Mistletoe Murders (2024) s02e04 Episode Script

1
Emily, this is Reed Donley,
my mentor.
What are doing in town?
Babysitting
a bunch of paintings.
-Reed, Reed!
-No, no, no, no, no!
This is a White Rock crime.
I'm aware
I'm not in my jurisdiction.
School's database
with back-door access
-Who showed you how to do this?
-Self-taught.
That's not the painting
I saw on the truck.
Tell him what you told me.
It's not the same painting.
Well, maybe they showed you
the wrong one on the truck.
No, it was that painting.
The subject and composition
are the same,
but the face
is sort of different.
It's hard to explain.
But it was late at night.
I mean, maybe it looked
different in the dark?
Maybe you don't
appreciate who I am
or what I do, but I know art.
I have an eye for it, and that
is not the same painting.
Alright, I need you to
keep this to yourself for now.
Will you make it worth my while?
Do you enjoy not being in jail?
Harrison!
What'd you think?
Was it worth the wait?
I'm speechless.
I knew you would be.
If you'll excuse me.
If Harrison's right,
and someone did
swap out those paintings,
it could be the reason
why Reed was killed.
I have to bring this to Meadows.
No, that's just gonna
open a whole can of worms!
It changes the entire focus
of the investigation.
I can't withhold it from him.
I guess it's your call.
You okay?
You seem a little tense.
I'm sure
it has nothing to do
with learning he's been
snooping around in my past.
I just don't think it's fair
how far we've come,
only to hand it off
to another detective.
This is about
getting justice for Reed.
I don't care who gets the win.
As annoyed
as I am,
I can't deny
he has a point there.
That makes zero sense,
Wilner.
Why would somebody
replace a painting
with an imperfect forgery?
That's the question!
What did Moira Wells
have to say about it?
She didn't seem to indicate
anything was wrong.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
Well, there you go.
She's familiar
with the painting;
she would have
noticed any flaws.
Maybe she's involved somehow?
Are you even
listening to yourself?
Sam knows
what he's talking about,
and you should be
looking into this!
-I'm sorry
-Who are you?
I run the local Christmas shop.
She's done some consulting
work for us in the past.
-I've heard enough.
-This is a waste of my time.
Hey, I'm trying to help you!
No, you are trying
to convince yourself
that your buddy Reed
died a hero,
when everything points
to this being
a random robbery gone wrong.
I have a murder to solve.
You have fun with
whatever this is.
Just stay out of my way.
Well, I thought
that went really well.
As steamed
as I am at him,
Sam made a good point
last night.
If the self-portrait
really is a fake,
then Moira had to have noticed,
which would mean she's
wrapped up in this somehow.
It made me realize how little
I really know about her.
According to this article,
Moira was put up for adoption
as a newborn, but tracked down
her birth mother, Catherine,
eight years ago,
which is when she discovered
her grandmother
was Angela Wells.
Her previously
floundering career as an artist
got a major boost from that.
Her birth mom passed away only
a few years after they reunited,
complications from
early-onset Alzheimer's.
I can only imagine
how hard that must have been.
The loss of my own parents
changed the course of my life
in ways I never
could have predicted.
Hi, everyone.
Now, I hate to kick off
the school year
on such a negative note, but
there's something
I need to address,
and I'm afraid
it's quite serious.
Now, it has been brought
to my attention that someone
was able to access
the school's bank accounts,
and removed funds
that were set aside
for the senior class trip.
That's really awful.
The authorities
have been alerted,
and in their opinion,
the responsible party
would have required
advanced coding knowledge
in order to circumvent
the bank's digital
security protocols.
Are you saying
it was one of us?
There's strong
evidence to suggest
that our school network was
the origin point of the breach.
Now, if anyone has anything
they want to say to me,
come speak to me
privately, then.
Until this matter is settled,
this program is discontinued.
I can't believe
she's blaming us.
It is possible, though, right?
I mean, you did manage
to get into
the school database unnoticed.
A bank can't be
that much harder.
Wait, do you think I did this?
Of course not.
I know you'd never do anything
to hurt anybody, but
if people found out
what we've been up to,
guilty or not
we'd be blamed.
You're right.
We should be careful.
Thanks for coming.
I needed someone to tell me
I'm not crazy.
Or that I am crazy.
That works too.
-I'm happy to help.
-What is all this?
A deep dive into the personal
and professional life
of Moira Wells.
Wow,
I guess I'm not the only one
with Moira on the brain today.
Guess how many
paintings Moira sold
back before she learned
who her grandmother was?
Never mind, I'll just tell you.
Zero, zilch, nada.
And then, suddenly,
she changes her name to Wells
And suddenly
her career takes off.
-Exactly.
-I've gone through every archive
I can get my hands on.
You know what I can't find?
One single shred of evidence
that suggests Moira Wells
is truly related to Angela.
You really went down
a rabbit hole on this.
-Oh, yeah.
-It's become a whole thing.
And what I learned
is that Catherine
was already impacted
by her Alzheimer's diagnosis
when Moira
first came into the picture.
There was never
a DNA test ordered.
Noah's
research is lining up
exactly with my own.
Let's see if he's come
to a similar conclusion.
You think that Moira
could be a fraud?
No.
I think she's
definitely a fraud.
She got her own supposed
grandmother's middle name wrong.
I think you might
be onto something.
-Yes!
-I knew you'd believe me!
Still, without
any actual evidence.
I know, I know.
I just
I needed to get it
out of my system.
As intriguing
as this is,
it doesn't answer
any of the questions
surrounding Reed's murder.
The smart thing to do
would be to concentrate
on the crime itself.
But that's easier
said than done,
because Moira Wells is now
living rent-free in my head.
Emily,
what have you done?
Why would you buy so many
of these ornamental rabbits
with Santa hats?
There must be two dozen in here.
-I had a moment of weakness.
-They're so cute.
Hey, did you figure out
what to get Kyle for Christmas?
Nope,
and I'm running out of time.
What gift says
"I like you a lot,
"but definitely not in a weird,
desperate, clingy way"?
What about a shiny,
adorable rabbit
wearing a cute little Santa hat?
All that says is
"I used my staff discount."
Well, why don't you make him
something yourself?
Mm-mm, I'm so not crafty.
I once tried to make
a macaroni bracelet,
but I didn't realize you weren't
supposed to cook the macaroni.
-Hey, Dad.
-Hey, Vy.
Emily, are you free for a bit?
What's up?
Harrison asked to meet up
at the art space,
but he'll only talk to me
if you're there.
I have no idea why.
Because you are a grumpy cop,
and she is a nice lady.
-Vy, would you mind
-Watching the store?
I got it.
He didn't give you
any indication
of what this was about?
No.
And he better not be
wasting my time.
I'm still trying to figure out
why someone would
make an imperfect forgery.
Maybe the forger
lacked in skill.
-It's possible.
-I do have my moments.
Help!
Somebody help!
Help!
What?
Harrison?
He has a pulse,
but it's faint.
-What happened?
-I don't know!
I came out here to get some air,
and I just found him like this.
-Hey, Harrison Harrison!
-Come on, come on, come on!!
Harrison's lucky
you found him when you did.
Yeah, I know.
It's just everything is
-What do you mean?
-What happened?
Somebody destroyed
my painting for the competition.
My canvas was cut.
All my supplies were scattered.
Was anyone else targeted?
-I don't think so.
-It was just me.
I started to have
a panic attack,
and so that's why
I came out here.
Harrison's stable, but he
hasn't regained consciousness.
His wallet and phone
appear to be missing.
He was robbed?
In the middle of the day,
in a public space?
What's even more strange
was the method.
Attempted suffocation
with a toxic substance.
I noticed he smelled
of turpentine when we found him.
Sam, look.
-Oh, leave it.
-Police are en route.
It looks like a painter's rag.
I'm guessing someone
came up from behind Harrison
and put it over his mouth
until he passed out.
Great, so we have an entire
art space full of suspects.
-It's mine.
-Excuse me?
Some artists prefer mineral
spirits to clean their brushes,
but I find
that turpentine works best.
Whoever destroyed my painting
must have taken it.
-You again?
-Nothing to do with me.
I just called it in.
Who found him?
I did.
And you, Christmas lady?
Just along for the ride.
-Okay, you stay.
-You too, Wilner.
Ride's over.
You can go now.
Emily!
Is it true what I'm hearing?
Is Harrison Crane dead?
What? No!
He's not out of the woods,
but yeah, he's stable.
Oh, thank goodness.
I mean, if he had died,
then they probably
would have cancelled
the whole contest,
and then all my work would
have been for nothing.
Well, that, and also
it would have been so sad.
Yeah, um, where's June?
June went home to
walk that dog of hers
for like the third time
already today.
I think you need to question
her dedication to this project.
Maybe I should have made you
my model after all.
In fact, there's still time
-Great talking to you! Bye, now!
-No, it would be so easy!
-Bye, now!
-You'd look so good in red!
Piper is
right to be upset.
This was very much intentional.
Somebody is sending her
a message.
Hey
Sorry you didn't get to see
the finished piece.
Yeah, me too.
Well, how'd it go
with the detective?
Good, yeah, he took
my statement and he released me.
Your friend's still out there,
though.
Wait, you're not quitting
the contest, are you?
You know,
I have been a starving artist
for such a long time,
and I think this is a sign
it's time to give up the dream.
No, if anything,
this is a sign that someone
is incredibly jealous
of your talent.
It's your decision,
but if you walk away now,
then they just
get what they want.
Yeah, maybe.
Or maybe they just
don't like my art.
-I don't know.
-This feels personal.
Have you looked into
Moira Wells any further?
No, I've exhausted
all my resources.
Why?
What's going on?
I think she may
have just sabotaged
another young artist's work.
I'd love to know why.
Well, you could always
ask her yourself.
She's on her way over.
-She's coming here now?
-That's right.
I gave her a call
to tell her I over-reacted.
I suggested
she come by for a drink
in hopes of putting this whole
misunderstanding behind us.
Why would you do that?
It's the season of forgiveness.
More like the season
of lying through your teeth.
What's your game, dude?
Trust me, this is for the best.
Moira.
I'm so glad you came.
I cannot tell you enough
how sorry I am for my behaviour.
You were way out of line,
but I'm happy
to put this behind us.
Have you met my friend, Emily?
We've crossed paths.
Yeah, at the art space, right?
Yeah.
Emily, care to join us?
Tempting, uh, but I gotta
get back to my shop.
In case we don't cross paths
again, Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
To burying the hatchet.
I'll drink to that.
I'm back.
-Don't distract me.
-I need to focus on this.
I hope
Noah knows what he's doing.
If his plan
is to loosen Moira up
to get her to spill her secrets,
I'm not at all convinced
she'll be so easily played.
Hey, Sam.
I hope this isn't your
one phone call from prison.
Ah, Meadows was just
puffing up his chest
to prove he was in charge.
He mostly seemed curious
about whether I knew
if Reed had anyone else
besides Benny on his payroll.
-Like who?
-I don't know.
When I turned Reed down
for the job, Reed mentioned
he had another friend
he could ask,
but I didn't get a name.
You think there was a third
security guard that night?
It's possible.
When we talked to Benny,
he mentioned turning down
a second shift
that Reed needed to fill?
Yeah, that's right.
I think it's time Benny and I
had another little
heart-to-heart.
He wasn't too eager
to talk to you last time.
I can handle Benny.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Okay.
-Is that a
-paper snowflake?
-Yeah!
-I took your advice
and I decided
to make a gift for Kyle.
Okay
Moment of truth!
-Yeah.
-Let's do it.
I can't even make a snowflake.
In a way,
you made many snowflakes.
You're not helping.
-You know what?
-I believe in you, okay?
Here's what we're gonna do.
We are not leaving here until we
have the perfect homemade gift!
I should probably
call my dad and let him know
I'm never coming home.
Man,
why're you hassling me?
Told you everything I know.
Not everything.
What about the money?
What money?
The five bills Harrison paid you
to get a look at the painting.
Yeah, I know about that.
So, did you and Reed split it
between yourselves,
or did you include
the other guy?
-What other guy?
-The third security guard.
The friend Reed hired
to work the morning shift.
Okay, look, Reed mentioned that,
but I never saw anything.
And for the record, Reed never
took any of Harrison's money.
He said that I needed it more.
He was good like that.
That much I believe.
I'm sorry I lied.
I was scared.
How about Detective Meadows?
Did you lie to him too?
Who?
Look, you and your lady friend
are the only other people
who've been around here.
White Rock PD
haven't talked to you?
No, I figured they
were following their own leads,
and why would I put myself
on their radar, right?
Right.
Let's gather
'round the fireplace ♪
Feel the Yuletide
shining bright ♪
How's it goin' over there?
Not bad.
For an eighth attempt.
Um
I'm sure he's gonna love it.
-Noah?
-I'm glad I caught you.
It worked!
Uh, what worked?
My plan
to learn definitively
if Moira is related
to Angela Wells.
-You didn't.
-Heck yeah, I did.
Moira's DNA.
We just need to get it to a lab.
You think maybe Sam might
Where'd you get
the other sample?
What other sample?
The sample you're
planning to compare it to.
Angela's DNA?
-I didn't consider that.
-Okay, let me think.
Um, Angela is buried
here in town, right?
Whoa, slow down, there, Igor,
we're not digging anyone up!
I meant get a court order
and exhume the body.
I'm not a monster.
No judge is gonna
sign that order
without proof of a crime.
So you're saying
I apologized for nothing?
She made her own brushes,
using the trimmed ends
of her hair.
Okay, I think I have an idea.
But we're gonna need some help.
Hey, Chuck, look, I got
a piece I need to drop off.
I figure it's safer here
than it is in my car.
I'm not supposed to
open the door.
Come on, Chuck, you know me.
And it's cold out here.
-Sorry, Ray, I really can't.
-Fine.
You know, I admire
your dedication to your job.
We'll just leave this valuable
piece of art out here all night,
where it will certainly
get frost damaged,
but I'm sure Moira Wells
will understand.
Have a great night!
Ray?
Package has been delivered.
Phase two in progress.
Is everyone okay?
I need a hand over here!
It worked.
But I think I overdid it.
Fred's gonna be real mad
about his car when he gets back.
Just keep him
occupied as long as you can.
Right.
I'll call for help.
No, no, I'm fine.
Just, uh, need to take
some photos for the lawsuit.
Hey, you should do the same.
I'm in.
Well, make it quick.
I don't know how long
Noah can hold this guy.
It's not
exactly Oceans Eleven,
but we've also got our sights
set a little lower
than a casino vault
full of cash.
Okay, a lot lower.
-You see that?
-Right over there?
That's pure ice.
I don't see anything.
-Okay.
-I got what I came for.
Yeah, not a moment too soon.
Look, just get outta there.
Hurry.
I'm sorry,
I gotta get back to my post.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
we're not done here!
Hey!
He's on his way back.
I couldn't stall him any longer.
That's not good.
I'm still inside!
Hey, excuse me!
Uh, can I bother you
for directions for a moment?
I really need to get back.
Oh, please, man, it's my
daughter's Christmas pageant.
I promised her I'd be there.
She's got a solo.
Okay, where are you
trying to get to?
-Thank you.
-You are a life-saver.
Okay, so, if we're here, right?
Yes, that's where we are, yeah.
Then I went all the way
up Chestnut there,
and I looked,
but it's not on the right.
It's not
You gotta go left, yeah.
Ah, okay!
Hey, what
-Oh, no, yeah, that's it.
-I should have gone left.
That's
thank you for your help.
Merry Christmas.
What a strange night.
And that'll do it.
-Thanks for the assist, Ray.
-I owe you.
Yes, you do, and I look
forward to collecting one day.
In the meantime, remind me
to upgrade the security
in this place.
I really dropped the ball
on that.
And you said you weren't
comfortable getting involved.
I wasn't.
I'm still not.
Pass it over.
-Oh, what, this
-this DNA sample that you wanted?
Oh
-I have a friend in the lab.
-I can call in a favour.
Okay.
Yes, I know, once again
I'm falling back
on department resources.
Separating myself from the job
has proven harder
than I thought.
Don't sell yourself short.
That was quick thinking
back there.
Things would've gone
really bad, really fast
if you hadn't intervened.
Thanks.
Oh, by the way,
Harrison reached out.
He's been released
from the hospital.
He want to meet up with us
in the morning if you're free.
I can move some things around.
Christmas time
is here again ♪
I'm still
extremely annoyed
that Sam has been digging
into my past behind my back,
but I can't deny I'm enjoying
this little rebellious streak
he's on.
It's nice to see he's seeing
the world from my point of view
for a little while.
Sometimes you gotta
be a little bad
in order to do good.
Of course, it can be
a tricky balancing act,
and if you're not careful,
the darkness
overshadows the light.
-Come quick.
-I've been looking for you.
-What? I have class.
-The bell just
Just come.
What's going on?
I'd do anything to get back
where I used to be ♪
Before the life I know ♪
Ms. Cambridge?
Spinning, oh,
spinning, oh-oh-oh ♪
I overheard the police,
and apparently,
the money was found in a secret
bank account under her name.
Spinning, oh ♪
I'm falling
in slow motion ♪
I guess you just don't know
what people are capable of.
I feel so much better.
What doesn't kill me
makes me stronger.
To the tune of a 100,000 new
followers in the last 24 hours!
You here to boast,
or you here to talk?
Okay.
Moira's unveiling
of the self-portrait
is really bugging me.
I know what I saw in that truck.
But it's your word
against Moira's.
-Maybe.
-But maybe not.
Okay, I told you that
I tried to get a shot
of the painting, right?
Here's the thing.
I did take a picture.
You have it here?
I didn't even realize I had it
until I was editing some videos
for my channel.
It's a little dark and blurry,
but it's all still there.
I thought your phone was stolen.
Oh, please,
I had a new one shipped over
within five minutes
of waking up in the hospital.
It's all in the cloud,
still there.
Oh,
I can barely make it out.
Maybe we can digitally
clean it up?
Why are you
helping us like this?
The satisfaction of helping
solve a potential crime.
Okay, fine.
I want Moira to pay
for not giving me the exclusive.
And there it is.
Alright, I sent the photo
to a tech guy I've used before.
No guarantees, but he's
worked wonders in the past.
Well, if that doesn't pan out,
I could always give it a try.
Thought you didn't
care much for computers.
Or was that just
another one of your stories?
I didn't mean that like that.
No, I just assumed
that you knew all my secrets,
since you've been investigating
me this whole time.
What?
You've been
looking into my past.
Don't even bother
trying to deny it, Sam.
-Okay, it's
-it's not what you think.
-Really?
-Okay, what is it, then?
Okay
Well, as far as I see it, you're
here 'cause you're hiding
from someone or you're
running from something.
And the fact that you're
in some kind of danger
that I know nothing about,
that I can't see, that
doesn't sit well with me.
So, last Christmas,
when you wouldn't let me in,
I did what I always do
when I'm faced with a mystery:
I threw myself into solving it,
so I could be there
to help you, if you need it.
That's all I want,
is just to be there for you.
I didn't ask for your help, Sam.
There are things
that belong to me,
that I don't want
you to know about.
-Because you don't trust me.
-No, it's not about trust.
Then why?
Because I like the way
you used to look at me.
It made me feel special.
It still does.
And I'm afraid that if you
I'm afraid if you know
my secrets,
then you're never gonna
look at me like that again.
It's from my tech guy.
That was fast.
Can I see?
The likeness is uncanny.
But not to Moira.
-No, not Moira.
-That is Piper.
What now?
This doesn't prove
that Moira killed Reed,
but it does prove that she knew
about the painting.
You gonna bring it to Meadows?
No.
The painting's
in Fletcher's Grove.
That makes this a local crime.
Sounds like
you've made a decision?
I'm gonna need the full
weight of the department
behind me.
It's good to see you back,
Detective Wilner.
-Back in business.
-No more lone wolf?
Ah, I work better
in a pack anyway.
I had Moira brought in.
She's here now.
What about Meadows? Does he
know you're back in business?
Not yet, but that could
change any minute,
so let's go talk to him
before it does.
You want me in there with you?
Yeah.
I owe you
for all your help this week.
But only to observe.
You understand?
Yeah, I think I can handle that.
They're very similar.
I'm embarrassed I didn't notice.
Yeah, right.
And the Oscar goes to
You don't think
this original painting
bears a striking resemblance
to anyone?
Like who?
-Piper Hutchens.
-She's a big fan of yours.
-I have a lot of fans.
-Of course.
You're Moira Wells,
granddaughter of Angela Wells.
Or are you?
You see, unlike you
DNA doesn't lie.
Where'd you get this?
Doesn't matter.
It's accurate.
And it proves to me
that you're a fraud.
Catherine Wells publicly
accepted me as her daughter.
I was a legal beneficiary
of her estate.
You took advantage of a woman
with early-onset Alzheimer's who
was both vulnerable and lonely!
How did you even
find out about her?
What is she doing here?
Observing.
But actually,
I have the same question:
how'd you find your way in?
I read a story about
Angela Wells in a magazine.
Right, the one that got
her middle name wrong.
It mentioned
that her only daughter
was recently moved
to a care home.
I paid her several visits,
eventually convinced her
I was the child she gave up.
She desperately wanted it
to be true, and so it was.
But then Piper showed up
at one of your events,
and you noticed
the uncanny resemblance
to Angela's self-portrait.
She lived in Fletcher's Grove;
it was too much
of a coincidence.
She was the true heir
of Angela Wells,
only she had no idea.
And you did everything
you could to dismiss
and belittle Piper,
hoping that she'd just give up
on her dream
and stay out of the public eye,
including
destroying her contest entry.
Is the thing that I would say,
if I wasn't just
here to observe.
But Piper didn't go away.
So you made a plan to switch
the painting with a forgery,
with a few subtle
facial differences.
No one would
know the difference.
The real painting has been
hidden away for years
by a reclusive collector.
You were one of very few people
who knew about it,
and the only way
to safely swap it out
was while it was on the truck.
How much did you pay Reed
to turn a blind eye
while you switched out
the paintings?
You can't prove any of this.
You know, you would have
got away with it, too.
If only Reed hadn't taken
a second bribe that night,
allowing Harrison a sneak peek
at the merchandise.
Okay, look, I didn't kill Reed.
You're late!
I was expecting you an hour ago.
I was
there just before dawn.
It took all of ten minutes.
He was very much alive
when I left.
And I suppose you
didn't attack Harrison
at the art space either?
Harrison told me
about the photo over dinner.
Said it was blurry,
but that if I didn't give him
the exclusive,
he'd leak it anyway.
I couldn't risk it coming out,
so I thought if I faked
the robbery and took his phone,
that that would be enough.
Clearly I was wrong, okay?
That doesn't make me a killer.
That remains to be seen.
I have nothing else to say.
I want my lawyer.
Wilner.
What have you done?
I need you to be more specific.
You blew up the case
I was building!
Well, it's not just
your case now.
It's a joint effort
between our departments.
So, since we're working
together, maybe it's time
You did this on purpose,
didn't you?
You never stepped away
from this at all.
-Reed was my partner.
-My friend.
Even if he was an ex-addict
with failing kidneys,
do you really think Moira Wells
had the physical strength
to overpower him
and kill him with his own gun?
What?
-Nothing.
-I just
happen to agree with you
about Moira.
But we still have her on
the fraud and art theft charges.
-So, where is she?
-In custody?
I was forced to release her.
After her lawyers learned that
her DNA wasn't obtained legally,
they convinced her
to retract her confession.
And without the original
Angela Wells painting,
I have nothing to prove she was
the one who switched them out.
Well, that's just great.
It's a minor setback.
I have a judge ready to issue
a warrant for a DNA test.
We'll have her back
in our custody by morning.
That painting is worth something
if it hits the black market.
Did she tell you
where she stashed it?
-Not yet.
-We'll get it back.
Do you have
somebody watching her?
What if she grabs it and splits?
-Look, she's a public figure.
-Where's she gonna go?
She's staying at the Grand.
We'll pick her up
in the morning.
You can be there.
You can count on it.
Hey, this is Detective Wilner.
Get me Moira Wells's
lawyer immediately.
-Okay, you ready?
-Mm-hm.
I can't wait
for you to open this.
-Can I go first?
-I worked so hard on
Was that my present?
Uh, no.
I don't know what
that was.
But, uh
Here's your present.
What are you doing?
This is
Uh
Merry Christmas.
-Amazing.
-Thank you.
-So good!
-Thank you.
Violet, I actually loved it.
Seriously, amazing job.
Wow, uh, that is going to be
a very tough act to follow.
Well
Here's yours.
-Socks?
-Ah.
You always complain
when your feet are cold.
And you told me
that you love pandas.
And they're violet.
Just like you.
They are very violet.
I love them.
-Really?
-You're so thoughtful.
Thank you.
Of course.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
I just realized
I owe my dad an apology.
Don't ever tell anyone
about this, okay?
Like, ever.
You got it.
-Moira Wells
-Don't move.
I knew as soon
as I heard you were released
you were gonna
go for that painting.
And you led me right to it.
Now hand it over.
Reed held out on me too,
and you know what I did to him.
You don't wanna make
the same mistake.
-Hand it over.
-Now.
I don't think so.
What
You?
Never mess with
a Christmas lady.
Hey, hey,
everybody chill!
There's been a big mistake.
I'm a cop.
And not for much longer.
Mike Meadows!
You're under arrest
for the murder of Reed Donley.
You're making a mistake, Wilner.
Let's go.
-You okay?
-Yeah.
You?
I will be.
This is ridiculous.
It's my word against hers.
Reed held out on me too,
and you know what I did to him.
You don't wanna
make the same mistake.
She was wired.
You put her in Moira's clothes,
you put her in Moira's
rental car,
you set a trap.
Why?
When you came to my office,
you mentioned
Reed's kidney issues.
He told me he only shared that
with a few close friends.
I read it in the autopsy report.
It wasn't in the report.
I spoke to the examiner.
Reed told you himself.
You're the friend he went to
after I turned him down.
My son wants to go
to medical school.
Can you imagine?
While on a cop's salary?
You were supposed to work
the morning shift.
What happened?
I got there a few minutes early,
and I happened to see
Moira swap the paintings.
I also saw her hand
an envelope to Reed.
Big fat one.
So I figured, it's only fair
if I get cut in.
You want me
to stay quiet on this,
it's gotta be 50-50, okay?
-I can't do it, Mikey.
-I need it.
Just give me the envelope!
No, it's not gonna happen, okay?
We're done here.
Don't walk away from me!
-What are you doing, man?
-Give me that
-Hey! Come on!
-Settle down!
Don't take my
Nobody knew
that I was doing the job.
I asked him to keep it off
the books
'cause I was embarrassed.
But you weren't sure.
That's why you asked
about the third guard.
Wanted to see if you were safe.
How did you know
I'd take the bait?
Greed's a powerful motivator.
You said it yourself:
the Wells painting
had some value.
You weren't gonna
leave that on the table.
So, you got Moira to tell you
where she stashed the painting.
I called her lawyers
after you left my office.
She was pretty eager
to make a deal in exchange
for a reduced sentence
on her charges.
And that's why you told me
what hotel she was at.
Smart.
And that Christmas lady,
the way she held herself,
she was an undercover, right?
Alright, everyone, it's the
moment you've been waiting for!
Congratulations to the winner
of the Christmas
art competition
Piper Hutchens!
Yay!
And there you have it, folks!
The true heir of Angela Wells
taking the world
or at least this little
frozen corner by storm!
It's breathtaking.
She couldn't have picked
a better inspiration.
I mean, what's more Christmassy
than the Mistletoe?
Well, I suppose,
just like Angela Wells,
I too will remain unappreciated
in my time.
You know,
you haven't even shown me
the finished painting yet.
Yeah, I haven't
seen it yet either.
Oh! Well, there's no time
like the present.
It's you?
Well, obviously!
It's a self-portrait!
But I was posing for you.
I gave you days of my time.
Well, I needed someone
to model the coat.
Oh, she's speechless!
I get it.
Emily?
Piper!
Ah, congratulations!
I'm so touched by your painting.
You you made
the Mistletoe look so magical.
Well, I'm really glad
you like it.
'Cause I would like
to offer you the original.
-Oh, no, no.
-Come on, I can't.
-I insist.
-I owe you so much.
Everything you've done for me
Are you kidding me?
You're a Wells.
You were born for this.
Yeah, I don't know if I'm ever
gonna get used to that.
I like my privacy.
Yeah, like your grandma.
Ah
I know just where
I'm gonna put it.
It's Christmas ♪
Thanks again for giving us
access to your store last night.
Well, I wasn't crazy
about the broken window,
but it was worth it.
Hey, maybe I'll send
Moira a signed copy
of my book in prison.
She would love that.
Hey, Vy, if you wanna take off,
I can close up.
With Kyle gone for the holidays,
I need the distraction.
Plus my feet
are so warm and cozy,
I think I could stay on them
all day.
-Emily, could I, uh
-steal you for a moment?
-Why don't we talk outside?
-It's so beautiful out.
So, that's it.
You got him.
Mostly thanks to you.
Ah, you would have managed.
But it wouldn't have
been as much fun.
Hey, I, uh..
I want you to know,
my investigation
into your past
it's over.
You were right, I overstepped.
I apologize.
Just like that?
I'm more interested
in the person you are now.
It just
took me a second
to realize that.
Thank you.
Maybe we could make a deal.
No more secrets?
Or no new secrets.
Okay
Yes, I think
I think I can manage that one.
So, we good?
Yeah.
We're good.
I'm not exactly
sure where this leaves us,
but if nothing else,
it feels like a fresh start.
I can work with that.
Is it me, or is it beginning
to look a lot like Christmas?
Aaron?
My eyes must be
playing tricks on me.
It can't be him.
Hey everything okay?
Um
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Uh it's nothing.