Jason
Merriman's Office Washington DC Monday Morning
Gerard
is sitting across from Jason. Jason
says to Gerard, "She should be here any second, she was at the latte
cart when I called her." Before
Gerard has a chance to say anything, Kari walks in to the office and is not
too surprised to see Gerard there.
Jason
says, “Agent Holmes, I believe you have already met the acquaintance of Capt.
Philip Gerard of the Chicago PD."
Kari
and Gerard shake hands as she says, “Of course, Capt. Gerard, it’s nice to
see you again...I saw you on the news last night and I am very flattered that
you came all the way to DC to see me when I thought in California you'd simply
want to speak with me again through a conference call."
"Well,
Agent Holmes, there was another reason I came.
I'm sure you heard on the news that Kimble was in the area."
"Yes
I did. I found it quite amazing that
he'd be here on the east coast. Do
you suppose he was checking out Crystal Clear Water?"
"Agent
Holmes, I really don't care what he was checking out. The man is wanted for murder and I'm going to bring him to justice
for it."
She
turns and looks at her boss as he says, “Agent Holmes, Capt. Gerard please
be seated." They all sit.
Gerard
then speaks, “Agent Holmes, I made
it clear to you in California that I head a fugitive task force that's trying
to track down Kimble. We have been trying to find him through various
methods but he always manages to get away. I was hoping you could join our task force and do a profile on him."
Kari
raises her eyebrows and says, “Capt. I thought you'd want to just consult
with me in generalities. I have never
been part of a task force like this. Why
me? I'm sure AD Merriman told you
I have other cases pending, not only that we both know that Kimble saved my
life...are you really sure you want me? I'm
not so sure I'm the best person for this job just on that alone.”
Gerard
says, “Agent Homes, from your record as an agent, you seem to have a talent
for seeing things that others miss. You
also have a talent for not only figuring out who the suspect in the homicide
is but you seem to be able to find him or her.
This assignment shouldn't be too difficult since you already know who
you are looking for. I also know that
you are very professional first and foremost.
Kimble is guilty and if he wants to pursue an appeal with character
witnesses, he's welcome to it but he should be doing this through proper channels.
I believe you would agree with that wouldn't you?”
"Of
course I agree Capt. Gerard. My boss
however has the final word here."
Kari
turns to her boss with a questioning look and Jason says, “Agent Holmes, I
agreed to let you join the task force temporarily since your reputation precedes you!"
Kari
looks at Jason questioningly and says, "Indeed, I really never realized
how much of a reputation I had. AD
Merriman with respect though, what about my other cases?"
Jason
replies, "They've already been reassigned Agent Holmes. It's a done deal."
There
is a brief silence in the room, Kari looks at Jason suspiciously. Jason gives her a subtle nod. Kari says,
“All right, I will go to Chicago and profile Dr. Richard Kimble. In order to do that I will need everything
pertaining to his wife's murder."
Gerard
says, “Not a problem, I have already
given a file to AD Merriman with all of the information." Gerard gets up and shakes hands with both of
them and says to Kari, "Until next Monday then Agent Holmes."
Kari
says, "That soon huh? Well, I'll
see you Monday morning Capt. Gerard and I will endeavor to be as up to date
as possible with everything."
Gerard
says, “Thank you both for your assistance.”
Gerard
walks out of the office. Jason closes
the door and turns around and looks at Kari.
She is still sitting. Jason
says, "All right Kari, is there anything you want to share with the class?
And don't try to give me that innocent little poker face that you have. We go back too far for you to pull that little
act with me. Save it for Gerard and
Company."
Kari
rolls her eyes and says, “Maybe you need to share something with the class
Jason. This is out of character for
you to pull me off of pending cases, without even consulting me first, to
chase someone down who has already been convicted and just happened to save
my life. What exactly do you want?" “I
want you to be straight with me. You have been back on active duty now for
three weeks, yet I had to find out about your exchange with Gerard and Hilliard
in California from Gerard. It's not
like you to hold something like that back.
Whatever happened to you there, you can tell me. This is one of those conversations that we
never had."
Kari
looks at Jason and says, “I'm sorry
Jason, you're right, I should have told you.
Since Gerard brought you up to date there's really nothing I can add.”
Jason
says very sympathetically, “I disagree. Kari,
since Ellie died, you haven't exactly been yourself. It's as though you never came back from Peoria
from her funeral. Your work has suffered
tremendously. The Tiger Lady has been
somewhere else. So I ordered you to
take a vacation, you nearly get killed and you just happened to get saved
by a guy who's been convicted of killing his wife. Now you've been more preoccupied than ever
since you returned to active duty."
"What
can I say Jason? It's been a rough
year!"
"I
know Kari. I know you've had a lot
of pain in your life to deal with, but for the first time since I've ever
known you, you sounded happy in the morning when I called you and you were
drinking a mocha as opposed to a latte. Since
you came back on active duty, you've researched everything except those cold
cases that were assigned to you. All
I can say is Dr. Richard Kimble must have one incredible bedside manner. How was the good doctor when you rescued him
on Saturday night?"
Kari
scrunches her eyebrows at him and says, "Jason what are you talking about?
I know as much as you know from the news."
"Oh
Kari you keep forgetting about the people who love you! Anna called me about informants calling you
on off hours."
Kari's
eyes get wide. "Mom actually
called you?"
"Yes
she did. I assured her that everything
was OK."
Kari
shakes her head in disbelief, "I can't believe Mom did that! I'm sorry about that Jason and no there is
nothing that I want to share with the class."
Jason
has a look of resignation on his face. He
says, “All right Kari, I'll accept that answer...for now. However, let me share something with you.
After talking to Gerard last week, I asked him to send me some information
on Helen Kimble's murder before I allowed you to go."
"...And?"
Jason
then says, "I looked at all of the crime scene photos. Unless Mrs. Kimble was trained in self defense,
I find it very hard to believe that a woman of her size could fight with her
husband long enough to inflict so much damage to the apartment. I then saw this picture." He takes out the picture of Fred Johnson.
Kari shifts position in her chair and looks away slightly.
Jason says, "I was mildly surprised when I saw it.
I realize that it's only black and white but when you've only seen
a composite drawing, this is like seeing Technicolor! I then started understanding a few things."
Kari
says, "What's your point Jason?"
"My
point is...Give 'em hell Kari, you've got yourself a cold case to solve and
I suggest you solve it before they find Kimble.
Do this profile, see where the investigating takes you. Watch your back though. I have a feeling people are not going to like
you reinvestigating."
Kari
says, "Who would have dreamed I'd be Gerard's bosom buddy in this?"
Jason
says, "Walk a fine line Kari, he'll have you for breakfast if he suspects
any wrong doing on your part."
"Oh
he'll get my best Jason. I just hope
he appreciates it when it's all said and done!"
Jason
stands up and says, "Kari, here are your travel documents. We've got you set up at the Residence Inn by
Marriott. If you want any extra firearms
with you, just let me know."
Kari
says, "What about my cat?"
Jason
replies, "Give Mousetrap to me. I'm
sure your goddaughter will be thrilled to take care of her. Kari, I hope you'll also spend time with Anna
and Kyle. I know Ellie always wanted
you to relocate to Chicago."
Kari
smiles and says, "Well, I will be working but knowing them if I don't
go see them in Peoria, they'll come up and see me!"
Jason
stands up and says, “I'm off to a meeting but I must say one last thing before
you go. This look suits you. I never thought I’d see it.”
Kari
very puzzled says, “What look would that be?”
Jason
smiles and says, “The look that says ‘Kari is falling in love.’”
Kari
gives him a deer in the headlight look. Jason
seriously says, "Don't ever let Gerard see that look!"
He walks out and shuts the door behind him.
Kari
takes a drink of her mocha. She looks
at it rolls her eyes and says, "Oh please, I'm not in love...it's just
a silly phase I'm going through!"
INSIDE
OF A PICKUP TRUCK LATE IN THE AFTERNOON TUESDAY
The
camera looks down a highway. There is
desert on both sides of it. A blue pick
up truck goes by and the camera zooms in on the driver of the truck. "So, is this your first time in New
Mexico?"
The
passenger, looking out the window, turns to the driver. The passenger is Richard Kimble. Kimble says, "No, I've been here
before." He briefly remembers the
bar where he found Charnquist and the confrontation in the men's room.
"What
brings you back?"
"Oh,
just passing through and looking for work.
I was originally going to try Memphis but, New Mexico sounded
better."
"Well you sure took a dramatic turn. I hope it pays off and you find something here."
They
pass into the city limits and Kimble sees a sign that says, 'Welcome to Roswell.'
The pickup stops and the man says, "Here you go, the beginning
of town.” Kimble sees a diner, post office and a grocery
store immediately.
Kimble
smiles and says, “Thanks, I appreciate the ride. So this is the famous Roswell NM." He says as he gets out of the car with a duffel bag.
“Yes
it is! Just don't let the the Men
in Black with the government get you!"
He smiles and Kimble gets a concerned look on his face. The man says, "Or the aliens!"
Kimble still looking uneasy as the man says, "Hey, lighten up!
I was just messing with you. You're
about as likely to find an alien around here as you would the Loch Ness Monster
in Scotland." Kimble laughs slightly
and the man drives off.
Kimble
is dirty from head to toe from the excessive walking that he’s been doing. He’s extremely hungry. He looks at the diner and walks in not
realizing that the closed sign is up.
A
short woman with long blond hair comes out and starts to say “I’m sorry, but I
close early on Mondays and Tuesdays and I just closed for the day…” She stops dead in her tracks and looks hard
at Kimble.
Kimble
notices her look and looks at his own appearance, which is not his best. Kimble says, “Sorry.” He starts to leave.
She
replies, “Wait, you look like you need some food. I’m closed for business, but I’m always open to the human
race! Now if you're an alien, that's another
matter!" Kimble raises his
eyebrows at the comment. She replies,
"Hey, I'm sorry, tourists usually eat those kinds of comments up. You don't seem like a typical tourist
though, so sit down at the counter and order something. My name’s Angela.” She smiles at him.
Kimble
replies, “Bill.” He looks at the menu
and realizing how little money he has says, “Can I have a cup of coffee and an
order of fries?”
“You
look a lot hungrier than that, how about I treat you to one of my steaks with a
baked potato and all of the stuff that comes with it. I’ll even throw in a piece of apple pie for dessert?”
He
smiles and says, “It sounds great, but
I can’t pay you for all of that.”
“I
said it’s my treat, besides maybe we can help each other out. You go wash up and I’ll start cooking."