Secret Santa

Secret Santa
Working Title: The Candy Cane Massacre
A Screenplay
Andy Brown
209 N Carroll St
McKenzie, TN 38201
407-497-7587
irae1984@gmail.com
© 2010
1
SECRET SANTA
EXT. Snow falls under the light of a crescent moon on Winona Lake. In the distance, smoke billows
from a smoke stack. A deer walks along the bank of the lake, stops to nibble at some refuse, is
spooked by some noise and darts away.
MICKEY (V.O)
A murder is committed every thirty-one minutes in this country.
EXT. A trail of blood shining in the light of the moon leads to the disfigured corpse of a man by the
banks of Winona Lake. His eyes glisten in the moonlight, vacant and filled with the terror of
the final moments of his life. Camera zooms in on a candy cane that is placed in the lifeless
hands of the victim.
MICKEY (V.O)
You‟d think I‟d be used to it by now. You‟d think that I could walk into a morgue and not wanna puke
my guts out at the sight at some pitiful schmoe laid out on a gurney. But I can‟t.
EXT. Another shot of the victim by Winona Lake and a shot of a taped out crime scene, a string of
squad cars, and news reporters vying for exclusives.
MICKEY (V.O)
I guess that makes me a human being. Not just some degenerate scumbag who can snuff out a life
without cause or reason.
EXT. A moving shot along downtown Warsaw, East Center Street. A light is seen from an upstairs
window in a loft above the law offices of James S. Butts.
MICKEY (V.O)
I got the call from Captain Yocum around 11:30. High profile. Bizarre circumstances. A special M. O.
that had not been leaked to the papers. Something disturbing that Yocum wouldn‟t elaborate on. And
markings on the victim. Told me I should come out to Winona Lake straight away. Merry Christmas.
INT. Office of Private Detective, Mickey Fisher. Sparsely furnished. Desk. File cabinets. Computer.
Ashtray on desk, bottle of bourbon and a high-ball glass. Mickey is on his cell phone watching
re-runs of South Park online.
MICKEY
Yeah, I‟m still here. I was just about to head out.
EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

2
YOCUM
Mickey, I wouldn‟t be calling you if it wasn‟t important.
INT. Mickey‟s office.
MICKEY
Save it, Yocum. Everything‟s important when you‟re workin‟ a beat.
YOCUM
Dammit, Mick! You owe me. Fifteen years on the force should get me a little latitude.
MICKEY
I‟m listening.
YOCUM
The victim is the deputy mayor, Harold Grimes. The papers have that information. What they don‟t have
is something I can‟t discuss over the phone.
MICKEY
Jesus, Yocum. It‟s late. I don‟t have time for this bullshit.
YOCUM
Mick, there‟s something else. This is the third victim that‟s been killed in the same manner.
MICKEY
Shit.

3
YOCUM
Can you just haul your ass down here? Give the crime scene a look-over?
EXT. Mickey emerges from office building and walks to his car, a rusty 1987 Caprice Classic. He
looks around, unlocks the doors, and climbs in. The engine sputters to life, a cloud of smoke
erupts from the tail pipe, and lurches onto the street as Mickey makes his way to Winona Lake.
MICKEY (V.O)
It was a low blow. Yocum calling in a favor like that. I should‟ve told him to stick it. Where the hell
was he….where the hell was the whole damn precinct when the chips were down for me?
EXT. Flashback of Mickey standing over the grave of a loved one.
MICKEY (V.O)
She was my world, Vanessa. They found her body in Central Park on Christmas Eve eight years ago.
But they never found her killer. Never tried. Wouldn‟t let me. So I left the force and went out on my
own.
EXT. Mickey parking his car along the crime scene at Winona Lake.
MICKEY (V.O)
Vengeance is a lonely bedmate. It doesn‟t offer much in the way of solace or comfort. It hollows you
out, slow and painful like a barbed-wire fence that catches you unawares in a meadow. I didn‟t know
what I was doing here. But Yocum had been my partner. And that still meant something to me.
EXT. Mickey approaches Yocum.
YOCUM
Mick, thanks for coming.
MICKEY
You didn‟t give me much of a choice.
YOCUM
He‟s over here.
EXT. Mickey and Yocum walk over to the body of Harold Grimes. Mickey inspects corpse. Sees
the candy cane clutched in Grimes‟ hand.
4
MICKEY
What the hell is this?
YOCUM
The candy cane? Our guys are going to take it to the lab to dust for prints.
MICKEY
A candy cane, huh. And this is the third victim? Who are the other two?
YOCUM
Sherry Waters, a court clerk for Judge Matthews. We found her over near the old foundry. Candy cane
and all.
EXT. Mickey leans over the body of Grimes and observes ligature marks around his neck.
MICKEY
Sonuvabitch…
YOCUM
Mick, we had no way of knowing.
MICKEY
Sonuvamotherfuckingbitch…
YOCUM
We‟re going to check both the bodies for any trace of DNA.
MICKEY
What about the third victim?
YOCUM
The perp left a note this time.
MICKEY
Who was the third victim?!

5
YOCUM
Dammit, Mick, we didn‟t even make a connection until we found Waters and Grimes!
MICKEY
Why didn‟t you call me sooner?! The candy cane! The ligature marks! And you have a fuckin‟ note?!
YOCUM
You know who the other victim was! It was Vanessa. And you better get yourself under control, friend!
I only called you because I know how much you need closure for Vanessa. If we knew then…
MICKEY
If you knew then! You didn‟t try to know anything. Why the hell didn‟t you call me when the Waters
woman turned up…with the candy cane and the goddamn ligature marks!? I could‟ve done something
with that bit of information!
YOCUM
I‟m sorry.
MICKEY
You‟re sorry. Eight years and two bodies later, and you‟re sorry. Thanks a lot, friend. Send me a copy
of your findings. I‟m outta here.
EXT. Mickey starts to walk away towards his Caprice.
YOCUM
Don‟t you want to know who the note was from?
EXT. Mickey freezes. Turns and walks back to Yocum.
MICKEY
Don‟t waste my time, Captain.
YOCUM
I thought you‟d like to read it for yourself.
EXT. Yocum pulls note in baggie from his breast coat pocket and hands it to Mickey. Mickey
handles it delicately so as not to contaminate any evidence.
6
MICKEY
(reading)
I‟m making a list and checking it twice.
I‟m gonna find out who‟s naughty or nice.
Secret Santa‟s coming to town…
Grimes was naughty.

Waters was haughty.
And Fisher didn‟t even offer me a little nookie in exchange for my milk and cookies.
Christmas is ten days away.

Are you ready to play?
EXT. Mickey replaces note in baggie and hands it back to Yocum.
YOKUM
I‟ll have it analyzed, but it‟s probably clean.
MICKEY
He better hope so. I want to know everything you know before anyone else knows it. You find a pubic
hair from this sicko…I get the results first. Are we clear?
YOCUM
Sure thing, Mick. But you‟re going to have to stay under the radar. I could lose my job over this.
MICKEY
I don‟t give a shit about your job, Captain. Give me Secret Santa, or get the fuck out of my way. Either
way, he‟s not going through the system.
YOCUM
Mick…
MICKEY
Zeke. He took her from me. He‟s going down. One way or another.
EXT. In the distance, smoke from the smoke stacks careens across the sky towards the crescent moon
and on the other side of the banks of Winona Lake a figure observes Mickey and Yocum through
binoculars.
BLACKOUT.
7
INT. Mickey Fisher‟s bedroom. Three o‟ clock in the morning. Mickey suffers through myriad
nightmares that sequence in and out underscored by disturbing music.
Image one: Mickey and Vanessa at the altar of a church being married. Eerie lighting. White
rose petals fall from above. They are holding hands, blissfully happy as the minister officiates.
Image two: Mickey following a trail of blood to reveal Vanessa‟s lifeless corpse in Central
Park eight years earlier.
Image three: Christmas carolers singing in a tight formation on the stoop of a church under
surreal lighting. Blood trickles from their eye sockets.
Image four: A flock of black birds scattering from atop a mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery as
Vanessa‟s casket is being lowered into the ground.
These images flash back and forth through Mickey‟s mind as he tosses and turns in his sleep.
The music escalates to a frenzy as Mickey jerks upright in his bed covered in a cold sweat.
MICKEY (V.O.)
She was pregnant. I never told her parents. God I miss her.
EXT. Mickey pulls into the parking lot of Avila‟s Grocery Store in his 1987 Caprice Classic. Fumes
pour out the tail-pipe as the car idles and sputters to a stop. It is early afternoon the following
day. Mickey walks into Avila‟s.
INT. Yocum sits at a table in the restaurant section sipping on a Tamarind Jarritos soft drink and
eating chips and salsa. Mickey goes to join Yocum, tips his hat to the cook behind the
counter, and sits.
YOCUM
I went ahead and ordered for you.
MICKEY
The cow tongue?
YOCUM
What else?
MICKEY
(chuckles)
Dickweed.
YOCUM
That‟s Captain Dickweed to you.

8
INT. A Hispanic man brings Mickey and Yocum their meals. Mickey pours some of the Salsa Verde
over his lunch as Yocum pulls a file from the briefcase situated next to him.
MICKEY
What‟ve you got for me?
YOCUM
Not much, partner. No prints or follicles on the candy cane. The ligature marks on the victims could be
made from a rope bought at any hardware store in the area. And the handwriting analysis came up with
zilch. You gotta hand it to this guy. He‟s good.
MICKEY
You mean to tell me you got nothing of any value from the crime scenes? Come on, Zeke, you gotta give
me more to go on. Point me in a direction. Something.
YOCUM
Alright. This isn‟t much, but it might be a place to start.
INT. Yocum hands Mickey page from analysis report. Mickey scans the page.
MICKEY
White fur?
YOCUM
Synthetic white fur. Probably lining from a Santa Claus suit. All this Secret Santa bastard has to do is
put on the suit, and he can walk around in plain sight. I mean, how many Santa‟s are out and about this
time of year?
MICKEY
In Warsaw?
YOCUM
Even in Warsaw.
MICKEY
So what you‟re telling me is that I gotta go store to store and get a list of Santa Clauses for all of
Kosciusko County?
YOCUM
It‟s a start. That‟s what you wanted, right?

9
MICKEY
And how are you handling it at the station?
YOCUM
We‟ve decided not to mention Secret Santa to the papers.
MICKEY
You‟re kidding me, right? The people in this community have the right to know there‟s a killer running
around in a Santa suit.
YOCUM
Climb off it, Mick. You know as well as I do that the first time we issued a statement about a killer
named Secret Santa the town would go ape-shit. May as well call off Christmas.
MICKEY
It‟s a mistake. You know it is.
INT. The Hispanic server has cleared Mickey and Yocum‟s plates. They‟re having coffee and sharing
pages from the investigation.
YOCUM
I need to head back to the station. The Mayor wants to arrange a detail for Deputy Mayor Grimes‟
memorial service.
MICKEY
Quick question, Zeke. I don‟t get it. Grimes and Waters were both city employees. Vanessa was a
school teacher. I don‟t see a direct link between any of them? And another thing…
YOCUM
Why eight years between Vanessa‟s murder and the recent ones? You got me. Maybe the creep did some
time on a lesser charge.
MICKEY
Yeah. Maybe. I‟ll get on it. Do I get to keep this file?
YOCUM
Sure. But you didn‟t get it from me.
INT. Yocum grabs his briefcase and rises to leave.

10
YOCUM
Mick. Bonnie asks about you all the time. Come over for Christmas dinner.
MICKEY
I don‟t do Christmas, Zeke. You know that.
YOKUM
Vanessa wouldn‟t want you to be like this.
MICKEY
Help me nab this bastard, and I‟ll think about it.
INT. Yocum leaves Mickey at the table alone. Camera pans to Mickey taking a final, pained sip
of coffee.
EXT. Grace College at nine o‟ clock in the evening. Outside Morgan Library. Professor Edgar Jarvis
exits the library and walks to the parking lot. Edgar is a fifty-seven year old history professor.
Preoccupied with the stack of books he‟s carrying and a ringing cell phone, Edgar is unaware of
the sound of boots crunching through packed snow from behind an aged elm. Edgar stacks the
books on the roof of his car and fumbles for his car keys as he answers the phone.
EDGAR
Hello? Yes, Carolyn, I‟m just leaving. Yes, I‟ll be right there. It‟s finals week. I told you I had a group
tutoring session tonight. No, don‟t heat anything up for me. All I want is a hot shower and a long
winter‟s nap. Love you, too. Bye-bye.
EXT. Point of view of man in boots walking towards Edgar who has just gotten off the phone and is
trying to unlock the car door. Edgar becomes aware of a presence and turns around.
EDGAR
Oh, you startled me! Merry Christmas, Santa. I left my wish list in the office. But my wife wants a
cruise to the Mediterranean if you have one of those in your bag. Say, don‟t I know you?
EXT. Secret Santa drops his bag and a length of rope is revealed. In one, deft movement the rope is
pulled around Edgar‟s throat and the camera follows Edgar being dragged through the snow,
choking and struggling for his life. Secret Santa disappears behind the large elm tree with Edgar
in tow.
INT. Mickey Fisher‟s office loft on Center Street. Mickey is making notes from the file Yocum gave
him and the legwork he‟s done since their lunch.
11
MICKEY (V.O)
There are eleven Santa Clauses roaming around Warsaw this year. No pedophiles or ex-cons. All retirees
or respected pillars of the community. It doesn‟t make it easy. I guess I‟ll just have to interview all of
them. Find out where they got their outfits. Follow up with the vendors. The usual.
INT. Mickey pops open a bottle of bourbon and pours himself a slug. Walks to window facing Center
Street.
EXT. Shot of Mickey standing in the window sipping bourbon.
MICKEY (V.O)
It helps having connections with people in high places. After a lot of arm-twisting I was able to find out
that a man convicted of manslaughter was recently released after serving seven years of a fifteen year
sentence.
INT. Mickey‟s house eight years ago. Mickey and Vanessa are decorating a Christmas tree.
MICKEY (V.O)
Local man named Richard Vance. I don‟t remember the case. Could be our guy, though.
INT. Mickey and Vanessa are sipping bourbon snuggled by their fireplace under the glow of Christmas
lights.
MICKEY (V.O)
I‟ll drive up to Michigan City tomorrow. Talk with the warden about Vance. Don‟t wanna spook him if
he‟s the one. Let him think he‟s getting away with something. He‟ll get sloppy. They always do.
INT. Coroner‟s table at Warsaw Police Department. Mickey is viewing Vanessa‟s body after the
autopsy. The coroner covers her corpse with a sheet.
MICKEY (V.O)
I used to love Christmas. I used to love a lot of things.
INT. Mickey Fisher‟s office. Mickey‟s cell phone rings on his desk. Mickey moves away from the
window, puts down his bourbon and answers the phone.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
EXT. Grace College at a quarter until midnight. Yocum is standing outside Philathea Hall beyond the
perimeter of a crime scene. Scene goes back and forth between interior of Mickey‟s office and
the exterior of Grace College during this conversation.
12
YOCUM
Mick, we‟ve got another one.
MICKEY
Shit. Already?
EXT. Yocum at Grace College.
YOCUM
Yeah. It ain‟t pretty, either.
MICKEY
Where are you?
YOCUM
Grace College. Right outside Philathea Hall.
MICKEY
I‟ll be right over.
YOCUM
I don‟t think that‟s such a good idea.
MICKEY
I don‟t care what you think, partner. I‟m on my way.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic is tearing down Parker Street towards the Winona Lake area.
INT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey takes a pull from a flask as he approaches the Grace College campus.
EXT. Mickey‟s car careens around Grace College campus and comes to a halt in faculty parking near
Philathea Hall. Seven or more police cruisers are there and Yocum is standing near the taped-
13
off area. Smoke pours out of the car exhaust as Mickey turns off the car, exits, and makes his
way to Yocum.
YOCUM
The Mayor is on his way. You can‟t be on the crime scene when he gets here.
MICKEY
Then I guess we better be quick about it. Where‟s the body?
YOCUM
Follow me.
EXT. Yocum and Mickey walk up to the front stoop of Philathea Hall.
MICKEY
Oh, God. Edgar.
EXT. The disemboweled body of Professor Edgar Jarvis lay splayed on the stoop of Philathea Hall. A
wreath lay atop Edgar‟s torso and intestines are wound around the wreath. The tell-tale ligature
marks around Edgar‟s neck are present as is the signature candy cane clutched in Edgar‟s hand.
YOCUM
I told you it wasn‟t a good idea to come over.
MICKEY
Was there a note?
YOCUM
Yeah. Just be careful with it.
EXT. Yocum hands the note over to Mickey.
MICKEY
(reading)
Edgar the Lecher was fond of the women,
luring young co-eds with his guile and wit.
Edgar the Lecher now is a-swimmin‟
in two miles of viscera, holly, and shit.
The body count is four

and can only go higher.
Secret Santa‟s on a roll…
14
The next one will roast on an open fire!
YOCUM
I‟m sorry, Mick.
MICKEY
Professor Jarvis was my mentor. He was like a father to Vanessa. Who are we dealing with here?
YOCUM
I wish I knew.
EXT. Mayor Scott Bassford pushes his way through the crime scene.
SCOTT
What the hell is he doing here?!
MICKEY
Merry Christmas, Scotty.
SCOTT
That‟s Mayor Bassford to you, asswipe. Captain, I asked you a question. What is this civilian doing at a
crime scene?
YOCUM
Sir, Mr. Fisher was a respected member of the force. His wife was a victim. He has a vested interest in
this investigation.
SCOTT
You‟re right. Mickey does have a vested interest. And he knows at least two of the victims. Captain, do
me a favor. Take Mr. Fisher to the station for questioning.
MICKEY
What the hell?!
YOCUM
Scotty, that‟s ridiculous.
SCOTT
Don‟t forget who you‟re speaking to, Captain. Mickey, you‟re going for a little ride. See you at the
station.
15
YOCUM
I‟m sorry, Mick. Let‟s go.
EXT. Yocum escorts Mickey to his squad car as Scott confers with some of the other policemen on the
scene.
BLACKOUT.
16
INT. Interrogation room at Warsaw Police Department. Mickey sits in room alone stewing.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I don‟t know how many times I‟ve been in this room. Sitting across the other side of the table. Staring at
some suspect through the observation room while Yocum would slap „em around a little bit. It was fun
watching Yocum play the bad cop. It didn‟t happen a lot.
INT. Mickey stares at his reflection through the two-way glass.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Never thought I‟d be sittin‟ in the hot seat.
INT. Scott enters the interrogation room alone and sits across from Mickey.
SCOTT
I‟ve got a few questions for you, Mickey.
MICKEY
Where‟s Zeke?
SCOTT
Captain Yocum will be along shortly. I thought this would give us a chance to talk one-on-one.
MICKEY
Bite me, Scotty.
SCOTT
Don‟t make this harder on yourself than it already is.
MICKEY
How‟s your dad these days?
SCOTT
Where were you on the night of December 13th?
MICKEY
Your dad was a great Captain to serve under. Hard-nosed, demanding but fair. I know Zeke was honored
to take his place when Al retired.
SCOTT
Can anyone vouch for your whereabouts between the hours of 8 p.m. on the 13th and 1 a.m. on the 14th?
17
MICKEY
Yeah. She doesn‟t know it, but Miss December was makin‟ my holidays merry and bright. You know,
your dad sure was disappointed you could never pass the test to join the department.
SCOTT
Right. You see, that was the night Sherry Waters was murdered.
MICKEY
It must really stick in your craw that you took the test three times and never came close to passing.
What‟s it like to be such a colossal failure?
SCOTT
You tell me, Mickey. Or maybe we should ask Vanessa. Oh wait, we can‟t.
INT. Mickey snaps and comes over the table at Scott. Mickey pulls Scott out of his seat and throws
him against the wall. Mickey pins Scott against the two-way glass of the observation room and
has Scott‟s face squished against the glass and Scott‟s right arm pinned behind his back.
SCOTT
Let go of me, asshole!
MICKEY
Who the hell do you think you are?! You‟re a piece of shit hiding behind your cushy elected position
because you never could measure up to the man your father is. You‟re an embarrassment to him. So
listen close, Mayor Fuckwad, cause I‟m only gonna say this once. Mention Vanessa‟s name again, and
I‟ll take your head off.
SCOTT
She was too good for you!
MICKEY
You‟re damn right she was. But she chose me, limp dick. Let it go.
INT. Yocum enters interrogation room.
YOCUM
Mick, what the hell are you doing?
INT. Mickey releases Scott with a shove and steps back. Scott massages his right arm.
18
MICKEY
Me and the Mayor were just clearing the air. Isn‟t that right?
SCOTT
Captain, I want you to arrest this man.
YOCUM
On what grounds?
SCOTT
Assault! You saw what he was doing to me!
YOCUM
I didn‟t see anything, Mayor. In fact, if I had to arrest anyone it would be you.
SCOTT
And how do you figure that?
YOCUM
A private citizen doesn‟t have the right to initiate an interrogation on department premises. It‟s no
different than impersonating an officer of the law.
SCOTT
I‟m the Mayor!
YOCUM
And that‟s why I‟m letting you walk out the front door on your own steam.
INT. Scott bristles. Mickey smirks.
SCOTT
He attacked me!
YOCUM
An officer of the law? I don‟t believe it.
SCOTT
He‟s not an officer of the law anymore. He‟s a P.I. He‟s scum!
19
YOCUM
Actually, you‟re wrong there. As of fifteen after midnight, Detective Fisher has been reinstated to the
Warsaw Police Department. Isn‟t that right, Detective?
MICKEY
I guess it is, Captain.
YOCUM
I reckon that means you should leave now, Mayor. Before Detective Fisher has to file charges against
you.
SCOTT
Don‟t think this is the end of it, Captain. I know people.
MICKEY
You know shit, Scotty. Now tuck tail and get the hell off my turf.
INT. Scotty bristles but cows and exits the interrogation room. Mickey scowls at Yocum.
YOCUM
It was the only way.
MICKEY
That doesn‟t mean I have to like it.
INT. Yocum extends Mickey‟s badge and firearm.
YOCUM
I believe this belongs to you, Detective.
MICKEY
Only until we nail the bastard. Then I‟m gone. This life isn‟t for me anymore.
YOCUM
Go home. Get some sleep. You‟ve got an appointment in Michigan City tomorrow.
MICKEY
Yes, sir.
INT. Mickey walks to the door of the interrogation room. Turns to Yocum.
20
MICKEY
Thanks, Zeke.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic barrels down US-30W towards Plymouth en route to Michigan
City to the State Correctional Facility. It is the following morning on the 17th as Mickey sips on
a cup of coffee driving to interview the warden. The sky overhead is grey and overcast, and the
Caprice passes the frigid cadaver of a possum on the side of the road.
INT. Eight years earlier. Breakfast at Mickey‟s house. Vanessa is entering the kitchen dressed in a
tasteful sweater and slacks with knee-high boots. Mickey has finished cooking breakfast and is
serving up a plate of bacon, eggs, and hash browns. This is the last day of her life.
MICKEY
Order up, beautiful.
INT. Vanessa kisses Mickey, pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down.
VANESSA
You‟re too good to me.
MICKEY
Whatever. I just got off work. What else am I going to do? Besides, you need fuel to shape and mold all
those young minds.
VANESSA
I don‟t know how much shaping and molding I‟ll be doing today. I think I caught a bug.
MICKEY
Tis the season.
VANESSA
Are Zeke and Bonnie coming over tonight before the Candlelight Service at Church?
MICKEY
Where else would they be?
EXT. Mickey‟s Caprice continues onward down the highway towards Michigan City. The landscape
is cold and desolate, snow-covered, with bare trees and open fields littered with flocks of feeding
birds.
INT. Mickey sits with Vanessa at their breakfast table.

21
VANESSA
I told Mom and Dad we‟d be at their house all weekend.
MICKEY
Great. One of the few weeks out of the year I get off I have to spend at your parents‟ house.
VANESSA
Don‟t be an ass. They love you.
MICKEY
No. They love to judge me. There‟s a difference.
EXT. Graveside service for Vanessa at Oakwood Cemetery. Mickey stands alone by Vanessa‟s
grave. Mitch Summers, Vanessa‟s father approaches Mickey and clutches to him in a mix
of pain and anger.
MITCH
How could you let this happen? She would‟ve been better off with Scott.
INT. Mickey and Vanessa sit at their breakfast table.
VANESSA
They‟re only hard on you because I was an only child. Just wait. Once we pop out a few grandkids,
they‟ll melt like butter.
MICKEY
Your words to God‟s ears.
EXT. Mickey pulls into the visitor‟s parking for the Indiana State Prison. Mickey exits his Caprice
and walks towards the visitor‟s entrance.
INT. Mickey walks to the visitor‟s desk to the receptionist. Shows his badge.
MICKEY
I‟m from the Warsaw Police Department. I‟m here to see the warden.
RECEPTIONIST
Have a seat. We‟ll call you when she‟s ready.
INT. Mickey takes a seat in the waiting area.

22
MICKEY (V.O.)
Female warden. This should be interesting.
INT. Mickey and Vanessa‟s home. Vanessa is pouring through her purse.
VANESSA
We‟ve got our Christmas party today for the students, and then I have to turn in final grades. I‟ll see you
tonight. Don‟t sleep the whole day away.
MICKEY
Who needs sleep? I still have to finish shopping for your Christmas present.
VANESSA
Damn right you do. I‟ve got two words for you. Napa Valley.
MICKEY
Aw, Christ. Anything but a wine-tasting.
VANESSA
You have to learn to broaden your horizons, babe.
INT. Vanessa kisses Mickey before she departs.
VANESSA
Love you.
MICKEY
Back at ya, kiddo.
INT. Waiting area for Indiana State Prison.
RECEPTIONIST
Detective Fisher?
INT. Mickey is roused from his reverie. Rises to acknowledge receptionist.
MICKEY
Yeah. I‟m Fisher.
RECEPTIONIST
The warden will see you now.

23
INT. The receptionist shows Mickey to the warden‟s office. Mickey enters the office of Warden Julia
Gately.
RECEPTIONIST
Please have a seat. Warden Gately will be right with you.
MICKEY
Thanks.
INT. The receptionist exits and leaves Mickey alone in the warden‟s office. Mickey looks around
and surveys the area. Degrees, letters of commendation, and pictures of the warden are littered
around the office. Mickey walks around the office and observes the photos and distinctions.
EXT. The front porch of Mickey and Vanessa‟s home.
MICKEY
You sure you don‟t wanna play hooky? I don‟t have to go to work tonight.
VANESSA
Go to bed, you. I‟ll give you a wake-up call you‟ll never forget.
MICKEY
I‟m counting on it.
EXT. Vanessa and Mickey locked in a passionate kiss.
VANESSA
I‟m going to be late.
MICKEY
Your parents will be thrilled.
VANESSA
Watch it, daddy.
EXT. Vanessa rushes to her car parked on the curbside.
MICKEY
Don‟t forget. Zeke and Bonnie are coming over tonight.
VANESSA
I‟ll call if I‟m running late.

24
INT. Warden Gately‟s office. Mickey is staring at a picture of Warden Gately with the Governor.
Warden Gately enters, unbeknownst to Mickey.
JULIA
Hello.
MICKEY
(startled)
Hello. I‟m Detective Mickey Fisher. Warsaw P.D.
JULIA
I know who you are. Please. Have a seat.
INT. Julia crosses to the cushy chair behind her desk and takes a seat. Julia Gately is an attractive
woman, mid-thirties, with raven hair, green eyes, and a sturdy disposition.
MICKEY
Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.
JULIA
You‟re here about Ritchie Vance.
MICKEY
I am. We‟ve got a situation in Warsaw.
JULIA
And you think Ritchie might be your man.
MICKEY
It‟s possible. I haven‟t met the guy.
JULIA
No. You haven‟t. So it probably wouldn‟t interest you to know that the reason Ritchie Vance was locked
up in here was for a vehicular manslaughter charge.
MICKEY
I‟ve heard a lot of sob stories, Warden. What was he like?
JULIA
I‟ve only been here for five years. And I‟ve seen a lot of scum pass through these walls.
25
INT. The following occurs over Julia‟s dialogue.
Image one: A non-descript basement in someone‟s house.
Image two: The concealed image of Secret Santa disrobing. Secret Santa hangs his
Santa coat on a nail. Removes padding. A muscular back is revealed.
Image three: Secret Santa hangs a long cord of rope over another nail.
Image four: Secret Santa takes off the Santa boots and bottoms and hangs them on
respective nails. Secret Santa is totally naked.
Image five: A wall of newspaper cuttings and pictures of victims scours the basement
wall.
Image six: Secret Santa ascends the basement stairs in the half-light of a dim light bulb.
His face is indiscernible. Only his muscular torso, ass, and figure are visible.
At the top of the stairs, Secret Santa turns off the light. Darkness.
JULIA
Ritchie Vance was a model prisoner. To his disservice, Detective. Ritchie stayed to himself most of the
time. He was beaten. And sodomized. And brutalized. Ritchie was here by accident. Was he guilty of
taking another human being‟s life? Without a doubt. Is it something he‟ll live with for the rest of his
life? Make no mistake, it is. But Ritchie Vance is for all intents and purposes an innocent. How he
survived seven years in this place is beyond me. I‟ve read his file, his psych analysis, his parole reviews.
There‟s no reason he couldn‟t have been released sooner except that the minimum for manslaughter in
this state is 7-15 years. The person you‟re looking for is a sociopath. Someone cold and calculating and
devoid of any real humanity. That isn‟t Ritchie. Ritchie was kind and sweet and gentle. He wouldn‟t
hurt a fly. I say was because all Ritchie is now is a shell of his former self. He will be a burden on his
mother and society because of what he suffered before I was placed in charge of this facility. Death
would‟ve been kinder to Ritchie Vance because he‟ll never be a whole person again.
INT. Warden Gately‟s office.
MICKEY
Do you think Ritchie, in his diminished capacity, would be capable of murder?
JULIA
Detective….may I call you Mickey?
MICKEY
It‟s your dime.

26
JULIA
Mickey, you‟re an intelligent man. And as an intelligent man, I think you‟ve already assessed from what
I‟ve told you that Ritchie Vance no longer has the intellect or state of mind to calculate and carry out the
kind of heinous acts that are detailed in the police reports I‟ve read. So no, I don‟t think Ritchie is your
man.
MICKEY
I had to ask.
JULIA
I know.
MICKEY
I won‟t take up any more of your time.
INT. Mickey rises to exit.
JULIA
Wait. I‟ve worked a beat before. It‟s tough, especially when nothing makes sense and there are no
seeming connections. Take my card. Call me if you need another pair of eyes.
INT. Julia hands Mickey her card. They shake hands and linger a bit longer than appropriate.
MICKEY
Thank you. I will.
EXT. Mickey walks to his Caprice and enters. The car explodes to life, smoke pours out the tail-pipe,
and Mickey drives away from the state prison and back towards Warsaw.
INT. Mickey takes a slug from a flask and watches the road.
MICKEY (V.O.)
A dead end. That‟s what I‟ve reached. A dead end.
EXT. Mickey‟s Caprice barrels down the highway passing open fields, barren trees, and cows standing
in frigid clumps.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Then there‟s the girl. Julia. More than a girl. She‟s a woman. Says she‟s sure that Vance is innocent.
But I won‟t know til I check him out for myself. I‟ll know. I just have to look into his eyes, and I‟ll
know. It‟s nice to witness that kind of blind faith, though. Especially from someone in my line of work.
I haven‟t had that kind of faith in a while now.
27
INT. Mickey lay in bed at his home. It is night on Christmas Eve eight years ago. His cell phone
rings. The scene goes between Mickey in bed and Vanessa in her car.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
VANSSA
Hey, babe. It‟s me.
MICKEY
Hey. Where are you?
VANESSA
Just leaving school. I have to make a quick stop. A friend called. But I‟ll be right there. Throw the
casserole in the oven and put the white wine in the chiller for Bonnie. She hates red wine.
MICKEY
Yes, ma‟am. Right after I shower.
VANESSA
See you in a bit.
MICKEY
I‟m counting the minutes.
VANESSA
I don‟t know if you‟re an asshole or a romantic. But I like it.
MICKEY
I‟m an asshole. Definitely an asshole.
VANESSA
Well, you‟re my asshole, so I guess that‟s all that matters.
MICKEY
You bet it is. Hurry home, okay?
VANESSA
Will do. Don‟t burn down the house.

28
MICKEY
I can‟t make any promises.
INT. Mickey‟s Caprice. His cell phone rings. Mickey views the Caller ID. It‟s Yocum.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
INT. Yocum‟s office.
YOCUM
INT. Mickey‟s car.
MICKEY
A wasted trip mostly. The warden makes Vance sound like St. Francis.
YOCUM
But you don‟t buy it.
MICKEY
That‟s the thing. I kinda do. Don‟t get me wrong. I still wanna meet the sonuvabitch. But the
warden…she seems pretty trustworthy.
YOCUM
She? The warden‟s a she? She got a nice ass?
MICKEY
Not as nice as yours, Captain, but it‟ll do.
YOCUM
Remind me why I brought you back into the fold.

29
MICKEY
You couldn‟t live without me.
YOCUM
Get back to the station. I‟ll have someone bring Vance in.
MICKEY
I‟m about a half hour out. Have there been any leads on the Santa Claus costumes?
YOCUM
I‟ve got officers interviewing the area Santas. I should have a list of vendors by the end of the day.
MICKEY
Great. Might be the break we‟re looking for if Vance doesn‟t pan out.
EXT. Vanessa Fisher‟s grave at Oakwood Cemetery. Secret Santa stands in full garb over her grave.
It is eight o‟ clock in the evening.
INT. The basement of Secret Santa‟s house. Camera pans across pictures of victims. Stops on picture
of former Police Captain Al Bassford.
EXT. Secret Santa crumbles candy canes over the gravestone of Vanessa Fisher. Cries out in anger.
Shudders and looks around in shadows to make sure he was undetected. Hurries off.
INT. Warsaw Police Department. Captain Yocum‟s Office. Yocum is seated at his desk as Mickey
enters.
MICKEY
Has Vance been tracked down?
YOCUM
We have him in interrogation room 1. Are you sure you want to do this?
30
MICKEY
I‟ll only need a minute.
INT. Interrogation room 1. Richard Vance sits in a chair petrified. He‟s sweating, fidgeting, and
showing a number of signs of paranoia. Mickey enters the room with file.
VANCE
Where‟s my P.O.? I wanna see him.
MICKEY
Shut it, Vance. You aren‟t gonna be here long enough to cry to your diaper changer.
INT. Mickey opens file and slams down autopsy pictures of Vanessa, Waters, Grimes, and
Jarvis. Stares Vance down to observe his reaction.
MICKEY
Take a look. Do you know any of these people?
INT. Vance‟s composure begins to crumble at the sight of four corpses. He clutches at Mickey‟s
coat sleeve.
VANCE
I didn‟t do it. You gotta believe me. I didn‟t do it! Don‟t send me back there. I can‟t go back there!
Don‟t send me back there! Please! Jesus Christ, please, I can‟t go back to that place! They‟ll kill me!
They‟ll eat me alive! Please!
INT. Vance crumbles to the floor. Mickey looks back towards the observation room.
MICKEY
Somebody get this cretin outta here! Goddammit!
EXT. The home of former Police Captain Al Bassford. It is eleven o‟ clock.
MICKEY (V.O.)
So there I was back to square one. Vance barely had a marble left in his brain. He could hardly keep the
shit outta his pants, much less pull off four calculated murders. Julia was right. I was looking for a
sociopath.
EXT. Richard Vance in a straight-jacket is being hauled into an ambulance.
EXT. Al Bassford is standing outside his back porch smoking a cigar and sipping on a snifter of brandy.
INT. Mickey sits in his office jotting down notes and possible scenarios from his investigation.
31
MICKEY (V.O.)
Vanessa. Sherry Waters. Harold Grimes. Edgar Jarvis. There‟s no common thread that connects any of
them. Not a one. How many more people are going to have to die before I catch a break?
EXT. Al Bassford is blowing smoke rings into the cold, December air towards a crescent moon that
semi-illumines his back yard. The crunch of snow breaks him from his reveries as he becomes
aware of a figure approaching him.
AL
What the hell are you doing here? This is private property, buttmunch! Do you know who I am? I could
have you arrested!
EXT. Secret Santa lassoes rope around Al‟s neck and struggles with him to the ground. Al tries to fight
Secret Santa off with the lit cigar and brandy snifter. He succeeds in singeing Secret Santa in the
neck and smashes the brandy snifter in Santa‟s face. Santa cries out in pain and pulls the length
of rope tighter around Al‟s neck until Al drops away lifeless.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Mickey is seated across the desk from Yocum reviewing the case.
YOCUM
You don‟t see that every day.
MICKEY
Yeah. I kinda feel bad for the guy.
YOCUM
Maybe you should go back to Michigan City and give the warden a status report.
MICKEY
Zeke…
YOCUM
Mick, you don‟t have to be a monk.
MICKEY
Right. Let‟s get back to the case. Is there any common denominator between the victims?
YOCUM
Besides you?
32
MICKEY
Very funny, mother fucker. And I only know two of „em, so there goes that theory. What about that
rental list you promised me.
YOCUM
Oh yeah. Got it right here.
INT. Yocum pulls out a sheet of paper from the file and hands it to Mickey.
MICKEY
(eyeing the list)
Not a lot to go on. Looks like a lot of the Santa costumes are hand-me-downs. We‟ve got a few home-
made costumes here. Wait a minute. Shumaker Products in Fort Wayne. That might be somethin‟. I‟ll
look into it tomorrow.
YOCUM
I could send someone over. You‟ve got your hands full as it is.
MICKEY
I‟d rather handle it myself. No offense. But your guys might miss something.
YOCUM
You know, technically you‟re one of “my guys” now.
MICKEY
Don‟t remind me.
YOCUM
Go home. Get some sleep. You still have to interview Professor Jarvis‟s widow.
MICKEY
Yeah. What are we missin‟ here, Zeke?
YOCUM
What aren‟t we missin‟? We‟re blind, Mick.
MICKEY
That‟s gloomy.
33
YOCUM
That‟s life.
MICKEY
We‟re gonna catch a break. You‟ll see. Our perp is gonna get sloppy. He‟ll leave a fingerprint or some
other sort of DNA. And we‟ll get the bastard.
INT. Fire sirens penetrate the office of Captain Yocum. Yocum‟s phone rings.
YOCUM
Awful late for the fire department to be out. Damn Elks probably caught fire to the lodge again.
MICKEY
It isn‟t bingo night.
INT. Yocum answers phone.
YOCUM
Yocum. Yeah? What the…? Yeah. We‟ll be right there.
INT. Yocum hangs up phone.
MICKEY
Who was that?
YOCUM
Grab your coat. We‟re taking a ride.
EXT. Al Bassford‟s house. Fire trucks are on the scene. Yocum and Mickey pull up in a squad car.
EXT. Yocum and Mickey approach the fire chief out front.
YOCUM
Dave, what the hell happened here?
DAVE
Neighbors phoned it in. The place is a wreck. The worst is in the back. I‟ve kept the news out. But it‟s
pretty fucked up.
YOCUM
Thanks. I‟ve got men on the way to secure the perimeter. Let me know when Scotty gets here.
34
EXT. Yocum and Mickey enter the fenced-in back yard of Al Bassford. In the center of the back yard,
the charred body of Al Bassford is nailed to the scorched remains of a large burnt wooden candy
cane.
MICKEY
Well, I‟ll say this for the bastard.
YOCUM
What‟s that?
MICKEY
He‟s taken crucifixion to a whole new level. (alt. He‟s given the phrase “a hard candy Christmas” a whole
new meaning.)
BLACKOUT.
35
INT. Morgue. Warsaw Police Department. It‟s after two o‟ clock in the morning. Yocum, Mickey,
Scott Bassford, and Coroner Terri Meuler stand around the body of Al Bassford. The room is
sterile, lit in a stark, grey hue, clinical. No one is speaking. Scott is stoic. The white sheet that
lay over the body is stained with blood.
YOCUM
We don‟t have to do this now. You can come back in the morning.
SCOTT
No.
INT. Yocum nods to Terri, and she draws the sheet down to Al‟s sternum. The charred remains of
the former police Captain are revealed. Mickey and Yocum share a knowing look. Terri focuses
her gaze on Scott. And Scott‟s eyes are glued to the body of his father.
YOCUM
Is this your father?
SCOTT
Yes.
INT. Yocum nods to Terri. Terri pulls the sheet over Al‟s head.
YOCUM
We‟re sorry for your loss.
SCOTT
Go to hell.
INT. Scott crosses to the door. His back tenses, but he doesn‟t turn to face the other people in the
room.
SCOTT
Find my father‟s killer. Or you‟ll find yourselves looking for a new line of work. I may not have the
power to make that happen. But I know the people who can.
INT. Scott collects himself and exits the room.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Mickey and Yocum sit across the desk from each other. After four o‟ clock in
the morning.
36
YOCUM
Read it again.
INT. Mickey looks at the latest note left by Secret Santa.
MICKEY
(reading)
Al‟s nuts roasting on an open fire.
Justice swift for Santa‟s foes.
Who‟ll be next on St. Nick‟s chopping block?
It could be anyone. Who knows?
Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Arms upon a ticking clock.
Robes of black make quite the frock
for the jesters who truth mock.
YOCUM
Yeah. That makes about as much sense as it did the last five times you read it.
MICKEY
I‟m going home. We‟re not gonna make any more headway tonight. And I‟ve still got to visit Carolyn
and make the trip to Shumaker‟s in Fort Wayne.
YOCUM
I‟ll check with Scott on what sort of presence he wants from the department as his father‟s funeral. If
Terri finds anything interesting from the crime scene, I‟ll let you know.
INT. The bedroom of Mickey Fisher. A series of nightmares accented by haunting music.
INT. Image one: The image of Al Bassford burning alive in his back yard.
Image two: A court jester in black robes dancing a jig around a pile of cadavers.
Image three: A shadowed image of Secret Santa hanging candy canes on the ear lobes of
victims in a dimly lit morgue.
Image four: Al Bassford‟s home in flames.
Image five: Christmas carolers singing in a tight formation on the stoop of a church under
surreal lighting. Blood trickles from their eye sockets.
INT. Mickey thrashes in bed. These images repeat with increasing speed as the music intensifies.
Mickey wakes out of breath and sweating.
EXT. Mickey is driving his 1987 Caprice Classic towards the home of Edgar and Carolyn Jarvis.
37
EXT. Mickey parks his car in the driveway of a Tudor-style home on Hendricks Street.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I haven‟t seen Carolyn since Vanessa‟s funeral. I didn‟t want it to be under these circumstances.
EXT. Mickey rings the doorbell.
EXT. Carolyn Jarvis opens the door. Carolyn is a delicate woman in her mid-fifties. Well-dressed,
elegant, and still quite attractive.
CAROLYN
Mickey. Come in.
EXT. Carolyn reaches out to Mickey and they hug.
INT. Mickey follows Carolyn inside.
MICKEY
I‟d forgotten how beautiful your house was.
CAROLYN
You shouldn‟t be a stranger. Edgar was quite fond of both you and Vanessa.
INT. Carolyn shows Mickey into the living room. He takes a seat.
MICKEY
Well, Vanessa was crazy about Edgar.
CAROLYN
Would you like some coffee?
MICKEY
Please. It‟s been a rough few days.
CAROLYN
Congratulations on your return to the department.
INT. Carolyn rises and exits to go get coffee for Mickey.
MICKEY
How did you know?

38
CAROLYN
(from kitchen)
It‟s in the paper. Take a look. It‟s on the table.
INT. Mickey sees a copy of the Warsaw Times-Union on the coffee table in front of him. Reads
the headline.
INT. Camera on front of paper. It reads, “Former Police Captain Murdered!” Lower down the page in
smaller print is an article that begins, “Former Detective Mickey Fisher Reinstated to Active
Duty.”
INT. Carolyn returns with a cup of coffee for Mickey. Hands it to him. Sits across from him.
MICKEY
Thank you.
CAROLYN
I know why you‟re here. And I can‟t help you. I don‟t know anything.
MICKEY
You may know more than you‟re aware of.
CAROLYN
I‟ll tell you what I can.
MICKEY
Edgar was always a campus favorite at Grace. At least when I was there. Did Edgar ever mention any
students or co-workers that he was on less than friendly terms with?
CAROLYN
No. None. I‟m sure you know about the charges against my husband in his earlier days at Grace. But he
was found…
MICKEY
Charges? For what?
CAROLYN
I thought you knew. Why would you, though? It was more than twenty years ago. Edgar was falsely
accused by a female student of sexual assault.
39
MICKEY
But he was found innocent.
CAROLYN
Of course. He was worried he would lose his job over it. But the college backed him. I don‟t know
whatever happened to the girl. She disappeared.
MICKEY
Carolyn, were any accusations ever made against Edgar after the trial?
CAROLYN
Mickey, my husband was not perfect. I know there were other women. But he loved me. I never
doubted that.
MICKEY
I‟m sorry to have to ask you this, but…
CAROLYN
No. After the trial, there were no other accusations made against my husband.
MICKEY
Have you made arrangements yet for the funeral?
CAROLYN
Day after tomorrow. I‟d like it if you could be there. Say a few words.
MICKEY
I‟d be honored.
CAROLYN
He‟s with Vanessa now. Don‟t you think?
EXT. Mickey is back on the road driving towards Fort Wayne. Along the roadside are open fields,
farmlands. A pair of black Labradors is running wild, flushing out a flock of ducks from a
nearby body of water in the distance.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I like to think there‟s a heaven. Maybe not like the one in the Bible. But some sort of afterlife where
loved ones are reunited. I don‟t like to think about the alternative. Cause if there‟s nothing after, then all
that‟s left of Vanessa is what‟s in the ground at Oakwood Cemetery. And she deserves better than that.
40
EXT. Mickey is pulling into the parking lot of Shumaker Products off of Huffman Street. He parks the
car and kills the engine, and a cloud of smoke rumbles from the tail pipe. Mickey exits the car
and walks towards the store entrance.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I‟m not gonna lie. I never would‟ve thought that about Edgar. Assault charges. Infidelity. It paints a
different picture. And if it‟s true, then it changes who we‟re looking for. We‟re not looking for a
sociopath, someone who‟s indiscriminately picking his victims. We‟re looking for someone who wants
revenge. Or justice.
INT. Mickey enters the front door of Shumaker Products and walks to the service counter. A frumpy
man stands behind the counter thumbing through a magazine. Looks up at Mickey.
CLERK
Can I help you?
MICKEY
Yeah. (Flashes badge) I‟m Detective Mickey Fisher with the Warsaw Police Department. I have a few
questions. About your rentals.
CLERK
What about „em?
MICKEY
Do you keep a record of your costume rentals?
CLERK
Sure. We have them all catalogued in the back on the computer.
MICKEY
Great. Could you print me off a copy of all your rentals for Santa Claus costumes?
CLERK
What‟s this about, Detective?
MICKEY
Part of a case. I can‟t talk about it. But you‟d be doing me a big favor.
CLERK
Do you have a warrant?

41
MICKEY
Do I need one?
INT. The Clerk looks around, as if he might get caught.
CLERK
Santa Claus rentals. That‟s it.
MICKEY
Yeah.
CLERK
I‟ll be right back.
INT. The Clerk exits into a back room. Mickey‟s phone rings. It‟s Yocum.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
YOCUM
Where are you?
INT. Shumaker Products.
MICKEY
Fort Wayne. What‟s up?
YOCUM
Get back here as soon as you can. It looks like our Santa screwed the pooch last night.
INT. Shumaker Products.
MICKEY
Sounds great. I‟m on my way.
INT. The Clerk comes out from the back room with a list in his hand. He holds it back from Mickey.
42
CLERK
I got a speeding ticket last week when I was passing through Warsaw. If I give you this, can you do
something about it?
MICKEY
Abracadabra. Now give me the list.
CLERK
Nice doing business with you, Detective. Merry Christmas.
INT. Clerk hands list to Mickey.
MICKEY
Yeah. Merry Christmas.
INT. Mickey turns to exit and as he is walking towards the door, he notices a judge‟s robe hanging on
a display rack.
MICKEY
Sonuvabitch.
EXT. Mickey is driving back towards Warsaw. A couple of kids are building a snowman in their
front yard as Mickey drives past.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Why didn‟t I see it before? Robes of black make quite the frock for the jesters who truth mock. Santa‟s
goin‟ after a judge. I‟d bet my life on it.
INT. Mickey‟s car. He‟s searching his contacts to find Yocum‟s number when his phone rings. It‟s
Julia Gately.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
INT. Julia‟s office.
JULIA
Detective, it‟s Julia Gately. We spoke the other day.

43
MICKEY
I remember, Warden. What can I do for you?
JULIA
I was going to ask how your investigation is going, but I got a call from Ritchie Vance‟s parole officer
this morning, so I know.
MICKEY
Warden, I was going to call you, but there was another murder last night.
JULIA
I know. I read about it this morning.
MICKEY
For what it‟s worth, I‟m sorry about Vance.
JULIA
Apology accepted. Are you ready for that extra pair of eyes yet?
MICKEY
(laughs)
What did you have in mind?
JULIA
I‟m coming into Warsaw this weekend for my niece‟s Christmas pageant. Why don‟t we meet up? You
can show me what you‟ve got so far.

44
MICKEY
Is this a professional courtesy or did you just ask me out?
JULIA
That depends on you, Detective. I‟ll call you when I get into town.
MICKEY
While we‟re on the subject, how did you get my number?
JULIA
I called the station looking for you. Captain Yocum gave it to me.
MICKEY
Did he now…
JULIA
(laughing)
I‟m hanging up, Detective.
INT. Julia‟s office. She hangs up her phone.
EXT. Mickey is driving on Hwy 30 back towards Warsaw. Turns onto Center Street and makes
his way to the police department.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I don‟t have time for this. People are dying, and I‟m gettin‟ butterflies in my stomach over a phone call
from a girl. But it wouldn‟t suck seein‟ her again.
EXT. Mickey pulls into the employee parking lot for the Warsaw Police Department. Kills the engine
and smoke pours out of the tail pipe. Mickey exits the car and walks towards the station entrance.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I got my head so turned around by Julia that I forgot I was gonna call Yocum about Secret Santa‟s next
clue. Maybe it wouldn‟t matter. Maybe Yocum had already collared a suspect.
45
INT. Mickey walks to Yocum‟s office and sees County District Attorney Reggie Dihl sitting across
from Yocum. Reggie is trim and somewhat muscular looking, dressed in a blazer, khakis, shirt
and tie. Reggie is in his late twenties to early thirties.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Then again…maybe not.
INT. Yocum notices Mickey.
YOCUM
Mick, come on in. Reggie just got here.
INT. Mickey enters the office. Reggie rises and shakes Mickey‟s hand. Mickey notices a cut along
Reggie‟s right cheek-bone.
REGGIE
The prodigal son returns.
MICKEY
Don‟t believe it, Reggie. I‟m just here to clean up the Captain‟s mess. That cut looks nasty. New
girlfriend?
REGGIE
Funny. Nice to see you haven‟t lost your sense of humor.
YOCUM
Alright, let‟s get down to business.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Mickey and Reggie are seated across from Yocum.
REGGIE
What‟ve you got?
YOCUM
DNA.
MICKEY
Where? How?
46
YOCUM
Terri just finished up a partial report. Apparently when Al was struggling with our killer, he was able to
burn the killer with his cigar and broke the snifter on the killer‟s face.
MICKEY
You‟re just gettin‟ this now?
YOCUM
Cut Terri some slack. There was no reason for her to believe that the blood on the snifter wasn‟t Al‟s.
MICKEY
Did she get a type?
YOCUM
She did. O-positive.
REGGIE
I came down here for O-positive? Zeke, tell me you‟ve got more to go on than just blood.
YOCUM
We might be able to get something from the burnt skin on the cigar if it‟s not degraded too much. Terri‟s
still working on it.
REGGIE
I don‟t have to tell you that the Mayor has been farther up my ass than he normally is.
MICKEY
I know I could‟ve gone all day without that visual.
REGGIE
Can it, Mickey. Do you at least have a suspect? A psych profile? Anything?
MICKEY
What‟s your blood type, Reggie?
REGGIE
What the hell does that have to do with anything?!

47
MICKEY
Seein‟ as that our killer is type O-positive, I think it‟s an important piece of information. What do you
think, Captain?
YOCUM
He‟s got a point, Reggie. What‟s your blood type?
REGGIE
Fine. It‟s O-positive! And so is a good thirty percent of the world‟s population!
MICKEY
It would account for that nasty cut.
REGGIE
Seriously?! I‟m going now. Give me a call when you have a viable suspect, so I can prosecute the
bastard.
INT. Reggie storms out of Yocum‟s office.
MICKEY
Sorry, Captain. I couldn‟t resist.
YOCUM
It wouldn‟t be a normal day if you weren‟t pissin‟ someone off. What did you find out in Fort Wayne?
INT. Mickey pulls out the list he got from Shumaker and spreads it out on Yocum‟s desk.
MICKEY
I haven‟t had a chance to look at it yet. You called, and then Julia called right when I was gonna call…
YOCUM
The warden? Nice.
MICKEY
Don‟t start.
YOCUM
Are you gonna play naughty warden meets submissive inmate?

48
MICKEY
You tell me. You‟re the one who gave her my number.
YOCUM
What are friends for? Fine. Let‟s have a look.
MICKEY
Thank you. But uh, me and Julia are gettin‟ together this weekend.
YOCUM
Wait til I tell Bonnie.
INT. Mickey and Yocum look over the list.
MICKEY
Damn! Nobody on the list from Warsaw besides the ones we already knew.
YOCUM
For all we know, the killer could‟ve made his own Santa suit.
MICKEY
Not what I wanted to hear. Shit.
YOCUM
What?
MICKEY
I meant to mention this while Reggie was here. The clue in Secret Santa‟s last note. I think it‟s about a
judge.
YOCUM
A judge. Why a judge?
MICKEY
Something in the clue about robes of black. Judges wear black robes. And if Santa‟s targeting a judge,
we need to get officers on all sitting judges in the county.
49
YOCUM
Right. I‟ll make the calls. Anything else?
MICKEY
Yeah. I almost forgot. I saw Carolyn Jarvis this morning.
YOCUM
How is she?
MICKEY
As good as can be expected. Zeke, did you ever hear about any assault charges against Edgar?
YOCUM
I think I remember Al mentioning something about it before I was promoted. Why?
MICKEY
Is there any way we can get a copy of the court transcript?
YOCUM
What‟re you thinkin‟, Mick?
MICKEY
Not sure yet. But at this point, it couldn‟t hurt.
INT. Mickey rises to leave. Yocum gets on the phone.
INT. Mickey is crossing towards his desk and bumps into the custodian, Pete Estep. Pete is a lean
man in his mid to late twenties. Pete is dressed in custodial garb with a light jacket and scarf
around his neck.
MICKEY
Excuse me, buddy. (Recognizes Pete) Pete?
PETE
Yeah. Good to see you back, man.
MICKEY
I didn‟t know you were still workin‟ here.

50
PETE
Yeah. I‟ve got a couple of jobs now. Here and at Grace. Taking some online courses. Online. No big
deal.
MICKEY
Sounds like a big deal to me. Damn, you‟ve grown up. I remember when you were just a kid in high
school workin‟ here on the weekends. Vanessa thought a lot of you.
PETE
She was a nice lady.
MICKEY
Yeah. She was.
INT. Mickey‟s phone rings. It‟s Julia.
MICKEY
Good to see you, Pete. I‟ve gotta take this. Let‟s grab a beer sometime.
PETE
Sure thing, Mickey.
INT. Mickey ducks into the break room.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
INT. Julia‟s car.
JULIA
Hey. It‟s Julia. I just wanted you to know I‟m in town.
INT. Break room.
MICKEY
I‟ll call off the A.P.B.
INT. Julia‟s car.
JULIA
Funny. Listen, I‟m going to be tied up with family until after nine.
51
INT. Break room.
MICKEY
Sounds kinky.
INT. Julia‟s car.
JULIA
You‟re enjoying this.
INT. Break room.
MICKEY
Little bit. So, after nine then?
INT. Julia‟s car.
JULIA
I‟ll be there. Where do you want to meet?
INT. Break room.
MICKEY
Rex‟s on Buffalo. It‟s a dive, but I think you‟ll like it.
INT. Julia‟s car.
JULIA
See you then.
INT. Secret Santa‟s basement. The shadowy figure is bench pressing weights on a workout bench.
INT. Yocum in the bullpen of the police station giving protection assignments to seven different
officers.
EXT. Squad cars heading to the homes of seven different local and county judges.
INT. Mickey‟s home. Mickey is taking a shower getting ready for his date with Julia.
INT. Yocum drops the transcript for the Edgar Jarvis trial on Mickey‟s desk.
BLACKOUT.
52
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic barrels down Center Street towards downtown. Christmas
lights offer an artificial feeling of cheer on what is an extremely cold night.
INT. Mickey‟s phone rings. It‟s Yocum.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
YOCUM
Hey, partner. I‟m not interrupting anything, am I?
MICKEY
(laughs)
No, Zeke. I was just on my way to Rex‟s.
YOCUM
Rex‟s. You really know how to charm a woman.
MICKEY
It‟s all about keepin‟ their expectations low.
YOCUM
And all this time I‟ve been wastin‟ my money on flowers and chick flicks.
MICKEY
Right. Uh, buddy, no offense, but did you want something? Don‟t get me wrong. I‟m enjoyin‟ our
pillow talk here, but…
YOCUM
Oh yeah. I wanted to let you know I put the transcript from the Jarvis trial on your desk.
53
MICKEY
That was fast. I‟ll swing by and get it. Julia wanted to have a look at the case file anyway.
YOCUM
Ooh, romantic. Well, I‟m taking my ass home. Bonnie‟s made meatloaf. But I‟ll leave a couple of
rubbers in your desk. Just in case you get lucky.
MICKEY
I don‟t put out on the first date.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic putters into the department parking lot. He exits the car and
hurries into the station.
INT. Warsaw Police Department. Mickey walks to his desk, exchanging nods and pleasantries with
passing officers. Sees the file on his desk. Perches on the corner of the desk and thumbs through
it. Pieces are falling into place for him.
MICKEY
Sonuvabitch.
EXT. Rex‟s Rendezvous on S Buffalo Street. Mickey parks his car across the street, and a cloud of
smoke pours out the tail pipe as Mickey exits the car and hurries across the street and enters the
front door.
INT. Secret Santa‟s basement. The shadowy figure is putting ointment on the cigar burn on the left
side of his neck, his face obscured by the dim light. Santa‟s hands are tense as he applies the
ointment. He is lost in memory. In all memories, the face should never be seen.
Image one: A young boy swinging on a swing-set at a playground. It‟s a warm summer day, and
the sun is shining overhead. The shot is from behind.
Image two: The young boy is visiting a grave. An older couple, most likely his grandparents, are
standing behind him near a shade tree. It is early fall. Beautiful leaves litter the ground.
Image three: A somewhat older version of the boy is wringing the neck of a cat. There is a wet
spot on the front of the boy‟s corduroy pants where he pissed his pants in exhilaration.
Image four: The boy is deep in the woods burying the remains of the cat.
Secret Santa‟s basement. Santa is in full garb, ascending the stairs.

54
EXT. Cars driving past Rex‟s Rendezvous. Julia parks near Mickey‟s car and hurries inside.
INT. Mickey sits at a table in the corner sipping on a bourbon, pouring over the trial transcript.
He doesn‟t notice Julia approaching him.
JULIA
This seat taken?
MICKEY
It is now.
INT. Mickey rises to pull the chair out for Julia. He drinks her in. Julia is wearing a rich, colorful
sweater that accentuates her form, a long black skirt, and black leather boots. Julia sits down.
JULIA
Thank you, sir.
INT. Mickey returns to his chair.
MICKEY
What‟re you drinkin‟?
JULIA
Bourbon. Neat.
MICKEY
What? No Appletini?
JULIA
Detective, I have standards.
MICKEY
Fair enough.
INT. Mickey motions to the bartender. Raises his glass and signals for two more.
INT. People being loud and festive in the bar. A cocktail waitress brings by two bourbons as Mickey
and Julia discuss the case. Some time has elapsed.
JULIA
Have you ruled out the Mayor?

55
MICKEY
Trust me. Scotty is a lot of things. Lazy. A dumbass. A mama‟s boy. But he‟s not a murderer.
Especially not his own dad. All Scotty ever did was try and win Al‟s approval. You didn‟t see him in the
morgue. He was wrecked. You can‟t fake that.
JULIA
Maybe.
MICKEY
It doesn‟t matter anyway. I just hit the motherload.
INT. Mickey slides the trial transcript over to Julia.
JULIA
What is this?
MICKEY
The trial transcript for People versus Edgar Jarvis. I already told you about my meeting with Carolyn,
Edgar‟s wife. I wouldn‟t have even known to look for this if she hadn‟t mentioned the charges against
her husband.
JULIA
So?
MICKEY
They‟re all in there. Waters. Grimes. Bassford. Almost all of the victims are directly linked to this case.
JULIA
I don‟t understand. This case is almost thirty years old. Why would a person go to all this trouble over
an assault charge?
MICKEY
I haven‟t figured that out yet. I‟m still putting the pieces together. Waters was the court reporter. Grimes
was Edgar‟s defense attorney. And Al was the Captain of the police department. I don‟t know the judge,
though. We don‟t have any city or county judges named Carlson. At least not since I‟ve lived here.
JULIA
You‟re not a Warsaw native?

56
MICKEY
Nope. I grew up in Wabash. Grace College is what brought me to Warsaw. Then I met Vanessa. Got a
job with the department. I won‟t bore you with the rest.
JULIA
You‟re not boring me. Do you still have family in Wabash?
MICKEY
Nah. My parents died when I was a kid. My grandparents raised me. And they‟re gone now.
JULIA
What about Vanessa‟s family? Are you still in touch with them?
MICKEY
Oh, no. They never liked me all that much. Not her dad, anyway.
JULIA
I‟m sorry.
MICKEY
Don‟t be. I‟m not. Where are my manners? I didn‟t even ask about your niece‟s Christmas pageant.
How did it go?
JULIA
She was darling. Are you ready for another round?
MICKEY
You don‟t have to ask twice.
INT. Julia signals bartender for another round.
JULIA
There‟s one thing I don‟t get. Well, there are a lot of things about this case I don‟t get. But particularly
this…why Vanessa?
MICKEY
I don‟t know. I‟m still tryin‟ to figure that out myself. Sonuvabitch.
INT. Mickey looks across the bar at the exterior window. An obscured silhouette of Santa Claus fills
the window. Santa gets spooked and runs off.
57
JULIA
What?
MICKEY
It‟s him. Stay here. I‟m goin‟ after him.
JULIA
After who?
MICKEY
Santa!
INT. Mickey runs out of the bar.
EXT. Mickey runs south on Buffalo looking for Secret Santa. Doesn‟t see him anywhere. Runs back
the other way towards the bar. Scans the area, hears a noise in the alley across the street, and
crosses to investigate. There is a dumpster in the distance, and Mickey slowly approaches it.
Mickey pulls his firearm from under his coat and takes a defensive stance. A cat emerges from
behind a dumpster and spooks him.
MICKEY
Goddammit.
EXT. Mickey shakes his head and crosses back to the bar.
INT. As Mickey makes his way back to the table, he notices Reggie Dihl is seated at the table with
Julia.
REGGIE
Mickey, I didn‟t know you knew Julia.
MICKEY
Small world. How do you know each other?
JULIA
We were at Goshen around the same time.
MICKEY
And the world keeps gettin‟ smaller.

58
REGGIE
I know! What‟s it been, Julia? Ten years?
JULIA
Something like that.
MICKEY
Well, Reggie, I hate to bust up this happy reunion, but me and Julia were kinda in the middle of
somethin‟.
REGGIE
Oh, sure. You guys have a good time. And Mickey, I‟m sorry I showed my ass at the station earlier.
MICKEY
Forget about it. But, uh, while we‟re on the subject…you didn‟t see anyone in a Santa Claus suit on your
way in, did you?
REGGIE
Bite me.
MICKEY
Night, pal. Be sure and take care of that scrape. Wouldn‟t want it to get infected.
INT. Reggie walks over to the bar, throws down some money, and leaves.
JULIA
You have a way with people.
MICKEY
That‟s what I hear.
INT. Mickey sits down by Julia. Takes a pull of bourbon.
JULIA
He got away?
MICKEY
He must‟ve had a getaway sleigh around the corner. Where were we?
59
JULIA
Vanessa.
MICKEY
We don‟t have to talk about it. You didn‟t come all this way to…
JULIA
I came to help. Let me.
MICKEY
Alright. Here‟s the thing. I don‟t know if Vanessa was just in the wrong place at the wrong time or what!
Al told me it was nothin‟ more than a muggin‟ gone wrong. But her wallet wasn‟t stolen. And she
doesn‟t have anything to do with this case. She wasn‟t even born.
JULIA
Okay. Let‟s remove Vanessa from the equation. Just look at the trial transcript. Who would want to kill
a court reporter, a defense attorney, and a police captain?
MICKEY
The victim. But women aren‟t statistically the type to carry out serial murders.
JULIA
Forget about statistics for a minute. What‟s the girl‟s name? The one who filed the charges against
Professor Jarvis.
INT. Mickey looks through the file. Slams it down on the table.
MICKEY
It‟s not in there.
INT. Julia grabs the file and sifts through it.
JULIA
What do you mean it‟s not in there?
MICKEY
I‟m tellin‟ you it‟s not in there. If there was a name in the file, it‟s been blacked out. Goddammit.
60
JULIA
Then track down the defense attorney. They‟ll be able to tell you who the claimant was.
MICKEY
Yeah. That‟s smart.

JULIA
I have my moments.
MICKEY
I‟ll say.
INT. Mickey and Julia lock eyes. There is a connection between them. Julia covers Mickey‟s hand
with her own. He lets it linger for a moment and then withdraws.
MICKEY
Do you think it was odd that Reggie walked in right after I left to chase down Santa Claus?
JULIA
No. I don‟t. Hold on. Is Reggie a suspect?
MICKEY
I‟m not rulin‟ anyone right now.
JULIA
Except the Mayor.
MICKEY
Scotty‟s a tool.
JULIA
He can be a tool and a killer, too.
MICKEY
But Reggie can‟t because you went to Mennonite school together?
JULIA
Go to hell!
INT. Julia belts her bourbon and rises to leave.

61
MICKEY
Don‟t. Wait. I‟m sorry.
JULIA
I‟m listening.
MICKEY
I‟m no good at this.
JULIA
Try.
MICKEY
Okay. See the thing is…there hasn‟t been anyone for me. Not since Vanessa.
INT. Julia sits back down beside Mickey.
JULIA
No one?
MICKEY
No one. And I might‟ve gotten a little pissed off when I saw Reggie sittin‟ with you.
INT. Julia leans in closer to Mickey.
JULIA
Were you jealous?
MICKEY
I don‟t know what you‟re talkin‟ about.
JULIA
I think it‟s sweet.
INT. Julia kisses Mickey on the cheek.
MICKEY
Does this mean I‟m forgiven?

62
JULIA
I think it means you‟re taking me home with you.
INT. Rex‟s Rendezvous. Mickey, quite unsure, leans in and kisses Julia.
INT. Mickey‟s house. Mickey and Julia are making out against the banister of the stairway. Mickey
kisses his way down Julia‟s neck. Julia is pushing Mickey‟s coat off his arms, and it drops to the
floor. Mickey pulls Julia‟s sweater up over her head and discards it. Julia‟s wearing a black bra.
Mickey kisses down her collarbone, groping her ass, and kneels down to the floor. With a free
hand, Mickey grabs her left boot and with the other hand works his way up her skirt to unzip the
boot. Julia runs her fingers through his hair, arches her back, and exhales as Mickey pulls off
the left boot and stocking. He kisses her ankle and works his way up to her knee. He grabs the
other boot, same as before, pulling it off and tracing the line of her leg with his mouth. Julia pulls
Mickey back up and kisses him savagely. She rips open his button-down shirt. Buttons go flying
and the shirt joins the pile on the floor. Julia wraps her left leg around Mickey‟s hip and he pulls
the other up and around him as they continue kissing.
JULIA
Where‟s your room?
MICKEY
Upstairs. It‟s a mess.
JULIA
I don‟t care.
INT. Mickey starts carrying Julia upstairs, her legs wrapped around his waist as they continue kissing.
INT. Mickey‟s bedroom. The light of streetlamps and reflected snow gives the room a cool glow, as
Mickey stumbles to the bed, falling on top of Julia. They laugh and roll over with Julia on top of
Mickey as he pulls Julia‟s skirt down. She isn‟t wearing any panties.
MICKEY
Commando. Nice.
INT. Julia slithers down to the foot of the bed and pulls Mickey‟s pants off and tosses them to the
floor. Mickey is not going Commando. She climbs back on top of Mickey, kisses him, and
hesitates. He is trembling beneath her.
JULIA
It‟s alright, Mickey. I‟m not going anywhere.
EXT. Mickey‟s house. It is the morning of December 19th.

63
INT. Mickey‟s room. Mickey and Julia are still in bed. Her head is resting on his chest. Julia
is playing with Mickey‟s chest hair. Mickey wakes.
MICKEY
Good morning.
JULIA
Yes it is.
MICKEY
You hungry? I do really good breakfast.
JULIA
I won‟t say no.
MICKEY
Lucky for me.
INT. Julia slinks her way up and plants a kiss on Mickey.
MICKEY
Mind if I hop in the shower first? I promised Carolyn I would be there for Edgar‟s memorial.
JULIA
Would you like some company?
MICKEY
To the funeral or in the shower?
JULIA
I was talking about the shower, but I could do both.
MICKEY
I‟m gonna hate myself for this, but I‟ll take a rain check on the shower. If you want some coffee, the
pot‟s by the fridge downstairs. Help yourself.
JULIA
Sure I can‟t change your mind about the shower?

64
MICKEY
Don‟t tempt me.
INT. Master bathroom off of Mickey‟s bedroom. Mickey is in the shower, and the room is filling with
steam.
INT. Julia is in the kitchen fiddling with the coffee pot. She is wearing one of Mickey‟s button-down
shirts. She‟s looking for coffee filters and goes to a door that she thinks is a food pantry. It is
a door to a basement.
INT. Master bathroom. Mickey is singing a tune in the shower. Probably something cheesy like
“Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down.”
INT. Julia flips the light switch at the top of the stairs. Out of curiosity, Julia descends the stairs to
the basement. The basement is sparsely furnished. There is a weight bench near one wall. Julia
is startled by what is on one of the walls. It is a collection of paper clippings detailing all of
the victims to date. There are pictures on the wall as well.
INT. Master bathroom. The shower is no longer running. The room is empty.
INT. Julia walks over to the wall and starts reading the clippings from the various editions of the
Warsaw Times-Union. Sections are highlighted and notes are written in the margin, such as
“Who do they think they‟re dealing with?” and “Grimes never saw it coming.” She lingers on
the article about Bassford‟s murder and focuses on the note written in the margin, “Who‟s next?”
MICKEY
Interesting reading?
INT. Mickey stands at the bottom of the stairs in a nice suit.
JULIA
What? Oh, I didn‟t hear you, Mickey. I was looking for more coffee filters. I thought I found the door to
a food closet, but it was the basement. My curiosity got the best of me.
MICKEY
No coffee filters down here.
JULIA
No. I guess not.
MICKEY
So, what can I whip you up for breakfast? You like omelets?
INT. Mickey‟s kitchen. Julia is sitting at the kitchen table sipping on some coffee, in no small amount
of discomfort. Mickey is making her an omelet.
65
JULIA
It smells delicious.
MICKEY
Thank you. Is something on your mind, Julia?
JULIA
No. Not really.
MICKEY
If I didn‟t know any better, I‟d think you were a little freaked out.
JULIA
No I‟m not.
MICKEY
I know what it looks like.
JULIA
I just didn‟t expect to find that down there.
MICKEY
You don‟t have to be afraid of me.
JULIA
Good. I‟m not.
MICKEY
I have to tell you, though. I‟m really kickin‟ myself in the pants for not letting you join me in the shower.
Ah, and we‟re ready.
INT. Mickey brings the sizzling skillet over to Julia‟s plate.
MICKEY
Bon appétit.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Mickey is standing graveside by Carolyn. A priest stands at the foot of
the grave giving a eulogy. Carolyn cries and holds onto Mickey for support. The sky is grey and
a light snow begins to fall.
66
INT. Warsaw Police Department. Yocum‟s office. A note sits on his desk. It reads, “Call Warden
Julia Gately at your earliest convenience.”
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Friends and supporters of Edgar Jarvis disburse from the grave. Mickey
is walking to a different part of the cemetery.
INT. Yocum is on the telephone. He looks concerned, then agitated, then angry. He slams down the
receiver.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Mickey stands over the grave of Vanessa. He notices bits of broken candy
cane on the top of Vanessa‟s gravestone. Bends down to inspect. He is roused by a voice from
behind. It is Pete Estep dressed in a nice suit, winter coat, and scarf.
PETE
Hi, Mickey.
MICKEY
Pete. I didn‟t hear you there. What‟re you doin‟ here?
PETE
I work part-time at Grace. I thought it would be the right thing to do to show my support for his wife.
MICKEY
That‟s real upstanding of you. (Dusts off the grave) Hard to believe it‟s almost been eight years.
PETE
It must be hard for you.
MICKEY
It is.
PETE
Vanessa wouldn‟t want you bein‟ so lonely. You should get out there again. Be happy.
MICKEY
I don‟t know if I can.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Mickey‟s cell phone rings. It‟s Yocum.
MICKEY
I‟m sorry, Pete. I…

67
PETE
I know. You have to take it.
MICKEY
Yeah. Let‟s grab that beer tomorrow. Mad Anthony‟s at eight?
PETE
Sure. I just have to finish an online final. Online. See you back at the station.
EXT. Pete wanders off. Mickey answers his cell phone.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
YOCUM
Where the hell are you?
MICKEY
I‟m at Oakwood. We just put Edgar Jarvis in the ground. Is there a problem?
YOCUM
You bet your ass there is. Get to the station, and bring everything you‟ve got on Secret Santa.
MICKEY
I‟ll be right there.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic barrels down Maple Avenue towards Sheridan and on to the
police department.
INT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey dials Julia. It goes straight to voicemail.
MICKEY
Julia, hey. It‟s Mickey. Give me a call. I had a great time last night. Maybe we can grab dinner. I‟m
not real good at this. But I like you. There. I said it. I like you. So call me.
EXT. Mickey turns onto Sheridan.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Lame. That‟s what I was. Lame. Lame for gettin‟ mushy on Julia‟s voicemail. Who does that? More
important, I should be figurin‟ out what Zeke could be so upset about. I still have to let him in on what
me and Julia talked about regarding the Jarvis trial.
68
EXT. Mickey pulls into the parking lot of the Warsaw Police Department. Kills the engine. Smoke
pours out of the tail pipe and Mickey exits the car, hurrying into the station.
INT. Snide officers coo and catcall at him for his nicer-than-usual attire. Pete is emptying trash cans.
MICKEY
(teasing)
Hey, buddy. You followin‟ me?
PETE
No. I just have a lead foot.
MICKEY
Yeah. I wouldn‟t say that too loud around a squad room full of traffic cops.
PETE
(laughs)
Alright. See you tomorrow, Mickey.
MICKEY
Count on it.
INT. Mickey goes to Yocum‟s office. Taps on the open door.
YOCUM
Sit down. Now.
INT. Mickey enters the office.
YOCUM
Close the door.
INT. Mickey closes the door and takes a seat across from Yokum.
MICKEY
Zeke, what happened?
YOCUM
Shut up. I‟ve got one question for you.
INT. Yocum leans forward in his chair.

69
YOCUM
(smirking)
Did you or did you not tap that ass?
MICKEY
(laughing)
You sonuvabitch! I thought something serious had happened.
YOCUM
I want details, girlfriend. Spill.
EXT. view of Yocum‟s office. Mickey and Yocum talking. Big gestures.
MICKEY (V.O.)
So I told the Captain all about last night. The trial transcript, chasing after Secret Santa, and even about
Reggie tryin‟ to cock-block me at Rex‟s. Because I consider myself a gentleman, I glossed over mine and
Julia‟s nocturnal activities. But I told him about what went down this morning. His reaction was about
what I expected.
YOCUM
You are such a dumbass. The girl thinks you‟re Secret Santa?
MICKEY
Zeke, you know how I work. I like to lay out the case in my basement. It gives me a different
perspective. Even when I had my own office, I still laid out my crime scenes down there.
YOCUM
Yeah, I know that. But I wasn‟t the one knockin‟ boots with you last night.
MICKEY
I tried callin‟ her on my way over. Went straight to voicemail.
YOCUM
Look at it this way. If you were Secret Santa, you‟ve all but given yourself an alibi. I‟m kidding.
MICKEY
Asshole.
YOCUM
Uh-uh…
70
MICKEY
Sorry. Captain Asshole.
YOCUM
She‟s gonna call you, partner. Don‟t worry.
MICKEY
Whatever. We‟ve got more important things to worry about right now. I‟ve gotta find out three things.
Who is the girl who took Edgar Jarvis to trial for assault? Where is her defense attorney? And who is the
judge that presided over the trial. Cause if he‟s still alive, he could be in danger.
YOCUM
Give me the file.
EXT. The view of a house is seen through the binoculars of Secret Santa. A lone squad car is parked in
front of the house. It is six o‟ clock in the evening.

YOCUM
I‟ve got some bad news for you.
MICKEY
Really? There‟s somethin‟ I haven‟t gotten a lot of lately.
YOCUM
Your defense attorney. Quincy Wilburn. He‟s dead.
MICKEY
You‟re fuckin‟ kidding me.
YOCUM
Wish I was. The old man had a massive heart attack about five years ago.
MICKEY
Perfect.
YOCUM
Why not just ask Carolyn who the girl was. I‟m sure she remembers.
71
MICKEY
Carolyn has been through enough. I bet the judge is dead, too.
YOCUM
No she‟s not.
MICKEY
She‟s not?
YOCUM
Sure. We‟ve got an officer over at her house right now. She‟s fine.
MICKEY
Wait a minute. There isn‟t a Judge Carlson in Warsaw.
YOCUM
What rock have you been hiding under? Carlson is her maiden name. She didn‟t marry until a few years
after the trial, I‟d wager.
MICKEY
Zeke, it‟s been a long week. I‟d like to keep this woman alive if at all possible. Who the hell is Judge
Carlson?
EXT. A view of the house that Secret Santa was observing through his binoculars.
YOCUM
It‟s Judge Matthews. Relax. I just talked with our guy on the scene. She says Judge Matthews is fine.
Apparently she‟s having a meeting with the D.A.
MICKEY
Reggie? Sonuvabitch.
INT. The living room of Judge Gail Carlson Matthews. Gail is seated by a roaring fire reviewing
some paperwork. She gets up to adjust a log in the furnace. Unaware of movement behind her.
She stands up and when she does a rope is thrown over her neck. It is Secret Santa. She swats
at the arms of her assailant and tries to break free but is brought to the floor. Santa puts a knee
against Gail‟s back and tugs on the rope with all his might. Her body finally relaxes, and he
lets it fall lifeless to the floor.
72
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic roars down Hwy 15 going towards the home of Judge Matthews
on Miner Drive. Mickey and Yocum are inside.
YOCUM
There‟s no answer.
MICKEY
Try again.
YOCUM
I‟ve already put out a call for backup.
MICKEY
Dammit. I should‟ve known when I saw Reggie last night something was up. It just seemed too easy.
YOCUM
Step on it. We don‟t have much time.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic approaches Miner Drive and the home of Judge Matthews.
Already an ambulance is on the scene, and several more squad cars. Mickey brings the car
to a screeching halt, kills the engine, and he and Yocum rush towards the house as smoke
spills out of the tail-pipe.
INT. Matthews House. An officer meets them in the entry hall.
YOCUM
Where is she?
OFFICER
The living room.
INT. Mickey and Yocum cross into the living room.
MICKEY
Oh my god.
INT. Delicately positioned by the fire is the lifeless corpse of Judge Gail Carlson Matthews. A
candy cane is positioned in her hand and bloody ligature marks are around her neck from
the rope strangulation.
INT. Secret Santa is hanging by the neck from a beam high in the living room.
73
YOCUM
Cut him down. Somebody cut him down!
INT. Officers scramble to bring down the body of Secret Santa. Once the body is lowered to the
floor Mickey crosses and tugs down the fake, white whiskers on Santa‟s face. It is Reggie
Dihl.
MICKEY
I don‟t get it.
YOCUM
You don‟t have to get it. It‟s over.
BLACKOUT.
74
INT. Morgue of Warsaw Police Department. Coroner Terri Meuler has Judge Matthews and
Reggie Dihl on separate slabs and is making notes.
INT. Julia Gately‟s car. She is driving around downtown Warsaw looking for a parking space.
The sun is shining.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. It is mid-morning on December 20th, and the graveside service of Al
Bassford is underway. A contingent of officers from the station are in attendance. Yocum
and Mickey stand in the front of that contingent. Scott Bassford stands in shock as Al‟s
casket is lowered into the ground.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Black birds walk along the frozen top of Pike Lake and scatter as officers
commence a twenty-one gun salute for former Captain Bassford. Mickey‟s narration occurs
during all of this.
MICKEY (V.O.)
It was a new day. The sun was shining. The air was crisp. Those who had suffered loss could begin the
business of puttin‟ their lives back together. Zeke met with Scotty right after we found the bodies of
Judge Matthews and Reggie Dihl. They talked about the official story that would be filtered to the
papers. Secret Santa had handed out his last candy cane. We‟d nailed the bastard, and all the gruesome
details were runnin‟ on the front page of the Warsaw Times-Union. After eight long years, Vanessa could
finally be at peace. So why did I still feel hollow inside?
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. The graveside service is over. People disperse. Mickey and Yocum
approach Scott.
YOCUM
Scott. If you need anything, everyone at the department is here for you.
SCOTT
Thank you, Captain. Dad would‟ve appreciated that.
YOCUM
Bonnie asked that I send her condolences. She had to work at the hospital this morning and couldn‟t find
anyone to cover her shift.
SCOTT
Thank you. Dad always had nice things to say about Bonnie. He sure did like her cooking. After Mom
passed, Dad never got the hang of cooking for himself.
YOCUM
It isn‟t easy. Well, we won‟t keep you.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Yocum and Scott shake hands. Mickey lingers.
75
MICKEY
Go ahead, Zeke. I‟ll be right behind you.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Scott and Mickey stand alone.
MICKEY
Scotty…
SCOTT
Don‟t. You found the bastard. That‟s enough.
MICKEY
Still. I owe you an apology.
SCOTT
You don‟t owe me shit. Dad thought a lot of you. So all that means is that you can‟t be completely
worthless.
MICKEY
He loved you, ya know. Your dad. He was real proud of you.
SCOTT
I swear to God, I will beat your ass if you don‟t walk away right now.
MICKEY
You can try.
EXT. Oakwood Cemetery. Silence between Scott and Mickey. Scott grunts an almost laugh, and
extends his hand to shake Mickey‟s. They shake hands and Mickey walks away.
INT. Mickey‟s car. Yocum sits in the passenger‟s seat. Mickey climbs in the driver‟s seat and
closes the door.
YOCUM
So. Is Scotty a good kisser?
MICKEY
(laughs)
You‟re a piece of work. You know that?
76
YOCUM
Well, I figure if you guys made up, there was probably tongue involved.
EXT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey‟s car explodes to life with a burst of smoke from the tail pipe and follows
the path back onto Maple Avenue. They are driving towards the police department.
MICKEY
I‟ll drop you off at the station.
YOCUM
Where are you going?
MICKEY
I need to stop by my office downtown. I haven‟t been there in days. And I need some quiet if I‟m gonna
finish my report for you.
YOCUM
So that‟s it. Case closed and you walk away all over again?
MICKEY
I haven‟t gotten that far.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic turns onto Sheridan Street.
YOCUM
Real pretty day for a funeral. Did you stop by Vanessa‟s grave?
MICKEY
No. I did after Edgar‟s service, though. Strangest thing. I guess Reggie must‟ve been there cause there
were crumbled up candy canes scattered all over her gravestone.
YOCUM
I wouldn‟t dwell on it. Just think. You can finally put it behind you.
MICKEY
Yeah. Finally.
77
EXT. Mickey‟s car hangs a right onto Harrison Street and then a left onto Fort Wayne Street. Mickey
stops the car in front of the police department entrance.
YOCUM
Will I have your report before Christmas?
MICKEY
Yeah. Sure.
YOCUM
Think it over before you turn in your badge again. It was good havin‟ you around.
MICKEY
Yeah. It was.
YOCUM
What‟s on your mind, Mick?
MICKEY
Nothin‟. I was just thinkin‟.
YOCUM
Bullshit. You‟re still trying to put the puzzle pieces together.
MICKEY
Yeah. I guess I am.
YOCUM
Let it go. It‟s over.
MICKEY
You‟re right. But doesn‟t it bother you that Reggie didn‟t leave a suicide note?
YOCUM
Mick, stop it! I got an idea. Come over for dinner tonight. We‟ll have a few beers. It‟ll be like old
times.
78
MICKEY
Thanks, Zeke. Really. But I can‟t. I‟m meetin‟ Pete Estep for a beer at Mad Anthony‟s tonight.
YOCUM
Suit yourself. Give me a buzz if you change your mind.
MICKEY
Will do.
EXT. Mickey‟s car driving down Center Street towards his office downtown.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Zeke was right. It was over. I should let it go. But when you‟ve spent eight years of your life with a
single purpose, it‟s not easy to shift gears. Maybe I should give Julia a call.
EXT. Mickey parks on the street in front of his downtown office. Mickey kills the engine, and a cloud
of smoke pours out of the tail pipe. Mickey exits the car and disappears inside the building.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Maybe Julia would answer the phone this time. Maybe I wouldn‟t have to sound like a pathetic schmoe
tryin‟ to weasel my way back into her good graces.
INT. Julia Gately is seated outside the entrance to his office door.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Or maybe she would come to me.
JULIA
Hi.
MICKEY
Hi. Wanna come in?
JULIA
Sure. We need to talk.
INT. Mickey‟s office. Julia is sitting in a chair across from Mickey‟s desk as he scrambles for a couple
of highball glasses and pours them both some bourbon.
79
MICKEY
I don‟t know about you. But I could use one of these.
JULIA
I imagine you could.
INT. Mickey hands her a glass of bourbon. Mickey takes a sip of his own. Sighs.
MICKEY
There. You hear that?
JULIA
Hear what?
MICKEY
Wait. Just listen.
INT. Mickey‟s office. They share the silence for a brief moment.
JULIA
Mickey. What is it?
MICKEY
It‟s the sound of the world still turnin‟.
INT. Mickey finishes the rest of his bourbon. Pours another.
JULIA
Oh, Mickey. I‟m sorry.
MICKEY
Don‟t. I‟m glad you‟re here. Saved me a trip to Michigan City.
JULIA
I couldn‟t go back until I cleared the air.
MICKEY
All that stuff you saw in my basement. I didn‟t want it to scare you off after our night….and I thought I
would feel different inside when I found Vanessa‟s killer.
80
JULIA
But you don‟t?
MICKEY
No.
JULIA
Maybe there‟s a reason for that. Maybe there‟s something you still have to do.
MICKEY
I don‟t know if I can.
INT. Julia rises and crosses to Mickey. She takes his face in her hands and kisses him. Softly.
Unsure of the moment. She lingers with her forehead against his chin.
JULIA
I found something, and I think you should see it.
INT. Julia crosses to her purse and pulls out a piece of paper. Hands it to Mickey. He reads it.
MICKEY
What is it?
JULIA
It‟s the name of the woman who filed charges against Professor Jarvis.
MICKEY
No.
JULIA
Yes.
MICKEY
It can‟t be.
JULIA
It is.
INT. Mickey gives the piece of paper another look. Camera focuses on the name.
81
MICKEY
Rita Stillwell. Sonuvabitch.
JULIA
You know her?
MICKEY
Yeah. I know her.
JULIA
How?
MICKEY
Rita Stillwell married Mitch Summers. She‟s Vanessa‟s mother.
INT. Mickey grabs his car keys off the desk.
JULIA
What‟re you doing?
MICKEY
Mitch and Rita live in Plymouth. Looks like I‟m payin‟ the in-laws a visit.
JULIA
You don‟t have to do this.
MICKEY
Yes I do. I made a mistake. You were right.
JULIA
About what?
MICKEY
About Reggie. He wasn‟t our guy. Secret Santa is still out there.
EXT. The view of Mickey‟s office through the binoculars of Secret Santa. Mickey exits the building
followed by Julia.
EXT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey is unlocking the driver-side door.

82
JULIA
Mickey, wait!
MICKEY
What?
JULIA
Look. I have to get back to Michigan City. Some dumbass scheduled a parole review for the day after
tomorrow. Go home and pack a bag. Do what you need to do in Plymouth. And then come spend the
holidays with me. We‟ll figure it out together.
MICKEY
I‟d like that.
EXT. Secret Santa watches Mickey and Julia kiss through his binoculars. Julia hands Mickey a
piece of paper. Mickey takes it, and Santa watches Mickey climb into his car and the trail of
smoke that erupts from the car as Mickey drives off. Secret Santa watches as Julia gets into her
car and drives off.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Yocum is looking over paperwork when Terri Meuler knocks on his door.
YOCUM
Terri, what can I do for you?
TERRI
We‟ve got a situation.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic heading west on Hwy 30 towards Plymouth. A brisk wind
shakes the naked limbs of trees that litter the wooded areas of open fields.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Julia gave me directions to her house. I guess we were really doin‟ this. I‟d spent the last eight years
grievin‟ over what I had with Vanessa. It was time. And I have to think that Vanessa would want it for
me. I wanted to kick myself for blindly acceptin‟ that Reggie was the killer. I knew somethin‟ wasn‟t
right. I wanted to call Zeke, but I didn‟t have anything solid to go on. Sure. I had a gut feelin‟ that
Reggie had been framed. But without evidence, Zeke would just say I was holdin‟ on to Vanessa.
INT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey‟s phone rings, but he doesn‟t recognize the number.
MICKEY
Fisher here.
INT. Pete‟s car.

83
PETE
Mickey, it‟s Pete.
MICKEY
Hey, buddy. What can I do for you?
INT. Pete‟s car.
PETE
I feel real bad, but I‟m going to have to cancel tonight.
MICKEY
Oh, sure. No sweat, Pete. We‟ll meet up after Christmas.
INT. Pete‟s car.
PETE
Thanks for understanding. I just finished one of my online finals. Online. But they‟re having a big
Christmas party at Grace tonight, and one of the custodians called in sick, so I have to cover his ass.
MICKEY
Good luck with that.
INT. Pete‟s car.
PETE
Yeah. It‟s not so bad. I won‟t be doing this forever. When I finish my degree, I was thinking I might try
and take the test to get on at the police department.
MICKEY
No kiddin‟. That‟s great, Pete. What‟re you studying in your courses? Online.
INT. Pete‟s car.

84
PETE
Oh, psychology and history mostly. I was hoping to take some classes at Grace, but it‟s pretty expensive.
MICKEY
Don‟t I know it. I‟m still payin‟ off my student loans. Well, if you ever need a recommendation, I‟d be
happy to put in a word with Captain Yocum.
INT. Pete‟s car.
PETE
Man, thanks, Mickey. I appreciate that. Merry Christmas.
MICKEY
Yeah. Merry Christmas, kid. See you around.
EXT. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic approaches a residential neighborhood in Plymouth. Mickey
parks the car in front of the house of Mitch and Rita Summers. Mickey kills the engine and
smoke pours out the tail pipe as Mickey exits the car and walks to the front door of the his
in-laws‟ modest looking home. He rings the doorbell.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Terri Mueller sits across the desk from Yocum.
YOCUM
Are you sure?
TERRI
Positive. Reggie Dihl died before Judge Matthews.
YOCUM
I better call Mickey. He‟ll need to know about this.
TERRI
There‟s more.
YOCUM
This had better be good.

85
TERRI
I found fibers in the Santa Claus costume. I think I may have a match.
YOCUM
I‟m listening.
EXT. Julia Gately is driving west on Hwy 30 en route to Michigan City.
INT. Julia‟s car. She hears a rattle in her trunk. Thinking it will pass, she continues driving.
After a short while, it persists enough that Julia pulls off the road onto the shoulder. Julia
parks the car, turns it off, and pops the trunk.
EXT. Julia goes to the rear of the car and lifts the trunk. She filters through items in the trunk
trying the find the source of the rattle. Unbeknownst to her, a car has pulled up behind her
and a figure approaches her. Julia finds the source of the rattle. It is a bottle of bourbon
with a ribbon and candy cane attached. She jerks upright at the sound of the voice behind
her. She does not see him.
SANTA
Merry Christmas, Julia.
EXT. Plymouth. Mickey stands outside the front door of his in-laws‟ when the door opens. It‟s
Mitch.
MITCH
Mickey. What‟re you doing here?
MICKEY
I was wonderin‟ if Rita was around.
MITCH
She‟s in the kitchen. Come on in.
INT. Mickey follows Mitch inside the house. It‟s warm and homey, if not a little cluttered.
MITCH
I see you‟re still drivin‟ the same piece of crap car.
MICKEY
She gets me around.

86
MITCH
It‟s gotta be a bitch to keep that thing in gasoline.
MICKEY
I manage.
INT. Mitch shows Mickey into the kitchen. Rita is busy at the oven pouring a pie filling into a pie pan.
MITCH
Rita, you got company.
INT. Rita turns around and sees Mickey. Rita is in her early to mid fifties. Rita is a handsome woman,
but she‟s seen better days. Vanessa‟s death took its toll on her.
RITA
Mickey!
MICKEY
Hi, Rita. It‟s been a while.
RITA
Oh, don‟t you “it‟s been a while” me. Give me a hug!
INT. Mickey and Rita hug. Mitch stands around awkwardly.
MICKEY
It‟s good to see you, Rita.
RITA
You too. I always get lonesome for family this time of year. And you‟re still family.
MICKEY
That‟s kinda why I came here. I had some questions I needed to ask you. About Vanessa. And Edgar
Jarvis.
INT. Mitch bristles. Rita notices.
RITA
Mitch, go watch your Sports Center.

87
MITCH
It isn‟t on yet.
RITA
Then get on the computer and look up some porn. I want to be alone with Mickey.
INT. Mitch wanders off muttering profanity under his breath.
MICKEY
I‟m sorry to have to do this.
RITA
No. I‟m surprised it didn‟t come up sooner. I read about Edgar in the paper.
INT. Mickey is seated at the kitchen table and Rita brings over two cups of coffee.
MICKEY
Thank you.
RITA
What did you want to know?
MICKEY
Tell me about your relationship with Edgar Jarvis.
RITA
You don‟t have to use delicate words with me. Edgar and I never had a relationship. We just had sex.
MICKEY
But you filed charges. Took him to court.
RITA
I was a child then. And when I found out he was married, I thought I could hurt his marriage by making
those accusations. But it was all for naught. In the end, Edgar stayed with his wife. And I met Mitch.
MICKEY
Does Mitch know?

88
RITA
Know what?
MICKEY
About you and Edgar. About Vanessa.
INT. Rita fidgets a bit. Takes a sip of her coffee.
RITA
I don‟t know what you‟re talking about.
MICKEY
I‟d rather not have to say it.
RITA
Then don‟t. Why bring it up at all?
MICKEY
Because seven people have been murdered and one of them was your daughter.
RITA
It won‟t bring her back.
MICKEY
No. But it just might keep more people from dyin‟.
RITA
You already found the murderer. I heard about it on the news.
MICKEY
We made a mistake. Please, Rita. There isn‟t a day that goes by that I don‟t miss Vanessa. There will be
no peace for her until we get the right man. Was Edgar Vanessa‟s father?
RITA
Yes.
MICKEY
Did Edgar know he was Vanessa‟s father?

89
RITA
I never told him, but I think so. Yes. He had to know. He was always so good to her when she was at
Grace.
MICKEY
I spoke with Edgar‟s wife. She knew her husband had several indiscretions. Do you know if he had any
other children besides Vanessa?
RITA
Oh, Mickey. I don‟t think I can do this…
MICKEY
Please. For Vanessa.
RITA
I never knew about Edgar‟s other lovers. We didn‟t talk about them. And after Vanessa was born, I
never went back to Grace until Vanessa was a student.
MICKEY
I‟m sorry. I had to ask.
RITA
Wait. Vanessa came to me. It was a year or more before she died. She told me she knew that Edgar was
her father. But she forgave me. She forgave me.
MICKEY
How did she find out? Did Edgar tell her?
RITA
No. Her brother did.
INT. Yocum‟s office. Yocum slams down his phone.
TERRI
He‟s not answering?
YOCUM
No. I‟ll keep trying. Get Lieutenant Leffner. We‟ve got to find this sonuvabitch.
90
TERRI
Yes, sir.
YOCUM
And to think he‟s been under our nose this whole time. Dammit!
INT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey‟s cell phone is sitting in the passenger‟s seat. Incoming call from
Zeke Yocum.
INT. Kitchen of the Summers home. Gail is drying her eyes. Mickey sips on his coffee.
MICKEY
I never knew Vanessa had a brother.
RITA
It was her half-brother. Edgar was apparently involved with his mother. Only things didn‟t turn out as
well for her.
MICKEY
What do you mean?
RITA
She killed herself.
MICKEY
And her son, Vanessa‟s half-brother, came to Vanessa for help?
RITA
I guess so. I felt so badly for the boy. To hear Vanessa talk, he had such a rough childhood without his
mother around.
MICKEY
Who was it, Rita? Tell me you know his name.
RITA
I‟m sorry. I can‟t remember it. It‟s on the tip of my tongue…
MICKEY
It‟ll come to you. And when it does, I want you to call me. Day or night. It‟s important.
91
RITA
Of course. I‟m sorry I wasn‟t more helpful.
EXT. Warsaw. A number of police squad cars barrel into the front yard of a modest home. It is
not taken care of. Paint is cracking on the outside. Windows are dirty.
Image one: Police break down the front door of the house.
Image two: Officers scouring the house in search of Secret Santa.
Image three: Officers find Secret Santa‟s set-up in the basement. Pictures of victims, newspaper
clippings, a box of candy canes, and cords of rope. Yocum enters the basement. Looks along the
wall of pictures and sees a picture of the interior of Rex‟s Rendezvous. It is a picture of Mickey
and Julia.
YOCUM
Somebody get on the phone and locate Detective Fisher. And while you‟re at it, get me in touch with the
Indiana State Prison. We‟ve got a situation.
EXT. Plymouth. Mickey walks to his car. He gets in, starts the car, and it explodes to life. Mickey
drives off leaving a trail of smoke in his wake.
EXT. Mickey‟s car is back on Hwy 30 en route to Michigan City.
INT. Mickey‟s car. Mickey‟s cell phone is out of sight, a corner of it showing from under files from
the case. Mickey pulls out the piece of paper with directions to Julia‟s.
EXT. Mickey looks out on the snow-covered horizon. Icicles sparkle as they catch the light of
the sun. It is approaching dusk.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I didn‟t like the idea that I‟d hit another dead end. But I was ready to be with Julia for a couple of days.
Somethin‟ told me that Santa wasn‟t gonna be killin‟ anyone else. Otherwise, why frame Reggie Dihl? I
still needed to call Zeke and let him know what I found out about Edgar and Rita. There were a lot of
questions runnin‟ through my head, the most annoyin‟ one bein‟ why the killer waited eight years to
finish what he started? But it would have to wait.
EXT. Mickey‟s car pulls onto Hwy 35-N.
EXT. The home of Secret Santa. Squad cars are still there, and Yocum is on the phone. Lieutenant
Leffner approaches him. Yocum finishes his call.
YOCUM

92
LEFFNER
No word on Detective Fisher yet, sir. We‟ve got patrolmen at his office downtown and outside his house.
If this nutjob goes after him, we‟ll be there.
YOCUM
I‟m not worried about Mick. He can take care of himself. It‟s the warden that‟s got me concerned. Any
word on her yet?
LEFFNER
The people at the State Prison said she called in this afternoon to say she was taking the rest of the day
off. Nothing out of the ordinary.
YOCUM
Get her home number. I‟ll keep trying Mick.
LEFFNER
Yes, sir.
EXT. Mickey‟s car approaching an exit for Michigan City. An hour has passed.
INT. Mickey‟s car. His cell phone rings. It‟s Rita.
MICKEY
Rita?
INT. Rita‟s kitchen.
RITA
Hi, Mickey. You told me to call you if I remembered anything.
MICKEY
Yes. Go on.
RITA
Well, I still don‟t remember the boy‟s name. But I remember his poor mother. Carly was just the nicest
girl.
93

MICKEY
Was she at Grace the same time as you?
RITA
She was younger than me. I always felt so bad for her because her parents weren‟t very well-to-do. Her
father was a drunk. The word around campus was that he beat Carly‟s mother. I can only imagine what
he was like to the boy.
MICKEY
Rita, what was Carly‟s last name?
RITA
Estep. Carly Estep. It was such a tragedy, her killing herself like that. Hello….Mickey? Hello?
EXT. Pete‟s house. Yocum stands out front. His phone rings. It‟s Mickey.
YOCUM
Where the hell have you been?
MICKEY
Zeke, it‟s Pete Estep! He‟s Secret Santa!
EXT. Pete‟s house.
YOCUM
I know. We‟re at his house now.

MICKEY
Send some officers over to Grace College. He‟s workin‟ a party there tonight.

94
YOCUM
Way ahead of you.
MICKEY
Good. I‟m goin‟ to Julia‟s. I‟ll bring her up to speed. Maybe we can figure out where Pete is hidin‟.
YOCUM
Sonuvabitch.
EXT. Julia‟s house. Mickey‟s 1987 Caprice Classic roars into the neighborhood. Mickey slows down
and parks a few houses away from Julia‟s.
EXT. Mickey creeps towards Julia‟s house. Goes around the back. His cell phone rings. It‟s Julia.
MICKEY
Julia! Where are you?
INT. Julia‟s house.
PETE
Merry Christmas, Mickey.
EXT. Julia‟s house.
MICKEY
Pete? Is that you? Listen to me, you piece of shit…
INT. Julia‟s house
PETE
Now is that any way to talk to a friend? We‟re practically family. Come inside. Back door. You‟ve got
to be freezing out there. Oh, and leave your gun on the patio.
EXT. Julia‟s house. Mickey works his way around to the patio door. With very deliberate motions, he
lays down his gun by patio door. He tries the latch. It‟s unlocked. He enters and closes the door
behind him.
INT. Julia‟s house. It‟s dimly lit inside. It takes Mickey a short while for his eyes to adjust to the
change in light.
95
MICKEY
Pete? I‟m unarmed. Where‟s Julia?
PETE
In here. In the living room.
INT. Mickey makes his way into the living room. There he sees Julia standing in a chair, gagged and
with her hands bound behind her back. A noose is around her neck and secured to a beam in the
ceiling. Pete stands beside her with a gun in hand.
MICKEY
Let her go.
PETE
Don‟t you want to know why I did it?
MICKEY
I know why you did it. Mommy killed herself, and you got pissed off.
PETE
You know nothing! Nothing! Edgar Jarvis lied to my mother. He broke her heart. He may as well have
killed her himself.
MICKEY
Alright. So why didn‟t you just go after Edgar? Why the rest of them? Why Vanessa? She was your
sister.
INT. Julia tries to communicate with Mickey with her eyes as Pete goes on his tirade. Mickey moves
in closer during his dialogue.
PETE
She defended him! I called Vanessa that Christmas Eve. I was so upset. So she met me in Central Park.
I told her what I wanted to do, to expose Edgar for the fraud of a man that he was, to re-visit her mother‟s
charges against him. I‟d read the file. I knew that something wasn‟t right. I knew that Judge Matthews
was corrupt, that Sherry Waters doctored the transcript, that Harold Grimes tampered with witness
testimony, and that Al Bassford covered it all up. They were all guilty. They had to be punished. But
Vanessa wouldn‟t help me. Her own brother! She laughed at me, told me that I was overreacting, that
going after Edgar wouldn‟t bring my mother back. She tried to leave, but I had to convince her. I didn‟t
mean to do it. But she wouldn‟t listen. I just wanted her to stay with me. And then my hands were
around her neck. And then she wasn‟t breathing anymore. So I found some rope. Made it look like she
was strangled with it. And I gave her a candy cane, to say I was sorry. She looked so peaceful lying on
the ground.
96
MICKEY
Yes. She did. I remember.
PETE
I went to him, you know. Edgar. He didn‟t even remember my mother‟s name.
MICKEY
He got what he deserved. Right?
PETE
He got off lucky. He deserved far worse. Don‟t come any closer.
MICKEY
Why did you wait so long? Eight years…
PETE
I felt bad for Vanessa. I wanted to honor her wishes. I tried so hard. But every time I turned around
Edgar was getting some new honor thrown at him. Professor of the Year. Book signings. Lecture series.
History fellow at Cambridge. I couldn‟t take it! I knew who he really was! He was an animal. I had to
stop him. I had to make him suffer. All of them! They protected him! They were just as guilty as he
was. Stop! I said don‟t come any closer!
INT. Pete raises the gun towards Mickey. Julia kicks it out of his hand. Pete dives after it and knocks
the chair out from under Julia. Mickey and Pete struggle for the gun. Julia swings from the
beam, strangling. After a long struggle, the gun goes off. Pete lay dead on the floor. Mickey
stumbles to his feet and hurries to Julia. He replaces the chair so she‟ll have some footing. He
climbs up in the chair, supporting her weight and tries to loosen the knot. It won‟t budge.
Mickey takes the gun and shoots the rope attached to the beam. It comes loose along with some
dry wall. Mickey carries the limp body of Julia over to the couch and lays her down.
MICKEY
Julia? Wake up, babe.
INT. Mickey feels for a pulse. Can‟t find one. He tries CPR.
MICKEY
Julia. We got the sonuvabitch. Open your eyes. Gimme a smart-ass remark or somethin‟.
INT. Mickey tries mouth to mouth. More compressions. Mouth to mouth.

97
MICKEY
Come on, Julia. Say somethin‟.
INT. Julia takes a gasp of breath. Coughs.
MICKEY
Atta‟ girl.
JULIA
The next time you try CPR, don‟t use tongue.
MICKEY
Yes, ma‟am.
INT. Mickey kisses Julia.
EXT. Mickey‟s house. Christmas night. Julia and Mickey are decorating a tree.
MICKEY (V.O.)
So that was it. Reggie was exonerated for the Secret Santa killings.
EXT. Mickey‟s house. Yocum and Bonnie are walking up to the front porch.
MICKEY (V.O.)
I decided to stay on at the police department a little longer. Yocum made it worth my while. He hired
Julia as my new partner.
INT. Yocum, Bonnie, Julia, and Mickey toast bourbon around the dinner table.
MICKEY (V.O.)
Granted, Julia was takin‟ a pay cut.
INT. Mickey and Julia standing under the mistletoe. Kissing.
MICKEY (V.O.)
But I had an idea she liked the benefits package.
EXT. Camera pans out to view of Mickey‟s house. Snow falling.
BLACKOUT.
THE END.
98
CAST
MICKEY FISHER—Private Investigator in Warsaw, IN.

ZEKE YOCUM—Captain of Police Department in Warsaw, IN.
VANESSA FISHER—deceased wife of Mickey.
WARDEN JULIA GATELY—Warden of Indiana State Prison.
PROFESSOR EDGAR JARVIS—Professor of History at Grace College.
MAYOR SCOTT BASSFORD—Mayor of Warsaw.
REGGIE DIHL—District Attorney for Kosciusko County.
AL BASSFORD—Former Captain of Warsaw Police Department.
DAVE BROCKMAN—Fire chief.
JUDGE GAIL CARLSON MATTHEWS—Judge for Kosciusko County.
MITCH SUMMERS—Vanessa‟s dad.
RITA SUMMERS—Vanessa‟s mom.
CAROLYN JARVIS—wife of Edgar Jarvis.
PETE ESTEP—Janitor for Warsaw Police Department and Grace College.
TERRI MEULER—Coroner for Warsaw Police Department.
CLERK—clerk at Shumaker Products.
RICHARD VANCE—suspect.
HAROLD GRIMES—Deputy Mayor of Warsaw.
LIEUTENANT LEFFNER—Lieutenant at Warsaw Police Department.
TIME: The present and memory sequences from years past.

SETTINGS: Various locations in Warsaw, Fort Wayne, Michigan City, and Plymouth, Indiana.

Secret Santa

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Secret Santa

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Secret Santa

Working Title: The Candy Cane Massacre

A murder is committed every thirty-one minutes in this country.

Yeah, I‟m still here. I was just about to head out.

EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

Mickey, I wouldn‟t be calling you if it wasn‟t important.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

Save it, Yocum. Everything‟s important when you‟re workin‟ a beat.

EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

EXT. Yocum at Winona Lake.

EXT. Flashback of Mickey standing over the grave of a loved one.

EXT. Mickey approaches Yocum.

Mick, thanks for coming.

You didn‟t give me much of a choice.

He‟s over here.

What the hell is this?

Mick, we had no way of knowing.

What about the third victim?

The perp left a note this time.

Who was the third victim?!

EXT. Mickey starts to walk away towards his Caprice.

Don‟t you want to know who the note was from?

EXT. Mickey freezes. Turns and walks back to Yocum.

Don‟t waste my time, Captain.

I thought you‟d like to read it for yourself.

Grimes was naughty.

Christmas is ten days away.

EXT. Mickey replaces note in baggie and hands it back to Yocum.

I‟ll have it analyzed, but it‟s probably clean.

I went ahead and ordered for you.

The cow tongue?

That‟s Captain Dickweed to you.

What‟ve you got for me?

Alright. This isn‟t much, but it might be a place to start.

It‟s a start. That‟s what you wanted, right?

And how are you handling it at the station?

We‟ve decided not to mention Secret Santa to the papers.

It‟s a mistake. You know it is.

Yeah. Maybe. I‟ll get on it. Do I get to keep this file?

Sure. But you didn‟t get it from me.

INT. Yocum grabs his briefcase and rises to leave.

I don‟t do Christmas, Zeke. You know that.

Vanessa wouldn‟t want you to be like this.

Help me nab this bastard, and I‟ll think about it.

EXT. Shot of Mickey standing in the window sipping bourbon.

I used to love Christmas. I used to love a lot of things.

Mick, we‟ve got another one.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

EXT. Yocum at Grace College.

Yeah. It ain‟t pretty, either.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

Where are you?

EXT. Yocum at Grace College.

Grace College. Right outside Philathea Hall.

INT. Mickey‟s office.

I‟ll be right over.

EXT. Yocum at Grace College.

I don‟t think that‟s such a good idea.

INT. Mickey‟s office.