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Every Secret Thing (2014)
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- "So, he skipped"... - Skipped from the... No, no, no. I'm gonna do it alone. "So he skipped from the oven and into bread dough, all ready to rise in the night kitchen." What time is it? It's almost 10:00. Why? After the book, will you do my nails? You never want me to do your nails. I know. But I thought it would be fun. What time is it, Mom? Let's see. It's past your bedtime. It's after 11:00! Let's make cookies! Please? You're so pretty. Thank you. Ronnie? Come in, sweetie. I didn't want to, but she made me. - What? - I'm sorry, please. I'm sorry. Shh. Come here. Come here. Come here. Shh. It's okay. Why do I have to bring her? Honey, you've played with her since kindergarten. She's weird. Well, all the more reason to be kind. I don't think Ronnie has any friends, sweetheart. I like Ronnie. Then you hang out with her. Come on in, sweetie. Come on in. Is this what you got for the birthday girl? - My mom got it. - Yeah? Boy, you're getting lovelier every day. Look at your cute figure. - I don't have a figure. - But you will. And when you do, it's going to be outrageous. Wait till you see what Alice is wearing. I didn't want to bring you. I didn't want to come. Every day... - Hey, guys! - I can do it! Can anyone do a cannonball? Anyone? I can't wait to take you far away Don't you know... Yay! I wonder what that is? ...and that with your suit! - So cute! - My God! Cool. - So pretty. - Thanks. My God. Penelope, your mother has such great taste. Let me see that. Who's this from? My God, I wonder what it is. - It's just a book. - God, you just told her. It's okay, we like books. No, we don't. Thanks, Alice. Well, you should thank my mom. She's so weird. Well, looks like that's it, honey. That girl has a present. We'll fly away... No, don't give it to her. - Here, Mary. - Thanks. - Can you feel - Can you feel... I'm for real I'm for real... That's... Thanks, she's... cute. You're just a stupid bitch. You don't have to pretend like you like it. Excuse me, we don't say that word. - Ronnie...! - Hey, I'm talking to you. Can't you hear me? Wait! My God! You hit my mom! Ronnie, no. What are you doing? I think this party is over for you two. Why don't you get your things? What's wrong with her? Why do I have to leave? - Go. - Why do I have to leave? - Who even invited her? - I don't know. Ronnie! Ronnie...! What everyone was doing was just pissing me off. Always looking down on other people, judging everyone, but she literally... You want some breakfast? Alice, you should have some breakfast. What? No, thanks. Hey, just say the word and we can paint this room. It might even be fun. I ran into Ronnie Fuller's mother at the ATM. She said Ronnie got a job. What are you watching? That one? She's the meanest. She thinks she's better than everyone else. - You're being ridiculous. No. - I'm being ridiculous? Yeah, you're being ridiculous. Okay, let's get this day started, shall we? What are you going to do today? Look for a job. - See you later. - Bye. "Dear producers, All the time I see new television shows, but I like yours the best." "I have an idea for a show that maybe you would like about people who have been in jail or gotten in trouble for doing something bad, but they're actually innocent. I know I don't look like most people on TV, but I am on a diet and exercising every day. And I think people will be interested in my story. I am only 18, but I spent a long time in jail for a crime I did not commit. If people saw me on television, they would realize that underneath it all, I am just like everyone else. I think this show would be educational and popular. And maybe it would help everyone figure out the truth about what actually happened to me." Let's see, I'll have three onion. And two rolls. You know what? Since you're about to close, can I get 14 for the price of a dozen? Sorry, my manager says no. But you're just gonna throw them away. I mean, I come here all the time. Sure thing. You can have 14. Great. So the rest will be... everything. You know what? I don't have any cash. Can I write you a check? - Certainly. - Great. Liar. - Excuse me? - What? You know what? I'm gonna need some cash back, too. How much are you gonna need? A hundred. Of course, ma'am. Thanks. Ronnie, you're killin' me here. You can take off. Thanks, Clarice. - Maybe it's because of the table. - Kayla, art is for making a mess. Don't be so scared. Don't be so afraid. Art is not for conforming, art is for creating, right? Hey, Ms. Manning, can I see you for a second? Just a moment. All right, you go ahead. I'll be right back. All right, yeah. Kayla's afraid to draw in a goddamn coloring book. She's afraid she's no good if she doesn't impress you. Excuse me... Mrs. West? I teach children to be original, to express themselves uniquely, independently... She's eight. Who gives a shit? I do. I'm trying to give her an art education. Regardless of whether or not that is something that you can understand or appreciate. I want what's good for my kid. And if she wants to draw in a fucking coloring book for the rest of her life, that's okay with me. - Please. Language. - Well, then, I feel sorry for your little girl. You feel sorry for my little girl? So tell me a little bit about your job searching. I tried. I looked a long time. I was at the mall, asking in clothing stores. Those jobs are hard to get. I don't see why you don't try for one of those fast-food places. I'd rather not work in a fast-food place if I don't have to. I don't believe in what they're doing. I don't. You won't even eat at those places. A person has to work. So, where did you apply? Food Emporium, and Contempo. I mean, it's called "Wet Seal" now. Those are union. Don't waste your time. Food Emporium is, but I didn't find that out until I got there. Not Wet Seal. They don't want a girl like me anyway. Something will come through. That's beautiful, honey. Can I see? Who wants a sip of mine? Me! Yum! - Yeah? - Yeah. Alice? No, thank you. It's illegal. Alice Manning, the police might come and get you if you have a sip. I'll protect you. Whoo-oo! Ronnie, this is beautiful. It's so powerful and dark and interesting. You're really talented, you know that? Will you sign it for me? Yeah? What about this one? Comfy. That leather one over there, that's the shit. We are not getting a leather couch. How you gonna tell me we ain't getting a leather couch? Look at that shit. That shit is fly. - That's why we ain't got company. - It's too soft? You guys getting closer? - Yes, we are. - Not... not with that one. No. - I like this one. - That's chintz. It's our new line. A "bitch"? That's "bitch." It ain't chintz. - The leather, yeah, that's... - Okay, all right. Sure. - What's up with this? - I ain't getting a leather couch. What's up with that? You can give me a price on that? Devlin, I ain't getting no leather couch. - This is how I can kick back. - You like with the feet up? Yeah, kick back, watch the game and shit. - I hear you. - This is how we should be living. - Brittany? - It may have to be this one. - What's it... $649? - Hey, baby, where did Brittany go? That's for the second half of the couch. But what we could do, what we could do... Brittany? She probably jumping on some bed somewhere, doing something she ain't supposed to. Brittany...? - Brittany? - I like to conjugate, too. - You know? - Yeah. Answer me. - Devlin, help me. - I like this. Hold up. - Brit! - You all right? Brit-Brit! Hold on, hold on one second... my daughter. My daughter around here somewhere. - Maveen? Brit! - All right. Ma'am, is there something I can help... Have you seen a little girl? She's just three years old. She runs off sometimes, but never for this long. Um... she's not answering me. - It's okay. - Brit, I know you hear me. Don't you worry. Let's look. - Okay. - Brittany! Now, Brit, you gonna be in trouble if you don't come out! Brittany, don't hide from Mommy! No one left the store. My God! - Brit-Brit... - My God! Calm down. She just hiding from you. - Brittany! - It's okay, it's okay. Brittany, I know you hear me. Come on, girl! - Shit! - Brittany! Brittany? Fuck! I'm sorry I'm late. I had to take my mom to the doctor, and it took forever. I thought you didn't drive. We took the bus. She wanted my company. Why couldn't your dad take her? Listen... You got some of that Red Bull? Yeah, I can. My dad's truck is full of them. He'll never notice. Thanks. How's she doing? - Your mom. - Not good. You're gonna find my baby, right? We'll find her. You have my word on that, okay? You got kids? Two daughters... 13 and three months. I only turned around for a minute, I swear. A minute is a long time. I didn't think... there were people around. It was a nice store. She always running off when she sees something she like... want us to buy for her. And you are...? - This your husband? - Boyfriend. Of course. You the baby daddy? She calls him Daddy. He's here. Her daddy ain't. - And the biological father? - I don't know. I don't care. And neither does he. You got a job, boyfriend? Or you just "chillin" '? Why are you asking him these questions? I know why he asking the questions. Where were you when Brittany went missing? - He was with me. - I'm not asking you. I'm asking him. Where were you when Brittany went missing? Do I need to ask you again? Nigga, do your job and find our little girl. You come here to harass me? Are you going to answer my question? Do your motherfuckin' job, nigga. Where were you when Brittany went missing? - Don't come askin' me... - I'm only gonna ask you one more time. Nah, man, you ain't gotta ask me no questions like that. Where were you when Brittany went missing? - Why don't you do your job? - You didn't answer my question. - Okay. - Are you going to do your job? That's what we're trying to do, Mister...? - Smith. - Mr. Smith. We want to find your daughter. - Okay? - Yeah. What the hell was that? Jones? You know, even good parents could lose their kids. They aren't good parents. Every fucking time I walk in here! Yeah... You said you'd be home for dinner. I am home. It's after 8:00. Where have you been? I was walking. - I'm starving. - I didn't wait for you. That's okay. What's in there? A bunch of stuff. Olives, cheese. I hate olives. What's this? That's a walnut. Surely you've seen a walnut, Alice. It's good. Sorry, sometimes I just think you were switched at the hospital. You know, my horoscope today said that "all eyes would be on me." And then I'll find something I misplaced. Did you find a job? Not yet. Did you find a boyfriend? What? Excuse me? You were reading the personals. Well, they're hilarious. And tragic. Why don't you take a look at the want ads? Why don't you have a boyfriend, Mom? I mean, I would have figured you'd found somebody by now. Jones. How was my brother? I... I know. There's no way. - You should not wait up. - Yeah. And don't watch crap TV and fall asleep on the couch. - All right. Hey. - You wouldn't want to catch... They found something at the mall. - I gotta go. - Come on. - Yes. Don't wait up. - Let's go, let's go, let's go. Do not wait up. Right over here. A hundred yards from the furniture store. Similar photos have been taken? Pictures all around. I want a full dust. We got blood. I'm gonna need this place wiped. Okay? Let's bag it. I need a minute. You should come to bed. It's 4:00 a.m., Nance. Which means it's 16 and a half hours... since a three-year-old went missing. Right, missing kid. You don't do missing kid cases. I thought I could handle it. It's like a fort. In high school, everybody came up here to smoke cigarettes. I didn't remember it being this far. You smoke cigarettes? I was the lookout. It's up here. This is not part of the grid, Porter. If we find this baby first, where does that put us? Gotta follow chain of command. See down in there? Come on. See? In here. God... ...sector R8-26. We are near the south end of the sewer line by the old bunker near the river. We need backup and an ambulance. Nance? Roz, you haven't eaten your breakfast. I really don't have any words... Come on. We were just shopping for a new sofa. Like a second, I turned around and then, she was just like... Hey, baby. How are you? Good morning. Daddy! ...urged to contact the police department at 3-3-4... Look, Mama, me! Honey, that's... that's not you. Let's turn this off right now. Oops. The birth father was in Ossining when it happened. It wasn't him. B&E, 10 years, possibility of parole. Went back to Paradise Furniture, talked to the manager. - And? - There's nothing new. But he did say that the boyfriend, Devlin Smith, was "acting like an asshole." His words, not mine. Jesus, what is she doing here? Who is that? They're home, you know. They've been home for two weeks. They're back living not even three miles from where this happened. Who? Who's home? Ronnie Fuller and Alice Manning. That little girl has only been missing one night. It's possible she's still okay. These disappearances, they're very different. Your daughter was an infant, this girl is a toddler. Your baby was taken on impulse. And this, this seems to be... She is a three-year-old biracial child with short, curly black hair. Brittany Lyttle is, in fact, a dead ringer for my daughter. And maybe she wouldn't be sitting here right now if these girls were smarter. Have they contacted you? Have they threatened your family in any way? They've taken a child thinking it's mine. Why are you still sitting here asking me questions? Mrs. Barnes, we understand your concerns. And they'll be taken very seriously. I won't hold my breath. Why didn't I know about this connection? What connection? She wants it to be them, doesn't mean it is. Okay. We're gonna follow it up? Brother. Dave! Dave Fuller? Why is it so obvious you're cops? I didn't know better, I'd think you were boosting merchandise off that work truck. Relax, we're not here to bust your balls. I wanna talk to your daughter, Ronnie. What did she do this time? She didn't do nothin'. Shut up. You know where we might find her? She's working at this bagel place. Out by the mall? Hi there. Can I help you with something? Ronnie Fuller? Yeah? I'm Detective Porter. This is Detective Jones. Is something wrong? We'd like to ask you a few questions. Okay. I'll meet you out front. Okay. Is everything all right? She working on Monday? Yeah. She works every day. When's her shift start? It depends on the day. Most of the time, midmorning. Shit! Humph. - Looks like we got our first suspect. - God damn it. - Who is it? - Metro Police! - Helen Manning? - Yeah. I'm Detective Jones, this is Detective Porter. - May we come in? - Why do you need to come in? We're looking for your daughter. Alice. Alice Manning. Well, Alice isn't here. Alice? Nope. You have any idea where we might find her? She's 18, I don't always know where she goes. She's probably out walking. - Walking? - She walks a lot. You just have her call us when she gets in. - Thank you very much. - I will pass the message on. Mrs. Manning...? You know what time she got back last night? Late. We were supposed to have dinner together, but she showed up late. Out walking? Thank you for your time. One-William-four-five. 10-3, it's Porter. We checked in with Ronnie Fuller's parents. There's no sign of her since she left for work this morning. Thanks. Okay. Where were you? Walking. Two detectives came by here today... looking for you. Alice, please... tell me you didn't do anything this time. I didn't do anything last time. Can you prove it? Let's go talk to them. You know why we wanted to talk to you today? Because of my past. Why don't you tell me where you were yesterday? Well, I was walking. I'm trying to lose a little weight. Walking where? For how long? I started out on Main Street, and I put in an application at Arby's. I don't want to work there, but my mom said that I can't afford to be picky. It's not so bad. I did it myself. You don't look like you had to work in a place like that. You could be a model. So we go to Arby's, there'll be a record of your application? I guess so. I mean, the girl who took it seemed a little spacey, but... Arby's, that's near... Paradise Furniture. Paradise Furniture? There's a little girl missing from Paradise Furniture. I know. My mom told me. I saw it on the news. You know anything at all about this missing child? I know something I'm not supposed to know. Because I broke a rule. What rule? When I was little, I used to go to the pharmacy and get these chocolate-covered peanuts. But when I got out of Schechter, the pharmacy was gone, so I've been trying to find ones that are as good or maybe even the same kind, but I haven't yet. But anyway, I left because I didn't want her to see me. Who? Ronnie Fuller. I saw her standing outside of Cino's Bagels. She seemed really nervous. And she kept looking around her like she was afraid someone was watching her. Well, Alice... you were watching her. Yeah, but she didn't know that. I just thought that if I told you where she worked, that would be helpful. Do you know anything about Brittany Lyttle? The three-year-old that's missing. I was hoping you could provide insight. When Olivia Barnes went missing, what was going through your mind? What were you and Ronnie thinking when you and Ronnie took her from her house? How would that give you insight? I mean, unless I did what happened now. You could help me understand the mind of a person who could take a child. That could help me solve this case. You could help me. You and Ronnie were friends, you were at a birthday party having fun, right? Walk me through that day. Ronnie! Ronnie! What are you doing? Hello? - Hello? - Ronnie! I told Ronnie we should leave it. Ronnie! What are you doing? Why are you not listening to me? Are you crazy? You're in so much trouble! She's my baby now. She needs me. No, she doesn't. She needs her mother. Her mother doesn't love her. I do. I didn't even want it. And I didn't kill it. Ronnie did. I don't know why she did it. I wasn't even there when it happened. I wasn't even there. Maybe if I had been there, I could have stopped her. But I wasn't. I wasn't even there. You went to juvenile hall for the same crime as Ronnie Fuller. That's right. And it wasn't fair. Just because she's skinny and pretty doesn't mean that she's not bad. But you won't believe me. Because no one ever believes the fat girl. Especially someone like you. If Ronnie wanted to run away... hide somewhere... where would she go? I don't know. I haven't even talked to her for seven years. Where were you last night, Alice? - Excuse me. - I'd like to take Alice home. - Where were you last night, Alice? - Now. She was with me. You said she got home late. What do you consider to be late, Detective? - Alice? - Before you go, there's one last thing you can do. Because I know you want to be helpful. We just need a sample of your blood. Why? I want to rule you out as a suspect. You don't need your mom's consent. You're 18 now, Alice. - Come on, Alice, let's go home. - You can really help us. Come on, Alice, we're going home. Now. Let's go. You believe her? I don't know. I wasn't even there. I wasn't even there. - Where you going? - I gotta work. It's late, Nance. Come to bed, please. You can take care of it in the morning. It's a missing kid, Paul. Jesus. I don't want to go through this shit again, Nance. Are you gonna cuff me? - Where's Brittany Lyttle? - Who? The girl that was taken from Paradise Furniture. There was a girl taken from Paradise Furniture? Come on, Ronnie. If you didn't know a girl was missing, why did you run away? I knew you were cops. You're the cop... who found the baby. Your hair is the same. How did you know what I look like? I saw you on television. Getting some kind of reward. An award. It wasn't a reward, it was... I just got promoted. For finding Olivia Barnes? Yeah. Why did you take Olivia Barnes, Ronnie? She was crying. I couldn't leave her like that. Ronnie! You're in so much trouble. She's my baby now. She is kinda cute. Hi, baby! All right. We can keep her. Can I hold her now? She likes to be bounced. It calms her. I know about babies. My mom's a teacher. When do I get to hold her? She doesn't like to be passed around. That's right, little girl. Mommy's here. "Daddy's" going to get you some food. Just the pudding, that's all I can get. Go make her a bed. Are you sure we can leave her? We have to go home. We'll be back tomorrow. We promise. So Alice lied. She was there. Let me ask you something. Why pudding? I could never figure that out. If you could buy pudding, you could buy baby food. We couldn't buy anything. I just took those from my dad's truck. It was full of them. They made her sick, though. I'm pretty sure. What's wrong with her? Why won't she eat it? - It's pudding. - She can't take bites. Come on, girl. It's just getting all over her mouth. Eat the pudding, please. Eat the pudding. - Please. - What do we do, Ronnie? Eat the pudding. Why didn't you take her to a doctor? We knew we would get into trouble. We saw the stuff on the news about her being missing and Alice said that bringing her back would only make it worse. That's why you did what you did? Alice said she'd put all of the blame on me if I didn't. I think she's really sick. Maybe dying. We should just take her back. Or call someone and tell them where she is. You can't call someone. They'll take you to jail. You did this, Ronnie. Not me. Alice's mom was my friend. Not Alice. She didn't like that. Can I ask you one more thing? Okay. How'd the jack-in-the-box get there? I put it there. Ronnie. Ronnie! I think she was glad to be found. Something's not right here. We need to get their files. See what happened when they were away. You go make some more. Make some more. And I'll feed you when you make it, okay? - Okay. - I'll be over there in a second. - Are you comfortable? - Yeah. I know that couch is real old. We were shopping for a new one when it happened. You can't blame yourself. - How can you not? - I don't know. My daughter was with her babysitter. Then it wasn't your fault. - If I hadn't been working... - Well, you had to work. No. Not really. I chose to. Well... I told the police I only looked away for a second. But it was longer. It was a lot longer than a second. This is not your fault. We just... we never think that this will happen to us. You from TV? I'm visiting. Cynthia here lost a child. She came here for a visit, to help me. - Is your child still lost? - Devlin. I'm just asking if her child lost, if she gonna help us. My first child is dead. So how is that supposed to make Maveen feel better? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Rosalind. Let's go. Come on, Roz. Toy down, let's go. It's time to go. Put the toy down, let's go. Come on. Let's clean it up. My bad, I ain't... I ain't mean it like that. - I'm sorry for your loss. - Thank you. She can't take that toy. That's Brittany's. Sorry. Okay, let's go. You always sleep like that? Some things are easier if you can sleep through them. Can I go now? You said I wasn't under arrest. - You're up. - Yeah. Have you seen this little girl? She's cute. She looks like Alice. Like Alice? How? How does a biracial three-year-old with dark hair look like Alice Manning? I don't know. I don't know why I said that. It just popped out. When was the last time you saw her, Ronnie? - Alice. - I don't see Alice. If you want to rule yourself out, then maybe you can give us a blood sample? You want me to give you my blood? If you didn't do it, you can prove it. - No. - Then you can go. It's simple, we just prick your finger. No. No. Ronnie. Help us. Help yourself. Nobody cuts me. Yes, ma'am. But what I need you to understand is that we need those files here... today. Yeah, hold on. All the files from County were sent upstate. What? Why? Apparently, they ran out of room. Just get them. Tell them, "Get them." They're saying there are like, 20 years' worth of files. They can get someone to help us with them, but they're not guaranteeing they will be complete. This is Detective Nancy Porter. Let me be clear. A child is missing. A three-year-old... for two days, and I want to find her while she's still alive, and you are going to help me. You're gonna find your files, and when you send them, they will be complete. Do your job. Umph. "My mom always says, 'Never give up.' But it feels like she's given up on me. Sometimes I wonder, 'What did I do to make her not like me?' Maybe it's my dad. She says he was the 'biggest mistake of her life.' She says he was fat, too. When she looks at me, does she see him? When I was younger, I thought if I did everything right, I would fit in with all the other girls, but I don't think she even notices me trying. She wishes she had a different daughter. I'm gonna love my baby so much. I'll let her eat whatever she wants, wear whatever she wants, play with whoever she wants. I'm gonna be the best mom ever." Know where I was when Olivia Barnes got murdered? Eating lasagna. She'd been missing 72 hours. Brittany Lyttle's been gone 48. - Hi, Helen. - Ronnie. I was wondering when you were gonna come by and visit me. Come here! My girl! Ronnie Fuller. As damaged as that girl is, I wouldn't put anything past her. I checked on Alice's story about Arby's. Girl on duty doesn't remember her. You grew up so pretty. I knew you would! You don't need all that makeup. And obviously, you still bite your nails. Don't you know when people see your bitten-down nails, they know how nervous you are? Where's Alice? I don't know. You know she goes walking? I was coming home from work the other day... I drove past the pool and I saw her. You know, at the country club? Just watching people. Made me sad. Mind if I join you? I guess walking is pretty good for you. Is this the route you usually take? What do you want? I don't know where she is. Who, Alice? Ronnie. We spoke to Ronnie Fuller. She was very helpful. What did she say? Did she lie about me again? Did she tell you how she stole my jack-in-the-box? She put it there on purpose so I would get caught, too. But I wasn't there when she killed that baby. But I still went to Schechter. Now you're trying to make this other thing look like it's my fault. Well, what is your fault, Alice? Is anything ever your fault? What about you? Do you ever wonder what would have happened if maybe you had found the baby sooner? Maybe you could have saved her. Maybe if you had walked just a little bit faster, she would still be alive. Did you ever think about that? I want to be alone. Am I under arrest or anything? Do you remember the honeysuckle? Remember that time I tried to make honeysuckle soda and sell it from a stand like lemonade? I do. I sure do. You picked my vines bare. But you didn't mind. You weren't mad at all. It was a good idea, Ronnie. There should be honeysuckle soda. You have great ideas. You always did. You and me, we think alike. And press your lips to mine... Ronnie? You got anything you need to tell me, baby? No. ...this is heaven. See you. Where were you? Did you get a ride? I know you get rides. Really? Who do you think gives me rides? I don't know. You tell me. Well... I take rides from strange men because I'm fat and lonely and I need attention, so I do things to 'em... for money. Is it true? You wish. - I got a job. - Alice, talk to me. You got a job? What do you mean you got a job? I got a job and it has nothing to do with being fat or lonely. Jesus, laceration of the femoral artery. Rushed to the ER. Landed her on suicide watch. What about Manning? Yeast infection... yeast infection. Another yeast infection. One, two, three, four, five, six fights. This Ronnie girl's a piece of work. She managed to get in a fight every month. Spent most of the last seven years on lockdown. I got a bladder infection and another yeast infection. You know what that means? Sounds like she was fucking to me. Whoa. Get over here. She was 15 years old. He was an adult. He was an employee at Schechter. Probably seduced her once. Couldn't have been terribly difficult. She's so desperate for attention and acceptance. I wonder why that is? This adult, was he charged with statutory rape? We agreed not to press charges. By the time she figured out she was pregnant, it was too late for me to convince her to have an abortion. Does Alice know where her baby is? Absolutely not. No, no, no. The adoption was private. We don't discuss it. She doesn't think about it. How would you know that? You're not a mother, are you? A mother knows these things. Where is Alice now? Where is she? Where does she go when she walks? - She doesn't tell me where she goes. - No, Ms. Manning. That's not gonna work this time, I'm sorry. There's a baby missing. And we have reason to believe that your daughter Alice knows something about it. So you can answer our questions here, or I can walk you down that hall past your peers, take you downtown, have you answer the questions there. She seems to spend the bulk of her time just hanging out by the pool at the club. Just watching the other kids. It's pathetic. They're going to catch you, you know. Catch me for what? I didn't do anything. The police think you did. It was near where you work. It was near where about a thousand people work. There is only one person like you who works there... A baby killer. You have to to do this, Ronnie. Lots of babies die all the time of natural things, like if they're turned wrong in their crib. - Just say she died like that. - I don't want to do it. You fed her pudding. You can't feed a baby pudding. You told me to. So if Alice told you to jump off of a building, would you do that? What about if she told you to play with matches? Would you do that? What about if Alice told you to go and find a bridge and leap off? Shut up! Your mom knows I didn't do anything. Stay away from her. You don't even live near us anymore. You have no reason to be hanging around. My mom just feels sorry for you. She likes me. Alice Manning? You know why I made you do it? Because I knew that they would take you away. I thought they would lock you up forever, and I would never have to play with you again. Alice! Hurry, she did it! She just told me everything! She took the baby! You have to catch her, why... hurry! Come on, let's go. Let's go. - No. - No, Alice. We're not here for her, we're here for you. - I didn't do anything. - Let's go. You don't understand. Ronnie did it. She just told me. Alice, we're walking out, or we're putting you in handcuffs. Come on. It's not fair. Watch your step. You have the wrong person. You have to believe me. Ronnie did this. Alice. Where is she, Alice? Is she okay? Did you hurt her? Hello, I'm here to see a Detective Porter. Mrs. Manning. If you're going to continue to interrogate my daughter, - I want a lawyer present. - She has her. She has Brittany. Jesus. - Did she hurt her? - Where is she? I have no idea. We have been very patient with you, Mrs. Manning. We haven't treated you as an accessory to this crime or accused you of shielding your daughter or withholding information we need, but that moment is coming. Alice doesn't confide in anyone, least of all me. Why does she think Brittany Lyttle is her daughter? First, he would stare at me. You know, kind of flirt. He was so cute. I had never been with a boy before. I'd never kissed a boy before. We couldn't keep our hands off each other. I was so excited. But when they took him away, it was so sudden. It happened so quickly, and I didn't know what to do. My mom said I had my whole life ahead of me. And that she had me when she was really young and she didn't regret it or anything. You have to understand, she became obsessed with the topic. "Where was her baby? Why couldn't I raise it? Who had adopted her?" She wouldn't leave it alone. She was inconsolable. I had to tell her something. I made up a story. I said I'd seen her little girl... on the west side of town. You know, near those lovely old Victorians? I knew Alice would like that. I told her that her baby was beautiful and healthy. She had caf-au-lait skin... beautiful, black curly hair. Yeah. It was around that time that I had seen the mother. The mother? You know... Cynthia Barnes. The mother of the child that Alice... She was with this little girl. I took one look at that girl and I knew... that child wouldn't exist if it weren't for Alice. Which isn't to say that what Alice did can be rationalized in any way, I mean, a girl had died, and it was my daughter's fault. But the fact remains, another child lives. And I'm not sure she would if it weren't for Alice. My daughter helped to bring that little life into the world. At least Alice can take some comfort from that little girl's existence. When I got out, I had to find her. I wanted her. I didn't care what my mom said. So I started walking. Just looking for her. I also told her that her child had a little birthmark in the shape of a heart on her back. I thought that was a lovely sort of detail... you know, that would give Alice something that she could hold on to. Like it was the shadow of her own heart. Alice loved that. Mrs. Manning, sit down. Sit down, Mrs. Manning, sit. Stay there. She had that skin... the mix of my skin and his. I couldn't believe I found her. Brittany? She probably jumpin' on a bed somewhere. When I saw her back, there was this little heart there, and I knew it was her. - Devlin, keep looking! - Brittany! Now, Brit, you're gonna be in trouble - if you don't come out! - God! God! - Hey! - Que linda, que linda! Hi! Good girl, good girl. Good girl. Brittany! Where is she? Brittany! She was so beautiful. She looked just like Rodrigo. - Brittany? Shit! - Brittany! Cut her hair. I asked him to cut her hair so nobody would find her. He was so nervous, his nose even started bleeding. You can't arrest someone for taking her own baby. It took me a long time to find her. But now that I have, you can't make me give her back. I never wanted to give her up in the first place. My mom made me. This is Brittany Lyttle's birth certificate. And this is your baby's. They are two different girls, Alice. Where is Brittany? I know what we did was wrong. But what happened to me was wrong, too. They took my baby. I want her. I want her. I understand, Alice. I do. But not everybody will. You are in a lot of trouble. You could be convicted of a very serious crime. You need to help us. And we'll help you. What do you mean? Will you help me find my baby? No, Alice. No. Help me. And I'll help you. Rodrigo left her with his mom while he drove me home... so that no one would suspect me. We planned on keeping her there while we waited... for you to think Ronnie Fuller took her. You know, she's done this before, she might do it again. I think she's really sick. We should just take her out to her family. It's too late, Ronnie. This was your idea, Ronnie! I'll blame it on you. You said you would take care of it. Ronnie? Come in, sweetie. - I didn't want to, but she made me. - What? I'm sorry, please. I'm sorry. Ronnie, Ronnie, shh. Shh. Separation of the individuals at the location... I can't undo what you've done. But I can make sure that Alice... doesn't go unpunished. I can make it fair. Hey, Mom. My God! My God! - My God! - Yeah, yeah! My God! Hi, baby! - Hi! - Brittany! Hi, baby! Brit-Brit! My God. I love you. My God! My God! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, I love you. Good work, Detective. Today, state prosecution has agreed to a plea bargain with Alice Manning. All charges are dropped against her, while Rodrigo Gutierrez, the state employee she now has accused of raping her in prison, will alone serve 10 years for the kidnapping. Earlier today, Miss Manning gave a statement to the press. Ladies and gentlemen of the press, yes, I have something I would like to say. I am a victim. I am a victim of the justice system. As a child, I was wrongly accused of a crime I did not commit. I spent seven years in a correctional facility where I was raped and where I gave birth to a baby who was taken from me. Today, justice was served. The charges against me have been dropped. And the man who manipulated me as a minor... She's good. ...and who instigated this crime will be convicted. Scary good. I can now live freely. I can seek to validate my rights as an adult. Thank you. - Miss Alice Manning. - Alice! Alice Manning! You know who's better? |
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