EPISODE 25

“A FIERY FINISH”

Scene: The Lassiter Estate. The library. Nikki Lassiter has her cell phone to her ear, listening to Richie’s voicemail.

Nikki (frustrated, speaking into the phone): Richie, call me as soon as you get this message. (She snapped close the flip top cell phone) Richie, what is going on? Where are you? I need to talk to you.

Kevin: (walking in) You needed to talk to me?

Nikki: No, I was trying to reach Richie, but I haven’t been able to get a hold of him. I called his sister and some of his football friends. No one knows where he is.

Kevin (picking up a folder off the coffee table): You look concerned. Is there something wrong?

Nikki: Well of course. Richie’s been so upset since this whole mess with Nathan started. And Nate winding up in the hospital didn’t make things any better. (Pause) I know you and Richie are close. Have you seen him, talked to him?

Kevin: We are… and yes. I did talk to him this afternoon. We had lunch.

Nikki: And how was he?

Kevin: (shrugging) He was melancholy for the most part. We talked mostly about Alec… and the past… when his parents were still married. There were a lot of good times and he misses those days. I guess he just thinks about a time when life was happier.

Nikki: And that’s it? You didn’t talk about Nathan or the murder or any of that?

Kevin: Of course we did. It’s the most prevalent thing on Richie’s mind.

Nikki: What did he tell you?

Kevin: (uneasily) He really didn’t tell me much of anything.

Nikki: What does that mean?

Kevin: There’s something going on with Richie. I’m not sure what that something is, but he’s clearly troubled and he’s keeping it inside.

Nikki: That’s what you think, by just talking to him briefly this afternoon?

Kevin: Yes. I tried to get him to confide in me, but he wouldn’t.

Nikki: Well, he won’t talk to me either. Ever since this all started, I just see him getting angrier and angrier and withdrawing more and more from me. And I don’t know what to do. I’m just scared for him, Kevin. Something is eating at my boyfriend and I have no idea how to help him.

Kevin: You need to start by finding how exactly what he’s keeping quiet.

Nikki: And I would. But first… I need to find him.

* * * * * *

Scene: Mama J.’s; the back office. It is small and cluttered with old weathered furniture papers, files, knick-knacks and other items. Oddly though, a state of the art computer was shoved into a corner. Danny James and Mama J. walk in.

Danny: Mama J., I am sorry about what happened out there tonight.

Mama J.: You should be. Starting a fight with a cop; what is wrong with you!? You want to wind up back in jail!?

Danny: Damn it, I couldn’t help it! Eric Lassiter just got to me!

Mama J.: Which is exactly what he wanted. He pushed all your buttons to goad you into doing something stupid and you were fool enough to oblige him!

Danny: You know what that bastard is like!

Mama J.: Yes, I do. He likes to cause trouble. But you can’t let him get to you. Danny, you have got to control your temper, especially now. The last thing Nate needs for you to be behind bars. What good are you going to do him then?

Danny: You’re right. Nathan does need me and I can’t let anyone get in my way. It won't happen again.

Mama J.: I hope not. I swear, you better thank God you’ve got folks like Dr. Zachary Dailey and Glo on your side, otherwise you’d have your butt planted in a jail cell right now. (Pause) And you’d deserve it.

Danny (angrily): Those people are not on my side.

Mama J.: Really? Gloria spoke out against her own child in defense of someone she hardly knows. Zachary Dailey has publicly supported Nathan from the start, despite the fact it was his own sister that was killed. Do you think that it was easy for either of them to take those positions? You were lucky they were there to help you.

Danny (insistent): I don't need their help.

Mama J. (suspiciously): Why? What have they done but be supportive from the start? Do you honestly think you and Nate can get through this alone?

Danny: We are going through this alone! What has their support done for Nathan? It does us no good to have some guilty white do-gooders pledging their support for the poor black man. It might make them feel better, but it leaves us with exactly what we started with...nothing!

Mama J.: I don’t believe what I’m hearing. You have a problem with those good, decent people because they’re white?

Danny: Do I need another reason?

* * * * * *

Scene: Dana Cooper’s house. Eric and Dana walk in. Dana clicks on the light. Eric looks around the place. He is holding the five remaining beers in a six pack in one hand and a can of beer in the other.

Eric: Place looks the same as the last time I was here.

Dana (closing the door): Why would I make any changes? Pete and Lizzie made a beautiful home. I love it just the way it is.

Eric: Tim here?

Dana: He’s out with some friends, I think.

Eric (taking a drink of his beer): How’s he doing?

Dana: Tim’s the star quarterback on the Covington Bay High Cougars. He’s going to take the team all the way to the playoffs, maybe the state championship.

Eric: That’s great. Pete would be proud. You know how he loved watching Tim play.

Dana: Yeah. It was his dream to see his son play in the NFL. And if Timmy keeps going the way he is, it’ll happen. The college scouts are already sniffing around him.

Eric: That’s no surprise. If he plays his cards right, he can write his own ticket.

Dana: It was what Pete and Lizzie wanted for their son and he pushes himself hard to realize that dream. (Pause) I take it you haven’t been to any of his games lately? Have you even talked to Timmy lately?

Eric (shrugging) No. I’ve been busy. Job keeps me on the go, you know?

Dana: I know. I just remembered you saying after they died that you would be there for their son… keep an eye on him. (Pause) I guess you haven’t done much of that.

Eric: Like I said, I’ve been busy.

Dana: Doing what? Obviously not catching Pete and Lizzie’s killers, or was there a front page story I happened to miss?

Eric (shaking his head, sadly): No, the killers haven’t been caught.

Dana: Then if the killers haven’t been caught, then why are you here? Has there been a lead or something?

Eric: No and that’s the problem. Since after all this time, there have been no leads, the department has decided to drop the case. At this point, my Captain thinks it’s a waste of time to continue pursuing things. The murders will be marked unsolved.

Dana (nodding) I see. (Pause) Is that all?

Eric: Isn’t that enough?

Dana: I mean if you’ve delivered your news, then you can go.

Eric: This is not what I wanted and I certainly have no intention of dropping the case, even if I have to work on my own time. I promised you and Tim that I’d find out who killed Pete and Lizzie. And I’m going to keep that promise.

Dana: Just like you’ve kept every other promise in your life, Eric?

Eric: Meaning?

Dana: That you have never been reliable, never been someone to count on. What makes you think I’d believe you’d start now?

* * * * * *

Scene: The Lassiter Estate; the library. Nikki and Kevin are there.

Kevin: Do you have any idea where Richie might be?

Nikki: No, I’ve tried everywhere. I talked to Marc and some of his other friends, guys on the football team. No one seems to know where he is. I wish I could believe he was just upset about what’s going on with Nathan and he is. But there’s more to it than that. (Pause) What happened when you talked to him?

Kevin: Not much. I found Richie standing outside the hospital, very upset about something. I decided to take him out to lunch, see if I could get him to relax and calm down.

Nikki: And did he?

Kevin: Not really. All he could talk about was Nathan charged with Candice’s murder and how he was certain Nathan didn’t do it.

Nikki: That’s all he talks about. But you think there’s more to it. You think there’s something he’s holding back?

Kevin: And clearly you do as well. I will say that I came away from talking to Richie with more questions than answers. Maybe you can get some of those answers, find a way to get him to confide in you. And do it as soon as you can.

* * * * * *

Scene: The warehouse district; an abandoned warehouse. The building is ablaze, the fire rapidly eating up the building. A.J. Lassiter and Patricia Lassiter are inside, tied back to back on the floor, the fire surrounding them and coming closer. Patricia is frantically moving around; A.J. is passed out.

Patricia: A.J.! You’ve got to wake up! A.J., please wake up! (Pause) We’ll never get out of here if you don’t wake up...I can’t do this by myself. (She moved back and forth to shake him) You’ve never been silent before whenever I had something to say, don’t start now of all times!

A.J. (groggily as he revived): How can I stay unconscious with that painful voice ringing in my ears!?

Patricia (relieved): Oh, thank God! You’re awake, you’re awake!

A.J. (wincing in pain) Well, the way I feel, maybe being unconscious is the preferred option.

Patricia: A.J., we’ve got to get out of here! It’s not going to be long before the whole building goes up!

A.J.: Well, untying these knots are out of the question. These guys did a good job. We’ll have to... (A.J. spotted some glass shard laying several feet away) Over there! There’s some glass. We’ll have to shimmy over there and use it to untie the ropes.

Patricia: How are we going to do it?

A.J.: Fall onto your side and we’ll work our way over.

Patricia: Okay! (They flopped over and began making their way to the broken glass. Patricia could see the building continuing to be consumed by the flames) A.J., we’ll never make it out of here!

A.J.: Just shut up and move, Patricia. We’ll make it. I may have written my own obituary, but I have no intention of using it yet!

* * * * * *

Scene: Mama J.’s. Mama J. and Danny are in her office.

Mama J.; You know, boy, I’d say you’re not using the sense God gave you, but I’m starting to wonder if he gave you any at all. Do you know how hateful you sound?

Danny: And with good reason. For my entire life white people have either wanted me be quiet, in jail, or dead. And that's never going to change. Surely you have to know what it feels like to have people hate you because you're black.

Mama J.: Of course I have. Sadly enough, I've seen enough racial hatred to last two lifetimes.

Danny: Then you understand where I'm coming from.

Mama J.: Danny, let me tell you something. I have no tolerance for racism. I don’t care what side of the color spectrum it comes from.

Danny: You don’t think I’m right? You think any of those people give a damn about Nate?!

Mama J: I’ve known Gloria Lassiter for most of her adult life. She is one of the most caring people I’ve ever met; there isn’t a false bone in her body. Now frankly, I don’t know Zachary Dailey, but Nathan always spoke highly of him. And I really don’t think he would defend the man who killed his sister out of some white guilt as you put it. You need to take a better look around you, Danny, and see who your allies are. You’ll never get through this without them.

Danny: Mama J., they may believe in Nate and even want to support him, but my point is that in the end it gets us nowhere. Nate needs real help, someone who can get him out of this mess.

Mama J. And that someone is you? (Pause) Danny, I hope you’re not stupid enough to try some fool stunt to solve Nathan’s problems. You saw how eager Eric Lassiter was to slap those handcuffs on you tonight, don’t give him any reason to come after you again.

* * * * * *

Scene: Dana’s home. Dana and Eric are there.

Eric: Dana, I realize you’re upset about this news, believe me, I hate it. But, I swear to you that I’m going to do everything I can to find out who killed Pete and Lizzie.

Dana: And like I said, Eric, you are not reliable. You never have been. Believe me, I’m not foolish enough to couldn’t count on you for anything.

Eric: I know it’s taking a long time to solve this case, but...

Dana: Eric, you’re missing the point. I don’t believe in you, I don’t trust you. You haven’t kept your word to anybody in your life. Beyond solving the murder, you said you’d be here for me and Tim, but I haven’t seen you in months. And the last few times you came here, you were drunk and the only thing you had in mind was getting into my bed.

Eric: And I don’t remember you exactly resisting...or not wanting more.

* * * * * *

Scene: The warehouse. A.J. and Patricia are there; trying to crawl over to the broken glass.

Patricia: A.J., this taking so long!

A.J.: Good things come to those who wait! Now, keep moving!

They slowly crawled over to the broken glass and positioned themselves so A.J. could grab a piece in his fingers and he started using the shard to cut the rope.

Patricia: Is it working?!

A.J. (continuing to cut away at the rope): It’s getting there.

Patricia: Well, hurry! We don’t have a lot of time.

A.J. (annoyed): Well, if you think you could do any faster, why don’t you take the glass!? If you can’t, then be quiet!

Patricia: Okay, I’ll let you do it, just hurry!

A.J. (wryly): Thanks for your blessing. (He continued to cut and could feel the rope starting to give) Oh, it’s coming! It’s coming! I’ve almost got it! (The rope then was sawed through and A.J. was able to free his hands) I did it!

Patricia (as A.J. untied his feet): Thank God! Hurry, A.J.! Hurry!

A.J. (turning and untying Patricia’s hands) Don’t worry, we’ll make it! (He then untied her feet and she leapt up) There! Now, let’s get out of here!

Patricia (coughing): The smoke’s starting to get to me!

A.J. (straining to see through the flames): The door’s over there!

They ran for the door, but suddenly a pillar swung down, crashing a few feet in front of them, plumes of flame and the massive piece of wood blocking their path.

Patricia: Oh, my God! (She continued to cough) How are we going to get out of here!? The fire's surrounding us!

* * * * * *

Scene: The Lassiter Estate; the library. Nikki and Kevin are talking.

Nikki: Kevin, it’s hard for me to believe Richie would hold anything back about this murder. He wants to solve this crime so badly. All he talks about is clearing Nathan. If he knew something about it, he wouldn’t hesitate to come forward.

Kevin: I have to agree.

Nikki: Then what could he be keeping in?

Kevin: (shrugging) I don’t know. I couldn’t even begin to imagine. And it could be possible that it may not involve the murder at all.

Nikki: I’d like to believe that.

Kevin: I guess you won’t find out anything until you talk to him. (Pause) Look, I care about Richie and I want to help in anyway I can. If I can do something, let me know please.

Nikki: Sure.

Kevin: Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do some work and hit the sack. See you in the morning.

Nikki: See ya. (Kevin walked out. Nikki picked up her cell phone and dialed. Again she was kicked to voicemail, she hung up without leaving a message) Richie, where are you? And what are you hiding from me?

* * * * * *

Scene: Richie's bedroom. It is a typical teenager’s room; cluttered and messy with posters of rock and sports stars hanging on the wall. Richie is on his cell phone.

Richie: I think our plan is going to work; it won't be long now before we're completely safe. Soon James Greyhawk will be in jail and Nathan will be free. And no one will ever find out what happened the night Candice died.

* * * * * *

Scene: Mama J.'s; the office. Danny and Mama J. are there.

Danny: Mama J., I’m not going to do anything stupid.

Mama J.: And I want to believe that, but I know you're desperate to help Nate. You've made some mistakes out of desperation before. I just don't want to see that get you in trouble again.

Danny: I've been to jail. I'm not going to put myself in a position to wind up there again.

Mama J.: Let's hope so. You know, a lot of people, including some in my own family, said it was foolish for me to hire you after you got out of jail. They said you’d bring me nothing but trouble, but I said you’d changed, that you wanted to put your past behind you and you just needed someone to give you a break. Don’t make me look like a fool, Danny.

Danny: Mama J., the last thing I would want to do is hurt you, especially after all you've done for me. I owe you.

Mama J.: Son, you don't owe me anything but to take what I've given you and use it to live an honest, decent life. (Pause) I know things are tough. You’ve had to deal with a lot of bad times and things don’t look too good these days. But, God willing, everything will turn out all right.

Danny (shaking his head) God willing? Well, Mama J., I know you have your faith and all, but God never really seemed to do much for me.

Mama J.: God is always doing for us, even if we don't realize it.

Danny: Well, my folks are dead, I haven’t seen my sisters since they were babies, I’ve got a record, a brother with his life on the line and a bitch of an ex-wife bad-mouthing me and Nate all over town. If that's what he's done for me, I'm really not interested in any more of his favors. (With that, Danny walked out)

* * * * * *

Scene: Dana's home. Eric and Dana are there.

Eric: Dana, you are not going to tell me what we didn't have some good times, or that you didn't enjoy it?

Dana (taken aback for a moment): I was grieving my brother. I needed to forget my problems for a few hours and you fit the bill.

Eric: That doesn't answer my question.

Dana: Do you need me to comment on your sexual prowess? Eric, I thought you were so full of yourself your ego didn't need that kind of stroking. Look, what happened, happened. But, it's over.

Eric: And what? Now you’re sorry?

Dana: For me to be sorry would mean that it, and you, meant something to me. Believe me, Eric, I would never be stupid enough to ever let that happen.. Unfortunately, Timmy wasn’t so lucky.

Eric: What does that mean?

Dana: He believed that you would be there for him after his father died. He was glad that his ‘Uncle Eric’ would still be part of his life. But he’s a kid so why should he doubt you? Too bad he didn’t know that you ignore your own daughter so you shouldn’t be expected to be there for someone else's kid.

Eric: Dana, I'm sorry I haven't been able to hang out with Tim, but…

Dana: Eric, forget it. I don't give a damn about your explanations; they don't mean a thing because like you they are worthless. Now, you delivered your message, so you can leave.

Eric: You’re really determined to make me out to be the bad guy, aren’t you?

Dana: What I’m doing is questioning my taste in men. First Danny James and then you.

Eric (angrily): Don’t compare me with Danny James! Ever!

Dana: Why, because he’s an ex-con and you’re an upstanding cop? You’re both lying, cheating, unreliable men who hurt everything and everyone who comes close to them. You may have been born on opposite sides of the tracks, but you and Danny are cut from the same cloth as far as I’m concerned. (She opened the door) Now, get out of here! And don't come back. I'm sure you know what that means since you've heard it enough tonight.

Eric: Fine, I'll go. But whether you believe it or not, I'm going to find out who killed Pete and Lizzie. I won't give up on that case, no matter what it takes.

* * * * * *

Scene: The abandoned warehouse. A.J. and Patricia are there; looking for a way out of the burning building.

A.J. (looking around desperately and seeing a large broken window from where some of the shards they had used to cut themselves free had come from): The window! We’ll leap through it!

Patricia: A.J., we can’t! We could be cut by the shards!

A.J.: No time to worry about that, let’s go! Remember to cover your face when we leap through!

They ran for the window and leapt through it, and crashed to the ground outside.

A.J. (lying on the ground): Patricia!? Patricia, are you okay?!

Patricia (climbing to her knees): Yeah, I’m all right. I’m all right. What about you?

A.J. (grimacing in pain): Besides the gunshot wound; I'm a peach. (He stood and pulled Patricia to her feet) We did it! We made it!

Patricia (throwing her arms around A.J.): Yes, we made it! Thank God!

A.J. (wincing) Careful, careful!

Patricia (releasing him) Sorry!

Police sirens began to fill the air.

Patricia: Here comes the police. I hope there's an ambulance too. We need to get you to a hospital.

A.J.: Well, I usually don't like hospitals, but I'm in no position to fight. (Pause) Right now, I can't help but wonder what all this had to do with Candice's murder.

Patricia: A.J., I couldn't begin to imagine. I still haven't comprehended all that happened.

A.J.: Neither have I, but one thing is certain; this case is a lot more complicated, not to mention more dangerous than I could've ever imagined.

* * * * * *

Next time in Covington Bay…

· A.J. and Patricia struggle to put together the pieces.

· Zachary is asked to lie to Gloria...and he agrees to do it.

· Nikki has questions, but first she must give some answers.

· Kevin interferes in his father's marriage.