Post by matt on Mar 22, 2022 9:40:15 GMT -6
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Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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“The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams has been betrayed in the past. She has been used and manipulated in the past. Needless to say, this eccentric psychopath has some major trust issues as a result. There are few people who the deranged ginger feels she can truly place her trust in. Among that elite few is her identical twin sister Marie Annabelle Jones. Identical twin siblings are known to share a stronger bond than other siblings. In the case of Kimberly Williams, this is even more true. When Williams was locked away in a mental institution, no one from her family would visit her. Her entire family was prepared to let her rot away and ignore her, pretend she never existed; except for Marie. Kimberly’s identical twin was not prepared to give up on her that easily. Marie was the only one willing to reach out and try to help Kim overcome her issues. Marie went to bat and defended Kim before the rest of the family. Marie is responsible for Kim being accepted back into the family. Kimberly remembers this and has always been eternally grateful for her kindness. Kimberly trusts Marie.
This afternoon Kimberly finds herself in the waiting room of the Morgan & Morgan Law Firm in Boston, Massachusetts. She is clearly bored and definitely not dressed for the occasion. The eccentric ginger is dressed in torn denim jeans, flip flops, and a black crop top shirt with the word “Evil” printed on the front. Her head is resting in her hand and she sighs out of frustration as boredom is clearly expressed on her face. Williams would not be here were it not for her twin sister, Marie. Kimberly trusts Marie infinitely but that does not mean she always likes her ideas. In this case she most definitely does not like the idea, but she is here with Marie nevertheless. Marie sits next to her in the waiting room dressed in a knee length black skirt, a red sweater, black high heel pumps, and her signature black leather jacket.
“Can we leave? This is boring. I’d rather watch paint peel…or peel the skin off of someone’s face…” Kimberly says, complaining. Marie sighs and pats her sister on the leg.
“No we can’t. We need to see attorney James Morgan.”
“Why?”
“We’ve been through this already. James Morgan is the attorney who worked with our uncle Douglas. We’re going to use him to help get our Uncle Douglas exonerated, or at least get his sentence reduced.”
Kimberly recently came into a lot of money upon the death of her manager Sorinah Floreschu, who died without any immediate family. With some suspicious and shady tactics from Kim, everything was left to her. The first person who stepped up to be Kimberly’s financial advisor did not work out. Then again, you have to be a special kind of person to be able to work with The Woman Scorned. Marie knows how Kimberly works, and Kimberly trusts Marie, so Kim agreed to let Marie handle her finances. It was Marie’s suggestion that they use some of the newfound wealth to fund a new appeal on behalf of their uncle Douglas Williams, who is spending time in prison for murder.
“Good luck with that. I spoke with Doug, remember? He told me he confessed. So I kinda doubt anyone, no matter how good the attorney is, will get him exonerated.”
“He can get the sentence reduced if he can prove that Douglas was not the sole perpetrator of the crimes. And wouldn’t that be great for our family? We could prove that our family, at least the Williams side of the family, has been done wrong and painted in a bad light for far too long. Getting uncle Doug exonerated is just the first step.”
“Great idea, sis, except for one problem; the only other person perpetrating those crimes was our dad!”
Marie nods her head. “I know but Jimmy Morgan here doesn’t have to know that. We just provide him with the evidence we have, only the evidence that proves our uncle is not the only perpetrator of the murders. We just leave out the evidence of our dad’s involvement. My private investigator already found plenty of witnesses that are willing to retract their testimony.”
By this time Kimberly is growing more and more frustrated. She isn’t sure what Marie’s game is. So Williams decides to be blunt with it. “Look, our uncle Douglas was a murderer. Whether he killed all of those women or just a few, the fact is that he IS a murderer. Why do you care if he’s still in prison? Why should we lift a finger to help a murderer?”
Kimberly stares intensely into her twin’s eyes. Marie then reaches out and places a hand on her shoulders. She smiles warmly which immediately disarms Kimberly. “If I recall, there was a certain sister of mine who was locked up because of crazy criminal acts she perpetrated.”
“That’s different…”
“Is it? Kim, everyone in the family told me I was crazy for trying to get through to you. Everyone told me I was wasting my time trying to help you. If I had listened to them you would still be locked away in that mental institution. But I didn’t listen to them because I knew you had changed. And here you are, a productive member of society. I think that our uncle Douglas can be a productive member of society too. Besides, we should always help our family.”
“I’m still not sure about this, Marie. I mean, I admit that when I spoke to Doug it seemed as if he had changed. But aunt Cynthia…” Kimberly sighs deeply and shakes her head, clearly distressed over this whole affair “...she ran all the way up to freaking Alaska to get away from the attention that Doug’s crimes brought. Do you really think she wants more spotlight brought upon the family?”
“Yeah, she ran off to Alaska and changed her name. And she’s done such a good job of falling off the face of the earth that no one except you and I know who she really is. Do you think that anyone would figure it out just because our uncle gets some time knocked off his sentence? It’s not like we’re doing some kind of grand Netflix docuseries or some shit like that. We’re not even mentioning aunt Cynthia. This is just about Doug and trying to get his sentence reduced.”
“Whatever you say, Marie. I’m just going on record that this may be a bad idea.”
“Noted.” Marie grins at Kim. “Also may I add that you are well behaved today…which is rather odd in and of itself. Is anything wrong?”
“Me? Odd? Never!” Kim shrugs her shoulders. “I’m just nervous is all. I mean, Sorinah falls over dead and I suddenly get left with all of this cash, more cash than I know what to do with. I’m just lucky I have you to help me manage my money.”
“No problem, Kim. And trust me, this will be a good investment.”
“Do I still get to build a zoo and have lions and tigers and bears oh my?!” Kim asks with an excited grin on her face. Her eccentric, uplifting attitude seems to be returning which makes Marie feel better. A return to normal is always a good thing.
“Yes, you will still get your zoo. I promised you would and I always keep my promises don’t I? This project here is just the first phase. So many people think the Williams family is cursed just because of one incident a long time ago.”
“In fairness it was a bunch of incidents in which our uncle and father brutally slashed women to death.”
Marie rolls her eyes. “Right, but the point is that people can change. Also you cannot judge an entire family based on one incident perpetrated by one person. This is about putting the Williams name into a brighter, better, more positive light. First we prove to the world that our uncle Douglas was not the single solitary monster responsible for all of this.”
“Then we build the zoo?!” Kim says clapping her hands excitedly. Marie nods her head.
“Yes, then comes the zoo. But it will be more of a rescue than a zoo. Sure, we will let people come see and visit the animals but we will educate about the conservation of these animals. Charity work, Kim, is what will repair the tarnished Williams name.”
Kimberly nods her head in solidarity with her sister’s plan. Kimberly just cares about getting her zoo. She does kind of want to know what Marie is up to regarding their uncle Douglas but that doesn’t matter right now. A few moments later and they spot the door to the attorney’s office. A man in a brown suit emerges. He walks across the room and immediately Marie stands up and greets him with a hand shake.
“Hello, I am James Morgan. I was the defense attorney who handled your uncle’s case.”
“Yes, I’m his niece, Marie Annabelle Jones. And this…” before Marie can finish her thoughts, Kimberly jumps up and embraces the attorney in a tight hug. She breaks the hug and then pats him on the head as if he were a puppy.
“And I am Kimberly Williams, I’m not ashamed to keep the surname that is attached so many brutal slayings in Massachusetts! Hoo-rah!”
“Right…” James seems rather disconcerted with Kimberly’s unique personality. Marie, for her part, tries to hide her embarrassment. “...so, why don’t you join me in my office and we can discuss exactly what information you have and what you want?”
The attorney motions for the twins to follow him. He leads them towards his office. James enters first followed by Marie and then Kimberly bringing up the rear, skipping along happily as she goes. James motions to some seats by his desk.
“Please, take a seat.”
“Take it where?” Kim asks. The attorney rolls his eyes.
“Just sit down, Ms. Williams.
“Isn’t this great, Marie? He can already tell us apart!”
“Well that isn’t too difficult, sis.” Marie says with a chuckle. “I’m actually dressed appropriate for this. Plus you are…well…”
“Nuts?” Kim asks. Marie smirks.
“I was going to say unique.”
Kimberly sits down in one of the chairs. Then Marie sits down next to her. The attorney sits down at his desk and leans forward. He is ready to get down to business. He doesn’t expect much out of this. He remembers the Douglas Williams murder trial all too well. He knows the facts and findings of the case. He doesn’t think anything these two can provide will save Douglas. But he has no problem taking their money and giving it a shot.
“So, ladies, as you know I handled your uncle’s murder trial. I was his defense attorney for that trial so I know the facts and findings of the case very well. I know it better than anyone, except maybe Mr. Williams himself. That being said I am willing to help you but out of principle I have to let you know that the likelihood of anything changing the outcome in any way is slim to none. I say this because I know you did specifically bring up the notion of an appeal when you contacted me, correct Ms. Jones?”
“That is correct and I understand how damning the whole situation was, I underst how bad things look for our uncle, but I believe my sister and I do have some rather groundbreaking new evidence and information that could at the very least get his sentence reduced on appeal.”
Attorney James Morgan sighs. “You do realize that he confessed? I was basically just fighting for your uncle’s life, fighting to help him avoid the death penalty.”
“That’s what I told her but does she listen to me?” Kim says, shaking her head. “Noooooo…” Marie waves her sister off.
“Yes, we understand that, but I have evidence that suggests he was pressured into confessing. Also many of those witnesses at the trial who identified him are prepared to retract that testimony. They are looking at pictures of our uncle from back in the day and they are no longer certain that the man they saw at the scene was our uncle.”
“Really?” The attorney is skeptical. Nevertheless his curiosity is peaked. “How did you manage that?”
“I hired a private investigator.” Marie grins knowingly. “A good one.”
“Yeah, an old friend of mine who may or may not be a vampire died recently and left her entire estate to me!” Kimberly chimes in happily. “Now I’m fucking loaded with cash out of my ass! So we figured what the hell? Let’s try and get our murderous uncle outta prison! After that we are gonna build a zoo!”
“Hush, Kim!” Marie scolds.
“C’mon, Marie, what is he gonna do? Ol’ Jimmy here is an attorney. He’ll defend Satan himself to make a quick buck. He’ll fight to get our uncle released for the right price.” Kim winks at the attorney. “Am I right, Jimmy? Can I call you Jimmy?”
“No…”
“Jimmy it is then!”
“Look, Ms. Jones…Ms. Williams…I am not going to sugarcoat any of this. Will I take this case? Yes, I will. Even though I am convinced that the court got it right, your uncle probably is the one and only killer, I would be willing to take the case AGAIN and see if I can get his sentence reduced. But my services will be expensive…”
“See?!” Kim triumphantly declares. “Everybody’s got a price! Wait, I heard that somewhere before but where?”
“...AS I was saying…my services will be expensive because trying to clear your uncle’s name will be extremely difficult. Besides, having you for a client won’t exactly help matters,” he points to Kim “Ms. Williams.”
“Me?!” Kim asks feigning innocence. “What did I do?”
“I have done my homework on you before taking you and your sister on as clients. The story attached to the two of you is almost forgotten but I still managed to find out. I found out about how you were incarcerated in a mental institution for a time, Ms. Williams. You were put away for kidnapping your twin sister Marie and then you proceeded to replace her. You lived her life, pretending to be her, while she was locked away in a basement.”
Kim sighs, sounding defeated as the attorney brings up this bad memory. Marie then speaks up. “Look, Mr. Morgan, I can explain…”
“Please do. Why would you want to help your sister after what she did?”
“It’s just that. She IS my sister. More than that, she is my twin sister. And I always stand by my family. She was hurting, she was mentally ill and needed help, not condemnation. I provided that help. And that’s what Kim and I are trying to do for our uncle. He needs help, not condemnation. Now if you are willing to provide the help, like Kim said we have money. That isn’t the problem. But are you willing to do your part to help?”
James sighs and nods his head. “Very well. Do you have any of the information with you so that I may get started?”
“Yes.” Marie hands him a piece of paper. “This is a list of the witnesses my private investigator contacted who are prepared to retract their earlier testimony.”
“Excellent. I will start by contacting them myself to confirm this. I will call you again when we are ready to proceed.” The attorney rises to his feet. He extends his hand.
“Sounds good.” Marie stands up and shakes his hand. The attorney turns and offers his hand to Kim. Kim tries to bite at it but he jumps back. Kim giggles playfully and then waves.
“Bye, Jimmy!” Marie takes Kim by her arm and drags her out of the attorney’s office. Once outside of his office and back in the waiting room. Kim turns to Marie and grins from ear to ear. “I like him! Can we take him home?”
“No.” Marie says emphatically. Kim folds her arms over her chest and frowns.
“Poo!”
“We just need to let him do his work, ok Kim?”
“Sure. But, uh, Marie…?”
“Yes?”
“Did you mean what you said in there? About helping me, about helping family and all that?”
“Of course I meant it.” Marie says with a sincere smile on her face. “Kim, you are and always will be my sister. No matter what you have done in the past, you will be my sister always. And nothing you have done can change that. And just I said, just because you did something bad doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of change. You’ve proven that, Kim. Douglas is capable of change too. This Williams family is capable of change.” She pats her on the back. “And you are going to be the symbol of that change, sis.”
A sense of warmth washes across Kimberly. When she first got here she thought that this was a bad idea. She thought that trying to exonerate Douglas, or even get his sentence reduced, was a bad idea. But maybe Marie is right? Maybe Douglas is worthy of another chance? If Kim is worthy of a second chance, then why not her uncle Douglas?
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Nashville, TN
Off Camera
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Currently it is morning in Nashville. Kimberly is in her hotel room at the Millennium Maxwell House. The deranged ginger is sitting up in her king sized bed wearing a pink unicorn onesie. Just then there is a loud banging at the door. It isn’t exactly a knocking sound, it is more like the sound of something running into the door. Williams takes her Television Title belt and approaches the door to her hotel room. The deranged ginger opens it up and standing there is her trusty Dalek, behind the homicidal pepper shaker is none other than Kim’s identical twin sister Marie Annabelle Jones.
“I WOKE UP THE HUMAN FLESH CREATURE KNOWN AS MARIE JONES AS YOU REQUESTED!”
“And you did it without exterminating her!” Kim pats it on its chrome dome top. “I am so proud of you!”
“Did you really have to send the drone to wake me up?” Marie says, looking rather annoyed. Jones isn’t exactly a morning person as it is but being woken up early makes it worse. Marie is dressed in denim jeans, black boots, a red sweater, and her signature black leather jacket.
“Yay!” Kim says, clapping happily. Marie just shakes her head.
“But, uh, we should leave. Our car will arrive soon to take us to the airport. In the meantime I want to talk about Uncle Douglas.”
“Oh, you mean the murderer? Do we have to talk about him? That conversation is always kind of a downer. I mean, the whole killing people stuff is depressing.”
Look, I know you don’t think trying to help our uncle is a good idea. Sure, he did kill people, but if there is evidence that proves he took the rap for someone else’s crime, then why should he serve the time? If he didn’t do the crime he shouldn’t do the time.”
Kim grins from ear to ear. “I like it when you rhyme.”
“My point is that he is family and if he is innocent of some of these crimes he was convicted for then we should do whatever we can to exonerate him.”
Kim shakes her head. The Woman Scorned isn’t convinced. “Marie, I get what you’re saying. And you’re right, Uncle Douglas is innocent of some of those crimes. But he’s innocent only because the actual killer is our deceased father!”
“The world doesn’t have to know that.” Marie says, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “We’re just doing this to help redeem our Williams family name.”
“Whether he killed them all or killed some of them, the fact is that he killed people and I don’t think we should be helping a killer.”
“Kim, look at me…” Marie takes Kim’s head and guides it, holding it firm, so that she is looking into her eyes “...do you want your zoo?”
“Of course!”
“Then we need to do this first. Clearing Uncle Dogulas’s name is just part one. First we prove that our family isn’t attached to cold blooded killers. Then we open a zoo to promote conservation and education of endangered wildlife.”
“So I’d get my zoo?”
“Yes, you would get your zoo.” Marie says, nodding her head.
“Alright, fine. We can help our uncle Douglas I suppose.’
“Good, that’s good to hear you say that, Kim, because I have some news from the attorney.”
“You mean Jimmy?” Kim asks excitedly. “I liked him!”
“He seemed rather rude and abrasive to me but I have to admit that he does get results. He took that information I gave him and he quickly got to work. And I may have used some of the money you inherited from Sorinah to give a donation to a judge’s reelection bid…”
“Bribery is fun!” Kim says, clapping happily.
“It sure is.” Marie says with a wink. “Anyway, we have a judge willing to hear an appeal. It isn’t a guarantee that our Uncle Douglas will get any time taken off of his sentence but it sure is a good sign.”
“Well, I’m still not sure busting Doug out of prison is a good idea.” Kim says. She then embraces her sister in a tight hug. “But if you’re happy, then I’m happy!”
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Nashville, TN
Off Camera
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It took an hour for Marie Jones to finally convince her twin sister to change out of the unicorn onesie. The Woman Scorned really wanted to wear the unicorn onesie out of the hotel but Marie insisted on Kimberly wearing something more suitable. The closest thing to ‘suitable’ attire that Kim is wearing is her torn denim jeans, flip flops, and a black t-shirt with the phrase “I Groped Shaun Cruze” on the front in pink lettering. What we see now in the lobby of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel is Marie Jones leading what could best be described as a caravan of craziness. Behind Marie is the Dalek, and riding the Dalek is Kimberly Williams. The Dalek is pulling a luggage cart with her and Marie’s luggage.
“MOVE OUT OF THE WAY HUMAN FLESH CREATURES! MOVE OR YOU SHALL BE EXTERMINATED!”
“Does the Dalek have to threaten the public?”
“Yes!” Kim says happily. Marie sighs and shakes her head.
“Just so long as its threats only. We’re trying to redeem our family name, not ruin it because random citizens got assaulted by your drone.”
Kimberly sticks her tongue out at Marie, knowing full well that Marie cannot see her. Marie leads Kim and the Dalek out of the hotel lobby and onto the sidewalk. There a long black limousine awaits. Kim would have been happy with a taxi. Hell, Kim would have been happy riding the Dalek to the airport. But not Marie. Only the finest and best of transportation for Marie Jones. They come to a stop by the limo. The driver steps out and approaches them. Marie snaps her fingers.
“Hurry up. Chop! Chop! We don’t have all day!”
“Yeah, make it quick or my Dalek will exterminate you!” Kim cries threateningly. The driver sighs as he starts loading up the luggage. Kim and Marie’s attention is turned on this and as a result they completely miss a stranger that has been watching them for quite a long time. In almost a ninja-like fashion, sneaking up ever so closer to them, this stranger, a woman in mostly black attire, prepares for an assault. And then, it comes…the woman leaps up and tackles Kimberly off of the Dalek and to the ground. The woman wraps her hands around Kim’s throat and begins to squeeze, trying to choke the life out of The Woman Scorned.
“Kim!” Marie sees this and quickly rushes over to help. “Get off of my sister!”
Marie pulls the woman off of Kim. Marie kneels down and starts helping Kim. The woman dusts herself off and growls angrily at Kim and Marie. “You! I didn’t know there was two of you! Either way, it doesn’t matter, I will get my revenge!”
“No you won’t…” Kim smacks the Dalek “...get her Dalek!”
The Dalek comes to life and aims it gun at the mysterious stranger. “EXTERMINATE!”
The Dalek shoots what appears to be a reddish orange liquid out of its gun. The woman is quick and is able to duck. The Dalek’s liquid strike instead hits the limo driver, causing him to drop to the ground clutching his face and crying out in pain. The woman uses the confusion and chaos to run away. Marie pulls herself up and goes over to check on the limo driver.
“Did you seriously have to have the Dalek shoot the limo driver with…with…” Marie sniffs the driver and then looks up at Kim “...is that hot sauce?”
“Yes.”
Marie rolls her eyes. “Damn. Hopefully he’s ok.”
“I wonder who that crazy lady was?”
“Like you’re one to talk about crazy ladies.”
“Hey! I know plenty about crazy ladies! It takes one to know one and I know that is one crazy lady!”
Jones sighs as she walks back over to Kim and helps her to her feet. “True. I just wonder what she wanted with us? And will she be back?”
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Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
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If anyone knows deranged it is The Woman Scorned. Kimberly herself is about as deranged as they come but even she wouldn’t attack someone broad daylight, yet this stranger did. She also barely managed to get away from Kimberly and Marie and is still running free. Marie at first advised Kimberly to ignore it. Marie doesn’t think this woman poses a real threat. In the mind of The Phoenix, this is just some crazy wrestling fan who wanted to get her shot in against two famous professional wrestlers. But as much as Kim may love Marie, and as much as she trusts her sister’s judgment, she cannot trust her on this matter. Kimberly knows all about psychopaths and sociopaths, she can tell when someone has been pushed over the edge and is obsessed, obsessed with something or someone. In this case, Kim is convinced that this mysterious stranger is obsessed with her and Marie. And Kimberly is convinced that whoever it was that attacked them in Nashville, she will be back.
So against her better judgment, Marie has allowed Kimberly to dig into this matter a little deeper. Not like Marie could stop Kim. When Williams sets her mind to something she will not let it go. And right now she has her mind set on tracking down this mysterious attacker. In fact, Kimberly already has a very strong suspicion as to the motivation behind the assault. And that is what brings Williams to the front door of someone she hasn’t visited with a very long time.
Williams stands just outside on the doorstep of a large lavish estate in Boston, Massachusetts. The deranged ginger is dressed in a light brown trenchcoat, brown khaki pants, and a white silk button up shirt. A badge is attached to her shirt pocket and a fedora rests upon her head. Williams is pacing back and forth talking to herself. For someone as crazy as Kimberly is, talking to herself isn’t out of the ordinary.
“Stardate three point one four one five nine two seven! My partner, Maria The Ego, finally agreed to let me take this case. I’m not sure why The Ego was so dismissive of this; a wild, sadistic, maniac stalker is on the loose and she just attacked two beautiful citizens of the world in Nashville. The Ego thinks I should be focused on other cases on our docket…Juneau The Frost or more immediately Dawn The Wonderful…but The Frost and The Wonderful are small fish in the grand scheme of this criminal enterprise. If The Ego wants to take them on let her do it herself. I am going to take down an immediate threat in the form of this mysterious stalker. But first I need to find out who this individual is. I have my suspicions but I need confirmation before I can act. So I am going to squeeze the truth out of one of my trusted informants. My informant has helped me before, she also has no love lost for The Frost, so I’m sure she will help me…” Williams sighs deeply and shakes her head “...plus she’s my mom…”
Kimberly knocks on the door. Williams waits patiently for a few more moments. She knocks again. She waits and finally she hears the door unlocking. Kimberly watches as the door opens and she sees her mother, thirteen time former world champion Angelica Jones. Angelica is dressed in an ankle length floral print orange skirt, sandals, and a white silk blouse. She grins warmly upon seeing her daughter standing there. She doesn’t get to see her that often, mainly because Kimberly doesn’t visit that often.
“Oh, hi Kim! What are you…”
“I’m Kim…Kimlock Holmes…” she holds up a blank notecard with “Detective” written on the front in red crayon. “...and we need to talk.”
“Kimlock Holmes? Seriously?” Angelica rolls her eyes as she takes the fedora off of her daughter’s head. Angelica chuckles. “Are we a detective now?”
“I always have been a detective, ma’am. Now are you going to let me in or are we gonna have to sleep with the fishes?”
“You’re getting your dialogue mixed up, Kim. The criminal types are the ones who threaten others wish sleeping with fish, not the cops.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh-huh,” Angelica says, nodding her head.
“I thought for sure sleeping with the fishes was a perfectly logical threat. I mean, fish are smelly. I hate the smell of fish. So I would therefore hate sleeping with them. If I slept with fish, I’d probably end up smelling like them for days!”
“Fair point.” Angelica admits, nodding her head as she steps aside and motions for her daughter to enter. “Now cut the detective act and come inside.”
“Do I have to? Being a detective is so much fun!”
The deranged ginger snatches her fedora back out of her mother’s hands and places it back on her head. Kimberly then stomps across the threshold and into the large home. Angelica leads her daughter down a hall and then into a large living room area. Kimberly has been here before and knows the layout, even though she hasn’t been here that often. She immediately makes a beeline for the plush leather sofa near the fireplace and leaps on top of it, taking up the entire space of the sofa. Angelica walks over and grins down at her daughter.
“Comfy?”
“Very!”
“Do you want anything to drink?”
“No thanks, this won’t take long.”
Angelica nods her head and then sits down in the recliner that is situated perpendicular to the sofa. “I am glad to see you, Kim. I really am. You have no idea how proud I am of you when I watch you compete on television each and every week. You and your sisters, Marie and Jessica, you are proudly carrying on the family legacy.”
“Are we really?” Kim asks in somewhat skeptical tone.
“Of course you are.” Angelica insists, though based on her tone she doesn’t sound very convincing. Angelica sighs and shrugs her shoulders “I just wish…”
“You just wish what?”
“I wish that you would visit me more often. I do miss you, you know?”
“You miss me, do ya?” Kim snickers. She throws her legs over the side of the sofa and sits up. She leans over to get close into her mother’s face. “How often do you talk to Jess? How often do you talk to Marie?”
“Kim…”
“No, hush!” Kimberly says firmly and defiantly. “I know the deal. There is no need to pretend around me. I’m not stupid.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you’ve been a saint.” Kim rolls her eyes.
“No, I’m not a saint. I have made mistakes and I don’t want to see you make the same.”
“Don’t start trying to parent me now, mom. You had your chance to parent me but you gave me up at birth. You gave both me and Marie up at birth. You sought out Marie and found her. You reconciled with her. You forgot about me and thought I was dead. For many years after I resurfaced I was still dead to you.” Williams chuckles. “Hell, the only time you ever truly treated me like your daughter was when I kidnapped Marie and I took her place. I tricked you and the entire world into thinking I was Marie. Then and only then you treated me like your daughter.
Tears form in the eyes of Angelica Jones as she grief strikes her like a vengeful knife to the heart. She realizes that Kim is right. “I’m sorry, Kim…”
“No, not right now. I don’t want to hear it. Like I said, I’m here for one thing and it isn’t to be parented by you. Do you understand?”
“Yeah…” Angelica nods her head “...I understand.”
Williams watches as her mother is agonizing in grief. For a brief moment Kimberly questions herself. For a brief moment she finds herself in doubt. Is she really doing the right thing? Is she really correct in shaming her mother like this and treating her mother like this? To be honest, Kimberly isn’t entirely sure what to think anymore. She isn’t even certain she can trust her own twin sister Marie. But Marie at least was willing to reach out and offer her help, which is more than anyone else in her life can say that they have done. Angelica never once tried to offer her assistance. Kimberly will remain loyal to Marie. And right now that means trying to find out who this person is who perhaps could be stalking them.
“Look, mom, I’m sorry…” Kim sighs “...it’s just been a difficult, trying time lately. My stress level is through the roof. But that tends to happen when you get assaulted.”
“You were assaulted?!” Angelica’s maternal instincts take over upon learning of what happened to her daughter. “What happened?!”
“It was in Nashville one day after a wrestling event. Marie and I were leaving the hotel to make the trip back to Boston when we were jumped by some crazy ass lady.”
“Did you go to the authorities? Did she get caught?”
“No…” Kimberly responds, her voice trailing off “...and that’s kind of why I am here. Marie thinks I should forget about it. She thinks that it is just some obsessed fan. But I know better. I know crazy, and this woman’s eyes, they were kind of crazy that you see when you are relentless and deadly. I think she holds a grudge against us for whatever reason and that won’t stop just with this one attack.”
“How can I possibly help?” Angelica asks. “You should go to the police.”
“Not the police. I am going to handle this my way.” The Woman Scorned grins nastily. “See, I don’t know who she is, but I have a strong suspicion as to the motivation.”
“Kim, I will be perfectly honest with you; I think your sister is right. That certainly sounds like an obsessed fan. It was in Nashville after a Breakdown event. Maybe it really was an angry obsessed fan? You and your sister aren’t exactly popular right now.”
“You’re right but that explanation is way too simple. Did you know that she kept shouting at us about revenge?” Kim shrugs her shoulders. “What did we do to her, mom? What could she possibly want revenge for?”
“I don’t know…”
“Then allow me to educate you. How well did you know of our father’s family when you were dating him? Or if you want to cut to the chase, how much did you know about our uncle Douglas and his infamous reputation?”
Angelica sighs and nods her head. “Yes, I remember your uncle Douglas. He was responsible for the string of murders nearby. He was already in prison when your father and I dated.”
“Have you heard about my sister’s grand scheme to try and get his life sentence reduced…or maybe even get him released…thanks to new evidence pointing to a different killer other than Douglas?”
“What?!” Angelica shoots right up to her feet in shock and surprise. Kim stands up as well, grinning from ear to ear. “Marie wants to do what?!”
“Yep. Marie wants to break the old murderer out of prison…legally, mind you.”
“She’s…” Angelica shakes her head “...she’s out of her mind.”
“I agree. But she won’t listen to me. I also think that grand plan of hers is what sparked this attack. See, a few days before the attack it was quietly announced that a judge would hear an appeal on behalf of our uncle Douglas.” Kim places a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Now you’re a smart person, mom. I got my intelligence from you. So you should see where I’m going with this.”
“I do.” Angelica says, nodding her head. “You think the attacker has some ties to the killings?”
“Exactly.” Kim declares triumphantly. “More specifically, I think the crazy lady who attacked me and Marie may be related in some way to one of the victims. So what I need to know is the names of the victims.”
Angelica is indeed a smart woman. She does know how to read her daughter and she can already sense where Kim is going with this. Angelica shakes her head. “Kim, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” Kim asks with a nasty sneer on her face. “Are you afraid of what I might do if I manage to find the person?”
“Yes, actually.”
Kim chuckles nastily. “So you think I’m a killer too? I suppose it runs in the family. And hey, I get it honest. My uncle Douglas was a killer, you killed my father, so I get it from both sides.”
“Kim, just think for a moment about this!” Angelica exclaims. “You were locked away for years when you kidnapped your sister. Marie took a big risk in trying to help you, and she got you out of the mental hospital. If you go out and find this woman and kill her, they may lock you up and never let you out.”
“What do you care?!” Kim shouts angrily. “It isn’t like you give a damn about me anyway!”
“I do care!” Angelica slaps Kim across the face. “I love you, damn it! I may not have been a perfect parent but I have tried my best to atone for my past. You have atoned for much of your past but now I see what path you are taking, not just with your sister but right here and right now. You are going back down that dark path and I am worried about you.”
“Darkness is my only friend.” Kim growls. “Now give me the names of the victims.”
“Kim…”
“Give me the names. Make this easy on me, please. I mean, I could look it up in the archives, the old newspapers. But if I got it from you it’d be a lot less research.”
Angelica sighs. “Promise you won’t kill the woman.”
“I promise not to kill anyone.” Kim says, she has her hand behind her back and her fingers crossed.
“Fine.” Angelica nods her head. “The first one was a young teenager named Wendy Smart. Then a twenty-one year old Leanne Crews. A third victim was a single mother named Jenny Hatley. A fourth was another teenager named Amanda Tennet. The last victim was a nineteen year old named Paula Johnson. All of them lived in Boston or the surrounding counties. That should give you a good start.”
A devilish smirk forms upon her face. “Yeah, that does give me a great place to start.” Kim throws her head back and laughs. “Kimmy has her list, she’s gonna check it twice, maybe three times, see who has been naughty, nice, and then when I find this basketcase…”
“You won’t kill her!” Angelica shouts. Kim sighs and nods her head.
“I know, I know. I swear not to kill anyone.” Kimberly stands up and starts to walk away. Angelica follows her until they reach the front door. Angelica places a hand on her shoulder.
“Wait…”
“What is it?” Kim asks, sounding frustrated.
“I just…” she shakes her head “...I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I know.” Kim nods her head. “I am too.”
With that Williams pushes her way past her mother and exits out the front door. Kimberly begins walking down the walkway and away from her mother’s home. She thinks about her next move. She has made a mental note of the five victims, all of whom were murdered. Kim’s uncle, Douglas Williams, was tried and convicted of all five murders. But Kim already knows for a fact that Douglas was not the only killer. Kim knows that her father, Sean Williams, murdered some of them himself. Kim isn’t even sure that Douglas is a murderer at all. He may have confessed to the crimes but maybe he confessed only to protect his brother? Kim knows crazy, she also knows killers. The one time she spoke to her uncle he didn’t strike her as a killer. Maybe he does deserve justice? But that is exactly what Kim suspects this mystery woman wants. She wants justice, but more than that she wants revenge. If Kim is right and this mystery woman is somehow tied to one of the victims’ families then she may not stop until she gets her revenge. But Kimberly will not let that happen. She will find her first. She just doesn’t know what she will do when she does find her.
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
==========
“The Woman Scorned” Kimberly Williams has been betrayed in the past. She has been used and manipulated in the past. Needless to say, this eccentric psychopath has some major trust issues as a result. There are few people who the deranged ginger feels she can truly place her trust in. Among that elite few is her identical twin sister Marie Annabelle Jones. Identical twin siblings are known to share a stronger bond than other siblings. In the case of Kimberly Williams, this is even more true. When Williams was locked away in a mental institution, no one from her family would visit her. Her entire family was prepared to let her rot away and ignore her, pretend she never existed; except for Marie. Kimberly’s identical twin was not prepared to give up on her that easily. Marie was the only one willing to reach out and try to help Kim overcome her issues. Marie went to bat and defended Kim before the rest of the family. Marie is responsible for Kim being accepted back into the family. Kimberly remembers this and has always been eternally grateful for her kindness. Kimberly trusts Marie.
This afternoon Kimberly finds herself in the waiting room of the Morgan & Morgan Law Firm in Boston, Massachusetts. She is clearly bored and definitely not dressed for the occasion. The eccentric ginger is dressed in torn denim jeans, flip flops, and a black crop top shirt with the word “Evil” printed on the front. Her head is resting in her hand and she sighs out of frustration as boredom is clearly expressed on her face. Williams would not be here were it not for her twin sister, Marie. Kimberly trusts Marie infinitely but that does not mean she always likes her ideas. In this case she most definitely does not like the idea, but she is here with Marie nevertheless. Marie sits next to her in the waiting room dressed in a knee length black skirt, a red sweater, black high heel pumps, and her signature black leather jacket.
“Can we leave? This is boring. I’d rather watch paint peel…or peel the skin off of someone’s face…” Kimberly says, complaining. Marie sighs and pats her sister on the leg.
“No we can’t. We need to see attorney James Morgan.”
“Why?”
“We’ve been through this already. James Morgan is the attorney who worked with our uncle Douglas. We’re going to use him to help get our Uncle Douglas exonerated, or at least get his sentence reduced.”
Kimberly recently came into a lot of money upon the death of her manager Sorinah Floreschu, who died without any immediate family. With some suspicious and shady tactics from Kim, everything was left to her. The first person who stepped up to be Kimberly’s financial advisor did not work out. Then again, you have to be a special kind of person to be able to work with The Woman Scorned. Marie knows how Kimberly works, and Kimberly trusts Marie, so Kim agreed to let Marie handle her finances. It was Marie’s suggestion that they use some of the newfound wealth to fund a new appeal on behalf of their uncle Douglas Williams, who is spending time in prison for murder.
“Good luck with that. I spoke with Doug, remember? He told me he confessed. So I kinda doubt anyone, no matter how good the attorney is, will get him exonerated.”
“He can get the sentence reduced if he can prove that Douglas was not the sole perpetrator of the crimes. And wouldn’t that be great for our family? We could prove that our family, at least the Williams side of the family, has been done wrong and painted in a bad light for far too long. Getting uncle Doug exonerated is just the first step.”
“Great idea, sis, except for one problem; the only other person perpetrating those crimes was our dad!”
Marie nods her head. “I know but Jimmy Morgan here doesn’t have to know that. We just provide him with the evidence we have, only the evidence that proves our uncle is not the only perpetrator of the murders. We just leave out the evidence of our dad’s involvement. My private investigator already found plenty of witnesses that are willing to retract their testimony.”
By this time Kimberly is growing more and more frustrated. She isn’t sure what Marie’s game is. So Williams decides to be blunt with it. “Look, our uncle Douglas was a murderer. Whether he killed all of those women or just a few, the fact is that he IS a murderer. Why do you care if he’s still in prison? Why should we lift a finger to help a murderer?”
Kimberly stares intensely into her twin’s eyes. Marie then reaches out and places a hand on her shoulders. She smiles warmly which immediately disarms Kimberly. “If I recall, there was a certain sister of mine who was locked up because of crazy criminal acts she perpetrated.”
“That’s different…”
“Is it? Kim, everyone in the family told me I was crazy for trying to get through to you. Everyone told me I was wasting my time trying to help you. If I had listened to them you would still be locked away in that mental institution. But I didn’t listen to them because I knew you had changed. And here you are, a productive member of society. I think that our uncle Douglas can be a productive member of society too. Besides, we should always help our family.”
“I’m still not sure about this, Marie. I mean, I admit that when I spoke to Doug it seemed as if he had changed. But aunt Cynthia…” Kimberly sighs deeply and shakes her head, clearly distressed over this whole affair “...she ran all the way up to freaking Alaska to get away from the attention that Doug’s crimes brought. Do you really think she wants more spotlight brought upon the family?”
“Yeah, she ran off to Alaska and changed her name. And she’s done such a good job of falling off the face of the earth that no one except you and I know who she really is. Do you think that anyone would figure it out just because our uncle gets some time knocked off his sentence? It’s not like we’re doing some kind of grand Netflix docuseries or some shit like that. We’re not even mentioning aunt Cynthia. This is just about Doug and trying to get his sentence reduced.”
“Whatever you say, Marie. I’m just going on record that this may be a bad idea.”
“Noted.” Marie grins at Kim. “Also may I add that you are well behaved today…which is rather odd in and of itself. Is anything wrong?”
“Me? Odd? Never!” Kim shrugs her shoulders. “I’m just nervous is all. I mean, Sorinah falls over dead and I suddenly get left with all of this cash, more cash than I know what to do with. I’m just lucky I have you to help me manage my money.”
“No problem, Kim. And trust me, this will be a good investment.”
“Do I still get to build a zoo and have lions and tigers and bears oh my?!” Kim asks with an excited grin on her face. Her eccentric, uplifting attitude seems to be returning which makes Marie feel better. A return to normal is always a good thing.
“Yes, you will still get your zoo. I promised you would and I always keep my promises don’t I? This project here is just the first phase. So many people think the Williams family is cursed just because of one incident a long time ago.”
“In fairness it was a bunch of incidents in which our uncle and father brutally slashed women to death.”
Marie rolls her eyes. “Right, but the point is that people can change. Also you cannot judge an entire family based on one incident perpetrated by one person. This is about putting the Williams name into a brighter, better, more positive light. First we prove to the world that our uncle Douglas was not the single solitary monster responsible for all of this.”
“Then we build the zoo?!” Kim says clapping her hands excitedly. Marie nods her head.
“Yes, then comes the zoo. But it will be more of a rescue than a zoo. Sure, we will let people come see and visit the animals but we will educate about the conservation of these animals. Charity work, Kim, is what will repair the tarnished Williams name.”
Kimberly nods her head in solidarity with her sister’s plan. Kimberly just cares about getting her zoo. She does kind of want to know what Marie is up to regarding their uncle Douglas but that doesn’t matter right now. A few moments later and they spot the door to the attorney’s office. A man in a brown suit emerges. He walks across the room and immediately Marie stands up and greets him with a hand shake.
“Hello, I am James Morgan. I was the defense attorney who handled your uncle’s case.”
“Yes, I’m his niece, Marie Annabelle Jones. And this…” before Marie can finish her thoughts, Kimberly jumps up and embraces the attorney in a tight hug. She breaks the hug and then pats him on the head as if he were a puppy.
“And I am Kimberly Williams, I’m not ashamed to keep the surname that is attached so many brutal slayings in Massachusetts! Hoo-rah!”
“Right…” James seems rather disconcerted with Kimberly’s unique personality. Marie, for her part, tries to hide her embarrassment. “...so, why don’t you join me in my office and we can discuss exactly what information you have and what you want?”
The attorney motions for the twins to follow him. He leads them towards his office. James enters first followed by Marie and then Kimberly bringing up the rear, skipping along happily as she goes. James motions to some seats by his desk.
“Please, take a seat.”
“Take it where?” Kim asks. The attorney rolls his eyes.
“Just sit down, Ms. Williams.
“Isn’t this great, Marie? He can already tell us apart!”
“Well that isn’t too difficult, sis.” Marie says with a chuckle. “I’m actually dressed appropriate for this. Plus you are…well…”
“Nuts?” Kim asks. Marie smirks.
“I was going to say unique.”
Kimberly sits down in one of the chairs. Then Marie sits down next to her. The attorney sits down at his desk and leans forward. He is ready to get down to business. He doesn’t expect much out of this. He remembers the Douglas Williams murder trial all too well. He knows the facts and findings of the case. He doesn’t think anything these two can provide will save Douglas. But he has no problem taking their money and giving it a shot.
“So, ladies, as you know I handled your uncle’s murder trial. I was his defense attorney for that trial so I know the facts and findings of the case very well. I know it better than anyone, except maybe Mr. Williams himself. That being said I am willing to help you but out of principle I have to let you know that the likelihood of anything changing the outcome in any way is slim to none. I say this because I know you did specifically bring up the notion of an appeal when you contacted me, correct Ms. Jones?”
“That is correct and I understand how damning the whole situation was, I underst how bad things look for our uncle, but I believe my sister and I do have some rather groundbreaking new evidence and information that could at the very least get his sentence reduced on appeal.”
Attorney James Morgan sighs. “You do realize that he confessed? I was basically just fighting for your uncle’s life, fighting to help him avoid the death penalty.”
“That’s what I told her but does she listen to me?” Kim says, shaking her head. “Noooooo…” Marie waves her sister off.
“Yes, we understand that, but I have evidence that suggests he was pressured into confessing. Also many of those witnesses at the trial who identified him are prepared to retract that testimony. They are looking at pictures of our uncle from back in the day and they are no longer certain that the man they saw at the scene was our uncle.”
“Really?” The attorney is skeptical. Nevertheless his curiosity is peaked. “How did you manage that?”
“I hired a private investigator.” Marie grins knowingly. “A good one.”
“Yeah, an old friend of mine who may or may not be a vampire died recently and left her entire estate to me!” Kimberly chimes in happily. “Now I’m fucking loaded with cash out of my ass! So we figured what the hell? Let’s try and get our murderous uncle outta prison! After that we are gonna build a zoo!”
“Hush, Kim!” Marie scolds.
“C’mon, Marie, what is he gonna do? Ol’ Jimmy here is an attorney. He’ll defend Satan himself to make a quick buck. He’ll fight to get our uncle released for the right price.” Kim winks at the attorney. “Am I right, Jimmy? Can I call you Jimmy?”
“No…”
“Jimmy it is then!”
“Look, Ms. Jones…Ms. Williams…I am not going to sugarcoat any of this. Will I take this case? Yes, I will. Even though I am convinced that the court got it right, your uncle probably is the one and only killer, I would be willing to take the case AGAIN and see if I can get his sentence reduced. But my services will be expensive…”
“See?!” Kim triumphantly declares. “Everybody’s got a price! Wait, I heard that somewhere before but where?”
“...AS I was saying…my services will be expensive because trying to clear your uncle’s name will be extremely difficult. Besides, having you for a client won’t exactly help matters,” he points to Kim “Ms. Williams.”
“Me?!” Kim asks feigning innocence. “What did I do?”
“I have done my homework on you before taking you and your sister on as clients. The story attached to the two of you is almost forgotten but I still managed to find out. I found out about how you were incarcerated in a mental institution for a time, Ms. Williams. You were put away for kidnapping your twin sister Marie and then you proceeded to replace her. You lived her life, pretending to be her, while she was locked away in a basement.”
Kim sighs, sounding defeated as the attorney brings up this bad memory. Marie then speaks up. “Look, Mr. Morgan, I can explain…”
“Please do. Why would you want to help your sister after what she did?”
“It’s just that. She IS my sister. More than that, she is my twin sister. And I always stand by my family. She was hurting, she was mentally ill and needed help, not condemnation. I provided that help. And that’s what Kim and I are trying to do for our uncle. He needs help, not condemnation. Now if you are willing to provide the help, like Kim said we have money. That isn’t the problem. But are you willing to do your part to help?”
James sighs and nods his head. “Very well. Do you have any of the information with you so that I may get started?”
“Yes.” Marie hands him a piece of paper. “This is a list of the witnesses my private investigator contacted who are prepared to retract their earlier testimony.”
“Excellent. I will start by contacting them myself to confirm this. I will call you again when we are ready to proceed.” The attorney rises to his feet. He extends his hand.
“Sounds good.” Marie stands up and shakes his hand. The attorney turns and offers his hand to Kim. Kim tries to bite at it but he jumps back. Kim giggles playfully and then waves.
“Bye, Jimmy!” Marie takes Kim by her arm and drags her out of the attorney’s office. Once outside of his office and back in the waiting room. Kim turns to Marie and grins from ear to ear. “I like him! Can we take him home?”
“No.” Marie says emphatically. Kim folds her arms over her chest and frowns.
“Poo!”
“We just need to let him do his work, ok Kim?”
“Sure. But, uh, Marie…?”
“Yes?”
“Did you mean what you said in there? About helping me, about helping family and all that?”
“Of course I meant it.” Marie says with a sincere smile on her face. “Kim, you are and always will be my sister. No matter what you have done in the past, you will be my sister always. And nothing you have done can change that. And just I said, just because you did something bad doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of change. You’ve proven that, Kim. Douglas is capable of change too. This Williams family is capable of change.” She pats her on the back. “And you are going to be the symbol of that change, sis.”
A sense of warmth washes across Kimberly. When she first got here she thought that this was a bad idea. She thought that trying to exonerate Douglas, or even get his sentence reduced, was a bad idea. But maybe Marie is right? Maybe Douglas is worthy of another chance? If Kim is worthy of a second chance, then why not her uncle Douglas?
==========
Nashville, TN
Off Camera
==========
Currently it is morning in Nashville. Kimberly is in her hotel room at the Millennium Maxwell House. The deranged ginger is sitting up in her king sized bed wearing a pink unicorn onesie. Just then there is a loud banging at the door. It isn’t exactly a knocking sound, it is more like the sound of something running into the door. Williams takes her Television Title belt and approaches the door to her hotel room. The deranged ginger opens it up and standing there is her trusty Dalek, behind the homicidal pepper shaker is none other than Kim’s identical twin sister Marie Annabelle Jones.
“I WOKE UP THE HUMAN FLESH CREATURE KNOWN AS MARIE JONES AS YOU REQUESTED!”
“And you did it without exterminating her!” Kim pats it on its chrome dome top. “I am so proud of you!”
“Did you really have to send the drone to wake me up?” Marie says, looking rather annoyed. Jones isn’t exactly a morning person as it is but being woken up early makes it worse. Marie is dressed in denim jeans, black boots, a red sweater, and her signature black leather jacket.
“Yay!” Kim says, clapping happily. Marie just shakes her head.
“But, uh, we should leave. Our car will arrive soon to take us to the airport. In the meantime I want to talk about Uncle Douglas.”
“Oh, you mean the murderer? Do we have to talk about him? That conversation is always kind of a downer. I mean, the whole killing people stuff is depressing.”
Look, I know you don’t think trying to help our uncle is a good idea. Sure, he did kill people, but if there is evidence that proves he took the rap for someone else’s crime, then why should he serve the time? If he didn’t do the crime he shouldn’t do the time.”
Kim grins from ear to ear. “I like it when you rhyme.”
“My point is that he is family and if he is innocent of some of these crimes he was convicted for then we should do whatever we can to exonerate him.”
Kim shakes her head. The Woman Scorned isn’t convinced. “Marie, I get what you’re saying. And you’re right, Uncle Douglas is innocent of some of those crimes. But he’s innocent only because the actual killer is our deceased father!”
“The world doesn’t have to know that.” Marie says, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “We’re just doing this to help redeem our Williams family name.”
“Whether he killed them all or killed some of them, the fact is that he killed people and I don’t think we should be helping a killer.”
“Kim, look at me…” Marie takes Kim’s head and guides it, holding it firm, so that she is looking into her eyes “...do you want your zoo?”
“Of course!”
“Then we need to do this first. Clearing Uncle Dogulas’s name is just part one. First we prove that our family isn’t attached to cold blooded killers. Then we open a zoo to promote conservation and education of endangered wildlife.”
“So I’d get my zoo?”
“Yes, you would get your zoo.” Marie says, nodding her head.
“Alright, fine. We can help our uncle Douglas I suppose.’
“Good, that’s good to hear you say that, Kim, because I have some news from the attorney.”
“You mean Jimmy?” Kim asks excitedly. “I liked him!”
“He seemed rather rude and abrasive to me but I have to admit that he does get results. He took that information I gave him and he quickly got to work. And I may have used some of the money you inherited from Sorinah to give a donation to a judge’s reelection bid…”
“Bribery is fun!” Kim says, clapping happily.
“It sure is.” Marie says with a wink. “Anyway, we have a judge willing to hear an appeal. It isn’t a guarantee that our Uncle Douglas will get any time taken off of his sentence but it sure is a good sign.”
“Well, I’m still not sure busting Doug out of prison is a good idea.” Kim says. She then embraces her sister in a tight hug. “But if you’re happy, then I’m happy!”
==========
Nashville, TN
Off Camera
==========
It took an hour for Marie Jones to finally convince her twin sister to change out of the unicorn onesie. The Woman Scorned really wanted to wear the unicorn onesie out of the hotel but Marie insisted on Kimberly wearing something more suitable. The closest thing to ‘suitable’ attire that Kim is wearing is her torn denim jeans, flip flops, and a black t-shirt with the phrase “I Groped Shaun Cruze” on the front in pink lettering. What we see now in the lobby of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel is Marie Jones leading what could best be described as a caravan of craziness. Behind Marie is the Dalek, and riding the Dalek is Kimberly Williams. The Dalek is pulling a luggage cart with her and Marie’s luggage.
“MOVE OUT OF THE WAY HUMAN FLESH CREATURES! MOVE OR YOU SHALL BE EXTERMINATED!”
“Does the Dalek have to threaten the public?”
“Yes!” Kim says happily. Marie sighs and shakes her head.
“Just so long as its threats only. We’re trying to redeem our family name, not ruin it because random citizens got assaulted by your drone.”
Kimberly sticks her tongue out at Marie, knowing full well that Marie cannot see her. Marie leads Kim and the Dalek out of the hotel lobby and onto the sidewalk. There a long black limousine awaits. Kim would have been happy with a taxi. Hell, Kim would have been happy riding the Dalek to the airport. But not Marie. Only the finest and best of transportation for Marie Jones. They come to a stop by the limo. The driver steps out and approaches them. Marie snaps her fingers.
“Hurry up. Chop! Chop! We don’t have all day!”
“Yeah, make it quick or my Dalek will exterminate you!” Kim cries threateningly. The driver sighs as he starts loading up the luggage. Kim and Marie’s attention is turned on this and as a result they completely miss a stranger that has been watching them for quite a long time. In almost a ninja-like fashion, sneaking up ever so closer to them, this stranger, a woman in mostly black attire, prepares for an assault. And then, it comes…the woman leaps up and tackles Kimberly off of the Dalek and to the ground. The woman wraps her hands around Kim’s throat and begins to squeeze, trying to choke the life out of The Woman Scorned.
“Kim!” Marie sees this and quickly rushes over to help. “Get off of my sister!”
Marie pulls the woman off of Kim. Marie kneels down and starts helping Kim. The woman dusts herself off and growls angrily at Kim and Marie. “You! I didn’t know there was two of you! Either way, it doesn’t matter, I will get my revenge!”
“No you won’t…” Kim smacks the Dalek “...get her Dalek!”
The Dalek comes to life and aims it gun at the mysterious stranger. “EXTERMINATE!”
The Dalek shoots what appears to be a reddish orange liquid out of its gun. The woman is quick and is able to duck. The Dalek’s liquid strike instead hits the limo driver, causing him to drop to the ground clutching his face and crying out in pain. The woman uses the confusion and chaos to run away. Marie pulls herself up and goes over to check on the limo driver.
“Did you seriously have to have the Dalek shoot the limo driver with…with…” Marie sniffs the driver and then looks up at Kim “...is that hot sauce?”
“Yes.”
Marie rolls her eyes. “Damn. Hopefully he’s ok.”
“I wonder who that crazy lady was?”
“Like you’re one to talk about crazy ladies.”
“Hey! I know plenty about crazy ladies! It takes one to know one and I know that is one crazy lady!”
Jones sighs as she walks back over to Kim and helps her to her feet. “True. I just wonder what she wanted with us? And will she be back?”
==========
Boston, Massachusetts
Off Camera
==========
If anyone knows deranged it is The Woman Scorned. Kimberly herself is about as deranged as they come but even she wouldn’t attack someone broad daylight, yet this stranger did. She also barely managed to get away from Kimberly and Marie and is still running free. Marie at first advised Kimberly to ignore it. Marie doesn’t think this woman poses a real threat. In the mind of The Phoenix, this is just some crazy wrestling fan who wanted to get her shot in against two famous professional wrestlers. But as much as Kim may love Marie, and as much as she trusts her sister’s judgment, she cannot trust her on this matter. Kimberly knows all about psychopaths and sociopaths, she can tell when someone has been pushed over the edge and is obsessed, obsessed with something or someone. In this case, Kim is convinced that this mysterious stranger is obsessed with her and Marie. And Kimberly is convinced that whoever it was that attacked them in Nashville, she will be back.
So against her better judgment, Marie has allowed Kimberly to dig into this matter a little deeper. Not like Marie could stop Kim. When Williams sets her mind to something she will not let it go. And right now she has her mind set on tracking down this mysterious attacker. In fact, Kimberly already has a very strong suspicion as to the motivation behind the assault. And that is what brings Williams to the front door of someone she hasn’t visited with a very long time.
Williams stands just outside on the doorstep of a large lavish estate in Boston, Massachusetts. The deranged ginger is dressed in a light brown trenchcoat, brown khaki pants, and a white silk button up shirt. A badge is attached to her shirt pocket and a fedora rests upon her head. Williams is pacing back and forth talking to herself. For someone as crazy as Kimberly is, talking to herself isn’t out of the ordinary.
“Stardate three point one four one five nine two seven! My partner, Maria The Ego, finally agreed to let me take this case. I’m not sure why The Ego was so dismissive of this; a wild, sadistic, maniac stalker is on the loose and she just attacked two beautiful citizens of the world in Nashville. The Ego thinks I should be focused on other cases on our docket…Juneau The Frost or more immediately Dawn The Wonderful…but The Frost and The Wonderful are small fish in the grand scheme of this criminal enterprise. If The Ego wants to take them on let her do it herself. I am going to take down an immediate threat in the form of this mysterious stalker. But first I need to find out who this individual is. I have my suspicions but I need confirmation before I can act. So I am going to squeeze the truth out of one of my trusted informants. My informant has helped me before, she also has no love lost for The Frost, so I’m sure she will help me…” Williams sighs deeply and shakes her head “...plus she’s my mom…”
Kimberly knocks on the door. Williams waits patiently for a few more moments. She knocks again. She waits and finally she hears the door unlocking. Kimberly watches as the door opens and she sees her mother, thirteen time former world champion Angelica Jones. Angelica is dressed in an ankle length floral print orange skirt, sandals, and a white silk blouse. She grins warmly upon seeing her daughter standing there. She doesn’t get to see her that often, mainly because Kimberly doesn’t visit that often.
“Oh, hi Kim! What are you…”
“I’m Kim…Kimlock Holmes…” she holds up a blank notecard with “Detective” written on the front in red crayon. “...and we need to talk.”
“Kimlock Holmes? Seriously?” Angelica rolls her eyes as she takes the fedora off of her daughter’s head. Angelica chuckles. “Are we a detective now?”
“I always have been a detective, ma’am. Now are you going to let me in or are we gonna have to sleep with the fishes?”
“You’re getting your dialogue mixed up, Kim. The criminal types are the ones who threaten others wish sleeping with fish, not the cops.”
“Are you sure?”
“Uh-huh,” Angelica says, nodding her head.
“I thought for sure sleeping with the fishes was a perfectly logical threat. I mean, fish are smelly. I hate the smell of fish. So I would therefore hate sleeping with them. If I slept with fish, I’d probably end up smelling like them for days!”
“Fair point.” Angelica admits, nodding her head as she steps aside and motions for her daughter to enter. “Now cut the detective act and come inside.”
“Do I have to? Being a detective is so much fun!”
The deranged ginger snatches her fedora back out of her mother’s hands and places it back on her head. Kimberly then stomps across the threshold and into the large home. Angelica leads her daughter down a hall and then into a large living room area. Kimberly has been here before and knows the layout, even though she hasn’t been here that often. She immediately makes a beeline for the plush leather sofa near the fireplace and leaps on top of it, taking up the entire space of the sofa. Angelica walks over and grins down at her daughter.
“Comfy?”
“Very!”
“Do you want anything to drink?”
“No thanks, this won’t take long.”
Angelica nods her head and then sits down in the recliner that is situated perpendicular to the sofa. “I am glad to see you, Kim. I really am. You have no idea how proud I am of you when I watch you compete on television each and every week. You and your sisters, Marie and Jessica, you are proudly carrying on the family legacy.”
“Are we really?” Kim asks in somewhat skeptical tone.
“Of course you are.” Angelica insists, though based on her tone she doesn’t sound very convincing. Angelica sighs and shrugs her shoulders “I just wish…”
“You just wish what?”
“I wish that you would visit me more often. I do miss you, you know?”
“You miss me, do ya?” Kim snickers. She throws her legs over the side of the sofa and sits up. She leans over to get close into her mother’s face. “How often do you talk to Jess? How often do you talk to Marie?”
“Kim…”
“No, hush!” Kimberly says firmly and defiantly. “I know the deal. There is no need to pretend around me. I’m not stupid.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you’ve been a saint.” Kim rolls her eyes.
“No, I’m not a saint. I have made mistakes and I don’t want to see you make the same.”
“Don’t start trying to parent me now, mom. You had your chance to parent me but you gave me up at birth. You gave both me and Marie up at birth. You sought out Marie and found her. You reconciled with her. You forgot about me and thought I was dead. For many years after I resurfaced I was still dead to you.” Williams chuckles. “Hell, the only time you ever truly treated me like your daughter was when I kidnapped Marie and I took her place. I tricked you and the entire world into thinking I was Marie. Then and only then you treated me like your daughter.
Tears form in the eyes of Angelica Jones as she grief strikes her like a vengeful knife to the heart. She realizes that Kim is right. “I’m sorry, Kim…”
“No, not right now. I don’t want to hear it. Like I said, I’m here for one thing and it isn’t to be parented by you. Do you understand?”
“Yeah…” Angelica nods her head “...I understand.”
Williams watches as her mother is agonizing in grief. For a brief moment Kimberly questions herself. For a brief moment she finds herself in doubt. Is she really doing the right thing? Is she really correct in shaming her mother like this and treating her mother like this? To be honest, Kimberly isn’t entirely sure what to think anymore. She isn’t even certain she can trust her own twin sister Marie. But Marie at least was willing to reach out and offer her help, which is more than anyone else in her life can say that they have done. Angelica never once tried to offer her assistance. Kimberly will remain loyal to Marie. And right now that means trying to find out who this person is who perhaps could be stalking them.
“Look, mom, I’m sorry…” Kim sighs “...it’s just been a difficult, trying time lately. My stress level is through the roof. But that tends to happen when you get assaulted.”
“You were assaulted?!” Angelica’s maternal instincts take over upon learning of what happened to her daughter. “What happened?!”
“It was in Nashville one day after a wrestling event. Marie and I were leaving the hotel to make the trip back to Boston when we were jumped by some crazy ass lady.”
“Did you go to the authorities? Did she get caught?”
“No…” Kimberly responds, her voice trailing off “...and that’s kind of why I am here. Marie thinks I should forget about it. She thinks that it is just some obsessed fan. But I know better. I know crazy, and this woman’s eyes, they were kind of crazy that you see when you are relentless and deadly. I think she holds a grudge against us for whatever reason and that won’t stop just with this one attack.”
“How can I possibly help?” Angelica asks. “You should go to the police.”
“Not the police. I am going to handle this my way.” The Woman Scorned grins nastily. “See, I don’t know who she is, but I have a strong suspicion as to the motivation.”
“Kim, I will be perfectly honest with you; I think your sister is right. That certainly sounds like an obsessed fan. It was in Nashville after a Breakdown event. Maybe it really was an angry obsessed fan? You and your sister aren’t exactly popular right now.”
“You’re right but that explanation is way too simple. Did you know that she kept shouting at us about revenge?” Kim shrugs her shoulders. “What did we do to her, mom? What could she possibly want revenge for?”
“I don’t know…”
“Then allow me to educate you. How well did you know of our father’s family when you were dating him? Or if you want to cut to the chase, how much did you know about our uncle Douglas and his infamous reputation?”
Angelica sighs and nods her head. “Yes, I remember your uncle Douglas. He was responsible for the string of murders nearby. He was already in prison when your father and I dated.”
“Have you heard about my sister’s grand scheme to try and get his life sentence reduced…or maybe even get him released…thanks to new evidence pointing to a different killer other than Douglas?”
“What?!” Angelica shoots right up to her feet in shock and surprise. Kim stands up as well, grinning from ear to ear. “Marie wants to do what?!”
“Yep. Marie wants to break the old murderer out of prison…legally, mind you.”
“She’s…” Angelica shakes her head “...she’s out of her mind.”
“I agree. But she won’t listen to me. I also think that grand plan of hers is what sparked this attack. See, a few days before the attack it was quietly announced that a judge would hear an appeal on behalf of our uncle Douglas.” Kim places a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Now you’re a smart person, mom. I got my intelligence from you. So you should see where I’m going with this.”
“I do.” Angelica says, nodding her head. “You think the attacker has some ties to the killings?”
“Exactly.” Kim declares triumphantly. “More specifically, I think the crazy lady who attacked me and Marie may be related in some way to one of the victims. So what I need to know is the names of the victims.”
Angelica is indeed a smart woman. She does know how to read her daughter and she can already sense where Kim is going with this. Angelica shakes her head. “Kim, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” Kim asks with a nasty sneer on her face. “Are you afraid of what I might do if I manage to find the person?”
“Yes, actually.”
Kim chuckles nastily. “So you think I’m a killer too? I suppose it runs in the family. And hey, I get it honest. My uncle Douglas was a killer, you killed my father, so I get it from both sides.”
“Kim, just think for a moment about this!” Angelica exclaims. “You were locked away for years when you kidnapped your sister. Marie took a big risk in trying to help you, and she got you out of the mental hospital. If you go out and find this woman and kill her, they may lock you up and never let you out.”
“What do you care?!” Kim shouts angrily. “It isn’t like you give a damn about me anyway!”
“I do care!” Angelica slaps Kim across the face. “I love you, damn it! I may not have been a perfect parent but I have tried my best to atone for my past. You have atoned for much of your past but now I see what path you are taking, not just with your sister but right here and right now. You are going back down that dark path and I am worried about you.”
“Darkness is my only friend.” Kim growls. “Now give me the names of the victims.”
“Kim…”
“Give me the names. Make this easy on me, please. I mean, I could look it up in the archives, the old newspapers. But if I got it from you it’d be a lot less research.”
Angelica sighs. “Promise you won’t kill the woman.”
“I promise not to kill anyone.” Kim says, she has her hand behind her back and her fingers crossed.
“Fine.” Angelica nods her head. “The first one was a young teenager named Wendy Smart. Then a twenty-one year old Leanne Crews. A third victim was a single mother named Jenny Hatley. A fourth was another teenager named Amanda Tennet. The last victim was a nineteen year old named Paula Johnson. All of them lived in Boston or the surrounding counties. That should give you a good start.”
A devilish smirk forms upon her face. “Yeah, that does give me a great place to start.” Kim throws her head back and laughs. “Kimmy has her list, she’s gonna check it twice, maybe three times, see who has been naughty, nice, and then when I find this basketcase…”
“You won’t kill her!” Angelica shouts. Kim sighs and nods her head.
“I know, I know. I swear not to kill anyone.” Kimberly stands up and starts to walk away. Angelica follows her until they reach the front door. Angelica places a hand on her shoulder.
“Wait…”
“What is it?” Kim asks, sounding frustrated.
“I just…” she shakes her head “...I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I know.” Kim nods her head. “I am too.”
With that Williams pushes her way past her mother and exits out the front door. Kimberly begins walking down the walkway and away from her mother’s home. She thinks about her next move. She has made a mental note of the five victims, all of whom were murdered. Kim’s uncle, Douglas Williams, was tried and convicted of all five murders. But Kim already knows for a fact that Douglas was not the only killer. Kim knows that her father, Sean Williams, murdered some of them himself. Kim isn’t even sure that Douglas is a murderer at all. He may have confessed to the crimes but maybe he confessed only to protect his brother? Kim knows crazy, she also knows killers. The one time she spoke to her uncle he didn’t strike her as a killer. Maybe he does deserve justice? But that is exactly what Kim suspects this mystery woman wants. She wants justice, but more than that she wants revenge. If Kim is right and this mystery woman is somehow tied to one of the victims’ families then she may not stop until she gets her revenge. But Kimberly will not let that happen. She will find her first. She just doesn’t know what she will do when she does find her.