INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - DAY

The station is just beginning to come alive with its early morning work load of
all of those things left unfinished the night before. Nora is already at work,
standing in the bull pen going over a file with DETECTIVE CARTER.

MARCI
ADA Buchanan?

NORA
Yes?

MARCI
You have a call on line one, someone
named Jeremy Wright.

NORA
Oh! Yes, I've been waiting for his call.
(To Detective Carter) This is kind of
important, excuse me. I'm going to
take this in the Commissioner's office
Marci.

Pen and notebook in hand Nora leaves the bull pen and heads for Bo's office
where she can take the call in private. She isn't gone long before Bo walks
into the station, just finishing up a call on his cell phone. Stopping at Marci's
desk he flips through a stack of message memos as he talks.

BO
Damn it Pa, if I find out that you have
something to do with this mess down
at the docks... Ok, I'll let it go- for now,
but - No Pa Matthew's fine. I told
you that Nora and I will bring him over
as soon as we have a chance to talk to
him. Yeah, yeah, I know, you're not
getting any younger. Ok. Goodbye.

Closing his cell phone Bo looks up at Marci who is greeting him with a cup of
coffee in hand.

MARCI
Good morning Commissioner Buchanan.
It's a little strong this morning but -

BO
Thank you Marci, I'm sure it's perfect.
Have you seen Nora yet today?

MARCI
Yeah, she's here. Actually she just took
a call in your office.

Looking toward his office Bo can see Nora through the thin openings in the
window blinds.

BO
(heading toward the office)
Thanks Marci.

MARCI
No problem. Oh, Commissioner?

BO
Yeah?

MARCI
I heard about Matthew. You know,
about him being your son and everything
and - well, I just wanted to tell you
congratulations. I think that's really great
that you and Ms. Buchanan have a little
boy.

BO
(looking at Nora through the blinds)
Yeah, it is pretty great. Thank you
Marci.

INT. BO'S OFFICE - CONTINUING

Nora is still in the middle of her conversation, back to the door,
when Bo comes into his office.

NORA
Yes I understand that but - Mr. Wright
I know that there's more to this story
than - yes, I understand but if you could
just -

The line goes dead.

NORA
(to the air)
Listen for a minute.

Frustrated Nora slams the receiver back into its cradle.

BO
Hey, be nice to my phone or I'll have you
arrested.

Cracking a small smile Nora turns to find Bo.

NORA
Really? Is that a promise? Because I don't
think I'd have to deal with these issues,
not to mention that new ADA Coulson if
I were down there in the slammer so -

Picking the phone back up Nora prepares to give it another playful slam when Bo
intervenes and takes it from her hand and smiles.

BO
Rough morning Red?

NORA
You could say that.

BO
Well, I'd offer you some of my
coffee but from the looks of
things I think my phone would
appreciate it if I didn't.

Taking Bo's cup from his hand Nora takes a quick drink then gives it back to him.

NORA
Funny.

BO
Who was on the phone?

NORA
A student over at Llanview U.

BO
The drug thing?

NORA
Yeah, you know Bo, I just don't
get it. Nobody's talking. I bet
you I've contacted 25 students,
including some of those involved
in the 5 reports that actually made
it to this station and no one, not one
of them is saying a word. It's like
those reports just called themselves in.

BO
Is that so surprising? I mean,
even if these kids were the ones
who called the reports in the
fact of the matter is that if they
were present when these drug
related incidents were taking
place they probably weren't
involved in the kind of
extracurricular activities mom
and dad would be too proud of.

NORA
No, you're probably right.

BO
But?

NORA
I don't know, I just think there's
more to it than kids being afraid
that their parents find out they
were at a party. But if you ask
Coulson this is just me spinning
my wheels endlessly in pursuit
of something that isn't important
and is none of my business.

BO
What's the deal with this new
Coulson guy?

NORA
Oh! Now there's an interesting
change of subject. Daniel Coulson
is the most self centered, egotistical,
excuse for a human being that I've
had the displeasure of meeting in,
oh, I'd have to say about a decade.

BO
Yeah, I can't say I've had a single
pleasant run in with the man since
he's been in town.

NORA
You know that I love and respect
Hank more than any other attorney
I know but for the life of me I can't
see what he was thinking when he
allowed that clown to become a part
of this team.

BO
The old D.A. surprised me a little
with that one too.

NORA
You don't think that Hank is seriously
considering that job at the Law School
do you?

BO
You mean quit his job here? I don't
know, he's been talking about it for
a while.

NORA
Whatever he decides to do he can not
leave me here with that pit bull. I
just couldn't stand it.

BO
Oh, speaking of pit bulls-

NORA
What did Asa do now?

BO
Nothing illegal, that I know of. He
sure is chomping at the bit to spend
some time with his grandson though.

NORA
Right.

BO
I told him he needs to be patient but -

NORA
No, Asa's right Bo.

BO
He is?

NORA
Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I'm
absolutely terrified at the idea of
Asa getting his hooks into Matthew -

BO
I promise you, I am not going to let
that happen.

NORA
But, Matthew really should get to
know his family, including his
grandpa. (Bo raises his eyebrows.)
I may not like everything Asa does
but I certainly can't deny the fact
that he loves his family.

BO
True.

NORA
He has some interesting ways of
showing it sometimes but - It's
clear that he loves Matthew and
he should get to know him.

BO
(smiles)
You're amazing you know that?

NORA
Why, Mr. Buchanan.

BO
I'm serious Red.

Nora and Bo share a look and a smile.

NORA
You were going to come over to
help Matthew with his project tonight
weren't you?

BO
Just as soon as I finish up here.

NORA
Why don't we talk to him tonight
and then maybe we can take him
up to your dad's this weekend.

BO
Ok. If you're sure about this.

NORA
I'm sure. Aren't you?

BO
Yeah. It'll be fine.

NORA
Ok. Time for me to get back to the phones.

A serious look on his face Bo rushes to protect his phone from Nora.

NORA
Very funny. I'll use the one in my office.
I'll see you later.

BO
Good luck.

INT. POLICE STATION BULL PEN - CONTINUING

Making her way out of Bo's office Nora is unable to avoid running
right into ADA DANIEL COULSON.

DANIEL
Ah ADA Buchanan. Good morning.

NORA
(forcing a smile)
Mr. Coulson.

DANIEL
You and the Commissioner are in awfully
early this morning.

NORA
Well Daniel it's like you seem to enjoy
saying, crime doesn't keep a banker's
schedule.

DANIEL
So you do listen to the things I say.

NORA
Of course. Now if you'll excuse me -

DANIEL
Off to spin a few more wheels on that
ridiculous wild goose chase at Llanview
U?

NORA
Gosh Daniel, we were this close to a
pleasant exchange this morning.

Turning Nora brushes past Daniel on the way out.

DANIEL
(calling behind her)
There's always tomorrow.

NORA
(under her breath)
Oh I hope not.

INT. NORA'S OFFICE - DAY

Still working the phone Nora sits at her desk, a recent photo of Bo, Matthew and
her taken at Parent's Day.

NORA
Mr. Wright it's Nora Buchanan. I
know you aren't really interested in
talking but, please, it's really important
that I ask you a couple of questions. I
promise to keep it completely confidential
but I really do need to speak with you.
Please call me. You have my numbers.

Hanging up the phone Nora looks at her list and begins to dial the next number.

NORA
Is Erika Ardeth available? Erika? Hello,
my name is Nora Buchanan and I'm an
Assistant District Attorney for the
Common Wealth of Pennsylvania. I
wonder if I could ask you a few questions.
Well, I have a report here that says you
made a couple of calls to the campus
police at Llanview University a few
months back. Wait, no - don't hang up!
Look, I just want to talk to you for a few
minutes Erika, nothing big, I - Do you
think we could meet in person?
Absolutely, completely confidential.
Ok, I'm on my way.

Returning the phone to its base Nora grabs her jacket and her purse and hurries
out the door.

NORA
Ok Erika, maybe now we can get
some answers.

INT. HALLOWED GROUNDS - DAY

Nora enters the coffee house surveying the room for Erika. The place isn't too
busy, steady business but nothing the girls behind the counter can't handle.
Ordering a cup of coffee Nora steps back to wait for her drink or Erika, which
ever comes first.

ERIKA
Ms. Buchanan?

Hearing her name Nora turns.

NORA
You must be Erika. Please, call me
Nora.

ERIKA
Thank you for meeting me here, I know
the student union would have been
closer but -

NORA
No problem. Besides, I should be the one
thanking you.

EMPLOYEE
Ms. Buchanan?

NORA
Oh, yes. Thank you. (To Erika) Can I
get you anything?

ERIKA
No, thanks. I don't have much time, I-

NORA
Well then we better get talking.

Smiling Nora leads the way to a lonely table in an empty corner.

NORA
I really do appreciate your meeting me
like this. Believe or not I'm having a
horrible time getting the students
involved in these calls to even talk to
me.

ERIKA
Oh, I believe it.

NORA
I don't understand.

ERIKA
Ms. Buchanan - (off Nora's look)
Nora, just how much do you know
about those reports to campus police?

NORA
That's just it, I don't know much about
them at all. It's as if everyone involved
has suddenly forgotten everything about
them. That, or their afraid to admit to
what they know.

By the look on Erika's face Nora just hit the nail on the head.

NORA
That's it, isn't it? These students are
afraid. Erika, is somebody threatening
you?

Suddenly Erika grows uncomfortable.

ERIKA
There really isn't much that can tell you.
I really wasn't directly involved in any
of the incidents.

NORA
But I have your name as the caller on
several of these reports.

ERIKA
I did call some reports into campus
police.

NORA
Are you telling me you made the reports
up?

ERIKA
No. I had a legitimate reason for making
each of those calls, I just wasn't directly
involved.

Someone in the corner of her eye catches Erika's attention. A tall, dark haired
man dressed for success in a business suit and tie eyes Nora and Erika
as he stands at the counter waiting to order.

ERIKA
(in a hurry)
I have to go.

NORA
What? Wait a minute you just got here.

ERIKA

(standing)
I know but I really have to get to class.

NORA
Erika can you at least tell me the reasons
that you made those calls?

ERIKA

(stopping)
What do you mean?

NORA
The reports that I have here only tell me
that you called, there are no other details.
They don't even state the nature of the
crimes you were reporting.

ERIKA
What? But I -

NORA
Erika, if you're afraid there are ways that
I can protect you but -

ERIKA
Do you have a piece of paper?

NORA
What?

ERIKA
(in a hurry)
Do you have some paper?

NORA
Right here.

ERIKA
(scribbling on the notepad)
Call this number and ask for Danny.
He can tell you what you need to know.
Just please don't tell him that you spoke
to me.

NORA
Erika-

ERIKA
I'm sorry Nora, I have to go.

Grabbing her bag from the back of her chair Erika looks around nervously and
hurries out the door. Coffee in hand now the man in the suit eyes Nora from
across the room. Feeling his eyes on her Nora looks up at the man who, the
moment her eyes lock on his, stands and makes an abrupt exit of his own.