Knight Moves (1992) - full transcript

Check!

Check!

The pressures and demands players
of your son's ability...

place on themselves to win
are incredible.

I can't afford to keep him
in here forever.

I just want to keep him overnight and
then start with a child psychologist.

I knew this would happen.
His mother's not strict enough with him.

She lies in bed drunk all day and
the boy does whatever he wants.

After he's released,
it's crucial that he's supervised.

The most important thing is that
during his treatment...

he's not allowed anywhere near
a chessboard.



I've got a drunk for a wife
and a lunatic for a son!

I don't need this shit anymore!

You're crazy! Both of you!

Help me...

Today concludes the second week
of competition in this tournament.

Each of the players will play the other
a minimum of three times...

and the winner will earn the right
to play for the world title next year.

But the big story is the amazing
comeback of Peter Sanderson...

who is currently leading
the tournament.

The European Grandmaster now
residing in Westport, Connecticut...

stunned the chess world
three years ago...

when he walked out in the middle
of the last candidates tournament...

while leading by three games...

and he forfeited the match
to Viktor Yurilivich...



who is only two games behind
Sanderson in this match.

- Congratulations, Mr. Sanderson.
- Thank you, Miss Rutledge.

- Your schedule for tomorrow.
- Daddy!

- Congratulations, dad.
- Thank you, darling.

My cheering section.

You're playing the English.
Lutz won't do that.

- He opened his first game with it.
- He knows that you're aware of it.

I'll transpose.

On a variation, yes. But it must be
a variation that is unique.

- I'm sure you have something in mind.
- Of course.

Get rid of knight.
Bishop takes bishop.

Pawn takes pawn.
Rook takes Queen.

That's to your advantage.

With the excellent range of
your bishops, he's finished.

- It's a good play, but risky.
- You don't win by playing it safe.

Daddy...

- What are you doing up?
- I can't sleep. My bed's lumpy.

Forgot to bring your night-light,
didn't you?

That has nothing to do with that.

You want to sleep
in my bed tonight?

Okay.

I'll tuck you in.

Jeremy, have someone pick up
a night-light tomorrow.

- Hello.
- Debi?

Yes.

It's me.
I forgot something.

Sorry to ruin your trip, Frank, but
we got a real nut on our hands.

- Run it.
- Debi Rutledge. Female. Caucasian. 24.

Worked over at the Four Oaks Hotel.
A neighbor found her.

- Local?
- No. She moved here...

four months ago from Portland.

What the hell's going on here?

Gentlemen, this is not a party.

Anybody who doesn't have to be
in here, get the hell out.

Now!

I came out here from the city
to get away from this.

What to you got, Nolan?

There's no sign of a break in.
I think she let him in.

- How long has she been dead?
- Six, eight hours tops.

What's the cause of death?

You think whoever did this
wanted it to look like suicide?

He would have taken more care not to
leave the rope burns on her wrists.

The way I got it figured is
he tied her up, slit her wrists...

and sat back and watched
her bleed to death.

But that's not the main thing.
What's wrong with this picture?

There's no blood.
Where the hell's the blood?

Bingo.

- Did Ms. Rutledge have a boyfriend?
- I guess so.

What do you mean you guess so?

I know she had company
last night. A man.

How do you know that?

Her bedroom is
on the other side of mine.

The walls are very thin.
I could hear them.

What are you trying to tell us?
They were... humping?

They were having sex, yes.

I wasn't intentionally listening,
but with the walls so thin...

Thank you very much.

Well, first thing I'd like to say...

is that some of us
have not had the opportunity...

to get to know each other since
I took for Captain Waters last month.

And a lot of you feel
that I'm an outsider...

who took over a job that should
have gone to a local...

but that's the way it worked out.

You can bitch and complain
all you want.

But you will tow the line
in my department which means...

that the next time an officer
responds to a homicide call...

he seals off the crime scene
and nobody gets in...

but Detective Wagner and
myself. Is that clear?

Also...

I don't wanna hear anybody talking about
this message on the wall or the blood.

Nothing.

- Anything?
- I don't think she was raped.

There's no bruising or any signs of
trauma to the pelvic region.

- What about sperms?
- No trace.

- Prints?
- No prints.

- No prints but hers?
- No, Frank.

No prints.

- Yes?
- Mr. Sanderson?

Frank Sedman,
Roxbridge P.D., Detective Wagner.

- I don't know whether you've heard...
- Miss Rutledge. Yes, I did.

May we come in?

- Sure.
- Thank you very much.

- I hope we're not interfering.
- No.

- Morning!
- Good morning.

- Can we talk in private?
- I'll get out of your way, gentlemen.

- Nice to have met you.
- Nice to meet you too, sir.

I'll get right to it. How well
did you know Debi Rutledge?

Only in passing.
To say hello to.

What does that mean?
I don't understand that.

I've talked to a few people who say
you and her were friendly?

Well, chess tournaments
can be boring.

People have a lot of free time.
They like to gossip.

What did you do last night?

- I played Gregory Lutz.
- Yes. You won two games.

You left the auditorium at 8:45.
What did you do after that?

I came back to my room and...
went for a walk.

- By yourself?
- Of course.

Of course.

I have here a printout with all
the calls to your room...

and I noticed one here at 9:04 from
Debi, "please call me at home".

She was calling to give me
my schedule for tomorrow.

I see. The funny thing
here is that...

you say you only know her
in passing...

but this message says "call me at
home" and there's no number...

which would indicate that
you already know her number.

I got it from
the tournament directory.

There's no Debi Rutledge
in the directory.

That's because you're looking
in the general directory.

In the players' one everyone connected
to the tournament is listed.

We seem to be having
a little problem here.

Really?
What kind of problem?

I think you're lying.
That's what kind of problem.

- What are you saying?
- We're not saying anything.

We're just trying to put a few
pieces together. That's all.

- Thank you.
- Pleasure.

What do you think?

He's got an answer
for everything, but no alibi.

You think he's dirty?

I don't know, but you're right
about one thing...

he's lying.

I'd like a different chair.
This one killed me yesterday.

Also the pieces on the board
move too slowly. It's distracting.

Will be sped up.

Grandmaster Sanderson,
there are five other players.

If we were to accede
to every special request...

I'm not asking
anything special.

I just wanna be able
to concentrate.

- David?
- No problem.

Just a matter of adjusting
the response time.

Can you make it so they don't
slide across the board?

The audience is gonna have a difficult
time following the move.

- Can you speed them up then?
- Okay.

That looks pretty good.

You're acting like
a superstitious schoolboy, Peter.

What's next?
Incense and rosary beads?

Grandmaster Lutz, you'll be sitting
here for your next match.

I can't sit there.

I must be facing north.

My power come from the north.

Please.

- Hello, Peter.
- Hi, Viktor.

You played an interesting game last night.

Even though sacrificing
your rook at E4...

was the game I played against
Valsney in '82.

- I'm glad it helped you.
- You're two points behind.

- Doesn't that make you nervous?
- I never get nervous.

Besides... you will falter.

- Not this time.
- Well, then, this time...

you will have to stay until the end
of the match, won't you?

I'll be here.

Ready?

Are you sure?

What do you do?

- Who told you this?
- Mrs. Lutz.

She said only that Mr. Lutz
goes to a medium...

to try and contact great
grandmasters in the spirit world.

- Has he reached any?
- No.

But he did contact
a dead parcheesi champion.

Mr. Sanderson?
The phone's for you.

Thank you.

Hello? Hello?

- Hello, Peter.
- Who's this?

Someone who's gonna become
an important part of your life.

I wanna play a game with you.

Listen.
I don't have time for this.

You had time for Debi.

- What?
- Don't worry. I wiped off all your prints.

What is it, dad?

Nothing. Let's go.

Mr. Sanderson?
There's a message for you.

- See you later, dad.
- Bye.

Get me the police.

Why didn't you tell us
you were there earlier?

I don't know. I was afraid
of hours of questions.

I can't afford to miss a game.

We wouldn't want someone's death
to interfere with your games.

What was your
relationship with her?

- Casual.
- You were boning her, weren't you?

It wasn't serious.
What's your problem?

You are. I don't like you.

Fine.
Don't ask me out on a date.

Don't worry. I won't.
I see how your dates end up.

Knock it off. Both of you!

Now this is just
a little too convenient.

What's that supposed to mean?

If I were the killer and I thought
the police were closing in on me...

I might invent someone to try
to throw them off the scent, too.

That's crazy.
Why would I do that?

You like to play games, don't you?

Listen. He says on the photo
he'll call tomorrow at 11.

Why don't you come back
and listen for yourself?

Don't worry, we'll be back.
You can bet on it, pal.

You must understand.
This is not my field.

It's not mine neither, but I can
tell you, this guy's crazy.

That's your business, Doc.
You deal with crazy people.

I deal with people
with problems.

There are all different types
of problems.

We don't have the budget for
outside psychological help.

We'll take what we can get.

He is acting out
some kind of fantasy.

We're talking about
a deeply disturbed person.

No shit.

Can a person this disturbed give
the appearance of being normal?

Absolutely.

Alright, we have a suspect,
no hard evidence.

If you met him, could you tell?

- Tell what?
- If he's crazy.

If he's disturbed.

Perhaps, but not necessarily.

One opinion I can offer
with any degree of certainty.

He'll kill again.

I'm sorry.
I thought it was empty.

It's okay.

Are you with the tournament?

- Are you one of the players?
- Yes, I am.

I've always wanted to learn
who to play chess.

It seems like such
a complicated game.

Not really. You see your goal
and go after it.

Anything that gets in the way is
an obstacle and must be destroyed.

- Sounds very violent.
- Chess is a reflection of life.

Life is violent. The strong win.
The weak perish.

You enjoy being the stronger one?

If you're asking me if I'm passionate
about what I do, the answer is yes.

Without passion,
nothing moves us.

What's your passion?

- -That's a very personal question.
- I see.

This is going to be
a very polite conversation.

I thought opening too quickly
was a fatal mistake in chess.

It is.

Do you always open quickly?

Are we talking about
me or chess?

You.

It depends on the opponent.

I hope you'll remember that tomorrow
when you play Krikorian.

I think I've had enough.

Getting too hot in here for you?

Who are you? A reporter?

- A cop?
- I just came in for a steam.

And how far exactly
were you willing to go?

- Well?
- I told you this was a stupid idea.

You can't learn anything from
someone in a few minutes.

You didn't get any vibes
from the guy?

I'm a psychologist, not a psychic.

- What's this all about anyway?
- What did Dr. Fulton tell you?

That you wanted someone
from the institute...

to talk to Sanderson about some
case you're working on.

- What did he do?
- Not sure.

- What do you think he did?
- Could be a suspect of murder.

The girl who was Killed last night?

You sent me into a dangerous
situation and didn't even warn me?

They came to me and asked for help.

- What am I supposed to do?
- You could have been honest with me.

We work together.
I have to be able to trust you.

Sanderson wasn't gonna talk to him.

Besides, you're young, attractive.

The guy could be a psychopath.

It worked out alright, didn't it?

Fuck you!

- I won.
- Congratulations.

It's 11:06.

Hello, Kathy.
Thanks for coming.

Mr. Sanderson, Dr. Sheppard,
psychologist, helping us out.

We've already met,
haven't we, doctor?

I see you're still having
problems with your openings.

Keep him on as long as you can.
No confrontations.

- Hello?
- Hello, Peter.

Just a second...
Hello.

Very amateurish. I'm surprised
you would use such an obvious tactic.

I am not an idiot.
Don't treat me as one!

I'll call you every day.
You get one minute...

whether you put me on hold
or talk, is up to you.

Are you ready to play?

Why did you kill Debi Rutledge?

To get your attention.

What about the word
"Remember" on the wall?

That's something you will have
to figure out for yourself.

Really, Peter, you can't expect me
to answer such direct questions.

- Why not?
- You don't wanna think.

That's why I'll win.
I'm already two points ahead.

- What?
- I did another one last night.

You might have saved her,
but you didn't wanna play.

- Where is she?
- You'll find her.

If you wanna tell me something,
just come out and say it!

Where is she,
you son of a bitch?

Detective Wagner.

I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to
go back to your tracing equipment.

If I wanted to play this game with
a moron I would have called you.

I suppose you wanna know where
I'm going to kill tonight, Peter.

You're not gonna tell me that.

Wee Willie Winkie runs
through the town.

Upstairs, downstairs
in his nightgown.

Crawling through the window.
At the end of Miss Emma's street.

Her god has gone and
left his home.

So her and I can meet.

So what the hell you're doing
grabbing that phone?

- Sorry.
- Anything?

Nothing. We'd have a better chance
if we tapped into the main junction box.

Thanks, Mr. Sanderson. Kathy.

Do you want me to come with you?
Maybe I can help.

No. We'll take it from here.

You should have been an actor, Frank.
You looked like you were really mad.

The veins popping out of your neck,
nice touch.

You weren't mad at him
picking up the phone?

I wanted him to find out if there was
someone down the other end.

- But we heard him.
- It could have been a tape.

The FBI has nothing even remotely
similar to this guy.

- I think he's a first timer.
- Call the state.

If he hasn't killed outside of
Washington, the FBI wouldn't have him.

He tapes their mouths shut.
We found traces of adhesive.

We're doing a chemical analysis
for components...

but it's probably a standard brand you
can buy in any hardware store.

We'll check it out.

The lipstick he uses is interesting.

Why is that?

Because the company that made it
went out of business 16 years ago.

- What about the blood?
- Not a drop.

Maybe the guy works
for the Red Cross.

The fact that he's viewing this
as a game, suggests to me...

he's trying to prove some
sense of superiority...

and the way he's killing...

shows a need to be in complete
control of his victims.

What about how
he arranged the body?

That would indicate he's playing
out a fantasy.

Power-control killers usually
fantasize about their actions.

Once it becomes
a reality, though...

they reach a sense of euphoria and
repeat the act to sustain that feeling.

But in all the research I've ever read
on Serial Killers...

I've never heard of one
moving this fast.

It's as though the game is the catalyst
for the murders and not the other way around.

Anything else?

Why disguise your voice
if no one knows it?

That's what I was thinking.
I mean, he's gotta be local.

Why would he call Sanderson?

He's one of the best chess players in
the world. Who better to play a game with?

You're still having a problem with that?

Yeah, I am.

I got a feeling about this guy.

It's like he's laughing at us.

I'm telling you.
He's playing us, Frank.

We should bring Sanderson in on this.

There's a reason
why the killer's calling him.

- No way.
- Captain, we found her.

They're trying to control my thoughts.

Aluminum foil.
It repels the thought rays.

Very nice.

- They couldn't break the riddle.
- Did you think it was gonna be easy?

You think he was gonna
lay it at your feet?

We need your help.

I offered my help this morning,
Sedman turned me down.

You are the key. You're the one
he wants to play the game with.

I can't now.
I've got a game.

There's a young woman who could be
dead by the end of this game.

- She could be dead now.
- What if she isn't?

I don't believe this.
Where are your priorities?

You have to think between
a chess game and someone's life?

The girls who was killed
last night was 21 years old.

He dumped her body behind
a warehouse like a sack of garbage.

Gentlemen!

Excuse me.

Same as the others?

Backspace.

Boing.

Here you go.
Keep it going up.

Right. There you go!
Good!

- Morning.
- Good morning.

- Daddy!
- Got a problem?

Our computer is bust again.

- Is it bad?
- No, it's all fixed.

I also put a few games.
I hope you don't mind.

Of course not. I'm gonna play
with them. Just kidding!

I have to go over to Lutz's room now.
He thinks someone tampered...

with his computer and it's emitting
gamma rays to control his thoughts.

I'll see you guys later!

Don't you wanna say
something to David?

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

You ready?

For what?

You told me you'd take me
over to Seattle today.

I'm sorry, baby.
I can't. Not today.

But you promised.

Baby, I'm sorry.

¿Peter?

- Not now, please.
- Yes. Now!

Don't do to Erica what you did
to your wife.

- Don't bring her into this.
- Why not? It's true, isn't it?

I watched you push her away
from you.

I sat back, I said nothing.
But not this time.

This time, I'm going
to say what I have to say.

You're here to coach
my chess game, not my life!

You raise your voice to me?

You?

You think you can speak to me like this
just because you won a few titles?

No.

I'm sorry.

You're like a son to me.

It hurts me to see you
missing so much of your life.

This is where he forced
his way in.

We found some fibers
on the window sill...

probably particles of clothing that
rubbed off when he climbed through.

I'll know more once I get it
under the microscope...

and if it likes me.

It's a man's shoe. Pretty old
by the individual characteristics.

About a size 9, maybe 10.

What's this?

Don't know.

Looks like a cut or a gash
in the sole of the shoe.

I think Fulton was right.
This guy's not gonna stop.

- He's got a taste for it now.
- Make sure that Brooks...

has everything set up for the next call.
No excuses this time.

Alright.

Just do what I told you.
I'll call you back later.

- Frank, good morning.
- Good morning, Mayor.

I was in the neighborhood,
so I thought I'd drop by.

How nice.

I heard there was another one.

- Any new developments?
- No, nothing yet.

People are scared, Frank.

I know that.

You know that 70%
of the economy of this island...

is generated through tourism.

This weekend the ferry tolls
were down by 30%.

The hotel vacancy rates were
20% below normal.

People aren't coming
over here any more, Frank.

We have got a major problem
on our hands...

one that could seriously jeopardize the
financial stability of the community.

I understand you have a prime
suspect in Peter Sanderson.

Who told you that?

Let's just say that I have friends
in this community...

a lot of concerned friends who whisper
a thing or two in my ear from time to time.

- What about Sanderson?
- He's a suspect, that's all.

If he's involved he's not alone. I don't have
enough evidence to do anything.

Let me make myself clear.
I am not interested in proof.

I'm not even interested
in evidence or a conviction.

What I'm interested in is an arrest.

An arrest that will get
the press off my ass...

and that the tourists with their wallets
start coming back over here.

You want me to arrest Sanderson
without sufficient evidence?

I'm the Mayor of this community because
the people have confidence in me.

If their confidence falls,
I will not be re-elected...

and I need hardly remind you that
your job is an appointed position...

by the holder of this office.

I don't know. I've been...

a cop over 20 years now and
I have yet to figure out who's worse...

the criminals who break the law or
the assholes who make them.

I am the Chief of Police here
and as long as I am...

I'll arrest people on the basis of evidence
and not for political ramifications.

I could have your badge
for that, Sedman.

And I could run over to the press
and tell them how you're willing...

to do away with due processing to sell
a few more shrimp cocktails.

Have a nice day.

One more thing, Mayor.

I don't like threats.

I've dealt with politicians who are
a damn sight tougher than you.

When this thing is solved you can give
your speeches and have your photo taken...

but in the meantime,
let me do my job.

- Morning.
- They found that third girl.

Her name was Loraine Olson.

I just came from there.

God, it was horrible.

How can anyone
do something like this?

- Do you have anything to drink?
- Of course. Sit down.

Thank you.

Hey, relax.

How the hell can I relax after
what I've just seen?

I know it was bad.

How could you know,
unless you were there?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that
the way it sounded.

I'm sure you didn't.

You know Andy thinks
you're doing this.

- Doesn't that scare you?
- No.

- Why?
- Because I think he's wrong.

- Morning.
- Morning.

Ready to go?

I should have brought
my fucking fishing pole.

It's from the rain.
Foundation leaks.

- How's it going here?
- We're all set.

All calls coming into Mr. Sanderson's
room will be re-routed into 611.

Do you know what
I'm doing right now, Peter?

I'm looking at the name of the girl
I'm going to kill tonight.

You know her?

- Not really.
- Why her?

- Because she's the type.
- You just said you didn't know her.

I know what I said.
She looks just like...

Just like who?

I really wish you would stop
trying to maneuver me.

I find it irritating,
not to mention insulting.

- What the hell's that?
- It's the water pumps.

- Just trying to play the game.
- You're not playing very well.

There are clues all around you
and you keep missing them.

Listen, if you're just calling up
to gloat, I don't wanna hear it!

People will be very interested
in what I have to say.

- Then call them.
- Are you crazy?

Let's see how much
he wants to play.

Just for that, no hint today.

Why are you doing this?

You must have an idea of the pain
you're causing people.

Pain?

Pain is just a state of mind.

It's something you learn
to live with. I have.

You want these girls
to feel your pain?

Please...

I don't want to get into the
psychological aspects of my actions.

It would detract from the game.

How?

I couldn't say it
any better than Huxley.

Huxley's quote also says,
"his play is always fair and just".

So is mine,
within the framework of my rules.

What the hell do you think you're doing
slamming the phone down?

You think you're gonna
catch him on a trace?

What he does is planned out
well in advance.

The only way you're gonna get him
is to rattle him, make him slip up.

You never know
how you can catch a suspect.

Excuse me, Captain,
but I think Peter's right.

This guy's gotta be forced
into making a mistake.

- We didn't ask for your opinion.
- Maybe you should.

You don't tell us how to run
our investigation, pal. You got that?

You don't have an investigation
without me. You got that?

You two through with this?

What do you wanna say, Kathy?

I think we ought to play up
to his ego more.

The more secure he feels,
the more chances he'll take.

Okay. What about this Huxley?
What is that?

He was referring to a quote
by Thomas Huxley.

"The chess board is the world,
the rules are what we call nature.

The player on the other side
is hidden from us...

but we know that his play is
always fair, just and patient.

We also know that
he never overlooks a mistake."

You're not the easiest person
in the world to get close to.

Me? We always talk about me.
What about you?

What about me?

I dunno.
Where's Erica's mother?

She died in a car accident.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It was a long time ago.

It must've been
very hard on Erica.

It was.

And you?

Do you want me
do lay down, doctor?

Why don't you just ask me
what you want to know?

Was it serious between
Debi and me? No.

Have I known lots of girls like her?
None of your business.

Have you noticed that every time
we start to talk...

about something serious
you begin playing games?

- I'm not playing a game now.
- Yes you are. You're playing word games.

What is this?

I'm just trying
to get to know you better.

- By attacking me?
- Attack you? Who could attack you?

You set your life up
like one of your chessboards.

You're impassable...

you become trapped behind
your own defenses.

You cut off everyone around you.

What are you talking about?
You don't even know me.

Does anyone?
Are you forfeiting?

No.

I just don't wanna fight with you.

Then show me who you are, Peter.

I'm starting to feel things
I haven't felt in a long time.

You have to face
the things you feel.

What happened to facing
the things we feel?

You can turn
everything around so easily.

This isn't just
another game, is it?

No.

- I'm hungry.
- Call room service.

I hate hotel food.

- What about a pizza?
- Good.

Rondi's is right down the street.

Okay.
I'm gonna take a shower.

- What do you want on it?
- You!

- Did you call?
- No answer. I'm gonna try again.

- Where are you going?
- I'm going to pick up the pizza.

They're not delivering.

- Didn't you say the line was busy?
- It was and then I got through.

- What's wrong?
- Nothing.

Why are you backing up then?

The phone book?

I was looking for connections
between names, addresses...

anything that might be
the same about them.

You're as bad as Andy...

maybe worse.

- Peter, you have to admit...
- Admit what?

That I was right
about you in the steam room?

That you're willing to do anything
to find out what you want?

Would you like me to leave so you can
search the rest of the room?

How could you think that, Kathy?

How could you even consider it?

Ladies and gentlemen.

Since Grandmaster Sanderson leads
the tournament with nine wins...

and Grandmaster Yurilivich is
in second place with eight...

we have decided that their remaining
games between Grandmaster Sanderson

and Yurilivich will be held separately.

Thank you.

Rook C2.

Yes.

- What is it?
- Mate in five.

Queen E3.

He didn't see it.

Check.

Daddy!

Here!

- Hi, dad!
- Hi, baby.

He just got lucky tonight.
You'll cream on next time.

I sure will.

You have something
you wanna say?

Just wanted to know
whether you'd like to talk.

- About what?
- Whatever is on your mind.

Who says something
is on my mind?

What do you see here?

I know. Mate in five.

- Why move E3?
- Obviously because I didn't see it.

Is it Kathy?

No, it's not Kathy.

- Who's Kathy?
- When I told you to live your life...

I didn't mean you to start
in the middle of a match.

I told you, it's not Kathy.

Who's Kathy?

I know you better
than you think, Peter.

Who's Kathy?

Alan! God, you scared
the hell out of me.

She had just arrived from Seattle...

and we decided to share
an apartment.

Did she have a boyfriend?

No.

Does the name Peter Sanderson
mean anything to you?

No.

God, how can somebody do
something like that?

Captain, you gotta a call.

- Who is it?
- Dr. Sheppard.

- Yeah, it's the same shoe, alright.
- No doubt about it.

Was there anyone else
on the grounds?

- A few people.
- Did anyone stand out?

What do you mean,
stand out?

Did anyone look suspicious? Think!

There was someone there
that was kind of suspicious.

What was suspicious
about him?

He was holding a sign that said,
"Serial Killer", alright?

Miss!

Excuse me. It's okay.

You said Mary Albert moved out here from
Seattle. How long ago was that?

Just a few months ago.

How did you find your apartment?

Through a rental agency.

I see.
Thank you very much.

What's up?

You told me that Debi Rutledge found
her place recently, right?

Yeah, so?

Come on.

Now you've been very helpful.
Thank you.

All girls rented new homes in the last
year and they rented them from...

Roxbridge Rentals.

Boy, you're just
great for a headache.

All our listing are in this computer.
We don't keep any other files.

Who else works here
beside you?

There's a girl, helps the counter
part time, that's it.

Anyone else has access to the files?

No one.

Okay. Thank you.

- Dead end?
- Detour.

Hi. You must be Erica.

- I'm Kathy.
- Alright.

- Is your dad home?
- He should be right back.

- Would you like to come in?
- Yes, please.

Thank you.

So, are you enjoying yourself
while you're on the island?

Not really.
It's pretty boring.

Boring?

That's just because
you don't know where to go.

Do you like... hiking?

Sailing?

- Fishing?
- Yuck! No way!

- What do you like?
- Boys.

- Do you like my dad?
- Of course I like your dad.

Oh... you mean,
do I like... like him?

- I know he really likes you.
- Really?

How do you know?
Did he say something?

Not, but I can tell.
A woman knows these things.

Why don't you go down
and see Jeremy?

- Nice meeting you.
- Nice to meet you.

- I like her. She's nice.
- Yeah, yeah, now go, okay?

Hello?

Hello, Peter.

Do you have any idea
what the message is?

Well, if it's important,
why don't you tell me?

I couldn't tell you that.
It would ruin the game.

Not that you're playing
very well.

- You like to brag, don't you?
- Credit should be given where it's due.

I'm not worldly like you. I am not
an internationally known figure.

I'm just a poor guy who has never
been anywhere, but I am beating you.

Why were you looking for
Doctor Sheppard today?

- What?
- You heard me.

What were you doing at
the Institute looking for her?

What makes you think I was there?

I couldn't tell you that.
It would ruin the game.

The game's almost over, Peter,
and you're running out of time.

No, it's you who's
running out of time.

You're starting to make
mistakes now.

You're just wondering,
how much do I really know...

how close I'm getting.
I'm getting pretty close, pal...

and I'm gonna
nail your ass to the wall!

Very nice speech, Peter.

Did you rehearse that
or was it impromptu?

There's an old wooden bench in the
garden. Next to it is a rock.

You'll find a message
for you under it.

Let's see if you're as clever as
you think you are.

"Peter: In a fierce magazine you
will find a hint of my action to come.

As large as you may be in the world
of pawns and castles...

you are still light years
from reaching me.

Invisible as the air, one hundred men
with their desperate pleas to stop...

can't move me."

- Why does he set this line apart?
- For emphasis?

Exactly.

It's the key.

What does he mean by
fierce magazine? Violent?

A fierce magazine...
brutal...

an angry magazine...
a war magazine...

- a scary...
- Mad...

Mad Magazine!

- Do we have a note?
- We just put it on the board.

No, I need the original note.

- Here.
- Maybe.

The kids at the clinic love
to read Mad Magazine.

If you fold the pages
just right...

the text reads differently.

"Peter, in a fierce action
to come.

As large as castles,
you are still light as the air...

one hundred men can't move me."

- That doesn't make any sense.
- Because we don't understand it yet.

- But a hundred men could move him.
- He's not talking about himself.

Then why don't he tell us what
he's talking about then?

If we'd knew that, we'd know
the answer to the riddle, wouldn't we?

He is telling us where he's gonna kill
tonight, and we can't see it.

Let's back up and look at
what we do now.

These girls are all the same type,
they were all murdered at night...

they moved in a new quarters
in the last year...

and they all rented from
the same place: Roxbridge Rentals.

I thought the rental place
was a dead end.

It's gotta be more than a coincidence.
Someone is accessing the files.

The woman who owns
that place has a son.

We're trying to locate him. We're also
checking on the cleaning service.

He moves around a lot.
Why?

He finds his victims through Roxbridge
Rentals. He goes where they are.

But they rent so many places.
Why should he move all over the island?

Jesus! It can't be that easy!

What?

You wanna tell us
what the hell you're doing?

He told us and we missed it.
He said he's never been anywhere.

Therefore, this island is
the world to him.

As far as he's concerned
this is a map of the world.

That's why he quoted Huxley.
"The chessboard is the world".

He is using the map
as a chessboard!

The son of a bitch
is playing chess with me!

Wait a minute.
How can he be playing chess with you?

You haven't made
a move against him.

Maybe I already have.

E2, E4.

D2, D4.

It must be an opening.
He starts the game, he's white.

B1, C3.

And C1, F4.

It's the number two variation
of the Tarakoss opening.

David?

Can you get into
the Federation records?

Sure. We got a modem line hooked up
with the data base in New York.

Can you bring up the tournament
records of the past ten years?

Mr. Sanderson, there could be
hundred of thousands of games.

We're only interested
in the names of people...

that have played opposite
to Mr. Sanderson.

Search for anyone who used
that opening against me.

There should be
less than a handful.

The first is 1983.
Lionel Baines. Boston.

No, no, no.
He died two years ago.

1985. Hans Korshaud.

No, he's seventy years old
and he lives in Holland.

- What is it?
- New York, 1986.

Viktor Yurilivich.

He's replaying the game I played
against him...

move by move,
using the girls as the chess pieces.

You found all the girls
in their homes...

except Christie Eastman, who was
found in the back of a warehouse.

He had to move to that grid in order to
follow the game he played against you.

Right. D4.

It's a commercial area.
No one lives there.

That's where he had to place
the body to make the move.

Can you guess what
his next move is going to be?

His last move was C1, F4.

My next move would be F8, G7.

So his move should be
F1, C4. Right here!

You want me to what?

I want you to take all these streets
and feed them into your computer.

As large as castles,
still light as the air...

but one hundred men
can't move me.

It's posed as a question:
What am I?

- A building.
- It's not as light as the air.

What's large, as light as the air
and can't be moved?

As large as castles.

Why say castles if you mean
a general type structure?

He's not gonna give us direct hints,
he's gonna squirt around it.

He names castles, plural...

then says, "can't move me",
singular.

Why not say
"can't move us?"

A shadow.

What's as big as a castle?
As light as the air...

but one hundred men
can't move it?

The shadow of the castle.

Are there any buildings
with the name "castle" in it...

that cast a shadow long enough
to fall across another...

There's an apartment in the area
called "Castle Arms".

- That's gotta be it.
- Right.

Okay. The Rental Agency
gave us the name Laura Owens.

She moved into an apartment across
from the Castle Arms a week ago.

We're sending her over to stay
with her parents in Seattle...

where the police over there
are going to watch her tonight.

Officer Gordon, I want you to spend
the night in her apartment.

Andy, I want you
to go to the hotel...

stick with Yurilivich
through the tournament...

and wherever he goes
afterwards, alright?

With any luck tonight,
we're gonna wrap this up.

You all set?

You wanna tuck me in?

Maybe later.

- Okay, everybody in position?
- All set.

What happened?

There seems to be
a problem with the board.

It's gone crazy.

The computer is down. It'll take
several hours. Adjourn to tomorrow?

Our expert tells us that the computer
will take several hours to repair.

Forgive us,
ladies and gentlemen...

but until tomorrow then.
Thank you.

Getting a bad feeling about this.

If Yurilivich were making a move
Andy would have called by now.

- You think we're in the wrong place?
- No, this is gotta be it.

It's the only building around here
with the name "castle" in it.

Around here.

What does that mean,
around here?

There's the Castle Crown Apartments
over on Pine Road across town.

Why the hell wasn't I told
that before?

It's in another grid.

- You said you only wanted to cover...
- I said I wanted options, goddamit!

This guy's a psychopath,
for Christ's sake!

How is she?

- She's gonna make it.
- You alright?

I've seen a lot of things on this job,
nothing like this. Yurilivich?

I was with him the whole time
until I got the call at the hotel.

Come on, move it.
Get it up there.

- What about Sanderson?
- I spoke to Jeremy.

Sanderson went out after the match,
he hasn't come back since.

Find him.
I wanna talk to him.

- Can I come in?
- Sure.

Thank you.

The other night, I...

said some things that maybe
I shouldn't have.

I mean...

you haven't known me
for very long and...

I can see how
you thought what you did.

I'm not looking
for an apology, Peter.

When this is over,
maybe we could...

I want someone
I can feel close with.

I don't think
that's possible with you.

You really haven't seen
my best side.

Remember how you said I hide myself
behind my chessboard?

Well, ever since my wife died I...

I've been afraid of getting
too close to someone again.

Afraid of losing them.

Your wife died.

You shouldn't feel
responsible for that.

It wasn't an accident.

She... she drove her car
over that cliff.

The police said it was
an accident, but I knew...

I've always known.

I closed myself off to her...

and then...

when I found the letter
I closed myself off to everything else.

Beating Yurilivich and
playing for the title...

was all I could think about.

Then I had a breakdown in the middle
of the match. I couldn't go on.

I've never opened it.

Why not?

Because I know what it says.

Maybe you're afraid of what it says.

Can you stay with me, please?

Peter. There are many
pains we feel in this world...

but loving someone who has
shut you out of his life...

has to be the most
unbearable of them all.

I don't know when things
started to change...

or how we ever drifted
so far apart...

but I can no longer stand
the pain and the emptiness.

So, I'm leaving...

going some place where
the pain will finally stop.

This is my choice. My release.

I only ask that
you shield Erica from the truth...

and forgive me for
what I am about to do.

I love you, Jennifer.

Dr. Sheppard, what goes on
in the mind of someone like this?

That's a very general
question to try to answer.

Is there a usual scenario?

Yes. We usually find that
they've had a traumatic childhood...

and he was probably abused by
a dominant female figure.

That, coupled with the fact that none
of these girls were actually raped...

leads us to believe that he may be
impotent or latent homosexual.

Regardless, he's acting out some kind
of revenge fantasy...

that probably fulfills
some sick sexual needs.

- Peter?
- Hi, Jeremy.

- Where's Erica?
- She went to town with Mrs. Lutz.

- Did you hear that?
- Yeah, I did.

- Feel like practicing?
- I can't.

I gotta meet my friends
down in the dungeon.

Jeremy, I know this is your dream
as much as it is mine.

I just want you to know
I'm gonna do my best.

I know you will.

You'll win.

- Where were you last night?
- Ah, come on...

We're not gonna go
through this again.

- Just answer the question.
- I went out.

Don't fuck with us!
Where did you go?

- He was in my place.
- What time did he get there?

- About a quarter to one.
- We're interested where you were...

from the time you left
the auditorium till you got there.

- I was at the beach.
- You weren't over on Pine Road?

- I'm positive.
- You're lying.

Fuck you!

I'm tired of your goddamn accusations!

You wanna arrest me, do it!
Otherwise, back off!

It's a big game to you, isn't it?

A sick, fucking game.

I don't know if there's two of you
involved, but we're gonna find out.

You gave us just enough information
to send us to the wrong place.

It must have shocked
the hell out of you...

when Frank walked in on Pine Road
and you couldn't finish.

I'm not gonna listen to this.

- Yes, you are.
- Get off me!

Come on!

You wanna shoot me?
So, shoot me!

You're gonna answer that?

Peter. Please.

Hello?

Last night was
very exciting, wasn't it?

Have you figured out
what I'm doing?

You're playing
the Tarakoss opening.

Very good.

Your next move should
have been F1, C4.

I used a variation.
You should have anticipated that.

Have you figured out the message?

What word did
you leave last night?

The police haven't told you?

The police. They think
we're doing this together.

Interesting concept.
I hadn't thought of that.

If you think about how
Anton Berger plays chess...

you might get it.

I'm starting to think
it doesn't mean anything.

- Remember eventually revenge is...
- You're hopeless.

You can't even read a sentence.

Didn't they teach you
punctuation in school?

The game end's tonight.

Remember...

eventually...

revenge...

is carefully...

Carefully what?

Have we tried switching
the words around?

We're not gonna spend any more
time on this crap, are we?

It doesn't mean anything.
It's Sanderson.

It isn't him.

Frank, you brought me in on this
because you wanted my opinion...

as to whether or not he's even capable
of doing something like this.

Jesus, you're sleeping
with the guy.

You've lost your perspective.
You can't possibly be unbiased.

He's right, Kathy.

What are you accusing me of?

Seeing what I wanna see?

Protecting a murderer? What?

We can't trust your judgment anymore.

- What does that mean?
- You're off the case, babe.

I don't have a choice here.

I can't run the risk of compromising
what little information I have...

and the future actions of the department
by sharing information with someone...

who's emotionally involved
with the prime suspect.

Sharing knowledge.

And what if he's wrong?

If you were so sure that it was Peter,
you would have arrested him.

And if it isn't, he's going
to kill again tonight...

and we're not doing anything
with this message.

We'll work on the message.

Fine.

This stinks.

I think there've been five murders
and you've got shit to go on.

You need to blame someone
and Peter's the easiest choice.

- He's a logical choice.
- You don't have a shred of evidence!

We'll find the evidence.

You couldn't find your dick
in a wind storm!

Milk, two sugars while you're there.
What a bitch, huh?

Wagner.

He said the game's gonna be over
tonight. The next word is the last one.

It could be anything.

Remember eventually revenge
is carefully... carefully what?

How did you know
it was "carefully"?

Well, Frank told me.

No, he didn't.

Oh, no. The Killer did.

- When?
- When he said...

"think about the way
Anton Berger plays chess".

Anton Berger wrote one of the most
famous books on chess...

called "Principles and Tactics".

The first chapter is his three rules
to good play:

"Carefully, carefully, carefully".

This is not gonna be
like the phone book, is it?

No. No. Of course not.

- Are you gonna come tonight?
- Yeah. I'll be there later.

- Roxbridge Books.
- Sarah, hi. It's Kathy Sheppard.

Could you look for me and see
if you got a book in on chess...

called "Principles and Tactics"
by Anton Berger?

I'll check.
Can you hold for a moment?

Can you call me back instead?
I'm at 471-3829.

- Of course, Kathy.
- Thanks.

You shouldn't have said
those things about me on TV.

You have no idea what I am.

- Peter...
- Peter isn't here any more.

Help! Help me!

Help!

- Did you see his face?
- I couldn't, he was wearing a mask.

I saw the cut on his wrist.
It's Peter.

I can't arrest someone
for having a cut on the wrist.

Do you have someone
you can stay with?

I have got a room at the Institute.
I can stay there.

Okay. Go on out there,
we'll check back with you later.

King base one.
This Is King fifteen.

Yeah, this is Wagner, go.

I'm out at the old pier. I think
you and the Captain should come down.

- This better be important.
- It is, sir. Over.

Hello, Captain.

Fisherman found
this tacked...

on the railing...

together with
his stick and glasses.

"Peter, I'm sorry, but I just can't...

do it any more."

What is it?

A voice modulator.

He was never there
when the calls came in.

He's been covering
for Sanderson the whole time.

Call Judge Myers. I want a search
warrant for Peter Sanderson.

Kathy, what are you doing here?

What is it?

I've just been...

such an idiot.

What are you doing?

You're crazy!

Peter Sanderson,
you're under arrest.

You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will be used
against you in court of law.

You have the right to an attorney...

- Are you feeling better?
- I just can't believe it.

You don't wanna believe it.
It's a normal reaction.

How come the police have no record
of Peter from before?

These things don't come
out of nowhere.

There has to be
some kind of history, right?

I found our Killer.

Jeremy was my best friend.
He would have never killed himself.

I knew him like he was my father.

Maybe he got tired
of covering up for you.

You might have gotten away with it,
if you hadn't attacked Kathy.

What?

Sarah, hi,
it's Kathy Sheppard.

Remember I called you earlier
about that chess book?

Yes, Kathy. We called you back
but you weren't home.

We have the book.

Listen, I need you to do me
a really big favor, okay?

Look in the first chapter.
The author talks about...

three rules to chess.
Can you tell me what they are, please?

Of course.

Yes, here it is.

They're all the same.

Can you tell me
what they are, please?

"Carefully, carefully, carefully."

Thank you.

The Chess Federation got you a lawyer.
You got three minutes.

Looks like he's ready
for round two to me.

I got a feeling we go in the distance
with this guy. Let him sweat.

It's Peter Sanderson,
calling for Richard Boyd, please.

- Hello, Peter!
- You son of a bitch!

You're a sore looser, Peter.

Cutting my hand like yours was
a brilliant move, don't you think?

If you kill tonight, I'm in jail.
They're gonna know it's not me.

By that time
the game will be over.

Anyway, I figured out the message.

No, you haven't. Even if you had
it doesn't matter. Who'd you tell?

The police don't believe you, and
you just used your only phone call.

Come on, Peter, think.
Think, think.

Kathy, please!
I'm getting dizzy watching you.

I'm sorry.
I'm just nervous.

You're safe.
He won't come here now.

He already did once.

- Why did he?
- Why did he what?

Why did he come here?

- He was watching you.
- That's what we think.

What if I had nothing to do
with the reason he came here?

You're losing me.

What if he came here
because he's a patient?

An out-patient?

Remember. Period.

That's what he meant
by punctuation.

Remember what?

Everything with him
has been word games.

Revenge, arranged,
revenge, arranged...

Holy shit!

- I figured out the message!
- Sit the fuck down, Sanderson.

I figured out the message!

- Hold it!
- Wait, wait.

He's gonna kill my daughter!

Daddy?

Daddy?

Daddy!

He wants me out of the way.

I understand that this
is just one of your games.

You're so fucking stupid, you
can't see what's in front of your eyes.

Andy...

I'll talk to him.

Wagner!

Listen.
I'll do anything you want.

I'll sign anything you want.

Send a car to the hotel, please.

Alright. I confess.

I killed them. I killed them all.

Oh, my God.

Lock him up.
Where is Detective Wagner?

- He just left.
- Where did he go?

I don't know.

- Send a car now!
- No car. It's over, Sanderson.

Don't move!

Give me the gun.

Come on!

On the floor.

Give it to me.

Don't move.

In the cell!

Come on!

Lock the door.

Keys to the cuffs! Come on!

Oh, great. This is just great.

Oh, come on.

- Boy, you scared me.
- Who else is here with you?

- No one.
- Come with me.

I can't.
I have to wait for my dad.

I don't have time
to argue with you, Erica.

Whoever's there,
get us out of here!

Frank?

Kathy!

- Is that you?
- Get us the hell out of here.

Erica!

God!

Oh, God.

Congratulations on your daring escape.

You just missed me by
a few seconds. It's check, Peter.

- Let me speak to my daughter!
- No. I can't do that.

I just wanted you to know that
she wasn't dead yet.

- Good bye, Peter.
- Please, wait!

The game's over. You lost.

It's me you want. Let her go!

As usual, you are wrong.
Its her I want,

Killing you would be easy.

Living with the consequences of losing
will be much more of a defeat,

That wouldn't be
very sporting.

Remember Huxley?

His play is always fair and just.

You're groping. I've been fair.
It's my move now.

I'll give you anything you want.
Anything! Please!

Don't beg, Peter.

- I can't win unless she dies.
- Listen!

A few seconds. Where can you go
in a few seconds?

The noise.

I know the noise.

I know where you are, David.

Very good.
How did you know?

The pump.

Excellent.
It doesn't matter, though.

You still lose. She'll still be dead
before you can get down here.

Checkmate.

Drop the razor!

Put the phone down.

Computers.

That's the way you got into
Roxbridge Rentals records.

You can get into anything.

Yes, I can.

Including your mind.

I'm in there right now,
aren't I, Peter?

I'll always be with you.
No matter how this turns out.

You think that I put you
through some big ordeal.

It is nothing compared to
what you caused me.

In your eyes, I was just
another small town boy...

to be crushed beneath the shoes
of the great child genius.

Nothing I could have done to you,
nothing warrants what you did!

Pain is relative, remember?

You cannot judge mine.

Stay where you are!

You still haven't
figured it out, have you?

Tell me, Peter,
do you have scars?

Scars!

From where I stabbed you
with my fountain pen.

We were only children.

Oh, Jesus.

Son of a bitch!

The basement!

Daddy!

Don't do it, daddy!

Don't! Daddy, don't!

Kathy! Help!

We're coming, baby!

David!

If you do this
you are not going to win.

You're going to lose. Again.

You don't understand
why I have to do it.

Yes, I do. Yes, I do.

I found your file, David. I understand...

but this is not going
to bring back your mother.

My daddy left.

Then my mummy.

There was so much blood.

It covered everything.

You feel bad for not helping
your mummy, right?

I should have stayed with her.

That's why I stayed
with the others.

I cleaned them, I washed them...

so they look nice
when they go see my mummy.

I'm sure your mummy knows that.

I'm sure she understands it.

Children make mistakes, David.

It's okay.

David, put down the knife
now, David. Please.

Put down the knife.

Put down the knife. Please, David.

I can't.

The game is over.