Deadly Whispers (1995) - full transcript
When Kathy Acton is found dead, her parents, Tom and Carol, swear they will find her assailant. But as the investigation gets under way, it appears that the only remaining suspect is the girl's father. Carol is torn between the love for her husband and the story the police tells.
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(alarm clock ringing)
(ringing stops)
Wake up, honey!
Wake up, chickens!
Rise and shine!
MAN (on radio):
Already up to 71 degrees
this morning in the valley.
People still buzzing around town
about the West Virginia
Mountaineers' big victory
this past weekend.
You can look for another sunny
day this Saturday's game.
Looks like this
warm-weather trend
will stay with us
for at least another week.
Temperatures are expected
to stay in the mid- to high 70s.
Yesterday's high was a
record setter for West Virginia.
High temperatures are affecting
the entire East Coast area.
Let's hope the weatherman
can keep winter away
for as long as possible and
keep those heating bills down.
(knocks on door)
All yours, Dad.
ANNOUNCER:
Every half hour
on the half hour,
we have the latest weather
and traffic and news.
Don't touch that dial.
We're your station
to keep you informed.
Here, honey.
Thanks.
Mama, he's taking
all the cereal.
Peter, save some
for Crystal.
There ain't
enough, Mama.
It's his
second bowl.
I didn't get
even one.
Mama, did
you read it?
Yes, I did,
last night.
And?
Well, I'm no critic...
MAN:
Little racy,
ain't it?
CHILDREN:
Morning, Daddy.
Good morning.
It's just a story.
It's not autobiographical
or nothing.
Well, praise the Lord
and pass the toast.
MAMA:
Kathy was telling me
they got a course
down at Langley Junior College
on creative writing.
Right.
Now, my understanding
is is if you want
to go to college,
you got to first
graduate high school.
MAMA:
Now, honey,
this is what they call
an extension course.
KATHY:
Right.
Anybody can sign up.
Even dropouts?
Excuse me, I have
to finish getting ready.
We're leaving
in five minutes, missy.
Yes, Daddy.
I saw that, Petey.
I'm going to get you
some coffee.
(machine roaring)
(crash)
(giggling)
DADDY:
You seen my flannel jacket?
KATHY:
Um... last time I saw it,
it was hanging on
the hook by the door.
Yeah, well, it ain't there now,
and I'm cold.
Hell, it must be
75 in the sun, Tom.
TOM:
Yeah, that don't matter.
I'm cold.
You come across it,
you bring it
in here, okay?
You bet.
You know what I always figured
about writers, Kathy?
Writers got to be pretty smart.
I'm smart.
Yeah, but you made
some bad choices.
Dropping out of high school
was one of them.
We been through all that before.
I just don't
like waste is all.
Sometimes I feel
you're wasting your
life with some...
bad choices.
Like what?
I expect more from you.
You see my flannel jacket,
you let me know, hear?
(crickets chirping)
Aren't you having
a good time?
Sure.
Jimmy Daniel,
you look at me.
Come on, come here.
I got no hook
in you, honey.
I ain't fishing
for no man,
especially not
a married one.
I know.
So why don't you
just sit back...
and relax...
and have a good time?
That's all I want.
(humming tune)
Mama!
What, darling?
My journal--
it's missing, and
Crystal's got it.
Now, what makes
you think
that Crystal wants
to steal your journal?
Because she's a nosy
little brat, that's why!
Now, you just calm down.
I'll talk to her.
She'll deny it!
She always does!
It's gone for
a couple of days,
and then miraculously
it reappears
and she acts
like nothing happened.
I got no privacy in this house.
Daddy still treats me
like I'm 12 years old!
All right, now, sit down.
Come on.
Mama...
Come on, come on,
come on.
Now it's not unusual
for some daddies
to have a tough time
watching their daughters
grow up.
I'm going to leave.
One way or the other,
I'm going to get
my own place
and have my own privacy.
Kathy, honey, you're still
working for your daddy,
and jobs being
what they are down here,
I don't think you're
going to find something
that pays enough
for rent and groceries.
I got some saved.
Enough?
Enough? Hmm?
Not yet maybe.
All right, then.
You just slow down.
Just talk
to him, okay?
I will.
I promise.
Now, why don't you go inside
and take a nice hot bath?
There ain't nobody around here
to bother you.
You got your privacy.
Thanks, Mama.
Okay, baby.
You're missing The Waltons.
I've seen that one.
So?
So?
So?
(Tom chuckles)
Get out of...
(door opens)
Hi, guys.
CHILDREN:
Hi, Kathy.
Your supper's in the oven.
Got your mom to thank for it.
I'm sorry I'm late.
TOM:
It used to be families
sat down together
for their evening meal.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
(kisses)
(growling playfully)
(giggling)
(Tom and kids laughing)
You should've
called home.
You know how your
daddy likes us all
together for supper.
How can they do
that in there?
All three of them
like a bunch of kids
at the matinee.
I don't know.
They're quiet,
and that's all I care about.
How's your
pot roast?
Good-- always is.
Mama?
Hmm?
You ever get the feeling
somebody's watching you?
Why?
I don't know--
just the last few weeks,
I get the feeling
somebody's watching me,
following me.
I... just
tonight...
Someone's following you?
Well, I don't know.
Maybe not.
I know who it is.
TOM:
Who?
It's that Buford boy.
All through your
junior year,
he called here three,
four times a day.
Mama, he's going
with Janet Kilgore.
That don't
matter.
You were his first love.
First loves last forever.
Now, you tell
him to get on
with his life--
go with the flow.
Where did you
ever hear that?
A magazine.
It was story about
this... this leaf
going down a mountain creek,
and just by going with the flow,
it reached the waters
of peace and tranquillity.
See, the message here...
Mama, I understand the message.
I think you been reading
too much, sugar.
PETER:
Daddy, you're hogging
all the popcorn.
Oh, you want it, you're going
to have to fight me for it.
( Tom and kids
screaming playfully )
Sometimes I think
I got me two boys
instead of one.
Eat.
(dog barking in distance)
(shivering)
You okay, baby?
Turn up that heat like I asked?
Mm-hmm, 75, just like you said.
Sometimes I get so cold.
Oh, I know, honey.
There, is that better?
Yeah.
Tom, we got to talk
about Kathy.
Now, I know you
don't want to face it
but it's a God-given
fact, she's growing up.
And unless
you accept that,
we're going to lose her.
We already have.
No, we haven't.
But she needs
her freedom, Tom.
Freedom from what?
We're her family.
Course we are.
But, now, you're down
there in that lot
with all those
cars for sale,
and she's got to rely
on you or me to get
her across town.
Well, you just
can't win for losing.
When I was a kid,
I would have given anything
to be taken care of
like that little girl is.
Yeah, but this isn't
about you or me.
It's about Kathy,
your daughter.
You sure have got determined
in your old age.
Hey, give me my family,
I know what to do.
You put me out there
and I'm lost.
That's why I got you
in my life.
I'll see what I can do.
You promise?
I promise.
(tires squealing)
The prettiest picture
I ever saw.
I like the way you got
the trees reflecting there.
Can we frame it?
You bet.
TOM:
Kathy! Kathy.
Wait till your
daddy sees this.
(giggles)
Kathy upstairs?
MAMA:
No, honey, she
comes home with you.
Why'd she
be upstairs?
Well, she ain't called?
No.
What's the matter?
Daddy, look
what I drew.
Yeah, not now, Crystal.
Go inside with
your brother.
Go ahead, now.
What's going on?
I got a call from
some boy up in Saget.
He got a red Chevy pickup
he wants to sell
and I'm thinking maybe
this is for Kathy.
A pickup?
She didn't
come by?
She didn't
show you?
No, I'd have told you.
Well, then,
where is she?
Well, I don't know.
Why ain't
she with you?
That's what
I'm getting to.
This boy can't
figure out directions
to the yard,
so I tell him we'll meet him
up by Bobby Rigg's
up on Highway 6.
Mm-hmm.
So we meet there
and he and Kathy go off
for a test drive.
You didn't go with her?
It was just a test drive,
and she was so excited
and... well, I waited
and then I just...
I just figured
maybe she drove home.
And now I don't know
where she is.
Tom, just
calm down.
She's probably
so excited,
she's driven all
the way to New York.
Now, I'm going
to get supper on,
and when I do,
she's going to come
bouncing in here.
You'll see.
MAMA:
You can leave the light on,
but no talking, now, okay?
PETER:
Good night, Mama.
CRYSTAL:
Good night.
Good night, babies.
You talked
to Jo Beth?
(sighs)
Jo Beth, Polly,
that boy Sam down
at the hardware store.
Ain't nobody seen her.
I'm going to ask Betty
to stay with the kids.
We are going
to find her.
(whispering):
Come on, come on,
come on.
There's red.
Yeah, but it's a Chevy.
It's a Chevy.
(police radio transmissions)
(car doors opening, closing)
So, the last time you saw her,
they were headed north?
TOM:
That's right, sir,
right up that way.
CAROL:
Sergeant Jackson,
it's already been
over 12 hours.
Mrs. Acton, I've already
sent out an APB on
the red Chevy
and we have a description
out on the man.
But you should know
that your daughter's
not officially missing
for another... ten hours.
I'm sorry, I don't
understand.
JACKSON:
24 hours, ma'am.
Now, if she were underage,
that's something else again.
What difference does age make?
Your daughter's 19,
and sometimes, young people...
spend the night out.
TOM:
No.
No, no.
No, no.
Not Kathy.
See, we have rules and...
and she respects them.
Yes, sir, I understand.
What if they was
in a accident?
Ma'am, we're
going to do
everything we can.
Mr. Acton...
why don't you take
your wife home?
CAROL:
No.
We're going to keep on looking.
JACKSON:
No, ma'am, we're going to look.
Please.
Come on, honey.
Let's do as the man says.
Come on, they'll fd her.
You'll see.
Come on.
I still think that we should
talk to the Buford boy again.
What?
Kathy said
somebody was following her.
CRYSTAL:
I'm scared, Mama.
Oh, now, sugar,
it's going to be all right.
Don't you worry.
Why would somebody
follow Kathy?
Now... we don't know
that anybody was following her.
Tom.
I want you two dressed.
We ain't going
to school.
I don't care.
You don't spend your day
around here looking like that.
Come on.
Mama...
CAROL:
Come on, honey.
(gruffly):
Now!
Come on.
It's okay.
(door closing)
Honey... now, this is hard on...
on everybody,
and we're all going
to look to you
to get us
through this, now.
Fact of the matter is,
none of this
would've happened
if you hadn't...
(sighs)
If I hadn't what?
Forget it.
If I hadn't what?
(gruffly):
Everything was fine.
We had rules, order.
Kathy left with me,
she came home with me.
And that was right.
She was going
to leave us, Thomas.
How?!
You were the one who said
she should have more freedom,
she should have her own car.
How could you say that to me?
(Tom grumbles)
Where are you going?
Jim McDaniel.
He knows where she is.
Why would Jim know?
They was having
an affair.
Jim McDaniel is a married man.
They was having an affair!
What are you talking about?
I told her: "Don't let
your mama know."
"Don't let
your mama know..."
Tom...
Tom!
(engine roaring)
(dogs barking in distance)
Where is she?
What?
I know what
was going on
between you two.
Where is she?
What the hell you talking about?
(gruffly):
Where is she?
Think I don't know?
You think your wife
don't know?
Take it easy, Tom!
Geez!
Now, you tell me
where she is
and we'll forget this
whole thing ever happened.
Where who is?
You got her shacked up
someplace?
K-Kathy's gone?
You tell her she
got to call me,
you understand?
I don't got her, Tom,
I swear, I don't.
W-w-when... When did...?
You tell her this is
a terrible thing
to be doing
to her mother and me.
(breathing raggedly)
You tell her...
she's to set an example
for her brother
and her sister.
She knows that.
I don't got her, Tom.
You tell her I forgive her.
I forgive her.
(vacuum droning)
Honey, I can take the kids
on over to my place.
No, thank you.
You know, I'd be glad
to watch them for you.
(shuts vacuum off)
I said no, thank you.
I'm... I'm sorry.
I just... I don't know
what to do with myself.
My chores are done,
and maybe I should...
I don't know
what to do with myself.
Oh, honey.
Everything is going to be
just fine...
Shh.
Don't say that.
That's what I tell the kids, and
I'm afraid I'm lying to them.
Carol.
Maybe I just should have
left well-enough alone.
You know, Betty,
there's some things I'm good at,
there's some stuff I can do,
but maybe...
Carol, now,
don't do this to yourself.
Now, you know my cousin
Sandra, right?
Well, she left home
for a whole week once
when she but 17, and she
didn't tell her folks
a thing.
I'm afraid to let Petey
and Crystal out of the house.
Now, Carol...
No.
Kathy told me she was afraid
somebody was
following her.
What if they is after
my other kids, too?
(moans softly)
(no voice)
(ducks quacking)
(river burbling)
(ducks quacking)
( fishing lure
rustling in leaves )
(fishing reel clicking)
(police radio transmissions)
What you got?
Young white female.
She was shot
at close range.
We don't know
how many times yet,
but it was more than enough
to get the job done.
This the girl?
Man, we can't tell.
She don't even have
a face left.
(dog barking in distance)
( knock at door;
video game beeping )
Detective
Jackson.
JACKSON:
May I come in?
Sure.
Any news?
Kids, why don't you
go upstairs?
CAROL:
Why?
Why do they have
to go upstairs?
(softly):
Go on, now.
Yeah, all right,
come on.
Do as the man says.
Go ahead.
Good girl.
Close your door.
Why don't we all sit down?
I'll make us some coffee.
No, ma'am.
Well, I don't have
any sweet rolls,
but I could toast us some bread.
TOM:
We're going to sit now.
(softly):
Come on.
Sit down.
JACKSON:
Thank you.
This morning we received
a phone call from a fisherman
over at Copper's Head River.
What he found was a...
What we discovered was the body
of a young female.
She was found
floating in the river,
naked except
for underwear.
She'd been shot
several times.
We need your identification.
I don't think I can do that.
The only reason
I have this picture
is to save you from having
to go down to the morgue.
Will you stop now?
I can't, ma'am.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Acton, it's either here
or downtown.
And believe me, you don't
want to go downtown.
(Tom moaning)
It's not her.
What?
It's not Kathy.
Carol, honey--
it ain't Kathy.
Look.
Oh, my God.
My precious Lord.
It's not her, is it?
Tell him.
Tell him, honey.
No... no.
CAROL:
It can't be.
Are you sure?
I know my
own daughter.
My husband's right.
Whoever this girl is,
God rest her soul.
This ain't my daughter.
That ain't
my daughter.
I'm sorry.
Careful.
Petey, you stop
right there.
Now, you stay close
to me, you hear?
Yes, Mama.
Hi, Betty.
Hi.
I called you this morning--
you already left.
Yeah, we was out
driving around,
hoping maybe
we'd see something.
Carol, honey?
My boy just told us
about Kathy.
I'm awful sorry,
but I'm sure everything's
going to be all right.
It is?
I'm mighty glad
to hear that.
Now, Carol...
she means well.
Nothing like this
has ever happened
to us before.
Me neither.
Remember?
Petey?
Peter? Crystal?
Petey?
Petey...
Petey!
Peter!
Peter, I told you...
Where's Crystal?
I don't know, Mama.
I told you to stay
with me, now, didn't I?
Didn't I?
Now, calm down,
people are noticing.
Have you seen
Crystal?
I thought
she was with you.
You thought!
Crystal?
Crystal, didn't
I tell you to be
where I could
see you?
We're sorry,
Mama, stop it!
PETER:
Just stop.
I'm sorry, honey.
I just...
Mama needs you
right now, baby.
I just... I got to know
where you are
all the time now,
both of you.
Okay?
Okay, Mama.
Okay. I love you.
Father.
(clippers snipping)
Mr. Acton?
(door hinge creaks)
Mrs. Acton?
I don't know
what to do;
he's been out there
for hours now.
He won't come in,
he won't answer me.
Why don't you wait
inside for a while?
Yes, sir.
I'm the same way.
Once I start
a project,
I can't stop
till it's done.
Why don't you
come on inside,
Mr. Acton?
(meekly):
I can't come in
till I'm finished.
Well, I...
I think it's okay.
We'll just take
a little break, okay?
(meekly):
You think?
Sure.
You ever try making
one of those
ships in a bottle?
I sent away for
one of those kits.
Spent the whole weekend
trying to figure it out.
My wife had
to drag me to bed.
Next morning, she threw
the damn thing out.
You mind
if I leave this on?
Sure.
Sure, that's fine.
Why don't you
sit down?
Both of you.
The photo I showed you
of the young female...
That's got nothing
to do with us,
Mr. Jackson.
JACKSON:
Ma'am, I'm afraid
that's not so.
We made a positive
identification.
Fingerprints.
Are you sure?
Yes, ma'am.
It's a lie.
It's a lie,
it's a mistake.
Kathy's alive.
She's out there someplace
and she needs me.
Kathy!
(sobbing):
Honey, Daddy's here
for you, honey!
Kathy, Daddy's waiting for you.
Kathy...
Kathy!
(sobbing)
Kathy, Kathy...
Kathy...
(sobbing)
Kathy...
(thunder rumbling)
MAN (faintly):
You bastard.
What?
MAN (faintly):
Look at you.
(man laughs)
Who's there?
Here's your softie,
honey.
Want me to leave
the light on?
Yes, ma'am.
Okay.
PETER:
Mama?
Mm-hmm?
I can't sleep
with the light on.
Well, you just
close your eyes, Petey.
It's always dark
behind your eyelids.
CRYSTAL:
Mama?
Hmm?
The closet.
I already checked
the closet, Crystal.
Thought I heard something.
Okay.
Anybody in there,
you better come out right now,
or you're going
to have to answer to me.
Anybody?
Nobody's in there.
Hey, now...
I'm going to leave
the light on
and the door open.
Okay?
Okay, Mama.
Okay.
Now, you want anything,
you just holler.
I'm just going to be
right out here.
I'm not going anywhere.
Good night, Mama.
Good night, baby.
I love you both.
(whispers):
Love you.
(rain pattering on roof)
(thunder crashes)
JACKSON:
Okay, this man, John,
says he wants to sell his truck.
He's coming
down Highway 12.
He'll meet you
in an hour.
That's right.
Lot of folks try to sell
their cars through Tom--
they know he'll give them
a good deal.
Okay, if it's going
to take him an hour
to get there,
that places him in one
of three possible towns.
He said Saget.
Well, we're checking
registrations,
traffic citations,
repair shops.
Got a composite
based on your description.
Well, somebody's
got to know him.
Well, ma'am, we hope so.
Well, we're going out
looking, too.
Uh...
I'm not so sure
that's a good idea.
I can identify
the truck.
I should be
out looking.
We're going to cover
every town
from here to the
Virginia border.
I understand your wish to help.
It's no wish.
It's what's going
to keep us alive.
Now, whoever did this,
we want him caught.
And if you find him,
so be it.
But if you don't,
by God, we will.
If you see...
MAN:
Got you.
Would you take
a look?
Here, ma'am,
thank you.
WOMAN:
I'm so sorry.
JACKSON:
Do you remember seeing
a gentleman here,
approximately five-ten,
165 pounds...
(continues talking quietly)
Approximately
18, 19 years old...
(talking quietly)
TOM:
Do you know anyone else
who has a truck like this?
(continues talking quietly)
Sorry.
JIMMY:
I was a fool, Mr. Jackson,
but I don't see
what the heck I'm guilty of.
My wife forgave me, and
I'm trying to do the same.
(river rushing)
(hawk calling)
(knocking)
Ma'am.
May I come in?
Well, Tom ain't home right now.
I know.
Oh.
(timer bell dings)
Uh... would you come
in the kitchen with me, please?
Can I get you
a cup of coffee?
No. No, ma'am.
Tom and I thought
we saw a red pickup,
but it just turned out...
Ma'am...
I can't even begin to imagine
what you must be going through.
But I owe it to you to be
honest and forthright.
Yes, sir.
Starting with
the convenience store,
no one there remembers seeing
your husband, your daughter
or the red pickup.
Yeah, that's
because
they was out by the air pumps,
and there are no windows
on that side.
Yes, ma'am,
but there's more.
Any truck registered in the
county matching the description
has been followed up on,
leading nowhere.
Well, we don't know
if it was registered in
this county or not, do we?
Then there's Mr. McDaniel.
You talked
to Jim?
Yes, ma'am.
He's clean.
Well, that just leaves the man
in the red pickup, then,
the man that called my husband.
Mrs. Acton...
we have a complete description
of a man who doesn't
seem to exist.
A phantom truck.
No record at
the phone company
of any call coming in
at the time
your husband says it did.
Well, Mr. Jackson...
No call.
No truck.
No witnesses.
No man.
Which leads me
to only one conclusion.
What's that?
That there is a suspect
in this case.
Unfortunately the suspect
happens to be... your husband.
I want you to leave my house.
Mrs. Acton...
You leave my house
right now!
Look, Mrs. Acton,
I know this is
hard for you...
Hard? Just because
you can't do your job,
you're going to tell me
that the man I've loved
for the last 20 years,
the father of my children,
a man who'd give his life
for his family...
Most murders
in this country
are committed by people
who know one another,
people from the same family.
Get out.
Mrs. Acton,
for your safety
and for the safety
of your children--
for the safety
of your children--
you've got to know that your
husband may be responsible
for your daughter's death.
I know Tom Acton.
He's a good man.
But you're an evil one.
I'm telling you
for the last time:
You get out.
I'm sorry...
but I advise you
to be careful.
(knock at door)
(door lock buzzes)
You go with him,
Mr. Acton.
Why? Where...
where's he going?
It's okay.
He's going
to be fine.
Sorry about
this morning's paper.
I had nothing
to do with it.
(mutters)
Well, uh, tell
my children, Mr. Jackson.
How do I explain
that to them?
Please.
What are you doing with Tom?
I want him in here.
They're just asking
him a few questions.
Well, why can't I
be with him?
You got some questions,
you can ask me.
How would
you describe
your husband's relationship
with his daughter?
This is crazy.
I lived with that man
for over 20 years.
Yes, ma'am...
And we've been
through terrible,
terrible times,
and he's gotten us through them.
He provided for us.
(under breath):
"Describe a 20-year
relationship"
is a stupid question.
It's just stupid.
His relationship with Kathy.
Did you notice anything...
I'm through talking to you.
Well, I'm not through,
Mrs. Acton.
You know, I'm not a smart woman,
but I've done some reading.
And unless I'm mistaken, you
got to charge me with something
if you want to keep me here.
(chuckles):
Look...
Ma'am, I'm not charging you
with anything...
Well, then I'm going.
And unless you're charging my
husband, I'm taking him with me.
Mrs. Acton!
He drove off and...
Come on, Tom.
Come on, now.
CAROL:
Come on, now.
We're going home.
We're going to do
your job for you.
We're going to find that pickup
that Kathy took off in,
and when we do, we'll be happy
to accept your apology.
Hey, babies.
Thanks for watching
them, Betty.
Come on, now.
Come on.
Didn't you hear your mama?
My boy just told me
what happened at school today.
What?
BETTY:
Well, you know kids.
You know, they heard
all the news by now.
Well, some of their
friends was teasing them.
They were saying that...
that their daddy was a killer
and they ought to sleep
with one eye open.
(quietly):
My God.
No, I'll do it.
I'll go,
I'll go.
I'll go, Tom.
(quietly):
I'm sorry.
Now, whatever
they told you,
that was a lie.
This is your daddy.
Okay?
And he needs us.
Now, whenever you been hurt
and you need your daddy,
he's always been there
for you, hadn't he?
Yes, ma'am.
Mm-hmm.
Who takes you
fishing, Petey?
Who taught you
how to ride a bike
and tie your shoes?
Daddy.
That's right.
Now, it's just
the four of us now,
and there's a lot of people
trying to tear us apart,
but I'm not going
to let them.
Will you?
No, ma'am.
Now, I want you
to let your daddy know
how much
you love him
and that you're going
to be there for him, now.
Okay?
All right,
you go on, now.
TOM (gruffly, in distance):
I don't let nobody talk
back to me, ever!
Tom?
TOM (gruffly, in distance):
You embarrass me.
TOM (meekly, in distance):
I'm sorry...
(meekly):
Yes, sir.
CAROL:
Tom?
Tommy, what is it?
What?
What's the matter?
Why aren't you in bed?
Who... who were you
just talking to?
Talking to?
I wasn't talking
to nobody.
Well... well,
I just heard you.
It must have been
Sweeney and his boy
going at it again, hmm?
Probably.
Why don't you come
back to bed, honey?
It's awful cold
out here.
Is it?
Yeah, sure it is.
Come on, now.
Come on.
CRYSTAL:
Come here.
Going to have her
babies any day now.
What are we going to do
with them?
We ain't going to eat them,
are we?
Of course not,
for heaven's sake.
We're going to make
key chains out of them.
Shut up, Peter.
CRYSTAL:
Come here.
Come here, little guy.
CRYSTAL:
Come on.
Take a bite, come here.
This here's supposed to be
good for you.
Now, come here.
Mrs. Acton?
Ma'am.
WOMAN:
I'm Susan Banks
from the Department
of Child Welfare.
I'm here to pick up
your children.
What?
Didn't they call?
We have a court order
to remove the children
from the premises, ma'am.
I don't understand.
When there's a suspicion
of child abuse...
Child abuse?
BANKS:
In the case
of your husband
being under suspicion.
Ma'am, we have us
a court order...
CAROL:
I don't give a damn
what you got.
You get off
my property.
Crystal, Petey,
you go inside now,
you lock the door...
They'll be just fine.
(yelling, crying)
Let go of me!
(yelling)
Mama! Mama!
Where are we
going, ma'am?
Look, they ain't never been
hurt here-- never, never.
CAROL:
I swear to God:
My kids ain't never
been hurt here!
I'm just doing my job,
Mrs. Acton.
It's for your kids'
own sake.
I swear, he's never
touched those kids!
You ask them. Ask them.
He never laid a hand on them!
Ask them!
Now, look... look,
now, listen to me.
You leave them here...
Move away from the car!
CAROL:
You leave them here
and I won't let anybody near
them, not even their daddy!
Oh, please don't take my babies.
(crying and shouting)
They're all I got!
Don't take them,
oh, please!
Oh, God.
You've got no right!
They're my kids!
They're all I got!
Oh, God, please!
God, no!
(sobbing)
Oh, God!
What's going on?
Oh, God!
Honey!
What the hell's
going on?
Don't you touch me!
They're taking my kids
away from me,
and everybody says
it's because of you!
Everybody says it but me.
But I'm the one who's
losing everything!
I want my kids back, Tom Acton!
And until I get them,
you stay the hell away from me!
You stay away!
(sobbing)
What are you doing
here, Mrs. Acton?
They won't let me
see them.
Yeah.
It's by court order.
I would never hurt
my children.
What's in the bags?
Crystal can't go to sleep
without her softie,
and I got Petey's baseball cards
and stuff they need,
stuff they're used to.
Come on.
Let's go.
(sighs)
(knocks on door)
Yes?
Ma'am, I'm
Detective Jackson.
You called
the station?
Well, I saw her standing outside
for the longest time,
and I was...
It's okay,
ma'am.
This is
Mrs. Acton.
I just brought some
of their stuff...
Mama!
Oh, my God.
(crying and laughing)
Let me look
at you, now.
You okay?
Sure.
Are we going home?
Well, not
just yet, honey,
but I brought you
some stuff, okay?
Look.
(giggles)
(whispering):
Yeah, yeah.
Um...
I got Daddy to give up
his Pete Rose.
Thank you.
JACKSON:
Mrs. Acton.
Okay, now.
Don't you be
no bother.
You be good, now.
Okay.
They're good kids.
Oh, yes, ma'am.
I know.
WOMAN (whispering):
All right, let's go.
(crying):
Mama...
(car shuts off)
Where you been?
I been scared.
What are you
scared of, Tom?
Being alone.
Thinking maybe you left me.
Why would I do that?
I don't know.
I never left you
before, have I?
Even after everything
we've been through.
Even when we was living
in a tent.
And I promised you,
someday we'd have
our own house.
And I made good
on that promise, didn't I?
Yes, I did.
Tom...
I got to ask you.
And I want you to swear
to me and God.
I got to ask you.
Did you harm Kathy in any way?
You think I could do
something like that?
Tom, please.
We have been through
so much together.
I just got to hear you swear.
All my adult life I've done
nothing but try to provide
a home and love to you.
And you hurt me.
Tom...
I can understand
the kids--
they get scared.
They don't know what to think.
But I could always count on you.
And you hurt me.
Where are you going?
I'm going
to find her!
I'm going to do
what the rest of you can't do!
I'm going to find her
and I'm going to bring her home!
Then you'll see!
(truck starts up)
(phone ringing)
Hello.
TOM (on phone):
I found it!
Tom?
I found the truck
she drove off in.
CAROL (on phone):
Well, where are you?
I told you I'd find it.
Where are you?
TOM:
I'm down
at the old post office--
on 12.
Truck's just down
that old dirt road just past it.
You know that sign that says...
CAROL:
Okay, listen, listen.
I'll call Detective Jackson.
We'll meet you there, okay?
TOM:
Oh, I'll meet you there.
I'll meet you right there.
And you tell Jackson I found it.
I found it.
I will.
TOM:
You tell him!
I found it.
Yes, you did. Yes, you did.
Yeah, I found it.
I found it.
Tom!
Tom Acton!
CAROL:
Tommy!
This ain't no
red Chevy pickup.
This is one of his cars
from the lot.
You better take a look at this.
CAROL:
Oh, my God.
(gasping)
Oh, my...
Ma'am, if you know
where your husband is,
you better
tell me now.
I... I don't know,
I swear.
I would never lie to you
about a thing like that.
Oh, my God, my children!
What if he's after my children?
Smitty, get on the box.
I need two officers
watching those kids now!
I should be there,
I'm their mama!
Mrs. Acton,
listen to me!
Listen to me!
Now, we're going
to find him,
but I can't do it
without you.
Okay?
All right.
Now, if that's his car...
He drives lots
of different cars.
Well, what car would
he be driving now?
They're watching my children?
Are you sure they're watching?
Yes, ma'am,
I'm sure.
Your kids are going
to be fine.
Now, think.
What would he be driving now?
A camper.
He took off in the camper.
KATHY:
How long is it going
to be, Daddy?
Where are we going?
We're going
where it's safe, baby.
You got yourself in a mess.
Daddy's going to have
to take care of you.
(police radio transmissions)
(screen door hinges squeaking)
CAROL:
Thank you.
(door bangs shut)
He's gone, ain't he?
Now, honey, you just
don't know that.
Petey and Crystal
need me.
Carol, they're fine.
You just called them
but ten minutes ago.
Yeah, but
they need me.
We always loved it here.
The quiet.
Everybody at home.
Everybody in their own bed
saying good night to each other.
Tom said it reminded him
of The Waltons
and how he always wanted his
family to be like they was.
It don't seem
to have turned out
that way.
(whispering):
Carol, baby...
this ain't your fault.
I don't know.
Crystal!
PETER:
Crystal?
WOMAN:
Crystal!
PETER:
Crystal!
Crystal,
where are you?
Go away!
WOMAN:
Oh, honey... baby...
Go away!
Crystal, what you
doing out here?
All I want is
my mama and daddy.
I miss Kathy.
I know, and I do, too.
CRYSTAL:
I want to go home.
PETER:
So do I.
(crying)
KATHY: Daddy, it's too hot in here.
You just go to sleep, honey.
We got a long night ahead of us.
KATHY: Daddy, I want to go home.
I didn't mean the things I said.
I know you didn't, honey.
I know.
(police radio transmissions)
(taps glass)
You okay, sir?
What?
Sir, are you all right?
Do you need assistance?
We're just fine, thank you.
Little tired, that's all.
You got somebody in there
with you, sir?
She needed some sleep.
I'd appreciate it
if you'd just let us be.
Sir, would you open the door
slowly, please,
and step outside the vehicle?
I'm cold.
I hate the cold.
(sharply):
Sir--
step outside
the vehicle, please.
It's all right, darling.
Daddy will take of everything.
(reporters shouting)
(cameras clicking, whirring)
JACKSON:
Back up, please!
(reporters shouting)
REPORTER:
Mr. Acton!
Your daughter's body
was found on...
JACKSON:
He has no comment!
REPORTER:
Detective Jackson,
are you going to push
murder one on this?
You'll have to ask
the D.A. about that.
REPORTER 2:
Do think it was premeditated
or an act of simple passion?
(clamoring quiets)
(gruffly):
Nature has its laws, you know.
"As ye sow, so shall ye reap."
REPORTER 1: Mr. Acton,
your daughter Kathy...
REPORTER 2:
Why did you kill her?
(gruffly):
Tom Acton did not kill
his daughter!
When are you folks
going to understand that?
REPORTER 2:
Then who did?
(gruffly):
I did!
I did it!
(reporters quiet)
(softly):
Tom?
(shouting resumes)
REPORTER:
Mrs. Acton?
REPORTER 2:
Mrs. Acton?
REPORTER 3:
Mrs. Acton?
Dr. Miller will be
conducting several
interviews
with your husband,
some under hypnosis.
Although M.P.D. is
rather rare in men,
I think we can
plead a case.
What's that-- M.P.D.?
Multiple personality
disorder--
it's as if
there are several
different people
living inside
the same body
and... and they don't
always know what
each other's doing.
Yeah, I...
I think I've seen something.
What?
Well, I... I didn't
know, you know,
exactly what
you'd call it, but...
yeah, I think I seen him.
Didn't you tell anybody?
Tell them what?
Mrs. Acton, I am trying to...
Mr. Brandon, sir,
my guess is
that you come
from a fine family,
an educated family...
Ma'am.
Well, things are just
a little bit different
this side of the mountain,
and when you're afraid
that you... you can't
feed your family
and... and keep a roof
over your kid's head
or when you can't make that bill
to keep everybody warm,
you know, you tend
to get a little upset,
you get a little jumpy.
I am talking
about something else...
No, no!
We're talking
about the same thing.
I've seen
his changes.
I... I seen him turn
into a little boy
when he's playing with my son,
and I... I watch his body
go all stiff-like
and heard a voice come from
somewhere else, I don't know.
Well, why didn't you...?
Well, what would
you have me do?
Call the police
because my man's moody?
That man has kept the fear
out of my life
for the last 20 years.
You look at us
and you just see poor people.
But you don't understand, sir,
we're a success story.
My kids got clean clothes,
and we got
decent food on
the table, now--
something you
can swallow.
I'm sorry, sir, I just...
I'm a mother and that's my job.
I'm here to provide a life
for my children,
and I'm just trying to tell you,
I couldn't have done it
without my husband.
Well, ma'am, your husband
killed your daughter.
I... I don't know
who killed Kathy.
I'm just telling you that
I don't have a husband anymore,
and I can't support
the family I got left.
I can't even see them.
Now, when do I get my kids back?
Until it is proven
that you had nothing to do
with either your
daughter's murder
or any abuse
that might be found,
Social Services
won't have anything
to do with...
They think
I was involved?
Maybe I was.
I was supposed
to keep my kids safe...
and I didn't do that.
(knocking)
Excuse us.
Mrs. Acton...
Please.
Excuse us.
You okay?
No.
It's... it's cold.
You should've wore a coat.
Maybe it's warmer
sitting where you are.
It don't
matter, Tom.
We've got to talk.
There's a whole lot of things
I don't understand.
Kids okay?
They're fine.
And Kathy?
How's my
little princess?
Please don't do this.
I told her everything was going
to be fine once we got home,
and then you started...
(quietly):
Stop it!
Do you know who I am?
Do you know
who you're talking to?
Kathy's dead,
and you killed her,
and I want to know why!
Why do you have to...?
You listen to me!
Don't talk
to me like that.
It scares me when you do that.
You listen to me, now.
You don't do this.
You're in trouble,
and you got to let
these people help you.
(gruffly):
He's not going to get help
from nothing.
(gruffly):
You sniveling bitch!
Stop.
(gruffly):
Let me tell you something.
All your sniveling at him
ain't going to get you nowhere.
It's your fault, you know?
No.
You let him get away
with murder.
No.
I told him, "Hell, she don't
care what you do, Thomas.
She can't see past her nose."
You stop that, now!
You deserve each other,
you know that?
You're disgusting,
both of you.
Weak, sniveling...
bitch!
Bitch!
GUARD:
Hey, stop it, you!
You bitch, I'll kill you
and your daughter!
Bitch, I'll put you
with your daughter!
I'll put you with her!
(laughing insanely)
(yelling)
(sobbing)
(police radio transmissions)
(Tom shivering)
BRANDON:
This is her
sixth session.
He's under hypnosis.
Yes.
Any insights you
can give me would
be greatly...
Shh.
HYPNOTIST:
Are you cold, Tom?
TOM (meekly):
Cold.
It's very cold.
Where are you, Tom?
(shivering)
(meekly):
It's too cold.
I could get you
a jacket.
I'm not supposed
to have one.
Why can't you have a jacket?
(sighs)
You don't understand nothing!
How old are
you, Tom?
(meekly):
I'm 13.
I just turned 13.
I got me a baseball mitt.
(shivers)
HYPNOTIST:
But you're shivering.
TOM:
The grass is wet...
from the frost.
It's wet and it's cold.
I'm supposed to cut it
but I can't.
You'll cut it tomorrow.
You don't understand nothing.
Yes, sir.
Tom.
Tom, what's he saying to you?
Oh, God, he's mad now.
Daddy!
(gruffly):
You dumb, stupid, ignorant boy.
DADDY:
And from now on,
you're going to do
exactly what I say.
(screaming):
Is that clear, boy?
Maybe you just deaf and dumb.
(meekly):
No, Daddy.
(mockingly):
"No, Daddy."
Well, you got to be...
because nobody could be
as dumb as you are
unless there was
something wrong in there!
Please, Daddy.
"Please, Daddy."
Please what?
(sniffs)
Look at you.
You know I'm embarrassed
to be seen with you?
Now, you get down
on them hands and knees
and you're going to cut
this grass all night.
And you ain't going to eat
and you ain't going to sleep
until every blade of grass
is cut.
You understand me, boy?
Huh?!
(clippers snipping)
It's so cold.
You stupid little bastard.
Ooh, boy, come on.
Come on, boy, you want
to kill your daddy?
Come on.
Come on!
Whoo-hee!
Go ahead, boy.
You got the guts?
You got the guts
to kill your daddy?
Come on!
You're a bastard.
You're Mama's bastard!
You ain't no son of mine.
Make me want to puke.
I'm fine, Mama.
I'm fine.
There's no problem.
I'm fine.
Aw, Tom, I...
I'm fine.
Daddy's right.
I ain't worth
wasting any time on.
Daddy's right.
(videotape pauses)
HYPNOTIST:
The boy spent the entire night
on his hands and knees
crawling through the wet grass,
soaked to the skin.
The boy that was Tom Acton
ceased to be
and someone else took over.
Previous to this,
I had witnessed
several personalities
emerge from Mr. Acton--
six, to be exact.
I hadn't clearly understood
the pecking order, however.
Pecking order?
Which personality was in charge.
And this particular session?
Oh, I found out
all right,
loud and clear.
You have it on the tape.
Your Honor,
if we may continue?
HYPNOTIST (on tape):
When you drove Kathy
to the river...
I tried to warn her--
"Don't go with him.
He's going to hurt you."
HYPNOTIST:
Then, who drove her?
TOM (gruffly):
Aw, hell, he drove her.
But I had to do
the work for him.
Did he bring
the gun, too?
He always kept a gun
in the car--
afraid of being robbed.
Okay, so I drove her out there.
I told her somebody
was going to show us a car,
but I... I just wanted to get
alone with her, you know,
try to talk some sense into her.
Look, Jim and me,
we just like each
other, that's all.
It don't mean nothing.
Well, if it don't
mean nothing,
then you put an end to it
like I say-- now.
You're just jealous.
Honey, that's foolish.
I can't take this
anymore, Daddy.
I'm moving out.
Honey, you're
my baby girl.
Don't touch me!
Wait a minute, honey.
No. No.
No more.
You know something,
you embarrass me.
You're always
around--
around my friends, at church.
You're always
hanging on me.
Don't say that, please.
How the hell else
am I going to get you
to listen to me?!
Sometimes I think
you're deaf and dumb!
Aw, please, honey...
Deaf, dumb, stupid bastard!
(gruffly):
Don't call me that.
Go to hell, you bastard.
(gruffly):
Bastard.
You're a stupid bastard.
(meekly):
Daddy.
DADDY:
Whoo-hee!
Go ahead, boy.
You got the guts?
You got the guts
to kill your daddy?
Come on.
I should've killed you
a long time ago.
Keep away from me.
Keep away!
I'm warning you.
No! No!
No, no, no!
No.
(sobbing)
Daddy.
Go ahead, boy.
Go ahead.
■■
Come on,
you got the guts?
You want to kill your daddy?
You ain't no son of mine.
You're a bastard.
(shouting):
Daddy!
(gunshot)
(gunshots)
(gun chamber clicking)
It was Daddy.
Don't you see?
It was Daddy.
Our Kathy's still alive.
It was Daddy.
(whispering):
It was Daddy.
CAROL:
Jim!
Hey, Jim.
Jim!
Carol.
What are you doing here?
We got to talk.
Look, uh... I'm sorry
about what happened--
with Kathy and me...
you know.
Yeah.
Well, right now I got
other things on my mind,
and if I'm going
to get my kids back,
I got to show
that I can support them.
I got to be able
to feed them
and clothe them.
I got to keep my house, Jim.
So, like it or not,
I'm going to be your boss.
My boss?
Well, yeah, I guess from here
on out, Acton Salvage means me.
Now, how long is it
going to take you
to teach me
how to work that?
Hi, honey.
I talked to Kathy
yesterday.
She's all right.
She says she's sorry
for all those horrible
things she said.
That's fine, Tom.
That's just fine.
I'll get it all
straightened out.
I'll take care of everything.
I know you will.
I come here today, Tom,
to say good-bye to you.
I'm getting the kids back
for good now,
and they got to know that
they're going to be safe
and I'm going
to take care of them
and that they
still got a family.
Well, sure they do.
That's what I told Kathy.
I said, "Honey,
we each have our place
in this family."
And I told her Mama's
going to need some help
with the kids,
getting supper on.
Kathy's dead, Tom.
She ain't ever
coming back-- ever.
Well, if she's late for supper,
then there just
won't be no supper.
And there'll be
no more talk about
a car, either--
not till she proves
she can be trusted.
Good-bye, Tom.
She listens to me.
She knows that
whatever I tell her,
I have her... her
best interests at heart.
My little princess.
I do believe
she really does love me.
I can remember when
she was a little girl
and I used to take her
in my arms
and carry her around the house.
Ah... my little princess.
Mommy!
Mama!
(laughing)
CRYSTAL:
Mama!
Oh, God!
Oh, God.
(children yelling)
Mama!
(children laughing)
(kissing)
(laughing giddily)
Stand back.
I want to look
at you.
Why? You know
what we look like.
(laughing)
(laughs):
Yeah, I do.
But you're never going to look
exactly the way
you look right now,
and I want to remember this.
(laughing):
Mama.
(whispering):
I love you, babies,
with all my heart.
Captioning sponsored by
LIFETIME TELEVISION
LIFETIME TELEVISION
(alarm clock ringing)
(ringing stops)
Wake up, honey!
Wake up, chickens!
Rise and shine!
MAN (on radio):
Already up to 71 degrees
this morning in the valley.
People still buzzing around town
about the West Virginia
Mountaineers' big victory
this past weekend.
You can look for another sunny
day this Saturday's game.
Looks like this
warm-weather trend
will stay with us
for at least another week.
Temperatures are expected
to stay in the mid- to high 70s.
Yesterday's high was a
record setter for West Virginia.
High temperatures are affecting
the entire East Coast area.
Let's hope the weatherman
can keep winter away
for as long as possible and
keep those heating bills down.
(knocks on door)
All yours, Dad.
ANNOUNCER:
Every half hour
on the half hour,
we have the latest weather
and traffic and news.
Don't touch that dial.
We're your station
to keep you informed.
Here, honey.
Thanks.
Mama, he's taking
all the cereal.
Peter, save some
for Crystal.
There ain't
enough, Mama.
It's his
second bowl.
I didn't get
even one.
Mama, did
you read it?
Yes, I did,
last night.
And?
Well, I'm no critic...
MAN:
Little racy,
ain't it?
CHILDREN:
Morning, Daddy.
Good morning.
It's just a story.
It's not autobiographical
or nothing.
Well, praise the Lord
and pass the toast.
MAMA:
Kathy was telling me
they got a course
down at Langley Junior College
on creative writing.
Right.
Now, my understanding
is is if you want
to go to college,
you got to first
graduate high school.
MAMA:
Now, honey,
this is what they call
an extension course.
KATHY:
Right.
Anybody can sign up.
Even dropouts?
Excuse me, I have
to finish getting ready.
We're leaving
in five minutes, missy.
Yes, Daddy.
I saw that, Petey.
I'm going to get you
some coffee.
(machine roaring)
(crash)
(giggling)
DADDY:
You seen my flannel jacket?
KATHY:
Um... last time I saw it,
it was hanging on
the hook by the door.
Yeah, well, it ain't there now,
and I'm cold.
Hell, it must be
75 in the sun, Tom.
TOM:
Yeah, that don't matter.
I'm cold.
You come across it,
you bring it
in here, okay?
You bet.
You know what I always figured
about writers, Kathy?
Writers got to be pretty smart.
I'm smart.
Yeah, but you made
some bad choices.
Dropping out of high school
was one of them.
We been through all that before.
I just don't
like waste is all.
Sometimes I feel
you're wasting your
life with some...
bad choices.
Like what?
I expect more from you.
You see my flannel jacket,
you let me know, hear?
(crickets chirping)
Aren't you having
a good time?
Sure.
Jimmy Daniel,
you look at me.
Come on, come here.
I got no hook
in you, honey.
I ain't fishing
for no man,
especially not
a married one.
I know.
So why don't you
just sit back...
and relax...
and have a good time?
That's all I want.
(humming tune)
Mama!
What, darling?
My journal--
it's missing, and
Crystal's got it.
Now, what makes
you think
that Crystal wants
to steal your journal?
Because she's a nosy
little brat, that's why!
Now, you just calm down.
I'll talk to her.
She'll deny it!
She always does!
It's gone for
a couple of days,
and then miraculously
it reappears
and she acts
like nothing happened.
I got no privacy in this house.
Daddy still treats me
like I'm 12 years old!
All right, now, sit down.
Come on.
Mama...
Come on, come on,
come on.
Now it's not unusual
for some daddies
to have a tough time
watching their daughters
grow up.
I'm going to leave.
One way or the other,
I'm going to get
my own place
and have my own privacy.
Kathy, honey, you're still
working for your daddy,
and jobs being
what they are down here,
I don't think you're
going to find something
that pays enough
for rent and groceries.
I got some saved.
Enough?
Enough? Hmm?
Not yet maybe.
All right, then.
You just slow down.
Just talk
to him, okay?
I will.
I promise.
Now, why don't you go inside
and take a nice hot bath?
There ain't nobody around here
to bother you.
You got your privacy.
Thanks, Mama.
Okay, baby.
You're missing The Waltons.
I've seen that one.
So?
So?
So?
(Tom chuckles)
Get out of...
(door opens)
Hi, guys.
CHILDREN:
Hi, Kathy.
Your supper's in the oven.
Got your mom to thank for it.
I'm sorry I'm late.
TOM:
It used to be families
sat down together
for their evening meal.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
(kisses)
(growling playfully)
(giggling)
(Tom and kids laughing)
You should've
called home.
You know how your
daddy likes us all
together for supper.
How can they do
that in there?
All three of them
like a bunch of kids
at the matinee.
I don't know.
They're quiet,
and that's all I care about.
How's your
pot roast?
Good-- always is.
Mama?
Hmm?
You ever get the feeling
somebody's watching you?
Why?
I don't know--
just the last few weeks,
I get the feeling
somebody's watching me,
following me.
I... just
tonight...
Someone's following you?
Well, I don't know.
Maybe not.
I know who it is.
TOM:
Who?
It's that Buford boy.
All through your
junior year,
he called here three,
four times a day.
Mama, he's going
with Janet Kilgore.
That don't
matter.
You were his first love.
First loves last forever.
Now, you tell
him to get on
with his life--
go with the flow.
Where did you
ever hear that?
A magazine.
It was story about
this... this leaf
going down a mountain creek,
and just by going with the flow,
it reached the waters
of peace and tranquillity.
See, the message here...
Mama, I understand the message.
I think you been reading
too much, sugar.
PETER:
Daddy, you're hogging
all the popcorn.
Oh, you want it, you're going
to have to fight me for it.
( Tom and kids
screaming playfully )
Sometimes I think
I got me two boys
instead of one.
Eat.
(dog barking in distance)
(shivering)
You okay, baby?
Turn up that heat like I asked?
Mm-hmm, 75, just like you said.
Sometimes I get so cold.
Oh, I know, honey.
There, is that better?
Yeah.
Tom, we got to talk
about Kathy.
Now, I know you
don't want to face it
but it's a God-given
fact, she's growing up.
And unless
you accept that,
we're going to lose her.
We already have.
No, we haven't.
But she needs
her freedom, Tom.
Freedom from what?
We're her family.
Course we are.
But, now, you're down
there in that lot
with all those
cars for sale,
and she's got to rely
on you or me to get
her across town.
Well, you just
can't win for losing.
When I was a kid,
I would have given anything
to be taken care of
like that little girl is.
Yeah, but this isn't
about you or me.
It's about Kathy,
your daughter.
You sure have got determined
in your old age.
Hey, give me my family,
I know what to do.
You put me out there
and I'm lost.
That's why I got you
in my life.
I'll see what I can do.
You promise?
I promise.
(tires squealing)
The prettiest picture
I ever saw.
I like the way you got
the trees reflecting there.
Can we frame it?
You bet.
TOM:
Kathy! Kathy.
Wait till your
daddy sees this.
(giggles)
Kathy upstairs?
MAMA:
No, honey, she
comes home with you.
Why'd she
be upstairs?
Well, she ain't called?
No.
What's the matter?
Daddy, look
what I drew.
Yeah, not now, Crystal.
Go inside with
your brother.
Go ahead, now.
What's going on?
I got a call from
some boy up in Saget.
He got a red Chevy pickup
he wants to sell
and I'm thinking maybe
this is for Kathy.
A pickup?
She didn't
come by?
She didn't
show you?
No, I'd have told you.
Well, then,
where is she?
Well, I don't know.
Why ain't
she with you?
That's what
I'm getting to.
This boy can't
figure out directions
to the yard,
so I tell him we'll meet him
up by Bobby Rigg's
up on Highway 6.
Mm-hmm.
So we meet there
and he and Kathy go off
for a test drive.
You didn't go with her?
It was just a test drive,
and she was so excited
and... well, I waited
and then I just...
I just figured
maybe she drove home.
And now I don't know
where she is.
Tom, just
calm down.
She's probably
so excited,
she's driven all
the way to New York.
Now, I'm going
to get supper on,
and when I do,
she's going to come
bouncing in here.
You'll see.
MAMA:
You can leave the light on,
but no talking, now, okay?
PETER:
Good night, Mama.
CRYSTAL:
Good night.
Good night, babies.
You talked
to Jo Beth?
(sighs)
Jo Beth, Polly,
that boy Sam down
at the hardware store.
Ain't nobody seen her.
I'm going to ask Betty
to stay with the kids.
We are going
to find her.
(whispering):
Come on, come on,
come on.
There's red.
Yeah, but it's a Chevy.
It's a Chevy.
(police radio transmissions)
(car doors opening, closing)
So, the last time you saw her,
they were headed north?
TOM:
That's right, sir,
right up that way.
CAROL:
Sergeant Jackson,
it's already been
over 12 hours.
Mrs. Acton, I've already
sent out an APB on
the red Chevy
and we have a description
out on the man.
But you should know
that your daughter's
not officially missing
for another... ten hours.
I'm sorry, I don't
understand.
JACKSON:
24 hours, ma'am.
Now, if she were underage,
that's something else again.
What difference does age make?
Your daughter's 19,
and sometimes, young people...
spend the night out.
TOM:
No.
No, no.
No, no.
Not Kathy.
See, we have rules and...
and she respects them.
Yes, sir, I understand.
What if they was
in a accident?
Ma'am, we're
going to do
everything we can.
Mr. Acton...
why don't you take
your wife home?
CAROL:
No.
We're going to keep on looking.
JACKSON:
No, ma'am, we're going to look.
Please.
Come on, honey.
Let's do as the man says.
Come on, they'll fd her.
You'll see.
Come on.
I still think that we should
talk to the Buford boy again.
What?
Kathy said
somebody was following her.
CRYSTAL:
I'm scared, Mama.
Oh, now, sugar,
it's going to be all right.
Don't you worry.
Why would somebody
follow Kathy?
Now... we don't know
that anybody was following her.
Tom.
I want you two dressed.
We ain't going
to school.
I don't care.
You don't spend your day
around here looking like that.
Come on.
Mama...
CAROL:
Come on, honey.
(gruffly):
Now!
Come on.
It's okay.
(door closing)
Honey... now, this is hard on...
on everybody,
and we're all going
to look to you
to get us
through this, now.
Fact of the matter is,
none of this
would've happened
if you hadn't...
(sighs)
If I hadn't what?
Forget it.
If I hadn't what?
(gruffly):
Everything was fine.
We had rules, order.
Kathy left with me,
she came home with me.
And that was right.
She was going
to leave us, Thomas.
How?!
You were the one who said
she should have more freedom,
she should have her own car.
How could you say that to me?
(Tom grumbles)
Where are you going?
Jim McDaniel.
He knows where she is.
Why would Jim know?
They was having
an affair.
Jim McDaniel is a married man.
They was having an affair!
What are you talking about?
I told her: "Don't let
your mama know."
"Don't let
your mama know..."
Tom...
Tom!
(engine roaring)
(dogs barking in distance)
Where is she?
What?
I know what
was going on
between you two.
Where is she?
What the hell you talking about?
(gruffly):
Where is she?
Think I don't know?
You think your wife
don't know?
Take it easy, Tom!
Geez!
Now, you tell me
where she is
and we'll forget this
whole thing ever happened.
Where who is?
You got her shacked up
someplace?
K-Kathy's gone?
You tell her she
got to call me,
you understand?
I don't got her, Tom,
I swear, I don't.
W-w-when... When did...?
You tell her this is
a terrible thing
to be doing
to her mother and me.
(breathing raggedly)
You tell her...
she's to set an example
for her brother
and her sister.
She knows that.
I don't got her, Tom.
You tell her I forgive her.
I forgive her.
(vacuum droning)
Honey, I can take the kids
on over to my place.
No, thank you.
You know, I'd be glad
to watch them for you.
(shuts vacuum off)
I said no, thank you.
I'm... I'm sorry.
I just... I don't know
what to do with myself.
My chores are done,
and maybe I should...
I don't know
what to do with myself.
Oh, honey.
Everything is going to be
just fine...
Shh.
Don't say that.
That's what I tell the kids, and
I'm afraid I'm lying to them.
Carol.
Maybe I just should have
left well-enough alone.
You know, Betty,
there's some things I'm good at,
there's some stuff I can do,
but maybe...
Carol, now,
don't do this to yourself.
Now, you know my cousin
Sandra, right?
Well, she left home
for a whole week once
when she but 17, and she
didn't tell her folks
a thing.
I'm afraid to let Petey
and Crystal out of the house.
Now, Carol...
No.
Kathy told me she was afraid
somebody was
following her.
What if they is after
my other kids, too?
(moans softly)
(no voice)
(ducks quacking)
(river burbling)
(ducks quacking)
( fishing lure
rustling in leaves )
(fishing reel clicking)
(police radio transmissions)
What you got?
Young white female.
She was shot
at close range.
We don't know
how many times yet,
but it was more than enough
to get the job done.
This the girl?
Man, we can't tell.
She don't even have
a face left.
(dog barking in distance)
( knock at door;
video game beeping )
Detective
Jackson.
JACKSON:
May I come in?
Sure.
Any news?
Kids, why don't you
go upstairs?
CAROL:
Why?
Why do they have
to go upstairs?
(softly):
Go on, now.
Yeah, all right,
come on.
Do as the man says.
Go ahead.
Good girl.
Close your door.
Why don't we all sit down?
I'll make us some coffee.
No, ma'am.
Well, I don't have
any sweet rolls,
but I could toast us some bread.
TOM:
We're going to sit now.
(softly):
Come on.
Sit down.
JACKSON:
Thank you.
This morning we received
a phone call from a fisherman
over at Copper's Head River.
What he found was a...
What we discovered was the body
of a young female.
She was found
floating in the river,
naked except
for underwear.
She'd been shot
several times.
We need your identification.
I don't think I can do that.
The only reason
I have this picture
is to save you from having
to go down to the morgue.
Will you stop now?
I can't, ma'am.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Acton, it's either here
or downtown.
And believe me, you don't
want to go downtown.
(Tom moaning)
It's not her.
What?
It's not Kathy.
Carol, honey--
it ain't Kathy.
Look.
Oh, my God.
My precious Lord.
It's not her, is it?
Tell him.
Tell him, honey.
No... no.
CAROL:
It can't be.
Are you sure?
I know my
own daughter.
My husband's right.
Whoever this girl is,
God rest her soul.
This ain't my daughter.
That ain't
my daughter.
I'm sorry.
Careful.
Petey, you stop
right there.
Now, you stay close
to me, you hear?
Yes, Mama.
Hi, Betty.
Hi.
I called you this morning--
you already left.
Yeah, we was out
driving around,
hoping maybe
we'd see something.
Carol, honey?
My boy just told us
about Kathy.
I'm awful sorry,
but I'm sure everything's
going to be all right.
It is?
I'm mighty glad
to hear that.
Now, Carol...
she means well.
Nothing like this
has ever happened
to us before.
Me neither.
Remember?
Petey?
Peter? Crystal?
Petey?
Petey...
Petey!
Peter!
Peter, I told you...
Where's Crystal?
I don't know, Mama.
I told you to stay
with me, now, didn't I?
Didn't I?
Now, calm down,
people are noticing.
Have you seen
Crystal?
I thought
she was with you.
You thought!
Crystal?
Crystal, didn't
I tell you to be
where I could
see you?
We're sorry,
Mama, stop it!
PETER:
Just stop.
I'm sorry, honey.
I just...
Mama needs you
right now, baby.
I just... I got to know
where you are
all the time now,
both of you.
Okay?
Okay, Mama.
Okay. I love you.
Father.
(clippers snipping)
Mr. Acton?
(door hinge creaks)
Mrs. Acton?
I don't know
what to do;
he's been out there
for hours now.
He won't come in,
he won't answer me.
Why don't you wait
inside for a while?
Yes, sir.
I'm the same way.
Once I start
a project,
I can't stop
till it's done.
Why don't you
come on inside,
Mr. Acton?
(meekly):
I can't come in
till I'm finished.
Well, I...
I think it's okay.
We'll just take
a little break, okay?
(meekly):
You think?
Sure.
You ever try making
one of those
ships in a bottle?
I sent away for
one of those kits.
Spent the whole weekend
trying to figure it out.
My wife had
to drag me to bed.
Next morning, she threw
the damn thing out.
You mind
if I leave this on?
Sure.
Sure, that's fine.
Why don't you
sit down?
Both of you.
The photo I showed you
of the young female...
That's got nothing
to do with us,
Mr. Jackson.
JACKSON:
Ma'am, I'm afraid
that's not so.
We made a positive
identification.
Fingerprints.
Are you sure?
Yes, ma'am.
It's a lie.
It's a lie,
it's a mistake.
Kathy's alive.
She's out there someplace
and she needs me.
Kathy!
(sobbing):
Honey, Daddy's here
for you, honey!
Kathy, Daddy's waiting for you.
Kathy...
Kathy!
(sobbing)
Kathy, Kathy...
Kathy...
(sobbing)
Kathy...
(thunder rumbling)
MAN (faintly):
You bastard.
What?
MAN (faintly):
Look at you.
(man laughs)
Who's there?
Here's your softie,
honey.
Want me to leave
the light on?
Yes, ma'am.
Okay.
PETER:
Mama?
Mm-hmm?
I can't sleep
with the light on.
Well, you just
close your eyes, Petey.
It's always dark
behind your eyelids.
CRYSTAL:
Mama?
Hmm?
The closet.
I already checked
the closet, Crystal.
Thought I heard something.
Okay.
Anybody in there,
you better come out right now,
or you're going
to have to answer to me.
Anybody?
Nobody's in there.
Hey, now...
I'm going to leave
the light on
and the door open.
Okay?
Okay, Mama.
Okay.
Now, you want anything,
you just holler.
I'm just going to be
right out here.
I'm not going anywhere.
Good night, Mama.
Good night, baby.
I love you both.
(whispers):
Love you.
(rain pattering on roof)
(thunder crashes)
JACKSON:
Okay, this man, John,
says he wants to sell his truck.
He's coming
down Highway 12.
He'll meet you
in an hour.
That's right.
Lot of folks try to sell
their cars through Tom--
they know he'll give them
a good deal.
Okay, if it's going
to take him an hour
to get there,
that places him in one
of three possible towns.
He said Saget.
Well, we're checking
registrations,
traffic citations,
repair shops.
Got a composite
based on your description.
Well, somebody's
got to know him.
Well, ma'am, we hope so.
Well, we're going out
looking, too.
Uh...
I'm not so sure
that's a good idea.
I can identify
the truck.
I should be
out looking.
We're going to cover
every town
from here to the
Virginia border.
I understand your wish to help.
It's no wish.
It's what's going
to keep us alive.
Now, whoever did this,
we want him caught.
And if you find him,
so be it.
But if you don't,
by God, we will.
If you see...
MAN:
Got you.
Would you take
a look?
Here, ma'am,
thank you.
WOMAN:
I'm so sorry.
JACKSON:
Do you remember seeing
a gentleman here,
approximately five-ten,
165 pounds...
(continues talking quietly)
Approximately
18, 19 years old...
(talking quietly)
TOM:
Do you know anyone else
who has a truck like this?
(continues talking quietly)
Sorry.
JIMMY:
I was a fool, Mr. Jackson,
but I don't see
what the heck I'm guilty of.
My wife forgave me, and
I'm trying to do the same.
(river rushing)
(hawk calling)
(knocking)
Ma'am.
May I come in?
Well, Tom ain't home right now.
I know.
Oh.
(timer bell dings)
Uh... would you come
in the kitchen with me, please?
Can I get you
a cup of coffee?
No. No, ma'am.
Tom and I thought
we saw a red pickup,
but it just turned out...
Ma'am...
I can't even begin to imagine
what you must be going through.
But I owe it to you to be
honest and forthright.
Yes, sir.
Starting with
the convenience store,
no one there remembers seeing
your husband, your daughter
or the red pickup.
Yeah, that's
because
they was out by the air pumps,
and there are no windows
on that side.
Yes, ma'am,
but there's more.
Any truck registered in the
county matching the description
has been followed up on,
leading nowhere.
Well, we don't know
if it was registered in
this county or not, do we?
Then there's Mr. McDaniel.
You talked
to Jim?
Yes, ma'am.
He's clean.
Well, that just leaves the man
in the red pickup, then,
the man that called my husband.
Mrs. Acton...
we have a complete description
of a man who doesn't
seem to exist.
A phantom truck.
No record at
the phone company
of any call coming in
at the time
your husband says it did.
Well, Mr. Jackson...
No call.
No truck.
No witnesses.
No man.
Which leads me
to only one conclusion.
What's that?
That there is a suspect
in this case.
Unfortunately the suspect
happens to be... your husband.
I want you to leave my house.
Mrs. Acton...
You leave my house
right now!
Look, Mrs. Acton,
I know this is
hard for you...
Hard? Just because
you can't do your job,
you're going to tell me
that the man I've loved
for the last 20 years,
the father of my children,
a man who'd give his life
for his family...
Most murders
in this country
are committed by people
who know one another,
people from the same family.
Get out.
Mrs. Acton,
for your safety
and for the safety
of your children--
for the safety
of your children--
you've got to know that your
husband may be responsible
for your daughter's death.
I know Tom Acton.
He's a good man.
But you're an evil one.
I'm telling you
for the last time:
You get out.
I'm sorry...
but I advise you
to be careful.
(knock at door)
(door lock buzzes)
You go with him,
Mr. Acton.
Why? Where...
where's he going?
It's okay.
He's going
to be fine.
Sorry about
this morning's paper.
I had nothing
to do with it.
(mutters)
Well, uh, tell
my children, Mr. Jackson.
How do I explain
that to them?
Please.
What are you doing with Tom?
I want him in here.
They're just asking
him a few questions.
Well, why can't I
be with him?
You got some questions,
you can ask me.
How would
you describe
your husband's relationship
with his daughter?
This is crazy.
I lived with that man
for over 20 years.
Yes, ma'am...
And we've been
through terrible,
terrible times,
and he's gotten us through them.
He provided for us.
(under breath):
"Describe a 20-year
relationship"
is a stupid question.
It's just stupid.
His relationship with Kathy.
Did you notice anything...
I'm through talking to you.
Well, I'm not through,
Mrs. Acton.
You know, I'm not a smart woman,
but I've done some reading.
And unless I'm mistaken, you
got to charge me with something
if you want to keep me here.
(chuckles):
Look...
Ma'am, I'm not charging you
with anything...
Well, then I'm going.
And unless you're charging my
husband, I'm taking him with me.
Mrs. Acton!
He drove off and...
Come on, Tom.
Come on, now.
CAROL:
Come on, now.
We're going home.
We're going to do
your job for you.
We're going to find that pickup
that Kathy took off in,
and when we do, we'll be happy
to accept your apology.
Hey, babies.
Thanks for watching
them, Betty.
Come on, now.
Come on.
Didn't you hear your mama?
My boy just told me
what happened at school today.
What?
BETTY:
Well, you know kids.
You know, they heard
all the news by now.
Well, some of their
friends was teasing them.
They were saying that...
that their daddy was a killer
and they ought to sleep
with one eye open.
(quietly):
My God.
No, I'll do it.
I'll go,
I'll go.
I'll go, Tom.
(quietly):
I'm sorry.
Now, whatever
they told you,
that was a lie.
This is your daddy.
Okay?
And he needs us.
Now, whenever you been hurt
and you need your daddy,
he's always been there
for you, hadn't he?
Yes, ma'am.
Mm-hmm.
Who takes you
fishing, Petey?
Who taught you
how to ride a bike
and tie your shoes?
Daddy.
That's right.
Now, it's just
the four of us now,
and there's a lot of people
trying to tear us apart,
but I'm not going
to let them.
Will you?
No, ma'am.
Now, I want you
to let your daddy know
how much
you love him
and that you're going
to be there for him, now.
Okay?
All right,
you go on, now.
TOM (gruffly, in distance):
I don't let nobody talk
back to me, ever!
Tom?
TOM (gruffly, in distance):
You embarrass me.
TOM (meekly, in distance):
I'm sorry...
(meekly):
Yes, sir.
CAROL:
Tom?
Tommy, what is it?
What?
What's the matter?
Why aren't you in bed?
Who... who were you
just talking to?
Talking to?
I wasn't talking
to nobody.
Well... well,
I just heard you.
It must have been
Sweeney and his boy
going at it again, hmm?
Probably.
Why don't you come
back to bed, honey?
It's awful cold
out here.
Is it?
Yeah, sure it is.
Come on, now.
Come on.
CRYSTAL:
Come here.
Going to have her
babies any day now.
What are we going to do
with them?
We ain't going to eat them,
are we?
Of course not,
for heaven's sake.
We're going to make
key chains out of them.
Shut up, Peter.
CRYSTAL:
Come here.
Come here, little guy.
CRYSTAL:
Come on.
Take a bite, come here.
This here's supposed to be
good for you.
Now, come here.
Mrs. Acton?
Ma'am.
WOMAN:
I'm Susan Banks
from the Department
of Child Welfare.
I'm here to pick up
your children.
What?
Didn't they call?
We have a court order
to remove the children
from the premises, ma'am.
I don't understand.
When there's a suspicion
of child abuse...
Child abuse?
BANKS:
In the case
of your husband
being under suspicion.
Ma'am, we have us
a court order...
CAROL:
I don't give a damn
what you got.
You get off
my property.
Crystal, Petey,
you go inside now,
you lock the door...
They'll be just fine.
(yelling, crying)
Let go of me!
(yelling)
Mama! Mama!
Where are we
going, ma'am?
Look, they ain't never been
hurt here-- never, never.
CAROL:
I swear to God:
My kids ain't never
been hurt here!
I'm just doing my job,
Mrs. Acton.
It's for your kids'
own sake.
I swear, he's never
touched those kids!
You ask them. Ask them.
He never laid a hand on them!
Ask them!
Now, look... look,
now, listen to me.
You leave them here...
Move away from the car!
CAROL:
You leave them here
and I won't let anybody near
them, not even their daddy!
Oh, please don't take my babies.
(crying and shouting)
They're all I got!
Don't take them,
oh, please!
Oh, God.
You've got no right!
They're my kids!
They're all I got!
Oh, God, please!
God, no!
(sobbing)
Oh, God!
What's going on?
Oh, God!
Honey!
What the hell's
going on?
Don't you touch me!
They're taking my kids
away from me,
and everybody says
it's because of you!
Everybody says it but me.
But I'm the one who's
losing everything!
I want my kids back, Tom Acton!
And until I get them,
you stay the hell away from me!
You stay away!
(sobbing)
What are you doing
here, Mrs. Acton?
They won't let me
see them.
Yeah.
It's by court order.
I would never hurt
my children.
What's in the bags?
Crystal can't go to sleep
without her softie,
and I got Petey's baseball cards
and stuff they need,
stuff they're used to.
Come on.
Let's go.
(sighs)
(knocks on door)
Yes?
Ma'am, I'm
Detective Jackson.
You called
the station?
Well, I saw her standing outside
for the longest time,
and I was...
It's okay,
ma'am.
This is
Mrs. Acton.
I just brought some
of their stuff...
Mama!
Oh, my God.
(crying and laughing)
Let me look
at you, now.
You okay?
Sure.
Are we going home?
Well, not
just yet, honey,
but I brought you
some stuff, okay?
Look.
(giggles)
(whispering):
Yeah, yeah.
Um...
I got Daddy to give up
his Pete Rose.
Thank you.
JACKSON:
Mrs. Acton.
Okay, now.
Don't you be
no bother.
You be good, now.
Okay.
They're good kids.
Oh, yes, ma'am.
I know.
WOMAN (whispering):
All right, let's go.
(crying):
Mama...
(car shuts off)
Where you been?
I been scared.
What are you
scared of, Tom?
Being alone.
Thinking maybe you left me.
Why would I do that?
I don't know.
I never left you
before, have I?
Even after everything
we've been through.
Even when we was living
in a tent.
And I promised you,
someday we'd have
our own house.
And I made good
on that promise, didn't I?
Yes, I did.
Tom...
I got to ask you.
And I want you to swear
to me and God.
I got to ask you.
Did you harm Kathy in any way?
You think I could do
something like that?
Tom, please.
We have been through
so much together.
I just got to hear you swear.
All my adult life I've done
nothing but try to provide
a home and love to you.
And you hurt me.
Tom...
I can understand
the kids--
they get scared.
They don't know what to think.
But I could always count on you.
And you hurt me.
Where are you going?
I'm going
to find her!
I'm going to do
what the rest of you can't do!
I'm going to find her
and I'm going to bring her home!
Then you'll see!
(truck starts up)
(phone ringing)
Hello.
TOM (on phone):
I found it!
Tom?
I found the truck
she drove off in.
CAROL (on phone):
Well, where are you?
I told you I'd find it.
Where are you?
TOM:
I'm down
at the old post office--
on 12.
Truck's just down
that old dirt road just past it.
You know that sign that says...
CAROL:
Okay, listen, listen.
I'll call Detective Jackson.
We'll meet you there, okay?
TOM:
Oh, I'll meet you there.
I'll meet you right there.
And you tell Jackson I found it.
I found it.
I will.
TOM:
You tell him!
I found it.
Yes, you did. Yes, you did.
Yeah, I found it.
I found it.
Tom!
Tom Acton!
CAROL:
Tommy!
This ain't no
red Chevy pickup.
This is one of his cars
from the lot.
You better take a look at this.
CAROL:
Oh, my God.
(gasping)
Oh, my...
Ma'am, if you know
where your husband is,
you better
tell me now.
I... I don't know,
I swear.
I would never lie to you
about a thing like that.
Oh, my God, my children!
What if he's after my children?
Smitty, get on the box.
I need two officers
watching those kids now!
I should be there,
I'm their mama!
Mrs. Acton,
listen to me!
Listen to me!
Now, we're going
to find him,
but I can't do it
without you.
Okay?
All right.
Now, if that's his car...
He drives lots
of different cars.
Well, what car would
he be driving now?
They're watching my children?
Are you sure they're watching?
Yes, ma'am,
I'm sure.
Your kids are going
to be fine.
Now, think.
What would he be driving now?
A camper.
He took off in the camper.
KATHY:
How long is it going
to be, Daddy?
Where are we going?
We're going
where it's safe, baby.
You got yourself in a mess.
Daddy's going to have
to take care of you.
(police radio transmissions)
(screen door hinges squeaking)
CAROL:
Thank you.
(door bangs shut)
He's gone, ain't he?
Now, honey, you just
don't know that.
Petey and Crystal
need me.
Carol, they're fine.
You just called them
but ten minutes ago.
Yeah, but
they need me.
We always loved it here.
The quiet.
Everybody at home.
Everybody in their own bed
saying good night to each other.
Tom said it reminded him
of The Waltons
and how he always wanted his
family to be like they was.
It don't seem
to have turned out
that way.
(whispering):
Carol, baby...
this ain't your fault.
I don't know.
Crystal!
PETER:
Crystal?
WOMAN:
Crystal!
PETER:
Crystal!
Crystal,
where are you?
Go away!
WOMAN:
Oh, honey... baby...
Go away!
Crystal, what you
doing out here?
All I want is
my mama and daddy.
I miss Kathy.
I know, and I do, too.
CRYSTAL:
I want to go home.
PETER:
So do I.
(crying)
KATHY: Daddy, it's too hot in here.
You just go to sleep, honey.
We got a long night ahead of us.
KATHY: Daddy, I want to go home.
I didn't mean the things I said.
I know you didn't, honey.
I know.
(police radio transmissions)
(taps glass)
You okay, sir?
What?
Sir, are you all right?
Do you need assistance?
We're just fine, thank you.
Little tired, that's all.
You got somebody in there
with you, sir?
She needed some sleep.
I'd appreciate it
if you'd just let us be.
Sir, would you open the door
slowly, please,
and step outside the vehicle?
I'm cold.
I hate the cold.
(sharply):
Sir--
step outside
the vehicle, please.
It's all right, darling.
Daddy will take of everything.
(reporters shouting)
(cameras clicking, whirring)
JACKSON:
Back up, please!
(reporters shouting)
REPORTER:
Mr. Acton!
Your daughter's body
was found on...
JACKSON:
He has no comment!
REPORTER:
Detective Jackson,
are you going to push
murder one on this?
You'll have to ask
the D.A. about that.
REPORTER 2:
Do think it was premeditated
or an act of simple passion?
(clamoring quiets)
(gruffly):
Nature has its laws, you know.
"As ye sow, so shall ye reap."
REPORTER 1: Mr. Acton,
your daughter Kathy...
REPORTER 2:
Why did you kill her?
(gruffly):
Tom Acton did not kill
his daughter!
When are you folks
going to understand that?
REPORTER 2:
Then who did?
(gruffly):
I did!
I did it!
(reporters quiet)
(softly):
Tom?
(shouting resumes)
REPORTER:
Mrs. Acton?
REPORTER 2:
Mrs. Acton?
REPORTER 3:
Mrs. Acton?
Dr. Miller will be
conducting several
interviews
with your husband,
some under hypnosis.
Although M.P.D. is
rather rare in men,
I think we can
plead a case.
What's that-- M.P.D.?
Multiple personality
disorder--
it's as if
there are several
different people
living inside
the same body
and... and they don't
always know what
each other's doing.
Yeah, I...
I think I've seen something.
What?
Well, I... I didn't
know, you know,
exactly what
you'd call it, but...
yeah, I think I seen him.
Didn't you tell anybody?
Tell them what?
Mrs. Acton, I am trying to...
Mr. Brandon, sir,
my guess is
that you come
from a fine family,
an educated family...
Ma'am.
Well, things are just
a little bit different
this side of the mountain,
and when you're afraid
that you... you can't
feed your family
and... and keep a roof
over your kid's head
or when you can't make that bill
to keep everybody warm,
you know, you tend
to get a little upset,
you get a little jumpy.
I am talking
about something else...
No, no!
We're talking
about the same thing.
I've seen
his changes.
I... I seen him turn
into a little boy
when he's playing with my son,
and I... I watch his body
go all stiff-like
and heard a voice come from
somewhere else, I don't know.
Well, why didn't you...?
Well, what would
you have me do?
Call the police
because my man's moody?
That man has kept the fear
out of my life
for the last 20 years.
You look at us
and you just see poor people.
But you don't understand, sir,
we're a success story.
My kids got clean clothes,
and we got
decent food on
the table, now--
something you
can swallow.
I'm sorry, sir, I just...
I'm a mother and that's my job.
I'm here to provide a life
for my children,
and I'm just trying to tell you,
I couldn't have done it
without my husband.
Well, ma'am, your husband
killed your daughter.
I... I don't know
who killed Kathy.
I'm just telling you that
I don't have a husband anymore,
and I can't support
the family I got left.
I can't even see them.
Now, when do I get my kids back?
Until it is proven
that you had nothing to do
with either your
daughter's murder
or any abuse
that might be found,
Social Services
won't have anything
to do with...
They think
I was involved?
Maybe I was.
I was supposed
to keep my kids safe...
and I didn't do that.
(knocking)
Excuse us.
Mrs. Acton...
Please.
Excuse us.
You okay?
No.
It's... it's cold.
You should've wore a coat.
Maybe it's warmer
sitting where you are.
It don't
matter, Tom.
We've got to talk.
There's a whole lot of things
I don't understand.
Kids okay?
They're fine.
And Kathy?
How's my
little princess?
Please don't do this.
I told her everything was going
to be fine once we got home,
and then you started...
(quietly):
Stop it!
Do you know who I am?
Do you know
who you're talking to?
Kathy's dead,
and you killed her,
and I want to know why!
Why do you have to...?
You listen to me!
Don't talk
to me like that.
It scares me when you do that.
You listen to me, now.
You don't do this.
You're in trouble,
and you got to let
these people help you.
(gruffly):
He's not going to get help
from nothing.
(gruffly):
You sniveling bitch!
Stop.
(gruffly):
Let me tell you something.
All your sniveling at him
ain't going to get you nowhere.
It's your fault, you know?
No.
You let him get away
with murder.
No.
I told him, "Hell, she don't
care what you do, Thomas.
She can't see past her nose."
You stop that, now!
You deserve each other,
you know that?
You're disgusting,
both of you.
Weak, sniveling...
bitch!
Bitch!
GUARD:
Hey, stop it, you!
You bitch, I'll kill you
and your daughter!
Bitch, I'll put you
with your daughter!
I'll put you with her!
(laughing insanely)
(yelling)
(sobbing)
(police radio transmissions)
(Tom shivering)
BRANDON:
This is her
sixth session.
He's under hypnosis.
Yes.
Any insights you
can give me would
be greatly...
Shh.
HYPNOTIST:
Are you cold, Tom?
TOM (meekly):
Cold.
It's very cold.
Where are you, Tom?
(shivering)
(meekly):
It's too cold.
I could get you
a jacket.
I'm not supposed
to have one.
Why can't you have a jacket?
(sighs)
You don't understand nothing!
How old are
you, Tom?
(meekly):
I'm 13.
I just turned 13.
I got me a baseball mitt.
(shivers)
HYPNOTIST:
But you're shivering.
TOM:
The grass is wet...
from the frost.
It's wet and it's cold.
I'm supposed to cut it
but I can't.
You'll cut it tomorrow.
You don't understand nothing.
Yes, sir.
Tom.
Tom, what's he saying to you?
Oh, God, he's mad now.
Daddy!
(gruffly):
You dumb, stupid, ignorant boy.
DADDY:
And from now on,
you're going to do
exactly what I say.
(screaming):
Is that clear, boy?
Maybe you just deaf and dumb.
(meekly):
No, Daddy.
(mockingly):
"No, Daddy."
Well, you got to be...
because nobody could be
as dumb as you are
unless there was
something wrong in there!
Please, Daddy.
"Please, Daddy."
Please what?
(sniffs)
Look at you.
You know I'm embarrassed
to be seen with you?
Now, you get down
on them hands and knees
and you're going to cut
this grass all night.
And you ain't going to eat
and you ain't going to sleep
until every blade of grass
is cut.
You understand me, boy?
Huh?!
(clippers snipping)
It's so cold.
You stupid little bastard.
Ooh, boy, come on.
Come on, boy, you want
to kill your daddy?
Come on.
Come on!
Whoo-hee!
Go ahead, boy.
You got the guts?
You got the guts
to kill your daddy?
Come on!
You're a bastard.
You're Mama's bastard!
You ain't no son of mine.
Make me want to puke.
I'm fine, Mama.
I'm fine.
There's no problem.
I'm fine.
Aw, Tom, I...
I'm fine.
Daddy's right.
I ain't worth
wasting any time on.
Daddy's right.
(videotape pauses)
HYPNOTIST:
The boy spent the entire night
on his hands and knees
crawling through the wet grass,
soaked to the skin.
The boy that was Tom Acton
ceased to be
and someone else took over.
Previous to this,
I had witnessed
several personalities
emerge from Mr. Acton--
six, to be exact.
I hadn't clearly understood
the pecking order, however.
Pecking order?
Which personality was in charge.
And this particular session?
Oh, I found out
all right,
loud and clear.
You have it on the tape.
Your Honor,
if we may continue?
HYPNOTIST (on tape):
When you drove Kathy
to the river...
I tried to warn her--
"Don't go with him.
He's going to hurt you."
HYPNOTIST:
Then, who drove her?
TOM (gruffly):
Aw, hell, he drove her.
But I had to do
the work for him.
Did he bring
the gun, too?
He always kept a gun
in the car--
afraid of being robbed.
Okay, so I drove her out there.
I told her somebody
was going to show us a car,
but I... I just wanted to get
alone with her, you know,
try to talk some sense into her.
Look, Jim and me,
we just like each
other, that's all.
It don't mean nothing.
Well, if it don't
mean nothing,
then you put an end to it
like I say-- now.
You're just jealous.
Honey, that's foolish.
I can't take this
anymore, Daddy.
I'm moving out.
Honey, you're
my baby girl.
Don't touch me!
Wait a minute, honey.
No. No.
No more.
You know something,
you embarrass me.
You're always
around--
around my friends, at church.
You're always
hanging on me.
Don't say that, please.
How the hell else
am I going to get you
to listen to me?!
Sometimes I think
you're deaf and dumb!
Aw, please, honey...
Deaf, dumb, stupid bastard!
(gruffly):
Don't call me that.
Go to hell, you bastard.
(gruffly):
Bastard.
You're a stupid bastard.
(meekly):
Daddy.
DADDY:
Whoo-hee!
Go ahead, boy.
You got the guts?
You got the guts
to kill your daddy?
Come on.
I should've killed you
a long time ago.
Keep away from me.
Keep away!
I'm warning you.
No! No!
No, no, no!
No.
(sobbing)
Daddy.
Go ahead, boy.
Go ahead.
■■
Come on,
you got the guts?
You want to kill your daddy?
You ain't no son of mine.
You're a bastard.
(shouting):
Daddy!
(gunshot)
(gunshots)
(gun chamber clicking)
It was Daddy.
Don't you see?
It was Daddy.
Our Kathy's still alive.
It was Daddy.
(whispering):
It was Daddy.
CAROL:
Jim!
Hey, Jim.
Jim!
Carol.
What are you doing here?
We got to talk.
Look, uh... I'm sorry
about what happened--
with Kathy and me...
you know.
Yeah.
Well, right now I got
other things on my mind,
and if I'm going
to get my kids back,
I got to show
that I can support them.
I got to be able
to feed them
and clothe them.
I got to keep my house, Jim.
So, like it or not,
I'm going to be your boss.
My boss?
Well, yeah, I guess from here
on out, Acton Salvage means me.
Now, how long is it
going to take you
to teach me
how to work that?
Hi, honey.
I talked to Kathy
yesterday.
She's all right.
She says she's sorry
for all those horrible
things she said.
That's fine, Tom.
That's just fine.
I'll get it all
straightened out.
I'll take care of everything.
I know you will.
I come here today, Tom,
to say good-bye to you.
I'm getting the kids back
for good now,
and they got to know that
they're going to be safe
and I'm going
to take care of them
and that they
still got a family.
Well, sure they do.
That's what I told Kathy.
I said, "Honey,
we each have our place
in this family."
And I told her Mama's
going to need some help
with the kids,
getting supper on.
Kathy's dead, Tom.
She ain't ever
coming back-- ever.
Well, if she's late for supper,
then there just
won't be no supper.
And there'll be
no more talk about
a car, either--
not till she proves
she can be trusted.
Good-bye, Tom.
She listens to me.
She knows that
whatever I tell her,
I have her... her
best interests at heart.
My little princess.
I do believe
she really does love me.
I can remember when
she was a little girl
and I used to take her
in my arms
and carry her around the house.
Ah... my little princess.
Mommy!
Mama!
(laughing)
CRYSTAL:
Mama!
Oh, God!
Oh, God.
(children yelling)
Mama!
(children laughing)
(kissing)
(laughing giddily)
Stand back.
I want to look
at you.
Why? You know
what we look like.
(laughing)
(laughs):
Yeah, I do.
But you're never going to look
exactly the way
you look right now,
and I want to remember this.
(laughing):
Mama.
(whispering):
I love you, babies,
with all my heart.
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