OFFICE
Just one box? - It's for my office. It's fragile.
Sissy.
You're gonna go deaf!
An autograph?
I just thought that... Are you kidding me?
Ma'am?
Sheriff? - Is your husband around?
Ashley?
Honey. Sweetheart? What are you doing?
Painting. - Yeah I know, I think your mom wants some help with the unpacking.
I know. - So why don't you come outside with me, you can finish your painting later.
Because I didn't want to move here. I shouldn't have to carry boxes.
We had to move here and we all have to help carry boxes.
Uh-uh, you wanted to move here.
No, I had to move here. The new story I'm writing is here.
Why couldn't you just keep writing in the old house?
Because I was going to have to write college textbooks to pay for the old house and I can't do that.
Why not? - Because I just can't.
But I miss my school. - Well you know what? The school here is supposed to be pretty good.
But I want my old one.
I know. How about this, alright? I'll tell you what.
If we don't like it here once I sell my book...
we'll move back. But only if we don't like it here.
Really? - Really.
You promise?
I promise. But you have to promise to try to like it here.
I promise. - Ok, all right my little artist, what's the number one rule?
Paint only goes in the bedroom.
And where doesn't it go? Anywhere else in the house.
Right. Now come with me, we'll move some boxes.
The sheriff's here. - Already?
Be nice this time. I'm always nice.
I'm not kidding. I'm tired of driving 5 miles under the speed limit
only to get ticketed anyway. Be nice.
Afternoon. Is there a problem? - No sir, just a friendly visit.
I appreciate that. I'm Ellison Oswalt. I know who you are.
So you're not a fan? - No.
What can I do for you?
Not much, I expect, unless I can convince you to load those boxes...
back in that truck and leave as soon as you're able.
No, I don't think so.
But you know what, I do have a couple of extra copies of 'Kentucky Blood' in my office
if you want me to get one out and sign it for you, I'll do that.
No, thanks.
What, is it the writing? More a matter of content.
You don't seem to care much for our profession. - Not everyone in your profession gets it right.
I've read your books, neither do you.
Look...
You got it right with "Kentucky Blood", I'll give you that.
It's a fine piece of writing. But, 'Cold Denver Morning', you got it wrong.
It wasn't my fault. - Your bad theory helped a killer go free.
You ruin people's lives. This town doesn't need that.
It needs to heal. It needs to forget. And we sure don't want that circus that you bring with you.
Well, there is a missing girl involved here. She ain't missing, she's dead.
Come on, you don't know that.
If that girl is still alive, and it ain't no miracle, then we ain't ever gonna find her.
Well then I guess we should just let it go, huh? You don't think the town deserves an explanation?
Something like this? You can never explain something like this.
And if you were able to, the odds are you wouldn't much care for the answer.
Now, we did our job. You'll see that.
And this is just another waste of your time, like your last two books.
If writing true crime has taught me one thing...
it's that whenever an officer of the law says I'm wasting my time...
it just means, he thinks he's wasting his.
That's clever. You ought to write that down.
Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that your department is not my disposal?
Well, what do you know. You can still get things right on occasion.
Oh, and uh, I find this to be in extremely bad taste.
What was all that about? The usual.
He wanted an autograph, but he left his copy at home. He'll be back later.
Was it that bad? Why was he pointing at the house?
Ellison, we didn't move a few
houses down from a crime scene, again, did we?
Tracy.. No, just don't say anything. If we did then I don't want to know about it.
We didn't. - Promise?
I promise.
Here, make yourself useful. Kitchen.
It's going to be good here, all right? You'll see.
You gotta be kidding me.
"The Family Hanging Out 11 '?
'Barbecue 79'?
I also bought noodles and fortune cookies. Enjoy it kids.
We're not likely to be eating out much this time. - Why not?
You know why. - I don't.
We haven't sold the old house yet.
Once it's gone, we'll be able to afford a few extra things.
Well then sell it already, lower the price if you have to.
We've already lowered it as much as we can without losing money. The market's terrible.
Once we're not paying two mortgages we'll be fine.
Once I sell my new book, we'll be on easy street.
Is the story a good story this time? Yeah it's good, of course it is.
Will you take me and show me where it happened? - Trevor.
Come on, I'm old enough to know about that stuff. - No, you're not.
Even I'm not old enough to know about that stuff.
Your father writes about terrible terrible things, and I don't want you knowing anything about that.
You say that like I shouldn't be writing about that. -That's not what I meant. That's the way you say it
Well, I'm gonna hear about it in school, anyway. Kids'll hate me again and tell me nonstop about what happened.
Hey, nobody hates you. - Well, I might as well hear it from you.
Are you listening to this? Yes I'm listening.
At least let's make sure that your office stays locked.
It's one thing to hear about it, another thing to see it. I wouldn't want him walking in again. He is 12 years old.
Mom, he knows how old I am. Hey, stop it.
What's the first rule? Never go in Dad's office.
And what's your rule? Always lock Dad's office.
That's right. And I don't want to hear another thing about why we're here from anybody. -Yeah.
You brush your teeth? - No, not yet.
You're no coming to bed? - No, I thought I'd set up my office first and get started.
How long is it gonna be? - Oh, just an hour or two.
No, I mean, How long are we here for this time?
Oh, God, I don't know. It could be a long one. - I liked it better when you were writing fiction.
Nobody likes my fiction. Maybe you should try again.
I can't do this without you by my side. I'm sorry. I'm on your side.
I just want to see you enjoying your work again.
When you're happy, we are all happy.
I just need another hit, that's all. Just one more.
What?
You know I'm behind you on this. - I know, but that's not what you were going to say, what were you going to say?
"Kentucky Blood 'was ten years ago. - And?
And, what if that was your 15 minutes? Ok, what if it was?
If it was, then you can't spend the rest of your life chasing after it.
If you miss out on all the years with the kids, you can't get them back.
I just need one more chance,just one more. I got a really good feeling about this, I really do.
I don't really think I can do this again. You're not going to have to .
I mean it.
If this goes sour, like the last time, I'll take Trevor and Ashley and go back home to my sister.
Is that fair? - Yes.
But it's not gonna go sour.
Give me some love.
WHERE ARE YOU?
BOX OF FILMS HOW DID IT GET THERE?
What the hell, let's do this.
WHO MADE THE FILM?
WHERE'S STEPHANIE?
Why would you film it?
Daddy, I can't find the bathroom. - Come on.
Thank you, Daddy.
Look at all these new paintings. You are really getting good at it.
Thank you. Maybe one day I'll paint something good and I'll be as famous as you.
I'm sure you will, princess.
All right, get some sleep.
And Daddy? - Yes?
Are you gonna write a really good book this time, so we can go home?
I gonna write the best book that anyone's ever read.
Operator. - Yeah, The King County police, please.
Is this an emergency? - Uh, yes, yes it is.
King County Police Department, how may I direct your call?
You came back and left the box?
Why?
WORKING IN THE GARDEN '86, SLEEPYTIME '98 POOL PARTY '86
Wake up, Trevor.
Wake up!
Oh my God, is he okay? He's having one of his fits again.
Come outside. Wake up now.
Wake up.
Look at the stars.
Why are we outside? - you're good.
You were having a bad dream, just one of those night terrors. Just go back to sleep.
I thought these were over.
It's just the stress of the move. I found him in one of the moving boxes.
Poor baby. - It'll be all right in a few hours.
What is it? What's the matter?
I want to tell you something.
I'm just really sorry.
It's not your fault. Come on. It's cold. Let's go inside.
I was in a box? -You were in a box. I don't remember any of that.
Well, it's not the strangest place we ever found you.
Please don't talk about the dryer.
Are we talking about the time we saw Trevor trying to pee in the dryer?
God, Mom, No! - Sorry, I thought that's what you were talking about.
Did Trevor try to pee in the dryer again? - Ashley, no, your brother just had a night terror.
Is that like a bad dream? Kind of.
Oh, I think I had one of those. - No, a night terror is a special kind of bad dream.
We would have remembered if you had one... Don't do that!
So, Ashley, you excited about your first day at the new school?
Mmm-hmm. -What about you? I guess.
It's nice to see you're so enthusiastic about our adventure. - You two, stop it, stop it. Be the bigger person.
You gonna take them? - Yes, I've got some errands to run.
I think I'm gonna get the lay of the land and let you get some work done.
Eat up kids, you're running late. - You heard your mother, grab some road breakfast and skedaddle.
I left you a fresh pot of coffee. - Thank you.
Have a nice morning with your murder book.
Trevor, where's your notebook? It's in my backpack.
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Don't walk away from me while I'm talking to you.
Trevor, what were you thinking? - You asked me that, and I'll tell you again, I wasn't thinking.
That's your problem, you don't think!
You want to be treated like an adult, but you don't act like one.
You and dad need to do lots of thinking, if you would, we wouldn't be here!
You don't know what you're talking about. I know more than you.
Go to your room, Trevor! I don't want to see you again until dinner!
Whoa! Hey, hey, hey! What happened? Mom's overreacting.
Your son is acting out again. What did he do?
So, you're already mad and taking her side? - What did you do?
I drew a picture. - He drew a picture with a permanent marker on the classroom whiteboard.
Tell him what you drew. I drew a tree.
With four people who were hanging from it. Go to your room, Trevor, I need to speak to your father.
His first day at school, Ellison, and he's already hearing all the grisly details of your mystery.
What did he hear? Exactly what he drew.
Your book is about a family, who was hung! Christ, Ellison!
Is that all he has heard? Is that not enough?
I'm sorry that he had to figure it out like this,
but come on, it was bound to happen. - That's your response? You think that makes it ok?
No, it doesn't make it ok! Nothing about what happened to those people is ok.
But bad things happen to good people, and they...
still need to have their story told. They deserve that much.
You're a real man of the people. Oh, come on.
I put the kids to bed. Kiss them goodnight for me.
You getting good work done? - Yeah.
Good. Please keep the door closed.
New details today in the grisly murder of a local family found earlier this week.
Police have released this photo of Christopher Miller,
the missing 13 year old son of William and Penny Miller.
The Millers along with their younger son were found stabbed inside their home...
and the police now are asking for any information that could lead to Christopher's return,
or the apprehension of any suspects involved
in this vicious multiple murder and child abduction.
No!
The family hanging out.
Pool Party.
Barbecue.
Sleepytime.
Really, I'm fine. - I'd prefer to take you down to the hospital and have this checked out.
I think you should get stitches, can't force you, though.
I'm not gonna go. - Well, the bleeding stopped for now,
but if the bleeding starts again or there's any more swelling, call a doctor immediately.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
So, let's go see this hole.
So you say you heard a loud thump and footsteps in the attic, after the power went out?
Yes. - But the ladder wasn't down?
No, it wasn't. - It's not possible to close it from the inside of the attic?
No. - So, how can an intruder get up there?
I didn't say anyone was up there, I said it just sounded like there was an intruder.
I did see a small snake, though. Snakes don't have feet.
No, I'm guessing that you got squirrels.
No way in or out up there,and with all the power gone off in the neighborhood
I bet they got spooked from the sound of everything shutting down at once.
You know how they are. - Not really, I'm not really a squirrel guy.
I did kill a scorpion, when we first moved in here.
So, maybe I should get an exterminator.
Scorpions have feet, but you wouldn't hear them the way you would squirrels.
Thank you very much, uh.. I will..
Is there anything else I can do for you? Actually, there is.
I left my copy of 'Kentucky Blood' down at the station. It would really mean a lot to me if you signed it.
Of course, I have a few extra copies in my office. - Thank you so much, that's so great!
Oh, wow. This is like one of those FBI profiler's offices.
I mean, you got a map with pictures connected with yarn and everything, this is crazy!
Deputy, I need you to step outside..No, no, this is my private office. I'm serious
Wait outside. - Listen, there's, there's a...
You know there is a page in your book where you always say nice things...
about all the people that helped you out?
The acknowledgments?? - Yeah.
And in each one there's always like a line that says, you know like...
"I couldn't have done this without the tireless efforts of Deputy So-and-So from the local police department...
Right. - Well, you know, I could be...
like, your Deputy So-and-So, you know I mean, If you don't already have one.
Yeah, are a few things you could do for me, actually. -Really?
Yeah, this could be perfect. Do you have a notepad?
Yes! - Do you need a pen? Yes!
I need the street address of a crime.
In 1998, St. Louis, a family was stabbed to death.
They had their throats cut. It was a pretty ugly affair.
I also need any details you can get me on another murder.
In 1979, a family was burned alive, parked inside their own car in their own garage.
What city? - I don't know, all I have is the year and the method of execution.
You think that the two cases are related?
No, i'm just doing research. Ok, I can definitely get this for you.
I gotta wait until the sheriff leaves the office, but I will get it.
Thank you very much, Deputy So-and-So.
I'm sorry - For what?
I was angry at Trevor today, and I took it out on you.
Don't be sorry. I know the move's been hard on you.
I'm trying, El, I really am. I know.
I just want you here with me, that's all. - I've always been with you. And I'm with you now.
We're pleased to have Ellison Oswalt on our program tonight. His new book is called,"Kentucky Blood '.
It's so good to have you on. - Thanks for having me, it's a real pleasure.
Man, I got into this. This is pretty graphic stuff.
So let me start by asking, why do you spend so much time investigating such grisly content?
Fame and money? No, I'm just kidding.
The honest answer is that, I'm really driven by a sense of injustice.
You know, when I think about the awful things that happen to these people...
and that those responsible were never even identified, let alone caught,
I knew when I started this particular case that I might stumble on a few things
that maybe someone might have overlooked.
MIGHT stumble? No, you in fact DID uncover some additional information that the cops had overlooked.
Well, look, first off, let me say that there are a lot of good police officers out there, and I don't want to in any way disparage what they do, all right?
But the police work, getting something wrong, means ruining people's lives.
And good crime writing can set things right.
So ultimately, what feels better? Seeing justice done...
or seeing your book "Kentucky Blood " number one on the New York Times bestseller list?
The justice. Without question.
I'd rather cut my hands off than write a book for fame or money.
Are you making Daddy his coffee? - Yes.
Can I help? I want to bring it to him. - Sure, honey, but we have to make it just right.
He is very particular about his coffee.
I brought you your coffee, Daddy. Thank you, sweetheart.