The Puppeteer (© Shelly Bennett)
Page 3 INT.
BURROWS’ OFFICE – EARLY MORNING Burrows
shuts the door once Stryker is inside. With
Stryker uncomfortably standing there, Burrows walks around his desk and sits in
a chair that looks as weary as Burrows himself. CAPTAIN BURROWS Please. Burrows
gestures for Stryker to take a seat, which he reluctantly does. Burrows
is the first to break the silence. CAPTAIN BURROWS Don’t let Ryder get to you. We all know
David’s death wasn’t your fault. STRYKER I know. (changes subject) Why have you called me in here, sir? CAPTAIN BURROWS I heard the autopsy report is in. STRYKER Just like the other two victims.
Strangled. Strung from the ceiling. No latents. No hair fibers. They did
find some trace evidence, particles possibly dirt or spores of some kind. CAPTAIN BURROWS Spores? STRYKER Forensics is in the middle of analyzing
them as we speak. Burrows
carefully regards Stryker. CAPTAIN BURROWS So, how are you doing? STRYKER I’m doing fine. CAPTAIN BURROWS Are you sure? I can’t have you going
around fighting everybody in the department. STRYKER But I… CAPTAIN BURROWS Please, let me finish. Everybody has
been affected by David’s death, especially Ryder out there. Stryker
looks tormented. CAPTAIN BURROWS This is turning into a high profile
case. I need you completely focused and functioning at 100%. STRYKER I’ve always given you 100%, sir. CAPTAIN BURROWS You used to give me 100%. You’ve been
withdrawn and distracted since David’s death. (changes subject) You will let me know once forensics is
finished analyzing those particles. STRYKER Yes, sir. Stryker
looks as if he wants to say something, but is reserved in doing so. CAPTAIN BURROWS Is there anything else? STRYKER I… (hesitant) I’ve hit a wall, sir. CAPTAIN BURROWS You? I find that hard to believe. STRYKER We have a serial killer on our hands and
I have absolutely nothing to go on. No motive. No suspect. No evidence. CAPTAIN BURROWS Does this have to do with David’s death? We can
see by the look on Stryker’s face that the words hurt. STRYKER No sir. CAPTAIN BURROWS You’re a good detective. We both know
that. Stryker
slightly nods his head in agreement. STRYKER This has nothing to do with David. I
have no evidence to profile the killer. (slight beat) I was wondering. A friend of mine is a
profiler for the FBI. I honestly think she could help us on this case. CAPTAIN BURROWS Does she have that kind of time to help
us? [ Continue to page 4 ] |