Hudson and Rex (2019) s08e13 Episode Script

1
I don't write to Santa anymore ♪
RADIO HOST: Well, it's five
days to Christmas, St. John's
and still no signs of snow.
So call in with your predictions
and we'll see who rings
in a white Christmas.
DONOVAN: So your girlfriend Laura
is flying in for Christmas tonight?
I hope you have
something special planned.
I booked this incredible suite
at a boutique hotel on the waterfront.
Stone fireplace.
Big bay windows.
Dog friendly, of course.
Sounds way better
than my bachelor plans.
[JOE CHUCKLES]
I'm really looking
forward to meeting her.
Me too. You know what you should do?
You should invite her to
my holiday movie marathon!
Boxing Day, 8:00 till late!
- What's on the bill this year?
- It's a Wonderful Life.
- And?
- It's a Wonderful Life.
[SARAH LAUGHS] Mark, do
you think Laura can help me
keep my mom entertained?
I'm not sure quiet
St. John's can compete
with her usual big city festive season.
You know what you should
do? You should bring her
- to my holiday movie marathon!
- Oh!
- And Rex promised
to bring his reindeer antlers.
Didn't you, Rex?
[REX BARKS]
- [SARAH LAUGHS] We're in.
- I'm not sure about that.
Yeah, we've got concert tickets
booked. The Festival of Lights.
I'm going to take her to
see that marble sculpture
- at the cathedral.
- Oh, the Veiled Madonna!
It only comes out this time of year.
It's spectacular.
And as an art expert, your mother
is going to absolutely love it.
- Yes!
- Oh, you know what you should do
is follow the lead of my
favourite Christmas tradition,
the mummer. It's not a Newfoundland
Christmas without mummering.
So one of these nights,
you could take your mom to
watch the mummers' walk.
Oh, I've always wanted to do that!
Laura!
- What are you?
- [LAURA LAUGHS]
- How did you get here? I was supposed
to pick you up tonight at the airport.
I couldn't wait. I
took an earlier flight.
I wanted to surprise you!
- Merry Christmas.
- Hey!
[REX WHINES]
Merry Christmas. Um
This is Laura. Laura, this is everybody.
- Hi.
- Joe, Sarah,
- Jesse.
- Hey.
And Rex, of course.
Oh, well, hello Rex!
I'm looking forward to
getting to know you!
- [REX YELPS]
- [TOY SQUEAKS]
Hmm?
I have an early Christmas present.
What do you think?
Any good?
- [TOY SQUEAKS]
- [REX GROWLS PLAYFULLY]
MARK: Well, it seems you're a hit.
But you must be hungry.
Should we all grab dinner?
My treat?
DONOVAN: Your treat? Sounds fantastic,
but we wouldn't want to intrude.
LAURA: No no, not at all!
It's not really the
holidays without friends.
And you can tell me all
about Newfoundland Christmas
- and mummering!
- Oh, careful what you wish for.
No, she said I could do it.
So the tradition of mummering
was imported by English
and Irish settlers.
- LAURA: Really?
- JESSE: Now, Newfoundlanders,
they disguise themselves in old clothing
and go door to door all
during the festive season
asking the neighbours
to guess who they are.
It's like Halloween,
but instead of candy,
people give out rum.
[MUMMERS REVELLING]
[LIVELY TRADITIONAL MUSIC]
Well, thanks so much for dropping by.
And girls, you were so well disguised.
It took me forever to
guess everybody, didn't it?
- Well done.
- RITA: Come on, girls,
- we're going to the next house.
- ELLIE: Have fun.
RITA: See you tomorrow, Ellie!
MALE MUMMER: Any mummers
allowed in, my love?
Hmmm! Now who could you three be?
Let's talk it out over a friendly drink.
FEMALE MUMMER: Uh, all in
the name of fun, right?
Yes, of course. Come on in.
MALE MUMMER: Pour a
big one for the missus!
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[TRADITIONAL MUSIC CONTINUES]
- RITA: Ellie!
- [KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Are you in here?
It's Rita from next door!
I brought cookies the kids made!
Ellie?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Ellie!
[UPBEAT THEME MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO]
[REX SNIFFING]
RITA: I mean we saw her just last night.
- I was there with the girls.
- MARK: Come on, Rex.
RITA: She seemed fine!
SARAH: Time of death is
approximately 9:00 last night.
It looked like natural causes
until first responders found that.
Now, I'll know for sure back at the lab
but I think it's chloroform.
Can you die from that?
The margin between a knockout dose
and a lethal one is pretty small,
- particularly for someone elderly.
- [REX SNIFFING]
I take it that's Ellie's glass.
Now, I count three other glasses.
Maybe three intruders?
[REX SNIFFING]
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
[REX SNIFFING]
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
[REX SNIFFING]
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
And now, Rex
has a scent ID for all three.
Ah, if only there was a
data bank of suspect smells.
I'll swab the glasses, dust for prints.
But nothing seems to be stolen.
Like, even her purse is still here.
It's weird.
[REX YELPS]
What's he found?
An ugly stick.
Nice work, Rex.
So maybe the intruders were mummers.
I'll have Jesse canvass
for ringcam footage.
And, uh look here.
Oh, yeah. Something is missing.
You think that's what they were after?
RITA: I can't really say
what Ellie kept on her mantel.
But she did post a few items recently
on the neighbourhood buy and sell.
Might have sold something.
I could send you the link.
That'd be helpful.
You say you saw her last night?
Opening her door for
everyone in the neighbourhood.
She pretending not to
know who my grandkids were
so that they could play
along and join in the fun.
Now I have to tell them.
I'm sorry for your loss.
It's people like Ellie who
keep the island traditions alive
for the next generation!
This feels like an attack on all of us.
[REX WHINES]
RAE: Now that we're
finally open for business,
let's put some more
lights on the pillar.
- You know?
- JESSE: Excuse me.
SJPD!
Jesse Mills?
From Rowandale Collegiate!
Yeah, Rae Whitmore! I sat behind you
in Advanced Placement Medieval History!
- Yeah!
- What are you doing here?
I moved here six months
ago to manage the inn!
Yeah, it's been nothing
but renovation so far
but we just opened last
minute for the holidays.
Oh, well, don't worry about that.
St. John's always maxes
out during Christmas.
- You'll fill up in no time.
- [RAE LAUGHS]
- So, you're a cop?
- Yeah, yeah. Major Crimes.
Actually, you know, we had a
little situation around the corner.
I was hoping I could get
your doorbell cam footage.
Yeah, I just got it installed
so you might have to
help me figure out how.
I'd like to help in any way
I can, though. Um
just give me your number.
Yeah, yeah! Uh, office?
Cells probably.
That's probably better.
Cell cell number.
- There we go!
- RAE: Great!
- Wow!
- [RAE LAUGHS]
I can't believe it! Oh!
- Hi, there.
- Hi!
MAN: Are you open?
- I checked online, but it wasn't clear.
- RAE: We are!
Um we have a lot of
rooms I'm sure you'll love.
- Oh! Yeah, that would be great!
- RAE: Yeah!
I'll leave you to it.
- Yeah, keep in touch!
- JESSE: Yeah!
Yeah, so it's just, uh,
my wife and daughter.
- Do you have space?
- Yeah, we do.
I'll go get someone to
help you with your bags.
[JESSE CHUCKLES]
JESSE: Laura!
- What are you doing here?
- I've got a bit of a situation.
I know that man.
And he's not supposed to be here.
WOMAN: Okay, sweetie.
You carry your backpack.
MAN: I'm excited to see the inside.
- [PHONE CAMERA SNAPS]
- WOMAN: It does look nice.
MAN: Did you see all the lights?
[SOFT MUSIC]
LAURA: So after you and Rex
got called away from brunch,
I saw a client of mine who's not
supposed to be outside of Halifax.
And, I followed him.
I represented him on
money laundering charges.
Money laundering?
He's just a small time contractor.
Built a few houses.
But then sold them to a foreign
buyer for close to 3 million.
Matthew Flanagan.
Never been in trouble before.
Inherited the family
business his father started.
Problem is, the foreign
buyer paid Matthew in cash.
And then failed to report the
cash transaction I'm guessing.
Well, claimed he was
unaware of his obligation to.
Judge didn't buy it.
Confiscated the houses and the proceeds.
Okay.
And what about the
buyer? Was he ever caught?
No. British guy, but he's a ghost.
And this ghost used the name Bob Ladron.
Matthew claims they only met one time.
All communication after
that was through email.
Okay. Mystery man,
laundering millions of
dollars of his own money.
Who is this Bob?
And why choose some random
contractor in Halifax?
I really believed in him, Mark.
He's got a wife and kid.
But now I'm wondering
if I misjudged him.
He's about to start a two year sentence
as part of the agreement.
I mean, it could be he's trying to flee.
But dragging his family
with him is weird.
I should talk to him,
see how he explains his
sudden departure to St. John's.
Careful, though, right?
I mean, if he is fleeing,
you could spook him. And if not
he could be a very different guy
- than he's letting on.
- He's my client.
I have an obligation to
let him know the risks
of what he's doing.
Good point, but I may have Jesse look
into him as well, just for safety.
- Okay, thanks.
- Sure.
Mmm.
[REX WHINES]
MARK: Did you get the tox
report back on the victim?
Not yet. The autopsy is under way
but I can confirm the rag
tested positive for chloroform.
Any idea where they got it?
Well, it's usually distributed
through chemical suppliers
but you need credentials to buy it.
JESSE: Unless it's stolen.
Made at home using acetone and bleach
or order it on the dark web.
What's this?
Doorbell cam footage
from down the street
- caught our suspects.
- [KEYBOARD CLACKING]
Check out our lady in pink.
DONOVAN: I recognize that
evidence from the crime scene.
She's carrying the ugly stick in.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
MARK: Not there on the way back.
Right and check out Santa pants.
Seems like he's got
something over his shoulder
that wasn't there before.
Hmm.
Everything points to this
being a targeted robbery
but the neighbour thought
that Ellie may have just sold
whatever used to be on her mantel.
Well, I found her expired posts
on the buy and sell page.
Here's an ad for an antique vase.
[REX BARKS]
Yeah.
Look at the clock right next to it.
That's definitely what was missing
from the victim's mantel.
Look, it's in the same place
and the same shape as the
outline left in the dust.
DONOVAN: Seems like a lot of trouble
to go through for an old clock.
I mean, how much could
it possibly be worth?
Twenty thousand dollars at least.
Likely crafted for Russian
royalty, pre-revolution.
Late 1800s.
It's a lovely piece!
- Mom?
- [BELLS JINGLING]
[BELLS JINGLING]
- What are you doing here?
- [PAIGE LAUGHS]
I thought you had work
right up till Christmas!
Well, all my meetings were online.
So I just thought I'd
fly over and surprise you!
There's a lot of that going around!
[THEY ALL LAUGH]
SARAH: Okay, guys, I know
you've met virtually,
but this is my mother, Paige!
Joe, Jesse, Mark. And
of course, you know Rex.
- [REX BARKS]
- [THEY ALL LAUGH]
It's so nice to meet
you all face to face.
DONOVAN: Likewise, but
do you really think
that this old clock is worth that much?
PAIGE: Oh, yes, absolutely.
The ornate design. Signature styling.
- It's a Fabergé.
- [REX YELPS]
MARK: Why would a clock that expensive
just be sitting on a
mantel in St. John's?
Oh, families pass things down.
People buy things at garage sales.
There's all sorts of antique treasures
in attics just waiting to be discovered
if you know what to look for.
So it's possible that
they spotted the clock
on the buy and sell sites
and then targeted the house.
Which begs the question
whether this is a one-off robbery
or if they'll use the mummering
season to strike again.
You know, it might be
worth checking the old posts
on the buy and sell websites.
Can I help? I may be able to
pick out the high value items.
SARAH: Are you sure, Mom?
Because I can take some time.
- We can grab lunch!
- Don't be silly.
I didn't expect you to just drop
everything because I arrived.
We can catch up later.
Please! Lead the way!
DONOVAN: This way!
We'll set you up in the briefing room.
- PAIGE: Thank you.
- [PHONE CHIMES] Oh.
The autopsy report's in.
Let me know if there's
anything interesting, yeah?
Okay.
- Jesse, I need a favour.
- Yeah.
Can you run a few checks on
a contractor out of Halifax,
Matthew Flanagan?
As well as an international
criminal who goes by Bob Ladron?
Okay.
You think they're connected to the case?
No, it's about the man Laura saw
with you who shouldn't be here.
But for our case,
you want to bring up the
ugly stick from evidence?
- Yeah.
- [KEYBOARD CLACKING]
MARK: Are you able to track down
- where this thing was purchased?
- Yeah, on it.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
MATTHEW: Okay.
Yes. No, I know.
I understand.
Yes.
I got it.
[MATTHEW SIGHS]
Laura?
What are you doing here?
I have the same question for you.
I think maybe we should talk.
I know how it might look,
suddenly leaving Halifax, but,
this is a family vacation.
You have to admit, the
timing's a little suspicious.
I used to come here all the time
as a boy to visit my grandfather.
I remember how beautiful
everything was, and,
I would tell my daughter Cooper
stories about it all the time.
She loves hearing about this place.
I just wanted to give Cooper a
magical Christmas before, uh
You go to prison.
She's going to be 12 when I get out.
Matthew, I believe you.
But as your lawyer, I have to advise you
that failing to surrender
is a very serious offence.
You don't have to worry.
I know what I'm doing.
[BELLS JINGLING]
[LAURA SIGHS]
SARAH: Hey.
Pumpkin spice latte.
Jesse's own recipe.
If you can get past the chalkiness,
it's actually pretty good.
Oh, thanks.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
Sorry to drag you into another case.
- And at Christmas, no less.
- It's fine.
That poor woman.
I'm just glad I'm able to help.
Plus, I get to spend more time with you.
Oh, I had so many outings planned.
Now it's your turn.
Do you remember that
Christmas we spent in Chicago?
You were in high school.
All you wanted to do was
check out the Field Museum.
There was a temporary forensics exhibit.
But I was juggling calls
and deadlines, and
I rushed you through it.
Oh, Mom. I understood.
And I understand now.
Thanks, Mom.
Mmphh!
This this is pumpkin?
Yeah. [SARAH LAUGHS]
It's very interesting.
- Yeah, I know.
- [THEY LAUGH]
- So, have you found anything yet?
- No, not yet.
Seems a lot of people think
that antique means rusted farm tools.
Oh! Wait, hold on!
What is it?
Could be a hidden gem.
[MOUSE CLICKING]
Okay, where are we at?
I found the street vendor
who sold the ugly stick.
Jesse's just grabbing some
nearby security footage.
There's an ATM camera
looking right at him.
See the ugly stick sitting on the table?
Okay, still there.
Still there.
MARK: Okay, wait.
That blonde woman is looking at it.
The vendor picks it up for her.
And now she's gone. And so is the stick.
Jesse, can you get a
clear image of her from that?
- Mm-hmm.
- DONOVAN: She might be one of the mummers
- who attacked Ellie.
- SARAH: Just over this way.
Okay!
DONOVAN: There she is.
- Jesse. Distribute that please.
- You got it.
We found another potential target.
- Actually, Mom did.
- Uh, we just sent it to you.
Oh, great!
MARK: So it's something the
mummers might want to steal?
JESSE: A Roman coin collection! Nice!
But counter-intuitively Roman coins
are practically worthless.
It's because of their immense abundance.
That's a result of their
long minting periods
and large-scale distribution.
PAIGE: Exactly right, Jesse.
But the gold coin in the second row,
- that one there
- [KEYBOARD CLACKING]
That one's worth a fortune.
What makes it so special?
- The image is double struck.
- Right again.
The malleus or the hammer
struck the coin twice by mistake.
Minting errors like that
make collectors go crazy.
How crazy?
25 to 30 thousand dollars at auction.
SARAH: And here's the kicker.
The collector's house is in the middle
of the mummer route happening tonight.
I'm on it.
If these mummers try anything,
I will have uniforms on the inside,
and believe me,
They will not be serving punch.
Sounds good. Rex and
I will join the walk.
He knows the whole gang by scent.
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
Let's stop these mummers
before they double-strike.
- Mmm.
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Anyone have a costume I can borrow?
- Oh, yeah.
I thought you'd never ask.
MARK: Okay.
Laura. Everything okay?
LAURA: I spoke to Matthew.
He said he came to Newfoundland
to give his daughter
a magical Christmas.
I mean, he is just about
to start a prison sentence.
Yeah, but,
there was something about his manner.
And he was talking on
the phone, agitated.
So, how do you feel about
staying at an old inn
for a night or two?
Pet friendly.
You want to spend Christmas
staking out a client?
- [REX WHINES]
- I'm sorry, Mark.
- What's up?
- Well, I'm worried.
And we've got your back.
Rex and I will see you
there right after shift.
- Won't we, Rex?
- [REX BARKS]
You guys are the best.
Yeah, we've just got a
bit of a mummer hunt first.
[LIVELY TRADITIONAL MUSIC]
[MUMMERS REVELLING]
- [REX SNIFFS]
- MARK: Here you go.
You got that?
Okay, Rex.
Go track 'em!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Socks on my hands. Mitts on
my feet. I don't know, Jesse.
We're all set at the target
house with the Roman coins.
Uniforms are waiting inside, but,
there's no sign of
the thieves yet, Mark.
MARK: Over here at the park, Rex
is searching, but no hits yet.
Wait, wait, wait. I
think he's got something.
[REX SNIFFS]
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
[REX BARKS]
We're standing by.
Let us know if you need backup.
[REX BARKS]
MARK: SJPD!
Lady in the pink,
housecoat!
- Stay where you
- [DRAMATIC MUSIC]
We're in pursuit of the suspect!
Rex is flanking right!
Headed to the deserted end of the park!
[MUMMERS CAROUSING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[REX BARKS]
You're under arrest
for the murder of Ellie Hughes.
- Murder?
- [REX BARKS]
I didn't murder anyone!
The woman whose house
you broke into last night?
- [CUFFS RATTLING]
- She died of chloroform poisoning.
Oh my God!
- [REX WHINES]
- MARK: We caught the female mummer.
But her two partners are not with her.
DONOVAN: Well there's
no sign of them at the house
with the coin collection either.
Could we have got the next target wrong?
[DONOVAN SIGHS]
DONOVAN: They might be
striking somewhere else.
[DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE]
MUMMER: You sure this
is the right address?
MUMMER 2: Of course I'm sure!
[KNOCKING]
MUMMER 2: Evening b'y!
Any mummers allowed in?
Oh, uh
I heard the alert saying not to, so
- [DRAMATIC MUSIC]
- No, no! Help!
- MUMMER 2: Get in here!
- MAN: No, help!
- [MUMMER LAUGHS]
- [BELLS JINGLE]
SARAH: Angel, we need
you to tell us the truth.
ANGEL: I swear.
I didn't know anyone
was going to get hurt.
I was surprised when he
put the rag in her face.
I wanted to call 911 but
he just wouldn't let me.
Who's he?
[ANGEL SIGHS]
ANGEL: Nicky.
SARAH: The man in the
Santa pants is Nicky?
I don't even know if
that's his real name.
So how did you get involved with him?
I was told Nicky wanted a girl along,
so the lady would be at ease.
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
ANGEL: Uh, all in the
name of fun, right?
ELLIE: Yes, of course. Come on in.
You have to believe me. I never
would have done it if I had known.
There was another mummer
attack last night, Angel.
An elderly man was assaulted,
- sent to hospital.
- [ANGEL CRIES] I'm so sorry!
[SARAH SIGHS]
Do you have any idea where
we can find Nicky?
ANGEL: No.
Okay, how about
the mummer in the gumboots?
Tell me who he is.
Angel. You need to protect yourself now.
Okay? Anyone who got you into this,
they weren't looking out for you.
You don't know that.
MARK: Then why did they set
you up at the mummers' walk?
I think they sent you
there to take the fall.
No!
No, he wouldn't do
that! He cares about me.
MARK: Who cares about you? Nicky?
Or the mummer in the gumboots?
I want to go back to my cell.
I don't have anything else to say.
Okay.
What do we know about her?
Her name's Angel Harlow.
22 years old.
Born here in St. John's.
She spent her early
years with her birth mother
then was placed in foster care.
Clean record until now.
DONOVAN: She doesn't seem
like the mastermind behind all this.
Uh, that'd be Nicky.
What do we know about
last night's robbery?
It took place three blocks
away from our stakeout.
So Nicky must have thought twice
- before trying to hide in the mummers' walk.
- [PHONE BUZZES]
Excuse me, guys. I've got to take this.
- Donovan.
- Okay, so
The mummers got away with this.
Italian, early 19th century.
Sarah's mom said that that necklace
can go for at least 60K.
- Oh!
- Yeah.
SARAH: Okay, well, the question is,
how do we find them?
We should contact Angel's social worker.
Might tell us who she's protecting.
That was the mayor.
I quote,
"These guys are using a time
honoured Christmas tradition
to assault and kill
members of our community.
You need to solve this pronto."
Copy.
JESSE: Mark, by the way,
I dug up that information that
you wanted on Matthew, um
Uh, Sarah knows.
Okay, Matthew Flanagan,
the guy that he sold the
houses to, Bob Ladron,
is definitely using an alias, but,
I pulled up the surveillance photo
of the two of them
meeting up in Halifax.
Didn't get a good angle for
Bob's face, unfortunately.
Laura said they only
had the one meeting.
- Anything else on him?
- JESSE: Not much.
But I was able to
trace the wire transfer
that Matthew received.
It originated in Monaco.
And it came from a personal
account, not a business.
So, Matthew's solo
mystery man story is true.
JESSE: Yeah, seems like it.
And he did have family here.
His grandfather, Malcolm Flanagan
lived in St. John's until
he died in 1995.
Okay, thanks, Jesse.
Dig a little deeper into
the bank account in Monaco.
If we can see some other wire transfers,
maybe we can learn Bob's location
or figure out his
particular flavour of crime.
JESSE: Follow the money, as they say.
I'll pass these on to
Laura tonight at the inn.
Oh, no, I can I can do it.
I can do it because
I'm on lunch break anyways
so, I'll head to the inn.
I really don't mind.
Okay, I'm going to go do it.
All right, excuse me.
[QUIRKY MUSIC]
Anyone else feel like the inn
is calling him for some reason?
I'm guessing it's not
the complimentary WiFi.
[SARAH LAUGHS]
[CHRISTMAS MUSIC]
Hoping he'll grant all their wishes ♪
I think that this
feeling is Christmas ♪
Snow covered trees ♪
[JESSE CLEARS THROAT]
Oh, Jesse!
- You're back! Hey!
- Hi.
Uh, I'm looking for Laura Haver.
I have some information for her.
- She just left, I think.
- Oh she did, huh?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
What about Matthew Flanagan? Is he here?
He left right before her.
- He did.
- Mm-hmm.
I think.
Okay! Uh, well
I guess I'll just, uh
I guess I'll head back to the station.
See ya.
Uh Jesse!
I was wondering if you
want to come by tonight
for a get-together we're having
in honour of Tibb's Eve.
- All the guests will
- Tibb's Eve?
You know about Tibb's Eve,
the unofficial start to the
festive season in Newfoundland,
named after Saint Tibb,
the comic relief character
from the 17th century plays?
Which later evolved
into the term Tibb's Eve
originally a kind of joke meaning
- the day that never comes.
- Oh, that's
- Wow!
- [THEY LAUGH]
That's incredible. Well done.
Uh
- Tibb's Eve is
- Tomorrow night, I know.
But I gave most of the
staff the night off.
So we're celebrating early.
Tibb's Eve Eve.
Um, and you can bring
the rest of the team
- or a girlfriend.
- No.
No no. I don't have a girlfriend, no.
- Oh.
- No.
- I will be there. That sounds great.
- Amazing.
And uh, can you
maybe let Laura know
that I'm looking for her?
- Absolutely.
- Okay. Okay, I will see you Tibb's Eve.
- Eve.
- Eve. Tibb's Eve Eve.
[RAE LAUGHS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
LAURA: Matthew, what are you doing?
Oh!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
SARAH: I talked with the social worker.
She said Angel's been working
at that Christmas tree farm
just outside of town.
MARK: Sounds like it's
time for Rex and me
- to go Christmas tree shopping.
- [SARAH CHUCKLES]
["O CHRISTMAS TREE" PLAYING]
MARK: Mind if I ask you a few questions?
- MAN: Happy to help.
- MARK: Okay, great.
I'm wondering if you
could tell me something
about one of your workers
here? A young blonde lady.
- Oh, yeah. Angel.
- Sure.
Missed her last few shifts.
Yeah?
I was hoping to talk to
someone who might know her.
Well, that's Kevin. She's shy
- with everyone else.
- Kevin?
- Her brother.
- Any idea how I might get ahold of Kevin?
Sure, no problem.
- Kevin!
- Yeah.
Cops want to talk to you.
- [REX SNIFFS]
- [DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
[REX SNIFFS]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[REX BARKS]
[KEVIN GROANS]
MARK: Gumboots mummer, I presume.
Up you get. Two mummers down.
One to go.
- [CUFFS CLINKING]
- Nice work, Rex.
- [REX BARKS]
- [DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
MARK: Turns out Gumboots
is Angel's long-lost
foster brother, Kevin.
So no wonder she was protecting him.
He's probably the only family she has.
According to Jesse,
he's got a pretty hefty record.
Break and enter, possession.
Was he willing to give up Nicky?
Uh, not yet. But I'm hoping he'll be
- [PHONE RINGING]
- a little more talkative in an interrogation.
- Laura. Hey, Laura.
- SARAH: Rex, let's go.
- MARK: Everything okay?
- I'm fine.
Matthew, on the other hand,
just took delivery of
a suspicious package
on a rundown street.
A banker's box. And
then Matthew handed over
what looked like an envelope of cash.
It looks like I read
this guy wrong, Mark.
I thought he was trying to flee, but,
maybe he is tied up in something more.
Well, everything Jesse has found so far
validates his story but I agree.
The box and the cash sound suspicious.
Why don't we talk with him again,
but this time together?
So much for his family's
magical Christmas in St. John's.
Yeah.
[DOOR OPENING]
Where's my sister? Is she okay?
Angel's fine. But she's, uh
she's facing some pretty
serious charges, thanks to you.
Breaking and entering, theft
and accessory to murder.
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
ANGEL: Uh, all in the
name of fun, right?
ELLIE: Yes, of course. Come on in.
It wasn't supposed to go down like that.
What about the man you
assaulted last night?
That was Nicky, not me!
And Angel wasn't even there.
MARK: Yeah, because you
set her up to take the fall.
Let her go to the mummers' walk alone.
No, I was trying to protect her.
I wanted Nicky to see that
we could do it without her.
MARK: Well, she's still a participant
in the first home invasion, Kevin.
She's culpable.
All Angel wanted was to go to school
and become a pastry chef.
I just thought I could
help get her the money.
SARAH: Kevin. If you
really want to help your sister,
you need to tell us everything
you know about Nicky.
Fine.
I'll tell you what I know.
But first, we make a deal.
And whatever you're going to give to me,
you're going to give to Angel instead.
MARK: Happy to report Angel's
brother gave up the ringleader.
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
NICKY: Pour a big one for the missus!
- So this is Nicky.
- JESSE: AKA Nicholas Budgeon.
Record as long as your arm.
Burglary, assault.
Let's find him and add murder
to that list of accomplishments.
Yeah, I mean, Kevin didn't
know where Nicky's living
but said his dad owned a pawn shop.
That's where he got
his insider knowledge
- for spotting expensive antiques.
JESSE: Yeah. There's a pawn shop
on Empire Avenue
owned by Owen Budgeon
but it closed last August.
Okay, where's Owen now?
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
- Oh.
- He died three years ago.
Apparently, he left
his business to his son,
Edward Nicholas Budgeon
who promptly ran it into the ground.
I've got to check in with Laura first.
but keep on it, Jesse
while I go talk to a man about a box.
MARK: Matthew. SJPD.
We'd like a few words.
[REX SNIFFING]
What's this about, Laura?
It's about whatever's
in the back of your SUV.
I followed you, Matthew.
- You what?
- LAURA: I needed to reassure myself
that you weren't going to flee.
I saw you making that deal.
I don't believe this.
MARK: Can you open it, Matthew?
Or I'll open it myself.
Fine. No problem.
But promise me you'll
keep this from my family.
They don't know anything about this.
[REX BARKS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[PUPPY SQUEAKING]
- [REX WHINES]
- MARK: Come here!
Oh!
You were buying a puppy
from a man in a van?
From a breeder who drove in out of town.
He just picked a spot
close to his sister's house
and sent me a pin.
MARK: A pretty spontaneous purchase
for a last minute trip on Christmas.
MATTHEW: Planned it before we came.
Cooper always wanted a dog
and I'm going to give it
to her tonight at the party.
Holly here is going to help
keep her company while I'm gone.
That's
very sweet.
[REX WHINES]
MARK: Rex, meet Holly!
Holly, meet
- Yeah.
- LAURA: Ohh!
Yes, you like each other.
Better get her in out of this
cold if that's okay.
MATTHEW: Hoping there's one more room
in the inn where I can
keep her till tonight.
Here.
[SOFT MUSIC]
MARK: I guess you read
him right after all.
JESSE: Sarah, wait up.
I did more digging into Nicky.
It turns out he inherited
a second property.
This old house on a dead end street.
Oh, why didn't it come up
in your original search?
Apparently, it was
repossessed and foreclosed.
It's just sitting there, abandoned.
Well, it doesn't look
completely abandoned.
So you think this is where Nicky
Santa Pants might be hiding?
Cops have dropped by multiple
times for noise complaints
over the last two years.
Sounds like a squat.
Okay, send the address to Mark.
And notify the TAC team.
This is our new target.
Let's see if we find our Secret Santa.
[LOUD MUSIC AND CHATTER]
Stay alert.
- Whisky whisky, Nancy whisky ♪
- Hey.
- Everything okay with Laura?
- Oh, yeah. All good.
Apparently Matthew
slipped out of the inn in a rush
to buy a puppy named Holly.
And Rex loves her.
His story checked out.
The breeder confirmed.
- Okay!
- What are we looking at here?
Some kind of holiday party inside.
Tactical team is five minutes away.
They'll help us flush out the revellers.
NICKY: Thank you!
WOMAN: Nicky!
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
- [REX BARKS]
- Whisky whisky ♪
Nancy whisky ♪
- Whisky whisky Nancy ♪
- Or Christmas could come early.
- Yeah.
- NICKY: What are ya at there, skipper?
SJPD.
Hands behind your back.
Let's go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[REX WHINES] [REX BARKS]
[REX BARKS]
NICKY: Aaghh!!
- [REX GROWLS]
- [FABRIC TEARS]
[NICKY GRUNTS]
Get off me, you mangy mutt!
[CUFFS CLINKING]
Hey, stop!
I didn't do anything!
So, this is Nicky.
I would think so.
And I'm guessing,
this will match the chloroform
that killed Ellie Hughes.
You know, I always wanted
to catch Santa in the act
but this is, uh
- much sweeter.
- [BELLS JINGLING]
- [DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
- MARK: Come on, you.
The winter comes on way too fast ♪
I wanted you to know
your brother really stood up for you.
He did?
He never should have got you
involved in all this, but
It was my decision.
It's on me.
Well, I'm glad to hear you say that.
Kevin's fighting for you.
And I will, too.
But you've got to
start making the choices
that will keep you out of trouble.
Yeah.
I know.
I got a judge to release you
to a group home for the holidays.
It's the best we can do.
But
at least you won't be alone.
I don't feel alone.
Kind of for the first time ever.
- You said Jesse made this?
- Mmm.
It's good but it's
- a little chalky.
- Chalky.
- Bingo.
- Yeah.
- Mmm.
- Hey guys!
Ooh!
- You like the lattes?
- MARK: Mmm!
- Very nice, right?
- Mmm!
[JOE CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY]
JESSE: The lab results came back.
Turns out the chloroform
found in Nicky's pocket
is from the same batch
that killed Ellie Hughes.
Yeah, old Saint Nicky's
going away for a while.
And forensics recovered
the stolen clock and the emerald
necklace from the warehouse
so they are going to be
returned back to the owners
as well as Ellie's next of kin.
That's a great job. The
mayor will be thrilled.
JESSE: Just in time for Tibb's Eve Eve.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- [MARK AND DONOVAN CHUCKLE]
- MARK: Yeah.
Right?
Oh, by the way, Mark
- Mmm.
- JESSE: These are a couple more
transactions from the bank in Monaco.
Check out the highlighted bit.
- Oh, that's the Laura thing, right?
- MARK: Yeah.
Okay, another 20K transaction
but this time to St. John's.
- JESSE: Yeah.
- MARK: Once again, suspicious.
And that was from just days ago.
so, it could mean Bob is
right here in the city.
It might explain who
Matthew's been talking to.
I'll ask him about it
at the party tonight.
And also Sarah and
Paige will be there, too.
JESSE: Okay! So what are we wearing?
Are we going to go festive casual or
Christmas cocktail?
JESSE: I just want
to make a good impression,
you know, of the police
for the guests.
[DONOVAN CHUCKLES]
- You guys want a top up?
- No.
- I've got a lot.
- Yeah.
- It's very sweet. Enjoy.
- Thank you.
- It sure is!
- JESSE: Guys, who wants some pumpkin spice?
It's good!
[REX GROWLING]
["DECK THE HALLS" ON PIANO]
[PARTYGOERS CHATTING]
WOMAN: Well this is absolutely lovely.
Yeah, and she did everything!
Now, this is the kind
of Newfoundland tradition
I was hoping to share with you.
DONOVAN: This is
my favourite time of year!
MOM: I think it's hers too!
[GUESTS CHATTING]
So what happens on Tibb's Eve?
I'm not exactly sure but it
involves a lot of alcohol.
[LAURA LAUGHS]
[DRAMATIC PERCUSSION]
MAN: Looks like
there's a party going on.
What do you want me to steal anyway?
MAN: [BRITISH ACCENT] I
don't care, just
make it look like one of those
mummer robbers all over the news.
And Oliver!
He can't walk out of there alive.
You got it, Bob.
You can count on me.
Oh, here he comes.
MARK: I think I can
guess what's in the box!
She looks so much like you!
- It's amazing.
- That's very nice.
DONOVAN: In the eyes, for sure!
MATTHEW: You okay in there, Holly?
Cooper, honey, your father
has something for you.
- [REX WHINES]
- Uh, no no,
don't ruin the surprise!
[HOLLY WHIMPERS]
Here you go, sweetie.
- OLIVER: Nobody move!
- [GUESTS SCREAM]
MATTHEW: Cooper, stay back!
- DONOVAN: Take it easy!
- MATTHEW: Get back!
- DONOVAN: Just drop the gun.
- OLIVER: Nobody gets hurt
if you do everything I tell you to do!
- [REX BARKS, GROWLS]
- MARK: Easy Rex, easy buddy.
OLIVER: Keep your dog back
or I start shooting!
I think you may have
picked the wrong inn
for a shakedown, my friend.
OLIVER: Why don't you step back?
There are five police
officers here so why don't you
- just lower your gun?
- OLIVER: Get back!
Okay. Okay.
- DONOVAN: Okay.
- RAE: Careful, Jesse!
OLIVER: Step back!
MARK: Lower your weapon.
OLIVER: Give me the box.
- [REX GROWLS]
- MARK: Hold.
- You don't understand.
- OLIVER: Just give me the box!
DONOVAN: Let's think about this.
Matthew, do as he says!
- [GUN FIRES]
- [GUESTS SCREAM]
[REX GROWLS]
- You got him?
- [REX BARKS]
WOMAN: Oh my God, is he okay?
- [REX BARKS]
- He's still breathing.
- Jesse let's go!
- I'll call EMS. Go!
- Yeah.
- MARK: Rex, wait for us!
RAE: Jesse!
- SARAH: Matthew, stay with me.
- DONOVAN: This is Joe Donovan, SJPD!
I need a bus to 5576
Gravenhurst Way right away!
[REX BARKS]
[REX BARKS]
[CAR ENGINE STARTING]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Rex!
Who'd shoot somebody for a puppy?
It wasn't about taking the puppy.
It was about shooting Matthew.
This was a targeted hit.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[PUPPY WHIMPERS]
[PUPPY WHINES]
[BELLS JINGLING]
[ENERGETIC CLOSING THEME MUSIC]