THE SENTINEL Black Bear FADE IN: INT. MERRICK MILL - DUSK The mill is dark, the floor a mix of dirt and wood dust. JULIE is on the main floor guiding a log, already stripped of its bark by a chipper, towards a massive saw blade. Her hair is pulled back into a pony tail. She has a wiry strength that exceeds her stature. LENNY, a slight middle-aged man, walks through the mill. Both are outfitted in hard hats, coveralls and steel-toe boots. Julie also wears work gloves and safety goggles. LENNY Julie, what are you still doing here? JULIE Overtime. LENNY Have you seen Fred? JULIE He's out in the yard, I think. Lenny exits the mill looking for Fred. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK YARD - DUSK FRED is at work next to a fork lift. He is an imposingly large, muscular man with impressively scarred knuckles. He has a heavy wrench in his hand. NEW ANGLE Lenny approaches, nervous but determined. LENNY We have to talk. Fred glances up from his work. LENNY I found the stash. This gets Fred's full attention LENNY I thought it was supposed to be a one shot deal. And only then because it was the only way to keep the company afloat. FRED And? LENNY It's not worth it. You must know that. I can't stay on here knowing what I know, so lets just call it quits. I keep my mouth shut and you let me walk away. FRED You want out? You're out. LENNY Okay. Good. Lenny retreats a step then turns to walk away. FRED And Lenny? LENNY Yeah? As he turns, Fred strikes Lenny across the side of his head with the wrench. CLOSE UP of Lenny as he hits the ground unconscious, his face bleeding. FRED No hard feelings. Fred steps over Lenny, then shoves his hands beneath Lenny's shoulders and lifts. CUT TO: INT. THE LOFT - NIGHT CLOSE SHOT of steak sizzling. BLAIR is in the kitchen cooking intensely. He begins to set the table. JIM arrives home from work in a dark mood. BLAIR Jim, you're home. Dinner's just about ready. Take a seat. Jim deposits his coat and crosses to the table. He is not in a talking mood. BLAIR (CONT'D) I miss anything important today? Blair plants a salad on the table as Jim sits down. JIM Not much. BLAIR I've almost completed that installation for the museum. JIM Mm. BLAIR I should be able to come in with you for most of the day tomorrow. Blair sets the last of the serving bowls down and seats himself. JIM Salad, steak and three vegetables? What's up? BLAIR That's what I want to know. Blair casually drops his napkin down onto his lap. JIM What do you mean? BLAIR Something's been bugging you for days. JIM Nothing's bothering me. Jim stabs his salad with his fork. BLAIR You've been restless, grumpy, distant-- it's driving me nuts. Jim dismisses this, his jaw set in silent denial. BLAIR And what was with the pacing last night? Jim takes bite of salad then abruptly shoves his chair back. He brushes past Blair on his way to the kitchen. BLAIR (CONT'D) Jim . . . ? Blair tosses his napkin onto the table and follows. BLAIR (CONT'D) Listen, Jim, if it's something you can't talk to me about . . . Blair notes Jim's pained expression. BLAIR (CONT'D) What is it? JIM Nothing. It's just a tooth ache. BLAIR Try a dentist? JIM I've been busy. BLAIR You haven't been that busy. Jim, are you afraid of the dentist? JIM I'm not. It's just now, with this sentinel stuff . . . BLAIR You're worried that the novocain won't work or even if it does your senses might amplify a little bit of pain into a lot of pain. I told you we should've experimented with-- JIM I'm not worried about the pain. I'm getting pretty good at, you know, turning the dial down. It's just I got to thinking about the drill grinding against my tooth, those vibrations working down into my jaw. The phone rings, Jim snatches it up thankfully. JIM Ellison. (beat) Hey Simon, what's up? Where? No, no problem. Jim hangs up the phone. JIM There's been a death, an industrial accident. The night shift is short- handed so Simon wants me to run out and take a look. BLAIR So much for dinner. Blair grabs his jacket and follows Jim out. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK YARD - NIGHT Jim's truck pulls past a sign reading MERRICK INTERNATIONAL LTD. FULL SHOT of the facility which includes the mill and a surrounding yard. The yard is full of stacked lumber and cargo containers on chassis. At the moment, emergency vehicles dominate the scene. Jim and Blair emerge from Jim's truck. The camera moves past a forklift towards a heap of fallen lumber about which activity is focused. Jim and Blair press through, showing their ID. As they reach the accident scene, Blair gets a good look and pales. BLAIR Oh. CLOSE SHOT of a bloody hand sticking up through a jumble of logs. BLAIR (CONT'D) Oh. Hey, you know what, I think I'll just . . . JIM Why don't you hang back a bit while I go talk to the medical examiner. BLAIR Alright. Okay. ANGLE ON ACCIDENT SCENE Jim turns his attention to the accident scene. The MEDICAL EXAMINER is crouched next to Lenny's body. Much of the body is hidden by the press of lumber. However, by some chance, Lenny's face is visible and almost untouched. The scene is lit with portable lights on tripods. JIM Hi Serena. What have we got? MEDICAL EXAMINER Lenny Pesner, an employee. It seems he was walking past when a forklift bumped the other side of this stack. The whole thing came down. He didn't stand a chance. JIM Who was operating the forklift? MEDICAL EXAMINER Fred Herst. He's the foreman here. I gather he had no idea Mr. Pesner was back here until after the fact. JIM Any witnesses? MEDICAL EXAMINER None. First on the scene was another employee, Julie Wackerman. ANGLE AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE Blair is deliberately positioning himself as far away from the body as he can without actually leaving the scene. He meets someone with similar motivations. Julie is sitting on the edge of a stack of lumber. She is deeply shaken. BLAIR Are you okay? JULIE I'll be fine. (beat) I'm sorry, who are you? BLAIR Blair Sandburg. She glances at the ID clipped to his jacket. JULIE You're with the police? BLAIR Actually I'm an anthropologist. I work as a consultant to the police department. JULIE I can't believe this. Lenny was careful, always. BLAIR When did you last see him? JULIE Just before it happened. He was looking for Fred. I guess he found him. BLAIR I m sorry, who's Fred? JULIE Our foreman. I can't imagine . . . BLAIR How did it happen? JULIE Fred accidentally backed the forklift into that stack of lumber. It came down. Lenny was on the other side-- the wrong place at the wrong time. You're an anthropologist? What do you do with the police department? BLAIR I observe. CLOSE UP ON BLAIR Blair looks back towards the accident scene. BLAIR'S POV - TOWARDS THE ACCIDENT SCENE Blair watches as Jim approaches Fred. BACK TO SHOT BLAIR (CONT'D) Speaking of which, if you'll excuse me? JULIE (nods) NEW ANGLE Blair joins Jim who is already speaking to Fred. JIM Mr. Herst, I understand you were operating the forklift. FRED Yes. It's a terrible way to lose a life. These things never make any sense. I have no idea why Lenny was back there. BLAIR Do you know why he wanted to talk to you? Fred is startled. Both Fred and Jim look to Blair for an explanation. BLAIR Julie said that when she last spoke to Lenny he was looking for you. FRED I wouldn't know. I never saw him. Not until it was too late. JIM We understand this must be extremely difficult for you. Jim eyes Fred, suddenly suspicious. Jim's cell phone rings. JIM Excuse me. Jim answers his phone. JIM (CONT'D) (into phone) Ellison. (beat) Simon, could you hold on for just a second? (to Fred) Thank you for your time. (to Simon) No, everything is under control out here. Okay. I'll see you in the morning Simon. BLAIR What now? JIM Home for cold steak. Do you think I could make mine into a sandwich? BLAIR Do you intend to puree it first? JIM Why don't you wait for me at the truck, I want to have another word with the medical examiner. NEW ANGLE Jim strides over to the medical examiner who is now standing slightly back from the body. JIM Just on my way out. MEDICAL EXAMINER I wish I could say the same but extracting the body is going to take some time. JIM Serena, be thorough with this one. MEDICAL EXAMINER Anything specific? JIM No. Not really. Just take your time and I'll check in with you tomorrow. CUT TO: EXT. POLICE DEPARTMENT - MORNING The following morning, business as usual. INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - MORNING JIM Something's wrong with this one. SIMON What are you saying? You don't think it was an accident? JIM I don't know. (to Blair) When you told Herst that Lenny had been on his way out to see him, he closed up. He held something back. BLAIR People deal with grief in different ways. The guy had to have been in shock. SIMON Does he have a criminal record? JIM A couple of assault charges. Both associated with bar room brawls. SIMON Give it a closer look. Jim takes a sip of coffee then rubs his jaw. SIMON (CONT'D) What's wrong? BLAIR He has a tooth ache. SIMON Is that why you've been so aggravating the past couple of days? Take some time this afternoon and get it fixed. That's an order. Jim holds the door for Blair as they leave Simon's office. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S DESK Jim stands opposite Blair who is glad that there is a desk between them. JIM Great. That's just great. You had to tell him, didn't you? BLAIR (shrugs) JIM I'm going down to have another look at the body, would you like to come? BLAIR Actually, I have reading I should catch up on. JIM I thought so. Jim exits. BLAIR That's it. Blair pulls open his knapsack and digs out his day planner. He quickly looks up a phone number and picks up Jim's phone. CUT TO: INT. FORENSIC LAB - DAY Jim enters. Serena, the Medical Examiner, is busy looking through a microscope in the examining room. There are several covered bodies in the background. JIM Morning, Serena. What have you got? MEDICAL EXAMINER A workload like you wouldn't believe. I gave Mr. Pesner a very preliminary exam, that's all I've had time to do. I didn't spot any obvious inconsistencies. There was extensive bruising, but all of it was fairly contemporary. Multiple broken bones. His rib cage was partially crushed. It's likely that the associated internal damage killed him. JIM Would you mind if I took a look? MEDICAL EXAMINER Go ahead. What are you looking for? JIM I don't know yet. The Medical Examiner uncovers Lenny Pesner's head and shoulders. A glint of light catches Jim's eye. CLOSE UP JIM He squints slightly, then his eyes widen, his pupils dilating as he looks extremely closely at the victim. SENTINEL'S POV - ECU OF VICTIM'S FACE There is a fragment of metal lodged in one of the welts on the victim's face, near the hairline just forward of the ear. BACK TO SHOT JIM Serena, what's this? MEDICAL EXAMINER What? She takes a close look and then fetches a magnifying glass for an even closer look. MEDICAL EXAMINER There is a sliver of metal here. That's amazing. Jim, you're in the wrong field. It appears Mr. Pesner had a doubly bad day. He was hit on the head with a blunt metal object prior to finding himself in the path of several tons of lumber. JIM So he was dead before the logs fell on him? MEDICAL EXAMINER No. Don't quote me on this until I've had a closer look but the head trauma doesn't appear severe enough to have instantly killed him and, as the bruises match those done by the logs, I'd say he was knocked out shortly before he was crushed. The medical examiner turns away to pick up a pair of tweezers and an evidence bag. CLOSE UP JIM Jim smells something unusual, it is very faint. He looks at the body again then deliberately takes a deep sniff and is overwhelm by the metallic stench of blood. He covers his nose with his hand. BACK TO SHOT MEDICAL EXAMINER (CONT'D) I'll take X-rays and then open the skull and check for damage and haemorrhaging. We're lucky none of the logs struck his head directly or it would have obliterated the evidence. Jim backs away, the smell is too much for him. JIM I think I'll leave you to it. MEDICAL EXAMINER I'll get a report to you as soon as possible. Jim rapidly exits. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S DESK Jim returns to his desk still partially covering his nose. Blair pulls his feet off the desk and, reading Jim's mood, gets out of the way as quickly as possible. BLAIR Are you ready to get your tooth fixed? JIM What? BLAIR Captain's order's, right? I made you an appointment. JIM Sandburg! BLAIR It's okay, dentists deal with nervous patients all the time. I set you up with my dentist. I explained-- JIM Wait. You explained what? BLAIR That you're . . . sensitive about your teeth. Trust me, I have a great dentist. JIM I don't care. (hushed) How am I supposed to sit still while a drill grinds-- BLAIR I've thought it all out. Do you like classical music? JIM Not really. BLAIR Okay, just consider this to be music appreciation day. We're going to use the zone out factor, or at least you are. Blair pulls out his walkman. JIM You want me to listen to classical music? BLAIR No, not exactly. I want you to listen for the sound of the violinist's fingers touching the strings, to the sounds of the valves on the trumpets opening and closing, to the slide of the trombone . . . Jim continues to stare at Blair in disbelief. BLAIR (CONT'D) Trust me, close your eyes, focus completely on the music and you won't feel a thing. (beat) Jim, your tooth isn't going to fix itself. Jim reluctantly accepts the offered walkman. JIM Okay. When? BLAIR We'll you're lucky, a patient needing a root canal cancelled. Jim glares at him with anger and alarm. BLAIR (CONT'D) I'm sure you just need a little filling. So--one o'clock. JIM Where? BLAIR Over by the university, walking distance from my office actually, and, coincidentally-- JIM You have a class to teach at one o'clock. All right, let's go. CUT TO: INT. JIM'S TRUCK - DAY Jim and Blair are on there way to the dentist. The silence is deafening until, finally, Blair breaks it. BLAIR Jim, take a left at the next light. (beat) Did you learn anything new from the medical examiner? JIM Just that Lenny Pesner was murdered. BLAIR What? JIM He was hit on the head. BLAIR The logs were a cover-up? JIM The logs were the follow through. BLAIR Ouch. JIM Exactly. BLAIR Dr. Jaanker's office is in the third building on your right. JIM Yanker? You're kidding, right? BLAIR (shakes his head) Are you having Herst picked up? JIM Not yet. BLAIR But he was driving the forklift. JIM We haven't got anything to hold him on. We can only connect him to the accident. We've no weapon and no motive. We're better off playing this as an accident until we get more. BLAIR What now? The truck pulls to a stop in the dentist's parking lot. JIM I visit the dentist and you go to class. I'll see you in an hour. Jim parks the truck and turns off the engine. BLAIR Didn't you want to swing by the university and drop me off? JIM Didn't you say "walking distance". BLAIR Yeah. EXT. PARKING LOT Jim and Blair get out of the truck. JIM And Chief? BLAIR Yeah? JIM You'll meet me back here, right? BLAIR Right. NEW ANGLE Blair starts to walk. It begins to rain heavily. He glances skyward. BLAIR Oh thank you so much. CUT TO: INT. THE ENTRANCE OF THE DENTIST'S OFFICE - DAY The sign on the door reads DR. JAANKER. INT. DENTIST's OFFICE Jim sits on the edge of a dentists chair. The walkman in his hands. A very attractive DENTIST enters. Jim is pleasantly surprised. JIM Hi. It is obvious that Jim will be sufficiently distracted to ignore the dentist's drill. CUT TO: EXT. UNIVERSITY - DAY Jim is waiting for Blair in the truck. He is in a much better mood. He taps the horn as Blair appears on the steps of the building. BLAIR Jim! I thought I was walking-- JIM Chief, I was kidding. Let's go. BLAIR Okay. Where? JIM To visit the head office of Merrick International and ask a few questions. CUT TO: EXT. OFFICE TOWER - DAY Jim and Blair arrive at the well groomed entrance an office tower. Jim is back to his regular rhythm. Blair is bounding alongside pleased at the success of his efforts. INT. LOBBY Jim and Blair enter, check the directory, tag the elevator and wait. Blair repeatedly glances at Jim who appears distracted. BLAIR So how's the tooth? Jim doesn't respond. Elevator arrives. Blair boards, turns and then has to hold the door. Jim is still standing in the lobby. BLAIR Jim! Blair pulls Jim aboard the elevator. INT. ELEVATOR BLAIR Stop doing that! JIM Doing what? BLAIR Feeling your new filling with your tongue. JIM I wasn't. BLAIR You were staring off into space with your tongue in the side of your mouth. Really, man, people are going to think you're twisted. INT. HALLWAY The elevator arrives on the correct floor. Jim and Blair proceed down the hallway. Jim raps his knuckles against the appropriate office door then pushes it open. INT. MERRICK OFFICE The office consists of a small room with a single desk. MICHAEL MERRICK, a man in his early thirties, is relaxed at the desk. He is wearing a sharp looking suit and tie, and is playing nerf basketball. He stands as Jim and Blair enter. JIM Excuse me. I'm looking for the head office of Merrick International. MERRICK You've got it. Come on in. I'm Michael Merrick. How can I help you? JIM I'm Detective Ellison, this is my associate Blair Sandburg. MERRICK This is in regards to yesterday's accident? JIM Yes. MERRICK It's happened at the worst possible time. BLAIR I can't imagine that there is a good time for something like this to happen. MERRICK No. Of course not. It's just that at the moment we have shipping deadlines pressing down on us. JIM What exactly do you ship? MERRICK Log cabins, primarily to Japan. BLAIR Japan? MERRICK It's a booming market. Most everything is done down at the mill. The cabins are constructed complete in every detail, then taken apart and packed into containers which are hauled to the port. JIM Interesting business. MERRICK I handle sales, finances and shipping arrangements. Fred Herst, my brother- in-law, manages the mill. BLAIR He'd be the one who was driving the forklift? MERRICK (with salesman sincerity) He was deeply shaken by the whole thing. JIM We'd like your permission to have another look around the mill this afternoon. Just to clear up a few details. MERRICK We really are on a tight schedule. JIM The sooner we get this done, the sooner we'll be out of your hair. MERRICK I'll give Fred a call and tell him to expect you. BLAIR He's at the mill today? I would have expected--I mean considering what happened yesterday-- MERRICK As I said we're on a tight schedule and it was his choice. Fred and I are equal partners, we have been since my father passed away. Fred will set up a guided tour for you. JIM That's not necessary. We just want to take a quick look around. MERRICK No. No. It's best that you have someone to watch out for you. I would hate to see another accident happen. JIM Thank you for your time. BLAIR Yes. Nice meeting you. Jim and Blair exit. BEGIN INTERCUT SEQUENCE: INT. MERRICK's OFFICE Merrick watches the door close then immediately picks up the phone. INT. HALLWAY In the hallway, Jim abruptly stops and turns his head slightly as he listens to Merrick dial. INT. MERRICK MILL OFFICE Julie and Fred are in the more functional office at the mill. Julie hands Fred the phone then is waved out of the room. She assumes a position just outside the office door and listens carefully. MERRICK (into phone) Julie get Fred on the line. BLAIR (to Jim) Are you playing with your filling again? JIM No, I'm listening. BLAIR To what? JIM (annoyed) I'm listening. BLAIR (whispered) Right. MERRICK (into phone) That detective was here. FRED (into phone) Of course, what did you expect? This will blow over. MERRICK You've got to stop the shipments. At least until they've completed their investigation. FRED Don't be stupid. Remember who we re dealing with. The worst the police can do to you is throw you in jail. It really doesn't compare. MERRICK That detective wants to tour the mill this afternoon. FRED I'll handle it. MERRICK Handle it how? Did you handle Lenny? Is that what happened? FRED Just keep out of it Mikey. This is my territory. MERRICK Of course. It's your mess to clean up. FRED My mess? Never forget it was your financial wizardry that got us into this. Fred hangs up. Merrick stares at the receiver. JIM (to Blair) That was interesting. Let's go, Chief. END INTERCUT SEQUENCE CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - DAY Jim and Blair have been called in by Simon. Simon taps the report in front of him. SIMON I got the coroner's report. It seems you were right, there are indications that Lenny Pesner was murdered. The question is why. JIM We went by the head office this afternoon. I really think Merrick International is involved in some kind of smuggling operation. SIMON I'm listening. JIM Merrick was on the phone with Fred our forklift driver. I overhead references to a shipment and from the sounds of things it wasn't above the board. SIMON My God, you're a walking phone tap. I don't even want to think about the legal implications of that. JIM I think they're connected into some type of larger operation. If we could get a look at the company s financial records-- SIMON We need a reasonable cause first. One we can take before a judge. JIM We're going back out to the mill this afternoon. We have Mr. Merrick's permission to take a guided tour. I just don't know what we're looking for. SIMON I can give you a hint. Serena out did herself, she thinks the murder weapon was a wrench. BLAIR How does she know that? SIMON By the impression left behind. In fact, if you can find the weapon she should be able to match it. (beat) Well, get to it. As they exit, Jim ducks back into Simon's office. JIM And Simon? It seems Fred inherited a hefty share of the mill when the original Merrick died. Could you have someone look into the records? It's just a hunch. SIMON Done. I'll try for the bank records as well. Now get moving. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK MILL - DAY Jim and Blair arrive at the mill. Fred comes out to greet them. BLAIR Oh no. He's going to be our tour guide? JIM Let's keep things cool here, Chief. FRED Merrick said you would be coming. I thought I'd show you around myself. INT. MERRICK MILL They enter the mill and Fred provides them with safety goggles and hard hats. FRED (CONT'D) Please stay close. They walk out on the main floor of the mill, off which the office seen earlier sits. Julie is at work. The conveyor belt guides a log against the big saw blade. The blade makes short work of the log. Jim covers his sensitive ears. FRED (CONT'D) Here we cut the lumber for our log cabins. Other items such as pipes and windows are purchased. We actually construct the complete cabins, make sure everything is perfect, then take them apart and pack them into containers for shipping overseas. BLAIR It brings a whole new meaning to 'some assembly required'. A phone rings loudly. Julie exchanges a look with Fred then steps into the office to answer it. JIM What can you tell us about Mr. Pesner ? FRED He's been--he was with the company for four years. Quiet. No family. Very reliable. JIM Could we step outside to talk? Julie appears in the office doorway. JULIE Fred, Merrick's on the line for you. FRED Do you want to have a look at the yard? JIM We'd appreciate it. JULIE I could take them around. FRED No, you should get back to work. (to Jim and Blair) I'll be right back. JIM We'll wait just outside. Jim and Blair step outside. After a moment Julie follows them. EXT. MERRICK MILL Blair glances around the yard while Jim rubs his still aching ears. Julie joins them. JULIE Something's wrong, isn't it? JIM What makes you say that? Julie hesitates, then looks to Blair and continues. JULIE About six months ago this company was in serious financial straits. Trouble with the pay role, purchasing and shipping bills bouncing all over. JIM And? JULIE And then suddenly we were liquid again. I thought we'd picked up a new investor or a big sale, but neither materialized. It doesn't take a degree in economics, though I'll admit to having one, to figure that something's up. Jim's expression becomes distant. BLAIR You have a degree in economics? But-- JULIE I know. Welcome to the real world. Jim definitely smells something. JIM Chief. NEW ANGLE Jim draws Blair aside. BLAIR What is it? JIM I just got a whiff of something. Something I smelled back at the morgue. BLAIR Jim, the man worked here, I'm sure there are a lot of things-- JIM No. This is different. NEW ANGLE JIM (CONT'D) Julie, there's something we have to check out. I don't want to get you into any trouble with your boss. JULIE Alright. Jim strides off. Blair shrugs apologetically at Julie. JULIE Come by and see me before you go. Julie disappears into the mill. Blair jogs to catch up with Jim who is single-mindedly following something only he can smell. BLAIR Jim. Jim! Jim shows no signs of having heard Blair. The smell leads Jim to a cargo container. Without a second thought he steps up into the container and follows his nose to the source of the smell. Blair glances around, then joins Jim in the container. Towards the back of the container, Jim squats down and reaches between some logs and the container wall. He pulls free a canvas bag. Blair pulls out his jackknife and cuts the cord tieing the bag shut. The bag contains at least twenty dried bear gall bladders. JIM What the hell are these? BLAIR Oh no. Blair takes a closer look. BLAIR (CONT'D) Jim, they're dried bear gall bladders. JIM What? BLAIR Bear gall bladders. Trust me, I've been a few places. I've seen this before. Each of these represents a slaughtered animal--likely illegally poached--everything left to rot except for this and maybe the paws. JIM There are at least six more bags back here. I don't get it. They're smuggling bear parts? That doesn't make any sense. BLAIR Jim you don't understand what these are worth. Merrick said they ship to Japan. Among the South Koreans, the Chinese, the Japanese, bear gall is regarded as a powerful natural remedy. By weight it's much more valuable than gold. JIM But why? BLAIR It's like consuming rhino horn as an aphrodisiac. It's basically getting off on the death of a powerful, beautiful animal, and if the species is endangered then all the better. Did you know that with bear parts the price goes up if a video tape of the kill is included? JIM This is definitely what I smelled on the body. BLAIR You think Lenny stumbled onto the smuggling operation and was killed to cover it? JIM Stumbled onto it or was directly involved. The container darkens one of the doors is slammed shut. BLAIR No, no, no! Blair sprints back down the length of the container as the other door is pulled closed. He is too late. BLAIR Hey! Blair pounds against the door as, outside, Fred latches and locks it. It is pitch black within the container. INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - DAY Simon is at work at his desk. There is a knock at the door. SIMON Come. DETECTIVE BROWN enters. BROWN I got those records you wanted. It seems Merrick Sr. died in an auto accident less than two years ago. SIMON Was it clean? BROWN Yeah, clean in the wrong way. Gross mechanical failure in an brand new car. Very suspicious. Herst was investigated but, as I said, it was clean. Circumstantial evidence only and not enough to lay charges. SIMON I'd better let Jim know his suspect has homicidal habits. Simon dials Jim's cell phone number and listens for a moment. SIMON (CONT'D) (to Brown) It's not connecting. You keep digging. I'll try him again in a few minutes. INT. CARGO CONTAINER BLAIR Damn it. Blair steps back from the door and can be heard to stumble and fall. SENTINEL'S POV - INT. CARGO CONTAINER For Jim the light seeping through the seams of the doors is enough to see by. JIM Watch it, Chief. Jim pulls Blair to his feet. BLAIR Watch what? Jim, I can't see a thing in here. Jim inspects the doors carefully. JIM Calm down. (beat) You used to drive rigs with your uncle, right? You must know how to get these containers open. BLAIR From the outside, Jim, my uncle never locked me in the back of one. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK YARD - DAY Julie cautiously searches the yard. FRED Julie! What are you doing off the line? JULIE Fred, you startled me. I was just looking for the detective and his partner. FRED They've already left. Why did you want to see them? JULIE I was just wondering about the arrangements for Lenny's body . . . FRED I doubt they would have been the ones to ask. Get back to work. We're shutting down at five sharp today. I think everyone needs the rest. CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S OFFICE - NIGHT Simon is trying to reach Jim on his cell phone. AUTOMATED MESSAGE The customer you are calling is unavailable at the moment please try again later. SIMON (to himself) It already is later. Ellison, where the hell are you? He looks through the report on the Pesner case, finds what he's searching for and dials. BEGIN INTERCUT SEQUENCE: INT. SIMON'S OFFICE Simon on the phone. INT. MERRICK MILL The phone rings through to the office at the mill. Fred crosses the now deserted mill floor and picks up. FRED Merrick International, Fred Herst speaking. SIMON Mr. Herst. It's Captain Banks of the Cascade police department calling. Sorry to disturb you, I'm trying to track down one of my detectives, Jim Ellison. I know he and his associate Mr. Sandburg were intending to visit your facility this afternoon. As he answers, Fred plays with a switchblade. FRED Yeah, they did. I'm afraid you've missed them. They left over an hour ago. I'm on my way out myself. SIMON Did they say where they were going? Fred watches through the office window as Julie sneaks back into the mill, crosses the floor and heads out into the yard in search of Jim and Blair. FRED No, but I'm sure they'll turn up. SIMON Yes, well, thanks for your time. Fred hangs up and moves to follow Julie. Simon hangs up. Shuffles the papers on his desk then gives up, grabs his jacket and goes. END INTERCUT SEQUENCE CUT TO: INT. CARGO CONTAINER BLAIR I don't believe this. We've been in here for over an hour. I can't believe I followed you in here. Blair bangs the door. BLAIR (CONT'D) Hey! JIM There's no one out there. (beat) They have to open the doors sometime. BLAIR Great. Before or after we die of starvation? JIM Come on, Chief, we won't starve. We'd die of dehydration long before we'd starve. BLAIR Very funny, Jim. Very funny. JIM Whose kidding? (beat) Chief, turn the cell phone back on. BLAIR Why? We're in a metal box. It's pointless. JIM I want to take closer look at the door. I need a little more light. BLAIR The light from the cell phone display? Blair opens the cell phone and hands in to Jim who uses it as a flashlight. BLAIR Jim, exactly how well can you see in here? We've never seriously tested your night vision. JIM Wait. Someone's coming. Jim puts the phone away and draws his gun. There is a double knock at the door. EXT. MERRICK YARD - NIGHT JULIE Blair? Guys, are you in there? BLAIR Julie! Blair bangs the door enthusiastically in response. JULIE I'll have you out in a second. Julie unlatches the door. INSERT Fred creeping along the length of the container. BACK TO SHOT Julie gets the door open. BLAIR Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Blair jumps down out of the container. He practically embraces Julie with gratitude. INSERT Fred flicks open a switchblade and waits at the edge of the container, ready. BACK TO SHOT JULIE I knew it. Fred said you'd left but your truck is still in the lot. Jim tucks his gun away. Julie steps back as Jim jumps down out of the container. She is grabbed from behind by Fred who presses the knife against her throat. Jim's gun is out in a flash. FRED Drop the gun. (beat) Drop it. Fred draws the blade upwards. Julie is on her toes trying to keep it from cutting. JULIE (gasps) There is a slight trickle of blood as the edge of the knife bites into Julie's throat. JIM Alright. Alright. Jim puts gun down. FRED Kick it over here. Jim obeys. Fred shoves Julie towards them then drops down to pick up the gun. Blair catches Julie. Jim launches himself at Fred but is too far away. He is stopped by the gun leveled at his chest. FRED Now we're all going to take a walk. CUT TO: INT. MERRICK OFFICE - NIGHT Merrick is on the phone. He's nervously twirling and tapping a pencil as he tries to appease the person he is talking to. MERRICK Yes, Mr. Aateyama, I know the shipment is two days overdue. I'm doing everything in my power to get it away as soon as possible. We just need--no, there's no problem. Yes. I understand . . . Merrick is cut off by the dial tone. He stares at the receiver for a moment then hangs up. The phone immediately rings. MERRICK Mr. Aateyama, we must have been cut off--Oh, hi Janie. Janie, yes, I know I've been on the phone. No, I don't know where Fred is. No, I can t--well just leave it in the oven for him. No, I'm busy. I'm busy, Janie. Okay, okay, I'll drop by the mill on my way home. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK MILL - NIGHT Jim, Blair and Julie walk towards the mill, their hands raised and open. Fred follows. BLAIR Whatever you are planning, plan on getting caught. FRED Shut up. BLAIR Is it worth it? So you're smuggling a few bear parts. They're valuable, but you're just a shipper, you can't be getting paid that much. Think of the grief you'll get if you mess with us. Is it really worth the pocket change? FRED This is no longer about the smuggling. BLAIR What? If you've committed some other crime, just don't tell us and you'll be fine. We don't have anything. FRED I told you to shut up. Fred raises the gun, pointing it directly at Blair. BLAIR Okay. Okay. Blair looks directly at Jim. BLAIR (CONT'D) No one ever listens to me anyway. As they approach the entrance of the mill, Blair begins a count down. BLAIR (CONT'D) (Barest whisper) Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Blair grabs Julie and pulls her with him behind a stack of lumber. Simultaneously, Jim knocks his gun away from Fred with a turning sweeping kick. Fred dodges any further entanglement with Jim retreating into the Mill. Jim retrieves his gun. JIM Are you okay? JULIE We're fine. She separates herself from Blair. JIM You take her to the truck. Lock yourselves in and call for backup. Jim presses his keys and cell phone into Blair's hands. BLAIR But Jim? JIM Just do it and be careful. We know Merrick's in on this. He could be creeping around out here. BLAIR (Nods) INT. MERRICK MILL Jim enters the mill extremely alert and with his gun at the ready. He begins to search for Fred. EXT. MERRICK YARD Blair and Julie walk rapidly back toward the truck. BLAIR How's your throat? JULIE It'll be fine. Blair rushes them along, glancing back over his shoulder. JULIE Don't be so nervous. Merrick is as white collar as they come. He never gets his hands dirty. BLAIR He and Herst are smuggling bear parts which is about as dirty as you can get. They reach the truck. Blair opens the door. INSERT Merrick approaches the mill in a black sedan, the headlights off. He parks some distance away and watches Blair and Julie in the parking lot. BACK TO SHOT BLAIR Promise me you'll stay here, doors locked and the engine running. JULIE Where are you going? BLAIR After Jim, he may need me. JULIE But you promised him. BLAIR I didn't. He said I should stay in the truck and I nodded. Nodding can mean anything. But you--you are going to promise me. JULIE I promise. Blair hands her the phone. BLAIR 911 and tell them to hurry. Blair runs back towards the mill as Julie begins to dial. INSERT Merrick slides out of the sedan and draws a revolver. The gun is small, shiny and practically matches his cuff links. INT. MERRICK MILL Jim cautiously proceeds onto the main floor of the mill. Blair enters the mill with even greater caution, picking up a two-by-four at the earliest opportunity. CUT TO: INT. SIMON'S CAR - NIGHT Simon is on his way to the mill. DISPATCHER All available units. Crime in progress at Merrick Mill, 9424 Industry Road. SIMON This is Captain Banks. What have you got? DISPATCHER Not much sir. Our caller was cut off. SIMON (under his breath) Damn it. (to the dispatcher) I'm almost there. I want additional units to back me up. Simon flips on the flashing lights and guns it. CUT TO: EXT. MERRICK LOT - NIGHT Merrick stealthily approaches the truck. He reaches the driver's side window, taps it with the gun and looks in. To his surprise the truck is empty. Julie appears behind him, kicking him in the back of the knee. Merrick drops the gun and Julie grabs his hand and twists it around behind him. JULIE Hello, Mr. Merrick. Captain Bank's car pulls in, lights flashing. He gets out. JULIE And you would be back-up, am I right? SIMON (confused) Right. I'm Captain Banks. JULIE Julie. And I'd like you to meet Mr. Merrick. MERRICK This is all a misunder-stahn-ding. Merrick's voice rises sharply as Julie applies a bit more pressure across his arm. JULIE Explain to the captain why you're here. MERRICK My sister Janie called. Her husband, that's Fred, was late for dinner. I came out here to check-- Again the pitch of his voice rises as Julie shifts her grip on his arm. JULIE Try again. MERRICK I thought I saw a trespasser. JULIE Try again. MERRICK Smuggling. We've been smuggling. JULIE And? MERRICK I think Fred . . . I think he may have killed Lenny. Simon pulls out a pair of handcuffs. SIMON Would you like to have the honour? JULIE My pleasure. She handcuffs Merrick, tightly. JULIE (CONT'D) I suppose you're looking for Blair? He made me promise to wait here. SIMON Where is he? JULIE In the mill, I think. He went after Ellison who went after Fred. SIMON Back-up is on its way. If you could just . . . ? JULIE Wait here? I know, I know. Go ahead. SIMON Thanks. Simon takes off towards the Mill. CUT TO: INT. MERRICK MILL Jim moves along side the large saw blade. His gun moving with his searching eyes. He hears something. CLOSE SHOT of the protective cover on a power switch being flipped up with a distinct CLICK. Fred then punches the button and the big blade roars to life deafening Jim. Fred crosses the floor rapidly tackling Jim from behind. They both end up in a tangle on the sawdust covered ground and Jim's gun skids across the room. Fred locks Jim in a choke hold. Jim struggles but can't throw him off and he begins to weaken from lack of oxygen. Blair appears and wacks Fred across the back with the two-by-four. Fred releases Jim and rears up with a cry of outrage. Blocking another swing of the two-by-four, he grabs the board and uses it to slam Blair back into a stack of lumber. Blair crumples to the ground still loosely gripping the board. Fred follows through, kicking him viciously twice. FRED Stupid, long-haired-- Out of nowhere Jim barrels into Fred. They grapple exchanging a few distinct blows before Fred attempts to force Jim against the still screaming saw blade. He puts his weight onto Jim pressing his back against the conveyor belt. The belt catches and pulls both of them towards the blade. Within inches of the teeth, Jim reverses the situation rolling Fred onto the steadily moving belt less than a body length from the blade. Jim snatches Fred from a grim fate, yanking him upwards then tossing him down to the floor. Fred stays down. Jim shuts down the saw then leans in to Fred's check pulse. CLOSE SHOT of Fred's hand closing around a handful of sawdust. Fred tosses the sawdust into Jim's face and then punches him solidly. Jim goes down hard. The camera pans along Fred's line of sight to where Jim's gun rests. Fred crosses the room reaching for it only to have Blair smash his knees out from under him with the two-by-four. This time Fred goes down for real striking his head on the ground. BLAIR And stay down! Still clutching the two-by-four Blair leans back against the stack of lumber for support. BLAIR Jim, you okay? JIM Yeah. Jim rises, shaking his head. JIM (CONT'D) Damn it. BLAIR (concerned) Jim? JIM He knocked out my filling. SIMON (OS) Ellison?! Sandburg?! JIM Over here, Captain. Jim handcuffs Fred as Simon enters. SIMON Are you two all right? JIM We're fine. BLAIR Speak for yourself, those were steel- toed boots. Blair is still holding one arm across his stomach. JIM You were supposed to wait for back-up. BLAIR You're welcome. SIMON (to Jim) You could try waiting for back-up too. BLAIR Back-up. They're right behind you, right Simon? Simon warns Blair with a gesture. BLAIR (CONT'D) Sorry, Captain. JIM I think you should send someone out to pick up Mr. Merrick. SIMON We already have him. (to Blair) He was with your friend Julie when I arrived. BLAIR Is she all right? SIMON She's fine. Merrick was desperate to confess. CUT TO: INT. THE LOFT - NIGHT Blair is relaxing on the couch. Jim is in the kitchen. JIM That Merrick . . . I've never seen anyone roll over so quickly. BLAIR You offered him a jail sentence and he offered you everyone he ever met? JIM Just about. Sandburg, do you have plans for this evening? BLAIR Rest and relaxation. No bodies, no bad guys. If Simon calls, please remind him you're off duty. JIM I was hoping you'd be going out. BLAIR Jim? JIM I made an appointment to see your dentist. BLAIR What? Oh no, not my dentist. There's a knock on the door. JIM That should be her. Jim stops just short of the door. JIM (CONT'D) Oh and Chief, there was a message on the machine for you . . . from Julie. BLAIR Really? She called?! Alright! Grinning, Blair launches himself from the couch towards the phone. FADE OUT