SCENE 9
APARTMENT BUILDING OF SHEILA LARSEN
3625 CENTRAL PARK WEST, APARTMENT 1208
APRIL 30th 1:15PM
GOREN AND EAMES STEP OFF THE ELEVATOR WITH THE BUILDING’S MANAGER. AS THEY WALK DOWN THE CORRIDOR, THE BUILDING MANAGER CASTS SEVERAL LOOKS BETWEEN THE TWO DETECTIVES.
BUILDING MANAGER:
Are you sure this is proper?
EAMES:
I’m sure Ms. Larson won’t object.
GOREN:
Do you know of any visitors Ms. Larson may have had lately?
BUILDING MANAGER:
Well, I think she may have had a new boyfriend.
GOREN and EAMES exchange looks.GOREN:
We hadn’t heard about a boyfriend yet. Did you ever meet him?
BUILDING MANAGER:
No, not formally. But I did see him with Ms. Larsen on several occasions. And, well they seemed very friendly.
GOREN:
Ever hear his name?
BUILDING MANAGER:
No, not that I can recall.
EAMES:
How about a description?
BUILDING MANAGER:
Oh, let’s see. Mid 30’s, sandy brown hair, on the thin side, about as tall as you, Detective Goren.
They reach SHEILA LARSEN’S apartment, the building manager unlocks the door, and steps back to allow the detectives to enter. The man stays, shifting from side to side trying to see into the apartment.EAMES:
We can handle it from here. Thank you.
EAMES pushes the door closed and exchanges a look with Goren as she shakes her head.ooOOoo
SCENE 10
INT: APARTMENT OF SHEILA LARSENEAMES:
Do you think he wanted to help us with the search? My guess is that it wouldn’t be the first time he’s searched a tenant’s apartment. For such a ritzy address, he seems like he’d be more at home as a flophouse manager.
GOREN:
Well, at least he’s attentive enough to know about a boyfriend. And now we do too.
EAMES:
Did Sheila play for both teams? Or was he really just a friend, maybe her beard?
GOREN:
The Sheila I knew was a very friendly, fun girl. She had a lot of friends – male and female, gay and straight. She was always very secure with who she was, she wasn’t the type to need a beard.
GOREN walks over to the desk and pages through an open appointment book. Eames is shuffling through the stack of unopened mail they had brought up with them.EAMES:
Just bills and advertisements. An invitation to a gallery opening in SoHo.
GOREN:
She had several appointments with a Roger Bly of Cascade Films. I thought Allison told us their deal was with Universal?
EAMES:
She did.
EAMES wanders out into the kitchen.EAMES:
I think I just found the boyfriend. A picture of Sheila and a slim, tall sandy hair man in his mid 30’s.
As EAMES walks out of the kitchen with the picture in hand, the two detectives turn back to the front door as they hear a key in the lock. Both reach for their guns.The door opens and ALLISON TYLER enters.GOREN:
Allison? What are you doing here?
ALLISON:
OH… you scared me. I … there should be a copy of the final version of the contract with Universal in Sheila’s desk. I need to get it to our lawyers this afternoon. It wasn’t at work, so I’d hoped it would be here. Her death has put the future of the movie in jeopardy and the lawyers are meeting to try and find a way out of this.
GOREN:
I’m sorry to hear that, Allison.
EAMES:
So, you have a key to Sheila’s apartment? Have you been here since she was found?
ALLISON:
(looks perplexed at the questions)
Um, yes I have a key. I’ve had one for a long time. And no, I haven’t been here since she was found. I called and spoke with your Captain Deakins and he said it shouldn’t be a problem for me to come in and get it. The apartment wasn’t part of the crime scene.
EAMES’ cell phone rings. She reads the caller ID – it reads: DEAKINSEAMES:
Yes, Captain. She’s here now.
The room is quiet as EAMES listens.EAMES:
I’ll let him know. Thanks Captain.
GOREN:
Let me know what?
EAMES:
Ms. Larsen’s doctor, Dr. Sorenson is back in town. He called Deakins and told the captain he’d be available to see us at our convenience. The Captain also apologized for not letting us know you were on your way down here.
ALLISON:
So, is it all right if I look for the contracts?
GOREN:
Yes. Sure. Let me ask you a question though.
GOREN reaches over and takes the photo of SHEILA and the unknown man and walks over to ALLISON.GOREN:
Can you tell us who this man is?
Allison reaches out and takes the photo.
ALLISON:
Oh, well, that’s Mark. Mark Davis.
EAMES:
How long had Sheila and Mr. Davis been seeing each other?
ALLISON: (SHOCKED)
What? No… no they weren’t. Mark and I …
Slowly ALLISON sinks onto the sofa as realization begins to dawn on her.EAMES:
Well this photo does make it seem otherwise.
The photo shows SHEILA LARSEN and MARK DAVIS on a beach toasting each other with a tropical looking drink.GOREN:
How long have you and… Mark, been seeing each other? Did the three of you ever take a vacation together?
ALLISON: (SHAKING HER HEAD)
Mark and I have been together about a year. And no, the three of us never took a vacation together. I’m not much for vacations in the middle of a project, but that didn’t stop Sheila, she took a trip to St. Barts about four months ago. And Mark… that’s the same time that he had business meetings in Los Angeles.
PAUSEALLISON: (SADLY)
He… he didn’t have meetings in Los Angeles, did he?
GOREN:
We… we’re going to have to find out.
ALLISON reaches across GOREN for a pen and a piece of paper and writes…ALLISON:
This is his work number and his cell. He works for Cascade Films.
Handing the sheet of paper to GOREN she sees the contract she’d stopped by to pick up.ALLISON:
This… I think this is the paperwork I needed. Is it all right if I take it?
GOREN:
Certainly. Here you go.
GOREN picks up the contract and hands it to ALLISON. With a nod, she turns and walks past EAMES and opens the door. Stopping in the doorway, she turns back to face the detectives, and looks closely at GOREN.
ALLISON:
I’d appreciate it if you could keep me informed about.. about the investigation.
GOREN:
Of course we will.
Again, ALLISON nods and glances over to EAMES.ALLISON:
Thank you. Thank you detectives.
Turning back she walks out of the apartment and quietly closes the door.EAMES:
Well, I guess our next stop is Cascade Films.
When GOREN doesn’t answer, EAMES takes a few steps closer to him…EAMES:
Bobby? You… you really liked her didn’t you?
GOREN:
I told you Eames, Sheila was a nice friendly girl.
EAMES:
I wasn’t talking about Sheila Larsen.
GOREN: (A LONG PAUSE)
You’re right Eames, our next stop is Cascade Films.
GOREN picks up his notebook and starts for the door. When he opens the door, he turns to see EAMES standing where he left her.GOREN:
Are you coming?
EAMES shrugs as she follows GOREN out of the apartment.ooOOoo
SCENE 11
CASCADE FILMS
3515 34th STREET
APRIL 31st 10:30AMTHE A YOUNG RECEPTIONIST IS LEADING GOREN AND EAMES TO A CONFERENCE ROOM WHERE ROGER BLY AND ANOTHER MAN MARK DAVIS ARE IN THE MIDST OF A HEATED EXCHANGE. BEFORE THE DETECTIVES REACH THE CONFERENCE ROOM, MARK DAVIS STORMS OUT OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM AND BARRELS PAST GOREN AND EAMES. HE STRIDES INTO HIS OFFICE AND SLAMS THE DOOR BEHIND HIM. ROGER BLY WIPES A HAND ACROSS HIS FACE. AS HE NOTICES THE APPROACHING HIM HE STRAIGHTENS HIS SHOULDERS AND STEPS UP TO GREET THEM.EAMES:
Well, he seems a little upset…ROGER:
Um… just a little artistic difference. He’s working out a marketing campaign for our latest movie and seems to be having a little conflict with the actor/director/producer of the film. I was trying to smooth things out… but I don’t think I was very successful with it.GOREN:
Would any of his stress have to do with the death of Sheila Larsen would it?ROGER:
Well, obviously Mark would be upset about that. He worked with Sheila on several projects and the two have become quite friendly over the years.GOREN:
Any thing more than ‘quite friendly’?ROGER:
Not that I’m aware of, you’d have to ask Mark.GOREN:
We will.ROGER: (LOOKING NERVOUS)
Why… why don’t we go into my office. It’s just across the hall.INT: ROGER BLY’S OFFICEROGER BLY, A FIFTY-ISH LOOKING MAN, DRESSED CASUALLY IN DOCKERS AND OPEN NECKED SHIRT WALKED AROUND HIS DESK TO SIT AS HE WAVES THE TWO DETECTIVES TO THE SOFA AND CHAIRS ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE ROOM. GOREN AND EAMES CHOOSE THE CHAIRS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE SOFA. GOREN PLACES HIS NOTEBOOK ON THE TABLE.ROGER BLY:
I was shocked to hear about Sheila. She was… was a lovely girl.
GOREN:
How did you know her?
ROGER:
Sheila has been shopping projects all over town for the last half-dozen years. There are only so many outlets for the type of films, documentaries mainly, that Hazelhurst makes. We’ve worked with Sheila and Allison several times over the years.
GOREN:
Is that how Allison Tyler and Mark Davis met?
ROGER: (FIDGETS IN HIS SEAT)
I believe so.
GOREN:
So it would also be how Sheila Larsen and Mark Davis met?
ROGER:
Again, I believe so.
GOREN:
It’s our understanding from Allison that Universal is handling their current film. And yet we found several appointments…
GOREN leans forwards and opens his binder.GOREN:
…over a dozen with you in the last month. What would those have been about?
After several moments of silence, ROGER sighs before answering.ROGER:
Sheila was considering leaving Hazelhurst. We… we were in talks to bring her here. She wanted more then a small film company, we’re a little bigger with a higher profile. She saw us as another stop on her way to Los Angeles.
GOREN:
Did Allison know about Sheila’s plans to leave?
ROGER:
I really wouldn’t know. We didn’t discuss it. We really did keep our conversations about contract negotiations.
EAMES:
You never asked if her partner knew if she was planning to leave?
ROGER:
It was really none of my business. I figured that was between Sheila and Allison.
EAMES:
What can you tell us about Sheila Larsen and Mark Davis?
ROGER:
Not much. They worked together on several projects. Seemed to like each other. But then most people seemed to like Sheila. Most people seem to like Mark as well.
EAMES:
Did they have a personal relationship as well as business?
ROGER:
I know they had dinner several times lately, but other than that… I really don’t know.
GOREN stands and starts walking around the office. He peers closely at several awards lining the walls.GOREN:
The Tribeca Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Sundance… You’ve been very successful, lately.
ROGER:
We’ve been very fortunate. I have a great staff, dedicated and hardworking who just want to film, produce and get great films out to people.
GOREN:
That photo on your desk. The one with you and Sheila? When was that taken?
ROGER:
Um… that was… earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.
GOREN:
So, has everything always been strictly professional between you and Sheila?
ROGER:
I never said things had always been strictly professional, merely our latest talk. Sheila, Allison and I have been friendly for years. Now, it that’s all I have some calls I need to return to the West Coast. If I can be of any other assistance, please call my assistant and we’ll see when we can fit you in.ooOOoo
SCENE 12
INT: MARK DAVIS’ OFFICEMARK DAVIS SITS AT HIS DESK, AND GOREN AND EAMES ARE SITTING IN TWO CHAIRS IN FRONT OF THE DESKMARK DAVIS:
So you’re Robert Goren. Bobby. Allison’s mentioned you. You’re not exactly what I was expecting. Although if you were to ask me what I was expecting, I couldn’t tell you, other than you’re not it.
EAMES:
Mr. Davis, could you tell us then, how long you’ve been seeing both Allison Tyler and Sheila Larsen?
MARK:
Well, I’ve known both girls since I came here to Cascade. About two years now. Allison and I started seeing each other about a year ago. Sheila and I about six months ago.
EAMES:
We were under the impression that Sheila Larsen was gay.
MARK:
Well, all I can tell you, is she decided the other team wasn’t as bad as she thought.
EAMES:
Does Allison Tyler know about your relationship with Sheila?
MARK:
I think you know the answer to that, especially after yesterday afternoon. I certainly never told her. Sheila may have always gone after what she wanted, but she would never have intentionally wanted to hurt Allison.
EAMES:
And she wanted you?
MARK:
Apparently. Look, it wasn’t a big deal. Sheila was just, I don’t know, experimenting with a different life choice. And Allison, well that’s never been as serious as she thought it was.
EAMES:
Was?
MARK:
As you can imagine, she was a little upset last night.
GOREN:
When was the last time you saw Sheila?
MARK:
The night she died. We had dinner at La Chateux. She was drinking – a lot. We had an argument, she left me at the restaurant and I went home. I tried calling her at work the next day, and then later that afternoon, I heard that she was dead.
GOREN:
Did you know that Sheila Larsen was pregnant?
MARK:
So… she hadn’t taken care of that yet. Hmm. Yes, detectives, I knew. She told me about a month ago. She was going to have an abortion. I didn’t want a kid and she didn’t want a kid. It happened.
EAMES:
You seem real broken up by it.
MARK:
Look, I told you, it wasn’t that big a deal between us. She was incredibly nice and I liked her, hell everyone liked Sheila, but we weren’t in love. It was just sex.
EAMES:
What about Allison Tyler?
MARK sits in silence as GOREN stares at him. Silence.
EAMES:
That’s what I thought.
ooOOoo
SCENE 13
EXT. CASCADE FILMS BUILDINGGOREN AND EAMES EXIT THE BUILDING AND WALK TOWARDS THEIR CAR. EAMES CAUTIOUSLY LOOKS OVER AT HER PARTNER.EAMES:
We’re going to have to question her, again. In greater detail.
GOREN: (NODDING SLOWLY)
I know. I… I think you should probably take that one, on your own. We can split up and I’ll go see Dr. Sorenson.
EAMES:
OK. First thing tomorrow, we’ll split up. We need to get back and brief the captain before the captain's meeting this afternoon.
ooOOoo
SCENE 14
MANHATTAN GENERAL HOSPITAL
MAY 1ST 10:30AMINT: MEDICAL OFFICE OF WILLIAM SORENSON, M.D.WILLIAM SORENSON IS A MAN IN HIS EARLY 40’S, RECEDING HAIR LINE, DEEPLY TANNED. SORENSON AND GOREN ARE IN THE DOCTOR’S LOUNGE EACH WITH A CUP OF COFFEE IN FRONT OF THEM. GOREN’S NOTEBOOK IS BALANCED ON HIS CROSSED LEG.GOREN:
How long had Sheila Larsen been a patient of yours?
SORENSON:
Almost ten years.
GOREN:
So you’re very familiar with her history…
SORENSON:
Yes. A great deal of it. Her HIV status required frequent visits. She became one of my patients just after her diagnosis with HIV.
GOREN:
The Medical Examiner found that her status had changed. She had aids now.
SORENSON: (NODDING)
We fought it for a long time, but yes her status changed about six months ago. We were fighting it aggressively and she had a very positive attitude. Her prognosis was still very good.
GOREN:
The M.E. also says that she was approximately six months pregnant.
SORENSON: (SHOCKED)
I wasn’t aware of that. I take it she was artificially inseminated by another doctor.
GOREN:
We haven’t been able to find any evidence that she was.
SORENSON:
You don’t mean..?
GOREN:
You tell me.
SORENSON:
She never said anything that would lead me to believe that she wasn’t still in a same sex relationship or that she was engaged in risky practices.
GOREN:
When was the last time you saw her?
SORENSON:
She had an appointment just last week.
GOREN:
She didn’t seem worried or concerned about anything?
SORENSON:
She was responding well to treatment and it was a very uneventful visit. She was excited about her latest project. She and her partner were entering one of their documentaries in the Tribeca Film Festival.
GOREN closes his binder and stands, extending his hand.GOREN:
Thank you for your time, Dr. Sorenson. Here’s my card. If you think of anything, please give me a call.
SORENSON:
I will detective. i…I hope you find whoever did this. Sheila was a wonderful girl.
GOREN:
That’s how I remember her too, Dr. Thank you again, doctor.
SORENSON:
Then you know.
GOREN:
Yes I do.
