DEATH VALLEY synopsis

Hans Granqvist, 192 Sunol Street, San Jose, CA 95126
hans@granqvist.com


Twenty years ago, MILES WHITAKER is the getaway driver in a bank
robbery. After a shootout, Miles takes off from buddy NIKO BREGU with
most of the money. In hatred, Niko shoots at Miles and wounds him as
he drives off.

Miles hides the money in the desert, but before he dies, he marks an X
and leaves a cryptic message on a map.

In present day, a geological researcher, SHANE BISHOP, finds the
remains of Miles and the cryptic message. Shane understands there is
something to be found. He tries to find it, but does not succeed.
However, he does manage to locate Miles' daughter, LYNN WHITAKER.

In Shane's small desert town, Niko is now the town's corrupt
politician. He has something on Shane that pegs him to a motor vehicle
accident that killed Shane's wife.

Lynn appears at the desert town's police office, where DIAZ PIETRO,
the sheriff and Niko's right hand, is meeting with Miles. Lynn tries
to kill Niko, but fails. Diaz chases her into the desert. Lynn manages
to battle and escape Diaz.

Lynn shows up at Shane's research station, and lets him understand the
revenge stint failed miserably.

The hunt is on. Lynn and Shane evade Niko and Diaz as they chase them
deeper into the desert. Lynn and Shane find the hidden moneybags.
After a speedy car chase in the dead of darkness, Shane manages to
escape and they spend the night at a hideout.

When their jeep crashes in the morning, Lynn shows up at Niko and
Diaz. She manages to convince them that Shane is hurt but that they
have the money. They follow her.

It is an ambush, but in the commotion that follows Diaz ends up with
the gun, shooting Niko in rage. When they leave, no one notices Niko
is still alive.

Shane and Lynn try to escape Diaz, who is busy collecting the money.
Diaz soon follows them and just when he is about to kill them, Niko
appears, exacting revenge, killing Diaz.

Shane persuades Niko they have not found the money yet. They all take
off toward the jeep to get equipment to fix Niko's car.

When fixed, they take off, but Lynn causes Niko's car to crash. It
tumbles down the sandy dunes, rolling around. Shane and Lynn are
thrown clear, and Niko takes off alone.

But Niko is in bad shape. He doesn't get far. Lynn and Shane catch up
with him and convince him that he needs the remaining ammo to survive
in the desert.

Niko takes off with the money.

Shane and Lynn manage to find their way back to each other and safety.

In the epilogue, Lynn and Shane find the corpse of Niko. And the
money.