Daddy's Deadly Secret (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[soft music]

Here we go.

Overhand this time.

- Ready.

- Ready?

- Yes!

- It's a great catch, Abbie!

Now try throwing one back at me.

Just back up a bit, okay?

- Okay.

- Alright.

Right in the mitt.

Okay.

- I didn't even get it to you.

No biggie. So the trick is,

you gotta put your

whole arm into it, okay?

Couple more throws and

then we gotta go inside.

Okay. Right.

- Ready?

Yep.

You're on fire, you got it!

- Ready?

- Yeah.

[phone rings]

Brad, hey. We're

able to get it done?

So Abigail and Caroline

are beneficiaries,

like I asked?

You're the best.

Hey, uh... what about

the other thing?

Okay, well... keep on it, Brad.

I need to find her.

It's important.

[Abigail laughs]

[Caroline]: Okay, well, a snake.

[imitates hissing] [laughing]

I'm gonna try a

bird, ready? Oh yeah.

That's much better

than my rodent.

[laughing]

Okay, let's see

what is in this bag

for your mom's house.

We got a bunny rabbit and...

And what is this?

I wanted to practice at Mommy's.

Okay, Babe Ruth.

Just remember... outside, okay?

Pinky promise!

Pinky promise? I'm so honored.

[laughing]

- Hey, you're still awake?

- Oh no.

- Come on.

I was at least ten

before I started

burning the midnight oil.

Time for you to

go to bed, kiddo.

You...

- I'm sorry.

Hey, you want bear time?

I heard you guys out there.

Sounded like you

were having fun.

I'm glad. I love you, kiddo.

Love you too.

Sweet dreams.

You are so good

with her, Caroline.

I know it can't be easy

being "daddy's new wife".

Or "daddy's second wife"

as you introduced me.

I'm never living

that joke down, am I?

Ever since I was a little girl,

I wanted to be a mom.

And I see Abbie and

she's so amazing,

and it's just hard thinking

that maybe we won't have a

family like that one day.

Hey. Dr. Chen is the

best fertility specialist

in the state, sweetie.

It's gonna work out.

Right, but what

happens if it doesn't?

It will.

We're gonna have a baby.

[chuckles] Maybe two.

Heck, why don't we just

have a whole baker's dozen

to make up the family?

- Richard!

[laughs]

Hey, speaking of family.

Brad called when you

were out with Abigail.

He, uh... He can't find Darla.

He thought he had a

lead somewhere in Ohio.

He checked out all the

rehabs, the shelters,

but she's a ghost.

I'm not saying we're

rolling out the welcome mat

to let her back into

our lives, it's just...

She's my sister, Caroline.

I need to know that she's safe.

I can't help but

feel responsible.

You gave her so many chances.

You tried so many times to get

her the help that she needed.

She just... She kept coming by

the house, asking for money.

Eventually I had to refuse.

One night she came by the house,

she stood in the driveway,

screaming for me to come out.

She must have been there

for like two hours.

I've never seen

Abigail so frightened.

She couldn't understand

Darla's anger.

How she was so...

overcome with rage.

That's when I had to file

for the restraining order.

I... I know she was in

a real bad place, but...

Sometimes, I feel

like I put her there.

I think that you're just

picking at old wounds, Richard.

I think you should

let them heal.

You did everything you

could to help your sister.

I promise.

Exactly 20 years ago this week,

Julianne Thomas was found

m*rder*d during a trip

through the Nevada desert with

her boyfriend, Karl Swanson.

Swanson, the chief suspect in

the case, has never been found,

despite repeated appeals

from the Thomas family.

[phone rings]

- It's Beth. I should take this.

Again? It's almost

9:30, sweetheart.

I think I need to

meet this woman.

Talk to her about boundaries.

None of your other patients

expect you to be at

their beck and call.

Well, none of them are

as scared as she is.

Please.

- Get outta here.

[laughing]

- Half an hour.

- Okay.

- Okay.

Beth, I promise, you have

nothing to worry about.

Our time together is sacred,

and anything you say is kept

in the strictest of confidence.

Okay?

Good.

I'll see you Tuesday.

Get some rest.

[sighs]

[ominous music]

[crackling]

[eerie music]

[birds chirping]

- Hey!

- Hey, Doug.

- How are you, how's school?

- It's good.

Good. Okay, go on in.

Richard.

- Doug.

You think you can work

your magic on my mailbox?

I kinda backed into it

when I was pulling out of

the driveway this morning.

Ah, geez, Richard. Uh,

yeah, sure, I can do that.

You want me to

swing by tomorrow?

Alright, sounds good.

We're about to sign off

on a new eco-friendly

parking lot downtown.

And we could use a foreman.

- Me? Seriously?

I... I don't want you to

feel obligated, Richard.

I am obligated. Okay?

After everything you've

done for Ellie? For Abbie?

Ah... my father always said a

man has to build a good home

for his family. I'm just

trying to be a good dad.

[chuckles] Stepdad.

Right. Well, what do you say?

I've seen what you can do, Doug.

This is right in

your wheelhouse.

You've got yourself a deal.

- Beautiful.

- Alright.

[chuckling]

[sobbing]

[door closing]

[sniffles]

- Mommy, mommy!

- I'm in here, sweetheart.

Hi, how's my number one girl?

I won the 100 free and the

100 back at my swim meet!

Abbie, that's two

in a row! Good job.

Yeah. She's basically

a fish these days.

[Abbie laughs] Hey, why

don't you take your bag

into your room and uh, let

your mom and I talk for a sec.

My check arrived?

- Right on schedule.

Brad's just been busy with

some other stuff these days,

so I was worried he

might not remember.

You okay? Your eyes,

they're just...

Oh. Yeah, no,

that's allergies.

Right.

Okay, well, I'll talk

to you later, okay?

- Yeah.

- See you, kiddo.

[indistinct chatter]

- Ah. Hi.

- Hey.

- How was Ellie this morning?

- Seemed a little distant.

She said she was fine.

Said it was allergies.

Doug's good at

keeping an eye on her.

He'd let me know if there

was something to worry about.

She's still taking

her medication?

Yeah.

[engine starting]

Well, I wish these results

gave me some indication,

but I'm afraid I still

can't paint a clear picture

of your situation.

Well, Richard

already has a child.

Abigail. So these

problems we're having...

they're because of me, right?

Well, that's not how we

look at it, Caroline.

We're still early

in our journey.

So our primary focus has

to be making conception

as likely as possible.

- Where do we go from here?

- I suggest more tests.

The greater our sample size,

the more treatment

options we can explore.

Great.

[birds chirping]

[honking] Hey!

[laughing]

I know we've never been

properly introduced,

but I've seen you around

a lot. I'm Marianne.

Caroline. I'm Abbie's stepmom.

She's a great girl.

Yeah. Wish I could say

the same for that one

with the blue backpack.

Well, it was nice to finally put

a face to the name, Marianne.

Bye.

[sighing]

[Beth]: IED? What is that?

It stands for intermittent

expl*sive disorder.

You have bursts of rage

you can't understand.

You lose control of your

emotions and you fear yourself.

It's why you've

locked yourself in.

Now what I'd like to know is

where do you think

this anger come from?

Uh, my parents could

be pretty rough on us.

Sometimes, they would

get angry and hit me.

It's learned behavior.

It's not uncommon.

We imitate what we

see our parents do.

I guess your parents were

pretty good listeners, huh?

[chuckles]

- I... can't just be here

to listen, Beth. I

started my practice

because I wanted

to see my patients

make practical steps towards

improving their lives.

So far, I've come to your

house for all of our sessions.

But next week, I'd like you

to come to my home office.

That doesn't sound

too scary, does it?

No. No, you have to

come here, Caroline.

I'm not ready!

- Beth, please, just trust me.

I know what I'm talking about...

- Yeah, and I know

what I'm talking about and

I can't come to your house!

Breathe, Beth. Just

like we practised.

That's good, Beth.

You said that you

reached out to me

because I specialize

in grief counseling.

But you still haven't told me

what it is you're grieving.

Everyone in my life let me down.

Then I came to town

with a friend of mine.

We were supposed to work on

this... project together.

It got stressful.

We had one stupid fight

and she just took off.

Just like that.

- This is good,

this is a breakthrough.

Really? [chuckling]

So that means I don't have

to come to your house,

I've made a breakthrough.

It doesn't quite work like that.

This is the first I'm

hearing about this friend.

How did you two meet?

Why do you think the

relationship fell apart?

I've just... I've

had enough for today.

Alright. Well, in that case,

I will be in touch about

next week's appointment.

Oh, I brought you

some reading material.

You might find it

useful. I'll just...

Don't! I'll take them.

Alright, Beth.

I'll see you next week.

[clattering]

[ominous music]

[thump]

[sighs]

[ominous music]

Hello? Abbie, is that you?

[yelps]

[phone rings]

Hey, sweetie. I

just finished work.

[Richard]: Hey, Caroline,

Ellie just called.

Abigail didn't come home

from school, is she there?

Okay, um, maybe she

got confused. Hang on.

Abbie?

She's not here.

Okay, I'm at Ellie and Doug's.

I'll be right there.

Don't worry, Richard, I'm

sure everything's fine.

- Okay, thank you.

- She's not at Molly's.

Jake hasn't seen her either.

There were no

delays with the bus.

She didn't go home with anyone.

I drove the whole

route home twice.

Miss Himbry said she

saw her leave class

at the end of the

day and then nothing.

I'm calling the police.

- Take a breath, Richard.

It's only been an

hour and a half.

- An hour and a half too long!

- Yeah.

Scanned every inch

of the fairground.

She's not there either.

Why would she be

at the fairground?

That's for the older kids.

- You didn't tell them?

Come on, El.

After everything Abbie's

been going through?

What do you mean? What's

been going on with Abigail?

Abbie scratched me.

It was a few days ago.

The other day, I

noticed your wrist.

You're saying Abigail did that?

Yes. We had an

argument. It was silly.

And then she scratched me.

- She hid in the shed out back.

Wouldn't come out

for... about an hour.

Why would she do that?

She's been hanging out

with these girls at school.

They're three years

older than her.

And she wanted to go to

the fairground with them.

She just started taking

the bus by herself.

I told her I wasn't having it,

and that she needed to hang

out with kids her own age.

And she scratched

you? Over that?

It was so out of character,

I just didn't think

it was a big deal.

Ellie, I can see why you'd

think that, but Abigail's

way too even-tempered for

an outburst like that.

Caroline, I think I know my kid.

Please, spare me the

psychology lectures right now.

- Hey.

- I'm sorry.

- It's okay.

- I'm out of line.

Ellie, you should have

told me about this.

Wait a minute... I saw

Abigail getting on the bus

with these girls.

A few days ago.

One of them was picking

on another little girl.

You're saying that these

are Abigail's friends?

- Yeah. She met them on the bus.

- Come on, Ellie.

I have a right to know about

this. We're both her parents.

I kept telling you to look

out for warning signs.

You know about Darla's history!

- It was one slip!

I'm not about to accuse her

of turning into your sister

because of one bad moment.

Hey. It's not her

fault, Richard.

I missed it too.

Last week when I saw

those kids on the bus,

I should have said something.

She just didn't

want you to worry.

Yeah. Well, look

where that's got us.

We don't need to

think like that yet.

We've called all of

her friends' parents.

Checked every inch

of these houses,

every street from

here to the school.

We're running out of places

of where she might be.

It's not normal for her

just to not come home.

Caroline, we have no choice,

we need to call the police.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

You say this is the shed

she hid in the last time

she assaulted you?

- It wasn't an as*ault.

She's a nine-year-old,

not a criminal.

I have to ask; is

it at all possible

that Abigail may have run away?

If she's been hanging out

with these older kids,

misbehaving, lashing out.

She may have gotten

some pretty bad ideas.

- No. She's a good kid.

- Good kids get bad ideas.

In cases like this, the

most likely scenario

is that the child has run away.

My daughter had no

reason to run away.

No reason at all.

- Here's what we're gonna do.

First, Ellie, you're gonna

come down to the station,

speak with a liaison officer.

They can offer you any

emotional support you may need.

In the meantime, I'm gonna

start a preliminary report.

Doug and I can go

back to the school.

See if there's

anything we missed.

Anyone we can talk to.

- I'll circle the block,

see if I can turn up anything.

That's good. Can you

show me the shed?

Yeah.

- We're gonna find her, right?

- Of course.

She's my whole world, Caroline.

After Richard and I split, I...

I kind of slipped

into a dark place.

I know. [pants]

Abigail saved me. More

than the counselors,

more than the medication.

I don't wanna think

about what my life

would look like

if she hadn't come into it.

You don't need to

think about that yet.

Everything's going to be fine.

Abigail's coming back, okay?

- Okay.

You know, it's

true what they say.

Your whole world changes

when you become a mother.

So... You didn't

think anything of it

when Abbie started playing

with girls three years

older than her?

- We have a lot of kids

that are friends

outside of class.

Maybe they're cousins,

maybe their parents are

friends. It's common.

Did you notice any

change in Abigail?

Abbie was always

a great student,

but she became... distracted.

It was like she wanted to

play with these new girls

more than anything else.

I asked some of

the other teachers

what the girls were like, and...

And?

And some of them

are troublemakers.

Weren't you gonna tell us?

Of course I was, at the next

parent-teacher conference.

But honestly, I thought

you already knew.

They seemed really close.

Abigail drew pictures

of them all the time.

Pictures? What pictures?

Abigail?

Abigail?

Caroline! I didn't see

Abbie after school today.

Is she sick?

She didn't get on the

bus this morning either?

No. Why, was she supposed to?

Marianne... Abigail didn't

come home from school today.

Those girls that she

was with the other day,

do you know them?

- Yeah, a little.

They're not exactly the kind

of people I thought Abigail

would hang out with.

A few weeks ago,

on the bus home from school,

they were talking about

their little group.

They gave themselves a name.

I thought it was just

a kid thing, you know?

Something to sound cool.

- A name?

Do you remember what it was?

Look. Every drawing is

Abbie with the girls.

I don't... I don't rec...

- Oh no.

- What?

I know this place.

It's in the forest,

right behind the school

here. The old convent.

We don't let the

kids play there.

I'm gonna call Caroline.

They called themselves

the Runaway Girls.

[phone rings]

- Excuse me.

- Yeah.

Richard.

The crossing guard said the

girls gave themselves the name

two weeks ago. That lines

up with Abigail's drawing.

Yeah. Let's go.

[ominous music]

Let's split up.

- You sure?

- Yeah.

Call me if you find anything.

Okay. Be careful. I love you.

Me too.

Abbie?

Hello? Is anybody there?

Abbie?

[suspenseful music]

[indistinct chatter]

Are you the Runaway Girls?

Abbie!

Abbie, wait!

[Richard]: Caroline!

[Caroline]: Abbie!

Abbie!

Caroline!

[Caroline]: Abbie!

[Richard]: Abbie!

Abigail?

Abbie?

Oh.

Please tell me they know

where my daughter is.

They haven't seen

her since school.

And they confirmed that

she didn't get on the bus.

[sighs] I know

these little girls.

I know their parents.

Booked most of them into

custody at one time or another.

What does that mean?

These girls come

from broken homes.

They told me that they

planned to run away.

That's where the name came from.

Why would they want to run away?

Why would they do

that to their parents?

It's six. They've been

gone for three hours

and we haven't

gotten a single call.

Their parents probably don't

even know they're missing.

Where are you going with this?

This group? This was an escape

plan from their home lives.

These are the girls Abigail

was spending time with.

I'm not gonna mince my words.

Is there something

going on in your homes

that you're not being

honest with me about?

Ellie and I divorced

before Abigail was born.

But we made sure her home life

was as stable as possible.

Ellie is a very good mother.

And frankly, I'm

a good father too.

So this is one

line of questioning

you can discount, you hear me?

Okay. We're gonna get the

ball rolling right away.

Issue a press release, start

organizing a search party.

Thank you.

[ominous music]

[computer chimes]

Oh.

[indistinct chatter]

Marianne! Thank you

so much for coming.

We've got some fliers

here, and there's water

and flashlights just over there.

I was thinking

instead of staying,

I would go to the hiking trail,

it's right by where I live,

and I could put up fliers.

- Yeah, yeah. Take them all.

Can't have too many.

So you live along

the hiking trail?

You must be near Allworthy Farm.

My cabin is right next to it.

I'm so sorry.

Caroline, I...

I can't imagine what

you're going through.

Actually, I... I can.

My child disappeared.

Almost ten years ago.

- Oh...

It's not something I

like to talk about.

A lot of people are gonna

tell you that they know

what you're going through,

and maybe they do on

some level, but me,

I really know what

you're going through.

You know, I don't know

if I told you what I do,

but I'm a psychologist and I

specialize in grief counseling.

And I'm also just pro bono for

anyone who just needs to talk.

Thanks.

Bye. Thank you.

I'm just gonna get some fliers.

[sighs]

How's Ellie?

The doctors gave

her some medication.

She's at home resting.

Best place for her right now.

I'm sorry, I just... thought

I'd be handling this better.

You have nothing

to be sorry about.

You're an amazing stepdad,

Richard and I both know it.

You love Abbie like

she was your own.

[chuckling]

- Yeah.

Beth?

No, you listen to me!

Don't ever say that to me.

You have to take this right now!

Take it right now!

- Beth?

Beth, what's going on?

- Caroline!

What are you doing here?

[mumbling, sobbing]

Beth!

[panting]

Wait, Beth! Beth,

calm down. Stop!

You weren't supposed to see me.

I need to talk to

you. But not here.

What is going on?

Who were you fighting with?

I'm sorry I haven't been in

touch, my stepdaughter...

Abigail. I know.

That's why I need

to talk to you.

- What do you mean?

- Not like this.

This isn't how you were

supposed to find out.

Find out what? What do you

know about my stepdaughter?

Darla?

What? [gasps]

Stay back!

Stay back, I'm warning you.

[groans]

Darla, what are you doing here?

I know who you really are!

- Okay, Beth, calm down...

- No!

Her name's not Beth. Caroline,

this is my sister, Darla.

Darla, look at me. Darla, do

you know where Abigail is?

[crying]

- Don't follow me!

- Are you okay?

- Yes.

I gotta go.

Are you okay?

That's Darla. That's Darla.

My sister getting

therapy from my wife.

I mean, this is insane, right?

I didn't know who

she was, Richard.

She covered her tracks, she

had ID, billing address,

everything in a different name.

There was no sign

of her in our house,

how could I have

known who she was?

We're gonna get ahead of this.

Your sister couldn't

have gone too far.

Are you kidding me?

It's been two hours.

She could have fled

the state by now.

She did this. She took

Abigail to punish me

for everything that I did.

What do you mean,

"everything you did"?

It's not gonna help anyone

if we start fighting

with each other. Please, let's

not jump to any conclusions.

She didn't want you to

know. The therapy sessions.

That's why they had

to be at her house.

I know where she lives.

- Take me there.

[door closing]

Darla Jones, this is the police!

Show yourself!

[suspenseful music]

I guess I just wish I had

the chance to tell her

that I really did love her.

You know, everything I did...

all of it...

was because I wanted

her to get better.

She knew, Richard. She

knew you loved her.

[sniffling]

I still don't understand.

Found 'em inside. There's no

sign of Abigail in the house.

But there are a lot

of smoking g*ns.

If she was buying gifts,

seems like she was planning

on reuniting with Abigail

sometime soon,

giving them to her.

She was angry, there's

no doubting that.

But she wasn't calculating.

She was more of a danger to

herself than anyone else.

She wouldn't have done

something like this.

You said she was an agoraphobe?

Not likely she had a partner.

She was arguing with

someone at the station.

- Who was she arguing with?

- I didn't see.

I'll get our guys to take a look

at the security footage.

Officer, do you

think that my sister

is actually involved in my

daughter's disappearance?

We can't rule anything out.

I... Excuse me for a sec.

I didn't want to bring this

up in front of your husband,

but during your

statement, you mentioned

that when Darla saw Richard,

she screamed something like,

"I know who you really are"?

Well, he took out a

restraining order on her.

I can see why she'd be angry.

And during the time that

you spent with Darla,

did she ever give you

her side of the story?

Whatever happened

between her and Richard,

I'm sure he had his reasons.

Why are you asking me this?

You think she was

m*rder*d, don't you?

My gut feeling is that

foul play was involved.

So a woman's dead, and

Abbie is still missing,

and you're asking me

if I trust my husband?

Richard's a good man. He

had nothing to do with this.

Find Abbie and bring her home.

[birds chirping]

Hey.

So... I'm headed to the station.

- Did you get any sleep?

Nothing makes sense anymore.

I can't bring Darla back.

But we will find Abigail.

I promise.

I... [sighing]

I don't think I can get

through this without you.

You don't have to.

I'm gonna...

I'll be back after my

meeting with Parker.

[phone chiming]

[phone chimes]

[phone rings]

Dr. Chen, hello.

Caroline, I've been trying

to get in touch with Richard.

Can we talk for a second?

Uh, I'm sorry, Dr. Chen,

I don't know if

you got my message.

Um... Richard's daughter...

I thought you'd want to

hear as soon as possible

so that we can arrange

an appointment.

Is Richard available?

No, he's not, but I

can take a message.

For him. Is everything okay?

I suppose you are authorized

to hear this as his wife.

And it does affect you.

Your test results came

back this morning.

And I think I understand

why you've been having

trouble conceiving.

Caroline, what you

said last week...

The problem isn't with you.

It's with your husband.

Richard's sample came back

with a low sperm count.

Very low.

Um, I don't... I mean,

I don't know what you're saying,

Dr. Chen. What are you saying?

I'm saying Richard

can't father children.

He's infertile.

No. That's not

possible, Doctor,

I'm telling you,

there's been a mistake.

There's been no mistake,

Caroline, I promise.

We had a large enough sample

size to make a determination.

Look, there has been a mistake.

- Caroline...

- Richard cannot be infertile,

Doctor, he has a daughter

with his ex-wife.

And his daughter is missing,

which is why I don't have

time for this right now.

I accept your

apology in advance,

but I have to go look for

my husband's daughter.

Well, miracles

certainly can happen,

I'm not denying that.

But these results are clear,

and with Richard's history...

What do you mean,

what history, Doctor?

Doctor.

- His history with opioids.

Richard doesn't have a

history with opioids.

In 2005, Richard went into

rehab for drug addiction.

Caroline? You still there?

He went to rehab?

Opioid use can lead to

long-term effects on fertility.

If Richard wasn't forthcoming

with you about this,

I'm sorry that you had

to hear it from me.

But there's been no mistake.

We took multiple

samples from Richard,

and they all came back

with the same result.

And with a count like this,

as your doctor, I

can tell you that...

it'd basically be impossible

for him to father, or to

have fathered a child.

At any point.

Are you saying that Abigail

isn't my husband's daughter?

No, that's what I'm

saying. She keeps asking

the same question

over and over again.

Yeah, just... hurry, okay?

Richard, I just spoke to...

What's going on?

I tried registering

Abigail's disappearance

to send it out on the wire.

I've told her a million

times, it's a mistake.

It is a mistake. I just

called the SSA myself.

Abigail's social security number

belongs to a woman

who died 15 years ago.

A missing child that didn't

even exist in the first place.

Wow, this is a first for me.

What's her real name?

Did you know where she's

been the entire time

you've been pulling this?

- I haven't pulled anything.

Parker, you've seen her photos.

You spoke to her teachers.

She's exactly who we say she is.

Who "you say" she is.

What's her real name?

I'm searching for a

missing little girl

and I don't even know

who she belongs to.

No more tricks.

This is not a trick,

this is my daughter's

life we're talking about.

Her name is Abigail and she's

exactly who I say she is!

I need a minute to

speak to my husband.

There's nothing you

can't say in front of me.

Please. I need to

talk to him alone.

You have two minutes.

Not a second more.

When I come back,

you better be ready.

Because I have questions

and I demand answers.

This is insane.

Right? I mean, are

you listening to them?

They keep trying to tell me

that Abigail doesn't exist.

- Richard.

- What?

I got a call from

Dr. Chen's office.

He had your test results.

We can't have children.

It's your count. It's too low.

He says... you

can't have children.

No, that's wrong, okay?

That's gotta be a mistake too.

It's not a mistake.

Caroline, I have a

daughter! I mean, I have...

I have a daughter!

[mutters]

What's happening here? This

doesn't even feel real.

This is real.

There's another thing.

He told me about the facility

you went to when you were 22.

Why didn't you

tell me about that?

I was a dumb kid. I

was outta control.

But I recognized it.

It was three months,

and I got clean.

But I put that part

of my life behind me.

No...

I didn't tell you, because

that's not who I am anymore.

Darla, she knew, didn't she?

[sighs]

Darla and I had...

a tough childhood.

She was always a rebel.

She couldn't understand

her feelings, you know?

The anger.

One day, she started

to take some stuff.

It eased the pain.

For the first time in

forever, she felt... free.

And she wanted me to

know what that felt like.

But I managed to get

out. She never could.

And I was her big

brother. Everything,

everything that ever

went wrong in her life,

I could have stopped it.

That's not true,

Richard. You tried.

Not hard enough.

But Caroline, that

boy that I was...

is not the man I am today.

Okay? That was another

life. I promise you.

Why can't they find

any record of Abigail?

I don't know, but you

have to believe me

when I tell you I don't know.

Okay? She's my little girl.

There has to be a mistake. Okay?

There... there just has to be.

You and Ellie split

right after she got

pregnant, didn't you?

What does that have

to do with anything?

You don't think that...

We have to talk to her, Richard.

There's no record of Abigail.

Whoever this little girl

is that we've been raising,

she's not Abigail Jones.

We're all on our own.

But I'm gonna get

us out of this.

What are you talking about?

Parker wants answers,

well, so do I.

Let's go get 'em.

Your two minutes are...

up.

This is Parker. I need

a unit out front. Now!

[engine starting]

- Parker has had something

against you from the

start. If we want answers,

we gotta talk to Ellie.

- Wait a second...

You don't believe

any of this, do you?

[sighs] Caroline.

Are you saying you don't believe

that Abigail is my daughter?

I don't know what I believe,

but I know that I

want to believe you.

[water running]

- Ellie.

- Doug!

What's going on?

We just spoke to Parker.

She was trying to register

Abbie's case online.

Ran into some issues with

her social security number.

- I'm sorry, Richard.

- Ellie, wait!

Ellie!

Ellie, stop!

Ellie! Stop!

[panting]

Ellie!

What's going on? [whimpering]

What's going on

with our daughter?!

She's not your

daughter, Richard!

And she's not my

daughter either.

It's time to tell the truth, El.

I'm sorry, Richard.

We never meant for

it to go this far.

Ellie...

Richard, what I'm about to

tell you won't be easy to hear.

What we're about to tell you.

You're not in this alone, Ellie.

It's true. Abigail

isn't your daughter.

And she's not my

daughter either.

When we were together,

it was... so perfect.

You were the greatest husband.

But then you got busy with work.

And we couldn't get pregnant

and we didn't know why.

We kept waiting on a family.

And when that never came,

that's when you gave up on us.

You filed for divorce.

I would have done

anything to get you back.

So I told you I was pregnant.

And when that didn't work,

I was gonna tell you the

truth, that I made it up.

I was in a dark place, but...

things spun out of control.

I don't... I don't

understand. How?

How did it end up like this?

I moved into an apartment

building on the East side.

That's when I met Doug.

He'd just moved in

across the hall.

He'd just gotten out of

a relationship, like me.

And he came to town

with his baby daughter.

I couldn't get a job.

Doug was new in the

city, he was struggling.

So we thought that if I carried

on with the pretend pregnancy,

and we used Doug's baby...

Ugh, no... No.

I had nothing. I was paying

off my student loans,

I couldn't afford to eat.

We pretended Abigail was mine.

Ours.

We used the child support

payments to pay our bills.

We knew you could afford it.

Money, Ellie?

You made me believe that

Abigail was my daughter.

My daughter... For nine years!

Ellie... To get money?!

Of course not.

I still wanted you in my life.

I thought this was the only way.

We wanted to tell you.

But it just kept

growing and growing.

I can't... I can't breathe.

Doug, do you know

where Abigail is?

I don't know.

Abigail might not

be your daughter,

but she's still missing.

You didn't have to do

this, Ellie. You know.

I would have given you

anything you wanted.

Anything!

Not the one thing I wanted most.

- And what was that?

- To have you back.

I can't...

[soft music]

Innocent men don't

run away, Richard.

I should have you arrested

for that little stunt

you pulled back there.

- Go inside, Parker.

Doug and Ellie have something

they need to tell you.

I told you my

husband's a good man.

Now go hear it from them.

So this was all

an elaborate ruse?

For nine years?

To convince Richard that

he was Abigail's father?

Yeah.

I want you both to know

that you will face charges

once Abigail is found.

And from here on out, I need you

to be completely honest with me.

Doug, do you have any idea

who would want to

take your daughter?

My ex. She's the

reason I took Abigail.

She's... unstable.

Very unstable.

What if she tracked us down?

What if she took Abigail?

Oh, God. I gotta

pull myself together.

I just know she's out there.

I know she has my little girl.

[birds chirping]

I think what happened to Darla

has something to do with

Abigail's disappearance.

They were fighting

inside the station.

They might know something.

I've told you already,

we're gathering footage

from nearby businesses.

These things take time.

We're doing everything we can.

- What about Darla's house?

I've been there enough

times, let me go back

and see if I can find anything.

None of us can go back there

until there's been a

full forensic sweep.

It's a waiting game.

Darla had pictures of

me. She knew something.

There has to be a connection.

Even I could be in danger.

And I'm here to make

sure that doesn't happen.

But I can't keep

this under control

if you're not going

to work with me.

[scoffs]

[door closing]

I don't think I can ever

forgive you for what you did.

[inhales]

But the way you

were with Abigail...

You really did love her

like a mother, didn't you?

None of this would have happened

if I'd just told

Richard the truth.

But Douggie kept

talking me out of it.

And I was desperate. I...

I wasn't thinking straight.

I've had that a while.

Abigail did that...

- No!

When we had our fight.

Abigail gave you the

welt on your wrist.

Ellie...

Promise me that you will

not hurt yourself again.

You can't go to that dark place.

[sobbing]

Come here.

[crying]

[insects chirping]

[soft music]

[Darla]: I know you don't have

any reason to trust me, Richar.

And I'm sorry I

lied to your wife.

I'm sorry I

pretended to be Beth.

But I had to get to Caroline.

You need to know the truth

before something bad happens.

Come and see me.

Love always, Darla.

[suspenseful music]

[woman]: Julianne Thomas was

found m*rder*d during a trp

through the Nevada desert with

her boyfriend, Karl Swanson.

[knocking on door]

Caroline. What are

you doing here?

Marianne, hi. I... I just

came to check on you.

It's been so long since I've

been near the farms, so...

Can I come in?

Sure, yeah.

So, any update on Abbie?

The police are still pursuing

every lead they turn over.

I'm... I'm keeping

her in my prayers.

Actually, we do have a lead.

My husband's sister.

Her name was Darla.

She was living in town

under an assumed name.

I was actually giving

therapy to her.

She had a lot of problems.

We're worried that she

may be behind things.

Well, at least you're

closer to the truth.

If that is the case.

I just wanna thank you,

Marianne. For everything.

We're so lucky to have someone

like you looking out for us all.

[creaking]

Oh, sorry. Those are my pipes.

They've been acting up

since the weather changed.

- Maybe I can help.

- No, no, it's fine.

I called someone.

- I'm actually pretty handy.

Maybe I should just take a look.

- It's really not necessary.

It's not a problem.

[gasping]

[breathing heavily]

[gasps]

I'm sorry, Caroline.

It's the only way.

[grunts]

[clattering]

[eerie music]

Listen to me. Don't

ever say that to me!

You have to take this right

now. Take it right now!

Beth!

[eerie music]

[gasps]

[breathing shakily]

[door handle rattling]

[banging]

[crying]

[banging on door]

[breathing heavily]

[door handle rattling]

[banging on door]

We can't open that door

right now, sweetie.

- Is someone inside?

- Shh...

Don't worry about it.

Everything's fine, okay?

I promise. Now come on.

Time for breakfast, okay?

[banging on door] It's okay.

Caroline?

Caroline!

[line ringing]

You've reached Caroline

Jone. Please leave a message.

[beeps]

[knocking on door]

- Hey. Is Caroline here?

- No. Why?

She wasn't at home this morning.

I don't know where she is.

Did she say where she was going?

No. She was in the

house last night

when I fell asleep, but

she isn't there now.

I mean, she wouldn't

leave without telling me.

Something's wrong.

Doug, I can feel it.

Okay. Okay, uh...

Here's what we're gonna do.

We're gonna call Parker,

let her know what happened,

maybe she can get

into Caroline's phone.

Look, I know we have

a lot of work to do

to make things right, but

let us help you, Richard.

- Just find Caroline.

- Okay.

Yeah.

[breathing heavily]

[banging on door]

Abbie?!

Abbie, sweetie, can you hear me?

- Caroline?!

- Abbie!

What are you doing in there?

It's a long story.

I just need you to

help me get out.

Did Marianne from

school put you in there?

It's not important right now.

I just need you to help me.

Can you try the handle?

[door rattling]

It's not working!

What if I pull on the

handle and you push?

What do you mean, Abbie?

I mean, if I pull the handle

and you lean against the door

at the same time,

maybe it'll open.

Abbie, you're a

little genius, yes.

Um... Okay, Abbie, put your

hand on the door handle.

And now, when I count to three,

you just pull as

hard as you can.

Remember baseball practice?

Just put your whole

arm into it, okay?

I need you to do that for

me right now, sweetie.

- Okay.

- Okay, and I'm gonna

push the door really hard.

Okay, are you ready?

You got this.

Okay...

One.

[together]: Two. Three.

[gasping]

I'm so glad you're okay.

- Are you okay?

- I am now.

You were so brave.

Okay. Maybe we

should go home now.

- Yeah, let's go.

- Okay.

[tense music]

Abbie...

Would you go play in your

room for a little while?

What about Caroline?

It's okay, sweetie.

Caroline and I are

just gonna talk.

Yeah, Abbie. Just

a little talk.

Why don't you keep going with

that book you're reading, huh?

Okay.

[grunts]

You're making this

too complicated.

I'm just trying to

keep my daughter safe!

[birds chirping]

What have you been giving me?

Horse tranquilizers.

They're not gonna hurt you,

they're just gonna keep you

numb for a little while.

I'm sorry, Caroline. I

did what I had to do.

You don't have to do

any of this, Marianne.

Let me help you.

- I don't need any help.

Not anymore.

It's getting dark.

I'm taking Abigail.

She's coming with me.

I'm taking her somewhere

new. Somewhere different.

And you'll be safe if

you don't follow us.

You know I can't

do that, Marianne.

She's my husband's daughter.

- No, she's not!

[suspenseful music]

I can't get a trace

on Caroline's phone.

She must have turned it off.

- She wouldn't do that,

not with everything

that's going on.

Okay, so someone turned it off.

She told you.

Okay, she told you

she was worried

she was in danger.

I'm gonna get her back, Richard.

Abigail too.

I'm transferring

whatever I could retrieve

from the other accounts.

I'm gonna run it into forensics

when I get back to the station.

Texts, email, last

logins, anything...

[sighing]

It was supposed to be so

much easier, Caroline.

I really didn't want this.

Just don't hurt Abigail.

- Hurt Abigail?

- Yeah.

I'm not here to hurt her.

I'm here to save her.

I wish you could see

it from how I see it.

I'm a good person.

Darla wanted me to

stop, but I couldn't.

I couldn't let

her go back there.

Marianne, please,

just talk to me.

Let me try to understand why.

She's my daughter. Abigail.

I gave birth to

her nine years ago.

Before he took her from me.

Doug?

He was so sweet when we met.

And then, everything changed.

He told them I was a*usive.

That I was unstable.

I would never hurt my daughter.

I was scared of

becoming a parent, sure,

but it was the good kind

of scared, you know?

I had nothing but love to give.

The day she disappeared

with him, I knew...

I knew I had to get her back.

No matter what it took,

I was gonna do it.

Because that's what family is.

So a year ago, Darla got clean.

Then she wanted to

reach out to Abbie.

But because of the

restraining order,

she knew that if she reached

out to Richard or Ellie...

- She'd be arrested.

- Yeah.

So, she thought she would try

to get in touch with Doug.

Only when she went online

to look for his information,

she found a lot more

than she expected.

What do you mean?

Our marriage certificate.

Photos of our wedding.

I'm guessing Doug never told you

that he'd been married before?

No. He didn't.

Darla wanted to know more

about this past life.

It took her six months,

but she was determined.

She finally found me online.

My profile was a picture of

Abbie when she was a baby.

Then I told her everything,

how he'd taken her.

And she knew it was a lie.

So she knew about the scam.

Yeah, we worked together.

She would tell Richard the

truth and he would forgive her.

And then, I would

get my daughter back.

And Richard...

Well, Darla needed a cover

to get closer to him.

So she became Beth.

And started seeing me.

Yeah.

She had second

thoughts after a while.

She said she couldn't go

through with the plan.

So that day, at the station...

Doug would know who I was.

I planned this very

carefully, Caroline.

But then you saw Beth, and

you started arguing with her

in the hallway.

- She said that Abigail

was with a loving family now.

And that she couldn't

hurt Richard.

She even thought that

if we told the truth,

that we could work

something out.

That is not what

I signed up for.

That's why she bought

the gifts for Abigail.

She thought Richard would

let her back into his life.

I told her it was insane.

She just kept insisting

there had to be another way.

That's what she

said in the letter.

What?

The day at the station,

when you saw Beth,

she was trying to

give you an envelope.

I have it in my bag.

- I don't need to read anything.

- Marianne, it's important.

It could help you.

This could be another way.

I don't wanna hear it, Caroline!

I have my daughter back now.

And I'm never gonna be separatd

from her, not ever again.

Help!

Help! Is anyone here?

Can I please call my daddy?

Darla was a good person.

And she didn't have to die.

- Die?! What do you mean?

- You don't know?

[creaking]

Did you hear that?

[grunting]

[grunting]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Yeah, this is he.

- Daddy?

- Abbie? Abbie... Hey.

Keep her on the

phone. I'm tracing it.

Hey, baby girl.

No, no, no... Abbie!

Caroline, she's

gone! Abbie's gone!

Caroline...

[screams]

[grunting]

You're not taking her, Marianne!

She's coming home to her family!

I am her family!

And I am gonna save her!

[grunting]

We got her.

She's at a cabin

on Dorset Drive.

We got a rental property

directly opposite.

Leased six months ago to

a Marianne Cunningham.

That's her. That's my ex.

No, it's okay. Daddy's

coming to get you.

Okay? You just

stay where you are.

[crying]

[line ringing]

We're gonna get her back, okay?

I'll send a unit.

- A unit?!

Are you crazy? I'm

going to get her.

I'm coming with you.

- Out of the question.

It's not safe!

Officer Parker, I

am coming with you.

Stand down, Richard!

Can I get a unit to pick

up the family, please?

No! They're running!

[car starting]

Richard! Are you crazy?

Gimme back my keys now!

[grunting]

Abbie? Abbie?

Hey!

[crying]

[breathing heavily]

Don't make me hurt

you, Caroline. Please.

That's up to you, Marianne.

He is the reason they took

her in the first place.

Because they believed

him! He's a liar!

You still have a

chance, Marianne.

You just drop the knife.

Are you okay?

I'm sorry I didn't

come home, Daddy.

I was with Marianne from school.

But she promised me that I

could go home whenever I wanted,

and then she told Caroline

that she was taking me away.

Wait... Caroline?

Where's Caroline?

She's at Marianne's.

Marianne? You saw

Marianne, sweetie?

What did she look like?

She's the crossing

guard. From school.

With the curly hair.

- It's her.

It's really her.

She tried to take

Abigail from me.

Doug, she's got Caroline.

She's got her.

- Right.

Abbie, you stay

right here, okay?

You stay with Mommy.

[crying] [Ellie]: it's okay.

- Caroline...

- Richard, I'm okay.

- This is all your fault.

- You're not taking her, Doug.

She's never gonna be

with you, not ever again.

You're going to jail!

You tried to hurt my daughter.

I have been looking for her

since the day you

took her from me.

Darla couldn't stop me, and

you're not gonna stop me.

No matter how many

lies you tell.

You're insane!

You tried to kidnap Abigail.

Anything was better than

her staying with you!

You're a monster!

What are you talking

about, Marianne?

She's out of her mind, Caroline.

Clearly, you can see that.

That's what you wanted

the police to think

every time you hit

me. And I called them.

You told them I was crazy,

that it was all in my head.

You're lying!

You thought you could keep

me quiet with your fists.

You thought you could

take Abbie from me,

but you can't!

[screaming]

[breathing heavily]

Are you okay, did she hurt you?

I'm okay. I'm okay.

Parker... Parker's

here, I think.

- Careful.

- It's okay.

Please, Caroline...

I didn't kidnap Abigail.

She came with me.

Every day, after school.

Abby would tell

me. About Doug.

How she was scared of him.

Please, keep her safe.

We're turning over

the whole house.

If she's responsible for

what happened to Darla,

we're gonna know real soon.

- Where is Marianne now?

- She's in custody.

Lock her up. Throw

away the key.

Speaking of keys...

Richard, I believe you have

something that belongs to me?

Right. Uh...

I'm so sorry I took them.

I'll chalk it up to a

momentary lapse in judgment.

So I'm not under arrest?

I think Abigail needs you

a little bit more

than jail does.

When can we see her?

The medical team will

be done with her soon.

We'll have her home in no time.

Thank you, Officer Parker.

For everything you've done.

[sighing]

[Ellie]: Thank you.

Thank you.

Something bothering you?

[sighing]

You're not gonna like it.

Well, I don't know,

I feel kinda tough

after this week. [chuckling]

Marianne. Those things

that she said at the house.

About Doug...

I believe her.

Statistically, women don't lie

about these types of things.

Well, statistically,

women don't usually kidnap

their daughters, either.

[sighing]

Come on, Caroline. It's over.

Marianne was a very

disturbed woman.

Speaking of which, I think

I'm gonna check on her again.

- Hey, can I go?

- Yeah. Okay.

Thanks.

So, sweetie...

You're gonna have

a lot of questions

about what happened

the past few days.

I'm here for you,

whatever you need. Okay?

Is Marianne gonna be okay?

You liked Marianne?

She took care of me.

Like you do.

[sniffling]

Why are you crying, Caroline?

I'm sorry, sweetie, I'm just...

I'm just so happy to see you.

Back here where you belong.

- I don't like it when you cry.

- Oh.

Mommy cried when I

hurt her on her hand.

- How did that make you feel?

- Bad.

Doug says just because he hits

Mommy doesn't mean I should.

Doug says what?

He says he gets angry and

doesn't mean to hit Mommy,

but he does.

You get some rest.

Okay, sweetie?

I love you, Caroline.

I love you too, Abbie.

[tense music]

[indistinct chatter]

[suspenseful music]

[breathing heavily]

I mean, it's a parking lot.

And this is a good

stepping stone.

This is a good

way to approach it

and I think it's great for you.

Hey, sweetie.

Abbie go down okay?

- Yeah, she's fast asleep.

- Great.

Uh, Ellie... Can I

talk to you for a sec?

- Is everything alright?

- Yeah, everything's fine.

Just some girl talk.

You gotta meet the team.

- What's going on?

- Shh!

What's going on?

I need you to tell me

the truth about Doug.

What are you talking about?

You know what I'm talking about.

Marianne was telling

the truth, wasn't she?

Doug hits you.

That mark on your neck.

You didn't do that to

yourself. Doug did that to you.

And Abigail, that's

why she hurt you.

He said if I told

anyone, he'd k*ll me.

And after what we

did to Richard,

he knew I couldn't

afford to report it.

It's why Abigail joined

the Runaway Girls.

She was having problems at home,

just like the rest of them.

It's not all the time, Caroline.

That's Julianne Thomas.

She was m*rder*d twenty

years ago in Nevada.

And that's her boyfriend,

the guy who did it.

He hasn't been seen since.

This... this is Doug.

Ellie, Doug was

Julianne's boyfriend.

Doug was Karl Swanson. He

k*lled her, I'm sure of it.

That's him in the photo.

- What?

That's what Darla found out.

She tried to tell Marianne, but

she didn't get to her on time.

Doug... Doug k*lled her?

We have to go to the police.

Yes. We have to stop Doug

before he hurts anyone else.

[breathing shakily]

- Yeah.

[eerie music]

[gasps]

- No.

You're not gonna call

anyone, Caroline.

This is my life.

This is my family.

You don't get to

take that from me.

Run, Ellie, now!

Ah! No! Ah!

Caroline, please. You're

making this harder.

You're getting involved in

something you don't understand.

I know about Julianne, Doug.

- Ha!

- Or do I call you Karl?

It was you, wasn't it?

Julianne Thomas.

Your girlfriend.

You k*lled her.

Twenty years ago.

As soon as they started

talking about her

on the news, I knew someone

would figure it out.

And they did.

That day in the police station.

Stay back! I'm warning you!

I know who you really are!

"I know who you really are."

She wasn't talking

about Richard.

She was talking about you.

I followed her home.

I wanted to know what

she'd done with Abbie.

She wouldn't tell me.

So... I did what I had to.

Doug, we trusted you.

It's not what you

think, Caroline.

I'm... I'm not a m*rder*r.

I just get... real

angry sometimes.

All I wanted was for

Julianne to stop screaming.

I tried to shake her,

I tried to wake her up.

But... she was gone.

So I ran.

I changed my name,

changed towns.

And then, I met Marianne.

And you hit her too.

She wouldn't let up on me.

Yeah. She made me

feel like a failure.

No, Doug. You hit her.

You hit her because

you chose to.

Okay. That's...

that's not true!

You hurt people because

you can't control yourself.

It's what you think

you have to do.

But you know, I knew someone

who couldn't control

herself, but she tried.

Her name was Darla.

And you k*lled her!

- Stop talking to me like that!

Two people are dead

because of you!

Three people.

You'll never get away with it.

No, they'll find you.

No. No, no, they won't!

See, I've already done

this before, Caroline.

I started over, and I'm

gonna start over again

with Ellie and Abbie.

And you'll be out

of the picture.

Gone! Alright?

Just like Julianne!

[grunting]

[grunting]

[breathing heavily]

Ellie...

Ellie, hey, hey. Hey!

[soft music]

I never thought

about it that way.

But yeah!

I should've taken that moniker.

- Ta-dah!

- Yum!

Looks amazing.

So I was just saying,

my community service

has been reduced.

90 hours.

Thanks to a letter

from a certain someone.

Well, you've suffered

enough, Ellie.

You know what you did was wrong,

but testifying against Doug,

that couldn't have been easy.

Well...

You two vouching for me

made it a lot easier.

Oh! Look at these two!

- Hi!

- Hey.

Got some lipstick on your face.

Oh! That was my

orange! [laughing]

Polly seems to be doing great.

You know, it's really

wonderful, what you two did.

Adopting.

Giving a child the chance to

have two parents like you.

We should get the

girls to bed soon.

Abbie's going to see

Marianne tomorrow, at ten.

- Oh.

- She goes before

the parole board in six months.

We want her to know that Abbie's

still thinking about her.

We're gonna try and see about

visitation when she gets out.

That's nice.

Can me and Polly go

play hide and seek?

Okay, sweetie. As long

as it's inside the house.

Don't break anything.

Promise?

- Pinky promise!

Wow, a pinky promise!