Original subtitles

(mysterious music)

(sirens)

- Monday, March 26th, case number 431.

Dr. David Kimball, Deputy Coroner

Unidentified causcasian male,

approximately four to five years old.

Fair complexion, blue eyes, bark brown hair.

Height, 41 and a half inches.

Weight on arrival, 30 pounds.

External physical examination follows.

Body appears to have been recently bathed.

On the right hand and soles of both feet are wrinkles,

suggesting an immersion in water for an extended period.

Perfect finger prints from left hand,

but right hand was too wrinkled to obtain prints.

Adequate footprints were taken.

Hair appears to have been recently cut,

somewhat crudely, about a half an inch on top.

No side burns.

Also, finger and toenails are recently clipped.

No vaccination scars visible.

Discoloration about the forehead, cause to be determined

and Dr. Riordan's autopsy to follow.

Identifying marks, three small scars,

two in the groin area, one on the left ankle.

Cause unknown.

L shaped scar quarter inch long under chin.

Body was pronounced dead at the scene.

In summation, a point should be made

that the body appears to have been prepared for burial.

The condition of the hair, nails,

and the bathing of the body,

leave this examiner to believe that great care was taken

in preparation for the body's disposal.

In fact, it seems that he was treated

in an extremely loving way.

This concludes a preliminary external examination,

autopsy to follow.

Soon as Riordan sobers up.

(buzzing)

- Hey, Doug.

Dave.

Dr. Riordan.

What do we got?

- I've almost got this wrapped up, Andrews.

You can give him the once over if you need to,

but I mean, Christ, he's just a John Doe,

you know what I mean.

- Well, they seemed to be pretty interested

in him upstairs, sir.

- They're always gaga over kids, Kimball.

It's like westerns.

You're from Texas, aren't ya, Kimabll?

- Arkansas, sir.

You kill 1,000 engines in a western movie,

nobody gives a shit, but you kill one horse,

they all say aw, isn't that terrible?

Same with kids.

They go crazy about dead kids.

- How long has he been dead?

- I don't know.

How can I know?

It's colder than my wife's tits out there,

for Christ's sake.

It could be two days,

two weeks.

Decomposition slows down in the winter,

you know that, Andrews.

- Homicide?

- Isn't that your department, Inspector?

Who knows?

Mr. Wizard, here,

saw some washer woman effects on these fingers.

Said he's been in a tub for a while.

Maybe he got bathed to death.

How the fuck should I know?

- Sir, that's relevant information.

- Any fucking undergraduate in pathology school

will tell you that washer woman fingers and feet

show up down here every day.

Whether you've been soaking or not.

It is not relevant information, period.

And I'm deleting it from my report.

The cause of death, quite obviously,

are these contusions on the forehead.

I've examined them thoroughly

and I'm convinced.

- Skin discoloration after death is as common as

wrinkled fingers, Dr. Riordan.

Every underclassman knows that.

- Inspector Andrews,

as I understand it, your job in case number 431

is to A, establish the identity of the dead boy,

and B, determine foul play.

That's your job.

It does not involve challenging the medical authority

of the city's chief medical examiner.

My report stands.

Capiche.

- Living patients at least are entitled

to a second opinion.

(footsteps)

Did he have that thing running?

- No, I left it running.

Maybe I can make some bread someday

as a paid government witness.

Well he's all yours, Doug.

File's on your desk.

(suspenseful music)

(exhales loudly)

- He's alright, I mean Riordan's Riordan.

Less we have to do with each other, the better.

- See you later, Dad.

- Hang on for a second, Jim.

- Suzy, I want you to keep an eye on your sister

when she's in the pool, okay?

- But Daddy, she'll be okay.

- Look, be sure that she does not get up

on the diving board, alright?

- Okay.

- Come on. - Go on.

- Jim, yeah.

Listen, Saturday.

Huh, Sunday.

Sunday, uh, no we can't.

No, we gotta got to a church bazaar.

Yeah, with Sister Margaret.

Sister Margaret.

She's an old friend of the family.

Yeah.

We went together to school.

Yeah.

We dated in high school.

Sure she's a nun.

No, she wasn't then.

Huh?

No, listen Saturday.

Saturday, I have got box seats for a double header,

how about that?

No, I don't know,

I'm not sure.

I'll have to check.

Okay.

Yep, alright.

Say hello to Louise.

I'll talk to you later.

Alright, goodbye.

(suspenseful music)

- [Kimball On Recording] In summation,

a point should be made that the body appears

to have been prepared for burial.

The condition of the hair and nails,

and the bathing of the body,

leave this examiner to believe that great care

was taken in preparation for the body's disposal.

In fact, it seems that he was treated

in an extremely loving way.

This concludes the prelim...

(rewinding recording)

For the body's disposal.

In fact, it seems that he was treated

in an extremely loving way.

♪ Amazing grace,

♪ How sweet the sound

♪ That saved a wretch like me

♪ I once was lost

♪ But now I'm found

♪ Was blind, but now I see

(laughing)

(eerie music)

(water rushing)

- Honey,

did you see Suzy's composition?

I put it on the refrigerator.

It's so cute.

I wonder what I would leave if I ever went to the moon.

Do you ever wonder about that?

The one thing you would leave.

Oh, Sister Margaret called today,

to see how we were.

She's been so nice, hasn't she?

Doug.

Doug.

Honey, have you heard a word I said?

- Huh?

I'm sorry.

- You were behaving like a zombie all night.

Even Suzy noticed it at dinner.

- Oh, and speaking of dinner.

I talked to Helen this afternoon.

She and Bill would like us to come over Saturday night

for dinner.

And maybe a movie.

Nothing special, just that.

Well maybe not a movie.

But, it certainly would be nice to get out of the house.

- No, no, no, no, movie's fine.

- Yeah?

- Mmm, hmm.

And dinner is fine.

- Oh, good.

You know, I know it's been a difficult year,

but I think we're gonna make it, Doug.

- We got a boy in today.

Jennifer's age.

- Jennifer is dead.

- God, he was beautiful.

In a damn cardboard box.

Who could've been responsible?

- If you want to be responsible for someone,

be responsible for Suzy, your own daughter.

- Suzy has nothing to do with this boy.

- That's not what I'm saying and you know it.

God, is this the way it's gonna be

for the rest of our lives.

Every kid who dies in this city

is gonna remind you of the daughter you lost.

- The daughter we lost, Jane.

We lost.

- That's right.

That's right, we lost a daughter.

And it's been just as rough on me as it's been on you,

maybe rougher.

But, damn it Doug, at least I've made an attempt

to accept it, to put some semblance of normality

into our lives.

- But for God's sake, Jane, she was our daughter.

- We have another.

We have a healthy, beautiful, intelligent child.

And right now she needs more love and support

than we've ever given her.

You feel guilty about Jenny,

well Suzy feels guilty too

and she's gonna have to live with that

for the rest of her life.

You gotta help her, Doug.

She needs you.

- She shouldn't have left the pool.

(crying)

- Is the case yours?

- Huh?

- The boy's?

- He's an unknown.

It's been difficult to get an I.D.

With children it's just a matter of time,

day or two, week at the most.

Kids don't usually stay unknown.

Somebody always claims them.

Well as usual, Riordan isn't here.

- Don't worry about it Doug.

- Well, I don't see why I have to justify

his autopsy report.

Have you see it?

It's got more holes in it than Becker Avenue.

- Well, just leave it to me.

They're going to be asking me more questions

than they're gonna ask you.

Let me give you some friendly advice about Riordan, okay.

Leave him alone,

he's got some influential friends.

Why do you think he's been hanging around for so many years?

- Captain.

- Just let the jerk offs go to their own conclusions.

I man they will anyway.

Just don't throw anything new on the fire.

Okay?

As far as we're concerned, in this room,

Riordan is God.

G, O, D.

(laughing)

I mean the conference room.

(laughing)

Tony,

you're eating too much.

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you'll take your seats, we can begin.

You've all read your reports.

You'll have a chance at questions, but first I'd like

to introduce you to our chief medical investigator,

Douglas Andrews, from the coroner's office.

Now he'll be working with our department on this case.

Now, I'd like to say that,

you've received photographs and descriptions of the boy

and I'm requesting that they be run in the newspapers.

Yeah, Chuck.

- Yeah, Chuck Brody, Daily Mirror.

Uh, Captain Grasso, why all this interest

in the routine murder of a boy?

- I would never consider the murder of a four year old boy

as being routine.

And second of all, it hasn't been determined

as yet, if in fact it was a murder.

That's Inspector Andrews' job.

Now all questions of that nature should be directed to him.

(overlapping voices)

Keith.

- Thank you, Captain.

Inspector Andrews, the formal autopsy report implies

that we are dealing with a homicide here.

Now if that's the case,

why haven't we got a formal identification.

- Well, that has not be determined.

I would like to make it absolutely clear

that the medical examiner's office has not arrived

at any final or formal conclusion.

- According to the report, signed by a doctor,

Robert Riordan, cause of death was multiple head injuries,

Now, if that doesn't imply a homicide.

- If you will reread that Mr. Downing,

you will see that the exact wording,

is probable cause of death.

Now, the bruises in question may simply be

common, post-mortem discoloration.

We haven't medically determined any foul play at this time

and I would caution you, ladies and gentlemen,

against any reference to homicide at this time.

- Inspector Andrews, it's been four days.

When do you expect to have formal identification?

- Now, Inspector Andrews is working on that right now.

If he determines that the child's death

was indeed unnatural,

then we in turn will proceed with our investigation.

Okay?

(shouting)

- Dr. Riordan's report also refers

to a suspicious L-shaped scar under the chin.

- Well there may be nothing suspicious about that scar.

Children injure their chins all the time.

It's incredibly common.

We are checking however in the hope that the scar

may prove to be a possible identification mark.

- Inspector Andrews, in your opinion sir,

isn't this autopsy report a little sketchy?

- No, I..

- Do you think it could be due to Dr. Riordan's

alleged history of alcoholism?

- Alright, alright, listen.

This conference is over.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to thank you for your time.

- What is your, what is your name madame?

- Marcia Leevy, I'm with the Bulletin.

- As I'm sure you know, Ms. Leevy,

the city's medical examiner's office

has recently converted to civil service.

Now, due to the chaos caused by the changeover,

we are not yet completely organized.

Now, I believe that this accounts for the delay

in obtaining conclusive results,

not Dr. Riordan's past personal history.

- Again, ladies and gentlemen,

if there are any new developments,

we'll let you know.

- Captain.

- It's over, it's over.

- Inspector Andrews.

- You sounded like a press release in there.

- Press release and bullshit, they all sound the same.

They didn't believe a word of it anyway.

- Sure they did, it was bullshit,

but you sounded great shoveling it.

- And what happened about the cardboard box?

Any prints?

- You want prints?

I can give you hundreds.

Factory workers, truckers, stock boys,

UPS drivers, you name it.

Some of them are pretty fresh, some are pretty smeared,

so you can forget that.

- Shit.

- However, all is not lost.

We did track down where the box was bought.

A GW Crandall Store in South Daly.

- Was there a serial number on the box?

- Mmm-Hmm.

So we're checking it out.

We're gonna get a list of everyone who bought

a GW Crandall model number 376 Bassenet

in the past few months.

And I'll get it to you.

Yeah, O'Brien.

Yeah, he's here.

Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm.

On our way.

Morgue wants you.

Someone came in to identify the boy.

- Without a doubt, this boy is my grandson.

- If you could just give me some background information,

Mr. Dalton, I'm sure we expedite matters.

- Of course.

The boy's father, my son, had been killed in a car accident

two years ago.

The boy had been taken by his mother,

my daughter-in-law,

I haven't seen him since.

- What was his name?

Where did he live?

- Mr. Andrews,

this is a most upsetting experience for me.

Do you think it's possible that we

could have the paper work finished,

the body removed and properly interred,

then I'm sure we will all rest easier.

- Alright, I think we've seen enough, Mr. Dalton.

But there's still some questions.

- Mr. Andrews, by the way,

do you think it's possible to have

two names on one death certificate?

- Two names?

- Yes, Mr. Andrews.

That one in the far corner is my wife.

I'll take her also.

(mysterious music)

- April 25th, Dear Ms. VandenBerg,

V, A, N, D, E, N, capital B, E, G.

Thank you for your interest in the unknown boy. Period.

Your letter was fascinating to say the least. Period.

Regrettably at the present time,

my office does not use psychic phenomena

in it's investigations. Period.

I would like to express my appreciation to you

for offering your services as a psychic. Period.

Thank you and very truly yours.

(mysterious music)

- [Child] Daddy.

(suspenseful music)

(laughing)

(suspenseful music)

- Doug.

What is it?

What are you doing?

It's freezing out here.

- Looks like somebody's over there.

- Hey, what's going on here?

(speaking foreign language)

- What'd he say?

- I don't know.

(gun shooting)

(gun shooting)

- No!

(gun shooting)

- [Newscaster On TV] It has now been exactly one month

since the boy in the box has been found.

And police are still trying to discover his identity.

A spokesman for the medical examiner's office said today

that virtually hundreds of leads have been checked out,

but with no substantial results.

- The mystery of the boy's identity

has generated the most extensive manhunt the tri-state area

has seen since the Kathleen Sturges kidnapping 18 years ago.

Consolidated Gas and Electric has even voluntarily

enclosed the photograph of the boy

in each of its billing envelopes.

Once again, if any of our viewers in the audience

has any information, which may lead to the discovery

of the unknown boy's identity, contact the office

of the city medical examiner at KL52150.

That's KL52150.

More news in a moment.

(phone ringing)

- The Andrews.

Yeah, Jimmy.

When?

Where is she?

Right, I'll be right there.

Jane, I'm going to State Hospital.

- Suzy's math?

- I'll check it later, I have to go.

- [Newscaster On TV] In other news,

the murder trial of Victoria Howe

ended its fifth day, today.

- She was admitted about an hour ago.

- You mean she just waltzed in off the street like that.

- Well of course not, her husband brought her.

- Husband?

- Yeah.

- Well, didn't you get his name?

Where the hell is he?

- The night nurse down in emergency said he just

dropped her off and then he left.

Look, Captain.

She's very weak.

Now, perhaps you should come back in a little while.

- Yesterday, I lost one of my best men.

And before the day is out, I'm gonna lose another one.

And you got the balls to tell me to take it easy.

Look,

my name is Captain Grasso.

I'm from the police department.

And I'm gonna ask you a few questions

and you're gonna answer them.

Okay?

Good.

First question,

where is your husband?

I said, "Where is your husband?"

God damn it!

I'm talking to you.

- My god, Captain.

- He killed my children.

- How many children?

- Three.

- How many?

- Three.

He drowned them in bathroom.

- Where is he?

- I do not know.

I tried to stop him, but he beat me.

I tried to stop him from shooting

police man.

But I could not.

- Yeah, sure.

Where do you live?

- Your house, your house, where is it?

- 863

Front Street.

We lived there two year.

I tried to be good mother.

But he stopped me.

He beat me

all the time.

All the time.

(crying)

- You got a problem?

- Look, I don't car what you say,

you just don't belong here and that's final.

- If those two kids don't turn up,

there's a good chance that my boy belongs to that woman.

Can't you see that?

- Just stay here, alright?

Let's go.

(door breaking)

(beads jingling)

- [Police Officer] Captain.

- Yeah.

What do you got?

- In the bag.

(suspenseful music)

- Oh, shit.

Jesus Christ!

Two kids.

I'm sorry, Andrews.

(mysterious music)

- The curtain!

(yelling)

(guns shooting)

(glass shattering)

- Sit down.

You're aware that police are stepping down

their investigation into case number 431.

We're going to do the same.

We still have more leads, Doctor.

- Dead ends, Andrews.

Nothing but dead ends.

I got your report this morning on the GW Crandall box.

Another dead end.

Do you really think any of the remaining leads

are gonna be any better?

- Well, they're still leads nonetheless.

We need more time.

- My secretary tells me you're all taking up

a collection for a headstone.

Come on, Andrews, this is the coroner's office,

not the fuckin' Girl Scouts.

As far as I'm concerned, this investigation is over.

- I'm not gonna let him be forgotten.

- No, no.

Oh no, you're not gonna forget him.

Not as long as you carry that fuckin' death mask

everywhere you go.

Yes, Inspector I know about that.

Hardly a regular procedure if you ask me.

- That mask is crucial to my investigation.

- The investigation is over.

- Fuck it, that's it.

I am sick and tired of covering up

your botched autopsies and your drunken reports.

Now, you listen and you listen good, Doctor.

I don't give a shit how many pals you've got.

You close this case and the whole fuckin' city's

gonna know the brand name on this bottle.

(door shutting)

They're burying the boy tomorrow.

You and Suzy be ready by ten.

You don't want Suzy missing school.

Well, it's just one day.

One morning.

I'm sure her teacher will understand.

- Will she, Doug?

I mean,

will she really understand?

I can just see the absence note now.

Dear Mrs. Cambell, please excuse Suzanne Andrews

for missing school yesterday.

She had to be at Potter's Field,

attending the funeral of god forsaken kid

she doesn't even know the name of.

- It's important, Jane.

- Oh, I just bet it is.

Is this your way of bringing the family together?

Another funeral.

You never really forgave Suzy for sitting

out in the car during Jenny's funeral, did you?

Do you actually think that this is the way

she can make it up to you?

- Daddy.

I have a surprise for you Daddy.

See, I made him somebody.

It's better than just all white.

- Did you go through my briefcase?

What did I tell you about going through my briefcase?

- I thought you'd like it Daddy.

- For god's sake, Doug, it's only water paint,

it'll wash out.

- Ensure in certain hope

for the resurrection to enteral life

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

we commit the body of this child to the ground.

May the Lord bless him and keep him.

May the Lord make his continents shine upon him

and give him peace.

Both now and forever more.

Such for the little children that come unto me

and forbid them not,

for that is the kingdom of God.

Heavenly Father, bless this unknown boy.

(suspenseful music)

I go there sometimes without even realizing it.

I'll be riding and before I know it,

I'm there.

I guess I think it'll help

Give me a certain understanding.

Maybe make me think of something

that I haven't thought of before.

I guess I'm also hoping that someday I might

find someone else there.

Someone who shouldn't be there.

Someone who may have the answer.

- Doug, it's been so many years.

I haven't seen you here since Jenny died.

How's your family been?

- Jane's getting along.

- And your daughter?

- Suzy's okay.

- Maggie, I've spent most of the last ten years

thinking about that boy.

Even when leads fizzled out, I

I told myself that

one more possibility had been eliminated.

Now it's gotten so I'm unable to concentrate

on my current cases.

Sister Margaret, help me to pray.

Help me.

- It seems you've gotten to know this boy

better than his parents have.

- Sometimes I think he's my own child.

- And what would you do, if you could locate his parents?

- Well, obviously I want to know how such a thing

could've happened to their child.

- Doug, wouldn't you want to know what affect

all this had on them?

Doug, just think of the anguish they've been living in

all these years.

Perhaps, they love their child very much too.

God knows where they are now, not knowing where to turn

or who to trust.

And living in fear every moment,

that they might be accused of their own child's murder.

Think how you's feel if you couldn't

even visit Jenny's grave?

Oh dear, you want an answer from God

and you say you've tried every practical step.

Well, you know God reigns not only the logical,

but over the illogical as well.

(operatic singing)

- April 1st, Dear Ms. VandenBerg,

V, A, N, D, E, N, capital B, E, R, G.

About ten years ago, you contacted me by letter

expressing your interest in one of my cases. Period.

At that time, the medical examiner's office

was afraid of being criticized

for using unscientific methods. Period.

Since then it has come to my attention

that you have acquired something of a reputation

for your work with various police departments. Period.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Period.

Thank you. Very truly yours.

- [Suzy] I'm home.

- Doug, please it's Easter, try this time.

- Hi.

- Hi, Mom.

- Hello, darling.

- Oh, there's so much holiday traffic.

I didn't think I'd make it here before tomorrow.

- How did your exams go?

- Oh, I'll let you know when I get my grades back.

- Okay.

(paper rustling)

- Guess I better go unpack.

- Yeah.

(birds chirping)

(doorbell ringing)

- Mr. Andrews.

- Yes.

- We've been expecting you, hello.

My name is Donna.

And who is this handsome young man?

- The name is O'Brien, ma'am.

- Ah, yes, Mr. O'Brien.

I thought you looked Irish.

Ms. Beatrice will see you in the consultation room.

Come in.

- Oh Beatrice is gonna break this case.

Even if I have to break a leg and die doing it.

Let's have a look at those papers.

- The only metal I could come up with were the staples

from the box the boy was found in.

(exhales loudly)

- D.

(mumbling)

Do you know a Daly, Mr. Andrews.

- South Daly, that's one of our suburbs.

The box came from a department store in South Daly.

- Ah, yes.

A store, very large.

Many people.

Not a lot of interest to us.

Tell me,

do you think he was killed intentionally?

- No.

I don't.

- You are correct.

He was not.

Watch.

Someone.

Mr. O'Brein, will you remove your watch

and put it in your pocket?

- Is it the metal?

- No, it's the ticking that's throwing me off.

(mysterious music)

Somebody's darling is born one day.

Somebody's darling, so young and brave.

Wearing the same pale sweet face.

Brush every silken thread.

Cross his arms as a sign of embrace.

Somebody's darling is still and dead.

Somebody's watching and waiting for him.

Yearning to hold him again to her heart.

There he lies with blue eyes, dim.

Smiling, child-like lips part.

Tenderly bury the brave young dead.

Pausing to drop on his grave, a tear.

Carve on the wood,

slab at his head.

Somebody's darling lies buried here.

How?

Street.

Children play.

There is a bay.

Boats, four boats.

From underneath the city's earth and under floor

carried aloft to the people's eyes. Ow.

Splinters.

Splintered wood.

Broken poarch.

Beach.

Planks.

Yes.

Shattered glass.

Run.

Before you hurt him more.

Too dark, I can't see.

Don't move.

Stay where you are.

The houses.

Salt water.

See.

See.

Yes water, yes.

- Can you tell me what she looks like?

- Sunken cheeks.

Hawk eyes.

Serious head.

(mumbling)

And nose.

Dark hair.

(mumbling)

So much sorrow in her face.

Strange.

Contorted.

Not physical, emotional.

Twisted.

Hair.

(mumbling on recording)

- You are now looking at the new director of operations

for the Vernon County Crime Lab.

- Woah, that's terrific Jim.

When do you start?

- It's not really official yet,

but it doesn't hurt to get off on the right foot.

- Oh god, I don't know if I'm going to be able

to live with him now.

You know he started to feel delusions of grandeur already.

- How's school, little girl?

- Well, just one more year and then I'm free.

But I think I'm gonna stick it out a little bit longer

to get my masters.

- Well, it can take more than a little while.

You're looking at two more years.

- Well, there just isn't too much you can do anymore

with just a B.A.

- Jim, I got a report from one of the pathologists.

Remember the scars on the ankle and groin of the boy?

Well, the pathologist think they might have been cut downs.

You know, small incisions made to expose a vein

for transfusion needles.

You see what the means.

Well, he must have been hospitalized.

Or at least under doctor's care.

Riordan should've realized what they were.

- My god, it's Easter.

- Excuse me.

Can't he ever let go of it?

For a minute.

- I know, I know.

- You can't talk to him about anything,

without him coming up with some connection

to his damn kid.

Mom,

I'm his kid, aren't I?

- Oh, of course, you are.

Darling, you always will be.

It's just that he gets

- I may be his daughter, but he loves his son more.

Isn't that it?

- No, that isn't it.

He loves you very much, Suzy.

I know this is hard for you to understand.

He's a stubborn, compulsive man.

But in his heart, he truly loves you.

He's your father.

- He hasn't been a father to me in ten years.

And you know it.

He tortures me with Jenny's memory.

Every chance he gets.

And you know he must constantly be wondering

what she would be like now.

How she would have looked,

whether she'd wear glasses or braces or

or whether she'd be a cheerleader.

I don't know who's identity is torturing him more,

Jenny or the boy.

- His boy.

- Still has the mask?

Carries it around with him?

- He

speaks to it.

Late at night.

He asks it.

Begs for it, to tell him who it is.

So his boy can rest in peace.

(crying)

- Mom.

Mom, are you alright?

Mom, where are your pills?

In the medicine cabinet?

- No.

- In the bedroom.

- Yes.

- She's fine.

(bells ringing)

(dial turning)

- Mr. Andrews, please.

- Dr, Riordan, do you plan on challenging

the actions brought on you today?

- Dr. Riordan, how do you plan on defending yourself against

eight counts of official misconduct?

- No comment.

- Were you aware of the investigation, Doctor?

- No comment.

- The last prosecutor's case you made numerous,

numerous cases.

- No comment.

Is there any truth to these allegations?

(yelling)

- Not now.

Get out of here.

(car starting)

- The eyes do have a certain hypnotic effect,

don't you agree?

I find that it gives me a sense of psychological advantage

when students come to complain about their grades.

Oh, do you smoke?

- No.

- Oh, pity.

Stuff that's sold over here is 20% additives.

This is light bodied, Dutch tobacco.

It's very rare in the States.

You have Dutch blood in you, don't you?

- How'd you know that?

- Bone structure of your face.

I can probably tell more from a man's bones

than you can from his diary.

Oriental, Slavic, Negroid, Caucasian.

- It's very possible that I can identify

the boy's background

in much the same way.

- I brought you his x-rays.

- Oh, excellent.

Oh, good gracious, I should be late for class.

Shall we walk and talk?

Judging from these x-rays, the boy appears to be

from the northeast or north central area of Europe.

Possibly France.

From the size of the skull

and also other bones measurements,

I've determined that the youngster had a height age

of about three years eight months.

How much did he weigh?

- 30 pounds.

That's very interesting because

well that alone indicates a weight age of about

two years two months.

See, Mr. Andrews, there's quite a discrepancy

between the height age and the weight age.

I believe the boy was severely undernourished.

Now, if you'll take a close look at these,

you'll see visible evidence of arrest in bone growth.

Here.

Here and here.

- Well tell me, what does all this mean?

- Well, in actuality, the boy's growth was slowed down.

By about six months to a year, that's for sure.

It's a possibility that this was caused

by any number of diseases or glandular disorders.

He simply could have been starved to death.

You weren't aware of all of this?

It should have been in the autopsy.

(rain falling)

(doorbell ringing)

(thunder clapping)

- It's comin' down pretty hard out there.

Can I come in?

Happy Easter.

Same to the family.

Listen, I.

I know it's late, but you wouldn't have spoken to me

if I'd phoned.

Look, I,

I know we've never been very good friends.

Please don't make this any more difficult

than it already is.

In ten days, I go before the special prosecutor.

My professional career is over, I know that.

But those self righteous assholes

have got enough on me to out me away

until hell freezes over.

And frankly, I don't want to spend the rest of my life

getting boned up the ass in the state pen.

- So.

- Everybody knows that we've never gotten along.

They know you're not one of my cronies,

they believe you.

Would you testify on my behalf?

- I'm not a very good liar.

- I'm not a very good beggar.

Look, I know I screwed up on your boy.

And god knows how many others.

I'm sorry, okay?

I still think I deserve a chance.

- Don't hand me that shit.

Who the hell do you think I am?

I should've thrown you to the dogs years ago.

- You know I can never pay you back,

but you gotta save me, please.

- Get out of my house.

- Do you think you're any better than I am?

You had a future, Andrews.

People liked you.

The right people, you knew your stuff.

- Get the hell out of my house.

- You threw it all away.

And for what?

For some dead kid, nobody could care less about.

You know, I don't feel so bad after all.

The only thing that stood between me and my fate

was a bottle.

Now it's empty.

What's your excuse?

You threw yours away for nothing.

All for nothing!

All for fuckin' nothin'!

(thunder clapping)

(mysterious music)

(television static)

- [Suzy] Jesus Christ!

You could have helped.

- [Doug] I couldn't helped him.

- [Suzy] That's the least you could have done.

- [Doug] That's exactly what I did.

Why the hell is this any business of yours?

- [Suzy] Nothing in this house is any business of mine.

- [Doug] That man was responsible

for a hell of a lot of...

(muffled yelling)

- [Suzy] That you can't even accept an apology.

- [Doug] He didn't deserve to be forgiven.

- [Suzy] Jesus, look at you!

(struggling to breathe)

- [Doug] That had nothing to do with it.

- [Suzy] You've waited ten years

to get your revenge on Riordan

for fucking up your boy.

Just the way you shut me out

for taking your daughter away from you.

- [Doug] You think that's what I care about, the shame?

- [Suzy] Why not?

What the hell do you care about?

The shame, the boy.

He's been dead a long time, Daddy.

Don't you care about me.

- [Doug] I don't have to listen to this.

(crying)

- Take your last look at me, Inspector Andrews,

because you're about to lose your last daughter.

- I am still your father!

- Mom.

(mysterious music)

- Dr. Kline says with therapy,

you stand a good shot at regaining full use of your arms.

- Oh, that's good.

- Suzy was in to see me earlier.

- Oh.

- She's not taking this very well.

- She thinks it's my fault.

- Well, she's upset.

- Oh, she just doesn't understand.

- You know, I was cleaning out her room

before she got home from school

and I found something.

I'd like you to hear it.

Stop just for a minute, darling, would you?

Come on down here.

My fathers job is really great,

but he has to see the things that I hate.

A poor dead boy was brought to him,

no one claimed him, what a sin.

Who is he?

He must find out.

I know he'll do it, I have no doubt.

A mask was made of this boy's face.

Daddy tried so hard to solve this case.

If he does, I'll be so proud.

I'll shout it to the world out loud.

Deserves an A, doesn't it?

She wrote it when she was in fifth grade.

It's not too late, Doug.

I almost left you.

Did you know that?

It's true, more than once.

You know, I always thought that I could handle it

if I lost you to another woman,

something I could see and hear and touch.

But I was losing you to something else.

Out of my control.

Something that, well,

meant more to you and had more power over you

than anything I could ever hope to have.

It can't be too late, Doug.

Isn't time

that you stop hiding behind that mask of yours?

And learn to face your own daughter.

Come on, sport.

Let's not keep old nurse Tully waiting, huh?

- My god,

that must be an antique.

Haven't seen an iron lung like that

since I interned at the county general.

- Hasn't changed all that much since then.

- It's always amazing to me,

the courage of these polio patients.

Spending their lives encased in something like that.

- How's about grabbing a bite?

- Sounds like a good idea to me.

- That's it for you sweetie.

You've had enough for one day.

- Thanks, Tully.

Hey, Doug.

I think it's getting a little bit better.

I can actually move all five fingers at the same time.

- Great.

- See.

- Let me see your other hand.

- What?

- Let me see your other hand.

Tully.

- What?

- Tully.

- What is it?

- The whirlpool.

- What about it?

- What else is it used to treat?

- Well, anything from your wife's condition

to rheumatoid arthritis.

To plain sore muscles.

Athletes use it a lot.

- Is it used to treat polio patients?

Can it be used in polio cases?

- Yeah, it's used a lot in rehabilitation

of muscle paralysis.

- Doug.

What's going on?

- No just listen to me for a minute.

I overheard two doctors talking about an iron lung,

you know, one of those huge respirators.

Now one of them mentioned they were used extensively

to treat people who were paralyzed.

Now, it's just possible, remotely possible,

that our boy had some kind of paralysis,

was on one of those machines,

and was having whirlpool treatment at the same time.

- Anything's possible, Doug.

- Well, then that's it.

- What's it?

- If he was on an iron lung,

someone had to sell or rent it to whoever

was taking care of him.

- You're not thinking, what I think you're thinking?

- We have to check all the medical supply distributors

and get a list of all the sales and rentals

on or around 1970.

Make it '66, the boy was four years old,

that'll give us plenty of leeway.

(phone ringing)

Andrews.

Yeah.

Jim.

Okay, go ahead.

- There were five major distributors

of artificial respirators in the tri-state area

from 1966 to 1970.

One of them is out of business.

One of them moved out to the coast.

All the sales and rentals went either to hospitals

or doctors in private practice.

Nothing unusual about that.

- Well, check out the three distributors

that are still here.

If we need to, we can dig out the other two.

Anything else?

- I just heard, Beatrice VanderBerg died.

Heart just gave out on her.

You know something,

every single case she worked on,

she was able to help solve.

Kinda weird she didn't click on this one.

- [Beatrice On Recording] Bury the brave, young dead.

Pausing to drop on his grave a tear.

Carve on the wood.

Slab at his head.

- Goodbye.

- Well, your mother said you were staying

through the weekend.

- I have an exam on Monday,

I spoke to mom.

- You need a ride to the station.

- Yeah.

- Just wait till this is over.

Just take a minute.

- [Beatrice On Recording] Buried here.

Children play.

(mumbling)

From underneath the city's earth and under floor

Carried aloft to the people's eyes. How?

- How?

(rewinding recording)

- Carried aloft to the people's eyes. How?

(rewinding recording)

Eyes. How?

How?

(mysterious music)

(doorbell ringing)

- What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?

I'm Dr. Michaelson.

My receptionist told me you were looking

for a Dr. Howe.

- I'm working with the coroner's office

in an investigation and we received information

that he lives here.

- I'm sorry, but I've only moved into these offices,

next month it'll be a year.

There have been several other tenants before me.

- And you have no knowledge of Dr. Howe.

- I'm afraid that's correct.

- When you moved in,

was anything left over by the previous tenants.

Now, this may sound a little strange,

but specifically an iron lung.

- Considering that this house was built to accommodate

a doctor's office, that would not seem strange at all.

And yes there were some fixtures left over.

But to answer your question, no,

no iron lung or anything even resembling an iron lung.

- Were there personal belongings still here

when you moved in?

- Yes, there were.

I packed those up, put them down in the basement,

alongside the other boxes.

- What other boxes?

- Watch your step coming in here.

Now,

these boxes over here are mine and they're marked,

but these boxes here were here when I moved in.

And I know they're mostly books,

but there are a couple over in this end

that may have some other junk in them, I don't know.

Please, be my guest.

- Thank you.

(rustling)

(mysterious music)

The boy was there, I'm positive.

- Huh?

- He lived there.

- You found Howe.

- He hasn't been there for years.

- And the respirator.

- No trace of that.

- So how the hell are you so positive?

- Does your mother still keep a memento

of your first haircut?

- Doesn't prove a thing, could be anybody's hair.

- That's right it could.

So I went and I looked at the mask that Dave Kimball

made of the boy's face.

I remembered when he took off the plaster mold,

some of his eyelashes remained with it.

- So you checked.

- They match.

- Jesus.

- It was in that house, Jim.

Maybe he was treated there, maybe he even lived there.

In some way, Dr. Howe is connected with him.

- I'll go check the files again.

Maybe we'll find that good doctor somehow.

- I'm very happy for you, Doug.

Doug,

did you talk to her?

See.

- I tried.

Honestly.

- Well I guess I was just hoping for too much.

I don't know Doug, you're close that's fine.

After all these years, to finally find

it wasn't all for nothing.

Why can't you see what you've done to yourself?

You've been chasing ghosts for so long,

that you've become one yourself.

And when it gets down to it, does it really matter

what his name was.

- Yes.

It does.

I'm not a ghost, not any more.

- Well, look at me.

Maybe I'm one.

I'm just so tired, Doug.

- It won't be long now.

I swear to you.

- I hope you find your answer.

I also hope

that you know what it cost you.

- Oh.

- Here's some more cookies, if you like gentlemen.

- Oh, thanks, I've had more than enough.

- If they came to talk I'm sure they've had

their dinner already.

You were saying.

- Yes, I doubt it you'll remember me,

but I was here many years ago on an investigation

from the coroner's office.

- Sure, you're the man who asked me

about the box from Crandall's.

- How did you remember?

- I never forget a face.

If I saw you 25 years from now, I'd still remember you.

- Sam never forgets anything or anyone.

He once recognized an old schoolmate

of his from kindergarten, even with a beard.

Remember?

- Tommy.

- That's very interesting, Levine,

but what about.

- Now look I've told you before and I'll tell you again.

I bought the bassinet for my granddaughter,

the kids came and picked it up.

I put the box outside for the garbage man

and the next morning it was gone.

- And you don't remember anything unusual about that night.

Anything that could've caught your attention.

- No, except that that was the night

that Dr. Howe was killed.

- Killed?

- Dr. Michaelson lives there now.

Such a fine doctor and a very, very nice man.

- Tell me about Howe, now what happened?

- You don't know, where were you?

It was in all the papers.

It was a love triangle, Victoria Howe shot 'em both,

the doctor and his nurse.

- Oh they deserved it too.

- Did they have any children?

Was there a son?

- Oh no.

- Come on Mr. Levine, you lived next door,

surely you must of known if they had any kids.

- Now, look son, when I say who knows, I mean it.

- They were a little strange.

- What do you mean?

- Well, no one ever saw them go in and out.

You saw the patients.

- They used to have their groceries delivered.

They even hired a man to mow their lawn.

I mean, they were like hermits.

They never left the house.

- No wait a minute,

that isn't true.

She did go out twice a week.

- Oh, I forgot.

For her, you know,

psychoanalysis.

- She always went out the back way

as if nobody could see her, you know.

I tell you one thing, if they had a son,

they sure kept it quiet.

- Was there anybody else in the house?

- The nurse, but you're not going to get much out of her.

- Oh, I pity that poor woman.

I mean, finding your husband with a whore like that.

- Come on, that was ancient history.

- That's her.

- That's Victoria Howe, isn't it honey, look?

- It's her, it's her all right. Sure is.

(gun shooting)

- Sitting in that damned office all week,

makes you appreciate the finer things in life.

Not bad for an old disk jockey, eh?

It was an open and shut case.

She come home one night

and found her sweetie pie and his dedicated nurse

experimenting with new medical techniques

in the field of libido resuscitation.

Victoria Howe did not think the world was ready

for this new breakthrough,

so she ended the experiments with

a few bullets in just the right places.

You know, now that I remember it,

she was lucky she got him at all.

Terrible shot, bullet holes all over the room.

Or maybe she was just too emotional,

you know how they are.

- When was she picked up?

- Next morning, a couple of cops

busted her for running a red light.

No license.

She was a wreck.

And later that morning we got a call

from one of the doctor's patients.

Just found him and his nurse all shot up.

It wasn't too difficult, putting two and two together.

Like I say, open and shut case.

Do you have any idea what she did

between the time she killed them

and the time she was picked up.?

- That must've been eight to ten hours.

She could've done anything,

maybe went to a movie or something.

What the hell has this got to do with your boy anyway?

- He lived in that house.

I'm sure he was there the night of the murder.

And where's the Howe woman now, in prison?

- Oh, no, no, no.

She had good lawyers, got her off on a technicality

half way through the trial.

- Where can I find her now?

- The best I can do is give you a last known address.

- You mean you haven't kept track of her whereabouts?

- Do I look like a fuckin' file cabinet?

They got her off.

She's a free woman.

She can do whatever she wants.

(gun shooting)

(laughing)

- [Beatrice] There is a bay.

Boats.

Four boats.

Streets.

Children play.

Rows, rows.

Splinters.

Broken porch, broken.

Planks.

From beneath the city's earth, under the floor,

carried aloft to the people's eyes.

(suspenseful music)

- You're in luck, Inspector.

She left a forwarding address.

The Sheraton Hotel in New York.

- New York.

- Quite a success story.

From that dump, right to the life of luxury.

- Thanks.

- May I speak to Victoria Howe, please.

H, O, W, E, Howe.

Could you tell me if she stayed there

in the past year or two?

Oh, she hasn't.

Victoria Howe is in New York.

She once stayed at the Sheraton Hotel

and used it as a mailing address.

- You found her.

- Not quite.

But that's where you come in.

Now you got connections.

- Yeah.

Well I do have some friends

over at the NYPD who owe me a favor.

Do you want to stick around?

- Nope, gotta go.

- She's had a rough day.

How are you?

- I'm close.

I'm so close to the answer,

but now that I'm almost there...

Maggie, I'm scared.

It's like I've been in this dark hole

and I've trying to climb out of it,

for what seems like forever.

Now that I'm finally near the top,

I'm not sure my eyes can take the light.

- It's just possible

that you like the security.

It's so safe.

And the reality at the top is

so uncertain.

- I always thought that once I found the answer,

everything would be okay.

Everything would straighten itself out.

It'd all,

be back to normal again.

- Doug, you will find your way home.

You just have to hold God

close to your heart

and maybe

just maybe,

the light at the top of that hole will be waiting.

(suspenseful music)

(phone ringing)

- Andrews.

- [Voice On Phone] Doug, we've located Ms. Howe.

- I'll be right there.

- You're not going to believe this,

but it appears that our Victoria Howe

has done very well for herself.

11 months ago she entered into blissful matrimony

with Mr. Edward Barret, chairman and leading stockholder

of Technobiotic Industries.

One of the fastest growing genetic engineering companies.

Presently, he and the Mrs. are alive and well

and living on Park Avenue in New York.

(suspenseful music)

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Barret.

Can I get you a cocktail before you order?

- Yes, Charles, please.

I'll have a martini and one for my friend also.

If she ever gets here.

- Yes, Mrs. Barret.

- You may be needing this.

- Who are you?

- My name is Douglas Andrews.

- Excuse me, but am I supposed to know who you are?

- No.

But I know who you are.

Mrs. Howe.

- I don't know what you are talking about.

My name is Victoria Barret.

- I still think that I'm speaking

to a woman who killed her husband

and his lover, ten years ago.

- I'd appreciate your leaving at once.

- We haven't finished our conversation.

- Do I have to call for a major?

- No, no, you don't have to go to all that trouble.

Besides, I don't think your husband would appreciate

his wife getting involve in an ugly scene

in a fine establishment such as this.

- Why don't you just get out

and leave me alone?

- Nor do I think your husband would appreciate

discovering that his wife was a murderess.

- How much do you want?

- No, you've got it all wrong.

I just want to speak with you.

- Well, Jesus Christ, you sure picked one heel of a...

Look, I'm expecting a friend.

She should be here any minute.

- In that case,

I'll tell you exactly where I want to see you tomorrow.

- You've gotta be kidding.

- If I were you I'd make it my business

to be there, Mrs. Howe.

- Hi.

Am I interrupting anything?

- No.

We're just old friends.

Enjoy your lunch.

- Are you alright?

- Yeah.

Fine.

Fine.

(mysterious music)

- Where is she?

Where is she?

- Mr. Andrews.

- Alright, it sure is hot today.

The weatherman says it's supposed to go up to 90 degrees.

That's pretty warm for this time of year.

- I didn't come 200 miles to talk about the weather.

Now, how much do you want?

- I told you before, I don't want any money.

I don't desire to ruin your life.

I want your help.

Now if you just tell me the truth, I swear

I will leave here, you will never see me again.

I understand about Dr. Howe or maybe even the nurse.

Oh god, the boy.

Your son is buried here, Mrs. Howe.

There is a resemblance.

I knew you were his mother the second I saw you.

- I didn't kill him you know.

At least, I didn't mean to.

Have you been watching over him?

- Yes.

- I loved him very much.

He was only four years old

and the sunlight never shined down on him.

We moved to that house in Connecticut two weeks

after he was born.

And he never left there again.

My husband, he

was very ashamed of his son.

He couldn't believe that anything that pale,

that sickly could come from him.

So he stayed in that house,

hooked up to that horrible machine.

I didn't care, it was my child.

- I loved him so much.

I prayed to God to take him,

let him rest.

And then one night, my

prayers were finally answered.

(eerie music)

- Jeremy.

Jer.

(mysterious music)

Jer.

(gun shooting)

One of the bullets hit the fuse box

and short circuited the machine.

I didn't go into him until a few minutes later

and he was already dead.

- But why then?

- Oh I didn't care what people would say

when they found out I killed my husband.

Oh, he'd done things like that before.

In a way, I was proud.

I just couldn't live with the fact

that people would believe that I caused the death

of my own son.

- What about the box?

- It was the neighbor's.

Their garbage.

I wanted to bury him, so I

I drove through the woods and I started to

and then I heard some voices

and someone was screaming.

I thought someone had seen me,

so I ran to the car and I drove away.

Leaving him there.

I lost track of the time

and the next thing I know,

I was being picked up by the police.

Do you have any children?

- Yes.

One.

- Well you're very lucky.

All I have left are just memories.

There is nothing worse than losing a child.

Mr. Andrews,

thank you.

- Victoria.

What was his name?

(mysterious music)

- [Jane Voiceover] Doug, you can't be too late.

Isn't time to start hiding behind that mask of yours

and face your own daughter.

(upbeat music)