THOMAS: ‘There’s nothing to know, Mary.’
The anger was back in Thomas’ voice.
THOMAS: ‘Other than you are a fucking lowlife who has destroyed the lives of so many others out of pure greed, nothing more, and now it’s your turn. Let’s see how you like losing everything you have. Let’s see how you like going to prison for something you didn’t really do. And do you know the real reason why I chose San Francisco? Because in California, first-degree attempted murder carries a life sentence, where you will have to serve at least fifteen years of that sentence before you are eligible for parole.’
His head angled sideways.
THOMAS: ‘Still not close enough to avenge Phil, but I’ll tell you this – you better watch your back while you’re inside because someone might try to put a pencil into your eyes.’
He tried a smile again, and this time he almost managed it.
THOMAS: ‘Being a billionaire has its perks, you know? People can be easily bought.’
MARY: ‘Fuck you.’
Mary’s tone was as angry as Thomas’ now.
MARY: ‘You really know nothing about me, or my life. This is a fucked-up world where people can only see the decisions you’ve made, not the choices that you were given.’
THOMAS: ‘Everyone has a past, Mary. And you and Denise are not the only ones who’ve had a rough childhood, who came from an abusive household, who had parents who never loved or cared for them.’
As Mary heard Thomas say Denise’s name, her breath caught in her throat.
THOMAS: ‘Yes, this is a fucked-up world, but you and Denise aren’t the only ones who, from a very early age, had to find out just how fucked-up life can be. True, I don’t know the choices that you were given in life, but I’m sure that there were better decisions to be made.’
MARY: ‘Where is she?’
THOMAS: ‘What?’
MARY: ‘Denise. Where is she? If that was all put up… if you’re not really a serial killer, then those Polaroids of her are fake, right? So where is she?’
Tears were gathering on the rims of Mary’s eyes.
Thomas was staring straight into his cellphone camera, as if trying to read Mary’s expression.
THOMAS: ‘No idea. She was supposed to meet me in Seattle the day before yesterday, but she never turned up.’
Mary breathed out a huge sigh of relief. That could only mean that the phone call that she’d made to Denise before calling Dr. Fox had reached her in time, and Denise had aborted the whole con and made her escape.
Mary’s tears quickly morphed into a bright smile.
MARY: ‘She’s gone. I guess your plan wasn’t that perfect after all, huh?’
Thomas seemed to take a minute to ponder over something.
THOMAS: ‘I foundyou, didn’t I?’
He paused for effect.
THOMAS: ‘I’ll find her as well… even if it takes me another ten years.’
MARY: ‘No, you won’t. She’s way too smart for you.’
Just then, Mary heard heavy footsteps approaching her cell door and the sound of its latch unlocking. She quickly removed her headphones and stuck her head out from under the thin blanket.
‘I guess your lawyer is here to see you,’ the police officer said, jerking his head to one side. ‘Let’s go.’
Finally, Mary thought.Dr. Fox has finally made it, and she’s waiting outside with a lawyer and her ‘evidence’ package.
