Double Jeopardy 1999

Libby Parsons’ life appears to be a picturesque idyll, with a loving husband Nick, a charming four-year-old son Matty, and a stunning home on the Pacific Northwest’s waterfront. Nick’s business success prompts him to propose a celebratory gift: a sailboat. As they set off for a romantic weekend, leaving Matty in the care of their trusted friend Angie, a teacher at his preschool, Libby can’t help but feel grateful for this idyllic life. However, her happiness is short-lived, as she awakens to find herself covered in blood and Nick nowhere to be found. Disoriented and panicked, she follows a trail of blood to the upper deck, where she discovers a gruesome scene: a bloody knife and no sign of Nick.

The Coast Guard’s flashing lights and urgent voice bring her back to reality, ordering her to drop the knife. It soon becomes clear that a mayday alert was sent from their yacht, with Nick revealing he had been stabbed before his untimely demise. The investigation unfolds, revealing that the blood found on the yacht matches Nick’s type, leading investigators to conclude that Libby and Nick must have had a heated argument, culminating in her attacking him. Nick managed to send out a distress call before meeting his apparent fate.

Despite the absence of a body, Libby is arrested for murder, with no one believing her version of events, not even their family friend Sheriff. Consumed by anxiety over Matty’s future, Libby makes the difficult decision to sign over custody to Angie, Nick’s life insurance policy serving as a dark motivator for the crime in the eyes of the police. The policy’s substantial sum is then placed in Matty’s name.

As Libby’s trial unfolds, she’s found guilty and sent to a distant women’s prison. Initially, Angie visits regularly with Matty, but when they suddenly stop coming, Libby’s desperation turns to despair. A fellow inmate’s words of wisdom prompt her to think strategically: it wouldn’t be that easy for Angie to disappear without leaving a trace. Libby seizes an opportunity by calling the preschool, feigning Angie’s identity and inquiring about her final paycheck. The secretary provides the necessary information, revealing that Angie and Matty have relocated to San Francisco.

As Angie (character) answers the phone, a torrent of anger erupts on the other end as Libby unleashes a verbal assault upon her. Startled by this unexpected turn of events, Angie fumbles an explanation that she had planned to bring Matty for a visit, but Libby’s vitriolic outpouring cuts her off mid-sentence. Meanwhile, an unforeseen twist unfolds as Nick (character), thought to be deceased, suddenly materializes in the room. The sudden appearance of this supposed specter sends Matty into raptures as he exclaims “Daddy!” while Angie attempts to stifle his enthusiasm. Nick’s swift intervention involves yanking the phone away and terminating the call, leaving Libby with just enough information to grasp the truth: her husband had orchestrated his own demise in order to extricate himself from financial woes and pin the blame on her. His Machiavellian plan allowed him to disappear with Angie and their son, leaving Libby to face the music.

Undeterred by the initial skepticism, Libby sets about gathering evidence and consulting with her lawyer, the sheriff, and the insurance company. However, these authorities are unmoved by her claims of Nick’s resurrection, dismissing them as the ravings of a desperate woman. Frustrated but unbroken, Libby turns to a fellow inmate with a shared history of legal expertise. This unexpected ally enlightens Libby about the concept of double jeopardy, which renders her ineligible for retrial due to Nick’s staged murder. With this newfound knowledge, Libby’s resolve hardens, and she begins an intense regimen of physical conditioning, fueled by her burning hatred for Nick.

Six years pass, and Libby becomes eligible for parole. Her friend cautions her that in order to secure release, she must demonstrate a profound sense of remorse before the parole board and admit to having killed Nick. This calculated strategy proves effective, and Libby is released into a halfway house under the watchful eye of Travis, its embittered director. Here, she is presented with a strict set of rules: curfew, employment, no fraternization with criminals, and abstention from drugs or alcohol. Any breach of these regulations would result in her return to prison to serve out her original sentence.

Libby’s primary objective remains unchanged – finding Nick and reuniting with Matty. With three years ahead of her in the halfway house, she has no intention of waiting patiently for her freedom.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Libby (undeterred by the director’s refusal to reveal Angie’s whereabouts) takes matters into her own hands, sneaking back into the preschool under the cover of night. Her nocturnal expedition yields a crucial piece of information: Angie’s current address, which she swiftly extracts from the files and makes off with. However, her clandestine activities don’t go unnoticed for long, as the authorities arrive to find Libby making a hasty departure down the beach. Despite the initial pursuit, she manages to evade capture and is subsequently transported back to prison by Travis (her parole officer), his expression a mixture of disgust and disappointment at her flagrant violation of terms.

The next morning, Travis arrives at the jail, intent on returning Libby to her cell. As they embark on their journey, he decides to take a more…personal approach to ensuring her compliance, handcuffing her wrist to the door handle of his vintage car. While he’s momentarily distracted by a cup of coffee and a swig of whiskey, Libby seizes the opportunity to break free from her restraints. With Travis’s keys still in the ignition, she manages to hotwire the vehicle and begin a reckless game of vehicular cat-and-mouse.

The resulting chaos leads to a most…unfortunate incident involving the car behind them, which takes an ill-timed plunge into the ocean. As panic sets in on the ferry, Libby locks herself in the driver’s seat, prompting Travis to take drastic measures and shatter the window to rejoin her. In the ensuing underwater melee, Libby wrestles free from her handcuffs and makes off with Travis’s pistol before delivering a decisive blow to his cranium.

When Travis finally surfaces, his injuries necessitate a visit to the doctor, leaving him feeling more than a little vexed. His boss is less than pleased with his performance, but Travis remains undeterred in his pursuit of Libby, now that he possesses the crucial information she so desperately sought.

As Libby sets her sights on a new destination – her mother’s farm – she’s able to secure a hidden stash of cash and procure an old green pickup truck. Meanwhile, Travis is hot on her heels, driven by a mix of duty and determination to recapture the fugitive without official authorization. The game of cat-and-mouse is far from over.

As Libby (disguised as Angie) navigates the BMW dealership, she effortlessly assumes the identity of her doppelganger, prompting the salesman to conduct a credit check under Angie’s social security number. The inquiry reveals a surprising twist: Angie’s last name is listed as Ryder, not Green. Meanwhile, Travis orchestrates a clandestine operation, leveraging his connections with a former parolee now employed by the government to uncover Angie’s true identity and location.

The search yields Libby’s address in Evergreen, Colorado, but when she arrives at the residence, she finds that Nick and Angie are nowhere to be found. The property is now occupied by another family. As Libby prepares to depart, a kindly old neighbor working in her yard next door shares a tragic tale of Nick and Angie’s past, revealing the devastating consequences of a gas explosion that took Angie’s life several years prior. Nick and Matty had long since relocated, but the exact whereabouts remained a mystery.

Undeterred by this new information, Libby turns to the local public library, where she uncovers a newspaper account of the fateful fire on microfiche. Although the official report deems it an accident, Libby’s suspicions linger, leading her to wonder if Nick might be complicit in Angie’s demise. A chance glance at a Kandinsky painting in a newspaper photograph sparks an idea: perhaps this rare artwork could serve as a trailblazer for tracing Nick’s whereabouts.

With renewed purpose, Libby poses as a Kandinsky aficionado and visits an art gallery, where she discovers that a Jonathan Devereaux from New Orleans recently sold a piece matching the description of the painting in the newspaper photo. Convinced that this is her only lead to tracking down Nick, Libby seizes the opportunity, exploiting the gallery employee’s distraction by Travis (who has been monitoring her every move) to pilfer Jonathan’s address.

With the precious information in hand, Libby makes a daring escape, abandoning her truck and fleeing on foot as Travis gives chase. After outsmarting him, she boards a plane to New Orleans, unaware that Travis has already accessed the gallery’s website, leaving her with no choice but to rely on instinct and cunning to stay one step ahead of her pursuer.

In the vibrant city of New Orleans, where jazz flows like the Mississippi River, hotel magnate Jonathan Devereaux (no stranger to respectability) finds himself absent from his establishment, awaiting his arrival for a high-stakes Bachelor’s auction. Meanwhile, an enigmatic guest, Libby, queries about Jonathan’s whereabouts at the reception desk, only to be met with evasive answers and red flags raised by the mention of Matty. Her persistence piques the interest of the hotel staff, who become increasingly tight-lipped.

As the sun dips into the bayou, Libby’s determination takes her to another luxurious abode, where an elderly guest unwittingly provides a crucial piece of information: the name and room number that serves as the key to acquiring a stunning evening gown and accessories from the hotel boutique. Her intentions are clear - she means to confront Jonathan at the auction, shedding light on his mysterious absence.

Enter Travis, a weary traveler who arrives in New Orleans with a pressing matter on his mind. He seeks the assistance of the local police department, sharing the tale of an escaped parolee hell-bent on exacting revenge upon a prominent citizen. The authorities, though less than enthused, agree to issue a be-on-the-lookout alert for Libby, complete with her photograph.

As Mardi Gras revelers flood the streets, Travis finds himself wading through a sea of colorful costumes and rowdy celebrations. His primary concern: tracking down the elusive Libby, armed with a stolen gun and a thirst for vengeance. Little does he know that she’s already taken steps to ensure her presence at the Bachelor’s auction.

The night unfolds like a carefully orchestrated masquerade ball, as Libby outbids all contenders to secure Jonathan’s participation in the evening’s festivities. Her husband, Nick, is left stunned by her unexpected appearance, his curiosity piqued as he attempts to uncover the purpose behind her sudden reappearance. Libby reveals her true intentions, declaring herself Jonathan’s wife and demanding answers about their complicated past.

As she confronts him, a tangled web of secrets and lies begins to unravel. Jonathan confesses to faking his own death, hoping to salvage his financial woes by relying on life insurance funds. However, he never anticipated Libby’s resilience or her subsequent wrongful conviction. Nick’s attempts to deflect blame for Angie’s tragic demise fall on deaf ears, as Libby demands justice and a reunion with their son, Matty.

With the fate of their complicated relationships hanging in the balance, Jonathan agrees to relinquish custody of Matty - but only if she refrains from exposing his deceit. Libby seizes this opportunity, vowing to return the next day with a ultimatum: produce Matty, or face her wrath once again. As the city’s jazz rhythms fade into the night, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown that will leave no one unscathed.

As the evening wore on, Travis arrived at Nick’s hotel, where he found Jonathan surrounded by the opulent trappings of his temporary abode. But amidst the lavish decor, a sense of unease settled over the gathering as Jonathan’s wife, or so she claimed to be (Libby, played by Libby), burst into the scene. Her presence was met with skepticism by Travis, who eyed her warily and wondered aloud if her story could possibly be true. As they spoke, his gaze drifted towards the walls, where a collection of Kazinsky’s paintings seemed to leap out at him, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

As the conversation drew to a close, Travis excused himself, taking a moment to contact his office back in Washington and request a copy of Nick’s driver’s license photograph. This small act of diligence was a testament to his professionalism, even as he struggled to make sense of the enigmatic woman standing before him.

Meanwhile, earlier that night, Libby had slipped into a nearby bar, where she was recognized by the proprietor from a police bulletin picture. His warning to watch out for the law came too late, however, as Travis happened to be riding in a patrol car just outside, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on her. With a swift grab, he apprehended the wrong woman, allowing Libby to make her escape once more.

The next day, Libby found herself at a popular cemetery, its grounds bustling with people gathered for a funeral. It was a public place, she had specified to Jonathan, in case he decided to play any tricks on her. And indeed, as they met amidst the mourners, Jonathan seemed intent on causing trouble, leading her on a wild goose chase before finally revealing his true intentions.

As the sun began to set on this tumultuous day, Libby found herself trapped inside a mausoleum, her struggles silenced by Jonathan’s swift and decisive action. But just as she was slipping into unconsciousness, a sudden noise echoed through the air, signaling that Travis had once again arrived at Nick’s hotel, his suspicions now firmly in place.

With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, he entered the room, where Jonathan awaited him with an air of innocence. Though Travis’s doubts were growing, he couldn’t help but feel drawn to the mystery unfolding before him, even as he prepared to depart once more, leaving behind a trail of questions that would only continue to multiply in his mind.

As Libby stirs to consciousness within the confines of her coffin, a gruesome sight greets her - a mummified corpse lying beside her, shrouded in an unsettling silence. The funeral has long since departed, leaving behind only the stillness of the deserted cemetery. Seizing the opportunity, she retrieves the gun and methodically disassembles the hinges holding the lid shut. With a surge of determination, Libby manages to pry herself free from the mausoleum’s grasp. However, her liberation is short-lived, as she finds herself trapped within the mausoleum’s confines once more. In a stroke of inspiration, she hurls a vase of withered flowers through the stained glass window, shattering it into a thousand shards and securing her escape. As she makes her way back to the hotel, Libby is confronted by Travis, her attempts at evasion foiled once again. Overwhelmed by emotion, she bursts into tears, prompting Travis’s words of closure: “It’s over,” as he envelops her in a comforting embrace.

Meanwhile, Jonathan’s office visit from Travis yields an unsettling revelation. The latter produces a photograph of another man and reveals that Nicholas Parsons was merely one of six individuals sharing the same identity - the third being none other than Jonathan Devereaux himself. Jonathan’s attempts to downplay the significance are met with Travis’s stern warning regarding insurance fraud. In a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, Travis proposes a deal: in exchange for his silence, he demands a staggering one million dollars. With no such sum readily available, Jonathan offers the cash in hand and promises the remainder tomorrow. However, just as negotiations seem to be reaching a stalemate, Libby bursts into the room, gun drawn.

As the situation escalates, Jonathan seizes the opportunity to remind Libby of the gravity of her actions - Louisiana is, after all, a death penalty state. Libby’s retort, however, is rooted in her understanding of double jeopardy, with Travis backing her up. Her ultimate goal remains clear: reclaiming Matty. With a fierce determination, she targets one of Nick’s paintings, shattering it into pieces. As tensions reach a boiling point, Jonathan finds himself trapped between the wrath of Libby and the machinations of Travis. In a desperate bid to regain control, he shoots Travis, triggering a brief but intense scuffle. Ultimately, Jonathan/Nick falls prey to Libby’s gunfire, his fate sealed in the midst of chaos.

As the paramedics tend to Travis’s wounds, Chief (Chief’s name) delivers an unexpected inheritance to Mrs. Parsons - ownership of a hotel, courtesy of her recently deceased husband. Libby, however, remains steadfast in her determination to eschew this newfound wealth and make a swift departure. Yet, Travis intervenes, his actions motivated by a deep-seated desire to see justice served. With the authorities still hot on her heels, demanding her return to Seattle, he offers to testify on her behalf, vouching for her character in exchange for a full pardon.

The catalyst for this turning point is Travis’s cleverly recorded conversation with Jonathan, captured on his cell phone and providing unequivocal proof of Jonathan’s true identity as Nick Parsons. This revelation will ultimately clear Libby’s name, exonerating her from any wrongdoing. With the weight of her legal troubles lifted, she and Travis embark on a journey to St. Alban’s school, where they are greeted by the warm embrace of Matty’s reunion with his long-lost mother.

For Travis, this trip marks the beginning of a new chapter in his life, as he leaves behind the professional struggles that had plagued him as a parole officer. Meanwhile, Libby and Matty finally have the opportunity to reconnect, their bond strengthened by the shared experience of their tumultuous past. As they arrive at the school, Matty shares with them the painful truth revealed by his father and Angie - that his mother was not, in fact, deceased, but rather alive and living under an assumed identity. This poignant revelation serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that often accompany life’s journey.