LA Observed: Los Angeles media, politics and sense of place since 2003
Right of Way 37

EXT. CELESTE’S MANSION – NIGHT

Napolitano scans the walkway for clues with his FLASHLIGHT. He shines the light on the front gate and punches in a security code. The gate swings open.

INT. CELESTE’S MANSION – NIGHT

Napolitano enters. The place has been tossed -- cushions overturned, LIGHTS ON, bureau drawers yanked out, papers strewn about. He moves through the den, careful not to displace anything. A tumbler on the coffee table has a trace of lipstick on the glass and a finger of scotch.

EXT. CELESTE’S GUEST HOUSE – NIGHT

It’s built above a three-car garage, and accessible by a stairway onto a porch. Napolitano POUNDS on the front door.

NAPOLITANO
Rachel, it’s Russ Napolitano. Open up!

He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and tries the door, but it’s locked. He spots a slightly-open window just out of reach beyond the porch railing, its lace curtains billowing in the breeze. Next to him, he sees some wooden shelves laden with an array of potted plants. Napolitano tests the shelves: one of them jiggles loose.

EXT. CELESTE’S GUEST HOUSE - MINUTES LATER – NIGHT

The plants have been placed neatly on the porch. Napolitano jams the detached shelf between the porch railing and the open window. Two stories above the concrete drive, he edges across the board, opens the window, and enters the house.

INT. GUEST HOUSE – NIGHT

Napolitano uses his FLASHLIGHT to look around. There’s a clock reading 11:08, a tray on a table with rolling papers and marijuana seeds, framed magazine covers of Rachel modeling lipstick and lingerie. He spots a piece of scrap paper by the phone with a 310 number and the name OMAR. He pockets the number, then picks up the phone with his handkerchief and punches REDIAL with a pencil on the desk. He waits as it dials, and then... his own cell phone RINGS!


 
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Eric Estrin