DARREN REYNOLDS' PENTHOUSE

Darren Reynolds adjusts the alignment of cardboard boxes in the empty bedroom for a fifth time before finally deciding to take a break. His life for the past three and half years, lying in boxes in a corner.

He can't believe he quit his job. What the hell is he supposed to do now? And how is he supposed to afford this apartment, especially with his roommate Alec living with his mother again.

He's gonna need another job, and soon. His uncle's law firm was one of the best in Illinois, yes, but he certainly has his fair share of competitors. One of them has to want Darren as a new hire. He'd be invaluable.

A knock at his door interrupts the spinning wheels in Darren's brain. He sighs and backs out of the room, approaching the door.

" Jessica," Darren says, greeting her at the door. "What's up?"

"I'm doing it," Jessica says, barging in. "I'm getting a divorce from Alec. I'm here to sign the papers."

Darren frowns. "That was quick. Who'd you go and see?"

Jessica diverts her eyes from Darren's gaze and instead goes to the kitchen counter, setting her purse down and removing the divorce papers. "No one important. I just want to get this over with. All of this back and forth and shit I've been dealing with since high school, I'm over it."

"All right then," Darren says, nodding. "You need a pen?"

Jessica shakes her head. "I've got one."

She quickly scribbles her signature onto the corresponding pages of the legal document. Then she slides it across the counter to Darren.

"Make sure Alec gets this," Jessica says, snatching up her purse and breezing out as quickly as she'd arrived.

HANLEY HOME

Alec Bale takes a sip from the glass of bourbon he was eventually offered by Michael Hanley. He can hardly believe his life has come to this — clandestine meetings in the Hanley mansion.

It's almost like Alec is in a noir film. Or possibly, Vince's everyday life.

"That sounds reasonable," Michael says. "You must have gotten those brains from my sister."

Alec sets his glass down and looks away.

"Does it make you uncomfortable, me referring to you as my nephew?" Michael says. "Because that's what you are. You've officially turned your back on Robert. You've wised up. The man is a monster. So embrace your true heritage as a Hanley."

"So I can end up a burnout like Matt, or your little lapdog like Vince?" Alec says. "I'll pass."

"Then maybe you don't think my idea is so good anymore."

"No, I do!" Alec says, protesting. "I just...I'm not a Hanley. I don't know what the hell I am, but I'm nothing like you. Robert deserves what he has coming."

"Now that is something we can both agree on," Michael says, extending a hand.

As Alec shoots his own hand forward to shake Michael's, the door to the study opens. Alec quickly draws his hand back and turns to the doorway, finding Vince standing only a few feet from them.

"Akilah told me you were here," Vince says, glancing at Michael suspiciously. "Did you come to bother Jessica?"

"Jessica's here?" Alec says, surprised. "Where is she? Can I —"

"She's gone," Vince says. "What's going on in here?"

"Just catching up with my nephew," Michael says, resting a hand on Alec's shoulder before going out the room. "Excuse me."

Vince glances over his shoulder at Michael exiting, then turns back to Alec. Alec tries to follow Michael out, but Vince holds up a hand to stop him.

"You were shaking hands with Michael," Vince says. "Why?"

"It has nothing to do with you," Alec says, shoving Vince. "And stop pretending like we're friends."

"We used to be. Back when you used to act like a sane person who didn't go around shooting people and asking Michael to help me get revenge on my father!"

Alec's eyes go wide. "What? How do you..."

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Vince says. "When I figured out Derek was responsible for killing my father — or at least, when I thought he'd killed my father, who do you think I went to? Why do I think I ended up living in this mansion? Don't become me, Alec."

"You seem to be doing just fine for yourself."

"Don't become what I was, Alec," Vince says. "Don't give into that darkness."

"I've been through so much more than you could ever imagine," Alec says, tears forming in his eyes. "And everyone just keeps telling me to get over it!"

Vince steps forward to embrace Alec, and for a few seconds, Alec contemplates letting his tears flow freely and hugging his former best friend long enough to make things feel better. If only for a few moments.

But he can't. He shoves Vince away and quickly wipes the tears from his eyes. "I told you to stay the fuck away from me," Alec says, storming out of the office.



ST. THOMAS CHURCH

Father Thomas Grady types on the keyboard in his office, feeling his fingers cramping from what seems like hours of typing. Ever since his last encounter with Akilah Moore, he has felt compelled to do all of the research he can.

There wasn't enough information within the church archives, most of the old records had been destroyed in the great Chicago fire. Or rather, that was the official news report.

Never mind the fact that the fire shouldn't have traveled that far into Marquette Cove from Chicago, and that the fire happened more than a few days later.

Luckily for Father Grady, you can find almost everything on Google. Some people really have nothing better to do than transcribe old tomes and put them on their personal websites.

"Got it," Father Grady says, gasping at the information that comes up on the computer screen. "It's...it's far more dangerous than I could have imagined. I thought he was dead! I have to warn Jamie..."

Father Grady picks up his office phone to dial his brother. He has to contact him as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it goes straight to voicemail. "Jamie, it's me. I have something so important to tell you..."

Almost as hastily as he made the phone call, Father Grady slams down the phone. He can't leave a message. Anyone else could hear it...e-mail. He has to send an e-mail, it should go to his Blackberry.

He pulls up his mail inbox and quickly goes to compose a message to his brother. Jamie, I know what happened to Akilah when she was missing. I know why her cell phone was lying in the bushes, and I know why the crucifix fell off the wall when she was in my office at the high school --

Father Grady stops when the phone on his desk rings. He picks it up. "Jamie?"

No, it's someone else. It's him.

"Yes, I know what you did to Akilah! How did you know that I knew?"

Father Grady listens to the man's voice, disgusted by his arrogance. "Yeah, you're smart but you're not that smart. You made one mistake, they always do. And I'm going to expose you. I'm going straight to the police and I'm telling them everything!"

He slams down the phone and goes to the door, hearing the phone ring once again. Terrified, he goes back to his desk and unplugs the phone before racing to the door.

As he reaches his office door and pulls it open, he's startled by who he finds outside, staring at him.

"Oh my God," Father Grady gasps. "It's you!"