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 It's the next day. It's warmer that usual. The heats assails the Evans and Parkers as they step outside the Roswell airport. Deputy Hanson is there and there are many reporters there. Flashbulbs bombard them as Hanson steps up and stops them from continuing. As Acting Sheriff, he addresses Max. Another deputy comes up.
"Max Evans," says Hanson, "you are under arrest for the murder of Special Agt. Daniel Pierce." The deputy cuff Max. Hanson continues, "You have the right to remain silent ..."
Max looks at Liz. Distress and shock fill her face.
"Is this really necessary?" says Phillip Evans. "We ARE on our way to the station."
The deputy then begins to cuff Liz.
Reporters stick their microphones in the way to capture anything they can. It's a media circus. Liz barely hears the deputy . When he reads her rights, she doesn't respond. She's scared, but not for herself. It's Max.
"Why are you doing this?" says Diane Evans. TV cameras and reporters crowd push the Parkers away to get more pictures of Max and Liz and any comments made by either. Liz sees her mother and their eyes lock for a moment as the police push Max and Liz into the waiting police vehicle. The stunned Parkers and Evans are left standing at the curb surrounded by media.
Maria and Amy DeLuca watch the morning news. There's coverage of the Frazier Woods fire. It's totally out of control. There's talk of trying to create firebreaks by starting other fires, but there's controversy after last's years fires in which the same technique caused more damage than helped. Maria gets up to go into the kitchen when her mom calls her back. It's a breaking bulletin and there on-screen are Max and Liz getting busted at the airport.
"OMG," says Maria, as she watches the chaotic scene. "It's a scene from Natural Born Killers."
"Their poor parents," says Amy.
There's a close-up of Liz. She looks scared.
"How could they do THAT?" says Maria,, extremely upset by the coverage. "They didn't do that to Michael and the Sheriff!"
"Honey," says Amy, "it'll turn out okay."
"I'm just so worried for them."
"Should you be?" says Amy, beginning to wonder if there was more to the story. Both Maria and Liz were both more guarded than they used to be. And granted they are growing up and pushing the limits of their independence recently, but is there more to it?
"I'm going down to the station," says Maria.
"You're grounded," says Amy, with some authority. "Remember?"
At the station, Max and Liz sit in neighboring cells. Max hold Liz's hand through the bars and Liz touches his cheek with her free hand.
"We'll get through this," she says.
"I'm so sorry," Max says.
"Max, it's okay. We just need to figure out what happened and how to fix it."
"This is my fault. It wasn't right to involve you."
"Max, what I did, I did for you because I wanted to."
"Thank you, but it's not right."
Liz leans her head against the bars.
"It's right for me," she says.
They both look up when they hear the door open. It's Hanson. He unlocks Liz's cell door.
"Ms. Parker, if you'll come with me."
She looks at Max.
"Go on," he says.
He takes her to an interrogation room. Mr. Evans is there. There's also someone from the police board and Agent Duff of the FBI.
"Sit down," says Agent Duff. "I'm Agent Duff, this is Dan from the police board, and Deputy Hanson you know. Liz warily takes a chair. She recognizes Agent Duff's name from her conversations with Max and Maria.
"Liz, your parents have asked me to represent you today since you are underage," says Mr. Evans. She nods.
"Do you understand the charges against you?" asks Agent Duff.
"Yes," she said quietly.
"What was your relationship with Vanessa Whitaker?"
"She hired me as her assistant."
"And what did those duties include?"
"General clerical work ... typing, filing, answering the phones."
"Did you shred files?" asks Dan.
"Only in her presence," says Liz. "Never alone."
"Never?"
"Never."
"What was Pierce's connection to Whitaker?" continues Duff.
"She called him her boyfriend."
"Did she?" says Dan.
"Yes," confirms Liz.
"Even though he make her look foolish in the Senate Committee hearings?"
Liz remained silent.
"Did Pierce go to her office?" asks Duff.
"Once," says Liz. "She introduced us."
"How would you describe their relationship?" says Dan.
"I wouldn't really know much about that," says Liz.
"But you saw them together?"
"Yes."
"What were they doing?"
"Ah," Liz says, slightly embarrassed, "They were kissing."
"Was it a good relationship in your opinion?"
"I don't think so."
"Why would you say that?" asks Duff.
"They broke up shortly after that.?"
"Did she break it off?"
"No," says Liz.
"How do you know?"
"He left a voice message and I erased it."
"Why did you do that?" pursues Duff.
"It wasn't very nice. I didn't want her to hear it."
"But you told her."
"Yes."
"Are you aware that Whitaker recorded all her phone conversations?" asks Dan.
"No," lies Liz.
"Do you know why she didn't have a record of your calls?"
"Why would she tape my calls?" asks Liz.
"Don't you think it strange she wouldn't have a CD or tape of calls by you if she taped everyone else?"
"No, I'm just a high school student."
"Can you explain why there's no record of Agt. Pierce calling Whitaker's office while you worked for Whitaker?"
"No."
"How did Whitaker react to breaking up with Pierce?" asks Duff.
"She was upset."
"Did she tell you?"
"I found her drinking in her office. She was shredding files. I asked her if they was anything I could do to help."
"Do you know what she was shredding?"
"The Alien Files."
"The Alien Files?" inquired Dan.
"The files on the Senate Subcommittee Files investigating the FBI Special Unit."
"Did she tell you that?" asks Duff.
"I saw them and asked her. She told me she was shredding anything that had to do with Agent Pierce."
"Did you ever read those files?"
"No, they were marked confidential."
"So, Whitaker shredded those files."
"Most of them. I shredded some."
"You did," says Dan, licking his lips.
"One or two ... but only in her presence. She asked me to help so I did."
"And that's all."
"Yes."
"What is your relationship to Max Evans?" asks Dan.
"We're friends," says Liz.
"You're more than just friends, aren't you?" says Dan.
Liz looks a moment at Mr. Evans. He nods.
"Yes."
"Did you and Max Evans flee New Mexico to avoid arrest?"
"No," she said.
"But he is your boyfriend?"
"Is this relevant?" asks Liz.
"Yes, it is," says Agent Duff. "If Max Evans is brought to trial for the murder of Agent Pierce."
"Max wouldn't hurt anyone ... ever."
"So you were dating?"
"We weren't dating then."
"What do you mean?"
"Max and I broke up last spring. I didn't see him all summer. I was in Florida. We just recently got back together."
"You went to Whitaker's memorial service in Copper Summit."
"Yes, and to return some of her personal items to her parents."
"Max was with you?"
"Yes and some of my other friends."
"After Whitaker and Pierce broke up, what happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"What did Whitaker do?"
"She decided to take a vacation."
"That was the last time you saw her."
"Until the memorial service."
"How did you find out about Whitaker's death?"
"My friends heard it on the news. They told me."
"Okay, that's all for now."
Liz looks at Mr. Evans.
"Am I free to go?"
"Not just yet."
"I'll take you back to your cell." says Hanson, leading Liz out of the room. She looks back towards Mr. Evans. He gives her the thumbs up and smiles. She turns and follows Hanson out the door.
"She's lying," says Dan.
"She seems very credible to me," says Duff.
"There's no phone record of Pierce's call. She lied about that."
"It's not enough. There is no case," says Duff. "She wasn't dating Max at the time of Whitaker's disappearance and there is nothing to connect Max Evans to Pierce through Liz Parker. There's nothing there."
"My gut says something different."
"Your gut is not evidence. Drop the charges. It won't get past the grand jury. You'll be lucky if her parents don't sue you."
The Parkers sit in the police station waiting for Phillip Evans. Diane Evans is also there. Jeff Parker picks up a copy of the paper. The headline reads: Fugitive Teens Found in Las Vegas. Max and Liz's high school photos are splashed across the front page. He closes it before his wife sees it. The have a two-hour wait before Phillip Evans emerges. The Parkers see him, exchange glances and stand to meet him.
"The case against Liz is very, very weak. It's based on some missing files that apparently Liz says Whitaker shredded and some missing phone records. There's no evidence to connect Liz to Pierce's murder."
"So what happens next?" asks Jeff.
"I believe the charges against your daughter are being dropped for lack of evidence."
"Thank God," says Jeff and hugs Nancy.
"I think Hanson was a little overzealous when he arrested Liz. You may have a case against the police department if you wish to pursue it."
"Is she all right?" asks Nancy.
"Yes, she's fine. She handled herself very well."
"When can we see her?"
"There's some paperwork to clear up first and then they should release her."
"What about Max?" asks Jeff.
"I don't know yet. He hasn't been interviewed, but if it's anything like Liz's case, then someone didn't do their homework."
Max now sits across from Agent Duff and Dan, the man. Hanson stands in the background. Mr. Evans sits next to his son.
"How did you meet Congresswoman Whitaker?" asks Agent Duff.
"Liz introduced us. I saw Liz on the sidewalk and stopped to talk to her. She was waiting for Congresswoman Whitaker."
"Did you see her again?"
"Yes, at Isabel's birthday party. She just stopped in."
"Was that the only time?"
"Well, there was the memorial service."
"Why did you go to the memorial service if you didn't really know her?"
"I did it for Liz."
"You weren't dating then, were you?"
"We're friends. I offered to drive her there."
"Alone?"
"No."
"Who was with you?"
"Does it matter?"
"Was Michael Guerin with you?" asks Dan.
"No."
"What is your connection with Mr. Guerin?" asks Duff.
"He's my friend."
"A close friend."
"Yes."
"Do you drink, Mr. Evans?" asks Dan.
"No," he says.
"But you were drunk the night of the KROZ "Blind Date" contest?"
"That was a mistake." Duff watched Max carefully.
"So you do drink."
"I never had a drink until then. I've never had one since."
"Why did you have that one?"
"I was upset."
"You're underage, aren't you, Mr. Evans?"
"Yes."
"Who gave you that drink?"
Max remains silent.
"Did Michael Guerin give you that drink?"
"No."
"Did you go out drinking with Michael Guerin that night when Sheriff Valenti caught Guerin drinking?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Did you know Agent Pierce?"
"I knew him as Deputy Fisher."
"How did you meet?"
"He stopped me for speeding, but he didn't give me a ticket."
"Why was he interested in you, Mr. Evans?"
"I don't know."
"Did you kill Pierce?"
"Why would I kill Pierce?"
"You tell me."
"I didn't kill Pierce."
"Did Michael Guerin?"
"No," lies Max.
"Are you sure?"
"Michael is Michael. He gets into trouble, but he wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone."
"Not even Hank Guerin?"
"Michael didn't kill Hank." Duff shoots Max a look, then Dan and back.
"Did I say Michael killed Hank?"
"It's in the papers."
"Very clever, Mr. Evans. Did you rehearse that answer with Liz Parker?"
"Excuse me?"
"What IS the nature of your relationship with Liz Parker?"
"That's personal."
"Didn't you go to Vegas to get married so Liz Parker couldn't testify against you?"
"No ... I would never do that."
"So, why did you?"
Max seems uneasy to Duff, but why? Max lowers his eyes.
"Why did you, Mr. Evans?"
Then, as if in a moment of clarity, he looks up and stares at Dan.
"I love her."
Liz waits anxiously in the cell. It seems ages since Max left and she wants to talk with him ... badly. When the door opens, she looks up expectantly. However, it's not Max. It's one of the deputies. He unlocks her cell. Liz stares at him from the cot where she sits.
"You're free to go."
"What do you mean, free?"
"The charges have been dropped. You can pick up your personal effects on the way out. You'll need to sign some papers."
She rises slowly, hoping that Max might come through the door. He doesn't. She follows the deputy to the desk. Her parents get up when they see her approach the desk. Nancy Parker hugs her daughter. Jeff Parker looks on.
"Are you okay?" asks her mother.
"I'm fine, really," says Liz, nodding.
"Let's go home," says Jeff.
Her parents begin to lead her out the door. As they do, she turns, still hoping to see Max. She sees a door open and Dan step out. They stare at each other momentarily before she turns and exits with her parents.
At the Crashdown, it's business as usual, except it's more crowded. There are TV and newspaper people hovering over cups of coffee, donuts, and muffins, waiting for something to happen. Half of them are on cell phones. Maria peers through the door. She's just changed into her uniform. Maria turns and goes into the kitchen. Michael cleans the grill for the lunch crowd. He sees her and anticipates her question.
"No word," he says.
"I HATE this," says Maria.
"I know, I don't like it any better than you."
"Did you see the news?"
"Yeah."
"I've never seen Liz look so scared."
"They're okay."
Maria hears the back door open. She turns and sees Liz, followed by her parents walk in.
"Liz!" she exclaims and runs to hug her friend. Michael slowly goes to the door, spatula in hand, leans against the door to watch.
"Maria," she says and embraces her friend.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired."
"Lizzie," says her dad and points upstairs.
She nods and turns to Maria.
"I have to go."
"No, you can't go!" says Maria. "What happened?"
"Liz, now!" says her mom.
"They dropped the charges."
"What about Max?"
Liz looks back. Her dad is half-way up the stairs, but her mother is watching her. "I don't know," she continues. "Ummm, I can't talk right now. I'll see you later." Maria nods.
"Great," says Michael and turns back into the kitchen.
Dan reenters the interrogation room. Max sits quietly with his dad. He's worried about Liz, but he doesn't say anything. Agent Duff returns with a cup of coffee and Hanson is right behind her with two cups, one for Max and one for Mr. Evans. Hanson places them on the table.
"I thought you might like one," says Agent Duff.
"Thanks," says Max. Mr. Evans nods.
"What are you so afraid of, Max?" asks Agent Duff.
"I'm not afraid," says Max, surprised by the question.
"Who are you protecting?'
"I'm not protecting anyone."
"Not even Liz Parker?" asks Dan.
"Liz didn't do anything," defends Max. (to Dan)
"How do you know?" asks Agent Duff.
"I know Liz."
"You have a special relationship with Sheriff Valenti, don't you?"
"Special?" asks Max, not knowing what she meant.
"You and your sister, Isabel," prods Agent Duff, "you confide in Sheriff Valenti." Mr. Evans watches curiously.
"No, not really. We've gone to him for help."
"Help for what?"
"Well, Isabel lost her bike ... and there was the flat tire."
Agent Duff frowns. She knows the bike's a ruse.
"Excuse me," says Mr. Evans. "Is any of this going anywhere? This smells like a fishing expedition. What evidence do you have that my son was involved in any?"
"We know there were three people at the crime site."
"So?"
"Michael Guerin's knife was at the scene; we know Sheriff Valenti was there that same night and filed a report; we also know that Valenti lied about why he was there."
"But how does this have anything to do with my son?"
"Whitaker believed someone tampered with the bones somehow before the bones were tested at the Coleman Particle Research Facility, so she ordered separate tests done on the bones. The dental records of the bones were compared to Special Agent Pierce's. And guess what? They were a 99% match." says Dan.
He turns to Max.
"Whitaker also had a forensic sculptor recreate a face from the bones, and it's a funny thing ... the completed head is a dead ringer for Agent Pierce. She also had the foresight to have the FBI check the cyclotron for fingerprints. And guess what, Mr. Evans," he says looking straight into Max's eyes, "your fingerprints, the same ones that we took from you only hours ago, are a match from an unidentified set of prints we took from the cyclotron. Can you explain that, Mr. Evans?"
Max remains silent. Mr. Evans looks at his son.
"Now I don't know how you did it, but you tampered with those bones and the only reason you would do that is because you knew those bones belonged to Pierce before the tests on the bones were made. How would you know that, Max?"
Max lowers his eyes.
"You know what I think. I think you and your good buddy killed Pierce because he knew that Michael Guerin killed his foster father. And you had help from my good buddy, Sheriff Valenti. You even got your girlfriend to help. That's what I think."
Liz lets the water from the shower stream down her face. The hot water feels good, bringing some sense back to this numbing reality. Her tense muscles relax. She shuts the water off, towels off and puts on her robe. She begins to enter her bedroom and stops. Her mother sits on edge of her bed.
"Mom?"
"Honey, I want you to promise me that you'll never see that boy again."
Liz walks past her mother to the dresser, picks up her brush, and begins to brush her hair slowly.
"His name is Max."
"What were you thinking? You're 17. You have a bright future and suddenly you're involved with this boy and you've been arrested twice."
Liz begins to get upset with her mother.
"Max. He's not 'this boy'. He's Max. You know his name."
"I don't understand you anymore."
She turns to face her mother.
"Max is a good person."
"I don't want my daughter involved with a murderer."
"Max is not a murderer."
"Did you have sex?"
"WHAT?"
"Did you?"
"I can't believe this! I can't believe you're asking me this now. Max is in jail for a murder he didn't commit and you're asking me if I had sex!"
"When am I supposed to be asking you? You don't talk to your father or me anymore. You disappear for days on end, skipping school. It's a wonder your grades aren't suffering."
"Trust me!"
"How can your father and I trust you when we find you sleeping in a hotel room with a boy, the two of you barely dressed and wanted by the police?"
"Just have a little faith in me."
"Honey, I can't. You're not to see Max Evans again."
"I can't do that."
"Your father and I have already decided. You don't have a choice in this."
"Yes," says Liz, "yes, I do."
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