Mistletoe Murders (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

1
- If you have any questions
or information,
you bring it to me rather than
acting on it alone; agreed?
EMILY (V.O.): I've never
been one to sit back
and hope for a good outcome.
Which is why I fall back
on some old habits.
A home is worth protecting.
[lively Christmas music]
See the snow
that's gently falling ♪
Children playing,
joy is calling ♪
Everybody knows it,
soon it's Christmas! ♪
EMILY: You are
gonna love this one.
Okay
Merry Christmas!
CUSTOMER: Thank you.
- Here you go.
Red ribbon, green bow.
Just as the doctor ordered.
She's literally my doctor.
I sort of promised
her a discount.
Ah, not a problem.
Um
Here you go.
[choir singing "Deck the Halls"
outside]
Do you hear that music?
Oh, is it that time already?
Yeah, that would be
the Singing Snowbelles.
They always do a night
of carolling as promotion
for their tree lighting concert
in the park.
Wait, where are you going?
- You really think I'm gonna miss
a live Christmas carolling event
happening right outside my shop?
Have you met me?
Fair point.
BELLES: See the blazing
Yule before us ♪
Fa la la la la,
la la la la ♪
Strike the harp
and join the chorus ♪
[phone buzzing]
Hey, Dad, what's up?
- Hey, I just wanted you to know
I'm running a little late
to pick you up.
We went into overtime.
Well, did you win, at least?
- Depends on how
you define "win."
- I tend to define it as the team
with the most goals at the end.
Oh, then we didn't win.
VIOLET: Well, you'll
get 'em next time, right?
And there's no rush to get me.
I'm watching the store for a few
minutes while Emily's outside.
- Oh, yeah?
What's she doing?
I'll give you one guess.
BELLES: Fa la la la la,
la la la la! ♪
[applause]
VERA: "Silent Night" on three.
Debbie on the solo.
- Oh, actually I was
thinking maybe--
VERA: Not now, Brooke.
Here we go.
DEBBIE: Silent Night ♪
Holy Night ♪
[high-pitched voice]
All is calm ♪
All is bright ♪
'Round yon virgin
mother and child ♪
EMILY (V.O.): When I was little,
I dreamed about
joining a choir one day.
Then I grew up, and my life took
a slightly different direction.
More shadows, fewer songs.
And let's face it,
a choir just doesn't have
that element of danger.
DEBBIE: Love's pure light ♪
Radiant beams
from thy holy face ♪
[creaking sound]
With the dawn
of redeeming grace ♪
[creaking sound]
DEBBIE: Sleep in heavenly ♪
[loud cracking]
Peace ♪
[screaming]
[loud crash]
Oh, no!
[people exclaiming frantically]
DEBBIE: Get me out!
- Does anything hurt?
Is anything trapped?
Are you okay?
Can you move?
I think so.
EMILY (V.O.): I take it back.
Choir is a lot more dangerous
than I assumed.
[Debbie breathing heavily]
[dramatic music]
[theme music]
♪
♪
[gasps]
EMILY (V.O.): Yeah,
that never gets old.
Why can't I dream of
candy canes and sugarplums,
like a Christmas
store owner should?
Is it guilt?
Is it paranoia?
Or am I just drinking
way too much coffee
and riding a caffeine wave
right into slumberland?
Let's hope it's not
the last one.
[mysterious music]
♪
♪
♪
♪
EMILY (V.O.): Happy memories
later.
Right now I have a new toy
in need of a test run.
My black market connection,
Famous Ray,
managed to find me
a top-of-the-line
computer encryption device
that will keep me invisible.
Come to Mama
Okay
All systems go.
Thank you, Famous Ray.
EMILY (V.O.): I'm now free
to navigate online
without fear
of being discovered.
Which is perfect,
because the person I'm after--
the one who brought
my entire world
crashing down around me--
is not so easily found.
This program I built will scrape
every website and database,
from the surface web
to the deep web,
for any mention of a name
that still has the power
to raise the little hairs
on the back of my neck:
Chimera.
It might take days,
even weeks, to get a hit.
But patience is the one thing
I have plenty of.
Although
I do have a store to open,
and a watched pot never boils.
- "Deck the Halls"
is stuck in my head ♪
Fa la la la la,
la la la la ♪
Candy canes and gingerbread ♪
Fa la la la la,
la la la la-- ♪
- BROOKE: Emily.
- Oh!
- Can you believe
what happened yesterday?
That sleigh
just falling like that?
It's hard to believe
Debbie wasn't injured.
- I'm just so glad
nobody got hurt.
I'm-- I'm actually
not open yet, Brooke.
- Would you mind if I put
a flyer in your window?
It's for the Belles' concert
at the tree lighting ceremony
this weekend.
- Uh
- Right here looks great.
Actually, um, I was curious
your group is called
the Singing Snowbelles, right?
- Uh-huh!
- I definitely saw a few
snow-beaux up there last night.
- Oh! Yeah, well,
we were originally all women,
but we opened it up to everyone
about five years back.
Vera wasn't too happy at first,
but she warmed up to it,
after about a year or so.
Who's Vera?
Oh, she's our choir director.
She can be tough.
A real Belle-breaker,
if you know what I mean.
- I think I do.
- Hmm.
You know, I, uh, heard you
singing as I was coming in.
- Oh.
- You have a nice voice.
With some formal training,
it could even be passable.
You're so kind.
- And the choir could
definitely use a new alto,
considering we lost
a few members after yesterday.
- Well, that had to be
a fluke accident, though, right?
True, but
we've had our share
of those lately.
Debbie, the one
who almost got crushed,
she nearly died of
food poisoning a few months ago.
And Clara
[sighs]
Poor sweet Clara,
our best voice by far,
she was killed
in a random hit-and-run.
- God, that's terrible.
I'm so sorry.
- Which is why
we need some fresh blood.
We need you.
- Yeah, I don't--
I don't think so.
I like to save my singing
for the shower.
- Ah.
Well, just think about it.
Okay, we rehearse
at the community centre,
and I will text you
all the information.
You're a member
of our community now, Emily.
I would love to see
you get more involved.
Okay.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- I'll text you!
- Okay!
EMILY (V.O.): As much
as I shouldn't get involved,
something is bothering me.
Between the multiple
near-death experiences,
and a member
actually getting killed,
to me, that sounds like more
than just a run of bad luck.
♪
- Hey, Sam, how long
before I can haul this away?
I got other jobs to get to.
- I know.
It just
takes as long as it takes.
♪
♪
Morning, Sam.
Emily.
Violet mentioned
you witnessed the accident.
- Yeah.
That woman is lucky to be alive.
Debbie Hannigan.
I went to high school with her.
I think it was probably
just an installation issue.
- I dunno. I know the company
that makes these.
Can I take a look?
Sure.
♪
- Yeah, no, the leg of the sleigh
snapped off the support rod.
That shouldn't happen.
They're built to withstand
extreme weather.
Manufacturer defect?
Or
maybe it was intentional?
[chuckles]
Do you actually think
someone was trying
to flatten the Belles?
I mean, it's possible, right?
Thank you for the info.
Maybe I'll bring you on
as a Christmas consultant.
- Yeah, okay.
You know where to find me.
I do!
EMILY (V.O.): Now that I've had
a closer look at the sleigh,
I'm pretty sure
this was no accident.
But I can't share
that suspicion with Sam.
Spending time with him
will only lead to trouble.
EMILY: Hey,
have a great rest of your day.
Okay, okay.
What's going on, Em?
It's not like you to be
in such a rush to close.
- I just have somewhere
I need to be.
Where's that?
I would rather not say.
- Is it a date?
Who's the lucky guy?
It's not a date.
And that is all
you're getting out of me.
- Alright, keep your secrets!
See if I care.
Okay.
- You need anything else
before I go?
Actually
I have something for you.
What?
[keys jingle]
You're giving me a store key?
Yeah, you earned it.
I'm also giving you a raise.
What's the catch?
- Oh, there's no catch.
I just--
I've been really impressed
with your initiative,
and I think you're ready
for some more responsibility.
- I am.
I really am.
So, you wanna do the honours?
I think you got it.
- Just want to make sure.
I'm nervous.
Oh.
Don't be.
You did great.
Is your dad picking you up?
- No, I'm meeting him
at the diner.
I'd ask you to join us but
you've got your mystery plans.
- Yes, I do,
and I'm running late,
so I will see you tomorrow.
- Goodnight.
- Night.
[The Belles warming up]
La la la la,
la la la la la ♪
Lee lee lee lee,
lee lee lee lee lee ♪
Lay lay lay lay,
lay lay lay lay lay ♪
La la la la,
la la la la la-- ♪
- Enough!
Let's move on.
Hi!
Hot yoga's down the hall.
BROOKE: Uh, no, Vera,
this is Emily,
the alto I was
telling you about.
Emily, come in.
- Sure, yeah.
If that's okay.
Hi.
Why not?
Take a spot anywhere.
Sure.
Uh, Vera?
Should she not audition?
VERA: Why not?
I suppose we might as well
see what you've got.
Here, sing this.
- Oh, just-- just right now?
Here in front of everyone?
- That's the general idea
of a choir, yes.
[chuckles nervously]
Okay.
[clears throat]
[hums briefly]
Silent night ♪
Holy night ♪
All is calm ♪
All is bright ♪
'Round yon virgin
mother and child ♪
- That's fine.
Thank you.
BROOKE: Told you she was great.
- I'm Debbie.
Welcome to the choir.
We're in desperate need
of strong voices
ever since Clara died.
Yeah, I'm so sorry.
Was she the one who was
killed in the hit-and-run?
- Clara was
a one-of-a-kind talent.
There's no replacing her.
EMILY: Oh, I'm not
I'm not trying
to replace anybody.
Stay if you want.
Or go.
It doesn't matter to me.
[Belles singing]
Fa la la la,
fa la la, la la la ♪
Fa la la ♪
EMILY (V.O.): There's
definitely a weird energy
with this group.
And a real chance
that one of them is a killer.
[Belles singing]
EMILY (V.O.): So if
I walk away now,
it'll be on my conscience
if anyone gets hurt.
[Belles singing
"Deck the Halls"]
EMILY (V.O.): Besides
young me would love this.
Finally living the dream.
BELLES: Don we now
our gay apparel ♪
Fa la la, la la la,
la la la ♪
EMILY (V.O.): After two hours
of belting out carols,
my throat is sore and raw.
I never realized
how painful singing could be.
Hopefully my sacrifice
is not in vain.
Clara Jameson.
Struck and killed by an unknown
vehicle in an industrial area
of White Rock, a 40-minute drive
from Fletcher's Grove.
No CCTV cameras
were in the area.
No witnesses. No arrests.
Survived by her husband,
Adam Jameson.
Wait
EMILY (V.O.): Poor guy.
No wonder he looked so sad.
EMILY: Good to see you, Sam.
What can I do for ya?
I need your help.
The manufacturer of
that Santa sleigh that fell
appears to have
gone out of business.
I can't track them down.
- Yeah, they merged
with another company
and they go by
a different name now.
I think I have the catalogue
here somewhere.
[humming "Silent Night"]
You sound good.
You should maybe think
about joining the Belles.
I already did.
You're kidding.
- Would I lie
to an officer of the law?
I've caught you in several.
That's a good point.
The less said about that,
the better.
I, um
I can't find it here,
but I will find
their contact info
and send it over to you.
- Great.
- Yeah.
Thanks.
Hey, Sam?
Just, last night at rehearsal,
the topic of Clara Jameson's
death came up.
Ooh, yeah, that was tragic.
Her husband Adam's
still reeling from the loss.
- I heard there
weren't many leads.
- Well, they knew
it was a bronze sedan,
but that's as far
as they got.
She died in White Rock,
so it wasn't my case.
- Too bad
it wasn't caught on camera.
And what was she doing
over there, anyway?
Again, not my case.
You know, I'm having a hard time
picturing you
as a Singing Snowbelle.
- I'm having trouble picturing
you as a hockey player.
Oh yeah, you best believe
Violet's told me all about that.
She says you're pretty good too.
Ah, I got some chops.
Yeah?
- I probably could have
been a lot better,
but I turned down
a full scholarship
and joined the force instead,
much to the shock
and dismay of my father.
- Disappointing parents
is a rite of passage.
- Yeah, let me guess, your folks
were all about Halloween.
You went this way
just to spite 'em.
Yeah, somethin' like that!
[chuckles nervously]
Um, I gotta actually--
- Yeah, of course.
Send me that when you can.
- Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Hi, did you find
everything okay?
Oh my gosh, I love this guy.
Alright.
Let's see
- Your baskets
look so much nicer than mine.
What is your secret?
Practice.
- I was worried
you'd say that.
[door bells jingling]
Debbie!
Hey, welcome to the Mistletoe.
This store is so cute!
I thought maybe I'd pick up
some treats for the choir.
Honey-free.
I'm allergic to bee pollen.
- Yeah, I'm sure
we can find you some things.
- Clara used to bring in snacks
when she was the soloist.
People loved her for it.
It also helped that
she was an amazing talent.
Were you two close?
- I rarely saw her
outside of choir.
She was a vocal coach for kids.
Very in demand.
Didn't leave much time
for socializing.
- Well, it's nice that
she made time for the choir.
- We worked around
her schedule.
Not that it made a difference.
She was leaving us anyway.
Leaving The Belles?
I hadn't heard that.
- It happened
right before she died.
But I should go.
I don't want to be late
for practice.
Why don't we go together?
I would like that.
- Uh, Violet, hey, I'm gonna
leave a few minutes early.
I need you to lock up.
Are you good with that?
Absolutely!
I won't let you down!
Okay.
Okay, everyone!
The tree lighting ceremony
is coming up fast,
and we really need
to bring our A-game together
if we're gonna pull this off.
Now, I know, I know
it's a challenge without Clara,
but I want you to know that
I will do my absolute best.
Also, I brought treats.
Allergen-free!
[all exclaiming]
- Brought sugary bribes,
you mean.
- So I guess you don't
want any, then.
Oh, I didn't say that!
- Thank you, Debbie,
for your rousing words,
but I think we all know
that without Clara,
we are ultimately doomed
to failure.
- Ah, well
[chuckles]
Only if we stick with
Debbie as our soloist.
I would like to put myself
forward for consideration.
[scoffs]
I'm singing the solo.
It's already been decided.
- Maybe we should
open it up to a vote.
Let's get back to work.
- Fine.
- Fine.
♪
EMILY (V.O.): What was that?
If I knew choir politics
were this entertaining,
I would have joined ages ago.
[car approaching]
- Register is locked,
alarm is on, lights are off,
sign says "closed"
[car honks]
- Sorry, Vy,
Pete's just mad
'cause Mom made him
drive me to get you.
Let's go, come on!
- Coming.
Just locked up. Hi, Pete.
Just get in.
- Stop being a jerk
to my friends.
VIOLET: Hey, Nicki.
[car starts]
Great rehearsal tonight.
Yeah.
- It's Lance, right?
- Yeah.
EMILY (V.O.): Man,
I can't get a word in edgewise
with this motormouth.
- So, um,
after the tree lighting,
the Belles go on the road,
I heard?
There's a competition?
- [sighs]
Not that it matters.
We're going from top five
to bottom five without Clara.
I wish I'd gotten to meet her.
- Yeah, this choir
didn't deserve her.
- What-- what makes you
say that?
- Well, everyone
was jealous of her,
especially Debbie.
Now that she's gone, everyone's
saying how amazing she was.
But they drove her away.
- You don't seem to like
anyone here very much.
Why do you stick around?
I like to sing.
- Okay, then.
Asked and answered.
Oh, Emily!
Thanks for staying late
for a little extra practice.
Yeah, no problem.
- We were just discussing
adding some morning rehearsals
to the schedule.
Right, Vera?
Knock yourself out.
6:30 okay with you, Emily?
Perfect.
EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting
to notice that while Vera
is the choir leader on paper,
it's actually the Belle
with the weakest voice that
seems to be calling the shots.
Although, judging by
Brooke's attempted coup
earlier this evening,
I'd say the power dynamic
is anything but settled.
And it strikes me
as very suspicious
that both women targeted
by mysterious "accidents"
have held the coveted position
of lead soloist.
Hey, thanks for coming.
- I was on my way home.
Is everything okay?
- Yeah, I'm just curious
how your investigation
into Debbie's near-miss
the other day is going.
- Oh, it's-- it's not.
There's nothing to suggest
it was intentional,
and since no one was hurt--
- She could have died.
- Yes, but she didn't.
This time.
I have a bad feeling
this isn't the end of it,
and I think it has something
to do with Clara's death.
I am telling you,
the people in that choir
would kill for the solo.
- Look, I can't throw
department resources
at crimes that may not exist.
- I'm just asking you
to keep an open mind.
Please.
- Fine.
I'll take another look.
That's all I'm asking.
Thank you.
♪
[car starts]
[car drives away]
♪
Hey, June, it's Emily.
You busy?
JUNE: The Singing Snowbelles?
You?
- Why is everybody
so surprised by this?
- I hear the choir leader's
really tough.
Vera?
Oh, well, I had
the opposite experience.
She kinda seems like
she doesn't care at all.
- Well, maybe she's
chilled out a little.
That choir is bad news, Emily.
Don't let them
get their hooks in you.
My advice, run, don't walk,
away from those backstabbers.
Don't mind her.
She used to be in the Belles,
and I think it broke
something inside of her.
- After two days with them,
I can see how.
It's like Glee meets Mean Girls
meets Friday the Thirteenth
with that crew.
- I think they were on
a winning streak for a bit,
placing pretty high
in competitions.
Brooke wouldn't
shut up about it.
But I think they've fallen
a bit since then.
- Yeah, they lost their soloist
over the summer.
I don't think they've recovered.
I know what that feels like.
Hey.
How are you holding up?
Oh
Better.
I went back to work,
which has helped a lot.
That's good.
- Everyone says that it
gets better with time, but
I'm just having a hard time
believing that's true.
- I mean, it is
and it isn't.
I think grief never
really disappears, it just
just becomes an ache
you learn to live with.
ADAM: Thanks for the refill,
Sue.
- Uh will you excuse me
just for a second?
I'll be right back.
Of course.
Hey, um, sorry
Sorry to bother you.
Um, are you Adam?
You do the junk removal?
Uh, yeah, that's right.
Yeah, I'm Emily.
I own the Christmas shop
down the street.
I've just got some stuff
I'd like to get rid of.
Oh, uh, yeah.
Schedule's pretty tight
this week.
I also do electrical work,
and I'm swamped with
residential light displays.
Uh, so, um,
try me in early January?
- Uh, great.
Will do, thanks.
Sorry, I-I hope you don't
mind me asking, but
was your wife Clara?
Did you know her?
No, no, but I feel like I do.
I joined the Snowbelles,
and they all talk about
how incredible she was.
They killed my Clara.
- Well, I
I thought it was an accident.
- An accident?
No.
No, that was
no random hit-and-run.
I know for a fact
that Clara was murdered.
[starts car]
♪
♪
EMILY (V.O.): I keep
replaying Adam's words
in my head.
"I know for a fact
Clara was murdered."
I wonder if he has proof
to back up his claim,
or if it's just his grief
refusing to give him closure.
[computer beeps]
EMILY (V.O.): Sounds like
I just got a hit
on the name "Chimera."
♪
EMILY (V.O.): A darknet forum
for hackers.
Looks like it's been
inactive for months,
so even if Chimera was here,
it wasn't a recent visit.
The trail is still cold.
But I'm not deterred
in the least.
After all,
that's the temperature
that revenge is best served at.
There is joy
in the hearts ♪
Merry Christmas.
Emily, are you okay?
Seems like your
Christmas cheer's at a 3
instead of your usual 11.
I'm all good.
Just, you know,
some personal stuff.
- Okay.
Just wanted to make sure
I didn't mess up
closing last night.
- What?
No, it was perfect.
I knew I could count on you.
I might have to get you
to close up every night.
- I'm up for that, but I have
to get out on time tonight.
I'm going to my dad's
hockey game.
You should come with.
My friend Nicki works
at the rink concession stand
so I can hook you up
with free hot dogs.
- Sounds tempting, but I have
choir practice tonight.
And every night.
And some mornings.
And kill me.
You did it to yourself!
I can't wait to see you
singing at the tree lighting.
I'll take videos.
EMILY (V.O.): Crap.
I hadn't thought of that.
That's all I need are dozens
of videos of me floating around.
All the more reason to--
- Hello?
Earth to Emily?
Where'd you go there?
Sorry, uh, just
in my head.
Um, you know what?
You go, cheer on your dad,
eat a hot dog for me,
and I will, um
I will close up tonight, okay?
Thanks.
♪
LANCE: What do you
want me to do?
What do you want, huh?
ADAM: I know it wasn't you,
I know that,
but you gotta give me something.
LANCE: Listen, I told you
already, you made a mistake.
- I'm not-- look, I'm not gonna
pretend this never happened!
- You better back off if
you know what's good for you!
♪
Everything okay?
- Oh, uh yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Just a difference of opinion.
Oh, uh, by the way,
I'm doing the electrical set-up
for the tree lighting ceremony
tomorrow,
so I'll be near your shop.
Have your junk ready,
and I'll swing by and grab it.
- Oh, great, thanks.
Appreciate it.
[car starts]
[car drives off]
[indistinct chatter]
- I couldn't help but notice
you and Adam arguing.
You know each other well?
Well enough.
EMILY (V.O.): That looks
suspiciously like
a prison tattoo.
And I would know, not that I'm
sharing that story with Lance.
Or anyone else.
♪
VERA: Alright!
Everyone, get into formation.
Where's Debbie?
I just saw her.
- Well, hopefully getting
some singing lessons.
That's quite enough of that.
I can't find my bag!
I set it down and now it's gone.
- Um, I think
that's it over there.
Oh, thank you, Lance.
Oh
That's strange.
I don't remember
leaving it over there.
- Well, now that we've solved
that riveting mystery,
let's get this over with.
No need to be rude, Vera.
- Well, we're all here now,
and ready to go.
Emily's right.
We've wasted enough time.
[plays note on harmonica]
BELLES: [singing]
EMILY (V.O.): Adam and Lance
at each other's throats.
Now Debbie and Vera?
Not exactly tidings
of comfort and joy.
[Belles singing "Silent Night"]
VIOLET: Where's the key?
Emily's never gonna
trust me again.
[phone buzzing]
Hey, Dad.
SAM: [phone]
Hey!
We're just about to start
the second period.
We're up by two.
Where are you?
- I don't think I'm gonna
make it to the game.
- Everything okay?
You sound stressed.
VIOLET: No.
It's all good.
I'm just
in the middle of something.
- Okay
Can I help?
Not really.
I got it.
Good luck with your game.
- Uh, okay, okay.
See you at home.
VIOLET: Thanks, Dad.
[sighs]
♪
BELLES: Peace ♪
Sleep in heavenly peace. ♪
- Hah!
That wasn't half bad!
EMILY (V.O.): What do you know?
Vera does care.
Vera
Should we run my solo now?
Why not?
[squeaky vocalizing]
BROOKE: Debbie,
are you feeling okay?
It sounds like you're
coming down with something.
- Oh, no.
I'm fine.
I just need to lubricate.
[bottle sprays]
Much better.
- Glad to hear it.
And here we go.
Oh, holy night ♪
The stars are
brightly shining ♪
[trails off]
Fa ♪
[gasping for air]
EMILY: Debbie? Debbie?
BROOKE: Oh, God!
EMILY: Debbie!
She can't breathe!
She's having
an allergic reaction!
BROOKE: She keeps
an EpiPen in her bag!
EMILY: Bag, bag, bag, bag!
Okay!
[Debbie gasping]
EMILY: Come on,
come on, come on.
It's not here!
Call 911!
BROOKE: Yeah.
EMILY: It's okay.
Debbie, Debbie, Debbie.
Help is on the way, okay?
We've got you.
Just hold on, alright?
Just hold on.
Stay with us.
Stay with us.
We've got you.
Stay with us.
Stay with us.
[police siren whooping]
- How is she?
- Paramedics got to her quickly.
She's awake and responsive.
Glad to hear it.
Hey, Debbie.
Can you tell me what happened?
I don't know.
More bad luck, I suppose.
My throat suddenly
started swelling up
when I tried to sing.
- I mean, it had to be
an allergic reaction.
- But I didn't eat
or drink anything.
Your throat spray.
I use it constantly.
It's never done this before.
Um one sec.
She was looking for
her bag earlier.
Someone may have had
an opportunity to access it.
- You think
it was tampered with?
- What else could it be?
Her EpiPen was also missing.
- I think maybe you were onto
something when you said
these weren't accidents.
Better late than never.
- Did you join an a cappella
choir just to prove me wrong?
- What?
No!
Well, maybe a little.
- Well, now's probably
a good time to quit.
- Oh, I don't know.
I'm kind of
curious to see where this goes.
- How did I know
you were gonna say that?
EMILY (V.O.): Sam's right,
of course.
There's really no reason
for me to remain a Belle.
But maybe it's
as Sue suggested
I let them
get their hooks in me.
♪
EMILY: Uh, I think
this is the last of it.
Thanks so much
for making the time.
It's not a problem.
Like I said,
I was in the area anyway.
- I I hope you don't
mind me asking, but
did Clara ever tell you
why she quit the Belles?
Oh, um of course.
Uh, yeah.
She got an offer to audition
for the number-one ranked choir
in the state,
the Jolly-Rockers in White Rock.
And, um, she had just left her
audition when she was killed.
That's so heartbreaking.
- She purposely made her
audition on a night
that the Belles were
in Rochester at a big concert,
so they wouldn't show up there
and try to talk her out of it.
The Belles knew about it?
She told Debbie in confidence,
and then regretted it when
she learned that it was Debbie
who was the one funding
the Belles the last few years.
- I thought it was a public
choir, funded by the town.
- They needed a private donor
to fill the gap,
so I guess Debbie stepped in.
She'll smile to your face
while stabbing you in the back.
If I were you
I'd get out while you can.
People keep telling me that.
I have to get going.
They're expecting me
at the park.
- Right, yeah.
The tree lighting, right?
Just invoice me
whenever you can.
Don't worry about it.
It's nice to get
some stuff off my chest.
Clara would have liked you.
EMILY: Hey, Vy.
EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting
to think Adam
may not be so far off base.
It's one thing
to quit the Belles,
but taking her talents
to a rival choir?
That could rub people
the wrong way.
- All good today?
No issues?
- Not that I'm aware of.
Why?
- Just making conversation.
- Okay.
Um, can you watch the store
for a couple minutes?
- You'll be back
before closing, right?
- Of course.
- Then no problem.
Okay, thanks!
- [door bells jingling]
- [door closes]
EMILY: Hot coffee and pastry,
care of Sue's Diner!
Come and help yourself.
- The risers need to be
properly levelled and centred
or it throws off
the whole balance.
Hey, Vera.
Got some coffee over there
if you want some.
Terrible for the voice.
Switch to ginger tea.
You'll thank me later.
- Looks like
things are coming along.
It'll get there.
Let's hope the tree lights.
Nothing more disappointing than
hitting a high C in the dark.
If anyone could actually hit
a high C these days.
I'm guessing Clara could.
- She was a once-in-a-lifetime
talent, our Clara.
- I'm guessing it'll be
hard to place
in the upcoming competition
without her, won't it?
Try impossible.
I wouldn't even bother
if we hadn't already paid
the entrance fee.
- What makes you think
the tree might not light?
You don't think Adam
is up to the task?
- That poor man
has been through so much.
But his constant
attacks on the choir,
treating us like
we did something wrong
[scoffs]
You can't believe
a thing he says.
He's gone completely
off the deep end.
- Hey, I told you that
that is all wrong!
Here, let me show you.
♪
[phone buzzing]
- Hey, Sam.
What's up?
- The lab confirmed
that Debbie's throat spray
tested positive for bee pollen.
- So we're talking
attempted murder.
Possibly.
What else could it be?
Someone took the EpiPen
out of her bag.
She almost died.
The choir trusts you.
They feel comfortable
around you.
I want to ask you
to do something for me.
- You want me
to spy on the Belles?
- No, not spy.
Just watch.
And listen.
And tell me what happens.
So, spy?
- Oh! I knew this was a bad idea.
- No, no, no--
- It's just, you clearly
have a natural talent for this.
You proved as much
on the poisoning case.
Oh, I mostly got lucky.
Any Belle in particular
that you want me to focus on?
As a matter of fact
- Please tell me it's Brooke.
It would explain so much.
Not Brooke, no.
I got Clara's file
from White Rock PD.
It turns out they did have
a suspect in the hit-and-run;
they just never had enough
evidence to make an arrest.
- And now they're
targeting Debbie.
- That's where
it gets complicated.
[mysterious music]
No
Debbie?
- Does she strike you
as an attention-seeker?
Wait
You think that she faked
the attempt on her life?
It's possible.
What better way to get
the police off your trail?
♪
EMILY: Have a good night, Vy.
- Thanks, Em.
- Mm-hm.
- You're the best.
- Bye!
[door bells jingling]
DEBBIE: Oh!
Thank you.
♪
Hello.
Hi!
- These are for you.
For saving me.
- Not necessary,
but they're beautiful.
Thank you.
How's your throat doing?
- Mm, my doctor's insisting
I rest it for a few days.
Can you imagine?
This close to the tree ceremony?
- Well, you don't
want it to get worse.
Especially with
Christmas coming up.
So, do you have any plans?
Or are you like me and just
working straight
through the holiday?
Oh, I, uh
I came into an inheritance
a few years back
and retired early.
Kind of regret it now.
Money doesn't go
as far as it used to.
And the choir's all I have now.
♪
EMILY (V.O.): Okay, then.
Seems like the perfect
opportunity to test
Sam's theory that our victim
may actually be a suspect.
So, um, did you
did you manage to snag
a parking spot out front?
- Oh, no.
I walk everywhere.
Cars are so expensive
these days,
and the maintenance costs
are crazy.
My last car was literally
held together with duct tape
and a prayer.
[chuckles]
A few months ago,
I had it hauled off for parts.
And good riddance!
- You know, a friend of mine
was actually looking
to get rid of their car.
Do you remember
the company you used?
I'm not even sure.
I left it at the bottom of
the driveway with a sign saying,
"Go ahead and take it."
- You should have
called Adam Jameson.
I'm sure he would have
been happy to take it.
Hm, I doubt that.
I don't think
he likes me very much.
Why do you say that?
- The week before Clara died,
Adam showed up at my door,
drunk and angry,
demanding that I tell him
who in the choir
Clara was having an affair with.
He was sure
I would know because
Clara often confided in me.
But in this case,
he was dead wrong.
There are no secrets in choir.
If Clara was having an affair
and stepping out on Adam,
it wasn't with a Belle.
♪
- Alright. Bye.
- [door bells jingling]
♪
- Sam.
You need to hear this.
EMILY: This is where Adam lives?
Not exactly the cover of
Home and Garden , huh?
Hey, thanks for letting me
come along.
- Let me do the talking,
alright?
- If there is any truth to
Adam's suspicions of an affair,
that kinda points to him
as a suspect, doesn't it?
[knocking]
Adam?
It's Sam Wilner.
[knocking]
SAM: Adam, you there?
[sighs]
His truck isn't here.
Maybe he's on a junk run.
- [sighs]
Sorry for the wasted trip.
I'll try again tomorrow.
♪
EMILY: Careful,
there's something on the road.
SAM: Yeah, I see it.
It's a box.
- Yeah, I know.
I think
I think it's from my shop!
Well, how'd it get out here?
- I gave Adam a bunch of stuff
from my shop to get rid of.
There's another one, and
Over there.
Hey.
Looks like he went off the road.
[suspenseful music]
♪
No airbag.
And there's blood on the wheel.
He might be injured.
He left his cell phone behind.
- Maybe he made it
up to the road,
got a lift to a hospital.
But if he didn't,
he could still be
out here somewhere.
- Well, then we better
find him before dark.
At these temperatures,
he won't survive the night.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪