Vindicator, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

No.

No!

Three, two, one.

Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.

This week's closing statement

for the "Serial Chat."

We have a very special

guest joining us today

With us is mine

and Tommy's psychology of

criminal behavior professor

at the University of

Pittsburgh: Lance Clemens.

Well, thanks for having me on, Ava.

So not only is Lance

our teacher and mentor,

but he was also essential

in helping us crack

that 40-year-old cold case last year.

He was so determined to bring justice

after I found damning evidence

against The Jolly Ripper.

And for that, I cannot thank

you enough for believing in me

and for guiding us

through the whole process.

Ah, don't mention it.

I mean, you are the one

that did all the grunt work.

Oh, it was a team effort.

Along with Molly Babbs, our genealogist,

who came back with the strong

DNA profile on The Ripper

to put the final nail in

the coffin.

Shout out, Babbs.

Great work as always.

You rock, Molly!

If you guys haven't listened already,

please go check out our

Jolly Ripper episode.

But seriously, though,

Lance, it was just,

it was such a sense of validation

that I chose the right path for my studies

and hopefully my career.

So thank you.

Well, I have you to think as well.

It was a callback to the old days for me.

And to watch students of

mine do so passionately

what I like to think I

did so well in my time,

that's extra special

Oh.

Off that, Professor,

why don't you give the audience

a little taste of your life's work.

Ah.

Uh, nearly 30 years of law

enforcement all over the place.

But it wasn't just

any police work, though.

I was in violent crimes for the FBI,

part of the manhunts

for some of the biggest serial K*llers

in our country's history.

Wow. That's incredible, Lance.

Were you part of the capture

teams for anyone we might know?

I was recruited when they

started investigating Gacy

in the '70s.

Guys, this is my favorite story,

so listen up.

We had 'em him the station

ostensibly for questioning,

but really we were just stalling

to get a search warrant for his house.

And Gacy was getting antsy,

detectives were losing him.

My instincts said I needed

to sit with him one-on-one.

So I asked for a few

minutes alone with him.

Just trusted my gut, always have.

You see, most people try

to see the good in people,

especially criminals,

so they can connect and understand them.

But me, I've always had the gift

of seeing the bad in people.

The moment my eyes met his,

I knew exactly who he was.

You wanna tell me about the blood?

I told you,

just like I told all the

others that came in before you.

I was coming home from a party I'd done.

I was out there around 45 and Central.

I hit a deer.

I tried to save it.

It got its blood all over me.

Poor thing died in my arms.

Was it your father you

were trying to get back at

after everything he did to you?

Is that why you took the kid?

You got any kids, Officer?

Any little rugrats running around?

This isn't about me, John.

Maybe somebody you know.

You know, little, little

boys, they, they love clowns.

I do what I can to expand my business.

Come on, John. Talk to me.

I do it for the love, you know.

You don't even gotta pay me.

John.

Which John would you

like to speak with? Hmm?

I'm running for office soon.

So maybe you'd like to

talk about my campaign.

Maybe something at home need fixing.

We at PDM Contractors can help.

Or maybe you're just in

need of some cheering up.

Might I suggest you speak

with Pogo the Clown?

You know, I really gotta get goin'.

I got another birthday party

to get to in a couple hours.

I gotta get this suit cleaned.

I think Tide will get the blood out.

My sister swears by it.

When I was done with him,

detectives had secured a

search warrant for his house.

Within the hour,

we had located three bodies.

We nailed that m*therf*cker to the wall.

That must have put your

name on the map for sure.

Ah, definitely helped me

climb quickly in my career.

And that's why you were

traveling the country?

To help determine who

was a cold-blooded k*ller

and who was just your average Joe

and caught in the wrong

place at the wrong time?

Exactly.

And most were easy to see through,

figured them out right away.

Anyone pose a challenge to you?

Mm.

One, the most disturbed of them all,

Dahmer.

They called him the Milwaukee Cannibal.

Now, I never saw the victims myself,

so I figured the media

was just hyping him,

but then I thought back.

When we arrested him,

he had something stuck in his teeth.

Oh. A chill ran through

me like I never felt.

And after him, I had to get out.

So I retired early, moved here.

And after a few years,

I got sick of all this f*cked up knowledge

racking around upstairs,

so I got into teaching.

Figured I'd pass it along

to you young psychopath

who are interested in this stuff.

How'd you end up in the chair?

Brad, stop.

Tommy, hit pause.

Tommy. No, wait.

I, I just figured after all of that,

there must be an interesting story there.

I mean, what happened?

Did you, did you get shot, stabbed?

It's okay, Ava.

I don't mind.

Go, go ahead, Tommy.

Well, kid,

I'll have you know that

this is the handy work

of probably the worst

criminal of them all:

Alcohol.

Like I said, I didn't like

what I was seeing in my head.

Attention, ladies and gents.

Breaking news.

What do you have?

"After eluding custody

for almost 50 years,

the serial r*pist and m*rder*r

known as the Orange Creek Carver,

who terrorized an Orange

Creek Florida community

for over a decade, raping

and k*lling 10 women,

"has finally been caught."

Trial upcoming.

Well, that's great.

I mean, what,

he has to be in, like, his, his 80s?

Yeah. "Franklin Keller, 89,

expected to plead guilty."

Yep. Pushing 90.

Wow.

Well, I'm just glad he can

finally pay for what he did

and those families can have some justice.

What? He totally got away with it.

What are you talking about?

Uh, think about it.

He committed those crimes in the '60s

when he was young.

So whatever life he wanted to live,

he got to live.

No way.

This perverted freak's gonna die

knowing he didn't get away with it.

No. No, he did get away with it.

Zodiac aside, who else has

eluded custody for so long?

I mean, basically every

serial k*ller gets caught

because they're lazy and dumb.

Professor Clemens,

what are your thoughts?

I gotta nip the whole

dumb and lazy business

'cause that's just not true.

Now, don't think for a second

that these guys aren't smart.

At least twice Dahmer talked

his way outta getting captured

Gacy, Bundy, these guys are clever,

charismatic, patient.

Thankfully they're also human,

so when they do slip,

you better jump on it

'cause it's unlikely it'll happen again.

I'm sorry. I gotta call BS.

I mean, leaving things like calling cards,

that's just asking to get caught.

Like Zodiac?

Calling cards are part of the excitement.

It was ballsy, sure,

but some of them are out to prove

that they're the smartest in the room.

Well, gripping stuff.

All this capture and elude talk

is a great way to segue

into our last words.

Next week we're gonna talk

about the one true serial k*ller

of the new millennium:

The Vindicator.

Guys, I'm so excited about this one.

The Vindicator, whose MO

is targeting small groups.

One person is slaughtered

and the other one disappears

off the face of the earth,

dissolved in a tub of acid.

Guys, this person has

k*lled 49 people in 49 states.

And with the 49 states

already being accounted for,

we technically know number

50 is gonna be in Arizona.

So with that being said,

I have a surprise.

Lay it on us, Ava.

We are going to be doing

our Vindicator podcast

next week in Arizona.

Whoo whoo.

Now, of course, the,

the when and where is, is

impossible to determine.

But, guys, how cool would

it be to talk about it

while in the state next on the list?

So, so cool.

- Oh, cool.

- It's gonna be

a special episode where

we go live to take any-...

- There is.

- f*ck.

Sorry.

- There is one more thing.

I'm sorry.

- No, no, you're...

Yeah.

What is it?

No, sorry, sorry, sorry.

Alright. All right.

So, so cool.

It's gonna be a special episode

where we go live to take any calls

or questions.

- There is

one more thing, though.

Which is?

Okay, you guys know how

much research I do, and,

and not just for the show.

Yeah, we know.

Well, I believe that I

found a piece of evidence

that might help uncover who

The Vindicator really is.

- What?

- Mm-hmm.

Well, what is it?

Oh, Tommy, you're

just gonna have to wait

like everyone else.

Ah. Well, let's get

to next Wednesday then.

Okay, well, drop any

comments and questions

so we can talk about it next episode.

Please keep an eye on for...

Well, let's get to next Wednesday then.

Please drop any comments

and questions so we can

get to it next episode.

And keep an eye out for any updates

between now and next week's chat.

Professor Clemens,

thank you so much for coming in.

Everyone, please go check out his course

at U of P.

And as always,

Keep k*lling it.

And we're off

So we're doing next

week's podcast in Arizona?

Yep.

And you didn't feel the need to tell me?

I just did.

And you knew about this?

Yeah.

She put me in charge of finding a place

to stay and record.

Which is where?

The Hendricks' house.

How are we able to pull off staying

at Todd Hendricks' house?

They actually rent

it out nowadays, so...

Jesus.

And you just found this new

evidence on The Vindicator?

Again, yes.

Okay. How?

Where?

It's classified

Just like last time.

What's with all the secrecy

and surprises lately?

It's called entertaining.

Gotta keep the listeners

wanting to tune in every week.

Yeah, I'm not talking

about keeping something

from the f*cking audience.

Okay. What about you?

Why were you being such an a*s to Lance?

Where'd that come from?

Well, somebody has to

play a devil's advocate

to his anti-hero facade.

No offense, man.

He is a hero.

It was just an approach

I thought I'd try

called entertaining, you know,

keeping our listeners engaged.

Oh, sorry. I said the

E word again, didn't I?

Screw you.

Oh, that would be nice, wouldn't it?

Sorry about all that.

Thanks again for your help.

Thanks for the interview, Lance.

Um, Tom, I'll see you in the

morning with the cut.

Sounds good.

They always like that off-camera?

Yeah, they've gotten especially bad

over the last month or so.

Explains Ava's recent test scores.

What happened last month?

Something I thought would

finally break them up.

You seem upset it didn't.

Just tired of seeing my

friend hurt all the time.

That's all.

Hey, thank you, Professor.

Sure.

Oh, good luck in Arizona.

Refresh, Tommy.

Uh-huh.

All right. After two hours,

we have 10,000 views.

About a 1/5 of that in comments,

most look good.

Uh, they love Lance.

They wanna hear more of

his stories on the force.

I'll admit it.

Bringing him on was a good

call on your guys' part.

Told you.

Are there any good questions

or topics we can discuss for next week?

A bunch of Arizona fans wanna know

if they can come see the show.

Yeah, no.

You know we can't tell

him where we're gonna be.

I'm, I'm just glad she likes the show.

Oh, the guy who runs the Hendricks home

finally got back to me.

We're really gonna stay there?

I mean, didn't the f*cking guy die there?

Yeah. They found his body in his bed.

f*cking hell.

Well, who's the guy, Tommy?

Steve Hendricks.

Todd Hendricks' kid.

He owns the place.

Can you email him back

and get some details before we get there?

- Yeah.

- Thanks.

And, uh,

how are we paying for all this?

Patreon bank.

Right. Cool.

Holy sh*t.

We're gonna be in The

Vindicator's last known state.

I mean, it's gonna be wild.

Yeah.

Come on, Brad, you know you're stoked.

Come on.

Come on.

All right. All right.

But you're staying in the

dead guy's bed, though.

f*ck that.

Oh.

Look, I'm so jealous.

If I did not have so much work

I know you'd be there

with us if you could, Molly.

You guys ready to head to the airport?

- All set.

- Yeah.

Thanks for driving, Babbs.

Don't mention it.

This is gonna be the best episode yet.

It's time for an update.

Really? Right now?

Just do it for the show.

Fine.

Hey, all you Serial thrillers.

Your true...

And I'm blocking you.

Hey, all you Serial Thrillers.

Your favorite true crime

couple, Ava and Brad, here

Ayo. What's up?

So we made it to Arizona

and we're about to get to base camp

and set up for our episode tomorrow.

This one's gonna be special.

Hope y'all enjoy watching.

So we have to sign off,

but we'll be live at the

crime scene tomorrow.

Love ya.

And as always

Keep killin' it!

Was that so hard?

I mean, I'm driving.

Can we start again?

Whoa.

So this is the place, huh?

Guys, it's one thing

to see it in photos,

but to see it in person, I..

Wonderful!

It's like walking on holy ground.

And speaking of,

how many bodies do you

think are buried here?

Oh, police never found bodies here.

There's a first for everything.

That'd be so cool.

Geez.

Oh, hey there, folks.

How's it going?

It's really great to meet you.

I'm Steve Hendricks.

Yep. Tommy.

- Bradley.

- Oh, no need

to introduce yourself.

Uh, I know who you are.

Fellow Serial Thriller right here.

Nice.

That's so nice.

Well, thanks for your support

- Oh.

- And for, I mean,

letting us stay and do our show here.

This is amazing.

Yeah, of course. Don't mention it.

Uh, but I do have a

really big favor to ask.

Would you mind shouting out

my company on your show?

Oh. For sure, man.

How long have you owned the business?

About three years.

Uh, Dad started it once he left the force.

And once he left the company,

I just sort of took over the reins.

Nice.

So, you want a tour?

Yeah. Yeah, that'd be cool.

See what room

is best for recording.

- Right this way.

All right, we've got three

bedrooms, living room,

dining room,

kitchen at the end of the hall.

But it's spotty cell service.

But we do have WiFi and landline.

If you need anything,

my phone number is on the fridge.

Wait, so we can stay in the same room

where they found your dad?

Yes, ma'am.

But it's a different

bed now and it's clean.

Well, cleaner.

I'd hope so.

So, uh, you don't live here?

Ah, no. I've got

a place just up the street.

Too many memories here, mostly bad ones.

So were you and your dad close?

Yes, very much,

up until everything went south

and people chased him outta town.

I think he came back here to, uh,

I think he wanted to be

home when he left the world.

Well, it's a, it's a beautiful place.

Yeah, thanks.

But, uh, a lot of kids,

young punks would come around

and vandalize the place,

then I fixed her up.

So what'd you do as kids out here?

Ah, nothing much.

Nothing too exciting.

We just, uh,

when we weren't playing ball,

probably hanging around the ranch

or causing trouble in the barn.

Barn?

Man, I can't believe I've

got the Serial Thrillers

at my place.

That's so cool.

But anyway, here's the barn.

A lot of good memories with friends here.

Would this work Tommy?

Uh, maybe.

Maybe the shop will be better

for what you're looking for.

Okay.

Let's go check it out.

Yeah, this should work.

You got it?

Hey, thanks for all your help, Steve.

We really appreciate it.

Ah, don't mention it.

It's the least I could do.

And I'm just up the street

And, uh, if you need anything,

feel free to gimme a call.

Well, I mean,

since you're such a big fan

of the show, and, I mean,

Todd was your dad,

can we do an interview with you?

Uh, you're kidding.

Uh, yeah, no, that'd be,

that'd be amazing.

Yes.

All right, well, cool.

We're gonna start recording

tomorrow night around 9:00.

If you could be here by like 10:00, 10:30.

I don't if that's too late.

Ah, well, wouldn't be the

first or last late night for me.

Hell yeah, man.

Looking forward to talking more with you.

Hey, right back at ya.

Oh, uh, if I may say.

Be sure to get a good

look at the stars tonight.

Nothing better than a

clear night sky out here.

Catch you later.

- See ya.

- Drive safe.

Let's go, boys.

Yeah, yeah. Come in.

Hey. What's up?

Everything okay?

I thought I heard a scream.

Uh, yeah, yeah.

No, I'm, I'm good.

I just, uh, hit my head.

Oh.

How you feeling about tomorrow's episode?

Good. I love being here.

Yeah. Well, even

sleeping in Todd's room.

Yeah, I'm gonna have nightmares

for a while after this,

but, uh,

that's okay for now.

Are you okay?

Yeah. I, I'm so excited for

tomorrow night.

I mean with Brad.

You're not sleeping in the same room.

Yeah, there's a draft in there.

Um,

I've been thinking about your solo show,

if you want to...

No, I think we should

just focus on tomorrow.

That'll come later.

Okay.

Good night, though.

Good night.

Ava, go ahead.

Testing. Testing.

All right. Good.

Brad.

Roger. Roger.

All right, we're all set.

Connection is good.

Where is it?

Gimme a second. I gotta take this.

Hey.

Welcome back, Serial Thrillers.

Ava, Bradley, and myself, Tommy,

are back at you with another

episode of "Serial Chat."

What's up, K*llers?

It's been long overdue,

but we're finally doing

our first ever live show.

That's right, Brad.

And to be in Arizona

while recording it, guys,

we cannot tell you how excited we are.

Let's jump right into it, shall we?

With the most infamous

serial k*ller of all time:

The Vindicator.

Ooh.

Some, like me, say it's

the work of one person.

Others say it's a network

of maniacs in a cult.

One thing we can all agree on,

the style k*lling is incredibly unique

and specific to the victims.

True.

These slayings, originally

attributed to Vindicator,

go all the way back to 1994

to the quiet rural town

of Jericho, Vermont.

On the night of April 11th,

a gruesome discovery was uncovered

at the home of Joleen and Bob Stuggurt

by one of their friend Sara Lambert.

Now, she hadn't heard

from them in a while,

and when she pulled up to their driveway

She saw the open doorway

with a bloodied arrow in the entry.

She crept inside,

and what she saw would

haunt her for f*cking ever.

Jo?

Jo?

Jo?

Oh my god!

Oh my god, Jo.

Oh my god.

Oh, Jo.

No.

No, no, no, no.

No.

Sarah, please help me.

Jo.

Jo, Jo.

Jo.

Jo. Jo.

Jo, please wake up.

Please.

Now, little did they

know this was the start

to 30 years of pure evil

that would sweep across the country.

Why 17 arrows?

Oh, because of the piece

of paper

In Joleen's chest.

What the hell?

What just happened, Tommy?

Uh, we must have lost power.

I don't know.

Are we still live?

We're still recording,

but no, we're not live,

not with without WiFi.

f*ck.

It's from Steve.

Uh, "I'm doing some work at the house.

Power should be right back."

- Oh.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Do we have WiFi now?

- Yeah. Yeah.

- Good to, good to go?

Yep. All right, Serial

Thrillers, we are back.

Sorry about that.

Had a thrill of our own.

Ava, as you were saying.

Right.

So on the paper were 70 names that,

upon further investigation,

revealed to be all the men

Joleen had been having affairs with.

Now, people thought Tiger got around.

No one knew about Joleen

until the list was released.

And there was the

signature at the bottom,

which read, "The Vindicator."

Now, I'm gonna be honest.

I had no idea what vindicator even meant

until we started doing

research on these cases.

And I mean, there

are so many definitions

of the word vindicate,

but I think the best definition

summing up why they chose

the name Vindicator is this:

So vindicate means to show

or prove to be right,

reasonable, or justified.

And it's that last word that

makes everything click for me.

So they were justifying

why they would k*ll.

Yep.

Turns out these victims

had some dirty-a*s laundry

that needed to be aired.

Mm-hmm.

Okay, so we have a m*rder*d Joleen

and a list of men she's been with.

Begs the question:

Where's the husband Bob.

Well, that's the million-dollar mystery.

Okay, to this day, Bob hasn't been found

Wicked.

Just poof, gone from the

face of the f*cking Earth.

Mm-hmm.

Now, originally police thought

it was uxoricide, you know,

Bob found out about the men

and then k*lled Joleen.

Now, Bob's fingerprints

were found on the arrows,

but his bank accounts

haven't been used since.

And it's taken over 12

deaths and nearly a decade

until people started connecting it

to possibly the same k*ller.

Well, not till the

m*rder and disappearance

of Nancy and Link Kissburn in

Woodstock, Illinois, in '99.

So Link's body was found

with a paper listing

his secret wrongdoings

and a familiar bloodied signature

was found at the bottom.

And we have our first bit of

evidence, guys: A fingerprint.

Enter Todd Hendrick.

No, there's no way he's The Vindicator.

Come on, okay?

Then explain how his DNA was found there

and at the 2001 Okeson

case in Pennsylvania.

Allegedly.

He had reason to be there.

That's why they let him go.

Oh, he was on the police

force, Bradley, okay?

They covered his guilty a*s. Duh.

Come on, Tommy.

Okay.

Either way, either way,

Todd's reputation as an officer

has been tainted forever, okay?

Dude had to duck out to a childhood home,

his childhood home,

to escape from bad press

and people thinking he was The Vindicator

f*ck slit his own throat '02,

Last I checked, the Vindicator

killings haven't stopped.

So copycats

or they got the wrong guy.

Or maybe Todd Hendricks never died.

What do you got?

You're making that cute, smart face.

Okay, look, guys.

Earlier tonight, I got an update,

and it's a bombshell that's

gonna blow The Vindi

What the f*ck?

Doesn't he know we're recording in here?

Wait. Hang on.

What?

I hear something.

Is that static?

Come

in, Serial Thrillers.

Over here, darlings.

Warmer.

Oh, you're heating up.

I'm right here, Tommy.

Hello, Serial Thrillers.

What?

Shy all of a sudden?

Who the f*ck is this?

I'll give you a hint.

Vermont, Kansas, Ohio,

New York, Florida,

The Vindicator.

Well done, Ava.

Very well done.

No, there's no way.

What if it is?

Prove it's really you

All in good time?

I have a challenge for

you true crime fighters,

one where the risk does merit the reward.

What's that?

My identity.

And if we don't accept,

I'm assuming we can't just leave here.

If

you choose to walk away,

then walk away.

Just know there are

consequences for your actions.

Why are you doing this?

I

couldn't let you spoil things

before my grand finale.

What will it be, Serial Thrillers?

We accept.

- Good.

- Whoa, whoa.

What?

You just get to decide

for us, like usual?

Guys, this is our chance

to identify The Vindicator.

Look, we've done it

before. We can do it again.

Leave your

phones and go to the barn.

This radio is the only form

of communication needed.

The door's locked.

Try again.

Guys, guys, stop.

f*ck this.

f*ck.

f*ck.

Where's Tommy?

Guys!

- f*ck me.

- Guys, open up, please.

Where'd you go?

We're stuck here.

Yeah. No sh*t.

No, the car.

The tires are flat.

Your selfish a*s was trying to leave us?

What the hell's wrong

with you, man?

- Guys!

Stop.

f*ck.

We're locked in.

Oh god. He really is here.

No, no, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no.

- Just calm down, Tom.

Wait.

- No.

There's no way out.

Welcome, Serial Chatters.

It's starting

Now that we're all settled in,

it's time to begin on.

On the chairs are a

little fashion accessory.

Take one and clamp it around your wrist.

No, no, no.

I don't like this.

It's okay, Tommy.

Guys, we're in this together.

Just go.

Guys, I'm serious.

Very good.

Pick a number between 3 and 10.

Seven.

Here's how this works:

I ask a question, you answer.

You get it right,

you'll be rewarded with

a piece of the puzzle

you're looking to solve: Me.

You lie or get it wrong,

there's be consequences.

Between you three,

you'll have one lifeline

which you can use at any time.

This allows you to opt out

of your punishments; However,

it comes at a very steep price.

Your fearless leader, Bradley,

chose the number seven.

f*ck off, Regis Philbin.

There

will be seven questions,

seven opportunities to

piece together my identity

and save the day.

You get one guess as to who I am.

You can do so whenever.

Spend it wisely.

But it must be used

after the final question,

if you make it that far.

And remember, I know if you're lying.

Time to repent.

Let's do it.

Good.

First question goes to Tommy.

Oh, g*dd*mn it.

What is your full name?

Uh, Thomas Anderson Kincaid.

That is correct.

The condescending f*ck

is just playing with us.

Okay, we got through the first one.

We get a clue now

What do Michael Myers,

the k*ller in "Scream,"

and Jason have in common?

Question two, we come over to Brad.

When is your birthday?

Oh. Uh, let me think.

May 10th.

I'm

sorry, but that is incorrect.

Shame.

Dude, what the hell are you doing?

Oh, come on, bro.

What's it gonna do?

You're insecure

about losing the woman you love

so your punishment is to do nothing,

nothing but watch as your

beloved kisses another man.

What the f*ck?

You've

been together for five years.

So a kiss, one second for each

lovely year you've shared.

Is this what you're getting after?

Porn not doing it for you anymore?

No. f*ck this, Ava.

You're not doing that.

Let's go.

Damn it, Bradley.

Please.

Okay! Okay!

I am gonna do it.

Doesn't mean I have to watch.

Oh, you will watch.

The timer won't start until you do.

Are you sure you wanna do this?

Yeah, we have to.

One.

Two.

f*cking hell.

Three.

Four.

Four and a half.

Five.

g*dd*mn it.

Five. f*ck!

Five.

Are you f*cking degenerate?

Face me like a man, coward.

Come on! Come on!

He's got a f*cking g*n.

You think?

f*ck.

Well, he's probably the only person

who can get turned on by

watching you two make out.

Nice, Brad.

What? You're defending him now?

No one's defending anyone.

We just gotta stick together on this.

I'm no one's cuck.

This isn't just about you.

Ah.

Dearest, Ava.

A kleptomaniac is defined

as someone who can't resist the urge

to take what's not theirs.

He f*cking knows.

Those who

choose wrong continue to do so

when they know they've

gotten away with it before.

Said the kettle.

I ask you, Ava,

what was the gateway crime

that started the life of sticky fingers?

When I was 13,

me and my friends stole some

lingerie and got caught.

I did my community service, though.

Well, clearly that didn't stop you.

Good to know your criminal behavior

started before you met me.

I thought I was the bad influence

Though

she is telling the truth,

her addiction has risen to new heights,

ones that now hold

people's lives at stake.

Jesus. That's us.

It's not my fault we're here.

You do know how to piss people off.

I study and hunt criminals.

Guys, if they don't have it out for me,

I'm not doing my job correctly.

You're using doing your job correctly

pretty loosely there.

Whatever.

Just give us the next piece, as*h*le.

You'll find the next clue

hidden away by the bale of hay

in the back of the barn.

Wait. I'll go with you.

Somebody has to watch your

hands there, klepto baby.

This is ridiculous.

We're just supposed to

roll over for this guy?

Look, there's a way to win,

but you're not helping.

I'll go look.

I love you, Ava.

And you're right.

We are gonna get through this.

Kinda tastes like Tommy.

Oh!

m*therf*cker.

Guys.

If he put that envelope here,

he's probably got sh*t all over the place.

f*ck his game.

Let's just find whatever else is here.

Guys!

What?

I think he's ready for us.

We can't stop.

He'll know

What's in the envelope.

Why does that look so familiar?

What do you mean familiar?

It's 'cause this is the photo

from Todd Hendricks' suicide scene

that was released from the public.

Why is his face all blurred out?

Because of what he did to it?

Time for round two.

Tommy, it's often said

it's what's on the inside

that counts.

You've managed to proudly embody that.

However, there's always

more to a person's story.

Disrobe and show us the

outside matters too.

Holy sh*t.

Do tell

us the tale of these marks.

I was in a car accident

when I was a kid.

I'm lucky to be here.

Mm,

that's very hard to hear.

Unfortunately, it's not

the truth, I it, Tommy?

Oh god. Please don't.

Please don't, don't.

The

truth must be revealed.

I'm begging you.

Please don't.

Brad, the

overturned bucket behind you,

bring over what's underneath.

No.

No, no, no, no, no. Please do

Please, I...

They can't know.

Please

Open

the book to the page

where the knife is.

Brad, don't, don't.

Don't, man. Please

Read it.

What is this, Tommy?

What is it? What's it say?

Tommy, what the f*ck is this?

Enlighten

us on what it says.

"I'm so sorry, Ava.

Sorry for your dipshit of a boyfriend

who hurt your heart again.

I would never do that to you.

I wish you'd let me love you.

It pains me to keep quiet.

And I know you don't know this,

but the pain you put

me through feels good.

I want to be abused.

I want you to abuse me.

If you were to cut deep into my flesh

"instead of doing it myself, I, I'd..."

Keep going.

"I'd give you the best

pleasure you could ever know,

something I'm sure he's

never done for you.

I deal with the misery you cause me

because at least you're in my life.

And I know you don't

understand and that's okay.

Every time I see your beautiful face,

it brings me joy and pain.

Tonight, I'm adding

another mark to my body.

"The abuse I give myself

represents my love for you."

What the hell did I ever do to you?

It's what you do to her!

Ava, I'm so sorry.

You fantasize about my girlfriend

f*cking stabbing you, you psycho?

Hey, guys, just, just stop, okay?

Just...

I mean, who are you, man?

Is this what you think

about when you're around us?

Answer me!

f*ck you!

f*ck you!

You don't get to stand there judging me

after everything you've done.

Why don't you try caring

about other people for once?

Or what?

You're gonna slit my

wrists while you beat off?

f*ck you.

Guys. Guys, I'm begging you, please.

It's

time for the punishment.

That wasn't enough

punishment for you already?

Bradley,

give Ava the knife.

What you wanted most, Tommy,

was for Ava to accept you

for who you really are.

Now, Ava, as Tommy has wished,

take the knife and cut him.

No. No, don't make her do that.

Please.

Don't.

Ava, you don't have to do it.

You don't have to do it.

I'm sorry, Tom.

No, I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

I'm really sorry.

Me too.

Uh...

Here. It won't be as bad.

Are you f*cking serious, Tom?

Everyone's a g*dd*mn deviant, huh?

Well, well, well.

Would you look at that.

We're all starting to grow.

You are up, Bradley.

In life, we have traits that represent us.

Some we're born with and

have no control over.

Others, we have the choice

to let it define us or not.

Your vice of alcohol has hurt many people.

When was the last time

you hurt someone with it?

I gave that part of

myself up a long time ago.

Oh, yeah?

How long?

Four years sober.

A fact I'm proud of.

That's impressive.

I'm sure it was very difficult

to break that streak.

No.

No, come on. That's bullshit.

I'm not that same person anymore.

You swore to me you wouldn't relapse.

When did this happen?

One night doesn't erase four years.

Another

trait you so proudly boast

is that you'd never lay your

hands on a woman; However,

your drunken mind feels different.

What did you do, Bradley?

On

the night of his setback,

a text message exchange

from Bradley to Tommy

reveals Brad's true failings.

Just keep your mouth shut.

Ava, no.

It's, it's all bullshit.

Brad:

"I'm so ticked right now.

How could she do this?"

Tommy: "Where are you?"

Brad: "Still mill."

Tommy: "Are you drinking?"

Brad: "That's not the point.

Sometimes I just wanna

f*cking strangle her."

I'm gonna f*cking k*ll you!

Well, Bradley,

here's your chance to

live out your fantasy

just like Tommy did before.

Don't you lay a hand on her.

Shut up, freak.

Strangle

the woman who rejected you,

the woman who told you

she doesn't wanna spend the

rest of her life with you,

just as you wanted,

until I say stop.

Why did you say no?

I loved you so much

and I was ready to make

the ultimate commitment.

God. Now is not the time, Bradley?

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.

When would be a better time for you?

After one of us is f*cking dead?

You

have 20 seconds to decide.

How could you drink again?

Yeah, okay.

It's my fault.

I was sober for four years on for us.

Come on. I wanted to be

great at my passions first.

Look, I'm sorry I hurt you.

Hurt me?

You, you didn't hurt me, Ava.

You broke my f*cking heart.

What? Isn't this what you masochists like?

g*dd*mn it, Bradley.

Get your hands off of her.

I didn't say stop.

I'm putting an end to all this.

I'm calling in a lifeline

As you wish.

But just remember,

the lifeline comes with

a punishment of its own.

Behind Ava lies a silver toolbox.

Go get it, Tommy.

Open the box.

Inside are tools.

Clearly.

Tools

of which you, Tommy,

have desired to use

forcefully against Bradley

over the years.

Choose your instrument

and punish Bradley with

what the tool represents.

The garden shears.

No?

Hmm. I was really looking forward to that.

The serrated knife.

Excellent decision.

Ah, very interesting.

I guess we'll keep looking.

What will he choose?

The tire iron.

Jesus, man.

Now you wanna bring me into

one of your sex crazes?

What's the story?

Last summer, we went on a road trip.

Ava popped your tire by accident

and you were gonna make her change it.

It was her fault.

It was 115 degrees out, you d*ck.

She didn't change

it, though, did she?

No! I did.

And the whole time I changed your tire,

I watched you yell at her.

I wanted to bash your f*cking face in.

Fine.

I'll take it like a man.

But I swear to God, if you get a f*cking

Only

two questions left.

This one's for Ava.

You've gotten away

with how you obtained the

evidence for the Jolly Ripper,

not that he deserves freedom,

but now you claim to have proof

to bring down another giant: Me.

My question is:

How far did you go this time?

On a class trip to the

Scranton Police Department,

during the tour,

I snuck into the evidence room,

found the files and took 'em.

Okay, guys. But what me and

Molly found is irrefutable.

Because that's what f*cking matters?

What the hell, Ava?

Ava.

Ava, do you have any idea

what this can do to our rep?

No, she doesn't care who goes down

as long as she gets to win.

That's not true, okay?

I bring you guys everywhere with me.

Oh, bring us with where?

You didn't wanna bring me

further into your life.

You did all the interviews

with The Ripper after.

We're only here to make you look good.

You look pretty pathetic right now.

You only have yourself to blame.

Your next clue

can be found in the wash area.

You'll see how you framed your work.

You are not gonna come make sure

I don't mess with anything?

I really don't give a sh*t what you do.

Guys! Guys.

Guys, guys, you won't believe it.

Look at this. Look. Look, look.

- What is it?

- It's a picture

of Todd Hendricks and Steve.

Yeah, it's Todd's kid.

No, you don't understand.

Okay, okay,

I found this last night and

I, I took it to my room.

This is what I was looking for

when we were setting up.

You were in my f*cking bedroom last night?

It's

time for the last question.

Way to dodge that, you psycho.

It's only

fitting we end with Bradley.

June 3rd, the night

you indulged in alcohol

after four years,

that wasn't your only

form of relapse, was it?

You know what? No, it wasn't.

All right?

I'm done getting my face bashed in.

There's your truth.

What do you mean?

Tommy, do you know?

You turned down my

proposal. Don't forget that.

Tell me what happened now!

I slept with Molly again, okay?

The f*ck did you just say?

Look, after you said

no, I was pissed off.

And I went to The Mill and I had a few,

and I called her and she,

she listened to me vent.

And...

And what, Bradley?

Come on, Ava.

Don't make me say it again.

You, you called me that night.

And I came by and we agreed

to still make us work,

and then we...

I was with her about an

hour before you came over,

You son of a b*tch!

In the same f*cking bed!

What the f*ck's wrong with you?

How could you do that to me?

I'm glad I said no!

Now I know what life

with you would be like.

You're too weak to be in my life.

f*ck.

Oh, we're not done yet.

f*ck you, man, and your games.

Just finish this.

The last piece you get.

Take a closer look at Cave Creek for me.

Since you've made it through

without venturing a guess,

you have two minutes starting now.

f*ck. Okay.

Um, fir-first clue.

Who?

The three horror guys, what

do they have in common?

They're K*llers.

They wear costumes, masks.

Masks. Masks.

Remember the photo. Hi-

his face was covered.

f*ck.

What if Todd Hendricks wear

a mask, like a new face?

Wait. What?

Okay, listen. Molly ran the D

the DNA I found.

- Stole.

- f*cking listen to me!

Okay, it was Todd's DNA the

cops had in the Okeson case.

Okay, she did her genealogy bullshit and,

and the results traced

to a now 16-year-old girl

whose biological dad is Todd Hendricks.

70 seconds.

Wait, wait. 16?

Yeah. That means she was born

after Todd supposedly died.

- Holy sh*t.

- Yeah.

You

brought us to Todd's house

believing he was still alive?

What the hell, Ava?

No, okay?

That b*tch called right before

we started the show, okay?

And besides, no one knew we were here.

- 37 seconds.

- Hold on.

He mentioned

looking into Steve's company.

- 15.

- f*ck.

The brochure, the brochure.

Uh

Oh, sh*t.

Five.

Steve knew

we were gonna be here.

Time's up.

Oh, f*ck.

I need your answer.

Let's just say this

mass theory is right.

Todd could be anyone.

'Cause he could still be alive.

Wha-what if they're working together?

What if he took over for him?

I mean, it's son, for f*ck's sake.

I'll give you to three.

Three.

My money's on Steve took over.

Just kidding. One.

I think Brad is right.

Two.

Todd Hendricks.

You're Todd f*cking Hendricks.

You are incorrect.

What?

I told you it was Steve.

Final punishment.

In one minute, one of you must be dead.

It's up to you to choose who.

But if the minute expires

and you're all still standing,

then you all die.

Your time begins now.

I vote Tommy.

Wait, wait. What?

I think you had something

to do with all this.

Bradley, stop, okay?

We gotta think.

- Tick tock.

- I am.

It all points back to him.

30 seconds.

I had nothing to do

with this, Brad, okay?

Ava, tell him.

Bradley.

You've been talking with

Steve this whole entire time.

Why didn't you get any real punishments?

I got the sh*t kicked out of me

and you're some perverted

lunatic who likes pain.

Maybe this is all part

of your f*cking journal.

Look, look.

I'm sorry , okay?

But I had nothing to do with this!

15 seconds.

I can't take any chances.

Bradley!

Ava.

Ava. Ava, we gotta go right now.

He's gonna come for us.

Ava.

f*ck.

f*ck.

Ava!

When I was a kid,

I asked my mom why my

dad kept hurting her.

She said some people got good in them.

I always saw bad in them.

Then my dog started acting

up a few months later,

so I looked inside him.

Found a tumor in his stomach,

figured that was the bad thing

my mom was talking about.

Then I found a ruptured

muscle in my dad's brain,

attributed that to why he k*lled my mom.

Son of a b*tch.

I see

nothing but good in you

since the day you stepped

forward in my classroom.

Wish I could say the same for

your boyfriend over there.

He didn't really try to

hide the bad in him, though.

He asked you to have marry him,

you said said no.

His response to that

was to f*ck your friend.

Real eye for an eye reaction.

Ah, then we got this spooky perv.

Wake up, sleeping beauty.

Ah.

There he is.

- What the f*ck?

What the f*ck?

You, my friend, were inspiring.

You left your heart out

on the floor tonight,

but for what?

A girl that you can never have.

So misguided.

Wait, wait.

Wait, wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

Ava Cole, A-plus student.

Really thought you had it figured out,

but just like the Jolly Ripper case,

it was all built on lies.

You've studied me for a long time

so you know one of you

has gotta disappear in that bath.

And since you're the one with

blood on your hands, well,

I guess that means it's gotta be you.

No, no, please.

No, no, no.

Please, please. No.

No.

No, no, no!

Stop! No, please.

No, no, no.

Stop. No, no!

No! No!

No! No!

No! No!

No.

No!

You lied.

About what?

You said you'd tell

us if we guess right.

Todd Hendricks is The Vindicator

and you are Todd Hendricks.

Todd Hendricks died, remember?

October 18th, 2002.

He got sloppy, lazy.

I wasn't about to let my

masterpiece go unfinished,

especially so early.

I figured it out.

I'm gonna put you away.

Oh, we both know

how you got whatever evidence you have,

which is a shame.

You would have made a fine detective.

Had I known beforehand

that you stole the piece

that put Ripper away,

I would have never let

you go through with it.

It's against the book.

Against the book.

You're a psychotic serial k*ller.

I don't use

anything to my advantage

that the other team can't have access to.

It's a true testament

to being the smartest in the ring.

I don't cheat the game.

People's lives are a game.

Yours was just part of one.

It still is.

Ah, f*ck.

It's time for you to repent.

f*ck.

Joleen Stuggurt,

do you confess to murdering her?

Ron Lonzo!

Ah, sh*t.

Fred Higgins.

Ah, f*ck.

Kim Sottar.

How do you plead?

Ah, sh*t.

Enough, g*dd*mn it.

Enough?

Enough?

What about when we asked you to stop, huh?

Where the f*ck was your mercy?

Go ahead.

Go ahead, take me in.

No one's gonna believe you.

No one's gonna help you

once they find out how

you obtained your proof.

You know, you've always

inspired me, Professor,

especially tonight.

And you're right.

I did need to get the proof the right way.

So thank you for leading

me to do just that.

What are you talking about?

Well played, Miss Cole.

Well played.

So you're gonna take me to the police?

Nope.

It's like you said,

someone's gotta take the acid bath.

Excuse me?

I had to k*ll the man I loved

and watch you m*rder my best friend.

You can't do it, can you?

Murdering your boyfriend got to you.

You can't k*ll a second person.

You know, I really would've

made a great investigator,

but after tonight,

all the, all the pain,

humiliation,

taking a life,

I liked it.

And I'd make a far better psychopath.

After all, I learned from the best.

So, Todd, I have one

more question for you.

Are you gonna die tonight?

Wait. Wait, we can

work together.

I am gonna miss you.

Where is Ava Cole now?

She did it.

What?

She k*lled everyone.

No way. That's outrageous.

I never really liked her

on the "Serial Chat" podcast.

She rubbed me the wrong way,

always seeking attention.

So we're feeling sorry

for Todd Hendricks then,

aka The f*cking Vindicator,

also also known as the man

who m*rder*d almost 100 people

in the most gruesome and horrific ways,

half of which he melted

to nothing in acid,

that guy?

So, first, girl power.

Go, Ava Cole for taking down Vindy.

But secondly, what other

explanation is there?

All of the evidence points to her.

The cops find a major

blood bath, literally,

an acid tub full of blood.

And Ava Cole? Gone.

One of the most popular figures

in the true crime world,

who couldn't resist going live

to her fans at every

possible moment, the biggest,

most important achievement of her career,

of her life,

and she goes radio silent?

Come on, Lynn. Don't be naive.

Maybe she just thinks

someone's still out there

to get her.

She is a smart cookie.

If she hasn't popped up on the grid,

it must be pretty scary out there for her,

not to mention the division from like you

accusing her of horrible things.

Well, if you don't

wanna hear it from me,

there's someone you might listen to,

someone with firsthand experience.

Their opinion may sway you.

What you talking about, Sindy?

Ladies and gents, the

son of The Vindicator:

Steve Hendricks.

Hello, Steve.

You're on "Those Who

Sin" with Lynn and Sin.

Thank you, ladies.

How'd you get a hold of him?

Steve, this is insane to be

talking with you right now.

Everyone's been wondering where you are.

Well, I can't exactly

tell you my whereabouts,

but I do believe it's been long enough.

I finally need to let the world know.

Know what?

The truth.

My father, Todd Hendricks,

did some awful things.

I tried to distance myself

for a long, long time,

but it all still caught up.

Even started to take hold

that I'm covering for him or, or worse.

But I'm here to clear my name

And how are you going to do that?

There are a lot of people out there

who believe you were involved.

Yeah.

I've seen the theories and

the stupid rumors online

about what happened that night,

about Ava Cole

and how she's some sort of a hero.

Well, there's something people don't know,

not even the police.

Wow.

Ladies and squirms,

this is about to be breaking news.

Ava, Bradley,

and Tommy were at my father's house

to do a podcast episode.

They invited me to be a guest.

When I arrived, I was knocked out cold.

I didn't see who did it.

But when I came to, several hours later,

I saw a trail of blood

leading to our family's barn

I found the bodies of Tom

Kincaid, Brad Faville, and,

and my dad.

But no Ava Cole

But I did find something else:

Their camera.

Whoa. Please tell me it was recording.

Yeah, it sure was.

You didn't take it to the police?

After how my father was

so connected and corrupted?

No, I couldn't trust them.

Steve?

Everything okay?

I, I don't have a lot of time, okay?

What I found on that video

reveals what really happened that night.

What the f*ck are you doing here.

Steve, is everything okay?

Is that Ava Cole?

How'd you find me?

Get away.

Oh god.

Who, who is that?

Steve?

Steve?

What the f

The say I'm the devil

You should probably believe them

The way that I move

I give them every f*cking reason

Some of those who

thrive on assumptions

They have no confidence

So I use that against them

And make the f*cking best of it

There's always gonna be someone

Saying that I'm a villain

And that may be true

If that's their story, that's on them

When karma comes around

And pushes you down

Will the foot on your neck

Make sense to you now

Look at what you created

With every ounce of your hatred

When the blood in your mouth

Is dripping on the ground

The blood in your mouth

The blood your

The blood in your mouth

I keep my nose clean

My heart is pure in intention

I'm not stealing, lying, cheating

No causing any dissension

I know who I am

And I don't need no extension

I'd call you out by name

But you're too ugly to mention

There's always gonna be someone

Saying that I'm a villain

And that may be true

If that's their story, that's on them

When karma comes around

and pushes you down

Will the foot on your neck

Make sense to you now

Look at what you created

With every ounce of your hatred

When the blood in mouth

Is dripping on the ground

The blood in your mouth

The blood in your

The blood your mouth

Twisting of words is all that you do

Emotional poison shows

the damage in you

You think you are untouchable

But nobody is

Someday the ground will open up

And swallow you in

Twisting of words is all that you do

Emotional poison shows

the damage in you

You think you're

untouchable but nobody is

Someday the ground will open up

And swallow you in

And swallow you in

When karma come around

and pushes you down

Will the foot on your neck

Make sense to you now

Look at what you create with

every ounce of your hatred

When the blood in your drown

Is dripping on the ground