Matthew's Letter

April 7, 2003

Matthew: But, mom, you always let me use it.

Nora: I know I do, sweetheart, but I can't because right now, it's just -- it -- sweetie, there's just --

Matthew: Please?

Nora: Oh -- ok, ok, ok.

Matthew: Yes!

Nora: But listen to me, listen to me. This is mommy's desk, my sanctuary, ok? Very important papers on this. Don't touch anything. Don't mess anything up, ok?

Matthew: Ok. Got you covered, mom.

Nora: Yeah, cool, baby. I love you. I got to go. All right? I have a meeting, and -- oh, you have to do me a favor. Come here, come here, come here, come here. You got to do me a favor. You got to tell Marianne do not touch my desk. No cleaning my desk, ok?

Matthew: Ok. I'll go get her.

Nora: All right. Hey, hey, hey, hey -- come here. Smooches. Love you. Be a good boy. Behave. No touching the desk!

*~*

[Doorbell rings]

Mitch: Lois, get that.

Lois: Of course, sir. Good morning.

Bo: Lois?

Mitch: Commissioner. To what do I owe the honor of this all-too-expected visit?

Bo: Honor's never involved when i have to pay you a visit, Laurence. You remember Mr.. Shiny. This is official.

*~*

Bo: Well, what have you been doing here, Mitch? Burying bodies?

Mitch: Actually, I've been remodeling. And, as you can see, I'm in the thick of it. So if we could somehow cut to the chase?

Bo: Well, you heard Lindsay Rappaport confess to Sam Rappaport's murder.

Mitch: Yeah, tragic. And to think I was actually with her that very night.

Bo: Oh, I know. And you made sure that I did know. But what I don't get is how you knew that she would need an alibi.

Mitch: "Alibi"? That's a rather odd way of characterizing it, don't you think? I was buying some art from her.

Bo: Well, here's another odd coincidence -- the gun that Lindsay used was the same gun that Todd manning was going to use on you.

Mitch: Is that so?

Bo: Oh, yeah, that's so. So how did that gun get into Lindsay's hands?

Mitch: Well, your guess is as good as mine.

Bo: Well, let's hear yours.

Mitch: Let's see. Todd needed to get rid of the gun, so he threw it away, and Lindsay found it? This is all very fascinating, commissioner, and I've been as cooperative as I can be, but I have a party to prepare. I assume I'll be seeing you later this evening with Nora, would it be? Or Gabrielle this time?

Bo: Well, I think I'll surprise you.

Mitch: That'll be a switch.

Bo: Well, that's what'll make it a surprise.

*~*

Gabrielle: Matthew. What are you doing -- why aren't you at school?

Matthew: Teachers' conference.

Gabrielle: Ah. Right. Well, you may not remember me, but we met the other day at the police station. I'm Gabrielle.

Matthew: What are you doing looking through my mom's stuff? She told me I'm not allowed to touch that.

Gabrielle: Uh -- I'm -- I'm so sorry. I didn't -- I didn't know. You see, my friend, comm. Buchanan -- he asked me to do something for him.

Matthew: He took me to that soccer game.

Gabrielle: I know. He told me all about it. He said you played very well.

Matthew: Yeah, it was cool. But all the other kids had their dads there.

Gabrielle: Matthew, your father was a very special man, and we all miss him very much.

Matthew: Me, too.

Gabrielle: Me? Um -- ok.

Matthew: Can you read handwriting?

Gabrielle: Yes. Why?

Matthew: I found this in one of these piles. My mom said I wasn't supposed to touch anything, but it had my name on it. But I can't read it.

Gabrielle: Oh, well, maybe you should wait till your mom gets home, and then she'll read it to you.

Matthew: But I want to know what it says now.

Gabrielle: Oh.

Matthew: Can you read it?

Gabrielle: Uh -- sure, if you want me to.

Gabrielle: "Dear Matthew -- if you're reading this, something's already happened and I'm not with you anymore. I hope you'll always know that the moment you came into my life was a blessing like no other I've ever known. You brought me joy and happiness, and I'm very, very proud of you. Your mom's going to need your help from now on, so be strong, Matthew. Believe in yourself. I love you. I'll always be with you, son. I'll live in your heart like you live in mine, now and forever. Dad." You keep that somewhere special, always. I think I better go.

Matthew: Daddy.

*~*

Nora: Matthew had a great time at soccer. He can't stop talking about it. Thank you for taking him.

Bo: Well, it was a great time. You know what? I've got proof, too, because one of the dads got -- took double sets, so he sent some over.

Nora: Oh, that's good. Look -- an action shot of Matthew. Look how happy he looks.

Bo: This guy's a threat. Anytime he touches the ball, he's a threat to score.

Nora: That's great. There you are, cheering in the sidelines.

Bo: Yeah.

Nora: Oh.

*~*

Bo: Well, obviously, this is just another Laurence dog-and-pony show.

Asa: You've got that right, Bo.

Bo: And, obviously, there's not a surprise guest, so I don't see any reason we should stick around here. Viki?

Mitch: Ladies and gentlemen, my special guest.

Dorian: Please do stay.

*~*