January 26 2020
POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM — EVENING
Dave sat across from Detective Marquez, the fluorescent lights harsh against his tired face. His hands clenched the edge of the table.
The detective slid a photo across the table.
It was grainy, but unmistakable: a man with dark eyes and a hard jaw — the man arrested for orchestrating the crash on AJ's SUV.
Marquez -Name's Marco Vega
Marquez said.
Marquez- Ex-con with ties to a local gang. Ron's brother.
Dave's jaw tightened.
Dave - Yeah. I know him.
---
FLASHBACK — YEARS AGO, DIVE BAR
A younger Dave laughed with a close group of friends, including Marco.
But tension flared when Dave and Marco argued fiercely over a deal gone wrong.
Março - You crossed the line, Dave
Marco had warned.
Dave- I'm not the one messing with AJ's family
Dave snapped.
Their friendship fractured that night.
---
BACK TO INTERROGATION ROOM*l
Marquez leaned in.
Marquez- Marco blames you — and AJ's brother, Tony — for his arrest and time in prison. Says this is revenge.
Dave's face darkened.
Dave - He was bad news then. Worse now. He's dangerous.
Marquez- You didn't tell AJ?
Dave swallowed.
Dave- I wanted to protect her. Keep the past buried.
Marquez's eyes narrowed.
Marquez- Secrets have a way of coming out.
---
HOSPITAL — AJ'S ROOM — NIGHT
Dave returned, weary, to AJ's side.
She looked up from Mateo, worry etched in her face.
AJ - Dave...?
He took a deep breath.
Dave - Marco Vega — Ron's brother — he's the one behind the crash.
AJ's eyes widened.
AJ - And he's connected to you.
Dave nodded slowly.
Dave - Years ago. It was ugly. But now it's back. And I'm not going to let him hurt you or Mateo.
AJ reached for his hand, gripping tight.
AJ- Then we face it. Together.
---
HOSPITAL LOBBY — NEXT DAY*
Police officers escorted Marco in handcuffs through the hospital, surrounded by a heavy security detail.
The threat was real — but so was the fight to keep AJ and Mateo safe.
