MURDOCH MYSTERIES

"Son of the Devil"

(Based on a true story of North America's first serial killer)

Written by Alexander Galant

Copyright 2010 alex.galant@gmail.com 416-829-5244 AlexanderGalant.com

TEASER (Note: = a historical fact or quote) INT. CHURCH -- DAY Murdoch sits in the Confessional, looking down at his hand. The PRIEST, in the adjoining compartment, slides open the small door of the grid. MURDOCH (looks up) Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been three months since my last confession... Murdoch hesitates. PRIEST You many speak freely of your sins. MURDOCH This has been weighing on me for a long time. A very long time. I... I... I can't do this. I'm sorry father. Murdoch rises to leave. PRIEST My son! I am here for you. God is here for you. Murdoch pauses and sinks back down. MURDOCH I have always striven to be a man of honesty and integrity... yet my actions have... have cost so much. PRIEST You bear a heavy burden. Close your eyes. Think of the sin you want to confide... DISSOLVE TO: EXT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA FLASHBACK MEMORY Establishing still of the Gothic Egyptian-style prison in Philadelphia. We DISSOLVE to a GRAPHIC which reads: "Moyamensing Prison, Philadelphia"

2. INT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA PRIEST (V.O.) And speak freely from the heart. The prison is dark. A dirty lantern suspended down the hall offers little light. From inside the cell, a Pentagram made of bones, is illuminated by the narrow band of light. Just under it a chess table with the board in play. INMATE (O.S.) (whispers) The guards like me. They believe I'm innocent and allow me to decorate my cell as I see fit. Murdoch addresses the unseen INMATE through the bars. MURDOCH You wanted to see me? INMATE (from within the cell) I need your help. MURDOCH You wish to confess to your crimes? INMATE No, I need you to get me out of here. Take me back to Toronto. The inmate move a black pawn on the board. MURDOCH Aside from the obvious predicament that prevents me from granting your request, why would you want to go back to Toronto? INMATE If you take me back to Toronto, I can prove my innocence. MURDOCH And I can prove your guilt... INMATE No, you're afraid I'll expose the truth. Inmate moves a white piece. MURDOCH What 'truth' would that be?

3. INMATE Who was truly responsible for the death of those poor innocent... MURDOCH (getting annoyed) I'm looking at the... man... responsible. INMATE I concur. The culprit is, indeed, here. Correct! But you know very well it isn't I. Inmate moves another black piece. Murdoch looks around. There is no one else but the inmate and himself. MURDOCH Are you referring to some invisible demon that you've conjured up in your mind? Murdoch starts to leave. INMATE It's no laughing matter. evidence. MURDOCH What evidence? Inmate rises and walks to the bars as: INMATE If it weren't for you they would still be alive... We still don't see the inmate's face as he extends his hand through the bars and holds something for Murdoch to see, but we don't. Murdoch is visibly upset for a moment. INMATE (CONT'D) You see, Detective. As you can see from the evidence, it was you. You are the guilty one not I. END OF TEASER I have

4. ACT ONE FADE IN: to a GRAPHIC which reads: "SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER" INT. BRACKENREID'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON MURDOCH (V.O.) It all began last October. INSPECTOR THOMAS BRACKENREID, dressed in his tuxedo, struggles with his tie. Off-screen we hear a knock. BRACKENREID I'm not here. Murdoch enters. BRACKENREID (CONT'D) (tying his bow tie) What is it Murdoch? I don't recall any case on your desk. MURDOCH You look very nice, Sir. A little early in the day for formal attire? BRACKENREID Taking the missus out to see a matine preview of 'Faust' at the Grand. Sir Henry Irving as Lucifer. First actor to be knighted... MURDOCH Mephistopheles. BRACKENREID What? MURDOCH The Faust play has the character of Mephistopheles, not Lucifer. BRACKENREID What the hell is the difference? MURDOCH Mephistopheles is only a representative of Satan. Like a constable compared to a commissioner. BRACKENREID Was there some bloody reason you came in here?

5. MURDOCH As you pointed out, there is no case on my desk. So, I thought I'd take the opportunity to see the new exhibit... INT. BULLPEN -- CONTINUOUS Murdoch and Brackenreid continue the conversation into the bullpen. BRACKENREID Well, considering the business of late, a quiet evening would be a welcomed change. Even for you, me old mucker. CONSTABLE HODGE calls to them. HODGE Detective Murdoch? emergency. There's an

BRACKENREID Bullocks, I spoke to soon! MURDOCH What is it, Henry? HODGE A woman called from the Union House lodgings. Her children have gone missing. Murdoch looks to Brackenreid, who still remembers the anguish of a missing child. BRACKENREID Go on, Murdoch. Every second counts. Take all the men you need. INT. UNION LODGING HOUSE -- LATER CLOSE ON: An empty bassinet, a solitary rattle sits abandoned on the floor nearby. REVEAL as CONSTABLE GEORGE CRABTREE makes detailed notes. Murdoch enters the modest rooming house and pauses to examine the door lock. Crabtree approaches him. MURDOCH What have you, George?

6. CRABTREE (reading from his note pad) Mrs. Carrie Adams, the mother of the missing children, says she woke up this morning and both of the children were gone. Dessie, the girl and Horton, a baby boy. MURDOCH Any sign of forced entry? CRABTREE None that I've been able to ascertain of yet. There was frost last night, so the windows were all fastened shut. MRS. ADAMS (O.S.) Here's a photo. Mrs. CARRIE ADAMS (36), tries to tuck in a a piece of her dark hair as she emerges from an adjoining room, holding a photograph which she offers to Crabtree. MRS. ADAMS (CONT'D) It's the only one I could find. Horton was just born at the time but his face hasn't changed... She struggles to compose herself. Murdoch takes the photo.

CRABTREE Mrs. Adams, this is Detective Murdoch. CLOSE ON: The photo shows Mrs. Adams holding a baby in her arms. A teenaged girl stands next to her. The photo has a ripped edge as if another person(s) were torn from the image. Murdoch's finger traces along the tear. MURDOCH How old are the children now? MRS. ADAMS Deressa... we call her Dessie is 17 and Horton will be turning one next month... MURDOCH Has Dessie ever wandered off with Horton before? To go to market, perhaps? Or to visit friends? MRS. ADAMS Not without telling me first. Dessie has always been very reliable. (MORE)

7. MRS. ADAMS (CONT'D) We're new to town so she hasn't had a chance to make friends yet. MURDOCH Could Mr. Adams have taken... Mrs. Adams starts to wail. reaches into his pocket. Murdoch looks to Crabtree as he

CRABTREE Mr. Adams passed away, sir. after the baby was born. MURDOCH (offering his handkerchief) My apologies.

Right

MRS. ADAMS Forgive me. I've been a wretch since discovering they're gone. MURDOCH Quite understandable. I don't mean to alarm you but do you recall seeing anyone unusual lurking about? MRS. ADAMS (shaking her head) Can't say I have... wait... I was having tea in the frunchroom and I saw an extremely tall, yet well dressed man... Crabtree stops writing and looks up with a puzzled expression as he mouths the word "Frunchroom?" MURDOCH (whispers) Front room. Crabtree is still confused. MRS. ADAMS He wandered about as if looking for something. He looked straight at me. His eyes were like gray steel. They seemed to stare into my soul. MURDOCH Mrs. Adams, do you still have any family in Chicago? Someone that Dessie knew there?

8. MRS. ADAMS (surprised) No, not anymore. How did you know? MURDOCH 'Frunchroom'. Your pronunciation for front room is an idiom indigenous to Illinois. Chicago mostly. MRS. ADAMS I left after my husband died. Too many memories. There was nothing left for us so we left to get a fresh start. Please find them Detective. They're all I have left. MURDOCH I'll do my... Murdoch is suddenly distracted by something. He reaches under the bassinet where he finds a few strands of rope. EXT. UNION HOUSE -- LATER A lower class area of town. Crabtree follows. Murdoch counts the windows as

CRABTREE Sir, did you happen to notice the rather large age difference between the two children? MURDOCH Yes, George. It didn't escape my attention. What of it? CRABTREE Perhaps, the child is not Mrs. Adams' but instead the child of the young lady. Born out of wedlock. MURDOCH Possible, but our job isn't to judge but to bring them back safely. CRABTREE I meant no disrespect. I was just wondering if there might be a young father somewhere that they're trying to reconnect with. MURDOCH A plausible theory, George. We should contact the Chicago police to see... Murdoch sees a bloody red inverted pentagram (an upside down 5-pointed star inside a circle) beneath the window.

9. Instinctively, Murdoch crosses himself. CRABTREE Is that blood? MURDOCH (examining it closer) No, it's not blood. George, can you... Anticipating his request Crabtree holds out an evidence envelope, as Murdoch unfolds his knife. MURDOCH (CONT'D) ...hand me a... oh, very good. Murdoch scrapes some of the red into the envelope. CRABTREE (copying it in his note pad) Is that the sign of the devil? MURDOCH Yes, when the pentagram is upside down to resemble a goat's head. CRABTREE Downright unnerving if you ask me. Will I be cursed if I draw it? MURDOCH I think your soul is safe. (looks up) It's directly under the Adams' window. Get Constable Higgins and the others to go door to door see if anyone else saw the children or this mysterious gray-eyed stranger. CRABTREE Yes, sir. MURDOCH Let's also explore your theory by calling the Chicago police, see if there are any missing persons reported. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- DAY Murdoch is examining the red sample under a microscope as Crabtree enters. CRABTREE I called Chicago police and when I asked them if they had any reports (MORE)

10. CRABTREE (CONT'D) of missing persons... they hung up on me. MURDOCH (looking up) They hung up on you? them back, I assume.

You called

CRABTREE Several times. I finally spoke to a constable... err... officer, who told me that they have had over a hundred reports of missing persons. MURDOCH Over a hundred? CRABTREE They seemed rather indifferent to the idea. Glad I'm not working there. (pointing to microscope) Is that the blood? Paint. Sir? MURDOCH Greasepaint to be exact. CRABTREE What is greasepaint?

MURDOCH Used by actors in theater for makeup. Crabtree looks uneasy as he flips through his notebook. MURDOCH (CONT'D) I've also identified the rope as being made from hemp. Which is commonly used by sailors, balloonists...and theaters. CRABTREE Uh-oh! MURDOCH What is it, George? CRABTREE (reading his note pad) Higgins and I talked to many of the neighbours and some recognized the children but said they kept to themselves. However, several people recall seeing a mysterious, welldressed and very tall man last night. (MORE)

11. CRABTREE (CONT'D) One neighbour... a Mr. Miller... said he recognized the mysterious man. MURDOCH Who? INT. GRAND OPERA HOUSE THEATER -- DAY CLOSE ON: Poster of Sir Henry Irving dressed as Mephistopheles. CRABTREE (V.O.) Sir Henry Irving BRACKENREID Have you both gone bonkers? You're accusing the greatest actor of our time... knighted by Queen Victoria herself... REVEAL Murdoch and Crabtree in the lobby of the Grand Opera House with Brackenreid still dressed in his best. MURDOCH We're not accusing him of anything. But several eyewitness saw him near the Union Lodging House. Rather seedy area for a man of his stature... CRABTREE And one witness a saw him carrying a large trunk. BRACKENREID He's an actor! Actors carry their costumes and props in a trunk. MURDOCH Before dawn? CRABTREE Aside from Chicago, I took the liberty of calling the police in New York, Philadelphia and Boston. BRACKENREID Whatever for? CRABTREE They were all stops on Mr.... Sir Henry Irving's tour of Miffy-top... um... BRACKENREID Mephistopheles, you uncultured arse.

12. MURDOCH All those cities reported several missing people... and the police also confirmed the sign of the devil. Crabtree holds up the sketch for Brackenreid who quickly pushes it away before it draws attention from other patrons. CRABTREE Maybe Sir Irving got so into the role that he continued to be the devil off stage... BRACKENREID Bullocks! They said the same of Richard Mansfield, ten-odd years ago, when he played Jekyll and Hyde in London during the Ripper murders. And we know he wasn't the Ripper. MURDOCH We also know of actors who have become corrupted. At the very least, we can ascertain what he was doing there in the early morning hours. Perhaps he saw something. BRACKENREID Tread carefully Murdoch. I have to make sure the missus gets home safely. INT. BACKSTAGE -- LATER CLOSE ON: Photo of the missing children. REVEAL backstage of the theater. SIR HENRY IRVING, a tall elderly but distinguished British actor, still in his Mephistopheles make-up and costume, his gray eyes narrow as he looks at the picture. Murdoch watches his expression. MURDOCH Have you seen either of them? BRAM STOKER, a stocky, bearded Irishman, extends a pair of spectacles to Irving. He glares at Stoker, which does not escape Murdoch's attention. IRVING Let's step inside, Detective. INT. IRVING'S DRESSING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS Murdoch follows Irving. Once the door is closed, Irving puts on the spectacles and examines the photo as his personal DRESSER, a no-nonsense man, begins to remove parts of Irving's costume.

13. IRVING No, I have never seen either child. Missing you say? What a terrible ordeal. Just as quickly as he put them on, Irving takes off his glasses and hands them to the Dresser who places them in front of Irving's make-up mirror. MURDOCH Where were you this morning between the hours of six and eight o'clock? IRVING At half-past six, I left the Rossin House Hotel to visit a physician here... a Dr. Larson, I see him whenever I perform in Toronto. During the conversation, the Dresser removes the cloak to reveal a brace on Irving's back holding him upright. As each strap is unfastened, Irving's posture collapses. MURDOCH Could I speak with Dr. Larson to verify? IRVING His home and office are on Duke Street but I didn't keep my appointment. I got lost. MURDOCH Several eyewitnesses place you near the Union House, which is the complete opposite direction of Jarvis and King. IRVING I can never find my way in this blasted city. In London, I can look to the horizon and navigate from the position of the high dome of St. Paul's or the face Big Ben. Here in Toronto, there are no tall landmarks and your streets are a dull grid. I can't for the sake of me tell if I'm going east, west or north, south. The Dresser hands Irving his walking stick, which he then uses for support to sit in front of the make up mirror to remove his make-up with trembling hands. MURDOCH It would be especially difficult if you don't wear your spectacles in public.

14. IRVING I try to deny it but I'm constantly reminded that I'm no longer young. I'm still going to visit Dr. Larson later if you wish to accompany me, and perhaps navigate. MURDOCH (smiles) For future reference: Here in Toronto, the streets going east/west are signed in yellow signifying the sun's path. And north/south street signs are blue - going down to the harbour. IRVING Well, why the devil didn't someone tell me this when I first arrived? INT. BACKSTAGE -- LATER Bram Stoker is autographing a yellow covered book with red lettering: Dracula by Bram Stoker. CRABTREE Thank you Mr. Stoker. You know I've also written my own novel. BRACKENREID Crabtree! CRABTREE Sorry, sir! BRACKENREID (quietly handing Stoker his copy) Could you sign this for the Missus? STOKER Of course. Murdoch and Irving, supported by his cane, emerge from the dressing room. Irving sees the Dracula novel. IRVING I still say it's 'Dreadful'! Stoker glares at Irving.

Murdoch notices this exchange.

STOKER Irving, this is Inspector Brackenreid. He was telling me about how the first show he ever saw was you and Ellen in Romeo and Juliet. Tell him about the prank you played on Ellen.

15. IRVING Pleasure to meet you, Inspector. BRACKENREID I've been a fan since I was a wee lad... IRVING (looks at Murdoch) Precisely what I mean. (to Brackenreid) Ellen Terry would be livid if she knew I was telling this story but since she quit, to hell with her. Join me for a scotch. BRACKENREID A drink with Sir Henry Irving, how could I refuse? Brackenreid, taking his copy of Dracula, follows Irving back into his dressing room. Murdoch looks at Crabtree, who is reading the inscription in the Dracula novel. MURDOCH Forgive, me Mr. Stoker. But isn't 'Dracula' Romanian for 'Son of the Devil'? STOKER So, you must be Detective Murdoch. Arthur Conan Doyle told me of you. He speaks highly of you. MURDOCH You two are acquainted? STOKER We're friends and distantly related. He's also producing a play at my Lyceum Theatre in London. MURDOCH Give him my regards. Mr. Stoker, during your American tour do you recall any individual showing up in more than one city? STOKER Yes, there was one charlatan, called himself Dr. Gordon. Talked about investing in the show. MURDOCH How did you know he was a charlatan?

16. STOKER My brother is one of the most respected physicians in England so I know a real doctor from an actor. HIGGINS (enters) Detective Murdoch? There's been a sighting of the girl. EXT. TERAULEY STREET -- DAY CLOSE ON: The words 'Terauley Street' on a blue sign and 'Queen Street' on a yellow sign next to the gaslamps. Murdoch cycles up the street. As he passes a lane way he sees ALICE (15) a girl that bears a strong resemblance to Dessie. MURDOCH Dessie?! Murdoch then notices another girl NELLIE (13) who also looks just like her. The two start to run away from him. The youngest limps and cannot run very fast. The older tries to assist. Murdoch catches up with ease. ALICE Keep away from us! MURDOCH (showing his badge) Toronto Constabulary. Why did you run? ALICE You're a stranger... I don't like talkin' to strangers... MURDOCH I didn't mean to frighten you, I merely want to ask you a question. Murdoch shows them the photo of Dessie and baby Horton. MURDOCH (CONT'D) Have either of you seen these two? There's a momentary flash of recognition or fear in the girls' eyes but they compose themselves and shake their heads. NELLIE No, we don't know 'em. MURDOCH Where are you from?

17. ALICE Why do you ask? MURDOCH You both have a distinct accent... from Chicago, perhaps? Both girls shake their heads. They're not speaking anymore. Sensing their fear, Murdoch reaches into his pocket and hands them his calling card. MURDOCH (CONT'D) I have to find these two people. If you see anything or need anything... Call me. Any time. Alice nods takes the card and the two turn to walk away. Murdoch is about to follow, when he hears something clatter in the nearby alley. He cautiously moves to investigate He edges carefully around a corner to find... no one. He's about to walk away when something stops him in his tracks: CLOSE ON: Wall with a red Pentagram. In a panic Murdoch runs back out to the street but the girls are gone. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- DAY Map of Toronto. The Union House on Queen near Bay is marked. As is the Grand Theatre at Adelaide & Yonge and the sightings of the two girls off Terauley Street & Agnes Street (Bay & Dundas). Murdoch crosses out the Grand as Brakenreid watches. MURDOCH It's safe to say that Irving does not have the strength to carry a 17 year old girl. BRACKENREID I'm inclined to agree. He is interrupted by a knock on the door. Sir? CRABTREE They've found the children.

INT. UNION HOUSE -- LATER DOCTOR COOK, a distinguished moustached man, is there with both Dessie and baby Horton. Both are alive and well. Murdoch and Brackenreid are present.

18. DR. COOK (slight French accent) I had made arrangements that I would take the children to Riverdale Zoo. This would allow Mrs. Adams some rest. She's been under a great strain since the passing of her husband. MRS. ADAMS My apologies. It completely slipped my mind. BRACKENREID There were a lot of my men working... MURDOCH The important thing is that everyone is safe. Mrs. Adams, do you have any other relatives in Toronto? No. MRS. ADAMS I'm afraid not.

MURDOCH I saw a pair of young girls that bore more than a passing resemblance... DR. COOK The only relative she has is a sister in Vermont, where she's going to stay. Really Detective, I fail to see this line of questioning. The children are safe and Mrs. Adams needs her rest before the journey. MRS. ADAMS My sister has offered to help with the children. Thank you again, Detective. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- LATER Something isn't sitting right with Murdoch as he stares at the board. He draws pentagrams where he had seen them. BRACKENREID The case is closed, me old Mucker. MURDOCH That second pentagram has me worried about the two other girls. BRACKENREID Maybe it's unrelated. It'll be All Hallow's Eve in a couple of weeks. (MORE)

19. BRACKENREID (CONT'D) Perhaps some young lads having fun. You've searched the area every night this week and given them your card. If they need you, they'll call. MURDOCH Perhaps you're right. BRACKENREID This case had a happy ending. Enjoy it while it lasts. You know bloody well that the next one won't. Murdoch smiles meekly. MURDOCH (V.O.) The Inspector had no idea how right he was. INT. BULLPEN -- DAY We DISSOLVE to a GRAPHIC which reads: "Nine months later" MURDOCH (V.O.) Other cases came and I soon buried this case in the back of my mind. FRANK GEYER, a large man with a walrus moustache approaches the desk sergeant. GEYER I'm looking for a Detective Murdoch. MURDOCH (O.S.) I'm Detective Murdoch. How can I help you? Geyer turns to see Murdoch approaching. Geyer reaches into a saddle bag and produces a photo during: GEYER Detective Frank Geyer, Pinkerton Agency. I'm looking for some missing children. Here's a photo. CLOSE ON: Photo is the same one Mrs. Adams gave him but untorn. Aside from herself, Dessie and baby Horton, is another older boy holding a toy and the other two girls: Nellie and Alice. END OF ACT ONE *

20. ACT TWO INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- DAY CLOSE ON: Photo of man we know as Dr. Cook. REVEAL Murdoch, Brackenreid, Crabtree and Higgins watching as Geyer points to the photo in the center of other photos. (Note: the details presented are based on the historic Frank Geyer's case. I'll save using on every line) BRACKENREID That's Dr. Cook CRABTREE (overlapping) That's Mr. Miller... HIGGINS (unison) Dr. Holmes. They look at each other for a moment. CRABTREE He's Mr. Miller, the one who said Sir Henry Irving was carrying the trunk... but didn't know his name. HIGGINS He's Dr. Holmes, the one who gave me Sir Henry Irving's name... MURDOCH The Inspector and I met him as Mrs. Adams' physician... Dr. Cook. BRACKENREID The bloody bastard had the Toronto constabulary running in circles like circus clowns. I want him behind bars before the days is out. GEYER He's already behind bars. BRACKENREID That's efficiency for you. What the blazes are you doing here then? GEYER He's only in prison for suspected insurance fraud. I was hired by the insurance company, but as I started to investigate I suspect it's much worse. It's very complicated but I'll simplify as best as I can.

21. He points to the photo again. GEYER (CONT'D) Your Dr. Cook has more aliases than I have hair. His real name is Herman Mudgett but mostly uses the moniker Dr. H.H. Holmes. CRABTREE Is he even really a doctor? GEYER Ten years ago he went to medical school at the University of Michigan but was expelled for stealing a half dozen corpses. BRACKENREID I don't like where this is going. GEYER My investigation discovered that he inherited a lot of money when a half dozen relatives named him beneficiary in their life insurance. MURDOCH After ten years, that would be difficult to prove. GEYER Exactly, which brings us to the insurance scam he was arrested for... Geyer points to a photo of BENJAMIN PITEZEL, a dashingly handsome young man. GEYER (CONT'D) This is Benjamin Pitezel, married to Carrie Adams. Adams being her maiden name. They had five children together. I apprehended Mrs. Pitezel, Dr. Holmes and two of the children in Boston. And judging from the chemicals he was carrying on his person, I believe he was planning on doing away with her. MURDOCH So what did you learn from Mrs. Adams... I means Mrs. Pitezel? He points to the completed photo image of who we knew as Mrs. Adams.

22. GEYER I learned that Mr. Pitezel was an alcoholic and constantly out of work. He therefore became Holmes' assistant or accomplice in some shady deals. According to his wife he was terrified of Holmes and wanted to get away and move back to his home town of Philadelphia. A constable pops in and hands Murdoch a piece of paper. GEYER (CONT'D) So Holmes asked him to do one last scam. BRACKENREID Another dead relative? GEYER Something like that. Benjamin had to find a corpse who would apparently "die" in fire. MURDOCH Burned to obscure the real identity. GEYER Precisely. Mrs. Pitezel, posing as the widow, would identify the body, as would his physician Dr. Holmes. Then they would collect the $10,000 insurance and they would split it. BRACKENREID I take it something went wrong. GEYER Then for reasons I can't understand, Holmes split everyone up, claiming five children traveling together would draw to much attention, and started moving them about the country like chess pieces. MURDOCH Are the missing children with Mr. Pitezel? GEYER That's what troubles me. Though I've been able to track the children's movements over the last year, there is no trace of Benjamin Pitezel himself after the corpse was produced.

23. MURDOCH You think the corpse was Mr. Pitezel? GEYER I'm almost certain. But the authorities won't let me exhume the body without evidence of foul play. BRACKENREID Nice to know bureaucracy gets in the way of justice everywhere. MURDOCH What of the children? GEYER Dessie and baby Horton are in Buffalo in protective custody as is Mrs. Pitezel. (pointing to photo) But I don't know where Nellie, Alice or little Howard are. FLASHBACK: EXT. TERAULEY STREET -- DAY From the earlier scene of Murdoch with Alice and Nellie. MURDOCH Have either of you seen these two? There's a momentary flash of recognition or fear in the girls' eyes but they compose themselves and shake their heads. NELLIE No, we don't know 'em. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- DAY Murdoch looks away from the photo and reads the note that was handed to him. MURDOCH I saw them here in Toronto. Brackenreid shoots Murdoch a cautionary glare. trusted? MURDOCH (CONT'D) (to Brackenreid) Our contact at Pinkerton Agency confirmed Mr. Geyer's case and identification. (MORE) Can he be

24. MURDOCH (CONT'D) (to Geyer) We mean no disrespect but we were once fooled by a man claiming to be from Scotland Yard. GEYER No need to apologize for being thorough, Detective. I would have done the same. Now, you said you saw them? MURDOCH It was months ago... and they lied to me. GEYER I'll take any lead. If I don't find evidence soon, he'll only be tried for insurance fraud and I have no physical evidence there either. MURDOCH (pointing to the photo) I didn't see the 10 year old boy...Howard, but I did see Alice and Nellie here in Toronto. Murdoch goes to the map of where he saw them. MURDOCH (CONT'D) (pointing) We can start our search there. Maybe get the press to spread the word. Perhaps someone... Murdoch pauses as he notices something on Geyer's file. MURDOCH (CONT'D) Dr. Gordon GEYER One of his many aliases. FLASHBACK: INT. BACKSTAGE -- NIGHT From the earlier scene between Murdoch and Stoker. STOKER Yes, there was one charlatan, called himself Dr. Gordon. Talked about investing in the show.

25. INT. BACKSTAGE -- DAY Murdoch and Geyer with Bram Stoker. STOKER (looking at the photo) That's him. Dr. Gordon. MURDOCH (showing other photo) Do you recall if he ever had any of these children with him? STOKER No. No, children. In one city he had a young lady. Not this one but she was short with sandy blonde hair. GEYER Georgiana Yoke. One of his wives. STOKER One of his wives? Glutton for punishment. MURDOCH Do you remember anything else about him? STOKER Yes, when we were in Chicago, tried to sell me a skeleton to use as a prop. Made my skin crawl. MURDOCH Why exactly? STOKER It was six feet tall and he kept referring to it as "her"... GEYER (suddenly excited) Did you buy it? STOKER Good heavens, no. I could still smell the chemicals that cleaned the flesh off the bones. And it had a gold tooth that made me uneasy. GEYER Which tooth? Murdoch studies Geyer. He's on to something.

26. STOKER Top row at the front. Couldn't say exactly which. He did something to her didn't he? I suspected as much. MURDOCH Did you contact the authorities with your suspicions? STOKER Yes, I called the Chicago police. They knew my reputation as a horror writer and accused my "writer's mind of running amok." Very uncooperative bunch. MURDOCH So I've been told. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- DAY Geyer and Murdoch study the map of the Toronto. MURDOCH So we now know that Alice and Nellie were originally checked in at the Albion but checked out the day before I saw them on Terauley Street. GEYER He had Mrs. Pitezel at Union House, and Miss Yoke near the theatre at Walker House Hotel. MURDOCH What happened to his other wives? GEYER Vanished without a trace. Claimed they moved away or went back home. MURDOCH But no divorce papers or annulments? GEYER None. And their families have hired private investigators who have turned up nothing. MURDOCH What of that six-foot skeleton? GEYER (opens a file) Likely Julia Connor. She left her husband and moved in with Holmes. She was six feet tall.

27. He shows Murdoch a photo of Julia Connor. see she has a gold tooth. Higgins pops his head in. Sirs. HIGGINS They found something. Even in B&W we

INT. ST. VINCENT ST. -- DAY A row of quaint houses on a quiet street. used in 'Dead End Street' (Episode #406). Murdoch and Geyer. MURDOCH What have you, George? CRABTREE A Mr. Ryves from number 16 recognized the photo of Mr. Holmes and picked out Alice and Nellie from the family photo. He said that Holmes rented number 15 for a couple of weeks in October. He remembered him because he borrowed a shovel to dig potatoes in his garden. MURDOCH In October? CRABTREE That's why he remembered him. he comes now. Here Like the ones Crabtree approaches

RYVES, a robust Scotsman, approaches carrying a shovel. RYVES Here you go, Constable. This be the very spade that he borrowed. MURDOCH May I? Murdoch examines the blade. Mostly rusted. sees a red stain on the handle. GEYER That looks like blood. MURDOCH Most certainly. RYVES Blood? He moves up and

28. CRABTREE Constable Cubby went to get the Realtor of the property, to let us in. MURDOCH Good thinking, George. he dig?... cellar. GEYER (in unison) Cellar. INT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. -- LATER Murdoch, Geyer and Crabtree. kitchen. They look about the modest Where would

CRABTREE I don't see a door to the cellar. Murdoch begins poking the floor with the end of the shovel handle, as does Geyer with his shoe. Crabtree follows suit. Murdoch taps on a rug and hears an odd squeak. MURDOCH Here! He pulls back the rug to reveal a trap door, they open it. It's very dark. MURDOCH (CONT'D) George, we'll need some lanterns. INT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. - CELLAR -- LATER Geyer and Murdoch lower themselves into the dark cellar beneath the house. The entire floor is dirt. Geyer takes the shovel and starts poking for a soft spot. Crabtree hands Murdoch a lantern, who holds it up and sees something: MURDOCH There! Geyer looks over to see a circled pentagram drawn in the dirt. Murdoch crouches down and begins to dig. Geyer joins in the task. GEYER Hold! He gingerly brushes out the dirt to reveal a human hand. Murdoch crosses himself. END OF ACT TWO

29. ACT THREE INT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. -- DAY DR. EMILY GRACE is examining the decomposed remains of two girls, now carefully laid out on a white sheet on the floor. She gently brushes back the long black hair of one girl to examine her face. GEYER takes a hard swig from a flask, which does not go unnoticed by MURDOCH. DR. GRACE The discoloration of their skin indicates cause of death as a result of cyanosis... death by carbon monoxide poisoning. MURDOCH Any sign of a struggle or... injury... DR. GRACE None that I can be certain of... however, I'm curious to know why one of these corpses has no feet? It looks they were amputated postmortem... It's very odd... FLASHBACK: EXT. TERAULEY STREET -- DAY From the earlier scene of Murdoch seeing the girls. The two start to run away from him. The youngest limps and cannot run very fast. The older tries to assist. Murdoch catches up with ease. INT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. -- DAY Murdoch looks at the amputated limbs of the smaller corpse. MURDOCH The one girl... the youngest... she had a distinct limp. GEYER (not looking) Alice Pitezel had a club foot. The bastard cut her feet off to prevent us from identifying the bodies. DR. GRACE When I have them back at the morgue for a full autopsy, I might be able to get a dental imprint. We should also bring the mother in to identify the bodies.

30. Geyer storms out. MURDOCH Do what you can doctor... try to make them presentable before we bring the mother in. Murdoch exits following Geyer. EXT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. -- DAY Geyer is slumped against the wall, drinking from the flask as if trying to drown the truth. MURDOCH (O.S.) You were a police officer with the Philadelphia Police before joining Pinkerton. I can hardly believe this is your first glimpse at a homicide victim. GEYER Over 200 murder investigations in 22 years of policing. I've seen every kind of depravity that man is capable of committing. Murder by spouses, jilted lovers, ex-business partners motivated by greed, passion, revenge... but mostly greed. MURDOCH Inspector Brackenreid always says, 'Follow the money.' GEYER I'll have to remember that. But this case, I don't understand. Why kill those children? Why move them around the country? He could have taken his portion of the insurance money and disappeared. Why this morbid game? MURDOCH Perhaps that is his motive. A twisted game that makes him feel powerful, to control other people's lives... and the power to kill. GEYER Deep down, I knew they were dead... but I clung to a hope that I was wrong... that they would be alive... hidden...

31. MURDOCH There's something else that affected you in there. Not just finding them dead. GEYER (reaching into his pocket) Do you have children? MURDOCH No... unfortunately. Geyer takes a photo from his billfold and shows it to Murdoch. GEYER My wife Martha and my daughter... Esther. She would have been the same age as Alice in there. MURDOCH "Would have been"? GEYER They died in a house fire. I was away on a case... I had to identify their bodies... I was afraid to touch them but wanted to hold them one last time... because I knew I would never hold them or kiss them goodnight again. MURDOCH Seeing Nellie and Alice like that brought that memory back for you. GEYER (nods) I was hoping if I could find the Pitezel's children alive it would somehow make up for me not being there to protect my own family. Ridiculous I know. Crabtree pops out. CRABTREE Detectives, we found something you may want to look at. INT. 15 ST. VINCENT ST. -- DAY Dr. Grace covers the bodies with sheets. Crabtree and Higgins stand over a trunk in the middle of the kitchen. HIGGINS We found it in the attic.

32. Murdoch notices there is no lock on it. MURDOCH Is there anything... one... inside? CRABTREE It's empty, sir. But we found this. Crabtree points to a hole drilled into the side of the trunk and a hose sticking out. There is something stuck on the end of the loose end. MURDOCH (examining it) It's sticky. DR. GRACE That looks like surgical adhesive tape. Murdoch looks over at the stove. MURDOCH Gas stove. GEYER Dr. Grace, you did say carbon monoxide poisoning, correct? She nods as Murdoch opens the lid of the trunk. MURDOCH Two bodies could have fit in here... Murdoch notices the inside of the lid has scratch marks... and blood. He aligns his fingers with the marks. Realization: They struggled in the end. INT. MORGUE -- DAY Dr. Grace is gently brushing the long dark hair. MURDOCH (enters) She's here. DR. GRACE I'm almost ready. Murdoch notices the faces are covered with paper. DR. GRACE (CONT'D) It's best that she doesn't see the decomposition of the faces right away. I'll uncover the mouths as their teeth are very distinctive.

33. MURDOCH Very good doctor. Murdoch looks up and sees Geyer escorting MRS. PITEZEL, whom we recognize as Mrs. Adams from earlier. Murdoch crosses over to them and meets them in the hallway. MURDOCH (CONT'D) Are you sure you're ready for this? MRS. ADAMS/MRS PITEZEL (swallows hard) Yes. MURDOCH (to Geyer) I'll take her in. Geyer looks at him for a moment, then nods appreciatively. GEYER Very well. Murdoch takes her arm and supports her as she slowly descends into the main room of the morgue, toward the two gurneys. She stops when she sees the long hair cascading down. MRS. PITEZEL (almost a whisper) Alice? Nellie?... no... no... CUT TO: INT. MORGUE HALLWAY -- CONTINUOUS Geyer who had been watching from the hallway window turns away. MRS. PITEZEL (screams) NO! Why?!! Her words become too enveloped by anguish. Geyer obviously remembers the pain. He looks at the photo of his lost family. INT. MURDOCH'S OFFICE -- LATER Mrs. Pitezel tries to hold herself together as Dr. Grace gives her a glass of water. MRS. PITEZEL Why? How could he do this? He told me they were safe with Minnie Williams in her hometown in Texas. She looks up at Murdoch's map of Toronto.

34. MRS. PITEZEL (CONT'D) If I had only known they were so close. How could he do this? They were just blocks away... MURDOCH (comforting) He is a convincing, devious con-man. I saw Alice and Nellie alive... I could have saved them if I had been told the truth. MRS. PITEZEL (sobs) I know. I know... Holmes insisted that we be wary of the police. He said they would lie to trick us. (realization) Howard? What about my baby boy? Did you see him? MURDOCH No, he's still missing. MRS. PITEZEL Surely he couldn't have hurt him. Howard is so sweet and a laugh that would bring a smile to anyone's face. She points to the family photo. MRS. PITEZEL (CONT'D) Look at that sweet face. See there's the toy his father bought for him at the Chicago World's Fair. CLOSE ON PHOTO: the smiling little boy holding a metal toy, a tin soldier mounted on a spinning-top. Murdoch looks up and sees Crabtree gesturing to him. DR. GRACE (to Murdoch) I'll stay with her until we can get her accommodations sorted. MRS. PITEZEL (sobs) What am I going to do? I can't afford to take my children home or even pay for a burial... Oh, my babies! Murdoch exits into: INT. BULLPEN -- CONTINUOUS Crabtree waiting for him as Geyer follows Murdoch.

35. MURDOCH What is it, George? CRABTREE One of the neighbours on Vincent Street recalls seeing the two sisters. They asked them if they had family. One of the girls apparently said, (reading from his pad) "We have a brother in Indianapolis." GEYER Holmes had been there last summer. MURDOCH Well done, George. (to Geyer) You don't seem to hopeful by this news. You've given up hope in finding him alive? GEYER I have my suspicions. MURDOCH Based on what happened here in Toronto? GEYER When we arrested Holmes we found a tin box with some letters that Alice and Nellie wrote to their mother but he never passed them on to her. MURDOCH You should give them to her. all she has left. It's

GEYER I will, once I know we won't need them for evidence... all except this one. Geyer reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out a small folded letter and hands it to Murdoch. GEYER (CONT'D) This is one Alice wrote in Cincinnati. I can't give her this one. MURDOCH (reading) "Dearest Mom, Why don't you write to me. I have not got a letter from you since I've been away..."

36. GEYER Jump to the end. Murdoch's eyes drift down to the end of the page. up at Geyer. MURDOCH (quoting) "Howard is not with us now." INT. BRACKENREID'S OFFICE -- DAY Murdoch enters Brackenreid's office. MURDOCH Sir, I respectfully request a leave of absence. BRACKENREID Are you ill? MURDOCH Yes... no... I would like to accompany Detective Geyer to Indianapolis. BRACKENREID Really? MURDOCH I know I don't have any jurisdiction there. But it's important we find the evidence to keep Holmes behind bars. BRACKENREID Well... MURDOCH I know what you're going to say. But for some reason that escapes all logic the authorities won't recognize a murder in a "foreign country" as evidence of foul play in theirs. BRACKENREID Oh, I know. MURDOCH Sir, I need to see this through. I need to make sure that monster never harms another... You know? BRACKENREID Detective Geyer already fumed about it. He looks

37. Brackenreid takes an envelope from his desk and hands it to Murdoch. MURDOCH What's this? BRACKENREID A letter from the Toronto Grand Jury. Basically saying, if for some reason those damn Yankees fail to convict that bastard, you are hereby authorized to place him in manacles and drag his arse back to Toronto where he will be tried for the murder of those two girls. MURDOCH Thank you, sir. EXT. IRVINGTON INDIANAPOLIS HOUSE -- DAY Establishing shot of a quaint blue cottage with steep gables, white shutters and trim. A white picket fence surrounds the house and the American flag (44 star version) flutters in the wind. INT. IRVINGTON INDIANAPOLIS HOME -- DAY Murdoch ascends from the cellar as Geyer descends from the upstairs holding a glass bottle. GEYER I've found a bottle of chloroform just like in Toronto. MURDOCH Well done. I, on the other hand, have found nothing downstairs. Not a single pentagram. Through the window, Murdoch sees a man, ELVIN MOORMAN, next door weeding his garden. MURDOCH (CONT'D) When did you say they were in this house? GEYER End of summer. EXT. IRVINGTON INDIANAPOLIS HOUSE -- LATER Murdoch approaches Elvin who's continuing to pull weeds during the conversation.

38. MURDOCH Excuse me. My name is Detective Murdoch of... investigating some missing children. (showing photo) Did you see any of these children last summer? He looks at the photo and points to Nellie, Alice and Howard. ELVIN Actually, yes. These three. I remember them because they always looked so sad. Every youngster I know loves to frolic and play in the summer. Not these ones. They always looked like they were going to a funeral. MURDOCH How long were they here? ELVIN Not long at all. Only a couple of weeks. Which didn't make sense. MURDOCH What didn't make sense? ELVIN Why their father insisted on hauling in a wood stove for the winter. I told him everyone 'round here gots a gas stove but he insisted on having that monstrous wood burning thing. Said that 'gas was bad for the children's health.' INT. IRVINGTON INDIANAPOLIS HOME -- LATER Murdoch and Geyer open the woodstove. Nothing.

Murdoch notices the access panel on the brick chimney for the flue. He opens it and as he holds the panel, Geyer starts to reach into the opening. MURDOCH (seeing something) Stop! Geyer instantly obeys. Murdoch grabs the nearby poker and carefully extends the tip of it into the opening. A loud SNAP startles Geyer as debris falls out onto the floor. Murdoch draws back the poker revealing a steel animal trap with its sharp jaws clenching the poker.

39. GEYER That would have severed my hand! How did you...? MURDOCH I used to be a lumberjack before joining the police force. Working in a forest, you learn to recognize them buried under leaves. Geyer holds up a lantern to the opening and they see the charred remains of clothing and bone. Murdoch crosses himself. Murdoch looks down at what had fallen out onto the floor. It' a partially melted toy. It's the tin soldier spinningtop from the Chicago World's Fair. INT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA -- DAY Pick-up from Scene 2 with Murdoch and Inmate. We can now see his face and recognize Dr. Cook aka H.H. HOLMES. MURDOCH What evidence? Inmate rises and walks to the bars as: INMATE/HOLMES If it weren't for you they would still be alive... The inmate extends his hand through the bars and holds something for Murdoch. This time we see. Murdoch's calling card - bloodstained. FLASHBACK: EXT. TERAULEY STREET -- DAY From earlier scene Murdoch giving his card to Alice. MURDOCH If you see anything or need anything... Call me. Any time. INT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA -- CONTINUOUS HOLMES You see, Detective. As you can see from the evidence, it was you. You are the guilty one not I. Murdoch stares at his bloodied card, his fists tighten. END OF ACT THREE

40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA -- MOMENTS LATER Holmes holds the bloodied card, watching Murdoch's face for a reaction. Beyond the clenched fists, there is none. Murdoch appears very calm. MURDOCH I fail to see how that is evidence against me. On the contrary, it only serves to incriminate you further. Without warning, Murchoch suddenly strikes the bottom of his hand, causing the card to fly upward. Murdoch catches it, steps back from the bars and examines it. HOLMES That belongs to me. MURDOCH You presented it to me as evidence. And this looks like a bloody finger mark on the back. I suspect it will match the finger mark we found on the chloroform bottle... Which places you at the scene of the crime. HOLMES That could be Minnie Williams' finger mark. You don't have my finger marks to compare. MURDOCH That can be arranged. HOLMES Since I'm representing myself in court I'm privy to the the Judges' rulings. The Philadelphia court doesn't recognize your finger mark theory. So the Judge shall refuse to allow you to take my finger marks. You have nothing to compare it to. MURDOCH Tell me, what motive did Minnie Williams have to kill in cold blood? HOLMES When she found out you gave that card to the girls, she knew it was only a matter of time. (MORE)

41. HOLMES (CONT'D) She panicked and killed the girls... because of you. MURDOCH Interesting how you place the blame on me. Yet if you hadn't lied to the entire Pitezel family and didn't place them in danger, then no one, including Minnie Williams, could have had the opportunity to harm them. And I can hardly believe a woman would be capable of the monstrosity that was committed. HOLMES You don't know women as well as I do. Minnie was a violent, jealous type. She was not one to cross. I made the mistake of being friendly to her sister when she came to visit us in Chicago. Shortly thereafter her sister disappeared. MURDOCH Can you tell me where I can find Minnie Williams? HOLMES We were supposed to meet in New York, but my sudden incarceration forced me to miss that meeting. She's likely in Texas or Mexico by now. MURDOCH Isn't that where you said Benjamin Pitezel ran to? Why has he not come forth with the news of his children's demise? HOLMES I suspect he's afraid of being charged with murder and fraud. MURDOCH You should know, with the discovery of his son's body stuffed in the chimney, we were granted permission to exhume the body of your insurance victim. The smile vanishes from Holmes' face. HOLMES What?

42. MURDOCH A new dental impression was made and his real doctor confirmed that he had a wart on the back of his neck. Just like the one you showed Fidelity Insurance when you identified him as the fictitious Mr. Barry. You murdered Benjamin Pitezel and then for your own twisted pleasure made his family fugitives, then started killing them off one by one. HOLMES (getting annoyed) No. Okay, I'll admit that body was Ben Pitezel. He was supposed to find a corpse for me. Just like he did with some other insurance scams. But he was an alcoholic. I tried to help him by hiding his liquor but he found my chloroform and drank it, thinking it'll make him drunk. I found him dead the next morning. It was accidental suicide. MURDOCH So then it was you who set the body on fire to disfigure his features? HOLMES Everything had been prepared for the insurance job by Edward Hatch. Ben Pitezel inadvertently supplied me with a corpse - his own. If I hadn't completed the job, Hatch would have killed me. But I'm not a murderer. MURDOCH Even if you convinced the Philadelphia jury that it was an accident, and the Toronto jury that it was Minnie Williams, you will have to explain to Chicago about the bodies we found in your castle. HOLMES My castle? MURDOCH You know the structure you built on Wallace and 63rd. It's in your name and you advertised rooms for rent during the Chicago Fair. I've been there. I've seen what you did.

43. HOLMES You're bluffing. You couldn't have entered the building. Murdoch opens the folder he had tucked under his arm. starts to pull out photos during: MURDOCH After the animal trap you left in Indianapolis we were prepared this time. The trip lines, the trap doors, bedrooms that were actually gas chambers, the explosive devices you left... HOLMES That's trespassing! MURDOCH (showing photo evidence) Oh, the Chicago police were there too. We found the dissecting tables still stained with blood, the large vault you suffocated people in, the vat of acid, several skulls and vertebrae still... Guard! Guard! HOLMES I'm done with the visitor! And

MURDOCH You may sweet talk one jury but not three. I guarantee you Dr. Holmes... Mr. Mudgett. By the end of the year your neck will be swinging on the end of a hang man's noose. HOLMES Guard! Two guards appear. MURDOCH Truth, like the sun, submits to be obscured but like the sun, only for a time. (points in cell) Oh, and in thirteen moves, your black king is in check. Holmes in a fit of outrage picks up the black king and hurls it at Murdoch.

44. MURDOCH (CONT'D) (to the guards) Gentlemen, you are a witness that he has assaulted an officer of the law. I'll have to confiscate this as evidence. Murdoch uses his handkerchief and picks it up by the base, then leans toward the bars. MURDOCH (CONT'D) (holing up the chess piece) And now I have your finger marks. INT. AMERICAN MORGUE -- DAY Murdoch lifts the print off the chess piece and places it carefully on a white piece of paper. Geyer has entered at the end to witness this. MURDOCH It's a match. Holmes' finger mark on the chess piece matches the chloroform bottle you found in Indianapolis and bloody print on the back of my card that I had given to Alice Pitezel. GEYER Perfect. That places him at both scenes of the crime. Holding up a file. GEYER (CONT'D) I have the results from the coroner. MURDOCH And...? GEYER You were right to recheck the stomach contents. (reading) Due to the absence of irritation in the stomach, the chloroform found there must have been poured into it after death. MURDOCH So much for Holmes' claim that Benjamin Pitezel killed himself. Anything else?

45. GEYER There is no trace of an Edward Hatch, and as you suspected, one of the skulls found in his Chicago 'castle' belonged to Minnie Williams and another to her sister. How did you figure it out? MURDOCH Holmes said and I quote, "Minnie was a violent, jealous type. She was not one to cross." GEYER "Was violent"? Past tense. already knew she was dead. He

MURDOCH Several months before he ever set foot in Toronto. GEYER Well, the Chicago police have egg on their face and are hoping to get their chance to hang him for the excessive murders he committed there. MURDOCH They'll have to wait their turn. GEYER (pause) How did you do it Murdoch? MURDOCH Do what? GEYER Keep control of your emotions when he showed you this card? I'd have shot him. MURDOCH I saw through his game. He takes great pleasure in being in control. Control of life, death and people themselves. When I didn't give him the reaction he wanted, he lost control. He stopped being careful. GEYER Well, I'm glad you talked me into letting you go in. I'm afraid if I had gone in I would have played into his hand.

46. MURDOCH It was a combined effort. Between the two of us we have accumulated enough evidence to convict him at all three trials. GEYER I'll sleep better when he's dead and buried. They are interrupted by a knock at the door. retired police officer, enters. A.M. CLARK, a

CLARK I'm looking for a Detective Murdoch. MURDOCH How may I help you? CLARK My name is Clark. police officer. He hands Murdoch a letter. CLARK (CONT'D) I'd like you to take this back to your superiors in Canada. MURDOCH What is this? CLARK A requisition granting permission to transport the bodies of Alice and Nellie Pitezel to Chicago. MURDOCH For a proper burial? CLARK (laughs) Hell, no! To put on display! MURDOCH I beg your pardon? GEYER (in unison with Murdoch) What? CLARK I just purchased Holmes 'Horror Castle' in Chicago. I'm opening it up to the public. He hands them both one-page flyers. I'm a retired

47. GEYER (reading) Holmes Castle of Horror? CLARK The people have been coming to Chicago by the train load just to glimpse where the bloody deeds took place. I'm gonna give them what they want. They get to walk through the murderous maze, see trap doors, locked gas rooms, dissection tables and the highlight... MURDOCH You're planning to display two of his victims? CLARK Well all the others have been cut up, I'll have them scattered throughout. But the two that are the most complete, what an attraction! I'm doing it for their poor mother. MURDOCH For their mother? CLARK Well it spares the mother the funeral expense and those two girls will greet patrons as they go into the gift shop. GEYER Gift shop? CLARK I'm charging two bits per person to enter. Hell, I'll double that if Holmes is executed. Hope to get his body as the main attraction. Clark looks at the evidence on the table. CLARK (CONT'D) Good work, gentlemen. You two are invited to be my guest of honor at the grand opening. After all, it would never have happened without you two. Murdoch looks at the evidence. Off his look.

INT. MOYAMENSING PRISON, PHILADELPHIA -- DAY Murdoch walks down the hallway toward Holmes' cell.

48. HOLMES (O.S.) Go to Hell, and take your Bible with you. A young priest runs past Murdoch. MURDOCH Refusing last rights? HOLMES I might have known you'd come to gloat. What do you take more pride in? The trial lasted six days? Or that the jury took 30 seconds to vote 'guilty'. MURDOCH They deliberated for more than two hours. HOLMES I can read the papers, Murdoch! They took 30 seconds and then spent two hours playing cards to give the appearance of deliberation. They'll all pay. Holmes lunges at the bars. He has a goatee and his hair is combed in a two horns making himself look like the devil. HOLMES (CONT'D) You will all pay. I'll make sure of that. MURDOCH Given that you're about to be executed that threat holds very little weight. HOLMES Mark my words. I'll come back from the dead and have my vengeance. MURDOCH (ignoring him) I didn't come here to gloat or listen to threats. HOLMES Say what you want and get out of here. MURDOCH Why did you do it? HOLMES What exactly are you referring to?

49. MURDOCH In every crime there is opportunity and motive. But many of your crimes, most especially the children... I cannot understand your motive. HOLMES There's nothing to understand. I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing. Murdoch nods turns to leave. MURDOCH Good-bye. HOLMES (waving the newspaper) I know what you did. Part of the headline is obscured but we see the illustration of Holmes' Horror Castle. Murdoch stops but doesn't look back. HOLMES (CONT'D) You claim to be of high morals but this time I know the truth. It was you. Unlike last time, Murdoch is visibly annoyed but won't turn around to give Holmes the satisfaction. FADE OUT: END OF ACT FOUR Holmes picks up the newspaper.

50. TAG EXT. ST. JAMES CEMETERY - TORONTO -- DAY Murdoch stands in the beautiful landscaped cemetery. Brackenreid stands close by. MURDOCH It took him fifteen minutes to die. Geyer and I stood and watched as his coffin was filled with cement. BRACKENREID Don't tell me you were taking his curse seriously? MURDOCH I wasn't... Though perhaps Geyer was... Regardless, he won't be on display anywhere, or getting more notoriety. He doesn't deserve that attention. BRACKENREID For the same reason, the City of Toronto voted unanimously to pay for the burial plot for Alice and Nellie. MURDOCH Is it to remain unmarked? BRACKENREID Out of respect for the dead, they didn't want any bloody nosey sightseers desecrating the graveyard. MURDOCH Like Mr. Clark. At least the bodies stay here and rest in peace. Brackenreid unfolds a newspaper as: BRACKENREID I read in the papers that Holmes' Castle of Horrors mysteriously exploded, making the building structurally unsafe. We see the same illustation of Holmes' Horror Castle. Headline reads: Mysterious Fire Destroys Horror Castle. MURDOCH (pause) Yes, I heard about that.

51. BRACKENREID Any idea of how it could have happened? MURDOCH I had nothing to do with that investigation. BRACKENREID I meant, you spent some time in Chicago as well. Did you see anything while you were there? MURDOCH I saw more than I cared to see. I wish I could forget. Murdoch stares at a nearby stone cross. look. INT. CHURCH -- DAY (From scene 1) Murdoch is looking at the blood stained card that he had given Alice. The one that Holmes killed her for. MURDOCH (looks up) Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been three months since my last confession... FADE OUT: END OF SHOW And

Off Brackenreid's