A Murder of Crows Page #4

and I couldn't breathe.

I'd been so careful.

I'd destroyed the only

evidence that could prove

that I didn't write the book.

Of course, there's

the distinct possibility

that nobody told you any of the details

of these murders.

There's a distinct possibility

that one disgusted, disgruntled,

disbarred lawyer,

angry at the system that shut him out,

took revenge on the very men

who refused to make

the same moral sacrifice

he did.

Nobody had to tell you

any of these details

because you were there, Mr. Russell.

You killed those men.

You're out of your mind.

Why'd you send me your book?

What?

Is that not your handwritin'?

You just couldn't stand the idea

of people not knowing

about your accomplishments,

could you?

I mean, what's the sense

of committing the perfect crime

if nobody knows about it?

So you set it down

detail-per-detail, didn't you?

And you sent a copy to the one person

you knew could understand it:

The detective that worked the first case.

You sent me that book,

didn't you, counselor?

Because you wanted me to catch you.

Didn't you?

I'd like to speak to an attorney.

Good luck findin' one.

Thanks for coming.

What the hell is goin' on, Lawson?

A really big misunderstanding.

You are being investigated

for 5 counts of homicide.

Well, I'm tellin' you,

it's some kind of mistake.

No. There's no mistake.

That's the list of victims.

They died exactly how you described it

in your book.

I didn't kill anybody,

I promise you that.

Then you're going to

have to explain to them

where you got your information.

Am I being charged? No, not yet.

They want to hear your story first.

They won't believe it.

Try me, then.

What are my options?

You don't have any.

You have to cooperate.

Tell them where you got your facts.

The law does not respect

protection of sources

in capital crimes.

Hell, you should know that.

It's obstruction of justice,

plus accessory after the fact,

harboring a fugitive.

Man, if they really want to get nasty:

Involuntary manslaughter.

You'll go to jail, Lawson.

OK, OK, all right.

Tell them that I need time

to confer with counsel

and to prepare a statement.

Tell them I'll be more

than happy to cooperate

in every way possible,

including naming my source,

but I need out of here now.

Lawson...

Pope, please...

Just do it.

Man.

He's guilty.

How can you tell?

Watch. He'll look back.

When the perp's holdin',

they always look back.

Dubose here.

Rabbit's on the track.

Set the hounds loose.

Billy ray, old buddy,

I need a search warrant.

I know just the judge.

Satisfied?

I can't believe this.

But it was true.

Each one of the murders in the book

documented an actual killing.

I was... to use the vernacular...

F***ed.

I didn't write the book.

What?

I didn't write the book.

It was given to me

by an old man I met in key west.

He gave me the original

manuscript to read,

and then he died of a heart attack.

I got greedy. I put my name on it.

I submitted it,

and it bup bup bup bup!

You expect me to believe that?

No, no. Hell, I don't even believe it,

but it's true.

Listen, you said yourself

when you read it

it didn't sound anything like me.

I'm guilty of plagiarism, not murder.

So where's the original manuscript?

I burned it.

Great.

So the old man from key west

is the real killer,

is that what you're tellin' me?

Yes.

Maybe. I don't know.

Maybe he just knew the killer.

You don't believe me.

I don't know what to believe.

What are you doing?

I don't think you should

say any more to me.

What are you talkin' about?

This is privileged.

No, it is not.

I am not representing you in this.

Pope.

I think you'd better seek other counsel.

No. Pope, listen.

Pope, listen, listen, listen.

I'm sorry, Lawson.

I need your help.

There was a time

when I would have done anything for you,

but I don't know who

you are anymore, Lawson.

I can't help you.

I'm not sure anybody can.

Pope.

Pope.

Your parents sure must be proud.

Very funny.

May I help you?

Hey! What the hell's goin' on here?!

Maybe this'll explain things, counsel.

Now, let me ask you,

a fine legal mind like yourself,

are you cooperatin'?

Because if you're not...

I'm cooperating.

Excellent!

Boys!

Mr. Russell's just given us permission

to be particularly destructive.

Carry on.

Like a drink, detective?

Nah. Never touch it.

Makes me happy.

You know, Russell, I kind of admire you.

Yeah.

I think it's a hell of an idea,

knocking off those scumbag lawyers,

letting all these guilty men go free

to continue preying on society.

Yes, sir, it's a damn fine idea.

Goddamn shame it's illegal, though,

isn't it?

I enjoyed your book.

Lot of creepy sh*t in there, man.

I was particularly enamored

with the analogy to crows.

That's the right word, isn't it?

Analogy?

I mean, they're extremely intelligent,

wary... omnivorous.

They're also extremely

protective of each other.

A very successful species.

You know their numbers

are exploding in this country?

Just like lawyers.

That'd be a metaphor, right?

Or is it a simile? Whatever.

You know, you barbecued me

on the stand once.

You remember that?

Vaguely.

You like being a smart ass, don't you?

Must be a genetic trait

with your profession,

like overcharging.

And you all just love

attacking the police.

Makes your day.

Bringing in those high-priced,

so-called experts.

Earn 10 times as much

as we do to tear apart

our investigations and lab work.

While we're underpaid,

overworked, understaffed,

and constantly being

pushed into the ground

as if we were the criminals.

Some of you are.

Takes a team effort

to have the highest

crime rate in the nation.

Now you're being downright offensive.

We both are.

The difference is I'm trying to be.

But you just can't help it.

You know, I followed that parks trial.

Our boy thurman was guilty, wasn't he?

How did that deal come down?

I mean, why did you

snap on him like that?

Too many twinkies.

That sounded expensive.

Lieutenant, you better look at this.

My, my.

I found them in the kitchen,

underneath the cabinets.

Well, lookie here.

Well, that's a good one.

No wonder you had all the details right.

You took pictures!

That's not mine.

I've never seen that stuff before.

No, really?

Well, I guess we'd just

better let you go?

Wait, listen. I'm being framed!

Get your hands behind your back now.

This is my favorite part of the job.

Lawson Russell, you're under arrest

on 5 counts of murder.

Damn!

Sh*t!

The goddamn rabbit's loose!

Repeat, the rabbit's loose.

The New Orleans police department

is actively seeking Lawson Russell

in connection with the murders

of 5 prominent attorneys

depicted in his book a murder of crows.

How sad. Ho ho!!

Mr. Russell escaped custody

earlier this afternoon

and is currently at large.

Come here, baby girl.

It's time to play the escaped convict

and the warden's wife.

My.

Ms. devrie, did you have any idea

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