Lewis
5 missing persons cases in the past month.
Lewis
All of them young women.
Lewis
All of them taken from their beds in the middle of the night.
Lewis
The crime scenes suggest that a struggle ensued.
Lewis, my partner, sits across from me at the precinct.
We brief each other on new cases every day…
But this one feels especially eerie.
I look down at the crime scene photos in the report folder.
Bloody streaks on the walls…
A chill goes down my spine.
Sandra
Whoever’s been doing this has been busy.
Lewis seems to notice my discomfort.
Lewis
No bodies have been found…
Lewis
So the victims may still be alive.
I flip to the photos of the missing women.
They each have straight brown hair…
And round eyes that gaze warmly into the camera.
My fingers move to my own brown hair, wound up into a tight bun—
They all look just like me.
A wave of fear pushes through me.
I flip further through the folder, trying to brush off the feeling.
Sandra
We have a suspect?
Lewis
Yep. Bill Curtis, a 60-year-old male.
Lewis
He’s had restraining orders against him for stalking in the past.
Lewis
And he lives in a 10-mile radius of all of the women.
It’s right near where I live.
Sandra
I’ll go search his house.
Sandra
I know the area well.
Lewis
We don’t have a warrant.
Sandra
I’ll just say I’m interviewing everyone in the area.
Lewis
It’s dangerous, Sandra.
Lewis
You live right by him.
Sandra
Are you doubting my ability to protect myself?
Sandra
Did I not train in the academy as long as you did?
Lewis
I’m sorry Sandra, but this just isn’t a job for a woman.
Lewis
I’m not putting you at risk with a dangerous suspect.
Sandra
I deal with dangerous suspects all the time.
Lewis holds up the photos of the victims.
Lewis
His targets look just like you.
Lewis
If he IS the criminal, he’ll just see you as another victim.
Lewis
We’re putting Officer Martin on the case instead.
I can’t stand being disrespected.
My face burns as I close the folder.
Sandra
I’ll go give this folder to Officer Martin then.
Lewis
Why don’t you take a break, too?
With one last glare at Lewis…
Lewis hasn’t realized that he made one mistake…
He didn’t tell me WHERE I should take my break.
I sit in my car outside of Bill Curtis’ small, broken down home.
So Lewis thinks a girl can’t take this guy down?
I try to ignore the alarm bells ringing in my head.
I’m not supposed to work alone.
But someone needs to save these girls.
I knock…and the door creaks open.
A weathered, hunched-over man stands in the doorway.
He eyes me…and a smile flickers across his lips.
Bill
How can I help you, beautiful?
I flash my police badge to him.
Sandra
My name is Officer Perez.
Sandra
I’m investigating some missing persons in this area.
I try to see past him, into the house…
But it’s almost pitch-black inside—
All of the windows are boarded up.
Sandra
I’m asking everyone in the neighborhood a few questions.
Sandra
Do you have a moment to talk?
Bill opens his door wider.
His dark, rotting teeth almost send me back to my car.
Sandra
I don’t need to come inside—
Sandra
I just want to ask you a few questions.
Bill
I’ll make you some tea.
I don’t know what this guy is capable of.
But inside is the only place I’ll find evidence against him…
So I follow him into the darkness.
And goes to the kitchen to find some tea.
I quickly search for anything I can use as evidence against him—
Clothing, hair, traces of blood—
He stands in the doorway, holding 2 cups of tea.
Sandra
Just…finding a place to sit.
I brush the clutter on the couch aside and take a seat.
I place the tea on the coffee table.
There’s no way I’m drinking that.
Sandra
Have you heard about the girls that have gone missing?
Bill
They each had such bright futures.
Sandra
Did you notice any disturbances the night of the 25th?
He flashes another awful smile at me…
Bill
Nothing disturbed me, Sandra.
Sandra
What did you call me?
Sandra
I haven’t told you my first name.
Bill leans forward, menacingly.
Bill
I know more about you than you think.
For the first time, I notice how massive he is.
Bill
You live around here, correct?
Bill
You pass my house on your way home from work.
Bill draws one from his belt faster.
I put my hands up in fear.
Bill
You drive faster when you’ve had a long day.
I look around for a way out.
But all the windows are boarded up.
He roughly grabs my arms…
And restrains them behind me.
He takes my gun out of its holster and places it out of reach.
Bill
I’ve been watching you, Sandra.
Bill
And I’ve wanted you here for a long time.
Bill
What would be the perfect trap to get Sandra to come to my house…alone?
Bill
You’re stubborn as a bull.
Bill
And your partner Lewis, always underestimates you, doesn’t he?
Bill
So I kidnapped 5 women who look just like you.
My eyes well with terrified tears.
Sandra
You’re not going to get away with this.
Bill
I think I already have.
He cackles loudly, mocking me.
Bill
They’ve been down in the basement for 2 weeks.
Bill
But I’m happy to let them go…
Bill
Now that I have you to take their place.
I struggle in his grasp, unable to break free.
Little does he know, my taser is in my back pocket.
With my arms restrained, I carefully reach into my pocket…
And pray that this electrocutes him and not me.
I swiftly turn around and snap my wrist restraints off with pure adrenaline.
He stands and hurdles toward me, swinging his fists.
I grab his fist, inches before it meets my eye.
And with a loud, painful crack…
He falls to his knees with a piercing scream.
Sandra
I’m so sick of people underestimating me, Bill.
I push him to the floor and handcuff his broken arms together.
Bill
I’ll get you, Sandra!
I push him back down with my foot…
Pressing his cheek to the ground.
Sandra
It’s cute that you think that.
Sandra
But unfortunately, you’re going away for a long time.
Sandra
And I’m just the woman to put you there.
Newspaper headline
All 5 missing women found alive.
Newspaper headline
Officer Sandra Perez is promoted to lieutenant for her heroic capture of Bill Curtis.
