Harvey: This trunk is the last one. Are you sure you don't want me to carry these upstairs?
Frankie: Quite sure. We'll need to arrange some furniture first, and it's easier without all this stuff blocking the way. And anyway, that trunk goes to basement once I've emptied it.
Harvey: Are you sure you want to do that? It's a very nice trunk and the basement...
Frankie: Is the most modern part of this house. No rats or mice, if that's what you were thinking.
Harvey: Really?
Frankie: Yeah, it's because all the big machines are there - washing machine, drier, air conditioning, backup generator...
Harvey: Backup generator? In the city?
Frankie: This is not your average house. It's not all Twyla's grandpa's doing, he just modernized everything. He once said that he suspects some former owners might have been a bit iffy. There are all sorts of strange stuff built in this house.
Harvey: Did he find the hidden passageways?
Frankie: How do you know about them?
Harvey: There have always been rumors about secret passageways and tunnels inside and under this house. I've never seen any definitive description, but they've been mentioned in so many places that I thought there must be some truth in those claims.
Frankie: Twyla thinks nobody knows. She says it's not safe if it becomes general knowledge.
Harvey: Don't worry. Nobody cares about that stuff nowadays. I only know about it because I spend my free time studying local history. And I'm not telling anybody. - So, how did her grandpa find out?
Frankie: The previous owners didn't know about all that stuff, because it's not in any of the existing floor plans. Twyla says her grandpa only found the passageways up here, because he started thinking that some of the rooms looked smaller than they should, and so he went to work with a measuring tape. And the tunnels were found when the basement was renovated.
Harvey: So the workers know about them?
Frankie: Not exactly. They were blocked, so the workers just thought they found some extra storage space. Twyla's grandpa told them to let it be, because there was quite enough room down there already and he wasn't going to pay them for clearing out those extra spaces. They lost interest immediately. The guys who did come to fix the tunnels later were from some high-end security company, although they didn't look like it at all.
Harvey: Good thinking.
Harvey: You know, this painting... The style looks very familiar. Is it by somebody I would know about?
Frankie: It was painted by my biological mother, and people say she would have become really famous, if she had lived longer.
Harvey: You got more of her paintings?
Frankie: Just this one, and I only got this last year. Everything my parents owned had to be sold to pay off the debts after they died. Actually, it wasn't even enough and one creditor was causing a bit of trouble, but the lawyer the court had appointed to represent me told them that 50,000 wasn't worth the PR catastrophe she was going to arrange for them, if they didn't drop the claim.
Harvey: I assume they dropped it.
Frankie: They did. Dad says Moira is one of the best lawyers he has met and couldn't be intimidated even when she was just starting her career.
Harvey: You're talking about the current DA? - So, if everything was sold, how did you get this?
Frankie: It was bought by an old lady who knew my mother. In her will, she left it to me. She called it "returning it to its rightful owner."
Harvey: That was nice of her.
Frankie: She left me a letter as well. In it, she said she would have given the painting back earlier, but it reminded her of my mother and she thought a small child wouldn't be able to appreciate it quite the same way as she did.
Harvey: Any idea on the market value? - I'm sorry, I shouldn't be asking that. It's just a habit. I've been reading too many auction catalogs.
Frankie: One of dad's friends is an art dealer, and he said it's not worth the sort of ridiculous amounts you often read about, but it's a good investment.
Harvey: And even if it wasn't, it would still be worth a lot to you, and that's what counts.
George: Frankie, your friend let me in. I'm sorry I'm late. A client had an emergency just as I was leaving...
Frankie: It's all right. I know you're busy. That's why Harvey is here to help.
Harvey: Are you Frankie's father?
George: Yes, I'm George. So, you're Harvey. Frankie has told me about you. You're an old friend of her boss and help at the studio sometimes. Does that job include helping her employees to move?
Frankie: Dad!
Harvey: It's all right, Frankie. - No, this is not in my job description. This is a favor for a friend. That is, for Frankie. There was a need for some... calming effect.
George: Of course. Her mother. - Frankie, could we have a word in private?
Frankie: Sure. - Harvey, Twyla should be in the kitchen fixing us something to eat. You can go and start without me. It's the door at the end of the hall. The bathroom is the second to last door on the left, if you want to wash your hands first.
George: I had no idea what this house is like. You'd need to be a pole vaulter or spiderman to get over that wall. And the cameras...
Frankie: The outside ones are on all the time, and the lights work on motion sensors. The indoor cameras are triggered by motion sensors and are only on when the alarm is on or if someone cuts the wires to the alarm. They work in normal, infrared and night vision, so they don't miss much. And it was even better when Twyla's grandpa had dogs.
George: I'd say it's safe enough even without them. And I'm glad about that. Any guns in the house?
Frankie: I don't know. I'll have to ask Twyla about that. I hope not.
George: Yes, guns are only useful, if you're ready to use them when needed. Otherwise, you're better off without, because they can be turned against you.
Frankie: Except first the intruders would have to find us, and this house is full of hiding places you can't find unless you know they're there.
George: Yes, hiding and calling the police is always the safest option. But this really sounds like a very curious house.
Frankie: Dad, is it legal to use tear gas to stop intruders?
George: Certainly, if the intruders are armed. Otherwise it depends on circumstances. Why are you asking? One of your friends again?
Frankie: Yeah, they were asking me about it, and I promised to find out.
George: So, how did it go with your mother? Did it help to have Harvey with you?
Frankie: No suicide threats or hysterics, so I think it went better than expected.
George: I've been thinking that maybe I should talk with her...
Frankie: No. Stay away from her. You'd only make it worse. I mean, she's always worse after seeing you, no matter how you behave.
George: That's really what I wanted to talk about. - Frankie, there's really no easy way to say this, so I'm just saying it straight. The next time your mother starts acting crazy, I'm going to have her committed.
Frankie: You can't do that!
George: Does that mean "I won't let you" or "the judge won't let you?" - Frankie, that therapist of hers is only making her worse. I don't mind being blamed of everything, because you know the truth and that's all that matters, but I really want her to get better and move on with her life. If that means putting her into the hands of a proper doctor, I'll do it.
Frankie: I guess you might be right.
George: So you'll be on my side, if it comes to that?
Frankie: Not on your side exactly, but I want mom to get better, and if doctors think that going to a hospital for some time will help, I will agree to it.
Frankie: Let's go to the kitchen before Harvey eats everything. Twyla is a really good cook.
George: About Harvey...
Frankie: What about him?
George: He's at least twice your age and guys like that...
Frankie: He's not interested in me, if that's what you think. He's just a friend. Jet has known him for years.
George: And it's always "I wouldn't have believed he could do a thing like that."
Frankie: Dad, would it help, if I told you that he's not interested in women? Not young, not older, not any kind of women. He'd be more likely to go after Greg than me, except that he's really a very decent guy.
George: And who's Greg?
Frankie: Oh. Did I say Greg? Umm, well, he's this guy I've been sort of going out with recently...
George: Young, I hope. What does he do?
Frankie: He was in the army, but now he hasn't got a proper job yet. But he will. Captain Maria said he should join the police because of all the explosives training he got in the army.
George: Explosives? Are you saying he's canine?
Frankie: Yes. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Later:
Ava: So, this is what "for the moment" was referring to.
Twyla: Frankie and I have been friends for years. It's going to be so much fun having her here.
Frankie: Twyla is so clever. We both knew mom would have a meltdown, so Twyla suggested getting some help. Harvey is nice, and he understood right away when I explained the situation to him.
Ava: Harvey was that big guy in black suit? In addition to being nice, he's also very handsome. I bet your mother was too busy staring at him to have any sort of meltdown.
Twyla: I don't think he's that handsome. He's so old.
Ava: Not that old. Especially compared to that other guy.
Twyla: Careful now, that was Frankie's father.
Ava: Really? You don't... I mean...
Frankie: I don't look anything like him. You can say it, because it's a fact. I was adopted. My birth parents died in a car crash when I was three years old.
Ava: I'm sorry.
Frankie: I don't really remember them. I was too young for that.
Twyla: You said you had a suggestion. What is it?
Ava: Last time you mentioned that you're studying writing. How would you feel about writing a book?
Twyla: A book? About what?
Ava: All that happened. I've done the research, but I wouldn't know where to start. You could make it your grandfather's story, and I could provide all the necessary information about the past and the people involved.
Frankie: That would be awesome!
Twyla: Are you serious?
Ava: Somebody's bound to do it, so why not you? You've got a stake in the matter, and you knew him, so it would be more personal than if written by somebody else. Also, you've got a headstart, because together we have all the information about the past in my research and your grandfather's papers. We just need to get the new information about the investigation, and we'll have it all.
Twyla: I wasn't thinking of becoming a true crime writer.
Ava: It's not just true crime, it's also about history, unusual medical experiments, family loyalty, revenge, all stuff people want to read about. Maybe you could also get some credit for your studies from it.
Twyla: The professor doesn't like true crime books. She says they're sensationalized trash.
Ava: You should know it's all about words. Don't present is as a crime book at all. It will be a "personal journey to my family's past." It's not your fault it turns out to be a Frankenstein vs. Hitman story. Except... if it really was The Modern Prometheus, I would have been the one exacting revenge.
Twyla: Is that how you think of yourself?
Ava: Let's not talk about me. - The book would be a good start for your career as an author, I think. It would get you publicity. When people recognize you, it's a lot easier to find a proper publisher.
Twyla: Who would publish this first book?
Ava: Oh, I think you'll find that publishers will be fighting over who's going to get it. You just leave that part to me. I'm an excellent negotiator.
Twyla: I guess I could try.
Frankie: I'm sure Nikki's going to be super excited.
Twyla: Who's Nikki?
Frankie: She's the one who found the first bone. Well, not exactly, but the one she found was the first one the police was notified about. She thought it was an animal bone, but I told her it probably wasn't, and then she spent an hour in the bath, because she thought it was gross.
Twyla: Hey, you haven't told me anything about this before! I didn't know you were involved! Are you keeping secrets?
Frankie: I wasn't involved, I just happened to be there when Nikki brought in the bone. Then Jet, her mom, called Captain Maria, and that's how it started. I haven't talked about it, because I forgot.
Twyla: Forgot?! You've got to be kidding me! How can you forget something like that?
Frankie: I've been... busy.
Twyla: Aha! It's that Greg, isn't it? When are you going to bring him here, so I can see for myself who finally managed to get you so distracted?
Frankie: I don't know. Soon, I promise.
Later that night:
Twyla: Now the furniture's all sorted, so you can start unpacking the boxes. Are you sure you don't want any of your own furniture here?
Frankie: Quite sure. These are fine, and it's easier for mom when my room there is the same as it was. You know, sort of like I was still living there. But are you sure this is fine? The guest room would have been just as good. I don't want to force you out of your room.
Twyla: Don't worry. Grandpa's room is bigger and has a better view than this one. It's the best bedroom in the house, and as this is now my house, it is my room.
Frankie: But doesn't it feel... a bit strange?
Twyla: Hey, if grandpa wants to come haunting, he's welcome to do so, although I doubt that will happen. Stop worrying. I want you here and this is your room now. - Is this a genuine Topaz case?
Frankie: Yes. I got it from Jet.
Twyla: These are expensive.
Frankie: I know, but I don't expect that Jet has paid for that. Topaz is her friend and gives her that stuff all the time.
Frankie: I asked dad about the tear gas.
Twyla: And?
Frankie: Legal against armed intruders, otherwise depends on circumstances.
Twyla: I guess that means that if you can kick their ass, you can't gas them. I thought it would be something like that.
Frankie: So, are you going to tell me where the traps are? I wouldn't want to accidentally trigger any.
Twyla: Actually, there's just one, the attic trapdoor near grandpa's... no, my bedroom. It's behind the corner and not covered by cameras, so even if somebody is watching the monitors, they can't see where you went, and the attic seems to be the only choice, because the corridor is a dead end. Except you go to the secret passageway and get out of there before they open the trapdoor, because that'll drop the tear gas, and the upstairs will be full of it in no time.
Frankie: And you really thought your grandpa was a normal person? - I don't mean...
Twyla: Hey, I know exactly what you mean. He always told me that it was because when people know you've got money, they may imagine you've got more of it than you actually do. And some people may even think that old people don't trust banks. He just believed in being prepared.
Frankie: Well, that makes sense, sort of.
Frankie: Are you really going to do it? The book?
Twyla: I don't think I have a choice, really. How often does an opportunity like this come in a person's life? I can't just leave it.
Frankie: I have no idea how one would start something like that. What are you going to do first?
Twyla: Talk with Ava, take a look at her papers and grandpa's papers, and then talk with as many people related to the case as I can. Do you think Nikki's mother would let me talk with her? As far as I know, everyone else involved is an adult, so there should be no problem with them.
Frankie: Jet is really nice. I'm sure she will.
Twyla: Would you talk with her first?
Frankie: Of course.