Malcolm Bright

Neal hangs onto the remote for several silent minutes, staring at the TV, mind almost blank with anxiety. Finally, impulsively, he lifts the remote and pushes play.

Ellen's face pops onto the screen, but it's not Ellen as he last saw her. It's grainy, monochrome, the Ellen of his childhood through the filter of formerly-high-quality recording equipment.

He's transfixed.

"Neal. It may be a while before you get to see this, so I'll just start from the beginning. I was your father's partner in the Washington, D.C., Metro police department. I, uh... I'm still trying to make sense of this week..."

She stops. Half-smiles, but sadly. "This year, really. I'm making this tape, hoping it finds its way to you. In case you don't get to see me or your father again."

Another pause. "That's the first time I've said that out loud. By now, I assume you know that your father's been accused of a very serious crime. He told me he was innocent, and I believed him. I've worked with him a long time. He's no killer, Neal. The man I know can't be."

There's uncertainty in her eyes, but only for a moment.

"After he was arrested, your dad told me that our department is filled with dirty cops and they set him up. So I've spent the last few months running down leads, trying to back up his story. And he's right about one thing. There are dirty cops... a lot of them. But did they set him up? I thought maybe they had. And then yesterday, your father confessed to the murder."

She fidgets, a woman whose world is coming apart, trying to be strong because she's the only one left to do it. "I tried to talk to him, but all anyone will tell me is that he turned state's evidence and you, your Mom, and I are being placed into Witness Protection. All the information I've found on the others since James' arrest... Only me, your father, and one other cop know about it. And the other cop... I'm not gonna tell you his name for his own safety. He works undercover. He's a good man."

She lifts a black metal filing box into the view of the camera, forcing another small smile. "I'm giving this to him. I'm gonna keep this box safe. And, Neal, if it you need it..." She sets down the box and holds up the chain of her necklace, revealing a large locket, plain in every respect. "The key inside this locket will lead you to it."

She lets the necklace fall. "The marshals are shipping us out soon. I've requested to be placed near you and your Mom. And they say there's a good chance, given the circumstances. Know this... I will do everything I can to keep you safe."

She tears up, barely bites her lip, then tries for a smile. Leaning forward to hover a hand over the stop button. "Goodbye, Neal... Until we meet again."

The tapes goes to static. Neal watches the static for a moment, eyes brimming, before hitting rewind to play the whole thing again.