Certain Prey (2011) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Lucas Davenport pursues evidence in a killing investigation that links a professional shooter, Carmel, and federal agents, while the available account ends before the case is resolved.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Unknown Shooter

Lucas investigates a string of killings and learns Clara's history as a professional hitwoman. Federal agents join the case, though Lucas questions their knowledge.

Key Events

• Series of Killings Investigated — Deputy chief Lucas is drawn into a series of killings, including the shooting of a police officer. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Minneapolis
• Clara's Background Explained — Lucas explains how Clara became a professional hitwoman after killing a man who had raped her. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Clara Rinker Location: Investigation
• Federal Agents Join Case — Heisman says the federal agents have tracked the unknown shooter for years. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Special Agent Leonard Heisman Location: Investigation
• Lucas Questions Agent Knowledge — Lucas is wary of the agents' limited knowledge, but the investigation proceeds alongside them. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Special Agent Leonard Heisman Location: Investigation

Evidence in Plain Sight

Investigators examine a murder, consider a shared weapon, and follow a hotel maid's recognition of a suspect drawing. A thumbprint found in soap gives the investigation a concrete forensic lead.

Key Events

• Murdered Man Found — Investigators find a murdered man while pursuing evidence of a professional killer. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Unspecified crime scene
• Possible Weapon Linked — Investigators suspect one short-range, silenced .22-caliber weapon was used in several killings. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Investigation
• Maid Recognizes Drawing — A hotel maid recognizes a drawing of the suspect. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Hotel
• Print Found in Soap — Lucas's team finds a thumbprint impressed in a bar of soap. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Unspecified location
• Print Photographed Closely — The team arranges an extreme close-up photograph to preserve the print instead of dusting the soap. Characters: Lucas Davenport Location: Investigation

The Net Tightens

Clara learns that police have recovered her print and is warned she may need to quit. Lucas's investigation turns toward Carmel through a bullet and a phone call linked to a Washington messenger service.

Key Events

• Clara Learns of Print — Clara learns that police have recovered her print, and her lawyer says she may have to quit. Characters: Clara Rinker Location: Unspecified
• Carmel Becomes a Lead — Lucas finds a bullet in Carmel's bedroom closet, though the circumstances of its discovery are unclear. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Carmel Location: Carmel's bedroom
• Washington Number Traced — Lucas learns Carmel called a Washington number connected to a messenger service and obtains a warrant for her phone records. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Carmel Location: Investigation
• Lead Given to Agents — Lucas gives the Washington-number lead to the federal agents. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Special Agent Leonard Heisman Location: Investigation

Pressure on Carmel

Lucas plans searches intended to pressure Carmel into contacting associates, despite the risk of making the police look overzealous. Carmel confronts him angrily about the investigation, and the available account ends before the case is resolved.

Key Events

• Search Pressure Planned — Lucas plans searches to recover a bullet and pressure Carmel into contacting associates, despite the risk of appearing overzealous. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Carmel Location: Carmel's office and apartment
• Carmel Confronts Lucas — Carmel angrily threatens investigations and lawsuits as Lucas challenges her about messages involving Hale Allen. Characters: Lucas Davenport, Carmel, Hale Allen Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Killing Investigation — A series of killings, including a police officer's shooting, brings Lucas into the case.
  • Officer Shooting — The shooting of a police officer is included among the killings under investigation.
  • Lucas Takes The Case — Minneapolis deputy chief Lucas is drawn into the investigation.
• Clara's Reputation — Lucas explains Clara's path to becoming a professional hitwoman and the federal agents' long pursuit of the unknown shooter.
  • Past Killing — Clara became a hitwoman after killing a man who had raped her.
  • Federal Pursuit — Heisman says the agents have tracked the unknown shooter for years.
• Forensic Clues — Investigators connect crime-scene evidence and a witness's recognition to the search for a capable professional.
  • Possible .22 Weapon — Investigators suspect a short-range, silenced .22-caliber weapon was used in several killings.
  • Hotel Recognition — A hotel maid recognizes a drawing of the suspect.
  • Soap Thumbprint — A print found in soap is photographed closely rather than destroyed by dusting.
• Clara Under Pressure — The recovered print reaches Clara, raising the prospect that she will have to stop working.
  • Print Recovery — Clara learns that police have recovered her thumbprint.
  • Escape Preparations — Her lawyer warns she may have to quit, despite cash and multiple identities prepared for escape.
• Carmel's Connection — A bullet and a phone call direct Lucas's attention toward Carmel and her possible contacts.
  • Bullet In Closet — Lucas finds a .22-caliber bullet in Carmel's bedroom closet, though how it got there is unclear.
  • Messenger Number — Carmel called a Washington number connected to a messenger service.
  • Phone Records Warrant — Lucas obtains a warrant for Carmel's phone records and gives the lead to federal agents.
• Pressure And Confrontation — Lucas plans searches to pressure Carmel, and she angrily challenges his actions.
  • Planned Searches — Lucas plans to search Carmel's office and apartment and recover a .22-caliber bullet.
  • Legal Threats — Carmel threatens investigations and lawsuits during her confrontation with Lucas.
  • Messages About Hale — Lucas challenges Carmel about messages involving Hale Allen; the account ends during the confrontation.

Directed by

Chris Gerolmo

Key Cast

• Mark Harmon — Lucas Davenport
• Lola Glaudini — Carmel
• Tatiana Maslany — Clara Rinker
• Kate Greenhouse — Special Agent Malone
• Art Hindle — Special Agent Leonard Heisman