PERMANENT INTERESTS - EPISODE 10

To get the morning juices flowing…

INT. ANNE & DAVID'S BEDROOM - LATER

Moonlight dances on the harbor, the light plays on their bodies as they sleep in each others' arms, the bed already torn apart once.

She awakens, feels him against her, turns to him. Her hand goes beneath the sheets as she nibbles him.

He awakens. Responds to her touch. Passion builds.

She rolls on top of him, reaches between them, GROANS IN DELIGHT. Moves atop him.

Their lovemaking reaches unexpected sexual heights.

A long moment as they fall back to earth and snuggle in each other's arms beneath the sheets in the torn-apart bed.

DAVID

You little glutton....

ANNE

I remembered what Harry said. "Waste not, want not."

He laughs, and kisses her. They cuddle, close. She kisses him again.

DAVID

Wow. I was right. It is supposed to be fun.

He kisses her, then she pulls away to the nightstand, lights a Gauloise from a fresh pack and lies back.

DAVID

You gave those up.

Anne frowns at him and exhales smoke. She stares up at the ceiling a moment, thoughtful.

ANNE

This is Cannes, not some Third-World sinkhole. They tried to kill us.

David sits up in the bed.

ANNE

It was about Charlie, wasn't it?

DAVID

Scare us, maybe. The last thing in the world whoever's behind this would want is for the reporter who's going around saying Charlie Sims was here when they say he wasn't ending up dead in a ditch. Too many questions.

ANNE

Unless there's no one left to ask the questions. Maybe this time I've got too much to lose. Second chances are rare enough, third chances don't happen.

DAVID

That's not the Anne Hamilton I fell in love with. You'd hate yourself and end up hating me for it.

She stubs out the cigarette. As she reaches for him, the PHONE RINGS.

DAVID

Fucking great timing.

(answers the phone)

Yes?

INT. HARRY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The lights are out. Harry, stone sober, cautiously peers past the blinds out to the street, phone to his ear...

HARRY (on phone)

It's me. I think I have what you need.

CONVERSATION BUZZ.

While he listens, he turns from the window and pours a drink, but then just stares at the glass.

HARRY (on phone)

Jeezus-H.-Fucking-Christ! You're all right?

(back to the window)

No, not on the phone. I'll see you in the a.m. Be careful.

INT. ANNE'S SUITE - LIVING ROOM - CARLETON HOTEL - MORNING

David, a bath towel around his waist, munches a croissant from a room service cart.

Anne, in a robe, towels her hair as she enters from the bedroom.

DAVID

Better?

ANNE

I'm fine.

David pours her a coffee. She takes the cup, but he moves in close. It's he, not the coffee, that reaches her lips.

At that moment, there's A KNOCK AT THE HALLWAY DOOR.

DAVID

Harry...

MAN (O.S.)

Mademoiselle Hamilton. Je suis police.

DAVID

Now what?

ANNE

(to David)

Shh...

(louder)

Just a minute.

She puts down the coffee, turns, and pads over to the door. She pulls her robe tighter before opening the door a crack.

HER POV

A UNIFORMED FRENCH COP in the hallway.

COP

You must come with me.

ANNE

Why?

COP

There has been an accident.

ANNE

What happened? Who?

COP

It is the orders of Inspector LeFevre.

ANNE

Give me a minute to get dressed.

The Cop nods.

As she closes the door, David's already got his shirt on.

DAVID

They're not hauling you out of here on your own again.

She gives him an appreciative smile.

INT. MORGUE - LATER

Anne blanches as Inspector LeFevre pulls down the sheet to reveal a battered but recognizable face...

ANNE

Oh-my-God, it's Harry.

David's eyes go hard at the sight.

DAVID

How did it happen?

LEFEVRE

His car went off the road five kilometers out on the Grande Corniche.

While LeFevre recovers the body, Anne shoots David a look.

David nods a quick "no" before LeFevre turns back to them.

LEFEVRE

Did Monsieur Long drink to excess?

DAVID

Not to kill himself in a car.

LEFEVRE

(a moment between them)

D'accord.

LeFevre dumps the contents of a paper bag on the table: Harry's billfold, keys, penknife, several crumpled sheets of paper, the napkin on which Anne scribbled her number.

LEFEVRE

(holds up the napkin)

It seems dangerous to be a friend of yours, Mademoiselle.

DAVID

Are you accusing her of something?

Lefevre turns to Anne and puts out his hand.

LEFEVRE

Your passport, please.

She glares at him, then pulls it out and slaps it down.

LEFEVRE

As they say in the American movies: "Don't leave town."

(smiles)

You are free to go.

They turn to leave, but LeFevre decides to say more.

LEFEVRE

The car was in the name of one Pierre Fontaine, 15 Avenue Rochefoucault, Nice. Also a friend?

ANNE

(turns back)

Never heard of him. Why don't you talk to him directly?

LEFEVRE

I already have.

2ND FLOOR POV - DOWN

Anne and David walk OUTSIDE THE MORGUE. They pause by the Mercedes and she lights a cigarette, then scans the street scene, looking for anyone who might be watching them.

REVERSE ANGLE

She looks up, sees a back-lit FIGURE who watches from behind a second-floor window. The Figure steps back out of sight.

EXT. THE MORGUE - DAY

Anne wants to talk, but David's face is a granite mask. He eyes the Mercedes' dented back bumper.

ANNE

We should've told LeFevre.

DAVID

And then what? Charlie Sims was never here - only he was. Harry could drive in his sleep. We've stumbled into something big and have no idea who all the players are.

(takes out the car keys)

One thing I do know, they sent the wrong message. Harry is dead because I got him into whatever this is, and someone's going to pay for that.

ANNE

What about Pierre Fontaine?

DAVID

Next stop.

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