Insomnia Page #24

WILL:

You're going to be brought in for

questioning.

Walter smiles. Pleased.

WALTER:

Down at the station?

WILL:

(hisses)

Yes down at the station.

Walter rubs his hands together. Thinking.

WALTER:

Okay. Okay. Brought in for questioning.

Good. I can write this.

JUST THEN the ferry blows its HORN. Low and loud. Walter

looks down at it.

WALTER (cont'd)

Ferry's leaving.

He starts down. Will watches him pass, has no choice but to

follow. Walter, going over the details in his head.

WALTER (cont'd)

Something to divert...

Snaps his fingers. An idea.

WALTER (cont'd)

My gun. You still have my gun, right?

Will nods. Walter smiles. Spreads out his hands.

WALTER (cont'd)

Then that's the wild card. Every

detective story has a wild card.

WILL:

What do you mean, "wild card?"

TOURISTS. Boarding the ferry.

WALTER:

Next ferry's in forty-five minutes.

Walter heads over to the ramp. Will stops, grabbing his

side. A PANG through his ribs. Excruciating. Calls out to

Walter.

WILL:

What do you mean "wild card?"

Walter looks back. Waves.

WALTER:

You'll know. At the questioning.

Gives his ticket to the TICKET TAKER. Gets on. Walks back

to the stern. Looks out at Will. The HORN sounds again.

Walter, at the rail. Smiles. The ferry's engine, churning

up water. Starting forward just as...

Walter takes a MINI CASSETTE RECORDER from his pocket. Holds

it up for Will to see.

Will, on shore, sees it. A cold flash ripping through his

body. That motherf***er. Bolts through some tourists

towards the ramp but...

A couple of GUYS are just pulling it in. The Ticket Taker,

grabs his arm.

TICKET TAKER:

(to Will)

Full up.

Will, jerks his arm away. Stares off at the ferry. Walter

Byrd and his tape recorder. Receding into the distance.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHTMUTE - DAY

CLOSE ON a counter top. Stuff thrown down. Aspirin. Band-

aids. Gauze. Medical tape. First aid cream. Back pills.

Sleeping pills. Bottle of scotch.

PULL BACK to reveal Will standing at the counter in the

convenience store. His entire body aching. The CASHIER,

throws him a look.

WILL:

I have a cold.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - MINUTES LATER

Will exits the store. A bag under his arm. We Miss You, Kay

looming over his shoulder. Steps out onto the sidewalk and

sees...

ELLIE leaning against her truck. Waiting for him. Smiles.

ELLIE:

Which way are you walking?

A tingle, all across Will's body. Christ. This girl's

everywhere! He hunches into his coat. Flicks up his collar.

Doesn't want her to see him fully. Nods down the road.

WILL:

Back to the Lodge.

Ellie grabs her bag. Joins him. They start walking.

ELLIE:

I needed to get your signature on

something.

She pulls a folder from her bag.

ELLIE (cont'd)

The report on Detective Eckhart. Chief

made me finish it this morning. Said it

was taking too long.

Will takes the file. Flips it open. The death of his

partner. Neatly typed. Neatly stapled. Pulls out a pen.

ELLIE (cont'd)

Aren't you going to read it?

WILL:

I trust you.

He signs. Hands it back to her. She slips it into her bag.

ELLIE (cont'd)

Now I can help you with the Connell case.

That writer's coming in tomorrow. Walter

Byrd.

A slight stutter in Will's step.

WILL:

Duggar called him?

ELLIE:

About an hour ago. Said he was more than

happy to cooperate.

Ellie looks over at Will as they cross the street. Studying

his face. His gait. Noticing the slight limp in his right

leg. The cut on his forehead.

ELLIE (cont'd)

You haven't been sleeping much, have you,

Detective Dormer?

They arrive at the stone steps of the Pioneer Lodge.

WILL:

Not really.

ELLIE:

Isn't that the difference between a good

cop and a bad cop? A good cop can't

sleep 'cause a piece of the puzzle's

missing. A bad cop can't sleep 'cause

his conscience won't let him.

(smiles)

You said that once, remember?

Will, finally looks at her.

WILL:

No. But it sounds like something I

would've said.

Turns and starts up the steps.

WILL (cont'd)

See you tomorrow, Ellie.

Ellie, watches him for a second. Then calls out.

ELLIE:

Oh! I forgot to tell you. The Puffins

won.

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