Edge of Madness Page #5

I've sent word with Reverend McBain.

They'll be coming within the week.

- Never mentioned it.

- I need to speak with him.

- Take a statement.

- Not to worry.

You can stay with us.

He'll be back within a few days.

It wasn't right, her being

there with those two laddies.

Simon was mainly stupid,

very different from George.

George is a sweet laddy.

We feel so badly for him.

He's hardly said a word

since the accident.

When they first arrived, George

came to the church every Sunday.

Then she arrived. The reverend said

she was raised by our church, but...

- We had them for supper.

- They left in the middle of dinner.

- Jenny:
George didn't want to go.

- Next morning, we smelled smoke.

Henry went over and

Simon ran him off with a gun.

- A gun?

- Aye. I...

told Reverend McBain.

I'll take them straight-away

and let her try them on.

She will be so pleased.

I have more work if you have time.

I have nothing

but time, sir.

Yes.

Yes, this is absurd...

- you in here.

- Oh, I like it.

Yes, well...

freedom has little to do

with one's physical surroundings.

Allow me.

I will be back.

Mullen's voice:
The sparseness and

isolation of the place oppressed me.

Life here would be

barely supportable

under the most favorable

conditions.

There was a grave,

as Mrs. Herron had said.

But it was empty...

the surrounding soil

soaked in blood.

Someone had been here recently,

to judge by the fire

still smoldering

in the ruined fireplace.

Annie's voice:

I heard his skull crack.

(gunshot)

(animal whining)

What are you doing here?

I'm investigating

the death of Simon Herron.

My name is Henry Mullen.

George Herron.

I'm here to examine

the body of the deceased...

your brother.

It was an accident.

There seems to be

some question of that.

Put that gun down.

You told the Treeces

you were visiting your aunt.

I was. I am...

but I decided

to come here first.

- To check the trapline.

- I saw the body, George.

In the fireplace.

Wolves dug him up.

It was...

gruesome.

Some parts were dragged

into the bush...

chewed to the bone.

So I gathered up everything

I could find...

- and I burnt it.

- In the fireplace?

I couldn't think

of what else to do.

- How old are you?

- I'm 17, sir.

I know your story, from both

the reverend and Mr. Treece.

Now I think you should tell me

in your own words.

There's not much to tell.

My brother had an accident.

I saw it with my own eyes.

A tree fell on him.

And Annie... his wife,

Well,

it undid her, I guess.

- She took off.

- Fond of her?

Aye. We get along all right.

We both like

books and music.

And your brother?

Did you get along with him?

Simon and I didn't have

much in common.

But he worked hard.

He wanted to make a better life

for himself, for us.

- And I appreciated that.

- I see.

What are you doing?

I' m taking your brother's

re mains with me.

- You're taking them?

- Yes, as evidence.

They'll be returned to you

if you wish, for burial.

- Or we can bury them for you.

- No, I'll bury him.

Very well.

Are you going to continue

homesteading?

It's all I have.

Mr. Treece says he'll

help me plant in the spring.

They've been very kind to me.

And I'll try and

make a go of it.

What will become of Annie, sir?

If the evidence supports

her claims,

We'll charge her...

and she'll go to trial.

- So she can hang?

- If she's found guilty, yes.

And if she is found guilty,

you'll be considered just as guilty

for withholding evidence.

You understand this?

You're under

investigation as well.

Aye.

But she's not guilty,

Mr. Mullen.

I can say that

before God, my maker.

I'll need a sworn statement

to that effect.

- Aye, sir.

- Do you like hunting?

I like to live, sir.

My brother taught me

that much.

Mullen's voice:
My journey has both

raised and answered questions.

That crushed skull

is damning evidence.

But George Herron is adamant...

that it was accident.

I now had a picture

of her life there...

a hard life

with a hard man.

Hard enough to drive

a woman to madness?

Or murder?

My inclinations were at war

with each other.

I am of a mind to charge her

and let the jury decide the matter.

- Mr. Mullen is back.

- Yes.

He's very tired. He slept

under the stars last night.

- Did he speak to George?

- He doesn't report to me.

- I must talk to him.

- (Ruth chuckles)

He doesn't report

to you either.

Hand me your linens.

And your rags?

- Ah, Mr. Sellor.

- Sorry. I heard you were back.

- Yes. Is there a problem?

- Not exactly.

Mrs. Herron asked me to mail this,

but the postmaster said

her last letter to Sadie Johnson

was returned, marked "deceased."

I find it peculiar

that she hadn't been told.

I thought it best. She's been

under considerable duress...

I tell you what,

leave it with me.

I would never forgive myself

if I did her any harm.

She's done enough harm to herself,

I dare say.

Hows it coming along...

your play?

- Full rehearsal this evening.

- Congratulations.

- I look forward to seeing it.

- Thank you.

- Mr. Sellor?

- Yes?

Don't mention anything

to Mrs. Herron.

Please.

Will you have

your supper now, sir?

Yes, I'll be dining

in here this evening.

The girl would like

to have a word with you.

I'll speak

with her tomorrow.

- Sir...

- Thank you, Ruth.

Annie's voice:
Dear Sadie, why

have you not answered my letters?

I can only think

you have not received them.

Hell is truth.

Seen too late.

He was no longer a boy.

The child was gone in him.

(animal growls)

Get away from there!

Go!

Go!

Go!

You don't scare me!

The cut had been

made by an axe.

Deep and gruesome,

cutting through bone

and right through

the heart of him.

Whatever had happened

out there, Sadie,

had ended in betrayal,

brother against brother.

And it was all

because of me.

I had set them

against each other.

I told you

I would bury him.

You say it was an accident.

- Just like you said.

- Why didn't you leave him alone?

Help me.

(George screams)

(crack)

George:
I killed him.

I watched him spout

his last bloody breath.

And there was no sign.

You wanted him dead, too.

We're both guilty,

I know that.

But nobody need judge us.

I did it for you.

He was going to come back

and have you, he said.

Laughing at me.

He was talking crazy

about what he'd do to you.

So I picked up the axe...

and I flung it wildly.

And he went down...

With one scream.

Then he just looked at me.

And that was it.

It was much too easy.

Much too easy.

Aren't you coming to bed?

Maybe we both wanted it.

But it was me that did it.

I'll never say

anything to anyone.

It was better when

you didn't know the truth.

Because every time

I look at you,

I remember pulling that bloody blade

out of my brother's back.

(horse neighs)

Where are you going now?

The truth is

chasing me, Annie.

I cannot sleep

and I cannot stay here.

- I'm going to the fort.

- It's both of us,

- not just you.

- If someone comes,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes