I Am Combustible........David

The camera shoots from the rear of the room, and closes in on the back of an overstuffed armchair. The shot comes over the top of the chair, over a blonde head, and comes in on two hands, small and smooth with well manicured nails polished a pale shade of rose. They are holding a magazine - not a thick glossy magazine, but a Sunday supplement that would be found in the newspaper. On the page that we can see, there is a picture of Maddie and David with the headline " Hayes and Addison Take the Case at Blue Moon."

A man moves into the picture and stands opposite the chair. He wears a rumpled trench coat, and is a bit seedy looking.

Shaughnessy: Anytime ma'am. Always eager for the work. I'm just a little curious…..these two are pretty normal people, and you didn't ask for anything unusual in the investigation. You probably could have called their offices and gotten the same information. I just wonder why you needed a detective to investigate these detectives.

Woman: Just suffice it to say, I needed the information before I renew my acquaintance with the Blue Moon Detective Agency. Are my motives a concern of yours? Do you feel some kind of an affinity with these people because of your common occupation?

Shaughnessy: Lady, I've gotta eat. Feelings are a luxury I can't afford. Besides, I can't see anything I have in common with people from a Beverly Hills detective agency. Look at them……..class with a capital "C".

Woman: Sometimes what looks like class isn't class at all, Mr. Shaughnessy. Do you make a commitment to your clients…that your work is confidential, that you will stand by them? That you won't betray the trust they put in you?

Woman: I have no time to be hashing over all of this. I will ask you again, can you guarantee that this matter will be kept confidential?

He leaves the frame, but the camera still continues to shoot over the back of the chair, focused on the photo in the article. It shows a smiling David and Maddie, exchanging a glance, as if they share a secret.

Woman: Well, well, well Mr. Addison, Miss Hayes….we meet again. Looks like things are looking up for the two of you. It doesn't seem quite fair. If the two of you hadn't interfered, I'd be living as I always dreamed …..with the one love of my life.

Woman: Well just you wait and see…..see if you're still smiling when I'm finished with you. Two minus one equals just what you deserve.

She tosses the ball of paper into the fireplace where it rests on the logs for just seconds, and then bursts into flames. We hear her laughing softly to herself as the camera zooms in on the fire.

Maddie is sitting at her desk, reading some mail, when David bursts through the office door. He is waving something in the air.

David: Here it is! The thing we've been waiting for. The one thing that's gonna launch us from moderately successful to the elite - the crème de la crème of detective agencies.

Maddie: And then everyone will get up and go to the bathroom. Do you wish to be responsible for a major drop in water pressure AGAIN?

David: OK, OK, just look. Hot off the presses - it's our advance copy of the Trib's Sunday magazine, with our article in it.

Maddie: I think we might have been a little hasty about granting this interview…….I'm afraid it might not have been in our best interests.

Maddie: I'm stunned. You and I don't agree about something? But I guess it doesn't really matter, it's over and done with now. Let's see it.

David hands the magazine to Maddie. She takes a magnifying glass out of her top right drawer and holds it up to the lower corner of the magazine.

Maddie: Oh there it is, that teeny little thing down there - "Hayes and Addison Take the Case at Blue Moon"……looks like a small but pivotal article.

Maddie: "A small business that has come a long way, Blue Moon Investigations is in its seventh year with Maddie Hayes as a managing partner. After a successful modeling career, Hayes teamed up with David Addison back in 1985 at "City of Angels Detective Agency", giving it a new name and a new attitude."

Maddie: "But these two are just not a couple of pretty faces. Their combined efforts have solved murder mysteries, located missing persons, and recovered lost and stolen property. They have handled many unusual and unconventional cases, notably the well-publicized BMW case, in which they helped police recover more than a million dollars in illegal drugs."

Maddie continues to read. The article details much more information about Maddie's past career, David's checkered past, and information about some to the cases they have been involved in together.

Maddie: Listen to this……"So, what makes a detective agency work? When posed the question, David Addison flashed this reporter a devastating grin, and responded, "We're an unbeatable team. I couldn't do it without her - and I know she'd tell you the same thing. We fill each other's holes……... We don't always agree…in fact we often disagree - but that is what lets us explore all the positions - do the best possible job for our clients."

Miss Hayes, of the enigmatic smile continued, "We don't seem to attract run of the mill cases - I guess that's what keeps it fresh and exciting. It's truly a partnership."

Hayes ducked a question about theirs being more than a business partnership, while Addison commented, a little less than seriously, that they seemed to do a lot of undercover work"

Maddie: No, there's a little more. "Whatever the reason, this little company has made themselves a presence in the L.A. investigative community. And whatever the secrets for attaining success, Hayes and Addison seem to be on top of it."

Maddie: There's just something in there that bothers me. Maybe it's a little too irreverent, too tongue in cheek. I'm afraid it's going to attract some clients who could be…well, weirdos or deviants, or…….

David: Maddie, this has to be a good thing! All across Los Angeles, people will be saying Blue Moon Investigations and thinking -- I wonder if my wife is sleeping with the mailman……….I bet cousin Nancy is the one who stole Aunt Florence's diamond earrings ……maybe, somebody left ME money, and I don't know it! Maddie, this is going to be a cash flow bonanza!

David: Are you feeling OK? Still got a touch of the dementia from that bug you had? Since when have you been so unenthusiastic about money? Don't forget lady, we've just taken two vacations that we have to pay for.

Maddie: Not yet, but I'm guessing quite a bit. I know you're right about the article. I've just got a funny feeling.

David: I'll take care of that for you tonight. Meanwhile, should we gear up for Monday morning? Bring in some temp help…nah, wait a minute. We brought Viola in as temp help and he never left. How `bout just some extra chairs - I'll call the funeral parlor.

Maddie: Why don't we play it all by ear? Most people get that part of the paper delivered on Saturday. Maybe by Monday the "hysteria" will have died down. Anyway, all of the staff will be here - and you and I, of course.

Maddie: Addison, I've seen that look before….that "playing hooky" look --- is there some reason you don't expect to be here Monday?

David: And last year, it went on till Wednesday. It's the bash of the season! Harem Scarem has gone all out - it's our turn to run the thing….and we've got an Arabian Nights theme.

David: Yeah, it's kind of like the biggest bachelor party on earth, but no poor sucker has to make the ultimate sacrifice.

David: So, why don't you come with me? It could be fun - then we could go back to your little den of iniquity, let those curtains down, and……

David: You are a witch, woman. But a very bewitching witch. Who could ever turn down an offer like that? Even though I know full well the devious intent behind it.

Maddie: Not half as much as I like that full of you-know-what grin of yours. Are you about ready to get out of here?

David: You're the boss, lady. We're still on for the film festival at the Addison hacienda tonight, right? Can't wait to see "The Attack of the Forty Foot Woman".

David: I'll give you a perfectly logical reason why you don't pick the movie. Subtitles…who gets a movie if they want to read??? You get a book if you want to read……….you pick up a Playboy if you wanna read……..

David: Why don't you drop me off first…..I'll start the hot dogs and warm up the car. I sure do like this - having a drive in theatre in my own living room.

David: No way, toots! Do you know how hard it was getting that sauce off of the seats? I'm not doing that again. We are having classic drive in food…hot dogs and popcorn.

David: Anyway the menu is dogs and popcorn, and I'll meet you in the front seat at seven………and the back seat by eight!

Maddie stands for a moment, appreciating the view from the rear, and smiling. She then picks up the magazine, and scans the article again. She shrugs, tosses it on her desk, and picks up her purse and briefcase.

It seems a typical lazy Saturday. There is music playing, and the camera focuses on Maddie. Casually attired, she is lying on her side on the bed. Miss Me is snuggled against her back, as Maddie, propped on one arm, leafs through a photo album. There are several other albums scattered around the bed.

David: I don't know - last night when I went to bed……there was this woman - tall, blonde, gorgeous, has those cute little freckles right where…..

Maddie: Having a calm, quiet day, thank you very much. I finished all my errands and I'm just putting some pictures in photo albums.

David: I'd be a trendsetter…..a celebrity….the flavor of the month! People from miles around would be looking for me - trying to catch a glimpse.

David: Dinner's at seven…before the obligatory brawl, I think. Provided there are no major disasters - or great moments - I should see you sometime around midnight……..unless you've changed your mind and want to come with me.

David: Nasty, nasty, Miss Hayes. Too good to mingle with the average bowling populace…and then turns on one who only lives to admire her.

David: I give up. Go take your nap….sounds like you need it. Probably a good idea anyway - rest up before I get there….conserve your strength.

David: Not one of the lines that are in my head would make it past the censors. I've gotta go deal with some laundry. See you later.

The screen flips back to Maddie, as she moves the albums aside, lying back against the pillows. She stares up at the ceiling smiling as Stevie Nicks begins to sing.

Still in Maddie's bedroom, we catch glimpses of her as she walks back and forth between the bedroom and the bathroom. She is dressed in an old, baggy gray sweat suit (think disreputable, grungy, possibly David's). She wears no makeup and her hair is piled on top of her head, smeared with a hot oil conditioning treatment, which is topped off with a plastic bag. She is barefoot and comfortable. This is generally not the way the audience gets to see our favorite lady detective.

The entertainment center on the wall is open, and the TV is on, but is basically functioning as background noise. Maddie continues to go back and forth, performing small tasks. A news bulletin flashes onto the screen, and draws Maddie's attention, and she stops to watch.

Tracey: Thanks, Jim. A three-alarm fire is raging out of control in the Fairfax district of West LA. This small apartment building at 8327 Blackburn has been in flames for several hours now. There are six apartments in the structure, and there seems little hope that any of them will survive the extreme heat or flame. In addition, the buildings in this area are very close together, and flames seem to be posing a threat to several other apartment buildings. So far, there is no word regarding any casualties or fatalities. Stay with ABC news for further updates as we receive them.

Maddie stands as if she has been frozen, the blood draining from her face. The telephone rings, and she lunges for it.

Maddie: David? …………..No, Agnes, he's not here……….yes, I just saw it….I've been here all day - he has that bowling banquet tonight…….I don't know - I don't know……….I have to go!

Without a backwards glance, she grabs her handbag from the bedside table, and flies down the steps, out the front door, and into the car.

She turns the corner, into a street that is blocked off - almost running into a police officer. He heads around to the driver's side as she jumps out of the car.

Maddie: You don't understand…..David….my partner………my……well, he was in there……I don't know….if he's in there…I have to find him.

Maddie: The only way you are going to get me to calm down is to let me find my partner, and make sure he is all right. I've got to get in there.

Maddie looks up in horror as she gets her first sight of the building. It is fully engulfed in flames, and smoke billows around.

Sergeant: We don't know that yet. But we're pretty sure everybody got out fine. I'll take you to where the people from the apartments are.

The street is chaos……….firefighters, police officers, paramedics everywhere. The firefighters continue to point hoses at the blaze, pouring gallons of water on the building. More soak the surrounding buildings, trying to keep them from becoming involved.

Maddie is basically oblivious to all around her, craning her neck for the one person she longs to see. We catch a long shot of David, on the outskirts of a small crowd of onlookers. He is clad only in a towel, slung low around his waist. Next to him is a cardboard box containing record albums and a large picture frame. He is watching the fire.

Maddie spots him, and takes off down the street towards him. Almost as if he feels her presence, he turns towards her as she approaches.

She throws herself into his arms, and they embrace - as if they were long separated lovers……like a soldier returning from war……..like people afraid they wouldn't see each other again.

David: Hey, hey, hey…I'm fine……Maddie, really, I'm fine…..I'm the original asbestos man ----- Maddie, honey, you're really shaking.

Maddie: God, David, I was so scared. I saw it on the news. I had no idea what to do. I jumped in the car and drove over here at about a hundred miles an hour.

Maddie: I might murder you if I weren't so glad you're alive. I'm lucky I didn't run somebody over on the way here - I wasn't really concerned about making a fashion statement.

There is a crash from the building, and they turn to see debris falling down from an upper floor. Maddie takes a blanket from a rescue worker, unfolds it and wraps it around David from behind. Her arms stay wrapped around his waist, and she leans her head on his shoulder as they both stare at the fire.

Their attention is drawn by an elderly man who is sitting on the back bumper of an ambulance as he talks to emergency worker.

Elderly Man: I don't know what I'll do. I've lived here for thirty years. Everything I own was in that apartment. My wife died two years ago……..the only things I had left of her were in there. All the pictures of the kids, our wedding picture…things that can't be replaced. Where do I go now?

Red Cross Worker: Don't worry, Mr. Flynn. We'll get you someplace to stay, contact your children……help with whatever we can.

David: I am gonna miss that car though. I don't know what chance I'll ever get again to own a classic Corvette, even one without a motor.

They continue to stand close together, side by side, maintaining bodily contact, touching at all possible points. If one moves slightly, the other shifts his/her body to fill the void, almost as if they are using the physical contact for reassurance.

David: Nope, I swear, just the chassis. It never had even been used on the street. It was just for fun. A present from the lady here.

Sergeant: Yeah, thanks to somebody who pounded on all the doors and got people out………some guy dressed only in a towel.

Sergeant: No, just leave us an address and phone number where we can reach you. We'll probably send someone to ask you some questions.

Maddie pulls the frame from the box, and realizes it is a photograph of her - one of the ones that had recently been removed from her bedroom walls.

David: You caught me. I stole it. Seemed a shame for all those pictures to disappear……thought maybe I could sell it, maybe make a little money.

David: Let's face it…it's a veritable antique. Maddie Hayes - Cover Girl - the way she looked the first day she walked into my office.

They walk towards the car, arms around each other's waists. At the end of the street, behind a police barrier, are a group of reporters, who begin to shout questions as Maddie and David approach.

David: Have a little respect, you damned vultures. People are homeless, they've lost everything they have. Give them a little time. Leave us the hell alone.

Lights flash and cameras whirr as he shouts. Maddie grabs his arm and continues to lead him towards the car. A reporter follows them….Rebecca Redd.

She is paralyzed by the expression on David's face, and his cold tone…very different than the guy she had interviewed for the Sunday magazine.

The camera catches a movement in the shadows across the street. It moves in close up, and focuses in on a pair of vivid blue eyes. It holds on the eyes as they peer across the street. Then the eyes become the camera, as they watch Maddie and David walking to the car. Flash back again to a close up of the eyes glaring.

Maddie walks to the bedroom door, wine bottle and glasses in hand, just in time to catch David reaching for the remote. He clutches it in his hand, emphatically pointing it at the stereo.

The music clicks off. Maddie watches him quietly for a moment, as he tosses the remote onto the bed. She continues into the room. He looks up as she enters.

Maddie: If there were any excuse needed to have a drink, I think perhaps we've got it. I thought we could both use a little liquid relaxation. Care to join me in this?

David: Maddie Hayes asking David Addison if he'd like to increase his alcohol consumption….who'd've thunk it………..no, that's fine, thanks.

Maddie pours them each a glass of wine, and sits cross-legged on the bed next to David, raising her glass as if to toast.

David: I'm lucky I never made it to the cleaner's. At least I'll have enough suits and shirts to get me through the week. Course, the shoeless look might start a new trend.

Maddie: Well, you've got all of tomorrow to get whatever you need. It'll probably take a couple of weeks for the insurance claim to be processed, but you can charge anything you need to the business account, and we'll settle up when it comes in.

David: Clothes, bed, TV, microwave - that's about everything in the apartment I owned, besides the car. Hardly seemed worth it.

David: Well, it shouldn't be real tough to refurnish an apartment just like the old one - except for the car, of course.

David: I don't know. I did like that place, that neighborhood. Maybe something around there…maybe furnished this time. There's a great complex - Park La Brea, but I think they've got a waiting list.

Maddie: Oh yeah, I know that place. It's huge. It's a lot different from your old place. Is that what you really want?

David: It's got all the creature comforts - pool, health club, convenience store, dry cleaners. And it sure beats the old place -- bad electricity, hardly any hot water………that charred look around the edges.

Maddie: No, well, you don't want to jump into anything…end up stuck with a lease on a place you don't like……..

Maddie: There's no problem with you staying here as long as you need to ….until things are……you know……..settled.

David: Good to know. But I'll get cracking right away. I know you mean it now, but who knows whether you'll change your mind once we start doing this twenty four seven.

She heads towards the bathroom as the TV clicks on. The screen is filled with images from the fire, as a voiceover recounts the story.

Voice: This was the scene earlier this evening in the Fairfax section of West LA, as a six-unit apartment building burned to the ground, leaving its tenants homeless, and residents of three neighboring buildings evacuated. One firefighter was taken to Cedars Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, and another broke his leg in a fall from a ladder. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Stay tuned to ABC TV for more news as it becomes available.

David is uncharacteristically silent, staring into space. Maddie looks at him warily, then walks over, and again sits next to him on the bed.

Maddie: Listen, David, I know this is a terrible thing, but it's going to be OK. We'll replace what you need to replace, take care of the details. It'll all be just fine.

David: I lost a place to flop, Maddie, not a home. Some of those people have family, possessions, heirlooms. You saw that old guy, Maddie. He lost everything. He lost things he can't ever get back. And so did lots of other people.

Maddie: And all of them will do what they need to do to get past this and bounce back. It happens, David. You can't worry about everybody else.

David: Well, I talked to you on the phone at around three thirty. I needed to do some wash, so I took a basket of stuff down to the laundry room, and tossed it into the washer. I came back upstairs, and started to watch the ball game. The Dodgers were playing the Phillies…I had talked to Richie earlier, and we had a bet on who would win.

David: It was a really good game…..lots of hits, but still real close. I lost track of time. Next time I looked at the clock, it was after six and my clothes were still in the washer. I ran down to the laundry room, figured I'd toss them in the dryer, take my shower, and they would be somewhat dry when I got out of the shower.

David: Anyway, I grabbed the damp clothes out of the washer, and went to put them in the dryer. There was a small sign, taped over the coin slots that said "Out of order". After a few chosen remarks about the dryer manufacturer's parentage, I grabbed the clothes and took them upstairs.

David: Yes, I do…….well, I did own an iron. After all, I just needed socks and underwear. But it was getting too late, and I still needed a shower. I had just read an article in the newspaper about new technologies, and they had a whole section about microwave dryers being the wave of the future - that microwaves could dry clothing in half the time as a regular dryer by turning the water to steam, and evaporating it.

Maddie: (a bit sarcastically) You put wet clothes in your microwave oven? What, did you forget you had a stove? I guess you skipped the part about microwave technology not being perfected yet, huh?

David: Anyway….next thing I knew, the smoke detector starting blaring. I ran out of the shower and the whole kitchen was in flames. I wrapped a towel around myself, and ran up and down the stairs, yelling for people to get out - and to call 911. I ran back into the apartment, and the fire was everywhere. I grabbed my records, and your picture, and hightailed it out of there.

David: Well, there's a first……..I'll tell you what to say, " Addison, you jackass, how could you be so stupid? Because of you, there are now two firemen lying at Cedars, and the homeless population of LA has risen to new heights……..aren't you proud of yourself?"

Maddie: I don't think that applies. You had no intent, no malice of forethought - hell, there was hardly any forethought at all in that decision.

Maddie: Is that what you want? Are you looking for somebody to nod an empty blonde head at you, and say, "It wasn't that bad"? Or do you want a partner who is able to say, "Hey you screwed up. Let's see how we can fix it"?

Maddie: Can I make a suggestion here? It's after 1 AM. You're exhausted. Do you think that it might be better to get some sleep, and talk to the police in the morning?

Maddie: Nothing's going to change between now and then, and you'll probably make a little more sense in the morning.

David: You talked me into it. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep, but I'm willing to give it a try. You coming to bed?

Maddie reenters the room. David is asleep in the bed, burrowed under the comforter. She sits in a chair, just looking at him.

Another woman sits in shadow. A sliver of moonlight reflects off her blonde hair. She holds a picture frame, its back towards us. She addresses the photo in the frame.

Woman: I thought I took care of them this time. Stupid, stupid………who knew he would get out of there before the fire spread. Darling, I swear, they will pay for what they did to you…..to us. They had to meddle…..had to call the police. Well, if I can't have you, I'll be damned sure she can't have him - no matter what I have to do.

Maddie is sitting on the sofa in the living room. She is wearing a nightgown and robe, but she does not look well rested. She stares out into the room, and we read her thoughts.

It has been a difficult night. David has slept very little, hence she has slept very little. One moment, he had been curled up against her, then thrashing around, tossing off the covers, and mumbling in his sleep the next. At one point he had snuck out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and spent an hour staring out the window into the night. Then he had wandered the house, finally coming back to bed at around six. Maddie herself had crept out of bed at seven, once she was sure he was finally asleep.

She shakes her head as if to dislodge the thoughts that are lingering there, and picks up the newspaper from the sofa beside her. She looks again at the pictures and article on the front page. There is a full color photo of the fire scene, and a smaller picture of the crowd of people watching. She and David are quite visible in the picture, David in his towel, and she in her plastic bag.

Maddie: Well, he said he was looking for exposure. Although I'm not quite sure this is the kind of exposure that either one of us imagined. We both look like hell. Let's see how David feels about publicity after this.

She reacts as she hears the water start to run in the shower upstairs. She had expected………had hoped that David would sleep a little later. It would have been so much easier if they could have just stayed up all night, talking this out, and supporting each other, instead of lying there next to each other, avoiding.

She puts down the paper, and reaches for the carafe on the chest in front of her. She pours a cup of coffee, and carries it upstairs, through the bedroom, and into the bathroom. The room is full of steam, and unusually silent - we hear none of David's typical shower songs.

David: I would give you everything I own for a cup of coffee. At this moment, everything I own wouldn't pay for a cup of coffee…….

Maddie: Nothing more than we know, really. Talks about the building, the people, all that. It does say that the two firefighters are in good shape. They are both expected to be released from the hospital today.

Maddie: No. There is a little bit about the building being up to code in its most recent fire inspection. It says they are still looking for the cause.

David: Well, give me about fifteen more minutes, and they will have their cause. I'm going to call the police as soon as I am done here.

Maddie: Listen, I'm going to go down and make you some breakfast, and we will talk about this before you make any phone calls, OK?

David: You're making me breakfast? You must really be worried about me. What is this…the prisoner ate a hearty last meal?

Maddie shakes her head and leaves the room without comment. As she walks down the steps, the doorbell rings. She walks to the door and opens it slightly.

Rebecca: I understand that, Miss Hayes, but I don't think you understand what to expect here. A few minutes ago, the fire commissioner made a statement about the fire in Mr. Addison's building. He said that they believe it started on the second floor, and they have not ruled out suspicious causes.

Rebecca: You two are very visible people, Miss Hayes. Your pictures are on the front page of today's paper. You have a feature article in the magazine in tomorrow's paper. You're a famous former fashion model. You know the drill - it's all news. Very shortly, you should expect reporters at your door. I just got here first because I knew where to go. I'm telling you, they are out there looking for Mr. Addison, looking for you, to get any information possible. And they will go to any lengths to get it.

Rebecca: My methods are a bit more subtle. I'm a feature reporter…I don't need to scratch and claw daily for my stories. I'm here because this seems like an interesting follow-up for my feature. And I promise I would be fair.

We see a long shot of a news van with cameraman and reporter coming out the side door. Several other reporters make their way up Maddie's driveway, and cluster around the door, all shouting at the same time.

Reporter A: Aw, come on babe…what have you got to hide? Give us the scoop on you and Addison. Do you and your partner get along?

The front door swings open. David stands there, dressed almost exactly as he had been the night before - a bath sheet wrapped around him and trailing on the floor.

Reporter A: What are you people hiding? Any lover's spats recently? This seems to be a clear case of arson……either of you willing to make a statement about that? What about you honey?

David: That's enough, you freaking bottom feeders. You don't want to know what really happened. You people aren't interested in news - you are interested in sensationalism, and interrupting people's lives and privacy. You're gonna make up fifty percent of what you print anyway. I want you all out of here, now……before I decide it's about time to take out the trash.

Three men walk up the driveway, one, the uniformed Sergeant from the evening before, and two men in civilian clothes.

Sergeant: You heard the man….everybody out. This is private property, and you know the rules. Back off the curb……..there are a couple of policemen out there who will be happy to show you if you've forgotten.

With grumbling comments, the reporters begrudgingly make their way back towards the street. Rebecca Redd lingers for a moment, but receiving no encouragement, walks away with the rest of the reporters.

Sergeant: Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison, I'm Sergeant Daly. We met last evening. These two gentlemen are Detectives Stone and McCarthy. We'd like to ask you a few questions.

David: Sure. Can you give me a few minutes to put my pants on? I didn't even stop to think about what I was wearing when I heard those vultures at the door.

Sergeant Daly: Thanks ma'am. We got a pretty early start this morning. We're here to ask a few questions about the fire. We know already that you weren't on the scene when the fire started.

Detective Stone: Mr. Addison, we'd like to talk to you about the fire. It has been determined that the fire started in your kitchen area.

David: Ok, let's cut to the chase. I know I'm responsible. I was just getting ready to call you guys when those reporters showed up.

David: I had some clothes that I needed dried quickly, and I had the stupid idea that if I put them in the microwave, they might dry faster. I put them in, and then got in the shower. That's when I heard the fire alarm.

Detective McCarthy: It didn't take long. No insurance, no way to gain financially from the crime. And everybody we interviewed spoke glowingly of how you worked to get every last person out of the building.

Sergeant Daly: Remember when I told you not to be relieved so soon? This device was clearly planted in your kitchen, and I am assuming, by someone who was trying to cause you harm.

Detective Stone: In your line of work, you must meet some unusual people. Anybody you think might be holding a grudge? Anybody whose case didn't turn out quite as expected?

Sergeant Daly: That's exactly the kind of thing we're talking about. We are going to need to ask you to provide us with some information on some of those cases.

Maddie: Whatever you need. We can put together a list of all of our cases, and highlight those that ended, shall we say, unconventionally.

Detective Stone: It wouldn't hurt to look at all of them. Maybe somebody has gotten out of jail, and decided he has a score to settle, who knows.

David: How about if we meet you at our office later this afternoon, and you can look at some of the files while we pull the information?

Detective Stone: Until then, I guess we don't need to warn you to be careful. If there is someone out there with a grudge, you want to be alert to the danger. We can assign some protection if you'd like.

Maddie: A tremendously big dope, and it has nothing to do with the microwave. Why on earth would you turn down police protection?

David: Do you remember what happened to this house the last time you had police protection? And you just redecorated!

Maddie: Clever answers are not getting you out of this one, Addison. Turning down protection is a stupid thing to do.

David: Maddie, Maddie, Maddie…I'm a detective. It's my business to be aware, to root out the suspicious. It's in my instincts.

David: You're overreacting. How's this? I promise you, when we start to investigate this, if I think I'm in any danger at all, I'll call the police begging for protection.

David: That's OK. I don't feel much like breakfast anyway. Now that I'm feeling better, what I really could go for is a nap. What do you say…….trade in the porridge for some sack time, Goldilocks?

The camera peers in through the driver's side window to see a blonde woman, scarf wrapped around her head, wearing large dark glasses. She is watching everything that is going on at Maddie's house.

She sees the reporters banished to the street, when the police enter. She smiles, as she anticipates the scene - surely the police would arrest Addison for the arson, or at least detain him for questioning.

Woman: My darling Jim. We've suffered through so much. Once Melissa was gone, I thought all the obstacles had been removed. It was fate that we would be together. But those stupid people couldn't let well enough alone. We both would have been free and together if they had left us alone. But now, we'll never be together. And if Addison isn't dead, maybe he will just rot away in prison for the rest of his life. Let Maddie Hayes find out what it's like to cry yourself to sleep every night.

There is activity across the street. The woman observes the three policemen leaving……..but only the three policemen.

To all the faithful readers…….who again and again say all the right things. You make it easy for us to feel inspired.