Original subtitles

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[eerie music] [wind whistling]

[line beeping]

[static crackling]

[cigarette sizzling]

[music continues]

[music box playing]

[pensive music]

[dog barking]

I was just sayin' there's a tractor pull tomorrow

and I thought I can do a story on that.

Didn't we just have one?

Yeah.

This is the state final so it's in Kansas City.

Why are we covering it?

Phil's boy, he's in it.

Oh, that's right.

All right, you got anything else?

I could do a story on the school board meeting.

No, I'm gonna have the new girl do that.

Anything else?

All right then, I guess tractor pull it is.

David, how 'bout you?

What do you got?

Police reports, Relay For Life, Toys for Tots drive.

That's it?

That's it.

All right.

Anybody got anything else?

Maggie?

All right.

Get outta here.

Oh, David, hold up.

What's up, Boss?

You remember Susie Potter?

Of course.

Well, her mother just passed away from cancer.

She told me that she wanted the search to continue.

I'd like you to write a nice piece on that.

What are you expecting to find?

It's been like years.

Well, the anniversary is still a few months out.

You got plenty of time.

Don't be surprised if no one talks to me.

This is Skidmore.

[chuckles] Well, you'll figure it out.

Hey, one more thing.

I hired that friend of yours.

What friend?

Lisa.

I want you to help her get settled

in and show her around, would ya?

I actually got a lotta work to do.

Yeah, well, it'll just take a second.

Morning, Lisa.

I believe you know-

- David Fremont.

Lisa.

I've asked David to show you around.

If you need anything else, just let me know.

Thank you.

Well, it's been awhile.

Yeah.

How have you been?

Doin' all right.

I should show you around.

[phone ringing]

This'll be your desk.

Our last reporter was let go.

Hey, Maggie?

This is Lisa Johnson.

She's our new reporter.

Hi.

It's nice to meet you.

Likewise.

Maggie is our news clerk,

so she can help you with whatever you need really.

Good to know.

Morning meeting is at nine.

Copy is due by 10.

Okay.

Anything else?

No, I think that's it.

Do you wanna talk about it?

Lisa, we haven't talked in three years.

I was just curious.

What are you workin' on?

Just preppin' for an interview.

Oo, what interview?

Doing a story over the missing Skidmore girl.

[keyboard keys clacking]

When was that?

Sounds familiar.

10 years ago.

Who are you interviewing?

[David] Her older sister.

She was the last person who saw her.

Dude, you have to let me come with you.

[chuckles] No.

No, I don't.

Come on.

When was the last time we worked on a story together?

Don't you have your own work to do?

Would you believe me if I said I was already done?

No.

Come on.

Like old times.

I don't know.

I can be your assistant.

Any heavy lifting, I'm there.

[sniffs] All right.

Yeah?

Okay.

Leave in an hour.

[pensive music]

Jesus, I forgot there is nothing out here.

Like what do these people even do?

People live here so they do somethin'.

Yeah, the booming social scene.

I seem to remember you enjoying it.

[Lisa imitates laughing]

What are you doin' back here, Lisa?

Maybe I just missed you.

What are you really doin' back here?

Do I need a reason to come back here now?

Just out of the blue.

Let's just say things didn't work out.

[soft music playing]

[pensive music]

[David knocking]

Hi, Diane?

I'm David Fremont.

We spoke on the phone earlier.

This is Lisa Johnson.

She works at the paper with me.

May we come in?

Of course.

Yeah, come in.

[lighter flicks]

Can you tell us a little bit about Susie?

Yeah.

Susie was six years younger than me.

She was just really sweet.

She was really active in the church

and always helpin' people.

And she disappeared when she was 12, right?

[Diane] Yeah, that's right.

And did she have many friends?

She had a few girls she hung around with.

[Lisa] Do you remember their names?

Alyssa and Cassie were her two closest friends.

Do you have numbers for any of them?

Maybe.

I'll see what I can find.

Thank you.

So, can you tell us about the day?

Sorry.

It's just, it's been awhile since I talked about all this.

That's okay.

Take your time.

Well, I still remember it like it was yesterday.

I was gettin' ready to hang out

with some friends that night and Susie

had just been hangin' around the house all day,

reading and talking on the phone.

Do you remember who she was talking to?

I'm not sure.

I wasn't really paying attention.

I was gettin' ready to hop in the shower

and she was gonna run out to my car to grab her Bible.

And then when I got outta the shower

she just wasn't there.

When did you tell the police?

A few hours later.

[Lisa] And where were your parents during all of this?

Mom was at work and Dad had been gone for a few years.

I looked all over for her.

The front door was wide open.

I looked in the car and her Bible was gone

so I know she made it at least that far.

When I couldn't find her, I panicked.

I called Mom at work.

We went door to door asking

if anybody had seen her and nobody had.

What do you think happened to her?

I don't know, but I know that somebody in this town does.

What makes you say that?

Miss Johnson, this is Skidmore.

Everybody knows everybody.

So, I can't just accept that nobody knows anything.

And then after the incident, I knew.

The incident?

[ominous music]

A year after Susie's disappearance,

these pages were in my car.

They're from Susie's Bible

and I know because I gave it to her.

There's a passage there underlined that says,

"No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself

as an angel of light."

Did you report this?

Yeah, I did.

And they said that Susie had probably done it

and that the pages had just fallen out from under the seat,

but I tore that car apart after she disappeared

and they weren't there.

Do you think you'll ever find out what happened to her?

You know, our mother died believing

that one day Susie'd just come walking

through the front door.

Hell, I think I even believed it for awhile,

but I can feel now that she's not alive.

I just wanna know.

I'm sorry.

It must be very hard for you.

I'm okay.

It's nice to see that people still care.

And we do.

Thank you for meeting with us.

Yeah, thank you.

[somber music]

[door latches]

[music continues]

[coffee splashing]

Hey, so you know how Diane said

that Susie was involved in the church?

Yeah.

So, I called the church she went to

and the preacher there said

that even though he knew Susie,

she was actually closer

with the youth minister and his wife.

The couple, Grace and Matthew Donovan were really popular

with the kids since they were fresh outta college.

Anything else?

And he gave me their number

so I'm gonna go give 'em a call.

That's good work, Lis.

Thanks.

Hey?

What do you think about working on this officially?

Really?

Yeah.

I'll talk to Jason about it.

I mean, if you're gonna be helping me out

you might as well get some credit.

I mean, someone's gotta pick up on your slack, right?

[David smirks]

All right.

[Lisa sighs]

[line beeping]

[line trilling]

[Grace] Hello?

Hi, Grace, my name is Lisa Johnson.

I'm with "The Maryville Daily Forum."

I was wondering if you had some time

to answer a few questions on Susie Potter?

[Grace] What kind of questions?

Well, with the anniversary of her disappearance coming up

we're doing a story on where the case is now.

We were reaching out to those who knew her well.

I understand the two of you were close?

[Grace] She was a good kid.

We really liked her.

So, Susie was very outgoing?

[Grace] Susie was smart, but she was a bit reserved.

So, she mostly kept to herself?

[Grace] I'd say so.

Yes.

And so, the two of you were close, correct?

[Grace] She would talk to me.

When was the last time you saw her?

[Grace] A couple of days before...

[ominous music]

Grace?

Grace?

Are you there?

[Grace] I can't talk about this.

Grace?

Hello?

[dial tone humming]

[Lisa sighs]

No.

There's no way I can spare two reporters on one story.

What, not enough people covering tractor pulls?

Lisa's a really good fit for this.

Then have her do the story.

Is that what you want?

You know, it's not a bad idea.

David, I assigned you this story.

I don't wanna hear about this again.

Okay.

[Lisa] So am I on the story?

No.

Why not?

[David] He says he can't spare the reporters.

So, if you don't wanna help anymore, I understand.

It's a good thing quitting

isn't one of my strong suits.

You'll have to work on this on your own time.

You get ahold of the Donovan's?

Yeah.

Got ahold of Grace and she hung up on me.

Think we could be onto something?

Maybe.

[engine rumbling]

[dog barking]

[keys jingling]

[dog barking] [wind whistling]

[shutter clicks]

[dog barking]

Hey!

Nobody lives there.

Yeah, it looks that way.

You shouldn't be trespassing.

You could be shot.

Wouldn't be the first time that's happened here.

Well, you should be more careful.

I will.

Do you know who used to live here?

[sighs] Young guy and his wife I think,

but that was a long time ago.

Do you remember a disappearance

that happened about a decade ago?

That Potter girl?

Yeah.

Could you point me in the direction

of where the Potter girl used to live?

Down there on the left.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

[wind whistling]

[ominous music]

[hammer tapping]

[saw whirring]

[shutter clicking]

[engine rumbling]

[shutter clicks]

[toilet flushing]

[Lisa knocking]

[door creaking]

You look like shit.

What are you doin' here?

We were supposed to meet up about the story.

Oh, right.

It's like eight o'clock.

Why did you come so early?

Because you said to meet in the morning,

and it is morning.

I'm sorry, it's just, I got company.

I have breakfast.

[door unlatches]

Is everything okay out here?

Yeah, it's fine.

I just got a story to work on I forgot about.

Oh.

Hey, Maggie.

Hey.

I'll just be a few minutes.

Cool.

[door latches]

What?

Nothing.

Whatever.

Hey, just let her down easy, okay?

Hm, 'cause you're so good at that.

[wrapper rustling]

So, what do you got?

Those pictures I sent you last night, did you see 'em?

I did, at work.

You know, Skidmore is a creepy fucking place.

What makes you say that?

I mean, apart from all the shit

that's happened there over the years?

I don't know.

I just felt like someone was watching me yesterday.

[David] Nah, don't be paranoid.

No one's watching you.

I'm not being paranoid.

I'm just saying it felt weird.

It'll be fine.

So, what's next?

It's your story, you tell me.

Guess let's go knock on some doors?

[gentle music] [Lisa knocking]

Hi, I'm a reporter from "The Maryville Daily Forum."

I was wondering if you could-

[door latches]

Hi, I'm from "The Maryville Daily Forum."

I was wondering if I could, just go to another house?

- Hi, I'm a reporter- - Get lost.

[doors slamming]

Any luck?

[scoffs] No, dude.

I feel like a freakin' Jehovah's Witness.

Yeah, I thought small town people

are supposed to be friendly.

Not here.

Well, let's hit the next one.

[Lisa groans]

Hello, Ma'am.

We're here to spread the Word of God.

Have you given your heart to Jesus Christ?

You're not here to spread the Word of God.

Sorry, that was a bad joke.

We're actually reporters from "The Maryville-"

Everybody knows who you two are.

You're just like all the others who come

around here wantin' to know who shot the bully?

Oh, no.

We're not here to talk about McElroy.

We're here to talk about Susie.

Nobody wants to talk about that girl either.

Well, we're doin' a story on her.

We're not meaning to upset anyone.

Well, it is upsetting.

What did you expect?

We spoke with Susie's sister the other day

and she was very open about it.

That Potter woman won't move on.

The rest of us would rather just get on with our lives.

So you don't wanna find out what happened to her?

Nothing can be done.

Do us a favor and leave this alone.

[ominous music]

Miss Johnson?

Yeah, Boss? [phone ringing]

I need your copy.

Yeah, it's done.

I've just gotta type it up real quick.

It's not done unless it's typed.

Sorry, I will get that to you right away.

Listen, this is the real world,

not your school paper, okay?

Gotcha.

Right away, Sir.

[Jason] Do you wanna pull records to start off?

[David] Hey?

[Lisa groans]

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

[groans] What time is it?

It's time to go.

You wanna grab a drink?

[Lisa groans]

Won't your girlfriend be jealous?

Look, you want to or not?

[crickets chirping] [engine rumbling]

You're not much of a housekeeper are ya?

[Lisa groans]

Let's get you over here.

[Lisa] Hey?

Hey.

[Lisa] Goodnight, buddy.

Goodnight.

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps approaching]

[person knocks]

[Lisa inhales sharply]

[crickets chirping]

[electricity humming]

[ominous music]

[wind whistling]

[gravel crunching]

Are you alone?

Yeah.

Who are you?

That's not important,

but I am putting myself in danger by meeting you.

[Lisa] Why do you say that?

Another case, one connected to Susie's.

What case?

A murder in North County, a young girl, Jessica Mercer.

[Lisa] And what does that have to do with Susie?

That's for you to figure out.

Why are you helping us?

Because no one else would.

[Lisa] Wait, how do I contact you?

I'll find you.

[engine rumbling] [wind whistling]

Little Lisa Johnson, is that you?

[Lisa] Raymond, hey [chuckles].

What are you doin' here?

Oh, I was in the neighborhood.

Figured I'd look you up, buy you some supper.

Hm.

Well, it is about that time.

Why not?

All right.

[bright music]

Well, your dad still comes by every once

in awhile to drink coffee and bullshit

with the rest of us old guys.

Oh, yeah, that sounds like Dad.

So what are you doing all the way over here?

It's for work.

[Raymond] Where do you work?

The Maryville paper.

Well, I haven't heard

of anything interesting happening over here.

It's nothing new.

It's actually an older case,

one that I think you helped investigate.

I thought this was just a friendly visit?

Look, I'm sorry.

It's just,

I need your help.

How?

I was wondering if you could tell me anything

about the Mercer girl who was murdered back in '05?

Now why do you wanna know about that awful thing?

Because I was told that there might be a connection

with a missing girl case that happened

in Skidmore a few years later.

No, they wouldn't be related.

We convicted someone for the Mercer case.

Is there anything, anything at all?

I shouldn't be talkin' to you about this.

[Lisa] But why not?

Because you're a reporter.

I am just an old friend

who you're having supper with,

and that's all.

[bright music]

This has to be off the record.

Ed Henry, a real low life in the community,

had run ins with local law enforcements his entire life.

He was charged with the murder.

Yeah, so what?

It's not exactly a secret.

It's all public record.

Yeah, but he denied committing the murder.

[smirks] What murderer hasn't done that before?

What's this have to do with Susie?

I don't know.

Well, do you wanna talk to him?

That's gonna be difficult.

[David] Why is that?

He's dead.

Yeah, that would make it difficult.

Raymond said that Ed hung himself and left

a suicide note continuing to deny

he had anything to do with the murder.

His suicide and that note were never made public record.

So, you think he's innocent?

I think it's awfully convenient

to point the finger at the town lowlife.

Who knows?

Maybe he was telling the truth.

[soft music]

So you know Raymond, huh?

Yeah, he's an old friend of the family.

Well, I owe my life to that man.

Wouldn't be stumbling around here if it weren't for him.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[clock ticking]

He mentioned you were lead detective

in North County until your accident.

Yeah.

Wish I could have done more.

So tell me, what is it you kids want again?

Raymond thought you might remember

some details from a certain case.

What case would that be?

Jessica Mercer.

That's a closed case now.

You can find everything you need in public records.

I heard not everything was made public record.

So what do you know?

What can you tell us about Ed Henry?

The only evidence we had pointed to Ed,

but that never sat well with me.

Why is that?

[chuckles] I guess you'd never had

the pleasure of meeting Ed Henry.

No.

There were no fingerprints, DNA, hair,

nothing on that girl.

No evidence other than Ed's truck

was found at the crime scene.

Now, you can't tell me that a kid

who couldn't even graduate high school

could leave a crime scene that spotless.

[pensive music]

So, why was he convicted?

Are you from a small town?

[David] Yeah.

Then you should know the politics

behind a situation like this.

The Henry's had more enemies

than track marks down their backs.

So, who do you think could have done it?

I don't know.

But what was done to that girl,

I hope I never see anything like it again.

This was something more monstrous.

How so?

This was never released to the public.

Whoever murdered that girl didn't have sex with her.

They used a corncob.

[pensive music] [clock ticking]

Did you know Jessica at all?

Not really.

Just that she was a normal, quiet girl,

good in school.

Pastor at Sheridan had nothing

but great things to say about her.

Wait, her pastor?

Do you mean Matthew Donovan?

Yeah, that's him.

Matt's helped me through a lot.

I've heard stories of men who have lost faith

coming face to face with evil like that.

But for me,

I wanted to believe.

I had to believe there was a hell,

and that whoever did that was going there.

Hello?

Hello there.

I'm David, this is my partner, Lisa.

We're from "The Maryville Daily Forum."

Oh, it's nice to meet you guys.

I'm Matthew.

I'm the pastor here.

It's nice to meet you.

Hi.

Tom Trullinger sent us your way.

Oh yeah, Tommy?

You guys ever seen Tom play the guitar?

That dude is amazing.

Is this about him?

Unfortunately, no.

We're actually doing a story on Susie Potter.

Well, that's unfortunate.

Susie was an amazing person.

She was an active member of my youth group.

So eager to learn and be closer to God.

Everybody around here loved her.

We were told that this wasn't the first tragedy

your youth group suffered.

Unfortunately it's not.

We had a young lady that attended this church,

and she was taken from us.

Did you know Jessica Mercer well?

Of course.

Jessica was in our older group.

She was 15.

A lot of the younger girls really looked up to her.

You and your wife were the last ones to see her, right?

That's correct, we were,

but Grace and I are no longer together.

I'm sorry, we were unaware.

It's not a problem.

Jessica had attended our youth group

the evening she went missing.

I found out the next day what happened and [sighs]...

It's the only time I came close to doubting my faith.

[Matthew sighs]

It was extremely hard when I saw what it did to my wife.

[Matthew sighs]

I had a difficult time preaching with the same joy

because I felt God had made a mistake with Jessica.

Well, we contacted your ex-wife

awhile back and she wasn't too keen to talk about Susie.

Well, she loved those kids.

And after she found out that she wasn't able

to conceive children of her own,

our kids here were our family.

I'm sorry, guys.

I...

You know, this might be the first time

you hear a preacher say this,

but I just don't feel like talking.

We understand.

Appreciate the help.

It's no problem at all.

Feel free to come back to one of our services sometime.

Thanks.

[crickets chirping]

It has been five years to the day

since the mysterious disappearance of Susie Potter,

and the family continues to search

and remains optimistic she'll be found.

We spoke with Susie's mother about the search.

Any information would be helpful.

If someone knows something

and then wanna remain anonymous, that's fine.

We just want our little girl back.

[mysterious music]

[engine rumbling]

David confessed to me that all his life,

he wants to be like Jason.

- Like, Jason? - What?

[Lisa laughs] [Maggie laughs]

- Why? - I don't know [laughs].

What are you guys laughin' at?

I'll talk to you later.

See you, Maggie.

What'd you tell her?

None of your business.

Talkin' about me?

Oh, I hate to break it to you, Peaches,

but not everything is about you.

Isn't it? [phone ringing]

"Maryville Daily Forum."

This is David.

[Adam] Are you the guy who's been lookin'

into some old cases?

Uh, yeah, yeah, that's me.

Who is this?

Just meet me in the alley

on the east side of the square at nine.

I'll be lookin' for you.

[engine rumbling] [ominous music]

Think he's gonna show?

[David] No.

Don't even know what he looks like.

So, you think he's the Zodiac [chuckles]?

You think everyone's the Zodiac.

Only people that are left-handed.

[pensive music]

[Adam] You David?

Yeah, me and my partner.

This is her.

Can she join us?

[pensive music]

Who are you?

[Adam] My brother didn't do it.

He was a lotta things, but he wasn't a murderer.

How do you know this?

[Adam] They were together.

She was a minor.

She used to drive his truck around town.

You could ask anyone.

This is great information, but it doesn't prove anything.

[David gasps]

[Adam] Listen, I know who did it.

Okay.

It's all right.

Take it easy.

[pensive music]

[Adam sniffs]

Who did it?

[Adam] Mr. Darrach.

He used to touch her.

Wait, how do you know this?

[Adam] Jess told Ed.

Ed knew it was Darrach.

But she never said it was him?

[Adam] She was scared.

Does anyone else know about this?

[Adam] He didn't want anyone else to know.

Why wouldn't he tell the police?

[Adam] He did.

They didn't do anything.

Do you know where Darrach is now?

[Adam] No, he skipped town.

Find him, look him up, you'll see.

[pensive music]

Do you believe that guy?

I don't know.

Maybe.

Did you look at him?

So what, we shouldn't follow up

on this lead he just gave us?

I just think we should be careful about this.

Why, because he looks like a stoner?

I just don't want you goin' off

on this Darrach guy because you think he's guilty.

Yeah, and I don't want you going soft on him.

Let's just ease into it.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

You can tell me.

Let's just get outta here, okay?

[engine rumbling] [mysterious music]

Okay, so Darrach taught here in North County.

That's where Jessica Mercer went to school.

That's right, and then five days after her murder,

he moved here.

Shit.

Wanna go talk to him?

Yeah, I think so.

[wind whistling]

[David knocks]

Do I know you?

Maybe.

Oh, yeah.

It was right before Thanksgiving.

I was walkin' my dog, Charlie.

That's right.

You wouldn't happen to be Jeff Darrach, would you?

Yeah.

Well, what can I do for ya?

We just wanted to ask you a few questions

on a former student of yours, Jessica Mercer.

Okay. Yeah.

Come on in.

Come on in, it's too cold to be outside.

[door creaking]

Have a seat.

Would you like some tea?

- No, thank you. - No.

[water splashing]

[kettle thuds]

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your names?

Well, I'm David.

This is Lisa.

We're reporters.

Lisa, I've got an apology for you.

For what?

When I yelled at ya that other time I saw ya,

it's just that the folks around here get real uncomfortable

when strangers come nosying around.

I just didn't wanna see ya get hurt.

That's fine.

So, what can I do for you?

Well, we were just wondering

if you could tell us about Jessica Mercer?

What do you wanna know?

Did you know her well?

Yeah, and I consider it a distinct privilege.

She was absolutely brilliant

and she was even more beautiful.

You've probably seen her pictures.

I mean, that was a beautiful girl.

[Jeff sighs]

She's gone now.

It was a tragedy, but she's with God now.

Did you know Susie Potter?

Ah, I thought we were here to talk about Jessica.

Oh, we are.

But we were hopin' that we could talk about both of them.

Yeah, I taught both the girls.

In fact, I lived next door to the Potters' for awhile.

Did you live next door to her the day she disappeared?

Yeah.

That was a terrible day.

Her mom and sister came over in a panic.

I spent almost the whole night helping

them try and find her.

The whole town turned out to help.

Had you seen her earlier that day?

Yeah, yeah.

We had a tutoring session in the morning

and saw her later that night.

She come over often?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

She came over for school stuff and then

if her mom or sister needed to go someplace,

I'd actually watch her.

[pensive music]

What's all this about?

We've just heard there's

a connection between both of 'em.

What connection would that be?

We were hoping you could tell us that.

I'm not sure what you mean.

You tell me.

What are you implying?

Days after Jessica's murder,

you resigned from North County R-3 and moved here.

Why?

To take another job.

Is that some kind of crime?

We just wanna know what happened.

[sighs] I just don't understand what this is all about.

Look, I mean, I'm very sorry

for what happened to those girls.

It was a tragedy but that has absolutely nothin'

to do with me.

Did you ever touch any of your students?

- Excuse me? - Lisa!

Look, Sir, I'm really sorry, Sir.

I'm talkin' to her, not to you.

A source of ours says you abused Jessica.

Is that true?

Get out of my house.

Just answer the question.

I said get out!

Get your fucking hands off me you piece of shit.

Lisa! [kettle whistling]

I, I...

Hey!

What the hell was that?

I'm so sick of this shit.

You're sick of what?

He's lying to us.

He knows exactly what happened.

Well, that may be true, but you can't act like that.

Now he's never gonna talk to us.

You have to learn to play nice.

Yeah, even if he's a pedophile and a killer?

Unfortunately.

Look, I get it.

It's difficult, but this is our job.

Yeah, I know.

Come on.

I think I know someone we can talk to about this.

[wind whistling]

Jeff Darrach.

Are you sure?

Not enough to go to print.

[sighs] Has anyone confronted Jeff about this?

Let's just say he was less than forthcoming.

This could really change things.

Mr. Donovan?

Jessica told me something

a few days before she was murdered.

It was difficult for her to talk

about because she was quite distraught.

And what did she tell you?

Well, she didn't come right out and say it,

but I was under the impression

that she had been taken advantage of.

Do you think it could have been Darrach?

I don't know.

She wouldn't tell me what happened.

She just kept saying that she hoped God would forgive her.

Did you tell anyone about this?

Her mother and stepfather.

[David] And how'd they react?

Not well.

I told them to tell the authorities right away

or I would do it.

They said they would follow through,

but Jessica was from a broken home

and abuse was commonplace.

A few days later they found her body.

Were you questioned?

By the police?

Yes.

Grace and I did everything

we could to help the investigation.

And you always assumed the abuser was?

It could have been any number of people.

When they arrested Ed Henry for the murder...

[somber music]

Look, we're sorry.

We've taken enough of your time.

We can show ourselves out.

There's something else.

You'll wanna talk to Mike Lambert.

He found her body.

His story might make more sense now.

Well, it was early, still dark out.

The fall calves were just startin' to come in

and that's when I heard a truck pull up

a couple hundred yards away right over there.

And that's where you saw Ed dump the body?

Well, I never said that.

It was Ed's truck all right,

but I didn't say it was him.

So, you saw someone dump a body out of Ed's truck?

Yeah, but I didn't know that it was a body at the time.

[lighter flicks]

Okay, so you saw an unknown figure dump something

out of the back of Ed's truck?

Do you know who it was?

I don't know.

But you testified in court that it wasn't Ed, right?

That's right.

You couldn't miss Ed Henry.

Not even from that distance.

He was a big son of a bitch.

And whoever dropped the body was?

Much smaller.

[sighs] So, what happened?

Well, those lawyers,

they made sure that the jury didn't believe me.

Even tested my eyes right there in the courtroom,

and then they brought up my history

with Ed's dad on account of we was old friends.

Oh, and then they said that I was an unreliable eye witness.

Would you be willing to go on record stating

that it wasn't Ed that you saw that morning?

Well, I don't that that would do much good now, but sure.

I don't see why not.

[engine rumbling]

[David knocking]

Yeah?

[David] It's me.

Come in.

What do you want, Lisa?

She's helpin' me with the story.

That's what we wanna talk to you about.

David, I thought I made myself clear.

Look, I'm sorry, Sir,

and you have every right to be upset-

- This is your assignment,

and you, Lisa, you've got at least three assignments

that you haven't turned in yet.

Look, I understand, but this story

is a bit more complicated than we thought.

How so?

We believe there's a connection

between Susie and the Jessica Mercer homicide.

You believe?

Anything concrete?

That's what we're working on.

[sighs] So, what have you got?

We have one source who says

that Jessica's teacher molested her

and another source who confirms that she was molested.

By the teacher?

Not conclusively.

So what you've got is a whole buncha hearsay.

You guys are coming to me with nothing.

David, you're a better reporter than this.

We also talked to the eye witness who testified

that the person who dumped Jessica's body was not Ed Henry.

That testimony isn't new.

You don't have enough, period.

But what about our sources?

They're real people with real-

- Lisa.

Whose side are you on?

This isn't about sides, he's right.

We don't have enough and we can't run it.

Are you kidding me?

You lookin' to lose your job?

[Lisa scoffs]

[Lisa] Thanks a lot.

Hey, Lisa, I...

[door slams]

David, I don't have time for this.

You know, better.

You better get your shit together

or I'm gonna have to find somebody else.

[mysterious music]

[water splashing] [music continues]

[audience laughing]

[can lid pops]

[man speaking indistinctly]

[Man] Well, how come the prices went up?

And you know what she said when I asked her?

[Woman] What's that?

[Man] She said the prices went up

because they end up paying for the new menu.

[audience laughs] [mysterious music]

[Lisa exhales]

[lid clicks]

[upbeat country music]

[patrons chattering]

Havin' fun?

I was.

Did you come here to apologize?

Look, I...

You're unbelievable.

What?

You threw me under the bus.

Are you kidding?

Look, Jason's right.

We don't have enough.

So what, you're just gonna give up?

No, I'm not giving up, all right?

I know Jason and then you can't make this story

some personal retribution for-

- For what?

What?

Go ahead and say it.

Listen.

No, you listen.

You have no right to tell me how to do my job,

to imply that I have some sort of score to settle

like I'm incapable of being impartial

like some sort of emotional child.

- Okay? - Lisa-

- Would you let me finish?

I'm good at this, okay?

And I know if nothing else I can write a good story.

Yeah, well, we both know that this isn't just about work.

I don't give shit about the past.

Yeah?

Well, I fucking do.

Okay?

Look, you left.

No word, no warning, nothing.

I wake up and you're gone.

How do you think that made me feel?

Look, I'm sorry for ghosting you.

Really, I am.

But I have a little more important things

on my mind right now.

Too bad, we're gonna talk about this.

All right, you wanna talk about it?

Fine.

You wanted our friendship to be more, I wasn't ready.

I thought I was, but I wasn't.

Then you tell me.

You don't just disappear.

That's not what people do.

Why are you back here?

Because I have a job to do.

You know What I mean.

Why are you back here?

You could go anywhere else.

Because I was fired.

[upbeat country music]

I had a good lead on a story.

My boss thought that I was too emotionally involved,

but I kept pushing.

They fired me.

Typical Lisa, right?

David, I'm so sorry for what I did to you.

Yeah, I'm sorry, too.

[David sighs]

To apologies.

[soft country music]

Jesus, that's fuckin' awful.

What do you expect from a $3 margarita?

[Lisa chuckles]

I gotta go.

Gotta get to the library before it closes.

Any new leads?

No.

[Lisa groans]

I'll drive.

[soft music]

[door clangs]

What are you lookin' at?

Some old Skidmore yearbooks.

[Lisa] Did you find anything?

Just pictures of Susie.

[Lisa] Here, can I see this?

Sure.

That's her.

Yeah, that's Susie.

No, that's my source.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I've just never seen her picture before.

Where are you goin'?

Hey!

You're my ride.

[eerie music]

[line trilling]

Hi, Diane, this is Lisa Johnson.

I'm so sorry to be calling you so late

but I was wondering if you

had a phone number for Cassie Gilland?

[Diane] Yeah, I think so.

Let me check.

Lisa?

Yeah?

[Diane] Hey, I got one.

Are you ready?

Yeah, I'm ready.

[Diane] 587-8000.

All right, thank you so much.

[line trilling]

[Cassie] Hello?

Cassie?

[Cassie] Yes?

This is Lisa Johnson.

I believe we've met.

[pensive music]

Well, we went to the same school together.

[sighs] I think we were pretty close.

We had all the same classes, went to the same church,

hung out after school, talked about boys.

Just normal stuff, you know?

Was there anything different about her?

I never used to think so, but now I'm not so sure.

What do you mean?

I never thought about it much,

but sometimes the Susie would act strange.

Strange?

Just distant.

Sometimes we'd undress for gym class

and she'd have these bruises on her knees and her chest.

I asked where she, if she was okay,

but I mean, she'd just laugh.

[Lisa] And why didn't you tell anyone about this?

I was just a kid.

I didn't really think anything was wrong,

and it wasn't until I got older that I realized [sighs],

that there was this monster

and I couldn't do anything about it.

You're talking about your teacher, right?

Teacher?

Jeff Darrach?

No, he may be a little weird, but he's harmless.

Then who?

[pensive music]

Our youth minister.

Donovan?

Yeah.

Look, Susie's dad was dead.

Matt was like a father to her.

Did Susie ever say anything to you?

Just that she would help out

and then they'd play these games,

but I realized she wasn't herself.

Were you ever alone with Donovan?

No.

But I did go to their house once with Susie.

I remember Grace made us snacks,

but she left to go get some groceries

and Donovan said that we should play a game.

He wanted to see who could get tickled

the longest without laughing [sighs].

He tickled Susie first.

And then he went over to me and started to tickle me.

But...

But he, he moved his hands up

and started touching my chest,

and I told him to stop and he wouldn't

and so I yelled, "Stop!"

I was so upset.

I left the room and I wandered upstairs into their bedroom.

I could hear him tickling Susie in the background.

I was looking around and I saw this little box.

So, I opened it and it started to play music,

and the bottom layer was loose so I lifted it up.

I saw Polaroid of a young girl without her shirt.

And then I heard footsteps and so I put the box down,

and Donovan came in and smiled and said,

"Don't be snooping."

Who do you think it was?

Look, it wasn't until I saw a story on the local news

about the 10 year anniversary of Jessica Mercer's murder

that I knew that that was the girl.

And what about his wife?

I've wondered about her.

She seemed so nice.

But then again, so did he.

I have a feeling she knows something.

[eerie music]

Miss, we just need an address for Grace.

[Woman] I know, I'm sorry.

I just can't give out that information.

I understand that but we haven't been able

to reach her for weeks.

[Woman] Well, I suggest that you try

the number that you have again.

I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.

Yeah, sure.

Any luck?

Did you try Diane Potter?

She hasn't seen her.

Even tried the county clerk

but of course they wouldn't tell me anything.

Shit, that might be it then.

And maybe not.

[Lisa] Yeah, thanks for getting back to me.

I have a couple of questions for you.

[line trilling]

[Alyssa] Hello?

Hi, Alyssa?

This is David Fremont again

from "The Maryville Daily Forum."

[Alyssa] I already told you, I don't know anything.

No, that's fine.

Look, we've been trying to reach Grace.

You don't happen to have an address for her do you?

[Alyssa] What for?

Well, it's for Susie's story.

She'd be incredibly helpful to talk to.

[Alyssa] I got it, but you didn't get it from me.

She lives on Cherry Street in Isadore.

Thank you so much.

All right, got an address.

Let's roll.

[fire crackling] [dog barking]

[David knocking]

Grace?

Anyone home?

[crows cawing] [fire crackling]

Grace?

Can I help you?

We're reporters from "The Maryville Daily Forum."

I don't have anything to say to you.

[David] Please, it'll only take a few minutes.

[Grace] If y'all won't leave I'm gonna call the cops.

Grace, we're just here to ask you a few questions.

You knew those girls better than anyone.

[Grace] Look, I've already told

the cops everything I know.

My story hasn't changed.

And we believe you.

We're not accusing you of anything.

We found some recent evidence

that should have been followed up on years ago.

Evidence that involves your ex-husband.

What about Matt?

A source tells us he may

have inappropriately touched a few of the girls.

Never around me.

[Lisa] Were you always around?

No.

Sometimes he would hold private counsel with the kids.

One-on-one?

I saw our youth ministry as a team,

but he said as the pastor that there

are some things that only he could do.

Did anyone ever question his behavior?

Everyone trusted Matt.

Were there ever any incidents?

Susie came out of his office once crying.

I asked him what had happened

and he said that it had something to do with her father.

Did you tell anyone about this?

I just assumed he was telling the truth.

Well, this situation clearly stood out

in your mind for you to remember it after all these years.

Listen, as a minister, Matt counseled people all the time.

Was he ever physical with you?

Wait, please.

I'm sorry, Grace.

Just...

This is important.

[somber music]

Once.

When I was cleaning the bedroom,

I knocked over his mother's keepsake.

He heard it.

When I went to pick it up, he grabbed me.

I thought he was gonna break my arm.

Do you think Matthew was hiding something?

[door creaking] [music continued]

By the time I decided to leave, it was easy.

He was so distant.

It was like saying goodbye to an acquaintance,

rather than somebody

who I'd been married to for eight years.

[Lisa sighs]

Donovan's lying.

About which part?

Grace clearly doesn't have a problem getting pregnant.

Why would he lie about that?

Maybe he's got some intimacy issues of his own.

How much you wanna bet that keepsake

she almost got her arm broken for was a music box?

[pensive music]

Look, he might be good for this,

but you're not pinning it on Donovan and making it stick,

not without a story.

We're not pinning anything on him.

He killed those girls.

Yeah, and last week you wanted to hang Darrach

for the same murders, right?

That's not journalism.

That's a witch hunt.

This is about more than the story, David.

Oh yeah, since when?

You know what?

We're not cops, Lisa,

and I think you forget that, all right?

We don't serve justice.

We write facts.

Fucking spare me the lecture!

All right, Jesus.

What do you want me to do here?

Do you think he did it?

We don't have enough evidence.

I don't give a shit if we have conclusive evidence

to go to print.

I'm asking you if you think he did it?

Yes.

I do.

Then we have a responsibility to do something

about it before this happens again.

What do you wanna do?

Cassie and Grace both mentioned that music box.

What if Susie's picture's in there, too?

It's true, but it's not like

we can go in there and take it.

No.

What?

You're not goin' in there.

What other options do we have?

Not only would you be risking your career,

you'd be risking your life.

You're willing to do that for this?

Absolutely.

Look, I will go in, take the pictures and whatever I find,

we'll send to the police anonymously.

You can stay in the car.

You don't even have to come inside.

Oh, I'm gonna be the lookout?

One of us getting caught is bad enough, but two of us?

Besides, do you know how to pick locks?

No. Do you?

Maybe, and I'll also have this.

Lisa!

[Lisa] What?

You're gonna take a gun in there?

I'll only use it if I have to.

Look, I'm doing this or without you.

[pensive music]

[David sighs]

What time is it?

About a quarter 'til eight.

He'll be leaving for Bible study any minute.

Hey, Lisa?

Yeah?

[David] Here he comes.

[door latches]

[engine rumbling] [wind whistling]

All right.

Goin' in.

[door slams]

[glass shattering] [wind whistling]

[door creaks]

[engine rumbling]

[pensive music]

Damn it!

[phone vibrating]

Hey, he's at the door.

You need to get out, right now.

[pensive music]

[phone vibrating]

Hey, what's up?

You've got it?

Great. Okay.

I'll be right there.

[pensive music]

[music box playing]

[floorboards creaking]

[ominous music]

Find what you're looking for?

[Lisa groans]

Lisa, what are you doing?

I see you're admiring my photos.

You know, I've always loved Polaroids.

There's just something special about them.

You didn't have to share them with anyone.

You don't have to take 'em

to a developer and taint the memory.

These photos were my intimate moments,

and you've ruined that for me.

Sorry for ruining your perverted fantasies.

Who have you been talking to?

[Lisa groans]

You know something?

You're very pretty.

I'm a little old for you.

No need to get nasty.

Let her go.

David.

How nice to see you.

Get away from her.

[pensive music]

Lisa, what are you doin'?

What the fuck are these?

I told you, memories.

And there's more.

Where are they?

I don't know what you're talkin' about.

The pictures of the other girls.

- Lisa. - They have to be

here somewhere.

Lisa?

Help me, David.

[pensive music]

We have to go, now.

[pensive music]

[papers fluttering]

Say somethin'.

Lisa?

What do you want me to say?

What about the photos?

Nothing.

There was nothing.

What do you mean?

They were just photos.

It was nothing incriminating.

There wasn't a fucking thing.

Do you think he's gonna go to the police?

No.

It's exactly what he wants.

It's a fucking game to him.

He gets off knowing we have absolutely nothing on him.

[Lisa sniffling]

[pensive music] [Lisa sobbing softly]

[birds chirping]

[bright music]

♪ You had long turned me against you ♪

♪ Still, you worry where he might go ♪

Oh, sit down.

Jesus, that's so unnecessary.

I got you a coffee.

You look good.

You too.

So, how's the paper?

It's good.

Another day, another tractor pull.

[Lisa chuckles]

But um, not as exciting without you.

Oh yeah, I'm sure Jason really misses me.

Well, it's hard to find good reporters.

You doin' okay?

I'm fine.

Actually I um, [throat clears] I wanted to tell you

that I was leaving.

Did you get another job?

No, just uh, I'm just gonna get away for awhile.

[David] Where you goin'?

Thailand. [David chuckles]

That's certainly different.

[Lisa] Yeah.

Where are you really goin'?

I don't know yet.

Uh, I should actually be going.

I just wanted to tell you this time instead of just leaving.

So.

Lisa I um,

I hope you find what you're lookin' for.

[soft music playing]

[Lisa] I'll let you know when I do.

You know where to find me.

♪ Made me feel like gettin' a t-shirt ♪

♪ In the shallow end of the pool ♪

Hello?

[Man] Got that information you were lookin' into.

Yeah, I'll be right there.

[pensive music]

[engine idling]

[engine rumbling]

[Matthew] Now, I know you're all at a points

where you're learning about a lotta different religions,

different schools of thoughts and belief systems.

And some of them might sound enticing.

I'm not gonna tell you it's wrong.

There's always things we can learn from other people,

but I must warn you there will be some

who are not as they appear.

I'd like to go ahead and read

you a passage from 2 Corinthians 11.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers,

disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself

as an angel of light."

[wind whistling] [birds chirping]

Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull

[music box playing]