INT. POLICE BULL PEN - DAY

Bo and Nora enter the police station together ready to start their day. Antonio is
already there, working on a cup of coffee as he looks over some files.

ANTONIO
Good morning you two. How's
Matthew?

BO
He's ok. He decided to go to school
today.

Bo looks at Nora who is obviously having a little bit of a hard time with it.
Antonio can see it too.

ANTONIO
I'm glad he's back. I'm sure he'll
be just fine Nora.

NORA
(trying to shake it off)
Of course. He'll be fine. Thanks
Antonio.

ANTONIO
I better go check in with forensics. I'll
talk to you two in a bit?

BO
Yeah, go ahead. We'll see you later.

Taking his file with him Antonio heads downstairs.

NORA
I guess I better get to work too.

Turning Nora walks toward the hallway.

BO
Red?

NORA
Yeah?

Taking her by the hand Bo pulls her toward his office.
NORA
What are you doing?

BO
Just give me one second before you
bury yourself in work.

INT. BO'S OFFICE - CONTINUING

Bo pulls a confused Nora into the office and closes the door behind them.

NORA
What is it? Do you have a case you -

Taking her in his arms Bo pulls Nora in and holds her close.

BO
He's going to be ok Red. He's going
to have a great day at school and we'll
be seeing Mary Anne bring him through
that door all safe and sound in no time.

Heaving a heavy sigh Nora relaxes into Bo's hug and lets him comfort her.

NORA
I know. You're right, he'll be fine.

A tear leaves Nora's eye and slides down her cheek. Taking her face in his
hands Bo looks into Nora's eyes.

BO
He will.

NORA
(nods her head)
Thanks Bo.

For a brief moment neither one of them speaks, they just stand there, eyes locked,
arms wrapped around each other. Seeing the left over tear on Nora's cheek Bo
softly wipes it away with his thumb.

NORA
(quietly)
I better get to work.

BO
(doesn't move)
Ok.

Neither one of them moves. They just continue to stand there holding each other. There is another silent beat as Bo begins to draw his face toward Nora's.
Suddenly snapping out of it Nora pulls away from Bo and heads toward the door.

NORA
I'll be in my office.

BO
Yeah. Me too. See ya later.

NORA
See ya.

INT. NORA'S OFFICE - DAY

Nora sits at her desk, still working her way through a stack of files. She's trying
to focus but thoughts of the situation at Llanview U keep creeping up on her.
Nora takes out the list of possible dealers Detective Carter dug up and looks it
over.

NORA
So. nobody's returning my calls,
students at the university say that
this bunch is dealing drugs, there
is definitely a cover-up going on.
but why? Which one of you is
important enough to hide the truth
for? Who would want to-

Reading through the list again a name catches Nora's eye.

NORA
Nicholas Simmons. Now where
have I heard that -

Another light coming on Nora opens her notebook and tears through her notes.

NORA
Simmons. Simmons.

Turning the pages frantically, Nora stops on one and reads.

NORA
Of course. Nora, how could you be
so stupid?

Picking up the phone Nora quickly dials a number from memory.

NORA
Vicki, it's Nora. Hi. I'm sorry to
bother you and this is a little strange
but with all the work you're doing
over at Llanview U right now I
thought that maybe you could help
me. Didn't you tell me once that
Dean Williams has a son? That's
what I thought. But he's divorced right?
What was her name? That's right.
Thank you so much Vicki. No,
everything's great. He's ok, he
actually went to school today. Yeah.
I will. Thanks.

Hanging up the telephone Nora scribbles a note in her notepad.

NORA
Looks like Dean Williams isn't
exactly proud of his son.

BO
Talking to yourself again Counselor?

Nora looks up to find Bo standing in her doorway.

NORA
Yeah, well, I can be a pretty good listener
you know.

BO
You working on a case?

NORA
Remember we talked about the screaming
possibility of a cover-up over there at
the university?

BO
Yeah, it looks like it's a pretty sure bet
someone is covering somebody's butt
over there.

NORA
How about Dean Williams?

BO
The Dean? Who would he be covering
for?

NORA
His son.

BO
Does he have a son?

NORA
(nods)
I remembered talking to Vicki once at
a fund raiser about the Dean and for
some reason, in passing, she mentioned
that he has a son. A son who doesn't
always run with the greatest crowd and
at some point actually started going by
his mother's maiden name. A son whose
enrolled in Llanview U as we speak.

Bo looks at Nora, putting the pieces together in his mind.

NORA
This same son's name is one of the
names on the list of possible dealers
Detective Carter dug up when he
did some checking over at the campus.

Nora shows Bo the list, pointing to the name.

BO
Nicholas Simmons. Nicholas
Simmons, son of -

NORA
Dean Nicholas Williams.

BO
Good work Red.

NORA
It's hardly anything worth getting
excited over yet. We have nothing
else to go on but it does look like
some pieces are beginning to fall
into place on this.

BO
Yeah. Just remember to be careful
ok?

Nora just smiles.

BO
I'm serious Red. I'm really starting to
hate the idea of you working on this,
especially in light of that letter and
the phone calls. I'd like to just turn
it over to a detective but -

Nora shoots Bo a nasty look.

BO
But, I know you can take care of yourself.
I just want to make sure you're being
careful. And no more secrets, ok?

NORA
So what can I do ya for?

BO
Don't change the subject.

NORA
I'm serious Bo. You must have needed
something. What's up?

BO
(letting it go - for now)
I was actually just wondering if you have
plans for lunch.

NORA
Nope.

BO
Good. What do you say you eat lunch
with me and the two of us can worry
about Matthew being back at school
together.

NORA
(smiles)
Sure.

BO
Great. Stop by my office when you're
ready to go.

EXT. ANGEL SQUARE - DAY

Bo and Nora sit together on a bench in the middle of Angel Square. Mouths full
each of them is just finishing up the burgers they had for lunch.

NORA
I couldn't believe it, I mean, it was a
red light, just where exactly did this
fool expect me to go?

BO
I think people like that would complain
if you grew wings and flew out of their
way sometimes.

Still chewing a big bite, Nora laughs at Bo. Tossing his sandwich wrapper in the
paper bag next to him Bo reaches over and steals some of Nora's fries.

NORA
Hey!

BO
Thanks Red.

NORA
Some things never change.

BO
What are you talking about? If I
remember correctly it was always
you who was reaching over sneaking
fries away from me.
NORA
Well, it's a good thing that you -

Reaching over Nora picks up Bo's soda and takes a drink.

NORA
Don't remember correctly.

With a wink and a smile Nora starts to giggle as Bo flashes a content smile back
at her. Sitting back into the bench Bo breathes deep, taking in the cool fall air.

NORA
Do you think he's having fun?

BO
Yeah. But I also think that he'll be
happy to see the two of us just.
(looks at his watch)
1 hour 13 minutes and about four -
no three seconds from now.

Smiling again Nora is so grateful to have Bo here.

NORA
Thanks Bo.

BO
For what?

NORA
For being you.

A cold blast of wind picks up sending a shiver through both Bo and Nora.

BO
It sure is getting cold fast.

NORA
You're not kidding.

BO
(standing)
What do you say we stop and grab
a little something to warm the old
bones before we go back?

No sooner have the words left Bo's mouth and his cell phone rings.

BO
Buchanan. No. Ok, I'll be right
there.
(Hangs up)
Or, we can enjoy some of that battery
acid in the pot back at the office.

NORA
I'll tell you what. You head back and
see what they need you for and I'll
stop by and grab something to get
us through the rest of the day.

BO
You sure?

NORA
Positive. You want the usual right?

BO
Thanks.

NORA
I'll see you in a bit.

INT. HALLOWED GROUNDS - DAY

NORA
Thank you.

Taking her change from the employee behind the counter, Nora slides the two
cups of coffee in front of her toward the empty space next to her to make way
for the customer next in line. The phone on the wall is ringing and while she is
distracted by what she is doing, Nora can't help but overhear.

MALE EMPLOYEE
(holds his hand over the phone)
Allison, it's for you.

ALLISON
Do you know who it is?

Nora slips the bills in her hand back into her wallet and is busy returning the
wallet to her purse when a bit of the conversation catches her ear.

MALE EMPLOYEE
They didn't say, just asked for Allison
Markson.

Nora stops dead in her tracks. Taking the phone in her hand Allison begins to
speak.

ALLISON
This is Allison Markson. Uh huh.
Yes.

Unable to help herself Nora listens to Allison speak, doing her best to make
herself appear busy by the coffee in front of her.

ALLISON
Ok. No, I understand. Thank you.

Hanging up the phone Allison turns and goes back to business as usual.

NORA
(to Allison)
Excuse me? Excuse me, would it
be possible for me to talk you out of
a straw?

ALLISON
A drinking straw?

Nora nods.

ALLISON
For your coffee?

NORA
Yes.

Reaching under the counter Allison produces and hands Nora two straws.

NORA
Thank you. Um. I couldn't
help but overhearing, did you
say your name is Allison Markson?

ALLISON
Yes, I'm sorry, do I know you?

NORA
No, I'm Nora Buchanan, from the
District Attorney's office.

ALLISON
Nora Buchanan. why does that
name sound -

NORA
I left you several messages.

ALLISON
Oh, that's right. You spoke with
my roommate.

NORA
Yes.

ALLISON
Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't call you
back before, I've just been really
busy what with school starting up
and everything.

NORA
Understood. Do you think there
would be a time we could maybe
sit down and talk for a minute?

Allison grows uncomfortable.

NORA
It wouldn't take long, I just want
to ask you a couple of questions.

ALLISON
This is about that report I called
in to the campus police isn't it?

NORA
Yes.

ALLISON
Look, I already told them everything
I know and -

NORA
Allison, there's a real problem with
the way some things are being
handled over at Llanview University
and I think that maybe you can help
be get to the bottom of some of them.

ALLISON
I'm sorry Ms. Buchanan, I'm just
really swamped right now and I -

NORA
I know you are and I promise it won't
take long. It really is important that
I talk to you.

ALLISON
(thinking)
Ok. But I really can't today. I have
to drop a friend off for an appointment
at the hospital tomorrow afternoon, do
you think you could meet me there?

NORA
Sure. I'll meet you in the sun room at?

ALLISON
Two o'clock?

NORA
Ok.

Forgetting the real reason she was there Nora turns to leave without her coffee.

ALLISON
(holding up the cups)
Ms. Buchanan?

NORA
Oh, thank you.

Taking the cups in hand Nora turns without looking and runs directly into a
tall, dark haired MAN in a suit.

NORA
Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't -

Looking up at the man Nora wonders where she's seen him before.

NORA
See you there.

The man just smiles and steps out of the way, his eyes locked with Allison's who,
a strange look on her face, looks away and hurries back to work.

NORA
I'm very sorry.

MAN
Don't worry about it.

Something is still very familiar about him but unable to put a finger on it Nora
turns and heads toward the door, his eyes following her the entire way.

INT. NORA'S OFFICE - DAY

Back in her office now Nora works on her coffee as she eyes a file on her
computer screen. Doing her best to stay distracted Nora doesn't
realize she has a visitor in her doorway.

MATTHEW
Hi mom!

Running to his mother's arms Matthew throws a giant hug around her, a
look of complete surprise and relief washing over Nora's smiling face.

NORA
Hi sweet heart! How was school?

MATTHEW
Fine. But I missed you.

NORA
Oh I missed you too. So much.
Where's Mary Anne?

MATTHEW
She went home after she saw that
I was ok with dad.

NORA
You saw your dad?

MATTHEW
Uh huh. He said I should come say
"Hi" to you.

NORA
Well he was right. I'm so happy
to see my favorite guy.

MATTHEW
What are we going to do now?

NORA
What do you want to do? We can -

Nora's phone rings.

NORA
Just one second sweet heart.
Nora Buchanan.

MALE VOICE (V.O.)
Still sticking your nose into places
where it doesn't belong huh lawyer
lady?

NORA
Who is this?

MALE VOICE (V.O.)
I sound a lot nicer than I am really.
The fact is, I'm not a very patient
person and can really get rather
mean. when I'm provoked.

Realizing Matthew is listening Nora does her best not to let on that anything is
wrong.

NORA
I really can't talk about this right now
but if you give me your name -

The phone dies.

NORA
Hello?

Nora hangs up the phone. Matthew is still listening, a worried look on his face.

NORA
Well, I guess they didn't want to talk
to me after all. Should we go find
your dad?

Matthew nods and Nora stands and takes him by the hand.

NORA
Let's go.