The Past Is Never Buried (2026) Movie Script
1
[gentle instrumental music]
[Noah] What do you
remember most about your mother?
I was only seven when she--
[Noah] Take your time, Emily.
We didn't have much to
do in Newbury Grove,
so we would play
in the backyard.
We used to go down the slide
and pretend it would
take me somewhere else.
She'd ask where we should go,
and...
I didn't know many places,
so I usually said California.
[Mother]
Oh, look at Emily!
I see palm trees!
We must be getting close!
[Emily]
She had a great way of
making everything a lot of fun.
[Noah] That must've been
hard; growing up without her.
Do you wanna talk about that?
Can I have a minute?
Uh, yeah. Of course.
Camera cuts.
[Emily exhales quietly]
[Noah] Hey, I know these
questions are tough,
but the more the audience
can connect with you,
the more they're gonna
be willing to help.
So don't hold back, okay?
Okay. [sighs]
[Deeks] Rolling.
If the killer was
watching right now,
is there anything you would
like to say to him or her?
Just that...
the world became
a lot darker 22 years ago.
She was such a happy,
beautiful, bright light.
And I guess I wanna know why.
Why her?
What could you possibly have
gained from killing my mom?
[tense music]
[Noah] Hey, do you think if I
could scrape up some cash,
your dad would talk to me?
I'm sure he wants this case
solved as much as you do.
Once he says no, he
rarely changes his mind.
Yeah, but I mean,
you
could talk to him, right?
Just tell him that this is
probably gonna be on a streamer
and a lot of people
are gonna see it.
It's gonna be huge.
My dad and I don't really have
that great of a
relationship, so--
Why is that?
Oh it has nothing to do with
what happened to my mom.
You have the info for my
aunt and uncle still, right?
[Noah] Yeah, yeah, yeah. I
talked to 'em already.
I'm gonna head down to
Newbury Grove this weekend
to tape their interview.
And I reached out
to Detective Gates,
the one who handled
your mom's case,
but he hasn't gotten
back to me yet.
Well, if there's anything
else I can help you with,
let me know.
[Noah] Well, I should have a cut
done by the end of the month.
Maybe I could bring it over here
and we could watch it together?
We'll see.
Great. I'll see you soon.
-[tense music]
-[door creaking]
-[door clicks shut]
-[door latches]
-[door clicks open]
-[entry bell jingling]
-Goodnight.
-Goodnight.
[tense music continues]
-[light footsteps]
-[siren wailing distantly]
[train horn blares distantly]
[dogs barking distantly]
[eerie music]
[horn honks]
Oh, hey.
[car engine idling]
[train horn blares]
[trains rumbling over tracks]
[inaudible dialog]
[car door thuds]
[car engine purrs]
[eerie music fading]
[pan sizzling]
Okay. Go tell your sister
to get a move on.
If she can't set an
alarm, that's her problem.
[Brad]
No, it's
my
problem
'cause I gotta take
your sister to school
and be ready for
my meeting at 9:00.
Go.
Jordyn, stop spending so
much time on your makeup.
It doesn't help anyway.
[tense music]
-Hey, Dad?
-Yeah.
[Devin] I don't think she
came home last night.
[grim music]
[phone ringing]
[eerie music]
[Brad]
That photo was taken last week.
[Gates] I'll get this out
to the press today
and nearby agencies.
[Brad] She's never stayed
out all night before,
so I know something happened.
When's the last time
you saw your daughter?
[Brad] I dropped her off at
Benji's. That's where she works.
Do you normally drop
her off at work?
[Brad] No, when she got outta
school, she had two flat tires,
so I called a tow and then
I went to pick her up.
What time does her shift end?
[Brad]
Between 11:00, 11:30.
[Gates] And how is she planning
on getting home?
[Brad]
We didn't talk about that.
I assumed that she
would either call me
or she would get a
ride from a coworker.
That's what she used to do
when she didn't have a car.
Has she broken up with
a boyfriend recently?
-No.
-Has she complained
about anyone harassing
her at school?
Work?
Other employees?
Customers?
[Brad]
No, no, no. Nothing like that.
She always answers her phone.
We're gonna do everything
we can to find her, okay?
[phone ringing]
Word Nexus Proofreading
Services. This is Emily.
[Alton]
Hey, don't hang up.
Hey, I just want you to know
I was in a little, uh,
fender bender last week.
A guy came out of nowhere
happened in the parking lot
of the Thirsty Hornet.
And before you asked,
no, I wasn't drunk.
I just ended up
giving him some cash
and he forgot all about it.
So you need money now? Is
that what you're calling?
[Alton]
No, I don't need money.
I was just letting you know
in case Deena or anybody else
told you something about it.
How would Deena know?
[Alton]
Well, there's a dent
on my passenger door.
I mean, you know I can fix that.
Okay.
What did you really
call to tell me?
That hack Nathan called.
Said you did the interview.
Noah.
And yes, I did.
[Alton]
Whatever. Why?
You know why.
[Alton]
He's a sleaze bag,
exploiting your mom's
death for entertainment.
It's not gonna convince anyone
to suddenly come forward.
-Can't hurt to try.
-[Alton]
Yes, it can!
Em,
this documentary is
gonna open up a can of worms
that you don't want opened.
Why don't you listen
to anything I say?
Maybe because you're
always too drunk
to know what you're saying.
[Alton]
Stop dragging
up the past, Em.
Just let that go.
[compelling music]
[phone thuds on counter]
[Buffy panting happily]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
You ready for your walk, boy?
Huh, Buffy boy, you ready?
-Okay. Okay.
-[Buffy whines]
We can go.
Come on!
[Emily chuckles]
I'm here at Benji's
Burgers in Newbury Grove,
where 17-year-old Jordyn Wasser
was last seen around 11:30 PM.
[light chatter]
[Gates] I'll be in touch if I
need any additional information.
Thank you.
[light chatter]
-Alt!
-[Alton sighs]
Long time, no see.
Not long enough.
I hear you're spending
a lot more of your time
with patrol these days.
You here to eat something or
just harass the customers?
I'm investigating a case.
Who got murdered?
What makes you think
someone was murdered?
You're a homicide
detective, aren't you?
At least in title, anyway.
[Alton] Jordyn?
[Gates] You know her?
Yeah, I know her.
She works here, I eat here.
Of course I know her.
When's the last
time you saw her?
Did something happen to her?
Answer my question first.
Yeah. Here.
Last night.
[Gates] So, right before
she went missing?
You're barking up the
wrong tree, Detective.
That's not unusual
for you though, is it?
Nice chat.
A little advice.
They have the hard stuff
if you're gonna drive.
I wasn't even at the legal
limit and you know it!
[door clicking]
What?
Mind your business.
[quiet music]
[phone notification blips]
[quiet music continues]
[Reporter] I
'm here at Benji's
Burgers in Newbury Grove,
where 17-year-old Jordyn
Wasser was last seen
around 11:30 PM on Thursday.
She was still
wearing her uniform
when she came out this door,
walked that direction,
and vanished.
[knocking on door]
[door handle rattling]
[door clicks open]
[Noah] Mrs. Bailey?
Noah! Nice to meet
you. Call me Deena.
Please come in.
[Noah] Thank you.
[Noah] Tell me about the day
your sister went missing.
Um, I knew something was wrong
when she didn't pick Emily up.
I'm so sorry. Can I start again?
I can do better.
-[Noah] Please.
-Okay.
[Deena clears her throat]
I knew something was wrong
when she didn't pick
Emily up from school.
Em's teacher called me
to come and get her,
so I sent Pete over to the
house to check things out
before I took her home.
You didn't want Emily
to walk in on her mother
in case something
bad had happened?
Exactly.
So you were the first
one to go into the house.
I was.
[Noah]
And what did you find there?
Um.
Everything looked fine.
There was nothing to suggest
to break-in or anything.
The the door was locked?
[Pete] Yeah, but I knew she kept
a key under the planter
and that's how I let myself in.
[Noah] And where was your
sister's husband at the time?
Alton?
Alton told the police
he was clearing debris
off a friend's property,
alone.
'Cause, you know,
lifting heavy logs
is something we often
do all by ourself.
[Noah] And you obviously
don't believe him?
Would you?
Well, it's hard to
know what to believe
when it comes to Alton.
[mouse clicks]
[gentle suspenseful music]
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates.
[Officer]
Units confirming
a 1054 near the river.
Caucasian female.
Quarter mile north
of Salt Pass Road.
Copy. On my way.
[phone clicks]
[car engine purring]
[doors thud shut]
-[Noah] Alton Anderson?
-Yeah?
Noah Vargas. It's
nice to meet you.
Get off my property.
I just want to ask you
a couple of questions
about your wife.
I can even pay you.
Get the hell off my property!
What is this?
Did you kill your
wife, Mr. Anderson?
Get out of my face!
[Noah] Why are you so opposed
to this documentary?
-Go to hell!
-[Noah grunts]
[tense music]
-[loud thudding]
-[Noah grunting]
[tense music continues]
[Deeks] Camera cuts.
-[door slams]
-That's exactly what we needed.
[tense music fading]
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music continues]
[suspenseful music continues]
[Gates]
I need to show you a photo
and you can let me
know if it's her.
[photo slides over table]
[quiet somber music]
Is it Jordyn?
[Brad] Yeah.
Yeah.
[Brad sniffles]
Devin!
I'm so sorry.
How?
How'd she die?
[Gates] We'll know once they
complete the autopsy.
Our office is preparing a
statement for the media,
and if you feel up to it,
it's usually helpful
for a family member
to make a statement as well.
[Pete] Hey, Detective!
Pete Bailey.
You worked my sister-in-law's
case, Ginny Anderson.
Oh, right. Yeah.
Pete. Yeah.
Any news yet on Jordyn Wasser?
Did you know her?
I teach at the high school.
She was in my history class.
"Was"?
Yeah, last semester.
Smart girl. Quiet but
friendly with everyone.
I just hope she's okay.
Well, I can assure you
we're working around
the clock on it.
I'm sure you are.
Like you did with Ginny?
[door clanks]
You had him!
You had him in the palm of
your hand and you did nothing!
[car engine starts up]
[car screeches off]
[somber music]
While we still don't
know the manner of death,
we do know that the
cause is homicide.
We believe Jordyn was abducted
between the 1200
block of Sycamore
and the 1600 block of Magnolia.
If anyone saw anything
suspicious in that area,
please contact us.
I know Jordyn's father would
like to say a few words
[Brad]
I never imagined I'd
be standing here today
asking for your help to
find my daughter's killer.
But here I am.
Where no should have to be.
But those of you who knew Jordyn
knew she was kind and nice.
She brought happiness
wherever she went.
We need to find who did this.
We need justice for Jordyn.
And I'm asking as a father
to please help us
find her killer.
[Devin]
I just wanna say, to
whoever did this,
I know you're watching.
I'm gonna find you and
I'll take you out myself
if I have to.
You killed my sister!
Why!
[Devin crying]
This is obviously
a family in pain.
[remote clicks]
[suspenseful music]
We're all angry over the
loss of this precious life.
That's all for now.
We'll update the community
as we have more information.
[somber music fades]
-[compelling music]
-[paper shuffling]
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates.
[Willa]
Hi, Carl. It's
Willa at the M.E.'s office.
We've determined the cause of
death on your homicide victim.
Ligature strangulation?
[Willa]
How'd you know?
Educated guess.
[suspenseful music]
[cooler rattling]
-[car door shuts]
-Oh, great.
Going camping?
Skiing in the
French Alps actually.
[Gates]
Interesting timing.
[Alton] I don't know what that
means, nor do I care.
Well, you should because
it's in your best interest
to voluntarily come
down to the station
and answer some questions.
And if I don't?
[Gates] I'll arrest you.
For what?
Let's guess which traffic
law you break first.
Probably driving on
a suspended license.
[Gates]
Where were you on Thursday night
between 11:00 and 1:00 AM?
[Alton] Home.
Was anyone with you?
Just me and the Holy Spirit.
How well did you
know Jordyn Wasser?
[Alton] Good kid. Brought me a
side of ranch with my fries.
What is it you want me to say?
[Gates] There was an SUV similar
to yours seen outside of Benji's
about the same time
she went missing.
Okay.
There are also certain
details about her murder
that are reminiscent
of your wife's.
Which I also didn't commit.
So you say.
You know, Detective,
you and I aren't so different.
I know many people,
including yourself,
think I got away
with killing Ginny.
I hear what they say about me,
but I also hear what
they say about you.
What is it?
Oh, yeah, that you're a lazy,
incompetent public servant
sponging off the
taxpayer dollar.
Why would they say that?
Maybe it's the ridiculous amount
of unsolved cases you've got.
[Alton clicks his tongue]
They might be right.
Do you have a point?
Yeah, there's a point.
You've been sitting back
hoping to catch me on something
just to prove you're
right about me.
Now what are you doing?
You're shifting suspicion to me
on anothe r thing I didn't do!
[Detective Gates scoffs]
You really are a
narcissist, aren't you?
I've got one goal;
to put away people who
murder other people.
Now, if that's not you, you've
got nothing to worry about.
Well, that is a load lifted.
Thank you, Detective.
You have a nice day.
Not so fast, Alton.
What? What?
You're under arrest.
-[loud thud]
-[Alton grunts]
[Alton] For what?!
I have 48 hours to decide.
-[handcuffs clicking]
-[Alton breathing heavily]
You have a list of items
on the search warrant.
Residence is unoccupied,
but be discreet.
We want everything done
by the book on this.
Understand?
Let's go see some evidence.
[tense music]
[eerie music]
I met with your friend today.
It's gonna cost
about $300 to file,
but I think I should do it.
[eerie music continues]
Can you and Pete
loan me the money?
It'll raise questions if I
pull it from our joint account.
He also said he thinks
I'll be able to get
ole-say ustody-cay.
[eerie music continues]
-[somber music]
-[Buffy panting happily]
-[somber music continues]
-[Buffy panting happily]
[Gates] Counselor!
I really need you
to file charges
against Alton Anderson today.
You know how I feel about
circumstantial cases, Detective.
It's solid!
Bracelet belonging
to the victim.
She was wearing it the
night she went missing.
Photos of the victim
working in a restaurant.
They were taken from a
vehicle parked just outside.
And what's this?
Photo of the victim
in a swimsuit
clipped from a newspaper
after she'd won a swim
meet a few months ago.
So we found these
all in the home
belonging to Mr. Anderson?
Correct. There's enough to
file for first degree homicide.
Okay, second degree
and I'll file today.
"Second degree"? It's
clearly
premeditated.
He planned this
months in advance.
[D.A.] No, he took
an interest
in her
months in advance.
We don't know what his intention
was the night she died.
[sighs] Oh, come on!
[D.A.] Show me some physical
evidence and I'll up the charge.
Until then, be happy
I didn't send you back
to the drawing board, Detective.
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music fades]
[phone ringing]
Hello.
[Automated Voice]
This is
the Flatwood County Jail.
Will you accept a collect
call from Alton Anderson?
Press pound to accept.
[dial tone beeps]
Dad?
[Alton sighs]
Em, I'm sorry. Uh,
I need help and I didn't
know who else to call.
First off, I'm 100% innocent.
How many DUIs can you--
[Alton]
Listen,
They found the body of the girl.
They think I killed her.
The same detective that
worked your mom's case.
He's setting me up.
Dad--
[Alton]
I need a favor.
I need you to hire an attorney.
I found a good one, but
he's a $10,000 retainer
and I need someone to post bond.
I don't have that kind of money.
Yeah, I know you don't. But
the house is in your name.
So just come back and sell it.
"Sell it"?
Can't you borrow
against it or something?
No.
Even if I beat this, and I
will, I can't live here anymore.
Always trying to
pin something on me.
Once this is done, I am moving
far away from Newbury Grove.
Please, sweetie, just...
Just do this for me
and I'll never ask you for
anything else as long as I live.
[Emily]
When's your arraignment?
Wednesday.
Okay, I'll come down for
one day and sign the papers.
[compelling music]
Come here, Bubba.
[suspicious music]
[suspicious music continues]
[knocking on window]
What are you doing
in your sister's car?
It's mine now.
-[gun clicking]
-[Brad] Excuse me, Detective?
Any news?
[Gates] We made an arrest.
I wanted you to
hear it from me first.
Uh, who?
Local man. Alton Anderson.
We executed a search
warrant on his house
and charged him with
second degree murder.
Anderson, as in Ginny
Anderson's husband?
[Gates] Yeah.
That lying sack of--
He was a suspect
in her case, too!
Why didn't you
arrest him back then?
I did!
Blame the D.A.
Who's Ginny Anderson?
-[airplane engine whirring]
-[wheels screeching]
-[quiet, gentle music]
-[car engine purring]
[quiet, gentle music continues]
[Emily sighs]
This is your house, Emily.
You don't have to sell
it if you don't want to.
It's only my name in case
he gets sued. He bought it.
Besides, I never wanna
come back here again.
Well, your mom loved it here.
I'm not sure she'd say
the same thing now.
Hm, are you sure you don't
wanna come stay with us?
I'll be okay.
Besides, I have some things
wanna pack up and keep, so--
All right, honey,
well, if you need us,
we're just five minutes away.
-Thank you.
-Okay? All right.
[Emily] Let's go. Come on.
[door clicking]
[door creaks]
[Buffy whining]
What a mess, Buffy boy.
[Buffy panting]
[quiet music]
[Emily sighs]
[quiet music continues]
[car engine purring]
[door clicks]
Detective Gates.
Who are you?
I'm Noah Vargas with
Twist Side Productions.
I left you a message.
We're shooting a documentary
on one of your old unsolved
cases from 22 years ago.
The Ginny Anderson murder.
I can't discuss active cases.
Is it active?
You haven't made
much progress on it.
Then or now.
If you'll excuse me, I'm busy.
We can help you solve it!
We tried.
[Deena] You were everything to
her. She loved being a mother.
[Emily] I'm realizing how
little I know about her.
[Deena] Well, I have plenty of
stories I could share.
I just wasn't sure you
were ready to hear them.
I am.
Even just what was
her favorite hobby?
What was she really good at?
Oh, uh.
She was very good at sports.
She was very athletic.
Oh, well, I'm nothing
like that at all.
[Deena] Well, she was also very
determined, just like you.
When she latched onto something,
it was really hard
for her to let it go
sometimes to her detriment.
You're referring to her
relationship with my dad.
[Deena]
Yeah, that was one thing
that was hard for
her to let go of.
She definitely put up with
more than most women would've.
Do you think my dad
had anything to do
with this girl's murder?
I don't know.
Uncle Pete always said
that Dad killed Mom
for the insurance money,
but he wouldn't have had
insurance on this girl.
Well, I'm not certain
anyone can know
what your father thinks.
He's not very rational.
I'm losing my memories of her.
This documentary is
all about her death.
I don't want people
to remember her
for the last day she was alive.
I want them to know who she
was all those years before.
I gotta know who killed her.
It's the only way I'm
gonna be able to move on.
Well, Em, you can't
hang your happiness
on the truth you may never find.
That's why I have to find it.
[gentle music]
[somber quiet music]
[Devin]
Is that the one from swimming?
Uh, yeah. Yeah.
Your mom got so excited when
Jordyn came in first place,
she jumped out of her
chair and started screaming
before Jordyn even
touched the wall.
Jordyn always came in first.
Every time she
tried something new,
she ended up being better
than everyone else.
She had a lot of talent
and drive, that's for sure.
[Devin]
I think God must really hate us
to take 'em both a year apart.
God didn't take
them. Cancer did.
And Alton Anderson.
Both those things
are about as far away
from God as they can be.
If Alton Anderson
killed his wife,
then why isn't he in prison?
[Brad sighs]
Not enough evidence, I guess.
[Devin] It feels like there
was a lot though.
I mean, his wife
filed for divorce
and no one saw him
for, like, the whole day.
I-- I looked it up after
the detective left.
I knew her, his wife.
Not well, but I
knew who she was.
She was a little
bit older than me,
but she used to
come in the store
with her baby every
once in a while.
Was she nice?
[Brad] Yeah. She had this...
lightness about
her that kinda drew you in.
But you guys didn't
date or anything?
[Brad]
No. No, of course not.
She was married and
I was, what, 19?
She wouldn't have
been interested in me.
I'm going to the
arraignment on Wednesday.
They won't ask us to speak,
but son, you can't do what you
did at the news conference.
I'll go.
[gentle music]
-[Buffy panting]
-[mouse clicking]
-[eerie music]
-[Buffy stops panting]
[Buffy panting]
-[Buffy whining]
-[eerie music continues]
[Buffy yapping]
[Buffy continues yapping]
Okay baby.
[eerie music continues]
[Buffy whining]
-[doorbell dings]
-[door clicking open]
-Hi.
-Hi. Emily?
Yes.
Henry with We Buy Houses.
Is this a good time
to do the appraisal?
Yes. Please, come in.
[Henry] The house looks like
it's got good bones.
-[Emily] Yeah.
-[door clicks shut]
And what year was it built?
Uh, 1932, I believe.
[Henry] Square footage?
Maybe around 1400.
This is your house, right?
[Emily chuckles]
It's in my name, so yes.
My parents lived here, so I
never asked those questions.
I see.
Is the home
stigmatized in any way?
Stigmatized?
Yes, meaning is there
anything about the home
that might be undesirable
to a new owner?
For example, a sex
offender living next door,
or if a murder or a
suicide happened here?
Um, not that I know of.
Termites or asbestos?
I don't think so.
How much does a place
like this usually go for?
I've pulled the comps,
and you're looking at
between 130 and 160.
That's as-is condition
without fixing the
foundation in the basement.
-Cash.
-[Emily chuckles]
So how long does this take?
Once the seller's
agreement is signed,
about five to six business days
before we wire the
money to your account.
And once I sign off,
I don't have to
physically be here, right?
No, you can leave the
keys at our office.
Perfect.
[eerie music]
You didn't mention this.
What?
[eerie music continues]
[Alton] Emily, honey, why
would you do that?
Why did you tell
them I was arrested?
Let's just say he kind of
figured it out on his own.
Anyway, they're not going
to make an offer on it.
Screw 'em. Sell it yourself.
You're not getting
the point, Dad.
No one's gonna want it
because
you
live there
and you've been
arrested for murder.
Not true.
I mean, some people may
care, but not everybody.
Look, they've got these
"For Sale By Owner" signs
at the hardware store and
banks. I've seen them.
You go get yourself
one of those.
You want me to play
real estate agent?
No. That'll take
weeks or months.
No, it'll go fast.
You sell it at the right price
and take the time to go ahead
and paint the side
of that house.
You'll have to find a different
way to pay the retainer.
[Alton] Em, I really need
your help on this.
A good defense is the
only chance I've got.
Huh?
You think I'm guilty, don't you?
I don't know what to think.
[Alton] I did
not
touch that
girl. I swear on my life.
Well, they must have enough
evidence to charge you.
It's that crooked detective.
Yeah, he planted that evidence.
That's why we need a good
lawyer to prove to the jury
how corrupt he is.
Look, Em, I'm sorry to drag
you into this. I really am.
But you're all I got.
Everyone hates me here.
[somber music]
[door clicking]
-[door clicks shut]
-[door latches]
[gentle music]
[Emily sighs]
[gentle music continues]
[water running]
[eerie music]
[Emily] What the hell?
[Noah] Emily? Hi.
What are you doing in
my father's backyard?
He's not even here right now!
I know. Yeah, he's in jail.
We're just trying to shoot
some additional footage
for the documentary.
How'd you even know somebody
had graffiti back here?
Wait, did
you
do this
for more material?
No.
No, no, of course not!
We overheard the cops talking
at the police station.
[Emily] The cops don't even
know about this.
I haven't reported it yet.
Well, someone must
have 'cause they know.
I mean, they all know
and they're not being
terribly sympathetic about it.
But since we're here,
maybe we could get you
permission to shoot some B roll.
It's only gonna make the
documentary more compelling.
Okay,
under one condition.
[Noah] How does it feel to have
to sell your childhood home
in order to pay for your
dad's legal defense fees?
Is this off the record?
Sure.
I have no emotional attachment
to this place whatsoever,
so I couldn't care less.
Oh, come on. You
can't mean that.
This is the last place
you saw your mom.
There has to be some
good memories there.
[Emily] Yeah, but there's
plenty of bad ones too.
I used to be sitting out in
the front yard with my dad
and people would drive
by, total strangers,
and they would yell
"murderer" at him and stuff
while I'm sitting right there.
I didn't have many
friends after Mom died.
Did it get any better?
[Emily] To a degree.
Dating was pretty hard.
I never knew what to say to guys
when they asked about my family.
Yeah. Typical first
date questions.
[Emily chuckles]
[Emily] So I just avoided
the topic altogether,
but I think that creeped
them out even more.
[soft music fades]
-[curious music]
-[Buffy panting]
Buzzy Bun?
[curious music continues]
You must have left
Buzzy Bun at the park.
[Young Emily] Then we have
to go back and find him.
Oh, sweetie, he's
probably gone for good.
You hardly played
with him anyway.
You have plenty of other dolls.
[curious music continues]
[curious music continues]
[curious music continues]
[Judge] Alton Anderson,
you are being charged
with the second degree
murder of Jordyn Wasser.
You have the right
to an attorney
and the right to a speedy trial.
How do you plead?
Not guilty.
[Judge] Bail is
set to $1 million.
[gavel bangs]
[tense music]
[tense music fades]
[door clicks open]
-[door clicks open]
-Brad.
Mr. Bailey.
I-- I wanted to offer
my condolences.
[Brad] Thank you.
Um.
Devin, this is Mr. Bailey.
He was one of Jordyn's teachers.
Mine too.
Um, there are no words
at a time like this,
but I want you to know
that we understand what
you're going through.
We lost Deena's sister
under similar circumstances
22 years ago.
Ginny was Emily's mom.
She's our niece.
I didn't realize.
I'm so sorry.
You look so much like her.
I'm sorry for your loss as well.
Thank you.
[Devin] Wait, your
dad's the one that--
Devin.
That's why you're
here though, right?
-To be in his corner?
-[Brad] That's enough.
Thank you for
coming by to say hi. Um.
Obviously it's been a tough day.
We should probably get going.
If you need anything,
please let us know.
Come on.
[Alton]
A million dollars?
It seems a little
excessive, don't you think?
It's within the guidelines.
If you didn't have two
other felony convictions,
it might've been less.
Yeah, I know. I know.
This is why we gotta
get that house sold
and get me a real attorney.
I mean, you saw that guy they
had in there with me today.
I mean, he got his law degree
from a cereal box or something.
I'm trying. No one's even
called about the house yet.
Drop the price.
Dad, I need to ask you something
and I wanna know the truth.
I was going through boxes and
I found an old toy of mine.
A stuffed bunny.
Inside the bunny was
a photograph of a girl
with black hair
wearing a sexy costume.
She looked...
young. 15, 16 maybe.
Who was she?
I have no idea.
You're telling me
you didn't take
that photo and
hide it in my doll?
Why would I do that?
[Emily]
So Mom wouldn't find it?
So you could hide
it in plain sight?
That doll went missing
right before Mom died,
and the girl in the photo
looks almost the same age
as Jordyn Wasser.
If you have a thing
for underage girls...?
[Alton] No!
No, I don't!
I didn't kill Jordyn Wasser.
And I don't know anything
about this picture.
I'm handing it
over to the police.
Do you really think
that is a wise idea,
you know, considering where
I'm at right now?
If you didn't take the photo,
you have nothing to worry about.
Yeah, that's what I thought
about the search warrant,
yet... here I am.
All I know is it's not mine.
I didn't put a picture
in any bunny, okay?
And if you turn that in,
you might as well just put a
noose around my neck right now.
Don't do that.
Don't.
Don't.
[eerie music]
[dogs barking distantly]
[Noah sighs]
[knocking on door]
[door clicking open]
Hi.
Thanks for coming.
[Noah] No, thank you.
You saved me from a
dark editing room.
[Emily laughs]
Come in.
[Noah] Is there a lab in town
called Photo Lead?
In Meyersville, it's
about 40 miles away.
I Googled it.
It went outta
business years ago.
Mm-hm.
So what do those numbers mean?
Well, back when they used
to shoot photos on film,
they had a hard time matching
the picture up
with the negative.
So they would print which
number it was on the roll.
That way, if you needed a
duplicate or an enlargement,
you were sure you
had the right one.
So this one is a 19th
photo in the roll.
Exactly, the six digit
numbers after that
is the date was processed.
So April 22nd, 1999.
It doesn't tell us when
it was taken though.
Film can sit in a camera
for a long time
until it's developed.
So what do you think?
I think finding a girl based
off a 20-year-old photo
is almost impossible.
She's gotta look different now.
[Emily] I have to try.
If she can tell me
who took this photo
or why ended up in my doll,
it might fill in
some missing pieces.
Let's say that we do find her
and let's say that your
dad did take the photo
of her underage.
Is that something you
really wanna know?
Emily, this isn't gonna tell you
if he killed Jordyn
or even your mom.
[Emily] No, but at least I'll
know if he told me the truth.
If he's lying about this
photo, then I know he's a liar.
And that's more than I know now.
And if he was honest?
If he had nothing to do with it?
What then?
Then I need to figure out why
my doll went missing right
before my mom disappeared
and how this photo
ended up inside it.
[Deeks] So the owner of the lab
died five years ago,
but I was able to
track down her husband.
He said she didn't keep any
records of any of the customers.
That's disappointing.
Not so fast. I'm not done.
That photo was taken
at a Kipsie Motel.
How do you know that?
Look at the cup
on the nightstand.
It's small, but you
can see the logo.
He's right. Look.
Look, it's right there.
[contemplative music]
That's amazing.
Here's a list of all
the Kipsie Motels
within a 50 mile radius.
A few have closed, a few
have changed ownership,
but there are a lot that haven't
Deeks, I had no idea You
were so good at research!
Are you sure you
don't wanna go with us
on a grand tour of the
Kipsie Motels tomorrow?
[Emily]
I have a lot of writing to do.
Well, maybe we can--
-Thanks, man.
-[Emily chuckles]
Well, maybe we can meet up
for dinner tomorrow night
and I can let you know
what we find out it?
It'd be just me.
Deeks has plans.
-He does?
-[Noah] Yeah.
Something about a strip
club and a psychic reading.
I'm not really sure.
Oh, how about
dinner here instead?
Yeah. What time?
7:00?
Sounds great. I
will see you then.
[lighthearted music]
[door creaks]
[door clicks shut]
[lock rattles]
[Emily exhales happily]
So the community
has
you
to thank
for solving the
Jordyn Wasser murder?
I was the lead detective, yes,
but I had a great team of
men and women behind me.
I've always said that Newbury
Grove PD is one of the best.
The man allegedly responsible
for this, Alton Anderson,
was a prime suspect in a murder
you investigated 22
years ago, wasn't he?
The Ginny Anderson case?
That's correct, I
even arrested him,
but the D.A. refused to charge
him based on lack of evidence.
Do you think Jordyn
would be alive today
if Alton Anderson
had been convicted?
I can't speak to the D.A.'s
perspective at the time.
All I can say is that
based on my investigation,
I felt certain that we had
a strong case against
Anderson then,
and we certainly do now.
[Reporter] Is it true Jordyn
Wasser was killed
in the same manner
as Ginny Anderson?
I can't comment on that.
[Reporter] Do you plan to reopen
that cold case if Alton is
convicted
for the murder of Jordyn Wasser?
I'd like nothing more.
If you'll excuse me.
Thank you, Detective.
That was Detective Carl Gates
with the Newbury Grove
Police Department.
Back to you in the studio
[closet door creaks]
[quiet, relaxed music]
[quiet, relaxed music continues]
Eight motels and only one
clerk was even old enough
to be employed when
the photo was taken.
He says he doesn't
remember seeing her,
but I get the sense he doesn't
remember the '90s at all.
[Emily chuckles]
Well, it was a long shot.
[Noah]
So, what's the next step?
Well, I was thinking if
she was 15 or 16 in 1999,
then that would mean she's
in her late thirties now.
So maybe someone
around that same age
would remember her
from high school.
Smart.
Are you sure you don't
wanna pursue a career
in investigative documentaries?
[Emily laughs]
[doorbell dings]
Expecting someone?
No.
[door clicks open]
[Deena]
I found an entire box of photos!
[Deena chuckles]
Oh, you look so nice!
Are you--?
Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry I didn't
call before dropping by.
[Emily]
No, it's okay.
Noah's just here for
some follow-up questions
for the documentary.
Oh, you are filming!
Not yet, but soon.
Well, um, don't let me keep you.
There are a lot of really
great photos in here.
Brought back some memories.
Thank you so much.
[Deena]
You are so welcome, sweetie.
Okay, good night.
[Emily] You too.
[door clicks shut]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[Buffy whines]
Um...
Maybe we can take
this to your room?
I have a pretty small bed.
[Noah]
What about your dad's room?
Or-- Or is that weird?
Let's try my room.
[gentle music]
[curious music]
[curious music continues]
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
[Buffy barking]
-Whoa. Easy, Buffy, easy.
-[Buffy barking]
-Shh!
-[Buffy barking]
-Quiet, quiet, quiet.
-[Buffy barking]
[Buffy barking]
What's going on? What
are you doing in here?
Hey, could you
call your dog off?
What are you doing
in my father's room?
[Noah] Emily, I was just
curious. That's all.
Are you taking pictures?
Video. I'll erase it.
I should have known.
[Noah] No, no, no. It's not
like that, I swear!
You tried to convince my father
to let you in here to film
and he wouldn't let you,
so you used me to
get what you wanted?
[Noah] No! No!
Emily, I like you a lot.
Like, I just-- I thought
maybe there was
something in here I could see
that would help us
figure out who the girl
in the photograph was.
I no longer need
your help with that.
Now get out.
I will call the cops, I mean it.
[serious music]
[Buffy growls]
[Emily] Trust me. I'm cutting
all ties with him.
What a slime ball.
Hmm.
Now that Alton's been arrested,
there's no real reason for
the documentary anymore.
Not for Jordyn's murder, but
my mom's case is still open.
[Deena]
Hmm. Technically, yes.
But we all know.
Noah was helping me
with something else too.
What?
[suspicious music]
[suspicious music continues]
This is really disturbing.
I know. Dad swears he didn't
take the picture,
but I'm wondering if
this wasn't the reason
Mom was leaving him.
Where did you find it?
Sewn into a toy packed
in a box to be donated.
You know, your
mother never told me
why she was filing for divorce.
She used to tell me about all
of her problems with Alton.
How he would drink too much
and spend all their money.
It was really hard
hearing how miserable
my sister was.
Naturally, I encouraged
her to leave.
I even told her that you two
could come and live with us.
-She didn't wanna do that?
-[Deena] No, she
did.
She did for a couple of days,
but then he talked her into
coming back and she went home.
After that, she never really
talked to me about Alton again.
Somehow I became the
person that was trying
to break up their marriage.
Hmm. That happens in
dysfunctional relationships.
[Deena] Yes. And theirs was
very dysfunctional.
I can see how finding
something like this
might've been the last
straw for her though.
Threatening to expose it
might have been the thing
that got her killed.
[Emily sighs]
Noah was trying to
help me find this girl.
Now I have to do
that on my own too.
[Deena] Find her? Why?
To confirm whether my
dad took the picture.
[Deena]
Well, who else could have?
[Emily]
When I asked him about it,
he swore he'd never
even
seen
the photo.
I kind of believe him.
Be very, very careful, Emily.
Your father has a way of
convincing people of his lies.
[suspicious music]
[car engine purring]
[notification blips]
I can do this, right?
[door clicks open]
[door clicks shut]
[light steps on walkway]
[light birds chirping distantly]
[doorbell dings]
-[door clicks open]
-[door creaking]
[Emily]
Hi, Devin. Is your dad home?
[Emily]
I know this is really awkward.
[Brad] No, you're a victim
just like we are.
I'm sure it hasn't been easy
for you all these years.
Thank you. It hasn't.
I'm here because I'm trying to
make some sense of everything
And I can understand that,
but I'm not sure how I can help.
Me either, but uh, you are
the only one I know
that's the right age.
I'm trying to figure out who
the girl in this picture is.
In 1999, she looked
to be about 16,
which would put her
right around your age.
I'm not sure if she went to
school here in Newbury Grove,
but if she did, maybe
you remember her.
-[Devin] Is that Mom?
-[Brad] Where did you get this?
I'm so sorry. I had no
idea that was your wife.
-I just thought--
-Where?
It was hidden in my dad's house.
[Devin]
Get the hell out of our house!
I didn't mean to upset
your father. I was just--
[Devin] She's evil,
just like her dad!
No, just wait.
Dad.
[Brad]
Look. She's not like her father.
[Devin] Dad.
She's not!
[tense music]
I am so sorry.
I shouldn't have come here.
[Brad] No, don't leave.
Karen was three years
younger than me,
so I didn't know
her in high school.
One night after we were married,
we got to talking about regrets.
She told me that in high
school she had an affair
with an older man
who was married.
I pressed her to tell me
who, but she never did.
She didn't give me many details,
so I got the sense that she
was pressured into doing things
that she didn't
necessarily want to do.
So I'm guessing that older man
must have been your father.
What a disgusting...
piece of garbage.
Yeah.
[somber music]
[door clicks open]
-[tense music]
-[Emily breathing heavily]
[Emily breathing heavily]
[Emily exhales]
[curious music]
[gentle, calm music]
Devin?
[tense music]
Devin, I know why you painted
what you did on
my father's house.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I know you really hate him.
I'm sure a lot of
people hate him,
Including me.
[Devin sniffles]
I didn't even wanna
come out here.
Just sometimes you have to
do things you don't wanna do.
I can tell you,
you're never going
to get over your
sister's murder.
It never goes away.
[gentle, calm music]
Some people think you
can forgive the person
who took her away from you,
but I don't think
that's possible.
I'll never forgive your dad.
[Emily]
No one's asking you to.
All you can do is
honor Jordyn's memory.
I know that's easier
said than done.
[gentle, calm music continues]
Let's see.
[quiet music]
-[Emily chuckles]
-[Buffy panting happily]
[phone ringing]
[phone clinks on table]
[gentle music]
[Noah]
Emily, it's Noah.
I wanted to apologize.
I shouldn't have done what I did
and I erased everything
from my phone.
So, I'm sorry.
I still want to
help you figure out
who the girl in the photo
was, so please call me back.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[Gates]
Hi, Noah. It's Detective Gates.
How's the documentary coming?
I'm surprised you
care, Detective.
I got to thinking maybe I
was a little rash before.
No harm in participating.
That is if you still
want me on camera.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Why don't you come by the
station tomorrow about 1:00
and we'll get you
set up in my office.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
[eerie music]
[eerie music fades]
[doorbell dings]
-[door clicks]
-[door creaks open]
[Emily] Uncle Pete, hi!
Good morning. How's donut sound?
Perfect timing, I was just
starting to get hungry.
Deena told me about the photo.
Oh.
I thought maybe I could
fill in some of the blanks.
Please.
I caught your dad
and Karen Wasser.
She's the girl in photo,
except her last name
was Senkowski back then.
Coming out of the Kipsie
Motel in Ashbrook one day.
She was one of my students.
Did you say something?
[Pete]
No, no, I drove off.
At the time, your mom
was getting really close
to leaving your father.
I figured if I told her,
she might actually do it;
file for divorce.
And I didn't want to tip my
hand, or her hand, to Alton
by letting him
know I'd seen him.
I think she confronted
him with this information
and I also think that's
why... he killed her.
[Emily]
So
not
for the insurance money?
No, I never really
thought it was about that.
Can I see the photo you
showed Deena yesterday?
[suspenseful music]
Oh, don't take it out.
There might be fingerprints
or something on it.
Of course.
[suspenseful music continues]
So, Mom never saw this photo?
[Pete] If she did, she never
showed it to us.
I could tell you she
was definitely surprised
and upset when I broke the news.
I'm sure she was.
I should have alerted the
police, let them handle it.
[Emily] After Mom died, you
let me stay with Dad
knowing he was interested
in underage girls?
Deena and I tried to
get custody of you.
Your father refused
to give you up.
So we decided to
keep as close an eye
on the situation as we could.
The more we fought for you,
the more we risked him taking
you away from us completely.
I can understand that.
[Pete]
Did he... ever hurt you?
No. Never.
I never wanted to trash
your father to you.
I mean, he's
still
your flesh and blood.
That's why we never told you.
That's why Deena didn't tell
you all of this yesterday.
It's okay. I need to
know who he really is.
I'm learning he is way worse
than I ever thought I could be.
[tense music]
[Noah] Jordyn Wasser's body was
found in the same wooded area
as Ginny Anderson's, wasn't it?
That's correct,
about 40 yards apart.
And the killings were
similar in nature?
Yes.
[Noah] Are these the only
reasons you're so sure
Alton Anderson killed
both Ginny and Jordyn.
I have a lot more physical
and circumstantial
evidence than that.
Anderson placed
himself at Benji's
the night Jordyn was killed.
We have security
footage of his SUV
leaving the parking
lot with her.
And of course we
have the evidence
obtained from the
search warrant.
And what did you find there?
I can't comment at this time.
[Noah] Anderson believes that
the evidence you found at his
house was planted.
How do you react to that?
Sounds like someone
who doesn't wanna
take accountability to me.
[Noah]
But isn't it possible
that somebody else might have
killed Jordyn and set him up?
No, some of the details
in the Anderson case
were never released
to the public.
Details that were the same
as in the Wasser murder.
Example?
[Gates]
In the Anderson case,
we released the cause of
death of strangulation,
but we never said what
kind or with what.
Both victims were killed
by ligature
strangulation with twine.
Only the killer would know that.
-[door clicks open]
-[door creaks]
-[door clicks shut]
-[lock latches]
Looks can be deceiving,
right, Buffy?
[Buffy panting]
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
[Emily exhales in disbelief]
[music fades]
[Noah] They're definitely from
the same role of film.
Who took this one?
[Emily] Uncle Pete. He's the
only one not in the photo.
Could it have been
your dad's camera
and he gave it to your
uncle to take the photo?
No. My dad would never
spend money on a camera.
Uncle Pete was always the one
taking photos at family events.
[Noah] It makes sense then
why he would suddenly
try to convince
you it was your dad
who went to the
motel with Karen.
Uncle Pete has worked
with kids his entire life.
He's a high school
teacher, for god's sake!
An apple for the teacher.
Let me guess. He was
Jordyn's teacher too?
[Emily]
He was. Brad mentioned it
when we talked to him
at the arraignment.
[Noah] What if your dad didn't
kill Jordyn, and Pete did.
Your dad is claiming someone's
framing him for murder.
[eerie music]
This is a bad
idea. We should go.
If we're wrong about this...
How else are we gonna
know if Pete had an alibi
the night Jordyn was killed?
Let's ask him.
[Noah chuckles]
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be honest.
I feel like I'm destroying
my entire family.
Hey, you're not
destroying anything.
You're just trying to...
[sighs]
...uncover the truth.
I meant what I said
on the voicemail.
[Emily] What was that?
-I deleted it before listening.
-[Noah chuckles]
I said that I erased the video.
Hmm.
And I'm sorry.
And I'm really glad that
you decided to call me
once you found out that the
picture came from Pete's camera.
I didn't say that in voicemail.
I'm just adding it now.
I only called because
I thought you might
help me sort this out.
Yeah, but so could Deeks.
Why didn't you call him?
[Gates] Come on back.
[suspenseful music]
And you're certain
Pete Bailey took this?
We know it's his camera.
He took another photo in
the same roll of film.
I think if you test that
photo, you'll find his prints.
All right.
Run this down to the lab myself.
Thank you.
[Gates] Emily, I know you
don't wanna believe
that your father
could have done this.
If we're wrong about this
and my dad really
did kill Jordyn,
then he belongs behind bars.
I just want answers is all.
[motorcycle roaring distantly]
[Noah] I think I should give
myself a little more credit
For what?
Well, I got you to
finally leave the house
-and come join me at a bar.
-[Emily] Mm-hm.
You must feel safe with me.
You have a really high opinion
of yourself, don't you?
Well, I'm more interested
in
your
opinion of me.
Mm. Not gonna take the bait
on that one, but nice try.
You know, I'm still surprised
that you thought it was me
who vandalized your dad's house.
I know it wasn't you.
[Noah] Oh?
Who was it then?
Mm-mm.
Everything I say can and
will be held against me
in a documentary.
[Noah] Not true.
Anything that happens
between us is...
off the record.
Is it?
[phone ringing]
Hi, Detective. Did
you speak to my uncle?
I just got back from
there. Pete has an alibi.
He and his wife were
at the awards dinner
for the school
district all night.
He even called the principal
and he confirmed that he was
there and what time he left.
I see.
I haven't gotten anything
back from the photo yet,
but I'll let you
know as soon as I do.
-Thank you. Good night.
-[Gates]
Good night.
Wasn't him.
[suspenseful music]
[gloomy music]
Why else would that
detective have shown up here?
Emily had to have
turned in that photo.
So now he'll go tell her
you had nothing to do
with Jordyn's murder.
Just relax.
And what about Karen?
Is there a statute
of limitations
for sleeping with
an underage girl?
Honey, Karen's gone.
Without her, there's
no case anymore.
I regret it every day.
I forgave you for the affair.
And you have to forgive yourself
When your sister died, I
thought all this died with her.
Well, Ginny was never very
good at keeping secrets.
Not even from the grave.
[Emily]
Even if Pete didn't kill Jordyn,
there's no doubt he was
the one exploiting Karen.
Yeah, he's disgusting.
And I'm pretty sure
my mom's murder
is somehow connected
to that photo.
There's no way that
timing's a coincidence.
That bunny disappeared
right before she did.
[Noah] Detective Gates said that
the details in Jordyn's murder
were similar to your mom's,
but only the killer
would know that.
And the police never
released that to the public.
But they know.
-[Noah] Who?
-The cops.
It's not true that
only the killer
would have access
to those details.
Anyone on that police force
would have access
to those details.
True.
[Emily] Let's just say for a
second that Pete did kill my mom
because she found the photo
and was going to turn him in.
And then some dirty
cop kills Jordyn
and decides to
frame my dad for it.
They know he was a suspect
of my mom's murder,
so they killed
Jordyn the same way
and then try to make it
seem like he did both
since only the killer would
have access to those details.
I mean, it's possible.
But why would a cop
kill a 17-year-old girl?
Maybe Uncle Pete isn't the only
sexual predator
in Newbury Grove.
[Noah] Thanks again for
doing this, Detective.
We just have a few
follow up questions.
Oh no, not at all.
Happy to help.
-[eerie music]
-We're rolling.
Detective Gates, was Jordyn
Wasser sexually assaulted?
Do you mean was
Ginny
Anderson
sexually assaulted?
[Noah]
No. No, I meant Jordyn.
You were the lead investigator
on both cases, right?
Uh, yes.
[Noah] And neither victim was
sexually assaulted, correct?
Correct, that's another
similarity between them.
[Noah] You've been getting
a lot of good press
for solving the Wasser case.
Even got on the news.
I wouldn't say it
was good or bad.
They asked me a
question about the case
and I gave a statement.
[Noah] But this isn't the
norm for you, is it?
You took a lot of heat
for botching the Anderson
case 20 years ago.
I didn't "botch" anything.
The evidence I had against
Alton Anderson was solid.
[Noah]
And entirely circumstantial.
I've seen plenty of cases won
on circumstantial evidence.
Really just depends on how
hard the D.A. wants to work.
Or not.
[Noah] And what would you
do if you discovered
that there's an innocent
man in jail right now
because your investigation went
down the wrong rabbit hole?
Luckily, that's
not the situation.
This interview is over.
Okay.
[eerie music fades]
[Alton] What is that?
Oh, let me guess.
Is that a confession
you want me to sign?
[Gates] It's something that
can help your case.
I need you to take
a look at that photo
and tell me if you
recognize the girl.
Nope, never seen her.
[Detective Gates] I
need you to actually
look at the photo.
Go on, pick it up.
[Alton laughing]
So you can get my
fingerprints all over it?
Are you insane?
Not a chance.
Why do you insist on sabotaging
your own case at every turn?
You don't need my help for that.
You're sabotaging my
case all on your own.
Take him back to his cage.
[suspenseful music]
Sorry to ruin your
day, Detective.
-[suspenseful music continues]
-[door clatters open
-[loud thud on desk]
-[door clatters shut]
I didn't botch anything.
The evidence I had against
Alton Anderson was solid.
[Noah]
And entirely
circumstantial.
[Gates]
I've seen plenty of
cases won on circumstantial
evidence.
It really just depends on how
hard the DA wants to work.
Or not.
[Noah] Seems pretty
upset at the D.A.
But now that my dad's been
arrested for a second murder,
it seems like Gates
was right all along.
[Noah]
Exactly. Vindication.
[Emily] But that would mean
he killed a girl
just to prove he was
right about my dad.
Who does that?
Somebody who's been living
under constant ridicule
for the last 20 years.
[Noah] I spent a lot of time
researching the newspaper
archives of The
Newbury Grove Times.
-And?
-[Noah] Countless op-ed pieces
about how the department,
specifically Gates,
screwed up the case.
And he's been living
with it this whole time.
He doesn't care that he
killed an innocent girl,
just like he doesn't care
that your dad's gonna spend
the rest of his life in prison
for something he didn't do.
You think he's innocent?
So do I.
Dad, I want to prove that
you didn't do this but I--
[Alton]
You believe me now?
[Alton sobs]
[Emily]
Dad, I need your help.
I need to know where to start.
[Alton sniffs]
Okay.
Start with the evidence.
Yes.
I was at the restaurant that
night when Jordyn disappeared,
but they said they had
my SUV on tape at 11:00,
but I left long before 9:00.
So whatever SUV they've
got on tape, it's not mine.
[tense music]
[gentle, curious music]
So for the camera to
have picked up the SUV,
Jordyn would've come
through this door
and walked in this direction,
which means the SUV would've
driven from this direction.
[Emily]
So the camera would've picked up
the passenger side of the SUV.
Which makes it impossible
to see who was driving
or even the license plates.
No, actually, that's perfect.
There's a dent in the
passenger side of my dad's SUV.
He hit a car in a parking lot
a week before
Jordyn went missing.
[manager] The police took the
security footage
from that night.
-Did you ever see it?
-No, I was working
when the detective came,
I never watched it.
But I
did
see the
SUV that drove past
right after I let Jordyn out.
You did?
Was there a dent in the door?
It was dark out, but I'm
pretty sure there was no dent.
Thank you for your time.
Could your dad have
gotten the door fixed
before Jordyn was killed?
There's one way to find out.
[intercom]
Attention.
All towing and storage fees
must be paid before vehicles
can be released from impound.
Now that's a dent.
Yeah, it'd be hard
not to notice this.
[Emily] My dad said this
happened a few weeks ago.
Gates must have rented a car
that was similar to your dad's.
Maybe he didn't
know about the dent?
He didn't.
My dad just gave the guy money
and they both drove away.
Did we--
Did we just prove
that your dad's car
wasn't there that night?
I think we did.
[both laughing]
So you believed Detective Gates
followed your father
around for weeks,
saw that he frequented the
restaurant where Jordyn worked,
then murdered Jordyn and
framed your father for it?
Yes.
And that's why my dad needs a
good attorney like yourself.
[Noah] Gates was the only one
who knew the details
of Ginny Anderson's case.
We think he murdered
Jordyn the same way
to prove he was
right 22 years ago.
Why would he do that?
The people in Newbury Grove
already think that he
botched the investigation
into Ginny's death.
[Emily] If you look at the
evidence used from my father's
house, I'm sure you
will not find any
of his fingerprints on anything.
I think Detective
Gates planted it
when he executed
the search warrant.
[Noah] And we think we know
who killed Ginny.
Who?
My uncle, Pete Bailey.
I think my mom discovered proof
that he was with
an underage girl,
and he murdered her to
keep her from revealing it.
[Noah]
Pete had motive and access.
He knew where Ginny and
Alton's spare key was hidden,
and he went into the house
to look for Ginny the
day she went missing.
Can I see this photo?
Oh no.
I gave it to Detective Gates.
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates
[Receptionist]
Detective,
there's someone
from Internal Affairs
here to see you.
[door clattering]
[Buffy toy squeaks]
[Emily gasps]
[Emily]
Deena, you scared me.
They found Pete's fingerprints
on the photograph.
They arrested him.
I'm so sorry.
Are you?
You're the one who
told them he took it.
He did.
What were you trying
to accomplish?
It happened two
decades ago, Emily!
Karen is gone!
She died of leukemia a year
ago, so what was the point?
You were just trying to hurt me?
You were just
trying to hurt Pete?
Deena, he shouldn't
be working with kids.
It happened once, that's all!
He's never done anything
like that since!
Wait, you knew about this?
[Deena weeps]
Why didn't you just
come to me, Emily? Why?
Before the cops.
After everything that Pete
and I have done for you!
I should go.
[Deena]
You are just like your mother!
I told her to just
leave it alone,
but she couldn't let it go!
Oh my God!
[Deena] Ginny brought all
of this on herself.
-[Buffy whining]
-I asked her
to just give me the photo
and just pretend like none
of this ever happened,
but she refused!
I knew that Ginny couldn't
keep this a secret.
I knew it!
[Buffy barking]
What would people say about me
if they knew that my husband
was screwing a teenager?
You know, of all people,
how people talk.
[barking continues]
So you stood by and let your
husband kill your own sister?
[Deena]
Pete didn't kill Ginny!
I did
!
I had to!
I had too much to lose!
[Emily yelps]
[Buffy barking]
Ginny fought the same way!
-[Emily struggling]
-[Buffy barking]
[Buffy barking]
-[Emily struggling]
-[Deena struggling]
[barking continues]
[Deena struggling]
-[Buffy barking]
-[Buffy growling]
[Buffy barking]
-[loud swipe of knife]
-[Emily yelps]
[Buffy snarling]
[Emily breathing raggedly]
[Buffy barking and growling]
[Deena]
Emily, call your dog off!
[Buffy barking]
Good boy, Buffy.
[panting]
Good boy.
-[Buffy snarling]
-[Buffy barking]
Call 911.
[Buffy barking]
[gentle music]
[Noah] So Alton, how does it
feel to be a free man?
Feels fantastic.
And I've got my daughter
to thank for that.
What are you gonna do first?
Well, I think I'm gonna
take that for sale sign
out of the front yard,
and then I'm gonna cook up
some big old juicy steaks,
[Emily laughs]
and uh, Nigel, you're invited.
Noah, Dad. [laughs]
Oh. No--
Oh, that's right. I'm sorry--
Noah. Noah, you're invited.
Now, let's go 'cause I'm hungry.
[Emily chuckling]
[gentle, lighthearted music]
-[Emily chuckles]
-[Alton sighs in relief]
-[gentle music]
-[Brad exhales heavily]
Hey, I am so sorry
for your loss.
Thank you.
And, um, good luck.
[gentle music continues]
[Emily] For 22 years, my dad
lived under a cloud of suspicion
and now he can finally
leave that all behind him.
We both can.
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[remote clicks]
[gentle music continues]
I love it.
Sold at a network.
-It premieres next month.
-[Emily chuckles]
Do you wanna go downtown and
celebrate at that sushi spot?
Let me get my jacket.
-Come on, Buffy.
-[Buffy whining]
[gentle music fades]
[gentle, calm music]
[gentle, calm music continues]
[loud, proud music]
[bright music]
-[film reel rolling]
-[suspenseful music]
[groovy tune]
[gentle instrumental music]
[Noah] What do you
remember most about your mother?
I was only seven when she--
[Noah] Take your time, Emily.
We didn't have much to
do in Newbury Grove,
so we would play
in the backyard.
We used to go down the slide
and pretend it would
take me somewhere else.
She'd ask where we should go,
and...
I didn't know many places,
so I usually said California.
[Mother]
Oh, look at Emily!
I see palm trees!
We must be getting close!
[Emily]
She had a great way of
making everything a lot of fun.
[Noah] That must've been
hard; growing up without her.
Do you wanna talk about that?
Can I have a minute?
Uh, yeah. Of course.
Camera cuts.
[Emily exhales quietly]
[Noah] Hey, I know these
questions are tough,
but the more the audience
can connect with you,
the more they're gonna
be willing to help.
So don't hold back, okay?
Okay. [sighs]
[Deeks] Rolling.
If the killer was
watching right now,
is there anything you would
like to say to him or her?
Just that...
the world became
a lot darker 22 years ago.
She was such a happy,
beautiful, bright light.
And I guess I wanna know why.
Why her?
What could you possibly have
gained from killing my mom?
[tense music]
[Noah] Hey, do you think if I
could scrape up some cash,
your dad would talk to me?
I'm sure he wants this case
solved as much as you do.
Once he says no, he
rarely changes his mind.
Yeah, but I mean,
you
could talk to him, right?
Just tell him that this is
probably gonna be on a streamer
and a lot of people
are gonna see it.
It's gonna be huge.
My dad and I don't really have
that great of a
relationship, so--
Why is that?
Oh it has nothing to do with
what happened to my mom.
You have the info for my
aunt and uncle still, right?
[Noah] Yeah, yeah, yeah. I
talked to 'em already.
I'm gonna head down to
Newbury Grove this weekend
to tape their interview.
And I reached out
to Detective Gates,
the one who handled
your mom's case,
but he hasn't gotten
back to me yet.
Well, if there's anything
else I can help you with,
let me know.
[Noah] Well, I should have a cut
done by the end of the month.
Maybe I could bring it over here
and we could watch it together?
We'll see.
Great. I'll see you soon.
-[tense music]
-[door creaking]
-[door clicks shut]
-[door latches]
-[door clicks open]
-[entry bell jingling]
-Goodnight.
-Goodnight.
[tense music continues]
-[light footsteps]
-[siren wailing distantly]
[train horn blares distantly]
[dogs barking distantly]
[eerie music]
[horn honks]
Oh, hey.
[car engine idling]
[train horn blares]
[trains rumbling over tracks]
[inaudible dialog]
[car door thuds]
[car engine purrs]
[eerie music fading]
[pan sizzling]
Okay. Go tell your sister
to get a move on.
If she can't set an
alarm, that's her problem.
[Brad]
No, it's
my
problem
'cause I gotta take
your sister to school
and be ready for
my meeting at 9:00.
Go.
Jordyn, stop spending so
much time on your makeup.
It doesn't help anyway.
[tense music]
-Hey, Dad?
-Yeah.
[Devin] I don't think she
came home last night.
[grim music]
[phone ringing]
[eerie music]
[Brad]
That photo was taken last week.
[Gates] I'll get this out
to the press today
and nearby agencies.
[Brad] She's never stayed
out all night before,
so I know something happened.
When's the last time
you saw your daughter?
[Brad] I dropped her off at
Benji's. That's where she works.
Do you normally drop
her off at work?
[Brad] No, when she got outta
school, she had two flat tires,
so I called a tow and then
I went to pick her up.
What time does her shift end?
[Brad]
Between 11:00, 11:30.
[Gates] And how is she planning
on getting home?
[Brad]
We didn't talk about that.
I assumed that she
would either call me
or she would get a
ride from a coworker.
That's what she used to do
when she didn't have a car.
Has she broken up with
a boyfriend recently?
-No.
-Has she complained
about anyone harassing
her at school?
Work?
Other employees?
Customers?
[Brad]
No, no, no. Nothing like that.
She always answers her phone.
We're gonna do everything
we can to find her, okay?
[phone ringing]
Word Nexus Proofreading
Services. This is Emily.
[Alton]
Hey, don't hang up.
Hey, I just want you to know
I was in a little, uh,
fender bender last week.
A guy came out of nowhere
happened in the parking lot
of the Thirsty Hornet.
And before you asked,
no, I wasn't drunk.
I just ended up
giving him some cash
and he forgot all about it.
So you need money now? Is
that what you're calling?
[Alton]
No, I don't need money.
I was just letting you know
in case Deena or anybody else
told you something about it.
How would Deena know?
[Alton]
Well, there's a dent
on my passenger door.
I mean, you know I can fix that.
Okay.
What did you really
call to tell me?
That hack Nathan called.
Said you did the interview.
Noah.
And yes, I did.
[Alton]
Whatever. Why?
You know why.
[Alton]
He's a sleaze bag,
exploiting your mom's
death for entertainment.
It's not gonna convince anyone
to suddenly come forward.
-Can't hurt to try.
-[Alton]
Yes, it can!
Em,
this documentary is
gonna open up a can of worms
that you don't want opened.
Why don't you listen
to anything I say?
Maybe because you're
always too drunk
to know what you're saying.
[Alton]
Stop dragging
up the past, Em.
Just let that go.
[compelling music]
[phone thuds on counter]
[Buffy panting happily]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
You ready for your walk, boy?
Huh, Buffy boy, you ready?
-Okay. Okay.
-[Buffy whines]
We can go.
Come on!
[Emily chuckles]
I'm here at Benji's
Burgers in Newbury Grove,
where 17-year-old Jordyn Wasser
was last seen around 11:30 PM.
[light chatter]
[Gates] I'll be in touch if I
need any additional information.
Thank you.
[light chatter]
-Alt!
-[Alton sighs]
Long time, no see.
Not long enough.
I hear you're spending
a lot more of your time
with patrol these days.
You here to eat something or
just harass the customers?
I'm investigating a case.
Who got murdered?
What makes you think
someone was murdered?
You're a homicide
detective, aren't you?
At least in title, anyway.
[Alton] Jordyn?
[Gates] You know her?
Yeah, I know her.
She works here, I eat here.
Of course I know her.
When's the last
time you saw her?
Did something happen to her?
Answer my question first.
Yeah. Here.
Last night.
[Gates] So, right before
she went missing?
You're barking up the
wrong tree, Detective.
That's not unusual
for you though, is it?
Nice chat.
A little advice.
They have the hard stuff
if you're gonna drive.
I wasn't even at the legal
limit and you know it!
[door clicking]
What?
Mind your business.
[quiet music]
[phone notification blips]
[quiet music continues]
[Reporter] I
'm here at Benji's
Burgers in Newbury Grove,
where 17-year-old Jordyn
Wasser was last seen
around 11:30 PM on Thursday.
She was still
wearing her uniform
when she came out this door,
walked that direction,
and vanished.
[knocking on door]
[door handle rattling]
[door clicks open]
[Noah] Mrs. Bailey?
Noah! Nice to meet
you. Call me Deena.
Please come in.
[Noah] Thank you.
[Noah] Tell me about the day
your sister went missing.
Um, I knew something was wrong
when she didn't pick Emily up.
I'm so sorry. Can I start again?
I can do better.
-[Noah] Please.
-Okay.
[Deena clears her throat]
I knew something was wrong
when she didn't pick
Emily up from school.
Em's teacher called me
to come and get her,
so I sent Pete over to the
house to check things out
before I took her home.
You didn't want Emily
to walk in on her mother
in case something
bad had happened?
Exactly.
So you were the first
one to go into the house.
I was.
[Noah]
And what did you find there?
Um.
Everything looked fine.
There was nothing to suggest
to break-in or anything.
The the door was locked?
[Pete] Yeah, but I knew she kept
a key under the planter
and that's how I let myself in.
[Noah] And where was your
sister's husband at the time?
Alton?
Alton told the police
he was clearing debris
off a friend's property,
alone.
'Cause, you know,
lifting heavy logs
is something we often
do all by ourself.
[Noah] And you obviously
don't believe him?
Would you?
Well, it's hard to
know what to believe
when it comes to Alton.
[mouse clicks]
[gentle suspenseful music]
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates.
[Officer]
Units confirming
a 1054 near the river.
Caucasian female.
Quarter mile north
of Salt Pass Road.
Copy. On my way.
[phone clicks]
[car engine purring]
[doors thud shut]
-[Noah] Alton Anderson?
-Yeah?
Noah Vargas. It's
nice to meet you.
Get off my property.
I just want to ask you
a couple of questions
about your wife.
I can even pay you.
Get the hell off my property!
What is this?
Did you kill your
wife, Mr. Anderson?
Get out of my face!
[Noah] Why are you so opposed
to this documentary?
-Go to hell!
-[Noah grunts]
[tense music]
-[loud thudding]
-[Noah grunting]
[tense music continues]
[Deeks] Camera cuts.
-[door slams]
-That's exactly what we needed.
[tense music fading]
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music continues]
[suspenseful music continues]
[Gates]
I need to show you a photo
and you can let me
know if it's her.
[photo slides over table]
[quiet somber music]
Is it Jordyn?
[Brad] Yeah.
Yeah.
[Brad sniffles]
Devin!
I'm so sorry.
How?
How'd she die?
[Gates] We'll know once they
complete the autopsy.
Our office is preparing a
statement for the media,
and if you feel up to it,
it's usually helpful
for a family member
to make a statement as well.
[Pete] Hey, Detective!
Pete Bailey.
You worked my sister-in-law's
case, Ginny Anderson.
Oh, right. Yeah.
Pete. Yeah.
Any news yet on Jordyn Wasser?
Did you know her?
I teach at the high school.
She was in my history class.
"Was"?
Yeah, last semester.
Smart girl. Quiet but
friendly with everyone.
I just hope she's okay.
Well, I can assure you
we're working around
the clock on it.
I'm sure you are.
Like you did with Ginny?
[door clanks]
You had him!
You had him in the palm of
your hand and you did nothing!
[car engine starts up]
[car screeches off]
[somber music]
While we still don't
know the manner of death,
we do know that the
cause is homicide.
We believe Jordyn was abducted
between the 1200
block of Sycamore
and the 1600 block of Magnolia.
If anyone saw anything
suspicious in that area,
please contact us.
I know Jordyn's father would
like to say a few words
[Brad]
I never imagined I'd
be standing here today
asking for your help to
find my daughter's killer.
But here I am.
Where no should have to be.
But those of you who knew Jordyn
knew she was kind and nice.
She brought happiness
wherever she went.
We need to find who did this.
We need justice for Jordyn.
And I'm asking as a father
to please help us
find her killer.
[Devin]
I just wanna say, to
whoever did this,
I know you're watching.
I'm gonna find you and
I'll take you out myself
if I have to.
You killed my sister!
Why!
[Devin crying]
This is obviously
a family in pain.
[remote clicks]
[suspenseful music]
We're all angry over the
loss of this precious life.
That's all for now.
We'll update the community
as we have more information.
[somber music fades]
-[compelling music]
-[paper shuffling]
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates.
[Willa]
Hi, Carl. It's
Willa at the M.E.'s office.
We've determined the cause of
death on your homicide victim.
Ligature strangulation?
[Willa]
How'd you know?
Educated guess.
[suspenseful music]
[cooler rattling]
-[car door shuts]
-Oh, great.
Going camping?
Skiing in the
French Alps actually.
[Gates]
Interesting timing.
[Alton] I don't know what that
means, nor do I care.
Well, you should because
it's in your best interest
to voluntarily come
down to the station
and answer some questions.
And if I don't?
[Gates] I'll arrest you.
For what?
Let's guess which traffic
law you break first.
Probably driving on
a suspended license.
[Gates]
Where were you on Thursday night
between 11:00 and 1:00 AM?
[Alton] Home.
Was anyone with you?
Just me and the Holy Spirit.
How well did you
know Jordyn Wasser?
[Alton] Good kid. Brought me a
side of ranch with my fries.
What is it you want me to say?
[Gates] There was an SUV similar
to yours seen outside of Benji's
about the same time
she went missing.
Okay.
There are also certain
details about her murder
that are reminiscent
of your wife's.
Which I also didn't commit.
So you say.
You know, Detective,
you and I aren't so different.
I know many people,
including yourself,
think I got away
with killing Ginny.
I hear what they say about me,
but I also hear what
they say about you.
What is it?
Oh, yeah, that you're a lazy,
incompetent public servant
sponging off the
taxpayer dollar.
Why would they say that?
Maybe it's the ridiculous amount
of unsolved cases you've got.
[Alton clicks his tongue]
They might be right.
Do you have a point?
Yeah, there's a point.
You've been sitting back
hoping to catch me on something
just to prove you're
right about me.
Now what are you doing?
You're shifting suspicion to me
on anothe r thing I didn't do!
[Detective Gates scoffs]
You really are a
narcissist, aren't you?
I've got one goal;
to put away people who
murder other people.
Now, if that's not you, you've
got nothing to worry about.
Well, that is a load lifted.
Thank you, Detective.
You have a nice day.
Not so fast, Alton.
What? What?
You're under arrest.
-[loud thud]
-[Alton grunts]
[Alton] For what?!
I have 48 hours to decide.
-[handcuffs clicking]
-[Alton breathing heavily]
You have a list of items
on the search warrant.
Residence is unoccupied,
but be discreet.
We want everything done
by the book on this.
Understand?
Let's go see some evidence.
[tense music]
[eerie music]
I met with your friend today.
It's gonna cost
about $300 to file,
but I think I should do it.
[eerie music continues]
Can you and Pete
loan me the money?
It'll raise questions if I
pull it from our joint account.
He also said he thinks
I'll be able to get
ole-say ustody-cay.
[eerie music continues]
-[somber music]
-[Buffy panting happily]
-[somber music continues]
-[Buffy panting happily]
[Gates] Counselor!
I really need you
to file charges
against Alton Anderson today.
You know how I feel about
circumstantial cases, Detective.
It's solid!
Bracelet belonging
to the victim.
She was wearing it the
night she went missing.
Photos of the victim
working in a restaurant.
They were taken from a
vehicle parked just outside.
And what's this?
Photo of the victim
in a swimsuit
clipped from a newspaper
after she'd won a swim
meet a few months ago.
So we found these
all in the home
belonging to Mr. Anderson?
Correct. There's enough to
file for first degree homicide.
Okay, second degree
and I'll file today.
"Second degree"? It's
clearly
premeditated.
He planned this
months in advance.
[D.A.] No, he took
an interest
in her
months in advance.
We don't know what his intention
was the night she died.
[sighs] Oh, come on!
[D.A.] Show me some physical
evidence and I'll up the charge.
Until then, be happy
I didn't send you back
to the drawing board, Detective.
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music fades]
[phone ringing]
Hello.
[Automated Voice]
This is
the Flatwood County Jail.
Will you accept a collect
call from Alton Anderson?
Press pound to accept.
[dial tone beeps]
Dad?
[Alton sighs]
Em, I'm sorry. Uh,
I need help and I didn't
know who else to call.
First off, I'm 100% innocent.
How many DUIs can you--
[Alton]
Listen,
They found the body of the girl.
They think I killed her.
The same detective that
worked your mom's case.
He's setting me up.
Dad--
[Alton]
I need a favor.
I need you to hire an attorney.
I found a good one, but
he's a $10,000 retainer
and I need someone to post bond.
I don't have that kind of money.
Yeah, I know you don't. But
the house is in your name.
So just come back and sell it.
"Sell it"?
Can't you borrow
against it or something?
No.
Even if I beat this, and I
will, I can't live here anymore.
Always trying to
pin something on me.
Once this is done, I am moving
far away from Newbury Grove.
Please, sweetie, just...
Just do this for me
and I'll never ask you for
anything else as long as I live.
[Emily]
When's your arraignment?
Wednesday.
Okay, I'll come down for
one day and sign the papers.
[compelling music]
Come here, Bubba.
[suspicious music]
[suspicious music continues]
[knocking on window]
What are you doing
in your sister's car?
It's mine now.
-[gun clicking]
-[Brad] Excuse me, Detective?
Any news?
[Gates] We made an arrest.
I wanted you to
hear it from me first.
Uh, who?
Local man. Alton Anderson.
We executed a search
warrant on his house
and charged him with
second degree murder.
Anderson, as in Ginny
Anderson's husband?
[Gates] Yeah.
That lying sack of--
He was a suspect
in her case, too!
Why didn't you
arrest him back then?
I did!
Blame the D.A.
Who's Ginny Anderson?
-[airplane engine whirring]
-[wheels screeching]
-[quiet, gentle music]
-[car engine purring]
[quiet, gentle music continues]
[Emily sighs]
This is your house, Emily.
You don't have to sell
it if you don't want to.
It's only my name in case
he gets sued. He bought it.
Besides, I never wanna
come back here again.
Well, your mom loved it here.
I'm not sure she'd say
the same thing now.
Hm, are you sure you don't
wanna come stay with us?
I'll be okay.
Besides, I have some things
wanna pack up and keep, so--
All right, honey,
well, if you need us,
we're just five minutes away.
-Thank you.
-Okay? All right.
[Emily] Let's go. Come on.
[door clicking]
[door creaks]
[Buffy whining]
What a mess, Buffy boy.
[Buffy panting]
[quiet music]
[Emily sighs]
[quiet music continues]
[car engine purring]
[door clicks]
Detective Gates.
Who are you?
I'm Noah Vargas with
Twist Side Productions.
I left you a message.
We're shooting a documentary
on one of your old unsolved
cases from 22 years ago.
The Ginny Anderson murder.
I can't discuss active cases.
Is it active?
You haven't made
much progress on it.
Then or now.
If you'll excuse me, I'm busy.
We can help you solve it!
We tried.
[Deena] You were everything to
her. She loved being a mother.
[Emily] I'm realizing how
little I know about her.
[Deena] Well, I have plenty of
stories I could share.
I just wasn't sure you
were ready to hear them.
I am.
Even just what was
her favorite hobby?
What was she really good at?
Oh, uh.
She was very good at sports.
She was very athletic.
Oh, well, I'm nothing
like that at all.
[Deena] Well, she was also very
determined, just like you.
When she latched onto something,
it was really hard
for her to let it go
sometimes to her detriment.
You're referring to her
relationship with my dad.
[Deena]
Yeah, that was one thing
that was hard for
her to let go of.
She definitely put up with
more than most women would've.
Do you think my dad
had anything to do
with this girl's murder?
I don't know.
Uncle Pete always said
that Dad killed Mom
for the insurance money,
but he wouldn't have had
insurance on this girl.
Well, I'm not certain
anyone can know
what your father thinks.
He's not very rational.
I'm losing my memories of her.
This documentary is
all about her death.
I don't want people
to remember her
for the last day she was alive.
I want them to know who she
was all those years before.
I gotta know who killed her.
It's the only way I'm
gonna be able to move on.
Well, Em, you can't
hang your happiness
on the truth you may never find.
That's why I have to find it.
[gentle music]
[somber quiet music]
[Devin]
Is that the one from swimming?
Uh, yeah. Yeah.
Your mom got so excited when
Jordyn came in first place,
she jumped out of her
chair and started screaming
before Jordyn even
touched the wall.
Jordyn always came in first.
Every time she
tried something new,
she ended up being better
than everyone else.
She had a lot of talent
and drive, that's for sure.
[Devin]
I think God must really hate us
to take 'em both a year apart.
God didn't take
them. Cancer did.
And Alton Anderson.
Both those things
are about as far away
from God as they can be.
If Alton Anderson
killed his wife,
then why isn't he in prison?
[Brad sighs]
Not enough evidence, I guess.
[Devin] It feels like there
was a lot though.
I mean, his wife
filed for divorce
and no one saw him
for, like, the whole day.
I-- I looked it up after
the detective left.
I knew her, his wife.
Not well, but I
knew who she was.
She was a little
bit older than me,
but she used to
come in the store
with her baby every
once in a while.
Was she nice?
[Brad] Yeah. She had this...
lightness about
her that kinda drew you in.
But you guys didn't
date or anything?
[Brad]
No. No, of course not.
She was married and
I was, what, 19?
She wouldn't have
been interested in me.
I'm going to the
arraignment on Wednesday.
They won't ask us to speak,
but son, you can't do what you
did at the news conference.
I'll go.
[gentle music]
-[Buffy panting]
-[mouse clicking]
-[eerie music]
-[Buffy stops panting]
[Buffy panting]
-[Buffy whining]
-[eerie music continues]
[Buffy yapping]
[Buffy continues yapping]
Okay baby.
[eerie music continues]
[Buffy whining]
-[doorbell dings]
-[door clicking open]
-Hi.
-Hi. Emily?
Yes.
Henry with We Buy Houses.
Is this a good time
to do the appraisal?
Yes. Please, come in.
[Henry] The house looks like
it's got good bones.
-[Emily] Yeah.
-[door clicks shut]
And what year was it built?
Uh, 1932, I believe.
[Henry] Square footage?
Maybe around 1400.
This is your house, right?
[Emily chuckles]
It's in my name, so yes.
My parents lived here, so I
never asked those questions.
I see.
Is the home
stigmatized in any way?
Stigmatized?
Yes, meaning is there
anything about the home
that might be undesirable
to a new owner?
For example, a sex
offender living next door,
or if a murder or a
suicide happened here?
Um, not that I know of.
Termites or asbestos?
I don't think so.
How much does a place
like this usually go for?
I've pulled the comps,
and you're looking at
between 130 and 160.
That's as-is condition
without fixing the
foundation in the basement.
-Cash.
-[Emily chuckles]
So how long does this take?
Once the seller's
agreement is signed,
about five to six business days
before we wire the
money to your account.
And once I sign off,
I don't have to
physically be here, right?
No, you can leave the
keys at our office.
Perfect.
[eerie music]
You didn't mention this.
What?
[eerie music continues]
[Alton] Emily, honey, why
would you do that?
Why did you tell
them I was arrested?
Let's just say he kind of
figured it out on his own.
Anyway, they're not going
to make an offer on it.
Screw 'em. Sell it yourself.
You're not getting
the point, Dad.
No one's gonna want it
because
you
live there
and you've been
arrested for murder.
Not true.
I mean, some people may
care, but not everybody.
Look, they've got these
"For Sale By Owner" signs
at the hardware store and
banks. I've seen them.
You go get yourself
one of those.
You want me to play
real estate agent?
No. That'll take
weeks or months.
No, it'll go fast.
You sell it at the right price
and take the time to go ahead
and paint the side
of that house.
You'll have to find a different
way to pay the retainer.
[Alton] Em, I really need
your help on this.
A good defense is the
only chance I've got.
Huh?
You think I'm guilty, don't you?
I don't know what to think.
[Alton] I did
not
touch that
girl. I swear on my life.
Well, they must have enough
evidence to charge you.
It's that crooked detective.
Yeah, he planted that evidence.
That's why we need a good
lawyer to prove to the jury
how corrupt he is.
Look, Em, I'm sorry to drag
you into this. I really am.
But you're all I got.
Everyone hates me here.
[somber music]
[door clicking]
-[door clicks shut]
-[door latches]
[gentle music]
[Emily sighs]
[gentle music continues]
[water running]
[eerie music]
[Emily] What the hell?
[Noah] Emily? Hi.
What are you doing in
my father's backyard?
He's not even here right now!
I know. Yeah, he's in jail.
We're just trying to shoot
some additional footage
for the documentary.
How'd you even know somebody
had graffiti back here?
Wait, did
you
do this
for more material?
No.
No, no, of course not!
We overheard the cops talking
at the police station.
[Emily] The cops don't even
know about this.
I haven't reported it yet.
Well, someone must
have 'cause they know.
I mean, they all know
and they're not being
terribly sympathetic about it.
But since we're here,
maybe we could get you
permission to shoot some B roll.
It's only gonna make the
documentary more compelling.
Okay,
under one condition.
[Noah] How does it feel to have
to sell your childhood home
in order to pay for your
dad's legal defense fees?
Is this off the record?
Sure.
I have no emotional attachment
to this place whatsoever,
so I couldn't care less.
Oh, come on. You
can't mean that.
This is the last place
you saw your mom.
There has to be some
good memories there.
[Emily] Yeah, but there's
plenty of bad ones too.
I used to be sitting out in
the front yard with my dad
and people would drive
by, total strangers,
and they would yell
"murderer" at him and stuff
while I'm sitting right there.
I didn't have many
friends after Mom died.
Did it get any better?
[Emily] To a degree.
Dating was pretty hard.
I never knew what to say to guys
when they asked about my family.
Yeah. Typical first
date questions.
[Emily chuckles]
[Emily] So I just avoided
the topic altogether,
but I think that creeped
them out even more.
[soft music fades]
-[curious music]
-[Buffy panting]
Buzzy Bun?
[curious music continues]
You must have left
Buzzy Bun at the park.
[Young Emily] Then we have
to go back and find him.
Oh, sweetie, he's
probably gone for good.
You hardly played
with him anyway.
You have plenty of other dolls.
[curious music continues]
[curious music continues]
[curious music continues]
[Judge] Alton Anderson,
you are being charged
with the second degree
murder of Jordyn Wasser.
You have the right
to an attorney
and the right to a speedy trial.
How do you plead?
Not guilty.
[Judge] Bail is
set to $1 million.
[gavel bangs]
[tense music]
[tense music fades]
[door clicks open]
-[door clicks open]
-Brad.
Mr. Bailey.
I-- I wanted to offer
my condolences.
[Brad] Thank you.
Um.
Devin, this is Mr. Bailey.
He was one of Jordyn's teachers.
Mine too.
Um, there are no words
at a time like this,
but I want you to know
that we understand what
you're going through.
We lost Deena's sister
under similar circumstances
22 years ago.
Ginny was Emily's mom.
She's our niece.
I didn't realize.
I'm so sorry.
You look so much like her.
I'm sorry for your loss as well.
Thank you.
[Devin] Wait, your
dad's the one that--
Devin.
That's why you're
here though, right?
-To be in his corner?
-[Brad] That's enough.
Thank you for
coming by to say hi. Um.
Obviously it's been a tough day.
We should probably get going.
If you need anything,
please let us know.
Come on.
[Alton]
A million dollars?
It seems a little
excessive, don't you think?
It's within the guidelines.
If you didn't have two
other felony convictions,
it might've been less.
Yeah, I know. I know.
This is why we gotta
get that house sold
and get me a real attorney.
I mean, you saw that guy they
had in there with me today.
I mean, he got his law degree
from a cereal box or something.
I'm trying. No one's even
called about the house yet.
Drop the price.
Dad, I need to ask you something
and I wanna know the truth.
I was going through boxes and
I found an old toy of mine.
A stuffed bunny.
Inside the bunny was
a photograph of a girl
with black hair
wearing a sexy costume.
She looked...
young. 15, 16 maybe.
Who was she?
I have no idea.
You're telling me
you didn't take
that photo and
hide it in my doll?
Why would I do that?
[Emily]
So Mom wouldn't find it?
So you could hide
it in plain sight?
That doll went missing
right before Mom died,
and the girl in the photo
looks almost the same age
as Jordyn Wasser.
If you have a thing
for underage girls...?
[Alton] No!
No, I don't!
I didn't kill Jordyn Wasser.
And I don't know anything
about this picture.
I'm handing it
over to the police.
Do you really think
that is a wise idea,
you know, considering where
I'm at right now?
If you didn't take the photo,
you have nothing to worry about.
Yeah, that's what I thought
about the search warrant,
yet... here I am.
All I know is it's not mine.
I didn't put a picture
in any bunny, okay?
And if you turn that in,
you might as well just put a
noose around my neck right now.
Don't do that.
Don't.
Don't.
[eerie music]
[dogs barking distantly]
[Noah sighs]
[knocking on door]
[door clicking open]
Hi.
Thanks for coming.
[Noah] No, thank you.
You saved me from a
dark editing room.
[Emily laughs]
Come in.
[Noah] Is there a lab in town
called Photo Lead?
In Meyersville, it's
about 40 miles away.
I Googled it.
It went outta
business years ago.
Mm-hm.
So what do those numbers mean?
Well, back when they used
to shoot photos on film,
they had a hard time matching
the picture up
with the negative.
So they would print which
number it was on the roll.
That way, if you needed a
duplicate or an enlargement,
you were sure you
had the right one.
So this one is a 19th
photo in the roll.
Exactly, the six digit
numbers after that
is the date was processed.
So April 22nd, 1999.
It doesn't tell us when
it was taken though.
Film can sit in a camera
for a long time
until it's developed.
So what do you think?
I think finding a girl based
off a 20-year-old photo
is almost impossible.
She's gotta look different now.
[Emily] I have to try.
If she can tell me
who took this photo
or why ended up in my doll,
it might fill in
some missing pieces.
Let's say that we do find her
and let's say that your
dad did take the photo
of her underage.
Is that something you
really wanna know?
Emily, this isn't gonna tell you
if he killed Jordyn
or even your mom.
[Emily] No, but at least I'll
know if he told me the truth.
If he's lying about this
photo, then I know he's a liar.
And that's more than I know now.
And if he was honest?
If he had nothing to do with it?
What then?
Then I need to figure out why
my doll went missing right
before my mom disappeared
and how this photo
ended up inside it.
[Deeks] So the owner of the lab
died five years ago,
but I was able to
track down her husband.
He said she didn't keep any
records of any of the customers.
That's disappointing.
Not so fast. I'm not done.
That photo was taken
at a Kipsie Motel.
How do you know that?
Look at the cup
on the nightstand.
It's small, but you
can see the logo.
He's right. Look.
Look, it's right there.
[contemplative music]
That's amazing.
Here's a list of all
the Kipsie Motels
within a 50 mile radius.
A few have closed, a few
have changed ownership,
but there are a lot that haven't
Deeks, I had no idea You
were so good at research!
Are you sure you
don't wanna go with us
on a grand tour of the
Kipsie Motels tomorrow?
[Emily]
I have a lot of writing to do.
Well, maybe we can--
-Thanks, man.
-[Emily chuckles]
Well, maybe we can meet up
for dinner tomorrow night
and I can let you know
what we find out it?
It'd be just me.
Deeks has plans.
-He does?
-[Noah] Yeah.
Something about a strip
club and a psychic reading.
I'm not really sure.
Oh, how about
dinner here instead?
Yeah. What time?
7:00?
Sounds great. I
will see you then.
[lighthearted music]
[door creaks]
[door clicks shut]
[lock rattles]
[Emily exhales happily]
So the community
has
you
to thank
for solving the
Jordyn Wasser murder?
I was the lead detective, yes,
but I had a great team of
men and women behind me.
I've always said that Newbury
Grove PD is one of the best.
The man allegedly responsible
for this, Alton Anderson,
was a prime suspect in a murder
you investigated 22
years ago, wasn't he?
The Ginny Anderson case?
That's correct, I
even arrested him,
but the D.A. refused to charge
him based on lack of evidence.
Do you think Jordyn
would be alive today
if Alton Anderson
had been convicted?
I can't speak to the D.A.'s
perspective at the time.
All I can say is that
based on my investigation,
I felt certain that we had
a strong case against
Anderson then,
and we certainly do now.
[Reporter] Is it true Jordyn
Wasser was killed
in the same manner
as Ginny Anderson?
I can't comment on that.
[Reporter] Do you plan to reopen
that cold case if Alton is
convicted
for the murder of Jordyn Wasser?
I'd like nothing more.
If you'll excuse me.
Thank you, Detective.
That was Detective Carl Gates
with the Newbury Grove
Police Department.
Back to you in the studio
[closet door creaks]
[quiet, relaxed music]
[quiet, relaxed music continues]
Eight motels and only one
clerk was even old enough
to be employed when
the photo was taken.
He says he doesn't
remember seeing her,
but I get the sense he doesn't
remember the '90s at all.
[Emily chuckles]
Well, it was a long shot.
[Noah]
So, what's the next step?
Well, I was thinking if
she was 15 or 16 in 1999,
then that would mean she's
in her late thirties now.
So maybe someone
around that same age
would remember her
from high school.
Smart.
Are you sure you don't
wanna pursue a career
in investigative documentaries?
[Emily laughs]
[doorbell dings]
Expecting someone?
No.
[door clicks open]
[Deena]
I found an entire box of photos!
[Deena chuckles]
Oh, you look so nice!
Are you--?
Oh.
Oh, I'm sorry I didn't
call before dropping by.
[Emily]
No, it's okay.
Noah's just here for
some follow-up questions
for the documentary.
Oh, you are filming!
Not yet, but soon.
Well, um, don't let me keep you.
There are a lot of really
great photos in here.
Brought back some memories.
Thank you so much.
[Deena]
You are so welcome, sweetie.
Okay, good night.
[Emily] You too.
[door clicks shut]
[gentle music]
[gentle music continues]
[Buffy whines]
Um...
Maybe we can take
this to your room?
I have a pretty small bed.
[Noah]
What about your dad's room?
Or-- Or is that weird?
Let's try my room.
[gentle music]
[curious music]
[curious music continues]
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
[Buffy barking]
-Whoa. Easy, Buffy, easy.
-[Buffy barking]
-Shh!
-[Buffy barking]
-Quiet, quiet, quiet.
-[Buffy barking]
[Buffy barking]
What's going on? What
are you doing in here?
Hey, could you
call your dog off?
What are you doing
in my father's room?
[Noah] Emily, I was just
curious. That's all.
Are you taking pictures?
Video. I'll erase it.
I should have known.
[Noah] No, no, no. It's not
like that, I swear!
You tried to convince my father
to let you in here to film
and he wouldn't let you,
so you used me to
get what you wanted?
[Noah] No! No!
Emily, I like you a lot.
Like, I just-- I thought
maybe there was
something in here I could see
that would help us
figure out who the girl
in the photograph was.
I no longer need
your help with that.
Now get out.
I will call the cops, I mean it.
[serious music]
[Buffy growls]
[Emily] Trust me. I'm cutting
all ties with him.
What a slime ball.
Hmm.
Now that Alton's been arrested,
there's no real reason for
the documentary anymore.
Not for Jordyn's murder, but
my mom's case is still open.
[Deena]
Hmm. Technically, yes.
But we all know.
Noah was helping me
with something else too.
What?
[suspicious music]
[suspicious music continues]
This is really disturbing.
I know. Dad swears he didn't
take the picture,
but I'm wondering if
this wasn't the reason
Mom was leaving him.
Where did you find it?
Sewn into a toy packed
in a box to be donated.
You know, your
mother never told me
why she was filing for divorce.
She used to tell me about all
of her problems with Alton.
How he would drink too much
and spend all their money.
It was really hard
hearing how miserable
my sister was.
Naturally, I encouraged
her to leave.
I even told her that you two
could come and live with us.
-She didn't wanna do that?
-[Deena] No, she
did.
She did for a couple of days,
but then he talked her into
coming back and she went home.
After that, she never really
talked to me about Alton again.
Somehow I became the
person that was trying
to break up their marriage.
Hmm. That happens in
dysfunctional relationships.
[Deena] Yes. And theirs was
very dysfunctional.
I can see how finding
something like this
might've been the last
straw for her though.
Threatening to expose it
might have been the thing
that got her killed.
[Emily sighs]
Noah was trying to
help me find this girl.
Now I have to do
that on my own too.
[Deena] Find her? Why?
To confirm whether my
dad took the picture.
[Deena]
Well, who else could have?
[Emily]
When I asked him about it,
he swore he'd never
even
seen
the photo.
I kind of believe him.
Be very, very careful, Emily.
Your father has a way of
convincing people of his lies.
[suspicious music]
[car engine purring]
[notification blips]
I can do this, right?
[door clicks open]
[door clicks shut]
[light steps on walkway]
[light birds chirping distantly]
[doorbell dings]
-[door clicks open]
-[door creaking]
[Emily]
Hi, Devin. Is your dad home?
[Emily]
I know this is really awkward.
[Brad] No, you're a victim
just like we are.
I'm sure it hasn't been easy
for you all these years.
Thank you. It hasn't.
I'm here because I'm trying to
make some sense of everything
And I can understand that,
but I'm not sure how I can help.
Me either, but uh, you are
the only one I know
that's the right age.
I'm trying to figure out who
the girl in this picture is.
In 1999, she looked
to be about 16,
which would put her
right around your age.
I'm not sure if she went to
school here in Newbury Grove,
but if she did, maybe
you remember her.
-[Devin] Is that Mom?
-[Brad] Where did you get this?
I'm so sorry. I had no
idea that was your wife.
-I just thought--
-Where?
It was hidden in my dad's house.
[Devin]
Get the hell out of our house!
I didn't mean to upset
your father. I was just--
[Devin] She's evil,
just like her dad!
No, just wait.
Dad.
[Brad]
Look. She's not like her father.
[Devin] Dad.
She's not!
[tense music]
I am so sorry.
I shouldn't have come here.
[Brad] No, don't leave.
Karen was three years
younger than me,
so I didn't know
her in high school.
One night after we were married,
we got to talking about regrets.
She told me that in high
school she had an affair
with an older man
who was married.
I pressed her to tell me
who, but she never did.
She didn't give me many details,
so I got the sense that she
was pressured into doing things
that she didn't
necessarily want to do.
So I'm guessing that older man
must have been your father.
What a disgusting...
piece of garbage.
Yeah.
[somber music]
[door clicks open]
-[tense music]
-[Emily breathing heavily]
[Emily breathing heavily]
[Emily exhales]
[curious music]
[gentle, calm music]
Devin?
[tense music]
Devin, I know why you painted
what you did on
my father's house.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I know you really hate him.
I'm sure a lot of
people hate him,
Including me.
[Devin sniffles]
I didn't even wanna
come out here.
Just sometimes you have to
do things you don't wanna do.
I can tell you,
you're never going
to get over your
sister's murder.
It never goes away.
[gentle, calm music]
Some people think you
can forgive the person
who took her away from you,
but I don't think
that's possible.
I'll never forgive your dad.
[Emily]
No one's asking you to.
All you can do is
honor Jordyn's memory.
I know that's easier
said than done.
[gentle, calm music continues]
Let's see.
[quiet music]
-[Emily chuckles]
-[Buffy panting happily]
[phone ringing]
[phone clinks on table]
[gentle music]
[Noah]
Emily, it's Noah.
I wanted to apologize.
I shouldn't have done what I did
and I erased everything
from my phone.
So, I'm sorry.
I still want to
help you figure out
who the girl in the photo
was, so please call me back.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[Gates]
Hi, Noah. It's Detective Gates.
How's the documentary coming?
I'm surprised you
care, Detective.
I got to thinking maybe I
was a little rash before.
No harm in participating.
That is if you still
want me on camera.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Why don't you come by the
station tomorrow about 1:00
and we'll get you
set up in my office.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
[eerie music]
[eerie music fades]
[doorbell dings]
-[door clicks]
-[door creaks open]
[Emily] Uncle Pete, hi!
Good morning. How's donut sound?
Perfect timing, I was just
starting to get hungry.
Deena told me about the photo.
Oh.
I thought maybe I could
fill in some of the blanks.
Please.
I caught your dad
and Karen Wasser.
She's the girl in photo,
except her last name
was Senkowski back then.
Coming out of the Kipsie
Motel in Ashbrook one day.
She was one of my students.
Did you say something?
[Pete]
No, no, I drove off.
At the time, your mom
was getting really close
to leaving your father.
I figured if I told her,
she might actually do it;
file for divorce.
And I didn't want to tip my
hand, or her hand, to Alton
by letting him
know I'd seen him.
I think she confronted
him with this information
and I also think that's
why... he killed her.
[Emily]
So
not
for the insurance money?
No, I never really
thought it was about that.
Can I see the photo you
showed Deena yesterday?
[suspenseful music]
Oh, don't take it out.
There might be fingerprints
or something on it.
Of course.
[suspenseful music continues]
So, Mom never saw this photo?
[Pete] If she did, she never
showed it to us.
I could tell you she
was definitely surprised
and upset when I broke the news.
I'm sure she was.
I should have alerted the
police, let them handle it.
[Emily] After Mom died, you
let me stay with Dad
knowing he was interested
in underage girls?
Deena and I tried to
get custody of you.
Your father refused
to give you up.
So we decided to
keep as close an eye
on the situation as we could.
The more we fought for you,
the more we risked him taking
you away from us completely.
I can understand that.
[Pete]
Did he... ever hurt you?
No. Never.
I never wanted to trash
your father to you.
I mean, he's
still
your flesh and blood.
That's why we never told you.
That's why Deena didn't tell
you all of this yesterday.
It's okay. I need to
know who he really is.
I'm learning he is way worse
than I ever thought I could be.
[tense music]
[Noah] Jordyn Wasser's body was
found in the same wooded area
as Ginny Anderson's, wasn't it?
That's correct,
about 40 yards apart.
And the killings were
similar in nature?
Yes.
[Noah] Are these the only
reasons you're so sure
Alton Anderson killed
both Ginny and Jordyn.
I have a lot more physical
and circumstantial
evidence than that.
Anderson placed
himself at Benji's
the night Jordyn was killed.
We have security
footage of his SUV
leaving the parking
lot with her.
And of course we
have the evidence
obtained from the
search warrant.
And what did you find there?
I can't comment at this time.
[Noah] Anderson believes that
the evidence you found at his
house was planted.
How do you react to that?
Sounds like someone
who doesn't wanna
take accountability to me.
[Noah]
But isn't it possible
that somebody else might have
killed Jordyn and set him up?
No, some of the details
in the Anderson case
were never released
to the public.
Details that were the same
as in the Wasser murder.
Example?
[Gates]
In the Anderson case,
we released the cause of
death of strangulation,
but we never said what
kind or with what.
Both victims were killed
by ligature
strangulation with twine.
Only the killer would know that.
-[door clicks open]
-[door creaks]
-[door clicks shut]
-[lock latches]
Looks can be deceiving,
right, Buffy?
[Buffy panting]
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
[Emily exhales in disbelief]
[music fades]
[Noah] They're definitely from
the same role of film.
Who took this one?
[Emily] Uncle Pete. He's the
only one not in the photo.
Could it have been
your dad's camera
and he gave it to your
uncle to take the photo?
No. My dad would never
spend money on a camera.
Uncle Pete was always the one
taking photos at family events.
[Noah] It makes sense then
why he would suddenly
try to convince
you it was your dad
who went to the
motel with Karen.
Uncle Pete has worked
with kids his entire life.
He's a high school
teacher, for god's sake!
An apple for the teacher.
Let me guess. He was
Jordyn's teacher too?
[Emily]
He was. Brad mentioned it
when we talked to him
at the arraignment.
[Noah] What if your dad didn't
kill Jordyn, and Pete did.
Your dad is claiming someone's
framing him for murder.
[eerie music]
This is a bad
idea. We should go.
If we're wrong about this...
How else are we gonna
know if Pete had an alibi
the night Jordyn was killed?
Let's ask him.
[Noah chuckles]
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be honest.
I feel like I'm destroying
my entire family.
Hey, you're not
destroying anything.
You're just trying to...
[sighs]
...uncover the truth.
I meant what I said
on the voicemail.
[Emily] What was that?
-I deleted it before listening.
-[Noah chuckles]
I said that I erased the video.
Hmm.
And I'm sorry.
And I'm really glad that
you decided to call me
once you found out that the
picture came from Pete's camera.
I didn't say that in voicemail.
I'm just adding it now.
I only called because
I thought you might
help me sort this out.
Yeah, but so could Deeks.
Why didn't you call him?
[Gates] Come on back.
[suspenseful music]
And you're certain
Pete Bailey took this?
We know it's his camera.
He took another photo in
the same roll of film.
I think if you test that
photo, you'll find his prints.
All right.
Run this down to the lab myself.
Thank you.
[Gates] Emily, I know you
don't wanna believe
that your father
could have done this.
If we're wrong about this
and my dad really
did kill Jordyn,
then he belongs behind bars.
I just want answers is all.
[motorcycle roaring distantly]
[Noah] I think I should give
myself a little more credit
For what?
Well, I got you to
finally leave the house
-and come join me at a bar.
-[Emily] Mm-hm.
You must feel safe with me.
You have a really high opinion
of yourself, don't you?
Well, I'm more interested
in
your
opinion of me.
Mm. Not gonna take the bait
on that one, but nice try.
You know, I'm still surprised
that you thought it was me
who vandalized your dad's house.
I know it wasn't you.
[Noah] Oh?
Who was it then?
Mm-mm.
Everything I say can and
will be held against me
in a documentary.
[Noah] Not true.
Anything that happens
between us is...
off the record.
Is it?
[phone ringing]
Hi, Detective. Did
you speak to my uncle?
I just got back from
there. Pete has an alibi.
He and his wife were
at the awards dinner
for the school
district all night.
He even called the principal
and he confirmed that he was
there and what time he left.
I see.
I haven't gotten anything
back from the photo yet,
but I'll let you
know as soon as I do.
-Thank you. Good night.
-[Gates]
Good night.
Wasn't him.
[suspenseful music]
[gloomy music]
Why else would that
detective have shown up here?
Emily had to have
turned in that photo.
So now he'll go tell her
you had nothing to do
with Jordyn's murder.
Just relax.
And what about Karen?
Is there a statute
of limitations
for sleeping with
an underage girl?
Honey, Karen's gone.
Without her, there's
no case anymore.
I regret it every day.
I forgave you for the affair.
And you have to forgive yourself
When your sister died, I
thought all this died with her.
Well, Ginny was never very
good at keeping secrets.
Not even from the grave.
[Emily]
Even if Pete didn't kill Jordyn,
there's no doubt he was
the one exploiting Karen.
Yeah, he's disgusting.
And I'm pretty sure
my mom's murder
is somehow connected
to that photo.
There's no way that
timing's a coincidence.
That bunny disappeared
right before she did.
[Noah] Detective Gates said that
the details in Jordyn's murder
were similar to your mom's,
but only the killer
would know that.
And the police never
released that to the public.
But they know.
-[Noah] Who?
-The cops.
It's not true that
only the killer
would have access
to those details.
Anyone on that police force
would have access
to those details.
True.
[Emily] Let's just say for a
second that Pete did kill my mom
because she found the photo
and was going to turn him in.
And then some dirty
cop kills Jordyn
and decides to
frame my dad for it.
They know he was a suspect
of my mom's murder,
so they killed
Jordyn the same way
and then try to make it
seem like he did both
since only the killer would
have access to those details.
I mean, it's possible.
But why would a cop
kill a 17-year-old girl?
Maybe Uncle Pete isn't the only
sexual predator
in Newbury Grove.
[Noah] Thanks again for
doing this, Detective.
We just have a few
follow up questions.
Oh no, not at all.
Happy to help.
-[eerie music]
-We're rolling.
Detective Gates, was Jordyn
Wasser sexually assaulted?
Do you mean was
Ginny
Anderson
sexually assaulted?
[Noah]
No. No, I meant Jordyn.
You were the lead investigator
on both cases, right?
Uh, yes.
[Noah] And neither victim was
sexually assaulted, correct?
Correct, that's another
similarity between them.
[Noah] You've been getting
a lot of good press
for solving the Wasser case.
Even got on the news.
I wouldn't say it
was good or bad.
They asked me a
question about the case
and I gave a statement.
[Noah] But this isn't the
norm for you, is it?
You took a lot of heat
for botching the Anderson
case 20 years ago.
I didn't "botch" anything.
The evidence I had against
Alton Anderson was solid.
[Noah]
And entirely circumstantial.
I've seen plenty of cases won
on circumstantial evidence.
Really just depends on how
hard the D.A. wants to work.
Or not.
[Noah] And what would you
do if you discovered
that there's an innocent
man in jail right now
because your investigation went
down the wrong rabbit hole?
Luckily, that's
not the situation.
This interview is over.
Okay.
[eerie music fades]
[Alton] What is that?
Oh, let me guess.
Is that a confession
you want me to sign?
[Gates] It's something that
can help your case.
I need you to take
a look at that photo
and tell me if you
recognize the girl.
Nope, never seen her.
[Detective Gates] I
need you to actually
look at the photo.
Go on, pick it up.
[Alton laughing]
So you can get my
fingerprints all over it?
Are you insane?
Not a chance.
Why do you insist on sabotaging
your own case at every turn?
You don't need my help for that.
You're sabotaging my
case all on your own.
Take him back to his cage.
[suspenseful music]
Sorry to ruin your
day, Detective.
-[suspenseful music continues]
-[door clatters open
-[loud thud on desk]
-[door clatters shut]
I didn't botch anything.
The evidence I had against
Alton Anderson was solid.
[Noah]
And entirely
circumstantial.
[Gates]
I've seen plenty of
cases won on circumstantial
evidence.
It really just depends on how
hard the DA wants to work.
Or not.
[Noah] Seems pretty
upset at the D.A.
But now that my dad's been
arrested for a second murder,
it seems like Gates
was right all along.
[Noah]
Exactly. Vindication.
[Emily] But that would mean
he killed a girl
just to prove he was
right about my dad.
Who does that?
Somebody who's been living
under constant ridicule
for the last 20 years.
[Noah] I spent a lot of time
researching the newspaper
archives of The
Newbury Grove Times.
-And?
-[Noah] Countless op-ed pieces
about how the department,
specifically Gates,
screwed up the case.
And he's been living
with it this whole time.
He doesn't care that he
killed an innocent girl,
just like he doesn't care
that your dad's gonna spend
the rest of his life in prison
for something he didn't do.
You think he's innocent?
So do I.
Dad, I want to prove that
you didn't do this but I--
[Alton]
You believe me now?
[Alton sobs]
[Emily]
Dad, I need your help.
I need to know where to start.
[Alton sniffs]
Okay.
Start with the evidence.
Yes.
I was at the restaurant that
night when Jordyn disappeared,
but they said they had
my SUV on tape at 11:00,
but I left long before 9:00.
So whatever SUV they've
got on tape, it's not mine.
[tense music]
[gentle, curious music]
So for the camera to
have picked up the SUV,
Jordyn would've come
through this door
and walked in this direction,
which means the SUV would've
driven from this direction.
[Emily]
So the camera would've picked up
the passenger side of the SUV.
Which makes it impossible
to see who was driving
or even the license plates.
No, actually, that's perfect.
There's a dent in the
passenger side of my dad's SUV.
He hit a car in a parking lot
a week before
Jordyn went missing.
[manager] The police took the
security footage
from that night.
-Did you ever see it?
-No, I was working
when the detective came,
I never watched it.
But I
did
see the
SUV that drove past
right after I let Jordyn out.
You did?
Was there a dent in the door?
It was dark out, but I'm
pretty sure there was no dent.
Thank you for your time.
Could your dad have
gotten the door fixed
before Jordyn was killed?
There's one way to find out.
[intercom]
Attention.
All towing and storage fees
must be paid before vehicles
can be released from impound.
Now that's a dent.
Yeah, it'd be hard
not to notice this.
[Emily] My dad said this
happened a few weeks ago.
Gates must have rented a car
that was similar to your dad's.
Maybe he didn't
know about the dent?
He didn't.
My dad just gave the guy money
and they both drove away.
Did we--
Did we just prove
that your dad's car
wasn't there that night?
I think we did.
[both laughing]
So you believed Detective Gates
followed your father
around for weeks,
saw that he frequented the
restaurant where Jordyn worked,
then murdered Jordyn and
framed your father for it?
Yes.
And that's why my dad needs a
good attorney like yourself.
[Noah] Gates was the only one
who knew the details
of Ginny Anderson's case.
We think he murdered
Jordyn the same way
to prove he was
right 22 years ago.
Why would he do that?
The people in Newbury Grove
already think that he
botched the investigation
into Ginny's death.
[Emily] If you look at the
evidence used from my father's
house, I'm sure you
will not find any
of his fingerprints on anything.
I think Detective
Gates planted it
when he executed
the search warrant.
[Noah] And we think we know
who killed Ginny.
Who?
My uncle, Pete Bailey.
I think my mom discovered proof
that he was with
an underage girl,
and he murdered her to
keep her from revealing it.
[Noah]
Pete had motive and access.
He knew where Ginny and
Alton's spare key was hidden,
and he went into the house
to look for Ginny the
day she went missing.
Can I see this photo?
Oh no.
I gave it to Detective Gates.
[phone ringing]
Detective Gates
[Receptionist]
Detective,
there's someone
from Internal Affairs
here to see you.
[door clattering]
[Buffy toy squeaks]
[Emily gasps]
[Emily]
Deena, you scared me.
They found Pete's fingerprints
on the photograph.
They arrested him.
I'm so sorry.
Are you?
You're the one who
told them he took it.
He did.
What were you trying
to accomplish?
It happened two
decades ago, Emily!
Karen is gone!
She died of leukemia a year
ago, so what was the point?
You were just trying to hurt me?
You were just
trying to hurt Pete?
Deena, he shouldn't
be working with kids.
It happened once, that's all!
He's never done anything
like that since!
Wait, you knew about this?
[Deena weeps]
Why didn't you just
come to me, Emily? Why?
Before the cops.
After everything that Pete
and I have done for you!
I should go.
[Deena]
You are just like your mother!
I told her to just
leave it alone,
but she couldn't let it go!
Oh my God!
[Deena] Ginny brought all
of this on herself.
-[Buffy whining]
-I asked her
to just give me the photo
and just pretend like none
of this ever happened,
but she refused!
I knew that Ginny couldn't
keep this a secret.
I knew it!
[Buffy barking]
What would people say about me
if they knew that my husband
was screwing a teenager?
You know, of all people,
how people talk.
[barking continues]
So you stood by and let your
husband kill your own sister?
[Deena]
Pete didn't kill Ginny!
I did
!
I had to!
I had too much to lose!
[Emily yelps]
[Buffy barking]
Ginny fought the same way!
-[Emily struggling]
-[Buffy barking]
[Buffy barking]
-[Emily struggling]
-[Deena struggling]
[barking continues]
[Deena struggling]
-[Buffy barking]
-[Buffy growling]
[Buffy barking]
-[loud swipe of knife]
-[Emily yelps]
[Buffy snarling]
[Emily breathing raggedly]
[Buffy barking and growling]
[Deena]
Emily, call your dog off!
[Buffy barking]
Good boy, Buffy.
[panting]
Good boy.
-[Buffy snarling]
-[Buffy barking]
Call 911.
[Buffy barking]
[gentle music]
[Noah] So Alton, how does it
feel to be a free man?
Feels fantastic.
And I've got my daughter
to thank for that.
What are you gonna do first?
Well, I think I'm gonna
take that for sale sign
out of the front yard,
and then I'm gonna cook up
some big old juicy steaks,
[Emily laughs]
and uh, Nigel, you're invited.
Noah, Dad. [laughs]
Oh. No--
Oh, that's right. I'm sorry--
Noah. Noah, you're invited.
Now, let's go 'cause I'm hungry.
[Emily chuckling]
[gentle, lighthearted music]
-[Emily chuckles]
-[Alton sighs in relief]
-[gentle music]
-[Brad exhales heavily]
Hey, I am so sorry
for your loss.
Thank you.
And, um, good luck.
[gentle music continues]
[Emily] For 22 years, my dad
lived under a cloud of suspicion
and now he can finally
leave that all behind him.
We both can.
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music continues]
[remote clicks]
[gentle music continues]
I love it.
Sold at a network.
-It premieres next month.
-[Emily chuckles]
Do you wanna go downtown and
celebrate at that sushi spot?
Let me get my jacket.
-Come on, Buffy.
-[Buffy whining]
[gentle music fades]
[gentle, calm music]
[gentle, calm music continues]
[loud, proud music]
[bright music]
-[film reel rolling]
-[suspenseful music]
[groovy tune]