Grilling Season: A Curious Caterer Mystery (2023) - full transcript

Gonna work?

Oh, hi!

Absolutely. Have
you even used this?

I'm more of a
takeout girl, Goldy.

Well, this is
restaurant quality.

So said the man who
bought it for me.

That sounds like my
ex-husband, now your boyfriend.

My extremely doting boyfriend.

You say that like
it's a bad thing.

It's a fine line between
doting and smothering.

Happy birthday!



Thanks, Marla!

Roses? Oh, Richard!

For my rose.

Happy birthday, cuz.

Thanks, cuz.

Goldy, Marla, what
can I do to help?

You can make yourself
a drink and enjoy.

Thank you.

Of course.

Those do not look like
regular shish kebabs.

Well, as you know, I
am far from regular.

You came.

Hm.

I'm proud of you.



Hi, Tom.

Marla.

How's Kenny Zox?

Smitten.

I'm sure. Is it mutual?

Well, we'll see.

Do you know the
diameter of your pecs?

Excuse me?

Because Kenny knows his.

He invited me to
work out with him.

Oh, and what did you
say to that offer?

I told him I needed
to refill my platter

and that I would call him later.

Good call.

Mhm, and I'm surprised you
had time for the party.

What does that mean?

Oh, I mean, Goldy
was just saying that-

Marla.

That I need to pass
some more shish kebabs.

It's great to see you, Tom.

Yeah.

Do you wanna tell me
what that was all about,

or do I have to play detective?

Is it playing detective
if you have that badge?

You're dodging my question.

Marla thinks that

I need to have a more
active social life,

and she strongly believes that
you should be a part of it,

so I told her that
I spoke with you

and that you said you
were very, very busy.

So you lied.

Yes, I did. Yeah.

What's in the box?

Do you wanna play detective?

Always.

Scented candle.

Ah, it's too easy! Come on!

Where's the hostess?

Ah, over there.

Who's the close talker?

That is Hal
Bartholomew, Susie's ex.

Doesn't look ex to me.

That's Hal just being Hal

and Susie is just
being friendly,

but he's definitely
with Richard.

Detective.

Hey, how are you doing?
- Doctor.

This is Dennis Lockwood.

Tom Shultz.

Hi. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Susie's neighbor.

Oh, and mine.

We have offices right beside
each other at the hospital.

Oh, you're a doctor too?

A surgeon. That's correct.

Oh, and Dennis provided
the wine tonight,

all the way from Italy.

Tom, you came!

I wouldn't miss it.

Susie, no hug for me?

Thank you for bringing
the wine, Dennis.

It's the neighborly thing to do.

Hey, Tom, I'll get you a glass?

I'm okay. Thank you.

Okay.

Susie, you could have
at least made an effort.

I invited him, didn't I?

Stephanie!

I see those two
are still fighting.

Those two are like
oil and water.

Susie likes to entertain,
as you can see,

and sometimes their
parties go a little late,

and Dennis has complained.

What, did he call the police?

No, worse.

He complained to the
neighborhood association.

That's worse?

To live in this development,

you have to abide by a lot of
rules, and one of 'em is that

three complaints and
that triggers a hearing.

Now, if the hearing
board finds against you,

you can be compelled to sell.

How many complaints
does Susie have?

Two, which is why

I asked her to play
nice and invite the man.

Ah, excuse me, guys.
Nice to see you, Tom.

You too.

Still glad you came?

At least the food's good.

Hey, come on in!

Your ex-wife is here.

What?

What is she doing here?

I don't know.
You're asking me?

I mean, she's supposed
to be in San Francisco.

I know.

Oh, she saw us. She's
coming over right now.

- Oh, she's coming.
- Yeah, she's coming over.

Tommy, oh!

Jess.

Oh!

Goldy Berry!

Hi, Jessamyn.

Susie told me you were
catering. So cute.

I don't think we've
seen each other

since high school graduation.

And I had no idea that you
had been married and divorced.

Well, until I met
your ex-husband.

Oh, well, it was a bit of a
whirlwind, wasn't it, Tommy?

Mm, a whirlwind.

So, how do you two
know each other?

It's a funny story,
actually, so-

What are you doing here?

Well, Susie and I were
close in high school.

I had business in Denver and
thought I'd just pop over.

Jess, you came!

Of course I came!

Oh, this looks delicious.

It is. Goldy is a genius.

Jessamyn.

Hey.
- Hal!

Did you two patch things up?

Still divorced, Jess.

But I'm happy to be here

to celebrate this
wonderful woman.

Aren't we all?

Jess, this is too much!

It's your favorite, right?

Yes, and that's how
I know it costs $900.

Oh, you're worth it,
but save it for later.

I'll have whatever's
already out there.

Are you kidding me?

I'm at her birthday
party right now.

She didn't say anything to me.

Does she think she can back out?

We have a contract.

I didn't threaten
her. Maybe I should.

I'm kidding. I
wouldn't hurt her.

At least not in front of people.

Hey, is Susie and Kenny
in business together?

Yeah, he's building those
condos over on Hyperion,

and Susie's the main investor.

Why?

Because I just overheard
him in the phone,

because he was screaming.

I think she's
trying to back out,

and he said something about

not hurting her in
front of people.

He said that?

Yeah.

Maybe it was a joke.

Not a funny one.

Hi!

How much have you had to drink?

Is it true?

You're gonna believe Dennis?

He's trying to force
me to sell my house!

Oh, so you're not gonna
answer my question?

As you well know, Hal
and I have history.

I'm not asking
about your history!

I'm asking why he was here and
left at two in the morning!

Oh, there you are.

Here I am. What's up?

I was wondering if you
were ready for the cake.

Yes, of course.

- Okay.
- Let's-

Susie, we have to talk.

Can we pick this up later?

What is going on?

She's cheating on me.

What?

With her pathetic ex-husband.

How do you even know that?

Does it really matter, Goldy?

I gotta go.

Richard, come on.

Richard!

Richard, you can't!

I'm sorry.

What's going on?

I don't know. Can you
just come with me?

I think I might need you.

Yeah.

Richard, come on.

Did you know that I was
gonna give her this tonight?

Oh, Richard.

Oh, Richard, I'm sorry.

For what, Dennis? You're not
the one who had the affair.

You don't know that that's it.

What? What do you mean?

I didn't mean to
cause any trouble.

Forget it. I gotta go.

Come on. Let's go to my house.

I'll make you a big
cup of coffee. Come on.

Come on.

Go have some coffee. I'll
call you later, okay?

Come on.

What happened?

I think Dennis saw Hal
leave the house at 2:00 a.m.

You think he lodged
complaint number three?

Maybe, but Richard thinks-

That Hal and Susie are
having an affair, obviously.

Well, what do you think?

I don't know. You know,
I'll talk to her later.

All I know is I have
to go back inside,

put a smile on my face,
and cut some cake.

The dishwasher is going.

Thanks, Marla.

What else can I do for
you? Strangle Jessamyn?

Seriously, that laugh of hers
takes me back to high school

and not in a good way.

Look at her being all flirty
with the guy she divorced.

I mean, do you think she's here
to patch things up with him?

Marla!

What?

I'm trying to clean the grill.

It's really clean, Goldy.

Okay, we're off.

- Aw.
- Oh, no.

Yeah, but so great to
see you both again,

and to see how well your little
business is going, Goldy.

Great party, guys. Thank you.

Thanks.

I told you like a month
ago to ask him out.

As you know, I have been
busy with my little business.

Thank you both so
much. People loved it.

Oh.

Richard notwithstanding.

I hope you don't mind me asking.

What Richard
believes, is it true?

What's true is that

Dennis is trying to force
me to sell my house.

But was Hal here until two
o'clock in the morning?

In fact, he was,

and we were inside,
not causing any noise,

so I don't know what Dennis
is complaining about.

Look, I hate to ask, but what
was he doing here that late?

I'm not having an affair,
I promise you that,

and I'll explain it to Richard
as soon as he calms down.

Okay.

Where's the birthday girl?

Look who finally showed up.

I was working, or did you
forget that you hired me?

We hired her?

Not the agency. Just me.

How've you been, Chester?

Good, Fran, but I'm on my way
home. Happy birthday, cuz.

Take care, Chester.

Goldy, Marla, do you
know Fran Markesian?

Hi.

The private eye.

Have we met?

No, I've just seen
your online ads.

Good to know someone
notices those.

Here's my card in case
you ever need anything.

Thanks.

Can we talk in private?

Sure. Ladies, take off.

I can finish the cleanup
myself, and here.

No, Richard's paying.

Yeah, I don't think
that's gonna happen.

Honestly, I feel better
about it this way.

Okay.

Happy birthday.

Thank you.

Nice to meet you, Fran.

Yeah, you too, yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh, hi.

Hi.

What's going on?

Did you get my text? I
guess you didn't see it.

No. My phone's charging.

Are you busy?

Tom!

- Olive.
- Hey.

How are you?

I'm good.

Good. Good to see you.

Oh, smells great. I'm
sorry to interrupt.

It's just leftovers.

Well, your mom's leftovers

are better than most
people's five-star meals.

Oh, that's sweet.

Do you want some?

Hm?

Yeah, that would be great.

Okay.

Hey, so how's softball going?

I hear you got a tournament
coming up in Salt Lake.

Yeah.

How did you know that?

Are you asking me to reveal
my confidential informant?

Is that what she's
doing? Really?

Richard.

You know, I'd love to come
watch you play sometime.

We're practicing tomorrow.
You guys could come together.

Um, sure.

Sure.

I think I'm gonna
take my food upstairs.

Are you sure?

Yeah. Thanks, Mom.

Okay.

Bye.

Mm, this really is better
the second time around.

So what's going on?

I just, you know.

I just came to check on Richard.

I haven't spoken to him since
he had coffee with Dennis.

Hm.

Also, me leaving the
party with Jessamyn.

Mhm.

I'm just trying to figure
out what she's doing here.

So you didn't buy

the "I'm in Denver on
business" line either?

No.

Mhm. Did she tell
you the truth?

Of course not.

So it's a mystery.

Yeah.

Maybe I should investigate.

Maybe you shouldn't.

One second.

Mason, what's up?

Calm down, Mason.
I can't hear you.

What?

Is she okay?

Okay, yeah, no,
I'll be right there.

What's wrong?

There's been an accident
at Susie Craig's.

Her grill exploded.

Is she okay?

She's dead.

What?

No, no, no, that's impossible.

I was just with her.

I was just there.

What time did you leave?

Um, probably just after
you, around eight.

Was she alone? Was
there anyone else there?

No.

Fran Markesian was
there. Is she okay?

I don't know. I don't know.

Goldy, I have to go.

Are you gonna be okay?

No, no, because I'm
coming with you.

No, Goldy. You
can't come with me.

She was my friend!

This is a police matter.

Tom, I was the last
person to use that grill.

ME?

She's in the backyard,
examining the body.

Is that Goldy?

Yeah, she was using the
grill all day for a barbecue.

I asked her to come
take a look at it.

So, like a witness?

Not like a witness. A witness.

I'm sorry.

You gotta stop
saying "like," Mason.

You're a detective now, okay?
- I know.

Right.

Oh, hey, Mason.

I'm so sorry. I know
you were friends.

Thank you.

All right, well, let's go.

The 911 operator was
alerted at 10:12 p.m.

by the alarm company.

Her smoke alarms were going off

and she wasn't
responsive on her phone.

Fire crew and EMTs
were here by 10:20.

The fire inspector says

it's a blocked
regulator on the grill.

That's impossible. It
was a brand-new grill.

So the danger with
a propane grill is

a blockage where the
gas meets the ignition.

Guys, I'll be back in
a minute, all right?

Let Goldy see the grill.

Dr. Lockwood.

What's going on?

There's been an accident.
Did you hear an explosion?

An explosion?

Yeah, about an hour ago.

No, I was across town

at this wild goose
chase house call.

Nevermind. Is Susie all right?

She's dead.

What?

I'm so sorry.

Does Richard know?

No, I'll be calling him shortly.

Anything I can do?

Not at the moment.

Okay, well, here's my card.

All my numbers are there.
Just take care, detective.

Thank you. You too.

No, there's no way. No way.

What?

That wasn't there when I left.

What wasn't?

Look.

This was a brand-new grill.

I cleaned the entire
thing. You saw me.

That was not there when I left.

Tom.

Yeah?

What is this?

It's pieces of a $900
bottle of tequila.

How do you know?

Because my ex-wife got it
for Susie for her birthday.

Oh.

Tom.

I don't like that
face, Bella. What's up?

Time of death is consistent with

the 911 call of the fire.

10:00 p.m.

Right, but I need to
do a full autopsy,

because my initial exam shows

she has a broken hyoid
bone, which likely means-

She was strangled.

Before the explosion.

All right. This
is a crime scene.

We gotta get forensics on
this entire house, and you-

I need to go.

I'll walk you out, Goldy.

Hello. You've reached
Dr. Richard Korman.

I can't get to the
phone at the moment,

so please leave a message
or call my service at 970.

Hey, it is me again.

Listen, just please
call me back.

Berry Good Catering.

Oh, Goldy, this is
Chrissie Brooks.

Hey, Chrissie. Did you
get my menu revisions?

I did, but I'm sorry
about this, Goldy.

We're gonna have to cancel.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, just a change of plans.

I can't really get into it.

Okay, well, you know, if
you cancel within five days,

you don't get your deposit back.

Yeah, I know.

Well, unless you wanna
reschedule for a later date.

Uh, no, I'm sorry.

I gotta run, but we're canceled.

Something else awful happen?

Hey, honey.

No, no, no, no, no, no,
nothing like last night.

I've just had two people

cancel their catering
bookings this morning.

Wow, you don't think-

That I'm being blamed for my
friend's death? Yes, I do.

That's gross and unfair.

I'm really sorry, Mom.

Thanks, babe.

Those scones smell good though.

Here. They're
from Marla's cafe.

Thanks.

So, have you talked to Dad?

No, I have tried him many
times, but he's not picking up.

He's at his cabin.

How do you know that?

We're on the same family
network. I used Find My Phone.

You know, Tom better
watch his back,

or you're gonna take his job.

Berry Good Catering.

I understand.

I hope so too.

Yep. Thank you.

That is my third
cancellation this morning.

You're being blamed
for Susie's accident.

Well, and the thing
is, come here.

What are you doing?

Come here. Come with me.

It wasn't an accident.

Susie was murdered.

What? Murdered?

How do you know that?

Because I was with
Tom last night.

Oka, okay, we're
gonna go back to

what you were doing
with Tom last night,

but who would wanna kill Susie?

Well, that's what
I need to find out.

You mean that's what
Tom has to find out.

He's the detective. You
run a catering business.

Well, I might not have
a business left to run

if I don't find out
what happened to Susie.

970-555-5120. Thank you.

Is that everything?

No, a few more boxes. Goldy
and Marla are helping.

What?

What are you doing?

Helping Mason. We walked
up when he pulled in.

Seriously?

Yeah, great timing, right?

Where do you want these?

Where do I want these?

I want you to put these down.

What is your problem?

My problem is persons of
interest in an investigation

shouldn't be handling evidence.

Wait, this is evidence?

I thought these were
just Susie's work files.

Mason!

Yeah.

Wait, persons of interest?

Are you saying that
we're suspects?

What I'm saying is I need
you to put the box down

and tell me what
you're doing here.

I was at the cafe around the
corner, having some coffee,

and we just thought
we would come down

and, you know, see how
everything's going.

What's she not telling me?

She's lost three bookings
because of the exploding grill.

People think she killed Susie.

Ah.

Accidentally, of course,

because they don't know
about the murder part.

But you know about
the murder part?

Who else have you told?

Nobody.

Really? Not Richard?

No. Why?

Because he's not
answering his cell

or his on-call service line.

He is at his fishing cabin.

How do you know that if
you haven't talked to him?

Because he wasn't
answering my call,

so Olive used Find My
Phone on our family plan

to locate him.

That's smart.

I thought so too.

Clever.

Yeah, that's really smart.

All right. What's the address?

You can follow me.

I'm not following you.

This is a police
investigation, Goldy.

I understand that, but I
actually care about Richard

and would like to be there

when you tell him that his
girlfriend has been murdered.

Is that a crime?

Of course not.

Great.

Meet me at my van.
You can follow me.

See you later.

Bye.

Get the board started.

What's the board?

Well, that's his car.

Richard!

Dr. Korman!

Oh. Well, it's open.

Hey, that's breaking
and entering.

I'm not breaking anything
and I'm not entering.

Richard, it's Goldy!

It's Detective Shultz!

Goldy?

Hey, what?

What's going on?

We need to talk.

This is not possible.

Dr. Korman, I need to know.

When was the last time
you saw Ms. Craig?

I don't know.
Yesterday at the party.

We were talking. Goldy saw.

I just can't believe that that
was the last conversation.

How did this happen?

This is what we
gotta figure out,

which is why I need to ask
you a few more questions.

Whatever you need to know.

All right, so you
left the party.

You went to Dr. Lockwood's.

How long did you stay there?

However long it takes to
drink a cup of coffee.

I don't know. An hour.

And where'd you go from there?

I drove straight here.

And what did you do here?

How is this going to help you

find out how Susie's
grill exploded?

Dr. Korman.

Wait a minute. You think
that this wasn't an accident.

Richard, just
answer the question.

No, no, no. Do I
need a lawyer here?

Not if you have nothing to hide.

Of course I have
nothing to hide,

but you are being evasive.

Was Susie...

Was this not an accident?

We have reason to
believe it wasn't.

Oh, wait a minute. You
think that I killed her?

I need to know what you
were doing last night

and if anyone was with you.

Well, you thought that I
went back to Susie's house?

Your fingerprints
were on the grill.

Of course they
were on the grill!

I brought it to her last week.

I loved Susie.

We were gonna be married.
You saw the ring.

I know, I know.

I know that this is so
hard and I am so sorry,

but just please answer
Tom's questions, okay?

Were you interrogated like this?

Goldy was with your daughter

at the time of
Ms. Craig's death.

And what time was that?

We think just after 10.

I was here.

Alone?

Yeah, me and my bourbon.

Did you call anybody?

Did you talk to
anybody on the phone?

No.

I turned my phone off

because I didn't want to
have to deal with Susie.

Okay, I'm sorry.

I need to get a DNA
swab if that's okay.

You do what you have
to do, detective.

I have nothing to hide.

The kit's in the car.

Hey, what's going on?

I'll show you, but, first,

I need your whiteboard
and markers.

How'd it go with Richard?

He said he was at his
cabin at the time of death.

I took a DNA swab.

I'll run it to forensics.

Also, I talked to
Hal Bartholomew,

who said his girlfriend Becca

had him over for
dinner last night.

Can you verify that?

No, because, according
to her voicemail,

she's on a flight to Australia.

I added it to the board.

It's very creatively done.

Oh, yeah, you like
that? Marla helped me.

I'm just gonna take this.

I just...

Fran was the last person
we saw with Susie,

and she hasn't called Tom back,

which is exactly what a
guilty person would do.

Or a busy person.

Fair point.

Chester and Susie ran the
real estate firm together.

Maybe he wanted to run it alone.

Hm.

He seems like a nice guy,

which is the perfect
cover for a killer.

Or he's just a nice guy.

Hm, maybe.

He told Mason he was at
home watching TV alone,

which now brings us
to the ex-husband.

Hal? I mean, we all know
that he loved Susie.

Yeah, exactly, and if
he couldn't have her,

maybe he made sure no one would.

He said he was having
dinner with Becca Priester,

but Mason hasn't been
able to confirm that.

Did Mason mention your
would-be boyfriend Kenny?

Because he had a motive.

Susie was suing him,

and her death saved him
a whole lot of money.

Well, Kenny told Mason that

he was at Elk Park Fitness
at the time of the murder,

and Elise Hancock,
she manages the place,

confirmed he was there.

Great, so the one person
with a motive has an alibi.

All right, speaking of
bad blood with Susie,

Dennis Lockwood.

Did Mason check his
house call alibi?

Not yet.

Hm.

Now, what about Jessamyn?

Jessamyn? She had
never come up.

Really?

Wait, you don't think she-

Well, I don't think

she just happened to be
in Denver on business.

She was clearly
here to see Susie.

Or to see Tom. I mean, they
did leave the party together.

He said he was trying to
figure out why she was in town.

Well, did he?

She was evasive.

Evasive?

Mhm.

Well, I guess she
does belong up here.

Ooh, that is a lot of suspects.

That's a lot of work.

Oh.

Oh, boy.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

It doesn't look like nothing.

Okay, I would feel awful

if Mason got in
trouble over this.

Well, then feel awful,
'cause he's in trouble.

Tom!

Goldy, this isn't a
menu you're planning!

Someone was killed.

We know that!

It was our friend.

Is it wrong that we feel
terrible, but we also wanna help?

No and yes, in that order.

Look, the way Susie was killed

has directly impacted my
reputation and my livelihood.

That's no excuse.

You're pushing my
partner for information.

We would never do that.

People just like talking to us.

Also, I'm sorry, but
Goldy was very helpful

the last time you
caught a killer, no?

Thank you.

Uh-huh.

All right.

Let's entertain the
amateur detective thing

for just a minute.

Enlighten me. Who did it?

Well, I would look into Dennis.

He had complained to the
neighborhood association

about Susie.

Hm, he did,

but why would he draw
attention to somebody

if he intended to kill them?

Oh, well, maybe
he didn't plan it.

Maybe it was spur of the moment.

Except this was premeditated.

Oh.

Dr. Lockwood's bedroom window

looks out over Susie's patio.

The killer made sure that

Dr. Lockwood wasn't at home
at the time of the murder.

The wild goose chase phone call.

Right.

The call came into his service

from a patient named Len Gorch.

When Dr. Lockwood went
to go meet Len Gorch,

he wasn't there.

He was in Aspen for the weekend.

Does the service
have a record of

who called to
pretend to be Gorge?

Yes, and we ran it.
It's a disposable cell.

The person that
called Dr. Lockwood

is a killer that thinks
several steps ahead.

This is not someone
to mess with.

You need to leave this
to the professionals.

Okay?

Okay.

Good.

And take all of that down.

You know, in high school,

I was actually voted most
likely to be detective.

No way.

Hey, how did-

It's okay, it's
okay. No harm done.

Good. I'm really sorry.

What did I tell you
about apologies?

Give them once and move on?

Yeah.

I got it. Sorry.

That was an apology
for the second apology,

and now I'm moving on from that.

Hey, I ran those background
checks like you asked.

And?

Before she moved to Elk Park,

Fran Markesian was
police in Pittsburgh.

She retired after 19 years.

19?

I wonder why she
didn't go the full 20

until her pension vests.

That's what I wondered, so
I made a call to my cousin

who's on the job with the
Allegheny County sheriff,

and he said Fran was
under investigation

in a bribery scandal.

Was?

She retired and moved here.

Good job, Mason.

Good job, Mason.
Good job, Mason.

How can you say
that? I loved Susie.

That's slander, Chester.

Hal!

You'll be talking
to my attorney.

Hi, Hal. Are you okay?

Excuse me, Goldy.

Goldy. Hi.

I'm sorry, Hal's-

No, it's okay.

I brought food.

Lovely. Thank you.

I just wanted to come by

and just tell you
how sorry I am.

I still can't believe
it. It's just insane.

Hal...

Yeah, what's going on?

You know that Hal used
to be a partner here?

Sure, until the divorce, and
then he started his own firm.

Well, apparently, according
to him, he and Susie

were ready to merge his real
estate agency with ours.

And you didn't know about this?

I know, when we talked
about it last week,

Susie was against the merger.

So do you think he changed
her mind or he's lying?

I'd vote for number two.

Hal's sales numbers are dismal.

As I told him, beyond it being

a classless, craven
move to come at me

the day after Susie...

Susie owned a controlling
interest in this firm, 65%,

and I would like to hope
that interest will go to me,

but I won't know that until
after we see her will,

which will hopefully
happen by tomorrow.

Right, of course.

I mean, we haven't
even had a funeral yet,

and he's in here.

Hey.

Hey, I am so sorry.

Who could have done this to her?

I don't know,

but I do know that Detective
Shultz will find out.

Come on in, fellas.

Have a seat.

So, how do you know Susie Craig?

I started working
insurance claims for her

and went from there.

Went where?

Different jobs.

Any current?

Yeah, one that's protected
by confidentiality law.

She's deceased.

I'm not.

I thought she was your friend.

Does that line usually
work on people?

You'd be surprised.

So there's nothing I can do

to get you to open
your books to me?

A court order, but you'd
need probable cause,

which I don't see
here, detective.

Would I need a court order
to get you to tell me

why you left the police
force in Pittsburgh?

We're done here.

I'll get a judge,

and I'll get you a court
order for your records.

Mason.

Oh, do you want this closed?

Yes.

I have a feeling she's
hiding something.

Oh, yeah? What makes
you think that?

Well, when she
scratched her nose-

I was kidding.

Oh.

You're gonna watch her, okay?

I am?

Yeah, you're gonna
park across the street.

Keep your distance.

Cool.

Where are you going?

I'm following a lead.

Flying solo.

Oh, hey, Dennis.

Goldy, how's Richard?

Not great. Has he not
been in the office?

Actually, I've been out.
I've been doing house calls.

Didn't you have one
of those last night?

Well, yeah, in theory,

but my patient was
actually in Aspen.

Detective Shultz seems to
think I was called away

so I wouldn't be a
witness to, you know,

everything that
happened at Susie's.

Of course.

I'm sorry. I gotta run.

Oh, go ahead, yeah. Take care.

Okay, you too.

Thank you.

No, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no!

There we go.

Hey.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

No, no, you scared me to death!

I scared you to death?

Yes!

You scared me to
death. You just fell.

I did not fall!

You just fell.

Because you grabbed me.

Goldy, what are you doing here?

I told you, you can't
be snooping around.

I know what you told me.

That's why I texted
you about Hal.

Which is why I'm here.
Why are you here?

Well, you know, I was
in the neighborhood.

You were in the neighborhood?

And you didn't get back to me.

Oh, so this is my fault?

I think we both
share responsibility.

Can you tell me what's going on?

Detective Kildea.

Kildea, detective.

Detective. Detective Kildea.

Yeah.

Freeze! Detective Kildea.

And it's empty.

I mean, obviously, Hal
is in financial trouble.

Well, you don't know that...

He could have just
been preparing

the merge with Susie's company.

And, what, Susie never
said anything to Chester?

That's assuming Chester's
telling you the truth.

Fair point. So, one
of them is lying.

Depending on what
Susie's will says,

we'll get a clear idea of who.

I just wanna know

what Jessamyn was doing
in an empty office.

Yeah, exactly.

Hi, Fran.

Um, can I help you
find something?

Oh, I'm looking at
your fitting rooms.

Well, do you wanna
try something on?

Oh, no, no, a woman went
in there and I'm just-

Oh, yeah, no.

No, not like that. I'm
Detective Kildea, Elk Park PD.

I'm tracking a suspect who
went into your fitting rooms,

and, obviously, I can't
follow her in there.

A thief?

No, no, nothing to do
with your shop here.

Okay.

No, no, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no!

Sir?

Is there a back
door out that way?

Yes.

Mason, calm down.

Yeah, it's okay, all right?

Just get the security
footage ready.

I'll be there in five minutes.

Fran knew she was being tailed.

There's no way she
would shop at Posh.

Why?

You'll see when we get there.

We?

Right, of course. Nope.

Good luck!

Don't you have
cameras in the rooms?

Um, it's illegal.

Right.

Just checking.

So, whoever needed Dennis
away from his house

had to know that Len Gorch was
his patient, but who would?

Me. Len tried to defect
me a few months ago.

What do you mean defect?

Look, I've picked up
quite a few patients

that used to see Dennis.

He says it gives him more time

to spend at his villa in Italy,

which is a real shame, because
he's a brilliant surgeon,

and I'm sure that
his billable hours

have taken a massive hit.

Hey, Dad, can Zoe
stay over for s'mores?

Sure, as long as it's
okay with Zoe's folks.

Yes. Thanks.

Oh, does Tom know that
Susie was suing Kenny Zox?

Yes, but Kenny was at the
gym last night. I checked.

Elk Park Fitness.

I'm assuming. Why?

Because there's a jogging
trail that runs from there

and it goes past the
back of Susie's house.

Now, a guy like Kenny

could make it there
in five minutes.

It's not like I want
it to be him. I just-

Of course not.

I'm trying to figure this out.

I know.

Are you sure you wanna take
Olive tonight? I can take her.

No, I'm fully
committed to s'mores.

Okay. Don't forget.

The bus to the Utah tournament
leaves here at 7:00 a.m.

That's right.

Okay, bye.

Bye.

Bella, what's up?

Well, the explosion definitely
made it a challenge,

but I can say categorically

that she was strangled
with a ligature

that cut into the
papillary dermis,

the superficial
layer of the skin.

Cut into? Well, do you think
the killer used a wire?

Fluorocarbon fishing line.

You sound sure about that.

Forensics came back
with the material

that clogged the
grill, mostly latex.

Are they thinking gloves?

What else?

And they were able to
isolate another material

that was melted into the latex.

Fluorocarbon.

Uh-huh.

Is there any way of telling

what kind of brand of
fishing line that is?

I can tell you it's lime green.

It's a match for lime
green fishing line

found in Susie's garage with
one set of prints on it.

Thanks, Bella.

Excuse me. Can I help you?

Oh, yeah. I'm just going
to see Detective Shultz.

He's out on a call.

Okay.

You're welcome to wait.

Thank you.

Tom!

Tom. What?

Goldy, what are you doing here?

What are you doing?

Not now, okay? I'll
talk to you in a minute.

You asked me to call you,
but you don't call me?

It's different.

Clearly.

You're calling me

because I'm the detective
investigating a crime.

I am also your friend,

and I would think that you
would give me a heads-up

before you arrest my
daughter's father.

I was going to call you.

When?

When I knew more.

More about what?

Do you really think that
Richard killed Susie?

I mean, that is insane!

Goldy.

What about Hal,
Chester, Fran, Kenny?

Wait, what am I doing on here?

I'm looking into all of them.

No one is being charged yet.

Richard is in handcuffs!

You have to trust
me to do my job.

And you need to trust me

when I tell you
that there is no way

that Richard would ever
do anything like this!

Okay.

I'm sorry for yelling.

I understand.

Can I at least go talk to him?

Hey, Chester. How
are you holding up?

As best as I can.

What can I get you?

A large latte and
one of those scones.

Okay. To go?

No, I'm meeting someone.

All right. Just grab a table.

Apparently, the fishing
line that strangled her

is the same kind that I use.

I'm still not understanding.

Is this some kind of
rare fishing line?

I mean, I do have
to special order it,

but, Goldy, I would never.

No. Hey.

I know.

I know.

I'm gonna figure
out who did this

before Olive gets back, okay?

I promise.

Hello.

Goldy, it's Chrissie Brook.

Oh, hi, Chrissie.

Listen, our party's back on.

Is it now?

I hope you're still available.

Um.

Sure. Yes.

Oh, great.

Hey.

Hey, I just heard about
Richard. I can't believe it.

Because it's not believable,

and apparently word
is all over town,

because Chrissie
Brooks just called,

and suddenly the party's back
on now that I'm in the clear.

Oh, well, I'm sure everyone
will be un-canceling,

but I didn't call about that.

So, Chester comes in, and
then Jessamyn shows up,

and she's the one he's meeting.

They sat at this table, but
what they didn't know is that

this heating grate
leads to this one,

so I stood here and listened
to what they had to say

in case it had something
to do with Susie's death.

Need I remind you that
there's a lot at stake?

Did it?

Oh, yeah.

Apparently, Jessamyn
now works for

a real estate firm
in San Francisco,

and she promised her bosses

that she could make a deal
to buy Whitetail Realty.

Wait, now, was Chester
surprised by this?

No. It sounded like
it was his idea.

Now they're just waiting
for the will to be read.

Yeah, them and Hal.

Hal?

So, Jessamyn also met with him.

Supposedly, he wanted to

merge his company
with Whitetail Realty,

but it sounds like it
would be more of a rescue.

Did she say anything about him?

No, not that I heard.

So, what do we do?

We go back to my whiteboard.

Preston Pittman is
Susie's attorney.

I will ask him about the will.

Jessamyn's been at her
firm for nine months.

She hasn't made a sale yet.

Mr. "Better Call Hal"
laid off his staff,

but he hasn't filed
for bankruptcy yet.

Fran's not answering.

I've left messages at her
office and on her cell.

Hey, so I reached Elise
at Elk Park Fitness.

Because they have digital IDs,

she knows that Kenny was
there from 8:00 to 10:20 p.m.,

and then I pressed.

Did she see him working
out the whole time?

And?

She did, except when he
was in the locker room.

How long was he in there?

About a half an hour.

That gives him
time to kill Susie

at the time that
she was murdered.

It's not proof,
but it's something.

What would proof be?

I do know that Susie was
killed with fishing line,

so if we found that?

What if I distract Kenny,

and get him away from
his house long enough

for you to search it?

Oh, Kenny!

Marla?

What are you doing here?

I thought that was you.

Are you okay?

Mhm, just give me a second.

Can I get you some water?

No, I got a flat, just
a few houses down,

and I saw you driving past
and I ran to catch you.

Oh, wow. Kismet.

Yeah, yeah, kismet,

and, you know, I have never
changed a tire before.

I got you, Marla.

Oh, thank you.

Come on.

Okay, so this is your jack
and this is your jack handle.

And that was just in there?

Yeah, every car comes with them.

Who knew?

We're gonna raise this
up a bit more here.

Wow.

And now we're gonna
take these lug nuts off.

So, this one is
called the donut.

Oh, I love donuts.

It's not an edible donut.

There. Here we go.

Oh, that's so amazing.

But before you drive it
out, are you a wine person?

I've been known to have
a glass or two, yeah.

I also love me some wine.

Wow.

Okay.

I've got this nice bottle
of Merlot I picked up

when I went to this
amazing winery,

and I think you need to
definitely try some, Marla.

Oh, gosh. I just realized
what time it is right now.

I'm gonna be late
for choir practice.

You sing at a choir?

Mhm.

I had no idea.

Oh, yeah, yeah, and
I would skip it,

but I'm the soloist this week.

Oh, okay.

Have fun.

Okay.

♪ Amazing grace ♪

♪ How sweet the sound ♪

♪ That saved a wretch like me ♪

How many verses did
you have to sing?

The man had tears
in his eyes, Goldy,

because it was
the song they sang

at his grandmother's funeral.

Suddenly, I feel awful
tricking this guy.

Well, maybe you shouldn't.

Did you find the fishing line?

No, but I did find this.

It is a letter from Preston
Pittman, Susie's attorney,

about the lawsuit they filed.

Read this.

"Please be advised that
my client, Ms. Craig,

has recorded conversations

in which you made
threats on her life.

That is the phone call that
Kenny was having at the party.

Remember when he said,

"I won't hurt her in a
room full of witnesses"?

They must have been
talking about that letter,

so it's not proof
that he killed her,

but it is proof
that he wanted to.

Hi.

Thanks for seeing me, Preston.

Of course.

This is for you.

Thank you.

Yeah.

How are you holding up?

I'm a mess, honestly.

Yeah.

And how's Olive?

Away at a softball tournament

for the next couple
of days, thankfully.

Yeah. She doesn't know
what's going on with her dad.

I'm sure he'll be out on
bail before she gets back.

I heard he retained
Sarah Langsam.

She's Elk Park's best criminal
defense attorney. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Listen.

I know that Susie has
recorded conversations

of Kenny Zox threatening her.

How do you know this?

I just do,

and I just wanted to know

if you would turn those
tapes into the police.

Goldy, there were no recordings.

The day she was killed,
Susie confessed to me that

she had fabricated the threats

to try to get out of
their project together.

Kenny was unpleasant and
aggressive, but she had no tapes.

Speaking of letters,

I thought you'd called
because you'd gotten mine.

What letter?

The a copy of Susie's will.

Why would I get a
copy of Susie's will?

Because you're in it.

What?

I have a copy here.

She left you her
antique Fiestaware.

Hi.

My way of apologizing for
yelling at you yesterday.

No apology needed,
but I'll take it.

Wait a second. This is
not quid pro quo, right?

Pastry in exchange for
information about the case.

How dare you?

I am actually here to
tell you about the case.

Susie Craig's will?
How'd you get this?

I'm named in it.

I get her Fiestaware, but
look who gets her house

and her share of
Whitetail Realty.

Hal, her ex-husband?

Mhm, she never changed the
will after the divorce,

much to her lawyer's
chagrin, which means Hal-

Hal gets to inherit her company.

Yep, and he is
selling to Jessamyn.

What?

That is why she came
back to Elk Park,

and Chester knew about it.

Thanks for coming.

You didn't make it sound
like I had a choice.

I've never been on the
receiving end of your work.

I'm not sure I like it.

It's come to my attention that

Hal Bartholomew has inherited
Susie Craig's company.

Do you think Hal killed her?

No, he has an alibi
for the time of death,

but I do think you
are here in Elk Park

to buy the company from him.

How do you know that?

Is it true?

I came here to buy the
company from Susie.

Really? Susie wasn't
against selling?

She was at first. She
liked playing hardball.

Here's an email from Susie to me

sent the day before her party,

once I got to the
right price point.

"Jess, we've got a deal."

Why didn't you tell me this?

Because the deal isn't done.
I didn't wanna jeopardize it.

This is a homicide
investigation, Jess!

I know what it is, Tommy.

My friend is the homicide,

but this deal has nothing to
do with her being murdered.

Okay.

I'm sorry I had to press you.

Anyway, Hal's gonna
sell Whitetail to me

once he takes
possession, so you know.

Hal had no idea he
was still in her will.

Yesterday, he was
begging me to hire him

if Chester went
ahead with the deal.

Tom, we found Fran Markesian!

Copy that.

Ma'am, you can't be here.

I know.

It's okay. It's okay.

You can't blame
Richard for this.

You've had him locked up.

Based on how long the
body's been in the water,

she was killed Monday after
Mason lost her at Posh,

the night before I
arrested Richard.

He was with me.

He was with me that night
at Olive's practice.

There were dozens of witnesses.

What time did he arrive?

Practice was at eight. He
was maybe 20 minutes late.

Bella is pegging time of
death for 6:00 p.m. I'm sorry.

Are you sorry?

Do you think I wanna
like Richard for this?

I have to follow the evidence.

Evidence?

You know that anybody could
have put her in that river!

Her gun wasn't on her.

I had deputies go
to Richard's house.

They found it on his back
porch under the grill.

No.

I'm sorry.

There's something missing.

A missing ingredient.

A missing ingredient.

Hey, Goldy. It's
been a minute.

Can I help you find something?

Actually, I have a bit
of an odd question.

I'm here to ask about a
woman named Fran Markesian.

Oh, Fran. I just heard
she was murdered.

It's beyond awful.

I know, I know. It really is.

Was she a customer here?

Fran? No, not really.

How did you guys
know each other?

Well, we kept getting
robbed last year,

so we hired her as a consultant

to overhaul our security system.

Installed some new cameras
and redid the fitting rooms.

Fitting rooms?

Yeah. Do you wanna see?

Yeah.

Yeah, so she got rid of

all the places that thieves
could hide sales tags,

pulled up the carpets,

closed off the space
underneath the benches.

Oh.

Oh, I just need to
help a customer.

I'll be right back, okay?
- Yeah, no worries.

What?

Dennis,

let me go.

Why would I do that?

Do you not think Fran
has another copy?

No, I'm sure of it.
That's her computer there.

Yeah, I took it out of her
office after I shot her.

Did Susie threaten you?

Oh, quite the opposite. She
came over after the party.

She apologized for all
the trouble she caused.

Your complaints. They
started all of this.

You wanted to force her to sell.

Why?

So I could buy it.

I treasure my privacy and
our houses are quite close.

My bedroom looks
out over her patio,

which was actually advantageous
the night of the party.

I knew why she was
apologizing to me,

why she was suddenly scared,

because of what Fran found
out about my villa in Italy.

You were performing
illegal surgeries

on Italian patients, the mafia.

They don't like
to use that word,

but they pay extremely well,

and with your ex-husband
stealing all my patients away-

You needed the mafia to
keep you afloat financially.

And, well, I really couldn't
count on Susie keeping quiet,

and I wasn't willing to give up

my license to practice medicine,

and I didn't want my Italian
friends upset with me, so.

You called your own service
line from the disposable cell.

This is Len Gorch.

I need Dr. Lockwood at
my home immediately.

My back is seized up.

Dr. Lockwood.

Mr. Gorge needs to
see you, doctor.

But it's Sunday night.

Should I call Dr. Franklin?

No, no, no, I'm going.

Then you put the gloves and
the fishing line in the grill,

pretending to hide the
evidence in the explosion.

You knew forensics
would figure it out.

You didn't just need
an alibi for yourself.

You needed someone
to take the fall.

Well, fortunately, there
was a likely suspect,

and, with Fran, she was
more than willing to ask for

a million dollars to keep quiet,

so I agreed to give it to
her in a secluded spot,

and I gave her the same
sedative that I gave to you.

How did you know that Fran
hid the files at Posh?

I didn't.

I just knew I had to
be concerned about you,

because Richard couldn't
stop bragging about

how you solved the
Laura Smiley murder.

You were following me.

Why am I still alive?

Come now.

Don't stop being clever.

No. No.

You know why.

You're waiting for
Richard to make bail,

and you're gonna blame
him for my murder.

That's half right.

I'm gonna take care
of both of you.

Murder-suicide.

No, no, no, no, no!

Goldy!

I can't believe
this is happening.

What a nightmare.
Thank you so much.

Richard.

Dennis.

Surgery ran long. I
wanted to be here.

Looks like you won.

Well, I got bail. I'm a
long way from winning.

You will beat this, Richard.

No jury in the
world would believe

that you could commit murder.

Well, thanks, Dennis.

Look, I'm sorry. I'm just
trying to grab an Uber.

Let me take you,

and, hey, we can
drop by my place

for a celebratory glass of wine.

A little early in the day.

A celebratory iced latte?

Sure.

Great.

Thanks.

Can you zoom in?

Yeah.

Wait a second. Who is that?

I don't know. You're
the detective.

Dennis!

Come on. I'm gonna go fire
up the espresso machine.

It takes a couple
minutes to warm up,

so why don't you
go shoot some pool

and I'll bring it in
to you when it's ready?

Sounds good.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

How did you-

Long story.

Hurry.

Hey, one or two shots?

Hurry. Hurry.

Okay.

Two would be great!

Thank you!

Show me your hands.

Easy, easy.

Show me your hands!

Tom, the needle.

What?

Let her go!

I swear.

Let her go!

You okay?

Yeah. Yeah.

What the heck is going on?

I don't know what to say,
but thank you, both of you.

Well, the right man's locked up,

and he will be for a long time.

Oh.

Hey, honey, you're on
speakerphone with Dad and Tom.

We're going to the finals!

- Aw!
- Oh, that's fantastic.

- Congratulations!
- That's great, Olive.

That's such good news.

Thanks! How are you guys?

You know what? I'm gonna
let Dad talk to you.

Here you go.

Hey, honey. It's been a
trying day, to say the least.

Some job you have.

I sure am glad that
you're doing it here.

Uh, Goldy, I told her about
what kind of day you've had,

and she wants to
hear your voice.

Okay.

I'm sorry, Tom.

No, no, I got a
lot of paperwork.

You guys take care.

Thank you, detective.

My pleasure.

Take care.

Hi, honey.

Yeah, I'm okay. I'm okay.

Thank you.

Yeah, so you won?

That's incredible!
We're so proud of you!