JAKE AND VICKY'S COTTAGE/EVENING

VICKY and PAULINA are seated on the sofa, JOE and JAKE are each in the armchairs, across from one another.

JAKE
So, when will you be moving in?

JOE
In a few weeks. They should have everything done by then.

VICKY
I can't believe you're going to be living next door.

PAULINA
Yeah, it's great. You know, actually, we did want to ask you something.

JAKE
What?

JOE
Paulina --

PAULINA
It's okay. I just have to know. See, Joe and I have noticed some things.

JAKE
What things?

PAULINA
Well, we were visiting the lot last night and we heard something in the woods.

VICKY
Something like what?

JOE
I don't know. I went to take a look, but didn't see anything or anyone.

PAULINA
Are there wild animals around here?

VICKY
No, of course not. It could have been just squirrel climbing up a tree or something. Maybe you heard the leaves?

PAULINA
(Smiling)
Yeah, that must have been it. Maybe it's just that we've been living in the Cory guesthouse for so long lately, and the only noise we really hear comes from the main house.

VICKY
Well, get used to the noise. Between Kirk and Steven, and Tommy Gellar, this place is full of shrieking and screaming in the afternoons.

PAULINA
I can't wait.

As they all continue talking, we:

CORY MANSION/SAME EVENING

CARL and RACHEL are still talking on the sofa. The dead roses lay on the coffee table.

RACHEL
Do you have any idea, Carl? Any at all, even if it's just a little fleeting notion?

CARL
I've thought of someone, but it would be impossible. He's dead.

RACHEL
Who?

CARL
Just an old business acquaintance. It was years ago, almost thirty-five years ago. We were in New Orleans---

RACHEL
YOU were in New Orleans?

CARL
A long time ago, my dear. Another lifetime ago.

RACHEL
And you were there with this...business acquaintance.

CARL
We were running this black market art deal down there. A racket, one of my usual scams, and somehow we got into a partnership.

RACHEL
How did you end up as enemies?

CARL
That I couldn't tell you. We didn't part on the best of terms, but we certainly weren't bitter enemies.

RACHEL
So you think he might be behind Cameron and Toni's deaths? And all of these deliveries you've been receiving?

CARL
He very well could be. I'll continue the investigation and see if anything leads to him. It's a strong possibility.

RACHEL
You'll be careful, though, won't you? You won't take any unecessary risks?

CARL
Of course not. This family has had enough tragedy.

Carl reaches out and lifts the flowers from the table, and we:

FADE OUT

CARLINO'S RESTAURANT/SAME EVENING

FELICIA ushers HAYLEY into the restaurant, looking around for Gary and Josie. Hayley sees TITO by the bar, but manages to control her surprise and shock, turning her attention to Felicia.

HAYLEY
They're not here yet?

FELICIA
(shaking her head)
No. Not yet. We're a couple of minutes early, anyway.

REMY walks over, menus in her hands.

REMY
Hi, Felicia. Are you having dinner for two?

FELICIA
Actually, it's going to be dinner for four. Gary and Josie Sinclair are meeting us here in a little while.

REMY
Oh, okay. (She leads them to a table.) Is this all right?

FELICIA
(smiling at her)
This is fine, Remy, thank you. And Remy, have you met Hayley yet? She's kind of my stepdaughter by default and she just moved to town. Hayley, this is Remy Woods.

HAYLEY
(almost embarrassed)
I's nice to meet you, Remy.

REMY
Same here, Hayley. Do either of you want to start off with drinks while you're waiting?

FELICIA
No, not for either of us, thanks. Just water.

REMY
Sure. I'll be back in a minute.

Felicia and Hayley sit, Hayley's face growing more and more nervous at the second, Tito's presence not making it any easier on her.

FELICIA
Don't worry, all right? You're going to love them, and they're going to love you.

HAYLEY
It's just really weird, you know? Here I am, carrying this baby inside of me for nine months, and I'm going to turn it over to strangers.

FELICIA
That's why we're doing this, Hayley. So that they're not strangers.

As she reaches out to hold one of Hayley's hands, JOSIE and GARY enter from the front of Carlino's.

FELICIA
(quickly, to Hayley)
They're here.

Felicia stands up and walks briskly over to them.

FELICIA(cont'd)
Hi there, you two!

She gives them each a kiss on the cheek and a small hug, then turns around to Hayley, who is now standing, her arms crossed protectively over her stomach. Josie approaches her first, her right hand extended.

JOSIE
Hayley? I'm Josie Sinclair. It's really great to meet you.

HAYLEY
(quietly)
Hi...it's nice to meet you, too.

Gary follows Josie's lead and steps up to Hayley.

GARY
And I'm Gary Sinclair. We've been looking forward to meeting you all day.

FELICIA
So...shall we all sit?

As Felicia begins to get them to the table, we:

FADE OUT


THE LAKE/SAME EVENING

ALLI and SEAN are sitting on blanket, having a picnic.

ALLI
Thanks for picking me up.

SEAN
No problem. I'm getting closed in at that house.

ALLI
I just couldn't stay at home today.

SEAN
It's been rough for you there, hasn't it?

ALLI
My mom is so wrapped up in Cameron's death and my grandparents never keep track of me or what I'm doing.

SEAN
Your family's going through a rough time right now.

ALLI
How's Vicky?

SEAN
She's doing okay.

ALLI
Good. What do you think about seeing a movie?

SEAN
Tonight?

ALLI
Now.

SEAN
You really want to go see a movie?

ALLI
Yeah, I do. It'll be fun.

SEAN
I don't know...I'm pretty comfortable right here.

ALLI
I need to do something, I need to laugh, I have to do something or I'll go crazy.

SEAN
I know what might make you feel better.

As he reaches in his bag, Alli watches with interest.

FADE OUT