17 INT. OFFICER HILDRETH'S OFFICE - DAY 17
Officer Hildreth sits behind his desk, facing James Langmaid
who sits directly across from him. Mr. Langmaid is obviously
tired and distraught from the morning funeral. As they make
eye contact, Officer Hildreth begins to speak.
OFFICER HILDRETH
(concerned manner)
How ya holdin' up, Jim?
JAMES LANGMAID
I'm doing as well as I can…haven't been
gettin' much sleep. How about you?
OFFICER HILDRETH
(reassuringly)
We're working hard, Jim … to leave no
clues unchecked. In fact, that is why I
asked you here on such an untimely day.
JAMES LANGMAID
(understanding)
Did you get more evidence implicating
Drew?
OFFICER HILDRETH
No… that is why I wanted to speak with
you. There are so many rumors flying
around town that I want you to feel that
you are being properly informed. In the
27 years that I have served this town, I
have not witnessed anything close to the
amount of sadness, fear and chaos that
this horrible tragedy has brought upon us
to bare.
JAMES LANGMAID
(a bit confused)
What are you trying to tell me?
OFFICER HILDRETH
There has been a crucial new development
in the case.
(pausing as if remembering
something)
But before we begin…Tell me something?
How has Waldo been since the tragedy?
JAMES LANGMAID
He has taken it very hard; but keeps a
lot of the grief inside. He hardly
speaks, except when spoken to… Why do you
ask?
OFFICER HILDRETH
Just wonderin'… he does not look well at
all,… but that's understandable.
(moving back to the original
topic)
I received a note from the police
department in St. Albans, Vermont.
JAMES LANGMAID
(his mind coming around from
some other thoughts, as he
works hard to concentrate on
what Officer Hildreth is
saying)
What? What says it?
OFFICER HILDRETH
(picking up the note)
They express their condolences first,
then they go on to describe a similar
murder that happened in their town a year
or two ago.
(reading from the note in a
matter of fact tone, stressing
some key points)
The victim was a schoolteacher, killed
while on her way from school, over a
lonely road to visit a friend. One Joseph
LePage, an illiterate Canadian-Frenchman,
wood chopper, was arrested and later
discharged due to lack of sufficient
evidence to indict. There were no other
suspects in the matter. LePage was not to
be found the day after the murder; when
police tried to capture him he ran away;
when he was captured he had scratches
over his face. He explained them by
claiming that he'd been poisoned by ivy.
LePage left Vermont shortly after his
release and it is thought that he is
living , still, within New England.
(putting down the telegram and
talking directly to Mr.
Langmaid)
We have LePage in custody. He has been
living on Front Street, just two doors
down from here.
JAMES LANGMAID
But what about Drew?
OFFICER HILDRETH
Don't worry Jim… We're keeping him locked
up tight until all questions have been
clearly answered.
JAMES LANGMAID
What's your take on this man?
OFFICER HILDRETH
Dr. Larabee is bringing us the tracing of
the heel imprint and we will test it for
a match.
JAMES LANGMAID
And if it fits?
OFFICER HILDRETH
(confidently)
I think we have all we need to convict.
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