Synopsis: After her initial investigation and upon heading back to town Detective Eileen Wise has called ahead to request Judge Branthaven, D.A. Lynden Dale and Defense Attorney Lannie Ross to meet her at the judge's chambers at the superior courthouse. Once gathered the detective gives an account of the evidence she has uncovered from the scene thus far. The clues uncovered seem shocking and could be seen to further implicate poor Laura of kidnapping her dear friend Elizabeth. Some of the evidence is still not conclusive however and Lannie Ross seems convinced of Laura's innocence.
Setting: Saturday November 30th, 2002: Just before 7pm
Characters: Eileen Wise (Magnadoodle), Marie Branthaven (Puddleduck), Lynden Dale (Jeremyguy) and Lannie Ross (Gracie Wacie)
Open with Judge Branthaven sitting behind her desk in her chambers at the Guy County Superior Courthouse. Lynden Dale has just entered and moves to sit across from her to await the arrival of Detective Eileen Wise and Defense Attorney Lannie Ross to discuss possible legal proceedings concerning the now apparent abduction of Elizabeth Springer.
Judge: (Looking up as Lynden enters) �Ah, Counselor. Thank you for coming.�
Lynden: (Taking a seat in front of the desk) �It was no problem your honor. I happened to be spending the day at my office anyway to catch up on some of my case files.�
Judge: �Working on a Saturday Mr. Dale? That�s a bit unusual for you isn�t it? Those files must be pretty important. I would have expected you to be at the sports club practicing for the upcoming ping pong tournament at the hot chocolate festival next weekend.�
Lynden: (Smiling in response) �Well, I have been practicing your honor. And the files weren�t too pressing, I just wanted to work on organizing everything. I got to my office this morning around seven, but didn�t think I would be here all day.�
Judge: (Her expression showing a hint of deep concern) �Yes, this tragic event is very disheartening. I was enjoying the day with my family when Ms. Ross called me with the news an hour ago. This is definitely not something we should wait to address until Monday.� (Looks at Lynden questioningly) �I understand you know Ms. Springer fairly well?�
Lynden: �Yes your honor. In fact we are quite fond of one another. [bows his head as if sorrowful] She has such a kind heart for those children. [looks back at the judge] I pray she is all right.�
Judge: (In a sympathetic tone) �As do I Mr. Dale. She is such a vibrant part of this community and I am sure her disappearance affects us all deeply.�
Lynden: �So I assume that detective Wise called you as well, asking for us all to meet here?�
Judge: �Yes. She called me shortly after Ms. Ross did. She said that her findings at the scene of the incident should be addressed immediately.�
Voices can now be heard outside, approaching the judge�s chambers.
Judge: �That must be them now.�
Lynden rises from his chair to open the door. Just approaching is Detective Wise and Lannie Ross. They see Lynden open the door and suddenly fall quiet.
Lynden: �Ladies, [motions for them to enter] we have been expecting you.�
Lannie and Eileen both nod in appreciation and enter into the judge�s chambers, respectively taking seats before her desk.
Judge: (In a cordial yet professional tone) �Detective Wise, Counselor Ross. It is good to see you both. Regrettably it is under such unhappy circumstances. Of course you both know D.A. Dale. Glad you could both make it.�
Lannie: �Yes your honor we both just arrived and met in the hall. As for the circumstances, they are regrettable. (looks to Lynden in acknowledgment as he returns to his seat) Counselor Dale. [looking back to the judge] I apologize for my less than detailed account of the situation. Detective Wise tells me however that she explained in greater detail when she spoke with you by phone on her way here. I assume you all know why we are here then?�
Judge: (A troubled expression on her face) �Yes Ms. Ross, but perhaps the detective would care to elaborate for everyone�s benefit?�
Eileen: (In a tone denoting a serious frame of mind) �Certainly your honor. As we all know by now, an outstanding citizen of our community, namely Ms. Elizabeth Springer, has disappeared while hiking along the mountain trail near the Ridgetop lodge with her longtime friend and co-worker Ms. Laura Lynn. [gets up from her chair and paces a bit] According to Sheriff Tarr�s report Ms. Lynn arrived at the Ridgetop lodge, apparently badly shaken, just over five hours ago to report her friend missing. Sheriff Tarr was present at the lodge having a late lunch and was called in to surmise the situation.�
Judge: (Interjecting for a moment) �Excuse me for a moment detective, but did Sheriff Tarr examine the scene where the disappearance took place?�
Eileen: �No your honor. As per his report the sheriff felt it best not to compromise the scene, but rather decided to escort Ms. Lynn to the precinct for further questioning. On his way to town he radioed the station and I was called to the scene to investigate along with a search and rescue team dispatched to try and locate Ms. Springer. At that time she was simply presumed missing.�
Lynden: �If I may detective, has anything been found that might indicate where Eli��Ms. Springer is?
Eileen: (Turns toward Lynden) �I will get to that in a moment Mr. Dale. [begins pacing again] While I arrived at the scene and began investigating, Ms Lynn was with the sheriff and Mr. Dale here at the precinct being questioned to determine what had happened.�
Lannie: (Strongly interjecting) �Being interrogated is more like it! The sheriff practically accused my client of kidnapping and business extortion!�
Judge: (Looks sternly at Lannie) �Now let�s keep a semblance of order here everyone. I appreciate the seriousness of this situation, but please let�s keep our wits about us. (turns back to Eileen) Please continue detective.�
Eileen: �Yes, thank you your honor. (pauses a moment to collect her thoughts) �My preliminary investigation was a bit difficult because of all the leaves having fallen this time of year, but I was able to determine a few certainties. Only two distinct sets of shoe prints were found. The molds of those prints are being processed at the lab. Also there are conclusive signs of a struggle several yards down the trail from Buena vista. There are some bits of frayed rope and signs that someone was dragged further down the north slope of the mountain. I followed the trail a short ways and found tire tracks from a small all terrain type vehicle. Those tracks led to the lower highland paved road so I could no longer follow them. I suspect Ms. Springer was abducted, bound and driven off in this vehicle. Where she may be now is anyone�s guess. But as a precaution I have the search and rescue team combing the entire north slope of the mountain and checking out every building in the area. But I am afraid it may be all in vain. She could be anywhere by now. [stops pacing and faces Judge Branthaven] I came here directly from the investigation site and so far this is all we know.�
Lynden: �So what of the shoe prints detective? Can anything be determined by them?�
Eileen: (Turns to face Lynden) �Well Mr. Dale, the molds will tell us more once analyzed, but I am nearly certain that they were women�s hiking shoes.�
Judge: (Leans back in her chair, regarding the detective�s report) �So then detective, we may presume by the evidence thus far that there were only two individuals on the trail at the time. And that being the case, we already know who those two were. (looks to Lannie with a raised brow) Ms. Ross, this information does not bode well for your client.�
Lannie: (Keeping a calm demeanor) �It would seem so your honor, [turns to Eileen] but detective, you said the signs of struggle were conclusive, but what of the shoe prints?�
Eileen: �Well Ms. Ross, we will have to take a casting of your client�s shoes to see if there is a match. There is also the possibility that some clues were missed. As I said, this was just a preliminary investigation. I will head out at first light tomorrow to conduct a more extensive search. The area is already taped off and secured so not to be disturbed.�
Lynden: (Had mostly been sitting back listening carefully to the conversation the entire time) �Well detective, I must say, excellent work as usual. It would seem by the evidence thus far that the sheriff may have been on to something with his initial assessment of the incident.�
Lannie: (Glares at Lynden) �At this point counselor, that is merely a supposition. Things are not always what they first appear to be, and as the detective has said, some things may have been missed and the prints are not yet conclusive.�
Lynden: �Yes Ms. Ross, but it is a place to start.�
Judge: (Sensing the tension mounting, interrupts the lawyer�s discussion) �Counselors, I think that we have gone as far as we can go today. In light of the current evidence before us, we will allow Ms. Lynn to remain in the custody of her aunt on her own recognizance. Detective Wise please keep us informed as to any new findings.�
Eileen: (Has stopped pacing and stands facing the judge) �Of course your honor. Now if you will excuse me, I would like to get back to the lab.�
Judge: �Certainly detective. (turns to the lawyers) Mr. Dale, Ms. Ross, thank you for coming today. Hopefully we will have a clearer picture soon.
Fade out as the four adjourn and begin exiting the room.
End of scene 5
