My Neighbor's Keeper (2007) Movie Script
Kate It'll be our secret.
You can tell me.
Ellie He's okay, but
I really wanted a sister.
Really?
Why is that?
'Cause girls rule.
That's true.
Why else?
We can wear matching dresses.
There is that.
And boys are a pest.
They're mean.
Race ya.
[music]
Ellie Mummy, we saw a fish
jump right out of the water.
Ann You did?
Ellie Yup.
They was eating mosquitos.
Ann No way.
Did she drive you crazy?
No.
But do you know where
fish sleep at night?
Ann I haven't even
thought about it.
Kate He sleeps through
everything, doesn't he?
Ann Yeah.
Wait till you have yours.
They sleep through everything
but the night,
then you never sleep at all.
I'll make that trade.
[music]
[sounds of football game on TV]
TV That's gotta hurt.
That's going to leave
a mark, too.
What will it do...?
Mike I can't even look.
TV ...at this point
in the game?
I mean, I don't know.
It's just like...
Yes. Come on, come on.
TV ...it's got to make
the play here, 86 yards.
Can we assume you
haven't started dinner?
Mike Overtime, baby.
Kate We should start
heading home.
You've got court
tomorrow morning.
Katy, I've got it.
We'll leave right after we eat.
[cheer on TV]
[groans in the room]
[disappointed exclamations]
Now you're not running!
TV Unbelievable!
What are you doing?
TV Picks it up...
[whomp!]
[clunk of closing door]
Mike Are we in?
Tim That's it.
Mike Good.
[thunk of car trunk]
Hey, Tim's riding with me.
You girls are on your own.
Ann Fine with us.
Mike Do you want to ride with
us in a cool car with cool guys
going really fast or do you
want to ride with them?
Go with you.
Mike That's what I thought.
Let's go.
Hey, we'll beat them home.
I've got something
I want to show you.
Surround sound?
Mike Better.
In you go.
Buckle up.
[car doors thunk closed]
[car engines start]
[music]
Ann Come on, Kate, you don't
have to carry that over.
I know, but if I don't
go fetch my husband
he'll be there for hours.
Mike Check it out.
Tim Oh...wow.
I thought you were
going to wait.
Yeah, yeah, I was gonna,
but, uh...I guess I didn't.
Ellie and I picked
them up yesterday.
Graphite shafts.
Forged titanium heads.
They were made special.
Mommy doesn't know.
You have to keep it a secret.
Ann Here, hold your godson
for a sec, will you, Kate?
Sure.
He looks like he got a tan.
Ann Oh, I used SPF30.
There you go, munchkin.
You know, I should get out
to the lake more often.
You know my parents don't
go out there anymore.
Any time.
We used to have a ball
down there, remember?
Before the husbands.
And babies.
What do you want to bet
Mike's showing your husband
his new 'secret' golf clubs.
He didn't.
He did...3,200 bucks.
You didn't want to go to
college anyway, did you?
How do you guys do it?
Mike can't make
much more than Tim.
We don't.
It's...like he just has
to have all this stuff
and it has to be the best.
My folks help us
out now and then.
Mike doesn't know it,
but it's about to come
to a screeching halt.
And then what?
Then we live
within our means.
What a concept.
Time for Mike to grow up.
Let's go, munchkin.
[baby coos]
[kisses]
[music]
Isn't he beautiful?
Or am I just being his mother?
You're just being his mother.
[music]
Kate What did you think
of Ann's living room?
Thought it was great.
I thought the whole house
was great.
She didn't have any help?
Kate Nope.
She designed it all herself.
I think she
missed her calling.
[squeaking bed springs]
Want to turn out the light?
Yeah, just...
just give me a second.
Hon, I've got to be in
court at eight tomorrow.
I know, but my temp
was up this morning.
I thought Dr. Winn said...
They were doing
the checks again.
They could be wrong.
My temp was up.
[paper rustles]
What do you say, Counsellor?
Well, if I have to.
[click of lamp switch]
[birds chirp]
Kate Hey, you want
some more coffee?
Tim No, I got to go.
I shouldn't be later
than seven tonight.
Want to work out?
Sure, I could use a swim.
Meet you at the club?
I'll call you.
You at the hospital
this afternoon?
Yes.
[phone rings]
Tim I'm not here.
[music]
[footsteps]
Good morning, Kate.
'Morning.
Do you have some good news?
Dr. Winn No.
I'm sorry.
I'm afraid the test results
are the same.
There's no chance
that maybe...
No. No.
And there's no point in
repeating these tests
over and over again.
The results are accurate.
What about in vitro?
Dr. Winn Well, that hasn't
changed either.
It's just not an option for you.
Look, I can give you the
name of another Ob-Gyn.
Get a second opinion.
But I've reviewed everything.
I've been through your tests,
your MRI with a couple
of the other doctors here
in the practice, and...
There are no other options?
I wish I had another
answer for you.
Kate
I don't think he wants
to be here.
Well, he may have something
better for you to do.
There's a new program
involving infants.
Newborns with no parents.
So these children
have been abandoned?
Well, that, and some
of the parents are incapable
of taking care of them.
It's real simple.
You go to the nursery
for a two-hour shift,
take a baby for 30 minutes,
rock him, hold him, talk to him,
put him back and take another.
These children just need to be
touched by another human being.
If you're interested you
could start tomorrow.
[music]
Kate Hello, fairy princess.
Do you want a wish?
Kate Oh, yes.
Then close your eyes.
Your wish is granted.
Ann Well?
We'll see.
Come on, Mummy, let's go.
Hey, we're going.
I really appreciate this, Kate.
Mike promised he'd be home.
He's been working
late a lot lately, huh?
Yeah.
They're breaking ground
on some big building in Chicago.
He's been going crazy
with last minute changes
in the blueprints.
Come on, I got a bottle
for Logan in the fridge.
Don't look at the mess.
[footsteps]
[music]
[excited children's voices]
[music]
Quitting?
When did you decide this?
I thought you love volunteering
at the hospital.
I told them this afternoon.
Why?
It's just gotten old.
I mean, how many
magazines can you deliver.
I don't know how you did it.
The hospital depresses the hell
out of me.
Well, it was just something
to do while I took time off
from the agency.
Dr. Winn thought that not
working as a stressed out exec
might help us get pregnant.
Any news on that front?
Not yet, but they're redoing
the tests and in vitro
might be a possibility.
Oh, man, I hope not.
You just keep Tim on the job.
It'll happen.
Logan was a total surprise.
We wanted to wait at least
another year.
Well, we're trying.
Hey, take a look at that.
The family photo just came back.
[clink of dishes]
He's beginning to look so much
like Mike it's scary.
If I didn't know any better
I'd wonder who the mother is.
[music]
Hey, how'd it go?
He ate. He slept.
Trick or treaters keep you busy?
Earlier, but it's been
pretty quiet the last hour.
[doorbell rings]
They waited 'til I got home.
[sounds from TV]
All Trick or treat.
[rustle of plastic wrappers]
Happy Halloween.
[music]
[footsteps]
[music]
[clatter of dishes]
[phone rings]
Hello?
Hey, Kate, it's Mike.
Listen, could do me a favour?
I was talking to Ann on the
phone a while ago and she
got up to answer the door
and I think she left
the phone off the hook.
I keep calling back
but nobody picks up.
Can you please go next door
and ask my wife
to hang the phone up?
Kate Sure.
Mike Okay, I'll see you.
Bye.
[footsteps]
[music]
[microwave beeps]
[rustle of popcorn bag]
[music]
[door bursts open]
Tim....!
[Kate screams, cries]
[music]
ANN!
[baby cries in background]
[running footsteps]
[baby cries]
[music]
Tim Ann?
[music]
Ann?
[music]
[dialing beeps]
I need an ambulance.
I need an ambulance right now.
[sound of car tires]
[music]
[sound of helicopter rotors]
[music]
Mike She's my wife.
SHE'S MY WIFE.
Mr. Harding, I understand
how you must feel,
but it's really important
that no one be in here.
She's my wife, dammit!
You want us to catch
this guy, don't you?
This room has to be untouched.
[music]
Mike Aw, jezus, Tim.
Kate The door
was slightly open.
Ann would never leave
the door like that.
I knocked.
I went inside.
The baby was crying upstairs.
Did you go straight
to the kitchen?
Why?
I don't know, it...
I had this terrible feeling
that something was wrong.
The phone was off the hook.
Then I...
I don't know.
Billings It's all right,
Mrs. Powell, take your time.
What happened then?
I just...
ran home...
to Tim and I was
pretty hysterical.
This...Frankenstein you saw.
Tell me about him.
He was with the last group.
It was late.
They were older.
He seemed taller,
maybe it was the costume.
Did he speak to you?
Did you hear his voice?
When you saw him go up the walk
to the Harding house,
was he with the group?
No, the others
went next door.
He was by himself.
Billings When was the last
time you talked to her?
Around 9:15 I called her
to tell her I'd be working
for another half hour or so.
And the doorbell rang.
"Trick or treaters," she said.
I waited for five minutes
or so and then I hung up.
I thought it was the baby was
crying, or she got distracted.
While you were waiting
did you hear anything?
I didn't hear anything.
You thought
she'd call you back?
Yeah.
I tried again, uh...
I guess ten minutes later
and, uh...
no one answered.
You have call waiting?
Yes.
I just thought somebody had
left the phone off the hook,
so I called Kate next door.
And I asked her
to come over here.
And I asked her to tell Ann
to hang up the damn phone.
If this is a random thing,
a guy in a costume murdering
whoever answers the door,
it'll be tough, real tough.
There's no motive.
There's no connection
whatsoever between the killer
and the victim.
This is Halloween.
You open your door for anyone.
Is there anything
else that we can do?
No, but if you remember
anything, some small detail
that might help,
write it down.
Again, Mr. Harding,
I'm terribly sorry.
Good night.
Good night.
[door clicks open and closed]
Mike, you're staying
in our guest room tonight.
I don't want you
here by yourself.
No, no, I'm all right.
I am.
I really appreciate you guys
taking care of the kids.
If they wake up...
if they're scared or anything,
will you call me, please?
You want me to stay awhile?
No.
No, I decided I really...
I really want to be by myself.
[music]
[rustle of sheets]
[soft footsteps]
[gurgle of water]
Whooo...
[soft footsteps]
[sigh]
[music]
[distant 'clunk']
[music]
[door clicks open]
[whack]
Mike?
[door clicks closed]
[whack]
[music]
[regular 'whacks' continue...]
[WHACK!]
[WHACK!]
[grunt!]
[WHACK!]
You all right?
I hope I'm not all right.
[WHACK, crash!]
[SMASH! SMASH!...]
[panting]
Damn this car.
Damn these clubs.
[music]
[slurps]
Mike Gawd help me,
I had to have it all.
I mean, look at this house.
Look at all the
crap that we have.
That television in there
cost $5,500.
I have a little brass machine
on the kitchen counter
for making my cappuccinos.
$500.
The car, the golf clubs,
the stereo,
it is all just garbage!
Mike...
What does this have
to do with Ann?
Come on, why do you think
I've been working so much?
Huh?
Taking on extra projects?
This...
this stuff...
this stuff is what
I traded my wife for.
This is my faualt.
This is...
Don't do this to yourself.
It's done!
Never to be undone.
If I had been here tonight...
If I had been home...
then Ann would have been
alive right now,
and I guarantee you that.
I need to be unconscious.
He can't blame
himself for this.
Well he does.
He's real worried
about Logan and Ellie
growing up without a mother.
You know he asked
if anything happened to him
if we would take the kids.
What did you say?
I said of course,
not to worry.
Well, I'm sure if something
did happen they would go
to their grandparents.
No.
Ann and I talked about this.
Not about this, but when Logan
was christened, about what would
happen if she and Mike were in
a car accident or something.
Ann did not want those kids
brought up
by their grandparents.
We would take the kids, Tim.
Okay.
I just don't think this is
something we need
to worry about.
[music]
Man So they didn't
find any fingerprints?
Not even on the knife?
Not that Billings
will tell us.
What are they doing then?
I don't know.
It's like they've sort of
just thrown up their hands.
Halloween.
People wearing costumes.
Richard You tell him.
Go ahead.
I know this guy who works
in the Police Department.
I called him yesterday.
He says this is the third
murder in the last year
like this.
Jennifer A guy in a costume?
No, everything but.
The stabbing.
Woman home alone.
No motive.
No robbery.
No assault.
You think Billings wants
to even consider
this could be connected?
[music]
Hey.
You don't look like
you're doing so good.
I saw her.
Who?
My mommy in her coffin.
I saw her.
Who's going to take care of me?
Your daddy.
He's going to take care of you.
He loves you very much.
But Daddy goes to work
and he goes on trips.
Well, somebody very nice
is going to take care of you.
And sometimes if you want,
you could stay at my house.
[music]
Tim Kate wanted me
to tell you that
it's not a problem, really.
She's happy to take care
of Logan for a couple of days
'til you get your balance.
Ellie might be plenty for
you to handle right now.
No, I just...
I want them both at home.
I might not get
much sleep today.
I'm uh...not getting much
sleep anyway, you know?
Kate did tell me that she'd
watch them during the day, so,
uh...if I could drop them off
first thing in the morning,
that'd be great.
Are you going
back to work already?
Yup.
Yeah, I was thinking about it.
It's better than not.
I've got a big project
going up in Chicago.
Maybe it'll, uh...
Maybe it would just help me
take my mind off all this.
You know, I don't want
to be insensitive, or...
This is really
the wrong time, but...
Go ahead.
Do...do you
want to get a boat?
What?
Do you want to get a boat?
What do you mean?
I mean...
I mean a boat.
I was thinking about it.
I've been thinking about it
for awhile and I thought a...
I thought maybe you'd want
to go in on it with me.
You know, be partners.
I...I don't know, uh...
I want to get a sailboat.
Maybe like a forty footer,
something that...
that sleeps six.
You know, think about it.
It could be fun.
[deep intake of breath]
Gawd, it's beautiful
here, isn't it?
Really, he said that?
I wouldn't pay much
attention to it.
Living in the present's
got to be so painful.
Yeah, I guess
you got a point.
I'm more worried
for the kids.
Why?
Mike's never been alone
with them all night.
Logan's only a few months old.
What's he going to do when
he needs a two a.m. feeding?
Don't get too
close to those kids.
Somewhere down the line
I'm sure he'll remarry.
Those kids don't need
to lose a mother twice.
[sound of car engine]
[music]
[click of door lock]
[music]
Kate Hey, how did he do?
He slept like a baby.
Woke up around three,
I gave him a bottle.
He's fine.
Kate How did you do?
I woke up around four.
Gave myself a bottle.
Listen, I'm, uh...
driving Ann's car today.
The tow truck's coming
to pick up the Beemer,
take it to the body shop.
Goodbye, baby.
[kiss]
I love you, and
I'll see you this afternoon.
Okay.
You be good for Aunt Kate,
all right?
Call me if you want me
to feed them dinner.
Yup.
[car door clunks closed]
[engine starts]
We were all at U Dub
together.
Mike was on a full ride,
baseball.
He met Ann, uh...
sophomore year?
And, um...that was that.
They started going together
almost immediately.
Got married a year
out of school.
Did he have any brothers?
Sisters?
No.
Actually, you know, to tell
you the truth, I'm not sure.
Does he have any?
Not that he ever mentioned.
He wasn't close to his family.
His, um...his folks lived
in Bellingham, I think.
Uh...Markleeville,
just south a few miles.
Are his parents alive?
Umm...not sure.
He just wasn't close to them.
After he left for college
he never went back.
Did his parents
go to their wedding?
No. No.
Actually, we've never even
met them.
Can I ask you a question?
Yeah.
It's my understanding that
there have been two other
similar murders this year.
I want to know if Ann's
murder could be connected?
I'm not discounting
that possibility.
But we have a lot of
murders in this city.
A lot of them go unsolved.
We had 40 this year.
How many were home invasions?
A woman alone.
A stabbing.
No sexual assault.
You know I can't tell
you that, Counsellor.
Right.
Wouldn't want the papers going
around saying there's
a serial killer on the loose.
Billings No, we wouldn't.
One that's already killed
three times.
Especially if it gets
in the way of investigating
this murder.
Thank you for your time.
[music]
Okay, you know where
everything is, right?
Yes, thank you.
And the grandparents
have them next weekend.
Um-hum.
How about you?
You okay?
Yeah.
You want me to bring
you a present from Chicago?
Come here.
Oh, I love you, little girl.
[kiss]
You be a good girl, all right?
Okay.
[sighs]
Ummm...That's it.
Oh, hey, I almost forgot.
I'm going to have some
work done on the house.
So don't freak out if you
see people coming and going.
Okay.
All right, that's it.
I'll, uh...
I'll see you.
I'll call tonight.
[door clunks closed]
[music]
I can't think of
anything else, can you?
Want to go look at your room?
Come on, let's go.
Oops.
You think this is okay?
We can get you more
stuff tomorrow.
Hey, want to talk about it?
I'm listening.
Is Daddy going to come back?
Of course he's coming back.
Do you remember your daddy
going on business trips before?
Yes.
Has he always come back?
Yes.
Well, he will this time,
too, I promise.
Ten days, that's all.
Everyday we'll count them, okay?
Okay.
Kate, are you going
to be my mommy now?
Sweetie...
Sweetie, I'm going to
be like your mommy.
And I love you.
I'm going to take care of you.
And you never have to
worry about anything.
Promise?
I promise.
I promise.
[music]
Ellie I'm getting hungry.
Kate Well, the pizza will
be here soon, honey.
Can I go play a video game?
I don't know.
Maybe if you ask your Uncle Tim.
Your little brother
is ready for a change.
Ellie Please?
Tim Do you have any money?
Ellie No.
Please?
[music]
Woman Hm.
You got a real cutie.
Thanks.
What's his name?
This is Logan.
What's his name?
This is Steven.
Oh, he's getting to be such
a big boy.
Logan looks, about
three months?
Right.
Steven had nothing
but problems at that age.
Otitis something?
Earaches.
I don't know.
I do know that I did not sleep
for an entire two months.
Is he your first?
Hello?
I have a six year old,
Ellie.
Oh.
I'm hoping for a girl.
But if we don't get one,
we'll just do it again.
[music]
I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks.
[music]
[sounds of TV]
[baby wails in background]
Look, just...
just leave him.
He'll stop crying.
You go to him,
you'll only encourage him.
[baby screams]
Hey, that TV
keeping you up, baby?
[loud crying]
Come here, come on.
Yes.
Kate sings..."Hush little baby
Don't say a word.
Momma's going to buy
you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird don't sing,
Momma's going to buy you
a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring
don't shine..."
[Kate hums softly]
[sound of car engine]
Ellie Why are all
those boxes in front?
Kate I'm not sure, hon.
Your dad said he was
having some work done.
[music]
Man #1 These ones as well.
Man #2 Yeah.
[music]
Stephanie Hi.
You must be Kate.
Hi.
Mike told me you'd be around.
I'm Stephanie Saunders,
Mike's interior designer.
But the house
was just redone.
Ann just decorated
the whole thing.
It looked wonderful.
She had quite an eye.
Yeah, so why is he...?
Mike didn't say.
I can guess...you walk in the
house and you're reminded
of her everywhere you turn.
After a tragedy a lot
of people simply move.
It seems like such a waste.
Stephanie Some of the
furniture is going to Goodwill.
Kate Uh...you know,
I have space in my basement.
Ann worked hard in the church
rummage sale, maybe...
maybe we could store it
at my house.
[footsteps]
Right on top of
that box would be good.
[clink of cutlery on plates]
I've got work to do.
We are going to have some time
for ourselves this weekend,
right?
Or is that too much to ask?
[footsteps]
[phone rings]
Hello?
Mike.
Guess who it is.
Daddy.
Someone here insists
on speaking with you.
Just a sec.
Hello.
Hi, daddy.
[footsteps]
I'm sorry the death
of our friend has
inconvenienced your life.
I'd appreciate it, though,
if at least you tried to mask
your feelings around Ellie.
This is hard enough for her.
I'd like her to feel
she's welcome.
I'm telling you, Kate.
You're getting too
attached to these kids.
It's going to really tear
you up when they're gone.
[footsteps]
There's a couple of
clothing stores right here,
so I go through it pretty
good before we compress.
It was wrapped up, taped up
tight in that wrapping paper.
Looks like bloodstains.
I seen it on TV.
When was the last time
you emptied that dumpster?
Well, normally every week.
But the streets have been
so torn up out there...
it's been about three weeks.
Thank you.
No problem.
[footsteps]
Tim And just have copies
made for everyone in the office.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hey.
Can I buy you lunch?
Oh, gawd, that'd be great,
but I've got a meeting to
prepare for this afternoon.
Do you have a minute now?
It's a legal question.
Um...sure.
Yeah, okay.
Kate I just dropped off
the kids at their grandparents.
Right, we pick them up
Sunday before the game.
I don't think they
can take care of them.
What do you mean?
They're getting old.
Logan's a real handful.
Are they going to wake up
when he cries?
Grandma Patterson doesn't have
the slightest clue
what to feed him.
They are the
children's grandparents.
And whether they're capable
of caring for them or not is
Mike's call, don't you think?
Now, what's your question?
I've got a mountain
of stuff here.
Simple.
How can we become the kids'
legal guardians if something
happens to Mike?
I think the personal question
precedes the legal here.
And that is, do
we even want them?
Or do I have no say
in the matter at all?
You even listen to
what I have to say?
Of course I do, Tim, but...
We've been trying...
We've been trying
to have our own kids.
And to answer your question,
yes, Mike could name us
as guardians for his children.
But that is something that
we need to talk about first.
[music]
Billings There he is.
[music]
Mike What is it?
What's going on?
Billings I'm arresting you
for the murder of Ann Harding.
You know, this isn't exactly
what I had in mind
when I asked for results.
Billings Turn around, Mike.
You know, detective,
I think you're going to be
very embarrassed.
I'll Mirandize you
on the way downtown.
[music]
[footsteps]
[keys clink]
[door squeaks open]
[footsteps]
[clang]
You've got no idea.
Well, I can imagine.
I thought I was going to be
in there for a long, long time.
Where'd you come up
with the $100,000?
I didn't.
Richard McGuire's
one of the best.
Certainly in this
city he's tops.
He said the preliminary hearings
will be in about 11, 12 days.
Mike...
Why does Billings
think it was you?
I know a couple things.
First, they found the
Frankenstein costume with
Ann's blood on it in a dumpster,
apparently half way between
my house and my office.
Billings thinks that you
went home, put on a costume,
killed Ann and then went back
so that you could be at work
when I called you.
That's ludicrous.
What else?
Mike Her life insurance
policy.
Apparently that gives me motive.
Tim That was Ann's idea.
I remember talking to her about
it when Ellie was just a baby.
I know, I know, Tim.
I'm just telling
you what they think.
All right, when will we know
if they have anything else?
McGuire's working
on that now.
Strictly speaking we should
hear, uh...
for the first time
at the hearing.
There's nothing else.
There's...
There's nothing.
Richard, I...
I...
I don't know.
I just can't tell you how much
I appreciate you guys
supporting me.
Mike, we're here for you.
Thank you.
We have to get going.
McGuire At the least,
I'd like one of you
to give character witness
at the hearing.
Well, I think Kate would make
more of an impression than me.
I agree.
As Ann's best friend I think
she'd be very effective.
Kate?
Sure. What would I say?
They'll be wanting
a sense of Mike's character.
Who he is, how you
perceived their marriage.
The kind of things that can't be
written down in black and white.
Can you do that?
Sure.
McGuire All right.
Let's take a look
at what Billings has.
They feel they have motive.
Mike is the beneficiary
of a life insurance policy
on Ann, taken out at the time
of Ellie's birth,
$500,000.
Can you think of anything else
that Billings could
come up with?
Like what?
McGuire Were you having
problems in your marriage?
No...I mean, it wasn't
sunshine and flowers every day,
but what marriage is?
Ann and I had a good marriage.
We loved each other.
Did you ever have an affair?
Is that what
they're implying?
No, no, these are just
obvious areas that Billings
will pursue.
No. No.
I'm not having an affair.
I've never had an affair.
Good.
Billings will make the case
that you had the opportunity.
Your office is a 20 minute
drive from home.
You drove home,
killed your wife,
drove back to work,
called Kate.
Was anybody else working late?
Somebody who could
corroborate your story?
No.
Janitor?
Parking lot attendant?
No. No, I don't think so.
McGuire Billings is going
to argue that Mike,
using Halloween as a cover,
entered the house with a key,
surprised Ann in the kitchen,
and murdered her there.
Richard They've got nothing
more concrete than this...
this vague speculation?
I think Billings
took a big gamble.
Unless something new
and very damning turns up,
this shouldn't even go to trial.
[music]
Have you thought
about going back to work?
No, I haven't.
Maybe you should.
I mean, I don't think pretending
to be Ellie and Logan's mom...
Pretending?
I'm not pretending anything,
especially about being
their mother.
But I am going to do everything
I can to help those kids.
If it means taking care
of them full time,
then that's what I'll do.
And if you don't like it, Tim,
I could care less.
I made a promise to Ann
and I intend to keep it.
[phone rings]
Hello.
Hi.
Sure.
No, no problem.
I'll be right over.
[beep]
[sigh]
That was Mike.
Logan's been crying all night.
He won't stop.
Should I call him back and say,
"Hey, this is not our problem,
you deal with it?"
I didn't think so.
I've got to go.
[footsteps]
[baby cries]
Shhhh...
Hey, Kate, sorry to call you.
I just...
I can't get him to stop crying.
When did he get his bottle?
About 40 minutes ago.
I tried burping him,
but nothing comes out.
Did you try this?
Uh-uh.
[baby's crying slows]
Sh, sh, sh...
[burp]
Ahhh...
Big old gas bubble.
Is that what you had?
Now where did you
learn how to do that?
Do you realize how much time
you spent away working
last year?
Ann and I spent
a lot of time together.
Looks like a different house.
Yeah, it's different.
I'm not sure if it works,
but it's, uh...
it's definitely different.
Hey, can you sit for a second?
Yeah.
Kate, do you think I did it?
Did you?
No, I didn't.
Did you?
You killed her, didn't you?
You killed her because you
can't have kids of your own
and it's the only way
you could get them.
What a horrible thing to say.
No, no, it's not.
Because it's true.
You were the last person
to see her alive.
And you're the only person
who saw this Frankenstein
character.
And besides me, you're the
only person who's got a key
to this house.
After I called you, you went
next door and you killed Ann.
And then you ran and you told
Tim that you found her dead
on the floor, didn't you?
Didn't you?
You see?
You see how that feels?
Of course you didn't
kill her, I know that.
But for anybody to even ask
that question is unimaginable.
Kate, things have gotten
so bizarre I don't even know
what's real anymore.
All I know is that I need
you to believe in me.
[music]
Tim's probably
wondering where I am.
Thank you.
[music]
McGuire Again, let me
stress, this is informal.
It's not a trial.
It's a hearing.
All that will be determined
is that there's probable cause
for a trial, and we're
going to show there isn't.
The Prosecution will state
their case, then I will answer.
And then, if the judge wishes,
Kate will talk with him.
When will we know?
If the judge rules that
there's insufficient evidence
to take this to trial, Mike's a
free man and we will know today.
Kate We shared an apartment
for a year after college.
And you feel Ann would talk
to you about any problems
in the relationship?
Your Honour, I don't think
there was anything Ann
didn't talk to me about.
Is your friendship
with Mike as close?
No, not like with Ann.
I mean we were like sisters.
But, I'd say I know
Mike very well.
We spent a lot of time
together as couples.
We vacationed together.
Your Honour, Mike
didn't do this.
He loved Ann very much.
He loved his family,
the life he had.
I never heard or saw anything
to indicate otherwise, never.
[footsteps]
No trial.
Why so glum?
You're a free man.
All it establishes is
that I didn't kill Ann.
I already knew that.
This doesn't bring her back.
And the person who did kill
her is still out there.
Kate It wasn't like
talking to a judge, was it?
It was like he was just
trying to get a sense
of who Mike is.
Sometimes I wonder if I know.
What do you mean?
I mean he can lie with
a perfectly straight face.
What is that
supposed to mean?
I mean, what is he
lying about, Tim?
He lied about never
having an affair.
Last year, when his company
used our firm and we took
that trip to Chicago...
When Ann was pregnant?
We went out for dinner
and a couple of women,
Mike's friends, met us.
I didn't do anything,
just dinner and I left.
But Mike hooked up with one
of them and was gone all night.
You let me go in that
courtroom and give
character testimony?
Exactly why I didn't
say anything.
Yeah, Mike cheated on Ann once.
But that doesn't mean
he killed her.
Look, you don't think
for a second...
Kate, Mike did not kill Ann.
We both know that.
[music]
[birds chirp]
[doorbell rings]
[footsteps]
Hey.
Tim Hey.
Have you seen the kids?
Uh...Kate said she was
taking them down to the park.
Mike!
I told Kate about Chicago.
She's pretty upset.
[footsteps]
[door clicks closed]
[background children's voices]
Kate?
[sigh]
[background children's voices]
It was one night.
Never happened again.
Look, I know you got no reason
to believe me, but...
that's the truth.
Ellie...
Let's go home, honey.
Daddy, I'm having fun.
Can I stay with Aunt Kate?
Sure.
Mike.
When Tim told me what you
did, he also said that being
unfaithful doesn't
make you a killer.
He was right.
Did Ann know?
Katy, it was a mistake.
I felt terrible about it.
It never happened again.
Did Tim do anything?
Timmy's true blue.
He was uncomfortable
even having dinner with us.
Thank you for...
for speaking today
at my hearing.
[music]
[knock, knock, knock]
Mr. Harding What do you want?
Mr. Harding, I'm a friend
of your son Mike.
Do you have a moment?
Mr. Harding Get you
a coffee or a soda?
Kate No thank you.
Don't get many visitors.
Friend of Mike's, you say?
Well...
Thank you.
How can I help you?
Did you know Mike's wife
was murdered?
No.
Damn.
Ann, was it?
Never met the girl.
Really?
Why?
Why what?
Why did you never
meet your son's wife?
He's going
to bring her here?
Let me tell you
something about Mike.
The only thing the boy ever
cared about was money.
And we didn't have it.
He got a scholarship to that
fancy college, and he was gone,
and never looked back.
Married a rich girl
and elevated himself.
So you haven't had any
contact with him at all?
Oh, yeah, every month
he sends me a little cheque.
He came home once,
when his mother died.
Not since.
But you're his friend.
What did he tell you about me?
Not much, really.
I think in college he said
that you owned
a construction company.
Is that true?
Lived here 35 years.
Mike lived here.
Owned a construction company?
I used to frame houses.
Drove a truck for awhile.
He don't know you're
here, does he?
No.
I'd appreciate
you not telling him.
He doesn't send me much
but I kinda depend on it.
So who did it?
Who did what?
Who killed the
boy's wife, Ann?
Oh, someone broke in
the house on Halloween.
Damn.
That's a shame.
I heard he had
a boy or something.
[music]
Mr. Harding, meet
your grandson, Logan.
[music]
Kate What else?
Ellie We have five
'super-spellers' we have
to learn by tomorrow.
Kate That's a lot
of homework.
Ellie I know.
And we have to use
them in a sentence.
[motor slows]
[car doors open and close]
Kate What book were
we supposed to remember?
My reading book.
[footsteps]
[door clicks open]
You run up and get
your clothes, okay?
I'll be in the kitchen.
Ellie Okay.
[footsteps]
[beep of answering machine]
Voice on machine Hi, sweetie,
it's me.
My plane lands about
8:00 o'clock and I'll see you
in front about 8:15.
Can't wait.
[beep]
[music]
I'm ready.
All right.
Let's go.
[music]
Kate This little guy
needs a bottle and a nap.
Can I go upstairs and play?
Sure you can, sweetie.
I'm just going to go put him
down, and then I'm going to
go do some laundry, okay?
Okay.
Kate You going
to be all right?
Yup.
[footsteps]
[washing machine churns]
[sound of door opening]
Hey.
My gawd, you scared me.
Sorry.
I left work a little early.
I was going to call,
but, uh...
Where did you get that stuff?
Oh, it was getting
thrown out.
I thought for the church
rummage sale...
Uh! Uh! Ommph!
[crash!]
You've got no right!
You have got...!
I don't want this stuff sold!
I don't want anyone
to have this!
Do you understand me?
This was Ann's.
[crash, slam, bang]
[music]
[footsteps]
Why do I get the feeling
that we're going out
for dinner tonight?
Huh?
Hey.
What's wrong?
Did Mike kill Ann?
Could he have done that?
What happened?
I was in the basement,
looking through the boxes
for sale.
Mike came down.
He went crazy when
he saw the stuff.
I mean he was out of his mind.
Because of the boxes?
He was like a different guy.
I didn't know this guy.
Well, I mean, come on, honey.
He threw that stuff out.
He never wanted to see it again.
I thought he was
going to hurt me.
If you had seen his eyes...
I drove down to meet his father.
He lives in a rundown
shack, almost.
Mike pays him to stay away.
He never even met the grandkids.
Fine. Fine, so he's
estranged from his family.
We already knew that.
Tell me something, one thing
that...that indicates
that he killed Ann.
That fling in Chicago...
was it a one-night stand?
Yes.
Yes, that I know.
I heard a message
on the phone machine.
She's flying in.
He's still seeing her, Tim.
You know this for sure?
I heard a message today.
[music]
[doorbell rings]
Hi, Kate.
Hi, honey.
All right.
Here.
Listen, Kate.
I, um...
I want to apologize
for yesterday.
I don't know what got into me.
I just walked in,
and I saw that stuff, and I...
It just took me back.
I understand.
Don't worry about it.
Hey...
I do worry about it.
I was out of line.
And I'm sorry.
I'll see you this afternoon.
[footsteps]
[door squeaks closed]
[music]
I know none of this
is conclusive,
but it's just too much
to ignore.
Billings This might come
as a surprise to you, but,
none of this is news to me.
Mike was always Suspect One.
Suspect Two was you.
I found that you'd been
struggling to have children.
Had been seeing a fertility
specialist to no avail.
Suddenly quit your work
at the hospital when asked
to work with newborns.
You were the only one who knew
if Ann was alive or not when
you walked into that house.
The death of your best friend
gave you everything you wanted.
But do I think you did it?
No, not really.
Now Mike is another story.
It stunk from square one.
Everything you laid out
and more.
This is the security tape
from the parking garage
where Mike worked.
[whirr of tape]
This is Mike's car.
It never left
during Ann's murder.
I also checked the tapes
at the front entrance.
So Mike was at
work the whole time?
I'm sure you're aware that
months prior to Ann's murder,
there were two seemingly
random homicides.
Both women were murdered
in their houses.
One stabbed.
One strangled.
Last week we made an arrest.
Something completely unrelated.
A guy brags to his cell mate
about body count.
So we gave him a DNA screening.
It matched the skin found
under the fingernails
of victim number two.
This is a copy of a traffic
ticket he got
on Halloween night.
It fits in the window
the coroner gave
for the time of death.
And it's a block
away from Ann's house.
We've got our guy.
[music]
I owe you an apology.
Katy, you don't
owe me anything.
Please let me do this, Mike.
All right, come on in.
Have a seat.
Can I get you, a...
something to drink?
No, thanks.
I was so angry at you Mike.
At your infidelity.
Angry for Ann because
she never had the chance.
And I saw everything
through that anger.
You know, it just made sense.
If Ann had found out,
I don't know if you would
have worked it out
or she would have left you.
But, I know she would
have put the kids first.
I want you to forgive me, Mike.
I'm sorry.
Come here.
Thank you.
[music]
I...I want to thank you all
for being here with me tonight.
Somebody asked me earlier
how I felt about Ann's killer
being arrested today.
Truth is, I don't
know how I feel.
I'd like to be happy,
but, uh...
I think I'm just more relieved
that this man has been stopped
before he could...
I'd like to make a toast.
To the Police Department,
who I did doubt,
and more importantly, to you,
my friends,
for standing by me
through this.
And in particular,
to Kate and Tim,
who are not just my friends,
but my family.
I love them both.
[multi slurps]
Though the arrest
won't bring Ann back
I hope that we can at least
have some closure.
Let's have a moment
of silence for Ann.
[music]
[footsteps]
Are you sure wine
goes with cookies?
It's a perfect complement.
[crunch]
Mm.
You're right.
Brings out the sugar.
Kind of weird tonight.
How.
All of a sudden,
the guy just confesses?
Well, they had him
with the DNA on the other.
It's not like they
can execute him twice.
Meaning...?
There's no reason
for him not to confess.
You're right.
We need to talk.
I've been pretty
self-centred lately.
Um...pretty much a jerk.
But I've seen you
with the kids and I realize
how important it is to you.
What a great mother you'd be.
So, I'll help.
I'll participate.
And if Mike decides to remarry,
or he and the kids move away
or something, then...
we'll adopt.
Hell, maybe we should, anyway.
What?
[kiss]
That's what.
[clinking of glasses]
[music]
Kate Did you know that
it was at this lake that Ann
first told me about meeting you?
Mike Yeah?
What did she say?
She said you were a jock.
She also said that
you were arrogant, and cute.
Yeah, she wouldn't go
out with me at first.
I really miss her,
every day.
Yeah, it doesn't get
any easier, does it?
I keep thinking she's on
a long vacation or something.
You know, when they caught him
I thought I would, uh...
I thought I'd feel better.
It doesn't work
that way, does it?
No.
Kate You know I should tell
you I went to see your father.
It's none of my business.
Did he tell you how
I abandoned him?
How I pay to keep him away?
My dad's an alcoholic.
He used to beat me
and my mom for exercise,
and I won't see him again.
I didn't know.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
He is what he is.
I knew by the time I was eight,
he was never going to change.
I just wanted to leave.
I think it's time for this
guy's lunch and a little nap.
Mike How about your swim?
I still might go.
Just looks cold.
Ha! It is cold.
I have done colder, though.
Come on, Ellie.
Grab your bucket.
Let's go inside.
[music]
Kate No, you already
looked there.
Ellie Oh, yeah, right.
He's not there,
and he's not there.
Oh, there he is.
He's beside the lions.
Yeah, that's him.
Now it's time to go to sleep.
[rustle of pages]
[music]
Can I do one more?
No, honey.
That was the last one, remember?
Now it's lights out.
[kiss]
Good night, sweetie.
[music]
How's it going in there?
It's going.
Want some help?
Nope, just company.
You know, this might be
the finest marinara sauce
in history.
By the most modest chef.
If that husband of yours
doesn't get here soon,
we're eating without him.
Well, he did
say he was delayed.
Wow, these are great.
Ann sent her folks
pictures of everything.
I think they've got
albums upon albums.
[music]
All right, you know what?
Timmy's out of luck.
This pasta's hitting water.
I'm starving.
I'm going to go check
on Logan.
Okay.
[music]
[dialing beeps]
This is Kate Powell.
Is Tim still there?
Yes, he is, Mrs. Powell.
They're still in a meeting.
I need to speak
to him, please.
I've been told
not to interrupt.
This is very important.
I need to speak to him
right now.
I'll try Mrs. Powell.
Mike Hey, you have
got to taste this.
Is he on his way?
No, not yet.
Oh, hi, Tim.
Dammit, Kate.
This had better be good.
We're having a great time.
What the hell are
you talking about?
Good, good, good.
We'll wait for you.
Don't play around, Kate.
I've got to get back.
Absolutely.
Hurry up, okay?
Is something wrong?
Absolutely.
Yeah, hurry up.
Okay, bye.
Huh?
Delicioso, si?
Kate?
Why did you put this
under my bed?
That's a good question.
Kate?
I was just...
I think...
she just didn't know
where it was supposed to go.
But thank you for
bringing it out to us.
Now you go to bed.
[kiss]
Good night.
[kiss]
[music]
Mike Unbelievable.
You know, I even remembered to
change the tape in the security
camera at the garage at work.
There's always one thing
you miss.
Just one tiny detail
you overlook.
I forgot these even existed.
Mike...
Kate, Kate, Kate...
It's okay.
I'm not going to hurt you.
I have a proposition for you.
I think it will work
out for both of us.
I met somebody.
And, uh...
I like her a lot.
Well, the point here
for you is that, uh...
is I'm going to be
traveling a lot.
And my new friend's got
no interest in kids.
What are you talking about?
Is that for all intents and
purposes, they be yours.
I don't understand.
Oh, I think you do, Kate.
And if everything works out,
I don't see any reason why you
and Tim can't be named
legal guardians.
You know, I don't think
I ever really loved Ann.
I don't feel one way
or another about it.
Kinda funny.
So, Kate,
there's the evidence.
And there's the fire.
What are you going to do?
[music]
Mike We all have to make
sacrifices, Kate,
to get what we want.
This isn't what I wanted.
[music]
Now let me ask
you a question.
Do you really think I'd put my
life in your hands like this?
[panicked gasps]
No...!
no...!
[water splashes]
No...!
No...!
[grunts of struggle]
Ohhhhh! Ohhhh!
[gasps]
[music]
[silence]
[splash!]
[erratic panting]
[music]
[hair dryer whirrs]
[music]
[sound of approaching car]
[music]
Tim Hey.
Mike Hey, man.
It's about time you got here.
I'm draining this pasta soon
or it's going to turn to mush.
Where's Kate?
She went for a swim.
Went for a swim?
Um. Oh, that's good.
I know, tell me about it.
I thought she was just going
to get wet and come right back.
You know, she's actually
been gone for awhile.
[footsteps]
Tim Kate!
Kate!
KATE!
KATE!
KA-A-ATE!
Mike I don't see her.
I'm going to call the Sheriff,
and I'm going to try and
find some flashlights.
KATE!
KATE!
[music]
Tim She was scared.
I could tell on the phone
something was wrong.
Mike I told her that
it was a bad idea,
that she shouldn't go.
She said she swam
all year, you know?
So you were cooking dinner?
Mike Yeah.
How long was she gone for?
I don't know.
Um...
Twenty minutes or so.
I didn't really pay any
attention to it
'til Tim got here.
[voice murmurs in ear jack]
They on the shore?
Copy.
Did they find her?
Is she alive?
Sheriff Yes she's alive.
Stand up, Mr. Harding.
[sound of car approaching]
[multi footsteps]
[bash!]
You sonofabitch!
Killed the mother of
your own children.
If you wanted to be with someone
else, why didn't you just leave?
I hope you rot in hell.
Get him out of here.
[music]
The neighbours on the shore
must have been shocked
to see you.
You're quite a swimmer.
Kate What's going to happen
to the children tonight?
Ordinarily, we'd turn them
over to Child's Services.
Kate They've been
staying with us.
Sheriff That'll be fine.
Of course, they'll go to their
grandparents tomorrow,
until we make a determination.
Kate Thank you.
I don't want them to be scared.
Sheriff I'll get them
for you.
[footsteps]
[music]
Ellie Does she
know we're here?
Kate I think so.
Me, too.
I miss her a lot.
Kate I know, honey.
So do I.
Ellie Uncle Tim said
we could paint my room
any colour I wanted.
Kate He did?
Well, he just wants
you to feel at home.
So do I.
[music]
Buckle up, hon.
[music]
[car motor starts]
Ellie Kate, you know what
I'd really like in my room?
Kate What's that, sweetie.
Ellie A dog.
He could sleep on my bed.
[Kate chuckles]
We'll see.
You can tell me.
Ellie He's okay, but
I really wanted a sister.
Really?
Why is that?
'Cause girls rule.
That's true.
Why else?
We can wear matching dresses.
There is that.
And boys are a pest.
They're mean.
Race ya.
[music]
Ellie Mummy, we saw a fish
jump right out of the water.
Ann You did?
Ellie Yup.
They was eating mosquitos.
Ann No way.
Did she drive you crazy?
No.
But do you know where
fish sleep at night?
Ann I haven't even
thought about it.
Kate He sleeps through
everything, doesn't he?
Ann Yeah.
Wait till you have yours.
They sleep through everything
but the night,
then you never sleep at all.
I'll make that trade.
[music]
[sounds of football game on TV]
TV That's gotta hurt.
That's going to leave
a mark, too.
What will it do...?
Mike I can't even look.
TV ...at this point
in the game?
I mean, I don't know.
It's just like...
Yes. Come on, come on.
TV ...it's got to make
the play here, 86 yards.
Can we assume you
haven't started dinner?
Mike Overtime, baby.
Kate We should start
heading home.
You've got court
tomorrow morning.
Katy, I've got it.
We'll leave right after we eat.
[cheer on TV]
[groans in the room]
[disappointed exclamations]
Now you're not running!
TV Unbelievable!
What are you doing?
TV Picks it up...
[whomp!]
[clunk of closing door]
Mike Are we in?
Tim That's it.
Mike Good.
[thunk of car trunk]
Hey, Tim's riding with me.
You girls are on your own.
Ann Fine with us.
Mike Do you want to ride with
us in a cool car with cool guys
going really fast or do you
want to ride with them?
Go with you.
Mike That's what I thought.
Let's go.
Hey, we'll beat them home.
I've got something
I want to show you.
Surround sound?
Mike Better.
In you go.
Buckle up.
[car doors thunk closed]
[car engines start]
[music]
Ann Come on, Kate, you don't
have to carry that over.
I know, but if I don't
go fetch my husband
he'll be there for hours.
Mike Check it out.
Tim Oh...wow.
I thought you were
going to wait.
Yeah, yeah, I was gonna,
but, uh...I guess I didn't.
Ellie and I picked
them up yesterday.
Graphite shafts.
Forged titanium heads.
They were made special.
Mommy doesn't know.
You have to keep it a secret.
Ann Here, hold your godson
for a sec, will you, Kate?
Sure.
He looks like he got a tan.
Ann Oh, I used SPF30.
There you go, munchkin.
You know, I should get out
to the lake more often.
You know my parents don't
go out there anymore.
Any time.
We used to have a ball
down there, remember?
Before the husbands.
And babies.
What do you want to bet
Mike's showing your husband
his new 'secret' golf clubs.
He didn't.
He did...3,200 bucks.
You didn't want to go to
college anyway, did you?
How do you guys do it?
Mike can't make
much more than Tim.
We don't.
It's...like he just has
to have all this stuff
and it has to be the best.
My folks help us
out now and then.
Mike doesn't know it,
but it's about to come
to a screeching halt.
And then what?
Then we live
within our means.
What a concept.
Time for Mike to grow up.
Let's go, munchkin.
[baby coos]
[kisses]
[music]
Isn't he beautiful?
Or am I just being his mother?
You're just being his mother.
[music]
Kate What did you think
of Ann's living room?
Thought it was great.
I thought the whole house
was great.
She didn't have any help?
Kate Nope.
She designed it all herself.
I think she
missed her calling.
[squeaking bed springs]
Want to turn out the light?
Yeah, just...
just give me a second.
Hon, I've got to be in
court at eight tomorrow.
I know, but my temp
was up this morning.
I thought Dr. Winn said...
They were doing
the checks again.
They could be wrong.
My temp was up.
[paper rustles]
What do you say, Counsellor?
Well, if I have to.
[click of lamp switch]
[birds chirp]
Kate Hey, you want
some more coffee?
Tim No, I got to go.
I shouldn't be later
than seven tonight.
Want to work out?
Sure, I could use a swim.
Meet you at the club?
I'll call you.
You at the hospital
this afternoon?
Yes.
[phone rings]
Tim I'm not here.
[music]
[footsteps]
Good morning, Kate.
'Morning.
Do you have some good news?
Dr. Winn No.
I'm sorry.
I'm afraid the test results
are the same.
There's no chance
that maybe...
No. No.
And there's no point in
repeating these tests
over and over again.
The results are accurate.
What about in vitro?
Dr. Winn Well, that hasn't
changed either.
It's just not an option for you.
Look, I can give you the
name of another Ob-Gyn.
Get a second opinion.
But I've reviewed everything.
I've been through your tests,
your MRI with a couple
of the other doctors here
in the practice, and...
There are no other options?
I wish I had another
answer for you.
Kate
I don't think he wants
to be here.
Well, he may have something
better for you to do.
There's a new program
involving infants.
Newborns with no parents.
So these children
have been abandoned?
Well, that, and some
of the parents are incapable
of taking care of them.
It's real simple.
You go to the nursery
for a two-hour shift,
take a baby for 30 minutes,
rock him, hold him, talk to him,
put him back and take another.
These children just need to be
touched by another human being.
If you're interested you
could start tomorrow.
[music]
Kate Hello, fairy princess.
Do you want a wish?
Kate Oh, yes.
Then close your eyes.
Your wish is granted.
Ann Well?
We'll see.
Come on, Mummy, let's go.
Hey, we're going.
I really appreciate this, Kate.
Mike promised he'd be home.
He's been working
late a lot lately, huh?
Yeah.
They're breaking ground
on some big building in Chicago.
He's been going crazy
with last minute changes
in the blueprints.
Come on, I got a bottle
for Logan in the fridge.
Don't look at the mess.
[footsteps]
[music]
[excited children's voices]
[music]
Quitting?
When did you decide this?
I thought you love volunteering
at the hospital.
I told them this afternoon.
Why?
It's just gotten old.
I mean, how many
magazines can you deliver.
I don't know how you did it.
The hospital depresses the hell
out of me.
Well, it was just something
to do while I took time off
from the agency.
Dr. Winn thought that not
working as a stressed out exec
might help us get pregnant.
Any news on that front?
Not yet, but they're redoing
the tests and in vitro
might be a possibility.
Oh, man, I hope not.
You just keep Tim on the job.
It'll happen.
Logan was a total surprise.
We wanted to wait at least
another year.
Well, we're trying.
Hey, take a look at that.
The family photo just came back.
[clink of dishes]
He's beginning to look so much
like Mike it's scary.
If I didn't know any better
I'd wonder who the mother is.
[music]
Hey, how'd it go?
He ate. He slept.
Trick or treaters keep you busy?
Earlier, but it's been
pretty quiet the last hour.
[doorbell rings]
They waited 'til I got home.
[sounds from TV]
All Trick or treat.
[rustle of plastic wrappers]
Happy Halloween.
[music]
[footsteps]
[music]
[clatter of dishes]
[phone rings]
Hello?
Hey, Kate, it's Mike.
Listen, could do me a favour?
I was talking to Ann on the
phone a while ago and she
got up to answer the door
and I think she left
the phone off the hook.
I keep calling back
but nobody picks up.
Can you please go next door
and ask my wife
to hang the phone up?
Kate Sure.
Mike Okay, I'll see you.
Bye.
[footsteps]
[music]
[microwave beeps]
[rustle of popcorn bag]
[music]
[door bursts open]
Tim....!
[Kate screams, cries]
[music]
ANN!
[baby cries in background]
[running footsteps]
[baby cries]
[music]
Tim Ann?
[music]
Ann?
[music]
[dialing beeps]
I need an ambulance.
I need an ambulance right now.
[sound of car tires]
[music]
[sound of helicopter rotors]
[music]
Mike She's my wife.
SHE'S MY WIFE.
Mr. Harding, I understand
how you must feel,
but it's really important
that no one be in here.
She's my wife, dammit!
You want us to catch
this guy, don't you?
This room has to be untouched.
[music]
Mike Aw, jezus, Tim.
Kate The door
was slightly open.
Ann would never leave
the door like that.
I knocked.
I went inside.
The baby was crying upstairs.
Did you go straight
to the kitchen?
Why?
I don't know, it...
I had this terrible feeling
that something was wrong.
The phone was off the hook.
Then I...
I don't know.
Billings It's all right,
Mrs. Powell, take your time.
What happened then?
I just...
ran home...
to Tim and I was
pretty hysterical.
This...Frankenstein you saw.
Tell me about him.
He was with the last group.
It was late.
They were older.
He seemed taller,
maybe it was the costume.
Did he speak to you?
Did you hear his voice?
When you saw him go up the walk
to the Harding house,
was he with the group?
No, the others
went next door.
He was by himself.
Billings When was the last
time you talked to her?
Around 9:15 I called her
to tell her I'd be working
for another half hour or so.
And the doorbell rang.
"Trick or treaters," she said.
I waited for five minutes
or so and then I hung up.
I thought it was the baby was
crying, or she got distracted.
While you were waiting
did you hear anything?
I didn't hear anything.
You thought
she'd call you back?
Yeah.
I tried again, uh...
I guess ten minutes later
and, uh...
no one answered.
You have call waiting?
Yes.
I just thought somebody had
left the phone off the hook,
so I called Kate next door.
And I asked her
to come over here.
And I asked her to tell Ann
to hang up the damn phone.
If this is a random thing,
a guy in a costume murdering
whoever answers the door,
it'll be tough, real tough.
There's no motive.
There's no connection
whatsoever between the killer
and the victim.
This is Halloween.
You open your door for anyone.
Is there anything
else that we can do?
No, but if you remember
anything, some small detail
that might help,
write it down.
Again, Mr. Harding,
I'm terribly sorry.
Good night.
Good night.
[door clicks open and closed]
Mike, you're staying
in our guest room tonight.
I don't want you
here by yourself.
No, no, I'm all right.
I am.
I really appreciate you guys
taking care of the kids.
If they wake up...
if they're scared or anything,
will you call me, please?
You want me to stay awhile?
No.
No, I decided I really...
I really want to be by myself.
[music]
[rustle of sheets]
[soft footsteps]
[gurgle of water]
Whooo...
[soft footsteps]
[sigh]
[music]
[distant 'clunk']
[music]
[door clicks open]
[whack]
Mike?
[door clicks closed]
[whack]
[music]
[regular 'whacks' continue...]
[WHACK!]
[WHACK!]
[grunt!]
[WHACK!]
You all right?
I hope I'm not all right.
[WHACK, crash!]
[SMASH! SMASH!...]
[panting]
Damn this car.
Damn these clubs.
[music]
[slurps]
Mike Gawd help me,
I had to have it all.
I mean, look at this house.
Look at all the
crap that we have.
That television in there
cost $5,500.
I have a little brass machine
on the kitchen counter
for making my cappuccinos.
$500.
The car, the golf clubs,
the stereo,
it is all just garbage!
Mike...
What does this have
to do with Ann?
Come on, why do you think
I've been working so much?
Huh?
Taking on extra projects?
This...
this stuff...
this stuff is what
I traded my wife for.
This is my faualt.
This is...
Don't do this to yourself.
It's done!
Never to be undone.
If I had been here tonight...
If I had been home...
then Ann would have been
alive right now,
and I guarantee you that.
I need to be unconscious.
He can't blame
himself for this.
Well he does.
He's real worried
about Logan and Ellie
growing up without a mother.
You know he asked
if anything happened to him
if we would take the kids.
What did you say?
I said of course,
not to worry.
Well, I'm sure if something
did happen they would go
to their grandparents.
No.
Ann and I talked about this.
Not about this, but when Logan
was christened, about what would
happen if she and Mike were in
a car accident or something.
Ann did not want those kids
brought up
by their grandparents.
We would take the kids, Tim.
Okay.
I just don't think this is
something we need
to worry about.
[music]
Man So they didn't
find any fingerprints?
Not even on the knife?
Not that Billings
will tell us.
What are they doing then?
I don't know.
It's like they've sort of
just thrown up their hands.
Halloween.
People wearing costumes.
Richard You tell him.
Go ahead.
I know this guy who works
in the Police Department.
I called him yesterday.
He says this is the third
murder in the last year
like this.
Jennifer A guy in a costume?
No, everything but.
The stabbing.
Woman home alone.
No motive.
No robbery.
No assault.
You think Billings wants
to even consider
this could be connected?
[music]
Hey.
You don't look like
you're doing so good.
I saw her.
Who?
My mommy in her coffin.
I saw her.
Who's going to take care of me?
Your daddy.
He's going to take care of you.
He loves you very much.
But Daddy goes to work
and he goes on trips.
Well, somebody very nice
is going to take care of you.
And sometimes if you want,
you could stay at my house.
[music]
Tim Kate wanted me
to tell you that
it's not a problem, really.
She's happy to take care
of Logan for a couple of days
'til you get your balance.
Ellie might be plenty for
you to handle right now.
No, I just...
I want them both at home.
I might not get
much sleep today.
I'm uh...not getting much
sleep anyway, you know?
Kate did tell me that she'd
watch them during the day, so,
uh...if I could drop them off
first thing in the morning,
that'd be great.
Are you going
back to work already?
Yup.
Yeah, I was thinking about it.
It's better than not.
I've got a big project
going up in Chicago.
Maybe it'll, uh...
Maybe it would just help me
take my mind off all this.
You know, I don't want
to be insensitive, or...
This is really
the wrong time, but...
Go ahead.
Do...do you
want to get a boat?
What?
Do you want to get a boat?
What do you mean?
I mean...
I mean a boat.
I was thinking about it.
I've been thinking about it
for awhile and I thought a...
I thought maybe you'd want
to go in on it with me.
You know, be partners.
I...I don't know, uh...
I want to get a sailboat.
Maybe like a forty footer,
something that...
that sleeps six.
You know, think about it.
It could be fun.
[deep intake of breath]
Gawd, it's beautiful
here, isn't it?
Really, he said that?
I wouldn't pay much
attention to it.
Living in the present's
got to be so painful.
Yeah, I guess
you got a point.
I'm more worried
for the kids.
Why?
Mike's never been alone
with them all night.
Logan's only a few months old.
What's he going to do when
he needs a two a.m. feeding?
Don't get too
close to those kids.
Somewhere down the line
I'm sure he'll remarry.
Those kids don't need
to lose a mother twice.
[sound of car engine]
[music]
[click of door lock]
[music]
Kate Hey, how did he do?
He slept like a baby.
Woke up around three,
I gave him a bottle.
He's fine.
Kate How did you do?
I woke up around four.
Gave myself a bottle.
Listen, I'm, uh...
driving Ann's car today.
The tow truck's coming
to pick up the Beemer,
take it to the body shop.
Goodbye, baby.
[kiss]
I love you, and
I'll see you this afternoon.
Okay.
You be good for Aunt Kate,
all right?
Call me if you want me
to feed them dinner.
Yup.
[car door clunks closed]
[engine starts]
We were all at U Dub
together.
Mike was on a full ride,
baseball.
He met Ann, uh...
sophomore year?
And, um...that was that.
They started going together
almost immediately.
Got married a year
out of school.
Did he have any brothers?
Sisters?
No.
Actually, you know, to tell
you the truth, I'm not sure.
Does he have any?
Not that he ever mentioned.
He wasn't close to his family.
His, um...his folks lived
in Bellingham, I think.
Uh...Markleeville,
just south a few miles.
Are his parents alive?
Umm...not sure.
He just wasn't close to them.
After he left for college
he never went back.
Did his parents
go to their wedding?
No. No.
Actually, we've never even
met them.
Can I ask you a question?
Yeah.
It's my understanding that
there have been two other
similar murders this year.
I want to know if Ann's
murder could be connected?
I'm not discounting
that possibility.
But we have a lot of
murders in this city.
A lot of them go unsolved.
We had 40 this year.
How many were home invasions?
A woman alone.
A stabbing.
No sexual assault.
You know I can't tell
you that, Counsellor.
Right.
Wouldn't want the papers going
around saying there's
a serial killer on the loose.
Billings No, we wouldn't.
One that's already killed
three times.
Especially if it gets
in the way of investigating
this murder.
Thank you for your time.
[music]
Okay, you know where
everything is, right?
Yes, thank you.
And the grandparents
have them next weekend.
Um-hum.
How about you?
You okay?
Yeah.
You want me to bring
you a present from Chicago?
Come here.
Oh, I love you, little girl.
[kiss]
You be a good girl, all right?
Okay.
[sighs]
Ummm...That's it.
Oh, hey, I almost forgot.
I'm going to have some
work done on the house.
So don't freak out if you
see people coming and going.
Okay.
All right, that's it.
I'll, uh...
I'll see you.
I'll call tonight.
[door clunks closed]
[music]
I can't think of
anything else, can you?
Want to go look at your room?
Come on, let's go.
Oops.
You think this is okay?
We can get you more
stuff tomorrow.
Hey, want to talk about it?
I'm listening.
Is Daddy going to come back?
Of course he's coming back.
Do you remember your daddy
going on business trips before?
Yes.
Has he always come back?
Yes.
Well, he will this time,
too, I promise.
Ten days, that's all.
Everyday we'll count them, okay?
Okay.
Kate, are you going
to be my mommy now?
Sweetie...
Sweetie, I'm going to
be like your mommy.
And I love you.
I'm going to take care of you.
And you never have to
worry about anything.
Promise?
I promise.
I promise.
[music]
Ellie I'm getting hungry.
Kate Well, the pizza will
be here soon, honey.
Can I go play a video game?
I don't know.
Maybe if you ask your Uncle Tim.
Your little brother
is ready for a change.
Ellie Please?
Tim Do you have any money?
Ellie No.
Please?
[music]
Woman Hm.
You got a real cutie.
Thanks.
What's his name?
This is Logan.
What's his name?
This is Steven.
Oh, he's getting to be such
a big boy.
Logan looks, about
three months?
Right.
Steven had nothing
but problems at that age.
Otitis something?
Earaches.
I don't know.
I do know that I did not sleep
for an entire two months.
Is he your first?
Hello?
I have a six year old,
Ellie.
Oh.
I'm hoping for a girl.
But if we don't get one,
we'll just do it again.
[music]
I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks.
[music]
[sounds of TV]
[baby wails in background]
Look, just...
just leave him.
He'll stop crying.
You go to him,
you'll only encourage him.
[baby screams]
Hey, that TV
keeping you up, baby?
[loud crying]
Come here, come on.
Yes.
Kate sings..."Hush little baby
Don't say a word.
Momma's going to buy
you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird don't sing,
Momma's going to buy you
a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring
don't shine..."
[Kate hums softly]
[sound of car engine]
Ellie Why are all
those boxes in front?
Kate I'm not sure, hon.
Your dad said he was
having some work done.
[music]
Man #1 These ones as well.
Man #2 Yeah.
[music]
Stephanie Hi.
You must be Kate.
Hi.
Mike told me you'd be around.
I'm Stephanie Saunders,
Mike's interior designer.
But the house
was just redone.
Ann just decorated
the whole thing.
It looked wonderful.
She had quite an eye.
Yeah, so why is he...?
Mike didn't say.
I can guess...you walk in the
house and you're reminded
of her everywhere you turn.
After a tragedy a lot
of people simply move.
It seems like such a waste.
Stephanie Some of the
furniture is going to Goodwill.
Kate Uh...you know,
I have space in my basement.
Ann worked hard in the church
rummage sale, maybe...
maybe we could store it
at my house.
[footsteps]
Right on top of
that box would be good.
[clink of cutlery on plates]
I've got work to do.
We are going to have some time
for ourselves this weekend,
right?
Or is that too much to ask?
[footsteps]
[phone rings]
Hello?
Mike.
Guess who it is.
Daddy.
Someone here insists
on speaking with you.
Just a sec.
Hello.
Hi, daddy.
[footsteps]
I'm sorry the death
of our friend has
inconvenienced your life.
I'd appreciate it, though,
if at least you tried to mask
your feelings around Ellie.
This is hard enough for her.
I'd like her to feel
she's welcome.
I'm telling you, Kate.
You're getting too
attached to these kids.
It's going to really tear
you up when they're gone.
[footsteps]
There's a couple of
clothing stores right here,
so I go through it pretty
good before we compress.
It was wrapped up, taped up
tight in that wrapping paper.
Looks like bloodstains.
I seen it on TV.
When was the last time
you emptied that dumpster?
Well, normally every week.
But the streets have been
so torn up out there...
it's been about three weeks.
Thank you.
No problem.
[footsteps]
Tim And just have copies
made for everyone in the office.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hey.
Can I buy you lunch?
Oh, gawd, that'd be great,
but I've got a meeting to
prepare for this afternoon.
Do you have a minute now?
It's a legal question.
Um...sure.
Yeah, okay.
Kate I just dropped off
the kids at their grandparents.
Right, we pick them up
Sunday before the game.
I don't think they
can take care of them.
What do you mean?
They're getting old.
Logan's a real handful.
Are they going to wake up
when he cries?
Grandma Patterson doesn't have
the slightest clue
what to feed him.
They are the
children's grandparents.
And whether they're capable
of caring for them or not is
Mike's call, don't you think?
Now, what's your question?
I've got a mountain
of stuff here.
Simple.
How can we become the kids'
legal guardians if something
happens to Mike?
I think the personal question
precedes the legal here.
And that is, do
we even want them?
Or do I have no say
in the matter at all?
You even listen to
what I have to say?
Of course I do, Tim, but...
We've been trying...
We've been trying
to have our own kids.
And to answer your question,
yes, Mike could name us
as guardians for his children.
But that is something that
we need to talk about first.
[music]
Billings There he is.
[music]
Mike What is it?
What's going on?
Billings I'm arresting you
for the murder of Ann Harding.
You know, this isn't exactly
what I had in mind
when I asked for results.
Billings Turn around, Mike.
You know, detective,
I think you're going to be
very embarrassed.
I'll Mirandize you
on the way downtown.
[music]
[footsteps]
[keys clink]
[door squeaks open]
[footsteps]
[clang]
You've got no idea.
Well, I can imagine.
I thought I was going to be
in there for a long, long time.
Where'd you come up
with the $100,000?
I didn't.
Richard McGuire's
one of the best.
Certainly in this
city he's tops.
He said the preliminary hearings
will be in about 11, 12 days.
Mike...
Why does Billings
think it was you?
I know a couple things.
First, they found the
Frankenstein costume with
Ann's blood on it in a dumpster,
apparently half way between
my house and my office.
Billings thinks that you
went home, put on a costume,
killed Ann and then went back
so that you could be at work
when I called you.
That's ludicrous.
What else?
Mike Her life insurance
policy.
Apparently that gives me motive.
Tim That was Ann's idea.
I remember talking to her about
it when Ellie was just a baby.
I know, I know, Tim.
I'm just telling
you what they think.
All right, when will we know
if they have anything else?
McGuire's working
on that now.
Strictly speaking we should
hear, uh...
for the first time
at the hearing.
There's nothing else.
There's...
There's nothing.
Richard, I...
I...
I don't know.
I just can't tell you how much
I appreciate you guys
supporting me.
Mike, we're here for you.
Thank you.
We have to get going.
McGuire At the least,
I'd like one of you
to give character witness
at the hearing.
Well, I think Kate would make
more of an impression than me.
I agree.
As Ann's best friend I think
she'd be very effective.
Kate?
Sure. What would I say?
They'll be wanting
a sense of Mike's character.
Who he is, how you
perceived their marriage.
The kind of things that can't be
written down in black and white.
Can you do that?
Sure.
McGuire All right.
Let's take a look
at what Billings has.
They feel they have motive.
Mike is the beneficiary
of a life insurance policy
on Ann, taken out at the time
of Ellie's birth,
$500,000.
Can you think of anything else
that Billings could
come up with?
Like what?
McGuire Were you having
problems in your marriage?
No...I mean, it wasn't
sunshine and flowers every day,
but what marriage is?
Ann and I had a good marriage.
We loved each other.
Did you ever have an affair?
Is that what
they're implying?
No, no, these are just
obvious areas that Billings
will pursue.
No. No.
I'm not having an affair.
I've never had an affair.
Good.
Billings will make the case
that you had the opportunity.
Your office is a 20 minute
drive from home.
You drove home,
killed your wife,
drove back to work,
called Kate.
Was anybody else working late?
Somebody who could
corroborate your story?
No.
Janitor?
Parking lot attendant?
No. No, I don't think so.
McGuire Billings is going
to argue that Mike,
using Halloween as a cover,
entered the house with a key,
surprised Ann in the kitchen,
and murdered her there.
Richard They've got nothing
more concrete than this...
this vague speculation?
I think Billings
took a big gamble.
Unless something new
and very damning turns up,
this shouldn't even go to trial.
[music]
Have you thought
about going back to work?
No, I haven't.
Maybe you should.
I mean, I don't think pretending
to be Ellie and Logan's mom...
Pretending?
I'm not pretending anything,
especially about being
their mother.
But I am going to do everything
I can to help those kids.
If it means taking care
of them full time,
then that's what I'll do.
And if you don't like it, Tim,
I could care less.
I made a promise to Ann
and I intend to keep it.
[phone rings]
Hello.
Hi.
Sure.
No, no problem.
I'll be right over.
[beep]
[sigh]
That was Mike.
Logan's been crying all night.
He won't stop.
Should I call him back and say,
"Hey, this is not our problem,
you deal with it?"
I didn't think so.
I've got to go.
[footsteps]
[baby cries]
Shhhh...
Hey, Kate, sorry to call you.
I just...
I can't get him to stop crying.
When did he get his bottle?
About 40 minutes ago.
I tried burping him,
but nothing comes out.
Did you try this?
Uh-uh.
[baby's crying slows]
Sh, sh, sh...
[burp]
Ahhh...
Big old gas bubble.
Is that what you had?
Now where did you
learn how to do that?
Do you realize how much time
you spent away working
last year?
Ann and I spent
a lot of time together.
Looks like a different house.
Yeah, it's different.
I'm not sure if it works,
but it's, uh...
it's definitely different.
Hey, can you sit for a second?
Yeah.
Kate, do you think I did it?
Did you?
No, I didn't.
Did you?
You killed her, didn't you?
You killed her because you
can't have kids of your own
and it's the only way
you could get them.
What a horrible thing to say.
No, no, it's not.
Because it's true.
You were the last person
to see her alive.
And you're the only person
who saw this Frankenstein
character.
And besides me, you're the
only person who's got a key
to this house.
After I called you, you went
next door and you killed Ann.
And then you ran and you told
Tim that you found her dead
on the floor, didn't you?
Didn't you?
You see?
You see how that feels?
Of course you didn't
kill her, I know that.
But for anybody to even ask
that question is unimaginable.
Kate, things have gotten
so bizarre I don't even know
what's real anymore.
All I know is that I need
you to believe in me.
[music]
Tim's probably
wondering where I am.
Thank you.
[music]
McGuire Again, let me
stress, this is informal.
It's not a trial.
It's a hearing.
All that will be determined
is that there's probable cause
for a trial, and we're
going to show there isn't.
The Prosecution will state
their case, then I will answer.
And then, if the judge wishes,
Kate will talk with him.
When will we know?
If the judge rules that
there's insufficient evidence
to take this to trial, Mike's a
free man and we will know today.
Kate We shared an apartment
for a year after college.
And you feel Ann would talk
to you about any problems
in the relationship?
Your Honour, I don't think
there was anything Ann
didn't talk to me about.
Is your friendship
with Mike as close?
No, not like with Ann.
I mean we were like sisters.
But, I'd say I know
Mike very well.
We spent a lot of time
together as couples.
We vacationed together.
Your Honour, Mike
didn't do this.
He loved Ann very much.
He loved his family,
the life he had.
I never heard or saw anything
to indicate otherwise, never.
[footsteps]
No trial.
Why so glum?
You're a free man.
All it establishes is
that I didn't kill Ann.
I already knew that.
This doesn't bring her back.
And the person who did kill
her is still out there.
Kate It wasn't like
talking to a judge, was it?
It was like he was just
trying to get a sense
of who Mike is.
Sometimes I wonder if I know.
What do you mean?
I mean he can lie with
a perfectly straight face.
What is that
supposed to mean?
I mean, what is he
lying about, Tim?
He lied about never
having an affair.
Last year, when his company
used our firm and we took
that trip to Chicago...
When Ann was pregnant?
We went out for dinner
and a couple of women,
Mike's friends, met us.
I didn't do anything,
just dinner and I left.
But Mike hooked up with one
of them and was gone all night.
You let me go in that
courtroom and give
character testimony?
Exactly why I didn't
say anything.
Yeah, Mike cheated on Ann once.
But that doesn't mean
he killed her.
Look, you don't think
for a second...
Kate, Mike did not kill Ann.
We both know that.
[music]
[birds chirp]
[doorbell rings]
[footsteps]
Hey.
Tim Hey.
Have you seen the kids?
Uh...Kate said she was
taking them down to the park.
Mike!
I told Kate about Chicago.
She's pretty upset.
[footsteps]
[door clicks closed]
[background children's voices]
Kate?
[sigh]
[background children's voices]
It was one night.
Never happened again.
Look, I know you got no reason
to believe me, but...
that's the truth.
Ellie...
Let's go home, honey.
Daddy, I'm having fun.
Can I stay with Aunt Kate?
Sure.
Mike.
When Tim told me what you
did, he also said that being
unfaithful doesn't
make you a killer.
He was right.
Did Ann know?
Katy, it was a mistake.
I felt terrible about it.
It never happened again.
Did Tim do anything?
Timmy's true blue.
He was uncomfortable
even having dinner with us.
Thank you for...
for speaking today
at my hearing.
[music]
[knock, knock, knock]
Mr. Harding What do you want?
Mr. Harding, I'm a friend
of your son Mike.
Do you have a moment?
Mr. Harding Get you
a coffee or a soda?
Kate No thank you.
Don't get many visitors.
Friend of Mike's, you say?
Well...
Thank you.
How can I help you?
Did you know Mike's wife
was murdered?
No.
Damn.
Ann, was it?
Never met the girl.
Really?
Why?
Why what?
Why did you never
meet your son's wife?
He's going
to bring her here?
Let me tell you
something about Mike.
The only thing the boy ever
cared about was money.
And we didn't have it.
He got a scholarship to that
fancy college, and he was gone,
and never looked back.
Married a rich girl
and elevated himself.
So you haven't had any
contact with him at all?
Oh, yeah, every month
he sends me a little cheque.
He came home once,
when his mother died.
Not since.
But you're his friend.
What did he tell you about me?
Not much, really.
I think in college he said
that you owned
a construction company.
Is that true?
Lived here 35 years.
Mike lived here.
Owned a construction company?
I used to frame houses.
Drove a truck for awhile.
He don't know you're
here, does he?
No.
I'd appreciate
you not telling him.
He doesn't send me much
but I kinda depend on it.
So who did it?
Who did what?
Who killed the
boy's wife, Ann?
Oh, someone broke in
the house on Halloween.
Damn.
That's a shame.
I heard he had
a boy or something.
[music]
Mr. Harding, meet
your grandson, Logan.
[music]
Kate What else?
Ellie We have five
'super-spellers' we have
to learn by tomorrow.
Kate That's a lot
of homework.
Ellie I know.
And we have to use
them in a sentence.
[motor slows]
[car doors open and close]
Kate What book were
we supposed to remember?
My reading book.
[footsteps]
[door clicks open]
You run up and get
your clothes, okay?
I'll be in the kitchen.
Ellie Okay.
[footsteps]
[beep of answering machine]
Voice on machine Hi, sweetie,
it's me.
My plane lands about
8:00 o'clock and I'll see you
in front about 8:15.
Can't wait.
[beep]
[music]
I'm ready.
All right.
Let's go.
[music]
Kate This little guy
needs a bottle and a nap.
Can I go upstairs and play?
Sure you can, sweetie.
I'm just going to go put him
down, and then I'm going to
go do some laundry, okay?
Okay.
Kate You going
to be all right?
Yup.
[footsteps]
[washing machine churns]
[sound of door opening]
Hey.
My gawd, you scared me.
Sorry.
I left work a little early.
I was going to call,
but, uh...
Where did you get that stuff?
Oh, it was getting
thrown out.
I thought for the church
rummage sale...
Uh! Uh! Ommph!
[crash!]
You've got no right!
You have got...!
I don't want this stuff sold!
I don't want anyone
to have this!
Do you understand me?
This was Ann's.
[crash, slam, bang]
[music]
[footsteps]
Why do I get the feeling
that we're going out
for dinner tonight?
Huh?
Hey.
What's wrong?
Did Mike kill Ann?
Could he have done that?
What happened?
I was in the basement,
looking through the boxes
for sale.
Mike came down.
He went crazy when
he saw the stuff.
I mean he was out of his mind.
Because of the boxes?
He was like a different guy.
I didn't know this guy.
Well, I mean, come on, honey.
He threw that stuff out.
He never wanted to see it again.
I thought he was
going to hurt me.
If you had seen his eyes...
I drove down to meet his father.
He lives in a rundown
shack, almost.
Mike pays him to stay away.
He never even met the grandkids.
Fine. Fine, so he's
estranged from his family.
We already knew that.
Tell me something, one thing
that...that indicates
that he killed Ann.
That fling in Chicago...
was it a one-night stand?
Yes.
Yes, that I know.
I heard a message
on the phone machine.
She's flying in.
He's still seeing her, Tim.
You know this for sure?
I heard a message today.
[music]
[doorbell rings]
Hi, Kate.
Hi, honey.
All right.
Here.
Listen, Kate.
I, um...
I want to apologize
for yesterday.
I don't know what got into me.
I just walked in,
and I saw that stuff, and I...
It just took me back.
I understand.
Don't worry about it.
Hey...
I do worry about it.
I was out of line.
And I'm sorry.
I'll see you this afternoon.
[footsteps]
[door squeaks closed]
[music]
I know none of this
is conclusive,
but it's just too much
to ignore.
Billings This might come
as a surprise to you, but,
none of this is news to me.
Mike was always Suspect One.
Suspect Two was you.
I found that you'd been
struggling to have children.
Had been seeing a fertility
specialist to no avail.
Suddenly quit your work
at the hospital when asked
to work with newborns.
You were the only one who knew
if Ann was alive or not when
you walked into that house.
The death of your best friend
gave you everything you wanted.
But do I think you did it?
No, not really.
Now Mike is another story.
It stunk from square one.
Everything you laid out
and more.
This is the security tape
from the parking garage
where Mike worked.
[whirr of tape]
This is Mike's car.
It never left
during Ann's murder.
I also checked the tapes
at the front entrance.
So Mike was at
work the whole time?
I'm sure you're aware that
months prior to Ann's murder,
there were two seemingly
random homicides.
Both women were murdered
in their houses.
One stabbed.
One strangled.
Last week we made an arrest.
Something completely unrelated.
A guy brags to his cell mate
about body count.
So we gave him a DNA screening.
It matched the skin found
under the fingernails
of victim number two.
This is a copy of a traffic
ticket he got
on Halloween night.
It fits in the window
the coroner gave
for the time of death.
And it's a block
away from Ann's house.
We've got our guy.
[music]
I owe you an apology.
Katy, you don't
owe me anything.
Please let me do this, Mike.
All right, come on in.
Have a seat.
Can I get you, a...
something to drink?
No, thanks.
I was so angry at you Mike.
At your infidelity.
Angry for Ann because
she never had the chance.
And I saw everything
through that anger.
You know, it just made sense.
If Ann had found out,
I don't know if you would
have worked it out
or she would have left you.
But, I know she would
have put the kids first.
I want you to forgive me, Mike.
I'm sorry.
Come here.
Thank you.
[music]
I...I want to thank you all
for being here with me tonight.
Somebody asked me earlier
how I felt about Ann's killer
being arrested today.
Truth is, I don't
know how I feel.
I'd like to be happy,
but, uh...
I think I'm just more relieved
that this man has been stopped
before he could...
I'd like to make a toast.
To the Police Department,
who I did doubt,
and more importantly, to you,
my friends,
for standing by me
through this.
And in particular,
to Kate and Tim,
who are not just my friends,
but my family.
I love them both.
[multi slurps]
Though the arrest
won't bring Ann back
I hope that we can at least
have some closure.
Let's have a moment
of silence for Ann.
[music]
[footsteps]
Are you sure wine
goes with cookies?
It's a perfect complement.
[crunch]
Mm.
You're right.
Brings out the sugar.
Kind of weird tonight.
How.
All of a sudden,
the guy just confesses?
Well, they had him
with the DNA on the other.
It's not like they
can execute him twice.
Meaning...?
There's no reason
for him not to confess.
You're right.
We need to talk.
I've been pretty
self-centred lately.
Um...pretty much a jerk.
But I've seen you
with the kids and I realize
how important it is to you.
What a great mother you'd be.
So, I'll help.
I'll participate.
And if Mike decides to remarry,
or he and the kids move away
or something, then...
we'll adopt.
Hell, maybe we should, anyway.
What?
[kiss]
That's what.
[clinking of glasses]
[music]
Kate Did you know that
it was at this lake that Ann
first told me about meeting you?
Mike Yeah?
What did she say?
She said you were a jock.
She also said that
you were arrogant, and cute.
Yeah, she wouldn't go
out with me at first.
I really miss her,
every day.
Yeah, it doesn't get
any easier, does it?
I keep thinking she's on
a long vacation or something.
You know, when they caught him
I thought I would, uh...
I thought I'd feel better.
It doesn't work
that way, does it?
No.
Kate You know I should tell
you I went to see your father.
It's none of my business.
Did he tell you how
I abandoned him?
How I pay to keep him away?
My dad's an alcoholic.
He used to beat me
and my mom for exercise,
and I won't see him again.
I didn't know.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
He is what he is.
I knew by the time I was eight,
he was never going to change.
I just wanted to leave.
I think it's time for this
guy's lunch and a little nap.
Mike How about your swim?
I still might go.
Just looks cold.
Ha! It is cold.
I have done colder, though.
Come on, Ellie.
Grab your bucket.
Let's go inside.
[music]
Kate No, you already
looked there.
Ellie Oh, yeah, right.
He's not there,
and he's not there.
Oh, there he is.
He's beside the lions.
Yeah, that's him.
Now it's time to go to sleep.
[rustle of pages]
[music]
Can I do one more?
No, honey.
That was the last one, remember?
Now it's lights out.
[kiss]
Good night, sweetie.
[music]
How's it going in there?
It's going.
Want some help?
Nope, just company.
You know, this might be
the finest marinara sauce
in history.
By the most modest chef.
If that husband of yours
doesn't get here soon,
we're eating without him.
Well, he did
say he was delayed.
Wow, these are great.
Ann sent her folks
pictures of everything.
I think they've got
albums upon albums.
[music]
All right, you know what?
Timmy's out of luck.
This pasta's hitting water.
I'm starving.
I'm going to go check
on Logan.
Okay.
[music]
[dialing beeps]
This is Kate Powell.
Is Tim still there?
Yes, he is, Mrs. Powell.
They're still in a meeting.
I need to speak
to him, please.
I've been told
not to interrupt.
This is very important.
I need to speak to him
right now.
I'll try Mrs. Powell.
Mike Hey, you have
got to taste this.
Is he on his way?
No, not yet.
Oh, hi, Tim.
Dammit, Kate.
This had better be good.
We're having a great time.
What the hell are
you talking about?
Good, good, good.
We'll wait for you.
Don't play around, Kate.
I've got to get back.
Absolutely.
Hurry up, okay?
Is something wrong?
Absolutely.
Yeah, hurry up.
Okay, bye.
Huh?
Delicioso, si?
Kate?
Why did you put this
under my bed?
That's a good question.
Kate?
I was just...
I think...
she just didn't know
where it was supposed to go.
But thank you for
bringing it out to us.
Now you go to bed.
[kiss]
Good night.
[kiss]
[music]
Mike Unbelievable.
You know, I even remembered to
change the tape in the security
camera at the garage at work.
There's always one thing
you miss.
Just one tiny detail
you overlook.
I forgot these even existed.
Mike...
Kate, Kate, Kate...
It's okay.
I'm not going to hurt you.
I have a proposition for you.
I think it will work
out for both of us.
I met somebody.
And, uh...
I like her a lot.
Well, the point here
for you is that, uh...
is I'm going to be
traveling a lot.
And my new friend's got
no interest in kids.
What are you talking about?
Is that for all intents and
purposes, they be yours.
I don't understand.
Oh, I think you do, Kate.
And if everything works out,
I don't see any reason why you
and Tim can't be named
legal guardians.
You know, I don't think
I ever really loved Ann.
I don't feel one way
or another about it.
Kinda funny.
So, Kate,
there's the evidence.
And there's the fire.
What are you going to do?
[music]
Mike We all have to make
sacrifices, Kate,
to get what we want.
This isn't what I wanted.
[music]
Now let me ask
you a question.
Do you really think I'd put my
life in your hands like this?
[panicked gasps]
No...!
no...!
[water splashes]
No...!
No...!
[grunts of struggle]
Ohhhhh! Ohhhh!
[gasps]
[music]
[silence]
[splash!]
[erratic panting]
[music]
[hair dryer whirrs]
[music]
[sound of approaching car]
[music]
Tim Hey.
Mike Hey, man.
It's about time you got here.
I'm draining this pasta soon
or it's going to turn to mush.
Where's Kate?
She went for a swim.
Went for a swim?
Um. Oh, that's good.
I know, tell me about it.
I thought she was just going
to get wet and come right back.
You know, she's actually
been gone for awhile.
[footsteps]
Tim Kate!
Kate!
KATE!
KATE!
KA-A-ATE!
Mike I don't see her.
I'm going to call the Sheriff,
and I'm going to try and
find some flashlights.
KATE!
KATE!
[music]
Tim She was scared.
I could tell on the phone
something was wrong.
Mike I told her that
it was a bad idea,
that she shouldn't go.
She said she swam
all year, you know?
So you were cooking dinner?
Mike Yeah.
How long was she gone for?
I don't know.
Um...
Twenty minutes or so.
I didn't really pay any
attention to it
'til Tim got here.
[voice murmurs in ear jack]
They on the shore?
Copy.
Did they find her?
Is she alive?
Sheriff Yes she's alive.
Stand up, Mr. Harding.
[sound of car approaching]
[multi footsteps]
[bash!]
You sonofabitch!
Killed the mother of
your own children.
If you wanted to be with someone
else, why didn't you just leave?
I hope you rot in hell.
Get him out of here.
[music]
The neighbours on the shore
must have been shocked
to see you.
You're quite a swimmer.
Kate What's going to happen
to the children tonight?
Ordinarily, we'd turn them
over to Child's Services.
Kate They've been
staying with us.
Sheriff That'll be fine.
Of course, they'll go to their
grandparents tomorrow,
until we make a determination.
Kate Thank you.
I don't want them to be scared.
Sheriff I'll get them
for you.
[footsteps]
[music]
Ellie Does she
know we're here?
Kate I think so.
Me, too.
I miss her a lot.
Kate I know, honey.
So do I.
Ellie Uncle Tim said
we could paint my room
any colour I wanted.
Kate He did?
Well, he just wants
you to feel at home.
So do I.
[music]
Buckle up, hon.
[music]
[car motor starts]
Ellie Kate, you know what
I'd really like in my room?
Kate What's that, sweetie.
Ellie A dog.
He could sleep on my bed.
[Kate chuckles]
We'll see.