The Glades (5 page)

The girl bought lotto tickets?

LONGWORTH

A blow pop, two Red Bulls, a bag of corn nuts and lotto tickets.

She re-dresses his wound as he contemplates their meaning.

LONGWORTH

He was drunk and passed out - she had to do something...
(beat)
Jeff doesn't drink those does he?

CALLIE

Lives on 'em.

LONGWORTH

You know what's in that stuff?

CALLIE

No. Do you?

Said busy and impatient.

LONGWORTH

They make you pee like a race horse. Two of 'em, she'd be up all night.

CALLIE

I haven't noticed Jeff doing an inordinate amount of peeing.

LONGWORTH

Am I bothering you?

CALLIE

Yes. I'm busy. Don't take it personally. I have a test on Monday.

Finished with his bandage, she returns to her textbook. Longworth testing his grip, taking practice swings.

LONGWORTH

I don't know. A sixteen-year-old killer? Statistical long shot. But she did lie about leaving. Maybe lied to Justin - still don't understand why you guys do that.

CALLIE

Because we can. It's special. Or you think so.

LONGWORTH

You don't think it's special?

CALLIE

I did at the time.

She goes back to her studies. Back to his practice swings.

LONGWORTH

I saw Jeff. Hanging with some older boys.

CALLIE

I know his friends, they're okay.Bored maybe. Was he smoking?

LONGWORTH

No.

CALLIE

You wouldn't tell me if he was. You can't talk Jeff into doing something he doesn't want to do. If he's into something wrong, he got there by himself. That's the best you can hope for.

LONGWORTH

You've got to read this whole book?

CALLIE

Eventually.

LONGWORTH

Maybe I'll take him to a movie.

She looks up from her reading.

LONGWORTH

You barely have time for yourself. I'm sure he's bored.

CALLIE

Look. Don't police my son. Neither one of us are huge fans of your line of work.

LONGWORTH

I guess I understand that.

She looks at him, goes back to her book, when his cell phone rings. He moves off to answer it.

LONGWORTH

Hey. What do you got?

EXT. FDLE SUB-STATION - DAY

Graffiti on the wall, Ogletree on his cell --

OGLETREE

The high school hasn't reported any of their regular female teachers missing. However...

INT. HOSPITAL - CLOSE ON LONGWORTH - DAY

Longworth on his cell. INTERCUT as Longworth cuts him off --

LONGWORTH

She doesn't have to be a regular employee, she could be --

OGLETREE

Damn it, Jim, for once would you just let me finish my thought.

LONGWORTH

Sorry.

OGLETREE

But there was a substitute teacher scheduled to teach last week who never showed up, and hasn't been heard from since.

LONGWORTH

Does this substitute teacher have a name?

OGLETREE

Yeah, Salazar. Gina Salazar.
(waiting for his attaboy)
Jim? Jim?

Ogletree realizing Longworth has hung up.
A low GROWL takes us down to find the Maltese, at the end of a leash --

OGLETREE

Hate you too, you little shit.

Summing up their relationship as he hurries the dog along to do its business.

EXT. INTERSECTION - S.R. 301 AND INTERLAKE BLVD. - NIGHT

We are CLOSE on the LOCKET, opened now to reveal the person inside. LANE Broussard, Justin's older brother. Held gently in the palm of a soft hand. Then lowered to reveal --

The Shrine to Lane, his photo ringed by flowers, candles, and booze bottles; messages from those who love and miss him. But none more than --

ERIN, who sits alone, cross-legged at the base of the shrine. When her shadow is joined by another.

LONGWORTH (O.C.)

Sucks.

She turns to see Longworth there.

LONGWORTH

Letting someone go.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT

Erin alone in Longworth's unmarked sedan. She watches as he exits the store, walks over, hands her a pack of cigarettes he just bought through the window.

ERIN

Thanks.

LONGWORTH

Just not in the car.

She nods, pops in the lighter. Continues their conversation.

ERIN

The night he was killed, he was coming to see me. Lane. He just got off work at Pizza Hut and I told him to meet me here. Had to sneak out cause I was only fifteen.

The lighter pops and she lights her cigarette, blowing smoke as she gets out of the car.

ERIN

I told him to wear his Calvin Klein cause I didn't want him smellin' like Pizza Hut my first time. I was real nervous. Maybe he was too, I don't know. Or maybe his mind was just elsewhere.

Longworth watches the young woman smoke. Doubts his mind was elsewhere.

ERIN

I've never told Justin this. But he and Lane look really alike. Not in the face, but like their hands and the way they sit on a car and their voice. It's weird on the phone. I thought with Calvin Klein and whatever, it might seem like it was him. Like if Lane hadn't been hit on his motorcycle that night and we finally got to do it. I really wanted it to be him.

LONGWORTH

He was a surrogate.

She looks at him. Doesn't know what that means.

LONGWORTH

You used Justin in place of his brother.

Erin shrugs yeah I guess...

LONGWORTH

He didn't like that. Subbing for his brother.

ERIN

Threw a whole brand new bottle of CK in the creek.

LONGWORTH

That why you left?

ERIN

Partly. He was too drunk by then anyway. Tried for like fifteen minutes. You'd think he'd stop drinking but I think trying made him drink more. When he passed out I just left. Tried to stay gone a long time. Went and got my dad his lotto scratchers. I was mad, I guess. Wanted Justin to worry about me.

She smokes.

LONGWORTH

How long were you gone?

ERIN

I don't know. Hour maybe.

LONGWORTH

So you left twice?

ERIN

No.

LONGWORTH

Then you were gone a lot longer than an hour.

She looks at him. Smokes.

LONGWORTH

You came here just after two in the morning. Then used the ATM at the Bank in the strip mall at the other end of town.

ERIN

I forgot to get my dad his scratchers and didn't have enough money cause I spent what he gave me on beer for Justin.

LONGWORTH

Not that withdrawal, the one you made for the maximum three hundred dollars at four-thirty in the morning.

Beat.

ERIN

I went twice. I told you I was trying to make him worry about me.

LONGWORTH

If you were so mad at him why didn't you just go home?

She smokes, shrugs.

LONGWORTH

So you still have the money?

ERIN

No. It's gone. I spent it.

LONGWORTH

You remember Gina Salazar? She sometimes substitute teaches at your school.

ERIN

No.

LONGWORTH

Yeah, she served you with detention for writing Okeechobee Southerners are Sub-Human over her assignment.

She smokes, shrugs.

ERIN

Okay.

LONGWORTH

She's missing.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

EXT. FISHEATING CREEK - DAY

Longworth tracking along the edge of the creek. Stomping tall weeds, his eyes searching the uneven earth distressed by clumps of grass and cragged by cypress knee. Then stops.

Kneeling to the wet earth, and another area of MUCK made FLAT and TACKY by the SOLES of HEAVY, flat soled SHOES.

He rises, moves on ahead as we DISSOLVE through...

EXT. FISHEATING CREEK - ELSEWHERE - DAY

Longworth tramps through the weeds, seeing something in the creek. He bends to lift it out of the water.

A brand new, unopened bottle of Calvin Klein for Men. He studies the bottle, and its meaning. Sniffs it. Deciding --

LONGWORTH

I guess that's better than Pizza Hut.

When interest in his find is broken by a whoop of excitement coming from the bank across the creek.

JEFF

Hey. I got one.

Jeff on the shore, reeling in his catch.

LONGWORTH

I'm impressed.
(watching the kid's joy)
What kind of fish is that?

JEFF

Shiner.

LONGWORTH

I thought you said fishing was for losers?

Jeff grins at the fish, unhooks it --

JEFF

Aren't I contaminating a crime scene?

LONGWORTH

You're helping me interview witnesses.

JEFF

He doesn't look like he saw anything.

LONGWORTH

Thank him for his time and send him on his way.

Which he does, when Longworth's cell phone rings. He checks the caller I.D., answers it --

LONGWORTH

What'd you find out?
(listens a beat)
Yeah, okay. Thanks. Sorry about working you on a Sunday.

He hangs up. A little quiet. Over which --

OGLETREE (V.O.)

So the teacher's not missing?

EXT. OGLETREE HOUSE - Backyard - BARBEQUE - DAY

Ogletree at the grill, Longworth nearby, a beer in hand.

LONGWORTH

Ran off with some guy. Husband was pissed I even called. Told me to shove his wife's dental records up my ass.

OGLETREE

The girl still lied.

LONGWORTH

Yeah. Sometimes they do that.

Beat. Longworth hoists his beer to their Sunday ritual.

LONGWORTH

Thanks for keeping our streak alive.

OGLETREE

It's just burgers.

LONGWORTH

Under the circumstances I would've understood. I know I've been treating you like my secretary.

OGLETREE

We got the jawbone. I'll stay on it.

Ogletree clearly feeling underappreciated.

LONGWORTH

You know, you might feel better if you get out whatever it is that's bothering you.

Ogletree takes a beat. Not very good at the feelings thing.

OGLETREE

The thing is. Well. I never intended to play this card. I mean, yeah, we're partners, but technically, with seniority, I am your supervisor. Your boss.

LONGWORTH

I guess I know that.

OGLETREE

I've given you an awful lot of latitude. Too much, maybe. How else was I supposed to evaluate your worthiness? But hell, you won't even wear the uniform.

LONGWORTH

I wear the badge.
(off his look)
You know, in spirit.

OGLETREE

I've been doing a good job here for a long time.

LONGWORTH

I'm just trying to work in.

OGLETREE

I'm having trouble with that. You being here. I can't say it's fair for either one of us. Why should I feel like I'm not up to the job?

Ogletree presses the burgers, trying to get this out.

LONGWORTH

What are you doing?

OGLETREE

I'm trying to tell you that it's not working out.

LONGWORTH

I mean to the meat. You're smashing the burgers, that dries 'em out.

Ogletree takes a beat.

LONGWORTH

Look, I appreciate you telling me how you feel. I know you and Janice are fighting and I know that's not easy for you. But you can't really expect me to be sloppy just so you can feel good about yourself.

A beat. Ogletree smashes the burgers. Juices escape amid sizzle and flame.

OGLETREE

Burgers are done.

But neither man moves.

LONGWORTH

When's Janice coming home?

OGLETREE

She didn't say.

LONGWORTH

She didn't say.
(beat)
She must be really mad at you.

A long beat, during which Ogletree does not respond.

OGLETREE

I need to chop an onion.

Ogletree heads for the house. Longworth watches as his partner disappears inside.

INT. OGLETREE HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Ogletree grabs an onion and a chopping board. Opens a drawer, fishes around for a knife, then stops.

He moves to another drawer. Opens it slowly and looks inside.

EXT. OGLETREE HOUSE - Backyard - DAY

Longworth has the meat off the grill, fanning off flies.

LONGWORTH

Better get to these quick.

OGLETREE

Do you even carry your service revolver?

Longworth stops. Turns to see Ogletree with his gun on him.

OGLETREE

Wasn't one in your vehicle, I looked.

There is a beat. Longworth getting that he's pretty screwed.

LONGWORTH

It's Sunday, Mike. What do I need a gun for?

OGLETREE

You got my wife's dental records? Without telling me. What kind of cop looks into his partner without telling him?

LONGWORTH

Your wife was missing.

Ogletree looks at him. Guess he sees his point.

LONGWORTH

Well that, and your shoes.

OGLETREE

My shoes?

Which we look down to see. Clunky, flat soled FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL issued shoes.

LONGWORTH

Which were all over the crime scene -- to say nothing of the M.E.'s report, which confirmed not only the victim's natural Florida tan, but also that she'd never had children...
(off the dog barking)
-- no doubt settling for a dog...which you hate, but cared for anyway so the neighbors wouldn't get suspicious...

OGLETREE

Jim.

LONGWORTH

-- then of course there's the capsicum we found in her stomach - evidence that she'd recently eaten spicy Southwestern food - and the fact that just hours before she was killed, she'd been on a commercial flight - wearing a dress she bought while visiting her sister...

OGLETREE

Jim.

LONGWORTH

-- I mean, to be perfectly honest, amigo, when you stop and think about it, you were so incredibly bad at this...

OGLETREE

I said okay!

LONGWORTH

I feel kind of stupid it took me so long.

A long beat. Neither man moves, as Longworth brings it home.

LONGWORTH

Your wife didn't go to her sister's because you had a fight, Mike. She flew back from Albuquerque to tell you that she was leaving you...
(a sad beat, then)
And you had a fight.

A fight that led to murder, which Ogletree is not denying.

LONGWORTH

So what are we going to do?

OGLETREE

I killed my wife. Mutilated the woman I slept next to for sixteen years, you think I won't shoot you?

LONGWORTH

I'm kind of hoping you won't.

OGLETREE

I mean, look at you. You dress like a clown. Treat the job like an inconvenience.

LONGWORTH

It is kind of a pain in the ass.

OGLETREE

Why should I take shit from you?

LONGWORTH

Cause I'm a better cop than you.

There is a beat. Ogletree trying to find his footing.

OGLETREE

I tried, Jim. I really did. Things didn't always suck between us, you know.

LONGWORTH

That wasn't my intention.

OGLETREE

I meant between me and Janice.

Longworth studies his partner. The gun he hasn't shot yet.

LONGWORTH

What happened?

OGLETREE

Everything happened. I mean. I lost my confidence. Lost my one good thing here at home. Sick and tired of hearing me bitch about you every night. I don't know. Maybe I should've given her kids. Got so bad I didn't know where I wanted to be. I didn't want to be at home, didn't wanna be at work. Have you ever not wanted to be anywhere?

LONGWORTH

Here. I hate it here. But the golf is great - and I think I might have met someone. She has a son and is married to a guy in prison. So we'll have to see how that goes.

The two men look at each other. Ogletree struggling.

OGLETREE

Maybe you could give me an hour?

LONGWORTH

How's that again?

OGLETREE

So I don't have to shoot you.

Longworth looks at Ogletree.

LONGWORTH

You wouldn't get very far.

Ogletree starting to agitate. Then realizes why Longworth is being so cavalier.

His backyard has quietly been crept up on by DOZENS of Kevlar-suited, Highway Patrol Personnel. Guns trained on him.

A long beat. Ogletree's shoulders slump slightly.

EXT. BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB - FAIRWAY - DAY

CLOSE on a Titleist, sitting up in the fairway as we WIDEN to find Carlos balling up the now-stripped away Crime Scene Tape.

Longworth pulls a club, sets up to strike his ball.

CARLOS

Did he say why?

LONGWORTH

Not really. He blamed me.

CARLOS

I can see him doing that.

LONGWORTH

Right. I'm so hard to work with a man killed his wife.

CARLOS

You are.

Longworth strikes the ball, nice and crisp. They watch it land softly on the green about a hundred and forty yards away.

LONGWORTH

See that? Over your rudeness, and I still punch it up there.

EXT. BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB - VARIOUS - DAY

Various shots, as Longworth splits fairways and drops putts on his quest to break eighty. Sequence ends with his approach shot on eighteen landing thirty feet short of the hole.

EXT. BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB - EIGHTEENTH GREEN - DAY

Longworth makes a show of repairing ball marks.

CARLOS

Those aren't even yours.

LONGWORTH

They're in my line.

CARLOS

Only if you hit the sweetest shot of your entire life.

Longworth jogs back to his ball, takes a couple of practice swings, addresses and then hits it, blading it a little.

The ball rolls twelve feet past the cup.

EXT. BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB - EIGHTEENTH GREEN - DAY

Longworth stalks his twelve-foot putt, checking it from every angle, kneeling, squinting. Then gets over his putt.

LONGWORTH

If I make this and break eighty. You're not going to kill your wife are you?

CARLOS

And give you the satisfaction of arresting me?

He takes a couple of smooth, sweeping practice putts. Sets up, eyes his line, then pulls back and strokes the ball.

It singes the cup on the outside, rolls past four feet.

CARLOS

Yeah, baby.

LONGWORTH

Are you kidding me? I miss and you're happy? You're an asshole.

CARLOS

Why am I an asshole?

LONGWORTH

I wouldn't be like Yeah baby if you blew a chance to break eighty...

Longworth goes to pick up his ball.

CARLOS

Whoa, whoa. What are you doing?