Chapter 5 (The Figure of Death)

Chapter 5 (The Figure of Death) is the fifth chapter of The Clearwood Murders: Episode I - The Figure of Death. It was written by Donald Newton and published on May 14, 2021.

Plot
A suspect is arrested. But is the suspect the real killer?

Full Chapter
KNOCK! KNOCK!

INT. LANE HOUSE - NIGHT

EDITH LANE (40s) opens the door to find -- CLARENCE and DEPUTY JAY CLIFFORD.

CLARENCE: Hey, Edith. I'm sorry to disturb you this late at night. But is your son, Bud, home?

EDITH: (turning towards the hall) BUD! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE NOW!

Bud comes out of his room to see Clarence.

CLARENCE: Bud Lane...

Bud realizes what they're there for. He takes off running back into his room.

CLARENCE: STOP!

Clarence runs through the house after Bud. Clifford runs out to the side of the house. Edith is now pissed.

EDITH: (shouting) BUD DAMON LANE!! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!!

Bud slams the door to his bedroom and locks it.

CLARENCE: (attempting to open the door) Don't make this harder on you than it already is!

Clarence tries barging the door open with his shoulder.

INT. BUD'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Bud is climbing out of his window. Clarence is able to break down the door in time to see Bud jump out the window.

CLARENCE: BUD, STOP!

Clarence runs over to the window and proceeds to climb out.

EXT. LANE HOUSE - NIGHT

Bud is running away from his house. Clarence proceeds to chase him. But Bud is way ahead of him. Bud is very close to an area to escape from the police's view. Then -- CLIFFORD TACKLES HIM TO THE GROUND.

Clarence catches up as Clifford proceeds to handcuff Bud, who is resisting him.

CLARENCE: Bud Lane, you are under arrest for stalking, sexual harassment, breaking and entering, and for the murder of Cheryl Reid.

BUD: I didn't kill her!

CLIFFORD: Save it for the judge.

Clarence and Clifford pick Bud off of the ground and escorts him off.

Edith, Scott, Mr. Lane, and some girl at the house have all gathered outside the house to watch Bud being escorted to the police car.

SCOTT: What did you do, Bud? What the fuck?

Bud doesn't respond as he's placed into the car by Clarence. Clarence and Clifford returns to their respective cars and drives off.

EDITH: Fucking idiot.

Scott eyes at his mother. He somewhat blames his parents' shitty behaviors and upbringing to them for Bud's behavior and actions.

INT. CLEARWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY

The entire school is jabbering over the news of Cheryl Reid's murder and Bud Lane's arrest for it.

STUDENT #1: I knew that janitor was a creep.

STUDENT #2: I bet he killed Aaron Berkman and Maya Sharpe, too.

STUDENT #3: I can't believe that our janitor killed Cheryl.

STUDENT #4: He was such a creepy perv. It doesn't surprise me.

STUDENT #5: I'd be surprised if Scott Lane even came to school.

STUDENT #6: I'd be so embarrassed to come to school if my creepy brother killed a classmate.

STUDENT #7: Did Scott know anything about it? I wonder if he was involved.

STUDENT #8: That Lane family is nothing but a family of losers.

TEACHER #1: I just can't believe that we've lost another student.

TEACHER #2: I just can't believe that one of our own staff members killed an innocent girl.

Scott and Anthony enters the building. Everyone turns to stare and point at Scott.

STUDENT #9: There is Scott Lane.

STUDENT #10: I wonder if he helped.

STUDENT #11: I can't believe he actually came to school today.

STUDENT #12: That's so embarrassing.

STUDENT #13: I wouldn't show my face around here if I were him.

Scott notices that many of the students are giving him looks as if the murders were his fault. He hides his embarrassment and shame like nothing is wrong. He looks and acts like everything is just cool. But it's not. His prediction came true. His brother ruined his family's image more than it was already ruined.

INT. POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

Bud is sitting at a table with his hands in cuffs. Clarence walks in and sits across from him. He opens a file and begins reading it.

CLARENCE: "But if you don't embrace me...you will be sorry."

Bud realizes what he's talking about.

BUD: It's not what it sounds like.

Clarence continues to read the text messages from Bud to Cheryl.

CLARENCE: "Your call! Your life is over!" That was sent at seven-forty-three. A few minutes later, she called nine-one-one, claiming that you were the one who broke into her house just before shen was attacked, and the operator heard her being attacked. Then her neighbors saw you leaving her house with blood on your hands.

Bud is horrified. This doesn't look good for him.

BUD: But I didn't kill her. I didn't mean for those to be threats on her life. It's not what I meant.

CLARENCE: What did you mean then, Bud?

BUD: She was so easy. She slept with many guys. Yet, she always had a good girl image. I was going to use this information and spread it at the school so that her image would be ruined. If she was going hurt me, I'd hurt her. But I would never kill her. I...I loved her.

CLARENCE: How do you explain her blood on your hands? What were you doing at her house?

BUD: I was going to sneak in and steal some evidence of her whorey ways so that people would know the truth. As I was heading towards the back door, I heard her screaming. I went to see what was wrong and...(starts crying)...I found her. I went over to her to see if I could help her. But she was dead.

CLARENCE: If you were trying to help her, then why did you leave the scene? Why didn't you call for help? You realize how it makes you look here?

BUD: I was scared. I didn't think anyone would believe me...(realizing)...and now nobody does anyways.

CLARENCE: Yeah. You're really in a bind here, Bud. I think you should consider getting a lawyer.

Clarence gets up and leaves the interrogation room.

INT. CLEARWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL - COURYARD - DAY

Andrew, Jenna, Nick, Kris, Paige, Cole, Charlie, and Brett are hanging out and sitting on the bricked edge of the water fountain. Kris is crying.

KRIS: I just can't that she's gone.

Nick tries to comfort her.

NICK: I know, Kris. I know.

Nick rubs her back. Kris leans her head on Nick's shoulder.

ANDREW: She was a nice person.

JENNA: She was. She was amazing.

COLE: I wonder if Scott Lane knows anything about this.

ANDREW: Guys, we need to not accuse Scott of anything. What happened is on his brother. Not on Scott.

COLE: You're right, Andrew. Scott is probably hurt by this just as much as everyone else is about this.

Andrew sees Scott walking by.

ANDREW: Hey, Scott.

SCOTT: Hey, Andrew.

Andrew and Scott know each other in class. They're not close friends.

ANDREW: You doing okay?

SCOTT: You mean after what my brother did and how everyone is treating me? (sarcastically) Doing just excellent.

ANDREW: I'm sorry, man. If you want you can come hangout with us anytime you want. We're here for you.

Jenna smiles and nods in agreement.

SCOTT: Thanks. I'm sorry about your friend.

KRIS: (being sympathetic) Sorry about your brother.

SCOTT: Don't be. He did this himself. He fucked up.

Scott walks off before his anger can show.

Andrew's group gives off a sympathetic look on their faces. They see that Scott has seemed to accepted what his brother is. It is very sad. He must live with this fact for the rest of his life.

INT. CLEARWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT - JAIL HALL - DAY

We go through the jail cell hall as we hear Clarence's voice through the radio.

CLARENCE: (voice in radio) All units, we have a ten-ninety-eight. Bud Lane has escaped and we have an officer down.

We turn to find to an open cell and find DEPUTY JAY CLIFFORD dead. BUD LANE IS GONE!

EXT. LANE HOUSE - DAY

Police have taken over the Lane house.

INT. LANE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

The Lane Parents stand aside as the police are searching their house and going through Bud's bedroom.

EDITH: I'm telling ya, Sheriff. Bud's not here.

CLARENCE: We must search anyways. Maybe there's clues to where he's gone to.

EDITH: That boy could hardly write anything intelligent. I doubt he has a journal about his favorite hiding place.

CLARENCE: Does he have one?

EDITH: I don't know. I never knew what that boy was ever up to.

Clarence is disturbed by this statement from Bud's mother. It's clear that she's not a very good mother. But he keeps his mouth shut about it.

CLARENCE: I'll do everything I can to find your son.

EDITH: (shrugs) Whatever. You find him, you can have him. I don't give two shits about that boy anymore.

Hearing that from nearby is Scott, who gives his mother (who doesn't see this) an evil eye.

Deaths

 * CD = Chapter Death (Deaths in the chapter)
 * SD = Story Death (Overall deaths in the story)

Trivia

 * Scott and Bud are the main characters of this chapter.
 * First appearance of Scott and Bud's parents. His mother's name is Edith. Their father is just referred to as "Mr. Lane."
 * Last appearance of Deputy Jay Clifford.