EPILOGUE

FADE IN:

EXT. DOCTOR SPRINGER’S OFFICE—DAY

Hardcastle walks up the sidewalk and turns toward the door.

INT. THE WAITING ROOM—DAY

Hardcastle enters, glancing around. It’s quiet, with no other patients except McCormick, who’s sitting in a chair along the wall holding an ice bag to his head. His feet are up on a coffee table and he’s leaning back with his eyes closed. Hardcastle clears his throat. McCormick startles and his eyes pop open.

HARDCASTLE

What’s the verdict?

McCORMICK

Me?

(gazes at him blearily)

My head’s harder than Kooms’.

(beat)

Kitty’s still in there.

(glances off toward the door to the examining rooms)

She said it wasn’t as if Eve was really much of a mother to her—still…

The door to the back opens and the nurse emerges, holding a sheet of paper.

NURSE

They’ll be out in a moment.

(to McCormick, brusquely)

Here are the head injury instructions.

(starts to hand him the paper)

Someone needs to wake you up and check you for these symptoms every three hours tonight—

Hardcastle waves a hand, intercepts the paper, and glances at it.

NURSE

We advise no driving or hazardous activities for twenty-four hours after the injury.

McCORMICK

Oops.

The nurse gives him a hard look. The back door opens again and Springer emerges, escorting McCray and appearing very solicitous, maybe even apologetic. He sees Hardcastle and opens his mouth to speak but doesn’t have the chance to say anything.

HARDCASTLE

(to McCray, very direct)

How you doing?

McCRAY

I’m…okay.

(hesitates, she’s really thinking about it)

Well, maybe not okay, but I’m going to be. It’s better than not knowing.

(steps away from Springer but gives him a quick acknowledging nod)

HARDCASTLE

(heaves a breath, then to McCray again)

Thought you might wanna know how things are going.

McCray nods.

HARDCASTLE

I made sure they read him the Miranda off the card, but he was ready to talk.

(purses his lips)

Did you know he and Eve were an item?

McCray shakes her head. Springer and the nurse look equally surprised.

HARDCASTLE

He said she wanted to leave—go to San Francisco. He got upset with her and the next thing he knew, she was dead. He put her in the cooler. Hell, he even embalmed her.

(shakes his head slightly)

Kooms found out, of course, and started taking advantage, threatening to tell the sheriff Anyway, Lovell knew he couldn’t keep the body in there forever.

(beat)

Then your grandma had her fall, and took ill and died—that really was natural causes, by the way—and he thought it was a perfect opportunity.

McCORMICK

(no levity in this)

Two for the price of one.

The nurse casts him a disapproving look.

HARDCASTLE

(to McCray)

He never would have taken the risk if there’d been anything suspicious about Erma’s death.

(beat)

Then you come home and start raking it all up.

McCRAY

And Lester?

HARDCASTLE

Didn’t want you messing up his cozy arrangement, though I’m not sure it ever got as far as blackmail. He thought he could pester you back into a locked ward, or at least make folks around here think you ought to be in one.

(beat)

Then he pushed Lovell too far.

McCORMICK

Got a confession on that part yet?

HARDCASTLE

(nods)

Eve and Kooms.

(beat)

Even the part where he bashed you over the head this morning—

McCORMICK

That’ll be good for another thirty days on his life sentence.

Hardcastle snorts.

McCORMICK

(starts to get up, winces at the movement and sighs)

Just as long as I’m not a ‘person of interest’ anymore.

McCRAY

And we know the truth…about everything.

Hardcastle nods. She starts for the door. He and McCormick wait for her to pass by them, then follow her out. The door closes behind them. Hold, and,

CUT TO BLACK

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Next Monday, at 9 Eastern/8 Central