Insomnia Page #27

ELLIE:

When did you first meet her?

Fred shoots Ellie a look. She closes her mouth.

WALTER:

A year ago. At one of my signings.

Ellie hands Fred the hardback of Otherwise Engaged. He holds

it up. Opened to the signature.

FRED:

Where you signed this?

WALTER:

That's right.

FRED:

What happened at that signing?

WALTER:

She flattered me about my writing. Asked

if she could visit me. To talk about my

books.

FRED:

Did she?

WALTER:

Yes. Not that much at first. But then

she became more comfortable. Started

visiting me every week...

Will, from over by the window. Interrupts.

WILL:

What was the nature of your relationship?

Walter looks over. Wide-eyed.

WALTER:

What do you mean, Detective Dormer?

Will turns. Accusatory.

WILL:

She was an attractive girl. Did you have

sex with her?

Walter blinks.

WALTER:

She was only seventeen.

WILL:

But she was an attractive girl.

WALTER:

I suppose.

WILL:

Did you have sex with her?

Fred shoots Will a look. Ellie, watching him.

WALTER:

No.

WILL:

But you wanted to.

WALTER:

I was a mentor to her.

Will heads over to Walter's chair. Fists clenched in his

pockets.

WILL:

You gave her gifts.

WALTER:

Yes.

WILL:

Expensive dresses. A heart necklace.

WALTER:

Yes.

WILL:

Doesn't sound like a mentor to me.

WALTER:

I gave her things she didn't have.

Couldn't have.

He turns to Fred and Ellie.

WALTER (cont'd)

Her family lives on Mr. Connell's

disability. It isn't much.

Fred stops Will with a look. Had enough.

FRED:

We understand, Mr. Byrd.

(to Will)

You want to sit down, Detective?

Tense BEAT. Will stares at Walter. Revulsion. Heads back

over to the window.

WALTER:

She wasn't happy. I was someone to talk

to.

FRED:

How do you mean?

WALTER:

That boyfriend. Randy.

Fred, sits up.

FRED:

Randy Stetz?

WALTER:

That's right.

WILL:

What about him?

WALTER:

He. Well, he...

Walter hesitates. Takes a sip of coffee.

WALTER (cont'd)

I don't want to talk out of school. Kay

told me things in the strictest of

confidence. As a friend.

FRED:

Mr. Byrd. Anything you can tell us could

help out with this case.

Walter furrows his brow. Taps his hearing aid.

WALTER:

Well. He hit her.

Ellie's eyes widen. Fred glances at Will. But Will's too

busy watching this little man weave his web.

FRED:

Are you sure about that?

WALTER:

She'd come to me, sometimes in the middle

of the night. Bruises all over her back,

her upper arms. I pled with her to let

me call the police, but she wouldn't hear

it. Wanted to keep it a secret.

ELLIE:

Randy Stetz beat Kay Connell?

FRED:

(angry)

Ellie.

Walter looks right at her.

WALTER:

He has a terrible rage. Kay even said he

carried a handgun around with him.

Fred stands. This is big. Calls out the door.

FRED:

Margaret! Get Judge Biggs on the phone!

(to Will)

I'll get another warrant for Stetz's

place.

Walter takes a sip of his coffee. Cup's empty. Holds it out

to Ellie. Smiles.

WALTER:

Could I have some more coffee, Detective

Burr?

Ellie nods, takes the cup. Heads over to the coffee machine.

Fred turns back to the door...

AND AT THAT MOMENT Walter levels a look right at Will.

Mouths the words Wild Card.

A shiver down Will's spine. Wild card. The gun. Randy.

ELLIE:

over at the coffee machine. Pouring coffee. Glances up at

the window. Catches the reflection of the two men.

An intense look between them.

EXT. ROCKY BEACH - OUTSIDE NIGHTMUTE - DAY

CLOSE ON a BOOT. Jumping down onto a black rock.

PULL BACK to reveal Ellie walking out on the beach. Heading

down towards the water. Thinking.

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