a bathrobe.
She just woke up ten seconds ago, but judging from her looks
youd never guess it. Caden doesnt acknowledge her entrance.
ANNE
Um... whatre you doing?
That buzz.
That what?

CADEN
ANNE

CADEN
Ive checked the heater, the
fridge, the TV. Ive got no idea
where its coming from.
Anne looks at him like he is crazy, but plays along and gives
a listen. When she does, an annoying constant BZZZZ is heard.
CADEN (CONTD)
Was it here when we looked at the
place?
ANNE
That cant be a serious question.
Anne laughs. Which makes Ross have to laugh.
CADEN
Im not crazy.
ANNE
Thats what all the crazies say.
Ross grabs Anne from behind and starts BZZZing in her ear.
ANNE (CONTD)
(laughs)
Get off, crazy.
A baby CRIES from the bedroom. Caden lets go of Anne. Without
missing a beat they do ROCK-PAPER-SCISSOR and -- Caden loses.
Ha. Ha.

ANNE (CONTD)

Cadens cell RINGS. He checks the CALLER ID. He turns

serious, looks back at Anne. She knows this look and sighs.

14.
CADEN
Ill get him next time... Unless
you wanna go solve a crime.
(picks up the phone)
This is Detective Caden.
EXT. RIVER ROUGE - MORNING
Helicopters circle. News vans, camera crews, and onlookers
stand behind yellow police tape. An overly done-up FEMALE
REPORTER talks into a camera.
FEMALE REPORTER
This marks Detroits first reported
murder of the New Year. Last year,
Detroits murder rate ranked among
the highest in the country...
The two young girls sit in a state of shock in the back of a
police cruiser. A FEMALE OFFICER attempts to get information.
Down by the river, CRIME SCENE TECHS chisel away at the ice,
working to unearth the girls bottom half from the river.
A black Chevy Impala pulls up. Caden gets out.
One of the CRIME SCENE TECHS (late 50s), an old hand at his
job, notices the fresh-faced detective and approaches.
CRIME SCENE TECH
Happy New Year, Detective...?
CADEN
Caden. Good to meet you.
Caden breezes pass the TECH. Makes a bee-line for the river.
The TECH jogs to catch up as Caden spots a lone EVIDENCE
MARKER next to a soggy mess of colorful half-digested cereal.
CRIME SCENE TECH
Pink snowsuit in the cruiser had
Fruit Loops for breakfast.
CADEN
We ID the girl in the river?
CRIME SCENE TECH
Not yet. But shes mid to late
teens. She was beaten pretty badly
and has a severe stab wound along
her face and neck.

15.
The Crime Scene Techs get the girl loose and place her on a
body bag. A CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHER SNAPS SHOTS.
CRIME SCENE TECH (CONTD)
Snows making it a challenge to
find anything right now.
CADEN
Well, good work on the Fruit Loops.
CRIME SCENE TECH
(dick)
Nice to meet you.
Caden starts the trek over to the body.
FEMALE OFFICER (O.S.)
Detective...?
CADEN
Caden. Good to meet you.
Caden turns around to see the Female Officer who was
questioning the two young girls.
FEMALE OFFICER
One of the girls in the car thinks
she knows her.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BEDROOM - MORNING
Jacob and Diana lay asleep under two thick wool blankets.
Theres a KNOCK at the door. Diana stirs and nudges Jacob.
JACOB
Sandrall get it.
DIANA
Not if shes the one knocking.
More KNOCKING. Jacob opens his eyes.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob, wrapped in a blanket, opens the door. He is thrown to
see a stranger on his porch: Detective Caden.
JACOB
(shivering)
Help you?

16.
CADEN
Morning. Jacob Riley?
Yeah.

JACOB

CADEN
Are you the father of Sandra Riley?
JACOB
Yes... Why? Is everything okay?
Caden holds out his badge.
CADEN
Im detective Ross Caden. May I
come in, please?
JACOB
Is everything okay?
CADEN
If youd allow me in, Id be-JACOB
Yeah, come in, but-CADEN
(as Caden steps in)
Is Mrs. Riley home? Id like her to
join us.
Jacob puts a hand on Cadens chest, stopping him. Caden looks
down at it. Jacob quickly removes it.
JACOB
(beat)
Why cant you tell me everythings
okay?
Jacob stares at Caden, desperate. Caden cant prolong this
anymore. He swallows, readies himself to deliver the news.
CADEN
Im sorry to have to tell you this,
but early this morning a body was
discovered in River Rouge that we
believe to be your daughters.
Stunned silence.
CADEN (CONTD)
Im very sorry, Mr.--

17.
JACOB
No no no. The hell you talkin
about? Shes fine -- Shes home -CADEN
Maybe we should sit down and-Jacob storms down the hallway. BARGES into Sandras room. Her
empty bed sends a chill through his body.
DIANA (O.S.)
Who are you? Whats going on here?
Jacob rushes back into the living room. Diana stands in front
of Caden, waiting for an answer. Caden looks to Jacob,
offering him a chance to explain. When Jacob doesnt speak -CADEN
Mrs. Riley, Im Detective Ross-Jacob steps in between Diana and Caden, shielding her.
JACOB
You said you thought it was her.
DIANA
Somebody talk to me! What the
hells going on? Wheres Sandra?
Jacob turns to Diana. His face. His silence. It tells her
everything. Dianas knees buckle.
DIANA (CONTD)
Oh my God -- Oh God no -JACOB
(to Caden, pleading)
You dont know. You dont know.
Caden takes out an evidence bag containing a set of keys.
CADEN
We found these in her pocket. Did
these belong to your daughter?
Diana takes one look at Sandras house keys and pitches
forward, holding her stomach. She runs to the bathroom.
INT. MORGUE - DAY
Jacob stands over Sandras body which lies on a metal table.
She has several BLACK BRUISES on her face.

18.
And a 6 INCH GASH along the right side of her head, beginning
at her temple and ending at her throat.
JACOB
Was she...? Did anything else
happen to her?
CADEN
A full examination will be done
shortly.
Jacobs face hardens as his sadness morphs into rage. Caden
clocks this, and drapes the sheet back over Sandra.
CADEN (V.O.)
When did you last speak to Sandra?
INT. MORGUE/CAFETERIA - DAY
Jacob, trying to be strong, sits next to a nearly catatonic
Diana. Caden sits opposite them. A COP in uniform, NOWLES
(mid 20s) hangs back in a doorway fifteen feet away.
JACOB
...Last night... round 7, I think.
She was goin to this party with a
friend. Christina Walker...
Caden writes, PARTY - FRIEND - CHRISTINA WALKER.
JACOB (CONTD)
...Next thing I know, youre
knockin at my door.
Diana MUMBLES something inaudibly.
CADEN
Im sorry, Mrs. Riley?
DIANA
Whyd you call her back?
Jacob cringes, the guilt-ridden pain stabbing his stomach.
Im sorry.

JACOB

Jacob grips Dianas hand. She pulls it away and retreats back
into a comatose state.
JACOB (CONTD)
(to Caden)
I let her go out last night.

19.
Caden nods, empathizes with Jacob, pushes forward.
CADEN
Um... Do you know of anyone who
Sandra may have been fighting with
or not getting along with?
JACOB
Everyone loved her.
CADEN
Was Sandra dating anyone?
JACOB
No -- Not that we know of.
CADEN
And youre Sandras stepfather?
Jacob nods, yes.
CADEN (CONTD)
And youre her biological mother?
Jacob nods for Diana.
CADEN (CONTD)
Wheres Sandras biological father?
JACOB
Dead. Diana was married, but he
died of cancer before she was born.
Caden takes out a folder.
CADEN
As I said before, this process
wont be easy. So what Im about to
ask might be difficult to discuss.
But Id like to get it out of the
way now and cross it off my list.
Jacob nods. He knows exactly where Caden is headed. Caden
opens the folder and flips to a page.
CADEN (CONTD)
When I ran your name, Mr. Riley, I
saw we had a file on you. You were
arrested twice for intoxication.
Three times on narcotics
possession. In all instances you
had alcohol, methamphetamine or
OxyContin in your system.

20.
Jacob shifts in his chair. Like a reflex, he adjusts his
shirt collar to hide his neck tattoo.
JACOB
I did a lotta stupid things.
CADEN
Then theres this assault charge.
EXT. DIVE BAR - NIGHT - TEN YEARS AGO
Jacob, in his early 30s, stumbles out of a bar. He is drunk
and stoned. Not the Jacob weve come to know. He accidentally
bumps into THREE MEN (30s) drinking on the sidewalk.
Jacob staggers off and BAM -- A beer bottle hits him in the
back of the head. It lands on the sidewalk, doesnt break.
Jacob bleeds as he turns around and stares down the group.
One MAN takes this as an invitation and approaches. Jacob
picks up the beer bottle and CLOCKS the Man in the face. The
Man hits the ground, his friends run to help.
Jacob shoves the bottleneck of the beer bottle down the Mans
throat. Jacob stands, fire in his eyes, and raises his boot
over the bottle that sticks out of the Mans mouth, ready to
crush it through the Mans head when he is suddenly tackled.
INT. MORGUE/CAFETERIA - END FLASHBACK
Jacob lowers his head, not proud. Caden sizes up the reformed
man who was once capable of such ferocity.
CADEN
In regards to your past, is there
anything else I should know?
Fights? Drugs? Anything?
Jacob looks to Diana for help. Shes totally checked out.
Jacob stands and grabs Dianas purse.
JACOB
Gotta get my wife home.
CADEN
Mr. Riley, I understand this is-Jacob turns violently to Caden.
JACOB
You dont understand a fuckin
thing.
(MORE)

21.
JACOB (CONT'D)
I havent raised a hand, touched a
drug, or had a drink in ten years.
Since the day Diana and Sandra
accepted me into their lives. They
turned that part of my brain off,
so understand that before you
accuse me of anything.
Jacob helps Diana to her feet and leads her to the exit.
CADEN
Mr. Riley, hang on a second.
Jacob stops. Turns around. Faces Caden.
CADEN (CONTD)
All Im trying to do is get the big
picture. We do that and work from
there.
Caden holds out his BUSINESS CARD.
CADEN (CONTD)
I need you to trust me.
Jacob takes the business card and heads to the door. Caden
watches Jacob like a hawk, trying to get a read on the man.
INT. POLICE STATION/BULLPEN - NIGHT
Overworked DETECTIVES pour over paperwork. Plenty of desks
with RINGING phones and no one in the chairs to answer them.
INT. POLICE STATION/CAPTAINS OFFICE - NIGHT
The constant phone RINGING from the bullpen filters in
through the open door. Caden sits opposite CAPTAIN TERRY
(50s). A commanding presence. Grey crew cut, thin mustache.
CADEN
Coroner report came back. No signs
of sexual assault.
Theft?

TERRY

CADEN
Doubtful. Found her purse an hour
ago. Frozen in the river not far
from her body. Thirty-five bucks
inside. Not a lot. But enough if
that was the plan.

22.
TERRY
And no murder weapon?
Caden shakes his head. Terry sits back, exhales, displeased.
TERRY (CONTD)
The medias gonna be all over this.
They dont like dead teenage white
girls.
Caden peers through the blinds. NEWS VANS, CAMERA CREWS, and
REPORTERS pack the lot.
CADEN
Wrong. They love em.
TERRY
Which is why Id like you to hand
this off to a more senior person.
Caden looks at Terry, You cant be serious.
TERRY (CONTD)
Shut the door.
Caden does as he is asked.
TERRY (CONTD)
You havent been here five minutes
and youre already being thrown
into the spotlight.
CADEN
Thanks for the confidence.
TERRY
You can open the door now.
(re: the ringing phones)
Goddamnit! Someone either pick em
up or unplug em.
CADEN
Look, I grew up here. Its not like
I dont know my way around town.
Besides, I didnt move back here to
shy away from the spotlight.
TERRY
Since you brought it up, why did
you move back here?
CADEN
Maybe because I got tired of seeing
everyone do the opposite.

23.
Terry gives a halfhearted chuckle. Caden, dead serious says -CADEN (CONTD)
You keep me on, Ill find who did
it.
TERRY
(mulls it over)
Fuck it then. Lets start the New
Year off on the right foot.
Caden nods. He opens the door.
TERRY (CONTD)
Before you go, you said this Riley
has a bit of a temper. You
anticipate a problem there?
Caden ponders the question.
No.

CADEN

EXT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON

A police cruiser pulls to the curb. An OFFICER gets out and
opens the back door for Jacob and Diana.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob leads Diana inside. He takes her coat off, sits her on
the couch, and takes a seat next to her. Both look totaled.
Diana abruptly gets up and disappears into the kitchen.
Jacob startles when he HEARS the CLANGING of pots and pans.
He walks in the kitchen to find Diana on her knees, digging
deep inside a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of whiskey.
JACOB
How longs that been there?
Diana pours herself a drink. Downs it. Pours another. She
takes her drink and the bottle into the living room and sits.
DIANA
Sometimes I need a drink.
Diana takes another sip. Jacob aches for a taste. Forces
himself to look away.
DIANA THROWS THE GLASS ACROSS THE ROOM, HYSTERICALLY CRYING.

24.
DIANA (CONTD)
WHYD YOU LET HER GO OUT!?
Diana!

JACOB

DIANA
YOU ALWAYS GOTTA BE THE GOOD ONE.
JACOB
Im warnin you.
DIANA
God forbid you stand up to ANYONE!
DIANA THROWS THE BOTTLE. IT EXPLODES AGAINST THE WALL, INCHES
ABOVE JACOBS HEAD. Glass and whiskey rain down on him.
Jacob grabs Diana by the shoulders, SHOVES her down on the
couch. Anger builds, will he actually do something?
Diana stares up at him. She is somewhere between hating him
and needing him.
Jacob pushes the rage down. Wont let himself go there. He
lets go of Diana and starts picking up the broken glass.
INT. THE BAILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - THE NEXT DAY - MORNING
The most religious home in Detroit. Every room contains a
small reminder that this is a Christian household.
SETH BAILEY (18), the boy Christina Walker was hooking up
with at the party, sits at his kitchen table. Caden is across
from him. Seths PARENTS stand off to the side.
CADEN
Sandra and Christina got into a
fight?
SETH
Yeah. But theres no way Christina
did it. She couldnt have. I was
with her the whole night.
MRS. BAILEY
The whole night?
SETH
(busted)
Shit...

25.
Seth looks over his shoulder at his disapproving parents,
then back at Caden. Seth smirks uncomfortably.
CADEN
Right... So you can vouch for
Christinas whereabouts between the
hours of midnight and...?
Seth braces himself before answering.
Bout 6.

SETH

His mother SWATS the back of his head.

MRS. BAILEY
Awful. Just awful.
CADEN
Why were they fighting?
SETH
Sandra was upset because her dad
didnt get a raise or something
from Christinas dad.
CADEN
Howd the fight start?
SETH
Christina and I were...
Seth stops himself -INT. THE HOUSE PARTY - FLASHBACK
Seth and Christina are making out HARD, his hand runs up
under the front of her shirt.
INT. THE BAILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - PRESENT
SETH
...talking. And then Sandra comes
stumbling up, smelling like puke...
INT. THE HOUSE PARTY - FLASHBACK
Sandra pulls Christina off Seth, leans in to Christinas ear.

26.
SETH (V.O.)
...and calls Christinas dad an
asshole. Right to Christinas face.
INT. THE BAILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - PRESENT
SETH
Both were super wasted, so I wasnt
surprised when it happened...
INT. THE HOUSE PARTY - FLASHBACK
Sandra and Christina shout at each other and CRACK! Sandra
punches Christina in the jaw. Christina stumbles back,
stunned, before BAM! Christina punches Sandra.
Sandra tackles Christina. Both HIT the floor. They PUNCH and
CLAW at each other until Seth and other partiers break it up.
INT. THE BAILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - PRESENT
SETH
Then Sandra stormed out.
CADEN
Why didnt you go after Sandra?
Werent you worried about her?
SETH
Yeah but, I was with Christina.
CADEN
Right. And you wanted to spend the
whole night with her. I remember.
EXT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE - DAY
Two NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS (12), shovel the Rileys driveway. One
stops and gawks at the three NEWS VANS across the street as
well as a CAMERAMAN shooting B-ROLL of the street.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Diana sits at the table, eyes bloodshot. Jacob cooks
scrambled eggs. The mood is cold.
Jacob places a plate of food in front of Diana. She stares at
it as the SCRAPE-SCRAPE-SCRAPE of shovel hitting gravel
grates on her nerves.

27.
JACOB
You need to eat.
Diana doesnt answer. She just looks away from the food.
A KNOCK at the door that Diana doesnt register. Jacob goes
to the door, opens it. Its Leon, holding a casserole pot.
LEON
Alice didnt want you worryin
bout food.
Theres an awkwardness between the two, emotions still raw
from the night outside the bar.
JACOB
Come in. Just havin breakfast.
Leon enters. When they look inside the kitchen, Diana isnt
there. Her plate of food is untouched.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob dumps the eggs into the trash, immediately starts
washing the mound of dishes. Leon sits at the kitchen table.
LEON
Yneed anything, me and Alice are
here. Jus pick up the phone and
one of usll be here before you
hang up. Okay?
Jacob doesnt respond. Leon might as well be talking to
himself. But theres something weighing on Leons mind.
LEON (CONTD)
Police talked to me today. Wanted
to know where I went after I left
you at the bar.
Leon gets up, starts pacing the kitchen.
LEON (CONTD)
I shoulda jus let you take me home
cuz all I did was walk round the
block, spend the night puking
before goin back to Costellos.
Nice work liftin my keys.
JACOB
You really come here to proclaim
your innocence?

28.
LEON
No, I dunno. I jus, I thought
youd like to know the police are
actually doin their fuckin jobs.
Jacobs blood pressure spikes. He turns around.
JACOB
Know what I heard the other day?
Seventy percent of murders in this
fuckin city go unsolved.
Leon searches for a consoling response. Doesnt find one.
Seventy.

JACOB (CONTD)

The thought pains Jacob, a hopelessness in his eyes. He turns

around, goes back to washing the dishes.
OUTSIDE, the kids can still be HEARD shoveling the driveway.
Jacob closes his eyes, trying to block them out and -EXT. PALMER WOODS, THE WALKERS HOUSE - DAY
WHOOSH -- A snow plow clears a path up a long and winding
driveway.
INT. THE WALKERS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
High ceilings. Expensive furniture. A stark contrast to every
other house weve been in.
Christina sits on the couch, crying. A pile of crumpled
tissues beside her. She has a BLACK-AND-BLUE BRUISE on her
jaw where Sandra punched her.
Walker sits next to his daughter. Caden sits opposite them.
CHRISTINA
I told you, I was drunk. All I
remember is Sandra calling my dad
an asshole and then punching me.
(trying to recall)
I know I hit her back, but after
that... I dont know.
Christina wipes her eyes.
CHRISTINA (CONTD)
She started it though. I was just
defending myself.

29.
CADEN
And defending your father?
CHRISTINA
My dad is not... an asshole. He
gives work to hundreds of people.
But all anyone cares about is when
someone gets fired. Its other
people who are the assholes.
Caden notices the anger in her voice. And so does Walker.
WALKER
She just lost her best friend.
Caden turns back to Christina.
CHRISTINA
I know what youre thinking. But I
would never hurt one of my friends.
CADEN
You mean aside from punching one of
them in the face?
CHRISTINA
Ive taken shit my entire life for
being who I am and for having what
I have. So Im sorry if I get a
little pissed off sometimes.
More tears. Christina grabs a tissue.
CADEN
Christina, Id like for you to take
a polygraph.
Walker stands and gets in between Caden and Christina.
WALKER
I know youre new here, but let me
explain something to you-CHRISTINA
(to Caden)
You think I killed her?
CADEN
I think you should take the test.
WALKER
--You dont come in here and accuse
my daughter--

30.
CHRISTINA
Ill take it.
Walker turns to his daughter, surprised.
CHRISTINA (CONTD)
Ill happily take it.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/BEDROOM - MORNING
Jacob watches his bedside clock switch from 5:19 AM to 5:20
AM. This is how he spent his night. He rolls over and faces
Diana. She is fast asleep.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Jacob heads for the bathroom in a dazed stupor. He stops in
his tracks when he sees Sandras closed bedroom door.
He inches towards the door. Grips the doorknob. Turns it. He
is immediately overcome with emotion.
He cant bring himself to look inside. He lets his hand fall
off the doorknob.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob stares into the mirror. Sees his pale face, the 3 day
stubble, the same hopelessness in his eyes from yesterday...
Then, his eyes stop on his neck tattoo. He runs his fingers
over it... a symbol of the Jacob that once was and...
Instead of feeling shame, under these circumstances, this
blemish gives him hope. A fire reignited. His face hardens.
Suddenly, and with purpose, he grabs the shaving cream.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob enters, all cleaned up. He looks like when we first met
him. One difference. No collar hiding his neck tattoo.
He sits on the edge of the bed. The movement wakes Diana.
JACOB
I need some air. Be back later.
Diana looks up at him, confused.

31.
JACOB (CONTD)
I cant just sit here.
A KNOCK at the front door.
JACOB (CONTD)
That should be Alice. Shell keep
you company.
Jacob kisses Diana. She is cold and distant, rolls over, just
wanting to go back to sleep.
EXT. RIVER ROUGE - MORNING
Jacob parks his truck at the bank where Yellow Police Tape
rests in the dirt in a crumpled up forgotten mess.
He gets out, glacial winds thrashing him in the face. He
turns his back to the river. Surveys a row of rundown homes.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
SERIES OF SHOTS: Jacob going from house to house, grilling
residents, receiving harsh looks, and unanswered doors.
EXT. HOUSE/FRONT PORCH - MORNING
Jacob talks to a WOMAN (40s, not a people person), who
smokes a cigarette.
WOMAN
Like I told the police, I didnt
hear or see nothin.
JACOB
What bout a car?
WOMAN
Didnt I jus say I didnt see
nothin?
JACOB
Lady, I aint the cops and this
aint an interrogation. Im the
father. Now, Ive been up and down
this block and all anyone says is
they didnt see shit. Not possible.
The Womans defiance melts away. She looks at him with pity,
throws her cigarette into the snow, and lights up another.

32.

Im Iris.

WOMAN

Iris extends her hand. They shake.

JACOB
I was askin bout a car.
Iris takes a second and really thinks before answering.
IRIS
I know you dont believe me, but if
I had children Id swear on em. I
didnt see a damn thing.
Jacob looks inside Iriss house. Sees the squalor living
conditions. He takes out a FIFTY DOLLAR BILL.
JACOB
Sometimes it takes a little while
for people to remember things.
Jacob RIPS the fifty dollar bill in half.
JACOB (CONTD)
Or sometimes people dont like
talkin to the cops.
He writes his number on half of the fifty, hands it to her.
IRIS
Both those things might be true,
but what I said aint gonna change.
She tries to give it back.
JACOB
Like I said, sometimes it takes a
little while to remember.
Iris nods, throws her cigarette in the snow, and goes inside.
Jacob walks back to the river bank. Stares at it...
QUICK FLASHES:
-SANDRA SMILING AT HIM...
-SUDDENLY, BLOOD VIOLENTLY STREAMS DOWN HER FACE, OVER HER
EYES, INTO HER MOUTH, BUT SHE KEEPS SMILING...
-SHE CRIES OUT, DAD!
Jacob BLINKS, SNAPS back to reality. Shakes off the unwanted
vision. He holds his head as he feels like he is losing it.

33.
Suddenly, Jacob gets in his truck and drives off.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
Christina Walker sits, taking a POLYGRAPH.
INT. POLICE STATION/HALLWAY - THAT MOMENT
Sydney Walker, Walkers ATTORNEY, and Caden wait outside.
The POLYGRAPH EXAMINER opens the door. Christina steps out.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERROGATION ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The Polygraph Examiner and Caden look at Christinas results.
POLYGRAPH EXAMINER
Shes telling the truth. She didnt
kill Sandra Riley.
CADEN
She said she was drunk, that she
doesnt remember things. That could
effect the outcome, no?
POLYGRAPH EXAMINER
It could. If you consider two
percent an effect. Shes clean.
INT. POLICE STATION/HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Caden and the Polygraph Examiner step into the hallway.
CADEN
Thank you. Youre free to go.
CHRISTINA
Told you to believe me.
As Walker, the Attorney, and Christina exit the station, a
FORENSIC TECH jogs up to Caden.
FORENSIC TECH
Ive got something.
INT. POLICE STATION/LAB - MOMENTS LATER
The Forensic Tech holds up a clear evidence bag the size of a
garbage bag. Its filled with BLACK PIECES of charred --

34.
FORENSIC TECH
Melted rubber. Found it by the
river. Near the shack.
Caden looks at it, quizzically.
FORENSIC TECH (CONTD)
Theres three more bags this size.
Were still working on where it
came from, though.
Caden holds up the bag, staring at it.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Gratiot Avenue. A section of the city left to fend for
itself. Unplowed roads and sidewalks. Boarded up storefronts
mixed with crumbling apartment buildings.
Jacob trudges through the snow. He passes DRUG DEALERS lazily
hanging out in doorways.
Jacob enters a decrepid three-story brick building with a
consignment shop, One Source Resale, at the bottom. Clothes,
appliances, and worn furniture clog the front window.
INT. ONE SOURCE RESALE - CONTINUOUS
Jacob walks in to the SOUND of bickering.
Behind the counter is MANDY ALVEREZ (40s). Thick arms, years
of hard living. He SLAPS the back of his sons head, PIVO
(17), wiry and truculent.
MANDY
Bitch, its been two days. The
sidewalk aint gonna shovel itself.
Pivo grabs a shovel, walks past Jacob. Mandy looks up, sees
Jacob, and stops cold.
JACOB
Wasnt sure Id still find ya here.
A smile breaks across Mandys face.
MANDY
Ho-ly shit. Fuckin Riley?
Mandy looks Jacob up and down then wraps his arms around him.

35.
MANDY (CONTD)
Shit, man. Yget lost in the
fuckin gym the last decade? Look
at ya, all fit and shit. The fuck
happened to ya?
JACOB
Nothin. Still open for business?
MANDY
Always open for business.
JACOB
Good. Cuz Im needin somethin.
Another smile from Mandy. An old customer has found his way
back. They always find their way back.
JACOB (CONTD)
(off Mandys smile)
No. Not that. Somethin else.
INT. STAIRWELL - MOMENTS LATER
Mandy leads Jacob up a grimy stairwell. A mixture of HIP-HOP
and DAYTIME TV comes from behind closed apartment doors.
They reach the 3RD FLOOR. At the end of the hallway is a door
with a waist high hatch that slides open and shut. Three
tweaked JUNKIES wait in line for their fix.
Mandy stops at an apartment next to the one with the hatch.
INT. MANDYS APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob and Mandy enter. Two street dealers, FLORES and QUINT
(20s) play BioShock Infinite on Xbox and smoke a joint.
RAMI (early 20s) enters from a makeshift door in the wall
connected to the apartment where the junkies were lined up.
This way.

MANDY

Mandy leads Jacob past a kitchen where an overweight woman,

MARTA, feeds her overweight BABY GIRL (1).
INT. MANDYS APARTMENT/BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mandy pulls out a dresser drawer and puts it on the bed.
Inside the drawer, a dozen handguns: GLOCKS, SIGS, BERETTAS.

36.
Mandy hands Jacob an oilcloth. Jacob picks up a Beretta 9mm.
Holds it. Feels the weight. Remembering. It feels right.
MANDY
Good piece. A real piece. You
wouldnt believe the shit people be
doin these days.
Jacob inspects the gun. The serial number is scratched off.
MANDY (CONTD)
No fuckin joke, people be makin
they own guns. Im tellin ya,
motherfuckers are poor as shit. But
those poor motherfuckers are some
of the craftiest.
Jacob pulls out the magazine. Empty.
MANDY (CONTD)
Youtube that shit an see what Im
sayin. But they make that piece
wrong an fire off a round. BAM!
Mandy CLAPS his hands. Jacob startles.
MANDY (CONTD)
Misfire. Ya lose your fuckin hand,
bro. Happened to my cousin.
(laughs)
Stupid motherfucker.
Jacob pops the magazine back in. Aims it out the window.
MANDY (CONTD)
Way they figure, why spend three
hundred bucks on a piece when they
can go to a scrap yard like yours,
buy some metal for fifteen bucks
and make it on they own.
Jacob squeezes the trigger with a CLICK just as something
occurs to him.
JACOB
Howd you know I work at a scrap
yard?
Huh?

MANDY

JACOB
I didnt tell you where I work.

37.
Mandy stares blankly at Jacob.
MANDY
I dunno. Musta heard it somewhere.
JACOB
Who? Whod you hear it from?
MANDY
I said I dunno. The fucks it
matter?
JACOB
Cuz my daughter was murdered two
days ago... And now Im here, a
place I havent been for ten years
and you know somethin about me.
Sounds like people have been
talkin about me. I wanna know who.
Mandy puts it together that perhaps he said something he
shouldnt have.
MANDY
Bro, Im sorry bout your girl. But
I didnt see anyone.
JACOB
The look on your face says
bullshit.
MANDY
You aint draggin me into this.
Thats how this business works. I
dont see you. I dont see nobody.
JACOB
Last fuckin chance. Whod you see?
MANDY
Who the fuck you think youre
talkin to bitch? Fuck off-Jacob LUNGES at Mandy, SHOVES a forearm into his throat,
cutting off his air. Mandy GASPS and FLAILS.
JACOB
Whod you see?
Jacob buries his arm deeper into Mandys throat.
WHO?!

JACOB (CONTD)

38.
The door is BUSTED in by Flores and Quint. Jacob lets go.
MANDY
(coughing)
Dont -- dont let him leave.
Flores and Quint advance. Jacob raises his gun. Its not
loaded, but it stops them in their tracks -Enough time for Jacob to realize that he has no options.
Flores RAMS his shoulder into Jacobs chest, SENDING him up
against the wall, PINNING him there.
Jacob PUNCHES the back of Flores head -The baby CRIES from the other room -Quint ATTACKS, SLUGGING Jacob in the ear, DAZING him. Jacobs
feet turn to spaghetti -- Flores lets Jacob collapse.
Jacob lands on all fours, HEAVING, watching BLOOD DRIP-DRIPDRIP from his nose onto the ratty carpet.
MANDY (CONTD)
You wanna leave? Forget you ever
came here. Yeah?
Mandy leans in close -- Jacob SNAPS his HEAD BACKWARDS,
CONNECTING with Mandys forehead.
Jacob goes for his only out. BOLTS for the window and JUMPS -He shatters through the GLASS, protecting his face with his
arms and FALLS -EXT. ONE SOURCE RESALE - THAT MOMENT
Jacob PLUNGES towards the ground. Braces himself for the
landing. His legs pierce the snow, feet POUND the sidewalk.
He falls forward, the snow breaking his fall. KNOCKING the
wind out of him.
Jacob sits up. Specks of glass fall from his face. He hunches
over, holds his stomach. Sucking air.
Everything is quiet while Jacob regains his senses. Finally,
he looks up to see -Pivo, ten feet away, shovel in hand, trying to make sense out
of what the hell he just witnessed.

39.
PIVO
Shit... You alright, bro?
MUFFLED VOICES and RUNNING is heard from inside the store.
Jacob struggles to his feet and rips the shovel from Pivo.
Rami exits the store and THWACK. The shovel flattens Ramis
nose. He falls to the ground, out cold.
Flores and Quint exit followed by Mandy. Jacob holds the
shovel like a baseball bat, ready to take a head off.
JACOB
I just wanna know who you-BAM -- Pivos fist connects with Jacobs chin. It doesnt do
much damage, but allows Flores and Quint to POUNCE.
Jacob side-steps a wild SWING from Quint and kicks his shin.
SNAP. Quint drops, holding his leg.
Flores goes for his gun -- Jacob grabs his hand, stopping
Flores from raising it. A struggle. Neither budging.
Jacob leans in and BITES Flores ear. Flores CRIES OUT, drops
the gun, holds his bloody ear. Jacob CLOCKS Flores in the
face. Flores hits the pavement, squirming.
MOVEMENT behind Jacob -- He WHIPS around and faces Pivo, the
kid looking like he might shit himself. Jacob looking like a
vampire with Flores ear blood smeared around his mouth.
Jacob turns back to Mandy. Sees him inside the store running
down the aisle.
INT. ONE SOURCE RESALE - CONTINUOUS
Jacob rushes inside as Mandy kicks open the back door.
EXT. ONE SOURCE RESALE/BACK ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Jacob exits as Mandy gets in his car and starts the engine.
Jacob SPRINTS to the car -- Mandy HITS THE GAS right as Jacob
BREAKS the drivers side window with his elbow -Glass SHATTERS in Mandys face. His hands fall off the wheel.
The car veers off and SPEEDS into the alley wall and CRASHES.
BLACK SMOKE rises from under the warped hood.

40.
Mandy is barely conscious behind the wheel.
POLICE SIRENS WAIL in the distance.
Jacob limps to the car. Pulls Mandy from the wreckage. Throws
him to the ground. He turns Mandy over and gets in his face.
JACOB
Whod you see?!
Mandy is too dazed to answer. His eyes are rolling back.
A POLICE CRUISER SKIDS to a stop. Two OFFICERS get out and
pull Jacob off Mandy. Jacob FLAILS like an animal.
JACOB (CONTD)
WHOD YOU SEE?!
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM/TWO WAY MIRROR - DAY
A broken Mandy Alverez sits alone on one side of the mirror.
On the other side is Caden and Captain Terry. Caden opens a
folder and pulls out MUG SHOTS of TWO MEN.
The first MAN is in his late 30s, full red beard, thick
neck, an unnerving stare. This is -CADEN
Harlan OKeefe -The other is younger, mid 20s, weak eyes, sunken cheeks and
sporadic stumble -CADEN (CONTD)
And his brother Blake OKeefe. A
few weeks ago, the OKeefes paid
Mr. Alverez a visit looking to
score a firearm. Like Mr. Riley,
the OKeefes and Alverez go back
some years, so they get to talking.
Alverez says the OKeefes start
talking all sorts of shit about
Riley. Also, they knew where Riley
lived, where he worked-TERRY
Why the bad blood between Riley and
the OKeefes?
CADEN
Because Jacob Riley sent both
OKeefes to prison.

41.
TERRY
Thatll do the trick.
CADEN
10 years ago, Harlan and Blake
broke into the Monroe County power
plant, attempted robbery. Things
didnt go as planned. The night
security guard tried to stop them.
They kill him. They get away.
Terry shakes his head, disgusted.
CADEN (CONTD)
A couple days later, police get a
tip. From Jacob Riley. Harlan and
Blake get sentenced to 15 years for
second degree murder.
TERRY
So what the hell are they doing
buying a firearm from this shitbag?
CADEN
Because Harlan and Blake were both
released from prison 3 months
ago... Time off for good behavior.
TERRY
Fuck... You contact their P.O.?
HOLD on Caden as he starts to speak -INT. POLICE STATION/CAPTAINS OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob, face full of scrapes, looks at Caden and Terry in a
state of disbelief.
JACOB
Ygotta be fuckin kidding me.
TERRY
Calm down. Youre lucky youre not
in cuffs, Mr. Riley. Attempting to
purchase a firearm. Assaulting-JACOB
Youre tellin me ygot no idea
where Harlan and Blake are and Im
spposed to feel lucky?

42.
TERRY
Youre supposed to know youre
lucky.
JACOB
Shouldnt I have been contacted
bout this?! A phone call -- A
fuckin letter in the mail -Somethin tellin me they got out?!
TERRY
You moved residences three times in
the last five years. You shouldve
been contacted, but these things
get lost sometimes.
Jacob shakes his head, seething.
CADEN
I promise, Mr. Riley. Well find
them.
Jacob goes for the door. An OFFICER in uniform blocks it.
CADEN (CONTD)
Whyd you turn in the OKeefes?
JACOB
I need some air.
CADEN
Well open a window. Please, sit.
Caden tugs on Jacobs arm and -- JACOB LOSES IT -He THROWS OFF Cadens arm. The Officer restrains Jacob when
SMACK -- Jacob PUNCHES the Officer in the face.
TERRY
WE NEED SOME HELP IN HERE!
OFFICERS race down the hall. Caden SHOVES Jacob up against
the window, CRACKING it up the middle.
Jacob frees up an arm and SWINGS. Caden side-steps the PUNCH
and in one quick motion takes Jacob to the floor.
Four OFFICERS rush over as Caden SLAPS on handcuffs.
INT. POLICE STATION/HOLDING CELL - LATER
Jacob sits alone on a bench, hands still cuffed. Caden walks
up, unlocks the cell, steps inside, and sits beside Jacob.

43.
CADEN
When you and I first talked, you
told me you havent raised your
fists in nearly a decade.
JACOB
I shoulda been told they got out.
This place is a fuckin joke.
Caden stops just short of agreeing.
CADEN
Sandras gone. But dont let what
she did for you leave with her. Be
smart.
JACOB
You really move back to Detroit? On
purpose?
(beat)
I did.

CADEN

JACOB
And Im not smart?
CADEN
Enough. Now theres two ways this
can go. One: you answer my
questions. Do that and youre free
to go. Two: you stay silent, we
arrest you. That means...
Caden takes out his cell phone.
CADEN (CONTD)
Your wife gets a call that her
husbands in jail because he fucked
up again... Your choice.
Jacob clenches his jaw. Caden begins to dial. A tense MOMENT.
JACOB
...Harlan and Diana used to be
together.
Caden stops dialing.
JACOB (CONTD)
Me, Harlan, and Blake used to work
at the GM Plant. Harlan was with
Diana. Things were good. Then the
plant closed. Things got bad.

44.
CADEN
That when you guys started using?
JACOB
(nodding)
Diana tried to leave him, but he
wouldnt let her go... Hed hit
her... Harlan was crazy and he was
crazy about her.
CADEN
Where were you when all this was
going on?
JACOB
Not where I shoulda been.
Self contempt makes Jacob pause for a moment.
JACOB (CONTD)
One day Harlan wants to take a run
at this power plant. I say no. They
go anyways. I make the call.
CADEN
Did you turn in Harlan to get
Diana?
JACOB
I saw my chance to protect her and
I took it. Next day, I put myself
in rehab. A year later, me and
Diana start seein each other.
CADEN
Why rob a power plant?
JACOB
When youre an out-of-work junkie
you do whatever it takes. So wed
steal metal, sell it as scrap.
CADEN
Tell me how it worked?
JACOB
Wed gut abandoned houses, ransack
construction sites, anything. Power
plants were good targets cuz they
got tons of copper cable. Copper
pays the most.
Caden nods.

45.
JACOB (CONTD)
But then places started puttin
identifiable codes on the rubber
insulation around the wire so they
could track it. So wed have to
burn off the rubber insulation so
no one knew where it came from.
Something dawns on Caden.
CADEN
Where would you do that burning?
JACOB
Wed find a burn site and -CADEN
A burn site?
JACOB
Yeah, like an outta the way,
secluded place.
CADEN
The shack by the river? You and the
OKeefes ever use it as a burn
site?
Jacob looks at Caden, confused.
CADEN (CONTD)
I ask because pieces of melted
rubber were found there.
Jacob looks down, this is all too much.
JACOB
I dont remember a lot from then.
(fighting to recall)
I dont know.
Jacob looks straight ahead, lost in his own head. Caden
pockets his phone, breaking Jacob out of his daze.
Go home.

CADEN

INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY

Diana is curled up on the couch, crying.

46.
DIANA
This -- This is so fucked up. I
feel -- I feel sick -Jacob sits next to her, silently agreeing.
JACOB
Its gonna be okay.
Jacob hugs Diana. She slips out of the embrace. Turns away.
JACOB (CONTD)
How long you gonna hate me for?
DIANA
You -- You always said youd get us
outta this place. All these years,
I really believed it-Jacob stops himself from saying something hed regret.
DIANA (CONTD)
(crying harder)
--And now our daughter is dead. And
those fuckin animals are out
there.
Diana.

JACOB

DIANA
(ranting)
Its not just you, its me. You and
I, we, we failed her. Together. We
didnt work together. We were never
gonna work.
JACOB
You dont believe that.
Diana finally takes a breath. A moment of silence. Then, she
turns around. Tears and a grave look in her eyes.
DIANA
I just wanna be with her...
What?

JACOB

DIANA
I dont wanna be here anymore. I
cant. Not without Sandra. I -- I
wanna be with her. Not here.

47.
Jacob has had enough. He grabs Diana. Looks her in the eye.
JACOB
You dont talk like that. Hear me?
Diana tries to look away. Jacob doesnt let her.
JACOB (CONTD)
Youre right. Those animals are out
there. And we wont be safe til
theyre put down. After, I promise
you, Ill get you outta here. And
youll start over someplace new.
Someplace warm. But not til I find
em.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jacob is wide awake, staring up at the ceiling. Diana is
asleep, her back to him as always. He quietly sits up.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/STREET - NIGHT
Jacob crosses the street to a boarded up and crumbling home.
EXT. BOARDED-UP HOUSE/PORCH - CONTINUOUS
Mounds of trash and scrap. He sifts through it, finds a thin
12 inch steel pipe. Examines it. Not right. Keeps digging.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob drops an arm full of scrap onto a work table. He
spreads it out, appraising the materials.
He grabs an acetylene torch and fires it up. Pulls a steel
pipe from the pile. He goes to work, cutting the pipe.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Not a single lit street lamp. The only light seeping out from
beneath the Rileys garage door.
EXT. WOODS - DAWN
Desolate. Jacob aims a crudely made five-shot revolver at a
tree. The firearm doesnt look like much. Just a patchwork of
metals in the shape of a gun -- BAM!

48.
A 9mm EXPLODES FROM THE GUN, HITS THE TREE, WOOD CHIPS FLY.
The BOOMING SOUND echoes. Jacob looks at the gun, satisfied.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Jacob sits at a window seat, staring out at a strip of
rundown houses across the street.
Caden exits one of the more dilapidated homes, gets in his
car, and drives off.
Jacob finishes his coffee and leaves some cash on the table.
EXT. RUNDOWN HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob RINGS the bell. It takes a moment before an attractive,
but haggard-looking woman with short red hair answers. This
is ROSE OKEEFE (late 30s) and surprised to see Jacob.
My Lord...

ROSE

She starts fixing her hair, suddenly very self-conscious

about her looks.
JACOB
Happy new year, Rose.
INT. ROSES HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A cramped, one-story, one-bedroom home. She leads Jacob into
a living room dominated by clutter and worn-out furniture.
Sitting on the couch, feet up and smoking a cigarette, is her
dirtbag boyfriend, ETHAN (late 20s).
ROSE
(motioning to the couch)
Join the party.
Rose disappears into the kitchen, leaving Jacob and Ethan to
awkwardly size each other up.
ETHAN
Rose?! Feel like introducin us?
Rose comes back with two beers.

49.
ROSE
Ethan, this is Jacob. Hes the
girls father. The one the cops
think Harlan and Blake killed.
Her matter of fact tone takes Jacob by surprise.
ETHAN
No shit?... The father.
Rose holds a beer out for Jacob. He waves it off.
ROSE
Oh. Right. Youre a good boy now.
Rose plops down on the couch next to Ethan and takes a
tauntingly long sip.
ROSE (CONTD)
Sit, good boy.
Jacob doesnt. Instead, he takes note of a SKETCH PAD on the
coffee table with a somewhat decent rendering of a MERMAID.
JACOB
No offense, but I remember you
bein better than that.
ROSE
No offense, but I remember you
bein nicer than this.
JACOB
Wherere your brothers?
ROSE
Cops were jus here askin me the
same thing.
JACOB
And whatd you tell em?
ROSE
Hows Diana treating you?
JACOB
(beat)
You dont talk about Diana.
ROSE
Im jus askin.
Rose.

JACOB

50.
ROSE
Better than I coulda treated you?
Ethan looks at Rose, not liking that question. Jacob scolds
her with his eyes. Finally:
ROSE (CONTD)
Last time I saw em was a year ago
when I visited them. Yknow, in
jail.
Jacob scoffs, not believing her.
ROSE (CONTD)
I swear. Word to God.
JACOB
Cuz your word means so much.
ROSE
Ill put my word up against yours.
I aint the one who sold out my
friends for a fuckin bitch.
JACOB
Im warnin you. One more word-ROSE
But yknow what? I moved on. So
lets jus assume Harlan and Blake
did too.
ETHAN
Alright bro, time to leave.
JACOB
Fuck you. You know where they are.
One of you better fuckin talk.
Ethan stands, gets in Jacobs face.
ETHAN
You heard what she said. No one
here can help you.
Ethan pokes a finger in Jacobs chest.
ETHAN (CONTD)
But from what I heard, ygot what
you deserved you snitch
motherfucker.
Jacob fumes. A CLICK is heard by Jacobs side. Ethan looks to
the source. In Jacobs hand is the revolver.

51.
A tense BEAT -- Before Rose bursts out laughing -ROSE
Harlan always said you could act
tough.
JACOB
Two choices. Tell me where they
are, we call the police, they go
back to jail. Dont tell me, I find
em, I kill em.
ROSE
Choice three. I call the police,
you go to jail.
Rose picks up the phone.
ROSE (CONTD)
Nice seeing ya, Jacob. Stop by in
another ten years.
Jacob RIPS the phone cord out of the wall. Ethan goes for the
gun. Jacob WHIPS around -- takes aim at Ethan -JACOB
YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.
The front door CREAKS opens. Jacob WHIPS AROUND -A little red-headed girl, LACY (8), bundled up in winter
clothes and wearing a backpack, enters.
He SHOVES the gun inside his jacket before Lacy can see it.
ROSE
Honey. Go to your room.
But Lacy is too busy sizing up this new person.
ROSE (CONTD)
Lacy! I said go! Take your pad.
Draw mommy another mermaid.
Lacy startles, picks up the sketch of the MERMAID, and takes
it into the bedroom.
JACOB
I didnt know...
Rose pushes the front door open, Get the fuck out!

52.
EXT. ROSES HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Jacob crosses the street to the coffee shop parking lot. He
gets in his truck. His eyes fixed on Roses house. Then, he
gets an idea. He starts the truck and pulls out.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - LATER
Jacob sits in his truck, down the block from Roses house. He
yawns, hes been here a while.
EXT. ROSES HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Ethan steps outside and walks to his car.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - CONTINUOUS
Jacob starts the truck as he watches Ethan get in his car.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob drives, following Ethan through downtown Detroit.
EXT. STREET - MOMENTS LATER
Ethan pulls into the parking lot of a ratty Irish Pub. Ethan
gets out and goes inside.
Across the street, Jacob pulls to a stop. Jacob gets out,
jogs over to the bar, and peers inside the window.
INT. BAR - CONTINUOUS
Ethan gives a handshake to the BARTENDER and exchanges
pleasantries. They begin shooting the shit. Its cold
out.., Hows the girlfriend? Work sucks. Etc.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - LATER
Jacob stews as he watches Ethan play pool with a few
BARFLIES, tossing back beers, LAUGHING, having a great time.
EXT. BAR - LATER
Ethan staggers out the front door. He stumbles to his car.

53.
He fumbles for his keys, drops them, bends down to pick them
up. He stands, Jacob is there.
Jacob pistol WHIPS Ethan and everything GOES BLACK.
EXT. WOODWARD CHURCH - MOMENTS LATER
A desolate area with an abandoned Gothic-style church in
total disrepair. Shattered stained glass windows. The grounds
overgrown with weeds that peek out from the snow.
INT. WOODWARD CHURCH - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE ON Ethan, unconscious. A WELT on his temple. Water
STREAMS over his face from above. His eyes flutter open.
He sits up, startled. He is on the floor, wet and naked in
the ten degree blistering cold. SHIVERING, he hugs himself,
scans his surroundings, no fucking clue whats happening.
He sees the decaying wooden pews. Holes in the ceiling. Large
sections of the floor collapsing in. Stacks of cardboard
boxes and leftover trash from squatters.
JACOB
I know you know something.
Behind him, Jacob sits in a pew, gun in one hand, a water
bottle in the other. Ethans clothes in a pile by Jacobs
feet. Ethan wipes water from his eyes, scared shitless.
Jacob walks to Ethan. Ethan scurries away, pieces of trash
and broken glass sticking to his wet hands and legs.
He reaches a wall, curls up into a ball, and turns into a
rocking, shaking form.
JACOB (CONTD)
Want your clothes? Wanna leave?
Tell me where Harlan and Blake are.
Ethan can barely talk, the cold a fifty pound weight on him.
ETHAN
(shivering)
I -- I -- dont know -JACOB
What makes you think Id take that
for an answer?

54.
ETHAN
Youre -- a dead motherfucker -Jacob PLANTS the GUN on Ethans WELT. Ethan WINCES in PAIN.
ETHAN (CONTD)
I DONT KNOW ANYTHING!
Spit dripping from Ethans lips, he looks up at Jacob,
looking for mercy. A beat while Jacob sizes him up.
JACOB
Youre fuckin lyin.
Ethan lowers his head, defeated, holds his chest, his body
starting to CONVULSE. Breath shooting out fast.
JACOB (CONTD)
Member what you told me? That I
got what I deserved. Tell me where
they are, or youre gonna find out
what I think you deserve.
Ethans body clenches up, his muscles tightening.
JACOB (CONTD)
You think Rose cares bout you? You
think youre protecting her? She
couldnt give a shit bout you.
ETHAN
You dont -- know what youre
talkin about -JACOB
I know shes probably got a dick in
each hole right now, blowin
someone for a fix. Makes me wonder
how you two met.
Ethan starts to CRY, partly from the cold, partly because
theres truth to Jacobs statement.
JACOB (CONTD)
I dont think you meant to get
caught up in this. But you did and
now youre here. And all this can
stop if you just tell me where they
are. You can get in a car, drive
off, police dont need to know.
Ethan CRIES harder. His pale naked body SHIVERS VIOLENTLY in
the puddle of water, on the verge of HYPOTHERMIA.

55.
JACOB (CONTD)
They slashed her. Beat her. Killed
an innocent girl. What if that was
someone you loved?
Through tears, Ethan looks up at Jacob. Has Jacob found a
connection?
JACOB (CONTD)
You know what youd do and youd be
right to do it. Now...
(beat)
You know where they are, dont you?
Ethan contemplates the question. Finally, Ethan looks up
and... gives a nod, yes. Jacob rushes over.
JACOB (CONTD)
Where are they?!
SMASH -- Ethan holds a broken beer bottle in his hand that he
SHATTERED into the side of Jacobs face.
Jacob DROPS HIS GUN, stumbles back, DAZED, blood starting to
seep from a SLICE along his cheek.
Ethan stands with a burst of energy. CHARGES at Jacob,
VIOLENTLY SWINGS the broken beer bottle at Jacobs throat -Jacob raises his arm -- the jagged bottle SLICES through his
jacket, CUTTING HIS FOREARM -Ethan sees Jacobs gun -- Picks it up -- Fury in his eyes -Turns around, POINTS it at Jacob -Jacob is there in front of him, on his feet, grabs Ethans
arms, they wrestle for the gun -Jacob sweeps Ethans legs out from under him. Interlocked,
they both fall -Jacob SMACKS the back of his head on a pew on his way down
and BAM -- Both men hit the ground -BANG -- A gunshot echoes -Both lay on their backs, a smoking gun in Jacobs hand -Ethan slowly sits up, his hands clamped over his neck, blood
pouring out from the bullet wound -Jacob looks on in horror as Ethan turns to him, tries to
talk, only GURGLES come out.

56.
Ethan stands. Streaks of blood run down his pale body. He
staggers for an open window, stumbles, veers off to the side,
and falls on his face.
Jacob runs to Ethan, rolls him onto his back, cups the wound.
JACOB (CONTD)
No -- No -Blood pulses out, leaking through Jacobs fingers.
A look of regret and confusion on Ethans face before his
body goes still. Dead.
JACOB (CONTD)
(shaking Ethan)
Hey... HEY. WAKE UP.
Jacob checks for a pulse -- Nothing. Jacob stands, backs away
from the body like it might bite.
A long BEAT as Jacob weighs his options... Finally...
Jacob digs into Ethans pockets. Takes out a wallet, pockets
it. He continues to search, nothing else.
Jacob finds a decrepid workmans tarp and lays it flat. He
rolls Ethans body onto it and wraps it up.
Jacob stands back, takes a look at the rolled up body. Its
10 degrees in here, but Jacob is starting to sweat.
Jacob spots a section of the floor that has collapsed. He
drags the body to the hole. Looks down. Sees the basement ten
feet below, covered in trash.
He pushes the body into the hole and lets it fall. He scoops
handfuls of trash, dropping it onto the tarp until it cant
be seen through the rest of the trash.
Jacob scoops snow, washes the blood off his hands and face.
Trembling, he goes to the window, peers outside. A car flies
by. He waits for an opening, then climbs out the window.
Jacob holds his side, GROANING, in a limping run as he makes
his way to his truck and drives off.
WE STAY INSIDE THE CHURCH, where several cardboard boxes
begin to shift on the floor in a corner.
A MOMENT LATER, the boxes are flung off, revealing a scared
shitless SQUATTER.

57.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK (MOVING) - LATER
Jacob, shell-shocked, spits blood out of the window. He flips
down the visor to check himself out. A swollen right eye, a
cut on his cheek, and a bruised chin.
He turns down his street and when he flips the visor up he
sees a police cruiser parked in his driveway.
Detective Caden steps out on the passenger side and a cop in
uniform, Officer Nowles, emerges from the drivers side.
Jacob parks on the street. Gets out. Does his best to hide
the nervous wreck that he is. Faces them. Caden is
immediately taken aback by Jacobs freshly beaten face.
JACOB
(sarcastic)
I fell.
CADEN
(equally sarcastic)
Again?
Caden walks to the police cruiser and opens the back door.
CADEN (CONTD)
You cant seem to stay on your
feet. Lets talk about it.
Jacob hesitates, but does as he is told. He climbs into the
back seat. Caden slams the door shut.
Jacob shifts in his seat, accidentally causing his jacket to
fall open and reveal the homemade handgun he has tucked away.
Caden gets in on the passenger side. Nowles behind the wheel.
INT. POLICE CRUISER (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Nowles drives. Jacob looks out the window.
CADEN
Miss OKeefe called in a complaint.
Said you were harassing her.
JACOB
Whaddaya expect me to do? Sit at
home?
CADEN
If it keeps me from getting calls
like that, yeah, sit at home.

58.
Jacob spots the gun protruding from his jacket pocket. He
hurriedly zips it up just as Caden turns around.
(beat)
You cold?

CADEN (CONTD)

Jacob, Did he notice?

JACOB
(deflecting)
She knows where they are.
CADEN
And she may not. And Harlan and
Blake may not have even done it.
And if they did, they may be
halfway across the country.
JACOB
Or theyre hidin in one of the
fuckin tens of thousands abandoned
homes or buildings youll never
have time to check. Theyre here.
CADEN
What makes you so certain?
Jacob leans forward to get Cadens full attention.
JACOB
Cuz I know Harlan. You dont. Im
still here, and sos Diana. I
promise, he aint done.
Caden may agree, but he is certainly not going to say it.
CADEN
You have to let me do my job. You
know what happens when you try to
do my job for me?
(points to Jacobs bloody
face)
Thats what happens.
JACOB
Well, you did a great job lettin
me know they got out. And an even
better job keepin my daughter
safe. So Im sure youll do a bangup job protectin my wife.
Officer Nowles pulls up to Jacobs house. Jacob goes for the
door. No handle to get out.

59.
CADEN
Would I find anything if I were to
search you right now?
This gets Jacobs attention.
CADEN (CONTD)
Most people dont zip up their
jackets after getting in a heated
car.
Jacob remains still, covering up the fact that his heart is
racing.
CADEN (CONTD)
You know what would happen if I
found any sort of illegal substance
on you? Or, worse, an unregistered
firearm?
Caden gets out and opens the back door for Jacob.
Out.

CADEN (CONTD)

Jacob does as he is told. Caden reaches out. Stops just short

of putting his hands on Jacob.
CADEN (CONTD)
Im going to find your daughters
killer. And despite your best
efforts, Im going to keep you from
doing something youll regret.
Because one wrong move, then what
has the last ten years of your life
been for?
Cadens comment hits harder than he knows. Jacob does all he
can not to break.
CADEN (CONTD)
Sit at home.
Caden gets in the car. Nowles hits the gas and drives off.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob enters, immediately starts to TREMBLE. A release. He
hangs up his jacket, walks into the living room.
Leon dozes in a recliner. Through the sliding glass door,
Jacob spots ALICE (40s, Leons wife) and Diana sitting in
the backyard, their backs facing him.

60.
LEON
(waking up)
Hey, man. I was jus-Leon looks up. Sees Jacobs beaten face. Quickly stands.
Im fine.

JACOB

LEON
Bullshit fine. What happened?
Jacob tries to control his shaking.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob looks in a mirror as he applies a band-aid to his
cheek. Leon sits on the steps, a horrified look on his face.
JACOB
The guy nodded to me. He knew where
they were.
LEON
Then he tried to kill you. He
coulda jus been sayin what you
wanted to hear.
JACOB
He knew something.
LEON
The police will come for you.
JACOB
Maybe not. No ID, nothin on him.
Jus another body, right?
LEON
You dont think Rose is gonna
wonder where the fuck he went? Turn
yourself in. Say it was selfdefense -- I dont know -Jacob grabs another band-aid, applies it over his right eye.
LEON (CONTD)
Im tryin to protect you.
JACOB
Long as Harlans out there, Diana
isnt safe.
(MORE)

61.
JACOB (CONT'D)
And I aint goin anywhere. So
dont you do anything that you
thinkll protect me.
Jacob takes one last look at his reflection, heads upstairs.
LEON
This aint you, man.
JACOB
I let Sandra down. Im not gonna
let the same thing happen to Diana.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/FOYER - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob sees Leon and Alice to the door. Leon can barely look
Jacob in the eye as he leaves.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob steps out. Diana doesnt even turn around.
DIANA
I picked out a dress for Sandra.
Its in our bedroom.
Jacob looks inside their bedroom window. An elegant red dress
hangs on their bedpost.
Diana faces Jacob for the first time and sees his beaten
face. She stands up, shocked.
Im okay.
But -- ?

JACOB
DIANA

JACOB
Im not talkin about it.
Diana wants more, but doesnt have the strength to ask. He
hugs her. She accepts the embrace for a brief moment before -She slips away, walks into their bedroom, and shuts the door.
Jacob stands alone, the cold wind smacking him in the face.
EXT. PORT OF DETROIT, MARINE TERMINAL - NIGHT
A crane loads 8x40 containers of scrap onto a freight ship.
Walker BARKS orders at his WORKERS before turning to Caden.

62.
WALKER
This isnt the best time.
CADEN
Never heard that one before.
Caden takes out Harlan and Blakes mug shots.
CADEN (CONTD)
Have you seen these two men?
Walker gives a distracted glance.
No.

WALKER

CADEN
They were released from prison a
few months ago. They may have
something to do with Sandra Rileys
murder.
WALKER
By the looks of them, Id say
thats a good possibility.
(to his workers)
Speed it up! Its freezing!
CADEN
They have a history of metal theft.
This gets Walkers attention.
WALKER
Its illegal for us to purchase
materials we suspect to be stolen.
CADEN
Right. But hypothetically, if
Harlan and Blake came to your place
to unload some stuff, who wouldve
handled their business? You?
WALKER
No one wouldve handled their
business, because I dont run that
kind of business.
CADEN
This entire city has been torn
apart by people like the OKeefes.
Phone wires cut down. Houses
stripped. Factories broken into.
(MORE)

63.
CADEN (CONT'D)
And theyre not hoarding this shit
for themselves. They bring it to
scrap yards like yours that pay
them 30 cents on the dollar for it.
Scrap yards like yours that profit
off the ruin of Detroit.
WALKER
Listen to me. While every other
business picked up and left, I
stayed. I could live anywhere I
want. I could send my kid to any
private school in the world. But I
choose to live here. People like me
are keeping this place alive. Im
not whats wrong with this city.
CADEN
I dont think youre whats wrong
with this city, I just dont think
youre telling me the truth... So
what Im going to do is talk to
every worker you fired this year.
Some of which, worked for you for a
very long time. Workers who, Im
guessing, might have a lot to get
off their chest. And I promise you,
if they saw anything suspect during
their tenure here, theyll be happy
to make sure I know.
Walker glares at Caden.
CADEN (CONTD)
But before I turn your business
upside down Ill give you one more
chance. If Harlan and Blake came to
your place to sell whatever shit
they lifted, who would they have
talked to?
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - NIGHT
The street is cold and lonely. News vans are no longer camped
out on the street. The Rileys house looks isolated and
vulnerable under the changing sky.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Jacob lays on the couch, an ice-pack over one eye while the
other watches the local news.

64.
When it ends, he takes the ice-pack off. His focus shifts to
Sandras closed bedroom door. An obstacle hes yet to cross.
He walks over to it and opens the door a crack. The scent of
his daughters room almost brings tears to his eyes.
He gently closes the door. Again, he cant go any further.
Jacob goes to his bedroom, cracks the door, and peeks inside.
No Diana. Just a stiff breeze hitting him in the face.
Honey?

JACOB

The window is open. The shades flapping in the wind. He looks

outside. An empty backyard with fresh footprints in the snow.
His worst fears flood his head. Harlan and Blake found her.
Then, he notices something. Sandras red dress that was
hanging on the bedpost is gone.
EXT. FUNERAL HOME - THAT MOMENT
A finger presses a DOORBELL.
The FUNERAL DIRECTOR (50s), kind and soft-spoken, answers.
Diana stands on the porch, shivering, snow caked on her
slippers. Sandras red dress is draped over her arm.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Can I help you, maam?
Dianas cell phone RINGS inside her purse.
DIANA
(shivering)
Im -- Im Mrs. Riley -- Sandra
Rileys mother.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - THAT MOMENT
Jacob is on his cell, becoming more and more concerned.
DIANA/VOICE MESSAGE
Youve reached Diana Riley. Im -He hangs up. Grabs his car keys. He is out the door.
EXT. RUNDOWN HOUSE - THAT MOMENT
Caden KNOCKS HARD and LOUD on the front door.

65.
CADEN
Mr. Harris!
No answer. Caden looks in the front window. The blinds are
closed. He cant make anything out.
The SOUND of a car. Caden turns to see a rusty OLDSMOBILE
slowing down to a crawl. The driver observes Cadens Impala
parked in front of his house.
When the driver finally makes eye contact with Caden we
recognize him as REMY. The shaved head, muscular YARD FOREMAN
who bought the metal pasture gate earlier on.
CADEN (CONTD)
Remy Harris?
Remy hits the gas and takes off. Caden sprints to his car,
gets in, and PEELS OUT.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - THAT MOMENT
Jacob SPEEDS down the road, trying to remain calm. He is on
his cell phone. Its RINGING on the other end.
INT. FUNERAL HOME/SMALL ROOM - THAT MOMENT
The Funeral Director leads Diana into a room where Sandras
body lies on a table. Only her face is visible. A white cloth
covers the rest of her body.
The Funeral Homes land-line RINGS in the other room.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Will you be okay for a moment?
Im fine.

DIANA

The Funeral Director walks into an adjacent room.

EXT. STREET - THAT MOMENT
Remy FLIES down a residential road.
Caden swerves through traffic, speaks into the POLICE RADIO.
CADEN
Suspects heading north on
Claremount -- Driving a grey
Oldsmobile Alero --

66.
Remy turns down a dirt alley. He looks in his rearview. Caden
is gaining ground. Remy FLOORS IT -BAM! And T-BONES a pickup truck as he exits the alley.
The IMPACT sends Remy flying forward. His nose BREAKS on the
steering wheel. His knee GRINDS into the dashboard.
Remy gets out. In a hobbled sprint he runs through a BUSY
INTERSECTION.
Caden stops at the wreckage. Its blocking the exit. He jumps
out and runs.
INT. FUNERAL HOME - THAT MOMENT
The Funeral Director picks up the RINGING phone.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR/PHONE
Peter and Sons Family Mortuary.
JACOB/PHONE
This is Jacob Riley. My wife there?
INT. FUNERAL HOME/BASEMENT - THAT MOMENT
Diana stands over Sandra, the red dress laid out over her.
Theres a blank, medicated look on Dianas face.
She shifts her gaze to a tray with a cloth over it. She pulls
back the cloth revealing an array of sharp instruments.
EXT. STREET - THAT MOMENT
Remy sprints down a street of foreclosed homes. He looks over
his shoulder. Caden trails by 50 yards.
A POLICE CRUISER flies out from behind Caden, BARRELLING
towards Remy.
Remy stops on a dime and runs through an abandoned houses
front yard where the police cruiser cant follow.
Remy runs through the backyard and hops a fence into an -ALLEY
Remy looks up to see another police cruiser blocking off one
end of the alley.

67.
Remy looks back at Caden. Hes running through the backyard,
about to hop the fence.
Remy turns to the other end of the alley. Its open. He BOLTS
for it as Caden hops the fence and lands in the alley.
Remy exits the alley.
TIRES SCREECH -- A POLICE CRUISER SKIDS DIRECTLY AT REMY -REMY JUMPS OUT OF THE WAY JUST AS CADEN EXITS THE ALLEY AND -THE POLICE CRUISER SMASHES INTO CADEN -- SENDING HIM ONTO THE
HOOD AND CRASHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD -- GLASS SHATTERS.
Caden hits the pavement -- His forearm SNAPS -- PAIN SURGES
through his body -- But his adrenaline is still PUMPING -Caden takes out his gun -- Picks himself up -- And RUNS -INT. JACOBS TRUCK - THAT MOMENT
Jacob weaves through traffic, still on the phone.
JACOB/PHONE
Put her on.
Of course.

FUNERAL DIRECTOR/PHONE

INT. FUNERAL HOME/BASEMENT - THAT MOMENT

The Funeral Director turns around. Sees that Diana has shut
the door to the room shes in. He tries the door. Locked.
INT. FUNERAL HOME/SMALL ROOM - THAT MOMENT
Diana is still looking at the tray of sharp instruments.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR (O.S.)
Mrs. Riley? Mrs. Riley, your
husband is on the phone.
Diana picks up a very small, yet very sharp surgical knife.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR (O.S.) (CONTD)
Mrs. Riley, you need to answer me
and open this door.

68.
EXT. STREET - THAT MOMENT
Remy hops fence after fence as he runs through several
backyards.
Caden does the same, but hes hurt and losing steam.
Caden stops, out of breath. He heaves, eyes locked on Remy.
Remy hops one last fence that puts him in the backyard of yet
another abandoned house.
Remy looks back. Caden is no longer giving chase. Caden just
stares at Remy, like hes resigned himself to giving up.
They hold a stare for a moment before Remy realizes that -Caden is NOT staring at him.
Cadens eyes are locked in on something behind Remy.
Remy looks over his shoulder. Three FERAL DOGS LEAP FOR HIS
FACE. Remy lifts his arm just in time for one dog to clamp
down on his forearm.
Remy SCREAMS -- falls to the slushy ground.
A second dog BITES INTO Remys calf. The third LUNGES for his
face -BANG--BANG--BANG
The GUNSHOTS ECHO. The dog going for Remys face retreats
before attacking. The two other dogs scatter.
Remy looks down at his MANGLED forearm and calf, then up at
Caden who has his smoking gun pointed in the air.
EXT. FUNERAL HOME - THAT MOMENT
Jacobs truck SCREECHES to a halt. He jumps out and runs -INT. FUNERAL HOME - CONTINUOUS
He HEARS the Funeral Director in the basement, YELLING for
Diana to open the door. Jacobs flies -DOWNSTAIRS
He barrels past the Funeral Director and POUNDS on the door.

69.
JACOB
Diana! Open up!
Jacob HITS the door with his shoulder.
JACOB (CONTD)
OPEN THE DOOR! RIGHT NOW!
(to the Funeral Director)
How long she been in there?
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
5 minutes -- I dont know -JACOB
Call the police.
The Funeral Director runs to the phone. Jacob KICKS the door.
JACOB (CONTD)
DIANA! PLEASE!
BAM--BAM--BAM as Jacob KICKS the door -It BREAKS off its hinges revealing -Diana standing in the middle of the room, crying.
Jacob runs to her. Looks her body up and down, checking her
wrists, arms, everywhere. No signs of damage.
DIANA
(beat, crying)
I -- I just needed to see her.
Jacob wraps his arms around Diana and holds her tight.
INT. HOSPITAL/PRIVATE ROOM - DAY
Remy lays in a hospital bed. His left forearm wrapped in a
blood soaked gauze. His right arm handcuffed to the rail. A
NURSE jabs a syringe into Remys shoulder.
REMY
Ahhh. That shit hurts.
Caden barges in, his broken arm wrapped in his own jacket.
Seconds later, an out-of-breath DOCTOR rushes in.
DOCTOR
Detective -- Please -- I need to
take care of that arm --

70.
Caden silences the Doctor with a look. The Doctor gets the
message. He and the Nurse begrudgingly leave.
CADEN
Did you kill Sandra Riley?
REMY
What?! Shit No!
CADEN
Then why the hell did you run?
REMY
Man... I dont know.
CADEN
Then youre either the dumbest man
alive or youre lying. Both are
bad, but lying to me is worse.
Remy looks away, not budging.
CADEN (CONTD)
I talked to your boss today. He
told me what goes on at the yard. I
know you help Walker illegally buy
and sell scrap.
REMY
Good for you. Now fuck off.
CADEN
Youre not hearing me. You fucked
up. For which you will now go to
jail. Thats how this whole
breaking-the-law-thing works. But,
if you want any kind of help from
me, you have 5 seconds to tell me
why you ran...4...3
Caden stands, heads for the exit as he continues his count.
REMY
You wanna know why I ran? Whats
happenin right now, this is why I
ran. To protect my ass.
CADEN
Protect yourself from what?
REMY
Man, all I know is that I do what
Mr. Walker tells me to do.
(MORE)

71.
REMY (CONT'D)
I also know that if somebodys
gonna have to pay for what Mr.
Walker tells me to do, it wont be
Mr. Walker.
Remy motions to his handcuffed arm, See.
CADEN
Whats Walker tell you to do?
REMY
Jus what you said, man. We buy
illegal shit all day long. Somebody
drives up with a shitload of stuff,
I aint quizzing him on shit. I
know you guys are cracking down on
that shit.
Caden takes out Harlan and Blakes mug shots.
CADEN
Have you seen these guys before?
Remy reluctantly checks out the mug shots.
REMY
(slowly recognizing)
Yeah... Yeah... Ive seen them.
They some fucked up dudes.
CADEN
Fucked up how?
REMY
Junkies. Bought some shit off em.
Phone wiring, gas meters, shit like
that.
When?

CADEN

REMY
Couple months ago. Then again bout
a week ago.
CADEN
A week ago? At the scrap yard?
REMY
Yeah. At night though. They know
better than to do that kinda
business during the day.

72.
CADEN
You know where they are?
REMY
Fuck no! I dont hang out with
dudes like that.
Caden sizes Remy up. Believes him. Moves on.
CADEN
What were they driving?
INT. POLICE STATION/CAPTAIN'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Caden, arm in a cast, looking beat, stands before Terry.
CADEN
Were looking for a red Chevrolet
Express. Models 2003 to 2005.
Terry eyes Cadens arm.
TERRY
Still glad you moved back to the
old neighborhood?
CADEN
(ignoring the comment)
I just cant believe the OKeefes
would be dumb enough to show up
where Riley works. Why risk being
spotted? It doesnt make sense.
TERRY
Theyre junkies. To them, two plus
two equals scrambled eggs. Who
knows why they do what they do.
Maybe they needed money. Maybe they
were scoping out Riley. When you
catch em, youll be sure to ask.
Caden still isnt convinced.
TERRY (CONTD)
People do crazy shit for which
there is no explanation. Like you,
why on earth youd move back here
is beyond my comprehension.
Terry heads for the door.

73.
CADEN
Id like authorization to place a
car outside Rose OKeefes house
24/7 in case Harlan and Blake show.
TERRY
Cant spare the men.
CADEN
Too bad, cause I want the same at
the Rileys. No more random drivebys. We need round the clock
surveillance in case Riley makes a
move or the OKeefes show.
TERRY
Too bad? Good night. And go fuck
yourself.
CADEN
If Harlan makes a move for Diana,
Im not the one whos gonna be
fucked for denying them protection.
Im on record for asking.
Terry glares at Caden before -TERRY
You got your cars you little shit.
Terry puts on his hat, heads for the door.
TERRY (CONTD)
By the way, you read todays paper?
Not yet.

CADEN

Terry exits the building, leaving Caden by himself.

INT. CADENS APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Caden lays on the couch, still in work clothes, sipping his
third beer, trying to ignore that BZZZZZZZ.
The newspaper rests in his lap. The headline reads, NO
ARRESTS MADE IN NEW YEARS MURDER.
We see snippets from the article -- 65 percent of homicides
go unsolved by the police -- Detective Caden leading the
investigation -- New -- Young -- Inexperienced --

74.
Anne enters. Caden quickly shoves the newspaper under the
coffee table. Anne sits next to Caden, concerned for him.
CADEN
We knew it would be difficult.
ANNE
You couldve been killed today.
CADEN
Dont say that.
ANNE
But you couldve.
CADEN
So what do you want to do? Leave?
Like everyone else.
ANNE
Moving back here, what youre
trying to do, its...
What?

CADEN

ANNE
Its your first case and look at
you. Whats the point?
Caden holds up the newspaper.
CADEN
The point is, as long as the
headlines read, unsolved, every
criminal knows they can get away
with it and every victim loses
hope. Something has to change.
Caden stands, leaves the rest of his beer, goes to bed.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BEDROOM - NIGHT
In bed. Diana is asleep in Jacobs arms. This is the closet
theyve been since Sandras death. He rocks her back and
forth in a steady, calming motion.
All the while, Jacobs mind is working. His face is hardened
with a look of determination. He has made a decision that he
is now gearing up for.
FADE TO BLACK:

75.
EXT. WOODWARD CHURCH - MORNING
A police cruiser with two UNIFORM OFFICERS pulls to a stop.
The SQUATTER, strung-out, approaches.
OFFICER #1
You the one who called?
INT. WOODWARD CHURCH/BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
The Squatter leads the Officers downstairs.
SQUATTER
When do I get my award?
Award?

OFFICER #1

OFFICER #2
(laughing)
Think he means reward.
(to the Squatter)
Just show it to us, man.
SQUATTER
Hey -- I didnt need to call -OFFICER #1
And if you didnt, your reward
would be going to jail. Show us.
They arrive at the mound of trash directly below the hole
that Jacob dropped the body down.
In one big sweeping motion the Squatter straight arms the
trash out of the way revealing the bare floor. No body.
The Squatter stares at the floor, totally confused.
SQUATTER
The dude was right here.
The Officers exchange a look.
OFFICER #1
Id ask if youve been doing any
drugs today...
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - MORNING
Jacob, anxious and talking fast, stands in the kitchen with
Alice. He hands her a bottle of PRESCRIPTION PILLS.

76.
JACOB
Shell be lookin for these. She
asks, only give her one.
Alice nods.
JACOB (CONTD)
She comes in here, watch her round
the drawers. And dont let her shut
the bedroom door. Understand?
ALICE
Why dont you stay here. Relax.
Ill do whatever you guys need.
JACOB
Ill be back soon. Gotta run some
errands.
ALICE
Let Leon do em. Hell be back from
church any minute.
Jacob pauses.
JACOB
Church? On a Tuesday afternoon?
Alice looks at him, shrugs.
ALICE
Its been a rough week for
everyone.
INT. LEONS CAR (DRIVING) - THAT MOMENT
Leon drives through an isolated, wooded area. He is covered
in dirt. His cell RINGS. CALLER ID: JACOB. He answers.
JACOB/PHONE
Since when you go to church?
LEON/PHONE
Everyone needs protecting. No
matter what you think.
JACOB/PHONE
Whatd you do?
LEON/PHONE
Cleaned up your mess.

77.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob slowly hangs up the phone as Alice walks in.
JACOB
Hes on his way.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob kisses Dianas forehead for an extended moment.
JACOB
I love you.
Diana stirs. Opens her eyes. She wants to say it back, but
cant bring herself to. Jacob kisses her goodbye.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jacob grabs his jacket and looks out the front window. A
POLICE CRUISER is parked in front of his house.
ALICE
Jacob. Look at me. You okay?
JACOB
You park where I asked?
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER
Out of view of the Police Officer in front, Jacob hops his
backyard fence and lands in an ALLEY. There is a parked DODGE
SEDAN just up the way. He gets in and starts the engine.
He reaches into his jacket pocket for something. Empty. Jacob
checks every pocket. Not finding what he is looking for.
Suddenly frantic, still searching. Then, it dawns on him.
TERRY (V.O.)
Caden? Take a look at this.
INT. POLICE STATION/CADENS DESK - THAT MOMENT
Captain Terry and Officer Nowles walk up to Cadens desk.
Terry holds Jacob Rileys homemade handgun.
NOWLES
Found it this morning.

78.
INT. OFFICER NOWLESS CAR - FLASHBACK - YESTERDAY
Jacob and Caden are in the middle of a heated exchange. As
Jacob leans forward and gets in Cadens face, the handgun
slips out of his jacket and slides to the floorboard.
OFFICER NOWLES (V.O.)
You said you were gonna frisk him.
Maybe he got scared, ditched it?
INT. POLICE STATION/CADENS DESK - PRESENT
Caden shakes his head.
TERRY
I want him in here right now. That
black-and-white still stationed
outside his house?
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BACK ALLEY - THAT MOMENT
Back with Jacob, still sitting in the car. He punches the
dash -- Just when he thought he was out of the woods.
He takes a breath. Collects his thoughts. HITS the gas.
INT. POLICE STATION/CADENS DESK - THAT MOMENT
Terry grows irritated waiting on Caden to answer.
TERRY
Dont just sit there looking dumb.
Caden stands, grabs his jacket.
CADEN
Sorry, but Im not wasting another
second looking dumb, talking to Mr.
Riley about what he shouldnt be
doing when I could be out there
finding the people who murdered his
daughter. Bring him in. Detain him
if you want. But you deal with him.
Caden exits the station.
EXT. RUNDOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET - DAY
Jacob sits in the parked car, his leg nervously bouncing as
he stares out the windshield. Waiting... and waiting...

79.
Then, he sees it. Turning the corner, walking down the
sidewalk, bundled up and wearing a backpack, is 8 year old
Lacy OKeefe.
She playfully jumps into the slushy mounds of snow in her
way. SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT.
Jacob smiles, seeing the girl play so innocently almost makes
him lose his nerve for what he is about to do. Almost.
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
Lacy hops into another mound of slush -- SPLAT.
Lacy?

JACOB (O.S.)

Jacob pulls up next to her, window down.

JACOB (CONTD)
Jacob. Remember?
It takes a second for Lacy to place him.
Yeah...

LACY

JACOB
Sorry bout scarin you yesterday.
But look here. I got you a present,
to make up for it.
Jacob shows Lacy a brand new sketch pad and pencils. Lacys
eyes light up.
JACOB (CONTD)
Get in. Ill drive you home.
Lacy freezes, uncomfortable with the idea.
JACOB (CONTD)
Cmon, sweetie. Its cold.
LACY
I dunno... My mom will be mad.
A TAXI turns down the street, heading in their direction.
This standoff with a little girl cant look good.
JACOB
Youre hurting my feelings, Lacy.

80.
He stuffs the pad and pencils into a shopping bag and tosses
it out the window. It lands on the curb by her feet.
JACOB (CONTD)
(feigning hurt feelings)
Enjoy your gift. See you later.
Jacob puts the car in drive.
No. Wait.

LACY

Lacy picks up the shopping bag, brushes off the snow, and
gets in the car just as the taxi passes by.
LACY (CONTD)
Im sorry. Thank you.
Lacy smiles. Jacob fumbles for words as the realization of
what he is doing HITS HIM IN THE GUT.
JACOB
Youre welcome.
Jacob drives. What follows is a long AWKWARD SILENCE before -JACOB (CONTD)
This is a long walk home. Your mom
make you do this every day?
LACY
Its not so bad.
RED LIGHT. Jacob brakes.
JACOB
Yknow, your mom and I usta be
friends?
Yeah?

LACY

JACOB
Yeah. Look at this.
Jacob takes out an old 3X3 PHOTOGRAPH and hands it to Lacy.
The photograph is from 12 years ago: Jacob, Rose, Harlan and
Blake at a Red Wings game. All look healthy. All look happy.
LACY
She looks pretty.
JACOB
Yknow the guys with us?

81.
LACY
Uncle Harlan and uncle Blake.
JACOB
Right. You see em lately?
Lacy shakes her head, no.
JACOB (CONTD)
Really? Cuz your mom said you did.
A HORN. The light has turned green. He hits the gas, waves to
the car behind him. A POLICE CAR. Jacob tries to act normal.
JACOB (CONTD)
So was your mom lyin bout you
seein your Uncles?
LACY
No... I dunno
JACOB
Dont lie to me. You wanna keep
your present?
The POLICE CRUISERS SIREN GOES OFF, LIGHTS FLASH -No...

JACOB (CONTD)

It FLIES around Jacob and turns a corner.

LACY
If I tell you the truth, can I keep
the pad and pencils?
Jacobs attention quickly shifts back to Lacy.
EXT. RIVER ROUGE - DAY
Caden is back at the crime scene. The shack -- the burn site.
The river is now unfrozen and is a slushy mess of ice.
In front of the yellow police tape that ropes off the area
are bouquets of flowers and photos left in memory of Sandra.
Caden goes to the shoreline. Looks at the river. Nothing new.
He starts making his way to the shack when his phone RINGS.
What?

CADEN/PHONE

82.
TERRY/PHONE
Weve got a problem. Jacob Riley
isnt at his house. Talked to a
friend of theirs. Said he was
acting weird and just took off.
Caden shakes his head, fed up, and not surprised.
CRACK.
Caden picks his foot up and sees a small shiny metal object
in the grass beneath the snow.
TERRY/PHONE (CONTD)
We know the car hes driving. Ive
got everyone looking for it.
Caden picks up the object: a set of keys.
TERRY/PHONE (CONTD)
I need you here dealing with this.
Caden ignores Terry. Caden wipes off the crusted dirt on the
keys to reveal a BMW logo on the keypad.
TERRY/PHONE (CONTD)
You hear me?
Caden heads back to his car at a clip.
CADEN/PHONE
I need to talk to Christina Walker.
Right now.
EXT. MCDONALDS PARKING LOT - THAT MOMENT
Jacob pulls up next to a pay phone. Lacy has a Happy Meal and
her new sketch pad in her lap.
JACOB
Start eating. Be right back.
Lacy digs into her food. Jacob gets out, grabs the pay phone.
Plucks in 50 cents and dials. As it RINGS he scans the lot.
Hi -Rose --

ROSE/PHONE
JACOB/PHONE

83.
ROSE/PHONE
-- Youve reached Rose OKeefe.
Leave a message.
BEEP -- Jacob freezes, Did I really just get the answering
machine?! He stands there, not a clue what to say.
INT. ROSES HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
The PRICE IS RIGHT is on TV. 5 empty beer bottles are on the
coffee table. And Rose OKeefe is passed out on the couch.
TRAFFIC NOISE and Jacobs breathing is HEARD through the
answering machine.
EXT. MCDONALDS PARKING LOT - THAT MOMENT
Jacob hangs up. Drops in another 50 cents and dials. The
phone RINGS again.
ROSE/PHONE
Hi. Youve reached -JACOB
Ygotta be fuckin kidding me!
Jacob SLAMS the phone down.
Jacob looks back at Lacy to see her staring at him, freaked,
looking like she is about to cry.
JACOB (CONTD)
Its okay, honey. Jus... Keep
eatin.
The pay phone RINGS. Jacob SNATCHES it up.
INT. ROSES HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
Rose sits up on the couch, hungover, having just woken up.
ROSE/PHONE
Who keeps callin me?
Jacob signals 1 minute to Lacy. Turns away. Cups the phone.
JACOB/PHONE
Its Jacob.

84.
ROSE/PHONE
Oh, has it been another 10 years
already?
JACOB/PHONE
I know Harlan and Blake have been
to your house.
ROSE/PHONE
Goodbye, Jacob.
JACOB/PHONE
No. Your daughter wants to say hi.
A shudder passes through Roses body.
EXT. MCDONALDS PARKING LOT - THAT MOMENT
Jacob turns around.
JACOB
Honey, talk to your mom.
Lacy is not there. Stunned, he looks inside the car. The
front seat. The backseat. Nothing. His stomach sinks.
Lacy...?

ROSE/PHONE

Jacob scans the parking lot -- Inside McDonalds -- The

street. His SHOCK morphs into FULL PANIC.
ROSE/PHONE (CONTD)
Jacob?! Talk to me!
Then, he sees her. 30 yards away, shaking, crying, waiting
for the streetlight to change so she can cross.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, HAPPENS FAST
Lacy looks back at Jacob -- Their eyes meet. She scares and
BOLTS into the street. HORNS. CARS SWERVE. LACY SCREAMS.
Jacob drops the phone and runs -CARS FLY past Lacy, the speed blowing her hair back -She stumbles back into a lane, a TRUCK barrels towards her -The TRUCK DRIVER SLAMS on his BREAKS -- HIS TIRES SCREECH -The truck is inches away from Lacy -Jacob scoops her up --

85.
The truck CLIPS his SHIN as it BLOWS PAST and SKIDS to a stop
in the middle of the street, grinding traffic to a HALT.
THEN, SILENCE, THE DUST SETTLES
Jacob hobbles to the sidewalk, holding a crying, but unharmed
Lacy. He sets her down.
TRUCK DRIVER
Watch your kid, asshole!
The Truck Driver speeds off and traffic starts moving again.
JACOB
Look at me -- You okay?
Too shocked to speak, Lacy nods yes. He gives her a hug. As
he does, he sees traffic slowing down as everyone stares.
Jacob shifts his eyes to the pay phone receiver dangling by
the cord. He lowers his head -- Hes lost his chance.
Then, through the TRAFFIC NOISE a phone RINGS. It takes a
moment for Jacob to realize that its his cell phone.
In a daze, Jacob takes out his cell. His eyes widen when he
recognizes the CALLER ID. He picks it up.
ROSE/PHONE
I saw em! Okay?! I saw em!
Jacob is suddenly reinvigorated.
INT. ROSES HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
Rose paces back and forth, crying, FRANTIC.
ROSE/PHONE
Just tell me shes alright!
EXT. STREET - THAT MOMENT
Jacob shakes his head, clearing the cobwebs, remembers why he
is here. He covers the phone so Rose cant hear.
JACOB
Its your mom. But we cant stand
in the street like this. If we go
back to the car, you can talk to
her. But only if you behave. Okay?

86.
Lacy nods. Jacob takes her hand, leads her back to the car,
and puts the cell phone to her ear.
Mommy?!

LACY/PHONE

ROSE/PHONE
Lacy, are you hurt?!
LACY/PHONE
No -- Im okay -- Are you mad?
ROSE/PHONE
Quickly -- Where are you?
Jacob pulls the phone away and opens the car door. He helps
Lacy in and shuts the door.
JACOB/PHONE
Wherere Harlan and Blake?
INT. ROSES HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
Crying, Rose is about to answer when she remembers something.
She runs to the window, sees a POLICE CAR stationed in front.
ROSE/PHONE
Theres a cop sitting across the
street from my house. I walk
outside and youre fucked.
JACOB/PHONE
You walk outside and your whole
life is fucked. You dont know what
its like to lose a child.
ROSE/PHONE
They didnt do anything! Theyre
just tryin to get their lives back
on track. Believe me.
EXT. MCDONALDS PARKING LOT - THAT MOMENT
JACOB/PHONE
Rose. You can protect Harlan and
Blake or protect your daughter. You
cant do both.
ROSE/PHONE
...If I tell you where they are,
promise you wont hurt em.

87.
JACOB/PHONE
I promise Ill give you back your
child.
INT. POLICE STATION/INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
Caden drops an EVIDENCE BAG containing the BMW car keys in
front of Christina Walker.
CADEN
Lose your car keys recently?
Christina looks at the keys, confused, then back at Caden.
CHRISTINA
Whered you find those?
CADEN
About 40 feet from where Sandra
Rileys body was found.
On Christinas look, What?!
CADEN (CONTD)
Why didnt you tell me you lost
your keys?
CHRISTINA
Do you tell someone every time you
lose something?
CADEN
Your keys, Christina. Where Sandra
was found dead.
Christinas face hardens.
CADEN (CONTD)
What happened? The truth this time.
CHRISTINA
I told you the truth a million
times. We got into a fight. She
punched me. I punched her. She
left. Maybe someones trying to
frame me -- I have no idea -- I
didnt do anything wrong!
Christina tears up, looks away, wipes her eyes on her sleeve.
CADEN
Whyre you crying? Look at me.
Tell me whats going on with you.

88.
CHRISTINA
Are you stupid or something? Im
crying because my best friend is
dead. My best friend.
Caden softens his approach.
CADEN
She was your best friend... And
when she said what she said about
you, I know how it mustve hurt.
CHRISTINA
This is so stupid. Youre stupid.
CADEN
Sandra judged you for being who you
are. And it stung. Because you
never judged her, right?
CHRISTINA
I - did not - kill - her. I passed
the lie detector, remember?
CADEN
You drank a lot that night. It can
effect the outcome of the test.
Christina cries harder.
CADEN (CONTD)
Talk to me... I can help you.
Christina SWATS the car keys off the table. They fly across
the room, hit the wall, and fall to the floor.
CHRISTINA
I have no fucking idea how my keys
got there! And Im not saying
another fucking word until I talk
to my lawyer.
Caden sits back, disappointed. He goes to the door, opens it
a crack, and talks to an Officer who is standing guard.
CADEN
Bring in a phone.
Caden bends down to pick up the car keys. He stops. Stares at
the car keys laying on the floor. Something dawns on him.
CADEN (CONTD)
(to himself)
She punched you. You punched her...
(MORE)

89.
CADEN (CONTD)
(to Christina)
Then you both fell to the floor?
Caden picks up the keys. Christina looks at him, confused.
CADEN (CONTD)
What else fell with you? Your
purse?
Christina is about to answer when his cell RINGS. CALLER ID:
UNKNOWN. He picks it up.
CADEN/PHONE
This is Caden.
ROSE/PHONE
(frantic, crying)
Mr. Caden -- Ygotta help!
CADEN/PHONE
Hang on. Whos this -ROSE/PHONE
Listen! Jacobs gonna kill em!
EXT. STREET - DAY
A neighborhood of abandoned houses. Auto plant workers and
their families once lived here, but when those plants left,
so did the residents.
Jacob and Leon sit in the Dodge around the corner from a
crumbling, one-story, BRICK HOUSE.
JACOB
You bring it?
Leon reluctantly pulls a 9mm pistol from his waistband and
hands it to Jacob.
LEON
Whatre you gonna do? Jus walk
right on up there?
Jacob nods.
LEON (CONTD)
They see you, theyre gonna run...
Ill go check.
JACOB
You dont need to do this.

90.
LEON
I do. We got one shot at this.
Leon gets out.
LEON (CONTD)
Watch my back.
Leon walks up the street, towards the brick house. Half way
up the road it hits him, What the hell was I thinking?
Leon pushes forward, crosses the dead and overgrown front
lawn, walks up the porch and stops at the front door.
Leon raises a fist to knock, hesitates, looks back at Jacob.
Giving away that Leon is not alone.
Jacob motions for Leon to turn the fuck around. Leon realizes
his mistake, turns back to the door and KNOCKS.
INSIDE THE CAR, Jacob primes the gun -- the SLIDE JAMS.
Fuck.

JACOB

AT THE FRONT DOOR, Leon KNOCKS again.

INSIDE THE CAR, Jacob frantically works on the jammed slide.
AT THE FRONT DOOR, nobody answers. Leon walks over to a
boarded up window, looks through a slight crack in the wood.
INSIDE THE CAR, Jacob sees Leon looking through the window.
He goes back to the gun, steadies his hand, grips the slide.
Please --

JACOB (CONTD)

It SLIDES -- It works -- The gun is primed. Ready to go.

BANG--BANG--BANG
Jacob startles. Looks up to see Leon rapping on the car
window. Jacob lowers it.
LEON
Nothin. Didnt see anythin.
JACOB
That cant be.
LEON
Im sure. Lets get outta here.

91.
Leon gets in the car while Jacob keeps his eyes on the house.
LEON (CONTD)
They aint there, man. Im sorry.
Jacob tucks the 9mm into his waistband and gets out.
JACOB
Make sure nobody comes out the
back.
Jacob heads for the house.
LEON
(whispering loudly)
Jacob! Come back!
Jacob walks down the street. His eyes locked on the house the
entire time. He arrives at the front door.
He takes out the 9mm -- Steps backs -- KICKS it down.
The door CRASHES onto the living room floor. No furniture.
Trash. Liquor bottles. Syringes. Meth pipes.
From inside the car, Leon sees Jacob raise the gun and step
inside the house. Leon gets out.
INSIDE
Jacob, breathing heavy, scans the living room, his gun out in
front of him. Up ahead he sees two doorways. One is to the
kitchen, the other is to a bedroom.
Jacob makes his way to the kitchen. He hugs the wall and
peeks inside. Empty. Just more piles of trash.
He looks up to the bedroom down the hallway. The door is
closed. Jacob advances. The floor CREAKING under his feet.
Jacob slides up next to the door, his back up against the
wall. He reaches for the doorknob...
OUTSIDE
Leon creeps around the side of the house into the backyard.
Sees a RED VAN, 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS parked on the grass.
It STARTS with a ROAR.
INSIDE
Jacob HEARS the ENGINE coming from the back. He RUNS to the
back door -- Swings it open --

92.
OUTSIDE
To see the van kicking up dirt, HAULING ASS through the
backyard. And through the windshield he sees them -HARLAN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BLAKE DRIVING.
Harlan and Jacob lock eyes -- EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN -- For a
moment, its just the two of them -- Then -Jacob raises the gun and FIRES -- BANG-BANG-BANG. The
windshield spider webs. An explosion of BLOOD on the inside.
The van veers off and crashes into a tree. Stillness. Then -Harlan KICKS OPEN the passenger door, gun in hand, aiming it
at Jacob -- Jacob ducks into the house, BULLETS hit the door
frame, WOOD CHIPS FLY -Harlan RUNS through the yard, hopping a fence into another
yard when his leg is grabbed by Leon.
Harlan FIRES A SHOT -- It GRAZES Leons shoulder. Harlan
KICKS Leon in the jaw. Leon falls to the ground, out cold.
Jacob peaks outside the house, sees Leon on the ground. Looks
up at Harlan.
Harlan jumps over the fence, runs though the yard. Jacob runs
after him, FIRES OFF A SHOT. BLOOD ERUPTS from Harlans side.
Harlan SCREAMS, stumbles, Jacob FIRES again -- MISSES. Harlan
scrambles to the back door of another abandoned house. BUSTS
IT in with his shoulder and falls inside.
Jacob SPRINTS through the yard, gets to the back door. Peaks
inside. Sees a trail of blood leading down a hallway, into
the living room, and veering off around a corner.
Jacob quiets. He can HEAR the labored breathing of Harlan
somewhere inside the living room.
JACOB
This what you wanted?
More HEAVY BREATHING, then -HARLAN
Come in here and ask me that.
INSIDE
Jacob steps into the hallway, hugs the wall as he makes his
way towards the living room.

93.
OUTSIDE
A POLICE CRUISER and Cadens Impala pull up behind Alices
Dodge. Caden gets out. Two OFFICERS emerge from the cruiser.
INSIDE
Jacob reaches the end of the hallway. He peers into the
living room, sees Harlan on the floor, back against the wall,
blood soaking through the side of his shirt. He is dying.
IN A FLASH Harlan raises his GUN -- BAM -- the bullet skims
Jacobs cheek.
Jacob FIRES -- BAM-BAM-BAM three to Harlans chest.
OUTSIDE
Caden and the Officers turn to the source of the gunshots.
They see the kicked in front door. They take out their guns.
CADEN
Call EMS. Now.
Gun drawn, Caden advances towards the house.
INSIDE
Jacob holds the 9mm out in front of him as he stares at a
completely still Harlan. But then, Harlan blinks.
Jacob walks up to Harlan, kneels down. Harlan looks at Jacob
and with his last breath says -HARLAN
It wasnt spposed to end like
this.
Harlan dies. In a daze, Jacob backs away from the body and
into the hallway. His eyes still locked on Harlan. Jacob
doesnt see Caden standing at the back door.
CADEN
Drop the weapon!
Jacob startles -- With the GUN still in his hand, Jacob whips
around to face Caden -- BANG -Jacobs body DROPS to the floor. Caden and an Officer rush
him. Caden kicks the gun out of Jacobs hand.
Jacob groans as he holds a bullet wound in his chest.
Caden flips Jacob onto his back.

94.
CADEN (CONTD)
(to the Officer)
Wheres that fucking ambulance?
ALL SOUND DROPS OUT -Caden shouts at Jacob. We cant hear the words. All the
while, Jacobs eyes remain fixed on Harlan. Until he cant
keep them open any longer.
CUT TO BLACK:
EXT. HARLAN AND BLAKES HOUSE - NIGHT
Flood lights illuminate the crime scene. A dozen police cars.
Ambulances. News vans. Reporters. Its a madhouse.
Leon sits in an ambulance, talking to an OFFICER.
EXT. HARLAN AND BLAKES HOUSE/BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS
Caden stands in the middle of the yard, chaos all around him.
The crashed van. Evidence markers next to discarded shells.
Blake slumped over the steering wheel of the van.
CRIME SCENE TECH (O.S.)
Detective. In here.
Caden walks into the kitchen where a CRIME SCENE TECH pulls a
PIECE OF PAPER out of the trash. Caden looks at it.
CADEN
Jesus Christ.
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/PRIVATE ROOM - NIGHT
Jacob lays in bed, barely conscious through the painkillers,
his chest bandaged. Diana sits bedside. Both look at Caden.
Caden shows them a photograph of Christina Walker. Its of
Christina leaving her house. Caden shows a second photograph:
This one is of Christina behind the wheel of her BMW.
CADEN
These are copies of photos found at
Harlan and Blakes place. They were
found in the trash.
Jacob and Diana dont understand.

95.
CADEN (CONTD)
Harlan and Blake meant to take
Christina.
Stunned silence from Jacob and Diana.
CADEN (CONTD)
Weve been working on the timeline
from that night. Christina and
Sandra got into a fight.
INT. THE HOUSE PARTY - FLASHBACK
Sandra shouts into Christinas ear -SANDRA
YOUR DAD IS AN ASSHOLE!
Sandra and Christina get into a fight. They fall to the floor
and claw at each other until its broken up.
Sandra and Christina stare at each other. Sandra is crying -this makes Christina start to cry. Sandra wants to apologize,
but she cant bring herself to.
Sandra wipes her eyes and notices that during the fight her
purse fell to the floor. Sandra also notices that Christinas
purse fell to the floor along with her BMW car keys.
Sandra picks up her own purse and swipes Christinas BMW car
keys at the same time so that nobody notices. She storms out.
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/PRIVATE ROOM - PRESENT
Caden holds up the set of BMW car keys.
CADEN
After the fight, Sandra left. She
took Christinas car keys.
Jacob and Diana stare at the keys dangling from Cadens hand.
CADEN (CONTD)
I found these at the crime scene.
EXT. THE HOUSE PARTY - FLASHBACK
Sandra walks down the street. She presses the keypad. The
headlights on the BMW flicker.

96.
She gets to the BMW and is JUMPED by a man, Harlan. He throws
a bag over her head.
A red van pulls up next to them. As Sandra flails and fights,
the driver, Blake, opens the passenger door. Harlan shoves
Sandra inside and gets in after her.
CADEN (V.O.)
It was dark... they mistook Sandra
for Christina.
INT. RED VAN - FLASHBACK
As Blake drives, Sandra SCREAMS and CLAWS at Harlan.
HARLAN
Shut the fuck up!
BLAKE
Fuckin control her.
SANDRA
HELP! HELP!!!!
Sandra gets a hand on Harlans face. Feels his eyeball. Digs
her finger inside it.
AW! FUCK!

HARLAN

Harlan throws Sandras head into the passenger window,

CRACKING the window up the middle. Sandra goes limp.
HARLAN (CONTD)
Fuckin bitch!
Harlan?

BLAKE

HARLAN
Get off this street! Take a right!
Harlan regains his composure, then sees a dime-sized red dot
on top of the bag over Sandras head. The red dot gradually
expands into a large red circle.
HARLAN (CONTD)
What the fuck?
Harlan takes the bag off. Blood completely covers Sandras
face. There is so much blood flowing that its impossible to
tell where its coming from.

97.

Oh my God.

HARLAN (CONTD)

Harlan lifts Sandras head and realizes that it broke through

the window and slit her from her temple down to her throat.
BLAKE
What the fuck did you do?!
Harlan applies pressure to the wound.
No--No--No

HARLAN

Sandra tries to speak. All that comes out are GURGLES and
BUBBLES of blood. Harlan wipes the blood from her eyes and
stares at her. She stares back, she knows shes dying. Shes
confused and scared. A split second later, shes gone.
Fuck!

HARLAN (CONTD)

Harlan sits back, stunned and defenseless, as the blood

flows. Then he takes a closer look at her. Something isnt
right. He wipes the blood away from her face.
Oh fuck.
Now what?!

HARLAN (CONTD)
BLAKE

HARLAN
It aint her!
What?!

BLAKE

HARLAN
It aint fuckin her!
BLAKE
What the fuck?! Who is it?!
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/PRIVATE ROOM - PRESENT
Diana is hysterically crying.
CADEN
Maybe we should take a--

98.
DIANA
(wiping her eyes)
No. Go on.
Caden looks for confirmation from Jacob.
Jacob nods, they need to hear this.
CADEN
Harlan and Blake had a red van
parked behind the place where they
were squatting. The crack in the
glass of the window matches the
formation of the wound on Sandras
face and neck.
EXT. ROADSIDE - FLASHBACK
The van is parked on the side of the road. Harlan and Blake
lift Sandras body out and carry her into the woods.
INT. RIVER ROUGE - FLASHBACK
They carry Sandra past the shack and down to the river.
As they carry her, the BMW car keys slip from Sandras coat
pocket and fall to the ground. Harlan and Blake dont notice.
They dump Sandras body in the river and watch it drift away.
SNOW BEGINS TO FALL.
Harlan looks up as snowflakes fall onto his face.
Lets go.

HARLAN

Blake doesnt move.

HARLAN (CONTD)
Blake! Lets get the fuck outta
here!
Blake snaps out of it and starts to walk back to the road.
As Harlan and Blake hoof it back to the van we HOLD on the
BMW car keys as the snow falls and begins to bury them.
The CAMERA TILTS UP to the sky. The SCREEN GOES WHITE.
CADEN (V.O.)
And we found this...

99.
INT. ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL/PRIVATE ROOM - PRESENT
Caden shows Jacob and Diana the PIECE OF PAPER that the CRIME
SCENE TECH found inside Harlan and Blakes trash.
Its a ransom note made from cut out letters and words from
magazines. It reads: Christina Walker. 4 million dollars.
Instructions to follow.
Jacobs head is spinning, trying to process it. He looks at
the evidence as Diana buries her head in her hands and wails.
EXT. CEMETERY - MORNING
A PRIEST says a prayer as Sandras coffin is lowered into the
ground. Jacob and Diana sit front row with roses in their
hands. A crutch rests against the back of Jacobs chair.
The entire town is here. Sydney Walker, Christina Walker, the
entire workforce of Walker Scrap Metals, high school friends
and faculty, Caden and his family -- Everybody.
The Priest motions for Jacob and Diana to come forward. Diana
helps Jacob up. They make their way over. They look down at
their daughters coffin and drop their roses.
EXT. CEMETERY - LATER
People file away and give their condolences to the Rileys.
Sydney Walker approaches.
WALKER
Jacob, can I have a moment?
Jacob looks to Diana. She nods that its okay. Jacob and
Walker step away. They stop to talk underneath a tree.
JACOB
Thank you for posting bail.
WALKER
A man who gives others hope, no
matter how desperate the situation,
is a true leader
Walker hands Jacob a piece of paper. A check for $50,000.
WALKER (CONTD)
Youre a true leader. I shouldve
given that to you a long time ago.
Walker smiles sympathetically and pats Jacob on the back.

100.
WALKER (CONTD)
If you end up going away...
hopefully this will help.
Jacob hands the check back to Walker.
JACOB
I ppreciate it, Sydney. But no
thanks.
On Walker, Come again?
JACOB (CONTD)
The only reason Im gettin this is
cuz my daughters in the ground.
You think I want money like that?
Walker shoves the check in Jacobs breast pocket.
WALKER
Then tear it up... But at least
think about it.
Walker turns away, heads to his limo.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - DAY
Jacob pulls into the driveway. Diana is still numb from the
funeral. Jacob is about to speak. But she gets out of the
truck, walks inside. His cell RINGS. CALLER ID: UNKNOWN.
Hello.

JACOB/PHONE

INT. CADENS APARTMENT/LIVING ROOM - DAY

Caden sits on his couch, wears a black suit, his tie undone.
In another room, his baby boy cries through a diaper change.
CADEN/PHONE
Its Ross. That was a lovely
service.
JACOB/PHONE
Yeah. ppreciate that.
Caden goes to the nursery, sees his wife struggling with
their son. He gives an apologetic look as he closes the door.
CADEN/PHONE
I hate to do this with everything
that just happened, but...
(MORE)

101.
CADEN/PHONE (CONT'D)
(beat)
You remember Ethan Jackson? Rose
OKeefes boyfriend?
Jacobs stomach sinks.
Of course.

JACOB/PHONE

CADEN/PHONE
Hes gone missing... You know
anything about this?

No.

(beat)

JACOB/PHONE

CADEN/PHONE
Listen, youre going to do some
time for Harlan and Blake. I beg
you, dont make it worse.
Jacob reaches into his pocket, pulls out the $50,000 check.
CADEN/PHONE (CONTD)
You know I cant look the other
way. Thats not why Im here.
JACOB/PHONE
You do whatever you need to do. But
Im gonna say goodbye now.
A LONG BEAT, Caden conflicted, replies -CADEN/PHONE
You know, maybe Detroit isnt where
you belong. Thats all Ill say.
Jacob hangs up.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - DAY
Jacob enters, the check in his hand. Diana is curled up in a
ball on the couch, done. He sits next to her.
JACOB
Police say Im gonna have to stay
here for a little while.
Jacob puts the check in Dianas hand.

102.
JACOB (CONTD)
But I want you to take this and
leave this place.
Diana looks at the check, confused, not sure its for real.
JACOB (CONTD)
A gift from Walker.
She starts to cry. The thought of being without him suddenly
too much. The coldness between them gone in an instant.
DIANA
I dont want this.
Jacob hugs Diana. As he does, he sees one last obstacle.
Sandras closed bedroom door. Taunting him as always.
Diana tries to give the check back. Jacob wont take it.
JACOB
(holding back tears)
New Years Eve, member when you
said you didnt regret takin a
chance on me? That you never
regretted your choice? Dont make
the same mistake. Think about it.
Jacob gets up, leaves Diana to think. What will she choose?
Jacob inches towards Sandras door. A sense of closure
lurking behind it. He grips the doorknob. Deep breath...
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/SANDRAS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
The bedroom door creaks opens. The scent of his daughters
room hits him in the gut.
He sits down on her unmade bed and is finally able to let go.
As he breaks down, he takes in his daughters room. Her
clothes on the floor, her school books, her desk, photographs
of her and her friends tacked on the wall.
A couple of the photographs catch his eye. He walks over to
the desk and takes a closer look at two specific photographs.
And thats when it hits him. Hes looking at the same two
photographs of Christina that Detective Caden showed them.
He untacks them from the corkboard and sees that there are
two tack holes in each of the photographs, but not any of the
other ones. Theyve been moved recently.

103.
Jacob gets a sinking feeling in his stomach as he remembers
Caden showing him the photographs.
CADEN (V.O.)
These are copies of photos found in
Harlan and Blakes place.
Jacob blinks. This doesnt make sense.
DIANA
I decided... Im not goin anywhere
without you.
Diana stands in the doorway with the check in her hand,
smiling. Her smile fades the moment she sees Jacobs state.
DIANA (CONTD)
Jacob! Are you okay?
JACOB
Whatre these?
Jacob holds up the two photographs.
It takes a moment for Diana to see what they are.
When she realizes, she freezes, and all the color drains from
her face.
JACOB (CONTD)
These are the same photos found at
Harlan and Blakes... Howd they
get there?
DIANA
(stumbling)
I -- I dont know -HOW?!

JACOB

Diana STARTLES. Jacob glares at her. Tears form in her eyes.

Diana searches for what to say, then -DIANA
Im sorry...
The words are like a punch in the gut to Jacob.
DIANA (CONTD)
(crying)
It -- It wasnt supposed to happen
like it did.

104.
Jacob stands in a STUNNED SILENCE before -JACOB
What the fuck you do?
Diana CRIES and disappears into their bedroom, leaving Jacob
hanging, no clue what to think.
She eventually returns, holding several pieces of paper.
Through tears she manages to get out -DIANA
We -- We did get letters that
Harlan and Blake were gettin outta
jail...
JACOB
Jesus Christ -Diana wipes eyes.
DIANA
It wasnt supposed to happen like
this, Jacob.
JACOB
STOP SAYING THAT AND TELL ME WHAT
THE FUCK IT MEANS!
DIANA
It was supposed to be our way out,
damn it! A way to a better life. A
life where were not worryin about
keeping the fucking heat and
electricity on. A life where were
not killing ourselves just to live.
JACOB HOLDS HIS STOMACH -- FEELING DIZZY -- HIS MIND RACES -FLASHES OF:
-Diana working the checkout lane, DEPRESSED, AT HER WITS END.
-Diana at the hospital, EXHAUSTED, pushing her body forward.
-Jacob outside the bar, on the phone with Diana, telling her
he got a pay cut from Walker.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - PRESENT
Jacob can barely stay on his feet -- Diana breaks down --

105.
DIANA
For Christ sakes, Jacob -- I -- I
wanted Sandra to have a life!
He cant look at her, his world collapsing, as he remembers -INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
The candlelit dinner Jacob prepared. Jacob sits across from
Diana, trying to tell her that things will be alright.
DIANA
I want out of here.
JACOB
I wanna get us outta here.
DIANA
Sandra deserves better.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - PRESENT
He comes out of the memory -- THE ROOM SPINNING -JACOB
You -- You fuckin killed her -DIANA SPARKS TO LIFE WITH RAGE -- LASHING OUT -DIANA
I WAS TRYING TO FUCKIN SAVE HER
FROM A LIFE OF SHIT! I TRIED TO
GIVE HER A LIFE. A LIFE YOU AND I
COULDNT GIVE HER.
JACOBS BLOOD BEGINS TO BOIL -JACOB
You shut the fuck up...
DIANA
No -- I had a way to give her that
life -JACOB
I SAID ENOUGH!
JACOB IS TREMBLING NOW -DIANA
I had a way to get us that money.
But I knew youd never do it!
(MORE)

106.
DIANA (CONT'D)
So when I found out Harlan was
gettin out, I knew someone who
would.
JACOB IS REELING -- HE CANT BREATHE -INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
After coming home from the morgue -- Diana BERATES Jacob -DIANA
YOU ALWAYS GOTTA BE THE GOOD ONE.
JACOB
Im warnin you.
DIANA
God forbid you stand up to ANYONE.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - PRESENT
JACOB BREAKS -- GRABS DIANA -- SHOVES HER AGAINST THE WALL -HOLDS HER THERE -- LOATHING HER -- SHE STARES BACK, DEFIANT -DIANA
WHYD YOU CALL HER BACK?! WHY?!
JACOB PUNCHES -- DESTROYING THE WALL NEXT TO DIANAS FACE -HE PULLS HIS ARM BACK -- PLASTER RAINING DOWN -- READY TO
SWING AGAIN -- DOING ALL HE CAN TO HOLD HIMSELF BACK -THEY GLARE AT EACH OTHER -- DETESTING ONE ANOTHER -- THE
MOMENT BUILDING -- SWELLING -- THEN:
DIANAS HARD FACADE BREAKS -- SHE WITHERS -- FALLS ONTO
JACOBS CHEST -- WAILING UNCONTROLLABLY -DIANA (CONTD)
IM SORRY -- OH MY GOD -THE GUILT AND REGRET TOO MUCH FOR HER TO BARE ANY LONGER -DIANA (CONTD)
IM SO SORRY -JACOBS BODY SHAKES -- AN AVALANCHE OF EMOTIONS -DIANA (CONTD)
I did it for her...
HIS FURY RISES -- SEES THE $50,000 CHECK IN HER HAND --

107.
DIANA (CONTD)
I did it for Sandra.
DIANA LOOKS UP AT JACOB -- HER FACE A WET CRYING MESS -DIANA (CONTD)
I did it for all of us.
TEARS STREAM DOWN THE SIDE OF BOTH THEIR CHEEKS -- THOUGHTS
AND MEMORIES FORCING THEIR WAY UP IN JACOBS MIND -FLASHES OF:
-Sandra smiling.
-Sandras head being SMASHED into the window.
-Jacob standing over Sandras body at the morgue.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - PRESENT
JACOB -- STARING DAGGERS AT HIS WIFE -DIANA -- EYES PLEADING FOR FORGIVENESS -JACOB CLENCHES HIS FISTS -- CLOSES HIS EYES AND -CUT TO BLACK:
DAWN...
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY
Jacob sits in his truck, staring blankly out the windshield.
He looks at his hand. Knuckles bloody and swollen. Tries to
make a fist. Cant. Might be broken.
He takes out his cell and dials. It RINGS a few times.
JACOB/PHONE
Its Jacob...
INT. CADENS APARTMENT/BEDROOM - MORNING
The room is dark. Shades still drawn. Anne is asleep. Caden,
sits up, groggy, as he listens. Then -Jacob says something that wakes Caden up real quick.
CADEN/PHONE
Jacob... What happened?

108.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - THAT MOMENT
Jacob doesnt answer. He hangs up.
INT. CADENS APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Caden, fully dressed, rushes out the door.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Jacob looks at the house. Fights off tears.
INT. CADENS IMPALA - MOMENTS LATER
Caden speeds down the road as he radios for back up.
EXT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER
Three POLICE CRUISERS pull up. Caden right behind them.
Jacobs truck is nowhere in sight.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - THAT MOMENT
The house is a total disaster. Tables tossed over. More holes
punched in the walls. Like a tornado hit.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE/BEDROOM - THAT MOMENT
Diana is sprawled out on the bed. Sleeping.
A KNOCK at the front door wakes her. She opens her eyes.
Looks like hell. Rolls over. No Jacob. More KNOCKING.
Diana drags herself out of bed.
INT. THE RILEY'S HOUSE/LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Diana looks out the window. Caden and several POLICE OFFICERS
are on the porch.
CADEN
Mrs. Riley?! Open the door!
Jacob?!
No answer.

DIANA

109.
Diana frantically retreats into the kitchen. She pulls a
knife from the drawer and runs into her bedroom. She SLAMS
the door shut, freaking out, no idea what to do.
A BANGING on the front door. The police are breaking it down.
Diana holds up the knife, it shakes in her hand.
Caden leads a pack of Officers down the hallway.
Diana hears FOOTSTEPS STOMPING in her direction.
She approaches the door -- Self-preservation kicking in -Ready to slice whoever comes through the door -Caden barges into the room as Diana raises the knife and -Puts it under her neck and -Caden LUNGES for her, ripping the knife from her hand -Before shes able to cut her throat -Caden takes her to the floor, snaps the cuffs on.
INT. JACOBS TRUCK - THAT MOMENT
Jacob behind the wheel. The trunk packed with his things.
Jacob takes the $50,000 check out of his pocket, crumples it
up. Throws it out the window.
INT. THE RILEYS HOUSE - FLASHBACK
Jacob takes Dianas face in his hands.
JACOB
Those animals are out there. And we
wont be safe til theyre put
down. After, I promise you, Ill
get you outta here. And youll
start over someplace new. Someplace
warm. But not til I find em.
INT. JACOBS CAR - PRESENT
The sun shines bright in Jacobs eyes. He flips the visor
down where paper-clipped inside is a photo of him and Sandra.
He lingers on the photo before looking to the road ahead.
THE END