The Vindicator (2025) Movie Script
No.
No!
Three, two, one.
Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.
This week's closing statement
for the "Serial Chat."
We have a very special
guest joining us today
With us is mine
and Tommy's psychology of
criminal behavior professor
at the University of
Pittsburgh: Lance Clemens.
Well, thanks for having me on, Ava.
So not only is Lance
our teacher and mentor,
but he was also essential
in helping us crack
that 40-year-old cold case last year.
He was so determined to bring justice
after I found damning evidence
against The Jolly Ripper.
And for that, I cannot thank
you enough for believing in me
and for guiding us
through the whole process.
Ah, don't mention it.
I mean, you are the one
that did all the grunt work.
Oh, it was a team effort.
Along with Molly Babbs, our genealogist,
who came back with the strong
DNA profile on The Ripper
to put the final nail in
the coffin.
Shout out, Babbs.
Great work as always.
You rock, Molly!
If you guys haven't listened already,
please go check out our
Jolly Ripper episode.
But seriously, though,
Lance, it was just,
it was such a sense of validation
that I chose the right path for my studies
and hopefully my career.
So thank you.
Well, I have you to think as well.
It was a callback to the old days for me.
And to watch students of
mine do so passionately
what I like to think I
did so well in my time,
that's extra special
Oh.
Off that, Professor,
why don't you give the audience
a little taste of your life's work.
Ah.
Uh, nearly 30 years of law
enforcement all over the place.
But it wasn't just
any police work, though.
I was in violent crimes for the FBI,
part of the manhunts
for some of the biggest serial killers
in our country's history.
Wow. That's incredible, Lance.
Were you part of the capture
teams for anyone we might know?
I was recruited when they
started investigating Gacy
in the '70s.
Guys, this is my favorite story,
so listen up.
We had 'em him the station
ostensibly for questioning,
but really we were just stalling
to get a search warrant for his house.
And Gacy was getting antsy,
detectives were losing him.
My instincts said I needed
to sit with him one-on-one.
So I asked for a few
minutes alone with him.
Just trusted my gut, always have.
You see, most people try
to see the good in people,
especially criminals,
so they can connect and understand them.
But me, I've always had the gift
of seeing the bad in people.
The moment my eyes met his,
I knew exactly who he was.
You wanna tell me about the blood?
I told you,
just like I told all the
others that came in before you.
I was coming home from a party I'd done.
I was out there around 45 and Central.
I hit a deer.
I tried to save it.
It got its blood all over me.
Poor thing died in my arms.
Was it your father you
were trying to get back at
after everything he did to you?
Is that why you took the kid?
You got any kids, Officer?
Any little rugrats running around?
This isn't about me, John.
Maybe somebody you know.
You know, little, little
boys, they, they love clowns.
I do what I can to expand my business.
Come on, John. Talk to me.
I do it for the love, you know.
You don't even gotta pay me.
John.
Which John would you
like to speak with? Hmm?
I'm running for office soon.
So maybe you'd like to
talk about my campaign.
Maybe something at home need fixing.
We at PDM Contractors can help.
Or maybe you're just in
need of some cheering up.
Might I suggest you speak
with Pogo the Clown?
You know, I really gotta get goin'.
I got another birthday party
to get to in a couple hours.
I gotta get this suit cleaned.
I think Tide will get the blood out.
My sister swears by it.
When I was done with him,
detectives had secured a
search warrant for his house.
Within the hour,
we had located three bodies.
We nailed that motherfucker to the wall.
That must have put your
name on the map for sure.
Ah, definitely helped me
climb quickly in my career.
And that's why you were
traveling the country?
To help determine who
was a cold-blooded killer
and who was just your average Joe
and caught in the wrong
place at the wrong time?
Exactly.
And most were easy to see through,
figured them out right away.
Anyone pose a challenge to you?
Mm.
One, the most disturbed of them all,
Dahmer.
They called him the Milwaukee Cannibal.
Now, I never saw the victims myself,
so I figured the media
was just hyping him,
but then I thought back.
When we arrested him,
he had something stuck in his teeth.
Oh. A chill ran through
me like I never felt.
And after him, I had to get out.
So I retired early, moved here.
And after a few years,
I got sick of all this fucked up knowledge
racking around upstairs,
so I got into teaching.
Figured I'd pass it along
to you young psychopath
who are interested in this stuff.
How'd you end up in the chair?
Brad, stop.
Tommy, hit pause.
Tommy. No, wait.
I, I just figured after all of that,
there must be an interesting story there.
I mean, what happened?
Did you, did you get shot, stabbed?
It's okay, Ava.
I don't mind.
Go, go ahead, Tommy.
Well, kid,
I'll have you know that
this is the handy work
of probably the worst
criminal of them all:
Alcohol.
Like I said, I didn't like
what I was seeing in my head.
Attention, ladies and gents.
Breaking news.
What do you have?
"After eluding custody
for almost 50 years,
the serial rapist and murderer
known as the Orange Creek Carver,
who terrorized an Orange
Creek Florida community
for over a decade, raping
and killing 10 women,
"has finally been caught."
Trial upcoming.
Well, that's great.
I mean, what,
he has to be in, like, his, his 80s?
Yeah. "Franklin Keller, 89,
expected to plead guilty."
Yep. Pushing 90.
Wow.
Well, I'm just glad he can
finally pay for what he did
and those families can have some justice.
What? He totally got away with it.
What are you talking about?
Uh, think about it.
He committed those crimes in the '60s
when he was young.
So whatever life he wanted to live,
he got to live.
No way.
This perverted freak's gonna die
knowing he didn't get away with it.
No. No, he did get away with it.
Zodiac aside, who else has
eluded custody for so long?
I mean, basically every
serial killer gets caught
because they're lazy and dumb.
Professor Clemens,
what are your thoughts?
I gotta nip the whole
dumb and lazy business
'cause that's just not true.
Now, don't think for a second
that these guys aren't smart.
At least twice Dahmer talked
his way outta getting captured
Gacy, Bundy, these guys are clever,
charismatic, patient.
Thankfully they're also human,
so when they do slip,
you better jump on it
'cause it's unlikely it'll happen again.
I'm sorry. I gotta call BS.
I mean, leaving things like calling cards,
that's just asking to get caught.
Like Zodiac?
Calling cards are part of the excitement.
It was ballsy, sure,
but some of them are out to prove
that they're the smartest in the room.
Well, gripping stuff.
All this capture and elude talk
is a great way to segue
into our last words.
Next week we're gonna talk
about the one true serial killer
of the new millennium:
The Vindicator.
Guys, I'm so excited about this one.
The Vindicator, whose MO
is targeting small groups.
One person is slaughtered
and the other one disappears
off the face of the earth,
dissolved in a tub of acid.
Guys, this person has
killed 49 people in 49 states.
And with the 49 states
already being accounted for,
we technically know number
50 is gonna be in Arizona.
So with that being said,
I have a surprise.
Lay it on us, Ava.
We are going to be doing
our Vindicator podcast
next week in Arizona.
Whoo whoo.
Now, of course, the,
the when and where is, is
impossible to determine.
But, guys, how cool would
it be to talk about it
while in the state next on the list?
So, so cool.
- Oh, cool.
- It's gonna be
a special episode where
we go live to take any-...
- There is.
- Fuck.
Sorry.
- There is one more thing.
I'm sorry.
- No, no, you're...
Yeah.
What is it?
No, sorry, sorry, sorry.
Alright. All right.
So, so cool.
It's gonna be a special episode
where we go live to take any calls
or questions.
- There is
one more thing, though.
Which is?
Okay, you guys know how
much research I do, and,
and not just for the show.
Yeah, we know.
Well, I believe that I
found a piece of evidence
that might help uncover who
The Vindicator really is.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, what is it?
Oh, Tommy, you're
just gonna have to wait
like everyone else.
Ah. Well, let's get
to next Wednesday then.
Okay, well, drop any
comments and questions
so we can talk about it next episode.
Please keep an eye on for...
Well, let's get to next Wednesday then.
Please drop any comments
and questions so we can
get to it next episode.
And keep an eye out for any updates
between now and next week's chat.
Professor Clemens,
thank you so much for coming in.
Everyone, please go check out his course
at U of P.
And as always,
Keep killing it.
And we're off
So we're doing next
week's podcast in Arizona?
Yep.
And you didn't feel the need to tell me?
I just did.
And you knew about this?
Yeah.
She put me in charge of finding a place
to stay and record.
Which is where?
The Hendricks' house.
How are we able to pull off staying
at Todd Hendricks' house?
They actually rent
it out nowadays, so...
Jesus.
And you just found this new
evidence on The Vindicator?
Again, yes.
Okay. How?
Where?
It's classified
Just like last time.
What's with all the secrecy
and surprises lately?
It's called entertaining.
Gotta keep the listeners
wanting to tune in every week.
Yeah, I'm not talking
about keeping something
from the fucking audience.
Okay. What about you?
Why were you being such an ass to Lance?
Where'd that come from?
Well, somebody has to
play a devil's advocate
to his anti-hero facade.
No offense, man.
He is a hero.
It was just an approach
I thought I'd try
called entertaining, you know,
keeping our listeners engaged.
Oh, sorry. I said the
E word again, didn't I?
Screw you.
Oh, that would be nice, wouldn't it?
Sorry about all that.
Thanks again for your help.
Thanks for the interview, Lance.
Um, Tom, I'll see you in the
morning with the cut.
Sounds good.
They always like that off-camera?
Yeah, they've gotten especially bad
over the last month or so.
Explains Ava's recent test scores.
What happened last month?
Something I thought would
finally break them up.
You seem upset it didn't.
Just tired of seeing my
friend hurt all the time.
That's all.
Hey, thank you, Professor.
Sure.
Oh, good luck in Arizona.
Refresh, Tommy.
Uh-huh.
All right. After two hours,
we have 10,000 views.
About a 1/5 of that in comments,
most look good.
Uh, they love Lance.
They wanna hear more of
his stories on the force.
I'll admit it.
Bringing him on was a good
call on your guys' part.
Told you.
Are there any good questions
or topics we can discuss for next week?
A bunch of Arizona fans wanna know
if they can come see the show.
Yeah, no.
You know we can't tell
him where we're gonna be.
I'm, I'm just glad she likes the show.
Oh, the guy who runs the Hendricks home
finally got back to me.
We're really gonna stay there?
I mean, didn't the fucking guy die there?
Yeah. They found his body in his bed.
Fucking hell.
Well, who's the guy, Tommy?
Steve Hendricks.
Todd Hendricks' kid.
He owns the place.
Can you email him back
and get some details before we get there?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
And, uh,
how are we paying for all this?
Patreon bank.
Right. Cool.
Holy shit.
We're gonna be in The
Vindicator's last known state.
I mean, it's gonna be wild.
Yeah.
Come on, Brad, you know you're stoked.
Come on.
Come on.
All right. All right.
But you're staying in the
dead guy's bed, though.
Fuck that.
Oh.
Look, I'm so jealous.
If I did not have so much work
I know you'd be there
with us if you could, Molly.
You guys ready to head to the airport?
- All set.
- Yeah.
Thanks for driving, Babbs.
Don't mention it.
This is gonna be the best episode yet.
It's time for an update.
Really? Right now?
Just do it for the show.
Fine.
Hey, all you Serial thrillers.
Your true...
And I'm blocking you.
Hey, all you Serial Thrillers.
Your favorite true crime
couple, Ava and Brad, here
Ayo. What's up?
So we made it to Arizona
and we're about to get to base camp
and set up for our episode tomorrow.
This one's gonna be special.
Hope y'all enjoy watching.
So we have to sign off,
but we'll be live at the
crime scene tomorrow.
Love ya.
And as always
Keep killin' it!
Was that so hard?
I mean, I'm driving.
Can we start again?
Whoa.
So this is the place, huh?
Guys, it's one thing
to see it in photos,
but to see it in person, I..
Wonderful!
It's like walking on holy ground.
And speaking of,
how many bodies do you
think are buried here?
Oh, police never found bodies here.
There's a first for everything.
That'd be so cool.
Geez.
Oh, hey there, folks.
How's it going?
It's really great to meet you.
I'm Steve Hendricks.
Yep. Tommy.
- Bradley.
- Oh, no need
to introduce yourself.
Uh, I know who you are.
Fellow Serial Thriller right here.
Nice.
That's so nice.
Well, thanks for your support
- Oh.
- And for, I mean,
letting us stay and do our show here.
This is amazing.
Yeah, of course. Don't mention it.
Uh, but I do have a
really big favor to ask.
Would you mind shouting out
my company on your show?
Oh. For sure, man.
How long have you owned the business?
About three years.
Uh, Dad started it once he left the force.
And once he left the company,
I just sort of took over the reins.
Nice.
So, you want a tour?
Yeah. Yeah, that'd be cool.
See what room
is best for recording.
- Right this way.
All right, we've got three
bedrooms, living room,
dining room,
kitchen at the end of the hall.
But it's spotty cell service.
But we do have WiFi and landline.
If you need anything,
my phone number is on the fridge.
Wait, so we can stay in the same room
where they found your dad?
Yes, ma'am.
But it's a different
bed now and it's clean.
Well, cleaner.
I'd hope so.
So, uh, you don't live here?
Ah, no. I've got
a place just up the street.
Too many memories here, mostly bad ones.
So were you and your dad close?
Yes, very much,
up until everything went south
and people chased him outta town.
I think he came back here to, uh,
I think he wanted to be
home when he left the world.
Well, it's a, it's a beautiful place.
Yeah, thanks.
But, uh, a lot of kids,
young punks would come around
and vandalize the place,
then I fixed her up.
So what'd you do as kids out here?
Ah, nothing much.
Nothing too exciting.
We just, uh,
when we weren't playing ball,
probably hanging around the ranch
or causing trouble in the barn.
Barn?
Man, I can't believe I've
got the Serial Thrillers
at my place.
That's so cool.
But anyway, here's the barn.
A lot of good memories with friends here.
Would this work Tommy?
Uh, maybe.
Maybe the shop will be better
for what you're looking for.
Okay.
Let's go check it out.
Yeah, this should work.
You got it?
Hey, thanks for all your help, Steve.
We really appreciate it.
Ah, don't mention it.
It's the least I could do.
And I'm just up the street
And, uh, if you need anything,
feel free to gimme a call.
Well, I mean,
since you're such a big fan
of the show, and, I mean,
Todd was your dad,
can we do an interview with you?
Uh, you're kidding.
Uh, yeah, no, that'd be,
that'd be amazing.
Yes.
All right, well, cool.
We're gonna start recording
tomorrow night around 9:00.
If you could be here by like 10:00, 10:30.
I don't if that's too late.
Ah, well, wouldn't be the
first or last late night for me.
Hell yeah, man.
Looking forward to talking more with you.
Hey, right back at ya.
Oh, uh, if I may say.
Be sure to get a good
look at the stars tonight.
Nothing better than a
clear night sky out here.
Catch you later.
- See ya.
- Drive safe.
Let's go, boys.
Yeah, yeah. Come in.
Hey. What's up?
Everything okay?
I thought I heard a scream.
Uh, yeah, yeah.
No, I'm, I'm good.
I just, uh, hit my head.
Oh.
How you feeling about tomorrow's episode?
Good. I love being here.
Yeah. Well, even
sleeping in Todd's room.
Yeah, I'm gonna have nightmares
for a while after this,
but, uh,
that's okay for now.
Are you okay?
Yeah. I, I'm so excited for
tomorrow night.
I mean with Brad.
You're not sleeping in the same room.
Yeah, there's a draft in there.
Um,
I've been thinking about your solo show,
if you want to...
No, I think we should
just focus on tomorrow.
That'll come later.
Okay.
Good night, though.
Good night.
Ava, go ahead.
Testing. Testing.
All right. Good.
Brad.
Roger. Roger.
All right, we're all set.
Connection is good.
Where is it?
Gimme a second. I gotta take this.
Hey.
Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.
Ava, Bradley, and myself, Tommy,
are back at you with another
episode of "Serial Chat."
What's up, killers?
It's been long overdue,
but we're finally doing
our first ever live show.
That's right, Brad.
And to be in Arizona
while recording it, guys,
we cannot tell you how excited we are.
Let's jump right into it, shall we?
With the most infamous
serial killer of all time:
The Vindicator.
Ooh.
Some, like me, say it's
the work of one person.
Others say it's a network
of maniacs in a cult.
One thing we can all agree on,
the style killing is incredibly unique
and specific to the victims.
True.
These slayings, originally
attributed to Vindicator,
go all the way back to 1994
to the quiet rural town
of Jericho, Vermont.
On the night of April 11th,
a gruesome discovery was uncovered
at the home of Joleen and Bob Stuggurt
by one of their friend Sara Lambert.
Now, she hadn't heard
from them in a while,
and when she pulled up to their driveway
She saw the open doorway
with a bloodied arrow in the entry.
She crept inside,
and what she saw would
haunt her for fucking ever.
Jo?
Jo?
Jo?
Oh my god!
Oh my god, Jo.
Oh my god.
Oh, Jo.
No.
No, no, no, no.
No.
Sarah, please help me.
Jo.
Jo, Jo.
Jo.
Jo. Jo.
Jo, please wake up.
Please.
Now, little did they
know this was the start
to 30 years of pure evil
that would sweep across the country.
Why 17 arrows?
Oh, because of the piece
of paper
In Joleen's chest.
What the hell?
What just happened, Tommy?
Uh, we must have lost power.
I don't know.
Are we still live?
We're still recording,
but no, we're not live,
not with without WiFi.
Fuck.
It's from Steve.
Uh, "I'm doing some work at the house.
Power should be right back."
- Oh.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Do we have WiFi now?
- Yeah. Yeah.
- Good to, good to go?
Yep. All right, Serial
Thrillers, we are back.
Sorry about that.
Had a thrill of our own.
Ava, as you were saying.
Right.
So on the paper were 70 names that,
upon further investigation,
revealed to be all the men
Joleen had been having affairs with.
Now, people thought Tiger got around.
No one knew about Joleen
until the list was released.
And there was the
signature at the bottom,
which read, "The Vindicator."
Now, I'm gonna be honest.
I had no idea what vindicator even meant
until we started doing
research on these cases.
And I mean, there
are so many definitions
of the word vindicate,
but I think the best definition
summing up why they chose
the name Vindicator is this:
So vindicate means to show
or prove to be right,
reasonable, or justified.
And it's that last word that
makes everything click for me.
So they were justifying
why they would kill.
Yep.
Turns out these victims
had some dirty-ass laundry
that needed to be aired.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, so we have a murdered Joleen
and a list of men she's been with.
Begs the question:
Where's the husband Bob.
Well, that's the million-dollar mystery.
Okay, to this day, Bob hasn't been found
Wicked.
Just poof, gone from the
face of the fucking Earth.
Mm-hmm.
Now, originally police thought
it was uxoricide, you know,
Bob found out about the men
and then killed Joleen.
Now, Bob's fingerprints
were found on the arrows,
but his bank accounts
haven't been used since.
And it's taken over 12
deaths and nearly a decade
until people started connecting it
to possibly the same killer.
Well, not till the
murder and disappearance
of Nancy and Link Kissburn in
Woodstock, Illinois, in '99.
So Link's body was found
with a paper listing
his secret wrongdoings
and a familiar bloodied signature
was found at the bottom.
And we have our first bit of
evidence, guys: A fingerprint.
Enter Todd Hendrick.
No, there's no way he's The Vindicator.
Come on, okay?
Then explain how his DNA was found there
and at the 2001 Okeson
case in Pennsylvania.
Allegedly.
He had reason to be there.
That's why they let him go.
Oh, he was on the police
force, Bradley, okay?
They covered his guilty ass. Duh.
Come on, Tommy.
Okay.
Either way, either way,
Todd's reputation as an officer
has been tainted forever, okay?
Dude had to duck out to a childhood home,
his childhood home,
to escape from bad press
and people thinking he was The Vindicator
Fucker slit his own throat '02,
Last I checked, the Vindicator
killings haven't stopped.
So copycats
or they got the wrong guy.
Or maybe Todd Hendricks never died.
What do you got?
You're making that cute, smart face.
Okay, look, guys.
Earlier tonight, I got an update,
and it's a bombshell that's
gonna blow The Vindi
What the fuck?
Doesn't he know we're recording in here?
Wait. Hang on.
What?
I hear something.
Is that static?
Come
in, Serial Thrillers.
Over here, darlings.
Warmer.
Oh, you're heating up.
I'm right here, Tommy.
Hello, Serial Thrillers.
What?
Shy all of a sudden?
Who the fuck is this?
I'll give you a hint.
Vermont, Kansas, Ohio,
New York, Florida,
The Vindicator.
Well done, Ava.
Very well done.
No, there's no way.
What if it is?
Prove it's really you
All in good time?
I have a challenge for
you true crime fighters,
one where the risk does merit the reward.
What's that?
My identity.
And if we don't accept,
I'm assuming we can't just leave here.
If
you choose to walk away,
then walk away.
Just know there are
consequences for your actions.
Why are you doing this?
I
couldn't let you spoil things
before my grand finale.
What will it be, Serial Thrillers?
We accept.
- Good.
- Whoa, whoa.
What?
You just get to decide
for us, like usual?
Guys, this is our chance
to identify The Vindicator.
Look, we've done it
before. We can do it again.
Leave your
phones and go to the barn.
This radio is the only form
of communication needed.
The door's locked.
Try again.
Guys, guys, stop.
Fuck this.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Where's Tommy?
Guys!
- Fuck me.
- Guys, open up, please.
Where'd you go?
We're stuck here.
Yeah. No shit.
No, the car.
The tires are flat.
Your selfish ass was trying to leave us?
What the hell's wrong
with you, man?
- Guys!
Stop.
Fuck.
We're locked in.
Oh god. He really is here.
No, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
- Just calm down, Tom.
Wait.
- No.
There's no way out.
Welcome, Serial Chatters.
It's starting
Now that we're all settled in,
it's time to begin on.
On the chairs are a
little fashion accessory.
Take one and clamp it around your wrist.
No, no, no.
I don't like this.
It's okay, Tommy.
Guys, we're in this together.
Just go.
Guys, I'm serious.
Very good.
Pick a number between 3 and 10.
Seven.
Here's how this works:
I ask a question, you answer.
You get it right,
you'll be rewarded with
a piece of the puzzle
you're looking to solve: Me.
You lie or get it wrong,
there's be consequences.
Between you three,
you'll have one lifeline
which you can use at any time.
This allows you to opt out
of your punishments; However,
it comes at a very steep price.
Your fearless leader, Bradley,
chose the number seven.
Fuck off, Regis Philbin.
There
will be seven questions,
seven opportunities to
piece together my identity
and save the day.
You get one guess as to who I am.
You can do so whenever.
Spend it wisely.
But it must be used
after the final question,
if you make it that far.
And remember, I know if you're lying.
Time to repent.
Let's do it.
Good.
First question goes to Tommy.
Oh, goddamn it.
What is your full name?
Uh, Thomas Anderson Kincaid.
That is correct.
The condescending fucker
is just playing with us.
Okay, we got through the first one.
We get a clue now
What do Michael Myers,
the killer in "Scream,"
and Jason have in common?
Question two, we come over to Brad.
When is your birthday?
Oh. Uh, let me think.
May 10th.
I'm
sorry, but that is incorrect.
Shame.
Dude, what the hell are you doing?
Oh, come on, bro.
What's it gonna do?
You're insecure
about losing the woman you love
so your punishment is to do nothing,
nothing but watch as your
beloved kisses another man.
What the fuck?
You've
been together for five years.
So a kiss, one second for each
lovely year you've shared.
Is this what you're getting after?
Porn not doing it for you anymore?
No. Fuck this, Ava.
You're not doing that.
Let's go.
Damn it, Bradley.
Please.
Okay! Okay!
I am gonna do it.
Doesn't mean I have to watch.
Oh, you will watch.
The timer won't start until you do.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
Yeah, we have to.
One.
Two.
Fucking hell.
Three.
Four.
Four and a half.
Five.
Goddamn it.
Five. Fuck!
Five.
Are you fucking degenerate?
Face me like a man, coward.
Come on! Come on!
He's got a fucking gun.
You think?
Fuck.
Well, he's probably the only person
who can get turned on by
watching you two make out.
Nice, Brad.
What? You're defending him now?
No one's defending anyone.
We just gotta stick together on this.
I'm no one's cuck.
This isn't just about you.
Ah.
Dearest, Ava.
A kleptomaniac is defined
as someone who can't resist the urge
to take what's not theirs.
He fucking knows.
Those who
choose wrong continue to do so
when they know they've
gotten away with it before.
Said the kettle.
I ask you, Ava,
what was the gateway crime
that started the life of sticky fingers?
When I was 13,
me and my friends stole some
lingerie and got caught.
I did my community service, though.
Well, clearly that didn't stop you.
Good to know your criminal behavior
started before you met me.
I thought I was the bad influence
Though
she is telling the truth,
her addiction has risen to new heights,
ones that now hold
people's lives at stake.
Jesus. That's us.
It's not my fault we're here.
You do know how to piss people off.
I study and hunt criminals.
Guys, if they don't have it out for me,
I'm not doing my job correctly.
You're using doing your job correctly
pretty loosely there.
Whatever.
Just give us the next piece, asshole.
You'll find the next clue
hidden away by the bale of hay
in the back of the barn.
Wait. I'll go with you.
Somebody has to watch your
hands there, klepto baby.
This is ridiculous.
We're just supposed to
roll over for this guy?
Look, there's a way to win,
but you're not helping.
I'll go look.
I love you, Ava.
And you're right.
We are gonna get through this.
Kinda tastes like Tommy.
Oh!
Motherfucker.
Guys.
If he put that envelope here,
he's probably got shit all over the place.
Fuck his game.
Let's just find whatever else is here.
Guys!
What?
I think he's ready for us.
We can't stop.
He'll know
What's in the envelope.
Why does that look so familiar?
What do you mean familiar?
It's 'cause this is the photo
from Todd Hendricks' suicide scene
that was released from the public.
Why is his face all blurred out?
Because of what he did to it?
Time for round two.
Tommy, it's often said
it's what's on the inside
that counts.
You've managed to proudly embody that.
However, there's always
more to a person's story.
Disrobe and show us the
outside matters too.
Holy shit.
Do tell
us the tale of these marks.
I was in a car accident
when I was a kid.
I'm lucky to be here.
Mm,
that's very hard to hear.
Unfortunately, it's not
the truth, I it, Tommy?
Oh god. Please don't.
Please don't, don't.
The
truth must be revealed.
I'm begging you.
Please don't.
Brad, the
overturned bucket behind you,
bring over what's underneath.
No.
No, no, no, no, no. Please do
Please, I...
They can't know.
Please
Open
the book to the page
where the knife is.
Brad, don't, don't.
Don't, man. Please
Read it.
What is this, Tommy?
What is it? What's it say?
Tommy, what the fuck is this?
Enlighten
us on what it says.
"I'm so sorry, Ava.
Sorry for your dipshit of a boyfriend
who hurt your heart again.
I would never do that to you.
I wish you'd let me love you.
It pains me to keep quiet.
And I know you don't know this,
but the pain you put
me through feels good.
I want to be abused.
I want you to abuse me.
If you were to cut deep into my flesh
"instead of doing it myself, I, I'd..."
Keep going.
"I'd give you the best
pleasure you could ever know,
something I'm sure he's
never done for you.
I deal with the misery you cause me
because at least you're in my life.
And I know you don't
understand and that's okay.
Every time I see your beautiful face,
it brings me joy and pain.
Tonight, I'm adding
another mark to my body.
"The abuse I give myself
represents my love for you."
What the hell did I ever do to you?
It's what you do to her!
Ava, I'm so sorry.
You fantasize about my girlfriend
fucking stabbing you, you psycho?
Hey, guys, just, just stop, okay?
Just...
I mean, who are you, man?
Is this what you think
about when you're around us?
Answer me!
Fuck you!
Fuck you!
You don't get to stand there judging me
after everything you've done.
Why don't you try caring
about other people for once?
Or what?
You're gonna slit my
wrists while you beat off?
Fuck you.
Guys. Guys, I'm begging you, please.
It's
time for the punishment.
That wasn't enough
punishment for you already?
Bradley,
give Ava the knife.
What you wanted most, Tommy,
was for Ava to accept you
for who you really are.
Now, Ava, as Tommy has wished,
take the knife and cut him.
No. No, don't make her do that.
Please.
Don't.
Ava, you don't have to do it.
You don't have to do it.
I'm sorry, Tom.
No, I'm sorry.
It's my fault.
I'm really sorry.
Me too.
Uh...
Here. It won't be as bad.
Are you fucking serious, Tom?
Everyone's a goddamn deviant, huh?
Well, well, well.
Would you look at that.
We're all starting to grow.
You are up, Bradley.
In life, we have traits that represent us.
Some we're born with and
have no control over.
Others, we have the choice
to let it define us or not.
Your vice of alcohol has hurt many people.
When was the last time
you hurt someone with it?
I gave that part of
myself up a long time ago.
Oh, yeah?
How long?
Four years sober.
A fact I'm proud of.
That's impressive.
I'm sure it was very difficult
to break that streak.
No.
No, come on. That's bullshit.
I'm not that same person anymore.
You swore to me you wouldn't relapse.
When did this happen?
One night doesn't erase four years.
Another
trait you so proudly boast
is that you'd never lay your
hands on a woman; However,
your drunken mind feels different.
What did you do, Bradley?
On
the night of his setback,
a text message exchange
from Bradley to Tommy
reveals Brad's true failings.
Just keep your mouth shut.
Ava, no.
It's, it's all bullshit.
Brad:
"I'm so ticked right now.
How could she do this?"
Tommy: "Where are you?"
Brad: "Still mill."
Tommy: "Are you drinking?"
Brad: "That's not the point.
Sometimes I just wanna
fucking strangle her."
I'm gonna fucking kill you!
Well, Bradley,
here's your chance to
live out your fantasy
just like Tommy did before.
Don't you lay a hand on her.
Shut up, freak.
Strangle
the woman who rejected you,
the woman who told you
she doesn't wanna spend the
rest of her life with you,
just as you wanted,
until I say stop.
Why did you say no?
I loved you so much
and I was ready to make
the ultimate commitment.
God. Now is not the time, Bradley?
Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.
When would be a better time for you?
After one of us is fucking dead?
You
have 20 seconds to decide.
How could you drink again?
Yeah, okay.
It's my fault.
I was sober for four years on for us.
Come on. I wanted to be
great at my passions first.
Look, I'm sorry I hurt you.
Hurt me?
You, you didn't hurt me, Ava.
You broke my fucking heart.
What? Isn't this what you masochists like?
Goddamn it, Bradley.
Get your hands off of her.
I didn't say stop.
I'm putting an end to all this.
I'm calling in a lifeline
As you wish.
But just remember,
the lifeline comes with
a punishment of its own.
Behind Ava lies a silver toolbox.
Go get it, Tommy.
Open the box.
Inside are tools.
Clearly.
Tools
of which you, Tommy,
have desired to use
forcefully against Bradley
over the years.
Choose your instrument
and punish Bradley with
what the tool represents.
The garden shears.
No?
Hmm. I was really looking forward to that.
The serrated knife.
Excellent decision.
Ah, very interesting.
I guess we'll keep looking.
What will he choose?
The tire iron.
Jesus, man.
Now you wanna bring me into
one of your sex crazes?
What's the story?
Last summer, we went on a road trip.
Ava popped your tire by accident
and you were gonna make her change it.
It was her fault.
It was 115 degrees out, you dick.
She didn't change
it, though, did she?
No! I did.
And the whole time I changed your tire,
I watched you yell at her.
I wanted to bash your fucking face in.
Fine.
I'll take it like a man.
But I swear to God, if you get a fucking
Only
two questions left.
This one's for Ava.
You've gotten away
with how you obtained the
evidence for the Jolly Ripper,
not that he deserves freedom,
but now you claim to have proof
to bring down another giant: Me.
My question is:
How far did you go this time?
On a class trip to the
Scranton Police Department,
during the tour,
I snuck into the evidence room,
found the files and took 'em.
Okay, guys. But what me and
Molly found is irrefutable.
Because that's what fucking matters?
What the hell, Ava?
Ava.
Ava, do you have any idea
what this can do to our rep?
No, she doesn't care who goes down
as long as she gets to win.
That's not true, okay?
I bring you guys everywhere with me.
Oh, bring us with where?
You didn't wanna bring me
further into your life.
You did all the interviews
with The Ripper after.
We're only here to make you look good.
You look pretty pathetic right now.
You only have yourself to blame.
Your next clue
can be found in the wash area.
You'll see how you framed your work.
You are not gonna come make sure
I don't mess with anything?
I really don't give a shit what you do.
Guys! Guys.
Guys, guys, you won't believe it.
Look at this. Look. Look, look.
- What is it?
- It's a picture
of Todd Hendricks and Steve.
Yeah, it's Todd's kid.
No, you don't understand.
Okay, okay,
I found this last night and
I, I took it to my room.
This is what I was looking for
when we were setting up.
You were in my fucking bedroom last night?
It's
time for the last question.
Way to dodge that, you psycho.
It's only
fitting we end with Bradley.
June 3rd, the night
you indulged in alcohol
after four years,
that wasn't your only
form of relapse, was it?
You know what? No, it wasn't.
All right?
I'm done getting my face bashed in.
There's your truth.
What do you mean?
Tommy, do you know?
You turned down my
proposal. Don't forget that.
Tell me what happened now!
I slept with Molly again, okay?
The fuck did you just say?
Look, after you said
no, I was pissed off.
And I went to The Mill and I had a few,
and I called her and she,
she listened to me vent.
And...
And what, Bradley?
Come on, Ava.
Don't make me say it again.
You, you called me that night.
And I came by and we agreed
to still make us work,
and then we...
I was with her about an
hour before you came over,
You son of a bitch!
In the same fucking bed!
What the fuck's wrong with you?
How could you do that to me?
I'm glad I said no!
Now I know what life
with you would be like.
You're too weak to be in my life.
Fuck.
Oh, we're not done yet.
Fuck you, man, and your games.
Just finish this.
The last piece you get.
Take a closer look at Cave Creek for me.
Since you've made it through
without venturing a guess,
you have two minutes starting now.
Fuck. Okay.
Um, fir-first clue.
Who?
The three horror guys, what
do they have in common?
They're killers.
They wear costumes, masks.
Masks. Masks.
Remember the photo. Hi-
his face was covered.
Fuck.
What if Todd Hendricks wear
a mask, like a new face?
Wait. What?
Okay, listen. Molly ran the D
the DNA I found.
- Stole.
- Fucking listen to me!
Okay, it was Todd's DNA the
cops had in the Okeson case.
Okay, she did her genealogy bullshit and,
and the results traced
to a now 16-year-old girl
whose biological dad is Todd Hendricks.
70 seconds.
Wait, wait. 16?
Yeah. That means she was born
after Todd supposedly died.
- Holy shit.
- Yeah.
You
brought us to Todd's house
believing he was still alive?
What the hell, Ava?
No, okay?
That bitch called right before
we started the show, okay?
And besides, no one knew we were here.
- 37 seconds.
- Hold on.
He mentioned
looking into Steve's company.
- 15.
- Fuck.
The brochure, the brochure.
Uh
Oh, shit.
Five.
Steve knew
we were gonna be here.
Time's up.
Oh, fuck.
I need your answer.
Let's just say this
mass theory is right.
Todd could be anyone.
'Cause he could still be alive.
Wha-what if they're working together?
What if he took over for him?
I mean, it's son, for fuck's sake.
I'll give you to three.
Three.
My money's on Steve took over.
Just kidding. One.
I think Brad is right.
Two.
Todd Hendricks.
You're Todd fucking Hendricks.
You are incorrect.
What?
I told you it was Steve.
Final punishment.
In one minute, one of you must be dead.
It's up to you to choose who.
But if the minute expires
and you're all still standing,
then you all die.
Your time begins now.
I vote Tommy.
Wait, wait. What?
I think you had something
to do with all this.
Bradley, stop, okay?
We gotta think.
- Tick tock.
- I am.
It all points back to him.
30 seconds.
I had nothing to do
with this, Brad, okay?
Ava, tell him.
Bradley.
You've been talking with
Steve this whole entire time.
Why didn't you get any real punishments?
I got the shit kicked out of me
and you're some perverted
lunatic who likes pain.
Maybe this is all part
of your fucking journal.
Look, look.
I'm sorry , okay?
But I had nothing to do with this!
15 seconds.
I can't take any chances.
Bradley!
Ava.
Ava. Ava, we gotta go right now.
He's gonna come for us.
Ava.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Ava!
When I was a kid,
I asked my mom why my
dad kept hurting her.
She said some people got good in them.
I always saw bad in them.
Then my dog started acting
up a few months later,
so I looked inside him.
Found a tumor in his stomach,
figured that was the bad thing
my mom was talking about.
Then I found a ruptured
muscle in my dad's brain,
attributed that to why he killed my mom.
Son of a bitch.
I see
nothing but good in you
since the day you stepped
forward in my classroom.
Wish I could say the same for
your boyfriend over there.
He didn't really try to
hide the bad in him, though.
He asked you to have marry him,
you said said no.
His response to that
was to fuck your friend.
Real eye for an eye reaction.
Ah, then we got this spooky perv.
Wake up, sleeping beauty.
Ah.
There he is.
- What the fuck?
What the fuck?
You, my friend, were inspiring.
You left your heart out
on the floor tonight,
but for what?
A girl that you can never have.
So misguided.
Wait, wait.
Wait, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Ava Cole, A-plus student.
Really thought you had it figured out,
but just like the Jolly Ripper case,
it was all built on lies.
You've studied me for a long time
so you know one of you
has gotta disappear in that bath.
And since you're the one with
blood on your hands, well,
I guess that means it's gotta be you.
No, no, please.
No, no, no.
Please, please. No.
No.
No, no, no!
Stop! No, please.
No, no, no.
Stop. No, no!
No! No!
No! No!
No! No!
No.
No!
You lied.
About what?
You said you'd tell
us if we guess right.
Todd Hendricks is The Vindicator
and you are Todd Hendricks.
Todd Hendricks died, remember?
October 18th, 2002.
He got sloppy, lazy.
I wasn't about to let my
masterpiece go unfinished,
especially so early.
I figured it out.
I'm gonna put you away.
Oh, we both know
how you got whatever evidence you have,
which is a shame.
You would have made a fine detective.
Had I known beforehand
that you stole the piece
that put Ripper away,
I would have never let
you go through with it.
It's against the book.
Against the book.
You're a psychotic serial killer.
I don't use
anything to my advantage
that the other team can't have access to.
It's a true testament
to being the smartest in the ring.
I don't cheat the game.
People's lives are a game.
Yours was just part of one.
It still is.
Ah, fuck.
It's time for you to repent.
Fuck.
Joleen Stuggurt,
do you confess to murdering her?
Ron Lonzo!
Ah, shit.
Fred Higgins.
Ah, fuck.
Kim Sottar.
How do you plead?
Ah, shit.
Enough, goddamn it.
Enough?
Enough?
What about when we asked you to stop, huh?
Where the fuck was your mercy?
Go ahead.
Go ahead, take me in.
No one's gonna believe you.
No one's gonna help you
once they find out how
you obtained your proof.
You know, you've always
inspired me, Professor,
especially tonight.
And you're right.
I did need to get the proof the right way.
So thank you for leading
me to do just that.
What are you talking about?
Well played, Miss Cole.
Well played.
So you're gonna take me to the police?
Nope.
It's like you said,
someone's gotta take the acid bath.
Excuse me?
I had to kill the man I loved
and watch you murder my best friend.
You can't do it, can you?
Murdering your boyfriend got to you.
You can't kill a second person.
You know, I really would've
made a great investigator,
but after tonight,
all the, all the pain,
humiliation,
taking a life,
I liked it.
And I'd make a far better psychopath.
After all, I learned from the best.
So, Todd, I have one
more question for you.
Are you gonna die tonight?
Wait. Wait, we can
work together.
I am gonna miss you.
Where is Ava Cole now?
She did it.
What?
She killed everyone.
No way. That's outrageous.
I never really liked her
on the "Serial Chat" podcast.
She rubbed me the wrong way,
always seeking attention.
So we're feeling sorry
for Todd Hendricks then,
aka The fucking Vindicator,
also also known as the man
who murdered almost 100 people
in the most gruesome and horrific ways,
half of which he melted
to nothing in acid,
that guy?
So, first, girl power.
Go, Ava Cole for taking down Vindy.
But secondly, what other
explanation is there?
All of the evidence points to her.
The cops find a major
blood bath, literally,
an acid tub full of blood.
And Ava Cole? Gone.
One of the most popular figures
in the true crime world,
who couldn't resist going live
to her fans at every
possible moment, the biggest,
most important achievement of her career,
of her life,
and she goes radio silent?
Come on, Lynn. Don't be naive.
Maybe she just thinks
someone's still out there
to get her.
She is a smart cookie.
If she hasn't popped up on the grid,
it must be pretty scary out there for her,
not to mention the division from like you
accusing her of horrible things.
Well, if you don't
wanna hear it from me,
there's someone you might listen to,
someone with firsthand experience.
Their opinion may sway you.
What you talking about, Sindy?
Ladies and gents, the
son of The Vindicator:
Steve Hendricks.
Hello, Steve.
You're on "Those Who
Sin" with Lynn and Sin.
Thank you, ladies.
How'd you get a hold of him?
Steve, this is insane to be
talking with you right now.
Everyone's been wondering where you are.
Well, I can't exactly
tell you my whereabouts,
but I do believe it's been long enough.
I finally need to let the world know.
Know what?
The truth.
My father, Todd Hendricks,
did some awful things.
I tried to distance myself
for a long, long time,
but it all still caught up.
Even started to take hold
that I'm covering for him or, or worse.
But I'm here to clear my name
And how are you going to do that?
There are a lot of people out there
who believe you were involved.
Yeah.
I've seen the theories and
the stupid rumors online
about what happened that night,
about Ava Cole
and how she's some sort of a hero.
Well, there's something people don't know,
not even the police.
Wow.
Ladies and squirms,
this is about to be breaking news.
Ava, Bradley,
and Tommy were at my father's house
to do a podcast episode.
They invited me to be a guest.
When I arrived, I was knocked out cold.
I didn't see who did it.
But when I came to, several hours later,
I saw a trail of blood
leading to our family's barn
I found the bodies of Tom
Kincaid, Brad Faville, and,
and my dad.
But no Ava Cole
But I did find something else:
Their camera.
Whoa. Please tell me it was recording.
Yeah, it sure was.
You didn't take it to the police?
After how my father was
so connected and corrupted?
No, I couldn't trust them.
Steve?
Everything okay?
I, I don't have a lot of time, okay?
What I found on that video
reveals what really happened that night.
What the fuck are you doing here.
Steve, is everything okay?
Is that Ava Cole?
How'd you find me?
Get away.
Oh god.
Who, who is that?
Steve?
Steve?
What the f
The say I'm the devil
You should probably believe them
The way that I move
I give them every fucking reason
Some of those who
thrive on assumptions
They have no confidence
So I use that against them
And make the fucking best of it
There's always gonna be someone
Saying that I'm a villain
And that may be true
If that's their story, that's on them
When karma comes around
And pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you created
With every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in your mouth
Is dripping on the ground
The blood in your mouth
The blood your
The blood in your mouth
I keep my nose clean
My heart is pure in intention
I'm not stealing, lying, cheating
No causing any dissension
I know who I am
And I don't need no extension
I'd call you out by name
But you're too ugly to mention
There's always gonna be someone
Saying that I'm a villain
And that may be true
If that's their story, that's on them
When karma comes around
and pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you created
With every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in mouth
Is dripping on the ground
The blood in your mouth
The blood in your
The blood your mouth
Twisting of words is all that you do
Emotional poison shows
the damage in you
You think you are untouchable
But nobody is
Someday the ground will open up
And swallow you in
Twisting of words is all that you do
Emotional poison shows
the damage in you
You think you're
untouchable but nobody is
Someday the ground will open up
And swallow you in
And swallow you in
When karma come around
and pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you create with
every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in your drown
Is dripping on the ground
No!
Three, two, one.
Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.
This week's closing statement
for the "Serial Chat."
We have a very special
guest joining us today
With us is mine
and Tommy's psychology of
criminal behavior professor
at the University of
Pittsburgh: Lance Clemens.
Well, thanks for having me on, Ava.
So not only is Lance
our teacher and mentor,
but he was also essential
in helping us crack
that 40-year-old cold case last year.
He was so determined to bring justice
after I found damning evidence
against The Jolly Ripper.
And for that, I cannot thank
you enough for believing in me
and for guiding us
through the whole process.
Ah, don't mention it.
I mean, you are the one
that did all the grunt work.
Oh, it was a team effort.
Along with Molly Babbs, our genealogist,
who came back with the strong
DNA profile on The Ripper
to put the final nail in
the coffin.
Shout out, Babbs.
Great work as always.
You rock, Molly!
If you guys haven't listened already,
please go check out our
Jolly Ripper episode.
But seriously, though,
Lance, it was just,
it was such a sense of validation
that I chose the right path for my studies
and hopefully my career.
So thank you.
Well, I have you to think as well.
It was a callback to the old days for me.
And to watch students of
mine do so passionately
what I like to think I
did so well in my time,
that's extra special
Oh.
Off that, Professor,
why don't you give the audience
a little taste of your life's work.
Ah.
Uh, nearly 30 years of law
enforcement all over the place.
But it wasn't just
any police work, though.
I was in violent crimes for the FBI,
part of the manhunts
for some of the biggest serial killers
in our country's history.
Wow. That's incredible, Lance.
Were you part of the capture
teams for anyone we might know?
I was recruited when they
started investigating Gacy
in the '70s.
Guys, this is my favorite story,
so listen up.
We had 'em him the station
ostensibly for questioning,
but really we were just stalling
to get a search warrant for his house.
And Gacy was getting antsy,
detectives were losing him.
My instincts said I needed
to sit with him one-on-one.
So I asked for a few
minutes alone with him.
Just trusted my gut, always have.
You see, most people try
to see the good in people,
especially criminals,
so they can connect and understand them.
But me, I've always had the gift
of seeing the bad in people.
The moment my eyes met his,
I knew exactly who he was.
You wanna tell me about the blood?
I told you,
just like I told all the
others that came in before you.
I was coming home from a party I'd done.
I was out there around 45 and Central.
I hit a deer.
I tried to save it.
It got its blood all over me.
Poor thing died in my arms.
Was it your father you
were trying to get back at
after everything he did to you?
Is that why you took the kid?
You got any kids, Officer?
Any little rugrats running around?
This isn't about me, John.
Maybe somebody you know.
You know, little, little
boys, they, they love clowns.
I do what I can to expand my business.
Come on, John. Talk to me.
I do it for the love, you know.
You don't even gotta pay me.
John.
Which John would you
like to speak with? Hmm?
I'm running for office soon.
So maybe you'd like to
talk about my campaign.
Maybe something at home need fixing.
We at PDM Contractors can help.
Or maybe you're just in
need of some cheering up.
Might I suggest you speak
with Pogo the Clown?
You know, I really gotta get goin'.
I got another birthday party
to get to in a couple hours.
I gotta get this suit cleaned.
I think Tide will get the blood out.
My sister swears by it.
When I was done with him,
detectives had secured a
search warrant for his house.
Within the hour,
we had located three bodies.
We nailed that motherfucker to the wall.
That must have put your
name on the map for sure.
Ah, definitely helped me
climb quickly in my career.
And that's why you were
traveling the country?
To help determine who
was a cold-blooded killer
and who was just your average Joe
and caught in the wrong
place at the wrong time?
Exactly.
And most were easy to see through,
figured them out right away.
Anyone pose a challenge to you?
Mm.
One, the most disturbed of them all,
Dahmer.
They called him the Milwaukee Cannibal.
Now, I never saw the victims myself,
so I figured the media
was just hyping him,
but then I thought back.
When we arrested him,
he had something stuck in his teeth.
Oh. A chill ran through
me like I never felt.
And after him, I had to get out.
So I retired early, moved here.
And after a few years,
I got sick of all this fucked up knowledge
racking around upstairs,
so I got into teaching.
Figured I'd pass it along
to you young psychopath
who are interested in this stuff.
How'd you end up in the chair?
Brad, stop.
Tommy, hit pause.
Tommy. No, wait.
I, I just figured after all of that,
there must be an interesting story there.
I mean, what happened?
Did you, did you get shot, stabbed?
It's okay, Ava.
I don't mind.
Go, go ahead, Tommy.
Well, kid,
I'll have you know that
this is the handy work
of probably the worst
criminal of them all:
Alcohol.
Like I said, I didn't like
what I was seeing in my head.
Attention, ladies and gents.
Breaking news.
What do you have?
"After eluding custody
for almost 50 years,
the serial rapist and murderer
known as the Orange Creek Carver,
who terrorized an Orange
Creek Florida community
for over a decade, raping
and killing 10 women,
"has finally been caught."
Trial upcoming.
Well, that's great.
I mean, what,
he has to be in, like, his, his 80s?
Yeah. "Franklin Keller, 89,
expected to plead guilty."
Yep. Pushing 90.
Wow.
Well, I'm just glad he can
finally pay for what he did
and those families can have some justice.
What? He totally got away with it.
What are you talking about?
Uh, think about it.
He committed those crimes in the '60s
when he was young.
So whatever life he wanted to live,
he got to live.
No way.
This perverted freak's gonna die
knowing he didn't get away with it.
No. No, he did get away with it.
Zodiac aside, who else has
eluded custody for so long?
I mean, basically every
serial killer gets caught
because they're lazy and dumb.
Professor Clemens,
what are your thoughts?
I gotta nip the whole
dumb and lazy business
'cause that's just not true.
Now, don't think for a second
that these guys aren't smart.
At least twice Dahmer talked
his way outta getting captured
Gacy, Bundy, these guys are clever,
charismatic, patient.
Thankfully they're also human,
so when they do slip,
you better jump on it
'cause it's unlikely it'll happen again.
I'm sorry. I gotta call BS.
I mean, leaving things like calling cards,
that's just asking to get caught.
Like Zodiac?
Calling cards are part of the excitement.
It was ballsy, sure,
but some of them are out to prove
that they're the smartest in the room.
Well, gripping stuff.
All this capture and elude talk
is a great way to segue
into our last words.
Next week we're gonna talk
about the one true serial killer
of the new millennium:
The Vindicator.
Guys, I'm so excited about this one.
The Vindicator, whose MO
is targeting small groups.
One person is slaughtered
and the other one disappears
off the face of the earth,
dissolved in a tub of acid.
Guys, this person has
killed 49 people in 49 states.
And with the 49 states
already being accounted for,
we technically know number
50 is gonna be in Arizona.
So with that being said,
I have a surprise.
Lay it on us, Ava.
We are going to be doing
our Vindicator podcast
next week in Arizona.
Whoo whoo.
Now, of course, the,
the when and where is, is
impossible to determine.
But, guys, how cool would
it be to talk about it
while in the state next on the list?
So, so cool.
- Oh, cool.
- It's gonna be
a special episode where
we go live to take any-...
- There is.
- Fuck.
Sorry.
- There is one more thing.
I'm sorry.
- No, no, you're...
Yeah.
What is it?
No, sorry, sorry, sorry.
Alright. All right.
So, so cool.
It's gonna be a special episode
where we go live to take any calls
or questions.
- There is
one more thing, though.
Which is?
Okay, you guys know how
much research I do, and,
and not just for the show.
Yeah, we know.
Well, I believe that I
found a piece of evidence
that might help uncover who
The Vindicator really is.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, what is it?
Oh, Tommy, you're
just gonna have to wait
like everyone else.
Ah. Well, let's get
to next Wednesday then.
Okay, well, drop any
comments and questions
so we can talk about it next episode.
Please keep an eye on for...
Well, let's get to next Wednesday then.
Please drop any comments
and questions so we can
get to it next episode.
And keep an eye out for any updates
between now and next week's chat.
Professor Clemens,
thank you so much for coming in.
Everyone, please go check out his course
at U of P.
And as always,
Keep killing it.
And we're off
So we're doing next
week's podcast in Arizona?
Yep.
And you didn't feel the need to tell me?
I just did.
And you knew about this?
Yeah.
She put me in charge of finding a place
to stay and record.
Which is where?
The Hendricks' house.
How are we able to pull off staying
at Todd Hendricks' house?
They actually rent
it out nowadays, so...
Jesus.
And you just found this new
evidence on The Vindicator?
Again, yes.
Okay. How?
Where?
It's classified
Just like last time.
What's with all the secrecy
and surprises lately?
It's called entertaining.
Gotta keep the listeners
wanting to tune in every week.
Yeah, I'm not talking
about keeping something
from the fucking audience.
Okay. What about you?
Why were you being such an ass to Lance?
Where'd that come from?
Well, somebody has to
play a devil's advocate
to his anti-hero facade.
No offense, man.
He is a hero.
It was just an approach
I thought I'd try
called entertaining, you know,
keeping our listeners engaged.
Oh, sorry. I said the
E word again, didn't I?
Screw you.
Oh, that would be nice, wouldn't it?
Sorry about all that.
Thanks again for your help.
Thanks for the interview, Lance.
Um, Tom, I'll see you in the
morning with the cut.
Sounds good.
They always like that off-camera?
Yeah, they've gotten especially bad
over the last month or so.
Explains Ava's recent test scores.
What happened last month?
Something I thought would
finally break them up.
You seem upset it didn't.
Just tired of seeing my
friend hurt all the time.
That's all.
Hey, thank you, Professor.
Sure.
Oh, good luck in Arizona.
Refresh, Tommy.
Uh-huh.
All right. After two hours,
we have 10,000 views.
About a 1/5 of that in comments,
most look good.
Uh, they love Lance.
They wanna hear more of
his stories on the force.
I'll admit it.
Bringing him on was a good
call on your guys' part.
Told you.
Are there any good questions
or topics we can discuss for next week?
A bunch of Arizona fans wanna know
if they can come see the show.
Yeah, no.
You know we can't tell
him where we're gonna be.
I'm, I'm just glad she likes the show.
Oh, the guy who runs the Hendricks home
finally got back to me.
We're really gonna stay there?
I mean, didn't the fucking guy die there?
Yeah. They found his body in his bed.
Fucking hell.
Well, who's the guy, Tommy?
Steve Hendricks.
Todd Hendricks' kid.
He owns the place.
Can you email him back
and get some details before we get there?
- Yeah.
- Thanks.
And, uh,
how are we paying for all this?
Patreon bank.
Right. Cool.
Holy shit.
We're gonna be in The
Vindicator's last known state.
I mean, it's gonna be wild.
Yeah.
Come on, Brad, you know you're stoked.
Come on.
Come on.
All right. All right.
But you're staying in the
dead guy's bed, though.
Fuck that.
Oh.
Look, I'm so jealous.
If I did not have so much work
I know you'd be there
with us if you could, Molly.
You guys ready to head to the airport?
- All set.
- Yeah.
Thanks for driving, Babbs.
Don't mention it.
This is gonna be the best episode yet.
It's time for an update.
Really? Right now?
Just do it for the show.
Fine.
Hey, all you Serial thrillers.
Your true...
And I'm blocking you.
Hey, all you Serial Thrillers.
Your favorite true crime
couple, Ava and Brad, here
Ayo. What's up?
So we made it to Arizona
and we're about to get to base camp
and set up for our episode tomorrow.
This one's gonna be special.
Hope y'all enjoy watching.
So we have to sign off,
but we'll be live at the
crime scene tomorrow.
Love ya.
And as always
Keep killin' it!
Was that so hard?
I mean, I'm driving.
Can we start again?
Whoa.
So this is the place, huh?
Guys, it's one thing
to see it in photos,
but to see it in person, I..
Wonderful!
It's like walking on holy ground.
And speaking of,
how many bodies do you
think are buried here?
Oh, police never found bodies here.
There's a first for everything.
That'd be so cool.
Geez.
Oh, hey there, folks.
How's it going?
It's really great to meet you.
I'm Steve Hendricks.
Yep. Tommy.
- Bradley.
- Oh, no need
to introduce yourself.
Uh, I know who you are.
Fellow Serial Thriller right here.
Nice.
That's so nice.
Well, thanks for your support
- Oh.
- And for, I mean,
letting us stay and do our show here.
This is amazing.
Yeah, of course. Don't mention it.
Uh, but I do have a
really big favor to ask.
Would you mind shouting out
my company on your show?
Oh. For sure, man.
How long have you owned the business?
About three years.
Uh, Dad started it once he left the force.
And once he left the company,
I just sort of took over the reins.
Nice.
So, you want a tour?
Yeah. Yeah, that'd be cool.
See what room
is best for recording.
- Right this way.
All right, we've got three
bedrooms, living room,
dining room,
kitchen at the end of the hall.
But it's spotty cell service.
But we do have WiFi and landline.
If you need anything,
my phone number is on the fridge.
Wait, so we can stay in the same room
where they found your dad?
Yes, ma'am.
But it's a different
bed now and it's clean.
Well, cleaner.
I'd hope so.
So, uh, you don't live here?
Ah, no. I've got
a place just up the street.
Too many memories here, mostly bad ones.
So were you and your dad close?
Yes, very much,
up until everything went south
and people chased him outta town.
I think he came back here to, uh,
I think he wanted to be
home when he left the world.
Well, it's a, it's a beautiful place.
Yeah, thanks.
But, uh, a lot of kids,
young punks would come around
and vandalize the place,
then I fixed her up.
So what'd you do as kids out here?
Ah, nothing much.
Nothing too exciting.
We just, uh,
when we weren't playing ball,
probably hanging around the ranch
or causing trouble in the barn.
Barn?
Man, I can't believe I've
got the Serial Thrillers
at my place.
That's so cool.
But anyway, here's the barn.
A lot of good memories with friends here.
Would this work Tommy?
Uh, maybe.
Maybe the shop will be better
for what you're looking for.
Okay.
Let's go check it out.
Yeah, this should work.
You got it?
Hey, thanks for all your help, Steve.
We really appreciate it.
Ah, don't mention it.
It's the least I could do.
And I'm just up the street
And, uh, if you need anything,
feel free to gimme a call.
Well, I mean,
since you're such a big fan
of the show, and, I mean,
Todd was your dad,
can we do an interview with you?
Uh, you're kidding.
Uh, yeah, no, that'd be,
that'd be amazing.
Yes.
All right, well, cool.
We're gonna start recording
tomorrow night around 9:00.
If you could be here by like 10:00, 10:30.
I don't if that's too late.
Ah, well, wouldn't be the
first or last late night for me.
Hell yeah, man.
Looking forward to talking more with you.
Hey, right back at ya.
Oh, uh, if I may say.
Be sure to get a good
look at the stars tonight.
Nothing better than a
clear night sky out here.
Catch you later.
- See ya.
- Drive safe.
Let's go, boys.
Yeah, yeah. Come in.
Hey. What's up?
Everything okay?
I thought I heard a scream.
Uh, yeah, yeah.
No, I'm, I'm good.
I just, uh, hit my head.
Oh.
How you feeling about tomorrow's episode?
Good. I love being here.
Yeah. Well, even
sleeping in Todd's room.
Yeah, I'm gonna have nightmares
for a while after this,
but, uh,
that's okay for now.
Are you okay?
Yeah. I, I'm so excited for
tomorrow night.
I mean with Brad.
You're not sleeping in the same room.
Yeah, there's a draft in there.
Um,
I've been thinking about your solo show,
if you want to...
No, I think we should
just focus on tomorrow.
That'll come later.
Okay.
Good night, though.
Good night.
Ava, go ahead.
Testing. Testing.
All right. Good.
Brad.
Roger. Roger.
All right, we're all set.
Connection is good.
Where is it?
Gimme a second. I gotta take this.
Hey.
Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.
Ava, Bradley, and myself, Tommy,
are back at you with another
episode of "Serial Chat."
What's up, killers?
It's been long overdue,
but we're finally doing
our first ever live show.
That's right, Brad.
And to be in Arizona
while recording it, guys,
we cannot tell you how excited we are.
Let's jump right into it, shall we?
With the most infamous
serial killer of all time:
The Vindicator.
Ooh.
Some, like me, say it's
the work of one person.
Others say it's a network
of maniacs in a cult.
One thing we can all agree on,
the style killing is incredibly unique
and specific to the victims.
True.
These slayings, originally
attributed to Vindicator,
go all the way back to 1994
to the quiet rural town
of Jericho, Vermont.
On the night of April 11th,
a gruesome discovery was uncovered
at the home of Joleen and Bob Stuggurt
by one of their friend Sara Lambert.
Now, she hadn't heard
from them in a while,
and when she pulled up to their driveway
She saw the open doorway
with a bloodied arrow in the entry.
She crept inside,
and what she saw would
haunt her for fucking ever.
Jo?
Jo?
Jo?
Oh my god!
Oh my god, Jo.
Oh my god.
Oh, Jo.
No.
No, no, no, no.
No.
Sarah, please help me.
Jo.
Jo, Jo.
Jo.
Jo. Jo.
Jo, please wake up.
Please.
Now, little did they
know this was the start
to 30 years of pure evil
that would sweep across the country.
Why 17 arrows?
Oh, because of the piece
of paper
In Joleen's chest.
What the hell?
What just happened, Tommy?
Uh, we must have lost power.
I don't know.
Are we still live?
We're still recording,
but no, we're not live,
not with without WiFi.
Fuck.
It's from Steve.
Uh, "I'm doing some work at the house.
Power should be right back."
- Oh.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Do we have WiFi now?
- Yeah. Yeah.
- Good to, good to go?
Yep. All right, Serial
Thrillers, we are back.
Sorry about that.
Had a thrill of our own.
Ava, as you were saying.
Right.
So on the paper were 70 names that,
upon further investigation,
revealed to be all the men
Joleen had been having affairs with.
Now, people thought Tiger got around.
No one knew about Joleen
until the list was released.
And there was the
signature at the bottom,
which read, "The Vindicator."
Now, I'm gonna be honest.
I had no idea what vindicator even meant
until we started doing
research on these cases.
And I mean, there
are so many definitions
of the word vindicate,
but I think the best definition
summing up why they chose
the name Vindicator is this:
So vindicate means to show
or prove to be right,
reasonable, or justified.
And it's that last word that
makes everything click for me.
So they were justifying
why they would kill.
Yep.
Turns out these victims
had some dirty-ass laundry
that needed to be aired.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, so we have a murdered Joleen
and a list of men she's been with.
Begs the question:
Where's the husband Bob.
Well, that's the million-dollar mystery.
Okay, to this day, Bob hasn't been found
Wicked.
Just poof, gone from the
face of the fucking Earth.
Mm-hmm.
Now, originally police thought
it was uxoricide, you know,
Bob found out about the men
and then killed Joleen.
Now, Bob's fingerprints
were found on the arrows,
but his bank accounts
haven't been used since.
And it's taken over 12
deaths and nearly a decade
until people started connecting it
to possibly the same killer.
Well, not till the
murder and disappearance
of Nancy and Link Kissburn in
Woodstock, Illinois, in '99.
So Link's body was found
with a paper listing
his secret wrongdoings
and a familiar bloodied signature
was found at the bottom.
And we have our first bit of
evidence, guys: A fingerprint.
Enter Todd Hendrick.
No, there's no way he's The Vindicator.
Come on, okay?
Then explain how his DNA was found there
and at the 2001 Okeson
case in Pennsylvania.
Allegedly.
He had reason to be there.
That's why they let him go.
Oh, he was on the police
force, Bradley, okay?
They covered his guilty ass. Duh.
Come on, Tommy.
Okay.
Either way, either way,
Todd's reputation as an officer
has been tainted forever, okay?
Dude had to duck out to a childhood home,
his childhood home,
to escape from bad press
and people thinking he was The Vindicator
Fucker slit his own throat '02,
Last I checked, the Vindicator
killings haven't stopped.
So copycats
or they got the wrong guy.
Or maybe Todd Hendricks never died.
What do you got?
You're making that cute, smart face.
Okay, look, guys.
Earlier tonight, I got an update,
and it's a bombshell that's
gonna blow The Vindi
What the fuck?
Doesn't he know we're recording in here?
Wait. Hang on.
What?
I hear something.
Is that static?
Come
in, Serial Thrillers.
Over here, darlings.
Warmer.
Oh, you're heating up.
I'm right here, Tommy.
Hello, Serial Thrillers.
What?
Shy all of a sudden?
Who the fuck is this?
I'll give you a hint.
Vermont, Kansas, Ohio,
New York, Florida,
The Vindicator.
Well done, Ava.
Very well done.
No, there's no way.
What if it is?
Prove it's really you
All in good time?
I have a challenge for
you true crime fighters,
one where the risk does merit the reward.
What's that?
My identity.
And if we don't accept,
I'm assuming we can't just leave here.
If
you choose to walk away,
then walk away.
Just know there are
consequences for your actions.
Why are you doing this?
I
couldn't let you spoil things
before my grand finale.
What will it be, Serial Thrillers?
We accept.
- Good.
- Whoa, whoa.
What?
You just get to decide
for us, like usual?
Guys, this is our chance
to identify The Vindicator.
Look, we've done it
before. We can do it again.
Leave your
phones and go to the barn.
This radio is the only form
of communication needed.
The door's locked.
Try again.
Guys, guys, stop.
Fuck this.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Where's Tommy?
Guys!
- Fuck me.
- Guys, open up, please.
Where'd you go?
We're stuck here.
Yeah. No shit.
No, the car.
The tires are flat.
Your selfish ass was trying to leave us?
What the hell's wrong
with you, man?
- Guys!
Stop.
Fuck.
We're locked in.
Oh god. He really is here.
No, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
- Just calm down, Tom.
Wait.
- No.
There's no way out.
Welcome, Serial Chatters.
It's starting
Now that we're all settled in,
it's time to begin on.
On the chairs are a
little fashion accessory.
Take one and clamp it around your wrist.
No, no, no.
I don't like this.
It's okay, Tommy.
Guys, we're in this together.
Just go.
Guys, I'm serious.
Very good.
Pick a number between 3 and 10.
Seven.
Here's how this works:
I ask a question, you answer.
You get it right,
you'll be rewarded with
a piece of the puzzle
you're looking to solve: Me.
You lie or get it wrong,
there's be consequences.
Between you three,
you'll have one lifeline
which you can use at any time.
This allows you to opt out
of your punishments; However,
it comes at a very steep price.
Your fearless leader, Bradley,
chose the number seven.
Fuck off, Regis Philbin.
There
will be seven questions,
seven opportunities to
piece together my identity
and save the day.
You get one guess as to who I am.
You can do so whenever.
Spend it wisely.
But it must be used
after the final question,
if you make it that far.
And remember, I know if you're lying.
Time to repent.
Let's do it.
Good.
First question goes to Tommy.
Oh, goddamn it.
What is your full name?
Uh, Thomas Anderson Kincaid.
That is correct.
The condescending fucker
is just playing with us.
Okay, we got through the first one.
We get a clue now
What do Michael Myers,
the killer in "Scream,"
and Jason have in common?
Question two, we come over to Brad.
When is your birthday?
Oh. Uh, let me think.
May 10th.
I'm
sorry, but that is incorrect.
Shame.
Dude, what the hell are you doing?
Oh, come on, bro.
What's it gonna do?
You're insecure
about losing the woman you love
so your punishment is to do nothing,
nothing but watch as your
beloved kisses another man.
What the fuck?
You've
been together for five years.
So a kiss, one second for each
lovely year you've shared.
Is this what you're getting after?
Porn not doing it for you anymore?
No. Fuck this, Ava.
You're not doing that.
Let's go.
Damn it, Bradley.
Please.
Okay! Okay!
I am gonna do it.
Doesn't mean I have to watch.
Oh, you will watch.
The timer won't start until you do.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
Yeah, we have to.
One.
Two.
Fucking hell.
Three.
Four.
Four and a half.
Five.
Goddamn it.
Five. Fuck!
Five.
Are you fucking degenerate?
Face me like a man, coward.
Come on! Come on!
He's got a fucking gun.
You think?
Fuck.
Well, he's probably the only person
who can get turned on by
watching you two make out.
Nice, Brad.
What? You're defending him now?
No one's defending anyone.
We just gotta stick together on this.
I'm no one's cuck.
This isn't just about you.
Ah.
Dearest, Ava.
A kleptomaniac is defined
as someone who can't resist the urge
to take what's not theirs.
He fucking knows.
Those who
choose wrong continue to do so
when they know they've
gotten away with it before.
Said the kettle.
I ask you, Ava,
what was the gateway crime
that started the life of sticky fingers?
When I was 13,
me and my friends stole some
lingerie and got caught.
I did my community service, though.
Well, clearly that didn't stop you.
Good to know your criminal behavior
started before you met me.
I thought I was the bad influence
Though
she is telling the truth,
her addiction has risen to new heights,
ones that now hold
people's lives at stake.
Jesus. That's us.
It's not my fault we're here.
You do know how to piss people off.
I study and hunt criminals.
Guys, if they don't have it out for me,
I'm not doing my job correctly.
You're using doing your job correctly
pretty loosely there.
Whatever.
Just give us the next piece, asshole.
You'll find the next clue
hidden away by the bale of hay
in the back of the barn.
Wait. I'll go with you.
Somebody has to watch your
hands there, klepto baby.
This is ridiculous.
We're just supposed to
roll over for this guy?
Look, there's a way to win,
but you're not helping.
I'll go look.
I love you, Ava.
And you're right.
We are gonna get through this.
Kinda tastes like Tommy.
Oh!
Motherfucker.
Guys.
If he put that envelope here,
he's probably got shit all over the place.
Fuck his game.
Let's just find whatever else is here.
Guys!
What?
I think he's ready for us.
We can't stop.
He'll know
What's in the envelope.
Why does that look so familiar?
What do you mean familiar?
It's 'cause this is the photo
from Todd Hendricks' suicide scene
that was released from the public.
Why is his face all blurred out?
Because of what he did to it?
Time for round two.
Tommy, it's often said
it's what's on the inside
that counts.
You've managed to proudly embody that.
However, there's always
more to a person's story.
Disrobe and show us the
outside matters too.
Holy shit.
Do tell
us the tale of these marks.
I was in a car accident
when I was a kid.
I'm lucky to be here.
Mm,
that's very hard to hear.
Unfortunately, it's not
the truth, I it, Tommy?
Oh god. Please don't.
Please don't, don't.
The
truth must be revealed.
I'm begging you.
Please don't.
Brad, the
overturned bucket behind you,
bring over what's underneath.
No.
No, no, no, no, no. Please do
Please, I...
They can't know.
Please
Open
the book to the page
where the knife is.
Brad, don't, don't.
Don't, man. Please
Read it.
What is this, Tommy?
What is it? What's it say?
Tommy, what the fuck is this?
Enlighten
us on what it says.
"I'm so sorry, Ava.
Sorry for your dipshit of a boyfriend
who hurt your heart again.
I would never do that to you.
I wish you'd let me love you.
It pains me to keep quiet.
And I know you don't know this,
but the pain you put
me through feels good.
I want to be abused.
I want you to abuse me.
If you were to cut deep into my flesh
"instead of doing it myself, I, I'd..."
Keep going.
"I'd give you the best
pleasure you could ever know,
something I'm sure he's
never done for you.
I deal with the misery you cause me
because at least you're in my life.
And I know you don't
understand and that's okay.
Every time I see your beautiful face,
it brings me joy and pain.
Tonight, I'm adding
another mark to my body.
"The abuse I give myself
represents my love for you."
What the hell did I ever do to you?
It's what you do to her!
Ava, I'm so sorry.
You fantasize about my girlfriend
fucking stabbing you, you psycho?
Hey, guys, just, just stop, okay?
Just...
I mean, who are you, man?
Is this what you think
about when you're around us?
Answer me!
Fuck you!
Fuck you!
You don't get to stand there judging me
after everything you've done.
Why don't you try caring
about other people for once?
Or what?
You're gonna slit my
wrists while you beat off?
Fuck you.
Guys. Guys, I'm begging you, please.
It's
time for the punishment.
That wasn't enough
punishment for you already?
Bradley,
give Ava the knife.
What you wanted most, Tommy,
was for Ava to accept you
for who you really are.
Now, Ava, as Tommy has wished,
take the knife and cut him.
No. No, don't make her do that.
Please.
Don't.
Ava, you don't have to do it.
You don't have to do it.
I'm sorry, Tom.
No, I'm sorry.
It's my fault.
I'm really sorry.
Me too.
Uh...
Here. It won't be as bad.
Are you fucking serious, Tom?
Everyone's a goddamn deviant, huh?
Well, well, well.
Would you look at that.
We're all starting to grow.
You are up, Bradley.
In life, we have traits that represent us.
Some we're born with and
have no control over.
Others, we have the choice
to let it define us or not.
Your vice of alcohol has hurt many people.
When was the last time
you hurt someone with it?
I gave that part of
myself up a long time ago.
Oh, yeah?
How long?
Four years sober.
A fact I'm proud of.
That's impressive.
I'm sure it was very difficult
to break that streak.
No.
No, come on. That's bullshit.
I'm not that same person anymore.
You swore to me you wouldn't relapse.
When did this happen?
One night doesn't erase four years.
Another
trait you so proudly boast
is that you'd never lay your
hands on a woman; However,
your drunken mind feels different.
What did you do, Bradley?
On
the night of his setback,
a text message exchange
from Bradley to Tommy
reveals Brad's true failings.
Just keep your mouth shut.
Ava, no.
It's, it's all bullshit.
Brad:
"I'm so ticked right now.
How could she do this?"
Tommy: "Where are you?"
Brad: "Still mill."
Tommy: "Are you drinking?"
Brad: "That's not the point.
Sometimes I just wanna
fucking strangle her."
I'm gonna fucking kill you!
Well, Bradley,
here's your chance to
live out your fantasy
just like Tommy did before.
Don't you lay a hand on her.
Shut up, freak.
Strangle
the woman who rejected you,
the woman who told you
she doesn't wanna spend the
rest of her life with you,
just as you wanted,
until I say stop.
Why did you say no?
I loved you so much
and I was ready to make
the ultimate commitment.
God. Now is not the time, Bradley?
Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.
When would be a better time for you?
After one of us is fucking dead?
You
have 20 seconds to decide.
How could you drink again?
Yeah, okay.
It's my fault.
I was sober for four years on for us.
Come on. I wanted to be
great at my passions first.
Look, I'm sorry I hurt you.
Hurt me?
You, you didn't hurt me, Ava.
You broke my fucking heart.
What? Isn't this what you masochists like?
Goddamn it, Bradley.
Get your hands off of her.
I didn't say stop.
I'm putting an end to all this.
I'm calling in a lifeline
As you wish.
But just remember,
the lifeline comes with
a punishment of its own.
Behind Ava lies a silver toolbox.
Go get it, Tommy.
Open the box.
Inside are tools.
Clearly.
Tools
of which you, Tommy,
have desired to use
forcefully against Bradley
over the years.
Choose your instrument
and punish Bradley with
what the tool represents.
The garden shears.
No?
Hmm. I was really looking forward to that.
The serrated knife.
Excellent decision.
Ah, very interesting.
I guess we'll keep looking.
What will he choose?
The tire iron.
Jesus, man.
Now you wanna bring me into
one of your sex crazes?
What's the story?
Last summer, we went on a road trip.
Ava popped your tire by accident
and you were gonna make her change it.
It was her fault.
It was 115 degrees out, you dick.
She didn't change
it, though, did she?
No! I did.
And the whole time I changed your tire,
I watched you yell at her.
I wanted to bash your fucking face in.
Fine.
I'll take it like a man.
But I swear to God, if you get a fucking
Only
two questions left.
This one's for Ava.
You've gotten away
with how you obtained the
evidence for the Jolly Ripper,
not that he deserves freedom,
but now you claim to have proof
to bring down another giant: Me.
My question is:
How far did you go this time?
On a class trip to the
Scranton Police Department,
during the tour,
I snuck into the evidence room,
found the files and took 'em.
Okay, guys. But what me and
Molly found is irrefutable.
Because that's what fucking matters?
What the hell, Ava?
Ava.
Ava, do you have any idea
what this can do to our rep?
No, she doesn't care who goes down
as long as she gets to win.
That's not true, okay?
I bring you guys everywhere with me.
Oh, bring us with where?
You didn't wanna bring me
further into your life.
You did all the interviews
with The Ripper after.
We're only here to make you look good.
You look pretty pathetic right now.
You only have yourself to blame.
Your next clue
can be found in the wash area.
You'll see how you framed your work.
You are not gonna come make sure
I don't mess with anything?
I really don't give a shit what you do.
Guys! Guys.
Guys, guys, you won't believe it.
Look at this. Look. Look, look.
- What is it?
- It's a picture
of Todd Hendricks and Steve.
Yeah, it's Todd's kid.
No, you don't understand.
Okay, okay,
I found this last night and
I, I took it to my room.
This is what I was looking for
when we were setting up.
You were in my fucking bedroom last night?
It's
time for the last question.
Way to dodge that, you psycho.
It's only
fitting we end with Bradley.
June 3rd, the night
you indulged in alcohol
after four years,
that wasn't your only
form of relapse, was it?
You know what? No, it wasn't.
All right?
I'm done getting my face bashed in.
There's your truth.
What do you mean?
Tommy, do you know?
You turned down my
proposal. Don't forget that.
Tell me what happened now!
I slept with Molly again, okay?
The fuck did you just say?
Look, after you said
no, I was pissed off.
And I went to The Mill and I had a few,
and I called her and she,
she listened to me vent.
And...
And what, Bradley?
Come on, Ava.
Don't make me say it again.
You, you called me that night.
And I came by and we agreed
to still make us work,
and then we...
I was with her about an
hour before you came over,
You son of a bitch!
In the same fucking bed!
What the fuck's wrong with you?
How could you do that to me?
I'm glad I said no!
Now I know what life
with you would be like.
You're too weak to be in my life.
Fuck.
Oh, we're not done yet.
Fuck you, man, and your games.
Just finish this.
The last piece you get.
Take a closer look at Cave Creek for me.
Since you've made it through
without venturing a guess,
you have two minutes starting now.
Fuck. Okay.
Um, fir-first clue.
Who?
The three horror guys, what
do they have in common?
They're killers.
They wear costumes, masks.
Masks. Masks.
Remember the photo. Hi-
his face was covered.
Fuck.
What if Todd Hendricks wear
a mask, like a new face?
Wait. What?
Okay, listen. Molly ran the D
the DNA I found.
- Stole.
- Fucking listen to me!
Okay, it was Todd's DNA the
cops had in the Okeson case.
Okay, she did her genealogy bullshit and,
and the results traced
to a now 16-year-old girl
whose biological dad is Todd Hendricks.
70 seconds.
Wait, wait. 16?
Yeah. That means she was born
after Todd supposedly died.
- Holy shit.
- Yeah.
You
brought us to Todd's house
believing he was still alive?
What the hell, Ava?
No, okay?
That bitch called right before
we started the show, okay?
And besides, no one knew we were here.
- 37 seconds.
- Hold on.
He mentioned
looking into Steve's company.
- 15.
- Fuck.
The brochure, the brochure.
Uh
Oh, shit.
Five.
Steve knew
we were gonna be here.
Time's up.
Oh, fuck.
I need your answer.
Let's just say this
mass theory is right.
Todd could be anyone.
'Cause he could still be alive.
Wha-what if they're working together?
What if he took over for him?
I mean, it's son, for fuck's sake.
I'll give you to three.
Three.
My money's on Steve took over.
Just kidding. One.
I think Brad is right.
Two.
Todd Hendricks.
You're Todd fucking Hendricks.
You are incorrect.
What?
I told you it was Steve.
Final punishment.
In one minute, one of you must be dead.
It's up to you to choose who.
But if the minute expires
and you're all still standing,
then you all die.
Your time begins now.
I vote Tommy.
Wait, wait. What?
I think you had something
to do with all this.
Bradley, stop, okay?
We gotta think.
- Tick tock.
- I am.
It all points back to him.
30 seconds.
I had nothing to do
with this, Brad, okay?
Ava, tell him.
Bradley.
You've been talking with
Steve this whole entire time.
Why didn't you get any real punishments?
I got the shit kicked out of me
and you're some perverted
lunatic who likes pain.
Maybe this is all part
of your fucking journal.
Look, look.
I'm sorry , okay?
But I had nothing to do with this!
15 seconds.
I can't take any chances.
Bradley!
Ava.
Ava. Ava, we gotta go right now.
He's gonna come for us.
Ava.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Ava!
When I was a kid,
I asked my mom why my
dad kept hurting her.
She said some people got good in them.
I always saw bad in them.
Then my dog started acting
up a few months later,
so I looked inside him.
Found a tumor in his stomach,
figured that was the bad thing
my mom was talking about.
Then I found a ruptured
muscle in my dad's brain,
attributed that to why he killed my mom.
Son of a bitch.
I see
nothing but good in you
since the day you stepped
forward in my classroom.
Wish I could say the same for
your boyfriend over there.
He didn't really try to
hide the bad in him, though.
He asked you to have marry him,
you said said no.
His response to that
was to fuck your friend.
Real eye for an eye reaction.
Ah, then we got this spooky perv.
Wake up, sleeping beauty.
Ah.
There he is.
- What the fuck?
What the fuck?
You, my friend, were inspiring.
You left your heart out
on the floor tonight,
but for what?
A girl that you can never have.
So misguided.
Wait, wait.
Wait, wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Ava Cole, A-plus student.
Really thought you had it figured out,
but just like the Jolly Ripper case,
it was all built on lies.
You've studied me for a long time
so you know one of you
has gotta disappear in that bath.
And since you're the one with
blood on your hands, well,
I guess that means it's gotta be you.
No, no, please.
No, no, no.
Please, please. No.
No.
No, no, no!
Stop! No, please.
No, no, no.
Stop. No, no!
No! No!
No! No!
No! No!
No.
No!
You lied.
About what?
You said you'd tell
us if we guess right.
Todd Hendricks is The Vindicator
and you are Todd Hendricks.
Todd Hendricks died, remember?
October 18th, 2002.
He got sloppy, lazy.
I wasn't about to let my
masterpiece go unfinished,
especially so early.
I figured it out.
I'm gonna put you away.
Oh, we both know
how you got whatever evidence you have,
which is a shame.
You would have made a fine detective.
Had I known beforehand
that you stole the piece
that put Ripper away,
I would have never let
you go through with it.
It's against the book.
Against the book.
You're a psychotic serial killer.
I don't use
anything to my advantage
that the other team can't have access to.
It's a true testament
to being the smartest in the ring.
I don't cheat the game.
People's lives are a game.
Yours was just part of one.
It still is.
Ah, fuck.
It's time for you to repent.
Fuck.
Joleen Stuggurt,
do you confess to murdering her?
Ron Lonzo!
Ah, shit.
Fred Higgins.
Ah, fuck.
Kim Sottar.
How do you plead?
Ah, shit.
Enough, goddamn it.
Enough?
Enough?
What about when we asked you to stop, huh?
Where the fuck was your mercy?
Go ahead.
Go ahead, take me in.
No one's gonna believe you.
No one's gonna help you
once they find out how
you obtained your proof.
You know, you've always
inspired me, Professor,
especially tonight.
And you're right.
I did need to get the proof the right way.
So thank you for leading
me to do just that.
What are you talking about?
Well played, Miss Cole.
Well played.
So you're gonna take me to the police?
Nope.
It's like you said,
someone's gotta take the acid bath.
Excuse me?
I had to kill the man I loved
and watch you murder my best friend.
You can't do it, can you?
Murdering your boyfriend got to you.
You can't kill a second person.
You know, I really would've
made a great investigator,
but after tonight,
all the, all the pain,
humiliation,
taking a life,
I liked it.
And I'd make a far better psychopath.
After all, I learned from the best.
So, Todd, I have one
more question for you.
Are you gonna die tonight?
Wait. Wait, we can
work together.
I am gonna miss you.
Where is Ava Cole now?
She did it.
What?
She killed everyone.
No way. That's outrageous.
I never really liked her
on the "Serial Chat" podcast.
She rubbed me the wrong way,
always seeking attention.
So we're feeling sorry
for Todd Hendricks then,
aka The fucking Vindicator,
also also known as the man
who murdered almost 100 people
in the most gruesome and horrific ways,
half of which he melted
to nothing in acid,
that guy?
So, first, girl power.
Go, Ava Cole for taking down Vindy.
But secondly, what other
explanation is there?
All of the evidence points to her.
The cops find a major
blood bath, literally,
an acid tub full of blood.
And Ava Cole? Gone.
One of the most popular figures
in the true crime world,
who couldn't resist going live
to her fans at every
possible moment, the biggest,
most important achievement of her career,
of her life,
and she goes radio silent?
Come on, Lynn. Don't be naive.
Maybe she just thinks
someone's still out there
to get her.
She is a smart cookie.
If she hasn't popped up on the grid,
it must be pretty scary out there for her,
not to mention the division from like you
accusing her of horrible things.
Well, if you don't
wanna hear it from me,
there's someone you might listen to,
someone with firsthand experience.
Their opinion may sway you.
What you talking about, Sindy?
Ladies and gents, the
son of The Vindicator:
Steve Hendricks.
Hello, Steve.
You're on "Those Who
Sin" with Lynn and Sin.
Thank you, ladies.
How'd you get a hold of him?
Steve, this is insane to be
talking with you right now.
Everyone's been wondering where you are.
Well, I can't exactly
tell you my whereabouts,
but I do believe it's been long enough.
I finally need to let the world know.
Know what?
The truth.
My father, Todd Hendricks,
did some awful things.
I tried to distance myself
for a long, long time,
but it all still caught up.
Even started to take hold
that I'm covering for him or, or worse.
But I'm here to clear my name
And how are you going to do that?
There are a lot of people out there
who believe you were involved.
Yeah.
I've seen the theories and
the stupid rumors online
about what happened that night,
about Ava Cole
and how she's some sort of a hero.
Well, there's something people don't know,
not even the police.
Wow.
Ladies and squirms,
this is about to be breaking news.
Ava, Bradley,
and Tommy were at my father's house
to do a podcast episode.
They invited me to be a guest.
When I arrived, I was knocked out cold.
I didn't see who did it.
But when I came to, several hours later,
I saw a trail of blood
leading to our family's barn
I found the bodies of Tom
Kincaid, Brad Faville, and,
and my dad.
But no Ava Cole
But I did find something else:
Their camera.
Whoa. Please tell me it was recording.
Yeah, it sure was.
You didn't take it to the police?
After how my father was
so connected and corrupted?
No, I couldn't trust them.
Steve?
Everything okay?
I, I don't have a lot of time, okay?
What I found on that video
reveals what really happened that night.
What the fuck are you doing here.
Steve, is everything okay?
Is that Ava Cole?
How'd you find me?
Get away.
Oh god.
Who, who is that?
Steve?
Steve?
What the f
The say I'm the devil
You should probably believe them
The way that I move
I give them every fucking reason
Some of those who
thrive on assumptions
They have no confidence
So I use that against them
And make the fucking best of it
There's always gonna be someone
Saying that I'm a villain
And that may be true
If that's their story, that's on them
When karma comes around
And pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you created
With every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in your mouth
Is dripping on the ground
The blood in your mouth
The blood your
The blood in your mouth
I keep my nose clean
My heart is pure in intention
I'm not stealing, lying, cheating
No causing any dissension
I know who I am
And I don't need no extension
I'd call you out by name
But you're too ugly to mention
There's always gonna be someone
Saying that I'm a villain
And that may be true
If that's their story, that's on them
When karma comes around
and pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you created
With every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in mouth
Is dripping on the ground
The blood in your mouth
The blood in your
The blood your mouth
Twisting of words is all that you do
Emotional poison shows
the damage in you
You think you are untouchable
But nobody is
Someday the ground will open up
And swallow you in
Twisting of words is all that you do
Emotional poison shows
the damage in you
You think you're
untouchable but nobody is
Someday the ground will open up
And swallow you in
And swallow you in
When karma come around
and pushes you down
Will the foot on your neck
Make sense to you now
Look at what you create with
every ounce of your hatred
When the blood in your drown
Is dripping on the ground