Kidnapping My Own Daughter (2026) Movie Script

1
(ominous music)
(police sirens)
(dog barking)
(knocking on door)
(knocking on door)
- Callie Rayburn,
my name's Fay Waldon.
I'm a caseworker with Child
and Family Services.
(Callie): Go away!
(knocking on door
- Callie, I need you
to open the door, please.
(Callie): You're here
to take him.
- No, that is not true.
I'm here to help you.
But I need you
to open the door, please.
Before this escalates.
Callie, I need you
to talk to me.
Please.
- They said there was a call,
that I've mistreated my boy.
It has to be his father.
He's angry that
I won't take him back
and he's just doing this
to hurt me--
- No!
- I know how overwhelming
this must feel.
By law, we have to
follow up on every report.
Even the ones made in bad faith.
Our focus is on
your child's safety
and giving you all of
the support that you need.
But first, I need to know
that your son is okay.
No, no, fellas. She's scared.
She's not combative. Okay?
I just need
a little bit more time.
- How do I know I can trust you?
- Because I will never walk away
from a family in need.
And right now...
...I'm the best ally you've got.
(video game sounds)
Hey, Elijah.
My name is Fay.
It's my job to come
and talk to kids
when they've been hurt,
just to make sure
everything is okay.
We can talk whenever
you're ready, okay?
There's no rush.
We'll just take it
one little step at a time.
Are you playing a game?
Is it cool?
Yeah, can I sit and watch?
Wow.
That's a pretty cool game.
(upbeat music)
(office chatter)
Hey, Janet.
- Hey,
you're just getting back now?
- Yeah, that last visit
ate up half of my afternoon.
- Well, I heard things went well
with Kaylee Rayburn
this morning.
- Mmm, it was a bit
touch and go,
but we sorted it out.
We've got a follow-up on Monday.
- Wait, are you just
having lunch now?
It's after three.
- Gonna have to finish this
on the road.
- You know what? No.
Let me ask Angela to
take your last stop.
Okay?
It's Friday.
Go surprise Paul.
Open up a bottle of wine.
Bath together.
- That's very tempting,
but I promised the father.
- Go home, Fay.
That's an order.
Can't afford to let one
of my best burn out.
(gentle music)
(Fay sighs)
- Getting out early, Fay?
- Finally happened, Sam.
They gave me the boot.
(woman): There she is.
That's her.
- Oh, don't tell me
they've stuck you
on the graveyard shift again.
- I guess some of us just
don't know when to quit.
- You sure?
(woman): It's her.
- You have yourself
a fine weekend, Fay.
- You too.
(man): This is where
we can still call this off.
Wait a little longer,
plan a little better.
- I've already waited
too long, Harlow.
This has to end tonight.
(ominous percussive music)
- Hey.
I can do this.
- Do you think I'm crazy
for doing this?
You can be honest.
- After what
they did to you, Tess...
...doing nothing
is the crazy move.
(Tess): We wait until dark.
Until they're asleep.
- Stick to the plan.
(terrifying music)
- Mmm, smells good in here.
(laughs)
Oh, honey, not on the counter.
- Working on my famous
leftover stew all day.
It's been going while
I was at the job site.
- Mmm.
- Secret ingredient?
Confidence.
- Really?
(laughs)
Mmm.
- I wasn't expecting
to see you 'til after six.
- Yeah, Janet kicked me out.
- Huh.
Let me guess.
You're messing up
her overtime budget again.
- She wanted to make sure
I didn't bring any work
home with me.
It's been a long week.
- Speaking of work,
there is something
I'd like to run by you.
- Okay.
- But you have to
close your eyes and follow me.
- What did you do?
(chuckling)
- Keep them closed.
Okay, last step.
There you go.
I got you, I got you.
All right.
Okay, keep walking,
keep walking.
Getting close.
Okay, and then we're going
to turn, turn, turn, turn.
We're almost there, I promise.
- Okay, don't bump me
into anything.
- We're almost there, I promise.
Okay?
- Okay, can I open now?
- And open.
Samples.
- You started wallpapering.
- Yeah, it's called
Lemon Dawn Daydream.
You know, I feel like,
see how we feel about it
before we commit.
- I thought we decided
to go on something
a little bit more neutral.
Like taupe, or... stripes.
Depending on what we decide
to do with the space.
- It's supposed to be calming,
like sunlight on a summer day.
- It's giving
a definite nursery vibe.
- Is that so bad?
- Paul...
- Hey.
- Honey, you know how
I feel about this.
The things I see
every single day,
starting a family.
- You are not your mother
and you are not your clients
- Okay, well, can we just,
pause on the pastels
just for now, please?
and you know what
I was thinking,
that I could run us
a bubble bath later.
- I like the way
you're thinking.
- Oh, yeah, do you?
- Yeah? Good? Okay.
- Yeah.
(chuckling)
(ominous music)
(wood breaking)
- Paul.
Do you hear that?
(footsteps down the stairs)
(door creaks)
(Fay gasps)
- Don't make me
do anything I regret.
- What do you...
What do you want?
- We're not here to hurt you.
As long as you do
exactly as I say.
(Paul): Fay, honey, is that you?
- (whispering) Don't
make a sound.
- Fay?
Fay?
Hey.
Just stay calm.
We don't have any money
in the house.
- I don't want your money.
- Uh, j-just please
don't hurt my wife.
Let's just talk and stay calm.
Okay?
(taser shocking)
- Paul! Paul!
(grunting)
(Tess): You need to focus on me.
You need to focus on me.
(Fay cries)
- Why?
- You want to focus on me.
- What do you want?
(Tess): I want what
you people stole from me.
I want my little girl back.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
He's really hurt, please.
(Tess): Here's what's
gonna happen next.
You and I are going to go
on a little drive.
If Harlow doesn't hear from me,
he lights Paul up until
the battery dies out.
- I don't know.
I don't know what this is about,
but we can just talk about it.
I can help you.
You can talk to me.
I'm a social worker.
- I know exactly
what you are, Fay.
That's why I'm here.
Let's go.
(Paul): Oh, Fay.
Fay...
Ugh...
- Go get her, Tess.
Bring her back home.
(Tess): Move.
Let's get this done.
(Paul grunting)
(Fay): So, um...
...you said your name was Tess?
That's what he was calling you.
(Tess): That's right.
- You said that
you didn't want to hurt us.
That you were going
to let us go.
But you're using
your real names.
- It's because
once this is all over,
once I have her back...
...we're going someplace
they'll never find us.
- You said that someone
took your little girl.
- It was almost three years ago.
- Three years?
That's...
...just a little before my time.
If there's been
some kind of mistake,
you have to know that
there are better ways
to deal with this than
committing a felony.
- You think I haven't tried?
I did everything
they told me to.
Jumped through every hoop.
Why did you choose me and Paul?
- Because my caseworker
disappeared.
But you were her friend.
Your caseworker
was Margaret Whitaker?
she was my mentor
back when I first started,
but she's retired now.
- Well, your mentor
ruined my life.
Now I want it back.
- Oh, that's Sam.
He's our security guard.
He patrols the perimeter
every night.
- Duck.
- What do we do?
- We're going to stay out
of his way.
And if things go south,
just tell him
you're working overtime.
Go.
(car door opens)
(ominous music)
(keyboard clacking)
(mouse clicking)
- Okay, I'm in.
Now what?
- Tess Donnelly.
Two N's, two L's.
Caseworker...
...Margaret Whitaker.
I was just a kid.
- Looks like you came
to our attention
when a nurse filed a report.
Flagging possible abuse.
- Wasn't true.
- The child's name was Amelia.
She was 18 months old.
(Tess): It was the 4th of July.
We went to watch the fireworks
at a park near our house.
I didn't see the ember
that fell on her.
Not until she started crying.
I rushed her to the ER.
The nurse on duty...
She hated me.
On sight.
Next thing I knew,
Margaret Whitaker shows up.
She tells me they're taking
Amelia into protective custody.
They wouldn't even
let me say goodbye.
- Burns on infants are
considered sentinel injuries.
They are extreme red flags.
So if they had even
the slightest suspicion,
they would have no choice
but to act.
- I was only 19.
- I don't understand.
If they had made a mistake,
why didn't you fight it?
You would have had a detention
hearing within 72 hours.
- I tried!
I tried, I didn't hear about it
until it was too late!
I kept calling,
begging for information,
but everything had
to go through Margaret.
I had no family, no support.
(emotional breathing)
Something inside me just broke.
I convinced myself
she was better off without me.
I spiraled.
I started drinking...
Pills...
It was Harlow
who helped me back.
She was having trouble
with her M's.
She couldn't say "mama".
She called me "nana".
- Was Harlow the father?
- Her father passed away
before she was born.
- Okay, um...
Okay, I can see bits and pieces
of your case file here.
The rest of it
is restricted access.
- Is that normal?
- Only if it involves something
extremely confidential,
like a protective seal
from family court,
maybe a closed adoption.
- It doesn't say where she went?
- No.
- But Margaret Whitaker knows.
- Margaret doesn't have access
to any of this information.
She's retired.
- But you still keep in touch.
Do you still keep in touch?
- No, just...
...not for the last year.
Not since her husband
passed away.
- But you know where she lives.
- I am not gonna hand
you another hostage.
We can figure this out together.
I can help you.
I am not your enemy.
Please just let me help you.
(door opens)
It's Sam.
He's gonna wonder
what I'm doing here
after 11 o'clock at night.
- Get rid of him or I will.
- No, Tess,
he's just a sweet old man.
- Fay?
Thought I recognized your car.
What brings you here
this time of night?
- Just getting some notes
together for next week,
trying to get ahead of things.
- Are you alone?
I could have sworn
I heard someone else in here.
- Sam, wait!
(hard thud)
(hurt cry)
(Tess panting)
- I... I didn't have a choice.
- Tess, he's really hurt.
We need to get him
to a hospital.
- I told you to get rid of him.
(frustrated grunt)
Take me to Margaret Whitaker.
We'll call an ambulance
on the way.
(ominous music)
(Paul): What is it?
What's wrong?
I just want to know
my wife's okay.
- Everything's fine, shut up!
(suspenseful music)
(Paul): Do you really think
they're gonna let
either one of you anywhere
near this kid after this?
You'll be lucky to get a visit
before she graduates college.
- You don't know all the facts
and what she's been through, alright?
- You both have to know
you're going to jail after this.
(Harlow): Not if
they never find us.
All that matters is that
Tess finds her little girl.
(Tess): Who else lives here?
Does Margaret live alone?
(Fay): As far as I know.
Can I at least
just talk to Paul,
just to know that he's okay?
(Tess): You can talk
when this is over.
(Fay): What's the plan, Tess?
How do we keep this from
getting any more away from us?
- Stop trying to workshop me.
I find out where she is.
That's how this ends.
- I know.
Why tonight?
- I was starting
to think that...
...I was past the worst of it.
Maybe even...
...moving on.
Then a few weeks ago, I...
I saw her.
In the city.
She was older, but it was her.
I lost her in the crowd,
but it was her.
She was holding
someone else's hand.
But it was Amelia.
- I hear you.
I can understand how hard
that must have been.
Everything you've gone through.
But what you're doing tonight,
it can only end badly.
- It already ended badly.
Now I just want her back.
Let's go.
(Fay): What do I say?
(Tess): Just get her to
open the door and then
I will take care of the rest.
(doorbell chimes)
Try again.
(doorbell chimes)
- Hey, it's been so long.
What are you doing here?
It's so late.
- So sorry, Margaret.
I didn't have a choice.
- Get back inside.
Close the door!
- I didn't have a choice.
(Margaret): Fay, what is this?
- She's not alone.
They have Paul.
He's hurt.
- Who are you?
What do you want?
- Tell her you remember me.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- Say it.
Say you remember me.
- Yes, I remember you.
- What's my name?
- Tess, your name is Tess.
- That's better.
Now we're getting somewhere.
Go.
Sit.
- Now tell her how we met.
- I-I don't--
- No more lying.
Tell her.
- It was just over
three years ago.
Fourth of July.
A report came in.
Suspected abuse.
I was sent to investigate.
(Tess): You told me
you were there to help me.
You said you were on my side.
- My duty was to the welfare
of that little girl.
According to the nurse's notes,
injury had all the indications
of a cigarette burn.
(Tess): No, no.
That's not true.
It was an ember
from the fireworks.
I told them that.
I didn't see it in time
because it was burning
under her blanket.
- She also noticed the smell
of alcohol in your breath,
that you appeared intoxicated.
- There was a bottle
of champagne at the show.
I had one sip!
I wasn't drunk,
I was frantic and scared!
(Margaret): Heather was
a dedicated caregiver.
I trusted her instincts
completely.
Last I heard, she returned
to Manila to be with her family.
- That nurse saw
what she wanted to see.
I never got
a chance to explain.
- We did everything we could
for you and your daughter.
You failed to appear
at the detention hearing,
you-you made
no attempts to reach out--
(Tess): That is not true.
I called every day,
I showed up at the doors,
they wouldn't let me see you.
- Tess, you were marked
as no contact.
Legally speaking,
you abandoned your child.
- Evil lying bitch!
Tell me where she is!
- Tess if you hurt her now,
it does not matter
what happens next.
You will never see
your daughter again.
Is that really what you want?
(crazed laugh)
- You all think I'm a monster.
(Fay): No.
No, that is not true, okay?
Just let us help you.
- The way you helped me
the first time?
- Our duty was
to protect the child.
- Who was protecting me?
(police sirens approaching)
You called the cops?
(scared moaning)
Get up!
You need to make them go away.
- Please, you're hurting me.
- Tess, it was me.
Okay, I hit the panic button
back at the office
and I pulled up
Margaret's employee file.
- I never even got
to say goodbye to her.
- Okay, this is over.
Okay, let us walk out
there with you.
I will talk to them.
Okay?
(pained gasp)
Margaret, are you okay?
Margaret.
Margaret, what's wrong?
- Wait, what...
What was happening to her?
- The last time I saw her,
she was having heart problems.
Okay, Tess, you need
to give yourself up.
Okay, I want to help you.
We never actually
meant to hurt anyone.
It isn't even actually...
It's not... It's not sharp.
- Wait, Tess. Tess, wait!
(tense music)
(sizzling)
(Paul grunts)
(hard thud)
(operator): 911,
what's your emergency?
(Paul): Someone broke
into my house.
Abducted my wife.
Send the police, please.
(heart monitor beeping)
- Fay?
- Oh, you're awake.
Thank God.
- What are you doing here?
Shouldn't you be with Paul?
- He's still with the cops.
- Ah.
- But he'll be here soon.
- I never should have
brought her to you.
I was just trying
to buy time.
- You did your best
in an impossible situation.
You should be home, recovering.
- Me?
I thought that you
were having a heart attack.
- Mm.
Just a blood pressure spike.
And they tell me I haven't been
taking very good care of myself.
Do you know if
they found her yet?
Has she been arrested?
- Looks like she got away.
Her boyfriend, Harlow,
is in custody, though.
Paul almost broke his jaw.
- I know that look.
You had that same look
after I took you
on your first home visit.
Wondering what
you could have done different.
- Just wish I could have
done more for you.
Paul, Sam.
For her.
- Tess Donnelly was
a troubled young woman
who endangered her child.
A child is placed
in a safe, loving home.
Hasn't that always
been our goal?
- Maybe she just reminded me
too much of my own mom.
What I remember.
- Unstable? Unfit?
- Flawed.
But fierce.
All that fear
mixed up with love.
- I'm sorry, Fay.
I think I'm still rattled
from last night.
I've missed you.
I'm sorry
we haven't been in touch.
Me too.
(Margaret): Mm.
(clears throat)
- Someone call a ride?
- Paul...
(pained exhale)
Oh, your head.
- It'll heal.
Margaret, good to see you.
You sure you're okay?
- Sadly, I've been
through worse.
- I'll give you
a call later, okay?
- Go. I'm fine.
- Let's get you home.
(phone rings)
(phone picks up)
- I know, I know I was
never supposed to contact you.
Tess Donnelly came
to my house last night.
She wasn't alone.
She was with another caseworker,
filling her full of questions.
You need to make sure
nothing was missed.
Because I can barely walk.
If you want to
try to stop this...
...you need to
do it on your own.
(tense music)
(sizzling)
(fire alarm chirps)
(exhales)
- Hey, how's my handyman?
- Well, it's a temporary fix.
New lock's on the way.
Feeling better?
(Fay): I don't know.
I'm not sure what
to call this feeling, but...
- You know, we don't
have to be here.
We can go check into a hotel,
go stay with my parents.
- No, that's okay.
Just want to get back
to where we were yesterday.
Happy.
In the moment.
- Maybe tomorrow we head
to the lake.
Spend the day.
- Yeah, sounds good.
- Mm-hmm.
- You know, she never
got to say goodbye.
- Hmm?
- She didn't have that look.
That...
That look that parents get
when they just know
that they've done
something unforgivable.
That shame that
they can't hide.
All I saw was grief.
- Are you saying
you believe her?
I mean, she put a knife
to your throat.
- No, I-I don't know
what I believe.
I just...
I just know that
something's not right.
I think I need to go
back to the office.
- Now? It's Saturday.
- I just...
I need more information.
- I'll come with you.
Let me pack my tools.
- Hey, no.
You need to stay here and rest.
Okay? I'll be fine.
- Do you really think I'm going
to leave you alone right now?
(Fay sighs)
- Fine. But I'm driving.
(car door opening and closing)
(upbeat music)
(laughs)
(car starts)
(keyboard clacking)
(Fay): Hm.
(Paul): What's the problem?
- All these visitation logs,
medical records,
they're all locked up.
- So what happens
if you do find out
she was telling the truth?
- I really wish I knew.
(approaching footsteps)
- Paul, Fay,
what on earth
are you doing here?
I just took the police
on one last sweep.
Oh, what the two
of you went through.
We still don't know
how long Sam will be gone.
I'm just so glad you're okay.
- Well, Paul got
the worst of it.
Then Margaret...
- Don't tell me
you have her case open.
Fay, legally, morally,
you can't be here.
Not until we can
at least get you
a few weeks of counseling.
You were just in
a hostage situation.
- I know the protocol,
but I just had a few questions
about last night.
- You don't actually
believe this woman's story.
Margaret Whitaker hired me.
She trained half of this office.
- Do you have access
to any of this?
- No. Sealed is sealed.
You'd need a court order.
- Okay, what about hard copies?
Done in the archives?
- Log off, Fay.
That's not a request.
- Yeah, okay.
- Come on, Fay.
Let's go.
(footsteps walking away)
- I found it. I got it.
Honey, can you help me
for a sec?
- Yep, yep.
I got it.
Removals, August 2022...
Daniels, Davis, Diaz,
Donnelly, yes.
Okay, we're looking for
anything with this file number.
Everything's redacted.
(key in lock)
(Paul, whispering):
Do you hear that?
(door closing)
(alarm sounds)
- Can't smell smoke.
- Let's go.
We need to get out of here.
Take what we have.
(beeping)
(fire alarm shuts off)
- Where's the box?
- He's got it!
(pained exhale)
(panting)
(panting)
- Let's go back inside.
(suspenseful music)
(truck turns off)
(Paul sighs)
(Fay): Thanks.
- I don't like this, Fay.
We need to tell somebody.
Let the police know
what happened.
- We can't do that.
If Janet finds out
that I took these, I...
- How do we know that
Tess is not involved?
She's still out there.
Maybe she found another Harlow.
Maybe she's out there right now.
- Okay, well, whoever he was,
he was after her file.
- You really think there's
something in that that can help?
- Maybe.
But maybe not.
Maybe it's a waste of time.
I mean, I don't know.
Most of it's scrubbed out.
- Looks like we've got
some reading to do.
Nothing in this one.
(sighing)
(sighing)
I'm sorry, hon,
I think I'm fading.
- Okay.
I'm just going to try
and get through a few more.
Just, uh, nudge me
if you need anything.
- Okay.
(car turns off)
- Fay, I know
I'm the last person
you want to see right now,
but I just need you
to hear me out.
To please hear me out.
(groaning)
What are you even doing here?
(sighing)
What in the hell?
(tense music)
(loud bang)
(both whispering)
- D'you hear that?
- There's someone in the house.
- In the kitchen.
Lock the door. Call 911.
- I'm coming with you.
- I'll be right back.
(suspenseful music)
(Paul): You've got two seconds
to get out of my kitchen.
- I'm not here to hurt anyone.
- You're in my house.
- I'm not here to hurt you.
Or your wife.
- What'd you just say?
- I'm saying...
...you can just let me go.
(stabbing sound)
(Paul grunts)
Sorry.
- Paul!
- Where's the rest?
Where?
- Upstairs.
Paul!
Stay with me. You're okay.
I'm staying with you, I'm
staying with us, stay with me.
- You need to let this go.
You need to leave this alone.
- Okay, yeah.
I promise I will, I will.
Stay with me.
- But you won't
leave this alone.
Will you?
Unless I stop you.
(hard thud)
(Tess grunts, man cries out)
(footsteps running away)
- Tess?
What are you doing here?
- I didn't have
anywhere else to go.
Is-is he going to be okay?
- I don't know.
- Who-who was that?
- I don't know.
When I first saw him,
I thought that
he was with you.
- I'm all alone.
(approaching police sirens)
- You have to stay out of sight.
Do you have somewhere
you can hide?
- Yeah, I have my car out front.
- There's a trail entrance about
eight blocks north from here.
Wait in the parking lot
until I get back, okay?
- Okay.
- Go!
Stay with me, baby.
Stay with me, baby.
(knocking on car door)
Sorry I took so long.
- You didn't turn me in.
- You must be starving.
Let's get you something to eat.
(bowls clattering on table)
Here.
Eat.
- Thank you.
(Tess sighs)
How is he?
- They're keeping him
in intensive care.
The knife just missed
his small intestine.
He's out of surgery now
and he's stable.
His mom and dad are with him.
I can't be gone too long.
I need to get back to him.
- What about you?
- I'm fine.
- You don't look fine.
- Why were you
at the house last night?
- Um...
...after the cops showed up
I ran.
I have no money.
I can't go home.
Harlow's gone.
We were supposed to leave
the country together.
Start over.
We even have
a little place lined up.
Instead I...
...came back to the only person
who's shown me
the slightest decency
in all this.
I thought,
maybe I could find a way
to convince you
Margaret's a liar...
...and that you'd help me
find my little girl.
- This is what
he tried to steal.
These are hard copies
linked to your case.
What I could get my hands on.
- Why would you put yourself
at risk like this for me?
- Because I believe in
what the system stands for.
And if it's gone wrong, then I
want to try and make it right.
- But it's all blacked out.
- Most of it.
But there still might be
some things that they missed.
You take this half.
I'll go through these.
(phone beeping and ringing)
(recorded voice): Your call
has been forwarded
to an automatic
voice message system.
- Margaret, you need
to answer my calls.
It all went wrong.
We need to talk.
(woman): Jacob?
Jacob?
How long have you
been out here?
I didn't hear you come to bed
last night.
- Not long.
- What are you...
...burning?
- Some old clothes.
- Why?
- They don't quite
fit me anymore.
- You coming inside?
Millie's asking
for her pancakes.
- Absolutely right.
I almost forgot.
Please let her know
I'll be right there.
- Mm.
- Clara.
I've been thinking.
Maybe it's time
we finally did it.
That tour of the Maldives
we've always talked about.
No work, no phones.
Not just for a few weeks.
Enough time to truly disappear.
- That sounds...
...so spontaneous.
Millie's just started school...
- Tell her to think about
what she might want to bring.
(ominous music)
(Tess): I'm seeing
intake interviews,
risk assessments,
this one has
half a monthly call log,
all blacked out.
- It's like someone wanted
the appearance of a paper trail,
but made sure it led nowhere.
- What is it?
- This is a photocopy,
but it's been hand-redacted.
I mean, I can barely
make out some of the words.
Subject has provided
video evidence.
- I don't get it,
what does that mean?
The night of the fireworks.
The night that Amelia was hurt,
somebody was recording
on their cell phone.
- What, who?
- It doesn't say,
but most likely a neighbor
or maybe just someone random
in the crowd.
I didn't follow up on it.
- Margaret covered it up.
- We don't know that for sure.
- We have to go back
to the house.
- No, you can't just
charge out there.
You'll go to jail.
Is that what you want?
Now, after we have
actually some leverage?
- What leverage?
It's her word against mine.
I'm just some poor screw-up,
She's St. Margaret.
- Okay, just let me
talk to her first.
Okay, and just
figure out what's going on.
- Fine, but I'm coming with you.
I'm done hiding.
(fireworks exploding)
(cheering)
(phone vibrates)
(Tess, on video): Oh, my God,
call 911!
Baby, you're gonna be okay.
(Tess cries)
(Margaret sighs)
- I'm sorry.
(fire crackling)
- How much longer
are we going to wait here?
- Until I know that
we're doing the right thing.
- You know, I read somewhere
that before a child turns two,
their brains are
still developing.
Still building that picture
of her mother's face.
If they're separated
for too long,
that picture starts to fade.
Until it's barely there at all.
Like she's a stranger.
- If there's one thing
I've learned from
the work that I do,
it's that some things
kids just don't forget.
- How long do you think
you'll need with her?
- I don't know.
Why?
- Because I'll need time
to search the house.
- I figured you'd be back.
Find something I missed?
You were always too good
for this job, Fay.
You should have
been a detective.
- This is your signature,
isn't it?
You signed off on this.
What happened to that video,
Margaret?
- It's a terrible thing,
isn't it?
The power to change
a life with a pen stroke.
- What did you do?
(Margaret): I was desperate.
George was dying.
His cancer spread.
There was nothing
more they could do.
We were spending so much time
at the hospital,
it was starting to feel
like a second home.
That's where I met...
...Jacob Ashford.
His wife was undergoing
fertility treatments
in the same wing.
They'd been trying to have
a baby for a very long time.
One day he opened up to me.
He told me how Clara
couldn't conceive
How...
...despite all their fortune...
...it was slowly
destroying them.
I told Jacob about my work.
About George.
Soon enough,
Jacob made me an offer.
He'd connect George
with a specialist he knew.
In-home support,
no expense spared.
In return...
...I'd help him find a child
in need of a better life.
The night I got that call,
the night I met Tess Donnelly
and read those words:
"cigarette burn."
I made up my mind
right then and there.
Fast-tracked the investigation.
Jacob would have his family.
And I'd have my George...
At the end, it barely bought us
any time at all.
- So why all the secrecy?
Why couldn't the Ashford's
just adopt legally?
- Because they'd
already lost years
wading through red tape
and dead ends.
Even an attempted surrogacy
that ended in heartbreak.
(sighing)
Because Jacob Ashford isn't
a man used to waiting in line.
- It has to be him.
He has to be the one
who attacked us.
You know he almost killed Paul.
- Did you tell him about us?
- Please forgive me, Fay.
I didn't know
he was capable of this.
I thought at first I could
still keep this hidden.
Keep living this lie.
- Jacob and Clara Ashford?
That's them?
That's Amelia's parents?
You let me think I failed her?
You told me I could trust you!
- I told myself that night
I was elevating a life.
After a career of compromises
and half-measures.
A chance to truly
make a change.
By the time I knew
how wrong I was...
...by the time I saw proof...
...it was too late.
The adoption was underway.
I'm so sorry for what I did.
- Then fix it.
- But you can't, can you?
That proof is long gone now.
- No, it's not gone.
Maybe a part of me
always knew I'd need it.
When the guilt got too great,
I'll make a statement.
I'll do what I should
have done long ago.
- First thing tomorrow,
we're taking this to
the juvenile dependency court.
And if they stall,
we're going to go public.
I'm not going
to lie to you, Tess.
We still have
a long way to go, but...
...this is hope.
(phone vibrates)
It's the hospital.
They're rushing Paul
back into surgery.
We need to go.
You need to come with us.
We have to write your statement.
Let's go.
- I just have to get
a few things
before I go away for good.
- No, no, Margaret.
We don't have time.
- Go to your husband.
I'll be right behind you.
- Okay, but I'll see you there?
C'mon, let's go.
(Tess): You actually think
she's going to show up?
(Fay): She'll be there.
(door closes)
(Tess): She better.
(car starts)
(car drives away)
(pills rattle)
(ominous music)
- You made a promise
to me, Margaret.
And to Clara.
What did you do?
- I gave them the way
to correct a terrible wrong.
You're too late.
(door locks)
- What did you give them?
- I gave that poor woman
absolution, Jacob.
After all this time...
She never hurt her daughter.
We need to do what's right.
- And what's right is Clara
and I losing our little girl?
If you let this happen,
they'll put you in prison.
That entire department
you dedicated your life to
burns in a public bonfire.
- No.
It all comes down on me.
I'll make sure of it.
- What about Clara?
She doesn't deserve
any of this.
She'll break into pieces.
She's done nothing
but adore that child.
- She doesn't know.
You never told her the truth.
- I told her what you told me.
That we were saving a life.
- You need to give her back.
- That's not an option!
(panicked breathing)
What's wrong with you?
- I don't...
(pained moan)
(strained breathing)
- What did you give them?
- It's on a flash drive.
- Did I mention Millie has
her first riding lesson
in the spring?
Clara's already bought her
the cutest little helmet.
Robin's egg blue.
Favourite color.
- Please, please, please.
- I won't lose them, Margaret.
Like you lost your George.
(heavy breathing)
(fireworks exploding)
(cheering)
(Tess on video): Oh, my God!
Oh, my god! Call 911!
Oh, my God, baby,
you're gonna be okay!
It's okay! It's gonna be okay!
It's gonna be okay!
- Look.
There's something that
we need to talk about.
Before we can go forward
with any of this,
we need to arrange for a way
for you to turn yourself in.
It's the only way.
I know a good defense attorney.
He can help you
get ahead of this.
Hopefully arrange a plea deal.
- In the meantime, I go to jail?
- You have a lot to answer for,
but, if we find
a sympathetic judge,
with Margaret's help,
the only other option
is that you are running
for the rest of your life.
Is that really what you want?
For yourself?
For Amelia?
- I haven't thanked you.
Not enough.
- Just doing my job.
- This is really happening,
isn't it?
I'm gonna see her soon.
- It's really happening.
There's no sign
of Margaret, yet.
- Uh, no, nothing.
- Fay! Watch out, it's--
(truck horn blaring)
(loud collision)
(pained breathing)
- Tess.
Tess, wake up.
- Where is it?
- Jacob.
Jacob Ashford.
- Where is it?
- No! No!
(Jacob screams)
(horn honks)
Get... Ah!
- Is this it?
Are there copies?
I asked you to leave this alone.
(choked breathing)
(hoarse coughing)
- Where is it?
- Jacob...
Jacob Ashford took it!
(grunting)
I'm trapped.
- Is everything okay here?
- She needs help!
Call an ambulance!
I can't be here when they come!
No, no, no, Tess!
Just let me help you!
Tess, no!
Tess! Wait!
(moody music)
(waking gasp)
(pained exhale)
- Janet?
- How you doing, Fay?
They wouldn't tell me much.
- Wait, what, what, what?
What time is it?
What day is it?
- Sunday afternoon,
just after four.
You were in a car accident.
They called me as soon as
they couldn't reach Paul.
- What about Tess?
- I don't know.
They said you were alone
when they found you.
Tess Donnelly?
- I need to talk
to Margaret Whitaker.
What?
- Fay, I'm so sorry.
Margaret was found dead
this morning.
- What?
- A neighbor discovered her.
I told them I should
be the one to tell you.
- I was just with her.
She was fine.
How?
- They said her heart gave out.
I'm so sorry I know
how much she meant to you.
To all of us.
- Jacob Ashford.
He ran us off the road.
- Jacob Ashford. Wait, hold on.
Somebody ran you off the road?
- I need to get out of here.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, no, no, no.
Fay, What are you doing?
You're hurt! You need to rest.
(pained grunt)
What does this have to do
with Tess Donnelly?
Did you know
there was an incident
in the archives last night?
Did she have something
to do with this?
- Excuse me?
(nurse): Mrs. Waldon.
We're still waiting
on your blood test results.
- I'm looking for
another patient here.
His name is Paul Waldon.
He's my husband.
- He's still in recovery.
- Thank you.
- But we would recommend
waiting for your test results.
- Fay, please--
- I gotta go, Janet.
(sad music)
I'm so sorry, sweetheart.
I hope you can forgive me
for leaving you again.
But I think I know
where she's going.
If I'm not too late.
Margaret had this saying
when she was training me.
This job's not about being sure.
It's about showing up.
I'll see you soon.
Once I've seen this through.
(Jacob): Clara, are you
almost ready?
We're going to be late!
(Clara): Coming!
(heavy breathing)
(door creaking)
(Jacob): Clara!
- I thought it was
a charter flight.
Aren't they supposed
to wait for us?
What about the passports?
(Jacob): Check the china hutch.
Don't forget to lock the door!
(Clara): Jacob,
have you seen the car?
What happened to
the front bumper?
(gentle music)
(little girl humming)
(happy exhale)
- Hi.
Her name is Bella.
(small laugh)
- And what's your name?
- Millie.
- It is so nice
to meet you, Millie.
My name is Tess.
- Where's Mommy?
- Would you like it
if I took you to her?
(Tess): Yeah.
Come on.
Let's go, okay?
Come on.
- You sure we didn't
miss anything?
Packed your gummies?
- Yeah, of course.
Jacob,
can't you just...
...talk to me?
Tell me why
we're in such a hurry?
- You trust me, don't you?
- Yeah.
Of course I do.
- Then go get Millie.
I'll finish packing the truck.
- I'll be right back.
- My name is Fay Waldon.
I'm a social worker.
I need to report
a possible child abduction.
- Honey?
You ready to go?
Millie?
Millie?
(Millie): Are we going?
- I'm not sure.
- Where's Mommy?
- She'll be here soon.
I'm so sorry,
but I have to go now.
Okay?
But it was
so nice meeting you.
Okay.
(Tess sighs)
(Clara): Who are you?
What are you doing in my home?
I asked what
you were doing here.
Come here, honey.
(Clara): Calling the police.
Jacob, I need you in here!
Millie, are you okay?
Yeah.
- Her name was Amelia.
- Excuse me?
- Her name is Amelia.
- I don't know what
you're talking about,
but you're upsetting
my daughter.
Jacob?
- Take her away from here.
- Please, I'm her mother.
- What did you say?
- They-they stole her from me.
Three years ago,
they took her from me
and lied about why.
I have proof.
Please.
(shaky breath)
I just want her back.
- Take Millie to the truck.
(sinister music)
You shouldn't have come here.
- Okay.
Here you go, honey.
Just hold on a second, honey.
Mommy needs to make a call.
(Fay): Clara Ashford?
- Who are you?
What do you want?
- My name is Fay.
I need to talk to you.
(door bangs)
Where are they? Where's Tess?
- They're inside.
- Okay, stay with her.
(Jacob): I let you live!
I walked away!
- You can just let me go now.
You can, you can...
Just let me go.
Just, just let me
walk away now.
You can, you can
just let me walk.
- That's all you have to do.
- Yeah.
- Instead, you came to my home.
(Tess yelps)
You could have taken her,
why didn't you?
- I've hurt too many people
to get here,
but, but not her.
- You came to my home.
I have every right
to protect my family.
- Please, no, please,
don't let her see!
(Fay grunting)
(swinging thud)
(panicked breathing)
- Fay?
- Jacob?
Is any of it true?
- I did this for us, Clara.
She wants to take Millie.
- I just need the truth.
For her.
For her daughter.
(sobs)
(Clara): Please, Jacob.
You have to tell me the truth.
- Tess, are you okay?
- Please, go make sure
she's okay.
- Okay.
(crying)
(police sirens approach)
Hi, how are you?
- Good.
- My name is Fay.
It's my job to talk to kids
just like you.
Is it okay if I sit here?
I know that today must have
seemed pretty scary,
but don't worry,
you're safe, okay?
Everything's going to be okay
and we're just going to take it
one little step at a time.
(phone vibrates)
(playground chatter)
Hey.
You're going to be fine.
You've got this.
- You'd think after everything,
the interviews, the testimony,
psych evals,
this would be the easy part.
Instead, I'm terrified.
- You're here.
You've met every condition.
- You've kept every promise.
- You've earned this.
(Tess): I wasn't sure Clara
would go through with this.
She didn't have to,
She could have fought it.
Filed for full custody.
- She wants what's
best for Emilia.
That means finding a way
to cooperate.
(Tess): She must ask
about her father.
- She'll have a choice
to see him,
If she wants to.
When she's older.
From behind glass.
- Thank you, Fay.
You and your family.
- Go.
You can do it.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Thank you for doing this.
- Of course.
Honey?
Do you remember Tess?
- Hi.
- Hi.
- I got this for you.
- Thank you.
Nana.
(small laugh)
(emotional music)
(Fay): Hi.
- How'd it go?
- She was really nervous.
But I think
she's going to be okay.
You know, these first visits,
they can be hard.
- I'm sure you wish
she could have volunteered.
Oh, well, as per Janet's
very strict orders,
that's the end
of fieldwork for me.
At least for a few months.
(laughter)
- What do you think?
- It's perfect.
Like sunlight on a summer day.
(laughter)
(gentle music)