Kate has recently lost her husband David. While going through his things, she discovers disturbing evidence that suggests he may have been a serial killer. She finds a locked box containing photos of missing women, locks of hair, and a list of names. Upon researching the names online, she finds articles about several unsolved missing persons cases. Shocked by this discovery, Kate calls her friend Jane for advice but Jane refuses to believe David was a murderer. Unsure of what to do, Kate decides to burn the incriminating evidence, preserving her late husband's memory at the cost of denying his possible crimes.

1. “DARKEST SECRET”
By
Sarah Poore
Parsonage Barn Ln
Ringwood, BH24 1SE
01425 475000
Poores.student@ringwood.hants.sch.uk

2. 1
FADE IN:
SCENE 1 INT. IN CAR. – DAY
KATE is driving her car home from work, listening to the
radio. The interior of the car is a mess and she is seen to
be crying. The song ‘To Build a Home’ – The Cinematic
Orchestra feat. Patrick Watson comes on. She turns up the
song, and then pulls over to regain composure.
She then turns the radio off, wiping her eyes. The rest of
the drive home is silent.
She pulls into the driveway of a modern detached house
which is presented well. She walks to the house and unlocks
the door.
SCENE 2 INT. INSIDE HOUSE – DAY
KATE caresses a jacket on the coat rack and smells it as
she wipes away her tears.
She walks into the kitchen which is perfectly laid out and
immaculately clean and makes herself a cup of tea. She
carries the tea to the large dining table grabbing the post
on her way.
SCENE 3 INT. DINING TABLE – DAY
KATE is sat at the dining table with flowers and condolence
cards laid out on the side cabinet. She is opening and
reading condolence cards for her late husband.
KATE starts to cry. As she is wiping away her tears, the
phone rings, playing a chirpy ringtone. KATE glances over
at it taking a deep breath before picking it up to answer.
KATE
(Sniffling) Hello?

3. 2
JANE
Hi Kate, I hope everything’s ok. I can’t
imagine what you’re going through, it
must be so difficult
KATE
I know, I-know…
JANE
(Concerned)You have so many amazing memories with him, just
think of all the good times you’ve had together.
KATE is silent, staring blankly into space.
(Pause) Listen Kate, I know it’s really not a good time to
be asking, but he was working on a work project with Paul
and we really need the documents, I don’t suppose you could
have a look and see if you could find them for me.
KATE
KATE composes herself, thinking. She rubs her eyes and puts
her hands on her temples.
Um…oh…ugh… He used to file important things in the bureau.
I’ll go and have a look and I’ll call you if I find
anything.
JANE
Ok speak to you later.
KATE hangs up the call, sighing. She puts her mobile on the
table and walks through to his study.

4. 3
SCENE 4 INT. STUDY – DAY
KATE goes to his bureau and looks through the draws. KATE
rummages around the files flicking through pages.
She comes across a box and tries to open it. It is locked
and so she sets it to one side and continues looking
through the files.
KATE opens the last draw and as she picks up a pile of
papers a small key falls out. Knowing the key is for the
box she unlocks it. She pulls out a small photograph of a
young girl, a lock of hair and a list of names.
KATE
(To herself Confused.) What is this?
SCENE 5 INT. DINING TABLE - DAY
KATE sits down at the table as she opens her laptop.
Opening up google she searches the first of the names. The
screen displays a no results page.
KATE
(To herself, muttering)Ok what about you Jaqueline Cozier?
She types the name in the google search bar, again nothing
(Puzzled)Ok let’s try one more.
She types the name into google and it brings up a missing
persons article, then the fourth suspected foul play.
KATE is typing on her laptop frantically searching for
responses. She sees the words ‘Killer never found’.
Shocked KATE puts her hand to her mouth.
KATE
Oh my God!

5. 4
SCENE 6 INT. DINING TABLE – DAY
Kate picks up the phone and dials JANE’s number, she is
trembling.
JANE
Hi Kate, have you found it?
KATE
I haven’t found the document but oh my God Jane, I think
David might have killed someone
JANE
(Laughing)
KATE
No. I’m serious Jane.
JANE
Don’t be ridiculous Kate. Your husband was not a murderer.
Listen love why don’t you go and have a lie down…
You’ve been through so much, I think the stress of it all
is making you delusional.
I’m going to go now and let you get some rest. I’ll call
you later.
KATE
(Frantically) But the evidence is all here, its right in
front of me. What do I do?

6. 5
JANE
(Long pause)
Well you’ve got a decision to make, only you can choose how
to preserve his memory. How do you want him to be
remembered?
KATE puts the phone down.
JANE
(Through the phone)
Kate… Kate… are you still there?
KATE puts down the phone. The sound of the dial tone plays.
SCENE 7 GARDEN EXT. DUSK
The garden is fairly large and has been left to grow. There
is a shed at the bottom of the garden which is where she is
stood.
KATE is stood in front of a chimenea which has not been
lit.
She takes a cigarette lighter and lights the corner of the
photo of the girl. There is no sign of any emotion on her
face as she stares blankly at the photo.
She stares at the burning image and throws it on the fire.
As it burns she hallucinates and sees his face in the
flames.
She is staring into the fire, crying.
FADE OUT.
THE END.