11:05 PM -
Matthew
Ross, in a smoking gown, stands by the fireplace, smoking a cigar. He is staring
at a picture of Helen on the mantle with a look of regret. At a sound in the
doorway, he turns to find the butler standing there, an anxious look on his
face.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the butler says, wringing his hands. “Mr. Palazollo is here to see you. I told him you couldn’t be disturbed at this hour.”
Pushing the butler aside, Palazollo enters the room. Hiding his alarm, Ross says brusquely, “Leave us,” and shuts the door behind the butler. “What do you want, Palazollo?” he demands.
“Such
belligerence. Where’s your usual hospitality, Ross? How about a drink?” He heads over to the liquor cabinet, obviously
familiar with it from previous visits. Taking his time pouring two drinks,
he turns and hands one to Ross. “Gin and tonic, as usual?”
Ross
takes the glass and takes a large gulp to put Palazollo
at ease while marshalling his thoughts. Palazollo
takes a large swallow of his own.
Ross decides to take the offensive. “We have a meeting tomorrow. What is so important that it couldn’t wait?” he demands.
“You asked for the meeting. Suppose you tell me.” His expression turns sinister. “And while you’re at it, I want to know the purpose of the audit at Ross Industries.”
“What audit?”
“Harry told me Becca has been searching through all the transactions of Crystal Clear. Some request from the auditors. What’s she really looking for? Don’t try to tell me you don’t know. Are you looking a way to get out of our business arrangement? Or did you get cold feet and cut a deal with the feds for immunity?”
“Our ‘business arrangement’ involved diamond smuggling. It did not involve laundering money for a terrorist organization.”
“Ah, you found out about that. Well, it’s too late to back out now. You’re already in too deep.”
Ross gives a small laugh. “Money talks. I think the Department of Homeland Security will be willing to look the other way.” He reaches for the phone, but Pal grabs his arm and squeezes it until the phone drops from his hand.
“Think again, Ross! Or do you want to lose your other daughter?”
“What do you mean?” Ross demands.
11:10 PM - CHICAGO - ENTRANCE TO MATTHEW ROSS’ HOME
Becca enters the hallway. The butler sees her and rushes over.
“Miss Becca! I’m so glad you’re here. Someone’s here to see your father, a nasty looking man. Mr. Ross called him ‘Pal of zorro’ or something.”
Becca reaches for her cell phone and dials. “Palazollo is at my father’s house. Get over here quick.”
“Call 911,” Eve says. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes. Don’t do anything until I get there.” She presses her foot to the accelerator.
Becca waits impatiently as the butler apologizes profusely. “I’m so sorry, Miss Becca. I should never have let him in.”
“It’s all right, James. It’s not your fault. Go and call 911”. She leans against the wall, willing Eve to arrive.
INSIDE THE LIBRARY
“You still think Kimble killed your daughter, don’t you?” Palazollo says with a nasty smile. “Helen was a mistake. It was Becca we wanted out of the way. She was blocking the merger. I needed your company as a front. The diamond smuggling was just to sweeten the deal.” He stares coldly at Ross. “I tried to get rid of Becca once. I promise you, I will do it again. And you won’t be able to stop me.”
“You son of a bitch!” Ross moves to grab him but staggers on unsteady feet instead. While Palazollo looks on unconcerned, he loses his balance altogether and pulls over a lamp as he collapses on the floor.
Palazollo stares down at him with a satisfied smile. “You should be more careful what you drink.”
11:12 PM -
In the entrance hall, Becca hears the lamp as it shatters on the floor and starts in alarm. Without thinking, she follows the sound and arrives outside the library door. She runs in to find Palazollo standing over her father, who is lying on the floor, clearly in distress. “Daddy!” Becca screams. “Something in the drink,” Ross mumbles. Becca looks at the glass on the floor, then at Palazollo with a look of comprehension. Palazollo grabs her. “Too bad you heard that. But you’ve saved me the trouble of finding you. Let’s go.” Before she can move, he pulls a gun from underneath his coat and holds it to her head.
“No!” Matthew Ross cries weakly.
Ignoring him, Palazollo drags Becca toward the front door as the butler rounds the corner and stares at them wide-eyed. The sound of approaching sirens is clearly heard in the street outside.
Palazollo is shaken, but determined. “Where’s the back door?” he demands, pressing the gun to her head and tightening his grip on her.
Terrified, Becca motions slightly with her head. He drags her with him around the corner as voices are heard outside the front door. The paralyzed butler regains control of himself and rushes over to open the door to the police and paramedics. “He has Miss Becca,” he says, pointing down the hallway. “He has a gun.”
The police turn the corner as Palazollo is halfway out a side door. He turns to face them, pressing the gun to Becca’s head. “Don’t come any closer or she dies.”
As the police back off, Becca pleads, “Please help my father. In the library.”
Palazollo cuts her off, pulling her out the door. He glances around trying to orient himself in the darkness.
As his eyes adjust to the dim moonlight, Eve steps around the corner and shoots him dead.