Mistletoe Murders (2024) s01e05 Episode Script
Death of a Humbug Pt 1
1
SAM: I like spending
time with you.
It's clear
you don't feel the same.
-I've been chasing that feeling,
but it's always been
just out of my grasp.
I think I found it.
Oh, God.
FRED: Thank you.
Let's have some fun tonight.
It's almost Christmas!
-I can't!
The hospital is short-staffed
and I agreed to be on call.
-Such a great turnout!
-Oh, yeah.
The Fletcher's Grove Retailer's
holiday party.
It's always legendary.
Get ready
for a night to remember.
-Also, it's the one night
where I get waited on,
rather than
the other way around.
Well, I'll drink to that.
EMILY : I know
this'll sound strange
coming from someone who loves
Christmas as much as I do,
but I've never been
one for parties.
The crowd, the small talk,
the mini appetizers
with little wooden toothpicks
jammed in them
it's all a bit much.
-Uh, I'll see you in a bit.
I'm just gonna go flirt with
that cute DJ over there.
-You go, girl.
EMILY : I also don't
normally say things like
"You go, girl."
What am I becoming?
It seems like the more
I get to know the people
who live and work here
in Fletcher's Grove,
the more I find myself
becoming attached to them.
-Emily, hi!
-Hi!
EMILY : Of course,
there are exceptions.
Well, this looks delicious.
Why does everything
taste so much better
when it's on a toothpick?
-Just one of the great mysteries
of the universe, Brooke.
MAN: Ho-ho!
Ho-ho!
Ho-ho-ho!
Merry Christmas,
Fletcher's Grove!
That was fun.
-Did you know
your uncle was coming?
-No.
No, I'm as surprised as you are.
-So, I'm Glenn Shaw,
the owner of the book store.
And I've been running that shop
for the past 18 years,
and to be honest, I
I don't know most of your names.
As a matter of fact, I'd venture
a guess that most of you
have never even set foot
in my bookstore.
But that's okay, I understand.
Books
Books are old-fashioned.
Reading is hard for many of you,
but because it's Christmas,
I wanted to show-ho-ho you
that there's no hard feelings.
So let's put the past behind us.
Let's embrace the present.
Did somebody say "present"?
I did!
Santa Glenn has brought along
a little something
for each and every one of you.
Please do not feel the need
to open them right here.
It's just a small token
of my appreciation.
A little something for you,
Brynn.
-Actually, my name is Brooke.
-Okay. And Fred.
A little something for you.
-Thanks.
Are you feeling okay,
Uncle Glenn?
-Not yet.
But
I will be.
-I don't like this.
Something's going on.
-Well, maybe he just
got in the Christmas spirit.
-And Emily.
I put some real thought
into this one.
I think you're
really gonna love it.
-That's so sweet.
Thank you.
-No, thank you.
I rarely find myself
in the company
of a fellow
classic mystery lover.
-Glenn Shaw!
-Aah!
-What are you doing here?
You know you're banned!
-Sue Chin, you forget,
this diner has been rented out
by a private party,
so technically you have
no authority over who attends.
-Leave it to you
to find a loophole.
What?
-This is for you.
-What are you doing?
-Making sure it's not ticking.
-Not a bad move.
Melanie!
Ho-ho-ho!
-What the heck
was that about?
-I dunno.
EMILY : We've come into
that magical time in the evening
where the crowd starts to thin,
the music slows down,
and you find yourself
making that
most difficult of choices
Do I stick with safe,
reliable chocolate,
or do I throw caution
to the wind and go marzipan?
-What
Oh, Glenn, hey, hang on!
Glenn?
EMILY: Excuse me,
excuse me
Sue?
Sue!
What happened?!
-I-I don't know!
I-I found him like this,
I swear.
EMILY : Sue was right
when she said
this would be
a night to remember.
But I doubt this is
what she had in mind.
-Emily.
Hey.
-Hey, Sam.
-Uh, just a few quick questions
and then you can get home.
Wanna step into my office?
-I haven't, uh, seen you around
the last week or so.
-Yeah, I've been busy.
Running a Christmas store,
you know,
'tis the season.
-Right.
Um
Brooke mentioned that you left
the party for a few moments,
right before
Glenn's body was discovered.
-Yeah, I saw Glenn
leave the diner,
or, who I thought it was Glenn;
they were wearing
the Santa suit.
I just wanted to say goodnight.
-Did you get a look
at the person's face?
-No, no, just from behind.
Um, I-I found the Santa hat
out in the parking lot, though.
-Yes, we have that
in evidence now.
Thank you.
-I did notice
a suspicious-looking vehicle
idling across the way.
-Any chance you got
a look at the plates?
-No, it was dark, and
and I heard Sue scream
before I had a chance
to get a good look.
-Alright, well,
I think that's it.
You know, maybe you could come
by the station in the morning.
Give a more detailed statement.
-Sure.
EMILY : I wasn't
even planning
to go to the party tonight,
until Sue made me promise
to at least
put in an appearance.
My recent cyber-brush
with Chimera
really messed with my head.
EMILY : I don't think
he knows it's me,
or he would have
called me out by name.
But I've underestimated him
in the past, and it ended
EMILY : badly.
Glenn's gift.
I'd say it's a welcome
distraction,
if it wasn't a stark
reminder of his death.
EMILY: Come on.
No freakin' way!
GLENN:
Mm-hm
Hah.
Mass market?
Mass market paperbacks,
no, I do not carry those,
as a matter of fact,
thank you very much.
You can find those
at the gas station,
beside the junk food,
where they belong.
Thank you very--
Hello?
Hello?
Sorry you had to hear that.
You know, my nephew, Fred,
he's always telling me,
"Don't alienate
the potential customers,"
but I can't seem
to help myself.
-I totally get it.
A Christmas Carol is just
one of my favourite stories.
A first edition
must be worth a small fortune.
-More like a medium fortune,
actually.
But since I don't intend
to part with it,
I don't worry about the price.
You just open that new Christmas
store around the corner?
-Yeah, yeah.
Uh, Emily Lane.
-Glenn Shaw.
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Now I see why you're
drawn to that piece.
-Oh yeah, I do love
a holiday yarn,
especially when there
are ghosts involved.
-Yes.
-My parents used to read this
to me when I was little.
-You remember
what edition it was?
-Um, it was
it was green
with gold embossing.
Kind of Art Nouveau?
-I'm familiar.
You don't happen
to still have it?
-No, it got lost along the way.
-Hm. Shame.
Wonderful edition.
Nice to meet you.
-Yeah, you too.
EMILY: He remembered.
Oh, um
What do we have here?
EMILY : "Marley was dead,
to begin with
"This book is your invitation
to a very special event.
"Please visit the law offices
of Greer & Tobin,
"tomorrow evening, 8 sharp."
-What were you up to, Glenn?
-Good morning!
-Hey!
-It's barely 10.
How are you already this busy?
-Ton of online orders.
Last-minute shoppers
are out in full force.
-Then it's a good thing
I've started Christmas break.
-I'm extra sorry
to ask you this today,
but is there any chance
I could get the 22nd off?
My mom wants me
to visit earlier.
-Yeah, of course.
-Thanks.
My mom got Nutcracker tickets.
Third row, centre.
-I didn't know
you were a fan.
-I'm not.
I quit ballet
after three lessons.
But I'm getting big
"I barely get to see you" energy
from my mom, so
I don't want to say no.
-Yeah, I totally get it.
Hey, this is your first
Christmas away, huh?
How's your dad dealing
with the idea of that?
-I haven't told him about
moving up the timeline yet,
but I'm sure he'll say,
"That's fine."
He always says that,
even when it's not.
-Speaking of your dad,
I'm supposed to be in his office
right now giving a statement.
-Is it about that grumpy guy
who ran the bookstore?
I heard what happened.
So sad.
-He was actually
a very sweet man.
Do you mind if I just--
-Yeah, go ahead.
I've got this.
-Great.
You know, you just made
employee of the month!
-Cool!
Wait I'm the only employee!
-What exactly is it
you're invited to?
-I have no idea.
That's why I'm so intrigued.
Are you not intrigued?
-I'm mostly confused.
Why is it at a lawyer's office?
Why not his book store?
-You know as much as I do.
But he did give out
a bunch of gifts.
-As far as we can tell,
people mostly got
random second-hand books.
No one else mentioned
an invitation.
You going?
-I mean, I was invited, and it
would be rude not to show.
Even if the host
is no longer with us.
-Well, how would you feel
about a plus-one?
Like, uh, um
professionally, of course.
-Right, of course.
-Someone at that party
killed Glenn.
You need back-up.
-Do you have any suspects?
-Right now everyone
in attendance is a suspect.
You included.
-Come on, I'm the one that
actually got along with Glenn.
I thought Sue was gonna--
-Going to?
I know they were seen arguing,
and I know they had
some kind of rivalry going on.
So if you have
any other information
-Honestly, no, I don't.
EMILY : Not yet, anyway.
-Plus one!
Pfft!
SUE: My busiest
week of the year,
and Glenn dies in my diner!
Now it's a crime scene!
He ruined it!
-Pretty sure
it wasn't on purpose.
-That man would do
anything out of spite.
And did you know Sam Wilner
had the nerve to interrogate me?
And why?
Just because
I openly despised Glenn
and because my fingerprints
were on the knife
that he was stabbed with?
-The nerve of that man.
-Yeah, now that I've
said it out loud
I can see where
he's coming from.
But of course my fingerprints
were on the knife.
It's my diner.
My fingerprints
are on everything.
-Sue, I just
I gotta ask, why'd you ban
Glenn from the diner?
-He came in one day
about six years ago
and ordered a bowl
of my famous chili.
And then he sent it back
because there were beans in it.
True chili shouldn't
have beans, he said.
And I banned
his sorry butt for life.
-And then last night
he tries to give me a gift,
as if we don't have
half a decade
of bad blood between us?
-What did he give you?
-Ah, who cares?
I-I threw it away.
If only it were as easy
to get rid of the image
of his body
on my stockroom floor.
That's gonna stay with me
for a while.
-Yeah.
TALIA: I'm glad
you could make it.
I'm Talia Greer,
Glenn's lawyer.
Invitations, please.
-Emily Lane.
And this is Sam Wilner.
-Do you have an invite, Sam?
-Will this do?
-Some of the others
have already arrived.
-Brooke?
You got an invite too?
-Emily!
I did.
Along with this book.
Do you know why we're all here?
-I'd like to know as well.
-I'm sure my uncle had
a good reason, rest his soul.
-All will be revealed shortly,
as per Glenn's wishes.
MAN: Whoa, whoa!
I'm not late, am I?
I left myself plenty of time,
but I didn't account
for the stairs.
-Invitation, please.
We're still one short,
but Glenn was
very clear about time.
Eight sharp.
TALIA: Okay, if you'd all
gather around.
GLENN:
Hello, everyone.
By the time you see this
I will be gone.
-Wait, stop the video.
When was this recorded?
-I received the envelope
from Glenn several days ago.
-That doesn't make any sense.
That would mean he knew about
his murder before it happened.
-Charles Dickens
in his preface to
A Christmas Carol,
wrote, "I have endeavoured
in this ghostly little book
"to raise the ghost
of an idea"
And that has inspired me
with this little game
I've created.
Be patient, stick with it,
and trust me,
the reward it'll be
well worth your efforts.
Now, "There sat a jolly giant,
glorious to see;
"who bore a glowing torch,
"in shape not unlike
Plenty's horn,
"and held it up, high up,
to shed its light on Scrooge."
And with that
I wish you good luck.
-What is the point
of all this?
-I think
the point is to solve the clue
he just gave us.
BROOKE: Hah!
Great.
I'm terrible at puzzles.
-Alright,
this has gone far enough.
I'll need that video.
And each of you received a book.
I'll have to confiscate
those as well.
TALIA: Do you have
a court order for that?
SAM: This is
a murder investigation.
-You know the law, Detective.
The only way you're leaving
with these books
is on a volunteer basis.
-Fine.
I will ask nicely.
May I please have your books?
-Maybe we should--
-Not happening.
Yeah, you know,
I I'd like to
keep mine as well.
There's a mention of a reward.
MAN: Yeah, exactly.
Isn't it exciting?
Glenn is just as clever in death
as he was in life.
What a guy.
SAM: I'm sorry
Who are you?
I'm Harvey Saltzman.
I used to run a hot dog cart
out front of Glenn's old shop,
in the city, years ago.
He used to pay me
in second-hand paperbacks.
-Yeah, to hear on the news
what happened to him
well, it really broke my heart.
-It was a shock to all of us.
-Well, this concludes
my involvement.
The rest is up to you.
Good luck.
-Can you believe no one
would relinquish their books?
-Why would they?
You do understand
this is a treasure hunt, right?
No one's gonna just hand over
their key to a possible fortune.
-Talia was right.
No judge will take my side
without credible proof
this is connected
to Glenn's murder.
-Let's see where this goes.
Aren't you at all curious how
Glenn predicted his own death?
-Of course.
I'm just more interested
in catching his killer.
-We could
divide and conquer?
You do your thing,
I do mine.
-I don't know.
-Would it help if I told you
I was gonna go ahead
and do it anyway?
-Alright.
Fine, just
be careful, and
keep me in the loop, okay?
-Yep.
-Alright, uh goodnight.
-Yep.
EMILY : I know
Sam doesn't understand
why I'm keeping him
at arm's length,
but as much as I needed
that moment we shared
I can't let it happen again.
-Come on in.
-Hey.
-Oh, Emily.
You startled me.
I've got ghosts on the brain.
-Yeah, that's me.
The ghost of Christmas shopping.
-Heh
-I, uh I just
I wanted to say
I'm sorry for your loss.
-Thank you.
My uncle
was a complicated guy, but
I loved him.
-You reading A Christmas Carol?
-Yeah, for the first time,
if you can believe it.
-What?
-My mom even named me after
one of the characters in it,
but I was never very interested.
-So, Glenn was your
mom's brother, right?
-That's right.
He's the one that took care
of her after she got sick.
Huntington's.
Yeah, it was a rough time.
But my uncle
took me in after that,
and he gave me a job here.
Morgan says
I'm wasting my potential,
but he was there
when I needed him.
-Fred, what
what happened
to all the first editions?
-I don't know.
I noticed they were
missing last night.
My wife thinks that
they might be the reward
that Uncle Glenn was
talking about in the video.
-I can understand why.
The first edition of
A Christmas Carol alone
is worth big money.
-Yeah.
Morgan says that those books
are our inheritance
and that nobody else
is entitled to them.
But if that's what
Uncle Glenn wanted,
who am I to say otherwise?
-"There sat a jolly giant,
glorious to see;
"who bore a glowing torch,
"in shape not unlike
Plenty's horn,
"and held it up, high up,
to shed its light on Scrooge."
VIOLET: Uh, Emily!
-Yeah?
-You need to see this.
There's a lot of water.
-Oh, no.
Ooh!
I think a pipe must've burst.
Can you just cover
the front for me?
-Sure.
-Oh, geez.
EMILY : What did I do
to deserve this?
Oh, who am I kidding?
I've done plenty
to deserve this.
Karma just took a while
to catch up to me.
-Sorry to bother you
in the middle of a crisis,
but a customer wants to pay
with a hundred dollar bill.
-Uh, it's fine.
Just check it with the little
UV light by the register.
-Torch
From above!
-What?
-In England, they call
flashlights "torches."
"Shed its light on Scrooge."
Yes, yes, hm, where
Hah!
Solutions!
Okay, I need to talk to Fred.
Or even Brooke.
I need you
to hold down the fort.
-What about the leak?
-Um, I will
take care of it later.
Thank you.
BROOKE: Okay, ladies.
Falling snowflake!
And hold it!
EMILY: Hey, Brooke?
Sorry
Uh, I need your help.
-Emily, yes, just take a spot
anywhere and join in.
-No, not with
whatever this is.
-Oh, this is the winter version
of yoga.
It's called "snowga."
-Of course it is.
Hey, do you have your copy
of A Christmas Carol?
-Uh, it's in my bag.
Why, what's up?
-I think I may have solved
the first clue.
But I need your book
to confirm it.
-Oh! Okay.
Ladies, uh, new pose.
Let's do the candy cane!
And hold!
I will be right back.
Here you go.
-Okay.
Let me see.
I knew it!
All of the books
have secret words
that you can only see
with a UV light.
The same kind of light that
all of us retailers have
to check for counterfeit money.
-Oh, how clever of Glenn!
-Yeah.
Um, I think
we need to get everybody
over at the Mistletoe tonight.
I'm gonna
I'm gonna make some phone calls.
Okay, uh
-Of course, yeah.
-Uh, wait!
You don't get away that easy.
Ladies, we have a new snogi!
-What?
-Yeah! Take Linda's spot!
-No, I--
-Linda, give up your spot.
-You don't have--
-There you go!
-Brooke, I--
-Everyone, we're gonna
put the star on the tree, okay?
And reach!
Through those fingertips
and breathe, ladies!
-Sorry that took longer
than I thought.
I'd rather not say why--
What?
What?!
What is--
-Don't be mad.
I called him.
-I was at the diner taking
a look at the crime scene,
so I was close.
-You destroyed my wall!
-Well, if I hadn't,
your entire store
would have flooded.
Good news is, pipe didn't burst,
it's just loose.
But I think I've got it secured.
Wilner.
Seriously?
Uh, okay, okay.
I'm on my way.
-You're just you're just
gonna leave me with this mess?
-There was a break-in
at Glenn's lawyer's office.
-That might have something
to do with Glenn's game!
I should probably go.
-No, I'm serious.
Not gonna happen.
SAM: The door was forced,
which means they weren't
worried about noise.
They were planning to act fast.
TALIA: But there's nothing here
worth taking.
-So they left empty-handed?
-Not quite.
-So much for your promise
to stay quiet and observe.
-They took the drive
that had Glenn's video on it.
Strangely, they ignored
the envelope of petty cash
in the drawer right next to it.
-Who else knew
about Glenn's plans?
-Nobody.
Even I didn't know
what was on the video.
I was told there were
five invitations delivered.
Only four are accounted for.
-But wait, there were
five people at the meeting.
Emily, Brooke, Harvey,
Fred and his wife, Morgan.
-Morgan doesn't have an invite.
She's here as part of Fred's.
-Okay.
Thank you.
-So that means there's
another player out there
unaccounted for.
-And for all we know, they have
Glenn's blood on their hands.
HARVEY: Boy, this sucker
must have barely squeezed
through the door, huh?
It's very impressive.
-Thanks!
Glad you could come.
-I ran into this one
at the diner.
She pretty much insisted.
Emily, what happened
to your wall?
-Um oh,
don't even worry about it.
Okay, it looks like each
of our books has three unique
invisible words in them.
So, assuming
the pattern continues,
Fred's book
will have three more.
-Yes, but didn't you say
we're also missing a fifth book?
-Right, but I'm thinking that
the words will form a phrase,
so it's possible
we could still figure it out.
-Ah, Fred!
Thanks for coming.
Can I see your book?
-I'm sorry.
I came to tell you that Morgan
and I won't be taking part.
-Are you sure
that's in your best interest?
It seems pretty clear that we're
supposed to solve this clue
as a group.
-Yeah.
-Even so.
Good luck, everybody.
-And that's why
I never married.
Okay, so what are
we supposed to do now?
EMILY : Now
I follow a hunch and hope it
leads to the final missing book.
-I'm still waiting for word
from Sam on when I can re-open.
-You don't mind
being here all alone?
What do I have
to be afraid of?
Glenn's ghost?
I dare him to haunt me.
-Hey, that gift
that Glenn gave you,
it was a book, right?
-Yeah, why?
-It's possible that book
was your ticket to take part
in a game Glenn had set up
before he was killed.
-A game.
I put it straight into
the trash bin out back.
It's probably still there,
except
-What?
-Garbage day was yesterday.
SAM: Hey, thanks for
your patience, Vy.
-No problem.
Gave me a chance to snoop
through all your case files.
Obviously I'm kidding.
Although it did take
a lot of willpower
not to sneak a peek at this one.
"Lane, Emily."
-That is nothing
that concerns you.
-I bet it concerns Emily,
though.
-These are standard
background checks, okay?
Regular procedure for everyone
who was in the vicinity
of the diner
the night Glenn was killed.
If you were there,
I'd have one on you too.
-Well, that's reassuring.
-You know what I mean.
-Have you talked to Mom
about my Christmas trip yet?
-No, I've been a little busy.
We haven't managed to connect.
Why?
-She wants me to come
a few days earlier.
-Alright, how early we talking?
-The 22nd?
-Yeah, that's fine.
-Are you sure?
I could say no.
-It's just a few days, right?
Right, let's get going.
-Morgan.
Hey, thanks for coming by.
-My shift starts in 20 minutes,
so whatever this is,
please make it quick.
-Uh, it's about Glenn's game.
-I thought Fred told you
we weren't going to be involved
with the rest of you.
-No, I get it.
You feel that it's unfair.
-That man manipulated
my husband for years.
When are we ever
going to be free of him?
-When the puzzle is solved!
-And that's what
this is all about.
Grabbing a slice
of Glenn's legacy.
-No, no, no.
I am not in this for the reward.
As far as I'm concerned,
you and Fred are welcome to it.
-What about the others?
-I mean,
I can't speak for everyone else,
but I do know that you
cannot solve this on your own.
You can't.
We have to work together.
-I'll think about it.
-Great.
Thank you.
Yes.
Thank you.
-But no promises.
-Got it.
-Okay
EMILY : It's creeping up
on me again,
that itchy feeling
of being watched.
What I could really use
right now is a friend,
but June has gone to stay with
her brother for the holidays,
and Sam
I don't want to lead him on
any more than I already have.
I've already shared too much.
EMILY:
Hey, Sam.
-Sorry for the late call.
I have a question for you.
-You still at work?
-I came back.
Too much on my mind
to call it a day.
I contacted everyone
who received a book from Glenn,
and no one else had
knowledge of an invitation.
-Well, if it's in Sue's book,
it's at the bottom
of a landfill now.
You said you had a question?
-You knew Glenn a little, right?
He ever mention
any health concerns?
-No, nothing like that.
Fred did say that
his mom had Huntington's,
which has a genetic component,
I think, but
Why do you ask?
-Uh, I'm just trying
to piece it all together.
How's it going with the puzzle?
-I think we're close
to cracking it.
-Listen, I'd like
to be more involved.
Just as added protection.
I'd never forgive myself
if anything happened to you.
To any of you.
-Well, on behalf of the group,
I'd say
we'd love to have you.
-Great.
Uh, talk tomorrow.
-Night, Sam.
-Night.
EMILY : Talking to Sam
always makes me feel better.
I'm almost convinced
there are no monsters
hiding in the shadows.
-Fred?
Uh, I just
just bringing a little something
over for Morgan.
Sam?
What?
Is everything okay?
SAM: Yeah.
I'm just updating Fred
on his uncle's case.
-I had no idea Uncle Glenn
had been diagnosed
with Huntington's.
Why wouldn't he tell me?
-I'm sorry, I was just--
I can come back later if--
-Oh, no, Emily, it's okay.
Please stay.
-Had you noticed
any changes in your uncle?
Anxiety, depression?
-If anything,
he'd been more cheerful.
My wife commented on it
a few times.
She found it strange.
-Well, a diagnosis like that,
it can affect people
in different ways.
He had a tough road
ahead of him.
-He took care of my mom
when she was suffering.
It was awful, but I would
have done the same for him.
-Treatments for an illness
like that, they'd be expensive.
Do you know if your uncle
had insurance?
-I don't know.
But we would have found
the money, somehow.
EMILY : Or maybe
Glenn already did.
SAM: I'm trying to wrap
my mind around the idea
of someone being murdered
while they were already dying.
I wonder if the killer knew.
-Seems redundant.
Hey, how's everything
with the store?
Any more issues with the leak?
-Uh, no.
No, it's perfect.
Actually,
the giant hole in the wall
really adds to the charm.
-I'll take care of that.
-No, you don't have to.
-I want to.
-No.
No
possible way I could turn down
such a generous offer.
-Great.
-Great.
EMILY :
Great.
-Wow, your ribbon curling
is really improving.
Pretty soon the student
will surpass the teacher.
-Fred, hey!
-Hey. Hey.
-What a nice surprise.
-I didn't get a chance
to tell you at the store;
I got caught a little off guard,
but I've got good news.
Morgan
well, we, have
had a change of heart.
And if it's not too late,
we'd like to work together
with the group.
-This is great.
EMILY: Okay, so
the words we have from
all of our books are right here:
"precious," "you," "solution,"
"seek," "will," "of,"
"memories," "Eve," "Christmas",
"way," "to," "your."
-So, what now?
-So now we just unscramble them
to form the clue.
-It's making my head spin
just thinking about it.
-And you're still
missing a book.
-That does make it more
challenging, thank you,
but we're only
missing three words.
-Do you think "Christmas"
and "Eve" go together?
-I think that's
as good a guess as any.
-Yeah?
-Go ahead.
Put it up on the board.
Okay.
EMILY: "To Christmas Eve"?
-Yeah.
-Maybe. I don't know.
SAM: Memories of,
uh, Christmas Eve?
-What if it's
"precious memories"?
-Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah!
-Oh, I like that one,
I like that one.
SAM: That's good.
EMILY: That's good, that's good.
I got it, I got it.
Uh, precious memories
-Precious, precious,
there we go.
Christmas
You
-Solution
Pause.
Wait, hang on.
It's like a total mess.
-"will seek you."
-Okay! Seek, yes!
Okay, great!
Okay, so, here's what we have.
"Precious memories of
Christmas Eve, blank,
"will, blank your way
to this solution, blank, seek."
-That's almost something.
-Yeah, we all
have different memories,
so it makes no sense.
-Well, unless, unless the memory
is specific to one of us.
Like maybe someone
Glenn knew really well.
FRED: Well, I don't
I am not sure what that means.
-You have no memories
of Christmas Eve?
-None that I would describe
as "precious."
-Unless
-Oh he's got something!
-Yeah, what is it?
What is it?
-When I was little, Uncle Glenn
used to dress up as Santa,
in that same suit that he wore
to the Christmas party,
and I would sit on his lap
and he would read
'Twas the Night
Before Christmas.
We did that almost every year.
-Well, that's
a really nice memory!
-But is it helpful?
Everything with Glenn
is about books.
-Yes, no, good point.
But, um
Wait, Fred, do you know
if your uncle stocked
that particular book
in your store?
-'Twas the Night
Before Christmas? I think so.
It'd be in
the Children's section.
I'll go look.
-Let's do it!
-I'm going too.
-I wouldn't mind
stretching my legs.
-You don't trust me?
-Okay, why don't we all just go?
-I think that's a plan.
-I think so, yeah.
EMILY: Let's do it.
Sam
That's the car.
From the night of the party.
-You sure?
-Yeah.
EMILY: That's the envelope
that was stolen
from Glenn's lawyer's office.
-That's strange
The door's open.
I'm certain I locked it.
-Stand back from the door, Fred.
-What's going on?
-Is this part of the game?
-Just stay back.
-This is
Detective Sam Wilner.
I need you to step outside
slowly with your hands
where I can see them.
MAN: Okay, alright.
Take it easy.
I'm coming out.
What?
What's this about?
-Is that your car?
NOAH: Yeah.
SAM: I need you to come with me.
-What are you talking about?
Why?
-Noah?
-Oh, hey, Freddie.
Long time, huh?
-You two know each other?
-He's my brother.
SAM: When's the last time
you talked to your Uncle Glenn?
-Talked?
Pfft
Maybe 18 years ago,
around the same time
I left home.
-But you've seen him since?
-Yeah.
A few nights ago,
I saw him arrive
at the Christmas party
at the diner.
-What were you doing there?
-Trying to work up the courage
to talk to my brother.
-Why now?
-I received a package
from my uncle.
I don't know how he found me,
but he did.
It was a book,
along with an invitation
to some private event.
-Yeah, we found it
in your car.
What were you doing
at the bookstore?
-Well, along with
the invitation, there was a key.
I figured it was a key to
his store, so I tested it out.
And that's when you found me.
-Why would your uncle
give you a key to his store?
-You know what,
this is a great question.
I was hoping to ask him,
but unfortunately
that's impossible now.
Do you have any idea
who might have killed him?
-All we know
is that his presumed killer
escaped by donning
Glenn's Santa costume.
-Oh, no.
-Oh, yes.
-We found that
in the trunk of your car.
-Wait, okay--
-It has trace amounts
of blood spatter on it,
and it's a match
for your uncle.
-I didn't do it.
I found it after.
-After what?
-I saw someone leave
the diner in the costume.
It was dark.
I figured it was Uncle Glenn,
but they moved so quickly.
No way they were my uncle's age.
And then they ran
behind the diner.
-You didn't recognize them?
-No.
I drove around to the back to
see if I could catch up to them,
and found the coat lying there.
-Why would you take it?
-I recognized
it belonged to my uncle.
He wore that same coat
when me and Fred were kids.
I couldn't just leave it there.
Come on,
I haven't done anything wrong!
-Oh, so you didn't break into
Glenn's lawyer's office
and steal this thumb drive
we also found in your car?
-Okay, maybe I did
one thing wrong.
EMILY: I don't get it.
Why steal the USB?
Why not just come
to the presentation
like the rest of us?
-He said he wasn't ready
to face his brother.
Apparently he couldn't
handle the situation
when their mom got sick,
and he bailed.
-So what now?
-Hold him overnight,
see if his story checks out.
Violet won't be happy.
Told her I'd take her skating
before she goes.
-You still have time.
-Not much.
She's, uh, leaving for her mom's
earlier than I thought.
-Right, yeah,
she did mention that.
-What about you?
Any big holiday plans?
You must have extended family
out there somewhere.
-Um, not really.
I
spent some time with my aunt
and uncle on the west coast
when I was little,
but I lost touch
after I finished school, so
-Well
if you, uh, find yourself
in the mood for some
non-feline company,
you could probably twist my arm.
-Yeah?
[
-I I will
keep that in mind.
I should get home
to the boys, though.
It's their dinner time, so
-Of course.
-Goodnight.
-Night.
-Fred?
Hey, you okay?
-Yeah, uh, just waiting
to hear news about my brother.
-I just spoke to Sam.
They're not
releasing him tonight.
-I see.
-You two didn't always
see eye-to-eye, huh?
-Actually, we had a pretty
great relationship as kids,
considering
he's four years older.
He was my best friend.
Then Mom got sick
and he just disappeared.
-Yeah, not everyone can
handle that kind of trauma.
-He didn't even come
to my mom's funeral.
That's unforgivable.
-And yet
here you are.
-Guess it doesn't make sense.
-It makes perfect sense.
-Y'know, one good thing
did come of this.
-Yeah?
-So, after you all left,
the police took me
back to the store
just to make sure
nothing was damaged or stolen.
And while I was there,
I made my way
to the Children's section.
-'Twas the Night
Before Christmas.
You found it, didn't you?
-Success!
It was taped to the back cover.
-Did you watch it?
-No, of course not.
It was a group effort, right?
I thought we could all
get together tomorrow
and watch it as a team.
-I was really hoping
you'd say that.
EMILY : I have to admit,
I'm enjoying
this little treasure hunt
more than I should,
considering Glenn is dead
and his killer
is still out there.
But now that we have
all five books,
this should be
a walk in the park.
EMILY: Aah!
SAM: I like spending
time with you.
It's clear
you don't feel the same.
-I've been chasing that feeling,
but it's always been
just out of my grasp.
I think I found it.
Oh, God.
FRED: Thank you.
Let's have some fun tonight.
It's almost Christmas!
-I can't!
The hospital is short-staffed
and I agreed to be on call.
-Such a great turnout!
-Oh, yeah.
The Fletcher's Grove Retailer's
holiday party.
It's always legendary.
Get ready
for a night to remember.
-Also, it's the one night
where I get waited on,
rather than
the other way around.
Well, I'll drink to that.
EMILY : I know
this'll sound strange
coming from someone who loves
Christmas as much as I do,
but I've never been
one for parties.
The crowd, the small talk,
the mini appetizers
with little wooden toothpicks
jammed in them
it's all a bit much.
-Uh, I'll see you in a bit.
I'm just gonna go flirt with
that cute DJ over there.
-You go, girl.
EMILY : I also don't
normally say things like
"You go, girl."
What am I becoming?
It seems like the more
I get to know the people
who live and work here
in Fletcher's Grove,
the more I find myself
becoming attached to them.
-Emily, hi!
-Hi!
EMILY : Of course,
there are exceptions.
Well, this looks delicious.
Why does everything
taste so much better
when it's on a toothpick?
-Just one of the great mysteries
of the universe, Brooke.
MAN: Ho-ho!
Ho-ho!
Ho-ho-ho!
Merry Christmas,
Fletcher's Grove!
That was fun.
-Did you know
your uncle was coming?
-No.
No, I'm as surprised as you are.
-So, I'm Glenn Shaw,
the owner of the book store.
And I've been running that shop
for the past 18 years,
and to be honest, I
I don't know most of your names.
As a matter of fact, I'd venture
a guess that most of you
have never even set foot
in my bookstore.
But that's okay, I understand.
Books
Books are old-fashioned.
Reading is hard for many of you,
but because it's Christmas,
I wanted to show-ho-ho you
that there's no hard feelings.
So let's put the past behind us.
Let's embrace the present.
Did somebody say "present"?
I did!
Santa Glenn has brought along
a little something
for each and every one of you.
Please do not feel the need
to open them right here.
It's just a small token
of my appreciation.
A little something for you,
Brynn.
-Actually, my name is Brooke.
-Okay. And Fred.
A little something for you.
-Thanks.
Are you feeling okay,
Uncle Glenn?
-Not yet.
But
I will be.
-I don't like this.
Something's going on.
-Well, maybe he just
got in the Christmas spirit.
-And Emily.
I put some real thought
into this one.
I think you're
really gonna love it.
-That's so sweet.
Thank you.
-No, thank you.
I rarely find myself
in the company
of a fellow
classic mystery lover.
-Glenn Shaw!
-Aah!
-What are you doing here?
You know you're banned!
-Sue Chin, you forget,
this diner has been rented out
by a private party,
so technically you have
no authority over who attends.
-Leave it to you
to find a loophole.
What?
-This is for you.
-What are you doing?
-Making sure it's not ticking.
-Not a bad move.
Melanie!
Ho-ho-ho!
-What the heck
was that about?
-I dunno.
EMILY : We've come into
that magical time in the evening
where the crowd starts to thin,
the music slows down,
and you find yourself
making that
most difficult of choices
Do I stick with safe,
reliable chocolate,
or do I throw caution
to the wind and go marzipan?
-What
Oh, Glenn, hey, hang on!
Glenn?
EMILY: Excuse me,
excuse me
Sue?
Sue!
What happened?!
-I-I don't know!
I-I found him like this,
I swear.
EMILY : Sue was right
when she said
this would be
a night to remember.
But I doubt this is
what she had in mind.
-Emily.
Hey.
-Hey, Sam.
-Uh, just a few quick questions
and then you can get home.
Wanna step into my office?
-I haven't, uh, seen you around
the last week or so.
-Yeah, I've been busy.
Running a Christmas store,
you know,
'tis the season.
-Right.
Um
Brooke mentioned that you left
the party for a few moments,
right before
Glenn's body was discovered.
-Yeah, I saw Glenn
leave the diner,
or, who I thought it was Glenn;
they were wearing
the Santa suit.
I just wanted to say goodnight.
-Did you get a look
at the person's face?
-No, no, just from behind.
Um, I-I found the Santa hat
out in the parking lot, though.
-Yes, we have that
in evidence now.
Thank you.
-I did notice
a suspicious-looking vehicle
idling across the way.
-Any chance you got
a look at the plates?
-No, it was dark, and
and I heard Sue scream
before I had a chance
to get a good look.
-Alright, well,
I think that's it.
You know, maybe you could come
by the station in the morning.
Give a more detailed statement.
-Sure.
EMILY : I wasn't
even planning
to go to the party tonight,
until Sue made me promise
to at least
put in an appearance.
My recent cyber-brush
with Chimera
really messed with my head.
EMILY : I don't think
he knows it's me,
or he would have
called me out by name.
But I've underestimated him
in the past, and it ended
EMILY : badly.
Glenn's gift.
I'd say it's a welcome
distraction,
if it wasn't a stark
reminder of his death.
EMILY: Come on.
No freakin' way!
GLENN:
Mm-hm
Hah.
Mass market?
Mass market paperbacks,
no, I do not carry those,
as a matter of fact,
thank you very much.
You can find those
at the gas station,
beside the junk food,
where they belong.
Thank you very--
Hello?
Hello?
Sorry you had to hear that.
You know, my nephew, Fred,
he's always telling me,
"Don't alienate
the potential customers,"
but I can't seem
to help myself.
-I totally get it.
A Christmas Carol is just
one of my favourite stories.
A first edition
must be worth a small fortune.
-More like a medium fortune,
actually.
But since I don't intend
to part with it,
I don't worry about the price.
You just open that new Christmas
store around the corner?
-Yeah, yeah.
Uh, Emily Lane.
-Glenn Shaw.
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Now I see why you're
drawn to that piece.
-Oh yeah, I do love
a holiday yarn,
especially when there
are ghosts involved.
-Yes.
-My parents used to read this
to me when I was little.
-You remember
what edition it was?
-Um, it was
it was green
with gold embossing.
Kind of Art Nouveau?
-I'm familiar.
You don't happen
to still have it?
-No, it got lost along the way.
-Hm. Shame.
Wonderful edition.
Nice to meet you.
-Yeah, you too.
EMILY: He remembered.
Oh, um
What do we have here?
EMILY : "Marley was dead,
to begin with
"This book is your invitation
to a very special event.
"Please visit the law offices
of Greer & Tobin,
"tomorrow evening, 8 sharp."
-What were you up to, Glenn?
-Good morning!
-Hey!
-It's barely 10.
How are you already this busy?
-Ton of online orders.
Last-minute shoppers
are out in full force.
-Then it's a good thing
I've started Christmas break.
-I'm extra sorry
to ask you this today,
but is there any chance
I could get the 22nd off?
My mom wants me
to visit earlier.
-Yeah, of course.
-Thanks.
My mom got Nutcracker tickets.
Third row, centre.
-I didn't know
you were a fan.
-I'm not.
I quit ballet
after three lessons.
But I'm getting big
"I barely get to see you" energy
from my mom, so
I don't want to say no.
-Yeah, I totally get it.
Hey, this is your first
Christmas away, huh?
How's your dad dealing
with the idea of that?
-I haven't told him about
moving up the timeline yet,
but I'm sure he'll say,
"That's fine."
He always says that,
even when it's not.
-Speaking of your dad,
I'm supposed to be in his office
right now giving a statement.
-Is it about that grumpy guy
who ran the bookstore?
I heard what happened.
So sad.
-He was actually
a very sweet man.
Do you mind if I just--
-Yeah, go ahead.
I've got this.
-Great.
You know, you just made
employee of the month!
-Cool!
Wait I'm the only employee!
-What exactly is it
you're invited to?
-I have no idea.
That's why I'm so intrigued.
Are you not intrigued?
-I'm mostly confused.
Why is it at a lawyer's office?
Why not his book store?
-You know as much as I do.
But he did give out
a bunch of gifts.
-As far as we can tell,
people mostly got
random second-hand books.
No one else mentioned
an invitation.
You going?
-I mean, I was invited, and it
would be rude not to show.
Even if the host
is no longer with us.
-Well, how would you feel
about a plus-one?
Like, uh, um
professionally, of course.
-Right, of course.
-Someone at that party
killed Glenn.
You need back-up.
-Do you have any suspects?
-Right now everyone
in attendance is a suspect.
You included.
-Come on, I'm the one that
actually got along with Glenn.
I thought Sue was gonna--
-Going to?
I know they were seen arguing,
and I know they had
some kind of rivalry going on.
So if you have
any other information
-Honestly, no, I don't.
EMILY : Not yet, anyway.
-Plus one!
Pfft!
SUE: My busiest
week of the year,
and Glenn dies in my diner!
Now it's a crime scene!
He ruined it!
-Pretty sure
it wasn't on purpose.
-That man would do
anything out of spite.
And did you know Sam Wilner
had the nerve to interrogate me?
And why?
Just because
I openly despised Glenn
and because my fingerprints
were on the knife
that he was stabbed with?
-The nerve of that man.
-Yeah, now that I've
said it out loud
I can see where
he's coming from.
But of course my fingerprints
were on the knife.
It's my diner.
My fingerprints
are on everything.
-Sue, I just
I gotta ask, why'd you ban
Glenn from the diner?
-He came in one day
about six years ago
and ordered a bowl
of my famous chili.
And then he sent it back
because there were beans in it.
True chili shouldn't
have beans, he said.
And I banned
his sorry butt for life.
-And then last night
he tries to give me a gift,
as if we don't have
half a decade
of bad blood between us?
-What did he give you?
-Ah, who cares?
I-I threw it away.
If only it were as easy
to get rid of the image
of his body
on my stockroom floor.
That's gonna stay with me
for a while.
-Yeah.
TALIA: I'm glad
you could make it.
I'm Talia Greer,
Glenn's lawyer.
Invitations, please.
-Emily Lane.
And this is Sam Wilner.
-Do you have an invite, Sam?
-Will this do?
-Some of the others
have already arrived.
-Brooke?
You got an invite too?
-Emily!
I did.
Along with this book.
Do you know why we're all here?
-I'd like to know as well.
-I'm sure my uncle had
a good reason, rest his soul.
-All will be revealed shortly,
as per Glenn's wishes.
MAN: Whoa, whoa!
I'm not late, am I?
I left myself plenty of time,
but I didn't account
for the stairs.
-Invitation, please.
We're still one short,
but Glenn was
very clear about time.
Eight sharp.
TALIA: Okay, if you'd all
gather around.
GLENN:
Hello, everyone.
By the time you see this
I will be gone.
-Wait, stop the video.
When was this recorded?
-I received the envelope
from Glenn several days ago.
-That doesn't make any sense.
That would mean he knew about
his murder before it happened.
-Charles Dickens
in his preface to
A Christmas Carol,
wrote, "I have endeavoured
in this ghostly little book
"to raise the ghost
of an idea"
And that has inspired me
with this little game
I've created.
Be patient, stick with it,
and trust me,
the reward it'll be
well worth your efforts.
Now, "There sat a jolly giant,
glorious to see;
"who bore a glowing torch,
"in shape not unlike
Plenty's horn,
"and held it up, high up,
to shed its light on Scrooge."
And with that
I wish you good luck.
-What is the point
of all this?
-I think
the point is to solve the clue
he just gave us.
BROOKE: Hah!
Great.
I'm terrible at puzzles.
-Alright,
this has gone far enough.
I'll need that video.
And each of you received a book.
I'll have to confiscate
those as well.
TALIA: Do you have
a court order for that?
SAM: This is
a murder investigation.
-You know the law, Detective.
The only way you're leaving
with these books
is on a volunteer basis.
-Fine.
I will ask nicely.
May I please have your books?
-Maybe we should--
-Not happening.
Yeah, you know,
I I'd like to
keep mine as well.
There's a mention of a reward.
MAN: Yeah, exactly.
Isn't it exciting?
Glenn is just as clever in death
as he was in life.
What a guy.
SAM: I'm sorry
Who are you?
I'm Harvey Saltzman.
I used to run a hot dog cart
out front of Glenn's old shop,
in the city, years ago.
He used to pay me
in second-hand paperbacks.
-Yeah, to hear on the news
what happened to him
well, it really broke my heart.
-It was a shock to all of us.
-Well, this concludes
my involvement.
The rest is up to you.
Good luck.
-Can you believe no one
would relinquish their books?
-Why would they?
You do understand
this is a treasure hunt, right?
No one's gonna just hand over
their key to a possible fortune.
-Talia was right.
No judge will take my side
without credible proof
this is connected
to Glenn's murder.
-Let's see where this goes.
Aren't you at all curious how
Glenn predicted his own death?
-Of course.
I'm just more interested
in catching his killer.
-We could
divide and conquer?
You do your thing,
I do mine.
-I don't know.
-Would it help if I told you
I was gonna go ahead
and do it anyway?
-Alright.
Fine, just
be careful, and
keep me in the loop, okay?
-Yep.
-Alright, uh goodnight.
-Yep.
EMILY : I know
Sam doesn't understand
why I'm keeping him
at arm's length,
but as much as I needed
that moment we shared
I can't let it happen again.
-Come on in.
-Hey.
-Oh, Emily.
You startled me.
I've got ghosts on the brain.
-Yeah, that's me.
The ghost of Christmas shopping.
-Heh
-I, uh I just
I wanted to say
I'm sorry for your loss.
-Thank you.
My uncle
was a complicated guy, but
I loved him.
-You reading A Christmas Carol?
-Yeah, for the first time,
if you can believe it.
-What?
-My mom even named me after
one of the characters in it,
but I was never very interested.
-So, Glenn was your
mom's brother, right?
-That's right.
He's the one that took care
of her after she got sick.
Huntington's.
Yeah, it was a rough time.
But my uncle
took me in after that,
and he gave me a job here.
Morgan says
I'm wasting my potential,
but he was there
when I needed him.
-Fred, what
what happened
to all the first editions?
-I don't know.
I noticed they were
missing last night.
My wife thinks that
they might be the reward
that Uncle Glenn was
talking about in the video.
-I can understand why.
The first edition of
A Christmas Carol alone
is worth big money.
-Yeah.
Morgan says that those books
are our inheritance
and that nobody else
is entitled to them.
But if that's what
Uncle Glenn wanted,
who am I to say otherwise?
-"There sat a jolly giant,
glorious to see;
"who bore a glowing torch,
"in shape not unlike
Plenty's horn,
"and held it up, high up,
to shed its light on Scrooge."
VIOLET: Uh, Emily!
-Yeah?
-You need to see this.
There's a lot of water.
-Oh, no.
Ooh!
I think a pipe must've burst.
Can you just cover
the front for me?
-Sure.
-Oh, geez.
EMILY : What did I do
to deserve this?
Oh, who am I kidding?
I've done plenty
to deserve this.
Karma just took a while
to catch up to me.
-Sorry to bother you
in the middle of a crisis,
but a customer wants to pay
with a hundred dollar bill.
-Uh, it's fine.
Just check it with the little
UV light by the register.
-Torch
From above!
-What?
-In England, they call
flashlights "torches."
"Shed its light on Scrooge."
Yes, yes, hm, where
Hah!
Solutions!
Okay, I need to talk to Fred.
Or even Brooke.
I need you
to hold down the fort.
-What about the leak?
-Um, I will
take care of it later.
Thank you.
BROOKE: Okay, ladies.
Falling snowflake!
And hold it!
EMILY: Hey, Brooke?
Sorry
Uh, I need your help.
-Emily, yes, just take a spot
anywhere and join in.
-No, not with
whatever this is.
-Oh, this is the winter version
of yoga.
It's called "snowga."
-Of course it is.
Hey, do you have your copy
of A Christmas Carol?
-Uh, it's in my bag.
Why, what's up?
-I think I may have solved
the first clue.
But I need your book
to confirm it.
-Oh! Okay.
Ladies, uh, new pose.
Let's do the candy cane!
And hold!
I will be right back.
Here you go.
-Okay.
Let me see.
I knew it!
All of the books
have secret words
that you can only see
with a UV light.
The same kind of light that
all of us retailers have
to check for counterfeit money.
-Oh, how clever of Glenn!
-Yeah.
Um, I think
we need to get everybody
over at the Mistletoe tonight.
I'm gonna
I'm gonna make some phone calls.
Okay, uh
-Of course, yeah.
-Uh, wait!
You don't get away that easy.
Ladies, we have a new snogi!
-What?
-Yeah! Take Linda's spot!
-No, I--
-Linda, give up your spot.
-You don't have--
-There you go!
-Brooke, I--
-Everyone, we're gonna
put the star on the tree, okay?
And reach!
Through those fingertips
and breathe, ladies!
-Sorry that took longer
than I thought.
I'd rather not say why--
What?
What?!
What is--
-Don't be mad.
I called him.
-I was at the diner taking
a look at the crime scene,
so I was close.
-You destroyed my wall!
-Well, if I hadn't,
your entire store
would have flooded.
Good news is, pipe didn't burst,
it's just loose.
But I think I've got it secured.
Wilner.
Seriously?
Uh, okay, okay.
I'm on my way.
-You're just you're just
gonna leave me with this mess?
-There was a break-in
at Glenn's lawyer's office.
-That might have something
to do with Glenn's game!
I should probably go.
-No, I'm serious.
Not gonna happen.
SAM: The door was forced,
which means they weren't
worried about noise.
They were planning to act fast.
TALIA: But there's nothing here
worth taking.
-So they left empty-handed?
-Not quite.
-So much for your promise
to stay quiet and observe.
-They took the drive
that had Glenn's video on it.
Strangely, they ignored
the envelope of petty cash
in the drawer right next to it.
-Who else knew
about Glenn's plans?
-Nobody.
Even I didn't know
what was on the video.
I was told there were
five invitations delivered.
Only four are accounted for.
-But wait, there were
five people at the meeting.
Emily, Brooke, Harvey,
Fred and his wife, Morgan.
-Morgan doesn't have an invite.
She's here as part of Fred's.
-Okay.
Thank you.
-So that means there's
another player out there
unaccounted for.
-And for all we know, they have
Glenn's blood on their hands.
HARVEY: Boy, this sucker
must have barely squeezed
through the door, huh?
It's very impressive.
-Thanks!
Glad you could come.
-I ran into this one
at the diner.
She pretty much insisted.
Emily, what happened
to your wall?
-Um oh,
don't even worry about it.
Okay, it looks like each
of our books has three unique
invisible words in them.
So, assuming
the pattern continues,
Fred's book
will have three more.
-Yes, but didn't you say
we're also missing a fifth book?
-Right, but I'm thinking that
the words will form a phrase,
so it's possible
we could still figure it out.
-Ah, Fred!
Thanks for coming.
Can I see your book?
-I'm sorry.
I came to tell you that Morgan
and I won't be taking part.
-Are you sure
that's in your best interest?
It seems pretty clear that we're
supposed to solve this clue
as a group.
-Yeah.
-Even so.
Good luck, everybody.
-And that's why
I never married.
Okay, so what are
we supposed to do now?
EMILY : Now
I follow a hunch and hope it
leads to the final missing book.
-I'm still waiting for word
from Sam on when I can re-open.
-You don't mind
being here all alone?
What do I have
to be afraid of?
Glenn's ghost?
I dare him to haunt me.
-Hey, that gift
that Glenn gave you,
it was a book, right?
-Yeah, why?
-It's possible that book
was your ticket to take part
in a game Glenn had set up
before he was killed.
-A game.
I put it straight into
the trash bin out back.
It's probably still there,
except
-What?
-Garbage day was yesterday.
SAM: Hey, thanks for
your patience, Vy.
-No problem.
Gave me a chance to snoop
through all your case files.
Obviously I'm kidding.
Although it did take
a lot of willpower
not to sneak a peek at this one.
"Lane, Emily."
-That is nothing
that concerns you.
-I bet it concerns Emily,
though.
-These are standard
background checks, okay?
Regular procedure for everyone
who was in the vicinity
of the diner
the night Glenn was killed.
If you were there,
I'd have one on you too.
-Well, that's reassuring.
-You know what I mean.
-Have you talked to Mom
about my Christmas trip yet?
-No, I've been a little busy.
We haven't managed to connect.
Why?
-She wants me to come
a few days earlier.
-Alright, how early we talking?
-The 22nd?
-Yeah, that's fine.
-Are you sure?
I could say no.
-It's just a few days, right?
Right, let's get going.
-Morgan.
Hey, thanks for coming by.
-My shift starts in 20 minutes,
so whatever this is,
please make it quick.
-Uh, it's about Glenn's game.
-I thought Fred told you
we weren't going to be involved
with the rest of you.
-No, I get it.
You feel that it's unfair.
-That man manipulated
my husband for years.
When are we ever
going to be free of him?
-When the puzzle is solved!
-And that's what
this is all about.
Grabbing a slice
of Glenn's legacy.
-No, no, no.
I am not in this for the reward.
As far as I'm concerned,
you and Fred are welcome to it.
-What about the others?
-I mean,
I can't speak for everyone else,
but I do know that you
cannot solve this on your own.
You can't.
We have to work together.
-I'll think about it.
-Great.
Thank you.
Yes.
Thank you.
-But no promises.
-Got it.
-Okay
EMILY : It's creeping up
on me again,
that itchy feeling
of being watched.
What I could really use
right now is a friend,
but June has gone to stay with
her brother for the holidays,
and Sam
I don't want to lead him on
any more than I already have.
I've already shared too much.
EMILY:
Hey, Sam.
-Sorry for the late call.
I have a question for you.
-You still at work?
-I came back.
Too much on my mind
to call it a day.
I contacted everyone
who received a book from Glenn,
and no one else had
knowledge of an invitation.
-Well, if it's in Sue's book,
it's at the bottom
of a landfill now.
You said you had a question?
-You knew Glenn a little, right?
He ever mention
any health concerns?
-No, nothing like that.
Fred did say that
his mom had Huntington's,
which has a genetic component,
I think, but
Why do you ask?
-Uh, I'm just trying
to piece it all together.
How's it going with the puzzle?
-I think we're close
to cracking it.
-Listen, I'd like
to be more involved.
Just as added protection.
I'd never forgive myself
if anything happened to you.
To any of you.
-Well, on behalf of the group,
I'd say
we'd love to have you.
-Great.
Uh, talk tomorrow.
-Night, Sam.
-Night.
EMILY : Talking to Sam
always makes me feel better.
I'm almost convinced
there are no monsters
hiding in the shadows.
-Fred?
Uh, I just
just bringing a little something
over for Morgan.
Sam?
What?
Is everything okay?
SAM: Yeah.
I'm just updating Fred
on his uncle's case.
-I had no idea Uncle Glenn
had been diagnosed
with Huntington's.
Why wouldn't he tell me?
-I'm sorry, I was just--
I can come back later if--
-Oh, no, Emily, it's okay.
Please stay.
-Had you noticed
any changes in your uncle?
Anxiety, depression?
-If anything,
he'd been more cheerful.
My wife commented on it
a few times.
She found it strange.
-Well, a diagnosis like that,
it can affect people
in different ways.
He had a tough road
ahead of him.
-He took care of my mom
when she was suffering.
It was awful, but I would
have done the same for him.
-Treatments for an illness
like that, they'd be expensive.
Do you know if your uncle
had insurance?
-I don't know.
But we would have found
the money, somehow.
EMILY : Or maybe
Glenn already did.
SAM: I'm trying to wrap
my mind around the idea
of someone being murdered
while they were already dying.
I wonder if the killer knew.
-Seems redundant.
Hey, how's everything
with the store?
Any more issues with the leak?
-Uh, no.
No, it's perfect.
Actually,
the giant hole in the wall
really adds to the charm.
-I'll take care of that.
-No, you don't have to.
-I want to.
-No.
No
possible way I could turn down
such a generous offer.
-Great.
-Great.
EMILY :
Great.
-Wow, your ribbon curling
is really improving.
Pretty soon the student
will surpass the teacher.
-Fred, hey!
-Hey. Hey.
-What a nice surprise.
-I didn't get a chance
to tell you at the store;
I got caught a little off guard,
but I've got good news.
Morgan
well, we, have
had a change of heart.
And if it's not too late,
we'd like to work together
with the group.
-This is great.
EMILY: Okay, so
the words we have from
all of our books are right here:
"precious," "you," "solution,"
"seek," "will," "of,"
"memories," "Eve," "Christmas",
"way," "to," "your."
-So, what now?
-So now we just unscramble them
to form the clue.
-It's making my head spin
just thinking about it.
-And you're still
missing a book.
-That does make it more
challenging, thank you,
but we're only
missing three words.
-Do you think "Christmas"
and "Eve" go together?
-I think that's
as good a guess as any.
-Yeah?
-Go ahead.
Put it up on the board.
Okay.
EMILY: "To Christmas Eve"?
-Yeah.
-Maybe. I don't know.
SAM: Memories of,
uh, Christmas Eve?
-What if it's
"precious memories"?
-Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah!
-Oh, I like that one,
I like that one.
SAM: That's good.
EMILY: That's good, that's good.
I got it, I got it.
Uh, precious memories
-Precious, precious,
there we go.
Christmas
You
-Solution
Pause.
Wait, hang on.
It's like a total mess.
-"will seek you."
-Okay! Seek, yes!
Okay, great!
Okay, so, here's what we have.
"Precious memories of
Christmas Eve, blank,
"will, blank your way
to this solution, blank, seek."
-That's almost something.
-Yeah, we all
have different memories,
so it makes no sense.
-Well, unless, unless the memory
is specific to one of us.
Like maybe someone
Glenn knew really well.
FRED: Well, I don't
I am not sure what that means.
-You have no memories
of Christmas Eve?
-None that I would describe
as "precious."
-Unless
-Oh he's got something!
-Yeah, what is it?
What is it?
-When I was little, Uncle Glenn
used to dress up as Santa,
in that same suit that he wore
to the Christmas party,
and I would sit on his lap
and he would read
'Twas the Night
Before Christmas.
We did that almost every year.
-Well, that's
a really nice memory!
-But is it helpful?
Everything with Glenn
is about books.
-Yes, no, good point.
But, um
Wait, Fred, do you know
if your uncle stocked
that particular book
in your store?
-'Twas the Night
Before Christmas? I think so.
It'd be in
the Children's section.
I'll go look.
-Let's do it!
-I'm going too.
-I wouldn't mind
stretching my legs.
-You don't trust me?
-Okay, why don't we all just go?
-I think that's a plan.
-I think so, yeah.
EMILY: Let's do it.
Sam
That's the car.
From the night of the party.
-You sure?
-Yeah.
EMILY: That's the envelope
that was stolen
from Glenn's lawyer's office.
-That's strange
The door's open.
I'm certain I locked it.
-Stand back from the door, Fred.
-What's going on?
-Is this part of the game?
-Just stay back.
-This is
Detective Sam Wilner.
I need you to step outside
slowly with your hands
where I can see them.
MAN: Okay, alright.
Take it easy.
I'm coming out.
What?
What's this about?
-Is that your car?
NOAH: Yeah.
SAM: I need you to come with me.
-What are you talking about?
Why?
-Noah?
-Oh, hey, Freddie.
Long time, huh?
-You two know each other?
-He's my brother.
SAM: When's the last time
you talked to your Uncle Glenn?
-Talked?
Pfft
Maybe 18 years ago,
around the same time
I left home.
-But you've seen him since?
-Yeah.
A few nights ago,
I saw him arrive
at the Christmas party
at the diner.
-What were you doing there?
-Trying to work up the courage
to talk to my brother.
-Why now?
-I received a package
from my uncle.
I don't know how he found me,
but he did.
It was a book,
along with an invitation
to some private event.
-Yeah, we found it
in your car.
What were you doing
at the bookstore?
-Well, along with
the invitation, there was a key.
I figured it was a key to
his store, so I tested it out.
And that's when you found me.
-Why would your uncle
give you a key to his store?
-You know what,
this is a great question.
I was hoping to ask him,
but unfortunately
that's impossible now.
Do you have any idea
who might have killed him?
-All we know
is that his presumed killer
escaped by donning
Glenn's Santa costume.
-Oh, no.
-Oh, yes.
-We found that
in the trunk of your car.
-Wait, okay--
-It has trace amounts
of blood spatter on it,
and it's a match
for your uncle.
-I didn't do it.
I found it after.
-After what?
-I saw someone leave
the diner in the costume.
It was dark.
I figured it was Uncle Glenn,
but they moved so quickly.
No way they were my uncle's age.
And then they ran
behind the diner.
-You didn't recognize them?
-No.
I drove around to the back to
see if I could catch up to them,
and found the coat lying there.
-Why would you take it?
-I recognized
it belonged to my uncle.
He wore that same coat
when me and Fred were kids.
I couldn't just leave it there.
Come on,
I haven't done anything wrong!
-Oh, so you didn't break into
Glenn's lawyer's office
and steal this thumb drive
we also found in your car?
-Okay, maybe I did
one thing wrong.
EMILY: I don't get it.
Why steal the USB?
Why not just come
to the presentation
like the rest of us?
-He said he wasn't ready
to face his brother.
Apparently he couldn't
handle the situation
when their mom got sick,
and he bailed.
-So what now?
-Hold him overnight,
see if his story checks out.
Violet won't be happy.
Told her I'd take her skating
before she goes.
-You still have time.
-Not much.
She's, uh, leaving for her mom's
earlier than I thought.
-Right, yeah,
she did mention that.
-What about you?
Any big holiday plans?
You must have extended family
out there somewhere.
-Um, not really.
I
spent some time with my aunt
and uncle on the west coast
when I was little,
but I lost touch
after I finished school, so
-Well
if you, uh, find yourself
in the mood for some
non-feline company,
you could probably twist my arm.
-Yeah?
[
-I I will
keep that in mind.
I should get home
to the boys, though.
It's their dinner time, so
-Of course.
-Goodnight.
-Night.
-Fred?
Hey, you okay?
-Yeah, uh, just waiting
to hear news about my brother.
-I just spoke to Sam.
They're not
releasing him tonight.
-I see.
-You two didn't always
see eye-to-eye, huh?
-Actually, we had a pretty
great relationship as kids,
considering
he's four years older.
He was my best friend.
Then Mom got sick
and he just disappeared.
-Yeah, not everyone can
handle that kind of trauma.
-He didn't even come
to my mom's funeral.
That's unforgivable.
-And yet
here you are.
-Guess it doesn't make sense.
-It makes perfect sense.
-Y'know, one good thing
did come of this.
-Yeah?
-So, after you all left,
the police took me
back to the store
just to make sure
nothing was damaged or stolen.
And while I was there,
I made my way
to the Children's section.
-'Twas the Night
Before Christmas.
You found it, didn't you?
-Success!
It was taped to the back cover.
-Did you watch it?
-No, of course not.
It was a group effort, right?
I thought we could all
get together tomorrow
and watch it as a team.
-I was really hoping
you'd say that.
EMILY : I have to admit,
I'm enjoying
this little treasure hunt
more than I should,
considering Glenn is dead
and his killer
is still out there.
But now that we have
all five books,
this should be
a walk in the park.
EMILY: Aah!