Dark Night

Maria: Please don’t. She’s just a kid. I told you I never called the cops. I don’t know what you’re talking about - A KNOCK at the door. Maria jumps. DETECTIVE MURPHY, 53, speaks from the other side of the door.

Detective Murphy: Police. Open up.

Maria: Oh my God, they’re here. No, I didn’t call them, I swear. What should I do? They’re right out - Detective Murphy BURSTS in. Maria screams and hangs up. Murphy shines his flashlight in her face. Maria puts her hands up.

Detective Murphy: Are you alone?

Maria: Yes. Yes, I’m alone. It’s just me. Officer Murphy puts the flashlight down.

Detective Murphy: Where’s Garcia? Huh? Carlos Garcia. Where is he?! Murphy shows her a photo. She didn’t even look. She just shakes her head “no,” eyes closed, panicking. Murphy doesn’t trust her. He shines the light on her again.

Detective Murphy: You lying to me? If I find out you’re lying -

Maria: No, no, you don’t understand!

Detective Murphy: No, you don’t understand! I need to know where he is now! If you’re hiding him, I’m taking you in too.

Detective Murphy: 2. Now, I’ll ask one more time. Where is Carlos Garcia?!

Maria: He’s got my daughter! I don’t know where he is! And if he knew I told you any of this, he’d kill her right now! Detective Murphy moves in to console her.

Detective Murphy: Okay, it’s okay. What’s your name?

Maria: Maria.

Detective Murphy: Maria, listen, we’re going to find your daughter. Okay? But you’ve got to tell me what you know.

Maria: Know? I know nothing. We came here last night. This is the place we were told to meet Carlos. I heard about him from my friend. He was supposed to help my daughter and

Detective Murphy: Help you what? I need to know, I won’t hold it against you - We care about Carlos, not you.

Maria: Get our green cards. But then we got here and no one was here. Before I knew it, guys in masks come and take my daughter away from me. Then I got a call that they have her and if I call the cops, she’s - but now you’re here and - oh my God, what are they gonna do?! Why would they want my baby?!

Detective Murphy: Stay with me, Maria. We don’t have much time. Garcia... He’s a child sex trafficker.

Detective Murphy: 3. We’ve been tracking him for months. This is the kind of set up he does to get his children. Maria is freaking out.

Detective Murphy: But listen, listen to me. What he doesn’t know is, we got a tracking device on him now. That’s how I got here. He can’t be far. Now I’m going to do everything I can to get your daughter back. But I’m gonna need your help. Will you help me? Maria calms down and nods to him. They stare at each other determined.