Harlan Coben's Shelter (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Previously on "Shelter"
I know that you are grieving,
but we both are.
You lost your father,
and I lost my brother.
My mom will be out soon enough.
I want to see her.
Your mom needs time to heal.
Mickey Bolitar.
Hi. Arthur Spindell.
Call me Spoon.
- What's your deal?
- I'm the new kid.
- What's your name?
- Mickey.
- What's yours?
- Ema.
Hey, I found a new kid.
She's gonna try out for cheer.
- I'm Ashley.
- I'm Mickey.
Are you doing anything later?
I was thinking maybe we could
go to a diner or something.
You remember that new
girl that I was with?
We were supposed to meet up
after cheerleading tryouts,
but she never showed up.
And she won't pick up
any of my phone calls
or texts.
This kid, Dylan Shakes, vanished.
What do you mean "vanished"?
Disappeared. Never seen again.
Why did you say you
saw Bat Lady yesterday?
She called out my name.
And she said my dad was still alive.
I just want answers.
Did your father tell you about the time
he went into Bat Lady's house?
I lost Ashley, but we'll find her.
No need.
It wasn't Ashley on the gurney.
It was a man named Lawrence Kent.
He's a doctor or something.
I heard it on a walkie.
So Ashley's dad's a doctor.
No, he can't be her dad.
Mine died, too, four years ago.
It still doesn't feel real.
And Mrs. Kent isn't
related to Ashley either.
I don't have a daughter.
Maybe they were the wrong Kents.
Okay, so we have to buy
that the wrong Dr. Kent
just happens to get beat up
on the same night where
Ashley Kent goes missing?
There has to be a connection, but
but what?
Mistaken identities.
Uh, drug rings.
It could be a prank.
Cloning, maybe.
There are a million possibilities.
Also, shit,
Mickey, um, when my dad comes,
I just want you to be prepared.
He might kill me,
like, um
like, kill me dead.
I'm sorry for sucking you into this.
Why are you sorry?
For getting you arrested.
After tonight, I I'm going solo.
Stop with the crazy talk right now.
- What?
- It's my fight.
I I can't put you and Ema at risk.
Whoa. whoa. Whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Micholous Mouse, no,
you didn't suck me into anything.
I exercise a little something
called free will, don't I?
Okay.
I'm all in.
Ashley needs us, right?
Are you sure?
Yeah, absolutely.
Tell Officer MacDonald
I'll put him on park
detail if he does it again.
You again.
I'm gonna need to assign
you a parking space.
Well, if arresting my nephew
is your twisted way of
trying to get my attention
Don't flatter yourself.
I stopped thinking about
you a long time ago.
Where's the little shithead?
- Right this way.
- Okay, um
that's my dad.
Fuck, he's gonna take my Switch.
Hi, Dad.
Oh, this is so funny
because I was actually
Don't.
Wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait.
So what, you're not gonna talk to me?
Ooh, I'm so sorry.
Shira?
Hannah.
Oh, my God.
Oh, hi.
I'm gonna go wait outside.
What are you doing here?
Your, uh, husband
arrested my nephew again.
Again?
- You've seen Ken?
- Yes.
Uh, what what are you doing here?
Oh, um, I'm just
I'm dropping some food off for Ken.
Um
I heard about Brad.
I'm I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
I would have reached out, but
Yeah, that's actually
why I came back here,
because I'm taking care
of Mickey, Brad's son,
just for a little while.
And then what?
Uh, what do you what do you mean?
Oh, nothing, I just, um
never mind.
Well, it is really good to see you.
Yeah.
Have a good night.
You okay?
Oh, me?
Yeah, I'm just peachy.
Who was that?
Hannah Taylor.
Oh, your best friend from high school.
Yes, a million years ago.
It didn't look like
such a happy reunion.
Okay, I I'm sorry.
You know what else
wasn't a happy reunion?
Me having to come here
and bail you out again.
- Can we not talk about it?
- Uh, no, sorry.
Not an option.
What are you even doing at that house?
I thought it was a friend's house.
- What friend?
- Doesn't matter.
- It was the wrong address.
- And?
And nothing. That's it.
- You have to be more careful.
- I know.
This whole "getting arrested biweekly"
is not a sustainable lifestyle.
Besides, I can't have you in the clink
when your mom comes home.
What what are you talking about?
Dr. Shippee called a few hours ago.
Wait, so so she's
out of there for good?
- When?
- Day after tomorrow.
She'll still have outpatient therapy,
but if all goes well
It will go well.
Of course it will.
Yeah, playing ball at
Amherst would be sick!
Their dining hall
sucked, though.
Remember, they had those
fucked up sloppy joes?
Yeah.
Ew, gross.
Hello?
Yo, are you listening?
Yes, yes.
Yeah, I I'm listening.
You're, like, not, though.
Amherst. Sloppy joes.
I'm listening, Troy!
Oh, my God!
What is your deal today?
I gotta go.
Mom?
Hey, are you crying?
No, honey, I'm just tired.
Is it Dad?
What do you mean, "is it Dad"?
He sucks.
Don't talk about your father like that.
I thought you were
gonna be there all night.
- No.
- Well,
then why'd you have me bring you food?
Because I thought I was
gonna be there all night,
but then I wasn't.
Guess who I ran into at the station?
She was picking up her nephew, Hannah.
And you didn't think that that
was worth mentioning to me?
Who's Mom talking about?
What the hell are you still doing up?
Go to bed.
So we have to assume
whoever attacked Dr. Kent
is connected to Ashley's disappearance.
Yeah, yeah, and that they believed
the Kents were Ashley's parents, too.
We need to talk to the Kents,
see what they can tell us.
Dr. Kent's at Valley Hospital.
I got stitches there after an incident
with my former babysitter's parakeet.
She's a really lovely woman, but
I hated that bird.
I guess we can go after school.
Do you think they'd
let us talk to Dr. Kent?
Yeah, we're adorable, Mickey.
Adorable people get whatever they want.
- Shira told me about this kid.
- Dylan Shakes.
He disappeared right
after his baseball game.
Apparently, nobody ever saw him again.
Are you okay?
Hi, Mrs. Friedman.
- Can I ask you a question?
- Oh.
Oh, of course you can, Mr. Bolitar.
It's actually about a friend of mine.
She was supposed to
be in here yesterday,
but she never came.
Ah, would this be Ashley Kent?
Yeah, um, have you seen here?
No, unfortunately, but I did
receive word this morning
that she withdrew from school.
- From who?
- From whom?
- From whom?
- From the school, of course.
Did she not tell you she was leaving?
No.
Actually, I haven't been able
to get in contact with her.
That is odd.
Best leave it then.
It must be a private matter.
Why don't you take a seat, Mr. Bolitar?
Yeah, thanks.
I sent you a text.
What the fuck?
Yep.
That's fucking sick.
For your first project,
I want you to choose
an exceptional historical adolescent
from the 20th century.
And then I want you to present
a well-researched report to the class.
You will work in pairs.
Yes, Buckley, you can
choose your own partner.
You can do it now.
Hey, Rayray, you want to do this?
Buckley, yeah, I don't know,
maybe if I wanted to
actively tank my GPA.
Sorry. You. You seem smart.
Be my partner?
Um
yeah, sure.
Yay.
Did you want to come over this week
and we can work on this?
- To your house?
- Yeah.
What, have you, like, never
done a group project before?
Oh, no. Yeah, I ca I can come over.
- Yeah.
- Awesome.
Um, by the way, did
you hear about Ashley?
She withdrew from school.
- Who?
- Ashley, the other new kid.
The one who went out for cheer.
Oh. Oh, right, that Ashley.
Duh.
Well, that's really
weird, but I don't know,
maybe we, like, scared
her off or something.
Okay, everybody.
Let's get back to our seats.
Yo, Troy.
You got to keep an
eye on your girl, dude.
What are you talking about, dude?
We're doing partner
projects in Friedman's,
and she chose Bolitar over me.
Yeah, 'cause you're fucking dumb, bro.
I'm not fucking dumb, jerkoff.
I got near-perfect PSATs. Fuck you.
- Babe.
- Hmm.
You get my text?
Yeah, I actually can't do tonight.
I have too much homework.
Brutal.
How could somebody do this to a person?
I know.
It's just so messed up.
How did you get in here?
You two again?
I'm calling security.
Guys, we should go.
We think
whoever did this
kidnapped our friend.
What?
Who's your friend?
Her name is Ashley.
You mentioned an Ashley at the house.
Yeah.
I'm sorry. I've never seen her before.
And you don't know anyone
- named Ashley Kent?
- Look.
That is all I know, all right?
You need to leave.
We have no idea where Ashley is.
She could be locked in a basement,
in the trunk of a car, or
Why don't you just go to the cops?
If only life were that simple.
If it's been less than 48
hours, the cops don't care.
Okay, look, I'm gonna tell
you what I told the police,
and then I want you gone.
Of course.
Done.
The man who did this to my husband
he had a tattoo on his face.
A tattoo of what?
An octopus.
Hannah Smith.
Best friends.
That's rich.
Oh, Jesus. Fuck.
Have you ever heard of knocking?
Why does my dad have the same hat
as Dylan Shakes in this photo?
Wha
They were on the same
little league team.
- I I told you that.
- No, you definitely didn't.
Well, they were.
And, um, hang on.
I actually just saw this.
Here.
Look.
There's your dad next to Dylan Shakes.
They were best friends.
His best friend vanished?
Yeah, he was devastated.
He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep.
Wait, how long after this did those kids
bully him into Bat Lady's house?
A few weeks, I think.
Why didn't he ever tell me?
He wasn't much of a sharer.
He was with me.
Everybody has secrets, Mickey.
Do you always take walks at midnight?
Just when I can't sleep
which is most nights.
This is pretty cool.
I've always thought New
Jersey had the better view.
Is your mom okay?
Yeah, I mean, uh
I mean, you just never
really talk about her,
and she's never really around,
so I I just wanted to check
in and see if you were okay.
I'm
I'm so I'm sorry if that's weird.
No. No, I really appreciate it.
She's in a behavioral center
to treat her depression.
It started when she
was a teen tennis pro.
All the pressure, she
couldn't handle it.
The fame, the money, the endorsements,
it would all go away
if she wasn't winning.
What's her name?
She went by Kitty Hammer.
Holy shit. Your mom is Kitty Hammer?
Yeah. You heard of her?
Yeah. Who hasn't?
Is the depression why
she retired so young?
One of the reasons, yeah.
Uh, the other one was was my dad.
They kind of fell for
each other real hard.
- Ew.
- Yeah, ew.
What about your mom?
What's your mom like?
She's fine.
Really?
I just spill my guts out to
you, and this is all I get?
Just let it go, Mickey.
Okay, sure.
Mickey, um
there is something that
I really should tell you about.
Ema.
What?
Did you say that the guy
that you and Spoon
saw at Bat Lady's house
had a shaved head and sunglasses on?
Holy fuck, is that guy
watching us right now?
Mickey, don't.
Don't! Don't
What the fuck are you doing?
Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop! Stop! Stop!
Hey, stop! Stop! Stop!
That was really stupid.
Who are you? Why were
you at Bat Lady's house?
And why are you following me?
You're not yet ready for those answers.
What does that even mean?
Tell no one we spoke,
or I'll kill your friend.
Bat Lady said my dad is still alive.
She shouldn't have said that.
What do you mean she
shouldn't have said that?
Wait!
Are you okay?
Bat Lady said your dad
was still alive, right?
Yeah.
But you don't believe her, do you?
No, of course not.
I mean, I watched him die.
But?
But I I don't know, okay?
I mean, she knew my name.
So?
And she knew that my dad
was supposed to be dead.
It felt like she knew the truth somehow.
And what's up with this guy watching us?
The Bat Lady is crazy.
Okay? Fuck her.
And fuck white Pitbull.
I guess I just wish it were true.
I think that's a big part of it,
the wanting, you know?
Don't torture yourself, Mickey.
Focus on your mom.
Focus on Ashley.
Yeah, you're right.
I should go.
What was it that you,
uh, wanted to tell me
before, uh, Sunglasses showed up?
Um
oh, uh, I forgot.
Let me know when you remember.
Will do.
Do you want me to walk you home?
Fuck no.
- Good night.
- Good night, Mickey.
Don't even think about it!
Rise and shine.
Don't want to keep your mom waiting.
What?
Oh, nothing.
It's just your
grandparents keep texting.
They're threatening to come visit.
Oh, that's awesome.
Oh, yeah, totally awesome.
Hey, um, are you ready for this?
Yeah, I'm ready. Totally ready.
Okay.
I don't know what's taking so long.
Oh, here she comes.
It's all good.
Kitty will be out in a minute.
I just wanted to speak
with you both for a moment.
Just make sure to take
it easy for a bit, okay?
I know that.
I know you know that.
But it's crucial to
be mindful of it now.
That's why I want Kitty to
check back in at 2:30 p.m.
Uh, we completely
understand, Dr. Shippee.
Mickey!
Mom!
- I missed you so much.
- Oh!
You have no idea, mijo.
You should be very proud
of your mother, Mickey.
I am.
See you at 2:30.
- Thank you, Dr. Shippee.
- Mm-hmm.
Hi, Kitty.
Hey, Shira.
Uh, Mickey will give you the rundown,
but I thought you could use my car.
I checked into Westminster
for a couple of nights
so that you guys will
have a chance to catch up.
I couldn't put you out like that, Shira.
It's all good. I'm using points.
Thanks. That means a lot.
Of course.
Anything for family.
Okay. Well, I will leave you to it.
I'm gonna go call an Uber.
Okay, bye.
¿Ya, tú sacado?
Sí.
Oh, perate.
Aw.
I love you, papi.
I've got the whole day planned, okay?
Oh, you're making the
plans today, are you?
Sí, sí, sí.
First, we're gonna look at apartments.
Then, the Kasselton Mall.
Excuse you.
Step three better be "Get to
school before homeroom bell."
But Mom
Besides, I have errands to run
Literally every errand.
Your mama has to start
feeling like your mama again.
I have to do groceries,
buy some clothes,
fix my eyebrows, get a
pedicure if there's time.
Come on, that's nothing. I
can get a pedicure with you.
Ah, no. And then I have to be
back at the center at two thirty.
I'm coming with you. I'll
do my homework in the car.
I know you're worried
about me being alone.
No, no, no.
Que no.
Mickey, look at me.
I am fine.
You know why?
Because I get to be with my son again.
Oh.
Ashley
- Yeah, bye.
- Okay, bye.
- Have a good day, buddy.
- See you, Dad.
I miss him too.
Yeah.
Look at me.
This is the price we pay
when we love others
You get the wonder, the
joy, all the good times
the memories you'll never forget.
But you get the tears at the end, too.
But he was worth it, right?
Talk to me.
No, you got enough on your mind.
No, sweetheart. I'm your mom.
Talk to me.
I feel so guilty.
What are you talking about?
If you and Dad hadn't
moved back to the States
No, Mickey. You can't think like that.
Life doesn't work that way.
But we had this awesome life.
We helped people
Yes, I know.
And your dad and I made a decision
about what was best for our family.
And he wouldn't want
you to blame yourself.
Yes, I know.
Okay.
Now get to class.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Oh, oh.
Save your appetite.
I'll have a surprise for
you when you get home.
You're making sancocho?
Of course!
Yes! Wow!
Wepa. Okay, bye.
Bye.
- What's she looking at?
- Who's she looking at?
I don't know, but she
looks freaked out, right?
Yeah, look at her eyes. That's real.
No, hang on. It could be cicadas.
They recently emerged in New Jersey
after, like, 17 years of dormancy.
You're such an idiot.
The opposite, actually.
Wait, hang on. Look.
This girl took a
selfie at the same time,
and it looks like her camera
is pointed in the same direction
as Ashley's line of sight, right?
Yeah, her photo could
see who or what was freaking out Ashley.
- Yeah, yeah.
- So who is she?
Oh, that's Whitney Renna.
Shit, my phone's dead.
You follow Whitney Renna on uDOu, right?
What? No.
Why would I follow
Whitney Renna on uDOu,
let alone have a uDOu
account or anything like that?
'Cause everyone has a uDOu
and everyone follows
Whitney Renna on uDOu?
She's royalty.
Um, what
what is uDOu?
Mickey, you're not part of the uDOu-dom?
uDOu is like Instagram but dumber.
No, Ema, it's far better than that.
The great thing about uDOu
is that it's about 100% authenticity.
So if you're true, you're you.
You do you, you're good, right?
If you're not true and you're not you,
you're boo, right?
- Does that make sense?
- Did they pay you or something?
Oh, bingo! Look!
This is what Whitney
posted yesterday afternoon.
Holy shit!
So Octopus Face beats
up Ashley's fake dad
and is stalking her.
I am partial to Octoface.
It does feel much more uDOu, right?
Should we go to the police or something?
What's the point? Mrs.
Kent already spoke to them
- about Octoface.
- Thank you.
How do we track him down, though?
How do we get him?
I know a tattoo artist.
Agent. They know everyone.
We could stop at their shop later
and see if they recognize it.
Oh, my God.
I think I might hate you.
No, Ema, you have to be 18 to be here.
It throws off my underage scent, okay?
I definitely hate you.
Ema, you should get this one.
What? No, I'm not gonna get that one.
Ema, my angel.
I had a feeling that
I'd be seeing you today.
Hi, Agent.
Um, this is Mickey and Spoon.
They're just some friends.
Excellent lip foliage.
Well, tax season
It's nice to meet you, Agent.
It's so nice to meet you, Mickey.
You're a protector.
I I can feel it in you.
Oh, thank you.
So what brings you lovelies in
two minutes before closing time?
We just wanted to know if you
knew who did this guy's face?
Regretfully, no.
Great line work, though.
Now, shoo. I gotta lock up.
Can you guys give me just a sec?
Alone?
Why the fuck won't this come off
like all the rest of them did?
- You hate it.
- No.
That's not the point,
Agent. It is permanent.
It's not permanent.
It's just this longer-lasting ink
that I've been experimenting with.
So I'm like your
personal guinea pig now?
Wow, this toxic vibe isn't
a good color on you, Ema.
And it deeply hurts me
to see you like this.
Well, I'm sorry. I just want it off.
I want it off of my body.
Like, right now, I want it off.
All it needs is time.
Fine, just please tell me
why you chose this particular butterfly.
You know how it goes.
My art is simply a channel
for spirit to get her message across.
What kind of butterfly is it?
An abeona Tisiphone.
Spirit believes that it belongs to you.
Why? What does it mean?
Abeona
is the goddess of
protecting children.
Well, why do I need protecting?
You tell me.
I don't know.
I think you do.
You best go.
Your friends are gonna start to wonder.
Maybe you're not the child
who needs protecting, Ema.
What?
Abeona.
Maybe you're the goddess.
Ma?
Ma.
Hey, it's Kitty.
Leave a message, and
I'll call you back ASAP.
Hi, this is Dr. Shippee
at Frost Behavioral Center.
Just trying to get
in contact with Kitty.
She didn't show up for her
Hi, Dr. Shippee again.
Kitty still hasn't made contact.
Please call me immediately.
I'm very concerned.
- Hello?
- I need help.
- What's wrong?
- I don't know where my mom is.
She never came home.
- Are we close?
- Yeah.
Car still hasn't moved.
This is all my fault.
- Mickey, no, that's not true.
- It is.
I spoke to her about my
dad. It triggered her.
No, listen to me.
Don't do that to yourself, okay?
Oh, wait. Car's moving.
Good. That's good.
Oh, no.
She's heading to Paterson Falls.
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mickey
No, she wouldn't have.
The car's empty.
I'm telling you, she's here somewhere.
I can feel it. I know it.
Easy there, big guy.
You become more like your
mother every damn day.
I knew it.
Fuck.
Mickey, you silly goose,
you left your door unlocked.
I brought you a little surprise
to satisfy your
post-sancocho sweet tooth.
It's my dad's coconut pie.
My family, actually,
we have a little saying.
"You shouldn't have
too much in one sitting
or you'll go coco-nuts!"
Mickey!
Mickey!
Are you listening to Bad
Bunny on your earbuds again?
Mickey, I warned you,
it's habit-forming.
Mickey Bear?
Mamá. Mamá.
No, Mickey. No, Mickey!
No. No, I'm here. It's gonna be okay.
I'm so sorry, papi.
It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.
I couldn't do it.
Ven.
I can't do this!
- Yes, you can.
- I'm sorry.
Yes, you can. Yes, you can.
Come here. Shh, shh, shh.
I thought I was better.
Is this where you buried him?
What?
That doesn't belong to you.