Murder, She Wrote s02e18 Episode Script
60321 - If a Body Meet a Body
Henry Vernon, whose great big heart just gave out.
Whatever killed Henry Vernon, it wasn't his great big heart.
Henry had a heart like a bull, and I oughta know.
[Woman.]
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
We want the entire hundred thousand back.
- [Jessica.]
I'm afraid there's what's left.
- My retirement money! Stealing the church's building fund- It's like stealing from the good Lord above.
What kind of country is this? Somebody stole my van! - I'm gonna crack this one alone.
- You're welcome to it.
[Gulls Cawing.]
Silas! Morning, Miss Phyllis.
My, you do look wonderful in black.
Where's Henry? I just came from the cemetery, and they told me there weren't going to be any burials today.
That's 'cause he's going to be cremated right after the ceremony at the church.
Cremated? Whose idea was that? - Mrs.
Vernon, I expect.
- And why is there such a rush? Seemed a bit hasty to me, too, but I've learned never question a grieving widow's wishes.
Could I give you a ride back? ##[Organ.]
[Chattering.]
Connie? Oh.
Connie dear.
I feel just awful about Henry.
What a wonderful man.
He certainly was.
It's a great loss.
Oh, thank you, Ben, Agnes.
It means a great deal to me that you two could be here today.
It's nice to see you have a good man like Ned to lean on, Connie.
Well, Connie's more than the widow of my business partner, Ben.
She's a very dear friend.
Morning, Jessica.
Oh, good morning, Seth.
Henry Vernon.
Sure is a sorry occasion.
Yes.
[Sighs.]
I'm sorry, Christy, but I just can't stand funerals.
All those insincere speeches.
You know, it's just an excuse for mortuaries to make money off other people's unhappiness.
Stew, Henry Vernon was my dad's business partner for years and a good friend.
Why don't you stay out here if it's so offensive? I'm going in.
[Tires Squeal.]
Although Henry Vernon was a resident of Cabot Cove a mere 10 years, many of us felt as though we'd known him all of our lives.
So pleasant and honest a man was he, we'd come to cherish him both as a dear friend and as a trusted financial adviser.
Why, even our own church building fund was in Henry's capable hands.
Now it is for all of us to carry on without him for those of us who counted on Henry for financial guidance.
For Ned Olston, his worthy business partner.
For his loving wife, Connie, who I understand will be leaving Cabot Cove.
- Henry Vernon, whose great big heart - [Door Opens.]
Just gave out while he and Connie were away on vacation- [Phyllis.]
That's a lie! [Murmuring.]
Whatever killed Henry Vernon, it wasn't his great big heart! Henry had a heart like a bull, and I oughta know.
Now, Miss Walters- She probably killed him! I wouldn't be surprised if she was just after his insurance money! What is this? What is this, a- a cover-up? Why is it closed? What are you hiding? Dr.
Hazlitt, I bet if you checked, you'd find arsenic in Henry's body.
She killed him! Excuse me, Miss Walters, but if you'll just calm down- Get away from me! [Gasps.]
- [Agnes.]
Who's that? - It certainly isn't Henry Vernon.
There must have been some sort of terrible mix-up at that funeral home in Farnsdale.
Well, I suppose these things can happen.
I still wish I could have done an autopsy on Henry before they went ahead and embalmed him up there in Farnsdale.
Connie, it seems everyone in town's got a different version of how Henry died.
George Adams heard that Henry keeled over chasing after a purse snatcher.
[Sighs.]
Well, it was nothing as dramatic as that, Sheriff, believe me.
We were traveling north on one of our weekend getaways.
Henry said he wasn't feeling well, so we checked into a motel in Farnsdale and went to bed early.
The next morning- [Clicks Tongue.]
The next morning I woke up, and Henry was lying beside me.
He was dead.
The local doctor said that he'd died of a heart attack in the night.
I've, uh- I've got the certificate here somewhere.
[Seth Clears Throat.]
A-yah, the embalming did take place up in Farnsdale, just like Doc said.
Yes, but I knew that Henry would like to have had services here at Cabot Cove.
- Reverend Matthews mentioned you might be off to San Francisco.
- My sister lives there.
Mrs.
Vernon, in the church Miss Walters did say somethin' about insurance.
Henry carried a $200,000 life insurance policy.
That's funny.
I examined Henry for that policy.
I could've sworn Ned Olston was the beneficiary.
He was until Henry changed that over.
They were thinking of dissolving their partnership.
Why, I don't know.
Henry seldom confided.
Ma'am, there is just one other thing, and I wouldn't even begin to bring it up except for this funny mix-up over the bodies.
- About Phyllis Walters- - Amos.
Oh, it's all right, Jessica.
Henry had been seeing Phyllis for several months.
I found out.
Well, Henry told me that it was all over between them.
Well, maybe Henry just forgot to tell Phyllis that it was all over.
You know, if Phyllis Walters hadn't caused such a ruckus at that mortuary, thatJohn Doe would be a pile of ashes right about now, and Connie'd be puttin' in for 200,000 bucks' worth of insurance.
- Well, what are you suggesting? - There is a body in that coffin unaccounted for.
I called that mortuary up in Farnsdale, and they aren't missing any corpses.
Well, somebody's missing one.
You know, Mrs.
Fletcher, it's possible that fella in Henry's casket was murdered.
Well, now, that is an intriguing possibility.
Uh, you know, ma'am, as much as I appreciate all the help you've given me now and again, everyone in town says you solve all my cases for me.
So if you don't mind, I'm gonna crack this one alone.
Mind? [Chuckles.]
Oh, good heavens, no! I'm trying to finish a book in time to make the Christmas catalog, and I'm way behind as it is.
No, Amos, whatever's going on here, you're welcome to it.
Ahh.
[Typewriter Clacking.]
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
[Knocking.]
Phyllis! Mrs.
Fletcher, I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I have to talk to someone.
Well, come on inside.
Have a seat.
Uh, can I get you something? Tea? Coffee? No.
No, thanks.
Um- I guess I made quite a scene at the funeral this morning.
Well, it's a very good thing that you did.
Otherwise, this extraordinary mix-up might never have come to light.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you and I aren't exactly friends.
I mean, you being a very famous person, and me being just a waitress down at the truck stop.
Now, Phyllis, don't be silly.
What's on your mind? I just want to be certain that this awful crime is fully investigated.
Well, SheriffTupper is- Oh, please, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Everyone knows you're the real brains in Cabot Cove, not Amos Tupper.
Phyllis, believe me, Amos will do everything that's necessary to get to the bottom of this.
Even though Connie Vernon murdered Henry? And don't tell me it didn't cross your mind.
No, it didn't.
Mm, not really.
Henry and Connie were not getting along.
He told me so.
As a matter of fact, Henry promised to leave her and marry me.
I think Connie found out, and she killed him.
[Seth.]
Amos, someday you're gonna break an anklejumping to a conclusion.
Obviously somebody at the Farnsdale mortuary mixed up a couple of bodies.
That's as simple as that.
I already talked to 'em.
That's not the way it happened.
Don't you think I think of these things? And I took the prints off thatJohn Doe and sent 'em to the F.
B.
I.
Oh, good.
You oughta hear from them in, say, a month, maybe two.
Silas, who handled that coffin when it came in from Farnsdale? Me.
Part of my job.
But I never opened her up.
- Oh? - No need to.
Paperwork was all in order.
Seth, that death certificate was made out to Henry Vernon, not the fella that fell out of the coffin.
I think an autopsy on Mr.
Doe is in order here.
Amos, really, don't you think you're being a little bit melodramatic? No, I don't! Switchin' bodies on some poor widow from Cabot Cove- Huh! That's a pretty slick way to get rid of a Farnsdale murder victim.
Amos, l- [Sighs.]
All right, all right.
Silas, when you finish with that crate, would you bring, uh- bring theJohn Doe body over to my office? Mm.
So, how are the plans coming on that new clinic you were developing with Henry over in Pheasant Ridge? Oh, just fine.
Heh! In all the years he and I were partners, this is the first time you've ever shown any interest in our investment projects.
What's the matter, honey? It's Connie Vernon.
I can't stand the thought of her coming into the business now that Henry's gone.
- She bothers me.
- Well, from what I hear, she's gonna move to San Francisco.
She was always complaining that there was nothing to do in Cabot Cove.
You know, Dad, I've been thinking that it's time for me to move to my own place.
- This wouldn't have anything to do with Stew Bennett, now, would it? - What is it about Stew that bugs you so much? Are you sure you have enough time? Oh, sweetie, it's just that I love you so much.
I just hate to see you get mixed-up with some hippie berry picker.
He is a berry grower, Dad, and he's just going through a phase.
Dropping out of Harvard Business School to grow blueberries is no damn phase.
- [Sighs.]
- [Brakes Squeal.]
Excuse me.
Evening, Ned.
Oh, Ben, Agnes, good evening.
Good evening.
Could we speak with you for a few minutes? It's about our investment.
Sure, sure, sit down.
Agnes.
Now, then, what's on your mind? Agnes and I have decided to withdraw our money from the medical clinic project in Pheasant Ridge.
Well, this is, uh, pretty short notice, Ben.
Yes, well, we've been talking to the Stockdales.
They've convinced us that CD's are a much better investment.
Well, Agnes, I'm not so sure about that.
I mean a CD's just a piece of paper.
But Pheasant Ridge, well, that's an investment in people and in Cabot Cove.
- We appreciate all that.
- You know, Jessica Fletcher just joined us as our last investor.
That's brought us right up to our million-dollar goal.
It would be a shame to pull out now.
I'm sorry, Ned, but that's the way we want it.
Isn't it, darling? - Well, I still say you're making a big mistake, but it's your money.
- We knew you'd understand.
[Agnes.]
Oh, when the bank opens on Monday, we want the entire hundred thousand back.
Of course, Agnes.
No problem.
- [Reverend.]
Good morning, Jessica.
- Morning, Edwin.
Dreadful, that business at the church yesterday.
Poor Connie.
She's beside herself.
Oh, yes.
You know, Jessica, I'm sure that SheriffTupper is doing all that he can to get to the bottom of this mystery, but, Amos, well- [Chuckles.]
I wonder, have you any thoughts on how this mix-up might have occurred? Not a single one.
But I'm quite sure that there is a logical explanation.
I pray that you're right.
I understand from Ned Olston that you're joining us by investing in the Pheasant Ridge Medical Center.
How wonderful.
Well, how could I refuse once Ned started needling me about my civic responsibility? Well, it's comforting to know that the church building fund has been so wisely invested.
I only wish that Henry had lived to see the completion of the beautiful clinic, which I'm sure will serve as a source of pride and inspiration- To us all.
[Chuckles.]
Thank you, Reverend.
So nice to see you.
Hm.
[Phone Ringing.]
Hello? Mrs.
Fletcher.
Amos Tupper.
- Hello, Amos.
- Just thought you'd like to know, I spoke to the police up in Farnsdale.
Funny, they don't know a thing about this John Doe fellow.
And you're happy about that? It confirms my theory.
Somebody murdered John Doe and stuck him in Henry Vernon's coffin.
I'm gonna pop over to Doc Hazlitt's and see if he's figured out how this fellow was killed.
I'd offer to pick you up, but like I said, I think I can handle this one okay.
Oh, I'm quite sure that you can, Amos.
Anyway, I really don't have time.
I promised to drop by and see Connie Vernon later.
Sure thing, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Sorry to bother you.
Bye now.
Bye, Amos.
Now, you were saying about theJohn Doe- What'd you find out? Well, he has a 10-year-old bypass operation, and of course, a massive clot in the aorta.
Oh, no doubt about it.
John Doe died of a heart attack, plain and simple.
- You mean, it wasn't murder? - Who said it was? Mm, he died of natural causes.
Maybe it was just a mix-up at that mortuary up in Farnsdale.
I just don't know what to think.
Well, I suppose the only way to solve this particular mystery is for someone to drive to Farnsdale and ask a few discreet questions.
I'll take a run up there first thing in the morning.
Connie, you know, Amos is gonna have this whole thing straightened out in no time.
The house is so empty without Henry.
Please, I know I'm a bother, but could you two come back and keep me company this evening? - We could have dinner.
- Well, uh, I don't know.
I got a lot of paperwork, and I know Mrs.
Fletcher's awful busy with her new book.
Well, Amos, I mean, we would have to eat anyway.
I think it's a fine idea, and I'd just be delighted.
[Chuckles.]
- Would 6:00 be too early? - Oh, that'd be perfect.
Thank you.
[Knocking.]
Silas.
Afternoon, Miss Phyllis.
Hope I'm not interruptin' anything.
No, but- I never did get a chance to offer my condolences over Henry's death.
I know some tongues are waggin', but I say, "Let 'em wag.
" What's done is done, and what's now is now.
Thank you.
Why don't you come in? Thank you.
Sit down.
Silas, look.
I want you to know I think you're a very nice man.
You're substantial, settled.
Yes, ma'am, I am that.
But the truth is, I'm just not attracted to you, not in the romantic sense.
Miss Phyllis, I figure if we could just spend some time together- talkin', gettin' to know one another- Silas, please.
You're just going to end up hurting yourself and me if you keep this up.
But you need a man to take care of you.
I'm not askin' you to love me.
Lfigure that'll come in time.
Silas, I want you to leave.
Now, please.
But- I know you're still in love with Henry Vernon, but- but he's dead.
Soon as they find his body, I think you'll be changin' your mind.
Good day, ma'am.
[Man On TV.]
whose autopsy revealed today that the man died of a heart attack.
His identity, however, remains a mystery, as do the whereabouts of Henry Vernon's body.
Well, the weather's no mys- [Clicks Off.]
[Ringing.]
Hello? This is Henry.
Listen, this thing is getting out of hand.
I just heard the news, and- Well, then, we'll have to talk! [Ringing.]
Oh, dear heaven! Hello.
Jessica? Ned Olston.
- Uh, did I catch you at a bad time? - I'm just trying to do a bit of writing.
What can I do for you? Well, actually, Jessica, it's what I can do for you.
Oh? Yeah, there's, uh, still room for another $60,000 in that Pheasant Ridge Clinic investment.
- I wanted to give you first crack.
- Oh, I don't know, Ned.
You know, Amos Tupper knows a good deal when he hears one.
He put in his retirement fund.
He did? Nearly $40,000.
So can I, uh- can I count you in? No, I don't think so, Ned.
I feel very comfortable with what I've already invested.
Oh, yes, Jessica, but- I appreciate your asking me, and, uh, you-you'll have to excuse me.
I wish I had time to chat, but I've just got to get back to my book.
Good-bye.
Be sure to give my love to Christy.
Yes, good-bye.
[Christy.]
I'm not asking you to give up your lifestyle, Stew.
It's just that you're such a whiz at economics.
Well- [Grunts.]
That's the problem, Christy.
I know how the system works.
You know, the little people do all the work, and the people with all the money steal from them.
I think that you are being foolish.
Well, I'd rather be a fool than a fascist.
You know, if you would stop being so bitter for a second, you might see that there's some sort of happy medium between selling out and selling blueberries.
Damn it, Christy! Why can't you just accept people for the way they are? I mean, if you want a man like your father, a man who lives to exploit other people's greed and ignorance, then you should go back to him.
[Door Slams.]
Oh, that was delicious, Connie.
You know, I am absolutely stuffed.
Could I work some of this off by helping with the dishes? Oh, absolutely not.
You are my guests.
You two just relax.
That is the best apple pie I've had in years.
Thanks.
I hear you're a real expert.
Head judge at the county fair four years runnin'.
Connie, please forgive me.
I hate to eat and run, but I didn't get as much work done today as I had hoped, and I'm afraid I am not gonna make my deadline.
I'll give you a lift.
I'm headed that way anyway.
Oh, Amos, must you? It's only 8:45.
Well, uh, actually, there's this, uh, John Wayne movie at 9:00.
The War Wagon.
A wonderful film.
I never miss it.
- You a fan of the Duke's too, Mrs.
Vernon? - My absolute favorite.
Well, uh- Don't worry about me, Amos.
It's a lovely night.
I'd really like to walk home.
It'll help me to think.
Thanks again, Connie.
It was a lovely evening.
- My pleasure, Jessica, really.
- Good night.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, Amos.
Good night.
Why don't you warm up the television, and I will get you another piece of pie? Sounds just great to me, Mrs.
Vernon.
Amos, don't you think you could call me Connie? Mm.
[Tires Screeching.]
[Men Shouting, Indistinct.]
[TV: Gunshot.]
Hm! Ahh.
Yes, ma'am, they sure don't make 'em like the Duke anymore.
I know what you mean, Amos.
It sure is comforting knowing that there's a big, strong man around to take care of things.
Eh, right.
You know, Amos, I hope you don't take this wrong, but I sure would like it if you could stop by now and again just to say hello.
Why, it'd be my pleasure, Connie.
Just to see me through this period of adjustment.
- You understand? - Oh, of course.
Oh, well, it's after 11:00.
I guess I'd better be headin' on out, as the Duke would say.
Past 11:00.
The time sure went fast.
Yes.
Oh, thanks again for the great food and the movie.
Thank you, Amos, for being here.
Night.
[Tapping.]
Oh.
Now you're being silly.
- [Knocking.]
- Mornin', Mrs.
Fletcher.
Sure was one fine dinner last night.
Yes, it certainly was, Amos.
Look, I don't want to seem rude, but I am at my wit's end.
I have four days to finish this-this book.
Oh.
Well, I just dropped by to say that I'm headed up to Farnsdale and to invite you.
Eh, well, l-I really can't go.
But thank you for asking me.
[Phone Ringing.]
Excuse me.
I'll be seein' ya.
Hello? Yes.
Uh, Amos, Amos.
Hmm? It's for you.
Oh, thank you.
[Clears Throat.]
SheriffTupper here.
[Loudly.]
What? Now, just calm yourself, Miss Walters.
A- And don't you touch a thing.
I'll be right over.
Well, looks like I'm not goin' up to Farnsdale after all.
Phyllis Walters just found Henry Vernon.
[Police Radio Chatter.]
[Grunts.]
You want to give it to me again, Miss Walters? Okay.
I came home from work about 7:00 this morning- the 12-hour bulldog shift.
I made myself a peanut butter sandwich, and then I came in here.
That's where I found Henry's body.
Why on earth would anyone want to bring Henry's body here? Seth, how long do you think he's been dead? Well, a little bit hard to say, but I expect about, uh, oh, 10, 12 hours.
That would mean he died between 8:00 and 10:00 last night.
A-yah.
What do you think caused the death? A massive blow to the back of the head- some sort of cylindrical instrument such as a crowbar, wrench, possibly a heavy cane or- Or a poker? Or a poker.
Miss Walters, where exactly were you between 8:00 and 10:00 last night? Where I always am, at the restaurant.
Now, don't get defensive.
These are just routine questions.
- This poker belong to you? - Yes, of course it does! Well, I'll have to take it along as evidence.
Evidence? Sheriff, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with any of this.
Nobody said you did yet.
Amos, did you notice the purple stains on his clothes? Yep, and his shoes and pant cuffs are covered with dirt.
Now, how do you figure that happened? I'm not sure.
What are you thinking, Seth? I don't know.
Just that there ought to be more blood- a lot more blood- and there's something strange about the arrangement of the body.
Amos, there's something here that needs your immediate attention.
If Henry Vernon died last night- and not three days ago in Farnsdale- then Connie Vernon has got a lot of explaining to do.
[Pops.]
All right, I'm sorry.
I lied.
But Henry made me do it.
Henry made you do it? It was all his idea.
Suppose you tell us.
Well, the first part of the story is true.
We were driving up near Farnsdale.
Then we had a flat tire.
Henry was fixing the tire, and a hitchhiker came along and offered to help.
Well, Henry was never very good with his hands, so he said "Sure.
" After the tire was fixed, we gave the hitchhiker a lift.
Everything was fine.
Well, then he had a heart attack- the hitchhiker, in the backseat of the car.
Well, I told Henry that we should drive straight to the police, but he had a better idea.
Oh, Henry always had a better idea.
Well, then he made me check into a motel and tell the clerk that my husband wasn't feeling well.
After it was dark, we carried that awful body into the motel room and put it on the bed.
In the morning, I called the clerk and told him that my husband had died during the night.
He brought a doctor with him, and he pronounced that man dead and signed the death certificate.
The hitchhiker's body was taken to a local mortician and then sent here for a brief ceremony and a quick cremation.
Then Henry was gonna slip away to San Francisco, and I was going to join him.
So you were going to collect on Henry's life insurance after all.
It was a terrible thing to do, but I thought if we could get away from Cabot Cove- [Sighs.]
from Phyllis Walters- Who was gonna look after our investments after you two had gone away? Ned Olston, I suppose.
But he and Henry were having problems.
I really didn't get involved in any of his business projects.
Connie, I don't suppose Henry tried to contact you last night, before he was killed.
No.
No one called.
Not while I was here.
[Phone Ringing.]
Hello? Yes, just a minute.
Amos, it's for you.
Huh? SheriffTupper.
Sheriff, this is, uh, Ned Olston.
I'm afraid I have some unpleasant news.
- The investment money for the Pheasant Ridge project is, uh- - [Man.]
A-yah? - Well, it's gone.
- [All Clamoring.]
- [Man.]
Our money's gone? - [Agnes.]
But- - [Ned.]
Everyone, please! - Now, just pipe down and listen! My retirement money's gone too, you know.
This is as big a shock to me as it is to you.
I just checked with the bank in Portland where your money was deposited.
They told me it had been withdrawn four days ago, the whole million! - By Henry Vernon? - Yes, I'm afraid so.
Wait, that's not true.
Henry never would have stolen from us.
He loved this town.
Phyllis, I spoke personally to one of the bank's vice presidents.
It was Henry, all right.
A million dollars just doesn't disappear, Olston! Ned, unless our money is returned immediately, I'll destroy you! Now, Ben, I'm sure this whole matter can be cleared up if we can all just manage to stay calm.
However, stealing the church's building fund- Well, it's like stealing from the good Lord above.
You don't want that hanging over you, now, do you, Ned? Silas, I didn't realize that you'd invested in Pheasant Ridge.
It was just a small amount, Mrs.
Fletcher.
There's a lot of us put our faith in Henry and Ned.
Look, my father had nothing to do with this.
But I'll just bet Henry Vernon's wife might be able to tell us something.
- Ask Connie Vernon.
- Do you know where our money is? [All Clamoring.]
Please, all of you! It's true.
Henry did visit the bank when we were away.
But I had no idea that he was withdrawing investment funds.
I swear to you! - But what did he do with everyone's money? - Amos, I don't know.
If he took that money, he didn't tell me.
Hey, maybe whoever murdered Henry took the money.
Yeah, you got anybody in custody yet, Sheriff? [Amos.]
Well- You find that murderer, you'll find our money! We're doing everything we can to clear this up.
Amos Tupper, if you don't find our money- Well, next year is an election year, you know.
Now, look! Look, Agnes, threats- threats aren't going to get us anywhere.
Now, we've got to look at this calmly and rationally, all of us.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you've got to find that money.
The whole town's savings is at stake here! Amos, I am as concerned about this as you are.
But l- I'm so busy, l-I wouldn't know how to begin- - [Door Slams.]
- Sheriff! What kind of country is this? Somebody stole my van! What? Van.
Of course! Sheriff, I think after this is over, we should talk with Stew Bennett in your office.
Stew, you use your van for transporting blueberries, don't you? Sure, that's what I use it for mostly.
Amos, you remember those purple stains on Henry's clothes.
Yeah? Wait a minute.
Are you insinuating I had anything to do with his murder? Stew, we're not insinuating anything, but I did see your van drive by last night when I was walking home about 9:00.
But I never drove the van last night.
I had a few beers, and I fell asleep.
I didn't even know the van was missing till this morning.
I thought Christy took it.
No, Stew, I took the bike.
Where were the keys? [Clears Throat.]
In the ignition.
Well, I'd say the first order of business is to find Stew Bennett's van.
You might start by, uh, looking around Phyllis Walters's place.
Henry's body was found there, and maybe the money's there too.
Mrs.
Fletcher, honestly, I was at the restaurant all night.
I don't know anything about any money.
Well, if you were at the restaurant all night, you won't mind if the sheriff checks with the manager.
- Well, actually, l- I did take a short break.
- What time was that? Ah, I guess- I guess it was from about 8:30 to 9:30.
- You see, Henry called me at work.
- You talked to Henry last night? No, not exactly.
I was out on the floor, so the manager, Mr.
Tetley, took the message for me.
He said a man calling himself Henry Vernon wanted to meet me out by the lake.
But when I arrived, Henry wasn't there.
Amos, come on.
I think we've kept Phyllis long enough.
But- Uh, thanks, Phyllis.
I'm sure the sheriff will call you if there's anything else he needs.
[Mumbles.]
Well, I don't know what you expect to find.
Well, I certainly didn't expect to not find that! - [Amos.]
Where is he? - How should I know? I haven't been here since last night.
[Amos.]
Well, he didn'tjust get up and walk away.
Amos, it looks as if whoever borrowed Mr.
Doe came in through this window.
Ah! What is goin' on here? First a missing man is dead, and then a dead man is missing.
Sheriff? Sheriff, we just found Stew Bennett's van over on Ben Shipley's farm.
Well, Amos, win one, lose one.
I can't wait to see how you sort this out.
[Police Radio Chatter.]
Well, how did it get here? I'll tell you, Amos.
I don't know how it got here.
I smelled the smoke, I saw the fire, called old Dempsey down at the firehouse.
That's about it in a nutshell.
Sheriff, look.
Just look at my van! Stew, stop your griping.
Your insurance'll cover it.
I don't believe in insurance.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you find anything interesting? Oh, just this suitcase, or what's left of it.
Oh.
Oh, I'm afraid there's what's left of what was inside it.
My retirement money! Amos, I noticed something.
Take a look over here.
Hmm? What do you think? It ain't no gopher hole.
I can tell you that much.
That is who I think it is, ain't it, Doc? MeetJohn Doe.
You were right, Jessica.
He has blueberry stains all over his britches.
Mm-hmm.
Ben? That cabin over there, what is it used for? - Oh, that's my little hideaway- [Whispers.]
from Agnes.
- Would you mind if I looked around? Don't know what you expect to find.
I haven't been in it in months.
Suit yourself.
Thank you.
[Amos.]
Careful now, fellas.
Don't trample any of the evidence.
[Door Opens.]
[Door Closes.]
Find anything important? Some toilet articles, an empty carton of Chinese food and a working telephone.
I said anything important, like, maybe money? [Door Opens, Closes.]
Amos, It's my guess that Henry Vernon was hiding out here.
- [Ben.]
Well, he did it without my permission.
- That so? - Now, Amos, you're not gonna try and incriminate me in this mess.
- No? We've got Henry Vernon's hideout, that stolen van, and what's left of the stolen money, all on your property, not a mile from Cabot Cove.
And this cabin is about a half a mile from Phyllis Walters's house.
[Connie.]
I knew Phyllis Walters was in love with Henry, but I never thought that she would kill him.
But I don't really see that she had any motive.
No? She realized that Henry would never leave me, so she flew into a rage and hit him with that poker.
Well, circumstances do point to Phyllis Walters.
I'm sorry, Amos.
Whoever killed Henry, I doubt that it was Phyllis.
Why? Well, first of all, Seth is pretty sure Henry wasn't killed at her cottage.
He wasn't? Well, there were all those blueberry stains on both his and John Doe's clothing and all that dust on his cuffs.
- I don't quite follow you.
- Well, it's only a hunch, but what if it was Henry who stole that body from Seth's office? What? Follow me for a moment.
When John Doe's body was discovered in that coffin, Henry realized his insurance fraud wasn't going to work.
So? Well, so, to cover himself, he decided to bury the only evidence of his plan: John Doe's body.
Now, that would account for the dirt on Henry's shoes and in his cuffs.
Makes sense.
And maybe it was Henry who stole Stew Bennett's van.
Now, wait a minute, Jessica.
Henry could've used the van to stealJohn Doe's body from Seth's office and take it out to the woods and bury it.
Then whoever the murderer is killed Henry, and then used that same van to transport his body to Phyllis Walters's cottage, to frame Phyllis.
Now, the murderer had made sure she'd be away at the lake.
What about the fire and the money? Well, l- I'm afraid I haven't got to that part yet.
Jessica, don't you think that you are stretching things just a little too far this time? Possibly, but-[Sighs.]
I think that there might be a way of proving my theory.
You see, I noticed that the crystal on Henry's watch was missing when his body was discovered.
Now, that's the sort of detail that the killer might not have noticed in the dark.
You know, Amos, I think that you ought to go over that van with a fine-tooth comb.
If you can scare up that crystal, or even a few glass fragments, that would prove Henry's body had been inside the van.
Mrs.
Fletcher, l- I don't remember any- Oh, now, come on, Amos.
I'm sure that van has a lot more to tell you.
Yeah? You'll have to excuse me, Connie.
I have got to get back to my book.
I'm way behind as it is.
If you're looking for that crystal, I can save you some trouble.
Jessica! Oh, where did you come from? - Well, what better place to look for this than the scene of the crime? - Scene of the crime? [Laughs.]
I started thinking about who Henry would have gone to see that night, and who better than his wife and coconspirator? Oh, no, you're wrong.
Henry probably saw SheriffTupper's car parked out front, so he drove the van around the back and waited for you to come into the kitchen so that he could talk with you.
While the sheriff was in the living room watching the movie- or more likely, taking an after-dinner nap- you slipped out the back door, probably saying something about tidying up the kitchen.
You had your chat with Henry.
After that business with John Doe's body, Henry probably started to unravel.
Maybe he was about to bolt town with all that investment money.
So when he turned to leave, it's my guess you reached down and grabbed a length ofheavy pipe, then hit Henry across the back of the head.
- A length of pipe? - Yes.
You can see there used to be a piece over there.
See where it killed the grass underneath? I don't suppose we'll ever find that pipe though.
If you were smart, you'd have thrown it away somewhere.
After that, you dragged Henry's body under the porch here and went back inside tojoin Amos for the rest of the movie.
He provided the perfect alibi.
Then after Amos had left and gone home for the evening, you used Stew Bennett's van to transport Henry's body.
That's how those blueberry stains got on his clothes.
Then you drove the van to Phyllis Walters's cottage, and set the scene to incriminate her.
Far-fetched, Jessica.
But you'll never be able to prove it.
No? You said earlier that Henry had been hit over the head by Phyllis's poker.
Now, that was a costly slip.
You see, SheriffTupper never said anything about how Henry was killed, nor what sort of weapon had been found at the scene.
You could only have known about that poker if you had been there and set it up yourself.
You are an amazing woman, Jessica.
Oh, and you're absolutely right about every detail except one.
I didn't get around to throwing away that pipe.
I'm sorry it had to turn out this way, but you shouldn't have gone nosing around where you didn't belong.
Hold it! You can drop that pipe now.
Sorry about this, Mrs.
Vernon.
I was becomin' real partial to your cookin'.
Thanks, Mrs.
Fletcher.
You know, everything fits perfectly except for one thing.
What's that? Well, I can't remember Henry Vernon's watch missin' its crystal.
Huh! I guess I must've just overlooked it.
No, you didn't, Amos.
I made that part up.
- But you have the- - This? [Laughs.]
It's from one of Frank's old watches.
The crystal was always falling out.
She figured by framing Phyllis Walters, she'd get rid of the other woman, as well as get herself back in line for that insurance money.
That's right, Seth.
If Phyllis had been convicted of killing Henry, then Connie and a good lawyer could have collected.
Is that why she and Henry faked Henry's murder in the first place? Well, it wasn't so much for the insurance money as a way of cutting off Henry's trail once it was discovered the million dollars had gone.
I mean, nobody's gonna go looking for a dead man.
Yes, but what about all that burned money? Well, actually, Connie only burned a few thousand when she set fir
Whatever killed Henry Vernon, it wasn't his great big heart.
Henry had a heart like a bull, and I oughta know.
[Woman.]
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
We want the entire hundred thousand back.
- [Jessica.]
I'm afraid there's what's left.
- My retirement money! Stealing the church's building fund- It's like stealing from the good Lord above.
What kind of country is this? Somebody stole my van! - I'm gonna crack this one alone.
- You're welcome to it.
[Gulls Cawing.]
Silas! Morning, Miss Phyllis.
My, you do look wonderful in black.
Where's Henry? I just came from the cemetery, and they told me there weren't going to be any burials today.
That's 'cause he's going to be cremated right after the ceremony at the church.
Cremated? Whose idea was that? - Mrs.
Vernon, I expect.
- And why is there such a rush? Seemed a bit hasty to me, too, but I've learned never question a grieving widow's wishes.
Could I give you a ride back? ##[Organ.]
[Chattering.]
Connie? Oh.
Connie dear.
I feel just awful about Henry.
What a wonderful man.
He certainly was.
It's a great loss.
Oh, thank you, Ben, Agnes.
It means a great deal to me that you two could be here today.
It's nice to see you have a good man like Ned to lean on, Connie.
Well, Connie's more than the widow of my business partner, Ben.
She's a very dear friend.
Morning, Jessica.
Oh, good morning, Seth.
Henry Vernon.
Sure is a sorry occasion.
Yes.
[Sighs.]
I'm sorry, Christy, but I just can't stand funerals.
All those insincere speeches.
You know, it's just an excuse for mortuaries to make money off other people's unhappiness.
Stew, Henry Vernon was my dad's business partner for years and a good friend.
Why don't you stay out here if it's so offensive? I'm going in.
[Tires Squeal.]
Although Henry Vernon was a resident of Cabot Cove a mere 10 years, many of us felt as though we'd known him all of our lives.
So pleasant and honest a man was he, we'd come to cherish him both as a dear friend and as a trusted financial adviser.
Why, even our own church building fund was in Henry's capable hands.
Now it is for all of us to carry on without him for those of us who counted on Henry for financial guidance.
For Ned Olston, his worthy business partner.
For his loving wife, Connie, who I understand will be leaving Cabot Cove.
- Henry Vernon, whose great big heart - [Door Opens.]
Just gave out while he and Connie were away on vacation- [Phyllis.]
That's a lie! [Murmuring.]
Whatever killed Henry Vernon, it wasn't his great big heart! Henry had a heart like a bull, and I oughta know.
Now, Miss Walters- She probably killed him! I wouldn't be surprised if she was just after his insurance money! What is this? What is this, a- a cover-up? Why is it closed? What are you hiding? Dr.
Hazlitt, I bet if you checked, you'd find arsenic in Henry's body.
She killed him! Excuse me, Miss Walters, but if you'll just calm down- Get away from me! [Gasps.]
- [Agnes.]
Who's that? - It certainly isn't Henry Vernon.
There must have been some sort of terrible mix-up at that funeral home in Farnsdale.
Well, I suppose these things can happen.
I still wish I could have done an autopsy on Henry before they went ahead and embalmed him up there in Farnsdale.
Connie, it seems everyone in town's got a different version of how Henry died.
George Adams heard that Henry keeled over chasing after a purse snatcher.
[Sighs.]
Well, it was nothing as dramatic as that, Sheriff, believe me.
We were traveling north on one of our weekend getaways.
Henry said he wasn't feeling well, so we checked into a motel in Farnsdale and went to bed early.
The next morning- [Clicks Tongue.]
The next morning I woke up, and Henry was lying beside me.
He was dead.
The local doctor said that he'd died of a heart attack in the night.
I've, uh- I've got the certificate here somewhere.
[Seth Clears Throat.]
A-yah, the embalming did take place up in Farnsdale, just like Doc said.
Yes, but I knew that Henry would like to have had services here at Cabot Cove.
- Reverend Matthews mentioned you might be off to San Francisco.
- My sister lives there.
Mrs.
Vernon, in the church Miss Walters did say somethin' about insurance.
Henry carried a $200,000 life insurance policy.
That's funny.
I examined Henry for that policy.
I could've sworn Ned Olston was the beneficiary.
He was until Henry changed that over.
They were thinking of dissolving their partnership.
Why, I don't know.
Henry seldom confided.
Ma'am, there is just one other thing, and I wouldn't even begin to bring it up except for this funny mix-up over the bodies.
- About Phyllis Walters- - Amos.
Oh, it's all right, Jessica.
Henry had been seeing Phyllis for several months.
I found out.
Well, Henry told me that it was all over between them.
Well, maybe Henry just forgot to tell Phyllis that it was all over.
You know, if Phyllis Walters hadn't caused such a ruckus at that mortuary, thatJohn Doe would be a pile of ashes right about now, and Connie'd be puttin' in for 200,000 bucks' worth of insurance.
- Well, what are you suggesting? - There is a body in that coffin unaccounted for.
I called that mortuary up in Farnsdale, and they aren't missing any corpses.
Well, somebody's missing one.
You know, Mrs.
Fletcher, it's possible that fella in Henry's casket was murdered.
Well, now, that is an intriguing possibility.
Uh, you know, ma'am, as much as I appreciate all the help you've given me now and again, everyone in town says you solve all my cases for me.
So if you don't mind, I'm gonna crack this one alone.
Mind? [Chuckles.]
Oh, good heavens, no! I'm trying to finish a book in time to make the Christmas catalog, and I'm way behind as it is.
No, Amos, whatever's going on here, you're welcome to it.
Ahh.
[Typewriter Clacking.]
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
[Knocking.]
Phyllis! Mrs.
Fletcher, I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I have to talk to someone.
Well, come on inside.
Have a seat.
Uh, can I get you something? Tea? Coffee? No.
No, thanks.
Um- I guess I made quite a scene at the funeral this morning.
Well, it's a very good thing that you did.
Otherwise, this extraordinary mix-up might never have come to light.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you and I aren't exactly friends.
I mean, you being a very famous person, and me being just a waitress down at the truck stop.
Now, Phyllis, don't be silly.
What's on your mind? I just want to be certain that this awful crime is fully investigated.
Well, SheriffTupper is- Oh, please, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Everyone knows you're the real brains in Cabot Cove, not Amos Tupper.
Phyllis, believe me, Amos will do everything that's necessary to get to the bottom of this.
Even though Connie Vernon murdered Henry? And don't tell me it didn't cross your mind.
No, it didn't.
Mm, not really.
Henry and Connie were not getting along.
He told me so.
As a matter of fact, Henry promised to leave her and marry me.
I think Connie found out, and she killed him.
[Seth.]
Amos, someday you're gonna break an anklejumping to a conclusion.
Obviously somebody at the Farnsdale mortuary mixed up a couple of bodies.
That's as simple as that.
I already talked to 'em.
That's not the way it happened.
Don't you think I think of these things? And I took the prints off thatJohn Doe and sent 'em to the F.
B.
I.
Oh, good.
You oughta hear from them in, say, a month, maybe two.
Silas, who handled that coffin when it came in from Farnsdale? Me.
Part of my job.
But I never opened her up.
- Oh? - No need to.
Paperwork was all in order.
Seth, that death certificate was made out to Henry Vernon, not the fella that fell out of the coffin.
I think an autopsy on Mr.
Doe is in order here.
Amos, really, don't you think you're being a little bit melodramatic? No, I don't! Switchin' bodies on some poor widow from Cabot Cove- Huh! That's a pretty slick way to get rid of a Farnsdale murder victim.
Amos, l- [Sighs.]
All right, all right.
Silas, when you finish with that crate, would you bring, uh- bring theJohn Doe body over to my office? Mm.
So, how are the plans coming on that new clinic you were developing with Henry over in Pheasant Ridge? Oh, just fine.
Heh! In all the years he and I were partners, this is the first time you've ever shown any interest in our investment projects.
What's the matter, honey? It's Connie Vernon.
I can't stand the thought of her coming into the business now that Henry's gone.
- She bothers me.
- Well, from what I hear, she's gonna move to San Francisco.
She was always complaining that there was nothing to do in Cabot Cove.
You know, Dad, I've been thinking that it's time for me to move to my own place.
- This wouldn't have anything to do with Stew Bennett, now, would it? - What is it about Stew that bugs you so much? Are you sure you have enough time? Oh, sweetie, it's just that I love you so much.
I just hate to see you get mixed-up with some hippie berry picker.
He is a berry grower, Dad, and he's just going through a phase.
Dropping out of Harvard Business School to grow blueberries is no damn phase.
- [Sighs.]
- [Brakes Squeal.]
Excuse me.
Evening, Ned.
Oh, Ben, Agnes, good evening.
Good evening.
Could we speak with you for a few minutes? It's about our investment.
Sure, sure, sit down.
Agnes.
Now, then, what's on your mind? Agnes and I have decided to withdraw our money from the medical clinic project in Pheasant Ridge.
Well, this is, uh, pretty short notice, Ben.
Yes, well, we've been talking to the Stockdales.
They've convinced us that CD's are a much better investment.
Well, Agnes, I'm not so sure about that.
I mean a CD's just a piece of paper.
But Pheasant Ridge, well, that's an investment in people and in Cabot Cove.
- We appreciate all that.
- You know, Jessica Fletcher just joined us as our last investor.
That's brought us right up to our million-dollar goal.
It would be a shame to pull out now.
I'm sorry, Ned, but that's the way we want it.
Isn't it, darling? - Well, I still say you're making a big mistake, but it's your money.
- We knew you'd understand.
[Agnes.]
Oh, when the bank opens on Monday, we want the entire hundred thousand back.
Of course, Agnes.
No problem.
- [Reverend.]
Good morning, Jessica.
- Morning, Edwin.
Dreadful, that business at the church yesterday.
Poor Connie.
She's beside herself.
Oh, yes.
You know, Jessica, I'm sure that SheriffTupper is doing all that he can to get to the bottom of this mystery, but, Amos, well- [Chuckles.]
I wonder, have you any thoughts on how this mix-up might have occurred? Not a single one.
But I'm quite sure that there is a logical explanation.
I pray that you're right.
I understand from Ned Olston that you're joining us by investing in the Pheasant Ridge Medical Center.
How wonderful.
Well, how could I refuse once Ned started needling me about my civic responsibility? Well, it's comforting to know that the church building fund has been so wisely invested.
I only wish that Henry had lived to see the completion of the beautiful clinic, which I'm sure will serve as a source of pride and inspiration- To us all.
[Chuckles.]
Thank you, Reverend.
So nice to see you.
Hm.
[Phone Ringing.]
Hello? Mrs.
Fletcher.
Amos Tupper.
- Hello, Amos.
- Just thought you'd like to know, I spoke to the police up in Farnsdale.
Funny, they don't know a thing about this John Doe fellow.
And you're happy about that? It confirms my theory.
Somebody murdered John Doe and stuck him in Henry Vernon's coffin.
I'm gonna pop over to Doc Hazlitt's and see if he's figured out how this fellow was killed.
I'd offer to pick you up, but like I said, I think I can handle this one okay.
Oh, I'm quite sure that you can, Amos.
Anyway, I really don't have time.
I promised to drop by and see Connie Vernon later.
Sure thing, Mrs.
Fletcher.
Sorry to bother you.
Bye now.
Bye, Amos.
Now, you were saying about theJohn Doe- What'd you find out? Well, he has a 10-year-old bypass operation, and of course, a massive clot in the aorta.
Oh, no doubt about it.
John Doe died of a heart attack, plain and simple.
- You mean, it wasn't murder? - Who said it was? Mm, he died of natural causes.
Maybe it was just a mix-up at that mortuary up in Farnsdale.
I just don't know what to think.
Well, I suppose the only way to solve this particular mystery is for someone to drive to Farnsdale and ask a few discreet questions.
I'll take a run up there first thing in the morning.
Connie, you know, Amos is gonna have this whole thing straightened out in no time.
The house is so empty without Henry.
Please, I know I'm a bother, but could you two come back and keep me company this evening? - We could have dinner.
- Well, uh, I don't know.
I got a lot of paperwork, and I know Mrs.
Fletcher's awful busy with her new book.
Well, Amos, I mean, we would have to eat anyway.
I think it's a fine idea, and I'd just be delighted.
[Chuckles.]
- Would 6:00 be too early? - Oh, that'd be perfect.
Thank you.
[Knocking.]
Silas.
Afternoon, Miss Phyllis.
Hope I'm not interruptin' anything.
No, but- I never did get a chance to offer my condolences over Henry's death.
I know some tongues are waggin', but I say, "Let 'em wag.
" What's done is done, and what's now is now.
Thank you.
Why don't you come in? Thank you.
Sit down.
Silas, look.
I want you to know I think you're a very nice man.
You're substantial, settled.
Yes, ma'am, I am that.
But the truth is, I'm just not attracted to you, not in the romantic sense.
Miss Phyllis, I figure if we could just spend some time together- talkin', gettin' to know one another- Silas, please.
You're just going to end up hurting yourself and me if you keep this up.
But you need a man to take care of you.
I'm not askin' you to love me.
Lfigure that'll come in time.
Silas, I want you to leave.
Now, please.
But- I know you're still in love with Henry Vernon, but- but he's dead.
Soon as they find his body, I think you'll be changin' your mind.
Good day, ma'am.
[Man On TV.]
whose autopsy revealed today that the man died of a heart attack.
His identity, however, remains a mystery, as do the whereabouts of Henry Vernon's body.
Well, the weather's no mys- [Clicks Off.]
[Ringing.]
Hello? This is Henry.
Listen, this thing is getting out of hand.
I just heard the news, and- Well, then, we'll have to talk! [Ringing.]
Oh, dear heaven! Hello.
Jessica? Ned Olston.
- Uh, did I catch you at a bad time? - I'm just trying to do a bit of writing.
What can I do for you? Well, actually, Jessica, it's what I can do for you.
Oh? Yeah, there's, uh, still room for another $60,000 in that Pheasant Ridge Clinic investment.
- I wanted to give you first crack.
- Oh, I don't know, Ned.
You know, Amos Tupper knows a good deal when he hears one.
He put in his retirement fund.
He did? Nearly $40,000.
So can I, uh- can I count you in? No, I don't think so, Ned.
I feel very comfortable with what I've already invested.
Oh, yes, Jessica, but- I appreciate your asking me, and, uh, you-you'll have to excuse me.
I wish I had time to chat, but I've just got to get back to my book.
Good-bye.
Be sure to give my love to Christy.
Yes, good-bye.
[Christy.]
I'm not asking you to give up your lifestyle, Stew.
It's just that you're such a whiz at economics.
Well- [Grunts.]
That's the problem, Christy.
I know how the system works.
You know, the little people do all the work, and the people with all the money steal from them.
I think that you are being foolish.
Well, I'd rather be a fool than a fascist.
You know, if you would stop being so bitter for a second, you might see that there's some sort of happy medium between selling out and selling blueberries.
Damn it, Christy! Why can't you just accept people for the way they are? I mean, if you want a man like your father, a man who lives to exploit other people's greed and ignorance, then you should go back to him.
[Door Slams.]
Oh, that was delicious, Connie.
You know, I am absolutely stuffed.
Could I work some of this off by helping with the dishes? Oh, absolutely not.
You are my guests.
You two just relax.
That is the best apple pie I've had in years.
Thanks.
I hear you're a real expert.
Head judge at the county fair four years runnin'.
Connie, please forgive me.
I hate to eat and run, but I didn't get as much work done today as I had hoped, and I'm afraid I am not gonna make my deadline.
I'll give you a lift.
I'm headed that way anyway.
Oh, Amos, must you? It's only 8:45.
Well, uh, actually, there's this, uh, John Wayne movie at 9:00.
The War Wagon.
A wonderful film.
I never miss it.
- You a fan of the Duke's too, Mrs.
Vernon? - My absolute favorite.
Well, uh- Don't worry about me, Amos.
It's a lovely night.
I'd really like to walk home.
It'll help me to think.
Thanks again, Connie.
It was a lovely evening.
- My pleasure, Jessica, really.
- Good night.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, Amos.
Good night.
Why don't you warm up the television, and I will get you another piece of pie? Sounds just great to me, Mrs.
Vernon.
Amos, don't you think you could call me Connie? Mm.
[Tires Screeching.]
[Men Shouting, Indistinct.]
[TV: Gunshot.]
Hm! Ahh.
Yes, ma'am, they sure don't make 'em like the Duke anymore.
I know what you mean, Amos.
It sure is comforting knowing that there's a big, strong man around to take care of things.
Eh, right.
You know, Amos, I hope you don't take this wrong, but I sure would like it if you could stop by now and again just to say hello.
Why, it'd be my pleasure, Connie.
Just to see me through this period of adjustment.
- You understand? - Oh, of course.
Oh, well, it's after 11:00.
I guess I'd better be headin' on out, as the Duke would say.
Past 11:00.
The time sure went fast.
Yes.
Oh, thanks again for the great food and the movie.
Thank you, Amos, for being here.
Night.
[Tapping.]
Oh.
Now you're being silly.
- [Knocking.]
- Mornin', Mrs.
Fletcher.
Sure was one fine dinner last night.
Yes, it certainly was, Amos.
Look, I don't want to seem rude, but I am at my wit's end.
I have four days to finish this-this book.
Oh.
Well, I just dropped by to say that I'm headed up to Farnsdale and to invite you.
Eh, well, l-I really can't go.
But thank you for asking me.
[Phone Ringing.]
Excuse me.
I'll be seein' ya.
Hello? Yes.
Uh, Amos, Amos.
Hmm? It's for you.
Oh, thank you.
[Clears Throat.]
SheriffTupper here.
[Loudly.]
What? Now, just calm yourself, Miss Walters.
A- And don't you touch a thing.
I'll be right over.
Well, looks like I'm not goin' up to Farnsdale after all.
Phyllis Walters just found Henry Vernon.
[Police Radio Chatter.]
[Grunts.]
You want to give it to me again, Miss Walters? Okay.
I came home from work about 7:00 this morning- the 12-hour bulldog shift.
I made myself a peanut butter sandwich, and then I came in here.
That's where I found Henry's body.
Why on earth would anyone want to bring Henry's body here? Seth, how long do you think he's been dead? Well, a little bit hard to say, but I expect about, uh, oh, 10, 12 hours.
That would mean he died between 8:00 and 10:00 last night.
A-yah.
What do you think caused the death? A massive blow to the back of the head- some sort of cylindrical instrument such as a crowbar, wrench, possibly a heavy cane or- Or a poker? Or a poker.
Miss Walters, where exactly were you between 8:00 and 10:00 last night? Where I always am, at the restaurant.
Now, don't get defensive.
These are just routine questions.
- This poker belong to you? - Yes, of course it does! Well, I'll have to take it along as evidence.
Evidence? Sheriff, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with any of this.
Nobody said you did yet.
Amos, did you notice the purple stains on his clothes? Yep, and his shoes and pant cuffs are covered with dirt.
Now, how do you figure that happened? I'm not sure.
What are you thinking, Seth? I don't know.
Just that there ought to be more blood- a lot more blood- and there's something strange about the arrangement of the body.
Amos, there's something here that needs your immediate attention.
If Henry Vernon died last night- and not three days ago in Farnsdale- then Connie Vernon has got a lot of explaining to do.
[Pops.]
All right, I'm sorry.
I lied.
But Henry made me do it.
Henry made you do it? It was all his idea.
Suppose you tell us.
Well, the first part of the story is true.
We were driving up near Farnsdale.
Then we had a flat tire.
Henry was fixing the tire, and a hitchhiker came along and offered to help.
Well, Henry was never very good with his hands, so he said "Sure.
" After the tire was fixed, we gave the hitchhiker a lift.
Everything was fine.
Well, then he had a heart attack- the hitchhiker, in the backseat of the car.
Well, I told Henry that we should drive straight to the police, but he had a better idea.
Oh, Henry always had a better idea.
Well, then he made me check into a motel and tell the clerk that my husband wasn't feeling well.
After it was dark, we carried that awful body into the motel room and put it on the bed.
In the morning, I called the clerk and told him that my husband had died during the night.
He brought a doctor with him, and he pronounced that man dead and signed the death certificate.
The hitchhiker's body was taken to a local mortician and then sent here for a brief ceremony and a quick cremation.
Then Henry was gonna slip away to San Francisco, and I was going to join him.
So you were going to collect on Henry's life insurance after all.
It was a terrible thing to do, but I thought if we could get away from Cabot Cove- [Sighs.]
from Phyllis Walters- Who was gonna look after our investments after you two had gone away? Ned Olston, I suppose.
But he and Henry were having problems.
I really didn't get involved in any of his business projects.
Connie, I don't suppose Henry tried to contact you last night, before he was killed.
No.
No one called.
Not while I was here.
[Phone Ringing.]
Hello? Yes, just a minute.
Amos, it's for you.
Huh? SheriffTupper.
Sheriff, this is, uh, Ned Olston.
I'm afraid I have some unpleasant news.
- The investment money for the Pheasant Ridge project is, uh- - [Man.]
A-yah? - Well, it's gone.
- [All Clamoring.]
- [Man.]
Our money's gone? - [Agnes.]
But- - [Ned.]
Everyone, please! - Now, just pipe down and listen! My retirement money's gone too, you know.
This is as big a shock to me as it is to you.
I just checked with the bank in Portland where your money was deposited.
They told me it had been withdrawn four days ago, the whole million! - By Henry Vernon? - Yes, I'm afraid so.
Wait, that's not true.
Henry never would have stolen from us.
He loved this town.
Phyllis, I spoke personally to one of the bank's vice presidents.
It was Henry, all right.
A million dollars just doesn't disappear, Olston! Ned, unless our money is returned immediately, I'll destroy you! Now, Ben, I'm sure this whole matter can be cleared up if we can all just manage to stay calm.
However, stealing the church's building fund- Well, it's like stealing from the good Lord above.
You don't want that hanging over you, now, do you, Ned? Silas, I didn't realize that you'd invested in Pheasant Ridge.
It was just a small amount, Mrs.
Fletcher.
There's a lot of us put our faith in Henry and Ned.
Look, my father had nothing to do with this.
But I'll just bet Henry Vernon's wife might be able to tell us something.
- Ask Connie Vernon.
- Do you know where our money is? [All Clamoring.]
Please, all of you! It's true.
Henry did visit the bank when we were away.
But I had no idea that he was withdrawing investment funds.
I swear to you! - But what did he do with everyone's money? - Amos, I don't know.
If he took that money, he didn't tell me.
Hey, maybe whoever murdered Henry took the money.
Yeah, you got anybody in custody yet, Sheriff? [Amos.]
Well- You find that murderer, you'll find our money! We're doing everything we can to clear this up.
Amos Tupper, if you don't find our money- Well, next year is an election year, you know.
Now, look! Look, Agnes, threats- threats aren't going to get us anywhere.
Now, we've got to look at this calmly and rationally, all of us.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you've got to find that money.
The whole town's savings is at stake here! Amos, I am as concerned about this as you are.
But l- I'm so busy, l-I wouldn't know how to begin- - [Door Slams.]
- Sheriff! What kind of country is this? Somebody stole my van! What? Van.
Of course! Sheriff, I think after this is over, we should talk with Stew Bennett in your office.
Stew, you use your van for transporting blueberries, don't you? Sure, that's what I use it for mostly.
Amos, you remember those purple stains on Henry's clothes.
Yeah? Wait a minute.
Are you insinuating I had anything to do with his murder? Stew, we're not insinuating anything, but I did see your van drive by last night when I was walking home about 9:00.
But I never drove the van last night.
I had a few beers, and I fell asleep.
I didn't even know the van was missing till this morning.
I thought Christy took it.
No, Stew, I took the bike.
Where were the keys? [Clears Throat.]
In the ignition.
Well, I'd say the first order of business is to find Stew Bennett's van.
You might start by, uh, looking around Phyllis Walters's place.
Henry's body was found there, and maybe the money's there too.
Mrs.
Fletcher, honestly, I was at the restaurant all night.
I don't know anything about any money.
Well, if you were at the restaurant all night, you won't mind if the sheriff checks with the manager.
- Well, actually, l- I did take a short break.
- What time was that? Ah, I guess- I guess it was from about 8:30 to 9:30.
- You see, Henry called me at work.
- You talked to Henry last night? No, not exactly.
I was out on the floor, so the manager, Mr.
Tetley, took the message for me.
He said a man calling himself Henry Vernon wanted to meet me out by the lake.
But when I arrived, Henry wasn't there.
Amos, come on.
I think we've kept Phyllis long enough.
But- Uh, thanks, Phyllis.
I'm sure the sheriff will call you if there's anything else he needs.
[Mumbles.]
Well, I don't know what you expect to find.
Well, I certainly didn't expect to not find that! - [Amos.]
Where is he? - How should I know? I haven't been here since last night.
[Amos.]
Well, he didn'tjust get up and walk away.
Amos, it looks as if whoever borrowed Mr.
Doe came in through this window.
Ah! What is goin' on here? First a missing man is dead, and then a dead man is missing.
Sheriff? Sheriff, we just found Stew Bennett's van over on Ben Shipley's farm.
Well, Amos, win one, lose one.
I can't wait to see how you sort this out.
[Police Radio Chatter.]
Well, how did it get here? I'll tell you, Amos.
I don't know how it got here.
I smelled the smoke, I saw the fire, called old Dempsey down at the firehouse.
That's about it in a nutshell.
Sheriff, look.
Just look at my van! Stew, stop your griping.
Your insurance'll cover it.
I don't believe in insurance.
Mrs.
Fletcher, you find anything interesting? Oh, just this suitcase, or what's left of it.
Oh.
Oh, I'm afraid there's what's left of what was inside it.
My retirement money! Amos, I noticed something.
Take a look over here.
Hmm? What do you think? It ain't no gopher hole.
I can tell you that much.
That is who I think it is, ain't it, Doc? MeetJohn Doe.
You were right, Jessica.
He has blueberry stains all over his britches.
Mm-hmm.
Ben? That cabin over there, what is it used for? - Oh, that's my little hideaway- [Whispers.]
from Agnes.
- Would you mind if I looked around? Don't know what you expect to find.
I haven't been in it in months.
Suit yourself.
Thank you.
[Amos.]
Careful now, fellas.
Don't trample any of the evidence.
[Door Opens.]
[Door Closes.]
Find anything important? Some toilet articles, an empty carton of Chinese food and a working telephone.
I said anything important, like, maybe money? [Door Opens, Closes.]
Amos, It's my guess that Henry Vernon was hiding out here.
- [Ben.]
Well, he did it without my permission.
- That so? - Now, Amos, you're not gonna try and incriminate me in this mess.
- No? We've got Henry Vernon's hideout, that stolen van, and what's left of the stolen money, all on your property, not a mile from Cabot Cove.
And this cabin is about a half a mile from Phyllis Walters's house.
[Connie.]
I knew Phyllis Walters was in love with Henry, but I never thought that she would kill him.
But I don't really see that she had any motive.
No? She realized that Henry would never leave me, so she flew into a rage and hit him with that poker.
Well, circumstances do point to Phyllis Walters.
I'm sorry, Amos.
Whoever killed Henry, I doubt that it was Phyllis.
Why? Well, first of all, Seth is pretty sure Henry wasn't killed at her cottage.
He wasn't? Well, there were all those blueberry stains on both his and John Doe's clothing and all that dust on his cuffs.
- I don't quite follow you.
- Well, it's only a hunch, but what if it was Henry who stole that body from Seth's office? What? Follow me for a moment.
When John Doe's body was discovered in that coffin, Henry realized his insurance fraud wasn't going to work.
So? Well, so, to cover himself, he decided to bury the only evidence of his plan: John Doe's body.
Now, that would account for the dirt on Henry's shoes and in his cuffs.
Makes sense.
And maybe it was Henry who stole Stew Bennett's van.
Now, wait a minute, Jessica.
Henry could've used the van to stealJohn Doe's body from Seth's office and take it out to the woods and bury it.
Then whoever the murderer is killed Henry, and then used that same van to transport his body to Phyllis Walters's cottage, to frame Phyllis.
Now, the murderer had made sure she'd be away at the lake.
What about the fire and the money? Well, l- I'm afraid I haven't got to that part yet.
Jessica, don't you think that you are stretching things just a little too far this time? Possibly, but-[Sighs.]
I think that there might be a way of proving my theory.
You see, I noticed that the crystal on Henry's watch was missing when his body was discovered.
Now, that's the sort of detail that the killer might not have noticed in the dark.
You know, Amos, I think that you ought to go over that van with a fine-tooth comb.
If you can scare up that crystal, or even a few glass fragments, that would prove Henry's body had been inside the van.
Mrs.
Fletcher, l- I don't remember any- Oh, now, come on, Amos.
I'm sure that van has a lot more to tell you.
Yeah? You'll have to excuse me, Connie.
I have got to get back to my book.
I'm way behind as it is.
If you're looking for that crystal, I can save you some trouble.
Jessica! Oh, where did you come from? - Well, what better place to look for this than the scene of the crime? - Scene of the crime? [Laughs.]
I started thinking about who Henry would have gone to see that night, and who better than his wife and coconspirator? Oh, no, you're wrong.
Henry probably saw SheriffTupper's car parked out front, so he drove the van around the back and waited for you to come into the kitchen so that he could talk with you.
While the sheriff was in the living room watching the movie- or more likely, taking an after-dinner nap- you slipped out the back door, probably saying something about tidying up the kitchen.
You had your chat with Henry.
After that business with John Doe's body, Henry probably started to unravel.
Maybe he was about to bolt town with all that investment money.
So when he turned to leave, it's my guess you reached down and grabbed a length ofheavy pipe, then hit Henry across the back of the head.
- A length of pipe? - Yes.
You can see there used to be a piece over there.
See where it killed the grass underneath? I don't suppose we'll ever find that pipe though.
If you were smart, you'd have thrown it away somewhere.
After that, you dragged Henry's body under the porch here and went back inside tojoin Amos for the rest of the movie.
He provided the perfect alibi.
Then after Amos had left and gone home for the evening, you used Stew Bennett's van to transport Henry's body.
That's how those blueberry stains got on his clothes.
Then you drove the van to Phyllis Walters's cottage, and set the scene to incriminate her.
Far-fetched, Jessica.
But you'll never be able to prove it.
No? You said earlier that Henry had been hit over the head by Phyllis's poker.
Now, that was a costly slip.
You see, SheriffTupper never said anything about how Henry was killed, nor what sort of weapon had been found at the scene.
You could only have known about that poker if you had been there and set it up yourself.
You are an amazing woman, Jessica.
Oh, and you're absolutely right about every detail except one.
I didn't get around to throwing away that pipe.
I'm sorry it had to turn out this way, but you shouldn't have gone nosing around where you didn't belong.
Hold it! You can drop that pipe now.
Sorry about this, Mrs.
Vernon.
I was becomin' real partial to your cookin'.
Thanks, Mrs.
Fletcher.
You know, everything fits perfectly except for one thing.
What's that? Well, I can't remember Henry Vernon's watch missin' its crystal.
Huh! I guess I must've just overlooked it.
No, you didn't, Amos.
I made that part up.
- But you have the- - This? [Laughs.]
It's from one of Frank's old watches.
The crystal was always falling out.
She figured by framing Phyllis Walters, she'd get rid of the other woman, as well as get herself back in line for that insurance money.
That's right, Seth.
If Phyllis had been convicted of killing Henry, then Connie and a good lawyer could have collected.
Is that why she and Henry faked Henry's murder in the first place? Well, it wasn't so much for the insurance money as a way of cutting off Henry's trail once it was discovered the million dollars had gone.
I mean, nobody's gonna go looking for a dead man.
Yes, but what about all that burned money? Well, actually, Connie only burned a few thousand when she set fir