Very Merry Mystery (2025) Movie Script

[sleigh bell dings]
Let's go, oh
We in the zone, we came to rock
Yeah, we came to roll
Oh, oh
[Bea] That is a pretty color.
Do you need anything?
I'm good, honey.
Oh, there's a great article on page 19.
- OK.
- Check it out.
OK, let's have a look at this color.
Oh, it looks so good.
It's gonna be beautiful.
Miss Burton agreed to give
Diego a rent extension.
[Mrs. Brewer] What has gotten
into that Grace Burton lately?
She used to joke that her middle name
was Eviction.
Yep.
Hello.
- Oh, Des.
- Yeah.
This mix is leaning...
it's leaning a little warm.
- Can you add some toner to it?
- [Desiree] On it.
Thank you.
Oh, hi, hon! Just have a seat.
Ooh.
- Just right.
- I know.
I can't leave Queen Bee Beauty
without looking perfect.
- Well, beauty is in the details.
- [Mrs. Brewer chuckles]
You know, if there's
something out of place,
I'll just have to fix it.
OK.
Now, please remember
to rub this rosemary oil
into your scalp every night.
It'll help with the traction alopecia
- now that the braids are out.
- [Mrs. Brewer] OK.
[Bea] OK.
[sighs] Oh, yes, thank you.
It's two days until Christmas Day.
Well, my bank account balance
makes it hard for me
to be excited.
Oh, no.
Did the mechanic not give you
good news this morning?
Who knew a blown transmission
would ruin my life?
I'm so desperate, I took
Miss Burton up on her offer
to work her murder mystery party
tomorrow night.
Good luck.
My niece cleaned Grace Burton's office
and had to follow up four times
for payment.
- Wow.
- [Mrs. Brewer] That woman is stubborn.
Miss Burton certainly has a reputation.
[Mrs. Brewer] Mm.
[whispering] Des, I told you
I'd be happy to give you a loan.
I'm grateful for the offer, B,
but I gotta stand
- on my own two feet.
- [Bea] OK.
Listen, I know things seem
bleak right now,
- but I promise you, you got this.
- Thanks, girl.
It's been my dream to explore
Rosewood Hall.
There are so many legends
about the place.
Yeah! I wish Ms. Burton
would have invited more people,
but the guest list was very small.
Why is the Town Grinch
throwing a party anyway?
She told me that her doctor
found a lump in her scans
- a few weeks ago.
- Oh.
[Bea] Yeah, it turned out to be benign,
but it shook her, and it made her realize
that life is too short,
and she wants to start
mending fences with people
she has strained
relationships with.
Does that mean you and Grace
have some secret beef
- we don't know about?
- Not that I know of.
I see. Well, thank you
for taking such good care of me
- of the whole town, really.
- I was just doing my job.
Girl, stop.
You caught a whole criminal last week.
Mrs. Hicks is not a criminal.
And I would have wasted
Chief Harris' time
if you hadn't picked up
on that perfume scent.
I was sure someone broke into my shop.
It's a very specific scent.
It was discontinued years ago.
Half the town comes here
waiting for Bea
to solve all their problems.
I'm just being a good Samaritan.
- [Desiree] Yeah.
- Aw.
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Brewer.
I'll see you in two weeks
- for your deep-conditioning treatment.
- OK.
Oh, here we go.
[both] Hi!
[Bea] Miss Burton.
Thank you so much
for making time for me today.
Of course.
I'm happy you could make it in.
Um, why don't you take a seat
in my chair,
and I'll be with you in just a minute.
[whispering] You can
take those, too. Thank you.
[instrumental "Jingle Bells" playing]
You didn't completely ruin it.
Well, thank you.
I meant to say,
you're a talented hairdresser.
We missed you yesterday,
but you'll look fresh
for your party tomorrow.
You know I hate to change
my routine, but I had a meeting
I couldn't miss.
Since when do you care
about missing meetings?
I seem to be the only one
working anymore.
Oh.
We'll discuss this later, Whitney.
Why don't you let us
lease you a storefront
- on a main street?
- Oh...
Increase your exposure.
Oh, I... I couldn't afford the prices.
I know you two handle luxury properties.
Oh, but nothing says luxury
like a beauty shop.
[Grace] Whitney's right.
And I taught her everything she knows.
[Whitney scoffs] Well, I don't deny that.
After all, you were closing on properties
when I was still in diapers.
[chuckles nervously]
I had a makeup company
send me some samples.
How do you feel about
changing up your lip color?
"Icon" by Lolo Tuck has
always been my color.
Why mess with perfection?
[scoffs]
Can't argue with that.
Oh, Des, Des, that conditioner
changed its ingredients.
It's got lanolin in it now.
We don't want Mrs. Whitaker
having an allergic reaction.
Good catch, Bea. As usual.
So, any fun plans for the day?
A late lunch with my nephew Calvin.
Oh, the mysterious Calvin.
You will meet him
at the party tomorrow night.
Speaking of the party,
- why am I invited?
- Pardon me?
You said last week
that you were having a party
because you were making amends.
But you and I have never had
a disagreement.
All will be revealed in due time.
[soft music playing]
[Bea] Oh...
That's... that's very generous of you.
I'm making up for the past.
And I wonder who will be paying
for that lunch with her nephew.
[Desiree] That man may be cute,
but he does not have
- two pennies to rub together.
- [chuckles]
You met him, Des?
I ran into him at the mechanic.
You know, I can't resist a broke man
with a handsome face... [chuckles].
They're my kryptonite.
That boy will have you roped
into paying off
his gambling debts.
He ain't been in town a month,
and already Grace is acting
like she doesn't even care
about business anymore.
- How so?
- [Whitney] Well, we had a buyer
lined up for our toughest property,
but Grace won't return his phone calls,
so we lost the sale.
Why do you still work with her, Whit?
I mean, whenever you two are together,
it's like a "Real Housewives" reunion.
Yeah, she may not deserve it,
but let's try to be nice.
We are going to her party tomorrow.
And what has she done to you, Evelyn?
I am just tired of her bullying
at every Historical Society meeting.
A few weeks ago, I had to let her have it.
I may be quiet, but I am no doormat.
Grace should know not to get
on your bad side.
Why do you think I volunteer
at the Society's
Christmas scavenger hunt?
It's been on my calendar for a year.
It's a date.
Talking about dates,
your man was telling me
- all about yours yesterday.
- Mm.
- Mine?
- I went to the pharmacy,
and Dr. Whitaker was
closing early to take you
- to a dinner and a movie.
- [Whitney] Ooh.
Yes, he is romantic, isn't he?
Now tell me exactly
what prayer you used
to land that man and be very specific.
[chuckling]
[gasps] I almost forgot.
- [Bea] Oh.
- Ahem.
"Desiree, please convince
my stubborn daughter
"to answer my phone calls
and stop her childish tantrum.
"Deborah King." I mean, who mails
a handwritten letter, in cursive, no less,
when you can send a text,
a DM or an email?
- Yeah, my mother, that's who.
- [Desiree chuckles]
God, I'm still furious with her
over that law school stunt
- she pulled.
- [Desiree] Understood,
but you gotta give
Miss Deborah her props.
She don't play.
You dropped out of law school
five years ago.
Why can't you just be proud
that you built
this thriving business?
Because being a beauty shop
owner isn't a part
of Deborah King's plan for my life.
So, until she stops meddling,
I need some space.
Is Troy meeting you
at the scavenger hunt?
Uh, Troy can't make it tonight.
- He's got a work thing.
- Another work thing?
Gee, since he's been promoted
to detective, everything's been
- about work.
- [Bea] I know.
I'm starting to worry that we're losing
our spark, Des.
[nostalgic piano music playing]
Hang in there.
Troy loves you.
- Oh.
- [perky music playing]
Oh.
OK.
And I love you.
- Bye, girl.
- Bye.
[indistinct chattering]
[soft holiday music playing
in the background]
[Troy clears throat]... Queen B.
Troy, I thought you said
you couldn't make it!
Ah, well, unfortunately,
I'm not here for fun.
- I'm on the job.
- Oh!
They got you staking out
scavenger hunts now?
It is community outreach duty, all right?
- Oh, well, detective.
- [Troy] Mm.
Does community outreach include
patting you down for evidence
or is that just strictly off-duty business?
OK, uh, baby.
I am a public servant today, OK?
So, uh, I gotta try to keep it
a little professional, OK?
Oh.
Beatrice.
Mom.
Looking lovely as ever, Bea.
- Oh.
- If I was 20 years younger.
You still wouldn't be
good enough for her, Maurice.
Uh, excuse me.
I'm gonna go say hi
to a colleague over there.
She works at the pharmacy.
Leash your husband, I believe.
He's just trying to be friendly, Deborah.
[Troy] So, Ms. King. Uh...
Looks like the scavenger hunt
is gonna be a success.
Yeah, with no thanks to Grace.
She almost derailed the whole thing
and she's not even here.
- She's with her nephew.
- At the casino, I'm sure.
That boy loves to gamble... [scoffs].
Anyway, thank you, Troy.
It's good to see you.
- It's been too long.
- Uh, yeah.
I... I'll be right back. Let me just, uh
punch bowl.
Any chance of a diamond ring
under the tree this year?
I hate to say I told you so,
but last year or this time,
I warned you.
Oh, it looks like the clue-card table
could use a little help. Excuse me.
Let me guess... mom problems?
She's just trying to help Bumblebee.
- I don't need help.
- Everyone needs help.
Did you give any more thought
to what we spoke about?
Us moving in together?
The real question is,
have you been brushing up
on your painting skills
for our Cocoa & Canvas class
- on Christmas morning?
- [Troy exhales]
No, I forgot to tell you.
I... I'm not gonna be able to make it.
Uh, I now have to work on Christmas.
But we do a Christmas date every year.
I know, and I'll be done
by the evening, OK?
I should get back to work.
Be nice to your mom.
She's the only one you got.
[instrumental "Deck the Halls" plays]
How was the scavenger hunt?
Did Miss Burton make
an appearance with anyone?
It was a success, but do you care?
[chuckles]
Or are you just trying to get
tea on Calvin?
I may be taking boyfriend applications,
but only rich men need apply,
and Calvin is not that.
Don't look at me like that.
A rich man was on
my vision board this year.
- [Bea] Ah, that's right.
- [chuckling]
Yeah, anyway.
Oh, I was wondering,
did Miss Burton send you
- a costume to wear tonight, too?
- Girl, unfortunately.
And I'm gonna need to find
a way to Desiree that up
just a little bit, 'cause...
- It's that bad?
- Yeah, girl.
Well, I am the ghost
of Christmas Present,
and my dress is not exactly me either.
Why did she have "A Christmas Carol"
themed party?
Why not "Preacher's Wife"?
I'm a ringer for Whitney Houston, so.
Yeah. All right.
Well, I gotta go and get ready.
I'll see you tonight?
Oh, you'll see me,
but you may not recognize me.
- Bye, Bea!
- [Bea giggling] Bye.
- [Calvin] I made a mistake, OK?
- [Grace] Yes, yes.
Second time, but you know,
things happen.
- But I... I need it.
- [Grace] No!
- I need it, please!
- This is the end of the train.
- Please!
- Uh, you know what?
- You have to step back from me!
- OK, I'm sorry.
- [Grace] Like this?
- [Calvin] I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Just a little bit, a little bit.
[intriguing music playing]
[music intensifies]
[somber doorbell tolls]
Not a word.
[sighs]
[door creaks and closes]
[intriguing music continues]
Bea, I am delighted that you are here.
I... I appreciate the invite.
I'll be in the parlor.
Can I show you something?
I have one for each guest
coming tonight.
Apologizing for my past
behavior and explaining
how I will do better in the future.
Well, that's thoughtful.
Tonight is about more than Christmas.
It's about
starting over.
That's really beautiful, Grace.
Well, it's overdue.
Let me show you to the parlor... come.
Wait till you see.
I've done every detail.
Please make yourself at home.
Hi.
[indistinct chattering]
- Here we are.
- Oh.
- Perfect timing.
- Mm.
For you, Whitney.
Although I would argue that you're
- intoxicating enough without it.
- [Whitney scoffs]
Your charms may work
on other women, Maurice,
but thankfully I am immune.
Oh.
- I am so glad you're here.
- Who am I to miss a party?
[sheepish laugh]
I locked my keys in the office today.
I tried calling you a few times,
but you didn't respond.
Mm. Must have missed them.
It's just another reminder
that if I want others to be
there for me, I have to be
there for them first.
I appreciate your new-found
self-awareness,
but I'll believe it when I see it.
Ah!
[sighs]
Have you had one of these?
- [Evelyn] They are so good.
- Ooh.
Are you sure you should eat that?
That dress looks a little tight.
[mysterious music playing]
There you are.
Grace wants everyone in the parlor.
- [Grace] Welcome, everyone.
- You're so serious about the...
I know.
On your character cards,
you will find your name,
your backstory, and, if you are the killer
a motive.
[chuckles]
- Eh...
- It's just the flyaways.
Oh...
Stay in character. Follow the clues.
One of us will be the victim,
one of us the killer.
The rest of you, suspects.
When the murder occurs tonight,
the game will begin.
The goal is to solve the murder
before the night is over.
If you are the killer,
your job is to not get caught.
Let the game begin.
You've treated my husband,
Bob Cratchit,
poorly, Mr. Scrooge.
[Maurice] Uh... [chuckles].
Uh, now, dear, Mr. Scrooge
provides us with coal
for these London winters.
Let us be grateful for him.
Oh! Um...
Beware, Ebenezer, 'tis I, Jacob Marley.
You cannot escape your past.
[chuckles]
These lines are so corny.
[Maurice and Whitney chuckle]
To prosperity, to wealth,
and to those clever enough
to claim what is theirs.
- [suspenseful chord strike]
- Oh!
- Nobody panic!
- Maurice!
Ah! Something just rushed past me!
- [indistinct]
- [Whitney] Is that you, Grace?
- [Desiree] Oh.
- [Whitney] Hello?
- I, uh... I'm here, Whitney.
- [Whitney] Where?
Grace, if this is a prank
[scream in the distance]
- [gasps]
[Whitney] What was that?
[Maurice] Ow! What?
I didn't do anything.
OK. [Giggles nervously]
[mysterious music playing]
Where's Grace?
- [gasp]
- [screams]
[dramatic music playing]
- [Bea] Des!
- Oh my God.
Oh! Are you OK?
- Oh my God.
- [groaning] I'm fine.
- [Bea] Yeah?
- [Desiree groans]
You're not hurt?
Just humiliated.
Somebody pushed me.
Um... th... that was me.
My bad.
I'm assuming you must be Calvin.
I was just trying to get in the house
when the lights went off.
I was trying to find the switch.
That must have been
when I knocked over Desiree.
Things I do for money.
My, my, my, uh... [chuckles].
Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?
- Boy, go sit over there.
- On that side over there?
- Yeah.
- All right.
Does anyone know where Grace went?
Are you serious?
I mean, this is so clearly
a part of the game.
Grace said at the beginning of the night
that she was the murder victim.
[Whitney] That's what I'm saying.
I mean, this is clearly a stunt.
So you're saying Aunt Grace
just up and left
- her own party?
- [Bea] But if she was
the victim, she'd come
back from the dead
and watch the rest of the game.
Well, I've been to a few
of these and that's always
- how it goes.
- [Desiree] She did seem
excited to watch all the drama unfold.
[Deborah] Then she'll probably show up.
Until then, I guess
we'll just continue to play.
Ugh...
Oh, Tiny Tim. Use the card, play along.
[Maurice] Oh... [clears throat].
Was it you, Jacob Marley,
that killed my employer?
- Ugh...
- Come on.
How could I have killed
Ebenezer Scrooge without
human hands to do so with?
[scoffs]... Tiny Tim is the one
we all should be eyeing.
Uh, 'twas not I.
The ghost of Christmas Present
has been awfully silent
- since Scrooge was found dead.
- [Bea] That's just the thing.
Scrooge hasn't been found dead.
It's been a few minutes
and Grace is still missing.
It's probably part of the game, dear.
Then why would she tell Desiree
that she was excited
to see how the game pans out
if her plan was
to just disappear the whole night?
[Desiree] Hmm.
You
you guys can keep playing.
I'm gonna go look for her.
She's gotta be around here somewhere.
Me too.
This place is too creepy to search alone.
Yeah, I should probably come too.
To keep you safe, of course.
Well, I
am going to sit down.
And enjoy my champagne.
[Maurice] Mm-hmm. This. See?
All of that. That's...
I'm doing that.
After you.
Oh, so chivalrous.
For a beautiful woman, always.
God, give me the strength
to resist this handsome
- broke man.
- Ugh...
[sighs]
[suspenseful music playing]
"Wire $200,000 to this
offshore account by dawn
or never see Grace again. No police."
A ransom note?
Someone in this house
kidnapped Aunt Grace.
Could have been someone
from the outside.
How could someone have slipped
in and out unnoticed?
[Desiree] Well, you suddenly appeared.
- Point taken.
- OK, let's just calm down.
OK, so what are we going to do?
- You figure it out, Bea.
- Me?
You've been solving mysteries
since we were kids.
You are our black Nancy Drew.
This is a little bit more serious
than figuring out who stole
a pie at the church bake sale.
Well, we can't do nothing.
All right, all right, you're right.
Um, let's just go back to the parlor
and we'll figure out a plan.
OK.
So you're saying that Grace
disappearing wasn't
- a part of the game?
- This note proves nothing.
It could be Grace just trying
to spice the game up further.
So you think Grace is trying
to extort us for $200,000
because of a game?
Why would she do that?
I think that Grace
was kidnapped.
And the person that did it
was in this room
when the lights went out.
The kidnapper was one of us?
Uh, that's what we need to figure out.
Listen, I may have my issues with Grace,
but if she's in danger, maybe
we should just pay the ransom.
Uh, that's a lot of money.
I mean, maybe... maybe we should
pay, you know? [Chuckling] 'Cause...
You? With what funds?
[Calvin] I was hoping y'all could chip in.
Hoping somebody could
cover me, and then,
- and, uh... help a brother out.
- [Whitney] Mm.
Hey, is she always like, you know, just...?
- [all] Yes!
- [Whitney] Wait a minute.
I thought that they said
in a situation like this,
you are not supposed to pay the ransom.
I'd have to agree with Whitney.
I think we should wait.
[somber doorbell tolls]
I'll get it!
Yeah, that's... Mm-hmm.
[mysterious music playing]
- What are you doing here?
- [Troy] Your mom texted me.
Why didn't you call me, Bea?
Lucky I was close.
I was going to, but the ransom
note specified no police.
I thought I was doing the right thing.
Listen, I understand you meant
well, but this is serious.
Uhn-uhn, no one is going anywhere.
This is an active crime scene.
If this is an active crime scene,
why haven't you called in backup?
It's Christmas Eve in a small town,
and I pretty much know
everyone else in there.
So, uh, I think I got it myself, Whitney.
Now, first things first, let's all go back
to the scene of the crime, please.
[Whitney] Fine.
[suspenseful music playing]
Were there any, like, recent changes
in Grace's behavior?
She was going on about not
wanting to live with regrets.
Now she needed
to change things, you know,
friends, family, reputation.
She was trying to change her ways.
Her ways? What were her ways?
Oh, come on.
You know Grace could be a bit...
Bit difficult.
- How so?
- She was jealous, competitive,
and if a real estate deal
benefited me and not her,
she would sabotage it.
She doesn't tip, she underpays her staff.
[Calvin laughs]she does hold a grudge.
You know, one argument with my mom,
didn't talk to her for five years.
- Damn!
- [Calvin] Mm-hmm.
Everything was her way or the highway.
And if she thought you were
weak, she would belittle you.
- Oh, that.
- Oh, yes.
OK, does anybody have anything positive
to say about her?
- [Calvin clears throat]
- She was private.
And
she was hard to get close to,
but I know she has
a good heart.
OK. Um...
Well, according to these very,
very strong statements,
everyone here has a motive
to hurt Grace.
But now I have to figure out the motive
behind the ransom.
Bea, you just said that she was
a private person, right?
Um, usually private people have, like,
uh, security measures in place.
[Desiree] She had security cameras.
Earlier today when she gave me
the tour, I saw the feed.
- Oh, show me.
- [Desiree] Yeah.
- Show... show him.
- [Troy scoffs]
- Bea, would you like to go?
- Mm-hmm.
OK, um... can you please show us?
Everyone, just stay here, OK?
We'll be right back.
You know, Rosewood Hall was
a part of the Underground Railroad.
Miss Burton said
it's a historical landmark.
Is that why she never redecorated?
- Nah, she's just stingy.
- Hmm.
All right.
I rewound the video
to the time of the blackout.
OK, so looks like no one came
in or out during the blackout.
Yeah, but there's blind spots
like right here by the garage
and right here by the garden path.
Maybe the culprit knew exactly
where their cameras
wouldn't catch them.
Which means they would have
to be familiar with the house.
Hmm.
I don't see any interior cameras.
[Desiree] Well, she did say she
didn't want cameras in her home.
Interesting.
Also interesting.
[gasp]
You guys!
Look at this!
It's a tiny piece of purple plastic.
What do you think it means?
I think it means it's a tiny
piece of purple plastic.
Hmm, well, I think it's a clue.
- [cork pops]
- [glass shatters]
[woman screams]
Uh-oh. OK.
What happened?
Oh, um, we just came to get
more champagne.
But when the cork popped,
it knocked a vase off
of the mantel.
[sighs]
Who was screaming?
I startle easy.
I thought a girl was screaming.
OK, um, everyone, let's just go
into the parlor so I can try
to visualize the events as they're
described to me, please.
Let's, uh... let's take this step by step.
Where was everybody
when the lights went out?
Calvin?
I was headed to the parlor
when the lights went out.
But I thought you said
you were looking for the switch
in here before you knocked over Desiree.
[Whitney] Mm-hmm...
Well, yeah, when I arrived here,
I was looking for the switch,
and then that's when I tripped.
Desiree, where were you?
I was over here, waiting by the tree,
waiting for further instructions
from Miss Burton.
And when the lights went off,
I was pushed by Calvin.
[Troy] Mm.
Uh, Whitney, where were you?
I was standing right over here,
by this chair,
- screaming.
- Why were you screaming?
I'm afraid of the dark.
And actually, somebody
brushed past me.
- [Troy] Brushed past you? Who?
- [Whitney] I don't know.
[whispering] It was pitch black.
OK, um...
Dr. and Mrs. Whitaker?
Oh, I was standing
in this corner with my husband
and when the lights went out,
I grabbed his arm.
Yeah, yeah, we were
in this corner together.
All right, uh... thank you for that.
Oh, I was here with everyone, also.
Obviously, but where were you?
What were you doing
when the lights went out?
I was sitting here
drinking some champagne,
when the lights went out, I froze.
So no one can account
for your movements?
Troy.
Um...
Got it. Thank you, Miss King.
How did these get here?
[Bea] Oh, I saw that earlier.
They must have been knocked
over during the blackout,
or it was Mr. Klutz over here.
So no one saw or heard
anything, and everyone was
right here in this room?
Well, Grace disappeared in that moment,
so someone is lying.
OK.
[whispering] Wait, uh,
scavenger hunt.
Your mom said Calvin had
a gambling problem, right?
I... I heard those same rumors.
They called me the closer.
You know, just a light word.
You played college basketball?
It was intramural, but it was
highly competitive.
Highly. Almost made the league.
[Troy] Calvin.
Uh...
You care to explain this?
[dramatic music playing]
I don't know what that is.
Well, to my understanding,
you know that this is
a betting slip.
Now, was Grace involved
in any gambling?
No, no, no, no... Aunt Grace had
nothing to do with this.
- That's...
- Then why were you two arguing
in the parking lot
next to my salon earlier today?
[chuckles nervously]
Oh, OK.
All right, I have some gambling
debts, and Aunt Grace was
- helping me out before.
- [Whitney] Before?
Mhn-mhn.
Look, I owe some money
to some shady people, OK?
And Aunt Grace gave me
enough money to pay off
some of my debts, but she said
she didn't wanna
bail me out anymore. She was done.
And you didn't like that?
I mean, these guys... [chuckles].
You know, they don't send
friendly reminders,
you know what I'm saying?
So, yes, I was...
I was angry that she wouldn't protect me.
Did Grace get caught up
with these shady people somehow?
No, I don't think they knew who she was.
I mean, I'm not sure.
Um, here's the thing. I have a plan.
- What plan?
- [Calvin] I have a plan
that, um, that, uh...
Look, I'm gonna sell all my stuff, man.
My... my laptop, my watch,
my Falcons jersey signed
- by Matty Ice.
- Damn!
Yeah, I mean, listen,
I would never do anything
- to hurt my aunt.
- [Whitney] OK, hold up.
You are about as trustworthy
as a fox in a hen house.
Does anybody else find it
suspicious that this man
showed up right
when the lights went off?
Coincidence or opportunity?
I was running late.
Ever since you came to Goldfern,
all of Grace's free time has been spent
- getting you out of scrapes.
- Me?
You're the one who has beef
with my aunt.
[Whitney] Oh, please.
I do not expect little boys to understand
grown women's business. And how long
until you run out of stuff to sell anyway?
Look at it.
It's a tiny piece of purple plastic.
You were in Grace's study tonight.
[scoffs] What? No, I wasn't.
Girl, I saw you sneaking around
before the game started earlier.
I didn't think anything of it,
but now I see that your chipped
acrylic nail matches what Desiree found
next to Grace's keyboard.
I knew it was a clue!
My instincts? Forever undefeated.
That's what I'm saying... [chuckling].
A chipped nail? Really?
Come on, y'all. I mean,
there's a million reasons
that would explain
- that being there.
- Like what?
If there's any truth to this, Whitney,
denying it is only gonna make
things worse down the line.
You tried to hack into Grace's
bank account, didn't you?
[exhales sharply]
All right.
Fine.
Yes, I tried to access
Grace's bank account.
But it was just to get
what was supposed to be mine.
A few weeks ago,
Grace promised me a loan
so that I could buy
an investment property
in Atlanta.
And then she backed out.
But I did not kidnap her.
[Calvin] And we're supposed
to believe you?
That's motive for ransom.
[Bea] No, Whitney's telling the truth.
She didn't kidnap Grace.
- Thank you.
- Wait, you can't be serious?
Well, think about it.
Whitney was talking nonstop
during the blackout. We all heard her.
Hmm.
I feel like I'm missing something here.
I...
We've gone through
the alibis, the evidence,
the security footage.
None of you guys even left
this room and somehow Grace
still wound up missing.
- [loud thudding]
- [crashing]
[screaming]
Maybe there's someone
still hiding on the premises.
No, Rosewood Hall is behind gates.
The gates were open when I arrived.
I think that Grace left on her own.
And we're just grasping at straws.
Well, if she left on her own,
then how do you explain
the ransom note?
[whispering] I don't know.
[Troy] I'm gonna go
search the grounds, OK?
Please, everyone, just sit tight.
I'll be right back.
- I'm gonna go with him.
- Oh, I'm gonna go too.
But it's dangerous.
I don't wanna just wait to get kidnapped.
All right, well, I'm gonna go with you.
No, you stay here.
I'm gonna go with Bea.
No, Des, you go with Calvin
and continue
searching the mansion,
and I'm gonna go find Troy.
You heard Troy. We should all stay put.
Yeah, exactly.
This isn't Scooby Doo, OK?
- Splitting up gets people hurt.
- [Whitney] And what?
We should all just stay here together.
That's so much better?
I don't trust any of y'all right now.
OK, look.
If you wanna help, we will split up.
Desiree and Calvin, the Whitakers,
Whitney and Mom.
You're a hairstylist, not a cop.
This is reckless.
I'll be fine.
I'm gonna go meet up with Troy,
and I won't be alone,
but for more than a few minutes.
When will you learn to listen
to your mother?
When she learns to loosen her grip.
- If you get hurt...
- I'm sure you'll be
the first one to tell me "I told you so."
Your bangs are slipping.
[intriguing music playing]
Hello?
Is anyone there?
- [creak, clang]
- [gasp]
[screaming]
[exhales sharply] You scared me!
[Troy] I scared you?
You're the one creeping
around in the dark.
I am not creeping.
I am investigating.
You're inves...
Bea, I told you to stay put.
You know I was not gonna stay put.
And I wanted to see you.
OK, look, that's... that's sweet, Bea.
But I'm telling you,
there could be real danger
out here... really?
[Bea] It was a little crooked.
OK, just tell me, everyone else is inside
being safe, right?
Please tell me everyone didn't
follow your lead.
[perky music playing]
They paired up.
It's the buddy system.
Being cute's not gonna work
right now, OK?
It's not?
OK, look, I already searched
that area, OK?
I'm heading over to the garage.
It's one of the blind spots
on the cameras.
We'll go together.
Buddy system, come on.
This place is giving
"Paranormal Activity" vibes.
That's my favorite movie.
Me too.
I just don't like the immersive experience.
[Desiree] Hmm. Well...
This is your aunt's place.
Why don't you ask her to redecorate?
She don't listen to me. Nobody does.
Is that why you're not
with your family in Atlanta
for Christmas?
[chuckles softly]
I'm just tired of being a misfit.
Everyone in my family seems to
have it all figured out.
I'm sorry.
Thanksgiving, I was
the butt of every joke.
I had enough.
And, um...
Aunt Grace told me
that Goldfern might be
welcoming.
A fresh start.
But I messed up again
with the betting, so.
[Desiree] Well, I know how you feel.
Everyone thinks I'm Bea's
loud friend with money problems.
Nobody takes me seriously.
I do.
[soft music playing]
[whispering] Kryptonite.
- You say something?
- Uh, no.
I think I just heard something
around the corner.
[Troy] Oh.
OK, so
what are we looking for?
Well, anything out of place, honestly.
Like suspicious footprints,
fresh tire tracks, or of course, a, uh
sign of a struggle.
These aren't that fresh.
How can you tell?
Well, uh, the garage is dry
and the air is stagnant,
so dust isn't gonna move
unless someone moves it.
Look, right here, right?
The dust has settled all around the tire.
If this car moved, you'd see
some type of disturbance.
I'd say that this car
hasn't moved in about six hours
or maybe more.
So, a dead end?
Yeah.
A dead end.
Wait, um...
You said you found the note
in Grace's bedroom, right?
Can you show me?
This reminds me of our first date.
Remember, you beat me
at darts at the pub.
You know, maybe
maybe we can go back.
Relive the good old days.
I... I just wanna tell you...
Let's just concentrate on finding Grace.
This room is a bust.
- The irony of this.
- What do you mean?
Bea always says I poke around
in people's business too much.
Now, we have to.
[Whitney chuckles]
She's got a point, though.
Well, you do give the I-know-what's-best
- for-everybody vibe.
- I usually do.
Well...
There's a time and a place
to say it, though.
What are we even looking for?
[intriguing music playing]
Did you find anything?
No, just some old mail and dust.
[Whitney] Yeah, me too.
Let's move on.
Yeah.
All right, let's look for anything seemingly
out of place.
[exhales sharply]
[chuckles] Wow.
So, who has more to gain
from this ransom?
Is it Calvin and his debts,
Whitney and her loan?
I don't know, Calvin's gambling is bad,
but... you know,
my gut says he isn't cruel.
Seems like he really cares about Grace.
[Troy] Mm. But
a vice like gambling, it'll have you do
some stupid stuff.
And you've got to admit,
it is a little suspicious
that he arrives
right when Grace disappears.
Maybe.
What about Whitney?
You said she was clear.
You know, I feel like she's
still hiding something.
Mm.
[scoffs]
Don't even get me started
on the Whitakers.
You know, Evelyn said
that she and Grace were
on the outs.
[Troy] Really?
Might have to hit 'em
with a few more questions then.
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales sharply]
[Troy] Are you OK?
- [sudden screaming]
- [gasp]
[Troy] That came from the ballroom!
What is up with all the screaming?
- Evelyn?
- Sorry.
- [Bea] Are you OK?
- [Troy] Wait, can you hear us?
Evy! What happened?
Ugh, someone hit me
on the back of the head.
- Who?
- I didn't see them.
- Are you OK?
- Yeah.
We should have never split up.
It could have been any one of us.
Did you hear anything
before you were hit?
No.
Uh... did you see which way
the assailant came from?
Over there.
We paired up so that we would
keep each other safe!
I was in the restroom.
OK, look, if the assailant
is outside, then there has
to be some footage
on the security cams, OK?
I'mma go check it out. I'll be right back.
Can I, uh, talk to you alone?
Yeah.
What's going on?
I found these in Grace's
trash can in her bedroom.
- Your mom's stationary.
- Yeah.
OK, don't panic yet.
Let's see what it says.
- Tape.
- [Bea] Tape.
Uh...
What did Troy think?
You haven't told him?
I just... I didn't want to make
a big deal about it until we know
- what the note says.
- He's a detective, Bea.
He should know about this.
And he will as soon as we know
what the note says first.
OK...
"You said you've changed, Grace,
but it's all an act."
- What is she talking about?
- I don't know.
I mean, she and Grace used
to be friends, but they
they had some problems recently.
About what? I'm not sure.
I, um...
I'm scared to show this to Troy.
You have to.
We didn't even hear you scream,
otherwise we would have come sooner.
What was on the security tapes?
Well, the cameras were taken
offline before you guys
split up and before Evelyn was
found unconscious.
What good is it having
a police officer here
if you can't even keep us safe?
Troy, I know you want us
to stay, but we have
someone dangerous in our midst.
I think I might know
who that someone is.
Deborah, do you care to explain
the hateful note
that you wrote to Grace?
I... I don't know
what you're talking about.
Really?
Because I heard Bea speaking
about it with Desiree just now.
Bea, what is he talking about?
"You said you've changed,
Grace, but that was all an act."
Miss King, did you write this?
Yes.
Why?
Grace promised to donate
the prize money
for the scavenger hunt, and I volunteered
to organize and host.
OK, that sounds generous of her.
She backed out at the last minute
and left me to cover
the $5,000 prize money.
I was upset.
Why wouldn't you just ask
the Society to put up
the prize money?
I didn't want you all to look down on me
for backing out of a commitment.
I wanted to take care
of the problem myself.
So my aunt, backing out of prize money,
- justified you threatening her?
- I wasn't threatening her.
I was simply just venting.
And when it became clear
that she wasn't gonna
pay you back, you took matters
into your own hands.
I didn't even talk to her tonight.
[Troy] OK, enough. Please.
Miss King, look, I understand.
Grace let you down.
[whispering] Yes.
Just explain to me one more time,
what exactly were you doing
during the blackout?
Troy, OK, you know that my mother
would never do something like this.
And the prize money was $5,000,
hardly the $200,000
- that the kidnapper's asking for.
- I have to ask, Bea.
What you should be investigating is
the real reason Whitney needed
a loan from Grace.
Oh, look at you, trying to cast the blame
- to anybody but yourself.
- [Troy] Hold on, Whitney.
Seems like Deborah knows
something that all of us
don't know.
So, if you're hiding something,
it's only gonna make things
worse for you.
Ugh...
OK, fine.
I was gonna use the loan money
to start a real estate firm of my own.
[Deborah scoffs]
- One without Grace?
- Yes, without Grace.
Because everybody here knows
that Grace is impossible
to work with.
A rival firm that would have been
in direct competition with Grace.
It's here! The black and white.
Grace found out about Whitney's plan.
Hold on, hold on, hold on. Wait...
When did you find this?
While we were searching the house.
Why didn't you share this
information with me earlier?
Because I knew you would
blow it out of proportion.
Well, that's likely why Grace
pulled out of the prize money.
She thought her business was doomed.
I hadn't even thought about that.
That explains why she couldn't
help me anymore.
You do understand that this
gives you a stronger motive
for getting rid of Grace, right?
Not only do you benefit from the ransom,
but now you also take out
the competition.
Everybody heard me screaming
during the blackout.
I couldn't have left the room
with Grace in tow.
Unless what?
[whispering] I can magically
move through walls.
Move through walls.
Move through walls! That was it!
Move through walls.
OK. OK, guys, look, think about it.
Nobody heard Grace leave.
Nobody saw Grace leave, right?
The only way somebody could
just disappear into thin air
is if they never left the room at all.
As if they were moving through the walls.
Come on, man.
What are you talking about?
OK, you just told me
Rosewood Hall was owned
by a wealthy landowner
sympathetic to the abolitionist
cause, correct?
- Right.
- [Troy] And we all heard the stories, right?
Secret rooms and tunnels built
to help enslaved people make it
down the Underground Railroad.
I think you've read too many
Agatha Christie novels.
Yeah, those rumors have never
been proven.
[Whitney] Right.
Check the bookcase!
The... the books, the books that fell
- during the blackout?
- Yeah...
What in the far-fetched nonsense
is going on here, guys?
[knocking]
[Calvin] See?
I knew something was suspicious
about that bookshelf.
I was trying to tell them, you know.
[Troy] OK, there's gotta be
a lever here somewhere.
Oh, try the bookend! It's worn!
It looks like it's been touched a lot.
- OK.
- And it doesn't match
the other one.
[mechanism clicking]
- [Calvin] Nah...
- [Whitney gasps]
- [Calvin] Nah!
- [gasps]
- Mhn-mhn.
- Mhn-mhn!
Don't you look at me.
I'm not going in there.
No, we ain't doing that.
[Desiree] She's seriously going in there.
What are they doing?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Wait, what you doing?
Whoa, whoa, wait a minute now.
- You ain't going in there.
- [Desiree] OK, calm down!
It's a small, creepy,
- dark tunnel.
- Right.
Mhn-mhn.
All right, at least take
my hand so you're not scared.
- OK.
- [Calvin chuckles]
[whispering] Yeah, no.
[ominous music playing]
- [Troy] Come on.
- Wait a second.
[whispering] Come on.
[fly buzzing]
- My instincts were off.
- Your instincts were right.
There is a secret room.
[Desiree] Maybe we all just take a break.
- Grab some food?
- Mm-hmm.
Yep.
Yeah, just... yeah.
[whispering] Let's go.
[Calvin] This way. Watch your step.
It was a good idea.
But it was wrong.
[soft music playing]
I don't feel any swelling, which is good.
Just let me know
if a headache comes on
or you feel any dizziness.
This is the best I could do,
I can't serve the meal
without Grace.
[clock chimes]
Time is passing, and we're still no closer
- to finding her.
- [Desiree] Have faith, Bea.
You always figure it out.
If I don't, I know Troy will.
Uh, excuse me, guys.
[Deborah] Bea...
I wanted to thank you for defending me.
Of course, Mom.
I know you don't have anything to do
with Grace's disappearance.
I...
just wanted to ask,
is there a tension between you and Troy?
I'm sensing some distance
between you two.
No, there's no tension. We, uh
we're just busy, that's all.
- [Deborah] Mm.
- You know, me with the salon
and Troy with work.
That's how it starts, you know.
Little distances can turn
into Grand Canyons.
Nothing is starting.
We've just got a lot going on.
Take it from me, if there's
something bothering you,
talk to him before it's too late.
We've got it!
We've got it handled.
Did I say something wrong?
I'm just so tired of you
being so overbearing.
Overbearing?
Yes!
Mom, it's nonstop!
You're picking at my relationship,
or you're telling me
everything I'm doing is wrong,
or you're meddling in my career!
- I'm just trying to help.
- I don't need it!
I don't need your help.
I'm just trying to live my own life,
but I can't do that if you keep
poking your nose
in every corner and judging me!
Beatrice, I didn't mean it that way!
[Bea] I just...
[Deborah] Beatrice,
I didn't mean it that way.
I'm gonna go find Troy.
Troy.
It's about
starting over.
Troy, look at that.
There, that's... that's Grace's earring.
She was wearing that earlier tonight.
See, you were onto something!
She was in this room.
[intriguing music playing]
Hmm.
What? What is it?
I wish you were this forthright
with all of the evidence.
Are you talking about my mom's note?
Yes. You don't trust me?
Of course, I trust you.
I just didn't want you
to treat her like a suspect
before you had to.
So, you don't trust me?
I know that my mom isn't
capable of hurting Grace.
[Troy] I agree with that.
But I still have to ask her
questions and do my job.
But you think that little of me?
I think you don't know when to stop.
I think you don't know
how to put our relationship
- over your job.
- Whoa.
Hold on.
- You think...
- I see it every day, Troy.
When you're coming home late,
and you're canceling plans,
and you zone out when I'm trying
to talk to you.
Bea, I am trying to prove myself.
I thought you would understand that.
[Bea] I do!
But I can't keep giving 100%
and only getting 10 back.
Is this why you don't wanna
move in together?
How can we start a new chapter
if we're not even
on the same page?
[footsteps coming closer]
Sorry to interrupt, uh...
We need a little help in the parlor.
Time is running out... OK, guys,
we pool our money together
- and pay the ransom.
- Oh, please!
I would do it, but I don't have the budget.
And I agree that we should
just pay the ransom, dear.
What? Wha... no. No, no, no, no, no!
Absolutely not, OK?
We... we are going
to figure this out, OK?
I know that Grace can be difficult,
but no one deserves this.
You know that, um, piece of the puzzle
that you've been convinced
you're missing?
Yeah.
I think Dr. Whitaker and Grace
were having an affair.
What? What gave you that idea?
Just let me think about it,
but I think we should
probably do it.
[whispering] Oh, you are incredible.
[Calvin] Look, I just need
to pay this debt back!
- [Troy clears throat]
- [Calvin] Do you understand?
- [Troy] Dr. Whitaker?
- Yeah?
When were you planning
on telling us that you were
- having an affair with Grace?
- [gasp]
- What are you talking about?
- Bea?
Grace canceled her standing
appointment on Monday
because she had a meeting
she couldn't miss.
- What does that prove?
- [Troy] Uhn-uhn.
Let her talk.
Yesterday, Desiree gushed
about how Dr. Whitaker
closed his shop early.
Speaking of dates,
your man was telling me
- all about yours yesterday.
- Mm-mm!
Mine?
When Evelyn heard it,
she looked surprised.
Like this information was new to her.
Wha... what does that have
to do with me?
Evelyn wears "Flirt" by Velvet Mode.
It's a medium-dark berry color
with warm tones.
But the lipstick on Dr. Whitaker's collar
is an exact match
for "Icon" by Lolo Tuck.
"Icon," by Lolo Tuck has always
been my color.
Why mess with perfection?
It's a cool-tone, reddish-burgundy color.
It's Grace's signature lipstick.
Is this true?
This is, uh, a ploy to protect Deborah.
Clearly, she's behind the kidnapping.
- I mean, that... that note.
- Save it, Maurice.
You tell us now. How'd you get the stain?
Mm-hmm.
[tense music playing]
[whispering] OK.
OK. Um...
- Yes.
- [exhales sharply]
Grace and I were romantically involved.
Mm.
- [Evelyn] Ugh...
- But... but... but,
- but we broke it off!
- Gosh.
- [Maurice] Earlier tonight.
- [Evelyn clears throat]
We shared a goodbye kiss.
- [scoffs]
- Ugh...
Evy, I'm sorry. I...
I didn't mean for this to happen.
I love you, I...
I always knew you were
a snake, Maurice.
But I would never do
anything to hurt Grace!
Then how do you explain this?
Explain what? My scarf?
Not the scarf.
The hair.
What do you mean, explain the hair?
- It's a black hair.
- [Bea] It's not.
It's dyed obsidian.
It's the shade that I've dyed Grace's hair
every six weeks for years.
Hair falls out all the time. What is...?
Yeah, hair falls out
through the telogen phase.
From normal shedding, every day.
But that's not what happened here.
If you look close, you can see
that the cuticle layers
- are broken.
- Meaning?
- They were pulled out by force.
- Lord have mercy.
OK, whoa... [chuckles nervously].
I didn't do any of this!
So you wouldn't mind me
searching you, right?
No! I...
[Troy] OK, OK...
I have nothing to hide.
What?
- What is that?
- [Troy] Oh.
It's Propofol.
It's a fast-acting sedative
usually used to render
people unconscious,
given hypodermically.
- That's not mine.
- Then why do you have it?
I don't know!
I'm clearly being framed.
I saw a Dateline interview
identical to this.
Yeah, and it's always the boyfriend.
- Always.
- [Troy] Sir?
- Where is Grace?
- I don't know.
Where is my aunt?
Failure to cooperate is
only gonna be harder
- down the line.
- OK, I... I swear,
I don't know where she is!
Check the wood pile.
What?
When we split up to search the house,
Maurice said he needed to get
wood for the fireplace.
He wasn't at the bathroom.
I never said that.
We all know that you are a liar, Maurice.
You are not under arrest,
but you are being detained
as a precaution. Please, follow me.
[Maurice] I never said that!
[intriguing music playing]
- [muffled cry]
- Do you hear that?
- [muffled cry repeats]
- The shed!
[whispering]
Stay behind me, stay behind!
- OK...
- [muffled cry continues]
If anything goes down, if I tell you to run,
you run, OK?
[muffled cry continues]
[music intensifies]
- [Bea] Grace!
- [muffled screaming]
Oh, Grace, Grace!
It's OK. You're OK.
Oh, it's OK, you're safe,
now, you're safe.
Chief Harris, there's an emergency
over at Rosewood Hall.
I need an ambulance,
and I need backup.
[sirens wailing]
You've got this all wrong!
- I wouldn't do this!
- All right.
[Maurice] Why would I ever do this?
[Troy] Let's talk about this
down at the station.
She's gonna be OK?
Hey.
Um... I was
[clears throat]
- [chuckling]
I was thinking that maybe
you and I could go out
sometime, now that my aunt is safe.
I mean, I can't give you
diamonds and jewelry,
I can't give you devotion.
I don't need diamonds.
A rhinestone will do for now.
[plucky music playing]
Why are the fine ones so expensive?
[Whitney] I owe you an apology,
for lying about the loan.
I'm sorry too.
[soft music playing]
I'm not the easiest partner.
If you are open to it,
I'd like to talk about staying
in business together.
I know you have some good ideas.
We did make a formidable team,
didn't we?
- Mm.
- [both chuckle softly]
OK.
Maybe we can start over.
With... some new boundaries, of course.
- Mm.
- In writing.
I'd like that.
You're gonna be OK.
Thank you, Whitney.
- [exhales deeply]
- [Bea chuckles softly]
Hi! How are you?
Rattled, but it's gonna take
more than that
- to keep me down.
- [chuckling]
I... I know that the night is
probably still one big blur,
but, um
- did you see who took you?
- No.
I was blindfolded the whole time.
What's bothering you?
I hate to even ask, but...
Why did you invite me tonight?
[soft music playing]
If there is one thing
my cancer scare taught me,
it is that love requires effort.
I can't keep pushing people
away over and over
and expect them to be there
for me when I need them.
You and your mother?
Things are tense.
But beneath the tension,
there's so much love.
And
love isn't always easy.
It's forgiveness and compromise
and showing up
even when you don't want to.
And that's why I invited you tonight.
Because of my mother?
I wasn't trying to make amends
with you, Bea.
I was trying to give you a chance
to make amends with her.
Don't take your loved ones for granted.
There's a check for your mother
in one of those envelopes
- I showed you.
- OK.
- [Bea] I just wa...
- I wanted to say...
[whispering] It's OK, go ahead.
I wanted to apologize for meddling.
Not just tonight, but in general.
I overstepped with the law school dean.
I just don't want you to make
the same mistakes as I did.
Mom, what mistakes?
I gave up a full ride to law school
to start a family.
When my marriage fell apart,
I had no career
and no safety net.
I don't want you to end up like me.
I want you to dream big.
But, Mom, don't you see
that my beauty shop is
my big dream?
I think I've always known.
I just had to work
through my own issues.
It's so obvious that this is your path.
I want you to have the best relationship,
the best career, the best life
because I love you, Bea.
Mom, I love that you care so much.
I do.
But I need the freedom to make
my own decisions
and learn from my mistakes. And if I fall,
I need to know that you're
gonna to be there to pick me up
and not just say, "I told you so."
You would have thought I had
this whole parenting thing
- figured out by now.
- [laughing]
Mm...
But I don't.
Well, the fact that you're
trying means everything to me.
And even though I hate to admit it,
sometimes you be talking sense.
Mm-hmm.
And I am gonna try to put
my ego to the side
and listen to you more.
- Just a little bit.
- [Deborah] OK.
[giggling]
But there's one thing I know for sure.
That you and Troy make
an incredible team.
See, now that is something
worth listening to.
[Bea] Oh, just...
I know you hate loose ends.
I'm in my feelings on Christmas
I wish that you would come through
[soft knocking]
What are you doing here?
Merry Christmas to you too.
[clears throat]
- For you.
- What's happening?
[Troy chuckles]
I know that you were upset
about me missing
our annual Christmas date, so.
- Is that...?
- Yes, it is.
[gasps]
Gotta get the Queen Bea
what she wants.
Let's see
one,
two,
- three, four.
- Thank you.
- Cheers.
- Mm.
[chuckles softly]
Ooh...
Yeah.
That's what I was waiting for.
I didn't know you were
so passionate about cocoa.
Oh, no. Not cocoa.
Time with you.
- OK.
- [Troy chuckles]
I thought about what you said yesterday.
About us.
You were right.
I... I didn't realize it, but...
I have been neglecting you.
And I'm sorry.
Just been,
so caught up in work, just trying to make
a better life for us, you know?
Get promoted again.
You know, just
provide better for you.
You were working so hard
because you wanted to
to make a better life for me?
I had no idea.
Bea, you take care of everybody.
I... I don't know.
I just wanted to be that person for you.
So I get busy trying to secure
a future that wind up
sacrificing everything I'm fighting for.
This whole time, I thought
that we were losing our spark.
Losing our spark? What?
- Yeah.
- Girl
the way that you solved
Grace's kidnapping,
- [chuckles]
- Whoo!
It was a couple of times I was
about to sneak you away
and kiss you all over. Just saying.
- Ah!
- [chuckles]
All right, look.
From now on, I promise you,
I will be prioritizing us
a lot more.
And if something is bothering
me, I will talk to you.
Yeah, it's some good advice
I got recently.
- Great advice.
- OK.
Well, just...
See, this
this is what I love about you.
You're always trying to fix the world.
[soft piano music playing]
You OK?
Yeah.
Yeah, no, it's just... it's just
something about the case
it's not sitting right with me.
How so?
OK, so the thing that I keep
getting hung up on
is Dr. Whitaker's already wealthy.
Why would he need a ransom?
- That is a good point.
- Yeah.
His motive isn't adding up,
and things were moving
so quickly last night that I wasn't thinking
about it in the moment.
[Troy] You know what else
has been bugging me, though?
Even after Dr. Whitaker was caught,
he didn't give anything up, uh...
For a moment there, I didn't
even think that he knew
- where Grace was.
- Hm.
[phone notification chirps]
Oh, would you look at this?
Wait
what's that on her wrist?
Oh, we need to go
to the Whitaker's house,
right now.
Come on, come on,
I'll explain on the way.
OK, OK.
[suspenseful music playing]
Hey... [whistles].
[Bea] What?
[whispering] See?
Good morning, Evelyn.
Bit odd to be leaving town
right now, don't you think?
I'm just heading to Charleston
to be with my sister
after everything that's happened.
By everything that's happened,
you mean kidnapping Grace?
[chuckles]
Me? Kidnap Grace?
OK, that's insanity.
It's actually not insane at all.
It makes perfect sense.
Although you acted
like you were shocked
when I revealed that Maurice
and Grace were having an affair,
the fact is, you already knew.
You must have put it together
when you realized your husband
was lying about where he was
on Monday night.
And after discovering that betrayal,
you planned a kidnapping
to frame him of a crime
and reap the rewards
of the ransom money.
My husband and I,
we have plenty of money.
Exactly. Why would Dr. Whitaker
demand a ransom when he's so well off?
He wouldn't,
because he didn't want
the money... you did.
[Bea] You tranquilized Grace
and put her in a hidden room.
And you must have,
I don't know, gotten nervous
that she'd be discovered
once we all started
searching Rosewood Hall,
so you took that moment
- to move her to the work shed.
- [Troy] After that was done,
you faked being attacked
to both cover your tracks
and to throw suspicion
onto your husband.
Hmm, you two are free to run
with your wild accusations,
but you don't have a shred
of proof that implicates me,
so, this is all just silly guesswork.
[Bea] That's where you're wrong.
What's that on your wrist?
It... [scoffs].
- It's just...
- A rash?
From your lanolin allergy?
Grace's lotion has lanolin in it.
I saw it in her bedroom.
She must have grabbed you
at some point that night.
And since you're severely allergic,
you don't have to confess.
Your skin did that for you.
- It's just a coincidence.
- [Troy] Mm.
So what are the chances
that your fingerprints will be
on the bottle of Propofol when I tell Chief
to run it at the lab?
I was gonna let her go.
Just take the ransom and leave town.
[voice breaking]
I thought Maurice would pay.
You know, he always had
a soft spot for Grace.
But when things dragged on,
that's when I told you
where she was hidden.
I didn't want her to get hurt.
Why did you even need the money?
Maurice and I had a prenup.
And if we divorced,
I would be left with nothing.
So you thought kidnapping
Grace was the answer?
I was in a toxic marriage
with no way out, and Grace,
who I thought was my friend,
betrayed me.
Look, I... I was desperate.
So how did you cut the power
to the parlor when we were
- all together?
- Well, that was Grace.
[sighs] I went to go see her
earlier that day to confront her.
But before I could, she showed me
the secret room.
Said that she would be hiding
in there for a few minutes
to scare everyone.
How she was "the victim."
She programmed
her circuit breaker to a timer
to cause the blackout.
Even the gas from the fireplace
was gonna shut off.
And you never had
to move her to the secret room?
[Evelyn] No, she was already in there.
I just slipped in
behind her and injected her
with the Propofol that I nicked
from Maurice.
Maurice was telling the truth.
When he was in the bathroom,
I went back to the room
and walked Grace over to the shed.
That's why I pulled her hair
to plant some on Maurice.
And that's when she grabbed my wrist.
I was never attacked.
Why didn't you tell anyone
things had gotten so bad
in your marriage?
I was embarrassed.
We were pretending to be
the perfect couple,
but in reality,
our marriage ended ages ago.
I was taken for granted.
Um, I'm sorry, but, uh,
we're gonna have
to arrest you now, Evelyn.
Yeah, of course.
Yes, thank you, Chief.
Hey.
Hey, how you holding up?
I just feel so bad for Evelyn.
All she wanted was for Maurice
not to take her for granted,
and now her life is in shambles
because of it.
It is a cautionary tale, for sure.
But hey, we're not them, OK?
She doesn't have a criminal history,
so I'm sure the courts will take
that into consideration.
So, since we just, uh, finished this up,
how do you feel
about a Christmas afternoon
gift exchange?
I thought you were working today.
I was, but, uh...
I requested the rest of the day
off with the Chief.
Look, work is gonna be there, OK?
But time spent with you,
this is irreplaceable.
Yeah. Yeah, it is.
- [Troy] It is.
- Just a little bit.
Mm-hmm.
[soft music playing]
- [keys jangling]
- [door unlocking]
I thought you'd like
some company on Christmas.
I'm so sorry, Grace, for everything.
I am too.
You wouldn't be in this mess
if I wasn't so selfish.
I broke things off with Maurice
at the party last night.
My conscience couldn't let me
continue any longer.
Thank you for telling me that.
I'm going to try to make things right.
I'm speaking to the judge to see if they'll
take it easy on you.
You would do that for me after
what I've done?
Christmas should be a time
for forgiveness.
Lord knows we could both do
some of that right now?
[emotional music playing]
[instrumental "Deck the Halls" playing]
What's this?
- See for yourself.
- [chuckles]
[laughs] Seriously?
Mm-hmm. I'm looking for a place
that would be best for the both of us.
OK.
All right. Come here.
[chuckling]
Come here.
Coming in! [Laughing softly]
I love you, you know that?
- I do.
- [Troy] Mm.
But you could remind me
as much as you want.
OK, let's do that.
[doorbell rings]
Getting through together,
come what may
Timing.
Can you hold that thought for me?
All right, I'll hold it.
- Oh! You came.
- You invited me.
It's the gift we've all been wanting
It's the perfect timing
Come in! Come in!
I love to feel the joy and cheer
When you are here,
when we get together
It's a special time, it's so nice
It should last forever
When the seasons change
Oh, I love the way that you celebrate
Oh, I love to feel the joy
- I like that they match.
- Can you tie this for me?
Yes, you got to...
[indistinct chatter]
Bam! Right?
OK, OK, my turn, my turn, my turn!
Yeah, I love to feel the joy
- Merry Christmas.
- Thank you.
- I love this.
- Mm-hmm.