Original subtitles

I ain't selling.

This is my five acres. I use them anywhere I choose.

I'll build a pyramid if you bear cans on them if I want to. I never sold a

truck. I ain't got hair to use.

Get out!

Get him good.

Come on, get up.

He ain't breathing.

What the hell's y 'all doing in here? We didn't touch him. He was drunk.

What are we going to do?

Fingerprints are all over this place.

Come on, come on.

Now, Linda, don't do a big number. I'm family, remember?

Yeah, put away the furniture polish and think, oh, messy kitchen and coffee

mugs.

No, I don't want to face that drive down from Dallas. I'll take the train.

Hold on.

Yeah,

hi.

It will roll out that big Texas sunset.

Oh, I can't wait to meet Eddie and the kids.

And, oh, give the kids a big special hug for me, okay?

I love you, too. Bye.

I see, uh, Lannell is in again.

Not in my closet.

Well, what are you looking for?

Well, my tickets. They were right here.

You know, maybe I should postpone. No.

No more postponements.

How many years have you promised them they're not showing up?

Fifteen.

Shame on you. It's not as if I didn't try to go home.

There's just too much blood under the bridge, Morgan.

If I'd gone home, I'd have to pretend to forgive my father and forget all the

stuff I never could.

You're not going back to your old hometown and all those bad memories.

Your father's dead, Martha.

It's safe to come out of hiding.

I'm a coward, Morgan.

I bailed out.

I left Linda there to deal with my dad's drinking and the fights and the

craziness.

Killed my mother.

I thought it would kill me too. Sounds like survival to me.

Now go home and make it right, okay?

and taylor reporting here at bronchi valley face a lot of few moments for

incoming passengers dependents will then help you award thank you

Oh, she's busy. She can't come out.

We'll call her back in an hour.

I was a rebel for him.

I only meant to scare him.

I mean, he shouldn't have bolted like that.

You idiot.

I mean, you can see that.

Come on, let's go.

What time did you get off?

Well, um, not for a while. I need to talk to you. Oh, I know. Me too. If you

just, if you can just wait until the crowd sends out.

Where's your bag?

Uh, by the door. By the, okay, they'll be, come on.

What's the matter?

Linda.

It was something. Linda, the order's up. Come on, you got customers.

Uh, this is my sister.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, your sister's from L .A. Y 'all really do favor each other.

Why don't y 'all go ahead and go on home? I know how long it's been since

seen each other.

I bet he's off. That's all right. I'll handle things. You go on. Go on.

Very nice to meet you.

We really do like your sister. Hey, Jake.

Go on.

It's been great.

Can you believe it? I actually like my boss.

Come on.

We got some pretty country out here.

Not a lot of nightlife, but I'm sure you get enough of that in LA.

Okay, okay, I know you're probably angry.

Linda, I saw a man murdered tonight.

What?

I was coming from the train station. Oh, my God, are you okay? I mean, you

actually... I saw this group of men, and they were beating this guy.

And I heard the shot, and I saw him fall.

And, I don't know, the one who did it was wearing a mask. So you didn't

see his face?

Yeah, he took it off, and I got a good look at him.

Did you call the police?

No.

I'm just a little scared.

Okay.

Eddie's working late, but he'll be home in a little bit, and he'll know what to

do.

They're playing rabid dogs with their teeth, babe.

Thanks,

Ray.

I'm sorry. This is my sister, Martha.

Hi. Heard a lot about you. Hi.

Hey,

is this the way you want to meet your Aunt Martha?

Come here, you rabid dogs. Let me wipe off your face.

Night, kids. Thanks, Linda.

Nice meeting you. Nice meeting you, too.

Emily and Timothy, this is your Aunt Martha.

Hi, you two.

You know, these pajamas look pretty familiar.

You bought them for me on my birthday.

And half the toys in this house.

Remember this?

Hmm.

Christmas two years ago.

My dad says they can get real good now.

Really?

They're beautiful.

It's not exactly the homecoming I had in mind.

Daddy's home.

Daddy!

Daddy!

That's my baby, son.

That's my big baby.

I miss him.

Eddie, how do you like him without his mustache?

Well, well.

We sure have been looking forward to this, haven't we?

Well, I'll tell you something.

Your sister has been running around making me crazy. Making me crazy. I keep

telling her, calm down.

Your sister ain't expecting the risk.

She knows you got kids.

That really messed up about picking her up. Yeah, I know. I'm sorry about that.

Sorry about that.

Had to work overtime.

Had to pull a drive shaft out of a cab last minute.

And then one thing and another.

Can I get you a beer?

Anything? No.

No, thanks.

I sure could use one.

Hey, angels.

Time for bed. Why don't you stick a night to Aunt Martha?

What about your daddy, huh? Give me a kiss.

Talk to you later, all right? Sleep good.

Okay, bedtime.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Hey, babe, there should be another fan out there.

Boy, never known the heritage is so dead.

Come on, sit down.

It's, uh, saving up for air conditioning.

Boy, Texas summers are getting worse, or I'm getting older.

Kids don't seem to mind none, though, but, uh, I sure can't take it no more.

Thanks,

baby.

Honey, something terrible happened tonight.

Martha saw a man murdered.

Saw the killer's face and everything.

Is that right?

Well, I really didn't see him clearly.

I thought you said you saw his face.

Yes, but it was dark.

Where?

Where did you see this?

I really don't know the town.

Somewhere by the train station.

Did you call the police?

Just about to when you came in.

I'll do it.

Well, I'll get your bags, and I'll get you a room.

Now, go ahead. Just unlatch it. All right.

We don't have sections. There you are. Higgins, what the hell are you doing

here? County seats 40 miles away.

Well, I was out at the lake. Got this over the wire.

Dakin Larson?

That's what the ID says.

Name rang a bell.

Lara soon contacted my office a few days ago.

I was on vacation, so he left a message. What kind of message?

He was suspicious about the death of a pal.

Pal, huh? Who'd that be?

Archie Maddox.

How long has Lara been here?

According to the motel manager, he's been here less than a week.

Sheriff, Eddie Pitt called.

Seems there was a witness to this.

Oh, good.

Mind if I tag along?

Now, I never heard of a county prosecutor just tagging along.

Usually they want to take charge. Well, you know, you can do all the

questioning.

Still a local matter.

All right.

I don't know how many men.

It was dark.

A man being beaten and running.

I heard a shot and...

Then he fell.

That's all.

Did you see the man who shot him?

Well, like I said, it was dark, and he was wearing a mask.

I guess I sort of saw him when he came over to look at the body.

If he was wearing a mask, how could you see his face?

Well, you said he took off the mask.

Yes.

Yes, he did. He took off the mask.

But it was dark.

Yes, dark.

Anything else?

No. Could you identify this man?

I'm not sure.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

Good feeling.

Eddie.

That's him?

Yeah. For now.

All right.

For now, then.

I'm going to check out that motel room. It's personal stuff. All right.

Okay.

Not really.

Linda!

It tastes like dirt.

You pounded it. Quit pounding it. Sit up straight and eat it. Good morning,

everybody. What's for breakfast?

It's dirt.

Did you know that the Lone Ranger never eats with his mask on?

All right.

Come on, kids. You got school.

Daddy's got work.

Go.

You know what?

What's that?

A smiley face. A smiley face?

Oh, right in the middle is a... Nose.

You know, the kids are wonderful, honey.

You did a great job.

Yeah.

Eddie and I were going to wait, but...

We figured, what the hell?

I love him like that.

I can see that.

He's not the most educated guy.

But he did okay.

I mean, he had a rough childhood, a lot of abuse like us, but he really got it

together. And he loves the kids.

How does he treat you?

He loves me.

You know, Mom and Dad loved each other too, but we know what that was like.

That's not us.

I mean, Eddie hardly ever drinks, and he's never heavy -handed with Timothy or

Emily.

Are you?

Only when I overcook the eggs, and then he bats me around a little bit. So don't

cook eggs.

You know, I'm really sorry it was so rough with Dad at

the end.

It's always rough with Dad.

You know, I wanted to come back for the funeral.

No, you didn't.

No, you didn't.

No, I guess I didn't.

Thanks for the check.

Man, it covered everything you needed.

Didn't cover what you needed.

I managed.

And he was there, thank God, and he helped out a lot.

But let's forget the past, okay?

What's the matter?

There's a witness.

A witness?

What do you mean, a witness?

Well, she didn't see much. She?

Who's she?

Her name is Martha Tobias. She's here visiting her sister.

Well, go on. Who the hell's his sister?

Linda Peck.

Eddie's wife?

He didn't tell you.

No wonder he's been avoiding me all morning.

You know, this whole thing's gotten real messy.

First, that Archie Maddox situation was bad enough. That was an accident. Now

the Larson killing.

Bullet in the back, no accident.

Doyle.

Sheriff.

Unclear. Akins.

Just to let you know, I've requested a coroner's inquest as soon as possible.

Wasn't that a little premature?

Let's get in out of this killer heat.

You know, I've been trying to sell this town as a great place to live and do

business.

You couldn't make my job any tougher if you put up a sign welcoming homeless

hookers.

Well, whoever killed Larkin did that.

I intend to find out who killed him and why.

What was he doing here anyway?

Came to see an old friend.

Yeah? Who's that?

Archie Maddox.

Archie Maddox?

He was just a drunk who died in a fire.

that he caused himself.

What happened to his property?

I bought it. It's public, Ock.

I paid too damn much for it, too.

You see the billboard for the industrial park outside of town?

Archie's property.

The whole town's gonna benefit big time from that.

Funny how one man's life or death can affect so many.

Whole economy of a town, in fact.

There's some poetry in there somewhere.

Thanks for the pop door.

Thought you might want to join us for lunch.

Next time, could you please not?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm not used to guests.

I'll admit you're Potter. He's Eddie's boss.

What's that?

Get in.

What did you know?

Oh, is he not?

No, no, no.

Akin thinks he does.

Well, he's even wild.

You invite me to supper, and I'll find out what you know.

Mr. Potter's been real good to his wife, too. I mean, he really gave us a break.

A little trouble when people run for cover, but not the Potters. What kind of

trouble?

Eddie's a great mechanic, like I said, and Mr. Potter says that if he can...

What kind of trouble, Linda?

Eddie knocked a guy out and hit his windpipe.

They called it involuntary manslaughter because it was an accident.

Hey, why don't you get dressed and let's go into town? I want to show you off.

Well, what is it like to raise kids in a town like this?

It's okay, I guess.

And how are the school?

They're okay.

Ever thought about private school?

Why, there isn't no way.

And besides, Eddie and I can't afford it.

Well, I could.

No, you couldn't.

I mean, it's sweet of you, but... Well, since Eddie had it rough, I mean, I

won't. Howdy, Linda.

He just doesn't want the kids to think that anything comes easy.

Yeah.

You know that trouble you said Eddie was in?

Mm -hmm.

Did he ever hit you?

Damn it, Martha, why don't you like Eddie?

I mean, from the moment you met him, I sensed it.

What is it about him? I mean, something.

I mean, when he talks to you, you barely speak to him. It's not right. It's

embarrassing. Can we just drop this right now?

No, I will not drop it. I mean, it's been 15 years since we've seen each

and we're all walking on eggshells.

Not right.

Eddie walks in a room and you walk out or you set your door. I can't. I can't

talk about this now.

Well, what, are you going to wait another 15 years?

We're sisters and we used to be close.

But the longer you're here, the more distant you become. It's not fair.

Martha, please talk to me.

Eddie was the one.

I saw kill that man, Larson.

Now how can you say that?

I was there. I saw him do it.

No.

All right, Miss Morris.

Yeah.

My sister and I haven't seen each other in so many years. We have a lot of

unfinished family business.

Well, we were just coming by to pick you up.

Why? Need to ask you a few questions about what you saw last night.

Well, I told you everything that I saw.

I was here behind these crates. And Larson was here, and this is where you

the assailant?

Well, his head was sort of half in and half out of the light.

I'm standing over the body, and I would be fully lit by that light.

How could you not see his face?

I guess he was looking down.

Larson was killed, what, about ten past nine?

That's right.

It's funny. Nobody saw anything.

Restaurant across the street. There's a bar right here.

Everything was closed.

Everything was closed.

Well, yesterday when Larson was killed wasn't a holiday, was it?

When there's no business, sometimes stores close early.

All of them?

Including the bar? Maybe you should ask them why they shut down early last

night. You can bet on them.

Come on, Miss. I have to take you home.

I'm sorry I wasn't much help.

Well, I got a feeling that it'll all be a lot clearer in a few days.

What do you mean by that?

When the shock wears off.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry it took so long.

You told Sheriff Brandon that prosecutor something, didn't you?

No, I didn't.

I know you think you saw Eddie kill that man, but you're wrong, Martha.

I mean, you know, I saw this program about how much we really see and if we

really remember the things we think we saw.

And they had these people look at them and then close their eyes and then

describe what they saw. And I mean, they didn't even get the colors right. It

was really crazy.

So what I'm trying to say is it wasn't Eddie. I mean, it may have looked like

him, but it was somebody else. He didn't do it. You were mistaken, Martha.

I should never have told you like that.

I'm going to pack up and go in the morning.

That's great.

You accuse my husband of murder and then you just leave?

I don't want to leave you.

But if I stay, I can't help.

And if they keep pressuring me, I'm going to have to tell them what I saw.

want you to admit you could have made a mistake. I can't, Linda.

I saw that man killed.

And I saw Eddie do it.

I've waited for years for this. For you to come in here.

And

I'm

just afraid if you leave.

I'll never see you.

Say,

call me when you get down late.

And maybe when things cool down, you can see me bring the kids.

Man says the train's on time.

Oh, no.

Sorry to do this to you, Mr. Bice.

You don't look sorry.

What is it? You know, coroner's inquest.

But you didn't say anything.

I mean, you told them that it was dark. I heard you. You told them both. I heard

you. Eddie, I just don't give.

It's a subpoena. It's not as if I asked to testify.

It's a court order.

You've heard of a court order. Honey, go get her bag.

Please.

I'll get a rental car in a room. No, you can't.

I can't stay with him in the house?

Please, for me.

Don't you think it would be better all around if I just got a room someplace?

No, Martha.

I need you to stay here.

Why are you so frantic?

I mean, what are you afraid of? It's just this town.

I mean, if you move out, there'll be gossip. And if it gets back to Eddie...

Eddie! It's always Eddie. Why does everything revolve around Eddie? Do you

put yourself first?

Yes, but I want to. I want you to stay.

It's going to be okay.

Okay.

What's going on?

Hey, honey.

Got a great mail plane for the Potters. You heard

some

talk around town.

Seems you got a lot of people worried. How so?

Well, bad time for this to be happening.

We got a lot riding on Rocky Valley being seen at a low and order town.

Compared to Beirut, probably is.

Big aluminum side implant defined between Rocky Valley and Temple City.

Don't you let Aiken start scaring you.

When a prosecutor gets himself a witness, sometimes he tries to make you

seeing all sorts of things.

You'd be an authority on prosecutors.

Don't get cute.

Say what you mean.

No thanks. I've seen how you fly off the handle when people say what they mean.

No need to until you came along, that's for sure.

Listen.

You touch me again, and I'll tell them what I know.

Really?

What do you know?

I know that you shot that man, Larson.

I saw you shoot him, and the other man call you an idiot, which is just about

the nicest thing I can say about you.

She tell you this?

She tell you this lie?

Well, why didn't you tell me?

Why didn't you tell me? Because maybe every time you raise your fist... You

out of it!

You are the... Ever since you've come here, you've been looking down your nose

at us. And that's because you hate me for not providing a smart life for your

sister like you got. Stop turning yourself into the victim!

Look at her.

Honey, how many times has she changed her story?

Huh? How many times?

Now, how... much could she have seen?

You know how dark those streets are when all those stores are closed?

I never said the stores were closed.

It's a small town. People talk. Everybody knows that.

Look at her.

Look at her.

Standing there all smug and sure of herself.

She don't know squat.

But she's got to convince you that you can do better than me.

Because she hates it that you've got a family and all she's got is an empty

You want to believe her, honey? You just go ahead and believe her.

I don't even give a damn.

Eddie!

Eddie!

Wait!

Look at me!

Look at me!

And whatever it is, we'll face it. You have to tell me the truth. Did you do

what she said? Did you kill that man?

She's lying, Linda.

All right? She's lying. I didn't do it. I wasn't even there.

You've got to believe me. I don't know why she's doing this. I don't know why

she's doing this.

I don't know why.

What we've got here is a county prosecutor with an agenda.

While he's building himself up in the press with all kinds of wild theories,

they're writing bad things about us, and the investors are leaving.

He's like all these politicians. He's got to build himself up with headlines.

Well, he's running out of time. The inquest is tomorrow.

I never know if this size helps, but I'll do it anyway. I think probably, you

know, ceiling fans do the most good.

Oh, we're saving up for air conditioning.

Hey, kids.

Look who's here.

Look who's here.

That's a great cat. Who won?

We won. Oh, good.

Come here, you pretty thing. Do you have any children of your own, Mrs. Potter?

Not this small.

What about Tina?

Oh, well, Tina wasn't mine, honey.

Where is she now?

With the angels, Emily.

Tina's with the angels.

Hey, why don't we let the grown -ups finish their dinner, all right?

Wonderful children.

I understand you work for a department store.

Actually, I'm a buyer for a chain of department stores.

I think women should work.

They get in so much trouble with too much time on their hands.

As opposed to men who get into a lot of trouble with so little time on their

hands.

You know, I always wanted to work, have a career. Well, you raised a family,

didn't you?

One son.

Actually, Eddie's been more of a son to me than that loser.

Thank you, Mr. Pike.

Our son went his own way.

Thanks to your encouragement.

I've always been grateful to our mother for encouraging me to go my own way.

Some birds, when they fly from the nest, don't land quite as good as you did.

It's not the landing that counts, Mr. Potter.

It's the flying.

What's that supposed to mean?

That having the courage to try to do something is what's important, not how

successful you become.

It's airy -fairy crap like that that losers tell each other to keep them from

getting discouraged.

I'm so sorry.

Honey,

listen. The man had a husky voice and he used an inhaler. How many men in this

town does that fit? What are you doing?

You're not content in destroying one family, but you want to bust up the

as well?

I just came in for a glass of water.

Oh, Mr.

Potter, it's in the refrigerator?

Oh, I'll help myself.

It's really nice having you and Mrs. Potter here.

Oh, well, we're really enjoying it.

You know, we don't get out very often.

Hilda is in rather delicate health.

You know, I wouldn't trade.

Rocky Valley for all the cities in the world.

Don't tell me either.

Eddie and I... Small town people know how to pull together in a crisis.

You remember when the shops closed during that oil glut? Oh, yeah, and the

drive? Eddie had several strikes against him. I hate to think what would have

happened to Eddie if it hadn't been for you.

Well, not all of us for that matter.

There's something about a small town, a kind of loyalty that people in big

cities just don't understand.

But there's a price for that fierce loyalty.

Betrayal is very ugly.

In a city, if you betray your neighbor, you can always move to another suburb

and sort of reinvent yourself.

But in a small town, you have to live with the people you betray.

Thanks for the water.

Now, we know it was dark, Mr. Bias.

Every shop in the area that night, for some inexplicable reason, had decided to

shut early.

Innuendo is inappropriate, and suspicions are not evidence, Counselor.

shop owners have testified.

Nothing inexplicable about closing early when there's no business.

Or why there was no cab at the train station?

That's your second warning, Mr. Akins.

Mr. Potter has already submitted an affidavit of repair on one cab, and Mr.

Ballou, the driver of the second cab, had proof he was in Dallas that night.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

Coincidence is like common sense. It's very un...

common. I get suspicious when a whole town shuts down so that a man can get

killed.

Mr. Akins, unlike common sense, conspiracy theories are very common.

You're too smart to introduce suspicion as evidence.

This is an inquest, not a trial. Don't audition for us. You got the job.

All right. All right. So.

Just what did you see, Miss Tobias?

It was dark.

I didn't see anyone clearly.

Larson fell right in front of you, under a street lamp.

The assailants crowded around him, removed their masks, and you didn't

see them. Only one removed his mask.

The one who shot Larson.

He was the one under the light.

He kept his head down.

I'm sorry.

I didn't see any of them clearly.

So you can't identify him?

No.

I'm afraid I can't.

Excuse me.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Hello,

ladies.

I hope this isn't going to be unpleasant.

No more unpleasant than it was for me in there.

It's over. Let us get on with our lives.

Murdered by assailants or assailants unknown is not what I call satisfactory

verdict.

Tomorrow I'm going to be serving you another subpoena. She told you

I can speak for myself. You got no right hounding her like that. Eddie, please.

I told you what I saw.

You can tell me again.

In front of a grand jury.

I have a job I have to get back to. Just remember, Miss Tobias, that perjury is

a serious offense in a murder trial.

If I'm not sure of what I saw, is it still perjury?

No. But it is if you are sure and just scared to tell the truth.

He didn't believe you.

He didn't believe you. It's not her fault, Eddie. It's not her fault. Come

let's go. Get in the car.

I'll walk, thanks.

Where's Linda?

I don't know.

Maybe she's got a boyfriend.

Gee, that has sure topped my wish list.

Except it's work.

Kid's right there with a friend.

Had you going there, didn't I?

Boy, she already is hot.

I can afford a swimming pool.

Bet you got a swimming pool.

Here, let's get it there.

Get out of here.

Are you free?

Why do I know what you're going to say before you say it? I don't know.

You tell me.

Look at you.

Strutting around like the town's dud.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

You ought to be grateful for the attention.

Don't flatter yourself.

The problem with you is you've never had a real man before.

Stop it, Eddie.

Are you crazy?

Eddie!

Eddie, what?

Eddie!

Honey, I'm sorry.

She came on to me. You stupid liar.

She knew she was going to catch us here.

She knew you was going to come home and she was going to catch us like this. She

set me up.

You don't think she's going to buy any of that crap? Martha, stop it.

You don't believe him.

I mean, she's all talk, man.

Talking facts.

Fact is, you know what we got.

You know that you can feel it right here.

Eddie,

leave us alone.

Please leave us alone.

You don't believe him.

I don't know what to believe.

Oh, Linda.

I just know that until you came here, I was happy for the first time in my life.

You blame me? I'm just telling you, I'm not going to throw away what I have. I

may never find it again, and I end up like you.

You're right. It's not good with all of us here under one roof. There's a nice

motel in town. I'll call them for you.

This is a great spot for a picnic.

You guys go out and get all set up, all right? I'm going to make a call, and

then I'll come right out and be with you, all right?

Okay? Can you carry that?

You got that?

Good, sweetie. Just go right in there. See if you can pick out a spot.

Thanks, Emily.

Hello? Hi.

Yeah. Dave?

Hi. Martha, can I speak to Morgan?

Thanks.

Hi, Morgan.

I'm going to be here another couple weeks.

Yeah, I've been subpoenaed.

I know, but I'll talk to you soon. Okay, bye.

Okay, guys, let's get all this stuff packed up.

Oh, sweetie, you know, I just thought maybe it was getting a little crowded.

Well, they should come back.

We like you living with us. You know what, guys? You make me feel really,

good. Here you go. Can you carry that?

Yeah. All right.

That's where me and Dad go shooting. What do you shoot at?

Just cans and stuff.

But Archie made us stop.

Archie Maddox? Is that his property?

Yeah. He's really mean whenever Tina was there.

Tina? A little girl who had come to visit Archie. She had to be real funny.

looked at him, too.

Archie Maddox.

I could dance for him. Help me!

Yes? Timothy?

No!

Texas?

Snakes are everywhere.

What about that four -wheeler that I saw stop next to my car?

Did you get a license number?

Whoever killed Larson wants me dead, too. If they killed Larson because he

suspected Archie's death in the fire wasn't accidental, then you're right.

won't hesitate to kill you, too.

Of course, if you didn't see anything, why would anyone want to kill you?

Maybe it's what they think I saw.

Okay. Okay, I'll attach a deputy to watch you. No, then they'll be sure I

something. You won't let me help you? My hands are tied.

Well, you don't have any answers at all, do you? That's right, I don't have any

answers. I may just have to subpoena this whole damn town.

I'm not going to hang around here waiting to be killed while you fill out

subpoenas.

What does that mean? Well, if I'm stuck here, I'm going to make it pay off.

Now, hold on, hold on. Just wait until you start sticking your nose over.

Oh, boy.

Who's she talking to now?

Uh -huh.

What kind of questions is she asking?

Okay, well, keep me informed.

Eddie, get in here.

Hello?

That sister -in -law of yours is asking questions.

Questions about Archie's land, about how strange it is that I'm the only builder

in town who owns Archie's land.

She's just making a pest of herself, that's all.

Ain't gonna do her no good. She's also asking about a little girl visiting

Archie. How do you suppose she put together Tina with Archie? You answer me

that, huh?

hotter than a whore's breath in here. Take your rustic homilies and get out or

I'll call the police.

Better yet, I'll call the FBI.

It's a federal offense to intimidate a victim. You sit down and shut the hell

up.

Who do you think you are?

Coming in here, messing around in our business, disrupting our lives.

If you want to know anything about Archie Maddox or about who owns his

What about that snake? Was that supposed to scare me out of town?

Don't you get it?

If I try to leave town, they'll throw me in jail. I've been subpoenaed. I am

stuck here.

If you stay, you might want to think about what this town has done for your

sister and her family.

We don't like inquisitive strangers coming in here.

You might want to think about that before you testify again.

What brings you here?

I just got a visit from Doyle Potter.

I'm not about to let some redneck bully intimidate me.

Feel better?

Eddie was the one who shot Larson.

Potter was there, too.

What? I didn't see his face, but I recognized his voice, and he used an

You're sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Will that be enough to convict him? Well, that's not your worry. Besides,

down the line. First the arraignment, then the indictment against Eddie.

He'll pull the rest out. A favor.

What? I need time to convince Linda to leave, Eddie.

Can't promise that.

When Linda and the kids are out of that house, then you can have him.

Otherwise, forget it.

48 hours.

Leave.

Brooke, there's something else.

What? It came from Linda's kids.

They used to play near Archie Maddox's house. Yeah, the guy Larson came to see.

Yeah. And Archie would chase them away whenever a little girl came to visit.

Little girl? Who was she?

Her name was Tina.

When was it?

About a year ago. Hilda Potter used to bring her to visit Archie. And there's

another thing. What? The kids said there was something strange about her.

What do you mean, strange?

I don't know. That's all they said.

Linda? Linda?

Linda?

You made it. Yeah, me too.

You made me get a cup of coffee. I'm doing books. What are you doing here?

Well, I think we should talk.

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Oh. No, thanks.

I'd like you and the kids to come to L .A. for a while.

We can't do that.

I've got a job. The kids are in school.

I can't... Just for a little while.

I mean, say you're taking a vacation.

Parents take their kids out of school all the time. They can make it up.

And what about Eddie? This is not about Eddie.

I'm sorry.

What is this really about?

It's about taking a break, you know, from all that's happened.

Oh, come on.

You see the way Eddie's acting?

Not good for you, and it's not good for the kids.

You know, guys like Dad and Eddie, well, they never think of the consequences.

They're children and they're dangerous.

And they'll never grow up because of people like... Mother.

And me.

Mother and me.

That's what you were going to say.

You want us to leave town because you're going to testify against Eddie.

Linda, honey, listen.

It's time to think about you and the kids. You are destroying my life,

Do you realize that's what you're doing? I'll never forgive you. Never.

You okay?

Come on, I'll get us a beer.

Thanks for coming.

I just didn't want to be alone.

Sister?

I got some good news. I've been doing some checking.

Archie Maddox did indeed have a daughter named Tina. Only the Hall of Records

claims she died ten years ago.

But the kids said they just saw her a year ago. Yeah, well, if that's true,

obviously someone faked the death certificate.

Did Archie have any other relatives who could have inherited his land?

Nope. I checked. And with Tina legally dead, Potter was able to buy Archie's

land at a public auction.

And he got it cheap.

What about Tina? Well, Mr. Potter's not going to tell us.

So, I guess that means we're on our way to see Hilda Potter.

Mm -hmm.

Thank you.

I always add

extra water. It gets too sweet for me.

I can't bear this heat.

I can't imagine how you think I can help you. Oh, you understand, this is

unofficial. We're just trying to tie up some loose ends.

Well, um... I'm really not aware of what goes on outside this house. I, uh...

Well, you know, I do get out of bed, see a few friends, but my life is really...

My flowers.

These are for my nursery.

Oh, they're beautiful.

People say it's an ugly world.

Flowers remind me that the blame lies elsewhere.

Are those your sons?

Yes.

We understand that you would occasionally visit.

The young girl.

What are you all doing here?

Doyle, they just... You got no business here.

Well, as I was telling your wife, it's an unofficial visit.

We've got a call -first policy in my house.

Look, they didn't do any...

Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Potter.

Well, that produced a whole lot of nothing.

It produced a lot.

What do you mean?

Well, at Linda's, Potter said they only had one son. She just admitted they have

two. There was a family picture with two sons, and then a class picture.

The school called Rosedale Hall.

I've never heard of it, but I'll check it out.

We've got ourselves a real potential problem here, Eddie, and you're the

of it. Mr. Potter, I think I got the situation in A.

You've got your life in your hands is what you've got.

That bitch is going to get chatted to a grand jury.

She ain't going to say nothing. I mean, she don't want to... I've had some

calls. I know what she's going to do now. I've got an alibi, and so have the

boys. We were playing cards together.

You're going to take this all by yourself, Eddie.

Yeah, but you said, I mean, I mean about friends and sticking together. The

bottom line, Eddie, is we do what's right for Rocky Valley.

Now, I'm bringing in jobs.

What are you bringing in?

Mr. Potter, me and Linda, we owe you everything.

We wouldn't let anybody cause you no trouble.

Well, just keep that sister -in -law of yours from testifying. That's all,

Eddie.

Goodbye, Eddie.

But you've got to go. You've got to make her go or they're going to do something

desperate. Eddie, why are you so upset? Did somebody threaten you? I'm worried

for you and the kids.

Oh, they threaten us and you're going to defend them? Who are they, Eddie? Hey,

honey, you're not seeing the bigger picture.

All right?

I mean, your sister's ruining everything for them, for us.

I mean, we're the town, too.

No, they're the town. You're the ex -con they helped. And I'm the ex -con's

wife.

They like us. As long as we're grateful.

We don't owe them anything.

That's what Archie said. Look what happened to him.

How do you know what Archie said?

You were there, weren't you?

No, I wasn't there.

What really happened to you? I don't know. I told you I wasn't there.

You were there. You know what happened, and you've got to tell me.

All right, I was there. All right? I was there.

I was in the car.

I was driving for Mr. Potter. And I didn't get out of the car.

Whole Archie got drunk.

Knocked over a kerosene lamp. You know the story. The whole town knows the

story. And it's a crew.

I swear it.

And what about Larson?

Look at me.

Who shot Larson? I don't know. Now you leave me alone.

It was you, wasn't it?

It was supposed to be a warning.

I didn't mean it.

It was for me.

I don't want to scare him.

I didn't mean to hurt him.

Eddie.

All your life, just one mess after another.

You

know, I grew

up in a town like Rocky Valley.

Life like this.

I hated it.

I like small towns.

I bet you don't even know the name of your neighbor in the city.

Yes, I do.

Her name is 417.

I know you're being funny, but I think you like that way.

I like knowing who I am and making peace with that.

That makes you happy?

Makes me content.

What would make you happy?

To not be depressed by the downside of my choices.

I gather you've decided not to have a family.

Apparently the same goes for you.

My wife and boys were killed by a drunk driver.

Oh, Brooke, I'm so sorry.

Still not afraid to start another family, though.

I have a lot more guts than I have.

Success in life to me is how well I handle plan B.

So you're happier with the compromises?

Only because the unhappiest people I know are the ones who are surprised that

life isn't fair.

I don't like surprises.

Well, Miss Martha, I like you surprised.

Good night, Brooke.

Good night.

yeah we better go back home my brother

I'm okay, really. I'm fine.

You know, what you described is a four -wheeler with light bars. Two -thirds of

the vehicles in this town are four -wheelers.

Yeah, but this one had a piece of a barn on it.

Now, will you allow me to sign you a deputy?

A local? No, I can get someone from another jurisdiction.

That'd take a lot of time.

Well, I'll get right on it.

Now, uh, I'll get someone to pick up the car, too.

Thanks.

There you go.

Sorry about what happened.

I'm sorry.

There's somewhere we can talk.

Sounds like Dad built Plymouth.

I know everything now.

I know that Eddie was there when Archie Maddox died, and I know Eddie shot

Larson.

Oh, thank God.

Now you see why you and the kids have to come away with me. But Eddie told me

what happened, and I know what he did is wrong. Don't finish that sentence.

He's my husband, Martha. How can I shake some sense into you?

Don't you see the pattern? Mother never listened either. Her death was an

escape. It was easier for her to die than to face reality.

Linda, wait.

Please listen to me. You don't give people any room, do you, Martha?

And if they take too much time finding themselves, you just dump them.

Eddie's right. You don't care about me. That's not true.

You're selfish, Martha. You always were. That's why you bailed out on me.

I know the responsibility I left you with. I felt guilty my whole life. Oh,

make you a deal. I'll take your guilt if you give me those years back.

I figure you owe me one, Martha.

I do owe you. You want to help me and the kids? You want to make things right?

Yes. Then lie to the grand jury and don't tell them about Eddie.

Oh,

not necessary.

Come on, get in.

Hospital room.

Thank you.

Your sister okay?

Yeah.

I'll put you up at my hotel. They won't touch you there.

You all right? You cold?

Yeah. I think it was a delayed reaction or something.

Thanks. Could we stop by Linda's so I could get something else to wear?

Yeah, sure.

I have some interesting news.

That school photograph you saw at the Potter's house.

Ruth Hill Hall? Yeah, it's in Galveston.

It's a special school.

Special, huh?

For impaired children.

I'll get the car.

Father?

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

How is your sister? I came to check on her. She's going to be okay.

Mrs. Potter, could I talk to you?

I can.

Mrs. Potter, your husband said that you have only one son.

At your house, there were two boys in the photo next to you. Why did you lie?

I had two sons.

One is dead.

The other is fine, in spite of what his father said.

May I ask how your other son died?

No.

Mrs. Potter.

I know about Tina.

I know she's Archie's daughter and you used to bring her to visit him.

The secrets that are buried here are going to come out with or without you.

You're going to have to face that fact.

You're doing real well, Brenda.

Keep going now.

There you go.

Good.

Is this the same school you saw in the picture?

Well, it looks like it.

Well,

I think it was the flowers here that bent Tilda Potter. This should be the

for her son.

How did he die?

Uremia. Poor little guy.

One thing after another.

Well, what was the matter with him?

Galactosemia. What's that?

Disturbance in the metabolism of milk sugar, retardation, underdeveloped

physically, large liver and spleen. Brooke, the kids said that there was

something strange about Tina.

They could have met retarded. That's odd.

What?

Mrs. Potter comes to visit a young girl that she and Mr. Potter brought us about

a year ago from an institution.

Her name is Katie Bass, but she calls herself Tina.

A lot of these paintings on the wall are Katie's.

Where?

Hi,

Katie. Hi.

Hi.

Did you paint this?

Yeah. Oh, it's a sunset. It's just beautiful.

Thanks.

You have her records?

Of course.

I'll bet they're forged.

I beg your pardon?

We have reason to believe Katie Bass's real name is Tina Maddox.

But the potters themselves brought her to us.

Did you paint this for me?

Yeah. Oh, thank you, Tina.

Tina!

What's going on?

Eddie, we need to talk.

Come on, get in there. Come on.

Eddie, I think I figured a way out of this mess you got us into.

Oh, baby.

They took the kids.

There was nothing I could have done.

They'll be returned after I testify.

It says, after you testify, you saw nothing.

I'm going to call the police. No, you're not calling the police. No police, no

Akins, no nothing. For a change, you're going to do what you're told. You've

caused enough trouble already. These are my kids.

You do what it says. Do you hear me? Do you hear me?

You stay by the phone.

I've got to get me some stitches.

Mrs. Potter.

Mrs. Potter.

Mrs. Potter.

Who painted this?

It wasn't Gauguin.

Tina Maddox.

Only with forged paper, she's registered at Rosedale Hall as Katie Bass.

You visit her there under that name.

But you took her to see her father, Archie, under her real name, Tina

Archie loved that little girl.

But he never told anyone about her.

He and his wife were divorced.

Dina lived with her mother until she died.

And Archie had to put her in an institution.

They just soak up love when they're like that.

My son... I know, I know, and I'm so very, very sorry.

But now that's over.

Your husband murdered Archie Maddox.

And he stole his land. And if we hadn't found Tina, he might have gotten away

with it. That land belongs to her.

Archie's death was an accident.

Maybe. But the second one wasn't.

I saw Larson killed. I saw Eddie do it. And your husband was standing right next

to him. Now they've kidnapped my sister's children.

You've gone too far to turn back now. Stop it.

Two children you love are going to die unless you speak up.

What have you done?

What have you done?

Angel's man, Jake.

Who the hell is that?

We're going out of here.

Linda, no.

Eddie!

Where are they, Eddie?

There was never no day. Don't talk a big game to them, honey, okay?

Take it easy.

in the trailer, Eddie.

Get them on in there so we can talk.

We're leaving now.

Linda, get the kids in the truck. You too.

Do what I tell you, Eddie.

Don't be shy.

Hold it right there, son.

You know, it's funny you call me son like that.

Because I always looked at you as father.

Even when you was going to dump me.

You and the others.

But let me take the fall for all of you.

And still I looked at you as father.

Remember my family.

We were just trying to motivate you. Oh, you got me real motivated, Mr. Potter.

Real motivated.

One question.

Being that I owe you and all.

But you're going to ask me to kill my kids for you, too? Don't do anything

stupid, Eddie.

I'm going to do something smart for a change.

That's going to hurt you all the more.

Because it was a dumb old lady pick that done it to you all.

I guess he's not coming.

Just give her time, Martha.

She's lost a lot. I know.

What's going to happen to Eddie?

He'll testify against Jake and the others. He'll re -bargain it from murder

down to manslaughter, most likely.

Maybe he's lucky.

But the town will be dead to him, and to your sister, too.

She and the kids will need you now more than ever.

Can the kids and I come visit you?

Do you want to?

That's what families do, don't they?

Are we a family?

Yeah, we're a family.

We'll work this out.

This time I'll be there for you.

Watch the step, please.

Welcome aboard, ma 'am.