01x06 - She's a k*ller

[bunniefuu]

Narrator: Previously on
"The Thing About Pam."

We're behind on the mortgage.

- That's all that's left.
- Betsy's insurance.

Court finds the defendant,
Russell Faria, not guilty.

Seems I'm not the only
one with a bad reputation.

It's Cathy Singer
from "Dateline."

You stopped answering my texts.

Say hi to Cathy.

Everybody's treated
me like I k*lled Betsy

'cause that's what the TV says.

We all talk about it.

No one could've done it but you.

The whole town has
turned their backs on me.

When there's stuff in your way,

what you gotta do
is get rid of it.

Mrs. Hupp?

Mrs. Hupp, you okay in there?

Mrs. Hupp, if you don't
respond immediately,

- we're coming in.

I'm good.

Every single k*ller
in every single book

gets caught for the
same stupid reason,

keeping stuff, things.

You know, little things
from the people they k*ll.

Do you believe that? It's
like, "Hello, idiot."

Just don't keep their
driver's license,

or tufts of hair,

and you get away with it.

You and your m*rder books.

Ugh.

It's not wide enough.

I told you to get the big roll

to save money.

Oh, you guys better
get going to St Louis.

Big job today, right?

Full renovation.

- Don't hurry back.
- I got plenty to handle here.

Yeah, what's that mean?

I'm so tired of
people looking at me

like I'm some monster.

I mean, it's whatever,

but it's screwing
with our business.

What am I supposed to do

if nobody wants the Derby house?

We're losing money.

Somebody's gotta do
something about that.

Well, maybe I should just
stick around here today.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

It's my problem.
I'll deal with it.

Just bring me back
some of those...

Those chocolate
things I like, okay?

What are you gonna
do with that anyway?

- Hmm?
- That.

What are you gonna do with it?

It's like a rug now. See?

Little baby rug.

Okay. See you later.

Drive safe.

Narrator: What's the advantage
of camouflage in the wild?

Can one creature
pose as another?

Can a leopard change its spots?

Can Pam become someone else?

Hey.

You wanna make some easy money?

My name's Cathy.

I'm a producer at
that show, "Dateline."

- Okay?
- So we're looking for people

to re-enact soundbites
and 911 calls.

We'll give you $1,000

just to come with
us and record it.

Cash.

No paper trail
back to Uncle Sam.

That sound like something
you'd be interested in doing?

So you're just driving around

looking for people
to say some lines?

Well, soundbites
are actually, uh,

redoing, um, actual calls.

Yeah, I know what
sound bites are.

I'm just... don't understand

why you're driving around
picking up random people.

Real people sound more real.

1,000 bucks.

Cash, tax-free.

Let me, uh...

Let me put up my dog.

Come here. Come here,
Moose. Let's go.

Oh, and you, uh, you
can't bring your, uh,

your wallet or your phone.

The big bosses, they don't
like clutter and stuff.

Oh, no keys or
cigarettes, neither.

Just bring you.

Narrator: "Dateline"
does not pay people

to record sound bites.

So what was Pam up to?

Where'd you say we
were going again?

Oh, they rented a
trailer, "Dateline."

They talked to the manager.
Got one of those new ones.

They talked to Kent?

Uh, yep, Kent.

Well, we passed his trailers.

Ugh, brain's all twisted-up
pretzel or something.

The trailer is tomorrow.

Keep changing the place on me.

Today, they rented a house
over by Lake St Louis.

Past all the shops and
all that. Doesn't matter.

Anyway, we gotta get
there fast as we can

so I can run the
first lady home.

She just finished her lines.

Then I'll circle back
and... and take you home.

So they just got producers
driving all around the country

- picking people up?
- Oh, yeah.

Back and forth between
St. Lou and Chi-Town.

But I don't mind.

I like driving.

Good for the feet.

You know, I didn't know
we was going so far.

I gotta take my
brother to the doctor.

- Oh, this'll be quick.
- Just say a couple things

and then I'll run you home.

Yeah, he don't have a car.

- He... he needs me to pick him up.
- Where's he live?

We could grab him
and... And drop him off

and then I could get you back
to... to make your money.

I thought you had to rush back

to pick up that other person.

Other guy can wait a bit.

The lady.

Yeah, the lady.

Uh, I'm real sorry.

I... I left my door unlocked.

- I really gotta get back.

Aw, and miss out on 1,500 bucks?

Well, you must be super
rich or something.

You super rich?

I'm sorry.

Appreciate the offer.

Take me back.

- 911, what's your emergency?

Uh, there's this woman.

Says her name is Cathy
from the show "Dateline"

and she's driving
around my neighborhood

offering people money
to get in her car.

Yeah, and I just... I just...

It's like really weird
and maybe dangerous.

Narrator: Some predators give up

when their prey escapes.

Others get hungrier.

Nasty and brutish, the
laws of nature demand

that desperate hunters
track down the one

separated from its herd.

Hey! Hey, guy.

You want to make $1,000?

Cash?

Great.

.

Okay. And, uh, here.

You gotta put this in
your pocket for the...

For the recording.

Your pocket... this in your...

Can you give me your pocket?

Here we go. Great.

Okay.

Let's go.

So it's just that one line,

but you gotta get it right
on the first try, okay?

I mean, I'm gonna, you
know, say it with you

a bunch of times
before we get there,

make sure you can
keep all that cash.

That's a lot of cash.

So go ahead. Say it back to me.

It's just that one line.

"Do you want me to do to you
what we did to Russ' wife?"

Go ahead.

Hey!

If you wanna keep that money,

you're gonna have to say it

and you're gonna have
to say it perfect.

And you're gonna hold this
when they record you, okay?

Just like that.

Well, maybe you
practice with it,

but I gotta hear
you say the line

before we get there

or I can't give you
the money, okay?

It's rules and stuff.

S... sorry.

Heck's wrong with you?

Car accident. Long time ago.

B... bad.

Fine. Fine.

It's gonna be fine. It's fine.

Here. Can I just?

There.

Hey, so you can just

say what I told you.

Go ahead.

Want me t... to your wife?

Whoa, no. Come on.

"Do you want me to do to you

what we did to Russ' wife?"

Want me to... want me...

You're not listening!

I'm paying you a lot of money

to say one freaking thing

and you're not even
paying attention.

I don't think I can do it!

My mom can.

Narrator: Sometimes, the
signs in life are so clear.

If only we knew
how to read them.

You're gonna do it fine.

Okay?

So just... Just
listen to my words

and do it again, okay?

Both: Want me to do to you
what we did to Russ' wife?

Yes.

Jeez.

Okay, now, you gotta
stay right there.

No, no, back up. You
have to stay right there

for all the microphones
and all that.

You ready?

You just get one shot.

- 911, what's your emergency?

Hey, hello.

There's someone's breaking
in my house. Help.

And what's the
address you're at?

You want me to do to you
what we did to your wife?

No, I'm not getting
in the car with you.

No, get away.

What's your address?

Get out, get out, get out!

- Ma'am.

Ma'am, what's the
address you're at?

Help! Help!

No, no.

Hello? Hello? Hello, ma'am?

Help! Help! No!

- Hello?

He... hello, ma'am?

- Ma'am, are you there?
- Yes, I am.

I just shot an
intruder in my house.

Help!

Help! Help!

.

- Hurry, hurry, hurry.
- He tried to take me in my car.

He tried to take
you into his car?

He tried to take me in my car.

Hurry, hurry. Please
don't let him.

Hey, sorry, can you back it up?

This is sounding off.

- Want it from the beginning?
- Yeah, yeah.

That silence at
the top, is that...

Is that playback or is
that the actual call?

No, that's the call.

Not a sound until
I came on the line.

- What's the caller's name?
- Huff.

- H-U-F-F.
- All right, run it again.

- 911, what's your emergency?
- Hey, hello.

There's someone's
breaking in my house.

Help.

Hey, just do me a favor.

Send a second car, would you?

Right, thanks.

Narrator: Something
about that 911 call

felt off to Detective Hilke.

But who would stage
their own kidnapping?

Certainly, not here,
in a place like this?

What truth would he uncover

inside this well-kept home?

And what lies?

O'Fallon PD. We're coming in.

Police. Anybody here?

Hello.

Oh, yeah. Too late for all that.

Already took care of it.

Okay, walk me through
your day today.

Everything that happened.

Well, I always
start with my soda.

Two pumps cherry, this
little punch card.

Ran a bunch of errands,
blah, blah, blah,

all over town.

I get home and I see this truck

sort of waiting for me.

Couldn't quite see the driver.

Kinda heavy, buzz cut.

But soon as I park,

this other guy jumps
out the passenger side

and he runs to my car,

waving this knife around
and stuff. Gets in.

He says, "You're gonna
take me to the bank"

"and we're gonna get
Russ' money right now.

So get going and
stuff like that."

- "Russ' money."
- Do you know a Russ?

No, I don't know any Russ.

So I just knock the knife
out of this guy's hand,

run inside the house.

He's chasing me and stuff.

And I know I got a
g*n in the bedroom

so I go straight for it.

And I get the g*n.

- I call 911.
- 911, what's your emergency?

And then this guy, like,
bursts into my house

and he came at me
and I was like,

"Whoa, hey, get outta here."

- And then I shot him.

Okay. I'm very sorry you had
to go through that today.

And thank you for
explaining it to me.

No problem.

I'll have to ask you
a few more questions

down at the station
if that's all right.

Yeah, sure.

Don't wanna go back
in there anyway.

Dead body and all.

But I did see some
sort of paper,

like, sticking out of
his pocket in a baggie.

Maybe you guys could
see what that was.

- Will do.
- This officer's gonna bring you

down to the station.
I'll be down in a few.

You let her know if you
need anything, all right?

Okay.

- Hey, Kerrigan.
- Yeah.

Get a picture of these
and that knife in the car.

Kane, come on in.

What the hell?

- Sorry, sir.
- This is an active crime scene.

I live here. My wife called.

- Is she all right?
- Your wife is fine.

Okay, there was an intruder

and she was forced
to defend herself

- but she's okay.
- What?

What happened?

We're still trying to
figure that out, sir.

That's my son.

He's... well, our son.

- Does he...
- He live here as well?

No, no, just me and Pam.

Okay.

Well, we'll need to
get your fingerprints

just to clear you.

If that's all right.

No.

No, I don't wanna do that.

It's really just
a formality thing.

No. There's... there's a

bunch of people
who are after us.

You know, lying and stuff.

There was a m*rder
a few years back,

and I don't want them trying
to pin that on me or anything.

Hey, well, this
really would just be

to isolate the
intruder's prints.

No.

Excuse me.

Sir, we really need
to keep you back.

Mark? Mark, what's happening?

Mark? Mark?

Is everything okay?

Yeah, yeah, I guess so.

Well, Pam shot someone?

That's what I heard.

Ma'am, as I explained earlier,

this is an active crime scene.

You really have to stay
back on your property.

Look, just so you know,

I got lots of stories
about Pam Hupp

and I'm not just talking about
the Betsy Faria business.

I mean, she's always
saying weird stuff.

And I am near positive

that she k*lled Bushy Tail.

So if you need a
witness, I can be it.

Okay, what did you
say that name was?

- Bushy Tail, my squirrel.
- No, no.

"Pam Hupp?" H-U-P-P?

Mm-hmm. That's right.

From the Faria
case a while back?

That's right.

Thank you, ma'am.

Please just step back
on your property.

Kerrigan.

Her name's not "Pamela Huff."

It's Pam Hupp. H-U-P-P.

From that Faria
case a while back?

Yeah, I thought she
looked familiar.

Okay, we really need to
tighten this scene up.

All right? No mistakes.

The press is gonna
be all over this one.

And we're definitely
gonna be on "Dateline."

.

- Hello?
- Hi, am I speaking with.

- Russell Faria?
- Yeah.

This is Detective
Sergeant Brian Hilke

over at O'Fallon
Police Department.

Could I get you to come by
at your earliest convenience?

Need to ask you a few questions.

I'm, uh... I'm in Florida.

I have to come back to Missouri?

Yeah. Yeah, yes.

Reporting live from the
home of Pamela Hupp.

In what police are calling
an ongoing investigation,

we're told that a man
tried to break into this.

St. Charles County home

and was shot as a result.

Basically, the whole
world is out there

trying to make a buck.

Did you see all the
stuff the police stole?

A bunch of kitchen crap.

I've never felt so violated.

They took my g*n,

like, two stacks of
books, even the cash.

The cash from out
of my nightstand.

They think they
can take my money!

The safe!

Okay.

What'd you tell 'em?

What did I tell who what?

What'd you tell the
police happened?

That Russ hired some guy
to get his money back

and he tried to k*ll me.

- And they believed you?
- Well, yeah.

'Cause that's what happened.

It's just... I'm just saying

it took 'em a full
week to arrest Russ

after they brought him
in. You remember that?

And?

And I just wanna know,

is there any chance
that you're in trouble?

I'm the victim here.

You really ought to support me.

Russ is the bad guy.

The police told me they
found a note from Russ

in the guy's pocket.

Lists of stuff to do,
bank accounts, all of it.

Russ should be in jail.

Narrator: Like
reliving a nightmare,

Russ was back in
police questioning,

but this time,

with Joel by his
side from the start.

You can go ahead and close up.

So that's DNA, fingerprints,
handwriting samples.

Anything else you need?

Uh, no, that's it for now.

And I'll have to get
copies of whatever this is.

Oh, uh, flight
records, receipts,

proof that my client
was out of town

before and during Louis
Gumpenberger's m*rder.

Okay. We'll check this out.

It'd probably be best
if you stuck around

while we do that.

So I... am I being held?

Like... like, do I have to stay?

No, you're free to go,

but I think it'd be
best if you didn't.

We'll stay.

It's taking too long.

- Look, they're just...
- They're just going through

all the evidence, okay?

Tracking your cell, making
sure your handwriting

doesn't match that
insane letter.

Just gonna be as open and
helpful as possible, okay?

Yeah.

Last time I was helpful I
spent three years in jail.

Well, Russ, we appreciate
your cooperation.

We're good from our end.

So...

I'm okay?

Russ, you're totally clear.

What were you out
doing last night?

Protecting my financials.

I shouldn't even ask.

Well, a man died on
our carpet, Mark.

Because you shot him.

Defending our home,
like I always do.

Protecting our assets.

What am I supposed to do now?

Police all up in my business.

Well, you know how
it got last time,

telling me what to do with
my accounts and stuff.

I'm just putting some
things away in safekeeping

until all of this
is squared away.

Hmm?

Pamela Hupp, you're under arrest

for the m*rder of
Louis Gumpenberger.

Behind your back, please.

All right.

I'll see you for dinner.

Are all those cameras
still out there?

Yes, ma'am.

- Here she comes.
- She's coming out.

There she is, there she is.

How do you feel
about the charges?

Any comment? Any?

Pam, why did you k*ll
Louis Gumpenberger?

Did you know Louis Gumpenberger

was a father of two?

Pam, what do you have to say
to the Gumpenberger family?

How many people have you k*lled?

Do you have any comment at all?

Narrator: Say hi to Cathy.

It's a little cold.

Could you turn down the AC?

You do understand you're
under arrest for m*rder.

.

And you have the
right to an attorney.

If you cannot
afford an attorney,

one will be appointed to you.

And somebody's calling
my lawyer right now?

Yes, that is
happening right now.

And please sign right there
saying I read you your rights.

- This font's too small.
- Can I have my readers?

They're in my purse.

Oh.

You can borrow mine.

I get 'em at Dollar Tree.

Can't beat those prices.

- Is that where you get yours?
- Don't know.

I haven't bought a
new pair in forever.

Okay.

Well, we know you
were at Dollar Tree

because we have your receipt.

You bought a knife?

Well, I bought a lot of stuff.

Did you know that the knife

that you claim Louis
brandished at you,

that knife is only
sold at Dollar Tree?

I did not know that.

There's Dollar Trees
all over the place.

Practically grow on trees.

Did you know Louis was
not physically capable

of holding that knife

or walking quickly
or running after you?

Well, it's what happened,

so whoever said that
is just plain wrong.

We also have your cell
pinging around Louis' home.

Well, if it was

by where my shopping was.

And you know that
tracking thing can be off

a lot of the time, you know?

It's a whole big range.

Has to do with
towers, that stuff.

Yeah.

Well, actually,

with Google Way point,

we can pinpoint a cell
phone within a few yards.

And we have yours

next to Louis Gumpenberger's
home for four full minutes.

Mm.

Mm, no.

No, that doesn't seem right.

Okay. Well

let's talk about the $900

that was found in Louis' pocket.

The serial numbers
of those bills,

they sequentially matched
a hundred-dollar bill

that we found in
your bedside drawer.

And every single k*ller
in every single book

is caught for the
same stupid reason,

keeping stuff from
the people they k*ll.

Can you believe that?
It's like, "Hello, idiot."

That's statistically impossible.

Not gonna say nothing else
till my lawyer gets here.

I'm sorry.

That's fine.

I will be right back.
Did you need anything?

Can I go pee?

Let me get a female officer.

You're not gonna pee your
pants or nothing, are you?

No.

Faucet's been on a while.

Yeah, that's what I said.

Hey, let me call you back.

- Mrs. Hupp?

Mrs. Hupp, you okay in there?

Mrs. Hupp, if you don't
respond immediately,

we're coming in.

I'm good.

Get help. Hey, Pam?

- Hey!
- Pam?

Hey, get... Get
some paper towels.

- Pam!
- Paper towels.

- Come on, come on.
- I'm sorry.

I... I didn't know
she took the pen.

Pam. Pam, look at me.

- Get some pressure.
- Hey, we need help!

- Pam, look at me.
- We need a medic!

Just make sure that poor man

doesn't get in trouble.

Pam, keep looking at me.

Pam, just keep looking at me.

You got medics?

Pam? Pam?

You talk to Mom today?

I think she's catching a cold.

Poor Mom.

- Good luck with your election.
- Thank you.

How have things been
with Leah lately?

She didn't hit
any vital arteries

- or lock the bathroom door.
- Yeah, exactly.

Pam's too narcissistic
to k*ll herself.

She needed to get out of the
situation that she was in.

She needed to buy
herself some time

to plan her next move is
what she needed to do.

You surprised she
pleaded not guilty?

No.

No, she'll draw it out.

Um, is this seat taken?

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Carol.

Russ.

I know.

That's Louis' mother.

We're on record in case
number 1611CR0451901,

State versus Pamela Hupp.

Mr. Kessler, you
have an announcement

- on behalf of your client?
- I do, Your Honor.

We've been authorized
to withdraw.

Mrs. Hupp's former pleas

of not guilty to
counts one and two

and pursuant to Alford
versus North Carolina,

Mrs. Hupp intends to
enter pleas of guilty

to both counts, one and two.

- She's saying she's guilty.
- That's good, right?

It's a total cop out.

Louis' family will never
get to see Pam stand trial

for what she did.

Mrs. Hupp, you understand
what an Alford Plea is?

Yes.

In other words,
you're acknowledging

that there's enough
evidence to convict you

but you're not
actually admitting

to committing the offenses?

You agree with that, Mrs. Hupp?

If you could say that
out loud for the court.

Narrator: Pam took
a plea that would

send her to prison for life

and avoid capital punishment,

but still allow her to
maintain her innocence.

Yes.

Narrator: If all Pam ever
cared about was winning,

in the end,

did she?

Hard to say,

as this story isn't over.

Uh-huh.

You'd think I'm Ted Bundy

with the way they're
making me out.

Mark?

Mark? Mark?

See?

Told ya.

Got it all wrong.

You know how they are.

Try these on.

Got 'em at the Dollar Tree.

Is that where you get yours?

I really hate to say it.

If I wanted money, my mom's
worth a half a million

that I get when she dies.

Do you solemnly swear
that the testimony

you're about to give is
the truth, the whole truth,

- and nothing but the truth?
- I do.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

- What was your answer?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Say hi to Cathy.