Episode 2: Enter the Spider's WebA series of Police cars with their sirens blaring out come racing down a street. As the cars speed down past all the houses various people stand out from their doors being nosy to find out where they will stop. The cars all stop outside a rather large house and several uniformed and non uniform officers including Brett Carter step out onto the front lawn. As Brett stands on the lawn he is approached by a female cop in her thirties. Brett has a smile on his face as he greets the officer with a hand shake.
Brett: Well. If it isn't Sarah Parker. I never knew you moved up from uniform.
Parker: Believe it or not this is my first case out of uniform.
Brett: So what have we got here? I heard it was a case of burglary.
Parker: More like Burglary gone wrong. We have a newly wed couple of Caroline and Peter Johnson. Someone broke in their house and obviously did not find what they was looking for. Started beating up the wife and apparently the husband got involved and he was beaten to death.
Brett looks shocked
Brett: So this is now a murder investigation. Do we know if there was any weapons used?
Parker: Well there appears to have been a hammer used in the attack. Other then that we are not sure.
Brett: So what about the wife? Is she talking?
Parker: She has a few injuries mainly minor ones but is very shaken up.
Brett: Do you reckon I could have a word with her and maybe have a look at the house.
Parker nods and the two walk inside the trashed house. There is blood all over the walls and laying on the floor is a battered body of the husband. In the living room sitting on a chair crying in the wife Caroline. Brett slowly walks over to the chair and kneels down next to Caroline.
Brett: Mrs. Johnson... Caroline? My name is Brett Carter. I work with the Kartson Police department and I want you to know we will do everything we can to catch those responsible. I was just wondering whether you could let me know what happened here?
Caroline begins to speak in between sobs
Caroline: we was in bed and we heard a bang..... He went down stairs and never come back... I come down.... And he was being punched in the face by two men in masks.... They saw me and wanted the safe... I couldn't help them and they started to beat me.... Peter tried to intervene and one of them hit him over the head with a hammer..... He hit him so many times and I could see the life go out of him but I could not help him....
Caroline continues crying as Brett then puts an arm round the sobbing Caroline. Parker then walks over to one of the investigating officers as Caroline continues sobbing.
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Through the back alleys Bryan Lewis can be seen going on one of his usual runs. Some of the sights he runs past are pretty grim including blood stained walls, drug addicts shooting up heroin and a bunch of used condoms and dirty needles on the floor. As Bryan comes out of the alleyway he is surprised to see Brett Carter standing by his car. Bryan has a slight smile on his face as he approaches Brett and the two men shake hands.
Brett: Still running through the back alleys I see. What have you come across this time?
Bryan: A couple of blood stains and proof that there is some serious shall we say partying going on. So what is up?
Brett: Well I don't know whether you heard about the home invasion in which a man was killed trying to save his wife?
Bryan: Yeah it was on the radio and all over the news.
Brett: Well look something is bothering me about this case. I don't know what it is but something does not add up.
Bryan: How so?
Brett: Well the violence used makes me think this was not a burglary and that the attack was the real motivation.
Bryan: I'll look into it then Brett and see what I can do.
Brett: One more thing though Bryan. Please be a little more subtle this time as the captain is really cracking down and calling you a vigilante.
Bryan nods his head.
Bryan: Fair enough. I will be a little more careful. So I will get onto Tech about this one.
Brett: Who is Tech?
Bryan: Let me put it this way. You'll hopefully never have to meet him. He is not Mr. Sociable by any means and he has done a great deal to make sure none of you have heard of him before.
Brett: Then how do you know him?
Bryan: Let' just say it is a long story.
With that Bryan resumes his run as Brett nods his head.
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Outside a bunch of abandoned warehouses a cautious Bryan can be seen looking round making sure he is not being followed. As he gets to this run down building he eyes a surveillance camera pointing right at him before smiling.
Bryan: So are you going to let me in?
The door to the building opens and standing there is a man in his mid thirties staring at Bryan. The man looks Bryan up and down before taking a step back allowing Bryan to come in. As Bryan walks through to this small room he looks to a large computer with several screens all round it. Also in the room is a black leather chair, bottles of water and tins of food all stacked up.
Bryan: Well Tech. I must say your manner has improved. I almost felt welcome for a change.
Tech: What do you want Bryan?
Bryan: Can't a guy just come and visit an old army friend?
Tech: No he cannot. Especially when said guy knows that the one he is visiting enjoys being alone. Now what is it you want?
Bryan just nods his head.
Bryan: Well I wanted to ask you to just do a little digging in this robbery case.
Tech: The one where the husband was killed?
Bryan looks confused.
Bryan: How did you know that?
Tech: Contrary to popular belief I am not totally isolated from this world and to be honest I hacked the police database out of boredom. Found a few other interesting things.
Bryan: Like what?
Tech: Remember Kendall Judd? The man who killed your brother? He was executed last week. Don't suppose that was any of your doing?
Bryan looks shocked.
Bryan: No.... I didn't even know he was released from prison.
Tech: Stabbed through the heart with what looked to be a sword. Sort of ironic really. The mugger gets stabbed by a pirate.
Bryan: Why did Brett not tell me?
Tech: Oh yes, The often mentioned Brett Carter. Did you know he is due for a promotion soon?
Bryan does not respond.
Tech: Just another thing I found out in my digging. Anyway look I have done some research on this robbery and honestly it doesn't fit at all. I don't think there was a robbery at all.
Bryan: So you think it was a murder described by whoever to look like a robbery.
Tech: No I don't. I do not think anyone broke into that house what so ever. All these case photos the police took and all their so called investigating makes them think robbery gone wrong. I look at one picture and see that there was glass outside from a window being smashed and realize it was staged in 5 minutes.
Bryan: So they knew the killer is what you are saying? Well the wife was beaten up herself but not too badly so maybe she knows something.
Tech: Or maybe she is the killer.
Bryan: What makes you say that?
Tech: Well let's just say I have done some research on her and learnt a few things. One being that she is very hot, Two being her husband was very not and three being that before that wedding there was no documents what so ever on a Caroline Johnson.
Bryan: So it's a fake name?
Tech: I'd assume so.
Bryan: Well if it is a fake name there must be something she wants to hide. I am going to have to get closer so whilst I do that look up similar cases.
Tech: (sarcastic tone) You got it boss! Speaking of which when will you start paying me for this shit? Or at least bringing me a cup of coffee.
Bryan smiles
Bryan: Come on Tech. You and I both know you are doing well for money. How the government have not realized about your so called stock purchases and sales I don't know.
Tech: What can I say. I am simply brilliant. Well look if you don't kill this one can you get me a date with Caroline?
Bryan laughs.
Bryan: Honestly I'd think she'd prefer me killing her. Tell you what I promise next time I drop by I'll bring you a coffee.
With that Bryan then makes his way back out the door as Tech sits back down behind his computer
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Back at the house of the crime scene the wife Caroline Johnson can be seen leaving in her car as Brett Carter and several other police officers carry on their work talking to neighbors. After going door to door Brett notices out of the corner of his eye Bryan is standing by his car. A nervous looking Brett walks over to Bryan.
Brett: What are you doing here? This is a formal investigation.
Bryan: Just thought I'd ask you why you never told me about Kendall's murder?
Brett looks shocked.
Brett: I only found out myself and I was waiting for the moment to tell you. In fact how did you find out?
Bryan: Tech told me.
Brett: I'm going to have to meet this guy one day. Anyway what else did he have to say about this case?
Bryan: Let's just say we think the suspect may be a lot closer to home then you do.
Brett: Your suspecting the wife for this?
Bryan: She has no past it seems before that marriage certificate. No ID, Bank accounts or anything.
Brett: You know there is something else that has been bothering me about this so that ties in.
Bryan: What's that?
Brett: The level of violence. I mean sure she has a few cuts and bruises but to go from slapping one person to bashing another one's head in with hammer is just too big of a step in my opinion. So what is the plan?
Bryan: Look She will know if any of you follow her. So if you can text me some details about her I will see what I can find out by tailing her. And Tech is looking into her past.
Brett: Alright Bryan. I'll pass you on everything I know and if you find anything keep me updated.
Bryan then walks off down the street as Brett begins to walk back to the crime scene. However as he gets onto the lawn he is approached by officer Parker.
Parker: Who was that?
Brett: Just a local gossip asking for details on what happened.
Parker: Well he appeared to know you.
Brett hesitates slightly in his response.
Brett: Like I said just a gossip wanting to know things. Never seen him before in my life.
With that Brett walks inside the house leaving Parker standing there.
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Inside a fancy bar a suited up Bryan can be seen sitting on one of the stools at the bar taking a sip from a glass of whisky. As he stares into the mirror behind the bar it is clear he is using the reflection to keep tabs on Caroline Johnson who is sitting with some friends having a couple of drinks. As the barman passes Bryan another whisky Caroline and her friends stand up and begin to leave the bar. Bryan then takes another sip from his drink when he notices Caroline has disappeared from the reflection. He mutters something to himself when he is startled by the presence of Caroline who sits down next to him at the bar.
Caroline: I was going to ask you if you was a cop. But then again I would not expect a policeman to follow someone all about town to a bar before proceeding to get drunk on Whisky.
Bryan: And I would not expect someone whose husband had died to go out celebrating with her friends so soon afterwards.
Caroline smiles
Caroline: Grief makes us all do mysterious things.
Bryan: Obviously it does. Because you do not appear to be grieving to me.
Caroline: How do I appear than?
Bryan: Happy... I'd almost say relieved.
Caroline: And what would I have to feel relieved about?
Bryan: Getting away with murder perhaps.
Caroline: Now that is a bold accusation considering you do not even really know me.
Bryan: Trust me on this I know who you are.
Caroline: Well that is not really fair then is it. You claim to know who I am. But I do not even know your name. So what is your name?
Bryan: Calvin.... Calvin hobbs.
Caroline smiles.
Caroline: No it isn't.
Bryan: Fair enough. I guess you could say Calvin Hobbs is as much my name as Caroline Johnson is yours. So level with me how did you know I was following you?
Caroline: I saw your car several points on my journey and you was not very subtle about looking in that mirror to keep tabs onto me.
Bryan: Yet instead of running away from me when you realized you choose to come up here and make conversation. Why is that?
Caroline: Like I said Grief makes us do strange things. Besides it is very rare you see someone practically like yourself.
Bryan: We are not alike.
Caroline: We are. You may not want to admit it but I saw it as soon as I caught a glimpse of you. You hide underneath a mask. You try to fit into society when really you are an outcast. So like me we change like a chameleon. Be it moving state to state, changing jobs, friends or giving false names.
Bryan looks away for a second as if the words are affecting him. Just then Caroline begins to scrawl something down on a piece of paper before sliding it to Bryan.
Bryan: What is this?
Caroline: My number in case you want to chat on a more shall we say controlled and formal setting.
With that Caroline makes her way out of the bar as Bryan picks up the paper. Bryan stares down at the piece of paper for several seconds as if he is deliberating what to do. After a few seconds Bryan pockets the paper.
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Back at Tech's warehouse Tech can be seen typing away on his computer when Bryan walks into the room.
Bryan: You left the door open?
Tech: I knew you was coming.
Bryan: How?
Tech: I know everything. Besides I hacked your phone. Now I must admit I did find it funny to hear that chick ruffled your feathers even more. I mean she saw right through you. I may be in love here!
Bryan: What did you find out about her?
Tech: Other then the fact that she likes you! That her name as we suspected is not Caroline Johnson. Like you she goes by many names. Such as Rosie Grey, Sarah Parks, Joanna Del May. What's also interesting is each one of them disappeared after their husbands passed away in shall we say questionable circumstances.
Bryan: Any idea what her real name is?
Tech: Of course. I mean it took some digging. But her real name is Abigail Miller. Now I'll be honest that was hard for even me to find. I had to hack Social Security and then I had to go through youth hostels.
Bryan: So did she have any priors under that name?
Tech: Not exactly.
Bryan looks puzzled
Bryan: What do you mean?
Tech: See in the digging process I uncovered some police reports in which her first husband Leon Sinclair was repeatedly accused of domestic abuse against her and the police never did a thing.
Bryan: Let me guess she killed him?
Tech: No.... She drugged him and threw him off a bridge. The fall did not kill him but the train which tracks he landed on did.
Bryan: So that is what caused her to start this. She's a Black Widow.
Tech: Yes she is. But for what it's worth Bryan if you intend to ask her out. I don't believe she sees you as a target.
Bryan laughs.
Bryan: This should be good. Why is that Tech?
Tech: Everything about her demeanor even when it comes to the emotions she showed when this husband died was put on. Like she is very good at putting that out as an act. But when she was talking to you. That was legitimate. She enjoyed that back and forth chat. Probably more so then she enjoyed any antics with her husbands.
Bryan: Since when was you an expert on women Tech?
Tech: Since I was able to hack women's Facebook and dating profiles to see what they really want.
Bryan just nods his head in disapproval.
Tech: Don't give me that look. If you knew how to switch a computer on properly you would try and do the same thing. Now let's move on. What are you going to do about miss Miller?
Bryan: I don't know yet.
Tech: Well I personally think you should call her. Hook up. Then decide what you are going to do based on what she says.
Bryan: I can't believe I am going to say this.. But I may take your advice here Tech. Gives me a chance to find out whether she is a cold killer or just a victim looking for redemption.
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In a blackened room a nervous looking Cesar Malvez can be seen pacing back and forth. Several noises can be heard in the background indicating a commotion. Just then the door to the room swings open and two men walk into the room. One of which is wearing a sharp suit and walking with a cane whilst the other is wearing an all black attire of a black T-Shirt and Black Jeans. As the man in black shuts the door behind him Cesar takes a step backwards. The man in the suit then begins to talk in a British accent.
??: Cesar, Please tell me you are not fearful of me. I mean no ill will towards you or your colleagues for that matter. It's just they chose to react with hostility and we responded in kind.
Cesar: Look man. We have done nothing to you. Please don't kill us.
??: Unfortunately you comrades out there have already reached their expiration dates. Like I said Hostile actions require a hostile response. Now let's have a chat shall we?
Cesar: OK
??: You recently attacked a man known as Frank Carnell is that correct? And the only reason you got out of a prison sentence was because of an alibi?
Cesar nods his head nervously.
??: Now I personally think Frank is a deplorable human being for the business he runs and I am glad someone taught him the errors of his ways. However that does not hide the fact that Frank owed me some money. See I bank rolled Frank a long while ago and he has been paying me back in installments. So imagine my surprise when I found out all of his money was donated to charity. So not only is Frank dead but there is no money what so every for me to take back. Why is that Cesar?
Cesar: Look man. We hurt Frank but the money that wasn't us.
??: Then who was it. And please do not give me this whole guardian angel speech which one of your associates gave a cop.
Cesar: He was just a man. A man who said he wanted Frank to face justice. Justice for all his crimes including what he did to my son.
??: Where can I find this hero?
Cesar: I don't know.
The man in the suit smiles sinisterly before nodding to his associate. The man in Black then quickly punches Cesar hard in the gut before following up with a hard punch to the face. Cesar collapses to the floor and his nose is bleeding as the man in the suit crouches down next to him.
Cesar: Look man, I don't know he got in contact with me.
??: Now that is interesting. The man must have a few police connections to discover that information.
With that the man in the suit stands up.
??: This man. I'd wager he is the same who attacked Kendall and his little group. A have a go hero so to speak. Cesar you have been most helpful.
The man in the suit then extends his arm to the grounded Cesar. Cesar looks very hesitant as the man offers to pull him up.
??: It's OK Cesar. I am not going to hurt you.
The man helps Cesar to his feet and Cesar appears to be a little relieved as the man in the suit walks over to the door.
??: Unfortunately the same cannot be said for my associate.
As The man in the suit finishes his sentence in the man in black quickly grabs Cesar round the neck before snapping it quickly. Cesar's body falls to the floor as the two men then slowly walk out of the door.
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Inside a fancy restaurant a nervous looking Bryan can be seen sitting at a table drinking a glass of water. Bryan is dressed up quite smart which makes a change for his normal look. As Bryan begins to look round at some of the other people in the restaurant his phone begins to buzz. A look at the screen indicates it is one Brett Carter who is phoning him. Bryan pauses for a moment before putting his phone down opting to ignore the call.
??: I actually was wondering whether you was going to show up.
Bryan looks up to find Caroline Johnson standing at the table. Bryan then smiles as she sits opposite him.
Bryan: I thought the same about you to be honest Abigail.
Caroline looks shocked.
Caroline: You know my name? How?
Bryan: research. Like you said last time I made a few assumptions when I did not really know who you was.
Caroline: Well you should know I changed my name and I will be keeping it now as Caroline Johnson.
Bryan nods
Caroline: Now am I correct in saying your name is Bryan Lewis?
Bryan: And you know my name.
Caroline: Like you said. Research. I also know you are ex military and that since you have come back home a mysterious vigilante has killed several criminals.
Bryan: And I know that you have killed at least five men.
Caroline: I just did what I had to do. Like yourself in that way. They were all deserving of what come to them.
Bryan: Why use a hammer this time?
Caroline looks confused.
Bryan: All the others were made to look accidental. Your first husband you made it look like went on a bad trip and jumped in front of a train. Then the others had a car crash, a heart attack and a boiler explosion. What made this last one so different?
Caroline: Because this last one was supposed to be it for me. I wanted to change and you can choose to not believe me here but I wanted to stop killing. All them others were thugs. They treated women like dirt so I showed them. Peter was supposed to be different. Yet when he had a drink he was just as bad as the rest of them. He come at me with the hammer accused me of cheating on him and I was able to take it from him.
Bryan nods his head.
Bryan: I have to ask this. You normally run after the crime is committed. Why haven't you this time?
Caroline: Because I met you.
Bryan: What do you mean?
Caroline: We are truly alike. We don't fit into the modern society because of what we have done. Because of what is inside. So to keep ourselves calm we put limits out there. But together the masks can come off.
With that Caroline reaches over and grabs Bryan's hand. Both stare at one another for a second before Bryan leans over the table and gives her a kiss. Just then the waiter walks over to the table.
Waiter: Are you ready to order?
A smiling Caroline nods her head as Bryan also smiles.
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It is 6:30 in the morning and Bryan Lewis can be seen in the kitchen of his home drinking a fruit smoothie when suddenly there is a knock at his door. Bryan slowly begins to walk to his front door when the knocks turn into a bang. Bryan opens the door and a angry Brett Carter walks straight past him into the house.
Bryan: Well good morning to you to.
Brett: So just to let you know. We looked into the wife using good old police work and we now have enough evidence to charge her for the murder of her husband. But in this time me and another officer have been tailing her. Including seeing her share a table and a snog with mysterious man. Now I have to admit that man looked very familiar to me. Because it was you. What the fuck are thinking?
Bryan: I was..... Investigating.
Brett: Investigating what? Her tonsils. So not only now do we have surveillance photos of you two together but add that photo to the descriptions we have of the vigilante and soon someone is going to put two and two together. How can you be so stupid?
Bryan: She means nothing to me. I was looking into whether it was a crime of passion or whether she was a sociopath.
Brett: And you had to do that by going home with her? for fuck sake Bryan. The police officer I was with Parker saw you talk to me outside the house a few days a go. She now keeps asking where she has seen your face from before. You may have just made yourself a suspect. Which in turn will incriminate me.
Bryan: Look I'm sorry. So what it happening with Caroline?
Brett: Are you sure I can tell you this?
Bryan: Of course you can. Like I said I was investigating. Since when have I ever let you down?
Brett: Later on today. We are going to do a raid of the house. We'll search for the murder weapon and we will take her into the station. So you do not have to worry about assisting like you did with Carnell.
Bryan nods his head.
Brett: So seriously. Be more careful. I mean for goodness sake you was dating a killer. Then again she was as well technically. But either way use your head for once and don't do anything stupid like this again.
Bryan: I won't
Brett: Alright then. When this is over I will let you know how things got one.
Bryan nods his head once more and with that Brett walks out of the house closing the door behind. Bryan then goes back over to his kitchen table and sits down on a chair for a few seconds. As he sits there he looks down at his mobile phone for a few seconds before he picks it up and begins to make a phone call.
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The loud unmistakable sounds of police sirens can be heard as a series of police cars race down this road before pulling up outside the home of Caroline Johnson. As a bunch of officers climb out their cars including Brett Carter and Sarah Parker an officer in a Black SWAT attire kicks the door open. All the officers then rush inside the house as one of them shouts POLICE, RAISE YOUR ARMS IN THE AIR. However on entering the house it is clear that it has been emptied and there is no sign of Caroline Johnson. An irate Brett Carter punches the wall in frustration.
Brett: She's gone. Dammit.
Parker: She must have planned to run away this whole time.
Brett: Play the innocent widow act long enough for us to back off and then flee. The captain will not be happy to heard about this.
Parker: Well we may as well get back to the station and let him know as the rest here search for any evidence.
Brett nods his head and both he and Parker leave the house before hopping into one of the cars.
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Back at the police station Brett Carter and Sarah Parker are sitting inside the office of Martin Johnson. Johnson can be heard outside the office talking to someone on the phone and once he is finished he walks back inside.
Martin: So Caroline Johnson has escaped.
Brett: Unfortunately yes.
Martin: Well I have put all the airports on notice in case she tries to flee. That is of course if she hasn't already managed to escape.
Parker: She seemed to have this all planned out from the beginning.
Martin: I'll add her to the board but for now we have a more pressing issue to discuss.
Brett: What is that?
Martin: remember Cesar Malvez? Him and his gang were suspected of killing Frank Carnell and they attributed it to a guardian angel.
Parker: Yes.
Martin: Well that Guardian Angel didn't save them as earlier today Malvez and his gang were all murdered.
Carter and Parker looked shocked.
Brett: What happened?
Martin: Cesar had his neck snapped whilst several others were shot and two were stabbed with a sword which matches the sword used to kill Kendall collins.
Brett: So the guy who killed Kendall now has killed Cesar.
Martin: Guys you mean. One of Cesar's men made it to the hospital and he said there was two men.
Brett: Two men taking down street gangs. Now that is crazy.
Martin: It is worse then what you are thinking Brett. See before he died all Francisco Villapov could keep saying is El Senor. Which translated means the lord. However when I spoke to the nurse who happened to speak Spanish. What he was really saying is The Gentleman.
Brett and Parker looked shocked.
Parker: So The Gentleman is real?
Martin: It appears so unfortunately. Now for the minute as you can understand the mayor has asked me to put Johnson and the vigilante on the back burner for the second so we can focus on the Gentleman. Now I want you two to be leading the case is that alright with you?
Both Brett and Parker nod.
Martin: I always hoped I would never have to do this. But if you follow me now I have set up a room detailing every mention made of the Gentleman this station has had to deal with.
Martin then leads both Parker and Carter through the station to this conference room. Inside the room on all the walls are a series of boards detailing all manners of crimes from murder, extortion, drugs. On the large table are multiple stacks of files with the word Gentleman printed on the front. the closing image is of Martin then handing both of them a file each to begin with.
Cast (In order of appearance)
Jeffrey Pierce as Brett Carter
Elisha Cuthbert as Sarah Parker
Bret Harrison as Peter Johnson
Laura Vandervoort as Caroline Johnson
Alex O'Loughlin as Bryan Lewis
Jay Ryan as Tech
Amaury Nolasco as Cesar Malvez
Barry Sloane as The Gentleman
Jason Isaacs as Gentleman's Henchman
Logan Huffman as Waiter
Scott Caan as Martin Johnson