Come To Me Softly

Young, pregnant and flirty, a woman strips in the forest, a camera filming her. But her come-on turns to fear – and grizzled Connie awakens from his nightmare. This is the day of his release from prison after 27 years behind bars for the murder of his wife, Darlene. A barkeep in her 20s tries to befriend Connie at the SRO where he's staying, posing as a grad student writing a thesis on his case. Unable to get him to admit guilt, Loretta turns a gun on Connie, vowing to avenge her mother's death. Best friend Vivian helps Loretta bring the man to a forest clearing for his execution but warning signs seize the day, Connie all the while professing his innocence and blood fatherhood. Loretta comes to believe her mother is sending a message - she’s had the same nightmare - and the three head north to Galena, Illinois, where she was raised and where the truth lies. Meanwhile, Galena B&B owner Mitch - Loretta’s assumed father - is beside himself, unable to reach her to see if their plan to kill Connie was consummated. He’s unaware the two have taken up residence at the B&B next door, while Vivian is his and wife Patty's undercover guest. When Mitch thinks he sees Loretta and Connie leave the neighboring B&B, he wildly pursues the two, earning a concussion for his efforts and his own nightmare of Darlene. He awakens to find Loretta at his side and seemingly concerned, offering her $12,000 he says Darlene hid from Connie to start life with after a divorce. Loretta presents it to Connie but he refuses to accept what he believes it is - dirty money to buy her trust. Mitch’s nightmares of Darlene intensify, as does his paranoia, leading him to follow chummy Patty and Vivian to a motel across the Mississippi River in Iowa. When Patty leaves, he discovers a motel room cabal of Loretta, Vivian and Connie. Mitch cowardly can't bring himself to confront the three and goes home, directing his rage against his wife. Loretta returns to see her stepmother's life is in danger and calls Connie for help, a crazed Mitch chasing Loretta through the house and onto the roof, a thunderstorm raging. When Connie and Vivian arrive, they see Loretta and Mitch dangling from a third-story gutter. Connie tries to rescue Loretta and Darlene appears, the three plummeting to the patio below. Survivor Loretta is taken away by ambulance and Darlene again appears - she and her men were equally responsible for the drunk sexual exchange in the forest that led to her death. She apologizes for using Loretta to help get them back but explains it's lonely on the other side. Loretta, Vivian and Patty drive through the prison town on their way out of state. Passing the SRO, Loretta is certain she sees Connie in the lobby. She follows the specter upstairs to his room and challenges Connie and his lies - all their lies. He invites her to join them and Loretta pulls a gun, shooting the man - a flophouse guest - mercilessly, shutting the door to a prison of her own. A sentence of her choosing.