Original subtitles

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

♪ I'VE GOT TROUBLES WALL TO WALL ♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

♪ YEAH

♪ MUST BE AN ENDING TO IT ALL ♪

♪ OH-OHH

♪ BUT HOLD ON

♪ IT WON'T BE LONG

♪ JUST YOU BE STRONG

♪ AND IT'LL BE ALL RIGHT

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

♪ IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT ♪

THAT REALLY LOOKS GREAT, HUH?

I ASK YOU, FRIENDS,

IS THIS NOT REAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH?

WHO SAYS WE'RE DYING?

I THINK YOU ALL KNOW

WHO WE OWE FOR THIS WONDERFUL GIFT, RIGHT?

NO SURPRISES TO ANYBODY.

STUART MERRILL.

MY LORD, I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT LITTLE GIRL IN AGES.

SHE'S REALLY GROWN UP.

DOESN'T TAKE AFTER HER GRANDMOTHER MUCH.

AS LONG AS SHE DOESN'T TAKE AFTER HER MAMA,

I'LL BE SATISFIED.

THANK YOU, STUART MERRILL.

EXCUSE ME.MM-HMM.

YOU HAVEN'T SEEN CLAUDIA HANGING AROUND, HAVE YOU?

CHIEF, SHE WOULDN'T DARE EVEN BE SOBER ENOUGH

TO SHOW UP HERE.

THERE'S COFFEE AND COOKIES AND OTHER REFRESHMENTS,

SO STICK AROUND A WHILE

AND ENJOY EACH OTHER AND VISIT.

HELLO. HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU?

IT'S A FINE OCCASION, STUART.

THANKS, BILL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR OLD HERO?

HE LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A POLICEMAN.

MARY LYNN, DOES IT FEEL GOOD

HAVING A GRANDDADDY LIKE THAT?

YEAH, I GUESS SO.

SHE'S MY LITTLE SWEETHEART,

BUT WE SURE WISH CLAUDIA COULD HAVE BEEN HERE.

BILL, THANK YOU FOR COMING.

DON'T MENTION IT, STUART.

NICE TO SEE YOU, BERNICE, MARY LYNN.

DON'T CALL ME CRAZY, MAMA.

I SAID YOUR BEHAVIOR WAS BIZARRE, NOT CRAZY.

PLEASE, CLAUDIA,

JUST ONE EVENING WITHOUT THIS.

IT WAS WONDERFUL HONORING YOUR FATHER.

COULDN'T YOU MAKE AN APPEARANCE FOR THE FAMILY?

FROM WHERE I SIT,

THE FAMILY'S APPEARANCE IS CRAP.

THAT'LL DO.

I'M GOING TO MY ROOM.

THIS IS A RERUN.

SORRY, BABY. I'LL BE UP SOON.

DO YOU REALIZE THE AWFUL EFFECT

YOU'RE HAVING ON HER?

NO, BUT YOU'LL TELL ME.

YOU'RE AN EXPERT ON AWFUL EFFECTS.

NOW, THAT'S UNFAIR.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO OVERLOOK YOU.

YOU'RE AWFUL, TOO.

YOU WON'T RUIN MY NIGHT.

STUART, DON'T YOU GO!

I'M GOING TO MY STUDIO.

OF COURSE. WHEN THINGS GET TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU...

HANDLING STAINED GLASS IS SAFER THAN BEING HERE.

YOU TWO HAVE A PLEASANT EVENING.

STUART, I'M WARNING YOU!

GOD, THE FLAG, APPLE PIE,

AND THE SANCTITY OF THE FAMILY DINNER.

AHH, THAT'S AMERICA TO ME.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS?

IT'S TEARING ME APART.

I HAVE FEELINGS, TOO.

REALLY?

WELL, YOUR SECRET'S SAFE WITH ME, MAMA.

[HUMMING]

HEY, SUGAR, WHAT YOU WORKING ON?

ALGEBRA AGAIN.

STILL, ALWAYS ALGEBRA, ALGEBRA, ALGEBRA.

ALGEBRA SUCKS.

ALWAYS DID, ALWAYS WILL.

TELL ME.

I'M JUST NO GOOD WITH NUMBERS.

ALGEBRA ISN'T ABOUT NUMBERS.

O.K., I'LL BITE.

IF ALGEBRA ISN'T ABOUT NUMBERS, THEN WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

POWER.

SURE. TEACHER POWER.

WHEN TEACHERS GET THEIR LICENSES,

THEY PERFORM THIS SECRET RITUAL

SWEARING NEVER TO REVEAL THE ANSWER

TO THE RIDDLE OF ALGEBRA.

ANY TEACHER CAUGHT EXPLAINING ALGEBRA CLEARLY

IS BANISHED FROM THE PROFESSION

AND FORCED TO BECOME AN ACCOUNTANT.

MOM!

WHO WOULD WANT THAT

WHEN SHE COULD STAY AN OVERWORKED, UNDERPAID TEACHER,

WHO FOR ONE HOUR A DAY

HOLDS ABSOLUTE POWER OVER SOME BEAUTIFUL KID

WHO OTHERWISE THINKS SHE'S SO SMART?

YOU'RE WEIRD.

THANK YOU. I DO MY BEST.

SO, CAN I SHINE IT ON WITH A "D"?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. GO FOR AN "A."

FORCE THAT WRETCH INTO A CAREER IN ACCOUNTING.

MAMA, I WISH YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT.

LIGHTS OUT BY 10:00.

I'LL SETTLE FOR A "B."

WELL...

ADDING EAVESDROPPING TO YOUR LIST OF MATERNAL SKILLS?

YOU HURT US VERY DEEPLY TONIGHT.

I'VE BEEN PRACTICING.

YOU'RE GOING TO DESTROY YOUR FATHER,

DRINKING, CHASING AROUND LIKE A COMMON--

DON'T PUSH ME.

LYING, CHEATING, SHAMING HIM.

ME?

ME LYING?

SHAMING HIM?

I DRINK. YOU TAKE SLEEPING PILLS.

I SLEEP WITH ANYBODY.

YOU SLEEP WITH NOBODY...

BEHIND A DEAD-BOLTED DOOR.

I WON'T TAKE THIS.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR HATE AND MINE

IS THAT YOU'RE MORE SUBTLE.

THAT'S ALL, MAMA.

GET OUT.

I WANT YOU OUT OF THIS HOUSE.

LEAVE NOW?

JUST WHEN I'VE FOUND YOUR SOFT SPOT?

NOT ON YOUR LIFE, OLD WOMAN.

CORONER ON THE WAY?

YEAH. YEAH.

CAREFUL WHERE YOU STEP.

MURDER-ROBBERY, HUH?

SOMEBODY TOOK GREAT CARE

GETTING THIS WALLET OUT OF HIS POCKET.

THERE'S NO BLOOD ON IT.

IS THERE ANY MONEY IN IT?

NO.

CAN YOU TELL ANYTHING?

A LOT OF STAB WOUNDS.

THIS ONE WENT BETWEEN THE RIBS,

HIT HIM IN THE HEART.

THAT SHARD LOOK WIPED TO YOU?

HE COULD HAVE PULLED THE WALLET OUT

BEFORE HE GOT ROBBED.

I--I WAS JUST THINKING.

THAT'S MY JOB, SWEET.

DUST.

YES, SIR.

BUBBA, LOOK.

NOW, THIS BLOOD OVER HERE

SEEMS TO RUN A LITTLE UPHILL OVER HERE,

DOESN'T IT?

WELL, IT SURE DOES.

THE LAB'S GOING TO NEED EVERY BIT OF THIS MESS

FOR BLOOD TYPING.

WE BETTER USE SOME HEAVY GLOVES.

HEY, VIRGIL.

CHIEF O.K.?

I DOUBT IT.

I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING ELSE.

ALL I CAN SEE IS HIM THERE.

BERNICE, I DON'T LIKE TO POUND ON YOU WITH QUESTIONS,

BUT I SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING HERE

JUST BEFORE YOU PHONED ME.

WELL, I GOT UP THIS MORNING ABOUT 8:30.

STUART USUALLY LEAVES HIS BREAKFAST DISHES

ON THE TABLE,

BUT THEY WEREN'T THERE.

SO AFTER A WHILE, I WENT UP TO HIS ROOM,

BUT HE WASN'T THERE.

HIS BED WAS STILL MADE.

BILL, HOW AM I GOING TO GET ALONG WITHOUT HIM?

36 YEARS.

I KNOW.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO FIND CLAUDIA

AND FETCH HER HOME.

WHERE IS SHE?

SOME BAR OR A MAN SOMEWHERE.

GOD ONLY KNOWS WHERE SHE GOES

AFTER SHE TAKES MARY LYNN TO SCHOOL.

OH, MY SWEET MARY LYNN.

OH, BILL, HOW AM I GOING TO TELL HER?

WELL, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH THAT.

I MEAN, I KNOW SOMEBODY

WHO MIGHT HELP US WITH IT.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

COME IN.

YOU WANTED TO SEE ME, MS. TIBBS?

YES. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE A SEAT, PLEASE?

MARY LYNN,

I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU--

SOMETHING SAD--

AND I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW.

WELL, WHAT'S WRONG?

TELL ME.

UH...SWEETIE, IT'S ABOUT YOUR GRANDFATHER.

SOMETHING AWFUL HAS HAPPENED, AND--

AND WHAT? SAY IT, MS. TIBBS!

MARY LYNN...

YOUR GRANDFATHER IS DEAD.

IT'S O.K.

IT'S O.K.

IT'S O.K.

WHY DIDN'T THE KILLER USE HIS OWN WEAPON,

PRESUMING HE BROUGHT A WEAPON?

WHY DID HE RELY ON THAT STUFF THAT WAS THERE?

BECAUSE IT WASN'T PLANNED.

IT WAS SPONTANEOUS.

SECOND, THE BODY WAS MOVED AFTER THE MURDER.

THE BODY WAS RIGHT WHERE IT FELL!

I DON'T MEAN FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

THE BLOOD-FLOW PATTERN

SHOWS THAT HE'D BEEN LYING ON HIS BACK.

WHEN WE FOUND HIM,

HE'D BEEN ROLLED OVER ONTO HIS LEFT SIDE.

THEN WHAT?

HE PROBABLY LAID THERE AND BLED.

THEN SOMEONE ROLLED HIM OVER AND TOOK HIS WALLET.

THERE'S NO BLOOD ON THE WALLET

BECAUSE HE JUST WANTED IT TO LOOK LIKE A ROBBERY.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

SOMEBODY WHO KNEW HIM. SOMEBODY WHO HATED HIM.

STUART DIDN'T HAVE AN ENEMY IN THE WORLD.

THAT YOU KNOW OF.

I KNOW MY TOWN.

SO DO I, CHIEF. FORGET THAT.

YOU SAW THE ROOM.

THAT WAS RAGE.

AND 15 STAB WOUNDS?

MEANING WHAT?

YOU WON'T LIKE IT.

THAT NEVER STOPPED YOU BEFORE.

ACCESS.

OPPORTUNITY.

SOMEONE WHO KNEW THE VICTIM'S ROUTINE.

CHIEF, WHO STOOD TO GAIN?

YEAH.

TOMORROW MORNING WE OUGHT TO GO BACK,

HAVE ANOTHER TALK WITH HIS WIDOW.

SOMEONE WILL BE OUT TO TAKE A BLOOD SAMPLE,

UNLESS YOU OBJECT.

I SUPPOSE NOT. BUT WHY?

BECAUSE SOME OF THE BLOOD WE FOUND WASN'T STUART'S.

MRS. MERRILL, YOU STAND TO INHERIT A SUBSTANTIAL ESTATE,

PLUS THE INSURANCE POLICY.

STUART WAS ALWAYS GENEROUS.

ALSO, YOU DIDN'T SHARE A BEDROOM WITH HIM, DID YOU?

SIR! I DO NOT SEE HOW OUR SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

CONCERN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

JUST WHAT IS YOUR POINT?!

I'M ASKING YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE.

HOW WAS IT?

MY MARRIAGE WAS 36 YEARS LONG,

AND I'M NOT IN THE HABIT

OF DISCUSSING IT WITH STRANGERS.

WELL, NOW, BERNICE, WE HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE

THAT ROBBERY ISN'T WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?

JUST PLAIN MURDER.

MURDER? FOR WHAT POSSIBLE REASON?

I'M GOING TO ASK YOU.

IS THERE ANYBODY WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR VENGEANCE,

ANYBODY WHO HATED STUART THAT MUCH?

MAYBE SOME CRIME OF PASSION OR--

A CRIME OF PASSION?

STUART?

15 STAB WOUNDS IS A BIT TOO MUCH ANGER

FOR A STRANGER.

CHIEF GILLESPIE,

I RESENT THIS YOUNG MAN'S INSINUATIONS.

I'M SORRY,

BUT THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING MISSING, IS THERE?

AND YOU WAITED HOURS AFTER HE WAS DEAD

BEFORE YOU CALLED.

BERNICE, DID YOU MOVE THE BODY?

DID YOU HAVE AN ARGUMENT WITH HIM?

NO!

IT WAS CLAUDIA.

I SAW HER THAT NIGHT...

VERY LATE.

SHE'D BEEN DREADFUL AT DINNER.

I WAS UPSET AND COULDN'T SLEEP,

SO I GOT UP,

AND I SAW HER...

COMING OUT OF THE STUDIO.

I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT THEN...

UNTIL I FOUND HIM.

I WAS SO AFRAID.

BILL, YOU KNOW HOW SHE CAN GET.

MRS. MERRILL,

YOU...

DID NOT MOVE THAT BODY?

NO.

I SWEAR I DID NOT TOUCH HIM.

PARKER, I WANT YOU TO FIND BUBBA.

WHEN YOU FIND HIM,

HAVE HIM BRING CLAUDIA MERRILL IN

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WHAT DO I SAY IT'S ABOUT?

POLICE BUSINESS.

IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER FOR YOU?

PUT DOWN THAT JUG OF DIET COLA

AND GET ON IT.

BUBBA, YOU OUT THERE?

YOUR MOM HAVE ANY SPECIAL FRIENDS?

NOBODY I KNOW.

SOMEPLACE SHE MIGHT GO AFTER DROPPING YOU OFF AT SCHOOL?

SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO GO HOME?

I'M O.K.

CHIEF GILLESPIE AND I

JUST WANT TO ASK YOUR MOM A FEW QUESTIONS.

WHY CAN'T YOU WAIT

TILL SHE PICKS ME UP AFTER SCHOOL?

I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO.

CAN I GO NOW? IT'S ALGEBRA.

YEAH. I HAVE YOUR PASS.

VIRGIL, I DON'T THINK

THAT CHILD CAN TAKE LOSING HER GRANDFATHER

AND HER MOTHER.

ALTHEA, SHE MAY HAVE TO.

I CAN'T UNDERSTAND

WHY CLAUDIA HATES HER FATHER SO MUCH.

HE LOVED HER, SUPPORTED HER.

WHEN SHE GOT PREGNANT, HE TOOK HER DAUGHTER IN.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

AS FAR AS I GATHER,

CLAUDIA'S NEVER MADE SENSE.

MRS. SPENCER WAS A TEACHER HERE

WHEN CLAUDIA WAS IN SCHOOL.

SHE SAID SHE WAS ALWAYS TROUBLE.

LIKE HOW?

OH, CRAZY, MEAN, SULLEN.

BAD GRADES.

RECORDS SHOW ONE ANGRY KID.

CAN YOU GET THE RECORDS?

SURE, I THINK SO.

AND WHERE IS THIS MRS. SPENCER?

UH...117. RIGHT DOWN THE HALL.

O.K. BY THE WAY,

HAVE I SAID TODAY HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU LOOK?

NO, YOU HAVE NOT.

YES, I DID. BEFORE THE ALARM RANG, WHEN WE--

VIRGIL!

HA HA HA HA!

RAY BECKER.

COME ON, BECKER, OPEN UP. POLICE.

YEAH?

NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN, BECKER.

I'M LOOKING FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND CLAUDIA MERRILL.

NEVER HEARD OF HER.

DON'T YOU START WITH ME.

CAN'T HELP IT IF I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF MY GIRLFRIENDS.

MAYBE I'LL TAKE YOU IN.

WHAT THE HELL FOR?

OH, FOR BEING DRUNK AND DUMB.

GO TO HELL.

I HATE COMING HERE

EVERY TIME THERE'S TROUBLE AROUND TOWN.

WHAT DO YOU WANT CLAUDIA FOR?

CHIEF WANTS TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS

ABOUT HER DADDY'S KILLING.

WAY I HEAR IT, HE NEEDED KILLING.

TELL THAT SLUT TO GET OUT HERE!

THE SLUT DOESN'T WISH TO.

COME ON. LET'S NOT MAKE THIS HARD.

NO WAY. CAN'T YOU SEE I'M IN MOURNING? HA HA!

I CAN SEE IT'S GETTING TIRESOME. COME ON.

GET!

COME ON, NOW.

LET GO OF ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH!

COME ON!

SETTLE DOWN.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME.

COME ON, GET IN THERE NOW.

THESE PICTURES DON'T DO A THING TO YOU.

YOU JUST SIT THERE, HUNG OVER, HALF DRUNK, AND INSOLENT.

THE SIGHT OF YOUR DADDY CHOPPED TO DEATH

DOESN'T RAISE A HAIR ON YOUR HEAD.

YOUR MAMA SAW YOU LEAVING THAT STUDIO.

AND?

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING THERE.

FIGHTING WITH HIM ABOUT HOW YOU CONDUCT YOUR LIFE?

WHAT SET YOU OFF TO DO A THING LIKE THIS?

I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HIM AND YOU,

AND I WANT TO HEAR IT ALL.

SOMEHOW, I DOUBT THAT.

CHIEF.

HOLD IT A MINUTE.

CLAUDIA.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE ARE?

NO.

THEY'RE RECORDS.

YES, YOUR RECORDS.

FROM GRADE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

I SPOKE TO AN OLD TEACHER OF YOURS TODAY,

A MRS. SPENCER.

YES.

I ALSO SPOKE TO A DR. TULLY. REMEMBER HIM?

I HAVE HIS STATEMENTS HERE, TOO.

DON'T. PLEASE, DON'T.

YOUR FATHER HAD BEEN ABUSING YOU FOR YEARS,

HADN'T HE?

SEXUALLY ABUSING YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE

THAT YOUR DADDY DID THINGS LIKE THAT TO YOU?

IT'S ALL THERE, CHIEF.

YOU TOLD YOUR FOURTH GRADE TEACHER.

THEN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.

AND FINALLY A DOCTOR, DR. TULLY,

WHO TREATED YOU FOR UNEXPLAINED CHILDHOOD HEMORRHAGING,

AND NOBODY DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

DID THEY?

ISN'T THAT ALL TRUE?

YOU HAD GOOD REASON TO HATE YOUR FATHER,

MAYBE EVEN TO KILL HIM, DIDN'T YOU?

DIDN'T YOU?!YES

THAT BASTARD WAS ALL OVER ME

FROM THE TIME I WAS 9 YEARS OLD,

AND I KILLED HIM FOR IT.

COME ON, VIRGIL,

CAN'T YOU TELL THAT WOMAN'S LYING?

SHE'S A TEXTBOOK CASE FOR INCEST. GOOD LORD!

GOOD LORD? I WISH I KNEW WHAT YOU WERE DOING!

YOU GOT A CASE FOR MURDER THERE,

NEXT THING I KNOW YOU JUMP UP

AND GIVE THE KILLER A DEFENSE FOR HER TRIAL!

INCEST HAPPENS.

NOT IN THAT HOUSE.

NO. ONLY IN GHETTOS.

IN POVERTY,

WITH DRUNKEN UNCLES AND IGNORANT PEOPLE.

DON'T HAND ME THAT STUFF,

AND DON'T PATRONIZE ME.

I KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THIS WORLD. BUT--

BUT INCEST NEVER HAPPENS NEXT DOOR.

NOW, LISTEN--

I BEGGED TO GET OFF JUVENILE DETAIL

IN PHILADELPHIA

BECAUSE I COULDN'T TAKE THE STORIES

I HEARD FROM THOSE CHILDREN--

YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE BRUTALIZED

NOT BY A STRANGER, BUT AT HOME

BY PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO LOVE AND PROTECT THEM.

BUT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME DERANGED PERSONALITY

UP THERE IN PHILADELPHIA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STUART MERRILL.

A FORMER MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

DEACON OF THE CHURCH,

AND A MAN WHO GAVE THIS TOWN ITS FIRST LIBRARY.

READ THE STATEMENTS.

I DON'T HAVE TO. I KNEW THE MAN.

THE MAN? THE WOMAN IS DESTROYED!

THE WOMAN IS CRAZY!

SHE WAS IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS BEFORE SHE WAS 15!

WHY WAS THAT? I DON'T KNOW. WHO KNOWS?

MENTAL ILLNESS--

HAVEN'T Y'ALL GOT THAT UP NORTH?

CHIEF,

I KNOW HOW YOU FELT ABOUT MERRILL,

BUT YOU'RE A FAIR MAN.

READ THE STATEMENTS, PLEASE.

PAUL HACKETT CAME BY TODAY.

STUART'S LAWYER.

HE TOLD ME THAT CLAUDIA HAD...

SHE HAD ACKNOWLEDGED HER GUILT.

CLAUDIA SAID SOME OTHER THINGS

THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, BERNICE.

EVENING, MARY LYNN.

HI.

MARY LYNN, TIME FOR YOU TO TRY TO GET SOME SLEEP, DEAR.

GO ON. WHAT ELSE DID SHE SAY?

SOME VERY DISTURBING THINGS.

SHE SAID THAT, UH, HER DADDY USED TO BOTHER HER.

I MEAN, TOUCH HER PHYSICALLY IN WAYS THAT WERE WRONG.

WHAT?

SHE SAID HE MOLESTED HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

OH, DEAR LORD, NO.

I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M HEARING.

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.

WELL, SHE IS LYING.

HOW CAN YOU EVEN ASK SUCH A THING?

BECAUSE I HAVE TO.

I DIDN'T SAY I BELIEVED IT.

BILL, YOU KNEW STUART, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.

I ADMIRED HIM.

THAT'S WHY I WANT TO KNOW

WHY CLAUDIA WOULD SAY SUCH THINGS.

BECAUSE SHE HATED HIM.

SHE HATES ME.

SHE'S NEVER CARED ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE'S FEELINGS BUT HER OWN.

SHE'S MADE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL FOR YEARS.

I DON'T MIND TELLING YOU THAT NOW.

DO YOU REMEMBER A TEACHER OF CLAUDIA'S

BY THE NAME OF MRS. SPENCER?

I DON'T THINK SO, NO. WHY?

WHAT ABOUT DOC TULLY? YOU KNOW HIM?

JUST TO SEE HIM.

HE AND STUART HAD A FALLING OUT YEARS AGO.

WHY?

I'M NOT SURE.

I DON'T WANT THIS TO GET OUT. YOU HEAR ME?

CLAUDIA'S GOING TO BE ON TRIAL.

HER LAWYER WILL BRING THIS OUT TO DEFEND HER.

SHE IS DETERMINED TO RUIN EVERYTHING

STUART EVER STOOD FOR.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA

WHAT SHE HAS DONE TO THIS... THIS FAMILY

AND THAT POOR LITTLE GIRL UPSTAIRS.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING THIS MORNING, CLAUDIA?

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN GET FOR YOU?

I COULD USE A CIGARETTE, IF YOU GOT ONE.

SORRY, I--

SMOKING'S NO GOOD FOR YOU, ANYWAY.

SMOKING ISN'T GOOD FOR ME?

THIS MAY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT QUESTION I'VE EVER ASKED, BUT...

AND I CAN GET AUTHORIZATION IF...

DO YOU WANT TO GO TO YOUR FATHER'S FUNERAL?

YEARS AGO.

SOMETHING BOTHERS ME.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU CHOSE THAT NIGHT,

THAT PARTICULAR NIGHT.

YOU SAID THAT THE INCEST HAD STOPPED LONG AGO.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THE ANGER,

BUT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED. WHY NOW?

WHY NOT NOW?

I GUESS THAT'S ALL.

I'LL...JUST HAVE SWEET TAKE YOU BACK.

CLAUDIA.

I HAD ON A LITTLE BROWN AND PINK PLAID DRESS

THE FIRST TIME.

IT DIDN'T EVEN GET TORN.

BUT I BURNED IT.

LATER I STARTED SLEEPING WITH ALL MY CLOTHES ON.

I STILL DO SOMETIMES.

MAMA SAID HE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING BY IT.

SAID HE JUST LOVED ME TOO MUCH.

THE DOCTOR TOLD ME

TO STOP WEARING PRETTY CLOTHES AROUND DADDY,

SO I...

I KNEW IT WAS MY FAULT

AND I'D BETTER NOT TELL ANYBODY ELSE

OR THEY WOULD KNOW HOW BAD I WAS.

I SKIPPED SCHOOL SOMETIMES...

BECAUSE IT HURT TOO MUCH TO SIT DOWN.

AND HERE I AM.

YOU O.K.?

OH, FINE, FINE, YEAH.

YOU'LL MAKE YOURSELF SICK OVER THIS THING.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD YOU.

THANKS FOR THE TRUST.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. IT'S POLICE BUSINESS.

EVEN A POLICE CHIEF GETS TO HAVE A FRIEND.

YOU KNOW, I TALKED TO CLAUDIA ABOUT IT,

AND I--I STILL CANNOT TAKE IT IN.

WELL, IF IT'S TRUE,

IT WOULD EXPLAIN HOW THAT WOMAN

GOT TO BE WHO SHE IS.

YEAH, BUT BERNICE WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT.

THAT'S WHY I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT,

BECAUSE THE MOTHER WOULD HAVE HAD TO KNOW.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK SHE DIDN'T KNOW?

[PREACHER] PERHAPS IT WAS SOME DIVINE IRONY

WE DO NOT YET UNDERSTAND

WHICH GAVE US THAT OCCASION

JUST FOUR DAYS AGO IN OUR OWN TOWN SQUARE

TO EXPRESS TOGETHER OUR APPRECIATION

FOR STUART'S MANY KINDNESSES.

AND THAT NIGHT,

HE WAS BRUTALLY TAKEN FROM US.

"YEA, MINE OWN FAMILIAR BELOVED,

"IN WHOM I TRUSTED,

"WHICH DID EAT OF MY BREAD,

"HATH LIFTED UP A HAND AGAINST ME, OH, LORD,

"AND RAISED ME UP,

"BY THIS I KNOW THOU FAVORETH ME,

"UPHOLD ME IN MINE INTEGRITY,

"AND SETTETH ME BEFORE THY FACE FOREVER.

"BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING." AMEN.

LET US EACH PRAY SILENTLY HIS OWN PRAYER

FOR THE SOUL OF OUR FRIEND.

GOOD MORNING.

I BURIED STUART MERRILL YESTERDAY.

I TOOK ONE LOOK AT BERNICE,

I COULD TELL BY HER FACE THAT SHE KNEW.

SHE KNEW. [INTERCOM BUZZES]

CHIEF, EVERYBODY'S BEEN CALLING

WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT CLAUDIA MERRILL.

WHAT DO WE TELL THEM?

TELL THEM NOTHING.

HOW DO I DO THAT?

YOU'RE THE ONLY MAN I CAN COUNT ON TO TALK TO PEOPLE

AND TELL THEM NOTHING.

YES, SIR.

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS ONE?WHAT?

THAT WAS THE CRIME LAB.

THE ABSORPTION-ELUTION ON THE BLOOD TRACES--

THE BLOOD ON THE FLOOR?

NO. THAT SHARD OF GLASS.

THE TRACES THEY FOUND WEREN'T FROM THE VICTIM.

THEY WERE FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE.

THE ASSAILANT WAS A.B.O. TYPE "B."

AND WHAT TYPE IS CLAUDIA'S BLOOD?

CLAUDIA IS TYPE "O."

THERE'S NO WAY ON THIS EARTH THAT SHE COULD HAVE DONE IT.

SHE'S INNOCENT.

I DID KILL HIM.

YOU COULDN'T HAVE.

I DID!

WHY ARE YOU LYING, CLAUDIA?

I'M NOT LYING. I KILLED HIM.

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME?

CLAUDIA, THE KILLER LEFT TRACES OF BLOOD ON THAT GLASS.

TYPE "B" BLOOD FROM THE CUTS HE GOT

WHEN HE STABBED YOUR FATHER.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE TYPE "O."

NO WAY.

VIRGIL, UH...

I'D LIKE TO TALK TO HER,

IF YOU DON'T MIND.

NO, I DON'T MIND.

THANK YOU.

TOO MUCH LYING IN THAT FAMILY OF YOURS FOR TOO LONG,

AND NOW WE GOT A MURDER CASE. IT'S GOTTA END.

I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING,

AND THE ONLY WAY IS JUST TO SAY IT.

I'M SORRY.

SURE.

I AM SORRY I MISJUDGED YOU.

AND I GUESS WHAT I'M SORRIEST ABOUT

IS THAT 18 YEARS AGO

I WASN'T THE KIND OF POLICE CHIEF

THAT A CHILD COULD COME TELL THINGS TO.

YOU REALLY THINK YOU WOULD HAVE BELIEVED ME?

I'D LIKE TO THINK SO, BUT MAYBE I WOULDN'T.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME-- ABSOLUTION?

WHAT I WANT IS TO KNOW WHY...

AFTER ALL YOUR DADDY DID,

YOU CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THAT HOUSE

AND EVEN BROUGHT YOUR LITTLE GIRL TO LIVE WITH Y'ALL.

I CAN'T SEE ANY REASON.

WEAKNESS.

MAYBE A PRISON PSYCHOLOGIST CAN EXPLAIN IT TO ME.

BUT HIM... I J-JUST CAN'T...

OH. OH, HE SAID HE WAS SORRY.

AFTER EVERY TIME.

HE EVEN CRIED.

CAN YOU CRY?

OH, YEAH.

JAMISON, WOULD YOU GET CLAUDIA MERRILL'S PERSONAL EFFECTS TOGETHER

AND GET HER READY FOR RELEASE?

THANK YOU.

HE WASN'T SURE HE COULD MAKE IT IN,

SO I OFFERED HIM A RIDE.

YOU'RE A REAL HUMANITARIAN, BUBBA.

WE'LL NEED STATEMENTS, ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS.

WHAT ABOUT?

MR. MERRILL'S KILLING. ALSO, WE NEED A BLOOD SAMPLE.

BLOOD?

NO WAY, MAN. NO DAMN WAY.

WE'LL GET A COURT ORDER. GOOD. DO THAT.

IF YOU CAN FIND ME. GET BACK HERE.

MAN, I'M REAL TIRED OF YOU.

BUBBA.

UH, LET ME, UH...

CANCEL THAT COURT ORDER.

SEE YOU, BECKER.

IT IS TOO MINE. YOU ACCUSING ME OF STEALING IT?

JUST TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT IT.

WHY? PLEASE JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION.

SOMEBODY GAVE IT TO ME.

I KNOW WHOSE IT IS. DON'T GIVE ME ATTITUDE.

WE'LL CONTINUE IN MY OFFICE.

MARY LYNN GAVE IT TO HER. I WAS THERE.

MARY LYNN'S MOTHER GAVE IT TO HER.

SHE WOULD HAVE NEVER PARTED WITH IT.

WELL, SHE DID. SHE GAVE ME THIS, TOO.

WHEN?

THIS MORNING. SHE GAVE AWAY ALL HER STUFF.

TAPES, POSTERS, EVERYTHING SHE HAD.

HOW WAS SHE? UPSET? WHAT? WHERE'D YOU LAST SEE HER?!

THIRD PERIOD, IN THE GYM.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

MARY LYNN?

MARY LYNN!

MARY--

SUZANNE, GO CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE.

BONNIE, CALL FOR THE NURSE.

RUN, GIRLS, RUN!

OH, MARY.

OH, MARY LYNN.

YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, MARY LYNN.

IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

IT'S GONNA BE...

I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

TAKE WHAT?

EVERYTHING, I GUESS.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO FEEL BAD ANYMORE.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU HURT YOURSELF?

HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW? ABOUT 16?

15.

AND YOU DON'T WANT TO GET YOUR MOM INTO TROUBLE, RIGHT?

SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

WELL, WE KNOW THAT.

IT'S ALL MY FAULT. I'VE RUINED EVERYTHING.

OH, NO, HONEY.

YOU ARE THE BRAVEST PERSON I KNOW.

AND I WON'T LET ANYTHING EVER HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN.

YOU WANT ME TO TELL THEM?

NO, MAMA.

MARY LYNN, WE HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THIS,

AND ONE OF Y'ALL HAS GOT TO TELL ME.

NOW, I'D SOONER IT BE YOU.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

I WANT YOU TO TRUST ME ON THAT.

I THINK HE MEANS IT.

I KILLED HIM, BUT I DIDN'T MEAN TO.

I JUST WENT OUT THERE TO TALK TO HIM.

MARY LYNN...

WOULD YOU TELL US WHAT HAPPENED?

I'M RIGHT HERE, BABY.

PLEASE.

WELL, AFTER IT HAPPENED...

MAMA CAME HOME, AND I TOLD HER.

SHE WENT OUT THERE AND BUSTED EVERYTHING UP

TO LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY BROKE IN OR SOMETHING.

THEN SHE SAID I GO TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY

AND WE'D ACT SURPRISED, AND...

[CLAUDIA] IT'S O.K. TELL ALL OF IT.

HE WAS TOUCHING ME...

AND FORCING ME TO DO THINGS.

AND HE WOULDN'T QUIT.

AND GRANDMA DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

I WAS AFRAID TO TELL MAMA.

I WAS AFRAID SHE WOULDN'T LOVE ME.

I KNEW SHE HATED STAYING THERE. I COULD TELL.

AND I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE MAMA.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

HE WOULD WAIT TILL MAMA WAS OUT,

AND HE'D COME TO MY ROOM...

I EVEN STARTED SLEEPING WITH ALL MY CLOTHES ON, MAMA.

AND IT DIDN'T MATTER.

HE TOOK THE LOCK OFF THE DOOR.

AND...

SO I WENT TO THE GLASS HOUSE THAT NIGHT

AND I SAID IF HE DIDN'T STOP, I'D RUN AWAY.

AND... HE STARTED CRYING

AND SAYING HOW SORRY HE WAS.

AND THEN HE TRIED TO HUG ME.

AND...

HE WOULDN'T LET GO.

HE STARTED PUSHING ME DOWN ON TO THE BED

AND DOING STUFF...

UH...

TOUCHING ME...

PULLING MY CLOTHES UNDERNEATH.

I COULDN'T STAND IT, MAMA. I COULDN'T STAND IT!

OHH...I GOT HOLD OF A PIECE OF GLASS, I GUESS,

AND I CUT HIM...

AND I CUT HIM,

AND I CUT HIM...

UNTIL HE JUST FELL AWAY.

I'M SORRY, MAMA.

HONEY...

IT'S O.K.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. YOU DID GOOD, HONEY.

IT'S O.K., BABY.

I'M SO SORRY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW REMARKABLE YOU ARE?

MAMA.

SHH. SHH.

NO MORE TALKING NOW.

YOU REST, YOU HEAR?

MAMA,

I HEARD CHIEF GILLESPIE AND GRANDMA TALKING THE OTHER NIGHT.

AND HE ASKED HER IF GRANDPA HAD TOUCHED YOU.

LIKE ME, I MEAN.

MAMA?

YEAH.

I KNOW IT WAS MY FAULT. I SHOULD'VE BEEN THERE.

I'M SO SORRY.

I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH.

I KNOW, MAMA.

IT'S LIKE HE TOOK ALL THE GOOD STUFF AWAY FROM US.

YOU REST. I'LL BE RIGHT OUTSIDE.

I LOVE YOU.

SHE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU ALL CAN GO ON.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE FINE. REALLY.

GO HOME, MAMA.

THERE'S NOBODY LEFT TO KEEP YOUR SECRETS.

NOBODY LEFT TO MAKE A MESS.

GO HOME.

JUST LEAVE US ALONE.

PLEASE.

LEAVE US ALONE.

YOU OUGHT TO GO IN THERE

AND SIT WITH YOUR DAUGHTER.

I'LL HANG AROUND HERE A WHILE

IN CASE YOU NEED SOMETHING.

WE HAD A DEAL, SEE.

DADDY AND ME.

I PROMISED TO NEVER TELL ANYONE

WHAT HE DID TO ME.

AND HE PROMISED TO PROVIDE FOR MARY LYNN

AND TO NEVER... NEVER TOUCH HER.

NOW, LISTEN, UH...

YOU OUGHT TO TRY AND PUT ALL THAT IN THE PAST.

GOD, WHY DID I BELIEVE HIM?

OH, CLAUDIA.

WHY DID I BELIEVE HIM?

WELL...

HE WAS YOUR DADDY.