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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00You'd think he was a great kid, straight-A student, about to start college, pre-med.
00:00:06You'd never suspect he could bludgeon both parents to death, leave their bodies lying where they fell,
00:00:11and then use their credit cards to finance a trip abroad with his girlfriend.
00:00:16That's exactly what this killer did.
00:00:19It'd be six weeks before the police found the bodies.
00:00:23Everyone who knew him, they were surprised when this young man was arrested for the murders.
00:00:27Because he was so, and I quote,
00:00:30lovely, according to a neighbor.
00:00:33So how could he do it, hmm?
00:00:36Well, the psychologists who examined him later had an answer.
00:00:39Narcissistic personality disorder.
00:00:42Narcissists are self-centered individuals, lacking in empathy.
00:00:47But they're able to convince others they're the nicest people, right?
00:00:50Exactly.
00:00:51Even in the midst of committing unspeakable crimes,
00:00:55Narcissists weave themselves a fantasy in which they are such incredible people,
00:01:00they're entitled to anything they want.
00:01:02And they're entitled to remove anyone in their way.
00:01:07So, how do we spot a narcissist?
00:01:10Well, there are nine traits to help us identify one.
00:01:17No!
00:01:18Sorry.
00:01:20My sister's expecting her baby any minute now, and...
00:01:24And she's on her way to the hospital.
00:01:26I have to go.
00:01:28Sorry, Nick.
00:01:29I hate to miss your first talk for us as a member.
00:01:31So interesting.
00:01:32Oh, text me a picture of the baby.
00:01:33I will.
00:01:34Oh, Ro, have a great time at the True Crime and Mysteries conference next week.
00:01:37Oh, you're not going?
00:01:38Because I just got some brochures in the mail, if you want to.
00:01:41I can't.
00:01:42New baby in the family.
00:01:43Bye.
00:01:44Bye.
00:01:47Please go on, Professor Miller.
00:01:49All right, thanks.
00:01:50Now, back to the nine traits.
00:02:03From motive to murder.
00:02:05What kind of conference is this?
00:02:07Oh, it's an annual thing at a resort in the mountains for true crime and mystery buffs.
00:02:10There are authors, forensic experts, all kinds of speakers.
00:02:14Ro said that guy who does that Great True Crime podcast was there last year.
00:02:17Oh, yeah, and so was the district attorney who prosecuted the Green River Killer.
00:02:20So cool.
00:02:22Yeah, my favorite part is the mystery theater the first night.
00:02:24They kick things off with a little whodunit action at the theater next to the resort.
00:02:27Yeah, real murders members get a big discount on rooms.
00:02:30You should come, Davis.
00:02:31I wish I could, but I got a college reunion back east.
00:02:34Unfortunately, I'll have to miss curating true crime literature for libraries with Aurora Teagarden.
00:02:39Wait, what?
00:02:40Ro is the speaker of the conference?
00:02:43Oh, boy.
00:02:46I loved your presentation.
00:02:48It's almost as if you're a professional teacher or something.
00:02:51Yeah, well, the club members asked a lot tougher questions than the usual college freshmen.
00:02:55Well, we know our stuff.
00:02:57Although, that's a new statistic about how many murderers end up getting caught because they told someone what they did.
00:03:02It's gone up.
00:03:03Narcissism has gone up.
00:03:05Remember trait number eight?
00:03:06An excessive need for praise and attention.
00:03:08Have I told you how attractive you are when you speak psychology?
00:03:13Have I told you how much I'm looking forward to getting out of town next week?
00:03:16Just you and me and two hundred other true crime and mystery buffs.
00:03:22You might have mentioned you were a speaker at the conference, Ro.
00:03:26Oh, it was just finalized last Friday. Why?
00:03:31Investigating the small town homicide with Lynn Liggett-Smith, chief of police, Lawrenson PD.
00:03:37You don't think Lynn would back out just because of Ro, would she?
00:03:40I hope not.
00:03:41We have two kids under the age of five.
00:03:43We need a vacation.
00:03:44Like, we really need a vacation.
00:03:57Hey there.
00:03:58Hi.
00:03:59You about ready to hit the road?
00:04:01Yep.
00:04:02I'm just getting my visual aids together for my talk and then I'm headed over to get Sally.
00:04:06Your presentation is about how you choose library materials?
00:04:09It's much more fascinating than you might think.
00:04:12And I'm going to be talking about how the police use grammar and syntax to analyze writings and identify suspects in murder investigations.
00:04:18Anything you talk about sounds interesting to me.
00:04:21Sounds deadly to me.
00:04:23Deadly, huh? Lillian, that was funny.
00:04:27Oh, you didn't mean it to be.
00:04:28So, you ready to hold down the fort for a few days without Ro here?
00:04:32Sadly, I won't be here either.
00:04:35But we'll be leaving the front desk in capable hands.
00:04:40Yeah, Lillian's taking a few days off to meet another librarian friend she met online.
00:04:46A male librarian.
00:04:48If you insist on gossiping about me, at least wait until I'm not standing before you.
00:04:52Lillian, a romantic rendezvous?
00:04:55I wouldn't put it in such coarse terms.
00:04:58Where are you meeting him?
00:04:59His hometown.
00:05:01But that's all I'll say.
00:05:02My private life is exactly that.
00:05:04Private.
00:05:05Oh, I think she's more excited than she lets on.
00:05:07Here, eat this.
00:05:08Sure.
00:05:09I wish I was riding up with you guys, but I'll be up right after my faculty meeting.
00:05:12Is Phillip going with you?
00:05:13No, he's going with my mother.
00:05:15You talked Aida into a true crime mystery conference?
00:05:18How'd you do that?
00:05:36I thought this was a librarian conference.
00:05:38You said you were speaking about curating library materials.
00:05:42Yes, and you said that you haven't had a decent vacation in years.
00:05:46And you could use a few days in the mountains.
00:05:48Yes, surrounded by nice, you know, quiet librarians.
00:05:51Not murder and mayhem.
00:05:53What is relaxing in that?
00:05:55Look around this place, Aunt Aida.
00:05:57It's beautiful.
00:05:59What could be bad about being here?
00:06:05You know, we could still just cancel.
00:06:07You know, I can go home and spend time with the kids.
00:06:09Honey, your mother wants to spend time with the kids.
00:06:11It's a free room, it's a nice view.
00:06:13It's Aurora Tea Garden every time I turn around.
00:06:17Oh, and there she is before we even get to the door.
00:06:19Lynn!
00:06:20Who would have thought we'd be speaking at the same conference?
00:06:22Hello, Ro.
00:06:24Aida.
00:06:25And Phillip, the latest recruit.
00:06:27Gee, Smith, you look like how I feel.
00:06:30Taken hostage.
00:06:31Oh, come on now, we're all going to have a good time.
00:06:33It's going to be fun.
00:06:36Come on.
00:06:55This really is beautiful.
00:06:56See, I told you.
00:06:58Come on, let's go check into the conference desk.
00:07:00All right.
00:07:01We'll see you in a bit.
00:07:02Yep.
00:07:06You will never guess who I just talked to.
00:07:09Robert Brown.
00:07:10The author?
00:07:11He wrote that amazing book on the Lapidus case.
00:07:13Yes, that book was so good.
00:07:15His research was stellar.
00:07:17I'm going to go tell him.
00:07:18I'm going to go to my room.
00:07:19Linda!
00:07:20Hi!
00:07:21Ro, welcome back.
00:07:23Thank you for saving me by agreeing to be a speaker
00:07:26for that last-minute cancellation we had.
00:07:28Nice of you to come to the rescue.
00:07:29Oh, no, I was happy to.
00:07:31Ro, this is Robert Brown, our keynote speaker.
00:07:33Yes, I know, I know.
00:07:34I was about to fawn all over you.
00:07:35The behind-the-scenes details in your book were amazing.
00:07:39Compliments.
00:07:40My trip's been worth it already.
00:07:42Sorry to interrupt, but the printer just delivered our new signs.
00:07:45Where should I put this?
00:07:46Right beside the desk is fine.
00:07:48Tonight's mystery, a very foul play.
00:07:51We've been running it on the weekends for a few months now.
00:07:54Ro, as speakers, you and Robert will play a part in it.
00:07:58It's a conference tradition.
00:08:00Speakers take over from some of our regular actors.
00:08:03And I think I see another of our speakers over there.
00:08:07Yes, our Chief of Police, Lynn Liggett-Smith.
00:08:10This is Linda.
00:08:11She owns the Murder Mystery Theatre next door
00:08:13and runs the conference.
00:08:14Nice to see you again, Linda.
00:08:16Detective Smith and Chief,
00:08:18thank you so much for being a part of our conference.
00:08:20Sure.
00:08:21I have just the part for you in our mystery tonight.
00:08:24Oh, yeah, about that.
00:08:26Acting's really not my thing.
00:08:28Ah, come on.
00:08:29Oh, no, you'll make a marvelous inspector.
00:08:31You're already a detective.
00:08:33The audience really gets into it, trying to guess the murderer.
00:08:35Yes, Monica can tell you everything you need to know about it.
00:08:38She joined our regular cast recently.
00:08:41Can I be in it?
00:08:43Linda, my cousin, Phillip.
00:08:45I'm, like, really into mysteries.
00:08:48What do you think, Monica?
00:08:50Do we have a part for him?
00:08:52Well, Joe's always asking for a night off.
00:08:54He could take Joe's part.
00:08:56But what we really need is someone to play our matriarch.
00:08:59Tamara's still sick.
00:09:01What about you, Aunt Aida?
00:09:03I mean, you said you were in plays in college.
00:09:06Yes, she's been in several.
00:09:08I have photos.
00:09:09No, no, no, that was decades ago.
00:09:11And I have no interest in being part of a murder mystery.
00:09:14Oh, come on, Aida.
00:09:16We hostages need to stick together, right?
00:09:19Then it's settled.
00:09:21We meet at the theater at 3 p.m. for a quick run-through,
00:09:24and then head back for the show at 5.30.
00:09:29I'll see you all at the theater.
00:09:55Well, looks like we have all the weapons from the game of Clue.
00:09:59You think?
00:10:00All right, you two, we have to keep going.
00:10:02Um, Robert, could you put those candlesticks by the vase up there?
00:10:06Sure.
00:10:07And, Roe, when you hear your cue,
00:10:09you will answer the question.
00:10:11Okay.
00:10:12I'm going to go to the bathroom.
00:10:13Okay.
00:10:14I'm going to go to the bathroom.
00:10:15Okay.
00:10:16I'm going to go to the bathroom.
00:10:17Okay.
00:10:18I'm going to go to the bathroom.
00:10:19Okay.
00:10:20I'm going to go to the bathroom.
00:10:21Okay.
00:10:22And when you hear your cue, you will enter over here.
00:10:25You don't have to memorize your lines.
00:10:27You can hold your script.
00:10:28Okay.
00:10:29And, Robert, you'll enter through here with Detective Smith.
00:10:32Oh, right there.
00:10:34And our Grand Dame has made her entrance.
00:10:37Ellen Winthrop has gathered the family to name who will inherit her fortune.
00:10:42This play really revolves around your character, Aida,
00:10:45so if you could just project as best you can.
00:10:48Okay.
00:10:50Ah!
00:10:53Word gets out that I'm going to choose an heir.
00:10:56And for once, no one is late.
00:11:00Oh.
00:11:03Wow.
00:11:07Well, if I'm going to do it, I might as well do it right.
00:11:11Bravo.
00:11:12Bravo.
00:11:13Bravo.
00:11:20You sure that won't hurt you?
00:11:22No.
00:11:23It's rubber.
00:11:24See?
00:11:25Harmless.
00:11:26Although, I'll act like you just gave me a mortal wound and pop a fake blood pack.
00:11:30Ah.
00:11:31Ah.
00:11:35Wow.
00:11:37You're good.
00:11:38Thanks.
00:11:40Monica.
00:11:42What are you doing?
00:11:44Brett, what are you doing here?
00:11:46Broken up not even a week.
00:11:47You already have a new boyfriend?
00:11:49Yeah, well, and what if I did?
00:11:51Then there's something wrong with you.
00:11:53Me?
00:11:54You're the stalker here.
00:11:55I'm here because my dad made Linda another offer and she turned it down.
00:11:58Yeah, well, she does that.
00:11:59Someone needs to tell her she's going to regret it.
00:12:01Look, I don't know who you are, okay, but I think you should go.
00:12:05Nobody cares what you think.
00:12:06Is there a problem?
00:12:08Mind your own business, lady.
00:12:11Care to repeat that?
00:12:14No.
00:12:16I'm going.
00:12:18Okay.
00:12:19I'm going.
00:12:22Thanks, Chief.
00:12:24Not that I couldn't handle that guy, but...
00:12:26Of course.
00:12:29What is Brett Stahlberg doing here?
00:12:31Is he harassing you again, Monica?
00:12:34He said his dad made you another offer on the theater.
00:12:37I don't know how you resist.
00:12:39Must be a lot of money.
00:12:41I will never sell to Boyd Stahlberg.
00:12:43Never.
00:12:45Now, it's time to rehearse your entrances.
00:12:47Let's go.
00:12:50Thanks for defending me from Brett.
00:12:52Chivalry isn't dead after all.
00:13:10Excuse me.
00:13:12I'm looking for my girlfriend.
00:13:14Strawberry blonde.
00:13:15Incredibly cute.
00:13:18Have you seen her?
00:13:19Nick, you made it.
00:13:21Hey.
00:13:22Well?
00:13:24I like it.
00:13:31What do you think?
00:13:32I think you're having fun.
00:13:34Admit it.
00:13:36Hey, Nick.
00:13:38You will never guess who just arrived at the hotel.
00:13:50Lillian?
00:13:52What are you doing here?
00:13:54Trying to awaken from this nightmare.
00:13:56They didn't mention this conference when I booked my room.
00:13:58Your conference?
00:13:59So this is the hometown of your internet friend?
00:14:02I would have left immediately, but I haven't met Andrew yet.
00:14:05Perhaps I should text him.
00:14:07Lillian, this is a big resort.
00:14:08I'm sure you can keep away from all this.
00:14:10I'd still be covered in the tacky film of crime.
00:14:14I have to go.
00:14:16Uh, beg your pardon.
00:14:17Could you tell me where the lounge is?
00:14:18I'm supposed to be...
00:14:21Lillian.
00:14:23Andrew?
00:14:25Whoa.
00:14:26You're even more compelling in person than in your photo.
00:14:35This is my co-worker, Aurora Teagarden, and her beau, Nick.
00:14:40They're here for the true crime and mystery conference.
00:14:43It's quite the event I hear.
00:14:45You know, they say the mystery theater is an amusing place to bring a date, so...
00:14:49Do you know where we could go this evening?
00:14:51Oh, I don't think Lillian would ever...
00:14:53I'd love to.
00:14:54Great.
00:14:55So, shall we enjoy a libation first?
00:14:58Oh, yes.
00:15:00I think Lillian just met her soulmate.
00:15:03Love is grand.
00:15:13This should be fun.
00:15:15Yeah, I can't wait to see Lynn up there.
00:15:19I intend to give Meryl Streep a run for her money tonight.
00:15:24Has anyone seen Monica?
00:15:26Over there.
00:15:27Thanks.
00:15:30I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:32I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:35I'm sorry.
00:15:37I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:40I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:42I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:45I'm sorry, I have to go.
00:15:48Listen...
00:15:50Hey, Brett, is that your name?
00:15:52You shouldn't have come back here.
00:15:54Philip, please, I got this.
00:15:56If he's bothering you, then you shouldn't...
00:15:58You know she was just using you earlier to make me jealous.
00:16:00Stop.
00:16:02And you, you don't need to follow me around, okay?
00:16:05I can take care of myself.
00:16:09Monica, wait...
00:16:10Leave me alone.
00:16:13Drama begins before the curtain even rises.
00:16:18Philip, are you alright?
00:16:20Yeah.
00:16:22Take your places, everyone.
00:16:24It's showtime.
00:16:43Oh, Lillian, hi, come sit with us.
00:16:45No, thank you.
00:16:48You wouldn't want out of us on your date, either.
00:16:52Come on.
00:17:12And welcome to the L.B. Mystery Theatre Company.
00:17:15My name is Linda Bennett.
00:17:17I am the writer and director of tonight's show,
00:17:20The Very Foul Play.
00:17:26Act one sets the scene for a dastardly crime
00:17:29based on a true story.
00:17:31Before the curtain falls,
00:17:33a body will be discovered and our mystery launched.
00:17:37We'll then have an intermission,
00:17:39and you can make your best guess
00:17:41on who you think the killer might be.
00:17:44So, pay very close attention
00:17:47so you don't miss any clues.
00:17:49Ladies and gentlemen,
00:17:51A Very Foul Play.
00:18:04Stop dawdling, Edgar. Come in.
00:18:07You don't want to miss the chance
00:18:09to inherit my grandmother's fortune, do you?
00:18:11I don't know why she'd pick me.
00:18:13She's eccentric. You never know.
00:18:19Misty Fortune.
00:18:21Of course you're the first to arrive.
00:18:23Hello, cousin.
00:18:24Wait. You're the famous stunt pilot,
00:18:26Amelia Coldheart.
00:18:28Yes. I've broken more records
00:18:30than any stunt pilot alive.
00:18:32Of course, there aren't many left alive.
00:18:37And you're Edgar Allan Foyle, Aunt Ellen's driver.
00:18:40I am.
00:18:42But what I really want to do is write mystery novels.
00:18:45You want to be a...
00:18:49You want to be a writer, eh?
00:18:51You should reconsider.
00:18:53Ridiculous profession.
00:18:55Uncle Henry, who is this you're with?
00:18:58An old friend, Inspector Shirley Holmes,
00:19:01private detective.
00:19:03Now, there's a profession.
00:19:06Ah.
00:19:07Word gets out that I'm going to choose an heir,
00:19:10and for once, no one is late.
00:19:15That's... Oh, that's me.
00:19:18Um, would you pardon me for just a moment?
00:19:22I notice a broken vase on the floor.
00:19:25Over there, Mrs. Winthrop.
00:19:28I hope nothing's amiss.
00:19:30No, just a clumsy maid.
00:19:33And where is Lydia?
00:19:35It's time to serve the wine.
00:19:37I'll fetch it, Aunt Ellen.
00:19:43You're all doing such a great job,
00:19:45especially your mother.
00:19:46Oh, yes, I think she missed your calling.
00:19:49Why is Fred Stomberg still here?
00:19:51It's like a bad penny that keeps turning up.
00:19:54Oh, you have to get back out there.
00:19:58Wine and cheese.
00:20:01Bet you didn't bring a knife for the cheese.
00:20:03I have a knife.
00:20:05I'd say that's overkill.
00:20:09That's not supposed to happen, is it, Monica?
00:20:12Shh, the stage crew should get the breaker.
00:20:14Is that supposed to happen?
00:20:17What's going on?
00:20:19Everybody stay calm.
00:20:22Something's wrong.
00:20:32Monica?
00:20:36That isn't stage one.
00:20:44She's dead.
00:21:01We've had a breaker flip before,
00:21:03but never during a performance.
00:21:05I kept thinking one of the crew would go back there to reset it.
00:21:08I finally set it up myself.
00:21:10All right, thank you.
00:21:12You do not have to answer any questions right now, Philip.
00:21:15Oh, that's right. No, I'm getting you a lawyer.
00:21:17Why? I didn't do anything wrong.
00:21:19We know that.
00:21:20But the police here, they don't know you.
00:21:22No, I need to speak to them.
00:21:24We all do.
00:21:25How else will they find out what happened to Monica?
00:21:27We already know what happened.
00:21:28Monica Swanson was stabbed to death right there.
00:21:30And you, Philip Pfeiffer,
00:21:32were seen by over a hundred witnesses
00:21:34holding the knife that likely inflicted a wound.
00:21:36I didn't kill her, though.
00:21:37No, Philip did not do it.
00:21:39Mr. Reynolds.
00:21:40Lynn Leggett-Smith, Chief of Police, Lawrenston PD.
00:21:43I think that I can help you.
00:21:44I've been told who you are, Chief.
00:21:46You don't have jurisdiction here.
00:21:47I understand that I don't have any authority here,
00:21:49but I really think I can be of assistance.
00:21:51You, come with me.
00:21:52Wait, no.
00:21:53Philip, don't say anything.
00:21:54We're getting a lawyer.
00:22:01Aunt Aida said her line.
00:22:03I pulled the prop knife from my pocket,
00:22:05like I was supposed to.
00:22:07Then the lights went off.
00:22:08I didn't know what to do, so I whispered to Monica,
00:22:10is this supposed to happen?
00:22:12Monica, the girl who told you to leave her alone
00:22:14in front of the whole cast right before the show started.
00:22:16Look, it's not what happened. She was...
00:22:17Go back to what happened on stage.
00:22:19I asked her if this was supposed to happen,
00:22:22and I heard her say no.
00:22:23So you located her in the dark by the sound of her voice.
00:22:25You're making a big leap there.
00:22:27You'll get your turn.
00:22:30I was waiting, total darkness.
00:22:33Then someone knocked into my arm
00:22:35and made me drop the prop knife.
00:22:37I reached down to find it.
00:22:38I picked it up.
00:22:39The lights came on, and...
00:22:42Monica was lying there with blood.
00:22:46I didn't understand.
00:22:48Her character wasn't supposed to die
00:22:49until the end of the act, and...
00:22:52And the knife in my hand,
00:22:53it wasn't the same one.
00:22:54It was different.
00:22:55That's true.
00:22:56I saw the prop knife in his hand
00:22:58when the lights went out.
00:23:00I heard some footsteps go by me in the dark.
00:23:02I heard something fall on the floor.
00:23:04It's not your turn yet.
00:23:05Have you talked to Brett Stauberg?
00:23:07He was backstage lurking all day,
00:23:08harassing Monica.
00:23:10Philip never even met this girl until today.
00:23:16It took them all of 60 seconds
00:23:18to get my name, number,
00:23:19and ask me if I'd seen anything.
00:23:21Sam here.
00:23:22We're sending you back to your room.
00:23:23Wait to be contacted.
00:23:26These people are not impressed with my badge.
00:23:28They won't let me go back,
00:23:29and Lynn's not answering her phone.
00:23:31Rose's not answering hers either.
00:23:32Should we wait here for them?
00:23:33They're pretty adamant
00:23:34about us all returning to our rooms
00:23:35and sitting tight
00:23:36till they get our statements.
00:23:40I want to find out what these three know, okay?
00:23:44I keep thinking it must be a mistake.
00:23:46That lovely girl.
00:23:48I still can't figure out how it happened.
00:23:50Well, I'm determined to.
00:23:52And I can think of a possibility or two.
00:23:57All right, Brett.
00:23:58You want to tell me
00:23:59what you were doing here tonight?
00:24:00I was waiting for Monica.
00:24:02Like I always did
00:24:03when she had a performance.
00:24:04From what I hear,
00:24:05you two were no longer an item.
00:24:06We broke up
00:24:07and got back together all the time.
00:24:08Everyone knows that.
00:24:09And yet,
00:24:10she loudly told you to get lost
00:24:12right before she went on stage.
00:24:13That's just her way of teaching me a lesson.
00:24:15Embarrass me or whatever.
00:24:17Lynn and I saw him
00:24:18walk towards the back,
00:24:19where the breakers are
00:24:20just before the lights went out.
00:24:25Yeah.
00:24:26I was leaving.
00:24:29I was halfway to my car
00:24:30when I thought,
00:24:31Monica asked me to come,
00:24:32so I'm going to wait for her.
00:24:34So I came back in.
00:24:36And that's when I saw her.
00:24:38Lying here on the stage.
00:24:40Everyone crowded around her.
00:24:41So you're saying
00:24:42Monica invited you here tonight?
00:24:43Yes.
00:24:44She texted me.
00:24:45Look.
00:24:47Brett!
00:24:48Put the phone back in your pocket.
00:24:49Who's that?
00:24:50Lloyd Stahlberg,
00:24:51the bane of my existence.
00:24:52Mr. Stahlberg!
00:24:53Sir, I'm going to need you
00:24:54to wait outside while we...
00:24:55Wait while we what, detective?
00:24:56Grill my son
00:24:57without his attorney present?
00:24:58Dad!
00:25:00I agreed to talk to him.
00:25:02Someone killed Monica,
00:25:03and I want to help.
00:25:04You can help by keeping
00:25:05your mouth shut,
00:25:06going outside,
00:25:07and getting in my car.
00:25:08No, hold on.
00:25:09We're not done here.
00:25:10No.
00:25:11We're well past done.
00:25:12I understand you have a kid
00:25:13right here,
00:25:14seen standing over the victim,
00:25:15holding the murder weapon,
00:25:16yet he's not in cuffs.
00:25:17Why?
00:25:18Hmm?
00:25:19No answer?
00:25:20Okay.
00:25:21I'll call your boss and ask him.
00:25:23Brett, we're going!
00:25:30Read the kid's rights.
00:25:31Put him in cuffs.
00:25:32No!
00:25:33No!
00:25:34You can't do that!
00:25:35No, no, no!
00:25:36Hey, Detective Reynolds!
00:25:37A word in private first.
00:25:39I would extend you
00:25:40that same courtesy
00:25:41if you were in my jurisdiction.
00:25:54He's letting us
00:25:55take Philip back to his room.
00:25:56Oh.
00:25:57But he's assigning an officer
00:25:58to keep tabs on him.
00:26:00You went out on loan for us.
00:26:03They're telling us
00:26:04we're free to go.
00:26:05I'm scared.
00:26:06And I have a conference
00:26:07full of guests.
00:26:08I don't blame you,
00:26:09but we know that Philip
00:26:10didn't kill Monica,
00:26:11which means...
00:26:12The killer is still on the loose.
00:26:17Oh.
00:26:18Since they asked you
00:26:19not to leave town
00:26:20until they get your statement,
00:26:21we can try again.
00:26:23Dinner tomorrow night?
00:26:24May I call you
00:26:25and let you know?
00:26:26I do know
00:26:27that I am glad
00:26:28to have met you.
00:26:37You have no idea
00:26:38how much I hate this.
00:26:39That they suspect me.
00:26:40Come on,
00:26:41let's get you to your room.
00:26:42It's gonna be okay, Philip.
00:26:43Yeah, we'll figure it out, okay?
00:26:45Good night.
00:26:46Good night.
00:26:48It was so dark in there.
00:26:51I could only see
00:26:52dense shadows,
00:26:53but I know that someone
00:26:54moved past me.
00:26:56I could hear it.
00:26:57I felt it.
00:26:59Philip didn't do it.
00:27:01No one believes
00:27:02Philip did it.
00:27:03Well, the police seem to.
00:27:04They almost arrested him.
00:27:06If it wasn't for Lynch,
00:27:07they would have.
00:27:08I don't know.
00:27:09I don't know.
00:27:10I don't know.
00:27:11I don't know.
00:27:12I don't know.
00:27:13I don't know.
00:27:14I don't know.
00:27:15I don't know.
00:27:16If it wasn't for Lynch,
00:27:20we can't let them
00:27:21arrest the wrong person.
00:27:22We have to make sure
00:27:23they catch the right person.
00:27:25And that's what we'll do.
00:27:42Aurora,
00:27:43they just dragged Philip
00:27:44out of his room.
00:27:45They're arresting him.
00:27:46What?
00:27:47Come on.
00:27:48Let's go.
00:27:52Excuse me.
00:27:53Detective Reynolds,
00:27:54what do you think you're doing?
00:27:55I'm doing my job,
00:27:56a job I should have done
00:27:57last night.
00:28:10See how going after
00:28:11an innocent kid
00:28:12is helping anything.
00:28:13It puts the focus
00:28:14on the wrong person,
00:28:15gives the guilty person
00:28:16time to cover his tracks.
00:28:17I just talked
00:28:18to Bubba Reinhardt.
00:28:19He's arranged for
00:28:20a local criminal attorney
00:28:21that he knows
00:28:22to meet us
00:28:23at the police station.
00:28:24See ya.
00:28:25Okay.
00:28:26So they've officially announced
00:28:27they've canceled
00:28:28the True Crime Mystery Conference.
00:28:33Okay.
00:28:34Makes sense.
00:28:35Yeah.
00:28:41I'm so sorry.
00:28:45I was half-hoping
00:28:46the police wouldn't
00:28:47let me cancel it
00:28:48when they actually did.
00:28:49Yeah,
00:28:50I'm truly sorry, Linda.
00:28:51I needed the revenue
00:28:52from this conference
00:28:53to keep going.
00:28:54Now I'm refunding
00:28:55registration fees.
00:28:56It's gonna ruin me
00:28:57financially.
00:29:00Though I guess
00:29:01that was inevitable.
00:29:02The theater's already
00:29:03having a slow season
00:29:04and now with the police
00:29:05shutting it down
00:29:06completely for the
00:29:07foreseeable future,
00:29:08I probably will have to
00:29:09sell to Boyd Stauberg.
00:29:10Mm-hmm.
00:29:11Boyd always
00:29:12gets what he wants.
00:29:13Linda, I just...
00:29:14I'm so sorry.
00:29:16If you'll excuse me,
00:29:17though,
00:29:18I need to help these people.
00:29:19Please let me know
00:29:20if there's anything
00:29:21that I can do to help.
00:29:25This is so bad for her.
00:29:27Well, I'm disappointed, too.
00:29:28Now I won't get
00:29:29to hear your talk.
00:29:31Tell me what author
00:29:32wouldn't love to unravel
00:29:33the mystery of how
00:29:34to get libraries
00:29:35to order their books.
00:29:36Not to mention that
00:29:37I'm sure you would've
00:29:38been offering some theories
00:29:39about last night's murder.
00:29:41Yeah, well,
00:29:42maybe next year.
00:29:43I'll see you later, Robert.
00:29:45Oh, you will.
00:29:54I should meet my mother
00:29:55at the police station
00:29:56to see Philip.
00:29:57Oh, I'll go.
00:29:58I can put on my reporter hat
00:29:59while I'm there,
00:30:00see what I can find out.
00:30:01Okay.
00:30:02Good.
00:30:03Because we need to go
00:30:04see Boyd Stauberg.
00:30:05Yes.
00:30:06We need to find out
00:30:07who really did this.
00:30:08And right now,
00:30:09he is an obstacle
00:30:10or a suspect.
00:30:12Here are three,
00:30:13no, four different stories
00:30:15about Boyd Stauberg
00:30:16and his strong-arm
00:30:17business tactics.
00:30:18How he used
00:30:19the legal system
00:30:20to push out a homeowner,
00:30:22an allegation of bribes
00:30:23to the zoning board.
00:30:25I've got one here.
00:30:26The word ruthless
00:30:27is in the headline.
00:30:28Look, I'm sorry,
00:30:29but there's no way around it.
00:30:30Brett's got to submit
00:30:31to an interview.
00:30:32My son did not kill
00:30:33Monica Swanson.
00:30:34Maybe not,
00:30:35but Brett had a rough
00:30:36history with her.
00:30:37He was at the scene.
00:30:38He's got to answer
00:30:39some questions.
00:30:40You have someone in custody
00:30:41Look,
00:30:42I know you're trying
00:30:43to protect your kid, Boyd,
00:30:44but don't worry,
00:30:45I'm not going to railroad him
00:30:46into a false confession.
00:30:47I mean, frankly,
00:30:48I don't see him
00:30:49pulling off a crime
00:30:50that complicated.
00:31:05Hi.
00:31:06Excuse me.
00:31:07May I help you?
00:31:08Yes.
00:31:09I'm Sally Allison
00:31:10I'd like to talk to
00:31:11Detective Reynolds, please.
00:31:12Sorry, he's not here.
00:31:13Do you know when he'll be back?
00:31:14No idea.
00:31:15Do you know if he's going
00:31:16to have a press briefing
00:31:17about the murder
00:31:18that happened last night?
00:31:19You can sign up
00:31:20for press briefing alerts.
00:31:21We send out texts
00:31:22with details when we have them.
00:31:23Okay, how often is that?
00:31:24Once a week, usually.
00:31:25I really have to be going.
00:31:26Oh, okay, bye.
00:31:28Have they tried to talk you
00:31:29into answering questions
00:31:30without a lawyer present?
00:31:31No.
00:31:33It's...
00:31:34It's like they locked me up.
00:31:36Now they just keep
00:31:37walking past me
00:31:38like I'm not even here.
00:31:39It's weird.
00:31:40I think they know
00:31:41that Philip did not kill Monica.
00:31:43They're just using him
00:31:44as a sacrificial lamb.
00:31:45I know who can help.
00:31:47Ro and the rest
00:31:48of the Real Murders Club
00:31:49members who are here.
00:31:50What?
00:31:51If you had stayed away
00:31:52from that group
00:31:53in the first place,
00:31:54you wouldn't be in this mess.
00:31:55I'm guessing you don't
00:31:56like that idea?
00:31:57No, I don't.
00:31:59But I also know my daughter.
00:32:03We sat at a table
00:32:04on the right side of the stage
00:32:05and we got there
00:32:06just before the show started.
00:32:08Did you notice
00:32:09anyone suspicious?
00:32:10Lurking around,
00:32:11looking impatient,
00:32:12waiting for the show to start?
00:32:13No.
00:32:14No, nothing like that.
00:32:16The curtain rose
00:32:17and they were just
00:32:18a few minutes into the play
00:32:19when the lights went out.
00:32:20Everyone seemed to think
00:32:21it was part of the show.
00:32:22So you were both
00:32:23sitting at the table
00:32:24when the lights went off?
00:32:25Yes, that's right.
00:32:31Okay, before we start
00:32:32naming suspects,
00:32:33I think we need to talk about
00:32:34how this murder happened.
00:32:35Well, we know
00:32:36how it happened.
00:32:38Monica, knife, theater?
00:32:39Yes, but was it planned?
00:32:41Did someone turn the lights off
00:32:42in order to carry out the killing?
00:32:44Or did someone decide
00:32:45to take advantage
00:32:46of the circuit breaker
00:32:47being tripped?
00:32:48Do we know if the police
00:32:49found prints on the breaker box?
00:32:51Detective Reynolds
00:32:52isn't saying anything
00:32:53about what they might have.
00:32:54No, I think it had to be planned.
00:32:55First, there's the knife.
00:32:56Yes, Ro, that knife
00:32:57is a problem, all right.
00:32:58Arthur, take a seat.
00:33:00You all don't mind
00:33:01if Wynn joins us, do you?
00:33:04Oh.
00:33:07Oh.
00:33:09Lynn, we're thrilled to have you.
00:33:12On a temporary,
00:33:13one-time-only basis, I'm sure.
00:33:15Exactly.
00:33:16Okay.
00:33:17Detective Reynolds
00:33:18has cut us out of the loop.
00:33:19We're not sure if that means
00:33:20he's compromised
00:33:21by local politics or...
00:33:22Oh, I think he may be.
00:33:23We overheard Reynolds
00:33:24talking to Boyd Staubach,
00:33:25and it was clear
00:33:26that Boyd has influence
00:33:27with the mayor.
00:33:28Yeah, and how the investigation
00:33:29is being conducted.
00:33:30Well, maybe like Sally said,
00:33:32just this once,
00:33:33it makes sense for us all
00:33:34to work together,
00:33:35even if we're wrongly accused.
00:33:36Yeah, we really appreciate
00:33:37your insights, Lynn.
00:33:38If the local police
00:33:39are hindered in any way
00:33:40from solving this crime...
00:33:42You were discussing the knife.
00:33:45Yes.
00:33:46There is no way
00:33:47that someone could
00:33:48spur of the moment
00:33:49come up with a real knife
00:33:51to replace the prop knife.
00:33:52Let alone know the right moment
00:33:54to shut down the lights,
00:33:55commit the crime,
00:33:56and then make the switch
00:33:57that set up Phillip.
00:33:58Yeah, about that switch,
00:33:59if Phillip had the prop knife,
00:34:01then got stuck
00:34:02holding the real knife...
00:34:03Then where'd the prop knife go?
00:34:04Yeah.
00:34:05Detective Reynolds
00:34:06is interviewing everyone
00:34:07who was at the theater that night
00:34:08over at the station right now.
00:34:09They searched everyone on stage.
00:34:10Casts, crew,
00:34:11they searched the entire theater.
00:34:13Brett Stahlberg wasn't on stage.
00:34:15Of course, he says
00:34:16he wasn't in the theater
00:34:17when it happened.
00:34:18Yeah, but does anybody
00:34:19actually believe that?
00:34:20Did the police question him too?
00:34:21There we go.
00:34:22Suspect number one,
00:34:23Brett Stahlberg.
00:34:24Brett has a clear motive.
00:34:26He's a spurned ax.
00:34:27And he's seen that play
00:34:28numerous times.
00:34:29He would know
00:34:30when the right moment came.
00:34:32Although he was
00:34:33genuinely upset
00:34:34over Monica's death.
00:34:35Well, he could have been
00:34:36upset with himself
00:34:37over doing it.
00:34:38Or maybe he's upset
00:34:39because he figured
00:34:40his father did it.
00:34:41That's the guy
00:34:42who's at the top of my list,
00:34:43Boyd Stahlberg.
00:34:44Yeah, Boyd could have
00:34:45grown tired trying to
00:34:46talk Linda into selling.
00:34:48And we know that the city
00:34:49already approved
00:34:50his proposed plans
00:34:51to turn the theater
00:34:52into a luxury condo complex.
00:34:54How do you know that?
00:34:56Research skills.
00:34:58Well, it could be
00:34:59that sabotaging Linda's theater
00:35:00with the murder of the girl
00:35:01who just dumped his kid
00:35:02checked several boxes for him.
00:35:04But he wasn't
00:35:05at the theater.
00:35:06No, the guy's rich.
00:35:07He could have hired
00:35:08someone in the cast.
00:35:09Somebody who already
00:35:10didn't like Monica?
00:35:11Okay, stop.
00:35:12This is excruciating.
00:35:13The real issue here
00:35:14is that we know
00:35:15nothing about Monica.
00:35:17We don't know
00:35:18who was in her life,
00:35:19who she got along with,
00:35:20who she didn't get along with.
00:35:21Yes, but that would
00:35:22only be the issue
00:35:23in connection with the people
00:35:24who are on the stage
00:35:25in that theater.
00:35:26Then every member
00:35:27of that cast
00:35:28has to be put
00:35:29on the suspect list.
00:35:30Oh, no.
00:35:31Not Robert Brown, I hope.
00:35:32He's such a good writer.
00:35:34Yes, him.
00:35:35And Linda Bennett, too.
00:35:36She was there.
00:35:37But does that make sense
00:35:38for her to sabotage
00:35:39her own theater?
00:35:41Lynn's right.
00:35:42If we knew more about Monica,
00:35:43then we'd know
00:35:44who would make sense
00:35:45to add to our list of suspects.
00:35:46If this was our case...
00:35:47Julian!
00:35:49What is it?
00:35:50I think I might have
00:35:51another name
00:35:52to add to your list.
00:35:54My friend Andrew.
00:35:56At the theater last night,
00:35:57he disappeared
00:35:58just before the lights
00:35:59went out, and just now
00:36:00when the police
00:36:01asked him about it,
00:36:02he lied.
00:36:21Yes, I'm not from
00:36:22the local police department,
00:36:24but I'm doing some footwork,
00:36:25and it's come to my attention
00:36:26that you...
00:36:27That I lied
00:36:28when I gave my statement.
00:36:31I was afraid
00:36:32I wouldn't get away with it.
00:36:35Care to explain?
00:36:55Sorry.
00:37:01Sorry.
00:37:11After all I've heard
00:37:12about your real murders club,
00:37:13I guess I shouldn't be
00:37:14surprised to see you here.
00:37:15Well, I'm surprised
00:37:16to see you.
00:37:17Did you know Monica?
00:37:18Me? No.
00:37:20But I am a true crime writer,
00:37:21after all.
00:37:22I don't often get
00:37:23a research opportunity
00:37:24like this.
00:37:26Who knows?
00:37:27This case could be
00:37:28the subject of my next book.
00:37:29But shouldn't we both
00:37:30feel bad
00:37:31showing up at
00:37:32Monica's mother's house?
00:37:33Where else are we
00:37:34gonna find her friends
00:37:35and family all in one place?
00:37:36But now's not the time
00:37:37to ask them a lot
00:37:38of questions.
00:37:39I haven't asked any.
00:37:41I just stand and
00:37:42listen to what people
00:37:43say about her.
00:37:57What is Boyd Stauber
00:37:58doing here?
00:37:59Well, they can...
00:38:08I'm sorry, Mr. Stauber
00:38:09is out at the moment
00:38:10and I don't expect him
00:38:11back until this afternoon.
00:38:13Well, I guess
00:38:14we can come back.
00:38:19Do you see what I see?
00:38:21That's Monica Swanson.
00:38:23Excuse me,
00:38:24when was this photo taken?
00:38:25Oh, that was at our
00:38:26company retreat
00:38:27almost a year ago now.
00:38:29Well, the woman
00:38:30in the photo,
00:38:31Monica Swanson,
00:38:32why is she in the picture?
00:38:33Was she Brett Stauber's date?
00:38:34That was before
00:38:35they were dating.
00:38:36Monica used to work here.
00:38:37She was an intern
00:38:38for Mr. Stauber.
00:38:39The photo further down
00:38:40is after they started dating.
00:38:41Excuse me.
00:38:44We've gotta talk to Linda.
00:38:53That's Monica's mother.
00:38:56I can't hear
00:38:57what he's saying to her.
00:38:58Can you?
00:39:11What are you doing here?
00:39:12I told you it was inappropriate
00:39:13for you to come here.
00:39:14I just went back to the theater.
00:39:15You did what?
00:39:16I have to talk to her mom.
00:39:17Tell her how sorry I am.
00:39:18And how's that gonna sound?
00:39:19Hmm?
00:39:20Coming from the man
00:39:21she dumped,
00:39:22the man that many people
00:39:23think killed her.
00:39:24You?
00:39:25You said you believe me.
00:39:26Son, listen to me.
00:39:28I know
00:39:29you didn't do this.
00:39:31And if you hadn't come back there
00:39:32that night,
00:39:33no one else would think it either.
00:39:34Monica asked me to go.
00:39:36I have to tell her mom that.
00:39:37Brett.
00:39:45Wow.
00:39:46Did not expect to hear
00:39:47all that, did you?
00:39:50Mama?
00:39:55Andrew.
00:39:57You gave me a start.
00:39:58You told your friends
00:39:59that I lied
00:40:00about not leaving the table
00:40:01that night at the theater.
00:40:03Well, they're not really
00:40:04my friends.
00:40:05And I haven't
00:40:06told the police yet.
00:40:08I can't tell you how much
00:40:09I admire you for that.
00:40:10You do?
00:40:11Yeah.
00:40:12You're a person
00:40:13of true moral scruples.
00:40:15I'm obviously not.
00:40:16You're not?
00:40:18No, or I wouldn't have lied.
00:40:20I was so embarrassed.
00:40:21I get so nervous sometimes.
00:40:23And my heart races
00:40:24and I get lightheaded.
00:40:26And that night,
00:40:27I was just so
00:40:29bowled over by you.
00:40:31The play, I thought
00:40:32I could sneak away,
00:40:34do my deep breathing exercises,
00:40:35calm down.
00:40:37Oh, goodness.
00:40:38Why didn't you say something?
00:40:40Why didn't I say something
00:40:41to the police officer?
00:40:42It's because
00:40:43you were next to me
00:40:44and I don't know.
00:40:46I didn't want you
00:40:47to think I'm weak.
00:40:48But I didn't realize
00:40:49I'd be putting you
00:40:50in such a,
00:40:51such a moral quandary.
00:40:54I mean,
00:40:55that it would cause you
00:40:56to think that I'm...
00:40:58Anyway.
00:41:00Can you forgive me?
00:41:03No.
00:41:08The last time
00:41:09they saw Linda,
00:41:10she said she was
00:41:11headed over to the theater
00:41:12to pick up some files
00:41:13from the office.
00:41:14Maybe we can catch her there.
00:41:16Hey,
00:41:17that's Robert Brown.
00:41:24It's unlocked.
00:41:26Well, then that must mean
00:41:27Linda is already in there.
00:41:37Where is he?
00:41:40I don't know.
00:41:42I don't know.
00:41:43Where is he?
00:41:45Back there.
00:41:49I'll find the house lights.
00:42:08Robert?
00:42:14I have no idea
00:42:15how that got into my coat.
00:42:26Ro?
00:42:27Are you hurt?
00:42:28No, no, I'm fine.
00:42:29I'm sorry.
00:42:30I...
00:42:31I was startled.
00:42:33I'm so sorry.
00:42:37Linda, no!
00:42:38Fingerprints.
00:42:41The prop knife
00:42:42fell out of Robert's coat.
00:42:54I swear on my royalties,
00:42:56I have no idea
00:42:57where that came from
00:42:58or how it got into my coat.
00:43:00And yet you almost killed
00:43:01the person who saw it
00:43:02fall out of your coat.
00:43:03That was an accident.
00:43:04I told you I was startled.
00:43:06First by the noise
00:43:07I heard when I was
00:43:08grabbing my coat,
00:43:09then by the sound
00:43:10of the door opening behind me.
00:43:11My adrenaline...
00:43:13I just backed it
00:43:14to the wrong spot.
00:43:15I don't see why
00:43:16we shouldn't give him
00:43:17the benefit of the doubt.
00:43:20Now,
00:43:21I haven't seen
00:43:22or touched this coat
00:43:23since before the show
00:43:24the other night.
00:43:25I left it in
00:43:26behind the fly system.
00:43:27Have you been back
00:43:28in this theater before today?
00:43:29No, I was trying
00:43:30to avoid being here.
00:43:31I just wanted to get
00:43:32what I needed from my office
00:43:33and leave.
00:43:34If the coat was here
00:43:35since the other night,
00:43:36it would come up
00:43:37in your crime scene photos,
00:43:38wouldn't it?
00:43:39All right, what I want to know
00:43:40is why you came
00:43:41looking for it now.
00:43:43I heard the Stahlberg boy
00:43:44say he'd come by
00:43:45the theater,
00:43:46so I thought if he got in,
00:43:47I could get him,
00:43:48get the coat.
00:43:49It's a $1,500 coat.
00:43:50Back up.
00:43:51You're saying
00:43:52Brett Stahlberg
00:43:53came by here today?
00:43:54Yes.
00:43:55That's what he told
00:43:56his father.
00:43:57He was here.
00:43:58It could be
00:43:59he was the one
00:44:00who slipped that knife
00:44:01into my coat.
00:44:02Coming by here
00:44:03and actually coming inside
00:44:04are two different things.
00:44:05No one was supposed
00:44:06to be in here,
00:44:07including my staff.
00:44:08That includes you, too, Linda.
00:44:09I didn't come inside
00:44:10because the door
00:44:11to the theater
00:44:12was open when I arrived.
00:44:13Well, I don't see how,
00:44:14unless, well,
00:44:15Monica had a key.
00:44:16I mean,
00:44:17maybe he got a hold of hers.
00:44:18Monica Swanson
00:44:19had a key to this theater?
00:44:20Yes.
00:44:21Several of my regular
00:44:22cast members had a copy.
00:44:23So there are keys
00:44:24to this place
00:44:25floating all over town.
00:44:26Great.
00:44:27Let's get this dusted
00:44:28for print
00:44:29and see what we come up with.
00:44:30In the meantime,
00:44:31you are not to leave town
00:44:32until I give you the okay.
00:44:33We're going anywhere.
00:44:36Detective, wait.
00:44:37I don't know
00:44:38how that prop knife
00:44:39got in that coat,
00:44:40but I do know
00:44:41that my cousin Philip
00:44:42didn't put it there.
00:44:43Says who?
00:44:44When would he
00:44:45have had the chance?
00:44:46We'll see how
00:44:47the investigation plays out.
00:44:48No, you can't
00:44:49keep holding him.
00:44:50There are too many
00:44:51other suspects
00:44:52and not just Robert.
00:44:53There's Brett Stahlberg,
00:44:54his father.
00:44:55You must know
00:44:56that Monica worked for him.
00:44:57Like I said,
00:44:58we'll see how it plays out.
00:44:59Excuse me.
00:45:03Bro, bro,
00:45:04hold on.
00:45:05We should call Lynn.
00:45:07Okay.
00:45:09I have to tell you again
00:45:10how sorry I am
00:45:11for my clumsiness.
00:45:13I hope you can forgive me.
00:45:19I don't trust that guy.
00:45:22Oh, I knew Monica
00:45:23had been an intern
00:45:24for Boyd Stahlberg.
00:45:26He told me it was
00:45:27a miserable experience,
00:45:28so the only good thing
00:45:29she got out of it
00:45:30was meeting Brett.
00:45:31Of course,
00:45:32that was before
00:45:33she broke up with him.
00:45:34Did she say why
00:45:35she ended things with Brett?
00:45:37Not really.
00:45:38We weren't close that way.
00:45:39But I heard them
00:45:40arguing once.
00:45:41Brett wanted her
00:45:42to go out for dinner
00:45:43with him and his father.
00:45:44She didn't want to go,
00:45:45so she couldn't even
00:45:46be in the same room as Boyd.
00:45:47And what do you think of him?
00:45:49Boyd
00:45:50is not a good person.
00:45:52Every building
00:45:53he's put up
00:45:54is there because
00:45:55he drove someone
00:45:56out of business,
00:45:57stole someone's dream.
00:45:58Now he's probably
00:45:59going to get mine, too.
00:46:00Why hire Monica
00:46:01when you knew
00:46:02she interned for someone
00:46:03working so hard
00:46:04to put you out of business?
00:46:06You can't blame the rabbit
00:46:07for wandering
00:46:08into the wolf's den.
00:46:09At least she managed
00:46:10to get out.
00:46:12But I fear that might be
00:46:13why she was killed.
00:46:14Stabberg revenge?
00:46:16Brett or Boyd's?
00:46:17I don't know.
00:46:18Maybe it's all the same.
00:46:19I really have to
00:46:20get back to work.
00:46:21Sorry.
00:46:22Linda?
00:46:23Yes?
00:46:24How well do you know
00:46:25Robert Brown?
00:46:26Very well.
00:46:27We've been friends
00:46:28for a long time.
00:46:29Has he attended
00:46:30many of your plays?
00:46:31Yes, he's been to the theater
00:46:32many times.
00:46:33Why do you ask?
00:46:34Because I think
00:46:35he may have intentionally
00:46:36just tried to harm Roe.
00:46:39Why would he do that?
00:46:40Let's let Linda
00:46:41get back to work.
00:46:49I am fine.
00:46:50Really.
00:46:51I know.
00:46:52That just scared me
00:46:53and I really
00:46:54do not want to lose you.
00:46:56Hello.
00:47:00The D.A. has agreed
00:47:01to have Reynolds
00:47:02give us regular updates.
00:47:03Well, thank goodness.
00:47:04And he agrees
00:47:05that the case against Philip
00:47:06is weak.
00:47:07They're going to release
00:47:08Philip into your custody,
00:47:09Chief Smith.
00:47:10Well, finally,
00:47:11reason prevails.
00:47:12But that means
00:47:13you're responsible for him
00:47:14and for anything
00:47:15he might do.
00:47:16True.
00:47:17He's not going to do anything.
00:47:18He never even did anything
00:47:19wrong in the first place.
00:47:20As part of the agreement,
00:47:21Philip is not to leave
00:47:22the hotel until
00:47:23Detective Reynolds
00:47:24is satisfied he poses
00:47:25no threat.
00:47:26Fine.
00:47:27He's not going to go anywhere,
00:47:28right?
00:47:35Thank you,
00:47:36Mr. Watson.
00:47:43Okay.
00:47:44Yep.
00:47:45You're welcome.
00:47:47Linda said that
00:47:48Monica had only worked
00:47:49at the theater
00:47:50for three months
00:47:51and she wasn't friends
00:47:52with anyone else in the cast.
00:47:53But she was pretty sure
00:47:54that it was Boyd
00:47:55or Brett
00:47:56that killed Monica.
00:47:57Oh, I don't think it was Brett.
00:47:58He was heartbroken
00:47:59at Monica's mother's house.
00:48:00His father, on the other hand...
00:48:01Okay, is no one else
00:48:02bothered by the fact
00:48:03that Robert Brown
00:48:04had that prop knife
00:48:05in his pocket
00:48:06and he almost killed Ro
00:48:07when she saw him?
00:48:08It was an accident, I think.
00:48:09Well, I'm bothered,
00:48:10but he didn't even know Monica.
00:48:11What motive does Robert Brown
00:48:12have to kill her?
00:48:13What motive, indeed.
00:48:17Hi.
00:48:18I'm sorry, I didn't...
00:48:19I'm going to go sit down.
00:48:21Um, Miss Teagarden,
00:48:23I'm still feeling awfully bad
00:48:25about what happened
00:48:26at the theater.
00:48:27Yes, well,
00:48:28I'm still standing.
00:48:29I'm glad.
00:48:31But I'm very shaken by it all.
00:48:33I'm completely at love
00:48:34being in the thick
00:48:35of a murder case
00:48:36rather than a detached observer.
00:48:38It's difficult not to get
00:48:39carried away by fear.
00:48:41Oh, I feel for you.
00:48:44But maybe all this
00:48:46will shake me out
00:48:47of my writer's block,
00:48:48get me back in the good graces
00:48:49of my publisher.
00:48:52Well, that's a noble goal.
00:48:54Enjoy your meal.
00:48:58You are not going to chalk up
00:48:59what happened today
00:49:00as Robert being clumsy,
00:49:01are you?
00:49:03Maybe Sally can't see
00:49:04his motive to commit murder,
00:49:05but I can.
00:49:06Well, you can't believe
00:49:07that he's doing all this
00:49:08just to get material
00:49:09for a new book.
00:49:10No.
00:49:11But remember my talk.
00:49:12I can believe
00:49:13he's a classic narcissist
00:49:15capable of committing
00:49:16unspeakable crimes.
00:49:23Oh, maybe some fresh air.
00:49:24Oh, here come,
00:49:25here come a roaring wind.
00:49:27Hey, where's Lynn and Arthur?
00:49:28We need to talk
00:49:29about next steps.
00:49:30Well, they went for a walk
00:49:31to get some fresh air.
00:49:32Fresh air sounds wonderful.
00:49:33What did you say, Philip?
00:49:35Lynn said I can't
00:49:36leave the hotel,
00:49:37that I have to stay
00:49:38parked here, somewhere.
00:49:39Oh, I see.
00:49:40I'm sorry.
00:49:41I'm sorry.
00:49:42I'm sorry.
00:49:43I'm sorry.
00:49:44I'm sorry.
00:49:45I'm sorry.
00:49:46I'm sorry.
00:49:47I'm sorry.
00:49:48I'm sorry.
00:49:49I'm sorry.
00:49:50I'm sorry.
00:49:51I will stay parked here
00:49:52so she knows where I am.
00:49:54Oh, it's a briefing alert.
00:49:55Police are actually
00:49:56gonna give a press briefing.
00:49:57I will call you after.
00:49:58Yeah.
00:49:59Okay.
00:50:02Bye, Lillian.
00:50:03Bye, Lillian.
00:50:04Bye.
00:50:06Well, she didn't stop
00:50:07and talk to you.
00:50:09Do your friends
00:50:10still think that I'm
00:50:11the one who?
00:50:12Oh, no.
00:50:13I explained it
00:50:14was misunderstanding.
00:50:15Please, don't worry about it.
00:50:18Since you're stuck here, Philip,
00:50:19why don't you keep an eye
00:50:20If he comes out of his room, keep track of where he goes and who he talks to.
00:50:23Dick, he can't afford to get any more involved than he already is.
00:50:27I don't want to sit with the word suspect hanging around my neck either.
00:50:30I need to clear my name.
00:50:32It's not a bad idea, Mother.
00:50:34There's no risk in Philip sitting there with a book observing.
00:50:37All right. Well, then I'm going to be sitting right here with my book, too.
00:50:40What are you guys going to do?
00:50:42I think it's time we take another trip to Stalberg Development.
00:50:45See ya.
00:50:51At this time, we are processing various hairs and fibers found on or near the victim,
00:50:56but as the stage was full of people contaminating the scene,
00:50:59we're not sure where that'll lead us.
00:51:01Yes, ma'am.
00:51:02What about particular suspects?
00:51:04No, we're not prepared to discuss suspects yet.
00:51:06I'm sorry, that's all we have time for at this moment.
00:51:08We'll notify you as soon as we have more information. Thank you.
00:51:11But, Detective Reynolds, I have another question.
00:51:15He didn't tell us anything we didn't already know.
00:51:20Yes, sir. I'll let them know.
00:51:22Mr. Stalberg had to go down to the warehouse.
00:51:24If you'd like to make an appointment for another day...
00:51:27Well, do we really want to keep coming back here?
00:51:31I mean, he's just going to tell us that he hasn't seen Monica since she left the company.
00:51:36I'm sure the police have already asked you that.
00:51:39Right. And the police already know the answer.
00:51:42I'm sure they've asked a bunch of people around here the exact same question.
00:51:45Oh, yeah. They'd compare answers, make sure no one lied.
00:51:48I didn't lie.
00:51:50I told him that she was here last week,
00:51:53that she always brings some cookies from this bakery he likes.
00:52:10You're not enjoying your book?
00:52:12Jail was more interesting than this.
00:52:20There he is. Robert Brown.
00:52:40You got some water?
00:52:42That's it.
00:52:44Oh, now my battery's almost dead. I have to go get my charger.
00:52:48Okay. Well, I'll man your post till you get back.
00:53:10Excuse me. Mr. Sauber.
00:53:13We need to talk to you about Monica Swanson.
00:53:15I was with her on stage when she was killed.
00:53:18I've got business to attend to, but you're free to make an appointment.
00:53:21No, no, this can't wait.
00:53:23Now that we know Monica never stopped working for you.
00:53:29Monica's internship here ended six months ago.
00:53:32And yet she still showed up here on a regular basis.
00:53:35Brought you cookies?
00:53:37Sounds like someone kissing up to the boss.
00:53:39She's dating my son. Wanted me to like her.
00:53:41And yet she was working pretty hard to convince Linda Bennett that she didn't like you.
00:53:46I think that you told her to get a job at the theater and encouraged Linda to sell to you.
00:53:51And I think you have a very vivid imagination.
00:53:54Oh, oh, I do. I do.
00:53:56And I imagine that Monica might have grown tired of playing double agent.
00:54:00You know, tired of the whole Stauber bag of dirty tricks.
00:54:03Maybe she was threatening to tell people about your business practices.
00:54:07Maybe the press. Maybe the police.
00:54:13You people are barking up the wrong tree.
00:54:16But be sure to tell Detective Reynolds that one.
00:54:20I bet he gets a laugh out of it.
00:54:33Oh, I didn't realize how much I needed that.
00:54:52Maybe we should bring the kids back here sometime.
00:54:54Yeah, or maybe we could keep it just for us.
00:54:58Oh, there you are.
00:55:00Philip's missing.
00:55:01What? What do you mean missing?
00:55:02He went to his room to get his charger and then just never came back.
00:55:06And now he's not in his room. He's not in the restaurant. He's not in the lobby.
00:55:10What if the person who's trying to frame him for Monica's murder came looking for him?
00:55:15Mother, why is Philip texting me not to be mad at him?
00:55:19Wait, you've heard from him? He's okay?
00:55:22He texted her 30 seconds ago.
00:55:23Yeah, all he said was don't be mad.
00:55:25Wait, he just texted again.
00:55:28I've taken a taxi to meet Brett Stauberg at his house.
00:55:31What?
00:55:32He left the hotel after I vouched for him. I gave my word.
00:55:36All right, let's just try and catch up with him and we'll bring him back, okay?
00:55:39Mother, Nick and I will stay here with you and I will try to get a hold of Philip.
00:55:42I'm sure he had a very good reason.
00:55:44Oh, he better have an amazing reason.
00:55:47Remind me to never get her mad at me.
00:55:57Okay.
00:56:06Printer's wide open.
00:56:07That's not good.
00:56:11Really wish we had our firearms.
00:56:18Hello? Philip? In here.
00:56:27Philip, are you okay?
00:56:29I checked. He's dead.
00:56:40That's one of the candlesticks from the stage.
00:56:42Philip, you need to step away.
00:56:45Come on.
00:56:51Detective, you need to slow down.
00:56:53Look, Philip is a witness. You heard what he said.
00:56:56Brett Stauberg invited him here.
00:56:58Brett slipped a note under my door. He said he knew who killed Monica and to meet him here at this address.
00:57:03Yes, he left the hotel, but he had a good reason.
00:57:05He saw Brett running out of the house, then went inside and found Boy dead.
00:57:08Enough. I am not conducting my interview with my suspect in this driveway.
00:57:12Now, you need to leave. Go back to your hotel.
00:57:14There are security cameras mounted everywhere. It's not going to be hard to corroborate his story.
00:57:18If you say one more word, just one, I'll have you in cuffs next for interfering with my investigation.
00:57:22We're not trying to interfere. We're trying to explain to you what happened.
00:57:25Okay, it's okay. We understand. We will be available if you have any questions.
00:57:28Look, we're going to call the attorney, Philip. It's going to be okay.
00:57:35So, you think Brett killed his father and is setting Philip up to take the fall again?
00:57:39We won't know until Brett is found.
00:57:41I know the first thing I need to find. That note that Brett slipped under Philip's door.
00:57:45I never should have let him out of my sight.
00:57:47I knew he was so determined to help us out.
00:57:49Well, I think he was making a noble effort.
00:57:51Noble, yes. Smart, no. He never should have gone to meet a murder suspect all by himself.
00:57:55And who do you suppose taught him moves like that?
00:57:58Philip said he left the note on the desk.
00:58:06I don't see a note.
00:58:08The bed's made.
00:58:09Trash is empty.
00:58:11A housekeeping must have just been here.
00:58:13Excuse me? We need to talk to you.
00:58:16We just want to look in your trash.
00:58:17Is this the trash from room 512 in here?
00:58:19Oh, no, no, no. You need to ask the manager first.
00:58:21Oh, wait. This is super important.
00:58:26Oh, what's this?
00:58:28Uh, no. You're going to get me into trouble.
00:58:30Yeah, but we just have to find one little piece of paper.
00:58:32Look, stop. This is against the rules.
00:58:36Aurora!
00:58:41Oh, I'm sorry. I did not mean to upset you.
00:58:45Very, very, very sorry.
00:58:50So we'll take this note to Detective Reynolds.
00:58:52That'll prove that Philip was telling the truth.
00:58:54I'll call the lawyer and tell him to meet us there.
00:58:56Okay.
00:58:57Yeah, and hopefully we can convince Reynolds to treat Philip as a witness and not a suspect.
00:59:00A very unlucky witness.
00:59:02Well, we know the police are looking for Brett.
00:59:04Oh, oh, I completely forgot to tell you.
00:59:06So I grilled a reporter at the press briefing who knew Monica.
00:59:09He told me that Brett used to take her to this one particular Stauberg development construction site.
00:59:14They'd bring wine and food and...
00:59:16A construction site? That's an interesting place for a date.
00:59:19Uh, apparently it was really scenic and romantic.
00:59:21A romantic construction site.
00:59:22Sounds more like somewhere he would go to hide.
00:59:24So how do we find a list of Stauberg construction sites?
00:59:26There's probably at least a dozen of them.
00:59:28Well, they would have had to file permits with the city before any construction.
00:59:31And the best place to search the city's database...
00:59:33The library. I'll go. I need a quiet place to work on my story for Macon.
00:59:36Okay?
00:59:37Okay.
00:59:39Book Browse. Aren't it? Must be nice to have a big city budget.
00:59:47May I help you?
00:59:48Lillian! Well, I hope you didn't quit our library and take a job here.
00:59:53Oh, I'm simply watching the reference desk for Andrew while he takes books to a patron too sick to come in.
00:59:58Oh, well, if I'm not mistaken, a non-employee behind the desk is against the rules.
01:00:02This new romance of yours, Lillian, has turned you into quite the rebel.
01:00:07But don't worry. I won't tell a soul.
01:00:09I just need to take a look at the city permit database. Do you think you could help me out?
01:00:17Yes.
01:00:26Hey, Ro?
01:00:27Hi. Yeah, this is taking longer than I thought. It seems that this database is only searchable by permit number.
01:00:33How many have you found so far?
01:00:34Um, five?
01:00:36Well, what kind of information does it give for each site?
01:00:38Well, there's a lot of technical stuff.
01:00:40Does it give any kind of description for the development?
01:00:43Um, let me see.
01:00:46Yes. Yes, I have, uh, an office building, a shopping mall, a wedding venue.
01:00:55Wait, a wedding venue? That's romantic and scenic.
01:00:59Do you remember the picture we saw of Monica and Brett at the Stalberg office?
01:01:03The one where it looks like they're standing in front of some kind of chapel that's being built?
01:01:05Yeah, yeah. The scenery was gorgeous and, oh, there was a sign in the background. It was something terrace.
01:01:12Woodlands Terrace?
01:01:13Yes, that's it.
01:01:14Yeah, I've got it right here. It was completed about a month ago.
01:01:16Okay, send me that address as soon as you can, Sally.
01:01:19You got it.
01:01:24And there's Phillip getting out of the taxi, just like he said he did.
01:01:27I think someone intent on committing murder isn't going to arrive in a taxi, do you?
01:01:31Oh, and there's Brett Stalberg leaving in a hurry.
01:01:45Oh, Phillip, if only you wouldn't go in the house.
01:01:48Seems this video, along with the note found in Phillip's room, corroborates his story.
01:01:52To the letter.
01:01:53Yes, and his prints were not on the candlestick used to kill the victim.
01:01:57Well, so you can let him go?
01:01:59Well, I can't hold him for the murder of Boyd Stalberg, but that doesn't mean I should let him go.
01:02:03Come on.
01:02:04Well, it's for his own protection.
01:02:05Look, we got a killer out there who likes leaving Phillip behind to take the blame.
01:02:08I think we should look into why that is.
01:02:10And, since I can't trust Phillip to stay put in the hotel, I'd like to keep him here a little longer.
01:02:15Can we fight that decision?
01:02:17We can.
01:02:18But he's hoping you won't.
01:02:19He'll at least be safe here. I'll call it a processing delay.
01:02:31Your son won't find me.
01:02:34Did you call the cops?
01:02:35Yes, but we were hoping that you would tell us what happened to your father.
01:02:38Karma, I guess.
01:02:40Did you kill him, Brett?
01:02:43No.
01:02:45He was lying there, dead, when I got home.
01:02:50I thought he'd be at work.
01:02:52Why did you ask Phillip, of all people, to meet you?
01:02:56They have no idea what it's like living here.
01:03:00My dad.
01:03:02Everyone's afraid to go against them.
01:03:04Everyone's afraid to go against them.
01:03:07Monica thought that this Phillip guy was okay.
01:03:11It seems dumb now to think that he would be able to help me figure out what to do about...
01:03:19My dad.
01:03:21He was so mad at me for going back to the theater that night.
01:03:25I knew that meant that he was probably the one who...
01:03:27You believe your father had Monica killed?
01:03:30I don't want to believe it.
01:03:32But he told Monica he'd give her this big job at the company if she could get Linda to sell.
01:03:40And then she started to like Linda.
01:03:43And suddenly she got all mad at my dad for pushing her.
01:03:47That's why she broke up with me.
01:03:49She lumped me in with him.
01:03:54I think she threatened my dad.
01:03:59Like said, she'd go to the cops if he didn't leave her alone.
01:04:03And my dad, he doesn't let that type of stuff slide.
01:04:07Who do you think he got to do it, Brad?
01:04:09There was this guy, an accountant.
01:04:11He took people's books. He was in prison for a while.
01:04:14My dad helped him when he got out.
01:04:16He gave him money. He made him respectable in exchange for favors.
01:04:21Accounting, usually, but sometimes...
01:04:24Sometimes what?
01:04:26I don't know.
01:04:28You'd never suspect this guy. He seemed like a straight arrow.
01:04:31He got a new name, a new job.
01:04:33What's his name?
01:04:35I don't know. Andrew something.
01:04:38He works at the...
01:04:39At the library.
01:04:59Your friend's been here a while.
01:05:02Oh, I wouldn't call Sally a friend. More of an acquaintance.
01:05:06She's searching for construction permits for Starbuck development.
01:05:10Why would she be doing that?
01:05:12Oh, probably something to do with that horrid murder case.
01:05:15She and her friends are never happy unless they're neck deep in muck.
01:05:23Andrew, you're acting nervous.
01:05:26Uh, would you mind keeping an eye on the desk a little longer?
01:05:31I'm not sure that I'm comfortable breaking the rules again.
01:05:43Andrew's last name isn't Wakefield.
01:05:46He was in prison for six years for various white collar crimes
01:05:49related to his former career as an accountant.
01:05:51His cellmate once worked with Boyd Stauberg and introduced them.
01:05:56And the police believe Andrew killed that young woman for this Boyd person
01:06:01while I sat at the table waiting for him.
01:06:03They believe that his date with you was a cover for being at the theater, yes.
01:06:06Seems he used you again to cover the reference desk while he went to kill Boyd.
01:06:10He was clocked in the whole time. Perfect alibi.
01:06:13And the police believe he committed this other murder.
01:06:16Well, they're still piecing together their evidence.
01:06:18Although, his fingerprints aren't on the murder weapon
01:06:20and the security camera at the back of the Stauberg residence had been disabled.
01:06:25But Brett said that's one of the favors Andrew would do for Boyd.
01:06:29He'd arrange for former prison buddies to do things like disable CCTV cameras.
01:06:35You're telling me I aided and abetted a cold-blooded killer.
01:06:38But I just can't believe that of him.
01:06:40I don't think so.
01:06:42I aided and abetted a cold-blooded killer.
01:06:44But I just can't believe that of him.
01:06:47I can't believe he would take another life.
01:06:50I'm so sorry, Lillian.
01:07:00So, turned out to be the mild-mannered librarian no one would have suspected, huh?
01:07:06Not exactly a riveting character.
01:07:09Maybe he has an interesting background to mine.
01:07:25I'll check out.
01:07:29Oh, and don't be surprised if the next time you invite me on a trip, I say no.
01:07:34Well, since the conference got canceled, I have to come back next year.
01:07:39Oh, at least I have time to talk you out of it.
01:07:42We'll see you in Launceston.
01:07:43Bye, guys.
01:07:44Try to save you, too.
01:07:52What are you thinking?
01:07:55About Lillian.
01:07:56I just feel so bad for her.
01:07:58Yeah, it'll take her some time to trust again.
01:08:01I don't know.
01:08:02I don't know.
01:08:03She's always so sure of her own opinions.
01:08:06Which is why it's bugging me that she's so certain Andrew can't be guilty.
01:08:10Hi, Ro.
01:08:11Nick, have you guys seen Robert?
01:08:13He was here a little while ago.
01:08:16I was packing up my boxes from the convention for next year, and I came across this.
01:08:21It's a manuscript. I'm sure it belongs to him.
01:08:23Well, why don't you just leave it at the front desk?
01:08:25Good idea.
01:08:27I should head back to my office.
01:08:28I've got hundreds of online orders to process.
01:08:31It turns out having a real murder happen in a mystery theater is good for sales.
01:08:35I'll never underestimate the lure of true crime.
01:08:38Preaching to the choir.
01:08:42Of course, right when I'm in such a hurry.
01:08:45Oh, Linda.
01:08:46It's okay.
01:08:47We're not in a rush.
01:08:48I will drop this at the front desk.
01:08:49Oh, you are saving me again.
01:08:52I look forward to seeing you at the conference next year.
01:08:54And I'm guessing we're going to have a lot more people attending.
01:09:02Marti Garten, are you reading the writer's manuscript without his permission?
01:09:05Mm-hmm.
01:09:07So what is it?
01:09:09It's a draft of Robert's new book.
01:09:12I need to get this to Lynn and Arthur.
01:09:15And I also need my computer.
01:09:16I need to do some digging into Robert Brown's past.
01:09:20I just want to go on record that what you're planning is not a good idea.
01:09:25Nick, remember what you said in your talk at Real Murders.
01:09:28Narcissists who kill have the need to tell stories,
01:09:31the need to tell stories to get results.
01:09:34And the need to get results.
01:09:36Are you here for that?
01:09:38I want to know.
01:09:40Well, I'm the one who asked you this question.
01:09:44I wanted to know what you were going to say.
01:09:45real murders. Narcissists who kill have the need to tell someone how smart they are.
01:09:49But it doesn't need to be you. It could be me. You know how often my students confess things to me?
01:09:57All right, here I am. Let's hear it. Aurora received a manuscript box from Linda Bennett
01:10:03who said she found it here at the resort. She assumed it belonged to Robert Brown.
01:10:07Robert Brown? It's the story about a murder of an actress who's stabbed to death in the
01:10:11middle of performing at a mystery theater. After the lights unexpectedly go out with a knife that's
01:10:17picked up by another actor who ends up getting the blame. Then a real estate developer gets
01:10:22bludgeoned to death in his own home. So Brown has been writing about everything that's been
01:10:25happening? This is 400 pages long. There's no way it was written in the few days since the murders.
01:10:30Which means these killings were planned for weeks before they were carried out. This manuscript is
01:10:34a blueprint for premeditated murder. So how does the story end? It doesn't. It's unfinished.
01:10:42We found a set of fingerprints on the candlestick that was used to kill Boyd Stalberg.
01:10:47They match the set of prints that we found the other day. Let me guess, Robert Brown.
01:10:51So that's it then? Here's the thing. I don't think Robert Brown is guilty. What? But I think I know
01:10:57who did kill Monica and Boyd Stalberg. I just don't have proof. Which is why I need you to
01:11:02put a wire on me so I can get the killer to confess.
01:11:13Are you sure you can't see anything? No. I'd never guess you weren't a microphone.
01:11:20I don't see why I can't do this. Because you're not a librarian.
01:11:24You don't speak the language of books and authors.
01:11:26I'll be listening the entire time. If it all goes south, you can count on me, okay?
01:11:57Hi, Aurora. Linda, thank you for meeting with me. I was happy to. What can I help you with?
01:12:12I need to talk to you about this. Okay, sure. Come on in.
01:12:25I didn't think I was going to see you again until next year.
01:12:29Well, I didn't feel right leaving until I knew what to do with this manuscript.
01:12:33Well, I've made us some tea. Let's sit. Thank you.
01:12:37I thought you were going to leave that at the front desk for Robert to pick up.
01:12:41Oh, I was. Until I realized that Robert didn't write it.
01:12:45Oh, I just assumed. I found it in the main ballroom where Robert had all his materials
01:12:51sent for his keynote speech. Did you read it? The manuscript?
01:12:56No, I just glanced in the box. Did you read it?
01:13:01Well, it was hard not to after you dropped it right in front of me.
01:13:05I felt bad about leaving you and Nick to pick it all up.
01:13:09Cream and sugar? No, thank you.
01:13:14So, why do you think it isn't Robert's? For one, it's fiction. Robert writes non-fiction,
01:13:21true crime. Hmm. Well, he did tell me that he was having
01:13:26a hard time finding the right case to write about next. Terrible case of writer's block.
01:13:32Maybe he decided to write it himself. I don't know.
01:13:37Maybe he decided to try a hand at mystery. How'd you know it was a mystery if you
01:13:43didn't read it? What else would Robert write about?
01:13:50She's doing a good job. You called Robert a dear friend.
01:13:53He must have been if he confided his writing troubles to you.
01:13:58We go pretty far back. At least a decade, right?
01:14:02Back when you dated. Oh, I'm a librarian.
01:14:05I know how to do an image search through archived files.
01:14:09And something tells me that while you may be friends now,
01:14:13your romantic relationship didn't end well. Only a bitter breakup would make you try to
01:14:17pass off that manuscript as Robert's and try to frame him for murder.
01:14:22I don't know what you're talking about. If it's not Robert's, it's someone else's.
01:14:26Three other writers were going to speak at the conference.
01:14:29I'm a librarian. Do you know how many times I've helped students run their
01:14:32assignments through grammar software? I can use that same software to compare
01:14:37grammar and syntax to match the author of a paragraph, a page, a book.
01:14:41And the writer of this is the same writer as this.
01:14:46A Very Foul Play by Linda Bennett. You dropped that manuscript in front of the
01:14:51wrong person, Linda. That wasn't the plan.
01:15:01I was going to leave it in Robert's room so that the maids could find it.
01:15:07But then you had to hunt down Red Stopper and he had to point to the wrong person.
01:15:13Andrew Wakefield is not the one I wanted to bring down.
01:15:17So I had to accelerate my plan. I picked the person most likely to be
01:15:24nosy and want to read that manuscript. I see I've underestimated you.
01:15:32You've also underestimated me. We have to get her out of there.
01:15:35I'll take the stage entrance. We'll take the front.
01:15:37You came in here to confront me, knowing I used the match to this candlestick to kill
01:15:43Boyd Stopper. That's how you got Robert's prints on it.
01:15:49You had him carry those candlesticks up here during rehearsal.
01:15:52That's right. You see, I don't let anyone stand in my way.
01:15:58Not Monica Swanson, Mr. Red Stopper, or anyone else.
01:16:07Her hidden agenda, always undermining me, trying to get me to sell.
01:16:12Not an entitled bully like Boyd Stauberg, who was trying to rob me of this theater and my legacy.
01:16:18And certainly not Robert Brown, who the minute he tasted success,
01:16:25he just dumped me like yesterday's garbage. Not you, Aurora Teagarden.
01:16:37Bring the lock after they went in. Luckily, I'd like to get a key.
01:16:41You are not going to undo weeks of planning and effort and risk.
01:16:52Rob! Back here! I'm wearing a wire, Linda. The police have heard everything.
01:16:59But I've got nothing to lose. Rob!
01:17:06Up here!
01:17:28I'll have a clean shot. You need to get up there.
01:17:36There's no one around now.
01:17:52Rob! Rob! I got her. I got her.
01:17:57You okay?
01:18:05Oh, thank goodness you're all right. Oh, what were you thinking? Wearing a wire to
01:18:32confront a killer? You promised you wouldn't tell my mother. I didn't. I told Sally, thinking
01:18:37she could come back here and help me talk you out of it. Well, and I told Aida because you didn't
01:18:41expect me to worry all by myself. Well, as you can see, I'm fine. Yeah, you are. I wasn't worried.
01:18:48Well, not that much. I knew you'd get what the police needed. Yeah, she got that and then some.
01:18:52She was incredible. I have to say, Ro, that was some helpful work. Thank you, Lynn. And I have to
01:19:01say, make a great member of the Real Murders Club. Yes, you would. But you won't. Oh, no. This out-of-town
01:19:09adventure doesn't change anything back home. I expect all of you club people to stay out of
01:19:14police business. Understood? Yeah. I had to tear myself away from my computer to thank you.
01:19:22I was told it's your sharp eye that saved me from taking the fall for Linda Bennett's crimes.
01:19:27Never giving up on the truth is important. So is truth and accuracy in writing. In fact,
01:19:34I was wondering if the good detectives here might have a few minutes to give me the law
01:19:38enforcement view of the case, which will be the subject of my next book.
01:19:43Uh, sure. Yeah, we can do that, Lynn. Why not?
01:19:52I wonder what's going to happen to Andrew. I'm sure he's in pretty hot water over what he did
01:19:56for Boyd. Oh, yeah. The police will definitely be questioning him, especially after what Brett
01:20:01said. But at least I can tell Lillian that Andrew wasn't the killer when we get home.
01:20:06Oh, that sounds so nice. Can we all finally go home?
01:20:11Well, I just have one last thing I'd really like to do first.
01:20:15Why'd you want to bring me back here? Wait, you're not about to...
01:20:34Not yet. But I would like you to take in the surroundings just to get used to the idea.
01:20:41So, what do you think?
01:20:48Oh, I could definitely get used to the idea.