The Flock 2007

Hyper-vigilant agent at the DPS

Erroll Babbage is a hyper-vigilant Department of Public Safety agent who relentlessly checks on registered sex offenders. After decades on the job, he’s burnt out and weary of the system he’s supposed to protect. He remains vigilant, but his frustration grows as the routine confirms his belief that the system often fails. Present day, three weeks before retirement, he receives little satisfaction from his work.

Final assignment begins: training Allison Lowry

His last job is to train his young replacement, Allison Lowry, as he grows more cynical about the offender monitoring system. He tries to pass on his experience before he leaves, but his skepticism bleeds into the lessons he gives. The mentorship is tense, with Allison watching for cracks in the process. Three weeks before retirement, this training becomes the frame for the coming investigation.

Newspaper headline triggers doubt

A newspaper with Erroll’s own characteristic investigative headline circles his desk, triggering a private suspicion. He begins to connect the missing girl case to a paroled sex offender he is already monitoring. The headline stirs a resolve in him to chase answers beyond the official channels. The spark sets the investigation in motion.

Belief forms: connected to the case

He becomes convinced the kidnapping is tied to the parolee he’s tracking, refusing to let the leads go. He believes the culprit is cunning and interwoven with his current list of offenders. Despite warnings, he pursues the leads with relentless intensity. The case becomes his personal crusade.

Decision to pursue at all costs

He decides to pursue the missing girl at all costs, crossing lines and risking his career. His obsession alienates Allison at first, but she stays close as a witness to his determination. The search expands beyond paperwork into fieldwork and stakeouts. Time is tight, with retirement looming.

Forced early retirement due to methods

As his interrogation of offenders grows more aggressive and his vigilante actions mount, the department interrupts his pursuit by forcing him to leave early. He packs up the badge with a mix of relief and frustration, knowing the case won’t be shelved. Allison is kept involved as the next generation under his uneasy tutelage.

Viola enters the investigation

Their attention turns to Viola, a woman with a history of abuse who appears to be connected to the other culprit. Erroll’s instinct tells him she is more than a victim and may be part of the larger crime network. The partnership between him and his replacement grows as they chase this new lead.

Viola revealed as abuser and ringleader

Investigators uncover that Viola has become an abuser herself and is the ringleader in a kidnapping and torture syndicate. The revelation reframes the case, turning a target from a potential pawn to a central mastermind. Erroll and Allison tighten their focus on her as the primary suspect and threat.

Trail leads to a desert scrapyard

The pursuit leads them to a deserted scrap heap, where the latest kidnapped girl lies hidden among the debris. They also discover the corpses of previous victims, brutal reminders of the stakes involved. The scene marks a turning point where the investigation becomes a direct confrontation.

Confrontation and the moral question

Erroll confronts Viola and contemplates killing her to end the terror. The moment tests his long-held boundary between justice and revenge. Allison stands by, challenging the impulse and urging restraint to prevent becoming the monsters they fight.

Viola brought to book

Viola is brought to justice as the truth about the network is exposed. The case exposes the depths of the predatory cycle and the individuals who sustain it. Erroll’s pursuit, though effective, is tempered by the recognition of the cost to his own humanity.