- Chris Watts: [drops coin in newspaper slot] It's easier with those.
- Karen Cook: We-we, uh, we met this morning.
- [smiles and chuckles]
- Karen Cook: How are you? Ah, it-it's...
- Chris Watts: You know, they post the lottery numbers at the corner store.
- Karen Cook: I'm not interested in the lottery numbers.
- [puts more coins in and takes the paper]
- Karen Cook: I want the headline.
- [begins looking at paper]
- Chris Watts: Uh, your car is in the red.
- Karen Cook: How far is South Ridge from here?
- Chris Watts: I'd say it's about 20 miles. Listen, the street cleaners come at four, so you might wanna move your vehicle. Are you asking me because of the murders yesterday?
- Karen Cook: [studying paper intently] Yeah.
- Chris Watts: [looks down] I don't know what kind of animal can kill an entire family.
- Karen Cook: At seventeen years, Jack Riley killed his mother, then he killed four families, including my own, before he was caught.
- Chris Watts: [looks away uncomfortably] I'm sorry.
- Karen Cook: Because he was underage, he was tried as a juvenile. Some smart-ass psychologist, desperate public defendant conjured up this lame defense that he was not guilty by reason of temporary insanity.
- Chris Watts: How did they come to that?
- Karen Cook: Psychologist entered into evidence a bunch of slasher movies, claiming media saturation prejudiced his right to a fair trial.
- Chris Watts: [in disbelief] Media saturation?
- Karen Cook: The news media started calling him "Basement Jack." Comparing him to any number of movie psychos, he became a schoolyard taunt.
- [nods at Chris; looks away and grabs envelope]
- Karen Cook: This is some of his handiwork.
- [gives pictures from envelope to Chris, who takes them intrigued and looks]
- Karen Cook: The jury bought the defense and sent him to some plush psych ward for ten years. He was released almost a year ago.
- [sighs and takes another document, reading]
- Karen Cook: Severe weather patterns in the spring. Reported here. Also here and here. Five families murdered.
- Chris Watts: [slightly shakes head] So, what, bad weather is his trigger?
- Karen Cook: And me. All these murders occurred in towns where I lived. He's following me. Finishing up a loose end. And then a storm hits and he attacks, so I move.
- Chris Watts: Think he's here?
- Karen Cook: I know he is. Because I followed him here.
- Karen Cook: [rolls down window] Good morning, officer. Is something the matter?
- Chris Watts: That's exactly my question for you.
- Karen Cook: [looks around] Where did everyone go?
- Chris Watts: Home?
- Karen Cook: Ugh, I'm sorry.
- [juts head against the seat]
- Karen Cook: I had a few last night and I didn't wanna drive so I just slept it off here.
- [sheepish smile]
- Chris Watts: This is a pretty rough side of town, ma'am.
- Karen Cook: I know. You're right. I'm stupid sometimes. Stupid alcohol.
- Chris Watts: I have family in Wicker Valley.
- Karen Cook: Sorry?
- Chris Watts: Your tags, they say Wicker Valley. So, is that where you're from?
- Karen Cook: Born and raised! On Oak Street.
- Chris Watts: [mock friendliness] Oh, Oak Street. Nice area!
- Karen Cook: [smiles] Yeah.
- Chris Watts: [looks off to the right] Of course, I guess every town's got an Oak Street.
- [looks back at Karen]
- Chris Watts: What was the zip code there again?
- Karen Cook: [chuckles] I feel like I woke up on a game show. Some handsome MC with so many questions.
- Chris Watts: I'm going to need to see your license and registration, ma'am.
- Karen Cook: Sure.
- Romanda: A822
- Chris Watts: Watts here.
- Romanda: Watts, Romanda. Sergeant wants you back at the station for a meeting.
- Chris Watts: [talking on radio] I'm in the middle of a traffic stop, Romanda.
- Romanda: Now, Chris. Stupid rookies.
- Chris Watts: I gonna - I'm gonna need you to move the vehicle, ma'am.
- Karen Cook: It's Karen. Thanks, Chris.
- [puts head against seat again in relief as he leaves; she starts the car]