All language subtitles for Presumed.Dead.2006.1080p.WEBRip.x264-RARBG

♪ We're all here to chill
and have a good time ♪

♪ Kick back, ease your mind and unwind ♪

♪ Because we aint leaving
until the sun rise ♪

♪ All the homies and the
ladies getting down tonight ♪

♪ 'Cause were all here to
chill and have a good time ♪

♪ Kick back, ease your mind and unwind ♪

♪ 'Cause we aint leaving
til the sun rise ♪

♪ All the homies and the
ladies getting down tonight ♪

(couple moaning)

(screaming)

(blonde woman whimpering)

- Get back!

(dramatic music)

(woman breathing heavily)

(phone beeping)

- Hey, 911?
(panting)

Yeah, she's bleeding.

(intense suspenseful music)

- Seth, no!

(screaming)

(typewriter tapping)
(suspenseful music)

(music fades)

(rain pattering)

- [Mary] A writer's greatest fear

is to confront the blank page.

To fill it, to write.

But there are fears that
many of us must face

that are equally challenging.

Like the courage to face our loss.

The detective was new to
the homicide department

and the challenge of her
new job didn't phase her,

but suffering the
greatest loss of her life

was a different manner.

- [Man On CB Radio] All units, all units.

There is a disturbance at Hale Creek

near Seth Harmon's residence.

All units code three.
Captain Dade is on route.

- [Amanda] Mommy, don't go.

- It's okay, honey.

(light music)

Don't worry, sweetie.

Mommy won't be long, okay?

- Daddy promised two ends.

- I know. Honey, I know.

But this is different.

- Hey.

Little girls are supposed to be sleeping

at this time of night.

(Mary smooches)

- Will you put her back
to sleep. I won't be long.

- Mary Anne.

Be careful, honey.

You know what domestic situations-

- Can be violent.

I know, mom, I was in one, remember?

- Your father was a troubled man.

- He was abusive.

He hurt you and me.

- He never laid a hand on you.

Not in that way.

- Mommy, don't go.

- I'll make some chocolate milk
for you before we go to bed.

Okay?
(cat mews)

- [Officer] Get back on the bubble.

(police siren blaring)

- [Officer] Johnson, you need
to take this one out of here.

- Cooper.

Who the hell called you here?

- Evening captain.

I heard the report on the scanner and I-

- There's no and, detective, go home.

- This is a homicide, right?

- Coop, I can't assign you this case.

- Yeah, well, with all
due respect, captain,

I know Harmon, I know what makes him tick.

We've been called to this
house countless times.

Tom in fact, was called
just before he passed.

- It's only been a few months, Coop.

Have you even started
grief counseling yet?

- That's not going to
bring my husband back

and neither is sitting at home.

- What about Amanda?

- She's okay.

I mean, besides, my mother's
there looking after her.

Captain, the media is gonna
be here by morning, okay?

If you want this investigation
done right, let me have it.

I'm fine.

- No screw ups.

- No, no screw ups.

- You mess this up, Coop, it'll
be my ass they hang to dry.

- By the book, sir.

- Alright.

- You got any witnesses?

- Yeah. Two teens.

- What about that chauffeur?

- It was his night off.

(Mary scoffs)
- Harmon's waiting inside.

- Yeah. Let him wait.

- They went that way, towards the river.

- Thank you very much.

(suspenseful music)
(people chattering)

(water rushing)

- I've been briefed by Captain Dade

and interviewed the witnesses.

This is what we've got.

Paige Stevenson, 26,
Harmon associate missing.

Check the damn, maybe the
body's caught in the grating

and also check the turbines.

Widen the search radius by three miles.

She's out there somewhere.

(suspenseful music)

- [Man On Radio] Detective Cooper.

- Go for Cooper.

- We've got something on
the far side of the river.

- Copy that. I'm on my way.

Hm.

At first sign of light,
start dragging the river.

(suspenseful music)

Cast it and bag the bloody leaf.

(light powering up)
(suspenseful music continues)

Ah-ha

Come here. Bag these.

(camera snaps)

- That's a nice ring.

The International Brigade?

You a student of the Spanish Civil War?

- I'm a student of Hemingway.

(handcuffs jingling)

I suppose you'll be charging me.

- Well, unless Paige Stevenson

comes walking through that
door, you got that right.

- Shouldn't you be reading me my rights?

- Educated at Oxford.

Seth Harmon burst on the
literary scene in 1988

with his first novel
"Defective Detective."

Harmon next won the
literary prize for suspense

with "Stillborn", then in 1994,

garnered the Shaw prize for
his trilogy, "Cold Steel."

In 2000, "The Mockinglass Murder"

dominated the nation's best
sellers list for 12 weeks.

Hm. Nothing more recent?
(officers chattering)

(book slams onto the floor)

What's the matter? You got writer's block.

- My Miranda rights?

- You may fool some people,

but to me, you are a washed up
old hack who exploits women.

Now we'll read you your rights.

- Sir. You are under arrest.

You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will be

used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney,

one will be provided by the state.

Do you understand these rights?

- [Seth] Yes, I do.

(ominous music)

- Well, it's your call, Coop.

Missing person or murder?

- Yeah, well, my gut says murder.

I mean, we got all the
elements except the body.

And I know that's gonna turn
up once we drag the river.

- Alright but remember, by the book.

You keep your personal life
out of this. You got it?

- Absolutely.

- 'Kay then.

(knocking on door)
(door opening)

- I assume that I'm the prime suspect.

I'd like to see my lawyer before we talk.

- See, there's a pattern here.

It starts in the kitchen, goes to the den,

right out to the back door.

Now your companion, Paige Stevenson,

she has not been heard
from for over 24 hours.

Now you must be getting worried, huh?

- She is my protege.

I've been a mentor to Paige
for a couple of years now.

- That's a lot of blood.
How do you explain it?

- I think the lab will soon determine

who the blood belongs to.

- Yeah. You got that right?

Meanwhile, we'll be taking
a blood sample from you.

(door opening)
- Don't say

another word, Seth.

- Good to see you, George.

- Ah, Winters.

What died to let you crawl out?

- Detective Cooper. (chuckling)

I want it documented in your notes

that I was not present
for this interrogation.

- Oh, this is just an interview.

- Then why are you holding my client?

- Murder.

- Murder?
- Mm-hm.

- Who's the victim?

- Paige Stevenson.

- Where's the body?

- Here's the photos.

There is blood splattered
all over his place.

Her blood.

- You suspect?

- We have got two witnesses and a knife

with the defendant's fingerprints on it.

- And?

- And?

- Where's the body?

- Ask your client.

- Are you accusing my client
of murder without due process?

- Absolutely not.

Judge will be in at 9:00 AM.

Until then, I'm simply holding him

as a material witness
to a possible homicide.

- Then add it to your notes that my client

was held against his will.

- Client held against his will.

Happy?

We will find the body sooner or later.

- And at that point, detective,

a crime may have been committed.

(ominous music)

(door opens)

(door slams)

- As police begin to widen the
search for Paige Stevenson,

the suspect in her disappearance,

internationally acclaimed crime novelists,

Seth Harmon has been released on bail.

Mr. Harmon, where's Paige Stevenson?

- She's missing.

Police are wasting valuable time

while she's out that in danger somewhere.

- Are you responsible
for her disappearance?

- Of course not. She's like my daughter.

I tend to conduct my own search.

- How do you explain the blood?

- No more questions.

(traffic passing)

Seth, is there anything I need to know?

- I didn't kill her.

- That's what I wanted to hear.

When push comes to shove,

I can certainly plea bargain
this to manslaughter.

- Absolutely not.

I'm gonna fight this until I'm exonerated.

(ominous music)
(car passing)

(birds tweeting)

(seagull squawking)

(liquor pouring)

- You need light in this place.

It's so dark. Oppressive.

- It's inspirational for me.

(George chuckling)

- Ever heard of word processors?

- Yes.

- But you still use this old thing?

- That old thing used to
belong to Ernest Hemingway.

It went with him to Spain.

Every manuscript I've ever written

has been hammered out on it.

- It's a pity Hemingway died so young.

- Yes.

Still, he was a man who
structured his own life.

Just like a book.

- A new novel.

Seth, I thought you'd retired.

- Writers never retire, George.

They just get...

They just stopped getting
published, that's all.

- Seth, I-
- No, it's alright.

- Seth, I don't-
- No, I'm fine.

- I'll see myself out.

(ominous music)

(door opens)

- Soon.

Whatever time allows.

- Your afternoon pork, sir.

- Oh, just there. That'll be fine.

- As you wish, sir.

- The man looked down at the still form.

The lines of his father's
face had all but disappeared

like windswept powers into the horizon.

The man ...
(typewriter clacking)

Good structure.

Good structure.

Most of his life...

(ominous music)

But...

But what?

(sighs heavily)
He was meant

for a life of distinction what?

(exhales sharply)

(typewriter resumes clacking)

It was...

The man's life...

(paper crumpling)

- It's been six weeks since
Paige Stevenson disappeared

without a trace.

Her companion, Seth Harmon
has posted a $100,000 reward

for any information
leading to her safe return.

Mr. Harmon, last week's
grand jury indictment

hasn't hurt your latest book sales.

- At the moment, I have greater concerns

than book sales, thank you.

- Why did you offer a bench trial

rather than a trial by jury?

- [George] No more questions.

- In a dramatic development,
District Attorney John Lister

has agreed to Judge
Tobias rendering a verdict

without a 12-person jury.

- Thanks, mom.

- [C.C.] This is C.C.
Woodruff reporting from the-

(TV clicks off)

- Honey.

- [Mary] Mm-hm?

- Maybe you should get some rest.

- No, I'm okay, mom, really.

It's fine.

- No.

What I mean to say is maybe you
should take some more leave.

- Mom, Tommy died in
the line of duty, okay?

I'm doing my duty. I
need to get this scumbag.

That's what he would have wanted.

- Is this about Tommy?

- What's that supposed to mean?

- Some men will always be abusers.

Just because it happened to me,

doesn't mean you have to personalize this.

- I'm not personalizing
it. Don't shrink me.

(light music)

- You know what I think
Tommy would have wanted?

- What?

- He would want you to look
after his little girl first.

(car finish squeaking)

(breath blows)

- I think you did a splendid
job of getting the D.A.

to see things our way.

All the evidence and no
body, it's all boiled down

to the judge's interpretation of the law.

- Just put me on the stand.

- The D.A. will twist your words.

- I can manage this time.

- If there's something
you want to tell me,

then please tell me.

- I spoke to Barsky.

He's the best litigator in the country.

- I am not copping a plea.

- Seth, for God's sake,
your life is at stake.

- Yes, my life, my reputation.

Everything.

No, no one understands
this better than I do.

- Well then stop acting so naive.

- I am innocent.

- This has nothing to do with
being innocent or guilty.

This is the law.
- Yes.

I used to practice law.

In England and America, remember?

- Well then, you'll accept
a plea of manslaughter.

- If I cop a plea,

then everyone will assume I'm guilty.

Nothing less than murder one.

- Are you out of your mind?

We are talking manslaughter.

Six years in minimum.

Out in two.

- George.

- You'll be able to
write, three meals a day.

It'll be like Martha Stewart.

- No!

Now, now look, you're a wonderful friend.

But as my defense attorney...

You're fired.

- Oh.

You're serious.

Aren't you?

- I'm sorry.

You know the way out.

- I don't like being
blindsided, Mr. Harmon.

I don't like it at all.

- Your honor, I respect
that this is your court.

However, last night I realized that

I am the only person who
can conduct by defense.

- Are you asking for a postponement?

- No, your honor.

I'm quite prepared.

- And you realize that in my court,

I'll make certain that defending yourself

will not be a basis for automatic appeal?

- Yes, your honor.

I am confident in what I'm doing.

- Alright, Mr. Harmon.

- The D.A.'s office is
also ready, your honor.

We believe we can make
a case without a body.

- Very well.

But I'll tolerate no grand
standing for the media.

Now is that clear?

- Yes, your honor.

- Oh, uh...

Crystal clear, your honor.
- Alright.

- With the trial set
to begin in 30 minutes,

Seth Harmon has thrown
the court into turmoil

by firing his legal counsel and announcing

he will defend himself.

Mr. Winters, what was the
reason for your dismissal?

- I've represented Mr.
Harmon's legal affairs

for several years.

His intelligence is irrefutable.

He's practiced law and he's innocent.

And as an innocent man,

he feels he is the best
one to defend himself.

- Do you agree with this
strategy, Mr. Winters?

- It is his right, his reputation

and his life, Miss Woodruff.

(reporters clamoring)

- Another strange turn in a trial

that has already begun
to captivate the nation.

- Dr. Li, as a forensic pathologist,

could you recreate the night
Paige Stevenson disappeared

based on the forensic evidence?

- Yes.

In this case, we have a
great deal of evidence.

(dramatic music)

(Paige yelping)
There was a fight

in the kitchen to be exact.

The chair was upturned.

Miss Stevenson was
probably struck in the head

because her blood was
on the leg of the chair

with a few hair follicles.

At this point, a knife came into play.

- [Lister] This knife, your honor.

(knife unsheathing)
(Paige screaming)

- Yes, that's the knife.

You can still see the blood residual.

DNA obtained from Miss
Stevenson's hair follicle

matches the blood as hers.

She then tried to escape.

She fled into the wooded area,
which adjoins the property.

Two witnesses saw her bleeding.

Mr. Harmon was seen in pursuit.

Based on the blood
evidence from the crime,

we can deduce Miss Stevenson
was attacked, chased,

and either pushed or fell conscious

into the river and drowned.

(Paige screaming)

- Mr. Harmon, your witness.

- So, um...

Drowned, but no body?

- Yes.

- Is that normal, Dr. Li?

- was a fast current.

In some cases, bodies take weeks, months,

and even years to surface.

- Now I was with Paige on that night.

Agreed?

- Yes.

By all accounts, you were there.

- So if my firsthand testimony

corroborated all of
your forensic evidence,

but arrived at a different conclusion,

then my version would
have to be considered

a distinct possibility

Would it not?
- Objection, your honor.

- Overruled.

I'm sure Dr. Li is quite
able to answer the question.

Proceed, Doctor.

- As a scientist, I'm trained
to consider all possibility.

- Okay.

Are you aware that Paige
suffers from type one diabetes?

- Yes. It is in her medical record.

- I draw the court's attention
to defense exhibit B,

Paige's high school medical
records for the state of Oregon.

Could this condition make Paige

feel light-headed, disoriented?

- I have a disease.

(Paige gasping)

- It's all right, love.
We'll get through this.

I'll get the glucometer.

(Paige breathing heavily)

(head thuds)

(glass breaks)
(blood spatters)

- If she didn't eat properly,

it would be a reasonable assumption.

- Could a severe nose bleed

have created the amount
of blood you found?

- [Li] It is possible,
but not the pattern.

- Oh, no.

Not the telltale pattern.

- I'm bleeding.

- Let's have a look.

It's alright, love.

Could the amount of blood
loss have caused Paige

to become disoriented?

- It is consistent with her condition.

- To the point where she fell down?

- [Li] It is possible.

- Could such a situation create
the blood pattern you found?

- [Li] Yes.

(Paige panting)
- I feel sick.

Seth.

- Is it also possible that
as I tried to calm Paige,

she became hyper, confused, agitated,

possibly even running from the very person

trying to render aid?

(sinister music)
(Paige gasping)

- With nobody to examine,

your version of the events would be

within the realm of the possibility.

- Dr. Li, what is it
that makes you believe

that Paige was drowned?

- It's been several months since.

Nobody has seen or heard from her.

- Do you agree that there could
be alternative explanations?

- As I said,

without a body to examine,

there's no end to the possibilities.

(audience murmuring)

- Thank you, Dr. Li.

No more questions.

- Detective Cooper.

How would you describe
the defendant's demeanor

during initial questioning?

- Cocky.

- Could you elaborate?

- Well, for one thing, he kept telling me

to read him his rights.

- Objection, your honor.

- Mr. Harmon.

- Ensuring the good detective compliant

with the Supreme Court ruling

should hardly be construed as being cocky.

- You'll have your chance

to cross examine the witness. Mr. Harmon.

- What did your subsequent
investigation reveal?

- That Mr. Harmon was
in financial difficulty.

He had not published a
novel in over five years.

His royalties were running out.

Basically his lifestyle
was bleeding him dry.

- Objection, you honor.

- Mr. Harmon.

- This testimony is purely speculation.

Your honor, I'd like to
enter into the record,

Mr. Harmon's bank records.

- Objection, your honor.

At times, withdrawals exceed deposits,

but I was hardly being bled dry.

- Sustained.

And the term bleeding dry

is to be stricken from the records.

Alright, Mr. Lister, continue.

(stenograph clacking)

- Other than at times
spending beyond his means,

how was the relationship

between the defendant and the victim?

- Objection, your honor.

A missing person is not
necessarily a victim.

- Overruled, Mr. Harmon.

If you object to every
single word the D.A. utters,

I'll hold you in contempt.

Now this is a trial for murder, therefore,

in the D.A.'s view, there must be a victim

or we wouldn't be here at all.

Please answer the question, detective.

- Thank you.

The police records indicate

that there were three
disturbances in three months

requiring officer assistance.

That about sums up the relationship.

- Didn't you also uncover
an insurance policy

- Yes I did.

About a month before she went missing,

Mr. Harmon took out a million dollar

life insurance policy on her.

- I enter into the record,

the insurance policy as exhibit C.

In the event of page's disappearance,

what were the provisions in the policy?

- Well, the policy clearly states

that after the legally prescribed period,

Mr. Harmon is to receive
the million dollars.

- There is your motive, your honor.

Greed.

Pure and simple.

Mr. Harmon couldn't live

in the manner he'd become accustomed.

He hadn't sold a book in years.

And with the brilliant imagination

that only a crime writer can possess,

Mr. Harmon planned Paige's murder

on the night of October 15th
to claim that insurance money.

But his fiction collided with reality.

Mr. Harmon was caught red handed
at the scene of the crime.

(suspenseful music)
(audience murmuring)

- [Li] I felt very
uncomfortable on the stand.

- Ah, don't worry about it.

You were credible, you
told it like it was.

And remember, this
judge is nobody's dummy.

- Detective Cooper's testimony
is going to play a big part.

Harmon's a clever man.

- But all the evidence is in our favor,

including the witnesses.

Not to mention Cooper's investigation.

- She's done a first-rate job.

Thorough and meticulous.

And she deserves it.

- You know, it hasn't been easy for her.

She's the only female homicide detective

on the entire force.

- And she got you to thank for that.

- Ah, no she doesn't. No, she earned this.

You know, she's like a diamond.

Heat, pressure only makes her stronger.

- What doesn't break you makes you.

- (chuckling) You know
all about that, don't you?

- I think you overestimate me captain.

I'm just a simple scientist.

- Who knows his job and gave us

exactly what we need to
put this psycho away.

Good on you, Doctor, see ya.

(police siren blaring afar)

- Detective Cooper, you don't
like me very much, do you?

- In my line of work, I neither
like nor dislike anyone.

- No, but be honest now.

You don't think very much of me, do you?

- Objection, your honor.

What is the point of
this line of questioning?

- Illuminating a witness
bias is within his rights.

You can answer the question, Detective.

- My personal feelings have nothing to do

with my professional duties.

- Mrs. Cooper, have you ever met me before

in any other capacity, other
than that of a police officer?

- Yes.

A few years ago, I attended

one of your writing workshops.

- And?
- And I decided to leave.

- Why?

- Frankly, I didn't get
much out of your teaching.

- So in addition to being
a stellar investigator,

you consider yourself
to be a literary critic,

possibly even a novelist perhaps, do you?

- Objection, your honor.

Detective Cooper's opinions
of Mr. Harmon's writing

cannot possibly have any
bearing on this case.

Mr. Harmon, I assume there is
a point to this questioning

and that it'll soon become apparent.

- Yes, your honor.

- Overruled, Mr. Lister.

- Relay to the court the
details of what happened

on the night of January
the third of this year.

- January 3rd...

Dispatch received an anonymous
911 call to your home.

- And who was the officer
that answered the call?

- I believe it was...

- Could you speak up please?

- It was officer Thomas Cooper.

- Officer Thomas Cooper, is that correct?

- Yes.

- What is officer
Cooper's relation to you?

He was my husband.

- Was?
- Your honor,

I see no point to this
line of questioning.

- May I have a moment, your honor?

- Continue Mr. Harmon.

- What happened to your
husband on the night

of February 9th of this year?

- He was shot and killed
in the line of duty.

- And what were the
circumstances around his death?

- Your honor, is this line of
questioning truly relevant?

- You may answer the
question, Detective Cooper.

- He was called to assist a bank robbery.

- And was shot dead.

- Yes, that's the gist of it.

- This must be a very
emotional period for you.

- I'm a professional. I carry on.

- Have you received any
professional counseling?

- Your honor.

- Mrs. Cooper's emotional
state has everything

to do with her performance as a detective.

- Proceed, Mr. Harmon,

and answer the question
please, Mrs. Cooper.

- No, I have not received
any counseling yet.

- Mrs. Cooper, was your
mother, Mrs. Klerman,

a victim of domestic violence?

- I don't know how-

- Now it's all here in the police reports,

the restraining orders, et cetera.

Was your mother a victim
of domestic violence?

- Yes.

- And your father, David Klerman,

was a domestic abuser, was he not?

- Yes.

- So in addition to disliking my demeanor

on the night in question,

not to mention my writing and my teaching,

let me ask you this, Detective.

What is your opinion of a man who appears

to be abusive or violent toward a woman?

- They're cowards.

I despise men who beat women.

- Isn't it true that you
are prejudiced, detective?

- No.
- That you would do anything

to seek revenge upon any man

whom you thought capable
of murdering a woman.

- That is ridiculous.

- Objection.
- Overruled.

- Objection, your honor.

Detective Cooper is not on trial.

- No!

I am...

for my life.

Your honor, clearly Detective Cooper

is emotionally unbalanced and biased

and I believe that she would
consciously or unconsciously

seek revenge on any man

that she thought resembled her father.

- You are twisting facts.
- Detective Cooper,

how did you get assigned
to lead up this case?

I'll repeat the question.

How did you get assigned
to lead up this case?

- I asked for it.

- You asked for it.
(audience murmuring)

Thank you.

- [Mary] No, I...

Look, I'm not-
- No more questions,

your honor.

- No, no. I'm not finished.

- You're excused, Detective Cooper.

- Your honor, I need to

make something clear.
- Detective, step down now.

(audience murmuring)

- [Lister] Please describe
for the court what you saw

on the night of October 15th.

- I drove to Harmon's house

and I could hear fighting inside.

- [Paige] Are you threatening to kill me?

I'll go to the cops, to the
FBI and you'll rot in hell.

Put that knife down.

- I was gonna get the heck out of there,

but that's when he opened the door.

- Well.

Please keep the change.

Thank you.

- Let the record show the
witness pointed to the defendant.

Did you call the police?

- No.

I had three more deliveries.

And everything seemed okay when I left.

- Objection, your honor.

- Yes, Mr. Harmon.

- This witness didn't
actually see anything.

He only overheard a conversation.

- I am fully aware of that, Mr. Harmon.

Objection overruled.

- [Bailiff] Do you solemnly
swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?

- [Seth] Yes I do.

(stenograph clacking)

- Mr. Harmon.

How long had you known Paige Stevenson?

- I've known Paige for two years.

We met at a lecture.

Her writing showed great promise.

- So you took her under your wing.

- I suppose you could
call me a mentor, yes.

- Was your relationship romantic?

- Oh, No.

No, not at all.

She works for my company,
researching, proofreading,

that sort of thing.

We have a working relationship.

- And that's why you took
out a life insurance policy

on a 29 year old woman.

- It is a stipulation of the bank

that all my key people
have life insurance.

- Other than a high school transcript,

a driver's license from Oregon

and some recent banking information,

We can't find many details regarding Paige

prior to her arriving in Seattle.

- Yeah. She's a very private person.

- And much younger than you.

21 years younger.

- 21 years, seven months actually.

- Interesting.

- Yes, well, she's very
much like a daughter to me.

- Mr. Harmon, how do you explain
the conversation overheard

by the pizza delivery boy?

Paige said you wanted her dead.

- Mr. Lister, would you be so kind

as to pick up that copy
of "Death Row Confession"

on the table behind you?

If you please?

Thank you.

Now, turn to page 129.

And read the third paragraph from the top.

(ominous music)

Could you read it out loud

so the rest of us can hear please?

- "You can't threaten to kill me.

I'll go to the cops, to the FBI.

I'll see you rot in hell.

The hooded man cradled
the steely gray knife

in his scarred hand.

'Corpses don't talk,' he retorted
in a thick Irish accent."

- Continue please.

- "Fearing for her life,
Elena changed her tune

like a cheap cantina jukebox.

Adopting her best French accent,

she licked her lips and
spoke the only words

that would save her young life.

'Put that knife down.'"

(dramatic music)
(audience murmuring)

- Thank you.

You see, Paige and I
were rehearsing dialogue

for a movie version of the book.

- No more questions, your honor.

(people clamoring)

- Seth Harmon is a free man.

After deliberating for only 30 minutes,

the judge declared Harmon not guilty.

A spokesperson for his publisher

announced that Harmon's faith

in the legal system never wavered.

He is thankful for the verdict

and will continue searching
for Paige Stevenson

while completing his next novel.

Where do you think the case
went wrong, Detective Cooper?

- No comment.

- Will there be an appeal?

- Oh, not to my knowledge.

- Do you feel let down
by the legal process?

- Often.

- This is C.C. Woodruff
reporting from the courthouse.

Back to you, Bob.

(phone ringing)
(people chattering)

(knocking on door)

- You want to speak to me?

- Yeah, yeah. Have a seat, Coop.

I want you to take some
administrative leave.

- Oh captain, come on!

- I should never have
assigned you the Harmon case.

You made us look like a bunch of idiots.

- Look, I can prove this.

- Stop it right there, Coop.

There's nothing to investigate.

Paige Stevenson is missing.

She's on the nationwide watch list.

That's the end of it.

- He killed her. I know he did.

- It's moot, Coop.

Even if she resurfaces tomorrow,

he got off on first degree.

He can't be charged again.

You know that is double jeopardy.

Go home. Relax.

Write that novel you've been working on.

- Come on.
- Besides, Amanda needs you.

And Tom, he wouldn't want it that way.

Man, there comes a time
when you gotta stop

using your work as an escape.

It's time to face the fact that he's gone.

I know. I know it hurts.

But after a while, you'll
learn to somehow move on.

- I wish I could.

(gentle music)

I think moving on is highly overrated.

For a writer, if you
try to move on too fast,

you can leave tracks like Harmon.

Not necessarily forensic tracks,

but tracks you can follow.

- In comparing the gospel of Mark

with the later gospels
of St. Luke and Matthew,

we track each author's use
of grammar and punctuation,

their unique linguistic
identifiers or literary DNA

to conclude that Mark must have been

the original source material
for later gospel writers.

(school bell rings)

now, next week, contrast
the Gnostic gospel of Thomas

with biblical texts of Mark and Luke.

Thank you.
(students clamoring)

- Professor Dunnigan.

- Oh, call me Peter.

I only use professor to impress the co-eds

and frankly, you're not a coed.

- No, Detective Mary Anne Cooper.

- If it's about that incident last year,

I was exonerated by the board

and all the charges were dropped.

I didn't-
- No. Nothing like that.

(Peter sneezes)

- God bless you.

- Detective, do you have a cat?

- I do. A small one.

(Peter sneezes)

- Let's talk about this in my office.

I think I have some antihistamine.

(Peter sneezes)

So what do you want from me?

- Well, I-I was wondering
if you could prove

whether that one and
Harmon's earlier novels

were written by the same person.

(Peter sneezes)

- Bless you.

- Ugh. A detective using
forensic linguistics?

I once proved an anonymous sonnet

was in fact authored
by Shakespeare himself.

- When can you start?

(sneezes)
Bless you.

I'm really serious. Can you do it today?

- Well, I'll have to go over my schedule.

And of course there's a small question

of compensation for
the school's resources.

- Of course. How much?

- A grand, plus I get an
equal share of any book,

movie or video game deal that
derives from the results.

- Hm. Only if you can do it today.

- Well. Let's get to work.

- Let's?

- You want this done
by tomorrow, don't you?

(lips smacking)

(scoffs)

(suspenseful music)
(computer beeps)

(computer chimes)

(Mary chuckles)

(bike chain rattles)

(Peter snoring)

(computer chimes)

Oh, wake up, it's finished.

(Peter groans)
It's finished.

- Where?

- Yep. Let's see.

Okay, so what do you think?

Did he write it?

- Okay. Okay.

It says that there is a 60% probability

that the person who wrote
Seth Harmon's earlier novels

did not write "Death Row Confessions."

- 60%. It's not good enough.

- Well we'll need samples
of the other writer's work

to narrow it down.

- Well I don't have a sample
of the other writer's work.

- You get me samples of
the other writer's work

and I'll probably give you a 99%.

I'm sorry, Detective,
this is the best I can do.

(sneezes)
- Bless you.

I'm gonna get going.

- Detective.

- What?

- I kept my end of our agreement.

- Oh, right.

Um...

I, you know, 60% isn't
gonna do me any good.

- I told you, it's not an
exact science. (sneezes)

(snorting)

- Okay, look. How is 500 now

and the rest if I get
another writing sample?

- Cash?
- Check.

- Make it up to me personally.

- Do you have any memories
of her parents or relatives?

- No.

Her name was Mason, but
she changed it to Stevenson

when she turned 18.

- She changed her name?

- Well, she was a ward
of the state, you know?

I suppose she wanted to be your own person

or perhaps hiding a painful past.

It's hard to say for certain.

- Hm.

So she was on the swim team,
president of the debate club.

What is the literary circle club?

- Oh, that was a workshop
for young writers.

Paige was gifted.

I remember her poetry, her short stories.

She was editor of the yearbook.

- Hm.

Think I could get a copy of that?

- Oh, you'll probably
find one in the library.

- Great.

- Is there anything else?

- Paige was diabetic?

- Yes, but she wasn't insulin dependent.

If she ate properly, she could manage it.

- Okay, thank you.

- I hope you find her.

- (sighs) Yeah.

Thanks again.

"She walked into the day
room to hushed silence.

The piercing eyes of her fellow officers

zeroed in on her badge
like a heat seeking radar

finding an empty target."

Hm.

"Department's first female detective,

her badge number red zero zero one."

Professor!

I've got it.

(Peter sneezes)

- It's you.

Listen, I'm too busy for this right now.

(inhales sharply)

- I got cash.

- Let's go.
- Yes.

(computer printer buzzing and clicking)

(paper rustling)

- 98%. (snickering)

That's pretty darn good.

- 98% that he didn't write
"Death Row Confessions?"

- Yes.

But we also have a 99% hit
that says this other person,

Paige Stevenson wrote it,
which is proof positive

that Harmon is a fraud.

- (sighs) Will your
analysis stand up in court?

- Well, forensic
linguistics is a new science

and the short answer is it
all depends on the judge.

But once I let this out,
Harmon will be ruined.

- No, no, no, no.

You can't let anything out.

We have to keep this
under wraps for a while.

- Come on, Detective. It's
our duty to out this rat.

- No, no-no. There's a bigger story here.

- Ah, Paige Stevenson.

- Yes, I think that Harmon killed her

to hide the fact that she wrote his book.

I need more time to prove it.

- Detective, I think we
need to put it in writing

that I own 50% of the book,
movie and video game ri...

Hello?

Detective?

- [Seth] And that's sort of
where I drew the inspiration

for the character of Elena.

Before I forget your listeners should know

that "Death Row Two" will be
in bookstores very shortly

and I think a third installment
should be out by Christmas.

- [Radio Host] Age certainly
hasn't slowed you down, Seth.

- [Seth] (chuckling) Yeah,
still fighting the good fight

at the ripe old age of 50.

- [Radio Host] Seth Harmon, thank you

for joining book club today.

- [Seth] Oh my pleasure, thank you.

- [Radio Host] Seth Harmon will be

at the Main Street Library this afternoon

to personally sign copies
of "Death Row Confession."

Coming up next on the-

(car passing)

(people chattering)
(cash register clacking)

- It's hardcover, so.
- I've no idea.

- [Woman] I have it on the shelf at home,

I just...
- Really?

- I got this on the first day.
- The other one.

Wow.
- I'm in a podcast group.

- Thank you.

(people continue chattering)

Oh, this is a very well-used copy.

this can only belong to Detective Cooper.

How are you again?

- I'm fine.

I was hoping to get that
signed by the author.

- I'd be happy to sign it for you

if you'll just stop harassing me.

- No, no, no, not you.

The real author, Paige Stevenson.

Seen her lately?

- Mrs. Cooper, please get some help.

- After you read that, you
might want to give me a call.

My number's on the inside.

- If you want me to read your manuscript,

please send it to my publisher.

- I'm on to you.

(ominous music)

- Hi.

(cash register clacking)
(people chattering)

What's your name?

(door opens)
(footsteps approach)

- Detective Cooper, of course you know.

- Muller, legal affairs.

- Detective, do you know
why I've called you here?

- 'Cause I've blown the
Harmon case wide open?

- Cooper, there is no case.

I'm here to inform you
the city's just been hit

with a $5 million slander suit
from Mr. Harmon's attorney.

- Well, that was quick.

Look, when you see

what I've got here-
- Coop, Coop,

just shut up and listen, will you?

- It's the opinion of the D.A.

and our own internal investigation

that Mr. Harmon has a strong case.

- No, he's running scared.

- Detective.
- That I've got new evidence.

- Detective.

- He used her.

Captain, it's all right here.
- Mary Anne!

As your friend and your superior officer,

you've crossed the line.

- No, you don't understand.

Harmon used her to write his new novel

and then he killed her to shut her up.

I've got the evidence.

- There's obviously no point
in continuing this discussion.

You have repeatedly refused
to take administrative leave.

We have no choice but to suspend you...

- What?

- For unsatisfactory performance

pending a psychiatric evaluation

to be conducted immediately.

- Captain, we can get him

on contempt, on falsifying
statements in court.

- Plagiarism?

- Why not?

- The feds got Capone on tax evasion.

- Detective Cooper.

I'll need your gun and your badge

before you leave this room.

- How can you do this?

Come on, I mean, you're
not even gonna read it?

- Captain, it's out of your hands.

- Ugh.

(gun slams on table)

(door opens)

- She won't bother you again.

Now is that acceptable?

- Seth?

- I feel sorry for her,

but I'm not...

I'm not convinced she'll leave me alone.

I'm afraid we'll have to
proceed with the lawsuit.

It's the only way.

- Even though the police department

has mandated you for counseling,

I'm pleased you've chosen

to include your daughter in your therapy.

I'm sure you've heard
about the stages of grief.

- Yes I have.

- well, what it all amounts to

is that you share your feelings
with someone you trust.

- Amanda.

- It's all right.

- Teddy, where's your arm?

Are you hurt?

Here, I'll give you something to eat.

It'll make you feel better.

- Well Mary Anne, what stage
do you think you're at?

- I don't know.

- How do you feel?

- Feelings are dangerous for a cop.

They get you killed.

- Feelings might be dangerous for a cop,

but they're critical for a mother.

So again, how do you feel?

- Empty.

Angry.

- Because?

- He's gone.

My husband, my best friend.

He's dead because some
idiot had to rob a bank.

- Go on.
(phone ringing)

- Oh, I'm sorry.

You know, just give me a minute.

Sweetie, I'll be right back.

- Hey.

That's a nice hat. Is it yours?

Whose is it?

- My daddy's.

(phone beeping)
(suspenseful music)

(dramatic music)

(phone beeping)

- "Mockinglass Murder?"

Harmon's fourth book.

(suspenseful music)

(blocks clatter)

Yeah, this is Detective Cooper, homicide.

Badge 782.

Listen, I need a trace on my cell phone.

I'd like to know the
location it came from.

Is that possible?

Great.

Great. Thank you.

- Important?
- Yeah, I'm afraid so.

Come on, Sweat Pea, we gotta go.

- No, Teddy's not ready.

- Maybe Teddy's tired.
He's had a big lunch.

Let's give him a nap. Okay?

You can see them next visit.

Helping Teddy with his
pain helps Mandy with hers.

Tell me what would make yours go away?

(light music)
- I don't know.

- Mandy's lost her father and now you.

Mary Anne, she wants her mother back.

- Thank you.

Come on, baby. Come on.

(door opens)

- Oh, it's scuzzy.

- What?

- 17 down. It's a computer interface.

S-C-S-I.

- Thanks.
- Mm-hm.

(pencil scratching)

(wally muttering)

- Okay, Detective. What brings
you all the way down here?

Well, it's about Tom.

- You um...

You wanna get his personal effects?

- Yeah, if I could for Amanda.

Just something to remember.

- You need a requisition
from Dade, you know that.

- Okay, come on.

- Thanks, Wally.

(ominous music)

"She was caught hiding in
the closet when they entered.

The woman was her mother.

Long, brown hair, alabaster skin

and red lips that parted
to reveal perfect teeth

with a wicked smile and a cruel laugh.

Not that they saw her.

The three year old can be very
quiet when she's terrified."

- [Tyson] The remote's been reprogrammed.

Only you know the codes, Mr. Harmon.

- So you're saying there's no way out?

- In two seconds, this place
will be tighter than a drum.

- Then obviously there's no way in either.

- You totally control your environment.

You control who comes and who goes.

- [Security Computer]
Security system activated.

- Thank you, Tyson.
- Sir.

(remote clatters)

(chemicals bubbling)

- We both want the same thing, Doctor.

- Perhaps,

but you're dangerous.

- To who?

- To me.

Say you find the killer.

I could lose my pension.

40 years on the job, six months to go.

For what?

Revenge? Ego?

- No.

Justice.

- They're like kissing cousins, Cooper.

All I want at this point
in my life is peace.

- So what are you saying?
It doesn't matter?

We should just let the killer run free?

Dr. Li, is this really
gonna bring you peace

when you retire?

- Okay.

I'll run the test.

- Oh, thank you.

Keep it between us, okay?

- Of course.

- Thank you.

- I am now completely
satisfied you are bargaining

in good faith. Mr. Harmon.

All the files are destroyed.

- So full agreement?

- Full agreement,

except for the little matter
of the second installment.

- Well the final transfer takes place

the moment you notarize the documents

in front of my lawyer, yes?

- It's been a pleasure doing
business with you, Mr. Harmon.

- Yes. Yes.

A very civilized transaction.

Thank you professor.
(Peter chuckles)

(phone lands in cradle)

(smooches)

(Seth slurps)

(ominous music)

(sighs)

I need to make this work.

I have to think this through.

There's no structure

and there must be structure.

(glass shatters)

- Shall I clean this up for you, sir?

- What if she told someone?

Oh, she wouldn't never do that to me,

the whole world would know.

- Sir?

- It's all such a confused mess.

- With her in the picture.

- Sorry, what?

- With her in the picture.

- Yes.

With her in the picture.

With her in the picture.

What you have to do is go out
and take care of her, Tyson.

(ominous music)

- I understand, sir.

(birds tweeting)

(water running)

(suspenseful music)

(gun clicks)

(gun clicks)

- Uh...

- You don't belong here.
- It's okay, pops.

Its okay.

I'm going.

I'm leaving.

(sinister music)

(water rushing)

- "The detective had heard it all before,

like healing takes time, you
need time away from work.

But was her job on the force an escape

or a source of comfort that brought her

closer to her husband?

What they shared and worked for,

what they believed in when he was alive?"

- [Mary's Mom] How is the novel going?

- It's okay.

You know, I'm actually
getting a little inspired.

(chuckling)
- I'm so glad.

I think it's good therapy
to get your mind off things.

- Yeah.
(phone rings)

Cooper.

Yes.

A GPS reading. Absolutely.

Give me one minute.

Okay, go.

Northing four-four degrees.

Squire falls, Washington, where is that?

Oh, great.

Okay. I owe you one.

You gotta take her to school for me.

I'm sorry, mom.

(Mary smooches)

I'll be back by dinner.

(light music)

(GPS beeping)
(suspenseful music)

(beeping quickens)
(suspenseful music continues)

(buttons beep)

(door creeks)

(ominous music)

(Mary breathes shakily)

(gun clicks)
(Mary gasps)

- What do you want?
- I'm looking for someone.

- No one here, but me.

- Have you seen her?

- You a cop?

- Homicide detective. Mary Anne Cooper.

- Let's see your badge.

- I had to give it up.

- How do I know you're for real?

- Okay. You're just going to
have to take my word for it.

Mr...

- Talmut.

- Well, Mr. Talmut, would
you mind putting that down?

Please.

Thank you.

Her name is Paige Stevenson.

Have you seen her? Do you
know anything about her?

- You get what you want.

I don't get what I need.

- What's that?

- I just want to be left alone.

I don't want no cops up here and no media.

- My father used to talk
about the Black Horse Regimen.

He was a medic.

Were you there with them?

You can still hear those sounds, huh?

(warfare echoing)

- That's why I like it here.

I need the quiet.

- Maybe we both want the same thing,

to save someone's life.

I need to find this woman
before anybody else does.

- You're too late.

Here.

(suspenseful music)

(phone beeps)

- Did you send me this message?

- No, she did.

- I found her. Lost.

Didn't know her name,
where she'd come from.

I took her in.

She'd come, go,

sometimes for days.

She's in danger.

- I know.

- In an amazing turn of events,

one hour ago Paige Stevenson surfaced

in Squire Falls, Washington.

After extensive questioning
with police, she was released,

but details remain sketchy.

Mr. Winters.

- I'll make a brief statement,
but I'll take no questions.

- Hey Amanda, I'm home.

- Apparently an ordeal
that began six months ago

has ended happily.

Paige Stevenson has been found alive.

Eugene Talmut, the man
who found Paige Stevenson

wandering in the woods,
brought her to the hospital,

but had little to say.

Other than suffering from
short-term memory loss,

doctors have given Miss
Stevenson a clean bill of health.

After questioning, police
have released Eugene Talmut

but have revealed no further details

concerning the bizarre case.

C.C. Woodruff reporting.

Back to you, Bob.
(reporters clamoring)

- 'Cause Hemingway said,

"Wine is one of the most
civilized things in the world."

- It's a pity it can't
make a man civilized.

(ominous music)

- You seem troubled.

Did something happen out there?

Did you get to know him?

Become intimate with him in any way?

- Intimate?

- Well, you know.

Get to know him, share
things with him, you know.

- we hardly spoke.

- Well, I can't imagine
you got much writing done.

So you wouldn't have left anything behind.

- I did exactly as you asked.

- Oh, Paige.

What is it then?

I mean, did Tyson take care of you?

- He made sure I had a hotel

whenever I was sick of Talmut's cooking.

- Everything's going according to plan.

- Talmut was the perfect alibi.

- Yes.

It's amazing to think that your writing

is now the nation's
number one best seller.

With this publicity, there's
no telling where it could go.

- Seth, maybe it's time
that I start writing.

Publish under my own name.

- Well you-you can't just yet.

- Well, if not my own
name, perhaps a pen name.

- No, it's too risky at the moment.

- This is not the future
you had promised me.

- Patience. It'll all work out.

- It's just I can't
live like this forever.

- Oh, I know.

Finish the sequel to "Death Row"

and I promise the future
will take care of itself.

And we can talk about this later.

(ominous music)

(typewriter clacking)

- I'll make a brief statement
but I'll take no questions.

Sethford Harmon and Paige Stevenson

are both very happy to be reunited.

- Mommy, I miss you.

- Mm. We're gonna spend
a lot of time together

very, very soon.

- Promise?
- I promise.

- Paige is well and receiving
the professional care

that she needs.

- Now say your prayers, baby.

- Now I lay me down to sleep.

- [Both] I pray the lord my soul to keep.

- The angels watch me through the night

and keep me in their blessed sight.

Amen.
- Amen.

- Any allegations by Mary Anne Cooper

regarding the authorship
of "Death Row Confession"

are completely groundless
and bear no comment.

- [C.C.] Where was Paige for six months?

- [George] No comment.

- Mommy, can you leave the light on?

- Absolutely.

Sweet dreams.

Night-night.

- We now go to professor
Dunnigan at the University.

Professor, can you hear me?

- Mother, you can turn it back up.

- No, dear. I would only upset you.

I had to-
- It's okay.

- Charge of plagiarism.

- Oh, I'm afraid that Detective
Cooper is sadly mistaken.

- [C.C.] Did you ever meet with her?

Oh, on several occasions.

- [C.C.] And how would
you describe her behavior?

- [Peter] Obsessive.

- [C.C.] And do you have
any other comments to add?

- Yes.

Detective Cooper answers
that age-old question.

Does art imitates life or vice versa?

In my professional opinion,
she has become the latter.

The very personification

of Mr. Harmon's first successful novel,

"The Defective Detective."

- Ah! (grunts)
(remote hits TV)

- It's seedy, right? I knew it.

(phone rings)

- Cooper.

- Detective Cooper?

I have your results.

- Yeah. What-what, what are they Doctor?

- The DNA present on the pillow

matches that of Seth Harmon.

- So you're saying Seth
Harmon killed Heather Mason?

- At least it places him
at the scene of the crime.

- Fax me the results to
my house immediately.

And thank you.

(phone beeps)
Oh!

Yes!

(ominous music)

(dog barks)

- [Seth] I had that
dream again last night.

- The one where you're a child?

- But this time I was
seated next to my father.

It was an important dinner.

I kept trying to speak to him.

He remained silent as if I didn't exist.

- Silence can be intimidating to a child.

- Finally he slapped me
and told me to shut up.

- Maybe that's why you
want to be a writer, Seth.

You know, the need to speak up.

- But writing always came so naturally.

The words flowed, the books came easily.

Then it stopped.

And this dark silence wrapped itself

around me, smothering me.

I hear the words.

I can't write them.

(music intensifies)

I lost my voice.

I can only hope that everything we've done

will somehow bring it back.

I think we're very fortunate

that fate brought us both together.

We staged your murder to perfection.

(dramatic music)

(glass shatters)

when you think about it, it's
almost like a crime scene

straight out of a Hollywood thriller.

(Paige laughing)

(glass shatters)

So, shall we get at it?

It all starts with structure.
(typewriter clacking)

Every novel, just as every
life, must have structure.

(sighs heavily)

- I need, I need to get out of here, Seth.

I just, I need a break.

Maybe I could go to the library
and do some more research.

- Alright. Tyson will take you.

Just remember you have
the big interview tonight.

You don't want to be too tired.

Try to get some rest.

- [Dr. Li] The fax went through.

- So Cooper was right all along.

Harmon's saliva and blood
were on the pillowcase.

Is there enough for a conviction?

- Well who could have described
the murder of Heather Mason

more precisely than the killer?

Now there's no doubt.

Harmon is the killer.

Just the victim's changed.

- This put Cooper in danger.

- I got a chance to make this right, Doc.

We were manipulated.

Harmon manipulated Paige's mother, Paige,

you, me, the system.

And for what?

So he could sell some
books and be a big shot.

- He's a sick man.

- He's a killer.

And he fooled everybody except Mary Anne

who had the guts to go out on a limb

and I left her just hanging
out there, high and dry.

But this time, Doc, I'm
gonna make it right.

- What are you going to do?

- What I should have done a long time ago.

I'm gonna follow her lead and back her up.

- Be careful.

- That's your job, Doc.

(birds tweeting)
(traffic passing)

(gear shift clicking)
(ominous music)

(gravel crunching)

(footsteps echoing)

(people chattering)

(ominous music continues)

- You dropped this in
the woods, Ms. Mason.

Oh, that was your name

before you changed it
to Stevenson, wasn't it?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

You sent me a text message and I know

that you're the one who wrote this book.

- I believe this is a
case of mistaken identity.

- I believe this is a case of murder.

Paige, if you don't want my help,

why did you have me investigate
your mother's murder?

I know you were that little
girl in the police report,

the same little girl in
"The Mockinglass Murder."

You were that child,

hiding, afraid.
(Paige laughing)

(dramatic music)
(glass shatters)

- I didn't understand it then,

but my mother must've been mocking, Seth.

(Heather laughing)

- And he lost it and he killed her.

(Paige sobbing)

(Heather laughing)

(Heather screaming muffled)

(Heather grunting)

I'm so sorry.

No child should ever
have to go through that.

I've got DNA evidence that
can prove Seth did it.

We can get him.

Come with me.

- Not now.

- You can't live like this forever.

- Watch the news tonight.

C.C. Woodruff is having a live interview.

It might answer some of your questions.

(car revs off)

(gentle music)

- Cooper!

Hold it right there.

We need to talk.

Cooper!

(car engine starts)
(car revs away)

(tires squeal)
Cooper!

- [Man] Hey Jake, there's a cord there.

You wanna bring it back from the van

all the way into the house?

- [C.C.] Thank you for
letting us into your home.

It's very gracious of you

considering all that you've been through.

- No, not at all.

We're uh...

We're just very grateful
to have Paige back

with us safe and sound.

- Well, in a few seconds,

we'll be going live coast to coast.

So if you make a mistake,
just keep talking.

There's no editing.

- Thank you.

(dramatic news theme music)

- Presumed dead.

At least that's what
the whole world thought

when Paige Stevenson
disappeared on October 15th

in Seattle, Washington.

But in a strange twist of
fate, Paige is alive and well

and living once again with
the man who was accused,

charged, and later
acquitted of her murder,

internationally renowned
novelist, Seth Harmon.

Paige, what exactly
happened on October 15th?

- It's all right.

- Paige?

- I don't remember a thing.

It's all a blur.

- Were you aware that Mr. Harmon

was on trial for your murder?

- My mind is blank for the entire period.

- Detective Mary Anne Cooper claims

that you wrote Mr. Harmon's
most recent best seller.

- I'm sorry, I have to interrupt.

The-the...

Our attorneys have advised
us not to discuss the matter.

I mean, it has been disproved
by Professor Dunnigan, so.

- Paige, do you have any comment?

- I am aware of the
detective's accusations, yes.

- And do you have a response?

(ominous music)

- Paige?

- Detective Cooper is 100%...

correct.

- Oh, sweetie, you
didn't mean to say that.

- And the sales of his most recent book

seem to be doing extremely
well which means...

- I did write "Death Row Confessions."

I wrote every word of it

and I'm actually writing
its sequel right now.

- Wait, don't be silly.
- You know, this charade

has gone on long enough, Seth.

- Sorry, this interview is over.

- Paige, this is-
- Excuse me.

- [C.C] Keep, keep rolling.

Keep rolling, people.

- Uh, do you have an invitation?

- Uh, yeah, I do.

- This is over.
- Are we getting this?

People, keep rolling.
Everyone keep rolling.

This is off, get out.

- [C.C.] Mr. Harmon!

Keep rolling, are you getting it?

Detective Cooper, follow him, follow him!

What's going on?

Get a shot of Detective Cooper.

Go, go! We gotta get this.

Follow him.

(alarm beeps)
(door lock clicks)

(ominous music)

(dramatic musical tone)
- You looking for this?

- Why are you doing this?

- Line up against the wall please.

- What's this all about?

- It'll be explained
in a court of law, sir.

- Paige, put the gun down.

You don't know what you're doing.

- I know that you murdered my mother.

- I never met your mother.

- I ran DNA from the original evidence.

It is conclusive that
you killed Heather Mason.

- And then you wrote
about it in your book.

- No. Your name is Stevenson.

- Paige Mason.

I changed it in high school.

I was three years old the night

that you murdered her.
- That's a lie!

- It's all in Li's report.

- Shut up! Stay out of this!

- Paige, don't.

Put the gun down.

- Ever since I saw that
ring and read your book,

I suspected that you killed my mother.

Not a day has gone by
that I haven't plotted

to make you pay.

You thought you were the clever one.

Staging my murder, stealing all the glory.

I waited patiently, Seth.

I waited for the perfect moment

to prove that you murdered her.

- That's it.

It wasn't the affairs.

It was her ridicule of my devotion.

She shamed the deepest part of me.

And left me.

I never had her love back.

- Put the gun down.

- Don't.

(Seth laughing)

- Now you've made a fool of me.

- (sniffles) I've dreamed of this.

- Then do it!

- Don't let him ruin your life too.

(gun clicks)

Put the gun down.

(suspenseful music)

- I'll write the ending.

(gun fires)
(woman screams)

(Paige whimpers)

(Mary gasps)

(Paige sobs)

(pounding on door)
(Paige sobbing)

- [Dade] Cooper, it's the captain.

- It's over now.
(pounding continues)

- Coop, we're coming in.

- It's okay.

It's okay, it's over.

(gentle music)
(keyboard clacking)

"The perfect crime is the
crime that never happened.

But ironically, the killer was trapped.

Not for the murder that he did not commit,

but the one that he did,

the one that haunted the
little girl who is now a woman.

In solving the perfect crime,

the detective and the victim found closure

for their personal loss.

Imperfect, but closure nonetheless."

(gentle piano music)

- Mommy, Mommy, look.

I can see daddy's face smiling.

- Yeah, honey. I see it too.

- He's always with us.

Yeah. (giggling)

Hey!

- Hey, you.

Thanks, Mary Anne.

- No, (chuckling) thank you.

I won't be needing that right now.

Yeah. I'm gonna take
care of Amanda for now.

- Well, if you change your mind.

(giggling)

See ya.

- Yeah.

Whoa.

Doesn't that look good?
- Whoa.

(Mary laughing)

(suspenseful music)