Episode #25 - A letter has arrived that has once again raised the specter of my past, intrudes upon my present and heightens the growing fears of a nine year old boy. David creeps into Vicki's room and closes the door. He checks the mantel for something, feeling around, then goes to the desk and finds the letter she received from the foundling home. Roger enters and catches David, demanding to know what he's doing. The boy is holding the letter and envelope behind his back. David just looks at him, and Roger asks what he's got there. Nothing, says David, but Roger insists he hand it over. Roger looks at it quickly, then asks if Miss winters gave him permission to read this letter. I didn't think she'd care, the boy replies. I see, said Roger, you didn't think she'd care that you broke into her room and... David flees. Roger orders him to come back here, but the boy continues to run, his father in pursuit.
Roger forces his way into David's room. What do you mean running off when I'm talking to you? asks Roger--I have enough on my mind without having to cope with your nonsense! I wasn't going to read her old letter, says David. I have something to explain to you, says Roger--this is addressed to Miss Winters, it's private, and reading it without her permission is the same as stealing. David looks up at him, then asks petulantly, why don't you put me in jail? Don't get fresh with me, young man, says Roger.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0025-0.jpg)
That's what you'd like to do, isn't it? asks David. I'm trying to explain something to you, says Roger, and it has nothing to do with going to jail. The person that made your car crash--you want to send him to jail, don't you? asks David. We're talking about this letter, says Roger--why were you so anxious to read it? Because, says the boy. Not an answer! insists Roger--David, I'm waiting for an answer! I thought there was something it about me, says David. What makes you think that the Hammond Foundling Home would write to Miss Winters about you? You want to get rid of me, accuses David--you'd tell them to send me away! Let's not get into that again, says Roger. You said you wanted to send me away, didn't you? asks David. If you don't stop breaking into people's rooms, and reading their mail, says Roger, I may have no choice--tell em that you'll never do it again! What for? asks David--you'll never believe me anyway! Roger hears the phone ringing. Get back to your schoolwork, he orders his son. David's face is filled with fury. (You can't win with this kid, he has a comeback for everything.)
Liz answers the phone in the drawing room. Oh, I see, she says--are all the papers ready for his signature?--fine, I'll tell him--goodbye. She hangs up. Vicki enters. Liz asks if David's lessons are finished for the day. I want to talk to you about him, says Vicki. I'm sure it can wait, says Liz. Ever since your brother's accident, he's been acting very strangely, says Vicki. Naturally, his father was almost killed, says Liz. When the sheriff was here, says Vicki, he seemed to think HE was going to get arrested. Liz says she can't worry about every fantasy of an imaginative boy. What if it's more than fantasy? Asks Vicki--I don't know how to say this, but you and Mr. Collins both seemed to know who tampered with your brakes. Yes, Burke Devlin, says Liz--the sheriff is probably with him right now. Vicki says that even the sheriff suggested they think of someone else who might want to kill her brother. There is no one else, insists Liz. Except my loving son, of course, says Roger, entering the room--was that the sheriff? No, the insurance people, says Liz--what are you doing with Miss Winters' letter? I rescued this from David, says Roger--you'd think that sheriff would have something to report by now. What would David want with it? asks Vicki. Just foolishness, that's all, says Roger--his latest is that he thinks I want to send him to jail. Vicki reacts. I'd keep this under lock and key if I were you, advises Roger--if it's important to you. Hasn't Mrs. Stoddard spoken to you about it? asks Vicki, surprised. No, replies Roger. Liz rises from the chair and says she thinks they should have this discussion later. But I want... begins Vicki, but Liz pushes her to the door, insisting later--go upstairs and finish David's lessons. Liz ushers Vicki out and closes the doors. Roger says he must admire her, she really has a neat way of managing people. I hope I can do as well with you, she says in her grande dame way.
Vicki knocks at David's door and enters. He's lying on his bed, reading MECHANO magazine again. I thought you'd be studying, remarks Vicki. I am, says David. All right, she says, let's get back to work. She sits at the desk and he sits there, too. We were studying about the early history of Maine, she says, flipping through the pages. My father told you about the letter, didn't he? asks David. I'd like to forget about it, if you don't mind, she says. I knew he would, says David, he just loves to get me in trouble. Nobody gets you in trouble but yourself, says Vicki. I kinda knew you'd stick to his side, remarks David. We were talking about the first French settlement in Maine, I think, says Vicki. Grown-ups always stick together, says David. I agree with your father when he's right, says Vicki--and I disagree with him when he's wrong, and that's the way it is. What's so important about that letter, anyway? Asks David. Maybe it's just as important to me as those magazines are to you, she suggests. What magazines? he asks, She retrieves the magazines from the bed, saying he learns a lot from them--how to fix things, break them, put them together--and take them apart (oh, yeah, go, Vicki!). Sure, agrees David. Vicki asks why he was so afraid of the sheriff. Who said? asks David. You thought he'd come here to arrest you, didn't you? asks Vicki. Why should he, I didn't do anything! says David hastily. Then why are you always talking about going to jail? queries Vicki. David rises from his chair. You're just like my father, he says, you want to get me in trouble, too, just because I read your stupid letter. This has nothing to do with my letter, says Vicki. I bet it was all about me, says David--you and my father are trying to send me to that place. Vicki says the foundling home is only for children who don't have parents--your father couldn't send you there even if he wanted to. I don't believe it, says David. Let's get back to work, says Vicki. You don't believe me!--why should I believe you? demands David--I didn't have anything to do with my father's car!(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0025-1.jpg)
I don't remember accusing you, David, says Vicki evenly. (GOT HIM!)
So that's what the famous letter was about, says Roger to Liz in the drawing room. That's right, says Liz, someone had a private detective make inquiries about Miss Winters. What do you mean, somebody? asks Roger, it was Burke Devlin. Very likely, agrees Liz. It should be easy enough to find out, says Roger, all we have to do is give the sheriff the name of the detective and he can check through New York. I don't want him to know anything about it, says Liz. Ridiculous! says Roger--it would prove that Burke didn't come back here just to be friends--if he's trying to dig up information on a girl you've engaged... I don't want the sheriff or anyone else prying into our personal affairs, insists Liz. Personal affairs! scoffs Roger, Burke tampers with the brakes on my car, I almost get killed, and you talk to me about personal affairs! My mind is made up, she insists. That doesn't make sense, says Roger. From the moment she walked into this house, says Liz, Miss Winters has been wondering why I engaged her--why I chose a woman I've never heard of and brought her all the way up here from New York to take care of your son--I did my best to find an answer for her--and I hoped it was settled once and for all--but now I'm afraid it will start it up all over again. What does that have to do with my accident? he asks (for Roger, it's all about HIM!). Nothing, says Liz, that's precisely my point--my reasons for engaging Miss Winters have absolutely nothing to do with your accident--and I don't want any further questioning of them by you, the sheriff, and particularly Miss Winters. (Liz, Liz, what ARE you hiding?)
You may be able to manage some people, Roger tells Liz, but you can't control an entire world--if a private detective made inquiries about Miss Winters once, what's to prevent him from doing it again? Liz looks at him and says according to the letter, the detective was satisfied that he couldn't get any information from the foundling home--I'm not worried about him, it's if the sheriff starts stirring things up. What is bothering you? asks Roger. Miss Winters, says Liz--she's going to start prying again, wondering again--want answers again. You think she's the only one, Liz? asks Roger.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0025-2.jpg)
Liz makes a face. Don't you think I've been wondering about her? asks Roger. I imagine you have, says Liz. Why did you reach out all the way from Collinsport to a foundling home in New York? he asks--why did you suddenly decide to engage that girl? Because she seemed to be well-qualified to take care of David, says Liz. But how could you know this? wonders Roger, you haven't been out of this house for 18 years--how could you know about a girl who was a total stranger when she walked in here? All I know is what you told me, says Liz. Me? asks Roger, perplexed. That's right, says Liz--you recommended her to me. Roger bursts into laughter. Did I say something amusing? Asks Liz. Oh come on, says Roger, I never heard of the girl until you told me she was on her way here. Perhaps you've forgotten, then, persists Liz. Now you're not making any sense, says Roger--how could I forget something I never knew. I engaged Miss Winters, says Liz, because you told me someone at the foundling home told you she was excellent with children--that is what I've told her in the past, and that's what you're going to tell her. Roger nods. I see, he says. She'll undoubtedly ask you the person who recommended her, says Liz--you'll have to prepare an answer for that she can't check on. And what about my answer? asks Roger. I've already told you, she says. You've told me hocus pocus, he says, now I want the truth--why did you engage her? That's a private matter, she says. It must be pretty important for you to go to all this trouble, comments Roger. I said it's private, says Liz. Sure it is, agrees Roger, until some private detective digs up the truth--Liz, don't you understand--if it's important enough for Burke to find out about it, don't you think I have a right to know? It has nothing to do with you, she says again. (Ima Fly begins a journey around Liz' face.) You want me to lie for you, don't you? he asks. I asked you to tell Miss Winters a certain story, that's all I'm asking you to do, she says. What if I refuse? asks Roger. She lifts her eyebrows. You won't, she says. Don't be too sure, Liz, he warns her, you think you rule my life... You want to stay in this house, she says, rising, either you do as I want you to do, or you pack your things and leave--tomorrow. Is it that important? he asks. My reason for engaging Miss Winters is private, insists Liz--it will remain private--and I'll expect your cooperation in keeping it that way. (How regal, solemn and determined she is, and how skillfully she manipulated her brother into doing exactly what she wants without answering one of his questions!)
David's room - The important thing for you to remember, says Vicki, is that when the French left their colony at St. Croix Island, the English sent settlers in 1607 and the settled at the mouth of the Kennebeck River--do you remember the name of that settlement? Fort St. George? Asks David. Very good, praises Vicki, grinning. He smiles back, pleased. He apologizes for calling her a liar. She suggests they forget about that conversation. David says he knows if there was something in the letter about me, you would have said so. I'd rather not talk about it, says Vicki, if you don't mind. It's just that I don't want you to think I don't believe you, he says. (He'd have been great in the Home Alone movies, wouldn't he?) All right, says Vicki, fine. Just like I want you to believe me, he says--I don't lie, really I don't (no, and Richard Nixon wasn't a crook). Roger enters and says he hopes he isn't interrupting them. No, we were just having a discussion about honesty, says Vicki. Oh, says Roger, in regard to playing with peoples' property that don't belong to you? No, just in general, chuckles Vicki. Do you still have that letter with you? asks Roger. No, she says, if you like, I can get it from my room. No, he says, I just want to discuss it with you, that is, if my son would give us permission for a while. I think he'd be delighted, says Vicki, grinning at David, and rises from the chair. David asks his father if he heard from the sheriff yet--he just wanted to know if he arrested Mr. Devlin yet. You couldn't be more anxious than me, says Roger, and invites Vicki downstairs. They leave. David follows behind them, closing his door behind him.
David enters Vicki's room and begins searching through all her drawers. He finds her letter and opens it.
Drawing room - My sister tells me this letter has raised several questions in your mind, says Roger to Vicki--specifically, you were wondering about someone who hired a lawyer--or a detective, rather (another good save, Louis!) to find out why you were elected for this position, is that right? Yes, says Vicki. You know, of course, says Roger, that we think Burke Devlin is behind these inquiries. Why? asks Vicki, what would he learn? That's exactly the point, says Roger--nothing. Then why would he bother? she asks. You know the situation here, he says, that Burke's reason for coming back to Collinsport was to harm me and my family--he would try to learn anything at all that might be damaging--for tampering with the brakes in my car, I assure you was far more fruitful than prying into your past. If he did tamper with them says Vicki. Of course he did, says Roger, just as he hired a detective to find out all he could about you--I certainly wouldn't have helped him remove the bleeder valve from my car, but I could have told him everything about you. You mean because you knew the person who recommended me for the job, says Vicki. That's right, he says. Your sister told me about it my first day here, she says shrewdly, I mentioned it to you then, you must have forgotten about it. I guess so, he says, embarrassed at being caught in an obvious lie. I haven't, she says, I remember your reaction at the time--you acted as if you never heard of it before. (Yeah, Vicki!) I suppose I had something else on my mind, he says. I suppose your sister must have had something else on her mind, too, says Vicki, when she told me that same story. Why do you call it a story, as though it's not the truth? asks Roger. I checked with the foundling home, says Vicki, perhaps you didn't know that--just like that detective did--and I know that no one at the foundling home had ever heard of you or your sister. Of course they hadn't, says Roger. But you just said, she points out. He interrupts her, saying he told her she had been recommended to him, it's true, but not by anyone living in the foundling home--you know the home is supported by donations, don't you?--and I'm sure you know many of the donors prefer to remain anonymous. Well, yes, says Vicki. There's a woman in New York, he says, when the problem arose--I can't tell you her name--that we needed someone for David, I contacted her--apparently you had impressed her more than once. Can't you tell em her name? asks Vicki. I'm afraid not, says Roger. But...objects Vicki. The phone rings, it's Carter (not seen or heard), who tells Roger he saw Devlin. Of course he'd deny it! says Roger angrily, I told you that!--you didn't let it go at that, did you?--of course I expected you to arrest him, why do you think I called you in on this?--I can't tell you how to run the police department in this town--but I don't intend to wait!--I want something done! He hangs up and tells Vicki he didn't do a thing--all he did was talk to Devlin. Perhaps he saw no reason to arrest him, suggests Vicki. No reason! says Roger--I'm going to have a talk with that sheriff. We're not through with our talk, Vicki reminds him.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0025-3.jpg)
Miss Winters, he says, forget about that letter--tear it up, throw it away, just forget about it--and he leaves. Vicki starts to follow him, stops, sighs.
Vicki goes to her room, deep in thought. She opens her dresser to find her letter, but it's gone. David! she says aloud, furious, and rushes to his room. He's not there, but she searches the desk, on top and inside, looking for her letter. She looks through his shelves and through some magazines and books, but doesn't find it. In his dresser drawer, however, buried under clothing,(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0025-4.jpg)
she finds the missing bleeder valve and clutches it in her hand, her eyes huge.
NOTES: Vicki has found evidence that David, not Burke, tampered with his father's car! What will she do with it? How will he react when he learns she found it--and it's his own fault because he foolishly stole her letter? This was excellent, a real cliffhanger here!
Roger didn't do a great job of putting Vicki off the scent of searching her identity. He lied to her the other day, now he has this pat story--conveniently with an anonymous donor whose name he can't reveal. She's a bright gal and she's not fooled, neither by him or Liz. You sense she's going to keep digging.
So, what big, terrible secret is Liz hiding not just from the world, but from her own brother? Did she have a baby daughter out of wedlock 20 years ago? Couldn't she admit such a transgression to her own brother?
Vicki has now figured out that David was the one who attempted to murder his own father. She's cleverly put together the clues, including the magazines he's been reading, and knows he has learned to do or undo things. Even Roger said a child could have taken off that valve. Problem is, no one wants to listen to her because they are too wrapped up in their own troubles. How will David react when he finds out his tutor KNOWS?
Episode #26 - Vicki speaks of tensions hiding in the house. The door at the end of the upstairs hall opens, slowly, squeaking, and David exits. He closes it, making sure it's locked. He is looking at Vicki's letter, but she catches him. She says his name twice, her disappointment evident. I suppose you want your old letter, he says--go on, take it, it's what you were looking for--why you were in my room? Your father could have been killed, says Vicki. What are you talking about? asks David--all I did was take your old letter. Why did you do it? she asks--why? I just wanted to read it, he says plaintively. Not the letter, says Vicki, the valve--the part that was removed from your father's car--why did you do it? I didn't! he cries. Look! she says, holding out the valve in her hand--look at it, David, I found it in your room! He stares at it, his mind already beginning to whirl with lies and excuses.
David asks where she got it. I told you, in your room, she says. You're lying, he says.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0026-0.jpg)
I found it in your dresser drawer when I was looking for my letter, she says. You're lying! he wails--I never had it! Why did you do it? asks Vicki again, her tone hushed and horrified. I didn't! the boy insists--you just want to get me in trouble because I wanted to read your letter. This valve was taken out of your father's car and the brakes failed and he was almost killed! says Vicki. I don't care, says David, I didn't do anything! She walks away from him. He asks what she's going to do. Show this to your aunt, she says. You can't! he says. I'm going to! she says. Give it to me, he says, grabbing her hand and trying to pry the valve out of it. They struggle and he says he wants it. You're hurting me! she objects, and ends up running away from him and trying to close him out of her room while he pushes at her door from the other side. Stop it! she orders over and over, running away from him. He physically fights with her, telling her, "I want it!" The valve drops but she is the one who retrieves it and locks it in the top of her dresser, in a small drawer. You get out of here, she demands. David faces her. I'm warning you, she says. No, he says, I want that valve! Look, she says. Give it to me! he says. First let me show you where I found it, she says. It didn't come from my room, he insists. Let me show you where I found it, she says, then I'll give you the key. All right, he says, and precedes her out the door. I came in her and I couldn't find my letter, she says, so I knew you'd taken it, so I went into your room and I looked for it...once he is out of her room, Vicki closes the door on him, then locks him out. You lied to me, says the desperate child, banging on her door, let me in!
Roger goes to Carter's office. I've been waiting for you, says the constable. Are you clairvoyant? Asks Roger. No, chuckles Carter, I just figured that when I told you I hadn't made any arrests yet, you'd come storming in here--have a seat. I didn't expect you to visit Devlin, I expected you to charge him with attempted murder, says Roger. I know you did, says Carter--how about some coffee--I just remembered I hadn't had any lunch yet. He tried to kill me and you know it, says Roger, he removed that bleeder valve from my car--we have a witness who saw! Carter picks up the phone and asks Harry if he can get him a ham on rye and a container of coffee--is Roger sure he can't get him anything? Quite sure, says Roger. Carter hangs up and explains that he knows what evidence is--trouble is, he wants a case that can stand up in court--and they don't have that kind of case--not on Burke Devlin.
Vicki asks David if he's still out there. He doesn't reply. Your father will be coming home soon, she reminds him--do you hear me?
Roger sits impatiently on the opposite side of Carter's desk. When the constable comes back with his lunch, Roger tells him he always thought him good at his job. I do my best, says Carter. But you took no action against Burke Devlin? asks Roger. Sometimes a man has to use his own judgment, says Carter, opening his sandwich--I forgot to tell him no mustard--oh, well. Do you think you can forget your stomach for one minute? Asks Roger.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0026-1.jpg)
Carter tells him he thinks he ought to calm down. A man tries to kill me, says Roger, you let him walk the streets, then tell me to calm down--what do you want him to do, try again--I might not be so lucky next time. If we picked him up on what we've got, says Carter, he'd be back on the street in an hour--take my word for it. I don't believe that, insists Roger. What have we got? Asks Carter--somebody removed the bleeder valve from your car--the car wouldn't stop and you ran off the road, right? Not somebody, Burke Devlin, says Roger. Let's look into that, says Carter--10 years ago, he made threats against your life--10 years later, your son's tutor saw him standing by your car with a wrench in his hand--now that's not very much. Especially since Burke has become very successful, says Roger significantly. Carter chews, sips his coffee and looks at Roger, then says, you know something, I never liked mustard on ham. What are you worried about? asks Roger--you afraid Burke can afford a big time lawyer and make you look bad? The only worry I've got, says Carter, is doing the job the best I can. Sure, says Roger, breaking up fights in the local bar and handing out traffic tickets--this is a little bit more, Mr. Carter--perhaps you're not up to it. (Zing!) I think maybe you'd better spell that out, suggests Carter. Our family has lived in this town for almost 300 years, says Roger, we built Collinsport--half the jobs here come from our cannery and fishing fleet--and when we elect a man for sheriff, we expect him to do a little more than fix traffic lights. Carter looks as if he's bitten into a lemon. Carter says that sounds fair enough. Then don't sit back there and tell me about evidence, says Roger, find some way to get Devlin behind bars or next time you're up for re-election, the town may think you've been around long enough to deserve a rest. I see, says Carter, if you think I'm going to manufacturer evidence, just to suit you, maybe you'd better find yourself another man. (I like you, sheriff, don't let the rich guy bully you!) Wait a minute, says Roger, I didn't say that. Sure! says Carter, I'm just a small town sheriff--we don't get many murders or attempted murders around here--but you go back to that family of yours, to your fishing fleet and cannery and spread the word--whatever crimes we do get are going to be handled according to the law! That doesn't mean... says Roger. It just means I'm going to take action when I think it's proper, says Carter, and not when it suits you. I want you to take every step you can! says Roger. That's exactly what I have been doing, says Carter. Have you searched Devlin's room? asks Roger. Why, what do you think I'll find? Demands Carter. The bleeder valve, says Roger, if you found that in his room, then you would know he's guilty. Anybody who would hang onto that valve, says Carter, would be either a fool or a psychotic, and I don't think Burke Devlin is either.
David keeps trying Vicki's door, and finally goes away. Vicki exits her room and cautiously walks into the hallway.
Liz enters the house and looks at the clock. David comes racing downstairs, his coat on, and runs past his aunt, who takes hold of the struggling child and asks where he's going. Let me go! he demands--I have to get away. You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's wrong! says Liz. It's her, he says, Miss Winters--she tried to hurt me! Liz looks at him in puzzlement.
Liz and David enter the drawing room and she asks him to explain that statement. Please, Aunt Elizabeth, he says. You made an accusation against Miss Winters, says Liz, and you're not leaving until I get a full explanation. David says she tried to hurt him, that's all--she grabbed at me and pulled me into her room--I was lucky to get away. Miss Winters never seemed like that sort of person, remarks Liz. Nobody believes me! laments David. What did you do? she asks--when he doesn't reply, she insists he must have done something. I took her stupid letter she got today! he says--I borrowed it, just to see what it was about, and she got mad. I don't blame her for being angry, says Liz, but I find it hard to believe she hit you. Well she did, he says, falling into her embrace, I'm scared, she hates me and is going to make up all kinds of stories about me. What kind of stories? Asks Liz, looking into his face. Anything, just so she'll get me in trouble. Suppose we find out from her, suggests Liz. I don't want to see her, insists David. If she's as terrible as you say she is, I think we'd better talk to her, don't you? asks Liz. But she'll lie, says David, I bet she'll ever try to blame ME for my father's accident! (Clever kid!) That's ridiculous, says Liz. She will--you wait and see, he says--please, don't make it... Vicki enters the room. I was wondering where you'd gone to, she says. David said you two have had some sort of trouble, says Liz. Did he tell you what it was about? asks Vicki.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0026-2.jpg)
Something about your letter, says Liz. I see, says Vicki--Mrs. Stoddard, I'd like to talk to you alone. David said you tried to hit him, says Liz--is that true? I'd rather discuss that with you in private, says Vicki. Liz tells David to wait outside. But she'll tell lies, objects David. I don't think so, says Vicki. David starts to leave and tells Vicki, "She won't believe you--you wait and see--she won't believe you at all!" I told you to wait outside, orders Liz. All I did was take her letter! says David. We'll see, says Liz, and closes the door after David exits. She stands against it, looking at Vicki.
Roger paces the sheriff's office. Carter enters and says that didn't take long, did it? Long enough, says Roger. You're never satisfied, are you? asks Carter--here I agree to search Devlin's room for a valve that can't possible be there, I get a search warrant in record time, and you're still unhappy. How soon are you going over? asks Roger. A couple of minutes, says Carter, as soon as I finish this damn sandwich--my advice to you is to go on back to your office--if I need you, I'll get in touch with you. He picks up the phone and dials. Roger says he trusts he intends to go through the place very carefully. Just as if tomorrow is election day, says Carter. (Whomp! This guy has a great sense of humor!) Apparently calling the Inn, Carter asks if Burke Devlin is in his room--he did, huh, when was that?--thanks. He left his room half an hour ago, says Carter, won't be back for four or five hours--I don't see any reason for you hanging around any longer. The phone rings and Carter answers. It's Mrs. Turner--how are you?--he did, eh?--that's good news--do me a favor--keep him tied up from now on--thanks for calling--he hangs up and explains to Roger that Mrs. Turner thought someone stole her dog--just showed up--another headache he doesn't have to worry about. Carter gets himself some water and asks Roger if there's something else he'd like to say. I thought I'd go with you, says Roger. Carter drinks. Where, in the search, the cop asks. Yes, says Roger. I don't see any badge on you, says Carter, tapping Roger's lapel. What has that got to do with it? asks Roger. Just that the warrant is made out to a sworn officer of the law, elected or appointed, says Carter, I don't remember that you're either one--why don't you go back to your job and let me do mine? Don't forget, says Roger, this is not a lost dog you're after. I'll keep it in mind, says Carter. Roger leaves. Carter picks up the phone again and asks Harry if he heard anymore from New York about Burke Devlin--call him back and give him another nudge--I don't care what you tell him, just tell...forget it, I'm in a lousy mood--pressures, Harry, pressures. He picks up his sandwich and looks at it. Mustard, he says, and tosses it in the trash can. He gets his hat and other gear and leaves the police station.
David listens intently on the foyer side of the door. Inside, Liz asks Vicki what happened. After I went to my room and found my letter missing, says Vicki, I thought David might have taken it. Go on, says Liz. I went to his room and he was gone, so I started to look for my letter. Did you find it? asks Liz. The letter, no, says Vicki--Mrs. Stoddard, I don't know how to tell you this, but... David said you hurt him--is that true? asks Liz. No, says Vicki,. I hope you're being honest, Miss winters, says Liz, because I won't tolerate... It was David that tried to hurt me, says Vicki. Liz says that's nonsense. He was like a madman, he chase me into my room, says Vicki, and if I hadn't gotten him out and locked the door, I... I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was afraid to leave my room until I knew he was gone. He's just a child, insists Liz. I know, says Vicki, that's why when I started to think about, it made it even harder to believe--you know how he's been so afraid that his father's going to send him away? I think you'd better tell me exactly what you're talking about, says Liz. The accident, says Vicki. I see, says Liz--funny, David said you'd blame that on him. I know how fond you are of him, says Vicki, which makes it all the more difficult... There's no need for it to be difficult, says Liz, both my brother and I know who caused the accident. (Just show her the valve, Vicki!) I know what you think, begins Vicki, but the phone interrupts. It's Roger. David picks up the phone extension in the foyer and listens. There's nothing I can do, says Liz, I've known Jonas Carter a long time and he's a intelligent, responsible man--I'm sure he'll do his best--all right, I'll see you tonight. She hangs up, as does David. The sheriff's going to search Burke's room, Liz tells Vicki--if he should happen to find the missing valve, I assume that would end our discussion. He won't find it, says Vicki. Why are you so sure of that? asks Liz. Because I have it, says Vicki, I found it in David's dresser drawer.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0026-3.jpg)
I don't believe you, says a shocked Liz. You think I wanted to believe it? asks Vicki--but it was there, hidden, I found it when I was looking for my letter. Why did he have it? asks Liz, desperation in her voice. Why did you think Burke Devlin had it? asks Vicki. Liz thinks that over. All that was needed to take the valve from that car was a wrench or a pair of pliers, says Vicki, I remember Mr. Collins saying even a child could do it. Stop it, orders Liz. I'm sorry, says Vicki. Do you know what you're saying? demands Liz--do you want me to believe David would deliberately try to kill or injure his father? All I know is the valve was there and when David saw that I had it, he became frantic, says Vicki. He couldn't have don it, insists Liz. He's a troubled boy, says Vicki gently--you told me that yourself. You must have made a mistake, says Liz desperately, I'm positive that you're wrong. It's in my dresser drawer, says Vicki, would you like to see it. Liz says yes, after a moment's thought. Vicki says she'll get it for her, and after a moment's hesitation, Liz goes up with her, preceding her to the stairs.
Vicki's room - I'm sure one piece of mechanical equipment looks very much like another, remarks Liz. I couldn't mistake this, says Vicki, sliding the key into the drawer's lock--Mr. Collins showed me a drawing of it. We'll see, says Liz, clearly reluctant to believe David capable of such a thing. I had to keep it locked up because David was so anxious....begins Vicki. Just open the drawer! orders Liz. Vicki does so, but she can't find the valve. What's the matter? asks Liz.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0026-4.jpg)
It's gone, says Vicki. Liz looks at her with triumph.
NOTES: How desperate David was when he found out she had found where he'd hidden the valve he'd taken from his father's car! How determined to wrench it from her grasp! He lied and lied, insisting he didn't do it, but he did, and now she knows!
Loved the exchanged between Roger and Carter. I wondered when Roger would pull out the "big guns" card, reminding him that he is a Collins and Carter a mere elected official who could lose the next election. Carter is only willing to play the game so far, however, and you have to respect him for that. He won't allow Roger to bully him into planting evidence of Burke's guilt, but they reached a compromise--a search warrant for Burke's room. Carter is right, though, a sensible attempted murderer would get rid of such evidence, but a nine year old boy will keep it around forever--perhaps wanting to be discovered?
Excellent scenes between David and Vicki, who really got physical there. But Liz is already having a hard time accepting this, even with the evidence Vicki claims to have found in her nephew's dresser--which is now missing, since Master David must have found and stolen it back. Perhaps she'd rather believe Vicki is lying than accept the idea that her nephew wanted to kill his own father, but she's got to know David better than that by now.
Love, Robin