True Story Page #4

that nobody knew.

I'm sorry.

No, it's okay.

I know I'm a nobody.

Not to me.

You know his real name

was Theodor Geisel?

Yeah. Dr. Seuss.

Yeah, I knew that.

You knew that?

He was born in Wisconsin.

There's a park there,

with statues of all

the Dr. Seuss characters.

You out-Seussed me.

That's impressive.

I have kids.

We went to Seussland.

Time to go.

All right, buddy.

Thanks, Mike.

Let's go.

The more I dig into this thing,

the more I think

it could be the best thing

I've ever worked on.

Do you have a title in mind?

"True Story," I think.

True Story, right.

And when do you think

you might be able

to get us something?

Soon. Incredibly soon.

Let's wrap it up, Shortstop.

Shortstop.

It's my nickname.

Long-go.

Short-stop.

Shortstop.

We'll give him the dedication.

Dedicate...

For the book.

"For Shortstop." Like a wink.

What's a wink?

A wink is

when a writer puts in

a secret message

for someone special.

Like a private joke.

Cool.

My mom will be proud.

Chris, you know,

if you're found guilty,

I can't give you any money

for the book.

Even if I wanted to,

the law wouldn't allow it.

I understand.

Just as long as

you're not hoping I am.

Am what?

Found guilty.

Thank you.

I just got off the phone

with HarperCollins.

And?

They offered me

a $250,000 advance.

Wow.

They say it's exactly

what they needed.

They loved the writing.

They're very excited,

and they want me

to sign up immediately.

And he told you the whole story?

He told me what I needed.

Did he do it?

I don't know.

Hey, could you,

be careful with that, please?

Sorry.

No, no. Um...

It's just that

I want to send them

a hard copy of

the first chapters.

You okay?

Yeah.

I'm glad it all worked out.

You should be proud.

So how have you been this week?

I'm just thinking

I should plead guilty

to everything,

so it'll all be over.

People are gonna think

what they want to think.

It doesn't matter what I say.

Chris, come on, of all people,

I know what it's like

to avoid the truth.

But I'm smart enough to know a

second chance when I see it.

I've never admitted this

to anyone, not even Jill,

but the things

that I got fired for,

I did them.

When I wrote that Africa story,

I didn't mix up my notes.

I didn't combine

the characters by accident.

I knew what I was doing.

I knew readers would care more

if they thought

all these things happened

to one kid instead of five.

And I needed people to care.

I got so wrapped up

in trying to tell a great story

that I completely lost

my obligation to the truth.

Don't make

the same mistake I made.

If you're covering for someone,

if you're lying for them,

you may think it's easier,

but it will eat away at you.

It will destroy you.

This is the plea hearing

for the State of Oregon versus

Christian Michael Longo,

case number VRN1641.

Is the defendant in

attendance and represented?

Yes, Your Honor.

Would the defendant please rise?

Mr. Longo, I will go over

the charges one by one

in the order they were filed.

For the death of Zachary Longo,

how do you plead?

My client pleads not guilty.

For the death of Sadie Longo,

how do you plead?

My client pleads

not guilty, Your Honor.

Hi, this is Mike Finkel.

I'm calling to see

if case number 641

is out of plea hearings yet?

How did it go?

For the death of MaryJane Longo,

how do you plead?

My client pleads guilty.

For the death of Madison Longo,

how do you plead?

My client pleads guilty.

Order. Order.

Mr. Longo,

you do realize how confusing

the court will find this plea.

And that unless you have

been advised otherwise,

you could be facing

a life sentence

at the very least.

Yes, sir, I do understand that.

Do you have any questions?

I do not.

But, Mike,

everything you sent suggested

he was pleading innocent

on all counts.

I know, I know.

And now every news outlet

in the country

is covering the story,

but you seem to be

completely in the dark.

Yes, I realize...

I realize that.

Mike, we need your word

you'll get us

something we can rely on.

Without that, we have no book.

F***!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Mike...

You told me you were innocent.

I'm sorry about that.

You should be

f***ing sorry, Chris.

Who pleads guilty to two murders

and innocent to two others?

Look, I...

Stupid.

Yo, Chris, I don't understand.

And you seem to have

no interest in

telling me the truth,

so why should I believe

a word that you say?

Sometimes the truth

isn't believable.

That doesn't mean

that it's not true.

What the f***

are you talking about?

Do you hear yourself?

Just stop.

Tell me something real!

Mike, I would, but I can't.

This isn't just about me.

Who? Who do you

have to protect?

I can't say.

I know better than to

blindly trust my sources.

If anybody on Earth

knows that, it's me.

But this is different, okay?

This has been months.

My whole reputation's

on the line,

or what's left of it anyway.

Mike,

you are a good friend.

And I owe you so much.

So, so much.

Mike, don't give up on me.

Writing with you

has been the only thing

that's kept me going.

How did it feel

to write about your family?

It was hard.

The trial for their murders

begins tomorrow.

I suggest you think

about them tonight.

I think about them every night.

Mr. Finkel?

My name is Greg Ganley,

I'm an investigator with

the Oregon Department

of Justice.

I'll be assisting

the prosecution's office

in its case

against Christian Longo.

Okay.

I was wondering if we might

be able to speak together.

Sure.

Great.

You want to go somewhere quiet?

More quiet?

Yeah.

Thanks.

I know you've been

communicating with Mr. Longo.

Maybe he's even been candid

with you about matters

directly related to the trial,

I don't know.

But I need to ask you

for help now for our side.

So we can get some justice here.

Help how?

Tell us what you and Longo

have discussed.

Let us review any letters

or taped conversations

between the two of you.

I can't do that.

I promised Chris I wouldn't.

Let me spell this out for you.

Your cooperation

might make the difference

between him being

found guilty or set free.

Set free?

What are you talking about?

He pleaded guilty.

We think he might be trying

to confuse the jury

as part of

some bigger game plan.

If he can sow enough doubt to

force a mistrial, he's won.

I know this doesn't make

any sense right now,

but I've seen a lot of killers

in court down the years.

Most of the time,

they look like cornered foxes,

wild and confused.

Longo has this calm about him.

He knows something.

I believe we're dealing with

an exceptionally dangerous man

who has killed before,

and he will kill again

if he is allowed.

So, what can you do for us?

I'm trying to make

you feel bad enough

or guilty enough to talk to me.

I'm putting the turd,

so to speak, in your pocket.

Are you really going

to be the man

who might set him free?

You've done your thing.

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