The Murder That Brought Us Together// Klance Castle Au

Act 5

ACT FIVE

[INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION – NIGHT]

Wyler sits at the table, deflated. Keith sits across from him, while Lance leans on the far wall.

KEITH

We can trace the rental of the delivery truck to you, Mr. Wyler. If you want, I can bring the lady you delivered the freezer to identify you.

WYLER

Look, I had nothing to do with what happened to Melanie.

LANCE

You've lied about everything else, why not about this?

WYLER

I never had any reason to hurt her.

KEITH

But Sam did, right? I mean, she kept going back to her ex-boyfriend. How much can a guy take?

WYLER (sigh)

He called me that night. He said he needed me to come over right away. When I got there, the kids were asleep and Melanie was in the tub. In a garment bag. He said she came at him, and he just snapped.

LANCE

Here's an idea: instead of killing her, why not just get a divorce?

WYLER

You don't think I know how wrong this was?

LANCE

Why did you take the risk? Why did you move that body?

WYLER

Because he made a very bad mistake. And what about the kids? Their mom i s dead. If he goes to prison...

KEITH

So, you arranged for the truck.

WYLER

He said it could never be traced back to him. That's why we sent the freezer to the old lady. That's why I rented out the storage space. Because we knew the cops would look at Sam.

KEITH

You made the payments?

WYLER

Sam couldn't take any chances. He'd give me the cash, and I'd stop by twice a year.

LANCE

For five years?

WYLER

Seemed a lot easier than moving her.

KEITH

Why did you stop paying?

WYLER

Look, I'm truly sorry about what happened to Melanie. But what was I supposed to do? Keep paying for the rest of my life?

KEITH

The DA and I will make sure of that, Mr. Wyler.

--

[INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - NIGHT]

Keith, Lance, in the bullpen with Captain Allura. Lance's reading a file.

CAPT. Allura

Her body gets dumped because this guy Wyler didn't pay a bill? That's...

LANCE

You can say it. Pretty cold. Ironic that such a selfish act ultimately revealed the truth.

KEITH

There were people who knew the truth all along. They just chose not to come forward.

CAPT. ALLURA

Still, karma comes back and puts a cap in her husband's ass, so all's right with the world.

[He heads off. Keith looks at the clock, sees that it's late. He turns to Lance, whose nose is deep in a file.]

KEITH

I'm going to go talk to Melanie's parents. Let them know how this shook out. You want to come?

LANCE

The woman with the freezer delivery told us she talked to a cop.

KEITH

Yeah. Sloan.

LANCE

Only he didn't list her name in his report.

KEITH

He didn't feel that it was important. After all, he didn't believe he was looking at a murder.

LANCE

Right. So, if you're not investigating a murder, why would you talk to the neighbor about a freezer delivery?

--

[INT. APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY – NIGHT]

Deloris, still only at the crack in the door, talks to Keith and Lance.

DELORIS

This must be some freezer.

KEITH

You mentioned a police officer, Mrs. Marsh. I know it's been five years, but do...

DELORIS

I never said it was five years ago.

LANCE

When did he come see you?

DELORIS

Last year, sometime. I remember thinking, "Why is this cop asking me questions about a freezer I never ordered?"

KEITH

Do you remember anything about the man who came to see you?

DELORIS

Uh, he was older.

KEITH

Uniform?

DELORIS

No. Plain clothes. Like you. He had gray hair, and he walked with a limp.

[Keith turns to Lance.]

LANCE

Ben Davidson.

KEITH

Melanie's dad.

--

[INT. KEITH'S UNMARKED – NIGHT]

Keith and Lance sit in front of the Davidson house. There's a pall inside their tiny space. They're both looking through the large dining room window.

LANCE

You could just leave it like this. Sam's dead. The Captain's happy. Those kids look pretty happy.

KEITH

That's the difference between a novel and the real world, Lance. A cop doesn't get to decide how the story ends.

[He exits. Lance watches him walk to the door. He hesitates before finally knocking. Ben opens the door.]

BEN DAVIDSON

Detective Kogane.

KEITH

Sir, I'm gonna have to take you with me down to the station.

[Nothing more needs to be said. Ben doesn't break his stare. Seconds later, Julie appears.]

JULIE DAVIDSON

Who is it, honey?

[Julie sees Keith.]

JULIE DAVIDSON

What is it, Ben?

[Keith sees the little girls off in the distance.]