mj ) Sharra trusted Bethany with her biggest secret.Bethany turned that trust into a trap.
THE LIE BETWEEN THEM
The police van disappeared into the darkness.
Shara stood beneath the broken streetlight,
staring after it.
Her mother was inside.
And according to the police…
Shara had planned the kidnapping herself.
Shara had planned the kidnapping herself.
INT. SHARA’S HOUSE — EARLIER THAT EVENING
The house is unusually quiet.
Shara sits across from Bethany.
A cup of untouched tea rests between them.
SHARA
I don’t know what else to do.
SHARA
Every time I think we’re finally going to get somewhere,
another charge appears.
SHARA
She’s my mother, Bethany. Whatever she did,
I just want the case to be handled properly.
Bethany leans forward.
BETHANY
You came to the right person.
For the first time that evening,
a little hope appears in Shara’s eyes.
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE — NIGHT
A black car stops outside an old warehouse.
Charlotte steps out.
Bethany joins her.
CHARLOTTE
Are you sure about this?
BETHANY
By tomorrow, everyone will believe Shara helped arrange this.
CHARLOTTE
And you’re certain they’ll believe it?
BETHANY
People believe whatever story reaches them first.
A distant siren echoes through the night.
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET — NIGHT
Shara runs toward the flashing police vehicles.
Her breathing becomes faster.
SHARA
Mom!
Her mother turns.
Their eyes meet.
OFFICER
Ma’am, you need to stay back.
SHARA
That’s my mother!
OFFICER
Your mother is being taken into custody.
SHARA
For what?
OFFICER
An alleged criminal conspiracy.
THE BETRAYAL
Charlotte appears beside the officers.
Shara recognizes her.
SHARA
Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE
I’m sorry.
SHARA
Sorry for what?
CHARLOTTE
I told them everything.
Shara slowly turns toward Bethany.
SHARA
Bethany… tell them they’re wrong.
BETHANY
I can’t.
SHARA
You said you’d help me.
BETHANY
I did.
SHARA
You set me up.
INT. POLICE STATION — NIGHT
Shara sits across from an investigator.
A file lies open on the desk.
INVESTIGATOR
This is the statement Charlotte gave us.
SHARA
That’s a lie.
INVESTIGATOR
She says you and Bethany discussed arranging
your mother’s arrest.
SHARA
I asked for legal help.
Shara looks at the printed messages.
Something doesn’t make sense.
SHARA
Someone changed these.
EXT. POLICE STATION — LATER
Shara walks into the cold night.
Her phone rings.
SHARA
Why did you lie?
CHARLOTTE
I didn’t know what she was going to do.
SHARA
Who?
CHARLOTTE
Bethany.
SHARA
You helped her.
CHARLOTTE
I thought we were exposing your mother.
CHARLOTTE
But Bethany wasn’t making the decisions.
The call suddenly disconnects.
THE FINAL MESSAGE
Shara’s phone lights up.
“YOUR MOTHER WASN’T THE TARGET.”
Shara stares at the screen.
Her hands begin to shake.
“YOU WERE.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
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