Before I Say Goodbye (2003) Movie Script
(crickets chirping)
(owl hooting)
(wolf howling)
(Nell breathing)
(ominous orchestral music)
(plants rustling)
(wolf howling)
[Nell] Where am I?
I've got to get back.
I can't be scared.
I can't find it.
Where's the camp?
(woman groaning)
Uh.
[Mother] Get up
Nell, you can make it.
Ah, ah.
Oh, it hurts.
[Father] Nell, get moving.
Ow.
Ow, ow.
[Father] That's
my girl, keep moving.
Follow my voice, Nell.
[Mother] You
can do it, be strong.
Oh, oh, oh.
"You can do it, Nell."
I heard, I heard my mother's
voice as clear as if
she was standing beside me.
Her and, and my father.
Be strong, Nell, you can do it.
They, they guided me back
to camp and saved me.
[Therapist] How long
had they been dead?
Oh, five years.
That was the last time
I've felt them near me.
Had you ever felt
their presence before?
Once.
When I was ten.
I was at boarding school,
and I'd had a premonition.
I had the overwhelming
feeling that they had died
in this terrible way.
I was so upset, I was
sent to the infirmary.
Later that day, my
grandfather came and told me
that my parents had
died in a plane crash,
that morning, in Africa.
I wish I'd had a
chance to say goodbye.
Why do you think you're
dreaming about your past
now, Nell?
Maybe it has something
to do with Adam and me.
He's just under so much
pressure with his work,
he's become sullen, withdrawn.
Maybe I'm wishing my
parents were here,
reaching out to me.
Do you feel like your
marriage is in trouble?
No, nothing that ominous.
I guess I'm just wishing
to reconnect with Adam.
Well, that's why you're here.
I think it's time we
talk about asking him
to come to a session with you.
(Nell laughing)
Adam would never talk to
someone about our problems.
He's a classic loner.
His parents died early, too.
Hard worker, self-made man.
That's one of the things
that attracted me to him.
That, and his passion.
He went after me with
everything he had,
and I was so ready
to fall in love.
It was a whirlwind romance,
three months.
I'm curious.
How well did that go over
with your grandfather?
Mac?
Oh, Mac loves him, always has.
I've never liked Adam.
That's not true, Mac.
You gave him his first
job, after we were married,
at Walters and Arsdale.
Yes, I did, and then he
walked out, after three years,
to form his own
architectural firm.
And in your words, it
was a savvy business move.
That was before
he turned on me.
What are you talking about?
Adam never turned on you.
You were supposed to run
for my seat in congress
when I retired, and you
would have, if Adam hadn't
talked you out of it.
Adam didn't talk
me out of anything.
We both decided to wait
until after I had children.
And where are they?
Ooh.
Nell, we've got a major
problem with this weasel
Bob Gorman deciding not
to run for a second term.
You're the only one who can
save the seat for the party.
You've got the name, and
you've got the political
savvy to win.
(chuckles) I have
a job, remember?
I write a column, and
if you haven't heard,
I'm very good at it.
You write a great
column, you're a thorn
in the side of every politician.
But let's face it,
you know you're dying
to throw your hat in the ring.
It's not that simple, Mac.
The hell it isn't.
Why'd you spend all
those summers interning
with me?
Remember?
I groomed you for that seat
because you wanted me to.
Because you knew
your day would come.
It's here, Nell,
seize the moment.
If you don't, you'll
always regret it.
Always.
I have a good feeling about
my designs being approved
for the Vandermeer
Towers Complex.
I'm meeting with Peter
Lang and Sam Crouse
today on the boat.
And if all goes well,
we'll be breaking ground
by next month.
That's fantastic.
I know how much that
project means to you.
To us.
It'll put me on the map as
an architect, and give you
a husband you can be proud of.
Adam, did you see this?
The district attorney's
office is charging
your old firm, Walters
and Arsdale, with payoffs.
Yeah, I saw it.
Do you think
they'll question you?
Probably.
Oh.
Oh, tell Mac he has
nothing to worry about.
I promise not to tarnish
the cherished family name.
I am not worried
about what Mac thinks.
Oh, come on, Nell,
I'm not an idiot.
You've been trying to find
a way to tell me all morning
that the old man has talked
you into running for congress.
You're right.
I've decided I'm going after
Mac's seat, and I would
like to believe that
I have your support.
Count on my support?
Nell, what are you trying
to do, solicit my vote?
That's really not fair, Adam.
I know how you feel about my
getting back into politics,
but two years ago, I walked
away from this chance,
because you convinced me
that it was the best thing
for our marriage.
I convinced you.
[Nell] Mm hm.
- No, no, we both
agreed that our
marriage had a better
shot at working without
Mac spending 10 hours a day
counseling your every move.
It's not going
to be like that.
I've always supported
your career choices.
All I'm asking for
is the same from you.
I guess that's it.
No more talking about it.
I'll talk all you want,
but this is something
I'm going to do for me.
Do what you have to do, Nell.
I sure as hell don't
want to get in the way
of Mac's plans for you.
Really?
I'm going to eat
downtown after the meeting.
Don't wait up for me.
Fine, maybe you shouldn't
come home at all, then.
Hm.
(door closing)
(phone beeping)
(dial tone buzzing)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
I hope to God Adam
kept his nose clean
while he was with
Walters and Arsdale.
Relax, Mac, I talked to Adam.
You have nothing to worry about.
I'm worried about you.
I don't want him
hurting your chances
of winning this election.
Now if he knows anything,
he's got to tell
us first before.
- [Nell] Mac.
He's my husband, I
love him, I trust him.
That should be enough for you.
Okay, Congresswoman.
Now, I want you over
here tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock to meet
your campaign staff.
Don't be late.
I never am.
(lonely orchestral music)
(camera clicking)
(doorbell chiming)
[Nell] Winifred?
Hello, Nell.
Uh, Adam asked me to
stop by and pick up his
brief case, and his blue blazer.
Oh, come on in.
Yeah, I guess he rushed out
this morning and forgot them.
Uh, I think I saw them upstairs.
I was going to call.
Oh, I know, he meant
to call you, too.
He's just really anxious
about our meeting.
You know how Adam is
at planning things.
He gets lost in the
details, and he forgets
everything else.
Oh, are you going, too?
Oh, I wouldn't miss it.
I mean, Adam wouldn't
let me miss it.
He's, he's just um.
He's lucky to
have you, Winifred.
Although I hope this isn't
part of the job description.
Oh, I don't mind.
Adam is so much nicer to work
for than Walters and Arsdale.
Truth is, I was thrilled
when he asked me to help
him start up his new firm.
I mean, um, the long hours
don't bother me at all.
Even on a boat?
Actually, I like when we
have meetings on his boat.
I love being out on the water,
even when it's
strictly business.
What, what is it?
What is it?
I, uh, nothing, well,
well, we'll have to have
you out on our boat
some time when it isn't
strictly business.
I'd, I'd like that.
Thanks, Nell.
All right.
Now scoot it to the back.
That's it.
Gently, okay?
There you go.
Hey.
Hey, sweetheart.
What are you doing here?
What a surprise.
I hate to do this to
you on such short notice,
but uh, there's a meeting
on Adam Cauliff's boat.
Sam Crouse, Peter Lang,
they want me there.
Okay, so?
I don't know, maybe
they're going to fire me
and they want to do it in style.
Why would they fire you?
Did something happen?
No.
I'm kidding.
It'll be fine.
Besides, you could
support us all on this
daycare job, couldn't you?
You know what, baby?
I think you would feel
a lot better if you
would tell me
what's bothering you
the past few weeks.
Tell me.
I've got to go.
Careful.
Mm.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Uh.
I'm sorry.
(children murmuring)
[Man] Where's Adam
hiding the good stuff?
I know he doesn't
drink this crap.
I don't know what
Crouse is worried about,
you have enough liquor
down there to pickle a pig.
That's the idea.
To you, and the
deal that gives you
everything you want.
Well, nothing happens
without you, Winnie.
(glasses clinking)
Sorry, I didn't mean
to interrupt anything.
You didn't.
Thanks for coming.
We were just toasting the
new Vandermeer Complex.
You're going to be a
very big part of that.
Great.
I never forget
my friends, Jimmy.
(cellphone ringing)
Excuse me.
Adam Cauliff.
Yeah, Peter.
Everybody's here,
waiting on you.
I hope you're alright.
No, no, we're set to go.
I think we should
just move forward.
I don't want to deal
with Sam at this point.
Yeah, alright.
What happened?
Well, Lang got himself
into an accident,
he's banged up pretty bad
and won't be able to make it.
Well, what do you want to do?
What we came here for.
Why don't you help cast me off?
(ominous orchestral music)
(tea pouring)
[Nell] I'd like to
count on your support.
[Adam] Support?
What are you trying to
do Nell, solicit my vote?
[Mac] I've never liked Adam.
(distant sirens wailing)
[Adam] Don't wait up for me.
[Nell] Maybe you
shouldn't come home at all.
(ominous orchestral music)
(glass crashing)
Oh, no!
(rumbling engine)
[Mac] I'd like to
wrap this up, Detective.
[Detective] I
understand, Congressman.
I just have a few
more questions.
It's okay, Mac.
Uh, what was your
husband's relationship
to Sam Crouse?
Sam owns a
construction company
that did a lot of
work for Adam's former
architectural firm,
Walters and Arsdale.
I think Adam was planning
to use Sam on the
Vandermeer Towers Complex.
Aren't Walters and
Arsdale under investigation
for bribes?
Yes.
It should be noted
that Adam is no longer
associated with them.
And Peter Lang was the money
behind the Vandermeer project?
That's right.
Adam was the architect,
it's my understanding
that it was a meeting
of the partners.
Is that all?
Just one more question.
Mrs. Cauliff, can
you think of anybody
who'd want to see
your husband killed?
No, everybody loved Adam.
Are you saying this
wasn't an accident?
Well, we'll know more
tomorrow, but based
on the size of the boat
remains, it appears
that the explosion was
a lot bigger than one
you'd get from a tank of fuel.
That, that's it for the night.
My granddaughter needs
some rest, please.
Of course.
I'm sorry to make you
go through this tonight.
I'll see myself out.
Oh, I'm more sorry
than I can say.
Hey, George.
- Hey.
[Officer] What'd you
find out from Cauliff's wife?
Well, apparently,
everybody loved him.
Everybody loved Kennedy, too.
Anything else?
You ever hear of a
guy named Sam Crouse?
Sure, the guy's a
blueprint for corruption
in construction.
Why?
Well, apparently, he was
the guest of honor yesterday.
Really.
So much for an accident.
I got a list of people
as long as my arm
that'd like to get rid
of Crouse before he's
brought in for questioning.
Mrs. Cauliff says the rest
of the people at the party
were her husband,
husband's assistant,
Winifred Johnson, and,
uh, a big time developer
named Peter Lang.
Lang?
Lang, no, that,
something doesn't add up.
Ah, look at that.
Who's this guy, Jimmy Ryan?
His wife calls in, she
says he was at the party
on the boat yesterday,
didn't come home.
But all of our witnesses
put four people on the boat
when it left.
Somebody missed the boat.
Looks that way.
(sad orchestral music)
(door knocking)
Hello.
How are you holding up, kiddo?
I'd say the early returns
don't look promising.
I don't want to sound
like a politician,
but I've had plenty of
practice losing people
that I love.
I know how much it hurts,
and I know how long
it takes.
I'm sorry, Mac.
It's just been hard.
I loved Adam so much.
And when he walked
out of here yesterday,
we were fighting.
Was it over you
running for office?
Yes.
I'm sure he would've
come around if he'd had
the chance.
I spoke to my source downtown.
Peter Lang didn't
make it to the boat.
He had a car accident.
Not serious, but enough
to send him home.
And they think that the
fourth person in the boat
was Jimmy Ryan.
You know him?
I've heard Adam mention him.
I think he works
in construction.
Yeah.
The police are going to want
to talk to you about him.
And, uh, they're
going to want a sample
of Adam's DNA.
A DNA sample?
They recovered
some human remains.
Too small to identify.
Oh, God.
[Detective] Mr. Lang, why
do you think Adam Cauliff
went on the boat without you?
I couldn't say.
But it was a beautiful day.
Maybe they just decided
to cruise the harbor.
You were supposed to be
meeting on the Vandermeer
Towers Complex, weren't you?
A project that Adam Cauliff
was the architect on?
(man laughing)
Who told you that?
Well, his wife.
Is that not accurate?
We were meeting about
Vandermeer Towers, yes,
but I'd made no decision
regarding the architect.
Why would the
Cauliffs think you had?
Adam Cauliff married into
a very influential family.
In my business, I find it
not profitable to offend
influential people.
I'm afraid you're going
to have to be a little
more specific for us.
He wasn't a very
good architect.
His design for the complex
was pedestrian, at best.
I had no intentions of using it.
So, why lead him on?
It's a very long
and boring story.
Well, that's why we're here.
May I offer you a drink?
No thanks.
The old Vandermeer mansion
is an egregious example
of bureaucracy run amok.
A run down old building on
a valuable piece of property
that's been shackled with
historical landmark status.
I bought it thinking that
I could get that status
removed, and put
up my towers on it.
I was shocked at the
amount of resistance I met.
Anyway, while I was
doing that, Adam Cauliff
beat me to the punch, and
purchased the property
next door.
But, it had no value as long
as Vandermeer was untouchable.
So, I didn't see any great
urgency to acquire it.
Then something happened.
You're damned right
something happened.
The Vandermeer mansion
conveniently burnt down.
And Cauliff was
left holding the ace.
And I offered him double
what he paid for it.
But that's not what
he had in mind.
He thought he could turn
the sale of the property
into a nice little contract
for himself as architect.
So, why the
meeting on the boat?
To make him a final offer.
One that he couldn't refuse.
You sound very confident
that he would've sold.
Oh, Adam had an inflated
opinion of himself
as an architect, and as a
business man, but he wasn't
completely stupid.
He would've sold.
Because he knew I'd
never use his design.
I want you to
find out all you can
about the property
Cauliff bought.
The timing of the fire
seems very convenient.
What do you think about Lang?
I think Lang looks
pretty good for surviving
a car accident that
kept him from closing
such a big deal.
(phone ringing)
Hello.
Nell Cauliff?
[Nell] Yes.
Your husband spoke
to me last night.
Who is this?
He said to tell you don't
worry about the fight you had.
It wasn't your fault.
Adam's death doesn't
feel real to me yet.
I keep expecting him
to call and apologize
for being late.
[Therapist] That's a normal
response to losing a loved one
so abruptly.
It takes time to deal
with that kind of loss.
I'm not ready to let him go.
I need a little more time
before I say goodbye.
Nell.
Is there something else
you want to talk about?
Yeah.
I got a phone call
this morning, a woman.
She said she talked
to Adam last night.
Last night?
Maybe just a crank call,
someone read the
paper, I don't know.
What else did she say?
Nothing, I just
hung up on her.
I never thought I
would feel so lonely,
being alone.
(woman sighing)
(lonely orchestral music)
(church organ music)
[Nell] You know it's funny,
all these people.
- Thank you
for being here.
And none of them
were Adam's friends.
[Mac] They came for you, Nell.
I know, and
they're good people.
But why didn't anybody
stand up for Adam today?
Where are his friends?
He was a tough man to know, he
he never let anybody close.
Why did someone hate
him enough to kill him?
Why?
I don't know.
Mrs. Cauliff?
Hello, Mr. MacDermott.
I'm Lisa Ryan.
Jimmy Ryan was my husband.
Excuse me, I'll get the car.
Yes, I recognize you
from the newspaper.
I'm sorry about your husband.
I wonder if I could
meet with you privately?
I wouldn't bother you
if it wasn't important.
Sure.
I will call you.
We just came to pay our
condolences, Mrs. Cauliff.
I lost my wife two years
ago in a car accident.
I know how hard this
must be for you.
Thank you.
Look, I'm sorry to be so
insensitive, but I've got
to do my job.
That was Lisa Ryan you were
just talking to, wasn't it?
Yes, it was.
How well did you
know the Ryans?
I didn't.
Adam worked with Jimmy
Ryan, and I believed you
just witnessed my
meeting his wife.
What were you
two talking about?
Am I under
surveillance, Detective?
No, of course not.
Good, because I don't
think my grandfather
would like that very much.
Think she's lying?
No, she's too smart to lie.
Not for me.
Okay.
Nell, I wanted to thank
you for taking the time
to see me.
I know how difficult
the last couple of days
have been for you.
What did you want to
talk to me about, Peter?
Well, you knew that
Adam created a design
for the new Towers
Complex I'm building.
Yes, he was very
excited about it.
And I was very excited
about the drawings he'd done.
He was such a
creative architect.
We'll all miss him terribly.
Thank you.
Unfortunately,
now that he's gone,
I'm going to have
to start all over.
A new architect will
certainly have a new concept.
I can understand that.
I'm sure you knew that
last August Adam purchased
the property adjoining
mine, paid a little
under a million dollars for it.
Yes, I'm aware of that.
Well that property was
part of the deal that
he brought to the table.
It's current value is 800,000
dollars, but I'm prepared
to offer you three million.
Why are you willing
to pay so much?
Because if I have your
property, I'll have the space
to give my complex a
more impressive presence.
Of course, it will up
the value of my venture.
I see.
But if you decide not to
sell, I'm afraid your value
will decrease, simply
because of the overwhelming
presence of the towers.
I'll have to think about that.
I understand.
Take your time, there's
still a couple of weeks
before the final bids
have to be presented.
Nell, is there any truth
to the rumor that you're
running for your grandfather's
old congressional seat?
I never discuss rumors, Peter.
That sounds like
a campaign strategy.
I want you to know, if
you do decide to run,
you have my full
support in every way.
Thank you.
(car alarm beeping)
Mrs. Cauliff.
Your husband's trying
to contact you.
I'm Bonnie Wilson, I'm sorry.
I know I shouldn't be
pushing you like this,
but I had no other choice.
Adam spoke to me from
the spiritual plane.
I'm not listening to this.
He said, he said,
remember your parents.
They found a way to say
goodbye, and I will, too.
[Nell] You don't expect
me to believe that?
[Bonnie] Call me,
when you're ready.
(chilling orchestral music)
[Nell] I have to be
honest, I don't think I'm
going to make my deadline.
Nell, we have to talk.
That's very generous.
I'll, I'll call you
when I'm finished, okay?
Okay, bye.
Who was that?
Brian Wood, my editor.
He's extended my deadline.
He's giving me the
time I need to grieve
for Adam.
Well, Nell, there's
no easy way to put this.
But.
Mac, just say what it
is you came here to say.
Robert Walters and Lynn
Arsdale came to visit me.
A group of contractors have
confessed to taking bribes.
It looks like Adam may
have been in on the take
when he was working for them.
I don't believe that.
It's way too easy to lay
blame on the dead man.
Did anyone say that they
actually handed money to Adam?
They say Winifred
was the go-between.
Winifred?
She knew the
business inside out.
It would've been easier
for her if she had
a partner to handle
arrangements.
Don't you think it's
possible that Adams's death
has given them the
perfect scapegoat?
Where'd Adam get the
money to buy that property
next to the old
Vandermeer mansion?
I gave it to him.
I took it from my trust.
Hey, if Adam was getting bribed,
then where is it all now?
Because I sure haven't seen it.
And why would he
borrow money from me?
If it comes out that
your husband was involved
in a bribery scandal,
you're going to have a hell
of a time getting
the support you need.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Mrs. Cauliff?
This is Lisa Ryan.
I met you at your
husband's mass.
Jimmy got fired a few
years ago for being honest
and reporting the use of
substandard materials.
He got blackballed.
And didn't work again,
until your husband got him
a job with Crouse.
We were desperate, and
I know how grateful
Jimmy was for that chance.
Adam always spoke
very highly of him.
We were finally digging
ourselves out of debt.
But Jimmy had changed.
He, uh, he was always
depressed, he didn't sleep,
he lost his appetite.
Did he say why?
No.
He was such a good man.
Good father, he was so honest.
I think it was
something at work.
Why do you think that?
Look, I know, I know
we just met, but, um.
I'm scared.
And, I need to talk to somebody.
You can trust me, Lisa.
This is what I found
hidden in his workshop.
It's 50.000 dollars.
Jimmy never touched it, I
can tell it was never opened.
I think it's dirty money.
Do you think Adam had
anything to do with it?
I don't know.
But right after
Adam got Jimmy on,
Crouse's payroll,
something terrible
must have happened.
And I think it was with
whatever Jimmy and Adam
were working on.
Do you think Jimmy was
the target of the explosion?
He came by that day,
to work, to see me.
And, uh, he never
did that before.
And the last thing he
said was, "I'm sorry."
And, like he knew,
something was going
to happen to him.
I think that sounds crazy.
No it doesn't.
For now, we're going to
keep this money a secret.
Because whoever gave it
to Jimmy, if it was some
kind of payoff, they
might come after you.
Can you keep it here?
You know, just because
I think I can't sleep
with it at my house with
the kids being there.
Okay, in the meantime,
I'm going to see
if Adam knew
anything about this.
Adam?
I don't understand.
You know, I'm not
sure that I do either,
but for now, it's worth trying.
(wind chimes tinkling)
It was a birthday gift.
Listen, I've got to be
honest with you, Bonnie,
I'm not sure that I
believe any of this.
It's alright, I'm
used to skeptics.
Let's just give Adam a
chance to make contact.
[Nell] Okay.
(woman breathing)
Mm.
Adam's here.
Can you see him?
In my mind's eye.
He's looking at you
with so much love now.
He's standing in the
snow kissing you.
In front of a dinosaur.
Does that make sense?
The dinosaur museum
in North Dakota.
That's where he proposed to me.
He says he wants to apologize.
The last time you
two were together
before he passed over,
you had an argument.
He's saying it was his fault.
He, uh, he says that
it was something you
wanted to do, and he
was making it difficult
for you.
Uh, uh, I'm beginning
to lose him.
Tell him I love him.
Tell him I'm sorry
that we argued.
Tell him.
Adam doesn't want to go.
I see him more clearly now.
He looks pleased.
He says to start a new
chapter in your life.
Something you need
to do to be free.
The campaign.
That's right, he's smiling.
He says to give away
his personal things.
His clothes, and, he
says you know where.
He can't, he can't.
He can't what?
He says you need
to let him go now.
He's not alone.
He's met your parents.
(Nell gasping)
Something about camp,
don't be afraid.
Next time you're lost,
he'll show you the way.
He's leaving us again.
No, Adam.
His boat, does he know
who blew up his boat?
He's fading.
He's showing me towers.
It's dangerous.
Stay away from the towers, Nell.
Stay away from.
What is it?
Stay away from Peter.
Stay away from Peter, Nell.
(Nell falling)
Uh.
(glass crashing)
You're a creature of
habit, Mrs. Cauliff.
You run this route everyday.
I don't appreciate being
followed, Detective Brennan.
I admire your discipline.
After my wife died, I
couldn't really get motivated
to exercise anymore, and
you can see the result.
Well, you're welcome
to join me anytime
you feel motivated.
Did it ever occur to you
that it might not be safe,
jogging alone?
What occurs to me is, your
time would be better spent
following somebody who
would have benefited
from Adam's death.
Like Peter Lang?
What did you two talk
about in his office?
He wants to buy a
piece of real estate.
The piece your husband
bought next to the
Vandermeer mansion.
That's right.
Mrs. Cauliff, Peter Lang
had no intention of hiring
your husband as the
architect for that project.
Adam bought that property
to leverage his way
into that job, but
according to Lang, that was
never going to happen.
But Lang did want Adam's
property, and I believed
that he would've done
anything to get it,
including blowing up his boat.
Why would Adam lie
to me about Peter Lang?
Being his architect.
Why?
The same reason
everybody lies.
He was hiding something.
How well did you know
Winifred Johnson?
Not well.
She left Walters and
Arsdale with Adam.
He said she was
a good assistant.
Why?
We found her purse,
washed up onshore with
barely a mark on it.
You'd never be able to
tell that it'd been in an
explosion that had
annihilated everything else.
We found this inside.
It's a safe deposit box key.
We don't know what
bank, because they
make them untraceable.
Can you think of any reason
why a 40 grand a year
assistant would need
a safe deposit box?
No, I don't know why.
Well, neither did her mother.
Who just happens to
live in a very expensive
nursing home that her
daughter pays for.
That's all very interesting.
Well, I'll tell you
what's interesting.
So far we haven't had
one positive hit on her
DNA testing.
We've got matches
on Crouse, and Ryan,
but not one for Johnson.
Rhoda's having a hard
time dealing with her
daughter's death.
She's very angry.
Winifred was a devoted daughter.
Never missed a Friday visit.
And to the best of my
knowledge, she was the only
visitor that Rhoda ever had.
Mrs. Johnson?
Hi, I'm Nell
MacDermott, Adam's wife.
Adam Cauliff.
I don't know why my
Winnie left her job
to work for your husband.
She was doing good
where she was.
I told her to stay put, but
she wouldn't listen to me.
Look where it got her.
I'm very sorry about Winifred.
I know how sad and frightened
you may be feeling.
If, if you'd rather
I didn't stay.
Oh, it's not your fault.
I just don't know what
I'm going to do now.
Winnie managed everything.
I can't afford to
stay here without her.
Well, maybe she had
an insurance policy
that could help pay
for your expenses.
I don't know anything
about insurance.
What about her
safety deposit box,
do you know what
bank she had it in?
Why would Winnie need
a safety deposit box?
She never had
anything worth hiding.
Do you know where
she might've kept some
of her important papers?
In a desk in her apartment.
The same apartment
we lived in since she
was in kindergarten.
I'd still be there,
if it wasn't for this
damned arthritis.
Maybe a neighbor could go
in there and look for you.
I don't want the neighbors
nosing around my business.
Anyway, I haven't talked
to any of them since
I've been here.
Well, there must be
someone you can ask.
A friend of Winifred's?
Don't know any.
She did have a
boyfriend recently.
Talked about marrying him,
but he never came here.
His name was, uh,
Harry something.
Mrs. Johnson, I'd be
happy to go over there
and look for you, if you like.
Your grandfather's Mac
MacDermott, isn't he?
Yes, he is.
He's a good man, honest.
Yep.
I voted for him
every election.
(keys jingling)
Winnie had that made for
me from one of her medals.
First place for something.
She was a champion
swimmer in school.
A regular Esther Williams.
She was everything
a mother could want
from a daughter.
I'm going to try to
find her daughter's
insurance papers.
But in meantime, does
Mrs. Johnson need
any financial assistance?
Oh, sweet of you to
ask, but Winifred had
already paid in advance
for the next ten years.
All taken care of.
(phone ringing)
[Officer] Hey,
what'd you find out?
Not much, she's playing
her cards pretty closed
at best, but she definitely
knows more than she's
letting on.
How about you?
Well nothing from North
Dakota, on Cauliff's
background yet, but my
guy says he should have
something soon.
I did, however, get the
skinny on the Kaplan
property that he bought.
It turns out that the
place was a warehouse
for a family fur business
that went belly-up
about 20 years ago.
Now, Cauliff bought
it from an Aida Kaplan
for about 800 grand.
It's fair market value, but
after liens to the place,
property tax, income tax,
sizable credit card debt,
she walks away with a
little under 200,000.
Phew, tough luck.
Yeah, it gets worse.
She's living in the
building at the time that
it sells, and she's
got to move out.
Guess where she lands?
The Ritz-Carlton?
Close.
The Vandermeer mansion.
Oh, that place'd been
abandoned for years.
The cops are constantly
chasing vagrants out of there.
I'm guessing that she's
scared to spend the money,
a month later, the place
burns down, she's in it.
And the Kaplan Warehouse
triples in value.
Opening the door for
Cauliff to make a bundle
selling the property to Lang.
You think he torched it?
I'm guessing there's
somebody who thinks he
probably did.
Aida Kaplan's son, Jed Kaplan.
(gun clicking)
(ominous orchestral music)
[Nell] Hi.
Hi.
[Nell] Thank you for
coming on such short notice.
You're welcome.
Did you find out
anything about the money?
Do you know who
Winifred Johnson is?
No, I mean, only what
it said in the paper,
that she worked for
your husband, and uh,
wasn't she on the boat?
Yeah.
She started working for
Adam at Walters and Arsdale.
I know that name.
Jimmy worked for them
on a couple of buildings
they designed.
Well, they're under
investigation for taking bribes.
The police think that
Winifred Johnson was involved.
She has a safety deposit box,
she paid for an expensive
nursing home for her mother,
she paid 10 years in advance.
A place like that
must cost about, what?
Five thousand dollars a month?
You do the math.
Uh, that's half
a million dollars.
Mm hm, on an
assistant's salary?
Maybe somebody wanted
her out of the picture.
Well, you would think.
The police think that
she had a partner.
And they suspect Adam, but
I'm not ready to believe that.
Maybe Peter Lang
was her partner.
Is that the big
shot developer?
Yeah.
Huh.
You can just grab that.
Yeah, Adam bought some
land that he wanted,
and he wouldn't sell it to him.
I think Peter Lang was leading
Adam on, and pretending
to develop the Vandermeer
Towers with him,
so that he would get his
hands on Adam's property.
How does Jimmy fit in to this?
Well, Jimmy was working for
Crouse Construction, right?
And Crouse was on the boat,
so, maybe we should assume
that Jimmy was
making the payoffs.
He would never
be part of that.
I believe you, Lisa.
Hey, maybe he
overheard something.
And they paid him to stay quiet.
I know.
It's what I fear.
That's why he didn't
spend the money.
He had to take it, he was
scared he'd never work again.
What if Peter Lang set up
the meeting with everyone
that could hurt
him on that boat?
And then he blew it up, and
then he faked a car accident
as an alibi?
We should go to the police.
No, the police know
everything I know,
and they're convinced
that Adam was part
of that bribery
scam with Winifred.
I don't think he was.
I need to find the truth
just the same as
you do about Jimmy.
What do we do?
Winifred's mother gave me
the keys to their apartment.
Winifred's mother?
Does she know about any of this?
No, as far as she's
concerned, she lost her daughter
in a boating accident.
She's just a grieving mother
with no friends or family,
it's sad, I offered to help her.
I felt bad for her.
What does she want you to do?
Go to the apartment, and
check for any insurance records.
I, I could really use
the support if you,
if you felt like going.
Yeah, my kids come
home at 3:30 from school,
I just have to be there
when the bus arrives.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You know, it's funny.
You're nothing like
I thought you'd be.
I've seen you on
those talk shows,
arguing with politicians.
I'd always imagined
you'd be a lot tougher.
Catch me before
my morning coffee.
(woman laughing)
What if we were wrong?
What if Adam and Jimmy were
involved like the police think?
Mm, I just can't let
myself go there now.
Are you scared?
I think I'm more
frightened by what Adam
might have been hiding,
even more than the people
that killed him.
Yeah.
[Nell] Thanks
for coming with me.
Ooh, it's depressing in here.
Like an old Bette Davis movie.
I feel like I'm
doing something wrong.
Why?
She gave you the
key, didn't she?
Yeah.
I'm here to look for
an insurance policy,
but you know the real
reason I came was
to try and find some
evidence to help clear Adam.
That's not wrong, Nell.
That's faith.
State Champion 800 Freestyle,
1973, Winifred Johnson.
Her mother said
she was a champion.
She must feel so proud.
Proud?
It's a damned shrine.
Wow, what's this?
Some childish
display of affection?
Winifred loves Harry.
[Lisa] Is that, is that
the same Winifred from 73?
It must be.
Her mother said she had
a boyfriend named Harry.
This is getting really creepy.
This is the behavior
of a 15 year old.
"Announcing the wedding
of Winifred Johnson
"and Harry Reynolds."
Are you okay?
We shouldn't be here.
Why?
Uh, uh.
Ah.
Oh, I don't know.
They want to kill me.
Ah.
Who?
I don't know.
I can't breathe.
Let's get out of here.
(Nell gasping)
Oh, my.
Oh, Lisa.
[Lisa] Are you alright?
I'm okay.
I get these premonitions.
Oh.
[Lisa] You scared
the hell out of me.
It scared the
hell out of me, too.
(somber orchestral music)
(clothes rustling)
Oh, Adam.
Oh, thanks.
(Nell gasping)
Who are you?
Please, don't.
What do you want?
You got three million dollars?
You people think you
can buy anything.
Just write a check and
all your problems go away.
Ah, ah.
If something gets in
your way, you burn it down.
Uh, uh.
Is that the way your
husband does business?
My husband is dead.
Yeah, I heard about that.
Uh, ah.
Unfortunate little accident.
Uh, uh.
It's too bad, he was
going to make a nice profit
off that warehouse he bought.
That's right.
I know about it.
Everything.
You tell me.
- [Nell] OW.
What was Jimmy Ryan
going to get out of it?
A nice fat bonus,
and a gold watch?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Don't lie to me!
[Nell] Please.
I've been watching you, Nell.
You are going to pay for it.
(tires screeching)
Mac.
Nell, what the
hell is going on?
(gun clicking)
(gun firing)
[Mac] Oh.
Mac!
Mac!
I think I should
go with you, Mac.
It's a broken collarbone.
I've survived worse.
World War II.
You were younger then.
I was just as tough.
You stay here, you
talk to the police,
and see me tomorrow.
Are you sure.
Keep this from the press.
At least until we find
out who this wacko is,
and we figure out
how to spin it.
Mac, I really don't care.
But your supporters do.
Okay, okay.
I love you.
You be careful with him, now.
Up.
Everything's going
to be fine, Mac.
[Detective] A tough old bird.
Always had my vote.
Listen, he's worried
about this getting
out to the press.
Well, I'll see what I can do.
I'd like to have you,
uh, help us put together
a composite drawing
of your attacker.
Tomorrow, at the station?
Okay.
Then maybe you could
show me around your
husband's office.
I don't know what you
expect to find there.
But, okay.
And what about you?
I'll post an officer
here tonight for you.
Are you going to be okay?
I'm Mac MacDermott's
granddaughter, remember?
That would be great, thank you.
Thanks for caring.
Goodnight.
[Officer] Let's
look in the low place.
[Detective] I've got
this area over here.
Thanks for coming by
the station this morning,
Mrs. Cauliff.
We'll, uh, circulate the
composite drawing today.
Please, call me Nell.
Hope you're feeling better.
Did you get some sleep?
Yes, I did, and thank
you for the sentry.
Mm.
This is, uh, Winifred
Johnson's desk?
Yes.
Adam's office is in there.
Uh huh.
Listen, did you find the
bank that the safety deposit
box belongs to?
Mm, no, but we will.
Oh, I wonder
why that's locked?
Let's find out, shall we?
(keys jingling)
Key.
Nothing unusual.
What?
What is it?
Yeah, definitely the
same twine and paper.
Do you have any idea
how much is here?
50,000 dollars.
Phew.
Lisa and I think that
it was some kind of payoff
to keep her husband quiet.
50 grand payoff, it's
cheaper to whack somebody.
Well, then what do
you think it was for?
Uh, I guess to
get his hands dirty.
If he wasn't dead,
I'd be talking to him
about blowing up that boat.
Listen, she was adamant
that Jimmy would never
do something like that.
Oh, well, you'd be
surprised what some people are
capable of, especially
if they're desperate.
A couple of kids,
bills piling up.
Are you saying that Jimmy
was in on the payoffs?
Jimmy was just a working
stiff, but he was working
for Sam Crouse, and Winifred
Johnson gave him 50 grand
to do something.
Something that got him
on that boat, and killed.
Now, what other secrets
are you keeping from me?
I've told you
everything I know.
Yeah, well you didn't
tell me about this.
Well, I'm sorry, Lisa
came to me in confidence.
She was afraid you'd make Jimmy
part of the investigation.
50 grand makes him a big
part of this investigation.
And withholding any kind
of evidence can get you
both locked up.
[Lisa] I found the
money hidden in here.
[Detective] Do you know
when he may have gotten it?
It was in August.
He was depressed, I
remember it because he came
home one night and
started drinking.
It wasn't like him
to drink like that,
so I asked him what
was wrong, and he said
that he was worried about work,
which didn't make any
sense, because he'd just
started that new
job, at Sam Crouse's.
Do you know the
exact day in August?
I believe it was the
night that old mansion
burned down.
Jimmy watched it on the
news over and over again.
It really had him upset.
Like it was his own
house or something.
Jack.
You know what that is?
Newscast, August 24th.
Lead story?
Vandermeer mansion burns down.
I think I can prove Winifred
Johnson paid Jimmy Ryan
50 grand to torch it.
Well, that would
explain the attack
on Cauliff's wife.
How so?
Meet Jed Kaplan.
Petty larceny, shoplifting,
auto theft, habitual punk.
What's the connection
to Nell Cauliff?
We got an address?
(door squeaking)
Huh.
Looks like we got a first
class nutcase on our hands.
Yeah.
Hey, Jack.
[Jack] Huh?
Who stood to benefit the
most from the Vandermeer
mansion burning down?
I don't know, Adam Cauliff?
No, Cauliff stood to
make a hefty profit,
but the big winner
was Peter Lang.
No house, no landmark status,
as long as Cauliff sold.
So you think that Lang
got tired of waiting?
So, he hires Kaplan
to blow the boat,
get called in front
of the pitcher.
Then goes up to the
widow for the profit.
Hm.
Sir.
We need to cover
the house right now.
(phone ringing)
(dog barking)
Hold on, I'm coming.
Wait a minute.
Hello?
(dial tone buzzing)
(ominous orchestral music)
(Nell screaming)
Ah!
(Nell screaming)
His name is Jed Kaplan.
Small time thief and conman.
His mother sold the
property to Adam.
She ended up living in
the Vandermeer mansion.
She was trapped in it
the night it burnt down.
My God.
Why go after me?
Adam had nothing to
do with that fire.
You sure about that?
Yes, I am.
Now, Jimmy Ryan was
paid 50 grand to torch
that building.
Does Lisa know?
Yes, and if the money
came through Winifred,
the odds are Adam is dirty.
I am not willing to
believe that without proof.
I have a feeling the
proof you want was destroyed
on his boat.
Not necessarily.
Have you ever heard
of a Harry Reynolds?
No, never heard of him.
Well, Rhoda Johnson
said that Winifred had
a boyfriend, his name
was Harry Reynolds.
It looked like she was
planning on marrying him.
Don't you think it's odd
that he hasn't come forward?
What are you getting at?
Well, I think that
Winifred blew up Adam's boat,
and managed to escape from it.
You got anything
to back that up?
Yeah, faith in Adam.
Okay, I'll bite.
How does this Harry Reynolds
guy fit into your equation?
Well, he uses Winifred's
contacts to make the payoffs.
Together, they steal a fortune,
but they can't spend it
without getting caught,
so they need to eliminate
anyone who can expose them.
Crouse, and Lang.
You left Adam off your list.
That's because I think
they used Adam, too.
Adam often said that he
would never have left
Walters and Arsdale if it
hadn't been for Winifred
going with him.
She's the one who convinced
him to buy the Kaplan
property, and then use it to
get Peter Lang to hire him.
So?
So, Winifred and Harry
paid Jimmy Ryan to burn
down the mansion,
which opens the door for
Lang to build his complex,
and then she sets a meeting
on the boat, to get rid
of them all with
one well-timed bomb.
And then she jumps
before it blows.
That's one hell of a theory.
She was a champion swimmer.
Why else do you think
she would pay 10 years
in advance for her
mother's expenses?
She wasn't planning
to be around.
You know, that would
explain why we can't match
any of her DNA to the remains.
Okay, maybe.
But I'm not ready to
say that Lang and Kaplan
had nothing to do with
blowing up that boat.
They were both rich with motive.
What do you got?
There's no sign
of forced entry.
Somebody gets in this
clean, they're not going
to leave any prints.
Could Winifred have gotten
a key to this place from Adam?
It wouldn't have
been that hard.
You're not thinking that
Winifred killed Kaplan, are you?
No, not likely.
Kaplan was killed by a pair
of pretty strong hands.
She could've paid
a guy to come in.
Or, given a key to
this mystery boyfriend.
Mrs. Cauliff, what do
you think they were looking
for in the bedroom?
I don't know.
The only thing in those
boxes was Adam's clothing.
I was planning on donating them.
Well, now, that
could've been a rouse.
The intruder comes in,
tries to make it look
like a break-in, then
kills you when you walk
in on him, lucky for you,
Kaplan got here first.
And you think that Kaplan
came here to kill me, too?
Oh.
It's nice to know
that I'm so popular.
I'm going to put
someone here 24/7.
Until we get this guy,
you've got to consider
yourself a target.
I assume you can prove you
were working late last night.
I can prove whatever I need.
You know, this is beginning
to sound a little like you're
accusing me of murder.
I'm not accusing you
of anything, Mr. Lang,
just doing my job.
If Jed Kaplan planted
a bomb on a boat,
there's always a chance
that somebody hired him
to do it.
And anybody with an apparent
motive would have to be
checked out.
If you're talking about
killing Adam to gain
his property, let's not
forget that I was scheduled
to be on the boat that day.
Oh, I'm sure you won't
let me forget that.
I think it's time you started
directing your questions
to my lawyer, Detective.
You can get his number
on your way out,
now, if you don't mind.
You know, I know all
about guys like you, and how
you do business.
Now, maybe you're involved,
and maybe you're not.
But I'll bet, if I dig
deep enough, I'll find
something to make
it worth my time.
Jimmy had no idea
that Kaplan's mother was
in the building when
the fire was started.
He got sick that night
when he saw it on TV.
That must have been
devastating for him.
To even agree to do
something like that.
I had no idea how
desperate he was.
I should've seen it,
but I was so busy
with work and the kids, and.
Don't do that.
He did what he felt he had to.
You can't blame yourself
for a choice he made.
But I'm his wife.
I was supposed to be there.
I'm going through the
same thing right now.
I'm learning that Adam
wasn't as honest with me
as he could've been.
I'm sure you were
there for Jimmy.
He got lost, and
he made a mistake.
Thank you.
Lisa, I want to
ask a favor of you.
There's this psychic, and
she says she's in contact
with Adam, and she told
me things that only Adam
and I could know.
And what?
I'm not sure she's for
real, I wanted you to talk
to her, about Jimmy.
See what you think.
See if you think she's for real.
(wind chimes tinkling)
(woman breathing)
Jimmy is here.
He's showing me two children.
A girl, and a boy.
And he's smiling.
They're your children.
Yeah.
He says they need you
to be strong for them.
He's saying he's sorry he
won't be there to help you,
he's sorry to have
let them down.
Aw, something happened.
Something bad.
It was an accident,
he wanted to tell you,
but he didn't know how.
There's a woman with him,
an old woman.
She's in pain.
Oh, he's crying now.
He's saying, he's sorry,
but he didn't know.
He didn't know.
She's burning.
The woman is burning.
Oh my gosh.
Jimmy killed, Jimmy killed her.
He killed her.
Stop it, please!
(women breathing)
I don't want to hear anymore.
There's something else, Lisa.
He needs you to do
something for him.
To help him.
Please, sit.
What?
His friend, Adam,
needs your help.
Adam Cauliff?
Yes.
He says his wife
needs to let go.
She needs to remove
his personal items.
It's very important, and
she hasn't done this yet.
She needs to bring
them to a church.
What church?
I don't know.
He's saying she knows.
She said tell her to do it.
Tell her to do it tonight.
I don't understand.
She said that you
would know what it means,
and what church she
was talking about.
I do.
Adam and I always donated our
clothes to the same church.
I just don't understand
why it's so important
to do it tonight.
[Lisa] I don't know.
Do you think she
really contacted Jimmy?
Yes.
(sad orchestral music)
(key clinking)
[Lisa] You're
sure it's identical?
Positive.
I talked to Brennan
this morning.
He said they haven't
found the bank.
Are you going
to give it to him?
Not yet.
Well, they have a key.
Another one won't help
them find the bank
any faster, and if they
know Adam had a key,
it would just implicate
him in everything
that's happened.
Why would Adam have a key?
I don't know.
Maybe he was with Winifred
from the beginning.
I know the day she came
to pick up his jacket,
that was the day that
Adam's boat blew up.
And whoever broke into
my house, was probably
looking for that key.
And maybe, maybe Jed
Kaplan was just a victim
of bad timing.
It's possible.
So you think that Bonnie
got the message from Adam and
Jimmy about getting
rid of the clothing?
It was actually supposed
to sound like it was
protecting you?
Yeah.
And, putting the key where
someone could get it.
What do you mean?
Well, look, look.
If, if Winifred is still alive,
maybe she's feeding
Bonnie information.
What are you going to do?
[Nurse Aide] Mrs. Johnson.
Company.
I brought you some flowers.
Aren't they
beautiful, Mrs. Johnson?
Don't have much
use for flowers.
It's not as if I can eat them.
Why, uh, don't I just
take these and put them
in your room for you?
Thank you.
I should've brought you something
a little more practical.
Winifred used to get
me a little coffee cake
at the bakery in
the mall nearby.
She knew that the food
here had no taste.
Would you like one today?
I can pick it up for you.
Why?
Why are you being so nice to me?
You think you owe me
something because Winifred
was on your husband's boat?
No, you've lost your daughter.
I know how much you
must be hurting.
I miss my Winnie.
I miss her so much.
She must've been a
wonderful daughter to take
such good care of you.
She's never missed a visit.
She didn't want to
bring me here, you know.
But she had to.
She had to work, and I needed.
I never thought
she'd die before me.
We used to talk about me
dying, and what she would do.
And she used to say that
she would just quit working,
and get on the first
plane to nowhere.
Do you remember
her last visit?
How could I forget?
It was Thursday, the
day before the accident.
She was upset.
She wanted to make
a stop at the bank,
but she got there too late.
The bank?
Do you remember what
time she got here?
It, it must have
been just after five.
I, I always eat dinner
at five, and I was eating
dinner when she came.
It was meatloaf,
Thursdays, have meatloaf.
And she brought
me a coffee cake.
Banks close at five.
What did you say?
I, I said banks close
at five, it sounds like
it was a bank around here.
I wouldn't know.
Didn't you say you were going
to get me a coffee cake?
Mm hm.
(horn honking)
That key is tied to an ongoing
criminal investigation.
I need to call the
district attorney's office,
and give them your location.
I'm sure that they'll be
here with a search warrant
before the end of the day.
I understand, whatever
I can do to help.
Would it be violating
security to tell me the name
that the box is
registered under?
Uh, I don't think
I can do that.
Let me make it easier for you.
I know that Winifred Johnson's
name is on that card.
Could you tell me if Harry
Reynolds' name is listed
as the co-signatory?
I really shouldn't
divulge that information.
Has anyone opened the
box in the last week?
Oh, we don't keep
records of that kind.
Thanks, thanks for your help.
Oh, Mrs. Cauliff, you
forgot your package.
Thank you.
It's a gift for a friend
at Old Woods Manor.
God knows she
deserves every bite.
Hey, Nell left a message,
a little over an hour ago.
Don't ask me how,
she found the bank.
It's over near the nursing
home where Winifred Johnson's
mother lives.
Huh, we're going to put
that woman on the payroll.
Let's get to work on a warrant.
I'm already on it.
Something else.
I spoke to my guy in
North Dakota earlier.
He should be faxing over a
full report on Adam Cauliff
within the hour.
He says the guy had more
skeletons in his closet
than a Hollywood madam.
(door knocking)
(wind chimes tinkling)
Nell.
I'm, um, I'm
surprised to see you.
Sorry I didn't call, Bonnie.
Uh, I was hoping you could
make some time for me.
I really need some help.
Come on in.
I'll do what I can.
So, uh, what's going on?
I got your message
from Lisa, and I gave all
Adam's clothes to the
church near our house.
Well, that's great.
I'm sure Adam will be
very happy about that.
Please, sit.
[Nell] Your hand is shaking.
Are you nervous?
No, I'm just, I'm fine.
Just too much caffeine.
So, um, are you here to
try and contact Adam again?
Can we do that?
I gave away his
clothes like he asked.
I thought you said
that's what he needed.
For me to let him go?
That's just the message
that was given to me.
Actually, I'd like
to try to contact
Winifred Johnson.
She was on Adam's boat.
I'm game if you are.
Did you bring a
personal item of hers?
Yes, I did.
(mysterious orchestral music)
Where the hell's my fax?
How long has this been here?
There's someone here.
It's uh, it's a woman.
Brown eyes, dark hair.
She's standing on
a burning boat.
It's Winifred.
Sounds like her.
Oh, she's in a lot of pain.
She's reaching out
her arms for help.
Ask her why she put
a bomb on Adam's boat.
She doesn't understand.
I'm losing her.
She's fading.
I know Winifred's
alive, Bonnie.
And I know she's been
using you to feed me lies
about Adam, and I know she's
been trying to get this key.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Oh, I think you do.
You're already an accessory
to murder, don't make it
any worse.
Tell me where Winifred is,
and I'll talk to the police
on your behalf.
That's going to be hard to do.
Because it wasn't Winifred
that got off the boat.
Uh.
(Nell thudding)
Broken home, shoplifting,
vandalism, juvenile record
was expunged, at 17, he
was questioned in the death
of an uncle.
No charges were filed.
Yeah, his mother
inherited a chunk of money
from that uncle, too, it
was his ticket to college.
Keep reading.
Uh, fake letters of
reference for his first job
in Bismarck, fired for
infidelities with the owner's wife.
Fired from his second job
for selling contents of
sealed bids to rival firms.
Well, this guy's as
dirty as a broken toilet.
How does he set up shop
with a history like this?
Because Adam Cauliff is
actually Harry Reynolds.
He started using his mother's
maiden name a few months
before he met Nell MacDermott.
New wife, new life.
New mistress.
Winifred Johnson.
So Nell was right
about Johnson's boyfriend
coming after her.
We'd better get to her
before Cauliff does.
Hey!
Wait for me.
Welcome back, honey.
Adam?
You know, I've got to
hand it to you, Nell.
You're smarter than I
gave you credit for.
Where's Winifred?
Winifred?
Well, she's scattered
across the river.
Don't you watch the news?
Why are you doing this?
Why?
Money.
I just got tired of
living on an allowance.
We didn't need money.
Wake up!
Come on, Nell, there was no we.
There was the
granddaughter of the great
Mac MacDermott,
and then, the
incompetent husband.
You see, from the moment
we met, he made it
very clear to me that I was
not good enough for you,
and I was not going to
end up being a houseboy
to a politician.
I loved you.
No, you didn't
You loved the idea
of being in love,
that you were so
desperate for it,
that you didn't find
out anything about me,
you don't even
know my real name.
Oh, my God.
You're Harry Reynolds.
That's very good.
Now, how'd you find
that out, did Mac hire
a private detective
to dig up some dirt?
I saw Winifred's
wedding invitations.
Winifred, she was
a very lonely woman.
A lot like you, Nell.
She couldn't wait to help
me fulfill my potential.
So you used her
like you used me.
No, I used her differently.
See, she had no breeding,
or education, she had
no reason to question
anything I told her,
she had no life.
Till I gave her one.
She was the perfect patsy.
You know, one of the only
mistakes she ever made
was bring me the wrong jacket.
Uh!
(Nell gasping)
You, you I had to seduce.
Which really wasn't that
hard to do, in fact,
it was surprisingly easy.
[Bonnie] What are you doing?
I'm saying goodbye to my wife.
[Bonnie] What do you
mean saying goodbye?
What do you think I mean?
Can't just let her
walk out of here.
We didn't talk about this.
Oh, no, we didn't talk
about killing Jed Kaplan
either, but we're a little
too late to back out now,
don't you think?
Baby, she brought
the key with her.
We can go to the bank when
it opens, take out the money.
By tomorrow morning, we'll
be in another country.
This was about a key?
You were going to
kill me for a key?
You see this?
Do you see this face?
Yes!
Do you?
This is the price I have to pay
for leaving the key at home.
You see, Winifred got a
little suspicious when I asked
her for her key, alright?
And then, when I finally
found it in her purse,
and she showed up on the
deck and started fighting
for it, I couldn't get off
the boat fast enough, you see?
Okay!
That key is worth a
fortune, sweetheart.
I would've killed my
own mother for it.
Baby, we've got it now.
Let's just forget
about all these people,
and get on with our lives.
The police know about
Winifred's safe deposit box.
And by now they have a
warrant and have seized
everything in it!
Adam, no!
No, Adam!
[Adam] Get away from me.
Stop!
Uh!
(mirror crashing)
You just couldn't leave
things alone, could you?
Because I had things
planned perfectly.
I even knew that you
would wait for me to reach
out from the grave,
to say goodbye.
Well, here I am, sweetheart.
Help me, please.
Please help me.
Shut up.
Adam, I can't do this.
You can't do what?
I can't kill her.
It was different with the boat,
I didn't know those people.
I can't do this.
Okay.
Okay.
Gag her then.
Don't do this.
Don't.
Don't do.
What's that for?
Another tragic accident.
It adds a certain amount
of symmetry to it,
don't you think?
Everybody gets burned.
(Nell moaning)
Wha, wha, wha.
What, honey, I always thought
you like a good barbecue,
didn't you?
Adam no!
(hand slapping)
(Bonnie screaming)
Don't worry about it, baby.
You just relax, and I'll
take care of everything.
Uh.
(hit booming)
This relationship, this isn't
working out for me anymore.
(Bonnie moaning)
You know what?
I have to leave now.
But don't blame yourself.
(Nell screaming)
See, because I'm just not
a one woman guy.
- [Nell] No, no!
(muffled screaming)
Oh yeah, okay.
Oh, I understand, I understand.
Isn't that it?
One last kiss?
One last kiss before
I say goodbye?
(Nell screaming)
Is that it?
Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh.
Mm.
Bye, honey.
Ah, God!
Ah?
Come on, Nell, where do
you think you're going?
Help!
Bonnie, help me!
You!
No help from the others.
You and I didn't get
to talk about this.
That's why you went
to your therapist
to talk about our
marriage problems.
How we getting along now, Nell?
Nell!
Nell!
(hit booming)
(Nell weeping)
Mm, ah.
Phew.
[Nelll] Mm, mm.
[Father] Get up, Nell.
Get up.
[Mother] Let's go,
Nell, don't give up.
Don't ever give up.
[Father] You can do it.
That's my girl.
[Mother] He's coming, Nell.
[Father] Get up, get up.
[Mother] Scream for help.
Somebody help me!
What's the matter, Nell?
No dead parents to
save you this time?
Freeze!
I'm covered in gasoline.
Don't do it.
(gun firing)
- Uh.
Are you hurt?
- Just my leg.
Upstairs, she's upstairs.
Jack.
He's dead.
How did you find me?
Lisa Ryan said there
was a psychic here talking
to your dead husband,
and I just had to meet her.
I'll call it in.
We'll have an
ambulance here soon.
[Nell] Oh.
Aren't we supposed to
sing For She's a Jolly
Good Fellow, or something?
Not till she's elected.
Don't you think the
celebration's a bit
premature?
The votes won't be
in for several hours.
Getting here was
a victory, Mac.
We wanted to celebrate
a successful campaign.
Win, or lose.
What do you mean, lose?
No MacDermott has ever
lost an election yet.
And, with Peter Lang's
generous million dollar
donation, we have a
fighter's chance to keep
that streak alive.
That was a nice incentive
to get you to sell.
Good business?
[Mac] Better politics.
(Nell laughing)
(phone ringing)
Okay.
I don't know if I
ever thanked you yet
for bringing me onboard.
Only every day.
- [Mac] Hello,
for the last six months.
- [Mac] Mac MacDermott.
Well, you don't know
how much it means to me.
I, uh, I don't know if
I would have made it
without your friendship.
Thank you.
You're wonderful, and,
uh, I am counting on you
running my local office,
if we end up winning this thing.
[Lisa] Yeah.
That's it, they want us down
at campaign headquarters.
Come on, let's go
win an election.
Mac, I just want
you to know, no matter
what happens, I'm
glad you made me run.
(upbeat pop music)
(people gasping)
What took you so long?
I was just waiting
for a little motivation,
Congresswoman.
(Nell laughing)
Oh, uh.
Uh, uh. (groans)
(upbeat pop music)
(ominous orchestral music)
(owl hooting)
(wolf howling)
(Nell breathing)
(ominous orchestral music)
(plants rustling)
(wolf howling)
[Nell] Where am I?
I've got to get back.
I can't be scared.
I can't find it.
Where's the camp?
(woman groaning)
Uh.
[Mother] Get up
Nell, you can make it.
Ah, ah.
Oh, it hurts.
[Father] Nell, get moving.
Ow.
Ow, ow.
[Father] That's
my girl, keep moving.
Follow my voice, Nell.
[Mother] You
can do it, be strong.
Oh, oh, oh.
"You can do it, Nell."
I heard, I heard my mother's
voice as clear as if
she was standing beside me.
Her and, and my father.
Be strong, Nell, you can do it.
They, they guided me back
to camp and saved me.
[Therapist] How long
had they been dead?
Oh, five years.
That was the last time
I've felt them near me.
Had you ever felt
their presence before?
Once.
When I was ten.
I was at boarding school,
and I'd had a premonition.
I had the overwhelming
feeling that they had died
in this terrible way.
I was so upset, I was
sent to the infirmary.
Later that day, my
grandfather came and told me
that my parents had
died in a plane crash,
that morning, in Africa.
I wish I'd had a
chance to say goodbye.
Why do you think you're
dreaming about your past
now, Nell?
Maybe it has something
to do with Adam and me.
He's just under so much
pressure with his work,
he's become sullen, withdrawn.
Maybe I'm wishing my
parents were here,
reaching out to me.
Do you feel like your
marriage is in trouble?
No, nothing that ominous.
I guess I'm just wishing
to reconnect with Adam.
Well, that's why you're here.
I think it's time we
talk about asking him
to come to a session with you.
(Nell laughing)
Adam would never talk to
someone about our problems.
He's a classic loner.
His parents died early, too.
Hard worker, self-made man.
That's one of the things
that attracted me to him.
That, and his passion.
He went after me with
everything he had,
and I was so ready
to fall in love.
It was a whirlwind romance,
three months.
I'm curious.
How well did that go over
with your grandfather?
Mac?
Oh, Mac loves him, always has.
I've never liked Adam.
That's not true, Mac.
You gave him his first
job, after we were married,
at Walters and Arsdale.
Yes, I did, and then he
walked out, after three years,
to form his own
architectural firm.
And in your words, it
was a savvy business move.
That was before
he turned on me.
What are you talking about?
Adam never turned on you.
You were supposed to run
for my seat in congress
when I retired, and you
would have, if Adam hadn't
talked you out of it.
Adam didn't talk
me out of anything.
We both decided to wait
until after I had children.
And where are they?
Ooh.
Nell, we've got a major
problem with this weasel
Bob Gorman deciding not
to run for a second term.
You're the only one who can
save the seat for the party.
You've got the name, and
you've got the political
savvy to win.
(chuckles) I have
a job, remember?
I write a column, and
if you haven't heard,
I'm very good at it.
You write a great
column, you're a thorn
in the side of every politician.
But let's face it,
you know you're dying
to throw your hat in the ring.
It's not that simple, Mac.
The hell it isn't.
Why'd you spend all
those summers interning
with me?
Remember?
I groomed you for that seat
because you wanted me to.
Because you knew
your day would come.
It's here, Nell,
seize the moment.
If you don't, you'll
always regret it.
Always.
I have a good feeling about
my designs being approved
for the Vandermeer
Towers Complex.
I'm meeting with Peter
Lang and Sam Crouse
today on the boat.
And if all goes well,
we'll be breaking ground
by next month.
That's fantastic.
I know how much that
project means to you.
To us.
It'll put me on the map as
an architect, and give you
a husband you can be proud of.
Adam, did you see this?
The district attorney's
office is charging
your old firm, Walters
and Arsdale, with payoffs.
Yeah, I saw it.
Do you think
they'll question you?
Probably.
Oh.
Oh, tell Mac he has
nothing to worry about.
I promise not to tarnish
the cherished family name.
I am not worried
about what Mac thinks.
Oh, come on, Nell,
I'm not an idiot.
You've been trying to find
a way to tell me all morning
that the old man has talked
you into running for congress.
You're right.
I've decided I'm going after
Mac's seat, and I would
like to believe that
I have your support.
Count on my support?
Nell, what are you trying
to do, solicit my vote?
That's really not fair, Adam.
I know how you feel about my
getting back into politics,
but two years ago, I walked
away from this chance,
because you convinced me
that it was the best thing
for our marriage.
I convinced you.
[Nell] Mm hm.
- No, no, we both
agreed that our
marriage had a better
shot at working without
Mac spending 10 hours a day
counseling your every move.
It's not going
to be like that.
I've always supported
your career choices.
All I'm asking for
is the same from you.
I guess that's it.
No more talking about it.
I'll talk all you want,
but this is something
I'm going to do for me.
Do what you have to do, Nell.
I sure as hell don't
want to get in the way
of Mac's plans for you.
Really?
I'm going to eat
downtown after the meeting.
Don't wait up for me.
Fine, maybe you shouldn't
come home at all, then.
Hm.
(door closing)
(phone beeping)
(dial tone buzzing)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
I hope to God Adam
kept his nose clean
while he was with
Walters and Arsdale.
Relax, Mac, I talked to Adam.
You have nothing to worry about.
I'm worried about you.
I don't want him
hurting your chances
of winning this election.
Now if he knows anything,
he's got to tell
us first before.
- [Nell] Mac.
He's my husband, I
love him, I trust him.
That should be enough for you.
Okay, Congresswoman.
Now, I want you over
here tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock to meet
your campaign staff.
Don't be late.
I never am.
(lonely orchestral music)
(camera clicking)
(doorbell chiming)
[Nell] Winifred?
Hello, Nell.
Uh, Adam asked me to
stop by and pick up his
brief case, and his blue blazer.
Oh, come on in.
Yeah, I guess he rushed out
this morning and forgot them.
Uh, I think I saw them upstairs.
I was going to call.
Oh, I know, he meant
to call you, too.
He's just really anxious
about our meeting.
You know how Adam is
at planning things.
He gets lost in the
details, and he forgets
everything else.
Oh, are you going, too?
Oh, I wouldn't miss it.
I mean, Adam wouldn't
let me miss it.
He's, he's just um.
He's lucky to
have you, Winifred.
Although I hope this isn't
part of the job description.
Oh, I don't mind.
Adam is so much nicer to work
for than Walters and Arsdale.
Truth is, I was thrilled
when he asked me to help
him start up his new firm.
I mean, um, the long hours
don't bother me at all.
Even on a boat?
Actually, I like when we
have meetings on his boat.
I love being out on the water,
even when it's
strictly business.
What, what is it?
What is it?
I, uh, nothing, well,
well, we'll have to have
you out on our boat
some time when it isn't
strictly business.
I'd, I'd like that.
Thanks, Nell.
All right.
Now scoot it to the back.
That's it.
Gently, okay?
There you go.
Hey.
Hey, sweetheart.
What are you doing here?
What a surprise.
I hate to do this to
you on such short notice,
but uh, there's a meeting
on Adam Cauliff's boat.
Sam Crouse, Peter Lang,
they want me there.
Okay, so?
I don't know, maybe
they're going to fire me
and they want to do it in style.
Why would they fire you?
Did something happen?
No.
I'm kidding.
It'll be fine.
Besides, you could
support us all on this
daycare job, couldn't you?
You know what, baby?
I think you would feel
a lot better if you
would tell me
what's bothering you
the past few weeks.
Tell me.
I've got to go.
Careful.
Mm.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Uh.
I'm sorry.
(children murmuring)
[Man] Where's Adam
hiding the good stuff?
I know he doesn't
drink this crap.
I don't know what
Crouse is worried about,
you have enough liquor
down there to pickle a pig.
That's the idea.
To you, and the
deal that gives you
everything you want.
Well, nothing happens
without you, Winnie.
(glasses clinking)
Sorry, I didn't mean
to interrupt anything.
You didn't.
Thanks for coming.
We were just toasting the
new Vandermeer Complex.
You're going to be a
very big part of that.
Great.
I never forget
my friends, Jimmy.
(cellphone ringing)
Excuse me.
Adam Cauliff.
Yeah, Peter.
Everybody's here,
waiting on you.
I hope you're alright.
No, no, we're set to go.
I think we should
just move forward.
I don't want to deal
with Sam at this point.
Yeah, alright.
What happened?
Well, Lang got himself
into an accident,
he's banged up pretty bad
and won't be able to make it.
Well, what do you want to do?
What we came here for.
Why don't you help cast me off?
(ominous orchestral music)
(tea pouring)
[Nell] I'd like to
count on your support.
[Adam] Support?
What are you trying to
do Nell, solicit my vote?
[Mac] I've never liked Adam.
(distant sirens wailing)
[Adam] Don't wait up for me.
[Nell] Maybe you
shouldn't come home at all.
(ominous orchestral music)
(glass crashing)
Oh, no!
(rumbling engine)
[Mac] I'd like to
wrap this up, Detective.
[Detective] I
understand, Congressman.
I just have a few
more questions.
It's okay, Mac.
Uh, what was your
husband's relationship
to Sam Crouse?
Sam owns a
construction company
that did a lot of
work for Adam's former
architectural firm,
Walters and Arsdale.
I think Adam was planning
to use Sam on the
Vandermeer Towers Complex.
Aren't Walters and
Arsdale under investigation
for bribes?
Yes.
It should be noted
that Adam is no longer
associated with them.
And Peter Lang was the money
behind the Vandermeer project?
That's right.
Adam was the architect,
it's my understanding
that it was a meeting
of the partners.
Is that all?
Just one more question.
Mrs. Cauliff, can
you think of anybody
who'd want to see
your husband killed?
No, everybody loved Adam.
Are you saying this
wasn't an accident?
Well, we'll know more
tomorrow, but based
on the size of the boat
remains, it appears
that the explosion was
a lot bigger than one
you'd get from a tank of fuel.
That, that's it for the night.
My granddaughter needs
some rest, please.
Of course.
I'm sorry to make you
go through this tonight.
I'll see myself out.
Oh, I'm more sorry
than I can say.
Hey, George.
- Hey.
[Officer] What'd you
find out from Cauliff's wife?
Well, apparently,
everybody loved him.
Everybody loved Kennedy, too.
Anything else?
You ever hear of a
guy named Sam Crouse?
Sure, the guy's a
blueprint for corruption
in construction.
Why?
Well, apparently, he was
the guest of honor yesterday.
Really.
So much for an accident.
I got a list of people
as long as my arm
that'd like to get rid
of Crouse before he's
brought in for questioning.
Mrs. Cauliff says the rest
of the people at the party
were her husband,
husband's assistant,
Winifred Johnson, and,
uh, a big time developer
named Peter Lang.
Lang?
Lang, no, that,
something doesn't add up.
Ah, look at that.
Who's this guy, Jimmy Ryan?
His wife calls in, she
says he was at the party
on the boat yesterday,
didn't come home.
But all of our witnesses
put four people on the boat
when it left.
Somebody missed the boat.
Looks that way.
(sad orchestral music)
(door knocking)
Hello.
How are you holding up, kiddo?
I'd say the early returns
don't look promising.
I don't want to sound
like a politician,
but I've had plenty of
practice losing people
that I love.
I know how much it hurts,
and I know how long
it takes.
I'm sorry, Mac.
It's just been hard.
I loved Adam so much.
And when he walked
out of here yesterday,
we were fighting.
Was it over you
running for office?
Yes.
I'm sure he would've
come around if he'd had
the chance.
I spoke to my source downtown.
Peter Lang didn't
make it to the boat.
He had a car accident.
Not serious, but enough
to send him home.
And they think that the
fourth person in the boat
was Jimmy Ryan.
You know him?
I've heard Adam mention him.
I think he works
in construction.
Yeah.
The police are going to want
to talk to you about him.
And, uh, they're
going to want a sample
of Adam's DNA.
A DNA sample?
They recovered
some human remains.
Too small to identify.
Oh, God.
[Detective] Mr. Lang, why
do you think Adam Cauliff
went on the boat without you?
I couldn't say.
But it was a beautiful day.
Maybe they just decided
to cruise the harbor.
You were supposed to be
meeting on the Vandermeer
Towers Complex, weren't you?
A project that Adam Cauliff
was the architect on?
(man laughing)
Who told you that?
Well, his wife.
Is that not accurate?
We were meeting about
Vandermeer Towers, yes,
but I'd made no decision
regarding the architect.
Why would the
Cauliffs think you had?
Adam Cauliff married into
a very influential family.
In my business, I find it
not profitable to offend
influential people.
I'm afraid you're going
to have to be a little
more specific for us.
He wasn't a very
good architect.
His design for the complex
was pedestrian, at best.
I had no intentions of using it.
So, why lead him on?
It's a very long
and boring story.
Well, that's why we're here.
May I offer you a drink?
No thanks.
The old Vandermeer mansion
is an egregious example
of bureaucracy run amok.
A run down old building on
a valuable piece of property
that's been shackled with
historical landmark status.
I bought it thinking that
I could get that status
removed, and put
up my towers on it.
I was shocked at the
amount of resistance I met.
Anyway, while I was
doing that, Adam Cauliff
beat me to the punch, and
purchased the property
next door.
But, it had no value as long
as Vandermeer was untouchable.
So, I didn't see any great
urgency to acquire it.
Then something happened.
You're damned right
something happened.
The Vandermeer mansion
conveniently burnt down.
And Cauliff was
left holding the ace.
And I offered him double
what he paid for it.
But that's not what
he had in mind.
He thought he could turn
the sale of the property
into a nice little contract
for himself as architect.
So, why the
meeting on the boat?
To make him a final offer.
One that he couldn't refuse.
You sound very confident
that he would've sold.
Oh, Adam had an inflated
opinion of himself
as an architect, and as a
business man, but he wasn't
completely stupid.
He would've sold.
Because he knew I'd
never use his design.
I want you to
find out all you can
about the property
Cauliff bought.
The timing of the fire
seems very convenient.
What do you think about Lang?
I think Lang looks
pretty good for surviving
a car accident that
kept him from closing
such a big deal.
(phone ringing)
Hello.
Nell Cauliff?
[Nell] Yes.
Your husband spoke
to me last night.
Who is this?
He said to tell you don't
worry about the fight you had.
It wasn't your fault.
Adam's death doesn't
feel real to me yet.
I keep expecting him
to call and apologize
for being late.
[Therapist] That's a normal
response to losing a loved one
so abruptly.
It takes time to deal
with that kind of loss.
I'm not ready to let him go.
I need a little more time
before I say goodbye.
Nell.
Is there something else
you want to talk about?
Yeah.
I got a phone call
this morning, a woman.
She said she talked
to Adam last night.
Last night?
Maybe just a crank call,
someone read the
paper, I don't know.
What else did she say?
Nothing, I just
hung up on her.
I never thought I
would feel so lonely,
being alone.
(woman sighing)
(lonely orchestral music)
(church organ music)
[Nell] You know it's funny,
all these people.
- Thank you
for being here.
And none of them
were Adam's friends.
[Mac] They came for you, Nell.
I know, and
they're good people.
But why didn't anybody
stand up for Adam today?
Where are his friends?
He was a tough man to know, he
he never let anybody close.
Why did someone hate
him enough to kill him?
Why?
I don't know.
Mrs. Cauliff?
Hello, Mr. MacDermott.
I'm Lisa Ryan.
Jimmy Ryan was my husband.
Excuse me, I'll get the car.
Yes, I recognize you
from the newspaper.
I'm sorry about your husband.
I wonder if I could
meet with you privately?
I wouldn't bother you
if it wasn't important.
Sure.
I will call you.
We just came to pay our
condolences, Mrs. Cauliff.
I lost my wife two years
ago in a car accident.
I know how hard this
must be for you.
Thank you.
Look, I'm sorry to be so
insensitive, but I've got
to do my job.
That was Lisa Ryan you were
just talking to, wasn't it?
Yes, it was.
How well did you
know the Ryans?
I didn't.
Adam worked with Jimmy
Ryan, and I believed you
just witnessed my
meeting his wife.
What were you
two talking about?
Am I under
surveillance, Detective?
No, of course not.
Good, because I don't
think my grandfather
would like that very much.
Think she's lying?
No, she's too smart to lie.
Not for me.
Okay.
Nell, I wanted to thank
you for taking the time
to see me.
I know how difficult
the last couple of days
have been for you.
What did you want to
talk to me about, Peter?
Well, you knew that
Adam created a design
for the new Towers
Complex I'm building.
Yes, he was very
excited about it.
And I was very excited
about the drawings he'd done.
He was such a
creative architect.
We'll all miss him terribly.
Thank you.
Unfortunately,
now that he's gone,
I'm going to have
to start all over.
A new architect will
certainly have a new concept.
I can understand that.
I'm sure you knew that
last August Adam purchased
the property adjoining
mine, paid a little
under a million dollars for it.
Yes, I'm aware of that.
Well that property was
part of the deal that
he brought to the table.
It's current value is 800,000
dollars, but I'm prepared
to offer you three million.
Why are you willing
to pay so much?
Because if I have your
property, I'll have the space
to give my complex a
more impressive presence.
Of course, it will up
the value of my venture.
I see.
But if you decide not to
sell, I'm afraid your value
will decrease, simply
because of the overwhelming
presence of the towers.
I'll have to think about that.
I understand.
Take your time, there's
still a couple of weeks
before the final bids
have to be presented.
Nell, is there any truth
to the rumor that you're
running for your grandfather's
old congressional seat?
I never discuss rumors, Peter.
That sounds like
a campaign strategy.
I want you to know, if
you do decide to run,
you have my full
support in every way.
Thank you.
(car alarm beeping)
Mrs. Cauliff.
Your husband's trying
to contact you.
I'm Bonnie Wilson, I'm sorry.
I know I shouldn't be
pushing you like this,
but I had no other choice.
Adam spoke to me from
the spiritual plane.
I'm not listening to this.
He said, he said,
remember your parents.
They found a way to say
goodbye, and I will, too.
[Nell] You don't expect
me to believe that?
[Bonnie] Call me,
when you're ready.
(chilling orchestral music)
[Nell] I have to be
honest, I don't think I'm
going to make my deadline.
Nell, we have to talk.
That's very generous.
I'll, I'll call you
when I'm finished, okay?
Okay, bye.
Who was that?
Brian Wood, my editor.
He's extended my deadline.
He's giving me the
time I need to grieve
for Adam.
Well, Nell, there's
no easy way to put this.
But.
Mac, just say what it
is you came here to say.
Robert Walters and Lynn
Arsdale came to visit me.
A group of contractors have
confessed to taking bribes.
It looks like Adam may
have been in on the take
when he was working for them.
I don't believe that.
It's way too easy to lay
blame on the dead man.
Did anyone say that they
actually handed money to Adam?
They say Winifred
was the go-between.
Winifred?
She knew the
business inside out.
It would've been easier
for her if she had
a partner to handle
arrangements.
Don't you think it's
possible that Adams's death
has given them the
perfect scapegoat?
Where'd Adam get the
money to buy that property
next to the old
Vandermeer mansion?
I gave it to him.
I took it from my trust.
Hey, if Adam was getting bribed,
then where is it all now?
Because I sure haven't seen it.
And why would he
borrow money from me?
If it comes out that
your husband was involved
in a bribery scandal,
you're going to have a hell
of a time getting
the support you need.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Mrs. Cauliff?
This is Lisa Ryan.
I met you at your
husband's mass.
Jimmy got fired a few
years ago for being honest
and reporting the use of
substandard materials.
He got blackballed.
And didn't work again,
until your husband got him
a job with Crouse.
We were desperate, and
I know how grateful
Jimmy was for that chance.
Adam always spoke
very highly of him.
We were finally digging
ourselves out of debt.
But Jimmy had changed.
He, uh, he was always
depressed, he didn't sleep,
he lost his appetite.
Did he say why?
No.
He was such a good man.
Good father, he was so honest.
I think it was
something at work.
Why do you think that?
Look, I know, I know
we just met, but, um.
I'm scared.
And, I need to talk to somebody.
You can trust me, Lisa.
This is what I found
hidden in his workshop.
It's 50.000 dollars.
Jimmy never touched it, I
can tell it was never opened.
I think it's dirty money.
Do you think Adam had
anything to do with it?
I don't know.
But right after
Adam got Jimmy on,
Crouse's payroll,
something terrible
must have happened.
And I think it was with
whatever Jimmy and Adam
were working on.
Do you think Jimmy was
the target of the explosion?
He came by that day,
to work, to see me.
And, uh, he never
did that before.
And the last thing he
said was, "I'm sorry."
And, like he knew,
something was going
to happen to him.
I think that sounds crazy.
No it doesn't.
For now, we're going to
keep this money a secret.
Because whoever gave it
to Jimmy, if it was some
kind of payoff, they
might come after you.
Can you keep it here?
You know, just because
I think I can't sleep
with it at my house with
the kids being there.
Okay, in the meantime,
I'm going to see
if Adam knew
anything about this.
Adam?
I don't understand.
You know, I'm not
sure that I do either,
but for now, it's worth trying.
(wind chimes tinkling)
It was a birthday gift.
Listen, I've got to be
honest with you, Bonnie,
I'm not sure that I
believe any of this.
It's alright, I'm
used to skeptics.
Let's just give Adam a
chance to make contact.
[Nell] Okay.
(woman breathing)
Mm.
Adam's here.
Can you see him?
In my mind's eye.
He's looking at you
with so much love now.
He's standing in the
snow kissing you.
In front of a dinosaur.
Does that make sense?
The dinosaur museum
in North Dakota.
That's where he proposed to me.
He says he wants to apologize.
The last time you
two were together
before he passed over,
you had an argument.
He's saying it was his fault.
He, uh, he says that
it was something you
wanted to do, and he
was making it difficult
for you.
Uh, uh, I'm beginning
to lose him.
Tell him I love him.
Tell him I'm sorry
that we argued.
Tell him.
Adam doesn't want to go.
I see him more clearly now.
He looks pleased.
He says to start a new
chapter in your life.
Something you need
to do to be free.
The campaign.
That's right, he's smiling.
He says to give away
his personal things.
His clothes, and, he
says you know where.
He can't, he can't.
He can't what?
He says you need
to let him go now.
He's not alone.
He's met your parents.
(Nell gasping)
Something about camp,
don't be afraid.
Next time you're lost,
he'll show you the way.
He's leaving us again.
No, Adam.
His boat, does he know
who blew up his boat?
He's fading.
He's showing me towers.
It's dangerous.
Stay away from the towers, Nell.
Stay away from.
What is it?
Stay away from Peter.
Stay away from Peter, Nell.
(Nell falling)
Uh.
(glass crashing)
You're a creature of
habit, Mrs. Cauliff.
You run this route everyday.
I don't appreciate being
followed, Detective Brennan.
I admire your discipline.
After my wife died, I
couldn't really get motivated
to exercise anymore, and
you can see the result.
Well, you're welcome
to join me anytime
you feel motivated.
Did it ever occur to you
that it might not be safe,
jogging alone?
What occurs to me is, your
time would be better spent
following somebody who
would have benefited
from Adam's death.
Like Peter Lang?
What did you two talk
about in his office?
He wants to buy a
piece of real estate.
The piece your husband
bought next to the
Vandermeer mansion.
That's right.
Mrs. Cauliff, Peter Lang
had no intention of hiring
your husband as the
architect for that project.
Adam bought that property
to leverage his way
into that job, but
according to Lang, that was
never going to happen.
But Lang did want Adam's
property, and I believed
that he would've done
anything to get it,
including blowing up his boat.
Why would Adam lie
to me about Peter Lang?
Being his architect.
Why?
The same reason
everybody lies.
He was hiding something.
How well did you know
Winifred Johnson?
Not well.
She left Walters and
Arsdale with Adam.
He said she was
a good assistant.
Why?
We found her purse,
washed up onshore with
barely a mark on it.
You'd never be able to
tell that it'd been in an
explosion that had
annihilated everything else.
We found this inside.
It's a safe deposit box key.
We don't know what
bank, because they
make them untraceable.
Can you think of any reason
why a 40 grand a year
assistant would need
a safe deposit box?
No, I don't know why.
Well, neither did her mother.
Who just happens to
live in a very expensive
nursing home that her
daughter pays for.
That's all very interesting.
Well, I'll tell you
what's interesting.
So far we haven't had
one positive hit on her
DNA testing.
We've got matches
on Crouse, and Ryan,
but not one for Johnson.
Rhoda's having a hard
time dealing with her
daughter's death.
She's very angry.
Winifred was a devoted daughter.
Never missed a Friday visit.
And to the best of my
knowledge, she was the only
visitor that Rhoda ever had.
Mrs. Johnson?
Hi, I'm Nell
MacDermott, Adam's wife.
Adam Cauliff.
I don't know why my
Winnie left her job
to work for your husband.
She was doing good
where she was.
I told her to stay put, but
she wouldn't listen to me.
Look where it got her.
I'm very sorry about Winifred.
I know how sad and frightened
you may be feeling.
If, if you'd rather
I didn't stay.
Oh, it's not your fault.
I just don't know what
I'm going to do now.
Winnie managed everything.
I can't afford to
stay here without her.
Well, maybe she had
an insurance policy
that could help pay
for your expenses.
I don't know anything
about insurance.
What about her
safety deposit box,
do you know what
bank she had it in?
Why would Winnie need
a safety deposit box?
She never had
anything worth hiding.
Do you know where
she might've kept some
of her important papers?
In a desk in her apartment.
The same apartment
we lived in since she
was in kindergarten.
I'd still be there,
if it wasn't for this
damned arthritis.
Maybe a neighbor could go
in there and look for you.
I don't want the neighbors
nosing around my business.
Anyway, I haven't talked
to any of them since
I've been here.
Well, there must be
someone you can ask.
A friend of Winifred's?
Don't know any.
She did have a
boyfriend recently.
Talked about marrying him,
but he never came here.
His name was, uh,
Harry something.
Mrs. Johnson, I'd be
happy to go over there
and look for you, if you like.
Your grandfather's Mac
MacDermott, isn't he?
Yes, he is.
He's a good man, honest.
Yep.
I voted for him
every election.
(keys jingling)
Winnie had that made for
me from one of her medals.
First place for something.
She was a champion
swimmer in school.
A regular Esther Williams.
She was everything
a mother could want
from a daughter.
I'm going to try to
find her daughter's
insurance papers.
But in meantime, does
Mrs. Johnson need
any financial assistance?
Oh, sweet of you to
ask, but Winifred had
already paid in advance
for the next ten years.
All taken care of.
(phone ringing)
[Officer] Hey,
what'd you find out?
Not much, she's playing
her cards pretty closed
at best, but she definitely
knows more than she's
letting on.
How about you?
Well nothing from North
Dakota, on Cauliff's
background yet, but my
guy says he should have
something soon.
I did, however, get the
skinny on the Kaplan
property that he bought.
It turns out that the
place was a warehouse
for a family fur business
that went belly-up
about 20 years ago.
Now, Cauliff bought
it from an Aida Kaplan
for about 800 grand.
It's fair market value, but
after liens to the place,
property tax, income tax,
sizable credit card debt,
she walks away with a
little under 200,000.
Phew, tough luck.
Yeah, it gets worse.
She's living in the
building at the time that
it sells, and she's
got to move out.
Guess where she lands?
The Ritz-Carlton?
Close.
The Vandermeer mansion.
Oh, that place'd been
abandoned for years.
The cops are constantly
chasing vagrants out of there.
I'm guessing that she's
scared to spend the money,
a month later, the place
burns down, she's in it.
And the Kaplan Warehouse
triples in value.
Opening the door for
Cauliff to make a bundle
selling the property to Lang.
You think he torched it?
I'm guessing there's
somebody who thinks he
probably did.
Aida Kaplan's son, Jed Kaplan.
(gun clicking)
(ominous orchestral music)
[Nell] Hi.
Hi.
[Nell] Thank you for
coming on such short notice.
You're welcome.
Did you find out
anything about the money?
Do you know who
Winifred Johnson is?
No, I mean, only what
it said in the paper,
that she worked for
your husband, and uh,
wasn't she on the boat?
Yeah.
She started working for
Adam at Walters and Arsdale.
I know that name.
Jimmy worked for them
on a couple of buildings
they designed.
Well, they're under
investigation for taking bribes.
The police think that
Winifred Johnson was involved.
She has a safety deposit box,
she paid for an expensive
nursing home for her mother,
she paid 10 years in advance.
A place like that
must cost about, what?
Five thousand dollars a month?
You do the math.
Uh, that's half
a million dollars.
Mm hm, on an
assistant's salary?
Maybe somebody wanted
her out of the picture.
Well, you would think.
The police think that
she had a partner.
And they suspect Adam, but
I'm not ready to believe that.
Maybe Peter Lang
was her partner.
Is that the big
shot developer?
Yeah.
Huh.
You can just grab that.
Yeah, Adam bought some
land that he wanted,
and he wouldn't sell it to him.
I think Peter Lang was leading
Adam on, and pretending
to develop the Vandermeer
Towers with him,
so that he would get his
hands on Adam's property.
How does Jimmy fit in to this?
Well, Jimmy was working for
Crouse Construction, right?
And Crouse was on the boat,
so, maybe we should assume
that Jimmy was
making the payoffs.
He would never
be part of that.
I believe you, Lisa.
Hey, maybe he
overheard something.
And they paid him to stay quiet.
I know.
It's what I fear.
That's why he didn't
spend the money.
He had to take it, he was
scared he'd never work again.
What if Peter Lang set up
the meeting with everyone
that could hurt
him on that boat?
And then he blew it up, and
then he faked a car accident
as an alibi?
We should go to the police.
No, the police know
everything I know,
and they're convinced
that Adam was part
of that bribery
scam with Winifred.
I don't think he was.
I need to find the truth
just the same as
you do about Jimmy.
What do we do?
Winifred's mother gave me
the keys to their apartment.
Winifred's mother?
Does she know about any of this?
No, as far as she's
concerned, she lost her daughter
in a boating accident.
She's just a grieving mother
with no friends or family,
it's sad, I offered to help her.
I felt bad for her.
What does she want you to do?
Go to the apartment, and
check for any insurance records.
I, I could really use
the support if you,
if you felt like going.
Yeah, my kids come
home at 3:30 from school,
I just have to be there
when the bus arrives.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You know, it's funny.
You're nothing like
I thought you'd be.
I've seen you on
those talk shows,
arguing with politicians.
I'd always imagined
you'd be a lot tougher.
Catch me before
my morning coffee.
(woman laughing)
What if we were wrong?
What if Adam and Jimmy were
involved like the police think?
Mm, I just can't let
myself go there now.
Are you scared?
I think I'm more
frightened by what Adam
might have been hiding,
even more than the people
that killed him.
Yeah.
[Nell] Thanks
for coming with me.
Ooh, it's depressing in here.
Like an old Bette Davis movie.
I feel like I'm
doing something wrong.
Why?
She gave you the
key, didn't she?
Yeah.
I'm here to look for
an insurance policy,
but you know the real
reason I came was
to try and find some
evidence to help clear Adam.
That's not wrong, Nell.
That's faith.
State Champion 800 Freestyle,
1973, Winifred Johnson.
Her mother said
she was a champion.
She must feel so proud.
Proud?
It's a damned shrine.
Wow, what's this?
Some childish
display of affection?
Winifred loves Harry.
[Lisa] Is that, is that
the same Winifred from 73?
It must be.
Her mother said she had
a boyfriend named Harry.
This is getting really creepy.
This is the behavior
of a 15 year old.
"Announcing the wedding
of Winifred Johnson
"and Harry Reynolds."
Are you okay?
We shouldn't be here.
Why?
Uh, uh.
Ah.
Oh, I don't know.
They want to kill me.
Ah.
Who?
I don't know.
I can't breathe.
Let's get out of here.
(Nell gasping)
Oh, my.
Oh, Lisa.
[Lisa] Are you alright?
I'm okay.
I get these premonitions.
Oh.
[Lisa] You scared
the hell out of me.
It scared the
hell out of me, too.
(somber orchestral music)
(clothes rustling)
Oh, Adam.
Oh, thanks.
(Nell gasping)
Who are you?
Please, don't.
What do you want?
You got three million dollars?
You people think you
can buy anything.
Just write a check and
all your problems go away.
Ah, ah.
If something gets in
your way, you burn it down.
Uh, uh.
Is that the way your
husband does business?
My husband is dead.
Yeah, I heard about that.
Uh, ah.
Unfortunate little accident.
Uh, uh.
It's too bad, he was
going to make a nice profit
off that warehouse he bought.
That's right.
I know about it.
Everything.
You tell me.
- [Nell] OW.
What was Jimmy Ryan
going to get out of it?
A nice fat bonus,
and a gold watch?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Don't lie to me!
[Nell] Please.
I've been watching you, Nell.
You are going to pay for it.
(tires screeching)
Mac.
Nell, what the
hell is going on?
(gun clicking)
(gun firing)
[Mac] Oh.
Mac!
Mac!
I think I should
go with you, Mac.
It's a broken collarbone.
I've survived worse.
World War II.
You were younger then.
I was just as tough.
You stay here, you
talk to the police,
and see me tomorrow.
Are you sure.
Keep this from the press.
At least until we find
out who this wacko is,
and we figure out
how to spin it.
Mac, I really don't care.
But your supporters do.
Okay, okay.
I love you.
You be careful with him, now.
Up.
Everything's going
to be fine, Mac.
[Detective] A tough old bird.
Always had my vote.
Listen, he's worried
about this getting
out to the press.
Well, I'll see what I can do.
I'd like to have you,
uh, help us put together
a composite drawing
of your attacker.
Tomorrow, at the station?
Okay.
Then maybe you could
show me around your
husband's office.
I don't know what you
expect to find there.
But, okay.
And what about you?
I'll post an officer
here tonight for you.
Are you going to be okay?
I'm Mac MacDermott's
granddaughter, remember?
That would be great, thank you.
Thanks for caring.
Goodnight.
[Officer] Let's
look in the low place.
[Detective] I've got
this area over here.
Thanks for coming by
the station this morning,
Mrs. Cauliff.
We'll, uh, circulate the
composite drawing today.
Please, call me Nell.
Hope you're feeling better.
Did you get some sleep?
Yes, I did, and thank
you for the sentry.
Mm.
This is, uh, Winifred
Johnson's desk?
Yes.
Adam's office is in there.
Uh huh.
Listen, did you find the
bank that the safety deposit
box belongs to?
Mm, no, but we will.
Oh, I wonder
why that's locked?
Let's find out, shall we?
(keys jingling)
Key.
Nothing unusual.
What?
What is it?
Yeah, definitely the
same twine and paper.
Do you have any idea
how much is here?
50,000 dollars.
Phew.
Lisa and I think that
it was some kind of payoff
to keep her husband quiet.
50 grand payoff, it's
cheaper to whack somebody.
Well, then what do
you think it was for?
Uh, I guess to
get his hands dirty.
If he wasn't dead,
I'd be talking to him
about blowing up that boat.
Listen, she was adamant
that Jimmy would never
do something like that.
Oh, well, you'd be
surprised what some people are
capable of, especially
if they're desperate.
A couple of kids,
bills piling up.
Are you saying that Jimmy
was in on the payoffs?
Jimmy was just a working
stiff, but he was working
for Sam Crouse, and Winifred
Johnson gave him 50 grand
to do something.
Something that got him
on that boat, and killed.
Now, what other secrets
are you keeping from me?
I've told you
everything I know.
Yeah, well you didn't
tell me about this.
Well, I'm sorry, Lisa
came to me in confidence.
She was afraid you'd make Jimmy
part of the investigation.
50 grand makes him a big
part of this investigation.
And withholding any kind
of evidence can get you
both locked up.
[Lisa] I found the
money hidden in here.
[Detective] Do you know
when he may have gotten it?
It was in August.
He was depressed, I
remember it because he came
home one night and
started drinking.
It wasn't like him
to drink like that,
so I asked him what
was wrong, and he said
that he was worried about work,
which didn't make any
sense, because he'd just
started that new
job, at Sam Crouse's.
Do you know the
exact day in August?
I believe it was the
night that old mansion
burned down.
Jimmy watched it on the
news over and over again.
It really had him upset.
Like it was his own
house or something.
Jack.
You know what that is?
Newscast, August 24th.
Lead story?
Vandermeer mansion burns down.
I think I can prove Winifred
Johnson paid Jimmy Ryan
50 grand to torch it.
Well, that would
explain the attack
on Cauliff's wife.
How so?
Meet Jed Kaplan.
Petty larceny, shoplifting,
auto theft, habitual punk.
What's the connection
to Nell Cauliff?
We got an address?
(door squeaking)
Huh.
Looks like we got a first
class nutcase on our hands.
Yeah.
Hey, Jack.
[Jack] Huh?
Who stood to benefit the
most from the Vandermeer
mansion burning down?
I don't know, Adam Cauliff?
No, Cauliff stood to
make a hefty profit,
but the big winner
was Peter Lang.
No house, no landmark status,
as long as Cauliff sold.
So you think that Lang
got tired of waiting?
So, he hires Kaplan
to blow the boat,
get called in front
of the pitcher.
Then goes up to the
widow for the profit.
Hm.
Sir.
We need to cover
the house right now.
(phone ringing)
(dog barking)
Hold on, I'm coming.
Wait a minute.
Hello?
(dial tone buzzing)
(ominous orchestral music)
(Nell screaming)
Ah!
(Nell screaming)
His name is Jed Kaplan.
Small time thief and conman.
His mother sold the
property to Adam.
She ended up living in
the Vandermeer mansion.
She was trapped in it
the night it burnt down.
My God.
Why go after me?
Adam had nothing to
do with that fire.
You sure about that?
Yes, I am.
Now, Jimmy Ryan was
paid 50 grand to torch
that building.
Does Lisa know?
Yes, and if the money
came through Winifred,
the odds are Adam is dirty.
I am not willing to
believe that without proof.
I have a feeling the
proof you want was destroyed
on his boat.
Not necessarily.
Have you ever heard
of a Harry Reynolds?
No, never heard of him.
Well, Rhoda Johnson
said that Winifred had
a boyfriend, his name
was Harry Reynolds.
It looked like she was
planning on marrying him.
Don't you think it's odd
that he hasn't come forward?
What are you getting at?
Well, I think that
Winifred blew up Adam's boat,
and managed to escape from it.
You got anything
to back that up?
Yeah, faith in Adam.
Okay, I'll bite.
How does this Harry Reynolds
guy fit into your equation?
Well, he uses Winifred's
contacts to make the payoffs.
Together, they steal a fortune,
but they can't spend it
without getting caught,
so they need to eliminate
anyone who can expose them.
Crouse, and Lang.
You left Adam off your list.
That's because I think
they used Adam, too.
Adam often said that he
would never have left
Walters and Arsdale if it
hadn't been for Winifred
going with him.
She's the one who convinced
him to buy the Kaplan
property, and then use it to
get Peter Lang to hire him.
So?
So, Winifred and Harry
paid Jimmy Ryan to burn
down the mansion,
which opens the door for
Lang to build his complex,
and then she sets a meeting
on the boat, to get rid
of them all with
one well-timed bomb.
And then she jumps
before it blows.
That's one hell of a theory.
She was a champion swimmer.
Why else do you think
she would pay 10 years
in advance for her
mother's expenses?
She wasn't planning
to be around.
You know, that would
explain why we can't match
any of her DNA to the remains.
Okay, maybe.
But I'm not ready to
say that Lang and Kaplan
had nothing to do with
blowing up that boat.
They were both rich with motive.
What do you got?
There's no sign
of forced entry.
Somebody gets in this
clean, they're not going
to leave any prints.
Could Winifred have gotten
a key to this place from Adam?
It wouldn't have
been that hard.
You're not thinking that
Winifred killed Kaplan, are you?
No, not likely.
Kaplan was killed by a pair
of pretty strong hands.
She could've paid
a guy to come in.
Or, given a key to
this mystery boyfriend.
Mrs. Cauliff, what do
you think they were looking
for in the bedroom?
I don't know.
The only thing in those
boxes was Adam's clothing.
I was planning on donating them.
Well, now, that
could've been a rouse.
The intruder comes in,
tries to make it look
like a break-in, then
kills you when you walk
in on him, lucky for you,
Kaplan got here first.
And you think that Kaplan
came here to kill me, too?
Oh.
It's nice to know
that I'm so popular.
I'm going to put
someone here 24/7.
Until we get this guy,
you've got to consider
yourself a target.
I assume you can prove you
were working late last night.
I can prove whatever I need.
You know, this is beginning
to sound a little like you're
accusing me of murder.
I'm not accusing you
of anything, Mr. Lang,
just doing my job.
If Jed Kaplan planted
a bomb on a boat,
there's always a chance
that somebody hired him
to do it.
And anybody with an apparent
motive would have to be
checked out.
If you're talking about
killing Adam to gain
his property, let's not
forget that I was scheduled
to be on the boat that day.
Oh, I'm sure you won't
let me forget that.
I think it's time you started
directing your questions
to my lawyer, Detective.
You can get his number
on your way out,
now, if you don't mind.
You know, I know all
about guys like you, and how
you do business.
Now, maybe you're involved,
and maybe you're not.
But I'll bet, if I dig
deep enough, I'll find
something to make
it worth my time.
Jimmy had no idea
that Kaplan's mother was
in the building when
the fire was started.
He got sick that night
when he saw it on TV.
That must have been
devastating for him.
To even agree to do
something like that.
I had no idea how
desperate he was.
I should've seen it,
but I was so busy
with work and the kids, and.
Don't do that.
He did what he felt he had to.
You can't blame yourself
for a choice he made.
But I'm his wife.
I was supposed to be there.
I'm going through the
same thing right now.
I'm learning that Adam
wasn't as honest with me
as he could've been.
I'm sure you were
there for Jimmy.
He got lost, and
he made a mistake.
Thank you.
Lisa, I want to
ask a favor of you.
There's this psychic, and
she says she's in contact
with Adam, and she told
me things that only Adam
and I could know.
And what?
I'm not sure she's for
real, I wanted you to talk
to her, about Jimmy.
See what you think.
See if you think she's for real.
(wind chimes tinkling)
(woman breathing)
Jimmy is here.
He's showing me two children.
A girl, and a boy.
And he's smiling.
They're your children.
Yeah.
He says they need you
to be strong for them.
He's saying he's sorry he
won't be there to help you,
he's sorry to have
let them down.
Aw, something happened.
Something bad.
It was an accident,
he wanted to tell you,
but he didn't know how.
There's a woman with him,
an old woman.
She's in pain.
Oh, he's crying now.
He's saying, he's sorry,
but he didn't know.
He didn't know.
She's burning.
The woman is burning.
Oh my gosh.
Jimmy killed, Jimmy killed her.
He killed her.
Stop it, please!
(women breathing)
I don't want to hear anymore.
There's something else, Lisa.
He needs you to do
something for him.
To help him.
Please, sit.
What?
His friend, Adam,
needs your help.
Adam Cauliff?
Yes.
He says his wife
needs to let go.
She needs to remove
his personal items.
It's very important, and
she hasn't done this yet.
She needs to bring
them to a church.
What church?
I don't know.
He's saying she knows.
She said tell her to do it.
Tell her to do it tonight.
I don't understand.
She said that you
would know what it means,
and what church she
was talking about.
I do.
Adam and I always donated our
clothes to the same church.
I just don't understand
why it's so important
to do it tonight.
[Lisa] I don't know.
Do you think she
really contacted Jimmy?
Yes.
(sad orchestral music)
(key clinking)
[Lisa] You're
sure it's identical?
Positive.
I talked to Brennan
this morning.
He said they haven't
found the bank.
Are you going
to give it to him?
Not yet.
Well, they have a key.
Another one won't help
them find the bank
any faster, and if they
know Adam had a key,
it would just implicate
him in everything
that's happened.
Why would Adam have a key?
I don't know.
Maybe he was with Winifred
from the beginning.
I know the day she came
to pick up his jacket,
that was the day that
Adam's boat blew up.
And whoever broke into
my house, was probably
looking for that key.
And maybe, maybe Jed
Kaplan was just a victim
of bad timing.
It's possible.
So you think that Bonnie
got the message from Adam and
Jimmy about getting
rid of the clothing?
It was actually supposed
to sound like it was
protecting you?
Yeah.
And, putting the key where
someone could get it.
What do you mean?
Well, look, look.
If, if Winifred is still alive,
maybe she's feeding
Bonnie information.
What are you going to do?
[Nurse Aide] Mrs. Johnson.
Company.
I brought you some flowers.
Aren't they
beautiful, Mrs. Johnson?
Don't have much
use for flowers.
It's not as if I can eat them.
Why, uh, don't I just
take these and put them
in your room for you?
Thank you.
I should've brought you something
a little more practical.
Winifred used to get
me a little coffee cake
at the bakery in
the mall nearby.
She knew that the food
here had no taste.
Would you like one today?
I can pick it up for you.
Why?
Why are you being so nice to me?
You think you owe me
something because Winifred
was on your husband's boat?
No, you've lost your daughter.
I know how much you
must be hurting.
I miss my Winnie.
I miss her so much.
She must've been a
wonderful daughter to take
such good care of you.
She's never missed a visit.
She didn't want to
bring me here, you know.
But she had to.
She had to work, and I needed.
I never thought
she'd die before me.
We used to talk about me
dying, and what she would do.
And she used to say that
she would just quit working,
and get on the first
plane to nowhere.
Do you remember
her last visit?
How could I forget?
It was Thursday, the
day before the accident.
She was upset.
She wanted to make
a stop at the bank,
but she got there too late.
The bank?
Do you remember what
time she got here?
It, it must have
been just after five.
I, I always eat dinner
at five, and I was eating
dinner when she came.
It was meatloaf,
Thursdays, have meatloaf.
And she brought
me a coffee cake.
Banks close at five.
What did you say?
I, I said banks close
at five, it sounds like
it was a bank around here.
I wouldn't know.
Didn't you say you were going
to get me a coffee cake?
Mm hm.
(horn honking)
That key is tied to an ongoing
criminal investigation.
I need to call the
district attorney's office,
and give them your location.
I'm sure that they'll be
here with a search warrant
before the end of the day.
I understand, whatever
I can do to help.
Would it be violating
security to tell me the name
that the box is
registered under?
Uh, I don't think
I can do that.
Let me make it easier for you.
I know that Winifred Johnson's
name is on that card.
Could you tell me if Harry
Reynolds' name is listed
as the co-signatory?
I really shouldn't
divulge that information.
Has anyone opened the
box in the last week?
Oh, we don't keep
records of that kind.
Thanks, thanks for your help.
Oh, Mrs. Cauliff, you
forgot your package.
Thank you.
It's a gift for a friend
at Old Woods Manor.
God knows she
deserves every bite.
Hey, Nell left a message,
a little over an hour ago.
Don't ask me how,
she found the bank.
It's over near the nursing
home where Winifred Johnson's
mother lives.
Huh, we're going to put
that woman on the payroll.
Let's get to work on a warrant.
I'm already on it.
Something else.
I spoke to my guy in
North Dakota earlier.
He should be faxing over a
full report on Adam Cauliff
within the hour.
He says the guy had more
skeletons in his closet
than a Hollywood madam.
(door knocking)
(wind chimes tinkling)
Nell.
I'm, um, I'm
surprised to see you.
Sorry I didn't call, Bonnie.
Uh, I was hoping you could
make some time for me.
I really need some help.
Come on in.
I'll do what I can.
So, uh, what's going on?
I got your message
from Lisa, and I gave all
Adam's clothes to the
church near our house.
Well, that's great.
I'm sure Adam will be
very happy about that.
Please, sit.
[Nell] Your hand is shaking.
Are you nervous?
No, I'm just, I'm fine.
Just too much caffeine.
So, um, are you here to
try and contact Adam again?
Can we do that?
I gave away his
clothes like he asked.
I thought you said
that's what he needed.
For me to let him go?
That's just the message
that was given to me.
Actually, I'd like
to try to contact
Winifred Johnson.
She was on Adam's boat.
I'm game if you are.
Did you bring a
personal item of hers?
Yes, I did.
(mysterious orchestral music)
Where the hell's my fax?
How long has this been here?
There's someone here.
It's uh, it's a woman.
Brown eyes, dark hair.
She's standing on
a burning boat.
It's Winifred.
Sounds like her.
Oh, she's in a lot of pain.
She's reaching out
her arms for help.
Ask her why she put
a bomb on Adam's boat.
She doesn't understand.
I'm losing her.
She's fading.
I know Winifred's
alive, Bonnie.
And I know she's been
using you to feed me lies
about Adam, and I know she's
been trying to get this key.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Oh, I think you do.
You're already an accessory
to murder, don't make it
any worse.
Tell me where Winifred is,
and I'll talk to the police
on your behalf.
That's going to be hard to do.
Because it wasn't Winifred
that got off the boat.
Uh.
(Nell thudding)
Broken home, shoplifting,
vandalism, juvenile record
was expunged, at 17, he
was questioned in the death
of an uncle.
No charges were filed.
Yeah, his mother
inherited a chunk of money
from that uncle, too, it
was his ticket to college.
Keep reading.
Uh, fake letters of
reference for his first job
in Bismarck, fired for
infidelities with the owner's wife.
Fired from his second job
for selling contents of
sealed bids to rival firms.
Well, this guy's as
dirty as a broken toilet.
How does he set up shop
with a history like this?
Because Adam Cauliff is
actually Harry Reynolds.
He started using his mother's
maiden name a few months
before he met Nell MacDermott.
New wife, new life.
New mistress.
Winifred Johnson.
So Nell was right
about Johnson's boyfriend
coming after her.
We'd better get to her
before Cauliff does.
Hey!
Wait for me.
Welcome back, honey.
Adam?
You know, I've got to
hand it to you, Nell.
You're smarter than I
gave you credit for.
Where's Winifred?
Winifred?
Well, she's scattered
across the river.
Don't you watch the news?
Why are you doing this?
Why?
Money.
I just got tired of
living on an allowance.
We didn't need money.
Wake up!
Come on, Nell, there was no we.
There was the
granddaughter of the great
Mac MacDermott,
and then, the
incompetent husband.
You see, from the moment
we met, he made it
very clear to me that I was
not good enough for you,
and I was not going to
end up being a houseboy
to a politician.
I loved you.
No, you didn't
You loved the idea
of being in love,
that you were so
desperate for it,
that you didn't find
out anything about me,
you don't even
know my real name.
Oh, my God.
You're Harry Reynolds.
That's very good.
Now, how'd you find
that out, did Mac hire
a private detective
to dig up some dirt?
I saw Winifred's
wedding invitations.
Winifred, she was
a very lonely woman.
A lot like you, Nell.
She couldn't wait to help
me fulfill my potential.
So you used her
like you used me.
No, I used her differently.
See, she had no breeding,
or education, she had
no reason to question
anything I told her,
she had no life.
Till I gave her one.
She was the perfect patsy.
You know, one of the only
mistakes she ever made
was bring me the wrong jacket.
Uh!
(Nell gasping)
You, you I had to seduce.
Which really wasn't that
hard to do, in fact,
it was surprisingly easy.
[Bonnie] What are you doing?
I'm saying goodbye to my wife.
[Bonnie] What do you
mean saying goodbye?
What do you think I mean?
Can't just let her
walk out of here.
We didn't talk about this.
Oh, no, we didn't talk
about killing Jed Kaplan
either, but we're a little
too late to back out now,
don't you think?
Baby, she brought
the key with her.
We can go to the bank when
it opens, take out the money.
By tomorrow morning, we'll
be in another country.
This was about a key?
You were going to
kill me for a key?
You see this?
Do you see this face?
Yes!
Do you?
This is the price I have to pay
for leaving the key at home.
You see, Winifred got a
little suspicious when I asked
her for her key, alright?
And then, when I finally
found it in her purse,
and she showed up on the
deck and started fighting
for it, I couldn't get off
the boat fast enough, you see?
Okay!
That key is worth a
fortune, sweetheart.
I would've killed my
own mother for it.
Baby, we've got it now.
Let's just forget
about all these people,
and get on with our lives.
The police know about
Winifred's safe deposit box.
And by now they have a
warrant and have seized
everything in it!
Adam, no!
No, Adam!
[Adam] Get away from me.
Stop!
Uh!
(mirror crashing)
You just couldn't leave
things alone, could you?
Because I had things
planned perfectly.
I even knew that you
would wait for me to reach
out from the grave,
to say goodbye.
Well, here I am, sweetheart.
Help me, please.
Please help me.
Shut up.
Adam, I can't do this.
You can't do what?
I can't kill her.
It was different with the boat,
I didn't know those people.
I can't do this.
Okay.
Okay.
Gag her then.
Don't do this.
Don't.
Don't do.
What's that for?
Another tragic accident.
It adds a certain amount
of symmetry to it,
don't you think?
Everybody gets burned.
(Nell moaning)
Wha, wha, wha.
What, honey, I always thought
you like a good barbecue,
didn't you?
Adam no!
(hand slapping)
(Bonnie screaming)
Don't worry about it, baby.
You just relax, and I'll
take care of everything.
Uh.
(hit booming)
This relationship, this isn't
working out for me anymore.
(Bonnie moaning)
You know what?
I have to leave now.
But don't blame yourself.
(Nell screaming)
See, because I'm just not
a one woman guy.
- [Nell] No, no!
(muffled screaming)
Oh yeah, okay.
Oh, I understand, I understand.
Isn't that it?
One last kiss?
One last kiss before
I say goodbye?
(Nell screaming)
Is that it?
Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh.
Mm.
Bye, honey.
Ah, God!
Ah?
Come on, Nell, where do
you think you're going?
Help!
Bonnie, help me!
You!
No help from the others.
You and I didn't get
to talk about this.
That's why you went
to your therapist
to talk about our
marriage problems.
How we getting along now, Nell?
Nell!
Nell!
(hit booming)
(Nell weeping)
Mm, ah.
Phew.
[Nelll] Mm, mm.
[Father] Get up, Nell.
Get up.
[Mother] Let's go,
Nell, don't give up.
Don't ever give up.
[Father] You can do it.
That's my girl.
[Mother] He's coming, Nell.
[Father] Get up, get up.
[Mother] Scream for help.
Somebody help me!
What's the matter, Nell?
No dead parents to
save you this time?
Freeze!
I'm covered in gasoline.
Don't do it.
(gun firing)
- Uh.
Are you hurt?
- Just my leg.
Upstairs, she's upstairs.
Jack.
He's dead.
How did you find me?
Lisa Ryan said there
was a psychic here talking
to your dead husband,
and I just had to meet her.
I'll call it in.
We'll have an
ambulance here soon.
[Nell] Oh.
Aren't we supposed to
sing For She's a Jolly
Good Fellow, or something?
Not till she's elected.
Don't you think the
celebration's a bit
premature?
The votes won't be
in for several hours.
Getting here was
a victory, Mac.
We wanted to celebrate
a successful campaign.
Win, or lose.
What do you mean, lose?
No MacDermott has ever
lost an election yet.
And, with Peter Lang's
generous million dollar
donation, we have a
fighter's chance to keep
that streak alive.
That was a nice incentive
to get you to sell.
Good business?
[Mac] Better politics.
(Nell laughing)
(phone ringing)
Okay.
I don't know if I
ever thanked you yet
for bringing me onboard.
Only every day.
- [Mac] Hello,
for the last six months.
- [Mac] Mac MacDermott.
Well, you don't know
how much it means to me.
I, uh, I don't know if
I would have made it
without your friendship.
Thank you.
You're wonderful, and,
uh, I am counting on you
running my local office,
if we end up winning this thing.
[Lisa] Yeah.
That's it, they want us down
at campaign headquarters.
Come on, let's go
win an election.
Mac, I just want
you to know, no matter
what happens, I'm
glad you made me run.
(upbeat pop music)
(people gasping)
What took you so long?
I was just waiting
for a little motivation,
Congresswoman.
(Nell laughing)
Oh, uh.
Uh, uh. (groans)
(upbeat pop music)
(ominous orchestral music)