Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996): Season 8, Episode 12 - The Witch's Curse - full transcript
Cabot Cove suspects a woman playing a witch in a community play is the real thing.
FEMALE NARRATOR:
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
No one's going to feel safe in
this town until she's arrested.
Your problems
haven't even started yet.
That's wonderful.
Yes, I would imagine so.
That's what was
bubbling in those pots,
not bat wings and eye of newt.
If you were the magistrate and I
was Rachel, I might find the decision
a little more difficult to make.
How come you're so interested
in all this, Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, let's just
say I'm curious.
(GAVEL BANGS)
JUDGE: Rachel Abbot,
you have been found guilty
of the crime of witchcraft
and are condemned
to burn at the stake until dead.
CROWD: Burn, witch, burn!
RACHEL: I am innocent! I will prove
it if I must return from the grave itself!
Watch for me in
storm-wind and in fire,
in death and pain for
those who have accused me!
(CROWD CHANTING)
JUDGE: May God have
mercy upon your soul.
CROWD: Burn, witch,
burn! Burn, witch, burn!
(RACHEL SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING)
That woman has a voice
that could shatter lead.
Thank you, Arletta. Yes,
that will do fine for now.
All right, is there anyone else who wishes
to audition for the role of Rachel Abbot?
Ah, yes, Penelope.
I thought we had agreed that you
would be playing Rachel's mother.
Well, unless I'm very
much mistaken, Dr. Hazlitt,
the role of Rachel is
considerably larger.
Well, yes, it is, but I
always felt that you were...
As the mother, I felt
you would lend a...
A dignity to the proceedings.
I don't care about dignity.
Penelope, I need
you in this role.
Eve? I believe you said
you'd like to have a go.
Well, I suppose I could try.
Fine.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Page 47. We will start
with the magistrate.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Go on, go on.
Does the defendant wish to make
any statement before sentencing?
Nate? The prosecutor, Reverend
Thorndike, rises and says...
"Here is thy last
opportunity, Rachel Abbot.
"Do not greet God with a lie on your lips.
Repent, and thy soul may yet be saved."
"I ask only that each year,
rose petals be left on my grave,
"in testimony to innocent
blood shed by this court.
"Do with me as thou..."
(WHISPERING) Wilt.
I don't suppose I could
play with this a little,
you know, make it
mine, update it a bit?
It's just that... Well, I'm
much better at modern drama.
I could do a Blanche
DuBois that'll curl your hair.
Of that I have every confidence.
Sorry, the wind caught the door. Is
this where the auditions are being held?
I'm Dr. Seth Hazlitt, at
your service. And you are?
Mariah Osborn. I'm new in town.
Ah.
Mariah, hi. She just rented
the old Walker place from me.
Good heavens, no
one's lived there for years.
It's falling apart. Why would
anyone rent a place like that?
It suits my needs perfectly. I
like bringing old things to life.
Are there any roles still open?
Nate, Judge, I
think we're all set.
Can you read the end
now, of the final scene?
Sure. No problem.
I should introduce myself.
I am Judge Willard Clinton.
Welcome to Cabot Cove. Thanks.
A real judge in the
role, how appropriate.
Is he a real prosecutor?
Who, Nate? No, he's the
local rep for Superior Insurance.
Let's take it from
the top, shall we?
Lydia, we're going to need
you in place up here, too.
Oh, may I borrow that?
Well, I suppose, yes.
Thank you.
SETH: Start at Nate's line,
bottom of the page. Ready?
"So what say you, Goody Butler?"
"I say the woman lies."
"As expected. Lies driven by jealousy.
False words behind a false face.
"I did not bewitch your
husband, Goody Butler,
"his heart left your
bed years ago."
"The defendant will..."
"Will be sacrificed to
jealousy, I see that now.
"And on the day you take my life, the
crime before heaven will be so great,
"that all the bells in all the steeples
will ring out to proclaim my innocence."
(BELLS RINGING)
(WIND BLOWING)
(BELLS RINGING)
I'm telling you, Jessica,
you should have seen it.
Her voice, the way she moves.
She even looks like Rachel Abbot.
And when those bells went off,
a chill went right up my spine.
It was downright uncanny.
Well, when the wind whipped
up, it caused the bells to chime.
I mean, it's happened before.
I know, I know, I know.
But still, she has something.
Sounds like she has you, Doc.
And I, for one, have got
better things to do with my time
than to worry about
17th century witchcraft.
And the grapes were
probably sour anyway.
You're just mad because I didn't
cast you in the part of the constable.
You've been hearing those
voices again, haven't you?
Listen, Doc, if some late
night you hear that voice
telling you to go
out and save France,
don't do it. I've
seen the movie.
Thanks for breakfast,
Mrs. F. I'll see you later.
Take care.
The tough part is knowing that
my tax dollar pays for his salary.
You know, if you didn't enjoy
sparring with Mort so much,
I might start taking your
complaints seriously.
Anyway, I'm glad that you're satisfied
with your choice for Rachel Abbot.
Yeah, she's going
to do just fine.
Curious woman, though.
In what way?
Well, Eve Simpson tells me she
blew in the other day from nowhere,
rented the old Walker
place up on Morgan's Hill.
The Walker place?
Oh, for heaven's sakes, that
hasn't been lived in in years.
It must be a mountain of dust.
Oh, which reminds me, I have an
appointment with some dusty old rooms.
Could you possibly drop me
off at the county courthouse?
Be glad to, I'm
going that way myself.
(WOMAN MUMBLING)
"For I will return to Cabot
Cove, in fire and in storm-wind,
"in death and in pain, for those
who have accused me unjustly,
"though hell
itself bar the way."
Hello. If that passage is what I
think it is, you must be Mariah Osborn.
Yes.
I thought it would help
me prepare for the role
to examine the original
transcripts. And you are?
Jessica Fletcher.
Oh, yes, of course.
You know, the whole
town is buzzing about
your performance at
the rehearsal last night.
Apparently you struck a nerve.
Not me. Rachel Abbot.
I think this town has a penchant
for ganging up on innocent people.
A story like this... Who knows
what it might call out of the shadows?
It was a pleasure meeting you,
Mrs. Fletcher. I'll see you around.
Thank you.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Yes?
Hi, I'm Mariah Osborn.
I'm looking for Lydia Winthrop.
I have to return something.
Well, she's not here right
now, but please, come in.
Thanks. Mr. Winthrop?
My friends call me Charles.
Now, come in the study.
I hope I'm not
interrupting anything.
No, no, it's just busywork here.
Since I'm going to be more or less
housebound for a couple of weeks,
my accountant's got me filling
out papers and signing forms.
How did it happen?
Oh, it was, you know, just one of
those stupid household accidents.
Lydia hired some
workmen to fix the stairs,
and I slipped and then
broke my darned leg.
Oh, here, let me clear
a place for you here.
Oh!
Oh! What is it?
Oh, it's a cramp.
That damned cast.
Why don't you let me see what I
can do about that? Just breathe deeply.
Think of cool water
flowing lightly over the pain.
Cool, soothing water.
That's great, that
feels wonderful.
That's good.
Yes, I would imagine so.
Have another one of
your attacks, darling?
Yes, the muscle spasms, they
happened before. You know, about...
Yes. Yes, I know.
It must hurt terribly.
Well, we won't distract
you further. Miss Osborn?
I didn't mean to make any trouble,
I just wanted to return your shawl.
Thank you.
Your performance at the
audition was quite... Remarkable.
Well, I've always had a soft
spot for the unjustly accused.
Of course. Don't we all?
(PHONE RINGING)
Excuse me.
I can find my own way
out. I'll see you at town hall.
LYDIA: Charles?
CHARLES: What is it?
(GLASS BREAKING)
METZGER: And you're sure
that nothing was missing?
Well, as far as we can tell.
I can only guess that whoever it was
heard Lydia coming down the stairs
and ran off.
Did anyone else have access
to the safe, or know where it is?
Don't think so.
You know, there was... What?
Mariah Osborn.
Right, right.
Yesterday we had a visit from that
new woman in town, Mariah Osborn.
I had the safe open
when she was here, so...
I suppose she could've seen
me close it. But I can't imagine...
Sheriff, looks like I got
a clean print off the door.
Good. Check the windows,
see if you can get a match.
And while you're at it, you might
want to bag some of these rose petals.
Now what kind of a thief
breaks into a place and then stops
to sprinkle rose petals everywhere?
Funny.
Just the other day,
Mariah was saying Rachel
Abbot's speech about
wanting rose petals
sprinkled over her grave,
in memory of innocent blood.
(CROW CAWING)
ANDY: Boy, some place. It's
right out of The Addams Family.
You know, I was
talking to Penelope.
She said this Osborn woman
(DOORBELL RINGING) took right to
the role of what's-her-name, the witch.
Maybe she's really
getting into the role.
Look, Andy, I checked.
She rented this place
before she got the role, okay?
There is nothing
unusual about it.
(DOOR CREAKING)
Yes?
Miss Osborn?
May I help you?
I'm Sheriff Metzger,
this is Deputy Broom.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but
we have to ask you a few questions.
Of course. Please come in.
I was just having some lunch.
You're welcome to join me.
Thanks, I'll pass.
(CAT MEOWING)
Not a word, Andy. Not one word.
ANDY: You should've seen
that place, Mrs. Fletcher.
Cauldrons all over the place.
They were pots.
Black cat, big as a dog.
A Chihuahua, maybe.
You're making too
big a deal out of this.
What do you think,
Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, I happen to think
that eccentricity is a virtue.
I mean, I think that often the
unexplained is simply the unexamined.
I was on my way into Benning's
hardware store yesterday afternoon,
and I saw Mariah Osborn come
out with cans of cleaning fluid.
The kind that removes tough
stains from brass fixtures.
And that's what was
bubbling in those pots.
Doorknobs and shower handles,
not bat wings and eye of newt.
Even so,
do you really think
she might have had
something to do with
the break-in at Lydia's?
We were just
checking out every lead.
Now, she says she was home
last night, working on her house.
Without a witness to say otherwise,
there's no reason to think she's lying.
At this time.
Penelope Daniels told Lisa
Tuttle that she saw Mariah Osborn
walking out by herself every
night at midnight the last few nights.
Dressed all in black
and looking at all the houses, like
she was studying them somehow.
So, Penelope Daniels told
Lisa Tuttle, who told you?
Well, no, Lisa told Sharon Goldsmith,
who told my wife, who told me.
Andy, you know, word of
mouth is notoriously suspect.
Mariah Osborn happens
to be a very attractive
young woman who
is playing the role
of another very attractive young woman
who was persecuted by gossip and rumor.
I certainly wouldn't want
to see history repeat itself.
Maybe it already is.
And because the house is so old, you can
see why I might be concerned about fire.
Well, sure, but most renters
leave fire insurance to the owners.
You're the only
insurance agent who's tried
to talk me out of
buying a policy.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, it's just that I...
I don't like selling a
policy if it's unnecessary.
But if you insist... Oh, I do.
But it would be very comforting to
me if you could come by sometime
and inspect the premises,
the wiring, the plumbing.
You seem like a man who
would be very thorough.
Well, I'd be happy to,
you just name the time.
And, maybe afterwards
we could have a...
And a history of the
place would also help.
Excuse me?
Well, the condition of the
house is bound to be changed
by any past fires that
may have happened.
Could you check into that?
Our company doesn't like us to
give out that kind of information.
Besides, nobody's
lived there for 20 years,
so the records wouldn't
be in my active files.
But I'm sure that someone as
smart as you would have inactive files.
I keep all those in a
shed behind my house,
but they're still subject
to company rules.
Well, then, I guess there's
nothing we can do about that.
Thanks.
My pleasure.
Oh, Lydia, hi.
Do you know... Yes, we've met.
What can I do for you?
Well, I was just taking Charles
to the doctor down the street,
and I thought after
that break-in last night,
I'd just drop in and discuss
increasing my insurance.
I should go. Thank you
for your help, Mr. Parsons.
Anytime, Miss Osborn.
And I'll stop by first chance
I get, like I discussed.
Really, Dr. Hazlitt,
I can handle it.
It's Seth.
Besides, I cannot have my
leading lady throw her back out
one week before
opening night, now can I?
Oh, I'm going to remember that
next time I have snow to
shovel from my front door.
Good afternoon, Jess.
Hello, Mrs. Fletcher.
Hello, Mariah. How are you?
Fine, considering no one in town
will talk to me. At least, not the women.
Busybodies and bluenoses.
Pay them no mind.
Well, you know, New
Englanders are notorious
for taking their time to
warm up to newcomers.
I lived here for 10 years
and some people still refer to
me as "the new woman in town."
There, I think
that about does it.
Well, I've got to run along. I'll
see you at rehearsal, Mariah. Jess.
See you there.
Thanks, Dr. Hazlitt.
You've got a lot of paint there.
Are you planning to whip
that old house into shape?
Well, I may be around a while.
And I want it to look
like the old photos.
Oh, what photos?
Oh. You know, photos of
the old Victorian houses.
Oh, yeah.
Well, I'd better be going.
Well, be sure to keep those
cans in a well-ventilated room.
That's highly combustible.
Nate!
METZGER: How does it
look, Joe? Was it arson?
It's hard to say right now.
From the smell, some sort
of chemical was involved.
Say, Nate, did you have any
combustibles stored in there?
A few, but nothing that would...
It had to be deliberate. I
saw a pentagram on the door.
You couldn't prove it now. The
flames burned all the paint off.
But it makes sense,
though, doesn't it?
When she was convicted
of witchcraft, Rachel Abbot
said she would return in storm-wind
and in fire, in pain and in death.
Well, Mariah Osborn arrived
in storm-wind. There's your fire.
Penelope, we have
enough of a problem here
without you adding to
it with this nonsense.
Unless I'm very much mistaken, Sheriff,
your problems haven't even started yet.
Places, please. We'll pick up
where we left off on page 51.
Mariah, you don't
seem to have your script.
That's all right. I
have it memorized.
Ah. Well.
We'll start on Lydia's line,
halfway down. Ready? And...
"As I told the witch-finder
general, the specter of Rachel Abbot
"did appear above our bed.
"Then I heard my husband
call her name in his sleep."
"What say you to
this, Rachel Abbot?"
A man who sleeps with one woman and
dreams of another has wedded in error.
"You will note, Your Honor,
the evasiveness of the reply."
Please continue.
"As I watched, frozen in horror,
"the specter wrapped its
fingers around my throat
"and squeezed until
I thought I would die."
"Is there no witness
to your accusation?"
"Your Honor, the village well knows
Goody Butler's reputation for honesty."
A woman whose lies become
truth, through position and power.
"You see how the devil talks
through her. She is truly possessed."
I am possessed of a comely
face and a healthy body.
For these alone I am condemned
by one who seeks
to keep what she has
by destroying another.
A small-minded, bitter woman
whose soul is as barren as...
That's not... I beg your...
Mariah, that's
not in the script!
I'm sorry. I did some research,
and those words are from a
subsequent account of the trial.
I thought it would
add to the character.
Five minutes, everybody.
Then we will continue
from the script.
No annotations.
Lydia, can I see
you for a moment?
Quite a powerful performance.
Thank you.
I admire Rachel. She
stood up to the whole village.
On the other hand, I mean,
if she'd not been so proud,
she wouldn't have died so young.
It wasn't pride that
killed her, Judge Clinton.
Did you know that a
magistrate visited her cell
before he sentenced
her to death?
You know, it was within his power
to spare her life if she repented.
Unless she declined.
Well, let's just be thankful those
things don't happen anymore.
Yes.
Although, I must confess
if you were the magistrate
and I was Rachel,
I might find the decision a
little more difficult to make.
(INAUDlBLE)
(CREAKING)
Mariah?
Rachel?
Come on, now,
enough games.
Where are you?
Hello.
Mrs. F.
Oh, Mort, I came as soon
as I heard. How did it happen?
Well, somebody sawed through
one of the wooden louvers.
One good push is all it took.
I'll tell you what,
whoever did it
wanted to make real sure
Judge Clinton came down
off that bell tower
the hard way.
What was he doing up there
in the middle of the night?
Well, we may have a
lead on that one, too.
Found this in his jacket pocket.
Yeah, Mariah Osborn.
Looks like some of the folks around here
might have been right about her after all.
Sheriff, I realize that I am in a shrinking
minority, but I have to remind you
that Rachel Abbot and Mariah
Osborn are not the same person.
You know that, and I know that.
But I'm starting to wonder
whether she knows that.
I know how it looks, Sheriff,
but I swear I didn't send this note.
Well, then, you won't mind giving me a
sample of your handwriting for comparison.
Would you please
pass me that notebook?
Yes.
This is a letter to Dr. Hazlitt.
I decided to resign from the production.
Given the way the town feels about me,
it seemed the best solution.
Miss Osborn, I don't
know how to say this,
but these two look a lot alike.
May I see that, please, Sheriff?
Oh, no, no, several of these
letters are quite different.
I mean, the lateral loop
on the "Y" here is missing.
Oh, and the "S" slants
off to the right in this one,
and slants off to
the left in this one.
But it could be a
very good copy.
Or someone trying to
disguise her handwriting.
You see? It's hopeless.
I'm convicted already.
That's not true.
A handwriting expert will be able
to give us a much clearer reading.
Meanwhile, if someone is trying
to implicate you in the murder,
I suggest that you don't drop out of the
production, at least for the time being.
That is the only way we're going
to bring this other person out.
Assuming there
is another person.
Miss Osborn, do us both a
favor. Don't try to leave town.
Mrs. Fletcher?
I'm sorry, but it looks as if
all of the copies of People
v. Monica Walker are missing.
You mean they've
been checked out?
No, I mean missing.
They're not in their files, and there's
no record of their being removed.
I see. But that case was
tried in 1967, wasn't it?
That's right. Why?
Just an interesting coincidence.
I just came from the
Cabot Cove Gazette,
and their archives are
missing an entire volume.
One year. 1967.
Well, thank you for your
time. You've been very helpful.
SETH: What do
you want to ask me?
Well, who says I wanted
to ask you anything?
Can't I invite a friend over
for dinner once in a while?
SETH: Yes, you
can. And you have.
And the meal was fine. But I
do know that look in your eye.
So, let me repeat.
What is your question?
What does the name
Monica Walker mean to you?
Monica Walker? No.
Apparently she was involved
in some sort of a scandal
a number of years ago.
Oh, yes, she was
a lovely young thing.
Long black hair, eyes as
clear and blue as the sea.
And the scandal?
Oh, well, that was a
tragedy, no mistake.
About 20, 25 years ago.
She worked for Lydia
and Charles Winthrop
as his secretary.
Well, one day she was arrested
for stealing a very expensive
diamond necklace from Lydia's bedroom.
She was convicted
and spent five years in the
state penitentiary at Hatfield.
Oh, my goodness. How
devastating for her family.
I guess so.
Well, when she got out of prison,
she didn't come back here, naturally.
Not that I blame her.
No, she just packed it all in, put
the house on the market, and left.
Thanks, Seth. There are days when
I don't know what I'd do without you.
What do I have to
do to get any dessert?
I completely forgot.
Uh-huh.
And then I slipped.
It was my fault, I suppose.
Compound fracture. Now I'm
trapped in this damned chair.
But I did warn you that the
stairs were being refinished.
I know, I know.
Worst part about it is, I have to give
up sailing until this leg is up to snuff.
Damn near broke my heart having to put The
Lucky Charm into dry dock for the season.
Jessica, could you put a little
bit of glue on the tip of this?
It's right over next to you.
Oh. Yes. Yes, of course. Yeah.
Thank you.
I assume that you heard
about Judge Clinton.
Yes. It's terrible.
It's hard to imagine him
gone. He was so full of life.
Well, I knew that Osborn woman was
trouble the minute I laid eyes on her.
Well, I think
it's a little early
to point the finger
of blame, don't you?
Not at all. No, no,
no. I think Lydia's right.
Nate Parsons feels
the same way about it.
He was here just this morning.
He told us all about how she was
asking about the fires over at his place,
and the next thing you
know, poof, up goes his shed.
Go on and tell me
that's a coincidence.
No one's going to feel safe in
this town until she's arrested.
I've had Nate raise the
ceiling on our insurance,
and I'm going to put in a
new safe for my jewelry.
Well, I can certainly understand your
concern, you have some lovely pieces.
Thank you. You know, this ring has
been in my family for two generations.
Oh, it's beautiful!
My goodness!
Well, didn't you have some
problem a few years back
with some jewelry being stolen?
Yes, it was a necklace.
Charles had given it to me.
A secretary in our employ,
a Monica Walker, stole it.
We were never
able to recover it.
Why do you ask?
Would you look at the
time? I've got to run.
Thank you for the tea, Lydia. Charles,
I certainly hope your leg improves.
Thank you, Jessica.
LYDIA: I'll get your coat.
Just forgot my bag.
Charles, do you remember who the
prosecutor was on the Monica Walker case?
Well, that... That was...
That was Judge Clinton.
He wasn't a judge then, he
was, as you said, a prosecutor.
They made him the
circuit court judge...
I think it was the next year.
Yes, of course.
Thank you, Charles.
Nate!
Oh, my goodness,
you startled me.
I'm sorry.
What're you doing up here?
Well, I was just about to
ask you the same question.
Judge Clinton was
insured by my company.
I've got to investigate the
circumstances of his death.
So, like I said, what
are you here for?
Much the same.
Nate, I wonder if you would
stand right over there for me.
Right. Yes, I...
I was just trying to visualize
exactly how the murder happened.
Now, when Judge Clinton's body was found,
there were wood fragments in his back,
so he must have gone
backwards through the window.
You're about the same
height as the judge, aren't you?
Just about. Why?
Well, it seems to me that he couldn't have
accidentally fallen through the window.
I mean, the center
of gravity is all wrong.
He would've been
able to catch himself.
Which only confirms that
someone must have pushed him.
Someone fairly strong.
Unless whoever it was
got up a good run first.
Speed would make
up for strength.
Well, there's not much
room to run, is there?
I mean, how far back would the
killer have to be? Maybe here?
Maybe they waited here,
and then lunged forward.
Yes, yes, that's it. That's very
interesting. Thank you, Nate.
Sure, anytime.
So what does it all mean?
Well, I'll let you know as
soon as I work it all out.
Well, I'll be on my way. Let
you get on with your work.
Oh, yes, just one other thing.
Did I hear that you carry all the
insurance for Lydia and Charles Winthrop?
That's right, for
over 20 years. Why?
Just curious, that's all.
How did I inherit you?
Which god did I offend?
At a guess, all of them.
Oh, there you are,
Sheriff. I need to talk to you.
Mrs. F, what's up? Well,
I found this in the bell tower.
Now, whoever pushed Judge Clinton to
his death must have been hiding there.
Long black hairs.
Mariah Osborn's got long black hair.
Andy's due back from the lab any minute.
When he gets back, I'll have
him take these in for analysis.
If they check out...
But that's not all, Sheriff.
I've been doing some very
serious thinking, and I think that I...
Andy, right on time.
I've got an errand for you.
And before that, Sheriff,
I've got something for you.
Lab boys came back with
a match on that thumb print
we found on Lydia
Winthrop's safe.
Mariah Osborn, right?
Nope. Some woman
named Mary Lynn...
Walker, Mary Lynn Walker.
Now, that's Monica
Walker's daughter.
That's what I was
trying to tell you.
After almost 25 years,
she's come back to the town
where her mother was disgraced.
And I think that I know why.
MARIAH: After she got out of jail, my
mother changed her name, mine with it.
We left the state, started over.
But the past kept following us.
No one would hire her.
She had to take odd jobs
just to keep food on the table.
She refused to take charity,
and she wasn't a thief, Sheriff.
But she was convicted.
All the evidence
was circumstantial.
If Lydia Winthrop hadn't had
friends in such high places,
she never would've
been convicted.
As it was, Willard Clinton came to
her cell and offered to drop the charges,
on grounds of
insufficient evidence,
in exchange for certain favors.
My mother said no.
And to her dying day, she never
set foot in Cabot Cove again.
Neither did I.
Until now.
I had to prove my
mother was innocent.
What about the play?
I knew that the only way to
prove my mother's innocence
was to get close to the
people who knew her.
When I heard about the play, it
seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Rachel Abbot was falsely accused,
just like my mother. And just like me.
I didn't kill Judge
Clinton, Sheriff.
But you did break into
Lydia Winthrop's safe.
Yes, I thought that if I could find the
necklace Lydia said my mother had stolen,
it would prove her innocence.
And did you?
No.
And since you
couldn't prove anything,
you opted for revenge
instead, didn't you?
No.
Nate Parsons investigated that theft,
so you started with a little arson there,
and then you lured Judge
Clinton to the bell tower,
where you shoved
him to his death.
No, it's not true. I swear
it. You have to believe me.
Mariah Osborn, I'm arresting you for
the murder of Judge Willard Clinton.
Andy, put her in the car
and read her her rights.
Mrs. F, I want to thank
you for your help on this one.
Well, don't thank me yet, Mort.
You see, I don't believe that
Mariah killed Judge Clinton.
Mrs. F, what are
you talking about?
You're the one that
helped lock it down.
The connection between Lydia and
Judge Clinton, the hairs in the bell tower.
That's not true, Mort.
I only showed you that she
was Monica Walker's daughter,
not that she had
committed the murder.
Well, are you saying she didn't?
I'm saying that I don't know.
But I certainly intend to find out.
Hello, Joe. Doing
a nice job there.
Well, thank you, Jessica.
What can I do for you?
Well, can I ask you a question?
Well, sure.
You investigated the fire over at
Nate Parsons' place, didn't you?
That's right.
And it turned out
to be arson after all.
We found traces of vinyl-curing
urethane on the floor near the fire.
It's very flammable.
That went first.
Then a file, and with
all the papers around,
the place went up
like a roman candle.
Vinyl-curing urethane, where
would someone buy that?
Well, most any
hardware store carries it.
It's used mainly for stripping
paint or refinishing floors.
Things like that.
Well, thanks,
Joe, I appreciate it.
Be sure to say
hello to Sarah for me.
I will.
(DOG WHINES)
Good pup.
Afternoon, Nate.
Mrs. Fletcher, hi.
Well, I guess you heard the news. Sheriff
Metzger arrested that Osborn woman.
Yes. That's why I'm here.
Since you handled the insurance
on Lydia Winthrop's
stolen necklace,
would you still have the files?
I mean appraised value,
description, that sort of thing?
Well, I did. But all that stuff got
burned when my shed was torched.
But wouldn't the main district office
have copies of the claim on microfilm?
How come you're so interested
in all this, Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, let's just
say I'm curious.
Well, so are a lot
of other people.
That's why company policy says we
can't give out that kind of information.
Yes, I'm sure that's policy, but
unless the records are sealed
they remain public.
I imagine it wouldn't be too much
of a problem to get a subpoena.
All right. I'll do what I can.
That'll be fine.
Oh, by the way,
you mentioned last year that you were
planning to remodel your house, add a deck.
We changed our minds. It's
too much bother and expense.
We did have the floors
done, however. Why?
Oh, just more curiosity.
Thanks for your help, Nate.
And let me know
when the files come in.
Come on, Mrs. F. We've
got a lock on this one.
Well, that's not quite
accurate, Sheriff.
Especially since the hair from the bell
tower turned out to come from a nylon wig,
and not from Mariah's hair.
Well, I asked Seth to
make a few phone calls.
Okay.
So the hair came from a wig, so?
Well, why on earth would a
young woman with long black hair
want to wear a wig
with long black hair?
Why would anyone
want to wear it?
Unless they wanted
to look like Mariah.
CHARLES: I don't understand
what this is all about.
I know, but it could be important.
How did you say that you hurt that leg?
I fell down the stairs. It
was slick, and I slipped.
And it was slick because the
wooden steps had just been refinished?
Right.
I agree with Charles.
Where is all this going?
Surely you didn't come all the way out
here just to ask about my husband's leg.
You're right, Lydia,
I came to talk about
the Monica Walker case.
Well, that's old news.
Well, perhaps it
was, but not anymore.
If it really were old news, you never
would have had to kill Judge Clinton.
What? That's absurd.
I wish it were.
The fact is, Lydia, you falsified the
charges of theft against Monica Walker.
Your diamond necklace
was never really stolen.
The primary diamond
is here in this room,
right now, in that ring
that you're wearing.
No. This...
This ring was given to me
by my great-grandmother.
Oh, the setting is
antique, all right,
but the stone itself is an
ideal brilliant-cut diamond.
They didn't develop that
particular cut until around the 1920s.
And that's the cut
of your diamond ring,
which means it couldn't possibly
have come from your great-grandmother.
That proves nothing.
By itself, no.
But it also matches
the description I got
from the insurance company this
afternoon. I had to go to the main office
after you torched Nate Parsons'
shed with refinishing fluid.
You didn't want
anyone to find out
that you deliberately let an
innocent woman go to jail.
I don't understand. Why?
Jealousy.
This is your boat, The
Lucky Charm, isn't it?
How long had you been
involved with Monica Walker?
Charles, please. If you have
anything to say, please say it now.
I didn't mean for it to happen,
it just did.
Then, when she was arrested
for stealing Lydia's necklace,
I felt she was just using me.
Lydia, how could you?
Because I thought I'd lose you.
We worked so hard to
build a life for ourselves.
Unfortunately, you enlisted
the support of Willard Clinton,
the prosecuting attorney.
Possibly promising him help when
he ran for the circuit court judge.
Yes, but then it was over,
and I could live my life
the way I was meant to.
And then she came back here.
Mariah Osborn.
Yes. Different name, but
I knew exactly who it was.
LYDIA: When I walked in
on you two together, Charles,
the pain of all those old
memories came back.
And then when I saw
her with Willard Clinton,
working him just like
her mother worked you,
I knew it was just a question of
time before he'd tell her everything.
So you sent Judge
Clinton that note
and went to the bell tower
dressed as Mariah in a black wig,
in case anyone might see you?
Maybe even hoping someone would.
LYDIA: Yes, God help me.
Oh, Charles.
I'm sorry, I'm so
sorry. I'm so sorry.
I can't thank you enough for
everything you've done, Jessica.
Your mother was ill-served by
this town 20 years ago, Mariah.
It owed you, and
her, a second chance.
Well, it helps me to understand
why she loved this place so much
before it went bad for her.
It even gives me a better
feel for Rachel Abbot.
Good. Who knows,
maybe one of these days
even the spirit of Rachel
Abbot will find peace
with the good
people of Cabot Cove.
SETH: Curtain
going up, everybody.
Places. Good luck.
Come on, break a leg.
Thank you.
You're not nervous,
are you, Seth?
Jess, it is a nightmare.
The paint is still
wet on the flats,
we need another week of
rehearsal, the costumes don't fit...
Oh, it's gonna be fine. And the good
news is, you don't have to do it next year.
What? And give up show business?
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
No one's going to feel safe in
this town until she's arrested.
Your problems
haven't even started yet.
That's wonderful.
Yes, I would imagine so.
That's what was
bubbling in those pots,
not bat wings and eye of newt.
If you were the magistrate and I
was Rachel, I might find the decision
a little more difficult to make.
How come you're so interested
in all this, Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, let's just
say I'm curious.
(GAVEL BANGS)
JUDGE: Rachel Abbot,
you have been found guilty
of the crime of witchcraft
and are condemned
to burn at the stake until dead.
CROWD: Burn, witch, burn!
RACHEL: I am innocent! I will prove
it if I must return from the grave itself!
Watch for me in
storm-wind and in fire,
in death and pain for
those who have accused me!
(CROWD CHANTING)
JUDGE: May God have
mercy upon your soul.
CROWD: Burn, witch,
burn! Burn, witch, burn!
(RACHEL SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING)
That woman has a voice
that could shatter lead.
Thank you, Arletta. Yes,
that will do fine for now.
All right, is there anyone else who wishes
to audition for the role of Rachel Abbot?
Ah, yes, Penelope.
I thought we had agreed that you
would be playing Rachel's mother.
Well, unless I'm very
much mistaken, Dr. Hazlitt,
the role of Rachel is
considerably larger.
Well, yes, it is, but I
always felt that you were...
As the mother, I felt
you would lend a...
A dignity to the proceedings.
I don't care about dignity.
Penelope, I need
you in this role.
Eve? I believe you said
you'd like to have a go.
Well, I suppose I could try.
Fine.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Page 47. We will start
with the magistrate.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Go on, go on.
Does the defendant wish to make
any statement before sentencing?
Nate? The prosecutor, Reverend
Thorndike, rises and says...
"Here is thy last
opportunity, Rachel Abbot.
"Do not greet God with a lie on your lips.
Repent, and thy soul may yet be saved."
"I ask only that each year,
rose petals be left on my grave,
"in testimony to innocent
blood shed by this court.
"Do with me as thou..."
(WHISPERING) Wilt.
I don't suppose I could
play with this a little,
you know, make it
mine, update it a bit?
It's just that... Well, I'm
much better at modern drama.
I could do a Blanche
DuBois that'll curl your hair.
Of that I have every confidence.
Sorry, the wind caught the door. Is
this where the auditions are being held?
I'm Dr. Seth Hazlitt, at
your service. And you are?
Mariah Osborn. I'm new in town.
Ah.
Mariah, hi. She just rented
the old Walker place from me.
Good heavens, no
one's lived there for years.
It's falling apart. Why would
anyone rent a place like that?
It suits my needs perfectly. I
like bringing old things to life.
Are there any roles still open?
Nate, Judge, I
think we're all set.
Can you read the end
now, of the final scene?
Sure. No problem.
I should introduce myself.
I am Judge Willard Clinton.
Welcome to Cabot Cove. Thanks.
A real judge in the
role, how appropriate.
Is he a real prosecutor?
Who, Nate? No, he's the
local rep for Superior Insurance.
Let's take it from
the top, shall we?
Lydia, we're going to need
you in place up here, too.
Oh, may I borrow that?
Well, I suppose, yes.
Thank you.
SETH: Start at Nate's line,
bottom of the page. Ready?
"So what say you, Goody Butler?"
"I say the woman lies."
"As expected. Lies driven by jealousy.
False words behind a false face.
"I did not bewitch your
husband, Goody Butler,
"his heart left your
bed years ago."
"The defendant will..."
"Will be sacrificed to
jealousy, I see that now.
"And on the day you take my life, the
crime before heaven will be so great,
"that all the bells in all the steeples
will ring out to proclaim my innocence."
(BELLS RINGING)
(WIND BLOWING)
(BELLS RINGING)
I'm telling you, Jessica,
you should have seen it.
Her voice, the way she moves.
She even looks like Rachel Abbot.
And when those bells went off,
a chill went right up my spine.
It was downright uncanny.
Well, when the wind whipped
up, it caused the bells to chime.
I mean, it's happened before.
I know, I know, I know.
But still, she has something.
Sounds like she has you, Doc.
And I, for one, have got
better things to do with my time
than to worry about
17th century witchcraft.
And the grapes were
probably sour anyway.
You're just mad because I didn't
cast you in the part of the constable.
You've been hearing those
voices again, haven't you?
Listen, Doc, if some late
night you hear that voice
telling you to go
out and save France,
don't do it. I've
seen the movie.
Thanks for breakfast,
Mrs. F. I'll see you later.
Take care.
The tough part is knowing that
my tax dollar pays for his salary.
You know, if you didn't enjoy
sparring with Mort so much,
I might start taking your
complaints seriously.
Anyway, I'm glad that you're satisfied
with your choice for Rachel Abbot.
Yeah, she's going
to do just fine.
Curious woman, though.
In what way?
Well, Eve Simpson tells me she
blew in the other day from nowhere,
rented the old Walker
place up on Morgan's Hill.
The Walker place?
Oh, for heaven's sakes, that
hasn't been lived in in years.
It must be a mountain of dust.
Oh, which reminds me, I have an
appointment with some dusty old rooms.
Could you possibly drop me
off at the county courthouse?
Be glad to, I'm
going that way myself.
(WOMAN MUMBLING)
"For I will return to Cabot
Cove, in fire and in storm-wind,
"in death and in pain, for those
who have accused me unjustly,
"though hell
itself bar the way."
Hello. If that passage is what I
think it is, you must be Mariah Osborn.
Yes.
I thought it would help
me prepare for the role
to examine the original
transcripts. And you are?
Jessica Fletcher.
Oh, yes, of course.
You know, the whole
town is buzzing about
your performance at
the rehearsal last night.
Apparently you struck a nerve.
Not me. Rachel Abbot.
I think this town has a penchant
for ganging up on innocent people.
A story like this... Who knows
what it might call out of the shadows?
It was a pleasure meeting you,
Mrs. Fletcher. I'll see you around.
Thank you.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Yes?
Hi, I'm Mariah Osborn.
I'm looking for Lydia Winthrop.
I have to return something.
Well, she's not here right
now, but please, come in.
Thanks. Mr. Winthrop?
My friends call me Charles.
Now, come in the study.
I hope I'm not
interrupting anything.
No, no, it's just busywork here.
Since I'm going to be more or less
housebound for a couple of weeks,
my accountant's got me filling
out papers and signing forms.
How did it happen?
Oh, it was, you know, just one of
those stupid household accidents.
Lydia hired some
workmen to fix the stairs,
and I slipped and then
broke my darned leg.
Oh, here, let me clear
a place for you here.
Oh!
Oh! What is it?
Oh, it's a cramp.
That damned cast.
Why don't you let me see what I
can do about that? Just breathe deeply.
Think of cool water
flowing lightly over the pain.
Cool, soothing water.
That's great, that
feels wonderful.
That's good.
Yes, I would imagine so.
Have another one of
your attacks, darling?
Yes, the muscle spasms, they
happened before. You know, about...
Yes. Yes, I know.
It must hurt terribly.
Well, we won't distract
you further. Miss Osborn?
I didn't mean to make any trouble,
I just wanted to return your shawl.
Thank you.
Your performance at the
audition was quite... Remarkable.
Well, I've always had a soft
spot for the unjustly accused.
Of course. Don't we all?
(PHONE RINGING)
Excuse me.
I can find my own way
out. I'll see you at town hall.
LYDIA: Charles?
CHARLES: What is it?
(GLASS BREAKING)
METZGER: And you're sure
that nothing was missing?
Well, as far as we can tell.
I can only guess that whoever it was
heard Lydia coming down the stairs
and ran off.
Did anyone else have access
to the safe, or know where it is?
Don't think so.
You know, there was... What?
Mariah Osborn.
Right, right.
Yesterday we had a visit from that
new woman in town, Mariah Osborn.
I had the safe open
when she was here, so...
I suppose she could've seen
me close it. But I can't imagine...
Sheriff, looks like I got
a clean print off the door.
Good. Check the windows,
see if you can get a match.
And while you're at it, you might
want to bag some of these rose petals.
Now what kind of a thief
breaks into a place and then stops
to sprinkle rose petals everywhere?
Funny.
Just the other day,
Mariah was saying Rachel
Abbot's speech about
wanting rose petals
sprinkled over her grave,
in memory of innocent blood.
(CROW CAWING)
ANDY: Boy, some place. It's
right out of The Addams Family.
You know, I was
talking to Penelope.
She said this Osborn woman
(DOORBELL RINGING) took right to
the role of what's-her-name, the witch.
Maybe she's really
getting into the role.
Look, Andy, I checked.
She rented this place
before she got the role, okay?
There is nothing
unusual about it.
(DOOR CREAKING)
Yes?
Miss Osborn?
May I help you?
I'm Sheriff Metzger,
this is Deputy Broom.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but
we have to ask you a few questions.
Of course. Please come in.
I was just having some lunch.
You're welcome to join me.
Thanks, I'll pass.
(CAT MEOWING)
Not a word, Andy. Not one word.
ANDY: You should've seen
that place, Mrs. Fletcher.
Cauldrons all over the place.
They were pots.
Black cat, big as a dog.
A Chihuahua, maybe.
You're making too
big a deal out of this.
What do you think,
Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, I happen to think
that eccentricity is a virtue.
I mean, I think that often the
unexplained is simply the unexamined.
I was on my way into Benning's
hardware store yesterday afternoon,
and I saw Mariah Osborn come
out with cans of cleaning fluid.
The kind that removes tough
stains from brass fixtures.
And that's what was
bubbling in those pots.
Doorknobs and shower handles,
not bat wings and eye of newt.
Even so,
do you really think
she might have had
something to do with
the break-in at Lydia's?
We were just
checking out every lead.
Now, she says she was home
last night, working on her house.
Without a witness to say otherwise,
there's no reason to think she's lying.
At this time.
Penelope Daniels told Lisa
Tuttle that she saw Mariah Osborn
walking out by herself every
night at midnight the last few nights.
Dressed all in black
and looking at all the houses, like
she was studying them somehow.
So, Penelope Daniels told
Lisa Tuttle, who told you?
Well, no, Lisa told Sharon Goldsmith,
who told my wife, who told me.
Andy, you know, word of
mouth is notoriously suspect.
Mariah Osborn happens
to be a very attractive
young woman who
is playing the role
of another very attractive young woman
who was persecuted by gossip and rumor.
I certainly wouldn't want
to see history repeat itself.
Maybe it already is.
And because the house is so old, you can
see why I might be concerned about fire.
Well, sure, but most renters
leave fire insurance to the owners.
You're the only
insurance agent who's tried
to talk me out of
buying a policy.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, it's just that I...
I don't like selling a
policy if it's unnecessary.
But if you insist... Oh, I do.
But it would be very comforting to
me if you could come by sometime
and inspect the premises,
the wiring, the plumbing.
You seem like a man who
would be very thorough.
Well, I'd be happy to,
you just name the time.
And, maybe afterwards
we could have a...
And a history of the
place would also help.
Excuse me?
Well, the condition of the
house is bound to be changed
by any past fires that
may have happened.
Could you check into that?
Our company doesn't like us to
give out that kind of information.
Besides, nobody's
lived there for 20 years,
so the records wouldn't
be in my active files.
But I'm sure that someone as
smart as you would have inactive files.
I keep all those in a
shed behind my house,
but they're still subject
to company rules.
Well, then, I guess there's
nothing we can do about that.
Thanks.
My pleasure.
Oh, Lydia, hi.
Do you know... Yes, we've met.
What can I do for you?
Well, I was just taking Charles
to the doctor down the street,
and I thought after
that break-in last night,
I'd just drop in and discuss
increasing my insurance.
I should go. Thank you
for your help, Mr. Parsons.
Anytime, Miss Osborn.
And I'll stop by first chance
I get, like I discussed.
Really, Dr. Hazlitt,
I can handle it.
It's Seth.
Besides, I cannot have my
leading lady throw her back out
one week before
opening night, now can I?
Oh, I'm going to remember that
next time I have snow to
shovel from my front door.
Good afternoon, Jess.
Hello, Mrs. Fletcher.
Hello, Mariah. How are you?
Fine, considering no one in town
will talk to me. At least, not the women.
Busybodies and bluenoses.
Pay them no mind.
Well, you know, New
Englanders are notorious
for taking their time to
warm up to newcomers.
I lived here for 10 years
and some people still refer to
me as "the new woman in town."
There, I think
that about does it.
Well, I've got to run along. I'll
see you at rehearsal, Mariah. Jess.
See you there.
Thanks, Dr. Hazlitt.
You've got a lot of paint there.
Are you planning to whip
that old house into shape?
Well, I may be around a while.
And I want it to look
like the old photos.
Oh, what photos?
Oh. You know, photos of
the old Victorian houses.
Oh, yeah.
Well, I'd better be going.
Well, be sure to keep those
cans in a well-ventilated room.
That's highly combustible.
Nate!
METZGER: How does it
look, Joe? Was it arson?
It's hard to say right now.
From the smell, some sort
of chemical was involved.
Say, Nate, did you have any
combustibles stored in there?
A few, but nothing that would...
It had to be deliberate. I
saw a pentagram on the door.
You couldn't prove it now. The
flames burned all the paint off.
But it makes sense,
though, doesn't it?
When she was convicted
of witchcraft, Rachel Abbot
said she would return in storm-wind
and in fire, in pain and in death.
Well, Mariah Osborn arrived
in storm-wind. There's your fire.
Penelope, we have
enough of a problem here
without you adding to
it with this nonsense.
Unless I'm very much mistaken, Sheriff,
your problems haven't even started yet.
Places, please. We'll pick up
where we left off on page 51.
Mariah, you don't
seem to have your script.
That's all right. I
have it memorized.
Ah. Well.
We'll start on Lydia's line,
halfway down. Ready? And...
"As I told the witch-finder
general, the specter of Rachel Abbot
"did appear above our bed.
"Then I heard my husband
call her name in his sleep."
"What say you to
this, Rachel Abbot?"
A man who sleeps with one woman and
dreams of another has wedded in error.
"You will note, Your Honor,
the evasiveness of the reply."
Please continue.
"As I watched, frozen in horror,
"the specter wrapped its
fingers around my throat
"and squeezed until
I thought I would die."
"Is there no witness
to your accusation?"
"Your Honor, the village well knows
Goody Butler's reputation for honesty."
A woman whose lies become
truth, through position and power.
"You see how the devil talks
through her. She is truly possessed."
I am possessed of a comely
face and a healthy body.
For these alone I am condemned
by one who seeks
to keep what she has
by destroying another.
A small-minded, bitter woman
whose soul is as barren as...
That's not... I beg your...
Mariah, that's
not in the script!
I'm sorry. I did some research,
and those words are from a
subsequent account of the trial.
I thought it would
add to the character.
Five minutes, everybody.
Then we will continue
from the script.
No annotations.
Lydia, can I see
you for a moment?
Quite a powerful performance.
Thank you.
I admire Rachel. She
stood up to the whole village.
On the other hand, I mean,
if she'd not been so proud,
she wouldn't have died so young.
It wasn't pride that
killed her, Judge Clinton.
Did you know that a
magistrate visited her cell
before he sentenced
her to death?
You know, it was within his power
to spare her life if she repented.
Unless she declined.
Well, let's just be thankful those
things don't happen anymore.
Yes.
Although, I must confess
if you were the magistrate
and I was Rachel,
I might find the decision a
little more difficult to make.
(INAUDlBLE)
(CREAKING)
Mariah?
Rachel?
Come on, now,
enough games.
Where are you?
Hello.
Mrs. F.
Oh, Mort, I came as soon
as I heard. How did it happen?
Well, somebody sawed through
one of the wooden louvers.
One good push is all it took.
I'll tell you what,
whoever did it
wanted to make real sure
Judge Clinton came down
off that bell tower
the hard way.
What was he doing up there
in the middle of the night?
Well, we may have a
lead on that one, too.
Found this in his jacket pocket.
Yeah, Mariah Osborn.
Looks like some of the folks around here
might have been right about her after all.
Sheriff, I realize that I am in a shrinking
minority, but I have to remind you
that Rachel Abbot and Mariah
Osborn are not the same person.
You know that, and I know that.
But I'm starting to wonder
whether she knows that.
I know how it looks, Sheriff,
but I swear I didn't send this note.
Well, then, you won't mind giving me a
sample of your handwriting for comparison.
Would you please
pass me that notebook?
Yes.
This is a letter to Dr. Hazlitt.
I decided to resign from the production.
Given the way the town feels about me,
it seemed the best solution.
Miss Osborn, I don't
know how to say this,
but these two look a lot alike.
May I see that, please, Sheriff?
Oh, no, no, several of these
letters are quite different.
I mean, the lateral loop
on the "Y" here is missing.
Oh, and the "S" slants
off to the right in this one,
and slants off to
the left in this one.
But it could be a
very good copy.
Or someone trying to
disguise her handwriting.
You see? It's hopeless.
I'm convicted already.
That's not true.
A handwriting expert will be able
to give us a much clearer reading.
Meanwhile, if someone is trying
to implicate you in the murder,
I suggest that you don't drop out of the
production, at least for the time being.
That is the only way we're going
to bring this other person out.
Assuming there
is another person.
Miss Osborn, do us both a
favor. Don't try to leave town.
Mrs. Fletcher?
I'm sorry, but it looks as if
all of the copies of People
v. Monica Walker are missing.
You mean they've
been checked out?
No, I mean missing.
They're not in their files, and there's
no record of their being removed.
I see. But that case was
tried in 1967, wasn't it?
That's right. Why?
Just an interesting coincidence.
I just came from the
Cabot Cove Gazette,
and their archives are
missing an entire volume.
One year. 1967.
Well, thank you for your
time. You've been very helpful.
SETH: What do
you want to ask me?
Well, who says I wanted
to ask you anything?
Can't I invite a friend over
for dinner once in a while?
SETH: Yes, you
can. And you have.
And the meal was fine. But I
do know that look in your eye.
So, let me repeat.
What is your question?
What does the name
Monica Walker mean to you?
Monica Walker? No.
Apparently she was involved
in some sort of a scandal
a number of years ago.
Oh, yes, she was
a lovely young thing.
Long black hair, eyes as
clear and blue as the sea.
And the scandal?
Oh, well, that was a
tragedy, no mistake.
About 20, 25 years ago.
She worked for Lydia
and Charles Winthrop
as his secretary.
Well, one day she was arrested
for stealing a very expensive
diamond necklace from Lydia's bedroom.
She was convicted
and spent five years in the
state penitentiary at Hatfield.
Oh, my goodness. How
devastating for her family.
I guess so.
Well, when she got out of prison,
she didn't come back here, naturally.
Not that I blame her.
No, she just packed it all in, put
the house on the market, and left.
Thanks, Seth. There are days when
I don't know what I'd do without you.
What do I have to
do to get any dessert?
I completely forgot.
Uh-huh.
And then I slipped.
It was my fault, I suppose.
Compound fracture. Now I'm
trapped in this damned chair.
But I did warn you that the
stairs were being refinished.
I know, I know.
Worst part about it is, I have to give
up sailing until this leg is up to snuff.
Damn near broke my heart having to put The
Lucky Charm into dry dock for the season.
Jessica, could you put a little
bit of glue on the tip of this?
It's right over next to you.
Oh. Yes. Yes, of course. Yeah.
Thank you.
I assume that you heard
about Judge Clinton.
Yes. It's terrible.
It's hard to imagine him
gone. He was so full of life.
Well, I knew that Osborn woman was
trouble the minute I laid eyes on her.
Well, I think
it's a little early
to point the finger
of blame, don't you?
Not at all. No, no,
no. I think Lydia's right.
Nate Parsons feels
the same way about it.
He was here just this morning.
He told us all about how she was
asking about the fires over at his place,
and the next thing you
know, poof, up goes his shed.
Go on and tell me
that's a coincidence.
No one's going to feel safe in
this town until she's arrested.
I've had Nate raise the
ceiling on our insurance,
and I'm going to put in a
new safe for my jewelry.
Well, I can certainly understand your
concern, you have some lovely pieces.
Thank you. You know, this ring has
been in my family for two generations.
Oh, it's beautiful!
My goodness!
Well, didn't you have some
problem a few years back
with some jewelry being stolen?
Yes, it was a necklace.
Charles had given it to me.
A secretary in our employ,
a Monica Walker, stole it.
We were never
able to recover it.
Why do you ask?
Would you look at the
time? I've got to run.
Thank you for the tea, Lydia. Charles,
I certainly hope your leg improves.
Thank you, Jessica.
LYDIA: I'll get your coat.
Just forgot my bag.
Charles, do you remember who the
prosecutor was on the Monica Walker case?
Well, that... That was...
That was Judge Clinton.
He wasn't a judge then, he
was, as you said, a prosecutor.
They made him the
circuit court judge...
I think it was the next year.
Yes, of course.
Thank you, Charles.
Nate!
Oh, my goodness,
you startled me.
I'm sorry.
What're you doing up here?
Well, I was just about to
ask you the same question.
Judge Clinton was
insured by my company.
I've got to investigate the
circumstances of his death.
So, like I said, what
are you here for?
Much the same.
Nate, I wonder if you would
stand right over there for me.
Right. Yes, I...
I was just trying to visualize
exactly how the murder happened.
Now, when Judge Clinton's body was found,
there were wood fragments in his back,
so he must have gone
backwards through the window.
You're about the same
height as the judge, aren't you?
Just about. Why?
Well, it seems to me that he couldn't have
accidentally fallen through the window.
I mean, the center
of gravity is all wrong.
He would've been
able to catch himself.
Which only confirms that
someone must have pushed him.
Someone fairly strong.
Unless whoever it was
got up a good run first.
Speed would make
up for strength.
Well, there's not much
room to run, is there?
I mean, how far back would the
killer have to be? Maybe here?
Maybe they waited here,
and then lunged forward.
Yes, yes, that's it. That's very
interesting. Thank you, Nate.
Sure, anytime.
So what does it all mean?
Well, I'll let you know as
soon as I work it all out.
Well, I'll be on my way. Let
you get on with your work.
Oh, yes, just one other thing.
Did I hear that you carry all the
insurance for Lydia and Charles Winthrop?
That's right, for
over 20 years. Why?
Just curious, that's all.
How did I inherit you?
Which god did I offend?
At a guess, all of them.
Oh, there you are,
Sheriff. I need to talk to you.
Mrs. F, what's up? Well,
I found this in the bell tower.
Now, whoever pushed Judge Clinton to
his death must have been hiding there.
Long black hairs.
Mariah Osborn's got long black hair.
Andy's due back from the lab any minute.
When he gets back, I'll have
him take these in for analysis.
If they check out...
But that's not all, Sheriff.
I've been doing some very
serious thinking, and I think that I...
Andy, right on time.
I've got an errand for you.
And before that, Sheriff,
I've got something for you.
Lab boys came back with
a match on that thumb print
we found on Lydia
Winthrop's safe.
Mariah Osborn, right?
Nope. Some woman
named Mary Lynn...
Walker, Mary Lynn Walker.
Now, that's Monica
Walker's daughter.
That's what I was
trying to tell you.
After almost 25 years,
she's come back to the town
where her mother was disgraced.
And I think that I know why.
MARIAH: After she got out of jail, my
mother changed her name, mine with it.
We left the state, started over.
But the past kept following us.
No one would hire her.
She had to take odd jobs
just to keep food on the table.
She refused to take charity,
and she wasn't a thief, Sheriff.
But she was convicted.
All the evidence
was circumstantial.
If Lydia Winthrop hadn't had
friends in such high places,
she never would've
been convicted.
As it was, Willard Clinton came to
her cell and offered to drop the charges,
on grounds of
insufficient evidence,
in exchange for certain favors.
My mother said no.
And to her dying day, she never
set foot in Cabot Cove again.
Neither did I.
Until now.
I had to prove my
mother was innocent.
What about the play?
I knew that the only way to
prove my mother's innocence
was to get close to the
people who knew her.
When I heard about the play, it
seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Rachel Abbot was falsely accused,
just like my mother. And just like me.
I didn't kill Judge
Clinton, Sheriff.
But you did break into
Lydia Winthrop's safe.
Yes, I thought that if I could find the
necklace Lydia said my mother had stolen,
it would prove her innocence.
And did you?
No.
And since you
couldn't prove anything,
you opted for revenge
instead, didn't you?
No.
Nate Parsons investigated that theft,
so you started with a little arson there,
and then you lured Judge
Clinton to the bell tower,
where you shoved
him to his death.
No, it's not true. I swear
it. You have to believe me.
Mariah Osborn, I'm arresting you for
the murder of Judge Willard Clinton.
Andy, put her in the car
and read her her rights.
Mrs. F, I want to thank
you for your help on this one.
Well, don't thank me yet, Mort.
You see, I don't believe that
Mariah killed Judge Clinton.
Mrs. F, what are
you talking about?
You're the one that
helped lock it down.
The connection between Lydia and
Judge Clinton, the hairs in the bell tower.
That's not true, Mort.
I only showed you that she
was Monica Walker's daughter,
not that she had
committed the murder.
Well, are you saying she didn't?
I'm saying that I don't know.
But I certainly intend to find out.
Hello, Joe. Doing
a nice job there.
Well, thank you, Jessica.
What can I do for you?
Well, can I ask you a question?
Well, sure.
You investigated the fire over at
Nate Parsons' place, didn't you?
That's right.
And it turned out
to be arson after all.
We found traces of vinyl-curing
urethane on the floor near the fire.
It's very flammable.
That went first.
Then a file, and with
all the papers around,
the place went up
like a roman candle.
Vinyl-curing urethane, where
would someone buy that?
Well, most any
hardware store carries it.
It's used mainly for stripping
paint or refinishing floors.
Things like that.
Well, thanks,
Joe, I appreciate it.
Be sure to say
hello to Sarah for me.
I will.
(DOG WHINES)
Good pup.
Afternoon, Nate.
Mrs. Fletcher, hi.
Well, I guess you heard the news. Sheriff
Metzger arrested that Osborn woman.
Yes. That's why I'm here.
Since you handled the insurance
on Lydia Winthrop's
stolen necklace,
would you still have the files?
I mean appraised value,
description, that sort of thing?
Well, I did. But all that stuff got
burned when my shed was torched.
But wouldn't the main district office
have copies of the claim on microfilm?
How come you're so interested
in all this, Mrs. Fletcher?
Well, let's just
say I'm curious.
Well, so are a lot
of other people.
That's why company policy says we
can't give out that kind of information.
Yes, I'm sure that's policy, but
unless the records are sealed
they remain public.
I imagine it wouldn't be too much
of a problem to get a subpoena.
All right. I'll do what I can.
That'll be fine.
Oh, by the way,
you mentioned last year that you were
planning to remodel your house, add a deck.
We changed our minds. It's
too much bother and expense.
We did have the floors
done, however. Why?
Oh, just more curiosity.
Thanks for your help, Nate.
And let me know
when the files come in.
Come on, Mrs. F. We've
got a lock on this one.
Well, that's not quite
accurate, Sheriff.
Especially since the hair from the bell
tower turned out to come from a nylon wig,
and not from Mariah's hair.
Well, I asked Seth to
make a few phone calls.
Okay.
So the hair came from a wig, so?
Well, why on earth would a
young woman with long black hair
want to wear a wig
with long black hair?
Why would anyone
want to wear it?
Unless they wanted
to look like Mariah.
CHARLES: I don't understand
what this is all about.
I know, but it could be important.
How did you say that you hurt that leg?
I fell down the stairs. It
was slick, and I slipped.
And it was slick because the
wooden steps had just been refinished?
Right.
I agree with Charles.
Where is all this going?
Surely you didn't come all the way out
here just to ask about my husband's leg.
You're right, Lydia,
I came to talk about
the Monica Walker case.
Well, that's old news.
Well, perhaps it
was, but not anymore.
If it really were old news, you never
would have had to kill Judge Clinton.
What? That's absurd.
I wish it were.
The fact is, Lydia, you falsified the
charges of theft against Monica Walker.
Your diamond necklace
was never really stolen.
The primary diamond
is here in this room,
right now, in that ring
that you're wearing.
No. This...
This ring was given to me
by my great-grandmother.
Oh, the setting is
antique, all right,
but the stone itself is an
ideal brilliant-cut diamond.
They didn't develop that
particular cut until around the 1920s.
And that's the cut
of your diamond ring,
which means it couldn't possibly
have come from your great-grandmother.
That proves nothing.
By itself, no.
But it also matches
the description I got
from the insurance company this
afternoon. I had to go to the main office
after you torched Nate Parsons'
shed with refinishing fluid.
You didn't want
anyone to find out
that you deliberately let an
innocent woman go to jail.
I don't understand. Why?
Jealousy.
This is your boat, The
Lucky Charm, isn't it?
How long had you been
involved with Monica Walker?
Charles, please. If you have
anything to say, please say it now.
I didn't mean for it to happen,
it just did.
Then, when she was arrested
for stealing Lydia's necklace,
I felt she was just using me.
Lydia, how could you?
Because I thought I'd lose you.
We worked so hard to
build a life for ourselves.
Unfortunately, you enlisted
the support of Willard Clinton,
the prosecuting attorney.
Possibly promising him help when
he ran for the circuit court judge.
Yes, but then it was over,
and I could live my life
the way I was meant to.
And then she came back here.
Mariah Osborn.
Yes. Different name, but
I knew exactly who it was.
LYDIA: When I walked in
on you two together, Charles,
the pain of all those old
memories came back.
And then when I saw
her with Willard Clinton,
working him just like
her mother worked you,
I knew it was just a question of
time before he'd tell her everything.
So you sent Judge
Clinton that note
and went to the bell tower
dressed as Mariah in a black wig,
in case anyone might see you?
Maybe even hoping someone would.
LYDIA: Yes, God help me.
Oh, Charles.
I'm sorry, I'm so
sorry. I'm so sorry.
I can't thank you enough for
everything you've done, Jessica.
Your mother was ill-served by
this town 20 years ago, Mariah.
It owed you, and
her, a second chance.
Well, it helps me to understand
why she loved this place so much
before it went bad for her.
It even gives me a better
feel for Rachel Abbot.
Good. Who knows,
maybe one of these days
even the spirit of Rachel
Abbot will find peace
with the good
people of Cabot Cove.
SETH: Curtain
going up, everybody.
Places. Good luck.
Come on, break a leg.
Thank you.
You're not nervous,
are you, Seth?
Jess, it is a nightmare.
The paint is still
wet on the flats,
we need another week of
rehearsal, the costumes don't fit...
Oh, it's gonna be fine. And the good
news is, you don't have to do it next year.
What? And give up show business?